Objective To evaluate the left atrial function and to explore its determinants in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE).Methods 46 patients with HCM (obstructive HCM:25 cases,nonobstructive HCM:21 cases) and 46 healthy cases (controls) were enrolled in this study.Time-volume curve of left atrium was acquired by 3DE in all subjects.Left atrial maximal volume (LAVmax),left atrial minimal volume (LAVmin) and left atrial presystolic volume (LAVp) were acquaired.Left atrial volume index (LAVI),left atrial expansion index (LAEI),left atrium emptying fraction (LAEF),left atrium passive emptying fraction (LAPEF) and 1eft atrium active emptying fraction (LAAEF) were calculated.Comparative analysis between two groups was taken .The Spearman correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis between left atrial volume index (LAVI) with interventricular septal thickness (IVSd),left ventricular outflow tract peak gradient (LVOT-PG),mitral regurgitation (MI), left ventricular diastolic function (LVDF) were analyzed respectively .Results Compared to the controls LAVmax (45.67 ±11.96)ml,LAVmin (20.48 ±6.80)ml,LAVp (24.48 ±9.31)ml,LAVI 25.63 ±6.52, LAEI (1.32 ±0.49)%,LAEF (55.25 ±8.06)%,LAPEF (35.90 ±7.00)%and LAAEF (30.20 ±10.13)%, the patient with HCM had a significantly larger LAVmax (81.45 ±24.24)ml,LAVmin (44.60 ±18.96)ml, LAVp (61.00 ±21.64) ml and LAVI 45.39 ±14.17,there were significant differences among the groups (t=8.978,8.123,9.227,8.436,all P<0.01),lower LAEI(0.95 ±0.43)%,LAEF (46.15 ±11.12)%, LAPEF (25.64 ±9.09)%,there were significant differences among the groups (t=-3.865,-4.493,-6.504,all P<0.01),and slightly lower LAAEF (28.20 ±9.26)%,there were no significant differences among the groups (t=-0.656,P>0.01).There were significant positive correlation between LAVI and IVSd,LVOT-PG,MI,LVDF respectively (r=0.704,0.517,0.640,0.701,all P<0.01).Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that IVSd , LVOT-PG, MI and LVDF were correlated factors of LAVI (absolute standardized coeffients =0.264,0.515,0.614,0.341,all P<0.05).Conclusions 3DE could evaluate the left atrial volume and function in patients with HCM , with increased left atrial volume and decreased reservioer,conduit and booster pump function .Mitral regurgitation,obstruction of left ventricular outflow tract,left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and the thickness of left ventricular wall contributed to left atrial dysfunction at different levels ,among which mitrial regurgitation contributed the most .

The chemical constituents of Taxus chinensis var. mairei cell cultures were investigated by chromatographic methods, including silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Thirteen compounds were isolated from the 80% ethanol extract of cultured cells and their structures were elucidated by spectral data and physicochemical properties, which were identified as 2α,4α,7β,9α,10β-pentaacetoxy-14β-hydroxytax-11-ene (1), 2α,4α,7β,9α,10β-pentaacetoxytax-11-ene (2), 1β-deoxybaccatin VI (3), 2α-acetoxytaxusin (4), taxuyunnanine C (5), yunnanxane (6), 2α,5α,10β-triacetoxy-14β-propionyloxy-4 (20), 11-taxadiene (7), 2α,5α,10β-triacetoxy-14β-isobutyryloxy-4 (20), 11-taxadiene (8), 2α,5α,10β-triacetoxy-14β-(2'-methyl)butyryloxy-4 (20), 11-taxadiene (9), 13-dehydroxylbaccatin III (10), 13-dehydroxy-10-deacetylbaccatin III (11), paclitaxel (12) and (13) β-sitosterol. Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, and compounds 2, 4, 10 and 11 are isolated from the cell culture of Taxus chinensis var. mairei for the first time.
Alkenes ; analysis ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Diterpenes ; analysis ; Molecular Structure ; Paclitaxel ; analysis ; Sitosterols ; analysis ; Taxoids ; analysis ; Taxus ; chemistry

AIM:To observe the efficacy of intravitreal conbercept injection for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).METHODS: Nine eyes of 9 patients diagnosed as chronic CSC between October 2015 to May 2016 were treated with an intravitreal injection of conbercept (0.5mg/0.05mL) (six patients were given the same does of intravitreal injection again at 1mo after the first injection).Follow-up observation was at 1, 2, and 6mo after injection.Observed indicators included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), choroidal indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), macular fovea thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT).RESULTS:Seven of the 9 patients responded significantly to the drug, while 2 patients had no response.The CMT was 373.12±72.43μm at baseline, which decreased significantly to 332.05±67.13μm, 282.24±62.30μm and 225.56±71.08μm at 1, 2 and 6mo after the intravitreal injection.The mean thickness of SFCT was 422.11±64.82μm before treatment.The choroidal thickness of non-responsive patients before treatment was below average, respectively 353μm and 365μm.The SFCT of 1, 2, and 6mo after treatment was 391.45±75.24μm, 365.53±63.07μm, 355.40±66.65μm.Before treatment and 1mo after, there was no significant difference (P=0.074), but there was statistically significant (P<0.01) between those of before and 2mo and 6mo after.The mean BCVA of the prior treatment was 0.53±0.32, the after treatment was 0.65±0.20, there was no different between the two(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Intravitreal conbercept injection in chronic CSC may have some effect in accelerating subertinal fluid resolution and decreasing the CMT.The SFCT within 6mo after treatment was significantly lower than pretreatment.The SFCT may be an indicator of whether patients respond.

BACKGROUNDImmunosuppression for immunologically high-risk kidney transplant patients usually involves antithymocyte globulin induction with triple drug maintenance therapy. Alemtuzumab, a humanized anti-CD52 antibody, was expected to be a promising induction therapy agent for kidney transplantation. However, currently no consensus is available about its efficacy and safety. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab as immune induction therapy in highly sensitized kidney transplant recipients.

METHODSIn this prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled trial, we enrolled 23 highly immunological risk patients (panel reactive antibody > 20%). They were divided into two groups: alemtuzumab group (trial group) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) group (control group). Patients in the alemtuzumab group received intravenous alemtuzumab (15 mg) as a single dose before reperfusion. At the 24th hour post-operation, another dosage of alemtuzumab (15 mg) was given. The control group received a bolus of rabbit ATG (9 mg/kg), which was given 2 hours before kidney transplantation and lasted until the removal of vascular clamps when the anastomoses were completed. Maintenance immunosuppression in both groups comprised standard triple therapy consisting of tacrolimus, prednisone, and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Acute rejection (AR) and infection episodes were recorded, and kidney function was monitored during a 2-year follow-up. χ(2) test, t test and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed with SPSS17.0 software.

RESULTSMedian follow-up was 338 days. In both the alemtuzumab group and ATG group, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen values in surviving recipients were similar (P > 0.05). White blood cell counts were significantly reduced in the alemtuzumab group for the most time points up to 6 months (P < 0.05). One patient receiving alemtuzumab died for acute myocardial infarction at the 65th day post-operation. Two ATG patients died for severe pulmonary infection or cardiac and pulmonary failure. Cumulative 2-year graft survival rate was 90.9% in the alemtuzumab group and 81.8% in ATG group (P > 0.05) respectively. There was one graft failure in the alemtuzumab group and two graft failures in ATG group, with all graft failures at tributed to rejection episodes. The alemtuzumab group had a 2-year cumulative freedom from rejection rate of 81.8%, compared with 72.7% for the ATG group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAlemtuzumab induction therapy for highly sensitized kidney transplant recipients is an effective and safe protocol yielding an acceptable acute rejection rate.

Adult ; Aged ; Alemtuzumab ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Antibodies, Neoplasm ; therapeutic use ; Antilymphocyte Serum ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; immunology ; Graft Survival ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the optimal timing of hepatectomy for intrahepatic lithiasis complicated with acute cholangitis.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-six patients with hepatolithiasis who had a history of acute cholangitis and underwent hepatectomy were reviewed retrospectively. According to the period between the surgery and last attack of acute cholangitis, 126 patients were divided into 3 groups: > 3 months (group A, n = 73), 1 approximately 3 months (group B, n = 28), < 1 month (group C, n = 25). The operation time, blood loss, hospital stay, postoperative complications and stone residual rate were compared among the groups.

RESULTSThe intraoperative blood loss of C group was (644.0 +/- 625.7) ml, which was significantly higher than those of A and B group [(409.2 +/- 250.7) ml and (423.2 +/- 237.1) ml, respectively]. The numbers of patients who needed transfusion and the amount of blood transfusion in group C were also higher than those of group A and B. The incidence rate of complications, residual stone in group C were all markedly higher than those of group A and B. The period of hospital stay in group C was much longer than that in group A and B.

CONCLUSIONSThe optimal timing of hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis complicated with acute cholangitis is at least one month after subsidence of cholangitis.

Adult ; Aged ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangitis ; complications ; Cholelithiasis ; complications ; surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVEUsing high resolution melting (HRM) to analysis MDR1 C3435T in people exposed to benzene.

METHODSRestriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was utilized to detect the polymorphism of MDR1 3435 in 121 benzene-exposed workers, and the results were compared with the HRM in 10% samples and were confirmed with direct sequencing for six people in them.

RESULTSBy direct sequencing, consistent results of benzene-exposed workers with RFLP or HRM were got. The new high resolution melting curve analysis is more efficient, more convenient, and cheaper than RFLP.

CONCLUSIONHigh-resolution melting analysis provides a valid approach to efficiently detect DNA genetic diagnosis, which is suitable for detect susceptible genes in occupational surveillance.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; Benzene ; Genotype ; Genotyping Techniques ; methods ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of MDR1 C3435T on the peripheral white blood cell counts in workers exposed to benzene.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-one benzene-exposed workers and 110 healthy controls without benzene exposure were enrolled in this study. White blood cell counts influenced by the polymorphism of MDR1 gene were analyzed.

RESULTSThe frequency of MDR1 3435 C/C, C/T, T/T in healthy controls was 37.27%, 46.36%, 16.37%, respectively, and it was 38.84%, 41.33%, 19.83% in the benzene-exposed workers, respectively. The frequency of the MDR1 gene was also not significantly different between benzene exposed workers and controls. Subjects exposed to benzene with MDR1 3435 mutation genotype (T/T) had the significantly lower WBC [(5.46 ± 1.51) × 10(9)/L] than those carrying wild type (C/C) and heterozygous (C/T), whose WBC were (6.08 ± 1.28) × 10(9)/L (P = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONP-glycoprotein encoded by MDR1 gene may be implicated into the hematotoxicity of benzene. Subjects carrying MDR1 3435 T/T genotype may have a higher risk of benzene poisoning.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; Adult ; Benzene ; adverse effects ; Control Groups ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Hyperparathyroidism ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of flow cytometric immunophenotyping (FCI) in the diagnosis and differentiated diagnosis of lymphoma and explain the immunophenotypic features and differences of malignant lymphoma.

METHODSSeventy four fresh samples of suspicious lymphoma were collected from Nov. 2004 to Aug. 2006. Each sample was individually evaluated by FCI. The results were analyzed and compared with the histopathological diagnosis.

RESULTSAmong the 74 cases, the FCI data consisted with the final morphological diagnosis in 61 cases (82.4%). For the diagnosis of B and T non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), thymoma, carcinoma and benign lesions of lymph node, the concordance between FCI data and morphological diagnosis were 93.5%, 100%, 100%, 100% and 81.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONMulti-parameter FCI analysis can provide important information and help for diagnosis of lymphoma. It is an assistant but necessary approach for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of lymphoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; methods ; Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

This study is to investigate effects of genistein on rat femoral bone metabolic in vitro. Rat femoral tissues was isolated and randomly divided into two groups including control group and genistein (1 x 10(-5) mol x(-1)) group. Determinations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium content and osteoprotegerin (OPG), type I-collagen (Collagen-I), RANKL, Runx-2 and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) mRNA expression were done by real-time PCR. The results showed that 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) genistein could increase the activity of ALP and contents of Ca, regulate bone metabolism activity of OPG, RANKL, BMP-2, Collagen-I and Runx-2 mRNA expression level. Genistein can significantly modulate bone metabolism related gene expression level of rat femoral tissue in vitro, and can increase calcium content and the activity of ALP.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Femur ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Osteoprotegerin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phytoestrogens ; pharmacology ; RANK Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction