Optimal time to use low molecular weight heparin on prethrombotic state of rat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease model

Background Low molecular weight heparin （LMWH）,as one of anticoagulant drugs,has been used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） with prethrombotic state,but the specific use time is unclear.The aim of the study is to observe the effect of LMWH at two different periods of prethrombotic state in COPD in rats and to find the optimal time to use LMWH.Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups：normal control,raised for 55 days without any treatment; COPD control without LMWH,cigarette inhalation plus intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide and hypodermic injection of normal saline once a day for 10 days; COPD control given LMWH 150 U/kg subcutaneous injection,once a day for 10 days starting day 15 （LMWH-d15）; COPD control given LMWH 150 U/kg subcutaneous injection,once a day for 10 days starting day 29 （LMWH-d29）.Results Comparing LMWH-d15 with LMWH-d29,plasma viscosity,whole blood viscosity,von Willebrand factor,serum fibrinogen,plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibrin D-dimer were each significantly reduced; but thrombin plasminogen activator increased significantly whilst arterial PO2 and PCO2 improved significantly.Conclusion The better time to use LMWH is the time when coagulation and fibrinolytic indices begin to change in COPD.     

Comparison of loading with maintenance dose of clopidogrel on platelet reactivity in Chinese with different CYP2C19 genotypes prior to percutaneous coronary intervention

Background Whether two clopidogrel pretreatment strategies prior to elective percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）： a 300 mg loading dose （LD） in clopidogrel naive patients and a 75 mg maintenance dose （MD） once daily in patients on chronic clopidogrel therapy play the same role in the platelet inhibition in Chinese with different CYP2C19 genotypes remains unknown. We aim to evaluate the impact on platelet inhibition by clopidogrel pretreatment strategy and its interaction effect with CYP2C19 genotype. Methods Chinese patients undergoing PCI （n=840） were assigned to 2x2 groups in the trial according to different clopidogrel pretreatment strategies （470 patients in LD, 370 patients in MD） and CYP2C19 genotypes （494 carriers of any CYP2C19 ＊2 or ＊3 loss-of-function allele, 346 non-carriers）. The primary outcome was platelet aggregation （PA） as measured by the 10 umol/L adenosine diphosphate induced light transmission aggregation. Results Compared with MD group, LD strategy showed a significantly higher PA-（（59.22＋11.67）% vs. （52.83±12.17）%, P 〈0.01）, similar PA difference was observed in CYP2C19 loss-of-function carriers compared with non-carriers （（59.41±10.91）% vs. （52.10±12.90）%, P 〈0.01）. LD patients in either the CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele carrier or non- carrier group showed a significantly higher PA compared with MD group （（61.50±10.61）% vs. （56.84±10.74）%, P 〈0.01; （56.06±12.34）% vs. （46.88±11.78）%, P 〈0.01, respectively）. A quantitative interaction effect was observed between clopidogrel pretreatment strategy and CYP2C19 genotype （P=0.001）. Conclusion The 300 mg LD strategy results in a decreased effect on platelet inhibition compared with the 75 mg MD in Chinese patients receiving clopidogrel prior to PCI, especially in the CYP2C19 ＊2 or ＊3 loss-of-function allele non-carriers. （ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01710436） Chin tided J 2014;127 （14）： 2571-2577     

Anti-catabolic effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an active component of honeybee propolis on bone loss in ovariectomized mice: a micro-computed tomography study and histological analysis

Background Osteoporosis （OP） is a common bone disease,which adversely affects life quality.Effective treatments are necessary to combat both the loss and fracture of bone.Recent studies indicated that caffeic acid phenethyl ester （CAPE） is a natural chemical compound from honeybee propolis which is capable of attenuating osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the effect of CAPE on bone loss in OP mice using micro-computed tomography （CT） and histology.Methods Eighteen mice were prepared and evenly divided into three groups.The six mice in the sham＋PBS group did not undergo ovariectomy and were intraperitoneally injected with PBS during the curing period.Twelve mice were ovariectomized （OVX） to induce OP.Six of them in the OVX＋CAPE group were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 mg/kg CAPE twice per week for 4 weeks after ovariectomy.The other six OVX mice in OVX＋PBS group were treated with PBS.All the mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after ovariectomy.The tibias were bilaterally excised for micro-CT scan and histological analysis.The Mann-Whitney U test was used to test the statistical differences among groups.Results Bone loss occurred in OVX mice.Compared with the sham＋PBS group,mice in the OVX＋PBS group exhibited a significant decrease in bone mineral density （BMD,P ＜0.05）,bone volume fraction （BV/TV,P ＜0.01）,trabecular thickness （Tb.Th,P ＜0.05）,and trabecular number （Tb.N,P ＜0.01）,as well as a non-insignificant increase in the number of osteoclasts （N.Oc/B.Pm）.With CAPE treatment,the microarchitecture of the tibial metaphyses was significantly improved with a reduction of osteoclast formation.Compared with the OVX＋PBS group,BV/TV in the OVX＋CAPE group was significantly increased by 33.9％ （P ＜0.05）.Conclusion CAPE therapy results in the protection of bone loss induced by OVX.     

HIV and syphilis infections among street-based female sex workers in China, 2010–2012

Background Female sex workers （FSW） were high-risk population for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases （STD） earlier,and now are an important driver of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in China.Sentinel surveillance for FSW was set up to monitor the trend of HIV prevalence and risk behavior-related HIV infection.This study collected the data on street-based FSW from HIV sentinel surveillance system to understand HIV and syphilis infections,risk behaviors,and intervention in China from 2010 to 2012.Methods The study population was the street-based FSW who were recruited for the national HIV integrated biological and behavioral surveillance between 2010 and 2012.Demographic information,HIV-related risk behaviors,and HIV and syphilis testing results were described and trend analysis was performed.Results Between 2010 and 2012,the number of street-based FSW surveyed was 3725,3425,and 3335,respectively.HIV knowledge awareness rate significantly increased from 74.6% in 2010 to 76.8% in 2011 and 82.2% in 2012 （P 〈0.01）.More FSW consistently used condom in the last month （49.0% in 2010; 51.0% in 2011; and 59.0% in 2012） and in the last commercial sex （72.0% in 2010; 78.5% in 2011; and 80.0% in 2012） over time.The proportions of individuals who received HIV testing in the last year were 31.2% （2010）,37.0% （2011）,and 36.9% （2012） （P-trend 〈0.01）.HIV prevalence rate changed from 1.5% in 2010 to 1.4% in 2011 and 2.3% in 2012 （P-trend=0.01）.Syphilis prevalence rate was 6.9%,7.2%,and 7.1% in the same period.The top three provinces with the highest average HIV prevalence rates over the 3 years were Guangxi （5.9%）,Yunnan （4.2%）,and Sichuan （1.2%）.Conclusions Street-based FSW are at high risk of HIV and syphilis infections.Intervention efforts need to target streetbased FSW who are of old age and minority,who use illicit drugs and have syphilis infection.     

Kyphoplasty versus vertebroplasty for the treatment of malignant vertebral compression fractures caused by metastases: a retrospective study

Background There are few comparative studies regarding kyphoplasty (KP) and vertebroplasty (VP) for the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures (VCF) in patients with cancer. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare KP with VP in pain improvement, cement leakage incidence, and the cost of treatment of malignant VCF.

Methods We performed a retrospective study of clinical data for 80 patients with multiple spinal metastases, treated with KP in 42 cases and VP in 38. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were collected pre-operatively, post-operatively, at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after treatment. Cement leakage was identified using fluoroscopy and CT scan. Total cost per patient was also collected.

Results There was a significant difference between the pre- and post-operative VAS scores (7.4±2.0 to 3.8±1.6, P <0.001 in the KP group; 6.7±2.4 to 3.7±1.4, P <0.001 in the VP group), and was maintained at 1-year follow-up (3.2±1.4 in the KP group, 3.1±1.3 in the VP group). However, the difference in VAS score between these two groups was insignificant at baseline and every follow-up assessment post-operatively (P >0.05). The incidence of cement leakage in the KP group was lower than that of the VP group (16.9% (14/83) vs 30.3% (23/76), P <0.05). However, none of the patients developed any symptoms. The length of postoperative hospital stay in the VP group was shorter than that of the KP group ((2.4±1.3) vs (5.3±1.9) days, P <0.05). Total hospital cost in the KP group was much higher than that of the VP group (RMB Yuan 8 492±3 332 vs RMB Yuan 3 173±1 341, P <0.01).

Conclusions VP and KP are both effective in providing pain relief for patients with cancer-related VCF. KP provides no greater degree of pain improvement. KP is associated with a lower rate of cement leakage compared with VP. VP is associated with lower cost and shorter postoperative hospital stay in China.

