ObjectiveTo assess the clinical features of noncompaction of ventricular myocardium (NVM) in children. Methods The clinical data from ifve children with NVM were analyzed, including clinical manifestations, ultrasonic cardio-gram(UCG), electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, the process of diagnosis and treatment, and follow up.Results In ifve patients (3 boys and 2 girls) aged 3 months to 12 years, four of them were hospitalized because of pneumonia with heart failure. None of the ifve patients had thromboembolism. Heart enlargement was observed in all ifve patients on chest X-ray. By 2D ultrasonography, 2 patients had cardiac apex involvement, and 3 patients showed involvement of left ventricular wall and interventricular septum. In one patient, congenital partial defect of the endocardial cushion was observed. All patients were followed up for 3 to 36 months. One patient died of heart failure, 3 patients survived, and one patient was lost to follow-up.Conclusions The common clinical manifestation of NVM is the heart failure. UCG is preferred for NVM diagnosis. In children with refractory pneumonia and heart failure, NVM should be suspected.

?AlM: To investigate theprotective effect of melatonin against hydrogen peroxide ( H2 O2 )-induced oxidative damage to human lens epithelial cells.
?METHODS: Sub-culture human lens epithelial cells preprocessed with different concentrations of melatonin for 12h and then 100 μmol/L H2 O2 for 24h. The impact of melatonin on H2 O2-induced lens epithelial cell viability was detected by MTT assay, rate of apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry instrument and activity of apoptosis-related factors, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, were detected by colorimetric method.
?RESULTS: MTT assay showed that melatonin had no effect on the activity of lens epithelial cells, and the drug can inhibit the decrease of H2 O2-induced cell activity, as well as flow cytometry showed that melatonin can inhibit H2 O2-induced apoptosis. ln addition, melatonin can also reduce H2 O2-induced Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 activity in lens epithelial cells, and their activity decreased with effect of melatonin along with extending time.
?CONCLUSlON: Melatonin can obviously inhibit H2 O2 -induced apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells, which provide reliable experimental basis for drug on treatment of cataract.

ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for syncope in children with orthostatic intolerance (OI).Methods The clinical data from 136 children with OI were retrospectively analyzed. The children were divided into syncope group and non-syncope group based on the existence of syncope. Results Among the 136 children, 77 children (56.62%) had syncope and 59 children (43.38%) did not have syncope. The differences in BMI, prevalence of inducement of prolonged standing, prevalence of accompanied symptoms of blurred vision/ blacking out, cold sweating and pallor, prevalence of the history of motion sickness and blood flow velocity of MCA were statistically significant between two groups (P<0.05). Conclusions Children with OI who has low BMI, inducement of prolonged standing, accompanied symptoms of blurred vision/ blacking out, cold sweating and pallor, the history of motion sickness, and fast blood flow velocity of MCA, are prone to syncope.

Objective To establish VX2 hepatic carcinoma model in rabbits by implanting the tumor fragment into the liver through percutaneous puncture under ultrasound guidance and to observe its growing and metastatic characteristics, to determine the optimal time for interventional experiment study with the model. Methods Inoculation of VX2 carcinoma fragment was performed in 28 New Zealand white rabbits. PET/CT and ultrasonography (US) examinations were carried out in the second, third and forth week after the inoculation, and each time two tumor-bearing rabbits were sacrificed for pathologic study. Results The successful rate of model establishment was 89.28% (25/28). On PET or CT scans, single lesion in the liver was demonstrated in 25 rabbits. Two, three and four weeks after the inoculation, the maximum diameter of the tumor was (4.82±0.80) mm, (16.05±2.89) mm and (30.08±5.38) mm respectively, while the metastasis rates was 0% (0/25), 13.04% (3/23), 76.19% (16/21) respectively. No significant necrosis was found in the second week after inoculation, only tiny coagulation necrosis was revealed in the third week, and massive necrosis was seen in the forth week. Conclusion Percutaneous inoculation of the tumor fragment into the liver under ultrasonographic guidance is a simple method to establish VX2 hepatic carcinoma in rabbits with a high successful rate. The third week after inoculation is the suitable time for making interventional experiment study.

Objective To investigate clinical features and risk factors for recurrent syncope in children with orthostatic intolerance.Methods Patients with orthostatic intolerance and syncope admitted in the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2014 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed by using t test,Chi -square test,and Fisher′s exact probability method.According to frequency of syncope,all cases were divided into 2 groups,the occasio-nal syncope group and the recurrent syncope group.All risk factors including age,gender,body mass index(BMI),in-ducement,the history of motion sickness,family history,syncope -related injuries,performance of head -up tilt table test,and outcomes of head -up tilt table test were studied statistically and compared within 2 different groups.Results A total of 83 cases were enrolled in this study.Among these children,33 cases(39.76%)were assigned as occasio-nal syncope group,in which 17 cases were male and 16 cases were female and the age ranged from 6 to 18 years with the average age of (9.70 ±2.87)years;50 cases(60.24%)were assigned as recurrent syncope group,in which 27 ca-ses were male and 23 cases were female and the age ranged from 6 to 18 years with the average age of (11.24 ±2.83) years.Of all the investigated risk factors,the BMI and the history of motion sickness were significantly different between 2 groups[(18.84 ±3.49)kg/m2 vs (18.16 ±3.68)kg/m2 ,t =4.82,P =0.001;39.39%(13 /33 cases)vs 70.00%(35 /50 cases),χ2 =7.64,P =0.006].No significant difference was found in age distribution(6 -9 years,10 -14 years,15 -18 years)between 2 groups(P =0.428).There were no significant differences in gender (male /female), family history,or syncope -related injuries between 2 groups[17 /16 cases vs 27 /23 cases;3.03%(1 /33 cases)vs 10.00%(5 /50 cases);15.15%(5 /33 cases)vs 20.00%(10 /50 cases),all P >0.05].And no significant difference was found in inducement (prolonged standing,body posture change,emotional stress/emotional stimuli,muggy environ-ment,movement)between 2 groups [78.79% (23 /33 cases)vs 72.00% (36 /50 cases);9.09% (3 /33 cases)vs 14.00%(7 /50 cases);3.03%(1 /33 cases)vs 6.00%(3 /50 cases);12.12% (4 /33 cases)vs 10.00% (5 /50 cases);3.03%(1 /33 cases)and 12.00%(6 /50 cases),all P >0.05].And performances of head -up tilt table test (blurred vision/blacked out,nausea/vomiting,sweating,dizzy/headache,palpation,anhelation /chest tightness,hot, weak)between 2 groups showed no significant differences[18.18%(6 /33 cases)vs 12.00%(6 /50 cases);36.36%(12 /33 cases)vs 50.00%(25 /50 cases);24.24%(8 /33 cases)vs 26.00%(13 /50 cases);51.52%(17 /33 cases) vs 58.00%(29 /50 cases);6.06%(2 /33 cases)vs 16.00%(8 /50 cases);27.27%(9 /33 cases)vs 22.00%(11 /33 cases);33.33%(11 /33 cases)vs 32.00%(16 /50 cases);12.12%(4 /33 cases)vs 16.00%(8 /50 cases),all P >0.05].Also there were no significant differences in outcomes of head -up tilt table test between 2 groups(P =0.589). Conclusions The risk factors for recurrent syncope in children with orthostatic intolerance were low BMI and the his-tory of motion sickness for such children,and more positive and effective clinical intervention can improve the living quality of children with orthostatic intolerance to some extent.

A strain Actinobacillus succinogenes CGMCC 1593 was selected as the parent strain.After UV-EMS and UV-DES treatments respectively,seven mutated strains with subtle improvements in acid tol-erance were obtained,and were subjected for recursive protoplast fusion.Through three rounds of genome shuffling,four shuffled strains with both higher yield and acid tolerance were obtained.The shuffled strain namely F3-21 could even survive at pH 5.2.The comparison of the shuffled strains and the parent strain for succinic acid production was also studied here.After 48 h of shake-flask fermentation,the succinic acid concentration of F3-21 was 48% higher than that of the parent strain.When F3-21 was carried out in a 5 liter stirred bioreactor with pH controlled 5.6~6.0,the accumulation of succinic acid in 48 h fermentation attained 38.1 g/L,which was increased by 45% compared with that of the parent strain(26.2 g/L).While pH was controlled at 6.5~7.0,the production of succinic acid in 32 h fermentation attained 40.7 g/L.When F3-21 was carried out in fed-batch fermentation,succinic acid concentration of 67.4 g/L was reached in 72 h fer-mentation.These results indicated that the genome shuffling could improve the acid tolerance and the suc-cinic acid production of A.succinogenes CGMCC 1593.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of balloon-assisted catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) for acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT).Methods From September 2008 to February 2011,94 patients with acute lower extremity DVT were admitted.The cases in early stage were treated by CDT (Group A,n =50),and the cases in late stage were treated by balloon-assisted CDT ( Group B,n =44).The clinical data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.The circumference difference between normal and affected limbs,scores of venous patency,and rates of venous patency were recorded for judging the efficacy.The total dose of urokinase and retention time of infusion catheter was compared between the two groups.The incidence of pulmonary embolism and bleeding were used to judge the safety of treatment.The venous patency was followed up by ultrasound or/and venography.Measurement data with normal distribution was described by mean + standard,and was analyzed using T test.Measurement data with non-normal distribution was described by M ( QL,QU ),QL =P25,QU =P75,and was analyzed using Wilcoxon' s test.Categorical variable data was analyzed using Chi-Square test Results The prior treatment circunfference difference between normal and affectéd limbs were (5.37 ±1.97) cm (thigh) & (4.14 ± 1.57) cm (calf) in Group A and (5.41±2.22) cm (thigh) & (4.05 ±1.61) cm (calf) in Group B ; and the difference between the groups was insignificant ( thigh:t =- 0.113,P=0.910; calf:t =0.288,P =0.774).The post treatment correspondences were:(2.96 ± 1.10) cm (thigh) & ( 1.93 ± 0.84 ) cm (calf) in Group A and ( 1.78 ± 1.40) cm ( thigh ) & ( 1.41± 1.17 ) cm (calf) in Group B; the difference between the groups was significant (thigh:t =4.66,P ＜0.0001; calf:t =2.548,P =0.012 ).The prior treatment score of venous patency was 9 (8,10) in Group A and 8.3(7,10) in Group B without significant difference (Z =- 1.5172,P =0.1292).The post treatment score of venous patency was 3.5 ( 2,5 ) in Group A and 0 ( 0,1) in Group B with significant difference ( Z =-5.7702,P ＜0.01).The rate of venous patency after the treatment was 55.0％ (42.3％,72.4％ ) in Group A and 100％ (88.5％,100％ ) in Group B,with significant difference ( Z =4.9148,P ＜ 0.01).The total dose of urokinase used in the treatment was 5.950 ( 5.525,7.225 ) × 106U in Group A and 4.100 (3.600,5.050) × 106U in Group B with significant difference (Z =-6.0133,P ＜ 0.01).The retention time of perfusion catheter was 10 (9,12) d in Group A and 6 (5,7) d in Group B with significant difference ( Z =- 8.0358,P ＜ 0.01).No symptomatic pulmonary embolism occurred in both groups during the treatment and follow-up period.The rate of bleeding complication was 38.0％ (19/50) in Group A and 22.3％ (10/44) in Group B,without significant difference (x2 =2.5590,P =0.1097 ).The removal rate of optional filter was 88.37％ (38/43) in Group A and 100％ (39/39) in Group B,with significant difference ( x2 =4.829,P =0.028 ).The rate of venous patency at the last follow-up point was 50.0％ (44.4％,59.2％ ) in Group A,and 95.4％ (83.6％,100％ ) in Group B,with significant difference (Z =- 3.2721,P =0.0011).Conclusions Balloon-assisted CDT was a promising treatment for acute lower-extremity DVT.It improved the effect of thrombolysis and reduced the dosage of urokinase,and did not increase the risk of pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the material base and underlying mechanism of the effect of cluster needling of scalp acupuncture on the neuronal plasticity in rats with focal cerebral infarction.

METHODSThe model rats with acute cerebral infarction were made by blocking the middle cerebral artery with monofilament. One hundred and thirty two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operation group (A), model group (B), point-to-point scalp acupuncture group (C) and cluster-needling of scalp acupunture group (D). Puncturing from "Baihui (GV 20)" to "Qubin (GB 7)" was used in group C. Cluster needling of scalp acupuncture was used in group D, in which needles were inserted forward and slantingly into "Baihui (GV 20)" and its left and right sides at 4 mm. In both groups, the treatment was carried out with rapid twirling reinforcing-reducing for 1 min then retaining needle for 30 min, once a day, 6 days in one course, for treating 4 courses. There was no treatment for group A and B. The change of neurological function was evaluated with Bederson score, while the expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) in the ischemic penumbra was examined with immunohistochemistry (streptavidin-peroxidase method).

RESULTSIn comparison,with group B, the score of neurological function in group D decreased on 7th day (P<0.05), while the scors in group C and D also decreased on 14th and 28th days (both P<0.05). As compared with group C, the score of neurological function in group D obviously decreased on 28th days (P<0. 05). Comparing with group B, the expression of MAP-2 on the ischemic cortex was significantly increased in group D and C on 7th, 14th and 28th days (all P<0. 05), however, this expression in group D was higher than that in group C on 14th and 28th days (P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONCluster needling of scalp acupuncture can improve the neurological function of rats with focal cerebral infarction, and increase the expression of MAP-2 in the ischemic penumbra.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Animals ; Cerebral Infarction ; ethnology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Scalp

OBJECTIVETo discuss the pathological and clinical characteristics,methods of therapies and perioperative considerations of cervicothoracic spinal fractures and dislocations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODSThirteen patients with ankylosing spondylitis and cervicothoracic spinal fractures and dislocations were treated from January 2001 to March 2009, including 11 males and 2 females,aged varied from 33 to 60 years (mean 46) in 11 males and from 36 to 59 years (mean 47.5) in 2 females respectively. The symptom duration of AS was from 12 to 27 years (means 14.5 years). The chief complains were pain around cervical part and shoulder blades, some accompanied with decrease of motor power and sensation in upper or lower limbs. Spine radiographs revealed a displaced fracture of cervicothoracic spine. Laboratory examination presented positive results of HLA-B27 test. Fusion of fracture and ASIA neurological function grade variation were observed.

RESULTA total of 13 patients, who underwent operation, were followed up for 12 to 43 months(means 35.6 months). There were 6 patients were treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, 4 with anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion, 1 with laminectomy and fusion and 2 with combined anterior and posterior stabilisation. The bone fusion were observed after reduction of fractures and dislocations ultimately. Twelve patients acquired an improved neurological status in different degrees, and only one suffered from persistent neurological impairment loss. The complications occurred in 5 cases during perioperation.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggests that most cervicothoracic spinal fractures and dislocations in patients with AS are extremely unstable and require operations. If operative method is proper and operative process accurate, either anterior,posterior or combined approach can achieve good spinal myeloid functional recovery with low rates of operative complications occurrence, under the guidence of imaging manifestation.

Adult ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; complications ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo discuss the urine biomarkers in 1,3-butadiene exposed workers, and to provide basement for establishing biological limit value.

METHODS44 BD exposed workers as exposure group and 25 BD non-exposed people as control group including 12 workers in boiler workshop in the same factory and 13 people in one public institute, we collected their in-end-of shift urine, then detected urine BD-derived mercapturic metabolites [3,4-dihydroxybutyl mercapturic acid (DHBMA),1- and 2-monohydroxy-3-butenyl mercapturic acid (MHBMA)] concentrations using UPLC-MS/MS method. Meanwhile, we detected air BD concentration with GC-FID in the workplace, and compared their relationship.

RESULTSlgDHBMA and lg (MHBMA + DHBMA) levels in exposed group (lgDHBMA: 2.51 ± 0.44) µg/L, lg [MHBMA + DHBMA: (2.68 ± 0.27) µg/L] were higher than which in control group (lgDHBMA: (2.20 ± 0.25) µg/L, lg(MHBMA + DHBMA: (2.49 ± 0.34) µg/L), and the differences were significant (P < 0.01). Urine DHBMA was obviously influenced by air BD concentrations (r = 0.539, P = 0.001). The equation of Multiple Regression Analysis was y = 2.417 + 0.520x (x represents air BD dose, and represents urinary DHBMA level). Adjusted R(2) of this model was 0.262. Urinary MHBMA was not affected by smoking, alcohol and years of works.

CONCLUSIONUrine metabolite DHBMA in BD-exposed workers might be major biological exposure indice.

Adult ; Biomarkers ; urine ; Butadienes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Surveys and Questionnaires