Objective To investigate the dangers of heart failure to the mother and fetal,and the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy complicated with heart failure. Methods The clinical data of the causes,timing,management and outcomes of 87 cases of pregnant women complicated with heart failure from March 1993 to January 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. Results ①Thirty-one cases(35.6%) of heart failure in pregnancy were caused by rheumatic heart disease,26(29.9%) by pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH),16(18.4%) by congenital heart disease,and 14(16.1%) by peripartum cardiomyopathy.②The heart failure appeared at the average of(32.69?5.57) weeks.③The average terminal time of pregnancy was(34.66?4.52) weeks.④There were 79 newborns with 6 cases of twins,and the perinatal mortality was 8.6%(8 cases).Hysterotomy was performed in 6 cases in mid-pregnancy.The average weight of babies was(2419.56?786.08) g.⑤The maternal mortality was 6.9%(6 cases).(Conclusion The main) causes of heart failure in pregnancy are rheumatic heart disease,PIH and congenital heart disease.Although the standard management of pregnancy complicated with heart failure is inotropic agents,diurectics and vasodilators,the treatment should be individualized according to the specific etiology and with the consideration of the safety of fetus as well.Pinpointing the causes of heart failure in pregnant patients and treating accordingly may be conducive to reduce the maternal and perinatal mortality.

Objective To investigate whether velocity vector imaging (VVI) combined with stress echocardiography could detect potential myocardial impairment of the left ventricle(LV) in diabetic rats.Methods DM rats ( n = 18,administered by STZ at 65 mg/kg) and control rats( n = 12) were performed with VVI and M-mode echocardiography both at rest and after dipyridamole stress 12 weeks later. Twodimensional echocardiographic cine loops and M-mode images of three consecutive beats were obtained from the short-axis views at the mid-LV level. The means of segmental peak systolic velocity(Vs), circumferential strain(εc) ,radial strain(εr), systolic circumferential and radial strain rate (SRc, SRr) and the percent wall thickening (WT% ,derived from M-mode) were obtained. After echocardiograms were performed,the hearts were excised and prepared for HE staining and ultrastructural observations under electron microscopy.Results At rest,only SRc in the DM group was significantly lower than that in the control group( P ＜0.05), the other parameters were statistically comparable between the two groups. After dipyridamole stress,all VVI values in the DM group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P ＜0.05).However,there was no significant difference in WT% between the two groups either at rest or after dipyridamole stress ( P ＞0.05). Conclusions The VVI parameters combined with dipyridamole stress are more effective in evaluating potential myocardial impairment of the LV walls in diabetic rats. SRc might be more sensitive indices that can be used to detect myocardial impairment at rest.

Objective To study the clinical discrepancy between patients with post infectious irritable bowel syndrome(PI-IBS) and non post infectious irritable bowel syndrome(NPI-IBS),and assess the value of serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) for differential diagnosis.Methods A total of 117 patients with PI-IBS,201 patients with NPI-IBS and 31 healthy controls were prospectively recruited in General Liberation Army Hospital from 2010 to 2013.Plasma samples and clinical data were collected.Serum I-FABP level was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The median age of patients with PI-IBS was 36 years.The median time to diagnosis in PI-IBS group was significantly longer than that in NPI-IBS group [(19.7 ± 10.3) months vs (11.4 ± 5.3) months,P ＜ 0.05].Similarly,the proportion of anxiety [58.1％ (68/117) vs 28.9％ (58/201),P ＜ 0.05] and the value of I-FABP[(42.6 ± 14.8) μg/L vs (17.3 ± 11.5) μg/L,P ＜ 0.05] in PI-IBS group were significant higher than NPI-IBS patients.The level of I-FABP of healthy controls [(10.6 ± 8.2) μg/L] was also significantly lower than that of PI-IBS patients (P ＜ 0.05),yet no difference from that of NPI-IBS group.The I-FABP value of subgroup PI-IBS patients with diarrhoea (IBS-D) was significant higher than that of NPI-IBS group [(54.8 ± 9.3) μg/L vs (12.3 ± 6.2) μg/L,P ＜ 0.05].However,other parameters including gender,age,GSRS score,and I-FABP value of subgroup constipation (IBS-C) and mix (IBS-M),were not different between PI-IBS group and NPI-IBS group (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion PI-IBS is an occult intestinal inflammation disease with mucosa injury.I-FABP might be a potential testing marker for the diagnosis of PI-IBS.

Objective To establish a method for the preparation of long-circulating liposomes (LCL) containing etoposide and to observe its stability in rats plasma.Methods The etoposide-containing liposome was prepared by ethanol injection method. Polyethylene glycol-distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG2000-DSPE) was used to modify the membrane of the liposome. Reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was used to detect the concentration of the liposome,and dynamic release method was used to study its stability in mice plasma.Results The mean size of the LCL containing etoposide was (180?26) nm,and the mean concentration of etoposide was (4.78?0.22) mg/mL,with the entrapment efficiency being (88.71?8.2)%. The leakage ratio of the conventional liposome containing etoposide and LCL containing etoposide in mice plasma were (80.14?1.59)% and (46.72?2.61)%,respectively.Conclusion LCL containing etoposide with high entrapment efficiency and low leakage rate can be obtained by using ethanol injection method. Additionally,modification by PEG2000-DSPE could raise the stability of the liposome.

OBJECTIVE:To study the common characteristic component peaks in water decoction of crude curcumae radix and the vinegar roasted products from 4 different sources,compare the contents of its water decoction,and provide reference for resolv-ing the multi-source of curcumae radix piece in clinical application,complementing and improving the quality standard of curcumae radix. METHODS:HPLC was used to determine the characteristic spectrums of crude curcumae radix and the vinegar roasted prod-ucts from different sources (Curcuma wenyujin,Curcuma kwangsiensis,Curcuma longa,Curcuma phaeocaulis),and component analysis was conducted by using fingerprint software and mirror comparison. And the changes of water decoction content before and after vinegar roasted were compared. RESULTS:Both crude curcumae radix and the vinegar roasted products from 4 different sourc-es had 7 common characteristic component peaks. Vinegar roasted had effect on peaks in different degree,some peaks areas were in-creased,some peaks areas were reduced,some peaks were generated,and some peaks were disappeared. However,the common components of curcumae radix from different sources showed no qualitative changes after vinegar roasted,except the increase or de-crease in peak areas. Areas of 5 common component peaks were increased in the 7 common components of C. wenyujin,C. kwang-siensis and C. longa after vinegar roasted,and only 3 in C. phaeocaulis after vinegar roasted. Contents of 4 water decoctions were increased after vinegar roasted. CONCLUSIONS:There are 7 common components in curcumae radix from 4 different sources. Vin-egar roasted has no qualitative effect on common components,while it can increase the chromatographic peak areas and contents of water decoction.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Jisheng injection (JSI) in protecting heart.

METHODSIsolated heart of rat was preserved in modified Euro-Collins solution (mEC) containing JSI for 20 hrs, and that preserved in simple mEC was taken as control. Then Langendorff isolated rat heart perfusion was conducted. Forty minutes after perfusion, the cardiac function, coronary flow, myocardial water content were determined, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) activity in perfusate, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content in myocardial tissue and pathologic change in myocardium were also observed.

RESULTSThe cardiac function and coronary flow of isolated heart preserved in JSI containing mEC was significantly better than those in the control (P < 0.01), with the LDH, CK activity and MDA content significantly lower (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05), SOD activity significantly higher (P < 0.05) and pathologic injury milder than those in control, but comparison of cardiac water content between the two groups showed insignificant difference.

CONCLUSIONJSI has good cardiac protective and anti-oxidizing effects.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heart ; Male ; Organ Preservation ; Organ Preservation Solutions ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reishi ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

To explore the effect of cerebral function imaging in research on the acupoints specificity. Relevant literatures are retrieved and their results are compared. The results reveals as the follows: (1) Acupuncture can ameliorate cerebral blood flow hypoperfusion in patients with cerebrovascular disease, which maybe one of the mechanisms of acupuncture effect; (2) Acupuncture treatment has selectivity regulation role, which is related to the state of body and brain; (3) Cerebral function imaging can draw a clear distinction between therapeutic effect and placebo effect of acupuncture; (4) The points have specificity on the brain activation, but the outcomes are not exactly the same under different experimental conditions. Cerebral function imaging can be used to exploring acupoints specificity. Due to many interference factors which influence the accuracy of experiment, the subsequent experimental design have to be improved in the days ahead so as to make the results more cogent and rigorous.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Brain Mapping ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Radiography

Objective To investigate whether myocardial dysfunction and perfusion impairment had happened in diabetes mellitus(DM)rats,and to assess the relationship between them by using myocardial contrast echocardiography(MCE)and velocity vector imaging(VVI).Methods MCE and VVI were performed from the short-axis views of the mid-left ventricular level both at rest and after dipyridamole stress in control rats and DM rafs(12 weeks after induction with streptozotocin).MCE-derived myocardial blood flow(MBF)and myocardial flow reserve(MFR)and VVI-derived circumferential strain rate(SRc)and SRc reserve were obtained.Results SRc(absolute value)and MBF in the DM group were significantly lower than those in the control group at rest(P =0.03 for SRc and P =0.005 for MBF).SRc reserve and MFR in the DM group were significantly lower than those in the control group after dipyridamole stress (P =0.000 for SRc reserve and P =0.014 for MFR).There was no significant correlation between SRc and MBF at rest in the DM group(r =0.189,P =0.453).However,significant negative correlation existed between SRc reserve and MFR(r =-0.658,P =0.003).Conclusions Both myocardial systolic function and perfusion are impaired in DM rats.The decrease of MBF might not be the predominant determinant of myocardial systolic dysfunction at rest.However,the impairment of MFR could be an important contributor to the decrease of myocardial contractile reserve.

OBJECTIVETo study the numbers and locations of spermatic veins, testicular arteries, and lymphatic vessels in the spermatic cord of the varicocele patient under the laparoscope.

METHODSFifty-seven varicocele patients received laparoscopic ligation of spermatic veins, during which we recorded the numbers and observed the locations of spermatic veins, testicular arteries, and spermatic lymphatic vessels.

RESULTSDuring the surgery, we identified 3.3 ± 1.2 spermatic veins, 1.4 ± 0.9 testicular arteries, and 4.3 ± 1.1 spermatic lymphatic vessels. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two side in the numbers of the spermatic veins, testicular arteries and spermatic lymphatic vessels (P > 0.05). The testicular arteries were seen on the exterior of the spermatic veins and winding around them, while the spermatic lymphatic vessels mostly between the veins.

CONCLUSIONThe spermatic veins, testicular arteries, and lymphatic vessels in the spermatic cord of the varicocele patient have their specific anatomic characteristics. Laparoscopic identification of these vessels may contribute to the surgical treatment of varicocele.

Arteries ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Ligation ; Male ; Spermatic Cord ; anatomy & histology ; Testis ; Varicocele ; pathology ; Veins ; anatomy & histology

Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Polyps ; pathology ; surgery ; Teratoma ; pathology