Objective To study the surgical treatment of adrenocorticotropic hormone independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH).Methods The clinical data of 12 AIMAH patients were analyzed retrospectively.There were 3 males and 9 females, with an average age of 55 years (range, 39-67 years).10 cases had typical clinical features of Cushing syndrome.Endogenous hypercortisolism was confirmed on the basis of loss of circadian rhythm of serum cortisol, high late-night serum cortisol level and inadequate cortisol suppression after overnight low-dose dexamethasone suppression test.ACTH independence was established on the basis of suppressed serum ACTH levels and inadequate cortisol suppression after overnight high-dose dexamethasone suppression test.CT scan showed bilateral enlargement of the adrenal glands with multiple macronodules.Steroid supplement was given after operation.Results Surgical intervention was performed in all the patients.Seven patients underwent bilateral adrenalectomy,and unilateral adrenalectomy was performed in 5 patients, one of whom had the history of contralateral adrenalectomy.Pathological examination confirmed multinodular hyperplastic adrenal enlargement.The average duration of postoperative follow-up was 50 months (range, 1-105 months).One patient undergoing bilateral adrenalectomy died from respiratory failure and pulmonary infection one month after operation.Remission of Cushing syndrome symptoms was obtained after surgery in other 11 patients.For these 11 cases,the serum cortisol declined into normal ranges, but suppressed serum ACTH levels and inadequate cortisol suppression after overnight low-dose dexamethasone suppression test were still present.Two patients received contralateral adrenalectomy due to recurrent overt Cushing syndrome after one year and 5 years, respectively.Conclusions Unilateral adrenalectomy might be an effective and safe treatment modality for AIMAH, but subclinical hypercortisolism would be present postoperatively.Contralateral adrenalectomy may be performed in case of the recurrence of overt Cushing syndrome.

Objective To evaluate transurethral fulguration with intravesical instillation of heparin and alkalinized lidocaine for the treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).Methods Data from the chnical records of 31 patients (30 female and 1 male) with IC/BPS were analyzed retrospectively.Transurethral fulguration and biopsy were performed.Intravesical instillation of heparin and alkalinized lidocaine (25 000 units of hepmin,10 mL of 2％ lidocaine,and 5 mL of 5％ sodium bicarbonate) was administered weekly for 8 weeks.Thereafter,intmvesical instillation treatment was administered twice a month.The interstitial cystitis symptom index and problem index (O'Leary-Sant index),visual analog scale score for pain,quality-of-life index,voiding frequency,bladder capacity,and side effects of intravesical instillation were recorded preoperatively and at the first and sixth month follow-ups postoperatively.Results The follow-up period was 6 to 24 months.The interstitial cystitis symptom index and problem index,visual analog scale score for pain,quality-of-life index,daily voiding time,and maximal bladder volume improved significantly in 28 cases (90.32％;P ＜ 0.01),and no significant adverse effects were observed.Two patients underwent cystectomy,and the symptoms disappeared after the operation.Carcinoma in situ was detected on histopathological examination in one patient.Conclusion Transurethral fulguration with intravesical instillation of heparin and alkalinized lidocaine is a safe and effective therapy for IC/BPS.

BACKGROUND: It has been successful to repair articular cartilage defects by using solid carrier as cytoskeleton. We tried to transplant liquid or gel carrier materials combined cells into the body of animals, and investigated its feasibility.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of homo-transplatation with liquid or gel carrier materials of Pluronic F-127-recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) engineered chondrocytes for the repair of full-thickness rabbit articular cartilage defect.DESIGN: A controlled experiment.SETTINGS: Department of Orthopaedics, Weihai Municipal Hospital;Shandong Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumaology.MATERIALS: The experiments were carried out in the laboratory of Shandong Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumaology from November 2001 to September 2003. Thirty-six healthy adult New Zealand rabbits of 2.5-4.5 kg, either male or female, were divided into four groups according to the method of random number table: Pluronic F-127-rhBMP-2 engineered chondrocytes group, Pluronic F-127-rhBMP group, Pluronic F127 engineered chondrocytes group and blank control group, with 9 rabbits in each group.METHODS: After grouping, the 36 rabbits were made into models of articular cartilage defects. Pluronic F-127-rhBMP-2 was used as a vector of chondrocytes which were obtained from New Zealand rabbits after cultured and amplified in vitro. The mixture of Pluronic F-127, Pluronic F-127-rhBMP-2 and cultured chondrocytes was transplanted into the defects of articular cartilage that had been made previously with φb3.5 mm drill.There was not any treatment in the blank control group. At 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively, the repairing conditions of the defects were evaluated with gross observation and histological observation under light microscope and under electron microscope. The repaire quality was assessed blindly according to the Wakitani scoring standard.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Healing of cartilage defects; ② Property and morphology of the chondrocytes, characteristics, number and arrangement of collagens in matrix.RESULTS: ① In the Pluronic F-127-rhBMP-2 engineered chondrocytes group, the transplanted chondrocytes could grow better than those in other groups, the defected areas were completely filled at 4 weeks. The regenerated tissues at 8 and 12 weeks had similar appearance with the surrounding normal cartilage tissue, but vague. Delimitation. The histological examination showed that transparent cartilages formed, and the defects were healed. ② Under electron microscope at 8 and 12 weeks, there were mature transparent cartilages in the repaired tissues, and there were irregularly arranged slight, even and non-periodical collagen Ⅱ in surrounding. In the blank control group, only fibrous repair was observed, the regenerated tissue lacked elasticity with rough surface. ③ Repairing quality score: The scores at each time point in the Pluronic F-127-rhBMP-2 engineered chondrocytes group were significantly different from those in the other groups.Those in the Pluronic F-127-rhBMP-2 engineered chondrocytes group and Pluronic F-127-rhBMP-2 group and Pluronic F-127 engineered chondrocytes group were significantly different from those in the blank control group [4 weeks: (3.93±1.91), (4.56±1.07), (4.78±1.09), (8.44±1.13) points:8 weeks: (2.80±1.45), (3.24±1.00), (3.33±1.00), (8.44±1.13) points; 12 weeks (2.22±1.10), (3.01±0.69), (3.00±0.71), (9.00±0.87) points, P ＜ 0.001],but there were no significant differences between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The mixture of Pluronic F-127-rhBMP-2 and cultured chondrocytes can repair successfully the cartilage defects of femoral condyle of rabbit knees by means of hyaline cartilage than simple application of Pluronic F-127-rhBMP-2 or Pluronic F-127 engineered chondrocytes.

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of quadruple therapy containing doxycycline and routine quadruple therapy for Helicobacter (H.) pylori rescue eradication in patients who had failed the one-week triple therapy.

METHODSPatients who failed the first-line eradication therapy were allocated into two groups. Group A patients (n = 43) were administered esomeprazole 20 mg, bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg, amoxicillin 1 g and doxycycline 100 mg, all bid for ten days, while Group B patients (n = 42) were administered esomeprazole 20 mg bid, bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg bid, metronidazole 400 mg bid and tetracycline 750 mg q.6h, for ten days. The results of H. pylori eradication were assessed with 13C urea breath test four weeks after the therapy, and the side effects were recorded.

RESULTSA total of 85 patients (average age 46.9 years) were enrolled in the study. Successful eradication rate for H. pylori was 72.5% in Group A and 64.1% in Group B, with no significant difference between the two groups. 11.6% (5/43) of patients from group A and 31.0% (13/42) from group B reported at least one adverse event. The adverse events of all 18 patients disappeared after the therapy ceased.

CONCLUSIONQuadruple therapy containing doxycycline is as effective as routine quadruple therapy for H. pylori rescue eradication. The regimen is well tolerated by most patients and causes fewer adverse events than routine quadruple therapy. Hence, it may be recommended as a suitable alternative H. pylori rescue regimen in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Amoxicillin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Ulcer Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Breath Tests ; Doxycycline ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Esomeprazole ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Helicobacter pylori ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Metronidazole ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Organometallic Compounds ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Tetracycline ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo generate an HPV16 prophylactic vaccine candidate for cervical cancer.

METHODSHPV16 major capsid protein L1 gene and minor capsid protein L2 gene were amplified using PCR. These genes were mutated by PCR site-directed mutagenesis for removal of sequence motifs (TTTTTNT) which would cause transcription termination when expressed from a vaccinia virus early promoter, then inserted into a vaccinia virus expression vector. A strain replication-deficient recombinant vaccinia virus containing the mutant sequences was obtained through a homologous recombination and identified.

RESULTSThe nucleotide sequence remained the correct amino acid sequence of the L1 and L2 proteins after mutated. Full-length L1 and L2 proteins were generated in cells infected with the recombinant virus. The virus strain propagated at very low titer or could not reproduce in some kinds of cell derived from different human tissues.

CONCLUSIONSThe authors have generated a strain replication-deficient recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HPV16 L1 plus L2 proteins as an HPV16 prophylactic vaccine candidate for cervical cancer.

Capsid ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; genetics ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; physiology ; Papillomavirus Infections ; prevention & control ; Transfection ; Tumor Virus Infections ; prevention & control ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; virology ; Vaccinia virus ; genetics ; physiology ; Virus Replication

Objective: To analyze variants of RUNX2 gene in two pedigrees affected with cleidocranial dysplasia and provide prenatal diagnosis for them. Methods: For the two probands, the coding sequences of the RUNX2 gene were analyzed with PCR and bidirectional Sanger sequencing. To verify the results, peripheral blood samples were collected from their parents and 100 healthy controls. For family 1, umbilical cord blood was also collected for prenatal genetic diagnosis. Results: In family 1, the proband and the fetus both carried a heterozygous c. 578G>C (p.Arg193Pro) mutation. For family 2, the proband was found to carry a heterozygous c. 909C>A (p.Tyr303X) mutation. The same mutations were not found among their parents and 100 healthy controls. Neither mutation was reported previously. Conclusion Variants of the RUNX2 gene probably underlie the cleidocranial dysplasia in both pedigrees. The results enabled prenatal diagnosis for the affected family.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the imaging manifestations and pathological classification of congeni-tal cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung(CCAM).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and radiologic data of nine patients with pathologically confirmed CCAM,and all data were compared with Stocker pathological classification,respec-tively.Results The CT images of all nine patients demonstrated cysts filled with either gas or fluid,which corresponded exactly with their gross pathological outcomes.Four cases of large cystic CCAM(cyst diameter exceeding 2 cm)were consistent with Stocker type Ⅰ.CT findings showed single or multiple capsular cavities occupying the thoracic cavity,with gas or fluid mainly in the cyst.Two cases exhibited mass effect and expansion of the involved lung lobes,while two cases showed localized decreased density around the lesion.The pathological features of these large cystic CCAM included single or multiple thick-walled cysts,with pseudostratified ciliated colum-nar epithelium lining the cyst lumen observed under microscopy.The other five cases of small cystic CCAM(cyst diameter less than 2 cm)matched Stocker type Ⅱ.CT findings showed multiple thin-walled cellular cysts confined to a single lung lobe,and none of these patients had significant mass effect or expansion of the involved lung lobes.Pathologically,these cases were characterized by multiple small cysts with septa,and the cysts were primarily lined with ciliated columnar or cuboidal epithelium upon microscopy.Conclusion CT imaging of CCAM has specific manifestations,with accurately displaying the distribution range and morphological characteristics of the lesions and reflecting the internal histological characteristics.There is a significant correlation between the CT manifestations of CCAM and their pathological classification.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by genetic and environmental factors. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are produced by fermentation of dietary fiber by intestinal microbiota, have anti-inflammatory effect and are involved in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. Intestinal inflammation and low fiber diet can reduce the number of SCFAs-producing bacteria and thereby affecting intestinal immune and metabolic regulation. This article reviewed the advances in studies on SCFAs in IBD.

Background: Post - stroke constipation is a commonly seen complication, which can reduce the quality of life of patients. Therefore, it is particularly important to explore the treatment of post-stroke constipation. Aims: To explore the effect of gastrointestinal rehabilitation (visceral fascial manipulation plus middle - frequency electrical stimulation) on quality of life, substance P (SP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in constipation patients after stroke. Methods: Seventy constipation patients after stroke from Oct. 2020 to Oct. 2011 at Shanghai Tongren Hospital were enrolled and randomly divided into control group (lactulose treatment) and treatment group (gastrointestinal rehabilitation treatment). Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), Barthel index (BI), self-rating anxiety/depression scale (SAS/SDS), gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS), Wexner constipation scale, and patient assessment of constipation-quality of life (PAC-QOL) were performed before and after treatment. Serum SP, 5 - HT were determined by ELISA. Results: After the treatment, no significant difference in MoCA score was found in both two groups, and SAS score, SDS score, GSRS score, Wexner score and PAC-QOL score were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Repeated measures ANOVA showed that significant differences in SAS score, SDS score were found between the two groups (P<0.05), and the decreases of SAS score and SDS score were more obvious in treatment group. No significant differences in MoCA score, BI score, GSRS score, Wexner score and PAC- QOL score were found between the two groups (P>0.05). Serum SP, 5-HT levels in treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: In the treatment of constipation after stroke, the gastrointestinal rehabilitation therapy of‘visceral fascial manipulation plus middle-frequency electrical stimulation’has the therapeutic effects equivalent to drug therapy, and is worthy for promoting in clinical treatment.