Objective To investigate the efficacy of the hospital intensive treatment by auto-CPAP on elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and to analyse the possible factors related to the effectiveness.Methods Subjects were selected from elderly OSAHS patients over 60 years old.The eligible subjects were divided into intensive treatment group and non-intensive treatment group (non-ITG).Patients in intensive treatment group were intensively treated using auto-CPAP for 3 consecutive days,assisted with targeted health education and guidance,and making proper adjustments to parameters of the auto-CPAP according to treatment outcomes at the previous day.But those in non-intensive treatment group were just treated with auto-CPAP for only 1 day,supplemented by regular health education and guidance.The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI),minimum oxygen saturation (SaO2min),mean oxygen saturation (SaO2mean) and the time spent at SaO2 lower than 90％ (tSaO2＜90％),the occurrence of clinical symptoms and adverse effect,Epworth sleepiness scale(ESS) were compared between both groups.The correlation analyses were also conducted.Results ESS (3.58±3.76 vs.6.84 ± 3.22),AHI [(7.85±6.53) time/h vs.(10.42±7.27) time/h] and tSaO2＜90％[(5.65±15.43) min vs.(15.26±33.14) min] were lower(t=6.902,2.760,2.765,allP＜0.05),while SaO2mean [(96.57±1.53)％ vs.(94.63±1.38)％] and SaO2min [(88.24±4.43)％ vs.(83.28±5.06)％]were higher(t=-9.870,-7.740,both P＜0.05)in intensive treatment group than in non intensive treatment group.The occurrences of clinical symptoms and adverse effect (except for skin allergy) were decreased in intensive treatment group versus non-ITG (all P＜0.05).The AHI after intensive treatment was decreased in females versus males [(7.85±5.19) times /h vs.(11.27±7.78) times/h,t=2.133,P＜0.05].BMI,age,gender and the state of OSAHS were correlated to AHI,SaO2 mean,SaO2 min and tSao2＜90％ after intensive treatment (all P＜0.05).Conclusions The hospital intensive treatment can improve the clinical results and decrease the occurrences of clinical symptoms and adverse effect for elderly OSAHS patients,and is expected to improve therapy compliance,and its curative efficacy is correlated to BMI,age,gender and state of OSAHS before therapy.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of acupuncture on rat model with damp-heat syndrome.MethodsThe combined use of high fat diet,damp-heat environment and infection of bacillus coli was adopted to establish rat models with damp-heat syndrome.A 10-day acupuncture treatment was given to the models.Results Changes can be found in both symptoms and signs of the model rat,which were held to meet the features of damp-heat syndrome.Moreover,abnormity can be found in the expression of the whole blood viscosity [(2.95 ±0.18)、(3.31±0.20)、(9.52±0.53)]mPa ? s,the expression of SOD and MDA of the blood serum and the skin [(4.21 ± 0.3)、(8.51 ± 0.42)]mPa ? s and [( 1.35 ± 0.16)、(1.26 ± 0.20)]mPa ? s.under high,medium and low shear rate.And improvements can be found in the expression of the whole blood viscosity [(2.70± 0.15)、(2.98 ±0.27)、(8.93 ± 0.80)]mPa ? s,the expression of SOD and MDA of the blood serum and the skin [(4.52 ± 0.26)、(7.00 - 0.62)]mPa ? s,[( 1.49 ± 0.12)、( 1.05 ± 0.24)]mPa ? s under high,medium and low shear rate.Conclusion Acupuncture at Yinlingquan (SP9) and Neiting (ST44) can improve the high blood viscosity situation of rat model with damp-heat syndrome,and enhance the ability of the body to eliminate hyperoxide as well.

