Objective To investigate the prevalence of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy(SHE) in patients with cirrhosis. Methods One hundred and seventy five consecutive cirrhotic patients(mean age 53 years, range 27～72) without any overt clinical encephalopathy were screened for SHE using number connection test A(NCT A) and symbol digit test(SDT) with age corrected normal value, which have been developed in 356 persons without liver disease and are defined as the mean?2 standard deviation. Results Fifty patients(28.6%) were abnormal in both NCT A and SDT, 16(9.1%) were abnormal only in SDT and 34(19.4%) only in NCT A. Taken together, two tests diagnosed SHE in 100 patients(57.1%). The prevalence of SHE increased from 46.8% and 53.0% in Child Pugh grade A and B, to 76.6% in Child Pugh grade C. Conclusions SHE was found in 57.1% of cirrhotic patients without overt clinical encephalopathy, which was linked to the severity of liver cirrhosis.

Objective To assess the incidence of noctu rnal acid breakthrough(NAB) and its' relationship with Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection in patients with duodenal ulcer. Methods Forty duodenal ulcer patients were randomly allocated in to five groups. Patients were treated by intravenous injection of omeprazole 40 mg twice daily(group 1), once daily(group 2), omeprazole 20 mg twice daily oral ly(group 3), omeprazole 20 mg once daily orally(group 4), and intravenous inject ion of cimetidine 600 mg twice daily (group 5) all for 5 days. Intragastric pH o ver 24 hours was consecutively recorded on the fifth day for each patient. Results The mean intragastric pH, median intragastric pH, nocturn al mean pH and nocturnal median pH in group 1(6.9?0.7,7.3?0.8,6.8?0.9,7.1? 0 .7) were significantly higher than those of group 2 (5.3?1.6,5.6?1.7,4.9?1. 5,4.3?1.7),group 4(4.8?0.7,4.8?1.0,4.7?0.8,4.5?0.8), and group 5(4.4?2.4 ,4.5?2.5,4.6?2.7,4.3?2.1), but not higher than group 3(6.2?0.7,6.3?0.8,6. 4?1.1,6.4?0.8). High intragastric pH was produced in all five groups. The frac tion time of pH below 4.0 in group 1(3.1%) and group 3(4.5%) were significantly fewer than that in the other three groups(group 2,27.8%; group 4, (32.4)%, and group 5,48.2%) respectively. NAB occurred in 1 patient from two omeprazole twice dai ly groups(6.3 %, group 1 and 3) and in 9 patients from two omeprazole once daily groups((56.3 %,) group 2 and 4,P

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with ultrasound contrast agent on rabbit liver, and to investigate the possibility of ultrasound contrast agents enhancing the effect of HIFU on rabbit liver. Methods Thirty-two rabbits were averagely divided into two groups according to their body mass. Rabbits in group Ⅰ were irradiated by HIFU alone on the liver, and those in group Ⅱ were treated by irradiation of HIFU after intravenous injection of a ultrasound contrast agent. The used treatment time, frequency, power and the distance from focus to the skin surface were identical in the two groups. The changes of ultrasound image were recorded at the 20 s, 2 min and 5 min after treatment. Four rabbits in each group were slaughtered for morphological and pathological examination immediately and on the 2nd, 3rd and 7th day after the treatments, respectively. Results The ultrasonic gray scale differenced in the HIFU alone group were ( 20.12? 12.4)s (20 s), ( 16.8? 9.3)min (2 min) and ( 15.1? 11.9)min (5 min). Compared with those in the enhanced HIFU group were ( 63.9? 29.4)s, ( 60.0? 25.9)min, ( 59.3? 28.7)min, respectively(P

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of double-balloon push enteroscopy in small bowel disorders. Methods From July 2003 to March 2004, 38 patients with presentation of gastrointestinal upset and underwent a previous negative gastroscopy, colonoscopy, gastrointestinal barium and/or angiography were enrolled in this study. Enteroscopy via oral or rectum was done in 30 patients while in the other 8 patients full access to the small bowel was attempted by the two-way method, firstly via upper GI and then the lower GI. Results Positive diagnostic yield was made in 33 patients (86. 8% ). These disorders included Crohn's disease (7/38) , multiple ulcerations (5/38) , arteriovenous malformation (4/38) , multiple diverticula (4/38) , varices (3/38) , malignant stromal tumor (2/38) , ileitis (2/38) , and 1 case in each of moderate-differentiated adenocarcinoma, Ankylostoma duodenale, ascariasis, eosinophilic enteritis, anas-tomotic stricture and tuberculosis. The procedures were carried out satisfactorily in all patients but 2 failed from the intolerance of patients. Complication never occurred. Conclusion Double-balloon push enteroscopy has the superiority in direct visualization of whole small intestine with high positive findings and safety but with high technical demand in manipulation.

·AIM: To study the expressive variation of Nogo-A on rat retina in the process of chronic ocular hypertension. · METHODS: Thirty-six healthy adult male Wistars were randomly divided into control group (6 rats) and chronic hypertension group (30 rats). Chronic hypertension was created by cauterizing the superficial scleral veins. Immunohistochemistry technique was used to evaluate the expressive varieties of Nogo-A at different time points during the course of chronic ocular hypertension. · RESULTS: The success of the model was indicated by over 40% of increase in the IOP as compared with normal rats. Compared with control group, as time passed chronic hypertension group gradually had detectable morphology changes in the retina. At the 21st day of chronic ocular hypertension, retinas became thinner and the quantity of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) decreased (P<0.05). Assoicated with the morphological changes, the expression of Nogo-A was strongly increased (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Myelin associated protein Nogo-A plays a part in the process of chronic ocular hypertension.

AIM: To study the effects of geranylgeranylacetone(GGA) on the expression of heat shock protein70(HSP70) on retinal ganglion cells(RGC) in rats with chronic intraocular pressure(IOP) elevation.METHODS: Seventy Wistars were divided into blank control group(10 rats), chronic hypertension group(30 rats) and GGA group(30 rats). Chronic hypertension was created by cauterizing the superficial scleral veins. 800mg/(kg·d)GGA was given by oral daily after cauterization. Immunohistochemistry was used respectively to observe the changes of expression of HSP70 in the model rats and GGA interference rats at different time points during the course of chronic IOP elevation.RESULTS: The successful model was identified as the IOP over 40% of normal rats. The retinal thickness was significantly reduced in model group and model+ GGA group compared with normal rats from 21 days through 28 days after cauterization(P<0.05), and that of model rats was obviously decreased in comparison with model+ GGA rats(P<0.05). The number of ganglion cells was significantly decreased in model rats and model+ GGA rats compared with normal rats from 21 days and 28 days. The stronger expression intensity(IOD) value was seen for HSP70 in the model+ GGA rats by immunochemistry(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Systemic administration of GGA protects retina from chronic IOP elevation by regulating the expression of HSP70.

Background Neovascular glaucoma is a type of refractory glaucoma.Biological amnion combined with glaucoma valve implantation is a primary therapy and its long-term effectiveness is noticeable. Objective The goal of this Survey was to evaluate the effectiveness of biological amnion combined with glaucoma valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma and compare the clinical outcome with simple glaucoma valve implantation. Methods This was a retrospective observational case series.The clinical data of 44 eyes of 44 patients received biological amnion combined with glaucoma valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma and 43 eyes of 43 patients received simple glaucoma valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma were retrospectively analyzed and compared.The age,sex and disease-cause were matched between these two groups.Patients were followed-up for 24 months after operation.Surgery success was identified as the intraocular pressure(IOP)<21 mmHg after operation.Written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to the operation.Results The IOP was<21 mmHg throughout the follow-up duration in both groups.No significant difierence was found in the IOP value in 1 week after operation between two groups(t=-5.34,P=0.60).However,IOP values were lower in biological amnion combined with glaucoma valve implantation group in 3,12 and 24 months after operation than those of simple glaucoma valve implantation(t=6.64,t=5.00,t=7.81,P<0.01).Operation successful rates in biological amnion combined with glaucoma valve implantation group were 97.73％.93.18％。90.24％and 82.05％in 1 week,3 months,12 months and 24 months respectively after operation.and those in simple glaucoma valve implantation were 95.35％,71.43％,65.00％and 60.53％in corresponding time points,showing considerably significant differences between two groups (χ2=7.06,χ2=7.47,χ2=4.37,P<0.05).There was no significant difference in Ihe number of eyes with complication between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion The biological amnion combined with glaucoma valve implantation surgery may be more effective and safe for the treatment of neovascular glaucoma than with glaucoma va]ve only.

Objective To investigate the effect of transplantation of allogeneic bone marrow hematopoietic cells(HCs)and mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)on experimental colitis(EC)in rats.Methods The HCs and MSCs obtained from SD male rats were cultured and expanded in vitro.In experiment 1 and 2 groups,HCs were labeled with bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU)and MSCs were obtained using the tube wall attach technique,respectively.Seventy-two female rats were infused with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)to induce EC models.After 24 hours,HC or MSC suspensions were injected into the rats in experimental 1(n=18)and 2(n=18)groups via caudal veins,respectively.Control animals were injected with isotonic saline.The whole colon was removed on day 7,14 and 21 after transplantation and examined histopathologically.BrdU labeled HCs were tested with immunohistochemical staining and MSCs were detected for sex-determining gene(sry)by PCR.Results EC models were successfully established.The HCs or MSCs grew rapidly in the culture suspension.On day 7,14 and 21 after transplantation,the BrdU immunoreactive cells were detected in the colon(6/6),and the positive expression of the sry gene was found in 1/6,2/6 and 3/6,respectively.No positive labeled cell was found in controls.There was no significant improvement in histopathological scores on the colon in two experimental groups compared with the controls.Conclusions Allogeneic HCs and MSCs may localize in the colon of EC models.The ability of localization is higher in HCs than MSCs.The transplantation of HCs and MSCs can not obviously improve histopathologically.

Background:With the emergence of bacterial resistance,the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori(Hp)eradication therapy is decreasing in recent years. After the previous failed course of eradication therapy,the possibility of failure of re-eradication therapy is greater. Therefore,choosing the rescue therapy for Hp re-eradication is particularly important. Aims:To investigate the efficacy of levofloxacin-based triple therapy combined with probiotics as a rescue therapy for Hp re-eradication. Methods:A total of 192 patients with a previous failed course of standard triple therapy for Hp eradication were enrolled and randomly assigned into four groups. Group A:lansoprazole 30 mg + amoxicillin 1 000 mg + levofloxacin 200 mg bid for 14 days;group B:regimen of group A with the addition of bismuth potassium citrate 600 mg bid for 14 days;group C:bifidobacterium and lactobacillus triple live bacteria 2 000 mg tid for 14 days followed by regimen of group A for 14 days;group D:regimen of group A with the addition of bifidobacterium and lactobacillus triple live bacteria 2 000 mg tid for 14 days. At 4 weeks after end of treatment,Hp eradication was assessed by 13 C-urea breath test. Adverse effects during the course of treatment were recorded. Results:A total of 177(92. 2% )patients completed the study,the completion rates in group A,B,C and D were 87. 5%(42 / 48),83. 3%(40 / 48),97. 9%(47 / 48)and 100% , respectively;the completion rates in group C and D were significantly higher than those in group A and B(P < 0. 05). By intention-to-treat(ITT)analysis,the eradication rates of group A,B,C and D were 60. 4% ,68. 8% ,81. 3% and 83. 3% ,respectively;the eradication rates in group C and D were significantly higher than that in group A(χ2 = 5. 042, P = 0. 045;χ2 = 6. 235,P = 0. 013). By per-protocol(PP)analysis,the eradication rates of group A,B,C and D were 69. 0% ,82. 5% ,83. 0% and 83. 3% ,respectively;no statistically significant differences were found among the four groups(P > 0. 05). Adverse effects included constipation,taste distortion,bloating and anorexia,the incidences of adverse effects in group A,B,C and D were 79. 2% ,95. 8% ,29. 2% and 22. 9% ,respectively;the incidences in group C and D were significantly lower than those in group A and B(P < 0. 05). Conclusions:Levofloxacin-based triple therapy combined with bifidobacterium and lactobacillus triple live bacteria can decrease the adverse effects of traditional triple and quadruple therapies and improve the patient compliance,thus increases the efficacy of rescue therapy for Hp re-eradication.

Objective To investigate the effect of 3R intensive nursing care for patients with Alzheimer Desease in cognitive function and quality of life.Methods Sixty-six of patients with AD in hospital were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group.Patients in control group just accepted general medical care.Pailents in experimental group accepted general medical care and 3R intensive training,Reminiscence,Reality and Remotivation.All patients were evaluated respectively with IADL,FIM,WAIS-RC and MMSE about life quality improvement.Results Scores of MMSE and WMS of patients in the control group reduced after 6months.which did not change in the experimental group.Scores of ADL and FIM of patients in the control group did not change,but which improved in the experimental group(P<0.05).Conclusions Three R intensive training can improve cognitive function of patients with AD and can be helpful for their activities of daily living,which may be an effective measure for prevention of the aggravation of the patients'symptom and improving of patients'qualities of life.