BACKGROUND: Clinical genetics and molecular biology studies have shown that the occurrence and development of the keloid is closely related to the inheritance. However, it remians unclear if the same is ture to the hypertrophic scar. OBJECTIVE: To investigate similadties and differences of genetic alteration between the hyperplastic scar and the keloid, DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A contrast observational experiment was performed in Guangdong Medical College between March 2007 and December 2008.MATERIALS: Scar samples were taken from 16 patients (in-patient and out-patient) in the Department of Plastic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, with10 patients with hypertrophic scars (3 males and 7 females, 20-50 years old) and 6 patients with keloids (1 males and 5 females, 19-46 years old). METHODS: The DNA of both hyperplastic scar and keloid tissues was extracted to investigate, using comparative genomic hybridization technique, the genomic imbalance (the lose or amplification of genetic material), so as to make a comparative study on differences of the DNA copy number changes between the two. RESULTS: Neither altofrequent loss nor amplification of DNA copy number was found in any specific DNA region of hyperplastic scar tissues; as for the keloid, special DNA altofrequent loss regions were also not found, but altofrequent DNA copy number loss regions presented in 1, 16, 20 and 22 chromosomes. Comparatively, the keloid presented much higher loss rate of the DNA copy number in 1,16,20 and 22 chromosomes than the hyperplastic scar (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: The hyperplastic scar has no conspicuous DNA copy number lose or amplification compared with the keloid, which indicates that the occurrence and development of the hyperplastic scar may not have any direct relation with the inheritance.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the postburn dynamic changes in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal hormones in severely burned patients.

METHODSFifty burn patients were enrolled in the study. The plasma contents of total GC (cortisol), ACTH and aldosterone (ALDO) and urinary contents of 17-OHO and 17-KS were determined with radio-immunological assay (RIA) method after burn injury to compare with the normal values which were well established clinically.

RESULTSThe postburn plasma and urinary contents of the above indices were increased evidently with two peak values in shock and infectious stages, whilst the majority of he indices were lower than the normal values after 6 postburn weeks (PBWs). The values of these hormones were the lowest in dying patients. On the other hand, the values approached normal levels in those patients whose burn wounds were healing.

CONCLUSIONIncreases of the plasma and urinary levels of hypothalamus-pituitary -adrenal hormones in severely burned patients were constantly seen. Burn shock and infection seemed to be the two major factors in inducing postburn stress reaction in burn victims. Abrupt decrease of the hormone levels in plasma and or urine indicated adrenal failure predicting a poor prognosis of the burn patients.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; metabolism ; Adult ; Burns ; metabolism ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothalamic Hormones ; metabolism ; Male ; Pituitary Hormones ; metabolism ; Shock, Traumatic ; metabolism ; surgery ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

Abdomen ; Hernia ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the expressions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT) mRNA and protein in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma and their significance as diagnostic markers in predicting the biological behaviour of these tumours.Methods Expression of hTERT mRNA was determined by in situ hybridization in 45 pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas(31 benign,7 suspected malignant and 7 malignant) and 9 normal adrenal medulla samples,hTERT protein was determined by immunohistoebemistry.Results hTERT mRNA was expressed in 5/7 malignant turnouts and 5/7 suspected malignant tumours as compared with 3/31 benign tumours(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the polymorphic (AT)n repeats in 3ountranslated region of exon 4 of CTLA4 gene [CTLA4(AT)n] and Graveso disease (GD) in Zhuang nationality population of Guangxi province.

METHODSThe studied groups comprised 48 patients with GD and 44 normal controls. Amplification of target DNA was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplified products were run by 8% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and then followed by 0.1% silver staining. Some of amplified products were sequenced directly.

RESULTSNineteen alleles of CTLA4 gene microsatellite polymorphism were found in Guangxi Zhuang nationality individuals. The 106 bp long allele was apparently increased in patients with GD of Zhuang nationality but not in healthy controls (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCTLA4 gene microsatellite polymorphism is strongly associated with Graveso disease in Zhuang nationality population of Guangxi province. CTLA4(AT)n 106 bp may be the susceptible gene in GD patients of Zhuang nationality in Guangxi; 19 alleles of CTLA4 gene microsatellite polymorphism were found in Guangxi Zhuang nationality individuals.

Adult ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; China ; Dinucleotide Repeats ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Graves Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo investigate the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the novel hyperplasia suppressor gene (HSG) to uncover the relationship between HSG SNP and hypertension.

METHODSTotally, 74 normotensive people (38 men and 36 women), 51 patients with essential hypertension (27 men and 24 women) and 20 hypertensive patients with family history of essential hypertension (9 men and 11 women) were chosen, with mean ages of (54 +/- 8) years, (57 +/- 8) years and (38 +/- 22) years, respectively. Peripheral venous blood specimen was collected from each of them and then DNA was extracted. The right primers were designed for DNA amplification with PCR. Each of the PCR-products from different groups was sequenced by ABI PRISM 377-DNA sequencer and their base components and characteristics of the same fragment were compared each other.

RESULTSBlood levels of creatinine (CRE) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly higher in the hypertensives than in the normotensives (P < 0.01). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in the hypertensives and the hypertensives with family history of essential hypertension than in the normotensives (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). There existed three kinds of SNP in the HSG 12th intron (1q82139 G/A, 82153C/G and 82273G/-), and there was significant difference in 1q82153C/G and 82273G/- SNP between the hypertensives and normotensives (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) and between the hypertensives with family history and the normotensives (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01). And, the similar difference in C/G allele and G deletion could be found in different populations. Moreover, the CC genetype of 1q82153 was common in the population (P < 0.01) and G deletion was more common in Chinese Han people with family history of essential hypertension. There was no significant difference existed in 1q82139 G/A mutation among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONSMeasurements of renal function indicators (CRE and BUN) could probably reflect earlier advance of hypertension and damage to target organs. There existed three kinds of mutation in the 12th intron of the HSG 1q82139 G/A, 82153 C/G and 82273 G/-. The 1q82139 G/A could be a nonsense mutation and there was significant difference in the 1q82153 C/G and 1q82273 G/- SNP and gene frequencies between different Chinese Han populations, which could be independent risk factors for essential hypertension.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; Female ; Genes ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; Hypertension ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; pathology ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of clarithromycin (CAM) treatment in adult Chinese patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) or without nasal polyps (CRSsNP).

METHODSA prospective, open and self-controlled clinical trial on patients with CRS was conducted. Fifty patients met inclusion criteria. Of 50 patients, there were 33 patients with CRSsNP and 17 patients with CRSwNP. CAM was administered at 250 mg/d and the duration of administration was 12 weeks. Outcome measures included assessments of visual analogue scale (VAS), the sino-nasal outcome test-20(SNOT-20), the medical outcomes study short-form 36 items(SF-36), Lund-Kennedy endoscopy score, and Lund-Mackay computed tomography score. Before starting the treatment, 2 months after treatment and at the end of treatment, each patient had to complete all the measures except Lund-Mackay computed tomography score, which was only conducted before and after treatment. In order to evaluate the safety of CAM, liver function and renal function in all patients were detected before and after treatment. SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSForty-five patients completed 3 months follow-up and 5 patients withdrew due to different reasons. The results were as follows: (1) Thirty-three patients with CRSsNP's VAS scores of four time point were 5.81 ± 1.69, 3.76 ± 1.94, 2.98 ± 1.95, 2.06 ± 2.13, respectively, there were statistically significant improvements in turn (t values were 5.910, 8.090, 8.932, all P < 0.05). Endoscopy score of four time point were 6.28 ± 1.28, 5.00 ± 1.67, 4.12 ± 1.76, 3.12 ± 2.19, respectively, there were statistically significant improvements in turn compared with before treatment (t values were 6.662, 9.161, 9.936, all P < 0.05). The CT scores before and after treatment were 10.33 ± 4.65 and 4.67 ± 4.59, respectively (t = 7.226, P = 0.000) . (2) Seventeen patients with CRSwNP's VAS scores of four time point were 6.07 ± 2.02, 4.87 ± 2.61, 4.06 ± 2.85, 4.08 ± 2.80, respectively, there were statistically significant improvements after 2 or 3 months (t values were 3.285, 3.468, both P < 0.05) except after one month (t = 1.846, P > 0.05). Endoscopy score of four time point were 10.65 ± 1.77, 9.35 ± 1.93, 8.65 ± 2.76, 8.47 ± 2.76, respectively, there were statistically significant improvements in turn(t values were 4.068, 4.863, 5.156, all P < 0.05). The CT scores before and after treatment were 13.82 ± 4.94 and 11.41 ± 5.12, respectively (t = 3.975, P = 0.001). (3) During the period of CAM treatment, 1 patient reported a tolerable headache and weakness and 1 patient had abdominal pain after two months treatment, all the symptoms disappeared while they were asked to stop the drug. Liver function and renal function were detected in 40 patients, the differences before and after treatment were not significant statistically.

CONCLUSIONSLong-term, low-dose CAM treatment is effective in the treatment of CRSsNP and CRSwNP in Chinese patients. Meanwhile, the efficacy of CAM is more significant in polyp-free group compared with polyp group. Low does CAM therapy is safe, and the liver function and renal function does not worsen after 3 months treatment.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Clarithromycin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Sinusitis ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome(MS)and its components among people aged over 15 years in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and to compare the difference between Zhuang and Han populations.Methods Adopting cluster sampling,a survey of diabetes mellitus was conducted in Guangxi from 2003 to 2005.A total of 27 240 subjects aged over 15 years with complete data,including background information of each individual,blood pressure,lipid profile,plasma glucose,blood uric acid and fasting insulin were analyzed in this study.The prevalence of MS and its components were analysed in Han and Zhuang Chinese in Guangxi.The criteria of International Diabetes Federation(IDF)in 2005 and the China Diabetes Society(CDS)in 2004 were applied for diagnosis.Results(1)The crude prevalence rates of MS according to IDF definition were 13.15%in total,12.41%in male and 14.11%in female respectively.The age- standardized prevalence rates of MS(according to the population composition in China in 2000)were 7.66%in total,7.26%in male and 8.81%in female.The crude prevalence rates of MS according to CDS definition were 10.75%in total,13.45%in male and 7.28%in female respectively and the age-standar-dized prevalence rates of MS were 5.9%in total,7.21%in male and 4.31%in female.The prevalence of MS in total,male and female was increasing with age(P

BACKGROUNDHypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) carries an increased risk for sudden cardiac death. No data regarding the percutaneous transseptal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) and epicardial left ventricular pacing (LVP) were reported.

METHODSSeven patients with recurrent symptoms and increased resting left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient (LVOTG) after PTSMA and another 14 patients with HOCM without history of PTSMA were studied. Both resting and dobutamine stress echocardiography, PTSMA and LVP were routinely performed.

RESULTSIn patients without previous PTSMA procedure, mild reduction of resting LVOTG was detected at 5 minutes after left ventricular pacing, and this reduction became significant at 10 minutes. All patients were divided into successful and unsuccessful groups according to their response to LVP. In contrary to patients in unsuccessful group, resting and R-S2 stimuli-induced LVOTG during PTSMA procedure were decreased dramatically ((9 +/- 5) mmHg vs (58 +/- 12) mmHg, (12 +/- 2) mmHg vs (113 +/- 27) mmHg, P < 0.001). Analysis of Logistic regression demonstrated that only LVOTG level during left ventricular pacing was an independent factor predicting the reduction of LVOTG immediately after PTSMA (odds ratio (OR), 0.59; 95% CI 2.67 to 5.82; P = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONLeft ventricular endocardial temporary pacing plays a critical role in predicting acute effect on the reduction of LVOTG immediately after PTSMA procedure.

Adult ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pressure ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of Chinese guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (2008, Nanchang) on a national scale.

METHODSThe contents of the guideline and its relevant applied indicators were designed into an initial questionnaire and, after a pre-survey, revised into a formal questionnaire. Then a stratified sampling was selected out of otolaryngology practitioners in the different level hospitals across the country. After a uniform training, the investigators were sent to these different hospitals to conduct questionnaire survey by face to face interview with otolaryngology respondents. Based on the summarized data, statistical analyses on the awareness and practice status of the guideline, together with their influencing factors, were made. SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSIssuing and withdrawing questionnaires were performed from December 2012 to June 2013 and 1 240 respondents in 350 hospitals from 30 different provinces, municipalities or autonomous regions were effectively investigated. An average awareness and practice rate of 48.7% and 40.8% upon the guideline was acquired, respectively. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.280, P = 0.000) between the two indicators. With linear regression, county-level hospitals, junior practitioners, non-rhino professionals were the risk factors of poor guideline adherence. In addition, respondents form western region showed lower awareness and practice rate than that of ones from central and eastern region.

CONCLUSIONThe adherence on Chinese guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis is nationally low, so popularization of activities should be urgently strengthened, especially in focus areas, focus hospitals, and focus groups.

Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Guideline Adherence ; Humans ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Risk Factors ; Sinusitis ; therapy ; Surveys and Questionnaires