Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infection Control ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; trends ; Prevalence ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Schistosomicides ; therapeutic use ; Snails ; parasitology

Objective To stratify the risks of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) by dynamic pulmonary perfusion imaging (DPPI) and pulmonary perfusion imaging (PPI). Methods From October 2007 to February 2009, 20 healthy volunteers ( 12 males, 8 females; mean age =48.47 ±13.47 years) and 31 APE patients (21 males, 10 females; mean age =47.68 ±18.06 years; from October 2007 to July 2009) were included in the study. DPPI and PPI were performed in all subjects. Percentage of perfusion defect scores ( PPDs% ) were calculated by semi-quantitative analysis of PPI. Risk levels were defined according to PPDs% calculated from PPI: normal (PPDs% =0); very low risk (0 ＜ PPDs% ≤10% ); low risk (10% ＜ PPDs% ≤20% ); moderate risk (20% ＜ PPDs% ≤40% );high risk (40% ＜ PPDs% ≤60% ) and very high risk ( PPDs% ＞ 60% ). Lung equilibrium time (LET)was calculated on region of interest (ROI) drawn over DPPI. Clinical risk was scored by Aujesky method.The t-test, ANOVA and correlation analysis were used with SPSS 13.0 software. Results ( 1 ) LET in healthy volunteers and APE patients was ( 12.18 ± 3.28) and (32.90 ± 14.29) s respectively (t = 6. 81,P ＜ 0. 01 ). (2) The correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination between LET and PPDs% in APE patients were 0.93 and 0. 87, respectively. The correlation coefficient between LET and clinical risk score was 0.86. (3)The mean LET of APE patients in very low risk (n =5), low risk (n = 12), moderate risk (n=9), high risk (n=4) and very high risk groups (n=1) were (19.59 ±0.04), (25.03 ±0.08),(36.07 ±0. 10), (57.15 ±0.06) and (70 ±0.00) s, respectively. There was significant difference among APE patients with different risk levels (F =16. 78, P ＜0.01). Conclusions ( 1 ) DPPI was a reliable, convenient and non-invasive method for the evaluation of PH in APE. (2) Combined LET of DPPI and PPDs% of PPI was valuable for risk stratification and prognosis estimation in APE patients.

Objective investigate the analgesic effect of dexmedetomidine combined with remifentanil in patients with mechanical ventilation after ICU surgery. Methods 120 patients with ICU underwent mechanical ventilation were divided into control group (propofol combined remifentanil) and observation group (dexmedetomidine remifentanil) according to the random number table method, 60 cases each group. Record the two groups of total sedation time, withdrawal time after the withdrawal, analgesic effect, adverse reactions. Results The scores of SAS score and CPOT were (3.98±0.52) and (2.23±1.04), respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group (4.36±0.96) and (3.46±2.23), respectively (P<0.05). (691.28±236.58) min and (1.22±0.05) min were significantly shorter than those in the control group (2642.33±341.58) min, (3.56±0.74) min, P<0.05, respectively. The adverse reaction rate was 3.33% (2/60) in the observation group, which was significantly lower than that in the control group (13.33%, 8/60),( χ2=3.92, P=0.04). Conclusion ICU postoperative mechanical ventilation patients with dexmedetomidine combined with remifentanil has a good analgesic effect, and is conducive to the patient wake up, less adverse reactions, with a certain safety.

Background Surgery is regarded as the most effective treatment to relieve pain and reduce complications in chronic pancreatitis (CP).Two major strategies exist:duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) and pancreatoduodenectomy (PD).Many studies suggest that DPPHR offers advantages during surgery and in the short-term; however,the long-term effects have not been thoroughly investigated.We analyzed the long-term outcomes of DPPHR and PD,over follow-up times of at least 1 year,to determine the optimal surgical treatment for CP.Methods We systemically reviewed all CP surgical treatment reports,and only included randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing DPPHR and PD,excluding unqualified studies using several pre-specified criteria.When multiple publications of a single trial were found,the most comprehensive current data were selected.Characteristics of the study populations and long-term postoperative outcome parameters were collected.The quality of the studies and data was analyzed using RevMan 4.2 software.Results Five trials were qualified for meta-analysis,with 261 participants in total (114 in the DPPHR group and 147 in the PD group).There were no significant differences in the age,gender,or indications for surgery of each group.At the mean of 5.7-year (1-14 years) follow-up examination,DPPHR and PD resulted in equally effective pain relief,exocrine and endocrine function,and similar mortality rates (P ＞0.05); however,DPPHR patients had improved global quality of life and weight gain,and reduced diarrhea and fatigue (P ＜0.05).Conclusion DPPHR and PD result in equal pain relief,mortality,and pancreatic function; however,DPPHR provides superior long-term outcomes.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the elderly often reveals white matter changes (WMCs) with substantial variability across individuals.Our study was designed to explore MRI features and site-specific factors of ischemic WMCs.Clinical data of consecutive patients diagnosed with ischemic cerebral vascular disease who had undergone brain MRI were collected and analyzed.Multi-logistic regression analysis comparing patients with mild versus severe WMCs was performed to detect independent associations.Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to detect regionally specific differences in lesions.We found that lesion distribution differed significantly across five cerebral areas,with lesions being predominant in the frontal lobe and parieto-occipital area.To explore WMCs risk factors,after adjusting for gender,diabetes mellitus,and hypertension,only age (P＜0.01),creatinine (P=0.01),alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P=0.01) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P=0.03) were found to be independently associated with severe WMCs.Age (P＜0.001) was strongly associated with WMCs in the frontal lobe while hypertension was independently related to lesions in the basal ganglia (P=0.048) or infratentorial area (P=0.016).In conclusion,MRI of WMCs showed that ischemic WMCs occurred mostly in the frontal lobe and parieto-occipital area.The infratentorial area was least affected by WMCs.Typically,age-related WMCs were observed in the frontal lobes,while hypertension-related WMCs tended to occur in the basal ganglia and infratentorial area.

UNLABELLEDTo screen and analyze the apoptosis- and proliferation-related genes in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSAccording to gene ontology classification, the abnormal expressions of the genes related to cell apoptosis and proliferation were identified in the NPC gene chip data. The cell apoptosis- and proliferation-related genes expressed in each of the 3 stages, as defined by the tree model for the pathogenesis and progression of NPC, were screened, and with literature review, their distribution in the tree model were analyzed.

RESULTSNineteen genes related to cell apoptosis were found in NPC, among which 9 were down-regulated (such as DNASE1L3) and located in the chromosome deletion regions, and 10 were up-regulated (such as DEDD) in the chromosome amplification regions. Twenty-one cell proliferation-related genes were identified, including 8 down-regulated genes (such as TUSC2) in the chromosome deletion regions and 13 up-regulated ones (such as EMP1) in the chromosome amplification regions. In the chromosome deletion regions, the down-regulated cell apoptosis-related genes participated mostly in inducing and regulating cell apoptosis, and the up-regulated cell proliferation-related genes in the chromosome amplification regions were mostly associated with the positive regulation of cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONNPC occurs possibly through two pathways by inhibiting cell apoptosis or by promoting excessive cell proliferation.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; Chromosome Deletion ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and the role of PTX1 located at the amplified 12p12-p11 region in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR were applied to detect the expression level of PTX1 in 36 NPC and 8 chronic nasopharyngitis (NP) biopsies. RNAi vector targeting PTX1 was constructed and transfected into NPC cell line 6-10B. The RNAi effect was determined by detecting the expression level of PTX1 in transfected 6-10B cell line. Finally, the cell biological characteristics were compared between transfected 6-10B and parental 6-10B by analyzing the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis status using flow cytometry. RESULTS: RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR revealed that PTX1 gene was over-expressed in NPC tissues (P<0.05). PTX1 expression was suppressed in NPC cell line 6-10B by approximately 65% by RNAi, confirmed by RT-PCR. The depletion of PTX1 could effectively block the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of NPC cells. CONCLUSION Blocking the expression of PTX1 on mRNA level changed the characterization of NPC cell line 6-10B by RNAi, suggesting that PTX1 identified in the amplified 12p12-p11 region may be involved in the genesis and development of NPC via promoting the cell proliferation and inhibiting the cell apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; Vesicular Transport Proteins ; genetics ; physiology

BACKGROUNDSurgery is regarded as the most effective treatment to relieve pain and reduce complications in chronic pancreatitis (CP). Two major strategies exist: duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) and pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Many studies suggest that DPPHR offers advantages during surgery and in the short-term; however, the long-term effects have not been thoroughly investigated. We analyzed the long-term outcomes of DPPHR and PD, over follow-up times of at least 1 year, to determine the optimal surgical treatment for CP.

