Objective To assess the radiofrequency ablation (RFA) lesions in canine prostate with real-time harmonic gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and investigate the feasibility to predict these lesions.Methods A total of 5 male beagle dogs took RFA of the prostate.Radiofrequency (RF) was delivered under transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guidance.A lesion was created in the right and left lateral lobes of canine prostate,respectively.The examination of conventional gray-scale ultrasonography,power Doppler ultrasonography,real-time harmonic gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasonography were performed immediately after RF procedure.All animals were subsequently sacrificed and the prostates were harvested for pathologic analysis.Thermal lesion volume was calculated based on expected shape of ellipsoid using equation.The volumes of the calculated thermal lesion on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in dogs were compared with the volumes obtained from the pathological specimens.Results The RFA lesions could not be imaged accurately with real-time conventional gray-scale or power Doppler ultrasonography.However,contrast-enhanced low MI perfusion imaging was able to have real-time monitoring for the lesion (no blood flow).The volume of lesions was measured with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography without significant difference with those of pathologic results.Ultrasonic imaging(conventional gray-scale or power Doppler sonography)of the ablation areas also had its own characteristics.Conclusion The real-time harmonic gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasonography appears to be an accurate modality for assessment of RFA lesions.Conventional gray-scale and power Doppler sonography had their own characteristics to evaluate the RFA lesion.

By establishing a series of Dynamic Cervical Implants (DCI) within C5-C6 cervical spinal segments, the biomechanical finite element analysis for DCI with different width and thickness were carried out to investigate the influence of the width and thickness of DCI's curved section on its equivalent stress and range of motion (ROM), so as to provide some theoretical basis for the optimization of DCI's design. The results show that the width of DCI's curved section has more obvious influence on the ROM of lateral bending and torsion, in comparison with the thickness of DCI's curved section. By appropriate reduction in width, the ROMs of lateral bending and torsion increase obviously, i.e. the overall movement function of patients is improved. Furthermore, the increase of equivalent stress could be counteracted by corresponding increase of thickness.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Movement ; Neck ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Design ; Range of Motion, Articular

BACKGROUND: Root canal files fracture is a kind of common oral clinical complications. Therefore, it is of clinical importance to study the cyclic fatigue of different types of stainless steel root canal files.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of the bending angle and cross-sectional area of root canal instruments on cyclic fatigue of stainless steel files.METHODS: Thirty 25# stainless steel K files (25 mm in length) were selected, the same to 30# and 35#. And these three kinds of files were respectively randomized into three groups (n=10 per subgroup). In the nine subgroups, the files were placed into self-made root canals at the bending angle of 45°, 60°, 90°, and driven by a 16:1 reducer (350 r/min).Fracture time in each subgroup was recorded and converted into the number of rotations. The microstructure of the fracture end of the files was observed under scanning electron microscope. Fractured files were collected and the crack tip length was measured by an electronic caliper.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At the same bending angle, the number of rotations resulting in file fracture was significantly reduced with the increasing of the cross-sectional area of the files (P < 0.05). When the type and cross-sectional area were same, the number of rotations resulting in file fracture was significantly reduced with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals (P < 0.05), indicating a reduction in the cyclic fatigue performance of the files. Toughness fracture occurred in all the files, and circular or oval roughness nests with different sizes and microcavities formed on the fracture surface. In addition, brittle surfaces could be detective between the roughness nests. The diameter of roughness nests was gradually increased with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals. For 30# and 35# files, the number of brittle surfaces was gradually increased with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals. For 25# files, the crack tip length was gradually decreased with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). For 30# and 35# files, the crack tip length was significantly shortened with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals (P < 0.05). But there were no significant changes in the 35#-60° and 35#-90° groups (P=0.095). At the same bending angle, there were no regular changes in the crack tip length in the different types of files. In conclusion, with the increasing of the cross-sectional area, the cyclic fatigue performance of the files with the same length and taper is reduced and the files become easy to be fractured; with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals, the files with the same types are apt to be fractured near the root tip, indicating the shorter length of the crack tip indicates the more difficulty in the removal of the broken files.

The standardization of clinical laboratory information is an important part of standardization of medical infor-mation,and the critical means to realize this standardiaztion is to classify and code the clinical laboratory items.Earlier work has been done mainly in the United States,Europe and Japan.However,it develops later in China.Although we have had our standard,there are still some problems to be resolved.In this article,we retrospectively reviewed and compared the main contents,coding methods,standard form and applications,etc.in the above countries and regions,providing some ideas for improving the standardization of clinical laboratory information in China.[

Objective To investigate the role and possible mechanism of P120 catenin involving in the hemodynamic changes by inducing vascular endothelial cells injury through an in vitro experiment. Methods The hemodynamic environment under the different hemodynamic conditions at the vascular bifurcations was simulated through a T-shaped flow chamber system designed by ourselves. The human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC)cultured in vitro were stimulated and used the HUVEC cells of the small interfering RNA (SiRNA)after P120ctn gene fragments being knocked out. After loading flow rate of 250 and 500 ml/ min respectively and acting on for 12 h,the HUVEC morphology,growth pattern,and expression of P120ctn and other proteins were observed. Results (1)Normal HUVEC:500 ml/ min was loaded for 12 h,the cells were fused excessively at the impinging point,the cell gaps became narrowed,the cell density decreased and the morphology was elongated in the high wall shear stress (WSS)and wall
shear stress gradient (WSSG)regions. A part of cells migrated downstreamly,and their arrangement direction was consistent with the direction of impinging flow. Compared with the unloaded impinging flow field,after the 2 kinds of impinging flows being loaded for 12 h,the expression levels of P120ctn,vascular endothelial calcium (VEC),Kaiso,α-catenin,and other proteins were decreased. The expression level of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2)was increased. There were significant differences (all P < 0. 05). (2)HUVEC after P120ctn being knocked out:Under the impact of the impinging flow,the cell growth time was reduced to 60 min. 250 ml/ min being loaded for 60 min,the impinging point and its surrounding cells still maintained the polygon,but some cells in the high WSS and high WSSG regions began to move downstreamly and aggregated,the cell arrangement mode partly arranged along with the direction of the flow;500 ml / min being loaded for 60 min,the cell density in the high WSS and high WSSG regions were decreased significantly and the morphology was elongated. A large number of cells migrated downstreamly and aggregated. The arrangement mode was parallel and consistent with the direction of the impinging flow. Compared with the unloaded impinging flow field,after the 2 kinds of velocities being loaded for 60 min,the expression levels of VEC,Kaiso,α-catenin proteins were decreased. The expression level of MMP-2 was increased,There were significant differences (all P < 0. 05) Conclusions The hemodynamic change may induce the changes in vascular endothelial cell morphology,growth pattern,and expression of P120ctn and other related proteins, leading to the decrease of vascular endothelial cell adhesion connection stability and the expression changes of related proinflammatory factors. The knockout of P120ctn may result in a further decrease of the vascular endothelial cell adhesion connection stability.

Objedtve To summarize the experience of single-stage repair of coarctation of aorta(CoA) or interrupted aortic arch (IAA)and associated intracardiac defects through median stemotomy.Methods From Jan 2007 to Jul 2008,a total of 24 pa-tients with CoA or IAA and associated intracardisc defects were surgically repaired in single-stage through median stermotomy,inchud-ing 9 coanctation of aorta,12 coarctation with aortic arch hypoplasia,and 3 interrupted aorlic arch,.The associated intracardiac de-fects were Taussing-Bing anomaly 4,non-restricted VSD 22,subaortic stenosis 1 and pulmonary vein stenosis 1.The age ranged form 1 to 99 months (average 16 months) and the body weight ranged from 4 to 19 kg(average 9.3 kg).Aortic arch reconstruction was performed by hypothermic continuous low flow bypass using regional perfusion for all patients.Three patients with LAA and 9 patients with CoA underwent end-to-end ansetomosis.Of the 12 patients with coarctation and aortic arch hyipoplasia,8 patiellts underwent ex-tended end-to-end anastomosis,2 patients underwent end-to-side anastomosis and 2 patients underwent aortoplasfy.Results 2 cases were dead. One infant with Taussig-Bing type heart was dead of severe infection after 47 days postoperative,the other one who associ-ated with LAA and VSD dead of pulmonary hypertension crisis due to pneumonia after 15 days postoperative.No patient presented neu-rdogieal complication and renal insufficiency during the perioperation.2 cases presented recurrent respiratory problem.During the 18months follow-up,no patient presented with recoarctation except one with pressure gradient more than 20 mm Hg.Conclusion Pa-tients with coarctation of aorta or interrupted aortic arch and associsted intracardisc defects should be surgically treated as early as pos-sible when diagnosis was mode.Single-stage sortic arch reconstruction through median stemotomy using continuous regional perfusion is an effective and safe procedurd.Sufficient resection of ductus,extensive dissection of thoracic vessels and optimal tissus-tissue anas-tomosis techmique are very important for successful repair and avoiding recoarctation.

Objective To study the role of low-dose glucocorticoids in improving prognosis and adjusting septic shock. Methods A total of 46 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of septic shock were retrospaetivley analyzed. 24 patients without glucocorticoids treatment were taken as control group; 22 patients with glucocorticoids as therapy group (n = 22). The two group received standard treatment for septic shock. Results The percentage of shock reversal on day 7 was higher in therapy group than that in control group (P <0.05). However,there were notstatistical significances in the duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of ICU stay, the incidence of multiple or-gan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and mortality between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Low-dose glucocorticoids can effectively accelerate refractory septic shock reversal and vasopreasor withdrawal. This seems to be related to the reduced production of CRP but the beneficial effects of low-dose steroids regimens on long-term outcome have not yet be determined.

Objective To explore the effect of temozolomide on apoptosis and molecular mechanism in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell H446. Methods The effect of temozolomide on the viability of H446 cell was measured by MTT assay.The effect of temozolomide on cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry.The activation of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway and expression level of downstream target genes (Cyclin B1), cell division cycle 2 (Cdc2), Bax, Bcl-2 and Survivin were detected by western blot.Results Temozolomide (50, 100, 200 μmol/L) could inhibit H446 cell viability, and the inhibitory rate was highest at 48 h.Moreover, temozolomide made H446 cell cycle arrested in G2 phase.Western blott showed the expression of PI3K, Cyclin B1, Cdc2, Bcl-2, Survivin and the phosphorylation of AKT were reduced, but the expression of Bax were increased by temozolomide.Conclusion Temozolomide could induce SCLC cell H446 apoptosis via blocking PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

Objective To investigate the influence of pertussis toxin(PTX)on G protein-coupled estrogen receptor(GPER)-mediated activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)signaling activated by 17 β-estradiol(17β-E2)in endometrial carcinoma cells.Methods Expressions of GPER protein were detected by immunohistochemical SP method in Ishikawa and HEC-1A cells.Changes of levels of GPER,ERα and ERβ protein and the activation of Akt protein were observed by western blot in the two cells after they were treated by PTX for 30 minutes at different concentrations(0,0.1,0.5,1.0 μg/ml),and then co-stimulated with with 1 × 10-6 mol/L 17β-E2 respectively at different time (Ishikawa 30 minutes,HEC-1A 15 minutes).Results(1)Immunohistochemical SP method showed that GPER was positive stained in cell cytoplasm of Ishikawa and HEC-1A cell.(2)After co-treated with PTX at different concentrations(0,O.1,0.5,1.0 μg/ml)and 10-6 mol/L 17β-E2,in Ishikawa cell,the ratio of pAkt/Akt was 0.74 ±0.54,0.34 ±0.06,0.18 ±0.03,0.07 ±0.15,the gray values of GPER was 0.872 ± 0.490,0.395 ± 0.054,0.145 ± 0.014,0.034 ± 0.008,and with increasing concentration of PTX,the ratio of p-Akt/Akt and the expression of GPER decreased gradually(P ＜ 0.05),which was most obviously when the concentration was 1.0 μg/ml(F =63.729,P =0.0001;F =160.284,P =0.0001);ERα and ERβ protein had no significant change among different groups(P ＞0.05).In HEC-1A cell,the ratio of pAkt/Akt was 0.73 ±0.09,0.26 ±0.14,0.11 ±0.03,0,the Gray values of GPER is 0.927 ±0.134,0.485 ± 0.022,0.194 ± 0.004,0,and with increasing concentration of PTX,the ratio of p-Akt/Akt and the expression of GPER decreased gradually(P ＜ 0.05),which were also completely inhibited when the concentration was 1 μg/ml(F =1039.321,P =0.0001;F =109.646,P =0.0001),ERα protein had no significant differences(P ＞ 0.05)among different groups.ERβ was negatively expressed.Conclusion The results proposed that the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling in Ishikawa and HEC-1A cells could be inhibited after blocking the role of GPER by PTX.

Objective To explore the relationship of leptin,leptin receptor and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,and provide a scientific basis for prevention and treatment of esophageal cancer.Methods Samples were collected from 32 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,20 healthy control subjects in Shanxi Tumor Hospital.ELISA and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze leptin and leptin receptor,respectively.The correlation between their expression and clinicopathologieal parameters was also analysized.Results Patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma had significandy(t =4.64,P ＜ 0.001)higher leptin levels [(4.7 ±1.9)ng/ml] compared with normal [(2.54±1.01)ng/ml] oesophagus tissues.The expression rate of leptin receptor in esophageal carcinoma and normal esophagus was 81.25 ％ and 75.00 ％ respectively,not differ significantly.The expression levels of leptin was associated with position,(l)ymphatic metastasis.Conclusion Higher leptin levels seem to represent an additional,independent risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,leptin receptor expression on oesophageal epithelial cells provides a pathway for leptin-mediated signal transduction.