OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical value of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for differentiation of malignant from benign focal thyroid incidentaloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 99 patients with focal thyroid incidentaloma of 5216 non-thyroid cancer patients that had undergone PET/CT. PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters, volume-based functional parameters, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of thyroid incidentaloma were assessed. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted and areas under the curve (AUC) were compared by Hanley and McNeil test to evaluate usefulness of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), MTV and TLG, as markers for differentiating malignant from benign thyroid incidentalomas. RESULTS: Of 99 thyroid incidentalomas, 64 (64.6%) were malignant and 35 (35.4%) were benign. Malignant thyroid incidentalomas were larger (1.8 cm vs. 1.3 cm, p = 0.006), and had higher SUVmax (11.3 vs. 4.8, p < 0.001), MTV (all p < 0.001) and TLG (all p < 0.001) than benign. TLG 4.0 had the highest performance for differentiation of malignant from benign thyroid incidentaloma in all semi-quantitative parameters with AUC 0.895 by ROC curve analysis. AUC (TLG 4.0) was significantly larger than AUC (SUVmean), AUC (MTV 2.5), AUC (MTV 3.0), AUC (MTV 3.5), AUC (TLG 2.5), and AUC (TLG 3.0), respectively (all, p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between AUC (TLG 4.0) and AUC (SUVmax) (p > 0.05). A threshold TLG 4.0 of 2.475 had 81.3% sensitivity and 94.3% specificity for identifying malignant thyroid incidentalomas. CONCLUSION: Volume-based PET/CT parameters could potentially have clinical value in differential diagnosis of thyroid incidentaloma along with SUVmax.
Area Under Curve ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Electrons ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18* ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography* ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Tumor Burden

Objective To analyze the genetic characteristics of echovirus type 25( Echo25) strains isolated from patients with viral encephalitis in Longyan city. Methods Cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) specimens were collected from hospitalized patients with viral encephalitis or central nervous system infection in Longyan,2012. Enteroviruses(EV)were isolated from the specimens and then identified. Four strains of Echo25 were screened out by using serum neutralization test. Coding sequence of the VP1 region of the 4 Echo25 strains were amplified by RT-PCR and then sequenced. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to ana-lyze the nucleotide sequence homology between those sequences and the sequences of reference Echo25 strains available in the GenBank database. Results The VP1 nucleotide sequences of Echo25 strains isola-ted in Longyan were 498 bp in length,encoding 166 amino acid residues. The homology analysis showed that the VP1 nucleotide sequences of 3 strains were identical,sharing 97% homology in nucleotide with the rest strain. The Echo25 strains isolated in Longyan were highly similar to KJ957190( Beijing,2010)and HM031189(Henan,2008)strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Echo25 strains isolated in Longyan belonged to genotype B1. Conclusion Echo25 was one of the pathogens causing viral encephalitis in Longyan in 2012 and different transmission chains of Echo25 had emerged. This study indicates that it is necessary to strengthen the surveillance for EV and understand the genetic variation of the Echo25 for provi-ding better supportive evidences for the prevention and control of related diseases.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of fire-needle therapy in treating scapulohumeral periarthritis, and to observe the changes of pain score and the motor function of shoulder joint. Method Totally 180 patients were randomized into a fire-needle therapy group of 90 cases and a filiform needle group of 90 cases by randomized single-blinded method. Result There were significant differences between the two groups in comparing the recovery rate, motor function of shoulder joint, and the relapse rate 30 d after the whole intervention (P<0.01), while there were no significant differences in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and total effective rate (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared to filiform needle therapy, fire-needle therapy can produce a better recovery rate and motor function of shoulder joint in treating scapulohumeral periarthritis.

This study aimed to analyse the genetically characterize isolates of Echovirus 11 from Longyan City,Fujian Province,and to reveal their genetic relationships with other isolates from China and abroad. Cerebrospinal fluid specimens from patients diagnosed with viral encephalitis or central nervous system (CNS) infections were collected from Longyan First Hospital between January and December 2011. Seven Echo11 strains were isolated and identified using the RIMV serum panel. The entire VP1 coding regions of four strains were sequenced and typed as Echo11 by an online blast program and,subsequently, phylogenet- ic analyses of the VP1 sequences of these stains and others published on GenBank were conducted. There were 600 nucleotides (nt) in each complete VP1 coding region that encoded 200 amino acids (aa). Among those four Echo11 strains, the sequence identities of nt and aa were 100% and 99%-100% respectively. And phylogenetic analyses indicate belong to subtype DS, the homology compared with DS strain (GU393713) were 93% (nt) and 99% (aa). The sequence identities for the nt and aa were 75%-76% and 90%, respectively, between the current isolates from Longyan and the Gregory prototype strain found in 1953. The sequence identity of nt and aa between the Longyan virus strains and the domestic Shandong strains isolated in 2010 were lower, at 74% and 88%-89%, respectively. However,the highest level of ho- mology was found when the Longyan strains were compared with the Netherlands strain (GU393773) found in 2007 (nt and aa identity: 94%-95% and 98%-99%, respectively). The relatively low levels of similarity between domestic isolates suggest that different transmission routes exist for Echo11 in mainland China.
Adolescent ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chin ; China ; Encephalitis, Viral ; virology ; Enterovirus B, Human ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; virology ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Alignment ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo examine the benefits of anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps in reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects.

METHODSPatients were recruited from February 2002 to June 2013 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Central South University. All patients (1,185 patients, 1,212 transferred flaps) underwent reconstructive surgery employing anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps. Basic information for all patients including defect side, flap size and type, recipient vessel processing method, donor complications, and postoperative quality of life were recorded and statistically analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 1 212 transferred flaps, 1 176 survived and 36 showed necrosis, for a survival rate of about 97.0%. No cases presented with local serious complications, and 90% of patients achieved good functional recovery and aesthetically acceptable results after reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects at various locations using anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps. The time for anastomosis of one vein was significantly less than that for two veins (P=-0.000 3), which indicated one vein anastomosis could significantly reduce the operating time. The incidence of venous crisis, the survival rate after treatment, and the rate of venous crisis resulting in flap necrosis were comparable between the groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONAnterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps can be easily obtained and provide a good amount of muscle for filling dead space and fascia lata. These flaps can meet the various requirements of oral and maxillofacial defects. Therefore, the anterolateral thigh myocutaneous free flaps are more suitable for oral and maxillofacial defects than other flaps.

Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Maxillofacial Abnormalities ; surgery ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Necrosis ; Quality of Life ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Surgery, Oral ; Thigh ; Wound Healing

Objective??To?examine?the?benefits?of?anterolateral?thigh?myocutaneous?flaps?in?reconstruction?of?oral?and?maxillofacial?defects. Methods??Patients?were?recruited?from?February?2002?to?June?2013?in?the?Department?of?Oral?and?Maxillofacial?Surgery?of?Central?South?University.?All?patients?(1?185?patients,?1?212?transferred?flaps)?underwent?reconstruc-tive?surgery?employing?anterolateral?thigh?myocutaneous?flaps.?Basic?information?for?all?patients?including?defect?side,?flap?size?and?type,?recipient?vessel?processing?method,?donor?complications,?and?postoperative?quality?of?life?were?recorded?and?statistically?analyzed.?Results??Among?the?1?212?transferred?flaps,?1?176?survived?and?36?showed?necrosis,?for?a?survival?rate?of?about?97.0%.?No?cases?presented?with?local?serious?complications,?and?90%?of?patients?achieved?good?functional?recovery?and?aesthetically?acceptable?results?after?reconstruction?of?oral?and?maxillofacial?defects?at?various?locations?using?anterolateral?thigh?myocutaneous?flaps.?The?time?for?anastomosis?of?one?vein?was?significantly?less?than?that?for?two?veins?(P=0.000 3), which?indicated?one?vein?anastomosis?could?significantly?reduce?the?operating?time.?The?incidence?of?venous?crisis,?the?sur-vival?rate?after?treatment,?and?the?rate?of?venous?crisis?resulting?in?flap?necrosis?were?comparable?between?the?groups?(P>0.05).?Conclusion??Anterolateral?thigh?myocutaneous?flaps?can?be?easily?obtained?and?provide?a?good?amount?of?muscle?for?filling?dead?space?and?fascia?lata.?These?flaps?can?meet?the?various?requirements?of?oral?and?maxillofacial?defects.?Therefore,?the?anterolateral?thigh?myocutaneous?free?flaps?are?more?suitable?for?oral?and?maxillofacial?defects?than?other?flaps.

To study the pulse diagram parameters of subjects with subhealth state and to find the pulse parameters for subhealth state evaluation.

Objective To observe the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the regulation of neuregulin-1β (NRG-1β) in brain tissue in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods The animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) were established by a monofilament method from left external-internal carotid artery in 200 adult healthy male Wistar rats. The rat models in the treatment group (75 rats) and in control group (75 rats) were injected with 1.5%NRG-1β 5 μl and 0.1 mol/L PBS 5 μl, respectively, from internal carotid artery (ICA). The cerebral infarct volume was measured by TFC stain, the apoptosis was identified with in situ TUNEL method, and the expression of MMP-9 was detected by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent double staining and Western blotting analysis. Results Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion can induce apoptosis and expression of MMP-9 in cerebral cortex and striatum. With the ischemic time prolonging, the number of apototic cells in cortex from ischemic 0, 0. 5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2. 0 h increased from 1.78 ± 0. 15,5. 78 ± 0. 51,10. 35 ± 0. 77, 21.50 ± 1.19 to 32. 00 ± 1.78, while the number of apoptotic cells in stratum from ischemic also increased significantly from 1.46±0.21, 4. 12±0.54, 7.33±0.71, 16.54 ± 1.63 to 19.03± 1.44 (t =9.31- 37.78, P < 0. 01) and the expression of MMP-9 increased significantly (t = 7.73-27.75, P < 0. 01) in the control group. With NRG-1β treatment, the number of apoptotie cells in cortex from ischemic 0, 0. 5,1.0, 1.5 and 2. 0 h reduced from 1.66±0. 11,4. 80±0. 61,5.63±0. 56, 9.75±1.22 to 13.54 ±1.26; while the number of apoptotic cells in striatum from ischemic also decreased significantly from 1.34 ± 0. 14, 3.35 ± 0. 32, 4. 55± 0. 50, 7. 63 ±1.41 to 10. 46 ± 0. 98 (t = 2. 74-18. 93, P < 0. 05), the expression of MMP-9 decreased (t = 3.85-12. 09, P < 0. 01), and the infarct volume decreased significantly (t = 4. 645-13. 043,P < 0. 01) compared with those in the control group at the same timepoint and the corresponding region. Conclusions The expression of MMP-9 is increased after cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion, and it may contribute to the inflammatory reaction. NRG-1β might down-regulate the expression of MMP-9 to inhibit apoptosis inducing by inflammatory reaction in cerebral ischemic reperfusion.

Objective To study the role of GABA (? aminobutyric acid) transporters in kindled.Methods The rat's GABA model following PTZ kindled was made.The expression of GABA transporter subtype in the hippocampus(GAT 1 mRNA) was measured after PTZ (pentylenetetrazol) kindled seizures by using semiquantitative technique,reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR).Results GAT 1 mRNA was significantly increased in the hippocampus at 0 hour,48 hours,and 1 week after PTZ kindled seizures. Up regulation of expression of GAT 1 mRNA returned to the control levels after 1 month. No changes in the expression of GAT 1 mRNA were observed after 60 days of PTZ kindled seizures.Conclusion The expression of GAT 1 mRNA with up regulation may be associated with the epilepsy susceptibility.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of 50% acetic acid as a renal cyst sclerotherapy agent, and with further comparison to that of absolute alcohol. Methods Eighty five patients with renal cyst were undergone sclerotherapy through spiral CT guidance including 43 cases with absolute alcohol and the others with 50% acetic acid as sclerosing agents. All the cysts were aspirated under CT-guidance, beforehand. The sclerosising agents were withdrawn from the cysts after a definite period of retention. Results The disappearance rates of cyst cavity with absolute alcohol and acetic acid were 55.81% and 71.42%, respectively. Complication occurence rates with absolute alcohol and acetic acid were 16.28% and 4.76% , respectively. The average retention periods of absolute alcohol and acetic acid in cyst were (20?4)minutes, and (10?2)minutes, respectively. Statistical analysis demonstrated that all the data in two groups were significantly different. Conclusion Using 50% acetic acid as sclerosising agent in treating renal cyst possesses the better effect and less side effect, providing a tendency to replace the traditional therapy.