OBJECTIVE: To perform morphometric analysis of bilateral cochleae in all subjects based on computed 3-dimensional reconstruction tomographic data and assist the surgeon in diagnosing the inner ear abnormality or surgical strategies. METHOD: Two hundred normal developed cochleae from 100 patients were divided into 5 groups according to age. Morphometric analysis of bilateral cochleae was performed in all subjects by 3D reconstructions and 2D multiplanar reformation. The length and width of the cochlear base, the length within the cochlear base, the height of the cochlea, the angle between the first and second turn of the cochlea, and the cochlear orientation within the cranial base were measured and compared in different age, sex and bilateral groups. RESULT: The length of the cochlear base was (8.56 +/- 0.52)mm, the width was (6.63 +/- 0.56)mm, the length within the cochlear base was (7.33 +/- 10.56)mm, the height of the cochlea was (3.76 +/- 0.28)mm, and the angle between the first and second turn of the cochlea was (15.82 +/- 2.78)degrees. All index above did not change significantly in different aging, sex or side (P > 0. 05). Variability in the angle between the first and second turn of the cochlea was considerable, and a smaller angle (from the midsagittal line) was showed in the older age groups than the younger groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION 3D and 2D volume rendering enables us to evaluate the features of cochlear morphology and orientation that may assist the surgeon in diagnosing the inner ear abnormality or surgical strategies.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cochlea ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Infant ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

Biosurfactant is a high surface active agent synthesized by microorganism Compared with chemical surfactant, biosurfactant has a low toxicity to ecological system of Earth So biosurfactant is gradually applied to many aspects of environmental pollution control A review is made from several aspects: screening of biosurfactant producing microorganism, optimization of culture brooth, isolation of biosurfactant et al In addition, on the foundation of the analysis, several suggestions about the development of biosurfactant are proposed in the end

Objective To evaluate the gender difference in the prognostic value of admission renal dysfunction (RD) for patients with acute ST-segment elevation (STEMI).Methods This was a multicenter,prospective cohort study.Four hundred and fifty STEMI patients within 24 h of onset and discharged successfully from 19 hospitals in Beijing were included in the study.All the patients were followed up six years later.According to gender,patients were categorized into two groups.Clinical characteristics,reperfusion therapy conditions and outcomes were analyzed.Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the possible gender difference in the prognostic value of RD.Results Among all the subjects,342 were men and 108 were women with age of (61.3 ± 12.5) years.Compared to man patients,women were older (P ＜ 0.001),and more subjects were with hypertension (67.6％ vs 49.7 ％,P =0.005),stroke (15.7％ vs 8.8％,P =0.039) and RD (17.9％ vs 6.7％,P =0.001).After adjustment of age,past medical history,and acute reperfusion therapy.Cox regression analysis showed that RD was associated with the risk of all-cause mortality (HR 3.771,95％ CI 1.382-10.294,P =0.010) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE,HR 2.292,95％ CI:1.091-4.817,P =0.029) in male patients.However,the associations between RD and all-cause mortality(HR 0.889,95％ CI 0.241-3.281,P =0.859),and MACE(HR 1.508,95％ CI 0.616-3.693,P =0.368)were disappeared in women.The interaction test showed that there existed significant interactions between gender and RD in all-cause mortality(HR 2.709,95％CI 1.150-6.384,P =0.023)and MACE(HR 1.977,95％ CI 1.009-3.876,P =0.023).Conclusions There is a considerable gender difference in the prognostic value of RD for the outcomes in patients with STEMI.RD seemed to be an important prognostic maker in male patients.

Objective To investigate the factors associated with delay in decision to seek treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) in Beijing. Methods This prospective,cross-sectional,multicenter survey was conducted from November 1,2005 and December 31 ,2006. The participants consisted of 799 patients with STEMI admitted within 24 h of symptom onset to 19 hospitals in Beijing. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews and medical records review. The patients were categorized into an early decision group and the a late decision group based on the 30 min cut-off. Results The median(25%,75%) decision delay in STEMI patients was 60(20, 180)min. Factors associated with late decision in an univariate analysis were age ≥65 years, retirement or unemployment, history of myocardial infarction,symptom onset at home and intermittent symptoms, whereas presence of bystanders such as friends,coworkers or even strangers,unbearable symptoms,dyspnea,sweating,syncope and attribution of symptoms to cardiac origin were related to early decision. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that history of myocardial infarction,absence of syncope, intermittent symptoms,bearable symptoms and attribution of symptoms to noncardiac origin were independent predictors of decision delay＞30 min. Patients in the early decision group had more chances to receive acute reperfusion therapies(P=0.001) and shorter time intervals from symptom onset to reperfusion therapies(P＜0.001). Conclusions To a great extent patients with AMI in Beijing delayed in decision to seek treatment. History of myocardial infarction, symptom characteristics and symptom attribution were associated with decision delay.