METHODSWe systemically reviewed all CP surgical treatment reports, and only included randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing DPPHR and PD, excluding unqualified studies using several pre-specified criteria. When multiple publications of a single trial were found, the most comprehensive current data were selected. Characteristics of the study populations and long-term postoperative outcome parameters were collected. The quality of the studies and data was analyzed using RevMan 4.2 software.

RESULTSFive trials were qualified for meta-analysis, with 261 participants in total (114 in the DPPHR group and 147 in the PD group). There were no significant differences in the age, gender, or indications for surgery of each group. At the mean of 5.7-year (1 - 14 years) follow-up examination, DPPHR and PD resulted in equally effective pain relief, exocrine and endocrine function, and similar mortality rates (P > 0.05); however, DPPHR patients had improved global quality of life and weight gain, and reduced diarrhea and fatigue (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDPPHR and PD result in equal pain relief, mortality, and pancreatic function; however, DPPHR provides superior long-term outcomes.

Duodenum ; surgery ; Humans ; Pancreatectomy ; methods ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; methods ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; psychology ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate CT and MRI characteristics of primary spinal large B cell lymphoma.

METHODSCT and MRI data of 23 patients with primary spinal large B cell lymphoma confirmed by histopathology were retrospectively analyzed from March 2011 to August 2015. Among them, including 14 males and 9 females aged from 28 to 70 years old with an average of 53.4 years old. The clinical manifestation mainly focus on pain around spinal and minority peripheral nerve symptom. The courses of disease ranged from 2 weeks to 3 months with an average of 9 weeks. Nine patients underwent CT plain scan, 8 patients underwent plain and enhanced CT; 21 patients underwent MRI plain scan and enhanced; 15 patients underwent CT and MRI examination. The location, bone changes, shape, density, signal intensity and enhancement characteristics of lesions were observed and compared with pathology.

RESULTSLocation and size of lesion showed cervical vertebrae in 1 case, thoracic vertebrae in 16 cases, lumbar vertebrae in 2 cases, and sacral vertebrae in 4 cases. Mass was larger, the largest cross-sectional size of group was up to 73 mm× 125 mm. CT examination showed that 11 cases with "cloud and mist" shape change, 6 cases with compression fractures, and with "floating ice" shape change, 9 cases with "oversleeve" shape change, 11 cases with spinal stenosis; enhancement scan showed obvious reinforcement. MRI showed slightly low signal on T1WI and T2WI were slightly high signal, and signal was uneven, and enhancement scan showed obvious reinforcement, 13 of 16 cases with spinal canal stenosis changed like "oversleeve", intervertebral space showed no significant stenosis. Comparison of CT and MRI showed the manifestation of bone destruction by CT was superior than that of MRI, but the range of lesion, and related surrounding structures were not better than MRI. MRI displayed the range of lesion usually bigger than CT. Pathology results showed that 23 patients were all primary spinal large B cell lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONSPrimary spinal large B cell lymphoma has certain features in age, location and imaging findings. The "cloud and mist", "floating ice" and "oversleeve" shape bony destruction by CT and MRI has certain significance to diagnosis of primary spinal large B cell lymphoma.

OBJECTIVETo clarify the change of vegetation types and its relationship between the density of alive-snails in the areas of "breaking dikes or opening sluice for water store" in Jicheng.

METHODSSynthesized false color images of Jicheng before and after 1998 (1994 and 2003) were classified without supervision and results were compared. Vegetation types were identified on the spot.

RESULTSNormalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of snail habitats before 1998 were between 126 and 183 in Jicheng, whose vegetation types were mainly paddy, cotton and cabbage. NDVI of snail habitats in Jicheng after 1998 were between 152 and 193 whose vegetation types were mainly poplar forest, bulrush and grass. Areas of snail habitats increased from 64.64% to 66.47%. Snail habitats were mostly composed of mixed vegetation types and mono-typed vegetation was hardly found. According to the density of alive-snails orders from high to low were poplar forest and bulrush, poplar forest and grass, bulrush.

CONCLUSIONVegetation types would not be identified by unsupervised classification only. Poplar forest, bulrush and grass were closedly related to the density of alive-snails.

Animals ; Breeding ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Vectors ; Ecology ; Environmental Monitoring ; Epidemiological Monitoring ; Fresh Water ; Plants ; Satellite Communications ; instrumentation ; Schistosoma japonicum ; isolation & purification ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Snails ; growth & development ; parasitology ; physiology