Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Carcinoid Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Lobular ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Chromogranin A ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

Background:The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease( IBD ) is increasing in recent years,however,its pathogenic mechanism has not been fully clarified. Previous studies revealed that adipokines played crucial roles in regulating intestinal inflammation. Aims:To investigate the role of visfatin,an adipocytokine,and its clinical significance in active IBD. Methods:Ninety-one patients with active IBD including 61 Crohn’s disease( CD)and 30 ulcerative colitis ( UC)at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and Suzhou Municipal Hospital from May 2015 to Dec. 2015 were enrolled in this study,and 48 healthy subjects were served as controls. Serum level of visfatin was determined by ELISA. Correlation of serum visfatin level with clinical features of IBD was analyzed,its diagnostic performance for IBD was assessed by ROC curve. Results:Serum level of visfatin was significantly higher in patients with active CD and UC than in healthy controls[(385. 24 ± 112. 64)pg/mL and(378. 91 ± 118. 57)pg/mL vs. (321. 11 ± 96. 27)pg/mL, P all ﹤0. 05]. Significant positive correlation was found between serum visfatin level and disease activity index(Mayo score)of UC( r =0. 398,P ﹤0. 05 ),however,no correlations were found between serum visfatin level and disease activity index of CD,CRP and ESR,two common inflammatory indicators for IBD and location of IBD(P all ﹥0. 05). The area under curve( AUC)of serum visfatin for diagnosis of CD and UC were 0. 654 and 0. 622,respectively;the diagnostic accuracy was relatively low. Conclusions:Serum visfatin might be associated with the active intestinal inflammation in IBD and has the potential to be served as a clinical index for active UC.

Objective To investigate the adjustment methods and evaluation for children after cochlear implantation. Methods 6 children after artificial cochlear implantation were debugged by subjective psychological physical test, objective methods such as electricity induced composite action potential (ECAP), electrically evoked stapedius reflex threshold (ESRT) and electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (EABR). Results All the children got satisfied data. Conclusion For the children after cochlear implantation, objective methods such as ECAP, ESRT, EABR combined with subjective psychological physical test all together are helpful to obtain accurate threshold.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in contents of cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its downstream effectors in rat's myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model and observe the effects of precondition with GBE50 (Ginkgo biloba extract 50) and Salviae miltiorrhizae (SM) on them.

METHODSRat's I/R model was established by 30-min left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed with 60-min reperfusion. Animals were divided into the model control group, the sham-operated group and the tested groups (received 1-week precondition with GBE50 and SM respectively via intragastric infusion before modeling). COX-2 mRNA expression in myocardium was detected by real-time PCR; contents of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-keto-PGF1alpha) were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSThe mRNA expression of COX-2 in the model group was obviously higher than that in the sham-operated group (P < 0.001), while that in the tested groups was down-regulated significantly (P < 0.01), and the content of TXB2 as well as the ratio of TXB2/PGF1alpha was reduced significantly (P < 0.05). Besides, SM also showed the up-regulation effect on 6-keto-PGF1alpha content in myocardium (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCOX-2 affects the myocardium through thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin after I/R; both GBE50 and SM can inhibit the production of COX-2, but they may act in different paths.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; methods ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Thromboxane B2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the adverse effects of coking oven emissions (COE) on the serum oxidation-reduction and relevant genes in the exposed workers.

METHODSFifty-six coke oven workers and forty controls were investigated. Serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the activities of total superoxide dismutases (T-SOD) were measured by spectrophotometrical method. Immunohistochemical method was used to assess the P21 and P53 levels in peripheral white blood cells.

RESULTSCompared with controls, the individuals exposed to COE had significantly increased levels of serum MDA [(5.30 +/- 2.29) nmol/mL, P < 0.01] and markedly decreased levels of T-SOD [(100.04 +/- 10.75) NU/mL]. Additionally, the median levels of P53 and P21 were markedly increased in the exposed individuals compared with the controls (21.4% and 23.2%, respectively, all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe findings indicate that occupational exposure to COE causes the rise of serum oxidation-reduction MDA and the fall of T-SOD, and increasing expression levels of P21 and P53 proteins before the occurrence of apparent clinical symptoms.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Coke ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo probe into the current situation and problems of establishing control group in clinical studies of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of periarthritis of shoulder at home.

METHODSTo retrieve the literatures of establishing control groups in clinical studies of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of periarthritis of shoulder in magazines at home, and based on key problems in establishment of control group, make a Excel form to take out relative contents in the literatures and classify, summarize and statistically analyze.

RESULTSIn establishing control group in clinical studies of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of periarthritis of shoulder, a lot of problems exist, most studies do not have the basis of establishing control group, and also do not establish control group for the purpose of the study, making the whole test have error in the stage of program design, and leading to unreliable for the results of clinical control studies.

CONCLUSIONIn clinical researches of acupuncture and moxibustion, a standard for guiding establishment of control group is eagerly needed.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Control Groups ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Periarthritis ; therapy ; Research Design ; Shoulder Joint ; Shoulder Pain ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo delineate the characteristics of the clinical manifestation, pathology of skeletal muscle and gene mutations of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episode (MELAS) in children.

METHODThe clinical manifestation, laboratorial data, brain images, muscle pathology and mitochondrial gene mutations were analyzed in 24 patients with MELAS who were diagnosed in Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital. Their prognosis was evaluated by following up.

RESULTSymptoms of central nervous system such as stroke-like episodes, vomiting, convulsion and headache were present in all the 24 cases. Nine cases had the symptoms of myopathy. Twenty cases had developmental delay. Short stature, being thin and hairy was very common in these cases. Serum lactate level increased in all the cases, pyruvate increased in 17 cases. Elevated CSF lactate was found in 2 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 24 cases, out of them 23 were abnormal. The lesions mainly involved cerebral lobes. Occipital lobe was the most common site of lesions. Computed tomography (CT) was performed on 13 cases, low density lesions were present in 10 cases, basal ganglia calcifications in 5 cases. Muscle biopsy was performed on 8 cases, ragged-red fibers (RRF) were found in 4/8 cases, and abnormal accumulation of mitochondria were found in 3/8 cases. The mtDNA gene mutational analysis showed A3243G mutation in these patients. The mutation rates varied from 11.6% to 75.0%. The same mutation were found in 4/5 mothers who had the genetic tests, and the mutation rates of the mothers varied from 15.0% to 23.6%. The clinical information of 11 cases was available through recent following up. Three cases died, the others had some degrees of mental retardation.

CONCLUSIONChildren with MELAS had various clinical manifestations. Central nervous system and skeletal muscle were usually involved. Short stature and hypertrichosis were common signs. The prognosis of this disease was disappointing. mtDNA A3243G was the most common mutation in MELAS. Fully understanding the characteristics of its clinical manifestation, laboratory tests, brain image, muscle pathology and molecular features can be helpful to the early diagnosis and treatment.

Acidosis, Lactic ; blood ; Adolescent ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; MELAS Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Point Mutation ; Pyruvic Acid ; blood ; Stroke ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; pathology ; Syndrome ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

That eleven patients with sellar germinomas were confirmed by pathological examinations were retrospectively reviewed. In the 11 patients, 2 were males and 9 were females. Mean age was 16.8 years old and mean history was 2.6 years. Among them, 11 patients had diabetes insipidus, 6 patients had visual disturbances, 5 patients had retarded growth, and 5 patients had hypopituitary function. The diameter of tumor was 1-3 cm in 8 cases and greater than 3 cm in 3 cases. MRI showed hypointensity or homogeneous on T1-weighted images in 8 cases. The tumors were fibrous, purple grey or reddish in color with rich blood supply. Germinomas were confirmed by postoperative pathological examinations. All patients received postoperative irradiation. Postoperative follow-up was from 3 months to 6 years. Diabetes insipidus was improved in 9 cases. Visual function were improved in 4 cases, but hypopituitarism and retarded growth were unchanged. In conclusion, when MRI shows sellar parenchyma tumor with unclear boundary in young patients with diabetes insipidus and hypopituitarism, sellar germinoma should be highly suspected. Otherwise, radiation therapy may profitably aid to confirm the diagnosis since irradiation is the main treatment of sellar germinomas.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Germinoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pineal Gland ; Pinealoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Sella Turcica

OBJECTIVETo investigate the method and clinical outcome of reconstructing large pulp defects of the fingertips with a homodigital neurovascular island flap.

METHODSForm June 2007 to October 2009, 16 patients with the defects of pulp were repaired by the spiral flap that was a homodigital neurovascular island flap with a unique spiral advancement and transposition design allowed pulp reconstruction using sensate glabrous skin while restricting donor morbidity to the injured digit. There were 12 males and 4 females with an average age of 37 years ranging from 18 to 49 years. The defect were caused by machine crush injury 11 cases, pressure injury by heavy objects in 2 cases, crush injury by door of car 1 case, injury by saw in 2 cases. The defect was located in the index finger in 5 cases, the middle finger in 9 cases,the ring finger in 2 cases. All injuries had large pulp defects averaging 1.6 cm (long) x 1.2 cm (wide) to 2.5 cm (long) x 1.7 cm (wide). Short-term results for all patients were reviewed. Outcome measures included static 2-point discrimination, total active motion, and hypersensitivity or cold intolerance.

RESULTSAll flaps achieved primary healing with no complications. Sensory recovery was excellent with an average 2-point discrimination of 5.1 mm. All patients were followed-up for 8 to 20 months (averaged 12 months) with highly satisfactory with both aesthetic and functional outcome. There was no hypersensitivity or cold intolerance. According to the evaluation of total active motion (TAM) scales, the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 8 cases (9 lesions) and fair in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONThe spiral advancement-transposition flap is suitable for resurfacing large pulp defects with excellent short-term functional and aesthetic results and high patient satisfaction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between invasive pituitary adenomas and cavernus sinus and cariod artery and to predict their surgical outcomes.

METHODSTotally 270 patients with pituitary tumors were investigated in this retrospective study, including 113 men and 157 women, with a mean age of 40.8 years. The mean disease history was 3.6 years. Pituitary microadenomas were diagnosed in 56 cases, macroadenomas in 118 cases, and hugeadenomas in 96 cases. Adrenocorticotropic hormone-releasing adenomas (Cushing's diseases) were diagnosed in 40 cases, growth hormone-releasing adenomas in 58 cases, prolactinomas in 57 cases, and non-functional pituitary adenomas in 115 cases. Transsphenoidal microsurgery were performed on 260 patients, while transcranial microsurgery on 6 patients.

RESULTSThe percentage of invasive pituitary adenomas was about 3.6% in microadenomas, 20.4% in macroadenomas, and 61.4% in hugeadenomas. Rate of total removal was 94.1% in non-invasive pituitary adenomas, and was 58.8% in invasive pituitary adenomas.

CONCLUSIONSIt is important to analyze the grade of invasive pituitary adenomas to improve the removal of pituitary adenomas, avoid injuring cariod artery, and increase the rate of total removal.

Adenoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; surgery ; Cavernous Sinus ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypophysectomy ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion ; pathology ; surgery ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome