Objective To study the clinical characteristics,microsurgical methods and results of treatment of the purely intrinsic third ventricular craniopharyngioma. Methods Eight cases of craniopharyngiomas located purely in intrinsic third ventricula which were treated microsurgically were analyzed retrospectively.Their clinical manifestations,endocrinal examination,CT and MRI images,choice of operactive approaches and post-operative complications were studied.Results Total tumor removals were achieved in 7 cases.and subtatol tumor removal in 1 case.Temporary central diabetes insipidus occurred in 5 cases,and perloperative water and elecctrolyte imbalance in 6 cases. No patient died in this series. Conclusion According to clinical characteristic of purely intrinsic third ventricular craniopharyngioma, microsurgical technique is a safe and effective method for treatment by a resonable surgical approaches.

Objective To investigate the effects of metformin on serum visfatin and the level of visfatin mRNA in visceral adipose tissue of type 2 diabetic rats.Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned into normal diet group (NC) and diabetic group.The rats in the diabetic group were fed with high glucose and high fat diet, and then injected with streptozotocin (STZ).The diabetic rats were divided into diabetic control (DC), metformin (MET), and insulin-treatment (INS) groups.Eight weeks later, body weight (BW) , visceral adipose tissue weight, and biochemical indicators were assessed.Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and Lee index were calculated.The serum visfatin levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA), and the visfatin mRNA levels of visceral adipose tissues were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results Compared to group DC, the visfatin levels of serum and visceral adipose tissue mRNA were lower in INS group, but did not have significant difference (P ＞ 0.05);the visfatin levels of serum and visceral adipose tissue mRNA in MET group were significantly lower (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Metformin can reduce the visfatin levels of serum and visceral adipose tissue mRNA, and improve the insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats.

Objective To study a simple effecfiue and minimally in vasihe mefhool for laparoscopyic inguinal hernias in children. Methods Internal inguinal ring was explored with needle-laparoscopy (2 7mm laparoscope,30 degrees).The hernial sac was cauferiled by electrocoagulation and the internal inguinal ring cauterization with Endoclose. Results The technique was applied in 102 children 10 months to 14 years with an average,5 6 years and 118 internal inguinal rings.one case had recurrence three weeks after operation,The others had no recurrence and postoperative discomfort.The longest follw-up period was 46 months (3-46M).Hematomol around the spermafic cord was seen,which was cansed by cuffing of sman blood vessels around the spermati cord.postoperative scrotum hydrocele,appcared in 8 cases who gradually recovered after 5-8 days and no death happeneda. Conclusions Laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy by Endoclose has the advantages less postoperative discomfort and pain,reduced recovery time that allows earlier full activity,easier repair of a recurrent hernia,the ability to treat bilateral hernias concurrently,ligation of the hernia sac at the highest possible site,improved cosmesis,and decreased incidence of recurrence,and the operation is safe.

Objective To report the microsurgical outeome of the meningiomas located in the eranio- cervical junction.Methods Seven eases of meningiomas arising from the craniocervical junction operated with microsurgical technique by use of the posterior approaehes including the suboccipital approach,the lower lateral suhoecipital approach and for lateral approach.Reviewed the related ariieales and were analysed relative to their approach selection and outcomes were analysed.Results The tumors ranged in size from 0.8 to 4.8 cm and the tumors location with 2 cases posterior,3 cases anterior and 2 cases lateral to the brain stem.3 in 7 cases were operated by use of the suboccipital approach,2 in 7 cases with the lower lateral suboccipital ap- proach and 2 in 7 cases with farlateral approach.Total excisions were got in 6 of 7 cases,4 in 6 cases with Simpson gradeⅠand 2 in 6 cases withⅡ.The subtotal excision was got in 1 of 7 cass.Follow-up with 6 ca- ses between 6 to 36 months,the occupied symptoms in 6 cases improved good.No remnant tumor and recur- rent were found in the MRI follow-up.Conclusion By using of the proper posterior approaches,the micro- surgical outonmes of the meningiomas arising from craniocervical junction are good.

OBJECTIVETo understand if the Neuraminidase (N1) of Influenza A virus at the surface of yeast-displaying system, eukaryotic expression system and the infected cells could be used for anti-NA Abs screening, their activities and bindings to five candidate Abs were assayed.

METHODSThe surface NA expression was obtained by transfecting by recombinant NA constructors with specific tag-labels or live virus infection. The functional activity was measured by the fluorescent assay. Their bindings to the Abs were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe surface NAs presenting on the yeast-displaying system and eukaryotic expression system exhibited functional NA activities as the NA at the surface of virus-infected cells which showed affinities to Ab1, 4, and 5. The same bindings to Abl and 5 were found in the surface NA expressed by eukaryotic expression system while minor binding was observed in the yeast displayed-NA.

CONCLUSIONThe epitopes of yeast-displayed NA may be different from the NAs present at eukaryotic expression system and the infected cells which more likely suitable for the screening of anti-NA Abs.

Antibodies ; immunology ; Antigens, Surface ; genetics ; immunology ; Cell Line ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Neuraminidase ; genetics ; immunology ; Protein Binding ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology

Dragline spider silk produced from Nephilia clavipes major ampullate is a natural fibrous protein with specific mechanical properties such as high tensile strength and elasticity. Synthetic gene monomer encoding recombinant spider silk protein, based on the known repetitive protein sequence and partial cDNA sequence of dragline silk, was constructed and expressed. DNA monomer sequences were multimerized to encode high molecular weight synthetic spider silks using a "head-to-tail" construction strategy. Multimer was cloned into pET30a(+), a prokaryotic high potency expression vector, and induced with IPTG. The protein from 8-unit repeat was produced in Escherichia coli at levels up to 20 mg/L. The protein was easily purified with high recovery by using an metal ion affinity chromatography and purity was over 90%. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blot suggested that the mass of the expression product was about 37 kD. This value and amino acid analysis were consistent with those of theoretic calculation.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Amino Acids ; analysis ; Base Sequence ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Fibroins ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Recombinant Proteins ; analysis ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo analyze the prevalence of asthma and asthma related symptoms among children aged 0-14 years in three Chinese cities and to obtain a crude estimation of the trend of childhood asthma prevalence in China.

METHODSA cross-sectional, population-based survey of prevalence of asthma was conducted in children aged from 0 to 14 years in 3 major cities of China (Beijing, Chongqing, and Guangzhou) with different geographic locations. All the subjects were randomly selected by a multi-stage sampling method. Three to five schools and kindergartens in 2 urban districts in each city were randomly selected for the survey, and a validated questionnaire that included the core questions of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, Phase III questionnaire and several additional questions were used. All questionnaires were completed by parents or guardians of the selected children. Children whose parents responded affirmatively to the question "Has your child ever been diagnosed as asthma by a doctor" were recognized as victims of asthma.

RESULTSThe prevalence of asthma in Beijing, Chongqing, and Guangzhou was 3.15%, 7.45%, and 2.09%, respectively. These values were significantly higher than those obtained 10 years ago in the national epidemiological survey in 2000 which used the same method of investigation and the same diagnotic criteria (χ²=3.938, P=0.047; χ²=73.506, P≤0.001; χ²=11.956, P=0.001, in each city). Of the asthmatic children 57.21%, 69.91%, and 60.00% had their first attack before the age of 3 in Beijing, Chongqing, and Guangzhou, respectively. Wheezing was the primary clinical manifestation for all asthmatic children, followed by persistent cough and repeated respiratory infections. Both the prevalence of asthma and asthma-related symptoms were statistically higher in males than in females.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of childhood asthma is statistically higher than that 10 years ago in the three Chinese cities.

Asthma ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between rs142167, rs7216231 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in Wnt3 and nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCL/P) in Hui and Han population of Ningxia Autonomous Region.

METHODSThe study consisted of 371 NSCL/P patients from Ningxia Hui and Han population (Han population 166, Hui population 205), their parents (196 fathers, 224 mothers, 150 trios) and 258 normal controls (Han population 190, Hui population 68). Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) was used to identify rs142167, rs7216231 genotypes of the samples. The data was analyzed by case-control analysis, transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) and family based associated test (FBAT).

RESULTSCase-control study showed that no differences in cleft lip, cleft palate, cleft lip and palate, and the total case group compared with the control group at rs142167 and rs7216231 (P > 0.05) in Hui and Han population and in stratified comparison. TDT test showed that rs142167 and rs7216231's allele had not over-transmitted (P > 0.05) in NSCL/P. FBAT test showed that G-G specific haplotypes showed statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWnt3 gene polymorphism is not relevant with NSCL/ P in Ningxia Hui and Han population.

Brain ; abnormalities ; Case-Control Studies ; Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo investigate the life quality and their influence factors in cleft lip and palate parents and to provide evidences for improving the life quality of the parents.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-three parents whose children accepted the primary surgery of cleft lip and palate were selected as the case group, and 109 normal adults as the control group. Both groups were investigated by 3 questionnaires that included questionnaire of general status, generic quality of life inventory-74 (GQOLI-74), social support rating scale (SSRS). The results of two groups were analyzed and the influence factors on life quality were studied by stepwise multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS1)The scores of the life quality, mental function, social function, material life in the case group were significantly low compared with the control group(P<0.05). 2)The social support total scores, subjective support and utilization of social support were lower than the control group(P<0.05). 3)Social support, objective support, subjective support positively correlated with life quality scores and every dimension score in the case group. 4)The relevant factors affecting life quality were social support and income.

CONCLUSIONThe life quality and social support of cleft lip and palate patients is poor, we should give more support and help to improve their life quality.

Adult ; Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Humans ; Parents ; Quality of Life ; Social Adjustment ; Surveys and Questionnaires

To solve the issues of costly planting of facility cultivation method and inferior efficacy than wild herbs of Dendrobium officinale, the cliff epiphytic cultivation method was studied. To research the growth, agronomic traits, yield, polysaccharide and alcohol-soluble extract contents were measured on the D. officinale from different water regulation and cliff slope gradients treatments. The results showed that D. officinale epiphytic at 85 degrees-90 degrees cliff and sprayed water 1-2 h x d(-1) at the growing season can get better growth and obtain high yield, and the morphology has no different from wild cliff D. officinale, even in the environments without shade. The contents of polysaccharide and alcohol-soluble extract are closely related to the physiological ages, but significantly higher than the facility cultivation. It is possible that environmental stresses benefit the accumulation of polysaccharides, alcohol-soluble extract and other efficient ingredients.
Agriculture ; methods ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Polysaccharides ; analysis ; Water ; analysis