Background There remains some controversy over whether polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) represents a subtype of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies are important in the treatment of PCV and nAMD.It has been identified that VEGF-A was differentially spliced from exons 8 and formed two isoforms families:the pro-angiogenic VEGFxxx family and the anti-angiogenic VEGFxxxb family.However,the role of the two VEGF families in PCV and nAMD was still unclear.Objective This study was to measure the contents of pro-angiogenic VEGFxxx family and the anti-angiogenic VEGFxxxb family in aqueous humor of nAMD and PCV patients and explore their effect on nAMD and PCV.Methods Thirty-four nAMD patients and 26 PCV patients were enrolled in Peking University People's Hospital during March to December,2013,and 16 age-related cataract patients served as controls.The aqueous humor samples 0.1 ml was collected before the introvitreous injection of anti-VEGF drug.The contents of pro-angiogenic VEGFxxx family and the anti-angiogenic VEGFxxx b family in the aqueous humor were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The concentrations of VEGF in the aqueous humor in the nAMD group,PCV group and control group were (4 210.00±998.40),(387.00±51.31) and (377.40 ±69.97)pg/ml,respectively,showing a significant difference among the three groups (F =12.851,P =0.000).The concentrations of VEGF165 b in the aqueous humor in the nAMD group,PCV group and control group were (205.50±12.59),(159.40±16.25) and (347.90±29.18) pg/ml,with a significant difference among them (F=23.752,P=0.000).Compared with the control group,VEGF content in the aqueous humor was elevated and the VEGF165b content was declined in the nAMD group,and VEGF165b was lowed in the PCV group,with significant differences between them(all at P=0.000).However,no significant difference was seen in the change of VEGF between the PCV group and the control group (P=0.992).The VEGF content in the aqueous humor was higher in the nAMD group than that in the PCV group (P =0.001),but VEGF165b content was insignificantly different (P =0.097).Conclusions The downregulation of VEGFxxx b may be associated with nAMD and PCV.The different role of VEGFxxx b in the development of PCV and nAMD needs to be verified in further studies.

Objective To summarize the results of valve re-operative cases after cardiac valve replacement, to find the better re-operative time, and to estimate the re-operative methods and influencing factors of the operation. Methods Thirteen valve re-operative cases after cardiac valve replacement from October 2008 to February 2010 were retrospectively studied. According to NYHA classification, 9 cases belonged to class Ⅳ, and only 4 cases belonged to class Ⅲ preoperatively. Mitral valve replacement (MVR)was performed in 7 cases, aortic valve replacement (AVR) in 3 cases, MVR + AVR in 3 cases. Results The early-stage postoperative mortality was 7.7%( 1/13),and the reason was low cardiac output syndrome. Two cases who underwent re-operation and re-intubation respectively after operation for hemorrhage were improved after treatment. Twelve cases were discharged in 3-6 weeks after heart valve surgery and all were followed up for 6-15 months. The cardiac function of all the discharged patients recovered well and no death occurred during follow-up. Conclusion The key factors to reduce the death of re-operation are improving preoperative heart function,setting up extracorporeal circulation as soon as possible,consummating myocardial preservation,perfecting operating skills,correcting low cardiac output syndrome in time and preventing complications.

ObjectiveTo explore the surgical treatment of congenital heart disease combined with severe pulmonary hypertension.MethodsThirty-two patients of congenital heart disease combined with severe pulmonary hypertension were included in the study.The saturation of arterial oxygen ranged from 0.84 to 0.94 and echocardiography showed left to right slow velocity shunt in 20 eases,double direction shunt in 10 cases and no shunt in 2 cases.The pulmonary arterial pressure was 65-120 (82 ± 14) mm Hg ( 1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa).All patients received surgical repairs under cardiopulmonary bypass and were treated preoperatively with oxygen inhalation therapy,oral intake of beraprost sodium or silaenafil respectively according to the degree of pulmonary hypertension.During cardiopulmonary bypass,pulmonary artery perfusion was performed with protective solution containing ulinastatin for lung protection.Vasoactive drugs were routinely administrated postoperatively.Results Thirty-two cases underwent the surgical treatment successfully with their postoperative pulmonary arterial pressure decreased 20 -40 mm Hg and 2 cases died of severe low cardiac output syndrome and fatal arrhythmia.The mortality was 6.25％(2/32).ConclusionComprehensive perioperative management followed by radical operation can achieve a good clinical result on congenital heart disease combined with pulmonary hypertension.

Objective To observe the clinical effects of intensive insulin therapy on postoperative infection, inflammatory response and prognosis in the non-diabetic patients of different ages undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods 60 cases of non-diabetic patients (>60) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass between June 2005～June 2010 were selected and analyzed retrospectively. 60 patients were divided into 2 groups, the previous 24 cases were included in a routine treatment group and later 36 cases were included in the intensive therapy group. The blood sugar of intensive therapy group was strictly controlled starting from the anesthesia. The routine treatment group was controlled starting from backing to ICU according to blood glucose results. Patients were assigned to the routine therapy group with the blood glucose maintained at 10.0～11.1 mmol/L and the intensive therapy group received tight glycemic control with the target blood glucose maintained at 4.4～6.1 mmol/L. Postoperative infection, mechanical ventilation time, hospital stay and mortality indicators were compared between the 2 groups. Results There were no significant difference (P＞0.05) in gender, body weight, disease diagnosis and combined surgical methods and surgical materials such as cardiopulmonary bypass time between the 2 groups. Neutrophil count［(12.6±2.8)×109/L vs (18.8±3.1)×109/L］, blood infections, respiratory tract infection(6/36 vs 10/24) and wound infectionrates(2/36 vs 6/24) and other indicators of intensive of insulin therapy group were lower than the regular therapy group (P＜0.05). The postoperative hospital stay of intensive therapy group［(12.2±3.7)d vs (15.6±5.4)d)］ was statistically significant shorter compared with the conventional treatment group (P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative mortality between the 2 groups (P＞0.05). Conclusions Intensive insulin therapy may significantly reduce postoperative infection rate in the old age patients, thus leading to an improved prognosis in the non-diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective To identify the clinical features of malignancy mimic vasculitis (MMV),and to increase the knowledge and alertness of MMV to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment.Methods Clinical records and laboratory index with test results were collected and retrospective study was employed to analyze twenty-four MMV patients,who were admitted to the department of Rheumatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital during the period from January 2001 to January 2015.All data were analyzed by Fisher exact probability test.Results ① Twenty-four MMV took up to 2.5％ (24/927) of all the systemic vasculitis,and 0.15‰(24/157 883) of all the malignancy diagnosed during the same period.② The average age at the diagnoses being established was (43±19) years and the male to female was 3:1.③ Skin lesions (16/24),mucous injury (12/24),pulmonary involvement (10/24),thrombosis (7/24) and neurological involvement (7/24) were the mose common clinical manifestations that could mimic systemic vasculitis;Beh(c)et's disease (6/24),granulomatous with polyangiitis (6/24) and polyarteritis nodosa (5/24) were types of systemic vasculitis that MMV most frequently mimic.④ Among 22 MMV with definite pathological evidence,there were sixteen hematological malignancies and fourteen non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).⑤ For hematological malignancies mimic vasculitis patients,skin lesions (P=0.023),elevated LDH (P=0.046),leukocyte disorder (P=0.015) were more common than those nonhematological malignancy patients.⑥ Those with long disease duration (＞12 months) (n=6) tended to present more skin lesions (P=0.024) especially skin ulcers P=0.038) were than short course patients.Conclusion MMV should be proposed for those systemic vasculitis patients with atypical manifestations and poor response to routine therapy.Even if the disease duration is as long as more than 12 months,MMV should not be excluded imprudently as hematological malignancies could have long disease durations.

Objective To investigate the location and the pathogens of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients who died from infection.Methods Dead cases of hospitalized SLE patients in Peking Union Medical Hospital from January 1986 to May 2011were retrospectively analyzed.Results Severe infection was an important cause of mortality in patients with SLE.There were 252 dead cases of SLE in total from 1986 to 2011,in which 97 cases died from severe infection.The proportion of patients died from infection was gradually increased during the past 26 years,which was 25.7％,24.1％,31.6％,34.9％ and 60.3％ in 1986-1990,1991-1995,1996-2000,2001-2005 and 2006-2011respectively.Lung was the most common site of infec-t ion,accounting for 65％ of all dead cases.Among the 31cases with identified microorganism,14 patients had single microorganism infection and 17 patients had mixed infections.In the single microorganism infection patients,fungal infection contributed to the cause of death in 9 out of 14 (64％) patients,of which 4,2,1,1,and 1 cases were infected with Pneumocystis carinii, Aspergillus fumigates,Fusarium,Candida tropicalis and Cryptococcus respectively.There were 3 cases of bacteria infection,including 2 cases with Methicillinresistant staphylococcus,aureus and 1case with Klebsiella pneumoniae infection.Two patients died from pulmonary tuberculosis.In 17 patients with mixed infection cases, 14 deaths were caused by bacteria infection,including Acinetobacter baumannii, Eschefichia coli, Enterococcus, Klebsiella pneumoniae,Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter cloacae.Eleven patients died from mixed fungus infection,including 6 cases of Aspergillus fumigates,3 cases of Candida tropicalis,3 cases of Pneumocystis carinii,2 cases of Aspergillus flavus,1 case of Soil Aspergillus,2 cases of Candida albicans,1 case of Candida glabrata and Candida Krusei.In addition to bacteria and fungi infection,cytomegalovirus infection occurred frequently in SLE death cases.Conclusions Severe infection has been the most frequent cause of death in SLE patients,in which lung infection is the leading cause.Pneumocystis carinii,Aspergillus fumigates,Acinetobacter baumannii and cytomegalovirus are the major pathogens that cause death in SLE patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the advantages of using the preoperative computer-aided design system (CAD) in total hip replacement (THR).

METHODSFrom March 2002 to September 2005, 182 patients who underwent primary THR were screened and divided into 2 groups randomly. CAD and traditional preoperative templating were used in preoperative planning respectively.

RESULTSIn group using CAD, the migration of the center of acetabulum was smaller, and the discrepancy of the limb length and the abductor force lever arm were fewer. All the differences above were significantly different.

CONCLUSIONSCAD helps remove much of the guesswork during surgery, and the implant can be more precise fitting to the patient. And equal limb lengths and balanced abductor force can be restored more accurately.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the changes of the copy numbers of mtDNA in peripheral blood mono-nucle- ar cell(PBMC) and the disordered of antioxidant capacity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODSThe Ficoll Hypaque method was used to isolate the PBMC from blood specimens. The ND1 gene of the mitochondrial was amplified by real-time PCR; meantime β-actin was served as a quantitative standard marker; the difference of mtDNA copy number in PBMC was compared between HCC and healthy control group. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PBMC was determined by flow cytometry. The change of total antioxidant capacity (T- AOC) of plasma was detected by the biochemistry examination.

RESULTSThe copy numbers of ND1 gene in PBMC of HCC was 73% that of the healthy control group,which suggested a decrease of the copy numbers of mtDNA in HCC. The levels of ROS of PBMC in HCC was (417. 82 ± 110.62) and (301.82 ± 75.54) in control group, which showed that the levels of ROS of PBMC in HCC were significant higher than that in control group (P < 0.01).Plasma T-AOC in HCC was (1.30 ± 0.85), and (3.20 ± 1.62) in control. The T-AOC of plasma of HCC was significantly lower than in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere was a certain relationship between the decrease of the copy numbers of mtDNA and the disordered antioxidant capacity in hepatocellular carcinoma, which may be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Actins ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess bone health in epileptic children who have been treated with topiramate (TPM) or carbamazepine (CBZ).

METHODSSixty-three epileptic children who received TPM or CBZ treatment and 36 eileptic children who did not receive any drug treatment (control group) were enrolled. Bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar vertebrae (L1-L4) and radius-ulna was evaluated by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method. Biochemical indices of bone metabolism, including serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase contents were measured.

RESULTSThe serum calcium content was higher in the TPM group (2.41+/-0.17 mmol/L), but it was lower in the CBZ group (2.15+/-0.26 mmol/L) than that (2.26+/-0.11 mmol/L) in the control group (p<0.05). The serum phosphorus content in both the TPM (1.55+/-0.17 mmol/L) and the CBZ groups (1.52+/-0.26 mmol/L) was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.70+/-0.30 mmol/L) (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the serum content of alkaline phosphatase between three groups. BMD was significantly reduced in both the TPM and the CBZ groups when compared to the control group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTPM and CBZ may result in alterations in serum contents of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase as well as BMD reduction.

Adolescent ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Anticonvulsants ; adverse effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Calcium ; blood ; Carbamazepine ; adverse effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Female ; Fructose ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphorus ; blood

BACKGROUNDRetinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has become one of the leading causes of visual loss in children. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is the principal stimulator of angiogenesis. VEGF was differentially spliced from exon 8 to exons 8a and 8b to form two families: the pro-angiogenic VEGFxxx family and the anti-angiogenic VEGFxxxb family. Previous research has shown variable effeteness of bevacizumab in inhibiting retinal neovascularization in ROP. This study aimed to investigate whether the effectiveness of this inhibition depends on the relative ratio of the two VEGF isoforms.

METHODSIntravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) was performed in the oxygen-induced-retinopathy (OIR) mice on postnatal day 12 (P12) (intravitreal phosphate buffered saline (PBS) injection as control). The Evans blue perfused retina were used to test the retinal neovascularization-leakage (NVL) area and non-perfusion (NP) area.

RESULTSThe retinal NVL and NP area in the IVB group were significantly smaller than the intravitreal PBS injection group (IVP group). On P17, the protein level of total VEGF isoforms was significantly inhibited compared to IVP group (P < 0.05) while VEGF(165)b isoform was slight reduced (P > 0.05). The switch from pro-angiogenic isoforms to anti-angiogenic isoforms after IVB could be found. The relative protein expression of VEGF(165)b isoform was significantly higher in IVB group than in IVP group (P < 0.05) on P17 which was correlated with the reduced ischemia-induced angiogenesis in OIR mice after IVB.

CONCLUSIONSThe anti-angiogenic effectiveness might depend on the relative high expression of VEGF(165)b after intravitreal bevacizumab injection. Anti-angiogenic therapy is a more effective therapy for ROP.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; administration & dosage ; Bevacizumab ; Disease Models, Animal ; Intravitreal Injections ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Protein Isoforms ; analysis ; Retinal Neovascularization ; prevention & control ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; drug therapy ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis