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

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the capability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using different sequences in displaying atherosclerotic carotid plaque composition.

METHODSThirty-five patients received pre- and post-contrast carotid MRI examination on a 3.0T scanner. TOF, T(1)W, T(2)W, PDW and CE-T(1)W were used for identifying the positive and negative cases for the plaque composition (lipid-rich necrotic core, intraplaque hemorrhage and calcification), and their respective sensitivity, specificity and Cohens κ with 95% CI for displaying the components of the plaques were calculated.

RESULTSA total of 74 plaques were found in the 35 patients, and after exclusion of 6 plaques for a thickness below 3 mm, 68 plaques were included for the analysis. Lipid-rich necrotic core were found in 57 plaques, intraplaque hemorrhage in 30 plaques, and alcification in 43 plaques. CE-T(1)W was the optimal sequence for displaying lipid-rich necrotic core with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 90.9%, and κ value of 0.944. Both T(1)W and TOF reliably showed the intraplaque hemorrhage, but the former had a greater sensitivity (100%), specificity (92.1%), and κ value (0.911). Of all the 5 sequences, TOF was the best to show calcification with high sensitivity (100%), specificity (92%), and κ value (0.936).

CONCLUSIONCE-T(1)W is the best sequence to show lipid-rich necrotic core with high sensitivity and specificity. T(1)W and TOF show a high level of agreement with the standard to show the intraplaque hemorrhage. TOF is more sensitive and accurate than the other sequences in displaying calcification. The combination of T(1)W, TOF and CE-T(1)W allows accurate evaluation of each component of the plaque.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the analgesic effect of Corydalis yanhusuo on trigeminal neuropathic pain.in a rat model.

METHODRat model of trigeminal neuralgia pain were established by inducing chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the infraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve (ION). The effect of Corydalis yanhusuo, a traditional Chinese medicine, in ameliorating the pain was tested. Western blotting was performed to investigate the change of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the Vc the injury of the infraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve (ION-CCI). CB1 receptor antagonist AM 251 was applied to observe its effect on the analgesic effect of Yanhusuo.

RESULTAdministration of dl-THP (2 mg/kg) intraperitoneally increased the response threshold and the cut-off threshold to the mechanical stimulation in ION-CCI rat models. ION-CCI induced an upregulation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors within the ipsilateral of Vc. The effect of Yanhusuo was antagonized by the application of AM 251.

CONCLUSIONThe analgesic effect of Yanhusuo involves the participation of CB1 receptors, suggesting that Yanhusuo may offer a useful therapeutic approach for trigeminal neuropathic pain.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 ; drug effects ; Trigeminal Nerve Diseases ; drug therapy ; etiology