Objective To assess the diagnostic value of MR imaging of the wrist synovitis in early rheumatoid arthritis.Methods 60 wrists in 30 patients underwent MR imaging examination,including T1WI,T2WI,STIR and contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed 3D fast-gradient-echo sequence.MRI manifestations were analysed in comparison with clinical and laboratory test data.Results All changes including synovial hyperplasia and pannus formation(30 cases),articular cartilage destruction(21 cases),bone erosion(16 cases),joint effusion(25 cases) and tendon lesion of wrists could be showed clearly by MRI.The signal intensity of the pannus before and after administration of contrast agent and the enhanced curve of the pannus could be used to assess the lesions whether or not activation.Conclusion MRI is helpful in diagnosing early rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To investigate the value of MSCT in evaluating pulmonary functional changes in silicosis.Methods 56 cases of silicosis and 10 healthy people(as control group) underwent inspiratory and expiratory MSCT scans and pulmonary functional test one week later.The CT findings including silicotic nodules,large opacity,emphysema,reticular opacities,bronchiectasis and air trapping were recorded and graded subjectively on CT images.Air retention and emphysema were quantified using the software of Pulmo.CT scores were correlated with spirometric findings by using spearman rank correlative analysis in comparison with pulmonary functional index.Results The scores of CT features except for reticular shadows were of significant difference between silicotic group and control group,but not between simple silicotic group and complex silicotic group.The scores of air retention and emphysema on CT were significantly negative correlation.The reticular shadows were of positive correlation with FEF 75%,FEF 50% and FEV1,but on correlation with FEV1/FVC.There were no correlation between the scores of silicotic nodules,bronchiectasis,large shadows and pulmonary functional test.There was obvious correlation between air retention,the scores of emphysema on CT and the index of pulmonary function in obstruction of small airway.Conclusion MSCT is of important value in evaluating the damage of pulmonary function in silicosis.

OBJECTIVETo study the toxicity of Cinnabar and Cinnabar-containing traditional medicines (Zhusha Anshenwan) comparable to common mercurials.

METHODThe toxicity of methylmercury (MeHg), mercuric chloride (HgCl2), Cinnabar and Zhusha Anshenwan was studied in cultured human liver HL-7702 cells and in mice following acute and subacute exposures.

RESULTThe 50% lethal concentrations (LC50) of MeHg, HgCl2, Cinnabar and Zhusha Anshenwan in human liver HL-7702 cells were 4.4, 9.2, 2460, 4050 mg x L(-1), respectively . Oral cinnabar at a dose of 20 g x kg(-1) (clinical dosage 250 times) did not kill mouse, but no mouse could survive MeHg at a dose of 0.1 g x kg(-1) or HgCl2 at a dose of 0. 15 g x kg(-1). Subacute toxicity experiment indicated that HgCl2 retarded body weight gain with significant accumulation of Hg in the liver and kidney. In comparison, mercury accumulation after Cinnabar and Zhusha Anshenwan was insignificant. No apparent hepatic and renal dysfunctions were evident under the experimental conditions, but the metallothionein-2 mRNA levels were much higher in HgCl2 group than in other groups.

CONCLUSIONCinnabar and Zhusha Anshenwan are much less toxic than MeHg and HgCl2.

Animals ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiology ; Liver ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Mercuric Chloride ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Mercury Compounds ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Methylmercury Compounds ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Random Allocation