Background lnterleuldn-18(IL- 18) plays a key role in the development,progression and outcome of coronary artery disease and its complications.However,its variability relation to the characterization of atherosclerotic plaque and percutaneous coronary intervention are still unknown.Methods Fifty four patients with coronary artery disease [22 patients with stable angina (SA) and 32 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)] were enrolled in this study.All patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).The stability of the plaques at the criminal vessels was assessed with analogical IVUS.Serum IL-18 levels were measured at the time points of 5 rain before PCI,and Oh,6h,24h and lmonth after PCI in all patients.Results ACS group consisted mainly of lipidic unstable plaques while SA group of fibrous stable plaques.Moreover,compared with those in SA group,eccentricity index (EI) and remodeling index (RI) were significantly higher in ACS group.Positive remodeling was seen in ACS group while negative or no remodeling in SA group.Further,serum IL-18 levels were significantly elevated in patients with ACS than those in SA group before PCI,increased at Oh,6h,24h after PCI (P＜0.05)and were not significant different at 1 month after PCI from those before PCI.Conclusions There is significant difference in the composition and structural characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques between ACS and UA groups.PCI triggersd and enhances the inflammatory response in a short time.Serum levels of IL- 18 are the predictors of progression of unstable plaque in atherosclerosis.Post-operative complications of PCI might be reduced by inhibiting IL- 18.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2008;5:21-24)

Objective To investigate the proliferation and differentiation characteristics of fibroblast like synovial cells(FLS)in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)in vitro and the mechanism of the immunosuppressive effect of differentiation inducers, such as all trans retinoid acid(ATRA), ealcitriol [1,25(OH)_2D_3] and dexamethasone(DEX). Methods FLS of knee synovial tissues from RA patients were cultured and identified in vitro in the presence or absence of ATRA, 1,25(OH)_2D_3 and DEX respectively. Synoviocyte proliferation in RA were measured by MTT colorimetrie assay and the survival fraction(SF)of FLS was evaluated. Cell cycle of FLS was observed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FCS)method in RA patients. Results The identified synovial cells in patients with RA were FLS(Vimentin and Fibronectin expression was positive), and hadn't been transformed or differentiated to adipocytes and osteoblasts with the three inducers. The SF of all RA-FLS interfered by ATRA, 1,25(OH)_2D_3 and DEX was much lower than that without drugs vehicle group in RA-FLS(P

Objective To investigate the proliferative characteristics of fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS)in osteoarthritis in vitro and the mechanism of the immunosuppressive effect of total glucusides of paeony(TGP).Methods FLS of OA and non-inflamed synovium(NS)were cultured and identified in vitro in the presence or absence of TGP.After incubation,the survival fraction(SF)of FLS was evaluated by MTI' and the TNF-?,IFN-?and bFGF level in cultured FLS supernatant was measured by ELISA.The expression of FLS c-los mRNA and cell cycle of OA-FLS was observed by RT-PCR and flow eytometry respectively at the same time.Results No statistical significant differences were noted between the OA and NS FLS in pro- liferating double time.High doses of TGP suppressed FLS-SF more evidently in OA patients than in NS(P0.05).Conclusion High dose TGP can inhibit OA-FLS proliferation,modulate cy- tokine secretion and c-fos expression in OA.This suggests that TGP has immunosuppressive effect on OA syn- ovitis,probably by preventing the synovial hypertrophy in OA.

Objective To explore therapeutic effects and mechanisms of radical scavenger edaravone on experimental cerebral hemorrhage.Methods Two hundred-forty male SD rats were divided randomly into four groups:control group,cerebral hemorrhage group,edaravone treatment group before operation (A) and edaravone treatment group after operation (B).Experimental cerebral hemorrhage model was made according to the method reported by Rosenberg.Water quantity contained in brain and nervous missing sign were observed,meanwhile the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain tissue were measured.Results Compared with cerebral hemorrhage group,nervous missing sign and water quantity contained in brain obviously changed in edaravone treatment group (P

Objective To investigate the efficacy and side effects of the molecular targeted drug sunitinib in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma(mRCC). Methods Fifteen patients with histopathological confirmed mRCC,including 10 males and 5 females,were enrolled in the study.The median age was 56(range from 37 to 73 years).Fourteen cases of clear-cell RCC and 1 papillary RCC were diagnosed.Thirteen patients had prior nephrectomy,and 6 patients were treated with cytokines previously.All of the patients were given sunitinib at a dosage of either 50 mg daily(4 weeks on/2 weeks off)or 37.5 mg daily continuously.Objective response rate(ORR),progressive-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were evaluated,and adverse events were also observed. Results The median follow-up was 13 months(2-24 months).According to RECIST,partial response could be evaluated in 8 patients and stable was found in another 5 patients.Only 2 patients were confirmed disease progression.The ORR was 53% with the disease control rate of 87%,However,the median PFS and OS were not yet available due to the short-term follow-up.During the treatment,the most common adverse events experienced by patients were hand-foot syndrome 11/15(73%),changes in hair color 10/15(67%),mucositis 9/15(60%),alopecie 9/15(60%),diarrhea 8/15(53%)and neutropenia 8/15 (53%). All of adverse events were manageable and reversible. Conclusions Sunitinib as a single agent in the treatment for Chinese mRCC patient is efficient and the side effects are reversible. Further long-term follow-up and expanded samples should be expected to confirm the efficacy and safety of sunitinib.

Objective To investigate the cause of jejunum perforation after infantile livingrelated liver transplantation (ILRLT) and summarize the experience of treatment. Methods The clinical data of 28 infants with biliary atresia who underwent ILRLT were analyzed and 4 of 28 infantile recipients (14. 3%) developed jejunum perforation after ILDLT. Results Four patients had 7 episodes of jejunum perforation after transplantation among 28 infantile recipients who underwent ILRLT because of biliary atresia. The median time between transplantation and perforation was 11 days.Perforation occurred at the point of silk in jejunum stoma (n = 3) and the Roux-en-Y limb (n = 1 ).None had a history of prior operation including Kasai in 4 patients. Clinical manifestation included fever, increased heart rate, abdominal distention, leukocytosis, and no free air on abdominal roentgenograrns. A simple repair was performed in three infants with silk: two developed recurrent perforation (67%) and underwent a re-exploration,and another had a third perforation and underwent a third repair because of re-perforation. Another child underwent a simple repair with prolene, and there was no recurrence. None died from the perforation in our study. Conclusion The occurrence and location of jejunum perforation after ILDLT suggests that the cause of the perforation is related to the jejunal anastomosis with silk, and the jejunum perforation may be avoided in the jejunal anastomosis with prolene. Early diagnosis and exploration may ensure better survival.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sequence Deletion ; Smoking ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomical and biomechanical features of sacral pedicle and lateral mass so as to provide reference for clinical screw fixation technology of sacral pedicle and lateral mass.

METHODSA total of 60 adult patients'spiral CT images of the sacrum and coccyx were selected randomly. The entry points of sacral pedicle and lateral mass screws were determined, and the screw trajectory was measured using the three dimensional reconstruction method. Meanwhile, the gross anatomy was scrutinized in 15 adult cadaver specimens to determine the sacral pedicle and lateral mass screw entry points. The length, width and angle of sacral pedicle and lateral mass screw trajectory were measured. Eight of 15 cadaver specimens were selected to test the maximal extraction force of sacral pedicle and lateral mass screws. The clinical data of 15 cases treated by pedicle and lateral mass screw technology were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSThe diameter and length of S(1)-S(5) sacral pedicle and lateral mass screw trajectory were regular, with about 20 degree inclination angle. The S(1) pedicle screw entry point was located at the intersection point of the basal lateral part of articular process and median line of transverse process, and no significant difference was found for the maximal extraction force between pedicle and lateral mass screws (P larger than 0.05). The entry points of S(2)-S(5) pedicle screws were located at the intersection point of the line connecting adjacent posterior sacral foramina and median line of the transverse process. The lateral mass screw entry point of S(2)-S(5) was on the median side of intersection point between median line of the transverse process and lateral sacral crest. The maximal extraction force of pedicle screws was significantly greater than that of lateral mass screws (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth the sacral pedicle and the lateral mass screw fixation techniques can offer effective fixation and reconstruction for fracture of the sacrum and coccyx, but pedicle screw fixation may be more convenient, safe and reliable than lateral mass screw fixation.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Sacrum ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To summarize the clinical experience of successful liver transplantation from infant donation after cardiac death (DCD) for infant with biliary astresia (BA).Methods The donor was a 16-months-old girl with a body weight of 10 kg,who died of irreversible anoxic cerebral damage after sudden asphyxiation.The recipient was a 24-months-old girl with a body weight of 12 kg,who suffered from icteric concurrent late biliary cirrhosis after the Porta-jejunum anastomosis because of congenital BA.The DCD liver was classically orthotopically transplanted into the infants recipient.The warm ischemia time was 7 min,the cold ischemia time was 360 min,and the graft volume to the standard liver volume (GV/SLV) was 1.02.After operation,the vital signs and transplanted liver function of the recipient were monitored,and the recipient was given treatments of anti-infection,anticoagulation,and improving the microcirculation.The recipient was treated with the triple immunosuppression protocol of tacrolimus,mycophenolate and prednisone to prevent rejection.Results The operating time of the recipient was 480 min,the non-liver stage was 65 min,and the blood loss was 230 mL.The endotracheal intubation was removed from the recipient at 12 h,and the recipient started to eat at 48 h aftcr operation.The recipient had a hepatic artery thrombus on the 3rd and 15th day after operation,and the hepatic artery had re-blood-supply after the hepatic artery catheterization and continuous perfusion with urokinase.The recipient was discharged on the 42nd day,and the recipient was in satisfactory condition to present.Conclusion The infant DCD liver is a better graft for infant liver transplantation for BA.The surgical complications can be reduced with matched volume of donor-recipient liver; and it can guarantee a successful operation with perfect operative technique and careful perioperative management.

Objective To summarize the experience in the diagnosis and treatment of solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas. Methods Ten consecutive patients who underwent surgery with pathologically confirmed solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas between October 2005 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Results All of the 10 patients were female and the median age at diagnosis was 24 years (range, 11 -39 years). Abdominal discomfort or pain were the most common presenting symptoms. 4 patients had palpable abdominal mass at physical examination. The tumors appeared on ultrasonography and/or CT, MRI as solid or cystic masses. The preoperative serum biochemical parameters and tumor markers level were within the normal range. All the patients underwent surgical treatment. The tumors were located in the head/neck (n = 6) or the distal part (n = 4) of the pancreas. The surgical procedures included enucleation (n=3) , distal pancreatectomy (n=3 , two with preservation of the spleen, one combined with splenectomy, distal gastrectomy and partial colectomy) , segmental pancreatectomy with pancreaticojejunostomy (n=3) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 1). Pancreatic fistula (n = 2) was observed postoperatively and resolved with conservative treatment. The median resected tumor size was 5. 9 cm. All patients were alive and remained recurrence and metastasis free after a median followk-up of 19. 2 months (range, 8～42 months). Conclusions Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas was rare neoplasm occurred predominantly in young women with low malignant potential. Aggressive resection should be attempted and could result in excellent prognosis.