Chinchilla has been successfully used as an animal model in the study of auditory system, microorgan-ism and parasitic infection, because of its unique biological features, and it can be further developed for the research of se-nile diseases, metabolic diseases, etc.This paper will introduce the related biological characteristics of chinchilla, and briefly reviewed the progress of its application in medical research.

Objective To explore the effectiveness and safety of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG)and laparoscopically assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG)for gastric cancer.Methods The comparative studies of TLDG and LADG published between 2008 and 2014 were searched from PubMed,EMBASE,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM),China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). After screening for inclusion, data extraction,and quality assessment,RevMan 5.3 software was used for Meta-analysis.Results Ten studies of 2 212 patients were included in the Meta-analysis,among whom 930 cases underwent TLDG and 1 282 cases underwent LADG.The results of Meta-analysis indicated that compared with LADG,TLDG had the advantages of less blood loss (WMD= - 20.70,95%CI:- 30.81 - - 10.59,P <0.01),less usage of analgesic (WMD=-0.38,95%CI:-0.74 - -0.02,P =0.04),more retrieved lymph nodes (WMD= 2.98,95%CI:0.71 -5.26,P =0.01).However,the Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant differences in the operation time, postoperative time-to-first flatus and oral intake,postoperative hospital stay,length of proximal resection margin, C reaction protein (CRP)level at postoperative day 1,incidence of overall complications and anastomosis-related complications.Conclusion TLDG is safe and effective with less blood loss, less pain than those of LADG. Moreover,it has comparable results to conventional LADG,with no increase of postoperative complications.

In order to identify Aucklandiae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, Inulae Radix, Aristolochiae Radix and Kadsurae Radix using ITS2 barcodes, genomic DNA from sixty samples was extracted and the ITS2 (internal transcribed spacer) regions were amplified and sequenced. The genetic distances were computed using MEGA 5.0 in accordance with the kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model and the neighbor-joining (NJ) phylogenetic tree was constructed. The results indicated that for Aucklandiae Radix (Aucklandia lappa), Vladimiriae Radix (Vladimiria souliei and V. souliei var. cinerea), Inulae Radix (Inula helenium), Aristolochiae Radix (Aristolochia debilis) and Kadsurae Radix (Kadsura longipedunculata), the intra-specific variation was smaller than inter-specific one. There are 162 variable sites among 272 bp after alignment of all ITS2 sequence haplotypes. For each species, the intra-specific genetic distances were also smaller than inter-specific one. Furthermore, the NJ tree strongly supported that Aucklandiae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, Inulae Radix, Aristolochiae Radix and Kadsurae Radix can be differentiated. At the same time, V. souliei (Dolomiaea souliei) and V. souliei var. cinerea( D. souliei var. cinerea) belonging to Vladimiriae Radix were clearly identified. In conclusion, ITS2 barcode could be used to identify Aucklandiae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, Inulae Radix, Aristolochiae Radix and Kadsurae Radix. Our study may provide a scientific foundation for clinical safe use of the traditional Chinese medicines.
Aristolochia ; classification ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Quality Control

Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma were widely used in strengthening spleen under different disease conditions, and were easily and often misused each other. Therefore, DNA barcode was used to distinguish Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma from their adulterants to ensure the safe use. The sequence lengths of ITS2 of Atractylodes macrocephala, Atractylodis Rhizoma (A. lancea, A. japonica and A. coreana) were both 229 bp. Among the ITS2 sequences of A. macrocephala, only one G/C transversion was detected at site 98, and the average GC content was 69.42%. No variable site was detected in the ITS2 sequences of A. lancea. The maximum K2P intraspecific genetic distances of both A. japonica and A. coreana were 0.013. The maximum K2P intraspecific genetic distances of A. macrocephala, A. lancea, A. japonica and A. coreana were less than the minimum interspecific genetic distance of adulterants. The ITS2 sequences in each of these polytypic species were separated into pairs of divergent clusters in the NJ tree. DNA barcoding could be used as a fast and accurate identification method to distinguish Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Atractylodis Rhizoma, from their adulterants to ensure its safe use.
Atractylodes ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; classification ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for the rapid identification of Alismatis Rhizoma based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) molecular marker. METHODS: Total genomic DNA was extracted using improved DNA extraction kit, and the internal tran scribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions were amplified and annotated by using the hidden Markov model (HMM). In addition, the ITS2 sequences of Alisma orientale and Alisma plantago-aquatica were aligned through Clustal-W, and then SNP was detected to identify Alismatis Rhizoma. RESULTS: The length of A. orientale and A. plantago-aquatica ITS2 sequences was 311 bp. No intra-specific variation was found among the samples of two species, respectively. One stable SNP (A/T) was detected at 165 bp in ITS2 region which was useful for identification of the two species. The result was confirmed by NJ tree method. Furthermore, authentication of commercial Alismatis Rhizoma by SNP molecular marker and NJ tree method indicated that only two medicinal samples (7%) were A. orientale and the others (93%) were A. plantago-aquatica which was not recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. CONCLUSION: SNP molecular marker can stably and accurately distinguish Alismatis Rhizoma in the market and can offer scientific basis for protection of germplasm resources and cultivation of Alisma.

Objective To study the risk factors of hyperthyroid heart diseases(HHD) by analyzing clinical features of patients in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention and treatment of HHD. Methods Nine hundred and eighty two cases were selected as objective from in-patient data of Thyroid Disease Treatment Centre of Shandong Province. The cases were divided into hyperthyroidism group and HHD group. The variables of etiology,sex, age, duration of disease, TSH, FT3, FT4 and TRAb were analyzed by comparative analysis. The risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression. Results The prevalence of hyperthyroidism complicated hyperthyroid heart disease was 7.7%(76/982), age, duration of diseases, FT3, TRAb in the HHD group were [(51.4 ± 11.5), (6.3 ±2.1) years, 21.6 pmol/L, 71.6 U/L], in hyperthyroidism group were [(37.9 ± 9.8), (2.6 ± 1.3) years, 14.9pmol/L, 49.6 U/L]. The differences were statistically significant(u = 9.93,15.23, T = 44954,48792.5, P ＜ 0.05)between the two groups. The factors of the older, higher FT3 and TRAb, longer duration, Graves disease (OR =1.751,1.470,1.483,1.445,1.234) increased the risk of HHD. Conclusions Graves disease, longer duration, old age, higher FT3 and TRAb are the risk factors of HHD. Timely prevention and control of risk factors is necessary to reduce the incidence of HHD.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the advantages of nitric acid digestion method and its differences with the traditional method. METHODS: Ethanol was used to fully fix the testing sample. About 80-100 g of the testing samples were cut into pieces and digested with nitric acid. It was then centrifuged and washed to remove organic components. Smears were prepared and examined under the light microscope. RESULTS: The diatom had been identified with clear striations, counted conveniently and classified easily. CONCLUSION The improved nitric acid digestion method is not only simple with a higher successful rate of detection, but also can prevent interference from contamination. It can improve the stability of the experimental results, avoid harm to human and environment, and provide higher safety in the course of experiment.
Autopsy ; Diatoms/isolation & purification* ; Drowning ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Kidney/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Lung/metabolism* ; Nitric Acid/chemistry* ; Postmortem Changes ; Tissue Fixation/methods*

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of internet use and internet addiction in adolescents of Shanghai.

METHODFrom September to October 2007, a total of 5135 adolescents from 16 middle schools of 6 districts of Shanghai took part in the epidemiological study by a cross-sectional survey and 5123 adolescents finally enrolled in the study. A questionnaire of "DRM Adolescent Internet Use 52 Scale" was administrated to investigate the prevalence of internet use and internet addiction in adolescents of Shanghai. On this scale of 5-point rating, the scale includes seven parts of contents as tolerance, abstinence reaction, planning ability, self-control ability, whenness, sociability and hazard.

RESULTSThe rate of internet use among the surveyed adolescents was 94.32% (4673/5123), among which the incidence rate of internet addiction was 8.78% (450/5123). Boys, senior middle-school students were more susceptible to internet addiction than girls and junior middle-school students (male scores 122.42+/-43.46, female scores 116.92+/-38.10, F=23.22, P=0.00; senior middle-school students 125.24+/-39.02, junior middle-school students 110.30+/-42.35, F=164.68, P=0.00). Students from vocational senior middle-school were most susceptible (junior middle-school students 110.30+/-42.35, ordinary senior middle-school students 122.83+/-40.99, key senior middle-school students 120.05+/-37.87, vocational senior middle-school students 133.37+/-36.84, F=34.44, P=0.00). The 2nd grade students of senior middle-school have the highest risk for internet-addiction.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of internet use and internet addiction in adolescents of Shanghai should be comparatively high in China, which indicates that great attention should be paid to the prevention and control.

Adolescent ; Behavior, Addictive ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires

To study the gene polymorphism of HLA-A, B, DRB1 alleles in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and to explore the correlation of HLA with chronic myelogenous leukemia, the polymerase chain reaction-reverse sequence specific oligonucleotide (PCR-RSSO) was used to analyze the polymorphism of HLA-A, B, DRB1 alleles of 293 CML Patients and 406 randomized and synchronous blood donors (healthy and unrelated with patients) from Guangdong Han population. The results indicate that the gene frequency of HLA-A*24 in CML group was 15.53% lower than that of control group (22.09%, RR = 0.63, p = 0.005); the gene frequency of HLA-B*13 in CML group was 10.41% higher than that of control group (6.74%, RR = 1.68, p = 0.016). The gene frequency of HLA- DRB1*14 in CML group was 7.51% lower than that of control group (11.89%, RR = 0.58, p = 0.008). The differences were all statistically significant. It is concluded that the gene frequency of HLA-A*24, HLA- DRB1*14 in CML patients is significantly lower than normal people in Guangdong. The gene frequency of HLA-B*13 in CML patients is significantly higher than normal people in Guangdong. Further study is needed to make sure whether HLA-A*24 and HLA- DRB1*14 are protective gene markers for CML acquisition on Guangdong Chinese Han population and whether HLA-B*13 is a gene marker for CML susceptibility on this population.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Donors ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; HLA-A Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; HLA-A24 Antigen ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; HLA-B13 Antigen ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEUse sagittal reconstruction CT to verify the surgical strategy for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

METHODSA retrospective study of 161 patients (106 males and 55 females) who had undergone surgery for OPLL from July 2007 to November 2010 was performed. The mean age at surgery was 54.5 years (range from 26 to 77 years). The mean follow-up period was 28 months (12 - 54 months). There were 40 patients accept anterior approach surgeries (anterior group) which include 14 cases of anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion and 26 cases of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. There were 120 patients accept posterior approach surgeries (posterior group) which was spinous process-splitting laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy using coralline hydroxyapatite. One patient accepted combined anterior and posterior approach. According to the sagittal reconstruction CT, the main reason for spinal cord compression was cervical disc herniation in anterior group, and OPLL in posterior group. The level of spinal cord compression was 1 to 2 levels in anterior group, and 1 to 5 levels in posterior group with a major of 2 to 4 levels. As the classification of OPLL, segmental type and circumscribed type were major of segmental type in anterior group and all of the four types were in posterior group, the distribution of each type was average. The patients of posterior group were classified into two groups according to the modified K-line classification, and clinical results were compared between the two groups. The modified K-line was defined as a line that connects the midpoints of the spinal canal at C(2) and C(7) on sagittal CT myelography. Compression to the spinal cord did not exceed the K-line in the modified K-line(+) group and did exceed it in the modified K-line(-) group. Clinical data were compared using t-test or χ(2) test. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships of C(2)-C(7) angulation between sagittal reconstruction CT and neutral position X-ray.

RESULTSThe patient of anterior group had better recovery rate of the JOA score (72% ± 27%) than the posterior group (59% ± 35%) at the latest follow-up (t = 2.238, P = 0.027). In posterior group, the patients of modified K-line(+) group had better recovery rate of the JOA score (63% ± 37%) than the K-line(-) group (49% ± 30%) at the latest follow up (t = 2.150, P = 0.034). The C(2)-C(7) angulation on sagittal reconstruction CT was 11° ± 9° which has significantly correlated with the C(2)-C(7) angulation on neutral position X-ray which was 10° ± 10° (r = 0.947, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSConsidering the selection of surgical approach, it should be combined with the main clinical diagnosis for spinal cord compression, the level of compression, the classification of OPLL and the kyphotic alignment of the cervical spine. The modified K-line is a simple and practical tool for making decisions regarding the surgical strategy for cervical OPLL patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed