Brain Infarction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Cerebral Angiography ; Child ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; Heart Atria ; Heart Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Myxoma ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Pulmonary Edema ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Thrombosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy

Cerebral Hemorrhage ; complications ; Child ; Humans ; Intussusception ; complications ; Male ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; complications

Objective To study the expression of Rho kinase and its functional activation in lung tissue from hypoxic pulmonary hypertension(HPH) rat model,and the effects of fasudil on HPH.Methods Seventy-two male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group,hypoxic model group,and fasudil-intervention group[group with hypoxia and fasudil for 15 mg/(kg?d)],respectively.Mean pulmonary arterial pressure(mPAP) and right ventricle hypertrophy index(RVHI) were measured.Expression of Rho kinase mRNA and protein were examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blot,respectively.The phosphorylation of binding subunit of myosin phosphatase(MBS)-a substrate of Rho kinase was detected by Western blot and defined,as the mark of functional activation of the kinase.Results The expression of Rho kinase mRNA in hypoxic model group was markedly upregulated even before the onset of the third day after the experiment(HPH),and it was much lower in rats of fasudil group than that of hypoxic model group.The phosphorylation of MBS was significantly higher in hypoxic model group than that in control group,and it was positively correlated with the mPAP and RVHI(all P

Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Silicosis ; blood ; classification ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Zhusha Anshen pill, cinnabar, HgS, HgCl2 and MeHg on the gene expression of renal transporters in mice.

METHODHealthy male mice were given equivalent physiological saline, Zhusha Anshen pill (1.8 g · kg(-1), containing 0.17 g · kg(-1) of mercury), cinnabar (0.2 g · kg(-1), containing 1.7 g · kg(-1) of mercury), high dose cinnabar (2 g · kg(-1), containing 1.7 g · kg(-1) of mercury), HgS (0.2 g · kg(-1), containing 0.17 g · kg(-1) of mercury), HgCl2 (0.032 g · kg(-1), containing 0. 024 g · kg(-1) of mercury), MeHg (0.026 g · kg(-1), containing 0.024 g · kg(-1) of mercury), once daily, for 30 d, measuring body mass gain. 30 days later, the mice were sacrificed. The mercury accumulation in kidneys was detected with atomic fluorescence spectrometer. Expressions of Oat1, Oat2, Oat3, Mrp2, Mrp4, Urat1 were detected with RT-PCR.

RESULTCompared with the normal control group, a significant accumulation of Hg in kidney in HgCl2 and MeHg groups was observed (P <0.05), but these changes were not found in other groups. Compared with normal control group, mRNA expressions of Oat1 and Oat2 were evidently lower in HgCl2 and MeHg groups, but mRNA expressions of Mrp2 were apparently higher in HgCl2 group (P <0.05), mRNA expression of Mrp4 was significant higher in HgCl2 and MeHg groups, and mRNA expression of Urat1 was apparently lower in MeHg group.

CONCLUSIONHgCl2 and MeHg groups show significant difference from the normal group in mercury accumulation in kidneys and gene expression of kidney transporters, but with no difference between other groups and the normal group. Compared with HgCl2 and MeHg, cinnabar and its compounds could cause lower renal toxicity to mice.

Animals ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mercuric Chloride ; toxicity ; Mercury Compounds ; toxicity ; Methylmercury Compounds ; toxicity ; Mice ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Organic Anion Transport Protein 1 ; genetics ; Organic Anion Transporters, Sodium-Independent ; genetics

Objective To study the characteristics of dynamic susceptibility-contrast(DSC)MR perfusion curves,color images and perfusion values in pre-operative brain metastasis.Methods Twenty- eight brain metastases underwent DSC MR perfusion imaging by using a first-pass T_2~* echo-planar sequence. The patients' data were transferred to on-line workstation.Time-signal intensity curves,color perfusion maps and rCBV,rMTT values in both tumor parenchyma and peri-tumor edema were analyzed,and independent t- test was used and P0.05).Conclusion Different originated brain metastases have nearly same characteristics in DSC MR perfusion imaging.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Huoxue Jieyu decoction (HJD) on patients with depression after craniotomy.

METHODSNinety patients were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the sequence of their consultation. The 45 patients in the treated group were treated with conventional symptomatic treatment plus oral administration of HJD, and the 38 patients in the control group were treated in the same way but with chlorimipramine (anafranil) instead of HJD. Hamilton depression (HAMD) scores before and after treatment, occurrence of adverse effects and long-term therapeutic effect of treatment were observed.

RESULTSThe score of HAMD was insignificantly different in 2 groups before and after treatment (P >0.05), but the occurrence of adverse effects between them was significantly different (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of HJD on depression was similar to that of anafranil, but HJD has less adverse effect and more stabilized long-term effect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Craniotomy ; adverse effects ; Depressive Disorder ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Postoperative Complications ; drug therapy

This study was aimed to explore the correlation between IL-6 gene promoter polymorphisms and coronary heart disease (CHD) by investigating the polymorphisms (-572G/C, -597G/A) in IL-6 gene promoter area, body mass index (BMI), inflammatory factors and other biochemical parameters in Han nationality of North China. The genotypes of IL-6 gene promoter-572G/C, -597G/A were detected by fluorescent probe hybridization with fluorescent resonance energy transfer and melting curve techniques in 194 CHD patients and 123 healthy people as control. The effects of genotype on plasma lipids, apoproteins, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and BMI were also studied. Logistic regression was performed to observe the risk factors of CHD. The results indicated that genotype of IL-6 gene promoter -597G/A polymorphism in 7 cases were GA and were GG in others, whereas no AA genotype had been found and no associations between polymorphism of IL-6 gene -597G/A, BMI and inflammatory factors were found. No differences had been found between the frequencies of IL-6 gene -572G/C genotypes and alleles in CHD and control group. However, significant difference was found between the G allele carrier (GG+GC) and non-G allele carrier (CC) of CHD and control group (p=0.0425). In the control group, median levels of systolic blood pressure of G allele carrier were significant higher than non-G allele carrier (p=0.02). Among all the subjects, median levels of BMI, hsCRP and systolic blood pressure in the group of G allele carrier were significantly higher than that in the group of non-G allele carrier, p values were 0.026, 0.022, 0.005 respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, triglyceride, sex, high blood pressure, apoprotein C2, cholesterol and lipoprotein-a) were the risk factors for CHD, and apoprotein A1 was a protective factor. The G allele of IL-6 gene -572G/C has been not found to be a risk factor for CHD. It is concluded IL-6 gene -597G/A polymorphism is not correlated with the susceptibility to CHD; IL-6 gene -572G/C polymorphism may be correlated with the susceptibility to CHD in Han nationality of North China, the mechanisms may be related with the changes of BMI, hsCRP and blood pressure levels resulted from the polymorphism of IL-6 -572G/C.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Disease ; etiology ; genetics ; Disease Susceptibility ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUNDContrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been reported to have higher sensitivity for detecting leptomeningeal disease compared with contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI (CE T1WI). However, currently there are no studies showing the potential value of clinical applications of contrast-enhanced FLAIR (CE FLAIR) sequence in diagnosing intracranial tumors in a larger group of patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of CE FLAIR in comparison with CE T1WI for intracranial tumors and to provide more information for clinical diagnosis and therapy.

METHODSOne hundred and four consecutive cases of intracranial tumors referred for CE brain MRI were analyzed with regard to FLAIR and T1WI pre- and post-administration of Gd-DTPA. The CE FLAIR and CE T1WI were evaluated independently by two radiologists for the number of examinations with one or more enhanced lesions, the number and location of enhanced lesions per examination, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-enhancement ratio (CER) of lesions, as well as the size and extent of the enhanced lesions.

RESULTSIn 98 of 104 cases, enhanced lesions were seen both on the FLAIR and T1W images. More lesions were seen on CE T1WI (n = 120) than those on CE FLAIR sequence (n = 117), but no differences of statistical significance were found between the two sequences (P > 0.05). Four lesions were revealed only on the CE FLAIR images whereas 7 lesions were only found on CE T1WI. Enhanced lesions located in the cerebral hemisphere or the forth ventricle were revealed much more on CE T1WI than on CE FLAIR images. However, CE FLAIR images may be useful in showing superficial abnormalities and those located in the sulcus or lateral ventricle. The CER and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) on CE T1WI was significantly higher (t = 7.10, P = 0.00; t = 9.67, P = 0.00, respectively), but grey matter/white matter contrast was lower (t = 2.46, P = 0.02) than those on CE FLAIR images. The SNR did not show any statistically significant difference between the two sequences (t = 1.1, P = 0.27). The size and extent of lesions on the CE FLAIR images were significantly larger than those on CE T1WI (t = 4.13, P = 0.00).

CONCLUSIONSCE FLAIR and CE T1WI may complement each other in showing intracranial tumors and the CE FLAIR sequence should be selected as a routine MRI sequence.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect and operative characteristic of the anatomic plate and trapezoid plate for treament of the comminuted intertrochanteric fracture combined with trochanteric coronal position fracture.

METHODSFrom Jan. 1998 to Mar. 2007, 57 patients suffered from comminuted intertrochanteric fracture combined with trochanteric coronal position fracture were randomly divided into two groups, 21 patients in trapezoid plate group were treated with the trapezoid compression plate, included 11 males and 10 females with an average age of 41.8 years; and 36 patients in anatomic plate group were treated with the anatomic plate, included 17 males and 19 females with an average age of 42.1 years. All of the 57 fractures were A3 type according to AO classification. The functions of hip joints were evaluated according to the Harris hip functional standard score.

RESULTSAll 57 patients were followed-up for 5 months to 9 years and 3 months with an average of 4.8 years. The healing time of the fractures was from 8 to 20 weeks with an average of 12.8 weeks. The results of Harris scoring showed the pain scores of the anatomic plate group were higher than that of the trapezoid plate group (P < 0.05). The function scores of the anatomic plate group were higher than that of the trapezoid plate group (P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant different in the deformity and ranges of joint scores between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn unstable comminuted intertrochanteric fracture combined with trochanteric coronal position fracture, the lateral wall of trochanteric is often destroyed. The anatomic plate and the trapeziod compression plate can provide effective internal fixation, while many othere internal fixation methods were limited in this kind of fracture. As compared with the anatomic plate fixation, the trapezoid compression plate fixation of comminuted intertrochanteric fracture combined with trochanteric coronal position fracture have several advantages, such as fewer complications, faster union of fracture and earlier recovery of joint functions.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Hip Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult