Cardiac involvement related to iron overload caused by long-term blood transfusion is a major cause of death for patients with thalassemia major. Patients' survival will be improved greatly if cardiomyopathy resulted from transfusional iron overload could be detected timely and effective iron chelation be initiated promptly. In the present article, various evaluation Methods currently used in clinical practice are reviewed, with particular focus on cardiac MRI for the monitoring of myocardial involvement related to iron overload.

Forehead ; surgery ; Humans ; Nose ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps

Objective To develop a physical in vitro model of the human carotid artery(CA) and analyze the factors that influence the embolus-capturing efficiency of the retrievable artery filters. Methods The flow model closely simulated the physiological parameters of the human carotid artery. The influence of the following experimental parameters on the capturing rate was analyzed with a multiple logistic regression model: embolus diameter and length, CA diameter, flow quantity, type of filter, and type of testing. Results At the 5% level,except for flow quantity,a significant influence on the capturing rate could be demonstrated for the 6 factors mentioned above, the embolus diameter was the strongest influencing factor. In CA with diameters of 4,5,6,7 mm, the 8-wire filter captured (90?7)%, (91?8)%, (81?8)%,and (68?9)% of 0.5 mm emboli and (93?4)%, (95?6)%, (95?6)%,and (82?11)% of 1 mm emboli. In all, the smaller, the interlacing opening of the filter, the higher the capturing rate, and the presence of an embolus in a filter would decrease the capturing rate for the second embolus. Conclusion Retrievable artery filter is a promising cerebral protection device. The physical in vitro model is an effective alternative in studying the influence factors of the capturing rate of the filters.

Objective: To study the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 6 markers of microsatellite polymorphism on the chromosome 6 in T-cell lymphoma (TCL) to determine whether there existed tumor suppressor genes in the area related with the initiation and development of TCL. Methods: Six microsatellite polymorphism markers (D6S251, D6S275, D6S287, D6S267, D6S262, and D6S264) on the chromosome 6 were selected. We performed the amplification of microsatellite DNA with PCR, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining to detect LOH in 42 cases of T-cell lymphoma and the corresponding normal tissues. Results: LOH were detected at more than one locus in 13 out of 42 TCL patients (30.95%). Among the 6 loci, LOH occurred more frequently at D6S262 (10.3%), D6S287 (10.0%), and D6S267 (7.3%). No significant difference was found in LOH incidence between different clinicopathologic classifications (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The LOHs occur more frequently at markers D6S262, D6S287, and D6S267 on the chromosome 6q21 to 6q23. Cyclin C gene localized to chromosome 6q21 may be the candidate of tumor suppressor gene related with initiation and progression of TCL. Chromosome 6q21-6q23 may harbor a tumor suppressor locus which was related with TCL.

Child ; Humans ; Liver Failure ; therapy ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Plasma Exchange

Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; complications ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; etiology

Adult ; Cadmium ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; etiology ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure

Objective To study the arterial portography features and the impact on surgical treatment of children′s cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV). Methods Angiographic findings of the arterial portography of 6 children with CTPV and its impact on surgical treatment were retrospectively analyzed. Results Abrupt occlusion of the portal vein at the porta hepatis was revealed in 5 out of 6 cases, and a masslike network of intertwined veins around the porta hepatis and many small irregular veins radiating from the network to the liver were demonstrated. Both hepatopetal and reverse flow of collateral venous pathways were defined. Valuable information of correlative vessels for surgical treatment was obtained from all 6 angiographic findings. ConclusionChildren′s CTPV have very characteristic angiographic findings, which can be very helpful for surgical management.

Objective To investigate the status of Kachin-Beck diseage(KBD)in Xi'an and provide a scientific basis for decision-making in controlling the disease.Methods According to original disease data of KBD,children aged 7 to 12 were chosen to receive clinical and X-ray examination according to the KBD monitoring standard stipulated by the government in 6 villages of 3 countries in Xi'an.The local adults were elinically diagnosed and divided into different groups according to the clinical degrees and their ages.Resuhs Among 373 schod children who had clinical examinations,15 early cases were detected,and the detectable rate was 4.02%(15/373);Among 325 school childrenundergoning by X-ray,1 case was detected,and the detectable rate was 0.31%(1/325).In 5630 adults clinically tested,1402 patients were detected,the detectable rate was 24.90%(1402/5630).The patients distributed mainly in the population aged above 36 years old.Conclusions The situation of KBD control is still serious in Xi'an city.KBD monitoring and health education should be carried on.Furdher Tesearch on treatment methods and drug therapy should be performed.

Objective To compare the effects of nasogastric tube and spiral nasointestinal tube on patients with severe brain injury. Methods Pa?tients receiving enteral nutrition with spiral nasointestinal tube or nasogastric tube were collected and investigated to evaluate the two schemes of en?teral nutrition from aspects of coma score,nutrition improvement,and catheter complications and so on. Results Detection of levels of total protein and prealbumin were conducted for all patients at 7 and 15 days after intubation. Each index was higher in the spiral nasointestinal tube group than in the nasogastric tube group. The reflux and aspiration rate was lower in the spiral nasointestinal tube group than in the nasogastric tube group. The dif?ferences were significant(P<0.05). Conclusion Using spiral nasointestinal tube to give enteral nutrition in patients with severe brain injury can improve the nutritional status,reduce complications,which is more contributory to the recovery.