Objective To study the value of magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging in assessing the atherosclerotic plaque burden of rabbit model.Methods We built up abdominal atherosclerotic animal model in 30 New Zealand rabbits by high lipid diet combined with abdominal artery denudation.The animals were divided into 3 groups randomly,which were the 1-week group,1-month group and 2-months group.The MRI and histology examination were carried out at relative time points.The correlations of area or thickness of vessel wall by MRI with histology examination were analyzed.Results Among the 30 rabbits,3 died due to anesthesia or surgery,one rabbit model failed because of the thin vessel,and another 3 died of diarrhea or inflammation during the high lipid diet feeding.Eventually,totally 23 rabbits fulfilled the examinations (7 in 1-week group,7 in 1-month group and 9 in 2-months group).The vessel wall area of histology examination grew larger along with the post-surgery duration,from 1.7663 mm2of 1-week group to 2.4371 mm2 of the 1-month group till 3.5978 mm2 of 2-months group,with statistic significant difference among 3 groups (F=5.052,P=0.017).There were strong correlations of area or thickness vessel wall resulted from MRI with histology examination(r=0.688,0.642;P=0.001,0.002).Conclusions High resolution MR vessel wall imaging technique may evaluate and follow up the plaque burden in the early stage of atherosclerosis.

Quintessential course is a kind of demonstration course,therefore,various colleges paid great attention to the construction and utilization of quintessential courses.In order to promote educational reform,improve teaching quality of medicine and reflect the value of quintessential courses,we should adopt a variety of measures to ensure the smooth undergoing of the whole process in teaching and research section of neurology including information resource sharing,video recording of class teaching,network platform constructing,teaching team constructing as well as individuation and diversification.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of meatoplasty with the pedicle flap in the treatment of meatal stenosis secondary to chronic balanitis.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 32 cases of meatal stenosis secondary to chronic balanitis treated by meato- plasty with the pedicle flap. All the patients had a history of chronic balanitis and had received meatal dilatation or simple ventral mea- totomy without significant effect. Their mean maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) was (4.3 ± 2.4) ml/s. During the operation, A "/\"-shaped incision was made in the healthy epidermis and a flap was harvested from the frenulum. After complete removal of the scar, the flap was placed into the urethral wall, followed by reconstruction of the external urethral orifice.

RESULTSThe patients were fol- lowed up for 6 to 30 months, which revealed smooth urination in all the patients with Qmax of (26.7 ± 4.5) ml/s and normal erectile function and uresiesthesis.

CONCLUSIONWith little invasiveness and few complications, meatoplasty with the pedicle flap is an ideal surgical method for the treatment of meatal stenosis secondary to chronic balanitis. However, there might be some change in the normal appearance of the balanus postoperatively, and its long-term effect needs further observation.

Balanitis ; complications ; Constriction, Pathologic ; etiology ; surgery ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; etiology ; surgery ; Urination

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical characteristics of Wolman disease and diagnostic methods using enzymatic and molecular analysis.

METHODLysosomal acid lipase activity was measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl oleate in the leukocytes of an infant suspected of Wolman disease and LIPA gene mutational analysis was performed by PCR and direct sequencing in the proband and his parents. After the diagnosis was confirmed, the clinical, biochemical, radiological and histopathological findings in this case of Wolman disease were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTThe sixteen-day-old boy was failing to thrive with progressive vomiting, abdominal distention and hepatosplenomegaly. Abdominal X-ray revealed adrenal calcifications which were confirmed on abdominal CT scan. Xanthomatosis were observed on enlarged liver, spleen and lymph nodes during abdominal surgery. Liver and lymph node biopsy showed foamy histiocytes. The lysosomal acid lipase activity in leukocytes was 3.5 nmol/(mg·h) [control 35.5 - 105.8 nmol/(mg·h)]. Serum chitotriosidase activity was 315.8 nmol/(ml·h) [control 0 - 53 nmol/(ml·h)]. The patient was homozygote for a novel insert mutation allele c.318 ins T, p. Phe106fsX4 in exon 4 on LIPA gene. His both parents were carriers of the mutation.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical features of Wolman disease include early onset of vomiting, abdominal distention, growth failure, hepatosplenomegaly and bilateral adrenal calcification after birth. A plain abdominal X-ray film should be taken to check for the typical pattern of adrenal calcification in suspected cases of Wolman disease. The enzymatic and molecular analyses of lysosomal acid lipase can confirm the diagnosis of Wolman disease.

Adrenal Gland Diseases ; etiology ; pathology ; Exons ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukocytes ; enzymology ; Lipase ; blood ; genetics ; Liver ; pathology ; Lysosomes ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Splenomegaly ; pathology ; Sterol Esterase ; genetics ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Wolman Disease ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology

BACKGROUNDVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well known as a hypoxia-induced protein. That it markedly increased expression of VEGF and improvement of rat motor function after spinal cord injury suggested that VEGF could play a neuroprotective role in ischaemic tolerance. This study investigated whether vascular endothelial growth factor has direct neuroprotective effects on rat spinal cord neurons.

METHODSWe employed primary cultures of embryonic rat spinal cord neurons, then administrated different concentrations of VEGF164 in the culture medium before hypoxia when the number of neurons was counted and the cell viability was detected by MTT. The neuronal apoptosis and expression of VEGF and its receptor genes were evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemistry. The VEGFR2/FLK-1 inhibitor, SU1498, was used to confirm whether the neuroprotective effect of VEGF was mediated through VEGFR2/Flk-1 receptors.

RESULTIn hypoxic conditions, the number and viability of neurons decreased progressively, while the number of TUNEL-positive cells increased along with the prolongation of hypoxic exposure. When the concentration of VEGF in cell culture medium reached 25 ng/ml, the cell viability increased 11% and neuronal apoptosis reduced to half, this effect was dose dependent and led to an approximately 25% increase in cell viability and about threefold decrease in TUNEL-positive cells at a maximally effective concentration of 100 ng/ml. In normal conditions, VEGF/Flk-1 but not VEGF/Flt-1 gene expressed at a low level: after hypoxia, the expression of VEGF/Flk-1, but not VEGF/Flt-1 was significantly increased. The protective effect of VEGF was blocked by the VEGFR2/Flk-1 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, SU1498.

CONCLUSIONSVEGF has direct neuroprotective effects on rat spinal cord neurons, which may be mediated in vitro through VEGFR2/Flk-1 receptors.

Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Cinnamates ; pharmacology ; Female ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; physiology

Objective To study the changing trend of prevalence rates of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) and antimicrobial use in hospitalized patients in medical institutions of Hubei Province,and provide a scientific basis for improving HAI management.Methods The cross-sectional survey results of HAI in Hubei Province in 2010, 2012,and 2014 were analyzed.Results The prevalence rates of HAI in 2010,2012,and 2014 were 3.48%(1526/43909),3.03%(1919/63320),and 2.86%(2174/76145)respectively,which showed a downward trend,differ-ence was statistically significant(χ2 =36.44,P <0.01).Antimicrobial usage rate decreased from 54.29% (23838/43909)in 2010 to 41.02% (31238/76145)in 2014,difference was statistically significant(χ2 =2194.09,P <0.01).Among patients receiving therapeutic use of antimicrobial agents,the specimen detection rate increased from 30.49% (4297/14091)in 2010 to 52.13% (10556/20248)in 2014 (χ2 =1593.98,P <0.01).Conclusion The prevalence rate of HAI showed a downward trend in Hubei Province,cross-sectional survey on antimicrobial use showed a gradual decrease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of contralateral supplementary puncture in unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) with poor cement dispersion. METHODS: From January 2015 to December 2016, PVP was performed unilaterally in 285 patients(319 vertebrae) with osteoporotic compression fractures(OVCF). Contralateral percutaneous puncture was performed in 13 patients with poor cement dispersion. Among the patients, 5 cases were male and 8 patients were female, ranging in age from 63 to 88 years old; 1 case of T₁₁, 4 cases of T₁₂, 3 cases of L₁, 2 cases of L₂, 1 case of L₃, and 2 cases of L₅. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 16 days. The VAS score, ODI score, residual low back pain and loss of vertebral height were observed. RESULTS: The VAS score and ODI score of 13 patients who underwent contralateral supplementary puncture were significantly improved (<0.01), and there was no postoperative residual low back pain. During the follow-up period, there was no significant difference in the height loss between the two sides of the vertebral body (0.35 to 3.69 mm on the original puncture side and 0.59 to 3.66 mm on the supplementary puncture side). CONCLUSIONS For unilateral PVP with poor cement dispersion, contralateral puncture can reduce the occurrence of postoperative residual pain; at the same time, can reduce the difference between the loss of height on both sides of the vertebral body, and then prevent the occurrence of lateral vertebral deformity, which is a safe and reliable method.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Cements ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Punctures ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebroplasty

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency perforation and valvuloplasty in infants with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS).

