Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the improved percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) in elderly patients with mitral stenosis. Methods Elderly patients with severe mitral stenosis received an improved PBMV which included a modified way of atrial septal puncture and technique across the mitral valve. The left atrial pressrue (LAP), mean pulmonary pressure (MPA), mean gradient across the mitral value (MPG) and mitral valve area (MVA) were recorded and compared before and after the operation. Long term follow up were made. Results After operation, the LAP decreased [(25.3±6.7) mm Hg vs.(16.4±5.8) mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 Kpa], MPG decreased [(17.6±6.7) mm Hg vs.(6.8±2.9) mm Hg], MPA decreased [(38.6±12.1) mm Hg vs. (29.2±9.8) mm Hg], MVA increased [(1.05±0.22)cm2 vs.(1.61±0.38)cm2] and the New York heart association heart function classification improved. The follow-up result showed that the effect of PBMV was constant. Conclusions Improved PBMV may be an effective and safe measure for patients with mitral stenosis.

Objective To investigate the correlation of serum high-mobility group box-1 (HMG-B1) with the severity of lesion of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its prognosis in elderly patients.Methods A total of 180 CAD patients with coronary stenosis exceeding 50 percent by coronary angiography were divided into three groups:one branch stenosis;two branches stenosis and three branches stenosis.The control group included 50 patients without coronary stenosis.The degrees of coronary stenosis were diagnosed as mild stenosis,moderate stenosis and severe stenosis based on improved Gensini scores.The severity of decrements of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiogram were divided into three groups:mild,moderate and severe LVEF.Levels of HMGB1,hs-CRP and glucose were measured in all the patients.According to whether there was a complication of type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM),the 180 patients were classified as two groups.The patients were also divided into two groups according to whether there were adverse events.Results The HMGB1 levels of the CAD group were increased along with the number of affected vessels [three bunch group (40.5±6.0) ng/ml,double bunch group (33.1±4.9)μg/L,single bunch group (20.5±3.3)μg/L and control group (6.2±1.4)μg/L (all P＜0.05)].And the HMGB1 levels of the CAD group were increased along with the degrees of CAD stenosis [severe stenosis group (43.0±5.8)μg/L,medium stenosis group (32.1±4.5)μg/L,mild stenosis group(19.3±2.0)μg/L] (all P＜0.05).Meanwhile,the levels of HMGB1 were increased along with the decrement of left ventricular ejection fraction [left ventricular severe dysfunction group (41.0 ± 5.5) μg/L,medium dysfunction group(33.1± 4.3)μg/L,mild dysfunction group (21.3± 2.0)μg/L] (all P＜0.05).CAD with T2DM had a higher HMGB1 level than non-T2DM group[(35.7±5.0) (C)/L vs.(23.3±3.0) (C)/L,P＜0.05].The adverse events group had a higher HMGB1 level than non-adverse events group[(38.7±5.5) (C)/L vs.(25.3±3.3)μg/L,P＜0.05].Besides,HMGB1 had a positive correlation with levels of hs-CRP and glucose(r=0.680,0.571,P＜0.05).Conclusions Serum HMGB1 change is closely related to morbid change degree of elderly CAD patients as well as prognosis.As a new type of inflammatory factor,HMGB1 may serve as a new target for disease treatment.

Diabetic Retinopathy ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; complications ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Hemorrhage ; etiology ; surgery

Chemical constituents of Inula japonica were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatographies, over silica gel, and Toyopearl HW-40, and preparative HPLC. On the basis of spectral data analysis, including NMR and MS data, the structures of the isolates were elucidated and their anti-inflammatory activities were assayed. Fifteen compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of I. japonica, and their structures were elucidated as dihydrosyringenin (1), (3S, 5R, 6S, 7E)-5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one (2), (6R, 7E) -9-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one (3), arnidiol (4), taraxasterol acetate (5), 8,9,10-trihydroxythymol (6), taxifolin (7), luteolin (8), napetin (9), eupatin (10), spinacetin (11), quercetin (12), p-hydroxycinnamic acid (13), caffeic acid (14), and caffeoyl acetate (15). Compounds 1, 2, 7, 13 and 15 were isolated from the genus Inula for the first time, and compounds 3, 4, 9-11 and 14 were isolated from this plant for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activity result showed that compounds 3, 6-12 and 14 exhibited inhibition effect against leukotriene C4 (LTC4) synthesis and degranulation definitely in c-Kit Ligand (KL) induced mast cells, and compound 8 and 12 also had the suppression effect against lipopolysacharide(LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) activity in RAW264.7 macrophages. It is firstly reported that compounds 7 and 9-11 possessed potent inhibition activities against LTC4 generation and degranulation in mast cells.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Inula ; chemistry ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; Mast Cells ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; analysis ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Fluorescence ; G1 Phase ; Resting Phase, Cell Cycle

OBJECTIVETo study changes of plasma ADMA levels of patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to explore the effect of Salvia Miltiorrhiza (SM) on them.

METHODSTotally 52 patients with confirmed NSTEMI undergoing PCI were randomly assigned to the SM treated group and the control group, 26 in each group. Patients in the SM treated group received the conventional therapy plus SM (1 g each time, three times per day till one month after PCI). Those in the control group only received the conventional therapy. Plasma ADMA levels were measured before PCI, and at day 1 and 30 after PCI.

RESULTSPlasma ADMA levels in both group obviously decreased at day 30 after PCI with statistical difference (P < 0.01). The decrement was more obviously seen in the SM treated group, with statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPatients with NSTEMI undergoing PCI could have plasma ADMA levels decreased. Administration of SM just before PCI might be associated with negative regulating plasma ADMA levels.

Arginine ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Salvia miltiorrhiza

Objective To evaluate application of recombinant human luteinizing hormone (r-hLH)used in ovarian stimulation of assisted reproductive technique and impact on outcome of pregnancy. Methods From Apr. To Jul. 2009, 123 patients with low LH level ( < 1 U/L) at day 3 of menstruation and downregulation of pituitary function undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in Reproductive Medical Center, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University were enrolled in this study, whom were classified into 66 cases treated by r-hLH in r-hLH group and 57 cases without r-hLH treatment in non-r-hLH group. In the mean time, 145 patients with normal level of serum LH ( 1-2 U/L) not given by r-hLH treatment and undergoing IVF-ET were matched as control group. Total amount of gonadotropin, estradiol levels and LH levels on the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCG), number of oocytes retrieved, number of 2PN zygotes, rate of high quality embryos, the rates of implantation and clinical pregnancy were compared among these three groups. Results The level of serum LH on the day of hCG administration were ( 1.59 ± 0.77 ) U/L in r-hLH group, (0.54 ± 0.25 ) U/L in non-r-hLH group and (2.39 ± 1.01 ) U/L in control group, which reached tatistical difference between every two groups (P < 0.05). The rates of high quality embryo were 59.36％ in r-hLH group, 57.79％ in non-r-hLH group,which were significantly lower than 65.94％ in control group, respectively (P < 0. 05 ). The rates of 2PN were 67.62％ in r-hLH group and 68. 32％ in control group, which were significantly higher than 62. 84％ in non-r-hLH group, respectively ( P < 0.05 ). The rates of implantation of 29.77％ in r-hLH group were significantly higher than 18.26％ in non-r-hLH group ( P < 0.05 ). The total amount of gonadotropin,estradiol level on the day of hCG administration, the number of oocytes retrieved, and clinical pregnancy rate were not significantly different among those three groups ( P > 0.05 ). Conclusion The administration of recombinant human uteinizing hormone in patients who are profoundly suppressed after down-regulation with long protocol can get more quality embryos, the higher rates of 2PN and implantation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of compound Coptidis Rhizoma capsule (CCRC) on unbalanced expression of renal tissue TGF-β1/BMP-7 and Smad signaling pathway in rats with early diabetic nephropathy (DN), and discuss CCRC's effect on DN rats with early diabetic nephropathy and its possible mechanism.

METHODDN model rats were established by injecting streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were randomly divided into seven groups: the normal group, the model group, the enalapril treatment group, the xiaoke pill treatment group and three CRCC treatment groups. They were orally administered once a day for five weeks. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), insulin (Ins), 24 h urinary protein (24 h Upro) and 24 h urinary microalbumin (24 h UmAlb) were tested. The pathological changes in renal tissues were examined by optical microscopy. Immuno- histochemical measures were used to detect the expressions of TGF-β1, BMP-7, Smad2/3, Smad1/5, and Smad7 protein, and RT-PCR was used to detect TGF-β1 mRNA and BMP-7 mRNA in renal tissues.

RESULTCompared with model group, BUN, Scr, Ins, 24 h Upro and 24 h UmAlb levels decreased at different degrees in CCRC treatment groups; the abnormal pathomorphology in renal tissue was improved; immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2/3 were reduced, while the expression of BMP-7, Smad1/5 and Smad7 increased in CRCC treatment groups; the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA were reduced, but the expression of BMP-7 mRNA had no obvious change in CRCC treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONCRCC can improve the early renal function, delay the progression of chronic renal pathology and maintain the dynamic balance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 expression in renal tissues of DN rats. The mechanism may be related to down-regulation of renal TGF-β1 and up-regulation of BMP-7 through Smad signaling pathway.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the value of mesenteric vascular CTA in the diagnosis of small intestinal neoplasms.Methods A retrospective analysis of mesenteric CTA from January 2008 to April 2013 was conducted in 51 patients with pathologically proven small intestinal neoplasms.Features of intestinal neoplasms CTA signs including neoplasm feeding artery,draining vein,mesangial side vasa recta and the formed neoplasm vessels,were observed.Two radiologists individually used two methods,namely intestinal tumor feeding artery positioning method and Cole fractionation method,for diagnosis and localization diagnosis of tumor,and also for comparing the results with those of surgical pathology.McNemar Chi-square test was adopted to evaluate the diagnosis differences between the two physicians and between the two methods by the same physician.Kappa value was used to assess the consistency of the results.Results Features of intestinal tumors CTA signs:12 cases of enlarged neoplasm feeding artery,9 cases of early displayed draining vein,22 cases of enlarged mesangial side vasa recta,and 11 cases of vessels formed inside and around the neoplasm,single lesion for all and the largest lesion diameter≥ 5 cm for 37 cases.The accuracy of Cole fractionation method positioning and the feeding artery positioning were 84.31％(43/51) and 98.03％(50/51) respectively.Moderate consistency(Kappa=0.49,P＜0.01) was seen with Cole fractionation method by the two physicians and high consistency(Kappa=1.00,P＜0.01) with feeding artery positioning method.McNemar Chi-square test showed no significant difference between the two methods by the same physician and the consistency of the results from the two methods was passable(P were 0.062 and 0.125).Conclusion Mesenteric CTA can display the intestinal tumor feeding arteries and draining veins,and is helpful in identification of the relationship between the tumor and its surrounding blood vessels,which can improve the accuracy of pre-operative localization and qualitative diagnosis for small intestinal tumor.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of two different circumcision procedures with the Shang Ring and compare their advantages and disadvantages.

METHODSA total of 527 adult males with phimosis or redundant prepuce underwent Shang Ring circumcision by conventional outward replacement (n = 254) and inward placement (n = 273), respectively. We observed the in-ring nocturnal pain, complications, ring-removal pain, degree of edema, recovery time, and patients' satisfaction after surgery, and compared them between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with the conventional outward placement (5.9%) of the Shang Ring, the inward placement method showed the advantages of mild in-ring nocturnal pain, a low complication rate, significantly reduced ring-removal pain, and mild edema, but exhibited longer healing time.

CONCLUSIONIn Shang Ring circumcision for phimosis and redundant prepuce in adult males, each of the outward and inward placement methods has advantages and disadvantages of its own, but the latter is more advantageous and feasible.

Adult ; Circumcision, Male ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; Edema ; etiology ; Foreskin ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Pain, Postoperative ; Patient Satisfaction ; Penile Diseases ; etiology ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Prostheses and Implants ; Wound Healing