OBJECTIVETo explore biomechanical properties and stress-strain of mucosa scars after cleft palate surgery.

METHODSAfter the model of mucosa scars was made, the mucosa scars and normal mucosa were excised and examined immediately by tensionometry.

RESULTSThe mucosa scars after cleft palate surgery were compared with normal mucosa. The Poisson's ratio of mucosa scars and normal mucosa was 0.5 and 0.49, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups. The ultimate Young's modulus of mucosa scars was about 24.22 MPa, however, it declined to 3.32 Mpa in normal mucosa.

CONCLUSIONSThe mucosa scars after cleft palate surgery are biomechanically weaker than normal mucosa. It can be used for further research, such as maxillary orthognathic surgery, distraction osteogenesis, and orthodontic treatment.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cicatrix ; physiopathology ; Cleft Palate ; surgery ; Humans ; Mouth Mucosa ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Osteotomy, Le Fort

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reproducibility of non-verbal facial expressions (smile lips closed, smile lips open, lip purse, cheek puff) in normal persons using dynamic three-dimensional (3D) imaging and provide reference data for future research. METHODS: In this study, 15 adults (7 males and 8 females) without facial asymmetry and facial nerve dysfunction were recruited. Each participant was seated upright in front of the 3D imaging system in natural head position. The whole face could be captured in all six cameras. The dynamic 3D system captured 60 3D images per second. Four facial expressions were included: smile lips closed, smile lips open, lip purse, and cheek puff. Before starting, we instructed the subjects to make facial expressions to develop muscle memory. During recording, each facial expression took about 3 to 4 seconds. At least 1 week later, the procedure was repeated. The rest position (T0) was considered as the base frame. The first quartile of expressions (T1), just after reaching the maximum state of expressions (T2), just before the end of maximum state of expressions (T3), the third quartile of expressions (T4), and the end of motion (T5) were selected as key frames. Using the stable part of face such as forehead, each key frame (T1-T5) of the different expressions was aligned on the corresponding frame at rest (T0). The root mean square (RMS) between each key frame and its corresponding frame at rest were calculated. The Wilcoxon signed ranks test was applied to assess statistical differences between the corresponding frames of the different facial expressions. RESULTS: Facial expressions like smile lips closed, smile lips open, and cheek puff were reproducible. Lip purse was not reproducible. The statistically significant differences were found on the T2 frame of the repeated lip purse movement. CONCLUSION The dynamic 3D imaging can be used to evaluate the reproducibility of facial expressions. Compared with the qualitative analysis and two-dimensions analysis, dynamic 3D images can be able to more truly represent the facial expressions which make the research more reliable.
Adult ; Face/diagnostic imaging* ; Facial Expression ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Lip/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Photogrammetry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Smiling

Objective To observe the protection and distribution of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by distinct intravenous infusion time on renal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats.Methods We used unilateral nephrectomy and contralateral vascular occlusion method to establish renal IRI model in rats.The experimental groups which received 2 × 106 MSCs infusion through the tail vein,were subsequently divided into 3 subgroups:2 h pre-reperfusion (PreOp,n =16),immediately after reperfusion (Op,n =16),6 h post-reperfusion (PostOp,n - 16).The control groups included sham operation group (n =16) and ischemia group (n =16).Chemotaxis of DAPI-labeled MSCs was detected 6 h after administration in the IR kidney.Renal function was detected at 6,24,and 48 h respectively after operation. Forty eight h after operation,the renal tissues were harvested to observe the pathological changes by HE staining and the tubular epithelial cell apoptosis via TUNEL assay.Results MSCs were found in the experimental groups after IR in the kidney,most in PostOp group.Twenty-four and 48 h after reperfusion,there was no significant difference in Cr and BUN between the experimental groups and sham operation group (P＞0.05),but the levels of Cr and BUN in the experimental groups were significantly lower than in the IR group (P＜ 0.05). As compared with IR group,the renal pathological injury was alleviated,the number of apoptotic cells was decreased in the experimental group,most significantly in PostOp group (P＜0.05).Conclusion MSCs can reduce the inflammatory response and inhibit renal tubular cell apoptosis in rat renal IRI.Post-reperfusion administration of MSCs leads to the best chemotaxis efficiency and protection.

Objective Sperm screening is an essential step in IVF procedures. The swim-up method, an assay on sperm motility, is used clinically to select the ideal sperm for subsequent manipulation. However, additional parameters, including acrosome reaction capability, chemotaxis, and thermotaxis are also important indicators of mammalian sperm health. To monitor both sperm motility and chemotaxis simultaneously during sperm screening, we designed and constructed a microdevice comprising a straight channel connected with a bi-branch channel that mimics the mammalian female reproductive tract. Methods The width and length of the straight channel were optimized to select the motile sperm. Cumulus cells were selectively cultured in the bi-branch channel to generate a chemoattractant-forming chemical gradient. Sperm chemotaxis was represented by the ratio of the sperm swimming towards different branches. Results The percentage of motile sperm was improved from ( 58. 5 ± 3. 8 ) % to ( 82. 6±2.9)% by a straight channel 7 mm in length and 1 mm in width. About 10% of sperm were found chemotactically responsive in our experiment, which is consistent with previous studies. Conclusion The combined evaluation of both sperm motility and chemotaxis was achieved for the first time, and the motile and chemotactically responsive sperm can be easily enriched on a lab-on-a-chip device to improve IVF outcome.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of early application of high-volume hemofiltration treatment (HVHF) on the levels of lactic acid, pro-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma, as well as APACHE II score in patients suffering from severe sepsis.

METHODSThirty patients meeting the diagnosis of severe sepsis were enrolled in the trial within 24 hours of insults. The level of lactic acid, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and CRP in plasma were measured before HVHF and at 24, 48 or 72 h following HVHF treatment.

RESULTThe plasma levels of lactic acid and IL-6 decreased significantly at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h after HVHF (P <0.05), while, IL-10 did not differ significantly following HVHF (P>0.05), when compared with that before HVHF.

CONCLUSIONThe early application of HVHF could clear the plasma lactic acid and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improve the tissue oxygenation in severe sepsis.

APACHE ; Adult ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Female ; Hemofiltration ; methods ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lactic Acid ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sepsis ; blood ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To analyze the difference of laboratory test results between early-onset and late-onset severe preeclampsia and to investigate their clinical application values.Methods Totally 108 blood samples were collected from patients with severe preeclampsia who were diagnosed according to the Diagnostic Standard of Obstetrics and Gynecology(7th Edition) published by People′s Medical Publishing House,in Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University from March to November 2016,which consisted of 64 early-onset severe preeclampsia before 34 weeks gestation(early onset group) and 44 late-onset severe preeclampsia after 34 weeks gestation(late onset group).In addition,42 women with normal pregnancies as the control group were selected.General clinical data were collected,and the blood sample was analyzed through detecting Hb,PLT,fibrinogen (FIB),D-dimer,AST,ALT,urea,creatinine (Cr),uric acid,CRP,urine protein.The tested results were analyzed and compared.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the proportion of T helper 1 cells(Th1) and T helper 2 cells(Th2),and the ratio of Th1/Th2 was also calculated.All data and F test were performed by use of statistical software SPSS19.0.Results The pre-pregnancy body mass index(29.55±4.49,30.66±5.13,26.62±3.17,F=9.829,P<0.05),diastolic blood pressure[(105.17±14.46)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),(99.80±12.56)mmHg,(74.36±8.42)mmHg,F=82.088,P<0.05],Hb[(123.22±14.38)g/L,(117.03±16.48)g/L,(112.62±11.24)g/L,F=7.133,P<0.05],urea[(6.56±2.36)mmol/L,(4.51±1.35)mmol/L,(3.04±0.87)mmol/L,F=51.733,P<0.05],Cr[(68.47±18.05)μmol/L,(61.37±14.37)μmol/L,(48.54±8.73)μmol/L,F=23.737,P<0.05],CRP[(7.68±8.76)mg/L,(5.88±6.03)mg/L,(3.56±2.41)mg/L,F=4.735,P<0.05],urine protein[(3.66±0.76)g/L,(2.20±1.05)g/L,(0.19±0.40)g/L,F=249.714,P<0.05]had a statistically significant difference among the early-onset,late-onset and control groups.The flow cytometry results demonstrated that the proportion of Th1 in early-onset group(19.83±3.04)was higher than that in both late-onset (14.49±2.79)and control groups(11.78±1.17),on the contrary,the result of Th2 was much lower(early-onset:1.02±0.12,late-onset: 1.11±0.12,control: 1.56±0.11),there was statistical significance among these three groups(Th1: F=135.110,P<0.05;Th2: F=293.687,P<0.05).Conclusions It′s necessary to real-time monitor the laboratory indicators,such as liver and kidney function,especially the immunologic function indicators for evaluating the disease of early-onset and late-onset severe preeclampsia and personal treatment,and for ensuring the health of mother and fetus and improving the prognostic of mother and fetus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of NBI assisted white light transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) in the treatment of bladder urothelial carcinoma and to summarize the experience of narrow band imaging (NBI) operation. METHODS: Patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma were selected, and TURBT was performed after anesthesia. First of all, the bladder tumor was found and resected under white light. Then we replaced with NBI, looked for suspicious lesions and resected them, The specimens excised under white light and NBI were collected separately. The number, location and pathological results of the lesions under white light were recorded, and the residual lesions under NBI were also recorded. To evaluate the effect of NBI, the ratio of residual bladder tumor was calculated. The cases were divided into three groups according to the time sequence. The clinical data of each group were collected and the learning curve of TURBT under NBI assisted white light was observed. RESULTS: A prospective study of 45 patients with bladder tumor from April 2018 to January 2020, including 32 males and 13 females, aged from 23 to 89 years, with an average age of 65.2 years. All the operations were successfully completed, without obvious complications after operation. Nine cases were single and 36 cases were multiple. The maximum diameter of the tumors was 0.5 to 4.0 cm, with an average of 2.2 cm. The histopathology of the resected tissue under white light was urothelial carcinoma, and 19 cases (42.2%) were pathologically positive by NBI resection. The 45 cases were divided into three groups according to the time sequence, 15 cases in each group. The true positive rate of NBI was 33.3%, 46.7% and 46.7%, respectively, and the false positive rate was 60.0%, 46.7% and 26.7%, respectively in the three groups. CONCLUSION TURBT is an effective way to treat bladder urothelial cancer, NBI is an effective supplement of white light, which can increase the detection rate of bladder cancer and reduce post-operative recurrence. The NBI light source has a certain learning curve. With the increase of cases, the false-positive rate of NBI is gradually reduced. After the NBI operator has rich experience, the recognition degree of flat tumor is gradually improved under white light, and the residual rate of NBI is reduced after the removal under white light.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cystoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Narrow Band Imaging ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prospective Studies ; Self-Control ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/surgery* ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous closure of foramen ovale guided by transthoracic echocardio-graphy with simply delivery sheath.Methods The clinical data of patients with patent foramen ovale underwent interventional closure and percutaneous closure guided by transthoracic echocardiography with simply delivery sheath in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively,the patients were divided into interventional closure group(40 cases)and simply delivery sheath group(39 cases).The operation time,incidence of surgical complications,and surgical success rates of patients in the two groups were compared.The closure effect were evaluated by ultrasound immediately after surgery.All the patients were followed up for 6 months after surgery to evaluate remission of the symptoms.Results The surgical success rate of simply delivery sheath group(100%)was higher than that of interventional closure group(90.0%),with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The operation time of simply delivery sheath group was longer than that of interventional closure group,with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).One patient in the interventional closure group had small amount of pericardial effusion during the operation.Two patients had decreased blood pressure and slowed heart rate in simply delivery sheath group,and symptoms disappeared after treatment.There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05).After 6-month follow-up,all occluders were in good position and no residual leakage was found.The symptoms of headache or dizziness disappeared in 28 patients in interventional closure group,significantly relieved in 8 patients;the symptoms of headache or dizziness disappeared in 30 patients in simply delivery sheath group,and significantly relieved in 9 patients.Conclusion Percutaneous closure for patent foramen ovale under the guidence of transthoracic echocardiography with simply delivery sheath is safe and feasible with satisfactory efficacy and higher successful rate without radiation hazard.It is worthy of clinical promotion.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of preweaning enrichment on the expression of activity-regulated cytoskeletal protein (Arc), an immediate early gene, and on the long-term memory in rats.

METHODSForty neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control group (standard environment, n=20) and experimental group (enriched environment, n=20). The experimental group received enriched environment exposure from postnatal day 10 until weaning (2 weeks, 20 minutes per day). The open field and novel object recognition tests were performed at postnatal day 28. Arc expression was detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the open field test between the two groups. However, in the novel object recognition test, the experimental group rats performed significantly better than the control rats after 1 and 24-hr retention. The preference index in the experimental group after 1-hr (59.61%+/-9.61% vs 50.46%+/-9.34%; P<0.05) and 24-hr retention (62.72%+/-14.12% vs 52.39%+/-9.16%; P<0.05 ) was significantly higher than that in the control group. Arc expression in both areas CA1 and DG of hippocampus in the experimental group increased significantly compared with that in the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPreweaning enrichment can up-regulate the expression of immediate early gene, Arc, in the hippocampus of the rats, and promote their long-term memory.

Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; analysis ; Female ; Hippocampus ; chemistry ; physiology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Memory ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDThe role of B-cell remains an enigma in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study aimed to investigate the distributions of B-cells and subsets in peripheral blood of AS patients and observe their changes in etanercept-treated AS patents.

METHODSWe detected the proportions of CD19(+) B-cell, naive B-cell (CD19(+)CD27-), memory B-cell (CD19(+)CD27dim) and plasmablast (CD19(+)CD27high) in peripheral blood of 66 patients with AS (39 at active stage, 27 at stable stage; 35 patients with peripheral joint involvement, 31 patients with axial involvement alone), 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 30 healthy volunteers using flow cytometry. And then we observed the changes of the above indexes of 39 active AS patients treated with etanercept in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

RESULTS(1) Percentages of CD19(+) B-cells in active or peripheral joint involvement AS patients increased more obviously than those in stable or axial involvement alone AS patients (both P = 0.001), and percentage of CD19(+)CD27high B-cells in AS patients with peripheral joint involvement was significantly higher than that in cases with axial involvement alone or healthy volunteers (P = 0.005 and 0.006, respectively); (2) The percentage of CD19(+) B-cells in AS patients was positively correlated with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores, Patient's Global Assessment (PGA) scores, total back pain scores and nocturnal back pain scores (r = 0.270, 0.255, 0.251 and 0.266, P = 0.029, 0.039, 0.042 and 0.031, respectively); (3) At week 6 and week 12, there were no statistical differences of the percentages of B-cells and subsets between etanercept group and placebo group of AS patients (P > 0.05); the percentage of CD19(+) B-cells in etanercept group was higher than that in healthy volunteers at week 12 (t = 3.320, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONSMisbalance is present in B-cells and some subsets in peripheral blood of active AS patients with peripheral joint involved. B-cells might play an important role in the pathogenesis of AS patients. The high percentage of CD19(+) B-cells in active AS patients cannot be down-regulated after 12-week etanercept treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD19 ; immunology ; B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Etanercept ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; therapeutic use ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 ; immunology ; Young Adult