Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of transcranial color duplex sonography for vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency (VBI). Methods Transcranial color duplex sonography was performed on 30 healthy controls and 30 VBI patients confirmed clinically to examine the flow velocities and wave form parameters of the main supra and infra tentorial basal cerebral arteries. The anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries on either side of the cranium and the vertebrobasilar system were observed using a 2.0 MHz transducer of a computed sonographic system. Results The vertebral artery system resistance index and pulsitive index were significantly higher in VBI patients than those in the controls ( P

OBJECTIVETo explore a method for combining Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) staining with immunofluorescent staining in rats with focal cortical infarction.

METHODPermanent distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO) was induced in rats by electrocoagulation. The rat models were randomized into two groups, and frozen sections of the brain tissues from each group were stained with FJB followed by immunofluorescent staining or in the reverse order.

RESULTSFJB staining followed by immunofluorescence staining clearly visualized both FJB-positive and immunofluorescence-positive cells in the frozen sections, but the staining protocol in the reverse sequence failed to clearly show the immunofluorescence-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONFJB staining prior to immunofluorescence staining does not affect the staining effect of protein immunofluorescent staining and better visualizes the positive cells.

Animals ; Brain ; pathology ; Fluoresceins ; chemistry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; methods ; Fluorescent Dyes ; chemistry ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Rats ; Staining and Labeling ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the expression of Survivin and Ki67 with prognosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs).

METHODSImmunohistochemistry for Survivin and Ki67 was performed in 25 cases of normal pancreatic tissues and 81 cases of PETs by tissue microarrays and to observe the expression and evaluate the relationship with prognosis.

RESULTS(1)The expression of Survivin and Ki67 in PETs was significantly higher than that in normal pancreatic tissues (P <0.01); (2)The expression of Survivin and Ki67 in PETs was correlated with tissue grading and the TNM-staging (P < 0.05), but not related with tumor size, location and functional status. In addition, the expression of nuclear Survivin was association with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). (3)The high expression of Ki67 was related with the expression of nuclear Survivin, but not related with the expression of cytoplasmic Survivin.

CONCLUSIONSurvivin and Ki67 were both expressed in PETs, which were closely related to the clinical pathological characteristics. They could be used as new indicators in the evaluation of prognosis of PETs. The expression of Survivin in nucleus had more diagnostic significance than that in cytoplasm, and that could be highly correlated with lymph node metastasis, which would be used as a new marker of poor prognosis.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVEThis paper presents a new method of individual prefabricated titanium implant for the reconstruction of the skull bone defect.

METHODA computer-based 3D model of the cranial bone defect is created from helical CT-data and serves as the basis for the computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) of the individual prefabricated titanium implant for the cranial bone defect reconstruction.

RESULTSince 2001, a total of nine patients suffering from the cranial bone defect have been operated on by this method with satisfied result. The fallow-up is 3 to 12 months.

CONCLUSIONThese individual prefabricated titanium implants have won a high precision, a good biomechanics and a excellent biocompatibility. It is a quite ideal and very simple method with much less complication for the surgical treatment of the cranial bone defect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Prostheses and Implants ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skull ; surgery ; Skull Fractures ; surgery ; Titanium ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of early serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in acute cerebral infarction and its significances.

METHODSSerum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in 30 health subjects and 35 patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI) within 6 hours of onset were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); neurological deficits scores (NDS) in all cases were determined, and Spearman test was used for correlation.

RESULTSThe serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in ACI group were markedly higher than those in health subjects and there was a positive correlation of TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels with 6 h NDS (rs=0.89 and 0.93, P<0.001) and with NDS progression (rs=0.90 and 0.91, P<0.001). Early serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in progressive cerebral infarction (PCI) group were evidently higher than those in stable cerebral infarction (SCI)[(49.56+/-12.12) pg/L compared with (24.30+/-7.4) ng/L and (39.76+/-7.88) ng/L compared with (20.78+/-6.28) ng/L, respectively, P<0.01)].

CONCLUSIONThe early serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in ACI markedly increase and are closely correlated with disease severity; which may be of value in PCI risk evaluation.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; Early Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Time Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the approach of open reduction and internal fixation for the treatment of anteromedial coronoid facet fractures and associated injury.

METHODSFrom July 2009 to August 2011, 6 coronoid anteromedial facet fractures were treated (4 males and 2 females,the average age was 32.6 years old,ranged from 19 to 49 years old) in our hospital. Three patients had fractures in the left side and 3 in the right(4 dominant sides and 2 non dominant sides). All the patients had close fractures. All the fractures were subtype 2 or subtype 3 of coronoid anteromedial facet fracture according to O'Driscoll classification. The anteromedial incision of elbow and the approach of splitting flexor digitorum superficialis between flexor carpi radialis and palmaris longus were used to apply internal fixation with mini-plate. After fixation of coronoid fracture, widening of radiohumeral joint interspace under varus stress occurred in 3 cases,elbow varus posteromedial rotational instability was showed,and the exploration and repair of radial collateral ligament was not carried out. Plaster was applied for 2 weeks before rehabilitation and the time of plaster application extended to 4 weeks in the patients showed varus posteromedial rotational instability. The motion degree,pain and stability, strength of elbow and hand were recorded,the elbows were evaluated with modified An and Morrey functional rating index.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up,and the average duration was 9.3 months (ranged from 7.5 to 13 months). The strength of elbow and hand were equal to that in the contralateral side. The average flexion was (129.0+/-6.5) degree (ranged from 120 to 135 degree); the average extention was (4.0+/-4.2) degree (ranged from 0 to 10 degree); the average forearm pronation was (84.0+/-6.5) degree (ranged from 75 to 90 degree); average supination was (89.0+/-7.1) degree (ranged from 80 to 100 degree). One patient had ulnar sensory neuropathy after operation and healed in half-year, no postoperative complications as pain and instability accured. All the patients obtained excellent results according to modified An and Morrey functional rating index.

CONCLUSIONThe approach of splitting flexor digitorum superficialis between flexor carpi radialis and palmaris longus could be used in open reduction and internal fixation of anteromedial coronoid facet farcture, rehabilitation should be postponed in the patient showed elbow varus posteromedial rotational instability.

Adult ; Casts, Surgical ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ulna Fractures ; surgery

Cardiomyocytes can resist ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury through ischemic postconditioning (IPoC) which is repetitive ischemia induced during the onset of reperfusion. Myocardial ischemic preconditioning up-regulated protein 2 (MIP2) is a member of the WD-40 family proteins, we previously showed that MIP2 was up-regulated during ischemic preconditioning (IPC). As IPC and IPoC engaged similar molecular mechanisms in cardioprotection, this study aimed to elucidate whether MIP2 was up-regulated during IPoC and contributed to IPoC-mediated protection against I/R injury. The experiment was conducted on two models, an in vivo open chest rat coronary artery occlusion model and an in vitro model with H9c2 myogenic cells. In both models, 3 groups were constituted and randomly designated as the sham, I/R and IPoC/hypoxia postconditioning (HPoC) groups. In the IPoC group, after 45 min of ischemia, hearts were allowed three cycles of reperfusion/ischemia phases (each of 30 s duration) followed by reperfusion. In the HPoC group, after 6 h of hypoxia, H9c2 cells were subjected to three cycles of 10 minute reoxygenation and 10 minute hypoxia followed by reoxygenation. IPoC significantly reduced the infarct size, plasma level of Lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase MB in rats. 12 h after the reperfusion, MIP2 mRNA levels in the IPoC group were 10 folds that of the sham group and 1.4 folds that of the I/R group. Increased expression of MIP2 mRNA and attenuation of apoptosis were similarly observed in the HPoC group in the in vitro model. These effects were blunted by transfection with MIP2 siRNA in the H9c2 cells. This study demonstrated that IPoC induced protection was associated with increased expression of MIP2. Both MIP2 overexpression and MIP2 suppression can influence the IPoC induced protection.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Hypoxia/genetics/physiology ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival/genetics/physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial/*methods ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac/*metabolism/*pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reperfusion Injury/*metabolism/*prevention & control

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of neonatal asphyxia and possible contributing factors for the development of severe asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, China. METHODS: A total of 16 hospitals in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture were selected as research centers. A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 22 294 live births in these 16 hospitals from January to December, 2016 to investigate the incidence rate of neonatal asphyxia and possible contributing factors for the development of severe asphyxia. RESULTS: Of the 22 294 neonates born alive, 733 (3.29%) were diagnosed with neonatal asphyxia, among whom 627 had mild asphyxia and 106 had severe asphyxia. The neonates with low maternal education level, maternal anemia during pregnancy, chorioamnionitis, abnormal amniotic fluid, abnormal umbilical cord, placenta previa, placental abruption, Tujia Minority, preterm birth, and low birth weight had a higher incidence of severe asphyxia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The incidence rate of neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is higher. Low maternal education level, maternal anemia during pregnancy, chorioamnionitis, abnormal amniotic fluid, abnormal umbilical cord, placenta previa, placental abruption, Tujia Minority, preterm birth, and low birth weight may be related to the development of severe neonatal asphyxia.
Asphyxia Neonatorum ; epidemiology ; China ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Retrospective Studies

This study was aimed to investigate the expression level of NOV and BNIP3 mRNA in mice myelomonocytic leukemia (AML-M(4)) and its significance. The mice were inoculated intravenously with myelomonocytic leukemia cells of WEHI-3, and divided randomly into chemotherapy group and control (untreated) group. Bone marrow samples were then collected from both groups at different times. The NOV and BNIP3 mRNA expression were detected by TaqMan quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the relationship between these expression levels and clinical significance in leukemia incidence and progression were analyzed with β-actin as the housekeeping gene. The results showed that the mean values of NOV and BNIP3 increased gradually from 2 weeks after inoculation and achieved highest level at death in control group. Expression level of NOV increased from 1.85E-05 before inoculation to 3.57E-02 at death (p < 0.05), and BNIP3 from 3.44E-03 to 3.48E-02. While 2 gene expression in the chemotherapy group decreased quickly to 2.51E-05 and 1.58E-03 (p < 0.05) respectively after chemotherapy, which were close to the level before inoculation (p > 0.05). The 2 gene expressions again rose at relapse, and difference of expression level between 2 group at death were no statistically significant (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the expression of NOV and BNIP3 in leukemia AML-M(4) is significantly higher than that in normal controls, of which high level expression is an important factor in the development of leukemia. Close relation between the therapeutic effect and expression level of these two genes suggests the great value in prognostic evaluation and MRD detection.
Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; genetics ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the reconstitution of immune function and viral suppression condition and to analyze the occurrence of drug resistance HIV-1 variants and its prevalence after using HAART in Guangxi Autonomy Region.

METHODSFrom July 2004 to October 2005, 133 HIV infected individuals who had received HAART for more than three months were recruited, and 58 infected persons with no antiviral therapy were selected as controls. Questionnaire was used to collect information about the adherence of HAART therapy. Immune reconstruction and viral suppress conditions were obtained by CD4+ counts and viral load and RT-PCR were used to amplify the PR and RT regions of HIV-1 genome while HIV-1 drug resistance rates were analyzed to show the occurrence and prevalence in both treated and naive patients.

RESULTSIn terms of CD4+ T cell counts: 70.69% of the treated patients showed obvious increase and 23.28% had no apparent change but 6.03% of them went down. 70.48% of the patients who had received antiviral therapy more than 3 months had their viral load lower than the low detectable limitation. When comparing the log of viral load between treated and untreated cohort, the mean value of the treated was obviously less than the untreated (P < 0.05). However,the result of drug resistance showed no obvious difference between the treated and untreated groups.

CONCLUSIONThe antiviral therapy being used in Guangxi region, had achieved obvious effect on the reconstruction of immune system and the suppression of viral replication in vivo under good adherence while the occurrence of drug-resistant HIV strain did not show obvious difference between treated and naive patient groups.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Patient Compliance ; Prevalence ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Viral Load