Objective To explore the effects ofBuzhong Yiqi Pills on HBV-related decompensated liver cirrhosis patients.Methods A total of 176 patients of HBV-related decompensated liver cirrhosis were enrolled in the study from January 2007 to January 2010 and were divided into treatment group (82 cases) and control group (94 cases) according to patient's wishes. Patients in both groups were given antiviral therapy. According to the liver function and complications, patients were given glycyrrhizin to protect liver, Kuhuang Injection to treat jaundice, and spironolactone and furosemide for diuretic treatment. Patients in the treatment group receivedBuzhong Yiqi Pills, one bag for each time, twice a day, four weeks as a treatment session, three sessions each year, with five-year follow-up. Effects ofBuzhong Yiqi Pills on the hepatorenal function, blood coagulation, blood routine, complications and survival rate in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were observed.ResultsBuzhong Yiqi Pills could effectively improve the hepatorenal function, blood routine and coagulation disorders of HBV-related decompensated liver cirrhosis patients (P<0.05,P<0.01). The rate of complications with hydrothorax and ascites (46.34% vs. 88.30%), upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (39.02% vs. 69.15%), infection (31.71% vs. 57.45%), hepatic encephalopathy (23.17% vs. 54.26%), hepatorenal syndrome (6.10% vs. 18.09%) and chronic hepatic failure (9.76% vs. 25.53%) in the treatment group and the control group were with statistical significance (P<0.05,P<0.01). The five-year survival rates were significantly higher in the treatment group (79.27%) compared with the control group (64.89%), with statistical significance (χ2=5.353,P=0.021).ConclusionLong term use ofBuzhong Yiqi Pills can significantly decrease the complications of HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis and improve survival rate of patients.

AIM: This study is to detail its possible mechanisms that homocysteine (Hcy) induces injury of cultured endothelial cells.METHODS: Hcy in sequential concentrations was added into the cultured human umbilial vein endothelial cells for 24 hours in serum-free medium. The lipid peroxidation, release of LDH, cell total protein content, cell apoptosis and necrosis were assessed. RESULTS: Hcy increased the apoptosis of endothelial cells.In high Hcy concentration the cells also showed obvious injurious and necrotic morphological changes. Lipid peroxidation increased, with LDH releasing up and cell total protein content down, and they showed a positive dose-effect relationship with the Hcy concentration. All the above effects of Hcy was strengthened by low density lipoprotein (LDL) which may suggest synergetic effects of Hcy and LDL.CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that Hcy has a strong oxidizing effect, which may be one of its major mechanism for injury of EC.

Objective To explore the quantity and ultrastructure of dopaminum (DA) neuron in nigra-striatum, pathological basis of the successful animal model of cerebral palsy (CP) by hyperbilirubinemia, to provide the evidence for clinical therapy and rehabilitation. Methods Thirty homozygous newborn rabbits (2~5 d) were randomly divided into 2 groups: a control group(n=10) and a model group(n=20). The rabbits in the control group were administrated bilirubin intraperitoneally, with a total dose of 300 mg/kg, while those in the model group were administrated with saline at the same dose. All the animals were fed well for 45 days until they were sacrificed for observation of the ultrastructure of brain tissue and quantification of DA neurons. Results The ultrastructure of nigra-striatum of the control group demonstrated significant changes; The quantity of nigra-striatum DA neurons of the control group decreased. Conclusion The ultrastructure of nigra-striatum of the control group has had obviously changes. The nigra-striatum DA neuron of CP rabbits was impaired and the quantity of nigra-striatum DA neuron of CP rabbits was reduced.

Objective:To analyze the expression of E-cadherin in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in neuroblastoma.Methods:TGF-β1(1 μg/L, 5 μg/L, 10 μg/L), was applied to SK-N-SH cells in vitro compared with the blank control group.EMT-related genes mRNA and protein expression were detected by carrying out real-time PCR assays and Western blot.A scratch test and migration assay were performed to verify the alteration of SK-N-SH cell migration capacity.Data collected from 18 cases of neuroblastoma patients were selected from the Department of Hematology Oncology, Shanghai Children′s Hospital from January 2008 to December 2012.The expression of E-cadherin in the tumor tissue of the neuroblastoma patients after operation was detected by immunohistochemistry.The clinical features and survival prognosis of these patients were analyzed. Results:Compared with the control group, after SK-N-SH cells were treated with TGF-β1(1 μg/L, 5 μg/L, 10 μg/L), real-time PCR assays and Western blot revealed that the mRNA(0.603±0.081, 0.606±0.008, 0.716±0.166 vs.1.000) and protein expression levels(0.855±0.026, 0.600±0.017, 0.495±0.011 vs.1.000) of E-cadherin were significantly decreased ( F=8.144, P=0.040; F=74.810, P<0.001), while the mRNA(2.132±0.167, 3.494±0.017, 4.184±0.021 vs.1.000) and protein expression levels (1.175±0.053, 1.189±0.058, 1.225±0.106 vs.1.000)of α - smooth muscle actin were significantly increased ( F=547.300, P<0.001; F=68.810, P=0.007), suggesting that EMT changes occur in cells.Scratch test and Transwell migration assay revealed that the number of migrating cells increased obvious with the treatment of TGF-β1 (5 μg/L) ( t=16.070, P=0.040). The 10-year overall survival(OS) rates of neuroblastoma patients with E-cadherin strong positive expression, positive expression, weak positive expression and negative expression in the pathology were (77.78±13.86)%, (75.00±21.66)%, (25.00±21.65)% and 0, respectively ( F=8.160, P=0.040). Conclusions:TGF-β1 can induce the EMT in SK-N-SH cells and increase cell migration.The decrease expression of E-cadherin in neuroblastoma patients is closely associated with clinical progress and recurrence or metastasis of the disease.

Objective To investigate the image quality difference of the virtual monochromatic spectral(VMS) images synthesized from fast kilovoltage switching and dual-source dual-energy CT for a given radiation dose. Methods A plurality of disposable syringes containing 15 mg/ml iodine contrast agent and saline were placed on the surface of the male anthropomorphic phantom consisting ofhead neck and torso, GE HD750 gemstone spectral imaging and Siemens Somatom Definition Flash dual energy CT protocols were performed on the phantom for a same dose(volume CT dose index 6.52 mGy), and VMS images (40, 60, 70, 80, 100, 120, 140 keV) were reconstructed and obtained(VMSkV switching and VMSdual-source image), respectively. The objective image noise, iodine signal noise ratio(SNR), iodine contrast noise ratio (CNR) and CT values were measured. The results were analyzed using the paired t test and ANOVA. Results All VMS iodine CT values were gradually decreased with the increasing of keV , and iodine CT values on VMSdual-source images were greater than on VMSkV switching images(P<0.05), VMSkV switching iodine CT values in descending order from the head , chest, abdomen at less than 100 keV,while most VMSdual-source iodine CT values were highest on chest(P<0.05). VMSdual-source and VMSkV switching image noise were highest at 40 keV and successively raised from the head, chest , abdomen. VMSkV switching image noise gradually decreased with the increase of keV in the range of 40 to 70 keV , gradually increased up to the trough after 70 keV from 80 keV gradually decreased, while VMSdual-source image noise was lowest at 70 keV or 80 keV , and then with the keV increased gradually increased. Image noise on VMSkV switching images in the range of 40 to 100 keV were higher than that on VMSdual-source images and lower in the range of 100 to 140 keV at most part(P<0.05). VMSdual-source and VMSkV switching iodine SNR were highest at 40 keV or 60 keV,SNR on VMSdual-source images are greater than on VMSkV switching images except 40 keV images on head and abdomen(P<0.05) . VMSdual-source and VMSkV switching iodine CNR were highest at 60 keV,CNR on VMSdual-source images are greater than on VMSkV switching images except 40 keV images on head 100 keV and 120 keV on abdomen(P<0.05).SNR and CNR decreased from the head, chest, abdomen (P<0.05). Conclusion VMS images synthesized from fast kilovoltage switching and dual-source dual-energy CT have different image quality performance at most keV and body parts, but VMS imaging at approximately 70 keV yielded lower image noise, and at approximately 60 keV yielded highest SNR and CNR.

Objective: To investigate the health literacy and its influencing factors among residents in areas out of poverty in Kunming City, so as to provide insights into formulating health education strategies. Methods: A total of 1 916 permanent residents at ages of 15 to 69 years were sampled in three areas out of poverty in Kunming City using the multi-stage stratified random sampling method and probability proportionate to size sampling method from August to October, 2020. Health literacy was investigated using the Questionnaire on the Health Literacy among Chinese Residents, the level of health literacy was analyzed and weighted by the population of the China's Seventh National Population Census. Factors affecting health literacy among residents in areas out of poverty were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 1 916 questionnaires were allocated, and 1 908 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 99.58%. The respondents included 997 men (52.25%) and 911 women (47.75%), and had a mean age of (45.58±14.28) years. The level of health literacy was 21.38%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age (15 to 24 years, OR=5.087, 95%CI: 1.573-16.450; 25 to 34 years, OR=6.016, 95%CI: 1.991-18.183; 35 to 44 years, OR=7.526, 95%CI: 2.541-22.289; 45 to 54 years, OR=4.800, 95%CI: 1.640-14.050), educational level (junior high school, OR=5.333, 95%CI: 3.100-9.175; high school/vocational high school/technical secondary school, OR=19.895, 95%CI: 10.418-37.966; college or above, OR=27.580, 95%CI: 12.349-61.597) as factors affecting health literacy among residents in areas out of poverty in Kunming City. Conclusion The level of health literacy is 21.38% among residents in areas out of poverty in Kunming City, and age and educational level are associated factors.

AIM: In this research, the apoptosis mechanism in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to increasingly high Hcy concentrations was investigated by examining the intracellular signaling pathways. METHODS: HUVEC were cultured and pretreated with Hcy. Twenty-four h after Hcy treatment, cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V and DNA ladder analysis. Caspase3 and c-IAP1/2 mRNA expression were examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and protein expression detected by Western blotting. The activation of caspase 3 was measured with the specific substrate DEVD-AMC. RESULTS: Hcy (0.3 mmol/L) induced apoptosis of HUVEC. Caspase 3 mRNA and protein expressions increased and activation enhanced with the concentration of increasing Hcy, but c-IAP2 mRNA and protein expression decreased. CONCLUSION: Hcy induces apoptosis of HUVEC in vivo by activating caspase 3 and inhibiting protein c-IAP-2 mRNA and protein expression.

This study aims to evaluate the ability of C-arm cone-beam CT to detect intracranial hematomas in canine models. Twenty one healthy canines were divided into seven groups and each group had three animals. Autologous blood and contrast agent (3 mL) were slowly injected into the left/right frontal lobes of each animal. Canines in the first group, the control group, were only injected with autologous blood without contrast agent. Each animal in all the 7 groups was scanned with C-arm cone-beam CT and multislice computed tomography (MSCT) after 5 minutes. The attenuation values and their standard deviations of the hematoma and uniformed brain tissues were measured to calculate the image noise, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR). A scale with scores 1-3 was used to rate the quality of the reconstructed image of different hematoma as a subjective evaluation, and all the experimental data were processed with statistical treatment. The results revealed that when the density of hematoma was less than 65 HU, hematomata were not very clear on C-arm CT images, and when the density of hematoma was more than 65 HU, hematomata showed clearly on both C-arm CT and MSCT images and the scores of them were close. The coherence between the two physicians was very reliable. The same results were obtained with C-arm cone-beam CT and MSCT grades in measuring SD value, SNR, and CNR. The reasonable choice of density detection range of intracranial hematoma with C-arm cone-beam CT could be effectively applied to monitoring the intracranial hemorrhage during interventional diagnosis and treatment.
Animals ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Hematoma ; diagnosis ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; diagnosis ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio

Objective To study the influence of CTP-OD1-HA and CTP-OD2-HA fusion peptides and combined with imatinib on proliferation of K562 cells.Methods K562 cells were treated with CTP-OD1-HA and CTP-OD2-HA peptides or together with imatinib.The proliferation of cells were detected and compared by MTT and clone formation methods.Results MTT examination demonstrated that CTP-OD1-HA and CTP-OD2-HA peptides could inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells,and the effect was more obvious when acted along with imatinib;Clone formation showed that CTP-OD1-HA and CTP-OD2-HA peptides suppressed the continuous colony forming ability of K562 cells.Conclusion CTP-OD1-HA and CTP-OD2-HA could specially inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells,and increase the sensitivity of imatinib.

Objective To explore the relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gastrointestinal problems. Methods 172 ASD children were investigated with self-made questionnaire from July, 2014 to Augest, 2015. The frequencies of motor behaviors, vocal behaviors and behavioral problems, and the intensity of the behavioral problems in the period with or without gastrointestinal symptoms were compared. Results The frequencies of motor behaviors (F=67.4, P<0.001), vocal behaviors (F=43.6, P<0.001) and behavioral prob-lems (F=79.4, P<0.001), and the intensity of the behavioral problems (F=65.7, P<0.001) were all more in the period with gastrointestinal symptoms than without gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion There are more behavioral problems in the ASD children with the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms;while the behavioral symptoms may be a indicator of gastrointestinal problems in children with ASD.