AIM:To investigate the effect of renal denervation ( RDN) by radiofrequency catheter ablation on the expression of aquaporins ( AQP) in dog kidneys .METHODS:Adult Chinese Kunming dogs ( n=12 ) were randomly divided into RDN group and control group (6 for each group).The dogs in RDN group underwent bilateral RDN using ra-diofrequency catheter ablation , and radiofrequency catheter was positioned in bilateral renal artery without ablation in con -trol group.The levels of norepinephrine (NE) and AQP1~3 in the renal tissues were detected 1 month after RDN, and blood pressure (BP) measurements were performed at baseline and 1 month after RDN.RESULTS: The level of NE in RDN group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.01).The expression of AQP1~3 in the renal cortex and medulla was lower in RDN group than that in control group .RDN also caused a substantial BP reduction (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:RDN substantially decreases the tissue levels of NE and AQP in dog kidneys , and also decreases BP sig-nificantly , which might be involved in the mechanism of BP reduction by RDN .Renal sympathetic nerve plays an excitatory role in the regulation of AQP in the kidney.

Objective To investigate the effects of different pacing sites of right ventricle on serum N terminal Pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) and left ventricular systolic function.Methods A total of 76 patients with an implanted DDD pacemaker were randomly divided into right ventricular septal pacing group (RVSP group,n=40) and right ventricular apex pacing group (RVAP group,n=36) according to the ventricular leads position.Serum NT-proBNP level,left ventricular end diastolic dimension(LVEDD)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)were analyzed before and 6 months after operation in the two groups.Results There was no difference in serum NT-proBNP level between the two groups before operation,but the serum NT-proBNP level increased in both groups 6 months after operation,and it was higher in RVAP group than in RVSP group (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in LVEDD and LVEF in RVSP group before and after implantation (P＞0.05).Compared with pre-implantation,LVEDD was increased and LVEF was decreased in RVAP group 6 months after implantation (both P＜0.05).Linear correlation analysis showed that serum NT-proBNP level was negatively correlated to LVEF (2γ=-0.76,P＜0.05).Conclusions Compared with RVAP,RVSP can keep the normal sequence of electrical activity and exert less adverse effects on left ventricular systolic function.Therefore,RVS is an ideal pacing location.

Objective To assess clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC). Methods Clinicopathological and follow-up data of 115 cHCC-CC patients confirmed pathologically in Liver Cancer Institute of Fudan University from 1995 to 2007 were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate 1-,3- and 5-year survival rates and tumor-free survival rates. Survival curves were analyzed using the log-rank test. The factors that impacted the prognosis of cHCC-CC were estimated. Results In 115 cases, one was Allen's type A, one was Allen's type B, and the other 113 were Allen's type C. Being with male in predominance, most of the cHCC-CC patients had liver cirrhosis background. They presented with elevated AFP or CA19-9, vascular invasion, resembling hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)as well as lymph nodes metastasis. One-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of 115 patients were 68. 1%, 38. 1% and 33.6%, respectively, with median survival time of 13.0 months. Whereas the 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates in radical resected patients were 78.4 % ,44.4 % and 44.4 % ,respectively, with median survival time of 16.0 months. Tumor free survival time at 1-, 3- and 5-year was 57.8 %, 12.6 % and 0.0 %,respectively,with median recurrent time of 10.0 months. One-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of 10 nonsurgical patients were 10/10,10/10 and 0/10,respectively, with median survival time of 5.3 months.TNM stage was independent factor for prognosis of the patients after resection. Whereas the lymph nodes involvement was independent factor for the tumor free survival time of radical resected patients.Conclusions Although clinicopathological characteristics of cHCC-CC are more similar to those of HCC, the prognosis of cHCC-CC is more unfavorable than that of HCC. TNM stage is an independent determinant of long time outcome for patients after resection.

0.05),but correlated with age and invasion depth of tumor(P

Objective To investigate the clinical and laboratory features of auto antibody-negative rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Method The clinical features and laboratory parameters were compared between auto-antibndy-negative(n=30)and-positive(n=217)RA patients.The patients with osteoarthritis(OA,n=34) were used as controls.Results Thirty(12.1%)of 247 RA patients were auto-antibody-negative.It was shown that morning stiffness of the joints in auto-antibody-negative RA was shorter than that of auto-antibody-posi- tive RA patients(P

Objective To evaluate and analyze relationship of plasma level of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP) and serum level of cystatin C (CysC) with cardiac and renal functions in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) , and explore significance of CysC measurement in early diagnosis for renal damage in patients with CHF. Methods Totally, 162 patients with CHF and 150 normal healthy (controls) undergone routine physical check-up at, Taizhou People's Hospital, Jiangsu were enrolled in the study. Their plasma level of NT-proBNP and serum level of CysC, as well as serum levels of creatinine ( SCr) , urea nitrogen ( BUN) were measured and echocardiography was performed. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was evaluated by modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) study group formula. Results Compared with the control group, blood levels of NT-proBNP, CysC, SCr, BUN and left ventricular end diastolic diameter ( LVEDD) all elevated, both eGFR and left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) decreased (P <0. 05 or P <0. 01 ) in CHF group, and CHF patients were prone to complicate with renal dysfunction (P<0. 01). Blood levels of NT-proBNP and CysC elevated significantly and LVEF lowered significantly in CHF patients with NYHA functional classes II , III and IV than those in control group. There was significant difference in blood levels of NT-proBNP and CysC between patients with varied NYHA functional classes (P<0. 05). Blood levels of NT-proBNP and CysC reversely correlated with LVEF (r = -0. 36, P < 0. 01 and r = - 0. 39, P < 0. 01) . Blood level of CysC correlated with that of NT-proBNP ( r = 0. 87 , P < 0. 01). Results of logistic regression analysis showed that elevated blood levels of NT-proBNP and CysC were risk factors for mortality during hospitalization in patients with CHF. Conclusions Patients with CHF were more likely to complicate with renal dysfunction than controls, with main manifestations of more severe damaged eGFR, more severe heart failure and more obviously renal damage. Blood levels of NT-proBNP and CysC can be used as indicators for evaluating exacerbation of chronic condition, and serumlevel of CysC can be used as marker for early diagnosing renal damage in patients with CHF.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of carbon monoxide(CO) on the permeability of brain blood barrier(BBB) in cerebral ischemic rats. METHODS: SD rats were divided into three groups. Saline, hemin or ZnPP were injected intraperitoneally 12 h before middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), respectively. The concentration of blood CO and the permeability of BBB at 24 h after MCAO were measured. RESULTS: The CO concentration in blood in hemin group was higher than that in saline group( P 0.05). CONCLUSION: CO reduced the permeability of BBB as a messenger gas molecular when its intrinsic concentration was elevated.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of Lipo-prostaglandin E1 (LipoPGE1) in the treatment of non-ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEAMI).Methods A total of 86 patients with NSTEAMI were randomly and equally divided into LipoPGE1 group (n= 43) which received intravenous LipoPGE1 combined with low-molecular-weight heparin,aspirin, clopidogrel and other basic therapy, and the control group (n=43) which received placebo combined with the same therapy. The basic clinical settings, curative effect, main adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) within 30 days including sudden death, new-onset myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization, bleeding complications and drug adverse effects were observed. Results There were no significant differences in basic clinical characteristics between the two groups. Compared with control group, the patients in LipoPGE1 group showed. significant improvements of ECG (93.0% vs. 74.4%), angina (95.3% vs. 81.4%, both P＜0. 05), the incidences of left heart failure (2.3% vs. 14.0%) and MACEs within 30 days (4.7% vs.18.6%)(both P＜0.05). There were no serious drug adverse effects. Conclusions The LipoPGE1 combined with heparin, aspirin and clopidogrel is effective and safe in the treatment of NSTEAMI,which could improve the clinical symptoms, distal myocardium perfusion and cardiac function,decrease the incidence of MACEs.

Objective To summarize the successful experience of three cases of heart-lung transplantations performed in our institute.Methods From July 2003 to August 2012,three patients,with diagnosis of end-stage heart-lung diseases,received heart-lung transplantation in our institute.One case was diagnosed as congenital atrial septal defect,Eisenmanger syndrome,NYHA class Ⅳ; one was dilated cardiomyopathy with moderate/severe pulmonary arterial hypertension,NYHA class Ⅲ-Ⅳ,one was diagnosed as double outlet left ventricle (DOLV) with ventricle septal defect and stenosis of pulmonary artery and its left and right branches,NYHA class Ⅲ-Ⅳ.Donor hearts were preserved with UW solution,donor lungs were preserved with Euro-Collin solution in case one and with low potassium dextran containing prostaglandin E1 in the others.Extensive disinfection and strict scrutiny were implemented postoperatively.Immunosuppressive therapy included administration of zenapax or basiliximab preoperatively,methylprednisolone during the operation,and cyclosporine a/tacrolimus + prednisone + mycophenolate postoperatively.Surgical hemostasis is of great importance,as the total pleural effusion reaches 14 640 ml within 31 days postoperatively in case two.Strict postoperative disinfection and isolation were implemented,and management of the respiratory tract was intensified.Therapeutic bronchoscopy was performed frequently for sputum suction.In case two,bronchoscopy was used thirteen times within 40 days after transplantation.Broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungal antibiotics were used for infection control.Results All three patients were discharged after recovery from operation.Case one died of obstructive bronchitis and lung failure caused by chronic rejection four years and ten months postoperatively.Case two died of sudden cerebrovascular accident 68 days after operation.Case three survives more than one year postoperatively so far and is still alive.Conclusion Proper preservation of the donor heart and lung,perfect surgical hemostasis,strict infection control,frequent application of bronchoscopy and appropriate immunosuppressive management are critical to the success of heart-lung transplantation.

Objective To assess the value of arterial spin labeling(ASL) MRI in the staging of early renal allograft function. Methods Sixty two renal allograft recipients (2 to 4 weeks after kidney transplantation) and 20 age match volunteers were included in this study. All subjects underwent conventional MRI and ASL MRI which was performed in the oblique-sagittal plane. Recipients were divided into two groups according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), recipients with good allograft function (eGFR≥60 ml · min-1 · 1.73 m-2,n=37) and recipients with impaired allograft function (eGFR<60 ml · min - 1 · 1.73 m - 2,n=25). Renal blood flow (RBF) was measured and an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to confirm the reproducibility of the measured results from two doctors. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni were used to compare the different cortical RBF among three groups. Correlation of RBF with eGFR was evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to assess the diagnostic efficacy of using cortical RBF to discriminate allografts with impaired function from good function. Results RBF values showed good reproducibility between doctors with an ICC larger than 0.90 in different group. Mean cortical RBF were (390 ± 61),(290 ± 69),(201 ± 86) ml · 100 g-1 · min-1 for healthy controls, recipients with good and impaired allograft function, respectively(F=37.313,P<0.01). RBF exhibited a significant correlation with renal function as determined by eGFR for recipients (r=0.60,P<0.01). Mean cortical RBF showed a high area under the ROC curve (0.773) to discriminate renal allografts with different function, with a sensitivity of 56.0% (14/25) and a specificity of 89.2% (33/37). Conclusion ASL MRI can assess the early renal allografts perfusion, and provide valuable information in the staging of renal function. It could be a useful method for evaluating renal function noninvasively.