Alkalihalobacillus deserti sp. nov., Isolated from the Saline-Alkaline Soil.

A bacterial strain, designated TRPH29T, was isolated from saline-alkaline soil, collected from the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut desert, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China. The isolate was Gram-staining positive, facultatively anaerobic, straight rods. Growth occurred at 15-40 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 8.0-13.0 (optimum, 10.0), and in the presence of 0-15% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2%). Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain TRPH29T showed the highest sequence similarities to Alkalihalobacillus krulwichiae (98.31%), Alkalihalobacillus wakoensis (98.04%), and Alkalihalobacillus akibai (97.69%). Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain TRPH29T and Alkalihalobacillus krulwichiae, Alkalihalobacillus wakoensis, Alkalihalobacillus akibai were in the range of 73.62-75.52% and 15.0-21.20%, respectively. Results of genome analyses indicated that the genome size of strain TRPH29T was 5.05 Mb, with a genomic DNA G + C content of 37.30%. Analysis of the cellular component of strain TRPH29T revealed that the primary fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0, and the polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified glycolipid, and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. Based on the genomic, phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain TRPH29T represents a novel species of the genus Alkalihalobacillus, for which the name Alkalihalobacillus deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRPH29T (= CGMCC 1.19067T = NBRC 115475T).

The pre-surgical role of halo-traction in patients with cervical infection associated with refractory kyphosis: a retrospective study.

To minimize surgical complications and staged procedures halo-traction is often used during deformity corrections. But the use of halo-traction in the treatment of refractory cervical kyphosis secondary to infections has never been reported. This study investigated the role of halo-traction in the treatment of cervical infection patients associated with refractory kyphosis. We retrospectively reviewed 48 patients with cervical infection associated with refractory kyphosis who were treated in our spine department. Patients were divided into two groups, the traction group (A) and the non-traction group (B). Group A underwent preoperative halo-traction followed by surgery, while group B underwent surgery alone. Between the two groups, we analyzed the kyphosis deformity correction, level of fusions, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), functional improvement by Neck disability index (NDI) score, and complications. Group A had a better correction of kyphosis deformity compared to group B (27.01 ± 11.54)0 versus (18.08 ± 10.04)0 (P = 0.01, Z = - 2.44). No statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of functional improvement, level of fusions, ESR and CRP. Group B had 3 revision surgery cases. Preoperative halo-traction followed by surgery is superior in kyphosis correction in the treatment of patients with cervical infections with refractory kyphosis.

Bacillus suaedae sp. nov., isolated from the stem of Suaeda aralocaspica in north-west China.

A bacterial strain, designated YZJH907-2T, was isolated from the stem of Suaeda aralocaspica, collected from the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut desert, Xinjiang, PR China. Cells of strain YZJH907-2T were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic and rod-shaped. They formed white or colourless circular colonies with smooth convex surfaces. Strain YZJH907-2T grew at 4-50 °C (optimum, 28-30 °C), pH 7.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0-9.0) and with 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3-7 %). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain YZJH907-2T was 38.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that the strain was most closely related to Bacillus alcalophilus DSM 485T (97.37 %), Bacillus kiskunsagensis B16-24T (96.87 %) and Bacillus bogoriensis LBB3T (96.71 %). Average nucleotide identity values between YZJH907-2T and B. alcalophilus DSM 485Tand B. bogoriensis LBB3T were 69.2 and 69.0 %, respectively. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of YZJH907-2T with B. alcalophilus DSM 485T and B. bogoriensis LBB3T were 19.6 and 20.4 %, respectively. The cell wall of strain YZJH907-2T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, and the major and secondary isoprenoid quinones were MK-7 and MK-5, respectively. Results of fatty acids showed that anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0 were the predominant cellular fatty acids. Two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography analysis indicated that the polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified glycolipids. Based on the genomic, phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses, strain YZJH907-2T represented a novel species of the genus Bacillus, and thus the name Bacillus suaedae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YZJH907-2T (=CGMCC 1.18763T=KCTC 43335T).

Pontibacter pamirensis sp. nov., isolated from saline-alkaline soil.

