Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asbestos ; adverse effects ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Diseases ; chemically induced ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo assess the safety and efficacy of transcatheter intervention for critical pulmonary stenosis (CPS) and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) in neonates.

METHODFrom June 2006 to September 2011, 27 neonates including CPS in 19 patients and PA/IVS in 8 patients underwent transcatheter intervention. All patients had membranous stenosis or atresia without severe Ebstein's anomaly and severe right ventricle and pulmonary valve hypoplasia, without right ventricle-dependent coronary circulation in PA/IVS. The mean age was (16.8 ± 9.9) d. The mean weight was (3.3 ± 0.5) kg. Two of them were premature neonates, the weight was 2.3 kg and 2.5 kg, respectively. The procedural success, early outcome, complication rates, midterm results and pulmonary regurgitation were retrospectively studied.

RESULTTwenty-six patients were successfully treated with transcatheter intervention. Right ventricular pressure fell from (112.0 ± 21.0) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) to (50.4 ± 15.9) mm Hg (P < 0.001). The ratio of right ventricular pressure and aortic pressure fell from 1.7 ± 0.1 to 0.7 ± 0.3 (P < 0.001). One patient died early of PA/IVS. Complication occurred in 5 patients. Hemopericardium occurred in 3 patients, tachyarrhythmia in 2 patients. Five patients needed prolonged prostaglandin E(1) infusion for 3 to 14 days because of desaturation after the procedure. No patient needed surgery in neonatal period. At a mean follow-up of (33.5 ± 18.3) months (from 6 months to 5 years), 21 patients had no further transcatheter or surgical intervention. Four patients with CPS had moderate to severe residual pulmonary stenosis after the procedure, 3 of them underwent a second balloon dilation at 3 months of follow-up, the other one was waiting for the second balloon dilation. One patient with PA/IVS was waiting for a bidirectional Glenn procedure because of chronic right ventricular failure. Mild pulmonary regurgitation occurred in 18 patients (69.2%), and moderate pulmonary regurgitation in 8 patients (30.8%).

CONCLUSIONTranscatheter intervention for CPS and PA/IVS in neonates is safe and effective. It can avoid neonatal surgery. Some patients may require repeat balloon valvuloplasty in infant period. In most patients surgical or transcatheter intervention could be avoided and mild pulmonary regurgitation was the common finding in midterm follow-up.

Catheterization ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pulmonary Atresia ; surgery ; Pulmonary Valve ; surgery ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; surgery ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effect of autoimmune disorders on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in infertile women.

METHODSA total of 236 infertile women underwent IVF-ET, including 34 with antiphospholipid antibody (APA) positive, 33 anti-trophoblast antibody (ATA) positive, 35 anti-hCG antibody (hCGAb) positive, 32 anti-endometrium antibody (EmAb) positive, and 102 with antibodies negative that comprised the control group. Those with two or more antibodies positive were excluded in this study. Comparisons were made in the rates of embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and biochemical pregnancy between the positive groups and the negative controls.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the rates of embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy between the positive and negative groups (P > 0.05). The rate of biochemical pregnancy was higher in the APA, ATA and hCGAb positive than in the EmAb positive and the control group (P < 0.05). The miscarriage rate was higher while the ongoing pregnancy rate was lower in the positive groups than in the negative control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSuch autoantibodies as APA, ATA, HCG-Ab and EmAb may cause miscarriage in infertile women undergoing IVF and consequently reduce the rate of ongoing pregnancy, which necessitates the determination of these antibodies in these patients.

Adult ; Autoantibodies ; analysis ; Autoimmune Diseases ; complications ; immunology ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; immunology ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome

BACKGROUNDSleep disturbance is common in patients with emphysema. This study aimed to develop a novel model of sleep-related hypoxemia (SRH) in emphysema (SRHIE) with rats, and to explore the inflammatory status of SRHIE in lung, liver, pancreas, carotid artery and whole blood.

METHODSSeventy-five male Wistar rats were assigned to 5 groups with 15 per group according to the exposure conditions. The protocols varied with the degree of hypoxia exposure and severity of pre-existing emphysema caused by cigarette smoke exposure: (1) SRH control (SRHCtrl) group, sham smoke exposure (smoke exposure, exposed to smoke of 15 cigarettes twice everyday, 16 weeks) and SRH exposure (12.5% O2, 3 hours, SRH exposure, divide total hypoxia time (1.5 hours or 3 hours) into 4 periods evenly (22.5 minutes or 45 minutes) and distribute these hypoxia periods evenly into physiological sleep time of rats identified by electroencephalogram, week 9 to week 16); (2) Emphysema control (ECtrl) group, smoke exposure and sham SRH exposure (21% O2, 3 hours); (3) Short SRH in emphysema (SRHShort) group, smoke exposure and short SRH exposure (12.5% O2, 1.5 hours); (4) Mild SRH in emphysema (SRHMild) group, smoke exposure and mild SRH exposure (15% O2, 3 hours); (5) Standard SRH in emphysema (SRHStand) group, smoke exposure and SRH exposure (12.5% O2, 3 hours). ECtrl, SRHShort, SRHMild and SRHStand groups were groups with emphysematous rats. Two days before the end of exposure, 5 rats in each group were randomly selected for arterial blood gas analysis. In the rest 10 rats in each group, we obtained blood samples and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for routine tests. We also obtained tissue blocks of lung, liver, pancreas, and right carotid artery for pathologic scoring and measurements of liver oxidative stress (measuring hepatic oxidative stress enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration).

RESULTSEmphysematous groups had higher mean linear intercept (MLI) and mean alveolar number (MAN) values than SRHCtrl group. MLI values in SRHStand group were the highest (all P < 0.05). O2Sat in SRHStand rats when SRH exposure was (83.45 ± 1.76)%. Histological scores of lung, liver, pancreas and right carotid artery were higher in emphysematous groups than SRHCtrl group, and SRHStand group were the highest (all P < 0.05) (SOD and CAT values were lower and MDA values were higher in groups with emphysema than without and in SRHStand group than in ECtrl group (all P < 0.05)). MDA values were the highest in SRHStand group (all P < 0.05). Total cellular score in BALF and White blood cell (WBC) in whole blood were the highest in SRHStand group (all P < 0.05). Lymphocyte ratios were the highest in SRHStand group both in BALF and blood (all P < 0.05). Red blood cell (RBC) and hemoglobin in emphysematous groups were higher than that in SRHCtrl group, and SRHStand group were higher than ECtrl group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWith a proper novo model of SRHIE with Wistar rats, we have demonstrated SRH may aggravate the degree of emphysematous changes, polycythemia, oxidative stress and systematic inflammation. SRH and emphysema may have a synergistic action in causing systematic damages, and lymphocyte may be playing a central role in this process. Longer duration and more severe extent of SRHIE exposure also seem to result in more serious systematic damages. The mechanisms of all these concerned processes remain to be studied.

Animals ; Emphysema ; complications ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Hypoxia ; complications ; Inflammation ; etiology ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sleep ; physiology

Objective:To evaluate and analyze the ultrasonic findings of idiopathic clubfoot and positional clubfoot deformities.Methods:Forty-nine newborn babies with congenital clubfoot were examined in the Department of Ultrasound of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2020 to January 2022, Including 21 newborn babies(32 feet) with idiopathic clubfoot, and 28 babies(53 feet) with positional clubfoot. Twenty-two normal infants in the same period and the normal feet of the single clubfoot were selected as control group. The distance between medial malleolus and scaphoids of all feet were measured by ultrasound. The distance from the tangent line of the lateral edge of calcaneus to the midpoint of the lateral edge of the chondroid bone, medial soft tissue thickness and tibial calcaneal angle were measured by ultrasound. The data of idiopathic clubfoot group, positional clubfoot group and control group were statistically analyzed.Results:A total of 71 newborn babies with 142 feet were evaluated.The idiopathic clubfoot group had born and joint changes in the medial, lateral and posterior side, and the differences were statistically significant compared with the control group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, there were statistically significant differences in the medial and lateral side of the positional group(all P<0.05). But no significant changes in the posterior side( P>0.05). There were significant differences between medial and posterior side of idiopathic and positional clubfoot group (all P<0.05), but no significant differences in lateral side ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Ultrasonography can clearly display the tarsus bones in clubfoot, and observe the deformity changes of the idiopathic clubfoot and positional clubfoot.

PURPOSETo investigate the prevalence and diagnosis rate of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) in a mixed-population intensive care unit (ICU), and to investigate the knowledge of ICU staff regarding the guidelines published by the World Society of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (WSACS) in 2013.

METHODSA one-day cross-sectional study based on the WSACS 2013 guidelines was conducted in the general ICU of a tertiary teaching hospital in Chongqing, China. The included patients were divided into intravesical pressure (IVP) measured group and IVP unmeasured group. The epidemiologic data were recorded, and potential IAH risk factors (RFs) were collected based on the guidelines. IVP measurements were conducted by investigators every 4 h and the result was compared to that measured by the ICU staff to evaluate the diagnosis rate. Besides, a questionnaire was used to investigate the understanding of the guidelines among ICU staff.

RESULTSThirty-two patients were included, 14 in the IVP measured group and 18 in the IVP unmeasured group. The prevalence of IAH during the survey was 15.63% (5/32), 35.71% (5/14) in IVP measured group. Only one case of IAH had been diagnosed by the ICU physician and the diagnosis rate was as low as 20.00%. Logistic regression analysis showed that sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score was an independent RF for IAH (OR: 1.532, 95% CI: 1.029-2.282, p=0.036. Fourteen doctors and 5 nurses were investigated and the response rate was 67.86%. The average scores of the doctors and nurses were 27.14±20.16 and 16.00±8.94 respectively. None of them had studied the WSACS 2013 guidelines thoroughly.

CONCLUSIONPatients with a higher SOFA score has a higher incidence of IAH. The IAH prevalence in 14 ICU patients with indwelling catheter was 35.71%. Strengthening the wide and rational use of WSACS guideline is important to improve the diagnosis of IAH.

Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Critical Illness ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Intra-Abdominal Hypertension ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the polymorphisms of myeloid differentiation-2 (MD-2) gene promoters, and to explore whether such polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and sepsis in Chinese Han population.

METHODSUsing polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, the authors detected the single nucleotide polymorphisms of the promoter region of MD-2 gene at position - 1625C/G in 105 severe trauma patients (42 with sepsis). The organ function was scored.

RESULTSThe frequency of CC genotype in MD-2 gene promoter region at position - 1625 was 0.5 (21/42) in septic patients and 0.7 (44/63) in non-septic patients. The frequency of CG genotype was 0.38 (16/42) in septic patients and 0.27 (17/63) in non-septic patients. The frequency of GG genotype was 0.12 (5/42) in septic patients and 0.03 (2/63) in non-septic patients. The MODS scores in trauma patients carrying G allele at position - 1625 were significantly higher than those carrying C allele (P<0.001 for dominant effect, and P>0.05 for recessive effect). Moreover, trauma patients carrying G allele appeared to have higher risk of sepsis comparing to those carrying C allele (OR 0.477, 95% CI 0.266-0.855, P<0.05). Sepsis morbidity was significantly different between subjects with C and G alleles (P<0.05 for dominant effect, P>0.05 for recessive effect).

CONCLUSIONSThe polymorphisms of the promoter region of MD-2 gene at position - 1625 C/G is correlated with MODS and sepsis after severe trauma in Chinese Han population. The people with - 1625 G allele in the promoter region of MD-2 gene may be a risk factor of severe complications.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Antigen 96 ; genetics ; Multiple Organ Failure ; etiology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Sepsis ; etiology ; genetics ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the surgical treatment for patients with multiple injuries in ICU.

METHODSClinical data of 163 multiple injury patients admitted to ICU of our hospital from January 2006 to January 2009 were retrospectively studied, including 118 males and 45 females, with the mean age of 36.2 years (range, 5-67 years). The injury regions included head and neck (29 cases), face (32 cases), chest (89 cases), abdomen (77 cases), pelvis and limbs (91 cases) and body surface (83 cases). There were 57 cases combined with shock. ISS values varied from 10 to 54, 18.42 on average. Patients received surgical treatments in ICU within respectively 24 hours (10 cases), 24-48 hours (8 cases), 3-7 days (7 cases) and 8-14 days (23 cases).

RESULTSFor the 163 patients, the duration of ICU stay ranged from 2 to 29 days, with the average value of 7.56 days. Among them, 143 were cured (87.73%), 11 died in the hospital (6.75%) due to severe hemorrhagic shock (6 cases), craniocerebral injury (3 cases) and multiple organ failure (2 cases), and 9 died after voluntarily discharging from hospital (5.52%). The total mortality rate was 12.27%.

CONCLUSIONSThe damage control principle should be followed when multiple injury patients are resuscitated in ICU. Surgical treatment strategies include actively controlling hemorrhage, treating the previously missed injuries and related wounds or surgical complications and performing planned staging operations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Trauma ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery

Objective:To observe the effect of modified Yiweitang on fatigue symptom and immunological indicators in primary Sjörgren′s Syndrome (pSS). Method:By random, control, single-blind method, 116 cases of patients with pSS were divided into treatment group and control group, with 58 cases in each group. The treatment group was given modified Yiweitang, a dose a day, twice a day， and the control group was given hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ) 200 mg/time, twice a day. The treatment lasted for six months. Visual analogue scale (VAS) of fatigue symptoms, total traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, TCM fatigue score, rheumatoid factor (RF) and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) were used to compare two groups before and after treatment. Result:After treatment, the treatment group had a better efficacy on TCM syndromes than control group (Z=3.712, P<0.05). After treatment, the treatment group were superior to control group in improvement of TCM fatigue score and VAS score of fatigue symptom (P<0.05). After 6 months of treatment, IgG level in treatment group decreased significantly compared with before treatment, with statistical differences (P<0.05), but no difference between treatment group and control group. After treatment, RF in two groups showed no significant decrease compared with before treatment. The incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group and the control group were 1.75%（1/57） and 25.49%（13/51）, respectively. Conclusion:Compared with HCQ, modified Yiweitang can significantly alleviate fatigue and overall symptoms of patients of pSS, both of which can reduce serum IgG, and the efficacy of modified Yiweitang is more obvious than hydroxychloroquine sulfate. Both drugs had no significant effect on RF level of pSS patients. After long-term administration, modified Yiweitang is safer than hydroxychloroquine sulfate in the treatment of pSS.