Objective: To examine the effect of SiO2 exposure on the airway surface microenvironment and NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in rats. Methods: Twenty-four specific pathogen-free male rats of the SD strain were randomly divided into the control group and the model group, of 12 rats in each group. Rats in the model group were given SiO2 suspensions through disposable tracheal intubation perfusion to model silicosis in rats, while rats in the control group was perfused with the same amount of physiological saline. The pH value and glucose level were measured in the rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) 14 and 28 days after modeling. Lung tissues were stained with HE and Masson and the distribution of inflammatory cells and the deposition of pulmonary interstitial collagens were observed in lung tissues under a light microscope. The expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), collagen type Ⅰ(ColⅠ), collagen type Ⅲ (Col Ⅲ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), NLRP3, N-terminal domain of Gasdermin D (GSDMD-NT), caspase-1, and NEK7 was quantified in lung specimens using immunohistochemistry. Results: Lower pH values were measured in rat BALF in the model group than in the control group 14 [(6.38±0.05) vs. (6.68±0.08), P<0.05] and 28 days after modeling [(6.63±0.14) vs. (6.86±0.05), P<0.05], while higher glucose levels were seen in the model group than in the control group 14 [(0.39±0.06) vs. (0.31±0.04) mg/dL, P<0.05] and 28 days after modeling [(0.39±0.08) vs. (0.31±0.06) mg/dL, P<0.05]. HE and Masson staining showed mild to moderate alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis in rats 14 days post-exposure to SiO2, and showed moderate to severe alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis 28 days post-exposure. Immunohistochemistry detected higher TGF-β1, ColⅠ, Col Ⅲ, IL-1β, NLRP3, GSDMD-NT, caspase-1 and NEK7 expression in rat lung tissues in the model group than in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusions SiO2 exposure may cause changes in rat airway surface microenvironment, including BALF acidification and elevated glucose. Pyroptosis induced by activation of NEK7-associated NLRP3 inflammasome may be an important mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis caused by silicosis.

Objective To evaluate the MRI findings and clinical features of methotrexate-induced acute encephalopathy in children.Methods The clinical data and brain MRI obtained in 13 children with methotrexate-induced acute encephalopathy were retrospectively reviewed.The MRI features were analyzed , including information on the location , the signal intensity and follow-up MRI study was performed.Results Of the 13 patients , 2 patients suffered from seizure.Five patients had dysphasia , of which 4 patients had evidence of hemiparesis , 1 patient had right facial palsy.Five patients had unilateral weakness.And left hemiparesis was observed in 1 patient.DWI revealed well demarcated asymmetrical hyperintensity lesions within the centrum semiovale and/or periventricular white matter in 10 patients, corresponding to areas of hypointensity on ADC maps.One case showed hyperintensity areas in the bilateral supratentorial cortex and subcortical white matter on T 2-weighted images with subtle high-intensity on DWI.In all 10 cases there were resolution of the diffusion abnormality , 8 cases displayed residual FLAIR signal abnormalities involving areas of previously seen diffusion restriction , 5 cases showed decreased range of the lesion , 1 case was progressive, and 2 cases were stable.One case with hyperintensity areas in the supratentorial cortex and subcortical white matter showed small residual hyperintensity on T 2-weighted images and resolution of the diffusion abnormality.Conclusions MTX-induced acute encephalopathy often manifests as stoke-like symptoms.DWI is the imaging modality of choice for the detection of acute MTX neurotoxicity , and asymmetrical restricted diffusion in the deep white matter is the characteristic sign.Cytotoxic edema induced by MTX is transient and reversible .

Objective To investigate surgical opportunity and suitable treatment approach in nodular Hashimoto's disease.Methods An analysis was performed in 388 pathologically confirmed cases with nodular Hashimoto's disease and other thyroid-related diseases.All the cases were involved with surgical treatment due to thyroid nodules from June,1995 to Dec,2005.Results Among the above-mentioned cases,64 cases (16.5%) were Hashimoto's disease with the presence of thyroid cancer,190 (48.9%) nodular thyroid tumor,94 (24.2%) thyroid adenoma,7 (1.8%) hyperthyroidism,the rest (8.5%) simple Hashimoto's disease.Prior to 2000, among 106 cases of Hashimoto's disease there were 15 cases accompanied by thyroid cancer.Since 2001,282 cases of Hashimoto's disease were dealt surgically,49 of which had thyroid cancer.Compared to the period from 1995 to 2000,the complication of Hashimoto's disease and thyroid cancer has been sharply increasing during the recent five years (P

To meet the challenges of the current evaluation system for the residents , the department of internal medicine of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) developed a new on-line system.This new system, not only solved the problems of the current system , but also had several advantages as manpower saving , real-time update , back-to-back evaluation , convenience in comparison .This promising system is a possible solution to simi-lar problems in other institutions .

Objective To discuss the microstructure and properties of vascular puncture with a blunt needle Pix'L filling injection.Methods Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoelectron spectroscopy were employed for the analysis of the different morphology and elements,and a rat model was established to study thrusts of different microcannulas and hypodermic needle when stabing vessels.Ultimately we analyzed the correlation between the morphology and puncture force of different microcannulas.Results The SEM images of microcannulas from different manufacturers were different,and revealed the different technics of different manufacturers.Puncture forces of different microcannulas corresponded to the cross-section and smooth degree of the tips.Conclusions The SEM morphology and puncture force of microcannulas from different manufacturers are different,which indicate the different characters and usability.Plastic surgeons should select to use them more judiciously.

Objective To investigate the imaging features of sarcomatoid carcinoma(SC)of lung on chest radiography and CT and to improve knowledge of SC.Methods The chest plain films,CT images and clinical data of all 7 cases of pathologically proved lung SC were retrospectively analyzed.Results All cases presented with a spheroid solid lung mass ranged from 3 to 11 cm in diameter(average 7 cm).All the lesions were located in middle and lower fields of the lung:3 lesions in right lower lobe,2 in right middle lobe,and the other 2 in left lower lobe.Among the 7 cases:6 cases were of peripheral type and 1 case was of central type.The peripheral-typed lesions of 5 cases had clear margin and 3 of them were lobulated.Three massess were homogenous in density,and the other 4 were inhomogeneous in density with formation of central cavity or calcification.After intravenous contrast administration.Three lesions showed homogeneous enhancement,and the other 4 lesions had inhomogeneous enhancement.The lesions with diameter larger than 6 cm showed marginal or patch-like enhancement.Five cases had pleural or chest walls invasion.Two cases had mediastinal lymph nodes metastases.One case had multiple remote metastasis.Conclusion There are some relatively specific features of lung SC on chest radiography and CT,which may be helpful for diagnosis.

The stems and branches of Hypericum petiolulatum were extracted by alcohol and liquid-liquid extraction. Seven furofuran lignans were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of H. petiolulatum by using silica gelchromatography, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography, medium-pressure liquid chromatography and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by the spectroscopic methods as pinoresinol (1), medioresinol (2), 8-acetoxypinoresinol (3), epipinoresinol (4), (+)-syringaresinol (5), (+)-1-hydroxysyringaresinol (6) and erythro-buddlenolE (7). All the isolates were firstly found in H. petiolulatum. In the bioassay, compound 7 showed remarkable antioxidative activity inhibiting Fe(+2)-cystine induced rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation with inhibitory rate 38% at a concentration of 1 x 10(-6) mol · L(-1) (positive control Vit E with the inhibitory rate of 35% at the same concentration).
Animals ; Antioxidants ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hypericum ; chemistry ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Microsomes, Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Molecular Structure ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of titanium implant on the growth and development of pediatric mandible after suffering from mandibular fracture and undergoing open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) compared with those that underwent titanium plate removal postoperatively.

METHODSFifteen pediatric patients with mandibular fracture who underwent ORIF were included in this study. Eight patients did not undergo titanium implant removal postoperatively, whereas the other seven patients underwent the routine. The postoperative data of the pediatrics were collected for comparative analysis by taking the patients' frontal and lateral photos, recording the inter-incisor distance, and measuring the height of mandibular ramus, length of the mandibular body, and combined length of the mandible in three-dimensional reconstruction image.

RESULTSAll patients had acceptable facial contour, mouth opening, and occlusion, without obvious abnormalities. The radiography showed no significant difference between the bilateral mandibular lengths in the two groups of patients (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe titanium plants have no significant impact on the growth and development of pediatric mandible postoperatively; hence, the question on whether the titanium plates should be removed or not may be neglected. The removal operation may lead to secondary trauma; thus, performing titanium plate removal routinely is not recommended.

Bone Plates ; Dental Implants ; Dental Occlusion ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Mandible ; Mandibular Fractures ; Prostheses and Implants ; Time Factors ; Titanium

BACKGROUND:The design and communication of cosmetic operation is more refined than that of traumatic operation. Thus, more accurate data should be acquired and more precise three-dimensional models should be reconstructed.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the prospect of 3D laser scanner and matched graphics-processing software which acquire and analyze facial morphological data in the modern cosmetic surgery.
METHODS: We obtained the point clouds of the facial surface in two cases of facial soft tissue defects or dissatisfied facial appearance using a hand-held laser scanner to reconstruct a visualized facial model, which was used for measurement of facial profile, simulation of cosmetic operation and evaluation of the therapeutic effects.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:We simulated and designed upon the NURBS model before the operation primarily. Then the three-dimensional comparison was done between the simulate model and the postoperative model. Deviation analysis showed that the ratio of variation degree of the two models within 1 mm was more than 80%. It enables the rapid three-dimensional reconstruction of the facial surface by the combination of reverse engineering and laser scanning, thus providing accurate three-dimensional data for cosmetic design and quantitative evaluation of therapeutic effects in cosmetic surgery.

Purpose To analyze the high-frequency sonographic images of lymph nodes in mesenteric lymphadenitis of different ages. Materials and Methods 139 children with mesenteric lymphadenitis (study group) and 60 normal children (control group) were divided into 1 to 5 years, 6 to 10 years and 11 to 15 years group, the characteristics of high-frequency ultrasound sonographic images were analyzed, accuracy of longitudinal diameter (L), transverse diameter (S), aspect ratio (L/S) and color Doppler blood flow signal classification for the prediction of mesenteric lymph nodes swelling were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results Mesenteric lymph nodes in the control group appeared as spindle shape with sparse blood flow signals, L, and L/S increased with age increasing (F=4.047, 9.586;P<0.05). Mesenteric lymph nodes in the study group displayed as oval or teardrop-shaped with rich blood flow signals, L, S and L/S did not change significantly with age increasing (F=0.184, 1.084, 2.083; P>0.05). Compared with the control group, blood flow signals were more abundant in all age groups of the study group, L and S were also significantly higher (L:t=-13.798,-12.813,-8.089;S:t= -8.212,-13.172,-9.606, P<0.01), only in the 1 to 5 years group statistically significant difference (t=-3.208, P<0.05) was showed between the two groups. From 1 to 5 years, the sensitivity and specificity for the judgment of lymph node swelling were 95.56%and 100.00%, respectively when using L=9.85 mm as a standard;from 6 to 10 years, the sensitivity and specificity for the judgment of lymph node swelling were 95.59%and 100.00%, respectively when using L=10.25 mm as a standard;from 11 to 15 years, the sensitivity and specificity for the judgment of lymph node swelling were 92.31%and 100.00%, respectively when using S=4.40 mm as a standard. Conclusion High-frequency ultrasound is able to display the location distribution and morphological characteristics of the mesenteric lymph nodes in children, and also to accurately measure the diameters and flow signal distribution of the lymph nodes, thus will provide valuable evidence for the diagnosis of pediatric mesenteric lymphadenitis.