Objective To investigate the performance of MSCT in the diagnosis of metanephric adenoma.Methods The imaging data of 5 cases of metanephric adenoma confirmed by operation and pathology in our hospital were collected and analyzed retrospectively.The location, size, shape, density and enhancement of the lesion were further retrospectively analyzed.Results In the incorporated 5 cases of metanephric adenoma, the male to female ratio of cases was 1:4, all were unilateral, including 2 cases of the right kidney,3 cases of the left kidney,2 cases were located in the upper pole, 2 cases in the polar region, 1 case in the lower pole of the kidney.Maximum diameter of the metanephric adenoma ranged from 2.9 cm to 8.4 cm, with an average value of 4.8 cm.The shape of metanephric adenoma was classified into: round (3 cases) and oval (2 cases).On plain scanning slightly lower density was found in 2 cases, equidensity in 2 cases and slightly higher density in 1 case.Furthermore,1 case had small punctatel calcification in the edge of the lesion,1 case with renal papillary carcinoma.4 cases underwent plain and enhanced scanning,and 1 case plain scanning,in which slight density increase after intravenous enhancement was showed in 3 cases,moderate enhancement in 1 case,more uniform enhancement in 3 cases,uneven enhancement in 1 case,delayed enhancement in 4 cases.Conclusion The characteristic MSCT features of metanephric adenoma have a certain specificity.Preoperative correct understanding is helpful to guide the operation scheme.

Objective:To investigate the reliability of a tool based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in the assessment of functioning despite disability.Methods:A total of 371 patients were assessed using a tool based on the ICF rehabilitation set combined with a numerical rating scale ranging from 0 to 10. The internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and intra-rater reliability were analyzed.Results:The scale′s Cronbach′s alpha coefficient was 0.89. The inter-rater correlation coefficient was 0.85, and the correlations among the items ranged from 0.78 to 0.94. The intra-rater correlation coefficient with the scale was 0.95, with the item correlations ranging from 0.72 to 0.97. Only item b230 Hearing function did not correlate well.Conclusions:The functioning assessment tool based on the ICF rehabilitation set when combined with a numerical rating scale has internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and intra-rater reliability sufficient for use in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the methylation of p16(INK4a) and RB gene, and the expression of p16(INK4a) in meningiomas.

METHODSMethylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) was used to detect the methylation of p16(INK4a) and RB in 50 cases of meningiomas, and immunostaining was performed to analyze the protein expression of p16(INK4a) in 25 of those cases.

RESULTSNo methylation was found in the benign meningiomas, whereas methylation of p16(INK4a)or RB occurred in 6(37.5%) cases of grade II tumors and 4(28.6%) cases of grade III tumors, and among these cases, an atypical meningioma showed methylation of both genes. Thirteen cases showed p16(INK4a) positive expression, but none of them was methylated.

CONCLUSIONThe methylation of p16(INK4a) or RB is related with the tumorigenesis and progression of atypical and anaplastic meningiomas, and a probable mechanism is that methylation causes the loss of expression and leads to dysfuncation of the p16(INK4a)/cyclin D1/CDK4/RB pathway.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cyclin D1 ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Genes, Retinoblastoma ; Genes, p16 ; Humans ; Male ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Meningioma ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins

BACKGROUNDCataracts is considered be formed because of an abnormal glucose metabolic pathway or oxidative stress. We explored the damaging role of ONOO- and antagonism of cholecystokinin octapeptide-8 (CCK-8) in diabetic cataractal rat lenses.

METHODSA diabetic cataractal animal model was established by peritoneal injection of streptozotocine (STZ). Thirty-six normal SD rats were taken as control group; seventy-two were given STZ (45 mg/kg) and then divided into STZ group and CCK-8 group (peritoneal injection CCK-8). STZ induced diabetic rats were treated with CCK-8 for 60 days. Lenses were examined with slit lamp at 20, 40 and 60 days. Immunofluorescent staining and Western blot analysis were used for determining nitrotyrosine (NT, a marker for ONOO-). PT-PCR and gene array analysis were used for determining the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthetase mRNA (iNOS mRNA) in lens epithelium (LEC).

RESULTSSTZ group rats developed lens opacity by 20 days that reached a high level by 60 days after STZ injection. CCK-8 group rats delayed the cataract formation. CCK-8 group rats delayed the cataract formation. There was no distinct expression of NT and iNOS mRNA in control group. In STZ group, there were distinct expression of NT and upregulation of iNOS mRNA; however, CCK-8 group showed weak expression of NT and downregulation of iNOS mRNA.

CONCLUSIONSNT, which may be a new form of oxidative stress, was expressed in diabetic rat LEC although CCK-8 could reverse NT damage in LEC. The results suggested that CCK-8 might be a useful therapeutic agent against diabetic cataract. The antagonizing mechanism of CCK-8 may be related to direct antagonism of ONOO- as well as its inhibition of the expression of iNOS mRNA for production of NO and therefore decrease in the formation of ONOO-.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cataract ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sincalide ; pharmacology ; Streptozocin ; Tyrosine ; analogs & derivatives ; genetics

Objective: To observe the effects of acupoints, cone numbers and durations of moxibustion with different moxibustion methods on skin surface and inside temperature, and to provide references for the clinical standardization of moxibustion amount. Methods: The 42 big-ear white rabbits were divided into 6 groups according to the random number table method, a 1-cone direct moxibustion group, a 2-cone direct moxibustion group, a 3-cone direct moxibustion group, a 1-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, a 2-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a 3-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, with 7 rabbits in each group. Shenque (CV 8), Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) were used in each group, but the moxibustion methods, cone numbers and durations of moxibustion were different. Rabbits in each group received moxibustion once every other day for 5 times in total. During the intervention, a thermoelectricity coupled probe and a temperature recorder were used to record the real-time acupoint skin temperature and the temperature at different time points, so as to observe, analyze and process the real-time changes in the temperature difference between the surface and inside of acupoint skin. Results: For herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion, the best temperature for cone changing was (46.38±0.51) ℃ when the highest surface temperature was (49.20±0.52) ℃; the multi-factor comparison of acupoint × cone number × time and acupoint × moxibustion method × time showed that time × acupoint, time × moxibustion method and cone number × acupoint had interactive effects (all P<0.05). Comparing skin temperature differences between different cone numbers at the same acupoint, Shenque (CV 8) on the 1st and the 5th days, Shenshu (BL 23) on the 3rd and the 7th days, Zusanli (ST 36) on the 1st and the 9th days of experiment showed statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The skin temperature comparison of different moxibustion methods at the same acupoint all had statistical differences (all P<0.05), except for Shenque (CV 8) before moxibustion, Shenshu (BL 23) before moxibustion and on the 5th day; Zusanli (ST 36) only showed statistical differences on the 5th and 7th days (both P<0.05). The skin temperature differences of different acupoints after moxibustion in the 1-cone, 2-cone and 3-cone groups were statistically different (all P<0.05); direct moxibustion and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at different acupoints were all statistically different (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Cone changing temperature under the same specifications of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion was confirmed. Temperature difference between surface and inside of different acupoint skin at the same maximum temperature was significantly different due to the cone numbers and moxibustion methods, which showed the highest at Shenshu (BL 23), the second at Shenque (CV 8), and the lowest at Zusanli (ST 36). The influence of acupoint factor should be considered to determine the quantitative indicators of moxibustion.

Objective: Accumulating evidence has shown that aberrant alternative splicing events are closely associated with the onset and development of cancer. However, whether genetic variants-associated alternative splicing is linked to risk of endometrial cancer remains largely uncertain. Methods: We identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) locates in the splicing number trait locus (sQTL) of endometrial cancer using the CancerSplicing QTL database. In parallel with bioinformatics analysis, we conducted a case-control study comprising 2,000 cases and 2,013 controls to assess the association between identified SNP which possesses mRNA splicing function and endometrial cancer susceptibility. Furthermore, we used the Kaplan-Meier Plotter, The Human Protein Atlas, SPNR, and Spliceman2 databases for sQTL and differential gene expression analyses to identify the genetic variant which most potentially influence the risk of endometrial cancer through alternative splicing to reveal the potential mechanism by which candidate SNPs regulate the risk of endometrial cancer. Results: The results indicated that SNP rs7128029 AConclusion These findings suggest that SNP rs7128029-mediated alternative splicing events in PSMD13 are associated with endometrial cancer risk and may be a potential early screening biomarker for endometrial cancer-susceptible populations.

The present study was designed to observe if puerarin decreases lens epithelium cell (LEC) apoptosis induced partly by peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)). One hundred and eight rats were randomly divided into control group (n=36), streptozotocin (STZ) group (n=36) and STZ + puerarin group (n=36). The rats in the control group intraperitoneally (i.p.) received 0.5 ml of saline. The rats in STZ group and STZ + puerarin group received intraperitoneal injection of STZ (45 mg/kg). Three days later, the rats in STZ + puerarin group were given puerarin (140 mg/kg per day, i.p.). On days 20, 40 and 60 of the experiment, morphologic changes of lenses were observed with slit lamp. Then the animals were sacrificed for further analysis. The amount and percentage of apoptotic LECs were determined by flow cytometry. Nitrotyrosine (NT, the foot print of ONOO(-)) was examined by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis-related genes (iNOS, etc.) were analyzed by gene array. The results showed that in the control group, all the lenses were clear. In STZ group, gradually severe opacity of the lens was observed on days 20, 40 and 60. But in STZ + puerarin group, mild opacity of the lens was observed on day 20 and more severe on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. In the control group, mild apoptosis of LECs was observed. In STZ group, time-dependent increase in apoptosis of LECs was observed. In STZ + puerarin group, mild apoptosis of LECs was observed on day 20, significantly increased on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. There was no expression of NT in the lens in the control group, but an increased expression of NT in STZ group. In STZ + puerarin group, mild expression of NT was observed on day 20, significantly increased on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. There was no expression of iNOS in the lens in the control group, but continuous up-regulation of iNOS expression in STZ group. In STZ + puerarin group, mild expression of iNOS was observed on day 20, significantly increased on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. Except the changes of iNOS related to NO production, the other apoptosis-related genes, including BCL-2 and SOD were down-regulated, while NF-kappaB and TNFR1-FADD-caspase signal transduction way were up-regulated in STZ group. The results were opposite in STZ + puerarin group and the control group. These findings show that NT is expressed in diabetic rat lens, which proves that LEC apoptosis in diabetic lens is partly induced by ONOO(-) which may be a new oxidative damage way to form cataract. Puerarin partly decreases LEC apoptosis induced by ONOO(-) and is a potential medicine for therapy of diabetic cataract. The mechanism of puerarin dealing with diabetic cataract may be related to its direct inhibition of LEC apoptosis and antagonism of ONOO(-) in diabetic rats.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cataract ; chemically induced ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Lens, Crystalline ; cytology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; Rats ; Tyrosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism

Using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, macroporous adsorbent resin, and reversed-phase HPLC, 115 compounds including diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, treterpenes, coumarins, lignans, fatty acid derivatives, and simple aromatic derivatives were isolated from an ethanol extract of branch of Fraxinus sieboldiana (Oleaceaue), and their structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1 D, 2D NMR and MS techniques. Among them, 41 compounds were new. In previous reports, we have been described the isolation, structure elucidation, and bioactivities of the 41 new compounds and 22 known orii including 8 coumarins, 4 phenolic and 12 phenylethanoidal glycosides. As a consequence, we herein reported the isolation and structure elucidation of the remaining 50 known compounds including 8- hydroxy-12-oxoabieta-9(11),13-dien-20-oic 8, 20-lactone(1), 6beta-hydroxyfcrruginol(2),(+)-pisiferic acid(3), (+)-pisiferal(4),(+)-7-dehydroabiet6none(5), 1-oxomiltirone(6), subdigitatone(7), linarionoside B(8), (9S)-linarionoside B(9), (3R,9R)-3-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-beta-ionol 9-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside(10), ursolic acid(11), betulinic acid(12), euscaphic acid(13), (+)-syringaresinol(14), (+)-fraxiresinol(15), (+)-1-hydroxysyringaresinol(16), pinoresinol(17), medioresinol(18), 8-acetoxypinoresinol(19), epipinoresinol(20), (-)-olivil(21), (+)-cyclo-olivil(22), 3,3'-dimethoxy-4,4',9-trihydroxy-7,9'-epoxylignan-7'-one(23),(+)-1-hydroxypinoresinol 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (24), (+)-1-hydroxypinoresinol 4"-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(25),(+)-syringaresinol O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (26), liriodendrin (27), ehletianol D(28), icariside E5(29) (-)-(7R, 8R)-threo-1-C-syringylglycerol(30),(-)-(7R, 8S)-erythro-guaiacylglycerol (31),(-)-(7R, 8R)-threo-guaiacylglycerol(32), 3-(4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-3-methoxy)-phenyl-2E-propenol(33),2,3-dihydroxy-l-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone(34), 2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone (35), 3-hydroxy-l-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone(36), omega-hydroxypropioguaiacone(37), sinapyladehyde(38), trans-p-hydroxycinnamaldehyde(39), syringic acid(40), vanilic acid(41), vanillin(42), 4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (43), (24R)-24-ethyl-5alpha-cholestane-3beta,5,6beta-triol(44), beta-sitosterol(45), daucosterol(46), 2,6-dimethoxy-I,4-benzoquinone(47), 2,6-dimethoxy-pyran-4-one(48), 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil(49), and mannitol(50). Compouds 1-7,12,18,28-37,44 and 48 were obtained from the genus Fraxinus for the first time.
Fraxinus ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo assess the quality of literature of clinical studies on acupuncture in treatment of herpes zoster.

METHODSThe literatures between 1994-2006 were searched by means of electronic retrieval. Type and methodology, general condition, diagnosis of diseases and enrolled and excluded criteria, assessment of sample content, treatment condition, criteria for assessment of therapeutic effects, following-up, etc. in clinical studies are evaluated according to principles and methods of clinical epidemiology and evidence-based medicine.

RESULTSOf the 399 literatures enrolled, only 8 were authentic randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 20 quasi-randomized controlled trials, 66 non-randomized concurrent controlled trials and 277 narrative studies, 70 had clear diagnostic criteria, 16 mentioned enrolled or excluded criteria, 287 had clear criteria for therapeutic effects, 107 reported follow-up, 2 had the description of health economical index, 9 reported adverse reaction.

CONCLUSIONAt present, correct randomization, concealment, blinding and placebo-control, and the RCTs with generally accepted criteria for assessment of diagnosis and therapeutic effects, safety evaluation and rational design of follow-up are needed. It is indicated by preliminary study of the literatures that blood-letting puncture and cupping at Ashi points are main methods for treatment of herpes zoster.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Bibliometrics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Herpes Zoster ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVETo identify and explore the prognostic risk factors of the hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS).

METHODSA retrospective study was conducted on 50 childhood patients with HPS who were admitted to our hospital between 2007 and 2011. All their medical records were reviewed and analyzed. For each patient, demographic, laboratory data and outcome information were collected. The patients were divided into deceased or survived groups based on the follow-up results. Comparative analysis of the data was done by using independent-samples test and logistic multiple and univariate regression.

RESULTSAmong the 50 HPS patients, 30 were male and 20 female, age ranged from 3 months to 10 years. Reduction of serum albumin, cholinesterase and natural killer (NK) cells was found in the forty-six patients. The laboratory features showed an elevation of serum ferritin with hypofibrinogenemia and hypertriglyceridemia in most of the patients. Forty of patients had hemophagocyte in bone marrow at diagnosis of HPS. The positive serum EBV-IgM was found in thirty-five patients.During the observation period, 25 of 37 patients (67.6%) died, while 13 of whom died within a month after hospitalization. The deceased patients were more likely to have lower albumin, cholinesterase, NK cells level and more prolonged active partial thromboplastin time than the survived patients (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that duration of illness > 1 month, albumin level < 25 g/L, cholinesterase level < 2000 U/L, NK cell level 0-3% and positive EBV-IgM were related with the prognosis significantly (P < 0.05 for all comparisons).

CONCLUSIONThis study revealed that duration of illness > 1 month, decreases in albumin, NK cell and cholinesterase, and positive EBV-IgM were the risk factors related to mortality in children.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cholinesterases ; blood ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Infant ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; diagnosis ; mortality ; pathology ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin ; analysis ; Syndrome