Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; secondary

Objective To reinvestigate the value of overnight low-dose dexamethasone suppression test in the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome.Methods Fifty-two patients with Cushing syndrome and 153 patients with simple obesity or essential hypertension in whom Cushing syndrome was excluded were studied retrospectively in order to compare the sensitivity and specificity of different serum cortisol cut-off levels in overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test in the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome.Results The sensitivity of 50% of basal serum cortisol level at 8:00 and of the serum cortisol cut-off levels of 275,200,138,50 nmoL/L at 8:00 after the overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test was 92.3%,92.3%,92.3%,92.3% and 100.0% respectively, and the specificity was 90.8%,98.7%,96.1%,91.5% and 78.4%,respectively.Conclusion The serum cortisol cut-off level of 50 nmol/L in the overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test has very high sensitivity and can be used as a screening test for Cushing syndrome.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of Danlong Oral Liquid (DOL) combined Western medicine (WM) in treating mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset.

METHODSTotally 480 mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset were randomly assigned to two groups in the ratio 3:1, the treatment group (360 cases) and the control group (120 cases). All patients received basic WM treatment. Patients in the treatment group took DOL, 10 mL each time, 3 times per day for 7 days in total, while those in the control group took Kechuanning Oral Liquid (KOL) , 10 mL each time, 3 times per day for 7 days in total. Efficacy for asthma symptoms, lung functions and scores of TCM syndrome and/or main symptoms were evaluated.

RESULTSThe percentage of clinical control and significant effectiveness of asthma symptoms in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (77.36% vs 56.07%, P < 0.01). The percentage of clinical control and significant effectiveness of lung functions in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (74.28% vs 50.00%, P < 0.01). The anterior-posterior difference in scores of TCM syndrome was significantly superior in the treatment group than in the control group (-11.26 ± 4.70 vs -9.21 ± 5.09, P < 0.01). The anterior-posterior difference in scores of main symptoms was significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group (-6.58 ± 3.08 vs -5.16 ± 3.45, P < 0.01). The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group [1.73% (6/346 cases) vs 10.17% (12/118 cases) , P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONDOL combined WM was superior to KOL in treating mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset.

Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Lung ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Respiratory Sounds ; Syndrome

Objective To investigate the effects of Gypsophila oldhami-ana gypsogenin( GOG) on induction of apoptosis in human colon cancer HT-29 cells.Methods The growth and apoptosis of HT -29 cells treated with 5,10,20,40 &mu;mol· L-1 GOG are investigated by MTT assay and flow cytometry.The mRNA expression of Caspase-3 and Bax was measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR.Results GOG inhibited the proliferation of HT -29 cell line in a dose -and time-dependent manner. Cell apoptosis rate increase obviously.Caspase-3 and Bax mRNA expression quantity increase gradually, assumes the obvious density dependence.Conclusion GOG could inhibit HT-29 cell proliferation through inducing cell apoptosis in vitro.The mechanism might be that GOG could enhance the level of Bax and activate the pathway of Caspase-3.

Objective:To investigate the effect of warmer intravenous infusion combined with local liquid dressing skin daub methods in short-term PN infusion patients with peripheral venous indwelling needle.Methods:Using the single blind random control method,150 PN patients from October 2015 to August 2016 were included.The control group was given the liquid dressing skin daub with 75 cases,and the observation group was given warmer intravenous infusion jointing local liquid dressing skin daub with 75 cases.To observe the incidence of phlebitis and the pain of the infusion catheter site with the infusion limb and the average maintain time of peripheral venous indwelling needle.Results:The incidence of phlebitis was significantly lower in the observation group than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.01) in two groups.The degree of infusion catheter pain with infusion limb pain wasless painful in the observation group than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.005) in two groups.The degree of catheter site pain after pulling out peripheral venous indwelling needle was less painful in the observation group than that in the control group(P ＜ 0.01) in two groups To compare the average maintain time of peripheral venous indwelling needle was (P ＜ 0.001)in two groups.Conclusion:Warmer intravenous infusion combined with liquid dressing skin daub can effectively prevent the occurrence of phlebitis in patients with peripheral venous indwelling needle PN infusion and improve the comfort.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and safety of the peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) as a venous access for newborns who need a long-term venous transfusion.

METHODSSixty-five newborns receiving PICC and 80 newborns receiving peripheral intravenous catheters (PIV) from April 2006 to February 2008 were included in this study. A retrospective cohort study was used to compare the indwelling time of catheters, catheter-related mechanical complications, the incidence of sepsis, and the mortality between the two groups.

RESULTSThe indwelling time of catheters in the PICC and the PIV groups was 18.75+/-7.62 days (range:7-62 days) and 1.49+/-0.57 days (range: 30 minutes to 4 days) respectively. The indwelling time of catheters in the PICC group was significantly longer than that in the PIV group (<0.01). The incidence of catheter-related mechanical complications in the PICC group was significantly lower than that in the PIV group (27.7% vs 63.8%; <0.01). There were no significant differences in the incidence of sepsis and the mortality between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe application of PICC can cause a decrease in the number of venous puncture. PICC is a safe and effective venous access in newborns.

Catheterization, Central Venous ; adverse effects ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Sepsis ; etiology ; Time Factors

BACKGROUND: The application of coronary stents, especially drug-eluting stents (DESs), has made percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) one of important therapeutic methods for CHD. DES has reduced the in-stent restenosis to 5％–9％ and signifi cantly improved the long-term prognosis of patients with CHD. The study aimed to investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of domestic drug-eluting stents (DESs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: All patients with ACS who had undergone successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2009 to December 2010 were included in this study. Patients were excluded from the study if they were implanted with bare metal stents or different stents (domestic and imported DESs) simultaneously. The included patients were divided into two groups according to different stents implanted: domestic DESs and imported DESs. RESULTS: In the 1683 patients of this study, 1558 (92.6％) patients were folowed up successfuly for an average of (29.1±5.9) months. 130 (8.3％) patients had major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including cardiac death in 32 (2.1％) patients, recurrent myocardial infarction in 16 (1％), and revascularization in 94 (6％). The rates of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, revascularization, in-stent restenosis, stent thrombosis and other MACEs were not significantly different between the two groups (allP>0.05). Multivarite logistic regression revealed that diabetes mellitus (OR=1.75, 95％CI: 1.09–2.82,P=0.021), vascular numbers of PCI (OR=2.16, 95％CI: 1.22–3.83, P=0.09) and PCI with left main lesion (OR=9.47, 95％CI: 2.96–30.26,P=0.01) were independent prognostic factors of MACEs. The Kaplan-Meier method revealed that there was no significant difference in cumulative survival rates and survival rates free from clinical events between the two groups (allP>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidences of clinical events and cumulative survival rates are not statistically different between domestic DESs and imported DESs. Domestic DES is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with ACS.

Objective The items of quality of life scale for premature ovarian insufficiency were screened using the Delphi method,thus to provide a basis for the development of the scale.Methods The core researcher group of scale development was formed firstly,and then the theoretical framework of the scale was constructed and the original item pool was established on the basis of previous literature analysis,medical record review and patient interview,Secondly,the expert consultation questionnaire was formulated,the experts were screened,and two rounds of expert investigation were conducted by the Delphi method.Finally,the survey results were statistically analyzed,the expert opinions were sorted out,and the items were screened.Results A total of 15 experts were selected,and they were from 9 provinces or municipalities directly under the central government,exerting certain discipline representativeness and authority.The two rounds of expert investigation by Delphi method were conducted by issuing 15 questionnaires in each round of expert investigation,the positive coefficient of the experts was all 100%,the authority coefficient of the experts was 0.970 and 0.963 respectively,and the Kendall's W coefficient was 0.236 and 0.381 respectively(P＜0.05).Finally,31 items(18 related with the physiological domain,8 related with the psychological domain and 5 related with the social domain)and 2 overall-evaluation items were determined.Conclusion The experts participating in the Delphi method have high authority and enthusiasm.The Kendall's W coefficient of the second-round expert investigation is higher than that of the first-round expert investigation,the experts'opinions reach unanimity,and the results are more reliable.The results of item screening of TCM quality of life scale for premature ovarian insufficiency can provide reference for the subsequent evaluation and research of the scale.

OBJECTIVESuppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) have been shown to play an important role in regulating cytokines, such as intracellular interferon (IFN) and interleukin (IL), in the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway. At present, the association between SOCS and asthma is still under study. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with the intracellular IFN-'/IL-4 ratio in CD4+ T cells and specific IgE (sIgE) level in children with asthma.

METHODSBMCs were collected from 44 children with allergic asthma (4-14 years) and 30 healthy children. The intracellular IFN-'/IL-4 ratio in CD4+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry. Total RNAs were extracted from the PBMCs and SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 mRNA expression was measured by SYBR Green I quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy children, children with allergic asthma showed a lower level of intracellular IFN-' in peripheral blood [(15.7±2.0)% vs (19.1±2.7)%] and IFN-'/IL-4 ratio (3.4±1.5 vs 4.8±2.9) and higher SOCS-1 mRNA expression (-Ct, 11.1±1.9 vs 12.6±2.8). There was a negative relationship between SOCS-1 mRNA expression and the percentage of IFN-'-producing CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood in both asthmatic and healthy children (P<0.05). No correlation was found between SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 expression and sIgE level.

CONCLUSIONSChildren with allergic asthma have elevated levels of SOCS-1 mRNA in PBMCs, which is associated with Th2-skewed immune response.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytokines ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Signal Transduction ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; genetics ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

BACKGROUND: Primary pulmonary malignancies (PPMs) and non-pulmonary malignancies (PNPMs) may result in airway stenosis requiring stenting. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the clinical features and stent placement outcomes of airway stenosis caused by PPMs and PNPMs. METHODS: A total of 141 patients with malignant airway stenosis who underwent Micro-Tech stent placements between January 2004 and October 2017 at Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University were divided into PPM (n = 100) and PNPM groups (n = 41). Patients' clinical features and stent placement outcomes were collected and analyzed. Chi-square test was used to compare the categorical variables, while independent- or paired-sample t test was used to compare the continuous variables. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, sex, treatment history, respiratory symptoms, and incidence of obstructive pneumonia between groups. Multiple airway involvement (63.0% vs. 31.7%; χ = 11.459, P = 0.001) and atelectasis (17.0% vs. 2.4%; χ = 5.536, P = 0.019) were more common in the PPM group, while extraluminal obstruction (24.4% vs. 6.0%; χ = 8.033, P = 0.005) was more common in the PNPM group. Before stenting, the American Thoracic Society Dyspnea Index (ADI) and Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores showed no significant differences between groups (all P > 0.05). After stenting, a satisfactory rate of symptom improvement was achieved in both groups (98.0% and 100.0% in the PPM and PNPM groups, respectively; χ = 0.016, P = 0.898); ADI and KPS scores, which showed no significant differences between groups (all P > 0.05), were significantly improved in each group (all P < 0.001). Complications after stenting could be effectively managed using bronchoscopic procedures. CONCLUSIONS Among cases of malignant airway stenosis requiring stenting, those caused by PPM are more likely to involve multiple airways and are associated with atelectasis, while those caused by PNPM are more likely to cause extraluminal obstruction. Micro-Tech stent placement has the same immediate effect in terms of improvement in respiratory symptoms and performance status for both malignant airway stenosis caused by PPM and that caused by PNPM.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; adverse effects ; Tracheal Stenosis ; etiology ; therapy