Objective To investigate the feasibility of pancreatic DWI at a 3T MR imager and its value for the qualitative diagnosis of pancreatic tumors. Methods For 20 normal healthy volunteers and 47 patients with pancreatic tumors [21 pancreatic carcinoma (PC), 7 mass-forming chronic pancreatitis (MFCP)and 19 cystic lesions), routine pancreatic MRI and pancreatic DWI using b values (500 and 1000 mm2/s)were obtained, the DWI signal intensity (SI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of pancreatic lesions and adjacent tissue was measured. Results In the b = 500 and 1000 mm2/s DWI images, there was no significant difference in ADC value between different parts of normal pancreas. But PC and MFCP were shown as hyperintensity mass, in addition, the related SI1000 of PC at b = 1000 mm2/s DWI was significantly higher than that of MFCP (1.238 +0.448 vs. 0.371 +0.293, P＜0. 01). Compared with normal pancreas,beth PC and MFCP presented as decreased ADC500 and ADC1000 value. The ADC1000 of PC was significantly lower than that of MFCP [ ( 1. 087 + 0. 175 ) mm2/s vs. ( 1. 279 ± 0.213 ) mm2/s]. Pancreatic cystic lesions were shown as hyperintensity in DWI at b = 500 mm2/s, but were depicted as iso-intense signal or low-signal lesions in DWI using b = 1000 mm2/s. Both ADC500 and ADC1000 of pancreatic cystic lesions were higher than that of normal pancreas. Conclusions 3T-MR DWI is helpful to differentiate pancreatic lesions. High b value DWI is more valuable for the qualitative diagnosis of pancreatic mass.

To investigate the epidemic and evolutionary trends of enterovirus (EV) in the external environment of Yunnan Province, China, molecular typing was performed on 4 EV strains that were isolated from environmental sewage in Yunnan. The VP1 region of isolates was amplified by RT-PCR using universal enterovirus primers, and the amplified VP1 region was sequenced for GenBank BLAST search and genotype analysis. The 4 EV strains were identified as ECHO7. Their nucleotide and amino acid homologies with the VP1 sequences of 68 ECHO7 strains retrieved from GenBank were measured by Mega software analysis. Our findings showed that ECHO7 strains from environmental sewage and population samples were in different evolutionary branches. These strains showed typical geographical and temporal differences; In addition, there were different transmission chains at the same time and in the same area. ECHO7 strains isolated from sewage water and patients with acute flaccid paralysis during the same period in Yunnan belonged to different clusters and evolved at different speeds. Special concerns are needed for this problem. Continuous molecular biological surveillance of human EV in the external environment of Yunnan will provide strong support for early warning of EV diseases.
China ; Databases, Genetic ; Enterovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Evolution, Molecular ; Humans ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Sequence Analysis ; Sewage ; virology

China ; Enterovirus ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; genetics

It was widely believed that the interaction between rice and rice blast fungus can be interpreted by the gene-for-gene hypothesis. Two interaction models between rice blast fungus and anti-disease genes had been briefed. They were receptor-ligand model and guard model. The progress of research about molecular marker and position on avirulence genes of the pathogens of rice blast (Magnaporthe oryzae) was reviewed, and the methods to clone and the cloned avirulence genes of rice blast fungus were also summarized.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) inducing angiogenesis on the neuroblast migration from the subventricular zone and its mechanisms after focal cerebral ischemia.

METHODThe middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed to mice for 30 minutes to establish the model. The rats were divided into sham group, model group, BYHWD group and endostatin group. BYHWD (20 g x kg(-1), ig) and endostatin (10 μg, sc) were administered 24 h after ischemia once a day for consecutively 14 days. At 14 d after ischemia, the density of micro-vessel and the number of neuroblasts in the ischemia border zone were determined by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA and protein expression of cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and brain-derived neurotrophic (BDNF) were examined by real-time PCR and Western blot.

RESULTCompared with the model group, BYHWD significantly increased the density of micro-vessel and the number of DCX positive cells in the ischemia border zone (P < 0.01), and significantly increased the SDF-1 and BDNF mRNA and protein expression (P < 0.01). Compared with BYHWD group, endostatin significantly reduced the density of micro-vessel and the number of DCX positive cells in the ischemia border zone (P < 0.01), as well as the SDF-1, BDNF mRNA and protein expression (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBYHWD could promote the neuroblast migration from the subventricular zone via inducing angiogenesis after cerebral ischemia, the mechanism may be correlated with up-regulating the expression of SDF-1 and BDNF.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; analysis ; genetics ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cerebral Ventricles ; pathology ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; analysis ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neurons ; drug effects ; physiology

This investigation was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension in 35 to 70 years old adults living in Xicheng District of Beijing. Cluster sampling was conducted in 2230 adults, and only 1958 individuals agreed to enter into the study. Written informed consents were obtained before questionnaire and physical examination. A total of 1889 data were used for analysis. The prevalence rate of hypertension was 47.8% (n=902). The age-standardized prevalence rate was 40. 1%. Hypertension was seen in 368 men (53.0%) and 534 women (44.7%) (P=0.0005). The rates of disease awareness, treatment, and control were 47.5%, 38.5%, and 24.1%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age (P<0.0001). Linear trend was found between body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure (P<0.0001). In multiple logistic model analysis, the hypertension risk for men was 1.33 times that of women (95% CI, 1.08-1.64), for participants with obesity was 2.81 times that of those with normal weight (95%CI, 2.00-3.97). Hypertension has become one of the most concerned public health problems in the district. Middle-aged people should pay attention to changed blood pressure, especial for overweight men. Health promotion should be needed for hypertension prevention. More attention should be paid to substantial increase in hypertension.

The effects of beta-cypermethrin (consisting of alpha-cypermethrin and theta-cypermethrin) on the transient outward potassium current (I(A)) and delayed rectifier potassium current (I(K)) in freshly dissociated hippocampal CA3 neurons of rats were studied using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The results indicated that alpha-cypermethrin increased the value of I(A) and theta-cypermethrin decreased the value of I(A), though both of them shifted steady activation curve of I(A) towards negative potential. theta-cypermethrin contributed to the inactivation of I(A). The results also showed that alpha-cypermethrin and theta-cypermethrin decreased the value of I(K), and shifted the steady state activation curve of I(K) towards negative potential. Both alpha-cypermethrin and theta-cypermethrin had no obvious effects on the inactivation of I(K). theta-cypermethrin prolonged recovery process of I(K). These results imply that both transient outward potassium channels and delayed rectified potassium channels are the targets of beta-cypermethrin, which may explain the mechanism of toxical effects of beta-cypermethrin on mammalian neurons.
Animals ; CA3 Region, Hippocampal ; cytology ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Male ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; drug effects ; physiology ; Pyrethrins ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change in joint line after knee arthroplasty.

METHODSA total of 43 patients had 25 primary cruciate-retaining total knee replacements (Link Gemini MKII) and 25 rotational knee replacements (Link Endo-Model Rotational Knee System) sacrificing collateral ligaments and cruciate ligaments. Lateral radiographs were made both preoperatively and postoperatively. The change in the relative position of the joint line preoperatively and postoperatively was defined as the difference between the perpendicular distance from the weight-bearing surface of the tibial plateau to the tibial tubercle of the natural tibia (JL) and perpendicular distance from the weight-bearing surface of the prosthetic tibial component to the tibial tubercle (JL'). This distance was JL'-JL. The statistical differences between 2 groups were analyzed.

RESULTSThe distance of JL'-JL was 2.0 mm (-1.3 - 7.2 mm) in 22 patients with Gemini replacement, whereas the distance was 3.1 mm (-1.5 - 12.3 mm) in the other patients with rotational knee system. The difference was significant.

CONCLUSIONSIf the collateral ligaments and cruciate ligaments are removed during the knee replacement operations, the prosthetic joint line is likely to be malpositioned proximally. The fibular styloid and medial or lateral epicondylar reference points can be used to determine proper position of the joint line during operation.

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Treatment Outcome

Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Male ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Neurons ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Synapses ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure

Child ; Female ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital ; surgery ; Tibia ; abnormalities ; surgery