OBJECTIVETo explore the features of various mediastinal lymphadenopathies using computed tomography perfusion (CTP).

METHODSCTP parameters (CTPs) of the selected mediastinal nodes from 59 patients with pathology-proven malignant lymph nodes and of those from 29 patients with clinically diagnosed or pathology-proven inflammatory lymphadenopathies were collected. Patients were divided into subgroups by etiology and phase of primary disease, including different pathological malignant nodes and diverse inflammatory nodes. CTPs were defined as blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), permeability (PMB), and time to peak (TTP). Differences of CTPs were compared between malignant and benign nodes, and among subgroups, respectively.

RESULTSIn the mediastinum, no significant differences of CTPs were found between malignant and benign groups (all P>0.05), the same for subgroups of malignant nodes (all P>0.05). Acute lymphadenitis had higher BF and BV than chronic inflammatory, lymphoid tuberculosis, sarcoidosis and malignant nodes. The BF of malignant nodes was markedly slower than that of acute lymphadenitis (P=0.01), but faster than chronic inflammatory nodes (P=0.04) and sarcoidosis (P=0.03), with no significant difference compared with lymphoid tuberculosis. Pneumonia-complicated lymphoid tuberculosis showed the longest MTT while sarcoidosis displayed the shortest MTT, and inflammatory nodes, lymphoid tuberculosis without complicated pneumonia and malignant nodes had moderate MTT.

CONCLUSIONCTPs show promising potential in distinguishing various lymphadenopathies in the mediastinum, but more studies are needed to improve their specificity.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; Lymphatic Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Mediastinal Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Perfusion ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

[Summary] Limb numbness is a common symptom of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN),which is similar to lumbar vertebra disease and spinal cord tumor compression syndrome. Diabetes mellitus (DM) combined with lumbar spondylosis and spinal cord tumor compression is rarely occurred and is difficult to distinguish from DPN . Here we reported a case of DM combined with spinal neurilemoma that was misdiagnosed as DPN for half a year.

Cryptococcosis ; complications ; Eosinophilia ; etiology ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; complications

Objective To investigate the application of quantitative parameters associated with iodine concentration derived from iodine overlay image by dual-source dual-energy computed tomographic (CT) in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Methods Seventy-eight patients (total 112 nodules, including 64 benign and 48 malignant nodules) with thyroid nodules who underwent plain scan (PS), arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP) enhanced scan by DSCT (80 kVp/ Sn140 kVp) were analyzed retrospectively. Iodine overlay images were obtained by the dual energy post-processing software. The mean iodine concentrations in the normal thyroid parenchyma (ICThy), the lesion (ICLes), and the carotid artery(ICCar) of PS, AP and VP were measured from iodine overlay images. The iodine concentration difference (ICD), the iodine concentration difference-to-normal parenchyma ratio (ICDNR) and the normalized iodine concentration ratio (NIC) were calculated. The two-sample t test was performed to compare quantitative parameters between the benign and malignant nodules. ROC curve with quantitative parameters of three phases was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of ICD, ICDNR, NIC and ICles. Results During
PS, mean ICDNR, ICD and ICLes of malignant nodules were respectively 1.04 ± 0.95, (2.20 ± 1.82) mg/ml, (-0.04 ± 1.65) mg/ml, ICDNR, ICD and ICLes of benign nodules were respectively 0.04 ± 0.41, (0.35 ± 0.97) mg/ml, (2.19 ± 0.55) mg/ml. ICDNR and ICD of malignant nodules were higher than benign nodules (t'=6.63, 6.39, P<0.05), while ICles of malignant nodules were lower than benign nodules (t=10.13, P<0.05). During AP , mean ICDNR, ICD, ICLes of malignant nodules were 0.39 ± 0.29, (2.23 ± 1.77) mg/ml, (3.81 ± 1.50) mg/ml, and benign nodules were 0.49 ± 0.22, (2.97 ± 1.91) mg/ml, (3.17 ± 1.64) mg/ml, respectively. ICDNR, ICD of malignant nodules were lower than benign nodules (t'=2.08, t=2.12;P<0.05),while ICles of malignant nodules were higher than benign nodules (t=2.12, P< 0.05). During VP, mean NIC of the malignant and benign nodules were 0.45 ± 0.21, 0.58 ± 0.37, respectively. NIC of malignant nodules were lower than benign nodules (t'=2.35, P< 0.05). AUC of ICDNR during PS was 0.892, the sensitivity was 83.3% and the specificity were 90.5%. Conclusion Quantitative parameters associated with iodine concentration by dual-source dual-energy CT may increase the efficiency and accuracy in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Objective To study the antidepression action of curcumin and to explore its mechanism. Methods Mouse reserpine-induced depression model and mouse tetrabenazine-induced acquired despair model were used to observe the effect of curcumin on relieving depression. According to the hypothesis of monoamine, the effect of curcumin on activating monoamine, and inhibiting reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters and monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) were observed. Results Curcumin in the dose of 50 mg/kg and more can relieve melancholic symptoms in mice induced by reserpine and tetrabenazine. Curcumin had no direct activation on monoamine either had no obvious inhibition on reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters of noradrenalin, 5-hydroxytriptamine and dopamine . However, Curcumin had an obvious effect on improving rat forelimb spasm induced by tryptamine hydrochloride. Conclusion Curcumin acts like a kind of monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which exerts antidepression action by inhibiting monoamine oxidase activity and increasing the concentration of monoamine neurotransmitter in brain.

More than one hundred strains of marine molds have been isolated from the sediment and the sample of seawater collected from the South China Sea. By the first screening, more than 30 strains of marine molds which can inhibit tested fungi such as Candida albicans and Fursarium sp. were obtained.The results of the second screening showed those strains designed as B 4#-6、B 4#-3、1-B 6-6、1-B 6-10-5、1-B 6-22、C 2#-5、A 2-9 and 1-B 6-10 can produced extracelluar antifungi metabolic products and the crude extract of the strains 1-B 6-10-5 and B 4#-3 can inhibit the growth of many other species of fungi.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular point sticking at different points to relieve the pain in arteriovenous fistula puncture. Methods: A total of 42 patients with arteriovenous fistula were randomized into a Shenmen (TF4) group and an Elbow (SF3) group by the random number table method, with 21 cases in each group. After enrolled into different groups, before the dialysis, patients were given auricular point sticking with Wang Bu Liu Xing ( Semen Vaccariae) seeds at Shenmen (TF4) and Elbow (SF3), respectively. Patients were asked to press the seeds themselves for 2 min each time, four times a day, and an additional 5-15 min before the arteriovenous fistula puncture. Intensive pressing was offered during the puncture, 15-20 presses for each time, and the plasters were changed every 2-3 d. The numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to score the pain level one week before and after auricular point sticking. The NRS score was then compared and analyzed. Results: The intra-group comparison showed that the changes of NRS score in both groups were statistically significant after auricular point sticking (both P＜0.05). After the treatment, there was no significant difference in NRS score between the two groups (P＞0.05). Conclusion: Auricular point sticking at Shenmen (TF4) or Elbow (SF3) can effectively relieve the pain of arteriovenous fistula puncture, and these two points have equivalent analgesic effect.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of post-pancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage, and explore effective and practical nursing strategies.Methods:Clinical data of 62 patients with post-pancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage from Jan 2014 to Dec 2019 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The bleeding time, location, vital signs, accompanying symptoms and surgical treatment measures and clinical outcomes were analyzed.Results:Among the 62 cases, early (within 24 h) hemorrhage occurred in 19/62 patients (30.6%), and late hemorrhage occurred in 43/62 patients (69.4%). 36/62 patients (58.1%) had arterial bleeding; And 43/62 patients (69.4%) had abdominal hemorrhage. Grade C hemorrhage occurred in 32/62 patients (51.6%). Sentinel hemorrhage occurred in 8/62 patients (12.9%). The manifestation of hemorrhage in 42 patients was bloody fluid from abdominal drainage tube (67.7%). Hemorrhage occurred in 23 patients with pancreatic fistula(37.1%), 12 patients with abdominal infection and other complications (19.4%). Shock symptoms occurred in 41 cases (66.1%) with postoperative hemorrhage. Pancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage were early detected in 0.3 h and last detected in 869 h, with a median time of 192.00 (14.63, 297.00) h. 30/62 cases (48.4%) of hemorrhage patients occurred 1 hour before and after nursing shift. When hemorrhage was found, emergency treatments such as blood transfusion to maintain blood volume ( n=47, 75.8%), hemostasis ( n=35, 56.5%) and vasoactive drugs to increase blood pressure ( n=32, 51.6%) were usually given immediately. 31/62 patients (50.0%) underwent emergency secondary surgery within 4 h of hemorrhage, and 45/62 patients (72.6%) were cured by emergency surgical treatment. A written treatment pre-plan for surgical nurses was established. Conclusions:Surgical nurses should be familiar with the clinical manifestations of post-pancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage, and improve the alarming ability of identifying the complications of post-operative hemorrhage. The establishment of an emergency pre-plan for surgical nurses could help to treat such patients timely and effectively.

Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal arteriovenous anastamoses between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. These fistulas may be classified by cause (spontaneous or traumatic), flow velocity (high or low), or pathogenesis (direct or indirect). The most commonly adopted classification is that described by Barrow based on arterial supply. Traumatic CCFs are almost always direct shunts between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the cavernous sinus. General features of CCFs, which may be apparent with any lesion, including bruit, headache, loss of vision, altered mental status and neurological deficits. Some fistulae may present primarily with hemorrhage before any evaluation can be performed. However, hemiparesis has been rarely observed. Only a literature review of Murata et al reported a case of hemiparesis caused by posttraumatic CCF, in which the fistula resulted in venous hypertension and subsequent brainstem congestion. While in our case, cerebral infarction was caused by total steal of the blood flow. The patient recovered after occlusion of the fistula with a detachable balloon.
Adult ; Balloon Occlusion ; methods ; Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Cerebral Angiography ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; complications ; diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Paresis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Recovery of Function ; Risk Assessment ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating ; complications

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for isolating and culturing human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) in a serum-free medium and investigate their transdifferentiation ability into islet-like cells.

METHODSThe culture condition of hAECs was optimized using DMEM with different supplements. The genetic stability of the tenth-passage cells was assessed by chromosome analysis and G-banding method. The stem cell characteristics of the cells were identified by examination of the surface markers using immunofluorescence methods. The endocrine-related genes and hormones of the cells were tested after induced differentiation into islet-like cells.

RESULTSThe hAECs allow stable passaging in the presence of 10 ng epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the culture medium. After 10 passages, the cells maintained a normal karyotype and G-banding profile. The hAECs expressed many multi-potent stem cell markers, including SSEA4, TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81. After induced differentiation, the endocrine-related genes were expressed in the islet-like cells, including PDX1, ngn3, insulin and glucagon. Insulin secretion increased in the differentiated islet-like cells in response to high glucose exposure.

CONCLUSIONWe established a method for isolating and expanding the hAECs in a serum-free medium. hAECs possess stem cell characteristics and can be induced to differentiate into islet-like cells in vitro.

Amnion ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; secretion ; Humans ; Insulin ; secretion ; Islets of Langerhans ; cytology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; secretion