Objective To investigate the effect of serum containing Huangqi decoction on the proliferation, migration, and tubulogenesis of rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its mechanism of action based on the protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Methods The serum containing Huangqi decoction was prepared, and rat LSECs were isolated and cultured in vitro . Then rat LSECs were randomly divided into blank group, VEGF group, serum control group, and low-, middle-, and high-dose serum containing Huangqi decoction groups. MTT colorimetry, Transwell assay, and tubulogenesis assay were used to measure the proliferation, migration, and tubulogenesis abilities of LSECs in each group, and Western Blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), as well as AKT, phosphorylated-AKT (p-AKT), mTOR, and phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) in the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the Tukey's test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the blank group, the VEGF group and the serum control group had significantly promoted proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of rat LSECs (all P < 0.05), and Western Blot showed significant increases in the expression levels of CD31, ET-1, eNOS, and AKT/mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins (all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the above indices between the VEGF group and the serum control group (all P > 0.05). Compared with the serum group, the middle- and high-dose serum containing Huangqi decoction groups had significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of rat LSECs induced by VEGF (all P < 0.05), and Western Blot showed significant reductions in the expression levels of CD31, ET-1, eNOS, and AKT/mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins (all P < 0.01). Conclusion A relatively high dose of serum containing Huangqi decoction can significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration, and tubulogenesis of rat LSECs induced by VEGF, possibly by regulating the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective: To explore the protective mechanism of acupuncture plus mild hypothermia for cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) by observing the effects of acupuncture plus mild hypothermia on miRNA-204 and its target gene expressions in CIRI rat brain tissues. Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a blank control group, a sham operation group, a model group, an acupuncture group, a mild hypothermia group and an acupuncture plus mild hypothermia group according to the random number table method (n=10). Except for the blank control group and the sham operation group, rats in the other 4 groups received CIRI modeling. After the model was successfully established, rats in the blank control group were bred routinely for 72 h without any interventions; rats in the sham operation group and the model group were bred routinely for 72 h, and only received binding without other interventions after surgery; rats in the acupuncture group were bred routinely for 72 h, and received acupuncture at Dazhui (GV 14), Baihui (GV 20) and Shuigou (GV 26) after binding; rats in the mild hypothermia group were bred routinely for 72 h, and received mild hypothermia intervention for 72 h after binding; rats in the acupuncture plus mild hypothermia group were bred routinely for 72 h, followed by receiving acupuncture as in the acupuncture group and mild hypothermia therapy as in the mild hypothermia group after binding. The neurological impairment score, cerebral infarction area ratio, the expressions of miRNA-204 and its target genes including Map3k8, Ntrk2 and Ppp3r1 in the ischemic hippocampus of each group were observed after 72 h of intervention. Results: Before intervention, compared with the blank control group and the sham operation group, the neurological impairment scores and the infarction area ratios of the modelled rats were statistically significantly increased (all P<0.01), indicating that the model was successful. After intervention, compared with the model group, the neurological impairment scores of the three intervention groups were significantly reduced (all P<0.01); compared with the acupuncture group and the mild hypothermia group, the infarction area ratio in the acupuncture plus mild hypothermia group was significantly reduced (both P<0.01); compared with the model group, the three intervention groups showed significant inhibition of miRNA-204 expression in brain tissues (all P<0.05), which was most significant in the acupuncture plus mild hypothermia group (P<0.01); compared with the acupuncture group and the mild hypothermia group, the Map3k8 expression in the acupuncture plus mild hypothermia group was significantly increased (both P<0.01), but there were no significant differences in Ntrk2 and Ppp3r1 expressions between groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture, mild hypothermia, and acupuncture plus mild hypothermia reduced the neurological impairment score and the cerebral infarction area in CIRI rats, while acupuncture plus mild hypothermia showed the most significant effect. In regulating miRNA-204 target gene expressions, acupuncture plus mild hypothermia showed the same effect on Ntrk2 and Ppp3r1 expressions, while better effect on Map3k8 expression compared with either acupuncture or hypothermia.

We assessed the role of diabetes mellitus (DM) on treatment effects in drug-susceptible initial pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. A prospective study was conducted in eight provinces of China from October 2008 to December 2010. We enrolled 1,313 confirmed drug-susceptible initial PTB patients, and all subjects received the treatment regimen (2H3R3E3Z3/4H3R3) as recommended by the national guidelines. Of the 1,313 PTB patients, 157 (11.9%) had DM; these patients had more sputum smear-positive rates at the end of the second month [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) 2.829, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.783-4.490], and higher treatment failure (aOR 2.120, 95% CI 1.565-3.477) and death rates (aOR 1.536, 95% CI 1.011-2.628). DM was a contributing factor for culture-positive rates at the end of the second month and treatment failure and death of PTB patients, thus playing an unfavorable role in treatment effects of PTB.
Antitubercular Agents ; therapeutic use ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; drug effects ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; complications ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of total flavonoids of Astmgali Radix (TFA) on liver cirrhosis induced with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in rats, and the effect on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR).

METHODSFifty-three Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group (10 rats) and a DMN group (43 rats). Rats in the DMN group were given DMN for 4 weeks and divided randomly into a model group (14 rats), a low-dosage TFA group (14 rats) and a high-dosage TFA group (15 rats) in the 3rd week. Rats were given TFA for 4 weeks at the dosage of 15 and 30 mg/kg in the low- and high-TFA groups, respectively. At the end of the experiment blood and liver samples were collected. Serum liver function and liver tissue hydroxyproline content were determined. hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Sirus red and immunohistochemical stainings of collagen I, smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was conducted in paraffinembedded liver tissue slices. Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was adopted to determine PPARγ, UCP2 and FXR mRNA levels. Western blot was adopted to determine protein levels of collagen I, α-SMA, PPARγ, UCP2 and FXR.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, TFA increased the ratio of liver/body weight (low-TFA group P<0.05, high-TFA group P<0.01), improved liver biochemical indices (P<0.01 for ALT, AST, GGT in both groups, P<0.05 for albumin and TBil in the high-TFA group) and reduced liver tissue hydroxproline content (P<0.01 in both groups) in treatment groups significantly. HE staining showed that TFA alleviated liver pathological changes markedly and Sirus red staining showed that TFA reduced collagen deposition, alleviated formation and extent of liver pseudolobule. Collagen I and α-SMA immunohistochemical staining showed that staining area and extent markedly decreased in TFA groups compared with the model group. TFA could increase PPARγ, it regulated target UCP2, and FXR levels significantly compared with the model group (in the low-TFA group all P<0.05, in the high group all P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONTFA could improve liver function, alleviate liver pathological changes, and reduce collagen deposition and formation of liver pseudolobule in rats with liver cirrhosis. The antifibrotic effect of TFA was through regulating PPARγ signal pathway and the interaction with FXR.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Dimethylnitrosamine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; genetics ; metabolism ; Uncoupling Protein 2 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors of the serious complications related with double-J ureteral stent placement following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

METHODSClinical data were reviewed for 272 patients treated with PCNL and indwelling double-J stents between January, 2014 and April, 2016. The risk factors of serious complications were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSSerious complications of double-J ureteral stenting occurred in 63 patients (23.1%). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the ureter abnormalities (β=1.735, P=0.000, OR=5.670), stent indwelling duration (β=1.206, P=0.028, OR=3.340), gender (β=0.895, P=0.016, OR=2.446), preoperative urinary tract infection (β=0.849, P=0.020 , OR=2.338) and stent size (β=0.847, P=0.011, OR=2.333) were all risk factors of serious complications related with the procedure.

CONCLUSIONMale patients are exposed to a higher risk of serious complications following PCNL. Effective management of urinary tract infection and choice of appropriate stent size in cases of ureteral abnormalities help to reduce these complications. The double-J stent should be withdrawn as soon as possible in patients with good postoperative recovery.

Female ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Postoperative Period ; Risk Factors ; Stents ; adverse effects ; Ureter ; surgery ; Ureteral Obstruction ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Cornus Officinalis total glycosides (COTG) and Cornus polysaccharides (CP) on myocardial mitochondria and expression levels of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats.

METHODSThe AMI rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery. Rats were divided into 5 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the sham-operation group, the model group, the COTG prevention group, the CP treatment group, the COTG treatment group, 12 in each group. Normal saline was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group by gastrogavage. Corresponding medication was respectively administered to rats in the rest 3 groups by gastrogavage. The cardiac function was detected by echocardiography and hemodynamics. The infarct size was determined by Masson trichrome staining. The expression of mitochondrial biogenesis genes such as a subunit of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1α), PGC-1β, nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1), and GSK-3P mRNA were detected by Real-time PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operation group, the myocardial infarction size increased, cardiac function decreased, the expression of PGC-1α, PGC-1β, and NRF-1 mRNA decreased, and the expression of GSK-3β mRNA increased (all P <0. 05). Compared with the model group, myocardial infarction sizes were reduced, cardiac function was improved, the expression of NRF-1 mRNA was elevated in the COTG prevention group, the CP treatment group, the COTG treatment group; the expression of the PGC-1α and PGC-1β mRNA was elevated in the COTG prevention group and the CP treatment group; the expression of GSK-3β mRNA was reduced in the CP treatment group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the CP prevention group, fractional shortening (FS) and aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased in the CP treatment group; ejection fraction (EF) decreased in the CP treatment group; the expression of PGC-1α, PGC-1β, NRF-1 mRNA were reduced in the the CP treatment group and the COTG treatment group; the expression of GSK-3β mRNA decreased in the CP treatment group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the COTG treatment group, FS, EF, left ventricular end systolic pressure (LVESP), SBP, and the expression of GSK-3β mRNA were reduced in the CP treatment group (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSCOTG and CP could improve cardiac function, reduce the myocardial infarction area, and promote biogenesis of myocardial mitochondria. Their protective effects on the mitochondria of cadiocytes might be achieved by GSK-3β signalina pathway.

Animals ; Cornus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Glycosides ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Mitochondria, Heart ; physiology ; Myocardial Infarction ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; Polysaccharides ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcription Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore possible interrelationships among resistance to peer pressure, risky decision-making and health risk behaviors among young adolescents.

METHODSBased on the cluster sampling method, the participants who were recruited from 5 junior middle schools in Guangzhou and 3 junior middle schools in Shenyang city on October, 2010, were administered to complete the questionnaire concerned with their experiences with drinking and smoking during the past 30 days preceding the survey, and the hours using computer daily both in weekdays and in weekend. The level of resistance to peer influence and risky decision-making were assessed by Resistance to peer influence scale (RPIS) and Youth decision-making questionnaire (YDMQ). Logistic regression was used to explore possible interrelationships among resistance to peer influence, risky decision-making and health risk behaviors among young adolescents.

RESULTSA total of 1985 questionnaires were valid, including 1001(50.4%) boys and 984 (49.6%) girls. About 27.1% (537/1985) junior middle school students reported having health risk behaviors, boys' (30.7%, 307/1001) was higher than girls' (23.4%, 230/984) with significant gender difference (P < 0.05). The prevalence of smoking, drinking during the past 30 days before the survey and using computer over 3 hours daily in weekdays and in weekend were 5.1% (102/1985), 14.3% (284/1985), 3.5% (70/1985) and 13.7% (272/1985), respectively. The rate of drinking, using computer over 3 hours daily in weekdays and in weekend were higher in males (16.4% (164/1001), 4.5% (45/1001), 16.2% (162/1001)) than those in females (12.2% (120/984), 2.5% (25/984), 11.2% (110/984)) (P < 0.05). The scores of RPIS and YDMQ of the two cities adolescents were 2.82 ± 0.39 and 1.68 ± 0.62. The students reported smoking, drinking during the past 30 days before the survey and using computer over 3 hours daily in weekend gained lower RPIS scores (2.43 ± 0.40, 2.61 ± 0.41, 2.77 ± 0.40) than their counterparts who didn't report these kind of health risk behaviors (2.84 ± 0.38, 2.85 ± 0.38, 2.82 ± 0.39)(P < 0.05). And those reported smoking, drinking during the past 30 days before the survey and using computer over 3 hours daily in weekdays and in weekend gained higher YDMQ scores (2.38 ± 0.66, 2.06 ± 0.66, 1.97 ± 0.72, 1.84 ± 0.64, respectively) than their counterparts who didn't report these kind of health risk behaviors (1.64 ± 0.38, 1.61 ± 0.58, 1.67 ± 0.61, 1.65 ± 0.61, respectively) (P < 0.05). After adjusting gender, area, parental education degree, self-reported family economic condition, multi-variant logistic regression analysis indicated that the low and middle level of resistance to peer influence (low and middle level vs high level, had odds ratios of 2.97 (1.96 - 4.50) and 1.51 (1.05 - 2.16)), and also the middle and high level of risky decision-making (middle and high level vs low level, had odds ratios of 1.62 (1.19 - 2.22) and 3.43 (2.39 - 4.90)) were all the risk factors of adolescent health risk behaviors.

CONCLUSIONAdolescents with poor ability of resistance to peer pressure and high risky decision-making were both the risk factors of adolescent health risk behaviors.

Adolescent ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Peer Group ; Risk Assessment ; Risk-Taking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To explore the effect of encouraging nursing on the compliance and biphasic positive airway pressure (BiPAP) mechanical ventilation therapy of patients.Methods Totals of 68 cases with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type Ⅱ respiratory failure between June 2008 and June 2011,according to ventilator treatment time sequence,were randomly divided into the control group and observation group,each group with 34 cases.The control group received the routine ventilation treatment,health education and psychological nursing before ventilation treatment,while the observation group patients,on the basic of this,before and during treatment,received constant encouraging nursing.And the arterial blood gas analysis of all cases in the third days was conducted,and PaO2,PaCO2,pH value and compliance were observed and compared between two groups.Results After encouraging nursing,the compliance rate was 82.4％ in the observation group,and that was 41.2％ in control group,and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =4.533,P ＜ 0.01 ).After intervention,PaO2,PaCO2,pH value of all patients were improved,especially significantly improved in the observation group,the difference was statistically significant ( t =2.353,4.261,5.130,respectively;P＜0.05).Conclusions Encouraging nursing can significantly improve patients' compliance of using BiPAP ventilator and improve the treatment effect.

BACKGROUNDAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders during childhood, characterized by the core symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention and puts great burden on children themselves, their families and the society. Osmotic release oral system methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) is a once-daily controlled-release formulation developed to overcome some of the limitations associated with immediate-release methylphenidate (IR-MPH). It has been marketed in China since 2005 but still lacks data from large-sample clinical trials on efficacy and safety profiles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of OROS-MPH in children aged 6 to 16 years with ADHD under naturalistic clinical setting.

METHODSThis 6-week, multi-center, prospective, open-label study enrolled 1447 ADHD children to once-daily OROS-MPH (18 mg, 36 mg or 54 mg) treatment. The effectiveness measures were parent-rated Inattention and Overactivity With Aggression (IOWA) Conners I/O and O/D subscales, physician-rated CGI-I and parent-rated global efficacy assessment scale. Blood pressure, pulse rate measurement, adverse events (AEs) and concomitant medications and treatment review were conducted by the investigator and were served as safety measures.

RESULTSA total of 1447 children with ADHD (mean age (9.52 ± 2.36) years) were enrolled in this trial. Totally 96.8% children received an OROS-MPH modal dose of 18 mg, 3.1% with 36 mg and 0.1% with 54 mg at the endpoint of study. The parent IOWA Conners I/O score at the end of week 2 showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) improvement with OROS-MPH (mean: 6.95 ± 2.71) versus the score at baseline (10.45 ± 2.72). The change in the parent IOWA Conners O/D subscale, CGI-I and parent-rated global efficacy assessment scale also supported the superior efficacy for OROS-MPH treatment. Fewer than half of 1447 patients (511(35.3%)) reported AEs, and the majority of the events reported were mild (68.2%). No serious adverse events were reported during the study.

CONCLUSIONThis open-label, naturalistic study provides further evidence of effectiveness and safety of OROS-MPH in school-aged children under routine practice.

Adolescent ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; drug therapy ; Child ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methylphenidate ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the changes in the cardiac function after St. Jude Regent mechanical valve replacement and assess the prosthesis-patient matching.

METHODSFrom October 2007 to March 2009, 44 patients received implantation of 17 mm St. Jude aortic prostheses in our hospital. The patients were followed up for clinical symptoms, signs, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram and cardiac functions, and the results were compared with those of randomly selected 44 patients receiving 21 mm St. Jude aortic prostheses.

RESULTSIn 17 mm St Jude Medica Regent valve group, 8 patients presented with ECG ST segment changes, 3 complained of chest tightness, 3 had occasional chest pain and discomfort, and 8 had grade II and 4 grade III cardiac function. In 21 mm St Jude Medical Regent valve group, 6 patients had ECG ST segment changes, 2 complained of chest tightness, 2 reported occasional chest pain and discomfort, 11 had grade II and 2 grade III cardiac function. No significant differences were found in these indices between the two groups (P=0.32). Compared with those before operation, the two groups showed significant improvements in the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass index, and aortic pressure gradient (P<0.05). A significant increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction occurred 6-12 months after operation, but without statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor underweight patients (<60 kg) and those with small body surface area (<1.6 cm(2)), 17 mm St. Jude Medical Regent valve prosthesis may produce good therapeutic effect, and some indices are even close to those after placement of 21 mm St. Jude Medical Regent valve prosthesis. No obvious prosthesis-patient mismatch occurs after the placement of the 17 mm valve prosthesis and aortic valve ring expansion is not necessary.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aortic Valve ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult