Objective To assess the vaIue of speckle tracking imaging (STI) in quantifying the regional myocardial strain in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) group.Methods ① Sixty subjects were divided into SLE group and normal group.High frame rate two-dimensional images were recorded from the apical two-chamber view,long-axis view and four-chamber view of the left ventricle (LV).Peak systolic strain of each view of 18 segments were measured by automated functional imaging (AFI) software of 2-DSE.All parameters were compared between the two groups.② Twenty cases were randomly taken from the normal group.The same observer at different times and two observers measure the strain of left ventricular respectively.The results of the measurement between the two groups were compared with unpaired t test and its relevance was analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis.ResultsLeft ventricular two-dimensional longitudinal strain gradually increased from the base to apex in the normal group.There were statistically differences between the apical segments and the basal,middle segments of every left ventricular wall (P＜0.05).The same wall segment time to peak myocardial systolic peak strain was consistent.Left ventricular two-dimensional longitudinal strain gradually increased from the base to apex in the SLE group,except for the anterio-septal and anterior wall [ (-18.7±4.2)％,(-16.3±9.4)％,(-18.1±10.5)％ vs (-19.0±9.0)％,(-18.6±7.9)％,(-17.7±1.4)％ ].There was no statistically significant difference between the apical segments and the basal,middle segments of every left ventricular wall(P＞0.05).All parameters of S were significantly higher in the normal group than those of the SLE group.The difference was statistically signoficant (P＜0.05).The time to peak systolic peak strain of every segments was not consistent.The results from the same observer at different times and peak systolic myocardial strain measurements by the two observers were correlated well(P＜0.01).Conclusion The myocardial function assessment by STI technology in the SLE patients is significantly different from that of the normal control:SLE patients with left ventricular myocardial damage can be manifested as reduced regional myocardial systolic peak strain.

A strain Escherichia coli with high production of phytase was screened from pig excreta. Phytase gene appA, with 1,299 bp coding region in full length, was cloned from its genome by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) . The gene appA was then cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a ( + ) . In the host BL21, the phytase appA was overexpressed by shaker-cultivation (up to 692 U/mL) . The enzymatic analysis of the prokaryotic derived appA phytase revealed that its optimal pH and temperature was 4.5 and 60℃, respectively.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Anastomotic Leak/surgery* ; Drainage ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Suction

Objective To study the relationship between D-wave of thc spinal motor evoked potential and hindlimb motor function status (myodynamia) of rabbits with experimental spinal cord injury. Methods Forty-five rabbits were randomly divided into a control group and 8 injured groups (receiving Allen's injury of50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 and 250 gcf, respectively). The myodynamia of hindlimbs and the latency and amplitude of D-wave of the spinal motor evoked potential were recorded right after the injury and in the 4th week of injury, respectively. Simultaneously in the 4th week of injury,the rabbits' spinal sections were stained with neurofilament (NF) immunohistochemistry and their pathological morphologies were observed; and optical densities of NF were measured. Statistic analysis of correlation between myodynamia of hindlimbs and latency and amplitude of D-wave was performed.Results A statistic linear correlation was found between amplitudes declination of D-wave of the spinal motor evoked potential and modified Tarlov's scores right after the injury and in the 4th week of injury (R2=0.98, P＜0.00, regression curve: Y=0.33+4.82X; R=0.99, P＜0.001, regression curve: Y=0.04+0.5 1X),but no statistical correlation was noted between myodynamia and the latency of D-wave of the spinal motor evoked potential at the same time periods(R2=-0.097, P=0.573; R2=-0.165, P=0.337). And the optical density of NF decreased following the amplitude declination of D-wave of the spinal motor evoked potential with linear correlation (R2=0.87, P＜0.001, regression curve: Y= 0.12+0.58X).Conclusion Amplitude declination of D-wave of the spinal motor evoked potential could be used to evaluate the severity of dyskinesia in the injured spinal cord.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between muscle motor evoked potentials (MEP) and hindlimbs motor function in rabbits with spinal cord injury.

METHODSForty-five rabbits were randomly divided into 9 groups, including one control group and 8 injured groups (receiving Allen's injury of 0, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, or 250 gcf). Hindlimb strength and muscle MEP were recorded at the 1st day and 4th week postoperatively. At 4 weeks after spinal section, the spinal cord tissue was sampled for histological examination with HE staining and immunohistochemistry with anti-NF antibody of the corticospinal tract fibers.

RESULTSDuring the operation, MEP showed an all-or-none pattern with significant correlations to postoperative optical density of NF and postoperative hindlimb motor function. The latency prolongation of the muscle MEP at the 4th week showed a linear correlation to the hindlimb Tarlov's score, whereas the MEP amplitude was not correlated to postoperative hindlimb motor function.

CONCLUSIONSThe all-or-none pattern of muscle MEP can be used to evaluate the severity of spinal cord injury.

Animals ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Hindlimb ; physiopathology ; Pyramidal Tracts ; physiopathology ; Rabbits ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; physiopathology

Objective To understand the intention to quit smoking and its influencing factors among current smokers in Gansu Province, so as to provide scientific basis for tobacco control. Methods A multi-stage sampling method was used to extract current smokers aged 15-69 years, and a face-to-face survey was conducted using the questionnaire on smoking among residents in China. Intention to quit smoking between current smokers with different characteristics was analyzed. Logistic regression was used to explore influencing factors of intention to quit smoking. Results The intention of current smokers to quit smoking in Gansu Province was 16.4% (95% CI:15.5%-17.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that current smokers who were in rural areas (OR=1.199, 95% CI:1.022-1.408, P=0.026); family smoking prohibited (OR=1.767, 95% CI: 1.273-2.454, P=0.001), medical staff discouraged smoking within 12 months (OR=1.599, 95% CI:1.359-1.842, P<0.001), visited smoking clinics (OR=3.089, 95% CI:2.031-4.698, P＜001), higher educational level of junior high school, senior high school and college or above (OR=1.383, 95% CI:1.101-1.736; OR=1.627, 95% CI:1.252-2.116; OR=1.374, 95% CI:1.009-1.873, all P<0.05), tobacco hazards knowledge with higher scores of 1-, 3- and 5-6 (OR=1.248, 95% CI:1.030-1.514; OR=1.574, 95% CI:1.289-1.922; OR=2.288, 95% CI:1.879-2.786, all P<0.05) were more likely to quit smoking; furthermore, smokers aged 20-, 30- years or smoking 20-, 30- years had a lower chance of quit smoking (all P<0.05). Conclusions The intention of current smokers to quit smoking in Gansu province is generally not high. In the future, knowledge of tobacco hazards should be further promoted, medical staff should provide more smoking cessation services during the treatment process, and more smoking cessation clinics should be established.

Objective To analyze the clinical diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of rhabdoid meningioma.Methods Two cases of rhabdoid meningioma treated in our department were analyzed retrospectively,and the relevant literatures were reviewed.Results Both of the two patients underwent complete meningioma removal under microscope(Simpson grade I)without postoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy.The two patients were followed up for 2 months and 2 years.One patient experienced meningioma recurred 2 years after the operative,and died due to refusal of a second operation.The other patient died of systemic complications secondary to postoperative intracranial infection.Conclusion The preoperative diagnosis of rhabdoid meningioma can be difficult,and surgical meningioma removal remains the primary choice of treatment.The patients often experience meningioma recurrence shortly after the operation with poor prognosis.Early postoperative radiochemotherapy may prove beneficial in prolonging the survival of patients.

OBJECTIVETo provide the experience for early diagnosis and management of facial nerve neuromas, and to discuss the clinic and imaging feature of facial nerve schwannoma and facial nerve fibroma in 22 cases.

METHODSTwenty cases facial nerve schwannoma and two cases of facial nerve neurofibroma were diagnosed and reviewed retrospectively. Surgical removal were performed through the middle cranial fossa in 2 cases, through intratemporal approach in 8 cases, through intraparotid approach in 2 cases, and combined intra-temporal with out-temporal approaches in 10 cases. Seventeen cases underwent facial nerve graft for repairing a facial nerve defect. Great auricular nerve was used in 3 cases with intratemporal approach and 1 case with intratemporal combined intraparotid approach. Sural nerve graft was used in 5 cases with intratemporal approach and 8 cases with intra-temporal combined intraparotid approach. Two cases were employed two-stage facial muscle flap-plasty.

RESULTSFacial nerve neuromas were totally removed in 21 cases and subtotal neuroma removed in 1 case. In these cases, 20 patients were no recurrence and 1 patient was lost follow-up. One patient with subtotal neuroma removal received Gamma Knife treatment before and after surgery, and this case was no recurrence. The CT imaging of the temporal bone showed that schwannoma was separated "white mass" with smooth margin along the region of facial nerve without intact canal. But neurofibroma locate in enlarge fallopian with intact canal. Magnetic resonance imaging had the advantage of evaluating all segments of the facial nerve and showed continuity of intratemporal and intraparotid mass with the facial nerve. Pathological results indicated that 20 cases were diagnosed as facial nerve schwannoma and 2 cases were neurofibroma.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough tumors originating from the facial nerve are extremely rare, it is possible to make early diagnosis through finding clinical feature and imaging methods. Generally, systematic surgical approach for tumor removal and facial nerve reconstruction should be considered in the cases with facial neurinoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Facial Nerve ; pathology ; transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neurilemmoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Neurofibroma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Neuroma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect and results of short and medium periods of follow-up of percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty for critical pulmonary stenosis of neonates and infants under 6 months of age.

METHODSBetween January 2002 and December 2008, 34 consecutive patients aged from 13 to 175 days with critical pulmonary valvular stenosis underwent percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty. Patients records, catheterization data, angiograms and echocardiograms were reviewed. Patients were followed up for 6 months to 4 years (mean 25.5 months) by means of clinical examination and Doppler echocardiography.

RESULTSThe pulmonary valvuloplasty was accomplished in 32 (94%) of 34 attempts. Immediately after dilation, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) decreased from (96 ± 28) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) (49 ± 20) mm Hg (P < 0.01), the transvalvular peak to peak systolic gradient (ΔP) decreased from (89 ± 25) mm Hg to (25 ± 12) mm Hg (P < 0.01), and the right ventricular/aortic systolic pressure ratio decreased from 1.2 ± 0.5 to 0.7 ± 0.3 (P < 0.01). One patient died because of cardiac tamponade following rupture of the pulmonary valve annulus, 2 patients developed pericardial effusion, 3 patients had infundibular spasm, 3 patients had a pre-dilation by small balloon and 1 patient had weakened femoral artery pollex. After a follow up period of 6 months to 4 years 3 of 31 patients lost to follow-up. Repeat valvuloplasty was performed in 5 patients (3 neonates), no patient required surgery, and the other 23 patients did not undergo further intervention, a mean peak systolic Doppler gradient of (20 ± 13) mm Hg was found and no significant pulmonary regurgitation was seen.

CONCLUSIONSPercutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty was effective and safe for the treatment of critical pulmonary stenosis of neonates and infants under 6 months of age with good short and medium term results.

Catheterization ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Male ; Pulmonary Valve ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE To explore the neuro-protective effects of saffron (Crocus satius L.) on chronic focal cerebral ischemia in rats.METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:sham control group,MCAO group,edaravone group and saffron 30,100,300 mg·kg-1groups.Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO).Saffron was administered orally by once daily from 2 h to 42 d after ischemia. At 42 d after cerebral ischemia, neurological deficit score, spontaneous activity test,elevated plus maze test,marble burying test and novel objective recognition test were used to evaluate the effects of saffron on the behevioural change. Infarct volume, survival neuron density, activated astrocyte number, and the thickness of glial scar were also detected. GFAP expression and inflammatory cytokine contents in ischemic peripheral region were detected by Western blot and ELISA,separately.RESULTS Saffron(100,300 mg·kg-1)improved the body weight decrease, neurological deficit and spontaneous activity. Saffron (30-300 mg·kg- 1) increased the traveled distance ratio and total time in open arm, decreased the buried marble number, which indicated that saffron could ameliorate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Saffron (100, 300 mg·kg-1)improved the learning and memory function,which manifested by increased discrimination ratio(DR)and discrim-ination index (DI) in T2test. The results of toluidine blue found saffron treatment (100, 300 mg·kg-1) decreased the infarct volume and increased the neuron density in cortex and hippocampal.The activated astrocyte number,the thickness of glial scar and GFAP expression in ischemic peripheral region decreased after saffron. Saffron (100, 300 mg·kg-1) decreased the contents of IL-6 and IL-1β, increased the content of IL-10 in ischemic peripheral region.CONCLUSION Saffron exerted neuro-protective effects on chronic focal cerebral ischemia,which could be related with inhibiting the activation of astrocyte and glial scar,following with the decrease of inflammatory reaction.