Objective To discuss the value of Visfatin in severity evaluation in patients with severe pneumonia via observation on the variations of the plasma level of Visfatin. Method Seventy subjects including 40 patients with severe pneumonia ( group A) and 30 patients with non-severe pneumonia (group B) admitted to the ICU of emergency department and general wards from June 2009 to June 2010, were enrolled in this prospective study, and another 30 healthy individuals from physical examinees were included as subjects in control group (group C). Patients with severe diseases of heart, brain and kidney, cancers, autoimmune disease, or under special treatment in latest one month were excluded. For the subjects of all three groups, the plasma levels of Visfatin, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were measured by using ELISA, while the level of CRP was assayed by using immunoturbidimetry, and the routine blood test was performed as well. The blood gas analysis and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ ( APACHE Ⅱ) were carried out in patients with pneumonia. Comparisons between groups were made by t-tests, ANOVA or nonparametric test. Correlation analysis was carried out by Pearson correlation coefficient or Spearman rank correlation test. Results The plasma level of Visfatin in patients with severe pneumonia (group A) was significantly higher than that in patients with non-severe pneumonia (group B) and in the control subjects (group C) (P < 0. 01) , and the level of Visfatin in pneumonia ( group B) and in control group (group C) , and that in group B was significantly higher than that in the controls (group C) (P <0. 01). In group A, the plasma level of Visfatin was positively correlated with CRP, TNF-α, APACHE Ⅱ and PMN% (rha =0. 653, r = 0.554, r = 0.558, r= 0.484, P <0. 05), while negatively correlated with PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 ( rha = -0.422, r= -0.543, P <0. 05). Conclusions Visfatin may be involved in the systemic inflammation response in severe pneumonia as a pro-inflammatory cytokine which is valuable in assessing the severity of pneumonia.

Objective To determine the level of adiponectin (APN) in serum and induced sputum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease both during acute exacerbation (AECOPD) and silent stage, and investigate APN' s role as a marker of inflammation in the pathogenesis of COPD. Method From October 2008 to October 2009,30 male AECOPD patients in the emergency department, 30 male silent COPD patients in the department of respiratory diseases and 30 healthy nonsmoking male volunteers were included. All subjects' serum and induced sputum were collected, and they were all of normal weight(BMI range of 18.5～ 24.9 kg/m2). Patients were excluded if they suffered from severe bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis or autoimmune disease. The number of cells in induced sputum was counted and the cell type was classified. The concentrations of APN, IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-α in both serum and sputum were measured by using ELISA, and their pulmonary function was tested. The different groups were compared among them by using the t -tests, ANOVA analysis or nonparametric analysis, the relation between variables was assessed by using the Pearson or Spearman correlation test. Results The concentrations of APN in both serum and induced sputum of AECOPD patients were significantly higher than those in the silent COPD patients and the control subjects ( P ＜ 0.01 ). The concentrations of APN in the silent COPD patients were significantly higher than those in the control subjects ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). There were significant relationships between the concentrations of APN in serum and induced sputum and the levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in AECOPD patients ( r = 0.739, 0. 734,0.852 and 0. 857, respectively, P ＜ 0. 05) and in silent COPD patients ( r = 0.751,0.659, 0.707 and 0.867, respectively, P ＜0.05). There was significant relation betweenship between APN and neutrophil in induced sputum of AECOPD patients (r = 0.439, P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions APN was involved in the process of systemic and airway inflammation of COPD, and it was related with IL-8 and TNF-α. APN can be used as a new inflammation marker for COPD.

Objective To evaluate the effect of limb remote ischaemic preconditioning on pul-monary function in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement surgery with cardiopulmonary by-pass.Methods Seventy patients,32 males and 38 females,aged 18-70 years,weighing 45-90 kg, ASA physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ,scheduled for elective cardiac valve replacement surgery with cardiopul-monary bypass,were divided into 2 groups using a random number table,35 in each group.Patients in group R received three cycles of right upper-limb 5 min ischemia (blood-pressure cuff inflation to≥ 200 mm Hg)and 5 min reperfusion (blood-pressure cuff deflation to 0 mm Hg)at 10 min after in-tubation.In group C,the cuff was placed around the arm but not inflated.At 10 min after intubation (T0),at 1 h after aortic declamping (T1)and at 6 h (T2),12 h (T3),24 h (T4)after surgery,arte-rial blood was sampled to conduct gas analysis,PaO2/FiO2ratio and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (A-aDO2)were calculated,and the dynamic lung compliance (Cd)and static lung compliance (Cs) were also recorded.The occurrence of pulmonary adverse events was recorded until discharge. Results Compared with T0,PaO2/FiO2was decreased in the two groups at T1-T4,A-aDO2was de-creased at T2-T4,Cs and Cd were increased in group C at T3,and were increased in group R at T2, T3(P<0.05).Compared with group C,the Cs and Cd at T2,T3were increased in group R.There were no significant differences between the two groups in the PaO2/FiO2,A-aDO2at T0-T4.The oc-currence of the pulmonary adverse events was decreased significantly in group R than in group C (P<0.05).The occurrence of pulmonary adverse events was declined significantly in group R than in group C (P<0.05).Conclusion Limb remote ischemic preconditioning can improve the lung compli-ance and reduce the occurrence of the pulmonary adverse events in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement surgery.

Objective To investigate the epidemiology of viral infection in elderly patients to contract acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD)in Minhang district of Shanghai from 2010 to 2012,and to study the relationships between viral infection and clinical features.Methods The elderly patients (age >70 year old)with AECOPD admitted from September 2010 to November 2012 were enrolled for study.The patients who couldn't complete lung function test were excluded.The pharyngeal swabs (PS)were taken from each patient within the first 24 h after admission.Nine respiratory viruses and their subtypes from pharyngeal swabs were detected by the nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)method,including influenza virus A (FluA),2009 influenza A (H1N1 )virus (09FluH1 ), influenza virus B (FluB),respiratory syncytial virus A (RSVA)and B (RSVB),human coronavirus-229E (hCOV-229E),human coronavirus-NL63 (hCOV-NL63 ),human coronavirus-OC43 (hCOV-OC43 ), human coronavirus-HKU1 (hCOV-HKU1),human parainfluenza virus 1-4 (hPIV1-4),human adenovirus (hAdV),human boca virus (hBoV),human metapneumo-virus (hMPV)and human rhinovirus (hRV). According to the PCR results,all patients were divided into positive viral infection group and negative viral infection group.The relationships between viral infection and clinical features were analyzed.Results Sixty patients were eligible for study.Of them,14 patients were found to be positive for virus infection including a triple infected patient (FluB,hRV and hROV)and 46 patients were negative for virus infection.The viral pathogens detected in the positive viral group were:9 cases of hRV (15.00%),2 cases of hPIV (3.33%),2 cases of hCOV (3.33%),2 cases of FluB (3.33%)and 1 cases of RSV (1.67%).The mortality in the positive viral group was higher than that in the negative viral group.However,the other clinical characteristics between the two groups had no significant differences. Conclusions Human rhinovirus was the most common viral pathogen in elderly patients with AECOPD.Viral infection might be associated with the prognosis.However,the patients with viral infection are lack of specific clinical characteristics,therefore,the prompt diagnosis before careful study would be difficult.

Objective To evaluate the value of serum procalcitonin(PCT)on antibiotics use in treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( AECOPD). Method From May 2004 to December 2006, a total of 235 patients requiring hospitalization for AECOPD were randomly assigned into two groups: standard therapy group(group A, n = 117)and PCT-guided group(group B, n = 118) .PCT levels of all patients were measured after hospital admission by an amplified cryptate emission technology assay. On the base of similarly normal treatment, group A received antibiotics according to the attending physicians,and group B were treated with antibiotics according to serum PCT levels:antibiotic treatment was applied with PCT level ≥0.25 ng/ml and was discouraged with PCT level ＜0.25 ng/ml. Length of hospitalization,clinical efficacy,costs of hospitalization and antibiotics, rate of antibiotics use, hospital mortality,rate of exacerbation and rehospitalization within 1 year were observed. Analyses were performed by t test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test. Results Clinical efficacy, hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, rate of exacerbation and rehospitalization within 1 year were similar in two groups (P =0.635,0.768,0.884,0.747,0.727) ;costs of antibiotics and hospitalization,rate of antibiotics use of PCT-guided group were lower than that of standard therapy group( P = 0.029,0.036,0.014). Conclusions PCT could be used in treatment of AECOPD for antibiotic use after hospital admission,which may reduce antibiotic use and lower costs of antibiotic and hospitalization.

Objective: To observe the effect of ticagrelor for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 200 patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome after PCI were enrolled in this study.And the patients were randomly divided into the observation group (18 months treatment group, 100 cases) and control group (12 months treatment group, 100 cases) according to the digital table.The control group was given dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 12 months, and then, suspended the usage of ticagrelor.The observation group was treated by DAPT for 18 months.The major adverse cardiovascular events (MACCE) and the secondary end point events were observed. Results: The incidence rate of MACCE between the two groups had no statistically significant difference (χ²=0.298, P=0.862). And there was no statisticallysignificant difference in the incidence of the secondary end point events between the two groups (χ²=1.963, P=0.375). Conclusion The usage of DAPT beyond or equal 12 months doesn't reduce the incidence of MACC and it will not increase the blooding rate.The use of DAPT (aspirin and ticagrelor) should be used less than 12 months.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of identification techniques of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in endothyroidectomies. METHODS: Routine identification of the RLN was performed in a series of 20 consecutive endothyroidectomies, and the clinical data were reviewed. RESULTS: Totally 20 RLNs were dissected. Neither transient nor permanent RLN injury occurred. CONCLUSION To expose RLN, both sharp and blunt dissection should be applied skillfully. Thorough liberation of the thyroid lobe is essential for the identification of RLN. It is safe and feasible to remove the thyroid and identify the RLN simultaneously.
Adult ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; surgery ; Thyroid Nodule ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; methods ; Vocal Cord Paralysis ; prevention & control

Objective:To explore the value of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐7 ,MMP‐10 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase(TIMP)‐1 ,TIMP‐2 in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusion .Methods :The concentrations of MMP‐7 ,MMP‐10 ,TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 in 38 cases of malignant pleural effusion and 50 cases of benign pleural effusion were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) .Results:(1)The concentrations of MMP‐7 , MMP‐10 and the MMPs/TIMPs ratios were higher in malignant pleural effusion than those in benign pleural effusion (P<0 .01) .There was no significant difference in the concentrations of TIMP‐1 ,TIMP‐2 between benign pleural effusion and malignant pleural effusion(P> 0 .05) .(2)While single‐index were used in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusion ,MMP‐7 ,MMP10 and the MMPs/TIMPs ratios showed good diagnostic efficiency .The demarcation points of MMP‐7 ,MMP‐10 ,MMP‐7/TIMP‐1 ratio ,MMP‐10/TIMP‐1 ratio ,MMP‐7/TIMP‐2 ratio and MMP‐10/TIMP‐2 ratio were 328 .17 ng/mL ,246 .13 ng/mL ,0 .635 ,0 .478 ,0 .564 ,0 .438 , respectively . The corresponding sensitivities of them were 81 .6% ,97 .4% ,81 .6% ,89 .5% ,78 .9% ,74 .2% ,respectively .The corresponding specificities of them were 66 .0% ,60 .0% , 80 .0% ,70 .0% ,68 .0% , 72 .0% , respectively . Conclusions :M M P7 ,M M P‐10 are closely related to the development of malignant pleural effusion .The imbalance of MMPs/TIMPs ratio plays a great role in the pathogenesis of malignant pleural effusion .To detect MMP7 ,MMP‐10 and MMPs/TIMPs ratio of pleural effusion is conducive to the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusion .