OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of warm needling combined with Zhangmo decoction (see text) on endometrial receptivity in patients with clomiphene (CC)-induced ovulation.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty cases were randomly divided into a CC group (group A), a CC+ progynova group (group B), a CC+ Zhangmo decoction group (group C) and a CC+ Zhangmo decoction + warm needling group (group D), 40 cases in each one. In the Group A, CC alone was applied. In the group B, progynova was jointly used on the 8th day of menstrual cycle. In the Group C, Zhangmo decoction was jointly used on the 5th day of menstrual cycle. In the group D, based on treatment of the Zhangmo decoction, warm needling was applied at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3) and Zigong (EX-CA 1) etc. The endometrial thickness and type, pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), ratio of S/D on day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and pregnancy rate were observed in fou groups.

RESULTSThe PI, RI and S/D in the group C and D were obviously lower than those in group A and B (all P < 0.01). The endometrial thickness was (7.7 +/- 1.49) mm in group B, (8.2 +/- 1.54) mm in group C and (8.9 +/- 1.51) mm in group D, which were significantly different from (6.4 5 +/- 1.26) mm in the group A (all P < 0.01) also there was a significant difference between group C and D (P < 0.05). The rate of endometrial type A was 65.0% in the group D, which was significantly higer than 27.5% in the group A, 32.5% in the group B and 35.0% in the group C (all P < 0.01). The pregnancy rate was 30.0% in the group D, which was obviously higher than 12.5% in the group A, 15.0% in the group B and 17.5% in the group C (P < 0.05). The endometrial thickness and rate of endometrial type A in the pregnant were obviously higher than those in the non-pregnant (both P < 0.01) while PI, RI and S/D was lower than those in the non-pregnant (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWarm needing combined with Zhangmo decoction could improve endometrial thickness, morphology and uterine spiral artery to improve pregnancy rate, which has superior effect to clomiphene, clomiphene combined with progynova and clomiphene combined with Zhangmo decoction.

Chorionic Gonadotropin ; metabolism ; Clomiphene ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of triangle drugs as ginseng, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim, and rhubarb on the levels of blood lipids as [total cholesterol (TC), triglyeride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and pro-inflammatory cytokines as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) during the process of treating atherosclerosis.

METHODSTwenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups after one-week adaptive feeding, i.e., the normal control group (n=6), the model group (n=6), and the triangle drugs group (n=8). High fat diet was fed to rabbits in the triangle drugs group and the model group at the daily dose of 100 g for six weeks. Iliac artery was injured in the model group and the triangle drugs group at the seventh week using balloon injury. High fat diet was successively fed to those after surgery for six weeks. At the same time of modeling, preventive medication (at the daily dose of dry ginseng 0.64 g/kg, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim 2.14 g/kg, and prepared Radix et Rhizoma Rhei with wine 0.43 g/kg, with the volume of 2 mL/kg) was administered by gastrogavage to rabbits in the triangle drugs group. Changes of blood lipids levels and related pro-inflammatory cytokines were dynamically observed.

RESULTSOn the 7th week (before surgery), the levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C in the model group, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C in the triangle drugs group significantly increased, showing significant difference when compared with those of the normal control group (P < 0.05). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the model group and the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P < 0.05). Levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C were lower in the triangle drugs group than in the model group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). After the 8th week the levels of blood lipids and ICAM-1 in the model group, and levels of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and ICAM-1 in the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). After the 12th week levels of blood lipids in the model group, LDL-C and HDL-C in the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The LDL-C level was lower in the triangle drugs group than in the model group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and hs-CRP in the model group were obviously higher than those in the triangle drugs group and the normal control group, showing statistical significance (P < 0.05). The hs-CRP level was higher in the triangle drugs group than in the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe triangle drugs may postpone the process of atherosclerosis by lowering blood lipids levels, especially by lowering the elevating levels of TC and LDL-C. Its roles in decreasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines might be associated with lipids lowering and anti-inflammation. Its roles may also be associated with improvement of the endothelial function and inhibition of the smooth muscle proliferation.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Male ; Panax ; Phytotherapy ; Rabbits ; Rheum ; Trichosanthes ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and mechanisms of Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SBP) on myocardial fibrosis in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODSSHR of 12 weeks old were divided into the SBP group, the control group (treated with benazepril) and the model control group. The effects on such indexes as systolic blood pressure (SBP), left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), content of myocardial collagen (MC) in left ventricle, extracellular matrix fibronectin (FN), laminin (LN), cardiac fibroblast (cFb) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were determined after 12 weeks of treatment.

RESULTSSBP had no marked pressure depressive effect, but had the effect similar to that of benazepril in reducing the level of LVM, LVMI and content of MC (P < 0.05), as well as the content of LN, FN in myocardium, cFb count and TGF-beta1 expression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBP can prevent and treat myocardial fibrosis, whose action is independent of its hypotensive effect. The mechanism may be associated with such factors as the decrease of MC synthesis in left ventricle and the deposition of extracellular matrix.

Animals ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fibrosis ; prevention & control ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; prevention & control ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Objective To investigate the clinical application of measurements of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin in serum (sN-GAL) and urine(uNGAL),cystatin C(CysC) and serum creatinine(sCr) in diagnosis of acute kidney injury(AKI) patients secondary to liver cirrhosis (LC).Methods A total of 260 liver cirrhosis patients without AKI (LC group),207 liver cirrhosis patients with AKI (AKI group)and 106 healthy controls(HC group)were included in the study.The levels of sNGAL,uNGAL,serum creatinine(sCr) and cystatin C (CysC) were determined,respectively.The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were calculated base on sCr and CysC,named as c-aGFR and CysC-eGFR.The differences and correlation of each observed parameters among the various groups were statistically analyzed,and the effectiveness of these parameters as biomarkers for predicting the development of AKI in these patients with liver cirrhosis were assessed.Results Compared with LC group and healthy control group,the levels of sNGAL,uNGAL,sCr and CysC in AKI group were significantly increased(all P ＜0.01),while the levels of c-aGFR and CysC-eGFR were significantly decreased(all P ＜ 0.01).Along with the progression of AKI stages,the levels of sNGAL,uNGAL,sCr and CysC in the patients were increasing(all P ＜ 0.01),while the levels of c-aGFR and CysC-eGFR were decreasing(all P ＜0.01).Correlation analysis showed that the levels of sNGAL,uNGAL and CysC were positively correlated with sCr(r =0.662,0.672,0.726,all P ＜0.01)and negatively correlated with c-aGFR(r =-0.639,-0.661,-0.732,all P ＜ 0.01).On the contrary,CysC was negatively correlated with sCr (r =-0.711,P ＜ 0.01)and positively correlated with c-aGFR (r =0.736,P ＜ 0.01).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of uNGAL was maximum (0.995) which were significantly higher than that of sNGAL,sCr,c-aGFR,CysC and CysCeGFR(all P ＜ 0.01).The AUC of sNGAL did not present marked difference with that of sCr and CysC (P ＞ 0.05),but-was barely higher than that of c-aGFR and CysC-eGFR (P ＜ 0.05).The diagnostic effectiveness of uNGAL was maximum (0.962),followed by sNGAL(0.920).Conclusion For diagnosis of the development of AKI in the patients with liver cirrhosis,NGAL may be more reliable marker than sCr and CysC,and the detection of uNGAL could be more effective than sNGAL for the diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo identify the gene causing hereditary multiple exostoses in a Chinese pedigree.

METHODSLinkage analysis was carried out in the family using microsatellite markers on chromosome 8, 11 and 19 respectively. To detect the mutation, the whole coding sequence and the intron-exon boundaries of the candidate gene were amplified and sequenced. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to amplify the mutated mRNA.

RESULTSThe disease-causing gene of the family was linked to the EXT2 locus on chromosome 11. A mutation IVS2+1G>A was detected in EXT2 and resulting in 221 bp deletion from 316 to 536 of coding sequence(CDS), which was co-segregated with the disease phenotype. This change led to deletion from codon 106 to codon 178 and subsequent 2 nucleotides, producing a frameshift and truncated protein of 125 aa.

CONCLUSIONThe mutation IVS2+1G>A is the disease-causing mutation in the Chinese pedigree with hereditary multiple exostoses.

Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Genetic Linkage ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between G72 gene polymorphisms and depression,and to probe the difference of G72 gene polymorphisms between depression with and without mixed family history.

METHODSThe polymorphisms of G72 gene (rs947267 and rs2181953) were detected by PCR technique in 100 depressive patients without mixed family history, 50 depressive patients with mixed family history and 86 normal controls.

RESULTS(1) The frequencies of rs947267 genotypes and alleles in female depressive patients without mixed family history were significant different to the controls (P=0.017 and P=0.008), the OR scores were 0.300 (A/A, P=0.010), 0.456(A, P=0.008) and 2.195(C, P=0.008) respectively; but in male patients there were no significant differences to the controls (P>0.05). (2) The frequencies of rs2181953 genotypes and alleles in the depressive patients without mixed family history were not significantly different to the controls regardless of sex (P>0.05). (3) The frequencies of rs947267 and rs2181953 genotypes and alleles in the depressive patients with mixed family history were not significantly different to the controls regardless of sex (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe G72 gene polymorphism may be associated with female depressive patients without mixed family history,C allele of rs947267 may be the risk factor.

Alleles ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; Depressive Disorder ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics

Objective To investigate the clinical features, laboratory findings, chest CT findings and treatment of patients with COVID-19, and to analyze their relationship with prognosis. Methods From January to February 2020, the clinical data on the 42 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Wenzhou Sixth People′s Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Results The clinical symptoms of the 42 cases included fever (35 cases), cough (26 cases), fatigue (14 cases), aspiration (9 cases), sore throat (4 cases), muscle ache (5 cases), headache (2 cases), nausea (4 cases), diarrhea (6 cases) and abdominal pain (1 case).The absolute number of blood lymphocyte decreased to different degrees in 22 cases.Fourteen cases had lactate dehydrogenase obviously, with no obvious change in procalcitonin.The imaging manifestations were cloud-like and ground-glass-like high density shadows scattered outside the lungs, small flaky consolidation and bronchus inflating sign were seen locally.A few images showed diffuse high density, most of the lesions showed consolidation or striate change, and local fibrosis was formed in the lower lobes of both lungs. Conclusion Fever and cough are the first symptoms of COVID-19, and a few cases are associated with shortness of breath and diarrhea, accompanied by different degrees of systemic symptoms, but most of the patients improve their conditions after active antivirus, anti-infection, systematic symptoms improvement and supportive treatment.The disease is highly infectious and its condition changes rapidly.Therefore, early detection, early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of the whole body as soon as possible are the keys to treatment.

Aging is a natural process accompanied with a progressive deterioration of cognitive functions. With an aging population, more and more elderly people are suffering from cognitive impairment. Previous studies have paid more attention to the impact of inflammation and oxidative stress on cognitive function during aging. Recently, it has been discovered that neurovascular coupling (NVC), a mechanism regulating cerebral blood flow, may play a significant role in aging-related cognitive impairment. NVC responses regulate the supply of energy substances and oxygen during brain activity, which in turn enhances cognitive function. However, as people grow older, NVC responses gradually weaken, which may be one of the mechanisms underlying aging-induced cognitive impairment. Given the important role of NVC responses in the brain, it is necessary to search for intervention methods that can improve NVC responses and promote cognitive function. Exercise is an effective means to delay aging and improve cognitive function. It also has a certain promoting effect on NVC responses. This article reviews the regulatory mechanisms of NVC responses, the relationship between NVC responses and cognitive function, and explores the effects of aging and exercise intervention on NVC responses, hoping to provide new research ideas for exercise intervention to improve NVC responses and promote cognitive function in the elderly.
Humans ; Aged ; Neurovascular Coupling/physiology* ; Aging ; Cerebrovascular Circulation/physiology* ; Cognition ; Brain

BACKGROUND: Norepinephrine infusion decreases hypotension after spinal anesthesia during cesarean section. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of norepinephrine infusion and ephedrine bolus against post-spinal hypotension in parturients. METHODS: In this double-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial, parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section were randomly allocated to receive norepinephrine infusion (0.05 μg·kg-1·min-1) just before spinal anesthesia continuing for 30 min or ephedrine bolus (0.15 mg/kg) just before spinal anesthesia. A rescue bolus (5 μg norepinephrine for the norepinephrine group, and 5 mg ephedrine for the ephedrine group) was administered whenever hypotension occurred. Our primary outcome was the incidence of hypotension within 30 min of spinal anesthesia administration. Secondary outcomes included maternal and neonatal outcomes 30 min after spinal block, and neonatal cerebral oxygenation 10 min after birth. RESULTS: In total, 190 patients were enrolled; of these patients, 177 were included in the final analysis. Fewer patients suffered hypotension in the norepinephrine group than in the ephedrine group (29.5% vs. 44.9%, odds ratio [OR]: 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28-0.95, P = 0.034). Moreover, the tachycardia frequency was lower in the norepinephrine group than in the ephedrine group (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.11-0.44, P < 0.001), and patients suffered less nausea and vomiting (OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.11-0.70, P = 0.004). There was no difference in Apgar scores and umbilical arterial blood gas analysis between the two groups. However, neonatal cerebral regional saturations were significantly higher after birth in the norepinephrine group than in the ephedrine group (mean difference: 2.0%, 95% CI: 0.55%-3.45%, P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia, norepinephrine infusion compared to ephedrine bolus resulted in less hypotension and tachycardia, and exhibited potential neonatal benefits. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02542748; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT02542748.
Anesthesia, Spinal/adverse effects* ; Cesarean Section/adverse effects* ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Hypotension/prevention & control* ; Infant, Newborn ; Phenylephrine ; Pregnancy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Vasoconstrictor Agents/therapeutic use*