Objective The purpose of this paper is to screen inborn errors of meta bolism (IEM) by analyzing urinary components, so as to provide laboratory guide for their diagnosis and therapy.Methods Urine samples of patients suspected to have IEM were collec- ted.Urea was de compo sed with urease and n-heptadecanoic acid was added as internal standard.Protein was denatured with ethanol and precipitate was removed by centrifugation,dried b y evaporation, the residue was trimethylsilylly derivatized with BSTFA/TMCS,and then analyzed with GC-MS for quantification of organic acids, amino acids,suga rs, polyols, purines and pyrimidines, simultaneously. This procedure is denom inated as urease pretreatment-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (UP-GC-MS) internationally.Results Urinary samples of 327 patients from 6 provinces, cities and autonomous regions were analyzed,and 16 kinds of 27 cases of IEM were screened out with a positiv e rate of 8.26%,among which there were 3 cases of hyperphenylalaninemia,3 cases of glyceroluria,3 cases of Leigh syndrome, 2 cases of propionic acidemia, 2 case s of methylmalonic aciduria, 2 cases of von Gierke′s disease, 2 cases of fructo se-1,6-diphosphatase deficiency, 2 cases of fructosuria, 1 cases of multiple car boxylase deficiency, 1 cases of glutaric acidemia typeⅠ, 1 cases of maple sy rup urine disease, 1 cases of hyperglycinemia, 1 cases of 3-aminoisobutyric acid uria,1 cases of adult-onset typeⅡcitrullinemia,1 cases of galactosemia and 1 ca ses of Fanconi′s syndrome.Several IEM patients above had died,but satisfactory therapeutic effects had been achieved in some diseases,in cluding multiple carboxylase deficiency,methylmalonic aciduria and galactosemia. Other patients′ condition remained to be followed up.Conclusion Analysis of urinary components by UP-GC-MS provides a valuable tool for screenin g of IEM and the results will help to provide effective diagnostic and therapeut ic guide for the patients. J Appl Clin Pediatr,2005,20(2):142-144

The present study was aimed at investigating the expression of calbindin-D28k (CaBP-D28k) in human fallopian tube, which were collected from 33 childbearing age women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy with adnexectomy for benign disease in the pelvic cavity. These women had normal menstrual cycle and history of normal pregnancy. Isthmus, ampullary and umbrella segments of fallopian tubes were respectively collected. These specimens were divided into 6 groups based on their menstrual cycles: early-proliferative stage (n=6), mid-proliferative stage (n=5), late-proliferative stage (n=5), early-secretory stage (n=7), mid-secretory stage (n=5) and late-secretory stage (n=5). The expressions of CaBP-D28k protein and mRNA in fallopian tubes were determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. Positive expressions of CaBP-D28k protein and mRNA were observed in human fallopian tubes. There was no significant difference in the expression of CaBP-D28k protein among the isthmus, ampulla and umbrella segments in the same phase of menstrual cycle (P>0.05). However, in the menstrual cycle, the expression level of CaBP-D28k protein in the epithelium was the lowest during the early- and mid-proliferative stages and increased in both the late-proliferative and early-secretory stages (P<0.05), and then decreased in the mid- and late-secretory stages (P<0.05). The expressed CaBP-D28k protein was disposed to gobbets or dispersed sheets in cytoplasm in the early- and mid- proliferative stages, and showed concentrated granules on the top of cells in the late-proliferative and early-, mid-secretory stages. Then in the late-secretory stage redistribution renewed as in the early- and mid-proliferative stages. The CaBP-D28k mRNA obviously increased in the late-proliferative and early-secretory stages (P<0.05). These findings indicate that the expressions of CaBP-D28k protein and mRNA exist in human fallopian tubes and exhibit a cyclic change.
Calbindin 1 ; metabolism ; Fallopian Tubes ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle

OBJECTIVETo study the use of neural network in determining the risk factors of diseases.

METHODSWith back-propagation neural network (BP network) as fitting model based upon data gathered from an epidemiological survey on diabetes mellitus and under the network structure of 22-6-1, the mean impact value (MIV) for each input variables and sequencing the factors according to their absolute MIVs were calculated. The results from BP network with multiple logistic regression analysis and log-linear model for united actions between factors were compared with optimizing Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm.

RESULTSBy BP network analysis, the sequence of importance for the risk factors of diabetes mellitus became: faster pulse, diabetes mellitus family history, living longer in the investigated area, with medical record of nephropathy, having higher ratio for waist-to-hip, being male, with medical records of diseases as hyperlipoproteinmia, coronary heart disease, hypertension, high diastolic pressure, higher income, do no drink alcohol, age, higher systolic pressure, less educated, body mass index, with medical records of other diseases, physical exercise related to jobs smoking, occupation, with medical record for cerebrovascular disease, with medical record for liver disease etc. However, only 7 factors were statistically significant in multiple logistic regression analysis. The sequence of their importance appeared as: pulse, diabetes mellitus family history, the medical record of nephropathy, waist-to-hip ratio, the medical record of hypertension, work-place related exercise and age. The sequences of importance were almost the same between the two while the difference could partly be explained by the interaction among risk factors through log-linear model.

CONCLUSIONNeural network could be used to analyze the risk factors of diseases and could assimilate more complicated relationships (main effects and interactions) between inputs and outputs, better than using the traditional methods.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Neural Networks (Computer) ; Obesity ; complications ; Pulse ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate apoptosis of tumor infiltrating dendritic cells (TIDC) and their expression of Fas/FasL (CD95/CD95L) in human endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

METHODSThe apoptotic rate of TIDC was measured in 45 cases of endometrioid adenocarcinoma and 20 cases of normal endometrium tissues (control) by double-label immunohistochemistry using the monoclonal antibody S-100 protein and TUNEL technique. The expressions of Fas and FasL in TIDCs were detected using double-label immunohistochemistry and imaging analysis.

RESULTSThe apoptotic rate of TIDCs in endometrioid adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than that in normal endormetrium [(13.02∓0.64)% vs (6.82∓0.53)%, P<0.05]. The expression levels of Fas in the TIDCs were significantly lower, whereas FasL expression significantly higher in endometrioid adenocarcinoma than in normal endormetrium (7.88∓1.05 vs 19.25∓3.03, P<0.05; 12.95∓2.25 vs 7.51∓1.14, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIncreased apoptosis of the TIDCs and abnormal expression of Fas/FasL in TIDCs in endometrioid adenocarcinoma may lead to tumor immune escape.

Apoptosis ; physiology ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating ; immunology ; Tumor Escape ; fas Receptor ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDOld pelvis fractures are among the most challenging fractures to treat because of their complex anatomy, difficult-to-access surgical sites, and the relatively low incidence of such cases. Proper evaluation and surgical planning are necessary to achieve the pelvic ring symmetry and stable fixation of the fracture. The goal of this study was to assess the use of three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques for surgical management of old pelvic fractures.

METHODSFirst, 16 dried human cadaveric pelvises were used to confirm the anatomical accuracy of the 3D models printed based on radiographic data. Next, nine clinical cases between January 2009 and April 2013 were used to evaluate the surgical reconstruction based on the 3D printed models. The pelvic injuries were all type C, and the average time from injury to reconstruction was 11 weeks (range: 8-17 weeks). The workflow consisted of: (1) Printing patient-specific bone models based on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, (2) virtual fracture reduction using the printed 3D anatomic template, (3) virtual fracture fixation using Kirschner wires, and (4) preoperatively measuring the osteotomy and implant position relative to landmarks using the virtually defined deformation. These models aided communication between surgical team members during the procedure. This technique was validated by comparing the preoperative planning to the intraoperative procedure.

RESULTSThe accuracy of the 3D printed models was within specification. Production of a model from standard CT DICOM data took 7 hours (range: 6-9 hours). Preoperative planning using the 3D printed models was feasible in all cases. Good correlation was found between the preoperative planning and postoperative follow-up X-ray in all nine cases. The patients were followed for 3-29 months (median: 5 months). The fracture healing time was 9-17 weeks (mean: 10 weeks). No delayed incision healing, wound infection, or nonunions occurred. The results were excellent in two cases, good in five, and poor in two based on the Majeed score.

CONCLUSIONSThe 3D printing planning technique for pelvic surgery was successfully integrated into a clinical workflow to improve patient-specific preoperative planning by providing a visual and haptic model of the injury and allowing patient-specific adaptation of each osteosynthesis implant to the virtually reduced pelvis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human placental trophoblasts and the role of VEGF in regulating placental villous angiogenesis.

METHODSPlacental samples were obtained from 10 pregnant women receiving induced abortion in the first trimester, 10 receiving induced labor in the second trimester and 10 having cesarean section at term delivery, with gestational duration of 6-9, 18-22 and 37-38 weeks, respectively. All the samples were fixed in formalin solution and prepared for the morphological study. The expression of VEGF and vascular distribution in the placental villi were examined and evaluated by immunohistochemistry and stereomorphometry, respectively.

RESULTSIn the course of pregnancy, there was a significant decrease in the level of VEGF expression in chorionic villi (28.19+/-3.01, 18.65+/-2.43, 4.95+/-0.86, respectively, P<0.01). The radial parameters of the blood vessels showed no significant changes (26.67+/-7.74, 25.08+/-4.67, 23.36+/-5.30, respectively, P>0.05), but the length density of the blood vessels increased significantly (1.46+/-0.64, 5.58+/-1.31, 19.56+/-1.40, respectively, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONDuring gestation, VEGF expression in chorionic villi gradually weakens but the length density of the blood vessels increases, indicating that VEGF is not the only regulatory factor of angiogenesis in the chorionic villi.

Adult ; Chorionic Villi ; blood supply ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; physiology ; Placenta ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Trophoblasts ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the optimum phase and dose of pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) on the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast (OB). METHODS (OB) was isolated from the skull of 10 newly born SD rats aged 1 to 2 days by means of Trypsin-collagenase digestion. After the OB was identified, different kinds of pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with inactive Qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) of different phase (rats were fed with medicine three days or five days after last fed with medicine one hour or three hours) and concentration (5%, 10%, 20%) were added to the OB and incubated. After 7 days and 18 days of culture,the effects of the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast were detected.

RESULTSThe secretion of ALP and formation of mineralized nodules of osteoblast in the different doses of pharmaco-serum groups were almost the same as that of normal control group, but were superior to that in the model control group. And the group with concentration of 20% pharmaco-serum was the best in the secretion of ALP and formation of mineralized nodules of osteoblast. As to the phases of pharmaco-serum, the best one on the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast was the serums from diabetic rat-model fed with Qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) three days or five days, after one hour of last fed with medicine.

CONCLUSIONThe pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) can promote the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast. Allow for time and the cost of experiment,we presume that pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) three days, after one hour of last fed, with concentration of 20% and not-inactivation is the optimum on the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Diabetes Complications ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; enzymology ; physiology ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum ; drug effects ; metabolism

AIMTo explore the expression of ER and PR mRNAs in endometrium with endometriosis.

METHODSThe rat model of endometriosis was established, and the expression of ER, PR mRNAs in the endometrium was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe expression of ER and PR mRNAs in ectopic endometrium was significantly lower than that in eutopic and normal endometrium (P < 0.01). But no difference was observed between eutopic and normal endometrium (P > 0.05). Ratio of ER/PR mRNA in ectopic endometrium was larger than that in eutopic and in normal endometrium (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe result illuminates that the increased ER plays a vital role in the onset of endometriosis.

Animals ; Endometriosis ; metabolism ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; Female ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Estrogen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate neuroendocrine differentiation and its mechanism in ovarian epithelial tumors.

METHODSNeuroendocrine (NE) cells were identified by immunohistochemical staining for chromogranin A and synaptophysin in 79 cases of ovarian epithelial tumor and 22 cases of normal ovary. Double-labeling technique was used for simultaneous detection of CgA and epithelial membrane antigean (EMA), and the staining intensity was quantitatively evaluated using an image analysis system.

RESULTSThe positive staining rate for CgA and SYN in ovarian epithelial tumors was 59.4% and 65.36%, respectively, which was higher than that in normal ovary (P=0.000), in which numerous NE cells were found. Both the number and staining intensity of NE cells in ovarian epithelial tumor were increased as compared with normal ovary. Cells co-expressing CgA and EMA were detected in the ovarian epithelial tumors.

CONCLUSIONThe presence of NE cells in ovarian epithelial tumor suggests heterogeneity of the tumors, and the occurrence of "multidirectional differentiation cells" within the these tumors indicates that NE cells might derive from malignant cells with multidirectional differentiation capacity.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroendocrine Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovary ; cytology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult

Neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD) is a kind of inborn errors of metabolism, with the main clinic manifestations of jaundice, hepatomegaly, and abnormal liver function indices. As a mitochondrial solute carrier protein, citrin plays important roles in aerobic glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, urea cycle, and protein and nucleotide syntheses. Therefore citrin deficiency causes various and complicated metabolic disturbances, such as hypoglycemia, hyperlactic acidemia, hyperammonemia, hypoproteinemia, hyperlipidemia, and galactosemia. This paper reported a case of NICCD confirmed by mutation analysis of SLC25A13, the gene encoding citrin. The baby (male, 6 months old) was referred to the First Affiliated Hospital with the complaint of jaundice of the skin and sclera, which it had suffered from for nearly 6 months. Physical examination showed obvious jaundice and a palpable liver 5 cm below the right subcostal margin. Liver function tests revealed elevated enzymatic activities, like GGT, ALP, AST, and ALT, together with increased levels of TBA, bilirubin (especially conjugated bilirubin), and decreased levels of total protein/albumin and fibrinogen. Blood levels of ammonia, lactate, cholesterol, and triglyceride were also increased, and in particular, the serum AFP level reached 319,225.70 microg/L, a extremely elevated value that has rarely been found in practice before. Tandem mass analysis of a dried blood sample revealed increased levels of free fatty acids and tyrosine, methionine, citrulline, and threonine as well. UP-GC-MS analysis of the urine sample showed elevated galactose and galactitol. The baby was thus diagnosed with suspected NICCD based on the findings. It was then treated with oral arginine and multiple vitamins (including fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K), and was fed with lactose-free and medium-chain fatty acids enriched formula instead of breast feeding. After half a month of treatment, the jaundice disappeared, and the laboratory findings, including liver function indices, blood levels of ammonia, lactate and AFP, were returned to normal level. The baby was followed up for 6 months. It developed well, and the abnormal laboratory findings, including MS-MS and UP-GC-MS analysis results, have been corrected, except a slightly elevated lactate level sometimes. SLC25A13 gene mutation analysis for the patient revealed a compound heterozygote of mutation 851del4 and 1638ins23 and therefore NICCD was definitely diagnosed.
Calcium-Binding Proteins ; deficiency ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Organic Anion Transporters ; deficiency