Animals ; Benzodiazepines ; pharmacology ; Ducks ; physiology ; Growth Hormone ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Serum ; metabolism ; Weight Gain ; drug effects

Objective To apply MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to quantitatively analyze cervical spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (CSCIWORA). Methods 15 patients with CSCIWORA and 20 healthy controls were scanned with MRI of conventional scans and DTI. The fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured. Results FA and ADC of the patients were (0.475±0.109) and (1.438±0.252)×10-3 mm2/s, respectively. Whereas, they were (0.604±0.096) and (1.371±0.280)×10-3 mm2/s in the controls. Compared with the controls, the FA was less (P<0.05) in the patients, but the ADC was not significantly different (P=0.267). The fiber tracking (FT) showed the abnormality of white matter fiber tracts of cervical spinal cord in the patients. Conclusion DTI can detect the CSCIWORA, and FT can directly display the injuries of white matter fiber tracts of cervical spinal cord, which provide more information to evaluate the clinical severity of CSCIWORA.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of traditional Chinese herbs Fuzheng Yiliu Granule (FYG)-contained serum from tumor bearing mice on apoptotic rate, free radicals content and mitochondrial membrane potential of hepatoma cell lines H22 in vitro.

METHODSThe effect of FYG drug-serum on apoptosis of hepatoma cell line H22 was determined using flow cytometry. The changes of DNA RNA, free radicals and mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m) in H22 cell were detected through laser scanning confocal microscope.

RESULTSFYG-contained serum can induce the apoptosis of H22 cell, enhance the free radicals content, and reduce the content of DNA RNA and delta psi m of H22 cell in vitro.

CONCLUSIONThe apoptosis of hepatoma cell line H22 induced by FYG is probably correlated to the change of free radicals content and delta psi m.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Mice ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Serum

Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Platelet Activating Factor ; metabolism

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of unaided visual impairment and myopia among primary and secondary school students in Yunnan Province, and to provide scientific basis for myopia prevention. Methods: The study was conducted among primary and secondary school students in Mangshi, Yunnan Province from March to August, 2014. All the 7 681 subjects underwent detailed eye examinations and a questionnaire survey. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent value of less than -0.5 diopters. Unaided visual impairment was analyzed on the basis of the better and the worse-seeing eye, respectively. Results: The prevalence of myopia and high myopia were 39.1% and 0.6%. The prevalence of unaided visual impairment was 11.4% based on the worse-seeing eye. Refractive errors accounted for 87.3% of the participants with unaided visual impairment. Prevalence of myopia was higher in girls than in boys (χ2=29.74, P<0.01), but there was no gender difference in high myopia (P=0.19). The prevalence of myopia and high myopia increased significantly with increasing age (χ2=351.23, 22.56, P<0.01). Besides, prevalence of myopia was 63.7% in Dai nationality students and 36.6% in Yi nationality students (χ2=78.14, P<0.01), which was higher than other ethnic minorities. After adjusting for the effects of sex, age and ethnicity, the presence of myopia was associated with increasing height (OR=1.02, 95%CI=1.01-1.03), computer use (OR=1.17, 95%CI=1.03-1.32), having a myopic father (OR=1.56, 95%CI=1.24-1.94), having a myopic mother (OR=1.33, 95%CI=1.08-1.63) and more time reading(OR=1.18, 95%CI=1.09-1.28). High myopia was found to be more prevalent in children who had a myopic father (OR=3.98, 95%CI=1.72-9.22) and using computers (OR=2.31, 95%CI=1.17-4.57). Conclusion Myopia and unaided visual impairment is prevalent in school students in rural China (Yunnan), though the prevalence is relatively lower compared with other areas in China. Attention should be paid to the formulation and input of primary eye care policies.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognostic factors of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST) in the stomach.

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 132 patients with gastric GIST between January 1998 and December 2008 were analyzed retrospectively, and the prognostic factors were evaluated.

RESULTSTumor locations were the cardia or fundus (50, 37.9%), the stomach body (62, 47%),the antrum (13, 9.8%), and two regions were found in 6 cases (4.5%), three regions in 1 cases (0.8%). Tumor size ranged from 1.0 to 27.0 cm with an average of 9.4 cm. All the patients underwent complete tumor resection, including multi-organ resection in 41 cases. Thirty-four cases underwent lymph node dissection. All the lymph nodes were negative. The positive rate was 93.2% (23/132) for CD 117 and 82.6% (109/132) for CD34. The 1-,3- and 5-year survival rates of the 118 cases with follow up were 94.7%, 80.2%, and 56.6%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that the differences in Fletcher classification, tumor size, infiltration to surrounding tissue, preoperative metastasis, and adjuvant postoperative therapy with imatinib were related to the survival rates. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Fletcher classification, preoperative metastasis and adjuvant postoperative therapy with imatinib were independent poor prognostic factors for survival.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative metastasis is an independent factor predicting poor prognosis of gastric GIST. Fletcher classification can be used to evaluate the biological behaviors and prognosis, while surgery is the main therapy and targeted therapy can improve survival of gastric GIST.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical therapy and prognosis in children with transient congenital hypothyroidism (CH).

METHODSFifty-seven children with CH diagnosed after neonatal screening were treated with low-dosage levothyroxine (L-T4). Follow-up evaluation included the determination of TT3, TT4 and TSH serum levels and the assessment of thyroid gland morphology, bone age, growth development and development quotients (DQ). A full check-up was performed at age 2, when the affected children first discontinued the L-T4 treatment for 1 month, and one year later. Development quotients were compared with a control group of 29 healthy peers.

RESULTSThe initial L-T4 dosage administered was 3.21-5.81 microg/(kg.d) with an average of (16.25+/-3.87) microg/d. Mean duration of therapy was (28.09+/-9.56) months. No significant difference was found between study group and control group in the DQ test (average score (106.58+/-14.40) vs (102.4+/-8.6), P>0.05) and 96.49% of the CH children achieved a test score above 85. Bone age, 99mTc scans and ultrasonographic findings were all normal, and evaluation of physical development was normal too, as were the serum levels of TT3, TT4 and TSH after one year of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONA L-T4 dosage of 3.21-5.81 microg/(kg.d) was found sufficient for the treatment of transient CH. The treated children showed satisfactory overall mental and physical development at age 2. So it is possible for CH children to stop taking medicine if their laboratory findings and physical development are all normal after regular treatment and 2-3 years of follow-up.

Bone Development ; drug effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; blood ; congenital ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Prognosis ; Thyroid Gland ; drug effects ; Thyroxine ; therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Triiodothyronine ; blood

To exert pharmacological effects, no matter therapeutic effect or toxic/side effect, it's necessary to achieve enough plasma concentration. Chinese medical compounds, which contain various ingredients, influence the metabolism of some active ingredients through the interaction of ingredients to improve curative effects or reduce toxic/side effects. Pharmacokinetics can be used to explore how Chinese medical compounds influence the in vivo metabolism of some active ingredients to achieve better curative effects.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Thoracolumbar fracture is commonly seen in spinal injuries, which causes loss of stability of the spine, as well as spinal cord and nerve compression, even deformity and paralysis. The diagnosis and treatment of thoracolumbar fracture remain controversial.OBJECTIVE: To summarize the mechanism of thoracolumbar fracture based on finite element method, its classification and transpedicular screw fixation.METHODS: The first author retrieved CNKI and PubMed databases for the relevant literature published between January 2000 and December 2016. The keywords were "finite element method, thoracolumbar spine fracture,transpedicular screw fixation" in Chinese and English, respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The finite element analysis method can simulate the mechanism of thoracolumbar fracture and provides a reference for the studies on the occurrence, development and treatment of thoracolumbar fracture. (2) The classification of thoracolumbar fracture is beneficial for planning a rational treatment strategy and evaluating prognosis. (3) Compared with the traditional screw fixation, the transpedicular screw fixation holds advantages in biomechanical stability and postoperative correction effect. (4) There are various classifications for thoracolumbar fracture; differences in severity and cartilage injury are difficult to simulate completely. (5) The finite element analysis method shows certain application limitations due to long learning curve and modeling time as well as complicated calculations.

Objective To investigate the performance of SiFaTM 23 Plex Kit (beta version) and its population genetics of STR loci in Han population.Methods Genotyping was performed for 1 000 unrelated healthy Han individuals by the kit.The efficiency of the kit was tested,and the frequency data and population genetics parameter information of STR loci were analysed statistically.Results The minimum amplification system could be 6.25 μL.In 25 μL standard reaction system,a satisfied genotyping profiles could be obtained with the DNA content as low as 125 pg.Among the 1 000 individuals,267 alleles were detected by 21 autosomal STR loci of the kit,which conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.Fifteen and eleven alleles were observed at the newly added STR loci D1S1656 and D10S1248,respectively,which showed a high polymorphism information content.Conclusion SiFaTM 23 Plex Kit (beta version) is excellent in testing blood samples.Its accuracy,repeatability and sensitivity can satisfy the need of forensic practice,which makes it be applied to forensic-related case work and DNA database establishment.