Objective To explore the value of MRI histogram analysis in the risk assessment of medulloblastoma recur rence.Methods The data of 28 patients pathologically confirmed of medulloblastoma was analyzed retrospectively.All patients were divided into recurrent group and the non recurrent group (each n=14).The ROIs were drawn on the maximum level of enhanced MR sagittal images,and the histogram analysis were performed using the software named Mazda.The statistical analysis was performed on the histogram parameters to find out the different characteristics between the two groups,and the ROC curve was drawn to evaluate its diagnostic efficacy for recurrence of medulloblastoma.Results In all of the 9 parameters which are extracted from histogram,kurtosis had statistical significance between the 2 groups (P=0.018).The area under the ROC curve was 0.776 (P=0.018),and the sensitivity and specificity of kurtosis in the risk assessment of medulloblastoma recurrence were 64.3％ and 71.4％,respectively.Conclusion MRI histogram analysis can be an important method to assess the risk of medulloblastoma recurrence.

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of nasal synchronized intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NSIPPV) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure ventilation (NCPAP) for the treatment of apnea in preterm infants.

METHODSEighty preterm infants with apnea from August 2010 to January 2011 were randomly administered with NSIPPV and NCPAP (n=40 each).The blood gas results before and 2 hrs after ventilation, time of using ventilator, therapeutic efficacy and complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the blood gas results between the two groups before ventilation. The blood gas results (pH, PO2, PCO2) in the NSIPPV group were better than those in the NCPAP group 2 hrs after ventilation. The time of using ventilator in the NSIPPV group was shorter than that in the NCPAP group (50±9 h vs 91±11 h; P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the total effective rate between the NSIPPV and the NCPAP groups (95% vs 85%; P>0.05). The proportion of ventilator weaning within 3 days in the NSIPPV group (23/40) was higher than that in the NCPAP group (14/40) (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the NSIPPV group was not different from that in the NCPAP group (22% vs 25%).

CONCLUSIONSNSIPPV appears to be superior to NCPAP for the treatment of apnea in preterm infants.

Apnea ; therapy ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation ; adverse effects ; methods

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Wujiwan extracts in two different compatibility proportions (named the No. 1 and No. 2 respectively) on motility of isolated colon in guinea pig, and compare the therapeutic effects with each other.

METHODTo observe the function of the No. 1 and No. 2 with different concentrations on colon contraction induced by acetylcholine (Ach) and inhibition induced by adrenalin (Ad) respectively, and calculate the EC, with the method of Bliss.

RESULTThe No. 1 and No. 2 both could significantly inhibit the contraction of colon, and in 15 minutes, there was significant time-dependence and concentration-dependence, and EC50 of the No. 1 was lower than that of No. 2. However, but when the colonic was inhibited by Ad, at the time of 9 min and 15 min, the No. 1 at the level of 300 mg x L(-1), and at the time of 15 min, the No. 2 at the level of 30 mg x L(-1), could both excite the colon significantly (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONOur experiments indicate that the No. 1 and No. 2 both can significantly inhibit the colon contraction in guinea pig, and the No. 1 is superior to the No. 2 to some extent. And at the same time, we also can conclude that the No. 1 and No. 2 have exciting effects on inhibitory colon. Meanwhile, the No. 1 and No. 2 each have its own advantages based on the common therapeutic effects.

Acetylcholine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Colon ; drug effects ; physiology ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Epinephrine ; pharmacology ; Evodia ; chemistry ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Guinea Pigs ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Objective To explore the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and apoptosis of the tumor cells in the different regions of rabbit liver VX2 tumor after radiofrequency ablation (RFA).Methods Forty-eight experimental rabbits were implanted with VX2 tumor.After successfully established the model,the rabbits were randomly divided into control group (n=6) and RFA group (n=42).In the RFA group,7 rabbits at each time point were killed at immediately,1 day,2 days,1 week,2 weeks,3 weeks after RFA,and the tumor specimens were retained and performed with HE staining,VEGF,Annexin V-FITC/PI labeling,flow cytometry analysis.The changes of VEGF and apoptosis of the cells in different periods and different zones after RFA were observed.Results After the operation,the difference of the VEGF value of the needle zone,coagulation necrotic zone and junction zone had statistically significant (all P＜0.05).The difference of the VEGF value in each zone between immediately and the other time points after operation by pairwise comparisons were significantly different (all P＜0.05).The VEGF value of the needle zone and coagulation necrotic zone reached the peak after operation immediately,which declined from 1 day to 3 weeks after operative.And VEGF of the junction zone increased from immediately to 1 week after operation,and declined 2 weeks after operation.There were significant differences in the apoptosis rate of the three zones after RFA compared with control group (all P＜0.05).The apoptosis rate in all zones were at the peak on the 1 day after operation,and then showed a downward trend.Conclusion The reduction of VEGF and apoptosis of tumor cells in the needle zone and coagulation necrotic zone are significant,but tumor remnant remains visible in the junction zone.In the third week after RFA,the proliferation of the remaining tumor cells can be recurrent to preoperative levels,which suggests that the further treatment should be performed at this period.

Objective:To explore the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on psychological stress and quality of life in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods:According to two-level cluster random design 461 patients with tuberculosis from 20 communities in Pizhou county of Jiangsu province were selected in the study from September 2018 to November 2018. The intervention group received cognitive-behavioral therapy for two months, while control group received routine follow-up. Anxiety, depression and quality of life were assessed by GAD-7, PHQ-9 and SF-36 scales, respectively. At the same time, the comparison between the two groups was conducted by independent sample t test, and the difference between the two groups before and after treatment was analyzed by paired sample ttest. Results:A total of 454 participants were finally included in this analysis; there were 230 cases in the intervention group and 224 cases in the control group. In the intervention group the scores of anxiety and depression after intervention were significantly lower than the baseline scores [(7.57±5.27) vs. (5.93±2.56), t=-4.245, P<0.01; (8.13±6.01) vs. (6.02±2.67); t=-4.866, P<0.01], and the quality of life score was significantly higher than the baseline score [(58.46±12.71) vs. (74.31±13.22); t=13.108, P<0.01]; while in the control group there were no significant differences in the scores of anxiety, depression and quality of life after intervention, compared with those at baseline [(7.62±5.41) vs.(7.65±5.38); (8.00±5.84) vs. (8.07±5.91); (59.11±13.25) vs. (60.51±13.76); t=0.059, t=0.126, t=1.104, all P>0.05]. However, only for patients with mild and moderate anxiety and depression symptoms in the intervention group, the anxiety and depression scores were decreased after intervention [(7.29±1.21) vs. (5.54±1.71), (11.99±1.31) vs. (9.17±1.55); (7.01±1.47) vs. (4.42±1.22), (11.88±1.12) vs. (8.39±2.33); t=8.056, t=10.020, t=13.558, t=8.852,all P<0.01]. Conclusion:Cognitive-behavioral therapy can relieve the psychological pressure and improve the quality of life in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with mild or moderate anxiety/depression symptoms.

Objective To investigate the correlation risk factors of diabetes over 16-year-olds at the community level in Chongqing and to set a quantitative criteria for determining risk for diabetes and to identify persons having potential risk.Methods 1981 cases with 1:2 matched controls were chosen from five communities in Chongqing including Shapingba,Xiaolongkan,Tianxingqiao,Yubei Road,Ciqikou,which were interviewed with a uniformed questionnaire.The risk factors of diabetes mellitus were analyzed with logistic regression,and to calculate the odds ratios of risk factors for diabetes.Different levels of risk exposure factors were converted into a risk scores,using statistical models.Results An individual health risk appraisal model of diabetes was established,applicable to individuals of different sex,age,health behavior,disease,and family history,for men,13 risk factors including hyperlipidemia(14.995),coronary heart disease(6.689),family history of hypertension(4.005),smoking(3.111)etc.while for women,hyperlipidemia(12.426),family history of hypertension(3.986),stroke(2.714),liking sweets(1.244),about 15 risk factors,were entering the main effect model.The related risk scores were added to obtain a combined risk score to predict the individual's risk of diabetes in the future.Conclusion The incidence of diabetes could be effectively reduced by changing the unhealthy lifestyle and curing the patient with the disease.Evidence was provided to persuade people change their unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors through health education.The results could also be used in community to improve their health services.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and analyze the relationship between AR and HBx expressions.

METHODSTumor tissues and peritumoral tissues of 83 HBV-associated HCC cases were investigated in this study. Fourteen cases of HBV-negative HCC and 13 cases of hemangioma peritumoral tissues were considered as control. AR and HBx mRNA levels were determined by quantitative fluorescence real-time RT-PCR and their protein levels were assayed by Western blot. The expression of AR and HBx proteins in tissues were examined with EnVision immunohistochemical staining. The methylation status of AR promoter was determined using methylation-specific PCR (MSP).

RESULTSBoth expression levels of AR mRNA and protein of the peritumoral tissues were significantly higher (0.17) than that of tumor tissues (0.09) in HBV-associated HCC (P < 0.01), but such a difference was not found in HBV-negative HCC (0.06 vs. 0.07, P > 0.05). The level of AR expression in peritumoral tissues was associated with tumor differentiation in HBV-associated HCC. AR mRNA and protein levels of peritumoral tissues in HBV-associated HCC were significantly higher than that in HBV-negative HCC and hemangioma (all P < 0.05). In the tumor tissues, HBV-associated HCC had significantly higher AR expression than HBV-negative HCC at mRNA level (P < 0.05), but not at protein level. Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the AR mRNA or AR protein levels were positively correlated with HBx in both tumor and peritumoral tissues in HBV-associated HCC, but the expressions of AR and HBx were not associated with AR promoter methylation status. The relative expression levels of AR mRNA and protein in the HBV-associated peritumoral tissues were negatively correlated with tumor differentiation (r = -0.213, P < 0.05; r = -0.313, P < 0.05), the higher the AR expression, the poorer differentiation. But this correlation of AR mRNA and protein was not shown in the hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.

CONCLUSIONSHBx may enhance AR expression in HBV-associated HCC, but AR promoter demethylation maybe not been involved in its main mechanism. An increased AR expression is probably an early event during the development and progression of HBV-associated HCC, and AR expression in the peritumoral tissue is correlated with HBV-associated HCC differentiation. AR may play different roles in HBV-associated HCC and HBV-negative HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Cell Differentiation ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Hemangioma ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism

AIMTo identify specifically expressed genes in the adult and fetal testes.

METHODSA human testis cDNA microarray was established. Then the mRNA of adult and fetal testis was purified and probes were prepared by a reverse transcription reaction with the testis mRNA as template. The microarray was hybridized with probes of adult and fetal testes. The nucleic sequences of differentially expressed genes were determined and homologies were searched in the databases of the GenBank.

RESULTSWhen hybridized with adult or fetal testis probes, the positive clones were 96.8 % and 95.4 %, respectively. Among these genes, one was a new testis-specific gene, which was named TSP1. TSP1 was highly expressed in human adult testis. The cDNA of TSP1 was 1,484 bp in length. The cDNA sequence of this clone was deposited in the Genbank (AF333098). TSP1 was also determined as Interim Gen Symbol (Unigene, No. Hs.98266). Protein analysis showed that TSP1 contained two functional domains: an N-terminal basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and a C-terminal leucine zipper (Zip). Homologous analysis showed that the 430 amino acid sequences deduced from the 1293 bp open reading frame (ORF) had a homology with the human gene FLJ2509 (AK098575). TSP1 had also a sequence homology with Spz 1 protein of mouse. Expression profiles showed that TSP1 was specifically and strongly expressed in the testis.

CONCLUSIONTSP1 is a gene highly expressed in adult testis. It may play an important role in spermatogenesis in the humans.

Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; genetics ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors ; Fetus ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Testis ; embryology ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

Animals ; Fatty Liver ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Natural Killer T-Cells ; drug effects ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Probiotics ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar