Construction and Evaluation for Model of Goat Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Induced by Axial Compressive Stress / 医用生物力学

Objective To establish the model of goat intervertebral disc degeneration （IDD） induced by controllable axial compressive stress and evaluate its imaging and pathological characteristics. Methods Twenty goats were randomly divided into 4 groups (control group, 4-week pressure group, 8-week pressure group, 12-week pressure group, n=5, 40 N pressure). Disc height index (DHI) was used to evaluate the change of intervertebral disc height by X-ray, Pfirrmann classification method was used to observe the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and histopathological observation and evaluation for intervertebral disc were conducted by HE staining and immunohistochemistry. Results DHI in control group showed no significant changes with the extension of pressure time, while DHI in the experimental group gradually decreased. There was no significant change in Pfirrmann classification in control group. In experimental group, with the extension of time, the higher the degeneration aggravated with the Pfirrmann classification increasing. In experimental group, HE staining showed that the disc nucleus pulposus decreased in volume and nucleus pulposus cells, which were gradually replaced by fibrous tissues. Immunohistochemical staining showed that type I collagen in the nucleus pulposus gradually increased, type Ⅱ collagen gradually decreased, and intervertebral disc degeneration occurred. Conclusions A certain axial compressive stress can lead to degeneration of goat lumbar intervertebral disc, and the degree of degeneration is gradually increased with the extension of time.

A study of prevalence of goiter among school children in Kolar

Background: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) constitute the single largest cause of preventable brain damage worldwide leading to learning disabilities and psychomotor impairment. Nearly 266 million school children worldwide have insufficient iodine intake. IDD was found to be a public health problem in 47 countries. Since the information on current prevalence of goiter in Kolar was not available, the present study was undertaken.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among school children aged 6-12 years in Kolar taluk. A total of 650 children (325 urban and 325 rural) were selected for goiter examination by multistage random cluster sampling technique. A total of 150 children were tested for the median urinary concentration and 150 salt samples were tested from the households of the study population.Results: The total goiter rate was 6.6% among primary school children aged 6-12 years with a significant difference between ages. As the age increased the goiter prevalence also increased. The median urinary iodine excretion level was found to be 137 µg/l and 92.7% salt samples had >15 ppm iodine content.Conclusions: Present study shows mild goiter prevalence in primary school children in Kolar and an adequate iodine content of salt and urine.

Iodine Deficiency in School Children in Aligarh District, India.

We carried out this study to assess iodine deficiency disorders among school children of 6-12 years age group in Aligarh district of India. The prevalence of goiter was 5.2%. Median Urinary Iodine Excretion level was 150 µg/L; 22.5% of students had biochemical iodine deficiency. 50.4% households were consuming adequately iodized salt.

Effect of overexpression of asporin on regulations of TGF- β 1 and Col2α1 in L929 cells / 实用医学杂志

Objective To establish the L929 cell line with high expression of asporin ,and to study the effect of asporin on the expressions of TGF- β1 and Col2α1 in mouse fibroblast L929. Methods Asporin cDNA was amplified from mouse mandible tissue by RT-PCR,then was inserted into the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(-). The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(-)-ASPNIII was transfected into the mouse fibroblast cell line L929, followed by G418 treatment. RT-PCR and Western blot assays were used to screen the stable, asporin high expressing L929 cell line.The effect of overexpression of asporin on the regulations of TGF-β1 and Col2α1 was further studied. Results The stable, aspori high expressing n L929 cell linewas successfully established. Results of RT-PCR and Western blot assays showed that overexpression of asporin could effectively inhibit the expressions of TGF-β1 and Col2α1. Conclusion Enforced expression of asporin can inhibit the expression of TGF-β1 and Col2α1 in L929 cells.

Evolution of Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program in India: A Journey of 5,000 Years.

Iodine defi ciency disorders (IDD) has been documented since around 5,000 years. However, geological factors like frequent glaciations, fl ooding, and changing of course of rivers has led to iodine defi ciency in soil. As a result everyone remains at risk of IDD, if optimum intake of iodine is not sustained. Evolution of the IDD control program in India has been a dynamic process. The model of IDD control program in India provides important lessons for successful implementation of a national health program. In formulating National Health Programs; policy environment, scientifi c inputs, political will, and institutional structure for decision making are necessary but not suffi cient. Continuous and dynamic generation of reliable and representative state and national level data, proactive recognition of values of key stakeholders and addressing them through sustained advocacy, development of partnerships among stakeholders, institutional continuity, and mentorship are critical for achieving sustainability of results.

Iodine Deficiency Disorder in Children Aged 6-12 Years of Ambala, Haryana.

We conducted this study to assess the prevalence of goitre among 2700 children (6-12 yr) of district Ambala in Haryana. Children were examined as per standards laid by National iodine deficiency disorder control programme (NIDDCP). Multi stage cluster sampling method was used. Urine and salt samples were also studied for iodine concentration. The overall prevalence of goitre in the studied subjects was 12.6%. The median urinary iodine excretion in the study sample was more than 100μg/L Iodine content was found to be adequate in 88% of salt samples. We conclude that there was a high prevalence of goitre in young children despite iodine repletion. This calls for identification of factors to strengthen NIDDCP and the need to emphasize use of iodized salt in Haryana.

Development of shear force-induced intervertebral disc degeneration model / 医用生物力学

Objective To develop a shear force-induced intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in vivo animal model, and investigate the relationship between shear stress and IDD. Methods A total of 20 Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. In loading group (n=10), shear force of 50 N was applied on the disc of L4/5 for 4 weeks by a custom-made external shear force loading device. In control group (n=10), the animals underwent a sham operation with the external loading device situated, but their discs remained unloaded. After 4 weeks, all the intervertebral discs of L4/5 were executed for the pathologic examination. Results The postoperative radiographic examination showed a perfect position of the loading device, and the operation process and implanted loading device had no effect on daily activities and diet of the experiment animals. The pathological examination showed an irregular arrangement of annulus fibrosus and a significant decrease of normal nucleus pulposus cells in loading group. Conclusions The new custom made device greatly reduced the wounds on animal vertebra and provided a reliable shear force. The development of in vivo animal model indicates that IDD can be induced by shear force, which is of significance to further study the relationship between loading and IDD.

Epidemiological Assessment of Goiter.

Research Question: 1. What is the magnitude of problem of Goiter? 2. What is the level of iodised salt consumed by school children at school & home? Objectives: 1. To find out incidence of Goiter. 2. To find out level of iodised salt consumed by school children at school & home. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: School & houseto- house survey of urban & rural area of Raichur district. Participant: School children & general population of both sexes. Sample size: 45173. Statistical analysis: Proportion & Chi-squared test. Results: Total population covered 45173 in five talukas. Males were 23463 & females 21730, adult population 16404, children more than 15 yrs were 28769 & school population was 24984. School boys were 14269 & girls 10715. Highest prevalence of goiter found in Raichur taluka i.e. 5.68% and lowest in Lingsur taluka i.e. 0.86%. Over all prevalence of Goiter among surveyed villages is found to be 3.19 % (1439 cases). Higher prevalence has been reported among females in age group of 10- 14 yrs 5.25% & 15-19 yrs 4.66% compared to other age groups of village population. School children in Raichur district revealed the prevalence of Goiter 3.66%. Conclusion: Prevalence of Goiter among surveyed villages is found to be 3.19 % (1439 cases), which is less compared to the National figures. The people are consuming the iodated salt and ban on non-iodated salt may be effectively implemented in study region.

Niveles de excreción urinaria de yodo en escolares del Quindío, 2006-2007 / Urinary iodine excretion levels in schoolchildren from Quindío, 2006-2007

Objetivo El estado nutricional de yodo se mide por la concentración de yodo urinario y permite evaluar los riesgos por deficiencia o aumento.Estudiar la frecuencia del riesgo de desordenes por deficiencia o por más de una adecuada ingesta de yodo en escolares del Quindío. Métodos La concentración de yodo urinario se midió en una muestra casual de orina tomada en cada sujeto entre el 2006-2007. Resultados En 444 muestras analizadas, la mediana de yoduria fue de 272,4 µg/L; 11,9 por ciento de los escolares tenían yoduria normal, 28,8 por ciento presentaron déficit de yodo, de estos 11,5 por ciento tenían déficit severo, 12,6 por ciento déficit moderado y 4,7 por ciento déficit leve. 59,3 por ciento presentaron riesgo por ingesta excesiva de yodo. El rango de déficit de yodo en los niños fue de 31 por ciento y en las niñas 26,6 por ciento sin diferencia significativa, tampoco se encontró diferencia significativa con la edad, pero si entre los estratos (p<0,000). Los municipios de las zonas rurales presentaron 100 por ciento de déficit de yodo (medianas <100 ug/L), mientras los de la zona urbana (Armenia, Tebaida y El Caimo) presentaron excesiva ingesta de yodo. Conclusiones: la población estudiada mostró severas deficiencias (zonas rurales) y excesiva ingesta de yodo (población urbana), sugiriendo ausencia o pobre control del programa de yodación y una exposición adicional a elementos causantes de desordenes de yodo. Se requiere un programa para el seguimiento de los desordenes de yodo en la población escolar estudiada.

Objective Iodine nutritional status is measured by urinary iodine concentration thereby allowing risks involved in such deficiency or increase to be assessed. Studying the frequency of the risk of iodine deficiency disorders, or more than suitable iodine intake in schoolchildren from Quindío. Methods Urinary iodine concentration was measured in a casual urine sample taken from each subject; this study lasted from 2006 to 2007. Results Median urinary iodine was 272.4 µg/L in the 444 samples analysed. 11.9 percent of schoolchildren had normal urinary iodine, 28.8 percent had iodine deficiency and 11.5 percent of them had a severe deficit, 12.6 percent moderate deficit and 4.7 percent slight deficit. 59.3 percent presented a risk of excessive iodine intake. The range of iodine deficiency in boys was 31 percent and 26.6 percent in girls (no significant difference). No significant difference was found with age; however, there was a significant difference between economic levels 1 and 2 (p <0.000). Municipalities in rural areas had 100 percent iodine deficiency (median um <100 ug/L) whilst those in the urban area (Armenia, Tebaida and The Caimo) had excessive iodine intake. Conclusions The population being studied had severe iodine deficiencies (rural) and excessive intake (urban population), suggesting the absence or poor control of an iodisation programme and additional exposure to factors causing iodine disorders. A programme is required for monitoring iodine disorders in the school population being studied.

Iodine deficiency disorders after a decade of universal salt iodization in a severe iodine deficiency region in China.

Background & objectives: Universal salt iodization (USI) was implemented in all counties of China in 1995. This study was undertaken to assess the status of iodine deficiency disorders control and prevention after 10 years of implementation of USI in a severe iodine deficiency region in China. Methods: Thirty primary school were selected in Gansu province utilizing cluster sampling methodology for the years 1995 and 2005. In each selected school, 40 children aged 8-10 yr were randomly selected for thyroid and IQ examination, and urinary samples were collected from 12. On the spot casual urine samples and salt samples were collected from a subset of children included in the study. In 2005, casual urine samples were also collected from 50 pregnant and lactating women in each cluster. Effect of health education was studied by a combination method of giving questionnaires to and observing students and families. Results: The total goiter rates (TGR) were found to be 13.5 and 38.7 per cent in 2005 and 1995 respectively. The medians urinary iodine excretion levels of children were 191.8 and 119.9 μg/l in 2005 and 1995. The median urinary iodine excretion level of women was 161.9 μg/l. The mean intelligence quotient (IQ) was 96.9 in 2005 significantly more than that in 1997 (P<0.05). The health education pass rate of children and women were 21.1 and 51.1 per cent respectively. Interpretation & conclusion: After ten years of universal salt iodization (USI), iodine nutrition of people improved and the current iodine nutrition status of population was adequate. Decrease in TGR and increase in IQ showed that IDD control and prevention had made great progress through ten years USI, salt iodization played the key role in IDD control and prevention for sustained elimination of IDD, the programme of USI and other measures like health education should be persisted and enforced.

Species convergence into life-forms in a hyperseasonal cerrado in central Brazil / Convergência de espécies em formas de vida em um cerrado hiperestacional no Brasil central

Whether the functional structure of ecological communities is deterministic or historically contingent is still quite controversial. However, recent experimental tests did not find effects of species composition variation on trait convergence and therefore the environmental constraints should play the major role on community convergence into functional groups. Seasonal cerrados are characterized by a sharp seasonality, in which the water shortage defines the community functioning. Hyperseasonal cerrados experience additionally waterlogging in the rainy season. Here, we asked whether waterlogging modifies species convergences into life-forms in a hyperseasonal cerrado. We studied a hyperseasonal cerrado, comparing it with a nearby seasonal cerrado, never waterlogged, in Emas National Park, central Brazil. In each area, we sampled all vascular plants by placing 40 plots of 1 m² plots in four surveys. We analyzed the species convergences into life-forms in both cerrados using the Raunkiaer's life-form spectrum and the index of divergence from species to life-form diversity (IDD). The overall life-form spectra and IDDs were not different, indicating that waterlogging did not affect the composition of functional groups in the hyperseasonal cerrado. However, there was a seasonal variation in IDD values only in the hyperseasonal cerrado. As long as we did not find a seasonal variation in life-form diversity, the seasonal variation of convergence into life-forms in the hyperseasonal cerrado was a consequence of the seasonal variation of species diversity. Because of high functional redundancy of cerrado plants, waterlogging promoted a floristic replacement without major changes in functional groups. Thus, waterlogging in the hyperseasonal cerrado promoted seasonal changes in species convergence into life-forms by reducing species diversity.

Se a estrutura ecológica das comunidades é determinística ou historicamente dependente é ainda um tema controverso. Entretanto, testes experimentais recentes não encontraram efeitos da variação da composição de espécies na convergência de traços funcionais e, portanto, as restrições ambientais devem ter um papel principal na convergência das comunidades em grupos funcionais. Cerrados estacionais são caracterizados por uma estacionalidade pronunciada, em que a seca define o funcionamento da comunidade. Cerrados hiperestacionais experimentam adicionalmente um alagamento na estação chuvosa. Aqui, perguntamo-nos se o alagamento modifica a convergência de espécies em formas de vida em um cerrado hiperestacional. Para tanto, estudamos um cerrado hiperestacional, comparando-o com um cerrado estacional, nunca alagado, no Parque Nacional das Emas, GO. Em cada cerrado, usamos 40 parcelas de 1 m² e amostramos todas as plantas vasculares. Analisamos a convergência de espécies em formas de vida usando o espectro biológico de Raunkiaer e o índice de divergência entre a diversidade de espécies e de formas de vida (IDD). Os espectros gerais e os IDDs não diferiram, indicando que o alagamento não afetou a composição dos grupos funcionais no cerrado hiperestacional. Entretanto, houve uma variação estacional nos valores de IDD somente no cerrado hiperestacional. Como não observamos variações estacionais na diversidade de formas de vida, a variação da convergência no cerrado hiperestacional foi uma conseqüência da variação estacional da diversidade de espécies. Devido à elevada redundância funcional das plantas do cerrado, o alagamento promoveu substituições florísticas sem maiores mudanças nos grupos funcionais. Portanto, o alagamento promoveu mudanças estacionais na convergência de espécies em formas de vida, reduzindo a diversidade de espécies.

Recurrent Pancreatitis Caused by Intraluminal Duodenal Diverticulum in an 11-year-old Girl: a Case Report

An 11-year-old girl with history of two previous attacks of acute pancreatitis was admitted to another hospital. On physical examination, she had epigastric tenderness. Laboratory studies included amylase of 657IU/L and lipase of 3131IU/L. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan suggested necrosis in 30% of pancreas. To establish the cause of recurrent pancreatitis, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed after acute pancreatitis subsided. Duodenoscopic view revealed a blind sac covered by normal duodenal mucosa at the second portion of the duodenum. Barium upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) showed a large sac separated from adjacent duodenal lumen by a radiolucent band. Diagnosis of intraluminal duodenal diverticulum (IDD) was made and endoscopic excision was considered. The apex of the diverticulum was incised endoscopically using a needle knife papillotome. At a follow-up endoscopy one day after procedure, bleeding from the incised edge of diverticulum was noted. Despite hemoclipping and injection of hypertonic saline-epinephrine solution by under the endoscopy, hemostasis was unsuccessful. She was transferred to the Kyungpook National University Hospital after resuscitation. Open duodenotomy and excision of the diverticulum were performed. She has recovered well from surgery and remains asymptomatic.

Availability of Intradiscal Injection of Marcaine as a Pain Relief Test for Diagnosis of Internal Disc Disruption / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the availability of an intradiscal injection of marcaine as a pain relief test to enhance specificity in the diagnosis of IDD. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The diagnosis and treatment of IDD have been controversial. A discography, which has been widely used for the diagnosis of IDD, has many problems that might result in a faulty diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty nine patients, with an average age and duration of symptom of 36.9 years (22 to 46 years) and 5 years 1 month (6 months to 10 years), respectively, were reviewed. After the discography, the marcaine was injected. Based on the responses after the injection, the group was sub-divided into a further two groups. Group A (n=19): transient pain relief and surgical treatment was performed. Group B (n=10): no pain relief and conservative treatment was performed. An analysis to examine the correlation between the response to marcaine and age, duration of symptom, subjective pain level, number of disc degeneration and high intensity zone was also performed, and the clinical results quantified. RESULTS: The agreement rate between the discography and response to marcaine was 55.2%. The longer the symptom duration, the more meaningful were the responses to the marcaine injection (p<0.05). The result of surgical treatment was important statistically, as the pain was relieved from 8.6 +/- 0.97 to 1.8 +/- 0.42 points, and the ODI decreased from 68 +/- 16.92 to 30 +/- 9.97% (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An intradiscal injection of marcaine, as the pain relief test, can enhance the specificity for the diagnosis of IDD.

Construction and expression of prokaryotic vector of a novel candidate gene IDD01 associated with hepatocellular carcinoma / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To construct the prokaryotic vector and to express a novel candidate gene IDD01 associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for its functional study. Methods The open reading frame (ORF) of IDD01, amplified from HCC tissue by RT PCR, was inserted into the expression vector pMAL c2X. The recombinant vector was transformed into E. coli TB1, and the expression products were analyzed by SDS PAGE. Results The length of PCR product was about 770 bp. The restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing conformed that the gene segment was correctly inserted into the vector. SDS PAGE and density scanning indicated that the protein was expressed as a fusion protein with 28 KD of molecular weight and the fusion protein possessed 30.4% of the total bacterial protein. Conclusion The recombinant vector is constructed successfully and IDD01 can be expressed at a high level, which lays a foundation for the further research on the functions of IDD01 gene.

Analysis of iodine and selenium trace elements in umbilical cord blood in cretinous regions in northwest China in 1999

Shaanxi Province located at Midwest inland of China was a typical iodine deficient disorders region. To investigate iodine and selenium levels of neonates in the Shaanxi sub-clinical cretinism region of China after supplement of iodine salt for nearly twenty years. We collected 56 umbilical cord blood samples from cretinous regions of Yijun County (a selenium deficient region) north of Shaanxi Province and Ziyang County (a selenium-enriched region) south of the province and from Lintong in Xi'an (a non-cretinous region for control). Among these samples 17 were collected from Ziyang, 20 from Lintong and 19 from Yijun. Seven trace elements of iodine, selenium, zinc, copper, iron, calcium and magnesium in the umbilical cord blood samples were measured and the results were processed statistically. There were no significant differences in the levels of iodine among all three counties. However, the level of selenium in Ziyang was the highest and in Yijun it was the lowest. The other trace elements such as Cu Zn Fe and Mg showed no significant difference among the three counties except for the Ca level which was lower in Yijun.The regression equation was established with the backward method of multiple regression was: Se=0.180+0.00006654 Fe-0.006 Cu-0.005956 Mg+0.1.

Analysis of Iodine and Selenium Trace Elements in Umbilical Cord Blood in Cretinous Regions in Northwest China in 1999

Shaanxi Province located at Midwest inland of China was a typical iodine deficient disorders region. To investigate iodine and selenium levels of neonates in the Shaanxi sub-clinical cretinism region of China after supplement of iodine salt for nearly twenty years. We collected 56 umbilical cord blood samples from cretinous regions of Yijun County (a selenium deficient region) north of Shaanxi Province and Ziyang County (a selenium-enriched region) south of the province and from Lintong in Xi’an (a non-cretinous region for control). Among these samples 17 were collected from Ziyang, 20 from Lintong and 19 from Yijun. Seven trace elements of iodine, selenium, zinc, copper, iron, calcium and magnesium in the umbilical cord blood samples were measured and the results were processed statistically. There were no significant differences in the levels of iodine among all three counties. However, the level of selenium in Ziyang was the highest and in Yijun it was the lowest. The other trace elements such as Cu Zn Fe and Mg showed no significant difference among the three counties except for the Ca level which was lower in Yijun. The regression equation was established with the backward method of multiple regression was: Se = 0.180 + 0.00006654 Fe − 0.006 Cu − 0.005956 Mg + 0.1