Macrophages are activated by 17beta-estradiol: possible permission role in endometriosis.

On the basis of the common occurrence of high concentration of estrogen and activated macrophages in patients with endometriosis, we postulate that interaction between 17beta-estradiol and macrophage may be an important affair in endometriosis. So our study was focused on the effect of 17beta-estradiol on macrophage. First morphology of macrophages was examined with environmental scanning electron microscopy. Increased size, extension of more microvilli, expression of retraction fibers and elaboration of membrane ruffles were detected in 17beta-estradiol treated macrophages. Then Nitrate and nitrite level in the supernatant was measured by the method of Griess and iNOS expression was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining. It showed that 17beta-estradiol could induce NO release from peritoneal macrophages and expression of iNOS was increased. Also more TNF-alpha in supernatant that was measured by MTT via L929 cell was produced by macrophages under the inducing of 17beta-estradiol. Furthermore, [Ca2+]i, which was viewed by microscope in a laser scanning confocal unit, elevated 39.8% in peritoneal macrophages after 17beta-estradiol 100 nmol/L treated. The results above demonstrated that peritoneal macrophage had been activated in both morphology and cytokine line when interaction with 17beta-estradiol, which indicated that macrophage activated by 17beta-estradiol might play a permission role in development of endometriosis.     

端粒酶在鳞状细胞癌和Bowen病组织中的表达

目的探讨端粒酶在皮肤鳞状细胞癌(SCC)及Bowen病(BD)病变组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法应用原位杂交方法检测30例皮肤SCC和30例BD病变组织中端粒酶基因hTR和hTERTmRNA的表达。结果在BD组织中hTR和hTERTmRNA呈弱表达,阳性率为23.33%和16.67%。在SCC中,hTR和hTERTmRNA的阳性率分别为86.67%和93.33%。其中Ⅰ、Ⅱ级SCC阳性率分别为82.35%和88.24%,无强阳性;Ⅲ、Ⅳ级SCC阳性率分别为92.31%和100%、强阳性表达率分别为69.23%和76.92%。SCC和BD两者比较差异有显著性(P<0.05)。SCCⅠ、Ⅱ级与Ⅲ、Ⅳ级比较差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论端粒酶hTR和hTERTmRNA的表达增多是预测皮肤SCC的重要因素。     

Tardive dyskinesia in children treated with atypical antipsychotic medications.

Recent years have witnessed increased antipsychotic treatment of children despite limited long‐term safety data in children. In this study, motor side effects associated with the use of antipsychotic drugs in children were examined in a sample of pediatric psychiatric patients. Child and adolescent psychiatric patients receiving antipsychotics (most were on atypicals) for 6 months or longer (n = 118) were compared with antipsychotic‐naïve patients (n = 80) with similar age, sex ratio, and diagnoses. Only 19% of patients on antipsychotics had ever experienced psychotic symptoms. Eleven children (9%) on antipsychotics exhibited dyskinesia, when compared with 0 in the naïve group (P = 0.003, Fisher's exact test). Nine of 62 African–American children (15%) on antipsychotics exhibited dyskinesia, when compared with only 4% (2 of 52) of European–American children (P = 0.003, Fisher's exact test). Children treated with antipsychotic drugs might experience a significant risk of dyskinesia even when treated only with atypical antipsychotics. Ethnicity might also be a risk factor for dyskinesia in children. Side‐effect profile of the atypical antipsychotic drugs in children may be much different than that in adults. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society     

Performance measurement of the microPET focus 120 scanner.

The microPET Focus 120 scanner is a third-generation animal PET scanner dedicated to rodent imaging. Here, we report the results of scanner performance testing. METHODS: A (68)Ge point source was used to measure energy resolution, which was determined for each crystal and averaged. Spatial resolution was measured using a (22)Na point source with a nominal size of 0.25 mm at the system center and various off-center positions. Absolute sensitivity without attenuation was determined by extrapolating the data measured using an (18)F line source and multiple layers of absorbers. Scatter fraction and counting rate performance were measured using 2 different cylindric phantoms simulating rat and mouse bodies. Sensitivity, scatter fraction, and noise equivalent counting rate (NECR) experiments were repeated under 4 different conditions (energy window, 250 approximately 750 keV or 350 approximately 650 keV; coincidence window, 6 or 10 ns). A performance phantom with hot-rod inserts of various sizes was scanned, and several animal studies were also performed. RESULTS: Energy resolution at a 511-keV photopeak was 18.3% on average. Radial, tangential, and axial resolution of images reconstructed with the Fourier rebinning (FORE) and filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithms were 1.18 (radial), 1.13 (tangential), and 1.45 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) (axial) at center and 2.35 (radial), 1.66 (tangential), and 2.00 mm FWHM (axial) at a radial offset of 2 cm. Absolute sensitivities at transaxial and axial centers were 7.0% (250 approximately 750 keV, 10 ns), 6.7% (250 approximately 750 keV, 6 ns), 4.0% (350 approximately 650 keV, 10 ns), and 3.8% (350 approximately 650 keV, 6 ns). Scatter fractions were 15.9% (mouse phantom) and 35.0% (rat phantom) for 250 approximately 750 keV and 6 ns. Peak NECR was 869 kcps at 3,242 kBq/mL (mouse phantom) and 228 kcps at 290 kBq/mL (rat phantom) at 250 approximately 750 keV and 6 ns. Hot-rod inserts of 1.6-mm diameter were clearly identified, and animal studies illustrated the feasibility of this system for studies of whole rodents and mid-sized animal brains. CONCLUSION: The results of this independent field test showed the improved physical characteristics of the F120 scanner over the previous microPET series systems. This system will be useful for imaging studies on small rodents and brains of larger animals.     

Saccular Aneurysm of the Azygos Anterior Cerebral Artery: Three Case Reports

The azygos anterior cerebral artery, a rare anomaly in the circle of Willis in which only a single vessel supplies the medial aspects of both anterior cerebral hemispheres, is closely associated with saccular aneurysms. We present three cases of azygos anterior cerebral artery aneurysms among the 781 cerebral aneurysms surgically treated at our institution in an 11-year period. These three cases all involved elderly women who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Conventional cerebral angiography and CT angiography revealed small saccular aneurysms at the distal ends of the azygos anterior cerebral arteries. These aneurysms were clipped successfully using a bifrontal interhemispheric approach. Hence, the pathogenesis of these particular aneurysms relating to hemodynamic change, associated anomalies, and surgical pitfalls is discussed with review of literature.     

子宫内膜体外构建及其应用研究进展

体外构建子宫内膜是利用组织工程学原理,在体外构建结构、形态与功能上与体内子宫内膜相似的三维模拟体。种子细胞分离培养、生物支架材料的合理选择及体外构建方法的优化是体外构建子宫内膜的重要因素。构建的子宫内膜在病理研究、三维培养体系、胚胎发育学及移植等方面具有重要的研究意义。只有更进一步模拟自然子宫的结构,优化构建技术路线和培养条件,才可以再造出真正意义上的组织工程化子宫。     

医源性桡神经损伤46例分析

目的阐述医源性桡神经损伤的伤因、治疗和预防措施。方法分析1991年～2003年间收治的46例医源性桡神经损伤的病例。结果伤因分为上肢手术误伤，肱骨干和桡骨上端闭合性骨折复位手法不当，头静脉穿刺致桡神经浅支损伤。本组21例保守治疗，22例手术治疗，3例行肌腱转位功能重建。结论手术误伤是医源性桡神经损伤的首要原因；临床医生丰富的解剖知识和细致、轻柔的操作是预防医源性桡神经损伤的关键。     

Treatment of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation-does resection in the early postnatal period increase surgical risk?

OBJECTIVE: The recent development of fetal ultrasonography has allowed for an increasing number of prenatal diagnoses for congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM). However, the appropriate surgical timing of these patients has not been studied as of yet. The aim of this study is to suggest a safe strategy for the treatment of CCAM by identifying the relationship between the timing of surgery and postoperative outcome. METHODS: Between 1987 and 2003, 40 patients (28 males, 12 females) underwent surgical resection for CCAM. The mean age was 38.6+/-9.1 (2 days-13 years) months. CCAM was diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography in eight patients. Early operations were performed in four out of the eight. Operation was deferred until 2-12 months of age for the remaining four patients. RESULTS: Type I CCAM was found in 20 patients, type II in 20 and no patient exhibited type III. Five patients had associated pectus excavatum anomaly. There were no cases of operative mortality. Seventeen minor postoperative complications developed in 16 patients (40.0%): prolonged chest tube drain in 10, wound infection in 4, and 1 case of pneumonia, empyema and pleural space, respectively. The average hospital stay was 11.8 (6-29) days. During the mean follow-up period of 67.5 months, one patient died of accidental aspiration 7 months after operation during the postoperative recovery course of Ravich operation for pectus excavatum. The remaining patients reported doing well with normal physical activity. All five patients who underwent surgery at the age of under 1 month did not exhibit increased postoperative morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that surgery for CCAM could be safely performed in all age groups with satisfactory long-term outcomes. It is suggested that early elective surgical correction can be recommended for a patient whose diagnosis was made in utero.