AIM: To explore the effect of lysophosphatidylcholine(LPC) on cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells, and to offer experimental evidence for research on prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.METHODS: Peritoneal macrophages and LDL were seperated from mice and serum of healthy volunteers, respectively. The foam cells were derived from macrophages in the presence of Acylated LDL (AcLDL). Cholesterol efflux from cells and LDH activity were measured by enzymetic fluorometry and LDH kit, respectively.RESULTS: After incubated with LPC for 24 hours, cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells increased significantly compared to control, and cellular cholesterol was lower than that in control group. At the same time, medium LDH activity of LPC group was not increased obviously. CONCLUSION: Within the dosage of 10-80 ?mol/L, LPC can promote cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells in a dose-dependent manner, and this effect has nothing to do with cytotoxity of LPC.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and therapeutic strategies of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV)genotype 6 in Guangxi area.Methods Serum samples were collected from 150 patients with serologic HCV RNA positive in Guangxi, China. Reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)was employed to amplify HCV NS5B fragments and the DNA products were sequenced.The sequences obtained were compared with the sequences deposited in GenBank to construct a phylogenetic tree.Among the patients who accomplished 48-week treatment of interferon plus ribavirin and 24-week follow-up after stopping medication,10 cases were infected with genotype 6a and 28 cases with genotype 1 HCV.The virological responses were evaluated at week 4,week 12,week 24 of treatment and week 24 after the end of the treatment.Results Among all recruited 150 cases,21 (14.0%)cases were HCV genotype 6 including two subtypes 6a (n = 20 )and 6d (n = 1 ). Genotype 6 HCV mainly affected intravenous drug users, especially with age of ≤ 40 years old. Phylogenetic tree showed that there was very close evolutionary distance between HCV 6 strains of Guangxi and Hongkong,China strains (Y12083,DQ 480515)and Vietnam strain (EU246930).All of 10 HCV genotype 6a patients who completed 48 weeks of antiviral therapy achieved sustained virological response (SVR).The rate of SVR was higher than that of genotype 1 patients,but without statistically different significance (10/10 vs 75 .0%,P >0.05).Conclusion HCV genotype 6 in Guangxi area mainly affects young intravenous drug users with age of ≤ 40 years old,which has high homology with Hongkong,China and Vietnam standard strains.Patients with HCV 6 genotype infection treated with interferon plus ribavirin for 48 weeks usually achieve favorable SVR.

The effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) in low doses supplementation on concentrations of polar retinoid metabolites (PRM) and retinoids in the ethanol-fed rat liver, and on hepatocyte injury were investigated. The rat model of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) was induced by intragastric infusion of ethanol, and then the rats were administrated with ATRA in two different doses (150 microg/kg body weight and 1.5 mg/kg body weight) for 4 weeks. Concentrations of retinoids in rat liver and plasma were determined by using HPLC. Liver tissues pathologic changes were observed under the light microscopy and electron microscopy. The serum transaminases concentrations were measured. The results showed that the HPLC analysis of retinoids revealed that retinoids (vitamin A, RA, retinyl palmitate) concentrations in ethanol-fed rat liver and RA concentration in ethanol-fed rat plasma were markedly diminished (P<0.01) after ethanol feeding for 12 weeks. Furthermore, obvious peaks of PRM were formed in livers of ethanol-fed rats. ATRA 150 microg/kg supplementation in ethanol-fed rats for 4 weeks raised RA concentration in both liver and plasma, and also raised vitamin A concentration in liver to control levels, partially restored retinyl palmitate concentration (P<0.05) in liver. ATRA 1.5 mg/kg supplementation raised not only RA concentrations in liver and plasma but also retinyl palmitate concentrations in liver. However, the vitamin A concentration in liver of ATRA-supplemented rats (1.5 mg/kg) was higher than that of controls (P<0.05). The histologic observation of liver tissues indicated that ATRA treatment notably alleviated hepatocellular swelling, steatosis, the swelling of mitochondria and proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). ATRA treatment greatly decreased levels of serum transaminases as compared with the only ethanol-fed group (P<0.05). It was concluded that low-dose ATRA treatment could restore retinoids concentrations and abolish the PRM formation in liver of ALD rats, and then ameliorate the injury of liver cells.

The aim is to explore and build the treatment-care and four linkage combination integrated care model,so as to provide methods and ideas for the medical service practice.By exploring the mechanism and hierarchical management mode of the treatment-care and four linkage combination integrated care model,we have set up a whole process management closed loop in four combined linkage,including hospital,medical care,community and family,raised to solve the medical combination of acute medical treatment and the problems existing in the continuing care.After more than a year of preparation and practice,we have build the social service centered medical combined with four linkage information platform,and have realized the online and offline medical combination of care services in hospital,medical care,community and family.Based on Intemet technology,the building of the treatment-care and four linkage combination integrated care model is the efficient method to solve the difficulties and problems of the health care and the continuation demands among elderly under the current conditions,and the feasible way to realize theslight illness in the community,disease the hospital,care in institutions,pension in the family.

BACKGROUND:Many foreign studies confirm that recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is a safe and effective agent for treatment of idiopathic short stature (iSS), but there are no long-period and systematical researches reported in China.OBJECTIVE: To observe the promoting effect of rhGH on the growth of children with ISS.DESIGN: Case-control observation.SETTING: Department of Pediatrics, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University.PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-eight children with ISS who were treated in the Department of Pediatrics, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University during December 2004 to March 2006 were involved in this study.Informed consents were obtained from the guardians of these children with ISS. According to the etiological factors, the children were assigned into 2 groups: ISS group (n =30) and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) group (n =68).METHODS : The children in ISS group and GHD group received subcutaneous administration of home-made rhGH (Jinsai Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd., Changchun at 0.15 IU/(kg ·d) and 0.1 IU/(kg ·d) respectively before sleeping within 6 months.The body height, body mass and bone age were measured before, 3 and 6 months after treatment. The local region of injection was observed and the growth rate was calculated. Bone age was calculated by graphic atlas method and body height was predicated by BP method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body height, body mass, bone age and growth rate of children in two groups before, 3 and 6 months after treatment.RESULTS: All the 98 children wereinvolved in the result analysis, without deletion. ①Intragroup comparison: The body height, growth rate of children in two groups 3 and 6 months after treatment were significantly superior to those before treatment [ISS group: body height:(126.5±9.4), (129.1±8.6), (121.1 ±11.0) cm (P ＜ 0.01), growth rate: (7.3±2.9), (7.5±2.7),(3.5±2.1) cm/year (P＜ 0.01); GHD group: body height: (111.0±13.0),(114.0±13.0),(108.0±12.0) cm(P＜ 0.01),growth rate: (13.2±3.5), (13.5±3.6), (4.0±2.9) cm/year(P ＜ 0.01)]. Six months after treatment, body height was increased in 27 of 30 children in ISS groups, and in all the 68 children in GHD group. ② Intergroup comparison: The growth rate of children in GHD group was concurrently higher than that in ISS group 3 and 6 months after treatment. ③Adverse reaction and side effect: During the treatment, hypothyroidism was observed in 2 children within 1 to 3 months of treatment,but there was no influence on growth rate after oral administration of thyroxin tablets. Local red swelling of skin was observed in another patient, which stopped automatically after one week duration, but the injection continued.CONCLUSION: Home-made rhGH is a safe and effective reagent for treatment of ISS. It can obviously enhance the body height and growth rate of children. Whereas the inhomogeneity of treatment effect does exist, what's more, therapeutic effect in ISS children is inferior to that in GHD children.

BACKGROUND: The oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is a key influencing factor in the occurrence and development process of atherosclerosis. How is the merit of the method for the detection of the level of anti-serum oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) antibody on the evaluation of atherosclerotic plaque?OBJECTIVE: To study the method for the detection of serum anti-ox-LDL antibody in mice with apolipoprotein E (Apo-E) genetic defect to analyze the merits of serous level of anti-ox-LDL antibody on the evaluation of the area of atherosclerotic plaque in mice with Apo-E genetic defect.DESIGN: Single factor analysis of variance (a case-controlled study)SETTING: Laboratory of nutrition and metabolism diseases in a university.PARTICIPANTS: Mice with Apo-E genetic defect were grouped into positive group (series: C57B L/6J, n = 15), while normal mice were grouped into control group (series: C57BL/6J, n = 15).INTERVENTIONS: Mice of two groups were fed in separate cage on laminar flow shelf for free drinking and eating. The venous blood was drawn from the orbit of mice after 16 weeks for the separation of mice serum. The level of anti-ox-LDL antibody was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the separated serum from either mice with Apo-E genetic defect or normal mice. The area of atherosclerotic plaque was measured by image analysis after oil red O staining.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ox-LDL level and atherosclerotic plaque area in mice with Apo-E genetic defect or normal mice.RESULTS: Anti-ox-LDL antibody level of mice with Apo-E genetic defect was[ (0. 079 ±0. 028)% ], which was significantly higher than [(0. 012± 0.001 )% ] of normal mice ( F= 10. 666, P ＜ 0.01 ). The area of atherosclerotic plaque of mice with Apo-E genetic defect was (26. 25 ± 9.20) %, which was also significantly higher than 0% of normal mice, and moreover, there was a significant correlation between these two factors ( r =0. 638, P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Serum level of anti-ox-LDL antibody in mice with Apo-E genetic defect is closely correlated with the area of atherosclerotic plaque,which is an important indicator for the generation of atherosclerosis in mice with Apo-E genetic defect.

Objective To study the effect of cervical disc replacement in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM).Methods 21 patients with CSM(17 cases of spondylotic myelopathy,2 cases of radiculopathy and 2 cases of acute soft disc herniation)were treated by anterior decompression and replaced by the Bryan cervical disc prosthesis. Results All cases were: followed for 4～12 months, average 8 months. The pre-operative JOA score was 8.5 and post-operative score was 15.5 on average. There were no prosthesis, curve was good. Replaced segment achieved stability and restored partial of normal ROM. There was no subsidence of implant and no worsening of pre-operative symptoms, post-operative 21 cases remained flexion/extension movement at replaced segments at latest follow up. There was no neck stiffness and restriction of movement complained by the patients. Conclusion The Bryan cervical disc replacement for the treatment of CSM has offered an excellent early clinical outcome.

Objective To investigate whether low-protein diet has protective effect on the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis in rats with cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced nephropathy. Methods Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (6 rats in each group). The rats in control group (C group) received common diet; in model group (M group) low-salt diet; in intervention group (Ⅰ group) low-salt and low-protein diet. After diet adaptation period of one week, the rats in C group received subcutaneous injection of olive oil 1 mg/kg daily for 5 weeks, while M group and Ⅰ group subcutaneous injection of CsA (diluted into 25 g/L with olive oil) 1 ml/kg for 5 weeks. All the rats were sacrificed at the end of the 5th week. The food-intake and body weight were measured daily. The creatinine clearance (Ccr) was examined before rats were sacrificed. The semi-quantitative pathological analysis on kidney sections was performed. The mRNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-βI) and type Ⅰ collagen (Col Ⅰ) in kidney tissue was determined with real time PCR and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Results The food-intake and body weight of rats in M and I groups were significantly lower than those in C group (P<0.05). Compared with C group, the Ccr levels in M and Ⅰ groups were significantly reduced [(0.65±0.15) ml/min, (0.40+0.13) ml/min vs (1.55±0.29) ml/min, P<0.05], the relative fibrosis areas of kidney interstitium in M and I groups were significantly increased (3.60%±0.46%, 3.26%±0.75% vs 0.44%±0.24%, P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 in M and I group was significantly up-regulated (by 2.6 and 3.1 times in mRNA and by 1.5 and 1.6 times in protein, respectively, P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein expression of Col Ⅰ in M and I groups was also significantly up-regulated (by 3.0 and 3.5 times in mRNA and by 2.3 and 2.1 times in protein, respectively, P<0.05). There were no significant differences between M and I groups in every parameters above-mentioned except the rat body weight and Ccr. Both the body weight and Ccr in Ⅰ group were significantly lower than those in M group (P<0.05). Compared with C group, the urine osmotic pressure in M group and in I group were deceased (for M group, P>0.05; for I group, P<0.05). Compared with C group, the serum cholesterol levels in M and I groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the serum phosphorus level in I group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The levels of serum albumin and serum calcium of all three groups had no statistical differences (P>0.05). Conclusion Low-protein diet has no renoprutective effects on the rat model of cyclosporin A nephropathy, on the contrary, may induce body weight loss.

Objective To compare the operative cooperation of da Vinci robotic surgery and traditional laparoscopic surgery, so as to provide evidence to qualify the operative cooperation of minimally invasive operation. Methods Comparison of the operative cooperation with related experiences and literature was made between the two kinds of surgeries. Results More requirements were put forward during the da Vinci robotic surgery on nurses′ service quality and training methods, ethics & law knowledge and humanistic care, equipment installation and preparation, complicated nursing performance content, system error handling and postoperative management, etc.. Conclusions It is suggested that the operative cooperation of the precise minimally invasive operation should be improved as follows:strengthen the nurses′ special training and continuing education; establish related operation process and management standards;do patients′explanation work and surgical team cooperation.

Objective: To observe the effect of supplementation with anthocyanins (ANTH)purified from outlayer of black rice (BRF) on atherosclerotic (AS) plaque formation and inflammatory signal-transduction. Methods: Forth five male ApoE-defieient mice of 4 w age, were randomly divided into 3 groups: positive control (Group A), BRF (Group B ), ANTH (Group C), 15 in each group. Another 15 male ApoE-deficient mice served as negative control (Group D ). Group A and D were fed AIN-93G purified diet, Group C and B fed the same diet with 5% BRF not containing ANTH and 0.39% ANTH (containing 42% total flavonoids) respectively. The animals were fed for 20w, then blood, hearts and aortas were examined to verify inflammatory signal transduction. Results: There were no visible AS plaques in group D but much more severe in group A and B than C respectively. Compared with group A, supplememation of ANTH of BRF significantly increased the activity of T-NOS and cNOS, decreased the activity of iNOS but not significantly. The level of protein expression of ICAM- 1, NF-?B gene and mRNA expression of COX-2 gene were significantly decreased in aorta. Conclusion: The action of anthocyanins of BRF could be attributed to its anti-inflammatory activity to reduce COX-2, INOS and ICAM-1 expression which might be modulated by NF-?B.