Adult ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear ; Humans ; Male

ObjectiveTo explore the renal functions of vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro(BB) rats by using different concentrated Gadolinium-diethylenetetramine pentaacetic acid(Gd-DTPA) dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).MethodsThe study included 14 BB rats(male rats of 3 month-old) and 14 normal male Wistar rats used as control group.Dynamic MRI was performed by using either a low dosage(0.05 mmol/kg) or a high dosage of Gd-DTPA(0.5 mmol/kg).Data of 0-60 min renal cortex,medulla and pelvic were obtained after using contrast medium.MRI of kidneys at different time was analyzed and the mean relative signal intensity(RSI) was measured.Then the RSI curves of different groups were marked.Data of each group were caculated separately by SPSS 11.0 software.ResultsThe findings demonstrated that RSI curves of the vasopressin-deficient kidneys showed different patterns as compared with those of the control group(P

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL)in the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.Methods We retrospectively re- viewed the clinical outcomes and complications of 33 patients who underwent MPCNL for lower caliceal cal- culi from March 2001 to April 2005.The average diameter of the calculi was 2.8 cm.Single tract nephrosto- my was performed in all 33 cases;among them renal access was obtained through a middle calyx in 10 cases and a lower calyx in 23.Nine cases had F14 renal access;and 24 cases,F16.Results Of 33 cases,28 (85%)achieved stone-free at 1 session.A second-look was needed in 3 cases due to intraoperative bleed- ing;ESWL,in 1 case with residual,calculi;no treatment,in 1 case with residual calculi＜4 ram.The mean operative time was 93 min;mean blood loss was 113 ml;mean hospital stay was 11 d.Blood transfusion was needed in 1 patient who suffered from hepatic cirrhosis preoperatively;another experienced severe bleeding 7 d after operation and was cured with hyperselective spongia gelatinosa embolization of the renal artery.Fol- low-up was available in 19 cases for 2-48 months,and no recurrence of renal calculi was noted.Conclu- sions Minimally invasive percutaneous nepbrolithotomy has advantages of safety,less invasion,and easy re- covery for the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.

OBJECTIVETo explore the features of DNA damage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients of normal constitution and abnormal constitution and in high-risk population of NPC.

METHODSUsing single cell gel electrophoresis technique, the DNA damage of peripheral blood lymphocytes was detected in 28 healthy subjects, 27 in high-risk population of NPC, and 13 NPC patients at their first visits. The DNA damage was detected in the populations of normal constitution and of abnormal constitution. The tail length, the tail moment, and the tail DNA% were taken as the indices of DNA damage.

RESULTSThe tail length was (35.77 +/- 4.22) microm, the tail moment was (8.10 +/- 1.63) microm, and the tail DNA% was 57.48% +/- 4.63% in NPC patients. They were (15.25 +/- 4.15) microm, (5.01 +/- 1.92) microm, and 31.99% +/- 4. 11% in high-risk population of NPC. They were (14.31 +/- 3.64) microm, (4. 37 +/- 1.80) microm, and 29. 89% +/- 3. 15% in healthy subjects. There was statistical difference in the three indices among the three populations (P <0.05). In all the three populations, more DNA damage existed in those of abnormal constitution than in those of normal constitution (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSObvious instability of genetic materials exists in NPC patients, manifested as severe DNA damage of lymphocytes. In all the three populations, more DNA damage existed in those of abnormal constitution than in those of normal constitution.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Body Constitution ; Carcinoma ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy using standardized Dermatophagoides farinae extract for children with combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome.

METHODSFifty-two children, from 4 to 14 years of age, with mite-sensitive combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome were treated sublingually with standardized Dermatophagoides farinae extract. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by monthly follow-up visits. After treatment for 1 or 2 years using the standardized Dermatophagoides farinae extract, the asthma and rhinitis symptom scores, medication scores and adverse reactions before and after treatment were evaluated. SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSThe allergic asthma symptom scores before treatment during the day were 3.22 ± 0.66 and at night 2.05 ± 0.57. After 1 year of treatment, the day and night scores (1.68 ± 0.61, 0.94 ± 0.32) respectively, were decreased significantly (q values were 15.25 and 13.78 respectively, all P < 0.01). After 2 years of treatment, the scores (0.61 ± 0.28, 0.43 ± 0.13) were also decreased significantly (q values were 10.29 and 6.07 respectively, all P < 0.01). The allergic rhinitis symptom scores and medication scores were 2.34 ± 0.59 and 3.09 ± 1.01 respectively before treatment and 1.21 ± 0.46 and 1.89 ± 0.64 after 1 year of treatment. The differences were significant (q values were 15.48 and 18.61 respectively, all P < 0.01). The allergic rhinitis symptom scores and medication scores were 1.02 ± 0.37 and 1.49 ± 0.38 after 2 years of treatment. There was no significant difference between 2 years of treatment and 1 year of treatment (q values were 2.53 and 2.78 respectively, all P > 0.05). There were no severe adverse events during the treatment, except for mild mouth cavity discomfort.

CONCLUSIONSSublingual immunotherapy using standardized Dermatophagoides farinae extract is safe and effective in the treatment of children with combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome.

Administration, Sublingual ; Adolescent ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Asthma ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo appraise the value of clinical treatment of percutaneous reduction and fixation of osteoporotic fractures for the proximal humerus in a geriatric population.

METHODSPostoperation complication, mortality in hospital and within the first three months postoperation, operation time, blood transfusion requirement, the functional outcome of the shoulder had been analysed and observed in 37 cases for open and closed fixation.

RESULTSClosed reduction provided the benefit of obtaining and holding adequate reduction without the soft-tissue dissection of open reduction and internal fixation. The general complication and mortality in the first three months postoperation in the open reduction and internal fixation cases were more severe than the percutaneous cases.

CONCLUSIONSOpen operation increases the risk of the geriatric population with osteoporotic proximal humerus fracture; percutaneous reduction and fixation may be preferable.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Osteoporosis ; complications ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Shoulder Fractures ; etiology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo describe the secular trends and epidemiological characteristics of preterm birth among singletons in 10 counties (cities) of China during 1993-2005.

METHODSWe analyzed data on 542 923 women (gestational age > or =28 weeks) collected through Perinatal Healthcare Surveillance System established by the Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University. Chi-square tests were employed to test the differences in prevalence of preterm birth among different groups.

RESULTS25 784 preterm births were identified, including 1530 stillbirths. Preterm birth rate was 4.75% (95% CI:4.69-4.81) for all births and 4.49% (95% CI:4.44-4.55) for live births. Preterm birth rate declined steadily from 1993 to 2005 and had no significant seasonal variation. Preterm birth rate from the urban areas of the Southern part of the country,was higher than that in the rural areas which was also higher than that seen in the rural areas from the northern part of the country. Relations between women's age at delivery and preterm birth appeared to be U-shaped. Increased preterm birth rates were also observed in women with lower education level,more parities,and previous history of preterm birth or abortion.

CONCLUSIONPreterm birth rate decreased steadily from 1993-2005 in 10 counties (cities) but varied by areas of the country.

Adult ; Birth Rate ; trends ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

Objective To construct RhoA siRNA plasmid expression vector.Methods According to the computer aided design,RhoA-specific siRNA gene was synthesized and cloned into the RNAi-Ready Pgenesil-1 Vector.The constructed RhoA-RNAi plasmid were transfected into human HEPG2 cell.Western blot was used to detect the effect of RhoA-RNAi plasmid.Results The recombinant was cloned and the se- quence was obtained.RhoA-RNAi plasmid can down-regulate the expression of RhoA in human hepatocel- lular carcinoma cell line HEPG2.Conclusion Successfully cloning the recombinant makes it possible for searching new mechanism of RhoA in hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in the activities of carbon monoxide (CO) and heme oxygenase 2 (HO-2) in ED rats with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy).

METHODSThis study included 40 male Wistar rats weighing 280 - 310 g, 10 as normal controls (group A). HHcy models were made in the other 30 by giving 3% methionine for 4 weeks, and then divided into groups B, C and D. The rats in group B continued to be fed with 3% methionine, those in group C were treated with betaine hydrochloride, and those in group D were given zinc porphyrin IX at 45 micromol per kg per d. Penile erections of the rats were recorded, and 4 weeks later, all were killed for determination of the levels of homocysteine (Hcy) in the blood plasma and the activities of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis.

RESULTSThe level of plasma Hcy, penile erection frequency and the content of CO in the corpus cavernosum were (12.55 +/- 0.82) micromol/L, (1.88 +/- 0.05) times and (10.55 +/- 1.73) micromol/L in group A, the Hcy level significantly higher while the penile erection frequency and CO content remarkably lower than in group B ([25.01 +/- 0.94] micromol/L, [0.70 +/- 0.05] times and [9.51 +/- 1.52] micromol/L, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), with a negative correlation between the level of Hcy and that of CO and HO-2 (P < 0.01). Compared with group B, the three parameters were all significantly increased in C ([14.37 +/- 0.47] micromol/L, [1.18 +/- 0.08] times and [10.36 +/- 1.56] micromol/L, all P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDecreased expressions of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis may result in ED in HHcy rats. Betaine can reduce the Hcy level in the blood plasma and CO content in the corpus cavernosum, which might be one of the mechanisms of its action on ED with HHcy.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; blood ; Erectile Dysfunction ; blood ; metabolism ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; blood ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Penis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo describe the epidemiological characteristics of overweight and obesity among people aged 18 and over in Guangdong province in 2002, and to identify the populations and regions under high risk.

METHODSCross-sectional survey was used through sampling on multi-stage randomized clusters. Data of socialeconomic status were collected by face-to-face interview. Data on weight and height was obtained through physical check-ups.

RESULTSA sample size of 15 130 people and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.03 +/- 3.38 with no significant difference between males and females. However the significant difference was seen between cities and rural areas. The crude prevalence rate of overweight and obesity were 16.8% and 1.8%, and the age-adjusted rate were 15.0% and 1.7%, respectively. The crude rate of overweight in cities (24.8%) and males (17.5%) were higher than that in rural areas (9.4%) and females (16.2%). The crude rate of obesity in cities was seen higher than that in the rural areas, but not significantly different between females and males. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the major risk factors influencing overweight would include household income, age, gender, smoking habits, physical exercises and location of residence.

CONCLUSIONAbout one sixth of the citizens in Guangdong province were considered to be overweighted and obesive had become an important public health problem. Integrated measures must be taken for prevention and control.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Mass Index ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sampling Studies ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires