PurposeTo explore the multislice CT (MSCT) and clinical manifestations of diaphragmatic hiatus hernia with hernial sac effusion, in order to improve its diagnostic rate.Materials and MethodsMSCT data were retrospectively analyzed for morphologies and clinical manifestations in 32 patients with diaphragmatic hiatus hernia and hernial sac effusion.Results32 patients included 21 males and 11 females (χ2=0.64,P>0.05). 25 patients were older than 60 years and 7 cases younger than 60 years (χ2=13.58,P<0.01). There were 27 cases with non-viscera hiatus hernia including 23 cases of combined fat-water hernia and 4 cases of simple effusion. 5 cases were of viscera type hiatus hernia (χ2=5.47,P<0.05). 28 cases showed ascites including 23 cases with non-viscera hiatus hernia and 1 case with viscera type hiatus hernia (χ2=9.56,P<0.01). The axial images from different levels of non-viscera hiatus hernia with liquid hernial sac demonstrated quasi-circular, meniscus, ringlike and teardrop shapes.Viscera type hiatus hernia and liquid hernial sac were found to be irregular shape . All patient sufferered from dysphagia, chest distress and epigastric discomfort.ConclusionThe increased pressure gradient between thorax and abdomen driving ascites into supradiaphragmatic hernial sac and clamping by hiatus may be the main mechanism. Quasi-circular, meniscus, ringlike andteardrop were the characteristic signs of diaphragmatic hiatus hernia with hernial sac effusion.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic non-specific disease of the rectum and colon. The disease cause is still unclear. Due to the repeated episodes of UC, the treatment is very difficult. There are serious impact on pa-tients' life and work. According to the current UC condition and existed problems with Chinese medicine treat-ment and in combination with experiences of new Chinese medicine drug development of the author, a new Chi-nese medicine drug research idea of UC has been proposed. It includes the establishment of UC animal model in line with the characteristics of Chinese medicine and the selection of appropriate clinical treatment targets.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the method for collecting NO2 in workplace air using a solid adsorbent and determining the concentration of NO2 by ion-exchange chromatography.

METHODSNO2 in workplace air was collected using sampling tubes filled with 13X molecular sieve soaked with triethanolamine, and the samples were desorbed with a certain concentration of triethanolamine solution to obtain NO2(-). NO2(-) was separated with an anion exchange chromatography column and quantified by a conductivity detector. The concentration of NO2 was determined based on the conversion coefficient of NO2 and NO2(-).

RESULTSDifferent concentrations of NO2 (standard gas) was collected using the sampling tubes at different time points, and the sampling efficiency and desorption efficiency could reach more than 90%. The penetrating capacity of sampling tubes was more than 1.1 mg. The comparative test shows that there was no significant difference between the new method and national standard method (solution absorption) (P > 0.05). The samples could be stored at room temperature for more than 16 days. The calibration curve plotted in the new method was linear in the range of 0.1∼20.0 µg/ml, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998; the detection limit was 0.01 µg/ml; the minimum detectable concentration was 0.05 mg/m(3) (V0 = 3.0 L).

CONCLUSIONThis determination method meets the requirements of Guide for establishing occupational heath standards-Part 4 Determination methods of air chemicals in workplace (GBZ/T 210.4-2008) and shows obvious advantages for determination of NO2 in workplace air.

Air ; analysis ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; methods ; Nitrogen Dioxide ; analysis ; Workplace

To investigate the possible involvement of Ras signaling in the hematopoietic differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ES cells), ES cells were transfected with RasN17, the dominant-negative mutant of Ras. Western blot was used to test the effect of RasN17 expression on Erk1/2 and Akt phosphorylation, semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect expression of gene related to hematopoiesis in differentiation of ES cells. The results showed that the expression of RasN17 in the ES cells remarkably downregulated the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt simultaneously. Moreover, the expression of several markers related with hematopoiesis including Runx1, SCL and beta-major globin, were significantly suppressed in the EB expressing RasN17, whereas the transcription of Flk1, a gene required earlier than SCL in development of hematopoietic and endothelial lineages, was not influenced. It is concluded that the activation of Ras is pivotal for in vitro hematopoietic differentiation of ES cells.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Genes, ras ; Hematopoiesis ; physiology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Signal Transduction ; ras Proteins ; physiology

Objective To assess the feasibility of adenoviral vectors mediate cochlear gene transfer by postau-ricular microinjection through the round window membrane in mouse. Methods Twelve 5-week old C57BL/6J mice were selected for the study: 8 were implanted with Ad-EGFP by postauricular microinjection through the round window membrane, and 4 with artificial perilymphatic fluid. On postoperative days 5 and 14, the animals were sac-rificed and the surface preparation of cochleae was observed. Results Two animals died after operation. Bright green fluorescence in the cochleae was observed in Ad- EGFP groups. Gene expression on day 14 after operation was higher than that on day 5. However, the control group was free of fluorescence. Oonclusion The postauricular route of the cochlear gene transfer in mice is simple to operate with little side-effect. The technique of transgenic delivery into the inner ear through RWM by mieroinjection is feasible and effective.

This study was aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of IL-18, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), IFN-γ and IL-4 secreted from splenocytes of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in vitro. Spleen mononuclear cells (MNC) were prepared by using routine sterile method, and were cultured in RPMI 1640 complete medium containing 10 µg/ml PHA, 10% fetal calf serum at 37°C and 5% CO2. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-18 and IL-18BP secreted from MNC of ITP patients and normal controls were determined after culture for 48 hours. The results showed that after culture of spleen MNC for 48 hours, the levels of IL-18 and IFN-γ were significantly higher in patients with ITP than that in controls, but the levels of IL-18BP was not significantly elevated in ITP patients. The level of IL-4 was below the detectable limit of the assay used. It is concluded that imbalance between IL-18 and IL-18BP may play an important role in pathogenesis of ITP, and regulation of balance between IL-18 and IL-18BP may be a therapeutic approach against ITP.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; secretion ; Interferon-gamma ; secretion ; Interleukin-18 ; secretion ; Interleukin-4 ; secretion ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; metabolism ; Spleen ; cytology ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the influences of protection sleeve of venous indwelling needle on patients with limb trauma and its impact on anxiety. Methods A total of 152 patients with limb trauma were divided into control group (fixed by 3M transparent dressing and tape after successful puncture) and observation group (routine nursing care of indwelling needle + fixed by nylon elastic mesh sleeve) according to admission sequence. One week after intravenous transfusion, patients were evaluated by self-rating anxiety scale ( SAS ) developed by William W. K. Zung. Patients′satisfaction was investigated by questionnaires during hospitalization. We also compared the score of SAS, sleep quality, indwelling needle drop-off, phlebitis, condition of tube blocking as well as patients′satisfaction during hospitalization between two groups. Results Cases with anxiety in observation group (11 cases) were less than that in the control group (23 cases) with a significant difference (P<0. 05). Times of indwelling needle dropping off in the observation group were less than that in the control group (P<0. 05). Satisfaction with nursing in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P<0. 05). There was no significant difference between two groups in conditions of phlebitis and tube blocking (P>0. 05). Conclusions The use of nylon elastic mesh sleeve based on routine nursing care of indwelling needle can effectively prevent the indwelling needle from dropping off. It also obviously alleviates the anxiety of patients with trauma, improves sleep quality, makes patients safe and comfortable and improves satisfactions with nursing.

OBJECTIVESTo study the effect of lead acetate on the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) protein in rat brain and the regulation of thyroid hormone.

METHODSLead acetate was given to SD rats intraperitoneally ip. at the dosage of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively. 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) was used to make a hypothyroid model and then lead acetate was given at the dosage of 50 mg/kg body weight through i.p. The NGF protein expression in rat brain was observed by immunohistochemistry Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4), TSH in serum and T3, T4 in brain tissue were determined by radio immunoassays (RIAs).

RESULTSThe average gray value of NGF protein in cerebral cortex of 50 mg, 100 mg treated groups (180.49 +/- 10.33, 169.72 +/- 19.75, respectively) were lower than the control (200.75 +/- 3.27, P<0.01). The area density of NGF protein in hippocampus of three treated groups (0.08 +/- 0.14, 0.12 +/- 0.02, 0.13 +/- 0.04, respectively) were significantly different from the control (0.025 +/- 0.015, P<0.05). The area density and the average gray value of NGF protein in lead acetate treated hypothyroid rat brain were of no significant changes. The levels of serum T3 in three treated groups [(0.68 +/- 0.02), (0.57 +/- 0.04), (0.54 +/- 0.02) microg/L respectively] and T4 [(28.30 +/- 1.83), (27.35 +/- 2.55), (24.00 +/- 3.01) microg/L] in serum were significantly lower while TSH [(6.34 +/- 1.13), (7.74 +/- 0.79), (9.16 +/- 0.77) IU] higher than those in the control [T3 (0.97 +/- 0.14) microg/L, T4 (54.50 +/- 3.70) microg/L and TSH (4.62 +/- 2.16) IU], and there was a good dose-response relationship. The levels of T3 in cerebral cortex of three treated groups [(13.26 +/- 0.81), (11.49 +/- 0.10), (10.42 +/- 1.19) pg/mg pro respectively] and T4 [(0.50 +/- 0.03), (0.49 +/- 0.13), (0.42 +/- 0.01) ng/mg pro] were significantly lower than those in control [(20.85 +/- 11.01) pg/mg pro, (0.76 +/- 0.14) ng/mg pro, P<0.05, P<0.01].

CONCLUSIONLead could increase the NGF protein expression in rat brain, which may be regulated by thyroid hormone.

Animals ; Brain Chemistry ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; analysis ; Organometallic Compounds ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thyroid Hormones ; analysis ; blood ; physiology

Objective To investigate the efficacy of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA) on treating elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis in comparison with total knee arthroplasty(TKA),and discuss the indications of the procedure.Methods The clinical data of elderly patients(≥75 years) undergoing UKA in our institute from October 2011 to May 2015 were retrospectively reviewed.Patients treated with UKA were in UKA group.Patients who had no significant difference in the age,gender,BMI (body mass index) and HSS (hospital for special surgery) compared with UKA group and received TKA were selected as TKA group.The outcomes were assessed by HSS and satisfaction score(range,0 ～ 10).Results A total of 29 cases (41 knees) of UKA group were followed up for (30.3 ± 13.6) months (13 ～49 months),29 cases(39 knees) of TKA group.The postoperative HSS(P =0.00),surgery time(P =0.00),perioperative hemorrhage(P =0.00),hospital stay(P =0.04) and satisfaction(P =0.03) of UKA group were all better than those of TKA group.The pain location of the knee (P =0.86) and patellofemoral degeneration (P =0.24) did not affect the postoperative outcomes,11 knees presented with varus ＞ 15° with an average angle of 18.4 ° (15.7 ° ～ 20.1 °),4 knees were with flexion contracture ＞ 15 °,averaging at 18.8 ° (17.7 ° ～ 20.1 °),range of motion measured ＜ 100° in 6 knees with an average range of 79.0° (66.8° ～ 92.1 °).The aforementioned abnormalities were effectively corrected under anesthesia,the range of motion inproved significantly,but there was no significant difference in postoperative HSS among these patients (P =0.85).One case of UKA group had wound dehiscence and superficial infection,recovery occurred after debridement and suturing.Conclusion UKA is effective for elderly patients with satisfactory outcomes,which is superior to TKA with respect to trauma control and preservation of the limb function.Medial patellofemoral degeneration poses no negative effect on postoperative outcomes,medium knee varus (≤20°) and flexion contracture(≤20°) that are corrective under anesthesia among elderly patients might not be considered as contraindications for UKA.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics and the prevalence of mitochondrial gene A3243G mutation in diabetic pedigrees.

METHODSNineteen suspected mitochondrial DNA diabetic family members from three families were recruited. The gene fragment was amplified by PCR, and mutation was detected by direct sequencing.

RESULTSIn three pedigrees, the three probands and their mothers were found carrying the most common nt3243A>G mutation. Most of diabetic patients in these families were deaf and diabetes was developed at early age, characterized by impaired beta cell function and low body mass index (BMI).

CONCLUSIONThe mitochondrial gene A3243G mutation may cause diabetes mellitus and deaf.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Deafness ; complications ; genetics ; Diabetes Complications ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; RNA, Transfer, Leu ; genetics