Objective To explore the protective effect of selenium, an antioxidant, on fluoride-induced renal injury in rats and find out the optimal level of selenium against fluoride toxicity and its valid molecular target.Methods All 80 male weanling SD rats were randomly divided into 8 groups by body weight as follows: normal control group(drinking tap water), fluoride exposed group (drinking water containing 50 mg/L of NaF), low, middle,high selenium exposed groups(drinking water containing 0.375, 0.750, 1.500 mg/L of Na2SeO3) and low, middle,high Se-fluoride groups (drinking water containing both 50 mg/L NaF and three doses of Na2SeO3 as abovementioned, respectively). After 6 months, the rats were killed then the oxidation level and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)expression level in kidney were measured. Results The weight of the fluoride exposed group[(695.95 ± 55.89 )g]was significantly deceased than the controls[(782.69 ± 56.12)g, P ＜ 0.01]. Glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity of fluoride exposed group[(55.86 ± 5.09)U/mgprot] was not significantly different but decreased. Tatal antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity in fluoride exposed group [(7.54 ± 1.35)U/mgprot] significantly decreased than the controls[(9.03 ± 0.37 )U/mgprot, P ＜ 0.05]. In addition, a significant increase of malondialdehyde ( MDA )in fluoride exposed group[(3.86 ± 0.31 )mnol/mgprot, P ＜ 0.05] was observed than the controls[(3.14 ± 0.32)nmol/mgprot, P ＜ 0.05]. GSH-Px activity of high Se-fluoride group[(74.99 ± 8.41 )U/mgprot] was significantly higher than the fluoride exposed group[(55.86 ± 5.09)U/mgprot, P ＜ 0.05] and its MDA level[(3.17 ± 0.20)nmol/mgprot] was lower than the fluoride exposed group[(3.86 ± 0.31 ) nmol/mgprot, P ＜ 0.05]. NF-κB expression levels of fluoride group, high selenium group and low Se-fluoride group(0.360 ± 0.015,0.367 ± 0.007,0.376 ± 0.006,respecyively) were obviously increased compared with the controls(0.312 ± 0.022, P ＜ 0.05); it was significantly lower in high Se-fluoride group(0.312 ± 0.005) than in fluoride exposed group(0.360 ± 0.015, P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions Na2SeO3 of 1.5 mg/L is the optimal dose against chronic fluorosis on kidney injury under this experimental condition.NF-κB is likely to be a target molecule of the selenium as an antagonist on fluorosis.

With dwindling number of new antibiotics and inappropriate use of antibiotics, the emergence and spread of antibiotics resistance occurs commonly in healthcare institutions worldwide. In China, antibiotics are commonly overprescribed and misused. This study is to assess the effect of the nationwide special campaign on antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) at specialized hospitals in China by investigating prescription information from 2011 to 2012. Data on the hospital consumption and prescription of systemic antibiotics were obtained from four specialized hospitals, including maternity, children's, stomatological and cancer hospitals. Systematic random sampling was used to select outpatient prescriptions and inpatient cases. A total of 105 specialized hospitals in 2011 and 121 specialized hospitals in 2012 were analysed. The defined daily doses (DDDs) per 100 inpatient days, the percentage of antibiotic use in outpatient prescriptions, and the percentage of antibiotic use in inpatient cases were used as measurements of antibiotic use. The overall antibiotic use density in the selected hospitals decreased between 2011 and 2012 from 39.37 to 26.54 DDD/100 inpatient days (P<0.001). The percentage of antibiotic use in outpatient prescriptions (range: 24.12%-18.71%, P=0.109) and inpatient cases (64.85%-60.10%, P=0.006) also decreased within the two years. Significant changes were observed among regions and different hospitals within the two years. And antibiotic consumption was correlated with the type and size of specialized hospital in 2012, but not with the regions. This analysis of antibiotic consumption of specialized hospitals allows relevant comparisons for benchmarking and shows that national ASP has improved antibiotic rational use in China. The data will assist policymakers in formulating effective strategies to decrease antibiotic overuse and identify areas that require further work.

Objective To evaluate the value of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)in distinguishing the solid solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN).Methods 42 patients with SPN (malignant in 25 and benign in 1 7)who were confirmed by operation,biopsy or follow up after treatment underwent routine chest T1 WI,T2 WI and DWI.The b values were chosen as 300,500,800 and 1 000 s/mm2 ,and the corresponding apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)values and the signal intensity (SI)were respectively measured.Results The ADC values and SI of benign and malignant SPNs were gradually reduced with increasing b value.The ADC value between benign and malignant SPNs was statistically significant with b value of 500 s/mm2 (P 500 =0.03 <0.05 ),meanwhile the SI was statistically significant with b values from 300 to 1000 s/mm2 (P 300 <0.001,P 500 =0.03 <0.05,P 800 =0.01 <0.05, P 1 000 =0.02<0.05).Conclusion Both SI and ADC value of DWI play important role in distinguishing benign and malignant SPNs, and the diagnostic efficiency of SI is superior to ADC value.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of sinus heart rate turbulence(HRT)and the heart rate variability(HRV)in the patients with essential hypertension(EH).Methods HRV and HRT examination were carried out in sixty patients with EH.A subgroup of patients receive metoprolol+nifedipine(n=26)or nife- dipine alone(n=34)were investigated seperately to evaluate the effect of ?-blocker on the HRV and HRT.Fifty healthy persons were served as control.In the HRT determination,turbulence onset(TO)was defined as sinus heart rate acceleration,after ventrieular mature beat while turbulence slope(TS)as sinus heart rate deceleration slope after ventricular premsture beat.Normal value of TO was2.5 ms/RR period. SDNN,RMSSD,LF/HF in HRV were analysed from 24 hours ambulatory electrocardiography(before and after 1 month medication).Results ① In hypertensive group,52 patients showed positive TO(86.6%),48 patients pos- itive TS(80.0%)and 46 patients TO+TS(76.7%),compared with hypertension group only 2(4%)positive TO and 3(6%)positive TS in the healthy control.Forty-two cases SDNN(70.0%),41 cases RMSSD(68.3%)and 38 cases LF/HF(63.3 %)were positive in hypertensive group,while only 1(2 %)SDNN,1(2 %)RMSSD and 3(6 %) LF/HF in control. ② Metoprolol didn't change the positive percentage of parameters in HRT but parameters showing Heart rate variablity in HRV was decreased significantly found between TO,TS and TO+TS.Conclusion HRT and HRV is two indices for determination the dysfunction of autonomic nervous system in hypertension.?-re ceptor blocker inhibit sympathic activity,miligate the decreasing of HRV,but the bipbase accelerative and decelera- tive phenomena of HRT didn't change,HRT seems to be a more sensitive index for monitoring of autonomic sysfunc tion in hypertension.

Objective To investigate the effects of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients,and to evaluate the relationship between brain reorganization and motor recovery.Methods Nine AIS patients and 9 healthy volunteers were assessed by fMR1 during passive finger clenching at a pace of 1 Hz.The fMRI results were analyzed using SPM2 software.Lateral indices (LIs) and activated regions were calculated,and the relationship between LI and muscle strength was examined.Results In the control group,activation was observed in the contralateral sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and the bilateral supplementary area (SMA) during the passive movement.In the AIS group,similar results were recorded dur- ing unaffected hand movement,but the ipsilateral activation areas were greater than those on the eontralateral side during movement of the affected hand.LI results confirmed that movement of the affected hand mainly elici- ted activation in the ipsilateral hemisphere.Conclusion The different fMRI manifestations of patients and nor- mal subjects reflect brain compensation,and fMRI is valuable for studying the correlation between motor function and brain reorganization.

In this study, a novel resequencing pathogen microarray (RPM)-based multi-pathogen detection assay was developed to simultaneously detect 14 rotaviruses, 7 caliciviruses, 8 astroviruses, 28 enteroviruses, and 16 rare diarrhea viruses in patients with diarrhea syndrome. The specificity of the assay was examined using confirmed virus-positive specimens, and the sensitivity was evaluated by serial ten-fold dilutions of in vitro transcribed RNA. RPM assay could detect and differentiate virus types/subtypes at 20-2000 copies/microL. The detection threshold of RPM was determined by adjusting the reference concentration, and the detection steps were optimized to type Enterovirus. The nucleic acids of 10 stool samples from patients with unexplained diarrhea were screened, and 6 of them showed positive results. The RPM results were further verified by singleplex PCR followed by sequencing, and no difference was found between the two assays. In conclusion, we have established a high-throughput RPM assay with high specificity and sensitivity, which demonstrates a great potential for the identification of pathogens in patients with unexplained diarrhea and the management of emerging epidemic.
DNA Primers ; genetics ; Diarrhea ; virology ; Feces ; virology ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; methods ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Viruses ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Ovarian Diseases ; diagnosis ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the intra-vaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) of varicocele patients, the influence of spermatic vein ligation on IELT, and the relationship of Visual Analogue Score (VAS) with IELT.

METHODSWe selected 112 males who had regular sexual life after spermatic vein ligation and conducted follow-up visits for 6 months. According to preoperative IELT, we divided the patients into an IELT < or = 2 min group and an IELT > 2 min group, and compared their IELT, VAS and Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation-5 (CIPE-5) scores before and 6 months after operation.

RESULTSFollow-up was accomplished in 81 of the patients, 18 in the IELT < or = 2 min group and 63 in the IELT >2 min group. Compared with the baseline, IELT was significantly prolonged postoperatively in both the IELT < or = 2 min group ([1.26 +/- 0.37] vs [4.53 +/- 1.69] min, P < 0.01) and the IELT >2 min group ([5.14 +/- 2.03] vs [7.69 +/- 4.51] min, P < 0.05); the postoperative CIPE-5 scores were remarkably improved in the former (11.27 +/- 3.52 vs 15.64 +/- 2.37, P < 0.05) but insignificantly in the latter group (20.42 +/- 4.65 vs 21.83 +/- 5.49, P > 0.05); the postoperative grades of the CIPE-5 scores showed significant differences in both groups (chi2 = 6.353, P = 0.042 and chi2 = 3.910, P = 0.048); the postoperative VAS was markedly increased (3.18 +/- 0.92 vs 1.56 +/- 0.83 and 3.24 +/- 0.95 vs 1.74 +/- 0.79, P < 0.05), with significant differences in the grades of VAS in both groups (chi2 = 4.433, P = 0.035 and chi2 = 10.088, P = 0.001). The variation of VAS was negatively correlated with that of IELT in both groups (r = -0.572, P < 0.01 and r = -0.465, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVaricocele may be one of the causes of premature ejaculation, and some of the varicocele patients with IELT < or = 2 min may benefit from spermatic vein ligation. Improved VAS is negatively correlated with prolonged IELT. The relationship between varicocele and premature ejaculation deserves further studies.

Adult ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligation ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hemodynamic changes of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) evolved from hepatic cirrhosis using CT perfusion imaging.

METHODSThirty-two patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma evolved from virus-induced fibrosis or cirrhosis underwent dynamic CT scanning of the target slices for 60 min. The perfusion parameters of the hepatic parenchyma and HCC including the blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), permeability-surface area product (PS), hepatic arterial fraction (HAF), IRF time of arrival (IRF TO) were obtained. Paired-sample t test was used to determine the differences in the perfusion parameters between the hepatic parenchyma and the primary HCC mass.

RESULTSCompared with hepatic BF (117.13-/+31.05 ml/100 mg/min), BV (14.73-/+3.91 ml/100 mg), PS (31.93-/+5.91 ml/100 mg/min), HAF (25.02-/+8.19%), MTT (12.79-/+3.31 s), IRF TO (3.14-/+1.09 s), the primary HCC mass showed significant increments in the BF (239.69-/+96.07 ml/100 mg/min), BV (20.26-/+6.73 ml/100 mg), PS (37.50-/+9.50 ml/100 mg/min), HAF (68.97-/+15.22%) with decreased MTT (7.17-/+1.38 s) and IRF TO (2.42-/+0.94 s). Significant differences were found in all the perfusion parameters between the hepatic parenchyma and HCC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLiver perfusion parameters can represent the hemodynamic changes in the HCC derived from hepatic cirrhosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Hepatitis ; complications ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perfusion ; methods ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; instrumentation ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed