Objective To evaluate the multi-spiral CT(MSCT)imaging features and classification of renal pelvis carcinoma.Meth-ods 76 patients of renal pelvis carcinoma proved pathologically were analyzed retrospectively,and divided into different types ac-cording to the MSCT features.The MSCT differences for different types were analyzed.Results Most of the tumors showed iso-density or slight hyperdensity (95%)on un-enhanced images,and persistent mild-to-moderate enhancement (91%)in enhanced im-ages.All cases were divided into three types:pelvic mass type in 30 cases (39%),substance invasion type in 25 cases (33%),wall thickening type in 21 cases (28%).All cases were also divided into two types:substance invasion type(25 cases,33%)and renal pelvis type(5 1 cases,67%).The occurrence rate of local low enhancement,whole kidney low enhancement,hydronephrosis,lymph node metastasis and vein tumor thrombus were 80%,20%,48%,52%,1 6% in substance invasion type cases,and 4%,42%, 75%,4%,6% in the renal pelvis type cases,respectivily.Conclusion MSCT multiphase enhancement scanning shows important valuation in the diagnosis and classification of renal pelvis carcinoma.Obvious differences of CT features are showed for different types.The diagnosis accuracy may be improved by the knowledge of substance invasion type.

OBJECTIVEThis research aimed to study the inhibitory effect of xylitol on the growth and acid production of Actinomyces viscosus (A. viscosus).

METHODSWe cultivated A. viscosus in anaerobic conditions with different concentrations (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, and 4 g x L(-1)) of xylitol brain heart infusion liquid medium and determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Subsequently, we measured the pH value of the control group, as well as those of 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 MIC, and MIC concentration groups at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. The Delta pH and OD550 at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h were calculated. We discovered that the minimum xylitol concentrations suppressed 50% and 90% A. viscosus biofilm formation (i.e., MBIC50 and MBIC90). SPSS 19.0 was used to analyze the collected data, and conclusions were drawn afterward.

RESULTSXylitol inhibited the growth ofA. viscosus at MIC of 64 g x L(-1). After 12 h, the differences of pH value among groups were all statistically significant (P < 0.05), and Delta pH increased when the MIC concentration decreased. Except for the 1/2 MIC and MIC groups, the differences of OD550 among groups had no statistical significance (P>0.05), and OD550 also increased when the MIC concentration decreased. These results imply that the ability ofA. viscosus to grow and produce acid in 1/2 MIC and MIC conditions will be reduced with the increase in xylitol concentration. The value of MIBC50 was 64 g x L(-1), whereas the value of MIBC90 was 128 g x L(-1). This finding indicates that the xylitol medium can restrict A. viscosus biofilm formation.

CONCLUSIONXylitolcan effectively inhibit the growth, adhesion, and acid production ofA. viscosus, protecting teeth from cariogenic bacteria and preventing caries to a certain extent.

Actinomyces viscosus ; Bacteria ; Dental Caries ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Xylitol

Objective To investigate the effects of chin lift on the patency of upper airway in normal conscious adults using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods Sixteen healthy volunteers aged 21-35 yr with a body mass index of 17-26 kg/m2 were enrolled in this study.The subjects lay on their back with their heads slightly extended.The lower jaw was first left in standard position.The mouth was slightly open (the distance between the upper and lower incisors was 0.5 cm).The chin was then lifted upward.The upper airway (from the base of slull to the level of vocal cord) was scaned by MRI along the median sagital plane.The length of soft palate,root of tongue and epiglottis and the area of pharyngeal cavity were measured.The position of the rim of epiglottis was examined.The mean percentage changes induced by chin lift were calculated.Results Compared with standard position,chin lift significantly prolonged the length of soft palate,root of tongue and epiglottis and increased the area of pharyngeal cavity.The percentage change in the position of the rim of epiglottis was largest after chin lift.Conclusion Chin lift significantly improve the patency of the upper airway in conscious adult by changing the position of the rim of epiglottis and increasing the area of pharyngeal cavity.

BACKGROUND: It is of significance to imitate facial nerve paralysis of temporal trauma, establish the model of facial nerve paralysis, and study the histopathologic changes of facial muscle after denervation and the effect on rehabilitation of facial muscle function.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between rehabilitation of facial muscle function and the structural changes of mitochondria and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) of oris muscles after denervation.DESIGN: A randomized controlled trail based on experimental animals.SETTING: Department of otolaryngology in a hospital of a university.MATERIALS: The experiments were conducted in the Center of Animal Experiment, the Department of Histoembryology, and the Second Electron Microscope(EM) Center, China Medical University. Sixty white guinea pigs provided by the Center of Animal Experiment, China Medical University [certification No: SCXK (liao) 2003-0009 ], were randomly divided into three groups, 5 s squeezed group( n = 15, 10 tested for the function of facial muscle, 5 for EM specimen 15 days after operation), 15 s squeezed group( n =20, 10 tested, 5 for EM specimen 15 days and 30 days after operation), and 30 s squeezed group( n = 25, 10 tested, 5 for EM specimen 15 days after operation and 10 for EM specimen 30 days after operation).INTERVENTIONS: Models of facial paralysis were established. The threshold of facial nerve was detected with electroneurogram(ENoG) before and after squeezed, and the duration of the functional recovery of facial muscle was observed with blink reflex. Orbicularis oris was taken for SDH cytochemical staining, and the ultrastructural changes of SDH positive reaction granules,mitochondria and muscle fibers were observed under transmission electroscope.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ENoG threshold value, tine for recovery of facial muscle function, SDH positive reaction granules and ultrastructural changes of mitochondria and muscle fibers.RESULTS: In 5 s squeezed group, the average inhibition time of nerve excitement conduction was(35.2 ± 16.8) minutes, the structure of mitochondria and the positive reaction granules of SDH remained normal, and the muscle fiber had no pathologic changes. In 15 s squeezed group, it took an average of(47 ± 15) days for blink reflect to recover. In 15 s squeezed group of 15 days, the mitochondria showed slight bubble degeneration and the SDH granules decreased and the muscle fiber had slight pathologic changes, but recovered after 30 days. The mitochondria changed severely and SDH granules decreased significantly in 30 s squeezed group of 15 days and 30 days; no case of blink reflect recovered within' half a year.CONCLUSION: The longer the facial nerve is injured, the nore severely the function of facial muscles is damaged, and the more difficultly it will recover. Therefore, facial nerve decompression should be performed as early as possible.

Objective:To compare the application of epidural analgesia (EA) with intravenous analgesia (IA) in radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.Methods:A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of EA and IA in radical gastrectomy was conducted. Primary outcome was pain scores at 24 h after surgery, while the secondary outcomes included incidence of postoperative complications, first flatus time and (LOS).Results:A total of 6 randomized controlled studies was identified and 393 patients were enrolled in this review, 4 published in English and 2 in Chinese. Meta-analysis revealed that, the EA group had lower pain score at 24h either pain at rest ( WMD=-0.74, 95% CI: -1.35~-0.13, P=0.02) or pain on movement or coughing( WMD=-1.5, 95% CI: -1.95~-1.05, P<0.001) than that of the IA group. In terms of complications, postoperative nausea and vomiting ( RR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.18~0.58, P<0.001) and respiratory complications ( RR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.29~0.85, P=0.01) in EA group were obviously lower than those of the IA group. No difference was observed in postoperative urinary complications between the two groups ( RR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.38~1.96, P=0.73). However, the incidence of hypotension was obviously higher than that of IA group ( RR=3.27, 95% CI: 1.28~8.32, P=0.01). Time of first exhaust time after operation ( WMD=-14.01, 95% CI: -22.85~-5.17, P=0.002), postoperative length of hospital stay ( WMD=-0.69, 95% CI: -0.90~-0.49, P<0.001) were shorter than IA group. Conclusions:For patients who undergoing radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, epidural analgesia could provide better pain control either pain at rest or on movement, although a rising incidence of hypotension was leaded, reduced pulmonary complications, nausea and vomiting were found, and promote the bowel function and shorten the duration of hospital stay.