ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of rehabilitation associated with local intramuscular injection of botulinum toxic A (BTX-A) on spastic cerebral palsy (CP).Methods60 children with spastic CP were divided into experimental group and control group with 30 cases in each group. Cases of experimental group were treated with rehabilitation associated with local intramuscular injection of BTX-A. Cases of control group were treated only with rehabilitation treatment. The therapeutic efficacies of two groups were evaluated with physician rating scale (PRS) and activities of daily living (ADL) evaluation systems.ResultsImprovement of clinical evaluations index-PRS and ADL in experimental group was much more significant than that of control group (P<0.05). ConclusionRehabilitation associated with local intramuscular injection of BTX-A can improve the efficacy of spastic CP.

OBJECTIVE: To explore an approach to distinguish avulsion fracture of articular portion from anatomic separated epiphysis. METHODS: 21 cases with suspicioned avulsion fracture of articular portion of tubular bone were reviewed. The cortical continuity of separate small bone and contiguous bone portion was investigated. The swell of soft tissue around these small bones was observed simultaneously. Then the configuration of the fracture was researched by injury mechanics. RESULTS: Continued bone cortex between separate small bone and corresponding bone was seen in 15 cases, so they were considered as a separate epiphysis. Sharp linear fracture between the separate small bone and corresponding bone were seen in 6 cases. The swell of soft tissue around the separate small bone was observed in all cases, so they were considered as a avulsion fracture. CONCLUSION The meticulous investigation of separated small bone at the articular portion by image observation is of important value for distinguishing avulsion fracture from anatomic separate epiphysis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Injuries/diagnostic imaging* ; Epiphyses/diagnostic imaging* ; Epiphyses, Slipped/diagnostic imaging* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Fractures, Bone/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

This article was aimed to study the quality control of pineapple leaf in order to further develop the appli-cations of pineapple leave as medicinal resources. The tissue structure of pineapple leaf was observed by tissue biop-sy assay. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was employed on the qualitative identification of ananasate in the leave. The p-coumaric acid and ananasate were detected with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay in the content determination. The results showed that pineapple leaf can be divided into the upper and lower leaf epidermis with stoma under microscope observation. Ananasate of the leave can be indentified clearly by TLC. HPLC method can accurately detect the content of p-coumaric acid and ananasate of pineapple leave. There are different contents of p-coumaric acid and ananasate of pineapple leave in different origins. In Y unnan province, the contents of p-coumaric acid and ananasate of pineapple leave are the highest; while the contents of p-coumaric acid and ananasate in Guangxi province are the lowest. It was concluded that ananasate can be used in the quality identification. The p-coumaric acid and ananasate can be used in the quantitative determination in the better control of the quality of pineapple leaf.

Objective To determine the effects of histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid(SAHA) on the cell proliferation and apoptosis of the human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2.The possible underlying mechanisms were also investigated.Methods The LX-2 cells were treated with SAHA in vitro.The morphology of LX-2 cells in different concentrations groups was observed by inverted microscope;the proliferation of LX-2 cells was measured by MTT assay;the Annexin V-FITC and PI staining was used to detect the apoptosis of LX-2 cells by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscope;the expression of α-SMA,collagen Ⅰ,acH3K9,acH3K14 and acH3K18 were detected by Western blot.Results The morphology change of LX-2 cells showed that SAHA inhibited the proliferation rate of LX-2 cells and in a dose dependent manner(P<0.05).The LX-2 cells were sensitive to SAHA along with time increasing,and in a time-dependent manner(P<0.05).Western blot showed that the expression levels of α-SMA and collagen-Ⅰ were significantly lower(P<0.05),on the contrary,the acetylation levels of acH3K9,acH3K14 and acH3K18 were significantly higher (P<0.05).Conclusions The increased acetylation of the histone acH3K9,acH3K14,acH3K18 and the lower expressed α-SMA and collagen-Ⅰ in LX-2 cells may be one of the mechanisms of SAHA.

OBJECTIVE: To explore an approach of CT rendering and mechanical analysis for rib fracture that was inextricable on X-ray film in legal medical practice. METHODS: 17 cases with rib fracture undetermined on X-ray chest film in legal medical practice underwent CT scans. The thin slices (0.75 mm or lmm) of images were reconstructed with smooth and sharp kernel. The multiplanar reformatted images along rib and surface shaded display were obtained to investigate rib fracture. RESULTS: All rib fractures were accurately displayed by CT scan and MPR images along rib. The torque that caused rib fracture was divided presumably into vertical and rotary types. The two kinds of rib fracture, composed of vertical and rotary type, were proposed. CONCLUSION CT scan with thin slice and MPR images can definitely reveal the rib fracture unresolved on X-ray film in legal medical practice. The proposition of two kinds of torque will be help avoid misunderstanding acute rotary type of rib fracture as old healed one.
Adult ; Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bony Callus/diagnostic imaging* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rib Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Ribs/diagnostic imaging* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; X-Ray Film

AIM:To study the effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) on the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and expression of associated proteins, and to investigate the mechanisms of SAHA to induce apoptosis.METHODS:The rat HSCs were isolated by OptiPrep gradient centrifugation method.The effect of SAHA on HSC proliferation was detected by real-time cell analyzer.The morphological changes of HSCs treated with SAHA at different concentrations were observed under inverted microscope.The apoptotic rates of HSCs were analyzed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and fluorescence microscopy.The protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) was detected by Western blotting.The interaction of GRP78 with HDAC6 in the HSCs was determined by co-immunoprecipitation.RESULTS:HSCs were successfully isolated and cultured for 14 d, during which the HSCs changed gradually from rest state to active state.SAHA significantly inhibited the proliferation of HSCs in a time-and dose-dependent manner (P<0.05).The results of Western blotting showed that the protein expression levels of α-SMA, TIMP1, collagen-I and HDAC6 were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while GRP78 was significantly increased (P<0.05).Compared with activated HSCs, GRP78 and total acetyl-lysine protein were significantly increased in the co-immunoprecipitated HSCs treated with SAHA, while HDAC6 protein was significantly decreased, indicting that GRP78 formed a complex with HDAC6.CONCLUSION:The anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of SAHA may be related to down-regulation of HDAC6 and up-regulation of acetylated GRP78, thus inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress of HSCs and promoting the apoptosis of HSCs.

The intubation of conventional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probes into patients causes serious esophagus irritation,and thus the use of TEE probes in pediatric practice is limited.In this study,we aimed at the development of a special probe which could be inserted through the nasopharyngeal cavity into the esophagus to obtain the same high-quality echocardiography images as those obtained by conventional TEE and improve patients' experience.During the examination,the patients felt relaxed for a longer time and cooperated with the sonographers in the process of cardiac catheterization conducted in the surgery room or the intensive care unit (ICU),resulting in improved accuracy of the diagnosis and timely administration of appropriate treatment.Two years ago,Prof.Xin-fang WANG put theories into practice by inserting the probe through the nasal cavity and pharynx into the esophagus of volunteers to successfully detect the heart and great vessels at the retrocardiac space.Later,Prof.Ming-xing XIE performed the transnasal TEE examination in 12 atrial septal defect (ASD) patients and proved the safety and reliability of this method,which could become a new way for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To show imaging findings of inferior orbital fissure (IOF) and groove (IOG) on axial CT scans and to discover their anatomic variations, so as to avoid misdiagnosing them as orbital fracture. METHODS: 25 normal skull were used to investigate the configurations of IOF and IOG. Five skulls were performed axial CT scans. 20 normal orbital axial scans were studied as well. MPR and RT-3D reconstructions were used in this study. RESULTS: Skulls scans and normal orbital images on axial CT showed three sorts of findings: (1) single bony dehiscence between lateral and inferior walls; (2) first type of double bony dehiscence between lateral and inferior walls, among the dehiscence interposing a small bone. The long axis of the small bone was parallel to orbital wall; (3) second type of double bony dehiscence between lateral and inferior walls, but the long axis of the small bone was in anteroposterior direction. Anatomy and variation of three sorts of CT findings were corresponded respectively to: (1) a baseball club-shaped IOF; (2) a "V"-shaped IOF, that is composed of both of lateral and internal ramus, lateral ramus situates between the zygoma and the lateral portion of greater wing of sphenoid, and internal ramus between the maxilla and the internal portion of greater wing of sphenoid, both rami intercross caudally and open upwards in a "V"-shaped configuration; (3) a deep IOG with a protuberant lateral wall. CONCLUSION Familiarity of imaging features on the axial CT scans and understanding of their anatomy of IOF and IOG would be helpful for avoiding misdiagnosis of orbital fracture.
Cadaver ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Orbit/diagnostic imaging* ; Orbital Fractures/pathology* ; Skull/diagnostic imaging* ; Sphenoid Bone/diagnostic imaging* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods*

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of measurement of myocardial perfusion defects with intravenous contrast-enhanced real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (CE-RT3DE).

METHODSRT3DE was performed in 21 open-chest mongrel dogs undergoing acute ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD, n = 14) or distal branch of the left circumflex artery (LCX, n = 7). A perfluorocarbon microbubble contrast agent was injected intravenously to assess the resulting myocardial perfusion defects with Philips Sonos-7500 ultrasound system. Evans blue dye was injected into the occluded coronary artery for subsequent anatomic identification of underperfused myocardium. In vitro anatomic measurement of myocardial mass after removal of the animal's heart was regarded as the control. Blinded off-line calculation of left ventricular mass and perfusion defect mass from RT3DE images were performed using an interactive aided-manual tracing technique.

RESULTSTotal left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass ranged from 38.9 to 78.5 (mean +/- SD: 60.0 +/- 10.1) g. The mass of perfusion defect ranged from 0 to 21.4 (mean +/- SD: 12.0 +/- 5.0) g or 0 to 27% of total LV mass (mean +/- SD: 19% +/- 6%). The RT3DE estimation of total LV mass (mean +/- SD: 59.8 +/- 9.9 g) strongly correlated with the anatomic measurement (r = 0.98; y = 2.01 + 0.96x). The CE-RT3DE calculation of the mass of underperfused myocardium (mean +/- SD: 12. 3 +/- 5.3 g) also strongly correlated with the anatomic measurement (r = 0. 96; y = - 0.10 + 1.04x) and when expressed as percentage of total LV mass (r = 0.95; y = -0.20 + 1.04x).

CONCLUSIONSRT3DE with myocardial contrast opacification could accurately estimate underperfused myocardial mass in dogs of acute coronary occlusion and would play an important role in quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion defects in patients with coronary artery disease.

Animals ; Coronary Vessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Dogs ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Evans Blue ; Feasibility Studies ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in cell cycle induced by cisplatin (DDP) and the effect of antisense oligonucleotide (AsODN) targeting Chk1/2 on DDP-induced apoptosis in lung cancer cell line A549 cells.

METHODSThe characteristics of cell cycle and apoptosis induced by DDP were detected by flow cytometry using SubG1 method. Chk1/2 mRNA and protein expression were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blot under best condition of transfection of AsODN targeting Chk1/2 by lipofection. Apoptosis of A549 cells induced by DDP was determined by flow cytometry using AnnexinV-FITC staining after transfection of Chk1/2 AsODN.

RESULTSAsynchronized A549 cells were treated with 10 micromol/L DDP, and significant S-phase arrest was observed at 12 h later. Transfection with antisense oligonucleotide targeting Chk1/2 inhibited the Chk1/2 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Either Chk1 or Chk2-specific AsODN consistently enhanced DNA damage-induced apoptosis by 100% - 200%, compared with that in the sODN control (P < 0.05), but combined use of Chk1- and Chk2-specific AsODN did not show synergistic effects as compared with that induced by treatment with Chk1- or Chk2-specific AsODN alone (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChk1 and Chk2 may be regarded as effective targets of chemotherapy for lung cancer. Silencing the key effector Chk1 and Chk2 genes may significantly increase the chemosensitivity of lung cancer cells.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Checkpoint Kinase 1 ; Checkpoint Kinase 2 ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transfection