Objective To clarify the effect of myofunctional treatment on primary and mixed dentition malocclusion.Methods Twenty-seven children were selected,3 were in primary dentition among which 2 showed deep overbite.24 were in mixed dentition and presented crowding in anterior area among which 4 children combined with anterior crossbite,2 showed deep overbite and deep overjet.All the patients were treated with myofunctional trainer such as INFANT,T4K or I2N appliances according to their age and malocclusion type.The patients were instructed to wear the trainers for at least one hour a day keeping their lips together or overnight while sleeping.Muscle exercises were done when wearing the trainer during daytime.Results After 6-10 months,24 patients who were in good compliance had their teeth aligned,deep overjet and deep overbite corrected,and facial profile improved.Conclusions Myofunctional treatment is effective on primary and mixed dentition malocclusion.It is important to have patients' good compliance.

Objective To evaluate mono-and bi-exponential decay models in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods 28 patients with HCC who underwent conventional MRI imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging were collected,and all the HCC lesions were proved by operation pathology.The ADC values in mono-exponential decay model and ADCst ,ADCslow , ADCfast and ffast of the lesions in bi-exponential decay model were measured through the reconstruction of ADCmap ,ADCslow map, ADCfast map and fraction of fast ADC at a workstation.The relationships between the ADC values with low,medium and high b-val-ues and different differentiation degrees of HCC were analyzed.Moreover,the relationships between the ADCst ,ADCslow ,ADCfast , ffast values and HCC defferentiation grades were also explored.Results Significant differences in ADC value were found among differ-ent degrees of HCC differentiation in middle and high b-value groups (P <0.05).A positive correlation was found between the ADC value and the degree of HCC differentiation in middle (r=0.377,P <0.01)and high b-value group (r =0.81 5,P <0.01).There were no significant differences in ADC value among the different degrees of HCC differentiation in low b-value group.There were significant differences in the values of ADCst ,ADCslow and ADCfast among different degrees of HCC differentiation.Significant posi-tive correlations were found between the values of ADCst ,ADCslow and ADCfast and the degree of differentiation (P <0.01).There were no significant differences in the values of ffast among different degrees of HCC differentiation.Conclusion ADC value in mono-exponential decay model plays a potential role in the diagnosis of different differentiation degree of HCC with a b value ≥400 s/mm2 .Furthermore,the parameters in bi-exponential decay model,especially the values of ADCst ,ADCslow and ADCfast ,can provide new and unique information in the distinction of different degrees of HCC differentiation.

Objective To improve the diagnostic accuracy by analyzing the CT features of primary hepatic sarcoma.Methods The CT findings of 6 cases with primary hepatic sarcoma confirmed by histopathology were analyzed retrospectively,including primary hepatic angiosarcoma 2 cases,and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma,primary hepatic lymphoma,alveolar soft-part sarcoma,undif-ferentiated embryonal sarcoma,1 case each.Results Primary hepatic sarcoma appeared as multiple nodules with heterogeneous and progressive enhencement in one case,and a dominant mass with multiple satellite nodules in another case.Epithelioid hemangioendo-thelioma displayed as multifocal hepatic disease involving both liver lobes,more than half of the lesions were peripheral and extended to the liver margin.Primary hepatic lymphoma demonstrated as an ill-defined low-density lesion with irregular ring enhancement. Alveolar soft-part sarcoma presented as a well-defined low-density lesion with obviously heterogeneous enhancement in arterial phase.Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma appeared as a huge cystic lesion with slightly margin enhancement.Conclusion The CT findings of primary hepatic sarcoma are associated with the pathological types,combining clinical symptoms with typical CT features are helpful to the diagnosis.The ultimate diagnosis relies on pathology and immune histochemistry.

AIM: To examine the alteration of local renin-angiotensin system of dogs with myocardial ischemia and external counterpulsation treatment and its mechanism. METHODS: Acute myocardial ischemia was induced by occluding the LAD of ischemic and ECP groups. The tissue renin activity and angiotensin(AngⅡ) level in ischemic myocardium and aorta were measured. The expression of angiotensinogen and renin mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Renin activity, AngⅡ level in ischemic myocardium and AngⅡ level in aorta of ECP group were lower than those of MI group. Except for renin in ischemic myocardium, angiotensinogen mRNA and renin in ischemic myocardium and angiotensinogen mRNA in aorta of ECP group were reduced to normal level. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of ECP on cardiovascular renin activity and angiotensinogen gene expression could be one of the mechanisms by which ECP protects ischemic myocardium.

AIM: To examine the effect of external counterpulsation(ECP) on renin-angiotensin system(RAS) and hemodynamics in dogs with myocardial ischemia and their relationship. METHODS: Acute myocardial ischemia was induced by occluding the left anterior descending of the dogs. The local renin activity, angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ) level, angiotension-converting enzyme(ACE) activity were tested by biochemical methods and hemodynamics was recorded by a 8-channel physiological recorder. RESULTS: Ischemia could actiivate renin,ACE and AngⅡ in cardiovasculature and ECP reduced them except for renin in ischemic myocardium. Ischemia also could activate RAS in lung and kidney, which play an important role on circulating RAS, and ECP reduced them. Furthermore, ECP could improve hemodynamics and there existed a close relationship between local AngⅡlevel and hemodynamics. CONCLUSION: ECP can reduce local RAS and improve hemodynamics in dogs with myocardial ischemia, which might be one of mechanisms underlying the protective effect of ECP on ischemic myocardium.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of breast neoplasms on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) and its clinical value.Methods Two hundred and twenty-five patients with breast masses unable to be diagnosed by conventional ultrasonography were examined with CEUS.The characteristics of these masses on CEUS were analyzed and compared with the results of pathology examination.Results The typical features of breast cancers on CEUS were enlarged maximum diameter of the lesions on CEUS compared to pre-contrast ( P ＜0.05),irregular shapes,heterogeneous distribution of contrast enhancement with perfusion defect or local retention of contrast signals,tortuous,massive or penetrating vessels rapidly entering and exporting from the lesions.The sensitivity and specificity of perfusion defect for breast cancer on CEUS were 89.0％ and 91.8％,respectively; the sensitivity and specificity of local retention of contrast signals for breast cancer on CEUS were 93.4％ and 92.5％,respectively.Conclusions It is valuable for CEUS in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of breast neoplasms clinically.

Objective To explore the association between the signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) gene polymorphism and Chinese Han systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Methods Pyrosequencing technique was used to genotype the 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the samples of patients and normal individuals. Results Not only these 3 SNPs, but also the haplotypes composed by them showed significant difference between the SLE patients and normal individuals[rs11889341:P=0.012 02, OR (95%CI)=1.22( 1.044～1.424); rs7574865:P=0.003 454, 0R(95%CI)=1.25(1.076～1.451 ); rs8179673: P=0.004 275, OR (95%CI)=1.274 (1.079～1.505)]. Conclusion rs11889341, rs7574865 and rs8179673 of STAT4 are associated with the pathogenesis of Chinese Han SLE, and the STAT4 gene is a susceptibile gene for SLE in a few racial cohorts.

PurposeTo explore the feasibility of personalized energy spectrum scanning in upper abdomen CT by comparing the image quality and radiation dose of optimizing choice spectrum scanning protocol with conventional 120 kVp scan.Material and Methods Sixty patients undergoing abdominal CT scan with and without contrast enhancement were prospectively collected and randomly assigned into two groups. Group A (30 patients) underwent conventional 120 kVp scan and spectral enhancement scanning; group B (30 patients) underwent spectrum scan and 120 kVp enhancement scanning. Spectral scanning protocol was based on individual choice with conventional 120 kVp NI10-5 mm average mAs scan for every patient. The CT dose index of volume (CTDIvol) and effective dose (ED) during non-contrast phase and portal venous phase were recorded. The CT value, standard deviation (SD), signal noise ratio (SNR) and contrast noise ratio (CNR) were measured in the liver parenchyma, spleen parenchyma and portal venous trunk.Results The CTDIvol and ED of spectrum scanning were less than 120 kVp scan but there was no statistical difference (P>0.05). The SD of group B GSI imaging was less than group A 120 kVp (P<0.05), while the SNR was greater than group A. The SD of group A GSI portal venous phase in the liver, spleen and portal vein was less than group B 120 kVp (P<0.05).ConclusionThe optimized energy spectrum scanning protocol can reduce radiation dose with quality of single energy image from the energy spectrum equal to or better than the conventional 120 kVp scanning protocol. Personalized energy spectrum scan protocol provides multi-parameter diagnosis and multi-application platform and can be used routinely in the upper abdomen scan.

Objective To investigate the effect of clinical application of ERA resilient attachment on Kennedy Ⅰ dentition defect. Methods Twenty-eight Kennedy Ⅰ dentition defect cases were restored by ERA resilient attachment dentures. After the examination of the function of the dentures, oral tissue, X-ray, the satisfaction to the dentures was evaluated. Results After the follow-up of 6 to 32 months, all the patients were satisfied with the dentures in esthetic, retention, normal function and healthy peri-odontium. Conclusion ERA resilient attachment is an esthetieal, economical and reliable approach to Kennedy Ⅰ dentition defect restoration.

ObjectiveTo summarize and review the clinical characteristics of congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia with fetal bilateral pleural effusions.MethodsThe clinical data of a newborn diagnosed as congenital pulmonary lymphangiec-tasia with bilateral pleural effusions in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, was summarized. The clinical, radiographic features, treatment and prognosis of this case are discussed in the context of the literature review.ResultsThe premature infants present-ed with rapid progression bilateral pleural effusions, respiratory distress, chylothorax, hypoalbuminemia and persistent pulmo-nary hypertension at birth. The pulmonary surfactant was given and mechanical ventilation was used for respiratory support. NO was inhaled, high-frequency mechanical ventilation was applied and albumin was repeatedly administered. After treatment for 3 months in the NICU, the patient was discharged. After 10 days, the patient was administered to the PICU with severe pneumo-nia, chronic lung disease, mechanical ventilation and anti-infection treatments were applied for 2 months. After living for six months, the baby died.ConclusionsCongenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia is extremely rare and prenatal diagnosis was dif-ifcult. The disease should be considered in patients presented with progressive dyspnea, interstitial emphysema after birth. Lung tissue biopsy and radioisotope scanning should be performed in time to get diagnosis.