BACKGROUND:Using three dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques,any part of body is accessible to visual observation.However,reports concerning 3D reconstruction of craniofacial vascularity based on PC are few in China.OBJECTIVE:To explore the method and the application values of reconstructing a digital 3D model of craniofacial vascularity based on the data of CT strengthening scanning.METHODS:CT strengthening scan images from a healthy volunteer in DICOM format were imported into Mimics 10.01 software and craniofacial blood vessels were reconstructed with the technique of thresholding,editing and 3D region growing.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The 3D digital model of craniofacial blood vessels was obtained.This model could be zoomed and rotated randomly and displayed the spatial positions and adjacent relationships of different anatomical structures,also the reconstructed structures could be measured in 3D space.The 3D digital model of craniofacial blood vessels can be reconstructed conveniently and quickly with Mimics software on PC,and also it can bring morphological reference to human anatomy teaching,clinical neurosurgery,oral and maxillofacial surgery,as well as image diagnosis,and will be helpful to generate a virtual plateform in craniofacial surgery.

Objective To determine the expression of Notch pathway receptors (Notch1 and Notch4) and ligands (Jagged1 and Dll4) in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) tissues,and to preliminarily explore the role of the Notch signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of CMM.Methods Immunohistochemical study was performed to determine the expression pattern and intensity of Notch1,Notch4,Jagged1 and Dll4 in 40 paraffin-embedded CMM specimens and 15 paraffin-embedded pigmented nevus specimens.Statistical analysis was carried out by chi-square test and Spearman rank correlation analysis with the SPSS 21.0 software.Results Notchl was detected in 31 (77.5％) of 40 CMM specimens,as well as in 3 of 15 pigmented nevus specimens,and the positive rates significantly differed between the two groups (x2 =15.281,P ＜ 0.001).However,no significant difference in the expression intensity of Notch1 was observed between 18 in situ melanoma tissues and 22 invasive melanoma tissues (x2 =0.631,P =0.427).In addition,the positive rates of Notch4,Jagged1 and Dll4 were also significantly higher in the CMM group than those in the pigmented nevus group (all P ＜ 0.05),and the expression intensity of Notch4,Jagged1 and Dll4 significantly differed between in situ and invasive melanoma tissues (all P ＜ 0.05).In CMM tissues,the expression of Notch1 was positively correlated with that of Jagged1 (rs =0.350,P =0.027) and Dll4 (rs =0.562,P ＜ 0.001),while the expression of Jaggedl was negatively correlated with that of Dl14 (rs =-0.734,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion Abnormality of the Notch signaling pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of melanoma,but further researches are still needed to elucidate the detailed mechanism.

Objective To study the image quality and radiation dose in dual-source CT cerebral angiography with prospective ECG-triggered sequence mode (step-and-shoot,SAS).Methods A total of forty-three patients with clinically suspected cerebral vascular disease underwent cerebral CT angiography with prospective ECG-triggering (step-and-shoot,SAS).Data acquisition was at 60％ R-R interval of the ECG presentation mode.The post-processing included maximum intensity projection (MIP),multiplanar reformation (MPR) and volume rendering (VR).The CTA image quality,radiation dose and rates of excellent images were evaluated.Results The CTA image quality score was 4.72 ± 0.50 and 97.7％ (42/43) patients had excellent CTA images.The average effective dose of SAS-CTA was (0.22 ± 0.01 )mSv,which was lower by 76.31％ than that of DE-CTA.Conclusions Prospective ECG-triggering sequence could be used in cerebral angiography with a significant reduction in radiation dose and diagnostic image quality.

ObjectiveTo understand the clinical and histopathologic diagnostic criteria for aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma(AFH).MethodsThe clinical and histopathological features of 5 patients with AFH were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsThere were 3 males and 2 females in these patients.All the tumors clinically manifested as dark erythematous or brown nodules.Three cases had a recent history of rapid growth.The lesions were located on the limbs(n =3),or chest and lower mandible(n =2).Histopathological examination of skin biopsies showed typical features of dermatofibroma,accompanied by many irregular cleftlikeorcavernousblood-filledspaceswithnumeroushemosiderinpigmentsinallofthesecases.Immunohistochemically,the tumor cells were immunoreactive to vimentin and CD68 but negative for CD34 or CD31.Conclusions In view of a history of recent rapid growth,the presence of hemorrhagic pseudocysts and high vascularity,AFH should be differentiated from angiosarcoma and angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma.

Anatomic structure in craniofacial region is very complicated and orthognathic surgery is difficultly performed.Therefore,it is necessary to generate virtual surgical model from CT scan data before operation on personal computer in order to make surgery more accurate.This technique has been increasingly interested in the field of orthognathic surgery both at home and abroad.The sample was scanned with thin-layer CT.CT image data (336 layer,1.0 mm slice thickness) were analyzed with the Mimics software.Simultaneously,three-dimensional model and virtual surgery of the facial cranium were established.The digitized virtual surgical platform of facial cranium was preliminarily created,and three common surgical methods in maxillofacial surgery,i.e.,LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy,mandibular angle osteotomy,and genioplasty,for maxillofacial surgery were simulated.The results showed that the digitized virtual surgical platform of facial cranium could be generated with the Mimics software on personal computer,which provides convenient and quick methods for research,teaching,and clinical surgery.More importantly,it creates theoretical basis for virtual surgical platform which can be widely used on personal computer.

Objective To investigate effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI)and to analyze its therapeutic efficacy. Methods One hundred and eight patients with moderate or severe TBI were randomly divided into a control group (54 cases) and an HBO adjunctive therapy group (HBO group, 54 cases).Both groups received essential neurosurgical treatment and conventional drug treatment, and the HBO group was given one session of HBO therapy in addition. Serum CRP and TNF-α were detected, and the scores on the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) were measured before and after treatment. CRP was detected by turbidimetric immunoassay and TNF-α using ELISA. Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) scores were evaluated in a follow-up 6 months after injury. Results Average CRP, TNF-α and GCS measurements showed no statistically significant difference between the groups before treatment. After treatment, CRP and TNF-α were significantly lower and GCS scores significantly better in both groups, but patients in the HBO group were, on average, significantly better than the controls on all three measures.Six months later, GOS evaluation gave a significantly larger number of patients with a better prognosis in the HBO group compared with the controls. Conclusion HBO therapy can significantly decrease serum CRP and TNF-α after severe TBI, thus enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

Objective To assess the clinical and histopathological features as well as treatment of Wells syndrome.Methods The clinical and pathological findings from 7 patients with Wells syndrome were retrospectively reviewed.Results Lesions were located on both lower extremities in 4 patients,on the back in 1 patient,on the face and trunk in 1 patient,and on the buttocks in 1 patient.Clinical manifestations included cellulitis (n =3),urticaria (n =1 ),annular plaques (n =1 ) and papulonodules (n =2).Histopathological examination of skin biopsies showed an infiltrate of numerous eosinophils with occasional flame figures in the dermis of all the patients.Leucocytoclastic vasculitis was found in 3 cases.No triggering factors were found in any of the 7 cases.The lesions nearly subsided in 3 patients after 2-week treatment with oral small-dosage prednisone and tripterygium glycosides.Conclusions Wells syndrome shows a wide diversity of clinical manifestations with distinct histological features.Systemic glucocorticoids and tripterygium glycosides are effective for the control of this condition.

Objective To compare the quality and radiation doses of coronary artery angiography under the natural heart rate condition between Flash spiral heart mode and prospective electrocardiogramtriggering sequence mode using dual-source,in order to choose personalized low doses of coronary artery scanning mode.Methods Sixty patients who underwent coronary angiography(CTA)on a 128-slice,dualsource CT scanner were divided into 2 group i.e,group A(27cases)and group B(33 cases).Flash spiral heart scan mode was employed for group A.Inclusion criteria included:heart rate<65 bpm.regular sinus rhythm,heart rate fluctuation less than ±5 bpm.Date acquisition was set at 60% of the R-R interval.Prospective electrocardiogram-triggering sequence scan mode(SAS)was performod for group B.Inclusion criteria included:(1)heart rate≥65 bpm,(2)arrhythmias,premature beat,fibrillation atrial.Exclusion criteria included:bad holding breath.Date acquisition(1)At low heart rate(≤75 bpm),date acquisition was set at 60%-80%of the R-R interval.(2)At high heart rate(>75 bpm),date acquisition was set at 30%-50%of the R-R interval. (3)At the arrhythmias,premature beat,fibrillation atrial,date acquisition was set at 20%-90%of the R-R interval.In both gronps,patients with a BMI≥25.0kg/m2 were examined with a tube voltage of 120 kV.while the other patients with a BMI<25.0 kg/m2 were examined with a tube voltage of 100 kV.The BMl was(24.6±1.0)kg/m2 in group A,while that was (24.6±0.9)kg/m2 in group B.In both groups,all images were transferred to the workstation for further processing and analysis.The imaging quality of coronary artery segments and the radiation dose were compared with t test.Results A total of 336 coronary artery segments were evaluated in group A and 412 segments were evaluated in group B.The imaging quality of coronary artery segments were scored.Excellent or good was achieved in 98.2%(330 of 336)artery segments in group A,and that was 98.1%(404 of 412)in group B.There was no statistical difference in imaging quality between the two groups(t=0.513,P=0.608).The average effective dose was(0.74±0.29)mSv in group A,whereas that was(3.67±1.37)mSv in group B.There was a significant difference between the two groups(t=-10.858,P=0.000).Conclusions The personalized low doses coronary artery scanning mode can substantially reduce radiation damage while preserving good imaging quality.

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on interleukin-1 β( IL-1 β) and interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) levels in patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) and to analyze its therapeutic efficacy.MethodsOne hundred and fifty-six patients with moderate or severe TBI were randomly divided into a control group and an HBO adjunctive therapy group with 78 cases in each.The control group received essential neurosurgical treatment and conventional drug treatment,and the HBO group was given one HBO therapy session in addition.IL-1 β and IL-6 were quantitatively determined using sandwich ELISA,and the patients'scores on the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) were measured before and after treatment.The Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) was used to evaluate in a follow-up 6 months after injury.ResultsThe average IL-1 β and IL-6 levels of the two groups and their average GCS scores were not significantly different before treatment.After treatment,IL-1 βand IL-6 levels decreased significantly and GCS scores increased significantly in both groups,but there were significant inter-group differences in all three measures.Six months after injury the GOS evaluation indicated that significantly more patients had better outcomes in the HBO group than in the control group. Conclusion Conventional treatment combined with HBO therapy can promote neurofunction recovery in TBI patients.The mechanism may be related to down-regulation of serum IL-1 β and IL-6.

This paper summarized Professor PENG Peichu's experience in the differentiation and treatment of prostate cancer in three phases and four stages. It is considered that prostatic cancer is categorized into root deficiency and branch excess， with depletion of healthy qi as the root， and the accumulation of cancer toxin as the minifestation. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of prostatic cancer can be divided into three phases and four stages according to the exuberance and decline of pathogenic and healthy qi and the changes of deficiency and excess of yin and yang. In the initial accumulation phase of cancer toxin （yang excess stage）， the key pathogenesis is the accumulation of dampness， heat and static blood， and internal generation of cancer toxin， and the treatment should be resolving toxins， fighting cancer and dispelling yang excess. In the phase of healthy qi deficiency and toxin accumulation （yin deficiency stage）， with the lung and kidney yin deficiency， dampness， heat and static toxin accumulation as the key pathogenesis， the treatment should be centered on mutual generation between metal and water to nourish kidney yin， supplemented with the method of clearing heat and draining dampness， activating blood and resolving toxins， for which self-made Nanbei Formula（南北方）is usually used. In the phase of yang deficiency and cold stagnation （yang deficiency stage and yin excess stage）， with the spleen and kidney yang deficiency， cold dampness stagnation， static heat and toxin accumulation as the key pathogenesis， the treatment should be warming and tonifying spleen and kidney to dissipate cold accumulation； for deficiency of both yin and yang， and excess pathogen obstruction， modified Yanghe Decoction（阳和汤） is recommended， while for yang deficiency， cold congealing and blood stasis， self-made Wenshen Sanjie Formula（温肾散结方） can be used， and for cold dampness binding with cancer toxin， and cold complex with heat， self-made Quanan Formula （泉安方） is advised.