Showing papers by "Chinese PLA General Hospital published in 2003"
TL;DR: The results suggest that the CCM is a promising candidate matrix for implantable bioartificial livers and has excellent blood and cell compatibility.
288 citations
TL;DR: Sonographically guided microwave coagulation proved to be safe and effective for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and resulted in a high percentage of cases without evidence of residual tumor and satisfactory long-term results.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to evaluate the long-term results of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in a large patient populationSUBJECTS AND METHODS Survival rates were determined in 234 patients with 339 nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (208 men, 26 women; mean age, 548 years; mean tumor size, 41 ± 19 cm; range, 12-80 cm; mean follow-up period, 279 months) Patients were those who had been rejected as candidates for surgery by the surgery department, who fit our study's criteria, and who agreed to participate After baseline imaging studies were performed, the patients were followed up using the same combination of imaging (sonography, CT, or MR imaging) and posttreatment biopsyRESULTS After percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy, color Doppler flow signals disappeared in 920% (263/286) of the lesions No enhancement was apparent in 892% (190/213) and 891%
217 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that PA and SA induce apoptosis in testicular Leydig cells by ceramide production and these apoptotic effects may be a possible mechanism for reproductive abnormalities in obese men, and AA can partly prevent the apoptotic effect induced by saturated FFA.
118 citations
TL;DR: The probability of long-term survival for patients with one or two metastases, well-differentiated tumors, and without recurrence or new metastasis may be significantly higher than for other patients.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE. Microwave-induced tissue coagulation is a new approach for the local ablation of hepatic metastases. The purposes of the study were to analyze therapeutic results and those influencing factors that might be used to predict survival after percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy.SUBJECTS AND METHODS. From July 1995 to March 2002, 74 patients with 149 hepatic metastases were treated with percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy under sonographic guidance. The largest metastasis in each patient ranged from 0.7 to 6.8 cm (mean, 3.12 cm; SD, 1.81 cm). Survival rates and influencing factors were analyzed.RESULTS. The cumulative survival rates of all 74 patients were 91.4% at 1 year, 59.5% at 2 years, 46.4% at 3 years, 29% at 4 years, and 29% at 5 years. Patient age (p = 0.46) and sex (p = 0.12) and site of primary malignancies (p = 0.58) were not related to prognosis, whereas tumor grade (p = 0.01), number of metastases (p = 0.00), tumor size (p = 0.03), and local recurrence or new metastasis (p ...
97 citations
TL;DR: Platelet adhesion assay showed that blood compatibility of the chitosan/heparin modified film was improved while hepatocyte culture indicated that the cell Compatibility of themodified film was enhanced.
95 citations
TL;DR: For inoperable HCC patients, PMCT is one of the treatment choices shown to be effective, and an increased systemic immune response directed against the tumour may also play an important role in improved survival.
Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate sequential pathologic and immunologic changes and their prognostic significance after percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Eighty-nine nodules in 82 consecutive patients were studied. The 89 nodules were divided into two groups: a treatment group, with 82 primary nodules (average dimension was 3.4 - 1.2 cm) in 82 patients, and a control group, of seven nodules (average dimension was 1.4 - 0.6 cm) in seven patients. The criteria for a nodule's inclusion in the control group was that the nodule was one of two nodules in the same patient and that the two nodules were located in different liver lobes. This guarantees that while one nodule is treated by PMCT, the distant one will not be directly affected by the microwave thermal field. The control group nodules were treated after the study was completed. Specimens were taken with ultrasound-guided liver biopsy from the treated nodule and the control nodule, pre- and post-PMCT. ...
72 citations
TL;DR: Results support the experimental evidence that interaction of expression of p16 and CDK4 may play an important role in the Rb/p16 pathway, and the expression patterns ofCDK4 and p16 may be imperative in the development of colorectal carcinoma, thus becoming a new prognostic marker in coloreCTal cancer.
Abstract: AIM: To describe the correlation between innunostaining patterns of p16 and CDK4 and prognosis in colorectal carcinoma.
METHODS: Paraffin sections of 74 cases of colorectal carcinoma were analysed immunohistochemically for expression of p16 and CDK4 proteins.
RESULTS: Most carcinomas showed stronger p16 and CDK4 immunostaining in the cytoplasm than the adenomas or the adjacent normal mucosa. Strong immunostaining of p16 was a predictor for better prognosis whereas strong cytoplasmic immunostaining of CDK4 was a predictor for poor prognosis. Both p16 and CDK4 immunostainings were correlated with histological grade or Dukes’ stage.
CONCLUSION: These results support the experimental evidence that interaction of expression of p16 and CDK4 may play an important role in the Rb/p16 pathway, and the expression paterns of CDK4 and p16 may be imperative in the development of colorectal carcinoma, thus becoming a new prognostic marker in colorectal cancer.
70 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that alpha-tocopherol can attenuate the noise-induced cochlear damage, and further investigations on the preventive effect of alpha-Tocopherol on NIHL in noise-exposed workers are necessary.
66 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the N270 is an index to the conflict identification, while the N430 of the high-conflict task reflects the processing for complex conflicts following probe retrieval, related to the processing of conflicts.
61 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that estrogen up-regulates the expression level of L RP16 mRNA through activation of ERalpha and that overexpression of LRP16 promotes MCF-7 cell proliferation probably by increasing cyclin E.
Abstract: LRP16 is a novel gene cloned from lymphocytic cells, and its function is not known. The expression level of LRP16 mRNA was up-regulated by estrogen in breast cancer MCF-7 cells based on the computed aided serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) analysis. In this study, we investigate the effect of 17beta-estradiol (17beta-E(2)) on the expression of LRP16 mRNA and the effects of overexpression of LRP16 on the proliferation of cultured MCF-7 cells and the possible mechanisms involved. The expression level of LRP16 mRNA induced by 17beta-E(2) was determined by Northern blot analysis. LRP16 promoter-controlled luciferase expression vector (pGL3-S(0)) was co-transfected with various nuclear receptors, including estrogen receptor alpha and beta (ERalpha and ERbeta), glucocorticoid receptor alpha (GRalpha), androgen receptor (AR) and peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma and alpha (PPARgamma and PPARgamma) into COS-7 cells, and the relative luciferase activity was measured using Dual-luciferase report assay systems. The effect of overexpression of LRP16 on MCF-7 proliferation was examined by the Trypan Blue exclusion method, and the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression levels of cyclin E, p53 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) proteins were determined by Western blot analysis. The results showed (1) 17beta-E(2) induced a five- to eightfold increase in LRP16 mRNA levels in MCF-7 cells; (2) the relative luciferase activities in the COS-7 cells co-transfected by pGL3-S(0) and ERalpha or AR were 7.8-fold and 11-fold respectively of those in the control cells transfected by pGL3-S(0) alone; (3) overexpression of LRP16 stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, and the numbers of cells in the S-phase of the cell cycle in cells transfected with LRP16 increased about 10% compared with the control cells; and (4) cyclin E levels were much higher in cells with overexpression of LRP16 than in the control cells, while the expression levels of p53 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) were not different between the two groups of cells. From these results we concluded that estrogen up-regulates the expression level of LRP16 mRNA through activation of ERalpha and that overexpression of LRP16 promotes MCF-7 cell proliferation probably by increasing cyclin E.
50 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that oxidative stress and PPARalpha are involved in FF cytotoxicity and green tea polyphenols have a protective effect against FF-induced cellular injury and it may be beneficial for the hyperlipidemic patients who were administered the hypolipidemic drug fenofibrate to drink tea or use green teapolyphenols synchronously during their treatment.
TL;DR: It is found that CAA appeared in 31.7% examined brains without sexual preponderance, and the incidence increased with age; the frontal lobe was most frequently involved in CAA; and CAA alone may result in dementia.
Abstract: To investigate the prevalence and clinico-neuropathological characteristics of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in aged Chinese and its relationship to dementia and cerebrovascular lesions, we examined 362 archived brains of elderly with immunohistochemical staining for β-amyloid peptide and Congo red, Bodian and Luxol fast blue stains. We found that: (1) CAA appeared in 31.7% examined brains without sexual preponderance, and the incidence increased with age; (2) the frontal lobe was most frequently involved in CAA, followed by occipital and parietal lobe; (3) subcortical white matter and cerebellum dentate nucleus areas may also be affected by CAA; (4) CAA has a close relationship to Alzheimer's disease and multiple cerebrovascular lesions; (5) CAA alone may result in dementia.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the CCM creates an appropriate environment for the regeneration of endothelial cells and are promising candidates as biomaterials for the tissue regeneration scaffolds.
Abstract: Chitosan was covalently coupled to type I collagen by using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide in morpholinoethane sulfonic acid buffer. The physico-chemical characteristics of the collagen/chitosan matrices (CCM) were evaluated by electron spectroscopy and tensile mechanical strength. The platelet deposition and endothelial cell culture experiments showed that the CCM have good cell compatibility and excellent blood compatibility. The results suggest that the CCM creates an appropriate environment for the regeneration of endothelial cells and are promising candidates as biomaterials for the tissue regeneration scaffolds.
TL;DR: The present results suggest that this region is critical for forming new associations of the types assessed here, although some previous research has reported significant associative priming in other tasks for patients with MTL lesions.
TL;DR: FHIT inactivation seems to be both an early and a later event, associated with carcinogenesis and progression to more aggressive hepatocellular carcinomas, which may provide important diagnostic and prognostic information in clinical application.
Abstract: AIM: To investigate the expression of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene protein, Fhit, which is recently thought to be a candidate tumor suppressor. Abnormal expression of fragile histidine triad has been found in a variety of human cancers, but little is known about its expression in human hepatocellular carcinogenesis and evolution.
METHODS: Sections of 83 primary human hepatocellular carcionoma with corresponding para-neoplastic liver tissue and 10 normal liver tissue were evaluated immunohistochemically for Fhit protein expression.
RESULTS: All normal liver tissue and para-neoplastic liver tissue showed a strong expression of Fhit, whereas 50 of 83 (65.0%) carcinomas showed a marked loss or absence of Fhit expression. The differences of Fhit expression between carcinoma and normal or para-neoplastic liver tissue were highly significant (P = 0.000). The proportion of carcinomas with reduced Fhit expression showed an increasing trend (a) with decreasing differentiation or higher histological grade (P = 0.219); (b) in tumors with higher clinical stage III and IV (91.3%, P = 0.000), compared with tumors with lower stage I and II (27.6%); and (c) in cancers with bigger tumor size (> 50 mm) (75.0%, P = 0.017), compared with smaller tumor size (≤ 50 mm).
CONCLUSION: FHIT inactivation seems to be both an early and a later event, associated with carcinogenesis and progression to more aggressive hepatocellular carcinomas. Thus, evaluation of Fhit expression by immunohistochemistry in hepatocellular carcinoma may provide important diagnostic and prognostic information in clinical application.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the healthy adult Chinese population harbors BKV and JCV DNA in peripheral leukocytes, and the presence of DNA from both viruses was detected in normal arterial wall samples from 20 young trauma victims by the same method used for leukocyte DNA.
Abstract: Several studies have demonstrated that BK virus (BKV) and JC virus (JCV) establish latent infection in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) of healthy individuals; however, the main populations studied are European. In this study, the prevalence of BKV and JCV DNA in PBLs from healthy adult individuals and umbilical cord blood from newborn children in China was detected by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (snPCR) followed by restriction enzyme analysis. The results suggest that the healthy adult Chinese population harbors BKV and JCV DNA in peripheral leukocytes. Overall, the prevalence of BKV and JCV DNA in PBLs of healthy adult individuals was 42.1% and 7.8%, respectively. The overall prevalence of BKV DNA was significantly higher than that of JCV DNA. None of the umbilical cord blood samples from newborn children were positive for BKV and JCV DNA. To understand further the target tissues involved in establishment of BKV and JCV latency in healthy individuals, the presence of DNA from both viruses was detected in normal arterial wall samples from 20 young trauma victims by the same method used for leukocyte DNA. BKV DNA was detected alone in 20% of samples tested; JCV DNA was not detected alone in any of the samples. DNA from both viruses was found in 5% of samples. This is the first report to show that normal arterial walls of healthy individuals may be another target site of latency for BKV and JCV. J. Med. Virol. 70:600–605, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
TL;DR: The present results of rhGH stimulating the uptake and transport of cephalexin indicated that rhGH greatly upregulates the physiological effects of dipeptide transporters of Caco-2 cells, an ideal cellular model for future studies of the diPEptide transporter.
