Objective To study the clinical significance of molecular markers and routine coagulation tests in patients with cerebral infarction and to set up a serial programs of laboratory diagnosis,monitoring and treatment of cerebral infarction.Methods Prothrombin fragment 1+2(F1+2),thrombin antithrombin III complex(TAT), D-dimer(D-D),Von willebrand Factor(vWF),antithrombin(AT), protein C(PC),prothrombin time(PT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT) and thrombin time (TT) were determined in 90 patients with cerebral infarction and 60 normal control subjects.Results The levels of F1+2,TAT,D-D,vWF were significantly higher in patients with cerebral infarction than that in control subjects. But the levels of PC,AT,PT,APTT,TT in patients with cerebral infarction were no different from that in control subjects.Conclusion There were hypercoagulable states in patients with cerebral infarction.The activity of prothrombin is higher, thrombin is generated more, the activity of fibrinolysis is higher too, but anticoagulation system is not sufficiently activated .Meanwhile, perhaps endothelial lesion would be the main role of coagulation system activating and pathogenesis.Molecular markers such as F1+2,TAT,D-D,VWF can be as diagnositic signs but routine coagulable tests can not display the hypercoagulable states in patients with cerebral infarction.

Objective To study the clinical application of the complete audiologic evaluation battery consisting of ABR,ASSR and behavioral audiometry in sound field for the identification of sensorineural losses in children.Methods In the study 48 children were divided as group PTA of the children assessed by pure tone audiometry and ABR and ASSR test,and group BA of the children unable to perform on behavioral evaluations.Results The analysis of the audiometric results of group PTA showed significant correlation between the ASSR thresholds and pure tone thresholds(P＜0.01) at various frequencies.The correlation coefficients were 0.75,0.76,0.76,and 0.83 at different frequencies.The ASSR-PTA linear regression was utilized.The comparison of the ABR and ASSR results of group BA indicated that 23 ears responded in ASSR but without responses in ABR.Those without ASSR responses also had no ABR There were 116 tests in total four frequencies for the 29 ears.83 responses were obtained from ASSR,89 responses from behavior audiometry and 96 from the use of the both tests.Conclusion The comprehensive audiologic evaluation battery could be used to test younger children with severe heating loss children as compared to the pure tone audiometry alone.More detailed data can be obtained thus from children to assist in rehabilitation in a more effective mariner.

Objective:To investigate the effects of nitric oxide(NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rat model.Methods:An intra-aortic elastase infusion model was used.Control rats received intra-aortic saline infusion.In the remaining groups,intra-aortic elastase infusion was used to induce aneurysm formation.These rats were treated with intraperitoneal injections of saline postoperatively(experimental group),aminoguanidine postoperatively(medicine group).Serum NO and aortic diameter were measured,Changes of histology,iNOS and MMP-9 were observed in the aortic wall.Results:Experimental group produced AAAs with significant production of iNOS,MMPs and serum NO compared with controls.In medicine group reduced aneurysm size and displayed suppression of MMPs expression,inflammatory infiltrates and serum NO production were detected.Conclusion:Expression of iNOS and MMP-9 are induced and serum NO levels are increased in experimental AAA,iNOS and NO production by iNOS play an important role with detrimental effects during experimental aneurysm development.

Objective To detect the serum growth hormone(GH),insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-Ⅰ),insulin-like growth factor binging protein-3(IGFBP-3) levels in children with hypothyroidism and explore the change regulation of GH-IGF axis and thyroxine.Methods Fifty-six hypothyroidism children were divided into congonital hypothyroidism(CH)(14 cases) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis(32 cases).Serum GH,IGF-Ⅰ,IGFBP-3 levels of 56 hypothyroidism children before and after luothyroxine sodium L-T4 treatment and 50 normal children were detected with radioimmunoassay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods.Results Serum IGF-I,IGFBP-3 levels in 9 CH newborn group were lower,and they were normal after thyroxine substitute therapy.But those of 5 children with CH and 32 cases with Hashimoto's thyroiditis were not significantly changed.Conclusions The GH-IGF axis is inordinate in the CH children,which is an important reason of stature short.Early thyroxine substitute therapy is very helpful to maintain normal growth and development of children with CH.

Objective To investigate the effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) on the expression of nm23, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and extrahepatic metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The specimens were collected from resectable HCC in 72 patients. Patients were divided into two groups. In one group, TACE was performed before tumor resection (Group A, n=36). In another group, the tumors were resected directly without preoperative TACE (Group B, n=36). The expression and distribution of nm23, TIMP-2 in the tumor tissue and liver parenchyma in the two groups were compared. All patients were followed up for 24 months,and the incidence of extrahepatic metastasis was compared between the two groups. Chi-square test was applied to compare the expression levels of nm23-H1 and TIMP-2. Results The number of cases of strong, moderate and no expression of nm23 were 24, 6 and 6 cases in group A respectively, and were 9, 6 and 21 cases in group B. Statistical differences were found between the two groups(X~2=15.52, P<0.01). The number of cases of strong, moderate and no expression of TIMP-2 were 21,3 and 12 cases in group A respectively, and were 9, 9 and 18 cases in group B. Statistical differences were demonstrated between them (X~2=9.00, P<0.05). There were 13 cases in group A and 15 cases in group B being diagnosed to have extrahepatic metastasis within 24- month period of follow up, but there was no significant difference between the two groups(X~2= 0.23, P>0.05). Conclusions TACE could enhance the expression of nm23-H1 and TIMP-2 in tumor tissues. Therefore, the potential of metastasis of tumor cells might be prohibited by TACE.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Fluency stent-graft (Bard Corp) in transjugular intrahcpatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).Methods The clinical data of 21 consecutive patients treated by TIPS using Fluency stent-grafts were retrospectively reviewed.All of them were recurrent variceal bleeding secondary to portal vein hypertension,1 was bleeding secondary to primary hepatic carcinoma with port vein thrombns,and 1 was Budd-Chiari syndrome.They were followed-up after (10.1 ± 4.6) months (2.0 to 24.0 months).Stent-grafts patancy,portal vein pressure and liver function were recorded and compared.Results Twenty-five stent-grafts were successfully implanted in 21 patients,23 stent grafts were 8 mm 2 were 10 mm in diameter.The covered length of the stents varied from 6 to 8 cm.The bleeding was stopped and the portal vein pressure decreased significantly from (25.4 ± 3.5) mm Hg to (15.4 ± 2.8) mm Hg (t = 12.495,P < 0.01).During the follow-up period,The patient with primary HCC and portal vein thrombosis died 4 months after the procedure. One case had a new primary HCC during the follow-up and died 24 months after the procedure.One ease with variceal bleeding secondary to portal vein hypertension died of muhisystem organ failure.One case occluded in the hepatic vein and had another stcnt graft implanation.The other 17 cases had no stenosis after 7 to 17 months follow-up.Ultrasound showed that the stents were patent 1 week before the patients died.Three cases had transient symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy and recovered after treatment.The Child scores of the 19 patients survived more than 6 months were 6.3 ±1.4 before and 6.4 ± 1.9 after the procedure without significant difference (t = 0.645,P > 0.05).Conclusion The Fluency stent-grafts could increase the patency of the TIPS,but its efficacy on the long-term effect and hepatic encephalopathy need further investigation.

Objective To investigate the causes and managements of dys-seal syndrome (DSS) developed after esophageal stent placement. Methods From June 2001 to June 2008, esophageal stenting was performed in 98 consecutive patients with malignant esophageal obstruction. A total of 99 metallic stents were used. Of 98 patients. gastroesophageal anastomosis stricture was seen in 19, preoperative radiotherapy history in 26 and tracheoesophageal fistula in 34. Results DSS occurred in 7 patients, with an occurrence rate of 7.14% ,which was significant higher than that in patients with preoperative radiotherapy history and in patients showing marked dilated esophagus proximal to the obstructed site (X~2=0.017, 0.005, P=0.036, 0.013, respectively). After treatment, such as fasting, IPN or nasogastric feeding,only 1 case retumed to semi-liquid diet. Among the rest 6 cases of DSS, an additional stent was employed in one (but in vain), nasogastric feeding tube was used in 2, and removal of the stent under endoscopic guidance was carried out in 3. Conclusion DSS is one of the complications developed after esophageal stent placement, its prognosis is rather poor. Removal of the inserted stent may be the optimal treatment. The prevention of DSS includes proper pre-operation evaluation, selection of suitable stent, enhancement of perioperative nutritional support, etc.

OBJECTIVETo verify the regulatory effects of acupuncture on exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at stable phase.

METHODSThirty cases of COPD were randomly divided into a treatment group (16 cases) and a placebo group (14 cases). Based on specified aerobic exercise, acupuncture was applied in the treatment group and placebo acupuncture was used in the placebo group. The acupoints included Danzhong (CV 17), Rugen (ST 18), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25) and so on. The needle did not penetrate into the skin for the placebo group. The treatment was required for 2 to 3 times per week for totally 5 weeks. The indices of exercise tolerance, including 6-min walking distance (6-MWD), exercise time, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum ventilatory volume (MVV), St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) were observed in two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTS(1) Exercise tolerance: the differences of 6-MWD and exercise time were statistically significant between groups, which were more superior in the treatment group (both P<0.01); the VO2max was significantly increased after treatment in the treatment group (P<0.05), but there was no difference between two groups (P>0.05). (2) Pulmonary ventilation function: the differences of FEV1%, FEV1/FVC and MVV% were statistically significant between groups, which were more superior in the treatment group (P<0.05, P<0.01); (3) SGRQ: the SGRQ was significantly improved after treatment in the treatment group (P<0.05), but there was no difference between two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture could improve the exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at stable phase, and shorten the onset time of aerobic exercise. Besides, acupuncture combined with aerobic exercise could effectively improve the pulmonary function.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Exercise Tolerance ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; physiopathology ; therapy

Objective To investigate audiological characteristics of patients with intact tympanic membranes and conductive or mixed hearing loss .Methods A retrospective study was carried out among 30 patients (42 ears) with intact tympanic membranes and conductive or mixed hearing loss who underwent exploratory tympanotomy . The preoperative outcomes of pure tone audiometry ,tympanometry ,resonant frequency of middle ear and temporal bone CT scan were analyzed .Results Among 42 ears ,30 ears with otosclerosis and 12 ears with ossicular chain dis-ruption were confirmed in exploratory tympanotomy ,but only 5 ears showed positive findings in CT scan .The mean thresholds of bone conduction ,air conduction and air -bone gap at frequencies of 0 .5 ,1 and 2 kHz were 27 .5 ± 1 .3 dB HL ,67 .0 ± 1 .8 dB HL ,39 .5 ± 1 .1 dB HL ,respectively .An analysis of tympanometric data of all patients re-vealed that 50% of all ears (21/42) were type A tympanograms ,42 .9% (18/42) were type As tympanograms ,and 7 .1% (3/42) were type Ad tympanograms .The mean of the resonant frequency of the middle ear in otosclerositic patients (1 079 .0 ± 67 .4 Hz) was significantly higher than ossicular chain disruption patients (633 .3 ± 43 .6 Hz) . Conclusion Otosclerosis is the most common in the patients with intact tympanic membranes and conductive or mixed hearing loss .The middle ear resonant frequency of otosclerositic patients is significantly higher than that of ossicular chain disruption patients .

Objective To evaluate the conditions and risk factors of esophageal stent dys-seal phenomenon (ESDP) .Methods Ninety-eight patients with malignant esophageal obstruction underwent metallic stent placement and 7 patients with ESDP were analyzed.The possible contributing factors,including age,gender,obstruction segment,esophagorespiratory fistula,surgical intervention,radiotherapy,the degree of upper obstruction segment expansion,stent with bellmouth,application of covered stent were investigated.All factors mentioned above were analyzed with Logistic regression analysis.Results ESDP was observed in 7 patients (7/98,7.14%) and defined as a space between the esophageal wall and the proximal part of stent without contrast agent obstruction within stent.The clinical situations of patients with ESDP included dysphagia,bucking and constantly chest pain,especially at foodintake.The results of Logistic regression analysis indicated radiotherapy (P=0.005) and the degree of upper obstruction segment expansion (P=0.017) were significantly correlated with ESDP.Conclusion ESDP is one of the complications after esophageal stent placement.It is prudent to implant esophageal stent for those patients with radiotherapy and significant upper obstruction segment expansion.