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

Objective: To analyze the expression profile of plasma microRNA (miRNA) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) by bioinformatics method, and explore its pathogenesis at the level of genetic regulation. Methods: Five MCI patients due to AD and five control participants were recruited. The plasma miRNA expression profiles were analyzed by miRNA microarray sequencing. Target genes of significantly up-regulated miRNAs were detected by TargetScan 7.2 database. The miRNA-gene interaction network of significantly up-regulated miRNAs was established by Cytoscape software, and the key miRNAs of the network were analyzed. The target genes of key miRNAs were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway analysis using R packages. Results: There are 13 up-regulated miRNAs in the plasma of MCI patients due to AD, and 5 of them were key miRNAs in miRNA-gene interaction network. Target genes of these miRNAs were mainly involved in biological process such as synaptic plasticity reg-ulation, Wnt signaling pathway, synaptic vesicle transport and synaptic vesicle localization, as well as Ras signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway. Conclusion: Five up-regulated miRNAs in plasma of MCI due to AD may be the main regulators involved in the pathological mechanism of AD, which can be used as potential biomarkers for diagnosis of MCI due to AD.

Objective To apply Estimation and Projection Package (EPP) and Spectrum models for the estimation and projection on HIV/AIDS epidemics in areas with relatively low HIV/AIDS prevalence in China,and to explore the influences of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the outputs of the models.Methods Taizhou prefecture in Zhejiang province was selected as the study site.Social and demographic data as well as all the information on HIV/AIDS epidemics in Taizhou prefecture were collected,managed,input to EPP and Spectrum models to estimate and project the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Taizhou prefecture.Impact of ART on the HIV/AIDS epidemic was also assessed.Results According to the estimates from both EPP and Spectrum model,the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Taizhou prefecture was at a relatively low level.HIV prevalence rates among men having sex with men (MSM) and injection drug users (IDU) were relatively high and rapidly increasing.It was estimated that 1773 (1384-2449) people were living with HIV in 2010 in Taizhou prefecture,with an overall HIV prevalence of 0.03％ (0.02％-0.04％).ART had reduced and would continue to reduce new HIV infections and AIDS deaths,but had no significant impact on the overall HIV prevalence and the numbers of people living with HIV and adults who were in need of ART.Conclusion EPP and Spectrum models seemed to be suitable and useful tools for estimation and projection on HIV/AIDS in Taizhou prefecture,and the results could provide reference for the further studies in other areas with a relatively low epidemic level of HIV/AIDS.ART appeared effective for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (pSTAT4) expression of Silica-induced pulmonary inflammation in Mice.

METHODSSixty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, normal control group, silicious group, suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) group, control oligodeoxynucleotides (Con ODN) group. Except the normal control group injected normal saline, the rest groups were induced by the intratracheal instillation of 0.1 ml (5 g/L) of sterilized silica suspension. Sup ODN group and Con ODN group were treated by i.p. injection of 0.3 ml (1mg/mL) of suppressive or control ODN 3 h before silica administration. After 7 days, the animals were killed and levels of IFN-γ were detected by ELISA. The pathologic changes in lung tissues of mice were observed with HE staining. Expressions of IFN-γ and pSTAT4 in lung tissue were detected with immunohistochemistry and quantified by Image-Pro Plus 7.0.

RESULTSHE staining showed that the lung tissue of silicious group were damaged seriously than Sup ODN group. Compared with the normal control group (serum: (280.1±41.3) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.249±0.373), IFN-γ increased in silicious group (serum: (886.3±81.7) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.270±0.300) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group and Con ODN group [(894.5±91.6) pg/ml], IFN-γ in the serum of Sup ODN group decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group , IFN-γ in lung tissue decreased in Sup ODN group (0.241±0.250) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group (0.279±0.353), pSTAT4 in lung tissue increased significantly in silicious group (0.313±0.231) (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group, pSTAT4 in lung tissue decreased significantly in Sup ODN group (0.269±0.523) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSup ODN attained protective effect on Silica treated mice by suppressing expression of IFN-γ and pSTAT4.

Animals ; Female ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; STAT4 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment effect on penile erectile function after lumbar discectomy in different age groups of men.

METHODSWe included in this study 90 male patients with intervertebral disc herniation treated by lumbar discectomy, who were divided into three age groups of equal number: groups A (< 45 yr), B (45 - 55 yr) and C ( > 55 yr). We obtained the IIEF-5 scores of the patients preoperatively and at 12 months after surgery.

RESULTSThe IIEF-5 scores at 12 months after surgery were 21.3 +/- 3.3, 16.8 +/- 1.3 and 14.1 +/- 1.0 in groups A, B and C, respectively, significantly higher than 10.4 +/- 2.6, 10.7 +/- 2.8 and 11.2 +/- 1.9 preoperatively (P < 0.05). Group A showed better improved erectile function than B and C ([51.17 +/- 6.25 ]% vs [36.31 +/- 4.28]% and [22.71 +/- 5.68]%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPenile erectile function of the male patient is one of the major factors in evaluating lumbar discectomy for intervertebral disc herniation. Early decompression surgery according to different etiological factors is very important for erectile function recovery in the young and middle-aged male patients.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Diskectomy ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; Postoperative Period ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the validity of transplanting transverse colon to replace esophagus in treating cicatricial stricture resulting from severe esophageal chemical burns in children.

METHODSA retrospective study was carried out on the clinical data of 46 patients with severe chemical esophageal burns who were treated from November 1972 to September 2008. The transverse colon with the ascending branch of the left colic artery was brought through a retrosternal tunnel to replace strictured esophagus. Thirty-two patients underwent colon-esophageal anastomosis and 14 patients underwent colon-pharyngeal anastomosis.

RESULTSAll patients survived after surgery, but complications occurred in 7 cases, including leakage of anastomosis in cervical region in 4 cases, stenosis of anastomosis in 2 cases, and dyspnea in 1 case, and they were cured after due treatment. Follow-up study (1 - 26 years) in 39 patients revealed that there was no difference in growth, development and diet between the patients and the normal children of the same age.

CONCLUSIONSEsophageal reconstruction with transverse colon together with the ascending branch of the left colic artery through a retrosternal tunnel is a valuable method for treating cicatricial stricture of the esophagus secondary to severe chemical burns of the esophagus in children.

Burns, Chemical ; complications ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cicatrix ; complications ; etiology ; Colon, Transverse ; transplantation ; Esophageal Stenosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Esophagus ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the cause of evaluated postage-specific antigen(PSA)in patients performed transrectal uhrasonography(TRUSG)guided prostate biopsy beeause of high PSA levels.Methods In a retrospective study 504 prostate biopsies performed between January 1998 and December 2001 were evaluated and the levels of serum PSA were determined in samples obtained immediately before sextant biopsy was performed.All patients underwent 6 or 13 cote primary prostate needle biopsies.Results 185 prostate cancer,109 NIH-Ⅳ prostatitis and 210 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH)were identified.The difference in free-PSA,total-PSA,f/t-PSA levels between prostate cancer,BPH and NIH-Ⅳ prostatitis was significant(P＜0.05).No significant difference was found in age,transrectal ultrasonography and digital rectal examination.In multivariate analysis,free-PSA,total-PSA,f/t-PSA was the significant predictors of histology in prostate cancer(P＜0.05).A significant correlation was found between the serum total and free PSA levels and the grade and stage of prostate cancer(P＜0.05).Preoperative variables predictors of histology in BPH were TPSA and FPSA(P＜0.05).In multivariate analysis,TPSA was the only significant predictors of histology in BPH(P＜0.01).The best cutoff value was constructed to differ pathology type in prostate diseases:tPSA≥4 ng/ml,fPSA≥0.85 ng/ml and f/t-PSA≤0.16(P＜0.05).Conclusions High serum PSA levels may correlate with asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis,prostate cancer and BPH.The factors contributing to elevated serum PSA concentrations include cell proliferating,glandular epithelial disrupt.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the urodynamic characteristics of the chronic impairment of cauda equina caused by lumbar disk herniation.

METHODSClinical data and urodynamic parameters of 67 male patients with lumbar disk herniation were retrospectively analyzed. Lower urinary obstruction was excluded from the cohort using the Lin-PURR analysis. Patients were divided into group A (normal detrusor function), group B (detrusor underactivity) and group C (detrusor areflexia) according to the detrusor contraction function analyzed in Lin-PURR. Clinical data and urodynamic parameters were analyzed statistically between these groups.

RESULTSThe category of the detrusor contraction function had a significant effect on the urodynamic parameters. There were significant differences in the maximum flow rate (Q(max)), maximum pressure (P(max)), pressure at the maximum flow (P(det Qmax)) and post-voiding residual urine (PVR) among group A, B and C. There were significant differences in the first sensation volume of the bladder and the maximum cystometric capacity between group A and C, B and C, but no significance was found between group A and B. There was no significant difference in age, disease duration, and compliance of the bladder among 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONSUrodynamic study is important in exploring the severity of the chronic impairment of cauda equina caused by lumbar disk herniation. Detrusor areflexia and loss of bladder sensory indicate more severe degree of impairment of the cauda equine. Q(max) and PVR are helpful in early diagnosis of the chronic impairment of cauda equina.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cauda Equina ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Urodynamics

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility of repairing periodontal defects with carbonated calcium phosphate bone cement (CCPBC) modified with synthesized peptides.

METHODSPeriodontal bone defects in 4 dogs were surgically created and then restored directly with hydroxyapatite (HA), Perioglass, CCPBC and CCPBC modified with peptides. The results were compared at different levels.

RESULTSBone replacement materials were lost in HA and Perioglass groups. In the HA group defects were restored with connective tissue. Perioglass group had only a little new bone around materials by alveolar bone. CCPBC could firmly stay in bone defects to maintain the space of bone defects even without membrane use. CCPBC modified with peptides was superior to HA, Perioglass, and CCPBC, surrounded by a great deal of new bone.

CONCLUSIONUnder limitation of this study, CCPBC modified with peptides has some osteoinuctive activity and may have good prospect for the clinical application in periodontal defect repair.

Alveolar Bone Loss ; therapy ; Animals ; Bone Cements ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Substitutes ; Calcium Phosphates ; Dogs ; Durapatite ; Male

Objective To discuss the relationship between asymptomatic prostatic inflammation (NIH category Ⅳ prostatitis)and serum prostate specific antigen. Methods In a retrospective study,245 prostate biopsies with benign pathological results from January 1998 to January 2000 were reviewed and the corresponding serum PSA before biopsy were analyzed.All patients were taken 6 or 13 cores prostate biopsy. Results One hundred and twenty-seven NIH-Ⅳ prostatitis and 118 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)were identified.The difference in free-PSA,totalPSA,f/t-PSA levels between BPH and NIH-Ⅳ prostatitis was significant(P＜0.05).In multivariate analysis,free-PSA,total-PSA,f/t-PSA was the significant predictors of histology in NIH-Ⅳ prostatitis(P＜0.05).The best prediction factors were constructed to predict pathology type in NIH-Ⅳ prostatitis:TPSA≥4 ng/ml,fPSA≥0.85 ng/ml and f/t-PSA≤0.16(P＜0.05). Conclusions Asymptomatic inflammation of the prostate was one of the confounding factors in patients with an elevated PSA.In the diagnosis of prostate diseases,it should be taken into account prostatitis might elevate the level of PSA.