Objective To describe the MR manifestations of demyelinating pseudotumor of the central nervous system (CNS), and to discuss the pathologic features and MR diagnostic value and limit in this disease entity. Methods Seven pathologically proved and one clinically proved cases of demyelinating pseudotumor of CNS were studied with MR imaging, and the MR imaging features were retrospectively analyzed. Results MR imaging demonstrated localized mass without adjacent multiple accompanying lesions in all 8 cases. On T 1WI, the lesions showed homogenous low signal in 5 cases, inhomogenous low signal in 2 cases, and mixed high and low signal in 1 case. On T 2WI, the lesions presented as homogenous high signal in 5 cases and inhomogenous high signal in 3 cases. Of the 7 cases with Gd DTPA administration, marked enhancement was seen in each case. The enhancement pattern of vertical distribution to the lateral ventricle was demonstrated in left frontoparietal lobe in one case, and predominant dorsal white matter enhancement of the cervical spinal cord was revealed in another case. Follow up MR imaging showed no lesion recurrence, and gradual shrinkage of the lesion after steroid therapy was demonstrated in one case. Conclusion It is a difficult task to make the correct diagnosis of CNS demyelinating pseudotumor based on the clinical information and imaging findings, and this disease entity is often misdiagnosed as tumor by MR imaging. Thorough analysis of the clinical history and careful observation of MR manifestations (especially contrast enhanced MR findings) would be helpful in diagnosing the demyelinating pseudotumor and, in such circumstances, providing test steroid therapy, thus avoiding the devastating injury caused by surgery or radiation therapy.

Objective To find out the status of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis and the effect of preventive measures in Hebei Province,so as to provide a basis to prevent and cure fluorosis.Methods One affected county (city,district) with drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis was sampled in every city and 10 water improvement projects were investigated in that county.Three villages were taken out in every county.The operating state of the projects,the water fluoride content,and the dental fluorosis of children aged 8-12 and skeletal fluorosis of adults were investigated in these villages.Results A total of 93 projects were investigated,among which 94.6％(88/93) were operating properly and the qualified rate(fluoride content ≤ 1.2 mg/L) of the projects was 54.84％(51/93).Among the 9 large projects,the water fluoride content of 7 projects exceeded 1.2 mg/L.A total of 23 villages with water improvement projects were investigated and only 43.4％ (10/23) of them water fluoride content were lower than 1.2 mg/L.The dental fluorosis rate,the dental fluorosis index and the rate of skeletal fluorosis were 33.2％ (532/1601),0.74 and 5.7％ (66/1155),respectively.In the 7 villages without water improvement projects,2 of them exceeded 2.0 mg/L,but lower than and equal to 4.0 mg/L of water fluorosis and 5 of them were normal(＜ 1.2 mg/L).The dental fluorosis rate,the dental fluorosis index and the rate of skeletal fluorosis were 33.4％ (111/332),0.72 and 2.9％ (10/350),respectively.Conclutions The qualified rate of water improvement projects of fluoride content ≤ 1.2 mg/L is low and the endemic fluorosis is still comparatively serious in Hebei Province.The progress of water improvement projects in the areas with endemic fluorosis should be accelerated and the quality of water improvement projects should be increased.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of CO release inhibitor zinc protoporphyria IX (ZnPP IX) and NO release inhibitor L-NAME on the content of cGMP in the penile tissue of rats.

METHODSThirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control, a ZnPP IX, and an L-NAME group, given saline (1 ml/kg/d), ZnPP IX (45 micromol/kg/d) and L-NAME (50 mg/kg/d), respectively, for 7 days. Then all the rats were killed, homogenate made from their penile tissues and detected for the contents of NOS, NO, CO and cGMP.

RESULTSThe contents of CO, NOS, NO and cGMP were all reduced in both the ZnPP IX and L-NAME groups as compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONZnPP IX and L-NAME can reduce the concentrations of CO and NO in the penile tissues of rats, and consequently the content of cGMP.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Cyclic GMP ; metabolism ; Male ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Penis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Protoporphyrins ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of cervical spinal posture and prior loading history on spinal compressive strength.

METHODSTwelve human cadaver cervical spines were harvested and dissected into 24 motion segments containing 2 vertebrae and the intervertebral discs (C3,4 and C5,6). Compressive loads were applied on so that the effects of 2 loading conditions (dehydrated, superhydrated) and 2 postures (neutral trunk, flexed) could be examined. Dissection techniques and X-rays were used to determine the tissue injuries.

RESULTSSpecimens had a lower ultimate compressive strength (P <0.001) in flexed posture than in neutral trunk posture. Under the injury loading in neutral trunk posture, superhydrated specimens had a lower strength (29%, P <0.01) than dehydrated specimens did.

CONCLUSIONThe spine may be more prone to injury early in the morning when the discs are at highest level of hydration and the cervical spine is in fully flexed posture.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; physiology ; Compressive Strength ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Posture ; Weight-Bearing

Objective To understand the status of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis and the effect of preventive measure in Hebei province, so as to provide a basis to prevent and cure the disease. Methods Thirtyeight affected counties(cities, districts) with drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis were sampled by random sampling in Hebei in 2009. All affected villages in every county were divided into mild, moderate and severe endemic fluorosis areas and a village was randomly selected from each category of the area to carry out the monitoring of endemic fluorosis. Dental fluorosis of children aged 8 - 12 were examined and 6 copies of urine samples were randomly collected in each age group in the above-mentioned villages. Clinical skeletal fluorosis was diagnosed among adults aged 16 and over and 20 copies of urine samples were tested for fluorosis in every village.Results A total of 112 affected villages were investigated, among which the drinking water quality of 66 villages were improved and 46 villages were not improved. A total of 236 copies of water samples from the 66 villages were measured and the fluoride content ranged from 0.1 to 4.3 mg/L, among which 20 copies of water samples exceeded the fluorine standard of 1.2 mg/L, accounting for 33.3%. A total of 230 copies of water samples were collected in the 46 villages and the fluoride content ranged from 0.2 to 4.6 mg/L, among which 76.1% (35/46) of the water samples exceeded the fluorine standard of 1.2 mg/L. A total of 5169 children aged 8 - 12 were examined of dental fluorosis, the dental fluorosis rate was 36.43%(1883/5169) and the dental fluorosis index was 0.81. A sum of 71 497 adults aged over 16 years were examined, and the rate of skeletal fluorosis was 4.81%(3438/71 497), moderate or severe clinical detection rate of skeletal fluorosis was 1.56%( 1114/71 497). A total of 2876 copies of children urine samples and 2021 copies of adult urine samples were tested and the geometric mean of fluoride content was 2.30,3.32 mg/L, respectively. Conclusions The prevalence of dental fluorosis of children in the areas with improved water is less than 30% and the rate of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis decline gradually with time.The rate of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis increases with the increase of water fluoride in the water quality not improved areas. The endemic fluorosis is still comparatively serious in Hebei. The progress of improving water quality in the areas with endemic fluorosis should be accelerated and the acceptability of improved water should be enhanced.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of job psychological demands and job control on mental health and their interaction.

METHODS93 male freight train dispatchers were evaluated by using revised Job Demand-Control Scale and 7 strain scales. Stepwise regression analysis, Univariate ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H and Modian methods were used in statistic analysis.

RESULTSKruskal-Wallis H and Modian methods analysis revealed the difference in mental health scores among groups of decision latitude (mean rank 55.57, 47.95, 48.42, 33.50, P < 0.05), the differences in scores of mental health (37.45, 40.01, 58.35), job satisfaction (53.18, 46.91, 32.43), daily life strains (33.00, 44.96, 56.12) and depression (36.45, 42.25, 53.61) among groups of job time demands (P < 0.05) were all statistically significant. ANOVA showed that job time demands and decision latitude had interaction effects on physical complains (R(2) = 0.24), state-anxiety (R(2) = 0.26), and daytime fatigue (R(2) = 0.28) (P < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed a significant job time demands and job decision latitude interaction effect as well as significant main effects of the some independent variables on different job strains (R(2) > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONJob time demands and job decision latitude have direct and interactive effects on psychosomatic health, the more time demands, the more psychological strains, the effect of job time demands is greater than that of job decision latitude.

Humans ; Mental Health ; Occupational Diseases ; psychology ; Regression Analysis ; Stress, Psychological ; psychology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the occupational stress and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

METHODSThe subject was 93 male freight train dispatchers, the occupational stressors, personalities, and occupational strain response were measured by using questionnaires. Blood pressure, heart rate, the concentrations of the cholesterol, triglyceride, and glycosylated hemoglobin in blood serum were also measured.

RESULTSSocial support score were significantly positively related to systolic pressure (r = 0.22) and diastolic pressure (r = 0.30) (P < 0.05), while job satisfaction negatively related to them and concentration of triglyceride (r = -0.37, -0.47 and -0.28 respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and self-esteem negatively to systolic pressure (r = -0.21, P < 0.05). The differences in diastolic pressure [(78.5 +/- 13.1), (83.6 +/- 8.2), (88.1 +/- 12.3), (85.8 +/- 9.8) mm Hg, P < 0.05] among groups of social support score, body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.01) among groups of job difficulty the differences in systolic pressure [(124.9 +/- 14.4), (129.7 +/- 13.1), (118.4 +/- 16.4), (133.5 +/- 23.1) mm Hg] and diastolic pressure [(85.5 +/- 11.3), (87.0 +/- 9.8), (80.1 +/- 10.1), (88.9 +/- 12.0) mm Hg] and cholesterol level in serum [(4.96 +/- 1.18), (5.39 +/- 0.85), (5.00 +/- 1.15), (4.34 +/- 0.91) mmol/L] among groups of vulnerability to stress (P < 0.05), as well as the difference in systolic pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin level in serum among groups of competition score (P < 0.05) were all statistically significant. Stepwise regression analysis showed that job time demands and negative coping affected the change of cholesterol (R(2) > 0.05); the job relation decision latitude, social support, job difficulty, personality (self-esteem and anxiety trait) and negative coping were the predictors of smoking (R(2) > 0.05). Heart rate was related to home income and competition factor of Type A Behavior (R(2) = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONThe psychosocial stress aspects of work may be related to some cardiovascular risk factors.

Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; complications ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Stress, Psychological ; complications

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibition and killing effect of transgenic LIGHT umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (UCBMSCs) on stomach carcinoma.

METHODSThe LIGHT gene was recombined to construct the transfer plasmid pGC-FU-LIGHT by infusion technique. The 293T cells were co-transfected with the transfer plasmid pGC-FU-LIGHT, the construction plasmid Helper 1.0 and the envelope plasmid Helper 2.0 with the help of lipofectamine 2000 to produce lentiviral particles. Transgenic UCBMSCs(MSC-LIGHT) and empty carrier UCBMSCs (MSC) were obtained. Human gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 was injected into nude mice subcutaneously groin. The model of transplanted human gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 in nude mice was established. Tumorigenesis nude mice were separated into three groups randomly with 5 in each group: MSC-LIGHT group, MSC group, and NS group. Three groups of nude mice were injected around the tumor with MSC-LIGHT, MSC and NS every other day for 3 times. Four weeks later, the transplanted gastric cancer volume was measured. The expressions of LIGHT in the three groups were determined by RT-PCR and ELISA method. The necrosis area in the tumors was calculated under pathological examination.

RESULTSThe average volume of transplanted tumor was(0.45±0.25) cm(3) in MSG-LIGHT group, (0.64±0.36) cm(3) in MSG group, and(1.21±0.79) cm(3) in NS group, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The LIGHT mRNA was 2.96±0.27, 1.23±0.47, and 0.73±0.10 respectively. The LIGHT protein was(167.89±2.31), (73.22±5.74), and (49.66±5.25) ng/L. The differences were all statistically significant among the three groups(both P<0.01). Pathological examination showed that the necrosis area was largest in MSC-LIGHT group.

CONCLUSIONTransgenic UCBMSCs secret LIGHT in a paracrine manner, which has inhibition and killing effects on stomach carcinoma.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Transfection ; Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 14 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo analyze the maltose clearance in plasma and urine of healthy volunteers with high-performance liquid chromatography.

METHODSMaltose solution was infused to 12 healthy volunteers during a 4-hour period at an infusion rate of 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 g/(kg x h), Plasma and urine specimens were collected at different time points before and after infusion, and then analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTSThe coefficients of variation of the precision and accuracy of the analysis method ranged 3.68%-4.58% and 0.44%-4.83% for plasma, respectively, and 2.91%-7.62% and 0.95%-8.27% for urine, respectively. The plasma maltose concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner (r > 0.99). The plasma maltose concentrations returned to the baseline levels 12 hours later. Two hours after injection, the urinary excretion of maltose increased, reached the peak value within 2-4 hours, began to decrease 6 hours later, and became zero 24 hours later.

CONCLUSIONSAn infusion rate of 0.2-0.5 g/(kg x h) of maltose will not remarkably increase the blood glucose level in healthy people. The routine infusion rate should below 0.3 g/(kg x h), unless an emergency exists.

Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Maltose ; blood ; urine

This study is to elucidate the metabolic pathway of 1,2-[bis (1,2-benzisoselenazolone-3 (2H)-ketone)]-ethane (BBSKE) in rats. Rats were administrated with a single dose of BBSKE 200 mg x kg(-1). The metabolites in rat urine, feces, bile and plasma were identified by LC-MSn analysis. The characterization of fragment ions from LC-MSn chromatography and mass spectrometry was applied to the investigation of structures of metabolites. Three phase I metabolites were detected in rat urine and feces. Two of them were also found in plasma and one existed in bile. These products were derived from oxidized, methylated and S-methylated BBSKE, separately. One phase II glucuronide of BBSKE was also found in bile. Therefore, it is possible that BBSKE was metabolized by oxidization, methylation and glucuronidation.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; blood ; metabolism ; urine ; Bile ; metabolism ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; administration & dosage ; blood ; metabolism ; urine ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Feces ; chemistry ; Male ; Organoselenium Compounds ; administration & dosage ; blood ; metabolism ; urine ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization