Objective To study the diagnostic and prognostic values by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and computed tomography(CT) for investigation of infantile spasms(IS).Methods Fourty-two patients with IS were retrospectively reviewed by CT scan and MRI T1W,T2W and inversion recovery (IR) and MRA techniques.Results Fourteen cases were found abnormal in CT,including encephalatrophy,hemorrhage,gross malformation and lesions with underlying calcification;MRI studies of 24/28 cases showed that MRI was the most appropriate imaging technique in diagnosis of the underlying substrate of patients with IS and other epilepsies,particularly in periventricular leuko malacia(PL),delayedmyelination(DM),hypxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE),kernicterus,tuberous sclerosis(TS),hippocampal sclerosis(HS),brainstematrophy,heterotopia,corpus callosum and vascular malformation,et al.MRI was also valuable for determining the prognoses of IS,but it should be combined with the clinical symptom and ages. Conclusions MRI and CT are highly important for the investigation and treatment of patients with IS; MRI is much more sensitive to exploration of neuropathology of infatile spasms,such as PL,DM,HIE,kernicteus,HS,heterotopias and focally cortical dysplasia.

Objective To study P300 of the first episode depression and mismatch negativity(MMN) changes after antidepressant treatment. Methods Sixty-four patients with first episode depression were evaluated by HAMD 17, and P300 and MMN tests were performed at the baseline and week 12. The cognitive potentials were compared with those of control group(N=36). Results Compared with the control group, depressive patients had longer latency of P300 and MMN,lower amplitude of P300 and MMN before treatment (P

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of combined application of magnetic attachments and extracoronal attachments in prosthodontics.

METHODSTwenty-two cases of dentition defect with isolated residual root or residual crown were selected. All the cases accepted the restorative treatment combined magnetic attachments with extracoronal attachments. The clinical effect of dentures and the condition of abutment teeth were evaluated by chief complaint of patients and clinical examination. The follow-up time ranged from 2 years to 4 years.

RESULTSSatisfactory functional, stable and esthetic results of dentures were achieved for all the cases. And there was no abutment loosening and no secondary caries. Alveolar bone loss around abutment occurred in 1 case, gingivitis of abutments appeared in 5 cases. Chewing pain occurred in 1 case and unstable state of dentures appeared in 5 cases after the use of denture for 2 years. The dentures of above-mentioned cases were used normally after symptomatic treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe combined application of magnetic attachments and extracoronal attachments in prosthodontics is an effective treatment option for cases of dentition defect with isolated residual root or residual crown.

Crowns ; Dental Abutments ; Dental Caries ; Denture Design ; Denture Retention ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Humans ; Magnetic Phenomena

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibition effect of CyclinD1 specific small interfering RNA(siRNA) on CyclinD1 gene expression in human keloid fibroblast, investigating the effect of CyclinD1 specific siRNA (siRNA-CyclinD1) on the cell cycle, multiplication and apoptosis.

METHODSAccording to the principle of siRNA design, siRNA-CyclinD1 was designed and the keloid fibroblast were transfected. RT-PCR was used to examine CyclinD1 mRNA expression. Flow cytometry was used to examine cell cycle. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by using Annexin V-FITC/PI kit. The DNA gragmentation were measured by DNA ladder analysis.

RESULTSAfter transfection, the expression of CyclinD1 mRNA decreased remarkably. Twenty-four, forty-eight and seventy-two hours after transfection, the radio of G1 stage cell was (59.80 +/- 3.06)%, (66.01 +/- 4.03)% and (67.43 +/- 5.35)%, all significantly higher than in the control group (54.50 +/- 5.35)%; the radio of S stage cell was (18.40 +/- 1.42)%, (17.21 +/- 1.76)% and (11.07 +/- 1.00)%, significantly lower than in the control group (22.33 +/- 1.49)%; the proportion of the cells in G1 stage increased and those in the S stage decreased in the keloid fibroblast transfected with siRNA-CyclinD1. The apoptotic rate of the siRNA-CyclinD1 group was (7.82 +/- 0.45)%, (15.71 +/- 1.06)%, (18.32 +/- 1.08)%, all significantly higher than in the control group (0.68 +/- 0.12)%, and the DNA gragmentation can be seen remarkably.

CONCLUSIONSChemically synthesized siRNA- CyclinD1 effectively inhibits. The expression of CyclinD1 in keloid fibroblast thus arresting the cell cycle at G1 stage and enhancing cell apoptosis. Our study provided a preliminary results in seaching of a RNAi therapy of keloid.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin D1 ; genetics ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Keloid ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection

Objective Canine model established for tracheal defect reconstruction,to investigate the outcome of tracheal reconstruction with combination of polypropynene and flap.Methods About 3.5 to 4 centimeter cervical trachea was resected and replaced with artificial trachea made from monofilament knitted polypropylene and surgical flap.Covered stent Was implanted postoperatively.Survival period and quality of life were recorded,brunchofibroscopy,X-ray films and HE sections were perfomed.Results Six dogs survived well and another two died.The causes of death were respiratory failure in 1 and infection in another.Stenosis of anastomosis in 1 Was recorded during survival period.The dogs started drinking and eating on the second postoperative day,no dyspnea Was found.The animals were sacrificed at 2,4,8 weeks and 6 months after surgery.Soft tissue growth Was found in polypropynene net 2 weeks after surgery and more at 4 weeks.The polypropynene net was covered completely with soft tissue at 8 weeks and 6 months postoperatively.the hardness and sustentation degree were enhanced following the growth and fibrosis of soft tissue.The squamous epithelium and columnar epithelium were ohserved healing well by HE staining method.Conclusions One-stage operative artificial trachea made from monofilament knitted polypropylene which has good histocompatibility and surgical flap is the closer artificial trachea to native trachea.It has a promising prospect in clinical use.

PURPOSE: Because previous studies have reported depleted antioxidant capacity in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), prevention of free radical production has gained importance in antifibrotic treatment strategies for CP. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid on oxidative capacity and pancreatic damage in experimental CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CP was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by infusion of dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) into the tail vein. Ascorbic acid was given intraperitoneally at a daily dose of 10mg/kg body weight. The treatment groups were as follows: group 1, DBTC plus intraperitoneal physiologic saline; group 2, DBTC plus intraperitoneal ascorbic acid; group 3, solvent plus intraperitoneal physiologic saline; group 4, no operation plus intraperitoneal physiologic saline. Each group contained 15 animals. Treatment was started after CP was established. After 4 weeks of treatment, serum hyaluronic acid and laminin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay, pancreatic tissue oxidative stress was analyzed, and the degree of pancreatic damage was determined. RESULTS: Ascorbic acid treatment markedly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in pancreatic tissue (p < 0.01 for both). Significant serum hyaluronic acid and laminin reductions were observed in group 2 as compared with group 1 (p < 0.05). However, the serum hyaluronic acid and laminin levels remained elevated when compared with those of groups 3 and 4 (p < 0.05). Histopathologic scores were also lower in animals with CP that underwent ascorbic acid-treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ascorbic acid treatment alleviated the degree of oxidative stress and pancreatic damage in rat CP. Antioxidant treatment might be considered a potential option to improve the pathologic process in CP.
Animals ; Antioxidants/pharmacology ; Ascorbic Acid/*pharmacology ; Hyaluronic Acid/blood ; Laminin/blood ; Male ; Organotin Compounds ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Pancreas/*drug effects/pathology ; Pancreatic Diseases/blood/chemically induced/*prevention & control ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of temperature on the expressions of c-kit and PI3K in spermatogonia cultured in vitro at 32 degrees C and 37 degrees C, and provide basic scientific data for the mechanism of spermatogenic impairment due to body temperature (37 degrees C).

METHODSIsolated spermatogenic cells were cultured in vitro at 32 degrees C and 37 degrees C, and their adherence, proliferation and morphologic changes were observed and recorded under the inverted phase contrast microscope. At 8 days, the spermatogonia were separated by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and the differential adhesion method. The expressions of c-kit and PI3K mRNA and proteins in the separated cells were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. The c-kit gene was sequenced to identify the occurrence of mutations.

RESULTSAdherence, division and proliferation of the cells were observed in both the 32 degrees C and 37 degrees C groups. The expressions of c-kit and PI3K mRNA and proteins in the spermatogonia were significantly higher in the 32 degrees C group than in the 37 degrees C group (P < 0.05). The 32 degrees C group showed no mutation of c-kit in exon 9, 11 and 13; the 37 degrees C group exhibited no mutation in exon 11 and 13, but possible insertion or deletion mutations in exon 9.

CONCLUSIONCulturing in vitro at 37 degrees C could inhibit the expression of proliferation- and differentiation-related genes in spermatogenic cells and lead to the mutation of the c-kit gene.

Base Sequence ; Cells, Cultured ; Exons ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Spermatogonia ; cytology ; Temperature

OBJECTIVEBrugada syndrome is an inherited channelopathy that characterized by ST-segment elevation in the right precordial lead (V(1)-V(3)) on the electrocardiogram with or without right bundle branch block and related with high risk of sudden cardiac death and structurally normal hearts. The first and only gene linked to this disease is SCN5A, a gene encodes for alpha subunit of the cardiac sodium channel. The objective of this study is to explore SCN5A gene mutations in Chinese patients with Brugada syndrome.

METHODSFour patients diagnosed as Brugada syndrome and nine patients with suspected Brugada syndrome were chosen for the study. The exons in the functional regions of SCN5A gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction and the amplified products were sequenced with Sanger method. If a mutation was identified, patient's family members were also screened.

RESULTSTwo heterozygous mutations were found in one family diagnosed as Brugada syndrome. One missense mutation was a G-->A transition in the first nucleotide of codon 95 in SCN5A gene exon 3, which was predicted to result in substitution of Valine with Isoleucine (V95I). The other missense mutation was a C-->T transition in the second nucleotide of codon 1649 in SCN5A gene exon 28, which was predicted to result in substitution of Alanine with Valine (A1649V). A heterozygous mutation was identified in one family suspected to have the disease. The mutation was a three nucleotides (TCT) deletion that caused Phenylalanine deletion in codon 1617 in SCN5A gene exon 28. The three mutations were not detected in 100 control chromosomes.

CONCLUSIONSMutation in SCN5A gene is one of the causes of Brugada syndrome in Chinese. Three novel SCN5A gene mutations were identified in Chinese with Brugada syndrome, which expands the spectrum of SCN5A mutations associated with the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brugada Syndrome ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Exons ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel ; Sodium Channels ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe effect of Xue Hanjing oral fluid on mice immunological function.

METHODThe weight of thymus gland and spleen and the function of abdominal cavity macrophage were measured. Production of the hemolysin antibody, the immunoglobulin of blood serum and complement and the proliferation of T lymphocytes were observed respectively by means of microblood, immune-turbidimetry and MTT staining.

RESULTXue Hanjing oral fluid could enhance index of the thymus gland and spleen and the phago-percent of abdominal cavity macrophage, increase the immunoglobulin of blood serum(IgG and IgM), and accelerate production of the hemolysin antibody and the proliferation of T lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONSXue Hanjing oral can reinforce immunological function in mice.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hemolysin Proteins ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Poaceae ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology

Objective To evaluate the clinical features and the strategy for the diagnosis and treat- ment of bilateral testicular tumor.Methods The clinical data (including the signs and symptoms,imaging studies,tumor markers,treatment modalities and histopatbologic diagnoses) of 10 cases of bilateral testicular tumor from January 1980 to December 2004 were reviewed.Their age ranged from 19 to 58 years(mean,34 years).Of the 10 cases,8 with metachronous and 2 with synchronous testicular tumors were identified.The clinical stages at the primary and secondary tumor diagnosis were:5 cases of stageⅠ,3 of stageⅡ;and 6 cases of stageⅠ,1 of stageⅡ,and 1 of stageⅢ,respectively,in 8 metachronous tumor patients.Two syn- chronous tumor patients were both identified as stageⅠdisease.Histological examination showed the primary tumor (seminoma) in 4 cases and the secondary contralateral tumor (seminoma) in 3.Results Two syn- chronous tumor patients underwent bilateral radical orchiectomy simultaneously,and 8 underwent orchiectomy successively.Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed in 3 cases.Postoperatively,hypogonadism occurred in 10 patients,and 7 of them received androgen replacement therapy.Follow-up ranged from 9 month to 23 years with a mean of 10.5 years.Two patients died of the disease;2 had metastasis (1 of them was alive with metastasis);2 had recurrences and underwent local resection.Conclusions Metachronous bilateral testicular cancers are more common than synchronous bilateral testicular cancers.Seminoma was the most common histopathologic type.Testis-sparing surgery can be performed in selected cases.