Regulatory Effect of Qingzhenfang on Cellular Immune Function of Patients with Chronic Urticaria / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Qingzhenfang for plasmoby （chronic urticaria）， and to investigate its effect on cellular immune function. Method:One hundred and thirty-two cases patients were divided into control group and observation group evenly according to random number table. The 60 patients in control group finished the study because of 6 cases of dropout， loss of follow-up and withdrawal， and 62 patients in observation group finished the study. Patients in both groups got Yiebastine tablets， 10-20 mg/time， 1 time/day. Patients in control group additionally got Piminxiao capsule， 4 grains/time， 3 times/day， while patients in observation additionally got Qingzhenfang， 1 dose/day. The treatment continued for 8 weeks in both groups. Before the treatment， and at the second， fourth， and eighth week after treatment， scores of urticaria activity for 7 days （USA7） and total symptom score （TSS） were graded. Before and after treatment， scores of chronic urticaria quality of life scale （CU-Q2oL） and syndrome of rheumatic fever were graded. A follow-up of 3 months was conducted for the patients whose score of USA7 was less than 7 to record the recurrence. Complement 3 and 4 （C3， C4）， CD4⁺， CD8⁺ cells were detected， and Th17/ CD4⁺ and Treg/ CD4⁺， CD4⁺/CD8⁺ and Th17/Treg were calculated. Levels of peripheral blood interleukin-10 （IL-10）， IL-17 and IL-23 were detected， and safety was evaluated after the treatment. Result:At the second， fourth and eighth week after the treatment， scores of USA7， TSS， CU-Q2oL and syndrome of rheumatic fever in observation group were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Levels of C3， C4， CD4⁺， Treg， CD4⁺/CD8⁺and IL-35 in observation group were higher than those levels detected in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while levels of CD8⁺， Th17， Th17/Treg， IL-10， IL-17 and IL-23 were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Recurrence rate was 25.58% （11/43） in observation group， lower than 48.48% （16/33） in control group （<inline-formula><alternatives><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M2"><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mi>χ</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn mathvariant="normal">2</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:math><graphic specific-use="big" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="alternativeImage/19F4CEA3-4719-4fe6-AFE8-81E481AA497E-M002.jpg"><?fx-imagestate width="3.30199981" height="3.64066648"?></graphic><graphic specific-use="small" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="alternativeImage/19F4CEA3-4719-4fe6-AFE8-81E481AA497E-M002c.jpg"><?fx-imagestate width="3.30199981" height="3.64066648"?></graphic></alternatives></inline-formula>=4.276， <italic>P</italic><0.05）， and the clinical efficacy in observation group was superior to that in control group （<italic>Z</italic>=2.021， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:Yaoyi Qingzhenfang can control the degree of disease and improve the quality of life for patients with chronic urticaria， with superior clinical efficacy. In addition， it can reduce recurrence rate， increase the levels of C3， C4， regulate cellular immune function， and reduce immune inflammatory response， so it is worthy of further clinical research and use.

The clinical study of laparoscopic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer aftar partial cystectomy / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective:To discuss the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic radical cystectomy in the treatment of bladder cancer after partial cystectomy.Methods:The clinical data of 30 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy after PC in Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from March 2016 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Including 24 males and 6 females with an average age was 62.5 (45.5-82.5)years.6 out of 30 cases underwent pelvic lymph node dissection during PC. All patients had definite pathological diagnosis for the high-grade urothelial carcinoma after PC, and the tumor staging was pT 2-3bN 0M 0.5 patients received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin, 6 received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy, 13 received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and all patients were received maintenance intravesical instillation. Median time for local tumor recurrence after PC was 9(5-29) months, all patients had pathological diagnosis for the high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma, cT 2-4N 0M 0 stage.The average tumor diameter was 3.5(2.5-4.5)cm, an average number of tumors was 2(1-3). Laparoscopic salvage cystectomy was performed after recurrence.General anesthesia, supine position, 5 ports were inserted through the abdominal approach. Standard pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) was used to clean the pelvic lymph nodes. Those who had underwent PLND no longer clean the obturator and peripheral iliac vessels, but including the common iliac vessel and the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta and lymphatic tissues around the inferior vena cava, as well as the presacral lymph nodes. Results:All 30surgeries were successfully performed. The average operative time was 270(240-310)min, average estimated intraoperative blood loss was 180(50-300)ml, and there was no blood transfusion during the perioperative period.The average number of lymph nodes dissected was 18 (10-27). There were 4 cases with positive lymph nodes, of which 3 cases were positive for 2 obturator lymph nodes, and 1 case was positive for 3 obturator and external iliac lymph nodes. No serious intraoperative complications occurred.No lymphatic leakage occurred. The average drainage duration was 4(3-7) d, and postoperative hospital stays was 9(7-20)d. The postoperative pathology was invasive high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma, and pathological TNM stage was pT 2-4aN 0-2M 0.13 patients received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. The average postoperative follow-up time was 23(3-31) months. There were 2 cases of pelvic recurrence and 1 case of retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis. These 3 cases received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Conclusions:Radical cystectomy should be the primary treatment for recurrence of bladder cancer after partial cystectomy.

Accuracy of Thoracolumbar Pedicle Screw Insertion Based on Routine Use of Intraoperative Imaging and Navigation

Study DesignRetrospective review.PurposeTo determine the accuracy of thoracolumbar pedicle screw insertion with the routine use of three-dimensional (3D) intraoperative imaging and navigation over a large series of screws in an Asian population.Overview of LiteratureThe use of 3D intraoperative imaging and navigation in spinal surgery is aimed at improving the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion. This study analyzed 2,240 pedicle screws inserted with the routine use of intraoperative navigation. It is one of very few studies done on an Asian population with a large series of screws.MethodsPatients who had undergone thoracolumbar pedicle screws insertion using intraoperative imaging and navigation between 2009 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Computed tomography (CT) images acquired after the insertion of pedicle screws were analyzed for breach of the pedicle wall. The pedicle screw breaches were graded according to the Gertzbein classification. The breach rate and revision rate were subsequently calculated.ResultsA total of 2,240 thoracolumbar pedicle screws inserted under the guidance of intraoperative navigation were analyzed, and the accuracy of the insertion was 97.41%. The overall breach rate was 2.59%, the major breach rate was 0.94%, and the intraoperative screw revision rate was 0.7%. There was no incidence of return to the operating theater for revision of screws.ConclusionsThe routine use of 3D navigation and intraoperative CT imaging resulted in consistently accurate pedicle screw placement. This improved the safety of spinal instrumentation and helped in avoiding revision surgery for malpositioned screws.

Accuracy of Thoracolumbar Pedicle Screw Insertion Based on Routine Use of Intraoperative Imaging and Navigation

Study DesignRetrospective review.PurposeTo determine the accuracy of thoracolumbar pedicle screw insertion with the routine use of three-dimensional (3D) intraoperative imaging and navigation over a large series of screws in an Asian population.Overview of LiteratureThe use of 3D intraoperative imaging and navigation in spinal surgery is aimed at improving the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion. This study analyzed 2,240 pedicle screws inserted with the routine use of intraoperative navigation. It is one of very few studies done on an Asian population with a large series of screws.MethodsPatients who had undergone thoracolumbar pedicle screws insertion using intraoperative imaging and navigation between 2009 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Computed tomography (CT) images acquired after the insertion of pedicle screws were analyzed for breach of the pedicle wall. The pedicle screw breaches were graded according to the Gertzbein classification. The breach rate and revision rate were subsequently calculated.ResultsA total of 2,240 thoracolumbar pedicle screws inserted under the guidance of intraoperative navigation were analyzed, and the accuracy of the insertion was 97.41%. The overall breach rate was 2.59%, the major breach rate was 0.94%, and the intraoperative screw revision rate was 0.7%. There was no incidence of return to the operating theater for revision of screws.ConclusionsThe routine use of 3D navigation and intraoperative CT imaging resulted in consistently accurate pedicle screw placement. This improved the safety of spinal instrumentation and helped in avoiding revision surgery for malpositioned screws.

Factors associated with the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a common complication in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment, but the underlying causes for this remain unclear. This study aimed to explore factors affecting the incidence of EP in in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).@*METHODS@#This was a retrospective study on the incidence of EP in IVF/ICSI cycles between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017. Patient age, infertility diagnosis (tubal factor or not), primary or secondary infertility, type of cycle (frozen-thawed or fresh), type of embryo(s) transferred (cleavage embryo or blastocyst), number of embryos transferred (one, two, or three), previous history of EP, and endometrial combined thickness were analyzed to explore their relationships with the incidence of EP. Based on clinical typing results, the patients were divided into an EP group or a non-EP group. Categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-squared test or Fisher exact test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore their associations with the incidence of EP.@*RESULTS@#The percentage of patients with primary infertility in EP group was significantly lower than that in non-EP group (31.3% vs. 46.7%, χ = 26.032, P < 0.001). The percentage of patients with tubal infertility in EP group was also significantly higher than that in non-EP group (89.2% vs. 63.6%, χ = 77.410, P < 0.001). The percentages of patients with transfer of cleavage-stage embryo or blastocyst (91.4% vs. 84.4%, χ = 10.132, P = 0.001) and different endometrial combined thickness (ECT) (χ = 18.373, P < 0.001) differed significantly between EP and non-EP groups. For patients who had a previous history of one to four EPs, the percentage of patients undergoing transfer of a cleavage-stage embryo was significantly higher in EP group than that in non-EP group (92.2% vs. 77.6%, χ = 13.737, P < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, tubal infertility was strongly associated with EP (adjusted odds ratio: 3.995, 95% confidence interval: 2.706-5.897, P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In IVF/ICSI cycles, transfer of a blastocyst-stage embryo, especially for patients with a previous history of EP, reduced the rate of EP. Tubal infertility was strongly associated with EP.

METTL3 regulates expression of pluripotent genes in porcine pluripotent stem cells / 生物工程学报

In post-transcriptional mRNA modification, m⁶A has been observed in a wide range of eukaryotes. METTL3, as a component of methyltransferase complex for m⁶A modification, regulates mouse naïve pluripotency and influences mRNA stability, especially affecting the expression level of the key pluripotent transcription factors. To reveal the expression pattern of the porcine METTL3 gene, we analyzed METTL3 expression level in different porcine tissues, somatic cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) by RT-PCR. To identify the function of METTL3 for regulation of the expression of porcine pluripotent genes, we cloned a 1 859-bp coding sequence of METTL3 and synthesized a shRNA against METTL3. When knocking down METTL3 expression in piPSCs, the cell type of piPSCs became naïve-like morphology, alkaline phosphatase activity was increased, and expression level of pluripotent genes NANOG, OCT4 and LIN28A was significantly elevated. In addition, piPSCs cultured in medium containing 10 mmol/L cycloleucine for 48 h exhibited the similar result as that knocked down METTL3. These findings set the stage for optimization of piPS culture condition and further study on the roles of m6A in piPSCs.

Atmospheric fine particles induce oxidatives stress and inflammatory reaction in respiratory systems: research progress / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Fine particles,less than 2.5 micrometer in diameter (PM2.5),are the main components of inhalable particles.Because of their relatively small size and large surface area,PM2.5 can absorb and retain chemicals,bacteria,viruses and other toxic substances,penetrate deeply into the respiratory tract and easily reach the alveolar ducts,exerting adverse effects on the lungs.PM2.5 can also be absorbed into the bloodstream through alveolar capillaries,causing serious damage to human health.The biological effects produced by PM2.5 are frequently attributed to the oxidative stress induced by intracellular reactive oxygen species alterations and abnormal release of inflammatory mediators closely involved in the development of lung diseases.This review discusses the research advances in relationships between PM2.5 exposure and inflammatory responses and oxidative stress based on experimental researches,in vivo and in vitro studies.Recent epidemiologic investigations have shown associations between increased incidence of respiratory diseases and lung cancer from exposure to low levels of various forms of respirable fibers and particulate matter.In vivo experiments have disclosed the association between PM2.5 exposure and the exacerbation of asthma,bronchitis,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,and other lung damages.Cell damage mechanisms mainly include alterations of cell signaling pathways,DNA damage,immune injury,autophagy and apoptosis.

Relationship between tumor necrosis factor-αgene-308 promoter polymorphism and susceptibility to development of bronchial asthma in Uighur and Kazakh population in Xinjiang / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To investigate the relationship between the polymorphism of the tumor necrosis factor-αgene-308 promoter and bronchial asthma (BA)in Uighur and Kazakh population in Xinjiang.Methods PCR product sequencing method was used to detect the polymorphism distribution of TNF-αgene in 60 BA patients and 60 controls among Xinjiang Uighur and Kazakh population.Then we analyzed the association between different TNF-αgenotypes and BA in Uighur and Kazakh population.Results The distribution of GG,GA and AA genotype was significantly different between the two groups.Statistical analysis showed that BA group had a significantly higher TNF-αA allele frequency than that of the control one (P <0.05).After adjustment for sex and age,we found the A allele was a risk factor for BA pathogenesis (P <0.05).Conclusion The polymorphism of TNF-α gene-308 may be associated with the susceptibility to BA in Xinjiang Uighur and Kazakh population,so TNF-α gene-308 may be considered as a genetic marker for early identification of individuals at high risk for BA,which may play an important role in preventing the development of BA in clinical practice.

Paradox of using intensive lowering of blood glucose in diabetics and strategies to overcome it and decrease cardiovascular risks / 中国结合医学杂志

Hyperglycemia significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in diabetics. However, it has been shown by a series of large scale international studies that intensive lowering of blood glucose levels not only has very limited benefits against cardiovascular problems in patients, but may even be harmful to patients at a high risk for CVD and/or poor long-term control of blood glucose levels. Therefore, Western medicine is faced with a paradox. One way to solve this may be administration of Chinese herbal medicines that not only regulate blood glucose, blood fat levels and blood pressure, but also act on multiple targets. These medicines can eliminate cytotoxicity of high glucose through anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant methods, regulation of cytokines and multiple signaling molecules, and maintenance of cell vitality and the cell cycle, etc. This allows hyperglycemic conditions to exist in a healthy manner, which is called "harmless hyperglycemia" Furthermore, these cardiovascular benefits go beyond lowering blood glucose levels. The mechanisms of action not only avoid cardiovascular injury caused by intensive lowering of blood glucose levels, but also decrease the cardiovascular dangers posed by hyperglycemia.

Safety and effectiveness of improving carbapenem use via prospective review and feedback in a multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship programme

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASP) can reduce antibiotic use but patient safety concerns exist. We evaluated the safety of prospective carbapenem review and feedback and its impact on carbapenem use and patient outcomes.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>After 3 months implementation of our ASP, we compared patients with and without acceptance of ASP recommendations on the use of carbapenems. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included duration of carbapenem use, length of hospitalisation, clinical response, microbiological clearance, 30-day readmission and mortality at discharge.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 226 recommendations for 183 patients, 59.3% was accepted. De-escalation, switching to oral antibiotics and antibiotic cessation comprised 72% of recommendations. Patients with acceptance of ASP recommendations had lower 30-day mortality and higher end-of-therapy clinical response despite shorter carbapenem duration (P <0.05). Predictors of 30-day mortality were Pitt bacteraemia score (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 1.74; P = 0.004) and non-acceptance of ASP recommendations (aOR 2.84, 95% CI, 1.21 to 6.64; P = 0.016).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our prospective carbapenem review and feedback mainly comprising of reducing carbapenem use is safe.</p>

Changes of NO and iNOS expression in lung tissues and injury of lungs in traumatic shock rats of early stage preconditioned with heat stress / 安徽医科大学学报

Objective To research nitric oxide( NO) concentration, induced nitric oxide synthase( iNOS) mRNA expression and the pathological changes of lung tissue in traumatic shock rats of early stage preconditioned with heat stress. Methods A total of 98 male SD rats were equally divided randomly into heat stress untreated group and heat stress treatment group, and each group were equally divided into 7 subgroup: control group and shock 0 h group, 0. 5 h group, 1. 0 h group, 1. 5 h group, 2. 0 h group, 3 h group. To established the model of traumatic shock after heat stress pretreatment and remained lung tissue, observed the changes of pulmonary pathology, meas-ured the changes of the NO concentration and iNOS expression in lung tissues. Results The lesions of lung tissue structure were more lighter in heat stress treatment group than the corresponding time point of heat stress untreated group and lung histopathology score lower. The NO concentration of heat stress treatment group were lower than the corresponding time point of heat stress untreated group, the two groups have a rise at shock 0 h,the peak value of NO concentration in heat stress treatment group appeared later than the heat stress untreated group. INOS mRNA expression quantity of heat stress treatment group were lower than the corresponding time point of heat stress un-treated group, the peak value of heat stress untreated group in 2.0 h and heat stress treatment group in 1. 5 h, it was positively correlated with lung injury score. Conclusion Heat stress pretreatment can drop NO concentration and iNOS mRNA expression in lung tissues significantly, delayed and reduced the lung injury in traumatic shock rats of early stage.

Effects of natural moxibustion on cytokines and specific transcription factors in asthma rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of natural moxibustion on regulating immune imbalance in asthma rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy SD male rats were divided into a normal group, a placebo group, a dexamethasone group, a big-cake for long-course moxibustion group, a big-cake for short-course moxibustion group, a small-cake for long-course moxibustion group and a small-cake for short-course moxibustion group, ten rats in each one. The rat model of asthma was established by egg albumen sensitization and stimulation in all the groups except the normal group. The natural moxibustion was used in all moxibustion groups, in which big cake of 1 cmX 1 cm size was used in the big-cake groups and small cake of 0.5 cmX 0. 5 cm size was used in the small cake groups. According to relevant acupoints, the natural moxibustion was performed, 5 h per time, once a day. Four times of treatment was considered one course, and three courses were required in the long-course groups and one course was required in the short-course groups. Intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone was applied in the dexamethasone group, which had the same course as long-course moxibustion group. After the treatment, changes of EOS in peripheral blood of asthma rats were observed; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to test the contents of IgE, IL-4 and IFN-gamma in the lung tissue; real-time Q-PCR method was adopted to measure the expression level of transcription factor T-bet and GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3) in the lung tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal group, the EOS in whole blood as well as IL-4 and IgE in plasma were all increased in the placebo group (all P< 0. 01), IFN-gamma in plasma was obviously decreased (P<0. 01); while the levels of EOS, IgE and IL-4 were significantly reduced (all P<0. 01), the content of IFN-gamma was increased (P<0. 01) in all moxibustion groups and dexametnasone group. Compared with the normal group, the expression of T-bet mRNA in the placebo group was significantly reduced (P<0. 01). Each treatment group could significantly increase the expression of T-bet mRNA and reduce that of GATA-3 mRNA (P<0. 01). Compared with the short-course moxibustion groups, the expression of T-bet mRNA was obviously increased in the long-course moxibustion group and dexamethasone group (both P<0.01), and that of GATA-3 mRNA was reduced (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between long-course moxibustion group and dexamethasone group (P> 0. 05), and also no significant difference could be seen between big-cake moxibustion group and small-cake moxibustion group (P>0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The natural moxibustion could obviously reduce airway inflammation in asthma rats. With time passing, the efficacy is enhanced, indicating evident timeliness, which has no apparent relationship with the size of moxibustion cake.</p>

Effect of dangua recipe on glycolipid metabolism and VCAM-1 and its mRNA expression level in Apo E(-/-) mice with diabetes mellitus / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Dangua Recipe (DGR) on glycolipid metabolism, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and its mRNA expression level of transgenic Apo E(-/-) mouse with spontaneous atherosclerosis, thus revealing its partial mechanism for curing diabetes mellitus (DM) with angiopathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diabetic model was prepared by peritoneally injecting streptozotocin (STZ) to Apo E(-/-) mouse. Totally 32 modeled mice were stratified by body weight, and then divided into 4 groups referring to blood glucose levels from low to high by random digit table, i.e., the model group (MOD, fed with sterile water, at the daily dose of 15 mL/kg), the DGR group (fed with DGR at the daily dose of 15 mL/kg), the combination group (COM, fed with DGR at the daily dose of 15 mL/kg and pioglitazone at the daily dose of 4.3 mg/kg), and the pioglitazone group (PIO, at the daily dose of 4.3 mg/kg), 8 in each group. Another 8 normal glucose C57 mouse of the same age and strain were recruited as the control group. All interventions lasted for 12 weeks by gastrogavage. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), body weight, food intake, water intake, skin temperature, the length of tail, and the degree of fatty liver were monitored. The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), and LDL-C were determined. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) was determined by radioimmunoassay. Nitrogen monoxidum (NO) was determined by nitrate reductase. The kidney tissue VCAM-1 level was analyzed with ELISA. The expression of VCAM-1 mRNA in the kidney tissue was detected with real time quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the body weight and food intake decreased, water intake increased in all the other model groups (P < 0.05). Besides, the curve of blood glucose was higher in all the other model groups than in the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the body weight increased; levels of HbAlc, TC, LDL-C, ET-1, and VCAM-1 were significantly lower; and skin temperature was higher in the DGR group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the PIO group, body weight, the increment of body weight, FBG, TC, and LDL-C were lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); food intake and water intake increased more and the tail length was longer in the DRG group (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the level of NO among groups. The degree of fatty liver in the model group was significantly severer than that in the control group (P < 0.05). It was obviously alleviated in the DGR group (P < 0.05) when compared with the model group and the PIO group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). But it was severer in the PIO group than in the model group (P < 0.01). The degree of fatty liver in the combination group ranged between that of the DGR group and the PIO group (P < 0.05). The level of VCAM-1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the DGR group than in the model group, the PIO group, and the combination group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>DGR had effect in lowering blood glucose and blood lipids, and fighting against fatty liver of transgenic Apo E(-/-) mouse with spontaneous atherosclerosis. DGR played an effective role in preventing and treating DM with angiopathy by comprehensively regulating glycolipid metabolism and promoting the vascular function.</p>

Research of Dangua Recipe on intervening the glycolipid metabolism and oxidative stress in diabetic rats with atherosclerosis / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of Dangua Recipe (DGR) on glycolipid metabolism, serum reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) positive expression and its mRNA expression level in the thoracic aorta of diabetic rats with atherosclerosis, thus revealing its partial mechanisms for intervening chronic diabetic complications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Recruited 40 Goto-Kakisaki (GK) Wistar rats were fed with high fat forage containing metabolic inhibition Propylthiouracil, and peritoneally injected with endothelial NOS inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester to establish a high fat diabetes model with atherosclerosis. The modeled GK rats were stratified by body weight, and then, by blood glucose level from high to low, randomly divided into the DGR group (at the daily dose of 8 mL/kg), the metformin group (MET, at the daily dose of 150 mg/kg), the simvastatin group (SIM, at the daily dose of 2 mg/kg), and the model group (MOD, fed with pure water, at the daily dose of 8 mL/kg) according to the random number table, 10 in each group. Another 10 Wistar rats of the same ages and comparable body weight level were recruited as the normal control group. All the interventions lasted for 24 weeks by gastrogavage. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weight were monitored. The HbA1c, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, serum ROS were determined. The aortic NF-kappaB level was analyzed with immunohistochemical assay. The expression of NF-kappaB (P65) mRNA in the aorta was detected with Real-time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The body weight in the normal control group was eventually heavier than others (P < 0.01). There was no difference among the four groups of GK modeled rats (P > 0.05). The FBG in the four GK modeled groups were higher than that in the normal control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the blood glucose level at the first visit and at the baseline among the GK modeled groups (P > 0.05). The last FBG level was obviously lower in the MET and DGR groups than in the MOD group (P < 0.01) and the SIM group (P < 0.05). Twenty-four weeks after intervention, the level of FBG, HbA1c, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and NF-kappaB positive expression rate of the thoracic aorta of the four groups of GK modeled rats, and NF-kappaB mRNA expression in the thoracic aorta in the MOD group, the MET group, and the DGR group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The TG level, serum ROS in the MET, DGR, and SIM groups, and the NF-kappaB mRNA expression level in the thoracic aorta in the SIM group were significantly lower than those in the normal control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The levels of FBG, TC, LDL-C, serum ROS, NF-kappaB mRNA expression level in the thoracic aorta in three drug intervention groups, and NF-kappaB positive expression rate in the DGR and MET groups, and the levels of HbA1c, TG in the DGR group were significantly lower than those in the MOD group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The level of FBG in the MET and DGR groups were lower than that in the SIM group (P < 0.05). The level of NF-kappaB mRNA expression in the thoracic aorta of the SIM and DGR groups, and the levels of TC and LDL-C in the DGR group were significantly lower than those in the MET group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DGR played a role in preventing and treating chronic diabetic complications by comprehensively regulating blood glucose and serum lipids, as well as down-regulating oxidative stress.</p>

Outcome of in vitro fertilization in endometriosis-associated infertility: a 5-year database cohort study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Endometriosis affects natural fertility through various approaches, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a good treatment. But the IVF result of endometriosis patients is still under debate. We investigated the effect of endometriosis on IVF by analyzing the data from a single reproductive center.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective, database-searched cohort study was performed. Relevant information was collected from the electronic records of women who underwent IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection between January 2006 and December 2010 in the Assisted Reproductive Unit of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. Patients with endometriosis were enrolled the study group. The rest of the women formed the control group. The main outcome was the clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes were oocytes retrieved number, fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, number of high-quality embryo for embryo transplantation, and implantation embryo/high-quality embryo ratio (IE/HQE ratio). Comparisons were performed by the c(2)-test and independent t-test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The endometriosis group (n = 177) had a markedly lower oocytes retrieved number, fertilization rate, implantation rate, and clinical pregnancy rate (7.6 ± 5.1, 63.6%, 27.7%, and 45.2%, respectively) compared with the non-endometriosis group (n = 4267; 11.8 ± 7.3, 68.4%, 36.2%, and 55.2%, respectively). Stratified analysis showed that this difference was found in the subgroup younger than 35-years old, while only fertilization rate and implantation rate were different in the elder subgroup. The ratio of high-quality embryos transferred is lower in endometriosis group (53.7% vs. 71.8%, P < 0.05), but there is no difference in IE/HQE ratio between two groups. There is no significant difference in fertilization rate, implantation rate, and clinical pregnancy rate between mild and severe endometriosis patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endometriosis patients suffer a decreasing IVF pregnancy rates mainly caused by reducing oocytes number and fertilization rate, regardless of the severity of the disease. Appropriate intracytoplasmic sperm injection manipulation might improve the outcomes of IVF.</p>

Fetal reduction by bipolar cord coagulation in managing complicated monochorionic multiple pregnancies: preliminary experience in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Monochorionic multiple pregnancies (MMPs) are associated with higher rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality caused by interfetal vascular anastomoses in the monochorionic placenta, which can lead to fetal health interactions. In some circumstances, selective feticide of the affected fetus is necessary to save the healthy co-twin. We evaluated the effects and safety of our initial experiences using bipolar cord coagulation for the management of complicated MMPs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using ultrasound-guided bipolar cord coagulation, we performed selective feticide on 14 complicated MMPs (5 with twin-twin transfusion syndrome, 4 with acardia, 3 with discordant structural anomalies, and 2 with severe selective intrauterine growth restriction). One patient with monochorionic triplets received the procedure twice to terminate 2 affected fetuses for different indications. Data regarding the operations, complications and neonatal outcomes were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cord occlusions were successfully performed in 13/14 (93%) cases. The failure happened in an acardiac fetus and the pregnancy was terminated by induction. The included cases delivered at a mean gestational age of 35.4 weeks with a perinatal survival rate of 11/13 (85%). Three operation-related complications occurred (21%), including membrane rupture of the terminated sac (1 case), preterm labor at 28 weeks gestation (1 case), and chorioamniotic membrane separation (1 case). Amnioinfusion was indicated in 11 procedures to expand the target sacs for entering the trocar and obtaining sufficient working space. However, in all 4 cases of acardia, the acardiac sacs showed extreme oligohydramnios and could not be well expanded by infusion; thus, the trocar had to be inserted from the sac of the preserved co-twin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The application of bipolar cord coagulation in complicated MMPs is safe and improves the prognosis. Amnioinfusion is useful in helping to expand the target sac when the working space is limited.</p>

Soft tissue changes of upper lip in patients with class I malocclusion with different premolar extraction patterns / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this retrospective cephalometric study was to compare changes of the upper lip soft tissue in patients with Class I malocclusion after extraction of either first premolars or second premolars.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The pretreatment and posttreatment records of 50 patients were used in the study. And 25 patients involved extraction of first premolars and 25 patients involved the extraction of second premolars. The lateral cephalometric radiographs taken before and after treatment were traced and measured. 15 typical values of soft tissue were measured in Winceph 7.0 software and statistical analysis was carried by SPSS 10.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1) The horizontal and vertical lines were not significant different in the two extraction group before the treatment. But after the treatment the vertical changes of upper lip (A'-X, UL-X) were more apparent in the second premolar extraction group (P < 0.05). 2)In the soft tissue measurements, the values of Sn-A'-UL in the first premolar extraction group were less than those in the second premolar extraction group significantly before the treatment. After the treatment all the patients had a significant increase in length of upper lip. At the same time, UL-EP, A'-EP distances were diminished obviously (P < 0.05). But the changes were not significant difference between the two premolar extraction groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The upper lips both changed remarkably after the treatment and there was no significant difference between the two premolar extraction groups.</p>

Deep fascia composite autologous red bone marrow transplantation for the treatment of fracture nonunion / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>According to bone regeneration under the membrane and the bone regeneration deep fascia composite autologous red bone marrow transplantation applied in the treatment of fracture nonunion, in order to find a simple and effective clinical treatment of nonunion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Since March 2006 to March 2009,17 patients of fracture nonunion were treated by the deep fascia composite autologous bone marrow transplantation,included 10 males and 7 females, aged from 7 to 52 years old (means 32 years). There were 10 cases of tibia, 5 cases of radius, 2 cases of clavicle. Injured to admission time was from 7 to 36 months (means 12 months). Ten cases underwent operation for 1 time,5 cases for twice and 2 cases for 3 times. The position of nonunion were all at bone shaft and the condition of the skin and soft tissue was good. X-ray film showed 11 cases of hyperplasia nonunion, 6 cases of shrinking. The original fixation were removed and the intramedullary nail or plate fixation were re-used, and fracture ends were sutured closed by autogenous deep fascia and implanted with autologous red bone marrow.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seventeen patients were followed-up for from 5 months to 2 years with an average of 1 year. Fracture healing time was from 12 to 20 weeks (means 16 weeks). According to the criteria of fracture healing to assess efficacy, the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 2 cases and poor in 1 case.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Deep fascia composite autologous autologous red bone marrow transplantation for the treatment of fracture nonunion is suitable at the bone shaft and good condition of skin and soft tissue. The method has been observed that the fracture healing time is short.</p>

The Feasibility of Using Classification and Identification Techniques to Auto-Assess the Quality of Health Information on the Web / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVE: An automatic detection tool was created for examining health-related webpage quality we went further by examining its feasibility and performance. METHODS: We developed an automatic detection system to auto-assess the authorship quality indicator of an health-related information webpage for governmental websites in Taiwan. The system was integrated with the Chinese word segmentation system developed by the Academia Sinica in Taiwan and the SVM(light), which serve as an SVM (Support Vector Machine) Classifiers and a method of information extraction and identification. The system was coded in Visual Basic 6.0, using SQL 2000. RESULTS: We developed the first Chinese automatic webpage classification and information identifier to evaluate the quality of web information. The sensitivity and specificity of the classifier on the training set of webpages were both as high as 100% and only one health webpage in the test set was misclassified, due to the fact that it contained both health and non-health information content. The sensitivity of our authorship identifier is 75.3%, with a specificity of 87.9%. CONCLUSION: The technical feasibility of auto-assessment for the quality of health information on the web is acceptable. Although it is not sufficient to assure the total quality of web contents, it is good enough to be used to support the entire quality assurance program.