Objective To establish animal model of arterial vulnerable plaques for molecular imaging study.Methods Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into high lipid diet+balloon-injury group (A),high lipid diet group (B)and regular diet group (C).Ultrasound (US)and magnetic resonance (MR)imaging were used to dynamically observe the formation of plaque in abdominal aorta. Results were compared with blood lipid level and pathological indicators.Results At 4 weeks,several plaques could be seen in group A.The plaque number increased rapidly and reached to 22 at 12 weeks,which was in parallel with the change of blood lipid. Only a few plaques were observed in group B,while no vulnerable plaque was revealed in group C.All the plaques were judged to be soft plaques on US and MR images,which was consistent with the macrophages gathering and smooth muscle cell proliferating in plaques.Conclusion High lipid diet+balloon-injury is an ideal method to build animal model for molecular imaging of atherosclerotic plaque.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of transumbilical single-site single-port with that of transumbilical single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the treatment of varicocele in adolescents.

METHODSWe randomly assigned 80 varicocele patients aged 10 - 16 years to two groups of equal number to receive transumbilical single-site single-port and single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomy, respectively. We compared the operation time, postoperative hospital stay, incisional pain, complications and satisfaction with the abdominal cosmetic outcomes between the two groups.

RESULTSAll the operations were successfully performed. The double-port group showed a significantly higher score on the Visual Analogue Scale than the single-port group (4.8 +/- 1.4 vs 3.6 +/- 1.1, t = -4.986, P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences between the two groups in the operation time ([29.8 +/- 4.2] vs [31.2 +/- 4.6] min, t = 1.383, P = 0.171), postoperative hospital stay ([1.95 +/- 0.7] vs [1.82 +/- 0.8] d, t = -0.784, P = 0.436), complications (0 vs 0) and scores on the satisfaction with abdominal cosmetic outcomes (4.6 +/- 0.6 vs 4.8 +/- 0.5, t = 1.253, P = 0.214). No recurrence, umbilical hernia, hydrocele and orchiatrophy were found in the two groups of patients at 6 months after operation, and no visible scar was observed on the abdominal surface.

CONCLUSIONWith strict surgical indications, single-site single-port and single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomies have similar clinical effects in the treatment of varicocele, which leave no scar on the abdominal surface. Single-site double-port laparoscopy needs no special instruments and therefore is worthier of wide clinical application.

Adolescent ; Child ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Operative Time ; Umbilicus ; surgery ; Varicocele ; surgery

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms and related factors among VDT operators in bank. The subjects were 950 women workers. The characteristics of subjects were 26.6 years of average age, 5.7 years of average VDT use duration and 6.5 hours of daily VDT use time. The results were as follows. The prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms more than severe in Likert scale were 51.4%, 43.9% at the shoulder, 38.3%, 31.8% at the lower back, 38.0%, 31.3% at the neck, 31.2%, 25.2% at the upper back, 21.7%, 16.5% at the wrist and 13.6%, 8.8% at the fingers (while on duty, after home-coming). General characteristic variables affecting the musculoskeletal symptoms were married, number of child and daily house-working time. Work-related factors affecting the musculoskeletal symptoms were VDT working career, daily working time, daily VDF use time, VDF use time without rest, daily work-load and regular rest. As the result of the multiple logistic regression analysis, daily working time, daily VDT use time and VDT working career were significant variables accounting for the musculoskeletal symptoms.
Child ; Cumulative Trauma Disorders ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Neck ; Prevalence* ; Shoulder ; Wrist

Objective To investigate the effects of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients,and to evaluate the relationship between brain reorganization and motor recovery.Methods Nine AIS patients and 9 healthy volunteers were assessed by fMR1 during passive finger clenching at a pace of 1 Hz.The fMRI results were analyzed using SPM2 software.Lateral indices (LIs) and activated regions were calculated,and the relationship between LI and muscle strength was examined.Results In the control group,activation was observed in the contralateral sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and the bilateral supplementary area (SMA) during the passive movement.In the AIS group,similar results were recorded dur- ing unaffected hand movement,but the ipsilateral activation areas were greater than those on the eontralateral side during movement of the affected hand.LI results confirmed that movement of the affected hand mainly elici- ted activation in the ipsilateral hemisphere.Conclusion The different fMRI manifestations of patients and nor- mal subjects reflect brain compensation,and fMRI is valuable for studying the correlation between motor function and brain reorganization.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of multi-modalities in the reconstruction of circumferential defects after resection of cancers in pharyngoesophageal regions, and to compare the pros and cons between different surgical procedures.

METHODSAccording to the nature and extend of defects, five different methods including pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, laryngeal tube replacement, free jejunum, free forearm flap and gastric pull-up were used to reconstruct the circumferential pharyngoesophageal defects in 72 patients. Function of deglutition and restoration of swallowing was regularly followed up and objectively evaluated.

RESULTSA total of 35 cases of pectoralis major myocutaneous (PM) flaps, 8 cases of laryngeal tube replacement, 12 cases of free jejunum, 12 cases of free forearm flaps and 16 cases of gastric pull-up were performed. Different complications including wound infection, pharyngeal fistula, partial necrosis of PM flap, partial necrosis of gastric wall, stricture of anastomotic site were encountered in 15 cases. All patients survived the operation except one due to partial necrosis of the gastric wall. Two of 4 patients who developed anastomotic stricture can ingest half-liquid food, the remaining cases regained normal deglutition function. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 1. 6 years with 2-year survival rate of 45.3%.

CONCLUSIONSCircumferential defects resulting from resection of carcinomas in pharyngoesophageal region can be reconstructed with different operative techniques depending on the nature and extend of the defects. Once the operative indications are properly selected, the good reconstructive results are to be achieved.

Adult ; Aged ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagus ; surgery ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVETo check the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (Lif) mRNA, and to study the impact of ovarian stimulation on the ability of embryo implantation in mice.

METHODSPregnancy models of mice were established. The relationship between the implantation of ovarian stimulated embryos and the expression of Lif mRNA in mice metrium was analyzed.

RESULTSThe group of recipients which the transfered embryos were from stimulated cycles had lower pregnancy and implantation rate compared with the group of recipients which the transfered embryos were from non-stimulated cycles (20.00%, 8.33% vs 55.00%, 35.00%). The Lif mRNA expression was similar in the groups of recipients which the transfered embryos were from stimulated and non-stimulated cycles, so was in the groups of recipients which had single or more than one baby, but higher in the group of pregnancy recipients than in the group of unpregnancy recipients.

CONCLUSIONOvarian stimulation may reduce the ability of embryo implantation in mice. Lif mRNA expression is related to the implantation, but not parallel to the number of implantation.

Animals ; Embryo Implantation ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Gastric metaplasia of the duodenum is thought to be associated with the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer. We investigated the pathological features of gastric metaplasia and their relation to age, gender, duodenal ulcer and H. pylori infection. METHODS: We reviewed the duodenal endoscopic findings of 535 patients (age range: 0 to 87) and the microscopic slides of the duodenal biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Gastric metaplasia was first noted at the age of 4 and the prevalence increased thereafter until the patients' mean age reached about 30. The prevalence of gastric metaplasia was 53.7% after 30 years of age. As the metaplasia became severer, it became more polypoid in appearance and it more often contained parietal cells. Gastric metaplasia was more frequently observed or severe in duodenal ulcer patients, in males and in the first portion of the duodenum than in patients without duodenal ulcer, in females and in the second portion, respectively. There was a lack of correlation between gastric metaplasia and H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and/or severity of gastric metaplasia of the duodenum increases with age, and it is thought that most duodenal ulcers develop in the areas of gastric metaplasia.
Biopsy ; Duodenal Ulcer* ; Duodenum* ; Female ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Male ; Metaplasia* ; Prevalence ; Rabeprazole

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of premature ejaculation (PE) with central lumber intervertebral disc herniation (CLIDH) and the pathogenesis of PE, and to search for a convenient, effective and non-invasive method for the treatment of PE.

METHODSA total of 263 selected PE patients underwent CT, and those that were found with CLIDH were randomized into a treatment group (n=180) and a control (n=60), the former treated by lumbar traction and the latter with sertraline hydrochloride tablets, both for 24 weeks. CIPE-5 scores of all the patients were analyzed, and the ejaculation latency and sexual satisfaction were recorded before and after the treatment.

RESULTSAmong the 263 PE patients, CLIDH was confirmed in 240 (91%). After the treatment, CIPE-5 scores, ejaculation latency and sexual satisfaction were markedly improved in the treatment group, with significant statistic difference from pre-treatment (P < 0.01). Significant differences were also observed between the treatment and the control groups after the treatment (P < 0.05), but not in the control group between pre- and post-treatment.

CONCLUSIONCLIDH may be one of the important causes of most "unexplainable" PE cases. And lumbar traction, non-invasive, highly effective and easily manipulable, has provided a new access to the diagnosis and treatment of the PE patients with CLIDH.

Adult ; Ejaculation ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; complications ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; etiology ; therapy ; Traction

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effect of Linbiqing decoction on chronic prostatitis following sexually transmitted disease (CPFSTD).

METHODSLinbiqing decotion was given orally to 36 patients with CPFSTD, and the therapeutic effet was assessed by observing the clinical symptoms and measuring the objective indexes before and after the treatment.

RESULTSFour to eight weeks after the drug administration, the overall effectivity rate was 72.22%, and the scores of NIH-CPSI were decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONLinbiqing decoction has definite therapeutic effect on CPFSTD, and can be considered as an effective means for the treatment of the disease.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; complications

Objective To study the risk factors on anemia among elderly women in rural areas of Xiuning county, Anhui province, China. Methods Xiuning county was selected as working field and elderly women aged 50-75y were selected as subjects. Finger hemoglobin (Hb) was measured and basic health survey was face-to-face interviewed. 220 elderly women with anemia entered into the ease group; and matched by age, another 220 women with normal Hb concentration entered the control group. Survey on diet, questionnaire regarding health and lifestyle and related blood indexes were studied and tested. Results When comparing the data from both case and control groups, weight was (49.4±7.3) kg vs. (52.5±8.4) kg (t= 3.97,P<0.01 ), waist circumference was (75.8±7.8) cm vs. (79.1±9.3) cm (t=3.85,P<0.01), BMI was (21.8±2.6) kg/m2 vs. ( 22.9±3.2) kg/m2 (t = 3.775, P< 0.01 ), respectively. The total protein was ( 76.4± 5.0) g/L vs. (78.4±5.6)g/L (t=3.83 ,P<0.01 ), albumin was (45.7±3.1 ) g/L vs. (47.3±2.9)g/L (t=5.24, P<0.01 ), serum iron was ( 10.3±4.1 ) μmol/L vs. ( 12.7±4.6) μmol/L (t=5.48, P<0.01 ), and saturation of transferrin was ( 19.0±7.6)% vs. (23.1±9.1 )% (t=4.90, P<0.01 ), respectively. Results from multifactor conditioned logistic regression analysis showed that the odd ratios (OR) for anemia with staple food, BMI and vitamin A were 1.54, 1.89, 1.69, and the OR for anemia with BMI, staple food, animal food, carbohydrate and vitamin A were 2.0, 1.6, 1.6, 1.4, 1.6, with their confidence intervals (CI) as 1.3-2.9, 1.1-2.3,1.0-2.3,1.0-2.1, 1.1-2.4, respectively. Conclusion The quality of diet, health status and related blood indexes on anemia among elderly women were lower than that in control group. Lower BMI, less staple food and animal food, less carbohydrate and vitamin A intake appeared to be risk factors of anemia.