Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion on the blood lipid and hemorheology in senile patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) due to heart blood stagnation who underwent interventional treatment.Method A hundred senile CHD patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 50 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by conventional medications, while the treatment group was additionally by thunder-fire moxibustion. The blood lipid and hemorheology were observed before the treatment and after 3 treatment courses.Result The blood lipid parameters (including CHO, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C) were changed significantly in the treatment group after the intervention (P<0.05). The CHO, TG, and LDL-C levels of the treatment group were significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.05). The hemorheology parameters (whole blood viscosities at a high-, middle-, and low-shear rate, and fibrinogen) were significantly changed in the treatment group after the intervention (P<0.05). The whole blood viscosities at a high-, middle-, and low-shear of the treatment group were markedly different from that of the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Thunder-fire moxibustion can down-regulate the blood lipid and blood viscosity of CHD patients undergone interventional treatment, and thus improve myocardial ischemia.

Objective To analyze the clinicopathologic features of mucinous cervical adenocarcinoma (ADC) and supply some reference for its diagnosis,treatment and prognosis.Methods Totally 88 cases with primary mucinous ADC diagnosed between January 2003 and December 2007 in Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital were retrieved.Their clinical and pathological data were reviewed and analyzed.Results Among 88 patients,70 cases of them were endocervical ADC,11 cases were minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA),2 cases were intestinal subtype and 5 cases were villoglandular ADC.The positive rate of cervical Pap smear cytology was only 28％ (10/36).There were 10 cases were performed several times of cervical Pap smear cytology test and biopsies,while still no abnormality was found.Finally,7 cases of them were diagnosed by cervical excisional biopsy and endocervical curettage,including 5 cases with endocervical ADC and 2 cases with MDA; 2 cases (1 case with stage Ⅰ b1 endocervical ADC and 1 case with Ⅰ b1 MDA) were diagnosed by cold knife conization,and 1 case with stage Ⅰ b1 endocervical were diagnosed by uteroscopically directed biopsy.The overall 5-year survival rate was 60.0％.Using univariate analysis results showed that age (P =0.046),stage (P =0.007),tumor size (P =0.007) and therapeutic methods (P =0.009) were significant prognostic factors.Multivariate analysis showed that therapeutic methods was an independent predictor for survival (P =0.013).Stage Ⅱ b-Ⅲ b MDA patients occupied 7/11 of all MDA patient,while there was only one such patient of 5 cases with villoglandular ADC.The overall HPV infection rate was 65％ (57/88),and there was no obvious differences about the HPV infection rates among different types of mucinous ADC.Conclusions Cervical smear cytology is of little significance to the diagnosis of mucinous cervical adenocarcinoma.Early stage mucinous ADC is difficult to be detected,especially for MDA.Cervical excisional biopsy,endocervical curettage,cold knife conization,uteroscope are beneficial to its diagnosis.Therapeutic methods is an important prognostic factor for mucinous ADC and comprehensive treatment should be given to those patients with risky postsurgical factors.

Objective To investigate the autophagy and the expression of its related genes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Methods Patients with newly onset or recently-diagnosed SLE (n=20) were enrolled.RA patients (n=10) and healthy blood donors (n=10) were used as controls.PBMCs from all subjects were immediately isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation.And then monocytes were removed by wall sticking method.The morphology was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Beclin 1 and microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3 (MAPLC3) were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative RT-PCR respectively.Results TEM showed autophagic phenomenon in PBMCs from active SLE.On the mRNA level,expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 was significantly increased in fresh isolated SLE cells as compared with RA or healthy donor's PBMCs.Conclusion Based on these results,we can conclude that autophagy occurs in active SLE and the expression of its related genes is significantly higher in active SLE than in RA or normal controls.The enhanced autophagy may indicate its role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

To establish vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as secretary biomarkers for cell growth on topographic substrates, we have evaluated the secretion and expression of these 2 factors by SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells on poly-L-lactide (PLLA) micropillar arrayed topographic substrates. We fabricated topographic substrates with UV lithography, silicon etching and polydimethylsiloxane-based replica molding, and interfaced SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells with both the topographic substrates and PLLA flat substrates. Cell morphology and spreading were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and IL-8 were evaluated with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real time qPCR, respectively, 24 hours after cell plating. We successfully achieved 4 topographic substrates with a nominal pillar diameter of 2 microm and 4 microm, and a nominal pillar spacing of 2 microm and 7 microm. We found that the secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and/or IL-8 by SH-SY5Y cells on 2-2 microm (pillar diameter-spacing), 4-2 microm and 4-7 microm topographic substrates were upregulated in comparison to those by cells on PLLA flat substrate, 24 hours after cell plating. Furthermore, both cytokines were even more substantially upregulated on the 2-7 microm substrate than on the other 3 topographic substrates. Compared to those on PLLA flat substrate, cells on topographic substrates showed significant changes in morphology (spreading area, perimeter and roundness), and the increase in the secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and IL-8 was accompanied with a decrease in cell spreading areas. These results provided evidence that pillar arrayed topography was an important microenvironmental factor in affecting VEGF and IL-8 expression or secretion, and VEGF and IL-8 might serve as important secretary biomarkers for growth on topographic substrates by SH-SY5Y cells.
Biomarkers ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cellular Microenvironment ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; genetics ; secretion ; Neuroblastoma ; secretion ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; secretion

OBJECTIVEThe Pul-stent is a new cobalt alloys stent, specially licensed for pulmonary artery stenosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of the stent implantation as the treatment of postoperative pulmonary artery stenosis.

METHODClinical practice was carried out to evaluate effectiveness, safety and maneuverability of Pul-stent in the defined clinical setting. Transthoracic echocardiography, chest roentgenography and electrocardiography were carried out as follow-up studies at 1 and 3 months after procedures.

RESULTTen patients (7 males and 3 females) received Pul-stent implantation in left or right pulmonary arteries (9 stents in left and 1 stent in right). For 9 cases transcatheter stent implantation was performed and in I case hybrid procedure. The median age was 7. 9 years (range 3. 4 - 13. 7 years). The median weight was 22. 3 kg (range 13 - 32 kg). Among them 6 cases were post surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot, 2 cases were after Fontan procedures, 1 patient was post surgical repair of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect, and 1 patient had stenosis at Glenn pathway. The pressure gradient at the stenosis decreased from (31. 6 ± 10. 2) mmHg(1 mmHg =0. 133 kPa) to (7. 3 ± 10. 3) mmHg, and the diameter of the narrowest segment increased from (4. 0 ± 2. 3) mm to (9. 6 ± 2. 7) mm, the right ventricle to aortic pressure ratio decreased from 0. 54 to 0. 36, all of these improvements were statistically significant (t = 3. 9, -9. 7, 4. 5; P =0. 008, 0. 000, 0. 004). The total procedure time ranged from 55 to 220 min (median 117 min) , and the fluoroscopy time ranged from 9 to 67 min (median 26 min). There were 2 cases of post-stenting pneumorrhagia. No stent fracture, stent malposition and other severe complications were observed. Initial follow-up of 1 and 3-months showed good results with maintenance of improved caliber of the stented vessel, and the gradient across the stenosis area measured by echocardiography was (32. 0 ± 14. 6) mmHg after 3 months. Compared with before stentifng ((40.6 ± 15. 2) mmHg) and 1 month later ((30. 6 ± 13. 6) mmHg), the difference was not statistically significant (t =2. 2,1. 76; P =0. 07, 0. 10).

CONCLUSIONPul-Stent tracking and delivery was excellent, the initial experience has shown that Pul-stent implantation was effective and safe in treating post-operative branch pulmonary artery stenosis. Further follow-up study should be conducted to make sure whether those good results would be kept constant.

Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fontan Procedure ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; Pulmonary Artery ; pathology ; Pulmonary Atresia ; Stents

Wound healing is a complex and sequential biological process involving various cells and factors under body′s regulation. Appropriate interventions play positive roles in promoting effective wound healing and improving healing quality. In the clinical practice, there are many new instruments, dressings, and drugs developed for wound care, including antibacterial dressings, wet dressings, precise debridement, negative pressure wound therapy, cytokines/growth factors, and dermal substitutes, which provide revolutionary means for wound treatment. This article summarizes the effective or mature methods in wound care, providing theoretical and practical basis for choosing appropriate treatment methods in different stages of wound.

Objective To assess the effect of the balloon valvuloplasty for congenital valvular aortic stenosis (AS) in children.Methods A total of 27 (mean age 6.09 years) children with AS accepted the treatment of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (PBAV). The ratios of balloon/valve were 0.95 ± 0.08 for 19 cases of typical AS and 1.00 ± 0.11 for 8 cases of hypoplastic AS. The patients were evaluated by the gradients across aotic valves in pre- and post-PBAV and by echocardiogram during the follow-up period.Results Fifteen of 19 (78.9％)cases of typical AS had a batter outcome and the gradient of the remaining 4 cases (26.7％) had increased after follow-up (△P ＞ 50 mm Hg) . Four of 8 (50.0％) cases of hypoplastic AS had satisfactory responses and the gradient of the remaining 3 cases (75.0％) rose. There was no moderate to severe aortic insufficiency (Al).Conclusion The balloon aortic valvuloplasty provides safe and significant hemodynamic and clinical improvement in pediatric patients. The outcome of PBAV for typical AS is better than for hypoplastic AS.

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of percutaneous balloon angioplasty of coarctation ot the aorta in children and discuss its risk factors that can lead to poor long-term results. Mehods From September 1987 to August 1999, 24 patients underwent 27 balloon angioplasty procedures for native or recurrent coarctation of the aorta at our institution. There were 19 patients with discrete (membranous) coarctation, 4 patients with long-segment and aortic arch hypoplasia, and 1 patient with postoperative recurrence. The balloon diameter was chosen not to exceed the diameter of the aorta proximal to the stenotic site ( 11.06 + 2.80 mm vs 11.78 + 3.18 mm), with the chosen diameter two to four times that of the stenotic segment (2.57 + 0.68 times). The patients have been followed up for half to twelve years (mean 6.2 + 2.8 years). Satisfactory result was defined as a reduction in the pressure gradient across the site of coarctation to ≤20 mm Hg.Results The systolic pressure gradient across the coarctation site decreased from 48.17 + 14.68 mm Hg to 14.96 + 13.12 mm Hg ( P ＜ 0.01 ) and the diameter of the coarctation site increased from 4.66 + 2.43 mm to 8.80 + 3.32 mm ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Immediate satisfactory results were obtained in 19 patients (79％). Of the 5 patients with unsatisfactory results, 4 had aortic arch hypoplasia and 1 had membranous coarctation. Of the 19 patients with satisfactory results, 18 patients had membranous coarctation and 1 patient had recurrent postoperative coarctation. No aneurysm and other complications had occurred in any patients at the follow-ups.Conclusion Percutaneous balloon angioplasty is an effective treatment altemative to surgery in most patients with recurrent postoperative or native membranous coarctation of the aorta. It should not be recommended for the coarctation of aortic arch hypoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate ziprasidone plasma concentration, daily dose and clinical efficacy and safety in Han Chinese and Mongolian patients with first-episode schizophrenia. METHODS: A total of 123 inpatients affected by schizophrenia were recruited from the Mental Health Center of Inner Mongolia in China. Ziprasidone plasma concentration, clinical efficacy and side effects were systematically evaluated at baseline, and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Metabolic measures such as changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides, and cholesterol, were also recorded. RESULTS: 90 patients completed the study. Compared with Han patients, on average, Mongolian patients received a significantly higher ziprasidone dosage for adequate symptom control during the 6-week period and had a lower plasma concentration-to-dose ratio. The Mongolian patients also experienced greater increases in weight and BMI. No significant differences between the two ethnic groups were found in the rate of reduction in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score, Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) total score, FBG, triglycerides, cholesterol or Q-Tc interval. CONCLUSION: Compared to Han Chinese patients, Mongolian patients appeared to have increased ziprasidone clearance and require higher doses to achieve effective treatment for schizophrenia.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; China ; Cholesterol ; Ethnic Groups ; Fasting ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Mental Health ; Plasma* ; Schizophrenia* ; Treatment Outcome ; Triglycerides