Objective To determine the diagnostic value of diffusion weighted imaging(DWI) for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) and metastatic lymph nodes,and to establish the diagnostic thresh-old of apparent diffusion coefficients(ADCs). Methods Conventional MR scans and DWI scans were con-tinuously performed in 56 patients with newly diagnosed NPC and 55 healthy volunteers. All patients re-ceived primary tumor biopsy and MR image-guided cervical lymph node fine-needle biopsy. ADC and eADC values of both primary lesions and lymph nodes were calculated and compared. Results According to the pathological diagnosis,all the 56 patients had non-keratinizing carcinoma and 51 had lymph node metastasis. In the control group,75 cervical lymph nodes were found. ADC values of both primary NPC and metastatic lymph nodes were significantly lower, while eADC values were higher than those of normal controls. Setting the ADC value threshold at 0.809 ×10-3 mm2/s, the sensitivity and specificity for primary NPC detection were 80.4% and 74.5%, respectively. The negative and positive predictive values were 79.2% and 77.6% ,respectively. The accuracy was 78.4%. Setting the ADC value threshold at 0. 708×10-3 mm2/s, the sensitivity and specificity in the detection of metastatic cervical lymph nodes were 43.1% and 93.3%, respectively. The negative and positive predictive values were 70.7% and 81.5% ,respectively. The accura-cy was 73.0%. Conclusions DWI might be a new diagnostic approach in the detection of primary NPC as well as metastatic lymph nodes.

Objective To assess the application effect of the catheter management software on the management of Indwelling urinary catheter in the Emergency intensive care unit (EICU). Methods A prospective control study of targeted surveillance of catheter-associated urinary tract infection was conducted from January 2014 to December 2015 in EICU. The patients were divided into two groups. The patients in control group (131 patients) were treated from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 and received routine catheter management, and the patients in test group (135 patients) were treated from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, and received catheter management by software. The catheter management software was developed and applied, and the process specification which collaborated with the software was established. The quality of the catheter management including the omission rate of the catheter management, the rate of urinary catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and the rate of catheter used etc were evaluated after the software's application. Results Through software applications, the omission rate of the catheter management, the omission rate of urine drainage bag replacementand the omission rate of urinary catheter replacement in test group were significantly lower than those in control group:0 vs. 36.64%(48/131), 0 vs. 15.27%(20/131) and 0 vs. 9.92%(13/131), P<0.01 or<0.05. The performance rate of catheter daily management in test group was significantly higher than that in control group: 99.26%(134/135) vs. 64.12%(84/131), P<0.01. The rate of CAUTI in test group was significantly lower than that in control group: 1.90‰ vs. 9.16‰, χ2=4.843, P=0.028. The rate of catheter used in test group was significantly lower than that in control group: 60.74%(82/135) vs. 73.28%(96/131), P<0.01. Conclusions The development and the establishment of the management software can improve the rate of implement, and declinethe rate of CAUTI.

Objective To explore the clinical value of the dual-low-dose with low tube voltage for head and neck CTA. Methods One hundred and sixty patients who were clinically suspected head and neck vascular disease underwent CTA procedure were propective selected, and whose body mass index (BMI) was also lower than 25 kg/m2. Forty cases were randomly selected as conventional group(120 kV,150 mAs, iodine 320 mg/ml), the other 120 cases were as the low dose group. The low dose group divided into three subgroups according to the random number table method, which were low iodine group (37 cases;120 kV,150 mAs, iodine 270 mg/ml), low tube voltage group (42 cases;100 kV,150 mAs, iodine 320 mg/ml) and low iodine and tube voltage group (41 cases;100 kV,150 mAs, iodine 270 mg/ml). The carotid bifurcated CT value, standard deviation (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), iodine intake and effective radiation dose (ED) of the four groups were recorded,all data undertook statistical analysis useing one-way ANOVA. Meanwhile, the subjective image quality score was applied to evaluate the image quality, and the differences among groups were compared by Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results The image quality score were (2.85±0.19),(2.33 ± 0.34),(2.26 ± 0.32),(2.87 ± 0.22) in the four groups, and there was no statistical difference between groups(P>0.05).The carotid bifurcated CT value were respectively (380±30),(314±27),(514±52) and (425±28) HU in conventional, low iodine, low tube voltage and dual-low-dose groups, and the iodine intake were (18.85±2.10), (15.75±1.78), (18.53±1.98), (15.62±1.92) g, the ED of the four groups were (1.74±0.14), (1.73± 0.11), (1.32 ± 0.08) and (1.35 ± 0.09) mSv, the difference were all statistically significant (P<0.01). Furthermore, the iodine intake and the effective radiation dose in dual-low-dose group were significantly lower than the conventational group. Conclusions Head-and-neck CTA with dual-low-dose scan can provide same quality images as using 100 kV and high dose iodine contrast agent, and which also significantly reduced the ED and iodine intake greatly. Thus, this scanning program has great clinical value.

Objective To investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice and the therapeutic effects of mustard seed (Sinapis Alba Linn). Methods Thirty BALB/c mice were randomized equally into blank control group (fed with normal forage and treated with vehicle), model group (fed with normal forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream), and experimental group (fed with 5% mustard seed forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream). RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression and distribution of ASC and caspase-1. ELISA was used to test the serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. Results Compared with the blank control group, the mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation showed significantly increased NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11 mRNA expressions, ASC and caspase-1 protein expressions , and serum levels of IL-1βand IL-18 (P<0.05). These changes were obviously attenuated by feeding the mice with mustard seed. Conclusion NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and mustard seed may suppress the inflammation induced by IL-1βand IL-18 through down-regulating the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Objective To investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice and the therapeutic effects of mustard seed (Sinapis Alba Linn). Methods Thirty BALB/c mice were randomized equally into blank control group (fed with normal forage and treated with vehicle), model group (fed with normal forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream), and experimental group (fed with 5% mustard seed forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream). RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression and distribution of ASC and caspase-1. ELISA was used to test the serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. Results Compared with the blank control group, the mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation showed significantly increased NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11 mRNA expressions, ASC and caspase-1 protein expressions , and serum levels of IL-1βand IL-18 (P<0.05). These changes were obviously attenuated by feeding the mice with mustard seed. Conclusion NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and mustard seed may suppress the inflammation induced by IL-1βand IL-18 through down-regulating the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of mustard seed on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in mice and explore the mechanism.

METHODSEighteen BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and mustard seed group. The mice in the normal control group and model group were fed with normal chow, and those in mustard seed group were given 5% mustard seed mixed in the chow. Three weeks later, ACD was induced on the ear using 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene. After 24 h, the swelling of the ear was examined, and the rats were sacrificed to collect the ear tissue ears and blood for histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations, RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSIn mice with ACD, feeding with mustard seeds significantly lessened the ear swelling, improved the tissue histopathology, lowered the number of infiltrating Langerhans cells, and reduced the expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in the ear, but did not cause significant changes in serum levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and IL-17.

CONCLUSIONMustard seed inhibits ACD in mice possibly by suppressing the expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA and inhibiting Langerhans cell migration in the epidermis.

Animals ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Dinitrofluorobenzene ; adverse effects ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mustard Plant ; Seeds ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice and the therapeutic effects of mustard seed (Sinapis Alba Linn).

METHODSThirty BALB/c mice were randomized equally into blank control group (fed with normal forage and treated with vehicle), model group (fed with normal forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream), and experimental group (fed with 5% mustard seed forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream). RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression and distribution of ASC and caspase-1. ELISA was used to test the serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation showed significantly increased NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11 mRNA expressions, ASC and caspase-1 protein expressions , and serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 (P<0.05). These changes were obviously attenuated by feeding the mice with mustard seed.

CONCLUSIONNLRP3 inflammasome is involved in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and mustard seed may suppress the inflammation induced by IL-1β and IL-18 through down-regulating the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Aminoquinolines ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Caspase 1 ; metabolism ; Female ; Inflammasomes ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Interleukin-18 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mustard Plant ; chemistry ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Phytotherapy ; Psoriasis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the peri-nasopharyngeal invasion patterns of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) on MRI and its relationship with tumor staging. Methods One thousand five hundred and seventy-three patients with newly diagnosed NPC which were histo-pathologically proved were retrospectively studied. The MRI manifestations and invasion patterns of the NPCs were elevated according to the 2008 Tstaging system of NPC. Z test was used to analyze the rate of adjacent structures invasion in NPCs. Results The structures invaded by NPCs included pharyngobasilar fascia in 1299 cases (82. 58% ); parapharyngeal space, 1090 ( 69. 29% ); nasal cavities, 304 ( 19. 33% ); oropharynx, 49 ( 3. 12% ); carotid space,514(32. 68% ); medial pterygoid muscle, 661 (42. 02% ); lateral pterygoid muscle, 210( 13. 35% ); skull base bones, 943(59. 95% ); cranial nerves, 630(40. 05% ) and paranasal sinuses, 242 ( 15.38% ). The T-stage distribution was T1, 242 cases ( 15.38% ); T2, 288 ( 18. 31% ); T3, 410 (26. 06% ) and T4,633 (40. 24% ). Among the cases with nasal cavities invasion, 90. 46% (275/304)showed the involvement of the structures seen in T3 or T4 stage, which was found in all cases with oropharynx invasion. In addition,69. 14% (457/661) of cases with medial pterygoid muscle invasion and 92. 15% (223/242) of cases with paranasal sinuses invasion showed the involvement of structures seen in T4 stage. As for the invasion patterns of NPC, the lateral invasion of pharyngobasilar fascia was more frequent than upward invasion of skull base (Z = 14. 025, P ＜ 0. 01 ) and downward invasion of oropharynx ( Z = 45.032, P ＜ 0. 01 ), and the downward invasion of oropharynx was less frequent than upward invasion of skull base ( Z = 34. 301, P ＜ 0. 01 ) and forward invasion of nasal cavities ( Z = 14. 404, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion NPC has a predilection of lateral invasion rather than upward and downward invasion, and its upward and forward invasion are more common than downward invasion.

Objective To investigate the effects of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored HDL-binding protein(GPIHBP1)on glioma growth and macrophage infiltration.Methods Initially,the expression of GPIHBP1 in glioma samples and macrophage infiltration were analyzed using TCGA data-base,and these bioinformatics results were validated in clinical tissue samples.A stable glioma cell line overexpressing GPIHBP1 was then established to further explore the effects of GPIHBP1 overexpression on glioma cell proliferation,apoptosis,migration,and invasion.Finally,the impact of GPIHBP1 over-expression on tumor growth and macrophage infiltration was verified through xenograft experiments.Results TCGA database analysis revealed that GPIHBP1 expression was higher in low-grade gliomas compared to normal tissues,while it was lower in high-grade gliomas.Additionally,the expression level of GPIHBP1 in low-grade gliomas was higher than in high-grade gliomas,which was confirmed by immu-nohistochemistry(IHC).Western blot analysis confirmed the successful construction of the GPIHBP1-overexpressing glioma cell line.CCK-8,flow cytometry,scratch and Transwell assays demonstrated that the proliferation,migration and invasion capabilities of the stable cell line were reduced compared to the control group.Xenograft experiments further showed that the tumor growth and macrophage infiltra-tion were decreased in the stable cell line.Conclusion The differential expression of GPIHBP1 in different grades of gliomas may be associated with tumor progression.Overexpression of GPIHBP1 can inhibit glioma growth,possibly by influencing the tumor microenvironment and promoting the polariza-tion of macrophages towards the antitumor M1 phenotype,thereby inhibiting glioma growth.

Objective To investigate the effects of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored HDL-binding protein(GPIHBP1)on glioma growth and macrophage infiltration.Methods Initially,the expression of GPIHBP1 in glioma samples and macrophage infiltration were analyzed using TCGA data-base,and these bioinformatics results were validated in clinical tissue samples.A stable glioma cell line overexpressing GPIHBP1 was then established to further explore the effects of GPIHBP1 overexpression on glioma cell proliferation,apoptosis,migration,and invasion.Finally,the impact of GPIHBP1 over-expression on tumor growth and macrophage infiltration was verified through xenograft experiments.Results TCGA database analysis revealed that GPIHBP1 expression was higher in low-grade gliomas compared to normal tissues,while it was lower in high-grade gliomas.Additionally,the expression level of GPIHBP1 in low-grade gliomas was higher than in high-grade gliomas,which was confirmed by immu-nohistochemistry(IHC).Western blot analysis confirmed the successful construction of the GPIHBP1-overexpressing glioma cell line.CCK-8,flow cytometry,scratch and Transwell assays demonstrated that the proliferation,migration and invasion capabilities of the stable cell line were reduced compared to the control group.Xenograft experiments further showed that the tumor growth and macrophage infiltra-tion were decreased in the stable cell line.Conclusion The differential expression of GPIHBP1 in different grades of gliomas may be associated with tumor progression.Overexpression of GPIHBP1 can inhibit glioma growth,possibly by influencing the tumor microenvironment and promoting the polariza-tion of macrophages towards the antitumor M1 phenotype,thereby inhibiting glioma growth.