Objective To analyzes the CT manifestations of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH). Methods CT features of 11 patients with PLCH proved pathologically were analyzed retrospectively. Results The main findings in 11 PLCHs were cysts and nodules. Two cases only had cysts,and 1 only had nodules, which most had cavitations. The other 8 cases showed cysts and nodules with 4 cases mainly manifested with cysts and nine mainly manifested with nodules. Two cases had pulmonary interstitial changes. One case only had cysts in the left upper lung field and 10 cases had lesions not only in the upper and middle but in the lower lung field, which 2 cases had more lesions in the lower and costophrenic angle field and 8 cases had less lesions in the costo-phrenic angle field. Three of these 8 cases had more lesions in the superior lobe and apical segment of lower lobe. Conclusion CT manifestations of PLCH are helpful for the early diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the pulmonary microvascular responsiveness of diabetic animals to sepsis and the potential mechanism of NO system.Methods Sixty-four Wistar rats of clean grade were randomly (random number) divided into 4 groups,namely normal control group (group A,n =16),diabetes group (group B,n =16),sepsis group (group C,n =16),diabetes and sepsis group (group D,n =16).Diabetic mellitus model was made in rats with injection of streptozotocin,STZ (65 mg/kg).Successful model was defined as the blood glucose value≥ 16.67 mmol/L 48 hours after injection of STZ.All animals were fed 4 weeks before initiation of next experiment.The sepsis model was established by intravenous injection of LPS (10 mg/kg) in rats.RT-PCR was used to determine the mRNA expression of Tie-2 in rats'blood.The ratio of dry/wet of lung tissue and the extravasation of Evans blue dye into the lung were detected.Quantitation of NO in lung tissue and serum was measured by using Griess method.RT-PCR was also used for determination of iNOS,eNOS,DDAH2 mRNA expressions in lung tissue.Data were analyzed with ANONA and LSD method for comparison between groups,and P ＜ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results Compared with septic group.,the diabetic rats with sepsis group demonstrated higher expression of Tie-2 mRNA in blood (19.72 ± 0.70) vs.(3.99 ± 0.92),P =0.00,lower ratio of dry/wet in lung tissue (0.19 ±0.01) vs.(0.22 ±0.01),P =0.000,higher permeability of Evans blue dye into lung tissue (3.76 ± 0.77) vs.(1.74 ± 0.24),P =0.000.Serum NO level was lower in group D than that in group C (123.13 ±4.24) vs.(188.30 ±5.18),P =0.000,however,NO levels in lung tissue of both group D and group C were higher than that in control group (53.62 ± 6.70),(23.63± 3.92) vs.(10.37 ± 1.29),P =0.00,and NO level in group D was higher in 2 times than that in group C (P =0.00).However,there were no differences in eNOS expression among groups A,B and C,but the difference in eNOS expression was present between group D with lower expression and group A,that lower in group D (0.07 ±0.02) vs.(0.38 ±0.05),P=0.017.Compared with group C,the expression of iNOS was higher in group D (80.23 ±2.49),(32.48±5.37) vs.(1.74±0.23),P=0.00),and the expression of DDAH2 was lower in group D (0.49 ±0.13),(7.26 ±0.50) vs.(11.96 ±0.55).Conclusions Diabetic rats with sepsis enhanced endothelial cell damages.Diabetes deteriorates the regulatory activity of NO system,suggesting the potential mechanism of the worsened damages of EC in diabetic sepsis host.

Objective To describe the pathological unit and octagonal en bloc resection for the treatment of ossification ligamentum flavum(OLF)in thoracic spine with spondylotic myelopathy.Methods Ninety-five patients from January 2002 to January 2007 were diagnosed as thoracic OLF,61 males and 34 females with an average age of 53.9 years(range,31-78 years).There were upper thoracic spine OLF in 32 cases,middle thoracic spine OLF in 24 cases and lower thoracic spine OLF in 39 cases.Single-segment OLF was found in 53 cases,double segments OLF was found in 38 cases and three segments OLF was found in 4 cases.CT scan multiplanar co-localized reconstruction was employed to detect the structure of spine with OLF.The Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)lower limb motor function score,sphincter function score and motor function improvement rate were used to evaluate the outcomes.Results CT scan was engaged to observe 141 OLF pathological unite.The OLF pathology unit was defined as all the spine structures between the extension lines of the lower margin of the OLF two adjacent pedicles.Each OLF associates with an OLF pathology unit.The mean follow up duration was 38.3 months(range,24-60 months).Among 86 patients with sensations disturbance before operation,67 totally recovered and 19 relieved after operation.Trunk restrictions in 69 cases before operation were completely recovered after operation.Postoperative JOA sphincter function score was 2.651±0.334,comparing with preoperation score(2.262±0.561),and the difference was statistically significant.Postoperative JOA motor function score was 3.694±0.429,which was significantly increased than preoperative score 1.539±0.873,and motor function recovery rate was 87.57%.There was excellent in 71 cases,good in 17 cases and fair in 5 cases.The excellent and good rate was 94.74%.Conclusion The octagonal en block resection is relative safe for treatment thoracic OLF with myelopathy.Pathological unit of OLF in thoracic spine is more accurate to summarize the pathological contents and features of the OLF and its adjacent structure.

Objective To detect the mutations of RET proto-oncogene in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Methods Twelve patients with MTC confirmed by pathology and two clinically suspected patients were recruited. Total genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood for PCR. PCR products of exon 10, exon 11 and exon 16 of the RET proto-oncogene were purified and direct gene sequencing was performed. Results The genomic mutations were detected in 8 patients, in which direct gene sequencing analysis detected a mutation of TGC to CGC at codon 618 in exon 10 in 1 patient, a mutation of TGC to TAC at codon 634 in exon 11 in 2 cases, a mutation of TGC to CGC at codon 634 in exon 11 in 3 patients and a mutation of ATG to ACG at codon 918 in exon 16 in the remaiming 2 cases. Conclusion MTC can be diagnosed at gene level by direct gene sequencing analysis. It is possible to diagnose MTC before operation by means of molecular genetic analysis.

Objective To study unfractionated heparin (UFH) effect on the expression of HOXA9 in activation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods HUVECs were cultured and they were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5) for the challenge respectively: ① control group (with an equal volume of phosphate buffer saline); ② LPS group (LPS 10 mg/L); ③UFH group (UFH 10 kU/L);④ UFH+LPS group (10 kU/L UFH 30 minutes + LPS 10 mg/L). After treatment for 3 hours, the expressions of HOXA9, E-selectin and nuclear factor-κB (NK-κB) in endothelial cells were detected by Western Blot. Results Compared with the control group, the expression of HOXA9 in LPS group was significantly decreased, the expressions of E-selectin and NF-κB were significantly increased (HOXA9/β-actin: 0.082±0.009 vs. 0.199±0.067, E-selectin/β-actin:0.113±0.055 vs. 0.047±0.030, NF-κB/β-actin: 0.845±0.025 vs. 0.664±0.092, all P < 0.05). Compared with LPS group, the expression of HOXA9 in UFH+LPS group was significantly increased, the expressions of E-selectin and NF-κB were significantly decreased (HOXA9/β-actin: 0.190±0.096 vs. 0.082±0.009, E-selecin/β-actin: 0.057±0.017 vs. 0.113±0.055, NF-κB/β-actin: 0.544±0.060 vs. 0.845±0.025, all P < 0.05). Each protein expression of UFH group were in accordance with the control group. Conclusions In LPS stimulated endothelial cells, HOXA9 expression is down regulated, E-expression is reduced, and endothelial cell activation is inhibited. UFH can inhibit the activation of endothelial cells by decreasing the degree of HOXA9 reduced expression.

Objective To observe the effect of heparin on the cellular morphology and the expressions of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in renal microvascular endothelial cells (RMVECs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods The three step gradient screen method was used to primarily culture rat RMVECs, and the 3rd and 4th generation cells with excellent growth were collected. The cells were divided into blank control group, 10 mg/L LPS treatment group and 2.5, 5, 10 kU/L heparin pretreatment groups (the corresponding dose of heparin was given 0.5 hour before LPS stimulation). The morphology of the cells at 24 hours after LPS stimulation was observed by transmission electron microscope, the expression of ROS in RMVECs was determined by immunofluorescence at 5, 15, 30, 45 minutes after LPS stimulation, and the expression of NO in RMVECs was determined by nitrate reductase method. Results ① In blank control group, the RMVECs membrane was intact, and the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum in cells were clearly visible. The nuclear membrane was complete, and nucleolus was obvious. Cell bubble deformation was obvious at 24 hours after LPS stimulation, especially in the mitochondria and cell membrane. After 10 kU/L heparin pretreatment, the vacuolar degeneration of organelles was significantly reduced, and the cell membrane morphology was stable. ② The increases in ROS and NO in RMVECs could be detected at 5 minutes after LPS stimulation, showed an increase tendency with time prolongation, ROS expression peaked at 30 minutes, NO expression peaked at 45 minutes, which showed significant differences as compared with those of blank control group [30-minute ROS (mean density): 76.2±5.8 vs. 1.5±0.1, 45-minute NO (μmol/L): 70.3±8.6 vs. 1.8±0.1, both P < 0.01]. The expression of ROS and NO production in RMVECs were significantly reduced by heparin, showed a decrease tendency with heparin dose elevation, and the most obvious effect was 10 kU/L of heparin, with significant difference as compared with those of LPS treatment group [30-minute ROS (mean density): 16.8±1.7 vs. 76.2±5.8, 45-minute NO (μmol/L): 11.8±8.6 vs. 70.3±8.6, both P < 0.01]. Conclusions Unfractionated heparin ameliorates LPS induced expressions of NO and ROS in RMVECs and protects the cell morphology. The effect of 10 kU/L heparin is most obvious.

Objective To compare risk factors and bacterial etiology in patients with early-onset versus late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care unit (ICU).Methods This prospective cohort study enrolled mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized for more than 48 hours in the first affiliated hospital,China Medical University from Jan 2012 to Jun 2016.Subjects were classified by ventilator status:early-onset VAP (＜ 5 d ventilation,E-VAP) or late-onset VAP (≥ 5 d ventilation,L-VAP).Potential risk factors and pathogen were evaluated.Results A total of 4 179 patients in adult ICU were screened,3 989 (95.5％) of whom were mechanically ventilated,962 patients with mechanical ventilation time ≥ 48 h.VAP developed in 142 patients.E-VAP and L-VAP had different potential risk factors based on statistical analysis.Independent risk factors for E-VAP included male (OR =1.825,95％ CI 1.006-3.310),chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD;OR =3.746,95％ CI 1.795-7.818),emergency intubation (OR =1.932,95％ CI 1.139-3.276),aspiration (OR =3.324,95％ CI 1.359-8.130).Whereas independent risk factors for L-VAP were coma (OR =2.335,95％ CI 1.300-4.194),renal dysfunction (OR =0.524,95％ CI O.290-O.947),emergency intubation (OR =2.184,95％ CI 1.334-3.574).Mortality in E-VAP and L-VAP group were both higher than the non-VAP group[30.2％(19/63)vs 19.8％ (162/820),P=0.044;29.1％ (23/79) vs 19.8％(162/820),P=0.046].The pathogens isolated from early-onset versus late-onset VAP were not significantly different between groups,which the most common ones were acinetobacter baumannii,pseudomonas aeruginosa and klebsiella pneumoniae.Conclusion E-VAP and L-VAP have different risk factors,however related pathogens are similar.Different specific preventive strategies are suggested based on different onset of VAP.