Objective To analyze the clinical features of infective endocarditis with positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies ,and compare with ANCA associated small vessel vasculitis(AASV). Methods Three IE patients with positive ANCA were analyzed, and 13 cases from literatures were reviewed. Results Sixteen patients had positive anti-PR3 ANCA, in which 2 cases had both positive (anti-PR3 and anti-MPO ANCA) ANCA. All patients had some clinical manifestations mimic AASV, including fever ( 13/16, 81% ), rash (8/16, 50% ), rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (7/16, 44% ), splenomegaly (6/16, 38% ). Streptococcal species were identified in 12 patients, and cardiac valvular abnormalities were demonstrated in all patients. All patients except 2, who died of cerebral hemorrhage followed by cerebral infarction, recovered with antibiotic therapy. Conclusion Infective endocarditis sometimes can have the same clinical features as AASV, so physicians should carefully differentiate between them when dealing with patients with positive ANCA antibodies.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship of micrometastatic cancer cells in the blood and prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSBlood samples were collected from peripheral vein perioperatively and from the pulmonary vein intraoperatively in NSCLC patients. Cancer cells were detected by flow cytometry, as described previously. The patients were followed up and analyzed statistically.

RESULTSCancer cells in blood samples were detected in 20 of 58 patients (34.5%). Patients under 57 years of age or with stage III/IV lesions had higher positive findings than those over 57 years or with stage I/II lesions (P = 0.000 and 0.006, respectively). On the basis of 40 month follow-up data, the 2- and 3-year survival rates of patients with positive and negative results were 30.0% vs 20.0%, and 52.6% vs 50.0%, respectively. There was significant difference between the overall survival curves which favored patients with negative findings (P = 0.0291 and 0.0092, respectively).

CONCLUSIONThis study indicates that cancer cells can be detected in the blood perioperatively from NSCLC patients which means poor prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate if glutamine (Gln) reduces intestinal bacterial translocation in acute hepatic failure (AHF) in rats and its mechanisms.

METHODSAcute hepatic failure model in rat was established by intraperitoneal injection of galatosamine. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the normal control group (A), prevention and treatment group (B), treatment group (C), and model group (D). The rats in groups A and D were fed with normal saline. Two days before intraperitoneal injection, the rats in group B were fed with Gln and those in group C were fed with Gln 24 hours after injection. After 4 days of treatment, the rats were sacrificed and pathological scores of liver were assessed. The percentage of intestinal bacterial transloaction and bacteria in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) were measured. The villus height, crypt depth of ileum mucosa were analyzed. The levels of serum diamine oxidase (DAO) were measured.

RESULTSThe liver pathological scores of groups B and C were significantly lower than those of group D. The frequency of the bacteria found in MLN was significantly lower in group B compared with group D. The levels of DAO in blood were significantly lower in groups B and C than that of group D, and the level was significantly lower in group B than in group C. The villus height and crypt depth of the mucosa were significantly greater in group B and group C than in group D, and greater in group B than in group C.

CONCLUSIONThe results of the present study show that Gln can reduce the occurrence of the intestinal bacterial translocation in AHF in rats by improving the function of intestinal barrier.

Animals ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Bacterial Translocation ; Glutamine ; metabolism ; Intestines ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Liver Failure, Acute ; complications ; microbiology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Erythrocytes are devoid of nuclei and mitochondria which are the crucial elements of apoptosis, so their programmed suicidal death is called eryptosis. Eryptosis is characterized by cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, activation of proteases, and phosphatidylserine exposure. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) activates nonselective cation channels that increase cytosolic Ca(2+) activity and platelet-activating factor (PAF) activates a sphingomyelinase which lead to formation of ceramide. Either can lead to membrane scrambling with subsequent phosphatidylserine exposure. Exposed phosphatidylserine is recognized by macrophages that engulf and degrade the injured cells. As such, eryptosis can clear the injured red blood cells and avoid the release of hemoglobin. The signaling of eryptosis includes PGE(2), cation channels, PAF, ceramide, protein kinase C, and in some instances, caspases. In this review, the PGE(2), PAF and protein kinase pathways, erythrocyte surface receptor-mediated effects, oxidative stress and caspase effects, the inhibitory factors of eryptosis and the clinical eryptosis-related diseases are discussed.
Apoptosis ; physiology ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Platelet Activating Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

The present study aimed to investigate the mRNA expression levels of collagen, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the left and right atria in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF). Forty five patients with valvular heart disease were sampled in this study, including 18 patients with sinus rhythm (SR), 27 patients with CAF. Clinical data of these patients were collected, and the left and right atrial appendages were obtained from these patients during heart valvular replacement surgery. The mRNA levels of collagen type I, collagen type III, MMP1, MMP9, TMP1 of the atria were then measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The results obtained were as follows. Compared to those in SR group, in atria of CAF group, the mRNA levels of collagen type I, MMP1 and MMP9 increased (P<0.05), while the mRNA level of TMP1 decreased (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the mRNA levels of collagen type I, collagen type III, MMP1, MMP9 and TMP1 between the left and right atria of SR group (P>0.05). In CAF group, the mRNA level of MMP1 in the right atrium was higher than that in the left atrium (P<0.05), however, the mRNA level of MMP9 in the left atrium was higher than that in the right atrium (P<0.01). In both the left and right atria, the mRNA of collagen type I was positively correlated with the corresponding atrial diameter; the mRNA of MMP1 and MMP9 was positively correlated with the mRNA of collagen type I, and was negatively correlated with the mRNA of TMP1. These results suggest that the increased level of collagen type I associated with selective upregulation of MMP1, 9 and downregulation of TMP1, 9 in the atrium might be the molecular basis of atrial interstitial fibrosis in patients with CAF. Moreover, during CAF development, there is difference in the expression of MMPs between the left and right atria.
Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Heart Atria ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibilities of bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) to adopt Schwann cell phenotype in vitro and in vivo in SD rats.

METHODSMSCs were obtained from tibia and femur bone marrow and cultured in culture flasks. Beta-mercaptoethanol followed by retinoic acid, forskolin, basic-FGF, PDGF and heregulin were added to induce differentiation of MSCs'. Schwann cell markers, p75, S-100 and GFAP were used to discriminate induced properties of MSCs' by immunofluorescent staining. PKH-67-labelled MSCs were transplanted into the mechanically injured rat sciatic nerve, and laser confocal microscopy was performed to localize the PKH67 labelled MSCs in the injured sciatic nerve two weeks after the operation. Fluorescence PKH67 attenuation rule was evaluated by flow cytometry in vitro.

RESULTSMSCs changed morphologically into cells resembling primary cultured Schwann cells after their induction in vitro. In vivo, a large number of MSCs were cumulated within the layer of epineurium around the injured nerve and expressed Schwann cell markers, p75, S-100, and GFAP.

CONCLUSIONMSCs are able to support nerve fiber regeneration and re-myelination by taking on Schwann cell function, and can be potentially used as possible substitutable cells for artificial nerve conduits to promote nerve regeneration.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Morphogenesis ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; Phenotype ; Rats ; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor ; analysis ; S100 Proteins ; analysis ; Schwann Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Sciatic Nerve ; cytology ; injuries ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo study the oldly people's hearing screening and dynamic monitoring mode, and to discuss the new diseases and health management mode in current information network era.

METHODSTo establish the network connection between the hospital and the communities in the internet through the function expansion of the Hospital Information Systems and to realize "dual systems, double platforms" integrated management modes and establish the audiology workstation. The routine physical examination, pure tone hearing threshold tests and middle ear analysis were performed on four hundred and twenty elderly people from the fourteen communities every three months, and the changes of hearing and related symptoms were observed.

RESULTSResources sharing was established between the hospital and these fourteen communities. Health records were established for all the aged people, the hearing screening lasted only half a day each time. Fourteen hearing loss cases were found during one year. A statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) were found, the ratio of hearing loss with diabetes, high blood pressure and other diseases were much higher than people without concomitant.

CONCLUSIONThe advantage of disease management mode under the Hospital Information System is convenient, the work efficiency and qualities are improved, which is worthy of popularizing.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Deafness ; diagnosis ; Female ; Hearing Tests ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo compare the short-term outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer after subtotal esophagectomy via thoracoscopy in prone position and in left lateral position.

METHODSBetween September 2008 and September 2010, thoraco-laparoscopic esophagectomy (TLE) with thoracoscopic mobilization of the esophagus and mediastinal esophagectomy was performed in 41 patients in prone position (group A) and other 41 patients (group B) performed by the same surgeon in left lateral position.

RESULTSPreoperatively, the endoscopic location of the tumor was in the upper third in 5 cases (2 vs. 3), the middle third in 21 cases (12 vs. 9), and the lower third in 56 cases (27 vs. 29). The median operative time was 230 (range 170-310) min in group A and 280 (range 190-380) min in group B (P=0.04). The median intraoperative blood loss was 275 (range 100-320) ml in group A and 360 (range 120-670) ml in group B (P=0.09). The median number of lymph nodes dissected was 8.4 (range 4-23) in group A and 6.9 (range 6-21) in group B (P=0.03). The postoperative complications totaled 6 (14.6%) in group A and 8 (17.1%) in group B (P=0.44). After a median follow-up period of 15.7 (range 2-28) months for group A and 16.3 (range 3-31) months for group B, 19 patients in group A died and 21 patients in group B.

CONCLUSIONSFor esophageal cancer under T3N1M0, surgical outcomes are similar between prone thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization and left lateral position. Prone position may be associated with better lymph node dissection.

Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prone Position ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracoscopy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo describe the rule of the schwann cell proliferation after peripheral nerve injury in detail and to discover the effect of neuroanastomosis.

METHODSThe model of rat sciatic injury was made, with neuroanastomosis on the left side and right side untreated. Then draw the materials 24, 48 h, 4, 7, 14, 21 d after surgery. And immunohistological stain counted the schwann cell per view with Qwin software of Leica Ltd.

RESULTSThe number of schwann cell increased obviously 4 d after surgery and reached the peak in 7 d. Then it fell down and the neuroanastomosis group changed slower and fibroblast hyperplasia in the untreated.

CONCLUSIONSThe axon support is essential for the schwann cell. The precise rule is help for study on neurotrophic factor.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Schwann Cells ; cytology ; Sciatic Nerve ; injuries ; pathology ; surgery ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of Integrative Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) in treating SARS.

METHODSBy controlled paralled design, 49 patients of SARS were studied, they were divided into the control group (n = 29) and the ICWM group (n = 20). The former was treated according to the "Recommended Program for Treatment of SARS" provided by Health Ministry, by administering of such drugs as Ribavirin, Levofloxacin, Thymopentin, Azithromycin, etc, the latter was treated with the ICWM protocol for SARS of "Special Technological Action to Prevent and Treat SARS" provided by Science and Technology Ministry.

RESULTS(1) The time for improving symptom in the ICWM group was 5.10 days and that in the control group was 7.62 days, the difference between them was significant (P < 0.05); (2) The days and amount for use hormone before subtract in the two group were similar, with insignificant difference (P > 0.05); (3) The days and amount for use hormone after subtract in the two groups were significantly different (P < 0.05); (4) The time for improving peripheral WBC count and absolute value of lymphocyte, as well as for absorption time of shadow in chest film were not different significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn treating SARS, ICWM was superior to the treatment with western medicine alone in aspects of improving clinical symptom, promoting recovery of immune function and absorption of lung inflammation, decreasing the dosage of hormone used and shortening the therapeutic course.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Levofloxacin ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Ofloxacin ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology