Objective To study the value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in interventional treatment of congenital heart diseases. Methods TTE was used to identify patients with atrial septal defect (ASD, n=26), ventricular septal defect (VSD, n=23) or ductus arteriosus (PDA, n=16). They received interventional treatment with domestic made nitinol occluder. The TTE was then used to monitor the entire process of the surgery and to assess the effect of the surgery. Results The treatment with indigenous nitinol occluder failed in five patients, including two with ASD, two with VSD, and one with PDA. The other sixty-one patients were freated successfully with the occluder. Once the procedure was completed, those patients were found to have neither abnormal valvular regurgination as shown by TTE, nor any shunt flow around the occluder as shown by both TTE and angiocardiography. One month later, TTE demonstrated that the position of all the occluclers remained stable, and no residual leakage or shunt was detected by TTE in all of the sixty-one patients, and the same results were obtained after three months. However, two days after the surgery, ECG showed that three of the patients with VSD suffered from different degrees of atrioventricular block on the second postoperative day, but they eventually recovered after treatment. The successful rate of the procedure was 93.8% (61/65). Conclusions Transthoracic echocardiography may play an important role at three stages (pre-, during- and after), i.e. to select the most suitable patients before the procedure, accurately identify the location, and release of the occluder at the end of the operation; and finally, it serves as a promising method to evaluate the treatment result in patients during their follow-up period.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; pathology ; Urinary Bladder ; pathology

Objective To investigate the depressing effect of antigene peptide nucleic acid (AGPNA)on the k-ras gene expression of human pancreatic cancer Patu8988 cells, the inducing apoptosis effect on Patu8988 cells, and the biodistribution characteristics in nude mice bearing xenografts using 188Re-k-ras-AGPNA.Methods The expression level of k-ras mRNA and the expression ratio of k-ras protein in Patu8988 cells transfected with AGPNA was measured by RT-PCR and flow cytometry ,respectively. The degree of cellular apoptosis 3 to 5 d after treating Patu8988 cells with 188Re-k-ras-AGPNA or 188ReO4- was determined by flow cytometry. For biodistribution study, 58 nude mice bearing Patu8988 cell xenografts were divided into two groups: intratumoral injection of 188Re-k-ras-AGPNA (Group A) and 188ReO4- (Group B). At different time points, the mice were sacrificed and organs of interest were excised, weighted and counted by a gamma counter. The organ uptake was calculated as a % ID/g and the absorbed doses of organs were calculated. One-way analysis of variance was used. Results After transfected with 1 nmol/ml AGPNA, the k-ras mRNA gray scale ratio and the expression ratio of k-ras protein were 1.00 ± 0.39 and (15.05 ± 5.07)%, respectively. They were significantly lower than those of the control group with 1.86 ± 0.07 and (24. 38 ± 5.40) % (F = 2. 545, 5. 327, P<0. 05). At 4 and 5 d after treatment in Group A, float cells' apoptosis ratios were (26.30 ± 7.45) % and (27.90 ± 10. 38) %, respectively. Tumors were the major distribution site in Group A with uptake of (37.47 ±21.31), (35.96 ±7.80) and (15.46 ±4.93) %lD/g at 1 h, 1 d and 7 d after intra-tumor injection, respectively. The absorbed dose of tumor was 15 569 mGy/MBq. Condusions Transfection with k-ras-AGPNA on Patu8988 cells may inhibit k-ras expression at mRNA and protein expression level, and 188Re-k-ras-AGPNA can induce apoptosis of Patu8988 cells.Tumor is the major distribution site in nude mice bearing human pancreatic cancer xenografts after intratumoral injection of 188Re-k-ras-AGPNA.

BACKGROUND:Compared with smooth titanium, titania nanotubes cannot only induce mesenchymal stem cels osteogenic differentiation and promote bone integration, but also be used as drug nanocarriers. OBJECTIVE:To prepare dexamethasone-loaded titania nanotube system and to test its drug release characteristics. METHODS:Titania nanotubes were prepared by electrochemical anodic oxidation, and dexamethasone was dripped onto the prepared titania nanotubes. Subsequently layer by layer self-assembly technology was employed to fabricate gelatin/chitosan multilayered structure on the prepared samples. Scanning electron microscope and contact angle test were carried out during the process of building the gelatin/chitosan multilayered structure. The drug release was measured by a ultraviolet spectrophotometer. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under the scanning electron microscopy, the fabricated titania nanotubes had integral structure with even tube size of about 70 nm and arranged regularly, and the nanotubes were completely covered and sealed by the gelatin/chitosan multilayered membrane. Contact angle test results showed that ever since the fifth layer, contact angles changed alternately and displayed a zigzag profile. Ultraviolet spectrophotometer test results showed that when cultured for 3 hours, the cumulative drug release was about 32.7% and demonstrated an initial burst folowed by sustained release. When cultured for 24 hours, the cumulative drug release about 52.3%. However, after cultured for 7 days, little drug release was detected. And there was about 8.0%-10.0% dexamethasone of initial loading preserved in nanotubes.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of curcumin(Cur)on trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid(TNBS)induced colitis and to investigate cytokines change in colon mucosa,spleen and sera.Methods Colitis was induced in SD rats by intrarectal injection of TNBS(100 mg/kg).Experi- mental animals were divided into negative control group,TNBS group and Cur therapeutic group(Cur, 30 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1),intraperitoneal injection).Expression of cytokines mRNA in colon mucosa was observed by RT-PCR,intracellular cytokines of interferon(IFN)-?and interleukin(IL)-4 in splenocytes were detected by flow cytometry(FCM),concentrations of IFN-?and IL-4 in sera were determined by enzyme-link immunosorbent analysis(ELISA).Results After treatment with Cur,macroscopic scores (3.9?1.0 vs.2.2?0.7),myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity(15.0?2.6 vs.7.3?1.4),mRNA of IFN-?(1.02?0.07 vs.0.06?0.02,mRNAof IL-12(0.29?0.05 vs.0.11?0.01)and the ratio of IFN-?/IL-4(11.44?0.97 vs.0.38?0.10)in colon mucosa,proportion of IFN-?CD4~+(31.7?7.5 vs. 21.1?3.7)and the ratio of IFN-?/IL-4 CD4~+(19.9?5.1 vs.6.1?1.8)in splenocytes,concentra tions of IFN-?[(1528?159)pg/ml vs.(513?14)pg/ml] and the ratio of IFN-?/IL-4(19.5?4.1 vs. 4.2?0.6)in sera were all decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Meanwhile,mRNA of IL-4(0.09?0.01 vs.0.15?0.04)and IL-10(0.28?0.08 vs.0.63?0.12)in colon mucosa,proportion of IL-4 CD4~+ (1.6?0.5 vs.3.4?1.1)in splenocytes and concentrations of IL-4 in sera[(81?15)pg/ml vs.(124?20) pg/ml] were all increased after the treatment of Cur(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusions Cur showed ther- apeutic effects on TNBS-induced colitis,and the mechanism might be through regulating the balance of Th1/ Th2 in colon locally and systematically.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of acupuncture on the immune function of sepsis patients.

METHODSNinety sepsis patients were assigned to the control group, the thymosin a1 group, and the acupuncture treatment group according to random digit table, 30 patients in each group. Patients in the control group were treated according to the guideline of Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC). Patients in the control group received routine treatment. Those in the thymosin alpha1 group additionally received subdermal injection of thymosin alpha1 (1.6 mg), once per day for 6 successive days. Needling at related points such as Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Neiguan (PC6), Guanyuan (RN4), and so on, was performed in patients of the acupuncture treatment group, once per day for 6 successive days. T cell subgroups (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ /CD8+) and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM) were detected. The length of ICU hospital stay, hospital readmission rate, and 28-day mortality were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSAfter six days of treatment, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, IgM, and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio of three groups were all significantly increased (P < 0.01). Of them, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, and IgM increased more significantly in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the ICU hospitalization length was significantly shortened, the hospital readmission rate and the 28-day mortality were lower in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in each index between the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture could adjust the immune function of sepsis patients, improve their immunological indicators and prognoses.

