Qiliqiangxin (QL) has protective effect for the cardiovascular diseases treatment.This study aim to evaluate the effect of QL on the cell viability, cell apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in oxidized LDL (oxLDL)-induced Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells (HCAECs).HCAECs were treated with QL (0-1µg/ml) and oxLDL (150 μg/ml).The HCAECs viability was detected by cell proliferation assay and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay.The HCAECs apoptosis was evaluated by the annexin V-FITC assay.The activity of caspase-3 of HCAECs was measured by colorimetric caspase-3 assay.Cell migration assay and capillary-like tube formation assay on Matrigel were performed.Treatment of HCAECs to ox-LDL (150 μg/ml) decreased cell viability, stimulated apoptosis and enhanced caspase-3 activity.In addition, treatment with QL (0.5 µg/ml) alone did not affect cell viability and LDH release.Furthermore, the treatment with QL (0.5 µg/ml) significantly increased ox-LDL (150 μg/ml) decreased cell viability.Treatment with QL (0.5 µg/ml) reduced ox-LDL-stimulated apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in HCAECs in a dose-dependent manner.QL (0.5 µg/ml) attenuated ox-LDL (150 μg/ml) abolished cell migration and tube formation.Our study demonstrated that QL prevents ox-LDLinduced HCAECs injury by decreasing the apoptosis via caspase-3 activity.
Background: The relationship between blood pressure variability and stroke in progression (SIP) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of blood pressure variability estimated by average real variability on SIP. Method: We prospected enrolled 251 consecutive patients with AIS or TIA (within 7 days after onset). Blood pressure was measured at 2 h intervals throughout the first 24 h, then every 4 h up to the 7th day. Average real variability was used to represent blood pressure variability. Ischemic stroke (IS) patients with an increase of national institutes of health stroke scale ≥ 3 scores or TIA patients in the event of stroke within 7 days after admission were defined as stroke. Patients were grouped in low and high blood pressure average real variability groups. Results: The incidence rate of SIP was 8.3%. In univariate analysis, high D2-7 systolic blood pressure average real variability, female, and high total cholesterol level were significantly associated with SIP. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, SIP was independently predicted by total cholesterol and high D2-7 systolic blood pressure average real variability. Conclusion: High D2-7 systolic blood pressure average real variability was an independent predictor of SIP in AIS or TIA patients.
In reconstructive surgery the use of pre-vascularized soft tissue equivalents is a promising approach for wound coverage of defects after tumor resection or trauma. However, in previous studies to generate soft tissue equivalents on collagen membranes, microcapillaries were restricted to superfical areas. In this study, to understand which factors were involved in the formation of these microcapillaries, the levels of the angiogenic factors Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) in the supernatants of the tissue equivalents were examined at various time points and conditions. Additionally, the influence of these factors on viability, proliferation, migration and tube formation in monocultures compared to cocultures of fibroblast and endothelial cells was examined. The results showed that VEGF production was decreased in cocultures compared to fibroblast monocultures and the lowest VEGF levels were observed in endothelial cell monocultures. Additionally, the highest levels of IL-8 were observed in cocultures compared to monocultures. Similar results were observed for bFGF with lowest levels seen within the first 24 hours and highest levels in cocultures. VEGF and IL-8 were shown to promote endothelial cell viability, proliferation and migration and angiogenic parameters such as tube density, total tube length and number of tube branches. Addition of VEGF and IL-8 to cocultures resulted in accelerated and denser formation of capillary-like structures. The results indicate that VEGF, IL-8 and bFGF strongly influence cellular behavior of endothelial cells and this information should be useful in promoting the formation of microcapillary-like structures in complex tissue equivalents. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is one of the most common childhood diseases which, if not carefully mitigated, can pose menacing risks like hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis, ultimately leading to heart disease, kidney failure and other life-threatening complications. In order to reduce these risks, two existing control schemes are implemented with the purpose of simulation-based comparative analysis between linear and nonlinear control strategies. In this regards, H1 is selected as a nonlinear strategy whereas lead-lag compensation is the choice from the class of classical linear strategies. The designed control scheme consists of three main components: a controller, an Insulin Feedback Loop (IFL) and a Safety Mechanism (SM). IFL is designed such that it modifies the loop gain for the reduction of postprandial hypoglycemia risks, and the SM predicts the future glucose levels and acts accordingly by modifying the controller output to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. The comparison of the transient and dynamic performances in terms of rise time, settling time and overshoot of both controllers is analysed. It is observed that the H1 gives a far sturdy response as compared to the lead-lag controller.
The functions of ultrasonic velocity, density and viscosity for ternary liquid mixtures of 1-proponol, 1- butanol and 1-pentanol with tetra hydro furan are determined by 303.15 K-313.15 K. This data is used to calculate various parameters like the excess free volume, excess internal pressure and Gibb’s free energy, which is used to discuss molecular interactions in the ternary liquid mixtures.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the clinical effect of arterial chemoembolization transcatheter (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation during the clinical treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: A total of 82 patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma were selected as experimental subjects. These patients received treatment at our hospital from May 2015 to January 2017. Digital parity method was used to divide patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma into two groups. For the control group (41 patients), TACE was adopted for the clinical treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma. For the observation group (41 patients), TACE combined with Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) was utilized. Finally, the two groups of patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma were compared in terms of disease treatment effect, treatment satisfaction, liver-function-related indicator, and immune function. Results: The total effective rate of patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma in the observation group (97.56%) exhibited significant improvement compared with that of patients in the control group (65.85%) (P<0.05). The treatment satisfaction of patients in the observation group (97.56%) was significantly higher than that of patients in the control group (68.29%) (P<0.05). Furthermore, the liverfunction- related index of patients in the observation group displayed significant improvement compared with that of patients in the control group (P<0.05). The immune function of patients in the observation group also showed significant improvement compared with that of patients in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: During the clinical treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma, TACE combined with RFA for clinical treatment can improve the treatment efficacy, immune function, and liver function index of patients, thereby improving the prognostic ability of patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma.
In any way, the key to success is to early identify the etiology and make preliminary evaluation on severity of bile leakage. Computed tomography of abdomen and MRCP are essential to help better assessment-making of cystic duct stump. Whatever you found, timely adequate drainage of abdominal fluid accumulation really does matter to avoid reoperation. It's very important to place nasobiliary tube that is favorable with decompression of bile duct [3]. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage is also an essential practical step to improve symptoms of biliary peritonitis’s. Otherwise, patients' loss may outweigh their gain on the initial goal of minimally invasive surgery and cosmetic advantage. If possible, residual stones might be removed by using spy-glass tool. The conservative therapeutic period usually needs 4~6 w to promise natural complete closure of cystic duct stump by itself.
The validation of virus-free blood donors is often neglected possibly related to the high cost process analyzing. While, validity of the medical status of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is crucial for blood donors quality. ELISA is common method for HCV detection, however inaccurate result possibly occurred during the window period. Hence, the validation of this method using molecular test is still required. The samples were collected from 100 blood donors consist of 85 males (85%) and 15 females (15%) from Tuban region, East Java Indonesia. The ELISA kit test resulted 100% of negative HCV. Surprisingly, after validated using PCR there were found 6 blood samples (6%) positively infected HCV. This study encourages who one concerned to propose that PCR-based validation for screening blood donors is necessarily required.
The purpose of this study was to determine if an association exists between tongue strength and lower muscle strength, and skeletal muscle mass, in Taekwondo athletes. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 35 young adults aged ≥ 19 (14 women and 21 men) gave their written informed consent to participate. A bio-impedance body composition analyser determined body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, and other body composition values. A hand-held dynamometer was used to evaluate quadriceps lower muscle strength. Tongue strength was assessed by measuring maximal tongue pressure against a tongue depressor connected to a strain gauge dynamometer. Partial correlation coefficients for tongue strength significantly correlated with skeletal muscle mass (r=0.518, P=0.001), grip strength (r=0.460, P=0.005), and lower muscle strength (r=0.487, P=0.003). However, tongue strength was inversely correlated with flexibility (r=-0.406, P=0.016). After adjusting for sex, tongue strength remained significantly correlated with skeletal muscle mass (r=0.345, P=0.045), and lower muscle strength (r=0.346, P=0.045). This crosssectional study is the first to report the association between tongue strength and grip strength, lower muscle strength, and skeletal muscle mass, in Taekwondo athletes. Our data suggests that the measurement of tongue strength may provide a new approach to determining muscle strength.
Solid Pseudo-Papillary Neoplasia (SPN) is the rare tumors of the pancreas. The aim of the current study is documentation of the data of the patients. The data of patients with pancreatic neoplasm were presented to Gastroenterology Department between 2010 and 2014 were evaluated retrospectively. A database of the characteristics of these patients was developed, including demographic, laboratory, radiological, surgical and pathological features and the immuno-histochemical staining of tumor specimens. Analysis of 323 patients diagnosed with pancreas malignancies in our hospital between 2010 and 2014 demonstrated that 5 patients (1.5%) were diagnosed with SPN. Of these five patients, four were females and one was male. Their average age was 27 (range: 16-50). CA 19-9 levels were normal in four patients while slightly increase in one (60 U/mL (0-33)) and there were the other tumor markers under a normal range 5-10.3 cm diameter in size, mean: 7.6 cm. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that CD10, CD56, Ki-67 and β-catenine was positive for all patients while other markers were variable. Progesteron and estrogen receptors were positive in histo-pathologic specimens of four patients. SPN is a rare tumor that develops principally in young women and has a good prognosis. Immunohistochemical staining is important in the differential diagnosis of SPN and estrogen positivity may have a role in pathogenesis of a limited patients.
Background: Myroides spp. is considered an opportunistic germ, possibly pathogenic in immunocompromised patients, in whom it may cause varied clinical pictures in terms of severity, from skin and soft tissue infections, fasciitis, to urinary or respiratory infections, central nervous system infections, endocarditis etc. Few cases of sepsis caused by Myroides spp. have been described. Case presentation: We present the case of an immunocompromised patient with diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, diagnosed with sepsis caused by Myroides spp. with a chronic leg ulcer as starting point, superinfected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris, and associating bronchopneumonia. Conclusion: The presence of Myroides spp. or of other opportunistic pathogens in an immunocompromised patient, especially in those with renal failure, diabetes and persistent skin lesions, should be considered in cases with lack of response to commonly recommended antibiotics in these situations, as a possible emergence of an opportunistic pathogen that creates difficulties for treatment.
Aim: Frailty is a syndrome that commonly affects the elderly population and is characterized by physical, mental and metabolic decline, increasing the risk for disability and death. The aim of this study was to study the relationship amongst the performance in 6 min walk distance, 2-min step, sit-up, and up and go tests with frailty and its relationship with select, pre-identified factors in a communitydwelling elderly Mexican population. Methods: The study comprised 170 individuals between 65-90 y old from 5 community centres in Mexico City. Frailty was defined using the Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP) criteria. A set of variables were used to explore associations between mobility and frailty, health conditions, and quality of life. Results: Mean age of participants was 72.6 ± 6.5 y, 82.3% of which were women. The prevalence of frailty was 25.9% (n=44). Frailty was more frequent in women, in persons aged 80 y and over as well as in those demonstrating low performance in the 2-min step, sit-up, and up and go tests. Lipoperoxidation measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl blood concentrations, as markers of oxidative stress, were significantly elevated in frail vs. non-frail subjects Conclusion: Frailty is a common pathology in a sample of the elderly community in Mexico. It is associated to low physical performance, quality of life, body composition and metabolic parameters and high oxidative stress.
