Objective To assess the ability of the new software SonoAVC to measure follicular volume and to compare these volume calculations with those made by conventional methods. Methods Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging was used to acquire volumetric data from the ovaries of 50 women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation as part of in-vitro fertilization treatment. SonoAVC was used to automatically measure the volume of follicles and virtual organ computer-aided analysis(VOCAL) was also applied to measure volume, which was used as the standard of volume measurement. And the three perpendicular diameters (xyz diameters) of follicles were manually measured by conventional two-dimensional(2D) ultrasound, which were used to estimate volume using the sphere formula. And the validity of each technique was compared using limits of agreement. Results One hundred and seventy-six follicles were studied. SonoAVC and VOCAL provided highly accurate and repeatable follicular volume measurements in all cases. Volumes estimated from manually derived follicular diameter measurements were less accurate and repeatable. VOCAL took more time in follicular volume of measurement than SonoAVC and conventional 2D displays. Conclusions SonoAVC provides highly accurate, repeatable,and efficient measurements of follicular volume.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; analysis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; analysis ; Melanoma ; enzymology ; Skin Neoplasms ; enzymology

Objective To investigate the prevalence of renal insufficiency and its associated factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus with normoalbuminuria using estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR) .Methods We retrospectively analyzed 10-year data of chronic complications in type 2 diabetics in-patient from the Chinese Diabetes Society.eGFR was estimated using the equation from Modification of Diet in Renal Disease(MDRD) study.The clinical characteristics as well as associated factors for low eGFR were analyzed among the normoalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients.Results A total of 1351 type 2 diabetic patients were included, 755 patients with normoalbuminuria, 466 patients with microalbuminuria and 130 patients with macroalbuminuria respectively.Among the patients, 310 (22.9% ) had low eGFR (GFR <60 ml · min~(-1) · 1.73 m~(-2) ) , 19.7% (149/755) in the patients with normoalbuminuria, 21.9% (102/466) in microalbuminuria and 45.4% ( 59/130 ) in macroalbuminuria Patients with normoalbuminuria and low eGFR suffered more chronic complications than those with normoalbuminuria and normal eGFR, mainly retinopathy, cerebrovascular diseases and sensory neuropathy.Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that age ( OR = 1.042, P < 0.001), diabetic duration ( OR = 1.038, P = 0.045), systolic blood pressure (OR = 1.017, P < 0.001) were independently associated with renal impairment among the patients with normoalbuminuria.Body mass index ( OR = 0.868, P < 0.001) and HbAlc (OR =0.898, P =0.021) were also related with renal insufficiency.Conclusion A considerable proportion in type 2 diabetic patients without albuminuria may exist renal impairment, and eGFR estimation could benefit the evaluation of renal function in such patients.

Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

Adult ; Cryptococcosis ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; Male

BACKGROUND: After local injection of Botulinum toxin type-A (BoTX-A), not only the function of the neuromuscular conjunction was affected, but also the changes occurred remote from the injected site. F-waves result from the back fire of the motoneuron activation, which may indirectly reflect the functional state of the motoneurons.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the remote effect of local BoTX-A injection by F-wave test.DESIGN: Self-control study based on patients with movement disorders.SETTING: Neruologic clinic in a university hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six patients with movement disorders not received previous local BoTX-A were selected from Neurological Clinic in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between September 2002 and July 2003, including 19 cases with hemificiospasm, 5 Meige syndrome and 2 torticollis spasmodicus.INTERVENTIONS: F- and M-waves of ulnar and tibial nerves were recorded before 1, 12 - 24 weeks after local injection of BoTX-A in 26 patients.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following parameters were analyzed:latency(ML) and amplitude (Mamp) of M-wave, minimal (Fmin) and average latency (Fave), amplitude of negative peak(Famp), duration (Fdur), persistence (Fpcr) and chronodispersion (Fchr) of F-wave.RESULTS: No definite F-response of ulnar nerve stimulation was obtained 1 week after injection in 3 HFS patients (5 nerves) . Fave prolonged significantly on ulnar and tibal nerve and Fdur increased significantly on ulnar nerve 1 week after injection, but there was no significant difference 12 - 24 weeks later, compared with before injection. No significant correlation of the altered F-wave parameters was found with the dosage of BoTX-A.CONCLUSION: Fdur and Fave could sensitively assess the remote effect,which correlates with distance away from the injected muscle, rather than the dosage of BoTX-A.

Objective To study the characteristics of bone mineral density and bone metabolism in elderly men.Methods 220 male elderly hospitalized patients were selected and divided into three groups according to age:65-74 years group,75-84 years group and 85-94 years group.Bone mineral density and bone metabolic biochemical makers including serum parathyroid hormone (PTH),bone gla-protein (BGP) and 25-dihydroxy vitamin D (25-OH VD) were detected.Results The prevalence of osteoporosis was increased along with ageing in three groups (6.8％,12.0％ vs.22.9％,respectively,F=4.986,P＜0.05).The characteristics of bone metabolism showed that serum PTH level was increased and serum levels of BGP,25-OH VD were decreased along with ageing (F =4.986,3.245,5.997,all P＜0.05),and the levels of BGP,25-OH VD were generally decreased in elderly men.Conclusions The prevalence of osteoporosis is high in elderly men.Bone metabolism can be used as the auxiliary index for osteoporosis risk assessment,which is helpful for the early diagnosis of primary osteoporosis.

AlM:To investigate the effect of teaching mode of problem- based learning ( PBL ) in the teaching of medical students' clinical ophthalmology.
METHODS: Five classes ( total 148 students ) were randomly selected as experimental group, using PBL method, at the same time another 5 classes ( total 151 students) were also randomly selected as control group, using lecture-based learning ( LBL) mode in 2010 grade. The scores of the experimental group were compared with control at the end of term. ln addition, students and teachers were respectively interviewed using self -administered questionnaire to obtain their evaluation for PBL practice.
RESULTS:The mean scores of PBL group (78. 35±7. 63) were significantly higher than control group (71. 68±6. 37) (P<0. 001). Most of students thought that their ability of referring, synthesizing and analyzing information was enhanced by PBL, and their skills both in written and oral were also improved. PBL made it easier to understand the contexts of course. lt was the best way to improve the effect of teaching in ophthalmology based on the increase of quality in novitiate that gives more chance to students of contacting with practice, developing the ability of clinical thinking and verifying the theory in clinical novitiate. Lots of teachers considered that the classroom atmosphere was more active, students were becoming more and more proactive on their classes and the relationship between students and teachers were more harmonious when PBL was used.
CONCLUSlON:Using PBL teaching mode can highly improve the teaching effectiveness of clinical epidemiology, which is worth popularizing.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of two materials used as scaffolds in periodontal tissue engineering. Methods: Dog periodontal ligament cells cultured in vitro were collected and seeded on three-dimensional framework of cancellous bone matrix (CBM) or nano-HAp/collagen (nHAC) . The cell growth in the scaffolds was observed by cell counting and scanning electronic microscope. Results: Porous structure of the two materials and adhesion and eugonic growth of cells in the scaffolds were observed by scanning electronic microscope.The cell number was doubled in both scaffolds in 72 h culture. Conclusion: It may be feasible to use CBM or nHAC as the scaffolds for periodontal tissue engineering.

Objective To investigate the association of transforming growth factor (TGF) gene rs1800469 (TGF1-509C/T) and rs1982073 (TGF1+869T/C) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with susceptibility of lung cancer. Methods The case group consisted of 193 histologically diagnosed lung cancer patients, and control group of 211 controls were selected from cancer-free patients at the same time. The single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs1800469 (TGF1-509C/T) and rs1982073(TGF1+869T/C) were analyzed by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method. The demographic characteristics, correlated risk factors of exposure and SNP between 2 groups were compared. Results The genotype distribution frequency of TGF1+869T/C and TGF1-509C/T in control group was accorded with Hardy-Weinberg law (P>0.05). The TT, TC and CC genotype distribution frequency in TGF1+869T/C in case group were 16.1%(31/193), 55.4%(107/193) and 28.5%(55/193), while these in control group were 22.3% (47/211), 50.2% (106/211) and 27.5% (58/211), and there were no statistical differences (P>0.05). The TT, TC and CC genotype distribution frequency in TGF1-509C/T in case group were 28.0%(54/193), 56.0%(108/193) and 16.1%(31/193), while these in control group were 27.0% (57/211), 51.2% (108/211) and 21.8% (46/211), and there were no statistical differences (P>0.05). The allele in rs1800469 (TGF1-509C/T) and rs1982073 (TGF1+869T/C) showed no association with lung cancer (P>0.05). Conclusions TGF gene SNP may not be associated with susceptibility to lung cancer in Han Chinese in North China.