Objective To evaluate the mid-term outcomes of endovascular repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm(DTAA) in high-risk patients.Methods Twenty four patients with DTAA received stent-grafts implantation between January 2001 and July 2007 and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were considered high-risk for open surgical repair due to the location or rupture of the aneurysm,high age and severe comorbidities.Spiral computed tomography angiography and 3-dimentional reconstructions were performed at 1,3,6 and 12 months postoperatively and thereafter every year.Results The primary operational success rate was 100%.There were 2 deaths(8.3%) during perioperative period due to multiorgan failure and acute myocardial infarction respectively.Two(8.3%) patients had severe post-operational complications(1 stroke and 1 acute renal insufficiency).Eleven cases of type Ⅰ(46%) endoleak were detected immediately after the operation and among them,the endoleak disappeared after balloon dilatation in 3 cases while the other 8 patients were treated conservatively.Follow-up of 1 to 60 months(mean 18.6?4.2 months) was completed in 19 patients(79.2%).Stent displacement with type Ⅰ endoleake was found in 1 patient at 4 years after the operation and delayed type Ⅲ endoleak occured in another patient at 2 years post-operation.Both patients received endovacular repair again and the endoleaks were closed successfully.One patient died of colon cancer during the follow up.Complete thrombosis of the thoracic aneurysm sac and no stent migration or endoleak was found on the followup CT at 3 months after the operation in all the patients.The decrease in maximal aneurysm diameter was 0-18 mm(mean 6.3?3.1 mm).The prosthetic vascular grafts implanted in 4 patients with preliminary carotid subclavian bypass surgery were patent during the follow-up period.Conclusion Treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm in high-risk patients with endovascular approach showed acceptable early mortality and morbidity and may be considered as a treatment alternative for carefully selected patients.

Objective To analyze the influence of left atrial dimension (LAD) on the effectiveness of heart valve replacement combined with dipolar radiofrequency ablation in atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods Eighty-one patients with permanent AF and heart valve diseases having undergone surgical treatment were selected. The patients were divided into two groups according to the size of LAD:groupⅠ (45 patients with LAD<60 mm) and group Ⅱ (36 patients with LAD ≥60 mm). All the patients underwent heart valve replacement and douching dipolar radiofrequency ablation, and were given amiodarone therapy after operation. The ultrasonic cardiogram and electrocardiogram after operation were inspected periodically. The changes of cardiac function and electrophysiology activity were observed. The patients were followed up for 12 months. Results The early-stage mortality after operation was 3.7% (3/81), and all of death was caused by postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. Two cases appeared third-degree atrioventricular block after surgery, and they were installed permanent pacemaker. During the follow-up, 1 case died because of sudden cerebrovascular accident. Two cases were loss to follow-up. There was no statistical difference in rate of maintaining sinus rhythm at discharge from hospital between group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ: 75.0% (33/44) vs. 73.5% (25/34), P=0.88. But the rates of maintaining sinus rhythm at 3 and 12 months after operation in groupⅠwere significantly higher than those in groupⅡ:81.4% (35/43) vs. 58.8% (20/34) and 88.1% 37/42) vs. 60.6% (20/33), and there were statistical differences ( P=0.029 and 0.006). Conclusions For the patients in permanent AF and heart valves diseases with LAD <60 mm, the dipolar radiofrequency ablation during heart valve replacement has considerably beneficial effects on rate of maintaining sinus rhythm. But for the patients with LAD≥60 mm, the result is not optimistic and has a lower postoperative sinus rhythm restoration rate.

OBJECTIVE: Small diameter vascular grafts (＜ 6 mm) are used predominantly in revascularization and reconstructive procedures. The small diameter vascular grafts already used in our clinical practice include autologous veins or arteries, polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) synthetic vascular grafts. Unfortunately these vascular grafts all have some disadvantages that prohibit their uses. Therefore search for ideal small diameter vascular grafts has become the focus in recent years.DATA SOURCES: A computer-based online search of Pubmed database was undertaken to identify the articles about small diameter vascular grafts published in English between January 1990 and January 2007 with the key words of "prosthetic graft, vascular bypass graft, small diameter vascular graft, tissue engineering".STUDY SELECTION: The data were selected firstly to choose the full-text of articles met the criteria. Inclusion criteria: ① Articles about biological vascular grafts; ②Articles about synthetic vascular grafts; ③Articles about small diameter tissue engineering blood vessels. Exclusion criteria: Repetitive or analogical articles or case reports.DATA EXTRACTION: Totally 113 articles on small diameter vascular grafts were collected and 41 met the inclusive criteria after eliminated the repetitive or similar studies or case reports.DATA SYNTHESIS : Although biological vascular grafts have the outstanding advantages, such as superior long-term patency, relatively resistant to infection, minimal thromboembolism, etc., they also have predominant disadvantages of limited availability, durability and aneurysm formation. Dacron and ePTFE are currently the standard synthetic vascular grafts in the vascular bypass surgery, but their immediate or long-term patency rates are relatively poor due to compliance mismatch, thrombogenicity and poor haemodynamics, especially when they are used in small diameter revascularization and reconstructive procedures. Thus, various modifications have been applied to Dacron and ePTFE grafts to improve their function. In recent two decades, the emergence of tissue-engineering technology has made the development of a novel biologically viable vascular substitute feasible, and it may prove to be the ultimate solution for better small-diameter vascular grafting.CONCLUCTION: So far there is no completely biodegradable small diameter vascular graft suitable for the arterial circulation in humans. Construction of an ideal small-diameter vascular graft will require an interdisciplinary effort requiring critical contributions from biologists, engineers, and clinicians, with strong collaborations among these 3 fields being crucial to success.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the disinfecting effect of electrolyzed-oxiding water(EOW) on dental(instruments) contaminated after clinical operation.METHODS Use K-reamer and high-speed handpiece as objects of test.(K-reamers) were disinfected by EOW and 2% glutaraldehyde for 5min and 10min,respectively.And(handpieces) were disinfected by EOW and autoclave sterilization,respectively.The samples were collected from each(K-reamer) and each handpiece′surface and its water-canal before and after disinfection.The samples were done germiculture.RESULTS Disinfecting K-reamer for 10min,the disinfection rate of two disinfectants(EOW and 2%(glutaraldehyde)) were both 100%.Disinfecting handpiece with EOW(by surface-wiping,immersing and rinsing the water-canal)or autoclaving sterilization,the disinfection rate of EOW and 2%glutaraldehyde were both 100%.(Disinfecting) handpiece with EOW(by surface-wiping,immersing and rinsing the water-canal) or autoclaving(sterilizaion),the bacteria contaminated on handpiece′s surface and in the water-canal could all be killed,while(disinfecting) handpieces with EOW only by surface-wiping,and immersing,in the water-canal there were still a lot of bacteria.CONCLUSIONS The disinfecting effect of EOW is reliable and safe compared with 2%(glutaraldehyde) and autoclave sterilization.

Objective To evaluate diagnostic procedures and clinical outcomes of vascular prosthetic and stent graft infection. Methods Clinical data of 15 cases suffering from vascular graft infection between 1985 and 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The rate of vascular graft infection was 1. 14% among our series of 1316 cases of revascularizations. Vascular graft infection occurred within 4 months after graft implantation in 13 cases (86. 7% ). Graft infection developed after 4 months postoperatively in the other 2 cases ( 13. 3% ). Clinical manifestations included wound infection with vascular graft exposure, inguinal swelling or fistula, fever or sepsis, anastomotic hemorrhage, pulse loss of vascular graft or distal lower extremity and gangrene of distal lower extremity. Surgical treatment included en bloc removal of the infected graft and surrounding infected tissue, drainage and local irrigation with antibiotic solution, graft en bloc removal and primary amputation; Graft en bloc removal, drainage and revascularization with a saphenous vein or a new prosthetic graft; Aggressive debridement and local irrigation with antibiotic solution. Four patients died and the others recovered successfully. Conclusion The infection of a vascular graft is a rare complication in vascular surgery. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical management can improve its prognosis.

Objective To investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics and homology of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)isolated from patients in intensive care units (ICUs)of a hospital,so as to provide laboratory basis for the effective control of healthcare-associated infection(HAI). Methods 62 S. aureus strains isolated from various specimens from ICU patients with infection in March-August 2013 were collected,7 housekeeping genes were amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR),the amplified products were sequenced,ST typing of strains was performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST ), phylogenetic analysis of ST typing was conducted. Results 62S. aureus strains were amplified specific product of 7 housekeeping genes;there were 10 ST genotypes, in which 2 ST genotypes(STn1and STn2)were first discovered,1 ST genotype(ST675)was first discovered domes-tically. ST239 was the main ST type of S. aureus from ICU patients in this hospital,accounting for 74.20% ,which distributed in 6 ICUs,ST5 distributed in 3 ICUs. 62 strains formed 7 main branches in the phylogenetic tree,55 (88.71% )MRSA strains were detected. Conclusion S. aureus isolated from hospital ICUs has some homology, and the small number of types showed the trend of concentrated distribution.

ObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic effects of a new surgical endoscopic technique, the transilluminated powered phlebectomy (TriVex System, Smith+Nephew) and pointed phlebectomy in the treatment of varicosis of the great saphenous vein of the lower limbs. Methods Thirty-nine patients (46 limbs) received TriVex operations under spinal, or epidural anesthesia. The powered vein resector and an irrigated illuminator device-a minimally invasive system was used for varicose vein surgery. During the same period, 41 patients (46 limbs) underwent pointed phlebectomy. Results The average postoperative hospital stay was 4.6 days in patients receiving TriVex, and 8.1 days for pointed phlebectomy. Compared with the pointed phlebectomy, the incision of TriVex procedure was shorter and the number less. Conclusion This new surgical device is easy to operate, minimally invasive, efficacious and time saving with satisfactory results.

AIM: To compare the effects of hypoxia on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), iNOS and eNOS mRNA in cultured umbilical vein endothelial cells (UVECs) obtained from Tibetan and Han. METHODS: UVECs were obtained from native Tibetan and immigrant Han, respectively and cultured under hypoxia conditions (0.5% oxygen) for 2 h, 4 h, 12 h, and 24 h and normoxic conditions. VEGF, iNOS and eNOS mRNAs were detected with methods of RT-PCT. RESULTS: VEGF and iNOS mRNAs were up-regulated while eNOS mRNA depressed by hypoxia similarly in Tibetan and Han UVECs. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the changes of VEGF, iNOS and eNOS mRNA expression are common pathways in the mechanisms of hypoxic responses.

Objective To investigate the physical and mental development of small and appropriate for gestational age preterm infants in their early life. Methods This study recruited 220 preterm infants, who were discharged from our hospital and visited preterm following-up clinic at regular intervals from February 2009 to December 2012. All of those infants were divided into two groups based on whether their birth weight below 10th percentile for their gestational ages or not. Weights, lengths and head circumferences were measured up to seventh month age adjusted by gestational age. Meanwhile, mental tests were conducted by the professional staffs working on the children developmental assessment at their adjusted months of 5th, 6th or 7th. All of physical and mental scores were compared between the two groups. Results The SGA group was statistically less than the AGA group on the Z-score of weights from the ifrst to sixth month adjusted by gestational age (P<0.05). The difference disappeared on the seventh adjusted month age (P>0.05). The SGA group was statistically less than the AGA group on the Z-score of lengths from the ifrst to iffth month adjusted by gestational age (P<0.05). The difference disappeared on the sixth and seventh adjusted month age (P>0.05). The SGA group was statistically less than the AGA group on the Z-score of head circumferences from the ifrst to seventh month adjusted by gestational age (P<0.05). The SGA babies scored statistically less than the AGA babies with a mean development quotient score of 96.7 and 102.9, respectively (P<0.05). The scores of movement, cognitive, language in the SGA group were statistically less than those in the AGA group(P<0.05). Conclusions Preterm SGA could achieve satisfactory weight catch-up gain, with a decreasing difference from preterm AGA while they were getting older. But the length catch-up growth of preterm SGA seemed unsatisfactory with a big differece from preterm AGA. There was the worst catch-up on head circumference in those preterm SGA, backward in mental development, particularly in their movement, cognitive and language capacity.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of pain and the changes of vital signs in newborn infants. Methods Forty two newborn infants were rated by the behavioral scale of acute pain in newborn infants. The scores of pain were compared among infants with different gender,gestational age,birth weight,birth age,type of puncture and whether by vaginal birth or not. At the same time,the respiration rate,heart rate,blood pressure and oxygen saturation (SO2)were dynami-cally recorded by the multi-function monitor in the process of puncture. Results The average score of pain was 7.6. There was no significant difference among newborn infants with different gender,gestational age,birth weight and type of puncture(P> 0.05),while significant differences among infants with different birth age and whether by vaginal birth or not (P=0.015 and 0.043 respectively). In the process of puncture,the SO2 was significantly decreased,while the respiration rate,heart rate,sys-tolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly increased. Conclusions Pain is prevalent in newborn infants and accom-panied by obvious changes of vital signs. The means of childbirth and birth age have significant influence on the neonatal pain. It is suggested to pay close attention to the neonatal pain and take effective interventions.