Value of magnetic resonance imaging in assessment of iron deposition among patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: a preliminary evaluation / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To assess the value of MRI combined with serum ferritin analysis in measurement of hepatic iron deposition among patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. Methods A total of 96 patients with definitive diagnosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis and 30 healthy volunteers were enrolled and underwent routine 1.5T MR scanning, and all laboratory examination data were captured. The liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio, serum ferritin level and liver functions were analyzed. Results The liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio was (1.95 ± 0.57) in patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis and (2.22 ± 0.28) in healthy volunteers (t = 2.022, P < 0.05), and the liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio was negatively associated the serum ferritin level in patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (rs = –0.446, P < 0.01). Conclusions Abnormal iron deposition is detected in the liver of patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, and serum ferritin level may be helpful for the identification of abnormal iron deposition in the liver of patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. The liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio measured by MRI may be a non-invasive approached used to assess the hepatic iron deposition in patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Osthole inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 via upregulating PTEN / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanism of osthole on proliferation and apoptosis in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell ( HCC) line Hep G2. Methods: Treated cells with osthole at different concentrations. Cell viability was measured by CCK8 assay and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Western blot was performed for calculating the expression levels of proliferation-related, apoptosis-related proteins and PTEN. After pretreatment with bp V ( HOpic), cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured again. Results: Treatment with osthole ( 100 μmol/L) for 4 and 5 days inhibited cell viability of HCC markedly ( P＜0. 05, P＜0. 01). Osthole ( 150 μmol/L) decreased cell viability of HCC with a time-dependently manner and also decreased the expressions of Ki67 and PCNA ( P＜0. 05, P＜0. 01). Meanwhile, treatment with osthole ( 100 μmol/L, 150 μmol/L) induced apoptosis of HCC significantly coupled with increasing Bax and decreasing Bcl-2 ( P＜0. 05, P＜0. 01). In addition, osthole ( 100 μmol/L, 150 μmol/L) up-regulated the protein level of PTEN ( P＜0. 05, P＜ 0. 01). Furthermore, pretreatment with bp V ( HOpic) ( 1 μmol/L) notably reversed the inhibitory effect on proliferation and promotive effect on apoptosis of osthole ( P＜0. 05). Conclusion: Osthole inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis of HCC by up-regulating the protein level of PTEN.

ROCK1 and the relative signal molecules participate in proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by cyclic strain / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the role of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) and the relative signal molecules in sensing the mechanical stimulation from tensile strain and regulating the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).Methods Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10％ and at frequency of 1.25 Hz was applied to VSMCs in vitro by using the strain loading system.The proliferation level of VSMCs was analyzed by BrdU ELISA;the expression level of ROCK1,phosphorylations of protein kinase C (PKC) α/β Ⅱ,protein kinase D (PKD) and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) in VSMCs modulated by cyclic strain were detected with Western blotting;the expression of ROCK1 was specifically repressed by using RNA interference (RNAi).Results Compared with the static control,10％ cyclic strain significantly decreased the expression of ROCK1 and phosphorylations of PKD and ERK.The phosphorylation of PKCα/βⅡ decreased significantly under 10％ cyclic strain for 12 h,but returned to normal level after loading for 24 h.Repressed expression of ROCK1 with RNAi significantly down-regulated VSMC proliferation,suppressed phosphorylations of PKCα/βⅡ and PKD,but no obvious changes were found in phosphorylation of ERK.Conclusions Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10％ may repress the phosphorylation of PKCα/βⅡ and PKD via inhibiting the expression of ROCK1,and subsequently affects VSMC proliferation and maintains vascular hemostasis.The investigation on intracellular mechanotransduction network of VSMCs under mechanical stimulation of cyclic strain may contribute to studying the physiological and pathological mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases.

ROCK1 and the relative signal molecules participate in proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by cyclic strain / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the role of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) and the relative signal molecules in sensing the mechanical stimulation from tensile strain and regulating the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).Methods Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10％ and at frequency of 1.25 Hz was applied to VSMCs in vitro by using the strain loading system.The proliferation level of VSMCs was analyzed by BrdU ELISA;the expression level of ROCK1,phosphorylations of protein kinase C (PKC) α/β Ⅱ,protein kinase D (PKD) and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) in VSMCs modulated by cyclic strain were detected with Western blotting;the expression of ROCK1 was specifically repressed by using RNA interference (RNAi).Results Compared with the static control,10％ cyclic strain significantly decreased the expression of ROCK1 and phosphorylations of PKD and ERK.The phosphorylation of PKCα/βⅡ decreased significantly under 10％ cyclic strain for 12 h,but returned to normal level after loading for 24 h.Repressed expression of ROCK1 with RNAi significantly down-regulated VSMC proliferation,suppressed phosphorylations of PKCα/βⅡ and PKD,but no obvious changes were found in phosphorylation of ERK.Conclusions Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10％ may repress the phosphorylation of PKCα/βⅡ and PKD via inhibiting the expression of ROCK1,and subsequently affects VSMC proliferation and maintains vascular hemostasis.The investigation on intracellular mechanotransduction network of VSMCs under mechanical stimulation of cyclic strain may contribute to studying the physiological and pathological mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases.

ROCK1 and the relative signal molecules participate in proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by cyclic strain / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the role of rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) and the relative signal molecules in sensing the mechanical stimulation from tensile strain and regulating the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10% and at frequency of 1.25 Hz was applied to VSMCs in vitro by using strain loading system. The proliferation level of VSMCs was analyzed by BrdU ELISA; the expression level of ROCK1, phosphorylations of protein kinase C (PKC) α/β II, protein kinase D (PKD) and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) in VSMCs modulated by cyclic strain were detected with Western blotting; the expression of ROCK1 was specifically repressed by using RNA interference (RNAi). Results Compared with the static control, 10% cyclic strain significantly decreased the expression of ROCK1 and phosphorylations of PKD and ERK. The phosphorylation of PKCα/βII was decreased significantly under 10% cyclic strain for 12 h, but returned to normal level after 24 h-loading. Repressed expression of ROCK1 with RNAi significantly down-regulated VSMC proliferation, suppressed phosphorylations of PKCα/βII and PKD, but no obvious change was found in phosphorylation of ERK. Conclusions Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10% may repress the phosphorylation of PKCα/βII and PKD via inhibiting the expression of ROCK1, which subsequently affect VSMC proliferation and maintain vascular hemostasis. The investigation on intracellular mechanotransduction network of VSMCs under mechanical stimulation of cyclic strain may contribute to the physiological and pathological mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases.

Application of the dizziness handicap inventory in the patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:This study was designed to observe the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) scores in patients with BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) before and after maneuver repositioning and aimed to discuss the values of DHI scores in the diagnosing and treatment of BPPV. Method:Charts of 72 patients with BPPV diagnosed by positioning test were reviewed. Four DHI scores were used including the total score (DHIT), the functional score (DHIF), the emotional score (DHIE), and the physical score (DHIP). We compared the pre-repositioning DHI scores and post-repositioning scores of patients, and also compared the DHI scores of patients with and without residual dizziness. Result:All of the 72 patients were underwent maneuver repositioning and recorded the DHI scores. The mean post-repositioning scores were dramatically decreased compared with pre-repositioning scores, and the difference was significant (P<0.01). The differences of the DHIP scores between the residual dizziness group and the non-residual dizziness group was not significant, while the DHIF scores, the DHIE scores and the DHIT scores between the two groups were statistically different. Conclusion:After maneuver repositioning the dizziness handicap of BPPV patients could be significantly improved. The next treatment program for residual dizziness patients after successful repositioning could be aimed at the functional and emotional dizziness.

Clinical features of multiple canal involvement in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe a series of patients with multiple canal involvement in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), with respect to diagnosis and management.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-five individuals with symptoms of BPPV and positional nystagmus were included in this study. The diagnosis was based on a history of brief episodes of vertigo and the presence of multiple positional nystagmus as confirmed by video-oculographic examination. Patients were treated by means of different particle repositioning manoeuvres according to the affected canal.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ninety-five patients showed multiple positional nystagmus during the examination corresponding to simultaneous multi-canal BPPV. Fourteen patients (14.7%) had bilateral canal BPPV. Six patients had bilateral posterior canal. Six patients had bilateral horizontal canal, and two patients had bilateral anterior canal. Fifty-three patients (55.8%) had torsional, up-beating nystagmus with down-beating nystagmus, which suggested possible affected both of posterior and anterior canals. Twenty patients (21.1%) had torsional up-beating nystagmus and horizontal direction nystagmus, which suggested possible affected both of posterior and horizontal canals. Five patients had down-beating nystagmus with horizontal nystagmus, which suggested affected both of anterior and horizontal canals. Three patients had torsional up-beating with down-beating and horizontal nystagmus, which suggested possible affected multiple canals. Treatment given to the patients varied according to the canal affected, started with the canal that elicited a strong positional nystagmus and vertigo, and 93.7% (89/95) of patients were symptom free or improved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It has been found that multi-canal BPPV is not a rate observation in clinic, and most of them affected posterior and anterior canals. Treatment of multi-canal BPPV can be effective using repositioning maneuver.</p>

Normal values of vestibular autorotation test in young people / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the normal values of vestibular autorotation test (VAT) in young people.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>VAT was performed in 31 young people aged 20-30 years. The measured value were analyzed and compared with the reference normal value.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The measured values of VAT in healthy young people are almost within the normal range of the general population. Compared with the reference normal values, the horizontal gains at 2.0, 2.3, 2.7, 5.5, and 5.9 Hz, the vertical gains at 2.0 and 5.9 Hz, and the vertical phases at 2.0, 2.3, 2.7, 3.1, 3.5, and 3.9 Hz were significantly different (P < 0. 05). No significant difference was shown in the horizontal phases and asymmetry.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The normal values of VAT in young people is within the reference normal range of the general population. The vestibular function of young people may be more sensitive in lower frequency range (2-3Hz).</p>

Behavior,attitude and influencing factors of smoking among residents aged 15 to 69 years in Hongkou District of Shanghai / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To investigate the prevalence and attitude of smoking and its influencing factors among residents in Hongkou District of Shanghai,so as to provide evidence for tobacco control. Methods Nine hundred and sixty residents in Hongkou District of Shanghai aged 15 to 69 years were selected by multi-level random sampling,among whom 958 completed the investigations on smoking status. Results The smoking rate and standardized smoking rate were 20.04% and 18.73%,respectively.The smoking rate and standardized smoking rate of males were 41.05% and 30.07%,and those of females were 0.80% and 1.70%,respectively.The smoking rate of males was higher than that of females(RR=0.02,95%CI: 0.01-0.03).The smoking rates of age groups of 25 years old and over were higher than those of 15 to 24 years old,and the smoking rate of subjects with or above junior college education was lower than that of subjects with or below middle school education(RR=0.45,95%CI: 0.25-0.79).Subjects who drank alcohol smoked more than those did not(RR=2.68,95%CI: 1.76-4.09).Lower annual per capita income and higher knowledge on smoking hazard led to more tendance to object to smoking and agree with anti-smoking. Conclusion The prevalence of smoking of residents aged 15 to 69 years in Hongkou District of Shanghai was relatively lower.Age,gender,education status and alcohol drinking were influencing factors of smoking.Education on tobacco control among subjects aged more than 35 years should be strengthened,and more attention should be paid to those with lower education.Besides,education on alcohol control should be managed together with tobacco control.