Clinical characteristics,including primary and secondary sexual characteristics,basal endocrine profiles,and imaging results were reviewed.Follow-up data were recorded.16 patients had normal karyotypes,manifest amastia,infantile genitalia,amenorrhea,and delayed epiphyseal fusion at the knee and wrist joints.Serum gonadotropic hormone levels were significantly below normal values.15 patients underwent a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test and 6 patients had a prolonged GnRH stimulation test.16 patients underwent pituitary or brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),which showed small pituitaries in three patients,wing tips of suspicious nodules in 2 patients,an empty sella turcica in 1 patient,and a missing right olfactory bulb and tract in 1 patient.1 patient had no detectable uterus or accessory organs,while the other patients had primordial uteri.1 patient was diagnosed as a case of severe osteoporosis.1 patient suffered from pituitary stalk interruption syndrome.An artificial menstrual cycle due to hormone replacement therapy was not sustained after discontinuation of hormone therapy.As disease severity and the date of initiating hormone replacement varied,the results of treatment were quite different.For patients of reproductive age,it was rare to see a reversal of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism after discontinuation of hormone therapy.

OBJECTIVETo examine the shear and microtensile bond strength between a newly developed dental machinable composite resin (polymethylmetacrylate/nano SiO2-ZrO2, PNSZ) and dentin cemented using three resin luting systems and to select the most suitable one.

METHODSThe shear and microtensile bond strength between the machinable composite resin and dentin cemented using three resin luting systems (Group A:RelyX ARC, Group B:Panavia-F,Group C:Variolink II) were tested. The broken specimens were observed with a stereomicroscope (x 50) to compare their failure modes. RESULTS; In the shear tests, no significant difference was found in bond strength among Group A [ (14. 07 +/- 4. 67) MPa] ,Group B[ (13.17 +/- 4. 63) MPa] and Group C [ ( 12. 10 +/- 2.18) MPa] (P > 0.05) . In the microtensile tests, no significant difference was found in bond strength among Group A [(11.49 +/- 4.90) MPa],Group B[(9.66 +/- 4.15) MPa].and Group C[(10.11 +/- 4.20) MPa](P > 0. 05).The failure modes of all the three resin cements were predominantly adhesive failures at the dentin/cement interface.

CONCLUSIONSThe three types of resin cements showed similar results in bond strength between the dental machinable composite resin and dentin. Bonding at the resin/cement interface was stronger than that at the dentin/cement interface.

Acrylic Resins ; Composite Resins ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Dentin ; Humans ; Polyurethanes ; Resin Cements ; Shear Strength

OBJECTIVETo study the cloning and expression of flagellin gene from Chinese Borrelia burgdorferi, PD91 strain and to evaluate the feasibility of using recombinant protein as diagnostic antigen when comparing the gene sequence with flagellin gene from North American Borrelia burgdorferi B31.

METHODSThe piece of genes coding flagellin from Chinese Borrelia burgdorferi PD91 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was obtained, and constructed recombinant plasmid, before transformed into E. coli BL21 strain, and induced. The recombinant plasmid was identified with enzyme cutoff and gene sequence comparison. Efficient expression strain was selected and the expression product was analyzed with sodium amplified polymorphic-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western-blot method.

RESULTSThe recombinant protein (r-flagellin) expressed in host bacteria was successful. By means of western-blot assay, the immunological response showed the same antigenicity between r-flagellin and PD91 flagellin. The piece of genes coding flagellin of PD91 was 1011 bp, but when comparing with that of North American Borrelia burgdorferi it showed 94.70% homology. Homology between the sequence of amino acid of the r-flagellin and that of B31 flagellin was 95.85%.

CONCLUSIONFlagellin gene of Borrelia garinii of Chinese Lyme disease spirochete was successfully cloned and expressed for the first time. It was proved that the immunoreactivity of r-flagellin was the same as the natural flagellin.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Borrelia burgdorferi ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Flagellin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Lyme Disease ; microbiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical value of different positioning tests for different benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). METHOD: This research applies Dix-Hallpike test and Side-lying test for PC-BPPV, Roll test and WRW test for HC-BPPV, Dix-Hallpike test, Side-lying test and Rahko T maneuvers for SC-BPPV. Six hundred and thirteen cases, who were tested with different positioning tests in the sequence of firstly PC-BPPV then HC-BPPV and finally SC-BPPV, were randomly divided into 2 groups. The order of positioning tests for PC-BPPV and HC-BPPV in the two groups was reversed. RESULT: There's no significant difference between the detection rate of Dix-Hallpike test and Side-lying test for PC-BPPV (P > 0.05). Similarly, there's no difference in statistics between the detection rate of Roll test and WRW test for HC-BPPV (P > 0.05). However, the detection rate of Rahko T maneuver was higher than the other two tests for SC-BPPV and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The detection rates of different positioning tests for PC-BPPV and HC-BPPV between the two groups were not different in statistics (P > 0.05), which implies that the different order had no effect on the sensitivity of each positioning test. CONCLUSION Dix-Hallpike test is recommended as the first choice for PC-BPPV for its more efficient stimulus to the posterior semicircular canal, and Side-lying test is recommended as a prior choice to the patients with suspected PC-BPPV but unable to receive Dix-Hallpike test because of its similar sensitivity and more convenient manipulation. The detection rate of Both Roll test and WRW test were higher than 90% and there's no significant difference between the two tests. In addition, Roll test is easier to perform and helpful for the therapy, so its considered as the preferred test for HC-BPPV with WRW test as the supplement test. Nevertheless, for SC-BPPV the sensitivity of Rahko T maneuver was higher than that of the other two tests, so it can be used to confirm the suspected SC-BPPV patients detected or missed diagnosed by the two other tests. To avoid misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis, the judgment of affected semicircular canal is determined not only by positioning test but also by the feature of nystagmus.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Positioning ; Retrospective Studies ; Vertigo ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the correlation of plasma amino-terminal pro-A-, B- and C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP) levels with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function in heart failure patients.

