Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Nasopharynx ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective To analyze the MRI imaging feature and the clinical feature of pituicytoma. Methods The clinical data and imaging feature of 10 patients with pituicytoma who were proved histologically were retrospectively studied. Visual disturbances disorder and headache were the main complaints of all patients. One patient had sexual function decline. All patients were given the examination of MRI and showed saddle area were occupied. Results Most of pituicytoma was circular or oval morphologically. Pituicytoma located at suprasellar region in 4 patients, in the sellar in 2 patients and over the sellar region in 4 patients.In them, cystic change occured in 1 patient. In most of the cases, the tumor showed isointensity on T1WI, isointensity or slightly hyperintensity on T2WI. After injection of contrast medium, the tumor showed homogeneous enhancement in early stage. Pathological markers:S-100, and vimenlin indicated 100%positive;glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP), synaptophysin (SYN) and epithelial membrane antigen(EMA) indicated 50% positive. Six patients′serum endocrine function test:the levels of serum total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) had different degrees of reduction in 4 patients, and these index were normal in 2 patients. Conclusions On MRI, pituicytoma has certain characteristics which might help clinical diagnosis combined with the clinical manifestation and endocrine function tests.

Objective To study cutaneous ultrastructural changes and FERMT1 gene mutations in a patient with Kindler syndrome. Methods Clinical data were collected, and tissue samples obtained from the lesions of poikiloderma were observed by using transmission electron microscopy. Fifteen coding exons and their flanking sequences of the FERMT1 gene were amplified by PCR and DNA sequencing was followed.Results Reduplication of lamina densa was seen between the dermal-epidermal junctions of the lesional skin. The patient was found to be homozygous for a novel splice-site mutation (IVS9 + 1G ＞ A) in FERMT1 gene, and his parents were heterozygous for it. The mutation was undetected in fifty normal control individuals.Conclusions Transmission electron microscopy may serve as an ancillary examination for the diagnosis of Kindler syndrome. The IVS9+1G＞A mutation of FERMT1 gene may contribute to the clinical phenotype of Kindler syndrome in this patient.

Objective To investigate the effects of preserving continence important structures during Studer pouch surgery. Methods Radical cystectomy and Studer orthotopic neobladder surgeries were performed on 68 male patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer.The anatomic configuration of the rhabdosphincter complex,pudendal nerve supply,and musculofascial support system to the proximal urethra were carefully preserved.The neobladder functions were then evaluated. Results The pathological classification of the 68 patients was as follows:T3a N0M0 in 20 cases and T2N0M0 in 48 cases.The patients were followed up for 6 to 36mon(mean 12 mon).Complete urinary continence was achieved in 67 patients 24 hours a day and the remained one had nocturnal incontinence.Of these patients,59 patients could urinate well without residual urine and the other 9 patients had residual urine of 20 to 30 ml. Conclusions A well-performed Studer pouch should pay specific attention to the anatomic configuration of the rhabdosphincter complex,pudendal nerve supply,and musculofascial support system to the proximal urethra to achieve the goal of maximizing continence preservation.

Objective To evaluate the contribution of puboprostatic ligament-sparing technique in urinary continence after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Methods A total of 74 men with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent RRP. Of whom, 50 patients were performed pubo-prostatic ligament-sparing technique(group A), while 24 patients were not(group B). Patients were evaluated by independent observer questionnaire to determine their urinary continence status. Results Mean patient age [(61.3±2.4) vs (60.8±2.1)years], serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values [14.3±1.2)ng/ml vs (14.7±1.3) ng/ml], operative time [(110.5±10.4)min vs (109.7±10.6) mini, estimated blood loss [(250.5±23.4) ml vs (253.4±22.3) ml], and positive surgical margin rate (6% vs 8%) were not significantly different between group A and B(P>0.05). The urinary con-tinence rate with the puboprostatic ligament-sparing technique at 1-year follow-up was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Concision The puboprostatic ligament-sparing technique significantly enhances post-operative urinary continence after RRP.

Objective To study the relationship between environmental chemical elements,vires infection and dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM).Methods In 2008,233 patients with DCM(case group)and 150 patient with stable angina(control group)were chosen in Liaocheng People's Hospital and Yanggu People's Hospital,Shandong province.Population distribution and disease history were surveyed in the two groups.Human myocardial antibody IgG(AMA-IgG),Coxsackie B virus IgG(CBV-IgG),Adenofirus antibody IgG(ADV-IgG)were detected by ELISA in both the case group and the control group.Serum trace elements were detected in the two groups.The general chemical and toxicological indicators in drinking water of the high-and the low-incidence aireas of the disease were control group[60.00%(90/150),χ2=13.80,P<0.01)].Per capita annual income(Yuan,RMB)in the case group (3207.82±618.51)was lower than that of the control group[(5086.61±886.12),t=24.40,P<0.01].Personal alcohol consumption in the case group[(175.00±160.50)g/d]was higher than that of the control group[(110.22±100.03)g/d,t=4.40,P<0.01)].The rate of myocarditis in the case group[5.15%(12/233)]was higher than ADV-IgG in the cage group were 7.78%(7/90),6.67%(6/90)and 6.67%(6/90),respectively.Compared with those in the control group[3.33%(2/60),5.00%(3/60)and 5.00%(3/60),χ2=1.26,0.18,0.18,all P>0.05],no mg/L]in drinking water of the high-incidence areas were significantly higher than that of iron[(0.39±0.67)mg/L,t=2.11,P<0.05]and that of manganese[(0.15±0.14)mg/L,t=3.01,P<0.01]in the low-incidence arefas.The content of semm iron[(69.1±57.8)μmol/L]in the case group evidently exceeded the normal range(15.6-35.9 μmol/L)and obviously higher than that in the control group[(20.0±17.5)μmol/L,t=5.04,P<0.01].Conclusions Theso data do not support that DCM is related with persistent virus infection and autoimmunization.DCM is probably related with low incomes,high alcohol consumption,myocarditis,high iron and manganese contents in drinking water and high content of serum iron.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of fascioliasis in yaks, Bos grunniens, from 3 counties of Gansu Province in China. A total of 1,584 serum samples, including 974 samples from white yaks from Tianzhu, 464 from black yaks from Maqu, and 146 from black yaks from Luqu County, were collected and analyzed using ELISA to detect IgG antibodies against Fasciola hepatica. The overall F. hepatica seroprevalence was 28.7% (454/1,584), with 29.2% in white yaks (284/974) and 27.9% in black yaks (170/610). The seroprevalence of F. hepatica in yaks from Tianzhu, Luqu, and Maqu was 29.2%, 22.6%, and 29.5%, respectively. Female yaks (30.9%) had higher F. hepatica seroprevalence than male yaks (23.4%). Also, F. hepatica seroprevalence varied by different age group from 24.1% to 33.8%. Further, the seroprevalence ranged from 21.8% to 39.1% over different seasons. Interestingly, the season and age of yaks were associated with F. hepatica infection in yaks in the investigated areas. These findings provided a basis for further studies on this disease in yaks from 3 counties of Gansu Province in northwestern China, which may ultimately support the development of effective control strategies of fascioliasis in these areas.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Cattle* ; China* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fasciola hepatica ; Fascioliasis* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Male ; Ranunculaceae ; Risk Factors* ; Seasons ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

OBJECTIVETo ascertain the relationship between glycyrrhizinic acid content and the underground part growth character of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and provide the theoretical evidence for wild resources protection and artificial cultivation method of G. uralensis.

METHODThrough the analytical investigation on the underground part of G. uralensis and analysis of glycyrrhizinic acid content in different organs, parts, ages, and diameter medicinal materials, the systematic study on the relationship between glycyrrhizinic acid content and the underground part growth character of glycyrrhiza uralensis was carried out.

RESULTThe underground part of a G. uralensis seedling consisted of seed root, random root, horizontal underground stem, vertical underground stem and assimilating root. The glycyrrhizinic acid content in horizontal underground stem with the age below two years old or in random root with the diameter below 0.5 cm was low. The difference of glycyrrhizinic acid content among horizontal underground stem, random root and vertical underground stem was obvious, but the difference between horizontal underground stem and random root was not obvious.

CONCLUSIONThe horizontal underground stem was of G. uralnesis acts as a link that can connect random root, vertical underground and stem assimilating root, so that the whole underground part constructs one huge underground net system. The glycyrrhizinic acid accumulation is a effected by organ type, growth age, root diameter and grow position, and the distribution pattern of random root and vertical underground stem has influence on glycyrrhizinic acid distribution in horizontal underground stem.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Seedlings ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Time Factors

Objective To investigate the protective effect of curcumin pretreatment on the intestinal mucosa in rats in dry and hot desert environment. Methods Eighty male SPF grade rats were randomly divided into saline control group ( NC group) and curcumin pretreatment group ( HDC group ) ( 40 in each group ) . Rats in the NC group were gavaged with saline, and rats in the HDC group were gavaged with curcumin (200 mg/kg), once a day for 7days. The rats were placed in a cabin simulating the dry and hot desert environment (41 ± 0. 5)℃ and relative humidity of (10 ± 2)%. Rats were randomly taken from each groups ( n=10 ) and sacrificed with 3% sodium pentobarbital intraperitoneally at 0 min, 50 min, 100 min and 150 min time points. The ileal tissue was stained for histological examination and oxidative stress index was detected. Results At time points 0 min and 50 min, the pathological injury scores of the HDC group were not significantly different compared with the NC group (P > 0. 05). At time points 100 min and 150 min, the pathological injury scores of the HDC group were significantly decreased compared with the NC group ( P < 0. 01 ) . At time points 50 min, 100 min and 150 min, the CAT and SOD activity of HDC group were significantly increased compared with the NC group (P< 0. 05 or P< 0. 01). The MDA content of HDC group were significantly decreased compared with the NC group ( P< 0. 05 or P < 0. 01 ) . Exposed to dry and hot environment, the pathological injury scores of the NC group were negatively correlated with CAT and SOD activity (r= -0. 9128, r= -0. 9125, P< 0. 01), and positively correlated with MDA content (r=0. 9258, P< 0. 01). Conclusions Curcumin pretreatment can protect the intestinal mucosa of rats in dry-heat environment of desert, and curcumin can alleviate the pathological damages of intestinal mucosa by inhibiting the oxidative stress in intestinal mucosa.

BACKGROUNDClinical features of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury are important for its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. However, few studies have reported such data, especially in China. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of ACL injury on a large cohort.

METHODSBetween 1993 and 2007, a total of 4355 ACL deficient inpatients (612 athletes and 3743 non-athletes) were registered. Data were collected using a special database system. And the distributions of characteristics in different groups were compared and analyzed statistically.

RESULTSAll subjects were confirmed with ACL tear during surgery. Statistical analysis revealed that the percentage of females in Athlete Group was significantly higher than that in Non-athlete Group (56.05% vs. 24.95%, P < 0.001). This study also found that sports trauma was the main cause of ACL tears. Soccer, basketball, judo, wrestling and track and field were the five most responsible activities for athletes. The average injury time for athletes was significantly shorter than that for non-athletes (413.3 days vs. 717.5 days, P < 0.001). Three thousand nine hundred and eight cases were ordered ACL reconstruction (76.04% single-bundle, 18.30% double-bundle). Three hundred and forty-five patients (7.92%) were combined with other ligaments injuries, 2667 (61.24%) were found with various grades of cartilage lesions, and 3377 (77.54%) were found with meniscal injury.

CONCLUSIONSSports trauma was the main cause of ACL tears in China, and reconstruction had become the principal surgical choice. In order to restore knee joint stability and reduce the incidence of cartilage and meniscal injury, patienttailored ACL reconstruction should be suggested at the right moment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; pathology ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sex Distribution ; Young Adult