Objective To observe the effects of the Dachaihu decoction on intra-abdominal pressure in severe acute pancreatitis. Methods 70 patients with SAP from China-Japan Friendship Hospital were randomly divided into two groups. 35 patients in a conventional treatment group were treated with conventional treatment of severe acute pancreatitis, and 35 patients in a Dachaihu decoction treatment group were treated with the decoction through nasogastric tube based on conventional treatment. The changes of intra-abdominal pressure and the morbidity of IAH and ACS in both groups were observed in acute stage. Results The intra-abdominal pressure in both groups increased. But the pressure in the Dachaihu decoction treatment group (13.31 ± 4.42 mmHg, 13.02 ± 5.23 mmHg, 12.35 ± 3.34 mmHg, 11.26 ± 4.46 mmHg, 9.89 ± 3.44 mmHg) was lower than the conventional treatment group (16.89 ± 5.71 mmHg, 17.52 ± 3.37 mmHg, 16.21 ± 2.15 mmHg, 14.57 ± 5.56 mmHg, 12.11 ± 1.28 mmHg) from the third day on (P<0.05). And the morbidity of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome in the Dachaihu decoction treatment group were lower than the conventional treatment group in the whole acut stage (40%vs. 8.75%).The differences between two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The Dachaihu decoction may significantly reduce the intra-abdominal pressure and the morbidity of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome among patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Objective To Analyze the immunity to secondary infection in the elderly with severe acute pancreatitis.Methods Totally 105 old patients were included in the present study.The ratio of CD4+ to CD8+,and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6),interleukin-10 (IL-10),and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were determined by flow cytometer analysis or ELISA within 3 days after diagnosis of secondary infection.Results Among 105 old patients,58 cases experienced secondary infection.At 3th day after severe acute pancreatitis,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-4,IL-10,CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+/ CD8+ were (81.3±5.5)ng/L,(141.2±13.7)ng/L,(61.1±7.4) ng/L,(153.8 ±15.2) ng/L,(43.5±5.5)％,(20.7±2.9)％ and (2.4±0.3) in infection group,as compared with those of (50.8±4.7)ng/1,(81.4±11.7)ng/L,(30.8±7.8)ng/L,(100.3± 13.8)ng/L,(31.6±4.6)ng/L,(29.7±3.5)and (1.1±0.4)in control group,respectively,with statistically significant differences betwveen the two groups (t=7.30,6.51,4.87,4.52,2.88,3.41,4.26,all P＜0.05).At 28th day after SAP,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-4,IL-10,CD4+,CD8 ± and CD4+ /CD8+ were (29.3±5.8)ng/L,(51.7±7.9)ng/L,(33.8±5.1)ng/L,(82.6±9.5)ng/L,(22.1±3.3)％,(47.1±4.3)％ and (0.6±0.3) in infection group,as compared with those of (44.4±5.5)ng/L,(82.2±7.1)ng/L,(65.3±5.5)ng/L,(109.1±9.5)ng/L,(40.5±2.7)ng/L,(33.4±4.5)ng/L and (1.8±0.4) in control group,respectively,showing statistically significant differences between the two groups(t=3.26,4.93,7.32,3.43,7.41,3.81,4.33,all P＜0.05).Conclusions An early excessive immune response and subsequent immune injury is closely related to secondary severe acute pancreatitis.

Objective To investigate changes and the significance of Th17/Treg immune imbalance in secondary systemic infection in patients with severeacute pancreatitis.Methods We selected 21 patients with severe acute pancreatitis and secondary systemic infection (infection group),25 patients with severe alone (non-infection group),20 healthy cases undergoing annual health checkup (control group) in this study.The expression levels of Th17/Treg cells and related cytokines were compared between groups.Results There were significant differences in mortality rate and duration of ICU stay between infection group and non-infection group [23.8％ vs.4.0％,(11.3±3.4) d vs.(7.5±2.8) d,x2=3.949,t=2.890,P=0.047 and0.045].The percentages of Th17 cell andTreg cell,Th17/Treg ratio,mRNA expressions of IL-6,IL-17,IL-23,TGF-β and orphan receptor γt were higher in infection and non infection groups than in control group [(26.4 ± 1.2) ％,(12.8 ± 0.9)％ vs.(3.1±0.8) ％;(6.7±1.6)％,(4.2±1.3)％ vs.(1.3±0.4)％;(4.3±1.0)％,(3.2±1.1)％ vs.(2.4±0.9)％;(7.1±0.8)ng/L,(5.3±0.7)ng/L vs.(0.2±0.1)ng/L;(22.9±2.4)ng/L,(15.6±2.8)ng/L vs.(10.3± 1.5)ng/L;(15.7±2.1)ng/L,(10.2± 1.5)ng/L vs.(8.3± 1.4)ng/L;(23.6±2.2)ng/L,(16.3±1.7)ng/L vs.(11.6±1.1)ng/L;(0.052±0.014),(0.035± 0.010) vs.(0.004±0.001);F=15.761,55.745,9.437,102.788,21.038,16.239,36.957,23.924,respectively,P=0.555,0.000,0.014,0.000,0.002,0.004,0.000,0.000].The mRNA expressions of IL-10 and Foxp3-T were lower in infection and non-infection groups than in control group [(6.4±1.1)ng/L,(10.5 ± 2.1) ng/L vs.(15.4±2.0)ng/L;(0.005±0.001),(0.020±0.007) vs.(0.032±0.009),F=18.995 and 20.608,P=0.003 and 0.002].Conclusions The secondary infection can aggravate the Th17 / Treg immune imbalance in patients with severe acute pancreatitis,and extend the ICU hospitalization days.

