Animals ; Calcitriol ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Liver ; drug effects ; Liver Diseases ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of two-dimensional speckle tracking technology in the evaluation of right ventricular systolic function in patients with pulmonary disease .Methods Thirty patients with pulmonary heart disease were divided into two groups:group of compensated pulmonary heart disease(compensated group ) (n =15),group of decompensated pulmonary heart disease (decompensated group)( n =15).30 healthy subjects were enrolled in control group .The displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the midpoint(TADmid),the displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the free wall (TADfre) and the displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the septum (TADsep) were acquired,and simultaneous real-time three-dimensional ultrasound detection of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were taken.The correlation of TADmid with RVEF and pulmonary artery systolic pressure ( PASP) were analyzed.Results TADmid of the healthy control group,the compensated group and the decompensated group were(17.1 ±3.9)mm, (13.6 ±2.6)mm,and(9.5 ±3.2)mm respectively.TADfre were(21.1 ±3.0)mm,(17.6 ±4.2)mm,and (11.5 ±3.8) mm respectively.TADsep were(12.0 ±2.5) mm,(9.7 ±3.3) mm,and(7.4 ±2.7) mm respectively.RVEF were(56.3 ±8.2)%,(39.6 ±6.4)%,and(28.1 ±5.9)% respectively.PASP were (20.6 ±2.6) mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa), (63.3 ±5.6) mm Hg, and (82.5 ±11.2)mm Hg respectively.There were significant differences of TADmid , RVEF, and PASP among the 3 groups ( F =8.581,7.816,9.300,6.507,10.235, all P <0.05).TADfre, TADmid, TADsep and RVEF were all decreased in the compensated group comparing to the healthy control group ,while PASP was increased.The decrease of TADmid was the most significant ,while that of TADfre was the slightest .There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups(t=2.703,2.536,2.379, 2.817,3.026,all P<0.05).TADfre,TADmid,TADsep and RVEF of decompensated group reduced more significantly than the compensated group , while PASP was increased significantly .There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups(t=2.519,2.493,2.236, 2.621,2.985,all P<0.05);TADfre and TADmid were decreased more apparently in decompensated group than that in compensated group ,and so were TADsep and RVEF,while PASP were increased.There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups (t =1.947, 2.680,2.016,2.653,2.893,all P<0.05).There was significant positive correlation between TADmid and RVEF measured by real-time three-dimensional ultrasound (r =0.904,P <0.01 ).There was significant negative correlation between TADmid and PASP (r=-0.686,P<0.01).The cut-off point value of TADmid measured by speckle tracking technology for evaluation of RVEF <45% and<30% were 13.65 mm and 9.80 mm,respectively.The sensitivity were 94.4%and 90.0%respectively,and the specificity were 78.6%and 90.0%respectively.Conclusions TADmid is hardly affected by the external factors ,and it can better reflect the changes of right ventricular systolic function for patients with pulmonary heart disease .TADmid is positively correlated with RVEF measured by real-time three-dimensional ultrasound and negatively correlated with PASP.Further more,the correlations is significant.The three parameters can authenticate mutually ,and the combination of them can evaluate the right ventricular systolic function in patients with pulmonary heart disease precisely.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the time trends of cancer mortality among residents in Kaifeng county, Henan province.

METHODSData on cancer mortality from the vital registration system in Kaifeng county from 1988 to 2005 was analyzed. A total of 9543 death records (5974 males and 3567 females) due to malignant tumors were studied. A two-year-period age-specified standardized mortality rates were directly adjusted by the world standard population, and the annual percentage change (APC) of mortality were estimated by a linear logarithm regression.

RESULTSThe crude cancer death rate for male was 95.09/100,000 and its age-standardized death rate was 117.41/100,000. While, the crude cancer death rate for female was 59.13/100,000 and the age-standardized death rate was 57.15/100,000. There was a significant growth tread for lung cancer (APC: 6.54%), liver cancer (5.07%) in males and breast cancer (7.04%) in females in the groups aged over 18. On the contrary, the decreasing treads for esophageal cancer in both of sexes (-7.09%, -13.53%) were also observed in this study. Meanwhile, there was no other significant changes in the trend, either in the tumor sites or mortality, was observed.

CONCLUSIONIn the past two decades, there has been a significant increasing trend for cancer mortality in Kaifeng county, of Henan Province. Hence, it is necessary to enhance epidemiological survey to identify risk factors at the earlier stages.

China ; epidemiology ; Death Certificates ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; trends ; Neoplasms ; mortality ; Rural Population

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic efficacy and its influencing factors of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) in the treatment of liver carcinoma.

METHODSWith a temperature-controlled multi-electrode needle, ultrasound-guided PRFA was employed to treat forty-seven patients with 67 tumor nodules, with a diameter of 2.6 +/- 1.1 cm (1.0 - 5.5 cm).

RESULTSA complete ablation (CA) rate of 80.6% was achieved in the present series, with a CA rate of 91.7% in the tumors < or = 3 cm in diameter, 75.0% in tumors from 3.1 to 4.0 cm, and 14.3% in tumors > 4 cm. The CA rate was significantly greater in tumors with a temperature rising up to 70 degrees C within the initial 2 minutes at ablation as compared with that longer than 2 minutes (P < 0.05). A markedly higher CA rate was obtained in tumors with an ablation-maintaining temperature of over 80 degrees C than that between 70 degrees C and 80 degrees C (P < 0.01). All patients were followed up with a mean time of 11.3 months. The local recurrence rate was 9.3% (5/54), and 1-year survival rate was 82.1%. Eighteen patients (38.3%) had a distant recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSThe tumor size, temperature-rising time and ablation-maintaining temperature represented the important factors affecting the therapeutic efficacy of PRFA.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Temperature ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

BACKGROUNDA living fetus within the maternal uterus provides an example of allogene tolerance in mammals. Poria cocos Wolf is the main component of many Chinese medicinal combination drugs that have therapeutic effects on recurrent spontaneous abortion and that can maintain pregnancy until delivery. It was hypothesized that this herbal medicine can also prolong allograft survival after organ transplantation. Here, in an in vivo study, we report the anti-rejection effect of the ethanol extract of Poria cocos Wolf (EEPCW) in rats after cardiac allograft implantation.

METHODSTen normal rats were healthy controls. Eighty rats receiving homologous heart transplants were divided into 4 groups of 20 rats each based on type of treatment: olive oil 8 ml.kg(-1).d(-1), EEPCW 25 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), EEPCW 50 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) or cyclosporin A 5 mg.kg(-1).d(-1). Allograft survival was observed in 10 rats from each group. On the seventh day post transplantation, pathological lesions and percentages of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ lymphocytes and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in peripheral blood were assessed in another 10 rats from each group and in 10 normal rats.

RESULTSThe survival time of donor hearts in the two EEPCW groups was significantly prolonged, to (15.9 +/- 2.4) days and (30.0 +/- 0.0) days, respectively, compared with (6.7 +/- 0.8) days in the control group. Pathological lesions in the two EEPCW groups were also less severe, and the percentages of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were significantly lower in the EEPCW groups.

CONCLUSIONSAcute rejection of heart transplants and cellular immune reaction can be effectively suppressed using the EEPCW. Taking advantage of novel immunosuppressants derived from Chinese medicinal herbs used to treat abnormal pregnancy provides a hopeful road for future research and treatment in organ transplantation.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Graft Rejection ; prevention & control ; Graft Survival ; drug effects ; Heart Transplantation ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Male ; Polyporales ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the technique and clinical outcomes of modified transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

METHODSA total of 105 patients received the operation with age ranging from 51 to 73 years from January 2008 to June 2010. Mean level of serum prostate specific antigen was 13.6 µg/L and mean prostatic volume was 45 ml. Pathological studies of biopsy confirmed the prostate carcinoma with Gleason score 6-8. Radionuclide bone scan revealed no metastasis. Based on previously retroperitoneal radical prostatectomy, modified technique was applied involving surgical approach, bladder neck dissection and vesicourethral anastomosis.

RESULTSMean operative time was 93 min (65 - 150 min). Intraoperative blood loss was 115 ml (50 - 400 ml). No complication of bowl injury occurred. Positive surgical margin was present in 24 patients. Normal continence were seen in 64 patients after catheter removed. Recovery of incontinence within 3 months was seen in 33 patients and 3 to 12 months in 5 patients respectively. Three patients with incontinence were still in the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSTransperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy provides large working space and clear anatomic exposure. Higher efficiency and lower complication rate are obtained through modified laparoscopic technique involving seminal vesicle isolation, bladder neck dissection and vesicourethral anastomosis.

Abdominal Cavity ; surgery ; Aged ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatectomy ; methods ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

AIMA series of triazole antifungals were synthesized to search for novel triazole antifungals with more potent activity, less toxicity and broader spectrum.

METHODSNineteen 1-(1,2,4-triazolyl-1H-1-yl)-2-(2,4-diflurophenyl)-3-(4-substituted benzyl-1-piperazinyl)-2-propanols were designed and synthesized, on basis of the three dimensional structure of P450 cytochrome 14 alpha-sterol demethylase (CYP51) and their antifungal activities were also evaluated.

RESULTSAll the title compounds were first reported. Results of preliminary biological tests showed that most of the title compounds exhibited high activity against the eight common pathogenic fungi and the activities against deep fungi were higher than that against shallow fungi.

CONCLUSIONMost of the title compounds showed higher antifungal activities than Fluconazole and Terbinafine. Compound VIII-1, 10, 12, 17 showed best antifungal activity with broad antifungal spectrum and were chosen for further development.

Antifungal Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; drug effects ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Structure ; Triazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of standard large trauma craniotomy (SLTC) on outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) (GCS<=8).

METHODS230 patients with severe TBI were randomly divided into two groups. 115 patients underwent SLTC (10 cm x 12 cm) as an SLTC group, and other 115 patients underwent temporo-parietal or fronto-temporal craniotomy (6 cm x 8 cm) according to the position of hematomas as a routine craniotomy (RC) group. Other treatments were identical in two groups. According to Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), the prognosis of the patients was evaluated and the complications were compared between two groups.

RESULTS27 patients got good outcome and moderate disability (23.5%), 40 severe disability and vegetative survival (34.8%), and 48 died (41.7%) in SLTC group. 21 patients got good outcome and moderate disability (18.3%), 28 severe disability and vegetative survival (24.3%), and 66 died (57.4%) in RC group. The incidence of incision hernia was lower in SLTC group than in RC group. However, the incidence of operative encephalocele, traumatic epilepsy and intracranial infection were not different in two groups.

CONCLUSIONSStandard large trauma craniotomy significantly reduces the mortality of patients with severe TBI without serious complications, but does not improve the life quality of the patients.

Adult ; Brain Injuries ; mortality ; surgery ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Craniotomy ; standards ; Female ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) gene and hereditary susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

METHODSPeripheral blood DNA from 315 patients diagnosed with NAFLD (including the spectrum of simple steatosis (SS) and non-alcoholic steatosis (NASH)) and 336 control subjects was used to determine the PNPLA3 genotype by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. The relationship of SNPs and NAFLD-related markers of liver function were assessed by correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe SNP rs738409 was identified in more of the NAFLD patients (allele variant frequencies: NAFLD, 65.40%; NASH: 71.87%; SS, 56.47%) than in the controls (33.18%). Case-control analysis revealed that carriers of the 148GG genotype were at 3.81-fold (95% CI: 3.03 ~ 4.79) higher risk of developing NAFLD and at 1.97-fold (95% CI: 1.41 ~ 2.75) higher risk of progressing from SS to NASH, compared with non-carriers. rs738409 was also found to be associated with serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and y-glutamyltransferase (y-GT) (both P less than 0.05). Carriers of the 148GG genotype had significantly higher body mass index, ALT, and fasting insulin than carriers of the 148CC genotype (all P less than 0.05), and significantly higher level of serum HDL than carriers of either the 148CC genotype or the 148GC genotype (both P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPolymorphisms in the PNPLA3 gene may play an important role in mediating susceptibility to developing NAFLD in the Chinese population. The rs738409 polymorphism, in particular, is related to development and progression of NAFLD and may play a role in the contribution of PNPLA3 to NAFLD pathogenesis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Fatty Liver ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lipase ; genetics ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the operative reduction techniques and clinical results of surgical treatment of type C1 (AO/ASIF) acetabular fracture by posteroproximal-posteroanterior sequential reduction and internal fixation.

METHODSFrom August 2004 to January 2012, 13 patients with type C1 (AO/ASIF) acetabular fracture were treated by posteroproximal-posteroanterior sequential reduction and internal fixation. Of them, 8 cases were male and 5 cases were female with an average age of 42 years years old (ranged, 18 to 64). Pelvis 3-dimentional CT reconstruction were used to confirmed the classification of fracture, and the operation were performed during from 5 to 20 days with an average of 9.5 days. Operation time, blood loss, complications and reduction were recorded and evaluated. The function of hip joint were accessed at the final follow-up.

RESULTSThe operation time ranged from 190 to 290 min with an average of 240 min. The mean blood loss was 1 800 ml (ranged, 1 300 to 3 000 ml). One case had superficial infection and healed after 3 weeks. According to Matta reduction criteria, 8 cases obtained anatomical reduction, 4 cases got satisfied results and 1 cases got unsatisfied results. Eleven cases were followed up with an average of (24.0 +/- 8.0) months, and 2 cases were lost to follow-up. According to revised Mede d'Aubingne and Postel evaluation system, 7 cases got excellent results, 2 good, 1 moderate and 1 poor.

CONCLUSIONPosteroproximal-posteroanterior sequential reduction and internal fixation for the treatment of type C1 (AO/ASIF) acetabular fracture can achieve satisfied surgical proces and operation quality.

Acetabulum ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Hip Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Hip Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult