Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment ot adrenocorticotropin-independent macornodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH).Methods The clinical data of 17 cases with AIMAH from 2000 to 2011 were analyzed retrospectively,including 3 subclinical AIMAH,10 clinical AIMAH and 4 highrisk AIMAH patient,with common radiological characteristic of bilaterally enlarged adrenal glands with multiple nodules like ginger.The 3 cases of subclinical AIMAH patients presented with decreased serum ACTH,normal or slightly elevated plasma cortisol and urinary free cortisol level,no suppression following 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test and absence of clinical signs of Cushing syndrome (CS).While clinical AIMAH and high-risk AIMAH presented with clinical signs of CS,elevated plasma cortisol and urinary free cortisol level,suppressed serum ACTH,loss of normal circadian rhythm in cortisol secretion and no suppression following the low-dose and high-dose overnight dexamethasone suppression test.Among the 4 cases of high-risk AIMAH,2 cases presented with osteoporosis,2 cases with hepatic dysfunction,3 cases with cardiopulmonary dysfunction,and 4 cases with severe hypertension.Three cases of subclinical AIMAH were treated with symptomatic treatment,10 cases of clinical AIMAH patients with surgical operation,4 cases of high-risk AIMAH patients with ketoconazole and surgical operation.Results Three subclinical AIMAH patients received symptomatic treatment and discharged from hospital with normal blood pressure and blood glucose.During the period of follow-up from 3 months to 3 years,endocrine results were normal.Seven clinical AIM AH patients underwent unilateral adrenal tumor resection plus ipsilateral partial adrenalectomy or total adrenalectomy.CS disappeared completely after 6 to 9 months.Two clinical AIMAH patients underwent simultaneous bilateral adrenalectomy.One case died of adrenal crisis after operation,and the other case presented with adrenal insufficiency but returned to normal after glucocorticoid replacement therapy,no Nelson's syndrome happened during the follow-up for 5 years.One clinical AIMAH patient undertook unilateral adrenalectomy twice by interval,followed by routine corticosteroid replacement therapy.Followed up for 10 years,no Nelson's syndrome happened.Four high-risk AIMAH patients received ketoconazole and then underwent right total adrenalectomy.Cortisol levels returned to normal after 1 to 2 months and during the follow-up for 1 to 3 years,the laboratory examinations maintained normal.Conclusions Different treatment methods should be adapted to different subtypes of AIMAH.For subclinical AIMAH,the principal treatment is symptomatic,and close follow-up with regular adrenal imaging and endocrine examination is required.Surgical operation should be performed when clinical symptoms of AIMAH appear.Medical management is essential for high-risk AIMAH to inhibit the production of cortisol at first.Once these patients could stand the stimulation caused by operation,the adrenal glands should be resected as soon as possible.The unilateral adrenalectomy is an effective treatment for clinical AIMAH.

By means of preparative HPTLC and column chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20, nine diterpenoids were isolated and purified from the whole plants of Scutellaria strigillosa. Based on the physico-chemical properties and spectral data, their structures were elucidated as: 6-O-acetyl-7-O-nicotinoylscutebarbatine G(1), 6-O-nicotinoyl-7-O-acetylscutebarbatine G(2), 6,7-di-O-nicotinoylscutebarbatine G(3), scutebarbatine K(4), scutebarbatine B(5), 6-O-acetylscutehenanine A(6), 6-O-nicotinoylbarba- tin A(7), 6,7-di-O-acetoxylbarbatin A(8), scutebarbatine F(9). Compound 1 is a new diterpenoid, and compounds 2-9 were isolated from Scutellaria strigillosa for the first time.
Diterpenes ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Scutellaria ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Objective To investigate the effect of the calmodulin kinase Ⅱ Inhibitor KN-93 on L-typecalcium current(ICa,L)and intracellular calcium concentration([Ca2+]i)in hypertrophic cardiac myocytes.Methods Forty-eight female New Zealand white rabbits were randomized(random number)into four groups(12 animals in each group):the sham operation group(sham group),the left ventricular hypertrophy group(LVH group),the myocardial hypertrophy + KN-93 group(KN-93 group),and the myocardial hypertrophy + KN-92 group(KN-92 group).Myocardial hypertrophy in the rabbits was established by coarctation of the abdominal aorta.In the sham group,the abdominal aorta was dissociated without coarctation.Eight weeks after coarctation,single ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzymaticdissociation,and ICa,L was recorded using perforated-patch recording(PPR)techniques.[Ca2+]i was measured using single-cell calcium imaging with the fluorescence calcium indicator dye fura-2/AM.Results Cardiac hypertrophy was successfully established after 8 weeks of coarctation of the abdominal aorta.The peak ICa,L in the LVH group and the sham group was(1.38 ± 0.3)nA and(0.87 ± 0.1)nA at 0 mV,respectively(P ＜0.01,n =12).There was no significant difference in Ica,L density between the LVH group and the sham group[(6.7 ±1.0)pA/pF vs.(6.3±0.7)pA/pF; P≥0.05,n=12].The addition of either KN-92(0.5 μmol/L)or KN-93(0.5 μmol/L)to the perfusing solution caused a modest steady-state inhibition of peak ICaL(9.4％ ±2.8％,KN-92; 10.5％ ±3％,KN-93)(P≥0.05,n =12)at 0 mV.However,at a higher concentration(1 μmol/L),KN-93 more potently inhibited peak ICa,L(40％±4.9％)compared to KN-92(13.4％ ± 3.7％ ; P ＜ 0.01,n =12).Resting[Ca2+]i levels in fura-2-loaded myocytes isolated from the sham,LVH,KN-92,and KN-93 groups were(98 ± 12.3)nmol/L,(154 ± 26.2)nmol/L,(147 ± 29.6)nmol/L,and(108 ± 21.2)nmol/L,respectively.Conclusions The CaMK Ⅱ specific inhibitor,KN-93,can effectively block ICa,L and reduce intracellular calcium overload in hypertrophic cardiac myocytes.This action may account for the antiarrhythmic effect of KN-93 in hypertrophic ventricular myocardium.

ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnosis and treatment of adrenocorticotropin-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH). MethodsThe clinical data of 14 cases of AIMAH from August 1972 to July 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.The cases included 5 males and 9 females with a mean age of 45 (range 26 to 58 ) years.Ten patients demonstrated typical Cushing's syndrome (CS) and 4 patients presented with weight gain,hypertension or diabetes mellitus without any signs of CS.The circadian rhythm of serum cortisol was abnormal.Low and high dose dexamethasone suppression tests failed to suppress cortisol secretion.CT scan showed bilateral enlargement of the adrenal glands with multiple macronodules.All patients underwent open surgery,including 5 cases of unilateral adrenalectomy,6 cases of adrenalectomy combined with contralateral subtotal adrenalectomy and 3 cases of bilateral adrenalectomy.ResultsIt was established by pathological examination that all patients had bilateral adrenal macronodular or adenomatoid hyperplasia.During the mean follow-up of 69 months (range 12 to 120 months),the clinical symptoms of CS disappeared after surgery in all cases.The 5 patients who received unilateral adrenalectomy had urinary free cortisol and serum cortisol within normal ranges and no further enlargement of the contralateral gland was noticed.Among the 3 patients who received bilateral adrenalectomy,1 case died of adrenal crisis on day seven post-operation.The remaining 2 cases presented with adrenal insufficiency but returned to normal after glucocorticoid replacement therapy.Nelson's syndrome was not observed in the other patients.ConclusionsAIMAH has unique endocrinological and pathological features,presenting as an independent etiology of CS.Unilateral adrenalectomy appears to be an effective and safe alternative treatment for AIMAH and long-term remission can be achieved.Bilateral adrenalectomy or unilateral adrenalectomy combined with contralateral subtotal adrenalectomy may be performed if the symptoms have not improved or recurred after unilateral adrenalectomy.

BACKGROUND:The internal structures of the colagen-heparan sulfate scaffold and human nerve are very similar. OBJECTIVE: To explore thein vivo biocompatibility of colagen-heparin sulfate scaffold. METHODS:Forty pigs were randomly divided into two groups, 20 in each group: observation group and control group. Medulo-puncture needle was inserted 1.0 cm adjacent to the midline of anterior fontanele into the subarachnoid space, and then removed gradualy. Colagen-heparin sulfate scaffold was implanted into the observation group, and no treatment was given in the control group. Brain tissues were observed under transmission electron microscope, and cel apoptosis and Caspase-3 expression were detected at days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under the electron microscope, there were some damaged neurons in the observation group with the emergence of demyelination changes in the myelinated nerve fibers; positiveexpression of Caspase-3 protein was found at the junction between the brain tissue and scaffold as wel as within the scaffold, but no positive expression was found in the surrounding tissue. There was no cel apoptosis within 30 days after surgery except for individual apoptotic neurons both in the observation group and control group. The number of apoptotic cels in the observation group was higher than that in the control group at days 1, 3, 7, 14 days after surgery (P < 0.05), but there was no difference between the two groups at 30 days after surgery (P > 0.05). Caspase-3 protein expression was at a low state in the two groups, but the protein expression of Caspase-3 was higher in the observation group than the control group at days 3 and 7 after surgery (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that the colagen heparin sulfate scaffold has good biocompatibility in the porcine brain.

AlM: To study the clinical effect of the application of microscopic pterygium resection combined with different concentration of mitomycin C ( MMC) .
METHODS:A total of 110 cases of pterygium patients (120 eyes) were randomly divided into control group (58 eyes) and observation group (62 eyes) according to the odd and even number method. The control group adopted the pterygium resection combined 0. 3mg/mL MMC, and the observation group was given pterygium resection combined 0. 2mg/mL MMC. The cure rate and the recurrence rate, eyesight before and after the treatment, two groups of cornea and sclera wound healing situation, the incidence of postoperative complications were compared.
RESULTS: The cure rate and recurrence rate of the control group was 84. 5% and 15. 5% respectively, and the observation group was 93. 6% and 6. 5% respectively, the differences were statistically significant (P<0. 05). There were statistical differences of vision of the two groups before and after treatment (P<0. 05), and there were no statistical differences of the two groups between the two groups after treatment (P>0. 05). The cornea, sclera, wound healing time of the observation group were less than the control group, and there were statistical differences between the two groups ( P < 0. 05 ). The incidence of complications was 13. 8% in the control group and 3. 2% in observation group, with statistically significant difference (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSlON: The application effect of microscopic pterygium resection combined with MMC is remarkable, and the joint of 0. 2mg/mL concentration of MMC is more safe and effective, and is worth popularizing in clinical application.

Objective To study the prevalence of fatty liver and its risk factors in adult population of Pudong New District,Shanghai detected by combination of B-type uhrasonographic features and elevated serum activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT).Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed in 2017 residents aged 16 years over recruited from four neighborhoods of Prdong New District of Shanghai with multi-phase cluster sampling,including interview with questionnaire,physical check-up,anthropometry, measurement of plasma glucose and lipid profile,ALT activity and real-time B-type ultrasnnography.Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was further detected for those with elevated ALT activity.Results Prevalence of fatty liver was 21.32 percent (430/2017) in the residents of the District participated in this survey.Prevalence of abdominal obesity,hypertriglyceridemia,hyperlipoproteinemia (low-density lipoprotein-cholecterol),essential hypertension,impaired glucose tolerance,diabetes and metabolic syndrome were 71.16,71.16,11.86,66.74,35.58,24.40 and 47.21 percent in those with fatty liver, respectively,as compared to 26.34,12.73,4.79,39.57,24.01,6.81 and 11.28 percent in those without fatty liver (controls),respectively.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index, 2-h postprandial glucose level,diastolic blood pressure,serum level of triglyceride,abdominal obesity and diabetes all were independent risk factor for tatty liver,with odds ratio (OR) of 1.080,1.149,1.035, 1.526,1.960 and 1.391,respectively.Conclusions Prevalence of fatty liver was relatively high in Shanghai Pudong New District.Fatty liver closely associates with disturbance of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of pain associated with chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in the rat model of prostatic inflammation.

METHODSThirty-six male SD rats were equally randomized to an experimental and a control group, the former injected with 50 μl of 3% λ-carrageenan into the ventral prostate to make the model of non-bacterial prostatic inflammation, while the latter with the same volume of sterile saline solution. At 1, 2 and 4 weeks after modeling, the prostate, L6-S1 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord were harvested for examination of the expressions of the nerve growth factor (NGF), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSThe expressions of NGF, TRPA1 and CGRP in the prostatic tissue were all significantly increased in the experimental group as compared with the control (P <0.05), with a gradual decrease with the prolonging of time (P <0.05). In the L6-S1 DRG and spinal cord, the expressions of NGF, TRPA1 and CGRP exhibited no significant differences between the experimental and control groups at 1 week after modeling (P >0.05) and kept at high levels in the experimental group at 2 and 4 weeks, though not significantly different from those at 1 week (P >0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed in the expressions of the three proteins in the experimental rats among different time points (P <0.05), but not between the two groups at any time point (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe molecular mechanism of CP/CPPS can be evaluated in the rat model of prostatic inflammation established by injecting λ-carrageenan into the prostate. TRPA1 may play an important role in connecting the upstream and down-stream pathways of CP/CPPS-associated pain.

Animals ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; metabolism ; Carrageenan ; Chronic Disease ; Chronic Pain ; metabolism ; Ganglia, Spinal ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Pelvic Pain ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; TRPA1 Cation Channel ; TRPC Cation Channels ; metabolism

Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia(AIMAH).Methods A 51-year-old female patient with Cushing's syndrome caused by AIMAH was reported.Elevated early morning plasma cortisol levels,increased 24 h urinary free cortisol excretion,and loss of the normal circadian rhythm in cortisol secretion were presented.There was no suppression of cortisol secretion by administration of low-and high-dose overnight dexamethasone suppression test.Cardio-pulmonary function was very bad with the highest blood pressure reaching 300/120 mm Hg( 1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa).Initially,she was treated with mitotane(60 mg/d),but was not effective.After taking ketoconazole (800 mg/d)for 5 days,cardio-pulmonary function was not effectively improved with blood pressure only descending to 180/120 mm Hg.Orthopnoea appeared and Spo2fell once to 75％.The patient had to undergo right total adrenalectomy immediately.ResultsThe mass resected was 10 cm× 10 cm in size and weighted 67.5 g.Histological examination of the removed adrenal revealed nonpigmented macronodular cortical hyperplasia.The patient continued to take ketoconazole (400-800 mg/d)from the 6th day of the operation without steroid replacement therapy in that period.With normal cortisol levels( plasma cortisol at 8:00 was 18.65 μg/dl,24 h urinary free cortisol was 78.75 μmol),she left hospital after the general condition had been improved.During the following updated 10 months follow up,the indexes of her laboratory examination were maintained normal.ConclusionIndividualized therapy should be adopted for the patient with AIMAH.The medication is useful to suppress the adrenal gland cortisol production for those with progression of symptoms,very high blood pressure,hypokalemia and hypoproteinemia.Once the cardio-pulmonary function improves,the target organ should be resected as soon as possible.The supplement of cortisol is not appropriate during the perioperative period.The unilateral adrenalectomy is an effective treatment for AIMAH.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of minimal invasive adrenal sparing surgery for the treatment of Cushing syndrome caused by adrenocortical adenoma.Methods Patients who underwent minimal invasive adrenal surgery for adrenocortical adenoma in our institution from January 2010 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were reviewed from the database.The mean patient age at diagnosis was 39 years and male:female ratio was 10:111.Of the 121 adenomas, 50 were located in the right adrenal and 71 in the left.The mean tumor size was 2.6 cm.84 cases had hypertension (69.4％), 36 cases had diabetes mellitus (29.8％), and 45 cases had obesity (37.2％).Postoperative follow-up was performed by evaluating adrenal gland function and imaging.Results Mininal invasive partial adrenalectomy was performed in 121 cases and the success rate of operation was 99.2％ (120/121).Sixty-two cases received operation through retroperitoneal approach,and 59 cases were through transperitoneal approach.The median operative time was 50 min with a median blood loss of 50 ml.The mean postoperative hospital stay were (5.0 ± 3.2) days.The vascular injury occurred in 2 cases (1 case in each surgical approach), while the abdominal organ injury occurred in 2 cases with 1 case of spleen injury and 1 case of liver injury (both in transperitoneal approach).Postoperative complications were observed in 6 cases:1 case of deep venous thrombosis, 1 case of wound hematoma, 4 cases of wound infection.Cortisol substitution was given in 2 to 12 months (mean 6.2 months)postoperatively.One year after operation, the remission rate of hypertension, diabetes and obesity was 58.3％ (49/84), 30.6％ (11/36) and 60.0％ (30/45), respectively.Conclusions Minimal invasive adrenal surgery using retroperitoneal and transperitoneal laparoscopic technique can be performed with low morbidity and achieve an excellent outcome.The perioperative hormone therapy may also play an important role.