Objective To study the mechanism of anti-inflammation and bacteriostasis effect of Qinlian Liyan Heji. Methods To assess the anti-inflammatory effect, blood capillary permeability in mice was increased by acetic acid, the swelling of toe in rats was induced by albumen, and granuloma was induced by cotton ball in mice.The agar dilution method was used to check the minimal inhibitory concentration of Qinlian Liyan Heji on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Moraxella catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae.The microdilution method was used to detect the minimal inhibitory concentration of Qinlian Liyan Heji on group A streptococci, Streptococcal pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae. Results Contrast to the negative control group, Qinlian Liyan Heji significantly inhibited the increase of blood capillary permeability caused by acetic acid in the middle dose and the high dose groups.In the low dose and middle dose groups, Qinlian Liyan Heji obviously reduced the swelling of plantar in 2, 3, 4, 5 h.In the high dose group, Qinlian Liyan Heji markedly lowered the swelling of plantar in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 h. Qinlian Liyan Heji significantly reduced the granuloma caused by cotton ball. On the other hand, Qinlian Liyan Heji exerted bacteriostatic effect on the above 7 types of bacteria. Conclusion Qinlian Liyan Heji has effects of anti-inflammation and bacteriostasis.

Objective To investigate impact of admission renal dysfunction on in-hospital and longterm outcome of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods This was a multicentre,observational,prospective-cohort study.Totally 718 consecutive patients were admitted to 19 hospitals in Beijing within 24 hours of onset of STEMI.Estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated according to the abbreviated MDRD equation.The patients were categorized into two groups as renal preservation group(eGFR ≥60 ml · min-1 · 1.73 m-2) and renal dysfunction group(eGFR ＜ 60 ml ·min-1 · 1.73 m-2).The association between admission renal dysfunction and in-hospital and six-year outcome was evaluated.Results A total of 718 patients with STEMI were evaluated.There were 551 men and 167 women with age of (61.0 ± 13.0) years.One hundred and thirty-three patients(18.5％) had renal dysfunction.Patients with renal dysfunction were more often female and older,more patients had hypertension,diabetes and heart failure,and more patients had ≥ Killip Ⅱ classes on admission.These patients were less likely to present with chest pain.The in-hospital mortality(16.5％ vs 2.6％,P＜0.001),major adverse cardiac events(MACE) (60.9％ vs 24.4％,P ＜0.001),six-year all-cause mortality(35.3％vs 11.4％,P ＜ 0.001),six-year cardiac mortality (15.9％ vs 5.7％,P =0.001) and six-year MACE (52.4％ vs 28.0％,P ＜ 0.001)were markedly increased in renal dysfunction group than in renal preservation group.After adjusting for other confounding factors,renal dysfunction was an independent predictor of in-hospital MACE (OR 2.120,95％ CI 1.563-2.878,P =0.003),six-year all-cause mortality (RR 2.122,95％ CI 1.127-3.996,P =0.020) and six-year MACE(RR 1.586,95％ CI 1.003-2.530,P =0.047).Conclusions The mortality and MACE in STEMI patients with renal dysfunction were higher than in those with preserved renal function.Renal dysfunction evaluated by eGFR on admission is an important independent predictor of short-term and long-term outcome in patients with acute STEMI.

To study the abnormal distribution of type Ⅳ collagen and laminin chains in glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in membranous nephropathy (MN).Methods 52 cases of MN were collected and staged according to electron microscopic morphological characteristics,and 10 cases of kidney tissues of minimal change disease were used as normal GBM control.Distribution pattern of or5 (Ⅳ) chain,laminin α5and β2 chains,and laminin α2 and β1 chains were detected using immunofluorescence method.Results In minimal change disease,α5 (Ⅳ) chain,laminin α5 and β2 chains all showed continuously linear positive expression along GBM,and laminin α2 and β1 chains were negatively expressed in GBM.In stage Ⅰ MN,α5 (Ⅳ) chain,laminin α.5 and β2 chains all showed continuous linear positive expression along GBM.In stage ⅡMN,the expression of α5 (Ⅳ) chain was increased and showed abundant spikes on the basis of continuous linear positive staining along GBM,and the expression of laminin α5 and β2chains was increased,and segmental spikes were seen on the basis of continuous linear positive staining along GBM.In stage ⅢMN,the expression of α5 (Ⅳ),laminin α5 and β2 chains was also enhanced and segmental double tracks were seen.The expression of laminin α2 chain was negative in GBM in stage ⅠMN,but granular positive expression along GBM was seen in stage Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ MN.No positive expression of laminin β1chain was seen in GBM in different stages in MN.Conclusion The GBM thickness in MN originates not only from intrinsic type Ⅳ collagen chains and laminin chains,but also from laminin α2chain,which only exist in glomerulus mesangium in normal condition.

Objectives To investigate the binding of natural IgM to Staphylococcus aureus and its role in the phagocytosis of S. aureus by phagocytes, and to pave way for further study on the role and mechanism of natural IgM in defense of bacteria. Methods The binding of natural antikeratin IgM 3B4 to S. aureus was analyzed by ELISA and indirect immunoiluorescence. The role of 3B4 in the phagocytosis was analyzed by colony forming assay and flow cytometry (FCM). Results Both ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence proved the binding of natural IgM 3B4 to S. aureus. Colony forming assay found that the amount of colony forming units decreased significantly when 3B4 was added. The analysis of FCM showed that 3B4 augmented phagocytosis of 5. aureus by phagocytes. Conclusions Natural antikeratin IgM 3B4 can bind to S. aureus and regulate the phagocytosis of it, indicating that natural IgM may play some role in the defense against bacterial infection.

Objective To explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of laser therapy on serum and colon tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in rats with oxazolone induced ulcerative colitis (UC).Methods Thirty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:a normal group ( n =6),a UC model group ( n =8 ),a 400 mW laser treatment group ( n =8 ) and a 200 mW laser treatment group ( n =8 ).Odified oxasolone sensitization was used to induce UC models in the rats.The AsAlGa semiconductor laser used in the treatment had a power of 200 mW or 400 mW.The therapy lasted for 10 days with daily 10 min sessions.The rats were sacrificed after treatment and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure IL- 6,IL- 10 and TNF-α in serum and ulcer tissues in all groups.Results Compared with the normal group,the weights of the UC model rats were significantly lower,and they had severe mucoid bloody stool.TNF-α and IL-6 levels in serum and colon tissues increased significantly and IL-10 decreased significantly,so the UC model was successfully established.After laser treatment,body weight gain and stool moderation in rats were observed.in the 400 mW group,and average TNF-α and IL-6 levels in both serum and colon tissue decreased significantly.IL-10 increased significantly,close to the level of the normal group.In the 200 mW group,serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly lower,and IL-6 in the colon tissue was reduced significantly.TNF-α did not lessen significantly,and serum and colon tissue IL-10 levels did not improve significantly compared with the model group.Conclusions 400 mW AsAlGa semiconductor laser irradiation can effectively regulate cytokines after oxaZolone induced UC in rats in two ways.It reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and increases the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines.This may imply one of the underlying molecular mechanisms of low energy laser treatment of UC.

ObjectiveTo discuss the characters and management of renal lymphangiectasia.MethodsThe clinical data of two cases of renal lymphangiectasia were reviewed. The first patient was a 37-year-old woman with the chief complaint of lumbago in the right flank for 8 days.B-ultrasound showed mixed echo in perinephric space. On CT, similar appearances of fluid collections were seen, but not conspicuous. Conservative treatment was taken for three weeks and the symptoms were relieved. Three month later the patient had right lumbago relapse. CT scan revealed a large amount of fluid collection under the capsule of the right kidney. Percutaneous drainage was carried out. Two months later B-ultrasound showed fluid collection in perinephric space and percutaneous drainage again the fluid was sent to pathology. The second case was a 32-year-old woman with the chief complaint of lumbago in the left flank for the past three years. Ultrasonography revealed hyperechoic surrounding the left kidney. CT scan showed a left perinephric collection of fluid attenuation and circumferentially draping around the kidney. Renal lymphangioma was diagnosed and the patient underwent surgery.ResultsNeedle aspiration of the perinephric fluid was carried out, and laboratory analysis showed most leucocytes were lymphocytes. The pathologic diagnosis of the first case was renal lymphangiectasia. There was no recurrence during follow - up of two months. The second case was diagnosed renal lymphangioma pathologically. Follow - up for nine years, revealed no relapse.ConclusionsUltrasonography and CT contributed to the diagnosis of renal lymphangiectasia. Needle aspiration bioposy and histology could confirm it. Treatment of asymptomatic cases is not required. When collections are very large and cause symptoms, percutaneous drainage may be carried out however there is a risk of relapse.