Volume 91  ·   Issue 07  ·  2011

Glaucoma is the second blinding eye disease in the world, and it is also one of the most important irreversible blinding eye diseases in China.Early patients with primary glaucoma are asymptomatic or mild, and patients tend to neglect and delay seeking medical treatment.In developed countries, half of glaucoma patients don't know that they have glaucoma, so they can't get timely diagnosis and treatment and lead to blindness [1-2]. However, the visual function damage caused by glaucoma is irreversible.Early detection of risk factors and effective prevention of the occurrence and development of glaucoma are very important parts of China's public health undertaking.Primary glaucoma includes primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). Because of the different pathogenic mechanisms of the two kinds of glaucoma, their pathogenic risk factors are also different.

Glaucoma is a group of clinical signs or eye diseases that directly damage the visual function of optic nerve, mainly related to the increase of intraocular pressure (IOP), causing atrophy of optic nerve and reduction of visual field defects. It is the first irreversible eye disease recognized globally that endangers public health. The number of glaucoma patients in the world has exceeded 66 million, and it is estimated that the number of glaucoma patients will increase to 79.6 million in 2020, and the absolute number of glaucoma patients in China ranks first in the world [1]. Glaucoma blindness cannot be reversed and recovered by current medical treatment methods, so early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma is very important.

China is the country with the largest number of glaucoma patients in the world. Once glaucoma enters an irreversible advanced stage, it is difficult to avoid the doom of blindness. If the early diagnosis and intervention of glaucoma patients can delay or block the progressive damage of optic nerve and retinal neurons, reduce the blindness rate and improve the quality of life of patients. I hope that through this article, more medical readers can understand the early diagnosis, content, methods and image integration technology that must be used in early diagnosis of glaucoma.

Objective To establish whether the structural parameters provided by GDx can be used to reflect functional damage in the mean defect of visual field. Methods 97 ( 191 eyes) patients with primary open angle glaucoma underwent examination with GDx and Octopus 1-2-3 automatic perimeter. The relationship between the retinal nerve fiber layer parameters and mean defect of visual field was analysed by ANOVA, Pearson's correlation (r), scatter plot and linear regression. Results The parameters of GDx decreased with increasing mean defect of visual field, measured both globally and regionally; r: SA=- 0.58, TSNIT =-0.52, IA=-0.52, NFI=-0.48 and IES=-0.33. All parameters were negative correlation with mean defect of visual field and there was significant correlation among these parameters,except IES(P＜0.05). The superior mean defect of visual field increased with decreasing inferior RNFL (r=-0.61), inferior visual field mean defect increased with decreasing superior RNFL (r=-0.59).There were significant correlation among these parameters. Conclusion Quantitative measures of the retinal nerve fiber layer using GDx were correlated with mean defect of visual field in patients with glaucoma. GDx can be used for follow up.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of the eyes with unilateral disc hemorrhage (DH) in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients. Methods 37 normal-tension glaucoma patients with unilateral DH were studied. Extensive parameters were analyzed to evaluate which parameters differ significantly between the DH eyes and the companion eyes. These parameters are:(1) intraocular pressure (IOP), (2) dioptres of refractive errors, (3) central corneal thickness (CCT), (4) disc area, (5)disc shape including horizontal diameter, vertical diameter and horizontal diameter/vertical diameter, (6)global parameters of optic disc, including rim area(G-RA), rim volume(G-RV) , mean retinal never fiber layer thickness( G-MRNFLT), cup shape measure ( G-CSM) and height variation contour ( G-HVC), (7)sectorial parameters of DH located area, including S-RA, S-RV, S-MRNFLT, S-CSM and S-HVC, (8)parameters of the peripapillary atrophy (PPA) beta zone including the incidence rate, area, extent and maximum width. The global and sectorial parameters of the optic disc were obtained directly from HRT-Ⅱ.The other parameters, such as optic disc horizontal diameter, vertical diameter and PPA, were obtained by processing the raw optic disc images acquired from HRT-Ⅱ using computer software Image-pro plus version 6.Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed on the acquired parameters. Results The disc vertical diameter ( P＜0.01) and incidence rate ( P = 0. 031 ) of zone beta appeared to be significantly larger in the DH eyes than the ones in the contra-lateral eyes, while horizontal diameter/vertical diameter was significantly smaller in the DH eyes. As for the optic disc global parameters, the G-MRNFLT (P=0. 028), G-HVC (P = 0.047) were significantly lower in the DH eyes than in the contra-lateral eyes while the G-CSM was significantly higher in DH eyes (P =0. 047). The differences of G-RA, G-RV between two eyes were not significant. As for the regional parameters, S-RA, S-RV, S-MRNFLT were significantly smaller in the DH eyes than in the contra-lateral eyes with P-values 0. 033, 0. 01 and 0. 008 respectively. SCSM was significantly larger in DH eyes (P =0. 021 ). S-HVC did not display significant difference between two groups. There were also no significant differences in CCT, dioptres of refractive errors, IOP, PPA parameters (including area, extent and maximum width) between DH eyes and companion eyes.Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that contained disc area, dioptres of refractive errors, G-RA,G-MRNFLT, G-CSM, horizontal diameter/vertical diameter and zone beta extent, the horizontal diameter/vertical diameter were the significant factors independently associated with disc hemorrhage ( P = 0.032,OR ＜ 0.001: ＜ 0.001 -0.35). Logistic regression analysis also showed that contained disc area, dioptres of refractive errors, S-RA, S-MRNFLT, S-CSM, horizontal diameter/vertical diameter and zone beta extent,the horizontal diameter/vertical diameter and S-MRNFLT were the significant factors independently associated with disc hemorrhage ( S-MRNFLT: P = 0. 019, OR ＜ 0. 001: ＜ 0. 001 - 0. 154; horizontal diameter/vertical diameter: P = 0.02, OR ＜ 0. 001: ＜ 0. 001 - 0. 124). Conclusion Our study indicates that horizontal diameter/vertical diameter is significantly smaller in NTG patients with unilateral optic disc hemorrhages. The DH located area also appears to have thinner RNFL thickness. Unilateral optic disc hemorrhages tend to have severe RNFL damage in DH located area and their optic disc shape tend to be longer, therefore we hypothesis that the elongation of the optic disc may be associated with the occurrence of DH.

Objective To analyze the discipline of intraocular pressure (IOP) variation, through circadian intraocular pressure monitoring in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and normal controls, with a view to provide basis for individualized treatment of glaucoma. Methods Subjects were enrolled from the outpatients of Shanghai Beizhan Hospital and Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University,which were diagnosed as primary open angle glaucoma, from April 2006 to April 2009. Totally there were 102 cases of patients and 83 cases of normal volunteers. All the subjects accepted 24-hour IOP measurements using non-contact tonometer every two hours starting from 8:00 am. And the IOP between O0:00 to 06:00 am was measured in sitting position immediately after wake up. Results The differences of peak IOP[ (16.0±2.7)mm Hg of right eye and ( 16.2±2.7)mm Hg of left eye in normal group; (25.3±5.6) mm Hg of right eye and (24.8±5.1) mm Hg of left eye in POAG group], valley IOP ( 11.1±2.5) mm Hg of right eye and (11.0±2.3) mm Hg of left eye in normal group; ( 16. 3 ±3.7) mm Hg of right eye and ( 16.2 ±3. 3 ) mm Hg of left eye in POAG group, average IOP (13.4±2.5) mm Hg of right eye and ( 13.4 ± 2.5)mm Hg of left eye in normal group; ( 19.9 ±4.3) mm Hg of right eye and ( 19. 8 ±3. 8) mm Hg of left eye in POAG group), and IOP fluctuations (5.0 ± 1.6) mm Hg of right eye and (5. 2 ± 1.7) mm Hg of left eye in normal group; (9.1 ±3.6) mm Hg of right eye and (8.6±3.8 ) mm Hg of left eye in POAG group between two groups were all of statistically significance (P ＜ 0. 01 ). Notably, the peak IOP of 59. 6% in normal control group and 73.5% in POAG group were outside working hours, especially in the time period from 00:00 to 06:00 am. The peak value of 50% in normal group and 64.7% in POAG group located between 00:00 to 06:00 in the morning. Conclusions By comparison and analysis, 24-hour intraocular pressure measurement could provide us pre-treatment basic state, so as to provide detailed information for individualized treatment. If possible, it is suggested that 24-hour IOP monitoring should be added as a routine examination of primary open angle glaucoma.

