OBJECTIVE To assess the value and limitation of the ultrasonography in diagnosis of vocal cord paralysis(VCP).METHODS We analyzed the ultrasound images of 33 patients with VCP,which were confirmed by laryngoscope.RESULTS Among the 33 cases,30 with unilateral VCPs were shown with ultrasound,having the vocal cords with distortion(n=18)and reduced movement or immobilization(n=27),enlarged fissure of the glottis(n=19),arytenoid cartilage with reduced movement or immobilization(n=30),distended piriform sinus(n=25),and posterior cricoarytenoid muscle with increased echogenicity and decreased thickness(n=10);3 with bilateral VCPs were diagnosed in ultrasound examination,all of which had distortion of vocal cord,enlarged fissure of glottis,and reduced movement of arytenoid cartilages.Ultrasonographic appearances were correlated with laryngoscope findings,with consistency rates of 93.9% for VCPs.CONCLUSION Ultrasonography,in particular observing movement of arytenoid cartilages,could be a non-invasive and effective alternative method in diagnosis of VCP.

Traditional medical education focus on expository teaching,rote learning,and apprenticeship training for clinical skill.Although these teaching approaches can be beneficial for imparting knowledge and clinical skill,they appear to be insufficient for team cooperation,knowledge integration,and standard training.Biomedical simulation teaching is a new method for imparting knowledge,and has achieved good results in current medical education.This paper aims to introduce the definition and characteristic of biomedical simulation,and the application and significance of biomedical simulation in ultrasound teaching are also outlined and discussed.

OBJECTIVETo determine the regulatory effects of the circadian clock gene Per1 on cell cycle-related genes and its influence on the proliferation, apoptosis, cycle, and tumorigenicity in vivo of human oral squamous cell carcinoma SCC15 cells.

METHODSThree groups of the short hairpin RNA (shRNA) of lentivirus recombinant plasmids were designed against the RNA of Per1 and then transfected to the SCC15 cells. The optimum interference group was screened through Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and assigned as the experimental group. The transfected lentivirus plasmid without an interference effect on any gene was set as the control group (Control-shRNA). Untreated SCC15 cells were set as the blank group. The mRNA expressions of cell cycle-related genes, namely, Per1, p53, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, Cyclin A2, Cyclin B1, CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, p16, p21, Wee1, cdc25, E2F, and Rbl1 in each group were detected through qRT-PCR. The cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution in each group were evaluated through flow cytometry. The cells of the experimental group and the blank group were subcutaneously inoculated in nude mice to observe tumorigenesis.

RESULTSThree groups of Per1-shRNA lentivirus plasmids were constructed successfully. Among the groups, the Per1-shRNA- I group exhibited the highest interference effect, as indicated by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. As such, this group was set as the experimental group. The mRNA expression levels of CyclinD1, CyclinE, CyclinB1, CDK1, and Wee1 gene in the Per1-shRNA-I group were significantly higher than those in the Control-shRNA group and the SCC15 group (P < 0.05). By contrast, the mRNA expression levels of p53, Cyclin A2, p16, p21, and cdc25 in the Per1-shRNA-I group were significantly lower than those in the Control-shRNA group and the SCC15 group (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of each gene between the Control-sLRNA group and the SCC15 group did not significantly differ (P > 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, E2F, and Rb1 did not significantly differed in the three groups (P > 0.05). The proliferation index of the Perl-shRNA-I group was significantly higher than those of the Control-shRNA group and the SCC15 group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis index of the Per1-shRNA-I group was significantly lower than those of the Control-shRNA group and the SCC15 group (P < 0.05). The number of S-phase cells in the Per1-shRNA-I group was significantly lower than those of S-phase cells in the Control-shRNA group and the SCC15 group (P < 0.05). The number of G2/M-phase cells in the Per1-shRNA-I group was significantly higher than those of G2/M-phase cells in the Control-shRNA group and the SCC15 group (P < 0.05). Conversely, the proliferation index, apoptotic index, and cell cycle distribution of the cells in the Control-shRNA group did not significantly differ from those of the SCC15 group (P > 0.05). The tumorigenic ability in vivo was significantly enhanced in the Per1-shRNA-I group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPer1 is an important tumor suppressor gene. Per1 can regulate a large number of downstream cell cycle-related genes. The alteration of its expression can affect cell cycle progression, proliferation, apoptosis imbalance, and tumorigenic ability in vivo. Further studies on Per1 may elucidate cancer development and provide novel effective molecular targets for cancer treatment.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Circadian Clocks ; genetics ; Cyclin D1 ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Period Circadian Proteins ; genetics ; Plasmids ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVE To assess the ultrasonographic features and clinical significance of the complications of the thyroglossal cysts. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonographic findings in 41 cases with complications of the thyroglossal cyst, which was confirmed surgically and pathologically. 43 cases with simple thyroglossal cyst consisted of the control group. The location, size, internal echo, internal septa, wall thickness, posterior acoustic feature, boundary, vascularity, and fistulas of the lesion were analyzed and compared with the control group. RESULTS Most of the inflammatory thyroglossal cyst showed thickening walls, indistinct boundaries, posterior echo enhancement, and peripheral vascularity on ultrasound images. There were significant differences of the thickness of the cyst wall, indistinct boundary, and peripheral vascularity between the two groups. CONCLUSION The characteristic findings of thyroglossal cyst with inflammation are thickened wall, indistinct boundary, and peripheral vascularities. Ultrasonography can be useful tool in determination of the appropriate time of the operation to reduce the recurrence rate.

Objective To evaluate quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography for differential diagnosis of prostate nodules in peripheral zone.Methods Forty-seven patients suspected of prostate cancer for peripheral zone nodules on ultrasonographic imaging were enrolled in this study.Time intensity curves of contrast-enhanced ultrasound were analyzed in all patients.Results The full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of malignant lesions in peripheral zone was shorter than that of adjacent peripheral zone (47.1 s±21.1 s vs 74.2 s±29.7 s, P=0.01).The peak intensity (PI) of benign nodules in peripheral zone was lower than that of adjacent peripheral zone 11.9 dB±7.7 dB vs 17.5 dB±4.5 dB, P=0.02).Conclusions It is helpful for differentiation diagnosis of peripheral zone nodule through analyzing FWHM and PI on contrast-enhanced transrectal ultmsonography imaging.

OBJECTIVE Attempt to visualize the hypopharyngeal anatomy and related structures in normal adults with ultrasound. METHODS Sonographic features of laryngopharynx were confirmed by comparable tissue sections of 6 corpses at the same level. Then, the laryngopharynx of 30 men and 30 women were examined by ult rasound and thei r sonographic images were evaluated. RESULTS In male or female volunteers, perfect visualization pattern was obtained in all (100％) pyriform sinuses, 60％ or 93.3％ postcricoid areas,66.7％ or 93.3％ posterior pharyngeal walls, 96.7％ or 100％ thyroid cartilages, 63.3％ or 93.3％ arytenoid cartilages, 70％ or 93.3％ vocal cords,and 83.3％ or 96.7％ ventricular bands. CONCLUSION The ultrasonic visualization of laryngopharynx and its related structures are satisfactory in healthy adult women. For adult men, the pyriform sinus and thyroid cartilage can be best identified while the identification of vocal cords and ventricular bands is less satisfactory. However, postcricoid region, pharyngeal posterior wall, and arytenoid cartilage are the most difficult to detect.

Objective To analyze and summarize the sonographic features of immunoglobulin G4(IgG4)-related submandibular gland disease.Methods The retrospective analysis on the sonographic results of 22 lesions in 19 patients with IgG4-related submandibular gland disease were conducted,including submandibular gland size,shape,lesion range,internal echo,blood flow,and peripheral lymph nodes.Results The sonographic features of 22 lesions of IgG4-related submandibular gland disease were classified into localized nodule changes,diffuse nodule changes,and tumor-forming changes.The localized nodule appearance,includes 2 lesions in 2 patients,shows a hypo-echoic area with a coarse echotexture in the superficial site of the gland and rich blood flow.In the diffuse nodule appearance,includes 12 lesions in 11 patients,the gland shows an irregular net or honeycomb structure.Further,the gland shows echo enhancement,thickening,uneven,and rich blood flow with the features of multiple,variously sized hypoechoic foci and surrounding parallel echogenic foci.The tumor-forming appearance,includes 8 lesions in 7 patients,shows the decrease of echogenic heterogeneity,coarse gland texture,multiple parallel echogenicity,and rich blood flow.Conclusions Ultrasonography can be used as the preferred diagnostic method for IgG4-related submandibular gland disease.When a patient is suspected of having IgG4-related submandibular gland disease,the tissues and organs often involved in IgG4 related diseases should be further examined,meanwhile conducting ultrasound-guided biopsy.