Adrenomedullin ; metabolism ; Child ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; complications ; Humans ; Hypertension ; metabolism ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism

Objective To assess the various features of Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS)on three- dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography(3D CE MRA)and to evaluate the potential value of this new technique.Methods Thirty-three patients with BCS underwent 3D CE MRA examination. In 23 cases,BCS was secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma(21 patients)or right adrenal carcinoma (1 patient)or thrombophlebitis(1 patient).Ten patients had primary BCS.The patency of the hepatic veins,inferior vena cava(IVC)and portal veins were assessed.The presence of intra-and extrahepatic collaterals,liver parenchymal abnormalities and porto-systemic varices were evaluated.The diagnosis on 3D CE MRA was correlated with that on inferior vena cavography and right hepatic venography,which were available in 10 and 2 cases respectively.Results Various features of BCS were displayed on 3D CE MRA. Hepatic venous findings included tumor thrombosis(19 patients),tumor compression(2 patients), nonvisualization(4 patients)and focal stenosis(4 patients)of the hepatic veins.IVC findings were severe stenosis or occlusion(10 cases),tumor direct invasion(2 cases),tumor thrombosis(3 cases), thrombophlebitis(1 case)and web formation(3 cases).Intrahepatic collaterals were demonstrated in 9 patients including 2 with "spider web" sign.Detected extrahepatic collaterals included dilated azygos and hemiazygos veins(13 cases)and left renal-inferior phrenic-pericardiophrenic collaterals(2 cases).The occlusion of the left portal vein and the presence of porto-systemic varices were depicted in 2 and 10 patients respectively.Liver parenchymal abnormalities identified by 3D CE MRA consisted of caudate lobe enlargement(7 cases),heterogenous enhancement(18 cases)and associated tumors(18 cases). Compared with inferior vena cavography and hepatic venography,the accuracy of 3D CE MRA in the diagnosis of IVC obstruction or hepatic venous stenosis was 100%.Conclusion 3D CE MRA can display various features of BCS and has the potential to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Objective To explore the methods of the nutritional support of children with severe sepsis.Methods The biochemical index,nutrition index,blood gas,blood routine and 24 hours urinary urea nitrogen of 198 children with severe sepsis were detected after hospitalization.Enteral nutrition,parenteral nutrition,or enteral and parenteral nutrition at the same time were selected for every children according to patients status.Children with parenteral nutrition were divided into glutamine (Gln) group and non-Gln group.Nutrition and metabolism indexes of survival and dead children were detected,including blood glucose,C-reactive protein,hemoglobin (Hb),pH,blood sodium,blood potassium,alanine transaminase,blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,blood lacticacid,lactate clearance rate,blood triglycerides,blood total cholesterol,serum pre-albumin (PA),retinal-binding protein (RBP),serum albumin (ALB) and 24 hours urinary urea nitrogen.The intake of calories were compared between survival and dead children before nutrition support (0 d),3 d and 7 d after nutrition support.Immunoglobulins of Gln group and non-Gln group were compared.Results The nutrition indexes of the survival group were higher than those of dead group [PA (130.0 ± 30.0) mg/L vs (50.8 ±20.5) mg/L,RBP(22.3 ±10.3) mg/L vs (15.7 ±6.7) mg/L,ALB(35.3 ±8.1) g/L vs (28.7 ±6.2) g/L,Hb(113.2 ±27.7) g/L vs (95.3 ±10.6) g/L,IgA(0.40 ±0.03) g/L vs (0.40 ±0.03) g/L,IgM(0.52 ±0.18) g/L vs (0.49 ±0.03) g/L] (P ＜0.05).The intake calories of survival group in 3 d and 7 d after nutrition support were (50.32 ±2.76) kcal/(kg·d) and (65.70 ±3.25) kcal/(kg·d),which were significantly higher than those of dead group [(32.54 ± 1.72) kcal/(kg·d) and (46.12 ± 1.08) kcal/(kg·d)).Among the survival children with parenteral nutrition,the levels of immunoglobulin in Gln group were higher than non-Gln group [IgG(4.93 ± 2.1) g/L vs (4.01 ± 1.03) g/L,IgA (0.31 ± 0.07) g/L vs (0.19 ±0.03) g/L,IgM(0.52 ±0.08) g/L vs (0.32 ±0.10) g/L] (P ＜0.05).Negative nitrogen balance was better in Gln group as(-2.5 ± 1.4) g/d than non-Gln group as (-5.3 ± 1.3) g/d(P ＜0.05).Conclusion Children with severe sepsis manifeste significantly increased metabolic rate and energy consumption,the protein decomposition utilization is greater than the synthetic with negative nitrogen balance.Children with more severe sepsis have lower metabolic indexes,nutrition indexes,and immunoglobulin.It is necessary for children with severe sepsis to use glutamine while having parenteral nutrition.

Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Cafe-au-Lait Spots ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibroma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; diagnosis ; Radiography ; Syndrome

This study is aimed to establish a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of skimmin, scopolin and umbelliferone in Saussurea hieracioides. Samples were analyzed on a Wondasil C18-WR column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with methanol (A) and water containing 0.1% phosphate (B) as mobile phases for gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength and column temperature were set at 325 nm and 35 degrees C, respectively, and the sample size was 10 microL. The results showed that skimmin, scopolin and umbelliferone were simultaneously achieved within 40 min under the above conditions. A good linearity was observed in the range of 0.18-5.6 microg (r = 1.000 0), 0.060-1.8 microg (r = 0.999 9), 0.032-0.97 microg (r = 0.999 8) for skimmin, scopolin and umbelliferone, respectively, with the average recoveries of 99.16% (RSD = 0.41%), 100.3% (RSD = 0.79%), 102.2% (RSD = 0.87%). The method is simple, accurate and reproducible and can be used for the quality control of S. hieracioides.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coumarins ; analysis ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Reproducibility of Results ; Saussurea ; chemistry ; Umbelliferones ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Bushen Tongdu Capsule (BTC) on RANK/RANKL/ OPG pathway of collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rats, thereby laying theoretic evidence for treating rheumatic arthritis (RA) by Chinese medicine.

METHODSRA model was induced by CIA. Totally 42 rats were randomly divided into six groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the low dose BTC (BSL) group, the medium dose BTC (BSM) group, the high dose BTC (BSH) group, and the Tripterygium Glycosides (TG) group, 7 in each group. BTC at the daily dose of 120, 240, and 480 mg/kg was given by gastrogavage to rats in the BSL, BSM, and BSH group respectively from the 13th day of modeling. TG at the daily dose of 24 mg/kg was given by gastrogavage to rats in the TG group. All medication was given once daily, 2 mL each time. Two mL normal saline was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group. All medication lasted for 18 days. Samples were taken at day 31. The TRAP section of the ankle joint was fixed in 10% formalin for TRAP stain. Serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were detected using ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, positive reactions of pathological ankle joint section, inflammation, and osteoclasia degree were significantly improved in the model group, serum levels of RANKL and M-CSF were up-regulated, levels of OPG and OPG/RANKL were significantly lowered (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, positive reactions of pathological ankle joint section, inflammation, and osteoclasia degree also significantly decreased in the BSH group and the TG group (all P < 0.01). RANKL and M-CSF were significantly down-regulated in each medicated group, while levels of OPG and OPG/RANKL were significantly up-regulated (all P < 0.01). Compared with the TG group, M-CSF was lower, but levels of OPG and OPG/RANKL were significantly up-regulated in the normal control group (all P < 0.01). RANKL and M-CSF were significantly up-regulated, while levels of OPG and OPG/RANKL were significantly down-regulated in the model group and each BS group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBTC could relieve bone damage of CIA rats possibly through regulating and controlling osteoclasts.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoprotegerin ; metabolism ; RANK Ligand ; metabolism ; Rats ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; metabolism ; Tripterygium

Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; HELLP Syndrome ; pathology ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome ; complications ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Plasma Exchange ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2(VEGFR-2)and its phosphorylated state in cancerous and peri-cancerous tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE).Methods Forty-three cases of second-stage surgery of HCC after TACE(TACE & surgery group)and twenty cases of surgery without TACE(direct surgery group)were performed.Surgical specimens were made into paraffin-embedded slices.VEGFR-2,phosphorylated VEGFR-2,hypoxia induced factor-1α(HIF-1α)and microvessel density(MVD,labeled by CD31)were detected using immunohistochemical method.All data was statistically processed with SPSS for Windows.Results The absorption factor(A factor)of phosphorylated VEGFR-2 and HIF-1α in the cancerous tissue of HCC were(0.034±0.016)and(0.047±0.021)in TACE & surgery group,and(0.024±0.009)and(0.035±0.016)in direct-surgery group,which showed statistically significant difference(F=6.75,4.77,P＜0.05).The A factors of VEGFR-2,phosphorylated VEGFR-2 and HIF-1α in the peri-cancerous tissue were(0.040±0.017),(0.031±0.011)and(0.037±0.015)respectively in TACE & surgery group,and(0.030±0.015),(0.020±0.008)and(0.024±0.014)respectively in direct-surgery group,all of which showed statistically significant difference(F=4.60,13.72,11.65,P＜0.05).MVD of the peri-cancerous tissue was(58.3±15.2)/HP in TACE & surgery group and(44.4±10.5)/HP in direct-surgery group,which showed statistically significant difference(χ2=13.64,P＜0.05).Conclusion The cancerous and peri-cancerous tissues in HCC after TACE showed more hypoxic changes.Both expression and function of VEGFR-2 were enhanced following TACE.

Objective To investigate the relationship between alteration of gene in cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) signal transduction system in rats after myocardial damage and changes of cardiac function and ventricular remodeling. Methods Twenty eight male Wistar rats weighing 220 g to 250 g were randomly divided into three groups: acute myocardial damage group(AMD, n = 10), chronic myocardial damage group (CMD,n = 9 ) and sham-operation group (control, n = 9). Animal model of acute myocardial damage was established by ligation of rats left coronary artery in the AMD and the CMD groups. Rats in control group were treated similarly, except that the coronary suture was not tied. Hemodynamics and echocardiography were measured before rats were sacrificed 24 hours after operation in control and AMD groups but those in CMD groups were sacrificed 8 weeks later. Cadiocyte apoptosis were estimated by TUNEL method, cAMP levels in heart were tested by radioimmunity and the mRNA expressions for inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A) and bcl-2 were assayed by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The difference of left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end diastolic pressure(LVEDP), maximal rising and falling rate of ventricular pressure,left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), eject fraction (EF) and fraction shortening (FS) were statistically significant among the three groups(F = 285.9, 196.8, 83.2, 80.4, 54.9, 196.6, 95.2, all P ＜ 0.01). LVEDD[(7.03 ±0.28), (8.20 ± 0.27)mm] and LVEDP[(11.19 ± 2.89), (19.76 ± 3.34)mmHg] in AMD and CMD groups were significantly increased, compared with those in control group[ (5.05 ± 0.30)mm, (- 5.62 ± 3.01 )mmHg, all P ＜0.01 ]. While maximal rising rate[ (2964 ± 449), (2214 ± 434)mmHg/s] and falling rate[(- 2617 ± 441),(- 1891± 424)mmHg/s] of left ventricular pressure, LVSP[ (94.19 ± 4.03), (85.85 ± 6.39)mmHg], EF[ (41.6 ±5.9)%, (35.9 ± 4.1 )%] and FS[ (36.9 ± 4.6)%, (23.1 ± 4.9)%] of left ventricular in the two groups were lower than those in control[(4759 ± 406)mmHg/s, (- 4327 ± 388)mmHg/s, (116.29 ± 8.25)mmHg, (80.9 ± 5.6)%,(53.1 ± 4.3)%, all P ＜ 0.01 ]. These changes in CMD group were more significant than those in AMD groups(P ＜0.05 or P ＜ 0.01 ). The difference of apoptotic index, cAMP and expression of ICER, CREB, PDE3A mRNA and bcl-2 mRNA were statistically significant among the three groups(F= 172.5, 141.0, 540.8, 246.8, 165.1, 563.9,all P＜ 0.01 ). Apoptotic index[ (32.8 ± 4.2)‰, (18.4 ± 3.9)‰] and cAMP in heart[ (9.95 ± 0.30), (5.60 ± 0.25)nmol/kg] in AMD and CMD groups were increased compared to control group[ (3.9 ± 1.7)‰, (2.48 ± 0.29)nmol/kg,all P ＜ 0.01 ], and those in CMD group were lower than in AMD group(all P ＜ 0.01 ). Expression of ICER mRNA (1.434 ± 0.093, 0.942 ± 0.076) and CREB mRNA(5.70 ± 0.50, 2.64 ± 0.51) in AMD and CMD groups were higher, and expression of PDE3A mRNA(48.98 ± 8.14, 16.68 ± 8.46) were lower than those in control group (0.154 ± 0.063, 1.08 ± 0.35, 105.94 ± 12.61, all P ＜ 0.01 ). The three genes in CMD group were fewer than those in AMD group(all P ＜ 0.01 ). bcl-2 mRNA was up regulated in AMD group(4.55 ± 0.27) and was down regulated in CMD group(0.35 ± 0.15) compared to control(2.18 ± 0.30, all P＜ 0.01). Conclusions There is PDE3A-ICER positive-feedback loop leading to myocyte apoptosis and heart failure after myocardial damage. The downregulation of PDE3A mRNA observed in chronic myocardial damage may play a causative role in the progression of ventricular remodeling and heart failure, in part, by inducing ICER mRNA and promoting cardiac myocyte dysfunction.

Objective A scientific evaluation of hospital culture with the Dimension organizational culture model, in view of features of China's general public hospitals.Methods Based on Denison model, according to the characteristics of the public general hospitals in China, the authors developed a tool for organizational culture assessment (TOCA) by using the survey data from 87 hospitals in three provinces from the East, Central, and West areas in China.Results This tool, an evaluation scale, comprises the four cultural characteristics of direction, consistency, participation, and adaptability, as well as 13 cultural dimensions of social responsibility and competitive consciousness. The tool is tested as having good internal reliability and validity.Conclusion The TOCA provides hospital administrators with a tool for hospital culture evaluation, diagnosis and improvement.