Objective To review the clinical features and diagnosis of syphilitic aortic aneurysm .Methods A case of syphilitic aortic aneurysm was reported and the relevant literatures were reviewed .Results The patient showed progressive hoarse and heart murmurs and was diagnosed by computed tomographic angiography of aorta and syphilis serology test .In the era of antibiotics ,syphilitic aortic aneurysm is a very rare and dangerous case with covert onset ,various manifestations and high mortality .Conclusions The prevalence of late cardiovascular syphilis is increasing with the increase of early-onset syphilis and HIV epidemic .Syphilis serologic test should be available for the young patients with aortic aneurysm even though the risk factors of coronary heart disease are not present .Medical and surgical treatments for syphilis should be provided for the patients who are clinically suspected of syphilitic aortic aneurysm .

Objective To study the effectiveness of postoperative radiotherapy and prognostic factors of soft tissue sarcoma. Methods Sixty-four soft tissue sarcoma patients admitted from June 1987 to May 1997 were treated by complete,partial or extended resection and postoperative external beam radiotherapy. Fourty-eight patients received 1.8～2.0?Gy/fraction,5 f/w, to a dose of 40～72?Gy (median 60?Gy). Sixteen patients received 1.2～1.5?Gy/f, bid, 6 hr interval to a dose of 64.8～85.0?Gy (median 66.5?Gy). The 5-year survival and locoregional control rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Logrank test and Cox regression were used to study the significance of predictive factors. Results The overall 5-year survival and locoregional control rates were 60.2%, 57.9% respectively. Those of the conventional group and hyperfractionated group were 54.3% and 61.9% vs 64.3% and 42.9% ,respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that histologic grade, size and site of the primary tumor, fractionation of radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors for survival. Conclusions Complete or extended resection followed by radiotherapy are satisfactory for soft tissue sarcoma. Histologic grade , size, site of the primary tumor and method of fractionation were prognostic factors.

Objective To discuss MRI characteristics of dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum.Methods MRI manifesta-tions of 13 cases with dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum verified by operation and pathology were analyzed retrospectively. Results All of 13 cases were located in the cerebellar hemisphere and vermis.The lesions presented striated pattern of iso-intensity signal and hypo-intensity signal on T1-weighted images.The sign of tiger stripes was the feature in dysplastic gangliocytoma on T2-weighted and FLAIR images.All of the tumors showed slightly striated enhancement after intravenous administration of contrast agent.The mass effects of dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum along with the forth ventricle and brain stem oppressed were seen in all cases.NAA was mildly reduced on magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)in 7 cases of dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum.Conclusion There are distinctive manifestations in MRI images for dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum,which has crucial diagnostic value before operation.

Objective To measure the expression of Caspase-3 and P-gp in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adjacent tissues, and to examine these two proteins' relationships with HCC clinical and pathological characteristics and the associations between the two proteins. Methods The expression of Caspase-3 and P-gp were measured in 50 HCC tissues and adjacent tissues by EnvisionTM immunohistochemistry. HCC clinic and pathological characteristics and follow-up data were also collected and analyzed. Results The expression of Caspase-3 in HCC tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent tissues(P <0.05). The expression of Caspase-3 in HCC tissues was significantly associated with HCC's Edmonson grade and the presence of hepatitis envelope(P <0.05). On the other hand, the expression of P-gp in HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues( P <0.05 ). P-gp expression in HCC tissues was significantly correlated with HCC's Edmonson grade and the presence of cirrhosis(P < 0.05 ). The expression of Caspase-3 and P-gp was negatively correlated ( r = - 0. 600,P = 0.000). A better prognosis was observed among HCC patients with either positive Caspase-3 expression or negative P-gp expression(P < 0.05). Conclusion Caspase-3 may promote apoptosis and inhibit the development of HCC, while P-gp may have an anti-apoptosis function and play a role in HCC's drug resistance. P-gp can inhibit the function of Caspase-3 and an absence or low expression of Caspase-3 may be related to apoptosis resistance and multidrug resistance.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Mucosa ; surgery ; Nasal Septum ; pathology ; Rhinoplasty ; Tissue Transplantation ; Treatment Outcome

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To observe the effect of high glucose on the protein expression of calreticulin ( CRT) and its association with cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in the cardiomyocytes.METHODS: AC-16 cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into normal glucose group, high glucose group, high glucose+CRT siRNA group and isotonic con-trol group.The cell apoptotic rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential level, respiratory enzyme activity, and protein expression of CRT were observed.RESULTS: Compared with the cardiomyocytes in normal glucose group, the apoptotic rate and ROS production of cardiomyocytes increased in high glucose group, accompanying with the decreases in the mitochondrial membrane potential level and enzyme activitiy of the respiratory chain.The protein expression of CRT was significantly increased in high glucose group.However, compared with high glucose group, high glucose+CRT siRNA decreased the expression of CRT and attenuated the damage of mitochondria, but CRT siRNA did not reduce the ROS level in cardiomyocytes.CONCLUSION:High glucose brings about CRT over-expression to induce mito-chondrial injury, thus increasing myocardial apoptosis.

Objective To assess the echocardiographic characteristics of embolism and in-hospital mortality in patients with infective endocarditis using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE).Methods Retrospective review of 124 patients with native valve infective endocarditis was performed to examine its characteristics by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D TTE),multi-plane and 3D TEE.The primary endpoint was embolism and mortality that occurred within one month before or after operation.The combined simple score was calculated by assigning 1 point each for the presence of large vegetation,abscess or fistula,rupture of valvular chord,moderated or severe valvular regurgitation and perforation or serious valvular destruction.Hosmer and area under the curve was calculated to predict embolism and adverse events with the combined simple score,length of vegetation,serious valvular destruction with abnormal morphology.Results In 124 patients,embolic events occured in 27 cases (27/124,21.77％).Multi-plane and 3D TEE can identify the exact location and length of vegetation compared with 2D TTE,which miss-diagnosed vegetation in left atrium and papillary muscle.The clinical presentation of embolism patients was remarkable for lower hemoglobin level (P＜0.05).The ratio of multi-located vegetation,mortality and serious valvular destruction with abnormal morphology were higher in embolism and adverse events patients than those in non-embolism and adverse events patients (all P＜0.05).The area under the curve of combined simple score,lengh of vegetation for embolisms and adverse events and serious valve destruction with abnormal morphology for embolism and adverse events were 0.65 (P=0.06),0.60 (P=0.19)) and 0.70 (P=0.03).Conclusion Multi-plan and 3D TEE plays a key role in the diagnosis of patients with infecitive endocarditis,especially vegetations in occasional location.Serious valve destruction with abnormal morphology is associated with embolism and adverse events.

Objective To explore the significance of the plasma procalcitonin (PCT) level for directing antibiotic therapy in elderly patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).Methods The 50 elderly patients with VAP were randomly separated into the regular therapy group and the PCT-directed therapy group. The regular therapy group was given regular antibiotic therapy, while the antibiotic therapy was decided according to the plasma level of PCT in the PCT-directed therapy group. The used time and utilization rate of antibiotics, as well as inflammatory indicators including white blood cells, neutrophils, C-reactive protein (CRP) and clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) were compared between the two groups. Results After treatment, there were no significant differences in white blood cells, neutrophils and CRP between the PCT-directed therapy group and regular therapy group [(8.9 ± 3.5 ) × 109/L vs. (9.4 ± 3.7) × 109/L, 0.62 ± 0.04 vs.0.60±0.04, (18.7±8.5) mg/Lvs. (21.6±6.0) mg/L, t=0.47, 1.84 and 1.37, allP＞0.05],but the CPIS was markedly lower in PCT-directed therapy group than in regular therapy group [(4.0± 1.4) scores vs. (4.7± 1.0) scores, t= 2. 18, P＜0.05]. The neutrophils, CRP and CPIS were significantly lower after treatment than before in the both groups. The concentration of PCT was decreased after treatment than before [(0.5 ± 0.9) mg/L vs. (1.7 ± 0.7) mg/L]. Meanwhile, the time using antibiotics was longer in regular treatment group than in PCT-directed therapy group [(8.72±1.32) d vs. (5.17±0.72) d, t=11.96, P＜0.01], the utilization rate of antibiotics was higher (95.2 % vs. 55.2 %, χ2 = 12.41, P＜0.01) in regular treatment group. Conclusions Using PCT levels for directing treatment in elderly patients with VAP can achieve better curative effect and reduce the use of antibiotics.

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening has been shown to decrease the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the immunochemical fecal occult blood test (i-FOBT) in diagnosing CRC were assessed among the patients in a tertiary referral hospital in Malaysia. A total sample of 814 patients aged 16 to 85 years old who performed i-FOBT and endoscopic screenings was obtained. The patients were recruited for a retrospective investigation. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were derived for the CRC screenees. Out of the 814 patients screened using i-FOBT, half of them were above 59 years old (49.6%), and 36% had positive i-FOBT. Gender distribution was almost equal, where 53.4% of the patients were female, and 46.6% were male. Majority of the patients were Malays (56.6%), followed by Chinese (24.0%), Indians (16.5%), and others (2.9%). Among the 71 patients referred for colonoscopy, 57.7% and 42.3% corresponded to positive and negative i-FOBT cases, respectively. Polyps were found to be most common among the patients (25.6%), 7.0% were found positive for invasive CRC, and 35.2% had normal colonoscopic findings. There was a significant association between colonoscopic finding and positive i-FOBT (p=0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for CRC detection were 66.7%, 43.0%, 9.8%, and 93.3%, respectively. The results indicate that i-FOBT is a useful tool in the detection of abnormalities in the lower gastrointestinal tract and therefore serves as a cornerstone for potential large-scale screening programmes.

Objective To investigate the clinical values of central venous pressure (CVP) versus stroke volume variation (SVV) in patients with severe sepsis after early goal-directed therapy (EGDT).Methods Totally 30 mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis who underwent goal-achieved EGDT were enrolled and randomly divided into CVP group (study group) and SVV group (control group) according to the data detected by pulse contour continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) analysis device.The differences in 28-day survival,3-day APACHE Ⅱ score,time of ICU stay,duration of mechanical ventilation,number that need CRRT,entral venous pressure (CVP),heart end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI),intrathoracic blood volume index (ITBVI),extravascular lung water index (EVLWI),cardiac index (CI),central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2),lactate clearance rate and APACHE Ⅱ score were compared between the 2 groups.Results The death rate had no difference between the 2 groups(x2=0.240,P=0.624).Among survival patients in the CVP group,the time of ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation were shorter in study group than in control group(t=2.166,P=0.041;t=2.104,P=0.046),APACHE Ⅱ score at 3th day was decreased(t=2.20,P =0.038).The values of ITBVI,GEDVI,CI,lactate clearance rate were higher in study group than in control group (t=2.759,2.146,2.199,2.654,3.362,P=0.011,0.043,0.038,0.014,0.003).EVLWI and APACHE Ⅱ score were not different (P＞0.05) between the two groups.Conclusions SVV as a recovery target for fluid resuscitation can reach a better recovery results and improvement of prognosis than CVP goal-achieved EGDT.