Calcinosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Globus Pallidus ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Osteogenesis Imperfecta ; complications ; genetics ; Skull ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To explore the tumor cell apoptosis induced by the effect in vitro of eukaryotic ex pression of full-length TRAIL cDNA and its extracellular region. Methods The eukaryotic expression vectors for both forms of the cDNA acquired from the fetal heart cDNA library were constructed. After gene transfecting, the stable expression cell lines were obtained by G418 screening. Results The supernatants from tansfectants could induce apoptosis of different tumor cell lines in vitro, and an enhanced effect was observed by adding TFAR19 (TF-1 cell apoptosis-related protein 19), a novel apoptosis gene product discovered in our laboratory. Conclusion Eukaryotic expression products of TRAIL can induce apoptosis of the tumor cells, and TFAR19 could enhance the effect on apoptosis of tumor cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the acceptability and influential factors of Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT) among the Chinese and Ethiopian peacekeepers in Liberia so as to conduct more effective health education of AIDS and enhance the acceptance of VCT.

METHODSAn anonymous questionnaire was used to investigate the attitudes to VCT among 518 Chinese (aged 23-51) and 648 Ethiopian (aged 25-49) peacekeepers in Liberia.

RESULTSThe rates of those who claimed to have never heard of HIV/AIDS were 8.1% and 7.9% in the Chinese and Ethiopian subjects respectively, with no significant differences (P > 0.05) in between. Among those who had heard of HIV/ AIDS, 407 (85.5%) Chinese and 449 (75.2%) Ethiopians expressed their willingness to accept VCT, with a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the two groups. Statistic analysis indicated that the acceptance of VCT was as- sodiated with schooling and knowledge on HIV/AIDS in both groups as well as with the susceptibility to HIV among the Ethiopian subjects.

CONCLUSIONThe acceptability of VCT is obviously lower among those with less schooling and less knowledge of HIV/AIDS. It is important to carry out information-oriented education to increase VCT acceptability among the peacekeepers in the area with a high incidence of AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; prevention & control ; China ; Counseling ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Ethiopia ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Liberia ; Male ; Mass Screening ; methods ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Military Personnel ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective: To investigate the accuracy and repeatability of contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography for measurements of right ventricular structure and function. Methods: The apical four-chamber views and the three-dimensional full-volume images of the right heart were collected from 12 beagles with unenhanced and contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography. The intimal display rate of the right ventricular segments, right ventricular end diastolic longitudinal dimension (RVLD), right ventricular end diastolic area (RVEDA), right ventricular end systolic area (RVESA) and right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) were evaluated respectively with two-dimensional unenhanced and contrast-enhanced echocardiography. Right ventricular three-dimensional full-volume images were processed and analyzed by TomTec software, and right ventricular end diastolic volume (RVEDV), right ventricular end systolic volume (RVESV) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were measured respectively with three-dimensional unenhanced and contrast-enhanced echocardiography. The measurements of pathological specimen were taken as the gold standard, the accuracies of measuring RVEDVand RVLD by different methods were evaluated. All indexes were measured repeatedly by the same observer and different observers to assess the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilities of different methods. Results: ①The intimal display rate of the right ventricular segments was higher with contrast-enhanced echocardiography than that with unenhanced echocardiography (P<0.05). ②The measurements of RVEDV by three-dimensional contrast-enhanced echocardiography correlated well with the measurements by anatomical specimens. And the correlation was higher (0.916 vs 0.843), the consistency was better than that by unenhanced echocardiography. The measurements of RVLD by two-dimensional contrast-enhanced echocardiography correlated well with the measurements by anatomical specimens. And the correlation was higher (0.928 vs 0.850), the consistency was better than that by unenhanced echocardiography. ③For inter- and intraobservers reproducibilities, the interclass correlation coefficients of RVLD, RVEDV, RVESV, RVEF, RVEDA, RVESA, RVFAC with contrast-enhanced echocardiography were higher and 95% confidence interval ranges were smaller than those with unenhanced echocardiography. Conclusions Contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography can improve the accuracy and repeatability for measurements of right ventricular structure and function, providing a new evaluation method for patients with poor image quality of the right ventricle in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVETo describe the clinical manifestations and lung imaging characteristics of the human transmissible highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.

METHODSThe clinical manifestations and lung imaging characteristics of human transmissible highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in one patient were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTSThe patient had the clear history of occupational exposure. The fever and symptoms of influenza were prominent at onset and associated with the symptoms of the digestive tract. The laboratory findings comprised the significant decrease of the white blood cell count and the lymphocyte number and the impairment of the liver function and the myocardial enzymes. The disease progressed rapidly and multiple organs including lung, heart, liver and kidneys were involved. It was ineffective to administer anti-fungal, anti-virus and anti-inflammation medicines. It was in vain to use mechanical ventilation and pneumothorax intubation and closed drainage as well as the support therapy. In the X-ray film, the lesions progressed quickly and changed diversely with absorption and development at the same time. The nasal and throat swabs and the gargle specimen were detected with RT-PCR and real time PCR by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The results showed that both the specific HA and NA genes of the avian influenza virus H5N1 subtype were positive and in the same time a strain of avian influenza virus A/jiangxi/1/2005H5N1) was separated and obtained from the nasal and throat swabs. The autopsy showed that diffuse injury of alveolus in lungs, DIC and multiple organ injury.

CONCLUSIONThe human transmissible highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza is a lethal disease. The disease progresses rapidly with the absorption and development at the same time in the lungs and unfortunately there are no effective therapeutic measures. The prevention of the contagious disease for the occupationally exposed population should be emphasized.

Adult ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects

UNLABELLEDThis study is conducted to explore an effective culture method for supporting the embryo development. The cattle fetal ear fibroblasts and the goat fetal ear fibroblasts are transplanted into the enucleated cattle oocytes separately by oocyte intraplasmic nuclear injection method to construct bovine cloned embryos and goat-bovine cloned embryos. The embryos are first cultivated in modified charles rosenkrans 2 amino acid medium (mCR2aa) and modified synthetic oviduct fluid medium (mSOF) separately. Then BSA (8 mg/mL) or FBS (10%) can be added to mSOF according to the different culture period. The supplements and orders, added during the first three days and after three days are as follow: BSA and BSA, BSA and FBS, FBS and BSA, FBS and FBS. On the basis of the cleavage rate, 8/16-cell rate, blastocysts rate and total cell number of blastocysts, the best culture way can be screened out.

RESULTFirst, cleavage rate, 8/16-cell rate, blastocysts rate and total cell number of blastocysts, cultivated in mSOF solution are all higher than those cultivated in mCR2aa( P < 0.05). Second, the cleavage rate and 8/16-cell rate, adding BSA and FBS into mSOF, are in turn 79.8% +/- 7.1%, 49.7% +/- 3.5%, 21.5% +/- 1.8%, and 115.2 +/- 4.3 in bovine cloned embryo, and 40.1% +/- 6.3%, 29.2% +/- 2.0%, 13.4% +/- 2.1% and 100.1 +/- 3.0 in goat-bovine cloned embryo, which are significant higher than other culture groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe goat-bovine cloned embryo can be cultivated by the optimized culture measure of bovine cloned embryo. The best culture ways of bovine cloned embryo and goat-bovine cloned embryo are all to use mSOF supplemented BSA in the first three days and then use mSOF supplemented FBS in the next five days.

Animals ; Cattle ; embryology ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cloning, Organism ; veterinary ; Ear, External ; cytology ; Embryo Culture Techniques ; methods ; veterinary ; Embryonic Development ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; transplantation ; Goats ; embryology ; physiology ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Oocytes ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo study the X-ray and CT findings of traumatic bronchial rupture for early radiographic diagnosis and treatment.

METHODSThe chest plain X-ray films and CT images of 21 patients with traumatic bronchial rupture confirmed by operations or bronchoscopy were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe main radiographic findings of traumatic bronchial rupture included interrupted tracheobronchial air column, atelectasis, lung ptosis, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax or hydropneumothorax. CT scanning also revealed tracheobronchial wall defect, bronchostenosis, and bronchial occlusion, displacement and angulation.

CONCLUSIONChest plain X-ray film combined with CT scanning has important values for early diagnosis of traumatic bronchial rupture.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bronchi ; injuries ; surgery ; Bronchoscopy ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Bardet-Biedl Syndrome ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Child ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo transfect antisense vector of human cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene into COX-2 highly expressing cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC939 and explore its biological activities and role in carcinogenesis.

METHODSQBC939 cells were transfected with antisense vector of human COX-2 gene using LipoVec transfecting technique. Transfected cells were selected with G418; COX-2 mRNA was examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and COX-2 protein expression was detected by immunocytochemistry using isozyme selective antibodies. The proliferative status of transfected cells was measured by using methabenzthiazuron (MTT) assay; Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by using flow cytometry.

RESULTSRT-PCR showed a lower COX-2 mRNA level in antisense vector transfected cells and immunocytochemistry showed a weaker COX-2 protein expression in antisense vector transfected cells. The antisense vector transfected cells proliferative index decreased significantly (P < 0.01), the percentage of S phase decreased remarkably (P < 0.05) in antisense vector transfected cells (9.27% +/- 1.91%) compared with that in QBC939 cells without transfection(16.35% +/- 2.87%), and the percentage of G0/G1 phase increased remarkably (P < 0.05) in antisense vector transfected cells (75.16% +/- 4.13%) compared with that in QBC939 cells without transfection (57.31% +/- 10.16%). Transfection with antisense vector of human COX-2 gene had no significant influence on the apoptosis in QBC939 cells (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTransfection with antisense vector of human COX-2 gene could inhibit the proliferation of human cholangiocarcinoma QBC939 cells.

Apoptosis ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; DNA, Antisense ; genetics ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology ; Membrane Proteins ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of penoplasty with scrotal skin flap for the treatment of buried penis in children.

METHODSThe narrow ring was cut vertically at the ventral side of penis and the prepuce inner plate was circularly cut 0.5 cm from the coronary sulcus. The prepuce was degloved to the base of penis. The abnormal aponeurosis was removed completely. The prepuce was designed to cover the coronary sulcus. The scrotal flaps at both sides were formed and advanced to cover the penile base. Then the prepuce was sutured to reconstruct penile-scrotal angle and scrotum plasty was completed.

RESULTSFrom March 2009 to July 2011, 24 children with buried penis were treated with scrotal flaps. Adhesion at external orifice of urethra was happened in two cases which recovered after urethra expansion. There was one case of necrosis at the distal end of prepuce. All the cases were followed up for 6 months to 2 years with no penile shrinkage. The penile appearance was good without rotation or lateral curvature during erection.

CONCLUSIONSThe buried penis can be best corrected with scrotal flap. It is an ideal method with less complication.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Scrotum ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome