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 study the feasibility of laparoscopic procedures in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy with hemorrhagic shock. Methods Laparoscopic procedures were carried out in 35 patients with ectopic pregnancy concurrent with hemorrhagic shock. Patients' blood pressures were all above 60/30 mmHg, and B-ultrasonography revealed the intra-abdominal blood loss

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of sex hormones( 17 β-estradiol and testosterone)on human omental preadipocytes proliferation and differentiation and on leptin and adiponectin secretions in adipocytes.Methods Omental preadipocytes were cultured and then differentiated into mature adipocytes in vitro.The proliferation and differentiation processes of preadipocyte were observed.The preadipocytes were incubated in the presence of sex hormones and were detected the contents and gene expressions of leptin and adiponectin.ResultsHuman preadipocytes were primarily cultured successfully.Estradiol stimulated preadipocytes proliferation (0.823±0.059 vs 0.276 ±0.032,P＜0.05 ),and inhibited lipid accumulation in cell differentiation ( P＜0.05 ).Testosterone had no significant effect on proliferation of preedipocytes,but inhibited adipogenic differentiation ( P＜0.05).Leptin could be detected during proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes.Estradiol increased the leptin secretion,whereas testosterone reduced it ( all P ＜ 0.05 ).The adiponectin only could be detected during differentiation.Sex hormones reduced the adiponectin secretion.17β-estradiol stimulated leptin mRNA expression and suppressed adiponectin mRNA expression in adipocytes.Testosterone suppressed the mRNA expressions of leptin and adiponectin (all P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionIn vitro,17β-estradiol increases the leptin secretion and mRNA expression whereas reduced the adiponectin secretion and mRNA expression.Testosterone reduced the adiponectin and leptin secretion and mRNA expression.

Polysaccharides with multiple biological activities are usually considered as one of the major bioactive compounds in Chinese medicines (CMs). At present, the development of drug and functional foods related to polysaccharides have attracted a great deal of attention due to their great potential effects and diverse action mechanisms. However, quality control of polysaccharides is the bottleneck and a challenge due to their complexity and chemical diversity. Actually, the bioactivities of polysaccharides are closely related to their molecular structures. In order to ensure their safety and efficacy, the development of novel approaches based on the molecular structures for the improvement of quality control of polysaccharides is significantly important. Therefore, in this article, the relationship between biological activities and chemical structures, as well as the action mechanisms of polysaccharides from CMs were summarized first. Furthermore, saccharide mapping, a novel strategy for quality control of bioactive polysaccharides from CMs, was introduced and the application and perspectives were also discussed.
Carbohydrate Sequence ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; Quality Control

Objective To investigate the correlation between high myopia and MMP-2 in aqueous humor (AH), by comparing the protein level of MMP-2 in AH from patients with cataract combined with high myopia and with emmetropia. Design Experimental study. Participants 30 AH samples of patients with age-related cataract. Methods AH samples were collected from the patients with age-related cataract during phacoemulsification, including 15 AH samples from patients combined with high myopia (experimental group) and 15 AH samples from patients with emmetropia (control group). The expression of pro-MMP-2 and MMP-2 in AH were ana-lyzed by Western blot technique. Main Outcome Measures The gray value of MMP-2 protein band detected by Western blot. Results The level of pro MMP-2 was statistically higher than that of MMP-2 in experimental group (430.4±57.3 versus 294.5±35.2, t=10.400, P= 0.000) and control group (402.8±57.7 versus 280.3±49.7, t=8.400, P=0.000). There was no statistically difference in the level of pro-MMP-2(t=1.320, P=0.200)and MMP-2 (t=0.900,P=0.375) between the two groups. Conclusions No abnormal expression of MMP-2 was detected in AH from patients with high myopia, according to this study based on limited samples. Pro-MMP-2 was the main form of MMP-2 in AH of patients with cataract combined with high myopia or emmetropia, which possessed potential ability of transferring into form of active MMP-2. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2009, 18: 260-264)

Objective To study the anatomical characteristic of nanophthalmos with ultrasonography and its clinical significance. Methods Forty-four nanophthalmic eyes (22 patients) and 200 normal eyes (100 persons) were included. A series of ocular parameters, including ocular axial length, angle between trabeculum and iris,thickness of lens and sclera.and vitreous cavity length were measured with ultrasound A-scan and ultrasound biomicroscopy. The refractive status was examined with dioptometry. Results The ocular axial length[(15. 95±0. 76)mm] and vitreous cavity length [(8. 48±0. 90)mm] were shorter, the lens [(4. 9±0. 53)mm] and sclera [(0. 917±0. 119)mm] were thicker in nanophthalmic eyes than those of normal eyes( P <0.01). The relative position of lens (0.312±0.09) was more forward, and the angle between trabeculum and iris (11. 41 ±7. 63 ) was narrower in nanophthalmic eyes, compared with normal eyes( P <0. 01). The hyperopia of nanophthalmic eyes was negatively correlated with the ocular axial length ( r = -0.806) and vitreous cavity length ( r = - 0. 663) ( P <0. 01). Conclusions Nanophthalmos was characterized by short ocular axial length, thick lens and sclera.and narrow anterior chamber angle. The thickness of sclera and the angle between trabeculum and iris measured with ultrasound biomicroscopy could provide a solid indication of the treatment to the complication of angle closure glaucoma.

Objective To observe endoplagmic reticulum stress in bone tissue of fluomsis rats and further explore the pathogenesis of skeletal fluorosis.Methods 48 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups according to their body mass.The control and low.calcium group were fed with normal diet(0.79%calcium)and low-calcium diet(0.79%calcium)respectively,and both drank tap water(sodium fluoride concentrations＜1 mg/L).High fluoride and low.calcium plus high-fluoride groups were fed with normal diet(0.79%calcium)and low-calcium diet (0.79%calcium)respectively,and both drank tap water containing sodium fluoride(sodium fluoride concentrations 221 mg/L).During experimental period,rats were measured body mass once a week with a stand diet and water available ad libiturn.The experimental period was 3 months.The biochemical techniques were used to test the indicators of oxidative stress and ALP in seFum of fluorosis rats.The total RNA was extracted from the one side of the femur,and the transcription level of Bip,Xbp1,CHOP and PDI were investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The level of MDA in serum of low-calcium plus high-fluoride group wag higher than that of the control[(14.74±3.11)μmol/L vs(10.15±1.96)μmol/L,P＜0.05];the activity of GPx was ma~edly higher in hish-fluoride group compared with the control[(3.87±0.41)×103 U/L vs(2.85± 0.55)×103 U/L,P＜0.05];the level of uric acid in sel'um was significantly lower both in high-fluoride group and low-calcium plus high-fluoride group compared with the respective control and the low-calcium group[(73.95± 9.52)μmol/L vs(110.43±25.48)μmol/L,(54.32±22.09)μmol/L vs(101.71±17.01)μmol/L,P＜0.05]. The activity of ALP wag obviously higher in low-calcium plus high-fluoride group compared with the control [(24.77±4.57)×103U/L vs (12.91±3.97)×103U/L,P＜0.01)].The mRNA expression of Bip/GAPDH in bone tissue was markedly higher in bone of high-fluoride group and low-calcium plus high-fluoride group compared with the control(1.38±0.24,1.35±0.12 vs 1.14±0.06,P ＜ 0.05). The expression of Xbp1/GAPDH in bone tissue significantly increased in low-calcium plus high-fluoride groups compared with the control and the low-calcium group (1.48±0.20 vs 1.02±0.25,1.07±0.25,P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01);and CHOP/GAPDH in bone tissue significantly increased in low-calcium plus high-fluoride groups compared with the control(0.84±0.18 vs 0.52±0.07,P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusions Accelerated osteogenetic action is seen in fluorosis rats,accompanied by oxidative stress and bone endoplasmic reticulum stress,which is likely involved in the pathogenesis of skeletal fluorosis.

Postoperative ileus( POI)is a temporary impairment of coordinated gastrointestinal motility that develops as a consequence of abdominal or non-abdominal surgery and is a major factor contributing to the prolonged hospitalization of patient. In recent years,because of the widespread use of opioid analgesics,morphine induced POI is common. This article reviewed the progress in study on mechanism and management of POI caused by morphine.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and outcome of overnight laparoscopie cholecystectomy (OLC).MethodsThe clinical data of 149 patients with cholecystolithiasis or gallbladder polyps who were admitted to the Tianjin People's Hospital from October 2008 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients underwent LC in the morning and were discharged 24 hours later.Modified Aldrete scoring was done 4-6hours after LC.Patients were contacted by telephone 3 days after LC and reexamined in the out-patient department 7 days after LC.The hospital cost of patients who underwent OLC or LC was compared using the t test.Results OLC was successfully performed on 149 patients,and the modified Aldrete scores of 130 patients were above 9.The visual analogue scale (VAS) of 118 patients were under 4,and the VAS of 31 patients were above 4.The condition of the 31 patients were closely monitered,and were administered morphine.Of the 149 patieuts,144were discharged 24 hours after operation,and the remaining 5 patients were admitted to general ward because of fever,peritoneal effusion or abdominal pain.The incidence of postoperative complication was 2.0％ (3/149) and the mortality was 0.All the patients were followed up,and none of the patients had an emergency readmission.The duration of incapacity was 5.2 days (range,2-7 days).The mean hospital cost of patients who received OLC was ( 7888 ± 396 ) yuan,which was significantly lower than ( 12121 ± 960) yuan of patients who received LC ( t =38.97,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionOLC is effective and safe,and meets the requirement of health insurance policy.

Objective To explore the hemorheological changes in children with essential hyepertension,and explore their clinical significance.Methods The hemorheological parameters,blood lipid,blood glucose in 37 children with essential hyepertension [19 boys and 18 girls,median age(12.49?3.20) years] were measured and analyzed.The parameters in 30 healthy children were measured as controls.SPSS 11.5 software was used to analyze the data.Results The whole blood viscosity under high,middle and low shear rate,plasma viscosity,hematocrit,rigidity index of erythrocyte,platelet aggregation M were significantly higher in hypertension group than those in healthy control group(Pa0.05).Conclusions There have been developed significant hemorheological changs in children with essential hypertension.The hemorheological changes might play an important role in pathogenesis of childhood hypertension.