Objective To investigate the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy (DNP) and the correlation of NGF level with,sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and duration of DNP.MethodsThe 41 patients with DNP,35 diabetics without DNP and 33 healthy controls were enrolled.And the serum level of NGF was measured with ELISA,the SNCV of left medial nerve,ulnar nerve,peroneal nerve and tibial nerve were measured too. Then the correlation analysis was completed. ResultsThe serum level of NGF was significantly lower in DNP patients [(665.18±188.32) ng/L] than in healthy controls [(976.44±159.07)ng/L] and in diabetics without DNP [(943.32±167.33) ng/L,F=9.316,P<0.001].The NGF level of DNP patients was positively correlated with SNCV of left medial nerve (r=0.810,P<0.001 ),left peroneal nerve (r=0.760,P<0.001) and duration of DNP (r=0.542,P<0.001).Conclusions The serum level of NGF is lower in DNP patients than in healthy controls.The decrease of the production of NGF may play a role in the pathogenesis of DNP.

Objective To review the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts in these patients aged more than 70 years old.Methods 1471 patients aged more than 70 years old[mean (73.3 ± 3.9) years] from July 2010 through August 2012,who underwent CABG in Anzhen hospital,form the cohort of this study.Among them,1395 cases underwent off-pump CABG,while 76 cases underwent on-pump CABG which includes onpump beating heart CABG in 12 cases.The average number of the grafts is 3.12 ±0.68.All of the patients were divided into two groups on base of the graft:Group A:only saphenous vein graft was used in 564 cases; Group B:The left internal thoracic artery to the left anterior descending artery was used in 907 cases,which also include total arterial grafting,facilitated by the use of the radial artery,right gastroepiploic artery was operated in 42 cases,beside these artery grafts,saphenous vein graft was used to anastomosis with other vessels.Results Operative mortality was 2.12％ in group A and 2.09％ in group B.There was no significance between the 2 groups.The volume of blood drainage was larger in group B than that in group A.At the same time,there was no significance in the incidence rate of second thoractomy,malignant arrhythmia,stroke,poor wound healing,and usage of IABP between the 2 groups.Conclusion It did not increase the mortality and morbidity of serious complications using the left internal thoracic artery to the left anterior descending artery in those elderly patients aged more than 70 years old during the CABG operation.With consideration of the obvious advantages in the long term patency,LITA was proposed to be used in CABG even in those age ＞ 70 patients.

Objective This study reviews the 198 consecutive mitral valve operations for elderly patients(＞ 65 y) with ischemic mitral insufficiency performed at Anzhen Hospital between January 2000 and june 2016.The results for mitral valve reconstruction are compared with those for biological mitral valve replacement.Methods From January 2000 to June 2016,198 elderly patients with ischemic mitral insufficiency underwent mitral valve reconstruction (n =150) or biological mitral valve replacement(n =48).All of them coronary artery bypass gafting was performed at the same time.Preoperative clinical characteristics,procedural characteristics,major and minor complications after surgery,preoperative and postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography,and outcome (survivor or death,mitral regurgitation,NYHA degree) were assessed.Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in the rate of mortality during hospitalization and early postoperative cardiac function.The proportion of severe MR in 1,3,and 5 years after MVP were 5.1％ 、6.3％、7.7％ respectively.There was no MVR due to the recurrent moderate-to-severe reflux.There were 2 SBE but no reflux appeared after MVR.There was no significant difference in cardiac function and mortality between the two groups within 5 years.Conclusion There is no significant difference between CABG + MVP and CABG + MVR(BV) in cardiac function and mortality in the treatment of elderly patients with IMR.,There was a possibility of MR recurrence after CABG + MVP.There was no MR after CABG + MVR(BV),but the risk of SBE is higher than MVP.We can select operation mode personalized according to the type of mitral valve disease and cardiac function.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in endotoxemic rats.Methods Twenty-four pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 6 weeks,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=8 each)using a random number table:control group (group C),endotoxemia group (group E),and dexmedetomidine group (group D).Dexmedetomidine 50 μg/kg was injected intraperitoneally,and lipopolysaccharide 5 mg/kg was injected via the caudal vein 30 min later in group D.Normal saline 2 ml was injected intraperitoneally,and lipopolysaccharide 5 mg/kg was injected via the caudal vein 30 min later in group E.Normal saline 2 ml was injected intraperitoneally,and normal saline 2 ml was injected via the caudal vein 30 min later in group C.At 12 h after the model was successfully established,Morris water maze test was used to assess the cognitive function.The escape latency,swimming distance and frequency of crossing the original platform were recorded,and the swimming speed was calculated.The rats were then sacrificed,and hippocampi were harvest for determination of neuronal apoptosis (by TUNEL) and expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78),CAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and caspase-12 (by immunohistochemistry).The apoptosis index (AI) was calculated.Results There was no significant difference in the swimming speed between the 3 groups (P＞0.05).Compared with group C,the escape latency and swimming distance were significantly prolonged,the frequency of crossing the original platform was significantly decreased,and the AI was significantly increased,and the expression of GRP78,CHOP,and caspase-12 was significantly up-regulated in E and D groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group E,the escape latency and swimming distance were significantly shortened,the frequency of crossing the original platform was significantly increased,and the AI was significantly decreased,and the expression of GRP78,CHOP,and caspase-12 was significantly down-regulated in group D (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine reduces cognitive dysfunction probably through reducing hippocampal neuronal apoptosis mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress in endotoxemic rats.

The progress in the research of the chemical components and pharmacological activities of Lysimachia was reviewed. Lysimachia mainly contain flavonoids, saponins and phenolic acids, and some of the plants have been used in the treatment of fever, ulcers, diarrhea and as analgesic or anti-inflammatory agents. The plants of genus Lysimachia are widespread in China, so it is a singificants work to study their chemical ingredients and pharmacological activities.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Primulaceae ; chemistry ; Saponins ; isolation & purification

Three cyclotides were isolated from the whole plant of Viola yedoensis in this study. The two, vary peptide E and cycloviolacin Y5, were previously reported, and a novel cycloviolacin VY1 was characterized according to the interpretation of MS/MS fragmentation of peptides which were produced from the reduced and alkylated parent peptide with the digestion of Endo Lys-C, trypsin and chymotrypsin, separately. The stability of remarkable resistance to proteolytic degradation by trypsin and chymotrypsin, and that of thermal denaturation was confirmed again. Besides, the IC50 value of cycloviolacin VYI against influenza A H1N1 virus was (2.27 +/- 0.20) microg x mL(-1). It is the first cyclotide reported with anti-influenza A H1N1 virus activity in vitro assay.

The attenuated Chinese equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) vaccine is the first lentiviral vaccine that provides solid protective immunities to vaccinated horses. To investigate properties of EIAV vaccine, especially the relationship between its replication and the immunity, viral plasma loads of an EIAV vaccine strain EIAVFDDV in immune suppressed horses were detected. Three horses, which were immunized with EIAVFDDV for 16 months, were treated with dexamethasone for 14 days to suppress their immunities. Reduced immune response in these animals was confirmed by significantly declined lymphocyte proliferation rate detected after 10 days of the drug treatment. The plasma viral loads of EIAVFDDV, which was indicated by the genomic RNA copy numbers, in horses before and after the treatment of dexamethasone were monitored by real time RT-PCR. Results revealed that the viral plasma loads in two of three immune-suppressed horses were kept a steady low level around 103～ 104 copies/ml. The load was increased by 10 folds in the third horse, but was still among the standard levels for EIAVFDDV vaccinated horses. As a positive control, the viral copy number of an asymptomatic carrier of EIAV virulent strain EIAVLiao was jumped nearly 25 000-fold higher after being treated with dexamethasone. The typical clinical symptoms of EIA, characterized by febrile episodes and thrombocytopenia, were also appeared in this horse. These results clearly indicate that it is the unique biological feature of the attenuated EIAV vaccine, but not the immunity, resulted in EIAVFDDV remaining in low levels in the body harmlessly. In addition, the steady low level of viremia and the inability to cause clinical symptoms of EIAVFDDV in immune-suppressed hosts further demonstrated the safety of attenuated Chinese EIAV vaccines. The data provide a new sight for studies on the immunity to lentiviruses.

BACKGROUNDIt is still a challenge for the cardiac surgeons to achieve adequate revascularization for diffused coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary endarterectomy (CE) offers an alternative choice of coronary artery reconstruction and revascularization. In this study, short-term result of CE combined with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was discussed in the treatment for the diffused CAD.

METHODSFrom January 2012 to April 2014, 221 cases of CABG were performed by the same surgeon in our unit. Among these cases, 38 cases of CE + CABG were performed, which was about 17.2% (38/221) of the cohort. All these patients were divided into two groups: CE + CABG group (Group A) and CABG alone group (Group B). All clinical data were compared between the two groups, and postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality were analyzed. The categorical and continuous variables were analyzed by Chi-square test and Student's t-test respectively.

RESULTSDiabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral vascular disease were more common in group A. In this cohort, a total of 50 vessels were endarterectomized. Among them, CE was performed on left anterior descending artery in 11 cases, on right coronary artery in 29 cases, on diagonal artery in 3 cases, on intermediate artery in 2 cases, on obtuse marginal artery in 5 cases. There was no hospital mortality in both groups. The intro-aortic balloon pump was required in 3 cases in Group A (3/38), which was more often than that in Group B (3/183). At the time of follow-up, coronary computed tomography angiogram showed all the grafts with CE were patent (50/50). There is no cardio-related mortality in both groups. All these patients were free from coronary re-intervention.

CONCLUSIONSCoronary endarterectomy + CABG can offer satisfactory result for patients with diffused CAD in a short-term after the operation.

Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; adverse effects ; methods ; Coronary Artery Disease ; surgery ; Endarterectomy ; methods ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Vascular Diseases ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the method and clinical value of endoscopic surgery by comparing endoscopic resection and vaporization for superficial bladder tumor.

METHODS396 patients with superficial bladder papillary transitional cell carcinoma were treated by endoscopic therapy. 180 patients (Group A) were treated by transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and 216 (Group B) by transurethral vaporization of bladder tumor (TVBT). Periodic postoperative intra-vascular instillation of chemotherapy was given to both groups. Operating time, amount of bleeding during operation, complications and recurrence rate were compared.

RESULTSIn group B, the amount of bleeding and complications during operation were lower than those in group A, but TVBT rated better by clearer view and simplicity in maneuver. The operating time, recurrence rate in group B were similar to those in group A.

CONCLUSIONTransurethral vaporization of bladder cancer, with simplicity in maneuver, less bleeding and fewer complications, rates better in effectiveness and clinical value than resection.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cystoscopy ; methods ; Electrosurgery ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Time Factors ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the usefulness of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) in the post-operative assessment of cochlear implanted electrode.

METHODSTwenty-three cochlear implant recipients were enrolled in this study. All patients were examined with a SOMATOM Sensation 16-slice CT scanner (Siemens) using the following parameters: 120 kV, 100 mAs, 0. 75 mm collimation, 1 mm reconstruction slice thickness and increment, a pitch factor of 1, and a FOV of 100 mm. The axial images of interested ears were reconstructed with 0.1 mm increment and a FOV of 50 mm, and then volume rendering technique (VRT) reconstruction were done on the work station.

RESULTSThe electrode arrays were detected on axial CT images. Both inner ear and electrode array could be displayed on one image simultaneously. VRT provided an intuitionistic view of the relationship between electrode array and cochlea VRT showed the number of the electrode array in 20 patients implanted with Combi 40 + standard electrode array and demonstrated the shape, position, and insertion depth. The electrode array number determined by VRT was in accordance with the surgical findings in 18 patients, and was underestimated in two patients. In 3 patients with Combi 40 + compressed electrode array, only 4 to 5 electrodes arrays were clearly identified and others were not observed.

CONCLUSIONMSCT with VRT can provide useful three-dimensional information of the electrode array and indicate the exact relationship between electrode array and cochlea.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cochlear Implantation ; Cochlear Implants ; Ear, Inner ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Tomography, Spiral Computed