Advances on epithelial mesenchymal transformation and airway remodeling of asthma / 中国药理学通报

Bronchial asthma is a respiratory system disease char-acterized by airway remodeling as a pathological basis. Repeated inflammatory infiltration and tissue damage repair can lead to airway remodeling. At present,the mechanism of airway remod-eling is not comprehensive. Studies have shown that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in the genesis and development of airway remodeling. Airway epithelial cells can be induced to mesenchymal transition through a variety of secretion factors and signaling pathways,leading to airway re-modeling in asthma. This review summarizes the study of EMT and airway remodeling in asthma,providing a reference for clini-cal follow-up treatment and research.

Advances on treatment of allergic disease by isoflavonic phytoestrogens / 中国药理学通报

Isoflavone phytoestrogen,which is one of the biologi-cal flavonoids, has effect on immune system. Previous research has demonstrated that isoflavone phytoestrogens improve allergic symptom via sustaining Th1/Th2 balance, regulating immune cells and increasing the host on the food of the trigger tolerance effects. This review provides information for the effect of isofla-vone phytoestrogens on allergic disease and its mechanism, ho-ping to promote its research and utilization.

Effect of Elbow Position on Short-segment Nerve Conduction Study in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The appropriate elbow position of short-segment nerve conduction study (SSNCS) to diagnose cubital tunnel syndrome (CubTS) is still controversial. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of different elbow positions at full extension and 70° flexion on SSNCS in CubTS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this cross-sectional study, the clinical data of seventy elbows from 59 CubTS patients between September, 2011 and December, 2014 in the Peking University First Hospital were included as CubTS group. Moreover, thirty healthy volunteers were included as the healthy group. SSNCS were conducted in all subjects at elbow full extension and 70° elbow flexion. Paired nonparametric test, bivariate correlation, Bland-Altman, and Chi-squared test analysis were used to compare the effectiveness of elbow full extension and 70° flexion elbow positions on SSNCS in CubTS patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Data of upper limit was calculated from healthy group, and abnormal latency was judged accordingly. CubTS group's latency and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of each segment at 70° elbow flexion by SSNCS was compared with full extension position, no statistically significant difference were found (all P > 0.05). Latency and CMAP of each segment at elbow full extension and 70° flexion were correlated (all P < 0.01), except the latency of segment of 4 cm to 6 cm above elbow (P = 0.43), and the latency (P = 0.15) and the CMAP (P = 0.06) of segment of 2 cm to 4 cm below elbow. Bivariate correlation and Bland-Altman analysis proved the correlation between elbow full extension and 70° flexion. Especially in segments across the elbow (2 cm above the elbow and 2 cm below it), latency at elbow full extension and 70° flexion were strong direct associated (r = 0.83, P < 0.01; r = 0.55, P < 0.01), and so did the CMAP (r = 0.49, P < 0.01; r = 0.72, P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in abnormality of each segment at full extension as measured by SSNCS compared with that at 70° flexion (P > 0.05, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There was no statistically significant difference in the diagnosis of CubTS with the elbow at full extension compared with that at 70° flexion during SSNCS. We suggest that elbow positon at full extension can also be used during SSNCS.</p>

Preliminary study on the lesion location and prognosis of cubital tunnel syndrome by motor nerve conduction studies / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To study lesions' location and prognosis of cubital tunnel syndrome (CubTS) by routine motor nerve conduction studies (MNCSs) and short-segment nerve conduction studies (SSNCSs, inching test).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty healthy subjects were included and 60 ulnar nerves were studied by inching studies for normal values. Sixty-six patients who diagnosed CubTS clinically were performed bilaterally by routine MNCSs and SSNCSs. Follow-up for 1-year, the information of brief complaints, clinical symptoms, and physical examination were collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixty-six patients were included, 88 of nerves was abnormal by MNCS, while 105 was abnormal by the inching studies. Medial epicondyle to 2 cm above medial epicondyle is the most common segment to be detected abnormally (59.09%), P < 0.01. Twenty-two patients were followed-up, 17 patients' symptoms were improved. Most of the patients were treated with drugs and modification of bad habits.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>(1) SSNCSs can detect lesions of compressive neuropathy in CubTS more precisely than the routine motor conduction studies. (2) SSNCSs can diagnose CubTS more sensitively than routine motor conduction studies. (3) In this study, we found that medial epicondyle to 2 cm above the medial epicondyle is the most vulnerable place that the ulnar nerve compressed. (4) The patients had a better prognosis who were abnormal in motor nerve conduction time only, but not amplitude in compressed lesions than those who were abnormal both in velocity and amplitude. Our study suggests that SSNCSs is a practical method in detecting ulnar nerve compressed neuropathy, and sensitive in diagnosing CubTS. The compound muscle action potentials by SSNCSs may predict prognosis of CubTS.</p>

Prevention against and treatment of doxorubicin-induced acute cardiotoxicity by dexrazoxane and schisandrin B / 药学学报

In this study, it is to compare the effectiveness of prevention against and treatment of doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity by dexrazoxane and schisandrin B (Sch B) in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the following 6 groups: normal saline group, DOX group, DOX+DEX group, DOX+Sch B (80 mg x kg(-1)) group, DOX+Sch B (40 mg x kg(-1)) group and DOX+Sch B (20 mg x kg(-1)) group. The results showed that Sch B could combat the increase of myocardial enzymes in peripheral blood, decrease of the enzyme activity of myocardial tissue antioxidant enzymes and disorders of systolic and diastolic function of heart in rats intravenously injected with doxorubicin (15 mg x kg(-1)). Sch B was better than DEX in protecting rat against DOX-induced the symptoms. Sch B could protect rat against DOX-induced acute cardiomyopathy and has clinical potential applications.

Pathogenesis and electrodiagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Cubital tunnel syndrome is a well-recognized clinical condition and is the second most common peripheral compression neuropathy. This study was designed to investigate the causes of cubital tunnel syndrome by surgical means and to assess the clinical value of the neurophysiological diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-one patients (involving a total of 22 limbs from 16 men and 5 women, aged 22 to 63, with a mean age of 49 years) with clinical symptoms and signs indicating a problem with their ulnar nerve underwent motor conduction velocity examinations at different sites along the ulnar nerve and examinations of sensory conduction velocity in the hand, before undergoing anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Electromyographic abnormalities were seen in 21 of 22 limbs [motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) range (15.9 - 47.5) m/s, mean 32.7 m/s] who underwent motor conduction velocity examinations across the elbow segment of the ulnar nerve. Reduced velocity was observed in 13 of 22 limbs [MCV (15.7 - 59.6) m/s, mean 40.4 m/s] undergoing MCV tests in the forearms. An absent or abnormal sensory nerve action potential following stimulation was detected in the little finger of 14 of 22 limbs. The factors responsible for ulnar compression based on observations made during surgery were as follows: 15 cases involved compression by arcuate ligaments, muscle tendons, or bone hyperplasia; 2 involved fibrous adhesion; 3 involved compression by the venous plexus or a concurrent thick vein; 2 involved compression by cysts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Factors inducing cubital tunnel syndrome include both common factors that have been reported and rare factors, involving the venous plexus, thick veins, and cysts. Tests of motor conduction velocity at different sites along the ulnar nerve should be helpful in diagnosis cubital tunnel syndrome, especially MCV tests indicating decreased velocity across the elbow segment of the ulnar nerve.</p>

Value of sympathetic skin response test in the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Diabetic neuropathy is common in diabetes mellitus. The early stage of diabetic neuropathy is often symptomless and difficult to be treated. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the results of the sympathetic skin response (SSR) test and the development of diabetic neuropathy, and explore the use of SSR as an objective basis for the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The latencies and amplitudes of initiation and of the N and P waves were determined by SSR testing of the extremities of 80 diabetic patients and 30 healthy controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The latencies of initiation and of the N and P waves were significantly (P <0.001) longer in diabetic patients than in the controls, while there was no significant difference in the amplitudes (P >0.05). All but two patients (97.5%) demonstrated abnormal SSR in at least one limb.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SSR can detect early dysfunction of the small sympathetic fibers in people affected by diabetes mellitus, and may be a useful electrophysiological test for the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.</p>