OBJECTIVE: To establish regression model between craniofacial lines and body height by measuring craniofacial lines in Southwest Han males using CT and to accumulate data for the study of forensic anthropology. METHODS: Head CT data of 273 Han males in Southwest were collected and 7 craniofacial lines were determined. Multiplanar reconstruction and volume rendering were performed by image post-processing software and the selected lines were measured. The relationship between each measuring indicator and body height was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 software. The regression equation of body height estimation was established and 50 samples were selected again and put into the mathematics models to verify its accuracy. RESULTS: The linear regression equations of 7 lines were established (P < 0.05). The correlation coefficients of the unary linear regression equations were 0.190-0.439 and the standard errors of the estimate (SEE) were 4.597-5.023 cm. The correlation coefficients of the multiple linear regression equation were 0.494-0.524 and the SEE were 4.418-4.458 cm. The return tests showed that the highest ± 1SEE accuracy of the multiple regression equation: y = 83.959+3.589 x6+2.573 x2, were 30%; and the highest ± 2SEE accuracy of the multiple regression equation: y = 72.646+3.316 x6+1.586 x2+1.553 x4+2.211 x3, were 92%. CONCLUSION There is significant linear correlation between 7 selected lines and the stature in this study, and the plural linear regression equation established could be applied for estimating the stature of Southwest Han males.
Asian People ; Body Height ; Face/anatomy & histology* ; Forensic Anthropology ; Head/anatomy & histology* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Linear Models ; Male ; Software ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To establish the linear regression equation between body height and combined length of manubrium and mesostenum of sternum measured by CT volume rendering technique (CT-VRT) in southwest Han population. METHODS: One hundred and sixty subjects, including 80 males and 80 females were selected from southwest Han population for routine CT-VRT (reconstruction thickness 1 mm) examination. The lengths of both manubrium and mesosternum were recorded, and the combined length of manubrium and mesosternum was equal to the algebraic sum of them. The sex-specific linear regression equations between the combined length of manubrium and mesosternum and the real body height of each subject were deduced. RESULTS: The sex-specific simple linear regression equations between the combined length of manubrium and mesostenum (x3) and body height (y) were established (male: y = 135.000+2.118 x3 and female: y = 120.790+2.808 x3). Both equations showed statistical significance (P < 0.05) with a 100% predictive accuracy. CONCLUSION CT-VRT is an effective method for measurement of the index of sternum. The combined length of manubrium and mesosternum from CT-VRT can be used for body height estimation in southwest Han population.
Asian People ; Body Height ; Female ; Forensic Anthropology ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Manubrium/anatomy & histology* ; Regression Analysis ; Sternum/anatomy & histology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the related proteins of apoptosis initiation induced by homoharringtonine (HHT) in HL-60 cells.

METHODSAfter establishment of an apoptosis initiation model induced by HHT in HL-60 cells, proteins of untreated and HHT treated HL-60 cells were extracted, and the two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) maps of the extracted proteins were established by using the immobilized pH gradient (IPG) two-dimensional electrophoresis respectively. The alteration protein spots were identified with assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and database searching.

RESULTSProteomics analysis showed that proteins including MHC class I antigen, calbindin D-28K, chloride channel protein 6, oncoprotein 18, zinc finger protein Helios and apoptosis inhibitor like protein 2 were involved in apoptosis initiation induced by HHT.

CONCLUSIONThe present study might conduce to the researches of HL-60 cells carcinogenesis and pave the way to exploit drug precursor related to HHT and initiation of apoptosis in HL-60 cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Calbindins ; Chloride Channels ; analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; methods ; HL-60 Cells ; Harringtonines ; pharmacology ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; analysis ; Humans ; Ikaros Transcription Factor ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule Proteins ; Phosphoproteins ; analysis ; Proteins ; analysis ; Proteome ; analysis ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein G ; analysis ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Stathmin ; Transcription Factors ; analysis

Objective To investigate the effects of the intervention,rehabilitation and speech development of children with severe hearing loss in some rural areas.Methods 61 children,including 35 males and 26 females,were diagnosed as severe hearing loss with ABR and 40 Hz-AERP from June 2004 to July 2008.All the children failed hearing screening or visited the hospital as outpatients.The ages ranged from 2 to 72 months with the average age of 17.59 months.During telephone follow-up,the questionnaire was used to gather the data regarding the usage of hearing aids,hearing and speech rehabilitation,speech development,and communication abilities.Results 33 (54.10%) children were fitted with hearing aids,and 2 (3.28%) received cochlear implants,while 26(42.62 %) neither had hearing aids nor cochlear implants.10 cases with hearing aids also had speech training,whereas 23 children with hearing aids did not receive the training.2 cases with cochlear implants and 2 cases with hearing aids were found to have good speech development and communication ability,while 31 cases with hearing aids had delayed speech development.26 cases without any devices had to rely on sign language for their commumication.Conclusion Children in rural area with severe hearing loss experience greater speech and communication difficulties because many of them have no access to intervention and speech training.The results suggest that it would be very important to increase public awareness and educate parents to have their children wear hearing aids and receive speech training.

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies showed that the prognostic factors for superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder varied with the findings of different cohorts. Few multivariate analyses of prognostic factors for superficial bladder tumors have been reported in China and bladder preservation as a prognostic index of superficial bladder tumors is limited and scarce in Chinese patients. This study was conducted to analyze a group of risk factors for prognostic outcomes for patients with primary superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

METHODSBetween January 1980 to December 2000, 198 patients [172 men and 26 women; mean age (52.98 +/- 11.28) years] with primary superficial transitional cell carcinoma who were pathologically classified as Ta or T1 in Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital (Changsha, China) were enrolled in this study. Surgical methods included local resection and electric coagulation of bladder tumors, transurethral resection of bladder tumors and partial cystectomy. After initial surgical treatment, patients were followed through a cystoscopy every three months during the first two years and every six months thereafter in the design of retrospective cohort. Survival analysis was performed to analyze risk factors of the prognostic outcomes for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Canonical correlation analysis was conducted to present and interpret synthetically the multi-correlation between all kinds of prognostic outcomes and risk factor in multiply dimensions.

RESULTSThe average follow-up period was (6.65 +/- 4.74) years. Assessments at three, five, and 10 years showed recurrence rates, respectively, of (28.32 +/- 3.45)%, (35.31 +/- 3.83)%, and (42.48 +/- 4.40)%; progression rates of (8.89 +/- 2.14)%, (15.16 +/- 2.94)%, and (23.88 +/- 4.19)%; bladder-preservation rates of (94.68 +/- 1.74)%, (93.87 +/- 1.91)%, and (91.51 +/- 2.49)%; metastasis rates of (8.25 +/- 2.05)%, (11.24 +/- 2.47)%, and (28.94 +/- 4.93)%; and cancer-related survival rates of (95.02 +/- 1.62)%, (90.70 +/- 2.45)%, and (77.14 +/- 4.88)%. The main risk factors for recurrence were histological grade, blood transfusion during surgery and the duration of symptoms. Progression was affected by blood transfusion during surgery, histological grade, the number of re-examinations, and the length of the recurrence-free period. Metastasis was associated with tumor multifocality, hydronephrosis, microscopic growth pattern, and the recurrence-free period. Cancer-related survival was influenced by microscopic growth pattern and the recurrence-free period. Bladder preservation involved only the recurrence-free period. The comprehensive results from canonical correlation analysis showed that the main prognostic outcomes were cancer-related survival, metastasis and progression respectively, while the dominate risk factors were histological grade, tumor multifocality and blood transfusion.

CONCLUSIONSThe risk factors were different for each prognostic outcome of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. This is helpful for predicting the prognosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and designing therapeutic and follow-up strategies for this cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; mortality ; pathology ; Cohort Studies ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; mortality ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Transfusion Reaction ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents of Tibetan medicine Phyllanthus emblica.

METHODVarious chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification of the constituents, and the structures were elucidated by chemical and spectral analyses.

RESULT11 compounds were isolated and identified as gallic acid (I), ellagic acid (II), 1-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (III), 3,6-di-O-galloyl-D-glucose (IV), chebulinic acid (V), quercetin (VI), chebulagic acid (VII), corilagin (VIII), 3-ethylgallic acid (3-ethoxy-4,5-dihydroxy-benzoic acid, IX), isostrictiniin (X), 1,6-di-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (XI).

CONCLUSION3-Ethylgallic acid (3-ethoxy-4,5-dihydroxy-benzoic acid) is a novel compound, and isostrictiniin was found from P. emblica for the first time.

Ellagic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Gallic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Phyllanthus emblica ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Tibet

OBJECTIVETo present the treatment results and to identify the most effective therapeutic plan of different therapeutic modalities in patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of hypopharynnx.

METHODSA retrospective review of 464 patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx treated between 1958 and 1998 was accomplished. The clinical characteristics, results of different treatments were analyzed by SPSS 10.0 statistic software.

RESULTSOf 464 patients, the age ranged from 20 to 88 years (mean 56.3 years) and the male to female ratio was 5.5:1. The primary lesion of 383 were originated from the pyriform sinus, 40 from posterior pharyngeal wall and 41 from the postcricoid area. According to the UICC 1997 TNM staging system, 75% had T3 or T4 lesion or 92.2% stage III or IV on presentation. 65% had neck metastases. 202 patients were treated with preoperative radiation plus surgery (R + S), 22 with surgery plus postoperative radiation (S + R), 26 surgery alone (S), 40 patients with salvage surgery after radiotherapy failure (RF) and 174 patients with radiotherapy alone. The overall 5-year survival rate was 34.2%. The overall 5-year survival rate of R + S group was 46.3%, S + R group was 49.2%, S alone group 22.8%, RF group was 40.8%, radiotherapy alone group 18.0% (P < 0.01). The overall 5-year survival rate of R + S group was higher than that of S alone group (P = 0.046). The rate of larynx preservation in R + S group was 39.6% in contrast to that of S + R and S alone group of 16.7% (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONThe survival rate of patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx treated with combined therapy (R + S or S + R) is better than the other therapeutic modalities. R + S combined is able to offer an obviously higher rate of larynx preservation (39.6% vs 16.7%).

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUNDKetanserin (KT), a selective serotonin (5-HT) 2-receptor antagonist, reduces peripheral blood pressure by blocking the activation of peripheral 5-HT receptors. In this study electrophysiological method was used to investigate the effect of KT and potassium ion on Kv1.3 potassium channels and explore the role of blocker KT in the alteration of channel kinetics contributing to the potassium ion imbalances.

METHODSKv1.3 channels were expressed in xenopus oocytes, and currents were measured using the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique.

RESULTSKCl made a left shift of activation and an inactivation curve of Kv1.3 current and accelerated the activation and inactivation time constant. High extracellular [K(+)] attenuated the blockade effect of KT on Kv1.3 channels. In the presence of KT and KCl the activation and inactivation time constants were not influenced significantly no matter what was administered first. KT did not significantly inhibit Kv1.3 current induced by tetraethylammonium (TEA).

CONCLUSIONSKT is a weak blocker of Kv1.3 channels at different concentrations of extracellular potassium and binds to the intracellular side of the channel pore. The inhibitor KT of ion channels is not fully effective in clinical use because of high [K(+)](o) and other electrolyte disorders.

Animals ; Electrophysiology ; Female ; Ketanserin ; pharmacology ; Kv1.3 Potassium Channel ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oocytes ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium ; pharmacology ; Serotonin Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Xenopus laevis

BACKGROUNDInoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a severe clinical syndrome characterized by right cardiac failure and possibly subsequent liver dysfunction. However, whether serum markers of liver dysfunction can predict prognosis in inoperable CTEPH patients has not been determined. Our study aimed to evaluate the potential role of liver function markers (such as serum levels of transaminase, bilirubin, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT]) combined with 6-min walk test in the prediction of prognosis in patients with inoperable CTEPH.

METHODSFrom June 2005 to May 2013, 77 consecutive patients with inoperable CTEPH without confounding co-morbidities were recruited for this prospective cohort study. Baseline clinical characteristics and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) results were collected. Serum biomarkers of liver function, including levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, GGT, uric acid, and serum bilirubin, were also determined at enrollment. All-cause mortality was recorded during the follow-up period.

RESULTSDuring the follow-up, 22 patients (29%) died. Cox regression analyses demonstrated that increased serum concentration of total bilirubin (hazard ratio [HR] = 7.755, P < 0.001), elevated N-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (HR = 1.001, P = 0.001), decreased 6MWD (HR = 0.990, P < 0.001), increased central venous pressure (HR = 1.074, P = 0.040), and higher pulmonary vascular resistance (HR = 1.001, P = 0.018) were associated with an increased risk of mortality. Serum concentrations of total bilirubin (HR = 4.755, P = 0.007) and 6MWD (HR = 0.994, P = 0.017) were independent prognostic predictors for CTEPH patients. Patients with hyperbilirubinemia (≥23.7 μmol/L) had markedly worse survival than those with normobilirubinemia.

CONCLUSIONElevated serum bilirubin and decreased 6MWD are potential predictors for poor prognosis in inoperable CTEPH.

Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies