ObjectiveTo study the value of strain ratio from longitudinal section and cross section in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules using ultrasonic elastography.MethodsA total of 118 patients with 153 thyroid nodules underwent examinations with real-time ultrasonic elastography to obtain the strain ratio from longitudinal section and cross section. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the value of elastography. The nodules are divided into two groups, group one included nodules which were near the isthmus and group two included other nodules. Diagnostic results were compared with pathological results.ResultsThe area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the strain ratios for differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules were 0.906 and 0.844. There was no statistical difference (Z=1.542,P>0.05). The best diagnostic cut-off points of the strain ratios were 3.65 and 3.58. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of the strain ratio from longitudinal section for differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules were 81.2%, 80.8%, 81.0%, 87.2% and 71.2% and those of strain ratio from cross section were 77.2%, 76.9%, 77.1%, 84.4% and 63.4%. In group one, the AUC were 0.903 and 0.830. There was no statistical difference (Z=1.125,P>0.05). The best diagnostic cut-off points were 3.30 and 3.28. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of the strain ratio from longitudinal section for differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules were 86.2%, 68.8%, 80.0%, 83.3% and 73.3% and those of strain ratio from cross section were 78.6%, 58.8%, 71.1%, 75.9% and 62.5%. In group two, the AUC were 0.906 and 0.852. There was no statistical difference (Z=0.936,P>0.05). The best diagnostic cut-off points were 3.33 and 3.71. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of the strain ratio from longitudinal section for differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules were 90.1%, 75.7%, 85.2%, 87.7% and 80.0% and those of strain ratio from cross section were 84.7%, 70.3%, 80.6%, 83.6% and 72.2%. ConclusionReal-time ultrasonic elastography is helpful to the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules, but there is no statistical difference between the strain ratio from longitudinal section and cross section.

Abstract: The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique is a technique for the specific and efficient amplification of target fragments at a constant temperature using two pairs of specially designed primers and a strand displacement activity DNA polymerase. LAMP technique is a simple, rapid, specific, sensitive and cost-effective nucleic acid amplification method, and therefore has a promising future in the field rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and grassroots applications. In this review, the basic principles and characteristics of the LAMP technique, the main molecular markers for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, and the use of different molecular markers and various types of novel techniques in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and drug-resistant tuberculosis were described. The LAMP technique has been widely used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis with high sensitivity and specificity, but the technique still has some shortcomings. This paper reviews the progress of its application in tuberculosis in recent years and provides an outlook on its development, with a view to providing a rational research direction for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in a resource-limited environment.

Background: Port wine stains slowly grow thicker over time, nodules appear on the surface, and the color slowly deepens from pink to purple. Even after laser treatment, some port wine stains will recur and slowly grow, and the erythema appears again. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of bleomycin in com‑ bination with triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of inhibiting the proliferation and recurrence of port wine stains. Results: Histopathological change: Before treatment, dense capillaries were distributed within the lesion, and blood fills the lumen. Lack of normal skin structure: After bleomycin and triamcinolone acetonide injection, the number of capillaries was significantly reduced, and fibrosis occurred in tissues. Changes in facial morphology: After treatment, the port wine stains became thinner, the asymmetry of the face was effectively improved, and the appearance have been significantly improved. After 5 years of follow-up, there were no recurrent cases. Conclusion Bleomycin and triamcinolone acetonide injection can effectively inhibit the proliferation of port wine stains and prevent port wine stains from recurring after treatment.

In order to establish the stable andreliable ISSR-PCR System of Lysimachia christinae, L16 (4(5)) orthogonal design, which based on 7 levels of single factor experiment, were used in this study. The variance analysis was carried out by SPSS 19.0, and 5 main factors affecting the reaction system were optimized in 4 levels. The best annealing temperature was selected by the optimized reaction system. And the stability and reliability of this system was tested by 23 samples from different origins. The results showed that the five factors (DNA template, primer, dNTP, Mg2+ and Taq enzyme) were the most impacts on the amplified results of ISSR-PCR of L. christinae. The order of the influence was: primer > Taq enzyme > DNA template > Mg2+ > dNTP. The optimal system, which was determined by multiple comparison on different levels of each factor, was total volume of 25 microL, including DNA template 60 ng, primer 0.3 micromol x L(-1), dNTP 0.2 mmol x L(-1), Mg2+ 1.8 mmol x L(-1), Taq enzyme 1.25 U. The optimal system was stable and reliable tested by 23 samples from different origins. This study lays the foundation for genetic diversity analysis, fine varieties selection and molecular identification of L. christinae, and provides reference for optimization on ISSR-PCR system of other speciesin future.
DNA Primers ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Primulaceae ; classification ; genetics ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVEFacial contour remodeling is an important part of plastic surgery. Some skeletal abnormalities, such as mandible protrude, maxillary retrusion, induce the facial asymmetry (including arrowe direction or/and coronary direction), malocclusion, etc. These abnormalities are seen commonly in the lower one third of the face. Evaluation and preoperative design is very important for the treatment of these abnormalities. The purpose of this item is to summarize our experience in the preoperative design during the treatment.

METHODS AND RESULTSObservation of the facial feature of the patient, cephalometric tracing, face-bow transfer and model reconstruction were necessary for the preoperative design. Three-dimensional direction was included in the bone movement for operation and soft tissue should be taken into account simultaneously. All the factors mentioned above were summarized, and outcomes were gathered.

CONCLUSIONSDetermination of facial midline was very important, especially for asymmetry patient. The bone was moved in three-dimensional direction. The same site of osteotectomy may produce different effects by different movements.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Face ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; surgery ; Rhytidoplasty ; methods ; Young Adult

Huanglian is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb in the ancient and the present. It has a history of 2000 years in clinical application, having the efficacy of "Clear away heat and remove dampness, purge the sthenic fire and eliminate toxic materials", therefore can be used for various diseases or syndromes in types of dampness-heat and fire-toxin by internal or external use. Compound prescriptions mainly based on Huanglian or prescribed by Huanglian, such as Puji Xiaodu Yin, Huanglian Jiedu Tang, Zhusha Anshen Wan, Qingying Tang, Angong Niuhuang Wan, Niuhuang Qingxin Wan, Jiaotai Wan, Huanglian Ejiao Tang, Zuojin Wan, Danggui Longhui Wan, Huanglian Yanggan Wan, Wu Xiexin Tang, Lianpu Yin, Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Tang, Baitouweng Tang, Xianglian Wan etc. All of these are well-known formulas for clearing away toxin of heat-fire of heart and liver, as well as dampness-heat of stomach and intestines. Nowadays, Huanglian is generally considered as a kind of antibiotic and antivirus herb and is widely used for many infective diseases. In fact, it is also used to cure cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer based on pharmacological studies. Having been using Huanglian in treating the above diseases and having conducted clinical and experimental research on cancer and liver diseases, the author observed that Huanglian and its compound prescriptions have obvious effects on liver diseases such as acute or chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer due to types of dampness-heat and fire-toxin. Part of the effects has been proved by experimental research and it is worth carrying out more research in this area for development and clinical application.
Adult ; China ; Digestive System Diseases ; drug therapy ; Drug Prescriptions ; history ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the optimal condition for complete removal of the template molecules from vinblastine (VLB)-imprinted polymer.

METHODThe prepared polymers were packed into the cartridges of solid-phase extraction column and washed by methanol-glacial acetic acid mixture with different proportions. The contents and recoveries of VLB in the effluents were determined.

RESULTSPolymer extraction with methanol-glacial acetic acid (9:1, V/V) resulted in VLB recovery of 91.73%, but template bleeding was observed because of incomplete VLB removal. Using methanol-glacial acetic acid (6:4, V/V) as the extraction solvent, the recovery of VLB reached 98.03% with less solvents and extract times. The polymers could selectively adsorb VLB through non-covalent interactions and still exhibited strong affinity for the template molecule but not for the structural analogue vincristine after extraction with methanol-glacial acetic acid (6:4, V/V).

CONCLUSIONMethanol-glacial acetic acid (6:4, V/V) is an ideal extract solvent for complete template molecule removal from the polymers, and the processed polymers possess stable capacity of specific recognition and selectivity to the template.

Molecular Imprinting ; methods ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Solvents ; chemistry ; Vinblastine ; isolation & purification

BackgroundThe immunotherapy for retinoblastoma(RB) is gradually concerned recent year.To seek relative immune-associated antigen is a basis of immunotherapy.NY-ESO-1 and NY-SAR-35 are two kinds of genes of cancer testis antigen( CTA ).To understand their expressions in RB tissue can offer index for relative study.ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the expressions of two CTA NY-ESO-1 and NY-SAR-35 in RB and explore the possibility of them as potentially promising targets for antigen-specific immunotherapy of RB.Methods The samples were obtained from 15 RB eyes,12 non-tumor retinopathy eyes and 22 normal eyes with other benign eye diseases.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of NY-ESO-1 mRNA and NY-SAR-35 mRNA in the samples.Genes of positive PCR results were sequenced randomly.The relevance of the expression of the two cancer-testis antigen genes with the clinical characteristics such as tumor stage,tumor size and clinical stage were analyzed.This study was approved by Ethic Committee of Guangxi Medical University.Written informed consent was obtained from each patient before operation. Results NY-ESO-1 mRNA was positively expressed in 6 RB samples and NY-SAR-35 mRNA was expressed in 9 RB samples.In the non-tumor retinopathy samples and normal eye tissues,NY-ESO-1 mRNA and NY-SAR-35 mRNA were absent.No significant relevances were found between the expressions of the NY-ESO-1 mRNA and NY-SAR-35 mRNA with clinical characteristics such as age ( P =0.426,0.822 ),gender ( P =0.180,0.464 ),pathological classification ( P =0.744,0.582 ),tumor size ( P =0.760,0.790),and clinical stage ( P =0.868,0.707 ).Conclusions NY-ESO-1 and NY-SAR-35 have high expressing frequencies in RB tissue and their expressions in RB have specificity.These results offer a clue for the identification of targets antigen of RB.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of discs large homolog 4 (DLG4) protein in hippocampus, amygdala and frontal cortex of rats and evaluate postsynaptic density in heroin dependence. METHODS: The rat heroin dependent model was established by increasing intraperitoneal injection of heroin. DLG4 proteins in hippocampus, amygdala and frontal cortex of heroin dependent 9, 18, 36 days rats were detected with immunohistochemical staining and compared with that in the control group. RESULTS: DLG4 proteins in hippocampus, amygdala and frontal cortex were gradually reduced with extension of heroin dependent time. CONCLUSION Heroin dependence can affect postsynaptic density of hippocampus, amygdala and frontal cortex. The changes become more apparent with extension of heroin dependence time.
Amygdala/metabolism* ; Animals ; Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein ; Frontal Lobe/metabolism* ; Heroin/pharmacology* ; Heroin Dependence ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism* ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo observe the change of the muscular fiber phynotype at different condition of nerve injury.

METHODSRabbits were used as an animal model in this study. The trigeminus and facial nerves of the animal were simultaneously severed (group 1) or only the latter was severed (group 2). The morphologic change of the muscular fibers was observed with histochemical methods; the tension of contraction and the threshold value of electrical stimulation were observed with electrical physiological methods.

RESULTSTrigeminus nerve play an important role in delaying muscular atrophy after facial nerve was severed. The atrophy degree of type II a and II b muscular fibers was less in group 2 than that in group 1. The change of type 1 muscular fibers was not affected by trigeminus nerve. New muscular fibers emerged in group 2. The tension of contraction and the threshold value of electrical stimulation were better in group 2 than that of in group 1.

CONCLUSIONSSensory nerve could delay muscle atrophy after denervation. Sensory nerve should be repaired simultaneously when the motor nerve was sutured. The results of this study would facilitate clinical treatment for facial palsy.

Animals ; Denervation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Nerve Diseases ; pathology ; Female ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal ; pathology ; Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch ; pathology ; Rabbits