Objective To explore the role of somatosensory evoked potentials elicited by paraspinal stimulation in the detection of spinal cord lesions.Methods Patients with clinically suspected spinal cord lesions underwent somatosensory evoked potentials(SEPs)and spinal cord conduction velocity(SCCV)test using paraspinal stimulating method.96 patients aged 15 to 75 years old with suspected spinal cord lesions of various aetiologies were tested.36 patients had demyelinating disease of the spinal cord,26 had sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord,19 had myelopathy,10 had acute myelitis,5 had spinal cord corhpression.Results Paraspinal stimulation elicited somatosensory evoked potentials were Performed on all 96 patients,68 of whom underwent spinal MRI as well.SEPs and SCCV were found abnormal in a high ratio in all kinds of spinal cord lesions ; in general,78 among the 96 patients had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 81.25%.27 out of 36 with demyelinating disease of the spine had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 75.00%,23 out of 26 with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 88.46%,8 out of 10 with acute myelitis had abnormal SEPs,15 patients with myelopathy having abnormal findings,all 5 patients with spinal cord compression had abnormal SEPs.42 of 68 patients undergoing MRI revealed to be abnormal,in which 35 patients also had abnormal SEPs.The other 26 patients had normal spinal MRI,in which 21 patients had abnormal SEPs.Conclusions Paraspinal stimulation somatosensory evoked potentials and spinal cord conduction velocity may objectively document the abnormalities of electrophysiology,which occurs earlier than those of anatomy and radiological finds, therefore it may detect the dysfunction of spinal cord at an early stage.It is even more useful in the detecting of the metabolic myelopathy,which can hardly be detected by MRI.This technique is simple,inexpensive, and maybe useful in the diagnosis for patients with suspected spinal cord lesions.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of maternal prenatal education on promoting breastfeeding rate for preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Methods Gravidas who were admitted to Peking University First Hospital for any risk of preterm delivery from November 2013 to December 2014 and preterm infants admitted to the NICU (length of stay ≥ 5 d) of the same hospital during the same period were involved.All the gravidas received prenatal education and completed questionnaires.Two hundred and ninety-five preterm infants who met the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups including education group (n=125) and non-education group (n=170) according to whether their mothers received prenatal education or not.Conditions of the preterm infants during hospitalization and after discharge and breastfeeding rates were comparatively analyzed between the two groups.T test,Chi-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used for statistical analysis.Results (1) There were 380 gravidas received questionnaires.Among them,346 (91.1％)completed the questionnaires and were recruited in this study.Only 31.8％ (110/346) of these gravidas were active in learning more about breastfeeding and 46.2％ (160/346) of them lacked confidence in breastfeeding after the appearance of preterm delivery signs.There were significant improvements in their attitudes towards considering breastfeeding seriously and discussing with their family,confidence in breastfeeding,the importance of colostrum and how to breastfeed a preterm infant in hospital after maternal prenatal education (all P＜0.001).Prenatal education was thought to be helpful in 77.5％ (268/346) of the gravidas.(2) The two groups of preterm infants showed good homogeneities in gestational age,gender,birth weight and other basal conditions as well as in incidences of in-hospital complications and conditions after discharge (all P＞0.05).Proportions of breast milk intake (breast milk intake over total dairy intake) in preterm infants were higher in education group than those in non-education group within 5 d after birth [0.0 (0.0-16.5)％ vs 0.0 (0.0-2.5)％,Z=-3.422],＞5-≤ 7 d [33.7 (0.0-82.8)％ vs 0.0 (0.0-50.3)％,Z=-3.070],＞7-≤ 14 d [75.2(23.5-96.4)％ vs 47.6(0.0-92.2)％,Z=-2.345] and during hospitalization [58.4 (21.0-78.8)％ vs 31.9 (0.0-71.7)％,Z=-3.902] (all P＜0.05).Breastfeeding rates were higher in education group than those in non-education group at the age of 5 d [47.2％(59/125) vs 27.1％ (46/170),x2=12.747],7 d [70.4％ (88/125) vs 51.2％ (87/170),x2=11.031],three months [83.3％(65/78) vs 56.1％ (60/107),x2=15.297] and six months [64.5％ (49/76) vs 49.1％ (53/108),x2=4.282] (all P＜0.05).Exclusive breastfeeding rates in the first,third and sixth months after birth were higher in education group [45.7％(53/116),42.3％ (33/78) and 36.9％ (28/76)] than those in non-education group [21.3％ (32/150),28.0％ (30/107)and 22.2％ (24/108)] (22=17.847,4.091 and 4.703,all P＜0.05),respectively.Conclusions Most gravidas with risk factors of preterm delivery have no confidence on breastfeeding.Prenatal maternal education is an effective and feasible intervention to improve breastfeeding rate for preterm infants in NICU from early hospitalization till six months after birth.

In this study, nattokinase gene was amplified by PCR using bacillus subtilis chromosomal DNA as template and cloned into expressed vector pBV220. After transforming recombinant plasmid into E.coli HB101, the recombinant strain was yielded. It was proved that expression products was secretive and expression protein was 12% of total cell protein by SDS-PAGE. Optimum culture time and inducing time was determined as 6h and 5h respectively. The plasmid stability studies showed that recombinant plasmid has excellent segregational stability but the structural stability was not good in the host cell.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effcacy of the staple fixation for the treatment of hamate metacarpal joint injury.

METHODSFrom May 2009 to November 2012,16 patients with hamate metacarpal joint injury were treated with staple fixation including 10 males and 6 females with an average age of 33.6 years old ranging from 21 to 57 years. Among them, 11 cases were on the fourth or fifth metacarpal base dislocation without fractures, 5 cases were the fourth or fifth metacarpal base dislocation with avulsion fractures of the back of hamatum. Regular X-ray review was used to observe the fracture healing, joint replacement and position of staple fixation. The function of carpometacarpal joint and metacarpophalangeal joint were evaluated according to ASIA (TAM) system evaluation method.

RESULTSAll incision were healed well with no infection. All patients were followed up from 16 to 24 months with an average of (10.0 +/- 2.7) months. No dislocation recurred, the position of internal fixator was good,no broken nail and screw withdrawal were occurred. Five patients with avulsion fracture of the back of hamatum achieved bone healing. The function of carpometacarpal joint and metacarpophalangeal was excellent in 10 cases,good in 5 cases, moderate in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONThe application of the staple for the treatment of hamatometacarpal joint injury has the advantages of simple operation, small trauma, reliable fixation, early postoperative function exercise and other advantages, which is the ideal operation mode for hamatometacarpal joint injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carpal Joints ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Hamate Bone ; injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Metacarpal Bones ; injuries ; surgery ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Sutures ; utilization ; Young Adult

AIMTo evaluate in vitro release of lycopene microcapsules. Pharmacokinetic parameters of lycopene microcapsule and lycopene powder as reference were estimated after a single dose of oral administration to dogs. The relationship between in vitro dissolution and in vivo absorption was investigated.

METHODSThe content of lycopene in the release medium was determined by UV spectroscopy method. Health hybrid male dogs were used as experiment subjects and lycopene powder used as standard to estimate the pharmacokinetics of lycopene microcapsules. HPLC method was used to assay the concentration of lycopene in dog plasma. Pharmacokinetics parameters were estimated by 3P87 program. The drug release percentage in stimulated intestinal fluid was compared with the absorption at a given time point.

RESULTSThe release profiles of lycopene from microcapsule showed that the lycopene gelatin microcapsule exhibited enteric property. The pharmacokinetics parameters estimated after oral administration of lycopene powder and lycopene microcapsule in a single dose of 2.5 mg x kg(-1) body weight to dogs were 7.30 h, 15.06 h for T1/2alpha; 28.10 h, 46.76 h for T1/2beta; 22.32 h, 41.03 h for T(max); 1.67 microg x h x L(-1), 2.08 microg x h x L(-1) for AUC(0-infinity), respectively. The concentration-time curves could be fitted to a two-compartment model for both the lycopene powder and the lycopene microcapsule analyzed by 3P87 program. The relationship between in vitro dissolution and in vivo absorption was found to have good correlation (r = 0. 981 9) was found.

CONCLUSIONIt could be concluded that lycopene microcapsule was a sustained release dosage form. The result of release in vitro could be used to predict the absorption in vivo.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Biological Availability ; Capsules ; Carotenoids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Dogs ; Male

OBJECTIVEThis study was aimed to analyze the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms of transforming growth factor-β1 G-800A and C-509T, interleukin-4 receptor V75I and susceptibility of CHL in adults.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was applied to analyze the expressed alleles of the selected SNP loca. The relationship between genomic polymorphisms of TGF-β1 and IL-4R and susceptibility of CHL were coupled with clinical data.

RESULTSTGF-β1G-800A and TGF-β1C-509T had obvious linkage equilibrium (D' = 0.879, r(2) = 0.83, P = 0.020). GT haplotype distribution frequencies in mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma cases and control group were of 53.1% and 34.2%, respectively, with statistically significant (OR = 2.35, P = 0.000); distribution frequencies of mutant gene T/T in disease and control groups were of 38.8% and 15.3%, respectively, also with statistically significant (OR = 3.654, P = 0.000); frequencies of nodular sclerosis CHL patients with IL-4R V75I mutant gene A/A in disease and control groups were of 19.2% and 41.75%, respectively, also with statistically significant (OR = 3.156, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSingle nucleotide polymorphisms of TGF-β1 G-800A, C-509T and IL-4R V75I has a significant correlation with Chinese susceptibility to classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Hodgkin Disease ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore whether fractional anisotropy (FA) value could be taken as a quantitative indicator for tracing and reexamining amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and to analyze the correlation between FA value and integrative medical treatment.

METHODSTotally 18 ALS patients were recruited in this study. All patients received diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using 3. OT (Propeller HD) MRI twice. Six regions of interest (ROI) were selected to measure FA values. Survival analyses were performed in 11 cases of end point events.

RESULTS(1) Three ROI (cerebral peduncle, posterior limb of internal capsule, and corona radiata) all indicated that FA value was the highest in patients with mild health status scale of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/HSS). (2) There was statistical difference in the means of FA values in cerebral peduncle, posterior limb of internal capsule, and corona radiata of 18 cases between initial examination and reexamination (P < 0.01). (3) Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed the survival rate of ALS patients decreased as time went by, with the median survival time of 48 months.

CONCLUSIONSFA value was inversely proportional to the severity of ALS, the more severe, the lower FA values. FA value was an objective indicator for assessing the severity of ALS. ALS is an incurable disease till now. Integrative medical treatment might become one direction for ALS patients.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Anisotropy ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism for the apoptosis of hippocampus neuron induced by hypothyroidism in perinatal rats.

METHODSHypothyroidism was induced by administration of propylthiouracil (PTU, 50 mg/d) solution to the dams from gestational day 15 by gavage. Pups from both hypothyroid and control groups were harvested at 1, 5, 10 and 15d, respectively. Blood samples were collected at the time of death for the determination of thyroid hormone. Serum free triiodothyronine (FT(3)) and free thyroxine (FT(4)) were measured by chemoluminescence. Hippocampus specimens were collected from the control and hypothyroid pups.Mitochondia was examined under transmission electron microscopy. Translocation of apoptogenic molecules (Bax, cytochrome C and AIF) and activation of caspase-3 were analyzed by Western Blotting.

RESULTSignificantly low circulating FT(3) and FT(4) levels confirmed the hypothyroid status of the experimental pups. Electron microscopy showed that altered morphology of mitochondria significantly increased under hypothyroid conditions. The expression of Bax in the cytosol of hypothyroid pups was higher than that of control pups at all stages of development (P<0.05),and significantly higher in mitochondria (P<0.001). The expression of cytochrome c in the cytosol of hypothyroid pups was significantly higher than that of control pups at all stages of development (1,10 and 15 d:P<0.05, 5d: P<0.001), and lower in mitochondria (P<0.05). The expression of AIF in the cytosol of hypothyroid pups was higher than that of control pups at all stages of development (P<0.001), and significantly lower in mitochondria (1, 5d: P<0.001, 10, 15 d: P<0.01). he expression of caspase-3 P20 in the cytosol of hypothyroid pups was significantly higher as compared with that of the age-matched controls (1, 15d: P<0.01, 5,1 0 d: P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe intrinsic death pathway in mitochondria may be one of the mechanisms with which hypothyroid induces apoptosis of hippocampus neuron in developing rats.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; Hypothyroidism ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Neurons ; pathology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; pathology ; Propylthiouracil ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDContrast media administration can result in severe nephrotoxicity under pathological conditions such as diabetic nephropathy, congestive heart failure, dehydration, et al. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary hypercholesterolemia on contrast media-induced changes in renal function, blood flow, and histopathology.

METHODSRats were fed either on a normal rodent diet (group N) or a high-cholesterol supplemented diet (group H; 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid) for 8 weeks. Half of the animals (n = 6) from each diet group were then given a tail vein injection of 60% diatrizoate (6 ml/kg; group NC and group HC) and the other half were administered saline. Total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, fractional excretion of sodium and potassium, and cortical nitric oxide production were determined one day following contrast media administration. Renal blood flow was determined by color Doppler flow imaging and pulsed-mode Doppler. Renal histopathology was observed by light microscopy.

RESULTSTotal serum cholesterol and resistance indices of renal blood vessels increased significantly, while creatinine clearance rate and production of nitric oxide in the renal cortex decreased markedly in group HC and group H when compared to group N and group NC. The creatinine clearance rate decreased significantly in group HC compared to group H. Serum creatinine levels and fractional excretion of sodium and potassium in group HC were significantly higher than those in the other three groups. Severe tubular degeneration and necrosis, protein cast accumulation, and medullary congestion were found in group HC.

CONCLUSIONHypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for contrast media-induced nephropathy. Hypercholesterolemia aggravates contrast media-induced nephrotoxicity through the reduced production of nitric oxide.

Animals ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; toxicity ; Contrast Media ; toxicity ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Renal Circulation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the methods and clinical effects of repairing finger soft tissue defect with free vascularized flaps based on the wrist cutaneous branch of ulnar artery.

METHODSFrom February 2010 to December 2012, 16 patients with finger soft tissue defects were repaired by free vascularized flaps based on the wrist cutaneous branch of ulnar artery, including 10 males and 6 females with an average age of 38.2 years old ranging from 18 to 52 years. Among them, 5 cases caused by hot crush injury, 8 cases caused by machine crush injury, 3 cases caused by firecracker burst injury. The defect area varied from 1.3 cm x 2.3 cm to 2.6 cm x 5.0 cm. The flap area varied from 1.5 cm x 2.5 cm to 2.8 cm x 5.2 cm. The appearance and two-point discrimination of flap were observed after operation.

RESULTSAll flaps survived and wounds healed primarily. No wound infection and skin necrosis were found in donor site and recipient site. Among repair methods, direct suture in forearm donor site had 11 cases and skin graft had 5 cases. All patients were followed up from 6 to 24 months with an average of 10.8 months. The appearance of flap was not fat or clumsy, texture and color were similar to the recipient site, the sensation were good, two-point discrimination was 6 to 9 mm. The appearance of donor site were well complicated with mild scarring without dysfunction obviously.

CONCLUSIONThe free vascularized flaps based on the wrist cutaneous branch of ulnar artery has the advantages of vascular anatomy constant,thickness moderate and carry sensory nerves, etc, which is effective way to repair finger soft tissue defects.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Ulnar Artery ; surgery ; Young Adult