Objective To study the expression and significance of neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) in ureteropelvic junction obstruction(UPJO).Methods Specimens of the narrow segment of the ureteropelvic junction(UPJ) were obtained from 36 cases of UPJO(without aberrant vessels,adhesive band compression and high insertion of ureteral junction).Furthermore,the light microscopic examination demonstrated that smooth muscle fascicles were sparse and thin,and fibrous connective tissues between them were deposited.Control UPJ specimens were taken from 20 cases of renal neoplasm,and tissues were confirmed histologically to be unaffected.Immunohistochemical staining(SABC method) was performed to detect the expression of nNOS in specimens of the 2 groups.Quantitative analysis was made using image analysis technique. Results Immunoreactivity to nNOS was predominantly present in the smooth muscle cell cytoplasm of UPJ.The mean density of nNOS in UPJO and control groups was 0.208?0.014 and 0.230?(0.016),respectively,which were significantly different between the 2 groups(P

Multislice Cr angiography represents one of the most exciting technological revolutions in cardiac imaging and it has been increasingly used in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.Rapid improvements in multislice CT scanners over the last decade have allowed this technique to become a potentially effective alternative to invasive coronary angiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.High diagnostic value has been achieved with multisfice CT angiography with use of 64-and more slice CT scanners.In addition,multislice CT angiography shows accurate detection and analysis of coronary calcium,characterization of coronary plaques,as well as prediction of the disease progression and major cardiac events.Thus,patients can benefit from multislice CT angiography that provides a rapid and accurate diagnosis while avoiding unnecessary invasive coronary angiography procedures.The aim of this article is present an overview of the clinical applications of multislice CT angiography in coronary artery disease with a focus on the diagnostic accuracy of coronary artery disease;prognostic value of coronary artery disease with regard to the prediction of major cardiac events; detection and quantification of coronary calcium and characterization of coronary plaques.Limitations of multislice Cr angiography in coronary artery disease are also briefly discussed,and future directions are highlighted.

Objective To investigate the clinical applications of coronary CT angiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease and identify factors that affect CT findings. Methods Medical records of patients suspected of coronary artery disease over a period of 12 months from a tertiary teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Patient age, sex (male/female), duration of symptoms and abnormal rates of coronary CT angiography scans were analysed to investigate the relationship among these parameters. The patients by age were duration of symptoms was also classified into five groups: less than one week, one week to one month, one to three months, three to six months and more than six months. Results Of the 880 patient records reviewed, 800 met the above study criteria. Five hundred and forty nine patients demonstrated abnormal CT findings (68.6%). There was no significant difference in the percentage of abnormal CT findings based on patient sex and the duration of symptoms (P = 0.14). The abnormal rates of coronary CT angiography, however, increased significantly with increasing age (P < 0.001); with patients over 65 years of age 2.5 times more likely to have an abnormal CT scan relative to a patient under 45 years. A significant difference was found between abnormal coronary CT angiography and the duration of symptoms (P = 0.012). Conclusions Our results indicate coronary CT angiography findings are significantly related to the patient age group and duration of symptoms. Clinical referral for coronary CT angiography of patients with suspected coronary artery disease needs to be justified with regard to the judicious use of this imaging modality.

OBJECTIVE:To study the preparation of compound levofloxacin eye drops and its quality control,then observe its clinical effect.METHODS:Levofloxacin was used as basic remedy mixed with dexamethasone sodium phosphate and phos?phate was adoped as buffer,while EDTA-2Na as stabilizer.Finally the content of levofloxacin was determined by UV-spec?trophotometric method.RESULTS:The preparations was stable and within the range of2～6?g/ml,the concentration of lev?ofloxacin had a linear relationship with absorbance(C=26.1780A—1.0838,r=0.9997).The average rate of recovery was100.34%and RSD was0.44%(n=5).CONCLUSION:This preparation has a good effect with simple preparing technique and reliable quality control.

Objective To study the mutations of outer-membrane porin gerte (oprD) in imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Methods The PCR was applied to detect the oprD gene from the 34 clinical imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.DNA sequence was proceeded to analysis the nuclentide sequence of the oprD gene and the deduced amino acid sequence.To analysis the mutation and the function of the oprD domain,those mutations were compaired with the standard Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 and 2 clinical imipenem-susceptibility isolates.Results oprD gene mutation was wide and diverse.The rate of the mutation was 92.3% (12/13),mutations were concluded dot mutation,deletion mutation and insert mutation,those result in the amino sequence change and frame shift in L2 and L3 loops of outer membrane protein D,hampering the combine of oprD and imipenem.Some new mutations were found.They were 1 079,1 114,1 196,1 206,1 288,1 300,1 301 bases and 115,127,154,158,185,189 aminos.All above mutations were not deteced in ATCC 27853 and 2 clinical imipenem-susoeptibility isolates.Conclusions The wide and diverse mutations in oprD gene result in amino acid change and/or frame shift L2 and L3 loops,hampering the binding of IMP and oprD.Those may result in resistance to imipenem in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Objective To investigate the etiology and relative factors of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Chinese patients. Methods A case-control study was conducted to compare 233 patients with DCM in high-incidence areas (case group) and 150 patients with stable angina pectoris (control group). Life styles and history of diseases information was collected by questionaire; human anti-myocardial antibody IgG (AMA- IgG), human Coxsackie B virus IgG (CBV- IgG) and human adenovirus antibody IgG (ADV- lgG) were measured with ELISA. General chemical and toxicological indicators in drink water from high and low prevalence areas and serum trace elements also were compared. Results 1 ) Compared with the control group, the case group had more farmers (P < 0.01), with low average incomes (P < 0.01), higher alcohol consumption (P < 0.01) and higher incidence of the history of myocarditis (P < 0.01 ). 2) AMA-IgG, CBV-IgG and ADV-IgG levels were low and the positive rates ofAMA-IgG, CBV-IgG and ADV-IgG of patients with DCM were respectively 7.78%, 6.67% and 6.67%, no statistical significance comparing with those in the control group. 3) The content of iron (1.36±2.18 vs 0.39±0.67 mg/L, P<0.05) and manganese (0.384±0.35 vs 0.15±0.14, P<0.01 ) in drinking water of high-incidence areas was significantly higher than that in low-incidence areas. 4) The content of serum iron (69.14±57.8 vs 20.04±17.5 μ mol/L, P<0.01 ) and copper (25.74±4.2 vs 19.7±4.5 μmol/L, P<0.01) in the case group evidently exceeded the normal range and obviously higher than that in the control group. Conclusions 1) The incidence of some DCM is related with low incomes, high alcohol consumption and myocarditis. 2) These data do not support that DCM is related with persistent virus infection and autoimmunization; 3) Iron and manganese contents exceeding standards in drinking water and the high content of serum iron and copper is comparatively related with the incidence of DCM.

Objective To study the expressions of HSP70 and AQP4 in the H.Pylori-associated gastritis mice of Pi-Wei hygropyrexia syndrome;To investigate the mechanism of Mieyou Soup. Methods The mice were randomly divided into high concentration of Mieyou Soup group, low concentration of Mieyou Soup group, gastric triad group, model group and control group. BALB/c mice of H.Pylori-associated gastritis mice of Pi-Wei hygropyrexia syndrome model was established by composite factor. After modeling, the mice were administered for of continuous 14 days. The drug dosage of high concentration of Mieyou Soup group, low concentrations of Mieyou Soup group, and gastric triad group were 12.4, 6.2 g/kg, and 0.279 8 mg/kg, respectively. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of HSP70 protein, and immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of AQP4 protein. Results Compared with control group, the expression of HSP70 and AQP4 in model group significantly increased (P<0.05);compared with the model group, the HSP70 in high concentration of Mieyou Soup group, low concentrations of Mieyou Soup group, gastric triad group increased, the AQP4 in high concentration of Mieyou Soup group, low concentrations of Mieyou Soup group, gastric triad group decreased, with statistical significance (P<0.01). Conclusion Mieyou Soup may play a role in treatment of H.Pylori-associated gastritis mice of Pi-Wei hygropyrexia syndrome by raising the expression of HSP70, and reducing the expression of AQP4 protein expression.

Objective To investigate the mechanisms of Mieyou Decoction in the treatment of Hp-associated gastritis of spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome. Methods Seventy BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, high concentration of Mieyou Decoction group, low concentrations of Mieyou Decoction group, and gastric triad group, with 14 rats in each group. BALB/c mice of Hp-associated gastritis of spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome models were established by composite factor. After the success of modeling and continuous 14-day administration, the expressions of TLR2, TLR4 protein, TLR2 mRNA, and TLR4 mRNA were detected by immunohistochemistry and qPCR. ELISA was used to detect the expressions of IL-6 and IL-8 in the serum. Results Compared with control group, the expressions of TLR2, TLR4 protein, mRNA, IL-6, and IL-8 in model group significantly increased (P<0.01);the expressions of TLR2, TLR4 protein, mRNA, IL-6, and IL-8 in high concentration of Mieyou Decoction group, low concentrations of Mieyou Decoction group, gastric triad group were lower than model group, with statistical significance (P<0.01);the expressions of TLR2, TLR4 protein, mRNA, IL-6, and IL-8 in high concentration of Mieyou Decoction group were higher than gastric triad group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Mieyou Decoction may play a role in the treatment of Hp-associated gastritis of spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome through intervention in the expressions of TLR2 and TLR4.

Objective To investigate the correlation between plasma pentraxin 3 (PTX3)and cardiovascular disease(CVD) in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD) patients.Methods Plasma was obtained from 98 MHD patients before and after a session of HD and 50 age-matched healthy subjects.Plasma PTX3 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA).Spearman correlation and linear regression were used to examine the correlation between plasma PTX3 level and other laboratory parameters.Binary Logistic regression was used to assess the correlation between plasma PTX3 level and CVD.Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the correlation among PTX3, high sensitive C-reactive protein(hsCRP) and CVD.Results Plasma PTX3 level was significantly higher in MHD patients compared to healthy controls [1.87 (1.34-2.50) μg/L vs 1.11(0.86-1.51) μg/L, P＜0.01], and increased after a single HD session[post-HD 2.18(1.80-3.14) μg/L vs pre-HD 1.87(1.34-2.50) μg/L, P＜0.01].Patients with CVD had higher concentrations of PTX3 than those without CVD[2.18 (1.48-2.74) μg/L vs 1.76 (1.25-2.26) μg/L, P＜0.05].High plasma PTX3 (＞1.87 μg/L) was positively and independently associated with CVD[OR=3.15, 95％CI(1.17-8.50), P＜0.05].ROC curve analysis showed the PTX3 was more closely correlated to CVD than hsCRP in MHD patients with hsCRP ＞3 mg/L, and the area under the curve of PTX3 and hsCRP was 0.655 ±0.083(P＜0.05) and 0.562±0.083(P＞0.05) respectively.Plasma PTX3 level was negatively correlated with body mass index (ρ=-0.248,P＜0.05), pre-albumin(ρ=-0.218, P＜0.05), total cholesterol(ρ=-0.265, P＜0.01), triglyceride (ρ=-0.246, P＜0.05), LDL-cholesterol (ρ=-0.254, P＜0.05), hemoglobin (ρ=-0.212, P＜0.05), and positively with erythropoietin dose per week(ρ=0.184, P＜0.01), cardiac troponin T (ρ=0.287,P＜0.01), carotid artery intima-media thickness (ρ=0.294, P＜0.05).Conclusions PTX3 level ismarkedly elevated in HD patients.HD procedure induces PTX3 elevation.Plasma PTX3 could be auseful marker of CVD risk factors in MHD patients.

In current study, the expressions of protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha, betaI and betaII as well as their correlation to the expression of transforming growth factor-betaI (TGF-betaI) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were investigated in glomeruli of normal renal tissues taken from human kidney tumors and kidney tissues from patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). The accumulation of glomerular extracelluar matrix (ECM) was determined by PAS staining, the expressions of PKC-a, PKC-betaI, PKC-betaII, TGF-betaI and VEGF were measured by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that in glomeruli of normal renal tissues, PKC-alpha and betaII had a strong expression whereas the expression of PKC-betaI was weak; in glomeruli of DN patients, the expressions of PKC-alpha, PKC-betaI, VEGF and TGF-betaI and the accumulation of ECM increased significantly, but the expression of PKC-betaII decreased markedly. Meanwhile, the expressions of PKC-alpha and betaI had a positive correlation to the expressions of VEGF and TGF-betaI respectively, whereas PKC-betaII showed no correlation to VEGF and TGF-betaI. It is concluded that the expressions of PKC-alpha, betaI and betaII in glomeruli of normal subjects and DN patients are different. PKC-alpha seems to play a critical role in human DN by up-regulating VEGF expression, whereas PKC-betaI is relatively important for the up-regulation of TGF-betaI and the accumulation of ECM under diabetic conditions.