     

Association between improved trunk stability and walking capacity using ankle-foot orthosis in hemiparetic patients with stroke: evidence from three-dimensional gait analysis

Background Restoration of both normal movement of the pelvis and centre of mass is a primary goal of walking rehabilitation in post-stroke patients because these movements are essential components of effective gait. The aim of this study is to quantitatively analyze the effect of ankle-foot orthosis on walking ability, and to investigate the correlation between improvements in trunk motion and walking capacity.     

Evaluation of pelvic visceral functions after modified nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy

Background Nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy （NSRH） was developed in an attempt to minimize complications after radical hysterectomy.Since 2008,a modified NSRH-nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy （NPSRH） has been developed at the Cancer Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NPSRH in improving postoperative pelvic visceral dysfunctions.Methods Eighty-three patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics （FIGO） stage IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer received NPSRH （the study group） from January 2008 to October 2012.One hundred and sixty-six patients who underwent conventional radical hysterectomy （CRH） were randomly selected as the control group.Age,pathological type and stage were matched between the two groups.The safety of surgery was assessed by duration of operation and blood transfusion rate.Postoperative short-term bladder function was analyzed by duration of catheterization.Long-term bladder,anorectal and sexual function were evaluated with questionnaires.Results Seventy-eight patients （94.0%） in the NPSRH group and one hundred and sixty patients （96.4%） in the CRH group completed the study.Median follow-up time was 31.9 months and 31.0 months respectively （P=0.708）.There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age,body mass index,FIGO stage,pathologic type,preoperative and postoperative therapy （P 〉0.05）.The blood transfusion rate shared no difference between two groups （P=0.364）.The operation time in the NPSRH group was significantly longer than CRH group （P 〈0.01）.But the duration of catheterization and hospitalization in the NPSRH group was significantly reduced compared with CRH group （P 〈0.01）.In addition,the incidence of long-term urinary frequency,urinary incontinence,urinary retention,straining to void,constipation and diarrhea was significantly lower in the NPSRH group （P 〈0.05）.However,there was no significant difference regarding sexual function （P 〉0.05）.Conclusions The current evidence indicated that NPSRH improved long-term bladder function compared to CRH.Moreover,it may improve long-term anorectal function as well.     

Comparison of low-dose sequences of dual-source CT and echocardiography for preoperative evaluation of aortic valve disease

Background Accurate evaluation of coronary artery,aortic valve annulus diameter （AVAD）,and cardiac function in patients with aortic valve disease is of great significance for surgical strategy.In this study,we explored the preoperative evaluation of low-dose sequence （MinDose sequence） scan of dual-source CT （DSCT） for those patients.Methods Forty patients suspected for aortic valve disease （the experimental group） underwent MinDose sequence of DSCT to observe coronary artery,AVAD,and left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）.Another 33 subjects suspected for coronary artery disease （the control group） underwent conventional retrospective electrocardiographically-gated sequence of DSCT.Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography （2D-TTE） and four-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography （4D-TTE） were applied in the experimental group to measure AVAD and LVEF and compared with MinDose-DSCT.Results There was a strong correlation between LVEFs measured by 2D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT （r=0.87,P ＜0.01）,as well as between 4D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT （r=0.90,P ＜0.01）.AVAD measured by MinDose-DSCT was in good agreement with corresponding measurements by 2D-TTE （r=0.90,P ＜0.01）.The effective dose in the experimental group was 63.54％ lower than that in the control group.Conclusions MinDose sequence of DSCT with a low radiation dose serving as a one-stop preoperative evaluation makes effective assessment of the coronary artery,AVAD,and LVEF for patients with aortic valve disease.     

Effects of plasma ghrelin, obestatin, and ghrelin/obestatin ratio on blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Background Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome （OSAS） is strongly associated with obesity and with cardiovascular disease.Ghrelin and obestatin are two peptides from the same source but have opposite roles.Both of them can affect feeding and regulate vascular tune.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma ghrelin,obestatin,the ratio of ghrelin and obestatin （G/O） and sleep parameters and blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with OSAS.Methods This study enrolled 95 newly diagnosed over-weight OSAS patients （OSAS group）,30 body mass index （BMI）-match non-OSAS adults （over-weight group） and 30 non-OSAS normal weight adults （control group）.Polysomnography （PSG） was performed in the OSAS group and over-weight group.Blood pressure of all subjects was monitored by means of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.The concentration of plasma ghrelin and obestatin was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）.Results Plasma ghrelin levels in the OSAS group and over-weight group were significantly lower than that of the control group （P ＜0.05）.Plasma obestatin levels were lower in the over-weight group and OSAS group,but there was no significant difference among the three groups.The blood pressure in OSAS patients was higher,and there was a significant difference in all blood pressure parameters compared to the control group,and in the daytime average diastolic blood pressure （DBP）,nocturnal average systolic blood pressure （SBP） and DBP,DBP variability values as compared to over-weight subjects.Furthermore,there were significantly more non-dipper patterns of blood pressure （including hypertension and normotension） in the OSAS group than in the other two groups （P ＜0.01）.Correlation analysis showed that ghrelin levels had a significant correlation with BMI and nocturnal average DBP but not with PSG parameters.In contrast,the G/O ratio had a negative correlation with apnea-hypopnea index （AHI） （P ＜0.05）,as well as a strong positive correlation with the blood pressure variability values （P ＜0.01）.In multivariate analyses,AHI （P ＜0.05） and G/O （P ＜0.05）were independently related to SBP variability changes,while AHI （P ＜0.05）,G/O （P ＜0.01） and BMI （P ＜0.05） were independently related to DBP variability changes.Conclusions Our data show plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels were related to obesity in OSAS.Sleep apnea in OSAS patients could have led to an imbalance in G/O in the basis of obesity.Moreover,the imbalance may promote nighttime blood pressure elevation and affect blood pressure circadian disorder.     

术中实时三维计算机导航辅助置入颈后路C2螺钉的临床应用研究

Background The peculiar and highly variable C2 anatomy can make screw fixation more challenging and prone to potential vertebral artery or neurologic injury. Conventional C-arm fluoroscopy has several drawbacks. The aim of this research was to evaluate the accuracy of posterior C2 screw fixation using intraoperative three-dimensional fluoroscopy- based navigation （ITFN） and assess the perioperative complication rate related to screw placement. Methods A retrospective review identified patients who underwent operative management with C2 instruments using ITFN at our hospital between January 2006 and December 2012. Clinical data were obtained from medical records and final screw positions were graded according to a modified classification of Gertzbein and Robbins. Grade A and B screws were considered well positioned. Results The study included 99 patients （53 males and 46 females） who underwent posterior C2 screw fixation using ITFN. The mean Japan Orthopedic Association score improved from （6.7±1.9） points before surgery to （12.5±2.7） points at 6-month follow-up （z= ＋8.628, P 〈0.01）. The mean visual analogue scale improved from （4.1±1.2） points before surgery to （0.7±0.9） points at 6-month follow-up, with an improvement of 83.7% （z= 8.638, P 〈 0.01）. Of the 196 screws analyzed using computed tomography and chart review, 126 transarticular, 64 pedicle, and 6 pars screws were placed with 82.5% （104/126）, 89.1% （57/64）, and 100% （6/6） accuracy （grade A）, respectively; 98.5% （193/196） of screws were grade A or B （grade C, 1.5% （3/196））, and no neurologic injuries occurred. In normal C2 cases, 93 transarticulars and 47 pedicles were placed with high accuracy rates of 90.3% （84/93） and 93.6% （44/47） （grade A）, respectively. However, in cases with C2 deformity, 33 transarticular, 17 pedicle, and 6 pars screws were placed with only 60.6% （20/33）, 76.5% （13/17）, and 100% （6/6） accuracy （grade A）, respectively. Conclusion ITFN     

Diagnostic utility of N-terminal-proBNP in differentiating acute pulmonary embolism from heart failure in patients with acute dyspnea

Background The plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） level is frequently elevated in dyspnoeic patients and increasingly used in emergency departments to assess the cause of acute dyspnea.In this study we prospectively tested NT-proBNP levels in patients with congestive heart failure （CHF） and/or acute pulmonary embolism （APE） and determined the utility of NT-proBNP for discriminating APE from CHF.Methods A cohort of 177 dyspnoeic patients with a diagnosis of APE and/or CHF was prospectively studied between June 2010 and March 2013.NT-proBNP was measured by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay （ECLIA）.All patients were evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography （TTE）.APE was diagnosed in the presence of thrombi signs in the pulmonary arteries with computed tomographic pulmonary angiography （CTPA） or a high-probability lung ventilation/ perfusion scan.Risk stratification was based on the evaluation on admission according to the ESC guidelines from 2008.The diagnosis of CHF was based on the guidelines of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology.Two physicians independently reviewed the records to determine the final diagnosis.Results Fifty-nine patients met the criteria for dyspnea caused by APE,and 113 patients were diagnosed with CHF.Most of the APE patients （41,69.5%） were intermediate-risk.The symptoms and signs,such as orthopnea,paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea and rales in the lungs,were more common in patients with CHF than in patients with APE （P 〈0.01）.Median NT-proBNP was significantly lower in patients with APE compared to those in patients with CHF （2 855.9 pg/ml vs.6 911.4 pg/ml,P 〈0.01）.We constructed the receiver operating characteristics （ROC） curve in predicting the diagnosis of APE.At a cut point=1 582.750 pg/ml,NT-proBNP provided a specificity of 93% and a true positive rate （sensitivity） of 17% for the diagnosis.At a cut point=3 390.000 pg/ml,NT-proBNP had a speci     

Side effects and tolerability of post-exposure prophylaxis with zidovudine, lamivudine, and lopinavir/ritonavir: a comparative study with HIV/AIDS patients

Background In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy （HAART）, the use of antiretrovirals as post-exposure prophylaxis （PEP） was the most important strategy for preventing occupational exposure to blood or fluids containing human immunodeficiency virus （HIV）. The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the tolerability, safety, and side effects of a HAART regimen containing three antiretroviral drugs, consisting of zidovudine, lamivudine, and Iopinavir/ ritonavir, in healthcare personnel （HCP） who experienced occupational exposure to HIV. Methods The tolerability, safety, and side effects in 26 HCPs who experienced PEP and in 27 HIV/AIDS patients with HAART regimen, AZT＋3TC＋Lpv/r, were evaluated between January 2010 and December 2012. Results The most frequent clinical side effect was fatigue （in 23 cases, 88.5%）, and gastroenterological symptoms were the second most common side effects in HCP with PEP. Liver dysfunction was found in 10 cases （38.5%）, while drug rash was found in 18 cases （69.2%） after PEP. The prevalence of side effects in HCPs who experienced PEP was higher than that in HIV/AIDS patients P 〈0.05. One nurse （3.8%） experienced severe gastrointestinal symptoms, which led to withdrawal of PEP. No HIV infection was found during 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion HCPs who received occupational PEP with triple-drug regimen, AZT＋3TC＋Lpv/r, experienced different side effects, and the tolerability and safety of PEP regimen were good in this cohort. Chin Med J 2014;127 （14）： 2632-2636     

Intense exercise can cause excessive apoptosis and synapse plasticity damage in rat hippocampus through Ca2+ overload and endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis pathway

Background Intense exercise can cause injury and apoptosis, but few studies have reported its effect on the central nervous system （CNS）. The initial reason for hippocampus injury is the excitotoxicity of glutamate and calcium overload. Intracellular free Ca2＋ （[Ca2＋]i） overload may trigger the apoptosis pathway and neuron damage. The aim of this study was to investigate whether intense exercise could cause hippocampus apoptosis and neuron damage and then to determine which pathway was activated by this apoptosis. Methods We used one bout of swimming exhaustion rats as models. Intracellular [Ca2~]i was measured to estimate the calcium overload by Fura-2/AM immediately after exhaustion; glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） and synaptophysin （SYP） immunofluorescence were performed for estimating astrocyte activation and synapse plasticity 24 hours after exhaustion. Apoptosis cells were displayed using dUTP nick end labelling （TUNEL） stain; endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress-induced apoptosis pathway and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway were synchronously detected by Western blotting. Results An increasing level of intracellular [Ca2＋]i （P 〈0.01） was found in the hippocampus immediately after exhaustion. GFAP and SYP immunofluorescence showed that the astrocytes are activated, and the synapse plasticity collapsed significantly 24 hours after exhaustion. TUNEL stain showed that the number of apoptosis cells were notably raised （P 〈0.01）; Western blotting of the apoptosis pathway showed increasing levels of caspase-3 cleavage （P 〈0.01）, Bax （P 〈0.01）, caspase-12 cleavage （P 〈0.01）, C/EBP-homologous protein （CHOP） （P 〈0.01）, and phospho-Junamino- terminal kinases （p-JNK; P 〈0.01） and decreasing level of Bcl-2 （P 〈0.01）. Our results proved that exhaustion can induce hippocampus injury and apoptosis by [Ca2＋]i overload, with collapsed synaptic plasticity as the injury pattern and ER stress-induced apoptosis as the activated pathway. Concl     

Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on expressions of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and Ki-67 in breast cancer

Background This study was designed in an attempt to determine the influence of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on estrogen receptor （ER）, progesterone receptor （PR）, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 （Her-2）, and Ki-67 expressions in patients with breast cancer. Methods Pre- and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy, paired-tumor specimens from 103 patients with breast cancer administrated with anthracycline or anthracycline combined taxane regimen were collected. Immunohistochemical staining for ER, PR, Her-2, and Ki-67 was performed by the DAKO EnVision method. Results Among the 103 cases, five patients （4.9%） had a complete response （CR）, 82 （79.6%） partial response （PR）, 15 （14.6%） stable disease （SD）, and one （0.9%） progressive disease （PD）, yielding an overall response rate （CR ＋ PR） of 84.5%. Nine patients achieved pathological CR. There was a significant decrease in the average index of Ki-67 post- neoadjuvant chemotherapy, compared with that before chemotherapy （24.1% vs. 39.7%, P 〈0.001）. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the changes of Ki-67 in different subtypes of breast cancer were different （P 〈0.001）, and these changes correlated with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy （P 〈0.001）. No significant changes in immunohistochemical expression were observed for ER, PR and Her-2. Conclusions Neoadjuvant chemotherapy apparently reduced Ki-67 index in primary breast carcinomas, but profiles for ER, PR and Her-2 were not significantly different before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The change of Ki- 67 correlated with molecular subtypes and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, suggesting that Ki-67 index was a surrogate marker to predict the treatment response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.     

Ibutilide decreases defibrillation threshold by the reduction of activation pattern complexity during ventricular fibrillation in canine hearts

Background  Ibutilide has been commonly used for pharmacologic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter in clinical settings. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ibutilide on the defibrillation threshold (DFT), restitution properties, dispersion of refractoriness and activation patterns during ventricular fibrillation (VF).

Methods  Ibutilide was administrated intravenously in six open-chest beagles. Before and after the drug administration, 20-second episodes of VF were electrically induced and recorded with a 10×10 unipolar electrode plaque sutured on the lateral epicardium of the left ventricle. DFT and VF activation patterns, including type of epicardial activation maps, VF cycle length (VF-CL), conduction velocity, wavelength (WL) and reentry incidence, were measured. Restitution properties and dispersion of refractoriness were estimated from activation recovery intervals (ARI) during pacing.

Results  Compared to baseline, ibutilide markedly decreased the DFT by 31% ((491±14) V vs. (337±59) V, P <0.01). The drug significantly reduced the maximal slope of the restitution curve (1.34±0.08 vs. 0.76±0.06, P <0.01) and its epicardial dispersion (0.36±0.09 vs. 0.21±0.06, coefficient of variation, P=0.03). The dispersion of refractoriness was enhanced at the pacing cycle length of 300 ms to 160 ms by ibutilide. The drug significantly increased the VF-CL ((96±19) ms vs. (112±20) ms, P <0.01) and the WL ((41±9) mm vs. (52±14) mm, P=0.02) during VF, and reduced the reentry incidence by 25% (0.08±0.02 vs. 0.06±0.02, P <0.01). In the epicardial activation maps, ibutilide significantly reduced the percentage of more complex activation maps during VF.

Conclusions  Intravenous ibutilide significantly decreased the DFT. It might be due to reduction of activation pattern complexity during VF.

     

Microsurgical transverse 2-suture intussusception vasoepididymostomy: effectiveness and rationality

Background 2-Suture longitudinal vasoepididymostomy shows superiority to transverse technique in an animal study; to date, this has not been consistently confirmed in human body. In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of 2-suture transverse intussusception vasoepididymostomy and compared the rationality between transverse and longitudinal techniques. Methods From May 2007 to December 2008, we performed 2-suture transverse vasoepididymostomy in 19 consecutive patients, as described by Marmar with modification. Between March 2009 and January 2010, the internal diameter of the vas lumen and the outer diameter of the epididymal tube were measured using microruler （21 patients and 37 sides）. Results Three patients lost to follow-up. At the first follow-up period （ranged from 10 to 24 months）, the patency rate was 56.3% （9/16） and the natural pregnancy rate was 25% （4/16）. At the second follow-up period （ranged from 46 to 63 months）, the patency rate was 68.8% （11/16）, the natural pregnancy rate was 37.5% （6/16）, respectively, and the take- home baby rate was 31.3% （5/16）. The diameter of the vas lumen and the outer diameter of the epididymal tubule were （0.512±0.046） mm and （0.572±0.051） mm （P 〈0.001）, respectively. Conclusion Transverse 2-suture intussusception vasoepididymostomy is still an effective technique in treating obstructive azoospermia.     

Clinical results and intramedullary signal changes of posterior decompression with transforaminal interbody fusion for thoracic myelopathy caused by combined ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum

Background Surgical treatment of thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament （OPLL） and ossification of the ligamentum flavum （OLF） is technically demanding, and the results tend to be unfavorable. Various operative approaches and treatment strategies have been attempted, and posterior decompression with transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion （PTTIF） may be the optimal method with which the anterior-posterior compression was removed in one step. It is comparatively less traumatic with fewer serious complications.     

Detection of carboxyhemoglobin in patients with hepatic encephalopathy due to hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis

Background  The heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide (HO/CO) system plays an important role in the development of hepatic fibrosis. The level of the HO/CO can be directly obtained by determining the carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level. The aims of this study were to reveal the significance of COHb in patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis (HBC) complicated by hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and to further investigate the influence of the HO/CO pathway on the end-stage cirrhosis, hoping to find a reliable indicator to evaluate the course of HBC.

Methods  According to the diagnostic criteria, 63 HBC inpatients with HE were enrolled in group H. Patients regaining awareness with current therapies were categorized into group P-H. Comparisons were made with a control group (group N) consisting of 20 health volunteers. The levels of COHb, partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) and oxygen saturation (SaO₂) were determined by arterial blood gas analysis method. The incidences of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), upper gastrointestinal bleeding, esophagogastric varices and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in group H were recorded. COHb levels in different groups were compared, and the correlations of COHb levels with HE grades (I, II, III, and IV), PaO₂, SaO₂ and hypoxemia were analyzed.

Results  The COHb level in group P-H ((1.672±0.761)%) was significantly higher than that in group N ((0.983±0.231)%) (P <0.01), and the level in group H ((2.102±1.021)%) was significantly higher than groups P-H and N (P <0.01). A positive correlation was observed between the COHb concentration and the grade of HE (r_s=0.357, P=0.004). There were no significant differences of COHb levels between HE patients with and without complications such as esophagogastric varices ((2.302±1.072)% vs. (1.802±1.041)%, P >0.05) or the occurrence of SBP ((2.960±0.561)% vs. (2.030±1.021)%, P >0.05). Compared with HE patients with HRS, the level of COHb was significantly higher in HE patients without HRS ((2.502±1.073)% vs. (1.981±1.020)%, P=0.029). The COHb level had a negative correlation with PaO₂ (r=−0.335, P=0.007) while no statistically significant relationship was found with SaO₂ (r=−0.071, P >0.05). However, when the above two parameters met the diagnostic criteria of hypoxemia, the COHb concentration increased ((2.621±0.880)% vs. (1.910±0.931)%, P=0.011).

Conclusions  COHb is a potential candidate to estimate the severity and therapeutic effect of HE. The levels of COHb may be tissue-specific in cirrhotic patients with different complications.

     

Uterine artery embolization in cesarean scar pregnancy: safe and effective intervention

Background Cesarean scar pregnancy （CSP） is a very rare but life-threatening entity and there is no optimal management strategy.Here we report a successfully conservative treatment of CSP.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 54 women with CSP,who underwent uterine artery embolization between January 2007 and September 2012 at the Peking University People＇s Hospital.We evaluated the clinical outcomes,the technique and the complications of uterine artery embolization.Results Of the 54 patients,2 patients with hemorrhage after induced abortion received bilateral uterine artery embolization treatment alone,and 52 patients underwent suction curettage after bilateral uterine artery embolization.All 54 women were successfully cured,without any severe complications,and uterine function was restored.During the follow-up,one patient had accidental normal interuterine pregnancy and received induced abortion during the first trimester.Conclution Uterine artery embolization combined with suction curettage is an effective and safe conservative treatment for cesarean scar pregnancy.