Objective To observe the effect of exposure of emphysema with intermittent hypoxia on oxidative stress injury of myocardial cells in rats. Methods Sixty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four experimental groups(each n=15). The normal control group was bred normally. The emphysema group was exposed to cigarette smoke twice a day(once 30 minutes). The intermittent hypoxia(IH)group was exposed to intermittent hypoxia circumstance 8 hours/day,and the emphysema with IH group was exposed to cigarette smoke twice a day (once 30 minutes)and intermittent hypoxia circumstance 8 hours/day. Each group was exposed for 8 weeks. At the beginning of 9 weeks,the blood gas analysis was performed in 5 rats selected randomly from each group,and the rest rats were sacrificed and their hearts and lungs were taken. Under light microscope,the lung tissues stained with hematoxylin-eosin(HE)were examined. The lung pathology and the results of blood gas analysis showed that the emphysema with IH rat model was established successfully. The levels of malonaldehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in rat myocardium were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and the subunit p22phox mRNA expressions of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)-oxidase were detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results Compared with the normal group, the MDA levels and p22phox mRNA expressions were increased obviously in emphysema group, IH group and emphysema with IH group〔MDA(μmol/g):2.93±0.54, 3.58±0.63, 4.51±0.72 vs. 1.75±0.56, p22phox mRNA:0.043±0.004,0.067±0.015,0.123±0.016 vs. 0.018±0.002,all P<0.05〕,but the activities of SOD were decreased significantly(U/mg:36.07±4.79,33.51±7.12,24.29±5.36 vs. 46.08±5.12,all P<0.05). In emphysema with IH group,the increase of MDA levels and p22phox mRNA expressions and decrease of SOD levels were more remarkable compared with those in emphysema group and IH group(all P<0.05). The expression of p22phox mRNA was positively correlated with MDA level(r=0.734,P<0.001). Conclusion The myocardial tissue oxidative stress injury in rats induced by emphysema with intermittent hypoxia exposure is more serious than that induced by exposure of either emphysema or intermittent hypoxia alone,NADPH oxidase possibly being the important medium of myocardial cell response to oxidative stress.

Purpose To investigate the influence on shear wave velocity (SWV) by different probe frequency, scanline angle and ROI depth. Materials and Methods The elasticity QA Phantoms was used in the study. First the SWV was measured by curve probe at depths of 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm and 8 cm. The scanline angle changed from 0°from midline, 1°-15°, 16°-30°and 31°-45°. Then the SWV was measured again by using line probe at depths of 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm and 4 cm. The measured data were analyzed statistically. Results The SWV showed difference by using the two probes (P<0.05). As depth increased, the measurement by curve probe changed from overestimate to underestimate, while the measurement by line probe always showed underestimate from standard value. When the curve probe was used, the angle and depth affected SWV interactively (F=85.87 and 35.96, P<0.01), and had interactive effects (F=17.63, P<0.01). When the scanline angle was within 15°, the angle had little inlfuence upon the measurement. When the scanline angle was 0 °, the measurement was the closest to the standard value at the depth of 4 cm, and the maximum deviation occurred at the depth of 5 cm. The inlfuence of depth upon measurement had signiifcant difference when the line probe was used (P<0.05). The measurement was the closest to the standard value at the depth of 1 cm, and the maximum deviation occurred at the depth of 4 cm. Conclusion Factors like probe frequency, scanline angle and ROI depth can affect the SWV. When the curve probe is used, the accurate measurement occurs at the depth of 4 cm when the scanline angle is within 15°. When the line probe is used, the accurate measurement occurs at the depth of 1 cm.

Objective To analyze the long?term efficacy of intensity?modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with or without chemotherapy in treatment of 454 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its influencing factors. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 454 patients with non?metastatic NPC who received IMRT with or without chemotherapy in our center from 2007 to 2012. Prescribed doses of 69. 96?73. 92 Gy in 33 fractions, 69. 96 Gy in 33 fractions, 60. 06 Gy in 33 fractions, and 50. 96 Gy in 28 fractions were applied to nasopharyngeal gross tumor volume, cervical metastatic lymph nodes, high?risk drainage area, and low?risk drainage area, respectively. In all patients, 438 received induction chemotherapy, 420 concurrent chemotherapy, and 216 adjuvant chemotherapy, most of which were based on cisplatin and taxol. The Kaplan?Meier method was used for calculating survival rates and the log?rank test was used for survival difference analysis and univariate prognostic analysis. The Cox model was used for the multivariate prognostic analysis. Results The 3?year sample size was 210. The 3?year overall survival ( OS ) , local recurrence?free survival, nodal relapse?free survival, progression?free survival, and distant metastasis?free survival ( DMFS) rates were 88. 1%, 91. 0%, 90. 7%, 80. 5%, and 85. 1%, respectively. Age, T stage, and N stage were influencing factors for the OS rate ( P=0. 011;P=0. 005;P=0. 033);T stage and N stage were influencing factors for the disease progression?free survival ( P=0. 017;P=0. 005) and DMFS ( P=0. 012;P=0. 019) . The grade≥3 acute and late adverse reactions included hematological toxicity , oral mucositis , xerostomia , dysphagia , and brain injury . Conclusions IMRT promotes the long?term survival rates in patients with NPC. The distant metastasis is the major reason for treatment failure. The adverse reactions induced by IMRT combined with chemotherapy are tolerable.

Background and purpose:When the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) receive radiotherapy, their thyroids are inevitably involved. As a result, thyroid damage occurs. This study aimed to explore the effects of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) on dynamics of thyroid blood flow in patients with NPC.Methods:A total number of 68 patients with NPC were enrolled in the study who received primary treatment of radical radiation and chemotherapy from Jul. 2012 to Oct. 2013. And the TMN stage was fromⅡ toⅣc according to UICC 2010. The treatment method consisted of 2 cycles of TPF induction treatment, concurrent radiation therapy (IMRT) with 2 cycles of DDP and 2 cycles of adjuvant therapy sequentially. Before radiotherapy, at the end of radiotherapy, 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy, serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations of all cases were detected by electrochemiluminescence. The highest systolic velocity, mean velocity, minimum diastolic velocity, resistance index, and the value of all thyroid diameter lines were measured by type-B ultrasound.Results:All the patients were followed up for 6 months. Hypothyroidism: the incidence of immediate clinical hypothyroidism after radiotherapy was 5.9%; 3 months later, the incidence was 13.2%; and 6 months later, the incidence was 26.5%. The difference in volume change between before radiotherapy and at the end of radiotherapy had no statistical signiifcance (P>0.05). The difference in volume change between 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy had statistical signiifcance (P<0.05). The difference in FT3, FT4 and FSH between the end of radiotherapy and before radiotherapy had no statistical signiifcance, while there was statistically signiifcant difference between at the end of radiotherapy and 3 months after radiotherapy. The thyroid volume correlated with the average dose at the end of radiotherapy, 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy as shown by the single factor correlation analysis (P<0.05). The results of sinlge factor correlation analysis also showed that the occurrence of hypothyroidism correlated with thyroid dose-volume parameter V40 at the end of radiotherapy (P<0.05). The correlation between hypothyroidism and the average dose on thyroid 6 months after radiotherapy was demonstrated by independentt test (P<0.05). Hypothyroidism had no correlation with thyroid artery systolic maximum velocity and resistance index at the end of radiotherapy, 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy (P>0.05).Conclusion:The incidence of hypothyroidism may increase with time after radiotherapy. The volume may decrease with the increased dose of radiotherapy and the follow-up time. The patients with NPC after radiotherapy should be tested for thyroid lesions routinely. The thyroid dose-volume parameter V40 may be a predictor for acute radioactive thyroid lesions. The study did not reveal temporarily that hypothyroidism was associated with thyroid ultrasound blood lfow velocity.

AIM:To investigate the effect of Notch-1 knockdown on the growth of dihydroartemisinin-inhibited human osteosarcoma cell line U-2OS.METHODS:U-2OS cells treated with different concentrations of dihydroartemisinin (5, 10, 15 and 20μmol/L) were collected.The expression of Notch-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 and Hes-1 at mRNA and protein levels was measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively.U-2OS cells were transfected with Notch-1 siRNA for 24 h and incubated with dihydroartemisinin for another 24 h.The cell apoptotic rate , protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and Hes-1, and the migration ability were measured by MTT assay , Western blotting and Transwell experiment , respectively.RESULTS:Dihydroartemisinin (5, 10, 15 and 20 μmol/L) decreased the expression of Notch-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 and Hes-1 at mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner .Down-regulation of Notch-1 significantly en-hanced the effect of dihydroartemisinin on the cell apoptosis , the protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and Hes-1, and mi-gration ability ( P<0.05 ) .CONCLUSION: Notch-1 pathway is involved in the process of dihydroartemisinin-inhibited U-2OS cell growth.Knockdown of Notch-1 augments the inhibitory effect of dihydroartemisinin on U-2OS cell viability.

Objective To investigate the effect of intermittent hypoxia (IH) with pulmonary emphysema on the ex-pression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),Bax and Bcl-2, and the mechanism underlying the role of HIF-1αin he-patocyte apoptosis thereof. Methods Sixty rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, rats were treated normally;IH group, rats were treated by 30 s nitrogen and then 90 s air, and rats were treated by from 9:00-17:00 daily;pulmonary emphysema group, rats were treated by smudging for half an hour, twice a day (8:00 and 18:00);IH with pul-monary emphysema group, rats were treated by 30 s nitrogen and then 90 s air from 9:00-17:00 daily. After exposure four-teen weeks, rats were killed. qRT-PCR assay was conducted to detect the expression of HIF-1α mRNA, Bax mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA in live tissues. Results The expressions of HIF-1αmRNA, Bax mRNA and Bax/Bcl-2 were significantly higher in IH with pulmonary emphysema group than those in control group,IH group and pulmonary emphysema group (P<0.05). The expression level of Bcl-2 mRNA was significantly lower in IH with pulmonary emphysema group than that of con-trol group and pulmonary emphysema group (P < 0.05), but no significant difference compared with that of IH group (P >0.05). The levels of HIF-1αand Bax were positively correlated with the level of Bax/Bcl-2 (r=0.732 and 0.699),but the lev-els of HIF-1αand Bax were negatively correlated with the level of Bcl-2 (r=-0.705). Conclusion The expression levels of HIF-1αmRNA, Bax mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA were over-regulated in hepatocytes induced by intermittent hypoxia with pul-monary emphysema. The HIF-1αexpression was correlated with Bax and Bcl-2, suggesting that HIF-1αmay promote the hepatocyte apoptosis through transcriptional co-activators, Bax and Bcl-2.

