Objective To investigate curative effects of video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. Methods Under general anesthesia with double-lumen endotracheal intubation,the patient was maintained at a 45? semi-sitting position with two upper limbs fixed on 90? abduction.An incision 0.5~1.5 cm in length was made on the midaxillary line at the fifth intercostal space to introduce the thoracoscope.Another incision 0.3~0.5 cm in length was made on the anterior axillary line at the third intercostal space as manipulation hole.Under video-assisted thoracoscopy,the sympathetic trunk on the T_2~T_4 level was amputated for treating palmar hyperhidrosis.Results The patient's palms became dry and warm immediately after surgery in all 50 patients.The temperature of the palm was increased by 0.2~4.6 ℃.Slight pneumothorax was encountered in 3 patients(lung compression,10%~20%).Compensated hyperhidrosis occurred in 31 patients within 3~15 days after operation,including mild hyperhidrosis in 11 patients and moderate hyperhidrosis in 20 patients.The hyperhidrosis was located at the chest in 13 patients,back in 11 patients,abdomen in 2 patients,thigh in 4 patients,and shank in 1,respectively.There were no Horner's syndrome and other severe complications after operation.None of patients recurred in follow-up observations.Conclusions(Video-assisted) thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a safe and reliable approach for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

Objective: To classify the expression of RyR2 in the brain of prion infected hamsters. Methods: Immunohistochemical assays was used to verify that the location of RyR2 in the brain slices of hamster. Assays of the brain samples of intracranial inoculation of scrapie infected hamster (agent 263 K) and normal hamster were tested to evaluate the RyR2 expression by Western Blotting. Immunofluorescent assays were used to verify the co-location between RyR2 and PrP protein. Results: RyR2 mainly located in cortex and Purkinje cells with parts of which are distributed in thalamus, hippocampus and olfactory bulb. The expression of RyR2 significantly decreased in the 263 K infected hamster at terminal stage. The Immunofluorescence tests showed that RyR2 was colocalized with PrP protein. Conclusions The experimental data showed that RyR2 may play a crucial role in prion disease, which might be closely linked to the cognition impairment and neuron loss. The relation between RyR2 and prion disease still needs further research.