Objective To investigate the value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters in the prognostic assessment of nasopharyngeal cancer patients. Methods The clinical data and PET/CT metabolic parameters of 185 nasopharyngeal cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed. The collected parameters were SUV_max, MTV, TLG, total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) and whole-body total lesion glycolysis (WTLG). The ROC curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of PET/CT metabolic parameters. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to screen the independent prognostic factors. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to analyze the survival differences. Results The results of univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, pathologic type, WTLG, TMTV, MTV, and TLG were closely associated with OS and PFS; and SUV_max was associated with PFS (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that age, TMTV, and WTLG were the independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS (P<0.05). The combination of WTLG with T/N staging (AUC=0.781 and 0.781) and TMTV with T/N staging (AUC=0.800 and 0.790) yielded greater predictive accuracy than that of WTLG and TMTV alone (AUC=0.724 and 0.719) or T/N staging (AUC=0.593 and 0.575). Conclusion TMTV and WTLG are important prognostic predictors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. TLG and MTV of primary lesions are prognostic factors for patients’ PFS and OS. SUV_max has limited prognostic value. Systemic metabolic indexes (TMTV and WTLG), when combined with T/N staging, can optimize prognostic stratification.

BACKGROUND:Upregulation of hedgehog protein signaling can increase the expression of osteoarthritis markers,Runx2,a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs,collagen type X alpha 1,and matrix metalloproteinase 13,while inhibition of hedgehog proteins attenuates the severity of osteoarthritis.It is speculated that osteoarthritic chondrocytes can influence bone formation by affecting osteoblasts through the Indian hedgehog protein(IHH)signaling pathway. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of human osteoarthritic chondrocytes on subchondral osteoblasts. METHODS:Tibial plateau specimens from patients with osteoarthritis were collected.Chondrocytes were extracted using enzymatic digestion,and osteoblasts were extracted using enzymatic pre-digestion + bone block method.Chondrocytes were identified by toluidine blue staining and immunofluorescence and osteoblasts were identified by alkaline phosphatase staining and immunofluorescence.Chondrocytes were cultured in sodium alginate beads to maintain chondrocyte phenotype and co-cultured with osteoblasts.The co-culture system was added with IHH signaling pathway inhibitor(cyclopamine,10 nmol/L)and activator(purmorphamine,10 nmol/L)separately.After 48 hours of co-culture,osteoblasts from each group were collected,mRNA expressions of Gli1,osteoprotegerin,Runx2,parathyroid hormone-related peptide,alkaline phosphatase,receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand(RANKL)and osteocalcin were detected by qRT-PCR,and protein expressions of GLi1,oseoprotegerin and RANKL in osteoblasts were detected by western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The mRNA expression levels of GLi1,osteoprotegerin and RUNX2 in osteoblasts were significantly increased,while the mRNA expression levels of parathyroid hormone-related peptide were decreased(P＜0.05)when co-cultured with human osteoarthritic chondrocytes.The mRNA and protein levels of Gli1 were significantly decreased after the addition of IHH signaling pathway inhibitor(cyclopamine)(P＜0.05),and the mRNA and protein levels of Gli1 were significantly increased after the addition of IHH signaling pathway activator(purmorphamine)(P＜0.05).Osteoprotegerin showed the same trend as Gli1 in the experiment.The osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio followed the same trend as osteoprotegerin.To conclude,human osteoarthritic chondrocytes can promote the expression of Gli1,osteoprotegerin,Runx2 and other proteins in osteoblasts.The upregulation of osteoprotegerin is related to the IHH signaling pathway.Osteoarthritic chondrocytes can up-regulate the expression of osteoprotegerin in osteoblasts through the IHH signaling pathway and thus up-regulate the osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio,which will contribute to bone formation in subchondral bone.

Objective:To investigate the radiation protection effect of furosemide intervention on 18F-2-deoxy-D-glucose ( 18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging. Methods:A total of 146 patients were randomly divided into two groups, with test group of 74 patients and control group of 72. The test group was administrated orally with furosemide of 40 mg for each one before injection, while the normal control group did not undergo special treatment. 60 and 120 min after 18F-FDG injection, the horizontal measurement of ambient dose equivalent rates was carried out at 0.5 m from the front of both chest and abdomen respectively. Results:For the test group, the ambient dose equivalent rates were measured to be (30.80±8.61) and (41.38±11.06) μSv/h 60 min after injection of 18F-FDG whereas (18.26±4.85) and (24.66±6.50) μSv/h 120 min after injection, respectively, both lower than in the control group and with statistically significant difference between the both ( t =15.36, 13.13, 18.73, 17.29, P<0.05) . No significant difference was found between mediastinal SUV max and liver SUV max in the experimental group and control group ( P>0.05) . Multivariate ANOVA showed that body surface area was a major factor influencing ambient dose equivalent rate regardless of furosemide injection ( t=-13.52, 2.96, P<0.05) , and no obvious effects of age and sex on ambient dose equivalence rate were found. Conclusions:Furosemide intervention can promote urination, effectively reduce the internal radiation exposure of the examinated patietns in the premise of not affecting the image quality, and therefore provide a better radiation protection effect.

Objective:To explore the effect of neurolysis and tendon transplantation in functional reconstruction of the upper limb with severe thermal crush injury.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 12 patients with thermal crush injuries of the upper limb admitted to Changhai Hospital of Naval Medical University from January 2014 to December 2018. There were 9 males and 3 females, aged 22-54 years (mean, 38 years). The percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) burn ranged from 3% to 8% [(4.9±1.4)%], and wound depth was III degree. According to the damage condition of nerve/tendon and whether there was any dysfunction of the affected limb after wound healing, 12 patients received 2 to 4 times of neurolysis and tendon transplant-related surgeries, with an average surgery of 2.7 times. Among them, a total of 18 times of neurolysis were performed, including 7 times of radial neurolysis, 6 times of median nerve neurolysis and 5 times of ulnar neurolysis, and 14 times of tendon transplantation were done, including 6 times of anastomosis of superficial flexor tendon and long thumb extensor tendon, 5 times of tendon repair transplantation and 3 times of anastomosis of lateral wrist extensor tendon and long thumb extensor tendon. The time interval of each operation was 3-6 months [(4.5±1.0) months]. The Changhai pain ruler, disability of arm-shoulder-hand table (DASH) and joint activity assessment table were assessed before the first operation, 3 months and 6 months after the last operation.Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-12 months (mean, 9.2 months). The score of Changhai pain ruler in the affected limb improved from 3 (2, 3)points before surgery to 1 (0.5, 1)points 3 months after surgery and 1 (0, 1)points 6 months after surgery ( P<0.01). The score of DASH improved from (69.9±2.7) points before surgery to (35.1±1.7) points 3 months after surgery and (33.8±2.0) points 6 months after surgery ( P<0.01). The range of motion score was improved from (1.3±0.5) points before surgery to (2.4±0.5) points 3 months after surgery and (2.8±0.4) points 6 months after surgery ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Neurolysis and tendon transplantation in the treatment of severe thermal crush injuries of the upper limb can alleviate pain in the affected limbs, improve upper limb dysfunction, increase mobility of the palm and upper limb joints, and enhance the quality of life of the patients.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of comprehensive prevention and control measures on coal-burning-borne endemic tluorosis in Xishui,on residents healthy behavior and situation of the disease.Methods In 2013,five towns were selected according to their location of east,south,west,north and centre.Three villages and one elementary school in each town were chosen,and 20 families' related behavior and fluorine prevention knowledge questionnaire in each village were surveyed.All the students from one class aged 8-12 of grade 3-6 in each school were selected,according to the Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis,dental fluorosis was examined and fluorine knowledge questionnaire was surveyed.At the same time,the detection rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8-12,information of the knowledge about prevention and cure of fluorosis and related behavior of target groups in 2007,and the urinary fluoride contents of children aged 8-12 in 2000 were collected.Analysis and comparison of the data in 2000,2007 and 2013 were done.Results After the intervention,the witting rates of students and family householders 90.95％ (11 773/12 945),84.27％ (3 792/4 500),were significantly higher than those of before the intervention [19.29％ (1 039/5 385),26.27％ (394/1 500),x2 =9 279.14,1 794.22,all P ＜ 0.01].Proper utilization rate of cooking stove was 100.00％ (37/37),iron stove utilization rate was 99.64％ (279/280),dry chili correct rate was 100.00％ (299/299) and before the intervention,these values were 3.20％ (43/1 345),90.28％ (1 207/1 337)and 62.14％ (855/1 376),respectively,and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =601.12,27.28,27.28,all P ＜ 0.01).Children's dental fluorosis detection rate was 24.21％ (206/851),compared with that of before the intervention,61.62％ (2 150/3 489),the difference was statistically significant (x2 =385.93,P ＜ 0.01).Children's urine fluoride was (0.51 ± 0.29) mg/L,and before the intervention [(1.55± 1.59) mg/L],the difference was statistically significant (t'=10.25,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The effect of comprehensive prevention and control measures against coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis in Xishui are remarkable.The residents health related behavior has been formed and the condition is reduced markedly.

OBJECTIVEThe non-allergy of chlorogenic acid was demonstrated by the study result of allergy with different purity of chlorogenic acid and comprehensive analysis of literature.

METHODThe allergies of different samples, which contained the different purity of chlorogenic acid extracts, chlorogenic acid for injection, interior solution of dialysis, external solution of dialysis, post-term chlorogenic acid for injection and chlorogenic acid for injection with degradation, were validated with active systemic anaphylaxis and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis on rats and guinea pigs respectively. The range of molecular weight of macromolecular remains after dialysis were identified by LC-MS.

RESULTAllergic reactions were happened in dialysis isolated macromolecular substances, which were identified by LC-MS, and lower purity extracts (purity of chlorogenic acid < or = 40%), while the reactions were not happened in isolated micromolecular substances and high purity samples (purity of chlorogenic acid > or = 92%).

CONCLUSIONMacromolecules in lower purity of chlorogenic acid extracts were relative closely to the allergen causing anaphylaxis, but not the chlorogenic acid, which was demonstrated according to the study result and analysis of literatures home and abroad.

Anaphylaxis ; chemically induced ; Animals ; Chlorogenic Acid ; adverse effects ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Hypersensitivity ; etiology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Toxicity Tests ; methods

OBJECTIVETo summarize the therapeutic experience in removing huge craniofacial hemangioma in 135 cases and reveal the rules of repairing the damaged tissues or organs caused by the extirpation.

METHODSThe procedure was to remove the focal lesion correctly, control hemorrhage, keep the stable blood volume, repair and rebuild the damaged tissues or organs reasonably.

RESULTSThe focal lesion was removed rather completely without accidental injuries or deaths. The damaged tissues or organs were repaired and rebuilt quite satisfactorily.

CONCLUSIONHuge craniofacial hemangioma of any type should be operated on as early as possible with sufficient preoperative preparations.

Adult ; Facial Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Hemangioma ; surgery ; Humans ; Male