Endocarditis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of external application of Zhuangshenling Recipe (ZR) combined with Western medicine (WM) on the heart function of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients of Xin-Shen yang deficiency, interior retention of water-fluid syndrome (XSYDIRWFS).

METHODSTotally 140 CHF patients of XSYDIRWFS were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group and the control group, 70 in each group. All patients received WM therapy. Those in the treatment group were applied with ZR at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23), while those in the control group were applied with placebos at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23). The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. The integrals of TCM syndrome, grading of cardiac function, brain natriuretic polypeptide (BNP), and 6 min walking distance were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter twelve weeks of treatment, the effective rate of improved grading of cardiac function, the total effective rate of TCM syndrome efficacy, and the BNP level were obviously better in the treatment group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in 6 min walking distance between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExternal application of ZR combined with WM could improve the heart function of CHF patients of XSYDIRWFS.

Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

AlM: To investigate the effect of exogenous peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-γcoactivator-1α ( PGC-1α) on vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) expression in human retinal vascular endothelial cells ( HRVEC) .METHODS:Recombinant PGC-1α protein was added to HRVEC, and no recombinant PGC-1α protein was added to HRVEC as control group. After 24h of incubation, two groups of cells were then placed into a normoxic ( 20%O2 ) or hypoxic ( 1% O2 ) environment for another 16h. The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein were detected by real - time PCR, ELlSA and immunofluorescence cytochemistry.RESULTS: VEGF mRNA and protein levels in the cells were significantly increased by recombinant PGC - 1αprotein both under normoxia and hypoxia conditions as compared with control groups (P<0. 01).CONCLUSlON: PGC-1α can upregulate the expression of VEGF in HRVEC under normoxia and hypoxia conditions.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy under ultrasonic guidance for the treatment of renal calculi. Methods Percutaneous nephrolithotomy using pneumatic or holmium laser lithotripsy under ultrasonic guidance was performed in 26 patients from January 2005 to November 2006.Among them,46 patients had single stones and 27 had multiple renal calculi.Unilateral renal calculi were found in 67 patients and bilateral calculi in 6.Staghorn calculi were identified in 11 patients.Results Of the 73 patients,a successful stone removal on one session was achieved in 57 patients,a second-look stone removal was needed in 13 patients,and 3 patients underwent three times of operation.During the operation,a single tract was used in 53 patients,double tracts in 18 patients,and three tracts in 2.A mini-invasive tract(F14～F18) was used in 47 patients,and a standard tract(F24) was established in the remaining 26 patients.The operation time was 50～160 min(mean,86 min).The stone-free rate was 96.2%(68/73),and the residual stones in other 5 patients were all

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy for ureteric calculi.Methods From January 2003 to June 2007,221 patients with ureteric calculi underwent ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy in our hospital.Under continuous epidural anesthesia combined with spinal anesthesia,the surgery was performed in lateral lithotomy position.Double-J catheter was used for drainage after the operation.Results The mean operation time was 55 minutes(ranged from 15 to 118 minutes).Among the patients,the calculi were found in the upper ureter in 16 cases,middle segment in 52 cases,and lower ureter in 153 cases.A total of 228 stones in the 211 patients were all fragmented with a success rate of 100%.The discharging rate was 95.5%(211/221).ESWL was used in 7 cases with unsatisfied outcomes and 3 patients who had ipsilateral renal calculi.A 3-to 6-month follow-up was achieved in 189 of the patients,who had no recurrence during the period.Conclusions Ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy is a minimal invasive and effective treatment for ureteric calculi.Postoperative ESWL is an alternative which can increase the rate of stone clearance.

Objective To investigate a new method of pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy for the treatment of bladder calculi. Methods A ureteroscope or nephroscope was inserted into the bladder via outer sheath of resectoscope. Then pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy was performed under endoscope to fragment and remove bladder stones. Results Stones were thoroughly removed from the bladder on one session in all 20 patients. No major haemorrhage, perforation of the bladder, or water intoxication happened intraoperatively or postoperatively. Follow-up for 2~18 months (mean, 4 6 months) in the 20 patients showed no recurrence of calculi under B-ultrasonography or symptoms of urethral stricture like dribble urination. Conclusions Pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy via outer sheath of resectoscope is effective in the treatment of bladder calculi.

Objective To detect the genome-wide genetic alterations in central neurocytoma,and to study the pathogensis of central neurocytoma. Methods Comparative genomic hybridization(CGH) analysis was performed in 10 central neurocytomas. Results Chromosomal imbalances were demonstrated in 6 cases.Overrepresentation of genetic material was detected in 4 cases on Chromosome 2p and 10q,and 3 cases on Chromosome 18q. Conclusion(Genetic abnormalities) on Chromosome 2p,10q and 18q may be associated with the pathogenesis of central neurocytoma.

38.5 ℃) and urine leakage were similar between the two groups [8.7% (4/46) vs 3.7% (1/27),?2=0.112,P=0.737; and 0 (0/46) vs 3.7% (1/27),?2=0.074,P=0.786]. Conclusions Both MPCNL and RLUL are effective and safe for impacted upper ureteral calculi. RLUL,which results in less blood loss but longer operation time,is feasible in advanced hospitals.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephroscopic lithotripsy for the treatment of bilateral upper urinary calculi. Methods From July 2004 to December 2008,we performed percutaneous nephroscopic lithotripsy under X-ray or ultrasonic guidance for 35 patients with bilateral upper urinary calculi. Of the 35 patients,bilateral renal calculi were found in 18 patients,unilateral renal and unilateral ureteral calculus in 10,bilateral ureteral calculi in 7. Results In 35 patients (70 sides),the calculi was removed through a single tract in 49 sides,through double tracts in 18 sides,and through triple tracts in 3 sides. The mean operation time for unilateral PCNL was 66 min (ranged from 20 to 185 min). The stone-free rate was 80% (56/70) on one session. A second-look stone removal was needed in 8 laterals,and 3 laterals underwent three times of lithotomy. In three sides,a few residual renal stones were found after the first operation,but no second operation was performed. The final stone-free rate was 91.4% (64/70) in all of the cases,among which the stone-free rate was 100% (24/24) for ureteral stones and was 87% (40/46) for renal stones. In this series,no chest or abdominal injuries,intestinal perforation,or injuries to surrounding organs were detected. The patients were discharged from hospital in 5 to 30 days,and then were followed up for 3 to 6 months. During the follow-up,B-ultrasonography and KUB+IVP found no recurrence of calculi. Conclusions Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is effective and safe for bilateral upper urinary calculi. By skilled urologists in conditioned hospital,simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy performed on bilateral upper urinary calculi can shorten the cycle time of treatment and hospitalization.

Objective To analyze and compare the effect of early surgical treatment and nonsurgical treatment for patients with severe acute pancreatitis.Methods Acccording to the including criteria,five randomized controlled trials of this topic were enrolled into the analysis.The detail about the trial design,characters of the subjects,results of the studies were reviewed and analysed by using Revman 4.2 software.Results Compared with nonsurgical treatment,early surgical treatment was associated with a significantly higher(incidence) of mortality(RR 3.42,95% CI 1.81～6.47,P=0.0002) and complications(RR 3.16,95% CI 2.15～4.64,P