Volume 124  ·  Issue 11  ·  2011

Abstract：Background Noninvasive cardiac imaging is now central to the diagnosis and management of patients with moderate probability for coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of stress myocardial perfusion single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) on in-hospital coronary angiography and revascularization for such patients.Methods Between January 2005 and June 2007, 1053 consecutive in-hospital patients (423 women, the average age of (57.2±11.2) years) with suspected coronary artery disease but without any prior interventional treatment were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent a 2-day stress/rest 99m Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) myocardial perfusion SPECT, including 984 exercise test and 69 adenosine test.Results Overall, stress/rest myocardial perfusion SPECT was normal in 973 patients (92.4%) and abnormal in 80 patients (7.6%). A total of 190 patients underwent coronary angiography, 46 underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and 10 coronary artery bypass grafting during hospitalization. From the whole perspective, only 14.7% of patients with normal SPECT underwent coronary angiography, so did 58.8% of patients with abnormal SPECT (x2=97.0,P＜0.001); furthermore, the rates of revascularization in patients with normal and abnormal SPECT were 2.8% and 36.3%,respectively (27 out of 973 vs. 29 out of 80, x2=157.9, P＜0.001). The extent and severity of ischemia did not add more predictive value for subsequent coronary angiography, but did have impact on revascularization. Multivariate analysis showed that reversible perfusion defect was the most predictive variable for referral rate to coronary angiography (odds ratio=7.5, P＜0.001).Conclusions Abnormal myocardial perfusion SPECT is a powerful referral for in-hospital coronary angiography and revascularization during the same hospitalization. Thus, stress/rest SPECT is an effective gatekeeper for early coronary angiography and invasive treatment for patients with suspected coronary artery disease。

Abstract：Background Spontaneous intracerebellar hemorrhage (SCH) accounts for 10% of intracerebral hemorrhages. Up to now stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis of SCH was less reported. The aim of this study was to assess the effect and feasibility of the method, and to refine the clinical protocol.Methods Eighteen patients with SCH were treated by stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis and reviewed in this report. The 3-mm axial stereotactic computed tomography slices throughout the hematoma were obtained. Those images were then transferred to the workstation. The trajectory of catheter was designed to go through the main axis of the hematoma. Under local anesthesia a catheter was directed stereotactically into the hematoma through a burr hole.Hematoma thrombolysis and clot drainage was followed by instillation of urokinase (10 000 U) every 12 hours. The catheter was removed when the majority of hematoma was evacuated.Results Initial SCH volume was reduced by an average of 86% and the average final hematoma volume was 2.8 ml. At 3-month follow-up, 13 patients (72%) had achieved good recovery. At 6-month follow-up, 12 patients (67%) had achieved good recovery.Conclusion Stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis of SCH was a simple, feasible and effective method to treat moderate and some benign SCH that less respond to medical treatment。

Abstract：Background Intensive blood glucose control is proven to be associated with the diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications, which could affect quality of life (QOL). This study was performed to determine the effects of intensive glucose control therapy on QOL of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in Anhui Province.Methods Ninety-seven elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in Anhui were randomly assigned to standard treatment group and intensive therapy group. All patients were followed up for five years on average. Correlated information has been collected during the regular follow-up.Results Patients with microvascular complications reported significantly lower European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scores and had more problems with usual activities, pain and anxiety than those without complications (P ＜0.05).Patients having experienced hypoglycemic episodes had significantly more problems with anxiety than those without hypoglycemic episodes (P ＜0.05). No significant difference was detected in all dimensions in quality of life, as well as in Visual Analog Scale score between two groups (P ＞0.05). There was no significant difference in quality of life at the fifth year compared with that of the first year in both groups. Women had more feelings of pain and anxiety than men (P ＜0.05)and longer disease course was associated with increased levels of pain and anxiety (P ＜0.05), as well as with lower QOL.In addition, patients with higher body mass index (BMI) had more problems with daily activities than patients with lower BMI (P ＜0.05).Conclusions Anxiety is common in elderly diabetic patients and they experienced frequent hypoglycemic episodes.Diabetic vascular complications significantly affect QOL of the patients. Intensive glucose control has no significant effect on QOL of the diabetic patients. Female, older age, long disease course, less education and high BMI are all factors caused reduced QOL and patients with these factors should be given more psychological support. Frequent mild hypoglycemic episodes do not cause impaired function of the central nervous system。

Abstract：Background Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was discovered by scientists in the Netherlands as a novel respiratory virus in 2001 and had been found in children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) in China. The objective of this study was to determine the importance of hMPV infection in children in Beijing and the genotypes of the circulating virus by the surveillance during a four-consecutive-year period.Methods Clinical specimens collected from children with ARTI from January 2006 to December 2009 were tested for hMPV by RT-PCR using primers targeting the matrix (M) gene, followed by genotyping of hMPV directly from positive samples by diplex PCR with primers for glycoprotein (G) genes. Sequence analysis was used for genotyping of those un-typable samples. Common respiratory viruses in these clinical specimens were tested by virus isolation and antigen detection, in addition to hMPV detection.Results Of 4730 tested specimens, 191 (4.0%) were positive for hMPV and 62.8% of 191 were identified as genotype A. The positive rate of hMPV from hospitalized patients was higher than that from outpatients each year. Most of hMPV positive children were under five years old. The peak of hMPV activity mostly occurred in late spring and overlapped with or followed that of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and followed by parainfluenza virus 3. Of hMPV infected cases,68.6% were lower respiratory tract infection, among which 79.4% were hospitalized, and upper respiratory tract infection was diagnosed for 31.4% of hMPV infected children. The 9.4% of hMPV positive samples were found to co-exist with other respiratory viruses.Conclusions hMPV was an important pathogen for ARTI in pediatric patients, especially those under five years old.Both genotypes A and B circulated simultaneously in Beijing。

Abstract：Background Maternal exposure to nitrate, nitrite, and N-nitroso compounds from drinking water or diet has been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in some studies. Pickled vegetables contain relatively large amounts of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds. We examined the association between maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables and NTDs in Shanxi Province of northern China.Methods Data were derived from a population based case-control study of major external birth defects in four counties of Shanxi Province. Participants included 519 NTDs cases identified between 2003 and 2007 and 694 healthy controls.Exposure information was collected within 1 week after delivery. Multivariable non-conditioanal Logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) controlling for potentialconfounding variables.Results The risk of NTDs was positively associated with the frequency of the consumptionof pickled vegetables by the mother. Compared with pickled vegetables consumption at ＜1 meal/week, the adjusted Off for consumption at 1-3, 4-6,and ＞6 meals/week were 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 1.8), 1.9 (1.1, 3.2), and 3.6 (1.9, 6.9), respectively. A protective effect was found for maternal meat consumption at ≥1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95% Cl: 0.4, 0.7) and egg or milk consumption at ≥1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95% Cl: 0.4, 0.8).Conclusion Maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables may increase the risk for NTDs in Shanxi Province。

Abstract：Background It has been reported that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit a4 gene (CHRNA4) might be associated with smoking behaviors in the previous studies. Up to now, there are few reports on the relationship between CHRNA4 and smoking initiation. In this study, we tried to explore the role of two polymorphisms in CHRNA4 (rs 1044396 and rs 1044397) in smoking initiation and nicotine dependence in Chinese male smokers.Methods Nine hundred and sixty-six Chinese male lifetime nonsmokers and smokers were assessed by the Fagerstr(o)m test for nicotine dependence (FTND), smoking quantity (SQ) and the heaviness of smoking index (HSI). All subjects were divided into four groups based on their tobacco use history and the FTND scores. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to find two polymorphisms of CHRNA4 in these subjects.Results The x2 test showed that rs1044396 was significantly associated with smoking initiation (x2=4.65, P=0.031),while both rs1044396 and rs1044397 were significantly associated with nicotine dependence (x2=5.42, P=0.020; x2=758,P=0.005). Furthermore, the T-G (3.9%) haplotype of rs1044396-rs1044397 showed significant association with smoking initiation (x2=6.30, P=0.012) and the C-G haplotype (58.9%) remained positive association with nicotine dependence (x2=8.64, P=0.003) after Bonferroni correction. The C-G haplotype also significantly increased the HSI (P=0.002) and FTND scores (P=0.001) after Bonferroni correction.Conclusion These findings suggest that CHRNA4 may be associated with smoking initiation and the C-G haplotype of rs1044396-rs1044397 might increase the vulnerability to nicotine dependence in Chinese male smokers。

Abstract：Background Idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV) is an uncommon disorder affecting primarily individuals younger than the age of 50 years. In CNV patients, no apparent cause can be determined. This study aimed to evaluate the functional and morphological change of the retina with ICNV in young adults.Methods In this retrospective study, 32 eyes of 32 patients with subfoveal or juxta/extra foveal ICNV had been admitted into the Shanghai First People's Hospital from January 2009 to July 2010. The functional changes were evaluated using the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the microperimetry in the macular area. The morphology changes were evaluated using optical coherence tomography (OCT), the color fundus photography and the fluorescein angiography.Results Seventeen patients with juxta/extra foveal and 15 subfoveal CNV were investigated. The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) BCVA was 0.39, the mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was 334 urn, and the mean sensitivity (MS) was 11.8 decibels (dB). In the subfoveal group, there was a strong correlation between CRT and BCVA (r=-0.675, F=2.167, P＜0.01); as well as that between CRT and MS (r=-0.681, F=22.91, P＜0.01). While in the juxta/extra foveal CNV group, the correlation of CRT and BCVA was not significant (r=-0.071, P=1.018, P ＞0.05); neither was the correlation of CRT and MS (r=-0.142, F=36.54, P＞0.05). The microperimetry (MP-1) test revealed 17 (53%) patients with stable fixation, 9 (28%) with relatively unstable and 6 (19%) with unstable fixation. Fixation stability correlated positively with sensitivity in the central 2° diameter area (r=0.380, F=3.213, P ＜0.05) and the duration of symptoms (r=0.401, F=7.933, P＜0.05).Conclusions ICNV was associated with reduced total MS, unstable fixation and eccentric fixation. These findings emphasized functional change in ICNV is beyond the BCVA and regular morphology change, which provided additional information of functional evaluation in clinical practice。

Abstract：Background Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an important therapy for the treatment of various late-stage knee diseases. However, it has been observed that patients have lower hemoglobin (HB) counts postoperatively, which are significantly inconsistent with the measured blood loss. Although the concept of hidden blood loss has been presented in 2000, very little clinical attention has been paid since then. In this study, we investigated the characteristics and influential factor of hidden blood loss after TKA in treating knee osteoarthritis.Methods One hundred and eight patients, with 42 males and 66 females, were retrospectively analyzed. The perioperative blood loss and the hidden blood loss following TKA were calculated by Gross formula. Potential factors affecting perioperative and hidden blood loss included gender, surgical time, tourniquet time, hemostasis (during operation with deflating tourniquet), and reinfusion of salvaged blood.Results The average perioperative blood loss was found to be (1553±356) ml and the average hidden blood loss was (793±223) ml. The hidden blood loss of the male was significantly higher than that of the female, and was reduced by hemostasis during the operation with a deflating tourniquet. Hidden blood loss was not affected by postoperative blood salvage and reinfusion, surgical time, or tourniquet time.Conclusions When calculating the value of hidden blood loss by Gross formula, the lowest value of hematocrit should be chosen as the parameter so that hidden blood loss would not be underestimated. No significant differences could be found in hidden blood loss for males compared to females. Hidden blood loss can be reduced by hemostasis during operation with a deflating tourniquet. Although reinfusion of salvaged blood could not reduce the perioperative blood loss or hidden blood loss, it was still an effective method to reduce transfusion rate。

Abstract：Background Inflammation within vulnerable coronary plaques may cause unstable angina by promoting rupture and erosion. C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most reliable and accessible test method for clinical use for identifying coronary artery disease event. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is highly over-expressed in the vulnerable regions of a plaque.Our aim was to evaluate the plasma levels of MMP-9 and hsCRP in subjects with both unstable angina and coronary plaques, as well as in those with unstable angina without coronary plaques.Methods Patients with newly diagnosed unstable angina pectoris from clinical presentation and ECG, who were undergoing coronary angiography from April 2007 to April 2009, were included in this study. A total of 170 subjects were enrolled in the study. Before angiography, the baseline clinical data (mainly including conventional risk factors) was collected.These patients were divided into two groups, a non-plaque group (G1) which included 55 patients with no significant stenosis or less than 20% stenosis in at least one of the major coronary artery branches, and a plaque group (G2) which included 115 patients with at least one of the major coronary artery branches unstable angina pectoris with at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery. The patients presenting with calcified nodules of a major coronary artery were excluded from this study.We examined the serum levels of MMP-9 for all cases by multi-effect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results There was a significant difference in the serum levels of MMP-9 between the two groups (P＜0.001). The percentage of patients with hypertension, diabetes and current smokers were significantly different between the two groups (P=0.034, P=0.031, and P=0.044 respectively). The univariate Logistic regression analyses of risk factors showed that smoking was the main risk factor for angina in the non-plaque group with the OR being 1.95 (95% Cl 1.02-3.75).Hypertension, diabetes mellitus were negatively related with the occurrence of angina in the non-plaque group with the ORs being 0.50, and 0.36, respectively (95% Cl 0.26-0.96 and 0.14-0.94). The MMP-9 level was negatively related to the occurrence of angina in the non-plaque group with an OR of 0.59 (95% Cl 0.47-0.81).Conclusions There is a significantly difference in MMP-9 levels between the plaque and non-plaque groups. Current smoking has a significant influence on unstable angina patients without documented plaques. The serum MMP-9 level may be a significant biomarker which can help differentiate patients with unstable angina with plaques from those with unstable angina but without plaques。

Abstract：Background Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) emerged rapidly in China in May 2009. Preliminary comparisons with seasonal influenza suggest that pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) disproportionately affects younger ages and causes generally mild disease. To characterize disease progress, comorbidities, and treatment outcomes among consecutive severe and critically ill patients in a hospital served as a reference center for the care of patients with H1N1 in Shanghai,China.Methods A retrospective study on 62 severe and critically ill patients with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) was conducted in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center. Demographic data, symptoms, comorbidities, disease progression, treatments,and clinical outcomes were collected for analysis.Results Sixty-two severe or critically ill patients were admitted to the hospital with confirmed 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection. The median age of the study cohort was 40 years old with a range from 18 years to 75 years, and 67.7% were males. All patients presented with fever and respiratory symptoms. At presentation, 34 patients (54.8%) had comorbidities such as smoking (29.0%), hypertension (29.0%) and hepatitis B virus infection (9.7%). The median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was 6 days (interquartile-range 3-14 days) and 23 critically ill patients were admitted to Intensive Care Unit after admission. All the patients received neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltaminir), while 60 patients (96.7%) were treated with antibiotics, and 39 (62.9%) with corticosteroids. Twenty-three critical cases received noninvasive mechanical ventilation on the first day of admission, and 3 of them ultimately required invasive ventilation.Four death reports (6.5%) were filed within the first 14 days from the onset of critical illness with the primary causes of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, hypoxemia, or complications, secondary infection and sepsis,pyopneumothorax and stroke.Conclusions Severe illness from 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection in Shanghai occurred among young individuals. Critical cases were associated with severe hypoxemia, multisystem organ failure, and a requirement for mechanical ventilation. Most patients had a good prognosis。

Abstract：Background Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is endemic in Junan county, Shandong Province, China.We conducted geographic information system (GlS)-based spatial analysis with the objective of estimating the spatial distribution of rodent populations and their hantavirus infection patterns, to describe the spatial relationships of hantavirus strains in small ecological areas and to identify key areas in endemic areas of HFRS for future public health planning and resource allocation.Methods Rodent sampling was conducted in seven villages in Junan county from February 2006 to January 2007 using field epidemiological surveillance. Dynamics of hantavirus infection and population densities in rodents were investigated. Spatial statistical techniques including Ripley' L index and nearest neighbour hierarchical (NNH) clustering analysis were conducted to reveal the spatial structure of rodent populations in seven villages. Phylogenetic analysis and two-dimensional minimal spanning tree (2-D MST) models were employed to describe the spatial relationship of hantavirus strains.Results Data showed that Mus musculus was the most common species in our study area, followed by Rattus norvegicus. Ripley's L index and NNH analysis showed that the spatial distribution of all captured rodents, Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus in seven villages were clustered and there were hotspot areas of rodent distribution. The branches of 2-D MSTs had similar topologies to those of corresponding phylogenetic trees, and hantavirus strains exhibited obvious connective traces in seven villages.Conclusions These results contribute to the understanding of the spatial distribution of rodent populations and hantavirus infection patterns in small areas, and identify priority areas within the epidemic areas for the development of a better prevention strategy against hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in a small ecological area。

Abstract：Background Our previous studies suggested that low-dose gossypol combined with steroid hormones has a reversible antifertility role in adult male rats, and the course of treatment was shorter than that of either gossypol or steroid hormones alone. This result suggested that low-dose gossypol and steroid hormones have a drug synergistic effect on antifertility. The aim of the study was to find the target organs of the antifertility synergistic effect of the combined regimen.Methods Thirty-two adult male rats were divided into four groups randomly: group GH, rats were fed orally with group H, the same dosage of DSG/EE/TU as in group GH were administered; group C, rats were treated with vehicle (1% methyl cellulose) as control. Testes and epididymis were removed at 8 weeks post-treatment for evaluating their weight,volumes, volume fraction, and total volume of testicular tissue structures and the seminiferous tubule diameter using stereological assay. Sperm cell numbers and the motility of epididymal sperm were quantitated by flow cytometry and morphological methods.Results Compared with group C, spermatogenesis was normal in group G and suppressed in groups H and GH.Similar changes of testicular tissue structures and sperm number were found in groups H and GH. The decreases of epididymal sperm number and motility in group GH were greater than that of the low-dose gossypol or steroid hormones alone group.Conclusions The suppression of spermatogenesis was induced by steroid hormones in the combined regimen, and the epididymis was the target organ of low-dose gossypol. Combined use of low-dose gossypol and steroid hormones played a comprehensive antifertility role in their synergistic effect on reducing the number and motility of epididymal sperm。

Abstract：Background It remains almost a helpless situation for the recurrent implantation failure and pregnancy loss caused by endometrial injury at present. The purpose of this study was to develop a rabbit model of endometrial mechanical injury that could provide a research platform for this difficult clinical predicament.Methods Three experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 : Curettages in both uterus horns and copper wire inserting after curettage (double-injury) in one horn. The histological changes were monitored at 0, 24, 48, 72 hours, as well as in 1 and 2 weeks after operation. Experiment 2: Direct copper wire inserting in one horn and double-injury in other horn. The wires in both horns were removed after 2 weeks. The histological changes were recorded at 0, 1 and 2 weeks after wire removal. Experiment 3: Double-injury procedure in one horn was performed and wire was removed after 2 weeks;another horn was remained normal to serve as control. Histological changes were recorded, tissue areas were measured,and proliferation indices (PIs, %) were calculated at 1,2, 4 and 8 weeks after wire removal, respectively.Results The experiments revealed that the injured endometrium by simple curettage or copper wire could be fully repaired. While the endometrial regeneration was severely impaired by double-injury, both areas of endometrium and uterine cavity decreased (P ＜0.05); both PIs of glandular epithelial and stromal cells increased and reached maximum at 4 weeks (P ＜0.05), but returned by 8 weeks.Conclusion This study demonstrated that a rabbit model of endometrial injury could be effectively established through a double-injury procedure of curettaqe and copper wire with comparable clinical index。

Abstract：Objective This pictorial review aimed to summarize the most possible differential diagnosis of pancreatic islet cell tumor (PICT).Data sources Data used in this review were mainly from Medline and Pubmed in English. And all clinical images in this review were from Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.Study selection Cases of pancreatic cystadenoma, solid pseudo-papillary tumor of the pancreas, pancreatic metastasis, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, para-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, Castleman disease, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, splenic artery aneurysm and accessory spleen were selected in this pictorial review for differential diagnosis of PICT.Results Careful analysis of imaging features and correlation with the clinical manifestations may allow a more specific diagnosis. It is also important that the radiologist is familiar with the anatomic variants and disease entities which mimic pancreatic islet cell tumor in order to avoid an improper treatment protocol.Conclusions Many congenital anatomic variants or other pancreatic and peri-pancreatic diseases may mimic MDCT appearance of pancreatic islet cell tumor. Radiological, clinical and pathological characteristics should be considered for the final diagnosis。

Abstract：Objective To explore the differences in the characteristics of acute aortic dissection (AAD) among less and more economically developed countries with various cultures and races Data sources Reports from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD) and the mainland of China (MC) were collected by searching the PubMed Database and the Chinese Journal Full-text Database from January 2000 to March 2009.Study selection Those reports from IRAD and MC containing larger numbers of cases and complete patients' information were selected, which focused on concrete issues of diagnosing or managing AAD were excluded if they were not able to reflect the overall characteristics of this condition. And the data from the article containing the largest number patients reported by the same medical center in MC were taken into statistics.Results AAD patients from MC were significantly younger than IRAD countries and the percentage of male patients in the Chinese group was higher than IRAD countries (80.7% vs. 68.6%, P ＜0.001). Patients in MC were less likely to present with typical symptoms and signs except for any focal neurological deficits. Different from the IRAD group,Chinese patients were prone to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to make the diagnosis of AAD (45.5% vs.11.6%, P ＜0.001). The in-hospital mortality was similar between 2 groups but only smaller proportion of AAD patients in MC underwent surgical or medicaltreatment.Conclusions The general characteristics of AAD patients in MC were shown and differences in some clinical variables between MC and IRAD groups still existed。

Background Aspirin is widely used in the secondary prevention of coronary artery diseases, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and vascular related deaths. However, the antiplatelet effect of aspirin appears to be variable and aspirin resistance (AR) is currently still controversial for Chinese patients. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of AR, and identify possible risk factors associated with a lack of response to aspirin treatments in patients with unstable coronary artery disease.Methods Platelet function tests with arachidonic acid (ARA) and urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-DH-TXB2) concentrations were performed in 262 patients with unstable coronary artery disease who had not been taking aspirin before admission. ARA induced platelet aggregation and 11-DH-TXB2 were detected to evaluate the functional and biochemical responses to aspirin before and on days 1, 4, and 10 after aspirin administration. Six-month follow-up was completed in patients who developed AR to evaluate the effect of aspirin in a long-term treatment. GP1 Bα (C1018T), PI(A1/A2), P2Y1(A1622G), TBXA2R (T924C) were also detected to evaluate the influence of genetic variant on aspirin responsiveness.Results A total of 8.8% of patients were indentified as AR at the first day after aspirin treatment. The level of urine 11-DH-TXB2 in the AR group was higher compared to non-AR group (P<0.05). There was no relationship between ARA induced platelet aggregation and urinary 11-DH-TXB2 levels (r=0.038, P=0.412). The results of DNA sequencing showed that TBXA2R-924TT homozygotes had a significantly high rate of AR. Logistic regression demonstrated that diabetes was an independent risk factor of AR. Conclusions In the beginning period of administration, aspirin was not a sufficient factor that inhibits platelet aggregation. TBXA2R-g24T allele was involved in AR. Diabetes was an independent risk factor of AR。

Abstract：Background Small acoustic neuromas seldom result in typical vestibular symptoms, despite the tumor arising from the vestibular nerve. In this study, we have shown that abnormal gait in eleven patients with small acoustic neuroma could be detected in gait analysis by the use of tactile sensor. Patients displayed no oculomotor abnormality and had tumors less than 10 mm from the porus acoustics.Methods Gait related parameters including the coefficients of variations (CV) of stance, swing, double support, area ratio of trajectories of center of force (TCOF), in addition to the foot pressure difference between both feet, were used for assessment of gait.Results The CV of swing and the area ratio of TCOF were greater in patients than those in the control group (P ＜0.05).The values of these two parameters became greater under an eyes closed condition compared to eyes open (P＜0.05) in the patient group.Conclusion These results indicate that gait analysis may be helpful to assess vestibulospinal function of patients with small acoustic neuroma, the slight vestibular deficits of which can not be detected by visual observation。

Abstract：Background Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is defined as a primary ovarian defect characterized by absent menarche (primary amenorrhea) or premature depletion of ovarian follicles before the age of 40 years. The etiology of primary ovarian insufficiency in human female patients is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential genetic causes in primary amenorrhea patients by high resolution array based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) analysis.Methods Following the standard karyotyping analysis, genomic DNA from whole blood of 15 primary amenorrhea patients and 15 normal control women was hybridized with Affymetrix cytogenetic 2.7M arrays following the standard protocol. Copy number variations identified by array-CGH were confirmed by real time polymerase chain reaction.Results All the 30 samples were negative by conventional karyotyping analysis. Microdeletions on chromosome 17q21.31-q21.32 with approximately 1.3 Mb were identified in four patients by high resolution array-CGH analysis. This included the female reproductive secretory pathway related factor N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) gene.Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that there may be critical regions regulating primary ovarian insufficiency in women with a 17q21.31-q21.32 microdeletion. This effect might be due to the loss of function of the NSF gene/genes within the deleted region or to effects on contiguous genes。

Abstract：One 22-month-old boy who was admitted for a fever lasting 6 days as well as a cough and wheezing lasting 2 days was reported. He was diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1, severe type), severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), Evans syndrome and multiple organ failure. This is the first case of novel influenza A (H1N1) and Evans syndrome. The pathogenesis is still unknown。

Abstract：Liquid injectable silicone has been used for soft tissue augmentation for five decades. Many complications following liquid silicone injection have been reported. To diagnose and manage silicone granuloma remains difficult. Silicone granuloma must be diagnosed with the history of liquid silicone injection and the histology of tissue biopsy. We presented a case of granulomatous reaction after the injection of liquid silicone for chin augmentation forty years ago, causing total facial swelling, which mimicking angioedema initially. We administered methylprednisolone to the patient. Initial response to methylprednisolone was favorable。

Abstract：Splenic epidermoid cysts are relatively rare lesions traditionally treated by splenectomy. Concerns about overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis have led to the development of splenic preservation procedures in the treatment of cystic diseases of the spleen. Better understanding of the splenic segmental anatomy and advances in laparoscopic skills has made laparoscopic partial splenectomy a preferred treatment for splenic cysts while preserving splenic function. We reported a case of a 30-year-old male patient with a large epidermoid splenic cyst managed successfully by laparoscopic partial splenectomy. The patient recovered well after operation and was asymptomatic on a follow-up of 1 year with no recurrence on ultrasonography and a normal platelet count. Laparoscopic partial cystectomy is an acceptable procedure for the treatment of splenic cysts which locate in the pole of spleen. On the one hand, it cures the disease preserving the splenic tissue without risk of bleeding or recurrence; on the other hand, this minimally invasive technique induces a reduced hospital stay and a more rapid recovery。

Abstract：The case is a 54-year-old man with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mid-ventricular obstruction, apical aneurysm, and recurrence sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). A coronary angiogram revealed myocardial bridging located in the middle of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and the left ventriculogram showed an hour-glass appearance of the left ventricular cavity. There was a significant pressure gradient of 60 mmHg across the mid-ventricular obliteration at rest. A successful myectomy of the inappropriate hypertrophy myocardium and excision of the apical aneurysm were performed. Pathologic analysis demonstrated fibrosis in the apical aneurysm and thickened and narrowed vessels in the adjacent area. During the follow-up of eighteen months, the patient remained clinically stable and free from arrhythmic recurrence。

Abstract：Tuberculous encephalopathy (TBE) is an important diagnosis in countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis. TBE is a life-threatening condition but rarely reported in the modern literature. We reported a case of a man with extensive parenchymal lesions involving the brainstem and right cerebellar hemisphere that resolved after treatment. The clinical,laboratory and pathological features of this case are highlighted and the pathogenesis is discussed。

To the Editor: Ⅰ read with great interest the recent article on the ENLEAT trial.1 However, Ⅰ was greatly puzzled by the definition of the trial acronym ENLEAT.The definition given in the title of the article, namely, "No-reflow protection and long-term efficacy for acute myocardial infarction with Tongxinluo: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled multicenter clinical trial (ENLEAT trial)" did not correspond with the acronym, no matter how hard Ⅰ tried to pick out the various alphabets to match the acronym.2Finally, Ⅰ wrote to Dr.Zhang, the senior author of the article, for an explanation of the acronym。

To the Editor: The cold hands sign (CHS) presents a distinct feature in some multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients, but it is receiving little consideration.To our knowledge, there are few reported cases of MSA with onset of CHS.We reported here a case of MSA in a patient with onset of a typical CHS。