To summarize the experience about the preoperative and postoperative nursing of 11 cases with neurogenic bladder treated by sacral neuromodulation. The main nursing interventions of this procedure involved accurate recording of voiding diaries and postvoid residual, effective psychological nursing and health education of related disease information, standard videourodynamic examination. 11 patients acquired more or less benefit after the screening test and were discharged successfully, among them 2 cases had the permanent implantation of the stimulation device.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the quantitative and qualitative changes of peripheral-type benzodiazepine recepors (PBRs) in brain mitochodria and in platelet membrane in aging rats. MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3- and 24-month groups. All animals were sacrificed by decapitation and the brains were immediately removed. Mitochondrial components from dissected cerebral cortex were isolated. The membrane of platelets from venous blood was prepared by the method of hypotonic hemolysis. The specific binding assay of the radioactive PBRs antagonist ［3H］PK11195 to membrane was performed. Scatchard analysis was performed to estimate the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) and the maximal binding site density (Bmax). ResultsA significant increase in ［3H］PK11195 binding activity in the mitochodria from cerebral cortex in 24-month rats was observed compared to that in 3-month rats(P<0-001). Meanwhile, the Scatchard analysis revealed that there was an increase in Bmax, with a significant increase in Kd in 24-month rats. The same change of ［3H］PK11195 binding activity was noted for platelet membrane in 24-month rats(P<0-001).ConclusionThe density of PBRs increases in cortex mitochondria in aging rats, but the binding affinity of PBRs decreases which may be attributable to the progressive pathogenesis of aging in rats. ［3H］ PK11195 binding activity of platelet membrane might reflect the change of PBRs in the brain tissue.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of transcatheter super-selective hepatic artery embolization (TAE) in treating symptomatic polycystic liver disease (PLD). Methods A total of 8 patients with PLD, who were admitted to authors’ hospital during the period from 2009 to 2013 to receive TAE, were enrolled in this study. The patients included 6 females and 2 males with a mean age of 59.5 years (54-65 years). The used embolic agents were polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) microspheres and micro spring coils. Both plain and contrast-enhanced CT scans of the upper abdomen were performed before TAE as well as at 12 months after TAE; the total volume of the hepatic cysts was measured and the changes of the cystic volume were determined. Statistical analysis was conducted using paired t test. Results The technical success rate was 100%. After TAE, the patients developed fever and different degrees of discomfort at liver area, which were disappeared after active symptomatic medication, and no serious complications occurred. The patients were followed up for 12 months , the mean total volume of the intrahepatic cysts decreased from preoperative (5 794±2 066) cm3 (range 3 120-8 935 cm3) to postoperative (3 832±1 525) cm3 (range 2 019-5 925 cm3), the difference was statistically significant (t=6.971, P<0.001). The reduction ratio of total volume of intrahepatic cysts was 34.6%±11.3%(24.3%-60.4%). Conclusion For symptomatic polycystic liver disease, transcatheter super-selective hepatic arterial embolization is a newly-developed treatment. This technique is safe and effective with reliable response and fewer complications. Therefore, it should be recommended in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the methods of reducing radiation dose in CT coronary angiography through optimizing individualized scan dosage protocol.Methods Two hundred patients (group A)underwent coronary CTA examination which was performed with fixed 120 kV and variable mA according to their BMI.The mA was set as 150-300 mA(BMI ＜ 18.5 kg/m2),300-500 mA (18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ＜ 25.0 kg/m2),and 500-800 mA(BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2).When all examinations were finished,a linear regression was employed to analyze the correlation between mA and BMI,body surface(Suf),image noise(SD)respectively.The results of the analysis were used to formulate a regression equation,which was further used to establish a table list for quick search on how much mA that individualized coronary CTA scan would need.Another 200 patients(group B)enrolled for the individualized scan were scanned under new protocol that previous study established.The tube voltage was 100 and 120 kV.The tube current was variable according to the data in the table list.One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-wallis H test were used for statistics.Results Regression equation between mA and BMI,Suf,SD was:mA =17.984 × BMI + 169.149 × Suf-2.282 × SD-361.039.The SD(group A:32.08 ± 5.80,group B:28.60±4.47),dose index volume(CTDIvol)[group A:(41.97 ± 11.37)mGy,group B:(33.18±10.07)mGy],effective dose(ED)[group A:(10.91 ±3.07)mSy,group B:(8.83 ±2.72)mSv]had significant differences between the two groups(F =43.45,63.71,49.07 respectively,P ＜0.01 for all).The SD and ED results obtained in group B were better than those in group A.Conclusion Better performances were obtained when BMI combined Suf was used as a new individualized protocol than when BMI was used only,which means good image quality and lower radiation dosage in coronary CTA examination.

OBJECTIVETo observe the differential effect of joint ultrasound on the syndrome differentiation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by observing the high frequency ultrasound performances among inactive stage and different syndromes in active stage.

METHODSTotally 83 RA patients in the active stage were assigned to the dampness heat syndrome group (DHS, 59 cases)and the cold dampness syndrome group (CDS, 24 cases) according to Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome typing. Besides, 20 RA patients in the remission stage were recruited as the control group (abbreviated as the remission group). By using high frequency ultrasound and power Doppler ultrasound technology, a comparative observation of synovitis, tenosynovitis, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion in the 2nd-5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, wrist joints, knee joints, the second and the fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints (a total of 24 joints) was performed in all patients. Correlation analyses were performed between the ultrasound performance, laboratory indices, and the disease activity. Ultrasound data of each RA patient were analyzed by their total scores. Χ2 test was used for enumeration data. The measurement data was expressed as x ± s. One-way ANOVA was used for data of normal distribution, while non- parametric test was used for data of non-normal distribution. Correlation analysis of two variables was performed for clinical indicators and ultrasound indicators. Its significance was detected using Pearson correlation.

RESULTSCompared with the remission group, the severity degree of synovitis, tenosynovitis, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion significantly increased in the DHS group (P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in ESR, CRP, anti-CCP, DAS28 score, and the positive rate of RF (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in the severity degree of synovitis and synovial blood flow, and DAS28 score in the CDS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the CDS group, there was statistical difference in the four ultrasound indices (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), ESR, CRP, anti-CCP, DAS28 score, and the positive rate of RF in the DHS group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in G, IgG, IgA, or IgM among the three groups (P > 0.05). There existed positive correlation between ESR and the synovitis degree, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion in the DHS group (r = 0.444, 0.397, 0.486, P < 0.05).There existed positive correlation between ESR and the synovitis degree, bone erosion, and synovial blood flow in the DHS group (r = 0.378, 0.270, P < 0.05). There existed positive correlation between the DAS28 score and the synovitis degree and synovial blood flow in the DHS group (r = 0.304, 0.351, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe inflammation degree was the most severe in RA patients of DHS. High frequency ultrasound could provide better evidence for Chinese medical syndrome differentiation of RA patients.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; ultrastructure ; Syndrome ; Synovitis ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

Aim To investigate the effect of squalene on LDLR expression in HepG2 cells and its mechanism of down-regulated cholesterol. Methods The prolifer-ation of HepG2 cells exposed to squalene at different concentrations was measured by MTT assay. The effect of squalene on the expression of LDLR in HepG2 cells was measured by flow cytometry and fluorescence mi-croscopy. The effect of different concentrations of squa-lene on the interaction between SCAP and Insig2, two key protein molecules of SREBP pathway, was assayed by FRET technology. Results MTT results showed that squalene had inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cy-tometry and fluorescence microscopy results showed that squalene enhanced LDLR expression in HepG2 cells compared with the control group. The results of FRET technology revealed that compared with model control group, the YFP fluorescence value in Squalene group dramatically declined, and the YFP fluorescence value of each drug group decreased with the range of 5~25 μmol·L-1 squalene concentration. Conclusions Squalene may promote the expression of LDLR in HepG2 cells through inhibiting the interaction between SCAP and Insig2 proteins in SREBP pathway, which may confirm that squalene is a potential novel drug for the down-regulation of cholesterol level.

Objective To observe the morphological characteristics of live Carpoglyphus lactis at different stages of life cycle and its ultrastructure. Methods The live C. lactis specimens were isolated from longan pulp, and firstly rinsed with double distilled water under a light microscope to make slide preparation by the conventional manner, and then were made into scanning electron microscope (SEM) specimens. The specimens were observed under SEM for the ultrastructure characteristics at different developmental stages including egg, larva, nymph and adult (male and female) . Results The SEM photographs showed that the egg was oval and milky. The larva had three pairs of legs, without genital setae, preanal seta and coxal rod, and there was no trace of genital growth. The nymph had four pairs of legs, genital seta and preanal seta, whereas the genital area was looked still under-developed. The male adult had a conical gnathosoma and a pair of external verticals which were longest setae at the dorsal idiosoma, whereas the other dorsal setae were all short rhabdoid. At the ventral idiosoma, there was an aedoeagus which was like a bent cube, and the top was straight forward. The external sacral setae and post anal were longest setae. The female adult’s genital plates were a composite of plastron and cutex inner root, covering the genital tract, and a hole of anus and a pair of anal setae were located at posterior of idiosoma. Conclusion The morphological characteristics and ultra-structure of C. lactis at different stages of life cycle can be vividly observed under SEM, which provides the morphological bases for further study of the relation between parasitism and disease.

Objective:To evaluate the value of ultrasonographic features and classification defined by the Chinese-Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS) in differentiating follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) from follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) .Methods:Data of 87 patients who underwent thyroid nodule-related surgery at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from Jan. 2019 to Feb. 2023 and whose postoperative pathology confirmed FTC or FTA was divided into FTC group (26 cases) and FTA group (61 cases) were retrospectively analyzed. The differences of general data, pathological diagnosis, surgical methods, ultrasonographic features of thyroid nodules and C-TIRADS classification between the two groups were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent predictors related to the occurrence of FTC, a regression model was established based on the independent predictors and a nomogram was drawn. Bootstrap method was used to verify the nomogram internally, and ROC curve and calibration curve were drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and predictive ability of the nomogram.Results:There were statistically significant differences between orientation, echo, composition, calcification, margin, halo and C-TIRADS classification between groups (all P<0.05) ; maximum diameter, echotexture, blood flow, general data, pathological diagnosis and surgical methods had no statistically significant differences between groups (all P>0.05) .Single-factor logistic regression analysis showed taller-than-wide, peripheral calcification, blurred/irregular edges or external invasion, C-TIRADS 4B/4C class were candidate variables for predicting the occurrence of FTC ( OR=10.909, 19.059, 19.259, 49.333, all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that peripheral calcification, blurry/irregular edges or extra-thyroid invasion, C-TIRADS 4B/4C class were independent predictors for the occurrence of FTC ( OR=33.731, 11.620, 22.794, all P<0.05) .The nomogram of FTC occurrence was constructed based on the above three independent predictors, and the AUC was 0.920 (95% CI=0.854-0.986), which showed that the nomogram had high diagnostic efficacy, and the optimal diagnostic threshold determined by the Youden index was 0.23 (corresponding to the total score of the nomogram is about 52 points), the sensitivity was 88.5%, and the specificity was 82.0%. The calibration curve drawn by internal verification was close to the reference line, suggesting that the nomogram had a high predictive ability. Conclusions:The nomogram prediction model for FTC occurrence based on the ultrasonographic features and classification defined by C-TIRADS has high diagnostic efficiency and predictive ability, and can help in the preoperative identification of FTC and FTA.

Objective:To observe the features of Henle fiber layer (HFL) in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted.Thirty-five CSC patients (35 eyes) treated in the Third People's Hospital of Qingdao from January 2017 to November 2021 were enrolled.The subjects included 23 males (23 eyes) and 12 females (12 eyes), aged 24 to 60 years old, with an average age of (41.14±8.19) years, and had a CSC duration ranged from 1 day to 6 months.SD-OCT was performed on all eyes with a line scan through the central fovea horizontally.The features of HFL over subretinal fluid (SRF) area were analyzed and summarized.The study protocol adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Third People's Hospital of Qingdao (No.2022Y0403001).Results:In 26 eyes with regular dome-shaped neurosensory retinal detachment, HFL appeared to be delimited type 1 in 25 eyes, accounting for 96.15%, delimited type 2 in 7 eyes, accounting for 26.92%, bright in 17 eyes, accounting for 65.38% over SRF area.In 21 eyes with CSC duration≤21 days, HFL all showed delimited type 1 and some presented bright or delimited type 2 at the same time.In 5 eyes with CSC duration>21 days, HFL all showed bright and some were delimited type 1 or delimited type 2 in the meantime.In 15 eyes with symmetrical nasal and temporal retinal detachment, HFL showed symmetrical reflectivity over SRF area in horizontal OCT images in 6 eyes, and showed brighter reflectivity over nasal SRF in nasal elevated OCT images in 3 eyes and over temporal SRF in temporal elevated OCT images in 6 eyes.In 11 eyes with asymmetrical nasal and temporal retinal detachment, HFL showed brighter reflectivity over temporal SRF with larger retinal detachment range on temporal side in horizontal OCT images in 3 eyes.Of the 4 eyes with nasal elevated OCT images, the retinal detachment range was larger on temporal side and HFL showed symmetrical reflectivity over SRF area in 3 eyes, and HFL was brighter over nasal SRF area with larger retinal detachment range on nasal side in 1 eye.Of the 4 eyes with temporal elevated OCT images, the retinal detachment range was larger on nasal side and HFL showed symmetrical reflectivity over SRF area in 3 eyes, and HFL was brighter over nasal SRF area with larger retinal detachment range and higher height on nasal side in 1 eye.In 9 eyes with irregular neurosensory retinal detachment, HFL appeared to be delimited type 1 in 7 eyes, accounting for 77.78%, delimited type 2 in 5 eyes, accounting for 55.56%, bright in 6 eyes, accounting for 66.67%, dark in 4 eyes, accounting for 44.44%, and indistinct in 2 eyes, accounting for 22.22%.The detached neurosensory retina was not smooth in 7 eyes, and the phenotypes of HFL changed with the directions of detached neurosensory retina.In 2 eyes with only low neurosensory retinal detachment, HFL reflectivity on the raised side was slightly weaker than that on the lowered side.Conclusions:HFL appears to be delimited type 1 and bright mostly over SRF area in CSC in SD-OCT images.The phenotypes of HFL vary regularly with the tilt directions of OCT images, CSC duration, and the symmetry, range, height, directional characteristics of detached neurosensory retina.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the intervention effect of thalidomide on paraquat-induced acute lung injury in mice and its mechanism.

METHODSMale ICR mice were randomly allocated to negative control group (n = 30), thalidomide control group (n = 30), paraquat poisoning group (n = 30), 50 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group (n = 30), 100 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group (n = 30), and 150 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group (n = 30). The negative control group was intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of saline; the thalidomide control group was intraperitoneally injected with thalidomide (150 mg/kg); the paraquat poisoning group was intraperitoneally injected with diluted paraquat solution (22 mg/kg); each thalidomide treatment group was intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of paraquat solution (22 mg/kg) and was injected with thalidomide (50, 100, or 150 mg/kg) 1 h later. All mice were anesthetized and sacrificed at 1, 3, or 7 d after paraquat poisoning, and their lung tissue was collected. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in lung tissue were measured by double-antibody sandwich ELISA; the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was measured by RT-PCR; the protein expression of nuclear NF-kgr;B p65 was measured by Western blot. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed under light microscope; the wet/dry ratio of the lung was calculated.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group, the paraquat poisoning group had significantly increased levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB mRNA, and nuclear NF-κB p65 and wet/dry ratio of the lung (P < 0.05). Compared with the paraquat poisoning group, the thalidomide treatment groups had significantly decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB mRNA, and nuclear NF-κB p65 and wet/dry ratios of the lung (P < 0.05), and the 150 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group showed the most significant decrease in the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB mRNA, and nuclear NF-κB p65. The observation of pathological changes showed that the paraquat poisoning group had the most marked lung tissue damage at 3 d after poisoning, and the lung tissue damage was lessened in the thalidomide treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONThalidomide can reduce paraquat-induced acute lung injury and lung edema. The mechanism may include inhibition of NF-κB activation and expression and downregulation of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit ; metabolism ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Thalidomide ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism