Objective:To explore the feasibilitv of stereotactic minimally invasive aspiration of small thalamic bemorrhage.Methods:Twenty-two patients with small thalamic hemowhage(5 to 10 mL)were divided into two groups:a stereotactic group(n=10)and a control group(n= 12).The patients in the stereotactic group received stereomctic minimally invasive puncture and drainage of hematomas.According to the condition,repeated infusion of urokinase(10-20 kU) into the hematoma cavities were administered 12 hours after the procedure,and the hematomas were irrigated and drained so as to removal of them completely after retaining for 2-4 hours, The appropriate symptomatic treatment was administered in the patients in both groups.National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores were determined 14 and 30 days before and after the treatment in all the patients.The reductiom of the NIJSS scores (as compared with those before treatment)were calculated at day 14 and 30 respectively after the treatment. Results:The reductiom of the NIHSS scores in the stereotactic group at day 14 and 30 were significantly higher than those in the control group.It was suggested that the neurological functional recovery of the patients was faster after stereotmtic minimally invasive puncture and drainage of intracranial hematorna in the stereotactic group.Concision:The stereotactic minimally invasive puncture and drainage of intracranial hematoma may significantly improve the outcome in patients with small thalamic hemorrhage.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Liuweidihuang pill on the insulin levels in sera and pancreatic islets from spontaneous mouse models of human type 2 diabetes administrated with different doses .Methods:The 6-8 week-old KK-Ay mice were randomly divided into three groups including no drug control group ,low-dose group and high-dose group,in addition C57BL/6J mice were used as a genetic control group .All the animals were given with different dose Liuweidihuang pill solutions or sterile distilled water by intragastrical administration for fifteen weeks .The fasting blood glucose ,body mass and food consumption were measured weekly .The serum insulin levels were surveyed by ELISA .And the insulin levels in the pancreas islets were detected by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry .Results:Decreased fasting blood glucose ,controlled body mass and food consumption ,and lower levels of insulin in the sera and pancreas islets were confirmed from the KK-Ay mice administered with Liuweidihuang pill .Furthermore,the low dose program exhibits a stronger effect .Conclusion:Liuweidihuang pill has exhibited relatively therapeutic effects in the spontaneous type 2 diabetes mice including controls of hyperglycemia and body mass and relieving insulin resistance .In addition , the low-dose regimen showed even better treatment in controlling insulin levels in the sera and pancreas islets .

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) is a member of cyclin-dependent kinase family, which does not directly regulate cell cycle. Through phosphorylation of target protein, CDK5 plays an irreplaceable role in the development, reparation and degeneration of neurons. Brain injury refers to the organic injury of brain tissue caused by external force hit on the head. Owing to the stress and repair system activated by our body itself after injury, various proteins and enzymes of the brain tissues are changed quantitatively, which can be used as indicators for estimating the time of injury. This review summarizes the progress on the distribution, the activity mechanism and the physiological effects of CDK5 after brain injury and its corresponding potential served as a marker for brain injury determination.
Brain/physiopathology* ; Brain Injuries/physiopathology* ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5/metabolism* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism* ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology* ; Phosphorylation/drug effects* ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of continuous intraspinal ceftazidime administration for treatment of purulent meningitis due to Achromobacter infection.

METHODSA patient with established diagnosis of purulent meningitis due to Achromobacter infection was admitted, who failed to respond favorably to a 3-day ceftazidime treatment administered intravenously. Continuous intraspinal ceftazidime administration at the dose of 0.2 g/d was then attempted through a catheter placed in the cisterna magna in addition to intravenous ceftazidime for 3 days, which resulted in obvious relief of the symptoms. The catheter was subsequently withdrawn, and the patient received further treatment with additional intravenous ceftazidime for a week.

RESULTSThe symptoms of purulent meningitis was significantly improved after a 3-day continuous intraspinal ceftazidime administration, and the patient was eventually cured after completion of the treatment course. Intrathecal ceftazidime was also attempted previously but failed due to intolerance of pains in the legs. No relapse was observed in this case 3 months after the discharge.

CONCLUSIONContinuous intraspinal ceftazidime administration can be effective and safe for treatment of purulent meningitis.

Achromobacter ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Ceftazidime ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and genetic predisposition to keloid in Chinese population.

METHODSPCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was used to detect p53 gene codon 72 genotypes of 60 keloid samples and 102 whole blood samples from healthy controls in China.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism between the keloid patients and the healthy controls (X2 = 2.910, P = 0.233), nor did the frequencies for Pro and Arg alleles (X2 = 0.882, P = 0.348), and there was no significant difference in the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism in keloid patients and normal controls from China and Japan respectively (X2 = 3.942, P = 0.139; X2 = 3.260, P = 0.196). But the Arg/Arg genotype was significantly higher than the Pro/Pro genotype among the patients with keloid in shoulder and back (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere was no significant association between the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and keloid in Chinese population, but Arg/Arg genotype may affect the formation of keloids in shoulder and back compared to others. Further research should be done to investigate the relationship between p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and keloids in different sites.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Codon ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Donors

Objective To study the value of ultrasound in operation for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in simulation field hospitals where computed tomography (CT) equipment is unavailable.Methods The wartime conditions were simulated, and the patients at age of 18-60 years were randomly selected.According to the principles of medical ethics, all patients received CT scanning.Two neurosur-geons from the field hospital who did not know the result of CT examination cooperated with another two neurosurgeons who got the results of the CT examination to determine whether operation should be ap-plied.Forty-five patients who needed emergency craniotomy were finally selected.The operations were performed by two neurosurgeons from the field hospital, with real-time ultrasound monitoring.The results of ultrasound were compared with that of CT scanning.Results A total of 64 lesions were found by ul-trasound , and 60 of which should be treated by operation.In the meantime, 82 lesions were found by CT scanning, 64 of which should be treated operatively.Epidural hematoma and subdural hematoma had high ultrasound detection rate, followed by intracerebral hematoma, subdural effusion and brain contusion.The overall detection rate of ultrasound was 87.1%.Conclusion Ultrasound plays an important role in correctly finding the focus so as to reduce blind operation and avoid omission of the focus in field hospi-tals, where CT equipment is usually unavailable.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the immediate and follow-up results of percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

METHODSFifteen symptomatic, drug-refractory patients with HOCM underwent PTSMA procedures with application of a myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) intra-procedure. Before and after the procedure, clinical evaluations were obtained in all patients, who were followed up for a mean period of 8.6 +/- 3.8 (6-20) months.

RESULTSImmediate left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG) reduction was achieved (77.93 +/- 22 mm Hg vs 14.8 +/- 15 mm Hg, P < 0.0001) after the procedure with a mean decrease of 5.75 +/- 2.87 mm Hg of left ventricular end diastolic pressure (P < 0.001). Follow up results revealed that ventricular remodelling occurred mainly 1-3 months after the procedure, but without evidence of ventricular dilation and contract dysfunction. Heart function (NYHA) was greatly improved (3.4 +/- 0.5 vs 1.1 +/- 0.4, P < 0.001) and exercise endurance increased. A renewed increase of LVOTG was found in 2 patients during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSLVOTG was greatly decreased in HOCM patients undergoing a PTSMA procedure, and their symptoms were greatly improved without cardiac complications during follow-up. Sub-selection and reopening of target vessels were the causes of renewed increase of LVOTG, and this can be avoided with the accumulation of experience. This is a promising method for the treatment of symptomatic patients with HOCM.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDThe value of artificial colloids in treating patients with liver disease is controversial. The effects of intravascular volume replacement regimens on liver function secondary to alteration of the postoperative inflammatory response are not known. In this study, we evaluated the effects of different volume replacement regimens in hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing hepatectomy to clarify whether albumin administration can be replaced by other volume replacement products.

METHODSNinety consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma patients scheduled for hepatectomy were prospectively randomized to receive 20% human albumin (HA), 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) or lactated Ringer's solution (LR) for postoperative volume replacement. Hemodynamic, liver function and inflammatory response parameters were recorded on postoperative days one, three, and five throughout the investigation period.

RESULTSSignificantly less volume was required in the HA and the HES groups. Although patients in all groups had similar baseline values, the plasma osmolality was significantly higher in the HA and HES groups. Total bilirubin (TB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased from baseline in all groups, and did not differ significantly between groups. C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly lower in the HES group compared with the other groups.

CONCLUSIONSIn hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing hepatectomy, HA can be replaced by HES or LR in well selected patients. Hemodynamic stability, liver function, and postoperative clinical outcomes could be equivalently achieved in the HES group; also, HES may exert more favorable effects on the acute phase response.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Albumins ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Isotonic Solutions ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathological characteristics of heroin spongiform leukoencephalopathy (HSLE).

METHODSCerebral tissue specimens were obtained from 15 patients with HSLE and the histological observations under optical and electron microscopes were carried out by HE, Bielschowsky's, and chromotrope 2R-brilliant green staining.

RESULTSHSLE was characterized primarily by spongiform vacuolar degeneration of the cerebral white matter. Neurons in the gray matter, Purkinje and granular cells in the cerebella remain intact in all the cases. Numerous vacuoles, which merged to form larger cavities, appeared in the damaged white matter, and the axons survived in the deep white matter. The myelin sheath in the cerebellar white matter sustained more severe damages than those in the cerebral white matter. No vacuoles or lymphocyte infiltration occurred in the small peripheral vessels.

CONCLUSIONHSLE is pathologically characterized by vacuolar degeneration due to primary damage of the myelin, and the spongiform vacuolar degeneration is closely associated with the severity of demyelination in the white matter.

Adult ; Autopsy ; Canavan Disease ; etiology ; pathology ; Cerebellum ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Cerebral Cortex ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Heroin Dependence ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Neurons ; chemistry ; pathology ; Purkinje Cells ; chemistry ; pathology ; Staining and Labeling ; methods ; Young Adult