Acupuncture Therapy ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Prognosis ; Sepsis ; diagnosis ; immunology ; therapy ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; Thymosin ; analogs & derivatives

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of acupuncture on acute heart failure (AHF) patients.

METHODSTotally 60 patients who were diagnosed as AHF were assigned to the acupuncture group and the control group, 30 in each group. Those in the control group received inotropic agents, preload and afterload reducing therapy, anti-infection and so on. Besides, those in the acupuncture group received needling at relative points, once daily for 5 consecutive days. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SI), left ventricle working index (LCWI) were monitored by thermodilution pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) technique. Changes of the aforesaid data were compared between before and after treatment. The ICU length of stay, readmission rate,and the 28-day mortality were also compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 5 days of the treatment, CI, SI, and LCWI increased more obviously (P < 0.01), HR and MAP decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Of them, CI, SI, and LCWI increased more obviously in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).There was no obvious difference in HR or MAP between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the first day of admission in the same group, CI, SI, and LCWI obviously increased in the acupuncture group from the second day (P < 0.05). HR started to decrease since the fourth day (P < 0.05), and MAP began to decrease until the fifth day (P < 0.05). CI, SI, and LCWI started to increase in the control group from the third day (P < 0.05); HR and MAP both began to decrease since the fifth day (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the ICU length of stay was obviously shortened in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The readmission rate and the 28-day mortality rate were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of acupuncture and Western medical therapy might strengthen acute heart failure patients' heart functions, elevate the therapeutic effect, and improve the prognosis.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke Volume

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of 18F-FLT PET/CT imaging in detecting and staging nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.Methods Thirteen patients with NPC underwent wholebody 18F-FLT PET/CT imaging,one of which underwent whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging one day earlier.SUVmax and SUVmean from 18F-FLT and18F-FDG imaging were obtained using circular ROI in primary and metastasis lesions and were compared with the results of histopathology.The staging results by 18 F-FLT PET was compared with those by CT.Results The SUVmax and SUVmean obtained from 18F-FLT imaging in 22nasopharyngeal sites in 13 patients were 6.04 ±3.61 and 5.09 ±2.89,and the SUVmax and SUVmean in 26 lymphadenopathy were 5.56 ± 3.11 and 4.65 ± 2.79.18 F-FDG SUVmax were higher than 18 F-FLT SUVmax in one primary lesion ( 8.32 vs 4.38 ) and two lymph nodes (3.30 ± 0.07 vs 1.48 ± 0.06) in the patient who underwent the two imagings.Compared with CT staging results,the TNM stage in 3 patients had been changed based on 18 F-FLT PET/CT imaging.Conclusions High radioactivity of primary and second lesions can be detected on 18F-FLT imaging in patients with NPC and 18F-FLT PET/CT imaging may be useful in staging for NPC.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common refractory disease in orthopedics, and the rate of disability is very high, and its pathogenesis is unknown. TCM has unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of ONFH, and it has gradually received attention. This article reviewed the clinical application status of TCM for prevention and treatment of ONFH in recent years from ONFH's TCM name, etiology, pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation, and clinical treatment, with a purpose to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of ONFH.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, precision medicine has become a hot topic in the medical field. The application of precision medicine to osteonecrosis of the femoral head is wider than before. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current status and progress of precision medicine to osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS: A computer-based search of PubMed and CNKI databases was performed for literatures about application and prospect of precision medicine for osteonecrosis of the femoral head in and outside China published within the past 10 years using the keywords of "precision medicine, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, three dimensional (3D) printing, computer assisted navigation, minimal invasive, gene" in English and Chinese. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) In the study on the prevention and treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, 3D printing technology, computer assisted navigation technology, precision minimally invasive orthopedic technology, research and treatment of gene are four effective ways to achieve precise and personalized healthcare. (2) The appearance of precision medicine, a novel medicinal model, enriches the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head and enhances the curative efficacy of the disease. It brings the new dawn to the patient and provides some new clues for medical workers and researchers engaged in the clinical and basic researches of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.