White Matter Abnormalities in Major Depression Biotypes Identified by Diffusion Tensor Imaging / 神经科学通报·英文版

Identifying data-driven biotypes of major depressive disorder (MDD) has promise for the clarification of diagnostic heterogeneity. However, few studies have focused on white-matter abnormalities for MDD subtyping. This study included 116 patients with MDD and 118 demographically-matched healthy controls assessed by diffusion tensor imaging and neurocognitive evaluation. Hierarchical clustering was applied to the major fiber tracts, in conjunction with tract-based spatial statistics, to reveal white-matter alterations associated with MDD. Clinical and neurocognitive differences were compared between identified subgroups and healthy controls. With fractional anisotropy extracted from 20 fiber tracts, cluster analysis revealed 3 subgroups based on the patterns of abnormalities. Patients in each subgroup versus healthy controls showed a stepwise pattern of white-matter alterations as follows: subgroup 1 (25.9% of patient sample), widespread white-matter disruption; subgroup 2 (43.1% of patient sample), intermediate and more localized abnormalities in aspects of the corpus callosum and left cingulate; and subgroup 3 (31.0% of patient sample), possible mild alterations, but no statistically significant tract disruption after controlling for family-wise error. The neurocognitive impairment in each subgroup accompanied the white-matter alterations: subgroup 1, deficits in sustained attention and delayed memory; subgroup 2, dysfunction in delayed memory; and subgroup 3, no significant deficits. Three subtypes of white-matter abnormality exist in individuals with major depression, those having widespread abnormalities suffering more neurocognitive impairments, which may provide evidence for parsing the heterogeneity of the disorder and help optimize type-specific treatment approaches.

Secretory breast carcinoma: a clinicopathological study of 6 cases / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To describe the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and prognosis of secretory breast carcinoma (SBC). Methods Clinicopathological and follow-up data of six SBC patients were collected. Histopathologic analysis was performed on hematoxylin and eosinstained (HE) section. Immunohistochemical staining was performed by En Vision two-step method and ETV6 gene detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), then relevant literatures were reviewed. Results The ages of the patients ranged from 6 to 76 years with a mean age of 38.7 years, including one male and five female patients. The right breast was involved in 4 cases, and the left, in 2 cases. Five cases showed painless breast mass while one presented with a nipple discharge. The tumor size ranged from 1.0 to 3.1 cm with a mean size of 2.0 cm. Most of the tumors were circumscribed, solid gray white to light brown. Histologically, tumor showed solid nested microcystic, glandular or papillary pattern separating by hyaline fibrous tissue and growed in multiple nodular from. The cytoplasm contains abundant eosinophilic secretions or secretory vesicles. Immunhistochemistry, all cases were positive for CK7, S-100 and CEA, but negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) and HER-2, and the proliferation index Ki-67 ranged from 10％ to 40％. Molecular testing confirmed the presence of the EVT6 gene translocation in one case. Lumpectomy was performed in 2 cases and modified radical mastectomy in 4 cases, two of them had lymph node metastasis (3/15, 1/16). Five cases were followed up for 6 months to 20 years, 1 case had lung metastasis. Conclusion SBC is a rare breast tumor with relatively indolent clinical and good prognosis. It can be diagnosed according to typical pathological morphology and immunohistochemical characteristics. The characteristic EVT6 gene translocation also has important differential diagnostic value.

Effect of miR-3619-5p on proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cell MCF-7 and T47D and its molecular mechanism / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To investigate the effect of miR-3619-5p transfection on the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T47D and its molecular mechanism.Methods According to the different treatment,breast cancer cells were divided into two groups:control group (transfected with dsControl) and experimental group (transfected with miR3619-5p).5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) proliferation assay and colony forming assay were used to detect the proliferation ability of breast cancer cells.Flow cytometry (FCM) was conducted to analyze the cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis.The expression of p21,CDK6 and Cyclin D1 mRNA were tested by qRT-PCR.The expression of p21,CDK6 and Cyclin D1 protein were detected by Western blot.Results The proliferation ability of breast cancer cells transfected with miR-3619-5p was significantly lower than that of control (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the control group,the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase was significantly higher than that in the dsControl group,and the proportion of the cells in the S phase and G2/M phase was significantly decreased after miR-3619-Sp transfection,the cell apoptosis rate increased significantly.The expression of p21 mRNA was significantly up-regulated (P ＜ 0.01 both in the two cell lines transfected with miR-3619-5p compared with the control group,while the expression of CDK6 and Cyclin D1 mRNA was down-regulated (P ＜0.01).Western blot results were consistent with qRT-PCR results.Conclusion miR3619-5p can significantly inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells and promote cell apoptosis.Its molecular mechanism may be the activation of tumor suppressor gene p21 expression in breast cancer cells.

A commentary of literature research of traditional Chinese medicine for acute upper respiratory tract infection in children / 中国中药杂志

Acute upper respiratory tract infection is the most common infectious disease in children's respiratory system. The pathogen to the main virus, can account for more than 90% of the primary upper respiratory tract infectio. However, there is no specific anti-viral drugs specifically for the disease, in addition to the existence of excessive, widespread use or even abuse of antibiotics.Long-term clinical practice has confirmed that Chinese medicine is safe and effective in treating acute upper respiratory tract infection in children. The author reviews the literatures of multiple databases, and analyzes the advantages of Chinese patent medicine in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infection in children from the perspective of clinical research and experimental basic research. It also puts forward the existing problems and possible research directions of Chinese patent medicine in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infection in children.

Effect of various ambient temperatures on activities of mitochondrial complex II in patients of deficiency-cold syndrome and deficiency-heat syndrome / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore activity laws of mitochondrial complex II in patients of deficiency-cold syndrome (DCS) and deficiency-heat syndrome (DHS) under various ambient temperatures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Subjects were recruited by questionnaire and expert diagnosis from grade 1 - 3 undergraduates at Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in November 2012, and assigned to a normal control group, the DCS group, and the DHS group, 20 in each group. Their venous blood samples were collected at two different temperature conditions. Activities of mitochondrial complex II were measured by spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Comparison of mitochondrial complex It under various ambient temperatures: Compared with room temperature in the same group, activity values were all increased in the normal control group at cold temperature with significant difference (P <0.05), but there was no significant difference in the DCS group and the DHS group (P >0. 05). Compared with the normal control group, activity values of complex H were reduced in the DCS group at cold and room temperatures with significant difference (P <0.05). Compared with the DCS group, activity values of complex It were increased in the DHS group with significant difference (P <0. 05). (2) Changes of adjustment rates: Compared with room temperature, the adjustment rate all rose at cold temperature in the normal control group and the DHS group with significant difference (P <0.05), but with no significant difference found in the DCS group (P >0. 05). Compared with the normal control group at the same temperature, the adjustment rate in the DHS group and the DCS group was all reduced at cold and room temperatures with significant difference (P <0. 05). There were no significant difference in the adjustment rate between the DHS group and the DCS group (P > 0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Environment temperature can affect the activity of mitochondrial complex II with different influence degrees on different syndrome types of people, but its change trend are basically identical.</p>

The Relationship Study between Expressions of P2X5 Receptor and Deficiency-cold Syndrome/Deficiency-heat Syndrome at Various Ambient Temperatures / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the expression of the peripheral blood P2X5 receptor at various ambient temperatures, and to explore its relationship with deficiency-cold syndrome and deficiency-heat syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Subjects were selected by questionnaire and expert diagnosis, and assigned to the normal control group, the deficiency-cold syndrome group, and the deficiency-heat syndrome group, 20 in each group. 5 mL venous blood was collected at room temperature (25 °C) and cold temperature (-4-5 °C) respectively. Then the expression of P2X5 receptor was relatively quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and compared at room temperature and cold temperature respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of P2X5 receptor in deficiency-cold syndrome and deficiency-heat syndrome groups was lower than that in the normal control group at room temperature (P < 0.05). It decreased more at cold temperature in the deficiency-cold syndrome group than in the normal control group (P < 0.01) as well as in the deficiency-heat syndrome group (P < 0.05). The expression of P2X5 receptor showed no difference in all groups at two different temperatures (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of P2X5 receptor was different in different syndrome groups at various ambient temperatures. Ambient temperatures had insignificant effect on the expression of P2X5 receptor of the population with the same syndrome.</p>

Silence of STIM1 attenuates the proliferation and migration of EPCs after vascular injury and its mechanism

