Objective To evaluate the safety and accuracy of CT-guided cutting needle biopsy for the hepatic lesions near diaphragmatic dome.Methods A total of 25 cases with hepatic lesions near the diaphragmatic dome were undertaken CT-guided cutting needle biopsy using 16 gauge or 18 gauge core biopsy needles.Results Histological examination showed malignancy in 17 cases and benign in 8 with 2 false negative results(8%),and there were no false positive results.The specificities of malignant and benign lesions were 100% and 75%,respectively.Overall accuracy was 92%.Pneumothorax,needle tract hemorrhage,and subcapsular hepatic hemorrhage occurred in 2(8%),1(4%)and 1(4%),respectively.Conclusion CT-guided cutting needle biopsy for the hepatic lesions near diaphragmatic dome is a reliable and relatively safe diagnostic method.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:838-840)

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression levels of CD40, sCD40L, hs-CRP, WBC in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and the association between CD40-1C/T single nucleotide polymorphism and risk of ACS in Han Chinese, moreover, the regulatory effects of IFN-gamma and fluvastatin on the expression of CD40 in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMNC) were also observed.

METHODS(1) 160 ACS patients and 92 control patients diagnosed by coronary angiography were recruited. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay, flow cytometry were used to detect the levels of soluble CD40L, hs-CRP, and WBC count. (2) The CD40 genotype and allele frequency were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing technology. (3) PBMNC were separated by density gradient centrifugation heparinized venous blood from 40 ACS patients, cultured for 24 h with or without 100 ng/ml IFN-gamma in the absence or present of 10 micromol/L fluvastatin. The CD40 expression levels were then detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSInflammatory cytokine CD40, sCD40L, hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in ACS patients than in controls. The CD40-1C allele frequency was 0.606 in ACS group and 0.489 in controls, while T allele frequency was 0.394 in ACS group and 0.511 in controls. The frequency of CC genotype was significantly higher in ACS group than in controls (P < 0.01). C allele carriers had significantly higher risk of ACS (OR = 1.608, 95%CI: 1.12 - 2.32, P = 0.011). CD40 production increased after 24 h culturing and the CD40 levels were significantly higher in subjects with CC genotype than that in subjects with CT or TT genotype [CC: (14.78 +/- 4.56) MFI, CT: (11.98 +/- 4.12) MFI, TT: (9.86 +/- 3.83) MFI, P < 0.05]. IFN-gamma further increased PBMNC CD40 expressions in all subjects after culturing for 24 h and fluvastatin equally inhibited IFN-gamma induced PBMNC CD40 expression from various genotypes (CC, CT, TT was 30.3%, 26.3%, 29.3% respectively, all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONInflammatory cytokines were increased in ACS patients and CD40-1C/T polymorphism is associated with higher risk for ACS in Han Chinese.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; genetics ; Aged ; CD40 Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment of cystis vesicular seminalis induced by the obstruction of the distal end of the ejaculatory duct.

METHODSFrom November 2005 to December 2006,12 cases of cystis vesicular seminalis ( [2.3 +/- 1.1] cm) were diagnosed by semen analysis (as on the seminal volume, pH and fructose), transrectal palpation and ultrasonography. All cases were treated by transurethral incision or resection of the obstructive ejaculatory duct till milky semen discharged.

RESULTSThe cysts were significantly reduced ([1.0 +/- 0.8] cm, P < 0.05) in all the 12 cases and no complications were observed during the follow-up 1, 3 and 12 months later.

CONCLUSIONTransurethral electrotomy is a simple and effective method for the treatment of cystis vesicular seminalis induced by the obstruction of the ejaculatory duct.

Adult ; Cysts ; etiology ; surgery ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; pathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genital Diseases, Male ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Seminal Vesicles ; pathology ; surgery ; Urethra ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the difference in the vulnerability of carotid atherosclerotic plaques in patients with unilateral and bilateral intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH).

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted among 44 patients with unilateral IPH (30 cases) or bilateral IPH (14 cases) in the carotid plaques detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in our hospital between December, 2009 and December, 2012. The age, maximum wall thickness and incidence of fibrous cap rupture were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with those with unilateral IPH, the patients with bilateral IPHs had a significantly younger age (66.6∓9.4 years vs 73.7∓9.0 years, P=0.027), a significantly greater maximum plaque thickness (6.3∓1.9 mm vs 5.0∓1.3 mm, P=0.035) and a higher incidence of ulcers (50% vs 13.3%, P=0.025). Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between bilateral IPHs and the occurrence of ulcer with an odd ratio (OR) of 6.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-28.7, P=0.014). After adjustment for gender in Model 1, bilateral IPHs were still significantly associated with presence of ulcer (OR=5.7, 95%CI: 1.1-29.2, P=0.036). But after adjustment for age (P=0.131) or maximum plaque thickness (P=0.139) in model 2, no significant correlation was found between bilateral IPHs and the presence of ulcer.

CONCLUSIONCompared with patients with unilateral IPH, those with bilateral IPHs are at a younger age and have a greater plaque burden and a higher incidence of fibrous cap rupture, suggesting a greater vulnerability of the carotid plaques in patients with bilateral IPHs.

Aged ; Carotid Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Fibrosis ; Hemorrhage ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies

The applications accepted and approved by general program, young scientist fund and fund for less developed region of national natural science funds in the discipline of Chinese materia medica, NSFC in 2012 have been introduced. The research contents of the funded projects in the popular research areas have been summarized and the problems in the applications have been analyzed to give a reference to the scientists in the field of Chinese materia medica.
China ; Financing, Organized ; organization & administration ; Humans ; Laboratory Personnel ; economics ; Materia Medica ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; Natural Science Disciplines ; economics ; manpower ; organization & administration

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leptospirosis ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effect of Weicao Capsule (WCC) on gout.

METHODSTwo hundred gout patients were assigned to two groups. The treated group was treated with WCC and the control group was treated with Tongfengding Capsule. Both groups were given the respective treatments orally 3 times a day, 2 capsules each time with 2 weeks as one course and all patients received 2 successive courses of treatment. Changes of blood beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-M), hemoglobin (Hb), 24 h urinary protein (24 h UP), pH value of urine and blood uric acid (BUA) as well as kidney function were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, level of beta(2)-M got lowered significantly, Hb and 24 h UP, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and the clearance rate of creatinine, as well as blood lipids all improved obviously in the treated group (all P<0.01), while these parameters remained unchanged in the control group (P>0.05). The pH value of urine was improved in both groups showing an insignificant difference between them (P>0.05). BUA was decreased in both groups with a decrease to a larger extent in the treated group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 87% in the treated group, which was superior to that in the control group (62%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONWCC has a favorable therapeutic effect on gout and its mechanism of action for improving renal function and reducing urinary protein could be related with the lowering of blood beta(2)-M, BUA and lipids.

Adult ; Aged ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gout ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Kidney Function Tests ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proteins ; analysis ; Treatment Outcome ; Uric Acid ; blood ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the five-year postoperative effect of the ligation and resection of the deep penile vein for the patient of erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by penile venous leakage.

METHODSSixteen ED patients received deep penile vein ligation and resection. Observations of the penile erection had been recorded for 5 years after surgery.

RESULTSEight cases demonstrated erectile hypofunction after 18 months postoperatively and total ED after 21-30 months of which 6 were improved by chemotherapy, and 2 showed no improvement. Seven cases remained normal and 1 case get out of touch at the 24th month postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONSThe ligation and resection of the deep penile vein can be considered as an easy and effective method to treat patients of ED caused by penile venous leakage.

Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Impotence, Vasculogenic ; surgery ; Ligation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; blood supply ; Postoperative Complications ; Veins ; surgery

Objective To develop a rapid test for the detection of F1 antigen of Yersinia Pestis based on gold-immunochromatography.Methods F1 antibodies were coupled with colloidal gold to prepare collidal gold reagent,which was used to detect F1 antibodies based on double antigen sandwich.The collidal gold reagent was estimated for its sensitivity specificity and stablity in labs and 1798 samples were detected in 17 surveillance spots.Results The reagent was sensitive to 0.0010 g/L F1 antigens.The reagens kept stable when it had been placed at 4℃ or room-temperature for 12 months and did not react to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Yersinia enterolitica.In 17 surveillance labs the reagent was used to test 1798 viscera samples from animal.resulting an accordance rate of 97.11%(1746/1798)to bacterial culture and 96.83%(1741/1798)accordance to reverse indirect hemagglutination assay(RIHA),showing a higher detection rate[9.23%(166/1798)]compared with RIHA[6.79%(122/1798)]and bacterial culture[6.28%(113/1798)].Conclusions The collidal gold reagent,sensitive and specific in diagnosing Yersinia pestis infection of both human and animals,is a rapid method in surveillance spot.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of close reduction combined with minimally invasive percutanous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) for proximal and distal tibial fractures.

METHODSFrom March 2007 to December 2010, 56 patients with proximal and distal tibial fractures were treated with close reduction combined with MIPPO technique. There were 39 males and 17 females,aged from 22 to 67 years with an average of 41.3 years. Left fracture was in 25 cases and right fracture was in 31 cases; proximal tibial fracture was in 15 cases and distal tibial fractures was in 41 cases; 34 cases caused by fall down and 22 cases caused by road accident. The mean time from injury to operation was 1.7 d. Clinical manifestation included pain, swelling of leg with limitation of activity. According to the standard of Johner-Wruhs, clinical effects were evaluated.

RESULTSThe mean operative time was 46 min in 56 patients. All fractures obtained satisfactory reduction and the location of plate was good. Incisions healed with one-stage and no superficial or deep infection was found. All the patients were followed up from 8 to 23 months with an average of 14.2 months. Only one fracture complication with delayed union,and after auto grafting with ilium bone,the fracture got union. Other 55 cases obtained bone healing in 15 to 20 weeks after operation and no internal fixation failure was found. The time of walking was 4-6 months after operation,without limping at 7 months after operation. Both lower extremities were symmetrical and the function of knee and ankle got complete recovery. According to the criteria of Johner-Wruhs score,46 cases obtained excellent results,9 good and 2 fair.

CONCLUSIONTreatment of proximal and distal tibial fractures with close reduction and MIPPO technique can not only preserve soft tissue,simplify operative procedure and decrease wound, but also can obtain rigid internal fixation and guarantee early function exercises of knee and ankle joints. The method has the advantages of less soft tissue injury, less blood loss, reliable fixation, which is effective method in treating proximal and distal tibial fractures and corresponds with the standpoint of biological fixation.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery