Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Y chromosome microdeletions are an important cause of male infertility. At present, research on the Y chromosome is mainly focused on analyzing the loss of large segments of the azoospermia factor a/b/c (AZFa/b/c) gene, and few studies have reported the impact of unit point deletion in the AZF band on fertility. This study analyzed the effect of sperm quality after sY1192 loss in 116 patients. The sY1192-independent deletion accounted for 41.4% (48/116). Eight patterns were found in the deletions associated with sY1192. The rate of sperm detection was similar in the semen of patients with the independent sY1192 deletion and the combined sY1192 deletions (52.1% vs 50.0%). The patients with only sY1192 gene loss had a higher probability of sperm detection than the patients whose sY1192 gene locus existed, but other gene loci were lost (52.1% vs 32.0%). The hormone levels were similar in patients with sY1192 deletion alone and in those with sY1192 deletion and other types of microdeletions in the presence of the sY1192 locus. After multiple intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) attempts, the pregnancy rate of spouses of men with sY1192-independent deletions was similar to that of other types of microdeletions, but the fertilization and cleavage rates were higher. We observed that eight deletion patterns were observed for sY1192 microdeletions of AZFb/c, dominated by the independent deletion of sY1192. After ICSI, the fertilization rate and cleavage rate of the sY1192-independent microdeletion were higher than those of other Y chromosome microdeletion types, but there was no significant difference in pregnancy outcomes.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Male ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; Adult ; Chromosome Deletion ; Pregnancy Outcome/genetics* ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Semen Analysis ; Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development/genetics* ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

Objective To explore the incidence and imaging characteristics of bifid ribs of Tibetan population in Kangbei area by multi-slice spiral CT(MSCT),in order to provide imaging reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods The imaging data of 1 253 Tibetan patients(661 males and 592 females)in Kangbei area who underwent chest MSCT examination were retrospectively analyzed.The incidence of bifid ribs and its differences between genders and sides were counted.The location of bifid ribs,the morphological charac-teristics of the junction of bifid ribs and costal cartilage,and the change of adjacent intercostal space were observed.Results Among 1 253 patients with chest MSCT,57 patients had bifid ribs,with a total of 64 bifid ribs.The incidence of bifid ribs at the patient level was 4.55%,of which 51 cases had single bifid rib and 6 cases had multiple bifid ribs;the incidence of bifid ribs in male was 4.99%(33/661),the female was 4.05%(24/592),and the difference between genders was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The incidence of bifid ribs was 56.14%(32/57)on the right side,33.33%(19/57)on the left side,and 10.53%(6/57)on both sides,the differences between different sides were statistically significant(P<0.05).The bifid ribs were found in the 2nd to 8th ribs,mainly in the 3rd to 5th ribs.A total of 55(85.94%)junctions of bifid ribs and costal cartilage were obturator type,5(7.81%)junctions were incompletehole shape type,3(4.69%)junctions were double costal cartilage type and 1(1.56%)junction was other type;62(96.88%)junctions were narrow in the upper intercostal space.Conclusion The incidence of bifid ribs of the Tibetan population in Kangbei area is 4.55%,which mainly occurs in the 3rd to 5th ribs,and the obturator type is more common,with the upper intercostal space narrow.MSCT can make accurate diagnosis of bifid ribs and provide accurate imaging evaluation for clinical practice.

Objective:To construct recombinant lentivirus and adenovirus which regulate the expression of c-Cbl gene and evaluate their efficacy.Methods:The interference lentivirus and overexpressed adenovirus targeting human c-Cbl gene were constructed by gene recombination technology.Quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression changes in c-Cbl gene and its transcription after leukemia cells(HL60,THP1)were infected by virus.Results:Three recombinant interfering lentiviral vectors targeting human c-Cbl genes to successfully constructed and were identified by DNA sequencing,and the titers of the packaged viruses were all greater than 1 x 108 TU/ml.Among them,shRNA-2 lentivirus had the highest interference efficiency,and the expression of c-Cbl gene and CBL protein were decreased about 95％and 60％respectively after leukemia cells were infected with shRNA-2;In addition,the recombinant overexpression adenovirus targeting human c-Cbl gene was packaged successfully with the virus titer greater than 1 x 109 TU/ml.When leukemia cells were infected with adenovirus,the expression of c-Cbl gene and CBL protein were up-regulated about 10 times and 1.5 times respectively.Conclusion:Both recombinant interfering lentivirus and overexpression adenovirus can efficiently infect leukemia cells and affect the expressions of c-Cbl gene and CBL protein.It will lay a preliminary foundation for the subsequent study on the function of c-Cbl gene in tumor cells.