The development of the human facial canal and the facial nerve of 229 temporal sides from 11 weeks fetuses to infancies were studied by histological method. The results showed that the facial canal was formed by the membranous ossification and by cartilaginous ossification. The lateral wall, inferior wall of the horizontal segment and the eminous segment, the superior wall of the labyrinthine segment of the facial canal were formed by the membranous ossification. The sequence of the membranous ossification had some regularities. The rest of the facial canal was ossified in the cartilaginous bone. The development of the facial nerve grew in advanced embrylogical age. The length and width diameters of the facial nerve in the facial canal were almost the largest in size before birth. The size of the facial nerve to that of the facial canal is kept in a more or less constant proportion. It was found that the facial norve was largest at the distal portion of the labyrinthine segment of the facial canal and smallest at the stylomastoid foramen.We put forward the conclusion that the disturbances of the membranous ossification in any portion of the facial canal and the anomalies of the pneumatization of the mastoid process were the main causes for the deficiency of the facial canal.

The MRI data of 13 patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) were retrospectively analyzed. The results showed that the pancreas diffusely enlarged in 10 of 13 cases, and focally enlarged in 3cases. There were 13 cases with decreased signals on T1WI and mildly hyperintense on T2WI in the area with pancreatic lesions, 11 cases with thickened capsule-like structure showing moderate-low signal T1WI and low signal T2WI,and delayed enhancement in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, and 10 cases with stenotic common bile duct at the level of pancreas with proximal cholangiectasis. The findings in 9 cases were remarkably improved in followup MRI after glucocorticord treatment.

Objective:To explore the influence of the veneering porcelain thickness on the compressive strength of zirconia all-ceramic crown.Methods:25 zirconia basement crowns with the thickness of 0.5 mm were made by CAD-CAMsystem,and then were divided into 5 groups randomly with the veneering porcelain thickness of 0.5(A),1.0(B),1.5(C),2.0(D)and 2.5 mm(E)respectively. The compressive strength of the samples was measured by a testing machine.Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS13.0 software. The microstructure of the fractured bonding interface of the specimens was observed by scanning electron microscope(SEM).Results:The compressive strength in group A,B,C,D and E were:(1 279.96 ±42.85)N,(2 235.44 ±50.14)N,(2 216.38 ±48.97)N, (2 169.22 ±60.40)N and (2 028.70 ±47.37)N respectively(A or E vs B,C or D,P <0.01;A vs E,P <0.01;B vs C or D,P >0.05;C vs D,P >0.05).SEMobservation found that in group A and E the bonding interface was uneven and loose,the cracks and spores in veneering porcelain appeared more and larger,and had a more intensive distribution.Conclusion:When the veneering porce-lain is too thick or too thin,the compressive strength of zirconia all-ceramic crown decreases,the thickness of the veneering porcelain should be controled in an appropriate range.

Objective To evaluate 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in detecting occult malignancy in patients with suspected paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS).Methods Twenty consecutive patients who underwent PET/CT scanning with the indication of suspected PNS were retrospectively reviewed.The gold standard of PNS was either cytology or clinical follow-up, and the final diagnosis was compared with PET/CT findings.Results Of the 20 patients, six were PNS.PET/CT detected nine cases.Six were true positive and three were false positive.The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of PET/CT were 100% (6/6), 78.57% (11/14), 85.00% (17/20),66.7% (6/9) and 100.00% ( 11/11 ) respectively.The treatment plan was modified based on the PET/CT results in 4 patients.Conclusions 18F-FDG PET/CT may play a role in detecting the underlying malignancy of PNS.It is also valuable in staging of the malignancy thus providing information for therapy decision making.

Objective To develop a dental crown remover with the strength provided constantly and adjusted freely.Methods The remover was composed of a shell, a crown hook, a conduction mechanism, a strength generating mechanism and a percussion mechanism. The spring had the explosive force formed in the crown head to destruct the cohesion of the cement.Results The remover could remove the crown, with one hand freed for the protection of abutment and mucous membrane.Conclusion The remover has simple structure and easy operation, and is worth popularizing clinically.

Objective To study the correlation between the cytochrome P450 3A5 gene polymorphism and essential hypertension (EH) in Chinese population .Methods The real-time PCR genotyping at CYP3A5*3(6986A>G) position was established using Taqman minor groove binding (MGB) probes .Total 170 EH patients and 193 matched controls of Chinese Han population were genotyped at CYP3A5*3(6986A>G) position using this method .Results The GG ,GA ,AA genotyped frequencies were 51 .2% , 42 .4% and 6 .5% for the EH patients and 39 .9% ,50 .8% and 9 .3% for the control group respectively .The risk of EH for person carrying GG genotype was 1 .579 fold of the persons carrying at least one A allele(95% CI:1 .041-2 .395) .Conclusion CYP3A5*3(6986A>G) polymorphism may be associated with EH in Chinese population .The risk of EH is decreased in the persons carrying allele A ,slightly lower levels of systolic blood pressure exists .

Air ; analysis ; Alcohols ; analysis ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of (18)F-FDG and (11)C-MET PET-CT scan in differentiation of brain ringlike-enhanced lesions on MRI imaging.

METHODSForty-one brain ringlike-enhanced lesions on MRI imaging including 30 brain tumors and 11 non-neoplastic lesions confirmed pathologically or clinically underwent (18)F-FDG and (11)C-MET PET-CT brain scan. Among them, 15 patients who were suspected to have brain metastasis received body scan by (18)F-FDG PET-CT. Both images were analyzed visually and semi-quantitatively.

RESULTSVisual analysis: for brain tumors the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of (18)F-FDG PET-CT was 53.3%, 72.7%, 58.5%, versus 96.7%, 90.9%, 95.1% of (11)C-MET PET-CT, respectively. All the primary foci in 9 patients with brain metastases were detected by body (18)F-FDG PET-CT scan. Semiquantitative analysis: There was a significant difference in the uptake between highly differentiated malignant and poorly differentiated tumors as well as non-neoplastic lesions for both tracers (P < 0.01), while between low-grade malignant tumors and non-neoplasm lesions, there was a difference in uptake only by (11)C-MET (P < 0.01). No significant difference between the uptakes in brain metastasis and glioblastomas was found by both tracers (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth (18)F-FDG and (11)C-MET PET-CT are useful in differentiation of brain ringlike-enhanced lesions on MRI imaging. (11)C-MET PET-CT is more helpful than (18)F-FDG PET-CT in differential diagnosis of low-grade neoplastic from non-neoplastic lesions. Combination of (18)F-FDG and (11)C-MET PET-CT scans can improve the accuracy of differential diagnosis for brain ringlike-enhanced lesions on MRI imaging.

Acetates ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Abscess ; diagnosis ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; secondary ; Carbon ; Carbon Radioisotopes ; Child ; Craniopharyngioma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; secondary ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Glioblastoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; secondary ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; secondary ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe most appropriate surgical approach for patients with post-infarction left ventricular (LV) aneurysm remains undetermined. We compared the efficacy of the linear versus patch repair techniques, and investigated the mid-term changes of LV geometry and cardiac function, for repair of LV aneurysms.

METHODSWe reviewed the records of 194 patients who had surgery for a post-infarction LV aneurysm between 1998 and 2010. Short-term and mid-term outcomes, including complications, cardiac function and mortality, were assessed. LV end-diastolic and systolic dimensions (LVEDD and LVESD), LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes (LVEDVI and LVESVI) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured on pre-operative and follow-up echocardiography.

RESULTSOverall in-hospital mortality was 4.12%, and major morbidity showed no significant differences between the two groups. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative left ventricular end diastolic pressure > 20 mmHg, low cardiac output and aortic clamping time > 2 hours as risk factors for early mortality. Follow-up revealed that LVEF improved from 37% pre-operation to 45% 12 months post-operation in the patch group (P = 0.008), and from 44% pre-operation to 40% 12 months postoperation in the linear group (P = 0.032). In contrast, the LVEDVI and LVESVI in the linear group were significantly reduced immediately after the operation, and increased again at follow-up. However, in the patch group, the LVEDVI and LVESVI were significantly reduced at follow-up. And there were significant differences in the correct value changes of LVEF and left ventricular remodeling between linear repair and patch groups.

CONCLUSIONSPersistent reduction of LV dimensions after the patch repair procedure seems to be a procedure-related problem. The choice of the technique should be tailored on an individual basis and surgeon's preference. The patch remodeling technique results in a better LVEF improvement, further significant reductions in LV dimensions and volumes than does the linear repair technique. The results suggest that LV patch remodeling is a better surgical choice for patients with post-infarction LV aneurysm.

Aged ; Female ; Heart Aneurysm ; etiology ; mortality ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; mortality ; surgery ; Ventricular Remodeling

Objective To provide a suggestion for physicians participating clinical research of how to write a clinical trial protocol correctly and standardly in the course of clinical trial design.Methods By exploring clinical trial protocols,we analyzed their common problems in the methodological details and the reporting standards with respect to typical cases.Results The common problems in the clinical trial protocols are:lack of clear outline when selecting the research subject;incorrect selection of research type;lack of comprehensiveness and accuracy of PICO elements;inappropriate application of methodologies in randomization and blinding;absence of statistical analysis plan;incorrect calculation of sample size;non-standard format of the protocol etc.Conclusions Many clinicans do not have enough understanding of the key points in designing the clinical trial and writing the protocol.However,the quality of the clinical trial protocol determines success or failure of the whole study.Therefore,carefully handling the technical details of PICO elements,methodology and statistics application,and writing the protocol in accordance with the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporring Trials) 2010 and SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items:Recommendations for Interventional Trials)2013 Statements,are the key points that each clinical researcher should pay attention to.