METHODSData of NYHA grade, echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function, plasma levels of NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP (measured by enzyme immunoassay method) were obtained in 112 heart failure patients and 44 normal control subjects. The correlation analysis was made between NT-proANP, NT-proBNP, NT-proCNP and NYHA functional class, left atrium diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), respectively.

RESULTSThe plasma concentrations of NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP in heart failure patients were significantly higher than in control group (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation between NT-proANP and NT-proBNP (r = 0.790, P = 0.000) and a weak correlation between NT-proCNP and NT-proBNP (r = 0.278, P = 0.003) as well as between NT-proCNP and NT-proANP (r = 0.236, P = 0.012) in heart failure patients. Univariant analysis showed that NT-proANP and NT-proBNP were positively correlated to LAD, LVEDD and negatively correlated to LVEF (all P<0.05) while there was no significant correlation between NT-proCNP and echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function in heart failure patients. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis including age, gender, NYHA classification, LAD, LVEDD and LVEF revealed that NYHA classification, LVEF, LAD and age were independent predictors of NT-proANP; while NYHA classification, LVEF and age were independent predictors of NT-proBNP while there was no association among these factors and NT-proCNP.

CONCLUSIONIn heart failure patients, the plasma concentration of NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP were significantly increased and NT-proANP, NT-proBNP but not NT-proCNP were significantly correlated to NYHA classification and echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type ; blood ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo investigate the economic burden of patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis and liver cancer caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV).

METHODSCluster sampling was used on cases consecutively collected during the study period. Questionnaire survey was conducted and information on the expenses during hospitalization was collected from the hospital records and through interviewing those patients.

RESULTSYearly costs related to patients with acute hepatitis B, severe hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma were 66.7, 138.1, 127.4, 151.7 and 377.2 thousand Yuan, respectively.

RESULTSfrom multiple linear regression model showed that the type of medical insurance scheme, annual days of hospitalization, classifications of HBV-related diseases and personal income were major influencing factors on the cost.

CONCLUSIONHBV infection caused considerable burden to families and the society, indicating that HBV infection control programs would bring huge potential benefits. The reform of insurance scheme should be administrated to promote social fairness.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; economics ; China ; Cost of Illness ; Female ; Health Care Costs ; statistics & numerical data ; Hepatitis B ; economics ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; economics ; Hospitalization ; economics ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; economics ; Liver Neoplasms ; economics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develop a safe and novel immunoadjuvant to enhance the immunity and resistance of animals against E. coli infection.

METHODSAn 88-base immunostimulatory oligodeoxynuleotide containing eleven CpG motifs (CpG ODN) was synthesized and amplified by PCR. The chitosan nanoparticle (CNP) was prepared by ion linking method to entrap the CpG ODN that significantly promotes the proliferation of lymphocytes of pig in vitro. Then the CpG-CNP was inoculated into 21-day old Kunming mice, which were orally challenged with virulent K88/K99 E. Coli 35 days after inoculation. Blood was collected from the tail vein of mice on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 after inoculation to detect the changes and content of immunoglobulins, cytokines and immune cells by ELISA, such as IgG, IgA, IgM, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6.

RESULTSThe CpG provoked remarkable proliferation of lymphocytes of pig in vitro in comparison with that of control group (P < 0.05). The inoculation with CpG-CNP significantly raised the content of IgG, IgM, and IgA in the sera of immunized mice (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 in the mice significantly increased in comparison with those in controls (P < 0.05), so was the number of white blood cells and lymphocytes in immunized mice. The humoral and cellular immunities were significantly enhanced in immunized mice, which resisted the infection of E. coli and survived, while the control mice manifested evident symptoms and lesions of infection.

CONCLUSIONSCpG-CNP can significantly promote cellular and humoral immunity and resistance of mice against E. coil infection, and can be utilized as an effective adjuvant to improve the immunoprotection and resistance of porcine against infectious disease.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Biocompatible Materials ; administration & dosage ; Chitosan ; administration & dosage ; CpG Islands ; Escherichia coli ; pathogenicity ; Escherichia coli Infections ; immunology ; microbiology ; prevention & control ; Female ; Immunity, Cellular ; Interleukins ; biosynthesis ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; administration & dosage ; Swine ; Vaccination