Objective To investigate the clinico-pathological characteristics of nodular goiter (NG) with lymphocytes infiltration and its relationship with Hashimoto′s disease. Methods Clinical and histologic data were collected and reviewed for 1121 cases of nodular goiter and 55 cases of thyroid adenoma, among which 83 cases had lymphocytes infiltration. These 83 cases of NG with lymphocytes infiltration were observed histologically in detail, followed up and assessed for the correlation of thyroid function to histologic findings. Results The overall incidence of lymphocytic infiltration in non-toxic nodular goiter was 7.4% (83/1121). Most of them were women of middle age. All had lymphocytes infiltration, follicule atrophy and oxiphilic epithelia in the background of nodular goiter. Seventy-six percent underwent cystic degeneration or had fibrous scar. Nineteen percent with lymphocytes infiltration in NG developed post-operative hypothyroidism. Six cases (7%) had high levels of thyroid auto-antibodies. None of the 55 cases of thyroid adenoma had overt lymphocytes infiltration. Conclusion Nodular goiter with lymphocytes infiltration and Hashimoto′s disease shares similar morphology and clinical presentation in some degree. It seems that NG with lymphocytes infiltration is a kind of inflammatory hyperplasia relating to autoimmunity and perhaps the beginning of some cases of Hashimoto′s disease.

ObjectiveTo assess the specificity of P50 auditory-evoked potential in schizophrenic patients with violent and aggressive behaviors， so as to provide objective biological markers for predicting violent behaviors of schizophrenic patients. MethodsA total of135 schizophrenic patients who met the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10） were divided into aggressive group （n=70） and non-aggressive group （n=65） according to the assessment results of the Modified Overt Aggression Scale （MOAS）， meantime， another 60 healthy individuals matched for age and gender were set as healthy group. Then the P50 auditory-evoked potentials of all selected individuals were measured using EP/EMG system （MEB-9200， Nihon Kohden， Japan）. ResultsAmp S2 of the aggressive group was significantly higher than those of the non-aggressive group and healthy control group， with statistical differences ［（9.86±6.04）μV vs. （7.06±3.88）μV， P=0.004； （9.86±6.04）μV vs. （7.82±3.87）μV， P=0.031］. The proportion of S2/S1 ratio ≥0.5 was 72.88%， 43.86% and 30.00% in aggressive group， non-aggressive group and healthy group， which was the highest in aggressive group， with statistical differences （P<0.01）. The amplitude difference of P50 （S1-S2） of the aggressive group was lower than those of the non-aggressive group and the healthy control group， the differences were of statistical significance ［（4.35±9.39）μV vs.（9.89±8.48）μV， P=0.001； （4.35±9.39）μV vs.（13.42±9.81）μV， P<0.01］. ConclusionThe violent and aggressive behaviors in schizophrenic patients may be related to the sensory gating deficit.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting furcation involvement (FI) in maxillary molars. METHODS: Thirty-one maxillary molars of 15 patients with generalized chronic periodontitis considered for furcation surgery were assessed. Clinical examination and CBCT were performed, and the FI degree was evaluated. Clinical and CBCT-based FI assessments were compared with intrasurgical data. RESULTS: The agreement between clinical and intrasurgical assessments was weak in all sites, with a kappa of less than 0.4; the complete, overestimated, and underestimated agreement percentages were 42.0%, 24.7%, and 33.3%, respectively. The agreement between the CBCT and intrasurgical assessments was strong, with a ka ppa of 0.831; the complete, overestimated, and underestimated agreement percentages were 88.2%, 3.2%, and 8.6%, respectively. The agreement between both assessments was the highest in the buccal furcation entrance (κ=0.896), followed by that in the distopalatal (κ=0.822) and mesiopalatal (κ=0.767) furcation entrances. CONCLUSIONS CBCT images demonstrated high accuracy in assessing the horizontal bone loss of FI in maxillary molars.
Chronic Periodontitis ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Furcation Defects ; Humans ; Molar

Objective: To investigate the value of karyotype analysis, bacterial artificial chromosomes-on-beads (BoBs), chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the diagnosis of sex chromosome numerical and structural abnormalities. Methods: Conventional G-banding staining technique was used to analyze the karyotypes of amniotic fluid cells and parental peripheral blood cells in two pregnancies with prenatal diagnosis indications. Sex chromosome numerical and structural abnormalities were analyzed based on the results of G-banding, BoBs, CMA and FISH. Results: The results of G-banding karyotype analysis showed that there were mosaics in amniotic fluid cells collected from both cases. Karyotype of Case A was 45,X[25]/46,X,idic(Y)(q11.2?)[6], and Case B was 45,X[39]/46,X,psu idic(X)(q21.32?)[44]. Parental peripheral blood karyotypes of both families were normal. Prenatal BoBs indicated copy number abnormalities in sex chromosomes (Y chromosome in Case A and X chromosome in Case B). CMA results suggested a 20.1 Mb duplication in Yp11.32q11.222, and a 7.7 Mb deletion in Yq11.222q11.23 in fetus A with possible karyotype of 46,X,idic(Y)(q11.222); for fetus B, a 92.0 Mb duplication in Xp22.33q21.32, and a 63.0 Mb deletion in Xq21.32q28 were detected, and the karyotype might be 46,X,psu idic(X)(q21.32). The mid-term FISH test of amniotic fluid cells showed that 90% of the amniotic cells from Case A were 45,X, and 10% were 46,X,idic(Y)(q11.2); about 38% were 45,X, and 62% were 46,X,psu dic(X)(q21.3) from Case B. Conclusions Numerical and structural abnormalities of sex chromosomes could be accurately diagnosed by combination of several methods including G-banding karyotype analysis, prenatal BoBs, CMA and FISH, which would help to effectively reduce birth defects.

Objective: To investigate whether the artermisinin has beneficial efficacy to improve the learning and memory in aged mice, as well as the possible mechanisms regarding the inflammatory cytokines and monoamlne neurotransmitters. Methods: 30 aged mice(22 month old) were randomly divided into the aged mouse model control group(n=10), the artemisinin low dose group(artemisinin 0.1% in feed, n=10)and the artemisinin high dose group(artemisinin 0.3% in feed, n=10). Another 10 mice(2 month old) served as young mouse model control group. The artemisinin low dose group and the artemisinin high dose group fed artemisinin feed for 10 weeks. The aged mouse model control group and the young mouse model control group were fed standard feed.Morris water maze test was performed to assess learning and memory capacities for evaluation of the cognitive degree. Serum TNF-α and IL-6 were also detected by ELISA and dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin in the brain were analyzed by HPLC. Results: (1) Morris water maze test showed, the retention time of the aged mouse model control group was significantly longer than that of the young mouse model control group (P<0.05). The retention time of the artemisinin low dose group and the artemisinin high dose group was significantly shorter than that of the aged mouse model control group (P<0.05). In the ninth days of the reverse recessive platform experiment, the retention time of the artemisinin low dose group ((50.1±19.9) s) and the artemisinin high dose group ((43.2±17.6) s) was significantly shorter than that of the aged mouse model control group ((66.1±29.1)s, P<0.05). (2) Serum inflammatory factors test showed, the level of IL-6 and TNF-αin the artemisinin low dose group (IL-6 : (28.4±4.3) pg/ml, TNF-α: (51.8±8.2) pg/ml) and the artemisinin high dose group(IL-6 : (17.6±2.3) pg/ml, TNF-α: (38.6±12.5) pg/ml) were significantly lower than those in aged mouse model control group(IL-6 : (36.12±7.98)pg/ml), TNF-α : (67.32±10.27) pg/ml, P<0.05). (3) Neurotransmitter content test in the brain showed, the content of DA((19.96±3.89) mmol/ml) and 5-HT((5.73±0.93)mmol/ml) in low dose artemisinin group was higher than that in aged mouth model control group. The content of DA((26.13±5.66) mmol/ml), NE((16.31±2.69) mmol/ml) and 5-HT((8.03±1.93) mmol/ml) in high dose artemisinin group was higher than that in aged mouth model group(DA(13.96±3.89) mmol/ml, NE(8.73±2.16) mmol/ml, 5-HT (3.82±1.09)mmol/ml, all P<0.05). Conclusion Artemisinin can improve the ability of learning and memory in aged mice. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the inflammation and promoting the level of neurotransmitters in the brain of aged mice.

Embryo technology, including super-ovulation, embryo transfer and embryo nucleus transfer, was a well-developed technology in 20th century. It has been widely used in animal science and veterinary and boomed livestock industry in China. Chinese livestock producer could gain high grade breeds in short time through embryo technology by the reason that embryo technology could make outstanding gene spread out in herd. With the help of embryo technology, rare animals could have a chance to extend their progeny in fast changing world. In this article, we briefly introduced the process of embryo transfer and application of embryo technology in China.

China ; Dissent and Disputes ; Humans ; Negotiating ; Physician-Patient Relations

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a commonly used phenolic environmental estrogen. Long-term exposure of female mammalians to BPA can lead to endocrine disorders, followed by the morphological and functional changes in ovary, uterus, vagina, and oviducts. The interactions of BPA with various target molecules or tissues will cause different effects. To further elucidate the effects of BPA on female reproductive system, we review the changes in the structure and functions of female reproduction system after BPA exposure and their possible mechanisms.
Benzhydryl Compounds ; toxicity ; Endocrine Disruptors ; toxicity ; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal ; toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Ovary ; drug effects ; Phenols ; toxicity ; Uterus ; drug effects ; Vagina ; drug effects

Many pathological phenomena of male infertility are related to epigenetic changes in male germ cells. Epigenetic regulation during spermatogenesis plays an important role in mitotic/meiotic divisions and spermiogenesis. The histones have various post-translational modifications on different amino acid residues during spermatogenesis. These modifications are crucial to the precise regulation of spermatogenesis. Moreover, the histone-to-protamine transition will occur during spermiogenesis. Many studies have also found that abnormal changes of histone modifications during spermatogenesis may damage the sperm development, leading to male sterility. This article reviews the changes of histone modifications during spermatogenesis, the regulation of the development of male germ cells, and the relationship between histone abnormalities and male sterility.
Epigenesis, Genetic ; Histones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; physiopathology ; Male ; Spermatogenesis