Abstract: Hormonal regulation of dipeptide transporter (PepT1) in Caco-2 cells with normal and anoxia/reoxygenation management
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Hypoxia indirectly influence the downregulation of PEDF and high concentration of glucose directly downregulates the expression of P EDF and increases theexpression of VEGF simultaneously, thus supporting the concept that hyperglycemia is one of the most dangerous consequences of diabetes-associated "glucose toxicity" in vivo.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of hypoxia and high glucose concentration on the production and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF), an antiangiogenesis factor, in the cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. METHODS Human RPE cells were cultured under normoxic or hypoxic (1% O(2)) condition with or without (25 mmol/L) glucose. RT-PCR and real-time quantificaton analysis were used to examine the expression of VEGF and of PEDF mRNAs. Western blot analysis was used to measure the levels of VEGF and PEDF proteins. RESULTS The expression of VEGF mRNA in RPE cells under hypoxic condition for 12 hours was 2.6 times that under the normoxic condition (P = 0.001), and the expression of PEDF mRNA was only 0.77 time that of the controls (P = 0.251). Under hypoxic condition with high concentration of glucose the expression of VEGF mRNA in RPE cells was 3.8 times that under the normoxic condition (P < 0.001), and the expression of PEDF mRNA was further decreased (only 0.23 time that of the controls, P = 0.02). The expression levels of VEGF protein under hypoxic condition with and without glucose were 1.69 and 1.27 times respectively those under the normoxic condition (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.004). The expression level of PEDF protein under hypoxic condition with glucose was 0.49 time that under the normoxic condition (P < 0.0001) and the expression level of PEDF protein under hypoxic condition without glucose was 0.92 time that under the normoxic condition (P = 0.114). CONCLUSION Hypoxia indirectly influence the downregulation of PEDF and high concentration of glucose directly downregulates the expression of PEDF and increases the expression of VEGF simultaneously, thus supporting the concept that hyperglycemia is one of the most dangerous consequences of diabetes-associated "glucose toxicity" in vivo.
TL;DR: Early postnatal exposure to a monotone of mild intensity has long-term effects upon the aging auditory brain stem, and some of the changes induced by sound exposure are interpreted as accelerations of the normal aging process, whereas other effects are not merely explicable by accelerated aging.
Abstract: Senescence-acceleration-prone mice (SAMP8) provide a model to study the influence of early postnatal sound exposure upon the aging auditory midbrain. SAMP8 were exposed to a 9-kHz monotone of either 53- or 65-dB sound pressure level during the first 30 postnatal days, the neurons in the auditory midbrain responding selectively to 9 kHz were localized by c-fos immunohistochemistry and the following parameters were compared to control SAMP8 not exposed to sound: mortality after sound exposure, dendritic spine density, and quantitative neurochemical alterations in this 9-kHz isofrequency lamina. For morphometric analysis, animals were examined at 1, 4, and 8 months of age. Serial sections of the inferior colliculus were Golgi impregnated or stained immunohistochemically for the expression of e1 subunit of NMDA receptor or GABA. Mortality after exposure to 53 dB was the same as in controls, but was markedly increased from 7 months of age onward after postnatal exposure to 65 dB. No gross morphological alterations were observed in the auditory midbrain after sound exposure. However, sound exposure to 53 or 65 dB significantly reduced dendritic spine density by 11% at 4 months or by 11–17% both at 1 and 4 months of age, respectively. The effect of sound exposure upon neurons expressing the NMDAe1 subunit was dose-dependent. Increasing with age until 4 months in control mice and remaining essentially stable thereafter, the percentage of NMDAe1-immunoreactive neurons was significantly elevated by 40–66% in 1- and 8-month-old SAMP8 exposed to 53 dB, whereas no significant effect of 65 dB was apparent. The proportion of GABAergic cells declined with age in controls. It was significantly decreased at 1 month after 53 and 65 dB sound exposure. In contrast, it was elevated at later stages, being significantly increased at 4 months after exposure to 53 dB and at 8 months after exposure to 65 dB. The total cell number in the 9-kHz isofrequency lamina of SAMP8 decreased with age, but was not affected by exposure to either 53 or 65 dB. The present results indicate that early postnatal exposure to a monotone of mild intensity has long-term effects upon the aging auditory brain stem. Some of the changes induced by sound exposure, e.g., decline in spine density, are interpreted as accelerations of the normal aging process, whereas other effects, e.g., increased NMDAe1 expression after 53 dB and elevated GABA expression after both 53 and 65 dB, are not merely explicable by accelerated aging.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The reference ranges of different parameters of venous blood of Chinese have been primarily established and some of the indices such as WBC, MCH and MCV measured by analyzer are quite different from those measured manually.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To establish the reference range of venous blood measured by automated hematology analyzer in China METHODS: Different hematoanalyzers were used to examine the white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and hemotocrit (HCT) of venous blood from 1,749 healthy people, 927 males and 822 females, aged 18 - 60, in 14 cities (Harbin, Changchun, Beijing, Tianjin, Lanzhou, Xi'an, Nanjing, Suzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Kunming, and Guangzhou) of China The examination was completed within the period of one month under strict in-laboratory quality control RESULTS: The range of WBC was (397 - 915) x 10(9)/L in males and (369 - 916) x 10(9)/L in females The range of RBC was (409 - 574) x 10(12)/L in males and (368 - 513) x 10(12)/L in females The range Hb was 131 - 172 (151) g/L in males and 113 - 151 (129) g/L in females The range of MCH was 278 - 338 (308) pg in males and 269 - 333 (302) pg in females The range of MCHC was 263 - 375 (335) g/L in males and 278 - 372 (325) g/L in females The range of MCV was 839 - 991 (912) fl in males and 826 - 991 (913) fl in females The range of HCT was 380% - 508% (448%) in males and 335% - 450% (389%) in females The lower limits of WBC in Lanzhou and Chengdu were lower than those in other cities (P < 001) The concentrations of RBC and Hb in Kunming were significantly higher than those in other cities (P < 001) There was no significant difference in other parameters among different cities The WBC, RBC, and Hb in the females were lower than those in the males (P < 001) CONCLUSIONS: The reference ranges of different parameters of venous blood of Chinese have been primarily established There is little discrepancy in those reference range in different district (except for highland) Some of the indices such as WBC, MCH and MCV measured by analyzer are quite different from those measured manually
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Although PPARs expression was not enhanced after being stimulated by their activators in EC, the functionally active PPARalpha is probably involved in regulating PAI-1 expression in EC.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) activators on plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and elucidate a possible mechanism. METHODS Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were obtained from normal fetus, and cultured conventionally. Then the HUVEC were exposed to fatty acids and prostaglandin J(2) in varying concentrations with fresh media. RT-PCR and ELISA were used to determine the expression of PPAR and PAI-1 in HUVECs. Transient co-transfection of PAI-1 promoter and PPARalpha gene or PPARgamma gene to ECV304 was performed. RESULTS PPARalpha, PPARdelta and PPARgamma mRNA in HUVECs were detected by RT-PCR. Treatment of HUVECs with PPARalpha and PPARgamma activators-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and prostaglandin J(2), but not with stearic acid could augment PAI-I mRNA expression and protein secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. Proportional induction of PAI-1 promoter activity was observed through increasing amounts of PPARalpha DNA in HUVECs through a transient gene transfection assay, although the mRNA expression of the 3 subtypes of PPAR with their activators were not changed compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS HUVECs express PPARs. PPARs activators may increase PAI-1 expression in endothelial cells (EC). Although PPARs expression was not enhanced after being stimulated by their activators in EC, the functionally active PPARalpha is probably involved in regulating PAI-1 expression in EC.
TL;DR: It is found that hepatocyte cells attached and proliferated well on films made from sodium alginate and had normal functions, such as synthesizing albumin which was detected by immunohistochemical staining for albumin.
Abstract: Sodium alginate, which has excellent biocompatibility, was evaluated as a scaffold material for hepatic tissue engineering. It is found that hepatocyte cells attached and proliferated well on films made from sodium alginate. Furthermore, the attached hepatocytes had normal functions, such as synthesizing albumin which was detected by immunohistochemical staining for albumin.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that krypton laser photocoagulation could be used to produce choroidal neovascularization experimental model in the Brown Norway rat and CNV can be induced rapidly by the method, persists for a long period and at a high successful rate.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of krypton laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model in the Brown Norway rats in order to establish the foundation for studying the mechanism of CNV and for the development of treatment for CNV. METHODS Experimental eyes in 33 rats were received a series of 10 krypton red laser (647 nm) lesions per eye (360 mW, 50 micro m, 0.05 s). Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were performed, then the rats were sacrificed immediately, the eyes were enucleated and processed for histopathologic examination and transmission electron microscopy on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56. RESULTS CNV was firstly appeared on day 7 after photocoagulation, reaching the peak on day 21. The incidence of CNV was 76.0%. Disciform leakage staining appeared in the FFA. ICGA showed that the disciform area was filled with CNV. CNV was ascertained by light microscopy and electron microscopy. The thickness of laser-induced CNV was increased from day 7 to day 21 (P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The present studies demonstrated that krypton laser photocoagulation could be used to produce choroidal neovascularization experimental model in the Brown Norway rat. CNV can be induced rapidly by the method, persists for a long period and at a high successful rate.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The C-106T polymorphism and the (AC)n polymorphism might be in linkage disequilibrium, which might increase the susceptibility of DR whereas CT genotype might decrease the susceptibility in type 2 DM.
Abstract: Objective To study the relationship between the C-106T polymorphism in aldose reductase (AR)gene and the susceptibility of retinopathy in type 2 DM and the linkage of the C-106T polymorphism with (AC)n repeat polymorphic marker at the 5'end of AR gene Methods 116 patients with type 2 DM were divided into no diabetic complication (NDC) group and diabetic retinopathy(DR)group PCR were performed using genomic DNA as template PCR products were digested with restriction enzyme Bfα Genotypes were determined by electrophresis on 3% agarose gel using gel documentation and analysis system Results Two alleles C/T and three genotypes CC,CT and TT were found The frequency of CC genotype was significantly higher in DR group than that in NDC group (640% vs 439%, P005) and the frequency of CT genotype was significantly lower in DR group than that in NDC group (300% vs 540%, P001) The frequency of Z-2/C haplotypes was significantly higher in DR group than that in NDC group (370% vs 30%, P0001) and the frequency of Z+2/C and Z+2/T haplotype was significantly lower in DR group than that in NDC group (110% vs 420%, P001 and 20% vs 140%, P005 respectively) Conclution CC genotype might increase the susceptibility of DR whereas CT genotype might decrease the susceptibility of DR The C-106T polymorphism and the (AC)n polymorphism might be in linkage disequilibrium
Journal Article•
TL;DR: If a patient cooperates quite well in psychophysics test, the psychophysical levels for the map should be stable after 2 to 4-month mapping, and the results suggest that electrode-tissue interface gradually tend to remain stable.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE The primary goal of this study was to examine changes that may occur in electrode impedance over time in cochlear implant users. Secondary goal was to determine the timetable of mapping for patients who were cooperative quite well in psychophysical test. METHOD Sixteen patients implanted with Nucleus CI24M participated in this study. The impedance of electrode was measured intra-operatively, at initial stimulation, and at each mapping visits. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess how the changes occurring over time. RESULT There was a significant increase in electrode impedance from the intra-operative test to initial stimulation, and a significant decrease in impedance from initial stimulation to the following visit. The impedance values remained stable for approximately 2-4 months after initial stimulation. CONCLUSION The results suggest that electrode-tissue interface gradually tend to remain stable. If a patient cooperates quite well in psychophysics test, the psychophysical levels for the map should be stable after 2 to 4-month mapping.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The LVAS is distinct clinical entity characterized by fluctuate and progressive SNHL, and the diagnosis depends upon the CT scan and MR image.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE To investigate the occurrence, genetic inheritance, and hearing loss conditions of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS), and to measure the width of external aperture of vestibular aqueduct (VA) of LVAS, and to analyze the relationship between the hearing loss and the width of external aperture. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted by the history, auditory, and vestibular function examinations in 95 patients (190 ears) of LVAS. The width of VA was measured by CT scanning criterion of each LVAS patients in the past 10 years (from 1992 to 2002). RESULTS In 95 patients, there were male 65 cases and female 30 cases. The male cases was more than the females by a ratio of 2.2:1. Twelve cases (12.6%) would have familial genetic history. The average of the consult age was 7.6 years (range from 1.2 to 39 years). The most patients were misdiagnosed, the hearing deterioration originated from mild head trauma in 21 cases (22.1%), the hearing loss after common cold in 13 cases (13.6%). Nine cases (9.5%) misdiagnosed as sudden hearing loss, 5 cases (5.3%) as ototoxic hearing loss of Aminoglycoside antibiotic. The profound hearing loss was found in 172 ears (92.4%). The average width of external aperture of LVAS was 7.5 mm +/- 1.2 mm (mean +/- s, 77 cases, 154 ears). The level of hearing loss did not proportional to the width of VA. The hearing impairment could be derived from protein-rich endolymph refluxed into the cochlear and vestibule. CONCLUSION The LVAS is distinct clinical entity characterized by fluctuate and progressive SNHL. The diagnosis depends upon the CT scan and MR image. If the hearing fluctuated and subsequently improved, the children were kept under conservation treatment. If the significantly decreased of hearing effected school performance, the cochlear implant might be considered.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: CAA is a common neuropathological finding in brains of Chinese elderly, with an increased prevalence with age, and may participate in the pathogenesis mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, but also result in dementia directly through cerebral hypoperfusion and chronic neuronal ischemia.
Abstract: Objective To study the prevalence and clinico-neuropathological characteristics of Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in Chinese elderly. Methods We examined 362 archived brains of aged Chinese from 60 to 95 years of age using an antibody against beta-amyloid peptide and with Gongo red, Bodian and Luxol fast blue stains. Results CAA appeared in 114 examined brains and the incidence rate in age groups of 60 - 69, 70 - 79, 80 - 89 and beyond 90 years was 22.1%, 26.7%, 46.5% and 66.7% separately; frontal lobe was the most frequently CAA involved part of brain; CAA may also distribute in subcortical white matter and cerebellum dentatus nucleus; close relationships were found between CAA and multiple cerebrovascular lesions, consequent dementia and Alzheimer disease; without other neuropathological changes, CAA alone may result in dementia. Conclusions CAA is a common neuropathological finding in brains of Chinese elderly, with an increased prevalence with age. CAA may distribute in subcortical white matter and cerebellum dentatus nucleus, which have been seldom reported before and may contribute to vascular lesions in these areas. CAA may not only participate in the pathogenesis mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, but also result in dementia directly through cerebral hypoperfusion and chronic neuronal ischemia.
Journal Article•
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The results indicated that G(s)alpha could play an important role in the pathogenesis of thyroid papillary cancer and G proteins had different expression in different thyroid diseases.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of G proteins alpha subunit mRNA in different thyroid diseases. METHODS Twenty-three thyroid specimens were obtained during surgery, 5 from patients with Graves' disease (GD), 7 from patients with multinodular goiter (MNG), 6 from patients with eufunctioning thyroid adenoma (EFTA) and 5 from patients with thyroid papillary cancer (TPC). The expression of stimulating and inhibiting G proteins alpha subunit mRNA were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS (1) The expression of G(s)alpha mRNA in TPCs (1.67 +/- 0.25) was significantly higher than that in normal thyroids (1.10 +/- 0.14) and MNGs (0.96 +/- 0.31), P < 0.05 and P < 0.01. The expression in GDs (1.47 +/- 0.11) and EFTAs (1.36 +/- 0.28) was significantly higher than that in MNGs (P < 0.05), but comparable to that in normal thyroids. (2) The expression of G(i)alpha-2 mRNA in GDs (0.68 +/- 0.26) was lower than that in MNGs (1.15 +/- 0.35), P < 0.05, but there was no difference in the expression of G(i)alpha-1 and G(i)alpha-3 mRNA among different thyroid diseases. CONCLUSION The results indicated that G(s)alpha could play an important role in the pathogenesis of thyroid papillary cancer and G proteins had different expression in different thyroid diseases.