Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of left atrial (LA) endocardial vagal denervation catheter ablation for treating the patients with refractory vasovagal syncope (VVS).
Methods: A total of 57 consecutive refractory VVS patients with severe symptom and positive response to head-up tilt test (HUT) were enrolled. There were 22 male at the mean age of (43 ± 13) years. The patients had no response or couldn’t tolerate routine treatment. LA model was re-established by three-dimensional mapping system, 10 patients received high-frequency stimulation technique for ganglionated plexi (GP) ablation and 47 received regional catheter ablation at 5 anatomic sites of GP for LA endocardial vagal denervation treatment. In-operative vagal response including hypotension, sinus bradycardia or asystole were observed, the endpoint of ablation was abolition of evoked vagal relfexes. Periodical follow-up was conducted to record the syncope recurrence and to re-examine ECG and HUT in all patients.
Results: There were 52/57(91.2%) patients had positive vagal response by radiofrequency application and reached the endpoint of ablation; 4 patients couldn’t receive obvious evoked vagal relfexes. During (36 ± 22) months follow-up period, there were 52 (91.2%) cases without syncope recurrence, 11 cases still having palpitation, amaurosis and dizziness as the precursors of syncope while the symptoms were much better then they were before. No complication occurred.
Conclusion: LA endocardial vagal denervation catheter ablation is a safe and effective method for treating the patients with refractory VVS, it may also effectively prevent VVS recurrence.

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effects of internal fixation with Herbert screws for the treatment of Pipkin type I and type II femoral head fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to December 2012, 23 patients with Pipkin type I and type II femoral head fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation by Herbert screws through Kocher-Langenbeck approach. Twenty-three patients (aged 18 to 52 years with a mean of 35.5 years, including 18 males and 5 females patients, 8 left hips and 15 right hips) with femoral head fractures and posterior hip dislocation. The fracture was classified according to Pipkin classification based on the radiographic findings, 5 patients had type I and 18 had type II fractures. The duration time from admission to the operation ranged from 6 to 72 h (averaged 32 h). The clinical and radiographic outcomes of the patients were measured using Thompson-Epstein scoring scale. The Harris hip score(HHS) was used to evaluate and compare hip functions at the latest follow-up between affected and healthy sides.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 20 to 48 months (averaged 30 months). According to Thompson-Epstein system, 12 patients got an excellent result, 6 good, 4 fair and 1 poor. The average HHS at the finial follow-up was 87.80 ± 8.46 (ranged from 66 to 95), which is similar to that in the healthy side 90.10 ± 6.35 (ranged from 72 to 98) (t = 1.044, P = 0.302). The complications such as deep infection, and deep vein thrombosis were not found. At the 3rd year during follow-up,4 patients had avascular necrosis of femoral head. At the 1st year of follow-up, 1 patient had hip pain after walking,screws loosening and shift after trauma,and serious complications of traumatic arthritis. All the 5 patients were treated with total hip arthroplasties.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of internal fixation with Herbert screws through the Kocher-Langenbeck approach is effective for Pipkin type I and type II femoral head fracture. The method is reliable and valuable for recommendation. However, such fracture may have avascular necrosis of femoral head and complication of traumatic arthritis, which should be observed carefully in clinic with preparation of the prevention and treatment measures.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) at points along Foot Yangming Channel on metabolite of ulcerative colitis (UC) rats' cerebral cortex and to identify key metabolites by referring to Pi/Wei-brain related theory in Chinese medicine (CM).

METHODSThe UC rat model was set up by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) method. Male SD rats were randomly divided into the model group and the EA group, 13 in each group. Another 13 rats were recruited as the blank control group. Rats in the blank control group and the model group received no EA. EA was performed at Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), and Tianshu (ST25) for 5 days by using disperse-dense wave. Then all rats were sacrificed. Their recto-colon and the ileocecal junction were pathomorphologically observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Cerebral cortexes were extracted. Water-soluble and lipid-soluble brain tissue metabolites were respectively extracted for metabolic research using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR).

RESULTSEA could obviously improve the general condition of UC model rats, decrease the value of DAI, reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the intestinal tract, stabilize structures such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and so on (P <0.05). 1HNMR analysis showed that in the model group, contents of glutamic acid, cholesterol, very low density lipoproein (VLDL) in the pallium obviously decreased, while alanine and low density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly increased. After EA, levels of lactic acid, glutamic acid, total cholesterol (TC), and VLDL all increased, and levels of alanine and LDL decreased. All indices were approximate to those of the blank control group.

CONCLUSIONEA at Foot Yangming channel was found to have some effect on metabolites in the brain tissue of UC model rats, which had specific metabonomic material basis and mechanism based on the Pi/Wei-brain related theory.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Electroacupuncture ; Lipids ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective: To quantitatively evaluate the abnormal tense of parasympathetic nerve via measuring the heart rate deceleration capacity (DC) and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS).
Methods: Our research included 2 groups: VVS group,n=28 patients with positive head-up tilt test treated in our hospital from 2013-06 to 2014-08 and Control group,n=30 patients without cardiovascular disorders. The DC and HRV were examined and compared between 2 groups.
Results:① The overall deceleration capacity (ODC) (9.4 ± 2.9) ms and daytime deceleration capacity (DDC) (8.9 ± 2.9) ms in VVS group were higher than those in Control group (7.5 ± 2.5) ms and (7.5 ± 2.5) ms respectively,P<0.05.② More patients in VVS group presented daytime-to-nighttime deceleration capacity ratio (DNratio) >1 than those in Control group (9/28, 32.1% vs 2/30, 6.7%),P=0.019.③ The SDNN (139.8 ± 34.0) ms, SDSD (29.9 ± 15.7) ms and rMSSD (40.9 ± 18.8) ms in VVS group were higher than those in Control group, (115.5 ± 29.4) ms, (21.8 ± 6.6) ms and (28.9 ± 8.4) ms respectively,P<0.05.④ Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that ODC was positively related to vasovagal syncope occurrence (OR=2.045, 95% CI: 1.100-3.801,P=0.024).
Conclusion: VVS patients have abnormally increased indexes of DC and HRV, HDC is the predictor for vasovagal syncope occurrence.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment of fracture of the fifth metatarsal base combined with degree III lateral ligament injury of ankle.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to December 2011, 32 patients with fracture of the fifth metatarsal base combined with degree III lateral ligament injury of ankle were treated with surgery. Fractures were fixed with compressed canulated screw and ligaments were repaired with suture anchors. After operation, ankle joints were fixed in neutral position and slightly valgus position by plaster slab. Taking out stitch was performed at 2 weeks after operation and non-weight loading walking by double crutches support started; after the 6 weeks, remove the gypsum and part-weight loading walking by brace protection; at the 8 weeks after operation, completely weight loading walking was permitted. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) was used to evaluate the clinical effect.

RESULTSThirty-two patients were followed up from 8 to 18 months with an average of 12 months. All fractures obtained healing with an average time of 12.5 weeks (ranged, 8 to 24 weeks). According to the standard of AOFAS, 18 cases got excellent results and 14 good.

CONCLUSIONThe method that fracture fixation with compressed canulated screw and ligament repair with suture anchors can obtain satisfactory effects in treating fracture of the fifth metatarsal base and degree III lateral ligament injury of ankle.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Collateral Ligaments ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Metatarsal Bones ; injuries ; surgery ; Middle Aged

Betulinic acid is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid, which has antiretroviral, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study is to investigate the HBV DNA replication inhibition in the mouse model with betulinic acid. Hydrodynamic injection method via the tail vein with the Paywl. 3 plasmid was used to establish the animal mode (n = 15), and the mice were randomly divided into the PBS control group (n = 5), Betulinic acid treatment group (n = 5) and lamivudine control group (n = 5). The day after successful modeling , the mice would have taken Betulinic acid (100 mg x kg(-1)), lamivudine (50 mg x kg(-1)), PBS drugs orally, once daily for 7 days, blood samples were acquired from the orbital venous blood at 3, 5, 7 days after the administering, HBsAg and HBeAg in serum concentration were measured by ELISA and the mice were sacrificed after 7 days, HBV DNA southern detections were used with part of mice livers. The results showed that betulinic acid significantly inhibited the expression of HbsAg in the mice model at the fifth day compared with the control group, and there was no significant differences between the effects of lamivudine and the PBS control group; both the betulinic acid and lamivudine groups had no significant inhibition for the HBeAg expression; the HBV DNA expressions of the liver tissue from the betulinic acid and lamivudine groups were inhibited compared with the control group. Taken together, these results reveal betulinic acid can inhibit the HBsAg expression and replication of the liver HBV DNA in the mouse model.
Acute Disease ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; DNA Replication ; drug effects ; DNA, Viral ; biosynthesis ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; virology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDAlthough cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is already an established treatment, the characteristics of patients who have an excellent response to CRT and those who get no benefit remain to be determined. The purpose of this study was to search for potential predictors of both non-response and super-response to CRT.

METHODSSeventy-six consecutive patients who received CRT treatment were divided into group A (non-responders), group C (super-responders) and group B (responders exclusive of super-responders). Student's t test, Mann-Whitney test, Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve were employed to identify potential predictors among the patients' demographic characteristics, clinical features, several electrocardiographic parameters before and after CRT implantation, and their pre-implant echocardiographic parameters.

RESULTSGroup A had the lowest 3-month left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Group C had the smallest pre-implant left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), the shortest post-implant QRS duration, the smallest 3-month LVEDD and the highest 3-month LVEF. In addition, there was a trend of gradual change in percent of left bundle branch block, severity of pre-implant mitral regurgitation, pre-implant QRS dispersion, post-implant QRS duration as well as post-implant QRS dispersion from group A to group B and from group B to group C. Multivariable Logistic analysis revealed that only pre-implant LVEDD could predict CRT super-response. A pre-implant LVEDD of 68.5 mm was the cut-off value that identified super-responders with 87.5% sensitivity and 79.7% specificity. A pre-implant LVEDD of 62.5 mm identified super-responders with 50.0% sensitivity and 89.8% specificity.

CONCLUSIONSPredictors of a CRT non-response remain unclear at present. But it is credible that patients with a smaller left ventricle would have a better chance to become super-responders to CRT.

Aged ; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Failure ; therapy ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDThe Medtronic InSync Sentry is the first available cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) which can monitor fluid status by measuring intrathoracic impedance. This study was designed to observe the effectiveness of intrathoracic impedance monitoring on detecting aggravation of heart failure.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 14 consecutive patients. Patients were regularly followed up every 3 - 6 months after the implantation. At each visit, interrogation of the device was done. Patients were instructed to inform the researcher on hearing the device alert, and to take extra 40 milligrams of furosemidum if they had aggravated symptoms later. If the symptoms could not be relieved, they were asked to see a doctor. Data about heart failure hospitalization were collected from the medical record.

RESULTSDuring 18 - 48 months follow-up, a total of 7 patients encountered 28 alert events. On one hand, alert events appeared before all deteriorated symptoms and heart failure hospitalizations. On the other hand, there were 23 alerts followed by deterioration of heart failure symptoms, and 2 alerts related to 2 hospitalizations caused by pulmonary infection in one patient. Only 5 patients were hospitalized 10 times for deterioration of cardiac function.

CONCLUSIONThe function of intrathoracic impedance monitoring is reliable in predicting deterioration of heart failure.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy ; Cardiography, Impedance ; methods ; Female ; Heart Failure ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDP-wave dispersion (PWD) is a useful predictor of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on PWD and the prognostic implications of the improvement in PWD remain undefined. The aim of the study was to explore the clinical significance of the improvement of PWD after CRT.

METHODSElectrocardiographic studies were performed before and three months after CRT in 81 patients (57 men and 24 women; age (60.5 ± 11.2) years) with standard CRT indication but no history of AF. A significant improvement of PWD (PWD responder) was defined as a relative decrease ≥ 20% from baseline PWD. The primary endpoints were new-onset AF detected by electrocardiogram (ECG) or CRT.

RESULTSAfter (30.6 ± 7.5) months of follow-up, PWD responders (n = 43) had a significantly lower incidence of AF than did PWD nonresponders, 12% vs. 29% (P < 0.001). In Cox proportional hazard analysis, PWD responders was the only predictor of lower risk of new-onset AF (HR 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.12 - 0.96, P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONImprovement of P-wave dispersion after CRT was associated with a lower incidence of AF, which may be related to the significant improvement in left ventricular systolic function and the reverse modeling of the left atrium.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; prevention & control ; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo observe the correlation between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical lesion among women living in community of Beijing.

METHODSA total of 795 women at age 20-54, living in Zhanlanlu District of Beijing were screened for cervical lesion. Samples of cervical cytology (LCT) and HPV test (hc2) were collected. Colposcopy and biopsy were conducted in women with positive LCT.

RESULTSIn those 795 women, the infection rate of HPV was 14.1% (112/795). In 40 women who were LCT positive 1 early invasive cervical cancer, 4 cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN3), 3 CIN2 and 7 CIN1 were noticed. In 750 women with negative LCT, 5 CIN1 and 1 low-grade CGIN were diagnosed. In those women who were Cyto(+) and HPV(+), 15 cases (55.6%, 15/27) were diagnosed with > or = CIN1 (including 7 CIN1, 3 CIN2, 4 CIN3 and 1 early invasive cancer).

CONCLUSIONThe risk of cervical lesion significantly increased in women showing positive in cytology and HPV test.

Adult ; Biopsy ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Cervix Uteri ; virology ; China ; epidemiology ; Colposcopy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Papillomavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Uterine Cervical Diseases ; epidemiology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Vaginal Smears ; Young Adult