Objective To analyse the clinical features in general paresis of insane(GPI)as to offering an early diagnosis. Methods A retrospective analysis of 2 cases of GPI was focused on their clinical manifestations. Results The clinical features of GPI showed: (1) Chronic onset, progressive development in 2 cases; (2) Dementia was key symptom.Hasegawa dementia scales were 4 and 17 in 2 cases.2 cases accompanied with abnormal mentality,such as delusion of grandeur ,euphoria and so on;(3)GPI have features of pupil change,dysarthria,muscular tension,abnormal reflection; (4) Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) syphilis antibody reaction manifested positive, CSF protein content was increased significantly, and cells increased ( with lymph cell mainly ); (5) Head MRI manifested: cerebral atrophy in 2 cases, multiple abnormal signals in cerebral parenchyma in 1 case. Conclusions GPI misdiagnosis rate is high. Important basis of diagnosis remains on clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging examinations.

Objective To investigate the associations of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) promoter polymorphisms with anti-AQP4 antibody and genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in Southern Chinese population.Methods The polymorphisms of AQP4promoter 0 and 1 were analyzed by PCR and DNA sequencing in 18 NMO,38 MS,13 recurrent myelitis (RM),6 recurrent optic neuritis (RON)patients and 39 healthy controls. Results Fourteen polymorphism loci were observed in AQP4-promoter 0,while 6 ones were observed in AQP4-promoter 1.Among them,the incidence rate of polymorphism at position - 1003 bp (A-G) of AQP4-promoter 0 in anti-AQP4 antibody-positive patients was significantly higher than that in anti-AQP4 antibody-negative patients and controls (former:13/18 vs 20/45,P =0.046; latter:13/18 vs 10/39,P =0.001 ).The incidence rates of polymorphism at position between -401 bp and -400 bp ( C inserted) of AQP4-promoter 1 in anti-AQP4 antibody-positive and -negative patients were significantly higher than that in controls( former:5/16 vs 0/28,P =0.008; latter:8/38 vs 0/28,P =0.027 ). The incidence rates of polymorphism at position - 1003 bp (A-G) of AQP4-promoter 0 and position between -401 bp and -400 bp ( C inserted)of AQP4-promoter 1 in patients with NMO and MS were significantly higher than that in controls( NMO:11/18 vs 10/39,P =0.010;4/15 vs 0/28,P =0.020; MS:19/38 vs 10/39,P =0.027;8/34 vs 0/28,P =0.018).Conclusions Polymorphisms loci were observed in AQP4-promoter 0 and AQP4-promoter 1,which may have an influence on the susceptibility to MS and NMO.Polymorphism at position - 1003 bp ( A-G) of AQP4-promoter 0 may be related to the emergence of anti-AQP4 antibody in patients with NMO and MS.

On the basis of ‘ cooperation between schools and hospitals’,teaching of specialized course of clinical medicine in the second academic year was arranged in affiliated hospitals and teaching hospitals.According to the teaching content and features of specialized courses,flexible teaching methods were adopted,including theoretical instruction,bedside teaching,case studies,situational teaching,integration of teaching,practicing and studying and clinical internships etc.Through selecting and training qualified teachers,establishing practical training base and strengthening teaching management and quality control,the quality of teaching was effectively guaranteed and satisfactory teaching effect was received.

Objective To improve differential diagnosis between acute disseminated encephalomyelitis ( ADEM) and classical multiple sclerosis ( CMS).Methods All 20 cases of ADEM and 24 cases of CMS were examined.Their epidemiological and clinical findings,laboratory features and magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) data were analyzed using x2 test for categorical variables,Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests for continuous variables.Results ADEM and CMS showed no sex predominance.Patients with ADEM ((27 ±15) years) were younger than CMS ((37 ±13) years,Z= -2.218,P =0.027).The following findings were more commonly seen in ADEM compared with CMS:predemyelinating infectious disease (75% vs 4%,x2 =23.652,P = 0.000),fever (65% vs 4%,x2 =18.609,P = 0.000),meningeal irritation sign (40% vs 0,x2 = 9.189,P =0.002),seizure (25% vs 0,x2 =4.514,P = 0.034),and encephalopathy.ADEM patients were more likely to present with blood leucocytosis ( (11.9 ± 5.8) ×109/L vs (8.0±3.2) ×109/L,Z= -2.030,P=0.042),high C-reactive protein (2.74 mg/L vs 0.49 mg/L,Z = - 3.028,P = 0.002),increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (11.00 mm/h vs 7.00 mm/h,Z= -2.406,P =0.016),and cerebrospinal fluid leucocytosis (9 × 106/L vs 2×106/L,Z =- 2.781,P = 0.005).There were no differences in cerebrospinal fluid protein and oligoclonal band between the two groups.The following MRI lesions were more commonly seen in ADEM patients:cortical gray matter lesions (14/20,x2=15.213,P=0.000),basal ganglia gray matter lesions (14/20,x2 =8.910,P = 0.003),and brainstem lesions ( 14/20,x2 = 5.867,P = 0.015).In contrast,lesions in subcortical white matter (21/24,x2 = 17.628,P =0.000),periventricular area (21/24,x2 =15.213,P=0.000) and corpus callosum ( 14/24,x2 = 8.640,P = 0.003 ) were more common in the MRI image of CMS patients.The lesions in spinal cord were usually centrally distributed in ADEM (83% ),while peripherally in CMS (85%,x2 = 11.542,P = 0.001).The lesions had poorly defined margins in ADEM (95%),but well defined margins in CMS (75%,x2 =21.787,P = 0.000).Conclusion There are differences in epidemiological and clinical findings,laboratory features and MRI appearances between ADEM and CMS.

BACKGROUND: Traditional orthodontic anchorage has the disadvantages of discomfort, difficult to control, affecting the appearance, and relying on patient’s close cooperation. Because of short-time clinical research and application, mini-implant anchorage has a great controversy in the orthodontic treatment. OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of mini-implant anchorage in the orthodontic treatment. METHODS:Eighty cases undergoing the orthodontic treatment at the Center of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Yaan People’s Hospital in China from January 2012 to June 2015 were enrol ed in this study. These patients were equal y randomized into test group and control group, which were subjected to mini-implant anchorage or headgear anchorage, respectively. The treatment was continued for 2 years in the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After the treatment, the successful rate in the test group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05); the upper central incisor convex distance difference, inclination angle of the upper central incisor, displacement of the molar, SNA angle, inter-canine width, were significantly better in the test group than the control group (P < 0.05). At weeks 4 and 8 after intervention, there was no difference in the expression of osteoprotegerin in the periodontal tissue between the two groups (P > 0.05), but the rate of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the test group than the control group (P < 0.05). These findings indicate the mini-implant anchorage method can significantly improve the therapeutic efficacy, improve the success rate of treatment, and reduce the incidence of postoperative infections, which has good safety and stability, and has good clinical application value.

AIM:To isolate and culture tumor stem cells in human retinoblastomas (RTSC). METHODS: Retinoblastoma (RB) single cells acquired from fresh tumors of RB patients by enzyme digestion were seeded in serum-free medium at a density of 1?10~8 cells/L. Clonal cultures were plated at a density of 1?10~6 cells/L. Secondary tumor spheres were triturated again and passaged in fresh medium. The sphere-forming, proliferation and differentiation assays were performed. RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry were performed to identify the RTSC and differentiated cells. RESULTS: All RB tumors studied produced proliferating neurosphere-like tumor spheres, which were also passaged multiple times. These tumor spheres had the capability to self-renew, proliferate in SFM medium, expressed retinal progenitor cell related genes, and differentiated into neurons and glia when they were transferred to differentiation conditions.CONCLUSION:Our findings demonstrated that there were subsets of tumor stem cells resembling retinal progenitor cells in human RB, which can be isolated, cultured in SFM. The RTSC may be original cells of RB tumor, and also become the new target of tumor therapy.

Cryptococcus gattii is a kind of Cryptococcus that infects the lungs and central nervous system through the inhalation of infectious particles such as spores or Cryptococcus yeast cells. The development of clinical disease of Cryptococcus gattii may be determined by the sex, immunity and genetics of the host factors, in which immune system factors play an important role in host injury. Their defects will have serious clinical consequences. Cryptococcus gattii mainly infects the population with normal immune, and the infection of immunosuppressed population is rare. The infection mechanism, molecular types, clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of Cryptococcus gattii meningitis were different between the two populations. This article reviews the main differences in different immune status with Cryptococcus gattii meningitis.

Cryptococcal meningitis is a common fungal meningitis that may present with an abnormal immune response during effective antifungal therapy and is called immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Similar phenomenon can also be seen in non-HIV patients with normal immune function in the past. Paradoxical clinical and/or imaging deterioration occurs due to strong immune response during treatment, which is called post-infectious inflammatory response syndrome. At present, it has not attracted attention. This complication is an important cause of poor prognosis in non-HIV patients. Early identification and treatment of post-infectious inflammatory response syndrome is of great significance. This article will review its possible pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics, risk prediction, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate long-term efficacy and safety of ambrisentan monotherapy in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

METHODSPatients with PAH who received 2.5 mg or 5 mg of ambrisentan once daily between July 10, 2011 and August 30, 2012 for at least 6 months were enrolled. The efficacy endpoints were change in exercise capacity, World Health Organization (WHO) functional class and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, echocardiographic parameters. The safety endpoint was the safety of long-term ambrisentan administration, as defined by the incidence and severity of adverse events.

RESULTSA total of 18 patients with PAH were enrolled. Mean age was (39 ± 17) years, 8 (55.6%) were female, and 11 (61.1%) patients were in WHO functional class III. The median duration of treatment was 17 months (range: 6-26 months). After treatment, the 6MWD was significantly increased[ (495 ± 97) m vs. (400 ± 91) m, P < 0.001], NT-proBNP was significantly reduced [308 (53-1 645) ng/L vs. 80(22-454) ng/L, P = 0.005], the systolic pulmonary artery was significantly decreased [(62 ± 30) mmHg vs. (82 ± 41) mmHg, P = 0.001] and left ventricular end diastolic diameter was significantly increased [(44 ± 6) mm vs. (40 ± 6) mm, P < 0.004] compared to pre-treatment. WHO functional class was improved compared with baseline in 11(61.1%) patients, stable in 7(38.9%) patients. No patient died during the treatment period. No patient was withdrawn from this study for safety reasons.

CONCLUSIONSLong-term treatment of ambrisentan can effectively improve the exercise capacity, reduce systolic pulmonary artery pressure and NT-proBNP in PAH patients. Ambrisentan is safe and well tolerated in Chinese PAH patients.

Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; metabolism ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Phenylpropionates ; therapeutic use ; Pyridazines ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of inhaled iloprost on top of other pulmonary hypertension (PH) specific therapies for patients with PH and severe right heart failure.

METHODSWe consecutively enrolled WHO functional class IV patients with PH and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from January 2011 to January 2013. Inhaled iloprost was administrated to all enrolled patients, oral endothelin antagonist receptors (ERAs) and/or type 5 phosphodiasterase inhibitors (PDE5-I) were also used as basis therapies. The in-hospital outcomes and the changes of right heart functional parameters were observed.

RESULTSTwenty-four patients with PH and 5 patients with CTEPH were enrolled. After a mean treatment duration of (23 ± 13) days, 3 patients dead and significant improvement was observed in the remaining 26 patients. Compared with the baseline, heart rate decreased from (99 ± 14) to (91 ± 12) bpm (P = 0.001), plasma NT-proBNP level decreased from 5 823 (3 029-13 248) to 3 220 (1 678-6 720) ng/L (P < 0.001), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) increased from (1.3 ± 0.4) to (1.4 ± 0.3) cm (P = 0.018), right ventricular diameter decreased (left-to-right diameter from (57 ± 11) to (53 ± 10) mm, P = 0.040, and superoinferior diameter from (69 ± 11) to (64 ± 16) mm, P = 0.027), Tbil also decreased from (41 ± 34) to (26 ± 17) µmol/L (P < 0.001). No severe side effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONThe strategy of inhaled iloprost on top of other PAH-specific target therapy medications is effective and safe for PH patients with severe right heart failure.

Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Iloprost ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Peptide Fragments ; Vasodilator Agents ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right