Objective To evaluate the application of fast-FLAIR T 2WI and enhanced fat-suppressed T 1WI in diagnosis of meningeal disorders.Methods Fast-FLAIR T 2WI and enhanced fat-suppressed T 1WI imaging for 38 patients with meningeal disorders were contrastingly studied.Results Meningeal disorders foci were found in all patients. 55 foci were displayed with fast-FLAIR T 2WI and 59 with enhanced fat-suppressed T 1WI.Conclusions The fast-FLAIR T 2WI and enhanced fat-suppressed T 1WI are all useful to improve the detection of meningeal disorders.

The silver doped poly(L-aspartic acid) modified electrode was prepared by cyclic voltammetric method. The voltammetric behavior of dopamine and cyclic voltammetric method for the determination of dopamine were studied on the silver doped poly(L-aspartic acid) modified electrode. In pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution, the peak potential was 0.191 V of Epa and 0.161 V of Epc(vs.Ag/AgCl) at the scan rate of 50 mV/s. The linear ranges for the determination of dopamine were 3.0×10-7-1.0×10-5 mol/L and 1.0×10-5-5.0×10-4 mol/L. The detection limit was 5.0×10-8 mol/L. The method was applied to the determination of dopamine in drug and urine with satisfactory results.

Objective To enhance the understanding of MR imaging in neurosyphilis Methods One case of syphilitic gumma with positive treponemal antibody test in the serum was confirmed pathologically after operation, and the other case with positive treponemal antibody test in the cerebrospinal fluid (CBF) was cured by medical therapy Both patients were examined by MRI Results Syphilitic gumma has some characteristic MRI findings The roundish areas of low signal or mixed low and iso signal intensity were revealed on T 1WI with the diameter ranged from 2 0 cm to 2 5 cm The lesions were located at the cortex or infra cortex surrounded by obvious edema The lesions showed high signal or mixed signal made up of iso , high, and low signals on T 2WI Gd DTPA enhanced T 1WI demonstrated irregular circular enhancement on the edge of the lesions and abnormal neighboring meningeal enhancement, and the border of the lesions was angulated with neighboring meninges by obtuse angle Conclusion The final diagnosis of neurosyphilis should depend on laboratory examination or histopathologic examination, but neuroimaging suspicion is paramount to early detection and diagnosis of neurosyphilis

Objective: To study the effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field with fixed parameters on human liver cancer cells (SK-HEP-1) at different aspects. Methods: SK-HEP-1 cells were exposed to 50Hz, 20mT magnetic field during the whole culture process, and then proliferation activity, growth kinetics, metabolic profile and cell cycle were analyzed. Results: 50Hz, 20mT magnetic field inhibits the growth and metabolism of SK-HEP-1 cells, and hampers their mitotic division. Conclusion: 50Hz, 20mT magnetic field could be a potential therapy in the treatment of human malignant tumors.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic field can affect the growth and division of cancer cells both in vivo and in vitro, however, the effects on apoptosis of human liver cancer cells induced by magnetic field is still unclear.OBJECTIVE: To explore the inducing effect of extremely low fre quency (ELF) magnetic field on apoptosis of human liver cancer cell SK-HEP- 1.JESIGN: An open experiment with cells as the observational subjects.SETTING: Institute of Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiaotong University.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out at the Institute of Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiaotong University from September 2004 to January 2005. The subject was human liver cancer cell line SK-HEP-1, purchased from cell bank of Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai.METHODS: SK-HEP-1 cells were inoculated to T-flasks at the density of 2.0×107 cells L-1, and cultivated in the DMEM containing 0.1 volume fraction of heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and 2 mmol/L L-glutamine. Exposure groups were exposed to 50 Hz, 20 mT magnetic field and the control groups were run concurrently under the same conditions with the exposed cultures but in a separate incubator which was free of magnetic field during 8-day culture process. The apoptosis of SK-HEP-1 cells were defined by DNA ladder assay, Hoechst 33258 staining and AO/EB staining respectively on day 8.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① DNA fragmentation pattern formation. ② The abnormal nucleus formation. ③ The percentage of apoptotic cells.RESULTS: ① Detection of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation by DNA ladder assay: After 8-day ELF magnetic field exposure, DNA fragmentation pattern was detected by DNA ladder assay, which was not observed in control groups (free of exposure). ② Fluorescence microscopy analysis of apoptosis by Hoechst 33258 staining: Hoechst 33258 staining was used to investigate the changes in the nucleus of cells, and many apoptotic bodies containing nuclear fragments were found in ELF magnetic field exposed cells, but just about none in untreated cells. At the same time, cytoplasmic shrinkage was observed in cells cultured under the exposure. And in some cells, even the cell membrane was unable to keep intact. ③ Fluorescence microscopy analysis of cell apoptosis by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining: After ELF magnetic field exposure, the percentage of viable cells in exposure groups (9.2%) was rather low compared with the control groups (91.8%), and was accompanied with a high apoptotic rate (72.3%), while only 4.2% in control group. A large number of apoptotic cells were at the early stage of apoptosis. The rate of apoptotic cells (18.5%)after treated by magnetic field was higher than that of control group (4%). With the AO/EB double staining, control cells appeared to be round,intact and bright green while some of the exposed cells exhibited irregular cell morphology and condensed nucleus.CONCLUSION: Apoptosis of human liver cancer cell SK-HEP-1 could be induced by 50 Hz, 20 mT magnetic field in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To study a new surgical approach for cochlear implantation. METHOD: We operated on 8 cadaver heads (16 side) use Suprameatal approach for cochlear implantation, describe related anatomic mark. RESULT: The electrode is passed through the suprameatal tunnel, the EAC groove, the space underneath the chorda tympani between the malleal and the long process of the incus, and the cochleostomy. Angle between tunnel and temporal imaginary line is 28.0 degrees +/- 1.3 degrees in adult, 29.0 degrees +/- 1.7 degrees in children, the location of inserting electrode into cochleostomy is (1.31 +/- 0.13) mm to round window in adult, (1.19 +/- 0.12) mm in child. CONCLUSION The SMA approach is a safe technique, maintaining a safe distance to facial nerve and chorda tympani. So We should make right decision in clinic.
Adult ; Child ; Chorda Tympani Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Cochlear Implantation ; methods ; Ear Canal ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Round Window, Ear ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVE: In order to provide help for preoperative assessment of cochlear implantation, related dissection of temporal bone was conducted guided by high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) in accordance to the main steps of cochlear implantation, and was compared to HRCT measurements on a viewing workstation. METHOD: Six temporal bones were dissected according to the main steps of cochlear implantation and scanned in axial and semilongitudal planes by HRCT to observe the relationship between anatomy and HRCT. RESULT: The width of facial recess in dissection was (3.13 +/- 0.34) mm at the level of round window, and (4.12 +/- 0.44) mm at the level of oval window. The width of facial recess in HRCT was (3.20 +/- 0.38) mm at the level of round window, and (4.14 +/- 0.47) mm at the level of oval window. The whole course of facial nerve was visualized clearly in semilongitudal plane. No statistically significant differences were found between the results of dissection and HRCT. CONCLUSION The distance in axial between facial nerve and posterior wall of external auditory canal and the distance from facial nerve to round window in semilongitudal plane are the most important parameters which reflect the position of facial nerve. The vertical portion of facial nerve, posterior wall of external auditory canal, round window are important measurement landmarks. Related preoperative measurements of cochlear implantation by HRCT can help to guide clinic surgery.
Child, Preschool ; Cochlear Implantation ; methods ; Cochlear Implants ; Ear Canal ; anatomy & histology ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Infant ; Round Window, Ear ; anatomy & histology

Myocardial infarction promotes cardiac remodeling and myocardial fibrosis, thus leading to cardiac dysfunction or heart failure. Peiminine has been regarded as a traditional anti-fibrotic Chinese medicine in pulmonary fibrosis. However, the role of peiminine in myocardial infarction-induced myocardial injury and fibrosis remained elusive. Firstly, rat model of myocardial infarction was established using ligation of the left coronary artery, which were then intraperitoneally injected with 2 or 5 mg/kg peiminine once a day for 4 weeks. Echocardiography and haemodynamic evaluation results showed that peiminine treatment reduced left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and enhanced maximum rate of increase/decrease of left ventricle pressure (± dP/dt max) and left ventricular systolic pressure, which ameliorate the cardiac function. Secondly, myocardial infarction-induced myocardial injury and infarct size were also attenuated by peiminine. Moreover, peiminine inhibited myocardial infarction-induced increase of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α production, as well as the myocardial cell apoptosis, in the rats. Thirdly, peiminine also decreased the myocardial fibrosis related protein expression including collagen I and collagen III. Lastly, peiminine reduced the expression of p38 and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in rat model of myocardial infarction. In conclusion, peiminine has a cardioprotective effect against myocardial infarction-induced myocardial injury and fibrosis, which can be attributed to the inactivation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

In the original publication the bands in Fig. 1J and Fig. 2B were not visible. The correct versions of Fig. 1J and Fig. 2B are provided in this correction.