OBJECTIVE: To analyze the features of drowning victims with psychiatric disorders to support further investigation on such cases. METHODS: One hundred and five archives of drowning victims with psychiatric disorders from January 2010 to June 2014 in Harbor Public Security Subbureau, Shanghai Public Security Bureau were reviewed. The decedents' general information, autopsy findings, case investigation data and disease histories were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 105 cases, 104 were suicides. Most decedents were poorly educated. Most suicides occurred in warm climate, and the corpses were usually found within 2 days. Most decedents had no suicide history and notes, but had abnormal mental or behavior changes before suicide. Depression, depression status and schizophrenia were the main types of psychiatric disorders, and only 9 decedents had received regular therapies before their deaths. CONCLUSION Mental disorder is a high risk factor in the drowning victims. Guardians should be aware of psychotic abnormal behaviors, especially during warm climate seasons.
China/epidemiology* ; Depression/epidemiology* ; Depressive Disorder/epidemiology* ; Drowning/psychology* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders/psychology* ; Psychotic Disorders ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Schizophrenia ; Seasons ; Suicide/statistics & numerical data*

Objective To compare the different effects of 1% diatrizoate meglumine,2.5% mannitol and water as oral contrasts in PET/CT scan in gastrointestinal tract delineation and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake. Methods Sixty-one patients referred for PET/CT scan without gastrointestinal diseases were divided into three groups randomly ( random number method). One liter of 1% diatrizoate meglumine,2.5% mannitol,or water was orally taken by groups 1 (25 cases),2 (20 cases) and 3 ( 16 cases),respectively before scan. The scan was performed with GE Discovery LS PET/CT scanner in two-dimensional (2D) mode 50 min after 18F-FDG (5.55 MBq/kg) injection. Patients with abdominal lesions were excluded from this study. The degree of gastrointestinal filling and 18F-FDG uptake was evaluated by 3 nuclear medicine physicians using visual analysis according to a 4-grade classification method:none,mild,moderate,and high. Statistically analysis was performed by Kruskal-Wallis,Mann-Whitney and paired t tests.Results Both the differences of serum glucose and insulin levels were not significant before and after contrast taken in group 2. Group 2 had better gastrointestinal filling than that of group 1 and also better than group 3 except in rectum. The stomach,jejunum,ascending,and transverse colon were better filled in group 1 than in group 3. The degree of 18F-FDG uptake of group 3 was significantly higher than that of group 2 in stomach,jejunum and ileum (z= -3. 192,-3.290,-3.290,all P＜0.05),and was also significantly higher than that of group 1 (z = - 3. 603,P ＜ 0.05) in jejunum. The degree of 18 F-FDG uptake of group 3 was significantly lower than that of group 1 in ascending colon (z = - 2. 706,P ＜ 0. 05 ) and was significantly lower than that of group 1 and 2 in transverse and descending colon (z= - 3. 503,- 2.403,- 4.225,-4. 027,all P ＜0.05),and was also significantly lower than that of group 2 in rectum (z = -4. 128,P ＜0. 01 ). The maximum CT values in stomach,jejunum,ileum and ascending colon in group 1 were ( 132 ±23),(191 ±31),(313 ±47) and (374±53) HU,respectively,whose difference was significant (t = -7.088--1.781,all P ＜0. 01 ). Conclusion Oral iso-osmotic mannitol intake has better gastrointestinal filling and less physiological 18F-FDG uptake compared to diatrizoate meglumine and water.

OBJECTIVETo explore the alterations of apoptosis factor Bcl-2/Bax in the early Parkinson's disease (PD) rats and the protective effect of scorpion venom derived bioactive peptide.

METHODSHealthy male SD rats (180-220 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 10): early PD model group, sham operation group, scorpion venom derived bioactive peptide control group, scorpion venom derived bioactive peptide therapy group. 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was used to prepare the early PD rat model. The immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 and further explore the mechanism of anti-apoptosis regarding the neuroprotective effect of scorpion venom derived bioactive peptide.

RESULTSThe results indicated that compared with the control rats, the immunostaining of Bax in the brain increased significantly while that of Bcl-2 decreased significantly in the lesion side of 6-OHDA treated rats. Interestingly, scorpion venom derived bioactive peptide could attenuate the above abnormal changes.

CONCLUSIONUp-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2 could participate in the early stage of PD and the anti-apoptotic mechanism could be involved in the neuroprotective effect exerted by scorpion venom derived activity peptide regarding the dopaminergic neuron in the early stage.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Down-Regulation ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; chemistry ; Oxidopamine ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; Peptides ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Scorpion Venoms ; chemistry ; Up-Regulation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo characterize the biologic featrues of hepatic oval cells and their protein expression profiles during induced differentiation in vitro.

METHODSRat hepatic oval cells were treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in vitro, followed by morphological and molecular marker assessment by electromicroscopy, immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and protein expression chip technology.

RESULTSTen weeks after induction, the levels of GST-P mRNA and M2-PK mRNA were significantly reduced, whereas those of ALB and CK18 were elevated. Significant variations of expression was seen in 8 protein species during the course of the induced differentiation.

CONCLUSIONCombined EGF and HGF treatment in vitro induces cell differentiation of hepatic oval cells, a process in which 8 protein species may play some regulatory roles.

Albumins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Glutathione Transferase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-18 ; metabolism ; Protein Array Analysis ; Pyruvate Kinase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

AIMTo investigate the toxic response in auditory cortex of guinea pigs caused by cis-platinum (DDP), and the protective role of melatonin in this effect.

METHODSCis-platinum and melatonin were injected peritoneally. LDH, MDA, NO in the auditory cortex were detected by spectrophotometeR.

RESULTSThe body weight of the guinea pigs was diminished by peritoneal injection of Cis-platinum for 7 days (P < 0.01). Peritoneal injection of Cis-platinum induced the increased leakage of LDH (P < 0.05 vs injection of normal saline). This effect was reduced by injection of MT (P < 0.05). The content of MDA in the auditory cortex was also increased because of injection of Cis-platinumv for 7 days (P < 0.01) and MT reduced this effect (P < 0.05). The change of NO in the auditory cortex was not statistically significant after injection of Cis-platinum or Cis-platinum with MT.

CONCLUSIONPeritoneal injection of Cis-platinum could destroy neurons in the auditory cortex. This effect could be reduced by melatonin by an anti-free radials mechanism.

Animals ; Auditory Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; antagonists & inhibitors ; toxicity ; Female ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Guinea Pigs ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; pathology ; Random Allocation

This article presented a case of discovering and diagnosing three roots with four canals of the maxillary first premolar. We found and located the extra root canal by clinical diagnosis, careful observation during the operation, and multiangle X-ray. We further confirmed the existence of the three roots with four canals with the help of cone-beam computed tomography. Finally, we verified the success of the high-quality root-canal therapy through root optical microscopy.

We studied on the bio-safety problem of cultivating innovative talents in medical microbiology. The bio-safety of laboratory was controlled by educating bio-safety before the experiments, regulating basic operations during the experiments and constructing management system out of the experiments. Then we got some experience to ensure students’ bio-safety during the research.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical efficiency, electroencephalogram (EEG) changes and cognitive improvements of ketogenic diet (KD) in children with refractory epilepsy.

METHODSTwenty pediatric patients (7-61 months in age) with refractory epilepsy were recruited between August 2012 and August 2013. KD therapy was performed on all participants for at least 3 months based on a fasting initiation protocol with the lipid-to-nonlipid ratio being gradually increased to 4 : 1. Seizure frequency, type and degree were recorded before and during KD therapy. A 24 hours video-electroencephalogram (V-EEG) examination and Gesell Developmental Scale assessment were performed prior to KD therapy, and 3, 6, 9 months after KD therapy.

RESULTSSix patients became seizure free after KD therapy, with a complete control rate of 30%. Seizure frequency reduction occurred in 13 (65%) patients, EEG improvement in 8 (40%) patients, and improvement in Gesell Developmental Scales (gross motor and adaptability in particular) in 6 (30%) patients. The KD therapy-related side effects were mild.

CONCLUSIONSKD therapy is safety and effective in reducing seizure frequency and improving EEG and cognitive function in children with refractory epilepsy.

Child, Preschool ; Diet, Ketogenic ; adverse effects ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; diet therapy ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVETo study the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) vertical transmitted infants.

METHODSThirteen HCV vertical infected infants were followed up for 10 years. HCV antibody and HCV RNA in the blood samples from them were tested using second generation HCV antibody EIA kits and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTSAmong the 13 infants, one developed clinical hepatitis C, and serum HCV antibody and HCV RNA could be detected for 7 and 8 years, respectively. Three were subclinical hepatitis C, serum HCV antibody continued to be positive for 12 months (2 infants) and 24 months (1 infant), respectively, and serum HCV RNA turned to be negative at the 24th month (2 infants) and the 60th month (1 infant), respectively. Nine were HCV insidious infection, whose serum HCV antibody and HCV RNA turned to be negative in 12 months. During the eight to ten years, there was no infants with anti-HCV or HCV RNA positive again.

CONCLUSIONSIt is rarely happened that vertical transmitted HCV induce chronic HCV carrying state and chronic viral hepatitis, and most of the infected infants have good outcome.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hepatitis C ; transmission ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; blood ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Pregnancy ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the methods of the treatment and the principles of the prevention of bronchus-pleural fistula (BPF) after pneumonectomy.

METHODSThe clinical data of 15 cases of BPF after pneumonectomy in 815 lung cancer cases treated from July 1999 to June 2006 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe occurrence rate of BPF after right pneumonectomy was 3.9% (12/310), higher than 0.6% (3/505) of left pneumonectomy (P < 0.01). The occurrence rate of BPF in cases with positive cancer residues in stump of bronchus was 22.7% (5/22), higher than 1.3% (10/793) of the cases with negative stump of bronchus (P < 0.01). The occurrence rate of BPF in the cases received preoperative radio- or chemotherapy was 5.0% (6/119), higher than 1.3% (9/696) of the cases received operation only (P < 0.05). There were no BPF occurred in the 76 cases whose bronchial stump were covered with autogenous tissues. All of the cases diagnosed as BPF were undertaken either closed or open chest drainage. Two cases were cured by thoracentesis aspiration and infusion antibiotics repeatedly. Two cases were cured by blocking the fistula with fibrin glue after sufficient anti-inflammatory treatment and hypertonic saline flushing. Six cases were discharged with a stable condition after closed drainage only. One case was discharged with open drainage for long time and 1 case was cured by hypertonic saline flushing after failure to cover the BPF using muscle flaps. Three cases died of multi-organs functional failure.

CONCLUSIONSBPF are related to the bronchial stump management and positive or negative residue of tumor at the bronchial stump. Autogenous tissues covering of the bronchial stump is a effective method for decrease the rate of BPF and especially for those patients received preoperative radio- or chemotherapy and right pneumonectomy. It should be performed for early mild cases with repeated thoracentesis aspirations or blocking the fistula with fibrin glue together with antibiotics. Chest closed drainage immediately and flushing with hypertonic saline repeatedly are effective methods for BPF.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bronchial Fistula ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Diseases ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Pneumonectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome