Objective To observe the serum inflammatory factors level in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods Venous blood was collected at 6 AM from 53 natiems with both OSAS and CHD and 37 simple snorers following a full night polysomnography (PSG) test.Serum MMP-9、TIMP-1 test were conducted.Results MMP-9,TIMP-1 level in patients with OSAS and CHD was significantiv higher than that of the simple snorers (P<0.05).Conclusion serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 level increase in patients with OSAS and CHD.It is suggested that elevated level of serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 might play an important role in the development of CHD in patients with OSAS.

Objective To evaluate the long term local control and survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma using radiotherapy combined with different chemotherapy regimens. Methods From July 1987 to October 1989, 300 patients pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma were randomized into three groups: radiotherapy alone (114 patients), neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (93) and concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy (93). The primary tumor received a total dose of 70 Gy with 2?Gy per day. Patients who had cervical lymph node metastasis received 65～70?Gy to the neck whereas patients who did not have cervical lymph node metastasis received a prophylactic radiation of 50?Gy. The regimen of neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisted of 5 Fu (1?000?mg, 3 times per week) and Cisplatin (100?mg,once a week) alternatively for 4 weeks. Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of Cisplatin (20?mg, twice a week) and 5 Fu (500?mg, twice a week) alternatively to 6 weeks. Results The overall 5 year survival rate (OS), disease free survival rate (DFS), distant metastasis free rate(DMF)and local regional free rate (LRF) were 57.1%, 52.9%, 61.0% and 83.3%, respectively. For all patients, there was not a significant difference in the 5 year OS, DFS, DMF, LRF (P= 0.23, 0.65, 0.54, 0.83) and toxicity between these three groups. Cox regression analysis showed that only N stage was a prognostic factor, while treatment modalities was not. Conclusions Radiotherapy combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy or concurrent chemotherapy did not significantly improve the survival rate and local control rate as compared to conventional radiotherapy. Therefore, radiotherapy plus chemotherapy, and chemotherapy regimens need to be further studied.

Objective To explore the protective effect of HGF on primary cultured spinal neurons in vitro.Methods Cultured neurons were transfected with Ad-GFP or Ad-HGF in different multiplicity of infection(MOI),then flow cytometer and PI-Hoechst double stains were used to assay transfer rate or to determine the status of cells respectively.ELISA was used to detect the expression of HGF in Ad-HGF transfected neurons,and the activity of neurons was judged by neutral red stain,MTT and NSE-ELISA methods.Results After transfection with Ad-GFP in MOI of 50,the transfer rate was high as detected by flow cytometer,and the status of cells was well as judged by PI-Hoechst double stain.The results of ELISA showed that HGF was expressed in medium.After transfection with Ad-HGF,the activity of neurons was better than neurons without treatment(P

Objective To observe the effects of pentifylline on hypertrophic scars in the rabbit ears. Methods An animal model for hypertrophic scars was established and treated with pentifylline in different concentrations or saline on day 49. Hypertrophic index, growth of fibroblasts and production of collagen in the section were quantitatively determined with an image analysis system. Results Hypertrophic index was found to be decreased in the pentifylline-treated group (P

Objective To study the outcomes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by late-course 3-dimentional conformal radiotherapy(3DCRT). Methods 37 primary nasopharyngeal carcinomas were involved into the CRT group. A total dose of 70 Gy to 74 Gy was delivered by using the conventional method (36 Gy) and late-course 3DCRT technique (34 ~ 38 Gy). This group was matched with a same number of patients who were treated with conventional method alone (Routing group). The treatment results and acute toxicity between the two groups were analyzed. Results The complete response (CR) rate of primary tumor was achieved 100 % in CRT group and 86 % in routing group, respectively. The CRT group had severe mucositis and peripheral neuropathy, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was no difference in the overall survival between the two groups. Conclusion Late-course 3DCRT is an effective method in the treatment of primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) promotes neurite outgrowth from neocortical explants, and supports neuronal survival under serum-free condition. Thus, HGF can mediate neurotrophic function as a novel neurotrophic factor.OBJECTIVE: To establish an in vitro injury model with a semi-solid culture system for the purpose of improving the evaluation of neurite regeneration of transected spinal cord neurons from rat embryo, and investigate the effect of HGF on neurite regeneration.DESIGN: Randomized controlled study.SETTING: Hematology Laboratory of Radian Medical Institute of Academy of Military Medical Sciences of PLA.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out at the Hematology Laboratory of Radian Medical Institute of Academy of Military Medical Sciences of PLA from August 2004 to May 2005. Wistar fetal rats of 14-16 days old were provided by Animal Center of Academy of Military Medical Sciences of PLA. Tail collagen was extracted from adult male Wistar rats with body mass of (250±50) g.METHODS: ① Rat tail type Ⅰ collagen substrate was prepared and spread on a culture dish, cut into about 0.5-1.0 mm3 slices, then spinal cord slices of 15-day-old fetal Wistar rat were explanted on the primary culture. Five days later, the outgrowing processes were severed, then a block of collagen, with the surface area of 2 mm2 and 200 μm away from the slice, was removed and the vacancy was replaced with a fresh collagen block of 2 μL after aspirating the medium. The fresh collagen block could be solidified and then fresh liquid medium was added as the secondary culture. The regeneration of neurite was observed by microscopy at 0, 1, 6,12 and 24 hours after severing. ② The medium was changed with 0.5% N3-conditioned medium. 10 μg/L HGF was added in the experimental group, and 0.5% N3-conditioned medium was added in the control group.The status of regeneration was evaluated by the average value of 3 longest regenerative neurites for each slice. There were 12 slices in each group.The status of neurite regeneration was calculated and was evaluated 24 hours later.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① neurite regeneration in situ; ②comparisons of neurite regeneration between control group and experimental group.RESULTS: ① Neurite regeneration in situ: The neurites disintegrated near the severing line immediately following the transection injury. This process persisted about 1-2 hours and the distance away from the severing line was about 20 μm. Then the proximal end of neurites would swell and thicken. At this time neurites stopped collapsing and neurite regeneration began. Their regenerating rate would quicken at 12 hours after severing. Regenerating neurites were more branching and curlier as compared with original neurites. ② Comparisons of neurite regeneration between control group and experimental group: The average length of regenerative neurites was more in the experimental group than that in the control group [(375±96) μm, (200±75) μm, P ＜ 0.05].CONCLUSION: ① We establish a simple, economic model to evaluate neurite regeneration. ② By this model, we prove that HGF can promote neurite regeneration.

Objective To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of hippocampal formation (HF) in the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods Fifty-nine NPC patients underwent IMRT.Simultaneous integrated boost technology was used to determine the doses for the target areas.The dose ranges of the HF were collected by dose-volume histogram.The influence of T stage on the exposure doses ( Dmax,Dmean,D20,V10,V20,V30,and V40 ) were compared.Results The maximum dose for the HF (Dmax) ranged from 11.1 to 78.2 Gy(F =24.2,P ＜0.05) and the Dmean ranged from 3.2 to 44.6 Gy ( F =16.3,P ＜ 0.05 ).The Dmax and Dmean of the T1-2 stage patients were (40.8 ±9.4) Gy and ( 12.5 ±5.1 ) Gy,respectively,both significantly lower than those of the T3-4 stage patients [ (58.6± 14.8) Gy,(20.9± 9.3 ) Gy].The mean exposed volume of the T4 stage patients was significantly larger than that of the T1 and T2 stages patients.Conclusions In the IMRT of NPC,the HF receives rather high irradiation dose.T stage is the main factor influencing the dose,especially T3 and T4 stages deserve serious attention.

Objective To study a case series of thoracolumbar flexion-distraction fractures combined with compression of anterior and central columns to analyze the causes of its occult symptoms and explore the injury mechanism,imaging diagnosis and operative reduction of the fractures.Methods A retrospective study was carried out on data of 39 patients with thoracolumbar flexion-distraction fractures admitted into our hospital from May 2003 to December 2006.Of all,there were 17 patients with compression of anterior and central columns.The diagnostic value of imaging examinations such as X-ray,CT and MRI was evaluated.All patients were treated with posterior operation,in which simple distraction of the anterior and central columns was followed by compression and reduction of the posterior column from the rear axial direction.The clinical efficacy and safety of operation were assessed.Results The patients with compression of anterior and central columns accounted for 43.6% of all thoracolumbar flexion-distraction fractures.Before operation,six patients were misdiagnosed as simple compression fracture.Various kinds of imaging examinations detected the bone injury and/or ligaments complex injury of the posterior column at different degrees.The positive results on X-ray,CT,spiral CT multi-planar reconstruction (MPR)and MRI were in 8,7,11 and 17 patients respectively.After simple posterior distraction in 17 patients,there occurred over distraction in eight patients who were cured with posterior recompression plus reduction.Conclusions The posterior column injury of thoracolumbar flexion-distraction fractures combined with compression of anterior and central columns is relatively occult and easy to be misdiagnosed as simple compression fracture,when MPR CT and MRI are helpful for diagnosis.The operation with twostep reduction of axial distraction followed by compression can attain satisfactory and safe results.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in Yantai and their mechanisms of resistance to macrolides.METHODS Antimicrobial susceptibility of S.pneumoniae was determined by agar dilution method.Phenotypes of macrolide-resistant S.pneumoniae were determined using double disk test with erythromycin and clindamycin disks.ermB And mefE genes were amplified by PCR.RESULTS Among 42 strains of S.pneumoniae,65.0% were intermediate to and no strain was resistant to penicillin.The resistance rates to erythromycin and clindamycin were 93.0%,respectively.Of 41 erythromycin resistantstrains,93.0% were constitutive resistant.ermB Was detected in 40 strains and mefE in 1 strain,both ermB and mefE genes were found in 9 strains.CONCLUSIONS The resistance rate of S.pneumoniae to penicillin is high in Yantai area,the resistance rates to erythromycin and clindamycin are very high.Target modification by ermB methylase is the predominant mechanism in macrolide-resistant S.pneumoniae in Yantai.

AIM:To investigate isometric force displacement in isolated rat main pulmonary artery rings and right main branch pulmonary artery(second pulmonary artery)rings during hypoxia hypercapnia and the role of mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK).METHODS:The main pulmonary artery rings were dissected from the male Sprague-Dawley rats and were randomly divided into control group and hypoxia hypercapnia group.The second pulmonary artery rings were also randomly divided into control group,hypoxia hypercapnia group,DMSO incubation group,U0126 incubation group and SB203580 incubation group.The tension changes of pulmonary artery rings were monitored in vitro.RESULTS:Under normoxia conditions,there was no statistically significant change between main pulmonary artery rings and second pulmonary artery rings.A biphasic pulmonary artery contractile response to hypoxia hypercapnia in the second pulmonary artery rings was observed instead of a sharp and transient increase in the main pulmonary artery tension.Both p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 significantly attenuated the delayed,but not early,contractile phase of the biphasic pulmonary artery contraction.CONCLUSION:Acute hypoxia hypercapnia causes a biphasic pulmonary artery contractile response in the second pulmonary artery,and p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 may be two key mediators in the process.