Objective To explore the role of fasciculation potentials in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods A total of 60 ALS patients were recruited from August 2009 to August 2010 at our hospital. Standard examinations of electromyography and nerve conduction were performed. And fasciculation potentials were measured in the resting muscles with a band pass of 20 Hz - 10 kHz, a sensitivity of 0. 05 - 0. 5 mV/D and a sweep speed of 5 ms/D. Each muscle was observed for 1 - 5 minutes. The amplitude, duration and phase of fasciculation potentials were recorded. Results The occurrence rate of fasciculation potential in sternocleidomastoid was more than that of fibrillation and positive sharp wave in ALS patients ( 36. 7% vs 13.3%, x2 = 8.71, P ＜ 0. 05 ). The amplitude and duration of fasciculation potentials in ALS patients with a duration of over 18 months were higher than that of those with a duration of under 8 months [ ( 1.8 ± 0. 9) mV, ( 1.0 ± 0. 6) mV; ( 15.2 ± 4. 1 ) ms, ( 11.2 ± 3. 0) ms;q =3.43, 3.51, P ＜0. 05 )]. The patients with definite ALS might increase if fasciculation potentials were considered as spontaneous potential ( 80% vs 60%; x2 = 5.71, P = 0. 02). Conclusion With different morphologies at different disease stages, fasciculation potentials may be useful in the earlier diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objectives To study the stress distribution of the adjacent different grades of disc degeneration underwenting unilateral laminectomy and discectomy surgery using non-linear finite element analysis. Methods Based on the lumbar CT scans, the finite element model (FEM) of lumbar spinal segment(L3-L3) was established. According to L3-L4 intervertebral disc degeneration, different grades of disc degeneration( healthy,mild, moderate and severe) models were established and unilateral laminectomy and discectomy surgery were also established. Physiological action such as flextion , extension , lateral bending and lateral rotation was simulated and the yon Mises stress in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus matrix of L3-L4 disc was investagated. Results After unilateral laminectomy and discectomy surgery, the extremum value of yon Mises stress of nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus matrix was maximum during extension and minimus left bending in the healthy intervertebral disc. Compared with healthy disc, the increment of extremum value was found during left bending in the mildly degenerated disc. When the value decreased in the moderately degenerated disc, but still higher than that in the healthy disc. When the adjacent disc is severly degenerated, the extremum value of nucleus pulposus decreased, in addition to axial rotation, and even lower than that of healthy disc. The value of annulus matrix decreased and still higher than that of healthy disc , especially during left bending. Conclusions After unilateral laminectomy and discectomy surgery, avoiding lateral bending will reduce the abnormal stress in the degenerated disc and decreased the risk of accelerating disc degeneration.

Objective To compare the short-term and medium-term result of stent implantation with pharmaceutical thrombolysis in patients with acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion. Methods From January, 2004 to December, 2008, thirty-five patients diagnosed acute superior mesenteric ischemia, 12 patients treated with stent implantation ( interventional therapy group) and 23 patients with pharmaceutical thrombolysis(thrombolytic therapy group). Interventional therapy group treated with balloon dilatation and stent implantation assisted with anticoagulation, antiplatelet and vascular dilation agents. Thrombolytic therapy group used urokinase combined with anticoagulation, antiplatelet and vascular dilation agents. All patients had tsken clopidogrel and aspirin orally after discharged and followed up. The clinical effects of both groups were evaluated separately and the Fisher exact test was used to analysis the significant differences. Results In the 23 cases of thrombolytic therapy group, 7 cases was effective, 16 cases was ineffective(7 cases aggravated or died, 9 cases turn to surgical operation). In the 12 cases of interventional therapy group, 10 cases treated with stent implantation( 1 case died of acute cardiac infarction 3 days after interventional operation), 2 cases failed in racanalizing. All patients were followed up after discharged (range 1 -48 months, mean 15 ± 12 months), 1 case in thrombolytic therapy group was stable, 6 cases died of the recurrence of acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion; 7 cases in interventional therapy group was stable, 1 case died of acute cardiac infarction 20 months after interventional operation ( intestinal ischemia not appeared ), 1 case had intestinal ischemia reoccurred and recovered by superior mesenteric artery thrombolysis. Conclusions In the treatment of acute superior mesenteric ischemia, stent implantation was obviously superior to pharmaceutical thrombolysis in improving intestinal ischemia and survival, therefore it could provided a reliable choice for the patients who had not appeared intestinal necrosis.

Objective At present,the clinical data about the effect of overall treatment time (OTT)on local control for nasopharygeal carcinomas (NPC) patients mainly derived from conventional radiotherapy (CRT). The effect of OTT on local control for NPC patients treated with IMRT is still unclear. This study was to explore the effect of OTT on local control in IMRT for NPC patients. Methods Clinical data of 850 NPC (T1 -4NO-3MO)patients that had undergone radical radiotherapy with IMRT from May 2001 to January 2008 in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were divided into two groups, which were group with OTT ≤42 and group with OTT ＞ 42 days respectively. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test was used to compare survival curves. The effect of clinical factors and treatment related factors on LCR were studied with univariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression. Results The 5-years local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) rate of group with OTT≤42 were 90. 7% ,and 90. 9% in group with OTT ＞42, no significant differences were found between these two groups (x2 = 0. 028, P = 0. 866 ). Further stratified analysis found that the LRFS rate for early T-stage patients was no significant difference between group with OTT ≤ 42 and group with ＞ 42 days, they were 97.2% and 97.9% (x2 =0. 672, P =0. 412). For advanced T-stage patients, the LRFS rate of OTT≤42 and ＞42 days were 86. 5% and 87.2% respectively(x2 =0. 151, P =0. 698). The 5-year LRFS rate were 94. 4% vs 93.0% (x2 =0. 090,P =0. 764) at OTT ＞42 vs ≤42 days for patients treated with IMRT alone,and 89. 7% vs 87. 6% (x2 =0. 060, P =0. 807) for patients in combination chemotherapy with IMRT. We divided all patients into three groups: OTT≤42 d,43 -49 d and ≥50 d, the 5-years LRFS rate of the three group was 90. 7%, 91.7% and 88.4%, respectively, there was no significant difference of LRFS among those three groups (x2 =0. 136, P =0. 934). Univariate analyis showed that T-stage and GTV volume were correlation with local control. In multivariate analysis, GTV volume was confirmed as independent prognostic factors for local control. Conclusions Within the range of the OTT observed in our study, prolonged OTT did not have adverse effect on local control GTV volume was independent prognostic factors in local control for NPC patients treated with IMRT.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of chylous effusion and boost its diagnostic and therapeutic level. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted for 123 cases of chylous effusion at our hospital between January 1990 and December 2009. Results The main clinical manifestations of chylous effusion included dyspnea ( 55.3% ), edema ( 26. 8% ), abdominal distention (22. 8% ) and loss of weight ( 17. 1% ). Hypoalbuminia was common (45. 5% ) and it was even more so in patients with idiopathic lymphopathies or of unknown causes (95.2%). The positive rates of identifying chylous effusion by Sudan Ⅲ test, high triglyceride levels ( ＞ 1.25 mmol/L), lymphangiography or lyphangioscintigraphy were 89. 1%, 80. 6%, 70. 6% and 89. 5% respectively. Its common etiologies included injury ( 14. 6% ), malignancy (9. 0% ), infections ( 7.3% ), lymphatic disorders or idiopathic lymphopathies ( 40% ), drug-associated ( 2. 4% ) or associated with underlying disorders ( 16. 3% ).Efficacy was achieved in 63.6% of the patients and 21.8% died. Conclusions Chylous effusion is a special type of serous effusion with multiple causes. Its clinical manifestations are often nonspecific. But malnutrition is common. Its causes are identified after a systematic evaluation. Treatment modalities include dietary modification, management of underlying causes and surgical approaches.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment strategy of arachnoid cyst associated with chronic subdural hematoma. Methods A retrospective analysis was made for 11 cases of arachnoid cyst associated with chronic subdural hematoma at our hospital from December 1999 to December 2009. There were 9 males and 2 females with a mean age of 23. 1 years old (range:7 -68). Their clinical characteristics were summarized. The symptoms included headache ( n = 10 ) and facial muscle twitching & eye squinting ( n = 1 ). History of previous head injury were found in 6 cases, strenuous exercise in 1 case and no history of injury in 4 cases. Results The clinical symptoms of 3 patients worsened after a conservative treatment and underwent a burred-hole procedure with drainage of hematoma. And 7/9 patients undergoing a burred-hole procedure with drainage of hematoma had a full recovery. But 2/9 had recurrent subdural hematoma at Days 20 and 40 pest-operation respectively and underwent the same procedure. Another 2 cases underwent craniotomy to remove subdural hematoma and arachnoid cyst and had stayed free of any symptom since then. All patients were followed up for 10 - 154 months after discharge. And none had recurrent subdural hematoma. All could study, work or live normally with a KPS ( Karnofsky performance scale) score of 80 or more. Conclusion Arachnoid cysts is a possible risk factor for subdural hematoma,especially in young adults. Chronic subdural hematoma generally develops within 1 - 3 months after head injury. And a common clinical presentation is headache. A burred-hole procedure with drainage of hematoma is adequate as the first-line treatment for arachnoid cyst associated with chronic subclural hematoma.

Objective To analyze the risk factors for triplet pregnancy after a simultaneous transfer of triplicate embryos. Methods The investigators carried out a retrospective analysis of 769 cycles in which three embryos were transferred in one treatment cycle, including 298 fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles and 471 frozen-thawed ET (FET) cycles. The impact of patient age and the number of good embryos transferred on the rates of clinical pregnancy and triplet pregnancy was studied according to different cycle types. Results ( 1 ) The rates of clinical and triplet pregnancy were significantly higher in the FET group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) than those in the fresh ET group; (2) all patients with a triplet pregnancy in the fresh ET group (n =6) were younger than 35 years old (P ＜ 0. 01 ). There was no significant difference between the subgroups in the FET cycle according to patient age ( P ＞ 0. 05 ); ( 3 ) when none, 1,2 or 3 good embryos were transferred in the fresh ET cycle, the clinical pregnancy rates were 28.3%, 46. 7%, 50. 6% and 58.7% and the triplet pregnancy rates 0, 2. 3%, 4. 7% and 6. 8% respectively. A similar clinical pregnancy rate (P ＞ 0. 05 ) and a significantly lower triplet pregnancy rate ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) were observed when 1 good embryo was transferred versus 2 good embryos ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). When 0, 1,2 or 3 good embryos were transferred in the FET cycle, the clinical pregnancy rates were 38.9%, 54. 8% , 59.7%, 63.9% and the triplet pregnancy rates 0, 5.0%,13.8%, 15.8% respectively. A similar clinical pregnancy rate (P ＞0. 05) and a significantly lower triplet pregnancy rate (P ＜ 0. 05 ) were observed when 1 good embryo was transferred versus two good embryos (P ＜ 0. 05 ). All triplet pregnancies occurred in cycles in which more than 1 good embryo was transferred (P ＜0. 05). Conclusion The patients have more triplet pregnancies in the FET cycle than in the fresh ET cycle. In the FET cycle, the patient age is irrelevant. It is recommended that no more than 2 embryos should be transferred. Selective single blastocyst embryo transfer is preferable if there are more than 2 good embryos available for transfer. No more than 2 embryos should be transferred in the fresh ET cycle if good embryos are available and a patient is under 35 years old.

Objective To observed the post-seizure expression level of neronpeptides ghrelin and Nesfatin-1 between the untreated and treated groups in kainic acid-kindling rats and understand the significance of their basic expressions. Methods The male S-D rats were divided randomly into NS and VPA groups after seizure. Each group was divided into 7 subgroups of 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d. And the blank group (without NS or VPA) and sham group (normal saline instead of kainic acid) were established. RIA (radioimmunoassay), ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of ghrelin and Nesfatin-1 in the serum and hypothalamus of kainic acid-kindling rats. Results Compared with the blank and sham groups, the seizure rats had a decreased expression of ghrelin while there was an elevated expression of Nesfatin-1 in hypothalamus. This trend was consistent with the serum expressions of desacylated ghrlin and Nesfatin-1. The expression of ghrelin became elevated at all stages in the VPA group. Especially the subgroups of 24 h (0. 320 ±0. 007) and 7 d (0. 284 ±0. 004) had a significant increase ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) while their expression levels remained lowed than that of the blank group( 0. 342 ± 0. 039 ). The expressions of Nesfatin-1 had a significant decrease ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) in all VPA subgroups while they were higher than those in the blank group (0. 124 ± 0. 007 ). Conclusion An accurate detection of serum expression level of desacylated ghrlin and Nesfatin-1 may reflect the fluctuation trend of neuropeptides in hypothalamus. It may offer a simple, sensitive and noninvasive method of diagnosing and treating epilepsy.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of mononuclear bone marrow cells (MBMCs) transplantation to rabbit liver with acute hepatic injury ( AHI ) and the feasibility that evaluated the functional recovery of acute hepatic injury model with MR-DWI. Methods 10 healthy rabbits were chosen to be normal control group which was only carried out MR-DWI scan of normal liver. 42 model rabbits of acute liver injury were randomly selected and divided into 2 groups: transplanted group( n = 21 ) and control group( n =21 ). Each rabbit of the transplanted group was infused 5 ml MBMCs suspension (about containing 2 × 107 MBMCs) into its liver at multiple sites. All manipulations to each rabbit in the control group were as same as those in the transplanted group except that 5 ml of D-Hanks solution was injected instead of MBMCs suspension. 7 model rabbits respectively chosen from the transplanted group and the control group were carried out MR-DWI scan and calculated the mean ADC value of the injury liver and then were killed on day 7, day 14 and day 28 of AHI establishment after transplantation. Other comparative assays were performed including: functional assay of liver, pathological examination of liver sections. Results Before MBMCs transplantation, the difference of liver function was not significant between the transplanted group and the control group. But after MBMCs transplantation , the liver functions of the transplanted group were significantly better than those of the control group at all time points tested ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). On day 7 of AHI establishment after MBMCs transplantation, the mean ADC values of the transplanted group and the control group were significant lower than those of the normal control group(P ＜0. 05 ). The mean ADC values of the transplanted group and the control group increased to the mean ADC values of the normal control group over time. At the same time point , the mean ADC values of the transplanted group were significantly higher than those of the control group. In the transplanted group, the difference of average ADC values between any two time points were significantly (P ＜ 0. 05). In the control group, the mean ADC values on day 7 were lower than those on day 14 and day 28 (P＜0. 05), the mean ADC values on day 14 were lower than those on day 28(P =0. 417). The correlation between the average ADC value and the ALT or AST was negative( P ＜0. 05 ), the correlation between the average ADC value and the ALB was positive( P ＜ 0. 05). Along with the increase of the average ADC value, the liver function of the AHI model rabbit gradually got better. Conclusion Transplantation of MBMCs promoted the recovery of liver function of AHI model rabbit The recovery of the injury liver could be detected with observing dynamic change of its mean ADC value.

Objective To explore the correlation between the elevated expression of cytokines under offsprings and understand the intervening effects of nuclear factor NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate pregnancy in rats. And the expression of cytokines was blocked with PDTC. The maternal levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and intcrleukin-10 were determined by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).The adult offsprings on different treatments were then compared with regards to prepulse inhibition ( PPI ),elevated levels of serum cytokines as shown by the markedly increased serum levels of IL-10 and TNF-α.The serum levels of IL-10 and TNF-α in the model group were significantly higher than those in the control group [(18.26±1.52) pg/ml, (119.64±16.42) pg/ml vs. (0. 16±0. 13) pg/ml and (11.21 ±1.81)pg/ml]. The elevation was partly blocked by PDTC. The serum levels of IL-10 and TNF-α in the intervention group [ ( 12. 64 ±2.04) pg/ml and (30. 34 ±2. 19) pg/ml respectively] were lower than those in the model group, but still higher than those in the control group. The psychotic-like phenotypes including defects in was blunted by the PDTC intervention. The PPI results demonstrated that the PP2 and PP8 difference between rats in 3 groups were statistically significant, with a lower PPI value in the model group than in the intervention group, in the intervention group than in the control group and much lower in the model group than in the control group. PP4 was lower in the model group than that in the intervention group, and also lower in the model group than in the control group. There was no significant difference between the control group and the intervention group. The passive avoidance results indicated that T1 was higher in the model group than in the control and intervention groups and there was no statistical difference between the control and intervention groups. T2 was lower in the model group than in the control and intervention groups and there was no statistical difference between the control and intervention groups. And the active avoidance test results showed that total conditioned reflex times of the control group was higher than those of the intervention and model groups. No statistical difference was found between the intervention and model groups. Total reflex rate of the control group was higher than that of the intervention and model groups. No statistical difference was found between the intervention and model groups. Conclusion PDTC can interfere with neural developmental disorder of adult offsprings through blunting the cytokine-mediated maternal immune response.

Researchers at King's College London and the University of East Anglia found that women who consumed more onion and garlic vegetables (shallots, garlic, onions, leeks, etc.) had a lower incidence of hip osteoarthritis.<BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders>on.The study not only shows that diet may prevent osteoarthritis,but also shows the possibility of using garlic extract to develop treatments for the disease.The study included more than 1,000 healthy female twins,most of whom had no symptoms of arthritis.The research team conducted a detailed evaluation of the twins' dietary patterns and analyzed them with X-rays (which can detect early osteoarthritis symptoms in areas such as hip,knees and spine).

severe sepsis (acute organ dysfunction secondary to infection, severe sepsis) and septic shock (severe sepsis combined with hypotension irreversible by fluid resuscitation, sepsis shock) are the final manifestations of severe stage of various infectious diseases, and are still one of the main causes of death in critically ill patients [1].

A 51-year-old female was found to have a cystic mass in her right lower abdomen during a health physical examination in March 2010. She came to the Maternity and Gynecology Hospital affiliated to Fudan University in April. Physical examination in the hospital: Gynecological examination: the uterus was in anterior position, normal size, no tenderness, palpable thickening on the right side, no tenderness, no rebound pain.