AlM: To evaluate the effectiveness of Spot Vision Screener on vision screening of children without cycloplegia.METHODS:A total of 87 children (174 eyes) aged from 2~9 years old were examined with Spot Vision Screener and optometrist before cycloplegia.RESULTS: Statistical analysis demonstrated that the cylinder diopter and axis, the equivalent spherical diopter in both eyes, and the spherical diaopter in left eye had no significant change ( P>0. 05 ). However, the spherical diaopter in right eye had statistical significance. CONCLUSlON: Spot Vision Screener is a suitable instrument in vision screening of children without cycloplegia.

Objective To establish a practical,stable and high purity endothelial progenitor cells culture meth- od in vitro.Methods Human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll density-gradient cen- trifugation,then plated on dishes coated with human fibronectin.After 48 hours,the nonaderent cells were collect- ed and replated onto fibronectin-coated dishes.After 7 days of culture,the cells were identified with the techniques of immunohistochemistry,immunofluorescence and flow cytometer.Results The cultured cells were small and spindle or polygonal in shape.Large numbers of typical endothelial progenitor cell colony-forming units were found,vWF and Flk-1 proteins expression were identified in more than 95% of the attached cells with 98% of them showing positive Dil-ac-LDL and FITC-UEA-1.According to the results from fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS),7.0%?1.8% of cells were recognized as CD_(133)~+.Conclusion Differential attachment technique is a practical and stable method for obtaining highly purified endothelial progenitor cells.

Objective： The current study was designed to clarify whether hepatopoietin (HPO) stimulates autonomous growth of hepatoma cell by autocrine loop. Methods： The authors conducted experiments in vitro with hepatoma cell lines. RT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot were used to examine HPO expression in hepatoma cells. Blocking effect of HPO by HPO neutralizing antibody was utilized and the changes of cell proliferation was observed. Results： HPO was expressed by hepatoma cells and secreted into the medium. Moreover, the HPO antibody inhibited specifically the autonomous proliferation of hepatoma cell and antagonized the stimulatory effect of concentrated conditioned medium derived from hepatoma cell HepG2. Conclusion： The results strongly suggest that HPO acts as an autocrine factor to maintain the autonomous growth of hepatoma cells.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the first and second assay kits currently used in blood centers for screening HCV infected blood, and to provide basis for a better match of the two assay kits.

METHODSUsing the newly developed multi-recombinant-HCV-antigen supplementary assay kit, the authors evaluated concurrently the specificity and sensitivity of two domestic and one imported anti-HCV detection kits.

RESULTSDiscrepancy in specificity and sensitivity existed among the two domestic HCV kits, and overall quality was slightly below that of leading or main stream imported HCV kit.

CONCLUSIONThe newly developed multi-recombinant-HCV-antigen supplementary assay kit is useful in the evaluation of HCV antibody detection kit currently in use. It provides qualified assessing kit to capture antibodies against various HCV antigens. The present paper provided guidance for selecting a better match of the two screening kits and improved screening efficiency.

Blood Donors ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis C Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; standards ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate nutritional risk, physical activity, and quality of life (QoL) and the interaction of these factors in colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: Participants were colorectal cancer patients receiving follow-up treatment at the colorectal cancer outpatient clinic of Severance Hospital in Seoul. Participants were recruited from October 25 to November 30, 2010. The survey questionnaire consisted of Nutritional Risk Score (NRS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - scales for Colorectal Cancer (FACT-C). RESULTS: NRSs were significantly higher in patients with low BMI (F=18.63, p<.001) and those who were underwent colorectal surgery within 1 month (F=5.96, p<.001). Physical activity level of the participants was 28.96METs. Lower nutritional risk was associated with a higher QoL (r= - .34, p<.001). In a multiple regression analysis, the predictors of QoL were the age, economic status, and nutritional risk of the patient (R2=40.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Targeted tailored nursing interventions are needed to assess nutritional risks in order to improve colorectal cancer patients' QoL.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Child ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Colorectal Surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Motor Activity* ; Nursing ; Nutrition Disorders ; Quality of Life* ; Seoul ; Weights and Measures ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify differences in physiological.psychological.environmental.behavioral characteristics between obese and control children participating in a health camp and to identify the factors related to childhood obesity. METHODS: Two hundred eighty seven children aged 6 to 12 years were recruited from a health camp for elementary students in D city, Korea. Data collection was done on November 28 and 29, 2009. Anthropometric measurements, blood tests, and self-report surveys were conducted. Chi-square test, independent t-test, ANCOVA, and multiple logistic regression were performed using PASW statistics 18.0. RESULTS: Obese children had adverse conditions for both physiological and psychological characteristics. In terms of environmental and behavioral characteristics, high maternal BMI and more than two hours of TV watching were significantly associated with high risk of childhood obesity (OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.02-1.21; OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.23-3.41). CONCLUSION: Through a multi-factorial approach, the current study identified the differences between obese and control children participating in a health camp and risk factors of childhood obesity. These findings provide preliminary data and perspectives on intervention research for prevention and management of childhood obesity.
Aged ; Child ; Community Health Nursing ; Data Collection ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Obesity ; Risk Factors ; Child Health

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the spiral CT and its reconstruction techniques in diagnosis and localization of gastrointestinal stromal tumor originated in the small intestine.

METHODSThe data of spiral CT scan and MPR, STS-MIP of 24 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the small intestine confirmed pathologically were analyzed retrospectrvely.

RESULTSOf 24 cases, 1 had multiple tumor, while the other 23 had single one. Seventeen of these tumors were benign and 7 malignant, with 2 in the duodenum, 12 in the jejunum and 10 in the ileum. The range of tumor diameters was from 2.5 to 12 cm. The main clinical characters of the tumors on the CT image: (1) The tumor of 15 cases located outside of the enteric cavity, 7 inside of the enteric cavity or presented as thicken bowel wall and 2 showed as niche sign. (2) The tumor shape of 19 cases were round-like, and 5 lobulated or irregular. (3) The tumor density of 12 cases was homegeneous, 7 heterogeneous and 5 map-like in the center. (4) The tumor enhancement style in 19 cases were homegeneous in dynamic enhanced scan, and 16 were slightly or mildly heterogeneous in the artery phase but apparently enhanced in the venous and equilibrium phase, with 5 showed as fast-in fast-out enhanced mode. Of those, one showed obvious enhancement in artery phase, while 2 did not. (5) The tumor of 2 cases had no clear margin and had invaded the surrounding tissue. (6) The arteries supplying tumors in 20 cases were demonstrated by multiple planar reconstruction (MPR), sliding thin slab-maximum intensity projection (STS-MIP). The accuracy of diagnosis and localization of gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the small intestine by spiral CT scan combined with MPR, STS-MIP were 91.7% (22/24) and 95.8% (23/24), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSpiral CT and its reconstruction techniques (MPR, STS-MIP) can play an important role in the differential diagnosis and localization of gastrointestinal stromal tumor originated in the small intestine.

Adult ; Aged ; Duodenal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Duodenum ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Ileal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Ileum ; diagnostic imaging ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Jejunal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Jejunum ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

Objective To investigate the characteristics and distribution of human eehinococcosis in Hobukesar Mongolian Autonomous County (HMAC) in Xinjiang. Methods Using cluster sampling methods, the 2 counties (Tiebukenwusa and Narenhebuke) in HMAC were chosen as focusing areas for investigation. A survey of human echinococcosis including questionnaire, serological test and abdominal ultrasonic scan was carried out. Results The prevalence of human echinococcosis was 9.0% (64/712) by ultrasound and surgical history, including 8.7% (62/712) for cystic eehinococcosis(CE), 0.3%(2/712) for alveolar echinococcosis(AE) and 15.6%(111/712) for total of serological positives in HMAC. CE prevalence rate of different occupations, age, family slaughtering livestock and drinking water source had significant differences(P<0.05). Herdsmen as the highest risk group showed a CE prevalence of the 13.4% (27/201) in comparison with other occupations. The ages between 20 to<40 year-old were at the highest risk stage with 12.8% incidence. But CE prevalence rate of different gender, ethnic and education groups had not significant differences(P>0.05). Conclusions HMAC could be considered as a high endemic human CE region in Xinjiang. The current study reported the main risk factors may include occupations, age difference and drinking water source.

Objective Hydrocephalus is one of the most common complications of neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). In this study, the effect of serial lumbar puncture (LP) on severe neonatal IVH is evaluated. Methods The effects of serial LP on 30 neonates hospitalized with severe IVH at Xinhua hospital since 1993 was evaluated. Another 30 neonates with severe IVH who had not been treated for preventing post-IVH hydrocephalus were used as the control group. Results Of the 30 cases which received serial LP therapy, the cerebral ventricles of 25 cases stopped enlarging and shrank distinctly. The effective rate was 83.3%. The average age when serial LP therapy initiated was (15.0±13.5) days, the average treatment course was (16.9±12.9) days. The serial LP therapy was repeated (6.4±4.7) times. The avarage interval of LP was (2.9±2.7) days and the average CSF volume removed was (6.7±1.6) ml. The average time of LP taking effect was (9.6±5.5) days. Ten cases received diamox treatment during the course of serial LP. After 1-2 weeks' combined treatment, the enlarged ventricles of 8 cases returned to normal or remained steady. Eighteen of 25 ases were followed-up for (8.3±1.9) months. Their physical and mental development were normal. Cranialcerebral ultrasound examination found that the shapes of cerebral ventricles of 14 cases were normal and the cerebral ventricles of another 4 cases enlarged slightly. The treatment with removed CSF >5 ml/time or with a shorter interval of LP (<2 d) acheived better effect (P<0.05 or 0.01). In the control group, the cerebral ventricles of 23 cases enlarged moderately or severely (6 of them complicated with hydrocephalus). Conclusions Serial LP is a safe and effective method for severe neonatal IVH in preventing post-IVH hydrocephalus.

AIM To observe the effect of Zishen Yutai Pills (Cuscutae Semen,Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Dipsaci Radix,etc.) on RAS,VEGF,VEGFR-2,sVEGFR-1 and MAPK in recurrent miscarriage mice,and to explore its mechanism.METHODS CBA/J female mice + DBA/2 male mice,and CBA/J female mice + BALB/c male mice were mated by 2 females and 1 male in cage to establish the RSA model and the normal pregnancy CBA × BALB/c mouse model respectively.Since the zeroth day of pregnancy,a total of 24 CBA/J × DBA/2 mice were randomly divided into model control group,Zishen Yutai Pills group and progesterone capsule group,and 10 CBA × BALB/c mice were used as normal pregnancy control group.Mice of all groups after the respective 15-day intervention had their rate of uterine embryo loss measured and calculated.Their pathological changes of decidual tissue were determined by HE staining,their RAS,VEGF,VEGFR-2,sVEGFR-1,MAPK protein and mRNA expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR.RESULTS Zishen Yutai Pills significantly reduced the rate of embryo loss and improved pathological changes of decidual tissue in RSA mice through regulating mouse decidual tissue angiogenesis and recasting,as revealed by the lowered levels of RAS,VEGF,VEGFR-2 and MAPK,and increased expression of sVEGFR-1.CONCLUSION Zishen Yutai Pills can lower the rate of embryo loss and improve decidual angiogenesis in RSA mice through altering the expression of RAS,VEGF,VEG-FR-2,sVEGFR-1 and MAPK.