Objective To observe the surface electromyographic characteristics of the bilateral submen-tal muscles in dysphagia secondary to unilateral brainstem stroke. Methods A total of 25 subjects were recrui-ted. There were 8 stroke patients with dysphagia secondary to a left brainstem stroke and 7 stroke patients with dysphagia secondary to a right brainstem stroke. There were also 10 healthy controls matched in age and gender. The duration and peak amplitude of the submental muscle when swallowing 5 ml of warm water were recorded u-sing a surface electromyograph. Results The average amplitude of the left submental muscle in patients with a left brainstem stroke was significantly longer than that of those with a right brainstem stroke, but no significant differences in average duration were observed. Conversely, the amplitude of the right submental muscle in pa-tients with a right brainstem stroke was significantly longer than that of those with left brainstem stroke, but again there were no significant differences in duration. No significant differences were observed among the healthy con-trols. The amplitude and duration of both the affected and healthy sides of the patients were of course significantly longer or stronger than those of the healthy controls. Conclusion The swallowing function of the bilateral sub-mental muscles may be impaired among unilateral stroke survivors with dysphagia. The damage on the affected side is more severe than on the opposite side.

Objective To observe the feasibility, safety and efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTO)by only the guidewire versus by the guidewire dependent on balloon. Methods The 108 patients with CTO confirmed by coronary angiography and treated with PCI from March 2009 to March 2011 were enrolled in this study, including 59 cases with old myocardial infarction, 22 unstable angina cases and 27 stable angina cases. The clinical data, outcomes of PCI, perioperative complications and incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) during follow-up were retrospectively analyzed between group A (only by the guide wire) and group B (by guide wire dependent on balloon). Results The 88 of 108 patients (81.5%) got successful operations. The success rate of CTO was a little higher in group B than in group A [80.0%(52/65) vs. 83.7%(36/43), P＞0.05]. The rate of total complications was more in group A than in group B [10.8%(7/65) vs. 2.3%(1/43), P＜0.05]. No death occurred during operation, no MACE occurred after operation in hospital and no patients underwent emergency coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in the two groups. Conclusions The PCI for treatment of CTO used by the guidewire dependent on balloon shows a safety and effecary.

Objective To evaluate prourodynamic study and somatosensory evoked potentials(SEPs)before and after operation of children with lipomyelomeningocele(LMMC)and its clinical significance.Methods Urodynamic study(UDS)and SEPs in 31 cases of LMMC who underwent microsurgical release within 1 week preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively were conducted.The 4 parameters used for UDS evaluation were bladder volume,compliance,detrusor activity and residual urine;parameters used for SEPs evaluation were latent period and amplitude.Results There was a statistics significant difference between operation and control group;the similar result was attented in the comparison of before and after operation,also in the comprison of the improved group and the group without improvement after operation.Conclusions UDS and SEPs investigation can provide guidance for the treatment of tethered cord syndrome(TCS)and evaluate clinical prognosis.These cases with the severity changing in UDS and somatosensory shall be avoided unnecessary action in operation.

ObjectiveTo characterize the neural progenitor cell in the human amnion mesenchyme and epithelial layer with specific mark proteins of neural stem cell.MethodsExpressions of specific mark proteins of neural stem cell including nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), musashi-1, vimentin and PSA-NCAM in human amnion tissue and cultured amniotic cells were determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining.ResultsExpressions of pluripotent neural stem cell specific makers (nestin, musashi-1, vimentin and PSA-NCAM) were detected in the human amnion mesenchyme and epithelial layer. In addition, cultured amniotic cells were expressed several neural stem cell specific markers including nestin, GFAP and PSA-NCAM. Nestin+ and GFAP+ double positive cells were identified in the human amnion tissue and cultured amniotic cells by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining.ConclusionSpecific mark proteins of neural stem cell are expressed in human amnion tissue and cultured amniotic cells.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of soybean-derived Bowman-Birk inhibi-tor (BBI)on LPS-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines in intestinal epithelial cells.Methods Cytotoxicity effect of LPS and BBI on intestinal epithelial cells was analyzed by MTT assay.Intestinal epithelial cells were pre-treated with BBI,followed by LPS stimulation,expression of inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-8,and MCP-1)was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction;the activation of NF-κB was measured by pNF-κB-luc system and Western Blot.Results The maximum concentration of LPS (10000 ng/mL)and BBI (1000 μg/mL)had no cytotoxicity effect on intestinal epithelial cells.LPS could potently up-regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-8,and MCP-1 ),the up-regulation was positively correlated to the concentration of LPS;LPS-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines in intestinal epithelial cells could achieve the highest level,then decreased over time.The up-regulation of LPS on inflammatory cytokines in intestinal epi-thelial cells had dose-time effect;when intestinal epithelial cells were pretreated by BBI for 6 hours,the inhibitory effect of BBI on LPS-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines in intestinal epithelial cells was most obvious, and had dose-time effect.Conclusion BBI can potently inhibit LPS-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines through inhibiting NF-κB in intestinal epithelial cells.

Objective To investigate the mRNA level of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase(GPI)ex- pression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Method Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)was applied to semiquantitatively analyze GPI mRNA expression in the peripheral blood mononu- clear cells(PBMCs)of 30 active RA patients,30 stable RA patients,30 patients with other rheumatic disease and 30 healthy subjects.Results There was statistically significant differences between patients with RA and other rheumatic diseases(P

Glucocorticoids/urine* ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Marathon Running ; Saliva/chemistry* ; alpha-Amylases/analysis*

To investigate the reversal effect of reduced glutathione (GSH) on suppression of NK cells by reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) in K562 cells, interleukin-2 (IL-2) or mononuclear cell (Mo) was added in cultured cell line of K562 cells and NK cells, the yield of ROM and K562 cell suppression rate were observed. Then the histamine dihydrochloride (DHT) or GSH was added in the mixed cultured cell lines, the ROM production and K562 cell suppression rate were observed. The results showed that the ROM yield increased from 33.17 +/- 5.08 U/L to 223.59 +/- 9.41 U/L by IL-2, and K562 cell suppression rate increased from 65.56% to 85.89% by IL-2 (P < 0.01). The ROM yields were 389.79 +/- 43.83 U/ml, 456.74 +/- 42.77 U/ml and 601.42 +/- 21.92 U/ml respectively, and K562 cell suppression rates were 82.36%, 81.36% and 48.09% respectively, when Mo was added in the mixed cultured cell lines under ratios of E/Mo being 10/2, 10/5 and 10/10. When E/Mo was 10/2, DHT or GSH was added in the mixed cultured cell line ROM yield decreased from 389.79 +/- 3.83 U/L to 50.21 +/- 2.4 U/L or -3.58 +/- 9.49 U/L (P < 0.05) respectively. With increase of concentration of DHT or GSH, the ROM yield in the mixed cultured cell line decreased (P < 0.05), the K562 cell suppression rate increased from 82.53% to 94.64% or 96.39% (P < 0.05), the more ROM yield, the less K562 suppression rate (P < 0.05). When E/Mo is 10/5 or 10/10, the ROM yield decreased by the high concentration of DHT or GSH (P < 0.05), but the K562 cell suppression rate not increased by every concentration of DHT or GSH. GSH was as effective as DHT in the reversing ROM and increasing K562 cell suppression rate. It is concluded that GSH may reverse ROM and increase K562 cell suppression rate, and GSH is as effective as DHT, but GSH has less side-effect than DHT. Therefore, GSH would be better antileukemia immune adjuvant.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; Coculture Techniques ; Glutathione ; pharmacology ; Histamine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Killer Cells, Natural ; cytology ; immunology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Fixatives ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Tissue Fixation ; methods

INTRODUCTIONMinimally invasive surgical ablation is an emerging alternative method to catheter ablation and the full surgical maze procedure for nonpharmacologic treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). We present a totally thoracoscopic "box lesion" radiofrequency ablation procedure in patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF.

MATERIALS AND METHODSFrom June 2011 to October 2012, 14 patients with lone paroxysmal (n = 7) or persistent AF (n = 7) were enrolled in this study. Procedures were performed through 3 5-12 mm holes on each side of the chest wall. A bipolar ablation device was used to create a box lesion in the posterior wall of the left atrium that encircled the 4 pulmonary veins (achieving bilateral pulmonary vein/posterior left atrial wall isolation). Perioperative complications were recorded for all patients. Freedom from AF was assessed by 24-hour Holter monitoring every 3 months or during symptoms of arrhythmia.

RESULTSThe ablation was successfully performed in all patients, with median operation time of 128 minutes (range, 45 to 180 minutes). No operative mortality or morbidity were noted during the study period. Freedom from AF was achieved in 12 patients (85.7%) during follow-up (median follow-up 9 months). One patient with persistent AF was shifted to paroxysmal AF. No atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia was noted during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONThese early results show that totally thoracoscopic surgical ablation using a unique "box lesion" procedure for persistent or paroxysmal AF is a feasible and effective method with good short-term results. Further study is necessary to validate this result.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracoscopy