Objective To investigate the pattern of plasma kisspeptin levels in normal female during various pubertal Tanner stages and the girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty(ICPP) or with premature thelarche(PT), and to evaluate the significance of detecting plasma kisspeptin levels as a new criterion for early differentiation between ICPP and PT.Methods Each study group of normal pubertal females with Tanner stage Ⅰ to Ⅴ comprised 16 to 19 individuals.The levels of plasma kisspeptin were also detected in girls with ICPP(n= 10)or PT(n = 12).The plasma kisspeptin levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The level of kisspeptin was significantly higher in ICPP group than in that of PT group [(1.73±0.23 vs1.43±0.29) ng/ml, P＜0.05].Among the normal pubertal females, the level of kisspeptin decreased gradually from Tanner stage Ⅱ to Tanner stage Ⅴ, being highest in Tanner stage Ⅱ [(1.73±0.22) ag/ml] ,lower in stage Ⅳ and Ⅴ than in stage Ⅰ and Ⅲ (P＜0.01).Conclusions Plasma kisspeptin level was the highest during Tanner stage Ⅱ in normal female pubertal development.It is significant to detect plasma kisspeptin level for the differential diagnosis of ICPP and PT.

Objective The Improved segmental arch technique can effectively intrude incisors and correct deep overbites. To research its biomechanical characteristics, we reconstruct 3D nonlinear finite element model of mandibular teeth with improved segmen-tal arch, study the biomechanical characteristics and the suitable loading force of intrusion arch. Methods Combined with the re-sults of previous research, we complete the reconstruction of 3D nonlinear finite element model of mandibular teeth with improved seg-mental arch.Then, we set loading force of intrusion arch five conditions from 0.2 N~0.6 N, calculate the movement trend and stress distribution of improved segmental arch. Results In the five conditions of improved segmental arch, lateral incisors and canines in-truded and tipped labially, first molars tipped distally and rotated. In addition, the moment the initial loading force of intrusive arch in-creased, the movement of these teeth increased. However, other teeth did not move clearly. When the initial loading force of improved segment arch was 0.5 N, it can achieve appropriate intrusion of anterior teeth. Conclusion Under an appropriate intrusive force, improved segment arch can effectively intrude incisors and control the extrusion of posterior teeth. It can be used to correct the deep overbites, especially with high mandibular planes, gummy smile or adult stage.

2 cm).Immunohistochemistrical stain slice of operative specimen showed a lots of vascular endothelial cells and small vessels,which correlated with the tumor angioimaging area on CT images.The sensitivity,specificity,and positive predictive valve of tumor angioimaging in the lung cancers were 47.2%,91.3%,and 95.5%,respectively.Conclusion The “tumor angioimaging” sign can be regarded as another specific feature in peripheral lung cancer with contrast CT.

Objective To detect the pre- and post-treatment levels of serum interleukin (IL-20) in asthmatic patients during the acute exacerbation period and to investigate the role of IL-20 in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and relative clinical significance. Methods Forty-five cases of mild to moderate asthma outpatients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from May 2013 to October 2013 were chosen as the asthma group and 32 healthy people who underwent routine physical examination as the control group. All the patients were treated with inhalation salmeterol and fluticasone 50/250 μg/μg (sucking twice a day) together with ventolin if necessary , and even with theophylline sustained-release tablets as the additional treatment in moderate asthma group for 1 week. The serum levels of IL-20 as well as immunoglobulin E (IgE) were detected by ELISA in the asthma group before and after treatment as well as in the control group. Other data including ECP , the number of eosinophil ceils (EOS) and the pulmonary function (FEV1%) were detected as well. The differences of IL-20 levels between the asthma group before and after treatment and the control group were analyzed and the correlation between IL-20 and Ig E, EOS, ECP and FEV1% were analyzed. Results Compared with the healthy control group [(13.58 ± 6.17)pg/L], the levels of IL-20 in the mild and moderate asthma pretreatment group were significantly increased [(23.43 ± 13.60)pg/L and (33.78 ± 22.69)pg/L]. Compared with the mild asthma group, the levels of IL-20 in the moderate asthma pretreatment group were significantly higher. After treatment , the levels of IL-20 [(15.73 ± 8.27)pg/L and (19.64 ± 11.69)pg/L] were decreased respectively in the asthmatic patients. The Pearson correlative analysis showed that there were positive correlations between the levels of 1L-20 and IgE , EOS and ECP respectively and there were negative correlations between IL-20 levels and FEV1%. Conclusion IL-20 may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Objective: : Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2 (NMNAT2) is a crucial factor for the survival of neuron. The role of NMNAT2 in damage following traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unknown. This study was designed to investigate the role of NMNAT2 in TBI-induced neuronal degeneration and neurological deficits in rats. Methods: : The TBI model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats by a weight-dropping method. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, immunofluorescence, Fluoro-Jade C staining, and neurological score analyses were carried out. Results: : NMNAT2 mRNA and protein levels were increased in the injured-side cortex at 6 hours and peaked 12 hours after TBI. Knocking down NMNAT2 with an injection of small interfering RNA in lateral ventricle significantly exacerbated neuronal degeneration and neurological deficits after TBI, which were accompanied by increased expression of BCL-2-associated X protein (Bax). Conclusion : NMNAT2 expression is increased and NMNAT2 exhibits neuroprotective activity in the early stages after TBI, and Bax signaling pathway may be involved in the process. Thus, NMNAT2 is likely to be an important target to prevent secondary damage following TBI.

Due to the effect of structural characteristics and service environment of esophageal stent, fatigue damage of esophageal stent is developed easily, which may lead to serious complications. At present, the researches on fatigue performance of esophageal stent involve load spectrum, stress-strain relationship, fatigue crack and fatigue life prediction, and there are three main research method: theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and experimental research. In this paper, various analysis methods and limitations for measuring fatigue performance of esophageal stent are elaborated and summarized in detail, and the future research of esophageal stent is prospected.

OBJECTIVETo reconstruct a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model of mandibular teeth with three-pieces segment arch, and analyze the mechanical properties of intrusive arch and the biomechanical characteristics of three-pieces segment arch.

METHODSThree-dimensional nonlinear finite element model of mandible with three-pieces segment arch was reconstructed by multi-slice spiral CT scanning, Mimics, CATIA and Anasys software. Then, the mechanical properties of intrusive arch, the movement trend and stress distribution of three-pieces segment arch were calculated by Anasys software.

RESULTSIn the range of 5 degrees-25 degrees, with the degree of intrusive arch increased, the force of intrusive arch also increased rapidly. The maximal force was 0.604 8 N in 30 degrees; the force was about 0.59 N in 30 degrees-65 degrees range. In condition of three-pieces segment arch mechanics, lateral incisor tipped labially and intruded; the first moral tipped distally and rotating; other teeth did not move clearly. The largest stress distribution in the whole arch was in the one-third labial cervical area of the lateral incisor root and the root bifurcations of first moral.

CONCLUSIONUnder an appropriate intrusive force, three-pieces segment arch can intrude incisors and control the extrusion of posterior teeth. It can be used to correct the deep overbite, especially with high mandibular planes, gummy smile or adult patients.

Objective:To evaluate the association between thrombus composition and mechanical recanalization,operation procedure and clinical outcome.Methods:One hundred and ninety-two consecutive stroke patients with large-vessel occlusion treated by mechanical thrombectomy using a stent retriever and (or) aspiration catheter in the Affiliated Huaian No.1 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2018 and January 2020 were collected. The retrieved thrombi were quantitatively analyzed for red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and fibrin. The patients were divided into two groups, a erythrocyte-rich group and a fibrin-rich group based on the predominant composition in the clot. The clinical prognosis, CT value of thrombus, procedure time,number of recanalization maneuvers, and degree of vascular recanalization were compared between the two groups.Results:The retrieved clot from 138 patients with acute ischemic stroke from internal carotid artery occlusion ( n=56), middle cerebral artery occlusion ( n=62), intracranial segment of vertebral artery or basilar artery occlusion( n=20) were histologically analyzed. Erythrocyte-rich clots were present in 59 cases, while fibrin-rich clots were present in 79 cases. Cardioembolic thrombi had higher proportions of fibrin/platelets [77.2%(61/79)], less erythrocytes than noncardioembolic thrombi [45.8%(27/59), χ2=8.115, P=0.004]. Patients with erythrocyte-rich thrombi had a smaller number of recanalization maneuvers [2 (1, 2) vs 3 (2, 4), Z=-7.613, P<0.001], shorter procedure time [45 (30, 60) min vs 80 (60, 90) min, Z=-6.944, P<0.001], higher thrombus CT value [42 (32, 53) vs 36 (31, 41), Z=-2.003, P=0.045], good clinical prognosis (the ratio of modified Rankin Scale score ≤2, 62.7% (37/59) vs 39.2% (31/79), χ2=7.444, P=0.006). There was no significant difference in the location of vascular occlusion between the two groups. Conclusion:For patients whose thrombotic components are mainly red blood cells, the cause of stroke may be non cardiogenic cerebral embolism, the CT value of embolus is relatively high, the embolus is easy to remove, and the clinical prognosis is relatively good.

Objective:To investigate the relations of thrombotic components with cause of stroke, procedure of mechanical thrombectomy, degrees of vascular recanalization and clinical prognoses in patients with large vessel occlusive cerebral infarction.Methods:One hundred and thirty-eight patients with large vessel occlusive cerebral infarction accepted mechanical thrombectomy using stent retriever and/or aspiration catheter in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2020 were chosen. These patients were divided into two groups, a erythrocyte-rich group and a fibrin-rich group, based on the predominant composition in the clots. The baseline clinical data, procedure time, number of recanalization maneuvers, degrees of vascular recanalization and clinical prognoses were compared between the two groups. The relations of infiltration degrees of erythrocytes and fibrin in embolus with procedure time were investigated.Results:The components of thrombus clots were mainly erythrocytes, fibrin, leukocytes, and platelets; erythrocyte-rich clots were presented in 59 patients, and fibrin-rich clots were presented in 79 patients. There was no significant difference in age, gender, preoperative NIHSS scores, proportions of hypertension, proportion of diabetes and proportion of vascular recanalization between the two groups ( P>0.05). As compared with patients from erythrocyterich group, patients in the fibrin-rich group had significantly higher proportion of cardioembolic thrombus (22.8% vs. 77.2%), statically larger number of recanalization maneuvers (2 [1, 2] times vs. 3 [2, 4] times), significantly longer procedure times (45 [30, 60] min vs. 80 [60, 90] min), and significantly lower proportion of patients with modifed Rankin scale (mRS) scores≤2 90 d after surgery (62.7% vs. 39.2%, P<0.05). Procedure time was negatively correlated with erythrocyte infiltration ( r= -0.562, P=0.005) and positively correlated with fibrin infiltration ( r=0.567, P=0.010). Conclusions:Different components of thrombus suggest the etiology of stroke may be different. Thrombus removal is relatively easy in patients with erythrocyte-rich clots, and the clinical prognosis is relatively good.