OBJECTIVEThe Pul-stent is a new cobalt alloys stent, specially licensed for pulmonary artery stenosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of the stent implantation as the treatment of postoperative pulmonary artery stenosis.

METHODClinical practice was carried out to evaluate effectiveness, safety and maneuverability of Pul-stent in the defined clinical setting. Transthoracic echocardiography, chest roentgenography and electrocardiography were carried out as follow-up studies at 1 and 3 months after procedures.

RESULTTen patients (7 males and 3 females) received Pul-stent implantation in left or right pulmonary arteries (9 stents in left and 1 stent in right). For 9 cases transcatheter stent implantation was performed and in I case hybrid procedure. The median age was 7. 9 years (range 3. 4 - 13. 7 years). The median weight was 22. 3 kg (range 13 - 32 kg). Among them 6 cases were post surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot, 2 cases were after Fontan procedures, 1 patient was post surgical repair of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect, and 1 patient had stenosis at Glenn pathway. The pressure gradient at the stenosis decreased from (31. 6 ± 10. 2) mmHg(1 mmHg =0. 133 kPa) to (7. 3 ± 10. 3) mmHg, and the diameter of the narrowest segment increased from (4. 0 ± 2. 3) mm to (9. 6 ± 2. 7) mm, the right ventricle to aortic pressure ratio decreased from 0. 54 to 0. 36, all of these improvements were statistically significant (t = 3. 9, -9. 7, 4. 5; P =0. 008, 0. 000, 0. 004). The total procedure time ranged from 55 to 220 min (median 117 min) , and the fluoroscopy time ranged from 9 to 67 min (median 26 min). There were 2 cases of post-stenting pneumorrhagia. No stent fracture, stent malposition and other severe complications were observed. Initial follow-up of 1 and 3-months showed good results with maintenance of improved caliber of the stented vessel, and the gradient across the stenosis area measured by echocardiography was (32. 0 ± 14. 6) mmHg after 3 months. Compared with before stentifng ((40.6 ± 15. 2) mmHg) and 1 month later ((30. 6 ± 13. 6) mmHg), the difference was not statistically significant (t =2. 2,1. 76; P =0. 07, 0. 10).

CONCLUSIONPul-Stent tracking and delivery was excellent, the initial experience has shown that Pul-stent implantation was effective and safe in treating post-operative branch pulmonary artery stenosis. Further follow-up study should be conducted to make sure whether those good results would be kept constant.

Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fontan Procedure ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; Pulmonary Artery ; pathology ; Pulmonary Atresia ; Stents

Objective To study the in vitro anti-tumor activity of dendritic cells (DCs) loading with antigen produced by radiofrequency ablation of tumor lysate in situ combined with cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK).Methods CIK ceils derived from BALB/C mouse spleen and DCs derived from bone marrow were prepared,and experimental model of murine colon carcinoma were established for radiofrequency ablation.The supernatant of tumor tissue in situ lysis after repeated freezing and thawing were tested by lowry protein quantitative statutory,amounting to a final concentration of 5 μg/ml,then load to the first 5 days of culture DCs (Ag-DC),2 days later,co-cultured with CIK cells after the first seven days of culture 48 h (Ag-DC-CIK).Flow cytometry was used to analyze costimulatory molecules on the surface of the cells,and CCK-8 assay to detect in vitro cytotoxic activity.Results The DCs loading with antigen resulted in an increase in the proportion of CD86 + CD11 c +,MHC Ⅱ + CD11 c + and MHC Ⅱ + CD80 + cells.The main effector cells of CIK cells were CD3 + NK1.1 + cells.The percentage of CD3 + NK1.1 + cells was 1.45％ on the first day of the culture ; while when they had been cultured for 7 days,the percentage CD3 + NK1.1 + significantly increased to 36.9％.The cytotoxicity of Ag-DC-CIK cells toward C26 cells was much more efficient than that of DC-CIK,CIK cells.The cytotoxic activity of the former was significantly lower than the latter and the same target ratio.When the ratios of effector cells to target cells were 5 ∶ 1,the cytotoxic activity of Ag-DC-CIK cells against C26 cells was (74.9 ± 3.5) ％,; while the DC-CIK was (71.2 ± 2.1) ％ and the CIK cells was (68.7 ± 2.9) ％.The difference was statistically significant(F =7.007,P =0.007).When the ratios of effector cells to target cells were 10 ∶ 1,the cytotoxic activity of Ag-DC-CIK cells against C26 cells was (82.3 ± 4.5) ％,while the DC-CIK cells was (77.1 ± 5.1) ％,and the CIK cells was (72.7 ± 2.8) ％.The difference was statistically significant (F =7.727,P =0.005).When the ratios of effector cells to target cells were 20 ∶ 1,the cytotoxic activity of Ag-DC-CIK cells against C26 cells was (83.2 ± 1.9) ％,while the DC-CIK cells was (77.2 ± 4.2) ％,and the CIK cells was (73.0 ± 2.6) ％.The difference was statistically significant (F =16.594,P =0.000).Conclusion DCs loading with antigen produced by radiofrequency ablation of tumor in situ pyrolysis products can improve in vitro cytotoxic activity combined with CIK cells,which can provide a new comprehensive cancer treatment strategy.

Objective To observe the effects of a decoction of buzhong yiqi in conjunction with rehabilitation training in relieving post-stroke fatigue.Methods A group of 115 stroke patients was enrolled and randomly divided into a simple rehabilitation group and a combination therapy group.Both groups received conventional rehabilitation treatment and appropriate treatment of any primary diseases.In addition,those in the combination therapy group were given a decoction of buzhong yiqi twice daily for a total of 4 weeks.EMG signals,subjective evaluations of fatigue severity,active rehabilitation exercise duration,motor function and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment.The slope of the surface electromyogram's mean power frequency (KMPF) and median frequency (KMF) were used to quantify fatigue.Subjective fatigue severity was estimated using a fatigue severity scale (FSS).The active rehabilitation exercise lasted,on average,90 minutes daily.The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) was used to evaluate motor function and the modified Barthel index (MBI) ADL ability.Results There were no statistically significant differences between the groups before treatment.After 4 weeks of treatment all the outcomes in both groups had improved (except the FSS scores of the simple rehabilitation group).The KMPF,KMF,FSS,exercise duration,FMA scores and MBI scores in the combination therapy group were all significantly better than those in the simple rehabilitation group.Conclusion Taking buzhong yiqi can significantly improve the clinical effects of conventional rehabilitation training on post-stroke fatigue.It helps relieve fatigue,improve active participation in rehabilitation exercise,and also improve motor function and ADL ability.

Objective Patients with single-ventricle physiology pose a wide variety of therapeutic challenges.Pulmonary artery or anastomosis stenosis in single-ventricle physiology will have only subtle hemodynamic derangements due to the lack of the pumping chamber to force blood across the stenosis.This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of the stent implantation for treatment of branch pulmonary artery and anastomosis stenosis in children with univentricular hearts.Methods Retrospective analysis of 8 implanted stents between March 2014 and January 2015 in Shanghai Children's Medical Center.Transthoracic echocardiography,chest roentgenography and electrocardiography were carried out as follow-up studies at the second day after operation and 1,3,6,12 months after the procedure.Results In all of eight patients (6 males and 2 females),5 cases were post-Glenn operation and 3 cases were post-Fontan operation.The median age was 6.6 years (range 4.0-8.5 years).The median weight was 19.5 kg(range 13.8-25.6 kg).9 stents were implanted successfully in all patient,6 in left pulmonary arteries,2 in right pulmonary arteries and 1 in anastomosis.All stents were placed in the target lesion without any complication.The diameter of the narrowed segment improved from (3.63 ± 2.06) mm to (7.89 ± 1.62) mm (P ＜ 0.01).During follow-up no other complication occurred except thrombus in one patient because of discontinuation anticoagulation.Conclusion Branch pulmonary arterial stenosis in single-ventricle patients may often be underestimated due to the low pressure venous system and/or the development of venovenous collaterals bypassing and decompressing the pulmonary circuit.In these patients,even mild stenosis should be treated aggressively,especially in the presence of pleural effusions,pericardial effusions,protein-losing enteropathy and low-output states.Stent implantation is an effective method of treating branch pulmonary artery stenosis.

Objective:To investigate the negative effect of the IL-10 on monocyte-derived DC maturation and differation iv vitro,and the potentiation of the TNF-? or sCD40L to inhibit or reverse the IL-10′s inhibitory effect on monocyte-derived DC.Methods:The expression of the surface molecules on DC was detected by FACS analysis.The potentiation to stimulate T cell proliferation was assayed by 3H-TdR incorporation,and IL-12 secretion in the DC supernatant measured by ELISA.Results:In vitro DC-inducing system IL-10 had an obviously negative effect on the maturation as well as the potentiation to stimulate the T cell proliferation and IL-12 secretion of the immature monocyte-derived DC,and IL-10 could drive monocyte-derived DC differentiate into the macrophages.The negative effect was also correlative to the concentration of the added IL-10;The results also showed that IL-10 hadn′t any negative effect on mature DC induced by sCD40L,but to some extent could reduce the mature DC induced by TNF-? to produce IL-12;Furthermore the inhibitory effect of IL-10 can′t be reversed by adding TNF-? or sCD40L after IL-10 was added to the DC-inducing culture system for three days.Interesting by adding sCD40L not TNF-? to the DC-inducing culture system with IL-10 at the same time can inhibit the negative effect of IL-10 completely.Conclusion:IL-10 is an important biological factor produced in tumor microenvironment for escaping the attack of the immune system by repressing maturation,potentiation to costimulate the T cells and IL-12 secretion of the immature monocyte-derived DC.The reverse effect of TNF-? and sCD40L on IL-10 negative effect on monocyte-derived was different.All together suggested that CD40 signal has important values to obtain the therapeutic DC for the tumor immune intervention.

Mast cells, autoantibodies, inflammatory cells, coagulation cascade, complement system and nervous system are all involved in the complex pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) , while mast cells play a pivotal role in it. With deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of CSU, cutting-edge therapeutic methods are gradually being used in clinical practice. Nowadays, pharmacotherapyeutic studies are more focused on accurately modulating the pathological state of mast cells. This review summarizes recent advances in the pathogenesis of and medicines for CSU.

Objective:To develop a prone position management program and evaluate its effectiveness in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in children with congenital heart disease combined with acute respiratory distress syndrome, in order to provide experience for clinical application.Methods:This was a quasi-experimental study. Convenient sampling method was used to select children with congenital heart defect who underwent mechanical ventilation in the Cardiothoracic Surgical Care Unit of Shanghai Children′s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine from June 2018 to December 2021 as the study subjects. The control group consisted of 80 hospitalized children from June 2018 to December 2019. They were used general nursing interventions to prevent VAP. The 42 hospitalized children from January 2020 to December 2021 were the intervention group, who usd the prone position management program on the basis of the control group. The differences in the incidence of VAP, duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of ICU stay, oxygenation index and the incidence of adverse events between the two groups were compared.Results:The incidence of VAP and mechanical ventilation duration in the intervention group were 4.8% (2/42) and 67.50 (55.00/101.50), which were lower than 35.0% (28/80) and 92.50 (68.00/142.00) of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=11.98, Z=3.40, both P<0.01). And the trend of increasing oxygenation index with the intervention group was better than the control group ( F=8.38, P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The application of prone ventilation program with congenital heart disease children complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome is safe and can significantly improve the oxygenation index, shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and reduce the incidence of VAP.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played a pivotal role in maintaining the health of Chinese people and is now gaining increasing acceptance around the global scope. However, TCM is confronting more and more concerns with respect to its quality. The intrinsic "multicomponent and multitarget" feature of TCM necessitates the establishment of a unique quality and bioactivity evaluation system, which is different from that of the Western medicine. However, TCM is investigated essentially as "herbal medicine" or "natural product", and the pharmacopoeia quality monographs are actually chemical-markers-based, which can ensure the consistency only in the assigned chemical markers, but, to some extent, have deviated from the basic TCM theory. A concept of "quality marker" (Q-marker), following the "property-effect-component" theory, is proposed. The establishment of Q-marker integrates multidisciplinary technologies like natural products chemistry, analytical chemistry, bionics, chemometrics, pharmacology, systems biology, and pharmacodynamics, etc. Q-marker-based fingerprint and multicomponent determination conduce to the construction of more scientific quality control system of TCM. This review delineates the background, definition, and properties of Q-marker, and the associated technologies applied for its establishment. Strategies and approaches for establishing Q-marker-based TCM quality control system are presented and highlighted with a few TCM examples.