Value of D-Dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection

Objective: To evaluatel the value of D-dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: This study consisted of 16 patients with AAD and 27 non-AAD patients. Serum D-dimets were measured by Sta-Liatest D-DI immunoturbidimetric assay. Results: D-dimer level was higher (P ＜ 0.001) in patients with AAD(7.91 ± 5.52 μg/ml) than that in non- AAD group(1.57±1.24 μg/ml). D-dimer was positive (＞0.4 μg/ml) in all patients with AAD and in 10 control group patients (37%). Among patients with acute AAD, D-dimers tended to be higher in Stanford A than in Stanford B (8.67 ± 4.31 μg/ml vs. 3.24±1.27 μg/ml, P ＜0.01). D-dimer values tended to be higher in more extended disease(3.84 ± 1.65 μg/ml, 8.57 ± 3.58 μg/ml and 11.87 ± 5.69 μg/ml in thoracic aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta and iliacal arteries, respectively, P ＜ 0.05 for both 8.57 ± 3.58 and 11.87 ± 5.69 vs. 3.84 ± 1.65 ). Including the control group into the analysis, we found a sensitivity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 100%, and a specificity of 66% and a positive predictive value of 64% for D-dimer in diagnosis of AAD in our patients with suspected AAD. Conclusion: D-dimer was elevated in patients with AAD. A negative D-dimer test result could be useful in excluding AAD.     

Research of combined liver-kidney transplantation model in rats

Objective： To set up a simple and reliable rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation. Methods： SD rats served as both donors and recipients. 4℃ sodium lactate Ringer＇s was infused from portal veins to donated livers,and from abdominal aorta to donated kidneys, respectively. Anastomosis of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava （IVC） inferior to the right kidney between the graft and the recipient was performed by a double cuff method, then the superior hepatic vena cava with suture. A patch of donated renal artery was anastomosed to the recipient abdominal aorta. The urethra and bile duct were reconstructed with a simple inside bracket. Results： Among 65 cases of combined liver-kidney transplantation, the success rate in the late 40 cases was 77.5%. The function of the grafted liver and kidney remained normal. Conclusion： This rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation can be established in common laboratory conditions with high success rate and meet the needs of renal transplantation experiment.     

BLOOD PRESSURE CHANGE WITH AGE IN SALT-SENSITIVE TEENAGERS

Objective To observe blood pressure change with age in salt-sensitive teenagers whose salt sensitivity were determined by repeated testing.Methods Salt sensitivity was determined through intravenous infusion of normal saline combined with volume-depletion by oral diuretic furosemide in 55 teenagers. After five years, salt sensitivity was re-examined and subject blood pressure was followed up. Blood pressure changes in salt-sensitive teenagers were compared to that of non-salt sensitive teenagers over five years.Results After 5 years, the repetition rate of salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading is 92.7%. In teenagers with salt sensitivity on the baseline, both the systolic blood pressure increments and increment rates were much higher than non-salt sensitive teenagers (12.7±12.1 mmHg vs. 2.8±5.2 mmHg, P＜ 0.01; 12.2%± 12.0% vs. 2.5% ±4.4%, P＜ 0.001,respectively). There was a similar trend for diastolic blood pressure (8.4 ± 6.4 mmHg vs. 3.7 ± 6.4 mmHg, P = 0.052; 13.2% ±10.6 % vs. 6.8%± 10.1%, P = 0.053, respectively).Conclusions Salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading showed good reproducibility. Blood pressure increments with age were much higher in salt-sensitive teenagers than non-salt sensitive teenagers, especially in terms of systolic blood pressure.     

Development on Adjustable Calibration Marker for Shock Wave Focus

Shock wave lithotripsy （SWL） is a treatment of choice for upper urinary stones. However, this procedure is inappropriate for obese patients because the focus is often unable to reach the target owing to the limited focal distance in shock wave source. Although treating such patients in a blast path may increase the application length of shock wave source, it＇s difficult to find this path on the lithotripter monitor. For this reason, we invented an adjustable calibration marker in order to set an effective focus in the shock wave hath.     

Study on the TCM Pathogenesis of Angiopathic Complications of Type II Diabetes

Excess production of reactive oxygen species(ROS)of mitochondrion mediated by hyperglycemia is the common pathogenesis of angiopathic complications of diabetes.TCM holds that the damp from the dysfunction of spleen.kidney and liver is the causative factor of complications of diabetes.This is similar to the mechanism of Ros resulting in angiopathic complications of diabetes.When the angiopathic complications of type II diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are difierentiated as caused by turbid damp in TCM can be explained as ROS.Since the obstruction of pathogenic damp in channels and collaterals is said to be the main pathogenesis,the treating principle should be dissolving the damp to remove the obstruction.     

Leptin, Ghrelin and TNF-α before and after Hypo-caloric Traditional Chinese Diet and Auricular Acupuncture

INTRODUCTION Obesity is a complex emergent problem, which can be possibly solved not only by the diet but also by the life style and promotion of a constant physical exercise. 1, 2 No doubt careful attentions must be given to the nutritional condition of obese people, the dietary habits, the somatic build (i.e. distribution of fat mass) and the organic functions linked to formation of the fat mass. All the parameters should be constantly monitored before, during and after a diet treatment. 3, 4, 5     

Relationship between Dysglycemia and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Tibetan Population

People with dysglycemia are at high risk for atherosclerotic diseases. This study aims at investigating the atherosclerotic vascular damage in dysglycemia and its metabolic origin in Tibetan population.     

APPLICATION OF LORNOXICAM TO PATIENT-CONTROLLED ANALGESIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ABDOMINAL SURGERIES

FOR anesthesiologis s ,treatingpostoperativepainhas alwaysbeen a problem.Althoughopioidshave been provedtobe effective,theirsideeffectscouldnotbeignored.With thedevelopmentofscienceand pharmacology,many drugs with aspectsof satisfactoryanalgesicefficacyand couldbe welltoleratedby patientshave been developed.And lornoxicamisone of them, which isa non-steroidalanti-inflammatorydrug (NSAID ), with analgesic, anti-infl-ammatory,andantipyreticproperties.Itseliminationhalf-time(3 to 5 hours) isle…     

安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术后生活质量影响的研究

目的：评价使用安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术（PPCI）术后生活质量的影响.方法：将160例接受PPCI的急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者随机分为安心颗粒组（术前顿服安心颗粒8.8g,术后安心颗粒4.4 g/次,每日2次）和对照组（仅接受基础药物治疗）.所有患者均服用阿司匹林、氯吡格雷和阿托伐他汀.分别在入院时、出院前1d、出院后180 d时,应用心肌梗死多维度量表（MIDAS）、中文版SF-36评价量表对患者生活质量评分.并观察术后30 d以内的出血并发症、血小板减少症发生情况.结果：入院时和出院前1d,两组患者的心肌梗死MIDAS、SF-36量表评分比较无差异（P＞0.05）;出院后180 d时,与对照组比较,安心颗粒组MIDAS、SF-36评分明显减低（P＜0.05）;组内与入院时比较,两组出院前1d、出院后180 d时,MIDAS、SF-36评分均降低（P＜0.05）.两组患者在随访期间均无大量出血、少量出血、重度和极重度血小板减少症发生,安心颗粒组有4例、对照组有7例发生不明显出血（P＞0.05）.两组发生轻度血小板减少症的患者数比较无差异（P＞0.05）.结论：PPCI使用安心颗粒,能改善急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的生活质量,且不增加出血风险.     

The comparative studies of the influences of Urapidil and Nicardipine on sino-atrial node function, atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics

Objective:To investigate the influences of urapidil and nicardipine on rabbit sinus function,atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics.Methods:Thirty-two Angora's rabbits were selected and randomly divided into four groups.U1 group:urapidil 0.25 mg/kg;U2 group:urapidil 0.5 mg/kg;N1 group:nicardipine 10 μg/kg;N2 group:nicardipine 20 μg/kg.All these medicine were administrated within 30 seconds.Measurements were taken before and after the administration of urapidil or nicardipine for the following data:mean blood pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),sino-atrial conduction time(SACT),maximal sinoatrial recovery time(SNRTmax)corrected sinus node recovery time(CSNRT),index of sinus node recovery time(SNRTI),Wenckebach A-V conduction frequency (WB),and P-R interval.Results:Significant MAP and HR changes were identified in all of the four groups before and after administration of both urapidil and nicardipine.No significant changes could be found in the rest of the parameters.Intergroup analysis showed that SACT and CSNRT of N1 and N2 groups were shorter than those of the U2 group(P＜0.01);the MAP decreased(P＜0.01)and the HR increased drastically(P＜0.01).Conclusions:Neither urapidil(0.25 mg/kg,0.5 mg/kg)nor nicardipine(10μg/kg,20μg/kg)has any significant influence on rabbit sinus function or rabbit atrio-ventricular node function.Nicardipine could be a better choice than urapidil for parafunctional sinus node patients.     

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SERUM CYTOKINES IL-1β,sIL-2R,IL-6,TNF-α,AND IFN-v IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Objectives To explore serum cytokines levels (including IL-1 β, sIL-2R, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-v) and their significance in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the subsequent follow-ups, with attempt to estimate the role of various serum inflammatory markers in the diagnosis and assessment of ACS.Methods The study population include 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 40 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and 40 controls. Among the 80 patients, 60 patients attended a follow up 4 months later. Serum inflammatory markers including IL-1 β, sIL-2R, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-v were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Results Serum IL- 1 β, sIL-2R, IL-6, TNF-α were significantly higher in AMI group or UAP group compared to the control group and became significantly lower 4 months later in the follow-up patients. Serum levels of IFN-v shows no significant difference between AMI group or UAP group and controls, also showing no significant change when measured in follow up patients. There was no correlation between serum creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme levels and serum inflammatory markers either in UAP or AMI group. Furthermore, when divided into two subgroups using Wagner's QRS scoring system in the AMI group, there is no difference of each serum inflammatory marker between ≤ 6 scores group and ＞ 6 scores group.Conclusion Serum levels of certain inflammatory markers may have some diagnostic value for ACS, and can be a useful marker reflecting disease stability.     

Possible Spread of adenovirus type 3 from poultry to humans ：indirect evidence from an outbreak in China

Objective:To explore the epidemiology and etiology for an outbreak of acute respiratory tract infection that occurred in one county of Jiangsu Province, China 2004. Methods: Only cases meeting the case definition were included in the study. We reviewed the medical records of the cases who were admitted to the local hospitals, interviewed cases by a standard questionnaire, and then described the epidemiotogic features and analyzed risk factors by means of a case-control study. We collected pharyngeal swab specimens and sent them to different laboratories for isolation and culture. The laboratory used different detection methods such as DIP, PCR, electron microscope examination and microneutralization assay, to identify and then type the positive specimens. Results:A total of 871 cases were reported during the period from April 18 to July 4,2004. The distribution of onset times presented two peaks, one in late May and another in middle June. The epidemic occurred mainly in the elementary and junior high schools in ten townships of one county, and the mean age of the cases was 12 years (range 7 months to 18 years). The course of the disease was acute, and was characterized by fever accompanied with sore throat and tonsillitis. The WBC count of cases was normal or elevated. The mean duration of illness was 5 days (range 2 to 12 days). No fatalities from illness were reported. A case-control study indicated that the possible risk factors were close contact with a case and/or poultry before onset and sharing of towels among members of the family. The typical CPE was observed through inoculating pharyngeal swab specimens into the HEP-2 cell cultures in different laboratories. An infection of adenovirus type 3 was verified by detecting positive specimens in different methods. Conclusion:This investigation demonstrated that the acute respiratory infection in cases was caused by adenovirus type 3. Cases occurred in over 70 schools in ten townships in 2004, and the route of transmission was possibly close contact with cases or droplet transmission.     

Response of the xenograft endothelium in the concordant xenotransplantation

Objective: To investigate the response of the xenograft endothelium in the concordant hamster to rat cardiac xenotransplantation and the mechanism of acute vascular rejection. Methods: The animals were divided into 5 groups randomly: control group,CsA group, splenectomy group, D0 splenectomy CsA group and D3 splenectomy CsA group. Hamster heart was heterotopicaly transplanted to rat abdominal cavity. The graft survival was monitored by palpation of the rat abdominal wall. The histological and ultrastructural changes of the xenogafts were investigated. NF-κB and P-selectin expression in the xenograft were detected. Hene Oxigenase-1 and Bcl-2 expression were also detected in the xenografts of different groups. Results: The mean survival time of the xenografts in control group, CsA group, splenectomy group, D0 splenectomy CsA group and D3 splenectomy CsA group was 3.4±0.55, 3.8±0.45, 6.4±1.52, 30 and 7.4±1.14 days. The rejected graft showed typical acute vascular rejection in control group, CsA group,splenectomy group and D3 splenectomy CsA group. Endothelial cells of the rejected xenograft showed dramatic assembly of ribosomes and expansion of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. However, the endothelium of the long-term survived grafts in D0 splenectomy CsA group showed normal architecture. NF-κB and P-selectin expression were detected in the rejected xenografts. HO-1 expression was observed in the long-term survived xenografts in D0 splenectomy CsA group. Conclusion: The endothelial cells of the xenograft might be activated during the acute vascular rejection. Expression of HO-1 might inhibit the upregulation of NF-κB and adhesion molecular which decreases the activation of the endothelium of the graft.     

Subjective sleep quality in perimenopausal women and its related factors

Objective To evaluate the sleep quality and its related factors among perimenopausal women. Methods A self-designed questionnaire was administered to 506 perimenopausal women. The questionnaire included the influencing factors on the sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scales (SDS), the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety (SAS) and the Modified Kupperman Index (KI). Data were analyzed by SPSS11.5. Results The mean PSQI was 5.97±4.30.Twenty-four percent of perimenopausal women reported poor sleep. Age and perimenopausal symptoms were significantly correlated with sleep quality. The sleep quality of the 45～49 age group was the poorest and the 40～44 age group was the best. The women who had higher Kupperman index were more likely to be poor sleepers. There was no significant correlation between occupation and sleep quality. Night sweat, depression, anxiety, hot flash, stressful life event, and regular exercise were significantly and independently related with sleep quality. Among them, regular exercise was a protective factor of sleep quality. ConclusionHigh incidence of poor sleep quality exists among perimenopausal women. Some effective interventions should be taken to improve the sleep quality of perimenopausal women.     

Dynamic Changes in Serum Estradiol and Progesterone levels in Patients of Premenstrual Syndrome with Adverse Flow of Liver-qi

Objective:To probe into the influence of changes of ovarian hormones on the pathogenesis of the specific sub-type premenstrual syndrome(PMS)and reveal partial microcosmic mechanisms of adverse flow of liver-qi.Methods:Estradiol(E2)and progesterone(P)levels in serum were determined at different phases of menstrual cycle by radioimmunoassay.Results:In the group of PMS with adverse flow of liver-qi.the secretive peak value Of E2 and P at the follicular phase significantly decreased,and the secretive peak value at the luteal phase did not come into being.Conclusions:Low E2 and P secretive peak at the follicular phase and absence of secretive peak at the luteal phase is one of the microcosmic mechanisms of PMS with adverse flow of liver-qi.One of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of specific sub-type PMS is probably the continuous low level of E2and P.     

Real-time Three-dimensional Echocardiography in Assessment of Left Ventricular and Right Ventricular Volumes

Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE)is a new ultrasound technique that enables dynamic threedimensional visualization and quantification of the heart in real time. Investigation of feasibility and methodology of RT3DE in determining left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes, RT3DE was performed in 35 normal adults using Philips SONOS 7500 system with a 2-4 MHz matrix array transducer. The 60°×60° "pyramid" volume database was obtained and analyzed on a TomTec echo workstation. Both LV and RV volumes were calculated with four 3DE methods (i.e. apical 2, 4, 8, and 16-plane) through manually tracing ventricular endocardial borders in end diastole and end systole. Stroke volumes were then calculated. LV volume was also measured by 2DE Simpson's rule using GE VIVID 7 ultrasound machine.     

SCREENING FOR A 21-CHROMOSOME ABNORMALITY IN PREIMPLANTED EMBRYOS OF ELDERLY WOMEN

Increasing maternal age is the only etiological factor unequivocally linked to Down's syndrome in humans. The occurrence rate of newborns with Down's syndrome is about 1/220 in women over 35 years old. However, the occurrence rate in embryos fertilized in vitro, of the elder woman is unclear. Using FISH we screened the number of chromosome 21 in preimplanted embryos of 5 elderly women (average age, 38.4 years) to study the feasibility and necessity of screening trisomy 21 in embryos in patients over 35 years old at the in vitro fertilization (IVF) center.     

Scientific principles and rigorous processes should be followed in developing clinical guidelines for therapeutic interventions of integrative medicine

A clinical guideline for the therapeutic interventions of integrative medicine may be defined as a written document which states a series of recommendations on therapeutic interventions of integrative medicine for a special disease or condition. The guideline may provide assistance to medical professionals in making clinical decisions aimed at improving the clinical outcome of patients and reducing the costs of medical care（~＇4~. Recommendations issued by a guideline should be based on the best available evidence in both Western and Chinese medicine. For fulfilling this purpose, the development of clinical guidelines for therapeutic interventions in the field of integrative medicine should follow scientific principles and undergo a rigorous processes.     

Expression of OPGmRNA and ODFmRNA in the patients of hip fracture due to osteoporosis

Objective：To investigate the gene expression of osteoprotegerin（OPG） and osteoclast differentiation factor（ODF） in the bone tissue of patients with hip fracture due to osteoporosis. Methods：OPGmRNA and ODFmRNA in the bone tissue in 50 cases of osteoporosis sufferers（over 50 years old） with hip fracture（Observer Group） and 30 cases of hip facture sufferers with no osteoporosis（Control group） were analyzed with the Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR method. Results：The mRNA expressed of ODF, OPG were both high in the patients with hip fracture. In the control group, the expression of OPG mRNA was observed, while the expression of ODF mRNA was very slight. Conclusion：Aged patients contained all signals including OPG, ODF that are essential for inducing osteoclastogenesis and promoting bone resorption.     

Notes for contributors to Journal of Nanjing Medical University

Journal of Nanjing Medical University (English Edition) JNMU, sponsored by Nanjing Medical University, was established in 1987. It is a bimonthly comprehensive English medical journal published locally and abroad.Since 2007, Journal of Nanjing Medical University (English Edition )was granted Elsevier the full publishing and distribution rights worldwide for the Electronic Edition, excluding the People's Republic of China.