DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF INTERICTAL DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED IMAGING IN EVALUATION OF INTRACTABLE TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY

Objective To explore the ability of interictal diffusion-weighted imaging （DWI） to localize the temporal lobe of seizure origin and to predict postoperative seizure control in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy （TLE）. Methods Twenty-seven patients with intractable TLE considered for surgery and 19 healthy volunteers were studied with conventional magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） and DWI. Apparent diffusion coefficients （ADCs） of bilateral hippocampi in both TLE patients and control subjects were obtained. Lateralization to either temporal lobe with hippocampal ADC was based on the threshold values derived from±1SD of right/left ratios in normal subjects. And the postoperative pathology was reviewed. Results Hippocampal ADCs were higher on the side of surgery compared with those on the contralateral side as well as the ipsilateral side in control subjects [resected side （109.8±7.3）×10^-5 cm^2/s, contralateral side （91.7±4.7）×10^-5cm^2/s, control subjects （81.6±5.2）×10^-5 cm^2/s, all P 〈 0.01 ]. Right/left hippocampal ADC ratio and conventional MRI lateralized to the operated temporal lobe in 21 of 27 （77.8%） and in 18 of 27 （66.7%） patients. Lateralization to the surgical side was not associated with postoperative seizure control with right/left hippocampal ADC ratio （ P 〉 0.05 ）. Conclusions Conventional MRI is a sensitive method to detect hippocampal sclerosis. Accuracy of the right/left hippocampal ADC ratio for lateralizing to the side of surgery is very high, but it isn＇t a better predictor of surgical outcome.     

Effects of Minimally Invasive Puncture and Drainage of Intracranial Hematoma on the Blood-brain Barrier in Patients with Cerebral Hemorrhage

The effects of minimally invasive surgery on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of 30 patients with cerebral hemorrhage were investigated. Difference of the BBB index and serum MBP concentra-tion were assessed in 15 cases of conservative treatment group and 15 cases of minimally invasive surgery group. The BBB index in minimally invasive surgery group was significantly lower than in conservative treatment group (P<0.05), and the BBB index in the two treatment groups was signifi-cantly higher than in control group (P<0.01). Serum MBP concentration in minimally invasive sur-gery group was significantly lower than in conservative treatment group (P<0.05), and that in the two treatment groups was significantly higher than in control group (P<0.01). It was suggested the per-meability of BBB in patients with cerebral hemorrhage was increased, and BBB index and serum MBP concentration in patients with cerebral hemorrhage were increased. Minimally invasive surgery can reduce the lesion of cytotoxicity to BBB and cerebral edema.     

Clinical curative effect analysis and predictors of prognosis in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy after anterior temporal lobectomy: results after five years

Background Anterior temporal Iobectomy （ATL） is the most common surgical treatment for temporal lobe epilepsy （TLE）although long-term prognosis is often less favorable than short-term outcomes. This study aimed to examine the outcomes of patients with TLE 5 years after undergoing ATL, and to seek possible predictors of prognosis. Methods We examined the clinical records of 121 patients with TLE who underwent ATL in our institution between January 2005 and December 2008. The Engel seizure classification was used to divide patients into ＂seizure free＂ and ＂non-seizure free＂ groups. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to identify potential prognostic indicators, including history, clinical features of seizures, and magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） and video- electroencephalography （EEG） findings. Results The majority of patients were seizure free during the follow-up period： 71.9% 1 year after surgery; 71.6% after 2 years; 75.8% after 3 years; 78.8% after 4 years after surgery and 68.8% after 5 years. There were significant differences between seizure-free and non-seizure-free groups in terms of preoperative seizure duration, history of febrile seizures, type of seizure, and MRI and video-EEG findings （P 〈0.05）, but not in terms of sex, age at seizure onset, age at surgery, side of surgery, auras, family history of seizure, or history of traumatic brain injury, perinatal anoxia or intracranial infection history （P 〉0.05）. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that a preoperative seizure duration 〈10 years, a history of febrile seizures, simple complex partial seizures, positive MRI findings, hippocampal sclerosis and unilateral localized video-EEG spikes predicted better outcome （P 〈0.05）. Conclusions ATL appears to be an effective means of treating TLE. Patients undergoing ATL for TLE require careful and comprehensive assessment to ensure optimal outcomes and to allow patients to make informed decisions about their treatment.     

Meta-analysis on integrative medicine for the treatment of malignant ascites: a comparative study

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of integrated Chinese and Western Medicine with that of only Western Medicine for the treatment of malignant ascites.METHODS: All randomized controlled trials(January 2004 to March 2013) from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang Database were searched with keywords. Meta-analysis was conducted by combining the odds ratios of the individual studies. Review Manager 5.0 was used for the analysis.RESULTS: One thousand one hundred and fifty-six patients from 19 randomized controlled trails were included. Of them, 630 patients were treated with integrated Chinese and Western Medicine(the integrative group), and 526 patients were treated with Western Medicine alone(the control group). The Meta-analysis showed that the total effective rate was 78.73% in the integrated group, and 59.13% in the control group. The effective percentage was sig-nificantly higher in the integrative group than that of the control group [OR = 2.85, 95% CI(2.16,3.74),P < 0.01].CONCLUSION: The short-term curative effect in the integrative group was better than that in the control group. Integrative medicine may be beneficial for malignant ascites.     

Incidence and risk factors of cognitive impairment 3 months after first-ever stroke: A cross-sectional study of 5 geographic areas of China

This study examined the incidence, neuropsychological characteristics and risk factors of cognitive impairment 3 months after stroke in China. Five regions that differed in geography and economy in China were selected. Patients from the hospitals located in the five regions were prescreened at admission, and the demographic data, vascular risk factors and clinical characteristics of stroke were obtained. A battery of cognitive-specific domain tests was performed in the patients who failed to pass cognitive screening 3 months post stroke. Patients were diagnosed as having post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) or no cognitive impairment (NCI) based on the results of the neuropsy-chological tests. Univariate analysis was performed for suspect risk factors, and significant variables were entered in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Our results showed that a total of 633 patients were recruited 3 months after stroke; complete cognitive tests were performed in 577 of the stroke pa-tients. The incidence of PSCI in these Chinese patients was 30.7%. There were 129 (22.4%) patients with visuospatial impairment, 67 (11.6%) with executive impairment, 60 (10.4%) with memory impairment and 18 (3.1%) with attention impairment. The risk factors associated with PSCI were older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-2.58), low education level (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.65-3.64), depressive symptom (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.09-2.61), obesity (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.41-4.71), stroke severity 3 months post stroke (OR 1.62, 95%CI 1.10-2.37) and cortex lesion (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.04-2.31). It was concluded that PSCI occurs commonly 3 months after first-ever stroke in Chinese patients. Visuospatial ability may be the most frequently impaired cognitive domain for the patients with stroke. The critical risk factors of PSCI are older age, low education level, depressive symptom, obesity, stroke severity 3 months post stroke and cortex lesion.     

Association between Mean Ocular Perfusion Pressure and Diabetic Retinopathy in a Northeastern Chinese Population

Objective To evaluate the association between diabetic retinopathy(DR) and mean ocular perfusion pressure(MOPP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2 DM).Methods Patients from the Fushun Diabetic Retinopathy Cohort Study(FS-DIRECT), a communitybased prospective cohort study conducted in northeast China, were included in this study. The presence and severity of DR were determined by grading fundus photographs according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study(ETDRS) retinopathy scale. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure(SBP and DBP) were recorded using an electronic sphygmomanometer. Intraocular pressure(IOP) was measured using an iCare rebound tonometer. MOPP was calculated using the formula MOPP = 2/3 [DBP + 1/3(SBP-DBP)]-IOP.Results In total, 1,857 patients who had gradable fundus photography and MOPP data were enrolled in this study. Male patients had a higher MOPP than female patients(52.25 ± 8.75 vs. 50.96 ± 8.74 mmHg, P = 0.002). Overall, both male and female patients with any type of DR, non-proliferative DR(NPDR), or non-sight-threatening DR(non-STDR) had significantly higher MOPP relative to patients without DR. Increased MOPP(per 1 mmHg) was in turn associated with the presence of any type of DR[odds ratio(OR) = 1.03, 95% confidence interval(CI) : 1.02–1.04], NPDR(OR = 1.03 95% CI: 1.02–1.04),and non-STDR(OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.04) after adjusting for confounders. Increased MOPP(per 1 mmHg) was also associated with an increased likelihood of macular edema(OR = 1.02, 95% CI:1.01–1.04).Conclusions The results suggest that increased MOPP was associated with DR and macular edema in northeastern Chinese patients with T2 DM.     

Impact of frequency of intercourse on erectile dysfunction: A cross-sectional study in Wuhan, China

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of coital frequency and masturbation on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Chinese patients. A total of 332 male outpatients with or without ED and volunteers were recruited from Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, China. ED was assessed by using the five-item International Index of Erectile Function scale and the frequency of intercourse by patients’ self-report. After adjusting for lifestyle factors and diseases-related factors, the analyses showed that coital and masturbation in a certain frequency tended to decrease the risk of ED. Men reporting intercourse once a week had lower risk of ED than those did less than once a week, with age, hyperlipidemia, hy-pertension, diabetes, body mass index, smoking, and drinking as covariates (P=0.67, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37-1.88). For those reporting coital frequency two times per week and three or more times per week, there were 63% (adjusted OR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.18-0.77) and 85% (adjusted OR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07-0.35) lower risk of ED than those reporting intercourse frequency less than once per week, respectively (P<0.05). Results indicated that maintaining a regular frequency of intercourse can reduce the risk of ED for males aged among 30 to 75 years.     

Relationship among eye condition sensitivities, photosensitivity and epileptic syndromes

Background Electroencephalogram （EEG） activity in normal subjects and epileptic patients is often closely related to the eye＇s status such as eye opened （EO）, eye closure （ECL） and eyes closed （EC）. ECL is the period immediately after closing of the eyes and only lasts for less than 3 seconds if the eyes remain closed. EC is the period as long as the eyes are closed. Epileptiform changes on EEG induced by ECL or EC are called the changes of ECL sensitivity （ECLS） or EC sensitivity （ECS）. ECLS occurs mainly but not exclusively in photosensitive patients and ECS has been seen rarely in photosensitive patients. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among ECLS, ECS, photosensitivity and epilepsy syndromes in children. Methods EEG records from child patients in the EEG Department of Peking University First Hospital during the period of May 2005 to May 2007 were examined for the presence of ECLS or ECS. Open-close eye tests and intermittent photic stimulations were carried out during video-EEG monitoring for examining ECLS, ECS and photosensitivity. Results Based on ECLS and ECS on their EEGs, 30 patients were divided into ECLS group （16 cases） and ECS group （14 cases）. There were more boys than girls in the two groups. The mean age of initial detection of ECLS and ECS was 10 years, and the average onset age of seizures was 9 years. The epilepsy syndromes in the ECLS group included idiopathic photosensitive occipital lobe epilepsy, Panayiotopoulos syndrome, symptomatic occipital lobe epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, juvenile absence epilepsy, eyelid myoclonia with absences, epilepsy with grand mal on awakening and pure photosensitive epilepsy with mainly generalized tonic clonic seizures. Those in the ECS group were juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, idiopathic photosensitive occipital lobe epilepsy, Panayiotopoulos syndrome and Gastaut type-idiopathic children occipital epilepsy. Photosensitivity was detected in 88% of patients with ECLS and 29% of patients with ECS. Concl     

Sevoflurane Versus Propofol for Myocardial Protection in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery： a Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective To systematically review randomized controlled trials to compare myocardial protection profiles of sevoflurane with propofol in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG） surgery. Methods Electronic databases were searched to identify all randomized controlled trials comparing sevoflurane with propofol for protecting myocardium in adult patients undergoing CABG surgery. Two authors independently extracted patients＇ perioperative data, including patients＇ baseline characteristics, surgical variables, and outcome data. For continuous variables, treatment effects were calculated as weighted mean difference （WMD） and 95% confidential interval （C/）. For dichotomous data, treatment effects were calculated as odds ratio （OR） and 95% CI. Each outcome was tested for heterogeneity, and randomized-effects or fixed-effects model was used in the presence or absence of significant heterogeneity （Q test P〈0.05）. Sensitivity analyses were done by examining the influence of statistical model on estimated treatment effects. Publication bias was explored through visual inspection of funnel plots of the outcomes. Statistical significance was defined as P〈0.05. Results Our search yielded 13 studies including 696 patients, and 402 patients were allocated into sevoflurane group and 294 into propofol group. There was no significant difference in postoperative mechanical ventilation time, inotropic support, mortality, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation between the two groups （all P〉0.05）. Patients randomized into sevoflurane group had higher post-bypass cardiac index （WMD=0.39, 95% CI： 0.18 to 0.60, P=0.0003）, lower troponin I level （WMD=-0.82, 95% CI：-0.87 to -0.85, P=0.0002）, lower incidence of myocardial ischemia （OR=0.37, 95% CI： 0.16 to 0.83, P=0.02）, shorter ICU and hospital stay length （WMD=-10.99, 95% CI： -12.97 to -9.01, P〈0.00001; WMD=-0.78, 95% CI： -1.00 to -0.56, P〈0.00001, respectively）. Conclusion This meta-analysis has found some evidence showing that sevoflurane has better myocardial protection than propofol in CABG surgery.     

A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF BILATERAL ALVEOLAR BONE GRAFTING

Objective. To evaluate the treatment results of bilateral alveolar bone grafting (BABG) in patients with bilateral complete clefts of lip and palate. Methods. A retrospective study was performed in 66 bilateral complete cleft lip and palate patients who received the procedure of BABG, among them 15 were primary BABG and 51 were secondary BABG.The patients were further divided into three groups according to age and eruption stage of the canine at the time of surgery. The result of BABG was evaluated on the radiographs. Results. (1)The overall success rate of BABG was 75.0%, with 83.3% and 72.5% for primary and secondary BABG respectively; (2)The marginal bone level was found to be significantly higher in the youngest age group than in the other groups both for primary and secondary BABG; (3)For both primary and secondary BABG, Group C (patients‘ age more than 16 years) had the least optimal success rate, with 66.7% and 65.4% respectively. Conclusion. Simultaneous primary palate repair and BABG is safe and feasible procedure for treating unoperated bilateral complete cleft lip and cleft palate patients. For both primary and secondary BABG,significantly better results can be achieved if the operation is performed before eruption of the canine.     

肝硬化并发食道胃底静脉曲张破裂出血住院患者的再出血因素分析

Background Esophageal variceal bleeding is a frequent and severe complication in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors of esophageal variceal rebleeding and death in cirrhotic inpatients. Methods Univariate and multivariate analyses were retrospectively performed on 520 consecutive cirrhotic patients with esophageal variceal rebleeding. Results 186 patients (35.8%) were assigned to a rebleeding group and the other 334 patients (64.2%) to a non-rebleeding group. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that four variables were positively correlated with rebleeding: Child-pugh grade B (OR = 2.664, 95% CI 1.680-4.223) (compared with Child-pugh grade A), Tbil (OR = 1.0006, 95% CI 1.002-1.0107), creatinine (OR = 1.008, 95% CI 1.002-1.015) and the cumulative volume of blood transfusion (OR =1.519, 95% CI 1.345-1.716). The presence of ascites (OR =0.270, 95% CI 0.136-0.536) and prophylactic antibiotics (OR = 0.504, 95% CI 0.325-0.780) were negatively correlated with rebleeding of the cirrhotic inpatients. According to standardized estimate, the cumulative volume of blood transfusion was the most important predictors for rebleeding, then Child-pugh grade B, Tbil and creatinine. Conclusion The results show that rebleeding in cirrhotic inpatients was associated with more blood transfusions,Child-pugh grade B,higher Tbil and creatinine.     

15.4.Interstitial nephritis and interstitial nephropathy

930331 Significance of determination of urinealbumin for early diagnosis of diabeticnephropathy.ZHOU Zhongyuan (周中源),Shanghai 4th People's Hosp.Shanghai Med J1993;16(2):74—76.The results of urine albumin determination in208 patients with non-insulin dependent dia-betes mellitus but tested negative for urinaryprotein on routine examination and in 177 nor-mal controls were reported.The results showedthat the excretion of urine albumin in 131 pa-tients was obviously higher than that in normalcontrols (p<0.001).In the diabetic patientstested negative for urinary protein on routineexamination the excretion of urine albumin was     

A Pilot Study on the Relationship between Tongue Manifestation and the Degree of Neurological Impairment in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction

Objective:To discuss the relationship between tongue manifestation and the degree of neurological impairment in the patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods:Two hundred patients with first unilateral cerebral infarction were recruited.The relationship between different tongue manifestation and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) were analyzed.Results:NIHSS scores in the patients from different tongue color groups were analyzed and further analysis demonstrated that the NIHSS score was higher in the patients with red or bluish-purple tongue than that of those with the pink(P<0.01).On tongue fur,the NIHSS score in the patients with thick fur was higher than that of those with the thin(P=0.003).NIHSS score in patients with slippery,moist or dry fur was significant different(P=0.003),Further analysis demonstrated that the NIHSS score was higher in the patients with dry fur than that of those with moist fur,and had statistical significance(P=0.01).The NIHSS score was higher in patients from greasy fur group than that of the non-greasy(P=0.002).There was significant difference of NHISS score in the patients with different fur color(P=0.000),and further analysis demonstrated that the NHISS score in white-yellow,yellow fur group were higher than that of the white(P=0.06 or 0.000).Conclusion:The changes of tongue manifestation might be associated with the degree of neurological impairment in the patients with acute cerebral infarction.     

Use of Cataract Surgery in Urban Beijing: a Post Screening Follow-up of the Elderly with Visual Impairment due to Age-related Cataract

Objective To understand the perception for the use of cataract surgical services in a population of acceptors and non-acceptors of cataract surgery in urban Beijing. Methods From a community-based screening program a total of 158 patients with presenting visual acuity of less than 6/18 on either eye due to age-related cataract were informed about the possibility of surgical treatment. These patients were interviewed and re-examined 36 to 46 months after initial screening. The main reasons for not accepting surgery were obtained using a questionnaire. Vision function and vision-related quality of life scores were assessed in those who received and did not receive surgery. Results At the follow-up examination 116 of the 158 patients were available and 36(31.0%) had undergone cataract surgery. Cases who chose surgery had higher education level than those who did not seek surgery(OR=2.64, 95% CI: 1.08-6.63, P=0.02). There were no significant differences in vision function(P=0.11) or quality of life scores(P=0.16) between the surgery group and the non-surgery group. Main reasons for not having surgery included no perceived need(50.0%), feeling of being "too old"(19.2%), and worry about the quality of surgery(9.6%). Cost was cited by 1(1.9%) subject as the main reason for not seeking surgery.Conclusions The data suggest that in China’s capital urban center for patients with moderate visual impairment there is a relative low acceptance rate of cataract surgery, mainly due to people’s perception of marginal benefits of surgery. Cost is not a determining factor as barrier to undergo surgery and patients with poorer education are less likely to undertake surgery.     

Effect of kidney-reinforcing,blood-activating and stasis-removing recipes on adhesion molecule expression of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from chronic aplastic anemia patients

OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of kidney-reinforcing,blood-activating and stasis-removing recipes on adhesion molecule expression of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) from patients with chronic aplastic anemia(CAA).METHODS:We used threeTraditional Chinese Medicine recipes,namely a kidney-reinforcing recipe(KRR),blood-activating and stasis-removing recipe(BASRR),and kidney-reinforcing,blood-activating and stasis-removing recipe(KRBASRR),and a normal saline control to prepare herbal medicine serum in Sprague Dawley rats.Thirty CAA patients were enrolled in the experimental group,including 17 kidney-Yang deficient patients and 13 kidney-Yin deficient patients.Ten healthy individuals were included in the control group.MSCs were isolated from bone marrow samples,and the cell density was observed to measure their proliferation ability by microscopy on days 2,7,and 14 after isolation.In addition,the expression of adhesion molecules of bone marrow MSCs(CD106,CD49d,CD31 and CD44) were detected by flow cytometry after 48 h of treatment with the four different herbal medicine serums.RESULTS:The proliferation of MSCs from kidney-Yang deficient and kidney-Yin deficient patients was weaker than that of MSCs from the control group.The expression of all adhesion molecules of bone marrow MSCs from CAA patients was obviously lower than that in the control group(P< 0.01).The expression of CD49d and CD31 in MSCs from patients with a kidney-Yin deficiency was lower than in those with a kidney-yang deficiency(P< 0.05 and P<0.01,respectively).For kidney-Yang deficient patients,CD31 expression in the KRBASRR group was significantly higher than that in the BASRR group(P<0.01),while CD44 in the KRBASRR group was significantly higher than that in both KRR and BASRR groups(P<0.01).For kidney-Yin deficient patients,CD106 and CD49d expression in the KRBASRR group was obviously higher than that in the KRR group(P<0.05),while CD31 and CD44 expression in the KRBASRR group was significantly higher than that in both KRR and BASRR groups(P< 0.05 and P<0.01,respectively).CONCLUSION:The bone marrow microenvironment in CAA patients is abnormal.The effect of KRBASRR may be better than that of KRR and BASRR for kidney-Yang deficient and kidney-Yin deficient patients by improving the expression levels of MSC adhesion molecules.     

Meta-analysis on radiofrequency ablation in combination with transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） combined with radiofrequency ablation （RFA） and TACE alone for hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）, Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） and Wanfang Datebases were searched for the randomized controlled trials （RCTs） and retrospective cohort studies from the establishment of the databases to January 2014. The bibliographies of the included studies were searched, too. After study selection, assessment, data collection and analysis were under- taken, we performed this meta-analysis by using the RevMan5.2 software. Seventeen studies involving 1116 patients met the inclusion criteria with 530 treated with RFA-plus-TACE and 586 with TACE alone. The results of meta-analysis showed that the combination of TACE and RFA was obviously as- sociated with higher 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates （OR1-year=3.98, 95% CI 2.87-5.51, P〈0.00001; OR2-year=3.03, 95% CI 2.10-4.38, P〈0.00001; OR3-year=7.02, 95% CI 4.14-11.92, P〈0.00001） than TACE alone. The tumor complete necrosis rate in patients treated with TACE and RFA was higher than that of TACE alone （OR=13.86, 95% CI 8.04-23.89, P〈0.00001）. And there was a significant difference in local recurrence rate between two different kinds of treatment （OR=0.24, 95%CI 0.14-0.44, P〈0.00001）. Additionally, combination of TACE and RFA was associated with higher complete tumor necrosis rates than TACE mono-therapy in the treatment of HCC. However, RFA plus TACE was found to be associated with a lower local recurrence rate than TACE monotherapy TACE-plus-RFA treatment was associated with a higher response rate （RR） than the TACE-alone treat- ment （OR=3.90, 95% CI=2.37-5.42, P〈0.00001）. TACE-plus-RFA treatment did not differ from the TACE-alone treatment in terms of stable disease （SD） rate （OR=0.38, 95% CI=0.11-1.26, P=-0.11）. Meta-analyses showed that the combination of RFA and TACE was assoc     

Clinical and radiographic predictors in diagnosing sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-negative patients: a cross-sectional study in China

Background In county-level tuberculosis （TB） dispensaries in China,the accurate diagnosis of sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis （SNPT） needs to be improved by developing and validating clinical and radiographic predictors.Methods The study was conducted simultaneously in three counties per province in Chongqing Municipality and Liaoning Province in China between May 2005 and May 2006.A total of 432 new SNPT patients who are HIV-negative and more than 15 years old diagnosed by expert panels in county-level TB dispensaries were recruited.Their sputum samples were collected for culture before anti-TB treatment,and the treatment outcomes （changes of X-rays） were followed up at the end of the 6th month.Results Of the 432 SNPT patients,sputum culture positive （9.7%） or culture negative with good changes of X-rays at the end of the 6th month （73.6%） was validated as SNPT.Four predictive variables were associated with validated SNPT in the multivariate logistic regression model：age ≤55 years old （odds ratio （OR） 5.66; 95% CI 2.69-11.91）,〉60 days of cough （OR 3.73; 95% CI 1.10-12.65）,≥10% of pulmonary consolidation in the lungs （OR 5.40; 95% CI 2.90-10.06）,and pulmonary consolidation in the upper lobe anterior segment （OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.57-5.72）.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model was 0.77 （95% CI 0.71-0.83）.Conclusion Four predictors of clinical and radiological characteristics that had a good diagnostic performance of SNPT deserve to be recommended as index indicators of SNPT diagnosis in county-level TB dispensaries in China.     

The comparison of hippocampal pathology between patients with intractable epileptic temporal lobe epilepsy and epileptiform rats

Objective To study degeneration,apoptosis and loss of hippocampal neurons from patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy （TLE）, and compare with those from epileptiform rats. Methods After established an animal epilepsy model induced by anti-brain antibody （Munc18） with chronic kinding way in rats,and rats with both epileptiform electroencephalogram and epileptiform activity （at least four weeks） were selected and executed. There were 14 samples of hippocampus and temporal lobe from patients with intractable TLE. Sections from brain samples were investigated for degeneration, apoptosis and loss of neurons by Nissle staining and TUNEL.     

Surgical Treatment of Scoliosis in Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Objective： Apparently, scoliosis occurs in approximately one-third of patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Little is known about the response of these curves to treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of spinal surgery in these peculiar patients. Methods： We retrospectively evaluated the results of spinal surgery in eight patients who had scoliosis due to clinically and electrophysiologicaUy proven Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Radiographs were reviewed. The location and direction of the curve pattern, the age at the time of surgery, type of surgery, number of levels fused, instrumentations used, intra or postoperative complications, and results and need for reoperation were recorded. Results： Eight patients associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease who underwent scoliotic surgery were identified. The average age and curve at the time of surgery were 21.1 years and 56.4° respectively. 62.5% of the curves had left thoracic component and more than one third was associated with thoracic hyperkyphosis. Long posterior spinal fusion was performed most often, with an average of 11.5 spinal segments fused. Instrumentation was used in all posterior fusions. At an average of 39 months （range, 24 to 72 months） postop- eratively, the fusion appeared to be solid in all patients. Conclusion： Scoliosis in patients with Chareot-Marie-Tooth disease differs from that in patients with idiopathic scoliosis in regarding to the etiology and the prevalence of thoracic hyperkyphosis, but the surgical management appears to be similar. Spondylodesis does not appear to be associated with a high rate of complications.     

Assessment of Stroke Volume Variation Perioperatively by Using Arterial Pressure with Cardiac Output

Objective To observe the sensitivity of stroke volume variation (SVV) for assessing volume change during induction period of general anesthesia.
Methods Patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery under general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation were divided into two groups randomly. Patients in the groupⅠwere subjected to progressive central hypovolemia and correction of hypovolemia sequentially;patients in the Group Ⅱ were exposed to hypervolemia alone. Each step was implemented after 5 minutes when the hemodynamics was stable. SVV and cardiac index (CI) were recorded, and Pearson’s product-moment correlation was used to analyze correlation between SVV and CI.
Results Forty patients were included in this study, 20 cases in each group. For group Ⅰpatients, SVV was increased significantly along with blood volume reduction, and changes in CI were negatively correlated with changes in SVV (r=-0.605, P<0.01);SVV decreased significantly along with correction of blood volume;changes in CI were negatively correlated with changes in SVV (r=-0.651, P<0.01). For groupⅡpatients, along with blood volume increase, SVV did not change significantly;changes in CI revealed no significant correlation with changes in SVV (r=0.067, P>0.05).
Conclusion SVV is a useful indicator for hypovolemia, but not for hypervolemia.