The effect of activin A on signal transduction pathways in PC12 cells subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation.

The processes and mechanisms underlying brain injuries due to ischemia and anoxia have yet to be determined. Additionally, few clinical treatements are currently available. Activins have a protective role in the restoration, differentiation, and survival of injured cells, including Activin A (ActA), which acts as a neuroprotectant.

Anisodamine accelerates spontaneous passage of single symptomatic bile duct stones ≤ 10 mm.

Aim: To investigate the rate of spontaneous passage of single and symptomatic common bile duct (CBD) stones ≤ 10 mm in diameter in 4 wk with or without a 2-wk course of anisodamine.

Methods: A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken. A total of 197 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled.

Effect of 20 mg/day Atorvastatin: Recurrent Stroke Survey in Chinese Ischemic Stroke Patients with Prior Intracranial Hemorrhage.

Background And Purpose: Treatment with atorvastatin (80 mg) in stroke secondary prevention for patients with prior intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) has been associated with a higher frequency of ICH. The aim of this study was to determine whether 20 mg/day atorvastatin is linked to stroke recurrence in Chinese ischemic stroke patients with prior ICH.

Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving 354 cases from 395 Chinese in-patients who had ischemic stroke with prior ICH history in Beijing Chaoyang hospital from May 1, 2005 to October 31, 2010.

Arterial stiffness evaluation by cardio-ankle vascular index in hypertension and diabetes mellitus subjects.

Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor for vascular diseases. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a new index of arterial stiffness. In the present study, we investigated the possible risk factors involving CAVI in hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) subjects.

Emodin prevents hypoxic-ischemic neuronal injury: Involvement of the activin A pathway.

Emodin, an extract of dried rhizomes and the root of the Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati, can protect neurons from hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. This study aimed to verify the underlying mechanism. After PC12 cells had differentiated into neuron-like cells under the induction of mouse nerve growth factor, cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and treated with emodin.

Evaluation of the Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis score combined with procalcitonin in septic patients.

Objective: To determine an effective method for predicting severity of sepsis and 28-day mortality of emergency department (ED) patients, we compared the Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) score with procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) and evaluated the MEDS score combined with relevant biomarkers.

Methods: A total of 501 adult ED patients with sepsis were selected for this prospective clinical study. The optimal combination was assessed by logistic regression.

[The influence of hypertensive perfusion on ultrastructure of gastrointestinal tissue and enzymology of pigs after cardiopulmonary resuscitation].

Objective: To study ultrastructure of gastrointestinal tissue and enzymology in pigs after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in conditions of hypertensive perfusion.

Methods: Sixteen experimental pigs were induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) by direct current shock. CPR was conducted 4 minutes after VF, and 10 pigs were successfully resuscitated.

[Influence on kidney after resuscitation of heart arrest due to hypothermia induced by 4 centigrade normal saline in pig].

Objective: To assess the effects of hypothermia state induced by 4 centigrade normal saline (NS) on kidney after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in pig.

Methods: After the induction of a 4-minute ventricular fibrillation (VF) in pigs, standard CPR was performed, and then the surviving pigs were divided into two groups: hypothermia group (n=5) with 4 centigrade NS continuous infusion at the speed of 1.33 ml×kg(-1)×min(-1) for 22 minutes, and then the speed was slowed down to 10 ml×kg(-1)×min(-1) and maintaining for 4 hours; the normal temperature group (n=5) with infusion of NS of normal temperature with the same speed as that of the hypothermia group.

Bortezomib, dexamethasone plus thalidomide for treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with or without renal impairment.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the treatment of the newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) with or without renal impairment receiving the therapy of bortezomib, dexamethasone plus thalidomide (BTD) regimen in order to analyze the effects of BTD regimen on the prognosis of the MM patients with renal impairment compared with the patients without renal impairment.

Methods: Seventy-two newly diagnosed MM patients entered into our study and all the patients belonged to International Stage System (ISS) 3 in which transplantation patients were excluded or the patients refused receiving transplantation therapy. According to the level of serum creatinine (Scr), the patients were divided into two groups including group 1 (n=42) (Scr <2 mg/dL) and group 2 (n=30) (Scr ≥2 mg/dL).

Treatment of rare gastric variceal bleeding in acute pancreatitis using embolization of the splenic artery combined with short gastric vein.

In the acute stage of pancreatitis, sinistral portal hypertension is a rare reason for gastric variceal bleeding. Here we report a 20-year-old female patient with massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage 7 days after an episode of severe acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography showed gastric varices caused by splenic venous thrombosis.

Effect of rescue breathing during cardiopulmonary resuscitation on lung function after restoration of spontaneous circulation in a porcine model of prolonged cardiac arrest.

Objective: The destruction of the pulmonary structure after cardiopulmonary resuscitation may lead to lung function breakdown. The aim of this study was to investigate lung function after cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the influence of rescue breathing on lung function.

Design: Prospective, randomized animal study.

Effects of hypothermia on brain injury assessed by magnetic resonance imaging after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a porcine model of cardiac arrest.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of hypothermia on cerebral edema and metabolism, a porcine model of cardiac arrest was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging during the first 72 hours after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

Methods: Ventricular fibrillation was induced in 33 pigs. After 8 minutes of untreated ventricular fibrillation, 30:2 cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed.

Epidemiological and molecular characteristics of clinical isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes collected between 2005 and 2008 from Chinese children.

The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Streptococcus pyogenes in children from different cities in mainland China who were diagnosed with scarlet fever, impetigo and pharyngitis, as well as to detect asymptomatic carriers, between 2005 and 2008, and to compare the results with isolates from rural Chinese children with acute glomerulonephritis in 2005 and in the 1990s. Susceptibility tests to determine MICs and analysis of the presence of erythromycin-resistant genes (mefA, ermB and ermA) and emm gene typing were performed on 466 S. pyogenes isolates from Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Shenzhen.

Allopurinol attenuates left ventricular dysfunction in rats with early stages of streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Background: Xanthine oxidase-derived superoxide production and oxidative stress contribute to the development of diabetic complications including diabetic cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that xanthine oxidase-inhibitor allopurinol (ALP) may decrease hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, ameliorate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis, and attenuate the development of left ventricle (LV) diastolic dysfunction in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes.

Methods: Control Sprague Dawley (C) or streptozotocin-induced diabetic (D) rats were either untreated or treated with allopurinol (100 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks starting at 1 week after streptozotocin injection.

[A study of esophageal function and reflux characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients presenting with chronic cough].

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with chronic cough by the results of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and high-resolution manometry (MII-HRM) procedure and 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance combined pH (MII-pH) monitoring.

Methods: From March 2010 to November 2010, consecutive patients of GERD with chronic cough (more than 8 weeks) admitted to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University underwent 24-hour MII-pH monitoring and MII-HRM procedure with symptom association probability (SAP) over 95%. Data of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, LES relaxation, LES residual pressure, esophageal body peristalsis function and swallow bolus transit (liquid/viscous) was collected and the result of 24-hour MII-pH monitoring was analysed by the computer software containing reflux episode activity (acid/nonacid, upright/recumbent), proximal extent, acid exposure and mean acid/bolus clearance time.

Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, oral health and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aim: To evaluate the associations of serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels with periodontal health and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Material And Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 193 COPD patients and 181 controls. Their periodontal status and lung function were examined, and serum 25(OH)D levels were measured.

Effect of hypertransfusion on the gastrointestinal tract after cardiac arrest in a porcine model.

Background: This study aimed to determine the potential protective effect of inducing hypertransfusion to the gastrointestinal tract following a porcine model of cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by evaluating the influence of gastrointestinal ultrastructure, ATPase and serum diamine oxidase.

Methods: Ventricular fibrillation was induced by programmed electrical stimulation in 16 male domestic pigs (n=8/group). Four minutes after ventricular fibrillation, CPR was performed.

[Impacts of different transurethral prostatic resection procedures on male sexual function: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials].

Objective: To compare the impacts of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TUEVP) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on male sexual function.

Methods: We identified randomized controlled trials on the influence of TURP, TUEVP and HoLEP on the sexual function of BPH patients, and performed meta-analysis on the included data using Revman 5.0.

Oral hygiene, periodontal health and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.

Aim: To assess the associations of oral hygiene and periodontal health with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations.

Material And Methods: In total, 392 COPD patients were divided into frequent and infrequent exacerbation (≥2 times and <2 times in last 12 months) groups. Their lung function and periodontal status were examined.

[Evaluation of the diagnostic value of adenosine deaminase activity in tuberculous pleuritis].

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in differentiating tuberculous pleural effusions (TPE) from malignant effusions.

Methods: The serum and pleural adenosine deaminase activity of 91 cases confirmed by pleural biopsy through medical thoracoscopy were retrospectively analyzed. TPE was confirmed in 49 cases and malignant effusion in 42 cases.

[Chest high resolution CT features of extrinsic allergic alveolitis and its diagnostic value].

Objective: To summarize the chest high-resolution CT (HRCT) features of the patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA).

Methods: We analyzed the images of chest HRCT of 34 patients diagnosed as EAA at our hospital from February 2001 to August 2009.

Results: All patients had a history of environmental exposure.