Objective To assess the left ventricular dyssynchrony in coronary artery disease(CAD) without visual segmental wall motion abnormalities using strain delay index (SDI).Methods A total of 135 patients under suspicion of CAD were recruited in this study.Two-dimensional cchocardiography was performed to collect dynamic images of left ventricular apical long axis views,tow-chamber views,four chamber views and parasternal short axis mitral views,papillary views and apical views.The time to minimal systolic longitudinal,radial,circumferential strain (Tssl,Tssr and Tssc) were measured from the start point of QRS wave in electrocardiogram.The left ventricular segmental standard deviation (Tssl-SD,Tssr-SD,Tssc-SD),maximal difference (Tssl-Dif,Tssr-Dif,Tssc-Dif) and longitudinal,radial,circumferential SDI (LSDI,RSDI,CSDI) of 18 left ventricular segments were calculated.Results According to coronary angiography results,patients were divided into three groups:severe stenosis group,mild stenosis group and control group.Compared with the other two groups,SDI and Tssl-SD,Tssl-Dif were decreased in severe stenosis group (P ＜0.001 or P ＜0.05).However,there were not significant differences between the mild stenosis group and the control group except Tssr-SD.The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis demonstrated that LSDI had the highest accuracy and Tssl-SD had the lowest accuracy for detecting severe CAD (areas under the curve were 0.891,0.797,0.666,0.580 and 0.556 respectively).High sensitivity and specificity (80.6％ and 86.7％,respectively) were shown when using-12.67％ as a cutoff point of LSDI to diagnose severe CAD.Conclusions SDI can be helpful for assessing the left ventricular dyssynchrony in patients without visual segmental wall motion abnormalities,and LSDI is the most effective parameter to detecting severe CAD.

AIM:To discuss the application value of retro-mode imaging by F-10 confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO) for detecting drusen in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).METHODS:This was a retrospective case study.During the period of October 2015 to December 2016, 67 patients with unilateral AMD (67 affected eyes and 67 fellow eyes) were included in this study.All patients underwent color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO.The features of drusen by color fundus photography, OCT and retro-mode imaging were comparatively observed in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral AMD.Positive numbers of drusen in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral AMD detected by color fundus photography, OCT and retro-mode imaging were calculated and compared.RESULTS:Retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO gave easier to identify images of drusen than color fundus photography and OCT in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral AMD.In the fellow eyes of 67 patients with unilateral AMD, retro-mode imaging showed drusen in 56 cases(84%), color funds photography showed drusen in 36 cases(54%), OCT showed drusen in 48 cases(72%), the difference was statistically significant(χ2=14.31, P<0.05).The positive numbers of drusen detected by retro-mode imaging were significantly higher than color fundus photography, the difference was statistically significant(χ2=13.87, P′<0.0125).There was no statistically significant difference in the positive numbers of drusen detected by retro-mode imaging and OCT(χ2=2.75, P′>0.0125).CONCLUSION:Retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO provides a non-invasive technique and should be useful for detecting and monitoring drusen in AMD.

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) expression in the autologous vein grafts and vein graft atherosclerotic lesions.

METHODSThirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to normal control group (rabbits fed with normal diet, n = 10), vein graft group (autologous external jugular vein grafting to common carotid artery and fed with normal diet, n = 10) or vein graft plus high-lipid diet group (autologous vein graft and fed with high-lipid diet, n = 10) for 12 weeks. LOX-1 expressions in the grafts were examined by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. The relationships between serum total cholesterol level, intimal thickness and LOX-1 expression were also investigated.

RESULTSLOX-1 expression was low in the endothelium of external jugular veins in the normal control group and significantly increased in the endothelium and neointima of vein grafts in the vein graft group (0.31 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.09 +/- 0.04, P < 0.01) and which was further increased in the endothelium and atherosclerotic lesions in the vein graft plus high-lipid diet group (0.93 +/- 0.34 vs. 0.31 +/- 0.14, P < 0.01). LOX-1 expression in the atherosclerotic lesions was located both in endothelial cells and foam cells and the expression was most prominent in endothelial cells. LOX-1 expression and intimal thickness were positively related to serum total cholesterol level (P = 0.00 and 0.02) and the partial correlation coefficient was 0.78 and 0.42, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSLOX-1 expression is increased in endothelium and neointima of autologous vein grafts of rabbits. Hypercholesterolemia upregulates LOX-1 expression in vein graft atherosclerosis. Thus, LOX-1 might play an important role in the pathogenesis of vein graft atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Graft Occlusion, Vascular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits ; Scavenger Receptors, Class E ; metabolism ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Veins ; transplantation

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the application of inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) in prevention of peri-operative pulmonary embolism in patients with bone fracture combined with deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

METHODSFrom July 2007 to April 2011, 572 cases of bone fractures consequent with DVT that confirmed by Duplex were deployed IVCF to avoid fatal pulmonary embolism in the para-operative period. There were 318 male and 254 female patients with a mean age of (51±23) years (ranging from 16 to 94 years).

RESULTSAll the operations of deployment of the IVCFs were successfully. There were 174 permanent and 399 temporary IVCFs deployed. In all 399 temporary filters, 389 filters were taken out successfully. The mean station time in the IVC of the temporary filters was 22.8 days (7 to 60 days), among which, 118 were found of captured thrombus. After the follow-up of mean 16 months (3 to 40 months) of 566 patients, no pulmonary embolism occurred, but symptomatic DVT were revealed in 15 patients, and the conditions were improved after anticoagulation treatment. No serious complication of post thrombotic syndrome occurred.

CONCLUSIONIVCF deployment can prevent the trauma patients with deep vein thrombosis of fatal pulmonary embolism in the peri-operative period, which may also offer a safe condition to the orthopedic operations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Embolism ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Vena Cava Filters ; Venous Thrombosis ; complications ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To develop a simple and reliable rat model of in situ reversible obstructive jaundice with low morbidity and mortality rates. METHODS: Rats were divided into 4 groups with 8 rats each: the sham-operated (SH) group only underwent laparotomy, the control internal drainage (ID-C) group underwent choledochoduodenostomy, the new internal drainage (ID-N) group and the long-term internal drainage (ID-L) group underwent choledochocholedochostomy. Common bile duct ligation was performed in all the drainage groups 7 days before reversal procedures. All rats were sacrificed for samples 7 days after the last operation except rats of the ID-L group that survived 28 days before sacrifice. Body weight, liver function, histopathological changes, morbidity and mortality were assessed. RESULTS: One rat died and 2 rats had complications with tube blockage in the ID-C group. No death or complications occurred in the ID-N and ID-L groups. The drainage tube remained patent in the long-term observation ID-L group. Body weight showed no significant difference between the ID-C and ID-N groups after 7 days drainage. Liver function was not fully recovered in the ID-C and ID-N groups after 7 days drainage, but statistical differences were only observed in the ID-C group compared with the SH and ID-L groups. Periportal inflammation and bile duct proliferation showed severer in the ID-C group than in the ID-N group. CONCLUSION: The present study provided an efficient, simple, and reliable rat model that is especially suitable for long-term or consecutive studies of reversible obstructive jaundice.
Animals ; Bile Ducts ; Body Weight ; Choledochostomy ; Common Bile Duct ; Drainage ; Inflammation ; Jaundice, Obstructive* ; Laparotomy ; Ligation ; Liver ; Models, Animal* ; Mortality ; Rats*

PURPOSE: To develop a simple and reliable rat model of in situ reversible obstructive jaundice with low morbidity and mortality rates. METHODS: Rats were divided into 4 groups with 8 rats each: the sham-operated (SH) group only underwent laparotomy, the control internal drainage (ID-C) group underwent choledochoduodenostomy, the new internal drainage (ID-N) group and the long-term internal drainage (ID-L) group underwent choledochocholedochostomy. Common bile duct ligation was performed in all the drainage groups 7 days before reversal procedures. All rats were sacrificed for samples 7 days after the last operation except rats of the ID-L group that survived 28 days before sacrifice. Body weight, liver function, histopathological changes, morbidity and mortality were assessed. RESULTS: One rat died and 2 rats had complications with tube blockage in the ID-C group. No death or complications occurred in the ID-N and ID-L groups. The drainage tube remained patent in the long-term observation ID-L group. Body weight showed no significant difference between the ID-C and ID-N groups after 7 days drainage. Liver function was not fully recovered in the ID-C and ID-N groups after 7 days drainage, but statistical differences were only observed in the ID-C group compared with the SH and ID-L groups. Periportal inflammation and bile duct proliferation showed severer in the ID-C group than in the ID-N group. CONCLUSION: The present study provided an efficient, simple, and reliable rat model that is especially suitable for long-term or consecutive studies of reversible obstructive jaundice.
Animals ; Bile Ducts ; Body Weight ; Choledochostomy ; Common Bile Duct ; Drainage ; Inflammation ; Jaundice, Obstructive* ; Laparotomy ; Ligation ; Liver ; Models, Animal* ; Mortality ; Rats*

The objective of this study was to explore the useful value of circulating galactomannan (GM) for early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. All 141 patients were classified as 103 patients of clinical and possible diagnosis, and 38 non-Aspergillus patients. 209 serum samples for the detection of GM by Platelia Aspergillus were collected before anti-fungal vaccine therapy. ELISA method was used in detection of GM. The results showed that (1) the sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 81.6%, positive prediction of 66.7% and negative prediction of 93.9% were determined by using cut-off value. According to the result of ELISA, the clinical diagnosed patients was up to 48, while the possible diagnosed patients were 55. (2) Among 62 patients with consecutive examinations of serum samples, 50 patients were successfully diagnosed and treated, while 12 patients died. A progressive reduction of GM level was found in survivors, however, the patients of poor prognosis showed higher antigen titres. It is concluded that GM test has more significance for earlier diagnosis of aspergillosis, the concentration of GM is related to prognosis of disease.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aspergillosis ; diagnosis ; Aspergillus ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hematologic Diseases ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mannans ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

Aim To observe the effect of epidurally application of osthole on the model of nucleus pulposusinduced inflammatory radicular pain and the expression of p38 MAPK signaling related pathway in the spinal dorsal horn of rats.Methods The model of radicular pain was generated by putting nucleus pulposus to the L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG).50％ MWT was measured using Von Frey filaments to calculate mechanical pain threshold before and after operation.50 μL of 20 g · L-1 osthole was administered epidurally in group Ost and 50 μL of 100 mL · L-1 DMSO in group DMSO at postoperative day (POD).The expression of phosphorylated p38 (p-p38),IL-18 and IL-18R in the lumbar spinal dorsal horn was detected by Western blot.IL-18 mRNA was assessed by real-time PCR.Results The mechanical pain threshold significantly decreased after operation (P ＜ 0.05),while the expression of protein p-p38 MAPK,IL-18,IL-18R and IL-18 mRNA was significantly different.Compared with DMSO group,50％ MWT was significantly increased and accompanied with the decrease of protein p-p38,IL-18,IL-lgR and IL-18 mRNA in Ost group after drug administration (P ＜ 0.05).The correlation analysis between protein concentration of p38 MAPK and IL-18 mRNA showed that the Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.9 (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion p-p38 and IL-18 of spinal dorsal horn participate in the rat model with inflammatory radicular pain induced by nucleus pulposus,and IL-18R plays a role in maintenance of the pain.Osthole administered epidurally in the early stage of pain could alleviate the pain for a long time,which may be related with inhibiting p38 MAPK signaling related pathways.

Aim To study the apoptosis-inducing effect of rosmarinic acid derivative RAD-9 on gastric cancer MGC-803 cells and the underlying mechanisms.Methods MTT assay was taken to detect the survival of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells effected by RAD-9.Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The apoptotic morphology of MGC-803 cells was observed by Hoechst 33258 staining.The protein expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax,caspase-3,Akt,p-Akt,p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK were measured by Western blot.Results The results of MTT assay showed that RAD-9 inhibited the viability of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.Flow cytometry showed that RAD-9 significantly promoted apoptotic cell percentage in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells (P ＜ 0.01).Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the nucleus of MGC-803 cells could be observed with typical apoptotic morphological changes after RAD-9 administration.Compared with the control group,the protein expression levels of Bcl-2,Akt,p-Akt were significantly down-regulated (P ＜ 0.01),while those of Bax,caspase-3,p38 MAPK,p-p38 MAPK were significantly up-regulated (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion RAD-9 can inhibit the growth and further induce apoptosis in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells,which may involve inhibiting PI3K/Akt and activating p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the CD4 +T cells and virus load in HIV/AIDS affected population and to evaluate the HIV/AIDS antiretroviral therapy programs in Henan province.Methods "Henan HIV/AIDS Testing Laboratory Network Database" was used to collect the data on CD4+ T cells and virus load (VL) value and corresponding information in HIV/AIDS population of Henan in 2009. Cross-sectional studies was used to study the constituent ratio of CD4 + T cells and virus load value in individuals who had not received antiretroviral-treated (ART) and had joined first-line ART between the year of 2005 to 2008 among HIV/AIDS population of Henan. Results As to these people living with HIV/AIDS that had not received ART in the first half and the second half year of 2009, the constituent ratio of individuals whose CD4+T cells were less than 200 cells/μl both accounted for more than 20% (χ2=2.059, P=0.151). The constituent ratio of individuals whose CD4+T cells were in 200-350 cells/μl and more than 350 cells/μl increased from 27.61% to 29.41%(χ2=4.636, P=0.031 ) and decreased from 51.49% to 48.60% (χ2=9.767, P=0.002), respectively.Meanwhile, we saw 34.53% and 19.65% of the patients whose virus load was ＞10 000 copy/mland ＞30 000 copy/ml in this population. Patients that joined first-line ART during 2005-2008 showed the following results: the longer of the therapy time, the higher constituent ratio of individuals whose CD4+ T cells were more than 350 cells/μl (χ2= 148.689, P＜0.001) and the lower constituent ratio of individuals of whose CD4+T cells were less than 200 cells/μl (χ2=46.686,P＜0.001).Simultaneously, the lower constituent ratio of individuals whose viral load was less than 500 copy/ml (χ2=9.066, P=0.003) and the higher constituent ratio of individuals whose virus load was more than 10 000 copy/ml (χ2=6.597, P=0.010). Conclusion Significant curative effect had been achieved in AIDS first-line ART of Henan, but along with the increasing treatment time, the risk of treatment failure also increased. Drug resistance test and changing of treatment protocols were needed. To reach better and more efficient effects on therapy, factors as more detections and investments on ART, expanding the scope of treatment etc. were needed on those people living with HIV/AIDS that had not received ART.