Objective To explore the correlation between anti-thyroid autoantibodies and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methods Four hundred and sixty-two samples with positive thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and (or) thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) were collected. Three hundred and eighty age and gender matched subjects with negative TPOAb and TgAb were selected as controls. The anti-HCV antibody was examined in all the cases using the third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), HCV RNA qualitative examination was examined further in those who had positive anti-HCV antibody. Meanwhile, 195 subjects with hepatitis C, 150 healthy subjects and 150 subjects with hepatitis B were tested for thyroid-related markers. The data were analyzed by independent-sample t test and chi square test. Results The HCV infection rate in 462 thyroid autoantibodies positive subjects was 1.30% and 0.53% in 380 thyroid autoantibodies negative subjects. There was no significant difference of the HCV infection rate between two groups (X2=1.322, P>0.05). In the subjects with hepatitis C, 30.8% were TPOAb positive, 30.8% were TgAb positive, which were significantly different from those of healthy subjects and subjects with hepatitis B (X2=21.496,X2=30.454;P<0.01). Conclusions HCV infection rate does not increase in subjects with abnormal thyroid autoimmunity. However, positive rate of thyroid autoantibodies increases in subjects with hepatitis C, which suggests that thyroid-related markers should be examined in hepatitis C patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of different delivery modes and related obstetric factors on the short-term function of the pelvic floor.Methods One hundred and twenty healthy primiparae women were interviewed at 6-8 weeks postpartum,with 72 women in the vaginal delivery group and 48 women in the elective cesarean section group.Questionnaire on stress urinary incontinence and measurement of diastolic and contractive function of the pelvic floor muscles by electromyogram(EMG)were used for the evaluation and comparison.Results The prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in the vaginal delivery group and the elective cesarean section group was 21% and 10%(P=0.134),respectively.The values of the right act,right work,and average work surveyed by EMG in vaginal delivery group were significantly lower than those in cesarean section group(right act,12.9?0.8 vs 17.3?1.7,P

Conditions about protoplast preparation and regeneration of Streptococcus zooepidemicus,which could produce hyaluronic acid, were studied , including the concentration of lysozyme, lytic time, different osmotic stabilizers and the preculture under the high osmotic pressure . As a result, the formation and regeneration rate of protoplasts could reach up to 94.6% and 18.5% respectively under the optimum conditions, before the digestion of lysozyme (50U/mL,39℃, 60 min) the strain was cultured for 2 hours in 0.6 mol/L NaCl high osmotic pressure liquid medium containing 1.2% Gly. Among different treatments of various laser power and irradiating time, He-Ne laser which acted for 300 seconds with 40mW /cm 2 caused lethality rate as high as 99.88%. Finally, a mutated strain was gained, whose production of HA is 2.21g/L, just 4.5 times as much as the original strain.

Objective To investigate our early results of robot-assisted esophagectomy (RAE) and present our learning curve experience with the largest study from one-single institution of China.Methods Between November 2015 and April 2017,a series of consecutive patients undergoing RAE at Shanghai Chest Hospital were reviewed.The patients'demographics,operative and postoperative outcomes were demonstrated.Results A total of 154 patients underwent RAE during the study.All patients received Mckeown esophagectomy and extensive thoraco-abdominal two-field lymph node dissection.Of these,122 were male and 32 were female.The mean total operative duration was 179-445 (271.0 ±61.5) min and the operative duration of the thoracic phase was 51-142 (96.7 ± 27.0)min.The mean estimated blood loss was 100 -1 000 (230.4 ±74.4)ml.The pathological results showed that 150 had squamous cell carcinoma,2 had adenocarcinoma,and 2 had small cell carcinoma.The R0 resection was 92.2％.The mean number of lymph node dissection was 11-64 (20.4 ± 8.5) and the lymph node sampling rate along left and right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) were 92.2％ and 88.3％.The morbidity was present in 64 of 154 patients (41.6％).The major complications rate was anastomotic leak (12.3％),and vocal cord paralysis (16.9％).Intensive care unit (ICU) hospital stay time was 0-27 (2.7 ± 3.6) d,the median length of hospital stay was 7-81 (15.8 ± 11.6)days.There was no 90-day mortality.Conclusions RAE is a safe and feasible alternative for treatment of esophageal cancer.RAE can improve the efficacy of lymph node dissection,especially for the lymphadenectomy along recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Objective To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes after induction,elective cesarean section and spontaneous onset of labor in uncomplicated term nulliparous women.Methods A total of 3751 uncomplicated term nullipara who delivered in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Sept 2002 to April 2007 were retrospectively analyzed.They were divided into three groups:the induction group, the elective cesarean section group,and the spontaneous onset of labor group.Their general conditions (such as age,weeks of pregnancy,hospital days and cost),postpartum complications(such as postpartum hemorrhage,puerperal morbidity,urinary retention,blood transfusion,delayed healing,and trauma),and Apgar score were compared by statistic methods.Results(1)Among 3751 women,501(13.3%)of them underwent induction(the induction group),1634(43.6%)delivered by cesarean section(cesarean section group),the other 1616(43.1%)women underwent spontaneous onset of labor(the spontaneous onset of labor group).(2)Results of general conditions:the spontaneous onset of labor group had the shortest hospital days,which was longer in the induction group,and the longest in the selective cesarean section group(P

BACKGROUNDEstrogen is involved in suppression of colon cancer development and exerts its function via estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERalpha, ERbeta). The recently identified ERalpha46 resulted from exon 1-deletion from the 66-kDa full length form of ERalpha66 is devoid of the transactivation domain AF-1, whose function remains largely unknown.

METHODSIn this study, we compared the expression of ERalpha46 mRNA in 32 normal colorectal tissues and their matched colorectal cancer tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Human colon adenocarcinoma cell HT-29, that has low endogenous expression of ERalpha46, was transfected with ERalpha46-expression vector; methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation and TUNEL staining were used to evaluate the proliferation and apoptosis status of the cells in the presence of 17beta-oestradiol.

RESULTSHigher ERalpha46 mRNA levels were observed in normal colorectal tissues than in the corresponding cancer tissues. ERalpha46-transfected cells showed a significantly decreased growth rate than control cells and an accumulation of cells in the G(0/1) phase and a reduced proportion of cells in G(2)/M phase after exposed to 10(-8) mol/L 17beta-oestradiol. There were also more positive TUNEL stained cells in ERalpha46-transfected cells than the control cells in the presence of 17beta-oestradiol (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThese data suggest that ERalpha46 may be involved in the development and/or progression of colorectal cancer via mediating growth inhibition and apoptosis of cancer cells in the presence of 17beta-oestradiol.

Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; Female ; G1 Phase ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of non-toxic goiter and non-toxic thyroid nodules in the regions with different iodine intakes and the factors influencing the occurrence, development and outcome of goiter and thyroid nodules. Methods 3 385 subjects, who had taken part in the previous survey in 1999 with the ultrasonic examination of thyroid, were composed of individuals in Panshan with chronic mild iodine deficiency,in Zhangwu with more than adequate iodine "after iodine supplementation and in Huanghua with excessive iodine. These 3 groups of subjects were followed up in 2004. Results (1) The cumulative incidences of diffuse goiter in Panshan ,Zhangwu and Huanghua were 7.1% ,4.4% and 6.9% ,respectively ,being the lowest in Zhangwu (P<0.01) and those of nodular goiter were 5.0% ,2. 4% and 0.8%, respectively, being the highest in Panshan (P<0.01). (2) The incidences of single nodule were 4.0% ,5.7% and 5.6%, respectively, and those of multiple nodules 0.4%, 1.2% and 1.0%, respectively. (3)The result of logistic analysis showed that iodine deficiency,iodine excess and positive thyroid autoantibodies (TAA) were the independent risk factors for the occurrence of goiter. (4)In Zhangwu ,the incidence of non-toxic goiter in the group with positive TAA was higher than that in the group with negative TAA(P<0.01) ,while there were no such differences in Panshan and Huanghua. (5)In these three regions, the rates of positive TAA in the individuals with diffuse non-toxic goiter were higher than those in the healthy subjects (P<0.05). And in Huanghua,the rate of positive TAA in subjects with non-toxic nodular goiter was also higher than that in the healthy individuals (P<0.05). Conclusion Iodine deficiency and iodine excess may both induce the raising incidence of goiter. Nodular goiter is prevalent in iodine deficient district and diffuse goiter is the predominant form in places with iodine excess. Thyroid autoimmunity is associated with occurrence and maintenance of goiter, and this phenomenon is more obvious in the community with previous iodine deficiency followed then by treatment with more than adequate iodine.

BACKGROUNDRepair of large bone defects remains a challenge for clinicians. The present study investigated the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or periosteum-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to promote new bone formation within rabbit ulnar segmental bone defects.

METHODSRabbit bone marrow-derived MSCs (passage 3) were seeded onto porous PLGA scaffolds. Forty segmental bone defects, each 15 mm in length, were created in the rabbit ulna, from which periosteum was obtained. Bone defects were treated with either PLGA alone (group A), PLGA + MSCs (group B), periosteum-wrapped PLGA (group C) or periosteum-wrapped PLGA/MSCs (group D). At 6 and 12 weeks post-surgery, samples were detected by gross observation, radiological examination (X-ray and micro-CT) and histological analyses.

RESULTSGroup D, comprising both periosteum and MSCs, showed better bone quality, higher X-ray scores and a greater amount of bone volume compared with the other three groups at each time point (P < 0.05). No significant differences in radiological scores and amount of bone volume were found between groups B and C (P > 0.05), both of which were significantly higher than group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSImplanted MSCs combined with periosteum have a synergistic effect on segmental bone regeneration and that periosteum plays a critical role in the process. Fabrication of angiogenic and osteogenic cellular constructs or tissue-engineered periosteum will have broad applications in bone tissue engineering.

Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Periosteum ; cytology ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo assess the co-morbidity of anxiety and depression in hospitalized patients and to analyze the degree of symptoms and the influential factors.

METHODSThirty patients with malignant tumor were injected with thymosin alpha 1 subcutaneously at the dose of 1.6 mg q.d. for the first month and q.o.d. for the following month. The number of T cell subgroups and the activity of NK cell in peripheral blood were detected and the quality of life of the patients were evaluated before treatment and at the end of treatment.

RESULT(1) About 39.9 % of the patients presented the symptoms of anxiety and depression and out of them 6.7 % were taken psychotropic medication. (2) Stepwise Logistic Regression showed that the factors related to anxiety and depression could be classified into four categories: economic factor, sleeping status, cognition of disease, the other factors such as course of disease and the environment of hospital. (3) Data analysis of oncology patients showed that the cognition of disease would be an important factor, which would affect anxiety and depression status.

CONCLUSIONMultiple factors can affect anxiety and depression symptoms of inpatients. The results suggest that psychological intervention such as cognitive therapy should be considered in clinical practice.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anxiety ; etiology ; therapy ; Depressive Disorder ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psychotherapy

Objective To clarify the effect of iodine intake on serum thyroglobulin (Tg). Methods A 5-year prospective study was conducted in the 3 different iodine intake areas in China [Panshan (miht deficiency) ,Zhangwu (more than adequate) and Huanghua (excess)]. A total of 3 099 people with normal serum levels of Tg in 1999 were followed and 2 448 of these participants were feasible to be observed in 2004 and included in the present study. The serum levels of Tg, thyraglobulin antibody(TgAb), thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb) and TSH, thyroid volume, family and personal histories of thyroid diseases were measured and inquried. The general linear model (GLM) was used to explore the determinants of Tg. Results Among the study population at baseline, serum Tg were significantly different in three areas [7.5 (4.4-13. 1) μg/L at Panshan, 6.8 (3.6-11.2)μg/L at Huanghua, 5.9 (3.2-10.7) μg/L at Zhangwu, P<0.01]. They were associated with age, sex and the rate of positive TgAb, abnormal thyroid volume, abnormal TSH and positive personal history of thyroid diseases, in order to control the effects of confounding factors, the data from 1856 subjects with thyroid-related indexes all in normal range and without personal history of thyroid diseases were analyzed to clarify the effect of iodine intake on Tg. The serum Tg among three areas were significantly different in both 1999 and 2004, they were all increased in 5 years with significant augment (△ Tg) among the three areas[3.1 (-0.2-8.0) μg/L at Panshan, 3.5 (0.5-9.0)μg/L at Huanghua vs 2. 5(0.3-6.1) μg/L at Zhangwu,P<0.01]. The GLM analysis revealed that age, Tg and TSH levels at baseline were the determinants of △Tg in addition to iodine intake. Conclusion Iodine intake is a dominant determinant of serum Tg. Age and TSH should also be considered while indicating iodine intake by serum Tg.