Objective To investigate the feasibility of minimal access valve surgery. Methods The authors performed minimal access valve surgery from January 1997 to January 2003 in 72 cases: 36 cases of mitral valve operations and 9 cases of tricuspid valve operations were performed through right anterolateral thoracotomy; 5 cases of aortic valve operations through mini-sternotomy approach; 5 cases of aortic valve operations and 2 cases of mitral valve operations through para-sternotomy approach; 15 cases of mitral valve operations through “reversed L” mini-sternotomy access. Results In the early course following the surgery (within 1 postoperative month ) 71 patients survived and 1 patient died of acute hepatic and renal failure.Complete follow-up in 64 patients for 6～60 months(mean, 13 months) revealed that all the patients responded symptomatically, with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class Ⅱ status in 56 patients and Class Ⅲ in 8 patients. Color ultrasonocardiogram revealed normal status of mechanical or biological valves. All the patients were satisfied with cosmetic results. Conclusions Minimal access valve surgery is feasible, and is also associated with a better outcome in terms of sternal stability and postoperative recovery.

Adolescent ; Catheter Ablation ; instrumentation ; Equipment Failure ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; etiology ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; Silicones

Objective To evaluate the system of academic assessment and evaluation on introduced talented personnel so as to establish a consummate talented personnel introduction mechanism and to further standardize the introduction work. Methods On the basis of referring to document papers and soliciting management as well as human resource experts iteratively,the research method of expert consultation was adopted.(Results)The index system of academic assessment and evaluation on introduced talented personnel in school of medicine was preliminary established,and the objective index and subjective evaluation were scientifically combined to form the method of academic assessment and evaluation on introduced talented personnel. Conclusion Through simulative assessment and evaluation as well as probational demonstration,there exits definite scientificality and applicability on this academic assessment and evaluation index system,and it can provide a properly objective evaluation and essential reference foundation in the aspect of introducing more advanced talented personnel in the near future.

Background Both functional and morphological changes in amblyopic development are known to occur at various levels in the central visual pathway.However,whether the retina is involved or not during amblyopic progression remains controversial.Objective This study was designed to compare the thicknesses of the fovea and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) of the normal fellow eye of amblyopic eye using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in children with myopic anisometropia.Methods Twenty-two patients with unilateral myopic anisometropic amblyopia were included as the anisometropia amblyopia group.Ten unilateral myopic anisometropic amblyopia subjects received treatment and recovered were used as the amblyopic cure group,and 11 individuals with simple myopic anisometropia without amblyopia were enrolled as the control group.OCT was performed on both eyes of all the subjects with informed consent.Fovea retinal thickness and RNFL thickness from the superior,inferior,nasal and temporal quadrants in the peripapillary region were evaluated.The measurement parameters were bilaterally compared in all the individuals by paired t test.The multiple regression model was used to analyze the correlation of retinal thickness with amblyopia patients.This study was approved by the Ethic Committee of this hospital.Written informed consent was obtain from each subject prior to the eye examination.Results Fovea retinal thickness increased in the amblyopic eyes compared with the fellow eyes,showing a statistically significant difference between them (P =0.001).However,no significant differences were found in the fovea retinal thickness between both eyes in the amblyopic cure group and simple myopic anisometropia without amblyopia group (P =0.778,0.943).Among the anisometropia amblyopia group,amblyopia cure group and simple myopic anisometropia without amblyopia group,the RNFL thicknesses of the temporal quadrant was significantly thicker in the higher myopic lateral eyes than those of the fellow eyes (P＜0.001,P =0.003,P =0.046).However,the differences in the superior,inferior,nasal and the average RNFL thickness were not statistically significant between the two eyes (P＞0.05).A negative correlation was found between the inferior retinal thickness with age (r=-0.559,P=0.016).Conclusions The fovea may be affected in unilateral myopic anisometropic amblyopia.There is no significant difference in the RNFL thickness between simple myopic eye and unilateral myopic anisometropia amblyopic eye.Improvement in amblyopia is coming along with the reduction of the thickness of the fovea.

Aim To study inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil encapsulated by galactosylceramide liposomes (5-Fu-GCL)on 5-Fu-resistent HepG_2 cells and its mechanisms. Methods Inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL on established model of 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells was assessed with MTT assay in vitro. The concentration-time course of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid was detected with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thymidylic acid synthase (TS) expression was observed with immunohistochemical method,and NO content was determined with chemical method. Results Obvious inhibitory effects of 5-Fu-GCL (75,150,300,600,1200?mol?L-1) on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells were observed with IC_ 50 of 158.6 ?mol?L-1,far lower than that of free 5-Fu (400.9 ?mol?L-1). 5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) inhibited 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells in a time-dependent manner,and the inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL was stronger than that of free 5-Fu during 12～48 h. Compared with free 5-Fu,5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) increased the content of intracellular fluid in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. 5-Fu-GCL(62.5,300,1200 ?mol?L-1) not only inhibited the expression of TS,but also increased the production of NO in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells,and these effects of 5-Fu-GCL(300,1200 ?mol?L-1) were stronger than those of free 5-Fu. Conclusion 5-Fu-GCL has inhibitory effect on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. The effect may be related to the increased concentration of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid,inhibited expression of TS and increased production of NO.

Background and purpose:Previous studies have suggested Na+-Ca2+ exchanger isoform 1 (NCX1) as a key component of calcium homeostasis was involved in the tumorigenesis. However, the role of NCX1 and calcium signal in tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been explored. This study aimed to investigate the effect of NCX1 on cell proliferation and migration of HCC HepG2 cells in vitro and the possible mechanism.Methods:Both the real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTFQ-PCR) and Western blot were applied to assess the expression of NCX1 mRNA and protein in normal hepatic cells (LO2), HCC cell line (HepG2), human normal hepatic tissues and hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. The change of intracellular calcium signal in LO2 and HepG2 cells via acti-vated NCX1 channel in the presence or absence of Na+ was examined by a confocal laser scanning microscope. The effects of NCX1 special inhibitor KB-R7943 on cell proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells were measured by MTT and cellscratch test.Results:Both mRNA and protein expression of NCX1 were higher in HCC tissues and cell line HepG2 than in the normal tissues and cell line LO2 (P<0.05). The activation of NCX1 channel induced a slight rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) in normal cells, but caused a marked increase in cancer cells. And the NCX1 activation induced intracellular calcium increase was significantly reversed by NCX1 inhibitor KB-R7943 (P<0.05). Both NCX1-mediated proliferation and migration of HepG2 were also significantly attenuated by the KB-R7943 (P<0.05).Conclusion:NCX1 is up-regulated in HCC cells and tissues. The activation of NCX1 mediates intracellular calcium homeostasis. The inhibition of NCX1 activity can suppress the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells. It is suggested that NCX1 may be involved in the development and progression of HCC.

Objective To investigate and report a group of patients with cutaneous nocardiosis occurring in China.Methods The skin lesion of twenty-three patients were examined and the pathogen was identified.The possible cause of this disease was also investigated.Results All the twenty-three patients belon g to a same village in a province.Skin lesions on buttoc ks manifested as nodules and abscesses whereas some other lesions as ulcers and draining sinuses,occurring 2-10mo nths after intramuscular injection.The pathogens were identified as Nocardia asteroides.Conclusion Twenty-three patients of cutaneous nocardiosis were related to intramu scular injection.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of rectal and perianal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor and evaluate its diagnosis and treatment.Method Clinicopathological data of 3 cases diagnosed as inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor from January,2005 to June,2011 were retrospectively reviewed.Results Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor presents as infiltrative growth mass with rich vascularization on CT or MRI,and is difficult to distinguish from hemangioma and other rectal tumors.Preoperative biopsy usually fails to ascertain the entity of mass,and pathological examination of the whole resected specimen with immunohistochemical staining is needed to make final diagnosis.All 3 cases underwent sphincter preserving surgery.One case received a second radical operation 16 months after primary resection because of local recurrence.All patients are followed up to now,with a survival time of 67 months,55 months,and 35 months respectively.Conclusions Rectal and perianal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is difficult to diagnose on preoperative imaging examinations or biopsy.Immunohistochemical staining is needed to make final diagnosis.Sphincter preserving surgery with complete tumor removal could achieve long term survival.

Objective To examine mycological profile of eryptococcal meningitis in patients with non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) during treatment and follow-up so that to support clinical therapy. Methods Data of 28 cuhure-confirmed cryptoeoccal meningitis patients with non-AIDS were retrospectively analyzed. Fungat smear, count, culture and latex agglutination test of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were done during treatment and follow-up. Initial treatment included intravenous amphotericin B plus oral flucytosine or f;uconazole for at least 6 weeks, and consolidation treatment included oral fluconazole and (or) itraeonazole for at least 2 months. All 28 patients were cured. The data were analyzed by rank-sum test. Results The positive rate of CSF fungal smear was 92.9% before treatment and gradually decreased, and the fungal count was significantly reduced over time after treatment. While fungal smears of some patients were still positive after initial treatment. Fungal growth time in culture was gradually extended, and fungal culture turned to be negative in all patients after 2 weeks of treatment. The positive rate of latex agglutination test of CSF was 100%. Cryptococcal antigen titer decreased steadily after treatment, which was not correlated with the decrease of fungal count. Conclusion Mycological tests of patients with eryptococcal meningitis should be interpreted comprehensively during treatment, and result of each test should be specifically analyzed.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; metabolism ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 ; metabolism ; Carrier Proteins ; pharmacology ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Regeneration ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar