Radiologists and trauma surgeons should monitor for early killers among patients with thoracic trauma, such as tension pneumothorax, tracheobronchial injuries, flail chest, aortic injury, mediastinal hematomas, and severe pulmonary parenchymal injury. With the advent of cutting-edge technology, rapid volumetric computed tomography of the chest has become the most definitive diagnostic tool for establishing or excluding thoracic trauma. With the notion of “time is life” at emergency settings, radiologists must find ways to shorten the turnaround time of reports. One way to interpret chest findings is to use a systemic approach, as advocated in this study. Our interpretation of chest findings for thoracic trauma follows the acronym “ABC-Please” in which “A” stands for abnormal air, “B” stands for abnormal bones, “C” stands for abnormal cardiovascular system, and “P” in “Please” stands for abnormal pulmonary parenchyma and vessels. In the future, utilizing an artificial intelligence software can be an alternative, which can highlight significant findings as “warm zones” on the heatmap and can re-prioritize important examinations at the top of the reading list for radiologists to expedite the final reports.

Aim To investigate the effeet of dihydro- myricetin ( DHM ) on cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM) rats and its mechanism.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group ( n = 56) : normal diet and citrate buffer solution (30 mg • kg 1 ) ; T2DM model group (n =60) : high glucose, fat and low dose STZ ( 30 mg • kg 1 ) ( Four unsuccessful rats were eliminated ).Then rats in the above two groups were treated with or without DHM (250 mg • kg 1 • d intragastric).After 12 weeks, eight rats in each group were randomly selected to perform Morris water maze and Y maze test to observe the effect of DHM on cognitive function of rats.The remaining rats in each group were injected ERS antagonist tauroursodeoxycholic acid ( TUDCA ) 10 jxg • d 1 or ERS activator tunicamycin (TUN) 10 jxL, respectively.After the behavioral analysis, the hippocampal tissues of rats were taken out.The expressions of EH stress related proteins GRP78 and P- PERK were detected by Western blot.Results Both DHM and TUDCA could improve cognitive dysfunction in T2DM rats.On the contrary, TIJN reduced the effect of DHM on cognitive dysfunction in T2DM rats.TUDCA decreased the expression of GRP78 and p- PERK proteins in T2DM rats, while TUN increased the expression of GRP78 and p-PERK proteins in T2DM rats treated by DHM.Conclusion DHM improves cognitive dysfunction in T2DM rats, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

BACKGROUND: Surface modification is used to modify the biomaterials for the regulation of cell culture using different approaches, such as chemical graft and mechanical treatment. However, those conventional methodologies often require precise fabrication in a high resolution involving either high cost or laborious steps to remove chemical residues that are toxic to the cells. METHODS: A novel and simple method was proposed and evaluated to rapidly generate surface ceases on the gelatin methacrylate (gelMA) surface using the heating-hydration process. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured on the gelMA surface. The surface binding was characterized using the RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) antibodies and cell adhesion pattern captured by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the heating-hydration parameters on the creasing formation was investigated. The morphology of HUVECs cultured on such micropatterned gelMA was characterized and compared. RESULTS: It is found that the hydration solution, gelMA mixture, and hydration rate are the major factors that influence the cracking sizes in the range from 20 to 120 lm which resulted in capillary-like patterns on the gelMA surface. Low concentration of gelMA, high water concentration of cooling agent, and slow hydration rate result in the long creases, and heating of at least 60 min is required for complete dehydration. Strong fluorescence was around the creases with RGDstaining. Consequently, micropatterned gelMA demonstrated good biocompatibility with endothelial cells with more than 95% cell viability and continuous cell proliferation throughout 2 weeks as well as a good trace of neovascular formation. In comparison, normal gelMA surface did not exhibit RGD-fluorescent signals, and the cultured HUVECs on it were rounded with no spreading for network formation. CONCLUSION The heating-hydration approach can successfully and easily produce the micropatterned gelMA that allows rapid and effective vascularization to potentially improve the functionalities of the tissue-engineered construct.

BACKGROUND: Surface modification is used to modify the biomaterials for the regulation of cell culture using different approaches, such as chemical graft and mechanical treatment. However, those conventional methodologies often require precise fabrication in a high resolution involving either high cost or laborious steps to remove chemical residues that are toxic to the cells. METHODS: A novel and simple method was proposed and evaluated to rapidly generate surface ceases on the gelatin methacrylate (gelMA) surface using the heating-hydration process. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured on the gelMA surface. The surface binding was characterized using the RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) antibodies and cell adhesion pattern captured by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the heating-hydration parameters on the creasing formation was investigated. The morphology of HUVECs cultured on such micropatterned gelMA was characterized and compared. RESULTS: It is found that the hydration solution, gelMA mixture, and hydration rate are the major factors that influence the cracking sizes in the range from 20 to 120 lm which resulted in capillary-like patterns on the gelMA surface. Low concentration of gelMA, high water concentration of cooling agent, and slow hydration rate result in the long creases, and heating of at least 60 min is required for complete dehydration. Strong fluorescence was around the creases with RGDstaining. Consequently, micropatterned gelMA demonstrated good biocompatibility with endothelial cells with more than 95% cell viability and continuous cell proliferation throughout 2 weeks as well as a good trace of neovascular formation. In comparison, normal gelMA surface did not exhibit RGD-fluorescent signals, and the cultured HUVECs on it were rounded with no spreading for network formation. CONCLUSION The heating-hydration approach can successfully and easily produce the micropatterned gelMA that allows rapid and effective vascularization to potentially improve the functionalities of the tissue-engineered construct.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ancillary CT findings between superior mesenteric artery thromboembolism (SMAT) and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (SMVT), and to determine the independent CT findings of life-threatening mesenteric occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was approved by the institution review board. We included 43 patients (21 SMAT and 22 SMVT between 1999 and 2008) of their median age of 60.0 years, and retrospectively analyzed their CT scans. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, management, surgical pathology diagnosis, and outcome. We compared CT findings between SMAT and SMVT groups. Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine the independent CT findings of life-threatening mesenteric occlusion. RESULTS: Of 43 patients, 24 had life-threatening mesenteric occlusion. Death related to mesenteric occlusion was 32.6%. A thick bowel wall (p < 0.001), mesenteric edema (p < 0.001), and ascites (p = 0.009) were more frequently associated with SMVT, whereas diminished bowel enhancement (p = 0.003) and paralytic ileus (p = 0.039) were more frequent in SMAT. Diminished bowel enhancement (OR = 20; p = 0.007) and paralytic ileus (OR = 16; p = 0.033) were independent findings suggesting life-threatening mesenteric occlusion. CONCLUSION: The ancillary CT findings occur with different frequencies in SMAT and SMVT. However, the independent findings indicating life-threatening mesenteric occlusion are diminished bowel wall enhancement and paralytic ileus.
Arteries ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Female ; Humans ; Iohexol/diagnostic use ; Male ; Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion/mortality/pathology/*radiography ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods ; Veins

OBJECTIVE: Clinical presentation and physical signs may be unreliable in the diagnosis of stercoral colitis (SC). This study evaluates the value of computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing fatal from non-fatal SC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients diagnosed as SC were obtained from inter-specialist conferences. Additional 13 patients with suspected SC were identified via the Radiology Information System (RIS). These patients were divided into two groups; fatal and non-fatal SCs. Their CT images are reviewed by two board-certified radiologists blinded to the clinical data and radiographic reports. RESULTS: SC occurred in older patients and displayed no gender predisposition. There was significant correlation between fatal SC and CT findings of dense mucosa (p = 0.017), perfusion defects (p = 0.026), ascites (p = 0.023), or abnormal gas (p = 0.033). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of dense mucosa were 71%, 86%, and 81%, respectively. These figures were 75%, 79%, and 77% for perfusion defects; 75%, 80%, and 78% for ascites; and 50%, 93%, and 78% for abnormal gas, respectively. Each CT sign of mucosal sloughing and pericolonic abscess displayed high specificity of 100% and 93% for diagnosing fatal SC, respectively. However, this did not reach statistical significance in diagnosing fatal SC. CONCLUSION: CT appears to be valuable in discriminating fatal from non-fatal SC.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Colitis/mortality/*radiography ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fecal Impaction/mortality/*radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

Medical genetics is one of the important basic courses in medical education. The teaching reform in course content, teaching method and experimental teaching was carried out to arouse their enthusiasm in study, cultivate their capabilities of analyzing of medical practice problem.

NIT-1 cells were exposed to various concentrations of glucose for 24,48,and 72 hours.The content of triglyceride in NIT-1 cells increased in dose-and time-dependent manners (P ＜ 0.05).Long-term exposure of NIT-1 cells to high glucose concentrations caused an inverse "v"-like induction of HSL mRNA and protein expressions,which increased from beginning,and then decreased,along with similar changes of lipolysis.These results suggest that the adaptation of HSL may play an important role in regulating the intracellular triglyceride pool and the development of glucolipotoxicity in pancreatic β cells.

Objective To observe the expressions of senescence-associated biomarkers in fibroblasts after repeated exposures to subtoxic doses of ultraviolet B (UVB), and to study the effect of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 as well as Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on the UVB-induced premature senescence and on the expressions of senescence-associated signals including pl6, p21 and pS3. Methods Skin fibroblasts were classified into 8 groups to receive pretreatment with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomers only, UVB irradiation only, no treatment, or both pretreatment and irradiation. UVB was given successively at a dose of 15 mJ/cm~2 for 10 times, and the concentration of three monomers was 50 mg/L. After 5 days of treatment, light microscopy was used to observe the morphology of fibroblasts, transmission electron microscopy to study the cell ultrastructure,β-galactosidase histochemical staining to detect senescent cells, flow cytometry to analyze cell cycle, and RT-PCR to measure the mRNA expressions of p16, p21 and p53 in these skin fibroblasts. Results None of the 3 monomers had any effect on cell morphology, P-galactosidase activity, cell cycle or the mRNA expression of p53, p21 and pl6 in skin fibroblasts. After UVB irradiation, some changes occurred to cell morphology and ultrastructure; 91.5% of the cells were stained positively for P-galactosidase. The proportion of cells in G1 phase was 88.63% ± 4.67% in irradiated fibroblasts, significantly different from that in untreated controls (49.18% ± 5.53%, P< 0.05) and that in irradiated fibroblasts pretreated with ginsenoside Rbl and Rgl as well as Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (71.04% ± 1.64%, 70.38% ± 2.58%, 80.09% ± 3.46%, all P < 0.05). Compared with untreated fibroblasts, the mRNA expression of p53, p21 and pl6 significantly increased in irradiated fibroblasts (P < 0.05), however, the induced increase in the mRNA expression of pl6 was inhibited by all the three monomers (all P< 0.05), that of p2l by ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 (P< 0.05), and that of p53 by ginsenoside Rbl and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (both P < 0.05). Conclusions Ginsenoside Rbl, Rgl and lycium barbarum polysaccharide can inhibit UVB-induced premature senescence, which may be associated with the down-regulation of mRNA expressions of pl6, p21 and p53.