Animals ; Dentate Gyrus ; metabolism ; Epilepsy ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Kainic Acid ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Neuropeptides ; metabolism

Objective To study positron yield quantitatively in different phantoms by means of PET imaging after high energy photon irradiation,and to investigate the feasibility of bio-dose verification by PET in high energy photon radiotherapy.Methods The phantoms (hydrogel,HDPE,inhomogeneous phantom) were scanned with PET 1 min later after exposure to 2,4,6,8 Gy dose with/using 25 and 50 MV photon irradiation.The positron account rates were recorded every minute in PET scanning process and then fitted to get the half-lives of yielded nuclides.Positron distribution in each phantom was compared with dose distribution to investigate the relationship between positron activity and dose delivered.Results The half-lives of nuclides yielded in hydrogel and HDPE were supposed to be 2.23 and 19.47 min,respectively by fitting results,which had negligible difference with half-lives of 11C (20.2 min) and 15O (2.08 min).The positron amounts induced by 50 MV photon in hydrogel and HDPE were 3.88 and 3.86 times that of 25 MV photon,and increased in proportion to dose delivered.Except for build-up region and cavity,activity distributions in depth and off-axis were similar to dose distribution.Conclusions The amount and distribution of positron induced by high energy photon are related to dose delivered,and it is feasible to do dose verification with PET imaging in high energy photon radiotherapy.

Objective To discuss the important role of undergraduate students' social practice in medical education.Methods Questionnaires on social practice activity were answered by medical students,and the characteristics and shortages of social practice were analyzed.The development policy was proposed after expert inquiry and comparison with other universities. Results Undergraduate students' social practice in School of Medicine,Shanghai Jiaotong University presentd the four characteristics: positive participation,obvious characteristic,abundance items,and wide range of services.But there were insufficiencies in form of action,multiplication of selected topic,socialized operation method,and time arrangement. Conclusion The results suggest that further improvement is necessary in the service quality,advance in the activities' pertinence,development in innovation ability,and enhancement in base construction and support system.

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between the results of the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test and the efficacy of tadalafil in the treatment of ED.

METHODSA total of 188 ED patients were divided into a normal NPT group (n = 136) and an abnormal NPT group (n = 52) according to the results of the NPT test. All of them were treated with tadalafil at 20 mg 3 times a week. The IIEF-5 score, SEP2, SEP3 and GAQ score were compared between the two groups before and 1 month after the treatment.

RESULTSTadalafil treatment significantly improved IIEF-5 score, SEP2 and SEP3 of both groups of the patients (P < 0.01). Compared with the abnormal NPT group, the normal NPT group showed a remarkable increase in the IIEF-5 score, SEP2, SEP3 (P < 0.05) and GAQ score (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAfter 1 month of tadalafil treatment, the normal NPT group achieved a more significant improvement of erectile function and sexual satisfaction than the abnormal NPT group, suggesting that tadalafil has a better therapeutic effect for ED patients with normal NPT.

Carbolines ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Tadalafil

OBJECTIVETo analyze retrospectively the clinical symptoms, signs, radiological findings and results of treatment of posttraumatic syringomyelia.

METHODSThe data of 7 patients with posttraumatic syringomyelia confirmed by computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in our hospital between 1999 and 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients underwent decompressive laminectomy or syringo-subarachnoid (S-S) shunting with microsurgery. Long-term follow-up was available (range: 13-65 months).

RESULTSThe major clinical manifestations of posttraumatic syringomyelia usually included the onset of increasing signs and the development of new symptoms after an apparently stable period. The clinical symptoms included pain, sensory disturbance, weakness, and problems in autonomic nerves. Syrinx existed merely at the cervical level in 4 cases and extended downward to the thoracic levels in the other 3 cases. One case underwent decompressive laminectomy, 6 cases were treated by S-S shunting. During the early postoperative period, all the patients showed an improvement of symptoms of syrinx without major complication or death. The decreased size or collapse of the syrinx was demonstrated by postoperative MRI.

CONCLUSIONSPosttraumatic syringomyelia is a disabling sequela of spinal cord injury, developing months to years after spinal injury. MRI is the standard diagnostic technique for syringomyelia. The patients with posttraumatic syringomyelia combined with progressive neurological deterioration should be treated with operations. S-S shunting procedure is effective in some patients with posttraumatic syringomyelia. Decompressive procedure may be an alternative primary surgical treatment for patients with kyphosis and cord compression.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; complications ; Syringomyelia ; etiology ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective CD4 +IL-17 +cells are a group of newly discovered effector CD4 +T cells, which may play a key role in the pathogenesis of cancer.This study aims to investigate the expres-sion of CD4 +IL-17 +cells in pancreatic cancer and its correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of the dis-ease as well as the clinical significance of the cells in the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer. Methods We collected tumor tis-sue and tumor-adjacent normal tissue samples from 51 pancreatic cancer patients.We determined the expressions of CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) and measured the proportion of IL-17 +cells in the cancer tissue using immunohistochemistry and the fluorescence activated cell sorter, respectively, followed by analysis of their correlation with tumor angiogenesis, clinicopathological pa-rameters, and survival time of the patients. Results The percentage of CD4 +IL-17 +cells in tumor tissue was positively correlated with microvessel density (r =0.534, P<0.05) and the expression of VEGF in the tumor tissue (r=0.356, P<0.05).IL-17 +cells were expressed more highly in the tumorous than in the tumor-adjacent normal tissue (P<0.05), and the expression level was correla-ted with the stage of tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), but not with the patients′gender or age, tumor size, tumor location, histological grade, or local invasion (P>0.05).Fifty (98.0%) of the patients were successfully followed up for 2-67 months, which revealed a median survival time of 16.6 ±4.8 months, significantly longer in those with a higher expression of intratumoral IL-17 +cells (P<0.05).Univariate analysis showed an association of the survival rate with the tumor size, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and level of intratumoral IL-17 +cells, while multivariate analysis showed the TNM stage to be an independent prognostic factor for the survival of the pancreatic cancer patients. Conclusion The expression of CD4 +IL-17 +cells in the tumor tissue is positively correlated with tumor angiogenesis, while that of IL-17 +cells with the clinicopathological parameters and survival time of the patients and therefore may serve as an important immune indicator for the prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

Dysregulated microRNA (miRNA) expression has a critical role in tumor development and metastasis. However, the mechanism by which miRNAs control melanoma metastasis is unknown. Here, we report reduced miR-98 expression in melanoma tissues with increasing tumor stage as well as metastasis; its expression is also negatively associated with melanoma patient survival. Furthermore, we demonstrate that miR-98 inhibits melanoma cell migration in vitro as well as metastatic tumor size in vivo. We also found that IL-6 is a target gene of miR-98, and IL-6 represses miR-98 levels via the Stat3-NF-kappaB-lin28B pathway. In an in vivo melanoma model, we demonstrate that miR-98 reduces melanoma metastasis and increases survival in part by reducing IL-6 levels; it also decreases Stat3 and p65 phosphorylation as well as lin28B mRNA levels. These results suggest that miR-98 inhibits melanoma metastasis in part through a novel miR-98-IL-6-negative feedback loop.
Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Interleukin-6/*genetics ; Male ; Melanoma/epidemiology/*genetics/*pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; MicroRNAs/*genetics ; Neoplasm Metastasis/genetics/pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Survival Analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate DNA and chromosome damage in peripheral blood lymphocyte of coke oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-seven coke oven workers and 50 controls without occupational PAHs exposure were investigated. Comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) detection were used to evaluate DNA and chromosomal damage levels in peripheral blood lymphocyte. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene level was used to assess the personal internal PAHs exposure dose. Personal information including occupational history, age, sex, smoking and drinking status was collected by questionnaire.

RESULTSUrinary 1-hydroxypyrene level in coke oven workers [(5.76 +/- 1.04) micro mol/mol Cr] was significantly higher than that in controls [(0.70 +/- 0.32) micro mol/mol Cr]. The rate of CBMN and comet tail moment of lymphocyte in coke oven workers [8.0 per thousand (0.0 per thousand - 30.0 per thousand ) and 2.09 (0.31 - 75.41), respectively] were higher than those in controls [3.5 per thousand (0.0 per thousand - 13.0 per thousand ) and 1.05 (0.11 - 6.63), P < 0.05]. In controls, the comet moment in smokers was significantly higher than that in non-smokers [1.44 (0.23 - 6.63) vs 0.81 (0.11 - 3.47), P < 0.05]. According to the length of work, 137 coke oven workers were classified into 3 groups i.e. 0.5 yrs , 16.0 yrs and 22.0 yrs group, and the comet moments were 1.34 (0.31 - 37.84), 2.32 (0.49 - 52.97) and 3.20 (0.45 - 75.41) respectively after adjusting the age, sex, smoking, drinking and level of urinary 1-hydroxy-pyrene. There was a rising tendency along with the increase in length of work.

CONCLUSIONUnder present PAHs exposure levels, both comet assay and Cytokinesis-block micronucleus test could detect PAHs-induced genotoxicity in coke oven workers, and comet assay is more suitable to assess the cumulative damage effect on DNA.

Adult ; Coke ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ; poisoning ; Pyrenes ; analysis ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between lymphocyte DNA damage and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure in coke oven workers.

METHODSTwo hundred and thirty-five coke oven workers and 30 controls were selected in this study. Alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis was used to evaluate the lymphocyte DNA damage, HPLC was employed to measure 1-hydroxypyrene levels in spot urine samples which were obtained at the end of a workweek (4 days of 8 hours/day) and personal information including occupational exposure, age, sex, smoking and drinking status was collected by the questionnaire.

RESULTSThe lymphocyte DNA damage level expressed as olive moment in coke oven workers was significantly higher than that of controls [2.47 (0.22 approximately 46.68) vs 0.94 (0.42 approximately 4.21), P < 0.01], and correlation between urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations and olive moment was found (Spearman Partial correlation coefficient = 0.22, P < 0.01) in coke oven workers. The 1.9 of olive moment value was used as the limit to determine whether the subject DNA damage was positive. The coke oven workers had significantly higher risk in DNA damage (adjusted OR = 5.38, 95% CI = 2.07 approximately 14.08) than did controls, and dose-response relationships were also found between external exposure (exposure category) or internal doses (urinary 1-hydroxypyrene) and DNA damage.

CONCLUSIONThere are dose-effect and dose-response relationships between PAHs exposure and lymphocyte DNA damage in coke oven workers.

Adult ; Animals ; Coke ; adverse effects ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ; poisoning ; Pyrenes ; analysis ; metabolism ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of snoring on facial growth in children and the changes after surgery.

METHODSObservations on facial growth were taken by X-ray 1.5 - 2 years before and after surgery on 40 children snorers aged between 2 - 5 years old, whose tonsils and (or) adenoids were completely removed. The data collected before surgery in the 2 - 3 years old snorers and in the 4 - 5 years old ones were compared with the data from healthy children at the same age respectively.

RESULTSThe comparison of data between 21 children snorers aged from 2 - 3 and 17 healthy children of the same ages showed that there was no significant difference in the diameter of pharyngeal cavity at tongue base (PAS), the diameter of nasopharyngeal cavity (UPW-PNS) and the angle between mandibular plane and frankfort horizontal plane (FH-MP) within 2 - 3 years group by statistically (P > 0.05). There is no significance in UPW-PNS and FH-MP angle within 4 - 5 years group by statistics (P > 0.05). Others results is significance in all groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in all groups expect Y-axis Angle 1.5 - 2 years after surgery (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAbnormal facial growth was caused by the consistent force from the changed way of breathing due to the increasing narrowness of upper airway obstruction and the long-existing obstructive sleep. Surgery done as soon as possible is helpful to reduce the force caused by the obstruction and helpful to the normal facial growth.

Adenoidectomy ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Case-Control Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillofacial Development ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Snoring ; Tonsillectomy