Objective To investigate the imaging manifestations of metastasis in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Methods Twelve lesions of 10 patients with pathologically proved metastasis were retrospectively reviewed, including 6 renal clear cell carcinoma, 2 pulmonary adenocarcinoma, 1 colorectal carcinoma and 1 hepatic carcinoma. All the patients underwent CT and MRI scan.Among them,9 patients had contrast enhanced MRI scan and 5 patients had dynamic contrast-enhenced MRI as well. The location, bone changes, shape,margin,density,signal intensity, and enhancement characteristics of the lesions were observed. Results The metastasis involved spheno-ethmoid area(n=3), ethmoid sinus (n=2), maxillary sinus (n=2), nasal cavity(n=2), fronto-ethmoid area(n=2) and sphenoid sinus (n=1). All 12 metastatic lesions demonstrated bone destruction with tumor bone formation in 1 lesion. The CT displayed 10 metastases showed equal density, one mixed density was high, another form of low-density mixed. MR imaging showed equal signal in 9 lesions, while low-mixed signal in 3 lesions on T1WI compared with grey matter were found. On T2WI, 11 lesions showed high mixed signal and homogeneous low signal in 1 lesion. All 12 lesions demonstrated markedly heterogenous enhancement after intravenous administration of contrast media. Of 5 cases with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI scanning, 4 lesions demonstrated wash-out time-signal intensity curve (TIC) pattern and 1 lesion demonstrated plateau pattern. Conclusions Renal carcinoma is the most common primary tumor for nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses metastasis. A typical imaging finding is located in the ethmoid sinuses, the soft tissue mass surrounded with rich blood supply multiple sinuses and significant bone destruction.

Objective To investigate the CT and MRI findings of inflammation and lymphadenosis of lacrimal gland and to assess their diagnostic value.Design Retrospective case series study.Participants 46 patients with inflammation or lymphadenosis of lacrimal gland.Methods CT and MRI findings were analyzed retrospectively in 46 patients with inflammation or lymphadenosis of lacrimal gland,which were confirmed by pathology or clinical follow-ups.Main Outcome Measures Configuration,signal intense(or density)and extent of lesions.Results Of the 46 patients,32 patients with inflammatory pseudotumors demonstrated enlargement of the lacrimal gland,showing homogenous moderate density on CT,isointense or hypointense signal on T_1WI and T_2WI of MRI,and marked contrast enhancement.Multiple cystic components could be seen in one case.In 4 patients with Mikulicz disease,there were bilateral diffuse enlargment of the entire glands.CT scans showed homogenous moderate density.MRI showed hypointense signal on T_1WI and T_2WI,and marked contrast enhancement.Five patients with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia demonstrated enlargement of the lacrimal gland,homogenous moderate density on CT,hypointense or isointense signal on T_1WI and T_2WI(one case was hyperintense signal on T_2WI),and marked contrast enhancement.One patient with atypical lymphoid hyperplasia demonstrated bilateral diffuse enlargment of the entire glands,and homogenous moderate density on CT.4 patients had malignant lymphomas(B-cell lymphoma 3,histocytic sarco- ma 1,all 4 patients had bilateral disease),Those patients with malignant lymphomas showed bilateral diffuse enlargment of the entire glands.Conclusions The CT and MRI findings were similar in inflammation and lymphadenosis of lacrimal gland.CT and MRI may contribute to differentiate inflammation and lymphadenosis with epithelial tumors and may demonstrate the extent of the lesion.(Oph- thalmol CHN,2007,16:308-311)

Immune and tissue cells usually express pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) to detect viruses and other microorganisms, thereby inducing signal cascade amplification and host innate immune responses. Since PRRs have strain-specific substrates and mechanisms of recognition, the identification of PRRs and mechanisms of PRRs-mediated responses is highly challenging. Besides, the research on RLRs-mediated immune responses has become more popular in cellular immunology recently. Accumulating evidence shows that post-translation modifications, such as ubiquitination, deubiquitination and ISGylation, play an important role in regulating host innate immune responses. In parallel, these approaches may be used by viruses to evade PRRs-mediated responses or to actively subvert these pathways for their own benefit. It was identified that STING (also called MITA/MPYS/ERIS) plays an important role in RIG-Ⅰ-like receptor(RLR) signaling as a type Ⅰ IFN stimulator, providing a special method for the research on complex host antiviral innate immune responses.

Objective　To explore the effect of photon on blood biologic components in blood photochemical treatment. Methods　After the blood sample was adjusted to an appropriate density, it was treated with 0.1 nmol/ml 8-MOP (8-methoxypsoralen), 0.1 nmol/ml TFO (triple helix-forming oligonuletide) and UVA (ultraviolet A radiation) at the intensity of 1 800 μW/cm2 for 3～20 min. The changes of biologic activities of major components in blood were measured with automatic blood gas analyzer, platelet aggregation analyzer, blood coagulation analyzer, micropipette aspiration system and assay of poly-lysine adsorption. Results　The oxygen content in blood was increased gradually. The resilience of erythrocyte was enhanced ，but its adhesiveness was decreased. The parameters related to blood coagulation had some changes but all remained within the normal ranges. Conclusion　Under the definite condition of blood virus being inactivated effectively, the nonspecific effect of photosensitive response may improve blood oxygen content, enhance the transfiguring ability of erythrocyte and decrease the blood viscosity, but having no obvious change on blood coagulation.

AIM:To explore the application of 10g/L cyclopentolate chloride eye drops in children, and to compare the different effectiveness of cycloplegia between 10g/L cyclopentolate chloride and atropine in Chinese children.METHODS:A total of 236 eyes of 118 children aged 3~12 years old were enrolled in this study including 80 eyes of 40 children with myopia, 156 eyes of 78 children with hyperopia and 146 eyes of 73 children combined with astigmatism. 10g/L cyclopentolate chloride eye drops were used once per 5min for 3 times and refractive diopter was obtained 1h after the last drop of cyclopentolate. Three days after that, 10g/L atropine was then used 1 time per night for 1wk and optometry was performed again. The children were divided into 3 groups ( myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism group ) according to the refractive status, in which astigmatism was independent of the degree of separation of cylinder statistics. The results of retinoscope refraction were then compared between 10g/L cyclopentolate and 10g/L atropine.
RESULTS:The refractive diopter was -2. 25±1. 31D after 10g/L cyclopentolate eye drops and -2. 23±1. 32D after 10g/L atropine in myopic group. The refractive diopter was 1. 35±1. 19D and 1. 38±2. 00D in astigmastic group. No significant difference was found in myopic group and astigmastic group (P= 0. 109, P= 0. 374). While in the hyperopic group, the refractive diopter was 3. 76±2. 4D after 10g/L cyclopentolate eye drops, which was lower than that after 10g/L atropine 4. 39±2. 6D (P=0. 000).
CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that 10g/L cyclopentolate chloride eye drops can be used in myopia and astigmatism children, and 10g/L atropine should be used in hyperopia children.

BACKGROUNDCervical disc arthroplasty is an alternative surgery to standard cervical decompression and fusion for disc degeneration. Different types of cervical disc prosthesis are used in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiographic outcomes of cervical arthroplasty using the ProDisc-C prosthesis.

METHODSRadiographic evaluation, including static and dynamic flexion-extension lateral images, was performed at baseline and at final follow-up.

RESULTSTwenty six patients who had single-level ProDisc-C arthroplasty were followed up for a mean period of 63 months (56-76 months). The range of motion at the operated level was 9.3°±3.7° at baseline and 7.3°±3.5° at final follow-up, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). Seventeen of 26 levels (65.4%) developed heterotopic ossification: three were classified as grade II, 13 were classified as grade III, and 1 as grade IV, according to McAfee's classification. Forty nine adjacent segments were evaluated by lateral X-ray and 18 (36.7%) segments developed adjacent segment degenerations.

CONCLUSIONSProDisc-C arthroplasty had acceptable radiographic results at 5-year follow-up. The range of motion was preserved. However, more than 60% of the patients developed heterotopic ossification.

Adult ; Arthroplasty ; methods ; Cervical Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

BACKGROUNDCervical arthroplasty is indicated to preserve cervical motion and prevent accelerated adjacent segment degeneration. Whether accelerated adjacent segment degeneration is prevented in the long term is unclear. This trial compared adjacent segment degeneration in Bryan disc arthroplasty with that in anterior cervical decompression and fusion five years after the surgery.

METHODSWe studied patients with single level degenerative cervical disc disease. The extent of adjacent segment degeneration was estimated from lateral X-rays.

RESULTSTwenty-six patients underwent single level Bryan disc arthroplasty and twenty-four patients underwent single level anterior cervical decompression and fusion. All patients were followed up for an average of sixty months. In the Bryan arthroplasty group, nine (17.6%) segments developed adjacent segment degeneration, which was significantly lower than that (60.4%) in the anterior cervical decompression and fusion group. Eleven segments in the Bryan arthroplasty group developed heterotopic ossification according to McAfee's classification and two segments had range of motion less than 2°. In the heterotopic ossification group, four (19.5%) segments developed adjacent segment degeneration, similar to the number in the non-heterotopic ossification group (16.7%). Adjacent segment degeneration rate was 50% in grade IV group but 11.8% in grade II to III.

CONCLUSIONSAdjacent segment degeneration was accelerated after anterior cervical decompression and fusion. However, Bryan disc arthroplasty avoided accelerated adjacent segment degeneration by preserving motion. Patients with grade IV heterotopic ossification lost motion, and the rate of adjacent segment degeneration was higher than that in patients without heterotopic ossification.

Adult ; Arthroplasty ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical and radiological outcome of Bryan cervical disc replacement and the degenerative status on adjacent segments.

METHODSThe data of 26 cases of single level disc replacement with minimal 2 years follow-up were reviewed. CLINICAL OUTCOME was assessed with the JOA 17 score scale and Odom's score. Radiological assessment including range of motion and heterotopic ossification of operated level were recorded. Adjacent level degeneration on X-ray and MRI scan at baseline and at follow-up were compared.

RESULTS(1) CLINICAL OUTCOME: the average JOA score was 16 with 84% improvement ratio at final follow-up in 18 cases of cervical myelopathy. Eight cases of radiculopathy were fully recovered. According to the Odom's criteria 15 cases had an excellent outcome, 7 good, 4 fair, and no case of poor result. (2) On X-ray: The range of motion (ROM) at operated level was 6.9 degrees (2 degrees-12 degrees) at baseline and 7.8 degrees (1 degree-14 degrees) at final follow-up. The heterotopic ossification around the prosthesis was observed in 7 cases and only 1 case lost movement. The average ROM was 5.3 degree in other 6 cases. There was no obvious change of disc height at adjacent levels. (3) On MRI: There was no deterioration of disc degeneration at adjacent levels at final follow-up according to Pfirrmann's classification. There was no further ligamentum flavum impingement into spinal canal observed at adjacent levels but the disc movement slightly increased at both upper and lower adjacent level at final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSThe motion at operated level is preserved after minimal 2 years Bryan disc replacement with satisfied clinical outcome. The deterioration of disc degeneration at adjacent levels may be postponed.

Adult ; Arthroplasty, Replacement ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; surgery ; Joint Prosthesis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Osteophytosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

As an methodology for promoting the quality and efficiency of health care, clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) have gained much improvement. The knowledge base (KB) plays an important role in DSS. For CDSSs, the construction of KB means modeling the medical knowledge based on a suitable model. This study analyzes the SAGE model, then implements it on knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of Metabolic Syndrome (MS), and improves the SAGE to enhance its expression ability. The model is constructed as the KB in CDSS, and be applied in hospital. The evaluation result of CDSS reveals that the SAGE model should be useful in clinical application. Finally, this study propounds some points yet to be improved in the SAGE.
Decision Support Systems, Clinical ; Knowledge Bases ; Models, Theoretical ; Research Design

Animals ; Captopril ; pharmacology ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism