Background Dacryocystitis is one of the most common infectious eye diseases.The gold standard for the identification of bacteria causing dacryocystitis is bacterial culture.The combination of regular culture method with molecular biology techeniques will generate more reliable results.However,very few research data are available in ophthalmological studies in this area.Objective This study was to identify the genera and species of the dacryocystitis-causing bacteria by PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA sequences.Methods Ten cases of qualified standardized bacteria samples were taken,and the nucleic acids were released in the heating process of the PCR procedure.The 16S rRNA genes were amplified and sequenced,and the genera and species were identified using BLAST from GenBank,and the results were used to compare with the results from biochemical identification to test the reliability of this method.The cultured bacterial species from the lacrimal sac secretions from 30 cases of dacryocystitis patients were identified with the above method.Results The outcome of the PCR identification for the 10 cases of quality control standard bacterial specimens was consistent with the results from the biochemical identification.The identification of the 30 cases of dacryocystitis through sequencing the 16S rRNA revealed there were 13 cases of Staphylococcus epidermidis infection,2 cases of Staphylococcus warneri infection,1 case of Staphylococcus hominis infection,5 cases of Corynebacterium macginleyi infection,3 cases of Streptococcus pneumonia infection,2 cases of Bacillus cereus infection,1 case of Micrococcus luteus infection,1 case of Moraxella catarrhalis infection,1 case of Moraxella osloensis infection and 1 case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.Conclusions Sequencing the 16S rRNA is an accurate and specific way for the identification of the genera and species of bacteria that cause dacryocystitis in patients.This sequencing method is feasible in monitoring a variety of dacryocystitis-causing pathogens.More information and epidemiological statistics about dacryocystitis can be obtained from 16S rRNA sequencing.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEAnemia can not only reduce the quality of life of patients with cancer, but also affect their survival. This study was to investigate the prognostic value of hemoglobin (Hb) level in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with radiotherapy.

METHODSClinical data of 520 NPC patients received definitive radiotherapy between 2000 and 2002 at Sun Yat sen University Cancer Center were analyzed. Patients were stratified into normal Hb level and anemia groups according to their Hb levels before, during, and after radiation. Anemia was defined according to World Health Organization criteria as Hb level < 130 g/L in men and < 120 g/L in women. Hb continuous decrease group and non decrease group were defined according to Hb changes in the patients during radiotherapy. Loco regional recurrence free survival (LRFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were estimated using the Kaplan Meier method. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox model to analyze the prognostic factors.

RESULTSBefore radiation, the 5 year LRFS rates were 60.9% in anemia group and 63.9% in normal Hb level group (P = 0.337); the 5 year OS rates were 65.2% and 71.0%, respectively (P = 0.299). During radiation, the 5 year LRFS rates were 56.7% in anemia group and 67.9% in normal Hb level group (P = 0.013); the 5 year OS rates were 61.0% and 75.9%, respectively (P = 0.001). After radiation, the 5 year LRFS rates were 59.6% in anemia group and 64.9% in normal Hb level group (P = 0.169); the 5 year OS rates were 65.0% and 71.9%, respectively (P = 0.090). The 5 year LRFS and OS rates were significantly lower in Hb continuous decrease group than in Hb non decrease group (59.1% vs. 69.3%, P = 0.032; 66.2% vs. 76.4%, P=0.011). Multivariate analysis showed that the continuous decrease of Hb was an independent prognostic factor for OS.

CONCLUSIONThe change in Hb level during radiotherapy is an important prognostic factor affecting the OS of NPC patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Anemia ; blood ; etiology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoglobins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; blood ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Particle Accelerators ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; adverse effects ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlation between myocardial ischemia and carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients.

METHODSThe clinical data were collected from 85 hospitalized hypertensive patients admitted between May 2005 and September 2008 without the complication of coronary artery disease as confirmed by cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CTA). According to the results of treadmill exercise test, the patients were divided myocardial ischemia group and ischemia-free group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to screen the risk factors of myocardial ischemia. The correlations were analyzed between myocardial ischemia, common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), Crouse score of the carotid plaque, thickness of the intraventricular septum and left artrium. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of IMT and Crouse score in predicting the presence of myocardial ischemia in hypertensive patients.

RESULTSCarotid plaque formation was identified as the major risk factor of myocardial ischemia in hypertensive patients (OR=4.982, P=0.004). The incidence of myocardial ischemia in the hypertensive patients with carotid plaques was significantly higher than that in the patients without the plaque (Chi2=9.317, P=0.002). Myocardial ischemia in hypertensive patients was positively correlated to the thickness of the intraventricular septum (r=0.362, P=0.001) and left artrium (r=0.298, P=0.009), and the IMT of the common carotid artery was positively correlated to the thickness of the intraventricular septum (r=0.231, P=0.045). The area under cure (AUC) of the ROC curve of Crouse score was 0.726-/+0.061 in predicting the presence of myocardial ischemia in the hypertensive patients (P=0.001), and that of IMT was 0.682-/+0.061 (P=0.006).

CONCLUSIONCarotid plaque formation is the major risk factor of myocardial ischemia in hypertensive patients and shows a positive correlation to the onset of myocardial ischemia, but both the common carotid artery IMT and the Crouse score of the carotid plaque are not accurate markers for predicting myocardial ischemia in patients with hypertension.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atherosclerosis ; complications ; pathology ; Carotid Artery, Common ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Ischemia ; etiology ; pathology ; Risk Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the initial changes in the gut microenvironment that accompany intestinal endotoxemia related to alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD) in order to explore the potential initiating factors and to observe the effect of probiotic therapy on these factors.

METHODSFifty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into an ALD model group (alcoholic intragastric administration), an intervention group (ALD with probiotic intragastric administration), and a control group (physiological saline intragastric administration). Histological changes of the liver were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin staining and light microscopy. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglycerides (TG), and plasma endotoxin and coli bacillus were determined. The structural integrity of intestinal mucosa and tight junctions were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Occludin protein expression in intestinal epithelial cells was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSAfter four weeks, the three groups showed significant differences in the plasma endotoxin levels [control: (0.67+/-0.14) pg/ml, model: (4.42+/-1.28) pg/ml, and intervention: (2.88+/-0.83) pg/ml; F = 27.288, P = 0.000] and numbers of Escherichia coli [control: (2.31+/-0.39) lg3/ml, model: (3.23+/-0.41) lg3/ml, and intervention: (2.24+/-0.44) lg3/ml; F = 10.692, P = 0.001]. The plasma endotoxin level and E. coli number were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group and the intervention group (all P less than 0.05). The three groups showed no significant differences in the levels of ALT, AST, and TG at four weeks. After eight weeks, however, all three serum markers were significantly different between the three groups [ALT: control: (62.33+/-7.12) U/L, model: (95.50+/-8.73) U/L, and intervention: (81.33+/-6.19) U/L; F = 18.051, P = 0.000]; [AST: control: (90.50+/-10.67) U/L, model: (130.00+/-14.91) U/L, and intervention: (110.33+/-7.26) U/L; F = 30.170, P = 0.000]; [TG: control: (0.84+/-0.84) mmol/L, model: (1.40+/-0.17) mmol/L, and intervention: (1.10+/-0.17) mmol/L; F = 10.592, P = 0.001]. In addition, the three groups showed significant differences in E. coli number [control: (2.23+/-0.46) lg3/ml, model: (4.81+/-0.29) lg3/ml, and intervention: (3.61+/-0.50) lg3/ml; F = 23.579, P = 0.000] and plasma endotoxin level [control: (0.52+/-0.21) pg/ml, model: (12.46+/-2.61) pg/ml, intervention: (6.83+/-1.74) pg/ml; F = 30.731, P = 0.000]. The levels of ALT, AST, TG and endotoxin, and the number of E. coli were all significantly higher in the model group than in the control group and the intervention group (all P less than 0.05). Small intestinal epithelial cell structural failure was more apparent and intercellular gaps more broad after eight weeks than after four weeks for all three groups. However, the intervention group showed clearer cell connection structures and less extensive cell gap broadening than the model group at eight weeks. After eight weeks, the occludin protein had become significantly down-regulated and distributed in a non-continuous pattern in the model group, as compared with the control group. However, the occludin protein expression was higher in intervention group than in the model group.

CONCLUSIONIntestinal endotoxemia related to perturbations in the microenvironment occurs in the early phase of ALD, and the increased intestinal permeability appears to be the initial factor of elevated plasma endotoxin, which may lead to liver damage. Probiotic therapy can reduced plasma endotoxin levels and postpone ALD progression by altering the composition of the gut microbiota and up-regulating expression of the occludin protein in intestinal epithelial cells.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Escherichia coli ; isolation & purification ; Fatty Liver, Alcoholic ; microbiology ; therapy ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Male ; Occludin ; metabolism ; Probiotics ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between colorectal adenocarcinoma with invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) component, lymphovascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty one cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma with invasive micropapillary carcinoma component were evaluated by H&E and immunohistochemical staining. The main pathological features, percentage of IMPC component, lymphovascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis were assessed and compared to 296 cases of conventional colorectal adenocarcinoma.

RESULTSThe maximum diameter of the tumors of the IMPC group was significantly lower than the conventional group. The degree of differentiation, the lymph node metastatic rate, the average number of metastatic lymph nodes, the number of cases with lymphovascular tumor emboli were significantly higher in the IMPC group (P = 0.000). The rate of distant metastasis at operation was higher in the IMPC group (14.5%) compared to the conventional group (10.8%) even though statistical significance was not achieved (P = 0.278) . In IMPC group, as the IMPC component increased, the rate of lymph node metastasis also showed an increasing trend. The rate of lymph node metastasis were 53.0% (157/296) , 67.7% (42/62) and 85.5% (59/69) " respectively" for conventional adenocarcinoma, adenocarcinoma with ≤ 10% IMPC component and adenocarcinoma with > 10% IMPC component; the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSCompared to conventional colorectal adenocarcinomas, the colorectal carcinomas with IMPC component show a significantly higher rate of lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. The percentage of IMPC component in colorectal adenocarcinoma is significantly correlated to the rate of lymph node metastasis. Therefore, presence of IMPC component and degree of tumor differentiation are predicting factors of lymph node metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Tumor Burden ; Young Adult

Aim of this study was to develop the detection method of soluble human leukocyte antigens I (sHLA-I) and to explore sHLA-I level alteration in storage blood and its significance. sHLA-I level in sera of 60 Guangdong normal individuals and sHLA-I concentration in blood components from 20 donors quantitatively were detected by sandwich ELISA. The results showed that sensitivity of this assay was 2.84 ng/ml. Coefficients of variation were 5.80% within assays and 9.00% between assays respectively. The recovery rate was >/= 98.57%. The sHLA-I level of normal individuals in Guangdong was (699.54 +/- 360.10) ng/ml. sHLA-I in red blood cells stored for 28 days and in random-donor platelets were significantly higher than that in other blood components and their amount was proportionate to the number of residual donor leukocytes and to the length of storage. In conclusion, sandwich ELISA assay for detection of sHLA-I is a sensitive, specific and stable technique. Blood components with different concentration of sHLA-I may be chosen for clinical transfusion.
Apoptosis ; Blood Preservation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; blood ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo introduce the application of slender narrow pedicle flap in repairing facial tissue defects after skin carcinoma excision, and investigate its survival mechanism.

METHODSThe slender narrow pedicle iateral maxillocevical flap was designed with its pedicle including skin fascia or only the fascia located in front of auricle or behind of it, repaired 26 cases of facial defects, including 5 temporal skin basal cell carcinoma, 6 skin squamous cell carcinoma, and 1 facial skin malignant melanoma, 8 skin basal cell carcinoma, 5 skin squamous cell carcinoma, 1 skin mucinous carcinoma. In 26 cases, 24 cases their pedicles in front of the auricle, 2 cases behind of the auricle; 4 cases their pedicles only including fascia. The size of the flaps ranged from 3.0 cm x 2.5 cm to 10.0 cm x 8.0 cm. The width and length of the pedicle ranged 1.0-1.5 cm and 2-6 cm.

RESULTS26 cases of the slender narrow pedicle flaps all survived and the results were satisfactory except 5 cases of distal congestion, then gradual recovery.

CONCLUSIONSThis slender narrow flap don't include any major blood vessel, without dissecting the blood vessels in operating. Due to its slender pedicle, the whole flap looks like "pingpang bat", the flap rotation is easy and its coverage area is very large, without cat ears. The postoperative appearance (color, texture, cosmetic aspect) is satisfactory. This slender narrow flap is an extraordinary new flap design and is ideal for the repair of the facial tissue defect after skin carcinoma excision.

Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Ear Auricle ; Ear, External ; Facial Neoplasms ; surgery ; Fascia ; transplantation ; Humans ; Melanoma ; surgery ; Skin Neoplasms ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of vitamin-mineral supplement on young males with physical overtraining.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty male Chinese field artillery personnel who undertook large scale and endurance military training and were on ordinary Chinese diet were randomized to receive a multivitamin/multimineral supplement or a placebo for 1 week. After a 1-week wash-out period, a cross-over with 1 week course of a placebo or multivitamin/multimineral supplement was conducted. Blood and urine samples were analyzed for adrenal, gonadal and thyroid hormones. In addition, cellular immune parameters (CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, CD4/CD8, CD3-CD56+, CD3-CD19+) were examined and psychological tests were performed before and after the training program and nutrition intervention.

RESULTSAfter a large scale and endurance military training, the participants showed significantly increased thyroid function, decreased adrenal cortex, testosterone and immunological function, and significantly increased somatization, anger and tension. Compared to placebo, multivitamin/ multimineral intervention showed significant effects on functional recovery of the pituitary - adrenal axis, pituitary-gonadal axis, pituitary- thyroid axis and immune system as well as psychological parameters.

CONCLUSIONHigh-intensity military operations have significant impacts on the psychology, physical ability and neuroendocrine-immune system in young males. Appropriate supplementation of multivitamin/multimineral can facilitate the recovery of the psychology, physical ability and neuroendocrine-immune system in young males who take ordinary Chinese diet.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Affect ; drug effects ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Dietary Supplements ; Double-Blind Method ; Emotions ; drug effects ; Exercise ; Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; cytology ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Minerals ; administration & dosage ; Psychological Tests ; Stress, Psychological ; prevention & control ; Vitamins ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult

Cholecystitis ; diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Granuloma ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Xanthomatosis ; diagnosis

BACKGROUNDOver one million soldiers were treated for battle- or training-fatigue during World War II. Of all ground combat troops, 37% were discharged for psychiatric reasons due to fatigue. The neuroendocrinological and immunological systems played important roles in the work-related fatigue of military personnel. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of fatigue associated with military operations, and we observed changes in the regulatory functions of the neuroendocrinological and immunological systems that may provide theoretical support for improving the combat effectiveness of armies.

METHODSA total of 240 soldiers from the Field Artillery regiment were selected as subjects. Researchers and subjects received training before participating in the study. Data of the subjects' medical histories, physical examinations, scores on a fatigue assessment scale, and assessments of pituitary-adrenal hormones (adrenal cortical hormone (ACTH), cortical hormone (F), and 24-hour urine-free cortisol (UFC)), pituitary-gonadal hormones (luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, estradiol (E2), and prolactin (PRL)), pituitary-thyroid hormones (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (TT4), triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3)), and cellular immune parameters (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+), B, and NK cells) were investigated before and after large-scale and high-intensity field exercises. Data were statistically analyzed with Student's t test using SPSS software (version 13.0), and P values < 0.05 were deemed to be significant.

RESULTSAfter the high-intensity military training, the scores on the fatigue scale reflected significant increases of feeling of unpleasantness among soldiers. Additionally, the symptom checklist showed notable increases in somatization scores and significant decreases in psychoticism scores. After intensive military work, levels of plasma ACTH, F, and UFC of soldiers were decreased (P < 0.01). The level of testosterone decreased significantly after the maneuver ((23.51 ± 6.49) versus (18.89 ± 5.89) nmol/L; P < 0.001), whereas the thyroid function (TT3, FT4, and FT3) was markedly increased after the maneuver (P < 0.01). The number of CD3(+), CD4(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+) cells, and B lymphocytes were decreased (P < 0.05), and NK cells were increased (P < 0.001) after the maneuver.

CONCLUSIONSFollowing high-intensity military operations, the psychological tolerance of soldiers was depressed. And the hypoadrenocorticism (the functional decreases of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and abnormal pituitary-thyroid axis) contributed to the increased levels of fatigue. Hypoimmunity may increase the susceptibility to diseases after high-intensity military operations.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Glands ; secretion ; Adult ; Endocrine System ; metabolism ; Estradiol ; blood ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Pituitary Gland ; secretion ; Pituitary Hormones ; blood ; Prolactin ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood ; Thyroid Hormones ; Thyrotropin ; blood ; Thyroxine ; blood ; Triiodothyronine ; blood ; Young Adult