Objective To explore the MRI finding of female normal levator ani muscle and the levator ani muscle injuries and to evaluate the correlation between childbirth and levator ani muscle injuries. Methods One hundred asymptomatic nulliparous women(control group)and 200 vaginally primiparous women(study group)were selected as the object of this study.Moreover,the study group was divided into two subgroups:group A(100 cases)with stress incontinence,group B(100 cases)without clinical symptoms.Multiplanar proton density magnetic resonance images were obtained at 0.5 cm intervals from these study individuals.All images were used to analyze the differentiation of MRI features between normal levator ani muscle and levator ani muscle injuries.Results No levator ani injuries were identified in the control group.Fifty-four primiparous women(27%)had visible injuries in their levator ani muscles,42 in group A and 12 in group B.Injuries were identified in the puborectalis muscle in 49 cases and in the iliococeygeus muscle in 5 cases(X~2=41.447,P

Objective To research the jugular foramen,internal auditory pore (IAP)and the turning point between its components by imageological methods and to provide theoretical basis for retrosigmoid approach in the operation of acoustic neurinoma.Methods The skulls of 100 volunteers were scanned to get the final result with thin-section computed tomographic image. High-resolution spiral CT multiplane reformation was used to reform images that were parallel to the Frankfort horizontal plane to measure the distance between the turning point of retrosigmoid (A),the edge of jugular foramen(B)and the lower edge of the internal auditory canal(C)(denoted AC,AB,BC) and the shortest distance from the jugular foramen to AC.The angles between AC,AB and sagittal axis(α,β) were measured.Results The distance of AC was (44.94 ± 3.84)mm,the distance of AB was (43.68 ± 4.56)mm.The distance of BC was (6.15 ±2.04)mm,and the shortest distance between jugular foramen and AC was (5.21±0.23)mm.The angleαwas measured as (39.50±4.74)°,and the angleβwas measured as (46.35± 5.51)°.Conclusion The research measure the distance and angle between entry points and landmarks of retrosigmoid approach and the safe distance.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of microRNA (miRNA)-mediated p65 gene knockdown on the proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.

METHODSp65-targeted miRNA plasmid was constructed and transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells via lipofectamine(TM)2000. The expression of p65 gene in the transfected cells at the mRNA and protein levels were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry (FCM), respectively. The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blotting in the transfected cells.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group, the expressions of p65 mRNA and protein in p65miRNA-trasnfected cells were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). MTT assay showed significantly lowered viability of MDA-MB-231 cells after the transfection (P<0.05). FCM showed an increased cell apoptosis rate in p65miRNA group compared with that in the negative control group (P<0.05). Caspase-3 and PARP were both cleaved into their active forms and the expression of these active forms was increased in p65miRNA group.

CONCLUSIONThe miRNA targeting p65 gene can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of breast cancer cells, and p65 gene might become a new target in gene therapy for human breast cancer.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate prognostic factors related to early and late intrahepatic recurrences after curative hepatectomy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSA retrospective review was conducted on medical records of patients with HCC treated by curative hepatectomy from January 2002 to January 2009. Clinicopathologic data were evaluated for their possible association with postoperative intrahepatic recurrence in univariate and multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard model. Recurrence time calculated by Kaplan-Meier method was compared using Log-rank test. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis with calculation of the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity where appropriated and risk stratification were applied to assess predictive ability of prognostic factors.

RESULTSAll 101 patients underwent curative hepatectomy. During follow-up period, 75 patients developed postoperative intrahepatic recurrence, among whom, 63 experienced early recurrence (84.0%) and the remaining had late recurrence (16.0%). The 1-, 2-, 3-and 5-year cumulative recurrent rates were 48.5% (49/101), 62.4% (63/101), 70.3% (71/101) and 74.3% (75/101), respectively. Multivariate analysis identified that tumor residual resectional margin, increased BCLC staging and severity of concomitant liver cirrhosis as independent prognostic factors predicting early recurrence while age ≥ 60 years and presence of tumor capsule predicting late recurrence. Cutoff point values (PI ≥ 2.798) predicted early recurrence with AUC 0.897 (95%CI = 0.829 - 0.965), sensitivity 76.6%and specificity 88.9% calculated from ROC. Median recurrent time of early recurrence and late recurrence reached statistically difference after risk stratification, 20.2 months vs. 4.4 months (χ(2) = 29.198, P = 0.000), 46.6 months vs. 28.6 months (Log-rank test, χ(2) = 8.479, P = 0.004), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPostoperative recurrence for HCC after curative hepatectomy should be differentiated as early recurrence and late recurrence, since each is associated with different risk factors, indicating possible different mechanism responsible for postoperative recurrence. Risk stratification can be used for prediction of different type of recurrence.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; etiology ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the personality traits and intensity dependence of auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) in chronic primary insomnia.

METHODSThirty-seven patients with chronic primary insomnia (insomnia group) and 44 healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled in the study. The AEPs were examined in insomnia and control groups; the personality traits were studied by Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scales (SSS) and Zuckerman-Kuhlman's Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ); and the mood states by Plutchik-van Praag's Depression Inventory (PVP).

RESULTThe scores of neuroticism-anxiety and depression in insomnia group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01); and the scores of impulsivity and aggression-hostility were also higher than those in control group (P<0.05); N1-P2 amplitude of AEP increased with stimulus intensity, which were significantly different in 70, 80, 90,100 dB (P<0.01). There were significant correlations between activity and N1 latency at 80 dB, activity and P2 latency at 100 dB (r=0.270, r=0.276, P<0.05); and between total scores of sensation seeking scale and N1-P2 amplitude (r=0.3746, r=0.35329, P<0.01) at 70 and 90 dB stimulus intensity in insomnia group. There were significant correlations among experience seeking and N1-P2 amplitude, experience seeking and slope rate (P<0.01) at 70, 80, 90, 100 dB stimulus intensity in insomnia group (r=0.539, r=0.3439, r=0.439, r=0.3278). There were significant correlations between sensation seeking of boredom susceptibility and slope rate (r=-0.282998, P<0.05) in insomnia group. There were significant correlations between thrill and adventure seeking and N1-P2 amplitude(r=0.2789, P<0.05) at 90 dB stimulus intensity in insomnia group; there were significant correlations between PVP and N1-P2 amplitude (r=-0.3434, r=-0.3158, P<0.05) at 70 dB and N1 latency at 80 dB in insomnia group.

CONCLUSIONChronic primary insomnia sufferers have higher levels of neuroticism-anxiety, depression, aggression-hostility and impulsivity, and some are correlated with stimulus intensity dependence in AEP.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; complications ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Personality ; physiology ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; complications ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of simultaneously combined pelvic floor dynamic MRI and pelvic organography in diagnosing female pelvic floor disorders and search for the best imaging model for diagnosing pelvic floor disorders.

METHODSThirty women with pelvic floor disorders received pelvic floor dynamic MRI and simultaneously combined pelvic organography including cystourethrography, peritoneography, vaginography and defecography. Clinical diagnostic value was compared between this two methods.

RESULTSThe diagnostic accuracy of pelvic floor dynamic MRI and simultaneously combined pelvic organograph for cystocele,anorectal junction abnormal descent, pelvic floor hernia,uterocervical prolapse was 100%, 95.2 %, 86.7%, 85.7% respectively. Rectocele and prolapse of rectal were diagnosed by pelvic organograph in 12 and 28 cases respectively, while only 6 and 0 cases were diagnosed by pelvic floor dynamic MRI respectively. The mean examining time of pelvic floor dynamic MRI and simultaneously combined pelvic organography was (16 +/- 3)min, (34 +/- 9)min respectively (P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPelvic floor dynamic MRI combined with defecography is the best imaging model for diagnosing pelvic floor disorders.

Adult ; Aged ; Encopresis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Female ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Floor ; physiopathology ; Pelvis ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanical characteristics of new anatomic plate of distal tibia from view of biomechanics.

METHODSTwelve fresh adult moist ankle specimens were randomly divided into four block groups (every group had 3 specimens), 3 tibial specimens as a normal control (normal group N), 9 specimens were resulted in unstable distal tibial Pilon fracture. Using steel plate fixation with a new anatomic distal tibial plate (group A), reconstruction plate (group B), clover plate (group C). Group B and group C as control group to test the remote axial compressive strength, remote axial stiffness, reversing biomechanical properties, contacted characteristics of the tibial astragaloid articular surface.

RESULTSThe remote axial compressive strength, remote axial stiffness, reversing biomechanical properties, contacted characteristics of tibial astragaloid articular surface the in distal tibial Pilon fracture instability of group A were near normal group N (P>0.05). Group A was best than group B and C (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe new anatomic plate of distal tibia was relatively strong, which can reach effective and stable fixation for unstable distal tibial Pilon fracture.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Tibia ; chemistry ; injuries ; surgery ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of L929 cell membrane with atomic force microscope (AFM) after infrasound exposure and to explore the mechanisms of effect of infrasound on cell membrane.

METHODSAfter primary culture, the L929 cells were exposed to infrasound with intensity output of 130 dB and frequency of 16 Hz 2 hours each day for 3 days. The subsequent changes in the membrane of the control cells and the cells exposed to the infrasound were determined by nano-scale scanning with AFM.

RESULTSAfter infrasound exposure, the normal prominence of the membrane became short and the dent became shallow in the 7.5 microm x 7.5 microm and 4.0 microm x 4.0 microm photographs. The prominence appeared as cobblestones. The surface of the membrane became smooth.

CONCLUSIONThe membrane structure of the L929 cells can be changed by infrasound exposure with intensity of 130 dB and frequency of 16 Hz. The change might be one of the characteristics of effect of infrasound on cell membrane.

Animals ; Cell Membrane ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Mice ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Sound ; adverse effects

Using the absorbent resin, silica gel and ODS column chromatography as well as semi-preparative HPLC, ten compounds were isolated from 70% ethanol extract of tubers of Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright, and their structures were elucidated as trigoneoside XIIIa (1), parvifloside (2), trigoneoside IVa (3), deltoside (4), protobioside (5), lilioglycoside k (6), zingiberensis newsaponin I (7), deltonin (8), prosapogenin A of dioscin (9), and trillin (10) on the basis of NMR and MS spectral data analysis. Among these compounds, 1, 3, 5 and 6 were isolated from this plant for the first time. In the screening test on platelet aggregation, compounds 7 and 8 exhibited induction effect on platelet aggregation, while compound 9 exhibited significant inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation in vitro.
Animals ; Dioscorea ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Saponins ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment on hand burn, and to make a cost-effectiveness analysis.

METHODSSixty-two patients with ninety-eight affected hands were divided into rehabilitation group (32 cases, 48 hands) and control group (30 cases, 50 hands). Patients in rehabilitation group received comprehensive rehabilitation treatment at early stage after burn; patients in control group were given instructions for function training at the same time. The functions of the hands to be restored including grasp, hold, pinch, nip, forearm pronation and supination, fetching, laying, and writing abilities of patients in both groups were quantitatively evaluated with Carroll's upper extremity function test before treatment and 5 months after. Direct medical costs of patients in both groups within 5 months were respectively added up to make a cost-effectiveness analysis.

RESULTSIn rehabilitation group, function of digital opposition, palmar opposition, holding, and pinching of 37 hands recovered well, with which patients could pick food, put on clothes, go to toilet, and self-care etc. independently. Function of digital opposition, palmar opposition, holding, pinching half recovered in 7 hands, accompanied with well recovered of metacarpophalangeal function, but recovery of function of interphalangeal joint was less satisfactory. Although patients could grasp and hold, they were still poor in fine and harmonized activities. Joint ranges of motion of 4 hands were poor with limited function, and this was resulted from not strictly following treatment for remaining granulation wound. In control group, 23 hands received reconstructive surgery, 14 of them recovered with good function, but were poor in most of fine and harmonized activities. Severe claw hands were found in 13 hands. The ratio between total mean cost value and total function increment value in rehabilitation group (181 +/- 11) was obviously lower than that in control group (298 +/- 30, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSComprehensive rehabilitation treatment at early stage after hand burn has a good effect on prevention and treatment of hand deformity, promoting recovery of hand function and improving hand appearance. It is also less costly.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; rehabilitation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Female ; Hand Injuries ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rehabilitation ; economics ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult