[Study on primary screening technique for children with autism spectrum disorder].

To explore screening tools for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which are convenient for primary hospitals, it can provide basic data for formulating ASD prevention policies. This was a cross-sectional study by cluster sampling. Huyi District and Xincheng District were extracted for investigation in Xi'an City. From July 2021 to September 2022, all children aged from 3 months to 36 months who live in the two districts were subjected to primary screening. The child care physician used the routine screening tool "warning signs checklist for screening psychological, behavioral and developmental problems of children" and cartoon pictures of "early high-risk warning signs of autism", the children who were positive in the initial screening were referred to the district level maternal and child health hospital for re-screening, and those who were positive in the re-screening were referred to Xi 'an Children's Hospital for diagnosis. The results showed that a total of 17 905 children aged from 3 months to 36 months were initially screened in the two districts, including 10 588 children aged from 18 months to 36 months, 50 children who were positive in the initial screening and 50 children who were re-screened. 23 children (18 boys and 5 girls) were diagnosed with ASD. The prevalence rate of ASD in children was 2.17‰ (95% confidence interval:1.29‰-3.06‰). 42 children were positive for "warning signs checklist" at the preliminary screening, and 19 were confirmed as ASD. 27 children were positive for "cartoon pictures" in the preliminary screening, and 23 were confirmed with ASD. The "cartoon pictures" in the preliminary screening and diagnosis of consistent rate was higher than the "warning signs checklist", two kinds of screening methods comparison were statistically significant difference in the odds of consistent (χ2=11.01, P=0.001). In conclusion, relying on the three-level network of maternal and child health care, it is conducive to the whole process management of screening and diagnosis of children with ASD, and to guide the formulation of prevention policies. The cartoon pictures of "early high-risk warning signs of autism" can assist the identification of children with ASD based on the "warning signs checklist", which is simple, effective and suitable for promotion in the community health care.

[Research progress of laboratory biomarker for colorectal cancer].

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become a major medical and public health threat to human life and health. At present, the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CRC mainly depends on the laboratory tests. With the increasing demand for treatment and prognosis, screening methods for CRC are emerging. In order to provide a reference for reasonable selection of laboratory diagnostic biomarkers, and further improve the accuracy and reliability of colorectal cancer screening, auxiliary diagnosis, efficacy monitoring, as well as prognostic evaluation, this article reviews the laboratory screening and diagnostic methods for CRC, and makes outlook for the future detection markers of CRC.

Periarticular calcifications.

Periarticular calcification and ossification is a frequent finding on imaging and may sometimes pose a diagnostic challenge. The differential diagnoses for this radiological finding are wide and can be classified into broad groups such as idiopathic, developmental, trauma, burns, infection, tumor, connective tissue disease, crystalline, metabolic, vascular, and foreign bodies. With careful consideration of the clinical and imaging findings as well as awareness of mimickers of periarticular mineralization, the list of differential diagnoses can be narrowed down. This article aims to review the clinical-radiologic findings of periarticular calcified or ossified lesions with relevant imaging illustrations.

Identification of hub genes and molecular subtypes in COVID-19 based on WGCNA.

OBJECTIVE: The heterogeneity of clinical manifestations and mortality rates in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients may be related to the existence of molecular subtypes in COVID-19. To improve current management, it is essential to find the hub genes and pathways associated with different COVID-19 subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The whole-genome sequencing information (GSE156063, GSE163151) of nasopharyngeal swabs from normal subjects and COVID-19 patients were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The molecular subtypes of patients with COVID-19 were classified using the "consistent clustering" method, and the specific genes associated with each subtype were found. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between normal subjects and COVID-19 patients; the Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) method was used to find the key module genes of COVID-19 patients. Subtype-specific, differentially expressed and module-related genes were collected and intersected. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were carried out and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were generated. The pathways enriched in COVID-19 subtypes were analyzed by gene set variation analysis (GSVA). RESULTS: Patients with COVID-19 were divided into three subtypes, and there was no significant difference in gender and age distribution between subtypes. 82 differential gene pathways were screened between Subtypes I and II, 131 differential gene pathways were screened between Subtypes I and III, and 107 differential gene pathways were screened between Subtypes II and III. Finally, 44 differentially expressed key genes were screened, including 11 hub genes (RSAD2, IFIT1, MX1, OAS1, OAS2, BST2, IFI27, IFI35, IFI6, IFITM3, STAT2). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences in gene activation and pathway enrichment among different molecular subtypes of COVID-19, which may account for the heterogeneity in clinical presentation and the prognosis of patients.

[Analysis of factors related to recanalization of intramural hematoma-type carotid artery dissection].

Objective: To investigate the factors related to recanalization of intramural hematoma-type carotid artery dissection (CAD). Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on 56 patients (61 CADs) with intramural-hematoma type CAD confirmed by multimodal imaging examination based on cervical vascular ultrasound (CDU) in the Stroke Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University from August 2015 to May 2019. The clinical and imaging data were collected, and the time from onset to visit is bounded by 14 days. CDU follow-up was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months after the onset. According to the results of the 12-month follow-up, patients were divided into complete recanalization group and incomplete recanalization group. The clinical data, ultrasonic manifestations and drug treatment of patients between the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors affecting vascular recanalization. Results: Vascular recanalization: the rates of complete recanalization at 3, 6 and 12 months were 42.6% (26/61), 55.7% (34/61) and 59.0% (36/61), respectively. While among the 25 vessels in the incomplete recanalization group, 26.2% (16/61) showed residual stenosis and 14.8% (9/61) showed persistent occlusion. Comparison between the complete recanalization group and the incomplete recanalization group: the differences in the proportion of time from onset to visit ≤ 14 days, the echo type of intramural hematoma, and the proportion of vascular occlusion were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the time from onset to visit ≤14 days (OR=5.625, 95%CI: 1.302-24.293, P=0.021), and the hypoechoic intramural hematoma (OR=4.888, 95%CI: 1.304-18.320, P=0.019) were positively correlated with complete recanalization, while the dissection vascular occlusion (OR=0.234, 95%CI: 0.059-0.932, P=0.039) was negatively correlated with complete recanalization. Conclusions: CDU showed that hypoechoic intramural hematoma-type CAD treated with standard medications in the acute phase had a higher complete recanalization rate, while the recanalization rate of patients with dissecting vessel occlusion decreased. Early evaluation can provide a basis for clinical individualized treatment.

Active ingredients of Inula helenium L. exhibits similar anti-cancer effects as isoalantolactone in pancreatic cancer cells.

Isoalantolactone is one of the major active ingredients from Inula helenium L. However, it is low cost-effective to isolate isoalantolactone from Inula helenium L. In this study, we optimized the extraction strategy and obtained a mixture of active ingredients with exact proportion (termed as F35), which were alloalantolactone, alantolactone and isoalantolactone at the ratio of 1/5/4 respectively. The anti-tumor activity of F35 was compared with isoalantolactone on pancreatic cancer cells. As a result, F35 showed nearly the same anti-proliferation activity as isoalantolactone in two cell lines. Both F35 and isoalantolactone could induce mitochondrion-related apoptosis at the concentration of 6 µg/ml. In addition, F35 inhibited colony-formation and migration of PANC-1 and SW1990 cells. To conclude, F35 exhibited similar anti-proliferation and anti-migration effect as isoalantolactone on two pancreatic cancer cell lines, suggesting that alantolactone or alloalantolactone might have comparable anti-tumor effect as isoalantolactone.

Relationship between Blood Acetaldehyde Concentration and Psychomotor Function of Individuals with Different ALDH2 Genotypes after Alcohol Consumption.

ABSTRACT: Objective To explore the change rules of blood ethanol and blood acetaldehyde concentration, the impairment of psychomotor functions of different acetaldehyde dehydrogenase （ALDH） 2 genotype individuals after alcohol consumption and the relationship among them. Methods The ALDH2 genotypes in seventy-nine healthy volunteers were obtained by SNaPshotTM method, then divided into ALDH2*1/*1 （wild type） and ALDH2*1/*2 （mutant type） group. After volunteers consumed 1.0 g/kg of alcohol, blood ethanol concentration and blood acetaldehyde concentration at a series of time points before and after alcohol consumption and psychomotor functions, such as, visual selective response time, auditory simple response time and tracking experiment were detected. Biphasic alcohol response questionnaires were collected. Results After alcohol consumption, ALDH2*1/*2 group's blood ethanol and blood acetaldehyde concentration reached the peak earlier than ALDH2*1/*1 group. Its blood acetaldehyde concentration was higher than that of ALDH2*1/*1 group, 1-6 h after alcohol consumption. The psychomotor functions, such as visual selective response time and auditory simple response time in ALDH2*1/*2 group were more significantly impaired than those in ALDH2*1/*1 group after alcohol consumption. There was no statistical significance between the two groups in excitement or sedation reactions （P>0.05）. Pearson correlation coefficient test showed that blood acetaldehyde concentration was related with psychomotor function. Conclusion There are significant differences between the psychomotor function of ALDH2 wild type and mutant type individuals after alcohol consumption estimated to be related to the difference in blood acetaldehyde concentration after alcohol consumption.

[Effect analysis of 60 cases of modified septoplasty].

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and operative skills of modified septum plasty in the treatment of deviated nasal septum. Method:Retrospectively analyzed the case characteristics, surgical methods, postoperative complications, VAS score and nasal resistance value of 60 patients who received nasal septum surgery. Result:The VAS score of 28 patients who underwent improved septoplasty was significantly lower than that before surgery, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01). The postoperative nasal resistance of the narrow side of the nasal cavity and total nasal resistance of the patients were significantly lower than those before the operation, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion:Modified nasal septum plasty is a safe and effective method for the treatment of nasal septum deviation, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

[Individualized vancomycin dosing for a patient diagnosed as severe acute pancreatitis with concurrent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and continuous veno-venous hemofiltration therapy: a case report].

Pharmacokinetic parameters can be significantly altered for acute kidney injury (AKI), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and continuous veno-venous hemofiltration therapy (CVVH). Here we reported a case of individualized vancomycin dosing for a patient diagnosed as severe acute pancreatitis treated with concurrent ECMO and CVVH. A 65 kg 32-year-old woman was admitted to hospital presented with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), respiratory failure, metabotropic acidosis and hyperkalemia. She was admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) on hospital day 1 and was initiated on CVVH. She progressed to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on ICU day 2, and veno-venous ECMO was instituted. Several catheters were inserted into the body to support ECMO, CVVH and pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO), so vancomycin was prescribed empirically on ICU day 3 for prevention of catheter-related infection. Given the residual renal function and continuous hemofiltration intensity on day 3, vancomycin bolus of 1 000 mg was prescribed, followed by a maintenance dose of 500 mg every 8 hours. On ICU day 4, a vancomycin trough serum concentration of 14.1 mg/L was obtained before the fourth dose, which was within the target range of 10-20 mg/L. By ICU day 7, vancomycin dosage was elevated to 1.0 g every 12 hours because of aggravated infection and improved kidney function. On ICU day 14, a vancomycin trough serum concentration of 17 mg/L was obtained. Her white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil percentage (Neut%) dropped to the normal level by ICU day 19. This vancomycin regimen was successful in providing a target attainment of trough serum concentration ranging from 10-20 mg/L quickly and in controlling infection-related symptoms and signs properly. With the help of this case report we want to call attention to the clinically significant alteration in vancomycin pharmacokinetics among critically ill patients. Individualized vancomycin dosing regimens and therapeutic drug monitoring are necessary for critically ill patients receiving CVVH and ECMO to ensure that the target serum vancomycin levels are reached to adequately treat the infection and avoid nephrotoxicity.

[Correlation of Genetic Polymorphism, Alcoholic Beverage Type and Ethanol Metabolism].

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of ADH1B and ALDH2 gene polymorphism and type of alcoholic beverage on ethanol metabolism, to provide data support for cases involving the interpretation of ethanol metabolism or back calculation of blood ethanol concentration in forensic practice. METHODS: A total of 81 volunteers were selected. The genotypes of ADH1B, ADH1C and ALDH2 were obtained by a multiplex SNaPshot genotyping method. Each subject was administered with 1.0 g/kg of alcohol. About 1 mL venous blood was collected before and after the alcohol consumption at 30 min, 45 min, 1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 5 h, 6 h, 7 h and 8 h, respectively. The concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde in blood were determined by headspace gas chromatography. The peak times of blood ethanol concentration （Tmax）, the peak mass concentrations of ethanol （Cmax）, the area under curve （AUC） of ethanol （AUCethanol）, AUCacetaldehyde and ethanol elimination rates （ß） were calculated. In order to eliminate the influence of ADH1C, the ADH1C*1/*1 carriers were grouped based on the genotype of ADH1B and ALDH2. The data of each group were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance and pairwise comparison tests were performed by least significant difference method. The gene interactions were evaluated by two-way analysis of variance. Each parameter of three kinds of alcoholic beverage （white wine, red wine and beer） among groups was analysed by variance analysis with randomized block design. RESULTS: There were no differences in the value of Tmax and Cmax between the groups with different ADH1B and ALDH2 genotype. The differences in the values of AUCethanol, ß and AUCacetaldehyde among some groups carrying different ADH1B and ALDH2 genotype had statistical significance, while no significant difference was observed in these parameters when one individual taking same dose of different alcoholic beverage type. CONCLUSIONS: The ethanol metabolism is associated with the related gene polymorphism, which is barely affected by alcoholic beverage type.

Diagnosis with spiral CT imaging before gastric carcinoma surgery.

This study was carried out to study multi-slice spiral CT imaging for patients with gastric carcinoma and explore the values of multi-slice spiral CT imaging in staging prior to gastric carcinoma (GC) surgery. Forty-eight patients with GC underwent multi-slice spiral CT, and the scanning results were compared with the pathological results. The similarity of the results was observed, and the accuracy was calculated. Of 48 patients, 8 did not undergo surgery because of metastasis. In the diagnosis of the remaining 40 patients, the sensitivity of multi-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of staging of invasive depth of GC was 77.5%; κ = 0.642 in the analysis of consistency; there was no significant difference with the pathological results (p >0.05). The overall accuracy of diagnosis for stage N was 80%. The accuracy of multi-slice CT in detecting distant metastasis of GC was 87.5%. Multi-slice spiral CT can determine and evaluate various metastases of GC. The diagnostic results obtained using multi-slice spiral CT was probably consistent with the pathological results.

Intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion tensor imaging of early renal fibrosis induced in a murine model of streptozotocin induced diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: To assess if parameters in intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can be used to evaluate early renal fibrosis in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy. MATERIALS & METHODS: In a population of 38 male CD1 mice (8weeks old, 20-30g), streptozotocin induced diabetes was created in 20 mice via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 150mg/kg, while 18 mice served as control group. IVIM parameters were acquired at 0, 12 and 24weeks after injection of streptozotocin using a range of b values from 0 to 1200s/mm2. DTI parameters were obtained using 12 diffusion directions and lower b values of 0, 100 and 400s/mm2. DTI and IVIM parameters were obtained using region of interests drawn over the renal parenchyma. Histopathological analysis of the right kidney was performed in all mice. Results were analyzed using an unpaired t-test with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Renal cortex fractional anisotropy (FA) was significantly lower in the diabetes group at week 12 as compared with the control group. Renal cortex apparent diffusion coefficient and tissue diffusivity were significantly higher in the diabetes group at week 12 compared with the control group at 12weeks. Blood flow was significantly decreased at the renal medulla at 24weeks. Histopathological analysis confirmed fibrosis in the diabetes group at 24weeks. CONCLUSION: FA is significantly reduced in diabetic nephropathy. FA might serve a potential role in the detection and therapy monitoring of early diabetic nephropathy.

[Damage-associated molecular patterns and liver failure].

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are a series of intracellular molecules with immunoregulatory activity which are released by the damaged or activated cells and can induce autoimmunity or immune tolerance via pattern recognition receptors. At present, the DAMPs which have been discovered include extracellular histone, high-mobility group box-1, chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid, interleukin-18, interleukin-32, uric acid, and mitochondrial transcription factors. The discovery of DAMPs and clarification of their mechanisms of action help to know the pathophysiological process of liver failure and provide new thoughts for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of liver failure. This article briefly summarizes the concept of DAMPs and their mechanisms of action in the development and progression of liver failure.

miR-143 is involved in endothelial cell dysfunction through suppression of glycolysis and correlated with atherosclerotic plaques formation.

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerosis is recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease leading to hardening of the vessel wall and narrowing of arteries. Endothelial cells (ECs) exhibit highly active glycolysis, the dysfunction of which leads to accumulation of lipids in the arterial wall and formation of atherosclerotic plaque. MATERIALS AND METHODS: qRT-PCR was performed to compare the deregulated miR-143 between atherosclerotic plaque and normal vessel tissues. The direct target of miR-143 was verified by Western blot and luciferase assay. The metabolic enzymes in atherosclerotic plaque and normal vessel tissues were measured. HUVECs were transfected with miR-143 precursor or control microRNAs, and glucose uptake, lactate production, intracellular ATP, and oxygen consumption were measured. RESULTS: In this study, we report a correlation between up-regulated miR-143, EC dysfunction, and atherosclerotic plaque formation. The glycolysis rate was significantly elevated in ECs, which show relatively low levels of miR-143. Importantly, miR-143 was upregulated in clinical atherosclerotic plaque samples compared with healthy arteries, suggesting that miR-143 might play important roles in the atherosclerotic plaque formation. Moreover, mRNA levels of key enzymes of glycolysis, such as HK2, LDHA, and PKM2 are significantly down-regulated in the atherosclerotic plaque samples. Overexpression of miR-143 in HUVECs suppresses glycolysis through direct targeting of HK2, leading to EC dysfunction. Restoration of HK2 expression rescues glycolysis in miR-143-overexpressing HUVECs. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further insight into the metabolic mechanisms involved in atherosclerotic plaque formation due to microRNAs.

[Overexpression of Keap1 inhibits the cell proliferation and metastasis and overcomes the drug resistance in human lung cancer A549 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway on cell proliferation, metastasis and drug resistance of human lung cancer A549 cell line. METHODS: A549-Keap1 cell line, constantly expressing wild type Keap1, was established by lentiviral transfection. Real-time RT-PCR and western blot were used to determine the expression of Nrf2 and its target gene in A549 cells. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, flow cytometry, colony formation assay, transwell assay, and cell wound-healing assay were performed to explore the effect of wild type Keap1 expression on the proliferation, invasion, migration and drug resistance of A549 cells. RESULTS: Over-expressed Keap1 decreased the expression of Nrf2 protein and the mRNA level of its downstream target genes and inhibited the ability of cell proliferation and clone formation of A549 cells. Keap1 overexpression induced G0/G1 phase arrest. The percentage of A549-Keap1 cells in G0/G1 phase was significantly higher than that of A549-GFP cells (80.2±5.9)% vs. (67.1±0.9%)(P<0.05). Compared with the invasive A549-Keap1 cells (156.33±17.37), the number of invasive A549-GFP cells was significantly higher (306.67±22.19) in a high power field. Keap1 overexpression significantly enhanced the sensitivity of A549 cells to carboplatin and gemcitabine (P<0.01). The IC50s of carboplatin in A549-Keap1 and A549-GFP cells were (52.1±3.3) µmol/L and (107.8±12.9) µmol/L, respectively. The IC50s of gemcitabine in A549-Keap1 and A549-GFP cells were (6.8±1.2) µmol/L and (9.9±0.5) µmol/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: Keap1 overexpression significantly inhibits the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream target genes, suppresses tumor cell proliferation and metastasis, and enhances the sensitivity of A549 cells to anticancer drugs.

Effects of Sirtuin 1 on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells and stem cells from apical papilla.

The function of SIRT1 in the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of dental stem cells is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the roles of SIRT1 in these processes using periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs). A defined concentration of resveratrol, an SIRT1 activator, or nicotinamide, an SIRT1 inhibitor, was administered to PDLSCs, SCAPs, and a mixed group of the two cell lines, and their effects on these processes analyzed. Cell proliferation was tested using microtitration with a tetrazolium dye (MTT). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization ability, and the expression of osteoblastic differentiation-associated genes were assessed as well. These studies demonstrated that resveratrol could promote cell proliferation of all three groups in a gradually increasing trend over time. In contrast, nicotinamide suppressed the proliferation of the three cell lines. The results also showed that the markers of osteoblastic differentiation: ALP activity, mineralization ability, and the expression levels of the osteoblastic genes ALP, osteopontin, osteocalcin, and bone sialoprotein, were enhanced in the groups with resveratrol treatment. In contrast, following addition of nicotinamide, ALP activity, mineralization ability, and the expression levels of the osteoblastic genes were down-regulated in the cells. Together, these results suggest that the SIRT1 activator and inhibitor compounds, resveratrol and nicotinamide, function at high efficiency in adjusting cell proliferation, and that SIRT1 is a powerful regulator of osteoblastic differentiation of PDLSCs and SCAPs. In addition, co-culture of the two cell lines could promote their abilities of proliferation and osteogenic differentiation.

Single Droplet on Micro Square-Post Patterned Surfaces - Theoretical Model and Numerical Simulation.

In this study, the wetting behaviors of single droplet on a micro square-post patterned surface with different geometrical parameters are investigated theoretically and numerically. A theoretical model is proposed for the prediction of wetting transition from the Cassie to Wenzel regimes. In addition, due to the limitation of theoretical method, a numerical simulation is performed, which helps get a view of dynamic contact lines, detailed velocity fields, etc., even if the droplet size is comparable with the scale of the surface micro-structures. It is found that the numerical results of the liquid drop behaviours on the square-post patterned surface are in good agreement with the predicted values by the theoretical model.

[Expression of thrombus regulatory protein and myeloperoxidasein peripheral blood of adult with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

Objective:To investigate the expression of serum TM and MPO in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS).Method: Ninety OSAHS patients who confirmed by PSG as OSAHS group. According to AHI, the patients were divided into 3 groups include heavy, medium and light, and 30 healthy outpatients were control group. The serum TM and MPO were determined by ELISA; TM and MPO were measured after comprehensive treatment in patients with severe OSAHS, and the correlation between TM, MPO and PSG were analyzed. Result: ①With the severity of OSAHS patients increased, the serum levels of TM and MPO increased gradually（F=20.761,21.433；P<0.01). There was no significant difference about the concentration of TM and MPO between light and control group（P>0.05）；The concentration of TM and MPO was significantly higher in heavy and medium group compared with light and control group（P<0.01）.②There was no correlation between serum levels of TM, MPO, BMI, age and sex in OSAHS patients(P>0.05). The serum concentration of TM was positively related to MPO. The serum concentrations of TM and MPO were positively correlated with AHI, but negatively with LSaO2 (P<0.05). ③LSaO2 was significantly increased, AHI and peripheral blood TM, MPO levels were significantly reduced in thirty severe OSAHS cases received the combined treatment(P<0.01).Conclusion:The increase of TM and MPO concentration in peripheral blood is one of characteristics of cardiovascular damage in patients with OSAHS. Combined detection of serum TM and MPO concentrations in patients with the disease is helpful for evaluation and risk assessment of cardiovascular disease.

Effects of a Chinese medical herbs complex on cellular immunity and toxicity-related conditions of breast cancer patients.

Rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens, Geraniaceae) has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, and promotes wound healing. Similarly, Ganoderma tsugae (Ganodermataceae), Codonopsis pilosula (Campanulaceae) and Angelica sinensis (Apiaceae) are traditional Chinese herbs associated with immunomodulatory functions. In the present study, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to examine whether the Chinese medicinal herb complex, RG-CMH, which represents a mixture of rose geranium and extracts of G. tsugae, C. pilosula and A. sinensis, can improve the immune cell count of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to prevent leucopenia and immune impairment that usually occurs during cancer therapy. A total of fifty-eight breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy or radiotherapy were enrolled. Immune cell levels in patient serum were determined before, and following, 6 weeks of cancer treatment for patients receiving either an RG-CMH or a placebo. Administration of RG-CMH was associated with a significant reduction in levels of leucocytes from 31·5 % for the placebo group to 13·4 % for the RG-CMH group. Similarly, levels of neutrophils significantly decreased from 35·6 % for the placebo group to 11·0 % for the RG-CMH group. RG-CMH intervention was also associated with a decrease in levels of T cells, helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells compared with the placebo group. However, these differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. In conclusion, administration of RG-CMH to patients receiving chemotherapy/radiotherapy may have the capacity to delay, or ease, the reduction in levels of leucocytes and neutrophils that are experienced by patients during cancer treatment.