Comprehensive Analysis of 34 Edible Flowers by the Determination of Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Capacity Planted in Yunnan Province China.

The main purpose of this study was to reveal the nutritional value and antioxidant activity of 34 edible flowers that grew in Yunnan Province, China, through a comprehensive assessment of their nutritional composition and antioxidant indices. The results showed that sample A3 of Asteraceae flowers had the highest total flavonoid content, with a value of 8.53%, and the maximum contents of vitamin C and reducing sugars were from Rosaceae sample R1 and Gentianaceae sample G3, with values of 143.80 mg/100 g and 7.82%, respectively. Samples R2 and R3 of Rosaceae were the top two flowers in terms of comprehensive nutritional quality. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of Rosaceae samples was evidently better than that of three others, in which Sample R1 had the maximum values in hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavenging and superoxide anion radical (·O2-) scavenging rates, and samples R2 and R3 showed a high total antioxidant capacity and 2,2-diphenyl-1-pyridylhydrazine (DPPH) scavenging rate, respectively. Taken together, there were significant differences in the nutrient contents and antioxidant properties of these 34 flowers, and the comprehensive quality of Rosaceae samples was generally better than the other three families. This study provides references for 34 edible flowers to be used as dietary supplements and important sources of natural antioxidants.

[Influence of Nasal Disinfection on Nasal Bacterial Colonization through the Transsphenoidal Approach].

Objective To explore the influence of the iodine disinfection on nasal bacterial colonization through the transsphenoidal approach. Methods Totally 133 pituitary adenoma patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery in our department from January to August 2017 were enrolled in this study. Before disinfection,pharyngeal swabs of inferior turbinate root secretions were taken for bacterial culture. After iodine disinfection,pharyngeal swabs were taken again at the same site. Changes in the nasal bacterial spectrum before and after disinfection were compared. Patients were followed up for three months after the surgery,during which any intracranial infection/bacteraemia was recorded,and its correlation with nasal bacteria colonization was analyzed. Results Nasal bacterial colonization was detected in 45 (33.8%) of 133 patients before iodine disinfection and in only 6 cases (4.5%) after iodine disinfection (χ2=34.5,P=0.000). Thus,iodine disinfection eliminated 86.7%(39/45) of the colonized bacteria. The most common nasal bacterium was Staphylococcus aureus (24.4%,11/45),followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.4%,11/45),and Staphylococcus epidermidis (13.3%,6/45). One patient had high fever and chills 2 days after surgery,but blood culture and cerebrospinal fluid culture showed negative Results . After the administration of third-generation cephalosporins,the symptoms disappeared after two days. Conclusion sThere are colonized bacteria in nasal cavity. Iodine disinfection of nasal cavity can effectively clear most of the nasal bacteria. The possibility of intracranial infection/bacteremia after transsphenoidal approach is low.

[Unusual Isolated Sellar Spindle Cell Carcinoma:Report of One Case].

Sellar malignant tumors are uncommon and usually reported as metastatic diseases from breast or lung cancers. Spindle cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare malignancy and has been found in breast,oral cavity,lungs,kidneys,and hepatobiliary pancreatic system but not in sellar region. We report here the first case of isolated sellar SCC with aggressive features in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. This patient was referred to our hospital on September 9,2015 and discharged on October 16,2015. We described the clinical manifestations,imaging findings,and pathological features of this rare disease.

[Correlation between Expression of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 and Pituitary Adenoma Subtypes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) expression and pituitary adenoma subtypes. METHOD: The STAT3 expression profiles in different pituitary adenomas from 74 patients were determined using quantificational real-time polymerase chain reaction,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Expression of STAT3 was observed in all pituitary adenoma subtypes. The STAT3 expression level was highest in growth hormone adenoma when compared with other tumors including prolactin,follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone-secreting adenoma,and adrenocorticotrophic hormone-secreting adenoma. The follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone adenomas exhibited the lowest STAT3 expression levels. CONCLUSION: STAT3 is differentially expressed in pituitary adenoma subtypes, suggesting the cell-specific features of STAT3 regulation,although further investigations are still warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

[Diagnosis and Treatment of Pituitary Carcinoma].

The early diagnosis and treatment of pituitary carcinoma is difficult. The diagnosis is often delayed, and the confirmation of a diagnosis requires the presence of distant subarachnoid,brain or systemic metastasis from the primary pituitary tumor in the sella and also needs the evidences of pathology and imaging of the primary pituitary carcinoma and metastases. Treatment of pituitary carcinoma includes surgery, radiation therapy ,hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and molecularly targeted therapy; however, these methods are mainly palliative and can not prolong the survival. The prognosis remains poor. Efforts should be made to develop more effective diagnosis and treatment options.