Aim: Some studies showed that tumor necrosis factor gene polymorphism related to the progression of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to explore the correlation between the gene polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor and diabetic retinopathy in clinical cases. Methods: We took the clinical cases as research subjects. The patients with type I and type II diabetes mellitus who had retinopathy and no retinopathy were 120 cases and 100 cases. At the same time, we analyzed gene polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor for all the patients (rs1800629). Results: A allelic gene of rs1800629 related to type I diabetes mellitus. We did not find significant correlation between rs1800629 and diabetic retinopathy by adjusting age, gender, duration of diabetes mellitus, HbALc, high blood pressure, kidney disease and other variables. Conclusion: This study has preliminarily confirmed that functional single nucleotide polymorphism A in promoter region related to type I diabetes mellitus, which had no significant correlation with diabetic retinopathy.
Objective: To study the protecting effect of combining probiotics with Glutamine (Gln) in intestinal barrier function of severe surgical patients. Methods: A total of 36 surgical patients with severe gastrointestinal diseases were randomly divided into routine Parenteral Nutrition (PN) group, probiotics group, and combination group, which received conventional PN, PN+probiotics and PN+probiotics+GLn respectively. Then all groups were measured the ratio of lactulose and Mannitol (L/M), the concentration of serum endotoxin, the level of intestinal Lactobacillus, and the number of gram-negative bacterium before operation and at the 3rd, 8th day after operation. Results: At 8th day, the ratio of lactulose and mannitol levels as well as the concentration of serum endotoxin in the probiotics group were much lower than those in the PN group (P<0.05), but much higher than the combination group (P<0.05)The level of intestinal Lactobacillus in the probiotics group was much higher than that in the PN group (P<0.05), but lower than the combination group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of gram-negative bacterium among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: Addition of probiotics to Gln therapy has better protecting effect in intestinal barrier function.
Background: Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) is a measure of platelet size, and is influenced by inflammation which is commonly overlooked by clinicians. In critically ill patients, sepsis is a major problem and considered a generalized process that involves all body organs and systems. Hemostatic system is commonly involved in any sepsis condition. The aim of this study is to detect changes of MPV on admission in critically ill children and determine its relation to other clinical and laboratory parameters that can be indicators of sepsis. Materials and Methods: Critically ill children, aged between 1 month and 12 y, consecutively presented to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) were assessed for possible enrolment in the study. Venous blood samples were collected from all included children at initial presentation, at 12 h and 48 h after PICU admission. MPV and other blood indices were measured and compared with systemic inflammatory process serum markers. Results: Changes in platelets count did not show any significant differences during the first 48 h in both MPV-rise (p=0.22) and MPV-no/rise groups (p=0.09). Changes in Procalcitonin (PCT) were significant in MPV-rise (p?0.001) but not in MPV-no/rise groups (p=0.06). Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate a strong relation between the increase in MPV from baseline in critically ill children admitted to PICU with important laboratory and clinical variables.
Congenital dacryocystocele is a rare congenital anomaly of the lacrimal drainage system (0.02% of newborns), which refers to the cystic dilatation of the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. In most cases the pathology is unilateral with female predominance. Bilateral cases constitute 10% of all cases and in most babies with bilateral disease there are coexistent nasal cysts. Clinically, dacryocystocele presents as a grey-bluish cystic swelling of the lacrimal sac in the medial canthal area that typically present at birth and often resolve spontaneously with conservative management in the first months of life. Bilateral cases of congenital dacryocele are rarely reported, especially isolated dacryocystoles without coexistent nasal cysts. We present a rare case of bilateral congenital dacryocystocele in a 10-day-old newborn boy, without concomitant intranasal cysts. The infant was treated conservative with spontaneous resolution of the disease 6 weeks after treatment initialization. No dacryocystitis or preseptal cellulitis was observed, nevertheless rupturing of the dacryocystocele to the common canaliculus.
