Objective To investigate the consistency and stability of two types of pubococcygeal line (PCL) determined by dynamic MRI used in evaluating pelvic organ prolapse (anterior and apical compartments).The first type of PCL was measured from the inferior pubic symphysis to the tip of coccyx (PCLtip) and the second was to the sacrococcygeal joint (PCLjnt).Methods Dynamic MRI changes of 50 female patients who were diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse by pelvic organ prolapse quantification were retrospective reviewed.Chi-square test was used to compare the staging of each pelvic compartment (anterior,apical) with the two PCLs.The lengths and the degree of the oblique angle of the two PCLs during the rest and straining were compared using a paried t test.Results Agreement of PCLjnt with PCLtip was 96％ (48/50) for anterior compartment and 94％ (47/50) for apical compartment.There was no difference between the two PCLs in staging of each pelvic compartment (anterior,apical)(x2 values were 2.000 and 3.000,P values were 0.368 and 0.223).The length of the PCLtip at rest and straining was (10.1±0.8),(10.2± 0.8) cm respectively and the result was statistical significance (t=-2.339,P=0.023).Twenty patients (40％) in the 50 pelvic organ prolapse patients demonstrated a shortening of the PCLtip,while the rest including 30 patients (60％) was longer.The oblique angle of the PCLtip at rest and straining was 22°±6° and 18°±11° respectively(t=3.490,P=0.001).The length of the PCLjnt at rest and straining were (11.2±0.8) and (11.2± 0.8)cm respectively(t=-1.845,P=0.071).The oblique angle of the PCLjnt at rest and straining were 29°±6° and 26°± 10° (t=2.836,P=0.007),but the degree of PCLjnt's oblique angle had a mild fluctuate compared with the PCLtip.Conclusions PCLjnt and PCLtip have the equal level in staging of anterior and apical pelvic organ prolapse.Meanwhile the oblique angle and the length of PCLjnt illustrated the better the stability.

Objective To investigate the prompt value of abnormal vaginal morphology on diagnosing pelvic organ prolapse . Methods Forty eight pelvic organ prolapse female patients diagnosed by pelvic organ prolapse quantification were enrolled in the pelvic organ prolapse group and 51 normal female volunteers were enrolled in the control group in this study. Pelvic MRI T2WI were performed in all cases. The vaginal shape were evaluated according to Delancey Ⅱ level on the transverse images, which were divided into two categories:normal morphology (H-shaped) and abnormal morphology(non H-shaped). The vaginal shape distribution of different prolapse degree(0,Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳstage) and types(anterior,middle, posterior pelvic prolapse) were recorded. Chi-square test was used to analyse distribution difference of vaginal shape between the two groups. The ROC curve was used to analyse the diagnostic efficiency of abnormal vaginal morphology for diagnosing pelvic organ prolapse. Results In the control group, there were 40 cases with normal vaginal morphology and 11 cases with abnormal morphology mainly including W-shaped and U-shaped abnormal morphology. In the prolapse group, there were 5 cases with normal vaginal morphology and 43 cases with abnormal morphologymainly including U-shaped (13 cases), W-shaped (26 cases) and O-shaped(4 cases) abnormal morphology. There was significant difference between the two groups(c2=46.137,P<0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.800. The sensitivity and specificity of abnormal vaginal shape for diagnosing pelvic organ prolapse were 89.6% and 78.4%respectively.The distribution of vaginal morphology in different degrees and types of prolapse were different:vaginal morphology of 0 stage prolapse showed H-typed mainly (40/51, 78.4%), Ⅰ stage prolapse showed W-shaped (16/28 57.1%), Ⅱ,Ⅲ stage prolapse all showed non H-shaped (20/20, 100%), Ⅱstage mainly showed W-shaped (9/14), Ⅲ stage mainly showed O-shaped (3/6). Anterior pelvic organ prolapse were manifested mainly with W-shaped vaginal morphology (4/9) and middle pelvic organ prolapse mainly showed O-shaped vaginal morphology (4/7). Conclusions The abnormal vaginal morphology has the prompt value on diagnosing pelvic organ prolapse.Moreover, the different shape probably indicates the different degrees and types of pelvic organ prolapse.

AIMTo study the structure and crystal forms of chlorobenzylidine.

METHODSKarl Fischer titrimetry, FTIR, thermal analysis, single and powder X-ray diffraction were used for the studies of the structure of chlorobenzylidine and for the identification of two forms of chlorobenzylidine.

RESULTSChlorobenzylidine and its diastereoisomer have been studied in this article. They can be distinguished by their different melting points. Two crystal forms of chlorobenzylidine (form A and form B) have also been detected and studied. Form A was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, it crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P1(-), with two formula units per cell, is monohydrate. Karl Fischer titrimetry, FTIR, thermal analysis and powder X-ray diffraction were used for identification of the two forms.

CONCLUSIONThe studies of structure and crystal forms of chlorobenzylidine are very useful for the clinical research and the selection of recrystallization process.

Benzylidene Compounds ; Crystallization ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Differential Thermal Analysis ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Polycyclic Compounds ; chemistry ; Stereoisomerism

BACKGROUNDThe aim of this research was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of absorbable bandage wrapping in the treatment of cases of severe liver trauma.

METHODSElectric firecrackers were detonated in 16 miniature swine to produce a severe blast liver injury. After fluid resuscitation, the animals were randomly divided into two groups (n = 8 each) and were either treated with absorbable bandage wrapping of the injured lobe of liver (Group B) or hepatic lobectomy (Group H). Time to hemostasis, blood loss during the treatment period, and other parameters were compared, including postoperative serum total bilirubin (TB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).

RESULTSBlood loss during the treatment period was significantly lower in Group B than that in Group H ((81.3 ± 26.0) ml vs. (130.8 ± 29.5) ml, P = 0.0031). Serum AST and ALT were transiently increased post-surgically. These transient increases were significantly higher in Group B. No difference in time to hemostasis was noted ((8.70 ± 2.27) minutes vs. (10.28 ± 1.93) minutes, P = 0.1559) in Groups B and H, respectively. Two pigs were humanely euthanized 28 days post-surgically and the wrapped liver lobes appeared atrophies. Microscopically, there was evidence of emerging and mature fibrous tissue.

CONCLUSIONAbsorbable bandage wrapping is both feasible and effective in the treatment of severe blast liver injury.

Animals ; Bandages ; Female ; Liver ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

China ; epidemiology ; Communicable Diseases ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Female ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Rabies ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; epidemiology ; mortality

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, SMO, beta-Catenin and Wnt5b mRNA in four hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines of SMMC-7721, Bel-7402, HepG2, MHCC-97 and normal hepatocellular cell line of L02, and to compare the response of these cell lines to all-trans retinoic acid.

METHODSRT-PCR was used to detect expression of Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, SMO, beta-Catenin and Wnt5b mRNA in four hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and normal hepatocellular cell line. Real time-PCR was used to quantify the expression of the genes.

RESULTSThere are different levels of expression of the stem cell-related gene in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and control cell line (P less than 0.05). There are significant differences in HepG2 and L-02 for the response to all-trans retinoic acid (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe stem cell-related genes are differentially expressed in different hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA Methylation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Hep G2 Cells ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nanog Homeobox Protein ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Smoothened Receptor ; Stem Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo quantitatively evaluate clinical significance of intrahepatic fat (IHF) content in children and adolescents with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODSNinety-three obese children were enrolled in this study. Physical parameters, liver function, serum lipids, glycemic and insulin related parameters were measured. Liver B-mode ultrasound (US) examination was performed. IHF content was quantified by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS). Three subgroups were classified according to the conditional diagnostic criteria for obese children: simple obesity (n=31), NAFLD-1 (US fatty liver and normal alanine aminotransterase, n=33) and NAFLD-2 (US fatty liver and elevated alanine aminotransterase, n=29). Twenty healthy age- and sex-matched children served as a control group. IHF content among the four groups was compared. The relationship of IHF content with other common clinical laboratory parameters and independent factors influencing increased IHF content were investigated.

RESULTSIHF content measured by 1H MRS was 0.80% (0.4%-1.0%), 2.9% (1.7%-4.30%), 14.0% (7.2%-17.5%) and 18.8% (14.0%-29.1%) respectively in the control, simple obese, NAFLD-1 and NAFLD-2 groups. There were significant differences in IHF content between the groups. Univariate correlation analysis demonstrated that IHF content was positively correlated with waist circumference, hip circumference, waisttohip ratio, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminoreansferase, γ-glutamic acid transtetase, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, OGTT 2-hour plasma glucose, fasting insulin, 2-hour insulin and insulin resisfence, and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein. Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated three independent risk factors for increased IHF content: increased waist circumference, increased 2-hour plasma glucose and decreased high-density lipoprotein levels.

CONCLUSIONSIHF content determined by 1H MRS can reflect early hepatic fatty infiltration and is closely related to the occurrence and progress of NAFLD in obese children and adolescents. There is a significant correlation between most of common clinical laboratory parameters and IHF content, and waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein and OGTT 2-hour plasma glucose are independent factors impacting IHF content.

Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Fatty Liver ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Ultrasonography

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; Humans ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 ; Translocation, Genetic

Objective To investigate the influences of verapanal preconditioning on cardiac function in vitro and intracellular free Ca~(2+) and L-type calcium current (I_(Ca-L)) in rat cardiomyocytes post ischemiareperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods The isolated rat hearts in control group (37 ℃ Tyrode solution perfusion for 30 min, n =6), I/R group ( no flow for 30 min followed 30 min reperfusion with 37 ℃ Tyrode solution, n =7) and verapamil preconditioning group [37 ℃ Tyrode solution perfusion for 10 min, adding verapamil (20 μmol/L ) to Tyrade solution and perfusion for another 30 nan, followed then by 30 min no flow and 30 min reperfusion, n=7 ] using Langendorff perfusion system. The fluorescence intensity of intracellular Ca~(2+) was detected with Fluo-3/AM loading by the laser scanning confocal microscope. The I_(Ca-L) was recorded via whole-cell patch clamp technique in enzymatically dissociated single rat ventricular myocytes. Results As expected, arrhythmias and cardiac dysfunction were shown post I/R injury. The fluorescence intensities of intracellular free Ca~(2+) in cardiomyocytes were significantly increased compared with control group (P <0. 01 ). By voltage clamp protocol, peak current densities of I_(Ca-L) was significantly reduced and I-V curve significantly elevated. Post I/R injury compared with control group (P < 0. 01 )which could be reversed by Verapamil preconditioning. Verapamil preconditioning also significantly improved diastolic and systolic functions, and reduced the incidence of arrhythmias. Conclusions Myocardial I/R injury might significantly impair heart functions and induce arrhythmias via cellular Ca~(2+) overload.Verapamil preconditioning could prevent heart I/R injury and reduce arrhythmias by decreasing influx of I_(Ca-L), thereby stabilizing cardiomyocytes in myocardial stunning and avoiding occurrence of Ca~(2+) -induced Ca~(2+) release during I/R injury.

AIM:To elucidate the association between chronic kidney injury and interleukin-33 (IL-33;an alarmin)/suppression of tumorigencity 2 (ST2) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).METHODS:Serum levels of IL-33 and soluble ST2 (sST2) were assessed by ELISA in 50 SLE patients and 30 healthy controls (HC).RESULTS:The levels of IL-33 and sST2,and IL-33/sST2 ratio were significantly higher in SLE patients than those in the HC.The IL-33 and sST2 levels were positively associated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),proteinuria and triglyceride,but negatively associated with complement C3.IL-33/sST2 ratio was positively associated with SLEDAI and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Independent explanatory variables associated with high IL-33/sST2 included chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging and albumin (R2 =0.442),especially CKD staging.CONCLUSION:Elevated serum sST2 and IL-33 levels in SLE patients are correlated with disease activity and risk factors of kidney injury.IL-33/sST2 ratio may serve as a potential biomarker for chronic kidney injury in SLE patients.