A nested case-control study on association between self-reported occupational sulfur dioxide exposure and hypertension / 环境与职业医学

Background Current evidence on whether occupational sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure affects the risk of hypertension is still limited, and the research results of the effect of environmental SO2 exposure on risk of hypertension remain inconsistent. Objective To analyze the association between self-reported occupational exposure to SO2 and the risk of hypertension, and the potential dose-response relationship between the years of exposure to SO2 and the risk of hypertension. Methods Based on the Jinchang cohort, a nested case-control study design was adopted. A total of 841 newly diagnosed hypertension patients were followed up as the case group, and the control group was selected with 1∶1 individual matching based on non-occupational factors and occupational factors, respectively. The former matching conditions included age ±2 years old, same gender, working age ±2 years, and home address in the same sub-district. The latter was limited to working in the same workshop on the basis of the former conditions. Finally, the former included 717 controls and the latter included 488 controls. A unified questionnaire was used to collect general demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, history of diabetes, family history of hypertension, and information on occupational exposure to SO2 (self-reported history of occupational exposure to SO2 and years of exposure to SO2). Conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between occupational exposure to SO2 and hypertension, and the dose-response relationship between the years of SO2 exposure and the risk of hypertension. Results In the nested case-control study matching with the non-occupational factors, the OR of hypertension in workers with self-reported occupational exposure to SO2 was 2.39 (95%CI: 1.68-3.39); while when matching with the occupational factors, the OR of hypertension in workers with self-reported occupational exposure to SO2 was 1.48 (95%CI: 1.04-2.12). The results of the dose-response relationship showed that as the SO2 exposure years increased from 1-9 years, 10-19 years, 20-29 years, and 30 years and above, in the nested case-control study matching with non-occupational factors, the ORs of hypertension were 1.85 (95%CI: 0.68-5.08), 1.46 (95%CI: 0.58-3.67), 1.64 (95%CI: 1.00-2.67), and 4.95 (95%CI: 2.63-9.31), respectively; in the nested case-control study matching with occupational factors, the ORs of hypertension were 0.98 (95%CI: 0.40-2.41), 1.84 (95%CI: 0.72-4.70), 1.37 (95%CI: 0.82-2.29), and 2.44 (95%CI: 1.37-4.35), respectively. The two dose-response relationships were positive by χ2 trend test (Ptrend<0.05). Conclusion Self-reported occupational exposure to SO2 is associated with the risk of hypertension in the study population, and the hypertension risk increases with the increase of SO2 exposure years.

Application of "kindergarten effect" in radiotherapy for children with tumor aged 3-5 years / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the clinical application effect of "kindergarten effect" in radiotherapy for children with tumor based on the psychology of preschool children aged 3-5 years.@*METHODS@#A total of 30 children, aged 3-5 years, who were admitted to the Department of Radiotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, from January 2020 to August 2021 were enrolled in this prospective study. The children were randomly divided into a control group and a test group, with 15 children in each group. The children in the test group were treated in "kindergarten mode", i.e., all children were treated together at a specified time and left together after all children completed treatment. Those in the control group were treated alternately with adult patients according to the treatment time based on the type of radiotherapy fixation device. The treatment compliance was evaluated for both groups, and the two groups were compared in terms of the setup errors in the superior-inferior (SI), left-right (LR), and anterior-posterior (AP) directions.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the test group showed a significantly shorter time for finishing the treatment (P<0.05) and a significantly lower proportion of children with treatment interruption (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the test group showed smaller mean errors in the SI, LR and AP directions after image-guided radiotherapy, with significant differences in the mean errors in the SI and LR directions (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#With the application of the "kindergarten effect", most children can actively cooperate in radiotherapy, and it can also improve the accuracy and repeatability of positioning and help to achieve the desired treatment outcome.

Effect and Safety of Modified Buzhong Yiqitang on VEGF， IGF-1， TGF-β1， and Immune Function in Postoperative Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer After Chemotherapy / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the application value of modified Buzhong Yiqitang （BZYQT） in the treatment of postoperative patients with non-small cell lung cancer （Qi deficiency in lung and spleen） after chemotherapy， and to observe its effect on tumor angiogenesis， immune function， tumor indicators， and lung function indicators. Method:Ninety-six patients who were treated in the Kunming municipal hospital of traditional Chinese medicine from March 2018 to February 2020 due to postoperative chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer were selected and assigned into a control group （<italic>n</italic>=48， western medicine） and an observation group （<italic>n</italic>=48， western medicine+modified BZYQT） by the random number table. The curative efficacies were compared after the treatment. Result:After treatment， the serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen （CEA）， cytokeratin 19 fragment 21-1 （CYFRA21-1）， serum insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， and transforming growth factor（TGF）-<italic>β</italic>₁ in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， while the serum CD4⁺/CD8⁺，CD4⁺ cells， immunoglobulin G （IgG） levels， forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV₁），and FEV₁/forced vital capacity （FVC） in the observation group were higher than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. A significant difference was observed in the total response rate between the observation group ［56.25% （27/48）］ and the control group ［35.42% （17/48）］ （<italic>χ</italic>²＝4.191，<italic>P</italic><0.05）. For adverse reactions，the incidence of bone marrow suppression（<italic>χ</italic>²＝4.002）， gastrointestinal reaction （<italic>χ</italic>²＝7.069），and hepatic and renal injury （<italic>χ</italic>²＝5.151） was lower in the observation group than in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:For postoperative patients with non-small cell lung cancer （Qi deficiency in lung and spleen） after chemotherapy， western medicine combined with modified BZYQT could ameliorate immune function， promote pulmonary function recovery， improve clinical efficacy， and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions.

Polyoxypregnanes as safe, potent, and specific ABCB1-inhibitory pro-drugs to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy

Multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) is significantly hindering effective cancer chemotherapy. However, currently, no ABCB1-inhibitory drugs have been approved to treat MDR cancer clinically, mainly due to the inhibitor specificity, toxicity, and drug interactions. Here, we reported that three polyoxypregnanes (POPs) as the most abundant constituents of

Infected femoral pseudoaneurysms in intravenous drug abusers: a decade of experience from a Singapore tertiary centre

INTRODUCTION@#A pseudoaneurysm (or false aneurysm) is a haematoma that communicates with an artery through a disruption in the arterial wall. The femoral artery is the most common injection site among drug users, and infected femoral pseudoaneurysms are the most common vascular complications.@*METHODS@#A retrospective review of medical records of intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs) who presented with infected femoral pseudoaneurysms from January 2006 to December 2016 was carried out. Patients who had pseudoaneurysms due to other aetiologies or trauma were excluded.@*RESULTS@#A total of 27 patients with infected femoral pseudoaneurysms were identified. The majority were male (92.6%) and of Malay ethnicity (55.6%). Median age was 50 (range 31-62) years. Commonly abused drugs were buprenorphine (or Subutex; 59.3%) and midazolam (or Dormicum; 51.9%). Groin pain and swelling (100.0%), fever (66.7%) and presence of a pulsatile mass (51.9%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Diagnosis was confirmed via computed tomography angiography in all patients. 25 patients underwent upfront arterial ligation with debridement, among whom three patients required concurrent surgical revascularisation. Only two patients underwent ultrasonography-guided thrombin injection - one eventually required surgery and the other was lost to follow-up. Postoperative complications included wound infection (42.3%), bleeding (11.5%) and necrotising fasciitis eventually resulting in limb loss (3.8%). There were no associated mortalities.@*CONCLUSION@#Infected pseudoaneurysms in IVDAs pose a unique challenge to vascular surgeons. We found that simple ligation and debridement was a safe and effective option for such patients.

Research advances on clinical applications of cell-free DNA from peripheral blood in liver cancer / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Liver cancer is a malignant tumor with the characteristics of high morbidity and mortality.However,the routine detection methods for the liver cancer such as imaging tests and pathological detection are with low specificity and sensitivity.And it's also hard to detect the condition of patients dynamically.Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is the DNA fragment that is away from the extracellular and exists in the blood,which contains genetic information from the organism.The related disease information could be reflected on the cfDNA in patients with liver cancer,indicating that cfDNA has great potential in the screening,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of liver cancer.The clinical applications of cfDNA can make up for the deficiency of existing detection methods and achieve noninvasive and dynamic monitoring of liver cancer.This article will present a review on the progress of clinical applications of cfDNA in liver cancer.

Parallel Mining of Gene Expression Differences of Nucleotide Excision Repair Gene XPA in Human Skin Microarrays based on GEO Database / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective To make a parallel mining the data of expression differences of a crucial gene XPA involved in nucleotide excision repair pathway of human skin microarrays by bioinformatics from the system level.Methods Using the ScanGEO, the data of microarrays which included the significant differences expression level of XPA were screened and analyzed from 59 human skin samples in the GEO database. Results There were 7 samples with the down-regulated expression of XPA: cutaneous malignant melanoma, epidermal injury model, DNA damage and UV radiation, foreskin fibroblast response to Toxoplasma gondii RH type 1 (ROP5) mutant infection, interleukin-20 subfamily cytokines effect on epidermal keratinocytes, Egr-1 overexpression effect on skin fibroblasts in vitro: time course, in vitro model for inflammatory dendritic cells.Present expression down. Conclusion Based on the GEO database and ScanGEO, high-throughput shared data can be screened and analyzed efficiently.

Design and practice of medical consumables management based on JCI standards / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To introduce JCI standards into medical consumables management in order to improve the overall management of consumables.Methods Root cause analysis (RCA) method in JCI management standards was used to execute root cause analysis of each key point in medical consumables management.PDCA Cycle was involved in to promote medical consumables management.Results JCI management standardized the path,solved some problems and promoted the level during medical consumables management.Conclusion JCI standards contribute to the standardization and humanization of medical consumables management,and also enhances the patient safety at the same time.

Design and practice of medical consumables management based on JCI standards / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To introduce JCI standards into medical consumables management in order to improve the overall management of consumables.Methods Root cause analysis (RCA) method in JCI management standards was used to execute root cause analysis of each key point in medical consumables management.PDCA Cycle was involved in to promote medical consumables management.Results JCI management standardized the path,solved some problems and promoted the level during medical consumables management.Conclusion JCI standards contribute to the standardization and humanization of medical consumables management,and also enhances the patient safety at the same time.

Intralesional curettage and wide excision for treatment of giant cell tumors (GCTs) of the distal radius: A Meta-analysis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search all studies that had been published in the world with regarding to the effectiveness of the extent of intralesional curettage and wide excision for recurrence rate and complications and comparative functional outcomes in patients with giant cell tumours (GCT) of the distal radius and analyze them which were in high quality by means of Meta analysis, in order to give some evidences for the choice of method dealing with giant cell tumors GCT in surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cochrane central register of controlled trials(Issue 8 2014), PubMed(1970-01-01/2013-01-01), Ovid (1970-01-01/2013- 01-01), Elsevier (1970-01-01/2013-01-01), CNKI (1970-01-01/2013-01-01) were searched. Including intralesional curettage and wide excision were performed to treat giant cell tumors (GCTs) of the distal radius in the literatures, selecting on meet eligibility in the standard literatures underwent strict quality assessment. The Meta-analysis was performed with software RevMan5.0 from the Cochrane collaboration. Additionally, the analysis checked the heterogeneity of data. The effectiveness of the extent of intralesional curettage and wide excision for recurrence rate and complication in patients with giant cell tumours of the distal radius were evaluated and Odds Ratio was calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seven relevant articles were identified involving total 163 cases. Among them, 92 cases were intralesional curettage (PMMA, n = 54; bone graft, n = 33; no PMMA or bone grafts, n = 5) and 71 cases were wide excision. The patients in the intralesional curettage group had a higher recurrence rate [OR = 3.87, 95% CI (1.42, 10.53)],especially for Campanacci grade 3 GCTs [OR = 10.12, 95% CI (1.57, 65.27)], yet fewer major complications [OR = 0.13, 95% CI (0.04, 0.40)] than the wide excision group. The use of PMMA versus bone graft did not affect the recur- rence rate [OR = 0.96, 95% CI (0.26, 3.56)]. By selecting the system evaluation of MSTS, the VAS and dynamometer, the result showed that the intralesional curettage group was equivalent or preferable to wide excision in terms of function rehabilitation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Based on data obtained from the limited number of studies available, intralesional curettage appears to be moreappropriate for the treatment of local lesions (Grade 1 and 2) than Grade 3 GCTs of the distal radius. Moreover, PMMA was not additionally effective as an adjuvant, the intralesional curettage group was found to be equivalent or preferable to wide excision in terms of function rehabilitation.</p>

Prostate-specific Antigen Density Variation Rate as a Potential Guideline Parameter for Second Prostate Cancer Detection Biopsy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The diagnostic value of current prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests is challenged by the poor detection rate of prostate cancer (PCa) in repeat prostate biopsy. In this study, we proposed a novel PSA-related parameter named PSA density variation rate (PSADVR) and designed a clinical trial to evaluate its potential diagnostic value for detecting PCa on a second prostate biopsy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data from 184 males who underwent second ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy 6 months after the first biopsy were included in the study. The subjects were divided into PCa and non-PCa groups according to the second biopsy pathological results. Prostate volume, PSA density (PSAD), free-total PSA ratio, and PSADVR were calculated according to corresponding formulas at the second biopsy. These parameters were compared using t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test between PCa and non-PCa groups, and receiver operating characteristic analysis were used to evaluate their predictability on PCa detection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PCa was detected in 24 patients on the second biopsy. Mean values of PSA, PSAD, and PSADVR were greater in the PCa group than in the non-PCa group (8.39 μg/L vs. 7.16 μg/L, 0.20 vs. 0.16, 14.15% vs. -1.36%, respectively). PSADVR had the largest area under the curve, with 0.667 sensitivity and 0.824 specificity when the cutoff was 10%. The PCa detection rate was significantly greater in subjects with PSADVR >10% than PSADVR ≤10% (28.6% vs. 6.5%, P< 0.001). In addition, PSADVR was the only parameter in this study that showed a significant correlation with mid-to-high-risk PCa (r = 0.63, P = 0.03).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our results demonstrated that PSADVR improved the PCa detection rate on second biopsies, especially for mid-to-high-risk cancers requiring prompt treatment.</p>

Chinese medicine single-walled carbon nanotube targeting compound for antitumor therapy: a feasible way? / 中国结合医学杂志

Malignant cancer is the leading cause of death in man, exceeding cerebrovascular disease and heart disease. More than half of the total mortality due to malignant cancer is from lung, liver, intestinal and gastric cancer. Chemotherapy is one of the effective treatments for cancer. However, the great majority of Western anticancer medicines have considerable side effects. Herbal medicines offer many more advantages than synthesized compounds because they are made from purely natural compounds and have less adverse effects. However, the single administration methods used as standard in herbal medicine, and deficient drug targeting, severely limit their anticancer activity. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) can be used as drug carriers. They have been modified to form Chinese anticancer medicine-SWNT compounds which can specifically target tumors, thereby significantly increasing the therapeutic effectiveness of these medicines. Water-soluble SWNTs have high stability. As a drug carrier, SWNTs functional modification of the anticancer medicine may improve the targeting and killing of tumor cells. SWNTs have been attached to the Chinese antitumor medicines paclitaxel and plumbagin and have achieved excellent therapeutic effects. Furthermore, choosing the best administration methods such as internal iliac arterial infusion, intravesical infusion and embedment of a hypodermic chemotherapeutic pump, may also improve the anticancer effects of Chinese medicine.

Hematological parameters in high altitude residents: Tibetan natives versus Han migrants / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Aim of our study was to compare hematological parameters in Tibetan natives with those in Han migrants living on the Tibet plateau in order to determine the potential effects of age, gender, and ethnicity on hematological response to hypoxia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood hemoglobin (Hb, g/dl), hematocrit (Hct, %), red blood cells (RBC,10(6)/mm3) were measured in 3 588 healthy Tibetan natives and 3 371 Han migrants ranging in age from 5 to 72 years, living at a mean altitudes of 2 664 m, 3 813 m, 4 525m and 5 226 m.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration analysis was made by multiple regression equations relating hemoglobin to altitude and age. For 2 093 Han males, Hb = 9.612+ 0.001440xaltitude+ 0.06148xage. For 1 948 Tibetan males, Hb =12.202+ 0.000462xaltitude+ 0.02893xage. For 1 278 Han females, Hb = 10.858+ 0.000939xaltitude+ 0.02632xage. For 1 640 Tibetan females, Hb = 11.402+ 0.000626xaltitude+ 0.00412xage. Each of the four equations was statistically significant (P < 0.001), and had variance (r2) of 0.86 or more, indicating that altitude and age accounted for at least 85% of the variation in hemoglobin levels. The coefficients for altitude and for age were higher (P < 0.05) in Han males than in Tibetan males and higher (P < 0.05) in Han females than in Tibetan females. The Tibetan postmenopausal females had higher Hb values than premenopausal females only presented at altitude above 4 000 m while this phenomenon was beginning at altitude of 2 664 m among Han females.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We conclude that gender and increasing age in Tibetans are associated with lower hemoglobin values than those in Han at high altitude, and we speculate that genetic factors seems to be important.</p>

Zero drift of intraventricular and subdural intracranial pressure monitoring systems / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess zero drift of intraventricular and subdural intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring systems.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A prospective study was conducted in patients who received Codman ICP monitoring in the neurosurgical department from January 2010 to December 2011. According to the location of sensors, the patients were categorized into two groups: intraventricular group and subdural group. Zero drift between the two groups and its association with the duration of ICP monitor were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally, 22 patients undergoing intraventricular ICP monitoring and 27 receiving subdural ICP monitoring were enrolled. There was no significant difference in duration of ICP monitoring, zero drift value and its absolute value between intraventricular and subdural groups (5.38 d+/-2.58 d vs 4.58 d+/-2.24 d, 0.77 mm Hg+/-2.18 mm Hg vs 1.03 mm Hg+/-2.06 mm Hg, 1.68 mm Hg+/-1.55 mm Hg vs 1.70 mm Hg+/-1.53 mm Hg, respectively; all P larger than 0.05). Absolute value of zero drift in both groups significantly rose with the increased duration of ICP monitoring (P less than 0.05) while zero drift value did not. Moreover, daily absolute value in the intraventricular group was significantly smaller than that in the subdural group (0.27 mm Hg+/-0.32 mm Hg vs 0.29 mm Hg+/-0.18 mm Hg, P less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study demonstrates that absolute value of zero drift significantly correlates with duration of both intraventricular and subdural ICP monitoring. Due to the smaller daily absolute value, ICP values recorded from intraventricular system may be more reliable than those from subdural system.</p>

Influence of acute ethanol intoxication on neuronal apoptosis and Bcl-2 protein expression after severe traumatic brain injury in rats / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence and mechanism of acute ethanol intoxication (AEI) on rat neuronal apoptosis after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, AEI-only, TBI-only and TBI+AEI (n equal to 24 for each). Severe TBI model was developed according to Feeney's method. Rats in TBI+AEI group were firstly subjected to AEI, and then suffered head trauma. In each group, animals were sacrificed at 6 h, 24 h, 72 h, and 168 h after TBI. The level of neuronal apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 protein were determined by TUNEL assay and immunohistochemical method, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Apoptotic cells mainly distributed in the cortex and white matter around the damaged area. Neuronal apoptosis significantly increased at 6 h after trauma and peaked at 72 h. Both the level of neuronal apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 protein in TBI-only group and TBI+AEI group were higher than those in control group (P less than 0.05). Compared with TBI-only group, the two indexes were much higher in TBI+AEI group at all time points (P less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our findings suggest that AEI can increase neuronal apoptosis after severe TBI.</p>

Analysis of related factors affecting prognosis of shunt surgery in patients with secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The management of secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus (sNPH) is controversial. Many factors may affect the surgery effect. The purpose of this study was to identify the possible factors influencing prognosis and provide theoretical basis for clinical treatment of sNPH.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was carried out to investigate the results of 31 patients with sNPH who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery from January 2007 to December 2011. We processed the potential influencing factors by univariate analysis and the result further by multivariate logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Factors including age, disease duration and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score before surgery significantly influenced the prognosis of sNPH (P less than 0.05). Further logistic regression analysis showed that all the three factors are independent influencing factors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Age, disease duration and GCS score before surgery have positive predictive value in estimating favorable response to surgical treatment for sNPH.</p>

management of acetabular malunion with traumatic arthritis by total hip arthroplasty

To explore the treatment strategies and clinical effect of the acetabular malunion with traumatic arthritis by total hip arthroplasty. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 47 cases of acetabular malunion with traumatic arthritis from June 2000 to December 2009. All the patients underwent total hip arthroplasty with bone grafting or titanium cage for bone defect of the acetabulum. Harris hip scoring system was used for evaluating the functional recovery of the hip joint. Thirty three cases had an average of 47 months follow-up. No prosthesis was loosened and the function of hip joint was improved obviously with the Harris hip scores improving from 43.5 to 87.6. However, there were one case of sciatic nerve injury and four cases of heterotopic ossification postoperatively. Total hip arthroplasty might be an effective treatment of acetabular malunion with traumatic arthritis. Proper evaluation and reasonable reconstruction of acetabular defect as well as reasonable selection of prosthesis are essential to obtain an excellent outcome

Observation of anti-hypertensive effect on primary hypertension treated with acupuncture at Renying (ST 9) mainly / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the immediate effect and the long-term effect on blood pressure (BP) in acupuncture for hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy cases of primary hypertension were acupunctured at Renying (ST 9), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Quchi (LI 11) and Zusanli (ST 36) at 2:00-4:00 pm. BP was recorded before treatment and 5 min, 15 min and 30 min after acupuncture separately every day. The treatment was given for 5 days each week and stopped for 2 days. Totally, 3-month treatment was required. BP was compared at each time point with that before treatment separately on the same day, and made the comparison of it before the treatment every 15 days with that before acupuncture on the 1st day.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On the same day, the systolic pressure at each time point after acupuncture was decreased as compared with that before acupuncture, indicating the statistically significant difference (all P < 0.05). The diastolic pressures at each time point on the 1st, 15th, 30th and 60th days of acupuncture were decreased as compared with that before acupuncture, indicating the statistically significant difference (all P < 0.05). In the 3-month treatment, the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure before treatment every 15 days were decreased as compared with that before the treatment on the 1st day (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can decrease the immediate BP and maintain the anti-hypertensive effect for primary hypertension so as to achieve the long-term stable anti-hypertensive effect.</p>

Correlation of bilateral testicular volume discrepancy with semen parameters in men with varicocele / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of varicocele on the volume discrepancy of bilateral testes, and the relationship between testicular volume discrepancy and semen parameters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 181 varicocele patients and 102 normal fertile men without varicocele. We retrospectively analyzed their clinical data, including the grades and locations of varicocele, testis volume and semen parameters.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Bilateral testicular volume discrepancy was found in 132 (72.9%) of the varicocele patients (including 117 cases of left testicular hypotrophy [88.6%]), and 35 (34.3%) of the non-varicocele fertile men. The rates of bilateral testicular volume discrepancy were 61.3%, 3.5%, 20.9% and 14.3% in the grade-III, grade-II, grade-I and non-varicocele groups, respectively (P < 0.05), with statistically significant differences among different age groups (P < 0.05). The percentage of morphologically normal sperm and sperm motility were reduced differently with different degrees of testicular volume discrepancy (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Testicular volume discrepancy is more common in men with left varicocele, and its prevalence and degree are correlated with the grade of varicocele. Semen quality decreases with the increase of testicular volume discrepancy.</p>

Prolongation of rat renal allograft survival by recipient-derived immature dendritic cells transfected with IKK2dn gene / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanisms of recipient-derived immature dendritic cells(imDC) transfected with IKK2dn and loaded with donor antigen on renal allografts survival in the rats.Methods DC were cultured from recipient rats'(Lewis) bone marrow,transfected with IKK2dn and loaded with donor antigen.The expression of CD86 and MHC Ⅱ was detected,and the ability of DC stimulating lymphocyte proliferation in vitro was measured.Male Brown Norwav rats and Lewis rats were used as donors and recipients respectively.Four groups were set up(DC group,empty transfection group,transfection group and control group),receiving 1×10~7 DC,Adv-0-DC,Adv-IKK2dn-DC loaded with BN antigen,and equal volume of normal saline,respectivelv 7 davs before transplantation.In the third party donor-group,Wistar rats as donors were treated the same as DC;group before transplantation.After transplantation,the T lymphocyte proliferation in reciPients was measured and the expression of serum IL-2 and IFN-γ was detected.The survival time of recipients and the acute reiection were observed.Pathological changes were examined tO identify the grade of rejection.Results DC assessment in vivo revealed that the transfected DC could still express CD86 and MHC Ⅱ in a low level as compared with those not transfected with IKK2dn. After DC were loaded with donor's antigen,the expression of CD86 and MHC Ⅱ was up-regulated.After DC were transfected with IKK2dn before loaded with donor's antigen, the expression of CD86 and MHC Ⅱ had no significant change. When DC were loaded with donor's antigen, its allostimulatory activity of T lymphocyte proliferation was enhanced (P<0. 05). When DC were transfected with IKK2dn before loaded with donor's antigen, its allostimulatory activity of T lymphocyte proliferation was not enhanced. Compared with control groups, IKK2dn-transfected DC pulsed with BN splenocyte lysate markedly prolonged the survival of renal allografts (26. 8±1.76d, P<0.01), and elicited markedly lower proliferative responses and reduced IL-2 and IFN-γ production. The pathological grade of rejection was low in the transfection group. Conclusion Recipient-derived imDC transfected with IKK2dn and loaded with donor splenocyte lysate could prolong the renal allograft survival in rats probably by down-regulating the expression of DC costimulatory molecules and inhibiting the T_H 1 cytokine production.