Brown-Sequard Syndrome ; etiology ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; complications ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) using Amplatzer occluder. Methods Routine cardiac catheterization and angiography were performed in 50 patients (23 male, 27 female, age ranging from 3 to 64 years old), including 19 cases of ASD and 31 cases of PDA under local or general anesthesia. After balloon sizing of the ASD, the optimal Amplazter septal occluder (ASO) was transmitted into the left atrial, and the left and right disks were released in turn. The Amplatzer occluder was completely released after transthoracic echocardiography confirmed that there was no residual shunts or new onset mitral valve regurgitation. The Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO) size was selected according to the narrowest point of PDA measured by angiography, and the occluder was released after the repeated angiography showed no residual shunts. Results ① The mean diameter of the ASD measured by balloon was 13-31 (23?6) mm and the diameter of ASO was (17-40) mm. The immediate closure rate was 100%. ② Angiography confirmed that closure of the ductus using ADO was achieved in 30 patients, and closure of the large size (12 mm) was achieved in 1 case of PDA patient using ASO (17 mm). No complications were encountered. Conclusion Transcatheter closure of ASD and PDA using Amplatzer device, with the advantages of simple operation, confirmative occlusion efficacy, minimal invasiveness, wide indications, and less complications, has a bright future of clinical application.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and TCD-detected microembolic signals in patients with hypercoagulability related multiple acute cerebral infarcts within non-single arterial territories, and to explore the possi?ble underlying mechanisms. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on all clinical, laboratory, radiological and TCD monitoring records from patients with hypercoagulability related multiple acute cerebral infarcts within non-single arterial territories, who admitted to the neurology department in our hospital. Results The data from twenty-two cases were finally included in this study. All patients presented with acute-onset localized neurological dysfunction, e.g. hemi?paresis, aphasia, hemiparesthesia, dysarthria, hemianopsia and cortical blindness. Their hypercoagulability related diseas?es included 10 cases of systemic malignancy, 5 moderate to severe hyperhomocystynemia (HCY>50μmol/L), 2 nephrot?ic syndrome, 2 antiphospholipid syndrome, 1 ulcerative colitis, 1 polycythemia vera,1 paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobin?uria. In 18 cases, the hypercoagulability related diseases were diagnosed after their initial stroke onset. DWI showed mul?tiple disseminated acute cerebral infarcts in non-single arterial territories involving bilateral anterior or anterior plus pos?terior cerebral circulation simultaneously. Foci involved lobar cortex/subcortex of cerebral hemisphere in 22 cases, deep cerebral hemisphere in 12 cases, cerebellum foci in 10 cases,brainstem foci in 2 cases. TCD revealed microembolic sig? nals in ten of 22 patients monitored. Conclusions Patients with multiple acute cerebral infarcts involving non-single arte?rial territories, should be screened for hypercoagulability as in that hypercoagulability and microembolism might be in?volved in the etiology of cerebral infarction.

This study is to investigate the effect and mechanism of puerarin on DNA damage of HaCaT cells induced by UVB. Puerarin pre-treated cells were irradiated with UVB at 30 mJ x cm(-2). Twenty four hours after irradiation, DNA damage was detected by comet assay, ceramide was measured by thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography, intracellular free calcium ion was analyzed by flow cytometry, the phosphorylation level of p38 protein was examined by Western blotting method. Levels of DNA damage, ceramide, free calcium ion and p-p38 protein were elevated in UVB model cells. Contrary to the model group, all indicators above were reduced in all groups pre-treated by puerarin. Puerarin restrains the ceramide accumulation to block downstream p38 MAPK pathway and calcium ion rising, therefore reduces DNA damage in HaCaT cells induced by UVB.
Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Ceramides ; metabolism ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Ultraviolet Rays ; adverse effects ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of ceramide on progesterone production and apoptosis in rat luteal cells in vitro. Luteal cells were prepared from the ovaries of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) primed female Wistar rats and incubated with cell permeable C2-ceramide. The effects of ceramide on progesterone production and apoptosis in luteal cells were assessed by radio immunoassay (RIA) and flow cytometry analysis. In addition, changes in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and nitric oxide (NO) production by luteal cells treated with C2-ceramide were also evaluated. Ceramide was found to reduce hCG-stimulated progesterone production in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it had little effect on basal progesterone content. Spontaneous apoptosis in luteal cells was observed after a 12-hour incubation in vitro and 5 μmol/L of ceramide significantly increased the apoptotic rate (P<0.05). Enhanced apoptotic peak was seen in the histogram by flow cytometry. Moreover, 50 μmol/L of C2-ceramide significantly increased NOS activity (P<0.01) and NO production (P<0.001). It is suggested that ceramide may serve as an important signaling molecule mediating certain ovarian processes, such as luteal regression.

AIM To explore the effects of ligustrazine on blood rheology,aldose reductase (AR) and renal function in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats.METHODS The DN rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotoein (55 mg/kg),rats were randomly divided into five groups,model group,irbesartan [50 mg/(kg · d)] group,high-,middle-and low-dose of ligustrazine [200,100,50 mg/(kg · d)] groups,together with normal control group.All the rats received daily garage for eight successive weeks.At the end of experiment,blood rheology,blood glucose,aldose reductase in erythrocyte and kidney tissue,24 h urinary protein,blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,creatinine clearance and renal function were observed.RESULTS Compared with the model group,blood rheology,blood glucose and renal function in various treatment groups were effectively improved,and aldose reductase activity was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05).HE staining and PAS staining showed that the pathological changes in kidney were significantly alleviated.CONCLUSION Ligustrazine can protect kidney of DN rats by ameliorating blood rheology,decreasing blood glucose and inhibiting aldose reductase activity.

OBJECTIVEThe purposes of this thesis were to study the behavior about workers exposed to dust and provide scientific basis for health promotion.

METHODSWe designed a questionnaire and carry it on the 746 dust workers in the 3 representative corporations of Machinery, Ceramic, and Metallurgy Industry. All data were input into computer. And a database was established with Excel. SPSS11.5 statistical analysis software was used to analyze the influence on protecting behavioral between the application of qualifications, different jobs, training or protection, and other aspects etc.

RESULTSThe rates were 94.4% and 75.3% about the regular physical examination and requirements for protective equipment. The rate of choosing an effective way of protection was generally low (15.4%). There was significant difference for among different educational background workers (P < 0.01). The rates of choosing an effective way of protection (20.3%), the regular physical examination (98.3%) and requirements for protective equipment (86.4%) in the dust workers who participated in the training of dust protection were superior than those who did not participated in the training. There was the significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was the significant difference for the rate of effective way of protection, regular physical examination, and requirements for protective equipment among the different corporations (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDust workers' using rate about the choosing an effective way of protection was generally low in Machinery, Ceramic, and Metallurgy Industry. Those who were not educated had a lower using rate about the protection behavior, regular physical examination, and requirements for protective equipment than those educated.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ceramics ; Choice Behavior ; Dust ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Industry ; Male ; Metallurgy ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; utilization ; Young Adult

AIM:To investigate the effect of irbesartan on the fatty liver of db/db mice and whether autophagy is involved in the process.METHODS:Male db/db mice(n=24)were randomly divided into model group and irbesar-tan group,and 12 db/m mice with similar age and weight were selected as normal control group.After 16 weeks of inter-vention respectively,the fatty liver-related parameters including body weight, liver index, blood lipid, liver function and pathological changes in the liver were observed.The protein levels of p-PI3K,p-Akt,and p-mTOR,as well as Atg-7,bec-lin-1 and LC3B in the liver tissues were detected by Western blot,and the autophagosomes in the liver were observed under electron microscope.RESULTS:Compared with the model group,the body weight,liver index,blood lipids,alanine and aspartate aminotransferase were decreased in irbesartan group(P<0.05).Moreover,the pathological changes in the liver were significantly ameliorated in irbesartan group than that of model group.Importantly, the protein levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR were decreased with irbesartan administration,while the expression of Atg-7,beclin-1 and LC3B-Ⅱwas increased(P<0.05),which resulted in a distinct increase in autophagosomes.CONCLUSION:Irbesartan alleviates he-patic steatosis in db/db mice by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and upregulating the protein expression of Atg-7,beclin-1 and LC3B-Ⅱ,thereby inducing autophagy in hepatocytes.

The inclusion complex of cordycepin ( COR ) with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin ( HPβCD ) was prepared by the method of saturated solution. The inclusion of HPβCD with COR in aqueous solution was studied by UV-vis spectroscopy, and the inclusion ratio of COR/HPβCD complex was determined with the Job plots. The COR/HPβCD complex was characterized and determined by means of 1 H NMR and 2D NMR, differential scanning calorimetry ( DSC ) , thermogravimetric analysis ( TG ) , X-ray diffraction ( XRD ) , Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ( FTIR) and scanning electron microscope ( SEM) . The results showed that the COR/HPβCD complex ratio was 1:1 and the water solubility and stability of COR were obviously increased in the inclusion complex with HPβCD. The COR/HPβCD complex will be potentially useful for its medical application.

BACKGROUND: Compared with conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA), for patients with genu varum or genu valgus, indications, prosthesis choice, surgical accuracy and perioperative management during TKA should be paid more attention. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effectiveness of iASSIST-assisted TKA and traditional TKA in the treatment of genu varum or genu valgus. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with genu varum or genu valgus undergoing TKA were selected, and were then randomized into two groups: iASSIST-assisted TKA (group A) or traditional TKA (group B). The surgical accuracy was compared between two groups by measuring the knee valgus angle of patients, and the angle between prosthesis components on the coronal and sagittal planes. Besides, the intraoperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative drainage, restored alignment, postoperative complications, hospitalization time, as well as Visual Analogue Scale and American Knee Society scores were recorded to assess the clinical effectiveness. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The deviation of hip-knee-ankle angle, frontal femoral component angle, frontal tibial component angle, lateral femoral component angle and lateral femoral component angle in the two groups was less than 3°, and the group A exhibited better corrective efficacy. (2) The operation time in the group A was significantly longer than that in the group B; the hospitalization time in the group was significantly shorter than that in the group B; the restored alignment in the group A was significantly superior to that in the group B;the postoperative drainage, as well as Visual Analogue Scale and American Knee Society scores at 1 day and 1 week postoperatively in the group B were significantly superior to those in the group A (all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the intraoperative blood loss, incidence of complications, as well as Visual Analogue Scale and American Knee Society scores at postoperative 2 weeks and 1 and 3 months between two groups (P > 0.05). (3) These results manifest that for the patients with genu varum or genu valgus, both iASSIST-assisted TKA and traditional TKA can obtain satisfactory surgical accuracy, and the former has advantage in restricting the alignment of lower limbs. However, the long-term efficacy needs to be explored in depth.