Objective: To discuss the feasibility of using the off-pump antegrade transventricular route for aortic valved stent implantation in canines, and to observe the short-term outcomes. Methods: Fresh porcine pericardium was treated with 0.6% glutaraldehyde solution for 36 h; then it was trimmed and sutured into a valvular ring and fixed on a new self-expanding dumbbell-shaped nickel-titanium shape-memory alloy stent. The valved stents were then implanted off-pump in 8 canines. A limited or full sternotomy approach was used to access the apex of the heart. The crimped valve was introduced through a sheath in the left ventricular apex under ultrasound guidance. The function of valved stents was evaluated with electrocardiogram, echocardiography, computed tomography and DSA angiography early and 3 months after the procedure. Results: We successfully prepared the valved aortic stent. Five canines survived after implantation of the aortic valved stents. Angiographic and echocardiographic observation confirmed that the location and function of the stent were satisfactory, without influencing coronary blood flow and mitral valve function. CT examination showed no migration of the stent 3 months after the procedure, and there were no other prominent complications. Conclusion: Our new self-expanding valved stent can be deployed over the native aortic valves via transapical route, and the short-term outcome is satisfactory.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of implanting a new self-expanding valved stent for aortic valve implantation and its influence on coronary blood flow. Methods: We designed a self-expanding valved stent made from super-elastic memory nitinol alloy, with a tubular shape and a wide mesh in the cavate middle part. A valvular ring made of nitinol wire was sutured on the lower part. Fresh porcine pericardium was decellularized, treated with 0.6% glutaraldehyde solution for 36 h, trimmed into leaflets, and sutured by hand into the valvular ring. The valved stent was pulled into a 14-French sheath by a silk and positioned in the left ventricle of isolated pig heart via the ascending aorta, and then deployed over the native aortic valves by pulling back the outer sheath. Water was injected into the ascending aorta by a silicon tube to evaluate the competence of the prosthetic heart valves and its effect on coronary flow. Results: The prepared valved aortic stent could be stably positioned over the native valves and could be removed after deployment. The prosthetic heart valves showed a satisfactory function and had no influence on coronary flow and mitral valve motion. Conclusion: This self-expanding valved stent is well-designed and allows for aortic valve implantation over the native valves without interfering the coronary flow; it can be evaluated further in vivo.

Acute Disease ; Coma ; chemically induced ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Pesticides ; poisoning

Objective To develop a BP neural network to differentiate between ventricular fibrillation( VF) and non-VF rhythms.Methods Eighteen metrics were extracted from the ECG signals.Each of these metrics respectively characterized each aspect of the signals, such as morphology, gaussianity, spectra, variability, and complexity.These metrics were regarded as the input vector of the BP neural network.After training, a classifier used for VF and non-VF rhythm classification was obtained.Results and Conclusion The constructed BP neural network was tested with the databases of VFDB and CUDB, and the accuracy was 98.61%and 95.37%, respectively.

Objective To develop a multi-channel dry type biochemistry sensor with a compact structure and high measurement accuracy.Methods The principle of double beam compensation based on reference LED was applied to improve the measurement accuracy.The complex splitting system was replaced by MXN fiber bundle and free-form surface lens to make the instrument more compact and lightweight.Use of the adaptive amplification photoelectric detection improved the measurement accuracy while simplifying the process.Results and Conclusion It has been proved by experiments that this sensor has the advantages of high measurement accuracy, little interference and compact construction. This sensor may well meet the requirements of dry type biochemistry analysis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) on radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in relation to TNFalpha-induced cell cycle synchronization.

METHODSThe radio-resistance of a NPC cell line subclone CNE-2Z-S1 was verified by in vivo experiments and flow cytometry was performed to evaluate cell cycle synchronization in TNFalpha-treated CNE-2Z-S1 cells. The radiosensitivity of the cell synchronized CNE-2Z-S1 cells was determined by clone formation in vitro and in vivo experiment in nude mice.

RESULTSTNFalpha was capable of inducing cell cycle arrest and synchronization of CNE-2Z-S1 cells. Pretreatment with TNFalpha remarkably enhanced the radiosensitivity of CNE-2Z-S1 in vitro, and in vivo experiments with nude mice also suggested the role of TNFalpha in enhancing the radiosensitivity of NPC.

CONCLUSIONTNFalpha can enhance the radiosensitivity of NPC cells by inducing cell cycle synchronization.

Animals ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo identify the risk factors of benign cervical anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy.

METHODSClinical data of 946 esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis between 2003 and 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Benign stricture was defined as dysphagia for which endoscopic dilation of the anastomosis was needed. Histologically proven malignant stricture was not regarded as benign stricture. χ(2) test and logistic regression model were used for univariate and multivariate analysis respectively.

RESULTSA total of 146 patients(16.5%) developed benign stricture during follow-up. Univariate analysis showed that the patients with cardiovascular disease (P=0.001), diabetes mellitus(P=0.041), gastric tube reconstruction(P=0.050), end-to-end anastomosis (P=0.013), or postoperative anastomotic leakage(P=0.008) had higher stricture rate. Multivariate analysis revealed that cardiovascular disease(P=0.004), gastric tube reconstruction (P=0.026), end-to-end anastomosis(P=0.043), and postoperative anastomotic leakage(P=0.001) were independently predictive factors for development of benign stricture.

CONCLUSIONSThe benign cervical stricture rate after esophagetomy with cervical gastric anastomosis is quite high. In order to prevent benign stricture formation, end-to-end anastomosis should be avoid. Blood pressure should be controlled for those with cardiovascular disease. Endoscopic dilation in an earlier stage postoperatively should be considered for those who develop anastomotic leakage.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; adverse effects ; Anastomotic Leak ; Constriction, Pathologic ; etiology ; Deglutition Disorders ; etiology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Esophageal Stenosis ; etiology ; Esophagectomy ; adverse effects ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the synthetical index for diagnosing schistosomiasis with ultrasound and to assess the prevalence rate with the index.

METHODSUltrasound indexes of schistosomiasis Japonicum were analyzed by principal component analysis, and the synthetical indexes were assessed by ROC curve.

RESULTSAmong the abnormal rates of the 6 indexes, the lowest was 1.6% comparing with the highest of 59.5%. Significant difference was noficed among the abnormal rates (chi(2) = 631.1, P < 0.01). The individual correlation of the six indexes to each other as will as with age distribution was significant (P < 0.05). The three principal components reflected the degree of pathological changes on liver and spleen. The first principal component was the factor reflecting the degree of liver pathological changes, and the second and third principal components reflected the degree of pathological changes on spleen. The synthetical index D(1) = 0.047X(1) + 0.428X(2) + 1.247X(3) + 0.095X(4) + 0.002X(5) + 0.213X(6) - 12.837 was found by adding the three weight principal components, and it's area under the ROC curve was 0.957. When -1.70 was taken as the critical value, the abnormal rate of population was 66.3%, close to the resident's actual prevalence rate 66.9%.

CONCLUSIONUltrasonography was considered as a method which could rapidly assessing the resident's prevalence rate in the endemic areas of schisitosomiasis Japonicum, and could also provide powerful information for development of strategy on chemotherapy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Principal Component Analysis ; ROC Curve ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo study polymorphisms of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) genes among Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease.

METHODSGenotypes of the COMT and MAO-B genes of 1408 patients with Parkinson's disease was sequenced using Sanger method. And these patients were recruited by Chinese Parkinson Study Group from 29 research centers throughout the country.

RESULTSThe genotypic frequencies of COMT rs4680 AA, AG, GG were 8.9%, 42.0% and 49.1%. Those of rs4818 CC, CG, GG were 42.5%, 45.6% and 11.9%, respectively. The genotype frequencies of MAO-B rs1799836 A/AA, AG, G/GG were 74.4%, 14.1% and 11.5%, respectively. The haplotype formed by COMT rs4680 (GG) and MAO-B rs1799836 (A/AA) genotype has a frequency of 36.86%.

CONCLUSIONPolymorphisms of COMT and MAO-B genes has a unique characteristics among Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease. They may be related with differences in drug response in such patients.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Monoamine Oxidase ; genetics ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo compare the 4 test kits on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) gene, antigen and antibody for early diagnose of SARS patients.

METHODSThree enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to detect SARS-CoV IgG, IgM and N protein and fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (F-PCR) kit was used to detect SARS-CoV RNA.

RESULTSIn 162 serum samples, 90.2% (55/61) became N protein positive in 1 - 5 days and 92.8% (13/14) became positive IgM and IgG in 15 - 18 days after the onset of disease, respectively. On 82 gorgling samples, the positive rates of F-PCR were 56.3% (14/24) in 1 - 5 days and 71.4% (10/14) in 6 - 9 days after the onset.

CONCLUSIONOther than F-PCR, N protein had good effect in the early detection on dubious patients which could lead to effective prevention and control of the epidemic.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; blood ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; standards ; SARS Virus ; isolation & purification ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; virology