Two cases of left atrial myxoma were reported and the clinical data of 58 cases in Chinese literature were reviewed with the emphasis to find the characteristics of this disease on x-ray plain films and in the clinical features. The criteria to differentiate this condition from rheumatic mitral stenosis were listed. It is suggested that the diagnosis of left atrial myxoma be considered when the x-ray features of a clinically suspected case of mitral stenosis are not typical and then echocardiography be performed to investigate the case further.

On a left lateral chest radiogram,3 points are determined:A is the apex of the sternal angle formed by the manubrium and the body of the sternum,B is the highest point of the contact surface between the anterio-superior heart border and the anterior chest wall,and C is the apex of the anterior costophrenic angle.The distances of AC and BC are measured.The ratio of BC:AC is considered as an index of the size of the right ventricle.On the basis of measuring 120 normal subjects,0.54(0.46?0.04) is employed as the upper limit of normal values.Left lateral chest radiogram is easy to take.The measuring procedure is simple.The results of this measurement proves to be valuable after the method has been applied clinically.In the evaluation of the size of the right ventricle,this new digital index is helpful in the analysis of serial radiograms.This measurement makes left lateral chest radiogram more useful in detecting cardiac abnormalities.

Objective To compare the clinical effects between continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and intermittent haemodialysis (IHD) for the treatment of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods A prospective study was conducted. Seventy-three patients with sepsis-induced AKI admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) of Tianjin Hospital and Tianjin First Center Hospital from January to December in 2014 were enrolled. They were randomly divided into two groups: CRRT group (n = 35) and IHD group (n = 38). Data were recorded for the patients in two groups before treatment, including acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, mean arterial pressure (MAP), urine volume, and the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum creatinine (SCr) before and 1 week after treatment, the time of recovery of urine volume, the length of ICU stay, the duration of organ support, and the incidence of cardiovascular events. Results There was no statistically significant difference in APACHE Ⅱ scores (21.63±2.46 vs. 21.34±2.46), MAP [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 71.26±10.70 vs. 75.74±15.17], urine volume (mL: 404.00±79.13 vs. 438.97±87.17), CRP (mg/L: 100.94±14.73 vs. 95.17±27.03), and SCr (μmol/L: 394.02± 50.26 vs. 390.47±54.42) before treatment between CRRT group and IHD group (all P > 0.05). One week after treatment, compared to the IHD group, CRRT could dramatically reduce the levels of CRP (mg/L: 41.05±10.15 vs. 60.21±14.78, t = 6.401, P < 0.001), SCr (μmol/L: 185.97±65.48 vs. 232.02±71.93, t = 2.862, P = 0.006), urine output recovery time (days: 7.94±3.06 vs. 11.08±3.71, t = 3.923, P < 0.001), the length of ICU stay (days: 9.54±3.39 vs. 13.42±3.89, t = 4.521, P < 0.001), organ support time (days: 3.23±2.70 vs. 6.34±3.36, t = 4.343, P < 0.001), and the incidence of cardiovascular events [23.53% (8/35) vs. 39.47% (15/38), χ2 = 5.509, P = 0.025]. Conclusion Compared to IHD, CRRT can more efficiently help patients with sepsis-induced AKI in removing excessive water, metabolic waste, and lower the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, maintain homeostasis of the internal environment, lower the adverse effects on cardiovascular system, so that it significantly improve the prognosis of patients, shorten the time of organ support and the length of ICU stay.

The segmental and regional projections of the sciatic, tibial and common peroneal nerves to the substantia gelatinosa of spinal cord in rats were studied with the acid phosphatase method. Experiments were carried on 42 rats. Under chloral hydrate anesthesia, sciatic, tibial and common peroneal nerves were severed respecively. Then, after a survival time of 5～12 days, the lumbosacral segments of the spinal cord were removed and sectioned. The frozen sections were incubated with the modified Gomori's method.The projections of the sciatic and tibial nerves to the substantia gelatinosa (SG)were found in L_2～S_1, while these of the common peroneal nerve in L_(2～6).The projections of the sciatic nerve were found in the most medial, the intermediate and the most lateral parts of SG in the segments L_(2～3), and in entire SG in the segments L_4～S_1.The projections of the tibial nerve were shown in the most medial and the intermediate parts of SG in the segments L_(2～5), and in the medial parts of SG at L_6～S_1.The projections of the common peroneal nerve were found in the intermediate parts of SG in all segments L_(2～6).The above study has provided anatomical data for probing into the mechanism of somatosplanchnic interrelations and the principle governing acupuncture anesthesia.

Objective To create a further understanding of the angiographic features of the carotid artery pseudoaneurysm (CAPA) and to explore the clinical diagnostic value of angiography.Methods Sixteen cases of CAPA with clinical and angiographic data were analyzed retrospectively. The angiographic appearances in all of the patients were observed dynamically and precisely with a double blind method by two experienced radiologists together and formed a consensus interpretation. Results Angiography provided a definite diagnosis for all cases. The parent arteries included the common carotid artery (1 case), common carotid artery bifurcation (9 cases), internal carotid artery (5 cases) and external carotid artery (1 case). The angiographic features of the CAPA were: All cases showed the contrast media retension in the aneuysms; turblulent flow within aneurysm in 9 cases; the “jetting sign” at the leak of the parent artery in 7 cases; increase angulation of the bifurcation of internal and external carotid arteries in 12 cases.Conclusions Angiography is the most valuable examination method in diagnosis of CAPA, and it can not only provide definite diagnosis, but also play an important role in selection of therapeutic plan.

Oleic acid was injected intravenously into 29 dogs to induce the experimental 'Respiratory Distress Syndrome'. The chest x-ray manifestations of RDS were observed and analyzed. Correlating the x-ray findings with the findings of patho-anatomical examination, which was done on the killed dogs, the authors tried to investigate the pathogenesis of RDS. Meanwhile the diameter of the first branch of either inferior pulmonary artery was measured to determine the variations of the contractions of the pulmonary arteries.Finally the therapeutic effect of anisodamine and dexamethasone was compared. It seemed that the effect of the former was better than that of the latter from our preliminary trial.

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of fluvastatin and its influence on ICAM-1 mRNA expression in ischemia/reperfusion myocardium of normocholesterolemic rabbits. METHODS: 24 rabbits were divided into three groups randomly and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model in the rabbit was made. Rabbits were subjected to 45 min of regional myocardial ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion. 10 mg?kg~ -1 ?d~ -1 fluvastatin were administered for one week. Dynamic index of blood flow was recorded and analyzed. Serum activity of CK, CKMB, LDH and LDH-1 were measured. The expression of ICAM-1 mRNA in ischemic myocardium was detected with semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: In comparison with control group, pretreatment with fluvastatin decreased LVEDP at the whole observed duration, and spontaneously increased ?dp/dt_ max . Serum activities of CK, CKMB and LDH-1 in control group were significantly higher than those in sham group, but heavily reduced in fluvastatin group. Increased expression of ICAM-1 mRNA due to ischemia reperfusion was reduced significantly in fluvastatin group compare to control group. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment of fluvastatin may reduce inflammation reaction in reperfused myocardium, and this may contribute to its protective effect against experimental myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanism of different dosage of fluvastatin on the prevention of heart muscle ischemia reperfusion injury in rabbits.Method Thirty-five rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups with 7 rabbits in each: sham group,myocardial ischemia reperfusion control group,low dosage of fluvastatin pretreatment group (2 mg/kg,Group F1),middle dosage of fluvastatin pretreatment group(5 mg/kg,Group F2) and large dosage of fluvastatin pretreatment group(20 mg/kg,Group F3).The left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP),the max rate of rise of left ventricular pressure(?dp/dt_(-max)) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP) were detected during the experiment.At the end of reperfusion,the infarct size and area at risk were defined by Evans blue and TTC staining,and the levels of myocardial nitrogen monoxidum(NO) and nitricoxide synthase(NOS) were measured.Result Compared with the ischemia reperfusion group,the indexes of heart function improved significantly,the level of myocardial NO was increased significantly and the myocardial infarct size was decreased significantly in the groups F2 and F3.There was no significant difference between the group F1 and ischemia reperfusion group.Conclusion Fluvastatin exerts a cardioprotective effect against myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rabbits.NO is likely involved in this protective mechanism.

Objective To make a futher understanding of the CT features of primary carcinoma of vagina and to explore the clinical value of CT diagnosis of it.Methods Sixteen cases of primary cacinoma of vagina with clinical and CT data confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively. The CT findings were observed in a double blind method by three experienced radiologists together and formed a consensus interpretation. Results The accurate rate of CT diagnosis for primary carcinoma of vagina was 81.3% in the 16 cases. There were 2 stage I, 6 stage II, 4 stage III and 4 stage IV lesions which were diagnosed by CT. The numbers of cases of the elevated type, ulcerative type and infiltrative type were 11, 3, and 2,respectively. The transcatherter internal pudendal arterial chemoembolization were successfully performed in 2 patients with vaginal carcinoma. Conclusion CT is not only a non-invasive method of detecting primary carcinoma of vagina,but also play an important role in differentiating the clinlcal phase and type of it. In more advanced stages of vaginal carcinoma, interventional therapy is chosen as the useful treatment to avoid exenterative surgery, preserve anatomy and function.

AIM To investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) on glutathione peroxidase(GPx), superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities and malondialdehyde(MDA) contents in the cerebrum of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion gerbils, so as to explore the protective mechanisms of MT. METHODS Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was made by 10 min occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries of gerbil. MT was administered intraperitoneally 30 min prior to the onset of ischemia. After 1 h reperfusion, bilateral cortex and striatum were taken out for measurement of GPx, SOD and MDA. RESULTS Ischemia-reperfusion lowered the activities of GPx and SOD in cerebral cortex and striatum. Conversely, it elevated the contents of MDA in both areas. Treatment with MT at 5, 10, or 20 mg?kg -1 partly reversed these effects. CONCLUSION MT provides protective effect against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by protecting GPx and SOD activities and reducing the lipid peroxidation.