Palpable Research Articles

Changes occurring in the receptors of blood neutrophils during implantation in Sahiwal cows

Neutrophils are considered to be the first line of defence against any external invasion. To study the number of neutrophils and expression of adhesion receptors during implantation of an embryo in the mothers endometrium. Blood samples were collected from 15 Sahiwal cows on the day of Artificial Insemination (A.I.) (day 0), and on day 18 post A.I. (day of implantation). Total leucocyte counts (TLC), number and type of neutrophils were observed under light microscopy, whereas, neutrophils receptors were observed by flow cytometry. Cows were divided into pregnant (P) and non-pregnant (NP) groups once they were confirmed pregnant after estimation of plasma progesterone (on day 18) and also by rectal palpation (on day 60). Higher (P<0.05), TLC and neutrophil percentage was observed during early pregnancy in P cows on day 18 th of A.I.. The surface receptor expression of CD62L and CD11B by flow cytometry showed significantly lower (P<0.05) expression of these receptors on day 18 th in P cows. From this study it was concluded that more neutrophils are released during circulation in both P and NP cows, but more surface receptor on the surfaces of NP cows increase the overall activity of their neutrophils and thus prevents implantation of the embryo in them.

Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Hard Palate: A Case Report

Pleomorphic adenoma is a benign tumor that most commonly occurs in the major salivary glands, especially in the parotid gland, and is less commonly found in the minor salivary glands. A painless palpable mass is the usual presenting symptom. Following biopsy or fine needle aspiration to confirm the diagnosis, surgical removal is the treatment of choice. Total excision of pleomorphic adenoma reduces the rates of recurrence and malignant transformation. Herein, a case of pleomorphic adenoma affecting the hard palate is reported.

A somatic component to myocardial infarction.

Sixty two patients were randomised to be seen by ost?o? pathie physicians for palpation of the thoracic para vertebral soft tissue, T1-T8. Twenty five patients had clinically confirmed acute myocardial infarction. Of the remainder, 22 without known cardiovascular disease served as controls and 15 were placed in an excluded group because of diagnosed cardiovascular disease other than myocardial infarction. Observations were described in predetermined standard terminology. The control group was found to have a low incidence of palpable changes throughout the thoracic dorsum, and these changes were uniformly distributed from Tl to T8. Examination of the group with myocardial in? farction disclosed a significantly higher incidence of soft tissue changes (increased firmness, warmth, ropiness, oedematous changes, heavy musculature), confined almost entirely to the upper four thoracic levels. The 15 patients who were excluded from the experimental group because they had various cardiovascular diseases other than myocardial infarction also showed sig? nificantly different changes on palpation compared with the group with myocardial infarction. These findings suggest that myocardial infarction is accompanied by characteristic paravertebral soft tissue changes which are readily detected by palpation.

Ultrasound Improves First-Attempt Success with Radial Arterial Line Placement

The radial artery is traditionally located by palpation, but this can be challenging in patients with hypotension, small-caliber vessels, or peripheral

Influence of mid-cycle pg therapy on fertility and plasma profile of progesterone and biochemical constituents in repeat breeding cows and buffaloes

A study was conducted under field conditions in Amul and Panchamrut milk-shed areas of Gujarat on 30 postpartum cows and buffaloes each of average body condition score without any visible or palpable genital abnormalities. These comprised of 20 repeat breeding (10 PG treated and 10 untreated control) and 10 normal cyclic control animals in each class. The aim was to evaluate and compare the fertility response as well as plasma progesterone and biochemical profile of repeat breeders to i/m injection of PGF2α 25 mg at mid-cycle with fix timed AI (FTAI) twice 72 and 96 hrs later (Gr-I), with those of untreated repeat breeder (Gr-II) and normal cyclic (Gr-III) controls. The oestrus induction response obtained with mid-cycle PG treatment in both cows and buffaloes was 100% within mean intervals of 53.79±2.18 and 61.16±5.21 h, respectively, from the day of PG injection. The conception rates at induced/first oestrus and overall of 3 cycles in cows were 50 and 70%, and in buffaloes 60 and 70.00%, respectively. The corresponding first service and overall conception rates in untreated repeat breeder cows were 20 and 30% and buffaloes 20 and 40%, respectively, and in normal cyclic control cows 50 and 80% and in buffaloes 40 and 70%. The repeat breeding cows and buffaloes had significantly (P<0.01) higher plasma progesterone (4.73±0.37 and 4.43±0.43 ng/ml) at the time of PGF2α injection suggesting that they all had midcycle functional CL on the ovary. This PG injection caused rapid luteolysis and drastic (P<0.01) reduction in plasma progesterone concentrations within next 72 hrs when FTAI was done. The levels further rose significantly by day 21 post-AI due to establishment of pregnancy in 50–60 per cent of treated animals. The levels of plasma protein, cholesterol, calcium and phosphorus were not influenced by treatment or reproductive status of animals, except that among cows the minerals were significantly higher in normal cyclic than repeat breeders. Thus, the results with mid-cycle PG protocol in repeat breeding cows and buffaloes were better or at par with normal cyclic controls (50–80%), as against only 20–40% in untreated repeat breeding control groups. Hence, the midcycle PGF2α treatment protocol can be used in repeat breeding cows and buffaloes under field conditions, provided animals have a palpable CL at the time of PG treatment and are not bred during previous cycle.

Urogenital tuberculosis – case report

Urogenital tuberculosis is uncommon in developed countries. Numerous and nonspecific urologic complaints are characteristic, e.g. lower urinary tract symptoms, haematuria, renal pain, palpable lesions in testis and epididymis and constitutional symptoms. Microbiological diagnostic tests together with imaging and endoscopy are indicated in urogenital tuberculosis. The role of surgery has changed in the era of modern antimycobacterial agents. Surgery is used in advanced stages and is reconstructive rather than ablative for removal of infected tissue. Article describes procedures for treatment of urinary obstruction, surgical procedures on kidney, ureter, bladder, prostate and urethra and testis with epididymis. Case report presents 69 year old man who presented with left side epididymitis, however after initial diagnostic tests tumour of left testis and epididymis and right kidney with liver metastasis was suspected. Computer tomography of thorax diagnosed miliary tuberculosis. Patient was transferred to pulmonary department, where tuberculosis was confirmed and medical antituberculous therapy was initiated. Adequate treatment response with regression of tuberculous lesions in urogenital tract was observed.

Solitary fibrous tumors in the extremities: imaging findings for six patients.

The purpose of this study was to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) findings for solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) in the extremities in correlation with histopathological findings. Between 2006 and 2013, 6 consecutive patients with SFT in an extremity were studied with MRI (6 patients) and CT (4 patients). Diffusion-weighted images were also performed in 3 patients and dynamic contrast-enhanced CT in 2 patients. All 6 tumors were diagnosed after surgical excision, and the pre-surgical imaging findings were correlated with the histopathological findings. As a result, all 6 patients were female, and each had a clearly palpable, well-circumscribed, round or oval mass adjacent to fascia in an extremity, of less than 10 cm maximum diameter in 5 patients. On MRI, the tumors were iso-intense with muscle on T1-weighted image, and appeared heterogeneous and high-intensity on T2-weighted image. After injection of a contrast agent, the tumors demonstrated strong enhancement. A vascular pedicle was detected in 4 patients with tumors having a maximum diameter more than 5 cm. Diffusion-weighted images demonstrated high signal intensities, and apparent diffusion coefficient values were iso to high compared to muscle (from 1.41-2.10×10(-3) mm(2)/s). All the tumors were benign histopathologically and clinically. In 1 patient, the imaging appearance revealed underlying histopathological components, including fibrous-rich, cellular-rich, and myxoid change areas. In conclusion, a SFT in an extremity comprises a well-circumscribed mass adjacent to fascia having a fibrous-dominant area, strong contrast enhancement, and a vascular pedicle.

The effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin on the pregnancy rate of resynchronized Nellore cows submitted to fixed-time insemination

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) during resynchronization on the pregnancy rates of Nellore cows submitted to fixed-time artificial insemination. A group comprised of 100 multiparae Nellore cows was submitted to a resynchronizing protocol: on day 0 the subjects received the Bovine Intravaginal Device with 1,0g of progesterone (P4), associated with intramuscular administration of 2,0mg of estradiol benzoate (IM); on day 8, the Bovine Intravaginal Device (DIB ® ) was removed, and 1,0mg of estradiol cypionate, 0,15mg of prostaglandin F 2α and 300 UI of equine chorionic gonadotropin were administered; on day 10, fixed-time artificial insemination was conducted (FTAI ). The subjects were then randomized into Control Group (n=50) and Treated Group (n=50), of which the latter received 500mg of rbST on the eighth day of the protocol. Sixty days after the fixed-time artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnoses were conducted via rectal palpation. Blood samples were taken to measure plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol. Pregnancy rates were statistically evaluated through Generalized Linear Models Theory, and their significance was tested through Analysis of Deviance. No difference was found between groups, pregnancy rates were 40% and 48% for control and treated groups, respectively. Cholesterol plasma concentrations were also not affected by the treatment with rbST. There were significant increases in serum glucose and triglycerides between groups. The administration of rbST to multiparae Nellore cows, in a single dose, did not statistically interfere in the pregnancy rates. The resynchronization of estrus and re-insemination had a positive effect in cumulative pregnancy rates.

Prognostic factors of survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib

Objective To study the prognostic factors of survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with sunitinib. Methods From May 2008 to Dec 2012, the clinical data of 82 cases with mRCC adminstered by sunitinib were reviewed retrospectively. The study included 60 male patients and 22 female patients, whose age ranged from 29 to 82 years [mean (56.1±11.3) years]. Among them, 52 cases presented hematuria, flank pain and palpable mass. The size of renal tumor ranged from 2.0 to 18.0 cm [mean (8.0±3.0) cm]. The location of tumor included 41 in left kidney, 37 in right kidney and 4 in bilateral kidney. The pathological tissue obtained from the operation in 69 cases and from biopsy in 13 cases. The pathological results demonstrated renal cell carcinoma in 75 cases, papillary cell carcinoma in 2 cases, chromophobe cell carcinoma in 2 cases, sarcomatoid carcinoma in 2 cases, collecting duct carcinoma in one case. The site of metastasis included lung in 50 cases, liver in 11 cases, bone in 14 cases, pancrease in 3 cases, retroperitoneal lymph node in 31 cases. In 52 cases, the ECOG scores ranged from 1 to 2. The others scores were more than 3. The average level of hemoglobin, AKP, LDH and leukocyte were (132±24) g/L, (90±65) U/L, (168±114) U/L and (6.4±2.0)×109/L, respectively. Before treatment, the abnormal cases in those parameters were 59, 9, 6 and 2, respectively. According to the MSKCC risk model, 14 cases were classified into the high risk group and 68 cases into medium risk group. 74 cases were accepted the sunitinb therapy within one year after diagnosis and 8 cases were accepted same therapy until one year after diagnosis. The overall survival (OS) rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the influencing factors and the prognosis. Results The average OS was (21.6±14.1) months (ranged 2.8 to 64.1 months). The survival rate at 1st, 2nd and 3rd year were 71%, 64% and 58%, respectively. Single factor analysis showed that significant prognostic factors were as follows: ECOG performance status ≥2 (P=0.005), clinical symptom during first clinic visiting (P=0.031), without nephrectomy (P=0.012), the number of metastatic sites≥2 (P=0.015), hemoglobin before treatment (P=0.005), serum AKP level before treatment (>126 U/L) (P=0.007), MSKCC score≥3 (P=0.000), the presence of liver metastases (P=0.000) and bone metastases (P=0.000) and relative dose intensity in the first month (1M-RDI) of sunitinib ≥50% (P=0.000). Cox regression model showed that the beneficial predictive factors were ECOG performance status<2 (P=0.136), no symptom during the first clinic visiting (P=0.801), serum AKP <126 U/L (P=0.618) before treatment, the absence of bone (P=0.068) and pancreas metastases (P=0.265). Sunitinib 1M-RDI ≥50% was the independent predictive factor (P=0.000). Conclusions In targeted therapy era, there is some change in the prognostic factors for mRCC and target drug play an important role in the prognosis of mRCC. Sunitinib 1M-RDI ≥50% is the independent predictive factor for the prognosis of renal carcinoma. Key words: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma; Targeted therapy; Prognostic factor; Relative dose intensity in the first month

Assessment of cortisol as salivary psychological stress marker in relation to temporomandibular disorders among a sample of dental students

ABSTARCT Background: University dental students perceived a higher level of stress prior to the final exam associated with raised salivary cortisol levels which could be considered as a useful noninvasive biomarker for measuring acute stress. Using a Helkimo anamnestic and clinical dysfunction scoring for temporomandibular disorders can give a better insight about the association of this marker and temporomandibular joint disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluation level of salivary cortisol in stressor students with temporomandibular disorder and the relation between this marker in relation to temporomandibular disorder severity. This might give a better understanding to the role of psychological stress as an etiological factor for developing temporomandibular joint problems. Materials and methods: A total eighty participants age between 20 to 24 were recruited for this study. The participants were University dental students under graduate students at final examination period who were examined and gave saliva samples in final examination period. Salivary assay kits as cortisol was used to measure those variables and a Helkimo anamnestic and clinical dysfunction scoring for TMD. Results: The group of participants with stress and temporomandibular disorder showed significantly higher levels of salivary cortisol than the control group, the salivary cortisol has statistically significant correlation with Helkimo anamnestic categories (Di-I mild, Di-II moderate and Di-III severe. Salivary cortisol levels show significant but weak association with two categories of clinical dysfunction criteria in Helkimo index system, which are Muscle pain and TMJ pain on palpation. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that University students perceived a high level of stress before the final examination. Salivary cortisol is the stress biomarker that is most often used to measure acute stress. Helkimo anamnestic and clinical dysfunction scoring criteria for still the pioneer for measuring a temporomandibular disorder.

Megacystis Microcolon Intestinal Hypoperistalsis Syndrome (MMIHS): A Rarity.

A 2-day-old male neonate, born full term through Caesarian section, presented to our department with bilious vomiting since birth and unable to pass meconeum. On examination, the patient had distended abdomen. A mass was palpable in the hypogastrium and left iliac region. His bowel sounds were not audible; rectal examination showed no meconium. His baseline investigations were within normal ranges. Abdominal radiograph showed few gas shadows. Ultrasound of the abdomen was unremarkable except for a large cystic mass in pelvis which was ‘megacystis’ according to radiologist. Upon exploration, a large fluid containing mass was encountered occupying whole left side of the abdomen and was pushing intestine towards right (Fig.1). The mass was the distended urinary bladder with dilated and tortuous both ureters. Intestine of patient was malrotated with multiple adhesion bands. Caliber of distal small intestine, caecum and large intestine were micro sized. However whole length of intestine was patent and no atresia was identified. On the basis of these findings the diagnosis of Megacystis Microcolon Intestinal Hypoperistalsis (MMIHS) was made and an ileostomy was made. Postoperatively total parenteral nutrition was provided to the patient. The biopsies taken from ileostomy site, ascending colon and sigmoid colon, all showed normal ganglion cells. The patient is now 1 month old and is still on total parenteral nutrition and prokinetics.

Elastofibroma dorsi: Caso clínico y revisión de la literatura

Los elastofibromas son un tipo de tumor raro benigno, de crecimiento lento originados a partir de tejidos blandos. El 99% se localiza en region subescapular a causa de traumatismo continuo. Se presenta comunmente con un tumor bien circunscrito, bien delimitado, no movil, en la que no se adhiere a la piel suprayacente, sino a musculo y tejido subaponeurotico. El elastofibroma dorsi se manifiesta con dolor tipo punzante casi siempre moderado y progresivo al movimiento en abduccion y aduccion de la extremidad escapular afectada. Presentamos el siguiente estudio de un paciente masculino de 60 anos de edad que fue diagnosticado histopatologicamente como un elastofibroma dorsi. El paciente presentaba una masa de tejido blando en la region dorsal y alteracion funcional. En la exploracion fisica se palpaba una masa adyacente subescapular; fue explorado con ecografia, radiografias, electrocardiograma, tomografia axial computarizada de torax (TAC) y resonancia magnetica (RM). Se realiza un analisis del caso con el abordaje diagnostico y terapeutico asi como un reporte de la literatura. El elastofibroma dorsi es descrito como tumor del tejido conjuntivo, se pueden diagnosticar con mayor sensibilidad con la RM y menor especificidad con la TAC. En los tumores benignos la intervencion quirurgica es el metodo de eleccion; lo mismo sucede con el elastofibroma dorsi, presentando una mejoria clinica inmediata

First evidence of Brucella ovis infection in rams in the Pirot Municipality, Serbia.

This paper describes a research on Brucella ovis infection in rams in the Pirot Municipality of South Serbia. A positive result with indirect immunoenzyme test (i-ELISA) was confirmed in 67 (29.8%) and suspicious in 31 (13.8%) out of 225 tested rams. Complement fixation test (CFT) was used as a confirmation test on 67 ELISA positive sera and gave positive reaction in 41 (61.2%) ram serum samples. Rams originated from 113 flocks with 4751 sheep, from 28 villages in the Pirot Municipality of southern Serbia. Clinical examination was performed on epididymis and testes of 12 rams from 7 seropositive flocks by inspection and palpation. The examination showed scrotum asymmetry and unilateral increase of the epididymistail in 5 (41.7%) out of 12 seropositive rams. Pathomorphological examination of testes and epididymis confirmed pathological changes in 7 (58.3%) of the 12 examined rams. Onesided epididymitis with pronounced hypertrophy of the epididymitis was also confirmed. Twelve rams were tested for the presence of bacteria, i.e. 21 epididymis, testes and lymph nodes samples. We isolated 20 Brucella strains from 11 (91.7%) of the 12 examined animals. All isolates were identified with bacteriological and molecular techniques as B. ovis. This is the first evidence of ovine epididymitis (B. ovis) in Republic of Serbia.

Application of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block for operations of inguinal region in infants

One hundred and fifty ASA Ⅰ-Ⅱ infants scheduled to undergo surgery on unilateral inguinal region, were randomly assigned to 3 groups with 50 in each group. In groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ puncture was performed at traversus abdominis plane under ultrasound-guidance, 0.4 or 0.5/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine was injected respectively. In group Ⅲ the triangle of Petit was positioned through palpating and then 0.5 ml/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine was injected. HR, RR, SpO2, PETCO2, expired sevoflurane concentration and BIS value at the time of entering the operation room (T1), incision of skin (T2), pulling hernia sac (T3), ending the surgery (T4), waking (T5), the number of pressing the analgesia pump after operation were recorded. The results showed that HR at T2 and T3 of groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ was lower than group Ⅲ (P<0.05). The were significant differences in case numbers of insufficient intraoperative analgesia among 3 groups(χ2=10.500, P=0.005). The CHEOPS scores and the number of pressing analgesia pump after operation in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ were lower than those in group Ⅲ (χ2=7.230, P=0.027). Results indicate that ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block is safer and more effective than conventional method for operations of inguinal region in infants; it may reduce dose of local anesthetics and postoperative use of analgesics. Key words: Nerve block; Infant

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Presenting as Intra-abdominal Abscess: A Case Report and Literature Review

This case report describes an unusual presentation of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the entire gastrointestinal tract. The stomach and small intestine are the two most commonly involved sites. The presenting symptoms of GIST depend on the size and location of the tumor. The tumors may be found asymptomatically during endoscopic examination, and symptomatic patients present with common symptoms including abdominal pain, a palpable mass, anemia, or overt gastrointestinal bleeding. Herein, we report an unusual case of GIST presenting as an intra-abdominal abscess. This is an unusual presenting symptom of GIST and is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. The preoperative X-ray and abdominal CT images suggested the patient to have a gas-forming abscess from perforated peptic ulcer disease, and emergency surgery was performed. The post-operative finding was a gastric GIST with marked tumor necrosis that mimicked an intra-abdominal abscess. A literature review revealed only 6 similar cases. Although rare, clinicians should consider the possibility of an infected GIST in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain with fever. It may be difficult to use radiological examination alone to determine the etiology of an unexplained intra-abdominal perforation or abscess. Adequate antibiotic treatment and surgical intervention are required for the successful treatment of infected GIST.

My indications for treatment of the adolescent varicocele (and why?).

What to do with the adolescent varicocele? With merging the information obtained from an extensive review of the literature with our own clinical research, I believe that we already have knowledge enough to say that the adolescent with a varicocele often is in the midst of a progressive disease process. Strong evidence already exists that well more than the majority of Tanner 5 boys with a varicocele and 20% asymmetry will already have abnormally low total motile sperm counts (TMCs) and likely abnormally low sperm concentration as well. There are now many studies in addition to common sense to support the value of % asymmetry as a marker of future abnormal sperm parameters. While we know that some boys at lower Tanner stages who present with asymmetry will have catch-up growth during adolescence, we also know that almost all boys with 15% asymmetry or greater in conjunction with a Doppler detected peak retrograde flow (PRF) of 38 cm/s or greater will end up with greater than 20% asymmetry on follow-up. There also are some boys of concern with less asymmetry but instead have small testes bilaterally, perhaps as a result of the left varicocele slowing the growth of the right testicle and/or an associated undetected or overlooked palpable right varicocele that is also negatively affecting the right testicle. Fortunately, we now have another marker available, i.e., total testicular volume (TTV), to assist in decision making for the adolescent falling into this scenario. Once markers are in place in an early Tanner stage boy with a varicocele that indicate that abnormal semen parameters will likely be present when a Tanner 5 stage of development is reached, there is no reason to wait until the child is older so that a semen analysis can be comfortably requested for the documentation. One argument in favor of waiting is that abnormal semen parameters in a Tanner 5 male usually are reversible. However, how do we know that once abnormal parameters are reversed they then will stay normal in a testicle that already has incurred damage. In other words, I feel it is best to operate once the indicators are in place. We do not want to be suddenly surprised when that individual when older has difficulty fathering a child at a time in life when surgery might be too late to resolve what has taken years to develop. Within this manuscript I will try to document my reasons for the aforementioned rationale.

Mutation analysis of steroid acute regulatory protein gene in a patient affected with congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristic s of an infant with congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia (CLAH),and to sequence the acute regulatory protein (steroid acute regulatory,StAR) gene of the infant patient and her pedigree.Methods Physical examination,laboratory tests,and imaging examination of the 11-month-old patient with CLAH were collected.DNA was extracted from blood samples of the patient and her parents.The 7 exons of StAR gene were amplified by PCR and then sequenced.Results Dark skin,girl vulva,and one each 1.0 cm×1.0 cm palpable lump in inguinal area bilaterally were observed.The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) was 253 pg/ml,cortisol was 27.6 nmol/L at 8 am,17-hydroxyprogesterone was 3 nmol/L.Uhrasound showed that sign of testicular ultrasonography existed in bilateral inguinal regions.Karyotype analysis showed 46,XY.Sequencing of PCR amplified fragments showed that there were two heterozygous mutations c.229C ＞ T,p (Gln77X) and C.659A＞G,p (His220Arg) of StAR gene in this patient.By rectifying the disturbance of electrolyte,and treating with hydrocortisone and 9α fludrocortisone,etc,the patient has been stable so far.Conclusion The patient presents typical clinical manifestations.Two heterozygous mutations including c.229C ＞T,p (Gln77X) from maternal and C.659A＞G,p (His220Arg) from paternal of StAR gene were detected.Wherein the c.659A＞G,p.(His220Arg) as a novel point mutation of StAR gene,has not been reported so far. Key words: Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia; Steroid acute regulatory protein; Sequence analysis

Consortium for E-Resources in Agriculture: Qualitative and Quantitative Perspectives

Consortium for e-Resources in Agriculture (CeRA) is the palpable effort of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to facilitate access to select scientific literature to the academic and research society in the National Agricultural Research System. The consortium provides access to articles from nearly 3000 journals in the broad spectrum of agricultural sciences, including 194 journals in the subjects of animal husbandry, livestock management and poultry sciences; animal nutrition, feed, feed additives and manufacture; dairy technology; fisheries and aquaculture and veterinary science. This article is an attempt to assess the journal collection of CeRA in the above-mentioned subjects. The review status of journals, impact factor, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences rating of scientific journals 2012 (effective from 1 January 2013) and access to archives, are the parameters used for assessment of the journal collection of the consortium.

Over-expression of microRNA-499 within donor heart reduces cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury

Objective To explore the role of over-expression of microRNA-499 (miR-499) within donor heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify the miR-499 transgenic mice (Tg).Donor hearts were obtained from wild-type C57BL/6 (WT) and Tg mice and stored in 4 ℃ saline for 16 h.The release of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrase (LDH) were detected.Both stored donor hearts were transplanted heterotopieally into syngeneie WT recipient mice.The recovery of graft function indicated by its contraction or beating,was assessed by direct palpation and inspection.The transplanted hearts were harvested at 24 h,then histopathology was observed by haematoxylin-eosin staining.Results Tg mice showed positive stripe,which highly expressed miR-499 gene.Donor hearts from Tg mice significantly reduced the release of CK and LDH as compared to WT donors (3 667.0±194.7) vs.(5 043.0±523.8) U/L; (684.2 ±19.1) vs.(1 068.0±150.0) U/L,respectively) and exhibited lower degree of perivascular inflammation,leukocyte infiltration and myocyte necrosis 24 h after transplantation.The scores of graft function for WT heart grafts were significantly lower than those for Tg heart grafts at the same time-points (0.9 vs.2.3 at 15 min and 2.1 vs.3.4 at 24 h) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Over-expression of miR-499 within donor heart can attenuate inflammatory injury and myocardial cell apoptosis caused by cold ischemia and hot reperfusion,benefit for heart function recovery and have a protective role in heart transplantation. Key words: MicroRNA 499; Ischemia-reperfusion injury; Heart transplantation

The clinical value of needle localization biopsy technique in clinical nonpalpable breast disease

Objective To study the clinical value of mammography and ultrasound needle localization biopsy technique in clinical nonpalpable breast disease.Methods 148 patients with negative clinical palpation were operated only because of the mammography or ultrasound findings of lesions.They were undergone localized excision biopsy and derived definite pathological diagnosis.By histopathology diagnosis,benign and malignant lesions,lesion size,complete resection rate were statistically analyzed.Results 21 cases in 148 cases were malignant lesions(14.2％),which were all early breast cancer.The other 127 cases were benign breast disease(85.8％).147 cases were successfully resected at the first time and 1 case was successfully resected at the second time.Conclusion Mammography and Ultrasound fine needle localized biopsy in nonpalpable breast disease diagnosis and treatment has great significance,which can raise early diagnosis rate of breast cancer without mass,and this method is simple and easy for promotion. Key words: Mammography; Breast ultrasound; Nonpalpable breast disease; Biopsy