Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Parkinson Disease ; Zebrafish

Objective To evaluate the correlation between the degree of cochlea endolymphatic hydrops(EH) and hearing loss and symptoms in patients with unilateral Meniere's disease. Methods Fifty seven patients with unilateral Meniere's patients were retrospectively quantitatively analyzed, which evaluated the correlation between the cochlea EH and hearing loss and symptoms. The affected ears in the experimental group(57 ears) and the asymptomatic ears in the control group(57 ears), were confirmed by bilateral intratympanic Gd-DTPA injection and 3D real IR MRI scan after 24 h. The maximum length of endolymph space and labyrinth chamber along the modiolus cochleae and their ratio which represented the endolymph space proportion of each turn(R1, the basal turn;R2, the middle turn;R3, the apical turn) were calculated. And the paired t test was used to compare the differences in EH degree between the experimental and control group;Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the cochlea EH degree and hearing loss and duration of symptoms. Results R1, R1 and R3 of ipsilateral cochlea were higher than normal cochlea(ipsilateral R1:0.354±0.097 vs. normal R1:0.185±0.031, P<0.01;ipsilateral R2:0.445 ± 0.098 vs. normal R2:0.201 ± 0.046, P<0.01;ipsilateral R3:0.467 ± 0.102 vs. normal R3:0.221 ± 0.053, P<0.01). A positive correlation was found between the degree of EH in each turn and high-frequency hearing loss(r=0.275, 0.281, 0.329, respectively;all P<0.05), whereas no correlation was found between the extent of EH and the time of vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss(P>0.05). In addition, there was a correlation between the degree of EH in the apical turn and low, medium, high-frequency hearing loss(r=0.271, 0.269, 0.329, respectively; all P<0.05). Conclusions The degree of cochlea EH in the basal and second turn showed great relevance with the high-frequency hearing loss, and the apical turn EH degree was relevant with the low, medium, high-frequency hearing loss, but there was no correlation between the EH degree of each turn, ages and symptoms.

OBJECTIVE:To explore basic technology for synthesis of active ingredients of Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis,and provide necessary technical support for comprehensive development of O. xuefengensis sourse. METHODS:Submerged fermenta-tion method was used to cultivate the mycelium,achieving efficient synthesis of active ingredients by controlling medium composi-tion and cultivation conditions. Using the bacteria as starting strain,the effects of different carbon sources (sucrose,glucose and soluble starch),different nitrogen sources (peptone,yeast extract powder,yeast extract,sodium nitrate,potassium nitrate and urea),different vitamin B(vitamin B1 and vitamin B complex)and different initial pH(pH was set at 4,5,6,7,8 and 9,re-spectively)on mycelial growth,extracellular and intracellular polysaccharide synthesis,cordycepin synthesis and intracellular triter-penoid synthesis were investigated to screen the optimal medium composition. RESULTS:The optimal carbon source,nitrogen source,vitamin B and initial pH were sucrose,yeast extract powder,vitamin B1 and 8,respectively. High biomass and metabolite accumulation levels can be obtained when carbon source was sucrose,nitrogen source was yeast extract powder,adding 0.1 g/L vi-tamin B1 with initial pH of 8. CONCLUSIONS:O. xuefengensis can efficiently accumulate metabolites,and achieve the optimiza-tion of strain cell growth and synthesis of active metabolite by optimizing and controlling the fermentation process.

The prognostic value of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase,catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is controversial.We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of PIK3CA mutation in patients with ESCC.EMBASE,PubMed,and Web of Science databases were systematically searched from inception through Oct.3,2016.The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95％ confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random effects model for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).Seven studies enrolling 1505 patients were eligible for inclusion of the current meta-analysis.Results revealed that PIK3CA mutation was not significantly associated with OS (HR:0.90,95％ CI:0.63-1.30,P=0.591),with a significant heterogeneity (I2=65.7％,P=0.012).Additionally,subgroup analyses were further conducted according to various variables,such as types of specimen,the sample size,technique and statistical methodology.All results suggested that no significant relationship was found between PIK3CA mutation and OS in patients with ESCC.For DFS,there was no significant association between PIK3CA mutation and DFS in patients with ESCC (HR:1.00,95％ CI=0.47-2.11,P=0.993,I2=73.7％).Publication bias was not present and the results of sensitivity analysis were very stable in the current meta-analysis.Our findings suggest that PIK3CA mutation has no significant effects on OS and DFS in ESCC patients.More well-designed prospective studies with better methodology for PIK3CA assessment are required to clarify the prognostic significance of PIK3CA mutation in ESCC patients.

Objective To observe the abnormal Minnesota code (MC) distribution and interrelated characteristic on electrocardiograms (ECGs) of the adult Kazakh population.Methods Resting ECGs and blood press of randomly sampled 30 000 adult Kazakh people in three Northern regions of Xinjiang were continuously examined and analyzed,using Minnesota code recommended by WHO as the classification of ECG.Results The overall rate of abnormal ECG findings was 248.60‰,and the main abnormality in males was 146.83‰,compared to 157.71‰ in females.The prevalence rates of abnormal ST-T changes,the total arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation (AF) were 100.03‰,71.17‰ and 2.83‰ respectively.There were statistically significant differences among the main abnormities from the three regions.Conclusion The ECGs abnormalities of adult Kazakh people were high.There was significant relation found between the main abnormalities and hypertension.The prevalence of AF was different from the domestically reported literature that calls for further study.

Objective To explore the clinical value of transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery(NOTES)in diagnosing unexplained ascites.Methods The clinical data in 12 cases of unexplained ascites diagnosed by adopting transgastric approach NOTES and performed abdominal exploration and peritoneal biopsy in our hospital from November 2015 to July 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.The operative risk and clinical application value were evaluated by statistically analyzing the postoperative complications occurrence and the diagnosis rate of disease.Results The definite diagnosis rate reached 100％ verified by pathology after abdominal exploration and peritoneal biopsy,in which 8 cases(66.7％)were tuberculous peritonitis,2 cases(16.7％)were liver cirrhosis,1 case(8.3％)was peritoneal mesothelioma,1 cases(8.3％)was peritoneal metastatic carcinoma;2 cases appeared abdominal pain after operation,including 1 case of neutrophil ratio increase,symptoms and persistent time of abnormal laboratory indexes did not exceed 24 h,the incidence rate was 8.3％;no complications of abdominal cavity infection,incision bleeding and puncture site fistula occurred.Conclusion The transgastric NOTES for conducting abdominal exploration and peritoneal biopsy in the diagnosis of unexplained ascites has the advantages of small trauma,less complications and rapid postoperative recovery,possesses an important clinical application value.

OBJECTIVE: The feasibility of Papaver somniferum L. cultivars identification was explored by TD-RAPD technique. METHOD: Genomic DNA was extracted by improved CTAB method. One sample of species from Papaver somniferum L in xishuangbanna area. was studied by using TD-RAPD method. RESULT: We established an optimal method of extracting genomic DNA. Six primers were picked out from 10 primers. CONCLUSION TD-RAPD could be applied to researches of molecular marker of Papaver somniferum L. TD-RAPD technique provide a method to constitute DNA database of Papaver somniferum L. and conclude the source of opium poppy.
DNA Primers ; DNA, Plant/isolation & purification* ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Papaver/genetics* ; Plant Leaves/genetics* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique/methods* ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics of an azoospermia patient with ring 22 chromosome syndrome.

METHODSWe analyzed the clinical data of an azoospermia patient with ring 22 chromosome syndrome and reviewed relevant literature.

RESULTSThe patient was a short 29-year-old male, with bilateral testes small in size and soft in texture. Seminal examination indicated azoospermia. Chromosome analysis showed the karyotype of the patient to be 46, XY, r (22) (p11, q25). The level of testosterone was low, and the testicular tissue was brittle and easy to break. Pathological microscopy revealed reduced number of Sertoli cells and germ cells in the seminiferous tubules and thinner layers of cells. All the germ cells were spermatogonia. Neither spermatocytes nor sperm cells were found, which suggested complete spermatogenic failure. Mild interstitial fibrosis was visible in part of the seminiferous tubule walls.

CONCLUSIONPatients with ring 22 chromosome syndrome usually represent normal clinical phenotypes. However, this kind of genetic abnormality often induces severe testicular damage and spermatogenic arrest, which may result in azoospermia.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; etiology ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; Ring Chromosomes ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatogonia ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo Study T lymphocyte subsets, including T(H1) and T(H2) cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of children with mycoplasma pneumonia, understand immunopathogenesis and explore the possibility of immunotherapy of patients with mycoplasma pneumonia.

METHODSFresh peripheral blood samples of patients from two groups, group 1, mycoplasma pneumonia (MP) group (35 cases, 15 males and 20 females, age range 3 - 13 years, mean 9 years), and control group consisted of 28 healthy children (14 males and 14 females, age range 3 - 12 years, mean 7 years) were treated and run through the flow cytometry. The data were obtained by using Simultest IMK-Lymphocyte software and the percentage of CD(3)(+), CD(3)(+)CD(4)(+), CD(3)(+)CD(8)(+), CD(3)(-)CD(19)(+) and CD(3)(-)CD(16 + 56)(+) cells were counted. The percentage of T(H1) and T(H2) cells were gained through determination of intracellular cytokines IFN-gamma or IL-4 in CD(4)(+) cells by flow cytometry. The 35 patients with MP were hospitalized at our hospital. In addition to fever and cough, all the patents had abnormal X-ray findings and/or moist rale on auscultation of the lungs. The IgM antibody to Mycoplasma pneumoniae was positive in each patient. Immunoglobulins were measured, and PPD skin tests were performed in 30 out of the 35 patients with MP. T test and rank sum test by SPSS FOR WINDOWS 10.0 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe percentage of CD(3)(+) and CD(4)(+) T lymphocyte was 68.00 +/- 6.66 and 37.86 +/- 5.84, respectively, in MP group, and 63.71 +/- 7.92 and 34.54 +/- 6.23 in control group (P < 0.05). The percentage of T(H1) cells was 14.13 +/- 8.46 in patients and 20.77 +/- 6.89 in normal control group (P = 0.001). The percentage of NK cells was 15.57 +/- 12.16 and 20.39 +/- 9.64 in MP and control group (P < 0.01). The ratio of T(H1)/T(H2) in MP group was lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). However the percentage of CD(8), T(H2), B cells and CD(4)/CD(8) had no difference between the MP and control groups. The levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM in serum were normal in most of patients except for a few patients who had elevated IgA and IgM levels. The PPD skin tests were negative in 30 out of 35 patients.

CONCLUSIONIn this study a higher percentage of CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) T lymphocyte and lower percentage of T(H1), NK cells in PBMC of patients with mycoplasma pneumonia were found. The ratio of T(H1) and T(H2) cells in patients was also lower. None of thirty patients had positive PPD skin tests. Unbalanced cell-mediated immunity with a tendency toward T(H2) existed in patients with MP. Therefore, immunomodulators may be useful in treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia.

Adolescent ; CD3 Complex ; blood ; CD4 Antigens ; blood ; CD8 Antigens ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; blood ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVENephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by marked urinary excretion of albumin and other intermediated-size plasma proteins such as transferrin. The aim of this study was to determine the changes of serum iron and transferrin and the relationship between the serum and urinary transferrin.

METHODSThe indexes related to iron metabolism, including serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation and hematological parameters (Hb, MCV, MCH), and urinary transferrin were measured in 37 children with NS before treatment and at the remission stage. Thirty-five age-matched healthy children served as controls.

RESULTSSerum iron levels (18.8 +/- 3.8 micromol/L) in NS patients before treatment were significantly lower than in the healthy controls (22.2 +/-3.8 micromol/L) and those measured at the remission stage (21.0 +/- 3.5 micromol/L) (P < 0.01). Serum transferrin levels in NS patients before therapy (1.9 +/- 0.3 g/L) also decreased compared with those in the healthy controls (3.1 +/- 0.5 g/L) and those measured at the remission stage (2.9 +/- 0.6 g/L) (P < 0.01). In contrast, serum total iron-binding capacity and transferrin saturation were noticeably higher in NS patients before treatment than those in the healthy controls (total iron-binding capacity 56.4 +/- 9.2 micromol/L vs 50.7 +/- 6.8 micromol, P < 0.01; transferrin saturation 55.7 +/- 9.2 % vs 46.4 +/- 8.2%, P < 0.01) and were also higher than those measured at the remission stage (51.9 +/-7.7 micromol/L and 47.4 +/- 13.3%) (P < 0.01). Serum transferrin positively correlated to serum albumin (r = 0.609, P < 0.01) and negatively correlated to urinary transferrin (r = -0.550, P < 0.01) in NS patients before treatment.

CONCLUSIONSSerum iron and transferrin levels markedly decreased in NS patients, which may be partially related to the urinary loss of transferrin.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Iron ; blood ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; blood ; Transferrin ; analysis ; urine