Objective To discuss the clinical value of subglottic secretion drainage on pulmonary infection in severe craniocerebral injuried patients. Methods Eighty severe craniocerebral injuried patients in ICU with the requirement of tracheotomy were randomized into two groups. Forty patients received aspiration of subglottic secretions as the treatment group and the other 40 patients received usual care as control. Samples were taken from pharynx mop, subglottic secretion and lower respiratory tract secretion for bacterial culture at 48 hours, 7th day and 14th day past tracheotomy. Results The incidence of pulmonary infection was 22.5% in treatment group and 45.0% in control. The same rate of predominant flora in subglottic secretion and lower respiratory tract secretion was 63.0% in patients with pulmonary infection. Conclusions Transposition of the pathologic bacteria in the subglottic secretion is one of the important causes of pulmonary infection, subglottic secretion drainage can lower the incidence of pulmonary infection in severe craniocerebral injuried patients.

With the range of application of computational biology and systems biology gradually expanding, the complexity of the bioprocess models is also increased. To address this difficult problem, it is required to introduce positive alternative analysis method to cope with it. Taking the dynamic model of the epidemic control process as research object, we established an evaluation model in our laboratory. Firstly, the model was solved with nonlinear programming method. The results were shown to be good. Based on biochemical systems theory, the ODE dynamic model was transformed into S-system. The eigen values of the model showed that the system was stable and contained oscillation phenomenon. Next the sensitivities of rate constant and logarithmic gains of the three key parameters were analyzed, as well as the robust of the system. The result indicated that the biochemical systems theory could be applied in different fields more widely.
Computational Biology ; Epidemics ; Humans ; Models, Biological ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Systems Biology ; Systems Theory

The expressions of Ki67 and FHIT were detected by immunohistochemical staining in 15 cases of adrenocortical carcinoma, 42 cases with adrenocortical adenoma,6 cases of adrenocortical hyperplasia, and 10 cases of normal adrenocortical tissue. The results showed that the highest expression of Ki67 and the lowest expression of FHIT were found in adrenocortical carcinoma. There were significant differences in the Ki67 and FHIT between adrenocortical adenoma and adrenocortical carcinoma ( both P < 0. 05 ). There existed negative correlation between the expressions of Ki67 and FHIT( r=-0. 712, P<0.05 ). Ki67 over-expression and loss of FHIT expression may be involved in the occurrence and development of adrenocortical carcinoma. It is suggested that combined detections of Ki67 and FHIT may have reference significance in the differentiation of adrenocortical adenoma from adrenocortical carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the causes, diagnosis and methods of prevention and treatment of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after resection of esophageal and gastric cardia carcinoma. Methods The datas of 19 patients who had DGE after resection of esophageal and gastric cardia carcinoma in hospital from January 1993 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Three cases were confirmed as mechanical DGE and these patients were removed obstruction and cured by operation in time. Sixteen cases were functional DGE and were cured by conservative treatment,gastric function recovered after 7-19 d.Conclusions According to clinical manifestation,upper gastrointestinal radiography and endoscopy,the diagnosis of DGE after resection of esophageal and gastric cardia carcinoma can be confirmed. The majority of DGE are functional and the patients could be cured by conservative treatment. But the patients who have mechanical obstruction have to operate in time. The best way to prevent DGE is to improve preoperative nutrition status,enforce standard surgical manipulation,maintain effective gastrointestinal decompression and strengthen postoperative dietary control.

Objective To investigate the CT findings of histocyticnecrotizing lymphadenitis(HNL)in the neck.Methods CT data of 10 patients with pathologically confirmed HNL in the neck were retrospectively analyzed,7 males and 3 females,aged from 4 to 75 years old(median age 26 years old).Nine patients had plain CT scans and 5 of them had contrast scans.One case had only contrast CT scan.Results Totally,127 lymph nodes were identified in the neck,mainly located in the area of Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ and Ⅴ.The maximum diameter of the involved lymph nodes ranged from 0.5-3.6 cm,1.3 cm in average.One hundred and eight lymph nodes were homogeneous and 8 were heterogeneous in plain CT images.Seventy nine lymph nodes had homogeneous enhancement and 27 had heterogeneous enhancement One hundred and ten lymph nodes had unclear margins and the surrounding fat was blurred.Conclusion CT findings of HNL of the neck are variable and non-specific.Clinical findings and laboratory examination may be helpful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Objective To investigate image quality and radiation dose of prospective ECG-gated coronary combined with carotid and cerebrovascular angiography and compare it with common coronary CTA and carotid-cerebrovascular CTA at a 256-slice spiral CT.Methods Fifty-seven patients were included in the study.The data was analyzed retrospectively and divided into 3 groups.Group 1 underwent coronary combined with carotid CTA ( n =17 ),which included a wide range of prospective ECG-gated coronary,carotid and cerebral vascular one-stop angiography.Group 2 underwent coronary CTA ( n =20),which was routine prospective ECG-gated coronary angiography.Group 3 underwent routine carotid and cerebrovascular CTA (n =20).Mean CT image attenuation and image noise were measured in the ascending aorta root,proximal parts of the bilateral common carotid artery and vertebral artery,and in the internal carotid artery at sellae level in the axial plane.Coronary artery image quality was rated using a four-point ordinal scale and carotid cerebral vascular image quality was rated using a three-point ordinal scale.Radiation dose were calculated.Mean CT image attenuation,image noise and radiation dose were compared among the 3 groups using t test.Using Mann-Whitney U,the coronary artery imaging quality was compared between group 1 and 2,and image quality of cerebral vessels was compared between group 1 and 3.Results Mean CT image attenuation [ (427 ±50) HU in group 1 and (426 ±86) HU in group 2] and image noise of the ascending aorta root [ (30 ± 9) HU in group 1 and (31 ± 9) HU in group 2 ] showed no statistical difference between group 1 and 2 (t =0.058,-0.325,P ＞0.05).There were no non-diagnosis coronary segments in group 1 and 2.And coronary segments with excellent or good image quality reached 98.1％ (202/206) in group 1 and 99.6％ ( 244/245 ) in group 2.It showed no significant difference between group 1 and 2 ( Z =-0.572,P ＞ 0.05 ).There were significant differences of mean CT image attenuation in the common carotid artery between group 1 [ ( 474 ± 70 ) HU ] and group 3 [ ( 348 ± 81 ) HU ],and in the vertebral artery between group 1 [(447 ±83)HU] and group 3 [(328 +66) HU] (t =5.043,4.869,P＜0.05).However,there was no significant difference of mean CT image attenuation in the internal carotid artery [ (370 ± 92) HU in group 1 and ( 367 ± 97 ) HU in group 3 ] ( t =0.111,P ＞ 0.05 ).There was a significant difference of image quality scores of carotid and cerebrovascular arteries between group 1 and 3 (Z =- 3.306,P ＜ 0.05 ).Effective radiation dose of groups 1,2,3 were ( 7.0 ± 0.8 ),( 3.1 ± 0.4 ) and (5.0 ± 0.3) mSv respectively.Conclusion The prospective ECG-gated coronary combined with carotid and cerebrovascular angiography is able to obtain diagnostic image quality of coronary,carotid and cerebral vascular at the 256-slice spiral CT.It is a simple,fast,noninvasive way to assess coronary and carotid cerebrovascular arteries,with advantages of less contrast medium and low radiation dose.

Objective To compare the image quality and patient radiation dose of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) received by prospectively-gated step-and-shoot (SAS) technique with those obtained by retrospectively-gated spiral (RGS) technique on a 256-slice CT scanner. Methods A total of 200 patients were enrolled in this study. One hundred patients underwent CCTA with SAS mode were subdivided into two groups: ( 1 ) 50 patients with an average heart rate (HR) ≤70 bpm were scanned with a data acquisition time window centered at the 75％ of the R-R cycle ( group A) and (2) 50 patients with HR ＞ 70 bpm were scanned with the data acquisition time window centered at the 45％ of the R-R cycle, including a phase tolerance of ±％ (group B). Other 100 patients underwent CCTA with RGS mode and ECG-based tube current modulation were also subdivided into two groups: (3) 50 patients with HR ≤70 bpm were scanned with cardiac dose right set to phase of 75％ (group C) and (4) 50 patients with HR ＞ 70 bpm were scanned with cardiac ose Rdight set to phases of 45％ and 75％ (group D). All patients were grouped in randomized order. The image quality of CCTA were evaluated using a rank scale from 1 to 4 ( 1 : excellent ; 4 : non-assessable ) .Radiation dose of the four groups received was also estimated. The image quality between groups was compared by Mann-Whitney U test.The radiation dose between groups was compared by t test. For the 100 patients received by prospective ECG-gated CCTA, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the CCTA image quality and average heart rate to determine the uppercutoff of HR for obtaining diagnostic coronary images with SAS mode. A spearman correlation analysis was also performed to analyze the correlation of HR and image quality in patients underwent CCTA with SAS mode.Results Of 2338 coronary artery segments, excellent or good image quality( score of 1 or 2) was achieved in 96. 5％ (585 of 606) in group A, 77.7％ (445 of 573 ) in B,96. 1％ (548 of 570) in C, and 85. 7％ (505/589) in D, with no significant difference for A vs C(Z ＝- 1. 351 ,P ＞0. 05) and with significant differenceS for B vs D (Z＝ -2. 236,P ＜0. 05). Linear correlation analysis indicated a significant degradation of image quality with the increase of heart rate using SAS mode (Spearman correlation, r ＝ 0. 577, P ＜0. 01 ). ROC analysis established an upper HR threshold of 78 bpm for obtaining diagnostic image quality using SAS mode( AUC ＝ 0. 827, P ＜ 0. 05 ). The average radiation dose in group A [ ( 2. 6 ± 0. 5 ) mSv]reduced 75 ％ comparing with that in group C [ ( 10. 6 ± 2. 3 ) mSy], and the average radiation dose in group B [ ( 4.0 ± 0. 7 ) mSy]reduced 69％ comparing with that in group D [ ( 13.0 ± 1. 4) mSv]. ConclusionUsing SAS mode to perform low-dose CCTA with 256-slice helical CT could keep the image quality and reduce radiation dose significantly. Our preliminary experience suggests a good promise of this technique which could be applied to a wider group of patients such as with higher heart rates.

Human has used maggot to treat diseases for thousands of years. In recent years, with abuse of antibiotic and the rising incidence of antibiotic resistance, maggot therapy, as a surgical alternative, is mainly applied to treat chronic infected wounds on account of its low cost, efficacy and safety. Its mechanisms are disinfection, bio-debridement and enhancement of tissue regeneration. Maggot therapy which serves as a kind of biological therapy is promising. However, living maggot therapy could result in inevitable complications, so that we should apply traditional Chinese medicine theory to investigate and develop new delivery method of maggot. The review summarizes the past and present of maggot therapy.
Animals ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Debridement ; adverse effects ; economics ; history ; methods ; History, 15th Century ; History, 16th Century ; History, 17th Century ; History, 18th Century ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; History, Medieval ; Humans ; Larva ; growth & development ; physiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; economics ; history ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing ; physiology ; Wound Infection ; therapy

Objective To observe the effect of aspirin on the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis of human adrenal cortical cancer cells, and to explore preliminarily the related mechanisms. Methods The human adrenal cortical cancer cells were cultured in vitro. The experimental group was DEME/F-12 complete medium which contained different concentrations of aspirin (final concentration of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/ml). The control group was DEME/F-12 complete medium which had no aspirin but 1%anhydrous ethanol instead. After treatment by aspirin at different concentrations for different durations (24, 48, 72 hours), we detected the proliferation inhibition of SW-13 cells and H295R cells by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method, observed the changes of cell morphology with the inverted microscope; Observed and counted apoptotic cells through Hoechst33258 fluorescent staining, tested the cell apoptosis by flow cytometry, and detected the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax by western blotting. Results The date of MTT showed that after treated by different concentrations of aspirin,the growth inhibition ratio of SW-13 cells and H295R cells were higher than the control group (P＜0.05), and at the same time, the inhibition ratio would increase when the drug concentration increased ( P＜0. 05 ), with a dose-dependent tendency. When the drug concentration was constant, the inhibition ratio increased with the duration of the drug (P＜0.05), which showed a time-dependent tendency. The number of apoptosis cells and the cell apoptosis rate of both SW-13 and H295R which were treated by different concentrations of aspirin for 48 hours were higher than the control group ( P＜0. 01). According to the analysis of grayscale value of western blotting, Aspirin can increase the expression of Bax ( P＜0.05). On the contrary, the expression of bcl-2 in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusion Aspirin may inhibit the growth of human adrenal cortical cancer cell in vitro and induce its apoptosis, and the possible mechanism may be correlated with the up-regulation of the expression of Bax, and down regulation of Bcl-2 expression.

Tooth development is a complex process that involves precise and time-dependent orchestration of multiple genetic, molecular, and cellular interactions. Ameloblastin (AMBN, also named "amelin" or "sheathlin") is the second most abundant enamel matrix protein known to have a key role in amelogenesis. Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI [MIM: 104500]) refers to a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by inherited developmental enamel defects. The hereditary dentin disorders comprise a variety of autosomal-dominant genetic symptoms characterized by abnormal dentin structure affecting either the primary or both the primary and secondary teeth. The vital role of Ambn in amelogenesis has been confirmed experimentally using mouse models. Only two cases have been reported of mutations of AMBN associated with non-syndromic human AI. However, no AMBN missense mutations have been reported to be associated with both human AI and dentin disorders. We recruited one kindred with autosomal-dominant amelogenesis imperfecta (ADAI) and dentinogenesis imperfecta/dysplasia characterized by generalized severe enamel and dentin defects. Whole exome sequencing of the proband identified a novel heterozygous C-T point mutation at nucleotide position 1069 of the AMBN gene, causing a Pro to Ser mutation at the conserved amino acid position 357 of the protein. Exfoliated third molar teeth from the affected family members were found to have enamel and dentin of lower mineral density than control teeth, with thinner and easily fractured enamel, short and thick roots, and pulp obliteration. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that an AMBN missense mutation causes non-syndromic human AI and dentin disorders.
Adult ; Amelogenesis Imperfecta ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; China ; Codon ; Dentin ; abnormalities ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Middle Aged ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree ; RNA ; analysis ; Transfection ; Whole Exome Sequencing