Objective To evaluate the changes of left atrial(LA)function in peripartum cardiomyopathy(PPCM)patients using two?dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography(2DSTE). Methods Totally 35 PPCM patients and 35 healthy postpartum women(control group)were en?rolled in this study. Left ventricular end?diastolic diameter(LVEDd)and LA anteroposterior dimension(LAAD)were measured. The end?diastol?ic volume(EDV)and end?systolic volume(ESV)were obtained using biplane modified Simpson′s method. Cardiac output(CO)and left ventricu?lar ejection fraction(LVEF)were also calculated. E wave and A wave of mitral valve were measured,and correspondingly E/A ratio were obtained. LA longitudinal systolic strain(SS),systolic strain rate(s?SR),early diastolic strain rate(e?SR),and late diastolic strain rate(a?SR)were ob?tained by 2DSTE. Results There was no statistical difference of E wave between the two groups(P>0.05). Compared to the normal control group, LVEDd,EDV,ESV,LAAD,E/A were increased,while CO,LVEF,A,SS,s?SR,e?SR,a?SR were decreased in the PPCM group(P<0.05). a?SR was positively correlated with A wave in patients with PPCM(r=0.775,P=0.001). Conclusion LA reservoir,conduit and booster pump func?tion were decreased during PPCM. 2DSTE can easily and accurately assess these changes of LA function.

Objective To investigate the ch an ges of gastric intramucosal pH (pHi) during orthotopic liver transplantation (OL T) without venovenous bypasss. Methods Twenty patients (14 males and 6 females) aged (46.7 ?4.6) years, undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation without venovenous byp asss, were included in this study. A gastric tube technique was used to draw gas tric juice 3～5 mL to determine pHi and PiCO 2 before OLT, at 20 min preanhep atic phase, 30 min anhepatic phase, 30 min new hepatic phase and at 2 h and 2 4 h after operation. The arterial blood samples collected taken for the measure ments of PaCO 2, PO 2, pH, BE and HCO 3- at the same time point s as above. pHi was calculated through Henderson-Hasselbach equation. Results The gastric intraumucosal pH (pHi) was decreased significant ly at the time points of 30 min anhepatic phase and 30 min new hepatic phase c ompared with before operation (P

Objective To observe the effect of trichostatina to induce mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) differentiating into cardiomyocyte cells and to explore the potential interference approaches.Methods MSCs were incubated with different concentrations of TSA and different time,then to detecte the histone deacetylase(HDAC) activity;the differentiation of MSCs was observed by phase-contrast mictmcopy;fluorescence immunohistochemistry assessed cardiac troponin T and RT-PCR detected the expression of Nkx-2.5,GATA-4 genes.Results HDAC activity was the lowest when incubated with 300 nmol/L TSA for 24 hours,expression of cTnT of the cells was enhanced after incubation with TSA.The expression of Nkx-2.5,GATA-4 genes was enhanced before interference.ConclusionTSA can promote MSCs to differentiate into cardiomyocyte cells in vitro in an optimized condition.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atrial Fibrillation ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood

Objective To identify the association of thyroid stimulating hormone receptor ( TSHR ) gene intron 1 susceptible loci and 4p14 susceptible locus rs6832151 polymorphisms with Graves’ disease ( GD) in Han Chinese population in Bengbu, Anhui, China. The gene-gene interaction among TSHR intron 1 susceptible loci and 4p14 susceptible locus rs6832151 was also investigated. Methods The genotypes of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) were analyzed by Taqman probe technique on Fluidigm EP1 platform in 611 patients with GD and 555 control subjects, and linkage analysis, correlation analysis, haplotype analysis, and epistasis analysis with them were performed. Results Six SNPs in two candidate genes(rs12101261, rs4903964,rs179247, rs2284722 and rs17111394 in TSHR, rs6832151 in 4p14) were associated with GD (all P<0. 05). The frequency distributions of haplotypes of SNPs in TSHR intron 1 ( AGTA, GGCG, AATA, and CC) were significantly different between GD and control groups(all P<0. 01). There existed the interactions between rs179247 and rs12101261 in TSHR(P=0. 001) and among rs179247(TSHR),rs4903964(TSHR) and rs6832151(4p14) (P=0. 001). Conclusions rs683215 in 14p14 and rs12101261, rs4903964, rs179247, rs2284722 and rs17111394 in TSHR intron 1 were susceptible loci of GD in the Chinese Han population from Bengbu. The haplotypes in TSHR intron 1 were associated with GD. There exists the interaction between the SNPs in TSHR and 4p14,which may change the risk of GD.

Objective To analyze the distribution, diversity, and the sensitivity of common pathogen species to antifungal drugs in fungal keratitis during 2000 - 2006 in Shandong province. Methods Samples from corneal serapings and corneal buttons from keratoplasties were used for fungal culture and identification. The distribution and diversity of the pathogens in different years were analyzed. The sensitivity of some common species to antifungal drugs were tested. Results A total of 898 patients were diagnosed as fungal keratitis, in which 770 (85.7%) were positive in fungal culture. Pathogens in 748 cases caused by fungal infection were identified, of which 547 cases were caused by Fusarium (71.0%). The prevelence of Fusarium from 2000 to 2006 was 75.5%, 72.8%, 71.5%, 75.2%, 76%, 68. 8% and 56.4% respectively. Eighty-four cases were caused by Aspergillus( 10.9% ) , which accounted for 15.1% , 15.2% , 13.1%, 10. 2%, 10. 4% , 8.0% and 6. 9% of the cases from 2000 to 2006, respectively. Seventy-four eases were caused by Alternaria (9. 6% ), the percentage of which during 2000 -2006 was 1. 9%, 3.3%, 3.7%, 6. 6%, 8. 8%, 12. 0 and 29. 7% respectively. In genus Fusarium, 10 species were found and the most common species were Fusarium Solani ( 33. 8% ), Fusarium oxysporum ( 28.2% ) and Fusarium moniliforme( 27.4% ). Six species were identified in genus Aspergillus, with Aspergillus flavus (53.6%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (39.3% ) being the most common species. The geometric mean MICs of amphotericin B, terbinafin, itraconazole, 5-flucytosine and fluconazole against the common species were 0. 647, 0. 714, 1. 624, 15. 108 and 27. 070 μg/ml, respectively. The mean MICs of the above five antifungal drugs against Fusarium were 0. 899, 0. 893, 3.077, 37. 124 and 21. 687 μg/ml, respectively, and for Aspergillus, the mean MICs of these agents were 0.794, 0.591, 0.416, 23.973 and 7.127 μg/ml, respectively; for Alternaria,the MICs were 0. 409,0. 479,0. 433,11. 655 and 7. 104 μg/ml ,respectively. Conclusions Genus Fusarium, Aspergillus and Alternaria were the predominant pathogens in fungal keratitis in Shandong Province. During 2000 -2006, Fusarium was the most common one, followed by Aspergillus. The percentage of Aspergillus decreased annually. The third most common pathogen, Alternaria increased during the period. The geometric mean MICs of amphotericin B and terbinafin against Fusarium were lower than those of itraconazole, 5-flucytosine and fluconazole. The MICs of these five anti-fungal drugs against Aspergillus and Alternatia were lower than those for Fusarium.

Objective To investigate the relationship between HIF-1αand bevacizumab resistant in o-vary cancer,and explore the influence on ovary cancer cell by HIF-1α.Methods The correlation was analyzed between HIF-1αexpression and clinicopathological parameters using immunohistochemistry in 62 patients with ovarian cancer.In addition,the expression of HIF-1αand VEGF were evaluated by real time PCR or Western Blot in SKOV3 and ES-2 cell under CoCl 2 treatment.Results HIF-1αwas overexpressed in cancer tissue, and its high levels were related to CA125(P=0.027)and resistant to bevacizumab(P<0.001).Moreover,CoCl2 could induce high expressions of HIF-1αand VEGF,when compared to normal condition.Conclusion Our findings suggest that HIF-1αis associated with resistant to bevacizumab.It is more chemotherapeutic sensitivity when combined with bevacizumab and HIF-1αantibody.

OBJECTIVE:To compare pharmacoeconomic and effect of Xueshuantong for injection and Ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection in the treatment of ischemic stroke. METHODS:Retrospective study was conducted. Totally 404 inpatients with ischemic stroke were divided into Xueshuantong group(271 cases)and ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole group(133 cas-es) according to clinical treatment programs. Based on the conventional treatment,patients in 2 groups were given Xueshuantong for injection and ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection,respectively. The average treatment course was 10 d. Cost-minimi-zation analysis was performed with the determination index of total effective rate. RESULTS:The total effective rates in Xueshuan-tong group and ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole group were 90.77% and 88.72%,respectively,the difference was not statisti-cally significant(P>0.05). The costs in 2 groups were 12 860.21 yuan and 13 155.40 yuan,respectively,and xueshuantong group had lower than ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamde group. CONCLUSIONS:Both Xueshuantong for injection and Ginkgo leaf ex-tract and dipyridamole injection are effective in the treatment of ischemic stroke. However,the economy of Xueshuantong for injec-tion is superior to the other one.

OBJECTIVE To explore the role of P38MAPK inhibitor on the soft palate reconstruction of the rats with chronic intermittent hypoxia. METHODS The animals were divided into normal control group, hypoxia control group and SB203580+hypoxia group (every group 20 rats). After 5 weeks, the expressions of p38MAPK and p-p38MAPK protein on the soft palate of the rats were detected with immunohistochemical techniques and western blot. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group, the soft palate tissue thickness of the hypoxia group were increased most obviously; Levels of p38MAPK were increased in hypoxia control group; Compared with the hypoxia control group, the levels of p-p38MAPK group were decreased in SB203580+hypoxia group. CONCLUSION p38MAPK may play important roles in the soft palate reconstruction of the rats with chronic intermittent hypoxia.

Objective To analyze CT findings of insulinoma,and to summarize the causes of missed diagnosis of nontypical insuli-noma.Methods Clinical and CT manifestations of 18 patients with 18 insulinomas were analyzed retrospectively which were proved by surgery and pathology,and the causes of the missed diagnosis of nontypical insulinoma were also summarized.Results 10 patients with 10 insulinoma underwent CT plain scan with isodensity in 9 and slightly lower density in 1 with thread-like capsule.Other 18 patients underwent enhanced CT scan,10 of whom showed obvious enhancement in arterial phase with isodentisy in 6 and slightly higher density in 4 in portal phase,and isodensity in 10 in delayed phase.4 lesions showed mild-to-moderate enhancement in arterial phase with slightly higher density than normal pancreas in 2 and isodentisy in 2 in portal phase,and slightly higher density than nor-mal pancreas in 1 and similar density to pancreas in 3 in delayed phase.In portal phase,the enhanced degree in 8 was similar to the pancreas,and that in 6 was slightly higher or higher than that of pancreas.In delayed phase,13 were similar to the pancreas and other 1 was higher than that.3 of 18 lesions were easily missed,and 4 lesions with missed diagnosis showed isodensity on plain CT and en-hanced CT,and were further detected by other imaging methods.Conclusion Multiphase enhancement CT scanning can be used as the first choice for the insulinoma.