Humans ; Liver Function Tests ; methods ; Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin ; Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate

Adolescent ; Antigens, Viral ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytomegalovirus ; immunology ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; diagnosis ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; diagnosis ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Phosphoproteins ; blood ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium on removal of gaseous chlorobenzene.

METHODSFungal mycelium mixed with a liquid medium was placed into airtight bottles. A certain amount of chlorobenzene was injected into the headspace of the bottles under different conditions. At a certain interval, the concentrations in the headspace were analyzed to evaluate the degradation of chlorobenzene by P. chrysosporium.

RESULTSThe degradation effects of P. chrysosporium on chlorobenzene under different conditions were investigated. The difference in the optimum temperature for the growth of the fungi and chlorobenzene degradation was observed. The data indicated that a lower temperature (28 degrees C) would promote the degradation of chlorobenzene than the optimum temperature for the growth of the fungi (37 degrees C). A low nitrogen source concentration (30 mg N/L) had a better effect on degrading chlorobenzene than a high nitrogen source concentration (higher than 100 mg N/L). A high initial concentration (over 1100 mg/m3) of chlorobenzene showed an inhibiting effect on degradation by P. chrysosporium. A maximum removal efficiency of 95% was achieved at the initial concentration of 550 mg/m3.

CONCLUSIONP. chrysosporium has a rather good ability to remove gaseous chlorobenzene. A low nitrogen source concentration and a low temperature promote the removal of chlorobenzene by P. chrysosporium. However, a high initial chlorobenzene concentration can inhibit chlorobenzene degradation.

Air Pollutants ; metabolism ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Chlorobenzenes ; metabolism ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Microbiological Techniques ; Nitrogen ; pharmacology ; Phanerochaete ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Temperature ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the histopathological changes of livers in idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH).

METHODSLiver specimens from 29 cases with idiopathic portal hypertension were studied. Histological preparations of the livers were stained with haematoxylin eosin and Masson's trichrome; reticular fibers in the liver tissues were demonstrated. The slides were also stained using some immunohistochemistry methods, and the pathological changes of the livers were analyzed.

RESULTSThe characteristic changes found in these IPH livers were dense portal fibrosis; obliteration, with or without phlebitis, of the branches of the portal vein; dilatation of the sinusoids; atrophy and nodular hyperplasia of liver cells.

CONCLUSIONSHistopathological changes of the livers in IPH are dense portal fibrosis, portal vein branch obliteration and nodular hyperplasia of liver cells. These are the main features for a histopathological diagnosis of IPH.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fibrosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; pathology ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To study the accuracy of real-time continuous monitoring system (RT-CGMS) at different stages and its association with glucose excursion. Methods Totally 33 patients with type 1 diabetes or type 2diabetes were under surveillance of RT-CGMS for 5 d. Capillary glucose values were measured 7 times daily.Correlation coefficient, error grid analysis (EGA), and Bland-Altman analysis methods were used to assess the correlation, accuracy and agreement of RT-CGMS at different stages and in general level; The mean amplitude of glucose excursion (MAGE) and the frequency of glucose excursion ( FGE ) were also calculated. Results ( 1 ) The correlation coefficient of RT-CGMS with capillary glucose values at fasting, postprandial stages, and in general level were 0.94,0.92, and 0.93 respectively( P＜0.01 ). (2) EGA showed that 98.82%, 98.39%, and 98.64% of the results fell in the A and B zones and 1. 18%, 1.61%, and 1.36% fell in the D zone respectively at fasting,postprandial stages, and in general level. There is no result fell in C and E zones. ( 3 ) The agreement analysis showed that RT-CGMS readings were in close agreement with capillary glucose values at fasting, postprandial periods, and in general level. (4)The MAGE at fasting, postprandial periods, and in general level were (3.57±2.66), (4.07±3.09), and (4. 02 ±3.04) mmol/L (P＞0. 05), (0±0. 5), (3± 1), and( 1 ±3) d for FGE (P＜0. 01 ).Conclusion RT-CGMS at fasting stage has higher accuracy than postprandial stage and general level, FGE at fasting stage is higher than postprandial stage and general level.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) combined with plasma cryoprecipitate (CRYO) on the corneal injury induced by paraquat (PQ).

METHODSAccording to the "Toxicological test methods of pesticides for registration" (GB 15670-1995), the conjunctival sacs of 18 health New Zealand rabbits were exposed to 100 µl 20% PQ, which were randomly divided into EGF, CRYO and EGF plus CRYO groups. The routine treatments (normal saline washing and antibiotic eyedrops) were administrated to the injured eyes of 3 groups, at the same time the left eyes of 3 groups were treated with EGF, CRYO and EGF plus CRYO, respectively. The injury of conjunctival, iris and corneal, fluorescent stranded and pathology changes of corneal were observed. The injury score was calculated and the recovery time of corneal injury was recorded.

RESULTSThe recovery time of corneal injury in EGF and EGF plus CRYO groups were 19.50 ± 3.08 and 18.67 ± 2.73 days, respectively which were significantly lower than those (27.33 ± 2.58 and 26.83 ± 3.13 days) in corresponding routine treatment controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEGF and EGF plus CRYO could be used to treat the corneal injury induced by paraquat.

Animals ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Cornea ; drug effects ; Corneal Injuries ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; therapeutic use ; Eye Injuries ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Factor VIII ; therapeutic use ; Fibrinogen ; therapeutic use ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Paraquat ; adverse effects ; Plasma ; Rabbits ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo design and develop a novel esophageal prosthesis by selecting appropriate biomaterials, developing special manufacturing techniques, and investigating the feasibility of replacement of cervical esophagus in mongrel dogs.

METHODSIn accordance with the requirements of ideal esophageal substitutes, we designed a new type of esophageal prostheses. The inner stent were made with polyurethane of medical grade, and the outer surface of the prosthesis was coated with collagen-chitosan sponge. The silicone tube was used as a control. Thirteen adult mongrel dogs that were divided into two groups were used to establish the experimental models.

RESULTSIn the experimental group (n = 8), the esophageal prostheses were completely incorporated with the native esophagus and adherent to the surrounding host connective tissues. Epithelial linings of varying degrees were formed on the luminal surface, and complete epithelization was seen in 1 month postoperatively. The granulation at the sites of the anastomosis in this group was less significant than that of the control group. One dog has been surviving for 12 months up to now without any complications. In the control group (n = 5), esophageal epithelial was not observed on the luminal surface, constriction of the regenerated esophagus progressed and all the dogs died within 2 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONThese observations suggest that this esophageal prosthesis made of composite biomaterials has high biocompatibility and potential for long-segment esophageal reconstruction, which is promising for the clinical repair of esophageal defects.

Absorbable Implants ; Animals ; Artificial Organs ; Biocompatible Materials ; Chitosan ; Collagen ; Dogs ; Esophagus ; Implants, Experimental ; Models, Animal ; Polyurethanes ; Prosthesis Design ; methods ; Prosthesis Implantation

Objective To study the changes of permeability of blood brain barrier (BBB) in rats after acute traumatic brain injury and explore its mechanism. Methods Ninety-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (S group) and traumatic brain injury group (TBI group).Each group was divided into 6 subgroups (3,6,12,24,48 and 72 h after trauma).Brain injury animal models were established according to Feeney' s method.Measurement of Evans Blue (EB) was performed at different time points after injury to measure the changes of BBB permeability.Brain water content was tested by wet-dry weighting method. Expression of tight junction protein Claudin-5 was detected by Western blotting. Results As compared with that in rats of the S group,the brain water content and content of EB in rats of the TBI group were significantly increased at each time point (P＜0.05); and in TBI subgroups,the brain water content and content of EB were begun to increase 3 h after TBI,reaching its peak level 24 h after TBI.As compared with that in rats of the S group,the expression of Claudin-5 in rats of the TBI group was significantly decreased at 12,24,48 and 72 h after TBI (P＜0.05); and in TBI subgroups,the expression of Claudin-5 was begun to decrease 6 h after TBI,reaching its lowest level 24 h after TBI. Negative correlations were noted between protein expression level of Claudin-5 and both the brain water content and content of EB (r=-0.994,P=0.000; r=-0.846,P=0.036); positive correlation was observed between the brain water content and content of EB (r=0.863,P=0.027). Conclusion The degree of brain injury and changes of permeability of BBB may be time dependent in rats after acute brain traumatic injury; and Claudin-5 may be correlated with the changes of BBB.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic SPECT (99m)Tc-galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) scintigraphy on the assessment of reserve function of cirrhosis liver.

METHODSFrom January 2010 to December 2011, 55 patients with cirrhosis liver were enrolled in this study. The case numbers of male and female were 43 and 12 respectively and the age was (51 ± 9) years (ranging from 35 to 69 years). After routine biochemistry test, CT scan and (99m)Tc-GSA dynamic SPECT scan were performed in turn using a juxtaposed SPECT/CT system. Then the morphologic volume of liver parenchyma (MLV), functional liver volume (FLV) and the hepatic cell absorption rate constant (GSA-K) were calculated. The correlations between GSA-K and routine biochemistry test, Child-Pugh score, indocyanine green clearance rate (ICG-K) were analyzed. The patients were further divided into 3 groups according to whether there was occlusion or stenosis in the main branch of left portal vein (group 1, n = 5), right portal vein (group 2, n = 13) or not (group 3, n = 37) and the regional hepatic functions index of the 3 groups were compared.

RESULTSThe value of FLV of the whole, left and right liver was (594 ± 152) ml, (244 ± 119) ml and (356 ± 171) ml, respectively. There were correlations between GSA-K and total bilirubin, prothrombintime, Child-Pugh score and ICG-K (r = -0.730--0.298, P < 0.05). The FLV and MLV ratios of involved hemiliver to uninvolved hemiliver were 0.09 ± 0.06 and 0.30 ± 0.14 in group 1, 0.57 ± 0.43 and 1.08 ± 0.63 in group 2, 0.71 ± 0.30 and 0.71 ± 0.48 in group 3. The difference in MLV-FLV ratio was signifcant between group 1 and group 3, between group 2 and group 3 (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe dynamic SPCECT (99m)Tc-GSA scintigraphy can not only assess the whole liver function of cirrhosis liver effectively, but also evaluate the variation of regional liver function accurately.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; physiopathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin ; metabolism ; Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate ; metabolism ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and biological behavior of spermatocytic seminoma.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed as seminoma, spermatocytic seminoma between January 2003 and May 2011, was performed. Clinical data, HE stained section and immunohistochemical staining (SP method) were reviewed with follow-up.

RESULTSSixty-six cases of seminoma and 5 cases of spermatocytic seminoma were identified. The average age at the diagnosis of 5 cases of spermatocytic seminoma was 53 years, and no patient had a history of crytorchidism or germ cell tumor. All five patients had stage pT1 tumor. Immunohistochemical studies showed that spermatocytic seminoma was negative for CK, vimentin, OCT3/4, PLAP, and LCA, and PAS staining was also negative. All five patients were well after operation. In contrast, the average age at diagnosis of the 66 cases of seminoma was 37 years, in which 12% had a history of crytorchidism and 11% were in stage pT2 or the above. Immunohistochemical studies showed that seminoma was positive for OCT3/4, PLAP, and CD117. During the follow-up, 2 patients developed metastasis and 3 patients died of the disease.

CONCLUSIONSSpermatocytic seminoma is rare and appears to follow a benign clinical course Due to its favourable prognosis, further treatment is not necessary after orchidectomy. Accurate pathologic diagnosis is critical for patient management and for avoiding over-treatment.

Adult ; Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; metabolism ; Orchiectomy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Seminoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Spermatocytes ; pathology ; Testicular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery