BACKGROUND: The gut is capable of inducing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). In the diagnosis and treatment of critical ill patients, doctors should pay particular attention to the protection or recovery of intestinal barrier function. However, no reliable diagnostic criteria are available clinically. This study aimed to assess the changes of intestinal mucosal barrier function in surgically critical ill patients as well as their significance. METHODS: Thirty-eight surgically critical ill patients were enrolled as a study group (APACHE II>8 scores), and 15 non-critical ill patients without intestinal dysfunction were selected as a control group (APACHE II<6). General information, symptoms, physical signs, and APACHE II scores of the patients were recorded. The patients in the study group were subdivided into an intestinal dysfunction group (n=26) and a non-intestinal dysfunction group (n=12). Three ml venous blood was collected from the control group on admission and the same volume of plasma was collected from the study group both on admission and in the period of recovery. The plasma concentrations of endotoxin, diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactate, and intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (iFABP) were detected respectively. The data collected were analyzed by the SPSS 17.0 software for Windows. RESULTS: The levels of variables were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (P<0.01). They were higher in the intestinal dysfunction group than in the non-intestinal dysfunction group (DAO P<0.05, endotoxin, D-lactate, iFABP P<0.01). In the non-intestinal dysfunction group compared with the control group, the level of endotoxin was not significant (P>0.05), but the levels of DAO, D-lactate and iFABP were statistically significant (P<0.05). The levels of variables in acute stage were higher than those in recovery stage (P<0.01).The death group showed higher levels of variables than the survival group (endotoxin and D-lactate P<0.01, DAO and iFABP P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The plasma concentrations of endotoxin, DAO, D-lactate, and intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (iFABP) could reflect a better function of the intestinal mucosa barrier in surgically critical ill patients.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among younger adults and to explore the possible mechanisms of early myocardial infarction, combined with the newly discovered risk factors of coronary heart disease.

METHODSData on comparative analysis to the exposure rates of the risk factors and inducing factors of non-CAD patients with two groups of AMI patients including younger adults group (< or =40 years old) and aged adults group (> or =50 years old). Coronary angiography was applied.

RESULTSThere were differences noticed between the frequencies of risk factors of the two AMI groups. In younger adults group the exposure rates of smoking, hyperlipidemia, positive family history, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen were markedly higher, while in elderly group the exposure rates of hypertension, smoking, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, CRP, fibrinogen and homocysteine (HCY) were markedly higher (P < 0.05). Although the clustering status of risk factors of the younger adult group was not higher than that of the elderly group. There were obvious inducing factors before the patients were attacked by AMI and the inducing factors inclined to cluster, which had obvious dose-reaction relationships with the occurrence of AMI in young people.

CONCLUSIONEarly AMI of younger adults might relate to the clustering status of inducing factors. The coexistence of several kinds of inducing factors was resulted in the occurrence of AMI of the atherosclerosis (As) and non-As patients by means of myocardial ischemia accumulation effect.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronary Angiography ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Myocardial Ischemia ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors

The research status of active,active-passive hybrid and passive nasal endoscopic surgical robots was introduced,and the shortcomings of the current nasal endoscopic surgical robots were analyzed in structural design,high cost,big size and lack of haptic feedback mechanism.It's pointed out the emphases of the future nasal endoscopic surgical robots included intelligence,miniaturization,new type of materials and low cost.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):95-102]

OBJECTIVETo develop a real-time fluorescent PCR protocol suitable for the routine screening of AZFc/DAZ microdeletions on the Y chromosome in azoospermic and oligozoospermic male infertility patients.

METHODSA set of real-time fluorescent PCR was established. Eighty-seven azoospermic and ligozoospermic patients undergoing ICSI in the IVF center and 30 azoospermic men undergoing testicular biopsy in the clinic of urology surgery were screened for AZFc/DAZ microdeletions of Y chromosome.

RESULTSEleven cases (9.4%) of AZFc/DAZ microdeletions were found in 117 cases of azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients by screening of realtime fluorescent PCR. Four cases (6.6%) were found in 61 oligozoospermic patients, and 7 cases (12.5%) were found in 56 azoospermic patients.

CONCLUSIONThe real-time fluorescent PCR protocol presented in this study is an easy and reliable method for detection of AZFc/DAZ microdeletions on the Y chromosome, which yields identical results to those of the multiplex PCR.

Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (VILI) in cervical cancer screening program and to provide evidence for designing a cervical cancer screening algorithm in high risk areas of existing low-resource settings to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.

METHODSWomen in Yangcheng county, Shanxi province were screened with VILI, colposcopy, liquid-based cytology test and human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA test. The efficacy of different screening tests was compared by Youden's index based on the pathology as the gold standard.

RESULTSIn the population being screened, the mean age was 40.80 +/- 10.75 years old. Based on pathological findings, 4.35% (32/735) of the subjects had >or= CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) II. The sensitivity and specificity for the VILI test (>or= positive) were 53.13 and 82.19, while 56.25 and 79.09 were for colposcopy (>or= low grade dysplasia) respectively. Comparing by the Youden's indexs, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between VILI and colposcopy. However, statistical significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between VILI and liquid-based cytology test and HPV DNA test. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) found between the experienced doctors and the newly-trained doctors working in the field station.

CONCLUSIONWith low sensitivity when using microscope but low cost of equipments, VILI can be one of the primary screening tests in China's rural area with low-resource settings if the screening frequency is to be increased.

Adult ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Early Detection of Cancer ; economics ; methods ; Female ; Health Resources ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iodides ; Program Evaluation ; Rural Health ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo develop a multiplex PCR protocol, which could be suitable for routine screening of microdeletions on the Y chromosome in azoospermic and oligozoospermic male infertility patients.

METHODSFive multiplex sets were established. Eighty-seven azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) center and 30 azoospermic men undergoing testicular biopsy in the clinic of Urology Surgery were screened for microdeletions of Y chromosome.

RESULTSA total of 19 (16.2%) cases of microdeletions were found in 117 azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients by screening of Y chromosome microdeletions. Of these, 11 cases (18.0%) were found in 61 oligozoospermic patients, and 8 cases (14.3%) were found in 56 azoospermic patients.

CONCLUSIONThe multiplex PCR protocol presented in this study is an easy-to-do and reliable method for detecting microdeletions on the Y chromosome. Routine screening of microdeletions on the Y chromosome for azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients is essential.

Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective?To compare the clinical effects of domestic video intubationscope (VIS) versus fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) for difficult nasotracheal intubation.?Methods?60 ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ elective patients with difficult airway, Mallampati class Ⅲ or Ⅳ, aged 22 ～ 68 years, weight 53 ～ 82 kg, were randomly divided into domestic video intubationscope group (group V) and fiber bronchoscope group (group F), 30 cases in each group. The nasotracheal intubation was respectively guided by VIS in group V and FOB in group F. Tracheal intubation time, success rate of tracheal intubation and complications of tracheal intubation were recorded. MAP, HR and SpO2 were recorded at before anesthesia induction (T0), after anesthesia induction (T1), at glottic exposure (T2), at intubation (T3).?Results?Compared with T0, MAP and HR were significantly decreased in both groups at T1(P < 0.05). MAP and HR were significantly increased in both groups at T3 than those at T1(P < 0.05), and there were no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). SpO2 during tracheal intubation was no significantly reduced in both groups. The tracheal intubation time were respectively (76.0 ± 18.0) s and (80.0 ± 20.0) s in group V and group F, and the one-time success rate of intubation in group V and group F were respectively 96.7% and 93.3%, but there were no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of tracheal intubation complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).?Conclusions?Compared with FOB, difficult nasotracheal intubation guided by domestic VIS also is a safe and reliable, fast and effective method with high intubation success rate and less complications of tracheal intubation.

The Choledochal cyst is an extremely rare congenital anomaly of the bile duct. Early cyst resection and Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy are the primary surgical methods for treating choledochal cyst. With the emergence of enhanced recovery after surgery, laparoscopic surgery has effectively reduced the incidence of biliary complications and wound infections, but it still does not meet people's requirements for minimally invasive surgery. Robotic surgery system has the potential to enhance surgical precision and the maneuverability of surgeons due to clear surgical visualization and flexible mechanical arms. The authors review the relevant literatures and conduct a Meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of robot-assisted surgery and laparoscopic surgery for choledochal cyst.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of lamivudine, interferon alpha and oxymatrine treatment for surviving hepatic failure patients with hepatitis B.

METHODS200 hepatitis B patients, including 100 subacute or acute-on-chronic hepatic failure survivals (group A), and 100 chronic (group B, n=100) hepatic failure survivals, were enrolled in this study. Patients in group A received interferon alpha (n=35), lamivudine (n=33) , or combinational lamivudine and oxymatrine (n=32) therapy for six months; Patients in group B received lamivudine (n=49), or combinational lamivudine and oxymatrine (n=51) therapy for six months, respectively. After the treatment, all patients were followed-up for six months.

RESULTSAt the end of follow-up, all patients in group A survived, while in group B three patients (6.1%) receiving lamivudine, and four (7.8%, P>0.05) receiving combinational therapy died; more than 90% of all survivals had their HBV DNA loss. The HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion rate in patients of group A treated with interferon alpha (9/17, 52.9%) was higher than that in patients treated with combinational lamivudine and matrine (5/16, 31.3%, P<0.05), which was higher than that in the patients treated with lamivudine alone (1/17, 5.9%, P<0.01), and the Knodell histological activity index score in patients treated with lamivudine (7.2+/-0.8, P<0.05) was lower than that in patients treated with interferon alpha (8.2+/-1.3, P<0.05), and the best efficacy was found in receiving combinational therapy (6.9+/-0.7, P<0.01); Lamivudine or lamivudine in combination with matrine significantly inhibited the intrahepatic inflammatory activities, but had no effect on the existing fibrosis in group B patients.

CONCLUSIONLong term nucleotide analogues treatment may delay the progress of fibrosis in hepatitis B-induced hepatic failure survivals, and the administration of matrine in time may further enhance the anti-fibrotic effect of nucleotide analogues.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Lamivudine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Liver Failure ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quinolizines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To determine the proportion of heroin use among patients who were involved in community-based methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program and to identify the risk factors associated with heroin use. Methods This study was conducted in 9 MMT clinics within 3 provinces. Thirteen hundred and one patients who met the study criteria were selected from each of the five groups with different dosages of methadone users. An administrative questionnaire was applied to explore the demographics,drug abuse-related behaviors and MMT services received by the clients,etc. The prevalence of depression and anxiety among the clients were also collected by SAS and SDS. Urine samples were collected as a biological marker to indicate if heroin had been used. Results Of the 1301 patients,76.2% were males. The mean age was (34.6±6.5) years while 71.7% had an education level of primary school or below. The average daily dosage of methadone was (48.1±29.4) mg and self-satisfied evaluation score on treatment was 8.6. On average,27.7% urine samples showed positive opiate evidence. Marital status,employment status,treatment retention,self-satisfied evaluation score on dosage and dropout history were found to be significantly associatedwith heroin use,while gender,education level and dosage had no significant association with heroin use. It seemed that risk factors that associated with heroin use were different from areas to areas. Conclusion High quality MMT clinic services,high self-satisfied score,longer treatment retention and low dropout rate seemed to have the effects of reducing the risk of ongoing heroin abuse under the methadone maintenance treatment program.