Acetylcholinesterase ; analysis ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; metabolism ; Australia ; Biopsy ; Calbindin 2 ; analysis ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Eosinophilic Esophagitis ; pathology ; Hirschsprung Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases ; pathology ; Lymphangiectasis, Intestinal ; immunology ; pathology ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b ; pathology ; Nervous System Diseases ; pathology ; Quality Control

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant activity of extracts and fractions from Stachys sieboldii Miq., and to examine its effect on the cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) production and genomic DNA oxidation in HT-1080 cells.Methods: The ROS generation induced by H2O2 was measured by the dichlorofluorescein-diacetate assay. GSH levels were measured using a fluorescent method with mBBr. Genomic DNA oxidative damage was measured with levels of oxidative DNA induced by the reaction of ferritin with H2O2.Results: Then-hexane, 85％ aqueous methanol andn-butanol fractions (0.05 mg/mL concentrations) inhibited H2O2-induced ROS generation by 63％, 35％ and 45％, respectively. GSH levels were significantly increased in both acetone+methylene chloride and methanol extracts (P<0.05). Supplementation of cells withn-hexane significantly increased GSH levels at concentrations of 0.05 mg/mL (P<0.05). Both the acetone+methylene chloride and methanol extracts, as well as all fractions significantly inhibited oxidative DNA damage (P<0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate that cellular oxidation was inhibited by then-hexane fraction and this fraction may contain valuable active compounds.

Four hundreds and ninety sheep sera from seven breeds raised at eight counties and one city of Aksu region in Xinjiang were tested by ELISA for the presence of antibodies against hepatitis E virus (HEV), and the positive rate differences were compared based on administrative areas, breeds and age by Chi-square test. The result showed that the general positive rate was 28.98% (142/490), the positive rate were 35.44% (28/79), 29.67% (27/91), 20% (4/20), 40% (12/30), 32.5% (26/80), 38% (19/50), 22.5% (9/40), 8% (4/50) and 26% (13/50) respectively in eight counties and one city, there was a significant difference between Xayar and other administrative areas (P<0.01); there was also a significant difference among age ranges (P<0.01), being 38.75% (31/80) over 2 years old, 15.45% (17/110) below 1 year old; The seroprevalence was still related to breeds, i. e. there was a significant difference between Mongolia sheep and other breeds (P<0.01). From these data, it is confirmed that there is a possibility of previous and potential infection of sheep HEV in Aksu region of Xinjiang Autonomous.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis E ; epidemiology ; transmission ; veterinary ; virology ; Hepatitis E virus ; physiology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sheep ; blood ; virology ; Sheep Diseases ; epidemiology ; transmission ; virology

OBJECTIVETo measure the bone-prosthetic implant interface micromovement during the application of physiological load by using a material testing system (MTS).

METHODSThe cadaveric hip specimens were used to simulate a single leg stance and the joint in the neutral position. Micromovement was recorded via a 3-dimensional transducer in the acetabula of postmortem specimens, which had been preserved in formalin. The study data of the cemented and uncemented prosthsis refereed to the lone-term clinical process and the radiological status and experimental results.

RESULTSCemented cups showed higher transverse relative motion up to 90 microm, whereas the maximum transverse movement of the non-cemented cup was 60 microm. Orthogonal motion perpendicular to the implant surface showed compression for all cups at all sites.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that there are large differences in survival time between 2 groups. That could not be compared statistically in secondary stability. Nevertheless, according to the results, the amount of micromotion of press-fit cup is relatively less than that of cemented polyethylene cup, which is instrumental in bone ingrowth and secondary stability.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bioprosthesis ; Bone Cements ; Female ; Hip Prosthesis ; Humans ; Prosthesis Failure ; Weight-Bearing

The hand coordinate systems for measuring vibration exposures and biodynamic responses have been standardized, but they are not actually used in many studies. This contradicts the purpose of the standardization. The objectives of this study were to identify the major sources of this problem, and to help define or identify better coordinate systems for the standardization. This study systematically reviewed the principles and definition methods, and evaluated typical hand coordinate systems. This study confirms that, as accelerometers remain the major technology for vibration measurement, it is reasonable to standardize two types of coordinate systems: a tool-based basicentric (BC) system and an anatomically based biodynamic (BD) system. However, these coordinate systems are not well defined in the current standard. Definition of the standard BC system is confusing, and it can be interpreted differently; as a result, it has been inconsistently applied in various standards and studies. The standard hand BD system is defined using the orientation of the third metacarpal bone. It is neither convenient nor defined based on important biological or biodynamic features. This explains why it is rarely used in practice. To resolve these inconsistencies and deficiencies, we proposed a revised method for defining the realistic handle BC system and an alternative method for defining the hand BD system. A fingertip-based BD system for measuring the principal grip force is also proposed based on an important feature of the grip force confirmed in this study.
Hand Strength ; Hand* ; Vibration*

OBJECTIVETo determine the benefit of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for stroke prevention by reviewing the early and late outcomes of Hong Kong Chinese patients undergoing CEA who have a high reported incidence of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (IAD).

METHODSFifty-nine Chinese patients underwent 62 CEA. There were 48 males and 11 females, with a mean age of 70 +/- 7 years (range: 52 - 86 years). Twenty-one CEA (34%) were performed for asymptomatic disease. Duplex scan was the primary tool of evaluation prior to surgery. Preoperative angiography was done in 36 instances (58%). All CEA were performed under general anaesthesia with routine intraoperative shunting. The arteriotomy was closed primarily in all patients except three. Patients were followed up regularly with six-monthly Duplex scan surveillance.

RESULTSThere were 2 perioperative neurological events consisting of one transient ischemic attack and one minor stroke. There was no operative mortality or major morbidity such as bleeding or cranial nerve injury. Mean hospital stay was 6.5 +/- 4 days (range: 3 - 26 days). The patients were followed up for a mean interval of 24 +/- 17 months (range: 1 - 57 months). Seven patients died during follow-up and subsequent neurological events occurred in 5 patients, including 2 fatal strokes. The 3-year survival, freedom from stroke and stroke free survival were 86%, 87% and 83%, respectively. One recurrent stenosis of 80% was detected on follow-up Duplex scan.

CONCLUSIONSDespite a high incidence of IAD, CEA in Hong Kong Chinese patients is associated with acceptable perioperative morbidity and mortality with satisfactory long-term efficacy in stroke prevention.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carotid Stenosis ; surgery ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; adverse effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; etiology ; Survival Analysis ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are characterized by abnormal central processing with altered brain activation in response to visceral nociceptive signals. The effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on IBS patients is unclear. The study is set to study the effect of EA on brain activation during noxious rectal distension in IBS patients using a randomized sham-controlled model. METHODS: Thirty IBS-diarrhea patients were randomized to true electroacupuncture or sham acupuncture. Functional MRI was performed to evaluate cerebral activation at the following time points: (1) baseline when there was rectal distension only, (2) rectal distension during application of EA, (3) rectal distension after cessation of EA and (4) EA alone with no rectal distension. Group comparison was made under each condition using SPM5 program. RESULTS: Rectal distension induced significant activation of the anterior cingulated cortex, prefrontal cortex, thalamus, temporal regions and cerebellum at baseline. During and immediately after EA, increased cerebral activation from baseline was observed in the anterior cingulated cortex, bilateral prefrontal cortex, thalamus, temporal regions and right insula in both groups. However, true electroacupuncture led to significantly higher activation at right insula, as well as pulvinar and medial nucleus of the thalamus when compared to sham acupuncture. CONCLUSIONS: We postulate that acupuncture might have the potential effect of pain modulation in IBS by 2 actions: (1) modulation of serotonin pathway at insula and (2) modulation of mood and affection in higher cortical center via ascending pathway at the pulvinar and medial nucleus of the thalamus.
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; Cerebellum ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Neural Pathways ; Pain Perception ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Pulvinar ; Salicylamides ; Serotonin ; Thalamus

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of the diagnostic parameters of acute respiratory distress syndrome/multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on plateau (H-ARDS/MODS) and compare the accuracy of the three MODS scoring criteria in predicting the outcome of syndrome. METHODS: Five hundred and forty cases fulfilling the criteria of MODS were divided into four groups according to the altitude of their inhabitation area: control group (on plain, CG, n=113, altitude: <430 m), moderate high altitude group 1 (H1G, n=314, altitude: 1,517 m), moderate high altitude group 2 (H2G, n=78, altitude: 2,261 m to 2,400 m) and high altitude group (HG, n=35, altitude: 2 808 m to 3 400 m). According to the diagnostic criteria of Lushan conference and Marshall (1995) commonly used on plain, and Lanzhou criteria drafted by the authors, three data analyzing models were set up to draw the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, the Yordon Index and the optimum cutoff points of the parameters were calculated and the accuracy of the three respective diagnostic criteria was evaluated in predicting the outcome of ARDS/MODS. Multiple factors affecting the outcome of MODS were analyzed using the method of stepwise forward regress model. RESULTS: Following the increase in altitude, Lanzhou criteria was clearly superior to the other two criteria in the area of ROC, the sensitivity, the specificity, and also for the optimum cutoff points of MODS. Multi-variable regression analysis showed that the impacting factor of Lanzhou criteria was the highest (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: (1)Some parameters of the current diagnostic criteria of ARDS/MODS are not suitable in moderately high or high altitude areas. It is necessary to set up the diagnostic criteria of H-ARDS/MODS. (2)Some clinical characteristics might change in areas 1,500 m altitude or higher. The pathophysiological mechanism might be attributable to peculiar biologic reactions due to hypoxia stress reaction, and it is worth further study.
Altitude ; Multiple Organ Failure/*diagnosis ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve ; Regression Analysis ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult/*diagnosis ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVE: Angioplasty and Stenting of intracranial atherosclerotic lesions have a higher complication rate and a large proportion of this is attributable to side branch arterial occlusion from forceful displacement of the atheroma into the ostia or snowplowing effect. This can result in severe disabilities when it result in small infarcts involving eloquent areas in the posterior circulation or the motor tracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a series of 6 cases utilizing a new dual catheter technique for maintaining the patency of at-risk vessels during angioplasty and stenting. There are several methods previously described to help reduce the incidence of stroke but because they do not have a physical presence in the ostia to protect it, they are unable to guarantee the patency of the vessel. RESULTS: All 6 patients underwent angioplasty and stenting with the technique. The patients were assessed for complications with post-procedure magnetic resonance imaging and no complications were found. CONCLUSION: In this preliminary series, the dual catheter technique appears to safe and effective in preventing occlusion of the adjacent branch arteries. This technique may facilitate the use of the Wingspan stent in the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenotic segments by reducing the risk of peri-procedural stroke.
Angioplasty* ; Arteries ; Catheters* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Stents* ; Stroke

No abstract available.
Breast* ; Female ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Mammaplasty* ; Veins*