Objective To study the significance and value of imaging typing by analyzing the correlation between contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging typing and vascularization in patients with primary hepatocellular cancer.Methods The early enhanced arterial phase reflecting angioarchitecture,and the size and edge of enhanced tumor closely related to microvessel distribution, position and density, were observed and analyzed in 89 patients (113 lesions).All the cases were pathologically proved, and some received immunohistochemisty staining and the microvessel density were recorded.Results The perfusion imagings were classified into 4 types according to changes on contrast-enhanced ultrasound,dendritic,mixed,circular and net-like type.Atypia vessels were commonly seen in dendritic type,and Ⅲ and Ⅳ accounted for 79.1%.The microvessel density was higher than the other types.The circular type was relatively regular and Ⅲ and Ⅳ accounted for 12.5%.The microvessel density was lower than the other types.Combined with the contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging and compared with pathological grading,growing methods and microvessel density, the dendritic type was characterized by infiltrative growth, and had strong invasion tendency.The circular type was characterized by expansive growth.And the other two types were characterized by transitional type.Conclusions Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can reflect the angioarchiteeture, the microvessel density and the position,and it is related to the pathological grading and growing methods.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss and summarize the major characteristics, autopsy examination, and scene investigation in infant homicide cases. METHODS: From 2008 to 2013 in Suzhou, the information of seven detected infant homicide cases were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The criminal suspects were victims' mothers with young ages and pregnancies were premarital. Infant homicide cases occurred at the same location of the delivery. The infants died of mechanical asphyxia in the majority of the cases. Most bodies were naked and their umbilical cords were not cut by iatrogenic method and didn't connect with the bodies. CONCLUSION The standardization of forensic investigation can improve the analysis and detection of infant homicide cases.
Asphyxia ; Autopsy ; China ; Criminals ; Death ; Forensic Medicine ; Homicide ; Humans ; Infant ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of meatoplasty with the pedicle flap in the treatment of meatal stenosis secondary to chronic balanitis.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 32 cases of meatal stenosis secondary to chronic balanitis treated by meato- plasty with the pedicle flap. All the patients had a history of chronic balanitis and had received meatal dilatation or simple ventral mea- totomy without significant effect. Their mean maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) was (4.3 ± 2.4) ml/s. During the operation, A "/\"-shaped incision was made in the healthy epidermis and a flap was harvested from the frenulum. After complete removal of the scar, the flap was placed into the urethral wall, followed by reconstruction of the external urethral orifice.

RESULTSThe patients were fol- lowed up for 6 to 30 months, which revealed smooth urination in all the patients with Qmax of (26.7 ± 4.5) ml/s and normal erectile function and uresiesthesis.

CONCLUSIONWith little invasiveness and few complications, meatoplasty with the pedicle flap is an ideal surgical method for the treatment of meatal stenosis secondary to chronic balanitis. However, there might be some change in the normal appearance of the balanus postoperatively, and its long-term effect needs further observation.

Balanitis ; complications ; Constriction, Pathologic ; etiology ; surgery ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; etiology ; surgery ; Urination

ObjectiveTo evaluate the potential value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI)elastography in the characterization of solid liver tumors.MethodsForty-three patients with 56 liver tumors were evaluated with ARFI,which included 21 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),8 patients with metastase,5 patients with cholangiocarcinoma(CCC),and 9 patients with hemangioma.The shear wave velocity of the tumor and background liver parenchyma were calculated,and results were compared with 30 healthy subjects.Statistical analysis was performed on the shear wave velocity for differentiation of normal liver,background liver parenchyma,and tumors.ResultsHCC and CCC had greater stiffness than metastase (P ＜0.05),there were no statistical differences between HCC and CCC (P = 0.179).Malignant liver tumors had significantly greater stiffness than hemangioma and normal liver (P = 0.000).34.5% (9/26) HCC and 33.3% (4/12) hemangioma appeared softer than the background liver.With a cut-off value of 1.5 m/s for the shear wave velocity,the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value for malignancies were 79.5%,83.3%,94.5% and 52.6%,respectively.ConclusionsARFI elastography quantification is a promising noninvasive technique for assessing solid liver tumors.Use of ARFI elastography quantification may lead to new quantitative tissue characterization parameters for differentiating hemangioma and malignant liver tumors.