Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of multi-slice three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography(MS 3D-CTA)for vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia(VBD).Methods MS 3D-CTA of 10 patients with VBD were retrospectively analysed.Source images were got by GE Lightspeed pro scanner.Volume rendering(VR)and maximum intensity project (MIP) were adopted to reconstruct 3D images in all cases.Twenty patients were selected as the control group by suspected cerebra[vascular diseases and underwent MS 3D-CTA at the same period.Enumeration data between the patient group and the control group was assessed by Wilcoxon.test.Results There were 2 types of 10 cases with VBD,including simple type(n=4)and saddle type(n=6).Compared with the control group of the length of the basilar artery(B 1,25.60 mm),the deviant degree(Bc,1.20 mm),the height(Bh,1.90 am),the length of the vertebral artery (V1,17.55 mm),the deviant degree(Vc,2.05 mm),and the diameter of BA and/or VA (Bw/Vw,3.05 mm),there is significant difference in the B1 30.20 mm,Bc 7.10 mm,Bh 8.80 mm,V1 23.00 mm,Vc 5.95 mm,and Bw/Vw 5.05 mm(P＜0.01,all).Conclusion The clinical performances of VBD is different,MS 3D-CTA is a very effective method for the diagnosis of VBD.

OBJECTIVETo observe the toxicity of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel saponins (PRS) against Oncomelania hupensis (O. hupensis).

METHODSO. hupensis snails were exposed to 40% and 80% of 24 h LC50 of PRS for 24 h, and then choline esterase (CHE), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in cephalopodium and liver of snails were determined. Niclosamide (NIC) was used as the reference molluscicide. Zebra fish lethality test was evaluated to non-target aquatic species of PRS.

RESULTSThe molluscicidal activity of PRS (LC50 at 24 h: 0.48 mg/L) was similar to that of NIC (LC50 at 24 h: 0.16 mg/L). Significant alterations about CHE, ALP, and ALT activities both in the cephalopodium and the liver of snails were observed when O. hupensis was exposed to 40% and 80% LC50 of PRS or NIC for 24 h. PRS and NIC could not affect LDH activity in the cephalopodium and the liver. Lower toxicity to fish of PRS was observed up to the highest concentration tested than NIC.

CONCLUSIONPRS, as compared with the reference molluscicide NIC, is thought to be used for the control of harmful vector snails safely.

Animals ; Molluscacides ; pharmacology ; Pulsatilla ; chemistry ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Snails ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate facial morphology characteristics of patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) after cleft palate repair in different periods.

METHODS46 nonsyndromic UCCLP patients were chosen as test group and divided into three kinds (under 4-year-old, 4-7-year-old, over 7-year-old) according to periods of palate repair. 38 age and gender matched non-clefts children were involved as control group. 26 cephalometric measurements were measured to evaluate facial morphology of four groups.

RESULTSCompared with patients who received palate repair before 4-year-old, patients who received repair after 4-year-old had more protrusive ANS point (Ba-N-ANS, Ba-ANS) and less Y-axis angle. Patients who received palate repair after 7-yesr-old had greater A-PMP and ANS-PMP than patients who received palate repair before 4-year-old, patients who received palate repair before 7-year-old had smaller ANS-Me but after had no significant difference when compared with non-clefts.

CONCLUSIONWhenever palate repair is undertaken in the period of maxillary growth and development, patients' maxillary growth would be restrained, the delayed repair sample have better lower face height, maxillary protrusion, maxillary sagittal length and mandible growing direction when compared with the early repair sample, that is to say, the delayed repair sample have preferable head-face morphology.

Cephalometry ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Face ; Humans ; Mandible ; Maxilla

OBJECTIVEShellfish are recognized as important vehicles of norovirus-associated gastroenteritis. The present study aimed to monitor norovirus contamination in oysters along the farm-to-fork continuum in Guangxi, a major oyster production area in Southwestern China.

METHODSOyster samples were collected monthly from farms, markets, and restaurants, from January to December 2016. Norovirus was detected and quantified by one-step reverse transcription-droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (RT-ddPCR).

RESULTSA total of 480 oyster samples were collected and tested for norovirus genogroups I and II. Norovirus was detected in 20.7% of samples, with genogroup II predominating. No significant difference was observed in norovirus prevalence among different sampling sites. The norovirus levels varied widely, with a geometric mean of 19,300 copies/g in digestive glands. Both norovirus prevalence and viral loads showed obvious seasonality, with a strong winter bias.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides a systematic analysis of norovirus contamination 'from the farm to the fork' in Guangxi. RT-ddPCR can be a useful tool for detection and quantification of low amounts of norovirus in the presence of inhibitors found particularly in foodstuffs. This approach will contribute to the development of strategies for controlling and reducing the risk of human illness resulting from shellfish consumption.