The left and right cardiac function of 11 patients with chronic mountain sickness was studied before and after oxygen administration. It was found that after pure oxygen was inhaled, the internal diameter of the right ventricle, the ratio between right and left ventrcular diameters, and the heart rate were decreased significantly, while the ?-wave excursion of the pulmonary valve and the EF slope of the mitral valve were increased obviously. However there was no change of the systolic time interval of both the ventricles and of the left ventricular systolic function. The results suggest that oxygen inhalation could relieve hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and improve left ventricular diastolic function.

Objective To develop a Gd-based MR probe containing arginine-glyeine-aspartic acid (RGD)motif to reveal integrin avβ3 receptor-expressed tumor.Methods Commercially available HYNICRGD conjugate with co-ligand EDDA was labeled with GdCl3,and the mixture was isolated and purified by solid phase extract(SPE)to get the entire probe Gd-EDDA-HYNIC-RGD.Human HCC cell line BEL-7402 was cultured and the cells harvested and suspended then subcutaneously inoculated into athymic nude mice for tumor growth.In vitro cell binding assay to integrin avβ3 receptor and cell viability experiments were conducted.Then in vivo,imaging of the three arms of xenografts were performed by MR scan with a dedicated animal coil at baseline and time points of 0.30,60,90 mninutes and 24 hour post-intravenous injection(P.i.) via the tail vein.Three arms of nude mice then were sacrificed for histological examination to confirm the imaging results.Results Gd-EDDA-HYNIC-RGD was successfully isolated by SPE and validity was verifled on signal enhancement througll in vitro and in vivo experiments.The T1 relaxation rate of the probe is 3.31 mmol/s:It is well tolerated to living cells when the concentration of the probe is below 0.1 μmol/ml;both BEL-7402 Hunlan Hepatocellular Carcinoma cell Iine and the tumor expressed avβ3receptor;The RGD-iigand was observed specificly binding with avβ3 receptor in vitro;The nude mice model bearing HHCC was well estabhshed.The signal intensity(SI)at the tumor site were 2247.6±39.0 at baseline and 2820.9±35.2 at 90 min p.i.respectively,the SI at 90min increased less than 25%of baseline,which is statistically different(t=-38.031,P＜0.05);while the SI at muscle site were 1824.2±32.8 and 1845.8±27.2 respectively,which is not statistically different(t=-1.424,P＞0.05);The signal to time curve for probe-administrated group is straightforward over time in the span of 0 to 90 minute p.i.while the control arms do not show such tendency.Conclusion Gd-EDDA-HYNIC-RGD has the potential to used as an MR probe detecting integrin avβ3 receptor-expressed tumor.This work may offer possibility of early detection and differentiation of specific tumors.

Objective To determine the diagnostic value of fractional exhaled nitric (FeNO) measurement in diagnosis of bronchial asthma. Methods The patients with unkown-cause respiratory symptoms including wheezing, cough, and breathlessness were enrolled from August to September in 2008. FeNO was measured by nitric oxide analyzer (NIOX; Aerocrine AB; Solna, Sweden). Bronchial challenge test (BCT) or bronchodilator test was defined as golden standard for asthma diagnosis. The value of FeNO was assessed and the optimal operating point of FeNO testing was determined by the means of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results A total of 101 patients were enrolled, in which 48 cases were diagnosed as asthma by positive yield in BCT (in 38 cases) or bronchodilator test (in 10 cases). The severity of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) judged by BCT was mild in 15 cases, moderate in 15 cases and severe in 8 cases. The levels of FeNO of asthma group were higher than those of non-asthma group [(68.19±43.00) pph vs (19.52±10.60) ppb, P < 0.05]. A linear correlation of FeNO with lnPD20 FEV1 was revealed in the cases with AHR. Area under ROC curve was 0.9. The optimal diagnostic cutoff point was 36.5 ppb which was capable of differentiating asthma and non-asthma with sensitivity of 92.7%, specificity of 83.3%, positive predictive value of 79.17% , negative predictive value of 94.34% and accuracy of 87.13%. Conclusion FeNO test may be helpful in the diagnosis of asthma with high sensitivity and specificity.

Objective To compare the impact of propofol and sevoflurane on thermoregulation in children undergoing orheopaedic surgery.Methods Sixty-eight children scheduled to undergo ortho-paedic surgery were randomly allocated to receive propofol (group P)and sevoflurane(group S)anes-thesia,34 cases in each group.Tympanic temperature was recorded 5 minutes before (T0 )and 5 min (T1 ),1 5 min (T2 ),30 min (T3 ),45 min (T4 ),60 min (T5 ),75 min (T6 ),90 min (T7 ),105 min (T8 )and 120 min (T9 )after anesthesia.Total fluid intake,duration of surgery,duration of anesthe-sia,the incidence of hypothermia,and the incidence of shivering were also recorded.Results Com-pared with T0 ,in both groups body temperature declined at T1-T8 .There was no difference between the two groups in total fluid intake,duration of surgery,duration of anesthesia and the incidence of shivering.Compared with group P,children in group S had a higher incidence of hypothermia(8 vs 1). Children in group S had lower temperature,which had statistical significance at T7 and T8 (P <0.05). Conclusion The core temperature of children undergoing orthopaedic surgery showed a trend of in-crease after the first fall in the surgery.Compared with propofol,sevoflurane anesthesia is more likely to lead to the incidence of hypothermia in children undergoing orthopaedic surgery in 90 min after in-duction of anesthesia.

BACKGROUND:Hyperpyrexia can induce a wide range of cel apoptosis in organisms, but no study has introduced the mechanism of heat stress-induced neuronal apoptosis.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway on heat stress-induced neuronal apoptosis through reactive oxygen species.
METHODS:Heat stress model was established in the cel incubator. Heat stress group of cel s were incubated at 39,41,43℃for2hours,whilecontrolgroupofcelswereincubatedat37 ℃in5% CO2 for 2 hours. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The expression levels of caspase-3 and p-NF-κB65 were determined by western blot analysis. The amounts of intracel ular reactive oxygen species were assayed by DCFH staining. In addition, the effect of MnTMPyP and PTDC on heat stress-induced apoptosis was also studied.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:39 ℃ heat stress had no impact on the apoptosis, 41 ℃ heat stress induced a smal amount of apoptosis (10.19%), and 43 ℃ heat stress triggered a large amount of apoptosis (43.02%). The expression of caspase-3 and p-NF-κB65 was increased, in a temperature-dependent manner. In addition, both MnTMPyP and PTDC significantly decreased the heat stress-induced apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 and p-NF-κB65. Experimental findings indicate that, the increase of intracel ular reactive oxygen species may induce neuronal apoptosis, and NF-κB participates in the heat stress-induced neuronal apoptosis as the intermedial signal pathway.

ObjectiveTo improve the visualization of anteromedial and posterolateral bundles of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and investigate the optimal MRI plane for the bundles at a 3.0 T MR scanner.MethodsMR images of 149 knee joints were reviewed retrospectively.Display rates of AMB,PLB and their different parts (the top portion,the middle portion and the low portion) on MR different planes including axial,sagittal and coronal planes were analyzed and their differences were compared with the x2 section method.ResultsThere was no statistical difference in the display rates of two bundles of ACL between axial plane ( 115/149,77.2％ ) and coronal plane (103/149,69.1％ ) (x2 =2.4606,P ＞0.0125 ).Statistical differences were found between axial and sagittal plane,coronal plane and sagittal plane (21/149,14.1％ ) ( x2 =119.5138,92.8695 respectively,P ＜0.0125 ).There was a statistical difference for the top portion of ACL between axial plane ( 104/149,69.8％ ) and coronal plane,sagittal (0/149,0)and coronal planes ( 7/149,4.7％ ) ( x2 =135.081,159.7526 respectively,P ＜ 0.0125 ),between sagittal and coronal planes (x2 =7.1684,P ＜ 0.0125 ).For the middle portion of ACL,there was no statistical difference between axial plane ( 108/149,72.5％ ) and coronal plane (94/149,63.1％ ) (x2 =3.0120,P ＞ 0.0125 ),while statistical differences were found between axial and sagittal plane,coronal planes and sagittal plane ( 10/149,6.7％ ) ( x2 =134.7454,104.2173 respectively,P ＜ 0.0125 ).For the low portion of ACL,there was no statistical difference between axial plane ( 103/149,69.1％ ) and coronal plane (101/149,73.8％ ) (x2 =0.8065,P ＞0.0125),while statistical differences were detected between axial and sagittal plane,coronal planes and sagittal plane ( 18/149,12.1％ ) ( x2 =100.5300,115.9132,P ＜ 0.0125 ). The different parts of ACL displayed low intensity on different MR planes and normal morphology.ConclusionsACL can be displayed on conventional MR planes at a 3.0 T MR scanner to some extent.Axial and coronal planes might be the optimal MRI planes for ACL and its two bundles.

0.05).There was remarkable low signal intensity on T2-weighed imaging and no evident artifacts for molecular probe when the concentration of Fe2+ was 20 mg/L.The least number of labeled cells detected by MR in vitro was 6?106 when the concentration of Fe2+ was 20 mg/L.Conclusion:Molecular probe,SPIO-OCT,can effectively label breast cells which express SSTR.The reasonable Fe2+ concentration of labeled cells and imaging was 20 mg/L.There is a correlation between MR signal intensity in vitro and the number of labeled cells.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical effects of guiding apparatus assisted individual posterior cervical pedicle screw fixation technique.MethodsThe study enrolled 24 patients treated with posterior cervical decompressive single open-door laminoplasty and transpedicular screw-rod fixation from January 2008 to December 2010.The point of screw penetration and screw path direction were confirmed by measuring the transverse nail angle (TNA) and sagittal nail angle (SNA) of nail channel on the pre-operative CT plain scan of cervical pedicle and sagittal two-dimensional imaging of transpedicular axis.According to the results of CT measurement,individual cervical pedicle screw was implanted with the assistance of self-made guiding apparatus and then fixed after decompression.Transverse screw angle ( TSA ) and sagittal screw angle ( SSA ) were determined on the CT scan of cervical pedicle and sagittal two-dimensional imaging of transpedicular axis one week postoperatively in order to analyze the accuracy of placement of pedicle screws.Periodical anteroposterior and lateral X-ray radiographs of cervical vertebra were taken postoperatively to detect the stabilization of internal fixation.ResultsA total of 223 pedicle screws were inserted successfully into the C3 ～ C7,of which 220 crews were inserted accurately but three had slight inclination according to the postoperative CT,with placement accuracy of 98.7％.The comparison between inclination angle of inserted screws and that of preoperative transpedicular axis showed insignificant statistical difference ( P ＞ 0.05 ).All the patients were followed up for 6-34 months ( mean,18.5 months),which showed no neurovascular complications related to screws perforation out of pedicle cortex or no screw loosening,prolapse or breakage.ConclusionPosterior cervical pedicle screw insertionperformed according to the individual CT measurement is easy and safe and has a high accuracy rate under the assistance of self-made guiding apparatus.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a self-designed novel n-shaped aiming device in aiding the percutaneous cannulated screwing for treatment of odontoid fractures of Anderson-D' Alonzo type Ⅱ and shallow type Ⅲ.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 17 patients who had been treated at our department for odontoid fracture of Anderson-D' Alonzo type Ⅱ and shallow type Ⅲ between January 2009 and December 2013.They were 13 males and 4 females,with an average age of 37.5 years (from 16 to 61 years).All received surgical treatment after skull traction or jaw pillow traction preoperatively for reduction.Intraoperatively,percutaneous cannulated screwing via the anterior cervical approach was performed with the help of a self-designed novel n-shaped aiming device to fix the odontoid.Postoperatively,X-ray and CT scan were used to check the screw locations and evaluate the fracture healing.Results The 17 cases were followed up for 6 to 15 months (average,10.5 months).No intraoperative injury to the esophagus,artery,spinal cord or nerve root happened.The operating time ranged from 60 to 125 min.The bleeding was from 10 to 40 mL.Intraoperative observation revealed fine locations of the screws.Bony union was achieved in 16 cases 3 months postoperatively while separation and hardening of the fracture ends was found in one ease.Conclusion Our self-designed novel n-shaped aiming device can facilitate the percutaneous cannulated screwing for treatment of odontoid fractures of Anderson-D'Alonzo type Ⅱ and shallow type Ⅲ,given that it has advantages of simple manipulation,accurate insertion,minimal invasion,quick recovery and reliable efficacy.

AIM:To investigate the perfusion parameters using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging ( DCE-MRI) in rectal cancer patients so as to explore its potential value in estimating the microvascular condition including perfusion and permeability .METHODS:The data of 38 rectal cancer patients examined with DCE-MRI was ret-rospectively analyzed .The perfusion parameters of carcinoma and normal rectal wall in each case were calculated , inclu-ding volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant of back flux (Kep), extravascular extracellular space fractional volume (Ve) and initial area under curve (iAUC).The mean values of tumor and normal rectal wall , mucinous and nonmucinous carcinoma, poorly and moderately-to-well differentiated carcinoma , case with or without lymph node metastasis were com-pared.RESULTS:All the parameters of rectal cancer were higher than normal rectal wall (P<0.01).No significant difference was found between poorly and moderately-to-well differentiated carcinoma in terms of K trans, Kep and Ve, neither was the case with or without lymph node metastasis .The cases with lymph node metastasis had lower iAUC than those with-out (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Quantitative perfusion DCE-MRI answered the microvascular perfusion and permeability change of rectal cancer compared with normal rectal wall , besides it could be used to distinguish between mucinous and nonmucinous carcinoma , which demonstrated its value in the evaluation of rectal cancer .However , it should not be recom-mended to predict the degrees of tumor cell differentiation and lymph node metastasis just according to the perfusion param -eters.