Objective To analyze and summarize the CT features of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).Methods 30 patients with MTC proved by surgery and pathology were scanned by CT.And the CT manifestations were analyzed retrospectively.Results In a total of 30 patients,a single lesion in 25 (83.3%)patients and multiple ones in 5 (16.7%)were found with irregular shape in 27 (90.0%),unclear border in 26 (86.7%),heterogenous enhancement with irregular internal hypodensity in 27 (90.0%),cal-cifications in 4 (13.3%)and invasion of trachea in 4 (13.3%).As for the 29 patients underwent the neck surgery ,26 (89.7%) were pathologically confirmed with lymph nodes metastasis.CT showed the metastatic lymph nodes with well-defined border in 1 2 (46.2%)and ill-defined one in 14 (53.8%),calcifications in 5 (19.2%)and heterogenous enhancement with irregular internal hy-podensity in all (100.0%).Conclusion CT features of MTC and metastatic lymph nodes appeared as heterogenous enhancement with irregular internal low attenuation area,which can improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis.

Objective To determine the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to assess the association of 25(OH)D with clinical presentations.Methods Serum 25(OH)D levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 130 cases with RA and 80 healthy controls.The detailed clinical data of the RA patients were recorded and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absor-ptiometry (DXA).Sharp score of both hands were measured for evaluating the effects of 25(OH)D on bone erosion.T-test and one-way ANOVA test were used for data analysis,and x2 test was used to compare the differences between groups.Pearson's test was adsopted for correlation analysis.Muhi-variate analysis and Logistic analysis were carried out for risk factors identification.Results ① The serum levels of 25 (OH)D were markedly lower in the RA group than the control group [(17±6) ng/ml vs (23±6) ng/ml,t=-6.624,P＜0.01],while cases of 25(OH)D insufficiency/deficiency in the RA group were more than the control group (98.5％ vs 81.5％,x2=26.291,P＜0.01); ② Negative correlation was detected between 25(OH) D levels and the following:duration of morning stiffness,tender joint count (TJC),swollen joint count (SJC),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP),health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) of the patients with RA (r=-0370,-0.307,-0.243,-0.369,-0.175,-0.381,both P＜0.05),respectively; ③ 25 (OH)D levels were signific-antly lower in group with moderate and severe disease activity than in group with stable or low disease activity (both P＜0.05); Insufficiency/deficiency of 25 (OH)D was the risk factor for disease activity by multiple regression analysis (b=-0.46,P=0.029); ④ No statistically significant association was detected between 25(OH)D and degree of bone erosion in RA (P＞0.05); ⑤ BMD was classified into three groups:normal,osteopenia and osteoporosis,and significant differences of serum 25(OH)D levels were found by compared with each group (P＜0.01).Normal serum 25 (OH)D level was a protective factor for RA-induced osteoporosis by Logistic rcgression analysis (OR=0.898,95％CI 0.830-0.972,P=0.008).Conclusion Significantly low 25 (OH)D level could be found in patients with RA.Negative correlation is detected between 25 (OH)D level and disease activity and osteoporosis respectively in patients with RA.Insufficiency/deficiency of 25 (OH)D is the risk factor for disease activity and RA-induced osteoporosis.

TheLutetium-YttriumOrthosilicate(LYSO)isakindofscintillatingcrystalmaterialwiththebest comprehensive properties. In this work, the trace elements Ca, Fe, K, Li, Mg and Na in LYSO were determined by solution-cathode glow discharge-atomic emission spectrometry ( SCGS-AES ) . The optimal conditions included 0. 1 mol/L HNO3 sample solutions and operation at a voltage at 1080 V with a flow rate of 2. 0 mL/min. The LYSO matrix concentration tolerance of the SCGD source was determined to be 10 g/L. Sample solutions dissolving from several LYSO samples with HF, HNO3 and HClO4 were examined by SCGD-AES. For LYSO samples, the values obtained by SCGD-AES agree well with those obtained by axial inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy ( ICP-AES ) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The emissions of Lu and Y were not observed, so that the determination of trace elements in LYSO matrices could be conducted with little interference. The detection limits of Ca, Fe, K, Li, Mg and Na in LYSO were 1. 0, 3. 0, 0. 02, 0. 01, 0. 02 and 1. 0 mg/kg, respectively.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of KGF-2 mutants on radiation-induced intestinal mucosal injury.Methods Specific pathogen free (SPF) female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, which were treated with/without KGF2 mutant and/or bone marrow cell transplantation.All the 4 groups were radiated with one-time whole bodyγ-ray exposure of 12 Gy.Also one untreated group was included as control.The therapeutic effect of recombi-nant human KGF-2 mutants on radiation-induced intestinal mucosal injury was analyzed by the survival rate at the 30th day, the pathological change and the apoptosis as well as autophagy status of small intestine at 72 hours after exposure.Results After irradiation, all the mice in the untreated group died within 9 days while the mice treated with KGF-2 mutant combined with bone marrow cell transplantation showed a 70%survival rate at the 30th day.We also found that intestinal mucosa of the mice in this group had a more intact structure, a higher level of autophagy and a lower level of apoptosis via HE staining and immunohistochemistry.Conclusion KGF-2 mutant has a significant therapeutic effect on radiation-induced intestinal mucosal injury.

Objective To investigate the effects of maternal behaviors in the rats with neuropathic pain (NP) on emotions of offspring rats and the relationship with DNA methylation in the amygdala.Methods Forty-eight healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats (24 males and 24 females),weighing 200-250 g,were used in the study.Twelve female and 12 male rats were randomly selected,and NP was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI).Each female rat was mated with one male rat at 10 days after CCI.Fortyeight F1 generation rats of maternal rats with NP were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =24 each) using a random number table:NP1 group and NP2 group.Forty-eight F1 generation rats of normal maternal rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=24 each) using a random number table:S1 group and S2 group.The F1 generation rats were cross-fed immediately after birth between group NP2 and group S2,and fed by their own mother rats in NP1 and S1 groups.All the offspring rats were fed to 21 days after birth by the maternal rats selected,and separately fed to 30 days after birth,and then subjected to behavioral testing.Retrieving and licking pups were recorded after delivery in maternal rats to evaluate the maternal behaviors.The mechanical and thermal paw withdrawal thresholds were measured in the offspring rats.Elevated plus maze and open field tests were conducted to detect anxiety and depression behaviors in the offspring rats.At 1 day after completion of behavioral testing,the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and DNA methyltransferase 3a and 3b in the amygdala was detected by Western blot analysis.Results Compared with S1 or S2 groups,the latency to lick pups,latency to retrieve pups,and total retrieval time were significantly prolonged,and the total time spent licking pups was significantly shortened in NP1 group or NP2 group (P＜0.05 or 0.01).There was no significant difference in the mechanical and thermal paw withdrawal thresholds in the offspring rats between the four groups (P＞0.05).Compared with group S1,the ratios of time spent in the open arm to the closed arm and of time spent in the central square to the peripheral square were significantly decreased,DNMT1 expression in the amygdala was significantly up-regulated,and the total DNA methylation was increased in the offspring rats in S2 and NP1 groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group NP2,the ratios of time spent in the open arm to the closed arm and of time spent in the central square to the peripheral square were significantly decreased,DNMT1 expression in the amygdala was significantly up-regulated,and the total DNA methylation was increased in the offspring rats in S2 and NP1 groups (P＜0.05).Conclusion Decreased maternal behaviors in the rats with NP results in negative emotions including anxiety and depression in the offspring rats,and the mechanism is related to increased DNA methylation in the amygdala of the offspring rats.

The magnamosis device for stage-one repair of the rectovaginal tistula consists of two arc magnets. Drawing the interrupting thread along the fistula margin via the vaginal side, and pulling the string to arrange the magnets at the fistula base along the long axis of the vagina, we made the magnamosis device automatically clipped to seal the fistula. After removing the threads we kept the device for 2-4 weeks till the natural detachment of it when the compressed tissue in between healed after vascular necrosis. This device utilizing the unique ability of magnamosis to fulfill anastomosis under inflammatory infected state reduces the current high relapse rate and colostomy drawbacks of the conventional rectovaginal neoplasty.
Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Pressure ; Rectovaginal Fistula ; surgery ; Wound Healing

Autoimmune diseases (AID) are a group of complex disorders due to antibodies acting on self-antigens causing damage to the body. AID has long been considered as the outcome of genetic and environmental interactions. In recent years, studies have shown that increased susceptibility to AID may be associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms and copy number variations of Toll like receptor 7 (TLR7) gene, which provided a clue to further understanding of the pathogenesis of AID. This paper provides a review of the recent advances in understanding of the roles of TLR7 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and copy number variations in AID.
Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; genetics ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Toll-Like Receptor 7 ; genetics

The laparoscopic approach is rapidly becoming the preferred method of treatment for patients with early gastric cancer due to advantages of minimally invasive surgery. As laparoscopic experience has accumulated, laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with D2 lymphadenectomy has become a valuable alternative for the treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer. However, laparoscopic gastric surgery is demanding from a technical point of view, especially when a D2 lymphadenectomy is performed. Surgeons seeking to undertake LADG are concerned about unpredictable intraoperative bleeding that may occur during LADG. Comprehensive knowledge of the perigastric vascular anatomy is essential for LADG with D2 lymphadenectomy.
Gastroenterostomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To explore whether tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1)gene copy number variation was associated with susceptibility and clinical characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods The study enrolled 304 SLE patients and 391 healthy controls.They were used to investigate the association between TRAP1 gene copy number variation and SLE susceptibility.Then,304 SLE patients were divided into copy number=2 group and copy number＞2 group to study the association between TRAP1 gene copy number variation and disease activity or clinical characteristics of SLE.AccuCopyTM Kit was used to detect the TRAP1 gene copy number.Data analyses were performed by SPSS 10.01 software.The suitable method was selected among t test,rank sum test and x2 test for analysis based on the data type and distribution,univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate the associ-ation between TRAP1 gene copy number variation and susceptibility and clinical characteristics of SLE.Results The copy number variation of TRAP1 gene showed an association with the susceptibility to SLE crude OR=5.257,95％CI (1.108,24.937),P=0.037;the adjusted OR=5.578,95％CI (1.172,26.556),P=0.031].There was no association between TRAP1 gene copy number variation and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score (Z=-0.117,P=0.907).The copy number variation of TRAP1 gene had a marginal association with skin lesions in SLE [OR=0.130,95％CI (0.016,1.069),P=0.058],but it disappeared after adjusting for potential confounders [OR=0.288,95％CI (0.029,2.831),P=0.286,PBH=0.808].There was no correlation between TRAP1 gene copy number variation and arthritis,alopecia,oral ulcers,fever,hematologic disorder,lupus nephritis as well as photosensitivity in SLE [x2=0.751,OR=1.234,95％CI (0.767,1.988),P=0.386].No multiplicative interaction was found between TRAP1 gene copy number variation and age or body mass index (BMI) [age:x2=0.751,OR=1.234,95％CI (0.767,1.988),P=0.386;BMI:x2=0.282,OR=1.172,95％CI(0.652,2.109),P=0.596].Conclusions The copy number variation of TRAP1 gene may be associated with susceptibility to SLE.Increased TRAP1 gene copy number may be a risk factor for SLE.

Organ preservation fluid could mitigate cold ischemia injury and maintain normal function of the grafts. At present, how to reduce a series of injury caused by cold ischemia of donor liver and improve the preservation quality of grafts are the hot and challenging spots in this field. Currently, preservation fluid in clinical practice has not achieved ideal preservation effect, especially for the protection of marginal donor organs. In the context of severe donor shortage, the key solution is still to explore the optimal preservation protocol for donor liver to prevent grafts from cold ischemia injury. In this article, the mechanism of donor liver injury during cold ischemia, the classification and evolution of donor liver preservation fluid were summarized, the development direction and challenges of donor liver preservation fluid were discussed, aiming to provide novel ideas and references for the research and development of donor liver preservation fluid.