Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; complications ; virology ; Male ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; etiology ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; etiology

Humans ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; pathology

Objective To study the clinical significance of recognizing Zuckerkandl tubercle (ZT) during thyroid surgery. Methods One hundred and sixty-one patients (218 sides) having underwent thyroid lobectomy or thyroidectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The presence of ZT, the position and size of ZT, and the relationship between ZT and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), superior parathyroid (SP) were observed. Results In 218 sides, 179 sides (82.1%) found ZT, with right side in 93 cases and left side in 86 cases. The main relationship between ZT and RLN was A type, accounting for 90.5%(162/179). There were no statistical differences in ZT grade and the relationship type between ZT and RLN between left side and right side (P>0.05). There was negative correlation in ZT grade and the relationship type between ZT and RLN (r=-0.269, P<0.01). In right side, 92.3%(72/78) of SP located on the top of ZT at 10-11 o′clock position;in left side, 94.6%(70/74) of SP located on the top of ZT at 1-2 o′clock position. Conclusions ZT is an important anatomical mark in the thyroid surgery, which helps to identify and protect the RLN and SP, so as to reduce surgical complications.

Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Gene Targeting ; methods ; Humans ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; pharmacology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To predict the occurrence of hypoparathyroidism following total thyroidectomy. Methods In this study, 124 patients underwent total thyroidectomy, 46 for thyroid cancer and 78 for multinodular goiter, additional neck dissection was performed on cancer patients. Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were examined preoperatively and at 1 h, 1 d and 2 d postoperatively. The occurrence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism was observed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was employed to identify the best indicator to early predict the occurrence of clinical hypocalcemic symptoms. Results Fifty-eight (46.8%) patients suffered from postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism, with 22 ( 47. 8% ) cases in thyroid cancer group and 36 ( 46. 2% ) in multinodular goiter group ( λ2 = 0. 033, P = 0. 857). One (0.8%) patient in cancer group had permanent hypoparathyroidism. 90 patients (72.6%) had postoperative hypocalcaemia, 58 (46. 8% ) had subnormal serum PTH levels, 40 (32. 3% ) had hypocalcaemia symptoms. Postoperative serum calcium (F=21. 358,P =0. 000) and PTH ( F = 18.253, P =0.000) levels decreased more in cancer group than in goiter group.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the percentage of serum PTH level decline at 1 h postoperatively was most predictive and 76. 6% decline was the best cut-off value for the occurrence of clinical hypocalcaemia symptoms ( area under the curve being 0.933 ) with a sensitivity of 89. 7% and a specificity of 87.9%. Conclusions Neck dissection added to total thyroidectomy can decrease the postoperative serum calcium and PTH levels more seriously, but may not increase the incidence of postoperative transient hyperparathyroidism. The percentage of serum PTH level decline at 1 h postoperatively predicts the occurrence of clinical hypocalcaemia symptoms.

Objective To explore central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) of cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Methods We evaluate the clinical data of 245 patients with cN0 unilateral TPC undergoing total thyroidectomy and bilateral central lymph node dissection.Results Central lymph node metastasis of cN0 TPC was 36.8％ (91/245),significantly related to gender(x2 =5.626,P =0.018),age (x2 =6.255,P =0.012),tumor size (x2 =20.063,P ＜ 0.001) and capsule invasion (x2 =15.024,P ＜ 0.001).The central lymph node metastasis was 51.7％ (60/116) in 116 patients with tumor size ＞ 1 cm,and the contralateral CLNM was 22.4％ (26/116) which was related to capsule invasion (x2 =9.737,P =0.002) and delphian LNM(x2 =10.982,P =0.001) There were 6 cases (2.4％) suffering from temporary unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.96 cases (39.2％) suffered from temporary hypoparathyroidism and 3 cases (1.2％) from permanent hypoparathyroidism.The median follow-up time was 40 months.6 cases were found regional lymph node recurrence on the ipsilateral side.Tumor size ＞ 1 cm was significantly related with recurrence (P =0.008),as CLNM with higher recurrence rate (P =0.001).Conclusions CLNM is common in cN0 PTC patients,and central lymph node metastases increase the risk of recurrence.Prophylactic bilateral central lymph node dissection is suggested for tumor size ＞ 1 cm cases.

Objective To observe the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) on anemia and erythropoietin (EPO) requirements in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Methods Ninety maintenance hemodialysis patients with hypertension and anemia were divided into 2 groups by random digits table, observation group (45 cases, using ACEI as antihypertensive treatment), control group [45 cases,using calcium channel blocker (CCB) as antihypertensive treatment]. The follow-up period after starting ACEI or CCB therapy was one year. The hemoglobin concentration, serum EPO, EPO requirements were compared after 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 months' treatment. Results In response to ACEI, the mean hemoglobin value in observation group decreased progressively, reaching statistical significance after 6 months, and it had significant difference compared with that in control group [6 months: (94.21±9.20) g/Lvs. (105.55±9.16) g/L,12 months: (95.90±6.75) g/L vs. (105.81±4.45) g/L,P <0.05]. The EPO requirements experienced a progressive increase in observation group and reached statistical significance after 8 months, compared with those in control group [8 months: ( 10 090.75±1918.35) U/week vs. (7010.32±1600.15) U/week, 12 months: (11 586.39±2009.76) U/week vs. (7068.48±1615.35) U/week,P<0.05].Serum erythropoietin concentration remained stable during the study in two groups. Conclusion ACEI can worsen anemia and reduce the efficacy of EPO in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

This paper reported a new method of Armillaria mellea isolation-Gastrodia elata tissue isolating. Compared with normal isolating method-rhizomorph isolating method, it showed that the success rate of new method (78% ) was higher than the rhizomorph isolating method (16% ) , besides this, the new method was easier, and growth characteristic of obtained strain was superior to that obtained from rhizomorph isolating method.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of chronic hypoxia on left and right ventricular function and the expression of cardiac transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels in rats.

METHODSForty eight SD male rats were randomly divided into control group (CON) and chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension model group (CH) (n = 24). In CH group, rats were exposed in chronic hypoxia environment (10% +/- 0.2% O2) to induce myocardial hypertrophy. After 3 weeks, mean systemic arterial pressure (mSAP), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left or right ventricular pressure maximum rate of rise (LV/RV + dp/dt(max)), left or right ventricular pressure maximum rate of descent (LV/RV-dp/dt(max)), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVMI) and left ventricular hypertrophy index (LVMI) were measured. Left and right ventricular myocardium tissue sections were stained by HE and observed under light microscope. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time-PCR) and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of TRPC subfamily.

RESULTSRVSP, RVMI, RV + dp/dt(max) and RV-dp/dt(max) were markedly elevated in CH group (P < 0.01) in comparison to CON group. LVMI was markedly reduced in CH group in comparison to CON group (P < 0.01). LVSP, LV + dp/dt(max) and LV- dp/dt(max) had no significant changes in CH group in comparison to CON group. Right ventricular myocardial cells of CH group became thick, the nuclei stained deeply, the shape of nuclei became not regularity. Left ventricular myocardial fibers did not change significantly. There was significant difference in the levels of mRNA and protein of TRPC1 between CON and CH groups.

CONCLUSIONFor three weeks exposed to chronic hypoxia induced right ventricular hypertrophy specifically, raised the mRNA and protein expression of TRPC1 on right ventricular myocardial cells . TRPC1 might be involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transient Receptor Potential Channels ; metabolism ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology ; Ventricular Function, Right ; physiology