OBJECTIVETo study the diagnostic value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

METHODSTwenty healthy volunteers and fifty patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent DTI in the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Ningbo University from January 2014 to April 2015. Healthy volunteers served as controls. Fifty patients were divided into three groups (group A , B, C) according to cervical MRI scan standard. Group A (17 cases) had only the dura mater spinalis compressed; Group B (23 cases) showed the cervical spinal cord compressed, but no high signal in it; Group C (10 cases) had the cervical spinal cord compressed with high signal in the same level. The average apparent diffusion coefficients(ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA)values in these examinee were analyzed and all subjects were performed fiber tracking.

RESULTSThere was no statistically significant differences in ADC and FA values in C2/C3, C3/C4, C4/C5, C5/C6, C6/C7 of control group (P>0.05). The average ADC and FA values in control group were (0.875 +/- 0.096) x10(3) mm2/s and 0.720 +/- 0.051, respectively; compared with group A,there was no statistically significant difference; compared with group B and C, there was significant difference; comparison among group A, B, C, there was significant differences.

CONCLUSIONDTI can early and accurately quantify the changes of microstructure in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Fiber tracking can show the damage range of spinal cord lesions.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spondylosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

AIMTo study the distributive character of safflor yellow A in mice.

METHODSA RP-HPLC method for the determination of safflor yellow A in tissues was established and applied to determine safflor yellow A in biological samples.

RESULTSAfter iv injection of Safflor yellow A in mice, the AUC of safflor yellow A was hightest in plasma, followed by kidney, liver, lung, heart, spleen. But it was not found in the brain.

CONCLUSIONThe distribution of safflor yellow A in the body is abroad and the speed of its process is swift.

Animals ; Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Chalcone ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quinones ; blood ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVETo investigate the features of intraductal papilloma of the breast in mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assess the diagnostic values of the two imaging modalities.

METHODSFifteen patients with intraductal papilloma of the breast confirmed surgically and pathologically underwent X-ray examination of the breast, and 11 of them also received enhanced MRI. The imaging findings by mammography and MRI were compared.

RESULTSEnhanced MRI clearly displayed the location and morphology of the intraductal papilloma, and 7 patients showed smooth tumor margins and 2 showed irregular margins. On T(1)WI, the lesions were isointense or slightly hypointense, and appeared isointense or slightly hyperintense on T(2)WI. Some of the intraductal papillomas were seen encapsulated in the dilated ductal. The varying enhancement features of the lesions increased the difficulty in distinguishing from carcinoma. Mammography identified intraductal papillomas only in 2 of the 15 cases (13%) with lesion feature similar to that found by MRI. Fine cluster calcification was found in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONMRI can more accurately define the location of the lesion than X-ray. In spite of some resemblance in the MRI findings between intraductal papillomas and breast carcinoma, MRI still serves as a useful diagnostic modality for intraductal papilloma that shows some characteristic findings.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mammography ; Middle Aged ; Papilloma, Intraductal ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Major surface protein (p30) and Dense Granule Antigen GRA6 of Toxoplasma gondii have good antigenicity, and could be used for detection of IgM against Toxoplasma gondii. GRA6 may complement P30 to reach more high sensitivity for detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, so, we try to express the chimeric protein of GRA6 and P30 by genetic engineering, identify its antignenicity and use for developing diagnosis reagent. Antigenic domains of p30 and GRA6 of Toxoplasma gondii were screened by analyzing their sequences using the software ANTHEWIN. Two DNA fragments encoding respectively antigenic domains of p30 and GRA6 were cloned, they were inserted into the same expression vector pET28a( + ) and expressed as a chimeric protein in Escherichia coli. BL21(DE3), the expressed chimeric protein of p30 with GRA6 in a form of inclusion body was about 25% of total proteins of E. coli. BL21(DE3). The inclusion body was washed once with 0.5% Triton X-100 and dissolved with 0.5% SKL, after renaturation by gradient dialysis, the recombinant protein was purified by DEAE-Sepharose FF cation column and then detected with 12% SDS-PAGE, it exists mainly in the eluted peak with 300 mmol/L NaCl and has high purity. By using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the recombinant protein was examined for reactivity with immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in 6 sera from patients infected with Toxoplasma gondii ., it was reactive with all the 6 sera but not with sera from normal people, these results showed that the recombinant chimeric antigen has good antigenicity and specificity and could be used for detection of IgM against Toxoplasma gondii. The expressed chimeric protein could be used for epidemic investigation of Toxoplasma gondii, blood donor screening, especially for detection of pregnant women, and is of great significance in prevention of Toxoplasma gondii infection.
Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; immunology ; Models, Genetic ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Protozoan Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Toxoplasma ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease.

METHODSTwo cases of extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease were studied using hematoxylin-eosin, and immunohistochemical staining, along with a literature review.

RESULTSThe lesions of RDD were characterized by the presence of large histiocytes with emperipolesis, accompanied by infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells and other inflammatory cells. The large histiocytes had an abundant cytoplasm, pale to eosinophilic in appearance, positive for S-100 protein staining, with a vesicular nucleus and a small basophilic nucleolus in each cell.

CONCLUSIONSExtranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease is known as an idiopathic proliferative disease of histiocytes with a distinct morphologic feature and is very rare. Differential diagnosis from other types of fibrohistiocytic proliferation lesions is recommended.

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Brain ; pathology ; surgery ; Brain Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Histiocytosis, Sinus ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Skin ; pathology ; Skin Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVEIn order to develop the diagnostic genechip for specific detection of Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese mainland strain).

METHODSProbe and primers were designed based on the Schistosoma japonicum 5D gene encoding an immunogenic miracidial antigen. The probe for the conservative and specific gene sequence was spotted onto the specially treated glass slides by pin-based spotting robot Pixsys 5500 and was employed to make genechips. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol was designed to effectively amplify the 5D gene fragment containing the probe sequence from cercaria, egg, adult worm and infected Oncomelania DNA as well as other flukes DNA, respectively. After 35 cycles by PCR, the products were then labeled with fluorescent Cy3-labeled primer, using dissymmetrical PCR. The labeled PCR products of the target genes were hybridized to the diagnostic genechips for detection of Schistosoma japonicum and a fluorescent scanner (ScanArray 3000) was used to observe and record the hybridization signals.

RESULTSThe result obtained from the study showed that a 262 bp DNA fragment was amplified from cercaria, egg and adult worm with the designed primers and enable the genechip be applied to detect a single cercaria, egg and adult worm. When the genechip was used to detect Clonorchis sinensis, Fasciolopsis busk, and Paragonimus westermani DNA, the results showed negative, indicating that the genechip had good specificity.

CONCLUSIONThe genchip technique for detection of Schistosoma japonicum was established successfully and having the characteristics of high sensitivity and specificity.

Animals ; China ; DNA, Helminth ; genetics ; Genes, Helminth ; genetics ; Genetic Techniques ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Schistosoma japonicum ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity

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

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of fast track surgery(FTS) in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection.

METHODRandomized controlled trials(RCT) or clinical controlled trials(CCT) on fast-track surgery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection were obtained from databases including CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, EMBACE, and Cochrane Library between January 2000 and March 2012. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.1.

RESULTThere were 6 RCTs and 7 CCTs including 1795 patients. There were 955 patients in the FTS group and 840 in the control group. The time to passage of flatus was shorter(WMD=-1.37, 95%CI:-1.55~-1.19, P<0.05), time to resumption of diet/drink was shorter(WMD=-2.62, 95%CI:-2.69~-2.55, P<0.05), length of postoperative hospital stay was decreased(WMD=-1.63, 95%CI:-1.92~-1.34, P<0.05) and the incidence of postoperative complications were less(OR=0.52, 95%CI:0.41~0.67, P<0.05) in the FTS group. However, there were no differences in readmission(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONFast-track surgery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection can promote bowel function recovery, decrease the incidence of postoperative complications and length of hospital stay.

Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Complications

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of telomerase in glial scar and its correlation with glial scar.

METHODSThere were 120 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into non-interference group of telomerase, interference group of telomerase and control group. Non-interference group and interference group were for spinal cord injury, which adopted Allen's Weight Dropping to make molding; control group was for sham operation to open the vertebral plate and expose spinal marrow, in which spinal cord injury would not be caused. The expression of telomerase and glial fibrillary acidic profein (GFAP) was detected by PCR-ELISA and Western blot, and the formation of glial scar was observed by immunofluorescence on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th, 28th, 42 th and 56th day after the spinal injury, and analyzed its relativity.

RESULTSThe expression of telomerase in non-interference group was (0.180 ± 0.004 - 1.217 ± 0.072), which was significantly higher than those in interference group (0.028 ± 0.007 - 0.092 ± 0.004, χ(2) = 28.753 - 37.518, P < 0.05) and control group (0.072 ± 0.007 - 0.075 ± 0.004, χ(2) = 18.618 - 41.093, P < 0.05) at all the time, with statistical significance. The expression of GFAP in non-interference group was (1.98 ± 0.15 - 19.40 ± 0.55) which was significantly higher than those in interference group (1.10 ± 0.13 - 16.64 ± 1.02, χ(2) = 14.538 - 37.366, P < 0.05) and control group (0.44 ± 0.05 - 0.48 ± 0.04, χ(2) = 16.733 - 34.041, P < 0.05) at all the time, with statistical significance. The expression of GFAP showed a linear correlation with that of telomerase in non-interference group, and with statistical differences (r = 0.755, P < 0.01). The expression of telomerase in interference group and control group were always negative. Glial scar observed by immunofluorescence in non-interference group was heavier than that in interference group, and control group showed no formation of glial scar.

CONCLUSIONSTelomerase shows a dynamic expression in glial scar and has positive correlational linear relationship with GFAP which shows the formation of glial scar. And the telomerase may be an important factor in promoting the formation of glial scar.

Animals ; Cicatrix ; enzymology ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Neuroglia ; enzymology ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; enzymology ; pathology ; Telomerase ; metabolism

Objective To determine factors affecting postoperative survival of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A retrospective analysis of consecutive 54 elderly patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma from Jan 1995 to Dec 2002 was performed. The data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. Results Univariate analysis and Cox regression showed Child Pugh grading, vessel invasion, satellite nodule formation, Edmondson Steiner grading, intrahepatic recurrence and distant metastasis all related to postoperative overall survival or disease-free survival of the elderly with hepatocellular carcinoma (all P