Objective To investigate the clinical manifestions ,neuropathology and imaging in the patients with MELAS type of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy for exploring the diagnostic method of the disease. Methods Systemic study was performed on the clinical features,imaging of four MELAS patients. Muscle biopsy and 2 brain biopsies of 3 cases were examined. Results The main clinical features were characterized by intolerance to exercise,recurrent headache and vomit,focal or generalized seizures,dementia,stroke like episodes,sensorineural deafness, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,endocrine dysfunction,short stature,lactic acidosis and so on. Electromyography showed myopathic damage. CT showed calcification in basal ganglia. CT showed multiple low density lesion primarily in gray matter of occipital,parietal and temporal cortex,which was expressed by the abnormal longer T 1 and T 2 weighted signals on MRI.Muscle biopsy showed red ragged fiber and abnormal mitochondria. Brain biopsy showed laminar necrosis of cortex,astrocytosis,diffused microvascular proliferation and calcification. Four cases were diagnosed as MELAS type.Conclusion According to clinical manifestations and neuroimage features,MELAS is possibly early defined in combination with muscle or/and brain biopsy.

The development and progression of atherosclerosis and thrombosis are closely related to changes of hemodynamics parameters. Ultrasonic pulse wave Doppler technique is normally used for noninvasively blood flow imaging. However, this technique only provides one-dimensional velocity and depends on the angle between the ultrasound beam and the local velocity vector. In this study, ultrasonic particle image velocimetry method was used to assess whole field hemodynamic changes in normal blood vessels. By using the polynomial fitting method, we investigated the velocity gradient and assessed the shear in different blood flow velocity of 10 healthy rats. It was found that using four polynomial fitting could result in optimal measurement results. The results obtained by ultrasonic particle image velocimetry accorded with the results obtained using Doppler technique. The statistical average of cyclical vessel wall shear stress was positively related to the locational mean velocity. It is proven that ultrasonic particle image velocimetry method could be used to assess directly the real-time whole field hemodynamic changes in blood vessels and was non-invasively, and should be a good prosperous technique for monitoring complex blood flow in stenotic ar- teries.
Algorithms ; Animals ; Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Hemodynamics ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Rats ; Rheology ; Stress, Mechanical ; Ultrasonics

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of infratentorial primary angiitis in central nervous system (PACNS).Methods A total of 5 cases diagnosed as infratentorial PACNS in the neurology department of Navy General Hospital of PLA in 2015 were enrolled in the study.The clinical,imaging and pathological data were collected and analyzed.Results All the 5 cases were male with the median onset age of thirty-four.Five cases presented with dizziness,two with headache,three with walking unstable,two with facial numbness and one with dysarthria.Rising pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (190-245 cmH2O,1 cmH2O =0.098 kPa) was found in 4 cases by the lumbar puncture,mildly increased number of leukocyte in 2 cases [(12-28) × 106/L],increased CSF protein in 3 cases(540-979 mg/L) and increased IgG index in 3 cases (0.84-1.45).Pons lesions were revealed by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) in 4 cases,brachium pontis lesions in 2 cases,cerebellum lesions in 2 cases,one with midbrain lesion in 1 case,unilateral lesions in 4 cases and bilateral lesion in 1 case.Different degree of edema and mass effect were shown in all lesions by MRI.Patch like enhancement was found by contrast MRI in 5 cases and meningeal enhancement in 2 cases.Elevation of choline (Cho) peak was found by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in 4 cases,reduction of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) peak in 3 cases,appearance of lactate peak in 1 case and lipid peak in another case.Arterial spin labeling (ASL) was performed in 4 cases and no hyperperfusion was found.Susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) was performed in 3 cases and microhemorrhage in the lesions was found in 2 cases and normal in 1 case.Magnetic resonance arteriography(MRA) was performed in 1 case and no stenosis was found.Digital subtraction arteriography(DSA) was performed in 1 case and multiple stenosis of the intracranial arteries was showed.Two cases had taken the stereotactic brain biopsy and the histopathologic diagnosis was angiitis.Five cases were treated with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide was added on in 1 case.Good prognosis was found in all cases.Conclusions Infratentorial PACNS mostly attacks middle-aged males.The lesions tend to locate in unilateral pons,brachium pontis,cerebellum and midbrain.Hemorrhage or microhemorrhage in lesions is often found by SWI and no hyperperfusion is shown by ASL,which would be useful to distinguish PACNS from malignant tumors.Given the limitations of brain biopsy in clinical practice,clinical and imaging features would be helpful to diagnose PACNS.

The relation of metabolic syndrome and its components with body mass index (BMI) was investigated in Zhanshan community, Qingdao. The results showed that the prevalence and relative risk of metabolic syndrome and its components were increased with BMI. Nearly one-third of individuals with overweight or obesity had metabolic syndrome.

Objective To observe the electrophysiological changes, especially in the examination of external anal sphincter electromyography ( EAS-EMG), with those patients diagnosed as multiple system atrophy ( MSA), Parkinson's disease (PD) and late-onset spinocerebellar ataxia (LOSCA) and explore its clinical diagnostic value as well as differential diagnostic value for the three diseases. Methods The clinical data, cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data as well as results of EAS-EMG for 3 groups patients, including 88-cases MSA, 69-cases PD and 18-cases LOSCA, were analyzed retrospectively.Results EAS-EMG showed that 84 cases (95.5%) in MSA group had varying degrees of neurogenic injury. Meanwhile, mean motor unit potentials (MUPs) duration (( 12.92 ± 2.59)ms), mean MUPs amplitude ( ( 648.6 ± 251.0 ) μV ), and MUPs polyphasicity ( percentage of polyphasic MUPs; 42. 6% ±21.2% ) in MSA group were significantly different from those in PD ( ( 8. 99 ± 0. 47 ) ms, (470. 0 ±91.9) μV, 24.2% ±11.0%) and LOSCA groups ((9.04 ±0.62)ms, (493.1 ± 113.7)μV,22.0% ±12. 1%; Welch:94. 240,18. 093,26. 710,all P =0. 000). The spontaneous potentials and satellite potentials showed more common in MSA group, but not in other groups. Conclusions MSA and PD and LOSCA are easily mutually misdiagnosed because of some similar syndromes, but the method of EAS-EMG could be effective and helpful to enhance accurate diagnostic rate of MSA and its differential diagnosis with PD and LOSCA.

Objective To investigate the correlation between sTREM-1 and inflammatory factors expression in critical patients and its effect on severity of disease and clinical prognosis .Methods sTREM-1 ,TNF-α,IL-6 ,IL-10 levels were checked in serum of 54 patients who admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) on the first day and only sTREM-1 was checked again on the third day .At the same time ,APACHEⅡand survival situation in 28 days were recorded .Results sTREM-1 level in critical patients was positive correlated with TNF-α,IL-6 and APACHEⅡ(P<0 .01) .There was positive correlation between APACHE Ⅱ and TNF-α,IL-6 ,but pearson correlation coefficient between sTREM-1 and APACHE Ⅱ was higher than TNF-α,IL-6 .Compared with the survivor group ,the concentrations of serum sTREM-1 was significantly higer in non-survivor group on the first day and the third day after entering ICU(P<0 .05) .Conclusion sTREM-1 level is positive correlated with inflammatory reaction and the severity of disease .It also has prognostic value for outcome in patients with critical illness .

BACKGROUND: Fish oil is one of mainly natural resources of n-3 fatty acids, which can inhibit cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and prolong the survival of cardiac allograft. But, the mechanism is unclear. Recent in vitro data suggested that n-3 fatty acids could inhibit the release of inflammatory transmitter by the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-y (PPARy). OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that n-3 fatty acids from fish oil ameliorates CAV development via activating PPARy. METHODS: A total of 6 Lewis rats and 18 Fisher344 rats were randomly selected as heart donors. An additional 24 Lewis rats were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups. In isograft group, heart transplantation was performed among Lewis rats, without any drug. In low-dose fish oil-treated group, F344→Lewis transplantation was performed. At 1 day following surgery, 0.03 mL/kg fish oil was treated by gavage for 8 weeks. In high-dose fish oil-treated group, F344→Lewis transplantation was conducted. At 1 day following surgery, 0.06 mL/kg fish oil was treated by gavage for 8 weeks. In control group, F344→Lawis transplantation was conducted. Cyclosporine A was administrated by gavage for 8 weeks. In the low-dose and high-dose fish oil-treated groups, cyclosporine A (1.5 mg/kg) was given daily by intramuscular injection for 2 weeks following surgery. CAV was evaluated by histological examination. Activity of nuclear factor (NF) k-B and PPARy was assessed in homogenate. Contents of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interferon-inducible protein 10 were measured by enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chemokine receptor CCR2 and CXCR3 expression was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All 24 receptor Lewis rats were survived following surgery. The donor heart could regularly beat at 8 weeks following transplantation. Compared with the isograft group, severe CAV was detected in the control group al 8 weeks. Compared with the control group, CAV was significantly relieved, the activity of PPARy was significantly elevated, the activity of NF k-B was significantly decreased, levels of intragraft monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interferon-inducible protein-10 were significantly reduced in the low-dose and high-dose fish oil-treated groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.05), especially in the high-dose fish oil-treated group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in expression of chemokine receptors CXCR3 in the low-dose and high-dose fish oil-treated groups and control group. Our results demonstrated that n-3 fatty acids from fish oil can attenuate CAV development, possibly through activating PPARy and subsequently inhibiting the NF-kB activation, the chemokines secretion and its receptor expression in a dose-dependent fashion in rat models.

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors of recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after surgical radiofrequency ablation in patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.Metbods Retrospective analysis was made in 255 cardiac valve patients undergoing concomitant radiofrequency modified Maze operation from April 2010 to December 2012 in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors for predicting recurrence of AF.Results Excluding 8 patients died after surgery,11 cases who were junctional rhythm after ablation or received pacemaker implantation and 60 lost case,176 patients were finished follow-up.107 cases maintained stable sinus rhythm (SR),whereas other 69 cases developed AF recurrence.Multivariate logistic regression analysis found larger left atrial size,higher B-type natriuretic peptide,lower preoperative heart rate and postoperative AF rhythm before discharge were independent risk factors for predicting AF recurrence.Conclusion Larger left atrial size,higher B-type natriuretic peptide and lower preoperative heart rate before surgery can impact outcome of surgical radiofrequency ablation in patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery after following 12(4-38)months.They can be used in clinical practice to choose more suitable cardiac valve patients with AF for surgical ablation.Postoperative appearance of AF rhythm before discharge indicated a poor prognosis,which should be interfered with drugs or electrical cardioversion.

Objective To discover the significance of neurofilament light (NFL) chain of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), an axonal injury biomarker, in diagnosis and prognosis prediction of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders(NMOSD).Methods Sixty-one NMOSD patients and 24 other patients such as neurosis, migraine and so on, with lumbar puncture were enrolled as NMOSD group and normal control (NC) group from in and out patients of Department of Neurology of Navy General Hospital from January 2014 to August 2016. The clinical and neuroimaging features of NMOSD group and CSF samples of both groups were collected,and the NFL levels of CSF were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The CSF NFL levels in different subtypes of NMOSD patients were compared, and the influence factors of the NFL levels in CSF were calculated by multiple linear regression analysis. Results The NFL levels of CSF in NMOSD group (2 729.00(14 862.00) pg/ml) were significantly higher than that in NC group ((299.50(308.00) pg/ml, t=8.588, P=0.000;t test of NFL levels was performed after logarithmicly transforming based on 10). There were no statistically significant differences of CSF NFL levels among optic neuritis, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and neuromyelitis optica. In NMOSD group, age (b=0.017, P<0.01), Expanded Disability Status Scale score (b=0.078, P<0.05) and enhancement in gadolinium-magnetic resonance imaging (b=0.478, P<0.01) were correlated with the NFL levels of CSF, while gender, courses of diseases and aquaporin 4 antibody in serum were not related to the NFL levels. Conclusion The NFL levels of CSF are conducive to assess the severity and probable progress of NMOSD.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of treating glioma in combination with drugs multiply by comparing the size of tumor and the survival time of different groups in rat glioma after targeted blood-brain barrier (BBB ) disruption by MRI-guided focused ultrasound.Methods The stereotaxis instruments and the 10 μl gas-tight syringes were used to inject gliosarcoma cells into the targeted area of the brain in 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats.The glioma-bearing rat model was established.Each rat received either:(1 )no treatment (control;n =8);(2)single liposomal doxorubicin (DOX;n = 10);(3)multiple DOX (n =10);(4)single Avastin (AVS)and DOX (n =10);(5)multiple AVS and DOX (n =10).The SonoVue microbubble ultrasonic contrast agent and DOX or AVS were injected into the tail vein respectively on day 12 after implantation.The tumor size was measured by MRI on pre-treatment,immediacy and once a week of post-treatment after targeted BBB disruption by focused ultrasound,and the life span in rat glioma was recorded.Results The mediam survival of different groups in rat glioma(The range of the life span 13-90 d):no treatment (7 d);single DOX (12 d);multiple DOX (1 5 d);single AVS + DOX (22 d), multiple AVS+ DOX (30 d).There was significant difference of the groups on mediam survival comparison (P < 0.01 ).The tumor growth pattern after post-treatment of different groups in rat glioma except control:single DOX was noticeable fast and multiple AVS+DOX was visibly delayed comparable to other groups,and finally the tumor size of multiple AVS + DOX even became small.Conclusions The microbubble blasting enhances the local tissue permeability and promotes the drug delivery of chemotherapy and anti-angiogenesis locally in glioma-bearing rats by MRI-guided focused ultrasound.Especially,the combination with drugs multiply has a synergism efficacy that may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy,reduce tumor growth,and even become small of the tumor size,and increase survival time significantly after BBB disruption.