METHODSFour infants (body weight 4 - 10 kg) aged 11 months, 9 months, 12 days and 9 months old, respectively, were hospitalized for dyspnea and cyanosis. All patients had a continuous murmur in the left second intercostal space. Doppler echocardiogram showed membranous pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. Right ventriculogram showed a tripartite right ventricle, vasiform infundibulum, and membranous pulmonary valve atresia without ventriculocoronary connections. Descending thoracic aortogram showed good-sized confluent pulmonary arteries being filled from a ductus arteriosus. All the patients were taken up for radiofrequency perforation followed by a balloon dilatation. A 6F Judkins right coronary guiding catheter was positioned in the right ventricular outflow tract and under the atretic pulmonary valve membrane. The radiofrequency perforation catheter along with coaxial injectable catheter was then passed through the right coronary guiding catheter, using it as the guide to the imperforate membrane. The proximal end of the radiofrequency perforation catheter was then connected to radiofrequency generator. After the cusps of pulmonary valve were perforated, the coaxial injectable catheter was moved into the main pulmonary artery. A tiny floppy-tipped coronary guidewire was then passed through the coaxial injectable catheter into the main pulmonary artery and directed through the patent ductus arteriosus into the descending thoracic aorta or directed into pulmonary arteriola. Thereafter, serial balloon dilation catheters were introduced across the pulmonary valve, and dilations were sequentially performed with increasing balloon diameters. The balloon was dilated until the concave of the balloons disappeared. The radiofrequency energy (5 to 8 W) was delivered for 2 to 5 seconds once, but commonly twice, to perforate the valves. After a predilation with a 3 mm x 20 mm to 5 mm x 20 mm balloon at 6 - 14 atm pressure, the valve was subsequently dilated with 10 mm x 30 mm to 14 mm x 30 mm balloon once or twice. The duration of procedures was 120 to 150 min and exposure time was 25.4 to 43.9 min.

RESULTSThe primary procedure was successful in all the infants except one who died early of cardiac perforation with tamponade. After a follow-up period ranging from 2 to 8 months (mean 4.3 m), the remaining 3 survivors achieved complete biventricular circulation. Two of them were awaiting occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus and 1 needed right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction because of infundibular obstruction.

CONCLUSIONPA/IVS consists of 0.7% to 3.1% of congenital heart defects. 85% of the untreated patients die within half a year. Surgical repair for the infants with PA/IVS is associated with a high mortality. In carefully selected patients with PA/IVS, radiofrequency perforation and balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve is feasible and may represent a new alternative to surgery due to its low mortality and avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Balloon Occlusion ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Catheterization ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pulmonary Atresia ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pulmonary Valve ; surgery ; Ventricular Septum

OBJECTIVETo prepare streptavidin-tagged hepatitis C virus (HCV) fusion protein and explore its application for the detection of antibody against HCV infection.

METHODSA recombinant plasmid pET-11d-C44P-SA was constructed, which coding a novel HCV diagnostic antigens (C44P) and streptavidin (SA) fusion protein, and the fusion protein was generated with BL21 (DE3) E Coli and identified by Western Blot analysis. Then the fusion protein was purified through the Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and over 90% purity has been achieved. Anti-HCV ELISAs were developed when the fusion protein was used in the biotin-pre-coated microplate or ordinary microplate, and then the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA were evaluated with confirmed human sera panels.

RESULTSThe fusion protein was expressed in high yields and purified successfully, the ELISA detection of anti-HCV with human sera panel indicated that its sensitivity and specificity is higher when SA-tagged HCV antigen (C44P-SA) coated in biotin-pre-coated microplate, compared to C44P or C44P-SA coated in ordinary microplate.

CONCLUSIONThe sensitivity and specificity of anti-HCV ELISA can be improved when a novel HCV diagnostic antigen fused to SA combined with the biotin- pre-coated microplate. This study laid a foundation for improving the performance of HCV diagnostics.

Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hepatitis C Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Streptavidin ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore whether coculture of dendritic cells (DC) with cytokine-induced killer (CIK) lead to an increase of cytotoxicity against tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSDC and CIK were prepared from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by conventional methods, the DC pulsed with or without NB4 leukemia cell lyses (LCL) was cocultured with the CIK (LCL-DC + CIK and DC + CIK), CIK was used as control. Cells phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry, secretion of IFN-gamma was determined by ELISPOT assay, and cytotoxicity was assayed in vitro with (51)Cr-release assay. A human leukemia cell NB4-bearing nude mice model was established to test in vivo antitumor efficacy and cell homing.

RESULTSCompared with CIK, LCL-DC + CIK got a significant increasing of proliferation rate [(18.2 +/- 2.1) times vs (11.6 +/- 2.3) times, P < 0.05] and CD(3)(+)CD(56)(+) expression rate [(51.05 +/- 2.63)% vs (30.18 +/- 1.45)%, P < 0.05], and the number of IFN-gamma secreting cells was increased significantly [(13.86 +/- 3.28)/10(4) cells vs (8.74 +/- 2.53)/10(4) cells, n = 12, P < 0.05]. Meanwhile, LCL-DC + CIK led to an increase of cytotoxic activity to NB4, K562, and KG1a cells, and showed significant inhibition of the growth of transplanted tumor cells and increased tumor free survival rate of nude mice (100% vs 66.7%, P < 0.05), DiI labeled LCL-DC + CIK were detected in spleen, lymph node and tumor within a week after injection. There was no significant different in antitumor activity between LCL-DC + CIK cell and DC + CIK cell.

CONCLUSIONCoculture of CIK with DCs can promote the effect of CIK against tumor in vitro and in vivo. DC-CIK is promising as an immuno-therapeutic strategy for patients with leukemia.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; drug effects ; immunology ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunization, Passive ; methods ; K562 Cells ; Killer Cells, Natural ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Leukemia, Experimental ; immunology ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays