Utility of combining PIVKA-II and AFP in the surveillance and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Asia-Pacific region

Even though the combined use of ultrasound (US) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is recommended for the surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the utilization of AFP has its challenges, including accuracy dependent on its cut-off levels, degree of liver necroinflammation, and etiology of liver disease. Though various studies have demonstrated the utility of protein induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II) in surveillance, treatment monitoring, and predicting recurrence, it is still not recommended as a routine biomarker test. A panel of 17 experts from Asia-Pacific, gathered to discuss and reach a consensus on the clinical usefulness and value of PIVKA-II for the surveillance and treatment monitoring of HCC, based on six predetermined statements. The experts agreed that PIVKA-II was valuable in the detection of HCC in AFP-negative patients, and could potentially benefit detection of early HCC in combination with AFP. PIVKA-II is clinically useful for monitoring curative and intra-arterial locoregional treatments, outcomes, and recurrence, and could potentially predict microvascular invasion risk and facilitate patient selection for liver transplant. However, combining PIVKA-II with US and AFP for HCC surveillance, including small HCC, still requires more evidence, whilst its role in detecting AFP-negative HCC will potentially increase as more patients are treated for hepatitis-related HCC. PIVKA-II in combination with AFP and US has a clinical role in the Asia-Pacific region for surveillance. However, implementation of PIVKA-II in the region will have some challenges, such as requiring standardization of cut-off values, its cost-effectiveness and improving awareness among healthcare providers.

Three dimensional nephrometry system for partial nephrectomy: Our initial exploration / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To construct a preoperative evaluation system for partial nephrectomy using CT three-dimensional visualization technology and to explore its practical value.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of the patients who underwent partial nephrectomy for renal tumors in Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital were collected retrospectively. At the same time, the homogenized standard data of patients who underwent partial nephrectomy for renal tumors were collected in 16 clinical centers in China. The CT three-dimensional visualization system was applied (IPS system, Yorktal) to evaluate tumor anatomy, blood supply, perirenal fat and other information. The parameters were summarized to build a three-dimensional nephrometry system, on the basis of which virtual surgery design and intraoperative navigation were completed.@*RESULTS@#A three-dimensional visualization image was established based on the enhanced CT urography. The nephrometry system included the longest diameter and volume of the tumor, proportion volume of tumor invading the parenchyma, maximum depth of the tumor invading the parenchyma, contact surface area, flatness of the tumor surface, renal segment where the tumor was located, vascular variation, and perirenal fat. The average two-dimensional diameter of the tumor was (2.78±1.43) cm, the average three-dimensional maximum diameter was (3.09±1.35) cm, and the average postoperative pathological size was (3.01±1.38) cm. The maximum tumor diameter in the three-dimensional image was significantly related to the prolonged renal artery clamping time and intra-operative blood loss (r=0.502, P=0.020; r=0.403, P=0.046). The three-dimensional and pathological tumor volume were (25.7±48.4) cm3 and (33.0±36.4) cm3, respectively (P=0.229). The tumor volume was significantly related to the intraoperative blood loss (r=0.660, P < 0.001). The proportion volume of the tumor invading into renal parenchyma was significantly related to the prolongation of renal artery clamping and the occurrence of postoperative complications (r=0.410, P=0.041; r=0.587, P=0.005). The tumor contact surface area and the presence of vascular variation did not show correlation with the perioperative data and postoperative complications. While the preoperative evaluation was completed, the reconstructed three-dimensional image could be zoomed, rotated, combined display, color adjustment, transparency, and simulated cutting on the Touch Viewer system. The process generally consisted of showing or hiding the tissue, adjusting the transparency of the interested area, rotating and zooming the image to match the position of the surgical patient. Together, these functions met the requirements of preoperative virtual surgery plan and intraoperative auxiliary navigation.@*CONCLUSION@#Three-dimensional images can provide a more intuitive anatomical structure. The CT three-dimensional visua-lization system clearly displays tumor anatomical parameters, blood supply and perirenal fat. The three-dimensional nephrometry system for renal tumors can help predict the difficulty of partial nephrectomy and perioperative complications. Importing the reconstructed three-dimensional visualization image into the specified program or robot operating system can complete virtual surgery and intraoperative navigation, helping the surgeon to better grasp the surgical process. The indexes included in the nephrometry system and the score weights of each index need to be confirmed and perfected by multi-center study with large samples.

Effect of Modified Taohe Chengqitang Combined with Colon Hydrotherapy on Inflammatory Factors and Insulin Resistance in Patients with Severe Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To define the clinical efficacy of modified Taohe Chengqitang combined with colon hydrotherapy in patients with severe nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) accompanied by phlegm-heat stagnation syndrome and its mechanism. Method::Totally 100 patients with severe NAFLD by phlegm-heat stagnation syndrome were enrolled in the study.They were all given Shanzha Xiaozhi capsule.According to the random number table, the patients were randomly divided into the observation group (50 patients, colon hydrotherapy combined with traditional Chinese medicine) and the control group (50 patients, Shanzha Xiaozhi capsule alone). The observation period was 4 weeks.The therapeutic effect of colon hydrotherapy was verified through determinations of the liver function, blood lipid, insulin resistance index (IRI), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) before and after treatment.The mechanism of colon hydrotherapy combined with modified Taohe Chengqitang was preliminarily analyzed based on changes of IR, TNF-α and IL-6. Result::Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptadase (γ-GT), total cholesterol (TCH), triglyceride (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulins (FINS), IRI, CAP, TNF-αand IL-6 of NAFLD patients in both of two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.01). ALT, AST, γ-GT, TCH, TG, FPG, IRI, CAP, TNF-α and IL-6 in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment (P<0.01). FINS in observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion::Colon hydrotherapy combined with modified Taohe Chengqitang is an effective method for treating NAFLD accompanied by phlegm-heat stagnation syndrome.Its mechanism may be mainly correlated with the reduction of IRI, serum TNF-α and IL-6.The course of colon hydrotherapy, the therapeutic mechanism and the long-term efficacy need to be further studied in the future.

Clinical Efficacy of Modified Sanzi Yangqintang and Colon Hydrotherapy on Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Phlegm-dampness / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To explore the clinical efficacy of modified Sanzi Yangqintang combined with colon hydrotherapy in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with phlegm-dampness. Method::Totally 100 patients with NAFLD were selected and randomly divided into treatment group (50 cases) and control group (50 cases). Both groups were orally given silybin and glycyrrhizic acid diamine capsules.The treatment group was also added with modified Sanzi Yangqintang and colon hydrotherapy.The treatment lasted for 7 days.The control group was also added with saline colon hydrotherapy.Main traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores and liver function indexes before and after treatment [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamate transpeptidase (GGT)], blood lipid routine [cholesterol (TCH), triglyceride (TG)], inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], FibroScan measurement [liver stiffness measurement (LSM), controlled attenuation parameters (CAP)], uric acid and body weight changes were observed.Adverse reactions were observed, and the patient's medication safety was evaluated. Result::TCM syndrome score, liver enzyme index, blood lipid index, inflammatory factor index, FibroScan CAP, uric acid and body weight of the two groups were significantly reduced than those before treatment(P<0.05, P<0.01) .There was no significant difference in liver enzymes, TCH, IL-6 and LSM between treatment group and control group.And TCM syndrome scores, UA, TNF-α, FibroScan CAP decreased were significantly different from control group (P<0.05). Conclusion::Modified Sanzi Yangqintang combined with colon hydrotherapy can not only alleviate NAFLD with phlegm-dampness symptoms, but also significantly reduce triglyceride, tumor necrosis factor and FibroScan CAP and body mass, with certain clinical efficacy in a short term.

Effect of Fangfeng Tongshengtang on Early-stage Serum Endotoxin and Programmed Death-1 / Programmed Death Ligand-1 in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus related Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To clarify the effect of Fangfeng Tongshengtang on early-stage serum endotoxin (ET) and programmed death-1/programmed ligand-1(PD-1/PD-L1) in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure（HBV-ACLF）(early-stage), and exploring the mechanism of Fangfeng Tongshengtang in the treatment of early stage HBV-ACLF. Method:The 69 patients with early stage HBV-ACLF were enrolled in the study and all of them received antiviral drugs, liver protection and jaundice relieving drugs as well as supporting therapy. According to the random number table, 35 patients were randomly assigned to observation group (to take Fangfeng Tongshengtang, and 34 patients were assigned to control group to take placebo. The observation period was 3 weeks in both groups. Before treatment and 1, 2, and 3 weeks after treatment, theserum ET, expression of PD-1/PD-L1 in serum CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, liver function [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (Alb), total bilirubin (TBIL), and direct bilirubin (DBIL)], coagulation function [prothrombin time (PT), and prothrombin activity (PTA)] were detected to verify the effect of Fangfeng Tongshengtang on HBV-ACLF (early-stage). Result:After 3 weeks of treatment, ET, expression of serum CD4+PD-1+, CD4+PD-L1+, CD8+PD-1+, CD8+PD-L1+, ALT, AST, TBIL, DBIL, and PT decreased significantly (P<0.01), while Alb and PTA increased significantly（P<0.01）in both groups. As compared with the control group, the ET in observation group was lower at 1st, 2nd and 3rd week after treatment (P<0.01), the CD4+PD-1+, CD4+PD-L1+, CD8+PD-1+ and CD8+PD-L1+ in observation group were lower at 2nd week and 3rd week（P<0.05, P<0.01）， the ALT, AST, TBIL and DBIL in observation group were lower at 1st, 2nd and 3rd week（P<0.05, P<0.01）， the PT in observation group was lower at 2nd and 3rd week（P<0.05）， and the PTA in observation group was higher at the 2nd and 3rd week（P<0.01）. Conclusion:Fangfeng Tongshengtang can achieve the therapeutic effect for HBV-ACLF (early-stage) probably by reducing the serum ET and the expression of PD-1 / PD-L1 in serum CD4 +, CD8 + T cells.

Intervention Effect of Fuyuan Huoxuetang for Postoperative Syndrome of Partial Splenic Arterial Embolization in Patients with Hypersplenism of Blood Stasis Type Liver Cirrhosis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To analyze the effect of Fuyuan Huoxuetang for the postoperative syndrome of partial splenic arterial embolization (PSE) in patients with hypersplenism of blood stasis type hepatic cirrhosis. Method: 86 patients with hypersplenism of blood stasis type hepatic cirrhosis treated with PSE were divided into observation group (44 cases) and control group (42 cases). Patients in both groups were treated with routine liver protection, antiviral, postoperative prophylactic anti-infection and symptomatic supportive care. Patients in treatment group started to take the Fuyuan Huoxuetang on the first day after the operation of PSE. The degree of pain, duration of fever, abdominal distention, and biochemical index changes of the two groups were observed 7 days after surgery. Result: After postoperative treatment, both groups of patients showed significant increases in the levels of -glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and white blood cell(WBC)(PP(P0.05) after the treatment with oral Fuyuan Huoxuetang. As compared with control group, the pain score was significantly lower in observation group (PPPConclusion: Fuyuan Huoxuetang could effectively interfere with the postoperative syndrome of PSE in patients with hepatic cirrhosis combined with hypersplenism by reducing pain, shortening the duration of fever and relieving the degree of abdominal distension and constipation.

Famous veteran traditional Chinese medicine doctors' medication rules in treating spermatorrhea / 中国中药杂志

To explore famous veteran traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) doctors' medication rules in treating spermatorrhea based on the medical cases about spermatorrhea collected from Hundred TCM Clinical Doctors of Hundred Years in China and Proven Cases and National Medical Master Test Case. Researchers extracted such data as medicinal and therapies from these cases according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then,Excle 2010,SPSS Clementine 12. 0 and SPSS 22. 0 were adopted respectively for frequency analysis,association rules analysis,cluster analysis and factor analysis. Cluster analysis was carried out by Ochiai algorithm of binary variable data,one of the systematic clustering methods. And principal component analysis was used for factor analysis. Finally,27 medical cases and 41 prescriptions were included in total. The frequency analysis showed that the most common therapy was the astringent therapy( n = 28),which was followed by the tonifying method,tranquilizing method,heat-clearing method,damp-dispelling method and Qiregulating method. The top three kinds of high-frequency traditional Chinese medicines were Poria,Ostreae Concha and Dioscoreae Rhizoma. The association rules analysis found out 11 association rules of medicine pairs,23 association rules of medicine combinations of the three kinds of herbs and 6 association rules of medicine combinations of five kinds of herbs. Among them,the representatives were Rubi Fructus→Fossilia Ossis Mastodi,Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata + Corni Fructus→Dioscoreae Rhizoma,and Pinelliae Rhizoma→Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,which showed the therapeutic characteristics of astringing,tonifying the kidney and replenishing essence,fortifying the spleen and dispelling dampness. Moreover,7 medicine groups with relevance were extracted from the tree map generated by cluster analysis,including " Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma" and " Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Rehmanniae Radix,Bupleuri Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma",which demonstrated the effects of nourishing Yin and purging fire,tonifying and soothing the liver. Besides,totally 12 common factors were obtained according to factor analysis,including 14 drug combinations,like " Amomi Fructus,Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex" and " Nelumbinis Stamen,Moutan Cortex,Poria and Scrophulariae Radix",which indicated the compatibility characteristics of tonifying the spleen and purging fire,dispelling dampness and clearing heat. In conclusion,data mining techniques( including frequency analysis,association rules analysis,cluster analysis and factor analysis) were used to comprehensively analyze the famous veteran TCM doctors' medication rules in treating spermatorrhea,which was helpful for guiding the clinical practice of treating spermatorrhea in TCM.

Impact of Obesity on a Chinese Population with Erosive Esophagitis and Barrett's Esophagus

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between obesity and erosive esophagitis (EE) or Barrett's esophagus (BE) in a Chinese population. METHODS: Data from subjects were retrospectively collected from 2006 to 2009. Individuals with BE were identified and age- and sex-matched at a 1:2 ratio with normal esophagocardial junction and EE patients. The subjects were stratified into two groups: the normal weight group and overweight/obesity group (body mass index ≥25 mg/m²) or the normal waist group and abdominal obesity group (waist circumference ≥90 cm for men and ≥80 cm for women). RESULTS: Overall, 45%, 72%, and 52% were overweight/obese and 23%, 65%, and 18% had abdominal obesity in the normal, EE, and BE groups, respectively. Positive associations were identified between EE and overweight/obesity (odds ratio [OR], 3.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75 to 5.66) and abdominal obesity (OR, 6.22; 95% CI, 3.34 to 11.57); however, the associations were nonsignificant between BE and overweight/obesity (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.67 to 2.61) or abdominal obesity (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.31 to 1.73). Female BE patients had a significantly increased rate of being overweight/obese. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is a contributing factor in EE. The association of BE and obesity was not significant, with the exception of female BE cases.

Transformation of trollioside and isoquercetin by human intestinal flora in vitro / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to determine the intestinal bacterial metabolites of trollioside and isoquercetin and their antibacterial activities. A systematic in vitro biotransformation investigation on trollioside and isoquercetin, including metabolite identification, metabolic pathway deduction, and time course, was accomplished using a human intestinal bacterial model. The metabolites were analyzed and identified by HPLC and HPLC-MS. The antibacterial activities of trollioside, isoquercetin, and their metabolites were evaluated using the broth microdilution method with berberine as a positive control, and their potency was measured as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Our results indicated that trollioside and isoquercetin were metabolized by human intestinal flora through O-deglycosylation, yielding aglycones proglobeflowery acid and quercetin, respectively The antibacterial activities of both metabolites were more potent than that of their parent compounds. In conclusion, trollioside and isoquercetin are totally and rapidly transformed by human intestinal bacteria in vitro and the transformation favors the improvement of the antibacterial activities of the parent compounds.

Motion recognition based on EMG signals of residual limb in transfemoral amputee / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the method of lower limb movement pattern recognition using the electromyographic (EMG) signals of the residual thigh muscles, and explore the possibility of lower limb prosthesis control based on the EMG signals. Methods Fifteen transfemoral amputees were selected as subjects, and the subjects were required to complete 5 kinds of motion, including level walking, stair ascent, stair descent, standing up and sitting down. The surface EMG signals from 6 muscles of the thigh stump were collected from each subject, including rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, tensor fascia lata, biceps femoris, semitendinosus and gluteus maximus. Six kinds of time-domain and frequency domain features of the EMG signals were extracted, and 5 kinds of motion patterns were recognized by the support vector machine. Results Five kinds of motion patterns could be recognized online by EMG signals of the residual thigh muscles. By single experimental data from one subject, the recognition rate was 94%; for the same subject, by the data mixed from two experiments, the recognition rate was 85%; for different subjects, the recognition rate was 74%. By feature optimization, using only two EMG features of 3 muscles, the recognition rate could reach 92% by single experimental data from one subject. For 3 kinds of motion patterns (level walking, stair ascent, stair descent), the recognition rate respectively was 100% using single experimental data from one subject, 98.33% using the data mixed from two experiments for the same subject, and 93.33% using the data from different subjects. Conclusions Simply using the thigh stump EMG signals to recognize movement intention is proved to be feasible. For each patient, by several times of training before using the EMG signals, the recognition rate is expected to reach an ideal state. The present work will lay a foundation for lower limb prosthesis control based on the EMG signals.

Sequential Treatment with Lamivudine and Peg-interferon Therapy in Patients with E-positive Chronic Hepatitis B and High Viral Load.

Background: Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) who are positive for e antigen (HBeAg) and have a high viral load are considered to be poor therapeutic responders to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN). The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic response of sequential therapy, lamivudine (LAM) followed by PEG-IFN, in these cases. Methods: Chronic HBV patients who were HBeAg positive, with HBV DNA over 107 IU/ml and ALT 2-10 times the upper normal limit, and who were treatment naive were included in our study. Those with concurrent hepatitis C or HIV infection, liver cirrhosis or decompensated cirrhosis, or pregnancy were excluded. The enrolled cases received therapy with PEG-IFN monotherapy for 48 weeks (PEG-IFN group) or sequential therapy with lamivudine (LAM) for 4 weeks followed by PEG-IFN therapy for 48 weeks (LAM/ PEG-IFN group). Results: There were 10 patients in each group, and there were no differences in age, gender, HBV genotype, pre-treatment ALT, and HBV DNA levels between the two groups. The biochemical, virological and serologic responses within 24 weeks after treatment were 40%-60%, 30-50%, and 40-50%, respectively, in the PEG-IFN group, compared with 70%, 20-40%, and 20-40%, respectively, in the LAM/PEG-IFN group. The rates of positive EOT were 30% and 10% in the PEG-IFN group and the LAM/PEG-IFN group, respectively, with rates of 40% and 10% in the SVR-12-week subgroup, and 30% and 20%, respectively, in the SVR-24-week subgroup. The therapeutic responses between the two groups showed no differences. Conclusion: In chronic HBV patients who were positive for HBeAg positive and with a high viral load at baseline, similar therapeutic responses were noted between the sequential LAM/PEG-IFN therapy group and the PEG-IFN monotherapy group. Further research with a higher number of patients and a prolonged LAM course are needed to confirm the efficacy of this approach.

Role of saliva proteinase 3 in dental caries / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

Salivary analysis can be used to assess the severity of caries. Of the known salivary proteins, a paucity of information exists concerning the role of proteinase 3 (PR3), a serine protease of the chymotrypsin family, in dental caries. Whole, unstimulated saliva was collected from children with varying degrees of active caries and tested using a Human Protease Array Kit and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A significantly decreased concentration of salivary PR3 was noted with increasing severity of dental caries (P<0.01); a positive correlation (r=0.87; P<0.01; Pearson's correlation analysis) was also observed between salivary pH and PR3 concentration. In an antibacterial test, a PR3 concentration of 250 ng·mL⁻¹ or higher significantly inhibited Streptococcus mutans UA159 growth after 12 h of incubation (P<0.05). These studies indicate that PR3 is a salivary factor associated with the severity of dental caries, as suggested by the negative relationship between salivary PR3 concentration and the severity of caries as well as the susceptibility of S. mutans to PR3.

Triterpenes constituents from male flowers of Eucommia ulmoides / 中国中药杂志

Nine triterpenes compounds were isolated from the male flowers of Eucommia ulmoides by recrystallization and chromatographic techniques over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and RP-18 gel. Their chemical structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis and as 3-oxo-12-en-ursane-28-O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1 --> 6) -β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 2α, 3β-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid(28 --> 1) -β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), ursolic acid (3), α-amyrin (4), uvaol (5), ursolic acid acetate (6), 3-O-acetate oleanoic acid (7), betulinic acid (8), and betulinol (9). Compound 1 was a new compound, and compounds 2, 4-7 were isolated from the Eucommiu genus for the first time. Cytotoxic activity was tested for all the compounds against K562 and HepG2 cells. The results showed that only compound 3, exhibited cytotoxic activity.

Characteristics of symptom presentation and risk factors in patients with erosive esophagitis and nonerosive reflux disease

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gender on symptom presentation and quality of life of patients with erosive esophagitis [EE] and nonerosive reflux disorder [NERD]. Medical records from patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] between January and December 2009 were reviewed. The patients were assigned to either the EE or the NERD group. The general demographic data, the modified Chinese GERDQ scores and the Short Form [SF]-36 life quality questionnaire scores of the two groups of patients were compared. Of the 261 patients, 87 [33.3%], 86 [33.0%] and 88 [33.7%] patients were classified into the EE, the NERD and the control groups, respectively. The patients in the EE group were significantly older [48.94 +/- 17.38 vs. 43.34 +/- 12.67 years], were predominately male [58.6 vs. 39.5%], had more frequently hiatal hernia [34.5 vs 17.4%], had a higher body weight [67.57 +/- 15.13 vs. 61.06 +/- 11.08 kg] and a higher body mass index [24.09 +/- 4.61 vs. 22.68 +/- 3.12] than those in the NERD group. The GERD-specific symptom scores and the general life quality scores of the EE and the NERD groups were similar, and both groups had lower life quality scores than the control group did. The female patients with NERD had a higher frequency of GERD symptoms and lower quality of life scores. Gender had no effect on symptom scores or life quality scores in the EE group. The GERD-specific symptom severity and general quality of life scores of the EE and the NERD patients were similar. Gender had a great influence on symptom presentation and quality of life in patients with NERD, but not in those with EE

Silence potentiates chemosensitivity of K562 cells to SAHA / 中国实验血液学杂志

Ribosomal protein S27a (RPS27a) can perform extra-ribosomal functions besides imparting a role in ribosome biogenesis and post-translational modifications of proteins. The RPS27a gene has been reported to be over-expressed in breast fibroadenomas, colorectal and renal cancers, advanced-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute leukemia (AL) patients. This study was purposed to explore the function of RPS27a in CML-erythroleukemia cell line K562 cells. RPS27a was silenced by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in K562 cells. Furthermore, the proliferation changes of K562 cells was detected by MTT method after silencing the RPS27a with suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), then the IC50 of K562-sh1/sh2 and K562-scr cells to SAHA was measured. The results indicated that compared with K562-scr cells, the IC50 of K562-sh1/sh2 to SAHA at 24 h and 48 h decreased (P < 0.01); RPS27a silence significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic K562-sh1/sh2 cells after incubation with 1 µmol/L, 2 µmol/L and 5 µmol/L SAHA for 24 h and 48 h as compared with that of K562-scr cells (P < 0.01). K562-sh1, K562-sh2 and K562-scr cells after incubation with or without 2 µmol/L SAHA for 48 h presented apoptosis features: i. e. chromatin condensation, nucleic fragmentation and apoptotic body formation. It is concluded that RPS27a can inhibit the apoptosis of K562 cells and RPS27a silence can potentiate sensitivity of K562 cells to SAHA.

The Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Patients with Overlapping Functional Dyspepsia or Peptic Ulcer Disease with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia (FD), and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) impact the daily lives of affected individuals. The aim of this study was to compare the risk factors and impacts on life quality of overlapping FD or PUD in patients with GERD. METHODS: Data from patients diagnosed with GERD were collected between January and November 2009. FD was defined using the Rome III diagnostic criteria. The overlapping GERD-FD or GERD-PUD groups were classified as concomitant GERD and FD or peptic ulcers. The characteristics of these individuals were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 63, 48, and 60 patients in the GERD only, overlapping GERD-FD, and overlapping GERD-PUD groups, respectively. Significantly younger age, female gender, lower body weight and body mass index, and higher rates of tea consumption were noted in the GERD-FD group. Patients in the GERD-FD group exhibited the lowest quality of life scores, both with respect to physical and mental health, on the Short Form 36 domains. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with concomitant GERD and FD were more likely to be younger and female. Overlapping GERD and FD had the worst impact on the quality of life of the affected individuals.

Study of the mouse device based on surface EMG signals of the temporalis / 医用生物力学

Objective To design a mouse device based on surface EMG signals of the temporalis for people who suffered with paraplegia, upper limb disability or impaired hand function to be able to operate the mouse. Methods A control method for mouse operation based on surface EMG was presented. Through analysis and test, facial surface EMG signals of the temporalis were selected as the control signal and with the bite as a trigger action. EMG signals with different characteristics could be generated from the temporalis muscle according to different bite actions, and thus a mouse device controlled by the facial surface EMG signals from the temporalis was designed. Results The test proved that by using the device, subjects could control the mouse by a simple bite action. Conclusions The control method for mouse operation based on surface EMG is feasible，and the mouse device designed according to this method is valuable in practical application.

Infection and eradication of Helicobacter Pylorus affecting etiology and curative effect of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a META analysis / 中国实验血液学杂志

The study was aimed to explore the relationship between infection of Helicobacter Pylorus (H. Pylorus) and etiology of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and evaluate whether H. Pylorus eradication can increase platelet count in patients with ITP. The data-bases of cqvip, Wanfang, TsingHua TongFang, CNKI and PubMed were searched, inclusion and exclusion criteria and heterogeneity test were determined. The studies of H. Pylorus infection and ITP were investigated with fixed effect mode Meta-analysis. Relationship between H. Pylorus infection and etiology of ITP, H. Pylorus eradication and curative effect of ITP were comprehensively and quantitatively evaluated. OR > 1 indicated that factor of exposure was the risk factor of disease; OR < 1 suggested that factor of exposure was the protective factor of disease; OR = 1 revealed that there were no correlation between factor of exposure and diseases. 95%CI was the confidence interval of total OR. The results showed that a total of 211 cases and 210 controls from 5 studies was included to evaluate the exposure of H. Pylorus between ITP patients and controls, the pooled OR was 1.73 (95%CI = 1.12 - 2.67); a total of 458 cases and 305 controls from 13 studies was included to evaluate the relationship between H. Pylorus eradication and curative effect of ITP, the pooled OR was 6.53 (95%CI = 4.44 - 9.61). It is concluded that H. Pylorus infection plays a role in the etiology of ITP. Eradication of H. Pylorus increases platelet count in patients with ITP. H. Pylorus eradication can be used as the first line measure to treat H. Pylorus-positive ITP.

Clinical study of laser in situ keratomileusis for treatment of hypermetropia / 眼科新进展

Objective　To evaluate therapeutic effect and opportunity of laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) for treatment of hypermetropia.Methods　Three hundred and ninety hypermetropia eyes were treated with LASIK using solid excimer laser instrument(made in Novatec Corporation, USA),and were reexamined at 1,3,6 and 12 months after LASIK.Results　Therapeutic effect of LASIK was more remarkable, stable and reliable, that of other methods in treating +2.00～+10.00D hypermetropia and astigmatism, and the rate and degree of refraction regression were small. The diopter has been stable in 6～12　months after LASIK. Diopter of 87 percentage of all eyes≤+2.00D, and 61 percentage≤+1.00D. LASIK had shorter recovery time, more gently operation reaction, more remarkable droping of diopter than other methods. Elevation of vision was remarkable after LASIK. Elevation of vision of amblyopia children who were treated with LASIK was quicker and more remarkable after treatment of amblyopia than that of other amblyopia children who were not treated with LASIK.Conclusion　At present, LASIK is the best therapeutic method to treat hypermetropia.

Lactic Acid Production and Tolerance Property of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Broiler Intestine / 微生物学通报

Lactic acid production of twelve strains of LAB isolated from broiler intestine and tolerance property of three strains were investigated. The results of lactic acid production showed that among all strains K6 exhibited the most rapid production during the first twelve hours, the seconds were K9 and C1; D17 exhibited the highest production of lactic acid by twenty-four hours, C1 exhibited the highest production of lactic acid by forty-eight hours. The pH values in three strains of K9、D17 and C1 culture showed the fast decline during the first twelve hours, with the final values significantly lower than those of other strains cultures. The results of tolerance property showed that the survival counts of C1could be detected when pH value was at 2 after three hours, but the survival counts of D17 and K9 could not be detected after one hour. When pH value was at 2.5 after three hours ,the survival counts of C1 declined from 10~ 8.2 /mL to 10~ 4.8 /mL, K9 from 10~ 8.2 /mL to 10~ 4.6 /mL, the survival counts of D17 could not be detected. 0.08% bile had few effects on the survival counts of three strains; when incubated in the medium with 0.40% bile, the survival counts of C1 declined from 10~ 8.4 /mL to 10~ 6.5 /mL,D17 from 10~ 10.3 /mL to 10~ 7.5 /mL, and K9 from 10~ 9.8 /mL to 10~ 7.7 /mL. When the group treated with 37℃ for 20 minutes was served as the control, the survival counts of C1 and K9 was not detected when treated with 80℃, but the survival counts of D17 were 10~ 4.9 /mL, when treatment with 65℃ the survival counts of C1 and K9 decreased significantly .