OBJECTIVE To evaluate the standard of non-invasive diagnosis of Down′s syndrome between the different PCR machines. METHODS Two kinds of PCR machines were used respectively to amplify the homologous genes-the human liver-like phosphofructokinase gene (PFKL) and the human muscle-like phosphofructokinase gene (PFKM). RESULTS The best annealing temperature of the two PCR machines were 64 ℃ and 60 ℃,and only in this reaction conditions PFKL′s and PFKM′s electrophoresis strips had the same optical density value. CONCLUSIONS This approach has proven that the conditions of amplified the PFKL and PFKM are different between the two kinds of PCR machines.

Objective:To investigate the electrocardiographic characteristics of left and right ventricles origin of premature ventricular contractions(PVCs) during V3 transition of precordial leads, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) anterior septum and right coronary sinus (RCC), and RVOT middle-posterior septum and left coronary sinus (LCC).Methods:From January 2017 to September 2019, 91 patients with ventricular extrasystole of outflow tract who had V3 transition in precordial lead and had successful radiofrequency ablation in RVOT anterior septum, middle posterior septum, LCC and RCC were selected for retrospective case control study.The electrocardiography measurements of PVCs were compared between the anteroseptal RVOT group and RCC group, as well as the middle-posterior septal RVOT group and the LCC group, respectively.The measurements included the R-wave amplitude in lead Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and aVF, R amplitude ratio in leads Ⅲ to Ⅱ, Q-wave amplitude in lead aVL and aVR, Q amplitude ratio in leads aVL to aVR, R-wave and S-wave amplitude from leads V1 to V3, the V2S/V3R index, the transition zone index, and the V2 transition ratio.Results:Thirty-six cases originated from the anteroseptal RVOT, and 11 from the LCC.Lead I R-wave amplitude in anterior septal RVOT was higher than LCC group((0.22±0.25) mV vs.(-0.17±0.33) mV; P=0.003). R-wave amplitude in lead Ⅱ was lower than that in the LCC group((1.59±0.35) mV vs.(1.76±0.27) mV; P=0.035). R-wave amplitude in lead aVF was lower compared with the LCC group((1.53±0.35) mV vs.(1.78±0.39) mV; P=0.050). The V2S/V3R index showed a significant difference between these two groups(1.99±0.66 vs.0.76±0.38; P<0.001). The V2 transition ratio also appeared a significant difference between the two groups(0.69±0.43 vs.1.05±0.35; P=0.005). PVCs arose from the middle-posterior septal RVOT in 32 cases, and from the RCC in 12 cases.Compared with RCC group, lead Ⅰ R-wave amplitude showed lower ((0.25±0.31) mV vs.(0.57±0.12) mV; P<0.001); R amplitude ratio in leads Ⅲ to Ⅱ higher (0.89±0.14 vs.0.72±0.18; P=0.002); Q amplitude in lead aVL((0.72±0.24) mV vs.(0.51±0.16) mV; P=0.002)higher, and Q amplitude ratio in leads aVL to aVR higher in the middle-posterior septal RVOT(0.76±0.23 vs.0.50±0.21; P=0.002). Conclusion:Among the cases with lead V3 transition, PVCs originated from the anteroseptal RVOT show significantly different R wave in lead Ⅰ, Ⅱ, aVF, V2S/V3R index, and the V2 transition ratio compared with those from the LCC.The PVCs from the middle-posterior septal RVOT and the RCC have different R wave in lead Ⅰ, R amplitude ratio in leads Ⅱ and Ⅲ, Q amplitude ratio in leads aVL and aVR.Combined with its different characteristics, it can help to identify the origin of left and right ventricles.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of puerarin on the vascular active factors correlated to cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after aneurysm subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

METHODSFifty-four patients with aSAH were randomly assigned to the puerarin group (30 cases) and the control group (24 cases) by lot. On the basis of routine treatment, the patients in the puerarin group were intravenously dripped with 0.5 g puerarin by adding in 250 mL glucose injection once daily. The injection was given starting from the 3rd day of the disease course, for 14 successive days. The plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), thromboxane B, (TXB2), 6-Keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-K-PGF1alpha) were compared between the two groups pre- and post-therapy. The incidence of cerebral vasospasm (CVS) was observed using transcranial Doppler (TCD). The Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) were compared at discharge between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the plasma levels of NO, ET-1, and 6-K-PGF1alpha increased in the puerarin group (P < 0. 05), the TXB2 level decreased (P < 0.05), the incidence of CVS decreased (P < 0.05), the mean MCA velocity increased (P < 0.05), and the GOS at discharge increased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPuerarin is an effective agent for the prophylaxis and treatment of the CVS in patients after aSAH. Moreover, it can improve the prognosis. The mechanism might be correlated with improving the levels of the vascular active factors, i.e., increasing the plasma levels of NO and PGl2, decreasing TXA, in plasma, increasing the cerebral blood flow, and improving cerebral perfusion.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha ; blood ; Adult ; Aged ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Prognosis ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Thromboxane B2 ; blood ; Vasospasm, Intracranial ; blood ; drug therapy ; etiology

Objective To study the relationship between plasma creatinine and lactic acid levels in type 2 diabetic patients with normal renal function, and the effect of mefformiu administration on plasma lactic acid. Methods Blood samples were collected from 723 type 2 diabetic inpatients(275 cases treated with mefformin as treatment group and 448 without mefformin as control group). Plasma lactic acid was measured with enzyme-electrode assay. The fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, creatinine (Cr) , alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and HbA1C levels were also determined. Results (1) The lactic acid level in treatment group was significantly higher than that in control group [(1.33±0.57 vs 1.17±0.47) mmol/L, P<0.01] and so was the incidence of hyperlactacidemia (9.45% vs 4.91%, P<0.01). No lactic acidosis was found in all patients. (2) The correlation analysis showed that Cr, blood urea nitrogen, ALT and body mass index (BMI) were positively correlated with lactic acid in control group, and the positive correlation between Cr and lactic acid still existed (r= 0.345, P<0.01) after adjustment for ALT and BMI. (3) After being divided by 20 μmol/L Cr in control group, lactic acid levels in subgroup increased with the Cr levels, especially when Cr was over 90 μmol/L. The Cr cutpoint for predicting lactatemia was 95.35 μmol/L. Conclusion It is safe to administrate metformin in type 2 diabetic patients with normal renal function, along with low risk of lactic acidemia. The incidence of lactic acidemia may increase when plasma Cr level reaches 95.35 μmol/L,

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of kappa-Opioid receptors in the cardioprotection elicited by ischemic postconditioning and the underlying mechanism.

METHODSThe isolated perfused hearts of male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. formazan content of myocardium was measured spectrophotometrically, and the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the coronary effluent was also measured. In isolated ventricular myocytes hypoxia postconditioning was achieved by 3 cycles of 5 min reoxygenation/5 min hypoxia starting at the beginning of reoxygenation, and cell viability was measured.

RESULTIn the Langendorff perfused rat heart model, ischemic postconditioning (6 cycles of 10 s reperfusion/10 s global ischemia starting at the beginning of reperfusion) increased formazan content, reduced LDH release, improved the recovery of the left ventricular developed pressure, maximal rise/fall rate of left ventricular pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and rate pressure product (left ventricular developed pressure multiplied by heart rate), attenuated the decrease of coronary flow during reperfusion and increased the isolated cell viability. Pretreatment with nor-BNI, an antagonist of kappa-Opioid receptors and mitoK(ATP) blocker 5-HD attenuated the effect of ischemic/hypoxic postconditioning.

CONCLUSIONPostconditioning may protect myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury via activating kappa-Opioid receptors and mitoK(KATP).

Animals ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; methods ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Opioid, kappa ; metabolism ; physiology

Objective To evaluate collateral flows using vessel encoded arterial spin labeling (VE-ASL) perfusion imaging. MethodsVE-ASL was achieved to assess the presence and function of collateral flow on patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. The presence of the anterior and posterior collateral flow was demonstrated by flow patterns of the A1 segment and posterior communicating artery (PCoA).Distal function of collateral flow of stenotic hemisphere was categorized as adequate ( cerebral blood flow ≥10 ml · min-1·100 g-1 ) or deficient (cerebral blood flow < 10 ml · min-1· 100 g-1 ). The results were compared with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in crosstable by using Kappa values. The VE-ASL before and after ICA stent therapy were compared. ResultsThe Kappa values of the flow patterns of AI segment and PCoA between VE-ASL and MRA were 0. 746 and 0. 700. The Kappa value of the function of collaterals using VE-ASL and DSA was914. VE-ASL showed collateral flow via leptomeningeal anastomoses. VE-ASL changed significantly after ICA steat therapy. ConclusionVE-ASL reveals the presence and distal function of collateral flow, which helps to evaluate the efficacy of ICA steat therapy.

To investigate the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) on the plasma concentrations of valproic acid (VPA) and its toxic metabolite 2-propyl-4-pentenoic acid (4-ene VPA) in epileptic patients, the plasma concentrations of VPA and 4-ene VPA were determined, and the effect of CBZ on pharmacokinetics of VPA was evaluated. All patients had been divided into two groups (VPA group, n = 87; and VPA+CBZ group, n = 19). As compared to VPA group, the combination of CBZ significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the trough concentration of VPA [VPA group, (69.5 +/- 28.8) microg x mL(-1); VPA+CBZ group, (46.3 +/- 25.6) microg x mL(-1)] and does-adjusted VPA trough concentration [VPA group, (4.89 +/- 2.21) microg x mL(-1) x mg(-1) x kg(-1); VPA+CBZ group, (3.14 +/- 1.74) microg x mL(-1) x mg(-1) x kg(-1)]. However, the addition of CBZ did not influence the concentration of 4-ene VPA. The present study revealed that coadministration of CBZ can reduce VPA plasma concentration and may impact VPA clinical effect, therefore therapeutic drug mornitoring of VPA should be used when combined use of CBZ and VPA.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anticonvulsants ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Carbamazepine ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Drug Interactions ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Epilepsy ; blood ; drug therapy ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Valproic Acid ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate a noninvasive vessel encoded imaging for selective mapping of the flow territories of the left and right internal carotid arteries and vertebral-basilar arteries. Methods Seven volunteers [(33.5±4.1) years ; 3 men, 4 women] and 6 patients [(55.2 ± 3.2) years; 2 men,4women] were given written informed consent approved by the institutional review board before participating in the study. A pseudo-continuous tagging pulse train is modified to encode all vessels of interest. The selectivity of this method was demonstrated. Regional perfusion imaging was developed on the same arterial spin labeling sequence. Perfusion-weighted images of the selectively labeled cerebral arteries were obtained by subtraction of the labeled from control images. The CBF values of hemisphere, white matter, and gray matter of volunteers were calculated. The vessel territories on patients were compared with DSA. The low perfusion areas were compared with high signal areas on T2-FLAIR. Results High SNR maps of left carotid, right carotid, and basilar territories were generated in 8 minutes of scan time. Cerebral blood flow 100 g-1 were in agreement with data in the literature. Vessel encoded imaging in patients had a good agreement with DSA. The low perfusion areas were larger than high signal areas on T2-FLAIR. Conclusion We present a new method capable of evaluating both quantitatively and qualitatively the individual brain-feeding arteries in vivo.

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at different time points during the perioperative period on the recovery of gastrointestinal function after gastrointestinal malignant neoplasms surgery. Methods: Sixty-three patients who needed radical surgery for gastrointestinal tumors were randomized into a control group, treatment group 1 (postoperative EA group), and treatment group 2 (intraoperative and postoperative EA group). The control group received surgery and conventional Western medicine treatment, and treatment groups 1 and 2 received additional EA treatment at different time points. The initial flatus time after the surgery, visual analog scale (VAS) score at different time points after the surgery, the proportion of using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) after the surgery, and the times of adding analgesics were observed in the three groups. Results: The initial flatus time after the surgery was earlier in treatment groups 1 and 2 than in the control group (P<0.05); the difference between treatment groups 1 and 2 was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The VAS score was lower in treatment group 2 than in the control group at 6, 12, 24, and 72 h after the surgery (P<0.05); the VAS score was lower in treatment group 1 than in the control group only at 72 h after the surgery (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the rate of using PCA among the three groups (P>0.05). Regarding the times of adding analgesics, it was less in treatment group 2 than in the control group at 12 h after the surgery (P<0.05). Conclusion: Either EA during and after the surgery or only after the surgery can hasten the initial flatus and boost the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients after radical resection of gastrointestinal neoplasms. Successive EA during and after the surgery should be superior to postoperative EA regarding the analgesic effect after the surgery.

BACKGROUNDA prospective 2-night polysomnographic (PSG) study in Chinese snorers was designed to assess the role of the first night effect (FNE) in PSG parameters and the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSSeventy-two snorers from two teaching hospitals underwent overnight PSG on two consecutive nights. The night-to-night variability of PSG parameters were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSSixty-six patients were analyzed. Among all the PSG parameters, only the total time of stage 2 presented a significant difference between two nights: 219.50 (83.50 - 353.50) vs. 215.25 (59.50 - 342.50) (P = 0.000). Subgroup assessment showed a slight night-to-night difference in about 1 - 2 parameters in the group with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 20 events per hour as well as the group with AHI < 20 events per hour, but there was no night-to-night difference in the AHI in each group. And slighter FNE was found among patients ≥ 40 years old. There was no significant difference in diagnosis of OSAHS. In the decision of severity, a slight difference was found between the two nights with a Kappa value = 0.531.

CONCLUSIONSOnly mild FNE can be found on two consecutive nights of PSG in adult Chinese snorers, but it has no effect on the diagnosis of OSAHS. A single polysomnographic night may be adequate for the diagnosis of OSAHS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polysomnography ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; physiopathology ; Snoring ; physiopathology ; Young Adult