Adult ; Aged ; Dust ; analysis ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Niacin ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; prevention & control ; Silicon Dioxide ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo develop a transparent, non-toxic, non-irritating anti-fogging agent with long-lasting effect for nasal endoscopy.

METHODSThe anti-fogging agent was prepared by mixing ethanol, propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, sodium dodecyl sulfate, polyethylene glycol 400 and deionized water at different proportions based on an orthogonal test design. Twenty-seven test samples of the anti-fogging agents were obtained, which were colorless, transparent, and non-irritating, with a pH value of 7-8. Storz00 nasal endoscopy and its imaging system were used to test the anti-fogging time of the 27 samples, and each agent was tested for 3 times with medical Seoul iodine and 95% ethanol as control.

RESULTSThe optimal composition of the anti-fogging agent was 20% ethanol, 10% propylene glycol, 20% polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, 4% sodium dodecyl sulfate, 4% polyethylene glycol, 42% deionized water. The anti-fogging time of this agent reached 15 min, significantly longer than that of medical Seoul iodine (4 min) and 95% ethanol (18 s).

CONCLUSIONThis anti-fogging agent for nasal endoscopes is colorless and safe and has a long anti-fogging time by forming a homogenous transparent membrane over the endoscopic lens.

Endoscopes ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Ethanol ; Nose ; surgery ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate ; Solutions ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein and mRNA in bile duct carcinomas and the adjacent tissues and to elucidate its role in bile duct carcinogenesis.

METHODSThe expression of hTERT protein and hTERT mRNA in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens of 71 cases of bile duct cancers and 39 cases of adjacent tissues was detected by streptavidin-peroxidase immunostaining and in situ hybridization. The correlation was analysed statistically between the expression of hTERT protein and mRNA and clinicopathological parameters bile duct carcinomas.

RESULTSThe positive rate of hTERT protein expression and mRNA expression in malignant specimens was 78.9% (56/71) and 67.6% (48/71), while that in the adjacent tissues was 35.9% (14/39) and 23.1% (9/39), respectively. All the positive signals were found in the hyperplastic biliary epithelia. No significant correlation was established between hTERT expression and clinicopathological parameters.

CONCLUSIONhTERT gene transcription and protein expression is most likely involved in the proliferation and malignant transformation of bile epithelia and the malignant progression of bile duct carcinomas. The detection of hTERT expression may serve elucidating the carcinogenesis of bile duct.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Telomerase ; analysis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore changes of Clara cell protein (CC16) and surfactant protein-D (SP-D) in the serum of patients with silicosis.

METHODThe concentrations of CC16 and SP-D were measured in the serum by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The subjects consisted of 30 healthy volunteers and 90 silica-exposed workers including silica-exposed group, the silicosis of suspects group (0(+)) and the silicosis phase I group, 30 subjects each groups.

RESULTSThe concentrations of CC16 in the serum was significantly decreased in silica-exposed workers compared to controls (P < 0.01); The concentrations of CC16 in the serum were higher in lifelong nonsmokers than the current smokers in control subjects (P < 0.05), but they were no differences between lifelong nonsmokers and current smokers of 90 silica-exposed workers. Compared with control subjects, the levels of SP-D in the serum of silicosis suspects (0(+)) and silicosis phase I groups were significantly elevated (P < 0.01, respectively), which were also higher than silica-exposed group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), Discriminant equations set by CC16 and SP-D were used in diagnosis of silicosis, and the rate of accuracy in healthy volunteers, the silica-exposed group and the silicosis phase I group were 86.7%, 86.7% and 76.7%, respectively, The total rate of correct classification hit 84.2%.

CONCLUSIONThe serum CC16 of long-term silica-exposed workers is decreased, and SP-D is increased gradually.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D ; blood ; Silicosis ; blood ; Uteroglobin ; blood

Taking the typical metabolic control product-guanosine as an example, the method of metabolic flux shift investigation based on process multi-levels parameter correlation analysis was established. The metabolic pathway, multi-parameter correlation, accumulation of amino acid and organic acid during guanosine fermentation process were integratively analyzed. The metabolic flux shift from HMP to EMP was ascertained, which was assumed to be caused by the accumulation of ammonium ion. The subsequent optimization based on controlling flux distribution between EMP and HMP did improve the yield by 35% when the metabolic flux shift was prevented.
Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Ammonia ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Guanosine ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protein expression of myogenin, a mark of muscle regeneration, and TGF-beta1, an important factor of myelofibrosis, in long-term denervated posterior cricoarytenoid muscles (PCAMs) in order to find the appropriate time point of reinnervation in long-term denervated PCAMs.

METHODSThirty-eight patients with vocal paralysis were divided into four groups, the 0.5-year denervation group, the 1-year denervation group, the 2-year denervation group and the over 3-year denervation group. Twelve normal adults served as a control group. The change in expression of related factors such as myogenin and TGF-beta1 were observed using immunofluorescence stain and Western blot.

RESULTSImmunostaining with antibody against myogenin showed no staining in innervated, however, by 0.5-year of muscle denervation, there was a significant accumulation of myogenin protein in myonuclei. There was a peak in expression of myogenin in 1-year denervated muscles. After 2 years of denervation, expression of myogenin protein in myonuclei was decreased, but after 3 years of denervation, no expression of myogenin protein in myonuclei was found. TGF-beta1 showed no staining in innervated, however, by 0.5-year and 1-year of muscle denervation there was a significant accumulation of TGF-beta1 protein in endochylema of myofiber, After 2 years of denervation, expression of TGF-beta1 protein in endochylema of myofiber was decreased, but after 3 years of denervation, no expression of TGF-beta1 protein in endochylema could be found. In Western blot, the change in protein expression of myogenin was observed 7.12-fold (F = 332.205, P < 0.001) increase from 0.5-year denervated muscles to innervated muscles, 15.58-fold (P < 0.001) increase from 1-year denervated muscles to innervated muscles, 6.50-fold (P < 0.001) increase from 2-years denervated muscles to innervated muscles (P < 0.001). After 3 years, the protein expression of myogenin decreased, 1.12-fold to innervated muscles. The change in protein expression of TGF-beta1 was observed 4.80-fold (F = 106.192, P < 0.001) increase from 0.5-year denervated muscles to innervated muscles, 10.59-fold (P < 0.001) increase from 1-year denervated muscles to innervated muscles, 6.01-fold (P < 0.001) increase from 2-years denervated muscles to innervated muscles(P < 0.001). After 3 years, the protein expression of TGF-beta1 decreased 1.20-fold to innervated muscles. There was significant positive correlation between expression of myogenin and TGF-beta1 in long-term denervated PCAMs.

CONCLUSIONSThe change in expression of myogenin and TGF-beta1 indicated that there was a good muscles regeneration and a high amplitude of myelofibrosis within 2 years.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Muscles ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Denervation ; Myogenin ; metabolism ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries ; Time Factors ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of HBV X gene (HBx mRNA) in extrahepatic biliary tract carcinomas and the adjacent non-cancerous tissues, and to analyzed the relationship between HBV infection and incidence of biliary tract carcinomas, thereby to elucidate the possible role of HBx in the carcinogenesis of biliary tract.

METHODSThe plasmid pSPX46 was digested by appropriate restriction enzyme. HBx fragment was obtained through gel extraction kit. The digoxigenin-labeled DNA probes for HBx mRNA were prepared by a random prime technique. The expression of HBx mRNA was detected in formalin-fixed- paraffin-embedded specimens from 71 cases of biliary tract carcinomas and 39 specimens of non-cancerous tissues adjacent to cancer by in situ hybridization. The correlations between HBx mRNA expression and clinicopathological parameters were statistically analysed in 71 cases of biliary duct carcinomas.

RESULTSForty-three of 71 malignant specimens had detectable HBx mRNA expression with a positive rate being 61%. Only 7 of 39 specimens of non-cancerous tissues adjacent to cancer had weak HBx mRNA expression, with a positive rate being 18%, and all these positive signals were found in the hyperplastic biliary epithelium. No significant correlation was found between HBx mRNA expression and clinicopathological parameters, but a strong positive correlation was found between HBx mRNA and protein expression.

CONCLUSIONThere is a high frequency of HBx mRNA expression in extrahepatic biliary tract carcinomas. HBV infection and its gene integration might play a role to certain extent in the development of biliary tract carcinomas.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Base Sequence ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; pathology ; Biliary Tract Neoplasms ; complications ; virology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Trans-Activators ; genetics

Objective To investigate the CT findings of Madelung's disease in the head and neck region,and to evaluate the value of CT in demonstrating the Madelung's disease in the head and neck region.Methods CT findings of Madelung's disease in the head and neck region in 7 cases were analyzed retrospectively.All were males,with the age from 36 to 60 years,mean 51 years.All patients were underwent CT native scan,and enhanced CT scan was performed on 3 of them.Results CT images in the neck of all patients showed accumulation of nonencapsulated fat within the subcutaneous tissue and(or) deep to the platysma,and(or)within the spaces between the muscles.The fat deposits were ill-defined and symmetrical.In most cases the fat deposits involved the anterior part of the neck(infrahyoid and suprahyoid),submandibular region,the subcutaneous tissue of the nape and deep to the stenomastoid muscles.Conclusions Madelung's disease in the head and neck region have characteristic CT findings,and CT has great value in qualitative and quantitative diagnosis in Madelung's disease.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hepatotoxic effects of accidental intravenous diethylene glycol (DEG.) poisoning in patients with liver disease.

METHODSClinical data and liver function results were obtained from 64 patients with liver diseases who had been accidentally treated with diethyl glycol-contaminated agent and 45 cases with hepatorenal failure. The hepatotoxic effects of diethylene glycol DEG on the patients with liver diseases were assessed by multivariable logistical regression analysis.

RESULTSOf the 64 cases with liver diseases, 15 cases (23.4%) developed toxic presentations following the accidental administration of DEG. All affected cases were male. Twelve of the 15 poisoned patients (80%), died within 7 days of exposure to DEG. The most common clinical manifestations included kidney damage, renal failure, metabolic acidosis, and nerve system disturbances. The intravenous administration of DEG resulted in only mild liver function impairment. In terms of risk factors, both gender (r = 4.266, P less than 0.05) and the severity of jaundice prior to DEG administration were related to the occurrence of toxin-induced renal failure (r = 7.640, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSDEG may worsen liver damage in patients with liver diseases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ethylene Glycols ; poisoning ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Medication Errors ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Eye Diseases ; prevention & control ; Home Care Services ; Humans ; Schools ; Single-Blind Method ; Students ; Urban Population