Objective To compare the image quality and scanning dose of time-subtraction and dual-energy-subtraction cerebral CT angiography, and to assess clinical application value of both methods. Methods Plain and enhanced scanning were performed on 60 patients suspected cerebral vessel diseases with dual-source CT. Dual-energy mode with tube voltages of 140 and 80 kV was used in enhanced scanning, and data of two different energy were collected in one scanning. ①Traditional removed-bone digital subtraction (time-subtraction) with plain and 80 kV enhanced scanning data were obtained. Volume render (VR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) reconstruction were finished; ②Direct removed-bone digital subtraction (dual-energy subtraction) with 80 kV and 140 kV enhanced scanning data were obtained. VR and MIP reconstruction were finished. The image quality of VR and MIP was divided into 4 grades, and were compared as well as average effective radiological dose. All the diseases were confirmed with surgery or DSA. Average effective radiological dose was compared with time-subtraction and dual-energy subtraction. Results Internal carotid artery trunk and branch and Willis circles were displayed clearly with two methods in 60 cases. No significant difference was found (P>0.05) between total quality score of the two methods. The size, shape, neck and axis point of aneurysm in 24 cases were clearly displayed, so as the shape and extent of abnormal vessel bolus in 4 cases, while arteries and veins were also clear in artery-vein malformation; ③The average radiological dose was (26.60±0.50)mSv in time-subtraction and (22.40±0.50) mSv in dual-energy subtraction. Conclusion The normal, abnormal vessels and diseases can be clearly displayed at time-subtraction and dual-energy subtraction CTA. The effect of dual-energy-subtraction is better than that of time-subtraction CTA in no-cooperation patients, and the radiological dose is lower in dual-energy CTA.

Objective To investigate the possibility of differentiation and spermiogenesis of spermatocytes under in vitro condition. Methods Testis biopsy was done in 11 cases with non-obstructive azoospermia.Cells were prepared from 9 samples with spermatocytes and cultured in medium containing follicle stimulating hormone 50 U/L and testosterone 1 μmol/L.Sperms and cells of other types were counted and the proportion of every cell type was calculated before and 24 hours after culture.Flow cytometry was conducted before and 24 hours after culture in 2 cases to analyze the ploidy of the cells. Results The proportion of sperm in 9 samples was ( 17.7 ± 8.9 ) ％ before culture and ( 25.6 ± 10.3 ) ％ after culture ( P =0.004).Sperm increased significantly after culture.Flow cytometry demonstrated that the diagram of 4 n,2 n and 1 n converted to 2 n and broader 1 n. Conclusion Meiosis of spermatocytes and the transformation of spermatid into sperm could arise in in vitro culture.

This study examined the ability of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (β-PGG) to induce the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the PC12 cells and its regulation in the PC12 cells. One week before treatment with the drug, nerve growth factor (NGF) was added to the cultures at a final concentration of 50 ng/mL to induce neuronal differentiation. After drug treatment, HO-1 gene transcription was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expression of HO-1 and NF-E2-related factor2 (Nrf2) and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt were detected by Western blotting. The viability of the PC12 cells treated with different medicines was examined by MTT assay. The oxidative stress in the PC12 cells was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively by DCFH-DA. The results showed that β-PGG up-regulated HO-1 expression and this increased expression provided neuroprotection against MPP(+)-induced oxidative injury. Moreover, β-PGG induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation, which was found to be upstream of β-PGG-induced HO-1 expression, and the activation of ERK and Akt, a pathway that is involved in β-PGG-induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation, HO-1 expression and neuroprotection. In conclusion, β-PGG up-regulates HO-1 expression by stimulating Nrf2 nuclear translocation in an ERK- and Akt-dependent manner, and HO-1 expression by β-PGG may provide the PC12 cells with an acquired antioxidant defense capacity to survive the oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVETo study the curative effect of Zhiyang Pingfu Liquid (ZPL) in treating epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) associated adverse reactions of the skin.

METHODSAll 54 patients with pathologically confirmed malignant tumor had EGFRIs induced adverse reactions of the skin to various degrees. ZPL was externally applied for them all, once or twice per day, 14 days consisting of one therapeutic course. Changes of adverse skin reactions, time for symptoms relief, adverse skin reaction types suitable for ZPL were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSEGFRIs associated skin adverse reactions were improved to various degrees after they used ZPL. The shortest symptoms relief time was 1 day while the longest was 12 days, with an average of 6.93 days and the median time 7 days. Compared with before treatment, itching, rash/scaling, acne/acneform eruptions were obviously improved (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONZPL could alleviate EGFRls associated adverse skin reactions, especially showed better effect on itching, rash/scaling, acne/acneform eruptions.

Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Biomedical Research ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Exanthema ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Pruritus ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Skin ; drug effects ; Skin Diseases ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare with the clinical applications of routine-subtraction and dual-energy subtraction cervical arteries computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for cervical arteries imaging.

METHODSScanning was performed in 45 patients with clinically suspected cervical arteries disease with dual-source CT. The data of two different energy were collected only at one scanning. The data post processing include: conventional bone-removal digital subtraction (routine-subtraction) was performed with plain and 80 kV enhanced scanning. Volume render (VR) and maximum intensity projection (MIp) reconstruction were finished. Direct bone-removal digital subtraction (dual-energy subtraction) was performed with 80 and 140kV enhanced scanning that have different energy, and saving the data of subtraction. VR and MIp reconstruction were finished. The image quality, which was divided into four grades, was compared between these two groups. The effective radiation dose was also compared.

RESULTSFor normal vessels, no abnormality was found in 24 of 45 cases, with the common carotid artery and its branches clearly displayed with both two methods. The image quality was not significantly different between dual-energy subtraction CTA and routine subtraction CTA (P>0.05) . For stenotic vessels, 45 stenotic vessels in 21 cases were clearly displayed clearly with both two methods (P>0.05) . The effective radiation dose was decreased by 17.3 % for dual-energy subtraction CTA when compared with routine-subtraction CTA (P<0.01) .

CONCLUSIONSBoth routine-subtraction and dual-energy subtraction CTA can clearly display normal and stenotic vessels. The radiation exposure dose is relatively lower in dual-energy CTA. The dual-energy subtraction CTA has better effectiveness when used for non-cooperation patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; methods ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiation Dosage ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

Objective To discuss the clinical efficacy and safety of improved wire- maintaining technique in performing transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects. Methods During the period from June 2011 to June 2013 at Changhai Hospital, percutaneous transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect with improved wire-maintaining technique was carried out in 62 patients. According to the manipulation used , the patients were divided into traditional wire-maintaining technique group (group A, n = 30) and improved wire- maintaining technique group (group B, n = 32). The use of occluder during the procedure, the fluoroscopy time, the operation time and the complications were recorded. Follow-up examinations with ECG, echocardiogram and chest radiograph were performed at 24 hours and at 1 , 3 and 6 months after the procedure. The results were analyzed. Results No statistically significant differences in the use of occluder and in the incidence of complications existed between the two groups (P > 0.05). No severe complications occurred in both groups. The fluoroscopy time and the operation time in group A were (11.96 ± 3.63) min and (53.43 ± 14.48) min respectively, while the fluoroscopy time and the operation time in group B were (9.37 ± 2.77) min and (45.34 ± 10.38) min respectively, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion In performing transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects, the practice.

Abstract?AIM: To assess the current situation of trachoma in Shaanxi Province and analyze its epidemiology and clinical features.?METHODS: The World Health Organization ( WHO ) simplified trachoma grading system was used for the recognition and registration of cases of trachoma. Trachoma rapid assessment ( TRA ) was conducted and 30.3687 million people from Shaanxi province were screened. Eyelids, eyelashes, conjunctiva and cornea were examined.The prevalence of trachoma trichiasis ( TT) in Shaanxi Province was estimated.?RESULTS: Totally 987 cases with TT were collected in Shaanxi province, in which 395 cases were male and 592 cases were female. The overall TT prevalence was 0.0325‰.The age of TT cases ranged from 25-86 years old, and concentrated in the 60-80 years old, only 58 cases were <50 years old.There were 12 cases of TT combined corneal opacity (CO) and the ratio was 1.2%. Sixty-four patients were cured by electrolysis trichiasis, the remaining 923 patients corrected by surgery interventions.?CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, trachoma blind is no longer estimated as a public health problem in Shaanxi province, as the detection rate of TT was less than 1‰ which is the goal of “elimination of trachoma” worldwide.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of reticulated platelets (RF) and platelet-associated antibody (PAIg) in differential diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The immature platelet fraction (IPF) of 34 ITP patients, 36 non-ITP patients and 411 normal people were detected by Sysmex XE-5000 automated blood cell analyser and PAIgG content was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All results were analysed statistically. The results showed that IPF of ITP patients was significantly higher than that of non-ITP patients and normal people respectively (p < 0.05). For diagnosis of ITP, IPF positive rate of ITP patients was significantly higher than that of non-ITP patients (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the positive rate of PAIgG in ITP and non-ITP patients (p > 0.05). The sensibility, specificity and negative predictive value of IPF were higher than those of PAIgG, while the positive predictive value of IPF was a little lower than that of PAIgG. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of IPF was larger than that of PAIgG. It is concluded that both IPF and PAIgG detection are valuable in differential diagnosis of ITP. The diagnostic value of IPF is better than that of PAIgG.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Platelets ; immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Count ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; blood ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

To summarize the new progress of the study about volatile oil of the angelica, including the distillable methods, the analysis of the chemical components, the pharmacological effects and the clinical applications. We tracked and searched the correlative references and study reports about volatile oil of the angelica in CNKI data base(1994-2004) and Medline data base (1997-2004). We summarized and compared the different distillable methods of volatile oil of the angelica, meanwhile we summarized many study reports about the analysis of the chemical components of volatile oil of the angelica and it's pharmacological effects, including the toxicity of the volatile oil and it's effects on the uterus smooth muscle, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, central nerve system and immune system. Finally we summarized the clinical application of the volatile oil of the angelica. There are three distillable methods of volatile oil of the angelica . The harvest efficiency of volatile oil is different with different distillable methods. The chemical components are very complicated and the new chemical components are separated and identified. The volatile oil has bidirectional effects on the uterus smooth muscle. It can inhibit the contraction of the uterus smooth muscle induced by different mechanisms. Meanwhile it can depress the blood pressure and ameliorate the cardiac ischemia. The volatile oil can resist the arrhythmia and asthma, restrain the central system, improve the immune function. Nowadays the volatile oil of the angelica is applied to therapy the dysmenorrhea and disorder of the catamenia. The chemical components of the volatile oil of the angelica are very complicated, moreover the pharmacological effects of the volatile oil are comprehensive. People make the new progress of the study about volatile oil of the angelica.
4-Butyrolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Angelica ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; pharmacology ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; pharmacology ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Dysmenorrhea ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Uterus ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mutational characteristics of cathepsin C (CTSC) gene in two Chinese patients with Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS), and provide molecular basis for research of the pathogenesis of PLS.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were obtained from patients and their parents respectively. Genomic DNA were extracted after consents. Polymerase chain reaction, direct DNA sequencing and restriction enzyme reaction were performed to screen mutations of CTSC gene.

RESULTSCompound heterozygous mutations of CTSC gene were identified in the two patients. Patient I carried the G139R and S260P mutations, patient II had the R250X and C258W mutations. The parents were heterozygous carriers without the clinical feature of PLS. None of the mutations were detected in normal controls. Furthermore, the S260P and C258W changes were novel mutations of CTSC gene, which had not been reported previously.

CONCLUSIONSMutations of CTSC gene are responsible for the phenotype of Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome in two Chinese patients. The results extend the mutation spectrum of CTSC gene and also provide basis for gene diagnosis of PLS in China.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Cathepsin C ; genetics ; Child, Preschool ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation, Missense ; genetics ; Papillon-Lefevre Disease ; enzymology ; genetics