Objective To discuss the clinical efficacy of internal fixation assisted by thoracoscope in treatment of rib fractures.Methods The study enrolled 180 patients with rib fractures associated with thoracic deformity hospitalized from July 2010 to June 2013.Ninety out of the patients were operated on by thoracoscope-assisted internal fixation (operation group),and the remaining 90 fractures were treated non-operatively (non-operation group).Clinical markers recorded were duration of pain,time of ventilator use,hospital length of stay and complications.Patient mental health was measured with self esteem scale (SES).Patient mobility was evaluated at follow-up.Results Between operation and non-operation groups differences were observed in duration of pain [(3.1 ± 1.0)d vs (8.9 ± 1.2) d],time of ventilator use [(3.0 ± 1.0) d vs (4.8 ± 1.0) d] and hospital length of stay [(10.0 ± 1.1) d vs (15.8 ± 1.0) d] (P ＜ 0.01).SES in operation group was (28.3 ± 2.1) versus (24.4 ± 3.3) points in non-operation group (P ＜ 0.01).No major complications occurred in operation group,but there were 20 pleural effusion,15 severe thoracic collapse or deformity,14 lung infection,10 refractory chest pain and 2 upper limb dysfunction in non-operation group (P ＜0.01).Two patients presented mobility limitation in operation group,but 12 had evident loss of mobility in non-operation group (P ＜0.01).Conclusions Thoracoscope-assisted internal fixation is effective to accelerate the pace of recovery,relieve pains,reduce complications and thus can be a priority method for treatment of rib fractures.

Objective To investigate the effect of remifentanil on protein kinase C (PKC) activity during renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Seventy-five male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 250-300 g,were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=15 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),I/R group,remifentanil group (group R),naloxone group (group N),and naloxone + remifentanil group (group NR).Renal ischemia was induced by clamping the bilateral renal arteries for 45 min using an atraumatic clamp followed by reperfusion.In R and NR groups,remifentanil 1.0 μg · kg-1 · min-1was infused via the caudal vein starting from 15 min before ischemia until 30 min of reperfusion.In N and NR groups,naloxone 0.3 mg/kg was injected via the caudal vein at 20 min before ischemia and 35 min of ischemia,respectively.The rats were sacrificed at 24 h of reperfusion and the kidneys were removed for determination of the ultrastructure of the renal tubular epithelial cells (using transmission electron microscope),activity of PKC in renal tissues (by ELISA),and expression of the PKC in renal tissues (by immuno-histochemistry).Results Compared with group S,the activity of PKC in renal tissues was significantly increased in the other four groups,and the expression of the PKC in renal tissues was up-regulated in group R.Compared with group I/R,the activity of PKC in renal tissues was significantlyincreased,the expression of PKC in renal tissues was up-regulated,and the pathological changes were attenuated in group R.Compared with group R,the activity of PKC in renal tissues was significantly decreased,the expression of PKC in renal tissues was down-regulated,and the pathological changes were aggravated in N and NR groups.Conclusion The mechanism by which remifentanil attenuates renal I/R injury may be related to up-regulation of PKC expression and increase in PKC activity through activating opioid receptors in rats.

Objective To explore the effect of Xinkang Tablets on myocardial apoptosis index,collagen volume fraction and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase activity of rats with adriamycin-induced heart failure.Methods The chronic heart failure (CHF) SD rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin.After successful modeling,the rats with CHF were randomly divided into 5 groups,namely model group,western medicine group,and low-,middle-and high-dose of Chinese medicine groups,10 rats in each group.The rats in the above groups were given intragastric administration of distilled water,22.5 μg/kg of Digoxin mixed suspension,9,18,36 g/kg of XinkangTablets,respectively,in the volume of 10 mL/kg of distilled water dilution,once a day,for 5 continuous weeks.Another the same batch of 10 SD rats were randomly allocated to the sham operation group,and were treated with intragastric administration of the same volume of distilled water.And then the apoptotic rate of myocardial cells was measured by TUNEL method,the collagen volume fraction (CVF) was measured after Masson staining,and the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase activity was determined by inorganic phosphate assay.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the apoptotic rate of myocardial cells and CVF in the model group were increased(P ＜ 0.01),indicating that the myocardial remodeling occurred in rats with CHF.Compared with the model Group,the apoptotic rate of western medicine group and three Chinese medicine groups was significantly decreased(P ＜ 0.01),suggesting that Digoxin and Xinkang Tablets can relieve apoptosis to certain extent.The CVF in Digoxin group and middle-and high-dose of Chinese medicine groups were lower than those in the model Group (P＜ 0.05 or P＜ 0.01),indicating that Digoxin and Xinkang Tablets can delay the myocardial fibrosis.Last but not least,the SERCA2a activities in the middle-and high-dose of Chinese medicine groups were higher than those in the model group (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01),suggesting that Xinkang Tablets may relieve myocardial remodeling and improve cardiac function through the regulation of SERCA2a activity.Conclusion Xinkang Tablets decrease the apoptotic rate and myocardial cell volume fraction probably through the regulation of SERCA2a activity,which may play a role in counteracting apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis,and ultimately delay the remodeling of the myocardium.

Objective To evaluate the effect of remifentanil on Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) mRNA expression during renal ischemia-reperfusion (Ⅰ/R) in rats.Methods Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=18 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),Ⅰ/R group and remifentanil group (group R).Renal Ⅰ/R injury was produced by clamping the bilateral renal arteries for 45 min followed by reperfusion in Ⅰ/R and R groups.Bilateral renal arteries were only exposed but not clamped in group S.Remifentanil 1.0 μg · kg-1 · min-1 was infused via the tail vein starting from 15 min before ischemia until 30 min of reperfusion in group R,while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in S and Ⅰ/R groups.The animals were sacrificed at 15 min before ischemia and 6 and 24 h of reperfusion,and the renal specimens were obtained for examination of the pathological changes (with light microscope) and for determination of the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (by ELISA) and expression of TLR2 mRNA (by RT-PCR) and cell apoptosis (by double staining and flow eytometry).The apoptotic rate was calculated.Results Compared with group S,TLR2 mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated,and the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 and apoptotic rate were increased at 6 and 24 h of reperfusion in Ⅰ/R and R groups.Compared with group Ⅰ/R,TLR2 mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated,and the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 and apoptotic rate were decreased at 6 and 24 h of reperfusion in group R.The pathological changes were significantly attenuated in group R as compared with group Ⅰ/R.Conclusion The mechanism by which remifentanil reduces renal Ⅰ/R injury is related to down-regulation of TLR2 expression and decrease in TLR2 activity and inhibition of inflammatory responses in renal tissues and cell apoptosis in rats.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the capability of semi-quantitative and quantitative parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to predict the response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy( CCRT) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSA total of 24 patients with stage III or IIIB NSCLC, who underwent 3.0T DCE-MRI before CCRT, were enrolled in this study. Semi-quantitative and quantitative parameters were calculated by Funtool and Omnikinetics software. The relationship between these obtained parameters and tumor response was evaluated by Spearmen' s correlation analysis. The patients were classified into two groups according to the tumor regression rate after treatment, as response group (group A) and non-response group ( group B). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the parameters of responders and non-responders. The value of the parameters on predicting response was calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

RESULTSThe tumor regression rate after treatment was negatively correlated with time to peak (TTP) and the extravascular-extracellular volume fraction (Ve), and was positively correlated with signal enhancement ratio (SERmax) and volume transfer constant (Ktrans) (P < 0.05 for all). Statistical significant differences were found between group A and group B both in semi-quantitative and quantitative parameters (P < 0.05). Group A had a lower TTP value [(34.66 ± 16.37) s vs. (44.09 ± 17.41) s] and Ve value [(0.19 ± 0.03) vs. (0.25 ± 0.05)] than group B, whereas group A had a higher SERmax [(166.50 ± 44.95)% vs. (113.57 ± 46.62)%] and Ktrans [(0.41 ± 0.17) min(-1) vs. (0.28 ± 0.12) min(-1)] than group B (P < 0.05 for all). The ROC analysis indicated that when setting the threshold of Ve on ≤ 0.21 for predicting response, the specificity, sensitivity and accuracy were 85.7%, 80.0% and 83.3%, respectively, with an area under curve of 0.875 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSBoth the semi-quantitative and quantitative DCE-MRI parameters are helpful for predicting the response after CCRT of NSCLC. Quantitative parameters seem to be more meaningful than semi-quantitative parameters.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoradiotherapy ; methods ; Contrast Media ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; ROC Curve ; Remission Induction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Time Factors

Objective To observe the safety and effectiveness of inductive chemotheray with lobaplatin plus 5-Fu (LF regimen) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy with lobaplatin for local-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients,and investigate the appropriate lobaplatin dose for the concurrent chemoradiotherapy.Methods Newly diagnosed local-regionally advanced NPC patients signed informed consent.The inductive chemotherapy was lobaplatin 30 mg/m2 + 5-Fu 4 g/m2 civ 120 h for 2 cycles every 21 days,then concurrent lobaplatin chemoradiotherapy was conducted.The initial lobaplatin dose for concurrent chemoradiotherapy was 50 mg/m2 with at least 3 cases in every dose level.If 2 of 3 patients presented dose-limiting toxicity (DLT),5 mg/m2 dose decreased for the next level until maximal tolerant dose (MTD) reached.The tumor response was evaluated after inductive chemotherapy,at the end of the chemoradiotherapy,3 months after chemoradiotherapy and 6 months after chemoradiotherapy.Results From Dec 2011 to Apr 2012,11 patients were enrolled in this study.After 2 courses of inductive chemoradiotherapy,CR,PR and SD were observed in 1,8 and 2 patients,respectively.At the end of the chemoradiotherapy and 3 months after chemoradiotherapy,CR and PR were observed in 10 and 1 patients,respectively.Six months after the chemoradiotherapy,all patients were CR.For the patients(3 in each arm) received 50 mg/m2 or 45 mg/m2 lobapaltin concurrent chemoradiotherapy,2 patients in each arm presented DLT.For the 5 patients received 40 mg/m2 lobapaltin concurrent chemoradiotherapy,no patients presented DLT.40 mg/m2 was suggested as the MTD.Inhibition of platelet was the major DLT.Conclusion Inductive chemotherapy with LF regimen and concurrent chemoradiotherapy with lobaplatin is safe and effective for local-regionally advanced NPC patients and the MTD of lobaplatin for the concurrent chemoradiotherapy is 40 mg/m2.Further clinical trial with large sample is expected.

Objective To observe the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), fibronectin(FN),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in rats with diabetic nephropathy(DN), and to elucidate the protective mechanism played by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Methods DN models were estabolished by injecting streptozotoein ( STZ ) into male SD rats, which were divided into TGF-β1 overexpression group, TGF-β1 overexpression plus vitamin D3 group, TGF-β1 low-expression group, TGF-β1 low-expression plus vitamin D3 group, TGF-β1 normal-expression group, and TGF-β1 normal-expression plus vitamin D3 group. After 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment for 37 days, renal function and blood biochemical parameters were evaluated. The morphology and fibrosis of kidney tissues were observed. The expressions of TGF-β1, FN, and VEGF in kidney cortex were measured by immunohistochemistry, realtime PCR, and Western blotting. Results The levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine,plasma glucose, HbA1C , and 24 h urinary protein were lower in vitamin D3treated groups than those in corresponding control groups(P<0. 05). The degree of renal fibrosis was raised with the increased level of TGF-β1. Vitamin D3 treatment decreased the fibrosis in diabetic kidney. There were significant differences in the mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-β1 in three control groups(P<0. 05). With the increased levels of TGF-β1, the expressions of FN and VEGF were increased. The expressions of TGF-β1, FN, and VEGF were lowered by vitamin D3compared with the corresponding control groups(P<0. 05). Conclusion 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 may protect the renal tissure in diabetic rats via inhibiting the expressions of TGF-β1, FN, and VEGF in the kidney.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of modifiedHuanglian-Jiedudecoction for resistant hypertension and explore its possible mechanism.Methods A total of 90 patients with resistant hypertension were recruited and randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 45 patients in each group. The control group was treated with oral administration of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide tablets and controlled-release nifedipine tablets, while the treatment group was further added modifiedHuanglian-Jiedu decoction for 4 weeks. Plasma endothelin (ET) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were measured by radioimmunoassay.Rusults The total efficiency according to the TCM syndrome in the treatment group was 86.7%(39/45) which was higher than 64.4%(29/45) in the control group(χ2=4.873,P=0.027). The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased after the treatment in both groups ( SBP in the treatment group: 119.26 ± 9.34 mmHgvs.172.11 ± 10.52 mmHg,t=25.201,P<0.01; DBP in the treatment group: 78.18 ± 7.21 mmHgvs.111.12 ± 11.16 mmHg,t=16.631, P<0.01; SBP in the control group: 145.21 ± 7.56 mmHgvs.171.32 ± 11.15 mmHg,t=13.002,P<0.01; DBP in the control group: 93.57±8.13 mmHgvs. 109.89 ± 12.21 mmHg,t=7.463,P<0.01), while the decrease of SBP (t=14.487,P<0.01) and DBP (t=9.501, P<0.01) in the treatment group was more greater than those in the control group. The control rate of blood pressure in the treatment and control groups were 73.3% (33/45) and 55.6% (25/45), respectively, there had no significant difference (χ2=2.376,P=0.123). The plasma ET in the treatment group was significantly decreased than that in the control group (75.68 ± 10.67 ng/Lvs.112.79 ± 12.26ng/L;t=15.317,P<0.05), and CGRP significantly increased (49.87 ± 4.75 ng/Lvs.33.87 ± 7.89 ng/L;t=11.654,P<0.05).Conclusion Modified Huanglian-Jiedudecoction may have some therapeutic effect for resistant hypertension, its mechanism may be involved in ET decreasing and CGRP increasing.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between the imaging features on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and pathological characteristics of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (CHC).Methods Forty patients with pathologically proven hepatic CHC were evaluated,the CEUS imaging findings and pathological characteristics of CHC were retrospectively analyzed.Results On CEUS,peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement,diffuse heterogeneous enhancement and diffuse homogeneous enhancement were illustrated in 13(32.5 ％),21 (52.5 ％) and 6(15.0％) lesions,respectively.Pathological findings showed that HCC-predominance,CC-predominant,and similar proportions of the two components were illustrated in 16 (40.0 ％),19 (47.5 ％) and 5 (12.5 ％) cases,respectively.The presence of necrosis were illustrated in 28 (70.0％) cases.On CEUS,when the enhancement pattern was peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement,CC-predominance and necrosis were presented in 11(84.6％) and 10(76.9％) cases,respectively.When the enhancement pattern was diffuse heterogeneous enhancement,CC-predominance and necrosis were presented in 11(52.4％) and 18(85.7％) cases,respectively.When the enhancement pattern was diffuse homogeneous enhancement,HCC-predominance and necrosis were presented in 4(66.6％) and 0 (0％) cases,respectively.There were significant differences in relative proportion of HCC,CC components and tumor necrosis among the three types of enhancement pattern on CEUS (P =0.009 and P ＜ 0.001).When CHCs were ≤ 5 cm,peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement,diffuse heterogeneous enhancement and diffuse homogeneous enhancement were illustrated in 5,3 and 5 cases,respectively.When CHCs were ＞5 cm,peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement,diffuse heterogeneous enhancement and diffuse homogeneous enhancement were illustrated in 8,18 and 1 cases,respectively.There were significant differences in the three types of enhancement pattern between lesion size of ≤5 cm and ＞5 cm on CEUS (P =0.006).Conclusions The imaging findings of CHC on CEUS depends on the relative proportions of HCC and CC component and on size-dependent patterns.

Objective To comparatively analyze CEUS features of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Thirty-one patients with HBV-related CHC and 31 patients with HBV-related HCC confirmed by pathology were enrolled and CEUS features were compared.Results On CEUS,HBV-related CHC and HBV-related HCC mainly manifested as hyper-enhanced in arterial phase and hypo-enhanced in portal phase and delayed phase.No significant differences of enhancement level on CEUS were found between HBV-related CHC and HBV-related HCC.When the maximum diameter of tumor ≤3.0 cm,both HBV-related CHC and HBV-related HCC were mainly homogeneous enhancement (P=1.000).When the maximum diameter of tumor more than 3.0 cm,diffuse heterogeneous enhancement and peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement were more commonly observed in HBV-related CHC,while diffuse heterogeneous enhancement was more commonly noted in HBV-related HCC (P=0.001).Conclusion The enhancement pattern of HBV-related CHC ＞3.0 cm has relative specific performance.