Objective To investigate the value of central venous pressure (CVP) combined with visual left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) as an indicator of fluid responsiveness in patients with septic shock.Methods A retrospective analysis of 83 patients with septic shock receiving fluid challenge was conducted.The hemodynamic changes were evaluated with the pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) monitor,and all the patients were divided into two groups:the responded group (△CI％ ≥15％)and the unresponded group(△CI ＜ 15％),according to the change in CI(△CI％).Those patients were divided into several subgroups,including low CVP group (CVP ＜ 8 mmHg) and high CVP group (CVP ≥ 8 mmHg),low LVEF group(LVEF ＜ 50％) and high LVEF group(LVEF ≥ 50％),according to the initial value of CVP and LVEF.The changes in hemodynamic variables were compared before and after fluid challenge in each subgroup.The ability of CVP and visual LVEF was evaluated to predict fluid responsiveness with receiver operating characteristic curves.Results Fifty three (63.9％) patients responded to the fluid challenge,and lower CVP and higher LVEF patients were more frequency in responded group.The threshold value of 8 mmHg CVP for prediction of fluid responsiveness revealed the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.646 (P =0.219),and 50％ visual LVEF revealed AUC of 0.729 (P =0.023).CVP in combination with visual LVEF for prediction of fluid responsiveness showed an AUC of 0.817 (P =0.001) with a sensitivity of 76.3％ and a specificity of 88.2％.Conclusions Visual LVEF alone and combined with CVP can be used as an indicator of fluid responsiveness in patients with septic shock.

Objective To evaluate the effect of hyperhomocysteinemia on ischemic diease in rats. Methods Thirty-two SD rats were randomized into two groups,control group(n=16,administered with tap water) and hyperhomocysteinemia group(HH group,n=16,administered with water containing L-methionine at 1 g/kg/d).At the 14thday of dietary modification,the left femoral artery and vein were excised,and the interventions continued for another 14 days.At the 15th day after operation,serum biochemical parameters as well as NOx and cGMP in ischemic tissues were tested,capillary vessel density of both hindlimbs were measured by histological analysis,and angiogenesis of ischemic hindlimb was observed by angiography. Results At the 15th day after operation,the level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C),blood urea nitrogen,uric acid and ratio of blood urea nitrogen to serum creatinine were significantly higher in HH group than those in control group,while the level of serum folic acid,VitB12,HDL-C and endogenous creatinine clearance rate were significantly lower in HH group than those in control group(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate in vitro and in vivo anti-human herpes simplex virus effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA).

METHODSGuinea pigs model of cutaneous herpes virus infection was applied, and Vero cells infected by HSV-I and HSV-II were used as experimental systems to observe the antiherpes effect of ALA-PDT.

RESULTSThe in vitro experiments showed that ALA-PDT has antiherpes effect on HSV-I and HSV-II, its effect was similar to that of acyclovir. The results of animal experiments showed that ALA-PDT had significant therapeutic effect on guinea pigs model of cutaneous herpes virus infection, the effect was dose-related.

CONCLUSIONALA-PDT could be effective in treating HSV infections, which may provide a new approach to the treatment of viral infections.

Aminolevulinic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Herpes Simplex ; drug therapy ; virology ; Male ; Photochemotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Simplexvirus ; drug effects ; Skin Diseases, Viral ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vero Cells

When the glomerular mesangial cells of rats were cultured in vitro at high glucose concentration,the activity of extraeellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),the expression of transforming growth factor-?_1(TGF-?_1)mRNA and the content of typeⅣcollagen in the supematant were higher than those at normal glucose concentration.These effects were inhibited by fluvastatin.The results showed that the activation of ERK signal transduction pathways appeared to play a role in the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore,fluvastatin could protect the kidney by inhibiting ERK signal transduction pathway and TGF-?_1 expression.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional magnetic field positioning and three-dimensional electric field positioning are two main technologies used in heart ablation, but their required equipments are very expensive. OBJECTIVE: To develop a new method of ablation catheter positioning by combining ultrasonic probe with ablation catheter. METHODS: Three-dimensional data of human heart were obtained from the anatomical data set of the body, and then a three-dimensional vector model of the endocardial surface was established. The basic parameters and scanning strategy of ultrasonic probe were designed and calculated, to compile a corresponding simulation software. Based on the three-dimensional endocardial vector model, the detection data of the ultrasonic probe were obtained by simulation calculation and processed. Then, the target surface characteristics were reconstructed, matching with the surface features of the proposed vector model. The position of the probe was finally determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional model of the endocardium was established based on the anatomical data set, and the ultrasonic surface detection data were obtained by the simulated ultrasonic irradiation. The reconstructed surface model with high accuracy exhibited a desired match with the target area in the three-dimensional model of endocardium. The error of the probe position and its theoretical position fulfilled the requirement of positioning accuracy. In conclusion, the use of ultrasonic imaging technology can accurately position the catheter probe in the heart during heart ablation, providing an accurate and reliable navigation for the implementation of heart ablation.

To analyze and evaluate predictive value of preoperative changes of serum levels of brain natri‐uretic peptide (BNP) and homocysteine (Hcy) levels for therapeutic effect and prognosis of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG ) in patients undergoing CABG .Methods : Clinical data of 115 patients undergoing CABG in our hospital were collected .Preoperative serum levels of BNP and Hcy were compared among patients with different disease severity , therapeutic effect and prognosis .Influence of serum BNP and Hcy levels on therapeutic effect and prognosis of CABG were analyzed .Results : Compared with medium and mild disease group , there were significant rise in preoperative serum levels of BNP [ (151.86 ± 22.57) pg／L vs.(82.57 ± 10.26) pg／L vs.(283.51 ± 32.47) pg／L] and Hcy [ (18.37 ± 4.51) μmol／L vs.(12.74 ± 2. 04) μmol／L vs.(31.56 ± 5.17) μmol／L] in severe disease group , and those of medium disease group were significantly higher than those of mild disease group , P＝0.001 all ;compared with effective group and ineffective group , there were significant reductions in preoperative serum levels of BNP [ (227. 49 ± 24. 52) pg／L vs.(308.26 ± 34.12) pg／L vs.(90.13 ± 10. 75) pg／L] and Hcy [ (29. 12 ± 5. 83) μmol／L vs.(46.15 ± 7.49) μmol／L vs.(19.03 ± 3.77) μmol／L] in markedly effective group , and those of effec‐tive group were significantly lower than those of ineffective group , P＝ 0.001 all.Compared with stenotic graft group and smooth graft group , there were significant rise in preoperative serum levels of BNP [ (271. 47 ± 25.18) pg／L vs .(92.41 ± 11.06) pg／L vs.(312. 54 ± 35.06) pg／L] and Hcy [ (33.08 ± 6. 14) μmol／L vs.(20. 05 ± 3. 68) μmol／L vs.(50.21 ± 7.75 ) μmol／L ] in death group , and those of stenotic graft group were significantly higher than those of smooth graft group , P＝0.001 all .Spearman correlation analysis indicated that serum BNP and Hcy levels were significant positively correlated with severity of CHD and prognosis of CABG ( r＝0. 624～0.814 , P＜0.05 or ＜0. 01).Multifactor Logistic regression analysis indicated that serum BNP and Hcy levels were independent risk factors for prognosis after CABG in CHD patients (OR＝ 5.133 , 1. 803 , P＝ 0.001 both ).Conclusion : The higher preoperative levels of BNP and Hcy before CABG are , the worse therapeutic effects are , and the higher risk of adverse prognosis of vascular stenosis and death are .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (NFkappaB decoyODNs) on the intimal hyperplasia (IH) in vein graft in rats.

METHODSAutogenous vein graft model for 72 Wistar rats was established, and the interior jugular vein was transplanted to common jugular artery by microsurgical technique. The rats were divided into 6 groups according to different processing methods, including NFkappaB decoyODNs 50 microg and 200 microg, scramble decoyODNs 50 microg and 200 microg, control and lipofectin + pluronic teams. Vein graft samples were harvested in 1 or 2 weeks after surgery and ICAM-1 mRNA were measured by RT-PCR. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry methods were also employed to detect the expression of p65 and ICAM-1. IH was compared at the same time.

RESULTSThe intimal hyperplasia was evident in 1 or 2 weeks after vein graft, and ameliorated by 50 microg of NFkappaB decoyODNs with inhibition rate from 22% to 31%, 200 microg of NFkappaB decoyODNs had a higher inhibition rate from 41% to 53%. However, no effect was found in the other teams. The expression of ICAM-1 mRNA was also inhibited significantly by NFkappaB decoyODNs and more obvious in 2 weeks after surgery. Expression of ICAM-1 and p65 decreased greatly in NFkappaB decoyODNs team, which has a inhibition rate from 30% to 57%.

CONCLUSIONTransfection of NFkappaB decoyODNs can inhibit the IH after vein graft, which may be accomplished by the inhibition of gene expression of ICAM-1.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Hyperplasia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; Jugular Veins ; pathology ; transplantation ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tunica Intima ; pathology