Objective To investigate the CT findings of three types of pulmonary fungal disease in non-immunosuppressed patients. Methods We retrospectively collected 109 cases diagnosed with pulmonary fungal disease with pathological evidence which between January 2011 and October 2015 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, among which pulmonary aspergillosis were 48 cases, pulmonary cryptococcosis 45 cases and pulmonary mucormycosis 16 cases. Each patient underwent a chest MSCT scan. The data were analyzed that including underlying diseases, lesion types, lesion size, number, accompanying signs of CT scan, etc. χ2 test or Fisher exact test were used when compared underlying disease, lesion types, various of CT signs etc between different types of pulmonary fungal disease. Kruskal-Wallis H test were used when compared the incidence rate of lesions numbers and diameter. The ROC curve was used to analyze probability of predicting the fungal types by combined signs. Results The incidence of pulmonary mucormycosis with diabetes was higher than pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary cryptococcosis(χ2=2.704, 17.509, P<0.017) .The incidence of pulmonary mucormycosis with no underlying disease was lower than pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary cryptococcosis(Fisher test, P<0.017). Nodular or mass were main CT findings in the three pulmonary fungal disease. Consolidation, ground glass opacity and other manifestations were rare. Nodular or mass lesions in pulmonary aspergillosis accompany with CT signs like tree-in-bud, bronchogram sign, cavities, the air crescent sign, halo sign, the reversed-halo sign were rspectively 18, 10, 19, 10, 23, 0 cases;To pulmonary cryptococcosis were 4, 14, 6, 0, 11, 0 cases. To pulmonary mucormycosis were 2, 0, 4, 0, 4, 6 cases. Lesion number's distribution had a statistically difference between pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary cryptococcosis in nodular or mass lesions(P<0.05). Lesions size's distribution had statistically differences respectively between pulmonary mucormycosis and pulmonary aspergillosis, pulmonary cryptococcosis(P<0.05). Nodular lesions of pulmonary aspergillosis had higher incidence of tree-in-bud, cavity and air-crescent compared to pulmonary cryptococcosis(χ2=9.972,21.841,8.047,P<0.017). Reversed halo sign was mostly seen in pulmonary mucormycosis than in pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary cryptococcosis(Continuous correctionχ2=23.936,21.374, P<0.017). The area under the ROC curve for the combined signs predictive fungal disease type was 0.819. Conclusions Nodules or masses are the most common image findings in pulmonary aspergillosis, pulmonary cryptococcosis and pulmonary mucormycosis. The distribution of size and numbers and CT accompanied signs have a higher diagnostic efficacy in diagnosing and distinguishing pulmonary fungal disease.

Background:Fenretinide,which is capable of generating reactive oxygen species( ROS ),has emerged as a promising antineoplastic agent based on numerous in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical chemoprevention trials. Preliminary studies showed that fenretinide could induce apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma( HCC)cells in vitro, however,the precise mechanism was not clarified. Aims:To elucidate the effect of ROS on apoptosis of human HCC cells induced by fenretinide and the underlying mechanism. Methods:Human HCC cell line Huh-7 was treated with antioxidant vitamin E,fenretinide or their combination,respectively. ROS in live cells was evaluated by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry;cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by CellTiter-Glo Luminescent Cell Viability Assay Kit and Caspase-Glo3/7 Assay Kit;expression and intracellular localization of nuclear receptor Nur77,as well as expression of stress-induced transcription factor GADD153 were measured by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting,respectively. Results:Vitamin E pretreatment fully blocked the fenretinide-induced ROS production. In Huh-7 cells pretreated with vitamin E,cell apoptosis induced by fenretinide was significantly reduced(P<0. 05). Furthermore,effect of vitamin E pretreatment was noteworthy on reducing fenretinide-induced GADD153 expression, while no significant impact on fenretinide-induced Nur77 expression and translocation was observed. Conclusions:Elimination of ROS by vitamin E can abrogate the pro-apoptotic effect of fenretinide on Huh-7 cells,which indicates the participation of ROS in fenretinide-induced apoptosis of human HCC cells. Its mechanism might be associated with induction of GADD153 protein expression.

Biocompatibility is the essential property of biomaterials, which is the essence of biomaterial evaluation as well as the foundation of the design and improvement of biomaterials. Several methods were carried out to evaluate the biocompatibility of poly(L-Lactide)-b-poly(trimethylene carbonate (PLLA-b-PTMC) and poly(D,L-Lactide)-b-poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PDLLA-b-PTMC) with poly(L-Lactide) (PLLA) and poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) as control, including extract liquid experiment, directly contact experiment of materials and cells, hemolytic ratio analysis and platelet adhesion investigation. The results revealed that all the materials exhibited an acceptable cytotoxicity, and proliferation of cells on the modified materials was less than that on the PLLA but more than that on PTMC. The results of hemocompatibility experiments showed that no significant hemolysis was detected when all the materials were in use; in addition, the numbers of platelets adhered on the surface of copolymers were smaller than that on the surface of PLLA, and the degree of platelet deformation was slighter. So, the biocompatibility of copolymers is similar to that of PLLA, the biocompatibility of PLLA is not remarkably changed by modification with PTMC, but rather is improved.
Absorbable Implants ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Blood Platelets ; cytology ; Hardness ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Materials Testing ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Polymers ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

Self-assembly of peptides is ubiquitous in the body of creatures. The molecules of peptides combine with each other to form proteins with different functions through self-assembly. The formation of a specific conformation of one type of protein is owing to the self-assembly of its compositive amino acids. So, researchers can design self-assembly of peptides at the molecular level and can control its formation and configuration. It has the potential for application in the preparation of new medicines and biomaterials. In recent years, self-assembling peptides have been increasingly high-lighted and used to simulate the function of natural biomolecules, to synthesize peptide-medicine, and to serve as the carriers of medicine.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemical synthesis ; Molecular Conformation ; Nanotechnology ; methods ; Peptides ; chemistry ; Protein Engineering ; methods

Tracheal intubation is one of the most important emergency techniques, and it is a key and difficult point in advanced life support training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Our treatment is trying to combine standard video with visual laryngoscopes for tracheal intubation teaching. Firstly, the students watch the standard video. Then, the teacher shows how to perform a tracheal intubation by visual laryngo-scope. Finally, the students practice the intubation process on the simulation device. In this way, the teach-ing process is more intuitive, easier to be mastered, more normalized and repeatable. This method is worth to be promoted.

Objective To investigate the endoscopic prevalence of erosive esophagitis (EE) among 13 hospitals in Guangdong province of China. Methods Retrospectively reviewed all the cases (63459 cases) that received oesophagogastrodeuodenoscopy in 13 main hospitals in Guangdong province of China in 2003. Los Angeles criteria for classification of erosive esophagitis were employed as the basis of analysis. Results One thousand two hundreds and sixty-three patients (age range 3-90yr, mean 50. 2 ?17. 1 ) were found to have EE. The overall prevalence of EE was 1. 99% (1263/63459). The prevalence of EE in A, B, C, and D grade were 0. 94% , 0. 69% , 0. 21% and 0. 14% respectively. Age correlated positively on endoscopic grading of EE (F=22. 932, P

Objective To systematically evaluate the relation between prognostic nutrition index (PNI) and prognosis of bladder cancer (BC) patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC). Methods We searched the literatures about the relation between PNI and the prognosis of patients treated with radical cystectomy published from the inception to January 30, 2021 in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Chinese Medical Journal Database, and used RevMan5.3 software for Meta analysis. Results We included six literatures which comprise a total of 1273 patients. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between low PNI and OS of BC patients treated with RC (HR=2.0, 95%CI: 1.56-2.56), and there was a significant difference in RFS, PFS and DSS between low PNI and BC patients treated with RC (HR=1.93, 95%CI: 1.51-2.48). In the subgroup analysis, there were statistical differences in PNI and the prognosis of BC patients treated with RC between the Chinese group (HR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.62-2.81) and the Japanese group (HR=1.78, 95%CI: 1.08-2.94), and the PNI cutoff value had a good predictive effect on the prognosis of patients in the range of 46.08-51.30. Conclusion There is a significant relation between the level of PNI and OS of bladder cancer patients treated with radical cystectomy. Low PNI can be used as an effective marker to predict the prognosis of patients.

Objective To explore the effect and safety of magnetic resonance imaging and transrectal ultrasound (mpMRI-TRUS) image fusion targeted transperineal biopsy technique using electromagnetic needle tracking under local anesthesia. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathological data of 81 patients with mpMRI-TRUS image fusion targeted transperineal prostate biopsy using electromagnetic needle tracking under local anesthesia. Visual analog scale (VAS) and visual numeric scale (VNS) were used to evaluate the pain level and satisfaction of patients during prostate biopsy (VAS-1 and VNS-1), one hour after puncture (VAS-2 and VNS-2), and one day after surgery (VAS-3 and VNS-3). The perioperative clinical data and tumor positive rate of postoperative biopsy were recorded. Results The average prostate volume of 81 patients was 53.39±29.46 cm³. The PSA values of patients with PI-RADS scores of 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 9.14±2.31, 9.95±4.10, 14.77±6.36, and 32.17±24.39 ng/ml, respectively. The scores of VAS-1, VAS-2, and VAS-3 were 1.70±0.73, 1.16±0.58, and 0.53±0.55, respectively; the scores of VNS-1, VNS-2, and VNS-3 were 2.74±0.44, 3.69±0.46, and 3.84±0.37, respectively. The average surgical time was 17.47±3.44 minutes. Postoperative pathological results showed that the tumor positive rate of targeted prostate biopsy was 64.20%. According to the PI-RADS score for subgroup analysis, the tumor positive rates of patients with PI-RADS scores of 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 21.43%, 44.44%, 61.11%, and 96.77%, respectively. After transperineal prostate biopsy, gross hematuria occurred in 19.75% patients, and urinary retention occurred in 3.70%. The latter were relieved after symptomatic treatment. All patients did not experience complications, such as perineal puncture area hematoma, urinary tract infection, hematospermia, hematoma in perineal puncture area, urinary tract infection, hematospermia, vagus nerve reaction, or septic shock. Conclusion For suspected prostate cancer patients, mpMRI-TRUS image fusion targeted transperineal biopsy technique using electromagnetic needle tracking under local anesthesia is a feasible and easily tolerated surgical procedure. It has good safety and high tumor positive-detection rate, indicating that this technique is worthy of further clinical promotion and application.

Objective To discuss the safety and curative effect of CT -guided percutaneous argon -helium cryoablation in treating leiomyosarcoma. Methods A total of 25 patients with leiomyosarcoma, who were treated at authors' hospital during the period from January 2012 to January 2016, were included in this study. CT-guided percutaneous argon-helium cryoablation was performed in all patients. The local changes of target lesions, the progression - free survival (PFS) and the survival rate were dynamically checked, and the complications were recorded. Results CT examination performed immediately after argon- helium cryoablation indicated that radical frozen ablation was achieved in 13 patients (52％), significant tumor -reductive frozen ablation in 11 patients (44％), effective tumor-reductive frozen ablation in one patient (4％), and invalid tumor-reductive frozen ablation in 0 patient. Follow - up CT examination performed at 3 months after argon - helium cryoablation showed that, based on solid tumor evaluation criteria, complete remission (CR) was obtained in 14 patients, partial remission (PR) in 8 patients and stable disease (SD) in one patient, the total remission rate (CR+PR) was 88％. The local PFS time was (9. 4±6. 2) months. The one-, 2-and 3-year survival rates were 64％, 48％ and 32％ respectively. In this group of cases, neither serious complications such as haemorrhage or tumor lysis syndrome nor procedure-related death occurred. Postoperative mild and moderate complications included fever, skin frostbite, immediate postoperative local pain exacerbation, nerve damage, etc., all of which disappeared or became relived after symptomatic treatment. Conclusion For the treatment of leiomyosarcoma, CT-guided percutaneous targeted argon-helium cryoablation has certain and definite short-term curative effect. CT-guided argon-helium cryoablation is a safe, reliable and minimally-invasive treatment, this technique is worth popularizing in clinical practice. (J Intervent Radiol, 2018, 27:228-232)

Objective:To investigate the infarct size and its related factors in patients with anterior choroidal artery (AchA) territory infarction.Methods:From April 2016 to April 2018, consecutive patients with acute AchA territory infarction hospitalized in the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Shuyang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were enrolled retrospectively. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to assess the severity of the disease at baseline, and the Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) was used to determine the side, location, size, and morphology of the infarct lesions. The patients were divided into small infarction group (<20 mm) and large infarction group (≥20 mm). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for infarct size. Results:A total of 100 consecutive patients with acute AchA territory infarction were enrolled, including 86 (86.0%) in small infarction group, 14 (14.0%) in large infarction group. Based on the NIHSS score, there were 89 patients with mild stroke, 9 with moderate stroke, and 2 with severe stroke. According to DWI, 69 patients (69.0%) had long cord-like infarcts and 31 (31.0%) had other shapes of infarcts. The baseline NIHSS score (7.0 [2.0-10.5] vs. 3.0 [2.0-4.0]; Z=2.353, P=0.019) and the proportion of patients with severe stroke (14.3% vs. 0%; P=0.018), the infarcts in posterior part of periventricular area (85.7% vs. 57.0%; χ2=4.180, P=0.041) and medial globus pallidus (21.4% vs. 4.7%; χ2=5.206, P=0.023), and cord-like infarction (92.9% vs. 65.1%; χ2=4.332, P=0.037) in patients of the large infarction group were significantly higher than those of the small infarction group; leukocyte count (7.7±1.7×10 9/L vs. 6.6±1.8×10 9/L; t=2.214, P=0.036) and platelet count (234.5±39.5×10 9/L vs. 198.0±49.4×10 9/L; t=2.618, P=0.010) were significantly higher than those of the small infarction group; the proportion of patients with sensory impairment was significantly higher than that of the small infarction group (50.0% vs. 24.4%; χ2=3.908, P=0.048). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that platelet count (odds ratio 1.018, 95% confidence interval 1.000-1.621; P=0.044) and stroke severity (odds ratio 18.245, 95% confidence interval 1.534-217.052; P=0.022) were significantly and positively correlated with the infarct size. Conclusion:The related factors of the infarct size in patients with AchA territory infarction included sensory impairment, baseline NIHSS score, stroke severity, morphology and location of infarct lesions, and leukocyte and platelet counts, of which platelet count and stroke severity were independently positively correlated with the infarct size.