ObjectiveTo investigate the correlationship between clinical and histopathological results of adrenocortical hyperplasia,adenoma and adenocarcinoma in the adrenocortical glomerular,fascicular and reticular zones. MethodsA total number of 167 702 surgical specimens were collected by the Department of pathology at the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from 1993 -2008.Of these,there were 631 adrenocortical specimens.Statistic analysis was done with Run test,t or t'test and x2 test on data in the aspects of proportion rate,mean age,sex proportion and relationship between clinical and pathological results of adrenocortical diseases.ResultsThe total number of adrenal diseases and adrenocortical diseases were 910 cases (0.54％) and 631 cases (0.38％),respectively.The number of adrenocortical glomerular,fascicular,reticular diseases were 310 cases (49.13％),319 cases (50.55％) and 2 cases (0.32％),respectively.The rate of adrenal diseases and adrenocortical diseases specimens did not change during the 16 year study period.The trend in proportion of hyperplasia,adenoma,adenocarcinoma in adrenocortical glomerular,fascicular and reticular zones did not change as well.The proportion pattern showed that there were more cases of adenoma than of hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma.The functional diseases of adrenocortical glomerular,fascicular and reticular zone (90.97％,79.00％,100.00％ ) were higher than nonfunctional diseases in the corresponding zones (9.03％,21.00％,0％ ) and both were higher in female patients.The mean age of nonfunctional patients with adenoma,glomerular zone adenocarcinoma and hyperplasia,adenoma of fascicular zone was higher than that in functional diseases.Interestingly,the mean age of glomerular zone adenocarcinoma patients (62.7 yrs) was higher than that in hyperplasia patients (47.8 yrs) and in adenoma patients (44.8 yrs).The mean and male diagnostic ages of adenocarcinoma of fascicular (44.3 yrs,50.0 yra) were higher than that in adenoma (44.0 yrs,49.1 yrs) and hyperplasia (41.5 yrs,40.9 yrs) respectively.But the female mean diagnostic age of fascicular adenocarcinoma (38.7 yrs) was lower than that in adenoma (42.4 yrs) and hyperplasia (41.9 yrs) respectively and the lowest average age was for nonfunctional adenocarcinoma (34.4 yrs).The diameters of the functional and nonfunctional adenocarcinoma were large (4.3 cm and 4.0 cm in glomerular zone,7.1 cm and 8.0 cm in fascicular zone).The carcinoma cells were in serious atyrpia,haemorrhage,necrosis and capsular or vascular infiltration.The rates of functional hyperplasia,adenoma with hypertension in Conn,Cushing or adrenogenital syndrome of adrenocortical glomerular,fascicular,reticular zone were higher than that without hypertension,but their tumor diameters were similar.The diameters of functional adenoma in glomerular or fascicularer ( 1.7 cm,2.3 cm ) were lower than that of nonfunctional adenoma (2.3 cm,2.4 cm ) and the diameters of glomerular tumors were smaller than that of fascicular tumors.Nonfunctional adenoma ( 2.5 cm,2.0 cm ) of glomerular or fascicular by check up finding were bigger than that of non-endocrine adenoma ( 2.5 cm,2.3cm).There were seven cases with adrenogenital syndrome (2 male cases,5 female cases ),among these,there were 4 fascicularer adenoma cases,1 adenocarcinoma case,1 network hyperplasia case and 1 adenoma case.ConclusionsGenetic abnormality plays an important role in pathogenesis of adrenocortical disease and environment had less influence.Radiological examinations (CT and MRI) of adrenocortical diseases are the first choice and have important roles in evaluating tumor characteristics.There is close relationship between clinical manifestation and pathology.However,the exact diagnosis of definite type of disease and nature of tumor needs to be made by pathologic examination.

Objective To evaluate the conventional ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in diagnosis of splenic trauma including its grading diagnosis. Methods US and CEUS in 42 patients with splenic trauma confirmed by CT and/or operation were performed during 9.2004-10.2007. All the data were compared and analyzed retrospectively. Results Of 42 patients with splenic trauma, 28 cases were detected and 14 cases were missed on US examination, whereas, 40 cases were detected and only 2 mild cases were missed on CEUS examination. The detection rate of lesions with CEUS was significantly higher than that of US (P<0.001) . Ten cases in grading the injury were underestimated by US, however, none of them were underestimated by CEUS. CEUS had good concordance with CT and/or operation in grading diagnosis of 42 cases except two mild cases. Conclusions CEUS has very good concordance with CT and/or operation in detecting injury and grading the splenic trauma compared with conventional US. CEUS as a new imaging technology has made great advance of ultrasoongraphy in evaluation of splenic trauma including injury grading,and it is very useful in clinical application.

Objective To assess the inlfuence of depth on liver stiffness measurement with real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) and determine the optimal depth for SWE in liver. Methods SWE of liver was performed on 89 healthy volunteers between May 2012 and November 2012. The depths of each liver were varied from 0 cm to 7 cm (from the liver capsule) in 1 cm increment and there were 8 depth groups in total. Then the elastic modulus of liver in each depth group were measured three times by SWE. The body mass index (BMI) and the distance from body surface to liver capsule were documented. The success rates and the mean elastic modulus of each group were calculated. Results The success rates of 0-7 cm were 0, 98.9%(88/89), 98.9%(88/89), 98.9%(88/89), 71.9%(64/89), 24.7%(22/89), 3.4%(3/89) and 0, respectively. The success rates were highest in 1 cm, 2 cm and 3 cm groups but signiifcant decreased with the increasement of depths in 4 cm, 5 cm and 6 cm groups ( 3 cm vs 4 cm, χ2=25.94, P<0.001; 4 cm vs 5 cm, χ2=39.68, P<0.001;5 cm vs 6 cm,χ2=16.79, P<0.001). The mean elastic modulus of 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm groups were (4.77±0.99), (4.68±0.99), (4.76±0.95), (5.19±1.10) and (5.41±0.95) kPa, respectively. The mean elastic modulus of 4 cm and 5 cm groups were signiifcant higher than those of 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm groups (4 cm vs 1 cm, t=-2.85, P=0.005;4 cm vs 2 cm, t=-3.49, P=0.001;4 cm vs 3 cm, t=-2.76, P=0.006;5 cm vs 1 cm, t=-3.13, P=0.002;5 cm vs 2 cm, t=-3.66, P=0.000;5 cm vs 3 cm, t=-3.05, P=0.003). In the group of 4 cm, the BMI and the distance from body surface to liver capsule of the volunteers performed successfully and unsuccessfully were (20.70±2.87), (22.07±2.42) kg/m2 and (1.45±0.25 ), (1.60±0.29) cm, respectively. In the group of 5 cm, the BMI and the distance from body surface to liver capsule of the volunteers performed successfully and unsuccessfully were (19.82±2.76), (21.49±2.72) kg/m2 and (1.35±0.21), (1.54±0.26) cm respectively. The BMI had no signiifcant difference between the successful and unsuccessful groups (t=-2.83, P=0.108 for 4 cm;t=0.77, P=0.709 for 5 cm), but the distance from body surface to liver capsule was signiifcantly different (t=26.51, P=0.012 for 4 cm;t=79.57, P=0.004 for 5 cm). Conclusions The success rates and elastic modulus were different at different depths. SWE should be performed at the depths of 1-3 cm from the liver capsule.

We characterized yield-relevant characters and their variations over genotypes and environments (locations and years) by examining two rice varieties (9746 and Jinfeng) with high yield potential. 9746 and Jinfeng were planted in two locations of Shanghai, China, during 2005 and 2006. The results show that there was a large variation in grain yield between locations and years. The realization of high yield potential for the two types of rice was closely related to the improved sink size, such as more panicles per square meter or grains per panicle. Stem and leaf biomasses were mainly accumulated from tillering stage to heading stage, and showed slow decline during grain filling. Meanwhile, some photosynthetic characters including net photosynthesis rate (Pn), leaf area index (LAI), specific leaf area (SLA), fluorescence parameter (maximum quantum yield of PSII, Fv/Fm), chlorophyll content (expressed as SPAD value), as well as nutrient (N, P, K) uptake were also measured to determine their variations over genotypes and environments and their relationships with grain yield. Although there were significant differences between years or locations for most measurements, SLA at tillering and heading stages, Fv/Fm and LAI at heading stage, stem biomass at heading and maturity stages, and leaf nitrogen concentration at tillering and heading stages remained little changed, indicating their possible applications as selectable characters in breeding programs. It was also found that stem nitrogen accumulation at tillering stage is one of the most important and stable traits for high yield formation.
Biomass ; Environment ; Genotype ; Nitrogen ; metabolism ; Oryza ; genetics ; growth & development ; Phosphorus ; metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Leaves ; metabolism ; Potassium ; metabolism

Boronic Acids ; therapeutic use ; Bortezomib ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; POEMS Syndrome ; therapy ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Pyrazines ; therapeutic use ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo compare the changes of inward rectifying K(+) (Kir) current (I(K1)) density in atrial myocytes of patients with rheumatic atrial fibrillation (RAF) less or longer than 6 months.

METHODI(K1) density was measured with whole-cell patch clamp technique in single myocyte isolated by an enzymatic dissociation method from right atrial appendages in patients with RAF less than 6 months (n = 18) and longer than 6 months (n = 18), RAF patients with normal sinus rhythm (NSR, n = 18) served as control.

RESULTSThe average resting membrane potentials were similar between various groups. I(K1) density in single myocyte at -50 to -100 mV of patients with RAF longer than 6 months was significantly increased compared to that in patients with RAF less than 6 months and NSR patients. I(K1) density in single myocyte at hyperpolarized potential level (-100 mV) was also significantly increased in patients with RAF longer than 6 months (8.94 +/- 0.15) than that in patients with RAF less than 6 months (4.35 +/- 0.49) and NSR patients compared to that in NSR (4.05 +/- 0.96, P < 0.05 vs RAF longer than 6 months).

CONCLUSIONThe data suggest I(K1) current increase might contribute to the electrical remodeling in RAF patients.

Adult ; Atrial Fibrillation ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying ; metabolism

Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and whole-cell perforated patch-clamp techniques were combined to study simultaneously the changes of intracellular signal molecules and membrane currents. Intracellular calcium transients and spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) were recorded simultaneously in freshly isolated mouse cerebral artery smooth muscle cells. The cells loaded with fluo-4/AM were scanned with the confocal line-scan mode. Triggering voltage pulses derived from an EPC-10 patch clamp amplifier triggered the confocal line scan. The results showed that STOCs and intracellular calcium transients could be simultaneously recorded in the same cell. This technique will be useful in studies of diseases caused by impairments of intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and related ionic channel activities, or vice versa.
Animals ; Calcium Signaling ; Cerebral Arteries ; cytology ; Mice ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques

By inquiring the medical students under the background of grouping teaching between the mainland students and the oversea Chinese students,we have got something about their attitude toward the credit system.The result will help us to improve the teaching renovation in medical education.The questionnaire including implementing of credit system,standard credit system, grouping teaching,curriculum,tutor system of the undergraduates,the administration of education,and so on.Then we analyze and get the result.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the status quo of teaching behaviors of teachers in a medical university and identify the factors affecting teaching behaviors to improve the teaching quality.

METHODSAll the staff conducting direct teaching in a medical college were investigated by cross-sectional survey and case-control study. Logistic regression model was established, with the results of teaching quality as dependent variable and influential factors as independent variable. The case-control study was conducted by one-way analysis of unconditional logistic regression and logistic multivariate analysis.

RESULTSThe differences in teaching quality among 38 various teaching behaviors of the university teachers were significant. Four factors in teaching behaviors were found to influence the improvement of teaching from poor to excellent quality, 6 affecting improvement from moderate to excellent and 7 from poor to moderate.

CONCLUSIONThe critical teaching behaviors affecting teaching quality vary with different levels of teaching quality and potentials of improvement, and the closeness of the association also varies.

Case-Control Studies ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education, Medical ; standards ; Faculty, Medical ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Quality Control ; Staff Development ; methods ; standards ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Teaching ; standards

OBJECTIVETo observe the occurrence and progression of liver fibrosis induced by pig serum exposure and bile duct ligation, and analyze the relationship between hepatic inflammation and liver fibrosis.

METHODSChronically immune-mediated liver fibrosis was induced in rats by weekly injection of pig serum (IPS) into the peritoneal cavity at 3 ml/kg for 12 weeks. Cholestatic fibrosis was induced by common bile duct ligation (BDL). The Knodell score was used to evaluate the histological changes in the liver, and immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-SMA, anti-ED1, anti-CK7, and anti-CD45 antibodies. Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) analysis was employed to quantify the mRNA expression of the genes related to inflammation, including interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), transforming growth factor-beta, platelet-derived growth factor A, as well as the genes associated with fibrogenesis, namely collagen 1, alphaSMA, MMP-9 and TIMP-1.

RESULTSKnodell scores for periportal necrosis, intralobular degeneration and focal necrosis, and portal inflammation were all significantly higher in the BDL group than in the IPS group (P<0.01), whereas the scores for fibrosis was higher in the IPS group (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed obvious inflammation with numerous alphaSMA-positive cells in the liver of the rats in BDL group; the liver of the rats in IPS group showed numerous alphaSMA-positive myofibroblasts with limited inflammatory cell infiltration. qPCR demonstrated a significant up-regulation of the genes related to extracellular matrix remodeling such as collagen 1 (P<0.01), alphaSMA (P<0.01), MMP-9 (P<0.01) and TIMP-1 (P<0.01) in the rat liver in IPS group compared with those in the normal control group, and the mRNA expressions of the inflammation-related cytokines, except for RANTES, were comparable with those in the control. In contrast, the BDL group showed a significant up-regulation of all the pro-inflammatory genes examined with also increased expression of the fibrogenesis-related genes (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLiver fibrosis induced by IPS is characterized by active ECM remodeling in the absence of obvious inflammation, indicating that chronic development of liver fibrosis can be independent of active hepatic inflammation. BDL-induced liver fibrosis highlights obvious inflammation and fibrous proliferation in the liver.

Animals ; Bile Ducts ; surgery ; Cholestasis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Ligation ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; etiology ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Serum ; immunology ; Swine