Changing trends of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated talaromycosis in Shanghai City / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and changing trends of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated talaromycosis in Shanghai City.Methods:The clinical data of patients with AIDS-associated talaromycosis hospitalized at Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University from Janauary 1, 2014 to December 31, 2021 were collected. The medical information included age, gender, place of origin, clinical symptoms, imaging manifestations, blood routine test, CD4 + T lymphocyte count. The chi-square test or Fisher exact probability test was used for statistical analysis. Univariate logistic regression was used to analyze the related risk factors for death. Results:From 2014 to 2021, a total of 12 165 AIDS patients were admitted, including 169 (1.4%) AIDS-assiociated talaromycosis patients. The proportions of AIDS-associated talaromycosis in AIDS inpatients from 2014 to 2021 were 1.8%(21/1 149), 1.1%(14/1 307), 1.3%(19/1 446), 0.9%(15/1 610), 1.2%(20/1 626), 1.2%(22/1 778), 1.7%(28/1 624) and 1.8%(30/1 625), respectively, which had not changed much. There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of AIDS-associated talaromycosis in AIDS inpatients in different years ( χ2=9.50, P=0.218). Among the 169 patients, 157 cases (92.9%) were male, with the age of (37.9±12.2) years, and 35 were from Jiangxi Province, 31 from Shanghai Municipality, 29 from Zhejiang Province, 17 from Anhui Province, 14 from Fujian Province, 11 from Jiangsu Province, eight from Hunan Province, four from Heilongjiang Province, three cases each from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guizhou Province and Henan Province, two cases each from Hubei Province, Shandong Province, Shanxi Province, Yunnan Province and Guangdong Province, and one case from Chongqing Municipality. Patients from non-traditional endemic areas did not find a clear history of living in traditional endemic areas. Of 169 patients, 143(84.6%) cases had fever, 73(43.2%) had respiratory symptoms, and 26(15.4%) had rash during the course of the disease, 147(87.0%) had pulmonary imaging abnormalities, 94(55.6%) were complicated by other pathogens, and 44(26.0%) had hepatosplenomegaly, 137(81.1%) had CD4 + T lymphocyte count <50/μL. Twenty-three patients died, with the total fatality rate of 13.6%. The overall mortality rate showed a downward trend year by year. There was a statistically significant difference in the case fatality rate of AIDS-associated talaromycosis in different years (Fisher exact probability test, P=0.046). The result of univariate logistic regression model showed that patients with platelet count<50×10 9/L had an increased risk of death (odds ratio ( OR)=3.33, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.13 to 9.81, P=0.029). Conclusions:The overall change of AIDS-associated talaromycosis inpatients in Shanghai is not significant, while the prevalence rate has increased slightly in recent two years. The case fatality rate is declining year by year. The proportions of patients without a history of living in or traveling to epidemic areas and without rash as the first manifestation are high, and the main clinical manifestation is multi-system damage. Patients with platelet count<50×10 9/L have an increased risk of death.

Clinical performance of Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampin assay for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic performance of Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampin (Xpert MTB/RIF) assay for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods:Clinical data of 226 patients with AIDS and suspected pulmonary TB in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University from July 2017 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Fluorescence staining microscopy of sputum smear, BACTEC MGIT 960 liquid culture (or Roche solid culture) and Xpert MTB/RIF assay were implemented respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection and rifampin resistance were analyzed. Results:Totally 226 patients of suspected pulmonary TB were enrolled. There were 94(41.6%) patients had positive mycobacterium culture, in which 51 (54.3%) were MTB and 43 (45.7%) were nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Using the positive MTB culture of sputum and mycobacterial protein from BCG of Rm 0.64 in electrophoresis (MPB64) as reference standard, the sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for MTB diagnosis were 72.6%(95% confidence interval ( CI) 66.7%-78.4%) and 97.1% (95% CI 95.0%-99.3%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for MTB diagnosis in patients with positive sputum smear were 76.7%(95% CI 67.7%-85.8%) and 90.0(95% CI 83.6%-96.5%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for MTB diagnosis in patients with negative sputum smear were 50.0%(95% CI 41.8%-58.2%)and 99.3%(95% CI 97.9%-100.0%), respectively. With phenotypic resistance as reference standard, the sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for rifampicin resistance were 75.0% and 100.0%, respectively. Conclusion:Among AIDS patients, the performance of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for pulmonary TB diagnosis is pretty good and could differentiate MTB from NTM rapidly, which has good application value.

Evaluation of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in anti-retroviral treatment naive human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients who did not receive anti-retroviral therapy (ART), and to provide reference for the follow-up ART scheme selection and CVD monitoring and management.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 372 HIV/AIDS patients who did not initiate ART in the Department of Infection and Immunity, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University from November 2018 to January 2020. According to the structured questionnaire, the basic information of HIV/AIDS patients, traditional risk factors of CVD (including smoking status, hypertension, diabetes, CVD family history) and HIV related factors were collected. The Framingham risk score and the data collection on adverse events of anti-HIV drugs (D∶A∶D (R)) score were used to evaluate the risk of CVD for 10 years. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of CVD risk score≥10% in 10 years.Results:Among the 372 patients, 339(91.13%) were male and 33 (8.87%) were female. The age was 34(18, 80) years. The incidence of hypertension and diabetes were 12.20%(41/336) and 5.71%(21/368), respectively. There were 111 cases (30.16%, 111/368) with CD4 + T lymphocyte count <200/μL. Among 368 patients who underwent blood lipid test, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased in 199 cases (54.08%), triglyceride increased in 136 cases (36.96%), total cholesterol elevated in 44 cases (11.96%), and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased in 36 cases (9.78%). Statins were administrated in four cases (9.09%, 4/44). Among the 365 patients who met the D∶A∶D (R) score, age≥50 years old (odds ratio ( OR)=216.71, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 72.70-749.01, P<0.01) and HDL-C <1.0 mmol/L ( OR=6.35, 95% CI 2.22-18.09, P<0.01) were risk factors for 10-year CVD risk score≥10%. Among 233 patients who met the requirements of Framingham score, age≥50 years old ( OR=7.79, 95% CI 3.24-18.75, P<0.01) and CD4 + T lymphocyte count <200/μL( OR=1.88, 95% CI 0.10-3.56, P<0.05) were risk factors for 10-year CVD risk≥10%. Conclusions:There are many CVD risk factors among patients who have not initiated ART. The patients have high scores of 10-year CVD risk, while the intervention rate is low. Patients have higher CVD risks when age≥50 years old, CD4 + T lymphocyte count <200/μL and HDL-C <1.0 mmol/L. Therefore, screening and risk assessment of CVD risk factors should be included in the routine management and care of HIV/AIDS patients without ART initiation.

Renal Pathology and clinical features of patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection complicated with kidney diseases / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To analyze the pathological patterns, clinical features, and prognosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection complicated with kidney disease.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 21 renal damage cases in HIV-infected patients undergoing renal biopsy from June 2016 to November 2019 in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University was conducted. The clinical features, renal pathological patterns, therapies and outcomes were summarized and analyzed.Results:The age of 21 patients was (45.4±11.0) years. There were 19 men and two women. The CD4 + T lymphocyte count was (473.7±218.4) cells/μL. The HIV RNA levels were measured in 20 patients, and 13 cases (65.0%) were less than 40 copies/mL. A total of 18 cases (85.7%) had initiated antiretroviral therapy before renal biopsy, and the treatment time was 12 (1, 47) months. As for the clinical diagnosis, 14 cases (66.7%) were nephrotic syndrome and seven cases (33.3%) were nephritic syndrome. Renal pathology reports showed that HIV immune-complex kidney disease was the most common pathology pattern, accounting for 42.9% (9/21), followed by podocytopathy and diabetic nephropathy, both accounting for 23.8% (5/21), respectively. The IgA nephropathy (23.8%, 5/21) was the most common subtype of HIV immune-complex kidney disease, while minimal change disease (19.0%, 4/21) was the most common one of podocytopathy. However, classic HIV-associated nephropathy was not found in the study. The follow-up period was (12.5±9.2) months. During this period, the nephropathy conditions of nine patients were improved, eight were stable, two deteriorated, and two died. Conclusions:IgA nephropathy, minimal change disease and diabetic nephropathy are the top three patterns of renal pathology in patients with HIV infection. Most cases have good prognosis after treatments. For HIV-infected patients with serious renal damage, timely kidney biopsy is vital to determine pathological pattern, and to subsequently guide the clinical treatment and evaluate the prognosis.

Activation of Tyrosine Metabolism in CD13+ Cancer Stem Cells DrivesRelapse in Hepatocellular Carcinoma / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are naturally resistant to chemotherapy, explaining why tumorrelapse frequently occurs after initial regression upon administration of chemotherapeuticagents in most cases. A CSC population characterized by CD13 expression has been identifiedin hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the current study, we aimed to clarify the molecularmechanism by which it escapes conventional therapies. @*Materials and Methods@#Here, we used flow cytometry to examine the percentage of CD13+ CSCs in HepG2 andHuH7 cells after chemotherapy. Using in vitro isotope labeling technique, we comparedmetabolic pathways between CD13+ and CD13– subpopulations. Using co-immunoprecipitationand western blotting, we determined the target expressions in protein levels underdifferent conditions. We also performed immunohistochemistry to detect the target proteinsunder different conditions. Animal models were constructed to verify the potential role oftyrosine metabolism in post-chemotherapeutic relapse in vivo. @*Results@#We observed that quiescent CD13+ CSCs are enriched after chemotherapy in HCCs, andserve as a reservoir for recurrence. Mechanistically, CD13+ CSCs were dependent on aerobicmetabolism of tyrosine rather than glucose as energy source. Tyrosine metabolism alsogenerated nuclear acetyl-CoA to acetylate and stabilize Foxd3, thereby allowing CD13+ CSCscells to sustain quiescence and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. @*Conclusion@#These findings encourage further exploration of eliminating CD13+ cells by targeting specificmetabolic pathways to prevent recurrence in HCCs.

Clinical characteristics of aspergillus infection and colonization in 35 patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of aspergillus infection and colonization in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients .Methods A retrospective study was performed in 35 AIDS patients who were admitted to Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center between January 2011 and December 2016 with etiology or histopathological evidence of aspergillus infection and colonization . Results The median age of these patients was 47 years old and 33 patients (94 .3％ ) were male .The median CD4+ T cell count was 24 cells/μL ,and 29 (82 .9％ ) patients had a CD4+ T cell count < 100 cells/μL .Twenty-three patients (65 .7％ ) were diagnosed with aspergillosis ,including 20 pulmonary aspergillosis (brain was involved in 1 case) ,1 renal aspergillosis and 2 intestinal aspergillosis .Twelve patients (34 .3％ ) were diagnosed with respiratory tract colonization . The most frequently cultured aspergillus species was Aspergillus f umigatus (45 .2％ ) .Other infections and underlying risk factors coexisted in 32 patients (91 .4％ ) ,of which pneumocystis jirovecii pneumoni (34 .3％ ) and pulmonary tuberculosis (25 .7％ ) were the most common . The patients with aspergillus colonization showed a significantly higher prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) than those with aspergillosis (58 .3％ vs 10％ ,P=0 .006) .The most common symptoms in pulmonary aspergillosis were cough (100 .0％ ) ,fever(90 .0％ ) ,expectoration (60 .0％ ) ,dyspnea (55 .0％ ) and hemoptysis (10 .0％ ) .The death rate within one year after diagnosis in pulmonary aspergilosis group was significantly higher than colonization group (55％ vs 0％ ,P=0 .000) .Conclusions Pulmonary aspergilosis is the most common disease caused by aspergillus in AIDS patients ,and frequently occurs in those with CD4+ T cell counts <100 cells/μL ,with a high mortality rate .Coinfections with other opportunistic pathogens and combination with other risk factors are common .Clinicians should be alert that aspergillus may colonize in AIDS patients with PTB w hen sputum aspergillus is positive .

Characteristics of the cellular immune response in HIV/HCV patients with hemophilia during peginterferon/ribavirin therapy in southern China.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the study are to characterize the cellular immune response in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and HIV co-infected patients with hemophilia in southern China during treatment with interferon and ribavirin and to study its correlation with the virologic response (VR). Thirty-six HCV genotype 1 and HIV co-infected patients with hemophilia in southern China were enrolled into the study. Using an ELISpot assay, HCV antigen-specific interferon (IFN) γ, interleukin (IL) 2, IL-4, and IL-10 secreting cells were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL28B were determined, and immunological, virologic, and clinical variables were collected to identify factors associated with HCV-sustained VR (SVR) at week 72 after treatment. At baseline, there were no significant differences in IFN-γ and IL-2 mediated immune responses in subjects with VR versus non-responders. Higher IL-10 specific responses to NS3 were observed in VR patients. Subjects who had significant decreases in IL-10 responses at week 72 compared with baseline for NS3 and NS5 were more likely to be VR. In SVR, IL-2 production decreased moderately, and the levels of IL-4 were low throughout. The main correlation for SVR in genotype-l infected subjects was sustained HCV-specific IFN-γ responses through the whole 72-week period. In subjects with HIV and HCV co-infection combined with hemophilia, IL28B genotype CC, a decrease in HCV specific IL-l0 and IL-2 responses, and the maintenance of IFN-γ responses during treatment were associated with a 12- or 72-week VR.

Effects of right ventricular nonapical pacing on cardiac function: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to compare the effects of right ventricular nonapical (RVNA) and right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing on cardiac function. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify RCTs comparing RVNA pacing with RVA pacing with follow-up ≥2 months. Twenty RCTs involving 1,114 patients were included. RESULTS: Compared with RVA pacing, RVNA (mainly right ventricular septum [RVS]) pacing exhibited not only excellent pacing threshold and R-wave amplitude but also higher impedance. RVNA pacing showed a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at the end of follow-up (weighted mean difference = 3.58, 95% confidence interval = 1.80-5.35), and the effects were observed in the following subgroups: 6-month follow-up, ≤12-month follow-up, >12-month follow-up, baseline LVEF ≤45%, and baseline LVEF >45%. RVS and RVA pacing significantly differed in improving LVEF (weighted mean difference = 4.82, 95% confidence interval = 2.78-6.87). In addition, RVNA pacing resulted in a narrower QRS duration, a smaller left ventricular end-systolic volume, and a lower New York Heart Association functional class. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis found that RVNA (mainly RVS) pacing exhibited satisfactory long-term lead performance compared with RVA pacing and demonstrated beneficial effects in improving LVEF after the 6-month follow-up. Furthermore, it proved superior to RVA pacing in terms of interventricular synchrony and cardiac function.

Efficacy and safety of efavirenz-based regimens in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus co-infected patients / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of efavirenz-based therapy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection. Methods Fiftythree HIV/HCV co-infected patients received efavirenz-based therapy were followed up for 7 years.The changes of CD4+ T lymphocyte count, HIV virus load, hepatic function, hepatic fibrosis index,blood lipid, blood glucose, blood uric acid and blood routine were observed. The comparison of means before and after treatment was performed by t-test. Results The HIV RNA levels at baseline and endpoint were (4. 56±0. 88) lg copy/mL and (1.70±1.10) lg copy/mL, respectively (t=14. 781, P＜0.01). The peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocyte counts were ( 188.37±151.14)×106/L and (445.18±314.25)×106/L, respectively (t=5.362, P＜0.01).The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were (36.6±16.3) U/L and (57.2±9.9) U/L, respectively (t=7.864, P＜0. 01).The glycocholic acid levels were (444.22±476.74) mg/L and (556.88±733.05) mg/L, respectively (t=0.938, P＜0.05). The Ⅳ-collagen(Ⅳ-C) levels were (45.13±8.25) ng/mL and (47.88±4.51) ng/mL, respectively (t= 2.129, P＜0.05). The riacylglycerol levels were (1.57±0.65)mmol/L and (2.51±1.29) mmol/L, respectively (t=4.737, P＜0.01). The blood uric acid levels were (298.5±48.2) mmol/L and (495.1±89.4) mmol/L, respectively (t= 14.092, P＜0.01).Conclusions The efavirenz-based therapy is efficacious in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, but it could cause liver injury and metabolic disorder.

Myocardial Motion Velocity Detected by Tissue Doppler Imaging for Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Beat / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To detect the systolic and diastolic velocity in patients with idiopathic premature ventricular beat(PVB)by pulsed wave-tissue Doppler imaging (PW-TDI) techniques.Methods: There were two groups involved in this study. PVB group,n=30,patients with idiopathic PVB,and Control group,n=30,of healthy subjects. The changes of cardiac function were measured and compared between two groups by the index of myocardial motion velocity using PW-TDI techniques.Results: A total of 7 sites were studied,there were no significant differences in systolic peak velocities (Sm),time velocity integral (TVI),peak velocity of the early relaxation wave (Em),peak velocity of the later relaxation wave (Am) and Em/Am ratio (Em/Am) between the Control group and PVB group in the normal sinus beat (P＞0.05).Compared with the normal sinus beat,Sm,TVI,Em and Em/Am were significantly lower in PVB (P<0.01),while Sm,TVI,Em in the post-PVB sinus beat were significantly higher than that in normal sinus beat (P<0.01). However,there were no significant differences of Am in each site among the normal sinus beat,PVB and the post-PVB sinus beat. Conclusion: PVB and PVB-induced compensational interval could significantly influence the systolic and diastolic function of the ventricle.

The tongue image in AIDS patients / 中华全科医师杂志

We retrospectively reviewed the tongue images and related clinical data of 118 AIDS patients treated in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center Affiliated to Fudan University. The tongue images included: cyanotic and purplish tongue ( 33, 28.0% ), light-reddish tongue ( 32, 27.1% ), light-whitish tongue (21, 17.8% ) , bulgy tongue(19, 16.1% ), dark-red tongue (7, 5.9% ) and fissured tongue (6,5.1% ). There were significant differences in counts of CD4+T lymphocytes, white blood cells and red blood cells among different tongue imagine groups. The tongue image can indicate the pathogenic factors of disease as well as the functions of viscera in AIDS patients.

A cross-sectional survey of occult hepatitis B virus infection in HIV-infected patients / 中华内科杂志

Objectives Occult HBV infection is defined by positive HBV DNA in individuals with undetectable levels of HBsAg.The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of occult HBV infection in HIV-infected patients.Methods Serum samples were obtained from 105 HBs Ag-negative HIV patients who were hospitalized and were not giyen anti-virus treatment at Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center.Microparticle enzyme immunoassay(MEIA)was used to detect HBV serologic markers(HBsAg,anti-HBs,HBeAg,anti-Hbe and anti-HBc).EUSA was used to detect HCV antibody.CD4+ T cell count was examined with flow cytometry.Nested PCR was used to amplify surface protein region of HBV.Results 32(30.5%)patients(27 men,5 women)were HBV DNA positive in the 105 HBsAg-negative HIV-infected patients(92 men and 13 women).22 patients(including 5 patients with HBV DNA+)were in 16-30 years group,44 patients(including 15 patients with HBV DNA+)were in 31-49 years group and 39 patients(including 12 patients with HBV DNA+)were in 50-75 years group.5 patients were negative for all HBV serologic markers and 27 patients detected with at least one of anti-HBc.anti.Hbe or anti-HBs.14 patients (29.8%)with HBV DNA+in 47 HIV-infected patients were coinfected with HCV,18 patients(31.0%)were HBV DNA+in 58 HIV-monoinfected patients.The median absolute CD4+T eell count was 145.1cells/μ1(4-623 cells/μ1),26 patients(34.7%)were HBV DNA+in 75 AIDS patients with CD4+T cell＜200 cells/μ1 and 6 patients(20.0%)HBV DNA+in 30 HIV-infected patients with CD4+ T cell＞200cells/μ1.No statistical significant association could be established between the above factors.Conclusions It is found tIlatoccult HBV did occur in HIV-infected patients.No statistical significant association could be established between occult HBV infection and gender,age,HBV serologic markers,coinfected HCV and CD4+T cell count.

The causes of death for 89 HIV/AIDS patients / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective To analyze the causes of death for 89 HIV/AIDS patients,and the association of CD4+ T lymphocyte counts with the mortality.Methods Data were collected from 89 deceasedpatients who were admitted to Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from Jan 1996 to Sep 2007,and wereretrospectively analyzed with t-test.Results Heterosexual,blood transfusion and blood products were themajor transmission routs for 89 deceased HIV/AIDS patients.The primary causes of death varied with different levels of CD4+ T lymphocyte counts.With higher CD4+T lymphocyte counts,patients were more likelyto die from non-AIDS-related opportunistic infections such as upper digestive tract hemorrhage.Serious pulmonary infection induced by various etiologies was the primary cause of death.Co-infections of multiple etiologics were often seen in these death cases.Conclusion Opportunistic infection is the primary cause of death for HIV/AIDS patients.Appropriate therapies should be based on CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and patients' specific conditions to reduce the mortality.

Portal hemodynamics in patients with different syndromes of cirrhosis / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the portal hemodynamics or the indices of liver fibrosis and the liver function score in patients with different traditional Chinese medical syndromes of liver cirrhosis. METHODS: One hundred and forty-seven cases of liver cirrhosis with different syndromes were included in the study. Diameters and blood flow velocities of the portal vein and splenic vein were tested by color Doppler sonarography. The indices of liver function (TBIL, ALT, AST, Alb, Glb, PTA) and the indices of hepatic fibrosis (HA, PC-III, LN, VI-C) were tested. RESULTS: The diameters of portal vein in liver cirrhosis patients with different syndromes (internal accumulation of of damp-heat, stagnation of liver-qi, superabundance of dampness due to spleen-asthenia, asthenia of liver and kidney yin, asthenia of spleen and kidney yang, blood stasis) were not significantly different. The blood flow velocities and flow volumes of portal vein in patients with the blood stasis syndrome and the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome were significantly different (P < 0.05). The diameter of splenic vein in patients with the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome was significantly different to that of the asthenia of liver and kidney yin syndrome, or the blood stasis syndrome, or the asthenia of spleen and kidney yang syndrome, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The blood flow velocity of splenic vein in patients with the blood stasis syndrome or the asthenia of spleen and kidney yang syndrome was significantly different to that of the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome, or the stagnation of liver-qi syndrome, or the asthenia of liver and kidney yin syndrome, respectively (P < 0.01). The blood flow volume of splenic vein in patients with the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome was significantly different to that of the asthenia of liver and kidney yin syndrome, or the asthenia of spleen and kidney yang syndrome, or the blood stasis syndrome, respectively (P < 0.01). The liver cirrhosis indices HA and PC-III in patients with the asthenia of liver and kidney yin syndrome were significantly different to those of the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome (P < 0.05). In Child-Pugh classification, the incidence of Child-Pugh C was the highest in the asthenia of spleen and kidney yang syndrome, while the incidence of Child-Pugh A was the highest in the stagnation of liver qi syndrome. CONCLUSION: The changes of portal vein dynamics in liver cirrhosis patients with the asthenia of liver and kidney yin syndrome, or the asthenia of spleen and kidney yang syndrome, or the blood stasis syndrome are significantly different to those of the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome and the stagnation of liver-qi syndrome.

Potassium channel gene expression in myocardial sleeves of pulmonary vein and effects of amiodarone on rabbits with rapid atrial pacing / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the potassium channel gene expression of myocardial sleeves of pulmonary vein and effects of amiodarone on rabbits with rapid atrial pacing.METHODS: Rabbits were divided into three groups(n=10),(1) the control group with sham operation and placebo;(2) the right atrial pacing(RAP) group at 600 beats/min with the placebo;(3) the amiodarone group treated for seven days with oral amiodarone at 100 mg ? kg-1 ? d-1.Based on RAP simultaneously,the messenger ribonucleic acid(mRNA) of specimen was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS: Compared with the control group,Kv4.3(transient outward K+ current,Ito1) mRNA expression in RAP group was reduced by 51%(P

Determination of bacterial endotoxin in Xiangdan Injection / 中成药

Objective: To establish a determination of bacterial endotoxin in Xiangdan Injection by kinetic-turbidimetric technique. Methods: The sample diluted times without interference was found out by adding bacterial endotoxin into sample and determining recovery ratio. Results: When the sample was diluted 40-times, the interference of sample to limulus test was eliminated efficiently. Conclusion: The method can be applied to determine the bacterial endotoxin quantitatively in Xiangdan Injection.