Objective To investigate the MRI features of Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy(FCMD) in Chinese.Methods The MRI and clinical data of 3 patients with FCMD which had been diagnosed by gene analysis were retrospectively analyzed.Two females and one male were included in this study,and they underwent MR examination at 0.5,2.3,5.0 years old respectively.The main clinical manifestations were muscular hypotonia and severe developmental delay.Abnormalities on MR images were analyzed and recorded by two experienced radiologists.Results Unlayerdpoly microgyria involved in frontal lobes,numerous intraparenchymal cysts at the peripheral hemispheres and prolonged T1 and T2 signal in the white matter were found in all the 3 cases.Disorganized cerebellar folia,lissencephaly of cerebral cortices,flattened pons were detected in 2 cases.Cystic region of white matter incerebral cortices and enlarged fourth ventricle could be seen in one case.Conclusion There are typical MR imaging featuresof FCMD,and preliminary diagnosis can be made by the combination with clinical symptoms and biochemical analysis.

Objective To discuss the relationship between body mass index(BMI)and flag_raising syncope ( PS)and micturition syncope(MS)in children and adolescents. Methods One hundred and six children and adoles_cents with PS or MS diagnosed at the Department of Dediatric Cardiovasology,Childrenˊs Medical Center,the Second Xiangya Hospital,Central South University from January 2003 to September 2017 were studied,including 51 males and 55 females,and their ages ranged from 5 to 18 years. There were 63 cases in the PS group(21 males and 42 females) and 43 cases in the MS group(30 males and 13 females). One hundred healthy children and adolescents including 50 males and 50 females who had routine healthy examinations at the hospital in the same period were selected as control subjects(healthy control group). Body length and body mass were measured,and BMI was calculated. Statistical inves_tigations were conducted with SDSS 22. 0 software. Results (1)The body mass and BMI in the PS group were lower than those in the MS group[(36. 33 ± 9. 85)kg vs.(42. 85 ± 12. 44)kg;(16. 56 ± 2. 41)kg∕m2 vs.(18. 48 ± 3. 04) kg∕m2],and the differences were statistically significant(F﹦7. 529,12. 411,all P〈0. 05). There was no difference in body length among the PS group,the MS group and the healthy control group[(146. 62 ± 12. 89)cm vs.(150. 79 ± 12. 78)cm vs.( 149. 75 ± 16. 02 )cm,F ﹦1. 314,P 〉0. 05 ]. No differences were found in age,frequency,body length,body mass and BMI between the PS syncope group and the MS group with different genders(all P〉0. 05).(2) The number of BMI_underweight children increased in the PS group(82. 53%,52∕63 cases)compared with that of the MS group(58. 14%,25∕43 cases)and that of the healthy control group( 52. 00%,52∕100 cases),and the difference was statistically significant(χ2 ﹦14. 556,P〈0. 01).(3)The positive rate by head_up tilt test(HUTT)was 72. 64%(77∕104 cases),and HUTT of the PS group was higher than that of the MS group[82. 53%(52∕63 cases)vs. 58. 14%(25∕43 cases)],and there was a significant difference statistically(χ2 ﹦7. 656,P〈0. 01). Conclusions Low BMI is prone to PS in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) on the excretion of cytotoxin-effecting molecule of alveolar macrophages (AM) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and NO in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the cultured supernatants of AM in 35 patients with NSCLC were measured by ELISA and enzyme method,and levels of TNF-alpha and NO in the cultured supernatants of AM after being cultivated with IFN-alpha, G-Rh2, and IFN-alpha+G-Rh2 were measured by the same method. RESULTS: AM in all the non-small cell lung cancer patients produced TNF-alpha and NO. The activity of TNF-alpha and NO was lower in the BALF and in the cultured supernatants of AM of the tumor-bearing lungs than that of the non-tumor-bearing lungs. The concentrations of TNF-alpha and NO in the cultured supernatants of AM cultivated with G-Rh2 were higher than those in the control (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between the G-Rh2 group and IFN-alpha group (P>0.05). The concentrations of TNF-alpha and NO in the cultured supernatants of AM cultivated with both G-Rh2 and IFNalpha were obviously higher than those stimulated with IFNalpha or G-Rh2 (P<0.01) alone. CONCLUSION G-Rh2 can enhance the excretion of cytotoxin-effecting molecules of AM in patients with NSCLC. The changes are more distinctive when G-Rh2 and IFNalpha have coordinated action.
