OBJECTIVE: To investigate and analyze the status of anxiety and depression among patients with four types of peripheral vertigo. METHOD: The clinical data of patients with one of the four types of peripheral vertigo, namely benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular migraine (VM), Menière's disease (MD), and vestibular neuritis (VN), were collected. Thorough otological and neuro-otological examinations were performed on these patients, and their status of anxiety and depression were assessed using self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS). RESULT: A total of 129 patients with one of the four types of peripheral vertigo(49 cases of BPPV, 37 cases of VM, 28 cases of MD and 15 cases of VN) were included in the study. The scores of SAS and SDS were higher in the patients with VM or MD than those with BPPV or VN (P < 0.05), and the incidence of anxiety (VM = 45.9% MD = 50.0%) and depression (VM = 27.0% MD = 28.6%) were higher in the patients with VM or MD than those with BPPV or VN (P < 0.05). Paired comparisons showed the differences between the incidences of BPPV and MV groups, BPPV and MD groups, and MD and VN groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Among patients with different types of peripheral vertigo, anxiety/depression is more common in patients with VM or MD. This may be due to the different mechanisms involved in different types of vertigo, as well as differences in the prevention and self-control of the patients against the vertigo.
Anxiety ; complications ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Depression ; complications ; Ear, Inner ; Humans ; Incidence ; Meniere Disease ; Migraine Disorders ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Vertigo ; classification ; complications ; Vestibular Neuronitis ; Vestibule, Labyrinth

Purpose Brain complications severely threaten the treatment and survival of children with leukemia. This paper aims to investigate the MRI manifestations and differences of brain complications in leukemia before and after chemotherapy for a clinical guidance.Materials and Methods The clinical data and MRI findings of 37 children with leukemia and brain complications were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-four of them underwent MRI scan twice or more, among whom 28 received contrast-enhanced MRI scan.Results Twenty-two patients were discovered with brain complications before chemotherapy, 2 of whom were with two kinds of complications. Meningopathy was found in 7 patients who showed widespread or localized meningeal thickening. Among them, 5 patients'' lesions reduced or disappeared after chemotherapy. Intracerebral multiple small and micro bleed was found in these 7 patients, 2 of them combined with hematoma. Three patients were found with intracranial tumor which all proved to be temporal bone tumor, 1 of whom combined with temporal lobe tumor and 1 had tumor disappeared after chemotherapy. The other complications before chemotherapy included leukoencephalopathy (n=2), subdural collection of fluid (n=2), meninges and parenchymal infiltration of leukemia (n=1), fungal infection (n=1) and cerebral infarction (n=1). On the contrary, 17 patients were discovered with brain complications after chemotherapy, 8 of whom were with two or more complications. Two patients had different kinds of complications before and after chemotherapy. Brain atrophy was observed in 13 patients. Leukoenphalopathy was found in 9 patients who presented high signal in white matter of double periventricular and/or semi-oval center on T2WI; the lesions of 4 patients were reduced or disappeared after withdrawal. Infectious diseases were diagnosed in 3 patients, including viral encephalitis in 2 cases, tuberculous meningitis combined with tuberculoma in 1 case. The other complications included intracranial tumor (n=2), sinus thrombosis (n=1), posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (n=1) after chemotherapy. Conclusion The MRI findings of brain complications in childhood leukemia are various and demonstrate significantly different features before and after chemotherapy. The major complications before treatment include meningopathy and intra-cerebral hemorrhage;while after chemotherapy the main complications are brain atrophy, leukoencephalopathy and infectious diseases. MRI proves to be a valuable method to detect, observe and follow up these complications.

To enhance the immunogenicity of DNA and adenoviral vector vaccines expressing HIV-1 subtype B gp160, human interleukin 15 (hIL15) DNA adjuvant (pVR-hIL15) was constructed. BALB/c mice received DNA prime/protein boost immunization with pVR-HIVgp160/Ad5-HIVgp160 alone or combined with pVR-hIL15. Cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated by IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Compared with those immunized with vaccines alone, the mice immunized with vaccines combined with pVR-hIL15 had significantly increased specific cellular response and antibody titer (P < 0.05). It suggests that the IL15 DNA adjuvant can enhance the immune responses induced by prime-boost regimen using DNA and adenoviral vector encoding HIV-1 subtype B gp160.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 ; immunology ; HIV Envelope Protein gp160 ; genetics ; immunology ; HIV Envelope Protein gp41 ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunity, Humoral ; Interleukin-15 ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To explore the differences in the strength of the nodes in the brain white matter weighted networks between the male patients with paranoid schizophrenia and male healthy controls, and to analysis the integrity of the white matter fiber tracts that connected to the different brain regions and its relationship with the course of disease. Methods Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were obtained from 25 male patients with paranoid schizophrenia and 26 male healthy controls. The whole brain was parcellated into 90 regions by using the anatomical label map. Tractography was performed in the whole brain of each subject to reconstruct white matter tracts using the FACT algorithm. The brain white matter weighted networks were then constructed using the complex network theory. Results The strength of the nodes in the networks of schizophrenia significantly decreased in the right thalamus (P=0.03, corrected) and the right hes?chl gyrus (P=0.04, corrected). Negative correlation was found between the strength of the right thalamus and the course of disease (r=-0.45, P=0.03). Conclusion The integrity of the white matter fiber tracts connected to the thalamus and tem?poral lobes in the male paranoid schizophrenia is impaired. The lesion of fiber tracts connected to the thalamus is related with the course of disease.

OBJECTIVETo determine the mechanism of pseudo-tears of the lateral meniscus caused by the transverse geniculate ligament (TL) and the miniscofemoral ligament(MFL) and to investigate a method to differentiate pseudo-tears from true tear of the lateral meniscus.

METHODSForm June 2012 to February 2014, MR examinations of 72 knees (44 left knees and 28 right knees) without tear of the lateral meniscus verified by arthroscopy were performed in the sagittal and coronal plane. There were 41 males and 31 females in the group, with an average age of 33.7 years old (ranged from 25 to 61). The MR appearance of the TL and the MFL was carefully observed.

RESULTSThere existed fatty tissue in the gap between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus and its central tendinous attachment. On the sagittal images, the fatty tissue formed a linear high-signal cleft between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. This might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called as pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. In sagittal plane, the MFL was identified as a circle-like or short stick-like area of low signal intensity anterior or posterior to the posterior cruciateligament. Nevertheless, a belt-shaped area of low signal intensity from the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to lateral facet of the medial femoral condyle was identified in the coronal plane. A linear area of high signal intensity between the MFL and the lateral meniscus was found in sagittal plane, which might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. The occurrence rate of the TL was 34.7% (25/72). The prevaleribe of pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 18 cases. The shape of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was regular, and the course of the pseudo-tears cleft was oblique. The occurrence rate of the MFL was 73.6% (53/72), which included the anterior MFL 23.6% (17/72), the posterior MFL 70.8% (51/72) and the two ligaments coexisted 16.7% (12/72). The prevalence of pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 25 cases. All observed pseudo-tears had either in posteroinferiorly oblique direction (19/25) or in vertical direction (6/25).

CONCLUSIONBased on the location and direction of pseudo-tears and observation in the continuous sagittal plane and the coronal plane, pseudo-tears is easily differentiated from the true tear of the lateral meniscus

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries

OBJECTIVETo explore the access to tobacco and exam the predictors of successful tobacco purchase attempts among Chinese minors.

METHODSA simulative trial of purchasing cigarettes was participated by 201 sixth grade students to assess the prevalence of illegal cigarette sales to minors in Guangzhou. Methods of Chi-square and unconditional logistic regression were used to identify the significant predictors,with the result of tobacco purchase as the dependent variable and the characteristics of stores, retailers and minors as the independent variables.

RESULTSA total of 165 students succeeded in purchasing cigarettes but 36 failed, and the percentage of successful purchase attempts was 82. 1% . Data from univariate analysis indicated that 9 factors were significantly associated with students' success in purchasing cigarettes. They were age and height of the purchasers, types of stores, seller's gender and age, posting cigarette advertisements,showing warning signs of 'no cigarette selling to minors' ,asking buyer's age,and asking whom you buy the cigarettes for. The results of multivariable analysis showed that only three variables entering the final logistic regression: the age of students, the type of stores, and showing warning signs of 'no cigarette selling to minors'.

CONCLUSIONChinese minors have easy access to purchasing cigarettes, especially in groceries and small markets. Selling cigarettes by sellers to minors should be monitored and managed in the future.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; Commerce ; legislation & jurisprudence ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Minors ; statistics & numerical data ; Smoking ; epidemiology ; legislation & jurisprudence ; Students ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of Ligustrazine on serum S100p protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in elderly patients undergoing orthopedics operations.

METHODSTotally 60 patients undergoing selective total hip replacement, 65-80 years old, who were in line with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I or II, were randomly assigned to the Ligustrazine group (Group L) and the normal saline control group (Group S). The right internal jugular vein catheters were placedcephalad and ensured theirs tips in jugular venous bulbs after anesthesia induction and tracheal intubation. Patients in Group L received 2 mg/kg Ligustrazine Injection (40 drops within one minute) and those inGroup S received equal volume of normal saline via central veins before operations. Other medicines were the same for all patients during and after operation. Five millimeter blood sample was collected frominternal jugular venous bulbs before operation (T0), 24 h (T1), 72 h (T2), 168 h (7th day, T3) after operation. Serum was collected after centrifuge. S100β protein and NSE concentration were analyzed usingELISA. Mini-mental state examinations (MMSE) were scored by the same doctor at T0, T1, T2, and T3,respectively.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in MMSE scores, serum S1000 protein, or NSE at TO (P > 0.05). Compared with TO, S100 P protein and NSE concentration increased and MMSE scores decreased at T1, T2, and T3 in the two groups. All indices except S100P protein and NSE at T3 were statistically different between Group L and Group S (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSerum S100P protein and NSE could be changed by pre-operation injecting Ligustrazine at certain dose in elderly patients undergoing orthopedics operations.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Humans ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; blood ; Pyrazines ; therapeutic use ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; blood

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)gene susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)by familial studies.Methods PCR-based re- striction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP)was applied to genotype single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) G261T of the ACE gene.A total of 119 patients with SLE from 119 families were recruited.In addition,316 family members of these patients were also genotyped.A family-based association study was carried out to ex- plore the association between gene polymorphism and SLE.We studied the SNP encoding non-synonymous substitution in the ACE gene with respect to genetic susceptibility to SLE.Results Among 119 SLE patients. the frequency of ACEG261TG,T alleles was 44.8%.55.2% respectively,the frequency of ACEG261T GG,GT and TT genotypes was 13.9%,62.0%,24.1% respectively,Univariate(single-marker)family-based association test(FBAT)demonstrated that variant alleles at the SNP,rs4303,exon 5 of ACE gene were significantly asso- ciated with genetic susceptibility to SLE in Additive Model(Z=2.877,P=0.004),Dominant Model(Z=2.557, P=0.011).Recessive Model(Z=2.202,P=0.028).Transmission-disequilibrium test(TDT)and sib transmission -disequilibrium test(STDT)showed an excess of the allele of T from heterozygous parents to affected offspring or higher frequency of the allele of T in the patients than their normal siblings(X~2=11.66,P=0.001).Conclu- sion Our findings suggest that the ACE gene may he the susceptible gene to SLE in Chinese population,and the individuals carrying ACE-261T allele is significantly associated with susceptibility to SLE.

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of child-bearing age women with reproductive tract infection (RTI) and related risk factors in the rural area of Shandong so as to develop measurements on prevention.

METHODSFour communities were randomly selected based on economic levels and a baseline investigation on RTI was carried out.

RESULTSA total prevalence rate of RTI was 47.57% with breakdown for four communities-Zhucheng, Zhangqiu, Daiyue and Wudi as 53.91%, 41.49%, 48.37%, 44.88% respectively. Nearly 60% of women at child-bearing age were ignorant on sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Risk factors of RTI would include incorrect perineum cleanout, bad habit of sexual intercourse and low education level of the husbands.

CONCLUSIONHigh prevalence of RTI was associated with low level of education, lack of awareness on STD related hygiene and low rate of seeing doctor for RTI disorder in those women. The results of this study would benefit to the development of intervention measurement of RTI.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Infection ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Reproduction ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Spouses ; statistics & numerical data ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the change of plasma visfatin level and the relationship of plasma visfatin level to body mass index(BMI),waist hip ratio(WHR),blood glucose,plasma insulin levels as well as other factors in the subjects with different glucose tolerances.Methods Fasting and glucose loading 2 h plasma visfatin levels were assayed by ELISA in patients with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance(IGT),and controls.The relationship of plasma visfatin level with BMI,HOMA-IR,blood lipids,plasma glucose,plasma insulin,free fatty acids(FFA)levels were also analyzed.Results Fasting and glucose loading 2 h plasma visfatin levels in the type 2 diabetic patients were significantly reduced compared with controls[(11.63?7.48)?g/L vs (16.82?6.06)?g/L and (12.02?6.86)?g/L vs (16.26?7.78)?g/L,both P＜0.05],and the level of plasma visfatin in IGT was lower than that in diabetics and higher than controls.The level of visfatin in obese subjects was modestly higher than that in non-obese subjects,but the difference is not significant.Plasma visfatin level was positively correlated with WHR(r=0.42,P＜0.01),and negatively with 2 h plasma glucose after glucose loading(2hPG)and HbA_(1C)(r=-0.33,P＜0.01 and r=-0.25,both P＜0.05).Multiple regression analysis showed that fasting plasma glucose,WHR,2hPG,high density lipoprotein cholesterol and HbA_(1C) were independent related factors in influencing plasma visfatin levels.Conclusion The change of visfatin level is associated with glucose metabolism,which may contribute,in part,to the pathogenesis of diabetes and obesity.