Objective To investigate the advantage of separate bolus injection technique in CT urography (CTU) improving the display of the whole urinary tract.Methods Sixty cases of CTU examination,were divided into observation group and control group by random digits table with 30 cases each,observation group used separate bolus injection technique and control group used single bolus injection technique.The scanning included routine scanning,cortical phase,medullary phase and lag phase.Reconstruction of lag phase displayed the whole urinary tract.Then the image quality was compared between two groups.Results The whole urinary tract showed excellent in 12 cases (40.0％,12/30),good in 17 cases (56.7％,17/30),normal in 1 case (3.3％,1/30) in control group,which showed excellent in 23 cases (76.7％,23/30),good in 7 cases (23.3％,7/30) in observation group,there was significant difference in excellent rate between two groups (P ＜ 0.01).The CT value of starting of ureter was (238.6 ± 82.5) HU,middle-lower ureter was (245.9 ± 112.3) HU in control group and (239.0 ± 93.8),(235.3 ± 74.6) HU in observation group,there was no significant difference between two groups (P ＞0.05).There was no difference in developing of urolithiasis between two bolus injection techniques.Conclusion The application of separate bolus injection technique in CTU examination can reduce the dose of the first contrast material and contrast material reaction,and receive high-quality image of the whole urinary tract.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of adult epileptic patients with interictal depression symptoms(IDs) and identify early predictors of IDs. Methods Adult patients with epilepsy were recruited ( n =110,45 females and 65 males) ,age between 16 and 67 years ( median 24 years). The sociodemographic and clinical factors of patients were recorded. Hamilton Depression Scale ( HAMD ) were applied to evaluate interictal symptoms of depression ( at least 72 hours after the last epileptic seizure). According to HAMD score,the epileptic patients were divided into IDs ( ≥8 ) and non-IDs(＜8) groups. The sociodemographic and clinical factors were compared between the two groups to identify the prevalence and early predictors of IDs in adult epileptic patients.Results The prevalence of IDs in adult patients with epilepsy was 38.2% ,49.0% in active epilepsy and 12.1 %in seizure freedom. 30.0% ,5.5% ,and 2.7% were experiencing mild-to-moderate (HAMD score≥8),moderateto-severe ( ≥ 18 ) and severe ( ≥25 ) depression. 42 patients who met the HAMD score≥8 were classified as IDs group,and the remaining 68 patients were classified as non-IDs group. With multiple stepwise backward logistic regreasion, independent predictors of IDs were epileptic seizures ( OR = 8. 845, P = 0. 003 ); symptomatic or cryprogenic epilepsy ( OR = 3.132, P = 0. 045 ); prolonged duration of illness ( OR = 1. 106, P = 0.004 ) and employment status (OR =0. 154, P=0.001 ). There were no relationship between seizure frequency and severity of IDs ( Kruskal-Wallis test, x2 = 4.5, P = 0. 104). Conclusion IDs is a frequent psychiatric comorbidity in adult patients with epilepsy. The prevalence of IDs is higher in those with active epilepsy compared with those in seizure freedom and most of them are mild-to-moderate. Epileptic seizure, symptomatic or cryprogenic epilepsy, prolonged duration of illness and employment status are independent predictors of IDs, but seizure frequency has nothing to do with the IDs severity of patients.

Objective To assess the neuropsychological characteristics in active epileptic patients and investigate itsrisk factors. Methods Ninety adult epileptic patients included 60 active epileptic patients (two or more unprovoked seizures within 12 months) and 30 age-, sex-, education-, course of disease- and seizure type-matched seizure-free subjects (without epileptic seizure for at least 1 year) . The neuropsychological tests including trail making test,digit symbol test, verbal fluency test,digit span test and hamilton depression scale( HAMD) ,were used to detect mental and motor speed, attention, language, working memory and depression symptoms respectively. The neuropsychological tests were compared between active and seizure-free epileptic patients and identified the risk factors of neuropsychological deficits in active epileptic patients. Results Compared to seizure-free subjects, active epileptic patients had significantly worse scores in digit symbol test, verbal fluency test, digit span test ((47.45 ±18. 812) vs(56.40 ±13. 631), (25. 25 ±8. 163) vs(30.40 ±8. 414), (10. 39 ±2. 228) vs( 11. 80 ± 2.074) respectively) ; more time to accomplish the trail making test A and B((64. 35 ±31.710) vs( 45. 47 ± 16. 309) , ( 133. 18 ± 47. 331 ) vs ( 98. 00 ± 35. 003 ) respectively) ; and higher scores in depressive symptoms ((9.12 ±6.219)vs(3.77 ±3.997) ,all P<0.05). Within active epileptic group,significant predictors of neuropsychological deficits were identified in a stepwise linear regression analysis: advancing age was significantly negatively correlated with digit symbol test(β = -0. 468, P = 0. 000) , digit span test (β = -0. 439, P = 0. 000), trail making test A (β =0.365, P = 0.003) and B(β = 0.346, P=0.002) ; higher scores on depressive symptoms was significantly negatively correlated with digit symbol test (β = -0.244, P = 0.015) ; mental work,high-education level and monotherapy were positively correlated with some of the cognitive function subscales. Conclusion This study suggests that active epilepsy can have a direct adverse effect on cognition and depression symptoms. Multi-drug therapy, severity of depression symptoms, advancing age, low-education level and non-mental work are the predictors of neuropsychological impairment in active epilepsy. In addition, good seizure control even after 1 year can have a beneficial impact on cognitive and depression prognosis.

AIM:To determine whether acellular porcine cornea stroma (APCS) could support the growth of the rabbit corneal cells in vitro.METHODS: APCS was prepared. The rabbit's corneal epithelium and stromal cells were cultured and seeded on, APCS in vitro.The observation of phase contrast photograph and histological examination were performed.RESULTS: Histological examination showed the epithe- lium grew on the scaffold of APCS in 2-3 layers at 10th day. The stromal cells adhered to the surface of the scaffold after 24 hours and invaded into the interlaminar of the material at 5th day.CONCLUSION: These results indicate that APCS can support the growth and proliferation of the corneal epithelium and stromal cells in vitro.

Background Hyaluronic acid is a mucopolysaccharide existing in extracellular matrix and having good biocompatibility.Using chemical crosslinking method can improve the physical properties of the material,so cross-linked hyaluronic has potential clinical application value.Objective The present study was to evaluate the histocompatibility and biological security of cross-linked hyaluronic acid as ophthalmic implant material.Methods Cross-linked hyaluronic acid implant material was prepared according to the criteria of Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices (GB/T16886.5-2003).Eighteen 8-week-old male New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into the experimental group and the control group.Cross-linked hyaluronic acid material with 5.0 mm diameter was implanted into corneal stroma interlaminationally in the experimental group,and only corneal stromal interlaminational pocket was made without any implanting material in the control group.Biological response of cornea was assessed in vivo from 1 week through 3 months after operation by slit lamp microscope.The corneas were obtained 2 weeks,1 month and 3 months respectively for histopathological examination.Mouse embryonic fibroblasts were cultured in cross-linked hyaluronic acid film plate,medical silicone material culture plate and regular culture plate respectively for 24 hours,and the cell growth state and morphology were observed under the inverted microscope and scan electron microscope.MTT assay was used to test the relative growth rate of the cultured cells 48 hours after cultured using extracted liquid of hyaluronic acid implant material.Results Cross-linked hyaluronic acid implant material showed a well healing to the corneas of rabbits during the observation duration,without obvious inflammatory response and neovascularization.The arrangement of stromal fibers was uniform in order,and no infiltration of inflammatory cells was seen under the light microscope.The cells grew well after cultured with cross-linked hyaluronic acid film and regular medium for 24 hours,but in the silicone culture group,fewer of adherent cells and more floating cells were found.The relative growth rate of the cells was 87.50％ 48 hours after cultured with extracted liquid of hyaluronic acid implant material.Conclusions The cross-linked hyaluronic acid material has good histocompatibility and biological security in rabbit cornea tissue.

Objective To explore the influence of different treatment time on the relapse and prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy. Methods To prospectively studied the clinical characteristics of 155 patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy. Patients were separated into immediate ( n =84, seizures ≤3 times) or deferred (n =71, seizures ＞ 3 times) treatment groups according to number of seizures before treatment with appropriate antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The patients were followed up for at least one year (median, 29 months). Kaplan-Meier survival statistics was used to analyze time to first seizure or time to treatment failure (inadequate seizure control and (or) intolerable side-effects ). The proportions of patients with treatment failure and seizure free during follow up were also compared. Results There was no significant difference in time to first seizure or time to treatment failure between immediate ( 1484 days and 2992 days) and deferred treatment ( 1104 days and 1964 days; Log-Rank test x2 =0. 571 and 0. 018 respectively, P = 0. 450 and 0. 893 ). Subgroup analyses according to etiology ( primary and cryptogenic/symptomatic epilepsy) and age (children ≤ 16 years; adult ＞ 16 years) did not reveal any difference between immediate and deferred treatment. During follow up, there were 20 treatment failure patients ( 23. 8% ) in immediate treatment group and 16 ( 22.5% ) in deferred treatment group ( no statistical difference, x2 =0. 035 ,P =0. 852). There were 40 seizure free patients (47. 6% ) in immediate treatment group and 30 (42. 3% ) in deferred treatment group ( no statistical difference, x2 = 0. 447, P =0. 504 ). Conclusions For newly diagnosed epilepsy patients with a few seizures ( seizures ≤ 3 ), immediate AEDs treatment does not affect the relapse and prognosis.

Objective To investigate the changes of sympathovagal balance and the effects of va- gus stimulation on sympathovagal balance in endotoxemia rats.Methods Twenty-four Spragne Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups.The frequency domain of heart rate variability(HRV)com- ponent was analyzed at 0 min,2 ,4 and 6 hours after intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide(LPS, 5mg/kg)or physiologic saline,and cervical vagal nerve was stimulated(5mv,2ms,1Hz,5 min lasted, 20 min interval)when LPS or physiologic saline was injected.The levels of Noepinephine(NE)and Ace- tylcholin(ACh)were measured in liver tissues.Results Normalized low frequency(LFnm),hormali- zed high frequency(HFnm),very low frequency(VLF),LF/HF values and liver ACh were significantly increased(P＜0.05)and the level of liver NE was significantly decreased (P＜0.05)after LPS admin- istration.Vagal nerve stimulation markedly increased HFnm but decreased LFnm,VLF,LF/HF values, and the liver ACh also significant increased(P＜0.05 ).Conclusion The results suggest that the ac- tivity of sympathetic and vagal nerve was increased during endotoxemia,but the sympathetic activity was more excitable than that of vagal nerve.Vagal nerve stimulation increased the tone of vagus nerve while the tone of sympathetic nerve was decreased in this study.This may be beneficial for anti-inflammatory activity of vagal nerve.

AIMTo investigate the effects of CoQlo supplementation on liver mitochondrial function and aerobic capacity in adolescent athletes.

METHODSBased on a single blinded study design, 18 male adolescent swimming athletes were randomized into two groups, supplement CoQ10 100 mg/d (Q group), or placebo (P group) for 28 days respectively.

RESULTS(1) After supplementation, the plasma CoQ10 concentration in Q group was significantly elevated and significantly higher compared to P group. (2) After supplementation, the rest plasma MDA level in Q group remained unchanged and was significantly lower compared to P group. (3) The plasma CoQ10 concentration of the 18 athletes was significantly decreased during the first constant endurance exercise. (4) The baseline plasma CoQ10 of the 18 subjects showed significantly positive correlation with VO2max measured in the first incremental exercise. (5) No significant difference of increased level of AKBR between Q group and P group. (6) No significant difference of increase level of VO2max, individual lactate threshold and exercise economy between Q and P group.

CONCLUSIONAlthough there is an increased demand for plasma CoQ10 during endurance exercise and CoQ10 supplement can depress lipid peroxidation, there is no effect of CoQ10 supplementation on liver mitochondrial function and aerobic capacity in adolescent athletes.

Adolescent ; Exercise ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Mitochondria, Liver ; metabolism ; physiology ; Physical Endurance ; Swimming ; Ubiquinone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives

ObjectiveTo identify the early predictors of refractory epilepsy (RE). MethodsAll 173 epileptic patients with correct diagnosis and reasonable treatment were enrolled. The 106 patients were classified as drug non-responsive epilepsy (DNR-EP). The remaining 63 patients were classified as drugresponsive epilepsy (DR-EP). With multiple logistic regression, the clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared to identify the early predictors of RE. ResultsMultiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that more than 10 seizures before treatment (OR =4. 46, 95％ CI 1.60-12. 40, P =0. 004),mental retardation at early time ( OR =19. 87, 95％ CI 3. 60-109. 78, P =0. 001 ) and abnormal electroencephalogram(EEG) with epileptiform wave after treatment ( OR =7.57, 95％ CI 2. 54-22. 56,P ＜0. 01 ) were independent predictors of RE.Response to initial therapy was a protective factor of RE (OR=0.05, 95％ CI 0.018-0. 139, P＜0.01). ConclusionPatients who have many seizures before treatment, mental retardation at the early time, epileptiform abnormality in EEG after treatment and who are resistant to initial therapy are likely to develop into refractory epilepsy.

OBJECTIVETo detect serum hepatoma-specific datura stramonium lectin-tightly binding gamma-glutamyl transferase (DSA-GGT) in patients with primary hepatic cancer (PHC) by avidin-biotin ELISA method which was established in our laboratory, and carry on a study of its clinical application.

METHODSTo detect serum DSA-GGT in 45 healthy control subjects, 58 PHC patients and 203 non-PHC patients (including 36 patients with other tumors and 167 patients with benign liver diseases) with the method was established; meanwhile, AFP was detected by ELISA method.

RESULTS38 individuals were DSA-GGT positive in 58 PHC patients, the sensitivity was 65.5%. 18 individuals were DSA-GGT positive in 203 patients without PHC, the specificity was 91.1%. The sensitivity and specificity of AFP in diagnosis of PHC patients was 69.0% and 90.6%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of combination of DSA-GGT and AFP was 93.1% and 85.7%, respectively. The average intra-CV and inter-CV of DSA-GGT ELISA was 8.9% and 11.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe sensitivity and specificity of DSA-GGT ELISA method established in our lab is similar with that of AFP assay and the accuracy is good. Combination of DSA-GGT and AFP may improve the diagnostic sensitivity. The method should be potentially as a new way to improve diagnosis of PHC.

Adult ; Avidin ; Biotin ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; blood