ObjectiveTo explore the renal functions of vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro(BB) rats by using different concentrated Gadolinium-diethylenetetramine pentaacetic acid(Gd-DTPA) dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).MethodsThe study included 14 BB rats(male rats of 3 month-old) and 14 normal male Wistar rats used as control group.Dynamic MRI was performed by using either a low dosage(0.05 mmol/kg) or a high dosage of Gd-DTPA(0.5 mmol/kg).Data of 0-60 min renal cortex,medulla and pelvic were obtained after using contrast medium.MRI of kidneys at different time was analyzed and the mean relative signal intensity(RSI) was measured.Then the RSI curves of different groups were marked.Data of each group were caculated separately by SPSS 11.0 software.ResultsThe findings demonstrated that RSI curves of the vasopressin-deficient kidneys showed different patterns as compared with those of the control group(P

OBJECTIVETo present a method of quantitative diagnosis of craniofacial skeleton deformities based on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT).

METHODS20 cases with facial asymmetric deformities underwent 3D CT and the 3D images were reconstructed by Mimics 10.0 (Belgium). Anatomical landmarks were located and the coordinate of the landmarks obtained. Axial images of 1 patient with Romberg disease was used as representative case. The differences in the distance between the right landmarks and the left were calculated and analyzed.

RESULTSThe measurement results were not significantly different between two stages with an interval of 4 weeks ( P > 0.05), showing a reproducible resutls. The deviation of landmarks at facial midline increased gradually from upward to downward, reaching (2.63 +/- 0.54) mm at menton point. Paired landmarks showed asymmetry in three dimensions, especially gonion point on the left side, which was deviated 10.21 mm inward, 9.26 mm forward, 6.30 mm upward, compared to the opposite side.

CONCLUSIONSThe method of 3D CT quantitative analysis can provide precise information in the diagnosis and treatment planning of facial asymmetry deformity.

Anatomic Landmarks ; diagnostic imaging ; Cephalometry ; Craniofacial Abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Facial Asymmetry ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of the surveillance system and preventive measurements on the control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in a university in Guangdong Province.

METHODSA university with more than thirty thousand undergraduates, staff and their relatives was retrospectively studied, from which information regarding the status of epidemic, organization of leadership, disease control strategies and measures were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSThe construction of the surveillance system in such a model as "individual-dormitory/home-class/unite-faculty and institute-university" largely contributed to the achievement of the goals of low incidence, no secondary, no epidemic, and no death. A series of control measures benefited the early diagnosis, effective isolation, prevention, and treatment of SARS control.

CONCLUSIONSARS could be effectively controlled in university only if strict surveillance system is built up, and all-round preventions, including early isolation of both confirmed or suspected cases and close contacted persons, are carried out.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Communicable Disease Control ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Population Surveillance ; methods ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Universities

OBJECTIVETo observe the differentiation and distribution of epidermal stem cell (ESC) after skin soft tissue expansion, and to initially probe into the growth mechanism of expanded skin tissue.

METHODSSamples of normal skin and expanded skin (mean effusion period 45 days) were harvested from head and cervical region in 15 patients who underwent II stage surgery after skin expansion. Samples were divided into scalp adjacent to the center of expander group (expanded scalp, 3 cm from the vertical axis of the expander), scalp from lateral part of the expander group (expanded scalp, 5 - 7 cm lateral to the vertical axis of the expander), cervical skin expansion group, un-expanded scalp control group, and un-expanded cervical skin control group, according to the position of skin harvested. The tissue structure of skin in each group was observed with HE staining, and the differentiation and distribution characteristics of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) positive cells were observed with immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSCompared with those in the un-expanded control groups, uneven, relatively thickened and obviously folded epidermis with more cell layers and cells with obvious aggregation close to the basal layer were observed in the expanded groups, but those cells were not well-arranged and the transition of polarity was not obvious. The continuity of CK19 positive cells in the basal layer of skin was observed in each of the expanded group with immunohistochemical staining, and positive cells increased obviously and arranged in multilayer in certain parts of basal layer. Clustered or dispersed CK19 positive cells were also observed outside the basal layer. No above-mentioned phenomenon was observed in the un-expanded control group.

CONCLUSIONSThe proliferation and differentiation of ESC with ectopic distribution may enhance the repair process after skin soft tissue expansion.

Cell Proliferation ; Dermis ; cytology ; Epidermis ; cytology ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Tissue Expansion ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUNDKnowledge about factors influencing the prognosis of resective epilepsy surgery can be used to identify which patients are most suitable for surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to identify preoperative prognostic factors associated with the chance of achieving long-term seizure freedom.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed seizure outcomes and clinical, electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histopathology, and surgical variables from 99 epilepsy surgery patients with at least one year of postoperative follow-up. Seizure outcomes were categorized based on the modified classification by the International League Against Epilepsy.

RESULTSWe found that the seizure-free rate was 27.9% after one year, and that it stabilized at about 20.0% between two and six years after surgery. Univariate analysis showed that medial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis, MRI with visible focal lesions concordant with EEG, and regional ictal EEG and electrocorticography patterns were associated with a favorable surgical outcome. On the other hand, seizure recurrence within six months, incomplete focus resection, and surgical complications were associated with a poor outcome. Multivariate analysis showed that medial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis and MRI with visible focal lesions were independent presurgical predictors of a favorable outcome (P < 0.01). Seizure recurrence within six months was the only significant independent predictor associated with a poor outcome (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHippocampal sclerosis and abnormal MRI findings are strongly associated with a favorable surgical outcome, whereas seizure recurrence within six months is associated with a poor outcome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Epilepsy ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) and medicine on acute lumbar sprain.

METHODSThree hundred cases of acute lumbar sprain were randomly divided into two groups, a electroacupuncture (EA) group and a medication group, 150 cases in each group. The EA group were treated with EA at Houxi (SI 3), once each day, 3 sessions constituting one course, and the medication group with Mobike, once daily, 7. 5 mg each time. Their therapeutic effects were evaluated after treatment for 7 days and one month respectively.

RESULTSFor the short-term therapeutic effect, the effective rate was 97. 3% in the EA group and 89. 2% in the medication group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P<0. 01); for the long-term therapeutic effect, the effective rate was 99. 3% in the EA group and 93. 2% in the medication group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONBoth the short-term and the long-term therapeutic effects of EA at Houxi (SI 3) on acute lumbar sprain are better than those in the medication group.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; injuries ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Sprains and Strains ; therapy

The co-occurrence of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) and ventricular septal defects is rare. Here we present a case of BRBNS in a 15-year-old boy who was born with multiple cavernous hemangiomas and a ventricular septal defect. Examinations revealed the presence of hemangioma lesions in the subcutaneous and mucosal tissues as well as in the cerebrum, nasopharynx, tongue, esophagus, gastric body, sigmoid colon and adrenal gland. Combined imaging modalities played an important role in the diagnosis of hemangioma lesions.

OBJECTIVETo observe the distribution of epidermal stem cell (ESC) after soft tissue expansion, and to explore dynamic change in ESC under mechanical stress and kinetic mechanism of skin expansion.

METHODSSkin samples were collected from patients after expansion of the scalp. They were divided into three groups: A group (scalp harvested 3 cm away from the center of dilator), B group (scalp tissues at the edge of dilator), and control group (scalp without dilatation). The tissue structures were observed with optical microscope with HE staining. The distribution and differentiation characteristics of cell keratin 19 (CK19) positive cells were observed with inverted phase contrast microscope after immunohistochemistry staining.

RESULTSHE staining showed that the epidermis was thickened and distributed densely with uneven, rugged and increased layers in A, B groups. With immunohistochemistry staining, CK19 positive cells appeared in multilayers in basal membrane, a few of them were in cluster or dispersed , with" hollowing" structure formation. These phenomena were not seen in control group.

CONCLUSIONESC can proliferate with abnormal distribution and "hollowing" structure formation after mechanical dilatation, which may be related to dynamic changes in basal layer cells.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cell Proliferation ; Cellular Structures ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Male ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Stress, Mechanical ; Tissue Expansion ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe clinical outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is poorer in women than that in men. This study aimed at comparing the impact of gender difference on the strategy of primary PCI in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODSTwo hundred and fifty-nine patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI within 12 hours of symptom onset were enrolled. The male group consisted of 143 men aged > 55 years, and a female group included 116 women without age limitation. Procedural success was defined as residual stenosis < 20% with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade > 2 and without death, emergency bypass surgery or disabling cerebral events during the hospitalization. The rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization during follow-up, was recorded.

RESULTSFemale patients were more hypertensive and diabetic and with fewer cigarette smokers than male counterparts. The prevalence of angiographic 3-vessel disease was higher in the female group, but the procedural success rate was comparable between the two groups (94.4% vs 92.2%). The occurrence rate of MACE did not differ during the hospitalization (4.2% vs 6.0%, P = 0.50), but was significantly higher in the female group during follow-up (mean (16.0 +/- 11.2) months) than that in the male group (5.4% vs 0.7%, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONDespite a similar success rate of primary PCI and in-hospital outcomes in both genders, female patients with acute STEMI still have a worse prognosis during the long-term follow-up.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Sex Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical significance of 320-slice CT hepatic artery images in patients with liver transplantation.

METHODSA total of 58 patients underwent CT scanning by 320-slice scanner after liver transplantation. They were divided into 2 groups according to the concentration of contrast media as follows: Group A (27 cases, 350 mgI/ml iopromide), Group B (31 cases, 370 mgI/ml iopromide). Contrast medium was infused at 6 ml/s, with a total dose of 50 ml. Images were generated by dynamic volume scanning and were processed by 4D digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging software. The time-density curve (TDC) of the hepatic artery was delineated. The time to peak, peak contrast enhancement were recorded. The physiological parameters such as body weight and height were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) There were no differences in clinical parameters such as age, sex, height, weight, or BMI between groups. The time to peak of hepatic artery of group A and B was (19.71+/-3.11) s and (20.06+/-3.67) s, and had no significant difference. The maximum peak enhancement of hepatic artery in groups B was higher than that group A (P < 0.05). (2) 4D DSA revealed hepatic artery pseudo-aneurysm (n = 2), and hepatic artery mild stenosis (n = 13), moderate stenosis (n = 5), severe stenosis (n = 9) and occlusion (n = 1), segmental moderate and severe stenosis (n = 4), and compensatory circulation with hepatic artery severe stenosis and occlusion (n = 6). hepatoportal arteriovenous fistulas (HPAVF, n = 12), donor-recipient hepatic artery mismatch (n = 3). Hepatic arterial branch are decreased and opened in 15 cases and 8 cases.

CONCLUSION320-slice CT hepatic artery images is safe, noninvasive, and accurate technique to evaluate hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult