Efficacy and prognostic impact of Pericarpium Trichosanthis injection combined with nicorandil for intractable angina pectoris in elderly patients: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Coronary artery disease(CAD)is a leading cause of global cardiovascular morta-lity.Refractory angina pectoris,a manifestation of CAD,requires effective drug treatments.Pericarpium Trichosanthis injection,a traditional Chinese medicine,improves cardiovascular symptoms,while nicorandil alleviates spasms and angina.Both have potential in treating CAD.AIM To investigate the therapeutic effects of combining Pericarpium Trichosanthis injection and nicorandil in elderly patients suffering from refractory angina caused by coronary heart disease.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 130 patients diagnosed with refractory coronary heart disease.Based on the different treatment regimens administered during hospitalization,the patients were divided into a control group(58 cases)and a study group(72 cases).The control group received conven-tional treatment,which included aspirin,statins,and nitrate vasodilators.In addition to the conventional medication,the study group received a combination treatment of Pericarpium Trichosanthis injection and nicorandil.RESULTS After treatment,the study group showed significantly higher left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac output,and lower brain natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein levels compared to the control group.The study group also exhibited improvements in angina,quality of life,exercise endurance,and lipid profiles.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a relationship of lipid levels and heart function with the combined treatment.Some patients in the study group experienced headaches during treatment,but no significant adverse reactions were observed.Follow-up showed that the treatment was well-tolerated,with no drug-related adverse reactions detected.CONCLUSION Combination of Pericarpium Trichosanthis injection and nicorandil is more effective than conventional treatment in improving symptoms and heart function in elderly patients with refractory angina pectoris.

Repeated pancreatitis-induced splenic vein thrombosis leads to intractable gastric variceal bleeding: A case report and review

Gastric varices(GV) are one of the most common complications for patients with portal hypertension. Currently, histoacryl injection is recommended as the initial treatment for bleeding of GV, and this injection has been confirmed to be highly effective for most patients in many studies. However, this treatment might be ineffective for some types of GV, such as splenic vein thrombosis-related localized portal hypertension(also called left-sided, sinistral, or regional portal hypertension). Herein, we report a case of repeated pancreatitis-induced complete splenic vein thrombosis that led to intractable gastric variceal bleeding, which was treated by splenectomy. We present detailed radiological and pathological data and blood rheology analysis(the splenic artery- after a short gastric vein or stomach vein- gastric coronary vein- portal vein). The pathophysiology can be explained by the abnormal direction of blood flow in this patient. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case for which detailed patho-logy and blood rheology data are available.

Peritoneovenous shunt for intractable ascites due to hepatic lymphorrhea after hepatectomy

A peritoneovenous shunt has become one of the most effi cient procedures for intractable ascites due to liver cirrhosis.A case of intractable ascites due to hepatic lymphorrhea after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma that was successfully treated by the placement of a peritoneovenous shunt is presented.A 72-year-old Japanese man underwent partial resection of the liver for hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hepatitis C viral infection.After hepatectomy,a considerable amount of ascites ranging from 800-4600 mL per day persisted despite conservative therapy,including numerous infusions of albumin and plasma protein fraction and administration of diuretics.Since the patient's general condition deteriorated,based on the diagnosis of intractable hepatic lymphorrhea,a subcutaneous peritoneovenous shunt was inserted.The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and the ascites decreased rapidly,with serum total protein and albumin levels and hepatic function improving accordingly.For intractable ascites due to hepatic lymphorrhea after hepatectomy,we recommend the placement of a peritoneovenous shunt as a procedure that can provide immediate effectiveness without increased surgical risk.

Stereotactic multi-target limbic leucotomy for treating intractable psychiatric disease in 30 patients Three-year follow-up of memory, intelligence, and psychiatric symptoms

BACKGROUND： The biochemical hypothesis of dopamine hyperfunction in the brain can explain the pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia. Surgery is performed based on limbic system circuit theory correspondence to above-mentioned hypothesis. Stereotactic surgery for the treatment of mental disorders is related to stereotactic surgery that influences the Papez circuit. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of stereotactic multi-target limbic leucotomy on the improvements in memory, intelligence and psychiatric symptoms in the treatment of intractable psychiatric disease. DESIGN： Self-control case analysis and follow-up of therapeutic effects. SETTING： Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital, Hebei Medical University. PARTICIPANTS： Thirty patients with intractable psychiatric disease, who received stereotactic surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital, Hebei Medical University between July 2002 and August 2005, were included in this study. The patients, 21 males and 9 females, all met the diagnostic criteria of intractable psychiatric disease, determined by the national psychosurgery cooperation team in 1998. Informed consents for surgery and clinical follow-up exams were obtained from patients and/or patients＇ relatives （guardians）. METHODS： In 30 patients with intractable psychiatric disease, limbic leucotomy was performed by stereotactic technique. Multi-target radiofrequency hyperthermia was performed in the intracranial amygdaloid nucleus, anterior limb of internal capsule, callosal gyrus, among other regions. The therapeutic effects of patients were evaluated by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale （BPRS） before surgery, and 6 months, 1, and 3 years after surgery. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale （WAIS） and Clinical Memory Scale （CMS） were used to assess memory and intelligence before and after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Memory, intelligence, and psychiatric symptoms of patients before and after operation. RESULTS： Thirty patients were included in the final analysis. （1） Memory and intelligence changes of patients： CMS and WAIS showed there were no significant differences in the changes of brain functions before and after operation （P 〉 0.05）. （2） Improved degree of symptoms： 5 patients were cured, 8 patients significantly improved, 8 patients improved, 3 patients had no changes, and 6 patients had recurrent symptoms. CONCLUSION： Stereotactic multi-target limbic leucotomy can improve the symptoms of patients with intractable psychiatric disease. Follow-up results showed that memory and intelligence were not noticeably improved after surgery.

Expression of multidrug resistance 1 gene and C3435T genetic polymorphism in peripheral blood of patients with intractable epilepsy

BACKGROUND： Increased expression of multidrug resistance 1 （MDR1） mRNA in peripheral blood of patients with intractable epilepsy is not due to epilepsy drugs, but epilepsy behavior. Monitoring MDR1 expression in peripheral blood is a target for MDR1 gene evaluation. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the influence of antiepileptic drugs and seizures on MDR expression in intractable epilepsy, and to analyze the genetic polymorphisms of C3435T in the MDRl gene. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Factorial designs and comparative observations at the experimental center of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University between October 2003 and October 2004. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 120 subjects were recruited from the epilepsy clinical department of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Medical College. Four groups （n = 30） were classified according to statistical factorial design： intractable epilepsy, treatment response, no treatment, and normal control groups. METHODS： One-step semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction technology was used to test expressions of the MDR1 gene in 120 subjects. C3435T polymorphisms in intractable epilepsy group and normal control groups were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Expression of MDR1 mRNA in the four groups, and C3435T genetic polymorphisms in intractable epilepsy and normal control groups. RESULTS： MDRl gene expression was increased in the intractable epilepsy group, due to the factor seizures, but not the antiepileptic drugs. However, the interaction between the two factors was not statistically significant. Of the 30 subjects in the intractable epilepsy group, the following genotypes were exhibited： 3 （10%） C/C genotype, 9 （30%） C/T genotype, and 18 （60%） T/T genotype at the site of C3435T, while 4 （13%）, 10 （33%）, and 16 （53%） subjects were determined to express these genotypes in the normal control group, respectively. C and T allele frequency were 25% and 75% in the intractable epilepsy group, and 30% and 70% in the normal control group, respectively. However, there was no statistical difference between the groups. CONCLUSION： Results demonstrated that seizures, not antiepileptic drugs, induced MDR1 gene expression in intractable epilepsy. Genetic polymorphisms of C3435T in the MDR1 gene did not contribute to the development of multidrug resistance in patients with intractable epilepsy.

Coronary artery disease presenting as intractable hiccups:an unclear mechanism

A 66yearold gentleman presented for a cardiovascular evaluation secondary to chest discomfort,right knee pain,and intractable hiccups.The patient also had type 2 diabetes mellitus,hypercholesterolemia,aortic atherosclerosis,and ascending aortic aneurysm.His family history was also significant for premature coronary artery disease in the father.The patient had been compliant with his medical therapy,which included subcutaneous 200 units/mL insulin degludec,18 mg/3 mL subcutaneous liraglutide,daily oral 500 mg metformin hydrochloride,daily oral 100 mg sitagliptin,daily oral 12.5 mg zolpidem,daily oral 5 mg tadalafil,and 20 mg tablet rosuvastatin daily.

Albumin liver dialysis as pregnancy-saving procedure in cholestatic liver disease and intractable pruritus

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3) is a rare cholestatic liver disease. Such liver disease can get worse by female hormone disorder. Albumin dialysis or Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) has been reported to reverse severe cholestasis-linked pruritus. Here, we report the first use of MARS during a spontaneous pregnancy and its successful outcome in a patient with PFIC3 and intractable pruritus. Albumin dialysis could be considered as a pregnancy-saving procedure in pregnant women with severe cholestasis and refractory pruritus.

Preliminary analysis of the effect of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of children with intractable epilepsy

BACKGROUND Implant vagus nerve stimulation is an adjunctive treatment for intractable epilepsy when patients are not suitable for resective surgery.AIM To identify the safety and efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in children with intractable epilepsy and analyze the effects on different epilepsy syndromes.METHODS Eligible children with intractable epilepsy were admitted to the study.We collected data from preoperative assessments as the baseline.During the followup time,we recorded the process of seizures(frequency,duration,and seizure type),the changes of drugs or parameters,the complications,etc.The mean reduction rate of seizures,response rate,and McHugh scale were chosen as the outcomes.RESULTS A total of 213 patients were implanted with Tsinghua Pins vagus nerve stimulators,and the average age was 6.6 years.In the follow-up time of postoperative 3 mo,6 mo,12 mo,18 mo,and 24 mo,the average reduction rate was 30.2%,49.5%,56.3%,59.4%,and 63.2%,while the response rate was 21.8%,62.5%,57.1%,69.2%,and 70.7%.In addition,implanted vagus nerve stimulation had different effects on epilepsy syndromes.The reduction rate of West syndrome increased from 36.4%(postoperative 6 m)to 74.3%(postoperative 24 m).The reduction rate of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome improved from 25.4%to 73.1%in 24 mo.The chi-square test of the five efficacy grades showed P<0.05.The comparison between the 3-mo follow-up and the 6-mo follow-up showed P<0.05,and the comparison between the 6-mo follow-up and the 24-mo follow-up showed P>0.05.CONCLUSION Vagus nerve stimulation is safe and effective in children with intractable epilepsy,and the seizure reduction occurred in a time-dependent manner.Moreover,patients with West syndrome may get the most benefits.

A case of successful management with splenectomy of intractable ascites due to congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II-induced cirrhosis

The congenital dyserythropoietic anemias comprise agroup of rare hereditary disorders of erythropoiesis,characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis as thepredominant mechanism of anemia and by characteristicmorphological aberrations of the majority of erythroblastsin the bone marrow.Congenital dyserythropoieticanemia type II is the most frequent type.All types ofcongenital dyserythropoietic anemias distinctly share ahigh incidence of iron loading.Iron accumulation occurseven in untransfused patients and can result in heartfailure and liver cirrhosis.We have reported about apatient who presented with liver cirrhosis and intractableascites caused by congenital dyserythropoietic anemiatype Ⅱ.Her clinical course was further complicatedby the development of autoimmune hemolyticanemia.Splenectomy was eventually performed whichachieved complete resolution of ascites,increase ofhemoglobin concentration and abrogation of transfusionrequirements.

Modified Titration Intratympanic Gentamicin Injection for Unilateral Intractable Ménière's Disease

This study looked into the efficacy of a modified titration protocol of intratympanic gentamicin injection（ITG） in the patients with unilateral intractable Ménière＇s disease（MD）. Modified titration protocol of ITG at a low dose（20 mg/m L） was administered to 10 patients with definite unilateral intractable MD. After initial first two fixed ITGs on weekly basis,the patients might or might not be given any more injections,depending on the appearance of unilateral vestibular loss（UVL）. ITG was terminated if the patients satisfied the criteria of UVL. All patients were followed-up for at least two years. The effects of ITG on the vertigo attack,functional level scores and postural balance were evaluated. Of the 10 cases,8 showed the sign of UVL after receiving initial two ITGs and were not given any more intratympanic injections,and the other 2 patients were administered three ITGs. A two-year follow-up revealed that complete and substantial vertigo control was achieved in 9 cases,and limited vertigo control in 1 patient. Hearing level was lowered in 2 patients. The posture stability and functional level scores were improved. Our study showed that the modified titration protocol of ITG at a low dose could effectively control vertigo in patients with unilateral intractable MD.

Intra-abdominal abscess and intractable sinus-a rare late complication after splenectomy

Intra-abdominal abscess and an intractable abdominal wall sinus forty years after splenectomy is rare, which has not been described previously in the surgical literature. We report the management of a patient who had presented with an intractable sinus on his left hypochondrium forty years after having undergone splenectomy and cholecystectomy, which persisted for more than two years despite repeated surgery and courses of antibiotics and compromised quality of life significantly from pain. A sinogram and computerised tomographic scan followed by exploration and laying open of the sinus delivered multiple silk sutures used for ligation of splenic pedicle, led to complete resolution of the sinus. It is important to avoid using non-absorbable silk sutures during splenectomy when splenectomy is undertaken in a contaminated field. Appropriate imaging and exploration is mandatory for its resolution.

Covid Pneumonitis Presenting as Intractable Hiccups

Background: Hiccups, also known as Singletus, can be a cause of worry and anxiety for most patients when persistent. It has long been associated with various infectious pathologies. Its association with SARS-COV-19 is relatively new with only a few cases reported so far. This case report highlights a unique presentation of Covid pneumonitis as intractable hiccups as the only symptom. With adequate laboratory and instrumental investigations, the aetiology was found to be Covid pneumonitis. Once the cause was detected and treatment initiated, the symptoms subsided. Conclusion: While hiccup can be a sign of various underlying chronic illnesses, its association with Covid-19 is relatively new with very few literatures reporting this finding. It is very crucial for clinicians to keep a high index of suspicion in patients presenting with hiccups.

Intractable Hiccups, an Unusual Presentation of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Hiccups are involuntary spasms of the diaphragm with closure of the glottis. This involves a complex neural pathway which includes the phrenic, vagus and the sympathetic pathways, it is usually self-limiting and resolves within a few minutes after onset. Hiccups are described as chronic when it lasts more than 48 hours and intractable when it persists for more than a month. Intractable hiccups are said to have an organic cause in 80% of cases and the remaining 20% psychogenic in origin, Some of the organic causes of intractable hiccups include: liver cancer, adrenal tumours, and kidney tumours. We present a case of right renal cell carcinoma which presented as intractable hiccups and was successfully managed by performing a radical right nephrectomy.

Correlation analysis of Toll-like receptor 3 content in peripheral blood with electroencephalogram parameters and neurotransmitter content in children with intractable epilepsy

Objective:To detect the content of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in peripheral blood of children with intractable epilepsy, explore the correlation between TLR3 content and EEG parameters, neurotransmitter contents.Methods:37 cases of Intractable epilepsy children in our hospital during September 2016to June 2018 were chosen as Intractable epilepsy group, 30 cases of healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination in our hospital were treated as Normal control group. The levels of TLR3, neurotransmitter [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE)] and electroencephalogram parameters [alpha, beta, delta, theta] in peripheral blood of two groups were compared. Pearson test was used to evaluate the correlation of TLR3 content in peripheral blood with EEG parameters and neurotransmitter content in children with intractable epilepsy.Results: Content of TLR3 in peripheral blood of Intractable epilepsy group was significantly higher than that of Normal control group;the alpha power and theta power of EEG parameters were lower than those of Normal control group;contents of neurotransmitters such as 5-HT, DA, E and NE were significantly lower than those of Normal control group (P<0.05). The correlation analysis showed that content of TLR3 in peripheral blood of children with intractable epilepsy was negatively correlated with levels of alpha and theta power of EEG, positively correlated with content of neurotransmitters such as 5-HT, DA, E and NE (P<0.05), but had no significant correlation was found with level of beta and delta power (P>0.05).Conclusion: The abnormal increase of TLR3 in peripheral blood of children with intractable epilepsy may be one of the direct causes of neurological impairment in children with intractable epilepsy.

Effects of lamotrigine + sodium valproate therapy on the nerve cell nutrition and apoptosis status as well as inflammatory response in patients with intractable epilepsy

Objective: To investigate the effects of lamotrigine + sodium valproate therapy on the nerve cell nutrition and apoptosis as well as inflammatory response in patients with intractable epilepsy. Methods: A total of 70 patients with intractable epilepsy who were treated in our hospital between August 2013 and October 2016 were divided into routine group (n=35) and study group (n=35) by random number table method, routine group received sodium valproate therapy and study group received lamotrigine combined with sodium valproate therapy. The differences in serum levels of neurotrophy indexes, nerve apoptosis indexes and inflammatory factors were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in serum levels of neurotrophy indexes, nerve apoptosis indexes and inflammatory factors between the two groups. After treatment, serum BDNF and NGF levels of study group were higher than those of routine group;serum Bcl-2, Fas and FasL levels of study group were lower than those of routine group whereas Bax level was higher than that of routine group;serum IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE2 levels of study group were lower than those of routine group. Conclusion: Lamotrigine combined with sodium valproate therapy can effectively increase the neurotrophy, inhibit the nerve apoptosis and reduce the systemic inflammatory response in patients with intractable epilepsy.

Clinical Observation on Intractable Insomnia Treated by Point Pressure in 42 Cases

The author have in recent years treated 42 cases of intractable insomnia (with a history of over 2 years) by point pressure, yielding quite satisfactory results when compared with those treated with clonazepam. This is reported as follows.……

Study on Effect of Small Dosage Tripterygium Glycosides in Auxiliary Treatment of Intractable Still's Disease

Intractable Still’s disease, namely the intractable systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a clinical difficulty of pediatrics, and so far there still lacks any special treatment. In virtue of the markedly anti-inflammatory and immunosuppres-sive effects of tripterygium glycosides (TG, product of Huangshi Pharmaceutical Factory, 10 mg/

Electrocorticography with Direct Cortical Stimulation for a Left Temporal Glioma with Intractable Epilepsy

ELECTROCORTICOGRAPHY (ECoG), the intraoperative recording of cortical potentials, has played an important role in the surgical management of patients with medically intractable epilepsy. This technique is useful in epilepsy surgery to delineate margins of epileptogenic zones, guide resection,