Objective To analyze the clinical features of unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy caused by multiple myeloma(MM).Methods A 79-year-old female diagnosed MM for 3 years was admitted due to the disease relapse.The patient presented left oculomotor nerve palsy,bone marrow biopsy showed 4.5％ of myeloma cells,the serum level of λ light chain was up to 18 g/L,and brain CT/MRI scan revealed left parasphenoidsinus lesion.A diagnosis of relapsing intramedullary and extramedullary MM,IgGλ type,stage ⅢA was made.Ten cases were retrieved from literature since 1990,the clinical features of 11 cases were analyzed as follows.Results Among 11 cases of unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy caused by MM,7 were males and 4 females with a mean age of (60 ± 12) years (40-79 years).The sub-types of MM were IgG type (7 cases),IgA type (2 cases),biclonal of IgG and IgA type (1 case),and IgD type (1 case).Oculomotor nerve palsy was presented as the initial manifestation of MM in 9 cases,as a sign of relapse of MM in 1 case,and during MM treatment in 1 case.In 7 cases,oculomotor nerve was the only cranial nerve involved,while in other 4 cases,the Ⅳ,Ⅴ,Ⅵ cranial nerves were also involved.Neuroimaging revealed parasphenoid sinus lesions in 9 cases,and myeloma meningitis in 2 cases.Most of the reviewed cases achieved significant clinical improvement after chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy,except 2 cases with myeloma meningitis.The case in our department was improved significantly and rapidly after receiving chemotherapy with bortezomib.Conclusion MM should be considered when unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy is presented with or without the history of MM,the disease is sensitive to chemotherapy in most circumstances.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between asthma and rhinitis in children.Methods One hundred and thirty children with rhinitis were divided into two groups.Among them,60 displayed rhinitis alone and 70 displayed rhinitis associated asthma.The following parameters were analyzed between two groups: age,sex,history of eczema,familial history of smoking,familial history of asthma,sensitization to allergens,level of total serum IgE,blood eosinophil count.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of covariates on risk of rhinitis or asthma.Results History of bronchiolitis,familial history of asthma,maternal asthma and sensitization to allergens h_1(greer labs inc),d_2(dermatophagoides farinae) were significantly more frequent in asthmatic subjects.In these patients,the total serum IgE and eosinophil count were higher.Logistic regression analysis showed that a high eosinophil count and total serum IgE significantly increased the risk of developing asthma in patients with rhinitis.Conclusions In subjects with rhinitis,the occurrence of asthma is related to history of bronchiolitis,familial history of asthma,atopy,total serum IgE levels and blood eosinophilia.In rhinitis subjects,these parameters will be taken into account to manage underlying asthma.

Objective To observe the effect of ciclosporin(CsA) treatment on children with refractory nephrotic syndrome(NS).Met-hods Combination treatment of CsA[3-5 mg/(kg?d)] and prednisone were given 55 cases with refractory NS,in which including steroid-dependent NS(SDNS) 3 cases,steroid-resistant NS(SRNS) 22 cases,frequent-relapses NS(FRNS) 30 cases.Concentration of CsA was maintained 100-200 ng/L.Course of treatment was 10 months,the dose was tapered gradually in 4 months.Scr,BUN,Alb,ALT,Ccr,Chol,24 hours urine protein quantitation was measured before and after CsA treatment.Side effect of CsA was observed at the same time.SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results Forty-one cases(74.5%) were complete remission,6 cases(10.9%) were partial remission,total effective rate was 85.5%.Remission rate was 97.6% in simple type NS,50.0% in nephritis type NS,100% in SDNS and FRNS groups,63.6% in SRNS group.In group minimal change disease(MCD),the remission rate was 100.0%,while 60.0% in group mesangial prolife-rative glomerulonephritis(MsPGN),and 42.9% in group focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(FSGS).Fifteen cases(31.9%) relapsed when the dose of CsA was tapering.The adverse effects included hairiness(55 cases),gum hypertrophy(16 cases),hypertension(9 cases),gastroi-ntestinal tract reaction(8 cases),but no obvious nephric adverse effects were observed during the treatment process.Conclusion CsA is safe and effective on refractory NS children,especially to those with SDNS,FRNS and MCD.

Objective To evaluate contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging in the detection of leptomeningeal lesions.Methods Seventeen patients with a variety of leptomeningeal lesions were analyzed.The MRI protocol included un-enhanced and contrast-enhanced FLAIR images and contrast-enhanced T_1WI,Comparisons between contrast-enhanced FLAIR images and T_1WI and between un-enhanced and contrast-enhanced FLAIR images were made to determine which sequence better depicted the lesions.Results Leptomeningeal lesions showed as either diffusely or locally abnormal hyper-intensity along sulci or cistern on three sequences.Comparison between contrast-enhanced FLAIR and T_1WI showed that only contrast-enhanced FLAIR revealed the abnormalities in 7,both revealed the abnormalities but the former was superior in 2 ,and both were conspicuous in 7. In 1 patient of tuberculous meningitis,diffuse abnormalities of sulci were shown only on contrast-enhanced FLAIR, abnormalities of cisterns were shown on both sequences but the former was superior.Comparison between un- enhanced and contrast-enhanced FLAIR showed that only contrast-enhanced FLAIR revealed the abnormalities in 9,both revealed the abnormalities but the former was superior in 3,and both were conspicuous in 4. In 1 patient of tuberculous meningitis,abnormalities of cisterns were shown only on contrast-enhanced FLAIR,diffuseabnormalities of sulci were shown on both sequences but the former was superior.Conclusions Contrast-enhanced FLAIR images were superior to un-enhanced FLAIR images and contrast-enhanced T_1WI in the detection of leptomeningeal lesions. Contrast-enhanced FLAIR images are helpful and should be considered when findings on un-enhanced FLAIR images and/or contrast-enhanced T,WI are inconclusive.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on airway inflammation, airway remodeling and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA in asthmatic rats.

METHODSTwenty-four SPF level SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): control group, low dose of LPS group, high dose of LPS group and asthma group. Using ovalbumin (OVA) to sensitize and challenge to establish asthmatic rat model. Observed pathological changes of lung tissue by HE staining, inflammatory cell infiltration was observed by airway wall eosinophils (EOS) counts; airway resistance was determined; image analysis software was used to determine the thickness of airway wall, detected airway smooth muscle TLR4 expression levels by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe rat airway resistance and the EOS number of airway wall and the thickness of airway wall in asthma group, low dose of LPS group and high dose of LPS group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). The above-mentioned parameters of high dose of LPS group showed significantly lower than those in asthma group and low dose of LPS group (P < 0.05). The expression of rat airway smooth muscle TLR4 mRNA in low dose of LPS group and high dose of LPS group were significantly higher than those in asthma group (P < 0.01). And the expression of rat airway smooth muscle TLR4 mRNA in high dose of LPS group was significantly higher than that in low dose of LPS group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTLR4 plays an important role in asthmatic airway inflammation and airway remodeling, LPS may play double-sided regulation in asthmatic airway inflammation and airway remodeling by activated TLR4.

Airway Remodeling ; drug effects ; Animals ; Asthma ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Lung ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism

Representative pioneer tree root systems in the subtropical area of South China were examined with regard to their structure, underground stratification and biomass distribution. Excavation of skeleton roots and observation of fine roots of seven species including the Euphorbiaceae, Theaceae, Melastomataceae, Lauraceae and Fagaceae families was carried out. The results showed that: (1) Pioneer tree roots in the first stage of natural succession were of two types, one characterized by taproot system with bulky plagiotropic branches; the other characterized by flat root system with several tabular roots. The late mesophilous tree roots were characterized by one obvious taproot and tactic braches roots up and down. Shrub species roots were characterized by heart fibrous root type featured both by horizontally and transversally growing branches. Root shapes varied in different dominant species at different stages of succession. (2) Roots of the different species varied in the external features-color, periderm and structure of freshly cut slash. (3) In a set of successional stages the biomass of tree roots increased linearly with the age of growth. During monsoon, the total root biomass amounted to 115.70 t/ha in the evergreen broad-leaved forest; 50.61 t/ha in needle and broad-leaved mixed forest dominated by coniferous forest; and 64.20 t/ha in broad-and needle-leaved mixed forest dominated by broad-leaved heliophytes, and are comparable to the underground biomass observed in similar tropical forests. This is the first report about roots characteristics of forest in the lower sub-tropical area of Dinghushan, Guangdong, China.
Biomass ; China ; Magnoliopsida ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; Time Factors ; Trees ; growth & development ; Tropical Climate

OBJECTIVETo establish a weight-marking method and evaluate Siraitia grosvenorii germplasms.

METHODThe characters of 21 kinds of S. grosvenorii germplasms in the field and the lab were analyzed, seven important characters were selected to weight the marks. A general evaluation index was made and used to evaluate S. grosvenorii germplasms.

RESULTThe evaluation result of 21 kinds of S. grosvenorii germplasms by the weight-marking method was consistent with production practice. Meanwhile, the new variety Yongqing No. 1 and major cultivars were the superior germplasms.

CONCLUSIONA rational technique system of evaluating S. grosvenorii germplasms was established, and the superior germplasms were selected.

Biomass ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; standards ; Fruit ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Momordica ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Quality Control ; Triterpenes ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number and the expression of ERCC1 and BRCA1 proteins in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the correlation between them.

METHODSThe status of EGFR gene copy number was determined by in situ hybridization (FISH), and the expression of ERCC1 and BRCC1 proteins was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationship of EGFR gene copy number with the expression of ERCC1 and BRCA1 and the clinical pathologic features were analyzed.

RESULTSFISH-positive EGFR expression was identified in 40 of 166 samples (24.1%). More FISH-positive EGFR in the female than male patients (31.9% vs. 18.6%, P = 0.048), and non-smoker than smoker (32.8% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.045). FISH-positive EGFR was not associated with age, pathological type, clinical stage and metestasis status (P > 0.05). The expression of ERCC1 protein was identified in 60 of 132 samples (45.5%). The expression of ERCC1 protein varied significantly in tumors of different pathological types (P = 0.046), but not associated with age, gender, clinical stage, metestatic status and smoking status (P > 0.05). The expression of BRCA1 protein was identified in 46 of 131 samples (35.1%). The expression of BRCA1 was not associated with age gender, pathological type, clinical stage, metestatic ststus and smoking status (P > 0.05). There was a moderate correlation between the expressions of ERCC1 and BRCA1 (r = 0.449, P < 0.001), but EGFR gene copy number was not correlated with the expression of ERCC1 or BRCA1 protein.

CONCLUSIONSFISH-positive EGFR expression is associated with gender and smoking status, but not correlated with the expression of ERCC1 and BRCA1 proteins. There is a moderate correlation between the expressions of ERCC1 and BRCA1.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; BRCA1 Protein ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Endonucleases ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Dosage ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, erbB-1 ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Smoking ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEVariations of the signal intensities in the magnetic resonance (MR) T(1)-weighted image (T(1)WI) of globus pallidus among manganese(Mn)-exposed workers were explored to provide a scientific basis for exposed biomarker of manganese-injured central nervous system (CNS).

METHODSThe brain MR T(1) and T(2) WI in eighteen male asymptomatic Mn-exposed, eight manganism and nine healthy control workers were examined routinely by adopting a 1.5 Tesla signal superconducting system. The SIGP and the signal intensity in frontal white matter (SIFWM) in the same side were determined, then pallidal index (PI) was calculated. Concentration of MnO(2) in workplaces and content of manganese in red blood cell (MnRBC) among workers were respectively determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-AES). The follow-up investigation in the eight high Mn-exposed workers was made one year later.

RESULTSThe results showed that the median of air MnO(2) in smelting workplace was 0.64 mg/m(3)(0.07 - 5.40 mg/m(3)), which were respective 0.56 mg/m(3)(0.09 - 1.71 mg/m(3)) in power distribution room (low Mn-exposure) and 0.89 mg/m(3) (0.07 - 5.40 mg/m(3)) in furnace (high Mn-exposure). PI in the Mn-exposed and high Mn-exposed workers were both higher than those of the manganism and control workers(116.4 +/- 8.2, 119.0 +/- 7.9, 105.3 +/- 8.4 and 102.2 +/- 1.5, respectively. Mn vs control, t' = 7.146, P = 0.000; Mn vs manganism, t = 3.181, P = 0.004. High Mn-exposure vs control, t' = 7.446, P = 0.000; high Mn-exposure vs manganism, t = 3.763, P = 0.001). The increased signal in T(1)WI of globus pallidus was observed in Mn-exposed workers, especially in high Mn-exposed workers. The content of manganese in red blood cell of Mn-exposed and control workers was significantly higher than those of the manganism workers [(151.6 +/- 40.5) ng/ml, (149.2 +/- 21.3) ng/ml, (154.5 +/- 46.6) ng/ml, (144.4 +/- 14.2) ng/ml, (20.8 +/- 7.4) ng/ml respectively. The difference was significant in statistics. Manganism vs control, t = 20.206, P = 0.000; manganism vs Mn, t' = 13.144, P = 0.000; manganism vs low and high Mn, t' = 12.964, 9.957, respectively, P = 0.000]. Only a decreased median of air MnO(2) in furnace was found one year later (0.89, 0.31 mg/m(3), Z = -2.142, P = 0.032). The difference was significant in statistics.

CONCLUSIONOur data suggests that SIGP of MR T(1)WI among workers was obviously increased by manganese-exposure. PI may be taken as the signal of CNS injury which was induced by manganese-exposure.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; Globus Pallidus ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Manganese Poisoning ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure

Immunophenotype is critical for diagnosing common B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (common ALL) and detecting minimal residual disease. We developed a protocol to explore the immunophenotypic profiles of common ALL based on the expression levels of the antigens associated with B lymphoid development, including IL-7Rα (CD127), cytoplasmic CD79a (cCD79a), CD19, VpreB (CD179a), and sIgM, which are successive and essential for progression of B cells along their developmental pathway. Analysis of the immunophenotypes of 48 common ALL cases showed that the immunophenotypic patterns were highly heterogeneous, with the leukemic cell population differing from case to case. Through the comprehensive analysis of immunophenotypic patterns, the profiles of patient-specific composite leukemia cell populations could provide detailed information helpful for the diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and individualized therapies for common ALL.
Adult ; Antigens, CD19 ; metabolism ; B-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; CD79 Antigens ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains, Surrogate ; metabolism ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; immunology ; pathology ; Receptors, Interleukin-7 ; metabolism