A novel bacterium, designated TRT317T, was isolated from saline-alkaline soil collected from the Pamir plateau in northwest China. Cells of this strain were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic rods and red-pink-coloured. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain TRT317T showed the highest sequence similarity to the type strains of Pontibacter diazotrophicus (96.3 %) and Pontibacter yuliensis (96.2 %). Growth was observed at 4-40 °C, pH 6.0-10.0 and in the presence of up to 7 % (w/v) NaCl. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 4 (iso-C17 : 1 I/anteiso-C17 : 1 B). The polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid, four unidentified glycolipids and five unidentified lipids. The whole-cell sugars of strain TRT317T were mannose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, xylose, arabinose and four unidentified sugars. The sole respiratory quinone was MK-7. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain TRT317T was 47.7 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) value of strain TRT317T with P. diazotrophicus was 88.3 %, which is below the standard ANI threshold for species identification (95-96 %). Combined results of physiological, genotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses demonstrated that strain TRT317T represents a novel species within the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter pamirensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRT317T (=CGMCC1.18690T=KCTC 82818T).

Sanguibacter suaedae sp. nov., isolated from the root of Suaeda aralocaspica in north-west PR China.

A bacterial strain, designated YZGR15T, was isolated from the root of an annual halophyte Suaeda aralocaspica, collected from the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut desert, north-west PR China. Cells of the isolate were Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, irregular rods. Growth occurred at 4-42 °C (optimum, 30-37 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-7.5) and in the presence of 0-9 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2-5 %). Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YZGR15T showed the highest sequence similarity to Sanguibacter keddieii (98.27 %), Sanguibacter antarcticus (98.20 %) and Sanguibacter inulinus (98.06 %). Results of genome analyses of strain YZGR15T indicated that the genome size was 3.16 Mb, with a genomic DNA G+C content of 71.9 mol%. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain YZGR15Tand three type strains were in the range of 76.5-77.8 % and 20.0-22.2 %, respectively. Analysis of the cellular component of strain YZGR15T revealed that the primary fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, C14 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 and the polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified glycolipids. The cell-wall characteristic amino acids were glutamic acid, alanine and an unknown amino acid. The whole-cell sugars for the strain were mannose, ribose, rhamnose, glucose and an unidentified sugar. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-9(H4). Based on the results of genomic, phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain YZGR15T represents a novel species of the genus Sanguibacter, for which the name Sanguibacter suaedae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YZGR15T (=CGMCC 1.18691T=KCTC 49659T).

Sphingobacterium endophyticum sp. nov., a novel endophyte isolated from halophyte.

A bacterial strain designated NYYP31T was isolated from the leaves of an annual halophytes, Suaeda corniculata Bunge, collected from the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut desert, north-west China. Strain NYYP31T was Gram-staining negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, and non-spore-forming. Growth was observed at 4-42 °C, at pH 5.0-10.0, in the presence of up to 8% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters showed that strain NYYP31T should be assigned to the genus Sphingobacterium. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain NYYP31T was most closely related to the type strain of Sphingobacterium daejeonense (97.9%) and Sphingobacterium lactis (97.7%). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified lipids, three unidentified amino phospholipids, and two unidentified glycolipids. The genomic DNA G + C content was 36.4 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values for strain NYYP31T to the type strains of S. daejeonense and S. lactis were 77.9 and 74.1%, respectively, which were below the cut-off level (95-96%) for species delineation. Based on the above results, strain NYYP31T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium endophyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NYYP31T (= CGMCC 1.16979T = NBRC 114258T).

Microbacterium suaedae sp. nov., isolated from Suaeda aralocaspica.

Two bacterial strains, YZYP 306T and YZGP 509, were isolated from the halophyte Suaeda aralocaspica collected from the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut desert, north-west China. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, short rods. Strain YZYP 306T grew at 4-40 °C, while strain YZGP 509 grew at 4-42 °C, with optimum growth at 28 °C, and they both grew at pH 6.0-12.0 and 0-15 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the two strains within the genus Microbacterium with the highest similarities to Microbacterium indicum BBH6T (97.8 %) and Microbacterium sorbitolivorans SZDIS-1-1T (97.2 %). The average nucleotide identity value between YZYP 306T and M. indicum BBH6T was 78.3 %. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains YZYP 306T and YZGP 509 were 68.49 and 68.53 mol%, respectively. The characteristic cell-wall amino acid was ornithine. Whole-cell sugars were galactose, mannose and ribose. The acyl type of the peptidoglycan was glycolyl. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The major menaquinones were MK-10 and MK-11. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. These results are consistent with the classification of the two strains into the genus Microbacterium. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strains YZYP 306T and YZGP 509 are representatives of a novel species in the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium suaedae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YZYP 306T (=CGMCC 1.16261T=KCTC 49101T).

Microbacterium halophytorum sp. nov., a novel endophytic actinobacterium isolated from halophytes.

Two actinobacterial strains, YJYP 303T and YZYP 518, were isolated from two species of halophytes collected from the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut Desert. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, short rods and without flagella. Growth of the two strains was found to occur at 4-44 °C, pH 6.0-12.0 and in the presence of up to 15 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains are associated with members of the genus Microbacterium. In the phylogenetic tree, the two strains shared a clade with Microbacterium halotolerans YIM 70130T (97.58 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identity) and Microbacterium populi KCTC 29152T (96.54 %). The average nucleotide identity values of strain YJYP 303T and YZYP 518 to M. halotolerans YIM 70130T were determined to be 79.97 and 80.03 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains YJYP 303T and YZYP 518 were 69.72 and 70.57 %, respectively. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The predominant respiratory quinones was MK-11, followed by MK-10 and MK-12. The muramic acid type of peptidoglycan was N-glycolyl. The whole-cell sugars were mannose, ribose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose and two unidentified sugars. The cell-wall amino acids were glutamic acid, ornithine, glycine and alanine. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strains YJYP 303T and YZYP 518 are characterized as members of a novel species in the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacteriumhalophytorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YJYP 303T (=CGMCC 1.16264T=KCTC 49100T).

Alcaligenes endophyticus sp. nov., isolated from roots of Ammodendron bifolium.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile bacterium, designated AER10T, was isolated from the roots of Ammodendron bifolium collected from Takeermohuer desert in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern China. Growth was found to occur from 10 to 45 °C, at pH 5.0-9.0, and could tolerate up to 10 % (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence result indicated that the strain AER10T belongs to the genus Alcaligenes and was closely related to Alcaligenes aquatilis (98.4 %), Alcaligenes faecalissubsp. parafaecalis (98.4 %), Alcaligenes faecalissubsp. faecalis (98.1 %) and Alcaligenes faecalissubsp. phenolicus (97.9 %). However, the DNA-DNA hybridization values between the strain AER10T and the above strains were less than the threshold value (below 70 %) for the delineation of genomic species. The DNA G+C content was 53.3 mol%. Ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) was the only quinone system present. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c, 25 %), C16 : 0 (24.2 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, 19.3 %) and cyclo-C17 : 0 (10.5 %). The polar lipid profile of the strain AER10T consists of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, two unidentified aminolipids and five unknown polar lipids. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain AER10T is a representative of a novel species in the genus Alcaligenes, for which the name Alcaligenes endophyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AER10T (=DSM 100498T=KCTC 42688T).

Elevated Expression of CD93 in Serous Exosomes from Patients with Cryptococcal Meningitis and Its Significance / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To examine the expression of CD93 in serous exosomes from patients with cryptococcal meningitis,fur-ther explore its clinical significance.Methods The 38 experimental serum samples were from patients who received the diag-nosis with cryptococcal meningitis in Changhai Hospital and Changzheng Hospital in Shanghai from November 2012 to De-cember 2016.The diagnosis standardization was that the cerebrospinal fluid dyeing was positive or the culturing was posi-tive.The 38 controls were collected from the health individuals examined at the same time.The exosomes in serum was sepa-rated by the ultracentrifuge method.Magnetic bead-capture combined with the flow cytometry method was used to identify antigens on the surface of exosomes.The protein level of cytokines in serum was quantified by ELISA method.The compari-son of tested values from experimental and controlled groups was measured by two independent samples't test,and the cor-relation between two variates was showed by Pearson coefficient.Results The results of flow cytometry showed that the ex-pression of CD93 on exosomes in the serum samples from experimental group was higher than that in the controlled group, which was(79.11±19.31 vs 23.98±6.56)%,with difference in statistics(t=16.66,P<0.000 1).The expression levels of IFN-γin serum samplefrom experimental and control groups were(39.78±10.77 vs 58.98±16.99)pg/ml,with differ-ence in statistics(t=5.884,P<0.000 1).The expression levels of IL-17 in serum sample from experimental and control groups were(16.32±4.03 vs 3.11±0.87)pg/ml,with difference in statistics(t=19.75,P<0.000 1).The expression lev-els of IL-1β in serum sample from experimental and control groups were(57.12 ± 12.98 vs 13.45 ± 4.78)pg/ml,with difference in statistics(t=19.46,P<0.000 1).The percentage of CD93+exosomes was positively correlative with IFN-γ, IL-17,IL-1β(r=0.488,0.456,0.532,P<0.01)in serum samples from the experimental group and there was statistical difference.Conclusion In the disease process of cryptococcal meningitis,the expression of CD93 on exosomes might involve in the diseases'processes by affecting the CD4+T cells.

Streptomyces xinjiangensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from Lop Nur region.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated LPA192(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from Lop Nur, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwest China. A polyphasic approach was used to investigate the taxonomic position of strain LPA192(T). The isolate showed morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of members of the genus Streptomyces. Peptidoglycan was found to contain LL-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6) and MK-10(H4). Polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. Major cellular fatty acids consist of C16:0, anteiso-C15:0 and C18:1 ω9c. The sugar in whole-cell hydrolysates was mannose. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain LPA192(T) is closely related to Streptomyces tanashiensis LMG 20274(T) (99.3 %), Streptomyces gulbargensis DAS131(T) (99.3 %), Streptomyces nashvillensis NBRC 13064(T) (99.3 %), Streptomyces roseolus NBRC 12816(T) (99.2 %) and Streptomyces filamentosus NBRC 12767(T) (99.1 %) while showing below 98.5 % sequencing similarities with other validly published Streptomyces species. However, DNA-DNA relatedness values between LPA192(T) and the closely related type strains were below 40 %, which are much lower than 70 % threshold value for species delineation. The genomic DNA G + C content of strain LPA192(T) was 69.3 mol %. Based on the differences in genotypic and phenotypic characteristics from the closely related strains, strain LPA192(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces for which the name Streptomyces xinjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LPA192(T) (=KCTC 39601(T) = CGMCC 4.7288(T)).

Saccharothrix lopnurensis sp. nov., a filamentous actinomycete isolated from sediment of Lop Nur.

A novel actinomycete strain, designated YIM LPA2h(T), was isolated from a sediment sample collected from Lop Nur, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, North-West China. The taxonomic position of strain YIM LPA2h(T) was investigated by a polyphasic approach. The morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of the isolate were in accordance with the members of the genus Saccharothrix. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain showed highest similarities to Saccharothrix yanglingensis (98.6 %), Saccharothrix longispora (98.4 %) and Saccharothrix hoggarensis (98.3 %). However, the DNA-DNA hybridization values between the new isolate YIM LPA2h(T) and S. yanglingensis, S. longispora and S. hoggarensis were significantly below 70 %. Strain YIM LPA2h(T) was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as diagnostic diamino acid. The major sugars in whole-cell hydrolysates were rhamnose, galactose, mannose, glucose and fructose. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylhydroxylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The predominant respiratory menaquinones were MK-9 (H4) and MK-10 (H4). The major fatty acids were C17:1 ω8c (15 %), iso-C15:0 (12 %), anteiso-C15:0 (12 %) and summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c/C16:1 ω7c, 10 %). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain YIM LPA2h(T) was determined to be 75 mol %. The genotypic and phenotypic results suggest that strain YIM LPA2h(T) represents a novel species of the genus Saccharothrix, for which the name Saccharothrix lopnurensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM LPA2h(T) (=CGMCC 4.7246(T)=KCTC 39545(T)).

[Detection of trace elements in the sediment of Lop Nur samples by ICP-MS].

Twenty eight trace elements in the sediment of Lop Nur in different latitude and longitude were tested by ICP-MS. The results showed that the metal contents in the soil profile followed a growing trend from the surface to the bottom. And the essential element P for living body in each sample was very low, and was the lowest on the surface, while was matched in the other four layers. The results will help to understand the ecosystem evolution of Lop Nur drying up after the sediment deposition.

[Prediction of chlorophyll content of greenhouse tomato using wavelet transform combined with NIR spectra].

In quantitative analysis of spectral data, noises and background interference always degrade the accuracy of spectral feature extraction. The wavelet transform is multi-scale decomposition used to reduce the noise and improve the analysis precision. On the other hand, the wavelet transform denoising is often followed by destroying the efficiency information. The present research introduced two indexes to control the scale of decomposition, the smoothness index (SI) and the time shift index (TSI). When the parameters satisfied TSI < 0.01 and SI > 0.100 4, the noise of spectral characteristic was reduced. In the meanwhile, the reflection peaks of biochemical components were reserved. Through analyzing the correlation between denoised spectrum and chlorophyll content, some spectral characteristics parameters reflecting the changing tendency of chlorophyll content were chosen. Finally, the partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to develop the prediction model of the chlorophyll content of tomato leaf. The result showed that the predictiong model, which used the values of absorbance at 366, 405, 436, 554, 675 and 693 nm as input variables, had higher predictive ability (calibration coefficient was 0. 892 6, and validation coefficient was 0.829 7) and better potential to diagnose tomato growth in greenhouse.

Radiofrequency perforation and balloon valvuloplasty in infants with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency perforation and valvuloplasty in infants with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four infants (body weight 4 - 10 kg) aged 11 months, 9 months, 12 days and 9 months old, respectively, were hospitalized for dyspnea and cyanosis. All patients had a continuous murmur in the left second intercostal space. Doppler echocardiogram showed membranous pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. Right ventriculogram showed a tripartite right ventricle, vasiform infundibulum, and membranous pulmonary valve atresia without ventriculocoronary connections. Descending thoracic aortogram showed good-sized confluent pulmonary arteries being filled from a ductus arteriosus. All the patients were taken up for radiofrequency perforation followed by a balloon dilatation. A 6F Judkins right coronary guiding catheter was positioned in the right ventricular outflow tract and under the atretic pulmonary valve membrane. The radiofrequency perforation catheter along with coaxial injectable catheter was then passed through the right coronary guiding catheter, using it as the guide to the imperforate membrane. The proximal end of the radiofrequency perforation catheter was then connected to radiofrequency generator. After the cusps of pulmonary valve were perforated, the coaxial injectable catheter was moved into the main pulmonary artery. A tiny floppy-tipped coronary guidewire was then passed through the coaxial injectable catheter into the main pulmonary artery and directed through the patent ductus arteriosus into the descending thoracic aorta or directed into pulmonary arteriola. Thereafter, serial balloon dilation catheters were introduced across the pulmonary valve, and dilations were sequentially performed with increasing balloon diameters. The balloon was dilated until the concave of the balloons disappeared. The radiofrequency energy (5 to 8 W) was delivered for 2 to 5 seconds once, but commonly twice, to perforate the valves. After a predilation with a 3 mm x 20 mm to 5 mm x 20 mm balloon at 6 - 14 atm pressure, the valve was subsequently dilated with 10 mm x 30 mm to 14 mm x 30 mm balloon once or twice. The duration of procedures was 120 to 150 min and exposure time was 25.4 to 43.9 min.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The primary procedure was successful in all the infants except one who died early of cardiac perforation with tamponade. After a follow-up period ranging from 2 to 8 months (mean 4.3 m), the remaining 3 survivors achieved complete biventricular circulation. Two of them were awaiting occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus and 1 needed right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction because of infundibular obstruction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PA/IVS consists of 0.7% to 3.1% of congenital heart defects. 85% of the untreated patients die within half a year. Surgical repair for the infants with PA/IVS is associated with a high mortality. In carefully selected patients with PA/IVS, radiofrequency perforation and balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve is feasible and may represent a new alternative to surgery due to its low mortality and avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass.</p>

Neuroprotective effects of exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor on the hypoxic-ischemic brain damage of neonatal rats / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the neuroprotective effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on neurological function after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in neonatal rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six HIBD models of neonatal Wistar rats were made by shearing right arteria carotis communis and then breathing 8% O(2)+92%N(2) for two hours. The models were divided into two groups randomly: the bFGF trial group and the normal saline control group. Each group had forty-eight rats. The other forty-eight neonatal Wistar rats were taken into the sham operation group. Forty rats were taken from each group and sacrificed on the 4 th, 7 th, 10 th, 17 th and 24 th days after the operation, respectively, The pathological changes in the brain were observed by optical microscope and the expressions of nestin and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in hippocampal CA1 region were examined with immunohistochemical staining and image quantitative analysis on the 4 th, 7 th, 10 th, 17 th and 24 th days after the operation. The spatial cognitive capability of other eight rats which were taken from each group respectively was evaluated by using the Morris water maze at the age of 30 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) No brain damage was found in the sham operation group, the neurocytes were degenerative and necrotic in the control group of normal saline. The pathological manifestation of the brain damage in the bFGF trial group was milder than that of the normal saline control group. (2) Expression of nestin: The number of nestin-positive cells in hippocampal CA1 region of control group on the 4 th, 7 th, 10 th, 17 th and 24 th days after the operation was significantly increased compared with that of the sham operation group at all time points, and the numbers of nestin-positive cells in hippocampal CA1 region of the trial group were higher than those of the sham operation group and the control group (P < 0.01). (3) The expression of GAP-43 in hippocampal CA1 region of the neonatal rats reached peak on the 10th day after the operation in all the three groups. The integral optical density (IOD) of GAP-43 in hippocampal CA1 region of the control group was higher than that of the sham-operation group at all time points, and the IOD of GAP-43 in hippocampal CA1 region of the trial group was higher than those of the sham operation group and the control group at all time points (P < 0.01 for all). (4) The latency to escape platform in control group (51.75 +/- 11.27s) was longer than that in trial group (40.32 +/- 11.48s) and the sham operation group (36.58 +/- 10.83s) (P < 0.05); the frequency of passing through the platform in control group (2.34 +/- 2.42) was less than that in trial group (5.08 +/- 3.86) and the sham operation group (7.03 +/- 3.62) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the trial group and the sham operation group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>(1) The expression of nestin and GAP-43 increased in hippocampal CA1 region of neonatal rats with HIBD, it may be involved in the activation of neural stem cells and the regeneration of neurocytes after HIBD. (2) The treatment with bFGF can improve the ability of learning and memory of neonatal rats with HIBD. (3) Exogenous bFGF could enhance the expression of nestin and GAP-43 in the brain of neonatal rats with HIBD, which may play an important role in restoration of neurons damaged due to hypoxia-ischemia.</p>

Risk factors for early arrhythmias post transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the risk factors for early arrhythmias after transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PVSD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 358 patients [161 males, aged from 3 to 54, mean (10.9 +/- 8.1) years, body weight from 12 to 90, mean (32.8 +/- 17.2) kg] who underwent transcatheter closure of PVSD from August 2002 to February 2006 were included in this retrospective analysis. Electrocardiogram was performed daily after transcatheter closure for seven days. Relationships between arrhythmias and those risk factors such as the defect characteristics and the device size and types were explored by logistic regression analysis. Left ventriculography showed 195 out of 358 patients with PVSD were complicated with membranous aneurysm. The PVSD diameter ranged from 2 to 18 (6.5 +/- 3.1) mm in left ventricular side and from 2 to 12 (4.2 +/- 2.3) mm in right ventricular side. A total of 140 nonsymmetrical and 218 symmetrical occluders with diameter 4 to 18 (8.1 +/- 2.5) mm were used to close those defects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Procedure was successful in all patients. Early arrhythmias after transcatheter closure of PVSD were observed in 135 (37.7%) patients and serious cardiac arrhythmias in 23 (6.4%) patients. The early arrhythmias after transcatheter closure of PVSD were significantly correlated with device size [> or = (8.6 +/- 2.7) mm] and type (nonsymmetrical device), the span between the defect and tricuspid (< or = 3 mm), and the presence of aneurysm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Larger device size, nonsymmetrical device, narrow span between the defect and tricuspid and the presence of aneurysm are the risk factors for early arrhythmias after transcatheter closure of PVSD.</p>

Influence of Exogenous Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor on Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression in Hippocampal CA1 Region of Neonatal Rats with Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the influence of exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) on glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) expression in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD).Methods Eighty HIBD models of neonatal Wistar rats were made by shearing right arteria carotis communis and then breathing 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen for 2 hours.The models were divided into 2 groups randomly: trial group of bFGF and control group of normal sodium.The other 40 rats were taken into the sham(ope-)ration group.Expressions of GFAP were examined with immunohistochemical staining and image quantitative analysis at the 4~(th),7~(th),10~(th),17~(th) and 24~(th) days after operation.Results The expression of GFAP in hippocampal CA1 region of rats in sham operation group reached peak at the 7~(th) day after(ope-)ration.The expression of GFAP in control group increased and reached peak at the 10~(th) day after(ope-)ration,which GFAP-positive cells mainly appeared in hippocampal CA1 region and CA3 region.The expression of GFAP in hippocampal CA1 region of rats of trial group was higher than those of sham operation group and control group,which reached peak at the 10~(th) day after the operation,there was significant difference in 3 groups at the 4~(th),10~(th) and 17~(th) days after operation(all P