Adult ; Aged ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; immunology ; Female ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; immunology ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of perioperative intravenous administration of ambroxol on pulmonary function, postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, and cost after video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy for lung cancer. METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy for lung cancer in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between May 2011 and May 2012 were randomly assigned into 2 groups: An ambroxol group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). In the ambroxol group, patients were given ambroxol (1 000 mg/d) on the day of operation and on the first 3 postoperative days. In control group, placebo was given. The pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gases, incidence of perioperative morbidity, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, duration of ICU stay, length and costs of postoperative hospital stay were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The 2 groups were well matched for demographics and operative variables. The ambroxol group showed better the percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%), the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%), the percent predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO%) and arterial oxygen pressure than the control group. The postoperative pulmonary complications was significantly reduced, the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay were shortened, and the length and costs of postoperative hospital stay were significantly decreased in the ambroxol group compared with the control group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION Perioperative intravenous administration of ambroxol can improve the postoperative lung function, reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications, shorten the length of postoperative hospital stay, and lower the total cost of hospitalization after video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy for lung cancer.
Ambroxol ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lung ; drug effects ; Lung Neoplasms ; surgery ; Oxygen ; Perioperative Period ; Postoperative Complications ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Tidal Volume ; Vital Capacity

Objective To investigate the main inhaled allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis.Methods Forty-three standardization allergens were used to perform skin prick test in 54 813 patients with chronic rhinitis.According to different gender and age groups,10 030 patients with allergic rhinitis were divided into eight groups.The distributions of different allergens in the eight groups were analyzed.Results ①The most common four allergens in male patients with allergic rhinitis were Dermatophagoides farina (Der f),Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p ),Mugwort and Blaterlia Germanica.Der f,Der p,Mugwort and Chenopodium album were the most common in female patients.②In all groups,patients with dual positive allergens were the most common,followed by triple positive allergens and single positive allergen.③ In single positive allergen group,the top four allergen in male 3 - 17 year group were Derf,Der p,Alternaria tenuis and Mugwort.In other male groups,the most common positive allergen were Derf,Der p,Mugwort and Blaterlia Germanica.Meanwhile,the top four positive allergens in female 3 - 17 year group were Derf,Der p,Mugwort and Alternaria tenuis,in 18 -39 year group were Der f,Der P,Mugwort and Dandelion,in 40 -59 year group were Der f,Der p Mugwort and mixed tree 1,in ≥ 60 year group were Derf,Der P,mixed animal hair and Mugwort.④ In dual positive allergens group,the most common allergen combination was Derf + Der p,followed by Alternaria tenuis in patient of 3 - 17 year group.⑤ In triple positive allergens group,the most common allergen combination was Derf + Der p + Blaterlia Germanica,followed by Derf + Derp + mixed animal hair.Conclusions Dust mites,flowers pollen,herbs,Alternaria tenuis and Blaterlia Germanica were the most common allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis.However,the frequencies of the allergens were different in different age groups.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of early application of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on white matter development in preterm infants using fractional anisotropy (FA) of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

METHODSA total of 81 preterm infants with gestational age ≤32 weeks, birth weight <1 500 g, and hospitalization within 24 hours after birth were randomly divided into rhEPO group (42 infants) and control group (39 infants). The infants in the rhEPO group were administered rhEPO, while those in the control group were given the same volume of normal saline. The preterm infants of both groups took examinations of head magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and DTI at the corrected gestational age of 35-37 weeks. FA was calculated for the regions of interest in both groups.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, focal cerebral white matter damage (CWMD), and extensive CWMD between rhEPO and control groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the rhEPO group showed higher FA values at the posterior limb of the internal capsule, the splenium of the corpus callosum, frontal white matter, and occipital white matter (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in FA values at the parietal white matter, thalamus, lenticular nucleus, and caudate nucleus between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEarly application of rhEPO has a neuroprotective effect on white matter development in preterm infants.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Erythropoietin ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; White Matter ; drug effects ; growth & development

Objective In this study, we aimed to detect the level of total circulating microparticles (MPs) in pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE) and analyze the proteome of MPs to explore their roles in the pathogenesis and progression of PE. Methods 98 pregnant women with PE, 54 healthy pregnant women, and 51 healthy non-pregnant women were enrolled from December 2016 to June 2018, whose MP levels were detected by flow cytometry and compared. Proteins extracted from the MPs were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.Results The total MP level of the healthy pregnant group was significantly higher than thatof the non-pregnant group [159.87 (113.25, 218.18)/μl vs 94.10 (53.35, 140.23)/μl, P=0.004], but was not significantly different from that of the PE group. By proteomic profiling, 30 differential proteins were obtained between healthy pregnant women and healthy non-pregnant women, which were closely related to biological processes such as complements, coagulation cascades, angiogenesis and so on; 14 differential proteins were found between PE patients and healthy pregnant women, which were closely related to biological processes such as coagulation cascades, complements and inflammatory reactions, angiogenesis and so forth. Conclusions The level of circulating MPs may reflect the hypercoagulability of preeclampsia. In addition, circulating MPs may be involved in the pathogenesis of PE through various pathways by carrying different proteins, which indicates their potential value in the intervention of PE.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 2 endoscopic spine surgeries on the biomechanical properties of normal and osteoporotic spines. Methods: Based on computed tomography images of a healthy adult volunteer, 6 finite element models were created. After validating the normal intact model, a concentrated force of 400 N and a moment of 7.5 Nm were exerted on the upper surface of L3 to simulate 6 physiological activities of the spine. Five types of indices were used to assess the biomechanical properties of the 6 models, range of motion (ROM), maximum displacement value, intervertebral disc stress, maximum stress value, and articular protrusion stress, and by combining them with finite element stress cloud. Results: In normal and osteoporotic spines, there was no meaningful change in ROM or disc stress in the 2 surgical models for the 6 motion states. Model N1 (osteoporotic percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy model) showed a decrease in maximum displacement value of 20.28% in right lateral bending. Model M2 (unilateral biportal endoscopic model) increased maximum displacement values of 16.88% and 17.82% during left and right lateral bending, respectively. The maximum stress value of L4–5 increased by 11.72% for model M2 during left rotation. In addition, using the same surgical approach, ROM, maximum displacement values, disc stress, and maximum stress values were more significant in the osteoporotic model than in the normal model. Conclusion In both normal and osteoporotic spines, both surgical approaches were less disruptive to the physiologic structure of the spine. Furthermore, using the same endoscopic spine surgery, normal spine biomechanical properties are superior to osteoporotic spines.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 2 endoscopic spine surgeries on the biomechanical properties of normal and osteoporotic spines. Methods: Based on computed tomography images of a healthy adult volunteer, 6 finite element models were created. After validating the normal intact model, a concentrated force of 400 N and a moment of 7.5 Nm were exerted on the upper surface of L3 to simulate 6 physiological activities of the spine. Five types of indices were used to assess the biomechanical properties of the 6 models, range of motion (ROM), maximum displacement value, intervertebral disc stress, maximum stress value, and articular protrusion stress, and by combining them with finite element stress cloud. Results: In normal and osteoporotic spines, there was no meaningful change in ROM or disc stress in the 2 surgical models for the 6 motion states. Model N1 (osteoporotic percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy model) showed a decrease in maximum displacement value of 20.28% in right lateral bending. Model M2 (unilateral biportal endoscopic model) increased maximum displacement values of 16.88% and 17.82% during left and right lateral bending, respectively. The maximum stress value of L4–5 increased by 11.72% for model M2 during left rotation. In addition, using the same surgical approach, ROM, maximum displacement values, disc stress, and maximum stress values were more significant in the osteoporotic model than in the normal model. Conclusion In both normal and osteoporotic spines, both surgical approaches were less disruptive to the physiologic structure of the spine. Furthermore, using the same endoscopic spine surgery, normal spine biomechanical properties are superior to osteoporotic spines.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 2 endoscopic spine surgeries on the biomechanical properties of normal and osteoporotic spines. Methods: Based on computed tomography images of a healthy adult volunteer, 6 finite element models were created. After validating the normal intact model, a concentrated force of 400 N and a moment of 7.5 Nm were exerted on the upper surface of L3 to simulate 6 physiological activities of the spine. Five types of indices were used to assess the biomechanical properties of the 6 models, range of motion (ROM), maximum displacement value, intervertebral disc stress, maximum stress value, and articular protrusion stress, and by combining them with finite element stress cloud. Results: In normal and osteoporotic spines, there was no meaningful change in ROM or disc stress in the 2 surgical models for the 6 motion states. Model N1 (osteoporotic percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy model) showed a decrease in maximum displacement value of 20.28% in right lateral bending. Model M2 (unilateral biportal endoscopic model) increased maximum displacement values of 16.88% and 17.82% during left and right lateral bending, respectively. The maximum stress value of L4–5 increased by 11.72% for model M2 during left rotation. In addition, using the same surgical approach, ROM, maximum displacement values, disc stress, and maximum stress values were more significant in the osteoporotic model than in the normal model. Conclusion In both normal and osteoporotic spines, both surgical approaches were less disruptive to the physiologic structure of the spine. Furthermore, using the same endoscopic spine surgery, normal spine biomechanical properties are superior to osteoporotic spines.