ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic value of multi-slice CT (MSCT) and multi-dimensional reconstructions for congenital pulmonary stenosis (PS) in children.MethodsThe enhanced thin CT images of 33 patients with PS were retrospectively analyzed,the data was transmitted to the workstation for multi-planar reformation ( MPR),volume rendering technique (VRT) and maximum intensity projection (MIP).The CT imaging features of PS were analyzed combining with operation resul ts and Ultrasonic Cardiogram (UCG).ResultsIn 33 cases of PS,there were 17 cases with pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS),10 cases with right ventricular infundibulum stenosis (RVIS),and 6 cases with pulmonary trunk stenosis (PTS).The first two were correctly diagnosed by UCG,5 cases of PVS and Icases of RVIS were correctly diagnosed by MSCTA,the later was correctly diagnosed by UCG and MSCTA.In 14 cases with collateral circulations between aorta and pulmonary artery ( APC ),all were correctly diagnosed by MSCTA,only 3 case was diagnosed by UCG,1 case was misdiagnosed as PDA.UCG can clearly demonstrate the others intra-cardiac deformities,such as ASD,VSD,RVH,PFO,SV,DORV,TECD and TBD,the accuracy rate of MSCTA was 39.4％,and MSCTA can clearly demonstrate the origin,course and diameter of extracardiac vascular abnormalities,such as PDA,RAA,TGA,TAPVD,CoA,PLSV and VLSA,the accuracy rate of UCG was 697％.ConclusionsMSCT and multi-dimensional reconstruction were a kind of non-invasive method,it was a good approach for extra-cardiac vascular malformations and APC in PS.Combining with UCG,it can further be used to improve the diagnostic accuracy of intra-cardiac malformation and supply diagnostic evidence for clinical treatment.

Objectives To summarize the characteristics,differential diagnosis and management of incomplete 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-1yase deficiency(17 OHD)of Chinese patients.Methods Six cases of incomplete 17 OHD from Peking Union Medical College Hospital were studied retrospectively through analyzing their clinical data,and the molecular pathogenic mechanism was discussed after literature review.Results Four cases of 46,XX incomplete 17 OHD were reported.The clinical characteristics included female phenotype,various degrees of breast development and absent or sparse axillary/pubic hair, oligomenorrhea or secondary amenorrhea,recurrent luteinized ovarian cysts,hypogonadism with persistent hyperprogesteronemia or high serum 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone level,with or without hypokalemic hypertension.There were also 2 cases of 46,XY incomplete 17 OHD,in which ambiguous genitalia were present besides hypokalemic hypertension.Conclusions Incomplete 17 OHD is a very rare form of congenital enzymatic deficiencies of steroid synthesis,which should be included in the differential diagnosis when there are menstrual disorders,sexual infantilism,recurrent ovarian cysts or ambiguous genitalia.Under such circumstances,hyperprogesteronemia offers a valuable clue for further investigation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between lamivudine-resistant mutants of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and serum HBV DNA loading before antiviral therapy.

METHODSThis study involved 106 patients with hepatitis B receiving lamivudine treatment for an average of 32 months (rang 12-48 months). Serum HBV DNA loadings were measured with PCR before and every 4 to 6 months during lamivudine therapy. HBV YMDD mutants were detected using mismatched PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) during lamivudine treatment.

RESULTSHBV DNA loading was significantly higher in patients infected with HBV YMDD mutants during lamivudine therapy than those infected with HBV without YMDD mutation.

CONCLUSIONHigh viral loading in hepatitis B patients before treatment is associated with high likeliness of HBV YMDD mutation during lamivudine treatment. HBV DNA loading may be indicative for the occurrence of YMDD mutation during lamivudine therapy.

Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; pharmacology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Viral Load ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo present a method of quantitative diagnosis of craniofacial skeleton deformities based on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT).

METHODS20 cases with facial asymmetric deformities underwent 3D CT and the 3D images were reconstructed by Mimics 10.0 (Belgium). Anatomical landmarks were located and the coordinate of the landmarks obtained. Axial images of 1 patient with Romberg disease was used as representative case. The differences in the distance between the right landmarks and the left were calculated and analyzed.

RESULTSThe measurement results were not significantly different between two stages with an interval of 4 weeks ( P > 0.05), showing a reproducible resutls. The deviation of landmarks at facial midline increased gradually from upward to downward, reaching (2.63 +/- 0.54) mm at menton point. Paired landmarks showed asymmetry in three dimensions, especially gonion point on the left side, which was deviated 10.21 mm inward, 9.26 mm forward, 6.30 mm upward, compared to the opposite side.

CONCLUSIONSThe method of 3D CT quantitative analysis can provide precise information in the diagnosis and treatment planning of facial asymmetry deformity.

Anatomic Landmarks ; diagnostic imaging ; Cephalometry ; Craniofacial Abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Facial Asymmetry ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate osthole effect on femoral tissue resorption activity of rat in vitro.

METHODSSix SD rats weighted (80 ± 5) g were used to isolate and culture femoral tissue (diaphyses and metaphysis) in vitro. The cultured tissue were devided into control group, estradiol group and osthole group. The femoral tissue was treated with final concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol/L osthole and 1 x 10(-8) mol/L estradiol culture in vitro at 48 hours after cultured. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (StrACP) activity, glucose and Lactic acid content, StrACP, MCSF (Macrophage colony stimulating factor) and CTSK (Cathepsin K) mRNA was detected by Real-Time RT-PCR were detected.

RESULTSConcetration of Alkaline phosphatase activity were 2226 and 2498 in 1 x 10(-5) mol/L osthole and 1 x 10(-8) mol/L estradiol respectively. As compared with control group, the activity of StrACP of 1 x 10(-5) mol/L osthole and 1 x 10(-8) mol/L estradiol were inhibited at 6, 9, 12 days (P < 0.05); under treatment of in l x 10(-5) mol/L osthole, the content of Lactic acid were increased and the content of glucose were decreased at 3, 6, 9 days (P < 0.05); StrACP, MCSF and CTSK mRNA expression level were inhibited at 6, 9 days (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOsthole can inhibit bone resorption and raise the level of nutrition metabolism of femurs tissue.

Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Resorption ; prevention & control ; Coumarins ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Femur ; drug effects ; Glucose ; analysis ; Lactic Acid ; analysis ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

0.05).(3)The average CTDIvol values were 60?5 mGy,88?10 mGy for 2C_2 and NC_2(C_2)groups,respectively.The corresponding ED values were(12.3?1.0)and(18.0?2.0)mSv,respectively.The CTDIvol and ED values for 2C_2 group were about 32% lower than those of NC_2 group and were statistically significant with P

AIM: To study caspase-9 expression on rat retina in the process of chronic elevation of IOP and the changes with the application of amino guanidine (AG), thus to investigate potential protective function of AG to rat retina with chronic elevation of IOP.METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot were used to observe retinal morphology and expression of caspase-9 at different time points of rat with chronic IOP elevation, both affected or not affected by the application of AG.RESULTS: Compared with control group, as time passed retina of experimental group gradually had detectable morphological changes. On 21st day of chronic IOP elevation, retinas became thinner and the quantity of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) decreased; caspase-9 expression increased, consistent with the morphological changes. The group using AG presented relatively smaller morphology changes and less expression of caspase-9.CONCLUSION: Apoptosis-related gene caspase-9 played a part in the process of chronic IOP elevation; AG protects retina by down-regulating expression of caspase-9.

OBJECTIVETo study the value of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) with two-dimensional (2D) chemical-shift imaging (CSI) in evaluating brain gliomas.

METHODSThirty-six patients with gliomas received examinations with 2D-CSI. The VOI of MRS included the tumor, peritumoral edematous and nonedematous areas, and the contralateral normal tissue. The changes of the metabolites in different areas were determined using 2D-CSI (1)H-MRS with SE sequence and the metabolite ratios were calculated.

RESULTSSignificant differences were found in the ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and NAA/Cho between low-grade gliomas and contralateral normal brain tissue, and between high-grade gliomas and the contralateral normal tissue (P<0.01). The low-grade gliomas and high-grade gliomas differed significantly in the ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and NAA/Cho (P<0.05). These ratios also showed significant differences between peritumoral edematous area and the glioma tissue, between the peritumoral edematous area and contralateral normal brain tissue (P<0.05), and between the peritumoral nonedematous area and the glioma tissue (P<0.05). Between the peritumoral nonedematous area and contralateral normal brain tissue, NAA/Cr and NAA/Cho ratios were significantly different (P<0.05) but the Cho/Cr ratio was similar (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMRS with 2D-CSI can provide precise and effective evidences with high time resolution for glioma grading, assessment of peritumoral involvement and glioma therapies.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Female ; Glioma ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe experiments were conducted to study specialty of seed germinating, plant growing and developing and cultural practices of A. edgeworthii.

METHODThe germinating and sowing test, growth habitants, photosensitive reaction of seedling from subterraneous seeds and above ground seeds on A. edgeworthii were studied in this experiment.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that (1) The water could not be absorbed by seed from plant above ground; (2) The underground and above ground seeds could normally germinate, grow, blossom and bear fruits, A. edgeworthii sowed in early May, blossomed in early September and matured in the last ten days of October; (3) The seed leaf of seedling grew underground; (4) The underground seed was produced from subterraneous branch stem which developed from node of seed leaf; (5) A. edgeworthii was shade demanding, high-temperature sensible short-day light plant. The flowering could be greatly advantaged by short-day light treatment (12, 10, 8, 6 h). Cultural practices were studied also in this experiment.

Fabaceae ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Seedlings ; growth & development ; Seeds ; growth & development ; Sunlight

Acute-Phase Proteins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Female ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Lipocalin-2 ; Lipocalins ; metabolism ; Liver ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism