Objective: To evaluate the noise characteristic of different reconstruction type CT image by using the noise power spectrum (NPS), and analyze the correlation between this results and subjective vision noise evaluation. Methods: QA water phantom of CT equipment was scanned and 8 common reconstruction algorithms were applied to dispose image. NPS peak value, the peak frequency and standard deviation (SD) were compared with the subjective evaluation measurements, such as granularity, contrast, sharpness and optical noise level, by using the correlation analysis. Results: Each reconstruction algorithm owned different peak value and peak frequency. Granularity negatively correlated with the peak frequency. A positive correlation was found between contrast and peak value. Sharpness was positively correlated with both peak value and peak frequency. All of the subjective evaluation measurements were correlated with SD. Conclusion: Comparing with SD, NPS can reflect both intensity and morphological feature of the noise and possess applicative potential as a more comprehensive evaluation index.

Objective To observe the inhibitory effect of andrographolide (AD) on the migration and invasion of human cervical cancer cells,and investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of AD.Methods Human cervical cancer cell lines HeLa cells were cultured in vitro.After induced by 100 nmol/L of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate(PMA) for 24 h,different concentration of AD was co-incubated for another 24 h.Cell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazoliym (MTT) assay.Chamber invasion assay was used to observe the migration and invasion,respectively.Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 subunit were detected by Western blot.Results The concentration (0 ～ 10 μmol/L) of AD exhibited a non-cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells.10 μmol/L of AD decreased PMA-induced migration by 49％ and invasion by 52％.Western blot showed that AD suppressed PMA-induced MMP-9 protein expression in a dose-dependent manner.Treatment of AD could decrease the translation of p65 in HeLa cells.Conclusions AD inhibits MMP-9 expression mediated by NF-κB,which lead to the suppression of migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of MSI in epithelial ovarian tumors and its relationship with clinicopathologic features. Methods: Ninety fresh specimens of epithelial ovarian tumors, including 74 primary and 16 secondary tumors, were collected. Microsatellite analysis was carried out using 5 mono- and dinucleotide markers from the National Cancer Institute Consensus Panel by fluorescence-labeled polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of 90 epithelial ovarian tumors analyzed, 18 demonstrated a high level of microsatellite instability (MSI-H), 30 demonstrated a low level of microsatellite instability (MSI-L), and the remaining 42 exhibited microsatellite stability (MSS). Frequency of microsatellite instability (MSI) at loci BAT-25 was higher than that at any other loci. No correlation was found between MSI level and patient age, tumor type, tumor differentiation (P>0.05). But the microsatellite instability-high phenotype correlates with clinical stage.It tended to occur more frequently in early-stage tumors (P=0.03). Conclusion: The frequent MSI in epithelial ovarian tumors suggests that it is an early event to involve in the development of epithelial ovarian tumors.

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of 2 mg/d and 4 mg/d of terazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).Methods A total of 120 BPH patients were randomly divided into 2 groups receiving 2 mg or 4 mg terazosin per day for 2 months. Arterial blood pressure, International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) and peak flow rate (Qmax) before and after treatment were compared while side effects were estimated. Results Forty-six patients receiving 2 mg and 54 patients receiving 4 mg terazosin completed this study. Patients' age and pre-treatment blood pressure, IPSS and Qmax had no difference between the 2 groups. The improvement of IPSS (including obstructive score, irritating score and total IPSS) and Qmax was significantly better in 4 mg group. The percentage of patients experiencing greater than 30% improvement in Qmax in the 4 mg treatment groups was significantly higher than that of the 2 mg group (46.3% vs 23.9%, P=0.02). Side effects were rare and mild in both groups.Conclusion The improvements of IPSS and Qmax are significantly greater in 4 mg treatment of terazosin than that of 2 mg with no obvious increase of side effects.

Transforming growth factor-?(TGF-?) is a kind of multifunctional cytokine that regulates cell growth,differentiation,cellular senescence,apoptosis,wound healing and embryo development.As a tumor suppressor,deregulated or aberrant TGF-? signaling has been strongly implicated in human solid tumors,as well as in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.TGF? exerts an inhibitory role during the whole procedure of hematopoiesis.As a cell cycle inhibitor,it maintains cells in a quiescent state and can downregulate expression of hematopoiesis activators and oncoproteins.In malignant hematopoiesis,altered expression of coactivators or corepressors involve in TGF-?-induced transcriptional responses and loss/disruption of TGF-? target gene expression.Then malignant cells grow and differentiate abnormally.In acute promyelocytic leukemia,PML-RAR? may inhibit TGF-? signaling through inhibition of cPML and nPML.Degradation of PML-RAR? by ATRA restores this signaling pathway.

Objective To explore surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods Clinical data of 16 patients of UC undergoing surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Results In this series,16 out of 78 UC patients undergoing surgery included failing to control symptom by conservative therapy in 10, bowel obstruction in 3,suspected malignance in 3. Eight cases underwent total proctocolectomy and ileostomy,4 with total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA),2 with total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis,2 with partial colectomy. Conclusions The main indications for surgery in UC patients were failure of medical treatment, complicated bowel obstruction and suspected malignance. Total proctocolectomy and ileostomy is a cure for UC, total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis benifits defecation control but suffering from high incidence of stomal ulcer.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the technique and therapeutic effect of sternoclavicular hook plate fixation in treating sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) dislocation.

METHODSFrom January 2010 to March 2014,6 patients with SCJ dislocation were treated with sternoclavicular hook plate fixation in our hospital. Among the 6 patients, 5 patients were male and 1 patient was female, and the average age was 34 years, ranging from 26 to 48 years. The course of the disease ranged from 3 to 20 days. All the SCJ dislocations were caused by external injury and accompanied with the symptoms of swelling pain and obvious shoulder joint activity restricted in affected side. All SCJ dislocations were anterior dislocation by the diagnosis of X-ray and CT scan. The postoperative curative effect was evaluated according to Rockwood score.

RESULTSAll the patients' operative incision were healed well and in good appearance. X-ray showed that the dislocated SCJ was well reduced and the plate was on right position. All the 6 patients were followed up for 4 to 18 months, with an average of 12 months. The results were evaluated according to Rockwood score, 4 got excellent results, 1 good and 1 fair. No fixation loosening, redislocation or side injury such as vessel, nerve or pleura injury were found.

CONCLUSIONWith sternoclavicular hook plate fixation, SCJ dislocation could be reduced while keeping its amphiarthrodial function and the completeness of the cartilage surface. Sternoclavicular hook plate fixation has advantages of safety and stabilization in fixation, and patients can begin function exercises earlier.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sternoclavicular Joint ; injuries ; surgery

Objective To evaluate the effects of serum procalcitonin (PCT)-guided antibiotic therapy in elderly patients with early-onset stroke-associated pneumonia (EOP).Methods Totally 179 eligible elderly patients with EOP were randomly devided into 2 groups:standard therapy group (standard group,n=88) and PCT-guided group (PCT group,n=91).Patients in standard group received antibiotics according to antibiotics guidelines in China by the treating physicians.Patients in PCT group were treated with antibiotics for 5 days,then the antibiotic treatment was based on serum PCT levels as follows:discouraged if PCT＜0.25 μg/L and encouraged if PCT≥0.25 μg/L.Length of hospitalization,duration of antibiotics,costs of hospitalization and antibiotics,clinical efficacy,andmortality,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and Barthel index (BI) on the 28th day were observed.Results There were no significant differences in clinical efficacy,mortality,NIHSS score and BI between the two groups on the 28th day [(85.7％ vs.86.3％),(8.8％ vs.7.9％),10.1 (7.8,16.2) vs.9.8 (6.0,15.5),60.1(42.5,82.3) vs.57.9 (39.2,84.8),respectively,all P＞ 0.05].The length of hospitalization,antibiotic duration,costs of hospitalization and antibiotics were lower in PCT group than in standard group [19 (10,38) d vs.26(17,42) d,10 (7,14) dvs.15 (6,21) d,3350 (2052,6163) yuanvs.10355 (6877,15421) yuan,7532 (4810,12116) yuan vs.5358 (3089,8144) yuan,respectively,all P＜0.05].Conclusions PCT guidance of antibiotic therapy is effective and safe for the treatment of early-onset stroke associated pneumonia in elderly patients.It can reduce the antibiotic duration and costs of hospitalization.

Objective To study the white matter fiber integrity in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder by using MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).Methods Twelve patients with posttraumatic stress disorder and twelve healthy volunteers were examined with MR T1WI、T2WI and DTI.Fractional anisotropy maps、directionally encoded color maps were created with the software of DTV-II.Fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured in the genu (anterior),body and splenium (posterior) of corpus callosum,horizontal part and posterior part of the bilateral cingulste fibers.Results In normal volunteers group,FA measurements in white matter regions were normal and reconstructed FA images and directionally encoded color(DEC) maps could display main white fibers in normal controls.The FA value of the splenium (posterior) of corpus callosum and horizontal part of the bilateral cingulate fibers was significant lower in PTSD patients than in normal controls (P<0.05).Conclusions The fiber bundle of the limbic system in patients with PTSD may have structural abnornalities.

Objective To study the locations, types and causes of different pseudoaneurysms in order to find out the optimal individualized treatment for different pseudoaneurysms. Methods Different methods were applied in treating 21 patients with pseudoaneurysm, which were located at limb (n = 11 ), spleen (n =3), kidney (n = 2) , common lilac artery (n = 1), internal iliac artery (n = 1), gallbladder (n = 1) and penis (n = 1 ). Different managements were employed in treating these pseudoaneurysms. Temporary obstruction of blood circulation with balloon together with arterial anastomosis or direct incision neoplasty was performed in 9 cases with pseudoaneurysms at limb arteries close to the larger joints. Endovascular stent graft was used to isolate the trunk type of pseudoaneurysm in 4 cases, in 2 of them branch arterial embolism and stent graft endovascular exclusion were applied as they had common iliae artery trunk type of pseudoaneurysm at the opening of internal iliac artery. Gelfoam together with metallic coils embolization was employed in 6 cases with terminal type of pseudoaneurysms. Results After different treatments, tumor cavities disappeared in the 21 cases with pseudoaneurysms. Distal arterial pulse returned to normal and no nerve damage occurred in 11 cases with limb pseudoaneurysms. No internal hemorrhage was observed and distal blood circulation returned to normal after graft endovascular exclusion in 2 eases with pseudoaneurysms at spleen artery trunk and in 2 cases with pseudoaneurysms at iliac artery trunk. In 6 cases with terminal type of pseudoaneurysms,the tumor cavity disappeared, hemorrhage stopped and no ischemic necrosis of organ occurred. But one of them with multiple traumatic pseudoaneurysms located at the second grade branch died one week after embolism due to a serious pelvic trauma accompanied with serious infection. Conclusion Based on the locations, types and causes of pseudoaneurysms, different individualized treatment should be adopted in order to obtain optimal results with least damages.