Acinetobacter Infections ; etiology ; Acinetobacter baumannii ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Male ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: To study some thermal problems in invasive microwave coagulation (IMC) therapy. METHODS: Temperature fields predicts, limitation and remedy methods of the Pennes bioheat transfer equation during the temperature distribution analyses and how to kill a large anomalistic tumor for only once were discussed. RESULTS: The coagulation area between the simulations and actual measured results showed good correspondence. Blood flow influenced the rise in temperature significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Thermal distribution with computer simulation in invasive microwave coagulation therapy is an accurate and reliable method.
Computer Simulation ; Microwaves*

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of gray-scale ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and multislice spiral CT in early and differential imaging diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (SHCC).

METHODSThis study included 35 patients with space-occupying lesions in the liver identified by routine ultrasound examination. The hemodynamics of the patients was recorded during the arterial, portal and lag phases using contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The enhancement features of the 3 phases were observed using multislice spiral CT. All the cases were confirmed by pathological examinations.

RESULTSFor SHCC diagnosis, gray-scale ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and multislice spiral CT showed a sensitivity of 77.8%, 94.4%, and 100%, specificity of 88.2%, 100%, and 94.1%, positive predictive value of 87.5%, 100%, and 94.7%, negative predictive values 78.9%, 94.4%, and 100%, concordance rate of 82.9%, 97.1%, and 97.1% and Younden index of 0.66, 0.94, and 0.94, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSContrast-enhanced ultrasound and multislice spiral CT have significantly greater diagnostic efficacy than gray-scale ultrasound in early and differential diagnosis of SHCC. But in some atypical cases, gray-scale ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and multislice CT have to be combined to establish a diagnosis.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; Contrast Media ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of aloesin and arbutin on normal cultured human melanocytes in synergetic method.

METHODSBuilding up the system of cultured human melanocytes. The cultured melanocytes in vitro were treated with the mixture of aloesin and arbutin. The cell viability and tyrosinase activity was measured by MTT assay, utilization of L-Dopa as the substrate respectively; melanin content was measured by image analysis system. Furthermore, the effects of the mixture on melanocytes were compared with that of aloesin and arbutin.

RESULTSThe mixture of aloesin and arbutin showed an inhibition on tyrosinase activity of human melanocytes and reduced significantly melanin content. Between the mixture and the single use of aloesin or arbutin, there is significant difference (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the mixture has little influence on melanocytes viability and there is negative significance.

CONCLUSIONThe mixture of aloesin and arbutin can significantly inhibit the tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis of cultured human melanocytes. It showed the effects of aloesin and arbutin in a synergistic manner. It is worth to give farther study later.

Arbutin ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Synergism ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Melanocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; drug effects ; metabolism

Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Isotretinoin ; pharmacology ; Melanoma ; pathology ; Receptors, Retinoic Acid ; physiology ; Retinoid X Receptors ; physiology ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explain the molecular evidence of revision of taxonomic placement of Peucedanum decursivum based on the nrDNA ITS sequence.

METHODPCR amplification, DNA sequencing and cladistic analysis.

RESULTThe ITS sequences and phylogenetic tree of 5 species of Angelica were and Peucedanum were acquired, in which 5 species were divided into 2 groups, Angelica group and Peucedanum group. P. decursivum was placed in the Angelica group.

CONCLUSIONP. decursivum belongs to genus Angelica. The scientific name of P. decursivum should be revised as A. decursivum. A. decursivum and P. praeruptorum should be used as crude drug respectively.

Angelica ; classification ; genetics ; Apiaceae ; classification ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) for hematological malignancies. Methods Data of 61 patients with hematological malignancies who underwent AHSCT in Xiangya Hospital from April 1994 to August 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 30 acute non-lymphoblastic leukemias (ANLL), 25 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), 3 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and 3 plasmacytoma. Mel 160 mg/m2 + Ara-C 2.0/2.5 g × 2 +Cy 1.8 g/m2 × 2, or TBI 8-10 Gy + Cy 1.8 g/m2 × 2 were mainly included in pretreatment regimens. Results All patients had rapid hemopoietic reconstitution. There was one patient who died of heart failure during the transplantation process. The rate of AHSCT related death was 1.6 %. The median follow up duration was 52(2-211) months. Forty-seven of 61 patients were still alive during the analysis. The probabilities of disease free survival (DFS) at 5 years were significantly different between these two groups: (77.5±5.5) % for AHSCT groups and (31.6±7.3) % for synchronous intensive chemotherapy groups(P ＜0.01). Conclusion AHSCT can be safely performed as an important treatment constituent for hematological malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: To construct two types of Wnt-inducible secreted protein 3(WISP3) gene's mutants(1000T/C,840delT) found in spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda with progressive anthopathy (SEDT-PA) patients, and to observe their expression in COS-7 cells. METHODS: Full-length cDNA of wild type WISP3 gene(WT-WISP3) was amplified from human chondrocytes by RT-PCR, and site-directed mutagenesis was used to obtain full-length cDNAs of the mutated WISP3 genes(MUT1000T/C and MUT840delT). The recombined plasmids WT-WISP3/pcDNA3.1(+), MUT1000T/C/pcDNA3.1(+) and MUT840delT/pcDNA3.1(+) were transfected transiently into COS-7 cells by liposome-mediated method, and pcDNA3.1(+) vector was used as a control. The total RNA and protein of the transfected COS-7 cells were extracted after 48 hours of transfection. The expression of WISP3 gene in the transfected COS-7 cells was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: By restriction endonuclease analysis and sequencing, the sequence of MUT1000T/C and MUT840delT were consistent with that mutated in SEDT-PA, and the open reading frames matched with the vector sequence. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the recombined plasmids were highly expressed in COS-7 cells. CONCLUSION WISP3 gene's mutants of SEDT-PA are successfully constructed by genetic recombination, and expressed in COS-7 cells, which lays the foundation for the further study on its molecular functions in SEDT-PA.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins ; COS Cells ; metabolism ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Mutation ; Osteochondrodysplasias ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDPulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) of pre-excited atrial fibrillation (AF) is controversial. This study aimed to observe the therapeutic effects of PVAI on pre-excited AF.

METHODSTwenty-nine patients with pre-excited AF were prospectively divided into a PVAI group (group I, 19 cases) and a control group (group II, 10 cases). To each case in group I, PVAI was performed, and then electroanatomical mapping of accessory pathways (AP) and ablation were constructed on a three-dimensional (3D) map of the valve annulus. Only AP ablation was performed in each case of group II.

RESULTSOf the 29 cases, three were found to have dual APs, two had intermittent APs, and the remaining 24 had single APs. All APs were successfully ablated after the procedure. There were no significant statistical differences in the AP procedure duration ((77.4 ± 21.3) minutes vs. (85.3 ± 13.1) minutes), the AP ablation time ((204 ± 34) seconds vs. (223 ± 62) seconds) and the AP X-ray exposure time ((18.6 ± 4.4) minutes vs. (19.1 ± 4.5) minutes) respectively between groups I and II. As compared with the control group (5 of 10 cases, 50%), the PVAI group had a significantly lower AF recurrence rate (2 of 19 cases, 11%; P < 0.05) during follow-up of (20.5 ± 10.0) months. All seven patients who recurred were successfully abolished by a second ablation.

CONCLUSIONSIn patients with pre-excited AF, PVAI is an effective therapeutic approach with a low AF recurrence rate. 3D electroanatomical maps of AP contributed to the high success rate of ablation without significantly prolonging of operational duration and X-ray exposure time.

Accessory Atrioventricular Bundle ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Electric Countershock ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Veins ; surgery

BACKGROUND: There are various treatment methods for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) and collapse, but conservative treatment is invalid. Once femoral head collapse occurs, the development is irreversible. Our previous research has shown that local administration of zoledronic acid can prevent necrotic femoral head collapse. Moreover, bone marrow mononuclear cells obtain satisfactory short-term efficacy in the treatment of ONFH. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative efficacy of local administration of mononuclear cell, platelet-rich plasma and zoledronic acid for the prevention and treatment of early ONFH and collapse. METHODS: This prospective, single-center, randomized, parallel, controlled clinical trial was conducted at the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China. One hundred patients with ONFH (stages I-II by Ficat and Arlet classification) were enrolled and randomly assigned into either the treatment group or control group (n=50 per group). Patients were given an injection of mononuclear cell, platelet-rich plasma and zoledronic acid into the necrotic femoral head, or drilling decompression at the necrotic area. Patients in both groups were then followed up for 4, 8, 12, and 18 months. The primary outcome measures were the blood supply, osteogenesis and appearance of the necrotic femoral head observed on hip perfusion by dynamic MRI, CT restruction of the hip joint and radiography of the hip joint, as well as Harris hip scores and numerical rating scale scores. Secondary outcome measures included SF-36 Health Survey and Activities of Daily Living scores. DISCUSSION: The outcomes of this trial have provided quantitative data for analyzing the effectiveness of local administration of mononuclear cell, platelet-rich plasma and zoledronic acid on ONFH and collapse. Written approval for this protocol was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Chinese PLA General Hospital in China (approval No. S2015-082-01). Participants and their families are informed of the study protocol and procedures, and signed an informed consent. The study was in accordance with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, formulated by the World Medical Association. Trial began in January 2015 and will be completed in December 2017. Trial results will be published in scientific reports, or in peer-reviewed journals. This trial was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02721940. Patient recruitment is ongoing.