OBJECTIVE To make a further understanding of the imaging findings of the carotid artery pseudoaneurysm (CAPA) in head and neck and to explore the clinical value of imaging in diagnosis of it, especially the angiographic diagnosis. METHODS The clinical and imaging data of 36 patients with CAPA were analyzed retrospectively. The imaging appearances in all of the patients were observed by two experienced radiologists together and formed a consensus interpretation. RESULTS Imaging examination can establish definitive diagnosis in all cases. The parent arteries included the common carotid artery (2 case), common carotid artery bifurcation (18 cases), internal carotid artery (10 cases) and external carotid artery (2 cases). The imaging features of the CAPA were:the contrast media retained in the aneuysm in all cases;the aneuysm lumen with turbulent flow in 18 cases;the"jetting sign"at the leak of the parent artery in 14 cases;increase of bifurcation angles of internal and external carotid arteries in 24 cases. CONCLUSION Imaging examination is the most valuable examination method in diagnosis of CAPA, and it can not only make definitive diagnosis, but also play an important role in selection of therapeutic planning.

Objective To construct a retrovirus-mediated expression system containing double strands DNA for RNA interference on human Notch1 gene and study its inhibitory effect on human glioma cell lines U251 and CHG-5 in vitro.Methods A recombinant retroviral vector pSiRNA-Notch1 was generated by cloning a double strands DNA for RNA interference on human Notch1 gene into a retroviral vector Psilencer 5.1-H1 Retro.Human glioma cell lines U251 and CHG-5 were infected with the viral supernatant from the PT67 clones.After 3 d,the viability,Notch1 mRNA and protein of the transfected cells were examined by WST-8 assay,RT-PCR and Western blot.Results The pSiRNA-Notch1 recombinant retroviral vector had been constructed correctly.The titer assayed on NIH3T3 cells was up to 224?104 cfu/ml.Three days after transfection,the viability,Notch1 mRNA and protein of the transfected cells decreased significantly.Conclusion The constructed pSiRNA-Notch1 retroviral vector shows effective inhibition effect on the viability in human malignant glioma cells,with potential utility in the gene therapy for human malignant glioma.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlation between mitral regurgitation grading and left ventricular ejection fraction in elderly patients (>60 years of age) in a 2-year follow-up.

METHODSA total of 455 patients with the diagnosis of at least mild mitral regurgitation by echocardiography were divided into ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) group and non-ischemic regurgitation (NIMR) group. The patients were followed up with echocardiography every 6 months and the data were analyzed at the end of 24 months.

RESULTSMitral regurgitation grade was inversely correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Patients with moderate and severe IMR had a lower LVEF than those with NIMR (P<0.05). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy, the mean LVEF at 2 years was lowered by 2.7% (1.4%-4.1%), 2.7% (1.3%-4.0%), and 5.2% (3.5%-6.9%) in mild, moderate and severe IMR patients, respectively (P<0.04), and by 3.2% (1.6%-4.8%), and 3.0% (1.4%-4.5%), and 1.7%(-0.5%-3.9%) in mild, moderate and severe NIMR patients (P=0.30).

CONCLUSIONThe mean LVEF in IMR patients is significantly lowered compared to that in NIMR patients. The grade of mitral regurgitation is inversely correlated with the regurgitation area in IMR patients. Stratified management might help improve LVEF in severe IMR patients.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; physiopathology