Objective:To study the effects of SiO2 nanoparticles on the organs of mice in vivo after intratracheal instillation, and to provide the basis for safety evaluation of SiO2 nanoparticles. Methods:Forty female BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into control group (saline), low dose of SiO2 group (7 mg·kg-1), middle dose of SiO2 group (21 mg·kg-1), and high dose of SiO2 group (35 mg·kg-1).1 and 15 d after five times of non-exposed intratracheal instilation infection (once every 3 d), the mice were sacrificed and the left lungs,the right kidneys, livers, hearts and spleens were collected and embedded in paraffin.The morphology of tissue sections was observed under light microscope after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.The eyeball blood was obtained and the biochemical indicators of liver and kidndy functions were detected.Results:Compared with control group, there were alveolar interval thickening, inflammatory cell infiltration, and a small amount of small arterial thrombosis in the lungs;granulomatous inflammatory cell infiltration and a small amount of focal necrosis of liver cells in the livers;red pulp enlargement, hyperemia, and more visibly scattered megakaryocytes in the spleens in SiO2 nanoparticles groups in a dose-dependent manner, especially in middle and high doses of SiO2 groups.After 15 d of injection, the damages alleviated with the prolongation of time.There was some inflammatory cell infiltration in the kidney tissue of the mice in SiO2 nanoparticle groups.The biochemical indicator detection results showed that alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate transaminase(AST) levels in SiO2 nanoparticles groups varied, suggesting the liver cell damages were at different degrees;the changes of urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatinine(Cr) levels in SiO2 nanoparticle groups remindered the kidney function alteration, but there were no obvious dose-and time-dependent effects.Conclusion:Intratracheal instillation of SiO2 nanoparticles can influence the major organs of the mice and mainly displays in the inflammation and injuries in the lung, liver, and spleen.

ObjectiveTo establish the reference value of inhibin-A in the serum of pregnant women with gestational age from 15 to 20+6 weeks in Guangdong province,and assess the efficiency of inhibin-A and quadruple test in Down syndrome screening.Methods A total of 2802 singleton pregnancies receiving triple test screening in Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from March 2008 to December 2010 were included in this study.Inhibin-A was measured by automatic enzyme-linked immunosorbent chemiluminescence assay. The concentration of inhibin-A was expressed as multiples of the median (MoM),and adjusted with maternal weight and gestational age.Parameters of SURUSS were used to recalculate the risk of Down syndrome.The efficacy of single marker and combination were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve. Results(1) In normal singleton pregnancies,the median concentration of inhibin-A was 286.60,267.10,249.10,243.40,242.30 and 256.60 pg/ml respectively for each week of gestational age from 15 to 20+6 weeks.The distribution of inhibin-A in each gestational week was relatively stable.The mean concentration [(852.83±370.04) pg/ml] and MoM (2.82) of inhibin-A in twelve pregnant mothers with Down syndrome fetuses were significantly higher than those without [(293.28±149.46) pg/ml (t=5.37,P＜0.05) and 1,respectively].(2) The detection rate was 83.3％ (10/12) by using the quadruple test including free human chorionic gonadotropin-β,alphafetoprotein,unconjugated estriol and inhibin-A at false positive rate of 5.8％; while when the detection rate of triple test including alpha-fetoprotein,free human chorionic gonadotropin-β and unconjugated estriol was 83.3％,the false positive rate was 7.7％.When the false positive rate was set to 5.0％,the area under the curve of inhibin-A,alpha-fetoprotein,free human chorionic gonadotropin-β and unconjugated estriol was 63.7％,20.5％,46.1％ and 4.8％,respectively,and the relative area under the curve of routine triple test and quadruple test was 45.5％ and 63.1％,respectively.ConclusionsInhibin-A is suggested to be the most effective marker used for secondtrimester screening,which could be used for second trimester Down syndrome screening in Chinese population combined with existing three markers.

Epithelioid smooth muscle tumor is relatively rare and potentially malignant, especially in retroperitoneum. Distinct criteria for malignancy still have not been clarified in this epithelioid variant arising in retroperitoneum. We report a deceptively benign-appearing epithelioid leiomyosarcoma in a 50-year-old female. She was admitted with abdominal discomfort and dysuria. Abdominal CT showed a well-demarcated, 10 10 cm sized, solid mass in retroperitoneum. Concomitant metastatic lesions were noted in right lung field. Surgical excision of retroperitoneal mass and right lung lobectomy were performed. The retroperitoneal mass showed yellowish-tan, well-delineated and lobulated appearance. Histologically, this tumor was composed of predominantly epithelioid, round to oval cells with distinct clear cytoplasm and slightly atypical nuclei. Mitosis was rare (0~1/50 HPF). Lung lesions were morphologically similar to that of retroperitoneum.
Cytoplasm ; Dysuria ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Mitosis ; Smooth Muscle Tumor ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Obstruction of the inferior vena cava may presented with unusual and varied pathologic condition and be due to thrombus, extension of tumor, extrinsic compression, or intrinsic caval disease. Thrombus is major cause of obstruction of the inferior vena cava and congenital absence of the inferior vena cava with azygos continuation is extremely rare. In congenital absence of the inferior vena cava (Infrahepatic interruption of inferior vena cava with azygos continuation), infrahepatic inferior vena cava is obliterated but infrarenal portion of the inferior vena cava is patent. In this anormaly, blood from the lower extremities and kidney drained into azygous vein and hemiazygous vein via ascending lumbar vein which eventually into the superior vena cava. These anormaly is seen in 0.6% of patients with congenital heart disease, particularly in cases of polysplenia. We experienced one case of congenital absence of the infrahepatic inferior vena cava, which involved infrarenal portion and the common iliac vein with azygos continuation in 63-year-old male. He was complained of lower abdominal pain, constipation. We report this case with reviewing literatures.
Abdominal Pain ; Constipation ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Iliac Vein ; Kidney ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thrombosis ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Inferior* ; Vena Cava, Superior

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and depressive symptoms among Korean adults. This study also explored the mediating role of self-rated health (SRH) and perceived usual stress (PUS) in the association between depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and SHS exposure. Methods: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) in 2014 and 2016 was analyzed for 10539 participants aged 19 years or older. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in the logistic regression analysis with adjustment for the potential confounding factors. We also adopted the mediation analysis method by Hayes and Preacher. Results: After adjusting for the potential confounding factors, SHS at home and at public places were associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among non-smokers. After adjusting for the potential confounding factors, SHS at home and at public places was associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among non-smokers. Meanwhile SHS at workplaces was associated with depressive symptoms among former smokers and with suicidal ideation among current smokers. There was an additive effect of SHS on depressive symptoms only among non-smokers. SRH mediated the association between SHS and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among non-smokers. We did not observe any significant mediating effect of SRH nor PUS on the association between SHS and depressive symptoms among former and current smokers. Conclusions SHS may be associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in Korean adults. Our study elucidated how SHS interacted with depressive symptoms among non-smokers through the mediation by SRH.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and depressive symptoms among Korean adults. This study also explored the mediating role of self-rated health (SRH) and perceived usual stress (PUS) in the association between depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and SHS exposure. Methods: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) in 2014 and 2016 was analyzed for 10539 participants aged 19 years or older. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in the logistic regression analysis with adjustment for the potential confounding factors. We also adopted the mediation analysis method by Hayes and Preacher. Results: After adjusting for the potential confounding factors, SHS at home and at public places were associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among non-smokers. After adjusting for the potential confounding factors, SHS at home and at public places was associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among non-smokers. Meanwhile SHS at workplaces was associated with depressive symptoms among former smokers and with suicidal ideation among current smokers. There was an additive effect of SHS on depressive symptoms only among non-smokers. SRH mediated the association between SHS and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among non-smokers. We did not observe any significant mediating effect of SRH nor PUS on the association between SHS and depressive symptoms among former and current smokers. Conclusions SHS may be associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in Korean adults. Our study elucidated how SHS interacted with depressive symptoms among non-smokers through the mediation by SRH.

A 33-year-old male was admitted with severe headache lasting 3 days. He did not have a focal neurologic deficit, but had a high intracranial pressure of 512 mmH2O. Cerebral angiography revealed venous sinus thrombosis that mainly involved the superior sagittal and right transverse sinuses. His headache remained severe after intravenous heparin infusion, and so interventional procedures were performed. Mechanical aspiration with the Penumbra system(TM) and other interventional procedures reopened the outflow of the superior sagittal sinus and effectively ameliorated this patient's headache.
Adult ; Cerebral Angiography ; Headache ; Heparin ; Humans ; Intracranial Pressure ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis ; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial ; Suction ; Superior Sagittal Sinus ; Thrombectomy ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Transverse Sinuses ; Venous Thrombosis

Aspiration of foreign bodies into tracheobronchial tree is more common in children than in adults. Foreign bodies in airway commonly occur by accident, and in most cases they get removed without delay. Small foreign bodies that lodge in the peripheral airway are often asymptomatic initially and can result in respiratory symptoms several years later. Although foreign body aspiration is frequently suspected in children with acute or recurrent pulmonary symptoms, it is rarely considered in adults, unless a clear history of an aspiration event can be obtained. We have experienced and studied a case of occult aspiration of a shrimp which had been lodged for a long period.
Adult ; Bronchi* ; Bronchoscopy* ; Child ; Foreign Bodies* ; Humans

The direct effects of glutamate and dizocilpine maleate (MK-801, non-competitive N-Methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor antagonist) on the metabolism of dopamine were investigated in the striatum of normal and parkinsonian rats. L-dopa, L-glutamic acid and MK-801 were administered in the striatum locally by microdialysis. 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were simultaneously sampled by microdialysis. The concentrations of DOPAC and HVA were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). L-dopa increased the concentrations of DOPAC and HVA in the striatum of normal and parkinsonian rats. L-glutamic acid decreased the concentrations of DOPAC and HVA in striatum of normal rats but not parkinsonian rats. MK-801 increased the concentrations of DOPAC and HVA in the striatum of normal rats but not parkinsonian rats. MK-801 prevented the L-glutamic acid-induced decrease of DOPAC and HVA in the striatum of normal rats. Our results indicate that glutamate modulates the metabolism of dopamine (DA) through NMDA receptors and that the improvement of PD by MK-801 is not through improving the metabolism of DA.
Animals ; Corpus Striatum ; metabolism ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; pharmacology ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutamic Acid ; physiology ; Microdialysis ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology

BACKGROUND: For complicated appendicitis, in contrast to simple appendicitis, laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is considered a relative or absolute contraindication because of the higher postoperative complication rate than that of open appendectomy (OA), especially, high incidence of intra-abdominal abscess. The purpose of this article is to assess the feasibility of LA for complicated appendicitis. METHODS: A retrospective review of 35 LA and 128 OA for the cases of gangrenous, perforated appendicitis, and periappendiceal abscess between May 1995 and June 1997 was performed. Patients were identified through the hospital pathology registry. We compared data from both groups with respect to operative times, postoperative pain, duration of ileus, length of hospital stay, and complication rate, with special attention to the incidence of intra-abdominal abscess. RESULTS: 1) The male:female ratio of LA (1:1.2) was significantly lower than that of OA (1:0.45) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the age distribution between both groups. 2) The mean operative time of LA (58.3 minutes) was significantly longer than that of OA (51.8 minutes) (p<0.05). 3) The mean number of injections of analgesics and the mean duration of ileus represented an advantage for LA (1.2 times and 1.8 days) than those of OA (1.6 times and 2.0 days). But these differences did not reach statistical significance. 4) The length of hospital stay of LA (6.5 days) was shorter than that of OA (7.8 dyas) (p<0.05). 5) Overall postoperative complication rate was lower in LA (11.4%) compared with OA (11.7) (p>0.05). But LA was associated with higher incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess (3/35, 8.6%) than OA (3/128, 2.3%) (p=0.114). There was one serious intra-abdominal abscess in the LA, which required reoperation. The rest 2 cases in the LA and all 3 cases in the OA were treated conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: LA for complicated appendicitis could afford the merits of shorter hospital stay, reduced incidenceof wound infection, and comparable incidence of overall complication rate. To reduce the incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess, copious irrigation and adequate drainage should be recommended.
Abdominal Abscess ; Abscess ; Age Distribution ; Analgesics ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis* ; Drainage ; Humans ; Ileus ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Pain, Postoperative ; Pathology ; Postoperative Complications ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Wound Infection