Causal effects of circulating vitamin levels on the risk of heart failure:a Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Observational studies suggest inverse associations between serum vitamin levels and the risk of heart failure(HF). However, the causal effects of vitamins on HF have not been fully elucidated. Here, we conducted a Mendelian randomization(MR) study to investigate the causal associations between genetically determined vitamin levels and HF.METHODS Genetic instrumental variables for circulating vitamin levels, including vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, which were assessed as either absolute or metabolite levels were obtained from public genome-wide association studies. Summary statistics for single-nucleotide-polymorphisms and HF associations were retrieved from the HERMES Consortium(47,309 cases and 930,014controls) and FinnGen Study(30,098 cases and 229,612 controls). Two-sample MR analyses were implemented to assess the causality between vitamin levels and HF per outcome database, and the results were subsequently combined by meta-analysis.RESULTS Our MR study did not find significant associations between genetically determined circulating vitamin levels and HF risk. For absolute vitamin levels, the odds ratio for HF ranged from 0.97(95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85–1.09, P = 0.41) for vitamin C to 1.05(95% CI: 0.61–1.82, P = 0.85) for vitamin A. For vitamin metabolites, the odds ratio ranged between 0.94(95% CI:0.75–1.19, P = 0.62) for α-tocopherol and 1.11(95% CI: 0.98–1.26, P = 0.09) for γ-tocopherol.CONCLUSION Evidence from our study does not support the causal effects of circulating vitamin levels on HF. Therefore,there may be no direct beneficial effects of vitamin intake on the prevention of primary HF.

Hybrid bioartificial liver support in cynomolgus monkeys with D-galactosamine-induced acute liver failure

AIM: To evaluate a hybrid bioartificial liver support system (HBALSS) in cynomolgus monkeys with acute liver failure.

Comparison of two types of visual quality analyzer for the measurement of high order aberrations

AIM： To compare the difference and agreement of KR- lW and iTrace for measurement of high order aberrations.METHODS： KR-1W and iTrace were respectively used in a group of healthy people （40 volunteers, 32 eyes） to measure the high order aberration （HOA） of corneal, internal and total ocular. The clinical difference and agreement of two instruments were respectively evaluated by paired-samples 1-test and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS： The paired-samples t-test showed that the corneal HOA measured by the two instruments had no statistical differences （P〉0.05）; but the internal and total ocular HOA had significant statistical differences （P〈 0.05）, and the mean results measured by iTrace were higher than that of KR-1W. However, Bland-Altman analysis revealed that the HOA of corneal and internal were all in 95% limits of agreement; and just one point of total ocular HOA was beyond the 95% limits of agreement. CONCLUSION： KR-1W and iTrace were consistent well in the measurement of corneal, internal and total ocular HOA, especially for the cornea.

Comparison of visual quality in cataract patients with low astigmatism after ART2 or ReSTOR intraocular lens implantation

AIM: To compare visual quality in cataract patients with low corneal astigmatism who underwent intraocular lens(IOL) implantation, and evaluate effects of low levels of astigmatism on visual outcomes in multifocal pseudophakic eyes.METHODS: This retrospective review of clinical records comprised patients with preoperative regular corneal astigmatism of 0.75-1.0 diopters(D) with-the-rule or 0.5-0.75 D against-the-rule who had uneventful cataract surgery and AcrySof IQ ReSTOR Toric-2 IOL(ART2) or AcrySof IQ ReSTOR IOL(ReSTOR) implantation. Retrospective data collection included postoperative ART2 axis rotation, uncorrected astigmatism, uncorrected entire visual acuities, distance corrected entire visual acuities, average modulation transfer function(aMTF), Strehl ratio(SR), spectacle independence, and patient satisfaction between groups.RESULTS: Mean ART2 axis rotation was 3.12°±0.70°. No secondary surgery was required to realign IOL axis. Residual astigmatism values were-0.18±0.07 D and-0.91±0.25 D in groups ART2 and ReSTOR(P<0.05). Three months postoperatively, the mean uncorrected distant, intermediate, and near visual acuities of group A were 0.01±0.05, 0.05±0.07, 0.02±0.07 logMAR, respectively; these were better than those of group R, which were 0.08±0.06, 0.15±0.12, and 0.09±0.08 logMAR, respectively(P<0.05). aMTF, SR, and spectacle independence rates were not significantly different. All patients were satisfied with postoperative results.CONCLUSION: ART2 is more suitable than ReSTOR for cataract patients with regular corneal astigmatism 0.75-1.0 D with-the-rule or 0.5-0.75 D against-the-rule.

Expression and Clinical Significance of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Benign and Malignant Tissues of Breast

Objective： To detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and microvessel density （MVD） count in breast benign affection, breast atypical hyperplasia and breast carcinoma in situ, and to clarify the relationship between VEGF expression, MVD and the clinicopathological features of these diseases. Methods： The expression of VEGF and MVD count in 115 cases breast benign diseases （including 40 breast fibroid tumor, 40 breast cystic hyperplasia and 35 intraductal papilloma, 19 breast atypical hyperplasias and 32 breast carcinomas in situ were examined by immunohistochemistry staining （SP-method）. Results： The positive rate of VEGF in breast benign diseases, breast atypical hyperplasia and breast carcinoma in situ were 21.74%（25/115）, 31.58.% （6/19）and 53.13%（17/32） respectively. It was the lowest in breast benign affection group, and was the highest breast carcinoma in situ group. The expression of VEGF increased gradually in the three groups （P〈0.05）. The MVD count of the three groups were 14.41 ± 2.59, 18.89± 4.47 and 21.13 ± 4.12 respectively, It was the lowest in breast benign affection group, and was the highest breast carcinoma in situ group. The MVD count of the three groups increased gradually （P〈0.05）. In VEGF positive group, MVD count was 19.41 ±4.78; In VEGF negative group, MVD count was 14.91±3.15. The MVD count was higher in VEGF positive group than that in VEGF negative group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The results of this study suggested that VEGF could promote microvessel growth in breast tumors. The occurrence and progression of breast cancer might be related with the expression of VEGF.

Cross-frequency network analysis of functional brain connectivity in temporal lobe epilepsy

In this study, we investigate the cross-frequency coupling and functional brain networks in the subjects with temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE) using interictal EEG signals. The phase to phase synchronization within and across frequency bands is calculated and a significant difference between the epilepsy and control groups is observed. Compared with the controls,the epilepsy patients exhibit a stronger within-frequency coupling(WFC) within theta and beta bands, and shows a stronger cross-frequency coupling(CFC) in the delta–alpha and theta–alpha band pairs, but a weakened CFC in alpha–beta band pairs. The weakened coupling between alpha and high frequency band reflects a suppression of phase modulation between the brain regions related to epilepsy. Moreover, WFC and CFC are positively correlated, which is higher in the patients relative to controls. We further reconstruct functional brain connectivity and find that both WFC and CFC networks show small-world properties. For the epilepsy, the small-world efficiency is enhanced in the CFC networks in delta–alpha and theta–alpha band pairs, whereas weakened between alpha and beta bands, which suggests a shift away from the optimal operating point in the epileptic brain with a new balance between WFC and CFC. Our results may help us to understand the important role of information communication across different frequency bands and shed new light on the study of pathology of epilepsy.

Effect of Jintiange capsule on acute bone atrophy resulting from wrist fractures: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of Jintiange capsule in the treatment of acute bone atrophy due to wrist fractures. Methods: Participants were randomly allocated into two groups, i.e. the treatment group and the control groups. All patients received functional rehabilitation exercise. Patients in the treatment group received Jintiange capsule orally, while the control group received placebos. At 3 and 6 months after the treatment, Cooney score, hand grip and pinch strength were measured. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was applied, and safety events were recorded. Results: No loss occurred during 6 months of follow-up after treatment. Before the treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in Cooney score, hand grip strength, hand pinch strength or VAS score (all P>0.05). At 3 and 6 months after the treatment, the Cooney core, hand grip and pinch strength increased, and the VAS were decreased in all patients. The treatment group showed significantly greater improvement than the control group (P<0.05). In additional, both groups showed few side effects. Conclusions: Jintiange capsule can improve the function of the wrist joint and alleviate the pain of fracture. It is safe and effective for treating acute bone atrophy.

Giant neurogenic tumors of mediastinum: report of two cases and literature review

Neurogenic tumors are commonly found in the mediastinum, especially in the posterior mediastinum or in the chest wall, neurogenic tumors may reach large size before becoming symptomatic. If the neurogenic tumor occupied more than half size of the chest wall accompanied by mediastinal shift, tracheal compression, or superior vena reflux disorder, it may be called giant intrathoracic neurogenic tumors. Giant intrathoracic neurogenic tumors are relatively rare. Most of intrathoracic neurogenic tumors were benign or low-grade malignant tumors in nature. Complete surgical excision should be the rule for these patients. We report two cases of giant neurogenic tumors, and study the clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, surgical management, and prognosis in the light of the most important published data.

Effective suppression of beta oscillation in Parkinsonian state via a noisy direct delayed feedback control scheme

This work explores the function of the noisy direct delayed feedback(NDDF)control strategy in suppressing the pathological oscillations in the basal ganglia(BG)with Parkinson’s disease(PD).Deep brain stimulation(DBS)alleviates the PD state fantastically.However,due to its unclear mechanism and open-loop characteristic,it is challenging to further improve its effects with lower energy expenditure.The noise stimulus performs competitively in alleviating the PD state theoretically,but it cannot adapt to the neural condition timely and automatically due to its open-loop control scheme.The direct delayed feedback(DDF)control strategy is able to disturb excessive synchronous effectively.Therefore,the NDDF control strategy is proposed and researched based on a BG computational model,which can reflect the intrinsic properties of the BG neurons and their connections with thalamic neurons.Simulation results show that the NDDF control strategy with optimal parameters is effective in removing the pathological beta oscillations.By comparison,we find the NDDF control strategy performs more excellent than DDF in alleviating PD state.Additionally,we define the multiple-NDDF control strategy and find that the multiple-NDDF with appropriate parameters performs better than NDDF.The obtained results contribute to the cure for PD symptoms by optimizing the noise-induced improvement of the BG dysfunction.

Visual analysis of flow and diffusion of hemolytic agents and hematomas

The elimination of intracranial hematomas has received widespread attention and the interactions between hemolytic agents and hematomas have become a hot research topic.In this study,we used the Navier-Stokes equation to describe the flow control equation for hemolytic agents in a tube and used Fick’s law and the Maxwell-Stefan diffusion theory to describe the diffusion and mass transfer of hemolytic agents and hematomas.The physical fields and initial boundary conditions were set according to the parametric properties of the fluid and drainage tube.The COMSOL Multiphysics software was used to simulate the streamline distribution of hemolytic agents in a bifurcated drainage tube.Additionally,the diffusion behaviors of the hemolytic agents into hematomas were simulated and visual analysis of coupled multiphysics was performed to realize the digitization and visualization of engineering fluid problems and contribute to the field of medical engineering.

Research on a bifurcation location algorithm of a drainage tube based on 3D medical images

Based on patient computerized tomography data,we segmented a region containing an intracranial hematoma using the threshold method and reconstructed the 3D hematoma model.To improve the efficiency and accuracy of identifying puncture points,a point-cloud search arithmetic method for modified adaptive weighted particle swarm optimization is proposed and used for optimal external axis extraction.According to the characteristics of the multitube drainage tube and the clinical needs of puncture for intracranial hematoma removal,the proposed algorithm can provide an optimal route for a drainage tube for the hematoma,the precise position of the puncture point,and preoperative planning information,which have considerable instructional significance for clinicians.

Biological Effects of Chlamydiaphage phi CPG1 Capsid Protein Vp1 on Chlamydia Trachomatis In Vitro and In Vivo

The researches on chlamydia in recent years show that chlamydia bacteriophage may be a potential and effective means to solve the clinical infection of chlamydia trachomatis（Ct）. We investigated the biological effect of chlamydiaphage phi CPG1 capsid protein Vp1 on Ct both in Mc Coy cells and genital tract of mice. Different concentrations of Vp1 were co-incubated with Ct E serotype strain in Mc Coy cells. Female BALB/c mice were used to establish Ct E strain-induced urogenital infection model. They were randomly divided into five groups and given different treatments on the fifth day after Ct inoculation. Animals in groups 1 and 2 were given 30 μL different concentrations of Vp1 in the genital tract respectively, those in group 3 were intramuscularly injected with 30 μL Vp1, those in the infected group did not receive any intervention, and those in the control group received 30 μL PBS in the genital tract. The vaginal discharge was collected to identify the live chlamydia by cell culture and gene fragment by real time PCR different days after infection. Inhibition rate of 100 μg/m L and 50 μg/m L Vp1 proteins against Ct E strain in the Mc Coy cell cultures was 91% and 79% respectively. The number of intracellular Ct inclusion in the Mc Coy cells co-cultured with vaginal discharge of group 1 and group 2 was less than in the infected group, and that in group 1 was less than in group 2, on the 7th day after Ct inoculation. Real-time PCR showed that chlamydia concentration of the vaginal discharge in group 2 was lower than in the infected group, and that in group 1 was lower than in group 2 on the 10 th day. It was suggested that Vp1 capsid proteins had inhibitory effect on the proliferation of Ct serovar E strain in cell culture and mouse genital tract.

Honokiol attenuates mitochondrial fission and cell apoptosis by activating Sirt3 in intracerebral hemorrhage

Background:Sirtuin-3(Sirt3)has been documented to protect against mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis.Honokiol(HKL)is a Sirt3 pharmacological activator with reported neuroprotective effects in multiple neurological disorders.The present study aimed to explore the neuroprotective effects of HKL and the role of Sirt3 following intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH).Methods:An in vivo ICH model in rats was established by injecting autologous blood into the right basal ganglia.PC12 cells were stimulated with hemin.For the in vivo investigation,the modified Neurological Severity Scores and the Morris water maze test were performed to assess neurological deficits.Hematoxylin-Eosin and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining were employed to evaluate the histopathology and apoptosis.Immunohistochemical staining was used to investigate the expression of Sirt3.Adenosine triphosphate(ATP)levels were quantified to assess mitochondrial dysfunction.Cell counting kit-8,lactate dehydrogenase assay,and flow cytometry were used to analyze cell vitality and apoptosis in vitro.Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe mitochondrial morphology and dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1)localization to mitochondria.Western blot was applied to quantify the expression of Sirt3,Bax,Bcl-2,cleaved-caspase-3,Drp1,phosphorylation of Drp1 at serine-616,and phosphorylation of Drp1 at serine-637 in vivo and in vitro.Results:HKL treatment alleviated neurological deficits,attenuated the histopathological damage and cell apoptosis,and restored the decreased ATP levels in ICH rats.HKL improved cell survival rate,reduced cell apoptosis,and inhibited mitochondrial fission in PC12 cells.Moreover,both in vivo and in vitro models showed increased phosphorylation of Drp1 at Ser616,and reduced phosphorylation of Drp1 at Ser637.Meanwhile,immunofluorescence co-localization analysis revealed that hemin increased the overlap of Drp1 and mitochondria in PC12 cells.The phosphorylation and mitochondrial translocation of Drp1 were effectively reversed by HKL treatment.Importantly,the selective Sirt3 inhibitor 3-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine suppressed these effects.Conclusion:Our findings demonstrated that HKL ameliorated ICH-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial fission by Sirt3,suggesting that HKL has immense prospects for the treatment of ICH.

Muscular tissue desaturation and pneumonia in patients receiving lung cancer surgery:a cohort study

Background:Post-operative pneumonia(POP)is a common complication of lung cancer surgery,and muscular tissue oxygenation is a root cause of post-operative complications.However,the association between muscular tissue desaturation and POP in patients receiving lung cancer surgery has not been specifically studied.This study aimed to investigate the potential use of intra-operative muscular tissue desaturation as a predictor of POP in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery.Methods:This cohort study enrolled patients(≥55 years)who had undergone lobectomy with one-lung ventilation.Muscular tissue oxygen saturation(SmtO_(2))was monitored in the forearm(over the brachioradialis muscle)and upper thigh(over the quadriceps)using a tissue oximeter.The minimum SmtO_(2)was the lowest intra-operative measurement at any time point.Muscular tissue desaturation was defined as a minimum baseline SmtO_(2)of<80%for>15 s.The area under or above the threshold was the product of the magnitude and time of desaturation.The primary outcome was the association between intra-operative muscular tissue desaturation and POP within seven post-operative days using multivariable logistic regression.The secondary outcome was the correlation between SmtO_(2)in the forearm and that in the thigh.Results:We enrolled 174 patients.The overall incidence of muscular desaturation(defined as SmtO_(2)<80%in the forearm at baseline)was approximately 47.1%(82/174).The patients with muscular desaturation had a higher incidence of pneumonia than those without desaturation(28.0%[23/82]vs.12.0%[11/92];P=0.008).The multivariable analysis revealed that muscular desaturation was associated with an increased risk of pneumonia(odds ratio:2.995,95%confidence interval:1.080-8.310,P=0.035)after adjusting for age,American Society of Anesthesiologists status,Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score,smoking,use of peripheral nerve block,propofol,and study center.Conclusion:Muscular tissue desaturation,defined as a baseline SmtO_(2)<80%in the forearm,may be associated with an increased risk of POP.Trial registration:No.ChiCTR-ROC-17012627.

Incidence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events in Chinese Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Iodixanol: An Observational Postauthorization Study

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events(MACCEs)and overall safety profile associated with iodixanol in Chinese patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:Patients at 30 centers in China registered in the OpenClinic v3.6 database from October 30,2013,to October 7,2015,were included in the study.The primary endpoint was in-hospital MACCEs including target lesion revascularization(TLR),stroke,stent thrombosis,cardiac death,and PCI-related myocardial infarction(MI)within 72 h post-PCI.Secondary endpoints were MACCEs from 72 h to 30 d post-PCI and other safety events within 30 d post-PCI.Results:A total of 3,042 patients were enrolled.The incidence of MACCEs within 72 h post-PCI was 2.33%(n=71),including cardiac death(0.03%,n=1)and PCI-related MI(2.30%,n=70).The incidence of MACCEs from 72 h to 30 d post-PCI was 0.16%(n=5),including cardiac death(0.10%,n=3),PCI-related MI(0.03%,n=1),and TLR for stent thrombosis(0.03%,n=1).The incidence of composite angiographic or procedural complications was 2.86%(n=87);233(7.86%)patients had results suggesting contrast-induced acute kidney injury.Conclusions:These findings indicate that the use of iodixanol in Chinese patients undergoing PCI is associated with a low incidence of MACCEs,confirming its safety in this population.

High correlation of specific IgE sensitization between birch pollen, soy and apple allergens indicates pollen-food allergy syndrome among birch pollen allergic patients in northern China

Background： Birch pollen sensitization and associated pollen-food syndrome among Chinese allergic patients have not been investigated. Methods： Sera from 203 allergic patients from the northern part of China and collected during February to July 2014 were investigated. Specific immunoglobulin E （IgE） against birch pollen extract Bet v and major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 were measured using the ADVIA Centaur. The presence of major apple allergen Mal d 1 and soy bean allergen Gly m 4 specific IgE was measured by ImmunoCAP 100. Results： Among the 203 sere, 34 sera （16.7%） had specific IgE to Bet v and of these, 28 sere （82.4%） contained Bet v 1-specific IgE. Among the 28 sera with Bet v 1-specific IgE, 27 sera （96.4%） contained Mal d 1-specific IgE and 22 sera （78.6%） contained Gly m 4-specific igE. Of the 34 Bet v-positive sera, 6 sera （17.6%） contained no specific IgE for Bet v 1, Mal d 1, or Gly m 4. Almost all Bet v-positive sera were donated during the birch pollen season. Conclusions： The prevalence of birch allergy among patients visiting health care during pollen season can be as high as 16.7% in Tangshan City. The majority of Chinese birch allergic patients are IgE-sensitized to the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 as well as to the major apple allergen Mal d 1 and soy bean allergen Gly m 4. A relatively high number of patients （17.6%） are IgE-sensitized to birch pollen allergen（s） other than Bet v 1. The high prevalence of specific IgE to Mal d 1 and Gly m 4 among Bet v 1-sensitized patients indicates that pollen-food allergy syndrome could be of clinical relevance in China.

Inhibitive effect of 3-bromopyruvic acid on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells involves cell cycle arrest and apoptotic induction

Background Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women and is highly resistant to chemotherapy Due to its high tumour selectivity, 3-bromopyruvic acid （3-BrPA）, a well-known inhibitor of energy metabolism has been proposed as a specific anticancer agent. The present study determined the effect of 3-BrPA on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis in the human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line and other antitumour mechanisms. Methods MCF-7 cells were treated with various concentrations of 3-BrPA for 1-4 days, and cell growth was measured by 3-（4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Marked morphological changes in MCF-7 cells after treatment with 3-BrPA were observed using transmission electron microscopy. The distributions of the cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry was used to indicate the changes in the expression of Bcl-2, c-Myc, and mutant p53. Results 3-BrPA （25 μg/ml） significantly inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a time-dependent manner. The MCF-7 cells exposed to 3-BrPA showed the typical morphological characteristics of apoptosis, including karyopycnosis, nuclear condensation and oversize cytoplasmic particles. In addition, flow cytometric assay also showed more apoptotic cells after 3-BrPA stimulation. The cells at the GO and G1 phases were dramatically decreased while cells at the S and G2/M phases were increased in response to 3-BrPA treatment after 48 hours. Furthermore, 3-BrPA stimulation decreased the expressions of Bcl-2, c-Myc and mutant p53, which were strongly associated with the programmed cell death signal transduction pathway. Conclusion 3-BrPA inhibits proliferation, induces S phase and G2/M phase arrest, and promotes apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, which processes might be mediated by the downregulation of the expressions of Bcl-2, c-Myc and mutant p53.

Prevalence of sensitization to weed pollens of Humulus scandens,Artemisia vulgaris,and Ambrosia artemisiifolia in northern China

Objective:Weed pollens are common sources of allergens worldwide.The prevalence of weed pollen sensitization is not yet fully known in China.The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sensitization to weed allergens from Artemisia,Ambrosia,and Humulus in northern China.Methods:A total of 1144 subjects(aged from 5 to 68 years) visiting our clinic from June to October 2011 underwent intradermal testing using a panel of 25 allergen sources.Subjects with positive skin responses to any pollen were further tested for their serum concentrations of IgE antibodies against Artemisia vulgaris,Ambrosia artemisiifolia,and Humulus scandens,and against the purified allergens,Art v 1 and Amb a 1.Results:Of 1144 subjects,170 had positive intradermal reactions to pollen and 144 donated serum for IgE testing.The prevalence of positive intradermal responses to pollens of Artemisia sieversiana,Artemisia annua,A.artemisiifolia,and H.scandens was 11.0%,10.2%,3.7%,and 6.6%,respectively.Among the intradermal positive subjects,the prevalence of specific IgE antigens to A.vulgaris was 58.3%,to A.artemisiifolia 14.7%,and to H.scandens 41.0%.The prevalence of specific IgE antigens to the allergen Art v 1 was 46.9%,and to Amb a 1 was 11.2%.The correlation between the presence of IgE antibodies specific to A.vulgaris and to the Art v 1 antigen was very high.Subjects with A.artemisiifolia specific IgE also had A.vulgaris specific IgE,but with relatively high levels of A.vulgaris IgE antibodies.There were no correlations between the presence of IgE antibodies to H.scandens and A.vulgaris or to H.scandens and A.artemisiifolia.Conclusions:The intradermal prevalence of weed pollen sensitization among allergic subjects in northern China is about 13.5%.Correlations of specific IgE antibodies suggest that pollen allergens from Artemisia and Humulus are independent sources for primary sensitization.

Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms using coil embolization plus an Enterprise stent

Background Several difficulties can arise from wide-neck cerebral aneurysms when treated with endovascular embolization. We aimed to investigate the effect of endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms using coil embolization plus an Enterprise stent.Methods Forty patients were treated with coil embolization plus an Enterprise stent between December 2008 and June 2010.Results The mortality of patients was 0. All stents were successfully implanted without any surgery-related complication.Conclusion The Enterprise stent has some advantages to be selected.

Tranexamic acid for acute intracerebral haemorrhage growth based on imaging assessment (TRAIGE): a multicentre, randomised, placebo- controlled trial

Background Studies show tranexamic acid can reduce the risk of death and early neurological deterioration after intracranial haemorrhage.We aimed to assess whether tranexamic acid reduces haematoma expansion and improves outcome in intracerebral haemorrhage patients susceptible to haemorrhage expansion.Methods We did a prospective,double-blind,randomised,placebo-controlled trial at 10 stroke centres in China.Acute supratentorial intracerebral haemorrhage patients were eligible if they had indication of haemorrhage expansion on admission imaging(eg,spot sign,black hole sign or blend sign),and were treatable within 8 hours of symptom onset.Patients were randomly assigned(1:1)to receive either tranexamic acid or a matching placebo.The primary outcome was intracerebral haematoma growth(>33% relative or>6 mL absolute)at 24 hours.Clinical outcomes were assessed at 90 days.Results Of the 171 included patients,124(72.5%)were male,and the mean age was 55.9±11.6 years.89 patients received tranexamic acid and 82 received placebo.The primary outcome did not differ significantly between the groups:36(40.4%)patients in the tranexamic acid group and 34(41.5%)patients in the placebo group had intracranial haemorrhage growth(OR 0.96,95% CI 0.52 to 1.77,p=0.89).The proportion of death was lower in the tranexamic acid treatment group than placebo group(8.1%vs 10.0%),but there were no significant differences in secondary outcomes including absolute intracranial haemorrhage growth,death and dependency.Conclusions Among patients susceptible to haemorrhage expansion treated within 8 hours of stroke onset,tranexamic acid did not significantly prevent intracerebral haemorrhage growth.Larger studies are needed to assess safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid in intracerebral haemorrhage patients.