OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect and safety of fire needling on rat with rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODSForty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a methotrexate (MTX) group and a fire needling group, 10 rats in each group. The 0.1 mL of normal saline was subcutaneously injected in rat's right back paw in the normal group, while the other groups received subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mL of complete Freund's adjuvant to establish the model. The pricking method was applied in the fire needling group at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and Ashi points with a depth of 5 mm, once every three days, and totally eight times were required. In the MTX group, with intragastric administration of 2.0 mg/kg per rat, the treatment was given once every seven days, and totally four times were required. The weight, swelling rate of foot, joint pain score and polyarthritis index of rats in each group as well as the pathological change of liver tissue under light microscope were observed.

RESULTSThe weight, swelling rate of foot, joint pain score and polyarthritis index in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), after the treatment, the above-mentioned indexes in the two treatment groups were obviouly dereased as componed with those in the model group (all P < 0.01), and there were statistical differences between the fire needling group and MTX group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, inflammatory cells were appeared with a cluster distribution in the liver cells of rats in the model group. The inflammatory cells were reduced in the MTX group and fire needling group, and liver cells had degenerative edema and cell nucleus were largen and deformed in the MTX group.

CONCLUSIONThe fire needling has significant efficacy for rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA) without any damage to the liver, which coud have a better control of disease progression of rheumatoid arthritis .

Acupuncture Therapy ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To observe the coronary vessel lumen diameter and bifurcation angle in subjects with normal CT coronary angiography (CTCA) imaging.Methods64-row CT coronary angiography imaging from 526 adult people with excellent image quality and normal vascular image were analyzed in this study.The lumen diameter from the origin to distal with 2 mm lumen of left main coronary artery (LM),anterior descending branch (LAD),left circumflex branch (LCX) and right coronary artery (RCA) was measured at 1 cm interval in CPR image.The vascular tapered ratio was calculated.The bifurcation angle in the diagonal branch,obtuse marginal branch,posterior descending branch,acute marginal branch as well as the origin diameter was also measured in VR image.Results The LAD average length was 13 cm and lumen diameter was 3.92 mm at origin and 2.10 mm at distal.The average decremented ratio of LAD was 7.7％ ( male 7.0％,female 8.4％ ).The maximal decremented ratio 8.0％ -10.0％ occurred at 3 -5 cm apart from the origin of LAD.The LCX average length was 13 cm and lumen diameter was 3.57 mm at origin and 2.10 mm at distal.The average decremented ratio of LCX was 9.7％( male 9.6％,female 9.7％ ).Lumen decremented ratio was less than 3.0％ between origin and proximal 3 cm and 8.3％ - 10.7％ in the rest portion of the LCX.The RCA average length was 18 cm and lumen diameter was 3.97 mm at origin and 2.15 mm at distal.The average decremented ratio of RCA was 5.1％(male 4.9％,female 5.3％ ).The decremented ratio of RCR was less than 4.0％ between origin and proximal 10 cm and 6.1％ - 15.2％ in the rest portion.The bifurcation angle was 50,55,66 and 76 degree for LAD with diagonal branch,LCX with obtuse marginal branch,RCA with posterior descending branch and RCA with obtuse marginal branch respectively.Conclusion Coronary artery length,lumen diameter and decremented ratio as well as bifurcation angel could be identified in 64 row CTCA image in vivo.This information could help us to understand the in vivo coronary artery anatomy.

The swallowable camera-capsule,described in the aper, 11 mm in diameter and 30 mm in length , contains a CMOS image sensor, an optical system, a battery, a light source, a transmitter, a antenna and so on. The CMOS image sensor and its driving circuit can be miniaturized with MEMS technology. Image signal can be transmitted by analog or digital way. Image signal can be wirelessly transmitted through serial data interface. Finally, the processing technics of the capsule's crust is introduced.
Capsule Endoscopes ; Equipment Design ; Wireless Technology

Objective Development of new methods, ELISA and immunostrip test, for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods The engineering purified antigens coat plate or absorb on nitrocellulose filter. The plate and diagnostic strips carrying antigens were used for detection of IgG antibody in the sera from nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and outpatients patients. Results 127 cases sera from nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were parallel detected TK/ IgG antibody by ELISA and immunostrips. The TK/IgG antibody are all positive in the 127 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. 55 cases show positive by ELISA, 58 cases positive by immunostrips in 247 cases sera from outpatient. The antibody positive rate to early antigen p54 lower then to TK. Conclusion ELISA and imuunostrips are sensitive and specific means for detection of the IgG antibody to TK of EBV and the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Dogwood fruits on tonifying kidney-yang.

METHODThe effect of the water extract of Dogwood fruits on rats model of kidney-yang deficiency with the hydrocortisone was observed.

RESULTThe water extract of Dogwood fruits could make normal the liver weight, and mitigate hepatocyte pathologic changes, increase the heptocellular levels of RNA and hepatin, and decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) in rats model of kidney-yang deficiency. It could also make the viscera quotiety return to normal way and increase the levels of RNA in the interstitial cells of testicle in rats model of kidney-yang deficiency.

CONCLUSIONWater extract of Dogwood fruits can protect and improve the functions of the liver and testicle in rats model of kidney-yang deficiency.

Animals ; Cornus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Hydrocortisone ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Glycogen ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Yang Deficiency ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) to treat per-manent atrial fibrillation (AF) under the guidance of Carto-Merge technique.

METHODSFifteen male patients with permanent AF underwent RFCA under the guidance of Carto-Merge technique. The mean age was 54.00 +/- 10.44 years, and duration of AF was 23.66 +/- 14.93 months. Cardiac magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed to obtain pre-procedural three-dimensional (3D) images on the anatomy of left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) before RFCA procedure. Then the electroanatomical map was integrated with 3D images of MRA to form Carto-Merge map that guided step-by-step ablation strategy of permanent AF. Circumferential PV ablation was performed first until complete PVs electric isolation confirmed by Lasso catheter. If AF was not terminated, lesion lines on roof of LA, mitral isthmus, and tricuspid isthmus were produced.

RESULTSThe episodes of AF were terminated during RFCA in 2 patients, by direct current cardioversion in the remaining 13 patients. Transient AF occurred in 2 patients after ablation on 1st day and 1st week respectively, AF terminated spontaneously not long after taking metoprolol. One patient developed persistent atrial flutter (AFL) in 2 months after procedure and AFL was eliminated by the second ablation. Persistent AF recurred on 1st day, 1st and 5th week respectively in 3 patients, and did not terminate after 3 months even though amiodarone was given. The remaining 12 patients were all free of AF during 2-11 months of follow-up. The recent success rate for RFCA of permanent AF was 80%.

CONCLUSIONSCarto-Merge technique can effectively guide RFCA of permanent AF. When combined with single Lasso mapping, it can simplify the mapping, lower expenses, and enhance the success rate of RFCA of permanent AF.

Adult ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; radiotherapy ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radio Waves

BACKGROUNDVerapamil-sensitive, idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) with right bundle branch block configuration and left-axis deviation is known to be due to re-entry mechanism but the exact nature of reentrant circuit in ILVT is not fully elucidated. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation was applied during ventricular tachycardia (VT) and termination of the VT or abolishing the inducibility of the tachycardia was used as an endpoint for successful RF. In this study, the left posterior fascicular block in surface electrocardiogram (ECG) was used as a new endpoint of ablation to cure ILVT.

METHODSElectrophysiological studies and radiofrequency ablation were performed in 39 consecutive patients [30 men, 9 women; age ranging from 10 to 64 years, mean (29 +/- 16) years] with verapamil-sensitive ILVT and structurally normal hearts. VT could be terminated by the intravenous administration of verapamil in all patients. The target site was the midseptum of LV where the earliest Purkinje potentials were recorded during VT. RF current was applied to the target site with or without late diastolic potential (LDP) during sinus rhythm in 37 patients and during VT in 2 patients to meet the ablation endpoint: the left posterior fascicular block in the surface ECG.

RESULTSThirty-seven patients with ILVT had been treated by RF ablation during sinus rhythm and two had been treated during VT. All of them met the endpoint of the left posterior fascicular block. Thirty-eight cases were symptom-free without medications during the follow-up period (range from 3 to 95 months, median 17 months). One patient developed a clinical recurrence and the left posterior fascicular block in surface ECG disappeared. The patient received another treatment. The endpoint was met and the procedure was successful.

CONCLUSIONSThe left posterior fascicular block in surface ECG used as an endpoint of RF ablation to treat ILVT is effective. It is important especially in those patients whose VT can not be induced or the inducible condition is unstable. The effective endpoint implied that the left posterior fascicle might be a critical part of the re-entrant circuit.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Child ; Diastole ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Verapamil ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of methylprednisolone (MP) and cyclophosphamide (CPA) intermittent intravenous pulse therapy and the clinical prognosis in children with severe juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JOSLE).

METHODSThirty patients with JOSLE, diagnosed by clinical, laboratory or renal histological examinations, were enrolled in this study. Of the 30 patients, 27 were females and 3 were males, the mean age was (12 +/- 3) years, and 20 of the 22 patients who had undergone initial therapy had LN, and the clinical courses before being involved in the study were 3 to 12 months in nine patients. Twenty-three of the 30 patients had clinical manifestations of renal damages, of whom 4 patients were proven by initial renal biopsy to have WHO type IV, 2 had type II,1 had type V and 1 had type III, and 7 patients had one or more manifestations of central nervous system, including chorea, seizures, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and organic brain syndrome (OBS), simultaneously, 9 patients had nervous system symptoms without the clinical manifestations of renal damages, 3 patients had lupus crisis, 7 patients did not have any manifestations of renal or neurological damages. According to the protocol of the therapy, the patients were divided into 3 groups: group A (n = 18) patients were treated with MP plus CPA intermittent intravenous pulse for children with lupus nephritis, and with or without neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus (NPLE), group B (n = 7) with pulsed doses of MP, followed by prednisone and tripterygium wilfordii hook f(T(whf)) for patients without renal or central nerves system damage, and group C (n = 5) with prednisone alone for patients with LN determined by clinical and laboratory features. The effects of those regimes and the clinical prognosis were observed.

RESULTSOn short-term follow-up, the SLEDAI-2K (by weight of the renal damage) showed significant difference between group A and group B, but there was no significant difference at the 9th months of the therapy. The long-term follow-up lasted in average for (37.2 +/- 24.8) months. Nineteen patients were followed up for more than 18 months. At the end of follow-up, the mean age was 14 to 19 years. There was no difference on the effect of both group A and group B, and no frequent infections were seen, ANAs were negative and SLEDAI-2K = 0-point in two patients of each group 12 months after discontinuation of the therapy. Four patients in group C died within 18 months.

CONCLUSIONThe immunosuppressive regimen MP + CPA in patients with severe JOSLE and MP + prednisone + T(whf) in patients without major organs damage were superior to the regimen of prednisone alone.

Adolescent ; Child ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Pulse Therapy, Drug ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDTypical accessory pathways (APs) of Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome have been widely discussed in recent decades. However, the characteristics of the special AP, Mahaim fibre, are not so clear. It is known that these fibres have antegrade conduction only, long conduction time, decremental node-like conduction and automaticity properties. This study was to elucidate the automaticity of Mahaim fibre and its response to effective ablation.

METHODSThirteen patients with Mahaim fibre (ten atrioventricular and three atriofascicular accessory pathways) were subjected to electrophysiological study and radiofrequency ablation via catheter. The incidence and characteristics of anautomatic rhythm originating from Mahaim fibre were observed during the whole procedure, especially during radiofrequency current delivery.

RESULTSRepetitive and short-run automatic rhythm (rate: 65-72 beats per minute), with a QRS morphology similar to that of clinical pre-excited atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia (AVRT), occurred in two patients during sinus rhythm. Conduction via Mahaim fibre was successfully eliminated by radiofrequency current. Fourteen applications of RF were associated with irregularly accelerated automatic tachycardia of Mahaim fibre (with a sensitivity of 78%), lasting for 1.2-14 seconds. However, such automatic tachycardia of Mahaim fibre did not occur during 54 failed applications of radiofrequency current.

CONCLUSIONSMahaim fibre has the function of automaticity. The accelerated automatic tachycardia of Mahaim fibre occur red during radiofrequency catheter ablation can be used as a predictor for successful procedure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Catheter Ablation ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pre-Excitation, Mahaim-Type ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry ; physiopathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effectiveness and advantages of the Carto merge technique in guiding radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of permanent atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODSA total of 15 patients with permanent AF underwent RFCA under guidance of the Carto merge technique. The virtual electroanatomical map of the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) were reconstructed with Carto system during the procedure. Then the electroanatomical map was integrated with 3-D images of cardiac magnetic resonance angiography to form Carto merge map. Circumferential pulmonary vein ablation was performed first until complete PVs electric isolation confirmed by lasso catheter. If AF was not terminated, lesion lines on roof of LA, mitral isthmus, and tricuspid isthmus were produced. Finally direct current (DC) cardioversion were given if sinus rhythm did not return.

RESULTSAF were terminated spontaneously during RFCA in 2 patients, and by DC cardioversion in the remaining 13 patients. Persistent AF recurred on 24 hours, first week, and 5th week, respectively in three patients. The remaining 12 patients were all free of AF during follow-up (1-10 months). The success rate was 80% in the study.

CONCLUSIONSCarto merge technique can effectively guide RFCA of permanent AF. When combined with single Lasso mapping, it can simplify the mapping and enhance the success rate of RFCA of permanent AF.

Atrial Fibrillation ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Humans