OBJECTIVEThe device of a bone age film of analysis and process was designed, can calculate the expected patient's height and identify growth level and development.

METHODSSelect the DR bone age of 100 children of 6-13 years old, used semi Lagrange algorithm of target region of interest on bone age piece (ROI) for image analysis, compared with 2 pediatric endocrinologists (A, B) who used TW3 artificial to judge bone age (two methods were detected 2 times), and report the results.

RESULTSBone age assessment process, forecast error of bone age reduced to 0.12 years.

CONCLUSIONSThis device can quickly calculate the expected patient's height and identify his growth level, improve the speed and accuracy of bone age assessment, especially in the poor medical conditions in rural and remote areas.

Adolescent ; Age Determination by Skeleton ; instrumentation ; Child ; Equipment Design ; Humans

Objective To investigate the effect of HbA1c meeting the standard or not on microalbuminuria,blood lipids and liver enzymes in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 457 subjects who had type 2 diabetes.They were divided into substandard group and standard group according to HbA1c result.The general information and relevant laboratory indicators of patients were.collected and compared between two groups.Results The microalbuminuria,serum triglyceride and liver enzymes (glutamyl transpeptidase,alkaline phosphatase,aspertate aminotransferase) were significantly different between two groups [ (189.8 ± 235.3) mg/dl vs (38.9 ± 85.5) mg/dl,(2.64 ± 2.99) mmol/L vs (2.02 ± 1.50)mmol/L,(41.7 ±52.9)U/L vs (29.7 ±24.9)U/L,(83.6 ±28.6) U/L vs (74.3 ±25.8)U/L,(26.7 ±19.1)U/L vs (22.0 ±10.5) U/L,P ＜0.05].HbA1c level was positively correlated with microalbuminuria,glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase (r =0.209,0.115,0.11,P ＜0.01).The microalbuminuria was an independent risk factor of affecting HbA1c to reach the standard (OR = 1.009,P ＜0.05).Conclusions HbA1c meeting the standard or not can influence many factors except blood glucose.

Objective To explore the effects of ecoimmunonutrition support on the intestinal barrier function and pancreas in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods Totally 64 SPF rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (control group) , SAP without enteral nutrition support group (SAP group), SAP with early enteral nutrition support group (EEN group), and SAP with early ecoimmunonutrition support group (EIN group). Bacteria translocation (BT), plasma endotoxin (ET) , gut permeability, pancreas pathology score,and distant ileum pathology were determined on the 4th and 7th post-modeling day. Results The BT rate was significantly higher in SAP group, EEN group, and EIN group than in control group (P ＜ 0.05), was significantly lower in EEN group and EIN group than in SAP group (P ＜ 0.05), and was significantly lower in EIN group than in EEN group (P ＜ 0.05). ET and FD-40 levels in blood were both significantly higher in SAP group, EEN group, and EIN group than in control group (P ＜0.01)and were significantly lower in EIN group and EEN group than in SAP group (P ＜0.01); ET was significantly lower in EIN group than in control group (P ＜0.05). Pathological scores were significantly higher in SAP group, EEN group, and EIN group than in control group (P ＜0.01)and were significantly lower in EEN group and EIN group than in SAP group (P ＜ 0.01). The individual pathological scores of EIN group were not significantly different from EEN group (P ＞ 0.05), while the total score was significantly lower in EIN group than in EEN group (P ＞ 0.05). Distant iliac mucosa was significantly thicker in EIN group than in other groups. Conclusions Early enteral nutrition support protects the intestinal barrier and pancreas in rats with SAP. Ecoimmunonutrition has better nutritional effectiveness than the normal enteral nutrition.

AIM: To investigate the relationship among MCP-1 and monocyte chemoattract protein activity (MCA) and pathogenesis of lung cancer. METHODS: 173 patients were involved in the study and divided into three groups: group A: lung cancer group (60 patients); group B: benign lung disease group (55 patients) and group C: healthy control group (58 patients). MCP-1 level and MCA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. RESULTS: The concentration of MCP-1 and MCA in BALF in group A were much higher than those in group B and group C (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training followed by non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODSThis investigator-initiated randomized, controlled trial recruited 88 patients with stable GOLD stage IV COPD, who were randomized into 4 equal groups to continue oxygen therapy (control group) or to receive inspiratory muscle training followed by non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (IMT-NPPV group), inspiratory muscle training only (IMT group), or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation only (NPPV group) for at least 8 weeks. The outcomes of the patients were assessed including the quality of life (SRI scores), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), dyspnea (MRC scores), 6-min walking distance (6MWD) and lung function.

RESULTSs Compared to baseline values, SRI scores, 6MWT and MRC scores increased significantly after 8 weeks in IMT-NPPV, IMT and NPPV groups, and the improvements were significantly greater in IMT-NPPV group than in IMT and NPPV groups (P<0.05 for all). In IMT-NPPV and IMT groups, MIP and MEP increased significantly after the training (P<0.05), and the improvement was more prominent in IMT-NPPV group (P<0.05). No significant changes were found in pulmonary functions in the groups after 8 weeks of treatment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONInspiratory muscle training followed by non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, compared with inspiratory muscle training or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation alone, can better enhance the quality of life, strengthen the respiratory muscles, improve exercise tolerance and relieve the dyspnea in patients with COPD.

Dyspnea ; therapy ; Exercise Tolerance ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Noninvasive Ventilation ; Physical Conditioning, Human ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; therapy ; Quality of Life ; Respiratory Muscles ; physiopathology

Objective To study the impacts of the Three Gorges dam and change of water level on the survival of the local rodents, and to provide scientific basis to control the outbreak of rodent-borne diseases.Methods Four villages located around the Three Gorges dam were selected in the study. The mouse populations by using Elton night trapping method was monitored. Metallic spring traps were set for two consecutive nights. The mouse density and identified the mouse species was calculated. The mouse species indoor and outdoor, as well as the mouse density indoor and outdoor were compared. The impacts of water level in the dam and cleaning work on local mouse density were also analyzed. Results A total of 678 mice were caught in this study, 517 were caught indoor and 161 outdoor. Indoor dominant species was flavipectus; accounting for 36.49%(189/517), while outdoor was apodemus, reaching 56.88% (91/161). For mouse species, there was a significant difference between indoor and outdoor(x2 = 678.00, P ＜ 0.01 ). The average mouse density was 8.44%(678/8036) in trap nights. Indoor mouse density reached 14.44%(517/3581 ), which was significantly higher than that of outdoor(3.61%, 161/4455 ).For mouse density, there was a significant difference between indoor and outdoor(x2 = 301.04, P ＜ 0.01 ). When the water level was up to 156 m, mouse density reached 10%(513/5132), which was higher than that of before (5.68%, 165/2904). There was a significant difference in mouse density before and after reserving water (x2 = 44.68, P ＜ 0.01 ). With the change of water level, upstream mouse density formed a high platform from May 2007 to May 2008, followed by 12.25%(80/653), 13.16%(90/684), 12.95%(90/695), and decreased to 8.38%(28/334) after cleaning of the dam. Conclusions The Three Gorges dam and change of water level actually alter the survival environment of the local mouse, and affect local mouse density and mouse species. These may lead to local outbreak or epidemic of rodent-borne diseases.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of artesunate on human endometrial carcinoma RL95-2 cell line proliferation in vitro and the possible mechanisms.

METHODSThe inhibitory effect of artesunate on the cell proliferation was assessed with MTT assay. Transmission electron miscrosopy was used to observe the morphological change of the cells after the treatment. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the changes in the cell cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (with DCFH-DA labeling) and mitochondrial membrane potential (rhodamine123 staining), and caspase-3 activity was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSArtesunate inhibited the proliferation of RL95-2 cells with an IC(50) of 26.29 microg/ml. Transmission electron microscopy revealed early apoptotic changes of the cells with obvious chromatin fragmentation. The cell cycle arrest at G(0)/G(1) phase was observed by flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry demonstrated caspase-3 positivity in cytoplasm. ROS generation in the cells increased obviously after treatment with artesunate for 72 h, which also resulted in lowered mitochondrial membrane potential.

CONCLUSIONArtesunate suppressed the proliferation of RL95-2 cells in vitro possibly by inducing cell apoptosis.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Artemisinins ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo study the effect o f Bushen Huoxue Decoction (BHD) on neurobiochemical markers in the hippocampus of female rats with repeated immobilization stress.

METHODSSixty female rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the positive control group (treated with Liuwei Dihuang Pill at the dose of 3.3 g crude drug/kg), and the high, middle, and low BHD treated groups (at the dose of 8, 4, 2 g crude drug/kg), ten in each group. Chronic psychological stress was induced using repeated immobilization stress in rats. Medication was conducted by gastrogavage while modeling once a day for twenty successive days. The hippocampal neurohumoral levels were detected with high-performance liquid chromatography. The expression levels of BDNF and its receptor in the hippocampus were detected by Westem blot. Effect of BHD on neurobiochemical markers in the hippocampus of rats with repeated immobilization stress was observed.

RESULTSThe levels of Glu, GABA, and BDNF in the hippocampus of the normal group were 1280.0 +/- 258.3 ng/mg, 588.3 +/- 115.1 ng/mg, and 13.26 +/- 2.57 gray value, respectively. But the hippocampal neurohumoral levels and the expression of BDNF in the model group obviously decreased when compared with the normal group, being 1016.9 +/- 215.9 ng/mg, 485.1 +/- 71.0 ng/mg, and 7.23 +/- 0.61 gray value, respectively. The levels of Glu (ng/mg) in hippocampus of the three BHD treated groups were 1459.1 +/- 413.5, 1894.7 +/- 542.8, and 1373.3 +/- 345.7, respectively. GABA levels (ng/mg) inthe hippocampus were 631.6 +/- 161.4, 899.1 +/- 262.1, and 656.4 +/- 140.8, respectively. BDNF levels (gray value) were 16.57 +/- 1.52, 29.85 +/- 1.37, and 24.44 +/- 3.81, respectively, significantly higher than that of the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The level of Glu in the positive control group (1216.5 +/- 193.8 ng/mg) was significantly higher than that of model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONBHD showed significant accommodation on the hippocampal neurohumoral levels and the expression of BDNF in the female rats with repeated immobilization stress.

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, trkB ; metabolism ; Restraint, Physical ; Stress, Psychological ; metabolism ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 on ATRA-induced differentiation of NB4 cells. The proliferation activity of cells was assayed by MTT method, the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry, the differentiation of NB4 cells into granulocytes was measured by test of NBT reduction, the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was detected by substrate phosphorylation. The results showed that the ATRA in 0.01-01 micromol/L inhibited the proliferation of NB4 cells in time-and dose-dependent manner and induced the differentiation of NB4 cells into myeloid; the ATRA stimulated ERK activity in this process; ERK inhibitor PD98059 could partially block ATRA effect, specific inhibitor of p38MAPK, SB203580, combined with ATRA also could partially block the effects of ATRA on inhibition of NB4 growth and induction of differentiation. It is concluded that the ATRA stimulates ERK and p38MAPK pathway in the process inducing differentiation of NB4 cells, the ERK and P38MAPK may be necessary for the ATRA-induced differentiation in NB4 cells.
Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term efficacy and toxicity of endostar in combination with XELIRI as the second-line treatment for advanced colorectal cancer.

METHODSTwenty-one patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated with intravenous infusion of endostar (15 mg/day for 14 consecutive days) and irinotecan (250 mg/m(2), single dose on the first day), and oral administration of capecitabine (1.0 mg/m(2), twice daily for 14 days), and the treatment cycle was repeated every 21 days. The efficacy and toxicity of the treatments were evaluated according to RECIST and NCI-CTCAE3.0 standard, respectively.

RESULTSThe overall response rate was 9.5% in these patients, with a median time to progression (mTTP) of 3.9 months. The main adverse effects associated with the treatment included leucopenia, nausea/vomiting and peripheral neuritis.

CONCLUSIONEndostar combined with XELIRI is effective and safe as the second-line treatment for advanced colorectal cancer, and further clinical investigation is warranted.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Capecitabine ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Endostatins ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; genetics ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects