Objective To retrospectivel y analyze the abdominal CT findings and pathological results of the chronic schist osomiasis so as to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the disease. M ethods The plain abdominal CT scanning was performed in 103 cases an d enhanced CT scanning in 81 cases. The pathological specimen which was consist ent with the section of CT scan was obtained in each cases. Results On CT scanning, liver cirrhosis was seen in 84 cases, various calci fication in liver in 71 cases, liver cancer in 12 cases, enlargement of sple en in 78 cases, calcification in spleen in 13 cases, wall-thickening in colon i n 27 cases, calcification in colon in 31 cases, and colon cancer in 9 cases. Pa thological examination revealed various fibrosis and formation of pseudolobule. The eggs and calcification could be seen in pseudolobule and septa, colonic sub mucosa, and regional lymph nodes. Fibrous hyperplasia in colonic wall and hyper plasia in mucous membrane were obvious. Fibrous hyperplasia and calcification w ere seen in spleen, but the eggs were not found. Conclusion The liver and colon are the major organs affected by chronic schistosomias is in abdomen, and the CT findings are obvious too. The pathological features o f spleen are accompanied with liver cirrhosis. CT is the important imaging meth od in diagnosing chronic schistosomiasis and pathological changes.

PURPOSE: Tuberous sclerosis is an autosomal dominant multisystemic neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by the development of multiple hamartoma distributed through the body, skin, brain, heart, kidney, and lung. The classic triad is seizure, mental retardation, and facial angiofibroma. We experienced a case of a tuberous sclerosis associated with the facial lesion and multiple masses on scalp, forehead, and right lower extremity. METHODS: This a 34-year-old male patient had subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in brain and multiple angiomyolipoma in both kidneys. Tangential excision with razor blade and dermabrasion were done on the centrofacial area. We excised other lesions and the mass on scalp was excised and covered with split thickness skin graft. RESULTS: The histopathological finding revealed that the facial lesion was angiofibroma and the others were multiple fibroma. CONCLUSION: In our case of tuberous sclerosis, we chose the tangential excision to remove the large nodules of angiofibroma, and then dermabrasion was used to smooth the final contour. The patient appeared to have a good results from this treatment modality. But, tuberous sclerosis is an disease that needs long term follow-up to check up the recurrence of skin problem.
Adult ; Angiofibroma ; Angiomyolipoma ; Astrocytoma ; Brain ; Dermabrasion ; Extremities ; Fibroma ; Forehead ; Hamartoma ; Heart ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Kidney ; Lung ; Male ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; Recurrence ; Scalp ; Seizures ; Skin ; Tuberous Sclerosis

The present study was designed to observe the protection of Grateloupia filicina polysaccharide (GFP) against hepatotoxicity induced by Dioscorea bulbifera L in mice and its underlying mechanism. GFP was intragastrically (ig) given to mice at various doses. After 6 days, the mice were treated with ethyl acetate extract of Dioscorea bulbifera L (EF, ig). Serum levels of alanine/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) were measured, and liver histological evaluation was conducted. Furthermore, reductions of liver glutathione (GSH) amount and glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) activity were tested. The expressions of GCL-c, GCL-m, and HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) in liver were observed by Western-blot. The results showed that GFP (600 mg x kg(-1)) decreased EF-induced the increase of serum ALT, AST and TB, and GFP (400, 600 mg x kg(-1)) inhibited EF-induced the increase of serum ALP. Liver histological evaluation showed that the liver injury induced by EF was relieved after treated with GFP. GFP further increased liver GSH amount and reversed EF-induced the decrease of GCL activity. The Western-blot result showed that GFP augmented EF-induced the increase of HO-1, and reversed EF-induced the decrease of GCL-c. In conclusion, GFP can act against the oxidative stress liver injury induced by Dioscorea bulbifera L in mice.
Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; blood ; metabolism ; Dioscorea ; toxicity ; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase ; metabolism ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings ; antagonists & inhibitors ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rhodophyta ; chemistry

OBJECTIVESTo identify and clone human genes transactivated by HCV F protein by constructing a cDNA subtractive library using the suppression subtractive hybridization technique.

METHODSSuppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and bioinformatics techniques were used for screening and cloning of the target genes transactivated by HCV F protein. The mRNA was isolated from HepG2 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1 (-)-F or with pcDNA3.1(-) empty vector as a control, and SSH method was employed to analyze the differentially expressed DNA sequence between the two groups. After restriction enzyme Rsa I digestion, small sized cDNAs were obtained. Then tester cDNA was divided into two groups and ligated to the specific adaptor 1 or adaptor 2. After tester cDNA was hybridized with driver cDNA twice and underwent two times of nested PCR, it was then subcloned into T/A plasmid vectors to set up the subtractive library. Amplification of the library was carried out with E. coli strain DH5 alpha. The cDNA was sequenced and analyzed in GenBank with blast search after PCR.

RESULTSThe subtractive library of genes transactivated by HCV F protein was constructed successfully. The amplified library contains 71 positive clones. Colony PCR shows that 56 clones contain 200-1000 bp inserts. Sequence analysis was performed on 28 clones randomly, and the full length sequences were obtained with using the bioinformatics method. Altogether 19 coding sequences were obtained, consisting of 17 known and 2 unknown.

CONCLUSIONSThe obtained sequences may be target genes transactivated by HCV F protein, and some gene coding proteins are those involved in cell cycle regulation, metabolism, and cell apoptosis.

Cloning, Molecular ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcriptional Activation ; Viral Core Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVEThe prostate apoptosis response factor-4 (Par-4) gene was originally identified by differential screening for genes that are up-regulated when prostate cells are induced to undergo apoptosis. Par-4 was found to possess potent apoptotic activity in various cellular systems in response to numerous stimuli. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against Par-4 gene on the apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) exposed to glutamate.

METHODSPrimary culture of hBMSCs was carried out and siRNAs targeted Par-4 gene (Par-4-SiRNA) were chemically synthesized. Eukaryocytic expression vector was built and were transfected into hBMSCs with liposome. After selecting with G418, the stable cell clones were treated with glutamate. The expression of Par-4 mRNA was determined by real-time PCR. The apoptosis of hBMSCs was quantified by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of phosphorylated Akt1 (Thr308). Relative Caspase-3 activity was determined by colorimetric assay.

RESULTSThe Par-4-SiRNA-1 and Par-4-siRNA-2 could markedly down-regulate the mRNA levels of Par-4 gene in hBMSCs. With the transfections of Par-4-SiRNA-1 and Par-4-SiRNA-2, the levels of Par-4 mRNA were respectively decreased by 88% and 67%. Both Par-4-SiRNA-1 and Par-4-SiRNA-2 inhibited significantly the apoptosis of hBMSCs induced by glutamate, in which the percentages of apoptotic cells were respectively decreased to 38.80% +/- 3.97% (P < 0.01) and 45.49% +/- 4.32% (P < 0.01) from 60.30% +/- 6.82%. Western blot assays demonstrated that, glutamate down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated Akt1 proteins in hBMSCs (89.07 +/- 6.42 and 28.30 +/- 5.65, respectively, P < 0.01). However, Par-4-SiRNA-1 and Par-4-SiRNA-2 could markedly recover the down-regulation of Akt1 proteins induced by glutamate (63.56 +/- 6.75 and 45.59 +/- 4.88, respectively, P < 0.01). And the relative Caspase-3 activity which was enhanced by the treatment with glutamate (0.1428 +/- 0.0495 and 0.8616 +/- 0.1051, P < 0.01), was suppressed by Par-4-SiRNA-1 and Par-4-SiRNA-2 (0.8616 +/- 0.1051 and 0.6581 +/- 0.0555, respectively, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSiRNA against Par-4 gene could inhibit the apoptosis of hBMSCs induced by glutamate, and its inhibitory effects may be mediated by the up-regulation of phosphorylated Akt1 and the suppression of the relative Caspase-3 activity.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering

OBJECTIVETo explore and evaluate the combined conservative managements in the treatment of cervical chylous leakage.

METHODSThirty nine cases of cervical chylous leakage from June 1992 to June 2008 were retrospectively analyzed in this hospital. All of the 39 cases were cured by treating with conservative individualized therapy, including the applying of diet with high calorie, high protein and low fat and fatty food should only contains medium-chain triglycerides, total parenteral nutrition, keep the balance of hydrogen and electrolyte and correct hypoproteinemia, local pressure dressing, high persistent vacuum drainage (-50 approximately -80 kPa) and/or somatostatin analogue.

RESULTSAll the cases of chylous leakage happened 2nd to 5th days after the operation. Among the 39 cases, 7 were high flow (drainage>or=500 ml/d) chylous leakage, the amount of drainage reached as high as 1440 ml per day. The time of chylous leakage closure was 3 approximately 12 days, and the mean time was 7 days. No one experienced re-operation, wound hydrops or wound infection.

CONCLUSIONSThe conservative individualized therapy may play a key role in the treatment of cervical chylous leakage.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chylous Ascites ; etiology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid in the treatment of bone pain in patients with bone metastasis from solid tumor or multiple myeloma.

METHODSA randomized, double-blind, double-simulated and multi-center phase III clinical trail with pamidronate as control was conducted. Patients with moderate to severe bone pain (VAS > 50 mm) induced by solid tumor or multiple myeloma were randomized to receive intravenous zoledronic acid 4 mg or pamidronate 90 mg. Then the change of VAS and urinary NTX/Cr and CTX/Cr were observed in two groups.

RESULTSFrom July 2005 to September 2006, 228 patients with bone pain induced by bone metastasis from 15 cancer centers were randomize into two groups: 116 patients in zoledronic acid group and 112 patients in pamidronate group. The VAS value was decreased gradually after treatment in these two groups. Significant improvement in bone pain after treatment were observed both in zoledronic acid group and the control group when compared with baseline VAS on D8 (-11.77% vs. -10.87%), D15 (-24.60% vs. -21.06%) and D28 (-32.37% vs. -31.26%) (P< or =0.0001), but no significant difference existed between two groups (P =0.6587). Compared with baseline, urine NTX/Cr and CTX/Cr level were decreased rapidly after treatment in both groups, the nadir was on D8, the median decreased on D28, which was -36.9% vs. -32.1% for NTX/Cr (P = 0.7922) and -63.2% vs. -47.9% for CTX/Cr (P =0.834). The frequently observed adverse events were pyrexia (19.0% vs. 31.3%), vomiting (6.0% vs. 8.9%), nausea (4.3% vs. 4.5%), fatigue (3.4% vs. 2.7%) and constipation (2.6% vs. 1.8%) in the two groups. Compared with baseline, the serum creatinine level was not significantly increased throughout the study.

CONCLUSIONIntravenous injection of 4 mg zoledronic acid can significantly reduce bone pain and bone resorption marker in urine in the Chinese patients with bone metastasis from solid tumor or multiple myeloma, which is tolerable and also comparable to pamidronate in the efficacy and safety.

Adult ; Aged ; Analgesics ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Bone Density Conservation Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; complications ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Collagen Type I ; urine ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Creatinine ; urine ; Diphosphonates ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Fever ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; complications ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Intractable ; drug therapy ; etiology ; urine ; Peptides ; urine ; Prospective Studies ; Vomiting ; chemically induced

Objective To determine the adherence to and its determinants of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) among heroin addicts in Dehong prefecture in Yunnan province from 2005 to 2009. Methods A dynamic cohort analysis was conducted with the time of treatment initiation as the time of cohort entry, to calculate the proportion of adhering to the treatment at different time points after initiation of the treatment, and to study the determinants of adherence.Results A total of 3758 had been treated. Among them, 95.8% were males, 75.8% aged between 20-39 years, 90.4% were peasants or unemployed, 57.0% were ethnic minorities, 35.0% were single and 55.5% were married with spouses, 43.9% were illiterate or educated at most primary school. The age of first using drugs averaged at 23.93 years. About 96.3% of the study subjects had used heroin and 21.7% were HIV-infected. The minimum time under MMT was less than 1 month and the maximum 61 months. The median methadone dose at first delivery was 25 ml, with the minimum 1 ml and the maximum 330 ml. By the end of the study or observation period, a total of 1798 patients had withdrawn from treatment and 1960 were still under treatment. The proportions of adherence to or still being under the treatment after 1,3,6,9, 12,24, 36,48 and 60 months treatment were 0.919,0.847,0.756, 0.690, 0.637, 0.519, 0.417, 0.360 and 0.321, respectively. Multiple regression analysis using Cox proportional hazard model indicated that withdraw from the methadone maintenance treatment was significantly associated with location of the treatment clinics, year of treatment initiation, marital status, HIV infection status, methadone dose of first delivery and the result of last urine test for heroin use. Conclusion MMT attendants in Dehong prefecture had a relatively high withdraw rate and low adherence rate. More efforts are needed to provide tailored counseling and education to MMT attendants, to provide family and community support, appropriate methadone dose at first delivery, and to better coordinate with local police department.

OBJECTIVETo assess clinical effectiveness of using bilateral pectoralis major or plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps in treating deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) following median sternotomy.

METHODSBetween January 2009 and December 2013, 19 patients with DSWI after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery were admitted to our hospital, including 14 males (73.7%) and 5 females (26.3%), aged 55±13 (18-78) years. According to the Pairolero classification of infected median sternotomies, 3 (15.8%) patients were type II, and the other 16 (84.2%) were type III. Surgical procedure consisted of adequate debridement of infected sternum, costal cartilage, granulation, steel wires, suture residues and other foreign substances. Sternal reconstruction used the bilateral pectoralis major or plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps to obliterate dead space. The drainage tubes were placed and connected to a negative pressure generator for adequate drainage.

RESULTSThere were no intraoperative deaths. In 15 patients (78.9%), bilateral pectoral muscle flaps were mobilized sufficiently to cover and stabilize the defect created by wound debridement. 4 patients (21.0%) needed bilateral pectoral muscle flaps plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps because their pectoralis major muscle flaps could not reach the lowest portion of the wound. 2 patients (10.5%) presented with subcutaneous infection, and 3 patients (15.8%) had hematoma. They recovered following local debridement and medication. 17 patients (89.5%) were examined at follow-up 12 months later, all healed and having stable sternum. No patients showed infection recurrence during the follow-up period over 12 months.

CONCLUSIONDSWI following median sternotomy may be effectively managed with adequate debridement of infected tissues and reconstruction with bilateral pectoralis major muscle or plus rectus abdominis muscle flap transposition.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sternum ; injuries ; Surgical Flaps ; Wounds and Injuries ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective: To investigate the effects of transrectal ultrasound conductance (TRUSC)-guided administration of traditional Chinese medicine on histological prostatitis in men with small-size BPH and low urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS: This study included 167 BPH patients without surgical contraindications. We randomized the patients into an experimental group (n = 84) and a control group (n = 83), with no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, prostate volume, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality of life (QoL) (P >0.05). The patients of the experimental group received TRUSC-guided administration of traditional Chinese medicine, qd, for 7 days before TURP, while those of the control group underwent TURP only. After treatment, we compared the results of postoperative pathological examination of the prostate tissue, the histological grade of inflammation, IPSS, and QoL scores between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: In the experimental group, there were 12 cases of non-inflammation (14.3%), 43 cases of mild inflammation (51.2%), 28 cases of moderate inflammation (33.3%), and 1 case of severe inflammation (1.2%), as compared with 8 cases of non-inflammation (9.6%), 28 cases of mild inflammation (33.7%), 45 cases of moderate inflammation (51.8%), and 2 cases of severe inflammation (2.4%) in the control group (P <0.05). Compared with the baseline, both the experimental and control groups showed significant improvement at 4 weeks after surgery in IPSS (22.20±4.14 vs 4.26±2.64 and 23.05±4.11 vs 7.02±4.15, P <0.05) and QoL scores (4.33±0.83 vs 1.25±1.64 and 4.25±0.91 vs 2.05±1.95, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS TRUSC-guided administration of traditional Chinese medicine can significantly alleviate histological inflammation and improve QoL in men with small-size BPH and LUTS after TURP.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Quality of Life ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; methods