Agricultural Workers' Diseases ; Agriculture ; Humans

Objective The change of thyroid hormones affects male sexual function, but the underlying physiological mechanism is not yet clear.The aim of this study was to explore the association of thyroid hormones with abnormal penile neuro-electrophysiology in patients with premature ejaculation (PE).Methods This retrospective study included 52 acquired PE (APE) patients aged 35.36 ± 8.39 years and 24 healthy males aged 32.87±7.45 years.We measured the levels of thyroid hormones in all the subjects and, based on the latency time of penile sympathetic skin responses (PSSR), classified the APE patients into a normal (n=31) and an abnormal PSSR type (n=31).Results The concentration of total tetraiodothyronine (TT4) in the serum was significantly higher in the APE patients than in the normal control ([102.81±18.37] vs [92.68±11.56] nmol/L, P=0.018).The levels of serum TT4 and free tetraiodothyronine (FT4) were both markedly increased in the APE patients of the abnormal PSSR type as compared with those of the normal PSSR type ([113.28±20.89] vs [95.72±12.42] nmol/L, P<0.001 and [12.02±0.88] vs [10.81±1.63] nmol/L, P=0.003).The FT4 concentration was correlated negatively with the latency time of PSSR (r=-0.363, P=0.008) and positively with the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) scores (r=0.455, P=0.001).Conclusion Abnormal PSSR may be associated with elevated levels of thyroid hormones in APE patients, and regulation of thyroid hormone levels may help improve the symptoms of PE with abnormal PSSR.

BACKGROUND: Much attention has been focused on mandibular condyle fracture, which has long been considered as a severe injury to the temporomandibular joint(TMJ). Restricted by diagnostic methods, many studies have been conducted on transverse fracture whereas little attention has been paid to longitudinal fracture of the mandibular condyle. Even less is known about longitudinal fracture in young children.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of childhood longitudinal fracture of the mandibular condyle on secondary ankylosis of TMJ.DESIGN: A randomized controlled study.SETTING: Department of Stomatology, General Hospital of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The experiment was completed in the Center for Experimental Animals, General Hospital of Chinese PLA. Twelve young Chinese experimental miniature pigs bred by the Institute of Experimental Animals, Beijing Agriculture University, aged 2 -3 months and weighing(5 -5.5) kg, were used and raised with mixed feed, and then divided into 3 groups randomly.METHODS: Food and water was forbidden for the miniature pigs 12 hours before operation. Under anesthesia with(5.0 - 15.0) mg/kg ketamine/xylazine abdominally injected, conventional disinfection was performed in the right lateral decubitus position and layer-by-layer preauricular incisions were made on the left side of the miniature pigs. The joint cyst was incised transversely and the lower cavity of TMJ was exposed and dragged downwards. The mandibular condyle was cleaved into two vertically along the inner 1/3 part of it with a 5.0 mm-wide bone chisel to cause inferior and posterior sagittal fractures. The miniature pigs were executed 3 months and 6 months after operation, and their condyles were cut for observation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:①The morphological changes of mandibular condyle specimens in the three groups observed with the naked eyes.②The pathological changes of mandibular condyle specimens under light microscope.RESULTS: The articular disc was adhered to the mandibular condyle after 3months. Temporal fossa adhered to the articular disc and mandibular condyle could still be observed in one specimen. Bifid condylar deformity was found in two specimens and no disc perforation was found. The adhesions became more severe after 6 months and bifid condylar deformity was formed in all the 3 specimens, with distinctly thickened discs. Light microscope observation:Three months after fracture, the adhesion between disc and condyle was obvious. There was no clear boundary between the surrounding tissues. The adhesion was composed of fibro-connective tissues, with a large number of chondrocytes in it. Fibro-connective tissues tightly adhered to the trabeculae were found in some adhesions. The fiber of disc became deranged and blood vessels and fatty cells were seen. Six months after fracture, blood vessels, a large number of fibroblasts and sparse chondrocytes were seen in the adhesions. The collagen fibers of the discs were arranged in whirlpool shape. There were a large number of fatty cells and blood vessels within it. The fiber-cartilage of the condylar surface was found thickened and the fiber deranged in the unadhered tissues. Proliferative changes were seen on disc surfaces.CONCLUSION: Childhood longitudinal fracture of the mandibular condyle causes severe secondary injury to TMJ, suggesting a close correlation between longitudinal fracture of the mandibular condyle and TMJ ankylosis.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy ofLing Gui Ba Fa (eight magic turtle techniques) needling method plus points selection based on syndrome differentiation.Method Sixty patients with peripheral facial paralysis were recruited and randomized into a treatment group and a control group by using random number table, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by Ling Gui Ba Fa needling method plus points selection based on syndrome differentiation; the control group was treated by ordinary points selection based on syndrome differentiation. The clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared respectively after 1, 2, and 3 courses of treatment.Result The facial nerve function grading of the affected side was significantly changed after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05). The markedly effective rate of the treatment group was significantly different from that of the control group respectively in the 2nd and 3rd treatment course and after the 3 courses of treatment (P<0.05); the total effective rate of the treatment group was significantly different from that of the control group respectively in the 1st and 2nd treatment course (P<0.05); there were no significant differences in comparing the total effective rate between the two groups in the 3rd treatment course and after the 3 courses of treatment (P>0.05).The total effective rate in the early stage and markedly effective rate in the later stage of treatment in the treatment group were superior to those in the control group. Although there was no significant difference in comparing the final total effective rate, the treatment group had a shorter treatment duration and faster action compared to the control group.ConclusionLing Gui Ba Fa needling method plus points selection based on syndrome differentiation can produce a faster action and shorten the treatment period in treating peripheral facial paralysis.

Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of miR-21 on ADAMTS-1 expression in pulmonary fibrosis model. Methods A mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was established using bleomycin (BLM) anda model of pulmonary fibrosis was constructed in vitro , the expression level of miR-21 was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), while the protein expression of ADAMTS-1 was measured by Western blot. NIH3T3 were transfected with miR-21 mimics and inhibitor in vitro and the cellular expression of ADAMTS-1 was measured by Western blot. Results Compared with the blank group , in mouse models of pulmonary fibrosis , the miR-21 expressions in lung tissues at three time points after BLM-treatment were significantly up-regulated while an evident decrease in ADAMTS-1 expressions were observed (P < 0.01). In vitro pulmonary fibrosis model , NIH3T3 cells after TGF-β1 in concentration 5 μg/L stimulation down-regulated ADAMTS-1 expression and up-regulated miR-21 expression (P < 0.01). NIH3T3 transfected with miR-21 mimics and inhibitor, up-regulated miR-21 expression, while down-regulated ADAMTS-1 protein expression. Conclusions Up-regulation of miR-21 and Down-regulation of ADAMTS-1 might be involved in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis model; miR-21 could negatively regulate ADAMTS-1 expression.

The B.subtilis ywtD gene,encoding a ?-polyglutamic acid(?-PGA)depolymerase,was amplified from the genome of B.subtilis NX-2 by PCR.The comparability between the cloned ywtD gene sequence to the reported sequence is high to 99.0%.Only one of the substituted nucleotide base caused the change to the amino acid sequence.The recombinant plasmid pET-15b-ywtD was then transformed into E.coli Rosetta(DE3)and the ywtD gene product could be expressed with the induction of 0.5mmol/L IPTG.The YwtD protein exhibited a remarkable activity in ?-polyglutamic acid degradation.The molecular weight of ?-PGA could be reduced from 700kDa to 20kDa after 72h through the enzymatic hydrolysis and consequently trended to be constant.

Objective To study the changes of serum level of high mobility group box-1(HMGB- 1)in patients with multiple trauma in order to forecast organ dysfunction(OD)and deaths.Methods The optical densities of HMGB-1 in serum of 35 patients with multiple trauma were determined on 1st,3rd, and 7th days after trauma,and the incidence of organ dysfunction and deaths were evaluated,then analyzed statistically to learn the relation between the serum levels of HMGB-1 and deaths with an attempt of predic- ting the incident of organ dysfunction and deaths.Results (1)As OD was concerned,there was a statis- tically significant difference in optical density of HMGB-1 on 1st and 3rd days between the two groups of multiple injury patients(t=4.411,P

20(Z= -2.117, P=0.034), and between the patients with OD and without OD (Z=-3.089, P=0.002), but PCT was not so between the non-surviror and survivor (Z=-1.307, P=0.191). The serum PCT level correlated with the incidence of organ dysfunction (x~2=14.82, P=0.033) and APACHEII (x~2=12.83, P

Objective To observe the effect of underwater treadmill training on patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods 11 patients with incomplete SCI were treated with underwater treadmill training, besides other comprehensive rehabilitation. Motor and sense scores were assessed using ASIA2000 standard and recorded before and after the underwater treadmill training. Walking distances, maximal walking velocity when training and changes of activities of daily living (ADL) before and after training were also recorded.Results After underwater treadmill training, the sense score of ASIA increased ( P<0.05), motor score of ASIA, and scores of walking distance, maximal walking velocity and ADL increased significantly ( P<0.01).Conclusion The underwater treadmill training along with other routine rehabilitation treatment may be helpful to improve motor and sensory functions and ADL of patients with incomplete SCI.

Objective To report the development of clinical symptoms in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia(adPEO).Methods Electromyologram and muscle biopsy were performed in the proband and 4 family members with the disease.Results The proband was a 57 year-old woman,who developed bilateral ptosis after the age of 30,external ophthalmoplegia after the age of 35 years old,weakness of extremities at the age of 37 years old and bulb palsy with palmus at the age of 47 years old.In the family there were 20 male and female members from five generations.All of them complained about bilateral ptosis between 26—33 years old,external ophthalmoplegia(12/15)and weakness of all extremities(14/15)between 35—45,facial and masticatory weakness(9/9)as well as dysphagia(8/9)between 44—60,accompanied with heart lesions(4/7)after 50 years old.Some patients died due to cardiac impairment.Electromyologram showed myopathic abnormalities in the examined patients. The main myopathological changes were ragged red fibers,cytochrome c oxidase negative fibers and ragged blue fibers in succinate dehydrogenase staining.Conclusions The adPEO started from extra-ocular muscles to limbs,finally facial and bulbar muscles.Heart lesions were presented in late stage and lead to death in some members.The developing process of symptoms suggested that we should pay more attention to cardiac manifestations in this disease.