OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of evaluating complete ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) of the testis by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with microbubbles (MB) targeted to P-selectin (MBp) in rabbits.

METHODSWe randomly divided 30 healthy adult rabbits into five groups of equal number (control, 0.5 h IRI, 1 h IRI, 2 h IRI, and 4 h IRI), prepared phospholipid MB and MBp, and performed contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of the bilateral testes with MB or MBp at an interval of 20 min at different times after IRI. When MB or MBp disappeared completely in the healthy testis at 4 to 5 min after intravenous injection, we recorded the power of the first frame (F-P) in the IRI testes followed by immunohistochemical staining of the testis tissue.

RESULTSCEU with MBp achieved a significantly higher F-P than that with MB in all the IRI groups (P < 0.05), which was (8.34 +/- 1.20) versus (1.87 +/- 0.25) 10(-5) AU at 2 hours, but there was no significant difference between MB and MBp in the control rabbits (0 AU, P > 0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed a significantly time-dependent increase in the expression of P-selectin in the vascular endothelial cells of the IRI testes, but not in those of the control.

CONCLUSIONContrast-enhanced ultrasonography with MBp can be used to evaluate the inflammatory reaction of testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Antibodies ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Microbubbles ; P-Selectin ; immunology ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; diagnostic imaging ; Testis ; blood supply ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND:Sepsis has become the greatest threat to in-patients, with a mortality of over 25％.The dysfunction of gut barrier, especially the immunological barrier, plays an important role in the development of sepsis. This dysfunction occurs after surgery, but the magnitude of change does not differentiate patients with sepsis from those without sepsis. Increased intestinal permeability before surgery is of no value in predicating sepsis. The present study aimed to observe the changes of intestinal mucosal immunologic barrier in rat models of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture. METHODS:Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sepsis group (n=45) and a control group (n=15). The rats in the sepsis group were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), whereas the rats in the control group underwent a sham operation. The ileac mucosa and segments were harvested 3, 6 and 12 hours after CLP, and blood samples were collected. Pathological changes, protein levels of defensin-5 (RD-5) and trefoil factor-3 (TFF3) mRNA, and lymphocytes apoptosis in the intestinal mucosa were determined. In an additional experiment, the gut-origin bacterial DNA in blood was detected. RESULTS:The intestinal mucosa showed marked injury with loss of ileal villi, desquamation of epithelium, detachment of lamina propria, hemorrhage and ulceration in the sepsis group. The expression of TFF3 mRNA and level of RD-5 protein were decreased and the apoptosis of mucosal lymphocyte increased (P<0.05) in the sepsis group compared with the control group. Significant differences were observed in RD-5 and TFF3 mRNA 3 hours after CLP and they were progressively increased 6 and 12 hours after CLP in the sepsis group compared with the control group (P<0.05, RD-5 F=11.76, TFF3 F=16.86 and apoptosis F=122.52). In addition, the gut-origin bacterial DNA detected in plasma was positive in the sepsis group. CONCLUSION:The immunological function of the intestinal mucosa was impaired in septic rats and further deteriorated in the course of sepsis.

OBJECTIVEThis study was designed to investigate the interaction between pepsinogen C(PGC) insertion/deletion polymorphism and Helicobacter pylori(Hp) infection, together with its different subtype strains, in the development of gastric cancer (GC).

METHODSPGC Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in 564 subjects with superficial gastritis (NOR), gastric ulcer (GU), atrophic gastritis (AG) and GC, who were frequency-matched as 1:1. Serum Hp-IgG antibodies were determined by an enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). Hp genetic subtypes in 171 patients with Hp infection were determined by PCR methods.

RESULTSIn GU, AG and GC, the OR of interaction was 8.69 (P = 0.049), 11.16 (P = 0.02), and 10.61 (P = 0.03), respectively; the interaction index of PGC homozygous allele 1 genotype and Hp infection was 5.40, 6.48 or 4.34, respectively; the attributable proportions were 0.721, 0.770 and 0.697, respectively. In AG and GC, no significant interactions were observed between PGC polymorphism and Hp genetic subtypes.

CONCLUSIONThe findings of this study suggest that PGC insertion/deletion polymorphism and Hp infection seem to present a positive interaction in the development of gastric cancer. While no interactions may be present between PGC polymorphism and Hp genetic subtypes.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Base Sequence ; Female ; Gastritis ; genetics ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Helicobacter Infections ; genetics ; Helicobacter pylori ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; INDEL Mutation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pepsinogen C ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; microbiology ; Stomach Ulcer ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the biomechanical performance of the spinal universal fixation system(GSPS) in treating the diseases related to spinal instability.

METHODSFour instable models and 4 fracture models were made of fresh pig's thoracolumbar specimens (T10-L3). Self-designed GSPS were used in the simulated operation. Axial loading test and torsion test were made. The stress-strain relation of the GSPS was observed. The extracting force of link bar from elastic jig was tested.

RESULTSThe strain value of each tested point changed linearly when the axial load changed from 0 to 600 N. There was linear relation between the torsion and the torsion angle. The latter was less than 6 degrees when the former reached 300 N x cm. The minimum extracting force of the link bar from the elastic jig was more than 3 300 N.

CONCLUSIONThe GSPS has high energy and high elasticity on anti-axial and anti-torsion load. It is stable to use elastic link bar.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Screws ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Joint Instability ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Spinal Diseases ; physiopathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between cigarette smoking and cancer mortality in urban men in Shanghai and its impact when smoking habit changed during the follow-up period.

METHODSA total of 18 244 male residents aged 45 to 64 years in urban Shanghai were enrolled in the study during January 1, 1986 through September 30, 1989, and was actively followed up on annual visits. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate relative risks (RR).

RESULTSBy the end of follow-up program in 2002, 235 762 person-years, averaged 12.9 years per subject in the cohort was reached. 3365 deaths including 1381 cancer deaths were registered during the follow-up period. The mortality rates for cancers of lung, stomach, liver, pancreas, esophagus, head and neck etc. increased significantly among smokers. Compared with data of nonsmokers at the baseline survey, the adjusted RR was 1.49 for all-causes mortality among current smokers at the baseline survey. After excluding subjects who changed their smoking habit during the follow-up period, the RR became 1.78 compared with lifelong-nonsmokers. The corresponding RRs rose from 2.05 to 2.58 for all cancer deaths and from 6.40 to 8.77 for lung cancer deaths. The age-adjusted all-causes and cancer death rates among current smokers at the baseline survey were 1695.6 and 782.0 per 100 000 person-years, respectively. After exclusion of those with smoking habit changed during the follow-up period, the rates among persistent smokers were 2353.7 and 1144.6 per 100 000 person-years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONCigarette smoking is an important predictor for risk of all-causes of death as well as for cancer deaths. The change of smoking habit during the follow-up period could result in underestimating the deleterious effect of cigarette smoking on health.

Adult ; Cause of Death ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; Lung Neoplasms ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; mortality ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Stomach Neoplasms ; mortality ; Urban Health

BACKGROUNDRetinocytoma (RB) is a very common intraocular malignant tumor during infancy. Chemotherapy has gradually been used as the first-line treatment for intraocular RB in recent years. In this study, Livin and PTEN expressions were observed in the RB tissue, along with the growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-induced effects of topotecan (TPT) on RB HXO-Rb44 cell strain. This study aimed to investigate the antigrowth effects of TPT on RB cell strain HXO-Rb44.

METHODSMax-Vision(TM) rapid immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect Livin and PTEN expressions in the normal retina and in RB, and their relationship with RB clinicopathologic features was analyzed. Human RB cell strain HXO-Rb44 was cultivated and passaged. MTT method was used to measure the survival rates of HXO-Rb44 cell strains under various TPT concentrations. IC50 values were calculated. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of various TPT concentrations on HXO-Rb44 cell apoptosis. Western blotting was used to detect the differences of Livin and PTEN protein expressions during cell apoptosis.

RESULTSThe positive expressions of Livin and PTEN in the RB group were obviously different from those in the normal control group. In RB tissue, Livin expression was relevant to PTEN expression. TPT could significantly induce the occurrence of cell apoptosis and had a dependent relationship with drug concentration. Livin and PTEN expression levels varied with the extension of the effect time of TPT based on Western blotting analysis.

CONCLUSIONSLivin and PTEN have high and low expression levels in the RB tissue, respectively. Both of them have key roles in RB occurrence and development. TPT could induce human RB cell strain HXO-Rb44 cell apoptosis, and its mechanism is associated with the inhibition of Livin and PTEN expressions.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; analysis ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; analysis ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; analysis ; Retinal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Retinoblastoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Topoisomerase I Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Topotecan ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality as well as the effect of age on it among middle-aged and elderly men in urban area of Shanghai.

METHODSA total of 18,244 male subjects aged 45-64 years resided in urban area of Shanghai were enrolled in the study during January 1, 1986 through September 30, 1989, and were actively followed under annual visits. 'Cox proportional hazards model' was used to estimate the relative risks (RR).

RESULTSBy the end of the follow-up process in 2002, a total number of 235,762 person-years was accumulated in the cohort, with an average of 12.9 years per subject. A total number of 3365 deaths including 1381 from cancer and 1165 from cardio- and cerebro-vascular diseases (CVD), was identified during the follow-up period. Compared with those under normal BMI (BMI 18.5-23.9), the RRs of death for all causes of death among groups at low BMI (BMI < 18.5), overweight (BMI 24-27.9) and obesity (BMI > or = 28) were 1.20, 1.12 and 1.61, respectively, among non-smokers after adjustment for age, alcohol consumption and level of education. After excluding the numbers observed during the first 5 years of follow-up, the corresponding RRs became 1.01, 1.12, and 1.75, respectively. The risk of deaths from colon cancer or CVD increased along with the increase of BMI, while the risk of non-cancer and non-CVD deaths, mostly deaths from infectious diseases, increased significantly in the group of low BMI. Among those aged > or = 55 years at baseline survey, the risk for all causes of death increased more significantly with those having obesity. However, among those who were younger than 55 years of age, no significant correlation between BMI and overall mortality was noticed.

CONCLUSIONA positive relationship between obesity and total mortality was observed in the middle-aged and elderly men in urban Shanghai. The association was more obvious among the elderly while the risk of deaths from colon cancer or CVD rose along with the increase of BMI. The risk of death from infectious disease increased significantly in the group with low BMI.

Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; mortality ; Cause of Death ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; mortality ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Urban Health

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation.

METHODSSixteen patients with atlantoaxial dislocation were treated from Dec. 2005 to June 2007, included 10 males and 6 females, aged from 38 to 45 years old (means 40.5 years). Among them 12 patients combined with nerve injury, according to ASIA grade: there were 3 cases in grade B, 5 cases in grade C, 4 cases in grade D. All patients received preoperative CT, radiograph and skull traction. Intraoperative posterior approach general spine pedicle screw-rod orthopaedics fixation system used and iliac bone block were implanted in space of posterior atlantal arch and axial vertebral plate. The outcome and complications were observed in the near future.

RESULTSThere was no vascular or neural injury found. The patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (means 18 months). All head pain, acid storm symptoms were improved after operation. According to the Odom's clinical efficacy evaluation standard, 12 cases were excellent, 4 were good. Eleven cases of 12 with nerve injury recovered significantly. By ASIA classification: 1 cases was in grade B, 2 cases were in grade C, 5 cases were in grade D, 4 cases were in grade E. No looseness or breakage of screw occurred. Bony fusion was achieved in all cases.

CONCLUSIONPosterior approach atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation have the advantages of direct screw placement, short-segment fusion, intraoperative reduction, fixation reliable, high fusion rate, and it can restablish the upper cervical vertebrae stability and help to recover the spinal cord and nerve function.

Adult ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of strain index (SI) by transrectal real-time tissue elastography (TRTE) for differentiation of the prostate peripheral zone lesions.

METHODSTotally 83 patients with suspected prostate cancer underwent the quantitative analysis by TRTE examination. The SI of total lesions (ASI) and peak elasticity in lesion (PSI) were calculated, and the pathologic findings were compared. Then the values of ASI and PSI in the differential diagnosis of prostate lesions were assessed. The influence of Gleanson scores on SI was evaluated.

RESULTSThe area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curves (or ROC curves) of ASI and PSI were 0.62 (P=0.06) and 0.92 (P=0.00) respectively for the differential diagnosis of prostate peripheral lesions. When a cutoff point of 17.44 was used,PSI had a sensitivity of 74.5% and a specificity of 83.3%. Gleason scores showed no significant difference between PSIü 17.44 group and PSIþ17.44 group ( P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPSI is helpful for the differential diagnosis of prostate peripheral zone lesions.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate ; diagnostic imaging ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of nutritional status on serum immunoglobulins, body weight and postoperative infectious-related complications in patients with Crohn's disease receiving perioperative parenteral nutrition (PN).

METHODS32 patients with Crohn's disease receiving perioperative parenteral nutrition in our department between 1984 and 1994 were enrolled in this survey. 16 patients with loss of body weight in the range of 15%-30% were assigned to the malnutrition group, the other 16 patients with normal weight or loss of body weight less than 15% to the control group. Serum IgM, IgG and IgA levels were measured before and after PN by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Liver function, body weight changes and postoperative complications were also analyzed.

RESULTSIgM levels were elevated before PN in both groups [control group: (133 +/- 16) mg/dl, malnutrition group: (139 +/- 41) mg/dl; normal value: (110 +/- 35) mg/dl; P = 0.04], decreased to normal value [(105 +/- 29) mg/dl, P = 0.02] in the malnutrition group while having no obvious changes in the control group [(129 +/- 13) mg/dl, P = 0.34]. No significant changes in concentrations of IgG and IgA were found (P in the range of 0.20-0.57). The average weight gain was 1.862 kg in malnutrition group [before PN: (45.8 +/- 8.9) kg, after PN: (48.0 +/- 8.8) kg; P = 0.005] and no significant changes in the control group [before PN: (55.6 +/- 6.1) kg, after PN: (56.3 +/- 6.0) kg; P = 0.46]. There was an increase in infectious complications in the control group (control group: 4 cases, 25%, malnourished group: 2 cases, 12.5%; P = 0.13).

CONCLUSIONSPerioperative parenteral nutrition ameliorated the humoral immunity, increased the body weight in patients with obvious malnutrition, whereas it had little value for those without or with mild malnutrition.

Adult ; Aged ; Body Weight ; Crohn Disease ; immunology ; surgery ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Male ; Malnutrition ; etiology ; Middle Aged ; Nutritional Status ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Pneumonia ; etiology ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology