Objective To investigate the presence of occult brain tissue damage in patients with relapsing neuromyelitis optica(RNMO)and its possible mechanism by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).Methods DTI scans were performed in 16 patients with RNMO and 16 sex-and age-matched healthy controls.Histogram analysis of mean diffusivity (MD)and fractional anisotropy (FA)was performed in brain tissue (BT),white matter (WM)and gray matter (GM)to detect the presence of occult brain tissue damage in RNMO patients.Region of interest(ROI )analysis of MD and FA was also performed in 6 dedicated regions with or without direct connection with spinal cord or optic nerve to determine the relationship between occult brain tissue damage and the damage of spinal cord and optic nerve.Results Patients with RNMO had a significantly higher average MD of the BT[RNMO(0.95?0.02)? 10~(-3)mm~2/s,controls (0.91?0.03)?10~(-3)mm~2/s,t = 3.940,P

Objective To observe the changes of immunological parameters and the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP),schonlein-Henoch purpura(HSP) and mucocutaneoas lymph node syn-drome(kawasaki disease, KD).Methods T cell subsets and serum immunoglobulins and complements were measured with the flow cytometry and enhanced trubidimetric immunoassay. Routine therapy combined with IVIG. Results CD3+ CD4+ T cells were de-creased in children with ITP accompanied by increased serum IgG;Serum IgA and CD3+ T cells were increased in children with HSP; CD3+ CD8+ T cells were decreased in children with KD. Clinical features were markedly improved after treatment with IVIG. It was noted that the incidence of damage to coronary artery decreased after the use of IVIG. Conclusions T cell subsets, serum immunoglobulins should undergo the clinical routine examinations in ITP,HSP and KD. Early administration of IVIG might be important to improve disease prognosis and shorten its course of treatment in children with three kinds of immunology related diseases.

Objective To investigate the changes of insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) and its associated protein in Balb/C mice with viral myocarditis.Methods Sixty Balb/C mice were randomly divided into 2 groups:infected group(n=40) and control group(n=20).Mice in infected group were inoculated intraperitoneally with coxsackievirus B3(CVB3) while control mice with 0.1mL of Eagle′s minimal essential medium(EMEM).Blood and myocardial musculature of all mice were collected on the day of 3,7,15 and 30 after inoculation.The expression of IGF-1 and its associated protein in plasma or myocardium were detected respectively by enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay(ELISA),immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The expression of IGF-1 and its associated protein of mice with viral myocarditis was higher than those in control group and gradual ascent after mice being infected with virus.The expression reached summit on d15,then decreased on d30,but still sustain in a high level.The difference was significant(F=19.53 P

OBJECTIVETo analyze the reliability and validity of the Fatigue Self-assessment Scale (FSAS).

METHODSThe scale was applied among the participants assigned to 4 groups, the differences in types, degrees and characteristics of fatigue of them were compared, and the reliability and constitutional validity of ESAS were assessed by internal consistency analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis using the statistical software of SPSS and LISREL.

RESULTSStatistical differences of types, degrees and characteristics of fatigue presented in the participants of the 4 groups. The Cronbach's alpha of various factors in the scale were 0.772-0.908; the indexes for the section of assessing type, and degree of fatigue were RMSEA=0.065, NNFI=0.95, CFI=0.96; and those for the section of assessing characteristics of fatigue were: RMSEA=0.10, NNFI=0.93, CFI=0.96.

CONCLUSIONThe FSAS has good differentiability, reliability and constitutional validity for assessing the type, degree and characteristics of fatigue in various populations. In order to explore the relationship of TCM syndrome patterns with the type, degree and characteristics of fatigue, its future application for evaluation of fatigue and intervention effect of anti-fatigue should be combined with TCM syndrome differentiation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Fatigue ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Statistical ; Self-Examination ; Software ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the value of ultrasound (US) in assessment knee joint inflammation in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis(JRA).Methods US scans of the knees obtained in 30 children at clinically active stage; JRA was compared with those obtained in 30 healthy children and 10 JRA patients in clinical remission.Results Changes in synovial membrane thickness and presence of fluid in suprapatellar bursa showed statistically significant differences between JRA patients with active disease and the other subjects.Alterations in contour of the articular cartilage were demonstrated in 10 knees of patients with JRA.Conclusion US is a simple sensitive and reliable methods for the assessment and monitoring of knee joint involvement in JRA.

In order to authenticate the components of antler powder in the market, DNA barcoding technology coupled with cloning method were used. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were obtained according to the DNA barcoding standard operation procedure (SOP). For antler powder with possible mixed components, the cloning method was used to get each COI sequence. 65 COI sequences were successfully obtained from commercial antler powders via sequencing PCR products. The results indicates that only 38% of these samples were derived from Cervus nippon Temminck or Cervus elaphus Linnaeus which is recorded in the 2010 edition of "Chinese Pharmacopoeia", while 62% of them were derived from other species. Rangifer tarandus Linnaeus was the most frequent species among the adulterants. Further analysis showed that some samples collected from different regions, companies and prices, contained adulterants. Analysis of 36 COI sequences obtained by the cloning method showed that C. elaphus and C. nippon were main components. In addition, some samples were marked clearly as antler powder on the label, however, C. elaphus or R. tarandus were their main components. In summary, DNA barcoding can accurately and efficiently distinguish the exact content in the commercial antler powder, which provides a new technique to ensure clinical safety and improve quality control of Chinese traditional medicine
Animals ; Antlers ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Deer ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Powders ; Quality Control

In order to authenticate the components of antler powder in the market, DNA barcoding technology coupled with cloning method were used. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were obtained according to the DNA barcoding standard operation procedure (SOP). For antler powder with possible mixed components, the cloning method was used to get each COI sequence. 65 COI sequences were successfully obtained from commercial antler powders via sequencing PCR products. The results indicates that only 38% of these samples were derived from Cervus nippon Temminck or Cervus elaphus Linnaeus which is recorded in the 2010 edition of "Chinese Pharmacopoeia", while 62% of them were derived from other species. Rangifer tarandus Linnaeus was the most frequent species among the adulterants. Further analysis showed that some samples collected from different regions, companies and prices, contained adulterants. Analysis of 36 COI sequences obtained by the cloning method showed that C. elaphus and C. nippon were main components. In addition, some samples were marked clearly as antler powder on the label, however, C. elaphus or R. tarandus were their main components. In summary, DNA barcoding can accurately and efficiently distinguish the exact content in the commercial antler powder, which provides a new technique to ensure clinical safety and improve quality control of Chinese traditional medicine

OBJECTIVETo explore the effective therapeutic method in the treatment of idiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL).

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-eight cases of ISHL were randomized into a warming-promoting needling group (74 cases), a conventional acupuncture group (56 cases) and a medication group (58 cases). In the conventional acupuncture group, the conventional needling technique was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Tinggong (SI 19), Touqiaoyin (GB 11) and Zhigou (TE 6) on the affected side. The treatment was given 5 times each week. Totally, the treatment of 6 weeks was required. In the warming-promoting needling group, on the basic treatment as the conventional acupuncture group, the warming-promoting needling technique was applied to Fengchi (GB 20). In the medication group, the intravenous drop with salvia injectio and mecobalamin was prescribed, once per day, for 10 days totally. Meanwhile, Erlong Zuoci Wan was prescribed for oral administration, 8 pills each time, three times a day for 30 days continuously.

RESULTSAll of the three therapeutic methods achieved the effect on ISHL. The total effective rate was 89.2% (66/74) in the warming-promoting needling group, which was better than 62.5% (35/56) in the conventional acupuncture group and 53.4% (31/58) in the medication group (both P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe warming-promoting needling techinque achieves the significant efficacy on ISHL. The hearing improvement is superior to that treated with either the conventional needling technique or medication.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Treatment Outcome

To simulate intervention measures in controlling an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis on one school campus by using the Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model, to provide evidence for preparedness and response to the epidemic. Classical SIR model was used to model the epidemic. Malthusian exponential decline method was employed to estimate the infective coefficient β for interventions. The initial value of parameters was determined based on empirical data. The modeling was implemented using Matlab 7.1 software. Without interventions, the outbreak was expected to experience three phrases: (1)early stage (the first 5 days) in which the epidemic developed slowly and could be intervened easily; (2) rapid growing stage (6-15 days) in which the number of infected cases increased quickly and the epidemic could not be well controlled;and (3) medium and late stage (16 days and later) in which more than 90% of the susceptible persons were infected but the intervention measures failed to prevent the epidemic. With the implementation of interventions, the epidemic was predicted to be controlled in the early stage, under the SIR model. The simulation based on the SIR model kept an acceptable consistency with the actual development of epidemic after the implementation of intervention measures. The SIR model seemed effective in modeling interventions to the epidemic of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in the schools.

Objective To assess the feasibility and efficacy of curved cutter stapler(Contour TM)in total mesorectal excixion with ultra low rectal cancer anal anus-preserving operation.Methods From January to October 2006，36 patients with ultra low rectal cancer fulfilled by anal preserving operation underwent total mesorectal excision with Contour TM. Results Fecal continences were preserved successfully in all patients.Postoperative biopsy of cutting margin was proved to be free of rectal malignant tumors. No anastomotic leakage or narrow and postoperative recurrences occurred in all patients. Conclusion Ultra low rectal cancer resection with Contour is a feasible， safe and convenient technique，which extends the indication range of anal sphincter preservation.