Objective To evaluate the incidence of aortic valve calcification,and the correlation between valve function and commonly encountered disease in the aged patients.Methods Totally 996 patients who underwent ultrasonic cardiography (UCG) in our hospital were included.They were divide into elderly group and non elderly group,and the elderly group was divided into calcification subgroup and non calcification subgroup.The calcification,stenosis and regurgitation of aortic valve were detected by UCG,and risk factors of calcification were evaluated by Logistic regression analysis.Results The incidence of calcification was higher in elderly group than in non elderly group [71.8％ (526/733) vs.14.6％ (34/233),x2＝237.10,P＜0.01].In elderly group,the incidence of aortic valve stenosis was 2.1％ (11/526) in calcification subgroup and 1.9％ (4/207) in non calcification subgroup (x2＝0.81,P＞0.05).In elderly group,the incidence of aortic valve regurgitation was 63.3％ (333/526) in calcification subgroup and 19.3％ (40/207) in non calcification subgroup (x2＝116.10,P＜0.01).The hazard ratio of aortic valve calcification in different diseases were as follows:hypertension (OR＝2.06,95％CI:1.400-3.031),coronary heart disease (OR＝3.46,95％CI:2.217-5.384),diabetes mellitus (OR ＝ 2.66,95％CI:1.652-4.278),renal dysfunction (OR＝ 2.34,95％ CI:1.415-3.869),osteoporosis (OR＝ 2.33,95％CI:1.119-4.838).Conclusions The incidence of calcification,mainly causing aortic valve regurgitation,is high in elderly patients.Patients with hypertension,coronary heart disease,diabetes mellitus,renal dysfunction and osteoporosis are prone to the development of aortic valve calcification.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) manipulation plus horse-riding squat exercise in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and optimize the combining protocol. Methods: Based on a 2×2 factorial design, 120 eligible KOA patients were randomized into a manipulation group (group A1B2), a manipulation plus horse-riding squat group (group A1B1), a sitting knee-adjustment group (group A2B2 group), and a sitting knee-adjustment plus horse-riding squat group (group A2B1), with 30 cases in each group. The intervention was conducted three times a week, lasting for four weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) was taken as the major measure for efficacy evaluation (including three component scores, pain, stiffness, and daily function, and total score). Results: The three component scores (pain, stiffness, and daily function) and the total score of WOMAC showed significant differences after the intervention in the four groups (P<0.05). There were significant inter-group differences in the WOMAC stiffness score amongst the four groups after the intervention (P<0.05). In group A1B1, the step length, stride, walking speed, and knee joint flexion angle changed significantly after treatment (P<0.05). After the intervention, the step length changed significantly in group A1B2 (P<0.05), and the walking speed changed significantly in group A2B1 (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the step length, stride, walking speed, or knee joint flexion angle among the four groups (P>0.05). The extensor peak torque at 180 °/s changed significantly in group A1B2 after treatment (P<0.05). Neither the intra-group nor the inter-group comparisons of the four groups revealed significant differences in the other isokinetic muscle strength parameters (P>0.05). The main effect of manipulation showed significant in affecting the WOMAC pain and total scores (P<0.05). The main effect of horse-riding squat exercise showed significant in affecting the WOMAC pain and stiffness scores (P<0.05). Conclusion: The four treatment protocols all can improve the symptoms of KOA, for instance, relieving pain and stiffness, and enhancing daily function. Group A2B1 produces the most eminent effect in relieving joint stiffness. The main effects of both manipulation and horse-riding squat exercise are significant in reducing pain. Besides, the main effect of horse-riding squat exercise is significant in relieving joint stiffness.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Coagulase-negative staphylococci ( CoNS) isolated from cerebrospinal fluids in neurosurgical patients.Methods CoNS strains isolated from cerebrospinal fluids of neurosurgical patients were collected from Beijing Tiantan Hospital of Capital Medical University during January 2013 and December 2015.CoNS infection was diagnosed according to the standards of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic CoNS strains were analyzed. Results A total of 19 756 cerebrospinal fluid specimens were collected and 1 386 bacterial strains were isolated, in which 650 (46.9%) were CoNS.Among 650 CoNS strains, 130 were diagnosed as the pathogen, and the top 4 CoNS species were Staphylococcus epidermidis (77/130, 59.2%), Staphylococcus hominis (18/130, 13.8%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (11/130, 8.5%) and Staphylococcus capitis (9/130, 6.9%).The rest 520 CoNS strains were contaminating strains.According to antimicrobial susceptibility test, there were 103 strains of methicillin-resistant CoNS (MR-CoNS) accounting for 79.1% (103/130).And among 77 Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates, 67 were MR-CoNS strains (87.0%) .More than 90.0%Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid, and the rest CoNS strains were also highly sensitive to these two antibacterial agents.Conclusions CoNS plays an important role in post-surgery infection in neurosurgical patients, and Staphylococcus epidermidis is the dominant CoNS species.Most CoNS strains are methicillin-resistant, but are highly sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid.

Objective To discuss how to protect the intracranial vertebral artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery by observing and measuring the intracranial vertebral artery in the surgery adopt far lateral approach. Methods Mimicking far lateral approach, 20 adult cadaveric heads connected to neck fixed with 10% formalin were dissected. Intracranial segment of the vertebral arteries and their main branches were exposed and measured under operating microscope. Results The intracranial vertebral artery joined with the contralateral one into the basilar artery after traveling through the atlanto-occipital sulcus. The relationship between the vertebral artery and the hypoglossal nerve is close. Thirty sides (75%) of the vertebral arteries traveled to pons medulla sulcus in front of the hypoglossal nerve roots and 2 sides (5%) behind the hypoglossal nerve roots, while 8 sides (20%) traveled among the hypoglossal nerve roots; 70% of the vertebral arteries were contacted to the hypoglossal nerve roots, 30% of which compressed the hypoglossal nerve. The main branches of intracranial segment of the vertebral arteries were the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries, the anterior spinal arteries, the posterior meningeal arteries,and some perforating arteries. Posterior inferior cerebellar arteries all originated from the intracranial vertebral artery were the largest vertebral artery's branches; their trip was mostly loop-shaped and they had close relationship with Ⅸ, Ⅹ, Ⅺ cranial nerves. The starting points of the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries were different, even in the same specimen, but most of them originated from the upper 1/3intracranial vertebral artery. No anterior inferior cerebellar artery was noted originated from the vertebral artery in our specimen. Anterior spinal arteries originated from the vertebral arteries joined with the branches of the bilateral vertebral arteries and traveled down through the tortuous anterior median fissure to supply the spinal cord. Conclusion Being familiar with the characteristics and anatomic vertebral arteries variations of the intracranial vertebral artery and its branches can contribute to identify and protect the intracranial segment of the vertebral artery and its main branches in the surgery adopt far-lateral approach.

Objective: To observe the effects of manganese( Ⅲ ) meso-tetrakis (N, N'-diethylimidazolium-2-yl) porphyrin (MnTDM) in treatment of early Parkinson's disease(PD) mouse model induced by subcutaneous injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP) and to discuss its possible mechanism. Methods:Forty male C57BL/6 mice were evenly randomized into 4 groups: MPTP model group(subcutaneous injection of 25 mg/kg MPTP for 3 days), MnTDM+ MPTP group (15 mg/kg MnTDM was subcutaneously injected 1 h before MPTP injection), MnTDM control group, and normal saline group. Performance of animals in the pole and swimming test was observed 3 days after the last injection. Levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid [DOPAC] and homovanillic acid [HVA]) in the striatum of animals were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector(HPLC-ECD). Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method was used to examine the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA). Results: Acute injection of MPTP could be used for establishment of PD model. The striatal levels of DA, DOPAC and HVA in MPTP group were significantly lower(P＜0.01)and the striatal level of MDA was significantly higher(P＜0.05) than those of the control group. MPTP had no obvious effect on the behavioral performance of the animals in a short term. MnTDM could partly inhibit the above effects of MPTP. Compared with MPTP group, MnTDM+ MPTP group had significantly higher DA, DOPAC, and HVA levels and significantly lower MDA level(all P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the behavioral indices of animals between the 4 groups. Conclusion:MnTDM can inhibit lipid peroxidation and promote DA production; it has preventive and therapeutic effects on MPTP induced PD.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) on bone metabolism of mice in vivo.

METHODSTwenty-four male BALB/c mice were divided into a control group and 2 experimental groups (n=8). The whole-body of mice in experimental groups were exposed to 50 kV/m and 400kV/m EMP, 400 pulses daily for 7 consecutive days at 2 seconds intervals. Alkaline phosphotase (ALP) activity, serum calcium concentration and osteocalcin level and trabecular bone volume (BV/TV, %) were measured immediately after EMP exposure by biochemical, ELISA and morphological methods.

RESULTSThe ALP activity, serum calcium concentration and osteocalcin level and BV/TV in experimental groups remained unchanged after EMP exposure. Conclusion Under our experimental conditions, EMP exposure cannot affect bone metabolism of mice in vivo.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Osteocalcin ; blood

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of plasma exchange (PE) combined with intensive insulin glycemic control on related indexes of patients with HLP.METHODS:A total of 120 HLP patients were randomly divided into control group (60 cases) and observation group (60 cases).Based on routine treatment,2 groups were given PE treatment for 3 times+Low molecular weight heparin calcium for injection 5 000 U subcutaneously+Methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection 40 mg intravenously+Calcium gluconate injection 2 g intravenously.Based on it,Insulin injection was pumped to random blood glucose ＜12 mmol/L with a micro-infusion pump in control group when random blood glucose concentration was equal to or more than 12 mmol/ L.When random blood glucose of patients in observation group were higher than 8.3 mmol/L,Insulin injection was pumped with a micro-infusion pump for a week and random blood glucose concentration was maintained at 6.1-8.3 mmol/L.Plasma levels of triglyceride,PCT,WBC count,APACHE Ⅱ score,Balthazar CT score,length of hospitalization stay in ICU and the occurrence of ADR were observed in 2 groups before and after treatment.RESULTS:After treatment,plasma levels of triglyceride,amylase and PCT,WBC count,APACHE Ⅱ score and Balthazar CT score in 2 groups were significantly lower than before treatment,and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Length of hospitalization stay in ICU observation group was significantly shorter than control group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR between 2 groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSIONS:PE combined with intensive insulin glycemic control can effectively reduce the level of plasma triglyceride,relieve inflammatory reaction and improve prognosis without increasing the occurrence of ADR.

Objective To investigate whether paraptosis and autophagy have an effect on acute retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) in an experimental rat model that recapitulates features of acute hypertensive glaucoma and to explore the possible underlying mechanisms.Methods A total of 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into RIRI group and control group.The acute RIRI model was induced with normal saline in the right eye of rats from the RIRI group by anterior chamber perfusion,while the rats in the control group left untreated.On day 1,day 3,day 7,day 28 after RIRI model establishment,the changes in morphology of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM),and the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) was measured by immumofluorescence methods.Results When compared with the control group,the number of cytoplasmic vacuoles predominantly derived from the progressive swelling of mitochondria and/or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in RGCs were increased in the RIRI group from day 1 to day 28 by TEM.And ultra-structural analyses showed the double-or multiple-membrane autophagosomes were markedly accumulated in the cytoplasm of RGCs following acute RIRI.The average number of autophagic vacuoles in the cytoplasm of RGCs was 0.79 per 50 μm2 in the control group,and the average number of autophagosomes reached to a maximum on day 7 after acute RIRI at 2.29 per 50 μm2,which was statistically significant compared with the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared to the control group,LC3 expression in the cytoplasm of RGCs was up-regulated on day 1 after acute RIRI,which sustained throughout the experimental period.The percentage of LC3 positive cells in the retinal ganglion cell layer was 15.90％ in the control group,and the data was 46.95％ and 52.30％ on day 1 and day 28 after RIRI,respectively,both which were statistically significant compared with the normal control group (both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Both paraptosis and autophagy participate in death of RGCs after acute RIRI.Programmed cell death in different cells,either coexistence of multiple-cell death form or a single-cell death form,participates in the pathogenesis of acute RIRI.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical significance of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for evaluating the treatment outcome of nerve-mediated syncope (NMS) in children.

METHODSTwenty-eight children with NMS confirmed by a head-up tilt table test (HUTT) (12 males and 16 females, aged 6-13 years) and with a chief complaint of unexplained syncope or pre-syncope between February 2010 and August 2012, were included in the study. These children received health education combined with therapy using oral rehydration salts solution and were then reexamined for clinical symptoms as well as HUTT and ABPM results.

RESULTSOf 28 NMS cases, 22 were vasodepressive type, 5 were mixed type, and 1 was cardioinhibitory type. The follow-up showed that 27 (96%) of all cases had improved clinical symptoms, and 18 (64%) had improved HUTT results. The ABPM follow-up revealed no significant changes in 24-hour mean systolic pressure, 24-hour mean diastolic pressure, daytime mean systolic pressure, daytime mean diastolic pressure, nighttime mean systolic pressure, nighttime mean diastolic pressure, day-night difference of systolic pressure, and day-night difference of diastolic pressure after treatment (P>0.05). The percentage of children with a dipper blood pressure pattern increased from 29% (8/28) before treatment to 50% (14/28) after treatment; the percentage of children with a non-dipper blood pressure pattern decreased from 71% (20/28) before treatment to 50% (14/28) after treatment.

CONCLUSIONSAs an effective, objective and non-invasive monitoring means, ABPM is of some clinical significance for evaluating the treatment outcome of NMS in children.

Adolescent ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Child ; Female ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Rehydration Solutions ; administration & dosage ; Syncope ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Tilt-Table Test ; Treatment Outcome