Objective: To explore the effect of valsartan on inflammatory cytokines in patients with hypertension combining paroxysmal atrial ifbrillation (PAF).
Methods:A total of 60 patients with hypertension combining PAF converted to sinus rhythm were studied and the patients were divided into 2 groups. Control group, the patients received felodipine and Valsartan group. n=30 in each group, all patients were treated for 6 months. In addition, there was a Normal group including 30 healthy subjects. The levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and left atrial diastolic diameter (LADd), the sinus rhythm maintenance rate were examined and compared before and after treatment among different groups.
Results: Compared with Normal group, the levels of hs-CRP, IL-6 and LADd were obviously higher in patients at both Control group and Valsartan group, all P<0.01. With 6 months of treatment, the levels of hs-CRP, IL-6 and LADd were decreased in both groups of patients than they were before, all P<0.01;compared with Control group, such effects were more obvious in Valsartan group, all P<0.01. The sinus rhythm maintenance rate in Valsartan group was signiifcantly higher than that in Control group, P<0.05.
Conclusion: Valsartan may inhibit inflammatory response and improve atrial structure remodeling, therefore better maintain the converted sinus rhythm in patients with hypertension combining PAF. The anti-inlfammatory effect of valsartan might be independent from its anti-hypertension effect.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sorafenib in combination with interferon-alpha(IFN-α)as the first-line treatment in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.Methods Since Dec 2007 to Jun 2008,137 legal patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC)were enrolled in the trail from 22 hospitals in China.All the patients continuously received the treatment of sorafenib plus IFN-α untill disease progressed or patients were unable to tolerate.The primary end points were objective response,disease control rate and adverse effects rate.Results This interim analysis was based on the data collected from the study initiation date to 2009/3/20.The overall response rate(ORR),including complete response (CR) and partial response(PR),was 32.8%(45/137).The median follow-up time was 11.9 months,only 25 patients progressed at the cut off time.The most common adverse events were hand-foot skin reaction(48.2%),alopecia(23.4%),rash (20.4%),diarrhea(19.7 0A),fever(16.8%),lassitude(10.2%),etc.The incidence of 3 or 4 grade hand-foot skin reaction was 8.8%.Conclusions Sorafenib in combination with IFN-α as the firstline treatment in patient with advanced RCC could be effective and safe.

Objective To study and evaluate islet cell adenoma of preliminary diagnosis.Method Retrospective analysis Wag done on 22 patients clinical data of preliminarily diagnosed islet cell adenoma.They were divided into two groups according to final diagnosis,group of islet cell adenoma(n=16)and group of reacfional hypoglycemia n=6).Results There were significant differences between the two groups in term of fames,cold sweat,cataphora,Whipple triad,hungry test,the ratio offasting blood insulin and fasting blood glucose exceeding 0.3 (I/G＞0.3) (P＜0.05).No statistical differences were found on blood glucose level in hypoglycemia onset,psychiatric symptom.Conclusion The clinic data is helpful for preliminary diagnosis,and Whipple triad,hungry test,I/G＞0.3 above all.

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of tuina plus medications on infantile diarrhea induced by rotavirus infection. Methods: After 55 cases of confirmed sick infants were divided into two groups by the order of their visits, 30 cases in the medication group were treated by intravenous infusion of Ribavirin and oral administration of Smecta; 25 cases in the tuina plus medication group were treated by the manual techniques of tonifying Pijing(脾经) and clarifying Dachangjing (大肠经), rubbing the abdomen and kneading the navel clockwise, pushing Shangqijiegu (上七节骨), kneading Guiwei (龟尾), and pinching the skin of the spine, in combination with same medications used as in the medication group. Results: The total effective rate was 96% in the tuina plus medication group, P < 0.01, in comparison with the medication group. Conclusion: tuina has a good therapeutic effect in the treatment of infantile diarrhea induced by rotavirus infection and is importantly significant for shortening the course, enhancing the therapeutic effect and lowering down the medical cost.

AIM:To investigate the changes of connexin 43 (Cx43) via establishing a model of sympathomi-metic atrial fibrillation ( AF) .METHODS:The mongrels ( n=15) were randomly divided into control group , rapid atrial pacing (RAP) group and isoprenaline (ISO) perfusion+RAP group (ISO+RAP group).All mongrels’ hearts were taken out rapidly by median sternotomy to establish the cardiac model with Langendorff perfusion in vitro.The atrial effective re-fractory period ( AERP) and AF inducability were tested .The expression and distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase ( TH) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry .Total protein level of Cx 43 and phosphorylation of Cx 43 were determined by West-ern blot.The distribution of Cx43 were also observed by immunofluorescence staining .The cell apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL staining.The generation of reactive oxygen species ( ROS) in the mitochondria was measured by fluorescence spec-trophotometry .RESULTS:No significant change of AERP was found between control group and RAP group , while that in ISO+RAP group was significantly decreased (P<0.05) and induced AF.Compared with control group, the expression of TH, apoptotic index and the generation of ROS increased gradually (P<0.05), while the content of Cx43 decreased grad-ually both in the total protein and the phosphorylation levels in RAP group and ISO +RAP group (P<0.05).The fluores-cence intensity of Cx43 was also attenuated and Cx43 were lateralized apparently in RAP group , while Cx43 were character-ized as punctate distribution in ISO +RAP group.CONCLUSION:Sympathetic nerves may activate autophagosome at in-tercalated discs and trigger cell apoptosis , resulting in remodeling and downregulation of Cx 43 via oxidative stress , thus having effects on mediating and maintaining AF .

BACKGROUND:Displacement of the distal fracture fragment is one of the most important facts that lead to cubitus varus fol owing pediatric supracondylar humeral fracture. Mainstream technique emphasized the restoration of posterior-ulnar deviation of the distal fragment. However, there is an absence of supportive evidences from biomechanical studies. OBJECTIVE:To establish models of extension-ulnar type of supracondylar humeral fracture and investigate the mechanical stability of reduced fracture with residual displacements within functional restoration standard, so as to provide mechanic evidences supporting the empirical rule of manipulative reduction-“better anterior than posterior, better radial than ulnar”. METHODS:The fresh cadaveric bone of right upper extremity from a 7-year-old child was scanned using CT. Models of supracondylar humeral fracture differing in contact area of the fracture site and displacement direction of the distal fragment were established and underwent loading tests. Stress in both anterior and posterior margin of the fracture site and Baumann angle were recorded, and data were analyzed and compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In comparison of stress in the posterior margin, the value was significantly greater in the posteromedial-displacement group than the others. Stress value in fracture with 75%contact area was significantly greater than the other three groups. In comparison of stress in the anterior margin, a significantly greater value was obtained in the posteromedial-displaced group. Stress value in fracture with 85%contact area was significantly greater. When comparing stress in posterior margin and anterior margin, the absolute increment of stress value was greater in posterior displacement group than in anterior displacement group. Baumann angle increased significantly when fragment displaced medial y. Above findings indicated that displacement direction altered the location of stress concentration. Stress augmentation was greater in posterior displacement group. Stress in related area significantly increased constantly when contact area of the fracture site reduced. Baumann changed obviously when fragment displaced medial y. The results preliminarily verify the hypothesis that displacement of the distal fragment was the main contributor to cubitus varus fol owing supracondylar humeral fracture. These findings provided certain evidences supporting the empirical rule“better anterior than posterior, better radial and ulnar”.

