Animals ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Reactive Nitrogen Species ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

Objective To compare the result of percutaneous or open drainage for muhilocular bacterial liver abscess. Methods The clinical data of 45 patients with multilocular bacterial liver abscess were reviewed retrospectively over the past 5 years. Twenty-one cases underwent B-us or CT-guided pereutaneons drainage (PD) and 24 received surgical drainage (SD) as the first-line treatment. The treatment outcomes in both groups were compared, and clinical end-points included time to defervescence, failure of treatment, secondary procedures, hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality. Results The time of defervesecnce was not statistically different between the two groups (4.85 day vs. 4.38 days, P＞0.05). However, patients in SD group suffered from less treatment failures (2 cases vs. 9 cases, P<0.05), less requirement for secondary procedures (1 cases vs. 11 cases,P<0.01), and shorter hospital stay (8 day vs. 11 days, P<0.05). There was no difference in morbidity or mortality rates between the two groups. Conclusions It was concluded that for multilocular liver abscess, SD provides better clinical outcomes than PD in terms of treatment success, number of secondary procedures, and hospital stay with comparable morbidity and mortality rates. SD should be considered as first-line treatment for multilocular bacterial liver abscesses.

Objective To explore the suitable range of PT-INR for Chinese people with acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) treated by warfarin anticoagulation therapy. Methods Eighty seven DVT patients with indications to warfarin anticoagulation therapy were enrolled into the study and divide into two groups randomly. Patients from group A (n=47) took warfarin to adjust the PT-INR to range 1.7-2. 5,and patients from group B (n =40) took warfarin to adjust the PT-INR to range 2. 0-3. 0. The therapeutic effectiveness and the incidence of bleeding complications were compared between two groups. Results Forty-six patients (46/47,98%) had limb swelling symptoms relief in group A with one exception,which was diagnosed as pelvic tumor by ultrasonography,CT and tumor markers examination later. No patient underwent bleeding in group A Thirty eight patients (38/40,93%) had limb swelling symptoms relief in group group B with two exceptions,of which one case had Cockett syndrome and the other one had unknown aetiology. The total effective rate of group B was 95% . As to the complications of this group,3 patients had slight gum and nasal mucous membrane bleeding, 1 patient developed gastrointestinal bleeding. No patients had pulmonary embolism in both groups. Conclusion For Chinese people,anticoagulation therapy of acute deep venous thrombosis to adjust the range of PT-INR to 1.7-2. 5, shows good effectiveness and significantly reduced bleeding complications.

Objective To study hepatic blood flow exclusion for the resection of liver tumors involving hepatic hilar region. Methods The clinical data of 16 cases of liver tumors involving hepatic hilar region from January 2005 to March 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Liver tumors were resected by the technique combining hepatic portal control ( Pringle's maneuver) and normothermie total hepatic vascular exclusion (NHVE). The relation of liver tumors to major vessels, episodes and durations of hepatic blood flow exclusion, intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion, postoperative complications were analyzed. Results The technique combining Pringle's maneuver and NHVE was used in 16 cases. The mean episodes and durations of Pringle's maneuver were (3.8±1.6) min and (46.6±28.8) min, respectively. The mean episodes and durations of NHVE were (1.6±0.4) min and (23.5±8.2) min, respectively. The mean amount of intraoperativ blood loss was (1250±320) ml, blood transfusion (860±245) ml. Major hepatic vessel injuried were repaired intraoperatively including inferior vena cave in 4 cases, main hepatic veins in 2 cases and portal veins in 2 cases. The serum alanine transaminase(ALT) and bilirubin raised in different degrees after operation, and recovered gradually to normal level. There was no postoperative mortality and serious postoperative complications. Conclusions Alternative use of hepatic blood flow exclusion combining Pringle maneuver and NHVE reduces the time of total hepatic vascular exclusion, improves safety for resection of liver tumors involving hepatic hilar region.

Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; analysis ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; diagnosis ; microbiology

Objective To assess the association of synovial cyclic citrullinated peptide(CCP)expression with T helper 17(Th17) cells/Regulatory T cells (Treg) imbalance,the histological and clinical features of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods CCP expression in synovial specimens from 39 patients with RA and 35 controls was detected by immunohistochemistry assay(IH) using 6×His tagged anti-CCP single chain fragment V (ScFv) antibodies,which were generated by pHEN2 phagemid recombinant antibodies display system.The frequencies of Th17/Treg cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were determined by flow cytometry (FCM).Th17/Treg cells associated cytokines were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The histological scores and clinical features of synovitis were included in the study.Chi-square test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis.Results ① The prevalences of synovial C CP expression were significantly different between RA group and the control(76.9％ and 11.4％ respectively,X2=31.9,P＜0.01).② The frequencies of Th17 cells,Th17/Treg ratio,Th17 cells associated cytokines as IL-6,IL-17a,IL-23,TNF-α,and the Treg cells associated cytokines TGF-31,the serum and synovial fluid anti-CCP antibodies in the RA patients with synovial CCP positive expression were significantly higher in RA patients with CCP positive than those with CCP negative.Disease activity score DAS28 index and histological features quantified variations of the synovial biopsy specimens (synoviocyte hyperplasia,focal aggregates of lymphocytes,and diffuse infiltrat(e)s of lymphocytes) in RA were higher in synovial CCP positive expression patients than in the negative.Conclusion Synovial CCP expression is strongly associated with the Th17/Treg imbalance and synovitis,which may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of RA.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of superovulation by GnRHa protocol and pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) alone on the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) mRNA on endometrium.

METHODSForty-five female ICR mice were randomly allocated into 3 groups:(1) GnRHa+PMSG group: alarelin was give first for desensitizing the pituitary, then superovulation with PMSG; (2) PMSG group: mice were injected with PMSG only; (3) Natural cycle group: mice were given with same volume of saline. Endometrium samples were taken at 48 hours after given hCG or ovulation (control group). ER and PR in glandular cells were detected with SP immunohistochemistry semiquantitatively. Expression of LIF mRNA on endometrium was detected with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.

RESULTThe positive rate(%) and expression intense (AU) of ER and PR on glandular epithelium cells were significantly lower in GnRHa+PMSG group and PMSG group than those in natural cycle group (all P <0.01). The expression of LIF mRNA was significantly lower in GnRHa+PMSG group and PMSG group than that in natural cycle group (all P <0.01); but the expressions of ER, PR and LIF in GnRHa+PMSG group were higher than those in PMSG group.

CONCLUSIONThe protocol with GnRHa down regulates the expressions of ER, PR and the LIF mRNA on the mice of secretive phase endometrium, suggesting it may have an adverse effect on the endometrial receptivity in mice, but it may still be better than PMSG alone.

Animals ; Clinical Protocols ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Gonadotropins ; pharmacology ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Ovulation Induction ; methods ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Superovulation ; metabolism

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The number of permanent pacemakers (PPMs) implanted in patients in Japan and Korea differs significantly. We aimed to investigate the differences in decision making processes of implanting a PPM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our survey included 15 clinical case scenarios based on the 2008 AHA/ACC/HRS guidelines for device-based therapy of cardiac rhythm abnormalities (class unspecified). Members of the Korean and Japanese Societies of Cardiology were asked to rate each scenario according to a 5-point scale and to indicate their decisions for or against implantation. RESULTS: Eighty-nine Korean physicians and 192 Japanese physicians replied to the questionnaire. For the case scenarios in which there was a class I indication for PPM implantation, the decision to implant a PPM did not differ significantly between the two physician groups. However, the Japanese physicians were significantly more likely than the Korean physicians to choose implantation in class IIa scenarios (48% vs. 37%, p<0.001), class IIb scenarios (40% vs. 19%, p<0.001), and class III scenarios (36% vs. 18%, p<0.001). These results did not change when the cases were categorized based on disease entity, such as sinus node dysfunction and conduction abnormality. CONCLUSION: Korean physicians are less likely than Japanese physicians to favor a PPM implantation when considering a variety of clinical case scenarios, which probably contributes to the relatively small number of PPMs implanted in patients in Korea as compared with those in Japan.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atrioventricular Block ; Cardiology ; Decision Making* ; Humans ; Japan* ; Korea* ; Pacemaker, Artificial ; Sick Sinus Syndrome