Objective: To determine whether reduction in central pressure augmentation and central systolic blood pressure by nitroglycerine (NTG) results from effects on pre-load or is due to arterial dilation. Methods: We compared effects of NTG with those of lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Hemodynamic measurements were made at rest, during LBNP (10, 20 and 30 mmHg, each for 15 min) and after NTG (10, 30 and 100 μg/min, each dose for 15 min) in ten healthy volunteers. Cardiac pre-load, stroke volume and cardiac output were assessed by echocardiography. Central pressure augmentation and central systolic pressure were obtained by radial tonometry using a transfer function. Results: LBNP (20 mmHg) and NTG (30 μg/min) reduced pre-load (as measured by the peak velocity of the S wave in the superior vena cava) to a similar degree [by (26.8 ± 3.8)% and (23.9 ± 3.4)%, respectively]. Compared to LBNP, NTG reduced systemic vascular resistance [by (32.9± 7.5)%, P<0.01], decreased peripheral and central pressure augmentation [by (20.8 ± 3.4)% units and (12.9 ± 2.9)% units, respectively, each P<0.01]. Conclusion: These results suggest that a reduction in pre-load does not explain reduction in pressure augmentation and central systolic blood pressure by NTG and that these effects are mediated through arterial dilation.

Objective: To determine whether reduction in central pressure augmentation and central systolic blood pressure by nitroglycerine (NTG) results from effects on pre-load or is due to arterial dilation. Methods: We compared effects of NTG with those of lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Hemodynamic measurements were made at rest, during LBNP (10, 20 and 30 mmHg, each for 15 min) and after NTG (10, 30 and 100 μg/min, each dose for 15 min) in ten healthy volunteers. Cardiac pre-load, stroke volume and cardiac output were assessed by echocardiography. Central pressure augmentation and central systolic pressure were obtained by radial tonometry using a transfer function. Results: LBNP (20 mmHg) and NTG (30 μg/min) reduced pre-load (as measured by the peak velocity of the S wave in the superior vena cava) to a similar degree [by (26.8 ± 3.8)% and (23.9 ± 3.4)%, respectively]. Compared to LBNP, NTG reduced systemic vascular resistance [by (32.9± 7.5)%, P<0.01], decreased peripheral and central pressure augmentation [by (20.8 ± 3.4)% units and (12.9 ± 2.9)% units, respectively, each P<0.01]. Conclusion: These results suggest that a reduction in pre-load does not explain reduction in pressure augmentation and central systolic blood pressure by NTG and that these effects are mediated through arterial dilation.

Objective To evaluate the susceptibility to toenail fungal infection (FI) in the elderly. Methods Two hundred patients with toenail FI aged 60 years or older from 2005 to 2007 in our hospital were collected in our study, including one hundred elderly patients with toenail fungal infection (case group) and one hundred elderly patients without toenail fungal infection (control group). The clinical data of the patients in two groups were analysed. Results In case group, diabetes mellitus was the most common complication, accounting for 24% (24/100), while there were only 6 cases with diabetes mellitus (6%) in control group (P<0. 05). In case versus control group, there were 31 cases vs 12 cases with lower extremity varicose vein (P<0. 05), and 36 cases vs 19 cases with foot deformity, 11 cases vs 3 cases with toenail onychomychosis following trauma of their toes (P<0.05) ,32 cases vs 12 cases with history of wearing tight shoes (P<0. 05). In case group, 12 of 47 female patients used to wear high-heel shoes. Conclusions Toenail trauma, foot malformation, lower extremity varicose vein and diabetes mellitus are predisposing factors for toenail onychomycosis in the elderly.

OBJECTIVETo explore an effective acupotomology surgery program in treating cubital tunnel syndrome.

METHODSAccording to pathogenic factors and elbow anatomy, a "two points" acupotomology surgery program was designed, which could loose the attachment point of arcuate ligament on medial border of olecroanon and medial epicondyle of humerus. Twenty-one cases of cubital tunnel syndrome were treated with acupotmology, then the efficacy was obsered.

RESULTSAfter one year postoperative visit, 21 patients with ulnar nerve area skin numbness were cured, claw hand deformity and medial hand muscle atrophy recovered significantly. Results of function evaluation were excellent in 17 cases, good in 2 cases, fair in 2 cases and poor in 0 cases, the good rate was 90.5%.

CONCLUSIONThe acupotomology surgery program which could cut the starting and ending points of osborne's ligament and solve the problem of ulnar nerve entrapment is an easy, little-traumatic and effective minimally invasive surgery which also conforms to the anatomical structure.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; surgery ; therapy ; Elbow Joint ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the clinical relevance of hepatic artery variation during the procedure of duodenopancreatectomy. Methods Data of 100 patients who underwent duodenopancreatectomy were retrospectively reviewed, and the anatomy of hepatic artery variation was evaluated, then the types of variation and specific intra-operative managements were recorded. Results Through pre-operative celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery DSA and duodenohepatic ligament skeletonization during operation, 16 cases were found to have hepatic artery variation, and 14 (14%) patients had alternative hepatic artery, among them there were 10 cases of alternative right hepatic artery (10%) , 8 cases originated from superior mesenteric artery, 2 cases originated from gastroduodenal artery. 4(4%) patients had alternative left hepatic artery, 3 of them originated from left gastric artery, 1 originated from right hepatic artery. The diameter of variant artery was 0.3 -0.6 cm with a mean of 0. 47 cm. All the variant arteries were reserved in operation. 1 patient had a variant hepatic artery located in the posterior of hepatoduodenal ligament parallel with portal vein, and the diameter of this variant artery was 0. 4 cm, the variant artery was reserved. 1 patient had a variant hepatic artery towards right hepatic lobe which originated from the direction of pancreatic head, and the diameter of this variant artery was 0.2 cm, the artery was dissected 1 h after artery occlusion. Conclusions Whether variant blood vessel need to be reserved shall be judged according to blood vessel diameter, the changes of liver in the course of variant artery occlusion and suggestions from blood vessel surgeon.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of spleen-preserving distal pancreatetomy outside abdominal cavity. Methods We used the method of spleen-preserving distal pancreatetomy outside abdominal cavity for 6 patients of benign diseases of distal pancreas who were admitted in Gulou Hospital from December 2005 to December 2008. Results All patients underwent the operation successfully. The mean operation time was 180 minutes, the blood loss was 100～300 ml with a mean of 200ml. No patients needed blood transfusion. The mean post-operative hospital stay time was (14±5 ) days. One patient developed pancreatic fistula and was cured with non-operative management, there was no other complications. All patients were followed up from 3 to 24 months, and the results were excellent. Conclusions Spleen-preserving distal pancreatetomy outside abdominal cavity is safe and feasible, which may avoid the unnecessary splenectomy.

Adult ; Calculi ; complications ; Foreign Bodies ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; injuries ; Nasal Septum ; injuries ; Palate, Hard ; injuries

Facial Paralysis ; complications ; Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult

0.05).These receptors were distributed evenly in all layers of epidermis in nor-mal controls,while intensively in granular layer of lesional skin.The significant overexpression of the recep-tors mainly presented in the papillary dermal microvessels of lesional skin compared to that of normal con-trols(P

Objective To determine the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their clinical significances. Methods The serum concentrations of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were measured by ELISA in 46 patients with SLE and age- and sex-matched normal controls. Results ①Serum levels of MMP-9 was significantly decreased in patients with SLE compared with those in normal controls (P