[Validation of NoSAS Score and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome Screening Model for Female Snorers in Females with Obstructive Sleep Apnea].

Objective To evaluate the NoSAS score and the obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)screening model for female snorers with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)in females and compare the performance of these two tools. Methods A total of 425 females with suspected OSA who underwent overnight polysomnography(PSG)were consecutively recruited into this study.The above two questionnaires were completed.Based on the severity of OSA which was determined by apnea-hypopnea index(AHI),the patients were classified into four groups:non-OSA group(AHI<5 events/h),OSA group(AHI≥5 events/h),moderate-to-severe OSA group(AHI>15 events/h),and severe OSA group(AHI>30 events/h).The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive values,negative predictive values,and the area under the receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve of two questionnaires were calculated. Results The sensitivity of NoSAS score for OSA,moderate-to-severe OSA,and severe OSA groups were 57.3%,64.9%,and 69.5%,and its specificity was 83.5%,76.6%,and 70.9%,respectively.The sensitivity of the OSAHS screening model of female snorers was 62.7%,74.8%,and 75.8%,and its specificity was 92.5%,84.3%,and 74.5%,respectively.Both of these two screening tools had high specificity and performed well in ruling out non-OSA females.For patients with their AHI≥5 events/h,the results of NoSAS score and OSAHS screening model were in moderate to high consistency with those diagnosed by PSG,with a Kappa value of 0.401 and 0.541,respectively.The area under curve of these two tools was 0.792(95% CI=0.750-0.829)and 0.866(95% CI=0.830-0.897),respectively,showing moderate screening value.The area under curve of the OSAHS screening model of female snorers was significantly larger than that of NoSAS score(P =0.002,P =0.003,P =0.019). Conclusions Both the NoSAS score and the OSAHS screening model for female snorers have a moderate performance in diagnosing OSA in females,although the OSAHS screening model for female snorers has better performance.However,the sensitivity of the OSAHS screening model needs to be further improved.

Clinical Application of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Using High-Frequency Linear Probe in the Detection of Small Colorectal Liver Metastases.

To compare the performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using high-frequency linear and convex probes in the detection of small colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). A total of 85 patients with 143 small CRLMs were evaluated. High-frequency ultrasound (US) and CEUS detected significantly more superficial lesions within 60 mm below the skin than a convex probe (p <0.05). The detection rate decreased in the chemotherapy group, especially when using a convex probe for US (p <0.05). By combining convex and linear probes, detection rates of US and CEUS were significantly higher than that of a convex or a linear probe alone (p <0.05). High-frequency US and CEUS helped to improve detection of small CRLMs and reduce the influence of chemotherapy. For patients with a high risk of CRLMs and those after chemotherapy, we recommend first scanning the liver by using a convex probe and subsequently screening the surface area of the liver and suspicious small lesions by using a linear probe.

Ginsenoside-Ro enhances cell proliferation and modulates Th1/Th2 cytokines production in murine splenocytes.

AIM: To study the effects of ginsenoside-Ro on cell proliferation and cytokine production in murine splenocytes. METHODS: The effect of ginsenoside-Ro on murine splenocytes proliferation was studied using [3H] thymidine incorporation assay. Effects of ginsenoside-Ro on the production of cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) from murine splenocytes were detected by ELISA method. Effects of ginsenoside-Ro on mRNA level of Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma and Th2 cytokine IL-4 were evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. RESULTS: Ginsenoside-Ro showed no mitogenic effect on unstimulated murine splenocytes. It enhanced the proliferation of Con A-induced murine splenocytes and the production of IL-2 at concentrations of 1-10 micromol x L(-1). Moreover, ginsenoside-Ro increased the production and expression of Th2 cytokine IL-4 and decreased the production and expression of Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma in Con A-induced murine splenocytes at concentrations of 2-10 micromol x L(-1). CONCLUSION: Ginsenoside-Ro showed immunomodulatory effects by regulating the production and expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines in murine splenocytes.

Protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides differentially modulate type 1 and type 2 cytokines production from murine splenocytes.

Seven protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides and their aglycones including PPT, PT, -Re, -Rg (1), -F (1), -Rh (1), 20(R)-Rh (1) which are closely related in structure were studied for their effects on type 1 and type 2 cytokines production from murine splenocytes and their related mechanisms were examined. The results indicate that PPT, PT and ginsenoside-Re show hardly any or weak effects on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced production of IFN-gamma and IL-4. Ginsenoside-Rh (1) and 20(R)-Rh (1) induce a Con A-induced type 1 cytokine pattern by increasing the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12), the expression of IFN-gamma, T-bet and enhancing NF-kappaB DNA binding activity. In contrast ginsenosides-Rg (1) and -F (1) cause a Con A-induced type 2 cytokines response by increasing the expression of IL-4, GATA-3 and enhancing NF-kappaB DNA binding activity. Thus, these protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides have different immunomodulatory effects, which might explain the complex immunomodulatory effect of Panax ginseng.

Immunoenhancing activity of protopanaxatriol-type ginsenoside-F3 in murine spleen cells.

AIM: To investigate the immunoenhancing activity of ginsenoside-F3 in murine spleen cells and explore its mechanism. METHODS: The enhancing effect of ginsenoside-F3 on murine spleen cell proliferation was studied using [3H]thymidine incorporation assay. Effects of ginsenoside-F3 on the production of type 1 cytokines IL-2, IFN-gamma, and type 2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 from murine spleen cells were detected by ELISA method. Effects of ginsenoside-F3 on mRNA level of cytokines IL-4, IFN-gamma, and transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 were evaluated by RT-PCR analysis. Effect of ginsenoside-F3 on NF-kappaB DNA binding activity in murine spleen cells was investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA). RESULTS: Ginsenoside-F3 at 0.1-100 micromol/L not only promoted the murine spleen cell proliferation, but also increased the production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma, while decreased the production of IL-4 and IL-10 from murine spleen cells with the maximal effect at 10 micromol/L. RT-PCR analysis displayed that ginsenoside-F3 enhanced the IFN-gamma and T-bet gene expression and decreased IL-4 and GATA-3 gene expression. EMSA experiment showed that ginsenoside-F3 10 micromol/L enhanced the NF-kappaB DNA binding activity induced by ConA in murine spleen cells. CONCLUSION: Ginsenoside-F3 has immunoenhancing activity by regulating production and gene expression of type 1 cytokines and type 2 cytokines in murine spleen cells.