We reported 2 cases of descending neerotizing mediastinitis (DNM) and reviewed the related literatures. The etiology, clinical manifestations, imaging manifestations, diagnostic criteria and therapeutic strategies of DNM were discussed. It is concluded that descending necrotizing mediastinitis is a life-threatening disease with high mortality and is prone to be misdiagnosed. Early diagnosis, prompt application of sensitive broad-spectrum antibiotics and abscess drainage with proper surgical medality may improve the prognosis of DNM.

Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA).Methods From Feb 2006 to July 2010,15 patients with isolated SMA dissection were treated in our center,there were 13 males,2 females,the mean age was(53 ± 8) years (range 43 -63).Among them,1 was caused by trauma,14 had unknown etiology,and 9 cases had a history of hypertension.Diagnosis was made by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in all cases.Management strategies inlcuded placement of self-expanding bare stent,medical treatment,and transperitoneal SMA fenestration.Results Endovascular stenting was attempted in 14 cases,with a success in 5 and a failure in 9 cases who were then given medical treatment with antiplatelet agents.One case with critical intestinal ischemia underwent open exploration and SMA fenestration.Blood vessel patency resumed.Follow-up with duplex and CT was accomplished in 13 cases,time ranging from 12 to 60 months (mean 28 ± 14mos).There was no recurrent abdominal pain or chronic intestinal ischemia developed during the follow-up.In medically treated patients,there was no aneurismal enlargement of SMA,while in the endovasculartreatmentgroup,allstentsremainedpatentthroughoutthefollow-up.Conclusions Endovascular treatment of isolated dissection of SMA appears to be feasible and effective,despite its relatively low technical success rate.For asymptomatic patients,medical treatment is the treatment of choice.In case of critical intestinal ischemia and with a suspected intestinal gangrene,emergency surgical exploration and fenestration should be performed.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antibiotic resistance of isolated pathogens in neonatal sepsis. Methods The results of blood culture and drug susceptibility test in neonates sepsis from January 2012 to June 2013 were retro-spectively analyzed. Results One hundred and thirty-two strains were detected in the blood samples, with 100(75.76%)Gram-positive bacteria, 30 (22.73%) Gram-negative bacteria and 2 (1.52%) fungus. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the three most common pathogens. Gram-positive cocci was strongly resistant to penicillin (100.00%), erythromycin, selectrin and ampicillin/sulbactam (62.50%-100.00%), but still sensitive to vancomycin and teico-planin. The resistance rate of Gram-negative bacilli to ampicillin was 100.00%, and the resistance rate to cefatriaxone, selectrin and cefuroxime was 61.54%-100.00%. The resistance rate to imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam was lower. Conclusions The selection of sensitive antibiotics should be based on the pathogens and drug resistance testing for the treatment of neonatal sepsis.

Objective To discuss the influence on peripheral circulation and oxygenation of different colloid osmotic pressure (COP) in pediatric cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods Sixty cases of non-cyanotic congenital heart disease patients under 10 kg were randomly selected and divided into 3 groups(n =20) according to the different COP level.COP values was adjusted by the ultrafiltration technique and colloid addition.The perioperative(T1-T6) arterial lactate level,different value between skin and rectal temperature,peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and oxygenation index (OI) were observed in order to determine the different effect on peripheral circulation and oxygenation.Meanwhile,mechanical ventilation time and ICU time were recorded.Results The variation tendency of arterial lactate level was similar in each group,the value in the COP ＞ 18 mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) group(group C) was significantly higher than COP 10-15 mmHg group (group A) and COP 16-18 mmHg group (group B) in T3 and T4,after CPB weaned,the values of Group A (1.25 ± 0.42) and Group C (1.33 ± 0.51) were higher than Group B (0.71 ± 0.29) at T6 point (P ＜ 0.05);the variation tendency of SpO2 was similar in each group too,the value of group C was significantly lower than group A and B at T5 point,the values of group A and C were significantly lower than group B at T6 point,P ＜ 0.05;the different value between skin and rectal temperature in group A was significantly higher than group B and C from T1 to T2 point(P ＜0.05),but not in T3 to T6 point;The minimal OI values of all the groups were appeared in T4 point,group B value was significantly higher than A and C in all time point,group C value was the lowest(P ＜0.05);the mechanical ventilation time in group B(2.13 ± 1.36) days and group C (2.93 ± 1.69) days were significantly lower than group A (3.83 ± 1.47) days,P ＜ 0.05.ICU time of group B (3.9 ± 1.1) days was significantly lower than group A (5.7 ± 2.5) days and C (6.0 ± 1.5) days.Conclusion During the pediatric CPB,the improper COP level will lead to bad oxygenation and poor peripheral circulation,got different prognosis ultimately.A reasonable COP level(16-18 mmHg) will do benefits to all the pediatric patients.

Adult ; Arsenic ; pharmacology ; Chromosome Aberrations ; chemically induced ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged

The contribution of particles to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity has been enlightened by epidemiologic and experimental studies. However, adverse biological effects of the particles with different sizes on cardiovascular cells have not been well recognized. In this study, sub-cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to increasing concentrations of pure quartz particles (DQ) of three sizes (DQPM1, <1 μm; DQPM3-5, 3-5 μm; DQPM5, 5 μm) and carbon black particles of two sizes (CB0.1, <0.1 μm; CB1, <1 μm) for 24 h. Cytotoxicity was estimated by measuring the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cell viability. Nitric oxide (NO) generation and cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) releases were analyzed by using NO assay and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. It was found that both particles induced adverse biological effects on HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. The size of particle directly influenced the biological activity. For quartz, the smaller particles induced stronger cytotoxicity and higher levels of cytokine responses than those particles of big size. For carbon black particles, CB0.1 was more capable of inducing adverse responses on HUVECs than CB1 only at lower particle concentrations, in contrast to those at higher concentrations. Meanwhile, our data also revealed that quartz particles performed stronger cell damage and produced higher levels of TNF-α than carbon black particles, even if particles size was similar. In conclusion, particle size as well as particle composition should be both considered in assessing vascular endothelial cells injury and inflammation responses induced by particles.

OBJECTIVETo observe anti-cancer effects of Jianpi Jiedu Recipe (JJR) on liver cancer (LC) rats with Pi deficiency syndrome (PDS) and its relation with the third complementary-determining region gene spectratyping of TCRVβ-chain (TCRVβCDR3).

METHODSRats were divided into 8 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the blank control group (normal), the PDS group, the LC model group, the LC-PDS group, high, middle, and low dose JJR groups (75.00, 37.50, 18.75 g/kg, respectively by gastrogavage, once per day), the thymus pentapeptide group (5 mg/kg, intramuscular injection, twice per week), 8 in each group. Rats in the normal group were administered with physiological saline by gastrogavage once per day. PDS rat model was prepared by bitter-cold purgation. LC model was prepared by orthotopic transplantation method. Twenty gene subfamilies of TCRβCDR3 in the thymus, liver, and LC tissues were detected by Gene Scan.

RESULTSHigh and middle dose JJR could postpone the growth of LC volume (P < 0.05), with equivalent liver index and thymus index to those of the normal group (P > 0.05). In thymus and liver tissue of the normal group, the number of clones (20 and 19), gene fragment number (220 and 113), Quasi-Gaussian distribution ratio of TCRVβCDR3 gene repertoire (100.0% and 42.1%), and fragment fluorescence peak area (6,539 ± 2,325 and 1,238 ± 439) were at the highest level among the 8 groups. TCRVβCDR3 expressions in thymus and liver tissue of high and middle dose JJR groups were approximate to those of the normal group. They were in the middle of the thymus pentapeptide group, the PDS group, the LC model group, and poorest in the LC-PDS group. TCRVβCDR3 in liver tissue expressed the best in the thymus pentapeptide group.

CONCLUSIONJJR might inhibit the growth of LC cells, and its mechanism might be related to enhancing TCRVβCDR3 spectratype expression.

Animals ; Complementarity Determining Regions ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor beta ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats

Voltage-gated sodium channels are critical for the generation and conduction of nerve impulses. Recent studies show that in primary sensory neurons, the expression and dynamic regulation of several sodium channel subtypes play important roles in neuropathic pain. A number of SCN9A (encoding Nav1.7) gene point mutations are related with human genetic pain disorders. Transgenic and specific knockout techniques have revealed that Nav1.3, Nav1.8, Nav1.9 are important for the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain condition. Specific blockers of these sodium channels have been demonstrated to be effective in alleviating allodynia and hyperalgesia. Here we reviewed the roles of sodium channels in neuropathic pain, which may be applicable for the development of new drugs with enhanced efficacy for neuropathic pain treatment.
Animals ; Humans ; Neuralgia ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Neurons ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sodium Channels ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology

Objective To compare the results of susceptibility testing by European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)broth microdilution methods against Aspergillus isolates.Methods The susceptibilities of 116 Aspergillus isolates were determined for amphotericin B, voriconazole, itraconazole,caspofungin and micafungin according to EUCAST (E.DEF 9.1 )and CLSI (M38-A2)methods.The essential agreement (EA),categorical agreement (CA),very major errors (VME)and major errors (ME)of the two methods were compared.Results The EA was 96.3%-100% between the two methods.The CA ,ME,and VME were 98.8%,0-1.2% and 0 respectively for the susceptibility of Aspergillus fumigatus to voriconazole.The CA,ME and VME was 1 00%,0 and 0 respectively for the susceptibility of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger to amphotericin B,or the susceptibility of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus to itraconazole.Conclusions The results of susceptibility testing by EUCAST and CLSI broth microdilution methods are well consistent against Aspergillus isolates.

AIM:To explore the role of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) in the dysfunction of vascular endo-thelial cells exposed to high glucose.METHODS: In human aortic endothelial cells cultured under high-glucose ( 22 mmol/L glucose) medium, nitric oxide ( NO) level, polymorphonuclear neutrophil-endothelial cell adhesion rate, protein level of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( ICAM-1) , migration of endothelial cells and Akt/endothelial nitric oxide syn-thase ( eNOS) pathway activation were observed after S1P, sphingosine kinase-1 inhibitor and/or Akt inhibitor treatments. RESULTS:S1P decreased NO level, increased polymorphonuclear neutrophil adhesive rate, enhanced ICAM-1 protein level, and inhibited migration of endothelial cells and activation of Akt/eNOS pathway in endothelial cells cultured under high-glucose condition.Sphingosine kinase-1 inhibitor, which reduced S1P content, significantly improved the above endo-thelial cell function indexes and restored the activation of Akt/eNOS pathway.CONCLUSION: S1P promoted high glu-cose-induced dysfunction of endothelial cells probably by inhibiting the activation of Akt/eNOS signal pathway.Targeting S1P is expected to become one of potential treatment strategies to reduce endothelial cell dysfunction.