Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of thyroid disease in patients with primary Sj(o)gren's syndrome (pSS).Methods A total of 81 pSS patients were retrospectively investigated for thyroid dysfunction and the presence of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb),antithyroglobulin antibody (TGAb).Sex,age,erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP),white blood cell count,and serum immunoglobulins were also analyzed.Results Thirty-one patients were identified as having thyroid dysfunction,including 3 with hyperthyroidism,18 with hypothyroidism,and 10 with subclinical hypothyroidism.There were no significant differences in the incidences of some clinical manifestations between patients with or without thyroid dysfunction,such as dry mouth,dry eyes,joint pain,Raynaud's phenomenon,palpable purpura,peripheral neuropathy,interstitial lung disease,liver involvement,and renal tubular acidosis.Differences were not statistically significant for ESR and CRP between two groups.Also,the titers of anti-nuclear antibody,anti-SSA antibody,antiSSB antibodies,and rheumatoid factor between two groups showed no significant differences.However,white blood cell count [(5.65 ± 0.49 vs 7.22 ± 0.48) × 109/L,P＜0.05] and hematoglobin [(110.50 ± 3.64 vs 122.80 ± 3.02) g/L,P＜0.05],as well as the titers of TGAb [(587.30 ± 204.30 vs 58.76 ± 13.78) U/ml,P＜0.05] and TPOAb [(213.70 ± 39.64 vs 29.57 ± 8.49) IU/ml,P ＜ 0.05] were significantly different between the two groups.Conclusions Thyroid diseases are frequently associated with pSS.Therefore,extended screening for existing thyroid diseases during the routine assessment of pSS patients is recommended.

Objective To investigate the causes and therapy of complications of microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS). Method Totally 255 cases of HFS underwent MVD in our hospital from December 2000 to March 2000. Among the cases,207 patients were followed up for more than 1 year,the occurrence and recovery of their postoperative complications were reviewed in this study. Results In this series,no patient died;cerebrospinal fluid leakage was detected in 15 patients (7.2%) in one week after the operation;facial palsy occurred in 48 cases (23.2%);hearing deficit was shown in 20 patients (9.7%);and tinnitus was found in 12 cases (5.8%). The patients were followed up for 1 to 7.3 years with a mean of (4.2?2.7) years,during the period,none of the cases had cerebrospinal fluid leakage or intracerebral infection,and the cases who had facial palsy and tinnitus recovered completely;only 10 patients remained hearing deficit (including unilateral deaf in 6) during the follow-up.Conclusion Cerebrospinal fluid leakage,facial palsy,hearing deficit,tinnitus are the major complications of MVD,among which cerebrospinal fluid leakage,facial palsy,and tinnitus can be improved after treatments,but hearing deficit is non-reversible.

Spermatogenesis is a complex process. Current knowledge about human spermatogenesis is mainly based on the mouse model while little is known about the initial stage of this fundamental process in humans. The establishment of the model of spermatogenesis in vitro may contribute to an overall understanding of male germ cell development, an insight into the mechanisms of infertility, and clinical management of male infertility. This review summarizes current knowledge about the generation of germ cell-like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in vitro and discusses the potential application of iPSCs in the treatment of male infertility.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Spermatogenesis

ObjectiveTo study the feasibility of ex vivo gene transfer to donor heart by delivering i ntracoronarily a reporter gene (Lac-Z gene) to donor heart at the time of trans plantation.MethodsThe model of heterotopic heart transplantation in murine was established and the method of perfusing intracoronarily was performed. Twelve male BALB/c mice were divided into 2 groups randomly: gene-transfer group (group 1) and control grou p (group 2). In group 1, plasmid vector (PSV-?-gal containing Lac-Z gene)/li posome (DOSPER) was perfused intracoronarily into each donor heart at the time o f transplantation. In group 2, normal saline was perfused. Donor hearts were har vested 3 days after transplantation. Freezing sections were made for detection o f the transfer and expression of Lac-Z gene by histochemical staining (X-gal). ResultsThe expression of Lac-Z gene was detected in the donor hearts of group 1. In tw o donor hearts, the expression of Lac-Z gene was detectable in the myocardial c ells in the mid-layer of ventriculus; In one donor heart the expression was fou nd in the myocardial cells under epicardium. But no expression of Lac-Z gene wa s detected in donor hearts of group 2.ConclusionEx vivo gene transfer intracoronarily to donor heart in the form of plasmid vector /liposome complex at the time of transplant ation is feasible.

Objective To evaluate the prognostic significance of metastastic lymph node ratio in patients with gastric cancer. Methods Clinical data of 319 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy with at least 15 lymph nodes dissected per patient were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the TNM staging system (1997,5th edition): pN0 (no positive lymph node), pN1(with 1～6 metastatic lymph nodes), pN2 group (with 7～15 metastatic lymph nodes), and pN3 group (with more than 15 metastatic lymph nodes), or into 4 groups according to the lymph node metastatic ratio: rN0 group (without metastasis of lymph node), rN1 group (with a lymph node metastatic ratio of <30%), rN2 group (with a lymph node metastatic ratio of 30%～60%), and rN3 group ( with a lymph node metastatic ratio of >60%). Survival was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and differences were assessed by the Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using the COX proportional hazard regression model in forward stepwise regression with SPSS 13.0. Results Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that the metastatic lymph node ratio significantly influenced the postoperative survival time. According to the lymph node metastasis system 77 patients were in group 1, 109in group 2, 60 in group 3, and 73 in group 4. The 2-year survival rate was 84.4%,66.1%, 35.0%,and 15.1% respectively, 3-year survival rate was 80.5%,45.0%,15.0% and 5.5% respectively, and 4-year survival rate was 71.4%,33.0%,5.0% and 1.4% respectively. If cases with the same positive number of lymph node (pN) group were stratified futher by lymph node metastatic ratio, there were no significant differences in the 3-year survival rate among the new rN groups (P>0.05), but there was a great difference in the distribution of prognosis among different groups. COX proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the metastatic lymph node ratio was an independent factor for poor prognosis. Lymph node metastatic ratio was closely related with the location, modality of the operation and infiltration depth. Conclusions The staging system based on metastatic lymph node ratio is more reliable than the system based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes in the prediction of the prognosis of gastric cancer.

Objective To explore the curative effects of open reduction and internal fixation with Cable Pin or tension band wire for patellar transverse fractures.Methods Totally 28 cases and another 30 cases were enrolled in the Cable Pin group(8 months for average follow-up time) and the tension band wire group respectively(16 months for average follow-up time).The operative time,the average clinical healing time and the average range of the knee flexion between the 2 groups were compared.Results Obvious superiority was observed in the Cable Pin group over the tension band wire group concerning the average clinical healing time and the average range of the knee flexion 6 months postoperatively (P

Objective To construct canine bifurcation aneurysms suitable for evaluating the exploration of endovascular devices for interventional therapy by endovascular technique.Methods The right common carotid artery of six dogs was expanded with a pliable balloon by means of endovascular technique, then embolization with detached balloon was taken at their originations DAS examination were performed on 1,2,3 d after the procedurse. Results 6 aneurysm models were created in six dogs successfully with the mean width and height of the aneurysms decreasing in 3 days.Conclusions This canine aneurysm model presents the virture in the size and shape of human cerebral bifurcation saccular aneurysms on DSA image, suitable for developing the exploration of endovascular devices for aneurismal therapy. The procedure is quick, reliable and reproducible.

Objective To explore the curative effect of microsurgery via posterior approach through the sigmoid sinus in the treatment of secondary trigeminal neuralgia. Methods Clinical data of 37 cases of trigeminal neuralgia secondary to cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumor from October 2000 to July 2006 were studied, including 18 cases of cholesteatoma, 8 cases of meningoma, 6 cases of acoustic neuroma, and 5 cases of trigeminal schwannoma. All tumors were removed with microsurgery through a posterior approach by way of the sigmoid sinus. Results A total resection was achieved in 23 cases, a subtotal resection in 10 cases, and a partial resection in 4 cases. Symptoms of neuralgia disappeared in 35 cases (including 32 cases of immediate relief and 3 cases of relief 2 months after operation). There was no improvement in 2 cases. Conclusions Microsurgery via posterior approach through the sigmoid sinus in the treatment of secondary trigeminal neuralgia is safe and effective.

Objective To elucidate that AIDS is not equal to any disease of TCM. Methods Previous literatures on differentiating the difference between AIDS and its similar TCM termed diseases as "Fuqiwenbing", "Wendu", and "Xulao" were reviewed and further discussion on the differences was performed by the author. Results Many scholars draw a conclusion that AIDS is not equal to any of TCM diseases or syndromes by their detailed research, comparison and analysis. Conclusion AIDS is not any of TCM termed disease, but it can be treated with the successful experience of TCM in treating other traditional diseases.