Objective To prospectively assess the association between cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT )and left atrial volume .Methods Fourteen patients with chronic heart failure ,sinus rhythm and left bundle branch block were enrolled in this study and prepared for CRT implantation .Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed before CRT implantation and 6 months later .Followings were parameters of the left atrial and left ventricular volume:left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVi)and end-diastolic volume index(LVEDVi) ,maximal LAV index(iLAVmax) ,etc ,LAV index before atrial systole(iL-AVpre)and minimal LAV(iLAVmin) .CRT responders were defined as those whose reduction rates were more than 10% in iL-VESV in 6-month follow-up .Results Responders(71 .4% )and non-responders(28 .6% )had similar baseline ,clinical characteristics and pre-implantation LV volumes .However ,iLAVmax in the responders was remarkably lower than that in non-responders .CRT therapy significantly reduced LVESVi(P<0 .01) ,LVEDVi(P<0 .001) ,iLAVmax(P=0 .004) ,iLAVpre(P=0 .003)and iLAVpost (P<0 .01) ,but when compared with the non-responders ,iLAVmax was much lower in responders .Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation of LVEDVi with iLAVmax ,iLAVpost(P<0 .05) .Conclusion CRT therapy can significant-ly improve iLAVpre and iLAVmax may be a predictor of LV reverse remodeling .

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive moxibustion for adjuvant treatment of depression in Parkinson disease and explore its mechanism. Methods: A total of 80 patients with Parkinson disease coupled with depression were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 40 cases in each group. The control group was treated with levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride tablets and paroxetine tablets, while the observation group was treated with heat-sensitive moxibustion on the basis of the medications in the control group. The treatment course was 2 months. The Hamilton depression scale-17 (HAMD-17), unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) and Parkinson's disease quality of life questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) were scored before and after the treatment, and the efficacy was evaluated after treatment. Levels of patients' serum dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected before and after the treatment. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The HAMD-17 scores in the two groups decreased significantly after treatment (both P<0.05), and the score in the observation group was obviously lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The component scores and total scores of UPDRS in both groups decreased significantly (all P<0.05), and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The score of PDQ-39 in the observation group decreased significantly (P<0.05), and was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the serum DA and 5-HT levels in the observation group increased significantly (both P<0.05) and the TNF-α and IL-6 levels decreased significantly (both P<0.05), which were statistically different from those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Heat-sensitive moxibustion has certain auxiliary effect in treating depression in Parkinson disease, significantly improving clinical symptoms and the quality of life, which may be related to the up-regulation of DA and 5-HT levels and down-regulation of TNF-α and IL-6 levels.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Artemisia integrifolia. Methods: Solvent extraction, silica gel column chromatography, and HPLC were used for isolation and purification. The structure was identified by NMR spectrum analysis. Anti-oxidant activity tests were performed using DPPH. Results: A total of 21 monomeric compounds were isolated from A. integrifolia and identified as 2R-(2Z-pentenoic acid methyl ester)-3S-(methyl acetate) cyclopentanone (1), methyl-4S-6α-hydroxy-3- oxoeudesma-1,11 (13)-dien-12-oate (2), methyl caffeate (3), dextrin inositol (4), monobutyl fumarate (5), caffeic acid (6), monobutyl malonate (7), 6,8-dimethoxycoumarin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (8), 3,5-O-di-caffeoyl quinic acid butyl ester (9), 3,4-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid butyl ester (10), 4,5-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid butyl ester (11), 3,5-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid methyl ester (12), 4,5-O- dicaffeoylquinic acid (13), 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (14) 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (15), o-hydroxycinnamic acid glucoside (16), 1,3-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (17), chlorogenic acid (18), 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (19), methyl 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinate (20), and o-hydroxycinnamate methyl glucoside (21). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new natural product. Compounds 2, 5, 7-11, 14, 16, and 21 are isolated from Artemisia for the first time, and the rest are isolated from A. integrifolia for the first time. Both caffeoyl quinic acid compounds had strong anti-oxidant capacity, and the activity is basically equivalent to Vc.

Long inverted repeats (LIRs) are evolutionarily and functionally important structures in genomes because of their involvement in RNA interference, DNA recombination, and gene dupli-cation. Identification of LIRs is highly complicated when mismatches and indels between the repeats are permitted. Long inverted repeat explorer (Lirex) was developed and introduced in this report. Written in Java, Lirex provides a user-friendly interface and allows users to specify LIR searching criteria, such as length of the region, as well as pattern and size of the repeats. Recom-binogenic LIRs can be selected on the basis of mismatch rate and internal spacer size from identified LIRs. Lirex, as a cross-platform tool to identify LIRs in a genome, may assist in designing following experiments to explore the function of LIRs. Our tool can identify more LIRs than other LIR searching tools. Lirex is publicly available at http://124.16.219.129/Lirex.

Objective To study the outcomes of autologous osteo-periosteal cylinder graft transplantation for Hepple V osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) with large subchondral cyst.Methods The data of 27 consecutive patients of OLT with subchondral cyst was retrospectively analyzed who were treated by autologous osteo-periosteal cylinder graft transplantation from October 2007 to September 2011.There were 26 males and 1 female with an average age of 35.8 years (range,22-53 years).Visual analogue score (VAS) for pain during daily activities,the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score,and subjective satisfaction were investigated.The plain radiographs,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the ankle,and second look arthroscopy were analyzed.Results All the 26 patients were followed up for 22.4 months.At the last follow-up,the VAS score decreased from 5.4±1.0 points preoperatively to 0.8±0.8 points postoperatively,and the mean (50％) AOFAS score improved from 73.9±3.1 points preoperatively to 93.0±6.5 points postoperatively.In 26 cases,the radiolucent area of cysts disappeared on plain radiographs.The mean magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score was 57.2,though small subchondral bone cyst was still found in 3 cases on postoperative MRI.The mean (50％) ICRS arthroscopic score of cartilage repair was 9.2 points according to second look arthroscopy of 18 cases.There were 16 cases receiving excellent effect,8 good and 2 fair.The excellent and good rate was 92.3％ (24/26).There were no major complications.Conclusion Autologous osteo-periosteal cylinder graft transplantation could repair the osteochondral defects.It yields satisfactory results,and is suitable for treating OLT with large subchondral cyst.

Objective To investigate the spectrum,diagnosis,time of therapy and management of the congeni-tal heart disease(CHD)in patients with Down′s syndrome(DS).Methods A retrospective report was undertaken of 96 cases in children with DS accompanied by CHD in Department of Pediatric Cardiology,Beijing Anzhen Hospital Af-filiated to Capital Medical University.Data were collected and analyzed about their clinical characteristics,and types of cardiovascular abnormalities,and the important laboratory examinations such as echocardiography and catheterization as well as the procedures of diagnosis and treatments were summarized.Then the interventions,complications and prognosis of different patients were estimated.Results (1)Single congenital heart disease was found in 33 cases (34.38%),a-mong which ventricular septal defect was the most common (14 cases,14.58%),followed by atrioventricular septal de-fect and atrial septal defect (equally,7 cases,7.29%).Multi -cardiovascular abnormalities were discovered in 63 ca-ses,and patent ductus arteriosus turned out to be the most common (42 cases,66.67%).(2)Cat-heterization was car-ried out in 18 cases of serious pulmonary arterial hypertension,and 8 cases were proved resistant pulmonary arterial hy-pertension without operation opportunity.The other 8 cases were estimated as high pulmonary arterial hypertension and medical therapy was suggested before reassessment to reduce surgical risks.(3)Operations were undertaken in 61 ca-ses,among which percutaneous interventional occlusion was performed in 7 cases and surgical interventions were per-formed in 54 patients,in which perioperation complications and death were found in 5 cases and 4 cases,respectively. Conclusions Operation interventions are practicable and most cases recovered well with systematic examinations and assessment in patients with DS and cardiovascular malformations.Early diagnosis and timely interventions are highly suggested.Also close attentions should be paid to follow -up and re -estimation after medical therapy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential protective effect of the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mitoquinone (MitoQ) on post-thaw human sperm.

METHODSSemen samples were collected from 60 normal fertile men, each divided into six parts of equal volume to be incubated at 37 °C in normal saline (G0, control) or in the extender with 2 nmol/L (G1), 20 nmol/L (G2), 200 nmol/L (G3), 2 µmol/L (G4), and 20 µmol/L of MitoQ (G5). After one hour of incubation, the samples were subjected to computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) for sperm motility, flow cytometry for reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid assay for the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), and MitoTracker fluorescent staining and flow cytometry for the sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Then, the semen were cryopreserved with none (B0), 200 nmol/L (B1), and 2 µmol/L of MitoQ (B2), followed by detection of the changes in the ROS, MDA, and MMP of the post-thaw sperm.

RESULTSThe percentage of progressively motile sperm and total rate of sperm motility were significantly higher in G3 ([30.8 ± 10.2]% and [70.6 ± 9.0]%) and G4 ([32.7 ± 13.5]% and [70.3 ± 11.9]%) than in G0 ([17.6 ± 5.0]% and [54.9 ± 11.5]%) (P < 0.05). The level of ROS dropped markedly with the increased concentration of MitoQ, 86.5 ± 31.6 in G3, 93.6 ± 42.0 in G4, and 45.1 ± 15.0 in G5, as compared with 160.8 ± 39.7 in G0 (P < 0.05). The content of MDA was remarkably lower in G3 ([0.9 ± 0.5] µmol/mg) and G4 ([0.9 ± 0.5] µmol/mg) than in G0 ([1.9 ± 1.1] µmol/mg) (P < 0.05), but not in G5 ([1.7 ± 0.7] µmol/mg), which was even higher than in G3 and G4 (P < 0.05). The MMP showed a significant reduction in G5 (1156 ± 216) in comparison with G0 (1701 ± 251) (P < 0.05) but exhibited no remarkable difference between G0 and G1 (1810 ± 298), G2 (1995 ± 437), G3 (1950 ± 334), or G4 (1582 ± 314). The percentage of progressively motile sperm and total rate of sperm motility after freezing-thawing were significantly decreased as compared with those of the fresh semen (P < 0.01), but both were remarkably higher in B1 ([3.2 ± 2.3]% and [ 43.0 ± 9.5]%) than in B0 ([0.8 ± 0.6]% and [26.5 ± 11.4]%) (P < 0.05). The ROS level was significantly lower in B1 and B2 than in B0 (34.6 ± 12. 3 and 37.0 ± 10.5 vs 56.9 ± 14.3, P < 0.05), and so was the MDA content ([1.4 ± 0.5] and [1.4 ± 0.6] µmol/mg vs [2.6 ± 1.0] µmol/mg, P < 0.05), but the MMP was markedly higher in B1 and B2 than in B0 (1010.0 ± 130.5 and 880.6 ± 128.6 vs 721.1 ± 24.8, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAddition of MitoQ to the freezing extender at 200 nmol/L may effectively improve the quality of human sperm and MitoQ is a good protective addictive for human sperm cryopreservation.

Antioxidants ; Cryopreservation ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mitochondria ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Semen Preservation ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Ubiquinone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To validate the value of dual energy CT (DECT) in the differentiation of mediastinal metastatic lymph nodes from non-metastatic lymph nodes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: In the study, 57 surgically confirmed NSCLC patients who underwent enhanced DECT scan within 2 weeks before operation were enrolled. Two radiologists analyzed the CT images before operation. All mediastinal lymph nodes with short diameter≥5 mm on axial images were included in this study. The morphological parameters [long-axis diameter (L), short-axis diameter (S) and S/L of lymph nodes] and the DECT parameters [iodine concentration (IC), normalized iodine concentration (NIC), slope of spectral hounsfield unit curve (λHU) and effective atomic number (Zeff) in arterial and venous phase] were measured. The differences of morphological parameters and DECT parameters between metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were compared. The parameters with significant difference were analyzed by the Logistic regression model, then a new predictive variable was established. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed for S, NIC in venous phase and the new predictive variable. RESULTS: In 57 patients, 49 metastatic lymph nodes and 938 non-metastatic lymph nodes were confirmed by surgical pathology. A total of 163 mediastinal lymph nodes (49 metastatic, 114 non-metastatic) with S≥5 mm were detected on axial CT images. The S, L and S/L of metastatic lymph nodes were significantly higher than those of non-metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.05). The DECT parameters of metastatic lymph nodes were significantly lower than those of non-metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.05). The best single morphological parameter for differentiation between metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes was S (AUC, 0.752; threshold, 8.5 mm; sensitivity, 67.4%; specificity, 73.7%; accuracy, 71.8%). The best single DECT parameter for differentiation between metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes was NIC in venous phase (AUC, 0.861; threshold, 0.53; sensitivity, 95.9%; specificity, 70.2%; accuracy, 77.9%). Multivariate analysis showed that S and NIC were independent predictors of lymph node metastasis. The AUC of combined S and NIC in the venous phase was 0.895(sensitivity, 79.6%; specificity, 87.7%; accuracy, 85.3%), which were significantly higher than that of S (P < 0.001) and NIC (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS The ability of quantitative DECT parameters to distinguish mediastinal lymph node metastasis in NSCLC patients is better than that of morphological parameters. Combined S and NIC in venous phase can be used to improve preoperative diagnostic accuracy of metastatic lymph nodes.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mediastinum ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To assess the value of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (3D-CEUS) in evaluation of hepatic arteries variants.Methods Both two-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (2D-CEUS) and 3D-CEUS were used to assess 30 patients including living donor candidates and patients with upper abdomen tumors.The reference standard was operation or CTA or DSA or MRA,and the accuracy for detecting hepatic artery variants provided by the two methods was evaluated.Arterial anatomic types were defined by using Michels classification.Results The total accuracy for detecting hepatic artery anatomy types by 2D-CEUS was 40.0% (12/30),while 83.3% (25/30) by 2D-CEUS.For convention anatomy types the accuracy on 2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS were 40.9%(9/22)and 90.9%(20/22),respectively.The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).For anatomy variants types the accuracy on 2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS were 37.5%(3/8)and 62.5%(5/8),respectively.No significant difference between these two methods was observed.Conclusion 3D-CEUS was a new method in diagnosis of hepatic arteries anatomy types with practical clinical value in evaluation of the living liver donors.

Objective To investigate the expression of ubiquitin specific peptidase 7 (USP7) in the sperm of infertile man suffering asthenozoospermia or oligoasthenozoospermia, and to explore its role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. Methods The semen samples were obtained from 120 donors attending the Fertility Clinic, the Centre of Reproductive Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University. The sperm specimens were divided into normozoospermia group (n=57), asthenozoospermia group (n =37) or oligoasthenozoospermia group (n =26) after semen analysis according to 2010 WHO standards. The localization and expression of USP7 were examined using immunofluorescence and Western blotting analysis in the three groups. Then the correlation between USP7 expression and sperm parameterswas analyzed. Results USP7 mainly localized in the middle part and main part of thesperm tail; the USP expression was significantly lower in asthenozoospermia group(0. 86 ± 0. 53) and oligoasthenozoospermia group (0. 62 ± 0. 43) compared with normozoospermia group (1. 63 ± 0. 76, P<0. 01). And USP7 expression was found positively correlated with the ratio of sperm moving forward(r = 0. 431 2, P =0. 008 7), total motility rate(r=0. 443 8, P =0. 006 7), and sperm concentration(r = 0. 455 0, P =0. 005 3). Conclusion The lowered expression of USP7 is related to the reduction of human sperm motility and concentration, indicating that USP7 expressionmay serve as an indicator for sperm quality evaluation in infertile men.