Objective To investigate the factors related to outcome (recovery of motor, activities of daily living, and balance) of stroke patients. Methods 67 stroke patients with hemiplegia were evaluated with the Ueda Classfication of upper and lower limbs function, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Berg balance scale (BBS) before and after treatment. The scores of all the assessment were as the dependent variable respectively, and regression analyzed with the factors possiblely related to the outcome. Results The positive factors for lower limbs function included rehabilitation intervention, time of rehabilitation, and hypercholesterolemia; while the negative factors were body mass index (BMI), and damage of superficial sensibility. The positive factors for upper limbs function were rehabilitation intervention and time of rehabilitation; while the negative factors were BMI, dysphagia, damage of superficial sensibility, and frequency of attack. The positive factors for hand function were rehabilitation interventions and interval from diagnosis to rehabilitation, while the negative factors were the muscle tension, incontinence, and frequency of attack. The positive factors for FIM were the rehabilitation intervention, while the negative factors were BMI, incontinence, hypercholesterolemia, gender and residence status. The positive factors for BBS were the rehabilitation intervention, while the negative factors were BMI, frequency of attack, and hyperglycemia. Conclusion Rehabilitation promotes the recovery of stroke patients, but the BMI may block it.

Anterolateral thigh flap is perfect for reconstructing maxillofacial soft tissue defects. This tissue has been widely used by clinicians, but often causes operation difficulties because of vascular variation. In this paper, we report a case where anteromedial thigh was used as new donor site when the vascular anatomic variation of anterolateral thigh perforator flap induced a failure in the flap harvest. Moreover, this paper discusses the anatomy and application of anteromedial thigh flap.
Humans ; Maxillofacial Abnormalities ; surgery ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Thigh ; surgery

Objective:To explore the association between CYP2D6 gene polymorphism of cytochrome and clinical response to atomoxetinein children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Methods:Totally 111 Han Chinese boys meeting criteria for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edi-tion (DSM-IV)were recruited.Atomoxetine treatment was given in titrated doses in order to achieve optimal re-sponse.Behavior changes were measured with the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS)at baseline and after optimal doses were reached.The decrease of ADHD-RS scores were primary measures of the treatment effect,the scores of the items in the ADHD-RS was less than or equal to 1 for the remission criteria.The three SNPs of CYP2D6 genes(rs1080985,rs1065852,rs16947)were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results:There was no asso-ciation between single polymorphisms andatomoxetine after adjusting for baseline rating scores (P >0.05).In con-trast,haplotype analysis revealed that some patients with GAC haplotype achieved significant remission [remission vs.non-remission haplotype frequency (rate):5 /56 (8.9%)vs.3 /164(1.8%),P <0.05 ].After multiple testing correction still existed significant trend(P =0.082)and also found correlation trends after correlation analysis be-tween GAC haplotype and clinical response to atomoxetine (P =0.078),8 patients with GAC haplotype carriers were all effective response to treatment,non-responders without this haplotype.Conclusion:These results suggest association between polymorphisms of CYP2D6 gene and ADHD better clinical improvement with atomoxetine treatment,it is worth further exploration in a large sample.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of prevention and treatment of post-PTCA restenosis with Xinmaitong (XMT).

METHODSRabbit carotid endothelial injury model was established using Fishman air drying method. Effect of XMT on model rabbits wild-type p53 gene expression was observed by tissue in situ hybridization.

RESULTSp53 gene expression appeared on the 3 days after operation, enhanced on the 7 days, reached the peak on the 14th day, weakened on the 21th, and still showed on the 28th day. The strongest expression was shown in rabbits treated by XMT, second in those treated by Warfarin, and the weakest in the operated control group.

CONCLUSIONXMT could promote the high expression of wild-type p53 gene expression in rabbit with carotid endothelial injury, which is possibly one of the important mechanism of XMT in preventing and treating arterial restenosis.

Animals ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Coronary Restenosis ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phytotherapy ; Rabbits ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Epipolis laser in situ keratomileusis(Epi-LASIK)and laser in situ keratomileu- sis(LASIK)on high myopia patients.Design Prospective,case-controlled study.Participants 62 patients(123 eyes)with high myopia. Methods 62 patients(123 eyes)underwent Epi-LASIK or LASIK surgery for high myopia:28 patients(56 eyes)underwent Epi-LASIK and 34 patients(67 eyes)underwent LASIK.The differences in postoperative uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA),best corrected visual acuity(BCVA),refraction,and root mean square(RMS)of high-range wavefront aberration were compared one-week,one-month, three-months and six-months postoperatively.Main Outcome Measures UCVA,BCVA,refraction,and RMS of high-range wavefront aberration.Results There was no serious complication during and after the operation.The recovery of postoperative UCVA after Epi-LASIK was slower than that of LASIK.One week postoperatively,the proportion of UCVA≥0.8 of Epi-LASIK(46.4%)was less than that of LASIK(77.6%)(P=0.0003).No significant differences were found in those of Epi-LASIK(85.7%,94.6%,91.1%)and those of LASIK(92.5%,95.5%,94.0%)one-month,three-months and six-months postoperatively(P=0.590,0.822,0.530).BCVA was same after Epi-LASIK and LASIK.The proportion of mean spherical equivalents within?0.50D for Epi-LASIK(42.9%,51.8%,60.7%,64.3%)had no difference with those for LASIK(53.7%,59.7%,71.6%,73.1%)one-week,one-month,three-months and six-months postoperatively (P=0.230,0.378,0.200,0.290).The postoperative RMS increased after both surgeries,especially after LASIK.At postoperative one-month,three-months and six-months RMS of Epi-LASIK(1.51?0.77)?m,(1.32?0.76)?m,(1.18?0.71)?m were much higher than the (0.87?0.27)?m preoperative ones(P=0.016,0.019,0.026).At postoperative one-month,three-months and six-months RMS of LASIK (2.41?0.81)?m,(2.17?0.63)?m,(1.89?0.87)?m were also much higher than the preoperative(0.91?0.22)?m(P=0.011,0.008,0.006). There were significant differences between the RMS of Epi-LASIK and LASIK one-month,three-months and six-months postoperatively (P=0.039,0.035,0.033).The I grade haze was found in two eyes after Epi-LASIK.Conclusion Epi-LASIK has better visual quality re- sult than LASIK on correcting high myopia.(Ophthalmol CHN,2007,16:336-339)

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of losartan (an angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist) on endothelial cells exposed to high glucose in vitro and related mechanism.

METHODSVascular endothelial cells of human umbilical vein were cultured in media with high glucose levels. The activities of SOD and CAT, the level of MDA were measured by spectrophotometry in the conditioned media of endothelial cells, the VEGF mRNA expression was performed using semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) in the cell lysates, and the protein expression of VEGF was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the supernatants of cultured cells.

RESULTWhen endothelial cells were cultured in high glucose, the activities of SOD and CAT were significantly decreased, but the level of MDA was markedly increased. However, the high glucose-induced effects were inhibited by losartan. The application of high glucose upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF in endothelial cells, which was also attenuated by losartan.

CONCLUSIONHigh glucose disrupts the oxidative equilibrium and increases the expression of VEGF in endothelial cells, which can be inhibited by losartan.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between the C311S polymorphism of paraoxonase 2 (PON2) gene and ischemic stroke in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

METHODSA case-control study of 279 Chinese subjects (including 162 T2DM with or without ischemic stroke and 117 non-diabetic control) was performed. Genotype frequencies of C311S polymorphism were studied by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) analysis with DdeI digestion.

RESULTSC311S polymorphism of PON2 gene was detected in Chinese with the C/S allele frequencies 0.145 and 0.855. The frequency distribution showed significant difference between Chinese and Asian Indian. Furthermore, the genotype distribution (SS, CS and CC) of the PON2 C311S gene polymorphism exhibited a significant difference between T2DM patients complicated with ischemic stroke and T2DM without ischemic stroke, the former had a significantly higher C allele frequency(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe above data indicate that the polymorphism at codon 311(Cys --> Ser)in the PON2 gene is associated with ischemic morbidity in Chinese T2DM patients and C allele might be a risk factor.

Adult ; Aryldialkylphosphatase ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Stroke ; etiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between invasive pituitary adenomas and cavernus sinus and cariod artery and to predict their surgical outcomes.

METHODSTotally 270 patients with pituitary tumors were investigated in this retrospective study, including 113 men and 157 women, with a mean age of 40.8 years. The mean disease history was 3.6 years. Pituitary microadenomas were diagnosed in 56 cases, macroadenomas in 118 cases, and hugeadenomas in 96 cases. Adrenocorticotropic hormone-releasing adenomas (Cushing's diseases) were diagnosed in 40 cases, growth hormone-releasing adenomas in 58 cases, prolactinomas in 57 cases, and non-functional pituitary adenomas in 115 cases. Transsphenoidal microsurgery were performed on 260 patients, while transcranial microsurgery on 6 patients.

RESULTSThe percentage of invasive pituitary adenomas was about 3.6% in microadenomas, 20.4% in macroadenomas, and 61.4% in hugeadenomas. Rate of total removal was 94.1% in non-invasive pituitary adenomas, and was 58.8% in invasive pituitary adenomas.

CONCLUSIONSIt is important to analyze the grade of invasive pituitary adenomas to improve the removal of pituitary adenomas, avoid injuring cariod artery, and increase the rate of total removal.

Adenoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; surgery ; Cavernous Sinus ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypophysectomy ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion ; pathology ; surgery ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEThrombin and factor Xa are key players in the process of arterial thrombi formation and lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) is a cell surface endocytosis receptor for atherogenic oxidized LDL (ox-LDL). Here we investigate whether thrombin and factor Xa can induce LOX-1 protein expressions in cell-associated forms and soluble forms in cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (BSMCs).

METHODSBSMCs were treated with thrombin or factor Xa in the presence or absence of AG1478, an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-associated tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Total cell lysates and concentrated culture medium were then analyzed by Western blot using a mouse anti-LOX-1 monoclonal antibody.

RESULTSLOX-1 protein levels in cell lysates and culture medium were significantly increased by thrombin and factor Xa in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Upregulation of LOX-1 protein expressions in cell lysates and concentrated culture medium was observed at concentrations above 2.0 and 3.0 U/ml of thrombin and 50 and 100 nmol/L of factor Xa, respectively. Increased LOX-1 protein expressions in cell lysates and cell culture medium were detectable as early as 4 h and peaked at 12 h after treatment with thrombin or factor Xa. LOX-1 expression induced by thrombin and factor Xa could be blocked by pretreatment with AG1478.

CONCLUSIONSThrombin and factor Xa can act as LOX-1 inducers via tyrosine kinase activation.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; pathology ; Cattle ; Cells, Cultured ; Factor Xa ; pharmacology ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Scavenger Receptors, Class E ; biosynthesis ; Thrombin ; pharmacology

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is gradually widely used in prevention of gene diseases and chromosomal abnormalities. Much improvement has been achieved in biopsy technique and molecular diagnosis. Blastocyst biopsy can increase diagnostic accuracy and reduce allele dropout. It is cost-effective and currently plays an important role. Whole genome amplification permits subsequent individual detection of multiple gene loci and screening all 23 pairs of chromosomes. For PGD of chromosomal translocation, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) is traditionally used, but with technical difficulty. Array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) can detect translocation and 23 pairs of chromosomes that may replace FISH. Single nucleotide polymorphisms array with haplotyping can further distinguish between normal chromosomes and balanced translocation. PGD may shorten time to conceive and reduce miscarriage for patients with chromosomal translocation. PGD has a potential value for mitochondrial diseases. Preimplantation genetic haplotyping has been applied for unknown mutation sites of single gene disease. Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) using limited FISH probes in the cleavage-stage embryo did not increase live birth rates for patients with advanced maternal age, unexplained recurrent abortions, and repeated implantation failure. Polar body and blastocyst biopsy may circumvent the problem of mosaicism. PGS using blastocyst biopsy and array CGH is encouraging and merit further studies. Cryopreservation of biopsied blastocysts instead of fresh transfer permits sufficient time for transportation and genetic analysis. Cryopreservation of embryos may avoid ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and possible suboptimal endometrium.
Abortion, Habitual ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; Alleles ; Aneuploidy ; Biopsy ; Blastocyst ; Chimera ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; Cryopreservation ; Embryonic Structures ; Endometrium ; Female ; Fluorescence ; Genetic Testing ; Genome ; Humans ; Live Birth ; Mass Screening ; Maternal Age ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Mosaicism ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; Patient Dropouts ; Polar Bodies ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; Prostaglandins D ; Translocation, Genetic ; Transportation ; Vitrification