OBJECTIVE To investigate the location and degree of pharyngeal narrowing in patients with ob-structive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS). METHODS Fifty patients with OSAHS were divided into two groups. The first group was examined with single layer helix CT at an awaken state. The second group was examined with single and 16 layer helix CT at an asleep state. Control group was 225 healthy adults. RESULTS The average minimum diameter of pharynx at soft palate level was 5.85 mm and the aver-age minimum section proportion was 50.3 mm2 in the first group. The average minimum diameter and the av-erage minimum section proportion of pharynx at soft palate level were 2.88 mm and 31.5 mm2, and 1.62 mm and 6.3 mm2 as examined with single layer and 16 lay-ers helix CT scan respectively in the second group. CONCLUSION CT can be used as a method for esti-mating the degree of pharyngeal narrowing in patients with OSAHS. 16 layer helix CT scan can reflect the actual pharyngeal narrowing in OSAHS patients while sleeping more accurately.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) express almost all of the markers of neural cell and secret a lot of neurotrophic factors and neurotransmitters. If AECs could substitute neural cells, its neurotrophic effect will bring promising prospect in treating neuron injuries and degenerative neural disease.OBJECTIVE: To detect specific proteins of neural cells in rat's cultured AECs.DESIGN: Repeated measurement design.SETTING: Second Clinical Medical College , Jilin University; Department of Histology & Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University.MATERIALS: This experiment was conducted at the Department of Histology & Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University from October 2004 to October 2005. The rat amniotic epithelial tissue was mechanically peeled from an embryonic 12 to 14days Wistar rats. Mouse anti Nestin was purchased from Chemicon Co.,and anti-ChAT rabbit anti-NSE and anti-NT-3 antibodies from Wuhan Boshide Company. Mouse anti-Musashi antibody was donated by Pro.Okano.METHODS: AECs were dissociated and purified from the amnion of pregnancy 12-14 day rats. AECs were treated with trypsin for 5 minutes,then cultured in DMEM/F12 medium at a humidified atmosphere of 0.05 volume fraction of CO2 in air at 37 ℃. Cells were inoculated at a concentration of 5×109 cells/L in culture flask. After 3 days, cells were inoculated onto poly-lysine-treated 35 mm culture Petri dish at a density of 1 × 108 cells/L for immunocytochemically staining. The cells were fixed with 40 g/L paraformaldehyde for 20 minutes. Immunocytochemical staining method was used to detect the expression of microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2),neuron specific enolase(NSE), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and choline acetyl transferase(ChAT).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Morphological observation of rat'AECs at different culture time. ② Expression of specific protein of neural cells in rat' cultured AECs.RESULTS: ① After cultured for 24 hours, the AECs were flat and presented fibroblast-like morphology. 3 to 5 days later, cell bodies were well stacked; AECs had a big and round nucleus and were connected with each other by flourishing dendrites. ② Immunocytochemical staining results after culture for 4 days showed that AECs expressed Nestin, ChAT,NSE, Musashi, MAP-2, GFAP.CONCLUSION: AECs are homologous to neural cells in morphology, and it may be a new cell source to treat nervous system disease.

Objective To study the clinical, radiologic and pathologic characteristics and diagnostic methods of telangiectatic osteosarcoma for further improving the diagnostic ability.Methods The data of 10 patients with histologically proved telangiectatic osteosarcomas were retrospectively reviewed, and the clinical, radiologic and pathologic characteristics were further analysed in combination with the literature.All 10 patients were examined with X-ray and MRI, and 2 patients with CT.Results Telangiectatie osteosarcomas originated from inferior femur in 5 patients, femur neck in 1 patients, superior humerus in 2 patients and superior segment of tibia in 2 patients.The lesions showed osteolytic bone destruction on X-ray films (n = 10) and CT images ( n = 2), with mild bone expansion in 4 patients.The majority of the edge of the destroyed bone areas was unclear but without sclerotic rim.There were Codman's triangle and soft tissue mass in each patient but no obvious neoplastic bone forming.On MRI, all the lesions were mostly or completely constituted by the multiple cysts with periostnal reaction, and several scatteredly smaller liquid-liquid levels were found within cystic cavity in 7 patients.In all 10 cases, there were pathologic hemocoele similar to aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC), but malignant tumor cells and some neoplastic bones were found in cystic walls or septations.Only a small number of neoplastic bone tissue were seen by microscopy in 6 patients.Conclusions The radio-pathologic characteristics of telangiectatic osteosarcoma include the similar imaging findings of ABC, the common growth patterns of malignant tumors,and the pathologic hemocoele, malignant tumor cells within cystic wails or septations.The comprehensive analysis of clinical, radiologic and pathological data may help clinicans to make a correct diagnosis for telangiectatic nsteosareoma.

Objective To investigate the function of triggering receptor expresses on myeloid cells receptor-1 (TREM-1) in lymphocyte differentiation and regulation of Aspergillus infected immunosuppressed rats.Methods Cyclophosphamide (CTX) was intraperitoneally injected and Fumigatus spore suspension was inhaled by percutaneous tracheostomy to establish the immunosuppressive invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) rat model.After 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h inoculation, rats were sacrificed.Lung tissue specimens, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) , and plasma samples were collected.Plasma and BALF sTREM-1, plasma T cell-specific transcription factor (T-box expressed in T cells, T-bet) and eomesodermin(Eomes) were detected by ELISA.Biopsy specimens of lung tissue were used for periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining and culture.Results The mortality rate of immunosuppressed rats after Aspergillus inhalation for 96 h was as high as 54.4％.Biopsy of lung tissue suggested acute inflammatory cell infiltration, interstitial lung congestion, alveolar structural damage, and visible Aspergillus hyphae in alveoli.Compared with normal control group[(110.50 ± 7.70)ng/L], plasma sTREM-1 in study groups were significantly increased [IPA : (146.77 ± 10.41) ng/L;CXT + IPA at 24 h : (226.00 ± 11.88) ng/L;CTX + IPA at 48 h : (200.77 ± 10.63) ng/L;P ＜ 0.05], so were T-bet levels [IPA : (561.17 ± 7.23) μg/L;CXT + IPA at 24 h : (647.00 ± 33.03) μg/L;CTX + IPA at 48 h : (619.23 ± 87.44) μg/L;control group : (340.03 ± 26.32) μg/L;respectively, P ＜0.05].However, plasma Eomes levels in IPA group, CTX + IPA at 24 h and 48 h were significantly lower compared with that in normal controls [IPA : (7.96 ± 0.65) ng/L;CXT + IPA at 24 h : (3.97 ± 0.35) ng/L;CTX + IPA at 48 h : (4.00 ± 0.74) ng/L;control group : (8.38 ± 0.51) ng/L;respectively,P ＜0.001].Compared with those in CTX + IPA vaccination after 24 h and 48 h, plasma sTREM-1 [(106.67 ±7.64)ng/L;(133.27 ± 32.79) ng/L] and T-bet [(299.64±63.07)μg/L;(398.02 ± 109.22) μg/L] in CTX + IPA at 72 h and 96 h inoculation were significantly lower (P ＜ 0.001).While Eomes [(8.38 ± 0.54) ng/L;(8.40 ± 0.70) ng/L] raised significantly higher (P ＜ 0.001).Compared with the control group, sTREM-1 levels in BALF of IPA + CTX 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h groups were consistently high (P ＜ 0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that sTREM-1 and T-bet had a significant positive correlation (r =0.91, P ＜ 0.001), yet Eomes was negatively correlated with them (r =-0.788, P ＜ 0.001).Conclusions sTREM-1 in rat plasma and BALF appears highly expressed in immune compromised Aspergillus infected rat model.Plasma sTREM-1 is closely correlated with T-bet and Eomes levels, which suggests that TREM-1 may be involved in lymphocytic regulation and differentiation during fungal infection.

