Objective To evaluate the curative effect of valsartan associated with low-dose amiodarone on the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF), the left atrial diameter (LAD), P wave dispersion (Pd) and the maximum P wave duration (Pmax) in patients with paroxysmal AF. Methods 76 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) were randomized to valsartan (test group) and placebo (placebo group), both associated with low-dose amiodarone, and were followed up for 18 months. The patients were asked to report any episode of symptomatic atrial fibrillation and to perform an ECG as early as possible. AF load, Pmax, Pd and LAD were measured before and at the 6th, 12th, and 18th month after the treatment. Results At least one ECG-documented episode of AF was reported in 16% of the patients in test group and in 41% in placebo group, the difference was significant (P

AIM: To investigate the changes of current and gene expression of acetylcholine sensitive K~+ channel (K_ ACh ) in chronic human atrial fibrillation (AF) and to evaluate the roles of K_ ACh expression in the occurring and maintenance of AF. METHODS: Acetylcholine sensitive K~+ currents (I_ KACh ) were recorded with the whole-cell patch clamp technique in single atrial myocyte of AF group and normal sinus rhythm group (SR group). The current densities-voltage relations were analyzed. The Kir3.4 mRNA was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: (1) Compared with SR group, acetylcholine sensitive K~+ current densities in AF group were reduced under testing potential between -80 mV and -120 mV . Acetylcholine sensitive K~+ current density was ( -11.665 ?1.027) pA/pF (n=11) in AF group vs ( -19.486 ?0.766) pA/pF (n=11) in SR group at -100 mV testing potential (P

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of levodopa combined comprehensive therapy on the children with ametropic amblyopia.Methods:One hundred three patients (180 eyes) with ametropic amblyopia admitted into our hospital from April 2013 to March 2016 were randomly divided into the control group and the study group.Fifty-two patients (90 eyes) in the control group were treated with comprehensive therapy,and fifty-one patients (90 eyes) in study group were treated with levodopa combined comprehensive therapy.After six months of treatment,the treatment efficacy,pattern visual evoked potential (P-VEP),visual sensitivity,and visual function of patients were observed and compared between the two groups,and the adverse reaction were recorded and compared.Results:At six months after treatment,the effective rate of study group was 90.00％,which was significantly higher than that of control group (68.89％,P＜0.05).The wave amplitude ofP-VEP Pl00 of both groups showed a remarkable increase,which was much higher in the study group (P＜0.05);the incubation period in both groups were obviously decreased,while they were markedly lower in the study group (P＜0.05).The visual acuity under 100％,25％,10％ and 5％ of spatial frequency were conspicuously higher than those of control group (P＜0.05).And correction convergence range,and correction separation range in study group were much higher than those of control group,and corrected near stereo vision was markedly lower than that of control group (P＜0.05).Additionally,no significant difference was found in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion:Levodopa combined comprehensive therapy had a good ability of improving function of visual central neurons,visual acuity and binocular stereo vision functions.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Q-switched Alexandrite laser at 752 nm in the treatment of nevus of Ota. Methods A total of 1985 cases of nevus of Ota were treated with the Q-switched Alexandrite laser PhotoGenica HT10, and then the ages, frequency of treatment and interval of treatment were analyzed. Results The excellent effective rate was 97.88 %, and the total effective rate was 100 % in 1985 cases. Most patients in all age group received the excellent effects, however, there was no significant difference between the groups. Most patients acheived the excellent effect after 4 to 5 treatments, and very few patients (0.8 %) needed over 10 treatments; the rate ofpatient who needed 1-3 treatments or 6-10 treatments was 18. 2 % and 25.8 %, respectively. The patients had the most excellent efficacy in the group that the interval of two treatments was 4 to 6months, however, there was no significant difference between the group of the interval of two treatments over 6 months. In our study, there were only a few cases (4.48 %) with slight side reaction,such as temporary pigmentation and hypopigmentation and scar. Conclusions 752 nm Q-switched Alexandrite laser is one of effective and safe treatments for nevus of Ota.

Objective To evaluate the effects of the range and the frequency of the compression load on the accuracy for discerning target stiffness differences in ultrasound elastography.Methods Quantitative ultrasound elastography was achieved by integrating two compression force sensors,a laptop computer and a clinical ultrasound elastographic system.The force sensors and the ultrasound probe were assembled in a 3D printed mounting bracket for continuous monitoring of compression loads during ultrasound elastography. Both the force measurements and the elastographic maps were acquired and displayed on the laptop computer in real time.Four targets of the same diameter(10.4 mm),the same depth (3 cm) and different stiffness levels (8,14,45 and 80 kPa) were examined by a HITACHI preirus,L74M linear-array transducer.Each target was evaluated 45 times with two different method(i.e.,freehand elastography and quantitative elastography),yielding 1 80 evaluations.The data were divided into the following three groups:group Ⅰ(80 kPa vs 45,14 and 8 kPa),group Ⅱ(80,45kPa vs 14,8 kPa)and group Ⅲ(80,45 and 14 kPa vs 8 kPa).Area under ROC curves(AUC)were calculated for different stiffness levels.Results In group Ⅲ, quantitative elastography yielded an greater AUC level than that of freehand elastography(P =0.0379).In group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ,two methods yielded the similar AUC levels (P = 1 .000).However,quantitative elastography was able to discern 8 kPa and 14 kPa targets (P <0.001),while freehand elastography was hard to differentiate them(P =0.258).Conclusions In comparison with freehand elastography,quantitative ultrasound elastography is able to improve the accuracy for discerning different target stiffnesses.

Objective To investigate the chest HRCT characteristics of pediatric perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA) associated systemic vasculitis. Methods Retrospectively analysis of the clinical and HRCT data of 15 pediatric cases diagnosed as p-ANCA related pneumonia according to the classification and diagnostic criteria of Chapel Hill meeting of 1994 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. They were 13 girls and 2 boys. The age range was 1—17 years and the median was about 10 years old, In the 15 patients, 12 were diagnosed as primary MPA, 2 were secondary MPA, 1 was CSS. Two radiologists with 10 years of radiological experience read the CT imaging together. Results 1 of 12 primary MPA were found large opacities and ground glass shades in both sides of lung,especially the posterior parts on CT images with bilateral pleural effusion; 1 case had focal opacities in left lower lobe, around with thickened interlobular septa and pleural effusion; Another 1 case only had focal thickened interstitial in right middle lobe; The other 9 cases showed scattered or diffused ground glass opacity, with thickened pulmonary interstitial and (or) pleura. 1 of the 2 secondary MPA who had hemoptysis showed ground glass opacity on CT images with no thickened septal nodules or pleural effusion. The other one who had renal anomalies and no respiratory symptoms showed subpleural nodules with halo sign in right low lobe. The CSS showed diffused patchy ground glass opacity, consolidation of both lingular lobes, nodules of centri-and peri-lobular, thickened septa near the pleura, obviously thickened bronchial wall, slightly widened bronchial lumen and thickened pleura. Conclusion The classic imaging features of p-ANCA pneumonia on HRCT is the non-specific small pulmonary vessel hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of MTHFR gene on schizophrenia and its cognitive function.

METHODSWe recruited 254 schizophrenia patients with stable condition, 339 healthy controls for genetic analysis and 72 healthy controls for cognitive evaluation. The repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) was used for cognitive measurement. PCR-RFLP technique was carried out to genotype 677C/T polymorphism.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in genotypic or allelic frequencies of the 677C/T polymorphism between the case and control groups (P> 0.05). In the RBANS, patients had higher scores of immediate memory, visuospatial skill, language, attention, delayed memory and total scores than healthy controls (P< 0.01); Patients with different genotypes of 677C/T polymorphism had significant differences in the scores of immediate memory, attention and total scores (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur results did not provide evidence for MTHFR gene conferring susceptibility to schizophrenia. However, there was a significant association between the MTHFR gene and cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia, especially in immediate memory and attention.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cognition ; Genotype ; Humans ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Schizophrenia ; genetics ; Schizophrenic Psychology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis of renal mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC).

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of eleven patients of pathologically confirmed renal MTSCC were reviewed retrospectively. Among the 11 patients, there were 4 males and 7 females with a mean age of 51.6 years (range, 24 to 81 years). Two patients presented with hematuria, one presented with lumbago and others were asymptomatic.

RESULTSThe renal MTSCC was of hypovascular tumor in enhanced CT scan. Seven cases were treated with radical nephrectomy, and the other four with partial nephrectomy. The mean diameter of tumors was 4.4 cm. The TNM stages were as follows: pT1aN0M0 in 6, pT1bN0M0 in 3, pT2N0M0 in 2 cases. Histological examination of the tumors showed that they consisted of spindle cells arranged in tubular and trabecular patterns embedded in a myxoid stroma. No recurrence or metastasis was observed during the follow-up (median 41 months).

CONCLUSIONSMTSCC is a rare low-grade renal epithelial carcinoma with a relatively good prognosis. Preoperative CT scan is partly helpful for diagnosis and guiding decision making. Nephron-sparing surgery is recommended in most cases, especially in patients with small tumors.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Nephrectomy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed