Cardiovascular Diseases ; Humans ; Mast Cells

Humans ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; therapy

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compressive fractures. Methods From May 2000 to June 2002, 56 consecutive procedures were performed in 30 patients of painful osteoporotic vertebral compressive fractures with intact posterior vertebral body wall. Each procedure includes bilateral insertion of inflatable balloon, fracture reduction and fulfilled with bone cement. Preoperative and postoperative symptom levels, complications and radiographic findings were recorded and analyzed. Results All 30 patients tolerated the procedure well with immediate relief of their back pain in 48 hours. The mean loss of the anterior and mid vertebral body heights were (13.6?2.3) mm, (9.2?1.4) mm preoperatively and (4.7?1.5) mm, (3.4?1.1) mm postoperatively. The mean kyphosis was improved from 23.4??5.2? to 9.2??4.7?. Cement leakage and cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred at one level respectively and resulted in no clinical symptoms, no other complication was found. Conclusion As a promising minimally invasive surgery, balloon kyphoplasty can provide early improvement of pain and function as well as spinal alignment in treatment of painful osteoporotic compressive fractures.

The nature and functions of astrocytes (AS)， the pathological changes and roles of AS after spinal cord injury， the experimental methods of inhibiting AS proliferation and glial scar formation， and so on, were reviewed. AS beneficially affects repairing injured spinal cord at different periods of differentiation. However， adult AS secreting the factors formed the chemical glial barrier which severely affects nerve regeneration and hinders axon extension. Because of the static， activated and proliferative AS tending to coexist after spinal cord injury， and complex factors of barrier formation， the current approach taken by a single method is difficult to effectively control the AS proliferation and glial scar formation.

Objective To investigate the effect of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels and cognitive dysfunction on patients with type 2 diabetes and explore the other factors that affect cognitive function.Methods 80 patients with type 2 diabetes were selected as our subjects and they were divided into cognitive impairment group (38 cases),cognitive normal group (42 cases) according to a simple mental state scale(MMSE) score.The plasma Hcy,glycosylated hemoglobin,blood lipid,uric acid,24 h urine trace albumin were measured.Results Plasma Hcy concentration in diabetic cognitive dysfunction,non cognitive impairment group and normal control group respectively were(19.56 ± 5.23),(16.21 ± 3.27),(14.67 ± 4.27) tmol/L,and there was statistically significant difference(F =3.76,P ＜0.05).The plasma Hcy levels in diabetic cognitive impairment group was higher than that non-cognitive impairment group(P ＜ 0.05) and normal control group (P ＜ 0.01),The factors impaired cognitive function in patients with other factors included age,glycosylated hemoglobin,body mass index,diabetes duration and plasma Hcy levels,and there were negative correlation with MMSE score (r =-0.336,-0.285,-0.226,-0.392,-0.312 ; all P values were less than 0.05).Conclusion Patient's age,duration of diabetes,glycosylated hemoglobin and BMI can affect cognitive function in patients.Higher Hcy levels in patients with type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for cognitive impairment.

Objective To investigate the relationship between blood vessel invasion (BVI) and clinicopathologic features and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer,and analyze related factors affecting the prognosis of patients.Methods The clinicopathological data of 206 patients with gastric cancer who were admitted to the Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2007 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.The BVI of surgical tumor specimens in all patients was detected by immunohistochemical staininng.All the patients were followed up via outpatient examination and telephone interview up to March 2014.The count data were analyzed using the chi-square test.The survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method.The survival analysis and univariate analysis were done using the Log-rank test,and multivariate analysis was done using the COX regression model.Results The BVI rate of 206 patients was 27.67％ (57/206).The BVI rate of tumor tissues,tumor differentiation,perineural invasion,T stage,N stage and TNM stage in all patients with gastric cancer were compared,showing significant differences (x2=14.396,9.569,15.579,43.453,30.732,P ＜ 0.05).After operation,188 patients were followed up for 6.0-60.0 months (median,34.0 months),with the follow-up rate of 91.26％ (188/206).Among 188 patients with follow-up,the median survival time and 5-year cumulative survival rate in patients with BVI and with negative BVI were 32.4 months and 19.6％,40.7 months and 42.0％,respectively,with a significant difference in the survival of patients (x2 =9.364,P ＜ 0.05).The results of univariate analysis showed that the diameter of tumor,tumor differentiation,perineural invasion,BVI,T stage,N stage and TNM stage were factors affecting the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (x2=9.241,17.486,11.243,9.364,27.666,216.745,49.887,P ＜ 0.05).The results of multivariate analysis showed that the diameter of tumormore than 5 cm,BVI,stage T4,stage N3 and stage Ⅲ were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (HR =0.502,0.456,0.052,0.001,0.735; 95％ confidence interval:0.334-0.754,0.289-0.720,0.004-0.664,0.000-0.006,0.159-3.398,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions BVI in patients with gastric cancer is associated with the progression of tumors.The diameter of tumor more than 5cm,BVI,stage T4,stage N3 and stage Ⅲ are independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer,and BVI may be a predictor of poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.

AIM: To explore the effect of Bu Shen Yang Xue Ming Mu (BSYXMM) Formula on hydroquinone-induced oxidative stress injury in ARPE-19 cells.METHODS: The oxidative injury model of ARPE-19 cell was induced by exposure to various concentrations of hydroquinone (HQ) to determine the optimal concentration.Intestinal absorption solutions of BSYXMM Formula were prepared.Effect of intestinal absorption solutions of BSYXMM Formula on the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay,and the percentage of apoptotic cells was measured by TUNEL assay.The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in ARPE-19 cells were detected by means of chemical colorimetry.RESULTS: It was found that ARPE-19 cell viability significantly decreased when the concentration of HQ was higher than 90μmol/L.Compared with the model group,1% and 2% intestinal absorption solutions in the pre-treatment group could significantly alleviate HQ-induced injury (P<0.01) and 0.5% and 5% intestinal absorption solutions in the pre-treatment group could alleviate the injury in certain degree(P<0.05).While in the treatment group 1% and 2% intestinal absorption solutions could alleviate the injury to some extent (P<0.05).TUNEL results showed that the apoptosis rate decreased significantly in the pre-treatment group (P<0.01)and to some extent in the treatment group (P<0.05)compared with the model group.It was shown that both levels of SOD and GSH-Px in pre-treatment group and treatment group were markedly higher than that of model group(P<0.05),and pre-treatment group had more significant effect (P<0.01,P<0.05).CONCLUSION: BSYXMM Formula could protect against HQ-induced oxidative stress injury in ARPE-19 cells,which may be related with the increasing of antioxidant enzyme in the cells.

Objective To summarize the clinical features of neonatal lower respiratory tract infection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Methods Data of newborns admitted into Deparrment of Neonatology of Yuying Children Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College from January to December 2010 with RSV lower respiratory tract infection were retrospectively analyzed. The characteristics of clinical manifestation,examination,treatment and prognosis were studied.Factors affecting the duration of hospitalization were analyzed with x2 test. Results Of 354 cases of neonatal lower respiratory tract infection,75 (21.2％) were RSV positive,whose attack time was from 5 to 25 days with an average of 13.2 days; and there were two preterm infants (2.7％).The chief clinical manifestations were cough (100.0％,75/75),followed by shortness of breath (56.0％,42/75),spittle (52.0％,39/75) and fever with temperature ≥38.0 ℃ (25.3％,19/75).The white blood cell count of one newborn was higher than 20.0× 109/L; 52 cases (69.3％) had higher blood lymphocyte percentage (＞ 0.48) ; eight cases (10.7％) had higher level of C-reactive protein (≥ 8 mg/L).Among the 58 patients who underwent blood gas analysis,28 (48.3％) had carbon dioxide retention (partial pressure of carbon dioxide≥ 45 mm Hg). Chest X-ray results within 48 hours after hospitalization suggested that 52.0％ patients (n =39) had pneumonia and 20.0％ (n=15) had bronchitis.Among 69 patients who had sputum cultures,20 cases were positive.And for the 11 cases who had blood cultures,three were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis.Finally,73 cases were cured,two were improved and no death was reported.The duration of hospitalization was from 3 to 17 days with an average of 8.4 days.Neonates with RSV lower respiratory tract infection who had higher C-reactive protein (≥8 mg/L),carbon dioxide retention,nasal oxygen catheter or assisted ventilation had higher percentage of longer hospital stay (≥7 days). Conclusions Compared with infants,the clinical characteristics of RSV lower respiratory tract infections in neonates are atypical,which are mainly menifested by cough,shortness of breath,spittle,but rare wheezing.There are no effective interventions against RSV infection except for supportive therapy.

BACKGROUND: According to the thought "prevention of diseases", a conception of "strengthening the vital by acupuncture preconditioning (AP)" is suggested recently.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of brain tissue extract after AP on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.DESIGN: Random control experiment.SETTING: Institute of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Massage, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Hubei College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.MATERIALS: Totally 102 adult Wistar rats were selected during the experiment, which was completed in the Institute of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Massage of Hubei College of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2003 to July 2004. Among them, 20 rats were used to prepare cerebral tissue extract, and another 82 were used in the subsequent experiment.METHODS: The brain tissue extract was obtained from the rats which were given electroacupuncture at Shenshu (BL-23) and Baihui (DU-20).Totally 82 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Five rats in blank control group were taken as blank control, 15 in sham-operation control group were performed with sham operation, 16 in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion control group with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, 16 in saline control group with the injection of saline intravenously firstly and then cerebral ischemia-reperfusion modeling, 15 in normal cerebral tissue extract control group with the injection of normal cerebral tissue extract intravenously firstly and then cerebral ischemia-reperfusion modeling, and 15 in AP cerebral tissue extract group with the injection of cerebral tissue extract intravenously firstly and then cerebral ischemia-reperfusion modeling.Intravenous injection was performed 2 hours and 1 hour before cerebral ischemic modeling, and each rat was injected twice with 1 mL/time. Brain tissue of the rats was taken ont 1, 3, 7 days after reperfusion respectively (or each group was divided into 3 subgroups with 5 rats in each) except those in blank control group. The blain tissue of rat in each group was selected at the relevant time points, and embedded with paraffin and cut into pieces. Cerebral histopathology was observed under the light scope (× 400)and the survival neurons were counted whose area was layer y of region Ⅰ in parietal cortex (inner cone).cortex.RESULTS: Two rats died during the experiment in cerebral ischemiareperfusion control group and saline control group respectively. Another Except blank control group and sham operation group, the brain sections of different time points in other groups showed scattering ischemic anoxic Count of survival neurons in layer Ⅴ of area I in parietal cortex: One day after reperfusion, survival nerve density of the brain ischemic reperfusion model group [(338.8±31.2)/mm2] was significantly lower than that of blank control group [(753.4±60.8)/mm2] (F=129.36, P ＜ 0.05); degeneration of the nerves became worse after reperfusion for 3 days and 7 days, but with no significant difference (F=1.76, P ＞ 0.05). There was no significant difference between the saline control group, normal brain tissue extract group and brain ischemic reperfusion model group at different time points (F=1.76, P ＞ 0.05). Survival neuron density in group of brain tissue extract after AP at the three time points was significantly higher than that in brain ischemic reperfusion model group [(438.1±41.0), (338.8±31.2)/mm2,(296.4±27.1), (124.8±13.4)/mm2; (269.5±30.4), (1.324±0.157)/mm2;F=129.36, P ＜ 0.05].CONCLUSION: Injection of the brain tissue extract after AP at Shenshu (BL-23) and Baihui (DU-20) into the celiac cavity of rats could obviously reduce the subsequent neuron loss induced by brain isehemia-reperfusion and protect brain from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective To investigate the effects of low-dose of hydrocortisone on circulating thymus-dependent lymphocyte (T lymphocyte) apoptosis in patients with septic shock. Method fifty-seven patients with septic shock admitted into ICU from January 2006 to January 2009 were prospectively randomized (random number) to treatment group and control group. Another 20 healthy volunteers and 18 patients with sepsis alone were included as external control groups.The patients of treatment group and control group were treated with low-dose of hydrocortisone and placebo,respectively. Samples of peripheral blood were taken from healthy volunteers and patients 0 hr,24 hrs,48 hrs,72 hrs and 168 hrs after onset of the disease to determine the circulating T lymphocyte apoptosis by using the assays of Annexin V and flow cytometry. Least significant difference t -test was used for multiple comparisons. Results The percentage of Annexin V-positive CD4+ T lymphocytes in the primary stage was (11.01 +4.52)% in septic shock patients, (4.41 + 1.45)% in healthy volunteers, and (7.87 + 3. 82)% in patients with sepsis alone. And in the initial setting, the percentage of Annexin V-positive CD4+ T lymphocytes in the septic shock patients was higher than that in healthy volunteers ( P < 0.05) and in patients with sepsis alone ( P < 0.05). The percentage of Annexin V-positive CD8 + T lymphocytes at the beginning was (11.33+19.62)% in septic shock patients, (9.62+8.32)% in healthy volunteers, and (13.09+ 15.84)% in patients with sepsis alone (P > 0.05 between three groups). The percentages of Annexin V-positive CD4+ T lymphocytes in control group after 24 his, 48 hrs and 72 hrs were(13.51+6.85)%, (19.39 + 6.63)% and (15.33+ 6.21)%, respectively. And the percentages of Annexin V-positive CD4+ T lymphocytes in treatment patients after 24 hrs, 48 hrs and 72 hrs were (17.4 + 7.21)%, (22.61 + 5.64)%, and (25.73 + 6.91)%, respectively. The percentage of Annexin V-positive CD4+ T lymphocytes in septic shock patients was higher than that in control groups ( P < 0.05). The percentages of Annexin V-positive CD8+ T lymphocytes in control group after 24 hrs, 48 hrs and 72 hrs were (11.49+ 11.73)%, (12.74+ 10.39)% and (13.28+ 16.6)%, respectively, and in the treatment group, those were (9.49 + 8.9)%, (15.32+18.17)% and (13.68+16.84)%, respectively (P >0.05 between two groups). In the meantime, the percentages of Annexin V-positive CDS'1' T lymphocytes in control group and in treatment group were (12.72+ 19.69)% and (13.88 + 13.28)%, respectively (P >0.05). Conclusions Low-dose of hydrocortisone could induce CD4+ T lymphocyte apoptosis and has no effects on CD8+ T lymphocyte apoptosis when it is used to treat septic shock.