Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental pathogenic bacteria associated with a series of infections. NTM infection can cause pathological changes of related tissues and organs, namely NTM disease. With the further improvement of examination methods, there is more profound understanding of NTM disease, and its epidemiological significance. This article summarizes the research progress on the cell structure, physiological characteristics, pathogenicity, distribution characteristics of NTM; and the morbidity and prevalence, transmission routes and risk factors of NTM disease, to provide information for effective control and treatment of NTM infections.

To evaluate the value of prenatal ultrasound in the diagnosis of single umbilical artery( SUA ) and fetal malformation . Methods T he characteristics of the prenatal ultrasound findings of 143 fetuses with SU A in different gestational weeks were retrospectively analyzed ,and the missing side of SU A were checked . Different types of SUA combined with fetal malformation were analyzed as well as chromosomal abnormalities and so on . Results For 143 fetuses with SU A ,there were 83 cases ( 58 .0% ) with absent left umbilical artery and 60 cases ( 42 .0% ) with absent right umbilical artery ,there was no statistical difference between the two groups ( P ＞0 .05 ) . Six cases ( 4 .2% ,6/143 ) were detected at and before 20 weeks of gestation ,and the rest 137 cases were detected after 20 weeks( 95 .8% ,137/143) . T here were 121 cases ( 84 .6% ) of isolated SUA ,22 cases ( 15 .4% ) were complicated with other malformations , including 10 cases ( 45 .5% ) with absent left umbilical artery and 12 cases ( 54 .5% ) with absent right umbilical artery . T here was no statistical difference between left and right umbilical artery deletion combined with fetal malformation( χ2 ＝1 .692 ,ν＝1 , P ＞0 .05) . T here were 11 cases( 7 .7% ,11/143) with cardiovascular malformation and nine cases ( 6 .3% , 9/143 ) with digestive system malformation . Chromosome examination was performed in 23 cases . One case of trisomy 18‐trisomy and 1 case of trisomy 13‐trisomy were found to be with missing right umbilical artery and all of them were complicated with multiple deformities . Conclusions The absence of left and right umbilical artery can be combined with abnormal fetal malformation . Prenatal ultrasonography can accurately diagnose SU A and fetal malformation .

Osteoarthritis (OA),a common chronic degenerative joint disease,rises gradually with age,which seri-ously affects the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly patients. Currently,the therapeutic medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)and analgesics might improve OA symptoms,but cannot prevent the development of OA. The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)have unique advantages in the treatment of OA. This article reviews the research progress of active ingredients of TCM in the prevention and treatment of OA reported by domestic and foreign journals in the past five years from the aspects of inhibition of the secretion of inflammation-related factors,improvement of cartilage matrix synthesis and catabolic imbalance, inhibition of chondrocyte apoptosis,promotion of chondrocyte proliferation,and regulation of estrogen levels,with an attempt to provide a theoretical basis for the development of new drugs for OA.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of modifiedXiaochengqi decoction in treatment of gastroparesis syndrome (GS).Methods A total of 81 patients with GS from 2010 July to 2013 July in HuiZhou Municipal Central Hospital were selected and randomly recruited into a control group and a treatment group. The control group was treated with domperidone, 15-30 min before the meal, while the treatment group was additionally treated with modifiedXiaochengqi decoction on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The clinical curative effect, and the symptoms in both groups were observed. The serum motilin and gastrin concentration were measured by radio-immunity, the preprandial and postprandial electrogastrography was performed.Results The total effective rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (72.5%vs. 31.7%;χ2=11.911,P=0.000). The serum levels of motilin (treatment group: 532.8±16.7 ng/Lvs. 355.2±14.3 ng/L,t=51.089,P=0.000; control group: 505.1 ± 21.3 ng/Lvs. 372.9 ± 18.4 ng/L,t=30.074,P=0.000) and gastrin (treatment group: 69.8 ± 15.3 ng/Lvs. 54.3 ± 13.8 ng/L, t=4.758,P=0.000; control group: 62.6 ± 14.2 ng/Lvs. 53.4 ± 12.3 ng/L,t=3.136,P=0.002) were significantly reduced, and their decrease in the treatment group were greater than those in the control group (t values were 6.503, 2.196, allP<0.05). After the treatment, the dominant power (preprandial period: 84.5 ± 14.8μVvs. 72.3 ± 15.0μV, t=3.684,P<0.01; postprandial period: 100.5 ± 17.3μVvs.89.3 ± 15.9μV,t=5.713,P=0.000) and dominant frequency (preprandial period: 4.3 ± 0.4 cpmvs. 3.9 ± 0.2 cpm,t=3.035,P=0.000; postprandial period: 4.7 ± 0.5 cpmvs. 4.4 ± 0.5 cpm,t=2.700,P=0.000) were significantly higher, while the percentage of bradygastria (preprandial period: 50.6% ± 16.6%vs. 60.1% ± 16.3%,t=2.599,P=0.000;postprandial period: 36.6% ± 14.8%vs. 57.4% ± 15.3%,t=6.217, P=0.000) was significantly lower in the treatment group compared with the control group at preprandial and postprandial periods.ConclusionXiaochengqi decoction can obviously promote the gastric motility, and reduce the serum levels of motilin and gastrin in patients with GS.

Objective To investigate the relationship between inflammation and blood coagulation function in the patients with acute exacerbation of chronic cor pulmonale (AECCP) and discuss the potential mechanism and influence on the patients. Methods The present study was based on 30 healthy controls and 141 cases of AECCP in our hospital from January 2011 to June 2014.Levels of white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NEUT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP, Complement 3 (C3), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB) and thrombin time (TT) in the patients were determined. Results Compared with the healthy controls, the patients had higher levels of WBC, NEUT, hs-CRP, PT, APTT, FIB, TT (all P < 0.001) and lower level of C3 (P < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between the levels of WBC, NEUT and FIB (r = 0.196 and r = 0.199, both P < 0.05); hs-CRP and APTT, FIB(r = 0.234, P < 0.01 and r = 0.466, P < 0.001); C3 and FIB(r = 0.466, P < 0.001), and significant negative correlations were observed between the levels of C3 and PT, APTT, TT (r=-0.258, P<0.01;r=-0.279, P < 0.01 and r = -0.168, P < 0.05, respectively). Compared with the survival patients, the cases of death had higher levels of WBC and NEUT (both P < 0.01). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of WBC and NEUT, predicting the prognosis, was 0.666 (95% CI 0.552, 0.780; P < 0.01) and 0.695 (95% CI 0.558, 0.801; P = 0.001) respectively. Conclusions Inflammation and blood coagulation function disorder usually coexist in the patients with AECCP, and are closely associated with the severity. Levels of both WBC and NEUT can be used as prognosis predictors for the patients.

Aim To investigate the mechanism of demethylation on adenosine (ADO )and homocysteine (HCY)-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma HepG2 cells .Methods HepG 2 cells were treated with differ-ent concentrations of ADO (1.0、2.0、4.0 mol · L-1 ) alone or in combination with HCY for 6h,12h and 24h,5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR)as a positive control.Cell viabilities were assessed by CCK8 assay. Cell apoptosis was observed by AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining.The mitochondrial membrane potentials(ΔΨ) were measured by flow cytometry.The mRNA and pro-tein expressions of caspase-3,caspase-8,caspase-9, MDM-2,p53,Cytochrome C,DNMT1,DNMT3a,DN-MT3 b were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot re-spectively.Results ADO alone or in combination with HCY significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner.The apoptotic rates of HepG2 cells after combination treatment with ADO and HCY at 1 .0,2.0,4.0 mol · L-1 for 24 h were (1 8.63 ± 1.25 )%,(29.42 ±2.37 )% and (42.47 ±3.09 )%,compared with the control group (1.30 ±0.82 )%,P <0.01;and the mitochondrial membrane potentials were decreased from 674.15 ± 82.8%(black control group)to (428.38 ±54.5)%, (297.78 ±30.5)%,(74.45 ±5.73)%,P<0.01, respectively.The expressions of caspase-3,caspase-8, caspase-9,MDM-2,p53,Cytochrome C were up-regula-ted and MDM-2 were down-regulated after combination treatment of ADO and HCY.The mRNA expressions of DNMT1 ,DNMT3 a and DNMT3 b were down-regulated after combination treatment with ADO and HCY or 5-Aza-CdR alone.Conclusion Combination treatment of ADO and HCY can cause cellular methylation chan-ges.The effects of demethylation of ADO and HCY may activate p53 gene and mitochondrial pathway, which at last leads to HepG2 cell apoptosis.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the effects of tanshinone IIA ( Tan IIA) on proliferation, apoptosis and its mo-lecular mechanism in human hepatoma HepG2 cells under hypoxic condition.METHODS:Hypoxia model was established by treatment with cobalt chloride ( CoCl2 ) .The cells were divided into normoxia control group, hypoxia control group and hypoxia combined at different concentrations of Tan IIA groups.After HepG2 cells were incubated with different concentra-tions of Tan IIA (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/L) for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h under hypoxic condition, the cell prolifer-ation was determined by MTT assay.After Tan IIA was added to the media at different concentrations for 24 h and 48 h, the apoptotic cells were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining.The protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) , vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) and wild-type P53 were detected by Western blotting after cultured with different concentrations of Tan IIA for 48 h.RESULTS:Tan IIA inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.Tan IIA induced the typical morphology of apoptotic cells and increased the apoptotic rate in a dose-and time-dependent manner after treatment with 1.0 mg/L~5.0 mg/L for 24 h and 48 h under hypoxic condition. The protein levels of HIF-1αand VEGF were weakly expressed in HepG2 cells under normoxia but up-regulated after incu-bated under hypoxia for 48 h.The protein expression of HIF-1αand VEGF were decreased with the increase in the concen-tration of Tan IIA under hypoxia.The protein expression of wild-type P53 was increased with the increase in the concentra-tions of Tan IIA under hypoxia.CONCLUSION:Tan IIA significantly inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells under hypoxia, which may be related to the down-regulation of HIF-1αand VEGF and up-regulation of wild-type P53.

Objective To assess the effects of different administration timing of prophylactic antibiotics on infections after hip arthroplasty. Methods 535 patients having undergone arthroplasty were divided into two groups: the experiment group (n=273)and the control group (n=262): The former groupwere administered with antibiotics until 24 hours postoperatively and the latter until 72 hours postoperatively. The two groups were compared in terms of postoperative infection rate. Results The infection rates in the experimental groupand the control group were 4.396%and 3..817%, with insignificant differencebetween them. Conclusion For those patients undergoing hip arthroplasty, extended administration of antibiotics after operation (over 48 hours) may not reduce the risk of recent the infection rate.

Objective To study the efficacy of Yunnan baiyao aerosol treatment for patients undergone percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI) with subcutaneous hematoma .Methods Seventy patients undergone PCI with subcutaneous hematoma were chosen as the research objects and divided into the observation group (35 cases) and the control group (35 cases) according to the order of odd or even number of patients enrolled . The patients in the observation group were treated with Yunnan baiyao aerosol plus Yunnan baiyao aerosol insurance solution, and those in the control group were treated with wet dressing of magnesium sulfate (50%). The treatment effects , healing time and degree of pain relief of the two groups were compared .Results The total efficiency of the observation group was 97.1%, which was significantly better than 85.7 of the control group (χ2 =11.893, P<0.05).The healing time of the observation group was (3.6 ±0.8) days, which was significantly shorter than (5.3 ±1.1) days in the control group (t=7.382, P<0.05).After 3 days of the treatment, 4 patients in the observation group and 13 patients in the control group had the severe pain .The difference of the degree of pain relief between the observation group and the control group was statistically significant ( Z =-7.432, P <0.05 ).Conclusions Yunnan baiyao aerosol treatment to subcutaneous hematoma after PCI can rapidly and safely relieve pain , swelling and stasis .It can be operated and accepted by patients easily .And it is worthy of clinical application .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression pattern of CD133 and ALDH1 in colorectal cancer cells line Colo205 cultured in serum-free medium (SFM) containing recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

METHODSColo205 cells were cultured in serum-free medium (SFM) containing human recombinant EGF and bFGF or in serum-supplemented medium (SSM). The expression of CD133 was analyzed in both groups, and CD133(+) and CD133(-) cells sorted from the SFM group using flow cytometry and observed microscopically for their growth status. The expression of CD133 and ALDH1 in CD133(+) cells and CD133(-) cells was detected by immunofluorescence assay. CD133(+) cells and CD133(-) cells were then injected subcutaneously into NOD/SCID mice and the expression of ALDH1 in the tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe cells in SFM group showed a significantly higher percentage of CD133(+) cells than those in SSM group (P<0.05). In SFM, CD133(+) cells were capable of forming tumor spheres while CD133(-) cells could not; CD133(+)cells strongly expressed CD133 and ALDH1 and CD133(-) cells did not. In mice, tumors generated by CD133(+) cells, but not by CD133(-) cells, positively expressed ALDH1.

CONCLUSIONSCD133(+) Colo205 colorectal cancer cells in SFM containing human recombinant EGF and bFGF can form tumor spheres and strongly express ALDH1. ALDH1 may be one of the candidate markers of colorectal cancer stem cells.

AC133 Antigen ; Animals ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Mice, SCID ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Retinal Dehydrogenase ; metabolism