Purpose To investigate the feasibility to diagnose and evaluate the vulnerability of the atherosclerotic plaque through contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Materials and Methods Thirty-four patients with carotid atherosclerosis were enrolled in the study to take contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and were observed on whether the plaque was enhanced and the features of its enhancement. The peak intensity (PI), time to peak (TTP), and density echo (DE) were calculated according to the time-intensity curve with QLAB software. Results The ratio of enhanced malacoplakia and the mixed plaque showed no difference (χ2=0.847, P>0.05). The percentages of enhanced plaque distributed on the base, tail and the shoulder were 70.0%, 23.3% and 6.7%, respectively with significant difference (χ2=29.100, P<0.001); the distribution ratio of enhanced plaque from high to low were as follows: the plaque on the shoulder > the plaque on the base> the plaque on the tail. It was positively correlated between enhanced plaque and its distribution (r=0.404, P<0.01). The TTP of the ROI between the malacoplakias and the mixed plaques showed no difference (t=0.479, P>0.05). The PI and DE of the ROI in the malacoplakia and the mixed plaques were analyzed by the time-intensity curve and the differences proved to be statistically significant (t=7.497 and 12.224, P<0.05). Conclusion Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography could present the neovessels in the atherosclerotic plaque, which is helpful in evaluating the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaque.

Objective:To investigate the quantification of CD4~+CD25~+ regulatory T cells and distribution of CD4~+CD8~+ T lymphocyte subgroup in peripheral blood of patients in chronic hepatitis B (CHB),and to reveal relationship between CD4~+CD25~+ regulatory T cells,CD4~+CD8~+ T lymphocyte subgroup and HBV infetion as well.Methods:CD4~+CD25~(high),CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Treg and CD3~+CD4~+CD8~+T lymphocyte subgroup in peripheral blood from 50 patients with CHB and 20 healthy controls was analyzed using flow cytometry.HBV DNA was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR.Results:The number of CD4~+CD25~(high)Tregs in patients with CHB was obviously higher than that in healthy controls(P＜0.01)and increased with copies of HBV DNA.The same with the change of CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Tregs in patients with CHB and there was a positive correlation between CD4~+CD25~(high)Tregs and CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Tregs(r=0.890,P＜0.001).Compared with healthy controls,the frequency of CD4~+T cells and the ratio of CD4~+/CD8~+ in patients with CHB was declined,but there was no significant difference in the frequency of CD3~+T cells and CD8~+T cells between them(P＞0.05).The variation in the number of CD4~+CD25~(high)Tregs was correlated positively with the copies of HBV DNA(r=0.782,P＜0.001)and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(ALT)(r=0.432,P＜0.005)separately,but negatively with the frequency of CD3~+,CD4~+,CD8~+T cells and the ratio of CD4~+/CD8~+(P＞0.05).The variation in the frequency of CD3~+,CD4~+,CD8~+T cells and the ratio of CD4~+/CD8~+ was also correlated negatively with the copies of HBV DNA(P＞0.05).Conclusion:The number of CD4~+CD25~(high)Tregs increases in patients with CHB and is in accordance with the copies of HBV DNA and increased level of ALT.Further studies should be done to investigate weather CD4~+CD8~+ T lymphocyte subgroup could be used to monitor the state of community.

Purpose To explore the application value of contrast agent in non-vascular channel. Material and Methods Totally 68 patients with drainage tube/stoma were collected in the pattern of real-time contrast enhanced ultrasound. Position, scope and moving of contrast agent in non-vascular channel were observed. Results It was accurately revealed enhanced areas in 68 cases of drainage tube and stoma, including 9 abnormal cases. CEUS implied 3 cases of failed drainage ifrstly, 5 cases of bleeding and 1 case gallbladder stone. It judged the degree and location in 25 PTBD cases and 22 PCN cases. The distance with renal hilum of one parapelvic cyst was measured accurately. Conclusion It is very important in diagnosis and treatment of interventional ultrasound to CEUS, therefore is worthy of wide application.

Objective To investigate the effects of oral care using hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate to prevent neonatal ventilator associated pneumonia(VAP). Methods Totally 209 neonates were recruited and divided into the experimental group with 104 cases and the control group with 105 cases by using random number table method. Based on conventional mechanical ventilation nursing,the experimental group received oral care using 1.5%hydrogen peroxide combined with 2.5% sodium bicarbonate,Q8H,while the control group received oral care using only 2.5% sodium bicarbonate,Q8H. Positive results of bacteria detection in tracheal sputum culture,the incidence rate of VAP,mechanical ventilation time,hospitalization time and hospitalization costs were compared between two groups. Results After 48 hours of mechanical ventilation,the difference in positive results of bacteria detection in tracheal sputum culture between two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). The difference of incidence rate of VAP between two groups showed no statistical significance(P>0.05) when the duration of the mechanical ventilation was 48 hours. While after 48 hours of the mechanical ventilation,the difference of the incidence rate of VAP between two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). The differences in mechanical ventilation time and hospitalization time between two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05). The hospitalization costs of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group,while the difference showed no statistical significance(P>0.05). Conclusion The combined usage of hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate for oral care can effectively eliminate neonatal oral bacteria colonization and prevent neonatal VAP,so as to reduce the time of mechanical ventilation and hospitaliza-tion, and decrease hospitalization costs.

Objective To evaluate the effect of different restoration methods on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth. Methods Fifty intact extracted maxillary first premolars were randomly divided into 5 groups. Medial-occlusal cavity models were established in all the test groups (B-E) according to the same standard, followed by treatments with defect exposure only, defect filling with light cured composite resin, indirect resin inlays, or light cured composite resin combined with Biosplint fiber. Each specimen was tested using a universal test machine at 1.00 mm/min until fracture and the fracture load was recorded. The load angle was 45 degree to the long axis of the teeth, and the load was pointed to the middle of the lingual surface on the buccal cusp. The fracture resistance was analyzed statistically. Results The mean load to cause fracture of the samples in each group group A to E was 1.27 ± 0.41, 0.23 ± 0.17, 0.55 ± 0.31, 0.89 ± 0.40, and 0.98 ± 0.34 kN, respectively, showing significant differences between the groups. Conclusion The fracture resistance of the teeth is reduced after endodontic therapy, but can be increased significantly by restoration with composite resin inlay or light cured composite resin combined with Biosplint fiber.

Objective To evaluate the effect of different restoration methods on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth. Methods Fifty intact extracted maxillary first premolars were randomly divided into 5 groups. Medial-occlusal cavity models were established in all the test groups (B-E) according to the same standard, followed by treatments with defect exposure only, defect filling with light cured composite resin, indirect resin inlays, or light cured composite resin combined with Biosplint fiber. Each specimen was tested using a universal test machine at 1.00 mm/min until fracture and the fracture load was recorded. The load angle was 45 degree to the long axis of the teeth, and the load was pointed to the middle of the lingual surface on the buccal cusp. The fracture resistance was analyzed statistically. Results The mean load to cause fracture of the samples in each group group A to E was 1.27 ± 0.41, 0.23 ± 0.17, 0.55 ± 0.31, 0.89 ± 0.40, and 0.98 ± 0.34 kN, respectively, showing significant differences between the groups. Conclusion The fracture resistance of the teeth is reduced after endodontic therapy, but can be increased significantly by restoration with composite resin inlay or light cured composite resin combined with Biosplint fiber.

OBJEVTIVETo evaluate the effect of different restoration methods on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth.

METHODSFifty intact extracted maxillary first premolars were randomly divided into 5 groups. Medial-occlusal cavity models were established in all the test groups (B-E) according to the same standard, followed by treatments with defect exposure only, defect filling with light cured composite resin, indirect resin inlays, or light cured composite resin combined with Biosplint fiber. Each specimen was tested using a universal test machine at 1.00 mm/min until fracture and the fracture load was recorded. The load angle was 45 degree to the long axis of the teeth, and the load was pointed to the middle of the lingual surface on the buccal cusp. The fracture resistance was analyzed statistically.

RESULTSThe mean load to cause fracture of the samples in each group group A to E was 1.27∓0.41, 0.23∓0.17, 0.55∓0.31, 0.89∓0.40, and 0.98∓0.34 kN, respectively, showing significant differences between the groups.

CONCLUSIONThe fracture resistance of the teeth is reduced after endodontic therapy, but can be increased significantly by restoration with composite resin inlay or light cured composite resin combined with Biosplint fiber.

Bicuspid ; physiopathology ; Composite Resins ; chemistry ; Dental Materials ; chemistry ; Dental Restoration, Permanent ; methods ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Humans ; Inlays ; Maxilla ; Tooth Fractures ; physiopathology ; Tooth, Nonvital ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feature of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene mutations and provide guidance for genetic and prenatal diagnosis of patients with phenylketonuria from Shaanxi.

METHODSFor 55 patients whose blood Phe concentration was over 2.0 mg/dL, potential mutations in 13 exons and flanking sequences of the PAH gene were detected by PCR and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSA total of 98 mutations were detected in 110 PAH alleles, with the detection rate being 89.10%. Nine mutations have been identified in exon 7, which accounted for 33.67% of all. Exon 12 (14.29%) and exon 3 (12.24%) have followed. Thirty eight mutations, locating in exon2-exon12 and the flanking sequence, were detected in the 55 PKU patients. p.R243Q (24.49%) was the commonest mutation, whilstp.A47E, p.I65S and p.A259T were first discovered in China. After querying international databases including PAHdb and HGMD, the p.C334X was verified as the novel PAH gene mutation.

CONCLUSIONThe mutation spectrum of the PAH gene in Shaanxi has been identified. And a novel mutation has been identified. This may facilitate the diagnosis of PKU in the future.

Alleles ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mutation ; Phenylalanine Hydroxylase ; blood ; genetics ; Phenylketonurias ; enzymology ; genetics

Objective To investigate the age-related changes of biomechanical properties for humerus, femur and tibia in male rats and their application values in age estimation. Methods According to different weeks of age, 90 healthy male SD rats were divided into 2, 4, 6, 8, 17, 26, 52, 78 and 104-week groups with 10 rats in eachgroup. After the rats were executed by excessive anesthesia, humerus, femur, and tibia were separated and the attached soft tissues were removed. The length of the above-mentioned bones and the diameter of the middle section (compression site) were measured with vernier caliper, and the three-point bending test was conducted with electronic universal material testing machine to detect the ultimate load and displacement under ultimate load. Results There were significant differences in the ultimate load of humerus, femur and tibia among male rats in different age groups (P<0. 05). With the increase of week age, the ultimate loads of the humerus, femur and tibia increased first and then decreased, and reached the peak value in 52-week age group, showing a strong positive correlation with week age before 52 weeks ( r = 0. 884,0. 933,0. 929, P<0. 05). There was no significant difference in humerus and tibia. The displacement of femur under ultimate load was weakly positively correlated with week age (R= 0. 406,P<0. 05). The age prediction accuracy for automatic linear modeling of ultimate load for humerus, femur, tibia and three above-mentioned bones in rats before 52-week age was 78. 2% , 86. 8% , 84. 1% and 88. 3% , respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between the length of humerus, femur and tibia and the ultimate load (R= 0. 904, 0. 897, 0. 814, P<0. 05). The diameters of humerus, femur and tibia were strongly positively correlated with the ultimate load (R = 0. 759, 0. 814 and 0. 745, P<0. 05). Conclusions The ultimate loads of humerus, femur and tibia in male rats increased first and then decreased with age, and were positively correlated with age before 52 weeks, which could be used for age inference. The highest accuracy of age estimation was ultimate loads of three bones, followed by femur. The length/ middle diameter of humerus, femur and tibia were strongly positively correlated with the ultimate load.

BACKGROUNDThe diagnosis of liver fibrosis is a difficult task at any time using conventional clinical imaging. Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) can be used to investigate both diffusion and perfusion changes in tissues. This study was designed to determine the value of IVIM in the diagnosis and staging of liver fibrosis.

METHODSIVIM examinations were performed on a GE 3.0T MR scanner in 25 patients with liver fibrosis and 25 healthy volunteers as the control group. Patients with liver fibrosis diagnosis were confirmed by pathology and staged on a scale of F0-4. The standard ADC values and the values of a biexponential model (slow ADC (Dslow), fast ADC (Dfast) and fraction of fast ADC (FF)) were measured in three liver regions per person. The mean standard ADC values, Dslow values, Dfast values and FF values from the study group were compared among the right posterior hepatic lobe, right anterior hepatic lobe and medial segment of the left lobe. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and independent-samples t-tests were used to calculate the mean standard ADC values, Dslow values, Dfast values and FF values from the study group and the control group. Spearman rho correlation analysis was used for the stage of liver fibrosis. The liver fibrosis stages between the groups F0-1 and F2-4, the groups F0-2 and F3-4 were compared.

RESULTSAmong the liver fibrosis, there was no significant difference in the mean standard ADC values, Dslow values, Dfast values, and FF values obtained from the right posterior hepatic lobe, right anterior hepatic lobe and medial segment of the left lobe. Using ROC analysis, the Area Under the Curve (AUC) values of standard ADC, Dslow, Dfast, FF were all between 0.7 to 0.9. The mean standard ADC values, Dslow values, Dfast values and FF values of the liver in the study group were significantly lower than the values in the control group (P < 0.05). As the stage of the fibrosis increased, the values decreased by Spearman rho correlation analysis. The mean values (standard ADC, Dslow, Dfast, and FF) of liver fibrosis stages between the groups F0-1 and F2-4, the groups F0-2 and F3-4 showed significant differences (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIVIM can reflect the conditions of perfusion and diffusion in liver fibrosis and thus distinguish between normal liver and liver fibrosis. The IVIM technique may serve as a valuable tool for detecting and characterizing liver fibrosis, and monitoring its progression in a noninvasive manner.

Adult ; Aged ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged