Objective To explore the relationship between adenoid vegetation children with different types of tympanograms and secretory otitis media in children and diagnosis of secretory otitis media .Methods A retrospec-tive study was carried out among 328 cases with adenoid vegetation in children ,including simple adenoid vegetation and associated with chronic tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy ,from August 2010 to May 2012 .The incidence of secretory otitis media and outcomes of tympanometry for the diagnosis were analyzed .Results 104 cases were diag-nosed with secretory otitis media by tympanic membrane puncture or tympanostomy tube in 328 cases with adenoid vegetation (32 .31% );86 cases (147 ears) were finally diagnosed as secretory otitis media among 89 cases (152 ears) with type B tympanogram (147/152 ,96 .63% );16 cases (20 ears) were finally diagnosed secretory otitis media among 33 cases (49 ears) with type C tympanogram (20/49 ,40 .82% );2 cases (2 ears) with type As tympa-nogram were finally diagnosed .Conclusion With or without complaint of hearing loss ,children with adenoid vegeta-tion should be checked by routine tympanometry .Careful physical examinations and electric otoscope or ear endosco-py combined tympanometry can greatly reduce the rate of misdiagnosis of secretory otitis media .

Objective To study the audiological characteristics of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS)and provide evidence for early diagnosis and prevention.Methods Tympanometry,Otoacoustic emission , auditory brainstem response (ABR),auditory steady-state response(ASSR)were performed on the 49 cases of LVAS which were diagnosed by CT scanning from May,2010 to October,2013.Among them,23 cases(46ears)were examined by pure tone andiometry at the same time.ResuIts Pure tone andiometry showed that 33 ears were mixed hearing loss in the 23 cases(46 ears),the air-bone gap was larger at low frequencies than that of at high frequen-cies,15 ears were senserineural hearing loss with no air-bone gap;96 ears were type A tympanogram.Acoustic re-flex were present in 5 ears ;34 cases (68 ears)of LVAS group were detected with ASNR in 3 -4 ms by the ABR testing,the positive rate was 70.8%.ConcIusion Our study indicates that for confirmed LAVS,if the pure tone andiometry shows significant air-bone gaps at low frequencies with the normal tympanograms,and ASNR is e-voked during the routine ABR testing.

Objective To investigate the effects of over-expression of wild-type PTEN gene and its mutant (G129E) on apoptosis and proliferation of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro and its potential mechanisms. Methods The activated HSC cells were cultured in vitro and transfected with PTEN gene and G129E gene via adenoviral vector. The apoptosis of HSC was measured by MTT , and its proliferation was assessed by TUNEL and flow cytometry (FCM) . Western blotting and real-time fluorescent quantitation PCR were used to detect expression of PTEN in HSC. And the changes of Bcl-2 and Bax expression were tested by Western blotting. Results The wild type PTEN gene and G129E gene were successfully transducted into HSC, which resuted in elevated expression of Bax and reduced expression of Bcl-2 (P<0.01). After transduction, HSC proliferation was markedly inhibited with inhibitory rates of 14.03% and 23.12% at 48 and 72 hours in Ad-PTEN ,respectively, as well as 9.52% and 12.63% in Ad-G129E, respectively. Apoptotic rate of HSC exposed to Ad-PTEN or Ad-G129E for 72 hours increased significantly (P<0.01). Furthermore, wild type PTEN was more powerful than G129E for above-mentioned effects. Conclusions Over-expression of wild type PTEN and its mutant G129E can inhibit the proliferation of activated HSC, and induce HSC apoptosis through the Bcl-2/Bax pathway. In addition, the effect of wild type PTEN is more powerful than that of G129E.

Objective To investigate the expression of TLR2 in colon mucosa of ulcerative colitis (UC) and to analyze the correlation with clinical activity and endoscopic grading. Methods The biopsies from 47 UC patients and 13 healthy controls were collected, and the expression of TLR2 protein and mRNA in colonic mucosa was determined by Western Blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. The patients were graded according to endoscopic and clinical findings. Results The expressions of TLR2 protein and TLR2 mRNA in UC patients were significantly increased than those in healthy controls, which was correlated with the progression of the disease. Conclusion The expressions of TLR2 protein and TLR2 mRNA in colon mucosa from UC patients might be used as a marker for disease activity.

Three pSIREN-siRNA plasmids were constructed using a pSIREN-RetroQ vector to silence the expression of muhidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1) gene, and subsequently characterized by restriction endonuclease digestion and DNA sequencing. A truncated MRP1 and a full-length MRP1 were cloned into pEGFP-N2 and PeDNA3.1 respectively as pEGFP-MRP1T and pcDNA-MRP1. The plasmid pEGFP-MRP1T was co-transferred with each of the three pSIREN-siRNAs into HEK293 cells for MRP1T-GFP targeted silencing, and pSIREN-siRNA1 was used as the negative control, pSIREN-siRNA2 and pSIREN-siRNA3 appeared to be more effective to silence MRP1T-GFP compared to pSIREN-siRNA1 as shown by fluorescence microscopy. For the silencing of full-length MRP1 expression, HEK293 ceils were co-transferred with pcDNA-MRP1 and either of the three pSIREN-siRNAs, then subjected for Western blot analysis and MTT assays, pSIREN-siRNA2 and pSIREN-siRNA3 were able to inhibit the expression of 190 kD MRP1, but not pSIREN-siRNA1. The MDR of MRP1-transfected HEK293 ceils was abolished with pSIREN-siRNA2 or pSIREN-siRNA3 transfections. RNA secondary structure predictions demonstrated that the mRNA local free energy (△G) of the siRNA1 targeted sequence was lower, as the GC content and Tm value of siRNA1 were higher than those of siRNA2 and siRNA3. These data suggest that the local structure siRNAs and target mRNA may influence the silencing efficiency of MRP1 expression.

Objective To study the changes of plasma endotoxin and procalcitonin in patients with esophagogastric varices and provide a theoretical basis for prophylactic antibiotics after endoscopic treatment. Methods Fifty cases of patients with esophageal and gastric varices accepted the endoscopic treatment.The patients were divided into antibiotic group (32 cases)and non-antibiotic group (18 cases).The plasma endotoxin and procalcitonin were measured before and on the first day and 7th day after endoscopic treatment.Results The plasma levels of endotoxin and procalcitonin were not significantly different on the first and 7th day after endoscopic treatment compared with preoperative levels in antibiotic group.But in non-antibiotic group,the levels significantly increased on 7th day after endoscopic treatment compared with preoperative levels (P <0.05).And in patients of Child-Pugh A grade,the level of plasma procalcitonin significantly increased on 7th day after endoscopic treatment compared with preoperative levels (P <0.01), but the procalcitonin was not significantly different on the first and 7th day after operation.And in patients of Child-Pugh B and C grades,the levels of plasma endotoxin and procalcitonin significantly increased on the 7th day(P <0.01).Conclusion The levels of plasma endotoxin and procalcitonin in non-antibiotic group increase after endoscopic treatment,which suggests the risk of infection.Prophylactic antibiotics after endo-scopic treatment should be considered for the patients of Child-Pugh B and C grades.

There is currently no reference for intake of lysine for Chinese people; therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the lysine requirement of Chinese young male adults on a habitual Chinese mixed diet based on the modified indicator amino acid oxidation method. Seven young men with a mean age of 23.7 +/- 2.2 years that were healthy based on questionnaire, physical examinations and screening tests were evaluated. Subjects were evaluated over five consecutive 7 day periods, during which time they were administered decreasing amounts of lysine via the diet (65, 55, 45, 35, 25 mg.kg-1.d-1). Subjects were allowed to adapt from day 1 to 6 and the isotopes were measured on day 7 in each period. The subjects' body weights, body compositions and plasma proteins were also examined during the study. Amino acid kinetics were measured based on the indicator amino acid oxidation technique using the 13CO2 release rate and phenylalanine oxidation rate to estimate lysine requirements. Body weights, body compositions, and plasma proteins of subjects did not change significantly relative to those at baseline. The mean and the upper 95% CI of lysine requirements of Chinese habitual diets were determined to be 58.41 and 70.09 mg.kg-1.d-1, respectively, based on the 13CO2 release rate and 54.28 and 65.14 mg.kg-1.d-1, respectively, based on the phenylalanine oxidation rate.
Adult* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Blood Proteins ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Diet* ; Humans ; Isotopes ; Kinetics ; Lysine* ; Male* ; Mass Screening ; Nutritional Requirements ; Phenylalanine ; Physical Examination ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To investigate the CT features of clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC)and angiomyolipoma with minimal fat (AMLmf)and to improve the CT diagnostic accuracy of these two diseases.Methods The CT features of 55 patients with pathologically-confirmed ccRCC and 1 2 patients with pathologically-confirmed AMLmf were analyzed retrospectively,including the CT value in both plain and tri-phase enhanced CT scan,tumor enhancement rate(△R1,△R2,△R3),maximum diameter,enhanced homogeneity,location of the main tumor,cortex raising signs,etc.The statistical analysis was carried on.Results The maximum diameter,the CT value in parenchymal phase,enhancement rate (△R1,△R2,△R3)of tumors in ccRCC group were significantly higher than those of tumors in AMLmf group,and the CT value in plain CT scan in ccRCC group was significantly lower than that in AMLmf group (all P<0.05).No statistically significant difference was found in the CT value of the tumor in corticomedullary phase and in excretion phase (both P>0.05).The rate of extrarenally-located main tumors of AMLmf group was significantly higher than that of ccRCC group (P=0.020),the location of main tumors and cortex raising signs showed no statistically significant difference with the maximum tumor diameter(both P>0.05).The enhanced homogeneity of the tumor in corticomedullary phase,parenchymal phase and excretion phase in ccRCC group was lower than that in AMLmf group (all P<0.05).Conclusion The CT value in plain CT scan in ccRCC group is lower than that in AMLmf group;the enhancement rate of the ccRCC group is higher than that of the AMLmf group;the enhanced homogeneity of the ccRCC group is worse than that of the AMLmf group.The extrarenally-located main tumors are more commonly seen in AMLmf than in ccRCC,and the cortex raising signs and the location of main tumors are unrelated to the size of the tumor.

Objective To investigate the training methods and evaluation parameters for donor lung procurement technique in swine models. Methods The surgical skills of donor lung procurement in 15 swine models were summarized. The operation time, objective evaluation parameters before lung perfusion, gross observation after lung perfusion, the type and frequency of intraoperative errors were assessed. Results All donor lung procurement surgeries were successfully completed in 15 swine models. The mean time interval from skin incision to lung perfusion was 22.6 min. Prior to lung perfusion, the oxygenation index of the donor lung was (501±68) mmHg, (404±100) mL (under the pressure of 15 mmHg) for the tidal volume and (29±4) mL/cmH2O for the static compliance. Along with the increasing surgical frequency, the oxygenation index and tidal volume were improved. Favorable lung inflation was obtained after lung perfusion in a majority of swine models. Intraoperatively, multiple operating errors occurred including dissection error, pulmonary arterial intubation error and procedure error, etc. As the frequency of operation increased, the frequency of surgical errors was significantly decreased. Conclusions After certain training for donor lung procurement in swine models, the incidence of intraoperative procedure error is significantly reduced and the quality of the donor lung tends to be enhanced. Objective parameters, such as oxygenation index and the gross shape of the donor lung can be utilized to evaluate the levels of surgical techniques.

AIM:To investigate the effects of Xiaozhong-Zhitong mixture(XZZT)on M2 polarization and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway in mouse microglia(BV2 cells).METHODS:The BV2 cells were divided into 5 groups:blank group,model group[lipo-polysaccharide(LPS)+hypoxia],TAK-242(resatorvid,a TLR4 inhibitor)group(LPS+hypoxia+TAK-242),XZZT group(LPS+hypoxia+XZZT),and TAK-242+XZZT group(LPS+hypoxia+TAK-242+XZZT).Flow cytometry was used to detect early apoptosis and cell cycle of BV2 cells,and immunofluorescence staining was employed to detect the positive expres-sion of M1-type marker inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and M2-type marker CD206.Western blot was utilized to detect the expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins,including TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB p65,phosphorylated p65(p-p65),phosphorylated transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1(p-TAK1),and phosphory-lated IκB kinase α/β(p-IKKα/β).RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-10,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB p65.RESULTS:Compared with model group,the rate of early apoptosis was significantly decreased in XZZT group(P<0.01),the percentage of cells arrested in the S phase was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein levels of TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB p65,p-IKKα/β,p-p65,and p-TAK1 were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Additionally,IL-1β,TNF-α,TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while IL-10 mRNA expression was significantly in-creased(P<0.05).Compared with TAK-242 group,the average percentage of iNOS positive area was significantly de-creased,while CD206 was significantly increased in TAK-242+XZZT group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The XZZT has the effect of inducing M2 polarization of mouse microglia,and the mechanism may be linked to the inhibition of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.