The association of preoperative atrial fibrillation with post-cardiopulmonary bypass hyperfibrinolysis in rheumatic valvular heart disease patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the fibrinolytic status after cardiopulmonary bypass in rheumatic valvular heart disease patients, and detect the associated factors of post-cardiopulmonary bypass hyperfibrinolysis.

Methods: According to the fibrinolytic status after cardiopulmonary bypass, 203 rheumatic valvular heart disease patients were divided into two groups: hyperfibrinolysis group (H group, n = 78) and non-hyperfibrinolysis group (NH group, n = 125). The demographic characteristics, operative variables, and postoperative follow-ups were compared between these two groups.

Two new species in the genus Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera, Cixiidae, Cixiinae) from China.

Two new species ( and ) in the family Cixiidae from China are described and illustrated. The generic characteristics are redefined. A checklist to all species of worldwide and an identification key to the Chinese species are provided.

Two new species in the genus Indolipa Emeljanov, 2001 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae: Pentastirini) from China.

Two new species of the family Cixiidae, Indolipa fopingensis, sp. nov. and Indolipa huapingensis, sp.

Use of epoprostenol to treat severe pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by protamine in cardiac surgery.

Since there were a few articles to report the treatment of severe pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by protamine in cardiac surgery, we described the use of epoprostenol to reverse this condition.A total of 5 cases of severe pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by protamine in cardiac surgery were reviewed. The demographic, clinical data and treatment process were obtained.

Positive Correlation Between Regional Cerebral Oxygen Saturation and Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation During Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Background: The balance of oxygen delivery and consumption is essential in patients who are critically ill. Mixed venous oxygen saturation (S ) is a standard method to evaluate oxygen delivery and consumption during anesthesia. However, S is monitored through a pulmonary artery catheter, which is invasive.

A novel method for oxygen glucose deprivation model in organotypic spinal cord slices.

This study aimed to establish a model to closely mimic spinal cord hypoxic-ischemic injury with high production and high reproducibility. Fourteen-day cultured organotypic spinal cord slices were divided into 4 groups: control (Ctrl), oxygen glucose deprived for 30min (OGD 30min), OGD 60min, and OGD 120min. The Ctrl slices were incubated with 1ml propidium iodide (PI) solution (5μg/ml) for 30min.

A novel method of organotypic spinal cord slice culture in rats.

This study was undertaken to establish a method for the culture of organotypic spinal cord slices. A long-term organotypic spinal cord slice culture was conducted from postnatal rats. Lumbar spinal cord was isolated, and meninges were removed from the spinal cord.

Inhibition of SNK-SPAR signaling pathway promotes the restoration of motor function in a rat model of ischemic stroke.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of SPAR signaling pathway on the restoration of motor function in ischemic stroke (IS). Sprague-Dawley male rats were separated into the control and sham groups, as well as the group for middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model establishment. Successfully established rat ischemic models were randomly divided into model, SNK and pcDNA3.

[Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in different brain regions of aging rats].

Objective: To explore the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in different brain regions of aging rats.

Methods: Forty male SD rats were randomized equally into negative control group, D-galactose group, EPO treatment group, and positive control group. Rat models of subacute aging were established by continuous subcutaneous injection of 5% D-galactose.

Complications after spinal anesthesia in adult tethered cord syndrome.

Since little has been reported about complications of spinal anesthesia in adult tethered cord syndrome (TCS), we sought to delineate the characteristics of the condition.A total of 4 cases of adult TCS after spinal anesthesia were reviewed. The medical charts of the patients were obtained.

Alarm Value of Somatosensory Evoked Potential in Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery.

Background: Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring is performed to examine postoperative clinical findings when a monitoring event was noted intraoperatively and to ascertain the alarm threshold for intraoperative neural damage.

Methods: The tibial SSEP of both lower limbs was recorded intraoperatively in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Change of SSEP amplitude as opposed to the baseline was categorized into 4 levels: decrease <40%, decrease of 40%-50%, decrease of 50%-60%, and decrease >60%.

A Rare Complication of Spine Surgery: Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Objective: Since little has been reported about Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after spine surgery, we sought to determine some of the clinical features and the management of the condition.

Methods: A total of 4 cases of GBS after spine surgery were included. The medical charts of the patients were reviewed to obtain demographic and clinical details.

[The evolution of cognition and its influence factors after stroke].

Objective: To investigate the evolution of cognitive function and its influence factors, so as to provide evidence for guiding treatment of cognitive impairment after stroke.

Methods: A total of 98 cases of patients with stroke admitted in the First and Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University and Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital between April and September 2009 were enrolled and recruited. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive function rating scale (MoCA) were adopted to assess the evolution of cognition at acute phase (within 2 weeks), 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after stroke among patients within 2 weeks after onset, questionnaire score ≤ 56, without aphasia and consciousness disturbance and at least one side of upper extremities muscle force ≥ grade 3.

Comparison of radiotherapeutic management of operated breast cancer in 1999 and in 2006: a sampling survey on the southeast coast of China.

Aims: To obtain a better understanding of the changes in radiotherapeutic management of breast cancer patients in the more developed areas of China over the past decade.

Methods: Four academic radiation therapy departments located on the Southeast Coast of China were selected for the study. The survey was conducted on female breast cancer patients who received radiotherapy in 1999 and 2006.

Continuous epidural block of the cervical vertebrae for cervicogenic headache.

Background: Cervicogenic headache (CEH) is caused by a structural abnormality in the cervical spine. Available treatments for CEH include medical therapy, local botulinum toxin injection, cervical epidural corticosteroid injection, and surgery. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a continuous epidural block of the cervical vertebra.

[Expression of p38MAPK in the olfactory bulb of rats with Alzheimer's disease].

Objective: To identify the changes of expression of p38MAPK in the olfactory bulb (OB) of rats with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and to explore the functional mechanism of p38MAPK in the pathological changes of AD.

Methods: AD animal model was established by injecting amyloid-beta peptide 25-35 into the lateral cerebral ventricle of rats. The learning and memory abilities of rats were measured by Y-maze experiment.

[Expression of Ref-1 in hippocampus CA1 area of rats with Alzheimer's disease].

Objective: To investigate the expression of Redox factor-1(Ref-1) in rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: AD rat model was established by a single injection of beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta25-35) into the lateral cerebral ventricle of rats. Y-shape maze task was conducted to check the ethology.

[Expression of p38MAPK in the hippocampal CA1 region of rats with Abeta25-35-induced Alzheimer disease].

Objective: To investigate the changes of p38MAPK expression in a rat model of Alzheimer disease (AD).

Methods: Seventy-two adult SD rats were randomized equally into 4 groups, and a single-dose injection of Abeta25-35 (dementia group), normal saline (saline group), SB203580 (inhibitor group), or DMSO (inhibitor control group) was administered into the lateral cerebral ventricle. Y-maze tast was performed to evaluate the behavioral changes of the rats after the injections, and on days 4, 7 and 14 after the injection, p38MAPK expression in the hippocampal CA1 area was measured by means of immunohistochemistry.

[Changes in the percentage of human leukocyte antigen DR in CD(+)(14) monocytes in burned patients].

Objective: To observe the changes in the percentage of CD(+)(14) monocytes expressing human leukocyte antigen DR(HLA-DR) in burn patients.

Methods: Thirty burn patients were divided into three groups according to body surface area burned: severe burn group [>60% total body surface area(TBSA)]; moderate burn group (25%-30% TBSA), mild burn group(<10% TBSA). Blood samples were collected on 3, 7, 14, 28 and 49 postburn days(PBD), and CD(+)(14) monocyte HLA-DR expression was determined with monoclonal antibody staining and flow cytometry.