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.

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.

Objective To study the correlation between isokinetic parameters and modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) in ankle spasticity as-sessment. Methods 18 stroke patients (spasticity group) and 16 healthy subjects (control group) in our hospitals from August 2014 to March 2015 were included. MAS was used to assess the ankle muscular tension. The ankle passive movement of both groups was measured with BIODEX isokinetic motor assessment system under 10 °/s, 60 °/s, 120 °/s, 180 °/s, 240 °/s. The peak torque (PT), peak torque/body weight (PT/BW), average torque (AT), and slopes of the linear regression curve of torque-velocity (SLOPE) were recorded. The correlation of the isokinetic paramenters and the MAS were tested with Spearman correlation analysis. Results The PT, PT/BW and AT were higher in the spasticity group than in the control group (P<0.05). And they increased as the angular velocity increased, and slowed after 120 °/s. The corre-lation coefficient of MAS and PT, PT/BW, AT, SLOPE were from 0.3043 to 0.7632 (P<0.01). Conclusion The isokinetic parameters were speed-dependent and closely related to MAS. 120 °/s was of the highest sensitivity, and the SLOPE under this anglular velocity was highly correlated with MAS.

Objective To find the plantar pressure readings which best indicate foot inversion during the stance phase of walking among hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods Twenty-two hemiplegic stroke survivors who were able to walk without extra aid were recruited as the experimental group, while 17 healthy elderly men of similar age and body weight were selected as the control group.Those in both groups were asked to walk at their preferred speed over a Footscan device which measured medio-lateral pressure ratios, maximum plantar pressures and the contact areas of both feet.The Clinical Spasticity Index (CSI) was used to evaluate the affected feet.Results The average medial forefoot pressure of the affected side in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group, but their average mesopodium and heel pressure was significantly higher.The average pressure applied by the great toe on the uninjured side in the experimental group was significantly smaller than that of the control group, but the average mesopodium and heel pressure of both feet among the hemiplegics were significantly higher than those of the control group.Among the experimental group, the average medial forefoot pressure of the affected foot was significantly greater than that of the healthy foot.The average contact area of the great toe on the affected side was significantly bigger than was observed in the control group.That of the medial forefoot was, however, significantly smaller than in the control group.There was no significant difference in the contact area between the healthy and affected feet in the experimental group, though the maxmium medio-lateral pressure ratios of their full feet and forefeet on the affected side were significantly lower than those in the healthy group.No significant differences in the maxmium medio-lateral pressure ratios of the heel were observed between the two groups, nor of the full feet, forefeet and heels of the affected and unaffected sides in the experimental group.The patients demonstrated consistently reduced joint mobility on both sides during the stance phase, coinciding with increased inversion.A significant negative correlation was found between the maxmium medio-lateral pressure ratios of the full foot and the maximum pressure of the lateral part of forefoot in the experimental group, but there was no significant correlation with contact area or CSI.Conclusions Plantar pressure data can be used to describe the amount of foot inversion in the stance phase of walking with hemiplegic patients after stroke.The maxmium medio-lateral pressure ratios can effectively reflect their foot inversion.

BACKGROUNDMesenteric artery thrombosis is prone to occur at specific arterial regions with different fluid flow patterns, yet mechanistic links between blood flow and vascular function remain unclear. This study aimd to investigate the role of blood flow in regulation of vascular function and gene expression in rats.

METHODSIsometric tension was recorded in wire myograph to examine vascular function of specific regions (trunk parts and proximal parts from the origin) with different blood flow in superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Endothelial nitric oxide syntheses (eNOS), phosphorylated-eNOS (p-eNOS), serine-threonine kinase Akt and phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) protein expressions in SMA were examined by Western blotting. Significance was analyzed using a Student's t test or analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Dunnett's multiple-comparison post hoc test.

RESULTSCompared with trunks, proximal parts exhibited severely impaired relaxant responses to acetylcholine (Ach) (1 nmol/L to 10 micromol/L) (P < 0.01). p-eNOS and p-Akt protein levels were significantly reduced in proximal parts of SMA (0.37 +/- 0.03, 0.42 +/- 0.03 respectively) versus trunk parts (0.82 +/- 0.03, 0.72 +/- 0.03 respectively, both P < 0.05) while total eNOS and Akt expressions remain comparable in both regions by Western blotting analysis (0.70 +/- 0.03 vs 0.82 +/- 0.03; 0.70 +/- 0.03 vs 0.77 +/- 0.03 respectively, both P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCritical components that drive the vascular function and influence the localization of mesenteric artery thrombosis are flow-responsive elements within the vascular endothelium.

Acetylcholine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Shear Strength ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

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.

BACKGROUND: Precision medicine pays attention to the depth characteristics of the disease and the high precision of the treatment, and is a precise and accurate personalized approach of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In recent years, it has gradually become the hotspot of the medical field. As a new concept of medicine and medical model, its value in clinical treatment of orthopedics has been gradually highlighted. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current status and progress of precision medicine in the field of orthopedics.METHODS: A computer-based search of PubMed and CNKI databases was performed for literatures about application and prospect of precision medicine in the field of orthopedics in and outside China published within the past 10 years using the keywords of "precision medicine, Orthopedics, bone, 3D printing, computer assisted navigation, minimal invasive, gene". RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) In the study on the prevention and treatment of the disease of orthopedics, 3D printing technology, computer assisted navigation technology, precision minimally invasive orthopedic technology, and gene research are four effective way to achieve precise and personalized healthcare. (2) The appearance of precision medicine, a novel medicinal model, enriches the treatment of the disease in the field of orthopedics and enhances the curative efficacy of the disease. Precision medicine brings the new dawn to the patient and provides some new clues for medical workers and researchers engaged in the clinical and basic research of the disease in the field of orthopedics.

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.

OBJECTIVETo study the outcomes of surgeries for acute central cervical spinal cord injury without cervical spine fracture or dislocation in young and middle-aged patients.

METHODSThe clinical data of 58 young and middle-aged patients with acute central cervical spinal cord injury treated in our hospital between August 2005 and August 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. Of these patients, 33 (24 males and 9 females) received surgical treatment and 25 (17 males and 8 females) had conservative therapy. The ASIA grade and ASIA motor and sensory score were used for evaluation at admission and at 14 days and 1 year after the treatment. The neurological symptoms and treatment outcomes in the two groups were evaluated.

RESULTSThe proportion of patients with ASIA grade D-E and the ASIA motor and sensory scores were all significantly higher in the surgical group than in the non-surgical treatment group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor young and middle-aged patients with central cervical spinal cord injury, immediate surgery can relieve the pressure on the injured spinal cord and improve the micro-circulation to promote functional recovery of the spinal cord.

Adult ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Injuries ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; surgery ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo establish an implanted model of human colonic carcinoma on chick embryo, and to study the effects of anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody on its vascularization.

METHODSThe human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 was transplanted on the chick embryo's chorioallantoic membrane(CAM), and the angiogenesis characteristics were observed by stero-microscope, light microscope and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the effects of anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody on angiogenesis and tumor growth were also investigated.

RESULTSThree to seven days after HT-29 cell line was implanted into CAM, tumors grew rapidly and new blood vessels grew toward tumors. Five days after anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody was given, the number of blood vessels in anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody group was significantly down-regulated than that in tumor control group observed by stero-microscope (37.2+/-4.6 vs 56.8+/-7.4, P<0.01), but was up-regulated than that in normal control group (37.2+/-4.6 vs 9.6+/-2.4, P<0.01). Microvessel density(MVD) in anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody group was much lower than that in tumor control group by histological examination (9.6+/-2.4 vs 20.2+/-5.8, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAngiopoietin-2 antibody is able to inhibit the angiogenesis induced by colorectal cancer cell line HT-29 obviously. The anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody may be potentially useful for clinical treatment of colonic carcinoma.

Angiopoietin-2 ; immunology ; Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Chick Embryo ; Colonic Neoplasms ; blood supply ; HT29 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic