Objective To evaluate the treament of central retinal artery occlusion by thrombolysis infusion via super selective ophthalmic artery catheterization.Design Retrospective,observational case series.Participants 21 eyes of 21 patients with CRAO. Methods 21 patients with CRAO were diagnosed by stereoscopic color fundus photography and flouorescein fundus angiography, and were treated by urokinase infusion via super select ophthalmic artery catheterization seldinger technique.Main Outcome Measures Visual acuity and the postoperative complications.Results In the 21 patients,10 had showed the occlusion of ophthalmic arterial trunk by super selective internal carotid artery angiography,the others can be found the appearance of ophthalmic arterial trunk and all patients had undergone thrombolysis therapy successfully.Imaging times of central retinal artery before and after thrombolysis infusion treatment are 38.18?10.86 seconds,12.65?3.30 seconds(t=-11.89,P=0.000).Mean foflow-up time is 3.23?1.26 months.After the treatment,the visual acuity was more than 0.25 in 4 patients,improved to different extent in 9 and remained unchanged in 8. Conclusions Super selective arterial catheterization with thrombolysis for CRAO can improve the visual acuity of the patients,a speedy execution of all internal,neurological,and ophthalmology diagnostic measures;and a prompt therapy are necessary.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscope-assisted surgical technique in treating knee fractures and knee peripheral fractures.Methods From September 2000 to December 2005,there were 46 cases with knee or knee peripheral fractures,in whom artbroseope-assisted surgical technique was performed in 36 cases including 24 males and 12 females,with mean age of 30.5 years (18-52 years).Of 36 cases,26 cases with patella fractures were treated by internal fixation of tension band using cancellous bone screws,four with distal end femoral fractures by retrograde interlocking using intramedullary nail and six with fractures of tibial plateau and tibial condyle crista by internal fixation u- sing cancellous bone screws.Results The mean hospitalization was eight days.A follow up for 3-36 months(average 14 months)in 36 cases showed fracture healing.Of 36 cases,32 cases regained full knee range of motion,four left with terminal flexion,with mean loss of 15?,and had thigh circumference (10 cm above knee)1.1 cm(range 0.6-2.0 cm)shorter than health side and two had slight pain in the knee joint.Lysholm knee joint function score was 86.5+7.6 for patellar fractures,tibial plateau frac- tures and condylar crista fractures.Conclusion As for knee or knee peripheral fractures,arthroscope- assisted surgical technique can provide fine monitoring,decrease trauma and complications,fixate inter- nally and help early ground exercise.

OBJECTIVETo observe blood uric acid levels and Goldstein grading, as well as their correlation in Wilson's disease (WD) patients with different Chinese medical syndrome types.

METHODSTotally 906 WD patients in line with inclusive criteria were assigned to 6 groups, i.e., the heart spirit confused by phlegm group (HSCP, 26 cases), the phlegm-fire disturbing heart group (PFDH, 90 cases), the retention of damp-heat group (RDH, 113 cases), deficiency of qi and blood group (DQB, 168 cases), the deficiency of Gan-yin and Shen-yin group (DGYSY, 327 cases), the deficiency of Gan and Shen group (DGS, 182 cases) due to different Chinese medical syndrome types. Recruited were another 160 healthy subjects having similar ages and diet structures, who came for medical examinations, as the healthy control group. Venous blood was collected from the medial cubital vein of each-patient on an empty stomach in early mornings to detect blood uric acid levels. Results Blood uric acid levels were lower in each syndrome type group than in the healthy control group (146.08 +/- 67.24 micromol/L in the HSCP group; 157.08 +/- 69.77 micromol/L in the PFDH group; 162.58 +/- 97.72 micromol/L in the RDH group; 156.20 +/- 62.63 micromol/L in the DQB group; 161.83 +/- 111.23 micromol/L in the DGYSY group; 194.41 +/- 90.01 micromol/L in the DGS group; 242.39 +/- 87.55 micromol/L in the healthy control group, P < 0.01). Blood uric acid levels were higher in the DGYSY group than in the other 5 syndrome groups (P < 0.01). Correlation analyses between Goldstein grading and blood uric acid showed that, along with increased Goldstein grade (that was aggravating disease conditions), WD patients' blood uric acid levels decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSWD patient's blood uric acid levels decreased more. Blood uric acid levels and Goldstein grading were different in various Chinese medical syndrome types. Blood uric acid levels had certain value in assessing the severity of WD.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Heart ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; blood ; classification ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Syndrome ; Uric Acid ; blood

Objective To evaluate the detection of serum pepsinogen (PG) in screening of gastric cancer. Methods (1) To calculate the detection rate of gastric cancer in PG Positive patients from northeastern, noah-western and northern China. (2) To determine the PG positive rate in patients with chronic superficial and atrophic gastritis. (3) To calculate the detection rate of gastric cancer, H. pylori infection and esophageal cancer in PG positive patients from gastric cancer high risk areas. Results (1) The detection rate of gastric cancer in PC, positive patients from Changchun (northeastern China), Xihing (northwestern China) and Beijing ( northern China) was 22. 58%, 25. 2% and 0, respectively. The sensitivity of PG to seeen gastric cancer in Changchun and Xihing was 50. 9% and 35.6%, and the specificity was 82. 56% and 85.69%, respectively. (2) Only 25% of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis were PG positive. (3) The serum PG level was measured in 2346 cases from gastric cancer high risk areas, and PG positive rate was 27.02% (634/2346), in which 496 patients (76. 65%, 496/634) received endoscopy, and gastric cancer was detected in 10 (2. 02%, 10/496), including 9 cases of early gastric caner. The prevalence of gastric cancer was 0. 43% in common population and 1.58% in PG positive population. The infection rate of H. pylori was 70. 73% in 2346 subjects and 2 cases of esophageal cancer, including 1 case of early cancer was diagnosed. Conclusion Serum PG level cannot be used as a marker for gastric cancer or atrophic gastritis, while it may be of value for gastric cancer screening in high risk areas.

Humans ; Stroke ; epidemiology

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Atherothrombotic cerebral infarction [atherothrombotic stroke (ATS)] shares common risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms with coronary artery disease (CAD), and both diseases appear to have common susceptibility loci. The muscle RAS oncogene homolog gene (MRAS) has been identified as a susceptibility locus for CAD and is implicated in atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes of MRAS are associated with increased risk of ATS in a population of Han Chinese. METHODS: A case-controlled association study was conducted in which only patients with ATS (identified as a major subtype in the Korean modification of the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification) were enrolled. Subgroup analyses were carried out to determine whether the effect of the MRAS polymorphism was specific to age and gender among the subjects. RESULTS: In total, 194 ATS and 186 control subjects were included in the present study. Two tagging SNPs were identified in MRAS (rs40593 and rs3755751). A multivariate regression analysis revealed a positive association between rs40593 and ATS under dominant and additive models after adjustment for covariates. Subgroup analyses revealed that there were no gender differences with respect to allele or genotype frequencies between the groups. The AG genotype for rs40593 (p=0.028), the CT genotype for rs3755751 (p=0.036), and G-allele carriers (AG plus GG) for rs40593 (p=0.015) exhibited a significant protective effect among those aged > or =45 years. For the haplotype analysis, ATS subjects aged > or =45 years had a higher frequency of the ACAC haplotype (76.0%) than the controls (68.1%; p<0.05); that haplotype was associated with an increased risk of ATS. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained data suggest a positive association between MRAS and ATS among the Han Chinese. Further studies should be performed with larger sample and among different ethnic populations, and gene-gene or gene-environment interactions should be considered.
Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Atherosclerosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebral Infarction ; Chondroitin Sulfates ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Dermatan Sulfate ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Genes, ras ; Genetic Variation* ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Heparitin Sulfate ; Humans ; Muscles ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors ; Stroke*

AIMTo investigate the effects of RLI on plasma nitric oxide (NO) and NO synthase (NOS) isoforms of healthy humans.

METHODS30 healthy human subjects (aged from 40 - 70 years old) were recruited. RLI was induced by five 5 min cycles of ischemia of non dominant arm (200 mmHg, 5 min interval). Blood pressure, heart rate, and the feelings of ischemic arm were continuously monitored. Venous plasma was collected in contralateral arm at Pre, Post-0 h, Post-4 h, and Post-24 h. Plasma level of NO was measured by Griess reaction, and NOS was measured by chemical method.

RESULTSBlood pressure and heart rate varied in normal range. The uncomfortable feeling was decreased with the increasing numbers of ischemic cycles. Plasma level of NO, and iNOS in plasma were significantly increased at Post-0 h, Post-4 h, and Post-24 h compared to Pre (P < 0.05). tNOS was also significantly increased at Post-0 h and Post-4 h compared to Pre (P < 0.05). No significant change in plasma cNOS was shown at following three time points than Pre.

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that RLI can elevate plasma level of NO, tNOS, and iNOS in healthy humans. RLI might be a safe method as a rIPC, and it would have important possibility to be performed in clinic.

Adult ; Aged ; Arm ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia ; blood ; physiopathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; prevention & control

Objective To construct a new conditionally replicative adenovirus (CRAds) targeting carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positive colorectal cancer cells. Methods The DNA fragment of the CEA gene promoter was amplified through PCR and cloned into the vector carrying fusion reporter gene EGFP-Luc to construct expression plasmid pCEA-EGFPLuc. The constructed plasmid pCEA-EGFPLuc was transfected into CEA positive and negative cells by liposome. The activity of CEA gene promoter was evaluated by detecting the expression of EGFP and luciferase activity. The conditionally replicative adenovirus Ad.CEA-E1A/CMV-TK carrying suicide gene HSVtk was constructed, in which the E1A gene was controlled under CEA promoter. CEA positive(Lovo and SW620)and negative tumor cells(HeLa) were infected with Ad.CEA-E1A/ CMV-TK. The selective cytotoxicity of Ad.CEA-E1A/CMV-TK and the synergistic effect of the virus with GCV in CEA positive tumor cells were evaluated by the expression of E1A, cytopathic effect and cell survival rate. Results CEA promoter possesses a good specificity as well as high activity. The expression of E1A only presented in CEA positive tumor cells. After infection with Ad. CEA-E1A/CMV-TK, the cell survival rates of Lovo and SW620 were (36.72±2.49)% and (39.82±4.76)%, respectively, significantly lower than that of Hela[(87.44±2.76)%1 (P<0.01). When combined with GCV, Ad.CEA-E1A/CMV-TK had better oncolytic effect on Lovo and SW620 cells, with cell survival rates of (17.26±3.65) % and (23.93±5.40) %, respectively, significantly lower than those without GCV[(36.72±2.49) % and (39.82±4.76) %, respectively] (P<0.01). Conclusion Ad. CEA-E1A/CMV-TK under the control of CEA promoter has selective cytotoxic effect on CEA positive colorectal cancer cells, and the effect can be enhanced when combined with GCV.

AIMTo study the endogenous mechanism for the inhibition of aquaporin-1 expression in rat renal proximal tubule epithelial cells in response to acetazolamide.

METHODSPrimary cultured rat renal proximal tubule epithelia cells were divided into two groups: one was subjected to 1 x 10(-5) mol.L-1 acetazolamide, the other served as normal control. When grown to sub-confluency, the cells were disintegrated to perform isoelectrofocusing electrophoresis in order to find the differential proteins induced by the acetazolamide treatment. The differential proteins were defined by peptide mass fingerprinting technology.

RESULTSTwo differential proteins were found in the cell disintegrant. The pI 3.8 protein was reduced after treatment, which showed 21.4% similarity with the brush border membrane myosin from rat brain and testis, and 27% with glycogen phosphorylase; The pI 5.5 protein was increased on the contrary, with 20% similarity to phosphatidylinositol transfer protein alpha isoform.

CONCLUSIONAcetazolamide inhibited AQP1 expression probably by affecting the expression of pI 3.8 and pI 5.5 proteins.

Acetazolamide ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; Aquaporins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Diuretics ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Isoelectric Focusing ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Peptide Mapping ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDStereotactic radiosurgery is an alternative to resection of intracranial cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), while it will fail in some cases. This study aimed to evaluate the changes after stereotactic radiosurgery for AVMs.

METHODSNineteen cases with cerebral AVMs had failure after stereotactic radiosurgery therapy. The symptoms and angiography were assessed. All patients underwent microsurgery. Pathologic examination was performed for all cases and electron microscopic examination was carried out in 6 patients.

RESULTSSeven cases had hemorrhage from 12 to 98 months after stereotactic radiosurgery, 5 had headache, 4 had refractory encephalon edema, 2 had epilepsy as a new symptom and 1 had a pressure cyst 5 years after radiosurgery. Angiography in 18 cases, 8 - 98 months after radiation therapy, demonstrated no significant changes in 5 cases, slight reduction in 9, near complete obliteration in 1 and complete obliteration in 3. An abnormal vessel was found on pathologic examination in 17 cases, even one case had obliterated in angiography. Electron microscopy examination showed vessel wall weakness, but the vessels remained open and blood circulated. One case died because of a moribund state before surgery. The other 18 cases had no new neurological deficiencies, seizure control and no hemorrhage occurred after microsurgery at an average follow-up of 3 years.

CONCLUSIONStereotactic radiotherapy for AVMs should have a long period follow-up. If serious complications occur, microsurgery can be performed as salvage treatment.

Adult ; Cerebral Angiography ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Female ; Headache ; etiology ; Humans ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Radiosurgery ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome