Objective To Study the clinical characteristics of the :sick sinus syndrome,(SSS) in elderly patients.Methods The disease onset age and causes, natural course and symptoms,dynamic electrocardiography(DCG) and cardiac pacing occasion were reviewed and analyzed. in 50 elderly patients had the diagnosis of SSS.Results The morbidity of SSS had increased significantly in elderly men over 70 years. The ordinary causes were coronary heart disease (CHD),specific SSS and the hypertensive heart disease,cardiomyopathy; and degenerative valvular heart disease etc.The mean natural course were about 10 years.The course of DCG type III was the longest one and the type IV was the shortest. The early symptoms were palpitation, dizzy and weakness,and the late symptoms were transient amaurosis, syncope and the worse cardiac angina and heart failure .The cardiac pacing was predicated by the clinical symptom's severity, which was determinated by both of the severity of bradycardia or sinus arrest and the patient's ability of compensation and adaptation.DCG was the commonly used diagnostic method for SSS in elderly patients.Conclusions The SSS has high incidence in elderly men over 70 and is caused by kinds of deasese,such as CHD and specific SSS,etc.The course is frequently intermittent,hide and very long the disease course. The early symptoms and DCG are atypical. The late symptoms commonly are transient amaurosis and syncope .and the late DCG has four types.The cardiac pacing was predicated by the clinical symptom's severity and DCG was the commonly used to diagnose SSS in elderly patients.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of endothelial reconstruction in the injuried arterial wall by autologous endothelial cells transplantation. Methods New Zealand white rabbits (n=20) were subjected to bilateral iliofemoral artery balloon injury, Cultured autologous venous endothelial cells were immediately transplanted by balloon catheter into one vessel, whereas the contralateral artery received the medium only. In 10 rabbits, vessels were harvested 4 hours and 4 days after transplantation for analysis of endothelial coverage by scanning electron microscope (SEM); In 5 rabbits, the cultured endothelial cells were labeled with a fluorescent tracer before their introduction into the injured vessel, and 4 days after transplantation, vessels were harvested to obtain fluorescent imaging of the seeded endothelial cells; Another 5 rabbits were sacrificed 4 days after transplantation for Evans blue staining. Results Four hours after the operation, SEM demostrated that the endothelial layer in control vessels were denuded completely, whereas some round endothelial cells had adhered into the aterial wall in cell transplantation group; four days after cell transplantation, the transplanted cells had attached and spread in the injuried aterial wall by SEM, a number of fluorescent labeling endothelial cells were observed in the endothelial denuded aterial wall, the vessels that received the medium only were stained nearly completely by Evans blue, whereas in those vessels that received cell transplantation, about 60% area were not stained. Conclusion Autologus endothelial cells can be effectively transplanted into the injuried arterial wall by balloon catheter.

Adult ; Ammonia ; poisoning ; Female ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Poisoning ; complications ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory System ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Time Factors

Objective To compare the clinical efficiency of two methods in the open surgery treatment of seconda-ry common bile duet stones: transeytie common bile duet exploration with eholedoehoscope (TCBDE),or traditional eholedoehotomy with T-tube drainage.Methods Retrospectively analysis the treatment of 113 eases with secondary bile duet stones (TCBDE group 58 cases ,T-tube group 45 cases) ; Compare the achievement ratio,operating time; complications,average hospital stay and cost between two groups.Results All procedure is successful,without any severe complications.There are no significant differences of operating time.The TCBDE group has sig-nificantly shorter hospital stay and lower cost.Conclusion TCBDE has significant advantages than the traditional choledochotomy,and should be the predominant method in the open surgery of secondary common bile duet stones.

Objective To determine the role of erythrocytes immunoadhering in the pathogenesis of the patients with mesangiopro-liferative glomerulonephntis (MsPGN). Methods The immunoadhering functions of erythroeytes and leukoeytcs were measured in 31 patients with no- IgAN,24 patients with IgAN and 30 normal children by rosette tests:RCR,RICR,TRR,TNR and TLR. Results 1. The immunoadhering functions of erythroeytes (RCR and TRR) of the patients with no- IgAN and IgAN were obviously decreased compared to those of control group,but RICR showed no significant difference;2. The immunoadhering functions of leukocytes (TNR and TLR ) of the patients with no- IgAN and IgAN were obviously decreased compared to those of control group;3 The degree of the decreased immunoadhering functions of erythroeytes was correlated respectively with that of the immunoadhering functions of leukoeytes. Conclusions The decrease of the function of erythroeyte and leukocyte immunoadhering plays an important role in the pathogenesis in patients with MsPGN. These rosette tests may be used in clinic.

OBJECTIVETo develop a new technique for assessing the risk of birth defects, which are a major cause of infant mortality and disability in many parts of the world.

METHODSThe region of interest in this study was Heshun County, the county in China with the highest rate of neural tube defects (NTDs). A hybrid particle swarm optimization/ant colony optimization (PSO/ACO) algorithm was used to quantify the probability of NTDs occurring at villages with no births. The hybrid PSO/ACO algorithm is a form of artificial intelligence adapted for hierarchical classification. It is a powerful technique for modeling complex problems involving impacts of causes.

RESULTSThe algorithm was easy to apply, with the accuracy of the results being 69.5%±7.02% at the 95% confidence level.

CONCLUSIONThe proposed method is simple to apply, has acceptable fault tolerance, and greatly enhances the accuracy of calculations.

Algorithms ; Artificial Intelligence ; China ; epidemiology ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Models, Biological ; Neural Tube Defects ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo identify HLA-A0201 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes derived from the hepatitis B virus e (HBe) antigen, for future use in a specific immunotherapy based on the identified epitope(s).

METHODSHBe gene sequences from the hepatitis B virus serotypes with the highest frequencies in China were analyzed by bioinformatic web-based interfaces for quantitative motif prediction, extended motif prediction, and peptide super-motif prediction. Four candidate peptides were identified: HBe1, HBe2, HBe3, and HBe4. The affinities of each were tested in vitro with T2 cells, which lack the transporter-associated with antigen transport (TAP) protein but express low levels of the MHC class I surface molecule, and measured by the T2 binding assay and DC50 assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect the fluorescence index of control and experimental groups.

RESULTSThe peptides HBe1 (LLWFHISCL), HBe2 (YLVSFGVWI), HBe3 (CLTFGRETV), and HBe4 (DLLDTASAL) were identified and tested as candidate targets. HBe2 and HBe3 showed higher HLA-A0201 affinity. HBe1, HBe2, and HBe3 showed better binding stability.

CONCLUSIONTwo peptides based on HBe antigen, YLVSFGVWI and CLTFGRETV, possess both sufficient binding affinity and stability and may represent useful HLA-A0201-restricted CTL epitopes. Further study is needed to determine the immunogenic properties of these two peptides in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in clinical efficacy on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) between electroacupuncture (EA) and dyne-35 and to explore the effect mechanism.

METHODSSixty-five patients were randomized into an EA group (33 cases) and a western medication group (32 cases). In the EA group, the selected acupoints were Danzhong (CV 17), Qimen (LR 14), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taichong (LR 3), etc. After the arrival of qi, electric stimulation was attached to the acupoints for 30 min. The treatment was given 3 times a week. In the western medication group, dyne-35 was prescribed on the 5th day of natural menstruation or withdrawal bleeding, one tablet a day, continuously for 21 days. The treatment cycle was 3 months in the two groups. The menstrual condition, body mass, body mass index (BMI), serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH/FSH were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was assessed in the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 90.6% (29/32) in the EA group and was 93.3% (28/30) in the western medication group. The efficacy was similar in the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the levels of LH and LH/FSH were all reduced significantly in the two groups (all P < 0.01). After treatment, T level in serum was reduced apparently in the western medication group (P < 0.05). Before and after treatment, the differences in body mass and BMI in the EA group were more significant than those in the western medication group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA is the effective method for PCOS, similar to that of dyne-35. The effect of it for weight loss is superior to dyne-35 and no apparent adverse reactions happen. The effect mechanism of EA is related to the regulation of serum sexual hormone levels and their ratio, as well as to the regulation of body lipid metabolism.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Cyproterone Acetate ; administration & dosage ; Drug Combinations ; Electroacupuncture ; Ethinyl Estradiol ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Young Adult

The chemical constituents from Euphorbia lunulata was investigated in this paper. Fourteen compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatographies on silica gel and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by physiochemical properties and NMR data analysis as lupeol (1), euphol (2), cassipourol(3) , 24-methylenecycloartan-3beta-ol (4), 24-hydroperoxycycloart-25-en-3beta-ol (5), 25-hydroperoxycycloart-23-en-3beta-ol (6), betulin (7), uvaol (8), (23E) -25-methoxycycloart-23-en-3beta-ol (9), (23E) -cycloart-23,25-dien-3beta-ol (10), 24-methylenecycloartan-3beta, 28-diol (11), salicinolide (12), 2alpha, 3beta, 5alpha, 9alpha, 15beta-pentaacetoxy-11,12-epoxy-7beta, 8alpha-diisobutyryloxyjatropha-6 (17) -en-14-one (13) and 3beta, 5alpha, 15beta-triacetoxy-7beta-isobutyryloxy-9alpha-nicotinoyloxyjatropha-6 (17), 11(E)-dien-14-one (14). Among them, compounds 1-11 were isolated from E. lunulata for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Euphorbia ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Stereoisomerism

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of connexin (Cx) 40-formed gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) on Photofrin- photodynamic therapy (PDT) phototoxicity in Cx40- transfected HeLa cells and its potential mechanisms. METHODS HeLa cell line stably transfected to express Cx40 was seeded at high and low cell density, respectively, to assess in vitro photosensitivity using CCK8 assay. Western blot assay was performed to detect the expression of Cx40. The intracellular ROS and Ca2 +concentrations were determined using flow cytometer. 4-HNE and ceramide were measured using ELISA assay. RESULTS Cx40-composed GJ formation at high density enhances the phototoxicity of Photofrin-PDT. When the Cx40 is not expressed or Cx40 channels are blocked, the phototoxicity in high-density cultures substantially reduces, indicating that the enhanced PDT phototoxicity at high density is mediated by Cx40-composed GJIC. The GJIC-mediated increase in PDT phototoxicity was associated with ROS and calcium-mediated stress signaling pathways. CONCLUSION The work uniquely presents the ability of Cx40-composed GJIC to enhance the sensitivity of malignant cells to PDT, and indicates that mainte?nance or increase of Cx40-formed GJIC may be a profitable strategy towards the enhancement of PDT therapeutic efficiency.