Abdominal core strength training and body stability in tae kwon do athletes / Treinamento de força do centro abdominal e estabilidade corporal em atletas de tae kwon do / Entrenamiento de fuerza del núcleo abdominal y estabilidad corporal en atletas de tae kwon do

ABSTRACT Introduction: Abdominal core strength is one of the main factors controlling body balance, helping to efficiently apply body kinetic energy to the movements of Tae Kwon Do martial arts. Objective: Explore the effects of abdominal core strength training on postural stability in Tae Kwon Do athletes. Methods: Forty Tae Kwon Do competitors were randomly selected and divided into experimental and control groups. The control group was subjected to the club's regular exercise program, while the experimental group added three months of stabilization exercise to the regular exercise program. The changes in the experiment on each index were analyzed statistically. Results: After 3 months of postural balance training, Tae Kwon Do athletes' center of gravity stability was improved. The results showed significant improvement in squatting, stretching, thoracic girdle flexibility, balance ball flexion, and ipsilateral hand extension (P<0.05). Conclusion: Abdominal core strength training can improve core muscle group strength in taekwondo athletes. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: A força do centro abdominal é um dos principais fatores de controle do equilíbrio corporal, auxiliando na aplicação eficaz da energia cinética corporal aos movimentos da arte marcial de Tae Kwon Do. Objetivo: Explorar os efeitos do treinamento de força do centro abdominal na estabilidade postural dos atletas de Tae Kwon Do. Métodos: Foram selecionados aleatoriamente 40 competidores de Tae Kwon Do, divididos em grupo experimental e grupo controle. O grupo controle foi submetido ao programa de exercício regular do clube, enquanto ao grupo experimental foram adicionados três meses de exercício de estabilização ao programa de exercício regular. As alterações do experimento em cada índice foram analisadas estatisticamente. Resultados: Após 3 meses de treinamento de equilíbrio postural, a estabilidade do centro de gravidade dos atletas de Tae Kwon Do foi aprimorada. Os resultados mostraram uma melhora significativa no agachamento, alongamento, flexibilidade de cintura torácica, flexão com bola de equilíbrio e extensão ipsilateral da mão (P<0,05). Conclusão: O treinamento de força do centro abdominal pode melhorar a força do grupo muscular central dos atletas taekwondo. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: La fuerza del núcleo abdominal es uno de los principales factores de control del equilibrio corporal, ayudando en la aplicación eficiente de la energía cinética del cuerpo a los movimientos del arte marcial Tae Kwon Do. Objetivo: Explorar los efectos del entrenamiento de la fuerza del núcleo abdominal sobre la estabilidad postural en atletas de Tae Kwon Do. Métodos: Se seleccionaron aleatoriamente 40 competidores de Tae Kwon Do, divididos en grupo experimental y grupo de control. El grupo de control fue sometido al programa de ejercicio regular del club, mientras que al grupo experimental se le añadieron tres meses de ejercicios de estabilización al programa de ejercicio regular. Los cambios del experimento en cada índice se analizaron estadísticamente. Resultados: Después de 3 meses de entrenamiento de equilibrio postural, la estabilidad del centro de gravedad de los atletas de Tae Kwon Do mejoró. Los resultados mostraron una mejora significativa en las sentadillas, los estiramientos, la flexibilidad de la cintura torácica, la flexión de la pelota de equilibrio y la extensión de la mano ipsilateral (P<0,05). Conclusión: El entrenamiento de la fuerza del núcleo abdominal puede mejorar la fuerza del grupo muscular central en los atletas de taekwondo. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Identification of FKBP10 prognostic value in lung adenocarcinoma patients with surgical resection of brain metastases: A retrospective single-institution cohort study

Abstract Objective To explore the expression levels and clinical value of FKBP10 in lung adenocarcinoma brain metastases. Design A retrospective single-institution cohort study. Patients The perioperative records of 71 patients with lung adenocarcinoma brain metastases who underwent surgical resection at the authors' institution between November 2012 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Methods The authors evaluated FKBP10 expression levels using immunohistochemistry in tissue arrays of these patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed, and a Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify independent prognostic biomarkers. A public database was used to detect FKBP10 expression and its clinical value in primary lung adenocarcinoma. Results The authors found that the FKBP10 protein was selectively expressed in lung adenocarcinoma brain metastases. Survival analysis showed that FKBP10 expression (p = 0.02, HR = 2.472, 95% CI [1.156, 5.289]), target therapy (p < 0.01, HR = 0.186, 95% CI [0.073, 0.477]), and radiotherapy (p = 0.006, HR = 0.330, 95% CI [0.149, 0.731]) were independent prognostic factors for survival in lung adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastases. The authors also detected FKBP10 expression in primary lung adenocarcinoma using a public database, found that FKBP10 is also selectively expressed in primary lung adenocarcinoma, and affects the overall survival and disease-free survival of patients. Limitations The number of enrolled patients was relatively small and patients' treatment options varied. Conclusions A combination of surgical resection, adjuvant radiotherapy, and precise target therapy may benefit the survival of selected patients with lung adenocarcinoma brain metastases. FKBP10 is a novel biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma brain metastases, which is closely associated with survival time and may serve as a potential therapeutic target.

Experimental study of proteasome inhibitor MG132 up-regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to improve osteoporosis / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism of proteasome inhibitor MG132 in improving osteoporosis.@*METHODS@#Total of 32 female SD rats, weighing 220 to 250 g and 8 weeks old, were selected. They were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=8). Rats of group A and group B were cut off ovaris on both sides to make model of osteoporosis, and then they were given proteasome inhibitors MG132 and dimethyl sufoxide (DMSO) respectively. Group C was a sham group and rats were given MG132. Group D was a normal group and rats were given MG132 too. The rats were killed in batches at 6 and 12 weeks after administration, and the femoral neck tissues were obtained. Relevant data were analyzed, such as pathomorphological observation, micro-CT analysis, detection of 20S proteasome activity in tissues, and expression of Wnt and β-catenin.@*RESULTS@#Morphological observation showed that the trabecular were slightly thinner, reticulated, and occasionally interrupted in group A, while the trabecular were obviously thinner and discontinuous in group B. And the trabecular were intact and arranged reticulated in group C and D. The analysis results of bone mineral density(BMD), bone surface(BS), bone volume/total volume(BV/TV) and trabecular thickness(Tb.Th) showed that group B was worse than other groups in all parameters at different time points(P<0.05), and group A was worse than group C and group D in BS(P<0.05), there was no significant difference in all parameters between group C and group D. RFU value of 20S proteasome in group B was significantly higher than that in other groups(P<0.05). According to the results of Western blot, the gray values of Wnt protein and β-catenin protein in group A were significantly higher than those in other groups (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#MG-132, a ubiquitin proteasome inhibitor, can regulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by inhibiting the degradation of β-catenin protein, and delaying the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.

Effect of function of mobile phone use on the self-perceived stress and mobile phone addiction of high vocational students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the impact of function of mobile phone use on self-perceived stress and mobile phone addiction of high vocational students, and the mediating role of coping styles between different mobile phone functions and mobile phone addiction.@*Methods@#A total of 911 participants in two vocational colleges in Wuhan and Liaocheng were investigated by using convenient sampling method. Smartphone Usage, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and Stress subscale of Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale(short version) were administered to participants.@*Results@#Female students scored significantly higher on mobile phone social features (4.77±1.06) than males( t =2.05， P =0.04), while males scored significantly higher on MPATS and DASS-S, Negative Coping Style subscales than females( P <0.01). The social function of the mobile phone was positively related to the positive coping styles( r =0.17, P <0.01). The game features of mobile phone were positively related to negative coping styles, stress and mobile addiction( P <0.01). Negative coping style could positively predict stress and mobile phone addiction( β =0.53, 0.50, P <0.01). Negative coping styles and stress had significant chain mediation effects in nonsocial functions and mobile phone addiction(95% CI =0.06-0.24, P <0.01).@*Conclusion@#Students of vocational college who often use cellphone not for social purpose have higher self-perceived stress. The game function of mobile phones had an adverse effect on the physical and mental health of vocational students. Negative coping style is a powerful predictor of stress and mobile phone addiction.

Mobile phone addiction and mental health among Chinese vocational college students: the role of selfcontrol and selfesteem / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#This paper discussed possible mechanisms of mobile phone addiction on mental health of vocational college students, and to explore the role of selfcontrol and selfesteem in this association.@*Methods@#Totally 898 vocational college students from Liaocheng, Kunming and Wuhan were selected by random cluster sampling. Subjects were investigated with the Mobile Phone Addiction Index, DepressionAnxietyStress Scale (short version), SelfControl Scale, and SelfEsteem Scale.@*Results@#About 27.6% of the participants selfreported mobile phone addiction. Mobile phone addiction score (45.80±10.41)was positively correlated with mental health(36.18±9.13)(P<0.01). A significant negative correlation was found between mobile addiction tendency with selfcontrol and selfesteem (both P<0.01). Male students scored higher on depression, anxiety and stress than female students(t=3.57, P<0.01). Selfcontrol played a partial intermediary role in the association between mobile phone addiction and mental health(β=-0.36, P<0.01). The influence of mobile phone addiction tendency on depression and stress were moderated by selfesteem.@*Conclusion@#Mobile phone addiction has a direct and indirect effect on mental health through selfcontrol. With increasing level of selfesteem, effect of mobile phone addiction on mental health tends to become weaker.

Quality control on clinical research in the thoracic oncology / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#This article reviewed other literatures in the quality management of clinical trials and summarized author’s experience in quality control of clinical trials which the author conducted as principle investigator over the past years. It provides a reference for fresh investigators before they conduct their own clinical trials.

The application of different temperature during hypothermic circulatory arrest on aortic arch surgery / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#We conducted a detailed analysis of different hypothermic circulatory arrest techniques, from its evolution, application on aortic arch surgery and research, focusing on the application and advantages and disadvantage, which provides some guide for the future discussion on the optimal temperature of hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Modified total arch replacement for surgical repair of Stanford type A aortic dissection / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of modified total arch replacement by retrospectively analyzing the clinical outcome of surgical patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection (AAD). Methods From June 2015 to December 2016, 39 consecutive patients with AAD were recruited to this study. This modified technique was preformed under general anesthesia and a 30℃ hypothermia circulatory arrest (HCA) with continual bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion. Different surgical approaches were applied according to the aortic root condition: Bentall procedure (4 patients), David procedure (2 patients), aortic valve plasty and ascending aortic replacement (25 patients) and Cabrol procedure (8 patients). Concomitant procedures included mitral valve plasty (1 patient) and tricuspid valve plasty (1 patient). Results The average cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), aortic occlusion time (ACC), HCA and operation time was 218.5±42.2 min, 134.2±32.4 min, 4.9±2.3 min and 415.5±80.5 min respectively. Four patients required dialysis and 2 patients developed temporary neurological deficit. No permanent neurological deficit, postoperative paraplegia or in-hospital death occurred. Computed tomography examination was performed on all patients before discharge and 3 months after discharge. The follow-up result showed that 37 patients developed complete thrombosis in the false lumen and 2 patients developed partial thrombosis. Conclusion Modified total arch replacement is a safe and effective approach for AAD. It can greatly avoid postoperative complications and provide satisfactory short-term outcomes.

Treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with intelligent inflated reduction combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical outcome of intelligent inflated reduction combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in treating thoracolumbar burst fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 22 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures of single segment treated from January 2013 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 10 females, aged from 32 to 56 years old with an average of (42.4±8.6) years. Self-made intelligent pneumatic reset instrument was applied to 22 cases under anaesthesia reduction, and then percutaneous pedicle screw fixation was performed. Clinical features were observed and the clinical effects were evaluated by VAS, ODI, kyphotic angle (Cobb angle) and the injured vertebral anterior border height before and after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up from 1 to 2.5 years with an average of 18 months. All fractures obtained bone healing, no complications such as loosening, displacement, breakage of pedicle screw and kyphosis were found. Preoperative, 1 week postoperative, and final follow-up, VAS scores of lumbar pain were 7.82±0.85, 3.09±0.92, 1.05±0.72;ODI scores were 84.2±11.2, 46.3±9.0, 12.2±4.3;Cobb angle were (16.3±5.4)°, (3.7±2.2)°, ( 5.5±2.6)°; the injured vertebral anterior border heights were (59.5±7.8)%, (86.9±6.0)%, (83.5±5.5)%, respectively. There was significant differences in VAS, ODI scores between any two times(<0.05). At 1 week postoperative and final follow-up, Cobb angle, injuried vertebral anterior border height were obviously improved (<0.05), and there was no significant difference between postoperative 1 week and final follow-up (>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is safe and feasible surgical technique that intelligent inflated reduction combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar burst fractures. It has advantage of little trauma, reliable fixation, and less complication, etc. Therefore, it is a better choice for single-segment thoracolumbar burst fractures.</p>

Preparation and in Vitro Anti-Laryngeal Cancer Evaluation of Protopanaxadiol-loaded Hollow Gold Nanoparticles / 分析化学

Protopanaxadiol (PPD) has inhibitory effects on many tumors and receives much attention. However,it has poor water solubility and low utilization, which limits its clinical application. Considering these issues,in this study,we used hollow gold nanoparticles as transport carriers of PPD and synthesized PPD hollow gold nanoparticles (HAuNs). We conducted a number of experiments to investigate the in vitro anti-laryngeal cancer Hep-2 effect of a PPD HAuNs carrier. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to detect the sustained release effect of PPD HAuNs. MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of PPD HAuNs on the proliferation of Hep-2 cells. Effect of PPD HAuNs on Hep-2 cell apoptosis was investigated by flow cytometry. The results of in vitro release showed that PPD HAuNs had sustained release effect. Compared with blank control group,HAuNs group and PPD group,the survival rate of Hep-2 cells in HAuNs-PEG-PPD group decreased more significantly and the apoptosis rate increased more significantly (p<0.01). PPD HAuNs could significantly enhance anti-laryngeal cancer effect of PPD in vitro and promote the apoptosis of tumor cells. It promotes tumor cell apoptosis, and is expected to be a new PPD drug delivery system, further promoting the application of PPD in clinical anti-laryngeal cancer.

Clinical strategy of surgical management for Marfan syndrome in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To retrospectively reviewed our experience of the surgical and perioperative treatment of patients suffering from critical Marfan syndrome with severe left ventricular dysfunction and to evaluate its therapeutic effect and prognosis. Methods     Between January 2012 and October 2016, 15 patients diagnosed with Marfan syndrome combined with severe left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction≤40% or left ventricular end diastolic diameter≥75 mm) underwent operations for aortic root aneurysm in Zhujiang Hospital and Guangdong General Hospital. Among them, 11 were males and 4 were females with a mean age of 32.9±8.7 years ranging from 19 to 55 years. Five patients with aortic dissection underwent Bentall procedure and total arch reconstruction with stent graft implantation. Two patients underwent Bentall procedure and hemi-arch replacement, seven patients underwent Bentall procedure and one patient underwent Cabrol procedure. Concomitant procedures included mitral valve repair in 12 patients, mitral valve replacement in 3 patients and tricuspid valve repair in 12 patients. Results     There were 11 patients (73.3%) receiving intra-aortic balloon pumping implantation. One (6.7%) in-hospital death occurred. The left ventricular end diastolic diameter decreased from 80.5±7.4 mm to 58.3±6.0 mm (P<0.05) and the left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 37.3%±5.2% to 46.3%±4.4% 3 months postoperatively (P<0.05). The left ventricular end diastolic diameter decreased from 80.5±7.4 mm to 53.7±3.6 mm (P<0.05) and the left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 37.3%±5.2% to 57.7%±4.2% after one year (P<0.05). No death and reoperation occurred in the follow-up. Conclusion     Although the patients with Marfan syndrome and severe left ventricular dysfunction usually have a high surgical mortality, the key to satisfactory outcomes of severe Marfan syndrome is adequate preoperative preparation, complete correction of all vascular lesions during the operation, application of circulatory auxiliary device and perioperative strict and long-term ICU monitoring.

Clinical efficacy of unilateral percutaneous transfacet screws combined with contralateral pedicle screw versus bilateral pedicle screws fixation in the treatment of the degenerative lumbar disease / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the surgical outcome of unilateral pedicle screw(UPS) after TLIF technique combined with contralateral percutaneous transfacet screw(PTS) fixation vs bilateral pedicle screws(BPS) fixation in treatment of degenerative lumbar disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2009 to June 2012, 46 patients with degenerative lumbar diseases, including 30 males and 16 females with an average age of 51.5 years old, who were divided into two groups according to different fixation methods. Twenty-two cases underwent UPS after TLIF technique combined with contralateral PTS fixation (group A), while the others underwent BPS fixation(group B). The relative data were analyzed, such as blood loss volume, operative time, fusion rate, ODI score, JOA score and so on.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up for 1 to 3 years with an average of 22 months. Except one case of each group was uncertainty fusion, the rest have obtained bony fusion, and the fusion rates in group A and B were 95.5% and 95.8%, respectively. No displacement and breakage of screw were found during follow-up. Operative time and blood loss volume in group A were better than of group B(<0.05). ODI and JOA scores had improved obviously than preoperation(<0.05), but the differences had no statistical significance between two groups(>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Two approaches had similar clinical outcomes for degenerative lumbar disease with no severe instability. Compared with BPS fixation, the UPS after TLIF technique and contralateral PTS fixation has the advantages of less trauma, shorter operative time and less blood loss, and it is a safe and feasible surgical technique.</p>

Correlation factors of lymph node metastasis in patients with clinical stage T1a non-small cell lung cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between the lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological features in patients with clinical stage T1a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinicopathological data of a total of 418 patients who underwent lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection were retrospectively analyzed. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological features.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Lymph node metastasis was observed in 25 patients. There were 122 patients who were diagnosed as ground glass opacity with no lymph node metastasis. 399 patients had subcarinal dissection, among them 7 patients were found to have lymph node metastasis. Univariate analysis showed that gender, smoking history, diameter of lymph node, ground glass opacity (GGO), differentiation of the tumor and tumor site were the factors affecting lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that diameter of lymph node, differentiation of the tumor and the site of lesion were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis of NSCLC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tumor in the left lung, poor differentiation, and diameter of lymph nodes ≥ 1 cm on the preoperative CT image are independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis of NSCLC, hence we should pay attention before surgery and systematic lymph node dissection should be done. For patients with poor differentiation and lymph nodes ≥ 1 cm, subcarinal lymph nodes dissection is recommended for the sake of higher possibility of lymph node metastasis. For patients with ground glass opacity ≤ 2 cm, the lymph node metastasis is extremely rare, therefore, selective lymph node dissection is reconmmended.</p>

Prospective Randomized Study of Sarpogrelate Versus Clopidogrel-based Dual Antiplatelet Therapies in Patients Undergoing Femoropopliteal Arterial Endovascular Interventions: Preliminary Results / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Sarpogrelate is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor subtype 2A antagonist which blocks 5-HT induced platelet aggregation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. We compared the efficacy of sarpogrelate-based dual antiplatelet therapies for the prevention of restenosis and target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates comparing with that of clopidogrel after percutaneous endovascular interventions (EVIs) of femoropopliteal (FP) arterial lesions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trial recruited a total of 120 patients with successful EVI of FP lesions at seven centers across China between January 2011 and June 2012. Patients were randomized to receive either sarpogrelate (100 mg trice daily for 6 months, n = 63) or clopidogrel (75 mg once daily for 6 months, n = 57). All patients also received oral aspirin (100 mg once daily for 12 months). Clinical follow-up was conducted up to 12 months postprocedure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference between the two groups in basic demographic data. The restenosis rate was higher in the clopidogrel group (22.80%) than in sarpogrelate group (17.50%), but there was no significant difference between these two groups (P = 0.465). The TLR rate, ipsilateral amputation rate, mortality in all-cause and bleeding rate were also similar in the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Aspirin plus sarpogrelate is a comparable antithrombotic regimen to aspirin plus clopidogrel after EVI of FP arterial lesions. Dual antiplatelet therapies might play an important role in preventing restenosis after successful EVI of FP lesions.</p>

Case-control study on endobutton plate or clavicular hook plate for the repair of acromioclavicular joint dislocations / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the treatment results between Endobutton plate and clavicular hook plate for the treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocations.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2009 to September 2010, 30 patients with acromioclavicular joint dislocations were treated with two different fixations: Endobutton plate (15 patients, including 12 males and 3 females, with a mean age of 38.5 +/- 8.2 years) and clavicular hook plate (15 patients, including 14 males and 1 female, with the mean age of 33.8 +/- 5.9 years). The mean operative time and blood loss were compared between the two groups. Joint function was assessed by the Karlsson standard.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean operative time of the Endobutton group and the hook plate group were (61 +/- 8.6) min and (40 +/- 5.6) min. The average blood loss were (93 +/- 8.4) ml and (100 +/- 12.6) ml. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the average blood loss and the mean operative time. According to the Karlsson standard, 13 patients got an excellent result, 2 good in the Endobutton group; and 7 patients got an excellent result and 7 good in hook plate group. The therapeutic effect in Endobutton group was better than that of hook plate group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the treatment of acromioclavicular dislocation, fixation with Endobutton plate is believed to be better than hook plate fixation. It is an effective method for the repair of acromioclavicular joint dislocations in a short term. But its long term effects still need further follow up.</p>

Clinical significance of anticoagulant proteins detection in patients with thrombotic events / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence and the risk of natural anticoagulants such as plasma protein C (PC), protein S (PS) and antithrombin (AT) deficiency in thromboembolic patients with no evident acquired factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clotting assays on French STAGO autoanalyzer were used to detect the activity of plasma PC, PS and AT in 85 patients with thrombotic disease and 50 sex and age matched healthy controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 85 enrolled patients (18 arterial and 67 venous thromboembolism), male to female ratio was 1.4 and the median age was 42 years (17-69). The activity of plasma PC, PS and AT in the pre-therapy thrombotic disease group, the thrombo-recurrence group, and the age < or = 45 years group were significantly lower than that is the healthy control group, the first thrombotic episodes group and the age > 45 years group respectively (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). The overall deficiency rate of these three natural anticoagulants was 30.6%, PS deficiency was the commonest (10.6%), the second was PC deficiency (8.2%), AT deficiency and combined deficiency each accounted for 5.9%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The PC, PS and AT protein deficiencies are frequent in Chinese thromboembolic patients, they are the independent risk factors for the thrombotic events and recurrence.</p>

Expression of TFPI-2 gene in pancreatic carcinoma and its prognostic significance / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the expression of TFPI-2 gene in pancreatic carcinoma, and to evaluate its prognostic significance in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression of TFPI-2 mRNA and protein in the pancreatic carcinoma tissue samples from 41 patients. The correlation of its expression with clinicopathological features and its prognostic significance were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of TFPI-2 mRNA and protein in moderately or poorly differentiated pancreatic carcinoma tissues, or in cases with nerve-involvement, lymph node and blood vessel invasion was significantly lower than that in the highly differentiated one, or without nerve involvement, or neither lymphatic nor blood vessel invasion (P < 0.05). The median survival time of patients with high expression of TFPI-2 (12.0 months) was significantly longer than that with low expression of TFPI-2 (5.1 months, P < 0.05). The Cox model analysis showed that the expression of TFPI-2 was an independent marker for prognosis in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of TFPI-2 is correlated with clinical stage and differentiation of pancreatic carcinoma, and can be used as a prognostic marker for pancreatic carcinoma.</p>

Effects of Kang Gang Qian Granule (KGQG) on clinical and pathological features in chronic hepatitis B patients / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the efficacy of KGQG and its therapeutic mechanisms in chronic hepatitis B patients with liver fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>57 chronic hepatitis B patients with liver fibrosis were randomly divided into two groups: 45 cases in KGQG group were treated by KGQG and routine medications; 12 cases in control group were treated by routine medications only. Serum liver function test results, PCIII, CIV, HA and liver biopsy results of these 57 patients were simultaneously collected and analyzed before and after this intervention.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>KGQG group showed better efficacy over control group in liver function recovery, decrease of serum PCIII, CIV, HA levels and liver pathologic grades (P 0.05 or 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The KGQG could effectively ameliorate liver function and facilitate the inhibition and degradation of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients, which may be developed as a novel therapeusis to treat this hard-to-cure disease.</p>

Small-diameter prosthetic H-graft portacaval shunts in the treatment of portal hypertension / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Portasystemic shunts, especially total shunts, are effective tools for reducing portal pressure and controlling variceal bleeding but lead to high risk of encephalopathy and accelerating liver failure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical effects of small-diameter expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) H-graft portacaval shunts in the treatment of portal hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-one patients with portal hypertension were treated with ePTFE small-diameter H-graft portacaval shunts from December 1995 to April 2002. Twenty-one had externally ringed grafts and 10 had non-ringed grafts; 20 had 10 mm diameter grafts and 11 had 8 mm grafts. The left gastric artery and coronary vein were ligated in 22 patients. Additionally, 6 patients underwent pericardial devascularization, and splenectomies were performed on 30 patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>An average decrease of free portal pressure (FPP) from (32.13 +/- 4.86) cmH2O before shunting to (12.55 +/- 5.57) cmH2O after shunting was observed. Portal blood flow was reduced by 1/3 compared with the levels measured before shunting. Twenty-eight patients survived after the operation, and no upper gastrointestinal rebleeding occurred in the follow-up period (40.2 months on average). We lost contact with one patient. Color Doppler ultrasonography and/or portography revealed the shunts to be patent in 28 cases and occluded in 2 (6.4%) cases. Encephalopathy developed in 4 patients (12.9%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Small-diameter ePTFE H-graft portacaval shunts can effectively reduce portal pressure. Moreover, the majority of the hepatopetal flow from the portal vein can be adequately maintained. The reinforced shunts may achieve a higher rate of patency. Morbidity from encephalopathy was less frequent than in patients receiving total shunts. Small-diameter H-graft portacaval shunts are also effective in preventing recurrent variceal bleeding.</p>