Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; surgery ; Adrenalectomy ; methods ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; abnormalities ; Laparoscopy ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a ; surgery ; Pheochromocytoma ; surgery

Objective To study insulin sensitivity and first-phase insulin secretion in obese subjects with impaired glucose regulation (ICR) in Shanghai. Methods A total of 129 subjects [38 lean controls and 91 obese subjects with ICR including 64 isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) ,8 isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFC) and 19 IFC + ICT] underwent 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and insulin-modified reduced sample number (n = 12) of Bergman's minimal model method with frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGTT). Insulin resistance was determined from the insulin sensitivity index (S1) of the FSIGTT. Insulin secretion was determined during the FSIGTT by the acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg). The disposition index (DI) , the product of AIRg and S1, was used to determine whether AIRg was adequate to compensate for insulin resistance. Results (1) Compared with normal controls, the value of S1 was significantly decreased in 3 groups with ICR (all P

Objective To study the effects of vitamin B_6(VitB_6) injection on small intestinal peristalsis in mice and its mechanisms.Methods The mice were divided into 12 groups:calcium chloride injection group(1 mg/10 g),neostigmine methylsulfate injection group(0.001 5 mg/10 g),atropine sulfate injection group(0.005 mg/10 g),their combination with VitB_6 injection and high/low dose treated groups,high dose VitB_6 injection group(5 mg/10 g),low dose VitB_6 injection group(0.5 mg/10 g) and physiologic saline group(0.1 mL/ 10 g ).After administration 30 minutes,mice were intragastric administration Indian ink(0.1 mL/g),and they were luxated and put to death 20 minutes later.The mice belly were cut open,the length of intestine and distance of Indian ink that had moved were measured,and then the ink progradation rate were calculated.Results Compared with control group,the high dose VitB_6 injection could inhibit normal intestinal peristalsis of mice markedly(P0.05).Conclusions VitB_6 injection can inhibit hyperanakinesia of small intestine in mice,especially high dose.And this will be provided as theory foundation on enterospasm treatment.

BACKGROUNDGlaucoma can cause progressive damage to retinal ganglion cells. These cells can be classified as cells projecting to the superior colliculus and melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells, which project to the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This study was to investigate the effects of chronic intraocular pressure elevation on melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells in rats.

METHODSChronic intraocular pressure elevation was induced in one eye of adult Wistar rats by cauterization of three episcleral veins. Intraocular pressure was measured at different intervals with a rebound tonometer. Superior collicular retinal ganglion cells were retrogradely labeled from the superior colliculus with Fluorogold. Melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells were visualized by free-floating immunohistochemistry on whole-mount retinas. The number of labeled superior collicular and melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells were counted in the sample areas on flat-mounted retinas.

RESULTSCompared with contralateral control eyes, the numbers of both superior collicular and melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of experimental intraocular pressure elevation ((2317.41 +/- 29.96)/mm(2) vs (1815.82 +/- 24.25)/mm(2); (26.20 +/- 2.10)/mm(2) vs (20.62 +/- 1.52)/mm(2), respectively). The extent of cell loss of the two types of retinal ganglion cells was similar. However, no morphologic changes were found in melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells.

CONCLUSIONBoth melanopsin-containing and superior collicular retinal ganglion cells were damaged by chronic ocular hypertension, indicating that glaucomatous neural degeneration involves the non-image-forming visual pathway.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glaucoma ; pathology ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Retinal Ganglion Cells ; pathology ; Rod Opsins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore biological exposure markers, we investigated the chromium content in peripheral erythrocytes from occupational population with broad ranges of soluble chromate exposure, as the candidate biomarker may provide the scientific evidence for health risk assessment in occupational chromate-exposed population.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in chromate exposed workers employed at a chromate factory in a district of Jinan city, Shandong Province. The studied population contained 114 workers from different processes of the chromate plants, which included 74 males and 40 females, with an age range from 25 to 52 years old, averaging at (35.83 +/- 6.14) years old; the length of service was ranging from 1 year to 37 years, an average of (14.20 +/- 6.77) years. In addition, 30 farmers in the countryside one hundred kilometers away from the factory, without exposure to chromate matched with exposed subjects by age, gender and smoking status were identified as a control group, which included 22 men and 8 women, with age ranging from 25 years old to 47 years old, having an average age of (36.13 +/- 6.17) years old. Personal information on age, chromate exposure, medical history, smoking habit and alcohol consumption was obtained at an interview. The air concentration of personal exposure was determined by individual sampling for 8 hours per day as shift work, and chromium was assayed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The chromium content in the erythrocytes from peripheral blood was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The potential plasma reduction capacity was determined by dibenzene anthracoamid dihydrazide spectrophotometry. The content of total vitamin C and reductive ascorbic acid were determined by 2, 4-dinitrobenzene hydrazine. The data were analyzed by SPSS10.0 software for statistical significance.

RESULTS(1) The results showed that the chromium levels in erythrocytes in the exposed group [(15.79 +/- 31.01) microg/L] were significantly higher than those in the control group [(3.21 +/- 2.20) microg/L] (P < 0.01). (2) There existed a dose-response relationship between the personal airborne chromate concentration and the chromium content in erythrocytes. As airborne chromate concentration lowered to 106.00 microg/m(3), the chromium content in erythrocytes increased, depending on the air concentration of chromate. (3) Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between airborne chromate concentration and the chromium content in erythrocytes (P < 0.01). (4) In multiple regression analysis, it was found that the potential plasma reduction capacity and reductive ascorbic acid may be a good indicator for oxidative stress produced by chromate exposure and be used to evaluate the effects on intracellular uptake of chromium (VI).

CONCLUSIONOur findings suggested that the chromium content in erythrocytes should be used as an effective exposed biomarker in the risk assessment for occupational chromate-exposure.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Chromates ; analysis ; Chromium ; blood ; Erythrocytes ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate morphological changes of capillary in aging brain and explore the role of vascular factor in brain aging.

METHODSTwenty-eight brains of individuals (mean age 65 years) who died without clinical or pathological involvement of nervous system and 6 brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients (mean age 83 years) were obtained at autopsy. Sections from frontal lobe, occipital lobe, striatum and hippocampus of normal subjects and sections from hippocampus of AD patients were used for hematoxylin eosin (HE), lox fast blue (LFB), toluidine blue stains and ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA) immunostaining. After observations of morphological changes of neuron and capillary, computer-aid image analysis was performed to quantify numerical density and area density of neuron and capillary in frontal lobe, occipital lobe, putamen, CA3 sector of normal subjects and CA3 sector of AD patients. Numerical ratio and area ratio of neuron and capillary were then calculated. Correlations between neuron/capillary ratio and age were estimated using Pearson's correlation test. Difference of neuron/capillary ratio in CA3 sectors between AD patients and advanced aged normal subjects (> 75 years) was analyzed with Student's t-test.

RESULTSSeveral pathological microvascular changes, including increased tortuosity, looping, bundling, stringing, and effacement of endothelia were seen in aged subjects and more prevalent in AD patients. Numerical ratio and area ratio of neuron and capillary of frontal lobe, occipital lobe and putamen significantly increased with age in normal aging subjects.

CONCLUSIONSMorphological changes and relative decrease in number and capacity of capillary in aging brain may reduce cerebral blood flow and metabolism, and consequently result in functional impairment of aging brain. Vascular factors may play an important role in the development of brain aging.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; Alzheimer Disease ; etiology ; pathology ; Capillaries ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Cell Count ; Cerebral Cortex ; blood supply ; pathology ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; blood supply ; pathology ; Hippocampus ; blood supply ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurons ; pathology ; Occipital Lobe ; blood supply ; pathology

OBJECTIVEThis paper presents the experience in using the reverse buccinator musculomucosal flap for repairing the defect following excising inverted papilloma of the nose.

METHODSAfter the inverted papilloma of the nose was excised through an endonasal approach, the reverse buccinator musculomucosal flap supplied by the retrograde blood flow of the anterior buccal artery was harvested and sutured to the defect through the ora-nasal tunnel. The procedure was performed on three patients.

RESULTSThe postoperative course was uneventful. All the flaps survived completely.

CONCLUSIONSThe technique provides the solution to prevent nasal stricture from cicatricial contracture after excising inverted papilloma. In the operation, excising the inverted papilloma and repairing the defect was performed simultaneously, saving another operation for the secondary deformity. The technique is also applicable to the treatment of existing cicatricial stricture of the nose.

Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Nose Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Papilloma, Inverted ; pathology ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo investigate the gene mutations of ADAMTS13 in a highly suspected hereditary thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) patient, and then make a progressive diagnosis and adjust the plan of therapy.

METHODSADAMTS13 activity and inhibitor were determined by residual-collagen binding assay during several episodes. Genomic DNA extracted from the proband's peripheral blood was used for amplification of 29 exons and exon/intron boundaries of ADAMTS13 by PCR. The PCR products were screened by direct sequencing and the gene alterations were further confirmed by direct sequencing in her family members.

RESULTThe activity of the proband's ADAMTS13 was significantly reduced while no inhibitor was found. Two novel missense mutations were found in the TSPI repeated motif domain of ADAMTS13. In both mutations, thymine substituted for cytidine, resulting in the substitution of leucine for serine in nt 2708, exon 21 (codon S903L), and tryptophan for arginine in nt 3283, exon 25(codon R1095W). These two mutations were revealed as each heterozygote in the proband's parents.

CONCLUSIONThe deficiency of ADAMTS13 caused by two homozygote missense mutations might be responsible for episode of this TTP patient.

ADAM Proteins ; genetics ; Adult ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Mutation ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of the surveillance system and preventive measurements on the control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in a university in Guangdong Province.

METHODSA university with more than thirty thousand undergraduates, staff and their relatives was retrospectively studied, from which information regarding the status of epidemic, organization of leadership, disease control strategies and measures were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSThe construction of the surveillance system in such a model as "individual-dormitory/home-class/unite-faculty and institute-university" largely contributed to the achievement of the goals of low incidence, no secondary, no epidemic, and no death. A series of control measures benefited the early diagnosis, effective isolation, prevention, and treatment of SARS control.

CONCLUSIONSARS could be effectively controlled in university only if strict surveillance system is built up, and all-round preventions, including early isolation of both confirmed or suspected cases and close contacted persons, are carried out.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Communicable Disease Control ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Population Surveillance ; methods ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Universities

OBJECTIVETo study pathologic features of glial cells in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and to explore their pathologic significance.

METHODSBrain tissues from 2 cases with PSP and 3 cases with CBD, all confirmed by autopsies, were examined by routine neuropathologic methods, Gallyas-Braak staining and tau immunostaining. Brain tissues from 6 Alzheimer's disease cases, 4 cases with Parkinson's disease and 6 elderly with no neurologic abnormality were used as controls.

RESULTSGallyas-Braak staining demonstrated tuft-shaped astrocytes and coiled-body oligodendroglial cells in the brain tissues of 2 cases with PSP and 3 cases with CBD. The tuft-shaped astrocytes appeared prominently in the frontal and parietal cortex, basal ganglia and grey matter of the brainstem. The coiled-body oligodendroglial cells were distributed widely in the white matter of the frontal and parietal lobes, basal ganglia, brainstem and cerebellum. However, astrocytic plaques, composed of degenerative stubby processes with radiating arrangement, only appeared in the frontal, parietal and cingular cortex, as well as in the striatum of 3 cases with CBD. The astrocytic plaques and tuft-shaped astrocytes coexisted in the same areas, including parietal and cingular cortex and striatum, in CBD. All these glial abnormalities showed tau-positive immunoreaction not found in control cases.

CONCLUSIONSThe tuft-shaped astrocytes and coiled-body oligodendroglial cells are common glial morphologic features of both PSP and CBD. Astrocytic plaques are also characteristically seen in CBD.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Astrocytes ; pathology ; Basal Ganglia ; pathology ; Brain Stem ; pathology ; Cerebral Cortex ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; pathology ; Oligodendroglia ; pathology ; Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive ; pathology