Objective To analyse the effect of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy of palma-plantar hyperhidrosis. Methods Between January 2006 and January 2009,77 cases with palma-plantar hyperhidrosis were operated by thoracoscope. Fifty-two cases of palma-axillary-plantar hyperhidrosis were performed sympathectomy of T2-T4 and 25 cases of palma-plantar were performed sympathectomy of T2-T3.Bilateral procedures were completed in the same position. Results After operation palmar hyperhidrosis and armpits hyperhidrosis all were cured. Of soles, 7 cases were completely dry, 34 cases nearly dry, 32 cases unchanged and 4 cases worse. There was no significant difference in the change of plantar hyperhidrosis between sympathectomy of T2-T3 and T2-T4 (P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions Bilateral single port for endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy produces slighter trauma and patients easily accept it. Plantar sweating can be relieved or nearly relieved in partial patients after thoracic sympathectomy. There is no difference in the effect of plantar hyperhidrosis between sympathectomy of T2-T3 and T2-T4.

Objective To investigate the effect of liver cirrhosis on the potency of propofol for sedation in rats. Methods Fifty-eight male SD rats, aged 10-12 weeks, weighing 180-220 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (group C, n = 18), mild liver cirrhosis group (group M1, n =20) and severe liver cirrhosis group (group M2, n = 20). The model of liver cirrhosis was established using four factors described by Chen et al. After successful establishment of the model, propofol was injected intravenously. The dose of propofol was determined by up-and-down sequential method for loss of righting reflex. The dose of propofol was 5.912 mg/kg in the first rat and the ratio of the doses between the two consecutive rats was 0.85. ED50 of propofol was calculated using up-and-down sequential method. Results ED50 of propofol was significantly lower in group M1 and M2 than in group C and in group M2 than in group M1 ( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ). Conclusion The liver cirrhosis can enhance the potency of propofol for sedation in rats.

Animals ; Helminthiasis ; pathology ; Humans ; Moniliformis ; pathogenicity

Objective To evaluate the clinical usefulness of Treponema pallidum IgM Western blot (TP-IgM-WB) test in the diagnosis of neonatal congenital syphilis. Methods Eight cases of neonatal congenital syphilis, whose mothers were diagnosed as syphilis at different pregnant stages, were tested by TRUST, TPPA, FTA-ABS-19S-IgM and TP-IgM-WB. The results and clinical manifestations were analysed. Results Three of 8 cases presented clinical manifestations of congenital syphilis, including typical cutaneous lesions, syphilitic pneumonia, and multi-system failure. The others were asymptomatic. In all 8 cases TP-IgM-WB was positive. Of them 7 cases FTA-ABS-19S-IgM was positive. Six cases (including 3 symptomatic) were positive to all four tests. One case was positive to FTA-ABS-19S-IgM and TP-IgM-WB, but negative to TRUST and TPPA. One case was negative to FTA-ABS-19S-IgM, but positive to TPPA, TP-IgM-WB and TRUST, and TRUST titer was 4 times as high as her mother. Conclusions In view of its high specificity and sensitivity, TP-IgM-WB could be used as a confirmatory test for the diagnosis of both symptomatic and asymptomatic neonatal congenital syphilis.

Aged ; Giant Cells ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate mutations of ABCD1 gene in X- linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) patients in China.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction and DNA direct sequencing were employed to analyze the 10 exons of ABCD1 gene in 25 ALD patients.

RESULTSSeventeen mutations in different exons (except exons 4, 9 and 10) were identified in 18 of 25 patients. Most of the mutations were missense mutations, including R182P, G266R, H283D, S404P, N509I, R518G, L520Q, Q556R, S606L and R617C, four (H283D, S40 4P, N509I, R518G) of 10 missense mutations were novel. Also identified were 3 nonsense mutations (W132X, W242X, W595X), 1 dinucleotides deletion mutation (1414 del AG) resulting in frameshift, and 1 base pair deletion at splice acceptor site (IVS5-6 del C). Two synonymous mutations (L516L and V349V) appeared simultaneously in 2 unrelated patients, and no other mutations could be found with them in all 10 exons screened.

CONCLUSIONThere were no hot spot mutations in ABCD1 gene in China. Mutations in gene were found over 70% of patients with ALD in China. The ABCD1 gene mutations identified revealed no obvious correlation between the type of mutation and phenotype.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family D, Member 1 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; Adrenoleukodystrophy ; genetics ; pathology ; Age of Onset ; Base Sequence ; China ; Codon, Nonsense ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Mutation, Missense

OBJECTIVETo detect the mutations in exon 6 of ABCD1 gene encoding adrenoleukodystrophy protein(ALDP) in Chinese X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD MIM 300100) patients.

METHODSGenomic DNA from 14 unrelated patients and two patients' parents with X-linked ALD was extracted using standard procedures from the peripheral blood leukocytes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA direct sequencing were employed to analyze exon 6 of ABCD1 gene.

RESULTSThree mutations in exon 6 were identified in 3 of 14 patients. One mutation was deleted 1 base pair at splice acceptor-site (1489-6 del C). It was not clear what the effect of this mutation is on the ALD protein, maybe induce splicing error. One missense mutation: T1559A(L520Q). These two patients' mothers were heterozygous. The third patient had a mutation: G1548A (L516 L), which is a known polymorphism. It was not a disease causing mutation, so there should be another mutation in this patient.

CONCLUSIONFor the first time, mutations in ABCD1 are identified in Chinese ALD patients in the mainland of China. No major gene deletion or rearrangement is detected in exon 6. Despite many mutations having been identified in patients with these clinical phenotypes, the genotype-phenotype correlations have not been clarified, suggesting that other genetic or environmental factors may also be involved in determining phenotypic expression in ALD. Two carriers are also confirmed.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family D, Member 1 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; Adolescent ; Adrenoleukodystrophy ; genetics ; pathology ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Humans ; Mutation

Animals ; Arthropods ; Child ; Humans ; Male ; Parasitic Diseases ; diagnosis ; parasitology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for asthma in children in Hefei, China and to provide a strategy for asthma control in this region.

METHODSA total of 400 children with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma, as well as 400 children of comparable age, sex, living environment, and family background, who had no respiratory diseases, were selected for a case-control study. A survey questionnaire survey was completed for all children. The obtained data were subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the risk factors for asthma.

RESULTSThe logistic regression analysis showed that a family history of allergy, allergic rhinitis, infantile eczema, no breastfeeding, air-conditioning and passive smoking were the risk factors for asthma in children, with odds ratios of 9.63, 7.56, 4.58, 2.16, 1.73, and 1.55 respectively.

CONCLUSIONSIn order to reduce the incidence of asthma, we should advocate breast feeding, promote outdoor activities, keep ventilation natural, prevent passive smoking and cure allergic rhinitis.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the cumulative prevalence rate, distribution characteristics, epidemic seasons, predisposing factors and current treatment situation of childhood asthma in Hefei City, China.

METHODSIn the investigation, stratified cluster random sampling as well as centralized access and separate home visits were applied, and primary screening forms were filled out. Further confirmation was sought in the primary positive cases, according to the diagnostic criteria for asthma. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the cumulative prevalence rate, current treatment situation and predisposing factors for childhood asthma as well as the distribution characteristics of asthma in children of different ages and sexes.

RESULTSThe cumulative prevalence rate of childhood asthma was 5.92%, and there was no significant difference between males and females (6.33% vs 5.42%; P>0.05). The cumulative prevalence rate was highest (8.25%) in children aged 3-6 years. Of the children with acute asthma attack, 42.0% suffered attacks during periods of seasonal transition, and 34.4% suffered attacks at midnight. Among the 552 children with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma, 533 (96.6%) developed asthma due to respiratory tract infection and 312 (56.5%) due to weather change. Most asthmatic children (513/552, 92.9%) received treatment with antibiotics, and 492 asthmatic children (89.1%) were treated with systemic hormones.

CONCLUSIONSThe cumulative prevalence rate of childhood asthma is 5.92% in Hefei, and the peak age of onset is 3-6 years. Acute asthma attack occurs mostly during periods of seasonal transition and at midnight. Respiratory tract infection and weather change are the main predisposing factors for childhood asthma. Antibiotics and systemic hormones are still widely used in the treatment of asthma.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male