Objective To summarize the clinical experience of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for thoracic diseases. Methods Clinical data of 207 patients receiving VATS form October 1997 to March 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 155 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax treated by pulmonary bubble ligation or resection, 30 cases of spontaneous or traumatic hemopneumothorax treated by urgent exploration, 14 cases of pulmonary benign diseases undergoing pulmonary wedge resection and biopsy, and 8 cases of mediastinal tumor resection. Results Surgical procedures were completed thoracoscopically in 190 patients and were accomplished under thoracoscope with an additional mini-thoracotomy in 12 patients, while conversions to open surgery were required in 5 patients. The time of surgical procedures was 20~180 min (mean, 56 min). The postoperative hospital stay was 5~52 d (mean, 9 d). Postoperative complications occurred in 17 cases (8.2%, 17/207), including 9 cases of persistent air leakage, 6 cases of re-expansion pulmonary edema, and 2 cases of infection of thoracic cavity. Spontaneous pneumothorax reoccurred in 2 patients 3~4 months postoperatively. Conclusions VATS offers more advantages over traditional thoracotomy for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax pulmonary bubble, traumatic hemopneumothorax and selected chest benign diseases. The combination with mini-thoracotomy under certain circumstance may contribute to assuring the safety of this procedure.

8kPa, 113 cases of type ASD and VSD with diameter from 0.5 to 2.0 cm were operated upon with open heart technic from June 1995 to June 1999. There was no mortality, no air embolism, except in 4 cases operation was only completed under moderate hyperthermia and cardiac arrest instead due to poor vision of the operating field. 12 cases were complicated by slight hemoglubinuria after 24h of operation, and 1 case by remnant VSD. 95 cases were followed up, and they were in healthy condition. This operative technic is suitable for the repair of secondary ASD, and small or moderate, membranous or para membranous VSD. Its advantage is less myocardial damage, and shorten the duration of cardiac arrest. Air embolism is likely to take place by using this method, but effective method should be taken to prevent it.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Jianpi Yiqi Qingyou decoction on lymphocyte subsets and IL-2 mRNA in gastric tissue in rats with chronic superficial gastritis.

METHODWistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (11 for each): a blank control groups, the model of the control groups, the treatment groups (low-dose groups of traditional Chinese medicine, moderate-dose groups of traditional Chinese medicine, high-dose groups of traditional Chinese medicine) and lansoprazole groups. The models were made with the method in reference except a blank control groups. These rats are drinking freely with 0. 02% ammonia, continuous 90 days, and made preparations for experimental animal model of superficial gastritis. Making the model were detected by HE dying. The count of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were detected by immunohistochemistry. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the expression levels of IL-2 mRNA in gastric tissue were quantified.

RESULTCompared with that in model groups, the content of CD3+ T cells and CD4+ T cells in gastric tissue obviously increased in high dose of traditional Chinese medicine groups , the content of CD8+ T cells in gastric tissue obviously decreased in high dose of traditional Chinese medicine groups and the difference was significant (P < 0.01). The expression levels of IL-2 mRNA in gastric tissue obviously increased in moderate and high doses of traditional Chinese medicine groups, and the difference was significant compared with that in model group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONJianpi Yiqi Qingyou decoction can obviously improve the content of CD3+ T cells and CD4+ T cells and the expression levels of IL-2 mRNA, decrease the content of CD8+ T cells in gastric tissue, improve immunity of rats. So the research results can provide some evidences for the treatment for chronic superficial gastritis.

Animals ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gastritis ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; Interleukin-2 ; genetics ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stomach ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; metabolism

Objective To investigate difference of NKG2D receptor expression level on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells in the patients with hepatitis B and its clinical significance.Methods This was a four-arm study with different types of subjects,including patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB,n =22),HBV carriers (HBVC,n=10),patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB,n=18) and healthy donors (HD,n=18).NKG2D protein and mRNA levels on the surface NK cells in the peripheral blood were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay.The relationship between NKG 2D expression and serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level was analyzed.The data were compared by analysis of variance and linear regression.Results NKG2D mRNA expression levels in groups of HBVC, HD, AHB and CHB were 0.96±0.17, 1.03±0.12,1.53±0.30 and 1.51 ± 0.35,respectively; the differences among groups were statistically significant (q=7.586,7.485,7.920 and 7.880,respectively; all P＜0.01).NKG2D protein expression levels in groups of AHB,HD,CHB and HBVC were 0.87±0.14,0.89±0.17,0.67±0.09 and 0.59±0.13,respectively; the differences among groups were statistically significant (q=6.92,7.67,7.53and 8.16,respectively; all P＜0.01).The NKG2D mRNA expression levels on NK cells were negatively correlated with serum HBV DNA viral loads in patients with CHB,AHB or HBVC (r=-0.75,-0.66 and-0.69,respectively; all P＜0.01).The NKG2D protein levels on NK cells from patients with AHB and CHB were negatively correlated with serum HBV DNA levels (r=-0.47 and -0.45,respectively; both P＜0.05).Conclusion NKG2D mediated NK cytotoxicity may play a role in viral clearance in hepatitis B.

Obturators made of super soft liner thermosetting resin for 59 patients with fenestrated mandibular cyst were regulated according to cystic sizes.Cystic sizes and bone repair were detected by panoramic radiograph and CT 3,6 and 12 months after operation.In all patients,the cystic areas had higher bone mineral density than before,and cystic sizes dereased.32 patients had more than 50％ new bone formation in cystic areas,and cystic areas of 17 patients entirely disappeared without the need of secondary scale.

Objective: To study the effect and mechanism of delayed preconditioning induced by adenosine A 1 receptor. Methods: Male Wistar rats in group A, C,D,K were preconditioned with CCPA, normal salt, Pyrrolidin diethyldi thiocarbamate(DDTC), DDTC +CCPA, respectively. The hearts were isolated and perfused with H-K buffer solution on the Langendorff apparatus 24 hours later,the isolate heart was perfused modified St.Thomas solution for 180 minutes at 4℃, and then reperfused with the H-K buffer for 60 minutes at 37℃. Results:The left ventricular function (+dp/dt max ,%) and myocardial ATP level in group A were better than those of C, D, K groups (P

Leptin is a protein hormone produced mainly by obese gene and secreted by adipose tissue and exerts the biological effects through leptin receptors. With the progress in research on the function and receptor signal transduction related leptin and leptin resistance, it has been found that leptin is associated with the development and progression of many cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Some studies have reported that leptin resistance is the pathologic basis for a variety of cardiovascular diseases. This paper will briefly review the advances in the study of correlation between leptin and hypertensive-left ventricular hypertrophy (HLVH), focusing on the relationship between leptin and various factors related to HLVH, such as sympathetic nervous system, renin angiotensin aldosterone system, growth factors, inflammatory factors and insulin resistance.
Adipose Tissue ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Insulin Resistance ; Leptin ; physiology ; Receptors, Leptin ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; Sympathetic Nervous System

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect between combination of Shu-stream and Ying-spring acupoints and routine acupoints selected by syndrome differentiation for toothache.

METHODSEighty-five cases were randomly divided into a combination of Shu-stream and Ying-spring acupoints group (group A, 43 cases) and a routine acupionts group (group B, 42 cases). In group A, according to the corresponding relationship between viscera-meridians and different kinds of teeth, the Shu-stream and Ying-spring acupoints at both sides of the corresponding meridians were sleeted. The group B was treated with acupuncture at Jiache (ST 6), Xiaguan (ST 7), Hegu (LI 4), erjian (LI 2), Neiting (ST 44). Yifeng (TE 17) and Fengchi (GB 20) were added for wind and fire attacking; Lidui (ST 45) and Quchi (LI 11) were added for intense stomach fire; Taixi (KI 3) and Zhaohai (KI 6) were added for deficiency fire flaming up. Electroacupuncture was applied in two groups, once every day, ten treatments constituted one course, the differences of effect and recurrence rate were observed after one course and half a year later.

RESULTSThe cured rate were respectively 88.4% (38/43)and 69.0% (29/42) in group A and group B, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). The recurrence rates were respectively 23.7% (9/38) and 55.2% (16/29) in group A and group B, with a significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth short-term and long-term therapeutic effects of combination of Shu-stream and Ying-spring acupoints are significantly better than those of routine acupoints in treating toothache.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Toothache ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE： To observe the improvement effects of water extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis on acute hepatic injury caused by triptolide and its effects on the levels of IL-10 and TNF-α in rats. METHODS： A total of 60 healthy male SD rats were randomized into blank control group， model group， positive control group （magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate） and G. uralensis water extract low-dose， middle-dose and high-dose groups. Blank control group and model group were given isochoric normal saline intragastrically； positive control group was given Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate liquid intragastrically （13.5 mg/kg）； G. uralensis water extract low-dose， middle-dose and high-dose groups were given G. uralensis water extract intragastrically 1 mL （120， 240， 480 mg/kg， by the amount of extract）， qd， for consecutive 7 d. At 8th day of administration， model group， positive control group and G. uralensis water extract groups were given Triptolide liquid intragastrically （0.6 mg/kg） to establish acute liver injury model. HE staining was used to detect the pathological changes of liver tissue in rats. The activities of ALT and AST in serum were determined by enzyme coupling reaction. The protein expression of IL-10 and TNF-α in liver tissue were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS： Compared with blank control group， obvious pathological changes of liver tissue in rats were observed in model group； serum activities of ALT and AST， the protein expression level of TNF-α in liver tissue were increased significantly， while the protein expression level of IL-10 was decreased significantly （P＜0.01）. Compared with model group， pathological changes of liver tissue were relieved significantly. Except for the activity of AST in serum of rats in G. uralensis water extract low-dose group， the activities of ALT and AST in serum， the protein expression level of TNF-α in liver tissue were decreased significantly in G. uralensis groups， while the protein expression level of IL-10 in liver tissue was increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS： G. uralensis water extract can relieve triptolide-induced acute liver injury in rats， the mechanism of which may be associated with expression down-regulation of pro-inflammatory factor TNF-α and expression up-regulation of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a new member of the IL-1 cytokine family which plays roles in the nucleus as a nuclear factor and is released by damaged or necrotic cells to act as a cytokine. It can be released via damaged or necrotic cells and functions as a cytokine. The released IL-33 activates the downstream NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways through the isomers of the specific receptor ST2 and the interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP), resulting in danger signals and the activated multiple immune responses. IL-33 is abnormally expressed in various tumors and involves in tumorigenesis, development, and metastasis. Moreover, IL-33 can play both pro-tumor and anti-tumor roles in the same type of tumor.
Cytokines ; Humans ; Interleukin-33/genetics* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Neoplasms