Adult ; Farmer's Lung ; Female ; Humans

ObjectiveTo evaluate totally laparoscopic Meckel's diverticulectomy in comparison with laparoscopic-assisted or open diverticulectomy.MethodsThe clinical data of 58 cases of Meckel's diverticulum admitted between January 2006 and January 2011 were analyzed.Cases were divided into three groups according to different period of time. As a result,totally laparoscopic surgery was performed in 13 cases,laparoscopic-assisted resection in 25 cases and open diverticulectomy in 20 cases. Totally laparoscopic group was compared with the other two groups in operation time,flatus defecation time,the incidence of postoperative complications and postoperative hospital stay.ResultsThe mean length of incision was ( 1.6 ± 0.4 ) cm,the mean operation time was ( 41 ± 5 ) min,flatus defecation time was (21.2 ±3.7) h,and the postoperative hospital stay was (6.3 ± 1.2) d in totally laparoscopic group.While that was (2.5 ± 1.2 ) m,( 38 ± 2 ) cm,( 23.6 ± 4.2 ) h,( 6.5 ± 2.3 ) d,respectively in laparoscopicassisted group,and the mean length of incision was (5.0 ± 2.2 ) cm,the mean operation time was (51 ± 6 )min,flatus defecation time was (32.3 ± 6.7) h,the postoperative hospital stay was (8.4 ± 3.8) d in open surgery group.Compared with conventional laparotomy,laparoscopic techniques enjoy advantages of minimal invasion,shorter operative time,fewer complications,shorter recovery period and earlier gastrointestinal recovery(P ＜ 0.05). There were nosignificant differences in operative time, recovery period and complications between totally laparoscopic group and laparoscopic-assisted group.ConclusionsTotally laparoscopic Meckel's diverticulectomy is safe,effective and miniinvasive in experienced hands.

Objective To explore the significance of nuclear factor-?B(NF-?B)activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)during acute Kawasaki disease(KD).Methods Peripheral blood was collected from children with acute KD(n=30)and healthy age-matched children(n=20).PBMC were cultured in vitro and divided into 3 groups:naturally cultured blank control group,protein kinase C(PKC)activator stimulated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA)group and PMA plus NF-?B inhibitor treated PMA plus pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC)group.Percentages of NF-?B activation were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Under natural culturing,the percentage of cells with activated NF-?B was significantly higher in acute KD blank control group than that in healthy blank control group.The percentage of cells with activated NF-?B was significantly higher in acute KD PMA group than that in acute KD blank group and that in normal control PMA group,respectively(Pa0.05).Conclusions NF-?B activation in PBMC during acute KD is markedly increased,which suggests that NF-?B activation plays an important role in the formation of vasulitis and CAL in this disease.NF-?B activation in PBMCs in children with KD is regulated by the PKC signaling pathway and PDTC obviously inhibits the activation of NF-?B.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2009,24(1):35-37

Objective To study the telomerase expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) in children with acute Kawasaki disease(KD) and its clinical significance.Methods The PBMCs of 64 children with acute KD [25 cases of them with coronary artery lesions(CAL),while the rest without] from 2 months to 6 years old admitted into Jiangxi Children's Hospital from Mar.2005 to Dec.2008 and those of 52 sex-age-matched healthy children (healthy control group) from 5 months to 7 years old were all assayed by Roche telomerase polymerase chain reaction enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(PCR ELISA).WBC,ESR and CRP were also detected.SPSS 11.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results The telomerase expression frequency of PBMCs in children with KD was 32.8%(21/64 cases),while that in healthy control group was only 15.4%(8/52 cases),the difference between the 2 groups was significant (?2= 4.65,P0.05).There were no significant difference of WBC,ESR and CRP between the telomerase of PBMCs positive group and negative group.Conclusions The higher frequency of telomerase expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes might be related to the development and progression of KD.

Objective To analyze the influence of age on the diagnosis of acute heart failure (AHF) with amino terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) ,and to explore the best cut‐off value of NT‐proBNP in the diagnosis of AHF .Methods Totally 457 inpatients suspected with AHF obtained a blood NT‐proBNP measurement within 24 hours when in charged ,including 194 patients with AHF .Patients were divided into three groups according to their age :≤50 years ,>50-70 years and >70 years . The relationship between NT‐proBNPand AHF was analyzed .The diagnostic value of NT‐proBNP was evaluated for AHF in differ‐ent age groups .Results The median NT‐proBNP levels of AHF in all age groups were significantly higher than those without (P<0 .01) .AUC of NT‐proBNP for AHF in ≤50 years ,>50-70 years and >70 years groups were 0 .95 ,0 .91 ,0 .88 ,the best diagnos‐tic cut‐off points were 1 100 ,1 800 ,3 000 pg/mL ,respectively .The diagnostic specificity was 88% ,76% and 73% ,respectively .O‐verall ,the specificity of NT‐proBNP cut‐off values for age group was higher than non‐age groups .Conclusion NT‐proBNP has a good value in the diagnosis of AHF in patients with different ages .According to the age group ,the different NT‐proBNP cut‐off values can be used to improve the specificity of diagnosis .

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) on spontaneous discharge and sympathetic- sensory coupling in chronically compressed dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in rats.

METHODSIn chronically compressed rat DRG, spontaneous activities of the single fibers from DRG neurons were recorded and their changes observed after BTAX application on the damaged DGR. Sympathetic modulation of the spontaneous discharge from the compressed DRG neurons was observed by electric stimulation of the lumbar sympathetic trunk, and the changes in this effect were evaluated after intravenous BTXA injection in the rats.

RESULTSActive spontaneous discharges were recorded in the injured DRG neurons, and 47 injured DRG neurons responded to Ca2+-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid but not to BTXA treatment. Sixty-four percent of the neurons in the injured DRG responded to sympathetic stimulation, and this response was blocked by intravenously injection of BTXA.

CONCLUSIONBTXA does not affect spontaneous activities of injured DRG neurons, but blocks sympathetic-sensory coupling in these neurons.

Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Animals ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; pharmacology ; Ganglia, Spinal ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; physiopathology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the features of intraductal papilloma of the breast in mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assess the diagnostic values of the two imaging modalities.

METHODSFifteen patients with intraductal papilloma of the breast confirmed surgically and pathologically underwent X-ray examination of the breast, and 11 of them also received enhanced MRI. The imaging findings by mammography and MRI were compared.

RESULTSEnhanced MRI clearly displayed the location and morphology of the intraductal papilloma, and 7 patients showed smooth tumor margins and 2 showed irregular margins. On T(1)WI, the lesions were isointense or slightly hypointense, and appeared isointense or slightly hyperintense on T(2)WI. Some of the intraductal papillomas were seen encapsulated in the dilated ductal. The varying enhancement features of the lesions increased the difficulty in distinguishing from carcinoma. Mammography identified intraductal papillomas only in 2 of the 15 cases (13%) with lesion feature similar to that found by MRI. Fine cluster calcification was found in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONMRI can more accurately define the location of the lesion than X-ray. In spite of some resemblance in the MRI findings between intraductal papillomas and breast carcinoma, MRI still serves as a useful diagnostic modality for intraductal papilloma that shows some characteristic findings.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mammography ; Middle Aged ; Papilloma, Intraductal ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the time-dependent level changes of microRNA and 18S rRNA and the different postmortem interval (PMI) in rat cardiac muscle. METHODS: SD rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and placed at ambient temperature 25 degrees C with a humidity of 50%. Total RNA was extracted from the rat cardiac muscle at different time points after death. The levels of miR-1-2 and 18S rRNA were examined using real-time PCR in rat cardiac muscle. The results were expressed by cycle threshold (Ct) value to explore relationship between PMI and Ct value, and the regression functions were established to estimate PMI. RESULTS: The miR-1-2 level in rat myocardial tissue showed no significant changes within 120 h after death, and then began to decline. The 18S rRNA level increased gradually within 96 h after death, and then declined slowly. The nonlinear relationships were established between Ct value (18S rRNA), deltaCt value (difference between 18S rRNA and miR-1-2) and PMI. The R2 of conics fitting were 0.9487 and 0.8072, respectively. CONCLUSION Ct value of 18S rRNA and deltaCt value present a good correlation with PMI, and can be markers for estimating early PMI.
Animals ; Forensic Pathology ; Male ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Postmortem Changes ; RNA Stability ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/metabolism* ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Time Factors

A simple, rapid and sensitive colorimetric reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) method was established to detect norovirus genotype GII. The method employed a set of six specially designed primers that recognized eight distinct sequences of RNA-dependant RNA polymerase and capsid protein gene for amplification of nucleic acid under isothermal conditions at 65 degrees C for 60 minutes. The amplification process of RT-LAMP was monitored by the addition of HNB (Hydroxy naphthol blue) dye prior to amplification. A positive reaction was indicated by a color change from violet to sky blue and confirmed by agarose electrophoresis. The specificity of the RT-LAMP was validated by detecting several different diarrhea viruses including norovirus genotype GII. The sensitivity was determined by serial dilutions of RNA molecules from in vitro transcription of norovirus genotype GII in parallel with conventional RT-PCR detection. The assay was further evaluated with 93 clinical specimens of diarrhea patients. The results showed that the sensitivity of RT-LAMP was 1 000 copies/microL with a high specificity and the relative sensitivity was at the same level as that of conventional RT-PCR. Positive rate of RT-LAMP in analysis of clinical specimens was approximately the same as that of conventional RT-PCR as well. This colorimetric RT-LAMP assay was potential for rapid detection of norovirus genotype GII on spot due to the observation of visual result with high specificity and sensitivity, time-saving and cost benefit.
Caliciviridae Infections ; diagnosis ; virology ; Colorimetry ; methods ; Feces ; virology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Norovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods

BACKGROUND: C-telopeptide and N-telopeptide cross-linked collagen type Ⅰ (CTx and NTx, respectively) are specific biochemical bone markers that can reflect bone formation and resorption. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of CTx with disuse osteoporosis. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 180-220 g, were randomly divided into control and disuse osteoporosis groups. Right hind limbs of the rats in the disuse osteoporosis group were immobilitzed for 4 weeks by ankle-tail fixation to establish the rat model of disuse osteoporosis. Peritoneal venous blood was collected before and after modeling, and the femur was then removed to measure the serum CTx level and bone mineral density of the bilateral femurs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The serum CTx level did not differ significantly between groups before modeling (P > 0.05). At 4 weeks after modeling, the serum CTx level in the disuse osteoporosis group was significantly higher than that in the control group and at baseline (P <0.01). The serum CTx level showed no significant change in the control group before and after modeling (P > 0.05). The increment of serum CTx in the disuse osteoporosis group exhibited a negative correlation with the bone mineral density of the bilateral femurs (r=0.426, P < 0.01). The bone mineral density of the right femur in the disuse osteoporosis group was significantly lower than that of the left one in the disuse osteoporosis group and the right one in the control group (P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference in the bone mineral density between left and right femurs in the control group (P > 0.05). These results imply that the model of disuse osteoporosis by ankle-tail fixation is established successfully. Disuse osteoporosis can promote the production of CTx further reducing bone mineral density; CTx is positively correlated with the degree of bone loss, so it can be used for therapeutic assessment and diagnosis of osteoporosis.