No abstract available.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the virological response of managing chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with peg-interferon alpha-2b (PEG-IFN alpha-2b) and ribavirin.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the virological response of 40 patients with different genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after anti-HCV management. Patients were given different dosages of PEG-IFN alpha-2b and ribavirin based on their weights. The duration of treatment was 48 weeks for patients infected by HCV genotype 1, and was 24 weeks for the others. HCV RNA was tested before treatment, 12 weeks post management, end of treatment, and 24 weeks after treatment stopped.

RESULTSData from 40 patients were collected. Among them, 24 cases experienced HCV genotype 1 infection, and 16 cases were infected with other genotypes. Between these two groups, the early virological responses were 75.0% (18/24) and 87.5% (14/16), the end-of-treatment virological responses were 80.0% (16/20) and 85.7% (12/14), and the sustained virological responses were 56.2% (9/16) and 78.5% (11/14), respectively.

CONCLUSIONBody weight-based customized PEG-IFN alpha-2b in combination with ribavirin can effectively treat patients with different genotypes of CHC.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Recombinant Proteins ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribavirin ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome

The infection status of anisakid larvae was examined in 290 marine fish of 25 species and in 108 cephalopods of 3 species purchased in Bayuquan region, Yingko city nearby the coast of the Bohai Sea from may to August 1992. A total of 7,327 larvae were collected from 156 fish of 19 species and 8 squids of one species. The 3rd-stage larvae of Anisakis simplex were collected from 121 fish (63.4%) of 15 species (N = 191) and from 8 squids (14.8%) of one species (N = 54), and they were total, 5,992 (81.8%). Out of remaining 1,335 larvae, 154 (2.1%) were classified as Thynnascaris type B from 23 fish of 4 species, 1,013 (13.8%) as Thynnascaris type C from 79 fish of 13 species. 164 (2.2%) as Hysterothylacium China type V from 20 fish of 4 species, 3 (0.04%) as Raphidascaris from 3 fish of 2 species and one was Pseudoterranova decipiens larva.
Animal ; Anisakiasis/veterinary* ; Anisakiasis/parasitology ; Anisakiasis/epidemiology ; Anisakis/isolation & purification ; Anisakis/classification* ; China ; Fish Diseases/parasitology* ; Fish Diseases/epidemiology ; Fishes ; Larva ; Seawater ; Squid/parasitology*

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of homeobox gene Msx-1, Msx-2 and Dlx-2 during murine mandibular first molar development.

METHODSThe murine heads or mandibles on embryonic days 11-18 (E11-18) and postnatal day 1-3 (P1-3) were removed, fixed and embedded, 5 micro m serial sections were cut in the coronal plane. Msx-1, Msx-2 and Dlx-2 RNA probes were synthesized by in vitro transcription and labeled with digoxigenin. Msx-1, Msx-2 and Dlx-2 mRNA expression was observed after in situ hybridization.

RESULTSDuring molar development Msx-1 transcripts appeared only in mesenchymal cells, not in epithelial cells. Msx-2 and Dlx-2 both expressed in the epithelial and mesenchymal cells. At the initiation stage of the molar development Msx-2 and Dlx-2 had similar expression. At the bud stage (E13-14) Msx-2 mRNA signaling was intensive in the enamel organ and slight in the dental mesenchyme; Dlx-2 signaling was stronger in the dental papilla. At cap stage (E15-16) Msx-2 showed prominent mRNA signaling in enamel knot and Dlx-2 was maximal in the dental papilla. At the late bell stage (P2-3) Msx-2 transcripts were observed in odontoblasts but not labeled in ameloblasts, and Dlx-2 transcripts appeared in ameloblasts but no labeling was seen in odontoblasts.

CONCLUSIONSMsx-1, Msx-2 and Dlx-2 are expressed in various patterns during murine mandibular first molar development, suggesting they possibly play a role in the interaction between the epithelium and mesenchyme during the molar development.

Animals ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Genes, Homeobox ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; MSX1 Transcription Factor ; Male ; Mandible ; embryology ; Mice ; Molar ; embryology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

The present study investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnetic fields on the synaptic ultrastructure of hippocampal formation of rats at different postnatal development stages. Pregnant rats with gestation of 12-18 days were exposed to the magnetic fields used for MRI clinical applications. When the offspring were 1, 2, or 5-month-old, the synaptic morphologic parameters were measured in female offspring. In the 2-month-old MRI group, the curvature of synaptic interface, the length of active zone and the surface density per unit volume (S(v)) of active zone in the dentate gyrus (DG) decreased significantly, and the width of synaptic cleft increased in the CA1 area. In the 5-month-old MRI group, the width of synaptic cleft increased, the thickness of postsynaptic density and the curvature of synaptic interface decreased significantly in the CA1 region, and the width of synaptic cleft increased in the DG. No significant change was observed in the 1-month-old group. These results suggest that prenatal exposure to the medical magnetic fields causes synaptic ultrastructural changes. The relationship of these changes with behavioral impairments was discussed.
Animals ; Female ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; adverse effects ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synapses ; pathology

Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; epidemiology ; Alcoholism ; complications ; pathology ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; complications ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

Objective Modified upper abdominal cluster transplantation (MCT), which was inspired by the classical cluster transplant technique, has been proven more effective and feasible in the treatment of patients with end stage liver diseases associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM) than orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) alone. In this study, we summarized our experience with MCT in 5 consecutive patients suffering from end stage liver diseases associated with insulin-dependent type 2 DM in our single center.Methods Five patients with hepatitis B-related chronic liver cirrhosis and insulin dependent type 2 DM received MCT in our single center. The biliary and exocrine pancreatic drainage reconstructions were achieved by a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy or a side-to-side duodenojejunostomy. A quadruple immunosuppressive regimen based on tacrolimus including Basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and steroids was used in the early stage post-transplant, and then converted to tacrolimus monotherapy.Results All of the patients experienced an uneventful post-operative recovery. They were rendered independent from insulin therapy shortly after transplantation. The fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were within normal range. In addition, the fasting C-peptide value was increased from much lower than the normal range pre-transplant to within normal range post-transplant and maintained stable since then. However, the third patient suffered from graft verse host disease (GVHD) 20 days post-operatively and died from severe infection on the post-operative 47 days. The other 4 patients had returned to work and a normal lifestyle over 22, 15, 5 and 4 months of follow-up.Conclusion MCT is an effective method in treating patients suffering from end stage liver diseases combined with insulin-dependent type 2 DM. Whether a cluster graft would increase the risk of GVHD needs further investigation.

Objective:To evaluate the functional outcome and the complication rate after open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures with a "time-angle measurement" reduction evaluation technique,to assess the acceptance of the fracture reduction and to estimate the result of the surgery.Methods:Forty-six patients [mean age:(66.2 ± 14.9) years] with an acute proximal humeral fracture were managed with open reduction and internal fixation with this reduction evaluation technique from January 2012 to December 2013.According to the Neer classification,there were 6 two-part fractures,25 three-part fractures and 15 four-part fractures.The functional outcome was evaluated for each patient using the Constant-Murley score;radiographic evaluation was also conducted and complications were recorded.The postoperative shoulder function recovery and imaging findings were followed up to evaluate the guiding significance of this reduction evaluation technique in the clinical treatment of this kind of fracture.Results:In the study,46 patients had been followed up for 13-36 months,and the average follow-up time was (23.5 ± 7.3) months.All the patients achieved fracture healing 3 months after operation.The average head-shaft angle was (124 ± 3.5) degrees.According to the Constant scoring system,29 patients (63％) had excellent,14 patients (30％) had good,and 3 patients (7％) had poor results.The most common complications were pain (7/65) and restricted movement of the shoulder (5/ 46).There were no cases of screw penetration,necrosis of humeral head,deep tissue infection,nonunion of fracture and axillary nerve injury after operation.Conclusion:For appropriate cases of displaced proxinal humeral fractures,surgical treatment with application of "time-angle measurement" reduction evaluation technique that was introduced in the present study can lead to a good functional outcome,and the technique of reduction assessment should be regarded as a reasonable reference standard in the treatment of displaced proximal humerus fracture.

Objective：The fifth edition of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) staging manual defines new rules for classifying nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the manual to predict the prognosis for Chinese patient populations. Methods：From August 1992 to December 1993, a total of 621 consecutively admitted patients with nondisseminated NPC were treated with definitive-intent radiation therapy alone. A computer database containing all information for staging was formed on presentation. The extent of disease of each patient was restaged according to the 1997 UICC system. Results：The 1997 UICC system creates subgroups (Stages Ⅰ -Ⅳ ) that are assigned to 38 (6.1％ ), 270 (43.5％ ), 156 (25.1％ ), and 157 (25.3％ ) patients, respectively. The incidence of parapharyngeal extension was 74.1％ (460/621). Of these patients (460) with parapharyngeal extension, 310 (67.4％ ) patients were classified as T2 disease, The 5-year Overall survival(OS) rates were 89％ , 70％ , 53％ , and 37％ for Stages Ⅰ -Ⅳ , respectively. The 1997 UICC system showed highly significant differences between the overall stages for both OS and relapse-free survival(RFS). The 1997 UICC T-classifications showed significant correlation with local failure, and N classification was accurate in predicting freedom from distant metastasis(FDM). Conclusion：The 1997 UICC staging system for NPC is prognostically useful for Chinese patient populations. However, an uneven patient number distribution was noted. Subdivision of parapharyngeal extension should be included in future revisions of the staging system.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by myofibroblast foci in lung parenchyma.Myofibroblasts are thought to originate from epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).Wnt1 and lithium chloride (LiCl) induce EMT in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs),but the mechanisms are unclear.AECs were treated with Wnt1 and LiCl,respectively;morphological change and molecular changes of EMT,including E-cadherin,fibronectin,and vimentin,were observed.SB203580 was administrated to test the role of p38 MAPK signaling in EMT.Then AECs were treated with siRNAs targeting p38 MAPK to further test the effects of p38 MAPK,and the role was further confirmed by re-expression of p38 MAPK.At last β-catenin siRNA was used to test the role of β-catenin in the EMT process and relationship of β-catenin and p38 MAPK was concluded.Exposure of AECs to Wnt1 and LiCl resulted in upregulation of vimentin and fibronectin with subsequent downregulation of E-cadherin.Wnt1 and LiCl stimulated the p38 MAPK signaling pathways.Perturbing the p38 MAPK pathway either by SB203580 or through p38 MAPK siRNA blocked EMT and inhibited fibronetin synthesis,which were reversed by transfection of p38 MAPK expression plasmid.β-catenin siRNA attenuated the EMT process and decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation,indicating that β-catenin is involved in the EMT-related changes through regulation of p38 MAPK phosphorylation.These findings suggest that p38 MAPK participates in the pathogenesis of EMT through Wnt pathway and that p38 MAPK may be a novel target for IPF therapy.