Objective To analyse CT appearances of malignant neurilemoma in the thorax and abdomen,in order to improve the diagnostic accuracy of this disorder. Methods There were 9 cases(5 cases in thorax and 4 cases in abdomen) with malignant neurilemoma proved by pathology (7 cases by surgery and 2 cases by CT guided percutaneous puncture biopsy). CT both plain and enhanced scans were performed in all cases. Results Tumors were located in the mediastinum in 5, in abdominal wall and retroperitoneum in 2 respectively .7 cases were isolated masses,2cases were disseminated masses,in company with pleuritic fluid was in 4 and with osteogenic metastasis of vertabral body in one case.The isolated masses appeared as round or ellipse with low density in the centre,the CT value was 5~20 HU,6 cases had complete capsule.The disseminated masses in 2 cases appeared as homogeneous density.On contrast-enhanced scan,the solid parts of masses were enhanced in different degree. Conclusion The isolated thoracic and abdominal malignant neurilemoma is of certain CT characteristics, but the disseminated one is not.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in treatment of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods Of 72 patients with NAFLD6,8 patients with elevated alanine transaminase(ALT)and cholesterol levels at baseline had completed the study.The patients were randomly divided into treatment trial group(n=38)and control group(n=30,ithout any treatment).The patients in trial group were orally received 10 or 20 mg of atorvastatin daily according to basal serum cholesterol levels being≤or＞6.5 mmol/L,respectively.The parameters including body mass index,serum cholesterol level and ALT level were tested and liver density was assessed by echography at baseline and 6 months after treatment.Results There was a significant difference in syndrome scores between baseline and 6 months after treatment[(11.05±1.29)vs.(6.08±0.87)]in trial group(t=1.96,P＜0.05).Six months after treatment,11 patients in trial group were presented with normal ALT levels.whereas only 2 patients in control group had normal ALT levels (P＜0.05).There was a significant differenee in cholesterol level between baseline and 6 months after treatment[(6.6±0.54)ramol/L vs.(5.4±0.5)mmol/L]in trial group(t=1.72,P＜0.05).In addition,there was no differenee in body mass index between baseline and 6 months after treatment both in rial group[(26.8±2.9)kg/m~2 vs.(26.4±2.8)kg/m~2]and control group[(26.5±2.3)kg/m~2 vs.(26.4±2.2)kg/m2~](P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in liver density of two groups before and after treatment(P＞0.05).No side effect was reported.Conclusions Serum ALT and cholesterol levels are reduced significantly in all patients treated with atorvastatin.It is effective and safe for atorvastatin in treating NAFLD patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Objective To find the way of inducing the bone marrow mesynchymal stem cells(MSCs)into cardiac cells with pacemaking function in vitro.Methods Dissociate the rat MSCs and induce them with 5AZA,bFGF+EGF,HGF,SCF and lysate of the sinoatrial cells respectively.The morphological changes were observed,and the expressing of protein cTnT,connexin 43 and HCN2/4 were analyse by immunohistologic and flowcytometry techniques.The pacmaking current If were evaluted by patch clamp techniques.Results All the methods can induce the bone marrow MSCs to differentiate into cardiac cells,which expressing cardiac cell specific protein and HCN2.Cells induced by 5AZA,bFGF+EGF and SAN CMs show higher rate of HCN2 expressing(22.9%,22.3%,11%).The cells of these groups have the pacmaking current If.Conclusion Lysate of the sinoatrial cells are ideal methods of inducing the bone marrow MSCs to differentiate into cardiac cells with pacemaking function in vitro.HCN is a promising marker protein to select pacmaking cells out of the differentiated cells.

OBJECTIVE To review and analyze the change in the MICs of vancomycin,teicoplanin and linezolid in meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) strains isolated in our hospital from 2003 to 2007. METHODS The MICs of vancomycin,teicoplanin and linezolid were tested by Etest method on a sample of randomly selected MRSA strains. RESULTS The incidences of MRSA increased from 52.2% in 2003 to 74.5% in 2007.MIC of vancomycin increased from 1.85 ?g/ml in 2003 to 2.15 ?g/ml in 2007,and teicoplanin MIC geometric mean increased even more markedly from 1.28 ?g/ml in 2003 to 2.07 ?g/ml in 2007.The linezolid MIC remained almost unchanged. CONCLUSIONS The incidences of MRSA were increasing from 2003 to 2007.There is a upward trend in MIC of glycopeptide over the years,in which the increase for teicoplanin is higher than others two.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between plasma level of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and coronary artery ectasia in relevant patients. Methods: A total of 72 patients received coronary angiography (CAG) in our hospital were studied and the patients were divided into 3 groups: Coronary ectasia group, Coronary stenosis group and Normal coronary group.n=24 in each group. Plasma levels of ADMA, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and L-arginine (Arg) were measured by HPLC-MS/MS methods. The relationship between ADMA and CAD was examined by Logistic regression analysis. Results: Plasma level of ADMA in Coronary ectasia group (0.437 ± 0.098) μmol/L and Coronary stenosis group (0.456 ± 0.088) μmol/L were higher than that in Normal coronary group (0.381 ± 0.057) μmol/L,P<0.05. The ratio of Arg/ADMA in Coronary ectasia group (208.54 ± 61.52) and Coronary stenosis group (220.00 ± 104.82) were lower than that in Normal coronary group (254.26 ± 76.22),P<0.05. Logistic regression analysis presented that with adjusted age, gender, smoking, family history of CAD and LDL-C level, and plasma ADMA was still related with CAD (Partial regression coefifcient 9.469, P=0.011). Conclusion: Plasma levels of ADMA were higher in patients with coronary artery ectasia/stenosis than those with normal coronary artery; while ADMA levels were similar between the patients with coronary ectasia and stenosis. Plasma ADMA level was the independent risk factor of CAD.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE-PH).Methods Echo data of 598 SLE patients were collected,clinical characteristics of 107 suspected SLE-PH (PASP ≥40 mmHg,estimated by Echo) and 64 suspected moderate to severe PH (PASP ≥50 mmHg) were retrospectively analyzed.T-test,x2-test and Logisticregression were used for statistical analysis.Results Out of 598 patients 70.7％(423 patients) had abnormal Echo findings,and pericardial effusion in 45.5％(272 cases),valvular insufficiency in 31.3％(187 cases),suspected PH in 17.9％(107 cases),left ventricular enlargement in 5.9％(35 cases),left ventricular hypertrophy in 4.3％(26cases).In addition 1.7％ had mitral valve prolapse,1.5％ had mitral valve vegetation,and right ventricular enlargement in 6.5％(39 cases),LVEF＜50％ in 6.0％(36 cases),right ventricular systolic dysfunction in 2.2％(13 cases).Logistic regression analysis showed Raynaud's phenomenon (OR=3.205,95％CI:1.911-5.375,P=0.000),thrombocytopenia (OR=1.680,95％CI:1.049-2.689,P=0.031),hyperuricemia (OR=3.643,95％CI:2.154-6.164,P=0.000),and anti-U1RNP antibody positivity (OR=1.777,95％CI:1.099-2.874,P=0.019)were independent risk factors for suspected SLE-PH,fever (OR=0.576,P=0.029)and rash (OR=0.558,P=0.017) were independent protective factors for suspected SLE-PH.SLE duration (OR=1.145,95％CI:1.016-1.290,P=0.026) and Raynaud's phenomenon (OR=3.371,95％CI:1.126-10.086,P=0.030)were independent risk factors for suspected moderate to severe PH,nephritic syndrome (OR=0.042,P=0.009) was the in dependent protective factor for suspected moderate to severe PH.Conclusion Cardiac involvement is common in SLE patients.Screening for PH should be considered in SLE patients with thrombocytopenia,hyperuricemia,anti-U1RNP antibody positivity,particularly with Raynaud's phenomenon.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of 6-mercaptopurine in the treatment of refractory childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS). Methods: According to the varieties of NS, 6-mercaptopurine (2 mg/kg body weight daily) combined with corticosteroid or 6-mercaptopurine (2 mg/kg body weight daily) alone after tapering of steroids were given to 28 consecutive children with primary NS in our hospital. Results: One month after the use of 6-mercaptopurine, proteinuria was decreased. The duration of improvement was 9～28 days, with mean duration of 17 days. Over-all effective rate was 85.7%. Among different varieties of NS, the best therapeutic effect was noted in steroid-dependent children; the better therapeutic effect in steroid-resistant children; and good therapeutic effect in frequently relapsing children. The effective rates were 100%, 84.6%, 81.8% respectively. All the pathological varieties of 28 children were confirmed by renal biopsy. The better therapeutic effects were noted in slight mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) and minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). The less therapeutic effect was noted in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). Their therapeutic effective rates were 92.9%, 80%, 66.7% respectively. Unfortunately, drug-induced aplastic anemia was seen in 2 cases. Slight gastrointestinal reactions were present in 6 cases. There were no side reaction on the gonad. Conclusions: The great difference in the therapeutic effects is related to the different pathologic varieties of NS. With regard to the treatment of refractory NS in children, the pathological varieties should be confirmed by renal biopsy as soon as possible. Based on the renal biopsy, 6-mercaptopurine can be considered in the treatment of MsPGN and MCNS. As a result, relapses could be reduced; the duration of remission could be prolonged, and the side reactions from steroid treatment could be avoided. The use of 6-mercaptopurine for the treatment of refractory NS is one of the effective therapy.

Objective To established cardiac-specific transgenic mice of the cTnC D145E and cTnCG159D and compare the HCM and the DCM.Methods The cTnCD145E and cTnCG159D were generated by site-directed mutagenesis and the transgenic plasmids were constructed by insertion of the mutant genes under the control of α-MHC, which is a myocardium specific promoter.The transgenic mice were generated by microinjection and were all maintained on a C57BL/6J genetic backgroud .The cardiac structure and function of the transgenic mice were compared and analysized by echocardiographic and pathological observation at different ages .Results The cTnCD145E and cTnCG159D transgenic mice were established and developed to HCM and DCM, respectively, with aging.The left ventricular end-systolic volume (ESV) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume ( EDV) decreased and ejection fraction ( EF) and left ventricular end-systolic posterior wall thickness (ESPWT) increased in the cTnCD145E transgenic mice, while EDV and ESV increased and EF and ESPWT decreased in the cTnCG159D transgenic mice at 12 months of age.Conclusions Cardiac-specific human cTnCD145E transgenic mice showed HCM phenotypes , and cardiac-specific human cTnC G159D transgenic mice showed DCM phenotypes , which can be used as different models for comparative study of the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy .

Objective To study the effects of NRG2 on cardiac structure and function , we established the cardiac-specific human NRG2 transgenic mice and investigate the effect of NRG2 on cardiac structure and function under pressure overload situation .Methods The transgenic vector was constructed by insertion of the human NRG2 gene under the α-MHC promoter.The transgenic mice were generated by microinjection and were all maintained on a C57BL/6J genetic background .The genotype of transgenic mice was identified by PCR and the expression level of target gene was determined by western blot .Transverse aortic constriction ( TAC) was applied to prepare the pressure overload induced cardiomyopathy mice model .The cardiac structure and function of the transgenic mice were compared and analysized by echocardiographic and pathological observation .Results Transgenic mice with high level of NRG2 in heart tissues were established.The left ventricular wall thickness (LVPWD) was increased, and to 15.6% at 3 months old compared with that of the non transgenic ( NTG) mice.The hypertrophy of left ventricular wall caused by pressure overload was removed due to the expression of NRG2 .Meanwhile, cardiac disarray and fibrosis were increased obviously compared with that of the NTG mice.Conclusion The transgenic expression of NRG2 in heart tissues could shorten the pathological process of hypertrophy, but accelerated the process of heart failure (HF).

Objective To develop a model that could copy the pathological development of psoriasis, the triple-transgenic mice that harboring Plasminogen activator, urokinase ( PLAU) ,PLAU receptor ( PLAUR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 ( STAT3 ) were generated.They are the important genes involved in the pathological development of psoriasis.Methods The transgenic plasmid was constructed by insertion of the PLAU, PLAUR and STAT3 into the downstream bovine keratin 5 promoter respectively.The transgenic mouse was produced by microinjection and the genotyping was detected by PCR.The expression level of the transgenic gene was determined by Western blotting.The pathological changes were observed by HE staining.Results One mouse line was selected with over expression of the PLAU, PLAUR and STAT3 in the tissue of skin.The transgenic mice showed decreased dermal layer, a hyperkeratinized cuticular layer and increased stratum spinosum.The number of hair follicle was reduced and developed abnormally in the transgenic mice.The Munro abscess in the dermal layer and the increased inflammatory cell infiltrates in dermal layer were also observed in the transgenic mice.Conclusions A transgenic mouse line was produced and passage stably, which expressed the PLAU, PLAUR and STAT3 in the tissue of skin and developed the psoriasis progressively.All of our results suggested that the transgenic mice were a useful animal model for psoriasis.