Objective To investigate the clinical and head CT imageological features features in 276 cases of intracranial tubercu‐losis .Methods The clinical and CT features in 276 inpatients with confirmed intracranial tuberculosis were analyzed .Results These 276 cases of intracranial tuberculosis all were complicated by pulmonary tuberculosis ,among them blood‐borne type accoun‐ted for 49 .6% ; young and middle‐aged cases were predominant (72 .5% ) ; the majority manifested by the symptoms of fever (70 .0% ) and headache(66 .2% ) ;the summer and autumn had the higher incidence rate ,which were 167 cases(80 .7% ) .The posi‐tive detection rate of head CT plain scanning was 63 .4% ,which of enhanced scanning was 98 .6% .Among them ,236(85 .5% ) cases were tuberculous meningitis lesions ,158 cases(57 .2% ) were tuberculous encephalitis ,144 cases (52 .2% ) were tuberculoma and 133 cases (48 .2% ) were tuberculous vasculitis .Conclusion The clinical menifestations of intracranial tuberculosis are atypical ,but the head CT plain scannig displays multiple abnormalities .Moreover ,the enhanced scanning increases the positive detection rate . The lesions of meninges ,brain vessels and brain parenchyma often occur together .Therefore ,the diagnosis basis should be combined with clinic ,laboratory tests and head CT ,especially the clinical application of head CT enhanced scanning should be paid attention to .

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and establish the corresponding scanning plan through the clinical application of low-dose CT on diagnostic imaging for 111 AIDS patients with pnenmocystsis carinii pneumonia (PCP)and normal weight .Methods The thesis applied American GE(General Electric Company )FII double-row spiral CT scanner and the kV value is fixed to be 120 kV with the conventional dose (automatic mAs) and low-dose scanning applied respectively during the diagnosis .Meanwhile ,the low-dose scanning was carried out randomly in 50 mAs(50 mAs group) ,40 mAs(40 mAs group) and 30 mAs(30 mAs group) ,and then ,the iconographical imaging quality and radiation dose were analyzed ,the respective low-dose scanning plans was formulated at last .Results The high-quality film ratios for conventional close and 50 mAs group were 70 .3% and 62 .2% respectively ,and the good film ratios were 29 .7% and 37 .8% ,while no poor films occurred in both groups .The high-quality film ratios for conventional close and 40 mAs were 67 .6% and 56 .8% ,the the good film ratios were 32 .4% and 43 .2% and no poor films ,either .The high-quality film ratios for conventional close and 30 mAs were 70 .3% and 56 .8% ,the good were 29 .7% ,43 .2% and no poor films showed between both groups .From the results ,the consequential imaging films mainly show high and good quality ,all films meet the imaging diagnosis requirements and the difference are not statistically significant (P> 0 .05) .The radiation doses of conventional dose and low dose scanning (50 mAs ,40 mAs and 30 mAs groups) were 7 .6 mGy ,2 .6 mGy ,2 .1 mGy and 1 .5 mGy respectively , while the least radiation doses was for 30 mAs group and the corresponding dose is only 19 .8% of the original .The results from 111 patients applied conventional dose (automatic mAs) and low dose scanning all meet the imaging diagnosis requirements without any missed or erroneous diagnosis .Conclusion The chest low-dose CT scanning for AIDS patients with PCP and normal weight can fully meet the clinical diagnosis and treatment ,so it is practical and feasible .Meanwhile ,the conventional-dose scanning can be ap-plied at first and low-dose CT scanning later for reexamination to ensure the stability of image quality .For low-dose chest CT scan-ning ,the voltage fixed is 120 kV and the current 30 mAs .

Objective To compare the changes in serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)and uric acid(UA)before and after atorvastatin treatment for the patients with both essential hypertension and hypercholesterolemia,and to evaluate its effects on blood pressure and left ventricular remodeling.Methods One hundred and twenty-six hypertensive patients complicated with hypercholesterolemia were randomized into group A with amlodipine 10 mg/d(n = 65)and group B with amlodipine 10 mg/d plus atorvastatin 20 mg/d(n = 61),for three months continuously.Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C),triglyeerides(TG),hs-CRP and UA,as well as blood pressure,were determined for both groups before and after treatment.Left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LPWT)and interventricular septum thickness(IVST)were measured by echocardiography and left ventricle mass index(LVMI)was calculated.Results Serum levels of TC,LDL-C,HDL-C,TG,hs-CRP and UA decreased significantly in gr6up B after three-month treatment with atorvastatin,while serum level of HDL-C increased significantly. And,systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduced in both groups,but significantly lower in group B than those in group A,after treatment(P

OBJECTIVETo study the occurrence, management and prognosis of fatal pulmonary embolism in patients underwent coronary intervention in our department.

METHODSeven patients had fatal pulmonary embolism after coronary intervention in six years, we analysis each patient by the occurrence, prognosis, management of the disease.

RESULTSDuring the last 6 years, 7 [five males, mean age (55.9 +/- 11.7) years, 5 after coronary angiography and 2 after percutaneous coronary intervention] patients developed fatal pulmonary embolism after PCI. All 7 patients presented respiratory and cardiac arrest within 24 hours post coronary intervention. Three patients died, one patient experienced brain death and another three patients survived and are alive without complication till now.

CONCLUSIONThe fatal pulmonary embolism is a scarce complication after coronary intervention with high acute mortality and satisfactory outcome for survivors.

Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Embolism ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Treatment Outcome

Background The effect of chronic stress on cognitive functions has been one of the hot topic in neuroscience. But there has been much controversy over its mechanism. Such single stressor applied in the past could not simulate complicated living circumstances that people confronted with. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic multiple-stress on learning and memory as well as on the levels of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), calmodulin (CaM) mRNA, and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) mRNA in the hippocampus of rats. Methods The rats were divided randomly into stressed and control groups. The stressed group was given chronic multiple-stress for 6 weeks to set up a chronic multiple-stressed model. The rats' performance of spatial learning and memory was tested using Morris Water Maze (MWM) and Y-maze. Meanwhile, the expressions of CaMKII, CaM mRNA and CREB mRNA of rats' hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. In addition, the width of synaptic cleft and the thickness of post-synaptic densities (PSD) were observed in the hippocampal CA3 region of rats by electron microscopy. Results After exposure to chronic multiple-stress for 6 weeks, the ability of learning and memory of the stressed group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The width of synaptic cleft was smaller and the thickness of PSD was larger in the hippocampal CA3 region of the stressed group than in that of the control group (P<0.01). The CaMKII immunostaining of the stressed group was stronger than that of the control group in the stratum radiatum and oriens of the hippocampal CA1 and CA3, especially in the stratum oriens. Quantitative analysis indicated that the expression of CaMKII, CaM mRNA, and CREB mRNA in the hippocampus of the stressed group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusions The capacity of learning and memory can be enhanced after chronic multiple-stress. The increased levels of CaMKII, CaM mRNA, and CREB mRNA may contribute to the enhancing effect of chronic multiple-stress on learning and memory.

This study is to investigate the effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid receptor (GHBR) on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats and its mechanism. NCS-356 (the agonist of GHBR) and NCS-382 (the antagonist of GHBR) were adopted as the tool medicine. The ripe male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 240 - 280 g were randomly divided into seven groups: sham operation group (sham), ischemia-reperfusion group (Isc/R), NCS-356 160 microg x kg(-1) group (N1), NCS-356 320 microg x kg(-1) group (N2), NCS-356 640 microg x kg(-1) group (N3), NCS-382 640 microg x kg(-1) + NCS-356 640 microg x kg(-1) group (NCS-382 + N3), and nimodipine (Nim) 600 microg x kg(-1) group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model referring to Longa's method with modifications was adopted. The effect of GHBR on behavioral consequence of MCAO rats was studied after 2 h of ischemia-reperfusion. After 24 h of ischemia-reperfusion, part of animals were used to measure the cerebral infarction volume by TTC staining; ischemic cortex of another part of animals were used to measure the content of intracellular free calcium by flow cytometry, the tNOS, iNOS activity and the content of NO by spectrophotometric method, the content of cGMP by radioimmunoassay. The neurological function score and infarction volume rate in Isc/R group rats increased significantly than that in sham group; The content of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]) of cortex neuron and cGMP, the activities of tNOS and iNOS, and the content of NO in Isc/R group were higher than that in sham group obviously (P < 0.01); These consequence we mentioned of N1, N2, N3 and Nim group were lower than that of Isc/R. NCS-382 + N3 group could significantly antagonize the above effect of N3. Thus, NCS-356 has protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion brain injury by activating GHBR. The neuroprotective effect of GHBR is related with decreasing the content of [Ca2+]i, NO, cGMP and tNOS, iNOS activity in MCAO rats.
Animals ; Benzocycloheptenes ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Cerebral Infarction ; pathology ; Cyclic GMP ; metabolism ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; complications ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; agonists ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology

This study was aimed to establish the approach of quantitative PCR (q-PCR) for diagnosis of invasive fungal infections (IFI) in patients with hematologic malignancies. Specimens from 40 patients with hematologic malignancies were chosen for q-PCR and galactomannan (GM) test. The 28S rRNA, a real high consensus sequence of fungi, was selected as target gene to design primer and probe. The DNA of fungal species was extracted from serum specimens. The results showed that q-PCR sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 0.89, 0.85, 0.89, 0.85 respectively; GM test sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 0.83, 0.80, 0.88, 0.73 respectively; as combined q-PCR with GM test, these values were 0.94, 0.85, 0.89, 0.92 respectively. It is concluded that the q-PCR assay can be used for early diagnosis for IFI in patients with hematologic malignancies, q-PCR combined with GM test can enhance the diagnosis sensitivity for IFI.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Fungi ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; diagnosis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this registry is to collect data on percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) performed in various provinces in mainland China in 2005.

METHODSQuestionnaires were send to all hospitals in China and data on PCI, PCI case numbers and type of stents were collected.

RESULTS(1) PCI is available in 754 hospitals among the 30 provinces and there are more than 50 hospitals performing PCI in 4 provinces: Shandong (70), Beijing (60), Guangdong (60) and Shanghai (50); (2) A total of 95 912 PCIs were performed among the 30 provinces and about 50% of these procedures were finished in five provinces (Beijing: 20%, Shanghai: 8.9%, Shandong: 7.6%, Liaoning: 6.1% and Shanxi 6.0%; (3) PCI numbers were more 1000 in 7 hospitals, between 500 - 999 in 13 hospitals, between 300 - 499 in 41 hospitals, between 100 - 299 in 149 hospitals and less than 100 in more than 50% of all hospitals; (4) In several regions with higher GDP such as Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Guangdong Province, Shandong Province and Hainan Province, the rate of PCI/total population is significantly lower than other regions with comparable GDP and there is a potential for higher PCI numbers in the future; (5)Around 60% stents implanted were drug eluting stents.

CONCLUSIONPCI procedures is popular in mainland China now, especially in regions with higher GDP. Around 60% implanted stents were drug eluting stents.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; statistics & numerical data ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans ; Registries ; statistics & numerical data ; Stents

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of PR-957 on the formation of A1 reactive astrocytes. METHODS: The cerebral cortices of 1-day-old female rats were obtained and cultured for primary astrocytes. These cells were divided into 3 groups: control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and LPS+PR-957. The LPS group was treated with LPS (at a concentration of 5 μmol/L) for 48 hours; the LPS+PR-957 group was treated with PR-957 (at a final concentration of 200 nmol/L) for 1 hour and then LPS for 48 hours. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the expression of complement 3 (C3, a marker for A1 reactive astrocytes) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the relative mRNA expression of glypican-6 (GPC6), SPARC-like 1 (SPARCL1), and lipocalin-2 (LCN2). All the above experiments were repeated three times independently. RESULTS: C3 expression was almost not observed in the control group, but was observed in both the LPS group and the LPS+PR-957 group, with significantly lower expression observed in the LPS+PR-957 group (P<0.05). The expression of TNF-α was consistent with that of C3. Compared with the control group, the LPS and the PS+PR-957 groups had significantly reduced mRNA expression levels of GPC6 and SPARCL1 but significantly increased mRNA expression level of LCN2 (P<0.001). Compared with the LPS group, the LPS+PR-957 group had significantly increased mRNA expression levels of GPC6 and SPARCL1 but significantly reduced mRNA expression level of LCN2 (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS LPS can induce the transformation from astrocytes to A1 reactive astrocytes, and PR-957 can inhibit the formation of LPS-induced A1 reactive astrocytes.
Animals ; Astrocytes ; Female ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Oligopeptides ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Authors raised that staging based strategies and practice of integrative medicine (IM) by combining syndrome typing and disease identification, and choosing suitable measures in accordance with different persons and seasonal conditions after more than ten years' clinical practice and researches. Radical operation as prior (as evil eliminating) and strengthening vital qi in perioerative period are best strategy for promoting rapid rehabilitation of early stage prostate cancer patients. Strengthening body resistance to eliminate evil was used in treating advanced prostate cancer patients. For example, a comprehensive treatment program for hormone-dependent patients was combined with endocrinotherapy and Chinese herbs for synergisic efficacy-enhancing actions. In this way, these patients' quality of life (QOL) were improved and time to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) was delayed, even some patients were clinically cured. There are lack of effective medicines and methods for CRPC patients. Greatly tonifying original qi is mainly used for improving their clinical symptoms and prolonging survivals. Practice has proved staging based strategies and practice of IM has favorable advantages in treating prostate cancer, especially showing prospect in prolonging survival and postponing progression of advanced prostate cancer patients. Besides, it also could provide beneficial considerations and inspiration for combination of syndrome typing and disease identification.
Disease Progression ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; diagnosis ; Quality of Life