Objective To explore the role of improved cranioplasty plus ventriculoperitoneal shunt in early treatment of hydrocephalus secondary to decompressive craniectomy for patients with severe craniocerebral injury. Methods A retrospective study was performed on 45 patients complicated by hydrocephalus after decompressive craniectomy for severe craniocerebral injury treated with early stage improved cranioplasty plus ventriculoperitoneal shunt from January 2006 to December 2010.Then,the clinical data,complications and outcomes were summarized. Results All operations were carried out 38-80 days after injury.The postoperative complications were distal obstruction of ventriculoperitoneal shunt in two patients and intracranial infection in one.The clinical symptoms were obviously improved in 36 patients (80％) and the cerebral ventricle was diminished in 34 (76％) one month postoperatively.The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge was good in eight patients,moderate disability in 19,severe disability in 13 and prolonged coma in five,where better recovery (good recovery and moderate disability) in 27 patients (60％) showed significant improvement compared with preoperation ( x2 =23.47,P ＜0.01 ). Conclusion Early cranioplasty plus ventriculoperitoneal shunt is an effective and safe method for treatment of the complicated hydrocephalus after decompressive craniectomy for severe craniocerebral injury.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcome of modified large decompressive craniectomy in treatment of severe traumatic brain injury combined with acute subdural hematoma. Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out to compare the clinical outcome of large decompressive craniectomy (treatment group) for 81 patients with severe traumatic brain injury combined with acute subdural hematoma from July 2007 to June 2010 and that of standard large trauma decompressive craniectomy (control group) for 65 patients with same injuries from July 2004 to June 2007. Results According to the Glasgow outcome scale at the end of month 6 after injury, there were 21 patients (GCS 5 points) with good recovery, 19 (GCS4 points) with moderate deficit, 24 (GCS 3 points) with severe deficit, five (GCS 2 points) under persistent vegetative status and 12 (GCS 1 points) deaths in the treatment group,with good prognosis rate (good recovery and moderate deficit) of 49% (P ＜ 0.05) and poor prognosis rate of 51%. However, only 21 patients got favorable outcome, including 12 patients (GCS 5 points)with good recovery and nine (GCS 4 points) with moderate deficit; 44 patients got unfavorable outcome (68%), including 22 patients (GCS 3 points) with severe deficit, three (GCS 2 points) under persistent vegetative status and 19 (GCS 1 points) deaths in the control group (P ＜0.05). Furthermore, the incidences of delayed intracranial hematomas and subdural collection of fluid in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Modified large decompressive craniectomy can significantly improve the outcome and reduce complications of patients with severe traumatic brain injury combined with acute subdural hematoma.

Objective To investigate the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) supplementation on neuron apoptosis,brain edema,activation of microglia,inflammatory response and neural function after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats,so as to understand the protection of ω-3 PUFA in rats following TBI and its mechanism.Methods TBI model was established using Feeney's method.Ninety SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:sham operation group (sham group),TBI group,TBI + selective activator of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) anisomycin group (TBI + Aniso group),TBI + ω-3 PUFA supplementation group (TBI + ω-3 group),and TBI + ω-3 PUFA supplementation + JNK activation group (TBI + ω-3 + Aniso group).We measured rat behavioral outcomes by modified neurological severity score (mNSS) on day 1,3,and 7 after TBI.Brain water content was measured with wet-dry weight method.The neuron apoptosis and microglial activation (identified by specific marker IBA-1) in TBI cerebral cortex were determined by TUNEL staining and immunofluorescence.Inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin (IL)-1α,IL-1β,and IL-6] and the JNK signaling pathway (JNK,pJNK) were tested with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot,respectively.Results Compared with the sham group,the levels of brain cell apoptosis,brain edema,neuron apoptosis,and inflammatory-relatived factors (TNF-α,IL-1 α,IL-1β,and IL-6) were significantly increased in the other four groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the TBl group,ω-3 PUFA supplementation reduced brain water content following TBI,especially on day 3 after TBI [(78.14 ± 0.57) ％ vs.(82.31 ± 0.81) ％,P ＜ 0.01],and improved neurological function score (P ＜ 0.05).Meanwhile,ω-3 PUFA supplementation suppressed neuron apoptosis,the activation of microglia,and the mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α,IL-1α,IL-1 β,IL-6).The activation of JNK signaling pathway was also inhibited by ω-3 PUFA.Conclusion ω-3 PUFA supplementation may markedly reduce brain edema,suppress neuron apoptosis,and improve neurological outcomes after TBI in rats,possibly mediated by inhibiting JNK signaling pathway and microglial activation,reducing microglia-induced cerebral inflammatory responses,demonstrated as down-regulated expression of TNF-α,IL-1α,IL-1β,and IL-6.

To evaluate effects and mechanism of Captopril on BP of 2 -kidney, 1 -clip reno-vascular hypertensive rats ( 2K1C - RHR ), Platelets cytosolic free calcium, concentration ([Ca2+]i) and platelets aggregation (PAg) are measured. The results are as follows: [Ca2+ ]; and PAg increase significantly (P

Objective To investigate the effects of glutamine (Gln) supplementation on neurologica severity score,brain edema,neuron apoptosis,and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) response after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats.Methods TBI rat models were established using modified Feeney's method.Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups with a random number table:sham operation group (Sham group),TBI group,Gln supplementation group (TBI + Gln group) and ERS inducer 2-deoxy-D-glucose group (TBI +Gln + 2-DG group).We measured the rats' neurobehavioral outcomes by modified neurologic severity score (mNSS) on day 1,3,7 and 14 after TBI.Neuron apoptosis was detected using TUNEL staining.Brain water content was measured with wet-dry weight method.The apoptosis-related protein (caspase-12,caspase3,and Bcl-2) and ERS-related cytokines [inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE-1),C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)] expressions in TBI cerebral cortex were determined by immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot.Results Compared with the Sham group,the levels of brain edema,mNSS,apoptosis-related protein (caspase-12,caspase-3,Bcl-2) and ERS-related proteins (IRE-1,CHOP) were significantly increased in the other three groups (all P =0.00).Compared with the TB1 group,the TBI +Gln group showed significant lower brain water content [3 d:(81.39±0.59)％ vs.(83.54±0.52)％,P=0.04;7 d:(74.86±0.38)％ vs.(77.32±0.66)％,P=0.03],improved mNSS (8.63 ±0.22 vs.10.37±0.29,P=0.03),suppressed expressions of apoptosis-and ERS-related proteins (caspase-12,caspase-3,IRE-1,and CHOP)(P =0.01,P ＜ 0.01),and increased expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 (P =0.02).Compared withthe TBI + Gln group,the expression of ERS-related factors (IRE-1 and CHOP),brain edema level,and neurological severity were increased in the TBI + Glu + 2-DG group.Conclusion Glutamine supplementation may have neuroprotection function,demonstrated as reducing brain edema and neuron apoptosis,and improving neurobehaviroal outcomes after TBI,possibly mediated by inhibiting TBI-induced ERS response.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of endoscopic transnasal dacryocystorhinostomy ( ET-DCR) by suture techniques.Methods 85 patients of 98 eyes with chronic dacryocystifis were randomly divided into the two groups:control group ( without suture) and observation group ( by suture) .All cases were followed up for more than 12 months.The cure rates and occurrence of granulation tissue were compared between the two groups. Results The cure rate of the observation group ( 96.00%, 48/50 ) was higher than that in the control group (81.25%,39/48) (χ2 =5.35,P<0.05). During process of following up,the occurrence of granulation tissue at the ostium margins accounted for 14.00%(7/50) in the observation group and 31.25%(15/48) in the control group (χ2 =4.19,P<0.05).Conclusion ET-DCR by suture techniques reduces the formation of granulation tissue and improves the cure rate.Especially, ET-DCR by suture techniques for the small lacrimal sac of patients may have special advantages.

Objective To explore the effect of endoscopic transnasal dacryocystorhinostomy(ET-DCR) by suture in the treatment of acute dacryocystitis(AD) as early as possible.Methods The clinical data of 32 patients with unilateral AD who underwent ET-DCR by suture as early as possible were retrospectively analyzed.Results All patients presented clear anatomic structure,intraoperative hemorrhage increased in 3 cases,swelling and pain was rapidly relieving in all patients in the first day of postoperation,the mean resolution time of congestion and swelling in the middle canthus was average 3 days(range 1-6 days),no spread of infection occurred,no facial scar appeared in all patients except one case of abscess rupture.Complete complaint relief in 26 cases,slight epiphora presented in 6 patients who confirmed for lacrimalduct obstruction and cured by intubation,and all ostial patency with no AD recurrences at the mean follow-up of 2 years (range 12 months-5 years).Conclusion ET-DCR by suture as early as possible can be used to cure acute dacryocystitis and it is effective safe and economy.

AIM:To explore the influences of semaphorin 3A (Sema 3A) on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).METHODS:Sema 3A over-expression vectors were constructed and transfected into the HUVECs by Lipofectamine 2000, and the over-expression effect was verified by qPCR and Western blot.The HUVECs in different groups were treated with or without 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 4 h.The levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured by qPCR.The levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by corresponding colorimetry.The cell viability was measured by MTT assay.The cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.The levels of apoptosis-related proteins cleaved caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:H2O2 induced inflammatory cytokine secretion, increased the levels of LDH and MDA, decreased SOD activity and cell viability, and increased cell apoptosis in the HUVECs.Over-expression of Sema 3A enhanced the above processes.No injury effect of Sema 3A over-expression on HUVECs without H2O2 treatment was observed, indicating that the injury effects of Sema 3A on HUVECs depended on H2O2.CONCLUSION:Sema 3A markedly enhances H2O2-induced injury in the HUVECs, which depends on H2O2.Sema 3A may promote oxidative stress-caused endothelial cell injury.

Objective To evaluate the oxacillin disk screening test for screening Streptococcus pneumoniae by the penicillin Etest method.Methods 96 clinically isolated non-meningitis strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were collected.The sensitivity and spe-cificity of the oxacillin disc screening test was evaluated by the penicillin Etest method as a standard method for detecting the peni-cillin susceptibility.Results Among 96 non-meningitis strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae,the penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae(PSSP)strains detected by the penicillin Etest method accounted for 96.9%(93/96),the penicillin intermediate Strep-tococcus pneumoniae(PISP)strains accounted for 3.1%(3/96)and no penicillin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae(PRSP)strain was found.But 16 PSSP strains were detected by the oxacillin disc screening test with the sensitivity of 17.2% and the specificity of 100.0%,respectively.The difference between the oxacillin disc screening test and the penicillin Etest method was statistically sig-nificant(χ2 =77,P <0.01 ).Conclusion The oxacillin disc screening test has the low sensitivity for preliminarily screening non-meningitis strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae.Most of Streptococcus pneumoniae must be detected by the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)methods such as the penicillin Etest method.