AIM:To study the correlation of serum uric acid ( UA) level with carotid plaques and arterial stiff-ness in the patients with essential hypertension ( EH) , and to explore the predictive value of serum UA for evaluating EH preclinically .METHODS:A total of 92 patients with EH and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled .The value of UA and other indicators were detected .B-mode ultrasound examination was performed to measure the common carotid artery intima -media thickness ( IMT) and the sites of plaque in the internal carotid-artery, external carotid artery and carotid bifurca-tions.Carotid-femoral arterial pulse wave velocity ( CFPWV) was assessed by Complior?atherosclerosis measurement in-strument.RESULTS:The serum level of UA in the patients with EH was higher than that in control group [(361.51 ± 83.81) μmol/L vs (317.03 ±62.22) μmol/L, P<0.05].The mean value and abnormal rate of IMT between hyperten-sion group and control group were significant difference [(0.69 ±0.14) mm vs (0.60 ±0.12) mm, 42.39%vs 10.00%, P<0.05].In 92 EH patients, 45 cases had carotid plaques .These 45 cases were divided into 3 groups according to the plaque severity, among which the serum UA level had statistically significant differences [(285.25 ±78.41) μmol/L, (341.19 ±63.99) μmol/L and (401.33 ±88.49) μmol/L, P<0.05].Compared with rigid plaque group ( n=34), the serum UA level in soft plaque group (n=11) was significantly higher [(389.00 ±69.45) μmol/L vs (323.03 ± 72.71) μmol/L, P<0.05].A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that age ( r=0.414), systolic blood pressure (r=0.224), pulse pressure (r=0.270) and uric acid (r=0.219) were predisposed factors for higher CFP-WV (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:UA is one of the risk factors causing hypertension .Serum UA level may reflect the sever-ity and stability of carotid plaques .The increased arterial stiffness is closely related to the increased serum UA level in EH .

Objective investigate the correlation between plasma soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) and arterial stiffness in patients with different types of metabolic syndrome (MS).Methods A total of 180 subjects were drawn from a epidemiologic follow-up study,including 60 cases non-metabolic syndrome (NMS),60 cases metabolic syndrome without diabetes mellitus (NDMMS),60 cases metabolic syndrome with diabetes mellitus (DMMS).Carotid femoral arterial pulse wave velocity (CFPWV) was assessed by the French KangPuLe atherosclerosis measurement instrument,and plasma sRAGE levels were measured by ELISA.Comparison of mean in multiple groups was conducted by analysis of variance.Multivariate analysis was done with multiple linear stepwise regression analysis.P ＜ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant difference.Results Compared with NMS group,plasma sRAGE levels were significantly lower in DMMS and NDMMS groups [(635.07 ± 229.20) pg/mL vs.(671.17 ± 358.16) pg/mL vs.(992.99 ± 427.83) pg/mL,P =0.001].CFPWV of DMMS group was significantly higher than that of NMDMS and NMS groups (14.22 ±3.14) m/s vs.(12.15 ±2.79) m/s vs.(11.66 ± 2.52) m/s,P =0.002).Plasma sRAGE level was negatively correlated with CFPWV (r =-0.278,P =0.005).(3) Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that age (β =-0.091,95％ CI-0.096 ～-0.095,P =0.031),HDL-C (β =1.295,95％ CI 1.231 ～ 1.360,P =0.022) and sRAGE (β =0.119,95％ CI 0.118 ～ 0.130,P =0.032) had a significant effect on CFPWV.Conclusions The increased arterial stiffness is closely related to the discreased plasma sRAGE levels in MS.Plasma sRAGE maybe a novel target for vascular disease prevention and treatment in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Pseudomonas sp. TS1138 isolated from soil samples was able to form L-cysteine from DL-2-Amino-△2-Thia-zoline-4-Carboxylic Acid (DL-ATC) after cultured 16 hours . The optimum carbon and nitrogen soruces of strain growth and enzyme formation are glucose and urea. This enzyme was induced by DL-ATC. The product was identified to be L-Cysteine based on thin layer chromatography, optical rotation and HPLC studies.

Objective To detect the expression of VIP1R and VIP2R mRNA in gallbladder tissues of patients with gallbladder diseases. Methods The expression of VIP1R and VIP2R mRNA in gallbladder tissues were detected in 25 patients with gallstone, 8 patients with gallbladder polyps and 7 control liver transplantation donors by RT-PCR. Results The VIP2R mRNA level of the control group (1. 09 ?0. 58 ) was lower than that of the gallbladder polyps group (1.64?0.56 ),P

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of varicose vein of lower limbs treated by intravenous laser treatment .MethodIntravenous laser apparatus combin ation with operation was used to treat the varicose vein of the lower extremi ties in 98 patients(all 118 legs).The change of symptoms and signs were recorded and compared before and after operation by using venous ultrasonagraphy and pa thological examination to evaluate the treatment effect.ResultsIn the 84 followed up patieats (104 compromised legs),dull,heaviness were rel ieved completely after operation in 87 legs(83.7%),decreased in 11 legs(10.6%); skin pigmentation obviously decreased in 37 of 44 legs(84.1%);superficial varic ose vein disappeared in all the patients.No blood flow signal was detected in 10 1 legs(97.1%) and slow blood flow in 3 legs(2.9%) were detected by ultrasounogr aphy.Pathological examination revealed various degeneration and necrosis in ful l layers of the vessels;and smooth muscle cells were disrupted,cell nucleus bec ame pyknotic, the internal and external elastic laminar were ruptured and no inflammatory cell infiltration in the lumen and wall of the vessels were seen .ConclusionsIntravenous laser treatment is an ideal method in the treatment of varicose vein of lower extremities .

Objective To learn the prevalence and trends of Brucella disease in Ningxia, in order to provide scientific basis for effective control of the disease. Methods Data of Brucella cases reported through city network from 2004 to 2009 in Yinchuan city, Shizuishan city, Wuzhong city, Guyuan city and Zhongwei city of Ningxia were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. The data included demographic characteristics, treatment conditions and medical history so on related information. Analytical indicators include reported incidence;with patients' gender, age, regional distribution, urban and rural distribution;become chronic and associated factors;distribution of the cases reporting unit and so on. Results From 2004 to 2009, Ningxia had reported 349 cases of Brucellosis, no deaths, the annual incidence rates reported were 0.017/10 million, 0.543/10 million, 0.151/101 (295/54);The proportion of 34- to 40-year-old age group was higher than other age groups(27.5%, 96/349);Occupational distribution of patients was mainly farmers and herdsmen(70.2% ,245/349), in regional distribution of the patients, the highest percentage was Wuzhong city(61.9%,216/349), followed by Yinchuan city(22.9%,80/349);The proportion of patients in rural areas(97.4% ,340/349) was higher than urban(2.6% ,9/349);the proportion of patients converted to chronic was 11.2% (39/349). With age, the chance of patients converted to chronic was in a decreasing trend(odds ratio was 0.966);cases reported by Centre for Disease Control and Prevention accounted for 74.8%(261/349), by hospital accounted for 25.2%(88/349). Conclusions The reported incidence of Brucellosis in Ningxia is in a rapid upward trend year by year, the patients is mainly young men, the rate of converted to chronic is higher and the ability of hospital in founding and reporting of the cases is weaker.Comprehensive measures should be taken to increase funding, strengthen monitoring, and continuously improve the level of awareness and diagnosis of medical personnel for further strengthen the prevention and control of Brucellosis.

For expressing the condolences on the passing away of Dr. Hsiang-Tung Chang, one of the distinguished members of theChinese Academia of Sciences, the pioneer studies on cortical dendritic potentials that Dr. Chang carried out in the 1950s and theprosperous progresses since then, especially, concerning the modifications of synaptic plasticity by the dendritic back-propagatingaction potentials were briefly reviewed.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of King's Brain pills (Compound Chinese ginseng extract from herbs) on the treatment and the delaying of memory decline in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a community by a year follow-up of neuropsychology.

METHOD75 patients with MCI were selected from Beixinqiao community of Beijing by a cutoff score of 0.0/0.5 on CDR and were randomly assigned into a treatment group (n = 30 cases), given 4 pills of a compound Chinese ginseng extract (King's Brain) with 2 placebo tablets, and a positive control group (n = 30 cases), given 2 tablets of Piracetam with 4 placebo tablets, as well as a placebo group (n = 15 cases), given a placebo of 4 tablets and 2 pills. All subjects took this medication 3 times a day for 3 months. Single-blind and double-moulding control were used in this study. At a baseline and a middlepoint (after 3 months), and a follow-up end (one year later) following a three months of medication therapeutics, all subjects were assessed using a battery consisting of MMSE and 5 memory items on BNPT battery.

RESULTIn the treatment group, MMSE score 27.50 +/- 1.68 was increased to 28.27 +/- 1.70 after 3 months but decreased to 26.90 +/- 1.90 after one year of the treatment. However, the latter score was higher than that in a placebo group 26.33 +/- 1.03 (P < 0.05). Verbal Learning Test score was significantly increased from 68.73 +/- 28.74 at baseline to 87.33 +/- 29.78 at follow-up point in the treatment group, which was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (P < 0.01). The total score of memory items on BNPT battery was significantly increased from 78.23 +/- 28.98 at baseline to 93.53 +/- 35.56 at follow-up point in the treatment group, higher than that in Piracetam group (P < 0.05) and the placebo group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBoth King's Brain spills and piracetam tablets have protective effect on cognitive and memory decline in elderly with MCI.

Aged ; Cognition ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Middle Aged ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Single-Blind Method

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of microsurgical vasoepididymostomy and/or vasovasostomy in the treatment of obstructive azoospermia.

METHODSThis study included 76 patients with obstructive azoospermia, 53 treated by bilateral vasoepididymostomy (8 involving the epididymal head, 18 involving the epididymal body, 5 involving the epididymal tail, and 22 involving the epididymal head, body and tail), 14 by unilateral vasoepididymostomy, and the other 9 by unilateral vasoepididymostomy + unilateral vasovasostomy (including cross anastomosis). We followed up the patients for 2 to 16 months for the patency rate, routine semen parameters, and pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTSThe success rate of bilateral vasoepididymostomy, unilateral vasoepididymostomy, and unilateral vasoepididymostomy + unilateral vasovasostomy (including cross anastomosis) were 62.26% (33/53), 35.71% (5/14), and 77.78% (7/9), respectively. The average sperm concentrations in the three groups of patients were (27.9 +/- 5.74), (11.8 +/- 8.33), and (19.9 +/- 7.53) x 10(6)/ml, the average total sperm counts were (65.6 +/- 13.71), (28.0 +/- 15.86), and (69.2 +/- 28.59) x 10(6), and the mean rates of progressively motile sperm were (22.3 +/- 3.18), (11.0 +/- 9.77), and (15.8 +/- 5.05)%, respectively. The success rates of bilateral vasoepididymostomy that involved the epididymal head, body, tail, and all the three parts were 62.5, 72.22, 60, and 54.55%, respectively. Natural pregnancy was achieved in 8 (10.53%) of the total number of cases.

CONCLUSIONMicrosurgery is effective for the treatment obstructive azoospermia. Unilateral vasoepididymostomy + unilateral vasovasostomy is superior to the other procedures, followed by bilateral vasoepididymostomy. Bilateral vasoepididymostomy involving the epididymal body may achieve a slightly better effect than that involving the other epididymal parts.

Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Azoospermia ; etiology ; surgery ; Epididymis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; surgery ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Sperm Count ; Treatment Outcome ; Vas Deferens ; surgery ; Vasovasostomy ; methods

Animals ; COS Cells ; Female ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Interleukin-12 ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology