OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes and clinical significance of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in elderly patients with acute traumatic cerebral injury.

METHODSWith radioimmunoassay, the plasma levels of AVP were measured in 32 elderly patients with acute traumatic cerebral injury, 30 traumatic patients without cerebral injury and 30 healthy elderly volunteers, respectively.

RESULTSThe plasma level of AVP in patients with acute traumatic cerebral injury in the early stage (48.30 ng/L +/- 8.28 ng/L) was much higher than that of the traumatic patients without cerebral injury (25.56 ng/L +/- 4.64 ng/L, P<0.01), which was much higher than that of the healthy volunteers (5.06 ng/L +/- 4.12 ng/L, P<0.01). The level of AVP in the patients with acute traumatic cerebral injury was negatively related with GCS scores.

CONCLUSIONSAVP may play an important role in the pathophysiological process in patients with acute traumatic cerebral injury in the early stage. The severer the cerebral injury is, the higher the level of AVP is, which indicates that the level of AVP may be one of the severity indices of traumatic cerebral injury in elderly patients.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Injuries ; blood ; metabolism ; Female ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurophysins ; blood ; Protein Precursors ; blood ; Vasopressins ; blood

OBJECTIVETo detect the levels of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC) in the sputum of the patients with acute cerebral injury without primary pulmonary injury after mechanical ventilation treatment.

METHODSDPPC levels in sputum of 35 patients with acute cerebral injury but without pulmonary injury were detected with high performance liquid chromatography at the beginning of ventilation and 16-20 days, 21-40 days, and 41-60 days after ventilation, respectively.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference of the DPPC levels between 16-20 days after ventilation (3.36+/-0.49) and at the beginning of ventilation (3.37+/-0.58) (P>0.05). The mean levels of DPPC decreased significantly at 21-40 days (2.87 mg/ml+/-0.26 mg/ml, P<0.05) and 41-60 days (1.93 mg/ml+/-0.21 mg/ml, P<0.01) after ventilation compared with that at the beginning of ventilation. At the same period, the peak inspiratory pressure and the mean pressure of airway increased significantly, whereas the static compliance and the partial pressure of oxygen in artery decreased significantly. Among the 25 patients who received ventilation for more than 20 days, 8 (32%) had slightly-decreased partial pressure of oxygen in artery compared with that at the beginning of ventilation.

CONCLUSIONSMechanical ventilation can decrease the DPPC levels, decrease the lung compliance and increase the airway pressure, even impair the oxygenation function in patients with acute cerebral injury. Abnormal DPPC is one of the major causes of ventilator-associated lung injury.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine ; metabolism ; Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain Injuries ; physiopathology ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Respiration, Artificial ; Sputum ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the regional left ventricular systolic function of children with Kawasaki disease before and after treatment by vector myocardial strain and strain rate imaging (VSI) technology.

METHODSThe regional left ventricular systolic function was assessed using VSI technology in 32 children with Kawasaki disease before treatment and one month after treatment and in 30 age-matched normal children.

RESULTSNine segments of the left ventricular in the Kawasaki disease group before treatment had decreased longitudinal peak systolic strain rate (LSRs) compared with the normal control group. After treatment, the LSRs in 9 segments in the Kawasaki disease group increased, but 6 segments had decreased LSRs compared with the normal control group. The radial peak systolic strain rate (RSRs) of 8 segments in the Kawasaki disease group before treatment was lower than that in the control group. After treatment, only one segment had decreased RSRs compared with the control normal group and 5 segments had increased RSRs compared with that before treatment. The circumferential peak systolic velocity (CVs) of 6 segments in the Kawasaki disease group before treatment group was lower than that in the control normal group. After treatment, only one segment had decreased CVs in the Kawasaki disease group compared with the control normal group and 3 segments had increased CVs compared with that before treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe regional left ventricular systolic function in children with Kawasaki disease before and after treatment can be accurately assessed using VSI technology, which shows the clinical significance of this technology in assessment of treatment outcome in children with Kawasaki disease.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; physiopathology ; Stress, Mechanical ; Systole ; physiology ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the value of Xstrain technology in the evaluation of cardiac function in children with tonsil adenoidal hypertrophy (TAH).

METHODSThirty-five children with TAH (TAH group) and 20 normal age-matched children (control group) were enrolled. The left ventricular wall movement in the vertical, radial and circumferential directions and the right ventricular tricuspid annulus movement were detected using Xstrain technology.

RESULTSThe systolic and early diastolic velocities of tricuspid annulus in the TAH group were higher than those in the control group. The systolic and diastolic circumferential velocities of the middle lateral wall and back wall of left ventricular in the TAH group were lower than those in the control group. The systolic and early diastolic vertical velocities of the basement of left ventricular wall in the TAH group were higher than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in the radial velocity between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSEarly changes in the cardiac function can be found by Xstrain technology in children with TAH. Xstrain technology can provide a reliable basis for cardiovascular evaluation in children with TAH.

Adenoids ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Heart Function Tests ; methods ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Male

Objective To investigate the cell morphology and expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter(5-HTT) in hippocampal CA1 region of depression rats induced by adolescent and post-adult stress,and to observe the inter-vention effect of modified Sini San (MSS). Methods One hundred and thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,JSS group,and fluoxetine group,33 rats in each group. And then the rats in each group were randomly subdivided into adolescent group, adult group, post-adult group acaccording to the age day, 11 rats in each subgroup. Age day 44,56 and 78 were used as the sampling time points for adolescent group,adult group,post-adult group respectively. Chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)rat model was used. From day 21 to 44 and from day 57 to 78, the rats were modeled and given medication, but from day 44 to 55, the rats were fed normally. The rat general condition and body mass of various groups were observed,the cell morphology of hippocampal CA1 region was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining , and the distribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5-HTT)positive cells in CA1 region of hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemical staining. Results The general condition of the rats at different age stages in the model group was poor,while that in MSS group and fluoxetine group was improved obviously. The body mass of rats at different age stages in the model group was obviously decreased (P<0.01 compared with the blank group). After adulthood stage,the body mass of rats in model group, MSS group, and fluoxetine group was lower than that of the blank group(P < 0.01), but there was no difference between the 3 groups (P > 0.05). In aspect of cell morphological manifestation in hippocampal CA1 region, rats in the adolescent model group had more deeply-staining atrophy neurons, with unclear hyperchromatic nucleus and cytoplasm. The morphological manifestations in modeled rats at adult stage and post-adulthood stage showed progressive aggravation,manifested as a large amount of neurons stained deeply with unclear nucleus and cytoplasm, and a small amount of glial cells proliferated. Compared with the model group at the same stage,the neuronal atrophy and deeply staining decreased in fluoxetine group and MSS group. The average optical density value of 5-HTT expression in the model group was decreased significantly at the adult stage and after adulthood stage(P<0.05 or P<0.01 compared with the blank group). Compared with the model group, the average optical density value of 5-HTT expression in MSS group after adulthood stage, and in the fluoxetine group at the adult stage and after adulthood stage were increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion Rats suffering CUMS in adolescence presents depressive behavior, and post-adult stimulation can aggravates depression. 5-HTT expression in hippocampus may be an important pathway for MSS to achieve the therapeutic efficacy.

BACKGROUNDGenerally, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be the preferable method to treat partial globozoospermia, but whether there exist some correlations between ICSI fertilization rate and the proportion of round-headed sperm or morphologically normal sperm remains open. This study was to explore the correlation between ICSI fertilization rate and the sperm morphology in patients with partial globozoospermia.

METHODSThirty-four patients diagnosed with partial globozoospermia accepted the following assisted fertilization treatments - 2 cases accepted in-vitro fertilization (IVF) alone, 26 cases accepted ICSI alone, and 6 accepted split IVF/ICSI. Detailed morphological characteristics were described using Diff-Quik rapid staining. Sixty cases accepting IVF or ICSI treatment in our reproductive center were considered as the control group after being matched by relevant criteria. Fertilization rate, embryo quality, embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were calculated.

RESULTSBesides very high proportion of round-headed sperm, partial globozoospermia also showed very high proportion of small-acrosomal sperm and very low proportion of morphologically normal sperm. Fertilization rate of IVF (IVF alone plus split IVF) was very low in partial globozoospermia (25.4% ± 17.4%), but ICSI (ICSI alone plus split ICSI) achieved satisfying fertilization rate compared with the control group (66.2% ± 22.5% vs. 68.8% ± 29.4%, P > 0.05). In patients with partial globozoospermia, there were no correlations between ICSI fertilization rate and the proportion of round-headed sperm, small-acrosomal sperm, or morphologically normal sperm.

CONCLUSIONSThere was high proportion of small-acrosomal sperm in partial globozoospermia. For patients with partial globozoospermia, ICSI is more preferable than IVF. ICSI fertilization rate does not depend on the proportion of round-headed sperm, small-acrosomal sperm, or morphologically normal sperm.

Adult ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities ; cytology ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo introduce the Item Function Analysis(IFA) of Quality of Life- Alzheimer's disease(QOL-AD)Chinese version and to explore the feasibility of its application on Chinese patients with AD.

METHODSTwo hundred AD patients were interviewed and assessed by QOL-AD, through the stratified cluster sampling method. Multilog 7.03. was used for Item Function Analysis. Difference scale(a), difficulty scale(b)and Item Characteristic Curve(ICC) of each item of QOL-AD were provided.

RESULTSDifferent scales of the item 1, 7 were below 0.6, while all the others were above 0.6. As for ICC. The first and last lines for the other items were monotonic in which the two in between were in inverted V-shape, with very steep slopes, except for the item 1 and 7.

CONCLUSIONResults form the IFA showed that QOL-AD was applicable to be used in the Chinese patients with AD.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease ; psychology ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Humans ; Psychometrics ; methods ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo analyse the efficacy of the floxuridine (FUDR)-containing regime (single agent or in combination) in the treatment of gestational trophoblastic tumor.

METHODSSeventy-four patients with gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTT), 47 invasive mole and 27 choriocarcinoma, were treated with FUDR-containing regime. The clinical staging of the disease were: 33 cases of stage I, 3 cases of stage II, 31 cases of stage IIIa, 6 cases of stage IIIb, and 1 case of stage IV.

RESULTSThe cure rate of FUDR-containing regime in the treatment of GTT was 91.9% (68 out of 74 cases). Twenty-one out of these 74 patients showed drug resistant to 5-FU-containing or MTX-containing regime and were cured after they changed to the FUDR-containing regime. All 7 patients of advanced stage (> or = III b) got cured. The major adverse event of FUDR-containing regime was myelodepression and gastrointestinal toxicity: III-IV degree granulopenia 26%, III-IV thrombopenia 6.2%, III degree vomiting 57.1%, and III degree diarrhea 4.3%.

CONCLUSIONFUDR-containing regime is efficient for the treatment of GTT, even for those with advanced stage or drug-resistant disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Choriocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; Dactinomycin ; administration & dosage ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Floxuridine ; administration & dosage ; Gestational Trophoblastic Disease ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole, Invasive ; drug therapy ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Uterine Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage

BACKGROUNDThe regulation of endometrial physiology and morphogenesis by the paracrine effectors has been well established using in vivo studies. A more complete understanding of the endometrial function has been delayed due, in part, to a lack of appropriate culture models. In this study, we aimed to simulate the in vivo three-dimensional (3-D) growth pattern of endometrial cells using a 3-D in vitro culture system.

METHODSIsolated endometrial epithelial cells, stromal cells and RL95-2 cells were seeded into culture chambers coated with the extracellular matrix Matrigel and observed using light microscopy. Fluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the morphology.

RESULTSDepending on the culture conditions, epithelial cells and RL95-2 cells formed multicellular structures on Matrigel; stromal cells remained individually distinguishable or grew together to form 3-D lattice-like structures.

CONCLUSIONSMatrigel provided a good microenvironment for culturing endometrial cells. The cells cultured in the Matrigel-coated chambers closely resembled those seen in vivo.

Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Endometrium ; cytology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry

AIMTo study the metabolic pathways of ginsenoside Rd in rats.

METHODSUrine samples were collected before and after 24 h of single oral administration of 150 mg and intravenous administration of 60 mg of ginsenoside Rd to six rats, separately. The samples were purified by SPE column and then were analyzed by liquid chromatography-ESI-mass spectrometry for putative metabolites.

RESULTSParent drug and its seven metabolites were identified in rat urine based on comparing total ion chromatograms of the blank with the metalolic urine as well as mass spectra. Its main metabolic pathways and possible structures are elucidated.

CONCLUSIONOxidation, combination and deglucosylation were found to be the major metabolic pathway of ginsenoside Rd in rats.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Ginsenosides ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; urine ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods