OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of γ-glutamyl hydrolase gene (GGH) 452C/T genotype and allele frequency in children with acute leukemia (AL) and healthy children.

METHODSBone marrow samples from 92 children with AL and peripheral blood samples from 124 healthy children were obtained to prepare complementary DNAs (cDNAs). The cDNAs were analyzed for a GGH 452C/T polymorphism by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (RT-PCR-DGGE) and direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe frequencies of the AL patients with TT, CT and CC genotypes were 2.2%, 13.0% and 84.8%, and the frequencies of the control children were 1.6%, 16.9% and 81.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in GGH genotype or T allele frequency between the two groups (P> 0.05). However, the T allele frequency in Han Chinese children was significantly different from those reported in Japanese, Mexican and African-American populations.

CONCLUSIONThe frequency of 452C/T polymorphism of GGH gene in Han Chinese children has been determined. The results suggested that an ethnic difference may exist.

Acute Disease ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukemia ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo assess the reproducibility of whole-body diffusion weighted imaging (WB-DWI) technique in healthy volunteers under normal breathing with background body signal suppression.

METHODSWB-DWI was performed on 32 healthy volunteers twice within two-week period using short TI inversion-recovery diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging sequence and built-in body coil. The volunteers were scanned across six stations continuously covering the entire body from the head to the feet under normal breathing. The bone apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and exponential ADC (eADC) of regions of interest (ROIs) were measured. We analyzed correlation of the results using paired-t-test to assess the reproducibility of the WB-DWI technique.

RESULTSWe were successful in collecting and analyzing data of 64 WB-DWI images. There was no significant difference in bone ADC and eADC of 824 ROIs between the paired observers and paired scans (P>0.05). Most of the images from all stations were of diagnostic quality.

CONCLUSIONThe measurements of bone ADC and eADC have good reproducibility. WB-DWI technique under normal breathing with background body signal suppression is adequate.

Adult ; Aged ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Echo-Planar Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Respiration ; Whole Body Imaging ; methods

To investigated Shui nationality folk medicine's awareness to orthopedics & traumatology, the history of orthopedics & traumatology treatment, Shui nationality folk doctors' practicing medicine, heritage, diagnosis and treatment methods and tools, etc, through investigated drug resources category and distribution characteristics of Shui nationality medicine to orthopedics & traumatology treatment, explored and finished Shui nationality medicine orthopedics & traumatology treatment theoretical system. After more than 5 years' exploration and finishing, preliminarily formed the theoretical system framework and medicine application characteristics of Shui nationality medicine treating orthopedics & traumatology. Shui nationality medicine treatment orthopedics & traumatology has distinctive national style, and worthy to further exploration and research.
Bone Diseases ; ethnology ; history ; therapy ; China ; ethnology ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Humans ; Orthopedics ; history ; methods ; Religion and Medicine ; Traumatology ; history ; methods

Objective We aimed to assess the association between urinary bisphenol A(BPA)concentrations and gestational age in pregnant women. Methods A total of 248 pregnant women were recruited from a maternal and child care hospital in Shanghai. A questionnaire survey was completed to collect socio-demographic information and spot urine samples were collected during pregnancy. Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS)was used to measure BPA concentrations in urine samples. Linear relationship between urinary BPA level and gestational age was assessed by using generalized additive models. Multivariate regression model was used to evaluate associations of prenatal BPA exposure with gestational age. Results BPA was detected in all the urine samples. Median value and geometric mean of urinary BPA levels were 0.85 μg/L and 1.21 μg/L, respectively. Linear relationship between urinary BPA concentration and gestational weeks was confirmed(non-linear P > 0.05). Positive association between urinary BPA level and gestational age was indicated(regression coefficient, β = 0.19;95%CI:0.04-0.35;P = 0.016). However, it was only observed in girls, stratified by sex of newborns(β = 0.18;95%CI:0.03-0.34;P = 0.020). After stratification by trimester, no significant association was found in the second or the third trimesters. Conclusion Pregnant women are extensively exposed to BPA. Urinary BPA exposure during pregnancy may extend gestational age, especially in girls.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of hypothermia combined with dexamethasone on the testis of rats after testicular torsion reduction and on the expression of eNOS and apoptosis of spermatogenic cells.

METHODSWe made unilateral testicular torsion models in 80 adolescent male Sprague-Dawley rats by 720 degrees torsion of the left testis, and then randomly divided them into four groups of equal number to be treated with normal temperature + physiological saline (group A), hypothermia + physiological saline (group B), hypothermia + dexamethasone (group C), and normal temperature + dexamethasone (group D). After 48 hours, we collected the testes, observed pathological changes of the testicular tissue by HE staining under the light microscope, determined the expression of eNOS by immunohistochemistry, and detected the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells by TUNEL.

RESULTSHE staining showed different degrees of testicular tissue injury in all the four groups of rats, most obvious in group A, while protective effect was observed in the other three groups. Immunohistochemistry revealed significantly more positive cells and higher positive staining intensity in the torsion (left) testis in group A than in B (P < 0.05), C (P < 0.01) and D (P < 0.01). The nuclei were deep brown or brown. Lots of apoptotic spermatogenic cells were seen in the torsion testis of group A, with a significantly higher apoptosis index (31.12 +/- 4.68) than in B (16.58 +/- 6.22) (P < 0.05), C (8.60 +/- 1.15) (P < 0.01) and D (13.52 +/- 3.06) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIschemia-reperfusion injury after testicular torsion reduction can increase the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and decrease testicular reproductivity. Hypothermia combined with dexamethasone can protect the testis from injury as well as the reproductive function of the testis after testicular torsion reduction.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Germ Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; metabolism ; pathology ; Spermatogenesis ; Testis ; metabolism ; pathology

BACKGROUNDComputer-assisted procedures have recently been introduced for navigated femoral neck screw placement. Currently there is little information available regarding accuracy and efficiency of the different navigated procedures. The aim of this study was to compare two fluoroscopic navigation tracking technologies, a novel bi-planar robot navigation and standardized optoelectronic navigation, versus standard freehand fluoroscopic insertion in a Synbone hip model.

METHODSEighteen fixed Synbone hip models were divided into 3 groups. C-arm navigated cannulated screws (AO-ASIF, diameter 7.3 mm) were inserted using freehand targeting (control group). A novel bi-planar robot system (TINAV, GD2000) and an optoelectronic system (Stryker OTS Navigation System) were used for the navigated procedures (robot group and optoelectronic group). Accuracy was measured using radiographic evaluation including the measurement of screw parallelism and decentralization, and joint penetration. To evaluate the efficiency, the number of guidewire passes, operative time and fluoroscopic images taken were noted.

RESULTSThe two computer-assisted systems provided significantly improved accuracy compared to the freehand technique. Each of the parameters, including guidewire passes and number of fluoroscopy images, was significantly lower when using the computer-assisted systems than for freehand-unguided insertion (P <0.05), but operative time was significantly shorter when using freehand-unguided insertion than for the computer-assisted systems (P <0.05). Accuracy, operative time and number of fluoroscopy images taken were similar among the two navigated groups (P >0.05), but guidewire passes in the robot group were significantly less than in the optoelectronic group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth bi-planar robot navigation and optoelectronic navigation were similarly accurate and have the potential to improve accuracy and reduce radiation for freehand fluoroscopic targeting for insertion of cannulated screws in femoral neck fractures. Guidewire passes in the robot group were significantly less than in the optoelectronic group. However, both navigated procedures were associated with time-consuming registration and high rates of failed matching procedures.

Bone Screws ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; surgery ; Hip ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Radiography ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods

AIMTo study the effect of achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides(ABPS) on the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 and its mRNA in bronchus of a rat model of asthma.

METHODSThirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, asthma group and ABPS group. The total cell numbers, eosinophils (EOS) numbers and differentiated cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted by different count fluids. The concentrations of IL-4 in serum and BALF were measured by sandwich ELISA. The protein expressions of STAT6 were detected by immunohistochemistry techniques. The mRNA expressions of STAT6 were detected by hybridization in situ.

RESULTS(1) The total cell numbers in BALF, the absolute numbers of EOS, the ratios of eosinophils to the total cell numbers (EOS%) of asthma group were all significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01). The total cell numbers in BALF, the absolute numbers of EOS and EOS% of ABPS group were all significantly lower than those of asthma group (P < 0.01). (2) The concentrations of IL-4 in BALF and serum of asthma group were significantly higher than those of control group (P < 0.01), while the concentrations of IL-4 in BALF and serum of ABPS group were significantly lower than those of asthma group. (3) Immunohistochemistry showed that the protein content of STAT6 around the bronchus of asthma group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01), while that of ABPS group was significantly lower than that of asthma group , the epithelial cells were the chief expression cells; hybridization in situ showed that the mRNA expression of STAT6 around the bronchus of asthma group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01), while that of ABPS group was significantly lower than that of asthma group , the epithelial cells were the chief expression cells.

CONCLUSIONSTAT6 protein and STAT6 mRNA were found strongly expressed in rat asthma model, the epithelial cells were the chief expression cells. ABPS had an inhibitory effect on airway inflammation cells infiltration such as EOS, it significantly depressed STAT6 and its mRNA expression, thus reduced the synthesis of IL-4 might be key in modulating mechanism of asthma.

Achyranthes ; Animals ; Asthma ; metabolism ; Eosinophils ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Male ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; STAT6 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathological characters and anatomic correction of penile epispadias.

METHODSThe urethra was formed by local urethra plate mucosa flaps. The contracture on dorsum of penis was released by cutting off the superficial suspensory ligament to reposition the penile and urethral sponge.

RESULTSFrom Jun. 2004 to Dec. 2010, 26 cases with penile epispadias were treated. 18 cases were followed up for 6 months to 5 years. 10 cases were treated successfully with good cosmetic and functional results. Urinary incontinence happened in 8 cases, which healed after tightening operation.

CONCLUSIONSThe anatomic correction of penile epispadias can recover the normal anatomic structure, resulting good cosmetic and functional results.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epispadias ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male ; methods ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDDetection rate of retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) needs to be improved. The purpose of this study was to compare three magnetic resonance (MR) sequences for detecting lymph nodes in patients with NPC.

METHODSBetween July 2007 and March 2008, MR staging of pre-treated tumor was conducted on 120 patients with pathologically confirmed NPC. The outcome of three different sequences for MR NPC staging were compared: coronal short TI inversion recovery (STIR), axial proton density fat-suppressed (PDWI fs), and coronal contrast enhanced fast spin echo T1 weighted fat-suppressed (CE FSE T1WI fs). Nodal classification method (1999) was applied to count the number of retropharyngeal and cervical lymph nodes discovered by each MR sequence. Paired t tests were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSA total of 2575 lymph nodes were found using coronal STIR sequence; 1816 lymph nodes for coronal CE FSE T1WI fs sequence and 2638 lymph nodes for axial PDWI fs sequence. Significant differences existed in the number of lymph nodes detected by axial PDWI fs and coronal CE FSE T1WI fs sequence (paired t test, P < 0.05), with the former sequence getting higher numbers. Statistical differences also existed between coronal STIR and coronal CE FSE T1WI fs sequence (paired t test, P < 0.05), with the former sequence getting higher numbers. No significant difference was found between coronal STIR sequence and axial PDWI fs sequence (paired t test, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor the detection of retropharyngeal and cervical lymph nodes, coronal STIR sequence and axial PDWI fs sequence have similar performance and both sequences showed better detection than CE FSE T1WI fs sequence. Furthermore, by combining coronal STIR sequence and axial PDWI fs sequence, we can improve the detection of lymph nodes in NPC N-staging before treatment, especially for lymph nodes located in the thoracic entrance.

Carcinoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Contrast Media ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of cytogenetic study and interphase FISH analysis in differential diagnosis of patients with clinical and/or cytological diagnosis as lymphoma or "suspicious for lymphoma".

METHODSRoutine histology, immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics and interphase FISH studies were used to assess 223 cases with superficial lymph nodes of not less than 1. 5 cm in diameter. The probe used in the interphase FISH assays is the Vysis' LSI IGH Dual Color, Break Apart Rearrangement Probe.

RESULTSBased on these studies, forty-four patients were diagnosed as Hodgkin's lymphomas ( HL) , 162 as Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas ( NHL) , 11 with benign diseases and 4 as other malignancies, while the remaining 2 cases were discarded due to tissue necrosis. Using interphase FISH, abnormalities of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IGH) were detected in 6/44 (13.6%) and 83/162 (51.2%) in the HIL and NHL cases, respectively, while none was observed in 11 cases with a benign disease (P <0. 001). Combining cytogenetics and FISH studies, the detection rates for HL and NHL cases then increased to 15.9% and 77. 8%, respectively, otherwise, 3 of whom could not have made definite diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONInterphase FISH assay is a rapid and sensitive tool for detecting IGH abnormalities. Both cytogenetics and interphase FISH analyses may play a significant role in diagnosis of lymphomas.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Genes, Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain ; genetics ; Hodgkin Disease ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Interphase ; genetics ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; Pseudolymphoma ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sarcoidosis ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism