Objective: To investigate applicability for Boston naming test (30 items) (BNT) in Chinese elderly and identify effect for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's dementia(AD) using BNT. Methods:100 normal elderly, 38 amnesic MCI, 34 mild AD and 38 moderate AD were evaluated by neuropsychological tests (include BNT, mini mental state examination and auditory verbal memory test, etc). MMSE total score of 4 groups were 28.4?1.5, 26.1?2.6, 20.7?1.7, and 15.6?3.3, respectively. Results: Age, sex, level of education were found to be significant factors affecting overall scores of spontaneous naming in normal elderly group. Spontaneous naming score for participants of elementary, high school and college groups were 22.2?3.3, 25.5?2.5 and 26.3?1.8, respectively. Scoring of male participants higher than that of females. Spontaneous naming score of 4 groups were 24.9?3.0, 20.9?3.6, 18.7?4.0 and 15.7?4.2, respectively. As cut-off ≤22 score of spontaneous naming of BNT, the sensitivities for MCI, mild AD and moderate AD were 61%, 79% and 95% respectively; the specificities were all around 81%. Selective impairment of unfamiliar items occurred MCI and mild AD and hold of familiar item across diagnostic groups. Semantic cue naming and recognition ability by BNT showed there was progressive damage in AD patients, but less than that of spontaneous naming of BNT. Conclusion: The ability of naming is influenced by age, gender and educational level. Patients with MCI or mild AD have impairment in naming.

AIM:In order to study the effect of the extracellular domain of cadherin 5 on the growth of a human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB435.METHODS:Cadherin extracellular domain repeats 1 to 4(CED1-4)was cloned by using RT-PCR technique,and inserted into the plasmid vector pMSCV.pMSCV-CED1-4 was propagated in XL-blue strain of Escherichia coli,extracted and purified.CED1-4 was cut by restriction endonuclease,examined by using agar gel electrophoresis,and finally sequenced.CED1-4 gene was transferred into MDA-MB435 cell line.The expression of CED1-4 gene in MDA-MB435 cell was analyzed by methods of RT-PCR and Western blotting.The effect of CED1-4 on the growth of MDA-MB435 cell was observed by the methods of proliferation experiments in vitro and the experiments in nude mice in vivo.RESULTS:The recombinant vector pMSCV-CED1-4 was successfully constructed.CED1-4 band appeared between the 1 636 bp and 1 018 bp in agar gel electrophoresis.The sequence result showed that CED1-4 had 1 452 bp and codes 484 amino acids.PCR and Western blotting identified that CED1-4 mRNA and protein were expressed in the transfected MDA-MB435 cells.Cell proliferation experiments showed that the proliferation rate of MDA-MB435 cells was lower in the experimental group than that in the experimental control group and the blank control group.The mean volume and weight of tumors in nude mice were lower in the experimental group than those in the experimental control group and the blank control group.CONCLUSION:The growth of a human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB435 is inhibited in vitro and in vivo by cadherin 5 extracellular domain CED1-4.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of auditory verbal memory impairment in mild Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).Methods Auditory verbal memory test was performed in 72 patients with MCI,45 patients with mild AD,and 62 normal controls.Results Significant intergroup differences were found in total former five free recall and learning scores,The MCI subjects( 16.4?5.5,2.6?1.7)performed significantly more poorly than the normal control subjects(NC) (30.2?5.6,3.4?1.9),and mild AD categories (9.8?4.1,2.0?1.2) showed lower results than the MCI subjects(t=2.26,P

Functional constipation (FC) is a common functional bowel disorder disease that affects life quality of a large number of people. This study aimed to explore the impact of different intensities of electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment for FC patients. Totally, 111 patients with FC meeting the Rome III criteria were randomly assigned to different intensities of EA groups (low and high intensity of EA groups) and medicine-controlled (MC) group. In EA groups, patients were treated with EA at quchi (LI11) and shangjuxu (ST37) bilaterally for 4 weeks, 5 times/week in the first 2 weeks, and 3 times/week in the last 2 weeks. In MC group, 5 mg mosapride citrate was administered orally 3 times/day for 4 weeks. Spontaneous bowel movement frequency each day was recorded using a constipation diary. Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to assess the patients' psychological state. Cortisol (CORT), substance P (SP), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were evaluated at baseline and at the end of 4 weeks after treatment. As compared with the baseline, there was statistically significant increase in stool frequency every week (P<0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups. As compared with the baseline, after 4 weeks of EA therapy, the scores of SDS and serum levels of CORT were decreased significantly in low intensity of EA group (P<0.01), and the serum levels of SP and VIP were increased significantly (P<0.05); the scores of SAS and SDS and serum levels of CORT were decreased significantly in high intensity of EA group (P<0.05), and the serum levels of SP and VIP were increased significantly (P<0.05); the serum levels of CORT and VIP were increased significantly in MC group (P<0.05). As compared with MC group, after 4 weeks of treatment, the serum levels of SP were signifcicantly increased in low intensity of EA group (P<0.01). Low and high intensities of EA could increase the stool frequency, improve the FC patient's anxiety and depression, reduce the serum levels of CORT, and increase the serum levels of SP and VIP effectively. It is concluded that both low and high intensities of EA are effective for FC patients, but there is no significant difference between the low and high intensities of EA.

Objective To investigate the co-morbid state of mental disorder in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) in a tertiary general hospital in China and explore the risk factors of the co-morbidity of FD and major depressive disorder(MDD).Methods This study was designed as a bilateral evaluation and structural psychiatric interview.Patients with FD and newly diagnosed outpatients with MDD in gastrointestinal and psychological departments were enrolled.FD was defined by Rome Ⅲ criteria.The questionnaires including symptoms of FGIDs Roma Ⅲ,the composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI 3.0) Chinese version,the Hamilton depression/anxiety rating scale (HAMD/HAMA),Montgomery-Asberg depression scale (MADRS) were involved in this study.All patients were administered by well trained physicians and investigators in face to face interview.Results A total of 69 patients have completed the valid questionnaires and interview,among whom 42 met FD criteria (FD group) and 27 with FD co-morbid MDD (co-morbid group).Male to female ratios were 17∶25 and 10∶ 17,the mean age (42.1 ± 13.3) and (43.1 ± 15.3)years respectively.The life-long co-morbidity of FD and MDD was 39.1％ (27/69),while 31.9％ (22/69) patients with FD were accompanied with other mental disorders rather than MDD.Patients in FD co-morbid MDD group had significantly more severe depression than those in FD group with HAMD-17 score 21.6 ± 8.0 and 14.5 ± 7.6,HAMA score 21.2 ± 9.0 and 14.9 ± 7.5 respectively (all P ＜ 0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that high score of MADRS and complication with functional anorectal disorder may be the risk factors of FD co-morbid MDD [OR (95％ CI) 1.12 (1.06-1.19) and 7.07(1.12-44.53)].Conclusions The co-morbidity rate of FD with MDD in our hospital is high.In addition to MDD,other mental disorders also need to be paid attention in FD patients.FD co-morbid MDD patients suffered more severe depression and anxiety.The high score of MADRS and complication with functional anorectal disorder seem to be the risk factors of co-morbidity of FD and MDD.

OBJECTIVETo determine if pathologic examination can be useful in both diagnosing cervical paraganglioma and deducing its vagal origin.

METHODSFour cases of vagal paraganglioma were studied by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry, with clinical and radiologic (computerized tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging) correlation.

RESULTSAll patients were females and complained of upper neck mass with symptoms and signs of vagus nerve involvement, such as hoarseness of voice, ipsilateral vocal cord dysfunction and cough induced by drinking or local pressure. Radiological examination showed a tumor mass over the common carotid artery bifurcation, lying between the internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein. On gross inspection, the stump of the resected vagus nerve could be identified, with nerve bundles splaying over the tumor surface. Microscopically, the tumors showed a relatively uniform nesting arrangement (Zellballen pattern) of cells and were associated with rich sinusoidal vessels and fibrous stroma. Multiple myelinated nerve fibers were present in stroma and fibrous capsule of the tumor. Sometimes, invasion of nerve trunk by tumor cells was seen. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed diffuse positivity for chromogranin A, neuron-specific enolase and synaptophysin. There was no expression of cytokeratin. The sustentacular cells and nerve bundles were highlighted by S-100 protein.

CONCLUSIONIn addition to the microscopic accurate diagnosis of paraganglioma, histopathologists can be of help in deducing the vagal origin of this tumor.

Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Paraganglioma ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vagus Nerve Diseases ; pathology

Objective To evaluate five years results of laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK)for correction of myopia.Design Ret- rospective case series.Participant 64 patients(126 eyes)with myopia received operation of LASIK.Method 126 myopic eyes were treated with LASIK.Based on the preoperative spherical equivalent refraction(SER),the patients were divided into Group A,B and C(-3.00D～6.00D,-6.25D～-10.00D and -10.38D～-19.88D).Before and after operation,the visual acuity,refraction,anterior seg- ment,funduscopy,intraocular pressures of patients were measured,and the patients were followed-up five years.Main Outcome Measure Visual acuity,intraocular pressure,refraction and complication.Result At five years,in Group A,B,C,uncorrected visual acuity was≥1.0 in 87.2%,69.1%,31.3% patients,and 100%,98.2%,75% had vision of≥0.5.After five years of operation,the re- fraction was -0.70D?0.52D,-1.06?0.13D,-2.46?2.14D in three groups respectively,there was no significant difference between Group A and B(P=0.23);But there was significant statistical difference between Gruop A and C(P=0.008),Group B and C(P=0.021)respec- tively.At the fifth-year,68.3%,45.0% and 23.5% of refraction in Group A,B,C were within?1.00D.Intraocular pressure at the fifth year was 11.91?2.35mmHg,11.31?2.20 mmHg and 9.24?2.20 mmHg respectively.In Gruop B and C,one patient complained glare re- spectively.In Gruop B,one patient's intraecular pressure was elevated after using glueocorticoid.In Group C,one eye was complicated with rbegmatogenous retinal detachment at the second year after LASIK.Conclusion In the follow-up of five years,LASIK is effective and safe.The results in middle and high myopia are better than that in extreme high myopia.(Ophthalmol CHN,2006,15:312-314)

Objective To study the effects of selenium deficiency,iodine deficiency and combined selenium and iodine deficiency on bone and cartilage growth in the parental and the first filial generation rats. Methods Forty-eight weanling healthy SD rats were randomly divided into selenium deficieney, iodine deficiency, combined selenium and iodine deficiency and control groups according to their body mass. These rats were fed with selenium deficiency, iodine deficiency, combined selenium and iodine deficiency, and normal fodder, respectively. The parental rats (about 3 months old) were mated in each group 8 weeks after the beginning of the experiment. Right tibias and left knee joints were collected when the parental generation rats were about 6 months and the first filial generation rats were about 3 months old. Tibial length, mid-shaft tibial diameter, and articular cartilage diameters of the right tibias were measured by vernier caliper. Left knee joints were embedded and cut into sections and the thickness of the growth plate cartilage, layers of proliferative and hypertrophic chondrocytes in growth plate cartilage were observed under the light microscope. Results The selenium deficiency had significant effect on serum selenium level of the parental and the first filial generation rats(F value were 239.56,232.68, P< 0.01), and also on serum T4 level of the first filial generation rats(F value were 6.95, P < 0.05). The iodine deficiency had significant effect on serum T3 and T4 level in the two generations rats(F value were 14.11,14.05,30.29,34.53, P < 0.01 ). There were interactions between selenium deficiency and iodine deficiency on serum T4 level in the first filial generation rats (F= 5.99, P< 0.05). The serum selenium of selenium deficiency group[ (30.28 ± 6.34), (43.95 ± 9.75)μg/L],combined selenium and iodine deficiency group[ (30.33 ± 5.18), (35.40 ± 3.16)μg/L] were significantly lower than iodine deficiency group[(345.83 ± 29.55), (245.24 ± 9.95)μg/L] and the controls[ (358.64 ± 30.50), (236.50 ±9.75) μg/L] in the two generations. The serum T3 of combined selenium and iodine deficiency group [(0.55 ± 0.05 ),(0.88 ± 0.14)nmol/L] were significantly lower than the controls[(0.75 ± 0.08), (1.26 ± 0.26)nmol/L] in the two generations. The serum T4 of iodine deficiency [ (24.11 ± 2.29), (42.10 ± 8.92) nmol/L ] and combined selenium and iodine deficiency group[ (20.66 ± 1.93), (26.55 ± 5.98)nmol/L] were significantly lower than the controls[ (36.15 ±2.74), (52.79 ± 8.84)nmol/L] and selenium deficiency group[ (28.12 ± 3.33), (52.02 ± ll.99)nmol/L] in the two generations. The selenium deficiency and iodine deficiency had significant effect on tibial length, thickness of the growth plate cartilage, layers of proliferative and hypertrophic chondrocytes in first filial generation rats(F values were 24.31,6.98,40.76,56.15,25.24,82.82, 10.07,5.57, P <0.05 or <0.01). There were interactions between selenium deficiency and iodine deficiency on tibial length, thickness of the growth plate cartilage, layers of proliferative and hypertrophic chondrocytes (F values were 5.68,24.86,41.82,9.12, P <0.05 or <0.01 ). The tibial length of the selenium deficiency group[ (33.17 ± 0.34)mm] and combined selenium and iodine deficiency group[ (31.30 ± 0.87)mm] were significantly lower than the controls[ (34.12 ± 0.32)mm, P< 0.05]. Thickness of the growth plate cartilage [ (1.60 ± 0.18)mm ], layers of proliferative chondrocyte (8.54 ± 0.81), and hypertrophic chondrocyte (4.95 ± 0.37)of the combined selenium and iodine deficiency group were significantly decreased when compared to the selenium deficiency group[ (3.03 ± 0.10)mm, 14.68 ± 0.84,6.60 ± 0.31], iodine deficiency group[ (2.90 ± 0.09)mm, 13.75 ±0.33,6.61 ± 0.84 ] and the controls [ (3.19 ± 0.09) mm, 14.94 ± 0.36, 6.64 ± 0.26, P <0.05]. Thickness of the growth plate cartilage, layers of proliferative chondrocyte of the iodine deficiency group were lower than the controls(P<0.05). Conclusions Selenium deficiency impair tibial growth in first filial generation rats, iodine deficiency retarded the chondroncyte proliferation and decreases the thickness of growth plate cartilage in first filial generation rats, and combined selenium and iodine deficiency significantly impair the growth of bone and cartilage in first filial generation rats.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of using new tracheal prosthesis made of biomaterials to replace extensive circumferential tracheal defects in mongrel dogs.

METHODSThree types of tracheal prostheses were developed, whose basic skeleton of tubular mesh was knitted with polypropylene monofilament and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) fiber. The inner side of type-I tubular mesh was first coated with polyurethane solution and then with collagen. The exterior of type-I was then immobilized with collagen-hydroxyapatite composites. In contrast, the internal and external walls of type-II were coated with polyurethane solution, which produced a prosthesis similar to a nonporous one, while type-III was coated only with collagen solution. Surgical resection and replacement of a segment of the cervical trachea was performed in 16 adult mongrel dogs. The efficacy of the implanted prosthesis periodically evaluated postoperatively.

RESULTSIn group A, only one died from prosthetic dehiscence, another from anastomotic leakage, and the others had uneventful postoperative courses. The implanted prosthesis was completely incorporated with the recipient trachea, where different length of reepithelialization occurred on the luminal surface of the reconstructed trachea. Macroscopic examination showed scattered and different sizes of neo-ossification surrounding the implanted prosthesis. The prosthesis was roentgenopaque when exposed to routine X rays. In contrast, a relatively high number of complications occurred postoperatively in group B and C.

CONCLUSIONType-I tracheal prosthesis may be used effectively for long-segment circumferential tracheal replacement, and appears very promising for clinical application, with further improvements in promoting the epithelialization.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Collagen ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Polyglycolic Acid ; Polypropylenes ; Polyurethanes ; Prostheses and Implants ; adverse effects ; Prosthesis Design ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Trachea ; surgery

Objective To evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light (IPL) versus 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) for the treatment of post-acne erythema.Methods A randomized split-face clinical trial was conducted.A total of 20 patients with post-acne erythema were enrolled,and randomized to receive treatment with IPL on one half of the face and 595-nm PDL on the other facial side once every 4 weeks for 3 sessions.Digital photographs were taken using the VISIA,and erythema index was recorded before each treatment and one month after the last treatment.The severity of bilateral facial erythema was evaluated based on a 4-point grading scale before the first treatment and after the last treatment.Pain scores and adverse reactions were recorded using a visual analogue scale (VAS) after each treatment,and a patient satisfaction survey was conducted by questionnaire at the last follow-up.Results The mean erythema index on the IPL side before and after treatment was 472.25 ± 86.02 and 357.15 ±82.71 respectively,and that on the PDL side before and after treatment was 476.40 ± 74.25 and 360.05 ± 64.83 respectively.Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the erythema indices on both treated sides significantly decreased over time (F =197.666,P ＜ 0.001),and the efficacy of IPL was better than that of PDL (F =1 173.909,P ＜ 0.001).Erythema severity grades on the IPL side as well as on the PDL side significantly differed between before and after treatment (Z =28.735,31.450,respectively,both P ＜ 0.001).As VAS showed,the pain score on the PDL side was significantly lower than that on the IPL side (t =2.468,P ＜ 0.05).Among the 20 patients,17 and 15 assessed their improvement as good or excellent after PDL and IPL treatment respectively,but there was no significant difference between the two groups (Z =2.696,P ＞ 0.05).The adverse reactions included erythema,burning sensation,tense sensation,blistering and hyperpigmentation on IPL-treated side,and erythema and purpuric reactions on the PDL-treated side,which all disappeared in a few hours to several days.Conclusions Both IPL and 595-nm PDL are effective and safe for the treatment of post-acne erythema,and are worthy of clinical promotion and application.IPL shows superiority in the efficacy,but elicits higher pain sensation compared with PDL.