Correlation between NT-proBNP and plasma interleukin-15 level in patients with chronic congestive heart failure / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective :To explore change of plasma interleukin 15 (IL-15) level and its correlation with N terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).Methods :A total of 205 patients diagnosed as CHF were sequentially en-rolled as CHF group ,and another 52 healthy adults undergoing physical examination simultaneously were regarded as healthy control group .According to NYHA cardiac function class ,CHF group was further divided into class II group (n＝55) ,class III group (n＝87) and class IV group (n＝63).Plasma IL-15 level was measured and compared among all groups ,and correlation among plasma level of NT-proBNP ,left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and plasma IL-15 level were analyzed in CHF patients .Results : Compared with healthy control group ,there was signif-icant rise in plasma NT-proBNP level [ (71 ± 33) pg/ml vs.(5884 ± 1379) pg/ml] ,and significant reduction in LVEF [(57 ± 7)% vs.(31 ± 8)% ] in CHF group ,P＝0.001 both .Plasma IL-15 level of CHF group was significant-ly higher than that of healthy control group [(18.35 ± 6.42) ng/L vs.(7.78 ± 3.11) ng/L] , P＝0.001 ;compared with class II group ,there was significant rise in plasma IL-15 level [ (10.24 ± 3.61) ng/L vs.(20.17 ± 6.35) ng/L vs.(21.94 ± 7.32) ng/L] in class III and IV group , P＝0.001 both ,and there was no significant difference be-tween class III and class IV group (P＝0.187).Pearson correlation analysis indicated that plasma IL-15 level was significant positively correlated with plasma NT-proBNP level ( r＝ 0.172 , P＝ 0.038).Conclusion :Plasma IL-15 level of CHF patients is significantly higher than that of healthy subjects ,and significant positively correlated with NT-proBNP level ,and it has certain relationship with heart failure severity ,so it may become a new marker for pre-dicting CHF .

The effect of low-frequency electrical stimulation at acupoints on the plasma DA of stroke survivors with insomnia: A clinical trial / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of low-frequency electrical stimulation at the acupoints with that of conventional Western medication among patients with post-stroke insomnia,and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods Totally 120 stroke survivors with insomnia were randomly divided into an intervention group,a medication group and a placebo group,each of 40.The intervention group received low-frequency electrical stimulation at the Dazhui and Shenshu acupoints once a day for 30 consecutive days.The medication group received 1 mg estazolam capsules and the placebo group took 1 mg starch capsules.The average levels of plasma dopamine (DA) of the 3 groups were compared before and after the intervention and therapeutic efficacy was estimated.Results After the intervention,the total effective rate of the intervention group was 95％ (38/40).For the medication group it was 92.5％ (37/40) and for the placebo group it was 17.9％ (7/39).The former two treatments were significantly more effective than no treatment (the placebo).There was no significant change in the average level of plasma DA before and after the treatment in the placebo group,but significant improvement was observed in the other two groups.There was no significant difference in plasma DA between the two treatment groups after the treatment.Conclusion Low-frequency electrical stimulation at acupoints is safe and equally as effective as estazolam for treating post-stroke insomnia.Both may alleviate post-stroke insomnia by increasing plasma DA levels.

Impacts of the low-frequency electric stimulation at the acupoints on the content of plasma 5-HT and NE in the patients with post-stroke insomnia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy on post-stroke insomnia between the low-frequency electric stimulation at the acupoints and the conventional western medication in the patients so as to explore the effect mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty patients of post-stroke insomnia were randomized into a low-frequency electric stimulation group, a medication group and a placebo group, 40 cases in each one. In the low-frequency electric stimulation group, the low-frequency pulse electric apparatus was applied to stimulate Dazhui (GV 14) and Shenshu (BL 23), once every day. The treatment for 15 days made one session and 2 sessions were required. In the medication group, estazolam was taken orally, 1 mg each time; and in the placebo group, the starch capsules were taken, one capsule each time; in the two groups the treatment was adopted before sleep every night, continuously for 15 days as one session, and 2 sessions were required. The levels of plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the three groups and: the efficacy was compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the placebo group, 1 case was dropped out. The total effective rate was 95. 0% (38/40), 92. 5% (37/40) and 17. 9% (7/39) in the low-frequency electric stimulation group, the medication group and the placebo group respectively. The effects in the low-frequency electric stimulation group and the medication group were better apparently than that in the placebo group (both P<0. 01). The effect was not different significantly between the low-frequency electric stimulation group and the medication group (P>0. 05). The levels of plasma 5-HT and NE were not different significantly between before and after treatment in the placebo group. The level of plasma 5-HT was increased (both P<0. 05) and thelevel of NE was decreased (both P<0. 05) as compared with that before treatment in the low-frequency electric stimulation group and the medication group. But the differences were not significant between the two groups (P>0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The low-frequency electric stimlaton a the acupoints is safe and effective in the treatment of post-stroke insomnia, which is similar to oral medication of estazolam. The outcome of the increase of plasma 5-HT level and the decrease of plasma NE level is probably one of the effect mechanisms.</p>

Association between Low-density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein 5 Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Han Chinese: a Case-control Study / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) variants (rs12363572 and rs4930588) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Han Chinese.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1842 T2DM cases (507 newly diagnosed cases and 1335 previously diagnosed cases) and 7777 controls were included in this case-control study. PCR-RFLP was conducted to detect the genotype of the two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated to describe the strength of the association by logistic regression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the study subjects, neither rs12363572 nor rs4930588 was significantly associated with T2DM, even after adjusting for relevant covariates. When stratified by body mass index (BMI), the two SNPs were also not associated with T2DM. Among the 3 common haplotypes, only haplotype TT was associated with reduced risk of T2DM (OR 0.820, 95% CI 0.732-0.919). In addition, rs12363572 was associated with BMI (P<0.001) and rs4930588 was associated with triglyceride levels (P=0.043) in 507 newly diagnosed T2DM cases but not in healthy controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>No LRP5 variant was found to be associated with T2DM in Han Chinese, but haplotype TT was found to be associated with T2DM.</p>

Effects of motor imagery therapy combined with scalp acupuncture on balance and walking abilities in hemiplegic stroke survivors / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of motor imagery therapy combined with scalp acupuncture on balance and walking abilities in hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods A total of 120 patients with post-stroke hemiparesis were randomly divided into 3 groups,each of 40 cases.All patients were given basic medication and conventional rehabilitation treatment.In addition,the motor imagery group accepted motor imagery therapy,the scalp acupuncture group received scalp acupuncture,and the treatment group was provided with the above both for 6 weeks.The 10 m maximum walking speed (10 m MWS),Berg balance scale (BBS),functional ambulation classification (FAC) and timed up and go test (TUGT) were conducted to evaluate balance and gait abilities before and after the intervention.Results There were no significant differences among the 3 groups in any of the assessments (P ＞ 0.05) before intervention (P ＞ 0.05).After six weeks' intervention,all measurements of the 3 groups were significantly better than those before that (P ＜ 0.05),and the effects of the treatment group were significantly better than those of the other 2 groups (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Motor imagery therapy combined with scalp acupuncture can distinctly improve the balance and walking abilities in hemiplegic stroke survivors,superior to the effect of solely motor imagery therapy or scalp acupuncture.

The effect of group rehabilitation therapy on upper limb function and hand function in hemiplegic stroke patients / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To study the effect of group rehabilitation therapy on upper limb and hand function in hemiplegic patients after stroke.Methods Sixty-four stroke survivors with hemiplegia were randomly divided into a group rehabilitation group (GG) (32 cases) and a control group (CG) (32 cases).All patients in both groups were given basic medication and conventional rehabilitation treatment.In addition,the patients in CG were given routine upper limb function training,while the patients in GG were provided with the group rehabilitation therapy.Before and after eight weeks of training,the upper limb function and hand function of both groups were measured using the up-per-extremity portion of the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA-UE) and upper extremities functional test (UEFT).Abilities of daily living were measured using the modified Barthel index (MBI).Anxiety and depression were evaluated using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS).Results Before intervention there was no significant difference between the two groups in any of the assessments (P ＞ 0.05).At the end of training,all measurements in both groups were significantly better than those before training (P ＜ 0.05),and the UEFT,MBI,SAS and SDS scores were significantly better in GG than in the CG (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The group rehabilitation therapy,in addition to routine training,can improve the upper extremity function,hand function and abilities of daily living,and alleviate anxiety and depression in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.

Clinical research of post-stroke insomnia treated with low-frequency electric stimulation at acupoints in the patients / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on post-stroke insomnia between the low-frequency electric stimulation at the acupoints and the conventional western medication.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty patients of post-stroke insomnia were randomized into a low-frequency electric stimulation group, a medication group and a placebo group, 40 cases in each one. In the low-frequency electric stimulation group, the low-frequency electric-pulsing apparatus was used at Dazhui (GV 14) and Shenshu (BL 23), once a day; the treatment of 15 days made one session and 2 sessions were required. In the medication group, estazolam was taken orally, 1 mg each time. In the placebo group, starch capsules were taken orally, 1 capsule each time. All the drugs were taken before sleep every night, continuously for 15 days as one session, and 2 sessions were required. PSQI changes and clinical efficacy were observed before and after treatment in each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pitlsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score was reduced in every group after treatment (all P < 0.01). In the low-frequency electric stimulation group and medication group, the score was reduced much more significantly as compared with the placebo group (both P < 0.01). In the placebo group, 1 case was rejected. The total effective rates were 95.0% (38/40), 92.5% (37/40) and 17.9% (7/39) in the low-frequency electric stimulation group, medication group and placebo group separately. The efficacy in the low-frequency electric stimulation group and medication group was better apparently than that in the placebo group (both P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The low-frequency electric stimulation at the acupoints effectively and safely treats post-stroke insomnia and the efficacy of it is similar to that of estazolam.</p>

The effect of motor imagery therapy on walking ability in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To study the effect of motor imagery therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation treatment on walking ability in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.Methods Eighty patients with post-stroke hemiplegia were randomly divided into a treatment group (40 cases) and a control group (40 cases).All the patients in both groups were given basic medication and conventional rehabilitation treatment.In addition,the patients in treatment group were given motor imagery therapy.The 10 m maximum walking speed (10 m MWS),stride length,cadence,Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (lower limb) (FMA-L) and Holden's functional ambulation classification (FAC) were used to evaluate walking ability before the beginning of training and at the end of six weeks of training.Results Before intervention there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of all the assessment (P ＞0.05).At the end of training,all measurements in both groups [the treatment group:10 m MWS (0.53 ± 0.20)m/s,stride length (78.91 ± 20.46) cm,cadence (78.10 ± 12.03) min,FMA-L (24.13 ±5.77),FAC (3.60±1.01);the control group:10 m M WS (0.42 ±0.15)m/s,stride length (69.75 ± 18.31)cm,cadence (71.14±9.29)/min,FMA-L (20.65 ±4.70),FAC (2.93 ±0.89)] were significantly better than those before training (P ＜ 0.05),and the improvements in treatment group were significantly better than those in control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Motor imagery therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation treatment can distinctly improve the walking ability in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.

Motor imagery therapy supplemented with scalp acupuncture for improving lower limb motor function after stroke / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of motor imagery therapy supplemented with scalp acupuncture for improving the lower limb motor function of stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods A total of 120 hemiplegic stroke patients were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group with 60 patients in each.All were given routine medical care and scalp acupuncture (stimulating the posterior and anterior oblique line of the parietal-temporal lobe contralateral to the hemiplegic limb).The treatment was given daily for 3 weeks as one session,and 2 sessions were administered to both groups.The experimental group was given motor imagery therapy in addition.Each treatment took about 25 min every day for 3 weeks as one session,and again 2 consecutive sessions were administered.The temporal and spatial gait parameters (10m maximum walking speed,stride length and cadence) of all of the patients were assessed,the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-L) was conducted and functional ambulation classifications (FACs) were assigned before therapy and at the end of the 6 weeks.Results After 6 weeks of treatment,all of the measures had improved significantly for both groups.The experimental group,however,had improved significantly more than the control group.Conclusion Motor imagery therapy can supplement scalp acupuncture to improve lower limb motor function in hemiplegic stroke patients.

A new diphenyl ether from the endophytic fungus Verticillium sp. isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To investigate the chemical constituents of the endophytic fungus Verticillium sp. isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa.@*METHODS@#The compounds were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography, and their structures were determined on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral analysis. Their cytotoxic and antifungal activities were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Ten compounds were obtained and their structures were identified as 2, 4-dihydroxy-2', 6-diacetoxy-3'-methoxy-5'-methyl-diphenyl ether (1), paecilospirone (2), α-acetylorcinol (3), 2-methoxy-1,8-dimethyl-xanthen-9-one (4), 4-hydroxy-α-lapachone (5), enalin A (6), 2,3,4-trimethyl-5,7-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (7), 4-hydroxyethyl-phenol (8), 2,4-dihydroxy-3,5,6-trimethyl- methylbenzoate (9), and 3-isopropenyl-(Z)-monomethyl maleate (10).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Compound 1 is a new diphenyl ether, and showed cytotoxic activity against HL-60 cells (IC50 2.24 μg · mL(-1)), and antifungal activities against Candida albicans (MIC 8 μg · mL(-1)) and Aspergillus fumigatus (MIC 16 μg · mL(-1)).

Establishment of lymphocyte cell lines with abnormal chromosome karyotypes and its application in external quality assesment for chromosome karyotype analysis / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop chromosome abnormal karyotype quality control cell and to explore the external quality assessment (EQA) method for chromosome karyotype analysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The chromosome abnormal karyotype quality control cells were prepared by EB virus (EBV) transfection of human B lymphocyte strain establishment and were distributed to participating labs for EQA test of chromosome karyotype analysis project at appointed time. The evaluation results were obtained through 4 grades scoring.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six kinds of chromosome abnormal karyotype quality control cells were initially developed, the karyotypes of which were 46,X, t(Y;5)(q12;q21), 46, XY, 15p +, 46, XX, t(13;18)(q12;q21), 46, X, r(Xp), 46,X,t(Y;Y), 46,XX,t(9;20)(p13;p13) respectively. In the external quality assessment, feedbacks from the participating labs on the sequencing results of the six kinds of quality control cells showed that the wholly overlapping rate were 82.1%, 92.0%, 84.6%, 80.8%, 86.2%, 74.1% and the wholly deviation rate were 10.7%, 8.0%, 11.5%, 19.2%, 13.8%, 18.5%. The overall wholly overlapping rate, partial overlapping rate, partial deviation rate and wholly deviation rate turned out to be 83.2%, 0.6%, 2.5% and 13.7% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The misdiagnose rate of chromosome karyotype analysis is rather high and regular external quality assessment is necessary to achieve dynamic information and improve diagnosis quality.</p>