Objective    To investigate the effects of a self-powered conduit in different patients’ models who underwent extracardiac Fontan procedure. Methods    Four children who underwent extracardiac Fontan procedure in Shanghai Children's Medical Center from 2011 to 2017 year were selected. Venae cavae and pulmonary arteries were reconstructed using Mimics 19.0®. In silico, a venturi conduit was introduced to the anastomosis of venae cavae and pulmonary artery. Then computational fluid dynamics simulation was performed using patients’ clinical data. Results    When inferior venae cavae were directly to or to the left of superior venae cavae, the venturi conduit could assist the return of venous blood and reduce the pressures of venae cavae about 0.5 mm Hg. And the pressure differences between venae cavae and pulmonary arteries were about –0.7 mm Hg, which suggested that the conduit could generate right ventricle-like effect. Conclusion    The venturi conduit can reduce the pressure of venae cavae, increase pulmonary circulation flow and improve Fontan hemodynamics.

Objective    Pulmonary vein banding was used to establish a piglet model of pulmonary vein stenosis. We investigated the pathomorphological alterations of pulmonary veins in the model and compared it with the vascular tissue of recurrent stenosis after total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). Methods    Ten pigs of 6 weeks old were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups: 5 in a sham operation group and 5 in a pulmonary vein banding group. The operation had two stages, in which thoracotomies through intercostal space were done respectively on both sides. Biocompatible materials were applied around the pulmonary veins in the experimental group. The same method was used in the sham group. But the pulmonary veins were not banded. Six weeks after the operation, the pulmonary veins of the animals were harvested for hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence staining to observe the pathological alterations of pulmonary veins. The proliferative tissues of patients with recurrent stenosis after TAPVC repair were collected and observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence staining. Results    Both the sham operation group and the pulmonary vein banding group survived. But the pulmonary vein banding group had obvious clinical manifestations of pulmonary venous stenosis. Compared with the sham group, the pulmonary vein banding group showed intimal hyperplasia, decreased expression of endothelial marker and increased expression of mesenchymal markers, and co-expression of endothelial and mesenchymal markers in intimal cells. Human pathology also showed intimal hyperplasia and co-expression of endothelial and mesenchymal markers in intimal cells. Conclusion    The surgical pulmonary vein stenosis in piglets shows intimal hyperplasia and myofibroblasts, which was consistent with clinical pathology.

The expression levels of serum tenascin-C, osteopontin(OPN), and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) in the patients of diabetic mellitus were measured by ELISA. With the increase of the UACR, the expression of tenascin-C, osteopontin, and transforming growth factor-β1 showed a trend of increase and hypertension will argument this phenomenon. Pearson correlation analysis showed that levels of tenascin-C were positively correlated with HbA1C , body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, UACR, osteopontin, and transforming growth factor-β1.

Objective To study the impact of chronic hypoxia on white matter (WM) injury and brain development delay using a neonatal rat model, and to explore its value in simulating chronic hypoxic brain damage in cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods Three-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly distributed to an experiment group (n=36, FiO2 10.5%±1.0%) and a control group (n=36, FiO2 21.0%±0.0%) and were raised for 12 days. (1) Body weight of SD rats was recorded every day and fresh brain weight was measured on P14. (2) H&E staining was performed on sections of brain tissue to observe pathological changes and ventricular size. (3) Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was applied to reveal alterations of oligodendroglial progenitor cells (OPC), preoligodendrocytes (PreOL) and myelin basic protein (MBP) in brain WM area. (4) Protein was extracted from 50 mg of brain tissue in WM area and expression of MBP was determined using Western blotting. (5) Motor function and coordination of rats (P30) were assessed via rotation experiment. Results (1) Body weight and brain weight were significantly less in the experiment group compared with the control group on P14 (body weight 14.92±1.26 gvs. 30.26±1.81 g, t=7.51, P<0.01; brain weight 0.68± 0.05 gvs.0.97±0.04 g, t=13.26, P<0.01); (2) HE staining: Sections of brain tissue from the experiment group showed ventricular size enlargement with a statistical difference (P<0.01), disordered cell organization, local neuronal death and leukomalacia. (3) The number of OPC and PreOL in the experiment group were significantly less than those in the control group (64.8±6.3vs. 126.2±8.4, t=11.19, P<0.01; 19.1±7.6vs. 46.7±9.5, t=7.28, P<0.01, respectively). MBP distribution was sparse and disorganized in the experiment group. (4) Western blotting: Expression of MBP was less in the experiment group (P<0.01). (5) Behavioral test: Time on rotarod was less in the experiment group with a statistical difference (P<0.01). Conclusion Chronic hypoxia can result in WM injury and brain development delay in neonatal rats, with features comparable to those seen in infants with cyanotic CHD.

Objective    To explore current results after staged operations in patients with functional single ventricle anomalies and pulmonary hypertension. Methods    We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 129 patients with functional single ventricle anomalies and pulmonary hypertension undergoing pulmonary artery banding in our hospital between April 2008 and December 2015. There were 81 males and 48 females. There were 71 patients with double outlet of right ventricle, 17 patients with tricuspid atresia, 7 patients with transposition of great arteries, 33 patients with uni-ventricular heart, and one patient with complete atrio-ventricular septal defect. The surgical results, transition to Glenn procedure and subsequent transition to Fontan procedure were analyzed. Results    The 129 patients underwent 159 operations of pulmonary artery banding totally. Hospital mortality was 4.7% (6/129). Nine patients were lost to follow-up. Eighty-seven (67.4%) patients underwent the second-stage Glenn procedure, and 43 patients(33.3%) underwent third-stage Fontan procedure. Two patients died after Glenn and 3 patients died after Fontan separately. There were 32 patients who accompanied with coarctation, interruption of aortic arch, heterotaxy, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection or atrio-ventricular valve regurgitation. Fifteen (46.9%) patients succeeded in transition to Glenn, and 6 (18.8%) patients succeeded in transition to Fontan. Fourteen patients developed obstruction of left ventricular outlet tract or bulbo-ventricular foramen. Conclusion    Early pulmonary artery banding is an acceptable strategy for patients with single ventricle anomalies and pulmonary hypertension. Outcomes and results of subsequent Glenn and Fontan procedures are generally good. Accompanied complex anomalies are risk factors for lower ratio of transition to Glenn and  Fontan procedure.

Objective To study the effects of acupuncture at myofascial trigger points on spastic foot drop and inversion after stroke. Methods From May, 2014 to May, 2016, 50 stroke patients were randomly divided into control group (n=25) and observation group (n=25). Both groups accepted routine rehabilitation, while the observation group accepted acupuncture at myofascial trigger points per day in addi-tion. They were assessed with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain, modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), range of motion (ROM) of ankle, sim-plified Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) for lower limbs and maximum walking speed (MWS) in ten metres before and six weeks after treat-ment. Results The scores of VAS, MAS, and FMA, the ROM of ankle, and MWS improved after treatment (t>6.845, P<0.001), and im-proved more in the observation group than in the control group (t>5.586, P<0.001). Conclusion Acupuncture at myofascial trigger points can release spasm to reduce foot drop and inversion in patients with stroke.

Objective To develop the clinical practice guidelines for the management of medication adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in China. Methods The development methods included qualitative interview of 31 stakeholders, questionnaire survey of 423 PLHIV, adaptation of 30 clinical practice guidelines related to AIDS care, and overviews of reviews of 44 systematic reviews/Meta-analysis. Results 10 clinical practice guidelines and 10 systematic reviews/Meta-analysis were included. The clinical practice guidelines for the management of HAART were formed. Conclusions The formed clinical practice guidelines showed better applicability and higher general quality. It is recommended to use the guidelines in AIDS care.

Objective To observe the effects of Jianpi Yangxue Qufeng Formula (JPYXQF) on the AQP3 in mice with chronic eczema, and explore mechanism of action. Methods Fifty healthy male mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely normal group, model group, positive medicine group and JPYXQF high and low dose groups. Low-dose DNCB and Sennae Fominm were used to establish mice models of chronic eczema with spleen deficiency. JPYXQF groups were treated by JPYXQF for gavage, while the positive medicine group was treated by levocetirizine hydrochloride for gavage. The expression of AQP3 in mice skin tissue was detected by immunohistochemical method. At the same time, the pathological changes of skin were observed. Results The pathology of mice skin lesion showed that JPYXQF has certain recovery effects on the inflammation injury of skin lesion. Compared with the normal group, expression of AQP3 over expressed in model group. Compared with the model group, the expression of AQP3 in all treatment groups significantly decreased, and the staining intensity decreased. In the model group, the average optical density of AQP3 was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the treatment groups can reduce the expression of AQP3 in mice skin tissues (P<0.05). Conclusion JPYXQF can reduce the over expression of AQP3 in skin lesion, which is probably its mechanism for the treatment of chronic eczema.

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of glargine insulin combined with glimepiride therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods According to the random number table,100 T2DM patients with unsatisfactory efficacy of oral hypoglycemic agents were randomly divided into treament group and control group, 50 cases in each group.Then,the treatment group was dealed with glargine insulin and glimepiride,the control group were treated with insulin glargine for our treatment protocol.12 weeks after treament,the fasting blood glucose(FPG), 2 hours blood glucose(2hPG),body mass index(BMI),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),islet β-cell function index(HOMA -β),insulin resistance index(Homa -IR),insulin dosage(INS),time requirds,weight gain and so on were observed.Meanwhile,The occurrence condition of hypoglycemia was also observed.Results In control groups, the post -treatment indexes of FPG,2hPG,HbAlc,HOMA -βand HOMA -IR[(5.7 ±0.8)mmol/L,(8.6 ± 2.5)mmol/L,(6.5 ±0.7)%,(40.35 ±3.12),(2.68 ±1.41 )]were much better than those in pre -treatment [(11.7 ±1.6)mmol/L,(15.1 ±6.1 )mmol/L,(9.2 ±1.1 )%,(19.01 ±2.79),(3.42 ±1.47)](t =23.717, 6.971,14.642,36.052,2.568,P <0.01 or 0.05 for both).In the treatment group,the post -treatment indexes of FPG,2hPG,HbAlc,HOMA -β,HOMA -IR[(5.6 ±0.7)mmol/L,(7.3 ±2.3)mmol/L,(6.3 ±1.0)%,(54.18 ± 3.23),(2.12 ±1.26 )]improved obviously than those in pre -treatment [(11.8 ±1.7 )mmol/L,(15.8 ± 5.2)mmol/L,(9.3 ±1.2)%,(18.71 ±3.12),(3.36 ±1.56)](t =23.846,10.570,13.580,55.849,4.372,P <0.01 for both).After treatment,the indexes of 2hPG,HOMA -β,HOMA -IR,insulin dose,time requirds and ampli-tude of weight gain[(7.3 ±2.3)mmol/L,(54.18 ±3.23),(2.12 ±1.26),(18.06 ±1.43)U /d,(10.1 ±2.4)d, (1.1 ±0.4kg)]etc in the treatment group were significantly ameliorated than those in the control group[(8.6 ± 2.5)mmol/L,(40.35 ±3.12),(2.68 ±1.41 ),(22.46 ±1.77)U /d,(13.2 ±2.6)d,(2.1 ±0.6)kg](t =23.717,6.971,14.642,36.052,2.568,P <0.01 or 0.05 for both).Hypoglycemia events of treatment group were 4 cases(8.0%)and the same in the control group were 13 cases(26.0%),there were statistical significance between the two groups(χ2 =5.535,P <0.05).Conclusion Treatment of glargine insulin combined with glimepiride can improve blood glucose level of T2DM patients,recover their islet β-cell function,relieve the IR,shorten the time requirds,as well as reduce the insulin dosage,range of weight gain and rate of hypoglycemia events.Hence,treatment protocol of glargine insulin combined with glimepiride is an effective clinical treatment for newly diagnosed T2DMpatients.

BACKGROUNDA proinflammatory milieu emerging in the lung due to neutrophil accumulation and activation is a key in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). 15-deoxy-Δ(12, 14)-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), one of the terminal products of the cyclooxygenase-2 pathway, is known to be the endogenous ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) with multiple physiological properties. Growing evidence indicates that 15d-PGJ2 has anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, cytoprotective and pro-resolving effects. We investigated whether 15d-PGJ2 has a protective effect against endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats.

METHODSTwenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 6 per group): sham+vehicle group, sham+15d-PGJ2 group, LPS+vehicle group, and LPS+15d-PGJ2 group. The rats were given either lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 6 mg/kg intravenously) or saline, and pretreated with 15d-PGJ2 (0.3 mg/kg intravenously) or its vehicle (dimethyl sulphoxide) 30 minutes before LPS. Histological alterations, wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) levels were determined in lung tissues four hours after LPS injection. Immunohistochemical analysis for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and Western blotting analysis for nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 translocation and IκBα protein levels were also studied.

RESULTS15d-PGJ2 pretreatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced lung injury, and reduced the increased W/D ratio, MPO activity, TNF-α, CINC-1 levels, and ICAM-1 expression in the lung. 15d-PGJ2 also suppressed the nuclear NF-κB p65 translocation and increased cytosolic IκBα levels.

CONCLUSIONS15d-PGJ2 protects against endotoxin-induced acute lung injury, most likely through the reduction of proinflammatory protein levels during endotoxemia subsequent to the inhibition of NF-κB activation.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Animals ; Chemokine CXCL1 ; metabolism ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Male ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Prostaglandin D2 ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism