A strain of P. Aeruginosa,which was seperated from clinical environment,shows a special characteristic. It keeps normal short rod shape when cultured at 37℃, however,it forms filament without pyocyanin producing when cultured at 25℃ overnight. The filaments will divide and form short rods, simultaneously, produce pyocyanin when culture time is prolonged to over 72h or culture temperature is raised to 37℃. The preliminary study indicates that this phenomenin has nothing to do with nutritive conditions and could the inbluenced by inoculating density and irradiating with ultraviolet rays The absence of pyocyanin was not the cause of filamentous formation by the test results.

To provide theoretical basis for breeding good variety of Dendrobium denneanum, agronomic and qualitative characters of 4 different lines and relationships among them were studied. The stem length, stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width, length/ width ratio and leaf area were measured. The single fresh and dry stem was weighed and drying rate was calculated. The contents of polysaccharides and total alkaloids were determined by sulfuric acid-phenol colorimetry and acid-dye colorimetry, respectively. The correlations between characters were analyzed. The results showed that differences in major agronomic characters between four lines were significant. The plant types of dq-1 and dq-2 were higher, dq-3 was medium and dq-4 was lower. The fresh weigh of stem and content of polysaccharides were the highest in dq-2, 7.81 g and 14.33%. While the highest content of total alkaloids and was 0. 486% in dq-3. There were significant correlations between agronomic characters, but these characters had low or non correlations with qualitative characters such as polysaccharides and total alkaloids. It was shown that the content of polysaccharides and total alkaloids were significantly different among 4 lines of D. denneanum, which could be selected for different uses.
Agriculture ; Dendrobium ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the late results of using posterior restoration and three-column fixation to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-four patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis were collected from March 1999 to May 2007, they were treated by posterior restoration and fixation with single nail-grooved tail steel plate and fixed with cage (WDFC). Among these cases, 87 cases were fixed with one WDFC, 97 cases were used two WDFCs.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 8 to 69 months(averaged 23 months). According to Nakai standard, the results was excellent in 142 cases, good in 34, fair in 8, the excellent and good rates were 95.6%. Seventy-nine vertebraes with I degree spondylolisthesis were reduced after surgery. Eighty-seven vertebraes with II degree spondylolisthesis were reduced except 9 with I degree spondylolisthesis left. Twenty-one with III degree spondylolisthesis were reduced except 5 with I degree spondylolisthesis left; In 2 with IV degree spondylolisthesis, one with I degree spondylolisthesis left and the other with II degree spondylolisthesis left. The follow-up results showed that there was no statistical significance in the height of intervertebral space between preoperation and post-operation, and no recurrence was observed and no single nail-grooved tail steel plate and WDFC were loose or crashed.

CONCLUSIONPosterior restoration and three-column fixation is a positive modus operandi to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis,which can reduce excellently,keep the height of intervertebral space and stabilization of segment, obtain high rate of fusion, and cut down complication.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; Spondylolisthesis ; surgery

BACKGROUNDCongestive heart failure (CHF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) is the cornerstone in its treatment. However, CHF continues to progress despite this therapy, perhaps because of production of angiotensin II (Ang II) by alternative pathways. The present study was conducted to examine the combined effects of a chronic ACEI, ramipril, and a chronic Ang II type 1 receptor blocker, TCV116, on rat CHF after myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODSCongestive heart failure was caused by MI in rats, which was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The experiment protocol included sham-operated rats (Sham), MI-control rats (MI-control), MI rats treated with ramipril 3 mg/kg (MI-ramipril) or TCV116 2 mg/kg (MI-TCV116) per day, half dosage (MI-1/2R&T) or full dosage (MI-R&T) combination of the two. At 22 weeks, cardiac hemodynamic parameters such as mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), maximal rate of left ventricule pressure development and decline (LV dP/dtmax) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and cardiac morphometric parameters such as heart weight (HW), left ventricular weight (LVW) and left ventricular cavity area (LVCA) were measured, mRNA expressions of cardiac molecule genes such as beta myosin heavy chain (betaMHC), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), collagen I and III were quantified with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the surviving septum myocardium, and survival rates were calculated.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in MI sizes (%) among each MI related experimental groups (33 +/- 13, 34 +/- 14, 33 +/- 13, 35 +/- 13 and 33 +/- 14 for MI-control, MI-ramipril, MI-TCV116, MI-1/2R&T and MI-R&T, respectively, no statistical significance for all). Compared with sham-operated rats, MI rats without therapy showed significant increases in morphometric parameters as well as in mRNA expressions of cardiac molecule genes (P < 0.01); while their hemodynamic parameters were significantly impaired (P < 0.01), and in terms of spontaneous deaths survival rate shortened (P < 0.05). Compared with MI rats without therapy, MI rats treated with each single drug showed significant attenuation of mRNA expressions of cardiac molecule genes (P < 0.01); while their hemodynamic parameters were significantly improved (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and in terms of spontaneous deaths survival rate prolonged (P < 0.05). Both half and full dosage combined treatments exerted more powerful effects on improvement of cardiac phenotypic changes and on attenuation of betaMHC, BNP mRNA expressions (P < 0.05 vs monotherapy); while LVEDP was further lowered (P < 0.05 vs monotherapy). However, the total death in MI rats with full dosage combined treatment was more though there were no significant differences when compared with other treatments.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that treatment with appropriate dosage combination of a chronic ACEI and a chronic ARB may further improve cardiac remodeling and cardiac function after MI.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Benzimidazoles ; administration & dosage ; Biphenyl Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Ramipril ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; drug effects ; Tetrazoles ; administration & dosage ; Ventricular Function, Left ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate CT findings and incidence rate of gastric bare area involvement (GBAI), left adrenal gland involvement (LAGI) and perirenal space involvement (PSI) in acute pancreatitis, and to also explore the value of these appearances in predicting complications and mortality of patients.

METHODSCT imaging data of 575 patients with AP diagnosed by clinic from October 2009 to April 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 339 male and 236 female patients, aging from 16 to 93 years with a mean of (51 ± 16) years. Involvement with or without gastric bare area, left adrenal gland, perirenal space were focused, and the relationship were analyzed between these CT findings and complications and mortality of patients.

RESULTSAmong 167 patients (29.0%) with GBAI, 132 had complications and 16 died. The sensitivity and specificity of GBAI for predicting complications were 45.4% and 87.7%, respectively, and 84.2%and 72.8% for predicting mortality. In all 107 patients (18.6%) with LAGI, 81 had complications and 18 died. The sensitivity and specificity of LAGI for predicting complications were 27.8% and 90.8%, respectively, and 94.7% and 84.0% for predicting mortality. Among 335 patients (58.3%) with PSI, 201 had complications and 19 died. The sensitivity and specificity of PSI for predicting complications were 69.1% and 52.8%, respectively, and 100% and 43.2% for predicting mortality. Of all patients, 210 (36.5%) owned two or more positive CT findings among GBAI, LAGI, and PSI. One hundred ninety-eight of these patients had complications and 19 died, that predicted the sensitivity and specificity for complications were 68.0% and 95.8%, respectively, and 100% and 65.6% for mortality. The risk of complications in the patients with GBAI or LAGI was increased than normal gastric bare area or left adrenal gland 5.9 or 3.8 times respectively, and the risk of death was improved 14.3 or 94.5 times respectively. The risk of complications in those patients with two or more positive findings increased by 48.3 times. By analyzing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the combination of GBAI, LAGI, and PSI was the best way to predict the complications of AP. The area under the ROC was 0.819.

CONCLUSIONSThe CT imaging could effectively indicate the signs of GBAI, LAGI and PSI of AP. The GBAI. LAGI and PSI were related with the severity and prognosis of AP, and these findings could be clinical indicators for evaluating prognosis of AP.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adrenal Glands ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of Bushen Shuji Granule (BSG) in treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.

METHODSA prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out in 62 active stage AS patients with Shen deficiency Du-channel cold syndrome (SDDCS), who were randomly assigned to the BSG group (treated with BSG) and the control group (treated with Celecoxib Capsule). Twelve weeks consisted of one therapeutic course. Therapeutic effects were evaluated by ASAS20 and ASAS40 (set by Assessments in Ankylosing Spondylitis working group) , BASDA150, Chinese medical (CM) syndrome efficacy evaluation standards. BASDAI, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI), scores for spine pain, scores for pain at night, patient global assessment (PGA) , erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) , and C reactive protein (CRP) were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter three-month treatment by BSG, ASAS20 standard rate was 63. 33% (19/30 cases) in the BSG group and 66.67% (20/30 cases) in the control group with no significant difference between the two groups (χ2 = 0.073, P > 0.05). The efficacy for CM syndromes was 70.00% (21/30 cases) in the BSG group, higher than that in the control group [40.00% (12/30 cases), χ2 = 5.455, P < 0.05]. Scores for CM syndromes, BASDAI, night pain index, spinal pain index, PGA, CRP were improved in the BSG group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The incidence of adverse events in the BSG group was lower than that of the control group.

CONCLUSIONBSG based on Shen supplementing, Du-channel strengthening, blood activating, and channels dredging method had good short-term clinical efficacy and safety in treating AS.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biomedical Research ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Pain ; Prospective Studies ; Safety ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the long-term effects of TCV116 (candesartan cilexetil) on cardiac function changes after myocardial infarction.

METHODSMyocardial infarction (MI) was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. One week after the surgical performance,the surviving rats were randomly assigned to the following treatment groups: (1) MI rats with no therapy; (2) MI rats treated with TCV116 2 mg/kg per day; (3) Sham-operated control and (4) Sham-operated rats treated with TCV116 2 mg/kg per day. At 22 weeks, left ventricular function and cardiac histomorphometric parameters were measured, mRNA expression of cardiac genes such as beta myosin heavy chain, B-type natriuretic peptide, transforming growth factor beta1, collagen I and III quantified, and survival rates calculated.

RESULTSTreatment with TCV116 significantly improved LV function, suppressed mRNA expression of cardiac genes,and extended the survival period compared with MI rats with no therapy (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTreatment with long-term angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker may improve LV function and prolong the survival of rats after MI.

Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers ; Animals ; Benzimidazoles ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; administration & dosage ; Tetrazoles ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Ventricular Function, Left ; drug effects ; Ventricular Myosins ; metabolism ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of bushen quhan zhiwang decoction (BQZD) combined methotrexate (MTX) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSA prospective, randomized controlled study was carried out. RA patients of Shen deficiency and cold invading syndrome in the treatment group (120 cases) were treated with BQZD and MTX (10 mg/week), while those in the control group (120 cases) were treated with MTX (10 mg/week) alone. The therapeutic course for all was 24 weeks. The efficacy and safety indices were evaluated at the baseline and 24 weeks after treatment, including clinical signs and symptoms, condition assessment, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), disease activity index 28 (DAS28), laboratory parameters of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), safety indicators, and Chinese medical syndrome integrals.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 80. 0% in the treatment group, better than that of the control group (66.7%), showing statistical difference (P <0.01). In the two groups significant improvement of clinical signs and symptoms, ESR, CRP, visual analogue scale (VAS) by both physicians and patients, HAQ, DAS28, and Chinese medical syndrome integrals after treatment were shown (P <0.01). Better effects were obtained in the treatment group in lessening tender joint numbers and swollen joint numbers, VAS by both physicians and patients, DAS28, and Chinese medical syndrome integrals (P < 0.05). Besides, adverse reactions occurred less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBQZD had roles in relieving symptoms, improving joint functions, signs, ESR, and CRP. It was an effective herb for RA patients of Shen deficiency and cold invading syndrome. It could enhance the efficacy and reduce adverse reactions of MTX through synergistic effects with MTX.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Methotrexate ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of GuidezillaTM guide extension catheter during complex coronary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). Methods A total of 13 patients were included in the studywho presented with complex coronary lesions during PCI. Stents or balloons could not be delivered to these complex lesions with conventional approach and GuidezillaTM guide extension catheters were used. Results Among these 13 patients,there were 7 CTO lesions,7 calcified lesions, 6 tortuous lesions,8 diffuse lesions,8 distal lesions and 8 lesions with pre-existing stents. PCI success rate was 100% .In one patient,GuidezillaTM guide extension catheter was obstructed which were relieved after stent implantation. There was no major adverse cardiac event(MACE) during follow-up.Conclusions The GuidezillaTM guide extension catheter was safe and effective for PCI of complex coronary artery lesions.

BACKGROUNDMany patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) develop recurrent angina (RA) during hospitalization. The aim of this non-randomized, prospective study was to investigate the predictive factors of RA in unselected patients with ACS enrolled in the global registry acute coronary events (GRACE) during hospitalization in China.

METHODSBetween March 2001 and October 2004, enrolled were 1433 patients with ACS, including ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (662, 46.2%), non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (239, 16.7%) and unstable angina (532, 37.1%). The demographic distribution, medical history and clinical data were collected to investigate the predictive factors of RA by Logistic regression.

RESULTSDuring hospitalization 275 (19.2%) patients were documented with RA including unstable angina (53.2%), non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (27.5%), ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (19.3%). A comorbidity of dyslipidemia, prior angina, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 6 months was more common in patients with RA, P < 0.05. In the patients with RA, a significantly higher proportion of patients with acute pulmonary edema was observed, 23 (8.4%) versus 43 (3.7%), P = 0.001. Acute renal failure was present in 8 (2.9%) of patients with RA versus 19 (1.6%) of patients without RA, P = 0.165. Hemorrhagic events were present in 6 (2.2%) of patients with RA versus 8 (0.7%) of patients without RA, ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation events in 12 patients (4.3%) versus 22 patients (1.9%), congestive heart failure in 69 patients (25.0%) versus 94 patients (8.1%), myocardial re-infarction in 28 patients (10.1%) versus 15 patients (1.3%), P < 0.05, respectively. A lower proportion of patients with RA underwent in-hospital PCI, 687 (59.3%) versus 114 (41.5%), P = 0.000. A higher proportion of patients with RA received heparin, 260 (94.5%) versus 1035 (89.4%), P = 0.006; and beta-blockers 176 (64.0%) versus 864 (74.5%), P = 0.000. Multivarible regression analysis showed that RA was associated with prior angina (OR 2.086, 95% CI 1.466 - 2.967), in-hospital PCI (OR 0.579, 95% CI 0.431 - 0.778), in-hospital congestive heart failure (OR 2.410, 95% CI 1.634 - 3.555), myocardial re-infarction (OR 7.695, 95% CI 3.701 - 15.999), beta-blocker (OR 0.626, 95% CI 0.458 - 0.855), and heparin (OR 3.411, 95% CI 1.604 - 7.382).

CONCLUSIONSIn-hospital congestive heart failure, myocardial re-infarction, prior angina history and use of heparin are stronger independent predictors of RA; beta-blockers and PCI are also important predictive factors for RA.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Adult ; Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; etiology ; therapy ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Registries