OBJECTIVE: To investigate the behavioral and ultrastructural changes of intrathecal administration of different concentrations of ropivacaine for 12 h. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (6 rats in each group):group N (control), group A (ropivacaine 0.25%), group B (ropivacaine 0.5%), group C (ropivacaine 0.75%),and group D (ropivacaine 1.0%). A polyurethane microcatheter was inserted into the lumbar subarachnoid space 8 cm according to Yakshos intrathecal administration. The rats in group N received saline 0.12 mL/kg for 8 times at 1.5 h interval through the catheter, and the rats in the other groups received different concentrations of ropivacaine in the same way as in group N. The poster paw withdrawal latency to heat (PWHL) and mechanical stimulation (von Fray filament) (PWML) were measured the day before the intrathecal administration and 12 hours after the first intrathecal administration of ropivacaine. Motor function (MF) was measured after the last intrathecal administration. After the behavior test, the rats were sacrificed and the lumber segments of the spinal cord were immediately removed for electron microscopic examination. RESULTS: A total hind limb paralysis was seen at 30 seconds and intramuscular strain gradually came back 10~60 minutes after the intrathecal administration of ropivacaine in group A, B, C, and D, but not in group N. The recovery time of motor block of group A was the shortest (P<0.05), that of group D was the longest,and that of group B and C was between group A and D. Intrathecal administration of different concentrations of ropivacaine did not affect the percent maximum possible effect (%MPE) of PWHL and PWML. Electron microscopic examination showed that the spinal cords were normal in group N and A, slight edema of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in group B, loosened fibrous layers in medullary sheath, edema and local degeneration of neuraxis in group C,and shrinkage of nuclear membrane, serious edema of ER, vacuolus change of mitochondria and local demyelination in group D. CONCLUSION Ropivacaine (0.5%, 0.75%, and 1.0%) administered intrathecally for 12 hours causes different degrees of ultrastructural changes in the spinal cord depending on concentrations.
Amides ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Anesthetics, Local ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ropivacaine ; Spinal Cord ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo measure Derp1 and Blot5 allergen levels in asthmatics' homes in Hongkong.

METHODSSeventy houses were enrolled for a mite indoor environment study. Dust samples were obtained from two sites of each patients' house: bed and floor. Derp1 and Blot5 levels were quantified by a two-site monoclonal antibody-based ELISA technique.

RESULTSThe levels of Derp1 allergens found in bed (geometric mean (GM) 3.43 microg/g of dust; 95%CI, 1.89-4.96 microg/g) and on the floor (GM 1.12 microg/g of dust; 95%CI, 0.71-1.53 microg/g) indicated significant differences (P=0.005). However, the levels of Blot5 allergens found in bed (GM 19.00 microg/g of dust; 95%CI, 0.89-38.90 microg/g) and on the floor (GM 6.14 microg/g of dust; 95%CI, 0.40-11.90 microg/g) showed no statistically significant difference. In addition, in regards to the exposure index for Derp1 and Blot5 allergens found in bed and on the floor, 17.6% in bed and 8.6% on the floor had levels of Blot5 > or = 10 microg/g of dust, higher than those obtained for Derp1 (7.2% and 0% in bed and on the floor respectively, P<0.05); higher percentages in bed and on the floor (25.0% and 35.7%) were observed for levels of Blot5 = 0 microg/g of dust as compared with Derp1 in bed and on the floor (4.3% and 14.5% respectively, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDerp1 and Blot5 are the major allergens found in this regional study, Blot5 is a more potent allergen in Hongkong, probably reflecting the high level of exposure to Blomia tropicalis (Bt). Bt and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) allergens should be included for precise diagnosis and effective immuno-therapeutic treatment of mite allergy in Hongkong.

Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; analysis ; Arthropod Proteins ; Asthma ; immunology ; Bedding and Linens ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; immunology ; Dust ; analysis ; Environmental Exposure ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Hong Kong ; Housing ; Humans ; Humidity ; Mites ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical features of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN).

METHODSAccording to the 2004 modified terminology of International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases (ISSVD), the cases were diagnosed as VIN from patients who had performed vulvar biopsy in Beijing Wuzhou Women's Hospital from February 2009 to December 2011, which were reclassified as usual VIN and differentiated VIN. The clinical and pathological studies were conducted respectively. MaxVision immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of Ki-67, p16 and p53 proteins.

RESULTSThere were 20 cases of VIN in 237 patients, and the incidence of VIN was 8.4% in all of contemporary vulvar biopsy. In 17 cases of usual VIN, mean age was 29.6 years, the lesion typically presented with atypical cells involving almost all layers of the epithelium, which was equivalent to the high-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia of cervix. Immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 and p16 was strongly positive in usual VIN. High risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detection was also positive. The incidence of differentiated VIN was less than usual VIN, and there were only 3 cases in this study. In differentiated VIN, patients aged over 50 years, with mean of 53.7 years, and the lesion most commonly presented with lichen sclerosis background. There were epithelial thickening and extending, and parakeratosis, and atypia was strictly confined to the basal and parabasal layers of the epithelium where the cells enlarged with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, presented with prominent nucleoli, increased cellularity and abnormal keratinization. In differentiated VIN, p53 was strongly positive, Ki-67 and p16 immunohistochemical expression was confined to the basal layer only.

CONCLUSIONSVIN is a precursor of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. The modified terminology of ISSVD classifies VIN as high-grade lesions. Definitive pathological diagnosis of VIN plays an important role in its timely treatment and the prevention of vulvar carcinoma.

Adult ; Carcinoma in Situ ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Papillomavirus Infections ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Vulvar Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Young Adult

"Periocular heat" acupuncture manipulation refers to the application of Zheng Kuishan "warming and unblocking acupuncture method" to treatment for eye diseases and the use of this method at point Fengchi(GB20) to produce a heat sensation and make it reach the periocular position. It is one of characteristic techniques from Gansu Zheng's acupuncture academic school. The main point of its performance is the cooperation between pressing hand and needle-holding hand. The pressing hand is valued to promote periocular arrival of needling sensation, unblock periocular meridian, replenish qi to improve eyesight and activate blood to dissipate stasis. It is clinically used to treat eye diseases such as myopia, amblyopia, xeroma and scleritis.

ObjectiveTo determine the value of MRI blooming sign in differentiating benign and malignant small breast masses and investigate its radiologic-pathologic correlation. MethodsThis retrospective study included 554 small breast masses （291 malignant and 263 benign） which were ≤ 2 cm and validated by pathology analysis between June 2016 and September 2020. All 554 patients underwent breast MRI. The clinical characteristics and MR features were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were performed to identify the independent risk factors of breast cancer. Two diagnostic models were constructed based on independent risk factors （model 1 included blooming sign and model 2 didn’t）. ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performances of the two models. The histological changes of peritumoral tissues in all small masses were analyzed. ResultsThe blooming sign was positive in 199 cases （68.4%） of the malignant masses and 25 cases （9.5%） of the benign ones （P＜0.05）. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis showed that age， lesion diameter， margin， ADC value， time signal intensity curve type and blooming sign were independent risk factors for breast cancer. Odds ratio were 1.065， 4.515， 2.811， 0.013， 3.487 and 13.894， respectively. Their corresponding 95%CI were （1.034， 1.097）， （2.368， 8.608）， （1.954， 4.045）， （0.004， 0.049）， （2.087， 5.826） and （7.026， 27.477）， respectively. The diagnostic performance of model 1 （blooming sign included） was better than that of model 2 （blooming sign not included； AUC： 0.938 vs 0.897， P < 0.05）. Histopathological analysis showed that the blooming sign was related to peritumoral lymphocyte infiltration and vascular proliferation. ConclusionsMRI blooming sign is helpful for distinguishing breast cancer from benign masses. The correlated histopathological basis may be peritumoral lymphocyte infiltration and neovascularization.

Adult ; Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Male ; Valsartan ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use