Objective To evaluate diagnosis and preoperative management of cases with interrupted aortic arch(IAA)in infancy.Methods Fifty-three infants who were admitted to our hospital from Jan.2001 to Nov.2007 were involved.Clinical data,findings of echocardiogram(Echo),spiral CT,MRI,angiocardiography,preoperative management,surgical repair and postoperative outcome were analyzed retrospectively.Results There were 38 boys and 15 girls,weighted 2.18-10.0(4.32?1.60)kg,aged 1 day to 12(3.05?3.53)months,of which 50.94% were neonates.Symptoms at presentation were 90.57% with tachypnea and 83.02% with difficulty in feeding.Eighty three point zero two percentage cases had different degree of congestive heart failure,37.74% of which were in grade Ⅲ heart function.All cases had weakened femoral pulse.All cases were performed Echo,38 cases of them diagnosed as IAA,6 cases as IAA or severe coarctation of aorta(CoA);they were diagnosed as IAA by CT,and 9 as severe CoA who were diagnosed as IAA via CT or operation.Thirty-three cases were performed CT,of which 15 underwent surgical repair,cardiovascular abnormalities revealed by CT were the same as those in surgical findings.Three cases were taken MRI,and 7 cases were performed angiocardiography.According to the results of Echo,CT,MRI,angiocardiography and surgical findings,35 cases were type A,15 cases were type B and 3 cases were type C.Preoperative treatment included maintaining patent ductus areriosis,management of heart failure and supportive treatment.After proper preoperative management of medication,most cases with congestive heart failure were improved.Twenty-six cases underwent surgical repair,16 survived,10 died du-ring perioperative stage.Main cause of death was severe low cardiac output.Conclusions Value of Echo in diagnosis of IAA is limi-ted.Combination of Echo with CT or MRI is a convenient and safe way to diagnose IAA,it can replace the traditional method of Echo combined with angiocardiography.Proper preoperative management is helpful to patients with IAA to pass to surgical repair,and makes for successful operation.

Adult ; Cosmetics ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; chemically induced ; Mercuric Chloride ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Mercury ; adverse effects ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the lung function of the normal subjects living in Hebei province and its correlative factors such as living circumstance, age, height, and body weight.

METHODSThe lung volumes and breath capacities of 1,587 normal subjects were tested by portable spirometers (Scope Rotry) from August to October in 2002. The influences of living circumstance, age, gender, height, and body weight on lung functions were observed and analyzed.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found between urban and rural areas in all indexes (P > 0.05); however, significant difference existed between male and female subjects (P = 0.000). The change trends of lung function in male and female subjects were similar. Growth spurt appeared at the age of 12-16 years in male subjects and 12-14 years in female subjects. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) reached their peaks at the age of 26-34 years and then decreased with age. Peak expiratory flow (PEF), 25% forced expiratory flow (FEF50%), and 75% forced expiratory flow (FEF75%) appeared at the age of 18 and then went down with age. Both height and weight had a correlation with all the indexes of lung functions, although the influence of height is stronger than weight.

CONCLUSIONSAll the indexes of lung function have correlations with age, height, and weight. Lung function changes with aging, therefore different expected values shall be available for the adolescence, young adults, and middle-aged and old people. This study provides reference values of lung function for normal population.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Flow Rates ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Reference Values ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Rural Health ; Sampling Studies ; Urban Health ; Vital Capacity

This paper is aimed to develop rapid, sensitive and convenient HPLC-MS/MS methods for the quantification of levosimendan and its metabolites OR-1855 and OR-1896 in human plasma. According to the different natures of the compounds, two sets of liquid chromatography and ionization modes were used for determination the concentration of levosimendan and its metabolites OR-1855 and OR-1896 in human plasma, separately. Following protein precipitation with methanol, the levosimendan and internal standard (rosuvastatin) were separated on a Capcell MG III C18 column (35 mm x 2.0 mm ID, 3 microm) with the mobile phase consisted of methanol-15 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate-formic acid (55: 45: 0.02, v/v/v). A tandem mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source was used as the detector and operated in the negative ion mode. Its metabolites OR-1855, OR-1896 and internal standard doxofylline were extracted from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Zorbax Extend C18 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 microm) with the mobile phase consisted of methanol-15 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate-formic acid (65 :35 :0.1, v/v/v). A tandem mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source was used as the detector and operated at the positive ion mode. The linear concentration ranges of the calibration curves for levosimendan and OR-1855 and OR-1896 were 0.10-50.0 ng x mL(-1), 0.20-100 ng x mL(-1), 0.20-100 ng x mL(-1), respectively. The lower limits of quantification of levosimendan and OR-1855 and OR-1896 were 0.10 ng x mL(-1), 0.20 ng x mL(-1), 0.20 ng x mL(-1), respectively. The methods proved to be sensitive, simple and rapid, and suitable for the pharmacokinetic study of levosimendan injection.
Acetamides ; blood ; Cardiotonic Agents ; blood ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Humans ; Hydrazones ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Pyridazines ; blood ; metabolism ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

OBJECTIVETo compare the different therapeutic effect between acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) only and multi acupoints on dysmenorrhea.

METHODSThirty eight cases were randomly divided into a single acupoint group and a multi-acupoints group, 19 cases in each group. The single acupoint group was treated by acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) only, and the multi-acupoints group by acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Diji (SP 8), Ciliao (BL 32). They were all treated from the first day when sudden intense pain occurs, one time each day, for 3 days in each menstrual cycle, the treatment of three menstrual cycles. The therapeutic effect and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were compared and the score of general frequency and severity of dysmenorrhea by using Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS) were evaluated.

RESULTSThe cured rate was 68.4% (13/19) and the effective rate was 31.6% (6/19) in the single acupoint group, being similar to 78.9% (15/19) and 21.1% (4/19) in the multi-acupoints group (P > 0.05). VAS and the scores of general frequency and severity of dysmenorrhea were all significantly decreased after treatment in both groups (all P < 0.001), with no significant difference between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) only can be as effective as selecting multi-acupoints to cure essential dysmenorrhea.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Analgesia ; Dysmenorrhea ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of acupuncture on neurofunction and neuropsychological factors of chronic alcoholic peripheral neuropathy (CAPN) patients.

METHODSTotally 120 CAPN patients were assigned to the common treatment group, acupuncture group A, and acupuncture group B according to random digit table, 40 in each group. All patients recieved conventional drug therapy. Besides, patients in the acupuncture group A were additionally needled at Pishu (BL20), Weishu (BL21), Xuehai (SP10), Yinlingquan (SP9), Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Jiexi (ST41), Xuanzhong (GB39), Xiangu (ST43),Taixi (KI3), Quchi (LI11), Waiguan (SJ5), Hegu (LI4), and so on. On these bases patients in the acupuncture group B were needled at Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yintang (EX-HN3), Neiguan (PC6), Taichong (LR3), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Taiyang (EX-HN5). Acupuncture was performed once a day, 14 times as a course; and then once on every other day, 14 times in total for 4 weeks. All treatment lasted for 8 successive weeks. Neuropathy Impairment Score in the Lower Limbs (NIS-LL), Neurological Severity Score (NSS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were assessed, motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) were detected before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter 8 weeks of treatment the scores of NIS-LL and NSS significantly decreased in the 3 groups, with statistical difference as compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). Scores of NIS-LL and NSS decreased more in acupuncture groups A and B than in the common treatment group (P < 0.05), and more obvious in acupuncture group B (P < 0.05). Compared with the same group before treatment, MCV and SCV of median nerve, ulnar nerve, common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve increased in acupuncture treatment group A and B after 8-week treatment (P < 0.05). MCV of median nerve, MCV and SCV of common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve significantly increased in the common treatment group (P < 0.05). Compared with the common treatment group, SCV of median nerve, MCV and SCV of ulnar nerve, common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve obviously increased in acupuncture treatment groups A and B after treatment (P < 0.05). MCV of ulnar nerve, MCV and SCV of common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve obviously increased more in acupuncture treatment group A than in acupuncture treatment group B (P < 0.05). At week 8 after treatment scores of HAMD and HAMA were obviously lowered in acupuncture groups A and B, with statistical difference as compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). The scores of HAMD were also decreased in the common treatment group, as compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). At week 8 after treatment scores of HAMD and HAMA were obviously lowered more in acupuncture treatment group B than in acupuncture treatment group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture therapy could effectively improve the neurofunction of CAPN patients, and improve complicated anxiety and depression by additionally needling at Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yintang (EX-HN3), Taichong (LR3), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Taiyang (EX-HN5).

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Alcohol-Related Disorders ; therapy ; Anxiety ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; therapy

Biopsy ; Calcitriol ; therapeutic use ; Calcium ; therapeutic use ; Fanconi Syndrome ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Pilot Projects ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between chorioamnionitis and brain injury in preterm infants.

METHODSA total of 88 preterm infants (28-34 weeks), who were born between June 2008 and June 2011, were divided into a case group (n=41) and a control group (n=47) according to whether or not they had chorioamnionitis. All the infants were examined by brain ultrasonography periodically after birth and underwent brain diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) between 3 and 7 days after birth. The two groups were compared in terms of the incidence of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and periventricular and intraventricular hemorrhage (PVH-IVH) by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the corrected gestational age of 40 weeks.

RESULTSThere was statistical significance in the incidence of PVL between the case and the control groups (32% vs 6%; P<0.05), but no significant difference in the incidence of PVH-IVH between the two groups (27% vs 23%; P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChorioamnionitis is associated with brain injury in preterm infants, increasing the incidence of PVL but having little influence over the incidence of PVH-IVH.

Cerebral Hemorrhage ; epidemiology ; Chorioamnionitis ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; epidemiology ; Male ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of intravenous infusion of 50 g/L fructose on post-operative blood glucose level in burn patients, and to evaluate its therapeutic value and safety.

METHODSA prospective, randomized, double blinded clinical trial was conducted. Forty-one burn patients with burn area ranging between 10% -30% of total body surface (TBSA) and third degree burns ranging between 1% -10% TBSA were enrolled in the study and randomized into experiment group (E, n = 21, with intravenous infusion of 500 ml of 50 g/L fructose daily for 3 days after escharectomy) and control group ( C, n = 20, with intravenous infusion of glucose 1 day after escharectomy for 3 days). Intravenous infusion of other carbohydrate liquids or oral intake of sugar was withhold within 4 hours of fructose or glucose infusion. Physical signs and side effects were observed during the administration. The plasma glucose contents before operation and on 1, 2 and 3 post-operation day( POD) were measured. The serum content of lactic acid, uric acid, hepatic and renal function were determined before operation and on 4 POD.

RESULTSPhysical signs before and after drug administration, and plasma glucose content before operation, as well as before and after fructose administration in 3 POD exhibited no obvious difference between the two groups ( P > 0. 05 ). The plasma glucose content was increased 3 days after operation in the control group, and it reached the peak on 3 POD [ (8. 4+/-3. 5) mmol/L] , which was markedly higher than that before glucose administration [ (6. 4+/-2.4) mmol/L, P <0. 01) ]. The plasma contents of lactic acid and uric acid showed no obvious difference ( P >0.05) between the two groups, and also no difference before and after operation ( P > 0. 05). No changes were observed in hepatic and renal functions.

CONCLUSIONIntravenous infusion of 50 g/L D-fructose is safe because it exerts little influence on blood glucose level.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; Burns ; blood ; drug therapy ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Fructose ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies

Objective To assess the wards atmosphere of psychiatric department for further research and to provide the reference for the use of quantitative tool of ward atmosphere. Methods Evaluate 117 patients and 90 nurses by wards atmosphere scale for a ward atmosphere of mental hospital. Results The mean score of psychiatric ward atmosphere is (27.27 ± 4.37 ), participating factor, supporting factor and spontaneous factor have high score. Children's ward in individual factor, spontaneous factor and the total score is higher than adult ward. Nurses in the control factor, planning and supporting factor score higher than patients. Conclusions The survey of psychiatric ward overall score good atmosphere, but some aspects should be further improved, there were significant differences between different wards and between nurses and patients in the scores of wards atmosphere.