Objective To evaluate the value of phased array probe of transesophageal echocardiography miniature (micro-TEE) in the neonatal and infant cardiac surgery intraoperation.Methods Micro-TEE probe was used in children with weight ≤5 kg undergoing cardiac surgery to detect the atrial and ventricular cavity size,the left and right ventricular outflow tract diameter were detected by transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) 3-7 d after operation,and compared with the measured value immediately after the TEE.Results Before and after intubation,airway index not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Preoperative TEE and TTE inspection results were consistent with intraoperative diagnosis.Postoperative TEE measuring intracardiac structural data (each room,chamber size and left and right ventricular outflow tract diameter) and postoperative TTE measurement value representing the difference was not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Micro TEE intraoperative guardianship of low birth weight infants is safe and feasible,and can supplement and improve the preoperative diagnosis,and can accurately and timely evaluate postoperative curative effect.

With the development of natural products, the research activities on the solubilization methods of water-insoluble natural products have been carried out worldwide. Big molecular weight and poor solubility of most natural active ingredients lead to a very poor oral absorption and low bioavailability, which has extremely limited their development in pharmaceutical fields and clinical application. As a result, it is necessary to find out a suitable technique to improve the solubility and enhance the oral bioavailability of insoluble natural drugs. Based on the related references published in these years, this review introduced some new techniques to improve the solubility and bioavailability of natural drugs, including prodrugs, inclusion complex, solid dispersion, cocrystals, osmotic pump, liquisolid compacts, micronization, self-microemulsifying, nanosuspensions, lipsomes, polymeric micelles and so on, and summarized the theory, characteristics, application range, application examples, problems and development direction of each technique.
Administration, Oral ; Biological Availability ; Biological Products ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; trends ; Solubility ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; trends ; Water

Objective To provide vessel anatomical materials guidance for endovascular aortic repair,the branches artery of thoracic aortic was studied by CT angiography (CTA).Methods From January 2008 to February 2012,739 adult cases' CTA data were collected,all cases performing thoracic CTA in Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Command.We measured the diameter and/or leugth of the ascending aorta,aortic arch and branches artery of aortic arch,and made an analysis.Results The aortic arch includes standard and variant types.Standard type is common,which accounted for 91.1％ of the total number,while variant type accounted for 8.9％.In the standard aortic arch of patients,the diameter of aortic arch above the opening of coronary artery (CA) was (35.7 ±4.3) mm,the diameter of ascending aortic arch at the opening of brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) was (33.6 ±4.2) mm,the diameter of aortic arch between the BCT and the left common carotid artery (LCCA) was (29.4 ± 5.7) mm,the diameter of aortic arch between the LCCA and the left subclavian artery (LSA) was (27.6 ± 4.2) mm,the diameter of descending aortic at the opening of the LSA was (25.4 ± 4.5) mm,the diameter of the head BCT from aortic arch was (12.9 ±0.9) mm,the diameter of the head LCCA from aortic arch was (8.5 ± 0.7) mm,the diameter of the head LSA from aortic arch was (10.4 ± 1.1) mm,the length of aorta between the CA and the BCT was (53.3 ±12.5) mm,the length of aortic between the BCT and the LCCA was (4.7 ± 1.5) mm,the length of aortic between the LCCA and the LSA was (7.9 ± 2.6) mm,the length between the opening of BCT and the right subclavian artery (RSA) was (41.1 ± 8.2) mm,the length between the opening of LSA and the opening of left vertebral artery was (38.5 ±5.7) mm,the angle between the horizontal of BCT and the LCCA and the sagittal plane was (71.2 ± 7.2) °,the angle between the plane of LCCA and the LSA and the plane of sagittal was (31.1 ± 2.9)°.Conclusions The CT data of the thoracic aorta can be used as reference for production of stents and guide releasing the stents in endovascular repair.

To investigate the diagnosis and surgical treatment of inraspinal tumors.
The clinical data of 246 patients with inraspinal tumors who had undergone operations in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical Col ege between January 2010 and January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The treatment and prognosis of inraspinal tumors were reviewed.
262 operations were performed, with posterior bilateral laminectomy approach in 202 cases, semi-laminectomy approach in 28 cases, laminoplasty approach in 10 cases, and lateral resection of extra-vertebral canal dumbbel shaped tumors in 22 cases. The short-term remission rate of the nerve root pain reached 95.0%(133/140), and the improvement rates of the sensory disability, motor disturbance, and sphincter dysfunction were 85.6%(125/146), 86.7%( 136/157), and 84.6(11/13) respectively. The ASIA nervous function scores and grades at the last fol ow-up were significantly superior to those before and 3 months after the operation in 236 patients.
Intraspinal tumors are mostly benign. The clinical appearance of them should be watched closely, and thorough physical check-up should be performed. MRI is the examination of choice at early diagnosis. The key to improve the treatment effects is to perform operations as soon as possible.

Objective To investigate the mouse liver blood vessel images using phase contrast X-ray imaging with synchrotron radiation. Methods 6 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups, 3 mice in each group. In one group, livers excised after hgated arteries, veins and common bile duct. In another group, iodine infused via the portal vein and drained from inferior vena cave until all the blood in the portal veins and hepatic veins was displaced. After infusion, arteries, veins and common bile duct were ligated and livers were excised. Results Blood vessel images were clearly produced by diffraction enhanced imaging. This method can discriminate vessels down to about 40 μm in diameter without contrast agent. Using a contrasting agent more details could be produced. In one liver lobe, the entire branch of the portal vein could be clearly produced by one by one phase contrast image from the main axial blood vessels of liver lobe to the nine generation of branching. Conclusions Phase contrast imaging has the advantage of good contrast and high spatial resolution. [Key wnrds] Synchrotron radiation; Phase contrast imaging; Diffraction enhanced imaging; Blood vessel; X-rays

Objective: To assess the trends in clinical characteristics and treatments for in-hospital patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in western rural China from 2001 to 2011. Methods: A two-stage random sampling procedure was used in our study. In 1st stage, stratiifed random sampling was applied to identify the participating hospitals and in 2nd stage, random sampling was applied to determine the patients to be studied. Taking 2001, 2006 and 2011 as 3 time points to study the in-hospital records for STEMI treatments. The results in each year were analyzed by weighted calculation in order to adjust the proportional impact by different sampling and therefore, to relfect the entire condition in western rural area. Results: A total of 32/35 hospitals with 1028 STEMI records were enrolled. From 2001 to 2011, the admitted STEMI patients from 64 (54-70) years of age increased to 67 (56-75) years,Ptrend<0.05, while gender composition was similar, the risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking substantially increased. Among patients without contraindications, the ues of following medications increased from 2001 to 2011: aspirin from 73.6% to 89.9%, clopidogrel from 0% to 66.5%, β-blockers from 25.4% to 64.3% and statins from 7.5% to 89.8%, allPtrend<0.01. From 2001 to 2011, the rates of primary PCI application were from 0% to 0.3%,Ptrend=0.51, the rates of thrombolytic therapy increased from 33.4% to 55.4%,Ptrend<0.01. At the year of 2001, 2006 and 2011, the reperfusion rates were 33.4%, 50.7% and 55.4%, Ptrend<0.01; the mortality within 7 days of admission were 3.0%, 10.1% and 6.7%, the rates of death or treatment withdrawal because of terminal status were 5.3%, 12.3% and 10.9%, there was no signiifcant trend in the above 2 rates after adjustments. Conclusion: The quality of medical care for STEMI was signiifcantly improved in western rural China from 2001 to 2011, while there are still gaps between western rural area and other regions.

Objective: To assess the trends of clinical characteristics, diagnostic and treatment conditions and outcomes for in-hospital patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in eastern rural China from 2001 to 2011.
Methods: Through a two-stage random sampling, a representative in-hospital STEMI patient group in eastern rural China of 2001, 2006 and 2011 were enrolled. In 1st step, a simple random-sampling procedure was conducted to identify the collaborating hospitals and in 2nd step, a systematic sampling procedure was performed to select representative patients from those admitted to each collaborating hospital for STEMI during the study period. Then we obtained patients’ clinical information from their medical records. Finally, we weighted the ifndings for each year to represent the overall situation.
Results: A total of 2820 STEMI medical records from 32 collaborating hospitals were enrolled. From 2001 to 2011, the median age of STEMI patients increased from 66 to 68 years, P<0.01, the percentage of female patients elevated from 31.4%to 35.8%, P<0.05. The ratios of cardiovascular risk factors were gradually increased. Among the patients without documented contraindications, application of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) increased from 0%to 27.5%, P<0.01, reperfusion increased from 49.7%to 58.8%, P<0.01. Administration of aspirin elevated form 80%to 87.8%, Clopidogrel from 0%to 72.6%, statins from 16.7%to 89.6%;administration ofβ-blockers within 24 h of admission elevated from 41.5%to 55.5%, P<0.05 and ACEI/ARB from 58.3%to 69%, P<0.01. In 2001, 2006 and 2011, the in-hospital mortality within 7 days were 6.8%, 8.3%and 5.7%respectively;mortality plus treatment withdrawal because of terminal status at discharge were 10.2%, 12.4%and 9.5%respectively. After adjustment, the above ratios did not change signiifcantly.
Conclusion: From 2001 to 2011, application of PCI grew from nothing and effective medication was improved for in-hospital STEMI patients in eastern rural China. However, there were still obvious gaps for diagnosis and treatment from the guideline requirement;the patient outcomes have not been improved.

Objective To determine the reference intervals for thyroid function tests during the second half of pregnancy (20-40 gestational weeks),and to assess the relationship between thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) levels and the incidence of gestational thyroid diseases.Methods Levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH),free thyroxine (FT4),TPOAb and urinary iodine excretion were determined in 4 729 pregnant women,who received prenatal health care at First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2011 to August 2013.Among these women,2 568 were selected using the recommendations of the American National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry,and were divided into five groups according to their gestational age:≥ 20 to ＜24 weeks (682 cases),≥ 24 to ＜28 weeks (1 322 cases),≥ 28 to ＜32 weeks (178 cases),≥ 32 to ＜36 weeks (185 cases) and ≥ 36 to ≤ 40 weeks (201 cases).Reference intervals of thyroid function tests in the second half of pregnancy were calculated.The reference values of thyroid functions in different gestational weeks were compared,and the reference intervals of thyroid functions in the second half of pregnancy were determined.The effects of maternal age and positive TPOAb on gestational thyroid diseases were analyzed.A non-parametric test,analysis of variance or Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.Results (1) Reference intervals for maternal thyroid function in the second half of pregnancy in our hospital were established [TSH:0.65-5.27 mU/L and FT4:8.74-14.84 pmol/L].(2) The percentage of thyroid diseases was higher using the non-pregnancy reference intervals (TSH:0.27-4.20 mU/L and FT4:12.00-22.00 pmol/L) than using the pregnancy reference intervals [64.0％ (3 025/4 729) vs 16.1％ (763/4 729),x2=47.465,P ＜ 0.01],which manifested as a higher rate of clinical hypothyroidism and simple hypothyroxinemia [5.4％ (255/4 729) vs 0.4％ (20/4 729),x2=14.321;54.1％ (2 560/4 729) vs 9.1％ (429/4 729),x2=47.108;both P＜0.01] and a lower rate of subclinical and clinical hyperthyroidism [1.2％ (58/4 729) vs 3.3％ (155/4 729),x2=6.650;0.3％ (13/4 729) vs 0.6％ (27/4 729),x2=2.062;both P＜0.05].(3) The incidence of clinical hypothyroidism and simple hypothyroxinemia in pregnant women aged ＞30 years was higher than in those aged ≤ 30 years [0.7％ (10/1 377) vs 0.3％ (10/3 352),x2=4.257;11.7％ (161/1 377) vs 8.0％ (268/3 352),x2=16.102;both P＜0.05].The incidence of clinical hypothyroidism and clinical hyperthyroidism in TPOAb positive women was higher than that in TPOAb negative women [2.7％ (9/335) vs 0.3％ (11/4 394),x2=44.009;3.9％ (13/335) vs 1.2％ (52/4 394),x2=16.784;both P＜0.01].Conclusions The established pregnancy-specific reference ranges of thyroid function tests can reduce the missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of gestational thyroid diseases.Maternal age ＞30 years and positive TPOAb may increase the risk ofgestational thyroid diseases.

Recent years, chemical constituents from spice volatile oils have gained worldwide concern owing to its multiple pharmacological effects and safety for using as the natural antibacterial agents. However, their poor dissolution, strong volatility, serious irritation, weak stability, easy oxidation and low bioavailability characteristics are the major obstacle in the preparation of effective oral formulation and practical application. Therefore, there is an urgent need to select a novel carrier system that can delivery the chemical constituents from spice volatile oils more efficiently with improving their stability as well as alleviating the irritation, and develop the functional food, health products and even medicine for exerting their pharmacological effects, which also is the focus and nodus of the research on their application. This review presents recent systematic studies on their novel carrier systems, including cyclodextrin inclusion complex, liposomes, nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, solid dispersion and so on, and summarizes the characteristics, application range and problems of each novel carrier systems, in order to provide some beneficial thoughts in further developing new products of chemical constituents from spice volatile oils.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Spices ; analysis

Spices have enjoyed a long history and a worldwide application. Of particular interest is the pharmaceutical value of spices in addition to its basic seasoning function in cooking. Concretely, equipped with complex chemical compositions, spices are of significant importance in pharmacologic actions, like antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumor, as well as therapeutical effects in gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular disease. Although increasing evidences in support of its distinct role in the medical field has recently reported, little information is available for substantive, thorough and sophisticated researches on its chemical constituents and pharmacological activities, especially mechanism of these actions. Therefore, in popular wave of studies directed at a single spice, this review presents systematic studies on the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities associated with common used spices, together with current typical individual studies on functional mechanism, in order to pave the way for the exploitation and development of new medicines derived from the chemical compounds of spice (such as, piperine, curcumin, geniposide, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, linalool, estragole, perillaldehyde, syringic acid, crocin).
Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Cardiovascular System ; drug effects ; Digestive System ; drug effects ; Spices ; analysis ; toxicity