Information Systems ; Medical Informatics ; Medical Records Systems, Computerized ; Pathology

Objective To investigate the existence of pulmonary vascular remodeling after left pneumonectomy in rats and the role of hypoxia inducible factor-lα( HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) in pulmonary vascular remodeling.Methods Twenty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups, 12 in each group.The rat models of pulmonary vascular remodeling were created by open-chest left pneumonectomy.After 12 weeks of feeding, the mean pulmonary artery pressure ( mPAP) and partial pressure of arterial oxygen ( PaO2 ) of each rat were measured.The ultrastructure of small arteries in the lung specimens were examined by e-lectron microscopy.Muscularized degree of three kinds of small pulmonary vessels ( muscularized artery MA, partially mus-cularized artery PMA, and non-muscularized artery NMA) were observed by light microscopy, and the percentage of each kind of pulmonary arteries ( MA%, PMA%, NMA%) were calculated.Arterial external diameter, media thickness of ves-sel ( MTV) , total vascular area, media area of vessel ( MAV) , MTV%and MAV%were calculated as indicators of pul-monary vascular remodeling.The expressions of HIF-1αand VEGF in artery were detected by immunohistochemistry.Re-sults The values of mPAP, MA%, PMA%, MTV, MAV, MTV% and MAV% in the experimental group were signifi-cantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01), but the value of PaO2 and NMA%were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01).The IOD value of HIF-1αand VEGF expressed in the pulmonary arterial wall of the experimental group were 26.47 ±4.16 and 42.04 ±3.79, respectively, significantly higher than those in the control group (6.12 ±2.14 and 11.53 ±2.29, P<0.01).Linear correlation analysis showed that the expression of HIF-1αand VEGF was positively correlated with MTV% and MAV%, negatively correlated with PaO2 , and the HIF-1αexpression was posi-tively correlated with VEGF expression.Conclusions A rat model of pulmonary vascular remodeling can be successfully established by left pneumonectomy.Hypoxia is a key factor in the development of pulmonary vascular remodeling, HIF-1αand VEGF may play an important role in its pathogenesis.

Adenoma ; metabolism ; Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Neuroendocrine Cells ; metabolism ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; metabolism ; Secretagogins ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of optimized scan protocol in whole-brain perfusion imaging with 320-MDCT scanner.Methods Twenty healthy volunteers were randomly divided into control group (13 patients) and test group (7 patients).The standard perfusion scan protocol (collecting 19 volumes)was applied in control group.The optimized perfusion CT scan protocol(collecting ll volumes)formulated by reducing scanning phases reasonably and changing the collection intervals was applied in test group.The regions of interest(ROI) with area of(20 ± 2)mm2 were located in the bilateral frontal white matter,parietal white matter,centrum semiovate,basal ganglia,occipital lobe and cerebellum.Bilateral perfusion values from ROI were measured,including cerebral blood volume(CBV),mean transit time (TTP),cerebral blood flow (CBF),mean transit time (MTT) and delay time (DT).Results Dose length product (DLP)and effective dose (ED)in optimized protocol were decreased 42.02％ as compared to control group.Every relative perfusion value of both sides from both groups were not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Every relative perfusion parameters from individual territory in both groups showed no significant differences (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Using the optimized scan protocol,we could obtain the same whole-brain perfusion values could be obtained with the default standard protocol and less radiation dose.

Objective T o evaluate the application value for the prognosis of m echanical ocular injury cases using ocular traum a score (O TS). Methods Four hundred and eleven cases of m echanical ocular traum a w ere retrospectively review ed. O f the 449 eyes, there w ere 317 closed globe injury and 132 open globe injury. O T S variables included num erical values as initial visual acuity, rupture, endophthalm itis, perforat-ing or penetrating injury, retinal detachm ent and relative afferent pupillary block. T he differences be-tw een the distribution of the final visual acuity and the probability of standard final visual acuity w ere com pared to analyze the correlation betw een O T S category and final visual acuity. T he different types of ocular traum a w ere com pared. Results C om pared w ith the distribution of final visual acuity in standard O T S score, the ratio in O T S-3 category w as statistically different in present study, and no differences w ere found in other categories. Final visual acuity show ed a great linear correlation w ith O T S category (r=0.71) and total score (r=0.73). C om pared w ith closed globe injury, open globe injury w as generally associated w ith low er total score and poorer prognosis. R upture injury had poorer prognosis com pared w ith penetrating injury. Conclusion T he use of O T S for the patients w ith ocular traum a can provide re-liable inform ation for the evaluation of prognosis in forensic m edicine.

Objective To evaluate the effects of small dose of antithymocyte globulin(ATG)and zenapax in the induction therapy for kidney transplant recipients.Methods A series of 150 cadaver-donor kidney transplant recipients were randomly divided to 3 groups,ie,small dose of ATG group(total dose,2.1 -3.0 mg/kg;n=72),zenapax group(50mg,on the first and 14th d after operation;n=15)and controls without induction therapy(n=63).Follow-up was 6 months.The rates of acute rejection,delayed graft func- tion(DGF)and pulmonary infection were statistically compared among the 3 groups.Results During a 6-month period,in ATG,zenapax and control groups,acute rejection episodes occurred in 4 cases(5.5%), 1(6.7%)and 10(15.9%),respectively;DGF occurred in 3(4.2%),0 and 8(12.7%),respectively;pul- monary infection occurred in 4(5.1%),1(6.7%)and 3(4.8%),respectively;leucocytopenia occurred in 3(4.2%),1(6.7%)and 5(7.9%),respectively;thrombocytopenia occurred in 2(2.8%),1(6.7%)and 5(7.9%),respectively.Conclusions In the early stage of kidney transplantation,small dose of ATG and zenapax can be the optimal choice for induction therapy.

BACKGROUND: Type Ⅰ collagen is a specific collagen secreted by in vitro cultured osteoblast, and the formed network is the basis of bone mineralization, which also reflects the ability of osteoblast bone formation. Studies have shown astragalus root increased osteoblast proliferation. However, the effect of astragalus root on improving type Ⅰ collagen expression of osteoblast remains poorly understood.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of astragalus root injection on the abilities of rat cranium-derived osteoblast proliferation and type Ⅰ collagen expression.METHODS: Rat osteoblast was cultured in vitro and divided into control group (MEM culture solution containing calf serum) and astragalus root groups (different concentrations). The effect on osteoblast proliferation was evaluated on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 by MTT method. Moreover, the expression of type Ⅰ collagen protein was observed after 6 hours of treatment with astragalus root injection using in cell western-blot method. In addition, the gene expression of COLLal was investigated by real-time PCR method.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: From days 3 to 9, the different concentrations of astragalus root injection improved osteoblast proliferation, respectively compared with control group (P ＜ 0.05), and this ascending trend peaked on day 7. Different concentretions of astragalus root injection improved COLLol mRNA expression, especially 15% astragalus root injection was the most effective. The type Ⅰ collagen protein expression of 15% and 10% astragalus root injection were significantly greater compared with the control group (P ＜ 0.05). Astragalus root injection improved in vitro cultured osteoblast proliferation and type Ⅰ collagen secretion in a certain dose-effect manner.

?AIM: To observe the clinical curative effect of the intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF antibody combined with the implantation of Ex-press glaucoma drainage device for neovascular glaucoma ( NG) .?METHODS:A retrospective analysis of 20 patients with NG, who got the intravitreal injection of anti -VEGF antibody combined with the implantation of Ex-press. The visual acuity, intraocular pressure ( IOP ) , iris neovascularization fade and intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed at 1wk, 1, 3 and 6mo postoperatively.?RESULTS:The average IOPs of 20 patients were 47 ± 5.6mmHg, 13.4 ±3.6mmHg, 15.3 ±4.2mmHg, 16.9 ± 5.3mmHg and 18.7 ±6.9mmHg preoperatively and postoperatively 1wk, 1mo, 3mo and 6mo with statistical difference (P<0.05).The intraoperative and postoperative complications of the implantation of Ex-press mainly included early shallow anterior chamber, drainage tube obstruction, filtering bleb scarring. There were 8 eyes with filtering bleb scarring with normal IOP.?CONCLUSION: The intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF antibody combined with implantation of Ex -press is effective for NG, which can significantly reduce the IOP.

OBJECTIVETo research the application and clinical effect of titanium elastic nails (TEN) for the treatment of closed clavicular fracture in elder children.

METHODSFrom October 2010 to December 2012,16 elderly children with clavicular fracture of elder children were treated with internal fixation, including 9 boys and 7 girls with an average age of 14.2 yeats old ranging from 9 to 17 years. The mean time between injury and surgery was 2 to 6 days. Thirteen patients had a transverse fractures; 3 patients had a oblique fractures, excluding the long-oblique patients. Neer function score after 3 months follow-up and the shoulder activity degree after 3 weeks followed were compared respectively between the injured side and healthy side. Fracture reduction and healing were followed up by X-rays to analyze internal fixation with TEN technique.

RESULTSAll patients were healed well after surgery. There were 2 cases with soft tissue irritation. No cases of infection, TEN broken, delayed healing or skin bursting were observed. All patients were followed up for 3 to 10 months,with an average of 7.2 months. There were no significant differences (t=2.12, P>0.05) between the healthy side (98.75±2.70) and injured side(96.69±6.22)of Neer score at 3 months during followed up. The shoulder activity at 3 weeks during followed up was different between both sides (P<0.05). The intramedullary nail was removed after X-rays at 12-18 weeks during followed up showed good bone healing,and the shoulder function was recovered well.

CONCLUSIONInternal fixation with TEN for the treatment of clavicular fracture has advantages of a limited invasion, beauty, safety and reliability. This technique provides an ideal fixation option for the treatment of clavicular fracture in elder children.

Adolescent ; Bone Nails ; Child ; Clavicle ; injuries ; surgery ; Elasticity ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Titanium

OBJECTIVETo observe the peri-implant osseointegration after the application of exogenous nerve growth factor (NGF)-gelatin sponge (GS) composite.

METHODSSix beagle dogs were used to establish bi-mandible simultaneous implant model after the first and second premolar extraction. Then the dental implants were implanted into the distal socket while the bone defect was made in the mesial socket of each mandible. Then the NGF-GS was implanted into the defects as NGF-GS group, the gelatin sponge alone was implanted as GS control and the control group was left empty. Two dogs were sacrificed each time at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks postoperatively. Specimens were subjected to general observation, radiography, bone histological and histomorphometric analysis for the new bone formation. The data were analyzed with SPSS 11.5 software package.

RESULTSThe bone density in the defects around implants at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively was lower than the normal bone. The bone-implant contact ratio in the NGF-GS group [(57.7 ± 6.4)%] was significantly higher than that in the GS control group and the control group [the ratio were (44.2 ± 3.3)% and (31.2 ± 3.1)%] (P < 0.01) at 4 weeks postoperatively, the bone-implant contact ratio in the GS control group was also significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01) at that time. The bone-implant contact ratio in the NGF-GS group [(94.8 ± 7.7)%] was slightly higher than that in the GS control group and the control group [the ratio were (83.0 ± 4.1)% and (86.4 ± 6.3)%] at 8 weeks postoperatively, but there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05). The bone density in the defects around implants at 12 weeks was almost the same as the normal bone, there was no difference of the bone-implant contact ratio.

CONCLUSIONSNGF-GS application could increase new bone formation, accelerate maturation of trabecular bone around the implants and shorten the period of osseointegration.

Animals ; Dental Implantation, Endosseous ; methods ; Dental Implants ; Dogs ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; therapeutic use