OBJECTIVETo report the clinical features and the prognosis, the methods of diagnosis and treatment, and the early detection of the pulmonary toxicity induced by amiodarone.

METHODThe clinical course, the findings of X-ray and CT and the results of treatment were summarized and analyzed in six patients with amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity.

RESULTSFive males, one female, aged 62 - 69 (66.0 +/- 2.4) years. Amiodarone was used because of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in five patients and ventricular arrhythmia in one. The loading dose was 7 g and the maintaining dose was 0.2 g/d or less. Pulmonary toxicity was recognized at the times in 0.5 - 4.0 (2.1 +/- 1.3) years after amiodarone therapy. Dyspnea occurred, crack rales were audible in both lower parts of the lungs, and the chest X-ray showed grid-like changes in case one. No symptom was found in the others. Their diagnosis was made according to the pulmonary intestinal changes by high-resolution computerized tomography when the lung marking was increased or deranged by chest X-ray during the regular follow-up. Pulmonary function examination showed that the restrictive ventilation and the CO diffusing capacity decreased in case one, while the CO diffusing capacity was normal in the others. The decreased obstructive ventilation capacity was found in case six. Amiodarone was discontinued in all the cases after the diagnosis of induced pulmonary toxicity. One patient was treated with corticosteroid, three with azithromycin, and the another two patients were not treated with drug. During 0.1 - 5.0 year period of follow-up the symptoms were markedly attenuated in case one, and no new symptoms and radiography findings were found in the others.

CONCLUSIONSPulmonary toxicity is a serious adverse effect of amiodarone. The typical feature is pulmonary intestinal fibrosis and thick pulmonary intestine in the early stage. Corticosteroid treatment seems effective. It would be helpful for early diagnosis to take chest X-ray examination regularly and CT examination in suspicions cases during the therapy. The prognosis may be good in the early diagnosed cases.

Aged ; Amiodarone ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in brains of 3 month-old APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice after six-month intervention with curcumin, in order to discuss the neuroprotective effect of curcumin.

METHODAPPswe/PS1dE9dtg mice were randomly divided into the model group, the Rosiglitazone group (10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and curcumin high (400 mg x kg9-1) x d(-1)), medium (200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and low (100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) dosage groups, with C57/BL6J mice of the same age and the same background in the normal control group. After 6 months, the immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and the Western blot method were used to observe the changes in positive cell of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in hippocampal CA1 area, their distribution and protein expressions.

RESULTBoth of the immunohistochemical staining and the Western blot method showed more positive cell of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in hippocampal CA1 area and higher protein expressions in the model group than the normal group (P < 0.01). IHC showed a lower result in the Rosiglitazone group than the model group (P < 0.05), while Western blot showed a much lower result (P < 0.01). The number of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs positive cells and the protein expressions decreased in the curcumin high group, the medium group showed a significant decrease (P < 0.01), and the low dose group also showed reductions in the protein expressions of Aβ40 and Aβ42.

CONCLUSIONThe six-month intervention with curcumin can significantly reduce the expressions of hippocampal Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in brains of APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice. Whether curcumin can impact Aβ cascade reaction by down-regulating expressions of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs and show the neuroprotective effect needs further studies.

Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage

Sixty healthy Sprague-Dawley male rats were used and divided randomly into control group (group C), cadmium loading group with medium dose (group M) and cadmium loading group with high dose (group H). Groups C, M and H were orally dosed daily with 0, 5 and 10 mg/kg of cadmium for over 6 weeks. Effects of cadmium loading on testis and endocrine function of reproduction in male rats were studied. The results showed that the zinc content decreased slightly in testis and plasma, and the cadmium concentration increased significantly in the testis of groups M and H; while the plasma levels of cadmium and zinc had no obvious difference as compared with those of group C; daily sperm production in the testis of group H decreased markedly during week 3 of cadmium loading, and was significantly lower in groups M and H as compared to that in group C during week 6; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in group H and lactate dehydrogenase-X (LDH-X) in groups M and H were markedly lower compared to those of group C; plasma testosterone (T) level in both cadmium loading groups decreased and was low or significantly lower than that in group C; follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels had no apparent difference between the three groups. It is suggested that the gradual accumulation of cadmium in testis tissue induced by chronic cadmium loading results in changes in some enzyme activity, a decrease in sperm production, and defect of endocrine function activity in the testis.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; drug effects ; Animals ; Cadmium ; blood ; Cadmium Chloride ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Isoenzymes ; drug effects ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; drug effects ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; enzymology ; pathology ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of curcumin on the expression of PI3K (phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, PI3K) and p-P3 K (phosphated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, p-PI3K) in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease (AD) model (APP/PS1 double transgenic) mice.

METHODA total of 60 three-month-old APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group, rosiglitazone group(10 mg . kg-1 . d-1) and curcumin large(400 mg . kg-1 . d-1), medium(200 mg- kg-1 . d-1) and small(100 mg . kg-1 . d-1) dose group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice in the same age and genetic background as APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were used as normal control group. All the 6 groups of mice were intragastrically administered for 3 months. After 3 months, the expression of PI3K and p-PI3K were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTThe expression of PI3K and p-PI3K positive cells in hippocampus CA1 region significantly decreased in model group compared with normal control group (P < 0. 05) , while compared with model group, PI3K and p-PI3K positive cells of all the curcumin intervention groups increased to varying degrees in hippocampus CA1 region,especially the middle dose group(P <0. 01). Besides,Western blot results of the curcumin high dose group were also increased obviously (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONCurcumin can recover the decreased PI3K and p-PI3K and improve the insulin-signaling transmission in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice. The mechanism of curcumin maybe by regulating the insulin signal transduction to treat AD.

Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

Purpose To explore the mutation characteristics of common driver genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its relationship with clinicopathological features.Methods Next generation sequencing (NGS) was used to detect the mutations of common driving genes such as EGFR, KRAS, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, MET, RET and HER-2 in 300 paraffin-embedded NSCLC tissues. Results In 300 patients with NSCLC, the mutation rates of EGFR, KRAS, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, MET, RET, HER-2 were 52.00％, 10.33％, 6.67％, 1.67％, 3.67％, 3.33％, 1.00％, and 2.33％, respectively. A case of EGFR 21 exon L858 R mutation was combined with LINCO1446-EGFR gene fusion. EGFR 20 th exon C797 S and T790 M existed in cis or trans form and merged with EGFR sensitive mutations in 1 case each. 3 cases of EGFR gene point mutation was associated with MET gene copy number amplification. EGFR mutations were more commonly detected in non-smoking women with lung adenocarcinoma (P<0.05).KRAS mutations were more commonly found in smoking men (P<0.05). ALK mutations were associated with age (P<0.05), and more commonly noted in patients younger than 60 years.ROS1 fusion mutations were associated with gender (P<0.05), more commonly detected in women. BRAF, MET, RET, and HER-2 gene mutations were not associated with gender, age, smoking, histological type, and c TNM stage. Conclusion EGFR can coexist with other driver gene mutations. Gene mutations and clinicopathological features like gender, age, smoking, and histological types have corresponding links. The incidence of BRAF, MET, RET, and HER-2 mutations is low, and its clinical significance remains to be explored. Coexisting gene mutations and rare mutations discovered by NGS should be taken seriously.

Objective To investigate the effect of laser artificial shrinkage(LAS)on pregnancy outcome in vitrification of human expanded blastocysts.Methods We selected 3859 frozen-thawed blastocyst-stage embryo transfers from January 2014 to December 2015.The transfers were divided into LAS group(n=3 176)and non-LAS group(n=683),which were then subdivided into ＜36 y subgroup and ≥36 y subgroup according to their age.Main outcomes measures were thawing rate,implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate.Results Thawing rate, clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate were 97.32%(5 453/5 603),66.81%(2 118/3 170),and 53.55%(2 912/5 438)in LAS group.In non-shrink group,they were 95.13%(1 173/1 233),62.70%(427/681),and 49.74%(582/1 170),which did not significantly differ from those in the former group(P＜0.05).Further analysis of the subgroups showed that thawing rate was significantly higher in LAS group than in non-shrink group of patients＜36 y(97.27% vs.95.33%;P＜0.05).Thawing rate and biochemical pregnancy rate were significantly higher in LAS group than in non-shrink group in patients ≥36 y(97.75% vs.93.66%;65.45% vs.50.65%,P＜0.05). Cancellation rate was not significantly different between the two groups(0.19% vs.0.29%, P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion LAS technique can increase thawing rate,clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate before cryopreservation of blastocysts.

Objective To investigate and analyze the prevalence, patterns and associated factors of domestic violence against married women in Wenzhou area. Methods a total of 705 married women took part in this cross-sectional study conducted in 2018. Conflict Tactics Scales and several short demographic questions were used in this study to collect basic information and the occurence of domestic violence within 12 months. Results Nearly 40% of married women experienced at least one incident of domestic violence during the past 12 months. 33.8% of respondents experiencing one episode of psychological violence in the past 12 months, followed by 19.5% experienced physical violence and 14.9%of sexual violence. The joint occurrence of multiple forms of violence was the most commonly reported features experiencing domestic violence. Some individual (education and Hukou), marital relationship (marital satisfaction, duration of marriage, marital autonomy marital models) and family (family model and sex roles) factors of the respondents, were negatively or positively associated with domestic violence against married women. Conclusion The results indicated that there was a high rate of domestic violence among married women in Wenzhou area. Accordingly, there is an obvious need of intervention and treatment activities to prevent and reduce the occurrence of domestic violence among the married women.

[Abstract] Objective To investigate the effects of the downregulation of draxin expression on the projection characteristics of 23C10-positive neural fibers in the chick embryonic hindbrain. Methods The vitro incubation of HH stages 21-22 chick embryonic hindbrain biopsy with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) protein was used as control group. The incubation of HH stages 21-22 chick embryonic hindbrain biopsy with draxin-ALP fusion protein was used as experimental group. The number of embryonic hindbrain for each group was 10. To detect whether 23C10-positive neural fibers could directly bind to draxin protein or not;In ovo electroporation using empty vector in the chick embryonic hindbrain was used as control group. In ovo electroporation with small interfering RNA(siRNA) expressing vector for reducing draxin expression in the chick embryonic hindbrain was used as experimental group. The number of embryonic hindbrain for each group was 18. The effect of the down-regulation of draxin expression and the change of projection characteristics of 23C10-positive neural fibers were observed to check whether the down-regulation of draxin expression would affect the distribution of 23C10-positive fibers. Results Most portion of draxin protein could overlap with 23C10-positive neural fibers in HH stages 21-22 chick embryonic hindbrain biopsies; After expression of the siRNA plasmid against draxin by electroporation, the expression level of draxin protein was significantly reduced, and the distribution of 23C10-positive fibers was scattered in the dorsal hindbrain on the electroporated side at HH stages 25-26 of chick embryos (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion Draxin protein may directly bind to 23C10-positive fibers in hindbrain, and it plays an important regulatory role in the fasciculation of 23C10-positive fibers during chick embryonic development.

OBJECTIVETo study the association between reduced folate carrier gene (RFC1 A80G) polymorphism and the risk for child with neural tube defects (NTDs), and to provide epidemiological evidence for the existence of NTDs genetic marker.

METHODSRFC1 (A80G) genotypes were detected using RFLP-PCR for blood DNA of 104 families with NTDs-affected children and 100 control families with no history of child-affected birth defects. Case-control study and transmission/disequilibrium test(TDT) for the RFC1 genotype of NTDs pedigree were carried out.

RESULTSThe G allele frequency of children with NTDs was higher than that of controls when compared to A allele( OR = 1. 64, 95% CI :1.08-2.49). The offspring of the GG genotype were associated with a 2.56-fold increased risk of NTDs when compared to the AA genotype (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.04-6.36) in our study population. There was evidence of association between G allele and the risk of parent having a child with NTDs (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.07-2.28) in the TDT analysis.

CONCLUSIONOur findings indicated that there was potential association between offspring RFC1 GG genotype and the risk of NTDs, and the G allele was a possible susceptible gene marker for an increased NTDs risk in the Chinese population.

Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Neural Tube Defects ; genetics ; Parents ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Reduced Folate Carrier Protein

OBJECTIVETo analyze the preoperative risk factors on liver transplant recipients with acute renal failure(ARF), and to evaluate renal replacement therapy (RRT) as a transitonary therapy before liver transplantation.

METHODSLiver transplant recipients with acute renal failure treated with renal replacement therapy between January 1st, 2001 and January 1st, 2008 in our center were retrospected. Clinical characteristics, the kinds of RRT and prognosis were analyzed; Logistic regression was applied to analyze the parameters that can forecast the motality of the liver transplant recipients with acute renal failure.

RESULTSOf the patients who received RRT, 30% survived to liver transplantation, 67.5% died while waiting for liver transplantation. The dead had a higher multiple organ dysfunction score (MODS), and lower mean arterial pressure than those survived to liver transplantation. There was no significant difference in the duration of RRT between continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) patients and hemodialysis patients. CRRT patients had a higher MODS, lower mean arterial pressure, lower serum creatinine than hemodialysis patients. Lower mean arterial pressure was statistically associated with higher risk of mortality.

CONCLUSIONThough mortality was high, RRT helps part (30%) of patients survive to liver transplantation. Therefore, considering the high mortality without transplantation, RRT is acceptable for liver transplant recipients with ARF.

Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; mortality ; therapy ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Liver, Artificial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Regression Analysis ; Renal Dialysis ; methods ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Survival Analysis