Objective To investigate the effect of microbubble-enhanced non-focused ultrasound on liver uhrastructure during the treatment of hepatic trauma.Methods The model of hepatic trauma was established in 18 healthy New Zealand rabbits.The subjects were divided into trauma group,ultrasound group and ultrasound-microbubble group according to the random number table,with 6 rabbits each.Thicker region of the left hepatic lobe was treated by custom-made non-focused ultrasound for 5 min.Peak intensity (PI) was used to evaluate the blood reperfusion of the target region after treatment.Liver specimens were performed transmission electron microscope examination immediately and 24 h after treatment to analyze ultrastructure changes.Results PI ratio in ultrasound-microbubble group (15.1 ± 2.6) was significantly lower than that in trauma group (23.1 ± 1.1) and ultrasound group (23.4 ± 1.3) (P ＜ 0.05).But the difference between trauma and ultrasound groups was insignificant (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with trauma and ultrasound groups immediately after treatment,hepatic cells in ultrasoundmicrobubble group had obvious edema,sinusoids thinned,organelles arranged in disorder,mitochondrial edema was present,endothelia cells of interlobular hepatic artery,interlobular vein and bile canaliculi in the portal area damaged,and microvilli of bile canaliculi disappeared.Hepatic cells showed morphology of apoptosis 24 h after treatment.Conclusion Microbubble-enhanced non-focused ultrasound can be used to make rapid hemostasis by decreasing the blood perfusion,but it causes certain damage to the ultrastructure of hepatic cells and may induce apoptosis in the radiation zone and neighboring cells.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of transcription factors Snail,Slug and cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)and evaluate their relationship with clinical pathological features and metastases.METHODS Immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were carried out to detect the expression of Snail,Slug and E-cadherin in 65 NPC samples and normal nasopharyngeal mucosa(18 cases).The expression of Snail and Ecadherin in distinct differentiation nasopharyngeal carcinoma was analyzed and the relationship of them with clinical pathological features was discussed.RESULTS Real-time PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry showed that Slug was elevated with increasing tumor grade.E-cadherin expression was reduced corresponding with prognostic indices and tumor.Snail showed no obvious change.The relative expression levels of E-cadherin mRNA were significantly different between lymph node metastasis group and nometastasis group(P

Objective To evaluate the causation and management of complications caused by enteral nutrition (EN)after stomach cancer surgery.Methods The clinical data of 195 gastric cancer patients which used EN after surgery were analyzed retrospectively from September 2002 to April 2008 in our hospital.Results Among the 195 patients,29(14.87%)developed abdominal distention,17(8.71%)diarrhoea,Six(3.07%)metabolic complica tions,three anastomotie leakage,1 patient with colon perforation.Conclusion These complications caused by EN after stomach cancer surgery associated with the stress of surgery,the speed and concentration of nutrition infusion, patients'metabolic conditions and other related factors.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) express almost all the markers of neural cell and secrete biologically active neurotrophins such as brain derived neurotrophin factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT3).If AECs can substitute neural cells, its neurotrophic effect will bring expansive prospect in treating spinal cord injuries and degenerative neural disease.OBJECTIVE: To observe the survival, migration and secretory function of AECs after transplanted into the injured spinal cord.DESIGN: An observational experiment.SETTING: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University.MATERIALS: Embryonic rat of 12-14 days (n =1) and adult Wistar rats (n =18, 300-350 g) were provided by the Experimental Animal Center of Jilin University. Immunohistochemical reagents: Mouse anti-rat BrdU monoclonal antibody was bought from Sigma Company. Rabbit anti-rat NT3 polyclonal antibody and rabbit anti-rat BDNF polyclonal antibody were bought from Boster Company. SP immunohistochemistry reagents were purchased from Maixin Company.METHODS: The experiment was made in the Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical Science of Jilin University from July to October 2005. ① Wistar rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of chloral hydrate, subcutaneous tissue and muscle were separated, spinous process and lamina of vertebra were removed by bone ribbing rongeur. to expose the spinal cord. The spinal cords were clamped at the twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12) for 3 minutes.After surgery, the wounds were smeared with penicillin G, then muscle and skin were sutured. The rats were anesthetized by inhaling ether if necessary. ② Obtaining and culture of AECs: Amniotic membrane was peeled from the placenta of a pregnant Wistar rat of 12-14 days. The amnictic membrane was dissected into small pieces of 1 mm×1 mm×1 mm, then digested and cultured, and mechanically made into single cell suspension, finally plated in bottles. ③ Transplantation of AECs into injured spinal cord: The initial wound was slit and injected with 5 μL Brdu labeled AECs (1×1012 L-1) to the exposed injured spinal cord at 3.0 mm anterior to the injured site. The injections were made at a rate of 5 μL per 3 minutes with a microsyringe. The syringe was slowly pulled out after 5 minutes, then muscle and skin were sutured. ④ Sampling and immunohistochemical analysis: Three animals were sacrificed at 1 week and the other three at 2 weeks postoperatively. The sections were fixed with 40 g/L paraformaldehyde in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) for 20 minutes at room temperature, followed by incubation with primary antibodies at 4 ℃ overnight. The samples were treated with secondary antibodies, biotinylated anti-mouse or rabbit immunoglobulin (IgG) at 37 ℃ for 20 minutes; Followed by incubation of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled third antibodies at 37 ℃ for 20 minutes, then stained with 0.2 g/L diaminobenzidine (DAB) or AEC.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival, migration and expression of AECs after transplanted into the injured spinal cord. RESULTS: After transplantation, most of the AECs gather beneath the pia mater of injured spinal cord at 1 week. But they migrated more extensively and many positive nuclear cells (brown) were observed in the center cannel and surrounding gray mater. Meantime, it was also detected that the transplanted AECs could express NT3 (positive cells stained as red) and BDNF in the injured spinal cord.CONCLUSION: AECs could survive for at least 3W after transplanted into the injured spinal cord of adult rats and could migrate widely; Furthermore, they could secrete neurotrophic factors such as NT-3 and BDNF.

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of free anterolateral femoral skin flap on the repair of skin and subcutaneous soft tissue defects caused by excision of oversized malignant tumour in the skin. Methods A retrospective review was performed of free anterolateral femoral skin flap reconstructions for oversized malignant tumor cut on body surface since April 2007 to November 2010. There were 6 patients with head and limb squamous cell carcinoma because of bum scar and 3 patients with recurrence of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in wall of belly. The area of soft tissue defects ranged from 19 cm × 15 cm to 24 cm × 21 cm, and skin flaps was 20 cm × 16 cm to 25 cm × 22 cm in size. Three cases received radio therapy after operation. Results Nine flaps survived perfectly, one flap survived with partial necrosis and healed after changing dressings. No complications were observed in the donor site, including wound dehiscence, hernia and weakness. Follow-up survey of 12-24 months after the operation showed that the appearance and function in the repaired sites were normal, and norecurrence of the tumors. Conclusion Free transplantation of anterolateral femoral skin flap is relatively an ideal operative type for the repair of soft tissue defects caused by excision of oversized malignant tumour in the skin.

Objective To demonstrate the spectrum of multi-detector spiral CT (MSCT) findings of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Methods From May 2008 to January 2010, DILI was identified in 10 cases based on their clinical and pathological results. The spectrum of CT findings was analyzed retrospectively. Results According to the CT features, DILI were divided into three types. ( 1 ) Two cases presented diffuse hepatic injury, which appeared as homogeneous hypo-attenuation in precontrast CT scan and mild enhancement after contrast injection. The histopathological findings of the involved 1ivers include hepatocellular steatosis, neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration, punctiform necrosis and canalicular cholestasis. (2) Six cases presented focal hepatic injury, including massive wedge-shaped necrosis in 4,multiple small necroses in 1 and multiple regenerated nodules in 1. In precontrast CT scan, hepatic necroses were seen as inhomogeneous hypo-attenuation areas, which turned to hyper-attenuation after contrast injection and presented "flip-flop" sign between precontrast CT scan and portal venous phase scan. In the case with regenerated nodules, slight hyper-attenuation lesions were detected with diffuse distribution in liver in precontrast CT scan, which showed enhancement in hepatic arterial phase and turned to iso-attenuation in portal venous phase and equilibrium phase. The histopathological changes included massive necrosis or bridging necrosis with abundant neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration in 5 cases, nodular regeneration with cholestasis and feathery degeneratin in 1 case. (3) Two cases presented liver cirrhosis. CT displayed obvious nodularity of liver, which complicated with splenomegaly, ascites and collateral veins. The histopathological changes of these two cases included punctiform necrosis, canalicular cholestasis and pseudolobular formation. Conclusion CT signs of DILl have certain characteristics, which may help in detecting and determining the severity of liver damage.