Objective To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of A Tool to Assess Quality of Life in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (ATAQ-IPF), and discuss the applicability of this tool among interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients. Methods 128 patients with ILD were selected from the respiratory department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and a convenient sampling method was adopted. Test-retest reliability cofficient, Cronbach αinternal consistency, content validity, criterion related validity were used to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of ATAQ-IPF. Results Among first 15 recruited patients, the localized ATAQ-IPF had good test-retest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC) calculation was 0.95 (P<0.05). The evaluation of all 128 patients showed excellent internal consistency with the Cronbach α was 0.96,Cronbach α values of each dimension were 0.60-0.93. The scale level content validity index (S-CVI) was 0.80;The item level content validity index (I-CVI)were 0.78-1.00,which proved good validity. The score between the Chinese version of ATAQ-IPF and St. George Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ) showed a significant correlation (r=0.69, P<0.01). Criterion related validity was good. 128 patients were grouped according to the entity and the degree of dyspnea,evaluated the quality of life. There was a significant difference between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and non-IPF patients(t=2.99, P < 0.01).Also the differences between different degrees of dyspnea were statistically significant(t=16.05, P<0.01). Conclusions The Chinese version of ATAQ-IPF retains good reliability and validity, and is qualified to assess the quality of life among ILD patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Dickkopf-1 and GATA-6 in laryngeal carcinoma and to discuss their relevance and the roles in carcinogenesis and development of laryngeal carcinoma. METHOD: Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of Dickkopf-1 and GATA-6 protein in 48 tissues of larynge al carcinoma, 48 para-carcinoma tissues and 20 normal laryngeal mucosal tissues. RESULT: (1) The expression of Dick kopf-1 protein in laryngeal cancer is significantly lower than in para-carcinoma tissues and normal laryngeal mucosa tissues (P < 0.05). (2) The expression of GATA-6 protein in laryngeal cancer is significantly higher than in para-carcinoma tissues and normal laryngeal mucosa tissues (P < 0.05). (3) The expression of Dickkopf-1 and GATA-6 protein in laryngeal cancer is correlated with lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, histological grade (P < 0.05). (4) The expression of Dickkopf-1 and GATA-6 are negatively correlated in laryngeal cancer. CONCLUSION The expression of Dickkopf-1 and GATA-6 may contribute to the carcinogenesis and development of laryngeal carcinoma.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; GATA6 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND:The mechanism and effect of glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK-3β) in the differentiation of cardiac stem cel s into cardiomyocytes are stil unclear, although GSK-3βis closely related to the life activities of cel s.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the changes of GSK-3βexpression in the treatment of myocardial infarction in rats undergoing cardiac stem cel transplantation.
METHODS:The isolation and culture of cardiac stem cel s were performed in 10 neonatal rats. Lentivirus overexpressing GSK-3βor LacZ (control) was constructed and transferred into cardiac stem cel s. Animal model of myocardial infarction was made in 30 Sprague-Dawley rats. Six weeks after model preparation, rat models were assigned into GSK-3β, LacZ or PBS group. GSK-3βor LacZ overexpressing cardiac stem cel solution or PBS in equal volume was injected into the rat myocardium, respectively. Four weeks after transplantation, the cardiac function and myocardial col agen production in rats were detected and compared.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the other two groups, the left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher, and the left ventricular end diastolic diameter was significantly lower in the GSK-3βgroup (P<0.05). Hydroxyproline content, type I col agen mRNA, and type III col agen mRNA expression were significantly lower in the GSK-3βgroup than the other two groups (P<0.05). Findings from Masson staining showed that the content of blue-stained col agen was significantly lower in the GSK-3βgroup than the LacZ group. Moreover, lowest myocardial infarction size was found in the GSK-3βgroup (P<0.05). Al these experimental findings show that GSK-3 overexpression plays a positive role in promoting the therapeutic effect of cardiac stem cel transplantation.

Aim To investigate the modulation effects of NaHS on arterial vasodilatation functions of renal hy-pertensive rats .Methods Two-kidney , one-c lip ( 2K1C ) renovascular hypertension was induced .Rats were randomly divided into four group:sham group , two-kidney one-clip model ( 2K1C ) group, 2KIC +NaSH( H2 S donor ) group, PPG group.The systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) was measured before the opera-tion and each week after the operation .The carotid ar-tery was collected for morphometric parameters ( outer radius, wall thickness, the radio of wall thickness to outer radius) and the tension of the carotid artery was observed with the isolated artery ring technique .Immu-nohistochemistry was used to determine the protein ex-pression of eNOS , ET-1 protein in carotid artery .Re-sults The blood pressure of 2K1C group and PPG group was higher than that of sham group ( P<0.05) . Compared with 2K1C group,the blood pressure and the rat arteria carotis communis of the radio of wall thick-ness to outer radius of 2K1C+NaHS group decreased significantly , while the relaxation of carotid artery to ACh in NaHS group increased .According to the immu-nohistochemistry results , eNOS expression was upregu-lated while ET-1 was downregulated in 2K1C +NaHS group as compared with 2K1C group.Conclusions Chronical administration of NaHS can decrease blood pressure in renovasocular hypertensive rats .The anti-hypertensive effect of H 2 S maybe associated with im-provement of the arterial functions .

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the promoter methylation and protein expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1(IGFBP-rP1) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). METHOD: Methylation specific PCR (MSP) approach and immunohistochemistry methods were used to examine the methylation status and protein expression of IGFBP-rP1 in 45 samples of laryngeal carcinoma and 18 samples of tissues beside cancer. RESULT: For the promoter site, methylation frequency of IGFBP-rP1 in tumor specimens (33.3%, 15/45) was significantly higher than that in corresponding normal tissues (5.6%, 1/18) (P < 0.05). The protein expression of IGFBP-rP1 in tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in corresponding normal tissues (P < 0.05) and was inversely correlated with its methylation status of promoter. CONCLUSION Epigenetic silencing of IGFBP-rP1 gene expression by promoter hypermethylation may play an important role in LSCC.
Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Aged ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to discuss the role of the combination of carbon nanoparticles and medical imaging to manage the cervical lymph nodes in patients with thyroid carcinoma. METHOD: Eighty one patients with thyroid carcinoma that primary treated were divided into two groups: trial group and control group. Carbon nanoparticles were injected into the thyroid gland of trial group patients. Central compartment (level VI) dissection, levels IIl and IV dissection, lateral node (levels II-V) dissection were performed respectively in all the patients on the basis of medical imaging and pathology. Total lymph nodes, metastasis lymph nodes, black stained lymph nodes and black stained metastasis lymph nodes of trial group were counted respectively in different dissection specimens. Total lymph nodes and metastasis lymph nodes of control group were counted respectively in different dissection specimens. Parathyroid glands of thyroid or central compartment dissection specimens were counted in two groups. RESULT: In trial group, rate of staining lymph node was 80.0% in central neck dissection tissue, 54.9% in levels III and IV dissection specimen, 39.1% in lateral node dissection specimen. In central compartment dissection tissue, lymph nodes on average in control group were less than in trial group (3.03 ± 2.07 vs. 4.72 ± 2.97) (P < 0.01). The same was in levels III and lV dissection specimen (5.53 ± 3.78 vs. 10.29 ± 3.36) (P < 0.01). As for lateral node dissection specimen,there was no statistic difference in the two group (13.4 ± 9.67 vs. 14.56 ± 6.28) (P > 0.05). There was no statistic difference between control group and trial group for the metastasis lymph nodes in difference dissection specimens. Parathyroid gland was found in 3 thyroid or central compartment dissection specimens among trial group, which was found in 9 specimens among control group, the difference had statistical significance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION During levels III and IV dissection in cN0 patients or central compartment dissection, lymph nodes can be signed well by carbon nanoparticles, which can improve the lymph node detection rate, but can not increase the lymph node detection rate in cN+ patients. Parathyroid gland can be preserved by carbon nanoparticles during the thyroid gland resection and central neck dissection.
Carbon ; administration & dosage ; Diagnostic Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Nanoparticles ; administration & dosage ; Neck ; Neck Dissection ; methods ; Parathyroid Glands ; Staining and Labeling ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the combination of ultrasound and enhanced CT in analyzing lymph node metastasis in thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC) patients by compartment. METHOD: Clinical data of 115 cases (141 sides) with PTC were collected. All had undergone ultrasound in neck and enhanced CT both in neck and in mediastinum before surgery. They were divided into ultrasound group. CT group, and the combination of ultrasound and enhanced CT group to evaluate lymph node metastasis. RESULT: For the central compartment, the accuracy of ultrasound was 61.0%. CT was 48.9%, and the combination of ultrasound and CT was 62.4%. For the lateral compartment, ultrasound was 87.9%, CT was 78.7%, the combination of ultrasound and CT was 85.8%. Ultrasound had higher accuracy than CT in the central (P < 0.05) and lateral (P < 0.05) compartment. The combination of ultrasound and CT had higher accuracy than CT in the central compartment (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the lateral compartment (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in accuracy between ultrasound and the combination of ultrasound and CT neither in central (P > 0.05) nor in lateral (P > 0.05) compartment. Six cases of lymph node metastasis in mediastinum and 1 case in parapharyngeal space detected by CT were pathologically proven. CT found that five patients with pulmonary metastasis. CONCLUSION The combination of ultrasound and CT or single ultrasound has higher accuracy in preoperative evaluation than single CT for lymph node metastasis in PTC. CT can assess some compartments such as mediastinum which can't be detected by ultrasound, and at the same time to evaluate lung metastasis. To evaluate lymph node metastasis in PTC, the combination of ultrasound and CT is more accurate and considerate than single method.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the clinical value of serum κ/λ ratio in the differential diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM) and primary nephritic,and to explore its relationship with MM other laboratory markers.Methods We obtained 88 cases of MM patients with serotyping by immunofixation and 109 cases of primary nephritic patients.In accordance with the composition of protein M in immunofixation electrophoersis (IFE),88 patients were divided into 4 groups:IgGκ,IgGλ,IgAκ and IgAλ.In addition,45 serum samples of health examination were collected as control samples.The levels of serum IgG,IgA,IgM,light chain κ and λ in each group were tested by immune turbidimetry,and κ/λ ratio was calculated.The levels of serum β2-microglobin (β2-MG),albumin (ALB),serum urea (BUN),creatinine (CRE),and M protein percentage were also detected.Results (1) In MM group,there was no significant difference of sex and International Staging System (ISS) stages between each type(P ＞ 0.05),while there was significant difference in age distribution between each type (P ＜ 0.05).(2) Compared to control,the levels of se-rum light chain κ,κ/λ ratio,and matched Ig were significantly higher and the level of light chain λ and other Ig were significantly lower in κ typed MM patients,while the levels of serum light chain λ were significantly higher and the levels of serum light chain κ,and κ/λ ratio were significantly lower in λ typed MM patients(P ＜0.01).The levels of light chain κ,λ,and IgG in primary nephritic patients were significantly lower than control(P ＜0.01),while there was no significant difference in κ/λ ratio between two group (P ＞ 0.05).There were also significant difference of light chain,Ig,BUN and CRE levels between MM patients and primary nephritic patients (P ＜ 0.05).(3) The κ/λ ratio correlated with serum ALB (r =-0.264,P =0.013) and β2-MG (r =0.235,P =0.040) levels in MM.Conclusions Serum levels of light chain κ,λ,and κ/λ ratio have great significance in the differential diagnosis of multiple myeloma and primary nephritic.The κ/λ ratio correlated with several tumor markers in MM progresses,rendering it as a promising method for diagnosis and prognosis monitoring of MM.

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of left ventricular angiography in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Methods A total of 32 consecutively recruited patients aged from 61 to 78 with suspected apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from inconclusive apex imaging on conventional echocardiography from June 2016 to December 2017 underwent left ventricular opacification.A diagnosis of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was made when the thickness of hypertrophied area of the apex was ＞ 1.5 cm,the ratio of the hypertrophied area to the non-hypertrophied area was ＞ 1.3,and no hypertrophy was found elsewhere.Results Twenty-four out of 32 patients (75.0％) were diagnosed with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,all of whom had pure apical hypertrophy.The other 8 patients were excluded,with normal thickness in the apex.Patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy had apical wall thicknesses ranging from 15 mm to 21 mm,reduced myocardial motion amplitude in the apex and uneven echo at certain areas of the ventricular wall.All cases showed clear images of the apex with left ventricular opacification,and the apex of the heart lost its normal morphology and showed a pointed end,with ventricular cavity obliteration or uneven wall thickness in the apex.Conclusions Left heart ventricular angiography can be complimentary to conventional echocardiography in the diagnosis of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by providing a clearer endocardial contour and more accurate estimates of apical wall thickness and therefore enhancing the diagnostic value of ultrasound for apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical feature and diagnostic criteria of Kartagener syndrome, and related treatment of sinusitis and nasal polyps. METHOD: The clinical data of 5 patients which were diagnosed as complete Kartagener syndrome in The forth hospital of Hebei medical university were analyzed retrospectively. The first symptom of these patients was sinusitis. All of them accepted cardiac apical auscultation, X ray of orthophoria chest film and chest CT plain scan examination before diagnosis. All of them were treated intervention therapy in outpatient department,and 1 case accepted endoscopic sinus surgery in the hospital. The analysis of the data was to investigate the diagnosis in outpatient department and the perioperative therapy effect. RESULT: All of the 5 patients' clinical feature were total mirror situs inversus viscerum, Dexcrocardia and brochiectasis associated with infection, "signet ring sign", "tram line sign", "honeycomb sign" at different degree on chest CT, bilateral maxillary and ethmoidal sinus inflammation on sinus CT. All the 5 patients appeared bilateral secretor otitis media associated with conductive deafness at different degree. 4 cases accepted anti-inflammation,mucus diluted and medicine treatment to improve cilia activity. 1 case accepted medicine and endoscopic sinus operation for obvious nasal symptoms. After following up for years,all symptoms of the 5 patients relieved, so did recurrent bronchiectasis infection. 1 case with operation had obviously relieved symptom and no postoperative complication. CONCLUSION Although complete Kartagener syndrome is infrequent disease, heart auscultation diagnosis and image examination are effective method to reduce missed diagnosis. Symptomatic treatment and suitable endoscopic sinus surgery method can reduce sinus symptom and the infection possibility of bronchiectasis effectively,which is beneficial for KS outcome.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Kartagener Syndrome ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Retrospective Studies