[Treatment of pituitary adenomas invading cavernous sinus with neuroendoscopy assisted by multiple techniques].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of treating giant pituitary adenomas invading cavernous sinus with neuroendoscopy assisted by multiple techniques. METHODS: A total of 72 patients who underwent neuroendoscopic surgery and 55 patients who underwent microscopic surgery for giant pituitary adenomas were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. Both groups received expanded endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach, intraoperative application of navigation, and Doppler.The clinical data of two groups were compared. RESULTS: The two groups were significantly different in total tumor removal rate, operation time, postoperative nasal patency, and postoperative recurrence rate (P=0.004, P=0.0003, P=0.000, and P=0.002, respectively), whereas the cerebrospinal fluid leakage, postoperative diabetes insipidus, and cranial nerve injury were not significantly different (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Expanded neuroendoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach assisted by multiple techniques is the preferred surgical method for giant invasive pituitary adenomas invading cavernous sinus.The lateral cavernous sinus approach and the further molecular biology research will bring more options for the treatment of invasive pituitary adenomas.

Microsurgical Anatomy of the Common Tendinous Ring and Its Surgical Implications.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The common tendinous ring (CTR), also known as the common annular tendon or annulus of Zinn, is a critical anatomic structure located at the convergence of the orbital apex, superior orbital fissure (SOF), optic canal, and the anterior aspect of the lateral sellar compartment. It plays a vital role in both neurosurgical and neuro-ophthalmological interventions. The aim of this study was to delineate the complex 3-dimensional (3D) topography of the CTR and explore its implications for surgical procedures. METHODS: Ten formalin-fixed skull base specimens from adult Chinese cadavers were meticulously dissected to investigate the morphology of the CTR, focusing particularly on its relationship with the 4 extraocular rectus tendons, the optic strut, the SOF, and the optic canal. Additional skull base specimens were subjected to 3D surface scanning, computed tomography, and histopathological examinations to deepen our understanding of the CTR's structural complexities. RESULTS: The CTR establishes a spatial, 3D tendinous assembly, encompassing 4 rectus tendons, 2 tendinous connections, and a singular common tendinous root. These components interlink to form a distinctive dual-ring configuration, featuring the optic foramen and the oculomotor foramen. The posterior part of the superior rectus tendon demarcates the common boundary between these 2 foramina. The oculomotor foramen itself serves as the central sector of the SOF. Precise incisions of the medial and lateral tendinous connections and fusions are essential for safely opening the CTR. CONCLUSION: The structural composition, interconnections, and dual-ring configuration of the CTR are crucial for precise and safe surgery of orbital apex and adjacent regions.

[Significance of pseudocapsule in the excision of pituitary adenomas in transsphenoidal surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the significance of pseudocapsule in the excision of pituitary adenomas in transsphenoidal surgery. METHODS: For 22 patients with pituitary adenomas over a period of 2 years at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, resection of pseudocapsule was applied for complete tumor removal. Pituitary function test and radiological imaging were performed at pre-operation, 3 months post-operation and at subsequent 6-12 months intervals postoperatively. RESULTS: All pituitary adenomas were totally removed under microscope. The symptoms of headache, disorder of sight and visual field disappeared postoperatively in nonfunctional pituitary adenomas. The GH levels of 2/5 growth hormone secreting adenoma patients were 4.2 and 7.7 µg/L while it was under 1 µg/L for another 3. The postoperative level of prolactin was 4.3 µg/L in prolactin secreting adenoma. The level of adrenocorticotropic hormone decreased under 5 ng/L except one was 15.7 ng/L. Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid occurred intraoperatively in 3 patients and postoperatively in 1. No leakage was found after repair. Diabetes insipidus occurred in one patient and was controlled with Minirin. Pseudocapsule was confirmed by pathological examination. Special staining revealed reticulum fibers in pseudocapsule. CONCLUSION: Resection of pseudocapsule may achieve a higher remission rate without deteriorating pituitary function.

Puzzle of anomalously large isospin violations in η(1405/1475)→3π.

The BES-III Collaboration recently reported the observation of anomalously large isospin violations in J/ψ→γη(1405/1475)→γπ(0)f(0)(980)→γ+3π, where the f(0)(980) in the ππ invariant mass spectrum appears to be much narrower (~10 MeV) than the peak width (~50 MeV) measured in other processes. We show that a mechanism, named as triangle singularity (TS), can produce a narrow enhancement between the charged and neutral KK¯ thresholds, i.e., 2m(K(±))~2m(K(0)). It can also lead to different invariant mass spectra for η(1405/1475)→a(0)(980)π and KK ¯*+c.c., which can possibly explain the long-standing puzzle about the need for two close states η(1405) and η(1475) in ηππ and KK¯π, respectively. The TS could be a key to our understanding of the nature of η(1405/1475) and advance our knowledge about the mixing between a(0)(980) and f(0)(980).

Advances in medical treatment of clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas.

Clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas are the most common types among pituitary adenomas. These tumors are usually diagnosed in their later stages due to the absence of clinical symptoms and detectable hormonal hypersecretion. Although these tumors are benign, they are hard to be completely removed during neurosurgery due to the massive invasion into the surrounding tissues at diagnosis. Furthermore, relapse is common. In recent years, medical treatment of pituitary adenomas has witnessed a rapid development. New medications have shown certain effectiveness in reducing the tumor size and improving the clinical symptoms.

[Aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein gene and familial isolated pituitary adenomas].

Familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) is an autosomal dominant disease, characterized by low penetrance, early-onset disease, more invasive tumor growth, as well as somatotroph and lactotroph adenomas in most cases. It has been indicated that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) gene is a tumor suppressor gene. Many heterozygous mutations have been discovered in AIP in about 20% of FIPA families. However, the exact molecular mechanism by which its disfunction promotes tumorigenesis of pituitary is unclear.

Correlations of pituitary tumor transforming gene expression with human pituitary adenomas: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) is an important paracrine growth factor involved in early lactotrope transformation and early onset of angiogenesis in pituitary hyperplasia. Emerging evidences have shown that PTTG expression may contribute to the etiology of pituitary adenomas; but individually published studies showed inconclusive results. This meta-analysis aimed to derive a more precise estimation of the correlations of PTTG expression with human pituitary adenomas. METHODS: A range of electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE (1966∼2013), the Cochrane Library Database (Issue 12, 2013), EMBASE (1980∼2013), CINAHL (1982∼2013), Web of Science (1945∼2013) and the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) (1982∼2013) without language restrictions. Meta-analysis was performed using the STATA 12.0 software. Crude odds ratio (OR) or standard mean difference (SMD) with its corresponding 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-four clinical cohort studies were included with a total of 1,464 pituitary adenomas patients. The meta-analysis results revealed that patients with invasive pituitary adenomas had higher positive expression of PTTG than those of non-invasive patients (OR  = 6.68, 95%CI  = 3.72-11.99, P<0.001). We also found a significant difference in microvessel density between invasive and non-invasive patients (SMD  = 1.81, 95%CI  = 0.39-3.23, P = 0.013). However, there were no significant difference in PTTG expression between functional and non-functional patients with pituitary adenomas (OR  = 1.11, 95%CI  = 0.58-2.10, P = 0.753). No publication bias was detected in this meta-analysis (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: This present meta-analysis suggests that PTTG expression may be associated with tumor invasiveness and microvessel density of pituitary adenomas, while no correlations with functional status was found.

Screening for AIP gene mutations in a Han Chinese pituitary adenoma cohort followed by LOH analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein gene (AIP) is associated with pituitary adenoma (PA). AIP has not been sequenced in East Asian PA populations, so we performed this study in a Han Chinese cohort. DESIGN: Our study included six familial PA pedigrees comprising 16 patients and 27 unaffected relatives, as well as 216 sporadic PA (SPA) patients and 100 unrelated healthy controls. METHODS: AIP sequencing was carried out on genomic DNA isolated from blood samples. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and microsatellite marker analyses on DNA from the paired tumor tissues were performed for loss of heterozygosity analysis. RESULTS: We identified three common and four rare single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), one intron insertion, one novel synonymous variant, four novel missense variants, and a reported nonsense mutation in three familial isolated PA (FIPA) cases from the same family. Large genetic deletions were not observed in the germline but were seen in the sporadic tumor DNA from three missense variant carriers. The prevalence of AIP pathogenic variants in PA patients here was low (3.88%), but was higher in somatotropinoma patients (9.30%), especially in young adults (≤30 years) and pediatric (≥18 years) paients (17.24% and 25.00% respectively). All AIP variant patients suffered from macroadenomas. However, the AIP mutation rate in FIPA families was low in this cohort (16.67%, 1/6 families). CONCLUSION: AIP gene mutation may not be frequent in FIPA or SPA from the Han Chinese population. AIP sequencing and long-term follow-up investigations should be performed for young patients with large PAs and their families with PA predisposition.

[Concentration and health risk of heavy metals in vegetables and soils in region affected by an ancient tin ore].

To investigate influences of mining activities on heavy metal contamination and health risk in vegetable of mining-affected area, the present study was undertaken as a preliminary survey of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations of majority vegetables and soils in area affected by an ancient tin ore, Yunnan province. Based on the soil heavy metals investigated, average Nemero index of soil heavy metals reach 50.1, showed that vegetable fields were contaminated by heavy metals, especially As: average As concentration of soils could reach 1225 mg x kg(-1). Heavy metal concentrations in the edible portions of majority vegetables exceeded the national standards of China seriously, especially As and Pb, and the maximum of As and Pb concentrations (DW) could reach 856 mg x kg(-1) and 506 mg x kg(-1), respectively. Heavy metal concentrations among 3 kinds of vegetables decreased in following order: leaf vegetables > fruit vegetables > rhizome vegetables. Consumption of vegetables from the mining-affected area may pose extremely high health risk of As and Pb to local residents, which the exposed risk indexes could reach 158 and 13.3, respectively.