BACKGROUND: Intra-oral, extra-oral, and combination of intraoral and extra-oral incisions often use in mandibular angle contouring surgery. Minimally invasive incision at auriculocephalic sulcus in mandibular angle osteotomy is a new approach, but its report is rare. OBJECTIVE: To observe the anatomical structure of the mandibular angle and its related blood vessels and nerves, and to provide the anatomical basis for the minimally invasive incision at auriculocephalic sulcus in mandibular angle osteotomy. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A single sample observational experiment was performed at Department of Anatomy in the Second Military Medical University from February to May in 2008. MATERIALS: A total of 15 adult skull specimens (30 laterals), including 11 female and 4 male, and 15 adult mandible (30 laterals) were used in the experiment. METHODS: Anatomical study was performed on 30 laterals of 15 skull specimens, observing distributions and arrangement of blood vessels and nerves as well as their position relation with mandibular angle. After sawing the mandible bones along mark lines, the distances from the mental foramen, mandibular foramen, and each section of mandibular canal to the edge, internal wall and external wall of the mandible bone were measured. The results were expressed as Mean?SD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The anatomical level, blood vessels, nerves and mandibular canals of mandibular angle region were observed. RESULTS: The distances from great auricular nerve, external jugular vein, cervical branch of facial nerve, facial artery and facial vein to the mandibular angle were (19.48?6.45), (13.84?3.78), (9.58?3.05), (22.62?7.16) and (20.08?6.45) mm, respectively. The distance from the location of marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve running out of the parotid gland to the mandibular angle was (7.79?2.57) mm. The distance from the location of mandibular canal at outer margin of third molar to the mandibular angle was (16.97?2.24) mm. CONCLUSION: The anatomical structure of the mandibular angle region is complex, and there are many important blood vessels and nerves. Minimally invasive incision at auriculocephalic sulcus is relatively safe in anatomy.

OBJECTIVEThis work lays the foundation for establishing a digital model database with normal occlusion. A digital dental cast is acquired through grating projection, and model features are measured through reverse engineering.

METHODSThe grating projection system controlled by a computer was projected onto the surface of a normal dental model. Three-dimensional contour data were obtained through multi-angle shooting. A three-dimensional model was constructed, and the model features were analyzed by using reverse engineering. The digital model was compared with the plaster model to determine the accuracy of the measurement system.

RESULTSThe structure of three-dimensional reconstruction model was clear. The digital models of two measurements exhibited no significant difference (P > 0.05). When digital and plaster models were measured, we found that the crown length and arch width were not statistically different (P > 0.05), whereas the difference between the crown width and arch length was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe reconstruction of a digital model by using the grating projection technique and reverse engineering can be used for dental model measurement in clinic al and scientific research and can provide a scientific method for establishing a digital model database with normal occlusion.

Objective To explore the mixed infection of bacteria and viruses of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. Methods A total of 204 children with CAP were tested for sputum bacteria, viruses and atypical pathogen, and children with bronchoscope indications were performed with bronchoscope for alveolar lavage (BAL), and the BAL lfuid (BALF) was subjected to quantitative culture and intracellular bacteria detection. All the children were given antimicrobial sequential therapy. Results There were 153 strains of pathogenic bacteria isolated in 122 cases, the detection rate was 59.80%(122/204). Thirty cases were found with mixed bacterial and viral infections. BAL was performed on 70 cases, positive lavage germiculture were detected in 8 cases, of theses BALF specimen inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) positivity were found in 5 cases. Using BALF quantitative culture as control, the sensitivity of ICOS in the diagnosis of CAP was 37.50%and the speciifcity was 96.77%. In 30 cases of mixed infection with bacteria and viruses, 27 cases were younger than 5 years old, accounting for 90.00%. Duration of fever greater than 10 d in mixed infection group of children (43.33%, 13/30) was higher than that of the non-mixed infection group (23.12%, 40/173) (P??0.05). Average hospitalization time in children with mixed infection (13.5+1.5) d was higher than that with non-mixed infection (8.6+1.1) d (P?

Objective To explore application value of blood flow ratio indexes in the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT) with different thyroid functions.Methods One hundred and four patients who were diagnosed clinically as HT were enrolled in the study.The patients were classified into three groups according to thyroid functions:the hyperthyroidism group,the hypothyroidism group and the euthyroidism group.Thirty-two volunteers with normal thyroid functions were enrolled as control group.All the cases were examined with ultrasound and five blood flow ratio indexes were calculated automatically.Their differences in the four groups were compared.Results ①Among the five blood flow ratio indexes,three indexes(mean ratio,maxratio and minratio) had significant differences between each two groups(P ＜ 0.001),the other two indexes didn't have any differences among the four groups.②Two receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves on meanratio were drew:a)HT with hyperthyroidism and HT with euthyroidism;b) HT with euthyroidism and HT with hypothyroidism.The cutoff value as a result of the ROC analysis of HT with hyperthyroidism and HT with euthyroidism was 0.235 with the maxim of specificity and sensitivity.The cutoff value of HT with euthyroidism and HT with hypothyroidism was 0.113 with the maxim of specificity and sensitivity.Both Bland-Altamn scatter diagrams and high intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC) showed that blood flow ratio indexes have high repeatability.Conclusions Blood flow ratio indexes are promising quantitative indexes in reflecting the vascularity of thyroid parenchyma,and they are helpful in the differential diagnosis of HT with different thyroid functions.

Objective To study the relationship between Nogo-B and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad2 signaling pathway in mice models of hepatic fibrosis.Methods Twenty four healthy male ICR mice were divided into two groups,with 6 in the control group and 18 in the model group.Mice in the model group were further divided into three subgroups according to different time points:subgroups of 4,8 and 12 weeks,with 6 mice in each subgroup.Hepatic fibrosis of mice was induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).The histopathologic changes of the liver were observed by optical microscope using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson trichrome stainings of the liver tissues.Expressions of Nogo-B,Smad2 and TGF-β1 mRNA and proteins in liver were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays,respectively.Means among groups were compared by univariate analysis of variance.Results The hepatic fibrosis models were successfully induced by CCl4 injection.The expressions of two subtypes of Nogo-B,Nogo-B1 and Nogo-B2 mRNA in normal livers were 0.140±0.050 and 0.104±0.023,but both significantly increased in the livers of mice in the 12 week model subgroup (1.054±0.040 and 0.500±0.057,F=431.41 and 135.46,respectively; both P＜0.01).The Nogo-B protein was mainly expressed in nonparenchymal cells of the liver,and was hardly expressed in hepatocytes.Linear correlation analysis showed that the expressions of Nogo-B mRNA and proteins were positively correlated with Smad2 and TGF-β1 mRNA and proteins (all P＜0.01),which were considered to participate in the signaling pathway of hepatic fibrosis.Conclusion Nogo-B might play a role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis by participating in TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway.

Tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) is the ectopic lymphoid tissue around the chronic inflammatory site of tumor, infection diseases, autoimmunity diseases, organ transplantation and so on. TLS is regarded as the vital niche of antitumor immune response in tumor microenvironment for abundant immune cells, and is correlated with better clinical outcomes and immunotherapy response in most solid tumors. As a typical inflammation-driven cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial with the influence of TLS on patients prognosis. In this paper, the composition, formation mechanism, recognition and clinical value of TLS in HCC were briefly reviewed.

Objective:In oder to investigate the effect of Chuanmingshen violaceum polysaccharides ( CVP) and Solfated Chua-nmingshen violaceum polysaccharides ( SCVP) on immunosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide ( CY) in mice.Methods: CY were used to induce immunosuppression in mice;Spleen and thymus indexes were used to evaluate the immune organs indexes;the [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltet-razolium bromide,MTT] method was used to detect the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes of each group;the concentrations of IFN-γand IL-2 were assayed by ELISA kit.Results: SCVP and CVP could resist immunosuppression by promoting lymphocyte proliferation, increasing the contents of IFN-γ and IL-2, promoting immune organs development in immunosuppressive mice induced by CY.Conclusion:SCVP and CVP exhibited the potential to used as immunopotentiator.

Objective:To observe the protective effect of Zhicao Tea Mixture on Müller cells and the expression of inflammatory factors in mice with diabetic retinopathy.Methods:Seventy-five C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal control group, diabetes mellitus (DM) group, low concentrations group, medium concentrations group and high concentrations group, with 16 mice in each group. The diabetes model of mice in all groups except the normal control group were established by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Four weeks after the successful modeling, the Zhicao Tea Mixture with low (30 ml/kg), medium (60 ml/kg) and high concentrations (120 ml/kg) were respectively administered by gavage. Weight and blood glucose of mice in each group were measured every two weeks. After 8 weeks, Western blot method was used to detect the mice retina Müller cells activation marker gelatinous fibrous acidic protein (GFAP). Immunofluorescence was performed to detect the expression GFAP and glutamine synthetase (GS). Real-time quantitative PCR (RT- qPCR) and ELISA were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of mouse retinal VEGF, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 respectively.Results:The weight of mice in the DM group was lower than that of the normal control group, and the blood glucose was increased. Zhicao Tea Mixture had no effect on the weight of DM mice, but had a significant hypoglycemic effect. The GFAP expression ( t=38.318, P<0.001) in the retina of mice in the DM group was increased and GS expression ( t=29.737, P<0.001) was decreased compared with the control group. The GFAP expression ( t=13.677, 19.387, 16.305; P<0.05) in the retina of mice in the low, medium and high concentrations group were decreased and GS expression ( t=5.170, 19.399, 6.705; P<0.05) were increased compared with the DM group. The expressions of retinal inflammatory factors VEGF, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in DM group all increased, while the expressions of the above-mentioned inflammatory factors in the retina of mice decreased in the low, medium and high concentrations group. Conclusion:Zhicao Tea Mixture can decrease the blood glucose of DM mice and reduces the diabetic retinal inflammatory response.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of KCNJ11 rs5210 single nucleotide polymorphism with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Chinese Han population in Qingdao, China. MethodsA total of 246 patients with NAFLD who attended Qingdao Municipal Hospital from December 2018 to September 2019 were enrolled as NAFLD group, 201 patients with CAD were enrolled as CAD group, and 116 patients with NAFLD and CAD were enrolled as NAFLD+CAD group; 342 healthy individuals were enrolled as control group. Fasting venous blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Whole blood genomic DNA was extracted, and PCR was used to determine KCNJ11 rs5210 genotype. The chi-square test was used to analyze whether the distribution of KCNJ11 rs5210 gene frequencies met the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, in order to determine whether the tested samples could represent the population. The chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in sex and genotype/allele frequency between groups. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the Bonferroni method was used for further comparison between two groups. The unconditional logistic regression model was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval. ResultsThree genotypes (AA, GA, and GG) of KCNJ11 rs5210 were found by gene sequencing. There were no significant differences in rs5210 allele frequency and genotype distribution between the control group, the NAFLD group, the CAD group, and the NAFLD+CAD group (all P＞0.05), and there were still no significant differences after adjustment for sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) (all P＞0.05). For all subjects, the subjects with AA genotype had a higher level of alkaline phosphatase than those with GA genotype (P=0.048); in the NAFLD group, the patients with GA genotype had significantly higher BMI and total bilirubin than those with AA genotype (P=0.042 and 0.002). The unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that elevated BMI was associated with the risk of NAFLD (OR=1.35, P＜0.01), while decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) might indicate an increase in the risk of NAFLD (OR=0.33, P＜0.01); elevated fasting plasma glucose and decreased HDL might indicate an increase in the risk of CAD (OR=1.51 and 0.11, both P＜0.01) and NAFLD with CAD (OR=1.46 and 0.06, both P＜0.01). ConclusionThere is no significant association between KCNJ11 rs5210 polymorphism and the risk of NAFLD and CAD in the Chinese Han population in Qingdao.

Objective: To investigate the etiology, clinical features, treatment and outcome of nephrotic syndrome associated with chronic mercury poisoning. Methods: From June 2013 to April 2018, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University received 33 patients with chronic mercury-neutral nephrotic syndrome. The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, treatment methods, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: Among the 33 patients, 27 patients had mercury exposure due to daily-life contact and the other 6 patients were caused by iatrogenic mercury. The symptom was characterized by typical nephrotic syndrome such as lower extremity edema and proteinuria at first onset. The treatment was based on mercury-removing treatment, 19 cases were treated with mercury removal alone, 16 cases were completely relieved; 10 cases were treated with mercury removal and glucocorticoids, all of which were completely relieved; 4 cases were treated with mercury removal, glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents, all complete remission; clinical complete remission rate is about 90.9% (30 cases in total) . Urinary mercury levels decreased the fastest between the first and second courses of mercury treatment, but the total amount of urine protein increased. As the amount of urinary mercury excreted increased, the total amount of urine protein decreased gradually (Z=2.86, P<0.01) . Conclusion The clinical features of chronic mercury-induced nephrotic syndrome are non-specific, easy to be misdiagnosed and missed. The treatment is mainly treated with mercury removal treatment. The prognosis is good. In severe cases, glucocorticoid therapy can be supplemented.