Objective To investigate the perception of Mandarin's tones by children with speech development disorders so as to provide a theoretical basis for clinical rehabilitation.Methods Thirty children with speech development disorders (DPDs) aged 4 to 6 were matched with 30 healthy counterparts as a control group.Both groups underwent the tone perception experiment,which included tone identification and discrimination tasks.The speech stimuli were 11 computer-simulated voices expressing a continuum of sounds from Mandarin speech ranging from /bá/ to /bà/.The two groups were compared in their ability to identify and differentiate the tones.Results Both groups showed typicalS-shaped identification curves in a category pattern.The category boundaries of the control group were between stimulus steps 6 and 7,significantly different from those of the experimental group where the boundary fell between stimulus steps 5 and 6.On the distinguishing curve,both groups presented obvious peak values.The stimulus steps of the peaks and the crossing points of the identification curves were consistent.In addition,the average ahsolnte value (b1) of the identification curve and the peaks' degree of steepness (DP) of the DPD group's distinguishing curve were significantly lower than those of the control group.At the same time,the average boundary width (Wcb) was significantly higher than that of the control group.Conclusion Children with speech development disorders perceive Mandarin tones with categories different from those of normal children.They may have difficulty in perceiving tones,which might be an important factor leading to pronunciation errors.

Objective: To explore the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasome and atrial fibrillation (AF) by examining peripheral blood level of NLRP3 inlfammasome and other inlfammatory factors in relevant patients.
Method: A total of 60 AF patients were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: Paroxysmal AF (PAF) group and Non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (nPAF) group, n=30 in each group;in addition, there was a Control group including 26 healthy subjects from physical examination. NLRP3 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured by lfow cytometry;blood levels of IL-1β, IL-6, CRP and NT-proBNP were detected by ELISA. The correlations among different factors were studied by liner regression analysis and the differences were compared among groups.
Result:①Compared with Control group, PAF and nPAF groups had increased PBMCs level of NLRP3 and blood levels of IL-1β, IL-6, CRP, NT-proBNP, P<0.05, while NLRP3 level was similar between PAF group and nPAF group, P>0.05.②PAF and nPAF groups showed elevated blood level of NT-proBNP than Control group, P<0.05. ③PBMCs level of NLRP3 was positively related to left atrial diameter (r=0.579, P<0.05) and negatively related to left ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0.490, P<0.05) in both AF groups.
Conclusion: ① NLRP3 inflammasome was closely related to AF, which may provide a therapeutic target for AF treatment. ② AF was closely related to inflammatory response. ③ Downstream product of NLRP3 may cause the inlfammatory response which could induce the occurrence, development and maintenance of AF in relevant patients.

Objective To discuss the problems of using high pressure injector in the 16-detector-row CT. Methods Reviewed and analyzed the courses of using high pressure injector in the 16-detector-row CT for 799 patients. Results 774 patients obtained successful infusion,contrast medium hydrops were occurred in 20 patients,2 patients were infusion failure and 3 patients were redid for misoperation. Conclusion Master the details of operating high pressure injector can alleviate the pain of patients,and then obtain the satisfactory effect.

Objective To assess the test-retest reliability of the Chinese version of Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and its correlation with other overactive bladder symptom (OAB)evaluation tools among Chinese OAB patients. Methods Fifty OAB patients completed the OABSS,PPBC, IPSS forms and a three-day voiding diary card for twice in day 0 and day 14±2, respectively.Test-retest reliability was examined using internal correlation coefficient (ICC) and weighted Kappa coefficients between first and second application of OABSS. The internal reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's α coefficient method. Pearson or/and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated for testing the correlation between OABSS and IPSS, IPSS QOL, PPBC as well as clinical variables in the three-day voiding diary cards. Results ICC of OABSS total score was 0.9172, weighted Kap-pa coefficients of individual scores in OABSS were 0.5902-0.9274;Cronbach's α coefficients were 0. 3069 and 0. 3285, respectively. In the first and second application of OABSS, the Pearson correlation coefficients were 0. 2643-0. 6900 between OABSS and clinical variables in the three-day voiding diary card (except for average daily frequency of urination);the Pearson correlation coefficients were 0. 4734 and 0. 4929, and the Spearman correlation coefficients were 0. 4133 and 0. 4149 between OABSS and IPSS total score;the Spearman correlation coefficients were 0.4083 and 0.4127 between OABSS and PPBC. Conclusions The Chinese version of OABSS manifest test-retest reliability among Chinese OAB patients. It has also a high correlation with IPSS total score, PPBC and clinical variables in the three-day voiding diary cards.