Objective To investigate the expressions of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) protein and mRNA in the lung of rats with hepatopulmonary syndrome. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham operation (SO), intrahepatic portal hypertension (IHPH), prehepatic portal hypertension (PHPH) and portasymstimic shunt (PCS). Two weeks after preparation of rat models, the following measurements were performed: arterial blood gas analysis; the concentrations of NO in lungs; in situ hybridization of ecNOS and iNOS mRNA expressions in lung tissue sections with digoxin-labeled ecNOS and iNOS oligonucleotide probes; expressions of ecNOS and iNOS proteins by immunohistochemisty; image and semiquantitative analysis of the expressions of ecNOS, iNOS and their mRNA. Results PaO_ 2 was (73.85?6.51) mmHg in IHPH rats, significantly lower than that in PHPH, PCS and SO rats97.39? 1.33, 95.23?2.22 and (99.05?0.75)mmHg, respectively.The level of lung NO of IHPH was(19.78?5.33)?mol per gram of protein,much higher than that of PHPH, PCS and SO 13.21?3.99,13.89?3.16 and (8.71?1.68)?mol per gram of protein,respectively. In capillary endothelia, positive expressions of ecNOS mRNA and ecNOS protein in IHPH(4.96?0.82,4.11?0.28) were significantly higher than those of PHPH (1.81? 0.39, 1.63?0.18), PCS (1.88?0.53,1.83?0.16)and SO(1.19?0.32,0.98?0.20). Conclusion The expressions of NOS protein and mRNA in the lung of rats with hepatopulmonary syndrome were increased, and the level of lung NO was elevated, which seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Surface electromyogram (sEMG) may have low signal to noise ratios. An adaptive wavelet thresholding technique was developed in this study to remove noise contamination from sEMG signals. Compared with convention- al wavelet thresholding methods, the adaptive approach can adjust thresholds based on different signal to noise ratios of the processed signal, thus effectively removing noise contamination and reducing distortion of the EMG signal. The advantage of the developed adaptive thresholding method was demonstrated using simulated and experimental sEMG recordings.
Algorithms ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Wavelet Analysis

Aged ; Antitubercular Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Factor VIII ; therapeutic use ; Hemophilia A ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; complications ; drug therapy

Objective To study clinical value of percutaneous intrabiliary expandable metallic biliary stenting (EMBS) for treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice. Methods One hundred and sixty patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were treated with EMBS ( EMBS group) . Thirty patients underwent only external drainage by PTCD were recruited as control. The patency rate of stent,decline of bilirubin and the complication were analyzed retrospectively. Both groups were followed up for three months. The Kaplan-Meier method (log-rank test) was used to compare the survival period between the two groups. Results Anorexia,skin pruritus and color of urine alleviated at a certain degree in both groups.In the EMBS group,plasma total bilirubin was(218. 78 ±2. 29) μmol/L pre-stent,and decreased to (134. 90 ±2. 34), (83. 18 ±2.40) , (40. 74 ±2. 29) μmol/L at the 7,14,21 days after the stenting, respectively; direct bilirubin was (128.82 ±2.40) μmol/L pre-stent, and decreased to (81.28 ± 2. 34), (51. 29 ±2. 45) and (25. 70 ±2.40)μmol/L at the 7,14,21 days after the stenting ( P =0. 000). In the PTCD group,plasma total bilirubin was (223. 57 ± 2. 58) μmol/L pe-stent, and decreased to ( 145. 68 ± 2. 57 ) ,(87.57 ±2.58) ,(38.65 ±2. 20) μmol/L at the 7,14,21 days after the stenting,respectively;direct bilirubin was (127. 6 ±2. 59)μmol/L pre-stent,and decreased to (79. 78 ±2. 70) ,(58. 36 ±2. 46) and (29.46 ±2. 20)μmol/L at the 7,14,21 days after the stenting,respectively ( P <0.001 ). No significant difference was found between the two groups at any time point ( P > 0. 05). Complications occurred in 34 patients in the EMBS group and the incidence rate was 20. 62% . Two or more complications occurred in 9 patients. In the PTCD group, complications occurred in 60.00% of the patients. In the EMBS group, 14 patients were failed to follow up, and 136 died. The median length was 214 days. In the PTCD group,all patients were followed up and all died,with a median length of survival of 75. 5 days. The survival analysis showed that the EMBS group survived longer than the PTCD group (P =0. 000). Conclusions EMBS placement showed better effect than PTCD. Compared to PTCD, internal drainage of metallic stents lead few complications and faster recover, and can improve the life quality and prolong survival time of patient with malignant obstructive jaundice. The placement of metallic stents is recommended as a preference for palliative therapy of malignant biliary obstruction.

Objective To assess the clinical features and treatment of children with long QT syndrome (LQTS)and syncope.Methods Eleven cases of children with LQTS and syncope between January 2009 and July 2014 in Hunan Children′s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed for clinical features,treatment and long term follow -up.Results There were 11 cases of children with LQTS aged 4.0 -14.5(9.16 ±2.71)years,8 male and 3 female, with syncope more than once.The range of QTc was 460 -521(483.72 ±22.90)ms.For 3 cases of acquired LQTS,1 case was parathyroid hypothyroidism causing hypocalcemia,1 case was myocarditis complicated with third degree atrio-ventricular block,and 1 case showed atrial flutter receiving amiodarone post congenital cardiac surgery.All patients re-covered after the inducement removed and primary illness cured.For 8 cases of congenital LQTS,3 cases of LQTS un-derwent genetic test (1 case of KCNQ1 gene mutation,2 cases of KCNH2 gene mutation).One case died after frequent torsade de pointes (Tdp)and ventricular fibrillation during hospitalization,the remaining 7 patients were given oral pro-pranolol,potassium chloride sustained -release tablets after discharge.Follow -up time was 8 to 75 months,an average of (45.73 ±24.42)months.One case died suddenly at home after 25 months of follow -up.The remaining 6 cases of children with congenital LQTS could withstand general activities without syncope,in which 4 cases had normal QTc by electrocardiography(ECG),and the findings in 2 cases did not change compared with those previously.The QTc re-turned to normal in children with acquired LQTS in the follow -up review.Conclusions Children with congenital LQTS should receive early genetic screening and genotyping for rational use of drugs.For children with higher risk of sudden death,drug therapy combined with implantable cardioverter defibrillator should be considered.For acquired LQTS,it should be better to remove the inducement and treat primary disease actively.

Objective To investigate the association of two single nuclear peptides(SNPs)polymorphisms(rs11209026 and rs11805303)which lies in interleukin-23 receptor(IL23R)gene with susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).Methods The target SNPs were directly sequenced by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and gene polymorphisms of 50 healthy and 81 patients with IBD (Crohn's disease in 41 patients and ulcerative colitis in 40 patients)were analyzed using chromassoftware.Results The geno-type frequency and allelic frequency of rs11209026 were 7.3%and 3.7%in patients with Crohn's disease respectively,15.0%and 7.5%in patients with ulcerative colitis respectively as well as 14.0%and 7.0%in normal population respectively(all P value＞0.05).The geno-type frequency and allelic frequency of rs11805303 were 22.0%and 52.4%in patients with Crohn's disease respectively,15.0% and 41.2% in patients with ulcerative colitis respectively as well as 34.0%and 59.0%in normal population respectively(all P value＞0.05).But in allelic frequency there was significant difference between ulcerative colitis patients and normal population(P=0.018).The polymorphisms of rs11805303 loci did not correlate with age,gender,disease duration.activity and site in patients with ulcerative colitis.Conclusions IL23R gene polymorphism is not associated with the susceptibility to Crohn's disease.rs11805303 allele may be related with susceptibility to ulcerative colitis.But no correlation was found between the SNP polymorphisms and the clinical characteristic of ulcerative colitis.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of double dosage Tamsulosin in treating patients with type Ⅲ prostatitis.Methods According to the results of prostate secretion(EPS) examination and the national institute health-chronic prostatitis symptom index(NIH-CPSI) questionnaire,120 patients with type Ⅲ prostatitis were recruited and randomly divided into single dosage group (n =60),treated with 0.2 mg Tamsulosin and placebo once daily for 12 weeks,and double dosage group (n =60),treated with 0.4mg Tamsulosin once daily for 12 weeks.Before treatment,the NIH-CPSI total scores in single and double dosage group were 26.91 ± 4.08 and 27.31 ± 4.98,respectively.The pain index in each group was 10.64±2.23 and 11.47 ± 3.00,respectively.The voiding index was 6.52 ± 2.24 and 6.41 ± 2.97 respectively.In those groups,the quality of life index was 9.68 ± 1.81 and 9.45 ± 1.79,respectively.All those items didn't show significant difference among those groups (P ＞ 0.05).The patients were follow-up and evaluate by those items on weeks 12.Results Because of losing during follow-up,4 patients were excluded from single dosage group.2 patients were excluded from double dosage group.After treatment in single dosage group,the NIH-CPSI total scores were 12.11 ± 3.60,pain index were 3.57 ± 1.67,voiding index were 2.88 ± 1.70,quality of life index were5.59 ± 2.06.After treatment in double dosage group,the NIH-CPSI total scores were 9.90 ± 4.15,pain index were 3.21 ± 2.21,voiding index were 2.21 ± 2.11,quality of life index were 4.50 ± 1.97.After 12 weeks treatment,the NIH-CPSI total scores,pain index,voiding index,quality of life index in both two groups were improved (P ＜ 0.05),and the double dosage group improve better(P ＜ 0.05).In the course of treatment,there were 2 cases of patients (3.8％) with adverse drug reactions in single dosage group,including dizziness in 1 case,headache in 1 cases.There were 4 cases of patients (6.9％) with adverse drug reactions in double dosage group,including dizziness in 3 cases of and rhinitis in 1 case.The rate of adverse reactions had no significant differences in the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Compared with single dosage Tamsulosin in the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis,double therapy had a better efficacy.Double dosage Tamsulosin therapy had an equal safety to the single dosage Tamsulosin.

Objective To observe the effects of genistein on PCNA expression and cell cycle in fibroblasts derived from human hypertrophic scar in order to explore the mechanism of its inhibition on hypertrophic scar (HS) fibroblast proliferation. Methods The human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts were cultured in vitro. Genistein with various concentrations (25, 50, 100 μmol/L) was co-cultured in the medium for 48 hours. The expression of PCNA was detected with immunocytochemical staining method and the cell cycle was measured with flow cytometry. Results Genistein could significantly decrease PCNA expression in HS fibroblasts, especially when its concentration at 50 μmol/L or 100 μmol/L. The cell percentage of G0～G1 phase decreased with drug′s concentration, and G2～M percentage increased conversely, implying the suspension of mitosis. In 100 μmol/L group, most cells blocked at S phase and a hypodiploid apoptosis peak could be observed ahead of G1 phase. Conclusion Genistein can inhibit the proliferation of human hypertrophic scar by blocking cell division as well as decreasing DNA synthesis.

Objective To establish and evaluate the CaV1?1?R528H gene knock?in mouse model of thyrotoxic hy?pokalemic periodic paralysis. Methods Thirty?six 8?week?old male CaV1?1?R528H gene knock?in mice and thirty?six 8?week?old wild?type male C57BL/6J mice were used in this study. Using three?factor two?level 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design ( the three factors including mutation, thyroxine and insulin, and two levels were with or without) , the mice were divided into 8 groups. The thyroxine groups were intraperitoneally injected with levothyroxine in a dose of 350 μg/kg once per day for 12 consecutive days to produce thyrotoxicosis. The insulin groups were intraperitoneally injected with short?acting insulin in a dose of 0?8 U/kg after the last administration of levothyroxine, and the potassium levels of different groups were meas?ured and recorded before (0 min) and after insulin injection (30 min, 60 min). Results (1) Compared with the control group, the following phenomena including irritability, dull coat, increased diet and water intake, and slow body weight gain, were observed in the thyrotoxic mice. Thyroid function tests showed that the levels of T3 and T4 in the thyrotoxic mice were significantly higher than those in the corresponding control mice (P<0?05), and the TSH level was significantly low?er than that of the corresponding control mice (P<0?05 ). (2) After administration of insulin or thyroxine alone, the po?tassium levels in the mutant and wild?type mice were not significantly different. However, after combined administration of thyroxine and insulin, the potassium levels in the mutant group were significantly lower than those in the wild?type mice at 30 min and 60 min ( P<0?05 for both). (3) The main effects and interactions:Mutation factor or thyroxine factor alone did not influence on the potassium level, only insulin showed hypokalemic effect (P<0?05). There were interactions be?tween thyroxine and mutation, and between insulin and mutation (P<0?05), but no interaction between thyroxine and in?sulin. Conclusions (1) A thyrotoxicosis state in mice is successfully developed in this study. (2) An CaV1?1?R528H gene knock?in mouse model of thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis is successfully established.

Objective To explore the effects of polymorphisms of Crohn's disease related NOD2 gene and human beta-defensin 2 (hBD-2) on transcription of hBD-2 gene and its mechanism. Methods HEK293T cells were transfected with hBD-2 gene and NOD2 eukaryotic expression plasmid, and were then stimulated with LPS, TNF-α, or BAY 11-7082 (antagonist of NF-κB), respectively. Transcriptional activity of hBD-2 was detected afterwards. Results LPS could suppress transcription of hBD-2 (P=0. 020), which was increased by TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner (P =0. 004). In the presence of LPS, there was sig-nificant difference in transcriptional activity of hBD-2 between wild-NOD2 transfected group and mutated NOD2 (P268S) transfected group (P=0. 008), but there was no significant difference between wild hBD-2 transfected group and mutated hBD-2 transfected group (P=0. 053). With the stimulation of TNF-α (5 ng/ml), there was a significant difference between mutated hBD-2 transfected group and wild hBD-2 transfected group (P=0. 006), but no significant difference between wild-NOD2 transfected and mutated NOD2 transfected group was defected (P = 0. 064). Pretreatment with BAY 11-7082 before TNF-α (5 ng/ml) significantly inhibited the transcriptional activity of hBD-2 (P < 0. 001). Conclusion The poly-morphism of NOD2 affects the innate expression of hBD-2, the polymorphism of site in hBD-2 promoter (-233) may lead to significant decline of the inducible expression of hBD-2, and NF-κB might be a key pathway that NOD2 protein mediates the expression of defensin.