The authors designed to separate, purify and determine the monosaccharide composition of the polysaccharide from Cordyceps militaris, and study its effect on reverse cholesterol transport in vivo by isotope tracing assay. Polysaccharides were separate and purify by ion exchange column Q-sepharose Fast Flow and size exclusion column Sephacryl S200HR; the molecular weight and monosaccharide composition of the polysaccharides were determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography coming with pre-column derivation, respectively. Finally, three purified polysaccharides CMBW1, CMBW2 and CMYW1 were obtained, their total carbohydrate contents were 87%, 89%, 95%, respectively; their protein contents were 6.5%, 1.3%, 2.8%, respectively; their molecular weights were 772.1, 20.9, 13.2 kDa, respectively; CMBW1 was composed of mannose, glucosamine, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose and arabinose with a molar ratio of 7.25: 0.17: 1.29: 0.23: 6.30: 11.08: 0.79; CMBW2 was composed of mannose, glucosamine, galactose and arabinose with a molar ratio of 2.40: 0.16: 2.92: 0.24; CMYW1 was composed of mannose, glucosamine, glucuronic acid and glucose with a molar ratio of 0.59: 0.57: 0.45: 25.61. Polysaccharide at 50 mg x kg(-1) could significantly improve the transport of 3H- cholesterol to blood and excretion from feces. All of the three purified polysaccharides CMBW1, CMBW2 and CMYW1 were heteropolysaccharide; and they could improve reverse cholesterol transport in vivo, the underlying mechanisms are being studied.
Animals ; Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cordyceps ; chemistry ; Mice ; Monosaccharides ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tritium

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of our self-designed ultradistal locking tool in the intramedullary nailing for tibial fractures.Methods From January 2014 to May 2016,175 patients with tibial fracture were treated at our department.They were 119 men and 56 women,from 19 to 73 years of age (average,46.3 years).They were divided into 2 groups according to the different targeting devices used in the intramedullary nailing.Conventional locking tools were used in the 83 patients from January 2014 to January 2015 and our self-designed new ultradistal locking tools in the 92 patients from February 2015 to May 2016.The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time,frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy,and successful rate of one-time locking.Results There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in general clinical data(P ＞ 0.05),showing similarities of the 2 groups.The operation time(59.8 ±4.3 min),frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy(11.0 ± 2.1 times),and rate of one-time successful locking[94.4％ (238/252)] in the ultradistal locking group were significantly better than those in the conventional locking group [73.6 ± 5.3 min,23.0 ± 3.8 times and 85.7％ (180/210),respectively] (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Our new ultradistal locking tools are superior to the conventional ones in that they lead to shorter operation time,less intraoperative fluoroscopy and higher successful rate of one-time locking.Additionally,the new locking tools are easy to handle and incur no extra costs.

Objective To explore the application of 3D-printing rapid prototyping in classification of acetabular fractures and education of young surgeons.Methods The data of 20 patients with acetabular fracture were reviewed in this study who had been treated between January and June 2016.Three junior orthopedic surgeons and 3 senior ones were chosen as observers.The conventional radiographs (X-ray films of the pelvis and acetabulum,CT scans and 3D reconstruction images of the pelvis) and 3D-printing rapid prototyping models of the 20 patients(1∶ 1) were randomly numbered.All the observers were asked to make Letournel-Judet classification of each radiograph and 3D-printing model independently in the first assessment.Four weeks later in the second assessment,all the observers were asked to make the same classifications after all the conventional radiographs and 3D-printing models were randomly numbered again.The kappa statistics was used to evaluate inter-and intra-observer agreements among the recorded results.Results At the first assessment,the inter-observer agreement was 0.887 and 0.962 respectively for conventional radiographs and 3D-printing models in senior surgeons while 0.659 and 0.849 in junior surgeons.The second assessment showed the intra-observer agreement was 0.906 for radiographs and 0.925 for 3D-printing models in senior surgeons while 0.696 and 0.849 in the junior ones.Conclusions Compared with conventional radiographs,since 3D-printing models can effectively enhance the reliability of acetabular fracture classification,they may be more helpful for young surgeons in understanding acetabular fractures.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of adding pravastatin (Pra) on top of standard therapy in non-ischemic heart failure patients.

METHODSA total of 61 patients hospitalized in our hospital from Jan 2005 to Jul 2006 were randomly divided into pravastatin group (Pra 20 mg/d on top of standard therapy, n = 30) and control group (standard therapy, n = 31) and followed 6 months. The changes on cardiac function, flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) of brachial artery, plasma TNF-alpha level, liver and kidney function were observed.

RESULTSIn Pra treated patients, FMD of brachial artery significantly increased after 3 months treatments and NYHA stage significantly improved, plasma BNP, TNF-alpha levels and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension significantly decreased, LVEF significantly increased significantly 6 months post therapy compared to baseline (all P < 0.01). In control group, the patients' NYHA stage also significantly improved (P < 0.05) and LVEF tended to be higher (P = 0.052) while FMD, plasma BNP and TNF-alpha levels remained unchanged at 6 months post therapy compared to baseline. In Pra group, the level of TC (P < 0.05) and LDL-C (P = 0.051) also significantly decreased while HDL-C remained unchanged 6 months post therapy. One patient in Pra group discontinued the study drug because of anaphylaxis. No event on liver and kidney dysfunction was noticed.

CONCLUSIONPravastatin was effective and safe in treating non-ischemic heart failure patients and can significantly improve left ventricular remodeling, endothelial and cardiac functions as well as reduce the levels of inflammatory factors.

Adult ; Female ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Pravastatin ; therapeutic use ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVEVentricular resynchronization might be achieved via minimally invasive left ventricular epicardial lead placement.

METHODSix patients with congestive heart failure underwent minimally invasive left ventricular epicardial lead placement after failed coronary sinus cannulation were followed up for 1 year, cardiac function and LV lead threshold were evaluated.

RESULTSThere were no in-hospital deaths, intraoperative complications and diaphragm stimulation. Correct lead positioning was achieved in all 6 patients. LV lead thresholds remained unchanged [(1.2 ± 0.5) V vs (1.1 ± 0.4) V, P = 0.68] at 12 months follow-up. Improvements on 6 min walking test [(327 ± 77) m vs (267 ± 68) m, P = 0.001], LVEF [(26.1 ± 6.0)% vs (38.2 ± 4.7)%, P = 0.004], and NYHA functional class were evidenced at 12 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONMinimally invasive left ventricular epicardial lead placement is a safe and reliable technique and should be considered as an alternative option in case of difficult coronary venous anatomy and inability to position the lead for resynchronization therapy.

Adult ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; methods ; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy ; Female ; Heart Failure ; surgery ; Heart Ventricles ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pericardium ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical characteristics of patients with inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

METHODSThe clinical characteristics, electrocardiogram, serum chemistry and diagnostic methods were retrospectively investigated in 5 patients with inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

RESULTSThe electrocardiograms of all patients were abnormal, with prominent left ventricular voltage and ST-T changes. One male patient with clinicopathological features of early onset, muscle weakness, ventricular preexcitation, elevations of two serum proteins and intracytoplasmic vacuoles containing autophagic material and glycogen in biceps brachial muscle cells was diagnosed Danon's disease. Mitochondrial cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in one male patient with early onset, short PR interval and biopsy findings of ragged-red fibers in biceps brachial muscle. Three patients were diagnosed as Fabry's disease with clinical characteristics including pain and acroparesthesias, angiokeratoma and decrease of alpha-galactosidase A activity.

CONCLUSIONSome of the rare inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy might easily be clinically misdiagnosed as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, systemic and careful case history inquiring and specific relevant examinations would help to make the right diagnosis in these patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Familial ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate level and clinical characteristics and outcome in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with normal serum creatinine.

METHODA total of 548 hospitalized and angiographic CAD patients with normal fasting serum creatinine were enrolled. The kidney function was estimated by using the abbreviated modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) study equation. Patients were divided into three groups according to eGFR tertiles: high eGFR group (eGFR > 88.15 ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2), n = 184); intermediate group ZU(70.30 ml× min(-1)×1.73 m(-2) < eGFR ≤ 88.15 ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2), n = 187); low eGFR group (eGFR ≤ 70.30 ml × min(-1)×1.73 m(-2), n = 177). Clinical data and cardiovascular risk factors were recorded after admission and during (14.02 ± 8.31) months follow up. The primary end point was combined major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE) including death, targeted vascular revascularization, non-fatal myocardial infarction, rehospitalization due to unstable angina and heart failure, and transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke.

RESULTSPatients in intermediate and low eGFR groups were older, more males, had more severe coronary artery disease, higher level of hsCRP, higher incidence of hypertension, and lower smoking rate than those in high eGFR group (all P < 0.05). A total of 89 MACCE were recorded during follow up. The level of eGFR was significantly lower in patients with MACCE than patients without MACCE [(73.76 ± 19.81) ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2) vs. (84.97 ± 23.42) ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2), P < 0.05]. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that eGFR was an independent predictor of MACCE in patients with CAD (univariate analysis: RR = 0.99, 95%CI:0.973-0.997, P < 0.05; multivariate analysis: RR = 0.98, 95%CI:0.976-0.998, P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis suggested that patients with low eGFR was linked with a decreased event free survival ratio (log-rank χ(2) = 7.271, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSeGFR level in CAD patients with normal serum creatinine is associated with coronary artery severity, inflammation level and serves as an independent predictor for MACCE in this patient cohort.

Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Creatinine ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features of uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) and the roles of adjuvant therapy.

METHODSSixty-one cases of UPSC with operation done and followed up for a period of 4 to 9 years were enrolled into the study. The histology of slides specimens were reviewed and immunohistochemical study was performed. The follow-up and survival data were analyzed.

RESULTSAll of the 61 patients were post-menopausal, with a median age of 68 years. The clinical presentations included abnormal vaginal bleeding, abdominal symptoms and abnormal Pap smears. The median size of the tumors was 7.5 cm (range=1.2 to 14.8 cm). There were 27.9% cases in FIGO stage I (8.2% in stage IA, 14.8% in stage IB and 4.9% in stage IC), 9.8% in stage II, 32.8% in stage III and 29.5% in FIGO stage IV. The histologic features were similar to those of the ovarian counterpart, with tumor cells containing the high-grade nuclei and arranged in complex papillae. Psammoma bodies were identified in 24.6% of the cases. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells demonstrated diffuse and strong nuclear staining for p53 and Ki-67. They were negative for estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor. Fifteen of the 61 cases (24.6%) showed no evidence of myometrial invasion. However, ten of the 15 cases had extrauterine disease, with peritoneal (6/15) and nodal (9/15) involvement. Tumors with deep myometrial invasion, lymphovascular permeation and nodal metastasis were associated with worse prognosis by univariate analysis. Fifty-six patients received adjuvant therapy. The number of patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy alone, adjuvant radiotherapy alone and combined adjuvant chemotherapy/radiotherapy were 42, 24 and 10, respectively. The median survivals of the chemotherapy group and non-chemotherapy group (with or without radiotherapy) were 66.4 months and 32.8 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSUPSC has distinctive clinical and pathologic features. The tumor stage, lymph node status, lymphovascular permeation and depth of myometrial invasion were important prognostic factors. Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III/IV tumors or recurrent UPSC may have survival benefit.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Menopause ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of implanted biliary metallic stents in the management of malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ).

METHODSPercutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and stent insertion were performed in 241 consecutive patients to treat malignant biliary obstruction between December 1998 and February 2009. The study end point was patient death. All patients were followed-up until death or until February 2010. The therapeutic efficacy was determined by statistical analysis of life span and pre- and post-operative laboratory indices.

RESULTSAll 241 patients were successfully stented. The level of bilirubin descended obviously within four weeks of implantation (P less than 0.05), and the early mortality rate was 4.56% (11/241). Two-hundred-and-two patients were followed-up (range: 8-193 weeks post-transplantation) and showed a median survival of 43.55 weeks. The survival rates at 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks post-transplantation were 87%, 66%, 56%, and 41%, respectively. The stent patency rates at 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks post-transplantation were 70%, 46%, 36% and 24%, respectively; the mean stent patency was 27.57 weeks. Cox regression analysis identified the strong predictors of improved survival as an initial bilirubin level of less than 221 mumol/L (P = 0.01) and a stent-induced bilirubin reduction of more than 50% (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONTranshepatic metallic biliary stenting is a safe and effective therapeutic intervention for malignant biliary obstruction. Significant periods of survival and palliation of jaundice can be achieved with this method. Hyperbilirubinemia and a stent-induced bilirubin reduction of less than 50% are independent predictive factors for the survival of MOJ patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures ; Bilirubin ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; surgery ; Male ; Metals ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effects of arthroscopy for post-traumatic chronic wrist pain.

METHODSFrom February 2007 to June 2010, 12 patients with post-traumatic chronic wrist pain treated with arthroscopy were reviewed. Among the patients, 9 patients were male and 3 patients were female, ranging in age from 19 to 47 years, with a mean of 35.6 years. After physical examinations or MR abnormal findings, all the patients underwent wrist arthroscopic examination and treatment. Eight patients with tear in the central area of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) underwent endoscopic partial resection. Two patients with relaxation of inter-carpal ligament after injury underwent radiofrequency shrinkage. One patient with distal radioulnar joint instability was treated with Kirschner fixation through distal radius and ulna in the neutral forearm rotation after clean-up of wrist joint, and also fixed with long arm cast immobilization for 6 weeks. One patient with ulnar impaction syndrome was treated with wrist clean, border modeling of triangular cartilage plate, partial resection of distal ulna.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up with an average duration of 10 months. Modified Mayo wrist score were evaluated from preoperative mean of (51.67 +/- 15.27) ( 25 to 75 scores) to postoperative mean of (77.92 +/- 10.54) (65 to 95 scores). Eleven patients recovered to normal work.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopy is an effective method for patients with post-traumatic chronic wrist pain which can diagnosis and cure the injuries under arthroscopy.

Adult ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; surgery ; Wrist Injuries ; pathology ; surgery ; Wrist Joint ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult