Objective To investigate the whether miR‐125b expression having the abnormality in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and serum and whether having the correlation with the sensitivity of cisplatin chemotherapy .Methods The intact medical records and tissue and serum samples in 34 cases of clinically diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma were collected and the serum samples in 34 individuals undergoing the physical examination were also collected as the controls .The expression of miRNA‐125b in carcinoma tissue ,paracancerous tissue and serum was detected by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real‐time qPCR) .The statistical analysis was performed .Results The expression of miRNA‐125b in carcinoma tissue was significantly lower than that in paracancerous tissue(P=0 .006) ,and serum miRNA‐125b expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients was signifi‐cantly lower than that in the individuals undergoing the healthy physical examination(P=0 .000);but the miRNA‐125b expression had no correlation between the paracancerous tissue and serum(r=0 .112 ,P=0 .528) .The expression of miRNA‐125b in cancer tis‐sues was correlated with the pathological typing ,T staging and N staging(P<0 .05) ,the serum miRNA‐125b expression in carcino‐ma subjects was only related with the N staging (P<0 .05) .The expression of miRNA‐125b in carcinoma tissue was negatively cor‐related with the sensitivity of cisplatin chemotherapy (P< 0 .05) ,however ,there was no obvious correlation between the serum miRNA‐125b level and the sensitivity of cisplatin chemotherapy (P>0 .05) .Conclusion The low miRNA‐125b expression may be involved in the occurrence and development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and plays a certain significance for the diagnosis ,pathology typing and classification of nasopharyngeal carcinoma .Its expression level in cancer tissue can serve as one of indicators for screen‐ing out the cisplatin chemotherapy sche.

FGFR2 plays an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation and FGFR2 gene has its own genetic polymorphism. It has recently been demonstrated that this genetic polymorphism is associated with risk of development of breast cancer and clinically pathological factors

Objective To study the characteristics of intramedullaiy tumors of embryonal origin, surgical treatment and outcome. Methods The data of 26 cases with intramedullary tumors of embryonal origin, including clinical features, pathological types and imaging characters of the tumor, surgical treatment and outcome, were retrospectively summarized. Among the 26 patients, apart from the neurological symptoms, lower-extremity deformities were seen in 7 cases, scoliosis in 1 case, lower midline cutaneous abnormalities in 3 cases. The tumors involving lumber section of the spinal cord (thoracolumbar + lumbar segments + lumbosacral) in 21 cases, account for 80.8% (21/26). The tumor in different kinds had its characteristic MRI appearance. All of the 26 patients underwent surgical treatment. Subtotal resection of the tumor was performed in 19 cases, most partial resection in 5 cases, partial removal in 2 cases. Results Of the 26 patients, 25 patients had improved neurologically when leaving hospital. Twenty-one patients were followed up from 6 to 82 (30.0 ± 8.2) months, 12 patients had a good recovery without any neurological defect, 7 patients could live independently, 1 patient needed care offered by others, 1 patient with malignant teratoma died at 6 months after operation. In the follow-up period, no patient needed the second surgery for recurrent tumor. Conclusions Apart from the neurological symptoms, other abnormalities such as lower-extremity deformities, scoliosis, lower midline cutaneous abnormalities could be appeared in patients with intramedullary tumors of embryonal origin. Most tumors involving lumber section of the spinal cord, could be diagnosed by MRI. Other spinal abnormalities frequently occur with the tumors. It is difficult to remove the tumors totally, while the surgical outcome is satisfactory.

Objective To study the value of configuration of the fourth ventricle to indicate, surgical treatment in patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage. Methods The data of 52 patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between configuration of the fourth ventricle and consciousness, volume of the hematoma, frequence of hydrocephalus and incidence of deterioration of consciousness was investigated. Results The correlations between the degree of the fourth ventricular compression and the consciousness, the volume of the hematoma were strong (r= -0.881,P <0.01; r=0.808,P < 0.01, respectively). The more the degree of the fourth ventricular compression was severe,the more GCS score was low and the volume of the hematoma was large. The incidence of hydrocephalus in patients with composed the fourth ventricle[57.7%(15/26)] was significantly higher than that in patients with normal configuration of the fourth ventricle [16.7% (3/18)] (χ~2= 7.406, P < 0.01). The incidence of deterioration of consciousness in patients with compressed the fourth ventricle who accepted conservative therapy initially [72.7% (8/11)]was significantly higher than that in patients with normal configuration of the fourth ventricle [12.5%(2/16)] (P= 0.003). Conclusions The configuration of the fourth ventricle is an useful indicator for surgical treatment in patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage. When making decision whether surgical treatment was used or not in patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage, the configuration of the fourth ventricle should be take into account.

Objective To study the causes, temporal courses, predictors and outcomes of delayed neurological deterioration (DND) after mild traumatic brain injury. Methods In a cohort of 254 patients, the incidence, causes and temporal courses of DND after mild traumatic brain injury were summed up. Univariate and multivariate (Logistic regression) analysis were performed to assess the predictors of DND. The short-term outcomes were compared between patients with and without DND. Results DND occurred in 14.2% (36/254) of the 254 patients. Intracranial causes of DND such as hematoma growth were observed in 91.7%(33/36) of patients with DND. The interval from arrival to DND was 0.5- 59.0 h. Thirty patients (83.3%, 30/36) deteriorated within 24 h. The univariate analysis revealed that dangerous injury mechanism, loss of consciousness, severe headache, more than 1 time vomiting, interval from injury to first CT scanning, first Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores, basal skull fracture, hypocoagulability, heavy alcohol consumption were the predict factors for DND (P<0.05 or<0.01). The multivariate analysis revealed that interval from injury to first CT scanning (P=0.000, OR=0.169, 95% CI: 0.083- 0.344), first GCS scores (P = 0.004, OR = 0.355, 95%CI: 0.175- 0.721) and hypocoagulability (P=0.001, OR=0.077, 95%CI:0.017-0.354) were the independent predict factors for DND. All of the patients without DND recovered better. But in the patients with DND, 30 patients recovered better, 4 patients had slight disability, 1 patient had severe disability, and 1 patient died. The treatment outcome between two groups had significant difference (Z =-6.088, P = 0.000). Conclusions The causes of DND are mostly intracranial. Most patients deteriorat within 24 h. The interval from injury to first CT scanning, first GCS scores and hypocoagulability appear to be independent predictors of DND. DND is associated with poor short-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of P-JNK and P-c-Jun of JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) on nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis rats. METHOD: Sixty male Wistar rats (weighing about 200-250 g) were randomly divided into AR group (A group) and B group(control group). The rats in A group were sensitized for inducing AR by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin and Al(OH)₃. Rats in group A were randomized into A4, A8 and A12 group (each had 10 rats). Ovalbumin was dropped in each nasal cavity of every rat for 4,8,12 weeks, respectively. Rats in group B were sensitized by saline instead of OVA, and were also divided into B4, B8 and B12 group. Each group had 10 rats. Pathological changes of nasal mucosa in each period were observed by hematoxylin and eosin stain dyeing. The phosphorylation of JNK and c-Jun were tested by immunohistochemistry. RESULT: In A8 group, mucosal congestion and edema thickening with inflammatory cells infiltration of eosinophils were observed in the eighth week, and the inflammatory changes were significantly increased as time went on. The mean absorbance values of P-JNK and P-c-Jun in A group were significantly higher than those in the corresponding B group (all P < 0.01). Moreover, the mean absorbance values of A12 group were significantly higher than A4 group and A8 group (all P < 0.01 ). CONCLUSION The expression of P-JNK and P-c-Jun in the process of nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis rats were increased, which suggested that P-JNK and P-c-Jun played important roles in nasal mucosa remodeling of the allergic rhinitis rats.
Airway Remodeling ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eosinophils ; cytology ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Ovalbumin ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUND: Computers can in many ways improve the quality and efficacy of medical care. The purpose of this study was to perform a comprehensive survey of present computer use and investigate the factors affecting computer use by family physicians. METHODS: One thousand and 1250 family physicians were surveyed by mail from May to August, 1999. The survey protocol included demographic characteristics, opinions on computer use in medicine, present computer usages and wanted applications in the future. RESULTS: Of the 306 responses received, 291 responses were analysed. 91.4% replied that they used computers in the medical field, and 58.1% said they used computers during medical interview. Factors preventing computer use in medicine were cost(33%), time(16%), insufficient information(14%), the doctor-patient relationship(12%) and no perceived need(6%). While 46% of the responders who used computers in the medical field cited fellow doctors for their interest in computer use in the medical field, only 6.2% answered that medical societies or associations had promoted their interest. Present usage of computers included word processing, online communication, internet, medical insurance billing, in descending order. Factors affecting the present degree of computer use that were statistically significant, were the computer system used, factors preventing computer use and the present form of practice. CONCLUSION: Although, most family physicians use computers in the medical field, its use is still limited to a few areas.
Computer Systems ; Humans ; Insurance ; Internet ; Medical Informatics ; Physicians, Family* ; Postal Service ; Societies, Medical ; Word Processing

Objective To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-free three dimensional time-of-flight (3D-TOF-MRA) with VR at 3.0 T in the detection of intracranial aneurysms in a large cohort of patients prospectively.Methods Four hundred and eleven patients with suspected aneurysms and other cerebral vascular diseases received contrast-free 3D-TOF-MRA examinations at 3.0 T MRA 2 weeks prior to DSA examination.2D-DSA and VR-DSA were regarded as the gold standard.Six patients were excluded because of motion artifacts,and 36 patients were excluded due to lack of VR-DSA data.Accuracy,sensitivity an specificity in detecting intracranial aneurysms were determined by patient-,aneurysm-,and aneurysm sizebased (＜ 3 mm,3-5 mm,＞ 5-10 mm,＞ 10 mm) evaluations.Results In 369 enrolled patients,VR-DSA revealed 306 aneurysms in 246 patients (66.7％) and no aneurysm in 123 patients; VR 3D-TOF-MRA revealed 311 aneurysms in 249 patients and no aneurysm in 120 patients.The patient-based evaluation of VR 3 D-TOF-MRA at 3.0T yielded accuracy of 97.6％ (360/369),sensitivity of 99.2％ (242/244),and specificity of 94.4％ (118/125) in the detection of intracranial aneurysms.The aneurysm-based evaluation yielded accuracy of 98.3％ (524/533),sensitivity of 99.3％ (304/306),and specificity of 96.1％(220/229).The evaluation based on aneurysm sizes (＜ 3 mm) yielded accuracy of 96.4％ (214/222),sensitivity of 98.2％ (112/114),and specificity of 94.4％ (102/108).Conclusion VR 3D-TOF-MRA at 3.0 T MR can detect intracranial aneurysms accurately and may replace DSA as a contrast-free,noninvasive and non-radiation-based modality for the diagnosis and screening of intracranial aneurysms.

Objective To explore the correlation of meteorological parameters with the epidemic of acute Moraxella ca-tarrhalis respiratory infection in hospitalized children in Suzhou. Methods A total of 8143 children with acute respiratory infec-tion were participated in the trial during 2006 to 2010, and the secretions of nasopharynx were collected for bacterium culture. Moraxella catarrhalis was identified according to the routine technique of culture. Meteorological parameters including mean temperature, relative humidity, rainfall amount, duration of sunshine and mean wind velocity were collected monthly during the same period. The relationship between the epidemic of Moraxella catarrhalis and metrorological parameters were analyzed by seasonal decomposition method, the Spearman rank correlation and stepwise regression analysis. Results Moraxella catarrhalis was identified in 4.04% of 8 143 specimens. The prevalence of acute Moraxella catarrhalis respiratory infection was higher during winter and spring. The monthly infection rate of Moraxella catarrhalis was negatively correlated with mean temperature as well as duration of sunshine and wind velocity. Wind velocity was independent risk factor for Moraxella catarrhalis infection. Conclusions Moraxella catarrhalis is a primary pathogen in respiratory tract infection in children in Suzhou. The epidemic of Moraxella catarrhalis is closely related to meteorological parameters.

Objective To evaluate the flexibility and efficacy of the Willis covered stent in the treatment of distal internal carotid artery(DICA)aneurysms.Methods The study was approved by the anthors' institutional review board,and the research was conducted by the authors' institution and the MicroPort Medical Company(Shanghai,China).Thirty-one patients with 33 DICA aneurysms were considered for treatment with a Willis covered stent.The angiographic assessments were categorized as complete or incomplete occlusion.The data on technical Success,initial and final angiographic results,mortality,morbidity,and final clinical outcome were collected,and follow-up was performed at 1,3,6,and 12 months and yearly after the procedures.Results Navigation and deployment of the covered stents were succssfnl in 97.6%(41 of 42;95%confidence interval[CI]:93%,102%)of the attempted stent placement procedures.The initial angiographic results showed a complete occlusion in 23 patients with 25 aneurysms(of 32 aneurysms,78.1%[95%CI:63%,93%])and an incomplete occlusion in seven patients with seven aneurysms(21.9%).The angiographic follow-up(mean,14 months[95% CI:12,15 months])findings exhibited a complete occlusion in 27 patients with 29 aneurysms(of 31 aneurysms,93.5%[95%CI:84%,103%])and an incomplete occlusion in two aneurysms(6.5%),with a mild in-stent stenosis in two patients.The clinical follow-up(mean,27 months[95% CI:23,30 months])demonstrated that 15 patients experienced a full recovery and 14 patients improved.Conclusion The preliminary results demonstrate good flexibility and efficacy of the Willis covered stent in the treatment of DICA aneurysms in selected patients:longer follow-up and expanded clinical trials are needed.