Objective To assess the prenatal features of dural sinus malformation (DSM) by ultrasound. Methods The prenatal ultrasonography and MRI examination were applied in three fetuses who were suspected as brain abnormalities and transferred to Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital for detailed antenatal ultrasound examination. Comparative analysis was performed on MRI, autopsy and prenatal ultrasonography. The prenatal characteristics were summarized. Results In the sonograms of all three cases, the torcular Herophili and superior sagittal sinus were dilated. No blood lfow was detected within or around lesions by color Doppler imaging. Posterior intracranial dual sinus thrombosis was detected in one case. MRI examinations were applied in two fetuses. The results of prenatal ultrasonography were consisted with those of MRI, MRI imaging showed dilated torcular Herophili and superior sagittal sinus with short T1 and short T2 signal. The thrombosis was presented as iso-hypointense with focal eccentric hyperintense. One case was undertook autopsy and the result was consisted with the prenatal sonographic findings. Conclusions The typical sonographic features of DSM is dilated torcular Herophili and superior sagittal sinus with no blood lfow in color Doppler imaging. DSM should be excluded when anechoic area was detected at the rear part of midline.

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of 8-hydroxyguanine glycosidase OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism with semen quality and the risk of male infertility.

METHODSThis case-control study included 620 idiopathic infertile patients and 385 normal fertile controls. We determined their genotypes by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and analyzed their semen quality by computer-aided semen analysis (CASA).

RESULTSThe individuals with OGG1 326 Cys/Cys showed significantly lower sperm motility and concentration ([52.1 +/- 26.7]% and (3.75 +/- 0.91) x 10(6)/ml, ln transformed value) than the Ser/Ser carriers ([59.0 +/- 21.8] % and (4.12 +/- 0.88) x 10(6)/ml, ln transformed value) (P < 0.05). The risk of male infertility increased 69% in the OGG1 326Cys allele carriers as compared with the Ser carriers (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.24 -2.31).

CONCLUSIONOGG1 326 Ser/Cys polymorphism might contribute to the risk of male infertility in the southern Chinese population.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Glycosylases ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Semen Analysis ; Young Adult

To optimize indices of molecular identification for authentication of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix, four indices, including sequence similarity, specific positions, genetic distance and phylogenetic tree, were compared based on trnL-trnF sequences. Total DNA was extracted from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix, and trL-trnF sequences were amplified and sequenced. Sequence similarity was calculated by BLAST analysis. Specific positions were compared by DNAman software. Genetic distance and phylogenetic tree were analyzed by Mega software. The results showed that the inter-specific and intra-specific similarity of P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius respectively was 100% and 99. 6%. There were four specific positions at G153A, T463A, C732G and T818C. The inter-specific genetic distance (0) of trL-trnF sequences was lower than intra-specific genetic distance (0. 004). P. ginseng can be distinguished from P. quinquefolius based on the phylogenetic tree. It is concluded that Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix can be authenticated by identification indices of sequence similarity, specific positions, genetic distance and phylogenetic tree. Index of specific positions based on trnL-trnF sequences is the most efficient index to authenticate Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix.
Chloroplasts ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; Panax ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Rhizome ; classification ; genetics

Objective To investigate the evaluation value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) combined with S-100B protein in the severity and prognosis in patients with acute subdural hematoma ( ASDH).Methods Eighty cases of ASDH patients and 20 cases of healthy check-up were selected.MRS was used to test NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, NAA/Cho, and Glx /Cr in thalamus and corpus callosum.The blood S-100B protein was detected in 72 h after injury.The relationships of those MRS detection indices with glasgow coma scale ( GCS) and glasgow prognostic score ( GOS) for 2 months after injury were analyzed .Results MRS detection in-dex and the S100B protein in ASDH were compared between each group relative to normal control group , all difference had statistical significance ( P <0.05).As aggravating the severity of traumatic brain injury , Cho/Cr, Glx/Cr ratio, and S-100B protein concentra-tion were elevated , and NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr were reduced .All differences were statistically significant among poor recovery , good recovery, and normal control groups ( P <0.05).For patients with traumatic brain injury, there were worse prognosis, the higher ra-tios of Cho/Cr and Glx/Cr, higher concentration of S-100B protein, and lower ratios of NAA/Cho and of NAA/Cr.GCS score and GOS scores were negatively correlated with Cho/Cr and Glx/Cr ratios of corpus callosum , and were positively correlated with NAA/Cho, NAA/Cr ratios of corpus callosum .S-100B protein was positively correlated with Cho/Cr and Glx/Cr, and was negatively correlated with NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr.MRS combined S-100B can improve the prognosis of patients with up to the accuracy of 81%.Conclu-sions MRS detection in the early stage after injury of ASDH patients has important value in assessment of the severity of the injury and its prognosis , the accuracy of assessment of prognosis is improved with a combination of MRS detection and blood S -100 B protein meas-urement.

OBJECTIVE: A novel technology for detection of diatom was discussed. METHODS: Five grams of testing sample were taken and the organics were removed using simple mechanical knead pulp method. The homogenized samples were concentrated by centrifugation, smeared, and then examined under light microscope. RESULTS: Except for a few feather's grains, the vast majority of diatom could be identified easily with clear diatom striations. The organic diatom could also be easily detected by this methodology. CONCLUSION The detection of diatom using knead pulp method is not only simple and inexpensive with a higher successful rate, but also causes nearly no harm to human and environment.
Calcium/metabolism* ; Diatoms/ultrastructure* ; Drowning/diagnosis* ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Microscopy/methods* ; Specimen Handling/methods* ; Tooth

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pathomorphologic changes between the pancreas in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and that in acute deaths of rats (within 48 hours) so as to find the distinctions. METHODS: The animal models of ANP and other acute deaths (electroshock, mechanic asphyxia/strangle, and acute poisoning with tetramine) were established according to the criteria. Half-quantitative grading and image quantitative analysis methods were employed to observe the gross and microscopic changes of the pancreases. RESULTS: Three features including inflammation infiltrate, fat necrosis and calcium deposit in the ANP group were considerably different from that in other acutely died rat group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Inflammation infiltrate, fat necrosis and calcium deposit are the most important pathologic features found in ANP by common light microscope, distinguishing ANP from postmortem pancreatic autolysis.
Animals ; Autolysis ; Female ; Forensic Pathology ; Male ; Pancreas/pathology* ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing/pathology* ; Poisoning/pathology* ; Postmortem Changes ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of curcumin on the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the expression level of c-fos protein following hypoxia ischemia brain damage (HIBD) in rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dauley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups as the following: sham group, hypoxia ischemia brain damage group, curcumin group and solvent control group. The content of MDA in the brain was measured by colorimetry. The expression level of c-fos protein in the cortex tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. Morphologic and structural changes of neuron cells of the cortex were observed by electron microscopy. RESULTS: The content of MDA was clearly lower in curcumin group than that in the other groups at the same time after HIBD. The expression level of c-fos protein was higher in the curcumin group than that in the other groups (P<0.05). Electron microscopy showed that the morphologic and structural changes of neuron cells of cortex in the curcumin group were reduced. CONCLUSION Curcumin could significantly decrease the content of MDA, increase the expression level of c-fos protein and reduce the damage of the neuron cells.
Animals ; Curcumin/pharmacology* ; Forensic Pathology ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/pathology* ; Male ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism* ; Neurons/pathology* ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism* ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the significance of forensic autopsy in medical tangle. METHODS: Ninety autopsy cases of medical legal dispute were retrospectively analyzed from the database of our department from 2001 to 2008. All cases were analyzed and classified based on age, sex, cause of death, clinic diagnosis and forensic diagnosis. RESULTS: The age ranged from 1 day to 72 years, and the ratios of male to female is 1:1. The most common healthcare facilities involved were county hospitals (30 cases, 33.33%). The coincidence rate between clinical diagnoses and pathological diagnoses was 33.33%. CONCLUSION The forensic autopsy is valuable to solve or even avoid the occurrence of medical legal dispute.
Adult ; Aged ; Autopsy ; Cardiovascular Diseases/pathology* ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Malpractice/legislation & jurisprudence* ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Tract Diseases/pathology* ; Young Adult

The fruit of Lycium ruthenicum is a common folk medicine in China. Now it is popular for its antioxidative effect and other medical functions. The adulterants of the herb confuse consumers. In order to identify a new adulterant of L. ruthenicum, a research was performed based on NCBI Nucleotide Database ITS Sequence, combined analysis of the origin and morphology of the adulterant to traceable varieties. Total genomic DNA was isolated from the materials, and nuclear DNA ITS sequences were amplified and sequenced; DNA fragments were collated and matched by using ContingExpress. Similarity identification of BLAST analysis was performed. Besides, the distribution of plant origin and morphology were considered to further identification and verification. Families and genera were identified by molecular identification method. The adulterant was identified as plant belonging to Berberis. Origin analysis narrowed the range of sample identification. Seven different kinds of plants in Berberis were potential sources of the sample. Adulterants variety was traced by morphological analysis. The united molecular identification-origin-morphology research proves to be a preceding way to medical herbs traceability with time-saving and economic advantages and the results showed the new adulterant of L. ruthenicum was B. kaschgarica. The main differences between B. kaschgarica and L. ruthenicum are as follows: in terms of the traits, the surface of B. kaschgarica is smooth and crispy, and that of L. ruthenicum is shrinkage, solid and hard. In microscopic characteristics, epicarp cells of B. aschgarica thickening like a string of beads, stone cells as the rectangle, and the stone cell walls of L. ruthenicum is wavy, obvious grain layer. In molecular sequences, the length of ITS sequence of B. kaschgarica is 606 bp, L. ruthenicum is 654 bp, the similarity of the two sequences is 53.32%.
Berberis ; classification ; cytology ; genetics ; China ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; chemistry ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Lycium ; classification ; cytology ; genetics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the co-effect of Demand-control-support (DCS) model and Effort-reward Imbalance (ERI) model on the risk estimation of depression in humans in comparison with the effects when they are used respectively.

METHODSA total of 3 632 males and 1 706 females from 13 factories and companies in Henan province were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Perceived job stress was evaluated with the Job Content Questionnaire and Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (Chinese version). Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

RESULTSDC (demands/job control ratio) and ERI were shown to be independently associated with depressive symptoms. The outcome of low social support and overcommitment were similar. High DC and low social support (SS), high ERI and high overcommitment, and high DC and high ERI posed greater risks of depressive symptoms than each of them did alone. ERI model and SS model seem to be effective in estimating the risk of depressive symptoms if they are used respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe DC had better performance when it was used in combination with low SS. The effect on physical demands was better than on psychological demands. The combination of DCS and ERI models could improve the risk estimate of depressive symptoms in humans.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Stress, Psychological