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of stromal interaction molecule 1(STIM1) knockdown on the proliferation and migration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) after vascular injury and its mechanism.@*METHODS@#The rat bone marrow derived EPCs were divided into three groups: adenovirus negative control (group NSC), rat STIM1 adenovirus vector transfection group (group si/rSTIM1) and rat &human recombinant STIM1 adenovirus transfection group (group si/rSTIM1+hSTIM1). The STIM1 expressions in each group were detected by reverse transcription PCR after transfection; the cell proliferation was tested by [(3)H] thymidine incorporation assay ((3)H-TdR); Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry; the cells' migration activity was detected by Boyden assay; Calcium ion concentration was detected by using laser confocal method.@*RESULTS@#48 h later after transfection, the expression level of STIM1 in si/rSTIM1 cells was significantly lower than that in NSC group (0.21 ± 0.12 vs 1.01 ± 0.01, P<0.05); EPCs that stayed in G1 phase in si/rSTIM1 group [(93.31 ± 0.24)%] were significantly more than that in NSC group [(78.03 ± 0.34)%, P<0.05]; EPCs' migration activity in si/rSTIM1 group (10.03±0.33) was significantly lower than that in NSC group: (32.11 ± 0.54, P<0.05); EPCs calcium ion concentration changes in EPCs in si/rSTIM1 group (38.03 ± 0.13) was significantly lower than that in NSC group (98.11 ± 0.34, P<0.05). While there was no significant difference between si/rSTIM1+hSTIM1 group and NSC group on the four indexes above.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Silence of STIM1 attenuates EPCs proliferation and migration after vascular injury, by mediating the calcium ion concentration in EPCs.

Impact of asymptomatic prostatitis on semen quality / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the impact of asymptomatic prostatitis on semen parameters.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Based on the count of WBC in EPS, we assigned 152 patients with asymptomatic (type IV) prostatitis to Groups A (WBC + to + +) and B (WBC + + + to + + + +), and included 68 normal healthy men controls in Group C. All the patients were examined for the volume, pH value and liquefaction time of the semen, sperm concentration, sperm survival rate, grade a sperm percentage, morphologically normal sperm percentage, WBC count, and accompanying inflammatory cytokines.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The semen liquefaction time, grade a sperm percentage and morphologically normal sperm percentage were (24.5 +/- 5.2) min, 20.0 +/- 4.1 and 10.5 +/- 4.8 in Group A, (30.4 +/- 5.0) min, 10.0 +/- 3.8 and 7.5 +/- 4.2 in Group B, and (18.5 +/- 5.3) min, 32.3 +/- 4.5 and 17.8 +/- 3.6 in Group C, with statistically significant differences between A and B (P < 0.01). The pH value, semen volume, sperm survival rate and sperm concentration were 7.6 +/- 0.3, (3.0 +/- 1.1) ml, 56.0 +/- 6.0 and (65.9 +/- 11.3) x 10(6)/ml in Group A, 7.7 +/- 0.3, (2.8 +/- 1.2) ml, 52.3 +/- 6.3 and (62.5 +/- 10.3) x 10(6)/ml in Group B, and 7.5 +/- 0.2, (2.9 +/- 1.2) ml, 62.1.0 +/- 5.3 and (87.7 +/- 10.1) x 10(6)/ml in Group C, with no significant differences among the three groups (P > 0.05). The contents of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the semen were (58.64 +/- 30.82) pg/ml and (50.57 +/- 27.48) pg/ml in Group B, significantly increased as compared with (17.68 +/- 5.65) pg/ml and (23.50 +/- 4.80) pg/ml in Group C (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Asymptomatic prostatitis effects significant changes in the major parameters of the patient's semen quality.</p>

Effect of matrine on human ether à go-go related gene (HERG) channels expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of matrine on human ether à go-go related gene (HERG) potassium channels expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and investigate whether HERG channel is a new target of the pharmacological effect of matrine on arrhythmia and tumor</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HERG channel potassium current in CHO cell was recorded using whole-cell patch-clamp technique, and the influence of matrine on the current was explored.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Matrine inhibited HERG potassium current in a dose-dependent manner, and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC IC(50)) was 411±23 μmol/L. Matrine had no significant effect on the activation kinetics, and mainly blocked HERG channels in their closed state.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The blocking effect of matrine on HERG channels might be one of the mechanisms against arrythmias and tumors. Unlike most other blockers exerting blocking effect at the intracellular sites by entering the cell with the opening of HERG channel, matrine blocked HERG channels at the extracellular sites.</p>

Effects of fetal renal cell suspension on free radicals in ovariectomized rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the changes of free radicals in rats after ovariectomy and the intervention effect of fetal renal cell suspension (FRCS) on them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 48 Sprague-Dawley rats, eight in the normal control group were sham-operated and treated with saline; the other 40 were ovariectomized and randomly divided into four groups: the model control group (A) administered with normal saline, the positive control group (B) administered with nilestriol, the two testing groups (C and D) administered respectively with living and dead FRCS. The administration was beginning from 12 weeks after operation and lasted for four weeks. Levels of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric monoxide synthase (NOS) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) contents were measured at the terminal of the study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the sham-operated group, levels of SOD, NOS and NO in Group A were significantly lower, while level of MDA was significantly higher (P < 0.01). Compared with Group A, all above-mentioned abnormalities of indices were inversely changed in the three intervened groups significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but showed insignificant difference in the paired comparisons of the three groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High free radical condition is surely present in ovariectomized rats, FRCS can lessen the injury of free radicals and enhance the oxidation antagonizing capacity of the organism.</p>

Clinical features of 107 autoimmune hepatitis patients and 30 of them with AIH-primary biliary cirrhosis overlap syndrome / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to provide a reliable basis for the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and its overlap syndrome, we investigated the clinical, immunological characteristics of and the therapeutic methods for AIH and AIH-primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) overlap syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred seven patients (77 with AIH and 30 with AIH-PBC overlap syndrome) were enrolled in the study. Their clinical manifestations, serum liver function tests (LFTs) findings, serum immunoglobulins, liver histopathological changes and their responsiveness to the therapies were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The age distribution of AIH patients showed a single peak during their fifties and their main clinical manifestations were malaise, abdominal distension, anorexia and jaundice. Serum gamma globulin and IgG were significantly higher than their normal levels. 74% of the patients were positive for anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), 32% of the patients were positive for anti-smooth muscle antibody (AMA), and over 50% of the patients suffered from concurrent extrahepatic autoimmune diseases. The main histological changes in the liver biopsies were interface hepatitis (65%), lobular hepatitis and rosette formation of liver cells. Bridging necrosis was observed in severe AIH cases. In the AIH-PBC overlap syndrome patients, the levels of serum ALT, AST, GGT, ALP and incidences of ANA and AMA/AMA-M2 were all significantly higher than those of the AIH group. After treating AIH patients with prednisolone and azathioprine (Aza), complete response was seen in 42 cases (70%), sustained response was seen in 26 cases (43%). Sixteen cases had relapses after the withdrawal of the treatment or prednisolone dosage was reduced lower than 10 mg/d. The cases having normal serum ALT, AST, gamma-globulin and IgG levels after treatment were still responding to the reduced prednisolone dosage of 5-10 mg/d without azathioprine added. After combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment, the liver function tests (AST, ALT, TBil) of AIH-PBC overlap syndrome patients also significantly improved compared to those before the treatment (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AIH and AIH-PBC overlap syndrome are not rare in our clinics. Their diagnoses should be based on the clinical presentations, biochemical and immunological indices and liver histological changes. In AIH cases, once their AST, ALT, gamma-globulin and IgG levels return to normal, the prednisolone dosage can be maintained at 5-10 mg/d and Aza can even be withdrawn. Good improvement for patients with AIH-PBC overlap syndrome can be obtained with UDCA and immunosuppression treatment.</p>

Relationship between p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and cervical carcinoma in Uigur and Han women in Xinjiang / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and cervical carcinomas HPV-associated cervical carcinoma in Uigur and Han women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The distribution and frequencies of p53 Arg72Pro genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP in 152 cases of cervical carcinoma in ethnic Uigur women with 110 cases of normal control and 120 cases of cervical carcinoma in Han women with 122 cases of normal control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The omni-constituent ratio of p53 genotype was statistically different between cervical carcinoma and normal control groups in the Uigur (chi(2) = 7.196, P < 0.05) group. The proportion of Arg/Arg was higher in cervical carcinomas than that in control. The omni-constituent ratio of p53 genotype was statistically different between cervical carcinoma and normal control groups in Han (chi(2) = 8.231, P < 0.025). The proportion of Pro/Pro was higher in cervical carcinoma than that in normal control. The omni-constituent ratio was statistically different between HPV 16 positive and negative groups of cervical carcinoma in the Uigur group (chi(2) = 7.177, P < 0.05). The proportion of Arg/Arg was higher in HPV 16 positive group than that in HPV 16 negative group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism may be associated with the development of cervical carcinoma in Uigur and Han women in Xinjiang. p53 Arg/Arg genotype may be a genetically susceptible factor to HPV-associated cervical carcinoma in Uigur. p53 Pro/Pro genotype may be a genetically susceptible factor to cervical carcinoma in Han. There may be different susceptibilities to cervical cancer between Uigur and Han women in Xinjiang.</p>

Clinical analysis on surgical treatment of single atrium / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the experience of surgical treatment of single atrium.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From August 1984 to August 2004, there were 33 patients with single atrium in our study. Plastic surgery for mitral valves were performed for 30 cases with mitral insufficiency. Plastic surgery for tricuspid valves were performed for 18 cases with tricuspid valve insufficiency. There were 3 cases only with complete absence of atrial septum. There were 14 cases with left superior vena cava. All new atrial septums were made with patches including 24 autologous pericardial patches and 9 terylene patches. Complicate abnormalities were corrected in the same time. Tow suture techniques were used in operations to prevent conductive system block, and plastic surgery for mitral valves were performed until the mitral valves were sufficiency.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There weren't death and conductive system block after operation in the group. One case was low-grade mitral insufficiency and the others weren't mitral insufficiency. Twenty-five cases were followed up from 3 months to 11 years, and they could work and study normally.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Single atrium should be operated as early as possible. The key of surgery is to prevent conductive system block, to properly correct mitral insufficiency and to drastically correct complicated abnormality. The new atrial septum should be made by patch and an autologous pericardial patch is the first selection.</p>

Interference effect of Kangxianzengzhi capsule on hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting in epileptic rat kindled by pentylenetetrazol / 中华中医药杂志

To explore the interference effect of Kangxianzengzhi(KXZZ) capsule on hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting in epileptic rat kindled by pentylenetetrazol.Methods: Epileptic rat models were established by pentylenetetrazol(PTZ) kindling method.All rats were divided into six groups: KXZZ high-does group,KXZZ middle-does group,KXZZ low-does group,valproate magnesium group, model group and normal group randomly.Then the hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting was monitored by Timm stain method.Results: Mossy fiber sprouting was obvious in the hippocampal CA3 section and the molecular layer of dentate syrus in model group.Compared with normal group,the percent of sprouting density in model group was higher(P

Foreign body in the heart / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

As an emergency, a foreign body in the heart should generally be removed as early as possible by surgical or non-surgical procedures in order to avoid any complications. Early treatment typically results in a better prognosis.

The treatments and results of tetralogy of Fallot with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the indication and operative program of complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (TOF-MAPCA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2000 to May 2004, 9 patients with TOF-MAPCA including 5 patients with pulmonary atresia underwent complete surgical repair, 6 of them were male and 3 were female. The ages ranged from 3 to 9 years. All patients underwent corrected operations with moderate hypothermia and cardiopulmonary bypass. Transcatheter occlusion of MAPCA was performed in 5 patients just before corrected operation. Ligation of MAPCA was performed in 1 patient in the same time of cardiac corrected operation. Midline one-stage complete unifocalization and repair were performed in 3 patients with pulmonary atresia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was one early death. The cause of death was spinal cord hemorrhage. There was no death then. Eight patients were followed up from 3 month to 4 years. Heart function (NYHA) was class I or II in 7 patients and III in 1 patient.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Completely surgical repair of patients with TOF-MAPCA should be performed as early as possible, which can achieve with satisfactory results by transcatheter occlusion of MAPCA or one-stage unifocalization.</p>

Use of direct portal vein puncture portography with modified TIPS treatment in patients with portal hypertension and gastro-esophageal varices bleeding / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a better procedure for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in order to improve its safety and to extend its indications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To puncture the right portal branch under sonographic guidance in 20 patients with portal hypertension and gastro-esophageal bleeding. The Teflon sheath with gold marker was put into the portal vein; anterior and lateral portography was made, portal pressure was measured and the gastric coronal vein was embolized. The gold marker was put into the portal vein puncture site and the Rups-100 was guided under the gold marker during the TIPS puncture procedure. Anterior and lateral portography was again made to make sure the puncture site was 2 cm away from the portal vein bifurcation. In some cases a 10F sheath was used to suck the thrombosis in the portal vein, and a balloon was used to dilate the parenchyma channel and then a stent was released smoothly.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>20 reformed TIPS were successfully performed on all patients and their gastric-esophageal bleedings were controlled immediately. 37 punctures were made in 20 of those cases; the average puncture per patient was 1.85+/-0.67, lower than that of the traditional method. The pressure of the portal vein declined from (30.5+/-1.1) mmHg to (16.9+/-0.9) mmHg, P < 0.05, showing that the difference of portal vein pressure before and after the reformed TIPS was significant. 25 stents were placed, and no complications occurred during the procedure in any of the cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Direct portal vein puncture portography and gold marker guided TIPS procedure is feasible and safe; the indications of TIPS could be further extended.</p>

Surgical treatment of secundum atrial septal defects in adults over 30 years old / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the experience of surgical treatment of secundum atrial septal defects in adults over 30 years old.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>There were 469 patients with secundum atrial septal defects in our study (male 144, female 325; ages 30-68, mean 38.6 years old). There were 105 cases with pulmonary hypertension and 458 cases with arrhythmia in the group. Surgical closure of defects were performed in all patients. Surgical closure of 358 cases were done by patches including 305 autologous pericardial patches. The low dose (6 x 10(-6)) nitric oxide inhalation was used in 25 postoperative patients with pulmonary hypertension. Right sided maze procedures were done in 5 cases with atrial fibrillation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Surgical mortality was 0.6% (3 cases), the others were healed. In the group, there were 180 cases with arrhythmia, 27 cases with left ventricular function amyoplasia, 28 cases with low cardiac output syndrome, 12 cases in secondary operation for bleeding and 1 case with air-embolism. The level of mean pulmonary artery pressure of 25 postoperative patients with pulmonary hypertension inhaled nitric oxide was down 28.5%. After right sided maze procedures were done in 5 cases with atrial fibrillation, atrial fibrillation disappeared. 352 cases were followed up from 3 months to 20 years (mean 5.6 years). Twenty-nine cases were in class I-II of cardiac function, and the others were better than class I of cardiac function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Atrial septal defects in adult should be operated as early as possible. When patch is needed, an autologous pericardial patch is the first selection. Inhaled nitric oxide is an effective method to postoperative pulmonary hypertension. The maze operation should be performed for atrial septal defect with atrial fibrillation while the surgical closure of defect was done. During and after operation, much attention should be paid to preventing and curing arrhythmia and protecting and supporting left heart function.</p>

The relationship of serum metalloproteinase with the severity of liver fibrosis and inflammation / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship of serum metalloproteinase with the severity of liver fibrosis and inflammation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 88 patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis and early cirrhosis were enrolled from six hospitals. Serum fibrosis markers including hyaluronic acid (HA), IV collagen (IV-C), aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIIP), laminin (LN), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 1, 2, 9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1, 2 levels were determined. Liver biopsies were assessed according to a modified Scheuer and Chevallier's scoring system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum TIMP1 (r=0.540) and MMP2 (r=0.314) were correlated positively with the degree of hepatic fibrosis, whereas serum MMP1 (r=-0.495) was correlated negatively. By receiver operating curve analysis (ROC), the sensitivity to distinguish the fibrosis stage 2 from stage 1 was 90.5% and the specificity was 52.0% if the cut-off value of MMP1 was 13.96 ng/ml, and the sensitivity was 91.6% and the specificity was 64.0% if the cut-off value of TIMP1 was 76.84 ng/ml. The sensitivity to distinguish cirrhosis (stage 4) from fibrosis (stage 3) was 70.7% and specificity was 80.9% if the cut-off value of MMP1 was 6.86 ng/ml, and the sensitivity was 60.5% and the specificity was 92.3% if the cut-off value of TIMP1 was 210.04 ng/ml.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Serum TIMP1, MMP1, MMP2 levels and TIMP1/MMP1 ratio could be used as serum fibrosis markers.</p>

In vitro study on realgar induced apoptosis of all-trans acid resistant acute promeylocytic leukemia cell line (MR2) / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To acquire a deep understanding of the possible mechanisms of realgar in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) resistant APL cell line MR2 was used as in vitro model. The effect of realgar on MR2 cell was observed by watching cell viability, cell growth, and by using Methy thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, cell morphology, DNA gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry assay.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The viability and growth of MR2 cell were inhibited after the treatment, to some extent, in a dose and time dependent manner. After being treated with realgar, MR2 cell presented morphologically some features of apoptotic cells such as intact cell membrane, chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation, and apoptotic body could be found by electron microscopy as well. Sub-G1 cells were observed by flow cytometry, as well as Annexin V FITC+/PI-cells. DNA ladder could be found by DNA gel electrophoresis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Realgar can induce apoptosis of ATRA resistant APL cell line MR2, Which shows the therapeutic effect of realgar on APL may be different from that of ATRA.</p>