Objective To propose an improved C-means segment method based on Gibbs random field accelerated by GPU.Methods The parallel computation of pixel shades was used to take the place of the classical point-by-point method of CPU.By this way,the efficiency was higher than merely using the CPU computation.Results The efficiency of computation was improved over 400%.The load of CPU was reduced and the effect of accelerator was obvious.Conclusion The improved C-means segment method based on Gibbs random field accelerated by GPU enhances the clinical application of image segmentation,the computer rate of which is improved distinctly and closely to real time.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2008,29(2):6-9]

Objective To investigate the clinical value of FDG PET imaging in the follow up of nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy. Methods Twelve patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma underwent FDG PET, CT and/or MRI during the follow up of 12 18 months after radiotherapy. The results of FDG PET were double blind evaluated and compared with these of CT and MRI. The recurrent lesions in six of these patients were pathologically confirmed and six by CT scan. Results Nine of 12 patients did not show any recurrence by CT and MRI scans. However, FDG PET scans showed significantly increased FDG metabolism, indicating recurrence in 3 of these patients. In 2 patients, both CT/MRI and FDG PET indicated recurrence. The remaining one patient had radiotherapy induced cerebral necrosis. He was misdiagnozed as an intracranial recurrence by MRI, but FDG imaging was negative. Conclusions FDG PET imaging has an advantage in distinguishing the relapse or necrosis in the follow up of post radiotherapy nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. PET, CT and MRI is able to give a detail both in morphological and functional changes of disease. They are especially useful in the follow up or the set up of treatment planning for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical application of expanded flap based on cutaneous branch of transverse cervical artery for reconstruction of cervical cicatricial contracture.

METHODSBased on the clinical anatomy of cutaneous branch of transverse cervical artery flap, we design the corresponding subclavicular area for expansion. The incision was usually located at the anterior axillary fold, 5-8 cm in length. The expander was implanted under the deep fascial layer, without injury of the vascular pedicle. Fixation sutures were put about 1 cm apart from the incision to prevent the expander from transposition and exposure. After expansion, the cervical cicatricial contracture was excised and released. According to the defect, the expanded flap based on the cutaneous branch of transverse cervical artery was designed, with the pedicle located at the posterior margin of sternocleidomastoid and 1. 8 cm above median point of clavicle. "S" shape incision was made at the location of vascular pedicle. Subcutaneous dissection was performed 1.5 cm in width along the incision on both sides. Then the flap was harvested under the deep fascial layer and rotated to cover defect without tension. It was not necessary to dissect the vascular pedicle further. The defect at donor site was closed directly.

RESULTS17 cases were treated with the island flap. The contracture of the cervical scar was corrected completely with aesthetic appearance.

CONCLUSIONSExpanded flap based on cutaneous branch of transverse cervical artery has reliable blood supply. It' s an ideal flap for the treatment of cervical cicatricial contracture.

Arteries ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Clavicle ; Contracture ; surgery ; Dissection ; methods ; Fasciotomy ; Humans ; Neck ; blood supply ; Neck Muscles ; anatomy & histology ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the common therapy for pterygium, and there are several surgical management techniques.OBJECTIVE: To clinically assess the effect of pterygium retro-resection followed by the transposition of conjunctival autograft rich in stem cells.DESIGN: Follow-up of the cases.SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University.PARTICIPANTS: Fifty patients (60 eyes) with pterygium, who were treated in the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from May 2003 to May 2006, were selected. All patients agreed to receive the treatment and participate in the follow-up. The trial was permitted by the Hospital Ethics Committee.METHODS: The head of pterygium was separated from cornea, including the conjunctiva and the underlying proliferating tissue towards lacrimal caruncle until plica semilunaris. The pterygium was totally removed. The adjacent healthy conjunctiva harboring stem cells was transposed to cover the naked sclera. The patients were evaluated following the operation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Epithelization of cornea and conjunctiva; ②reoccurrence of pterygium.RESULTS: ①The epithelium of cornea and conjunctiva in all cases (60 eyes) healed within 1-2 days after the operation. ②The patients were followed for 8-16 months after the sutures were removed. Out of the total of 60 eyes, 26 were followed for 8-12 months and 34 for 13-16 months. The average length of observation was 12 months. Fifty-eight eyes healed completely, and reoccurrence took place in 2 cases.CONCLUSION: Pterygium resection followed by the transposition of adjacent conjunctival autograft harboring stem cells is easy to perform and effective to reduce the recurrence of the lesion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dxamethasone (DEX) on the expression of Tregs in allergic rhinitis (AR) mice, and explore the mechanism of glucocorticoid in the treatment of AR. METHOD: AR murine model was established by sensitization and challenge with OVA, besides intervention treatment with DEX was carried out in AR model. The behavior observation was used to evaluate the improvement effect of DEX on AR symptoms. The morphological characteristics of nasal tissues were observed by HE staining after fixation and decalcification. The mononuclear cells were obtained by grinding spleens, and the total RNA was extracted for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to investigate the level of mRNA expression of Foxp3. The changes of CD4+ Foxp3+ Tcells in spleen of mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULT: BALB/c mice received OVA sensitization followed by OVA intranasal challenge, the frequencies of sneezing and nose-scratching increased significantly in AR group (44. 50 ± 5. 61 and 72. 94 ± 8. 76) compared with control group (12. 68 ± 1. 87 and 26. 76 ± .2. 89), P<0. 01; The frequencies decreased significantly in DEX group (26. 04 ± 3. 93 and 56. 79 ± 5. 64), P< 0. 05 compared with AR group. The continuity of nasal mucosa ciliated columnar epithelium in AR group was destroyed and appeared to be repaired in DEX group. Inflammatory cells infiltration was also markedly decreased by DEX treatment. The proportion of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in AR group (3. 89 ± 0. 39)% decreased, P<0. 01 vs control group (4. 63 ± 0. 15) %. DEX treatment induced production of Tregs (6. 89 ± 0. 49)%, P<0. 05 vs control group. DEX significantly increased the expression of Foxp3 mRNA (P<0. 05) compared with AR and control group. CONCLUSION DEX reduce upper airway allergic inflammation effectively, which may be mediated by promoting the expression of Foxp3 and inducing the amplification of Tregs in vivo.
Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flow Cytometry ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nasal Mucosa ; drug effects ; Ovalbumin ; RNA, Messenger ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; drug therapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects

Objective To explore the method of total nasal reconstruction when the forehead skin for expanding is unavailable.Methods According to the principle of total nasal reconstruction,total nasal scar and deformity were repaired with expanded random forearm falp.All the expanders were placed in flexor side of forearm.The incision sides were placed in proximal,distal,or lateral part of the forearm according to different pedicles.After expansion,the nares were enlarged,eversion of ala nasi corrected,the contracture scars sufficiently released,and the size and shape of the reconstructive nose designed according to face size.The scar of nasal dorsum and capsule of the expanded flap could be used for reconstructing nasal dorsum.Donor sides could be sutured directly,the pedicle could be cut 3 weeks later.Results All the flaps survived with good appearances,and 3 of the 15 cases with proximal,11 with distal,and 1 with lateral pedicle.The effect of distal pedicle group was better than that in proximal and lateral pedicle group because of comfortable posture longer pedicle,and providing more tissue for reconstruction.Conclusions Total nasal reconstruction with expanded random forearm flap is an option when the forehead skin for expanding is unavailable.

The genetically modified mice , as a helpful model , have been widely used in life scientific research . However, several new issues appeared subsequently with the wide application of the genetically modified mice .Here, we mainly discussed and analyzed the problems in the management and usage of genetically modified mice , which underlies the foundation for establishing management practice of the genetically modified mice .

AIM: The purpose of the study was to examine colon cancer cell lines to determine whether Stat5b/Survivin plays an important role in the process of apoptosis in colon cancer cells. METHODS: Protein lysates were extracted from colon cancer cells. Human colon cancer cell line HT29 was transfected with Stat5b antisense oligonucleotide mediated by liposome. MTT assay was used to measure the proliferation. Flow cytometry was applied to analyze the cell cycle and apoptosis. EMSA was used to detect the activity of Stat5. Western blotting was applied to measure the expression of Stat5, p-Stat5, cyclin D1, Survivin, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. RESULTS: Targeting of Stat5 using antisense oligonucleotide against the translation site resulted in apoptosis and downregulaed the expressions of Stat5, p-Stat5, cyclin D1 and Survivin, but not Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. CONCLUSION: Constitutive activation of Stat5 is associated with the carcinogenesis of colon cancer cells. Blocking of Stat5 signaling inhibits the expression of Survivin and induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative femoral nerve block on preemptive analgesia in the elderly patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty under general anesthesia.Methods Sixty ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ patients of both sexes,aged 65-75 yr,scheduled for elective total knee arthroplasty,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:control group (group Ⅰ),preoperative femoral nerve block group (group Ⅱ) and postoperative femoral nerve block group (group Ⅲ).Single-injection femoral nerve block was performed with 0.375％ ropivacaine 20 ml injected around the nerve under thc guidance of ultrasound immediately before induction of anesthesia and at the end of surgery in Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups,respectively.Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with sufentanil (background infusion 2 ml/h,bolus dose 2 ml,lockout interval 15 min) was used until 2 days after surgery,and VAS score was maintained ≤ 3.When VAS score＞3,flurbiprofen axetil 50 mg was injected intravenously as rescue medication.The consumption of sufentanil per hour,requirement for rescue medication,and development of adverse reactions were recorded within 24 h after surgery.Sufentanil-sparing degree was calculated.Results Compared with group Ⅰ,the consumption of sufentanil per hour,requirement for rescue medication and the incidence of nausea and vomiting were significantly decreased within 24 h after surgery in Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups.The consumption of sufentanil per hour,requirement for rescue medication and the incidence of nausea and vomiting were significantly lower within 24 h after surgery in group Ⅱ than in group Ⅲ.The consumption of sufentanil per hour was decreased by 35％ in group Ⅱ as compared with group Ⅰ,and decreased by 18％ in group Ⅱ as compared with group Ⅲ.Conclusion Preoperative femoral nerve block can provide good preemptive analgesia in the elderly patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty under general anesthesia.