According to the structural characteristics of spiral CT systems and our experiences, some relevant solutions to common malfunctions in daily maintenance are suggested.
Computers ; Equipment Design ; Equipment Failure ; Equipment Failure Analysis ; methods ; Humans ; Maintenance ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVETo determine the molecular basis of late onset ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency in a Chinese family of Han nationality and the exon sequences of OTC gene of this patient.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and direct sequencing were used to identify the mutation type.

RESULTSA missense mutation E122G in the conserved residue of exon 4 was identified which is unreported before.

CONCLUSIONThe E122G mutation in human OTC gene may cause late onset OTC deficiency.

Age of Onset ; Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Family Health ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Molecular ; Mutation, Missense ; Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase ; chemistry ; genetics ; Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase Deficiency Disease ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Protein Structure, Secondary

As an important part of Chinese medicinal materials, uncommon-territorial herbs are also the most complex parts in the herbal medicine markets. Through years of investigation on the key markets of Chinese herbal medicine, the meaning of uncommon-territorial herbs, their historical evolution, origin and characteristics were clarified in this paper, and some countermeasures were put forward for its development.
Biological Evolution ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; history ; Herbal Medicine ; history ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development

Objective To compare the efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT, 99Tcm-MDP bone scintigraphy (BS), and combination of the two techniques (PET/CT + BS) for detecting bone metastasis by ROC curve analysis. Methods All 296 patients with various cancers, who underwent both 99Tcm-MDP BS and 18F-FDG PET/CT within two months, were retrospectively analyzed. These images were interpreted according to 5-point scale (0: definitely negative, 1: probably negative, 2: equivocal, 3: probably positive, 4:definitely positive for bone metastasis), and the scale of PET/CT + BS was the sum of PET/CT and BS. In light of the confirmed diagnosis derived from pathology or follow-up, ROC curve analysis was performed.The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared by z-test. Results Of 296 cases, 61 (20.6%) were confirmed as bone metastases and 235 (79.4%) were negative. The AUC were 0. 919 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) :0. 867 - 0. 971) for BS, 0. 949 (95% CI: 0. 906 - 0. 991) for PET/CT, and 0. 994 (95% CI: 0.988-0.999) for PET/CT + BS, rctrospectively. The AUC of PET/CT + BS was statistically significantly larger than that of BS (z=2. 866, P=0.004) or PET/CT (z =2.027, P=0.043), while the AUC of PET/CT was larger than that of BS, but no statistically significance (z = 0. 881, P = 0. 378) was showed. The optimal sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value(NPV) were 90. 2% (55/61), 85. 1% (200/235), 86. 1% (255/296), 61. 1% (55/90), 97. 1%(200/206) for BS, 88.5% (54/61), 97.0% (228/235), 95.3% (282/296), 88.5% (54/61), 97.0% for PET/CT, and 98.4% (60/61), 95.7% (225/235), 96.3% (285/296), 85.7% (60/70) for PET/CT + BS,respectively. The specificity (χ2 = 19.862, P<0. 001), accuracy (χ2 = 23. 361, P<0.001) and PPV (χ2 =11. 791, P =0.001) of PET/CT + BS were significantly higher than those of BS, the sensitivity of PET/CT +BS was significantly higher than that of PET/CT (χ2 =4.167, P=0.031). Compared with BS, PET/CT had a higher specificity (χ2 = 19.600, P<0. 001), accuracy (χ2 = 13. 755, P <0. 001), PPV (χ2 = 13. 608, P <0. 001), but their sensitivity showed no statistically significant difference (χ2 = 0, P = 1. 000). Conclusions The efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT for detecting malignant bone metastasis was superior to that of 99Tcm-MDP BS alone. The detection ability can be obviously improved by combination of the two techniques.

Objective To investigate the effects of high spermatic vessel dissection on testicular morphological alteration of SD rats in prepuberty,puberty and sexual maturity phases.Methods Thirty-day-old SD rats were divided into 2 groups underwent sham operation and left high spermatic vessel dissection as a simulation of Palomo′s maneuver.Detailed morphological investigations were made at 3 different postoperative intervals among the 3rd day,30th day and 56th day.Results High spermatic vessel dissection in prepubertal rats induced acute testicular ischemia in the operated testes on the 3rd day.Most of the operated testes on the 30th day showed testicular atrophy.And all the operated testes showed testicular atrophy and sperm disappearance in epididymis on the 56th day.Conclusion High dissection of spermatic vessel in prepubertal rats induced testicular ischemia in prepuberty and testicular growth failure in puberty,testicular atrophy completely and sperm production losing in sexual maturity phase.

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence and spectrum of β-thalassemia mutations in Fujian province,and to provide a reference for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling in this population.Methods Two thousand three hundred and one blood samples were randomly selected from 9 different areas of Fujian province from May 2008 to December 2010.PCR and reverse dot blot hybridization (RDB) were adopted for detection of the 17 common types of mutation,and the frequency of each genotype of β-thalassemia mutations was calculated.The β-globin gene of unknown positive samples were analyzed directly with DNA sequencing.Results Three hundred and fifty-nine cases were detected with β-thalassemia mutations of the 2301 copy blood samples submitted,and the detection rate was 15.60％ (359/2301).Of the mutated genes,12 different mutations were identified,namely IVS-2-654(C→T),CD41-42(-TCTT),CD17(A→T),-28(A→G),CD27-28(+C),CD26(G→A),CD71-72(+A),IVS-1-1(G→T),CD43(G→T),-29(A→G),initiation codon ATG→AGG and CD36(-C).Mutation frequencies were 46.54％ (175/376),33.24％ (125/376),9.31％ (35/376),5.05％ (19/376),2.13％(8/376),1.33％(5/376),0.80％(3/376),0.27％(1/376),0.27％(1/376),0.27％(1/376),0.53％(2/376),and 0.27％(1/376),respectively.The most common mutations were IVS-2-654 (C→T) and CD41-42 (-TCTT),which accounted for 79.78％(300/376) of total genetic mutations.In addition,a novel β-globin gene mutation CD36 (-C) allele was detected for the first time,the deletion of a nucleotide C at code 36 within exon 2 lead to a frameshift mutation that could result in a premature termination at code 60.Conclusions β-thalassemia mutations in Fujian province are complex with significant genetic heterogeneity.We present for the first time the detection of a new β-thalassemia mutation in the population:CD36(-C),which provides valuable information for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis in Fujian province.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of protein kinase CK2 gene silencing on the radiosensitization in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells and its possible mechanism.

METHODSRNA interference (RNAi) technique was used to down-regulate the protein kinase CK2alpha expression in 5-8F cells, and clonogenic assay was employed to observe the changes in the radiosensitivity of the cells. DNA double-strand break was assessed by immunofluorescence staining of gamma-H2AX foci, and the cell apoptosis was examined using Annexin V-FITC/PI double-staining flow cytometry.

RESULTSCK2alpha protein was successfully silenced by siRNA. CK2alpha knockdown significantly decreased the clonogenic activity and increased the radiosensitivity of the NPC cells. After a 15-min exposure of the cells to 1 Gy radiation, significant difference occurred in the gamma-H2AX foci between CK2alpha knockdown cells and the control cells (P<0.01). CK2alpha silencing significantly increased the cell apoptosis after the exposure (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSProtein kinase CK2 plays an important role in the radiosensitivity of the NPC cells, and suppression of its expression might be a potential therapeutic approach of cancer.

Animals ; Annexin A5 ; metabolism ; Casein Kinase II ; deficiency ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Histones ; genetics ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Radiation Tolerance ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study clinical effects of one-hole microplate internal fixation for the treatment of collateral ligament injuries of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb combined with fracture.

METHODSTwenty-two patients (16 males, 6 females) with collateral ligament injuries of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb combined fracture were treated with one-hole microplate internal fixation. The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 53 years old with a mean age of 28.5 years old. The duration from injury to surgery ranged from 2 hours to 2 months, and the mean time was 6 days. All the patients had collateral ligament injuries combined with fracture of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. Thirteen patients had injuries in the right hand and 9 patients had injuries in the left hand. There were 18 cases of closed wound and 4 cases of open wound. Eighteen patients had fresh injuries (< 2 weeks) and 4 had old injuries (> 2 weeks). Sixteen patients had injuries in the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb combined with fracture, 6 patients had radial collateral ligament injuries of the thumb combined with fracture, 4 cases of which were complicated with injuries of abductor pollicis brevis and the end of the flexor pollicis brevis tender. The size of the avulsed fragment was about 3.0 mm x 4.0 mm to 6.0 mm x 7.0 mm.

RESULTSThe incisions of 22 patients healed by first intention. The follow-up periods ranged from 6 months to 5 years old,with an average of 2.5 years old. The thumb function was evaluated by Saetta and other evaluation criteria, and 20 patients got an excellent result and 2 good.

CONCLUSIONThe application of one-hole microplate internal fixation in treating collateral ligament injuries with fracture of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb is an effective method.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Plates ; Collateral Ligaments ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Thumb ; injuries ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between respiratory diseases onset and the meteorological factors in the same period and in a specific environment. METHODS METHODS: By using the data of daily incidence of respiratory diseases obtained from Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2007, and the data of 16 items of meteorological factors (such as the average, maximum, and minimum temperatures, etc., including meteorological factors derived) obtained from the Beijing Municipal Meteorological Observatory, mathematical statistical methods were applied to achieve the non-linear correlation analysis, or the correlation test, between the incidence of respiratory diseases and the time-related meteorological factors.

RESULTSThe simple correlation coefficients of the relationship between the incidence of respiratory diseases and 9 meteorological elements, including the average values of temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, degree of comfort, precipitation, vapor pressure, low cloud cover, change of vapor pressure, and change of wind speed, were all greater than 0.8286, in which one of the relationship between the incidence of respiratory diseases and the maximum temperature is as high as 0.9670. Statistical tests showed R>Rα=0.05 and F>Fα=0.05.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of respiratory diseases was closely correlated to meteorological factors, such as air temperature, vapor pressure, precipitation, wind speed, etc. To a certain extent, this conclusion confirmed the scientificity and objectivity of the theory of five evolutive phases and six climatic factors (Wu Yun Liu Qi ) in Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine).

Air ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Humidity ; Incidence ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meteorological Concepts ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Statistics as Topic ; Steam ; Time Factors ; Wind

OBJECTIVETo probe the function of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients of accumulated dampness-heat obstruction in joints syndrome (ADOJS) by detecting levels of IL-17 in serum and the synovial fluid and analyzing its correlation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C reactive protein (CRP).

METHODSFrom January 2011 to January 2013, recruited were 90 RA inpatients of ADOJS at Department of Integrative Medical Rheumatism, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, of which 28 patients had knee joint effusion. Besides, 30 healthy volunteers who received physical examination at our hospital were recruited as the normal control group, and 30 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) who had knee joint effusion were recruited as the synovial fluid control group. The expression levels of IL-17 in serum and the synovial fluid were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and contents of ESR and CRP were detected in RA patients. Then correlation analyses were performed between levels of IL-17 and contents of ESR and CRP.

RESULTSCompared with the normal serum control group, the expression levels of IL-17 in serum of RA patients significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the serum of RA patients and the synovial fluid of OA patients, the expression levels of IL-17 in the synovial fluid of RA patients significantly increased (P < 0.05). The expression levels of IL-17 in serum of RA patients were not correlated with ESR or CRP (r = 0.092, -0.082; P > 0.05), and the expressional levels of IL-17 in the synovial fluid of RA patients were not correlated with ESR or CRP (r = 0.113, -0.034; P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIL-17 was the main effector cytokine of Th17 cells. The expressional levels of IL-17 significantly increased in serum and the synovial fluid of RA patients of ADOJS, but with no correlation to ESR or CRP. It indicated that IL-17 participated in the occurrence and development of RA. Concrete mechanisms needed to be further proved in larger samples.

Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Synovial Fluid ; metabolism