[Acceleration of Jingui Shenqi Pill on the testis telomerase activity in mice of Shen-yang deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Jingui Shenqi Pill (JSP) on the testis telomerase activity in mice of Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS). METHODS: The SYDS model was prepared in 30 mice by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain. They were randomly divided into the model group and the JSP group, 15 in each group. Another 15 normal male mice were selected as the normal group. Mice in the normal group were fed routinely, with distilled water administered intragastrically at the daily dose of 0.1 mL/10 g. Mice in the model group were also administered intragastrically with distilled water at the daily dose of 0.1 mL/10 g while modeling establishment. Mice in the treatment group were administered intragastrically with JSP suspension at 0.1 mL/10 g (the concentration was 0.241 g/mL). The intervention lasted for 4 weeks. Four weeks later, the testis telomerase activity was detected in the three groups by ELISA. RESULTS: The SYDS model was replicated successfully by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain. JSP could improve the signs of mice of SYDS. Compared with the normal group, the activity of testis telomerase decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the testis telomerase activity markedly increased in the treatment group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The testis telomerase activity in mice of SYDS caused by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain obviously decreased, when compared with that in mice of the normal group. JSP could recover its activity.

[Clinical study on improving decreased gastrointestinal motility of post-operative esophageal cancer patients by unblocking the interior and purgation method].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of unblocking the interior and purgation method on improving decreased gastrointestinal motility of post-operative esophageal cancer patients, and to study its mechanisms. METHODS: 60 patients with post-operative esophageal cancer were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group and the control group, 30 in each group. Routine therapies were given to the two groups. Chinese drugs with unblocking the interior and purgation action was infused by enteral nutrition tube to patients in the treatment group, while normal saline was infused to those in the control group. The first flatus time, the first defecation time, the bowel tones recovery time after operation, and the total amount of the gastric juice draining between the first day and the third day after operation of all patients were recorded. Plasma motilin (MTL) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) contents were detected before operation and the fourth day after operation. RESULTS: The first flatus time, the first defecation time, the bowel tones recovery time after operation, and the total amount of the gastric juice draining were less in the treatment group than in the control group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05, P<0.01). The post-operative MTL contents were higher and VIP contents lower in the treatment group than in the control group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in plasmal MTL and VIP contents of the treatment group between before and after treatment (P>0.05). But there was significant difference in plasmal MTL and VIP contents of the control group between before and after treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Unblocking the interior and purgation method could significantly promote the gastrointestinal motility recovery of post-operative esophageal cancer patients, showing good clinical effect.

A study of medial and lateral temporal lobe epilepsy based on stereoelectroencephalography.

BACKGROUND: Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) originating from different seizure onset zones had distinct electrophysiological characteristics and surgical outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the origin and prognosis of TLE, and the stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) features. METHODS: Thirty patients with TLE, who underwent surgical treatment in our functional neurosurgery department from January 2016 to December 2017, were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent anterior temporal lobectomy after an invasive pre-operative evaluation with SEEG. Depending on the epileptic focus location, patients were divided into those with medial temporal lobe seizures (MTLS) and those with lateral temporal lobe seizures (LTLS). The Engel classification was used to evaluate operation effectiveness, and the Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to detect seizure-free duration. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 25.7 ±â€Š4.8 months. Effectiveness was 63.3% for Engel I (n = 19), 13.3% for Engel II, 3.3% for Engel III, and 20.0% for Engel IV. According to the SEEG, 60.0% (n = 18) had MTLS, and 40.0% (n = 12) had LTLS. Compared with the MTLS group, the operation age of those with LTLS was significantly greater (26.9 ±â€Š6.9 vs. 29.9 ±â€Š12.5 years, t = -0.840, P = 0.009) with longer epilepsy duration (11.9 ±â€Š6.0 vs. 17.9 ±â€Š12.1 years, t = -1.801, P = 0.038). Patients with MTLS had a longer time interval between ictal onset to seizure (67.3 ±â€Š59.1 s vs. 29.3 ±â€Š24.4 s, t = 2.017, P = 0.008). The most common SEEG ictal pattern was a sharp/spike-wave rhythm in the MTLS group (55.6%) and low-voltage fast activity in the LTLS group (58.3%). Compared with the LTLS group, patients with MTLS had a more favorable prognosis (41.7% vs. 77.8%, P = 0.049). Post-operative recurrence was more likely to occur within three months after the operation for both groups, and there appeared to be a stable long-term outcome. CONCLUSION: Patients with MTLS, who accounted for three-fifths of patients with TLE, showed a more favorable surgical outcome.

[Neuronal activity in the globus pallidus internus in parkinsonian patients with rigidity and bradykinesia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neuronal activities in the globus pallidus internus (GPi) related to parkinsonian rigidity and bradykinesia METHODS: Twenty-six patients (M: 13 and F: 13) with parkinsonian syndromes of rigidity and bradykinesia, aged (58 +/- 11) with the duration of disease of (5.5 +/- 3.4) years, underwent pallidotomy. Their unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) motor score of rigidity was > or =5 (total score: 8) and the UPDRS score of bradykinesia was > or =9 (total score: 16) at "off" medication state pre-operationally. During operation, microelectrode recording in the GPi and electromyography (EMG) on the contralateral limbs to the surgery were performed. Single unite analysis and coefficient of variation (CV) of the interspike interval (ISI) were performed. The UPDRS motor score was assessed pre- and post-operationally. One-way ANOVA was carried out to study the firing rate as well as the ISI and CV of the ISI among different types of neuronal activity. Bonferroni test was conducted for means comparison. RESULTS: 10.1% (n = 24) of the total 237 GPi neurons (26 trajectories) showed discharge activity related to tremor (4-6 Hz), 57.4% (n = 136) of the neurons discharged tonic activity, and 32.5% (n = 77) neurons discharged irregular activity. Further analysis focused on 136 tonic active neurons and found that 75.7% (n = 103) of the neurons were characterized by a mean firing rate of (124.1 +/- 39.2) Hz with an ISI of (8.7 +/- 6.9) ms, and 24.3% (n = 33) of the neurons were characterized by a relative normal mean firing rate of (69.5 +/- 5.9) Hz with an ISI of (14.4 +/- 13.2) ms. The neurons with irregular neuronal activity had a mean firing rate of (30.2 +/- 9.8) Hz with an ISI of (35.6 +/- 36.8) ms. ANOVA revealed that there were statistically differences in the mean firing rate, ISI, and CV of the ISI for these neurons with relative normal tonic activity, high frequency tonic activity, and irregular activity (P < 0.01). UPDRS showed that the improvement of rigidity and bradykesia were 71.9% and 61.8% respectively. CONCLUSION: High percent neurons with high frequency tonic activity and irregular neuronal activity observed in GPi suggest that the neuronal activity with altered rate and pattern may play an important role in parkinsonian symptoms such as rigidity and bradykinesia.

Dynamic changes and mechanism of intestinal endotoxemia in partially hepatectomized rats.

AIM: To explore the mechanism of intestinal endo-toxemia (IETM) formation and its changes in partially hepatectomized (PH) rats. METHODS: One-hundred and two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control (NC) group, partially hepatectomized (PH) group and a sham-operated (SO) group. To study the dynamic changes, rats were sacrificed before and at different time points after partial hepatectomy or the sham-operation ( 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h, 72 h, 120 h and 168 h). NC group was used as 0 h time point in observation, namely 0 h group. For each time point indicated, six rats were used in parallel. Endotoxin (ET) and diamine oxidase (DAO) levels were determined in serum using Limulus Lysate test with chromogenic substrate and spectrophotometry. Intestinal mucosa barrier was observed under optical or electron microscope. The number and functional state of Kupffer cells (KCs) in the remnant regenerating liver were measured by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Serum ET levels significantly increased during 6-72 h period after PH compared with NC and SO groups, and there were two peak values at 12 and 48 h while serum DAO level significantly increased at 12 and 24 h. There was positive correlation (r = 0.757, P < 0.05) between the levels of DAO and ET dynamic changes. The optical examination showed neutrophil margination and superficial necrosis of the villi in the intestinal mucosa during 6-24 h period after PH. The penetrated electron microscope examination showed that the gaps between intestinal mucosa cells were increased and the Lanthanum (La) particles were observed among the intestinal mucosa cells during 6-48 h period. The numbers of KCs in the remnant regenerating liver were significantly increased during 24-168 h period after PH. However, the activation of KCs was predominantly observed at 48 h after PH. CONCLUSION: The mechanism of IETM in PH rats might be the injury of intestinal mucosa barrier and the decrease of the absolute number of KCs as well as the depression of functional state of KCs. This observation is of potential value in patients undergoing liver resection.

Association of Inflammatory Cytokines With the Symptom Cluster of Pain, Fatigue, Depression, and Sleep Disturbance in Chinese Patients With Cancer.

CONTEXT: Pain, fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbance are common in patients with cancer and usually co-occur as a symptom cluster. However, the mechanism underlying this symptom cluster is unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify subgroups of cluster symptoms, compare demographic and clinical characteristics between subgroups, and examine the associations between inflammatory cytokines and cluster symptoms. METHODS: Participants were 170 Chinese inpatients with cancer from two tertiary hospitals. Inflammatory markers including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were measured. Intergroup differences and associations of inflammatory cytokines with the cluster symptoms were examined with one-way analyses of variance and logistic regression. RESULTS: Based on cluster analysis, participants were categorized into Subgroup 1 (all low symptoms), Subgroup 2 (low pain and moderate fatigue), or Subgroup 3 (moderate-to-high on all symptoms). The three subgroups differed significantly in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, sex, residence, current treatment, education, economic status, and inflammatory cytokines levels (all P < 0.05). Compared with Subgroup 1, Subgroup 3 had a significantly poorer ECOG physical performance status and higher IL-6 levels, were more often treated with combined chemoradiotherapy, and were more likely to be rural residents. IL-6 and ECOG physical performance status were significantly associated with 1.246-fold (95% CI 1.114-1.396) and 31.831-fold (95% CI 6.017-168.385) increased risk of Subgroup 3. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that IL-6 levels are associated with cluster symptoms in cancer patients. Clinicians should identify patients at risk for more severe symptoms and formulate novel target interventions to improve symptom management.

Properties of afterdischarges from electrical stimulation in patients with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the properties of afterdischarges (ADs) from intracerebral electrical stimulation (ES) in patients with epilepsy who underwent stereotactic electroencephalography (SEEG) and determine the relationship between epileptogenic zone (EZ) or irritative zone (IZ) and ADs. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 10 patients with intractable epilepsy who underwent SEEG. ESs were delivered following the given parameters: bipolar, biphasic, 50Hz, 0.2ms pulse duration, 0.5-10mA. The properties of ADs were documented, including their incidence, location, threshold, morphology and evolution. RESULTS: A total of 213 ADs (5%) were elicited by 4701 trains of ES. Stimulation through contacts implanted in the hippocampus (59%) generally evoked more ADs than contacts elsewhere (19%). AD thresholds for hippocampal stimulation were significantly lower than those for stimulation in grey matter. Polyspikes (58%) were the most common AD morphology. Evolution occurred more commonly with sequential spikes (47%) than with other AD morphologies (14%). There was no significant correlation between the location of ADs and EZ. However, ADs were significantly more frequently localized to IZ than areas outside IZ (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There seemed to be a lack of correlation between the location of ADs and EZ. However, ADs were more likely to be elicited in IZ.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 is a negative regulator of hepatocyte proliferation downregulated in the regenerating liver.

AIM: To characterize the expression and dynamic changes of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 in hepatocytes in the regenerating liver in rats after partial hepatectomy (PH), and examine the effects of BMP-2 on proliferation of human Huh7 hepatoma cells. METHODS: Fifty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: A normal control (NC) group, a partial hepatectomized (PH) group and a sham operated (SO) group. To study the effect of liver regeneration on BMP-2 expression, rats were sacrificed before and at different time points after PH or the sham intervention (6, 12, 24 and 48 h). For each time point, six rats were used in parallel. Expression and distribution of BMP-2 protein were determined in regenerating liver tissue by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Effects of BMP-2 on cell proliferation of human Huh7 hepatoma cell line were assessed using an MTT assay. RESULTS: In the normal liver strong BMP-2 expression was observed around the central and portal veins. The expression of BMP-2 decreased rapidly as measured by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. This decrease was at a maximum of 3.22 fold after 12 h and returned to normal levels at 48 h after PH. No significant changes in BMP-2 immunoreactivity were observed in the SO group. BMP-2 inhibited serum induced Huh7 cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: BMP-2 is expressed in normal adult rat liver and negatively regulates hepatocyte proliferation. The observed down regulation of BMP-2 following partial hepatectomy suggests that such down regulation may be necessary for hepatocyte proliferation.

Psychological and behavioral intervention improves the quality of life and mental health of patients suffering from differentiated thyroid cancer treated with postoperative radioactive iodine-131.

BACKGROUND: We examined the effects of psychological and behavioral intervention on health-related quality of life and mental health among patients suffering from differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) treated with postoperative radioactive iodine-131 (RAI). METHODS: Sixty patients with DTC, undergoing RAI, were randomly assigned to receive either conventional nursing (n=30) or a 1-year psychological and behavioral intervention based on conventional nursing (n=30). Health-related quality of life and mental health issues, depression, and anxiety were measured using the Quality of Life Core Questionnaire, Self-rating Depression Scale, and Self-rating Anxiety Score, respectively. RESULTS: After RAI treatment, patients in both groups showed improved functional capacities (ie, physical, role, cognitive, emotional, and social) and global quality of life, along with reduced depression and anxiety (P<0.05). At 1-year follow-up, compared with patients in the routine nursing group, those in the psychological and behavioral intervention group demonstrated greater improvements in functional capacities, global quality of life, and depression and anxiety symptoms (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Psychological and behavioral interventions for patients with DTC undergoing RAI facilitated positive outcomes, suggesting that nursing care models that include psychological and behavioral interventions may be a complementary strategy for this patient population.

Cytokeratin 15 is an Effective Indicator for Progression and Malignancy of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

PURPOSE: To compare the expression level of CK 15 in normal esophageal and esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues and analyse possible functions of CK15 in occurrence and development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to compare CK14, CK15 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression levels in ESCCs . Expression level of CK15 was also assessed by Western blotting. In addition, levels of CK15, cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1 (CYFRA21-1) and PCNA were detected in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chemiluminescence methods. Relationships between clinicopathological parameters and CK14 and CK15 expression were then analyzed. RESULTS: According to immunohistochemistry, in esophageal and intraepithelial neoplasia (SIN) tissues, the expression of CK14, CK15 and PCNA localized to basal layer of the epithelium. CK14 and CK15 levels were higher in normal esophageal squamous epithelial tissue than in SIN and ESCC, and greater in highly differentiated than poorly differentiated carcinoma tissue. By Western blotting, we found more pronounced expression of CK15 in normal esophageal tissue, compared with carcinoma tissue. The specificity of changed CK15 and CYFRA21-1 expression was respectively 90.0% and 96.7% in serum of ESCC patients. Joint detection could improve the sensitivity of esophageal carcinoma diagnosis. Relationships between CK14, CK15 expression and clinical parameters were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Postoperative survival in patients of CK14, CK15 positive expression was longer than with negative expression (χ²=4.352, P=0.037; χ²=9.852, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: CK15 expression decreased in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue and serum of esophageal squamous carcinoma patients. We infer that CK15 may play an important role for the occurrence and development of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma. In the future, CK15 may be used for the diagnosis, treatment and prognostic evaluation of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma.

High-frequency Oscillations and the Seizure Onset Zones in Neocortical Epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: To study the characters of high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) in the seizure onset zones (SOZ) and the nonseizure onset zones (NSOZ) in the electrocorticography (ECoG) of patients with neocortical epilepsy. METHODS: Only patients with neocortical epilepsy who were seizure-free after surgery as determined with ECoG were included. We selected patients with normal magnetic resonance imaging before surgery in order to avoid the influence of HFOs by other lesions. Three minutes preictal and 10 min interictal ECoG as recorded in 39 channels in the SOZ and 256 channels in the NSOZ were analyzed. Ripples and fast ripples (FRs) were analyzed by Advanced Source Analysis software (ASA, The Netherlands). Average duration of HFOs was analyzed in SOZ and NSOZ separately. RESULTS: For ripples, the permillage time occupied by HFOs was 0.83 in NSOZ and 1.17 in SOZ during the interictal period. During preictal period, they were 2.02 in NSOZ and 7.93 in SOZ. For FRs, the permillage time occupied by HFOs was 0.02 in NSOZ and 0.42 in SOZ during the interictal period. During preictal period, they were 0.03 in NSOZ and 2 in SOZ. CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency oscillations are linked to SOZ in neocortical epilepsy. Our study demonstrates the prevalent occurrence of HFOs in SOZ. More and more burst of HFOs, especially FRs, means the onset of seizures.

Red and processed meat consumption and the risk of lung cancer: a dose-response meta-analysis of 33 published studies.

This meta-analysis was to summarize the published studies about the association between red/processed meat consumption and the risk of lung cancer. 5 databases were systematically reviewed, and random-effect model was used to pool the study results and to assess dose-response relationships. Results shown that six cohort studies and twenty eight case-control studies were included in this meat-analysis. The pooled Risk Radios (RR) for total red meat and processed meat were 1.44 (95% CI, 1.29-1.61) and 1.23 (95% CI, 1.10-1.37), respectively. Dose-response analysis revealed that for every increment of 120 grams red meat per day the risk of lung cancer increases 35% and for every increment of 50 grams red meat per day the risk of lung cancer increases 20%. The present dose-response meta-analysis suggested that both red and processed meat consumption showed a positive effect on lung cancer risk.

Equivocal association of RAD51 polymorphisms with risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a Chinese population.

AIM: To study the contribution of genetic variation in RAD51 to risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS: Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in RAD51 (rs1801320, rs4144242 and rs4417527) were genotyped in 316 ESCC patients and 316 healthy controls in Anyang area of China using PCR- RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism). Demographic variables between cases and controls were statistically compared by T test and Chi-square test. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was evaluated by the Chi-square test. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to measure any association with ESCC. Haplotype frequencies were estimated by Phase 2.1. RESULT: The genotype frequencies of rs1801320, rs4144242 and rs4417527 in patients with ESCC demonstrated no significant differences from those in control group (P>0.05). When the haplotypes of these three SNPs were constructed and their relationships with ESCC risk investigated, however, CGG was observed to increase the risk (P=0.020, OR=2. 289). CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between the three SNPs of RAD51 and ESCC susceptibility in our Chinese population. However, the CGG haplotype might be a risk factor.

Altered functional connectivity within and between brain modules in absence epilepsy: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

Functional connectivity has been correlated with a patient's level of consciousness and has been found to be altered in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Absence epilepsy patients, who experience a loss of consciousness, are assumed to suffer from alterations in thalamocortical networks; however, previous studies have not explored the changes at a functional module level. We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the alteration in functional connectivity that occurs in absence epilepsy patients. By parcellating the brain into 90 brain regions/nodes, we uncovered an altered functional connectivity within and between functional modules. Some brain regions had a greater number of altered connections and therefore behaved as key nodes in the changed network pattern; these regions included the superior frontal gyrus, the amygdala, and the putamen. In particular, the superior frontal gyrus demonstrated both an increased value of connections with other nodes of the frontal default mode network and a decreased value of connections with the limbic system. This divergence is positively correlated with epilepsy duration. These findings provide a new perspective and shed light on how functional connectivity and the balance of within/between module connections may contribute to both the state of consciousness and the development of absence epilepsy.

Comparative study of the influence of diabetes distress and depression on treatment adherence in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional survey in the People's Republic of China.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore diabetes-related distress and depression and their influence on treatment adherence in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We surveyed 200 type 2 diabetic patients from two public hospitals using the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS), Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, and Revised Treatment Adherence in Diabetes Questionnaire (RADQ). A multiple regression model was used to explore the relationship between diabetes distress, depression, and treatment adherence. RESULTS: In the 200 eligible patients, the incidence of depression and diabetes distress was approximately 24% and 64%, respectively. The mean score on the RADQ was 23.0 ± 6.0. Multiple regression analysis showed that DDS scores (ß = 5.34, P = 0.000), age (ß = 0.15, P = 0.014), and family history (ß = 3.2, P = 0.016) had a positive correlation with depression. DDS scores (ß = -2.30, P = 0.000) and treatment methods (ß = -0.93, P = 0.012) were risk factors for poor treatment adherence, whereas age (ß = 0.089, P = 0.000) and cohabitation (ß = 0.93, P = 0.012) increased treatment adherence. The independent-samples t- test showed that depression also affected treatment adherence (t = 2.53, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the DDS is a predictor of depression and that diabetes distress plays a more important part than depression in treatment adherence. Screening for diabetes distress may be useful for primary prevention of psychologic problems; however, some form of specialized psychologic intervention should be incorporated to promote patient adherence with treatment.