Search

The pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is unclear. House dust mite (HDM) is associated with immune inflammation in the body. This study is designed to identify the association between HDM and UC clinical symptoms. UC patients (n = 86) and non-UC control (NC) subjects (n = 64) were recruited. Colon lavage fluids (CLF) were collected from HDM skin prick test positive patients during colonoscopy, and analyzed by immunological approaches. HDM was detected in fecal samples, which was positively correlated with UC clinical symptoms. HDM-specific eosinophils and Th2 cells were detected in CLF, which could be specifically activated by exposing to HDM in the culture. Direct exposure to HDM induced eosinophil activation in the colon of UC patients. UC patients displayed elevated levels of Th2 cytokines in the serum. UC clinical symptom scores were positively correlated with serum levels of Th2 cytokines. HDM was detected in UC patients’ stools, which was positively correlated with UC clinical symptoms. Direct exposure to HDM could trigger eosinophilic activation of the colon.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Granulosa cells (GCs) surrounding oocytes are crucial for follicular growth, oocyte development, ovulation, and luteinization under the dynamic co-stimulation of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). This study aimed to investigate the effect of LH levels on GCs in preovulatory follicles under gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist-based ovarian stimulation. In vitro experiments were also conducted to study the direct effect of LH on GCs. METHODS: Twelve infertile women were divided into low (L), medium (M), and high (H) LH groups according to their serum LH levels during ovarian stimulation. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was conducted to examine the transcriptome profiles of GCs obtained from the above patients during the oocyte retrieval. The activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenase was measured under the stimulation of recombinant LH (rLH) concentration gradient combined with recombinant FSH. The ultrastructures of subcellular organelles were observed. RESULTS: Bioinformatic analyses showed that compared with the M group, molecule and pathway changes in the L group and in the H group were similar. In cultured GCs, both insufficient and excessive rLH impaired the activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenase. With the medium rLH concentration, numerous cell connections and abundant mitochondria and liposomes were observed. Compared with the medium concentration, GCs showed smaller and rounder mitochondria, more autophagosomes, and massive organelles damages with excessive rLH, and swollen, circular, or forked mitochondria were observed with inadequate rLH. CONCLUSIONS: RNA-seq provided a novel spectrum of transcriptome characteristics of GCs potentially affected by serum LH levels during ovarian stimulation. In vitro, rLH could directly affect GCs at the subcellular level. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10815-021-02066-8.

This study explored the impact of low luteinizing hormone (LH) levels during ovarian stimulation on endometrial function. Based on previous studies by us and others, we divided the patients into low ( 4 IU/L), medium (4-10 IU/L), and high ( 10 IU/L) LH groups. The study utilized a comparison control group design with three groups of 10 patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied for functional annotation. By analyzing the exon differentially expressed genes in the endometrium of these three patient groups during the embryo implantation window, we found that when compared to the medium LH group, low LH downregulated endometrial cell metabolism, including mitochondrial-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (Normalized Enrichment Scores, NES = - 1.53) and glycolytic metabolism (NES = - 1.22), immune regulation, and autophagy (NES = - 1.58). Transcription factors were the main regulators of cell function. We found that MCM2 was probably involved in regulating the endometrial function induced by low LH. MCM2 target genes were enriched in low LH group, NES = - 1.54. Low LH, but not high LH, altered the endometrial receptivity assay gene expression in comparison to the medium LH. Our results indicated that low LH impacted the endometrial cell function, with a greater effect than high LH. This research provides timely and necessary data on the involvement of LH in important endometrial cellular processes and these data support further clinical development of endometrial receptivity.

To prospectively study the accuracy of the palliative prognostic index (PPI) survival prediction model combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation.The PPI survival prediction model was used to predict survival time. Patients' real survival time was recorded. The survival time was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the logrank method was used to test the difference.The average PPI survival prediction score of 227 patients was 5.83 (95% CI: 5.29-6.37). There was a significant difference in the real-life period between the different PPI groups (P0.05). PPI group I (predicted survival of6 weeks) showed the highest predictive sensitivity and PPI group II (predicted survival of 3-6 weeks) showed the highest predictive specificity. According to TCM syndrome differentiation, 82 cases (36% ) were diagnosed with liver and kidney Yin deficiency (type IV). The actual survival time of type IV patients was significantly shorter than that of other types of patients (mean: 21.85 vs 28.70, P = 0.007). In group I, the median survival time of type IV patients and other types was 25 and 34 d, respectively (P0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of PPI prediction were improved in group II by TCM syndrome differentiation. For patients in group III whose predicted survival time was3 weeks, the specificity of PPI survival prediction was higher in type IV patients.This study shows that the PPI predictive tool for survival rate has important value. TCM syndrome differentiation and typing has certain significance for further classification and survival prediction.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the mainstay in the treatment of allergic diseases, but the therapeutic effects of AIT need to be improved. CD38We sought to elucidate the role of antigen-specific CD38An analysis was carried out on AIT results of 48 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (AR), among which peripheral blood immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry; serum cytokine levels were determined by ELISA. An AR murine model was developed to test the role of CD38A fraction of antigen-specific CD38Antigen-specific CD38

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of phenylalanine and leucine in patients with severe infection. Methods: Ninety-three patients with infection who had a quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score ≥2 were enrolled. Plasma phenylalanine, leucine, albumin, C-reactive protein, pre-albumin, and transferrin were measured and the SOFA score at enrollment was calculated after hospitalization. Results: During the 3-month follow-up, 30 (32.3%) patients died. Death was associated with higher SOFA scores, a higher incidence of bacteremia and admission to the intensive care unit, higher C-reactive protein and phenylalanine levels, worse kidney function, and lower pre-albumin and transferrin levels. Patients were categorized into three groups: high-risk type 1 (phenylalanine ≥84 μM), high-risk type 2 (phenylalanine

OBJECTIVES Myocardial bridging (MB) can cause myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, or even sudden cardiac death. We aimed to evaluate the left ventricular function in patients with MB of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) using longitudinal strain (LS) measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. METHODS We enrolled 46 subjects with MB in the LAD diagnosed by coronary angiography. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the severity of tunneled artery stenosis

Background Ultrafast ultrasound imaging has been demonstrated to be an effective method to evaluate carotid stiffness through carotid pulse wave velocity (PWV) with high reproducibility, but lack of reference values has precluded its widespread use in clinical practice. This study aimed to establish reference values of PWV for ultrafast ultrasound imaging in a prospective, multicenter, population-based cohort study and to investigate the main determinants of carotid PWV. Methods A total of 1,544 healthy Han Chinese volunteers (581 [38%] men; age, 18–95 years) were enrolled from 32 collaborating laboratories in China. The participants were categorized by age, blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI). The basic clinical parameters and the carotid PWV at the beginning of systole (BS) and end of systole (ES) were measured via ultrafast ultrasound imaging techniques. Results The PWV at both BS and ES was significantly higher in the left carotid artery than in the right carotid artery. The PWV at BS was significantly higher in men than in women; however, no significant difference was noted in the PWV at ES between men and women. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that age, BP, and BMI were independently correlated with the PWV at both BS and ES. The PWV at BS and ES progressively increased with increase in age, BP, and BMI. Further, the age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid PWV for ultrafast ultrasound imaging were established. Conclusions Reference values of carotid PWV for ultrafast ultrasound imaging, stratified by sex and age, were determined for the first time. Age, BP, and BMI were the dominant determinants of carotid PWV for ultrafast ultrasound imaging, which should be considered in clinical practice for assessing arterial stiffness.

Aims Previous studies found a relationship between elevated phenylalanine levels and poor cardiovascular outcomes. Potential strategies are available to manipulate phenylalanine metabolism. This study investigated whether increased phenylalanine predicted mortality in critical patients with either acute heart failure (HF) or acute on chronic HF, and its correlation with inflammation and immune cytokines. Methods and results This study recruited 152 subjects, including 115 patients with HF admitted for critical conditions and 37 normal controls. We measured left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), plasma concentrations of phenylalanine, C‐reactive protein, albumin, pre‐albumin, transferrin, and pro‐inflammatory and immune cytokines. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and maximal vasoactive–inotropic scores (VISmax) were calculated. Patients were followed up until death or a maximum of 1 year. The primary endpoint was all‐cause death. Of the 115 patients, 37 (32.2%) were admitted owing to acute HF, and 78 (67.8%) were admitted owing to acute on chronic HF; 64 (55.7%) had ST elevation/non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction. An LVEF measured during the hospitalization of

Background High levels of suspended particulate matters (PMs) and bioaerosols are created by dental procedures. The present study aimed to evaluate the size and concentration of PMs produced by drilling and grinding teeth, and to assess the efficiency of central vacuum system and protective masks for the removal of PMs. Methods A total of 20 extracted permanent teeth were collected. A novel experimental system and particle counter were used to evaluate the PMs produced by dental procedures and the PM removal efficiency of a central vacuum system and surgical/N95 masks. Results The number concentration of total PMs produced by drilling and grinding teeth was significantly higher than the indoor background concentration. The average aerodynamic diameter of particle was generally less than 1 μm. The average number concentration of ultrafine particles was 2.1x1011 particles/m3 during tooth drilling and grinding. The efficiency of the central vacuum system was 35.74% for PM≥0.5 and 35.41% for PM10. For PM≥0.5, the ratios of inside and outside masks were 0.8-1.34 without vacuum and 1.18-1.36 with vacuum. No difference was found with the use of surgical/N95 masks during dental therapy, with or without vacuum use. Conclusions High levels of PMs were found during tooth drilling and grinding procedures, especially among PM1. The PM removal efficiency of a central vacuum system and surgical/N95 masks were limited.

Background: Administration of chemotherapy and radiotherapy near the end of life is a frequently discussed issue nowadays. We have evaluated the factors associated with the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the end of life among terminally ill patients in China. Methods: This study included the data from patients who had died from advanced cancer who underwent palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy between January 2007 and December 2013 at the Department of Palliative Care of Fudan University, Shanghai Cancer Center. Data were collected from hospital medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the factors independently associated with the use of chemo- and radiotherapy. Results: Among the 410 patients included (median age, 68 years; range, 18-93; 53% males), 47 (11.5%) underwent palliative chemotherapy and 28 (6.8%) underwent radiotherapy in the last 30 days. Age Conclusion: The findings indicate that younger patients with a lower performance status who do not have complications are more likely to opt for chemo- or radiotherapy. Further, the use of palliative chemo- and radiotherapy should be considered carefully in terminally ill patients with cancer, as they seem to indicate a higher risk of cardiovascular complications requiring resuscitation.

Background: Although palliative chemotherapy during end-of-life (EOL) care is used to relieve symptoms in patients with metastatic cancer, chemotherapy may lead to more aggressive EOL care. We evaluated the use of and variables associated with chemotherapy at EOL. Methods: This study included data from patients who died from advanced cancer and underwent palliative chemotherapy between April 2007 and May 2017 at the Department of Palliative Care of Fudan University, Shanghai Cancer Center. Data were collected from hospital medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the variables that independently predicted the use of palliative chemotherapy. Results: Among the 542 patients in the study, 85 (15.7%) underwent palliative chemotherapy during the last month and 28 (5.2%) underwent it during the last 2 weeks of life. Age Conclusion: The observed chemotherapy rates of 15.7% during the last month of life and 5.2% during the last 2 weeks of life are in line with international recommendations. This study showed that palliative chemotherapy is associated with more aggressive EOL care and indicates that younger patients and those with lower performance status are more likely to receive palliative chemotherapy. Significant variations in EOL treatment strategies among different age groups during the last year of life were also identified.

Bioaerosols produced by dental procedures may affect indoor air quality and cause infections in dental healthcare workers. To provide air quality data that can be used to protect dental healthcare workers, this study evaluated the air quality and its influencing factors in the dental department of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. The study was a cross-sectional study design. Indoor air quality (IAQ) evaluations were conducted in six locations: pediatric dentistry, craniofacial orthodontic dentistry, periodontal dentistry, and general practice dentistry, instrument washing room, and patient waiting area. The measured air quality parameters included temperature, relative humidity, and concentrations of CO2, total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), suspended particulate matter (PM), and bacteria. TVOCs concentrations at all six sampling stations were found to exceed the indoor air quality standards prescribed by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency. The highest concentrations of atmospheric PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were found in the periodontal dentistry department, while the lowest concentrations occurred in the patient waiting area. The detection rate for Gram-positive bacteria was highest in the pediatric department (25%) and lowest in the instrument washing room (9%). Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus cereus were the primary pathogens detected. The dental departments of the hospital had a serious TVOCs pollution. The air quality of dental departments deserves long-term surveillance and attention.

Our objective was to observe the effectiveness of the calcium ionophore A23187 or strontium chloride on the activation and subsequent embryonic development of 3-day-old human unfertilized oocytes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). A total of 279 3-day-old unfertilized oocytes after IVF or ICSI were randomized to be activated by the calcium ionophore A23187 (n=138) or strontium chloride (n=141). The activated oocytes were cultured in vitro for 3-5 days. Activation rate, pronucleus formation, cleavage rate, and developmental potential of parthenotes during culture were evaluated. A total of 170 unfertilized oocytes were activated; 65 developed to cleavage stage, 19 developed to greater than the eight-cell stage, and five blastocysts were obtained. The activation rate of the calcium ionophore A23187 group was higher than that of the strontium chloride group (75.4% and 46.8%, respectively; p

End-of-life (EOL) decision making is based on the values and wishes of terminally ill patients. However, little is known on the extent to which cultural factors affect personal attitudes toward life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in China. This study evaluated the cultural and ethical considerations during EOL decisions and assessed the factors that affect pursuing LSTs in China. We used a case–control study design and compared their baseline characteristics with the provided EOL care and treatments. The CPR treatment among patients with cancer at EOL was affected by Chinese family traditions and Western influences. Our results reflect the need to improve EOL care and treatment in China.

Background . Angiotensin II (AII) has been suggested to be one of the important factors for genesis of graft spasm in coronary artery bypass surgery. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of the nonpeptide angiotensin receptor AT 1 antagonist GR117289C on the contraction induced by AII and other vasoconstrictors in isolated human internal mammary artery (IMA) preparations. Methods . Two hundred eight IMA rings taken from 64 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were studied in organ baths. The interaction between GR117289C and AII or the other vasoconstrictors (U46619, norepinephrine, endothelin-1, and potassium chloride) was investigated in two ways. Results . GR117289C induced near-maximal relaxation (94.5% ± 2.9%) in IMA rings precontracted by AII. In IMA rings incubated with 1 or 10 nmol/L GR117289C, contractile responses to AII were attenuated in a concentration-related manner, whereas the dose-response curve did not shift to the right when higher doses of AII were administered, suggesting that the AT 1 receptor blockade was noncompetitive in nature. Moreover, GR117289C also induced significant relaxation (82.9% ± 8.1%) in IMA rings precontracted by U46619, but no inhibitory responses to U46619 could be observed when IMA rings were incubated with GR117289C. GR117289C did not alter responses to potassium chloride, norepinephrine, and endothelin-1. Conclusions . These results indicate that GR117289C is a potent, selective, noncompetitive AT 1 receptor antagonist that may have a possible antagonistic effect on the thromboxane A 2 receptor. Because AII and thromboxane A 2 are important vasoconstrictors in the genesis of graft spasm, GR117289C may become an alternative treatment to relieve graft spasm.

To conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial of infants born to hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers in order to investigate the dynamic changes in the titer of anti-HBV surface protein (HBS) induced by treatment with combined immunoprophylaxis (200 IU hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and 5 or 10 mug yeast recombinant hepatitis B vaccine), to compare the protective effect of 5 and 10 mug hepatitis B vaccine, and to provide an immunization strategy, monitoring mode and booster immunization schedule for the high-risk group.Two-hundred-and-sixty-nine infants born to HBsAg positive mothers were given combined immunoprophylaxis at birth, and the venous blood samples (at birth, and 1, 7 and 12 months) were tested for HBV DNA load, and HBsAg and anti-HBS titers.The overall 1-year protective rate of combined immunoprophylaxis was 95.9%. There was no significant difference between the infectious rates of infants given the 5 mug or the 10 mug hepatitis B vaccine (x2 = 0.876, P = 0.377). The geometric mean titers (GMTs) of anti-HBS were 144.1 mIU/ml at 1-month old and 564.9 mIU/ml at the age of 7 months old (the highest point), but declined to 397.6 mIU/ml at the age of 12 months old. The rate of infants with anti-HBS titer less than 100 mIU/ml was 20.9%, and that of less than 10 mIU/ml was 7.4% at 7-month-old; the rate of infants with anti-HBS titer less than 100 mIU/ml increased to 30.2% and that of less than 10 mIU/ml increased to 15.9% at 12-month-old. At 7-month-old, the GMT of the 10 mug vaccine group was higher than that of the 5 mug vaccine group (675.3 mIU/ml vs. 25.0 mIU/ml, P = 0.001) and the rate of infants with anti-HBS titer less than 10 mIU/ml was significantly lower in the 10 mug vaccine group (2.3% vs. 12.6%, P = 0.002); at 12-month-old, the rate of infants with anti-HBS titer less than 100 mIU/ml was also significantly lower in the 10 mug group (20.6% vs. 40.2%, P = 0.001).Combined immunoprophylaxis is therapeutically efficacious for treating infants born to HBsAg positive mothers. Monitoring these infants' anti-HBs titer will help to identify non- or low-responders in a timely manner. The high-dose hepatitis B vaccine is preferable to the low-dose, and should be considered for use in immunization strategies for these infants.

Background Neither HBV DNA nor HBsAg positivity at birth is an accurate marker for HBV infection of infants. No data is available for continuous changes of HBV markers in newborns to HBsAg(+) mothers. This prospective, multi-centers study aims at observing the dynamic changes of HBV markers and exploring an early diagnostic marker for mother-infant infection. Methods One hundred forty-eight HBsAg(+) mothers and their newborns were enrolled after mothers signed the informed consent forms. Those infants were received combination immunoprophylaxis (hepatitis B immunoglobulin [HBIG] and hepatitis B vaccine) at birth, and then followed up to 12 months. Venous blood of the infants (0, 1, 7, and 12 months of age) was collected to test for HBV DNA and HBV markers. Results Of the 148 infants enrolled in our study, 41 and 24 infants were detected as HBsAg(+) and HBV DNA(+) at birth, respectively. Nine were diagnosed with HBV infection after 7 mo follow-up. Dynamic observation of the HBV markers showed that HBV DNA and HBsAg decreased gradually and eventually sero-converted to negativity in the non-infected infants, whereas in the infected infants, HBV DNA and HBsAg were persistently positive, or higher at the end of follow-up. At 1 mo, the infants with anti-HBs(+), despite positivity for HBsAg or HBV DNA at birth, were resolved after 12 mo follow-up, whereas all the nine infants with anti-HBs(−) were diagnosed with HBV infection. Anti-HBs(−) at 1 mo showed a higher positive likelihood ratio for HBV mother-infant infection than HBV DNA and/or HBsAg at birth. Conclusions Negativity for anti-HBs at 1 mo can be considered as a sensitive and early diagnostic indictor for HBV infection in the infants with positive HBV DNA and HBsAg at birth, especially for those infants with low levels of HBV DNA load and HBsAg titer.

The objective of this study was to investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect and underlying mechanism of naringenin (NGEN) on K562 cells in vitro. The inhibition of NGEN on K562 cells was evaluated by means of MTT assay so as to observe the cytotoxicity of NGEN; The morphological changes of the cells treated by NGEN were observed by transmission electron microscope; cell apoptosis rate influenced by NGEN was assessed by flow cytometry; the enzyme activity changes of caspase-3 and caspase-8 in the process of NGEN-induced K562 apoptosis were detected by Caspase Colorimetric Assay Kit; immunohistochemistry technique was used to detect FAS, FASL protein expression in K562 cells. The results showed that the growth of cells was inhibited by NGEN in dose-and time-dependent manners (p0.05); NGEN-induced K562 cells apoptosis and sub-G1 peak was observed; some typically early and final phase changes of cell apoptosis were revealed under transmission electron microscope; the enzyme activity of caspase-3 and caspase-8 and the expression of FAS remarkably increased, meanwhile the expression of FASL was down-regulated (p0.05). It is concluded that NGEN exerts anti-cancer effect by inducing K562 cell apoptosis, and the regulation of the expression of FAS and FASL. The caspase-3 and caspase-8 co-pathway brings about one of the mechanisms.

The action of antagonists for endothelin type A (ET(A)) and type B (ET(B)) on the vasoconstriction mediated by various vasoconstrictors in the human bypass grafts have not been well-defined. We studied the role of antagonists for both ET(A) and ET(B) receptors in vasoconstriction mediated by endothelin-1 and other vasoconstrictors in the human internal mammary artery (IMA).Isolated IMA rings (n = 192, taken from 49 patients) were studied in organ bath for the interaction between endothelin-1, angiotensin II, U46619, and potassium chloride and the antagonist for ET(A) (BQ-123) or ET(B) (BQ-788).Significant relaxations were observed by BQ-123 (agonist: endothelin-1, 84.9 +/- 7.9%; angiotensin II, 45.5 +/- 5.1%; and U46619, 30.7 +/- 5.7%) or BQ-788 (agonist: endothelin-1, 66.5 +/- 11.3%; angiotensin II, 38.9 +/- 4.2%; and U46619, 30.8 +/- 4.0%), but not to potassium chloride-induced precontraction. Incubation of IMA with BQ-123 or BQ-123 + BQ-788 significantly shifted the concentration-contraction curve to endothelin-1 rightward (p0.05 vs control) with effective concentration causing 50% of maximal response (EC50) (-7.59 +/- 0.04 or -7.81 +/- 0.05 vs -8.47 +/- 0.05 log M in the control, p0.001), whereas BQ-788 alone did not affect the contraction curve (p = 1.0 vs control). In contrast, none of the endothelin-1 inhibitors and the combination demonstrated significant depression effects on angiotensin II, U46619, or potassium chloride-induced contraction.The present study demonstrates the role of ET(A) and ET(B) antagonists in the endothelin-1-mediated contraction in the human IMA and indicates the dominant role of ET(A) receptors. Although these effects are specific to endothelin-1, cross-action between endothelin-1 and angiotensin II exists. These findings provide useful knowledge for the future development of the clinical antispastic protocol in coronary bypass surgery.

To explore the diagnostic value of 2-dimentional ultrasonography and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in primary bone tumor.The hemodynamic parameters such as systolic maximum velocity (Vmax), diastolic minimum velocity (Vmin), resistance index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) of intratumoral folw in 93 patients with primary bone tumors proved by histopathology were studied using 2-dimentional ultrasonography and CDFI techniques.The bone destruction periosteum response and soft tissue mass were essentially revealed with 2-dimentional ultrasonography techniques. The intratumoral flow features were clearly shown by CDFI. The Vmax and Vmin in malignant bone tumor were significantly higher than those in benign one (P0.01). RI and PI in malignant bone tumor were lower than those in benign one (P0.01).Observing the features of bone tumor and hemodynamic parameters by 2-dimentional ultrasonography and CDFI has a great clinical value in diagnosing primary bone tumor and distinguishing the malignant and benign bone tumors.

To investigate the value of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS)-guided percutaneous biopsy in the diagnosis and treatment of bone tumors.Ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy was performed in 64 patients who was diagnosed by CDUS. Puncture instruments included automatic core biopsy device and 14 to approximately 18G crude needle. All cases were identified by the operation and pathological examination.Tissue-obtained rate was 97% (62/64). Comparing preoperative pathological diagnosis with postoperative pathological diagnosis, we found the diagnostic correct rate was 97%. No complications resulted from this procedure. According to their pathological results, 33 patients were treated with preoperative chemotherapy. The tumor sizes decreased, and 26 patients saved their limbs and had normal functions.CDUS-guided percutaneous biopsy is safe and quick for the preoperative diagnosis and selecting appropriate surgical procedure for bone tumor treatment.

The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of oral abnormalities in newborns in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.Study subjects were neonates born at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between January 2000 and April 2000 (inclusive). All subjects were examined within 3 days of birth. Babies with craniofacial anomalies and/or other systemic diseases requiring intensive care were excluded. A dentist examined newborns using mirrors, tongue blades, and a flashlight.The authors examined a total of 420 neonates and found the frequency to be 94% for oral cysts and 1% for natal and neonatal teeth. Neither the frequency of palatal and gingival cysts of the newborn nor that of natal and neonatal teeth was associated with gender, body weight, and gestation age.Babies born at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital demonstrate a high rate (94%) of oral cysts of the newborns.

Background— Endothelial dysfunction is associated with inflammation and postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. Xuezhikang, an extract of Cholestin, a dietary supplement, has lipid-modulating and antiinflammatory effects. We explored the effects of xuezhikang on endothelial function and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods and Results— We prospectively randomized 50 CHD patients to xuezhikang 1200 mg/d or placebo for 6 weeks. Fasting hs-CRP concentrations, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) at 0 and 4 hours, and lipid parameters at 0, 2, 4, and 6 hours were monitored after a high-fat meal (800 calories; 50 g fat) in all patients. All patients underwent a high-fat meal test at the beginning of the study and after 6 weeks of treatment. Postprandial FMD was significantly worse at 4 hours after a high-fat meal ( P r =0.345, P P P P Conclusions— Xuezhikang effectively improved preprandial and postprandial endothelial function through its potent antiinflammatory and lipid-lowering effects.

To observe the morphological structure and hemodynamic changes of the vertebral artery in cervical spondylosis by high frequency color duplex sonography.We measured 138 cases of cervical spondylosis at the vertebral artery with a 7.5-10 MHz probe of high frequency color duplex sonography, to determine morphological changes, Diameter(D), Velocity(V), Blood flow volume, and Resistance index(RI) and (PI). A controlled analysis was performed at the same time.The measurement showed that the vertebral arteries of the patients bent more severely than the controlled group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P0.01) in Diameter (D), Velocity (except mean velocity), Blood flow volume, and resistance index (RI) and (PI).High frequency color duplex sonography has provided clinical judement on morphological and blood flow dynamic parameter changes of the vertebral artery with a valuable objective basis.

Background . Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to have potential to treat ischemic diseases. Moreover, its vasorelaxing or vasodilatory effect might be favorable for relieving graft spasm. In this study, we examined the vasorelaxing effects of recombinant VEGF in isolated human internal mammary artery (IMA) and compared the responses to acetylcholine and nitroglycerin. Methods . Isometric tension of IMA ring segments was measured with an organ bath technique. With an optimal resting tension determined from its individual length-tension curve, precontraction was induced by 10 −8 M U46619 and cumulative concentration-relaxation was measured by application of VEGF (10 −12 to 10 −8.5 M), acetylcholine (10 −10 to 10 −5 M), and then nitroglycerin (10 −4.5 M). Results . Vascular endothelial growth factor induced concentration-dependent relaxation (EC 50 : −9.89 ± 0.05 log M; E max : 63.2% ± 7.3%) in IMA with intact endothelium. The relaxant responses to VEGF were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with N ω -nitro-l-arginine (L-NNA) alone and indomethacin + L-NNA, and totally abolished by removal of the endothelium or pretreatment with indomethacin + L-NNA + oxyhemoglobin. Internal mammary arteries became more sensitive to VEGF in the presence of indomethacin alone. However, acetylcholine-induced relaxation was not abolished by treatment with indomethacin + L-NNA + oxyhemoglobin (E max : 16.9% ± 2.7%). The endothelium-independent relaxations induced by nitroglycerin were also significantly inhibited by administration of oxyhemoglobin. Conclusions . The results demonstrate that VEGF-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in the human IMA is mainly due to nitric oxide release. Although the vasorelaxing effect is not the primary advantage of this drug when it is used for angiogenesis, such effect may be advantageous in patients who also need a coronary artery bypass operation.

Arterial grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting such as the internal mammary artery (IMA) may develop spasm perioperatively. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the potassium channel opener, aprikalim, on the receptor-mediated vasoconstriction in the human IMA in vitro.We studied 160 IMA rings taken from coronary artery surgery in organ baths. The interaction between aprikalim and four vasoconstrictors 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and angiotensin II (AII) was investigated in two ways.Aprikalim relaxed IMA rings precontracted by the vasoconstrictors to 66.40 +/- 5.9% for 5-HT (EC50: -6.78 +/- 0.26 LogM), 57.40 +/- 5.5% for NE (-6.54 +/- 0.39 LogM), 81.00 +/- 6.7% for ET-1 (-6.58 +/- 0.26 LogM), and 93.90 +/- 2.5% for AII (-7.80 +/- 0.23 LogM). The relaxation in endothelium-denuded rings contracted by AII was similar to that in the endothelium-intact rings. The relaxation was attenuated by glibenclamide (3 microM) in 5-HT or NE-precontracted IMA. Pretreatment with aprikalim at 1 microM depressed AII-induced contraction (33.20 +/- 7.5% versus 59.70 +/- 7.3%, p0.01) but only shifted the curves rightward for 5-HT or NE (EC50 3.1 or 4.3-folds higher, p0.05), whereas at 30 microM it also significantly depressed the maximal contraction for 5-HT (35.70 +/- 4.9% versus 103.30 +/- 9.8%, p0.001) and NE (90.60 +/- 15.6% versus 125.60 +/- 7.9%, p0.05). In contrast, aprikalim did not significantly depress the contraction induced by ET-1 (p0.05).We conclude that aprikalim has vasorelaxant effects on IMA and the effect is vasoconstrictor-selective and endothelium-independent. Aprikalim may provide clinically useful vasorelaxant effects in coronary bypass surgery.