Objective To explore the functional impairment characteristics of acute stroke patients and cor- relate them to the functional independence after rehabilitation therapy. Methods Seventy-nine inpatients with stroke were divided into hemorrhage group and infarct group according to their condition.They are assessed by using measures of ESS,MBI,MMSE,Sheikh,Fugl-Meyer Balance and Fugl-Meyer motor assessment before rehabilitation treatment.After 1 month of treatment,all the patients were evaluated again using FIM.Correlation analysis was con- ducted with all the parameters. Results It was found that patients in the hemorrhage group scored lower with MBI, Sheikh,Fugl-Meyer Balance and FIM than those in the infarct group (P

Purpose To analyze the imaging manifestations of solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) so as to improve its diagnosis. Materials and Methods The CT and MRI findings of 24 patients with SFT confirmed pathologically were analyzed retrospectively and compared respectively with their pathological results in terms of lesion's location, size, shape, density (signal), type of enhancement and relationship with the surrounding tissues. Seven patients underwent MRI scan, 5 were with enhanced scan; 17 patients were carried out plain CT scan and 11 were with enhanced CT scan. Results The lesions in the 23 cases were solid and 1 was solid and cystic. Through the imaging diagnosis, 20 cases were diagnosed as benign tumors, 2 cases were diagnosed as malignancies, and 2 benign tumors were misdiagnosed, which showed that the diagnose accordance rate was 91.7%(22/24). On plain CT scans, 5 lesions (maximum diameter<4 cm) showed homogeneous density; 7 cases (maximum diameter>5 cm) showed heterogeneous density, 4 of which had calcification and 7 had necrosis; the shapes were round-like or lobulated. On enhanced CT scans, 5 cases presented progressive enhancement pattern, 5 cases showed fast-in and slow-out pattern, 1 case showed slight enhancement pattern. On MRI scan, 4 cases of the solid part of tumors showed isointensity signals on T1WI and isointensity or slight hyperintensity signals on T2WI, 3 cases showed isointensity or low signals on T1WI and low, isointensity or slight hyperintensity signals on T2WI, and slight hyperintensity signal on DWI, the solid part of tumors were strongly enhanced. Two malignant tumors presented features like heterogeneous density, unclear boundary, invasive growth and progressive enhancement pattern. The pathological findings demonstrated that the tumor tissues mainly consisted of spindle cells with rich fibers and vessels. Conclusion The imaging findings of benign and malignant SFT have certain features, malignant SFT have invasive growth signs. The obvious progressive enhancement of solid component which shows isointensity and hyperintensity on T1WI or T2WI may be helpful in the diagnosis of SFT; however, the final diagnosis should be confirmed with histopathology.

Background A multitude of studies reported statins prevent the myocardial hypertrophy induced by pressure overload,but the mechanism is unclear.Objective To study the protective effect of atorvastatin on the myocardial hypertrophy caused by pressure overload and it's anti-inflammation effect.Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomized to untreated group(n=10),atorvastatin group(2 mg/kg?d,by gavage,n=10),sham op- eration group(n=10)and control group(n=10).Ventricular hypertrophy model was achieved by surgical con- stricting the abdominal aorta.All rats were sacrificed 8 weeks after the operation and the heart weight to body ratio,left ventricular weight to body ratio,and the size of cardiomyocyte were determined.The expressions of interleukin 18(IL-18)and cardiotrophin 1(CT-1)in the cadiocyte were assessed by reverse transcription polymer- ase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Compared with control group,SBP in myocardial hypertrophy group was significantly increased(174?9 vs control 112?15 mmHg,P

OBJECTIVETo search for the optimal strategies for sperm collection from the patient with temporary penile erectile dysfunction (ED) on the day of oocyte pick-up ( OPU) in in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 93 cases of temporary ED on the OPU day of IVF-ET from January 2011 to May 2014, with fresh semen for 45 cases (group A), cryopreserved sperm before oocyte retrieval for 30 cases (group B), and frozen oocytes for 18 cases (group C). Group A was again subdivided into A1 (n = 18) and A2 n = 27) , the former intervened with oral sildenafil while the latter left untreated. We compared the rates of fertilization, high-quality embryo, and pregnancy among different groups.

RESULTSNo statistically significant differences were found among groups A, B and C in the age of the males and females, duration of infertility, numbers of obtained and mature oocytes, and rates of cleavage, or in the percentages of normal fertilization (80.78% vs 80.43% vs 84.77%), high-quality embryo (53.27% vs 52.97% vs 47.69%) and pregnancy (60.00% vs 56.77% vs 44.44%) (all P > 0.05). The rate of 3PN was markedly lower in group C (0.63%) than in A (9. 61%) and B (4.34%) (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups A1 and A2 in the age of the males and females, duration of infertility, numbers of obtained and mature oocytes, and the rates of fertilization, cleavage, high-quality embryo, and pregnancy (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOn the OPU day of IVF-ET, oral sildenafil can help temporary ED men to achieve penile erection and ejaculation without affecting the outcomes of assisted reproduction. Cryopreserved sperm can be used in case of predicted temporary ED and frozen oocytes can also be employed if sperm retrieval fails. However, to avoid puncture injury to the epididymis or testis, fresh semen should be the first choice.

Cryopreservation ; Embryo Transfer ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Male ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Oocytes ; Penis ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sildenafil Citrate ; therapeutic use ; Sperm Retrieval ; Spermatozoa

Objective To investigate the role of heme oxygenase-1 ( HO-1 ) and carbon monoxide ( CO) in children with mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Methods A total of 198 cases with mycoplasma pneumoniae infection under 3 years were enrolled in this study. According to whether with wheezing,all cases were divided into wheezing group( n=58 ) and no wheezing group ( n=140 ) . According to having hypox-emia,wheezing group was divided into mild wheezing group(n=34) and severe wheezing group(n=24). And no wheezing group was set as control group. The serum COHb levels were measured by dual-wavelength spectrophotometry. The serum HO-1 were measured by ELISA. Results The levels of serum HO-1 and COHb% in severe wheezing group were ( 2 734. 10 ± 707. 59 ) ng/L, ( 3. 88 ± 0. 83 )%, and ( 1 130. 03 ± 671. 02) ng/L,(1. 16 ± 0. 63)% in mild wheezing group,and(931. 32 ± 451. 67) ng/L,(1. 04 ± 0. 37)% in no wheezing group,respectively. There were significant differences in serum HO-1 and COHb% between se-vere wheezing group and mild wheezing group(P<0. 01,respectively),and there were no significan differ-ences in serum HO-1 and COHb% between mild wheezing group and no wheezing group( P>0. 05,respec-tively). There was significant positive correlation between serum HO-1 and COHb%(r=0. 875,P<0. 01). Conclusion With mycoplasma pneumoniae infection,the expression of HO-1 and COHb% increase by the wheezing disease progression. HO-1 and CO may participate in the development process of infantile wheezing diseases.

Objective To investigate the effect of berberine on insulin resistance induced by free fatty acid in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the possible molecular mechanism.Methods 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with 0.5 mmol/L palmitic acid to induce insulin resistance.Berberine was used for treatment and aspirin for positive control.Glucose oxidase method was employed for measuring the glucose consumption in the medium and 2-deoxy- [~3H]-D-glucose method was used for the determination of glucose uptake.Western blot was used for the determination of IKB kinase(IKK)?SerlS1 phosphorylation,insulin receptor substrance-1(IRS-1)Ser307 phosphorylation,the protein expression of IKK?,IRS-1,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI-3K)p85 and glucose transporter 4(Glut4).Results After the treatment with 0. 5 mmol/L of palmitic acid for 24 h,glucose consumption by 3T3-L1 adipocytes was decreased by 41%,insulin-stimulated glucose transport was inhibited by 67%,IRS-1 and PI-3K p85 proteins were reduced, and phosphorylations of IKK?Ser181 and IRS-1 Ser307 were induced.The above results were reversed by adding berberine or aspirin.But Glut4 and IKK?protein abundance was not changed during this study.Conclusion Berberine significantly improves insulin resistance induced by free fatty acid in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via inhibiting IKK?serine phosphorylation.

Introduction：Neonatal tetanus is a major cause of neonatal mortality in many developing countries and remains a major public health problem. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with neonatal tetanus in Wenzhou, China.Methodology：Medical records of neonatal tetanus cases from 17 hospitals over a 13-year period (2000–2012) were reviewed for potential risk factors. Controls were selected from neonates with diseases other than tetanus who were admitted to the same facility during the same period. The potential risk factors of the neonatal tetanus group were compared with the control group using univariate analysis and an unconditional logistic regression model.Results：A total of 246 neonates with tetanus and 257 controls were included in this study. Univariate analysis showed that having untrained birth attendants, home delivery, an unsterile method of delivery and being a migrant to Wenzhou were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of having an untrained birth attendant, home delivery and an unsterile method of delivery were significantly higher in the tetanus group than the control group (odds ratio: 1371.0; 95% confidence interval: 206.0, 9123.5).Conclusion：This study identified that the main risks of neonatal tetanus in cases from Wenzhou were having an untrained birth attendant, home delivery and an unsterile method of delivery. Preventive measures directed to these risk factors may reduce the occurrence of neonatal tetanus in the studied area.

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in mid- and long-term complication monitoring after liver transplantation.

METHODSTwenty-one recipients receiving orthotropic liver transplantation between Feb 2003 and May 2005 were enrolled in this study. FLASH T(1)-weighted, T(2)-weighted fast spin echo, T(2)-weighted fat suppression, dynamic gadolinium-enhanced, MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and three-dimensional dynamic gadolinium-enhanced FISP MRA images were obtained.

RESULTSOf the 21 patients, bile duct complications were detected in all cases and liver arterial and venous complications in 8 cases. Liver cancer relapse occurred in 5 cases and allograft failure in 4.

CONCLUSIONMR imaging allows effective monitoring of mid- and long-term complications of liver transplantation, which provides valuable clues for their clinical treatment.

Adult ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Bile Duct Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; surgery ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To study the effects of ibuprofen on the growth and development of oligodendrocytes. Methods A total of 6 clean and healthy adult female SD (Sprague Dawley) rats were used for extracting and culturing of oligodendrocytes(OLs).Lysophosphatidic acid(LPA)was then added,and the morphological changes of OLs pre-treatment and post-treatment were observed. Then 6 newborn rats (born 24-48 h) were used for mixed glial cell extraction from the cortex, then the OPCs were inoculated into the culture plates and randomly divided into control group, ibuprofen group, lysophosphatidic acid(LPA)group and LPA+ibuprofen group.After the adhering of the cells in each group for three days, cell morphology was observed,and the drugs were added as interventions.The control group was treated with normal saline, and the other 3 groups were added with saline solution of ibuprofen(100 μmol/L),LPA(1.0 μmol/L)and the mixture of them. The cell morphological changes were observed after 7-day intervention.The morphology of OPCs and OLs were observed by immunofluorescence staining through OPCs'specific immune markers (platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha, PDGFR-α)and OLs'specific immune markers(myelin basic protein,MBP)along with cell count of mature OLs.Western blot assay was used to detect the relative expression level of MBP in each group. Results After the treatment with LPA to the mature OLs,protrusions were shrinking and became very sparse.The morphology of cells developed well in each group after cell adhering for 3 days. After drug intervention for 7 days, more cell protrusions and branches were observed in ibuprofen group and LPA+ibuprofen group than those of the control group and LPA group.The results of cell count showed that the number of MBP positive cells was significantly higher in the ibuprofen group and LPA+ibuprofen group than that in the control group and LPA group(P<0.01).The results of Western blot assay showed that the MBP protein expression was significantly less in LPA group than the other three groups (P<0.01), and the expression was significantly higher in the ibuprofen group than that of LPA+ibuprofen group (P<0.01). Conclusion LPA has a toxic effect on the growth and development of OPCs, and it has an inhibitory effect on the normal growth of mature OLs. A certain concentration of ibuprofen can significantly inhibit the cytotoxicity of LPA on OPCs and OLs,and promote the formation and maintenance of mature OLs.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic damage in critically ill patients is associated with the progressive failure of multiple organs, but little is known about its clinical characteristics. At present, no guidelines are available for the diagnosis and management of pancreatic damage. This study was undertaken to analyze the clinical and pathologic characteristics of pancreatic necrosis in critically ill children, and to find some biological markers of pancreatic damage or pancreatic necrosis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data, laboratory results, and autopsy findings of 25 children, who were admitted to Hunan Children's Hospital, China from 2003 to 2009, and died of multiple organ failure. The autopsy revealed pancreatic necrosis in 5 children, in whom sectional or gross autopsy was performed. RESULTS: The 5 children had acute onset and a fever. Two children had abdominal pain and 2 had abdominal bulging, flatulence and gastrointestinal bleeding. Four children had abnormal liver function, characterized by decreased albumin and 3 children had elevated level of C-reactive protein (CRP). B-ultrasonography revealed abnormal acoustic image of the pancreas in all children, and autopsy confirmed pancreatic necrosis, which may be associated with the damage of the adrenal gland, liver, lung, heart, spleen, kidney, intestine, thymus, mediastinal and mesenteric lymph nodes and other organs. Children 1 and 2 died of acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis (AHNP);children 3-5 died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) due to pancreatic necrosis. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic damage or pancreatic necrosis in critically ill children is characterized by acute onset, severity, short course, multiple organ damage or failure. It may be asymptomatic in early stage, and easy to be ignored.