Objective To evaluate left atrial (LA) function by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3D) and speckle tracking imaging (STI) after circumferential ablation of pulmonay vein ostia for atrial fibrillation guided by carto mapping system. Methods Thirty patients who had ablation procedure for paroxysmal atrial fibillation were accepted echocardiography to estimate the LA function at pre-operation,3 days and 3 months of post-operation. The LA maximal, minimal and pre-systolic volume (LAVmax, LAVmin and LAVp), LA passive ejection fraction (LAPEF), LA active ejection fraction (LAAEF) were measured by RT-3DE respectively. The strain rate curve was acquired in each LA segment (anterior, posterior, lateral, inferior and septal) by STI. Systolic strain rate (SRs), early diastolic strain (SRe) and late diastolic strain rate(SRa) of each left atrial segments were measured. Results Comparing with preoperative,3 days post-ablation SRs,SRe and SRa decreased significantly in each wall of LA. After 3 months,SRa and SRe in anterior, inferior and septal were significantly improved, however, SRs showed no significant difference. LAVmax and LAVpre were significantly decreased. LAPEF and LAAEF were significantly improved. Conclusions The patients with circumferential pulmonary vein ablation were in a deterioration after three days. The pump function and conduit functions of left atrial were increased after 3 months.

BACKGROUND:Qingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅰ and Ⅱ made by ourselves are effective in treating bone fracture complicated by soft tissue injury.However,its mechanism is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Qingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition on the levels of intedeukin 1β(IL-1β) and interleukin 6(IL-6) in serum of patients with closed bone injury-induced soft tissue injury.DESIGN:Randomized controlled observation.SETTING:Wards of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine,the 401 Hospital of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-eight inpatients with bone fracture at early and moderate stages accompanied by soft tissue injury were chosen as volunteers to be studied in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine,the 401 Hospital of Chinese PLA between February 2000 and February 2002.The involved inpatients were assigned into 2 groups according to the table of random digit:Oingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅰ + Ⅱ group (n=45) and Qingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅱ group (n=43).Oingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅰ was for internal administration,and Qingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅱ was for external fumigation.METHODS:①Treatment of bone injury:Both caltrate D pellets and pills for strengthening bone joints were used in two groups.②Treatment of soft tissue injury: In the Qingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅰ+ Ⅱ group,Qingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅰ was decocted.Each decoction was 450 mL,and was packed into 3 pouches, 150 mL/pouch,three times a day;Qingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅱ was decocted.Each decoction was 600 mL,and was packedinto 4 Douches,150 mL/pouch.Four pouches of Qingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅱ was diluted by 2 000 mL water,then heated and used for fume-washing, twice a day, 20 to 30 minutes once. Four pouches could be used for fume-washing for 2 days successively. In the Oingre Huoxue Xiaozhong compositionⅡgroup, only Oingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅱ was used to fume-wash the lesioned region.The concrete method was the same as that in the Qingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅰ+Ⅱ group.In each group, ten days were set as one course of treatment,and totally, there are 2 courses of treatment.IL-1β and IL-6 levels in serum of patients were detected by with ELISA kit before.one and two courses after treatment, and compared separately.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in serum of patients in two groups before, one and two courses after treatment.RESULTS: In the eingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅰ+Ⅱ group,the level of IL-1β and IL-6 was respectively significantly lower after 2 courses of treatment as compared with the previous one and one course after treatment (P＜0.05-0.01), also at the same time point in compared with the Qingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅱ group (P＜0.05).In addition, in the Oingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅰ+Ⅱ group,the level of IL-1β and IL-6 was respectively significantly decreased after one course of treatment as compared with before treatment (P＜0.05). In the Oingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅱ group,after 2 courses of treatment,the level of IL-1β was significantly decreased as compared with before treatment, and the level of IL-β was also significantly decreased as compared with before treatment and after one course of treatment (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION: Qingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅰ+Ⅱ can be used to treat bone fracture accompanied by soft tissue injury by inhibiting the levels of IL-1β and IL-6. The effect of the combination of Oingre Huoxue Xiaozhong composition Ⅰ and Ⅱ is superior to that of each alone.

Objective To evaluate the characteristics of quantitative monitoring of brain function during the perioperative period in elderly patients and its relationship with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).Methods Seventy ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged ≥ 60 yr,scheduled for elective lumbar spine decompression and fusion surgery under general anesthesia,having an expected postoperative length of hospital stay ≥ 7 days,were enrolled in the study.The cognitive function was assessed by using Mini-Mental State Examination before operation and the results were normal.Fifty healthy elderly volunteers were chosen and served as control group.Cognitive function was assessed at l day before operation (D0) and 3 (D3) and 7 days after operation (D7).Z score was used to identify POCD.All the patients were then divided into POCD group or control group (group C) according to the results of diagnosis.Quantitative monitoring of brain function was carried out using a traction system,and the wavelet index (WLI),i_22 and i_20 were recorded.Results A total of 67 patients completed the study and were enrolled in the analysis,there were 9 cases in group C,and 58 cases in group POCD.The WLI was significantly decreased at D7,and no significant change was found in WLI at D3 as compared with the value at D0.The WLI was significantly lower at D7 than at D3.There was no significant difference in i_22 and i_20 between the three time points.Compared with group C,i_22 was significantly decreased at D0,and no significant change was found in i_22 at the other time points and in WLI at each time point in POCD group.Conclusion During quantitative monitoring of brain function during the perioperative period in the elderly patients,WLI is significantly decreased on 7th day postoperatively,and no significant change is found in i_20 and i_22,however,the pre-operative low i_22 value can predict the development of POCD.

AIM: Niflumic acid (NFA) is known as a kind of inhibitor of calcium-activated chloride channel. The inhibition and mechanism of NFA on the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) were investigated. METHODS: Using [ 3H]-TdR incorporation method, we examined the effect of NFA (at concentration of 10 and 50 ?mol/L) on the proliferation of primarily ASMCs from BALB/c mouse. With confocal laser scanning microscope the [Ca 2+ ]i in ASMCs exposed to histamine was observed, and the opposed effects of NFA and nifedipine on histamine were also checked. Finally the effect of NFA on expression of MAPK in ASMCs was examined by indirect immunofluorescent assay. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the proliferation of NFA group was reduced markedly with dependent concentration. Histamine significantly improved the [Ca 2+ ]i in ASMCs, but NFA and nifedipine showed the inhibition on the effect of histamine. NFA reduced the level of MAPK expression in ASMCs. CONCLUSION: It is demonstrated that NFA inhibits the proliferation of ASMCs by reducing [Ca 2+ ]i and the expression level of MAPK. [

In order to show the development situation and trend in plaque research, Thomson Innovation Platform-covered application of patents associated with plaque researches was quantitatively analyzed using the Thomson Data Analyzer and Thomson Innovation or other tools, which revealed the overall development situation, the main accepted countries, the main application institutions and the technological direction layout of patents associated with plaque researches.

The genome of a new SV40 strain(SV-IMB)isolated from a rhesus monkey was completely sequenced and compared with other isolates.The results showed that the whole genome contains 5246bp,and the average identity of SV-IMB was 98.1% as compared to other SV40 isolates.Its regulatory region is composed of a complete enhancer and a defective enhancer.Amino acid changes occurred to some extent in both the large T antigen (T-Ag) and VP1 region.The findings demonstrate that the SV-IMB is a new SV40 isolate.

The leading cause of drug withdrawal from market and clinical trials failure is drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Varying clinical, histological and laboratory features of DILI, as well as undefined underlying mechanisms, hinder patients to be diagnosed in the early-stage of the disease and receive effective treatments. Conventional indicators, like serum transaminases and bilirubin, have inevitable limitations referring to sensitive prediction and specific detection of DILI. In order to reduce the occurrence of DILI, researchers have attempted to discover potential biomarkers with higher specificity and sensitivity from blood and urine in recent years. This article aims to review recent advances in biomarkers of DILI.
Biomarkers ; blood ; urine ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: To investigate feasibility and effectiveness of pedicle screw bi-cortical fixation in lumbar spondylolisthesis or destabilization of aged people. METHODS: The statistical significance of the distance between the anterior edge of vertebral body and the anterior major blood vessels at the level of pediculus arcus vertebrae by CT scan at random were measured and analyzed. 82 cases of lumbar spondylolisthesis or destabilization, aged 65 years (range 51 to 75 years), including 35 males and 47 females, were treated pedicle screw bi-cortical fixation, with the anterior edge of the vertebral body penetrated by one screw thread. The function was evaluated by Macnab backleg pain scale standards. RESULTS: There was significant difference in the distance of the anterior edge and the major vessels between the old and the young (P< 0.05). All the 82 cases were operated successfully, and the mean time was 145 minutes and the mean amount of bleeding was 530 mL. The 43 cases including 15 males and 28 females were followed up for 18 months (range 3 to 53 months). There was one case of rupture of the spinal dura mater with no sequela after the suture. There were 3 cases of transient paralysis and pain of lower limbs, which were alleviated after 2 months' treatment. No complications of nerve root or vessel injuries were found. All incisions healed well at the primary stage. The lumbocrural pain of all 43 cases was alleviated to a certain content. There were 31 cases of excellent, 10 of good, and 2 of fair; the excellent and good rate was 97%. CONCLUSION: It is feasible and safe to treat the lumbar spondylolisthesis or destabilization in the old with the pedicle screw bi-cortical fixation.

Objective To investigate the relation between lesions of medullary infarction and clinical symptoms and signs.Methods Eleven patients with medullary infarction confirmed by MRI were identified.Their clinical presentations and the relation between clinical presentation and location of lesion in MRI were assessed and analyzed.Results Among the 11 patients,5 cases suffered from lateral medullary infarction,6 medial medullary infarction(including two cases of bilateral infarction).Regarding clinical symptoms,common symptoms in lateral medullary infarction are blurred speech,dizziness,choking water,swallowing difficulties and facial numbness;in medial medullary infarction are limb weakness and blurred speech.The common signs of lateral medullary infarction are dysarthria,sensory disturbance,Horner sign and facial paralysis;in medial medullary infarction are paralysis of limbs and peripheral paralysis of the tongue.Conclusion Clinical manifestations are vailed depending on the sites of medullary infarction.MRI is helpful in diagnosing of medullary infarction.

Objective To characterize emotional memory impairment in untreated patients with Parkinson' s disease (PD) in the early stages of the disease. Methods Emotional memory tasks using standardized sets of emotional pictures including positive, neutral and negative valence were tested in 33 untreated patients with PD in the early stages and 31 healthy controls matched with age, sex, and education.Results Compared with the healthy adults (13.4 ± 1.4), PD patients had significant loss of negative valence picture memorizing ( 8. 9 ± 1.0; t = - 14. 87, P ＜ 0. 01 ).There was no significant difference between PD patients and normal controls in positive ( 11.8 ± 1.0 vs 12. 4 ± 2. 2 , t = - 0. 95 ) and neutral (7.9 ± 1.4 vs 8.2 ± 1.3, t = - 0. 89) valence picture memorizing ( both P ＞ 0. 05 ). ConclusionThe emotional memory for negative valence pictures is impaired but the emotional memory for positive and neutral is relatively spared in early PD patients without treatment.