Objective To study the correlation of Token Test and Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment in Chinese aphasia, and to offer objective basis for clinical application in China. Methods A total of 54 patients with aphasia after stroke were selected. Japanese revised Token Test was used to assess their language functions and Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment to assess their cognition functions. The associations between Token Test scores and every subentry scores, total scores on Leewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment were analyzed by using correlations analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis. Results Correlations of Token Test scores and every subentry scores, total scores in LOTCA were significant (all P < 0.05) by using Pearson correlations analysis and partial correlations analysis. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the main factor which affected the scores of Token Test was Visual and Spatial Perception. Conclusions The cognition function can promote the improvement of language functions of patients with aphasia after stroke, which may be related mostly to the perception of cognition function.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for postoperative arytenoid dislocation.
Methods From September 2003 to August 2013, the records of 16 patients with a history of postoperative arytenoid dislocation were reviewed. Patients matched in terms of date and type of procedures were chosen as the controls (n=16). Recorded data for all patients were demographics, smoking status, alcoholic status, preoperative physical status, airway evaluation, intubation procedures, preoperative laboratory test results, anesthetic consumption and intensive care unit stay. For arytenoid dislocation cases, we further analyzed the incidences of the left and right arytenoid dislocation, and the outcomes of surgical repair and conservative treatment. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages, and were compared using the chi-squared test. Continuous variables were expressed as means±SD and compared using the Student’s unpaired t-test. To determine the predictors of arytenoid dislocation, a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis.
Results Sixteen patients with postoperative arytenoid dislocation were enrolled, with a median age of 52 years. Most postoperative arytenoid dislocation patients (15/16, 93.75%) received surgical repair, except one patient who recovered after conservative treatment. None of the postoperative arytenoid dislocation patients were smokers. Red blood cell (P=0.044) and hemoglobin (P=0.031) levels were significantly lower among arytenoid dislocation cases compared with the controls.
Conclusions Non-smoking and anemic patients may be susceptible to postoperative arytenoid dislocation. However, neither of them was independent risk factor for postoperative arytenoid dislocation.

Objective To investigate the clinical and mammographic features of plasma cell mastitis.Methods Twenty-five patients(28 lesions)with histologically confirmed plasma cell mastitis, aged from 26 to 70 years(mean age 41 years),were examined with X-ray mammography.The clinical manifestations and imaging features were retrospectively reviewed.Results No case was in lactation.The painful irregular masses,ranged from 1.3 to 8cm in size,were found in 22 patients,while 3 patients with acute episode.Recurrent episodes of breast masses were noted in 4 patients.Based on the mammographic appearances,the plasma cell mastitis were classified as the following four types:inflammation-like type (2/28),ductal ectasia type(3/28),focal infiltration type(10/28)and nodular type(13/28).The valuable radiogyaphic signs:(1)An asymmetrically increased density along the lactiferous duct with a flame-like appearance,inhomogeneous low density tubular structures and scattered stick-shape calcifications.(2) Architectural distortion and oil cysts formation in adjacent area,(3)Subareolar ductal ectasia.Conclusions The clinical and mammographic characteristics of plasma cell mastitis are critical to avoiding unnecessary surgery.Histopathological result is needed for the diagnosis in patients highly suspected of malignancy.

In order to effectively remove the invalid impurities in Tongan injection, optimize the optimal parameters of the impurity removal technology of liquid mixing process, in this paper, taking Tongan injection as the research object, with the contents of celandine alkali, and sinomenine, solids reduction efficiency, and related substances inspection as the evaluation indexes, the removal of impurities and related substances by the combined process of refrigeration, coction and activated carbon adsorption were investigated, the feasibility of the impurity removal method was definited and the process parameters were optimized. The optimized process parameters were as follows: refrigerated for 36 h, boiled for 15 min, activated carbon dosage of 0.3%, temperature 100 degrees C, adsorption time 10 min. It can effectively remove the tannin, and other impurities, thus ensure the quality and safety of products.
Adsorption ; Charcoal ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo investigate the elastic limit and relevant enclasp force of the non-precious metal casting clasp.

METHODSCasting clasp samples of five cobalt-chromium alloys and one 18 - 8 nickel-chromium alloy were made from prefabricated clasp wax by invesing, casting, sandblasting, and ultrasonic cleaning. The process of casting clasp samples deflected by loading and returned by unloading was tested and electric signals were collected by an omnipotent material machine. The analog electric signal was converted to digital signal by an analog to digital converter and stored in a computer. The elastic limit and the relevant enclasp force were analyzed using a relative software.

RESULTSThe elastic limit and the relevant enclasp force of the casting clasp made from the 18 - 8 nickel-chromium alloy were smallest and those of the clasps made from the cobalt-chromium alloys in various brands were different. The range of the elastic limit of the cobalt-chromium alloy casting clasp with the length of 5.0 mm in undercut was 0.28 mm-0.33 mm and the relevant enclasp force was 14.42 g-19.28 g.

CONCLUSIONSIn clinic, we should select the suitable undercut deepness wherein the cobalt-chromium alloy casting clasps, according to different brands of the casting alloy, undercut length, undercut slope, and the clasp thickness.

Chromium Alloys ; Cobalt ; Dental Alloys ; Dental Clasps ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Elasticity ; Humans ; Nickel ; chemistry ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antithrombin (AT) activity (AT: A) and AT antigen (AT: Ag) level in a Chinese family with type I antithrombin (AT) deficiency, and to explore the molecular mechanism of AT deficiency.

METHODSImmuno-nephelometry and chromogenic assay were used to detect the plasma level of AT: A and AT: Ag, respectively. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood, and all the seven exons and exon-intron boundaries of AT gene were amplified by PCR and direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of AT: A and AT: Ag of the proband were 45% and 97 mg/L, respectively, which led to a type I AT deficiency. A heterozygous T to A mutation was found at nucleotide 9833 in exon 5 resulting in a Tyr363Stop nonsense mutation. The sequencing results from the pedigree indicated that four other members also had this mutation.

CONCLUSIONThis heterozygous nonsense mutation of T9833A in exon 5 resulting in venous thrombosis is a novel genetic defect of hereditary AT deficiency, which has not been described before.

Antithrombin III Deficiency ; genetics ; Antithrombins ; genetics ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo investigate vasculogenic potential of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from human umbilical cord blood and their contribution to the neovascularization of malignant glioma in vivo.

METHODSEPCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood by density gradient centrifugation. After 7-10 days of culture, EPCs were investigated for CD34 and VEGFR-2 expression by direct immunofluoresent staining. The proliferative activity, migratory capability and forming capillary-like tubules were also monitored after stimulation with VEGF(50 mg/L) in vitro. Moreover, EPCs were administered into tumor-bearing mice, and the tumor and mouse organs were examined under confocal laser scanning microscope to visualize the distribution and localization of transplanted EPCs. In order to quantity the incorporation of EPCs into tumor vessels, cryosections of the tumor tissue were double-labelled with antihuman CD31 and anti-mouse CD31.

RESULTSAfter 7 to 10 days of culture, EPCs assumed cobblestone-like monolayer growth pattern with nearly complete confluence, and expressed CD34 and VEGFR-2. Significant proliferative activity, increased migratory capability and forming capillary-like tubules were observed when stimulated with VEGF. The transplanted EPCs in vivo specifically homed to solid tumor tissue and incorporated into the tumor's endothelium. Quantitative analysis revealed that human EPCs contributed significantly to tumor neovascularization by incorporation into tumor vasculature (18.68 +/- 1.32)% of the total vessels.

CONCLUSIONEPCs possess the potential to form neovascular network in tumor and play a role in the phenotypical heterogeneity of tumor microvascular architecture.

Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; immunology ; Endothelial Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Glioma ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Mice ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; immunology ; Stem Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of different microenvironments on tumor microcirculation patterns and invasive capability.

METHODSMelanoma B16 cells were injected into the peritoneal cavity and skeletal muscle of C57 mice synchronously. CK18 expression in melanoma was assessed to distinguish the malignant phenotype of tumors in the peritoneal cavity from that in the skeletal muscle. HIF-1alpha, MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein and mRNA expression were compared in the two microenvironments. Cells positive for each immunohistochemical stain and the vessels representative of each type of microcirculation pattern were evaluated in two microenvironments.

RESULTSCK18 and HIF-1alpha expression in melanoma were significantly higher in the skeletal muscle than in the peritoneal cavity (t = 8.142, t = 3.645, P < 0.05). Compared with the peritoneal cavity, melanoma cells in the skeletal muscle overexpressed MMP-2 and MMP-9 (t = 4.916, t = 7.782, P < 0.05). Real time-PCR results also showed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA levels in melanoma were higher in the skeletal muscle than in the peritoneal cavity (t = 36.814, t = 26.025, P < 0.05). Vasculogenic mimicry channels and endothelium-dependent vessels were the major microcirculation patterns in the skeletal muscle and in the peritoneal cavity respectively.

CONCLUSIONSDifferent microenvironments affect invasiveness and blood supply patterns of melanoma. Different microenvironment induced tumor cell secretion of more invasion-related proteins and affect invasiveness and blood supply patterns of melanoma.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; Melanoma ; blood supply ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microcirculation ; Muscle, Skeletal ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Peritoneal Cavity ; blood supply ; pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; Lymphoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo identify the fibrinogen (Fg) gene mutations in a Chinese pedigree of congenital afibrinogenemia.

METHODSThe plasma Fg activity and protein of the proband and his family members were detected. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. All the exons and exon-intron boundaries of fibrinogen gene were amplified by PCR and sequenced thereafter.

RESULTSTwo mutations, 7972 del G in FGB and T2543A in FGG, were found in the proband.

CONCLUSIONSFGG2543 is a polymorphism site, which lead to the polymorphism of gamma144 I/K. The G deletion at base 7972 of FGB contributes to the frameshift mutation after amino acid 419, resulting in the truncated beta chain without the terminal 27 amino acids. The latter may contributes to the pathogenetic mechanisms in Chinese congenital afibrinogenemia patients. The G deletion at base 7972 of FGB is identified for the first time.

Adult ; Afibrinogenemia ; congenital ; genetics ; metabolism ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Western ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Humans ; Introns ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction