OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (pSTAT4) expression of Silica-induced pulmonary inflammation in Mice.

METHODSSixty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, normal control group, silicious group, suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) group, control oligodeoxynucleotides (Con ODN) group. Except the normal control group injected normal saline, the rest groups were induced by the intratracheal instillation of 0.1 ml (5 g/L) of sterilized silica suspension. Sup ODN group and Con ODN group were treated by i.p. injection of 0.3 ml (1mg/mL) of suppressive or control ODN 3 h before silica administration. After 7 days, the animals were killed and levels of IFN-γ were detected by ELISA. The pathologic changes in lung tissues of mice were observed with HE staining. Expressions of IFN-γ and pSTAT4 in lung tissue were detected with immunohistochemistry and quantified by Image-Pro Plus 7.0.

RESULTSHE staining showed that the lung tissue of silicious group were damaged seriously than Sup ODN group. Compared with the normal control group (serum: (280.1±41.3) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.249±0.373), IFN-γ increased in silicious group (serum: (886.3±81.7) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.270±0.300) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group and Con ODN group [(894.5±91.6) pg/ml], IFN-γ in the serum of Sup ODN group decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group , IFN-γ in lung tissue decreased in Sup ODN group (0.241±0.250) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group (0.279±0.353), pSTAT4 in lung tissue increased significantly in silicious group (0.313±0.231) (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group, pSTAT4 in lung tissue decreased significantly in Sup ODN group (0.269±0.523) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSup ODN attained protective effect on Silica treated mice by suppressing expression of IFN-γ and pSTAT4.

Animals ; Female ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; STAT4 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity

Objective To investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract(GBE) on the proliferation and expression of tumor necrosis factor-a(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1 β in human periodontal ligament cells (PDLC) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Methods Human PDLC were cultured with modified tissue culture method.Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay was used to assess the cell proliferation.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the level of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β in the culture supernatant.One-way ANOVA and LSD-t were used to analyze the data.Results The absorbance in LPS +0.1 g/L GBE group was 0.30 ±0.03,0.33 ±0.02,0.34 ±0.02,0.35 ±0.02 at 12,24,48 and 72 h,respectively,higher than that in LPS group (0.20 ± 0.03,0.20 ± 0.02,0.22 ± 0.04,0.24 ± 0.02) (P ＜ 0.05).IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α in PDLC were lower than that in LPS group (P ＜ 0.05).The absorbance in LPS +0.01 g/L GBE group was 0.27 ±0.05,0.31 ±0.03,0.33 ±0.03,0.32 ±0.01,higher than that in LPS group (P ＜ 0.05).IL-6,IL-lβ and TNF-α in PDLC were lower than LPS group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions GBE has the protective effects on human PDLC via inhibiting LPS.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of in vitro and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence imaging tracking of transplanted bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) dual-labeled with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) and red fluorescence protein (RFP).

METHODSBMSCs were incubated with culture medium containing USPIO for 24 hours. The Prussian-blue staining, transmission electron microscopy and trypan-blue staining were used to study the efficacy and safety of labeling. F344 rat model of acute myocardial infarction was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The dual-labeled BMSCs were injected into the margin of the infraction myocardium. Then MRI and fluorescence imaging were performed to trace the cells both in vitro and in vivo. Postmortal study was carried out to observe the distribution of transplanted cells in myocardium.

RESULTSThe percentage of dual-labeled BMSCs reached 99% after co-incubating with USPIO for 24 hours. USPIO particles were mainly located in lysosomes. As demonstrated by trypan-blue staining, there was no significant deference in viability between labeled and unlabeled groups (P>0.05). All dual-labeled transplanted BMSCs showed a significant decreasing signal on MRI, and the signal intensity changes had no significant difference over 4 weeks (P=0.66). In vitro cell tracing with fluorescence imaging of isolated heart from F344 rats was successful,while in vivo cell tracing with fluorescence imaging failed. Prussian blue staining showed that USPIO distributed near the infarcted myocardium, corresponding with the fluorescence imaging.

CONCLUSIONMRI can be used to trace the dual-labeled BMSCs transplanted into F344 rat hearts in vivo, while fluorescence imaging and pathological fluorescence imaging can trace the transplanted cells in vitro.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dextrans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Myocardial Infarction ; surgery ; Myocardium ; cytology ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child featuring congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP). METHODS: Targeted capture and next generation sequencing (NGS) was carried out for the proband. Suspected pathogenic variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing of the proband and his parents. RESULTS: The proband was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of SCN9A gene, namely c.1598delA (p.N533Ifs*31) and c.295_296delCGinsAT (p.R99I), which were respectively inherited from his father and mother. Both variants were predicted to be pathogenic, and neither was reported previously. CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants of the SCN9A gene probably underlay the CIP in this child. Above finding has enabled genetic counseling for this family.
Channelopathies ; Child ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Mutation ; NAV1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel/genetics* ; Pain Insensitivity, Congenital/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo explore the scan technique and image quality of coronary angiography with dual source computed tomography (CT) without oral metoprolol preparation.

METHODSPlain and enhanced dual source CT coronary angiography without oral metoprolol preparation was prospectively performed in 600 patients. Calcium scoring with plain scan images as well as multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), and volume rendering technique (VRT) reconstruction with enhanced scan images were performed in all cases. The scan technique and post-reconstruction experience was summarized. The image quality was classified as 1 to 4 points, and coronary segments classified according to the American Heart Association standards were evaluated.

RESULTSThe average calcium score of the 600 cases was 213.6 +/- 298.7 (0-3,216.5). The average heart rate of the enhanced scan was 82.1 +/- 16.2 (47-139) bpm. The post-reconstruction methods with which coronary segments could be shown as best as possible consisted of single phase reconstruction method, two or more phases supplemented method, and electrocardiogram editing method. Altogether 8,457 coronary segments were evaluated, among which 97.2% were evaluated as point 1, 1.7% point 2, 0.5% point 3, and 0.6% point 4. The coronary segments in 261 cases were completely normal, while 360 segments were diagnosed with < 50% stenosis and 625 segments with > or = 50% stenosis.

CONCLUSIONSExcellent coronary artery image can be obtained with dual source CT in patients with any heart rate without oral metoprolol preparation. Heart rate is not a major source of the artifact, coronary segments can be well shown with single or multiple-phase reconstruction method.

Adult ; Coronary Angiography ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the imaging and related clinical characteristics of magnetic resonance (MR) delayed enhancement in patients with ischemic or nonischemic heart disease.

METHODSThirty-two cases who underwent MR myocardial cine and delayed enhancement imaging from January 2004 to October 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. The cine sequence imaging included the four-chamber view and the left ventricular short axis view. The delayed enhancement imaging was taken 10 minutes after the infusion of gadolinium from the antecubital vein with a segmented inversion-recovery-prepared T1-weighted fast gradient echo sequence. Patients underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) two weeks before or after the MR imaging examination. Combined with clinical history, the clinical and MR imaging characteristics of the patients who had delayed enhancement were analyzed.

RESULTSMR delayed enhancement could be found in 16 cases. Among them, 12 cases had ischemic heart disease. Their coronary CTA showed one to three vessel diseases. The delayed enhancement was transmural or subendocardium, and the area of delayed enhancement corresponded well with one or more coronary arteries which had severe stenosis or occlusion. Four cases had nonischemic heart diseases. One case was dilated cardiomyopathy, with diffuse small midwall spots in delayed enhancemen and only 30% stenosis of the anterior descending coronary artery in coronary CTA. One case was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, with delayed enhancement of strip- and patch-shaped at midwall of the hypertrophic myocardium. One case was restrictive cardiomyopathy, and the delayed enhancement was located in the area of subendocardium of both the right and left ventricles. Coronary CTA of these two cases were normal. The other case was a mass of the lateral wall of the left ventricle, and the delayed enhancement with a clumpy shape was located in the lateral wall of the left ventricle.

CONCLUSIONSMR myocardial delayed enhancement is not a specific sign of myocardial infarction of ischemic heart disease. Nonischemic heart diseases including all kinds of primary cardiomyopathy and some other diseases affecting myocardium can also cause delayed enhancement, but their characteristics are different. The differentiation of the etiology of the nonischemic heart disease with delayed enhancement relies upon the intimate connection with clinical history and the cine sequence MR images.

Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Coronary Angiography ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo compare the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) imaging between 16-slice spiral CT and 64-slice spiral CT.

METHODSTotally 27 patients with CABG received multi-slice spiral CT imaging and the results were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 8 patients received 16-slice spiral CT scanning, 19 patients received 64-slice spiral CT scanning.

RESULTSThe evaluability rates of 64-slice spiral CT in evaluating the proximal anastomosis, bypass graft, distal anastomosis, and distal blood vessel were 100%, 100%, 90.2%, and 93.9%, respectively, while those of 16-slice spiral CT were 92.3%, 95.2%, 90.0%, and 90.0%, respectively. The patency rates of the above four aspects of 64-slice spiral CT were 66.7%, 70.0%, 71.7%, and 70.0%, respectively, while those of 16-slice spiral CT were 83.3%, 85.0%, 83.3%, and 88.9% .

CONCLUSIONS64-slice spiral CT is superior to 16-slice spiral CT in CABG imaging. It can be used as a non-invasive tool for the post-operative follow-up of CABG.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Graft Occlusion, Vascular ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

Objective To explore the scan technique and image quality of coronary artery imaging with dual-source CT without oral Betaloc preparation.Methods Plain and enhanced dual-source CT coronary artery imaging without oral Betaloc preparation was performed in 215 patients with clinically suspected coronary heart disease or early-stage coronary lesions.Calcium scoring with plain scan images and multi-planar reconstruction(MPR),maximum intensity projection(MIP)and volume rendering technique (VRT)reconstruction with enhanced scan images were made in all cases.The scan technique and post reconstruction experience was summarized.The image quality was classified as three grades,and coronary segments classified according to AHA standards were evaluated.Results The median of calcium score of the 215 cases was 82.2(2.3—1827.9).The average heart rate of the enhanced scan was(80.6?15.3) (57—139)bpm.The post reconstruction methods with which coronary segments could be shown as best as possible consisted of(1)multiphases screening methods,(2)bi-phase or multiple-phase complement method,and(3)premature beat removing or arrhythmia shifting method.Altogether 3026 coronary segments were evaluated,among them 97.5% were evaluated as grade 1 image quality,2.0% were evaluated as grade 2 and 0.5% were evaluated as grade 3.The coronary segments in 91 cases were completely normal, while 112 segments with

Hip fracture is considered as the most severe osteoporotic fracture characterized by high disability and mortality in the elderly. Improved surgical techniques and multidisciplinary team play an active role in alleviating prognosis, which places higher demands on perioperative nursing. Dysfunction, complications, and secondary impact of anaesthesia and surgery add more difficulties to clinical nursing. Besides, there still lack clinical practices in perioperative nursing for elderly patients with hip fracture in China. In this context, led by the Orthopedic Nursing Committee of Chinese Nursing Association, the Expert consensus on clinical practice in perioperative nursing for elderly patients with hip fracture ( version 2023) is developed based on the evidence-based medicine. This consensus provides 11 recommendations on elderly patients with hip fracture from aspects of perioperative health education, condition monitoring and inspection, complication risk assessment and prevention, and rehabilitation, in order to provide guiding advices for clinical practice, improve the quality of nursing and ameliorate the prognosis of elderly patients with hip fracture.

Objective: To examine the application effect of the modified wire-loop snare technique in retrieving severely tilted inferior vena cava filters (IVCF). Methods: The clinical data of 18 patients (12 males and 6 females, aged (62.1±13.1) years (range: 29 to 78 years)) who underwent the modified wire-loop snare technique to retrieve IVCF at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao Eighth People's Hospital, and Jimo District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2017 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The applied filters included drum-type filters (OptEase in 7 cases, Aegisy in 2 cases) and conical filters (Celect in 6 cases and Denali in 3 cases). Preoperative CT angiography and intraoperative digital subtraction angiography showed that the filter was severely tilted and the hook was covered by hyperplastic intima of the vena cave vein. A modified wire-loop snare technique was used to retrieve drum-type filters and conical filters via femoral and jugular vein approaches, respectively. After successful puncture, the long sheath was placed, the 4 F (1 F≈0.33 mm) vertebral catheter and a snare were inserted through the long sheath, and the 5 F pigtail catheter was inserted simultaneously to guide a 0.035 inch soft guide-wire (260 cm in length) to pass through the top of the filter and turning back. The tip of the soft guide-wire was snared by the vertebral catheter and pulled out of the sheath. The 4 F vertebral catheter was inserted following the tip of the guide-wire to form a wire-loop using the vertebral catheter and the pigtail catheter. After fixing the tip and tail of the soft guide-wire in vitro, the long sheath was pushed forward to cut the hyperplastic intima and the hook was pulled away from the vena cava wall to retrieve the filter under the support of two catheters. Results: The filters were successfully retrieved in 17 cases, the operation time was (25.5±8.7) minutes (range: 15 to 45 minutes), no complication occured. The hook of one filter (Celect) penetrated out of the vena vava wall and the wire-loop could not pull the hook back into the vena cava. Then the filter was removed by laparotomy. Conclusion: The modified wire-loop snare technique could retrieve the severely tilted retrivable drum-type filters and conical filters, even when serve adhesion exists between the filter and the vena cava wall.
Humans ; Vena Cava Filters ; Retrospective Studies