Agmatine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Analgesia ; methods ; Animals ; Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Morphine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of localizing the internal auditory canal (IAC) and the facial nerve through the root of the zygoma, foramen spinosum and the head of the malleus in middle fossa approach with the assistance of high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT).

METHODSEighteen human cadaveric temporal bones were scanned and measured by HRCT. Cadaver specimen were divided into two groups. Group A was studied first through a middle fossa approach to find out the relationship between the HRCT measurements and the anatomic measurements. Then 4 whole human cadaveric heads (8 temporal bones) of group B were dissected using a HRCT oriented middle fossa approach to localize IAC with the root of the zygoma, foramen spinosum and the head of the malleus as landmarks. The two measurement methods were analysed with the Paired-Sample T test, and the difference was thought to be statistical significant when P < 0.05.

RESULTSIn Group A, there were no statistical significant differences between the CT measurements and the anatomic measurements from the head of the malleus to other important anatomic structures. In group B, the operation was guided with CT measurements: the distance between the head of the malleus and the root of the zygoma, and the distance between the head of the malleus and foramen spinosum. Within the range 1.5 mm to 3.7 mm, the head of malleus was correctly localized. In seven out of the eight cases, the root of the zygoma, the head of the malleus and the internal auditory canal were in a straight line, whereas, in one case, there was an angle of 15 degrees between the root of zygoma -head of malleus line and head of malleus -internal auditory canal line.

CONCLUSIONSHRCT would provide more information on the distance relationship between the head of malleus and the root of the zygoma, foramen spinosum and the internal auditory canal. The head of the malleus could be localized through the root of the zygoma and foramen spinosum with HRCT and therefore the IAC could be exposed with the head of the malleus as a landmark in middle fossa approach when other landmarks were not recognizable.

Adult ; Ear Canal ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Ear, Inner ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Malleus ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Petrous Bone ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Temporal Bone ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Zygoma ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the possible mechanism of oral carcinogenesis and to explore the value of clinical application of the detection of cytokeratin (CK) 19 for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients.

METHODSThe cancerous tissues, para-cancerous tissues and excised lymph nodes were collected from 20 operated patients with OSCC. The patients didn't receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy before hospitalization. The relative expression of CK19 mRNA in those tissues was detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR).

RESULTSThe expression of CK19 mRNA in the cancerous tissues was 1.85 and 1.66 times higher than that in normal oral mucosa and in para-cancerous tissues, respectively. The expression of CK19 mRNA in lymph nodes from 9 patients with OSCC was positive and the positive rate was 45% (9/20). The positive rate of CK19 mRNA in all lymph nodes from 9 patients with OSCC was 81.8% (18/22), and the positive rate of CK19 mRNA in all lymph nodes from 20 patients with OSCC was 41.9%(18/43). CK19 mRNA level in the cancerous tissues relative to para-cancerous tissues and normal oral mucosa of the patients whose CK19 mRNA expression was positive was lower than that of the patients whose CK19 mRNA expression was negative in lymph nodes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe possible reason that the expression of CK19 mRNA in the cancerous tissues was higher than that in para-cancerous tissues and normal oral mucosa was that the CK19 synthesis in cancerous tissues increased obviously. The detection of CK19 mRNA in lymph nodes was regarded probably as one of the markers for detecting OSCC micrometastasis in lymph nodes. The detection of CK19 mRNA in lymph nodes by FQ-PCR was more sensitive than hematoxylin-eosin staining in diagnosing OSCC micrometastasis.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; Mouth Neoplasms ; RNA, Messenger

Recombinant humanized anti-ricin monoclonal antibody (MIL50) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody targeting ricin. In this study, an ELISA method was used to establish a method for the determination of MIL50 in macaque serum, and a cross design method was used. Twelve rhesus monkeys were intravenously injected 1 mg·kg^-1 test preparation (MIL50 freeze-died powder injection) and reference preparation (MIL50 liquid preparation) to determine the plasma concentration of MIL50 at different time points, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed to compare the pharmacokinetic characteristics of MIL50 liquid preparation and freeze-died powder injection in rhesus monkeys. Animal welfare and experimental procedures follow the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Use of Laboratory Animals and the regulations derived by the Animal Care and Welfare Committee of the Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (IACUC-DWZX-2020-503). The results showed that there was no significant difference between C_max and AUC_0-5d in the two groups. The liquid preparation was the reference preparation, with C_max ratio of 101.6% and AUC_0-5d ratio of 101.9%, the 90% confidence interval of C_max was 79.42%-129.92%, and the 90% confidence interval of AUC_0-5d was 85.72%-121.18%. These results suggested that different dosage forms of MIL50 had certain differences in the changes of blood drug concentration in rhesus monkeys.

OBJECTIVETo provide the basis for AIDS intervention, the study on the relationship between AIDS related risk behaviors and the related factors was carried out among prostitutes, injection drug users and long-distance truck drivers.

METHODSQuestionnaire investigation and statistical analysis as chi(2) test, F test, logistic regression were adopted to analysis the relationship between AIDS related risk behaviors and the correlated factors.

RESULTSKnowledge about AIDS seemed to be related to their level of understanding the problem (in commercial sex workers r = 0.307, P = 0.000, in injection drug users F = 93.07, P = 0.000, in truck man F = 30.06, P = 0.000). Condom use when entertaining their clients last time was related to the knowledge of HIV transmission in commercial sex workers and truck drivers (OR = 1.171, 1.145) and knowledge of HIV prevention (OR = 1.081, 1.397), in drug users regarding gender difference (OR = 2.121).

CONCLUSIONThis study addressed that the effective means to reduce the rate of AIDS risk behaviors and to lessen the harm of AIDS are to improve the knowledge of AIDS and the effective methods to prevent AIDS in the high risk population.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Automobile Driving ; China ; Health Education ; Humans ; Risk-Taking ; Sex Work ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo confirm the diagnosis of multiple carboxylase deficiency (MCD) on the gene level and explore the mutations in Chinese children with MCD.

METHODSBiotinidase (BT) and holocarboxylase synthetase (HLCS) genes were analyzed by PCR and direct sequencing for the 4 BT deficiency patients and 8 HLCS deficiency patients, respectively. The identified mutations in the parents of the patients and 50 normal controls were screened by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct DNA sequencing.

RESULTSTotal detection rate of gene mutation is 100% in the 12 children with MCD. Six mutations were detected in the 4 children with BT deficiency, they were c. 98-104del7ins3, c. 1369G>A (V457M), c. 1157G>A(W386X), c. 1284C>A(Y428X), c. 1384delA and c. 1493_1494insT. The last four were novel mutations. Four mutations were found in the 8 children with HLCS deficiency. They were c. 126G>T (E42D), c. 1994G>C (R665P), c. 1088T>A (V363D) and c. 1522C>T (R508W). The last two were hot-spot mutations [75%(12/16)], and c. 1994G>C (R665P) was a novel mutation.

CONCLUSIONThis study confirmed the diagnosis of 12 patients with MCD on the gene level. Six mutations were found in the BT gene and 4 in the HLCS gene, including 5 novel mutations. Two mutations of the HLCS gene are probably hot-spot mutations in Chinese children with HLCS deficiency.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Biotinidase ; genetics ; Biotinidase Deficiency ; Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases ; deficiency ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Multiple Carboxylase Deficiency ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mutation

Objective To investigate the effects of different dialysates on expression of protein kinase C-? (PKC?) and apoptosis of U937 cell line. Methods Different dialysates were added into culture fluid with U937 cell line at exponential phase of growth, and groups were divided: fluid A+fluid B group (dialysate A+dialysate B), fluid A+fluid B+rottlerin (PKC? specific inhibitor)group, fluid A+powder B group (dialysate A+powder B) and fluid A+powder B + rottlerin group. Besides, blank control group and normal control group were established. Cells were harvested 24 h and 48 h after treatment, morphological changes were observed by Hoechst33258 fluorescence staining, cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin-V-FITC/PI double staining, and expression of PKC? mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results Cell apoptosis significantly increased in fluid A+powder B group, with typical morphology of apoptosis. After treatment for 24 h and 48 h, cell apoptosis rates in fluid A+powder B group were significantly higher than those at corresponding time points in blank control group, normal control group and fluid A+powder B+rottlerin group (P0.05). Conclusion Fluid A+powder B can significantly increase apoptosis of U937 cell line, the mechanism of which may be associated with the up-regulation of expression of PKC?. Compared with fluid A+powder B, fluid A+fluid B is superior in reducing apoptosis of peripheral blood monouclear cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC) have elevated levels of activated myeloid-derived leukocytes as a source of inflammatory cytokines. The selective depletion of these leukocytes by adsorptive granulocyte/monocyte apheresis (GMA) with an Adacolumn should alleviate inflammation, promote remission and enhance drug efficacy. However, studies have reported contrasting efficacy outcomes based on patients’ baseline demographic variables. This study was undertaken to understand the demographic features of GMA responders and nonresponders. METHODS: This was a multicenter study in China involving four institutions and 34 patients with active UC. Baseline conventional medications were continued without changing the dosage. The treatment efficacy was evaluated based on the endoscopic activity index and the Mayo score. RESULTS: Thirty of the 34 patients completed all 10 GMA treatment sessions. The overall efficacy rate was 70.59%. The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curve was approximately 0.766 for a Mayo score of ≤5.5 with 0.273 specificity and 0.857 sensitivity (Youden index, 0.584) for GMA responders. No GMA-related serious adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The overall efficacy of GMA in patients with active UC who were taking first-line medications or were corticosteroid refractory was encouraging. Additionally, GMA was well tolerated and had a good safety profile.
Blood Component Removal* ; China* ; Colitis, Ulcerative* ; Cytokines ; Granulocytes* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Leukocytes ; Monocytes* ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Treatment Outcome ; Ulcer*

OBJECTIVEProgressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPD) (MIM#208230) is a rare autosomal recessive disease of cartilage homeostasis characterized by axial and peripheral skeletal dysplasia. Analysis of WISP3 (Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein 3, MIM#603400) gene mutation can confirm the clinical and radiographic diagnosis for PPD. This study aimed to recognize PPD based on clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics of bones, and to investigate the mutations of WISP3 gene in three patients with PPD.

METHODThree male patients (9 - 16 years old) from three unrelated Chinese families, who presented with joint pain, swelling, deformities and motion limitation, were referred to this study. PPD was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics of bones and laboratory evaluation. All five exons and their exon/intron boundaries of the WISP3 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the peripheral blood DNA of three PPD family members, and mutation analysis was performed by bidirectional DNA sequencing.

RESULT(1) Three patients were diagnosed as PPD by characteristic evidences: all patients presented with non-inflammatory multiple joints swelling and stiffness including joints in hand and feet as they age. Radiographs showed platyspondyly, ovoid or wedged anterior end-plate of vertebral bodies, coxa vara, widened epiphyses or metaphyses including capital femoral, metacarpophalangeal, interphalangeal joints and metatarsals. Normal laboratory values were found for the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factors, antinuclear antibodies etc. (2) The three different mutations of WISP3 gene were identified in three patients with PPD, including two small insert mutations (c.624_625insA, c.866_867insA), one was deletion mutation (c.729_735delGAGAAAA). The types of mutation of two alleles in three patients were c.624_625insA/c.729_735delGAGAAAA, c.624_625insA/c.866_867insA and c.866_867 insA/c.866_867insA, respectively. These mutations were found in exon 4 and exon 5 of WISP3 gene, accounting for 50%(3/6) respectively. All three different mutations were novel variations, and none of 3 novel variations was found in the 50 controls.

CONCLUSIONThe characteristic evidences of PPD were non-inflammatory multiple enlarged joints (including hand and feet), limited movement, normal laboratory values such as rheumatoid factors. It is essential for making diagnosis to carefully examine the entire skeleton including spine. The characteristics of bone imaging are platyspondyly, widened epiphyses or metaphyses including large and small joints and narrow joint spaces. Three different novel variations of WISP3 gene were identified in three PPD patients, they are c.624_625insA, c.866_867insA and c.729_735delGAGAAAA. Each of novel mutations is insert or deletion mutation.

Adolescent ; Arthropathy, Neurogenic ; diagnosis ; genetics ; CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins ; Child ; Humans ; INDEL Mutation ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Joint Diseases ; congenital ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on thyroid gland volume, thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies in the areas with different iodine intakes.

METHODSA cross-sectional epidemiological study in Panshan (mild iodine-deficient area), Zhangwu (more than adequate iodine intake area) and Huanghua (iodine-excessive area) was conducted in 3761 subjects in 1999.80.2 % of them were followed up in 2004. Questionnaires, thyroid function, thyroid autoantibodies, urinary iodine concentration,and thyroid B ultrasound were performed.

RESULTSThe prevalence of goiter was higher in smokers than in non-smokers (15.1% vs. 11.5%, P< 0.05). The average thyroid volume was higher in smokers with phenomenon more obvious in Panshan and Huanghua areas. Data from logistic analysis showed that smoking cigarette was an independent risk factor of goiter. There was no difference in serum TSH and Tg level between smokers and non-smokers. The positive rate of TPOAb (>100 IU/ml) was higher in smokers than in non-smokers(10.8% vs. 9.0 % , P <0.05) and was especially obvious in Huanghua area. Smoking was a independent risk factor of increasing positive rate of TPOAb. During the prospective observation,it was found that the incidence of positive TPOAb(>,100 IU/ml) was 7.4% in the subjects that were from non-smokers turning to smokers and 2.9% in those whose smoking behavior did not change. Logistic analysis indicated that the shifting from non-smoking to smoking was independent risk factor for the increase on high incidence of positive TPOAb.

CONCLUSIONSmoking cigarette was a independent risk factor of goiter. Smoking was also a risk factor of increasing TPOAb positive rate. Shifting from not smoking to smoking was an independent risk factor of increasing high incidence of positive TPOAb.

Autoantibodies ; blood ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Goiter ; blood ; epidemiology ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; physiopathology ; Thyroid Hormones ; blood