Objective:To evaluate the effects of chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs) via respiratory and digestive tract exposure on multiple organs in mice.Methods:A short-term repeated exposure model of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) and tris(1, 3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) in mice was established through intratracheal instillation and oral gavage administration. The exposure doses were 0.7, 1 and 2 mg·kg -1·day -1, respectively, with continuous administration for 14 days. The organs of the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and testis were collected and weighed to calculate the organ coefficients. The pathological and histological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining to quantitatively assess the effects of the three Cl-OPFRs on the various organs by using the pathology score. Results:Analysis of organ coefficients in tracheal drip-treated mice showed that the organ coefficients in the testes of the TCEP, TCIPP and TDCIPP groups were lower than those in the control group ( PTCEP-testis=0.045, PTCIPP-testis=0.012 and PTDCIPP-testis<0.001). The organ coefficients were lower in the lungs and small intestines of the TCEP group ( PTCEP-lung=0.006, PTCEP-small intestine=0.042). The organ coefficients for the stomach and large intestine were higher in the TDCIPP group ( PTDCIPP-stomach=0.014, PTDCIPP-large intestine=0.049). Analyses of gavage-contaminated mice showed that the organ coefficients for liver, stomach and small intestine in the TCEP and TDCIPP groups were higher than those in the control group ( PTCEP-liver=0.007, PTCEP-stomach=0.003, PTCEP-small intestine<0.001, PTDCIPP-liver=0.001, PTDCIPP-stomach=0.004, and PTDCIPP-small intestine<0.001). Histopathological analyses of the organs of tracheal drip dyed mice showed significant pathological damage in the lung tissue of the TCIPP group, mainly in the form of thickening of the interstitium, infiltration of inflammatory cells and alveolar collapse. The results of the analysis of gavage poisoned mice showed that TCIPP exposure could lead to blurring of the red and white medullary boundaries of spleen tissues, destruction of white medullary structures, etc., and induce small intestinal cryptitis. TDCIPP induced significant pathological damage to the liver tissues of mice, which mainly included cytoplasmic washout, infiltration of inflammatory cells, acute inflammation, and other injurious effects. Significant pathological damage to the intestinal tissues of mice was also observed. Conclusions:This study demonstrates that the toxic effects of Cl-OPFRs are significantly associated with exposure routes and compound specificity. Respiratory exposure predominantly induces TCIPP-mediated pulmonary injury, while digestive exposure causes TDCIPP-driven hepatointestinal toxicity. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the toxicity screening of Cl-OPFRs.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs) via respiratory and digestive tract exposure on multiple organs in mice.Methods:A short-term repeated exposure model of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) and tris(1, 3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) in mice was established through intratracheal instillation and oral gavage administration. The exposure doses were 0.7, 1 and 2 mg·kg -1·day -1, respectively, with continuous administration for 14 days. The organs of the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and testis were collected and weighed to calculate the organ coefficients. The pathological and histological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining to quantitatively assess the effects of the three Cl-OPFRs on the various organs by using the pathology score. Results:Analysis of organ coefficients in tracheal drip-treated mice showed that the organ coefficients in the testes of the TCEP, TCIPP and TDCIPP groups were lower than those in the control group ( PTCEP-testis=0.045, PTCIPP-testis=0.012 and PTDCIPP-testis<0.001). The organ coefficients were lower in the lungs and small intestines of the TCEP group ( PTCEP-lung=0.006, PTCEP-small intestine=0.042). The organ coefficients for the stomach and large intestine were higher in the TDCIPP group ( PTDCIPP-stomach=0.014, PTDCIPP-large intestine=0.049). Analyses of gavage-contaminated mice showed that the organ coefficients for liver, stomach and small intestine in the TCEP and TDCIPP groups were higher than those in the control group ( PTCEP-liver=0.007, PTCEP-stomach=0.003, PTCEP-small intestine<0.001, PTDCIPP-liver=0.001, PTDCIPP-stomach=0.004, and PTDCIPP-small intestine<0.001). Histopathological analyses of the organs of tracheal drip dyed mice showed significant pathological damage in the lung tissue of the TCIPP group, mainly in the form of thickening of the interstitium, infiltration of inflammatory cells and alveolar collapse. The results of the analysis of gavage poisoned mice showed that TCIPP exposure could lead to blurring of the red and white medullary boundaries of spleen tissues, destruction of white medullary structures, etc., and induce small intestinal cryptitis. TDCIPP induced significant pathological damage to the liver tissues of mice, which mainly included cytoplasmic washout, infiltration of inflammatory cells, acute inflammation, and other injurious effects. Significant pathological damage to the intestinal tissues of mice was also observed. Conclusions:This study demonstrates that the toxic effects of Cl-OPFRs are significantly associated with exposure routes and compound specificity. Respiratory exposure predominantly induces TCIPP-mediated pulmonary injury, while digestive exposure causes TDCIPP-driven hepatointestinal toxicity. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the toxicity screening of Cl-OPFRs.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors and clinical significance of lymph nodes metastasis between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle lymph node (LNSS) metastasis in thyroid cancer patients, so as to guide the reasonable dissection of LNSS region and lateral cervical lymph node in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) .Methods:We selected 111 PTC patients with lateral cervical lymph node metastasis who underwent radical thyroidectomy and lateral cervical lymph node dissection from Nov. 2018 to Dec. 2021 in China-Japan Union Hospital of jilin university. All patients were treated with low collar arc incision. Radical thyroidectomy and lateral cervical lymph node dissection were performed according to the guidelines, and lymph nodes in each district were grouped for pathological examination. According to whether LNSS metastasis occurred, they were divided into two groups: LNSS positive group (LNSS metastasis occurred) and LNSS negative group (LNSS metastasis did not happen). We collected the basic information of all 111 PTC patients with lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM), preoperative color Doppler ultrasound examination and paraffin-embedded pathology and other related clinical case data. Then we described the clinicopathological features of cervical lymph node metastasis. Independent sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for continuous variables, and Fisher exact test was used for data analysis for classified variables. Correlation analysis adopted binary logistics regression model, and analyzed the regularity and risk factors of LNSS metastasis. Results:In this study, the detection rate of LNSS was 64.9% (72/111), the overall LNSS metastasis rate was 7.2% (8/111), and the number of lymph node metastasis was 0-5. Univariate analysis showed that the location of LNSS metastasis was related with the cancer focus ( P<0.001), the preoperative serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level ( P=0.002), the number of lymph node metastasis in lateral cervical level Ⅳ ( P=0.001), the longest diameter of the cancer focus ( P=0.003) and the longest diameter of metastatic lymph nodes ( P=0.001) However, age, sex, whether there is lymph node metastasis in the central region (central lymph node metastasis ,CLNM), and whether there is multifocal cancer were not related to LNSS metastasis ( P≥0.05). Further multivariate analysis and work curve analysis of subjects showed that the tumor located in the lower pole ( P=0.014) and the number of lymph node metastasis in level Ⅳ more than 3 ( P=0.027) were independent risk factors for LNSS metastasis. It was found that the risk of LNSS metastasis increased when the cancer focus was located at the lower pole relative to the upper pole or middle part of the cancer focus ( OR=74.508, 95% CI: 2.373-2339.544). The number of lymph node metastasis in level Ⅳ had a positive effect on LNSS metastasis. The more lymph node metastasis in level Ⅳ, the higher the risk of LNSS metastasis ( OR=1.556; 95% CI=1.051-2.303) . Conclusions:In PTC patients with LLNM, the LNSS metastasis rate was 7.2%, and the advantages of LNSS cleaning outweigh the disadvantages. When the cancer focus is located at the lower pole and the number of lymph node metastasis in region Ⅳ is more than 3, it is necessary to pay attention to the dissection of this group of lymph nodes.

Purpose: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease, and Th17 cells are key factors in the pathogenesis of human inflammatory conditions, such as RA. Catalpol (CAT), a component in Rehmanniae Radix (RR), has been found to regulate human immunity. However, the effects of CAT on Th17 cell differentiation and improvement of RA are not clear. Materials and Methods: Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were constructed to detect the effects of CAT on arthritis and Th17 cells. The effect of CAT on Th17 differentiation was evaluated with let-7g-5p transfection experiments. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Th17 cells after CAT treatment. Levels of interleukin-17 and RORγt were assessed by qRT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Results: We found that the proportion of Th17 cells was negatively associated with let-7g-5p expression in CIA mice. In in vitro experiments, CAT suppressed traditional differentiation of Th17 cells. Simultaneously, CAT significantly decreased Tregs-to-Th17 cells transdifferentiation. Our results demonstrated that CAT inhibited Tregs-to-Th17 cells transdifferentiation by up-regulating let-7g-5p and that the suppressive effect of CAT on traditional differentiation of Th17 cells is not related with let-7-5p. Conclusion Our data indicate that CAT may be a potential modulator of Tregs-to-Th17 cells transdifferentiation by up-regulating let-7g-5p to reduce the expression of STAT3. These results provide new directions for research into RA treatment.

Objective To assess the value of spectral CT imaging in distinguishing mass type colorectal adenocarcinoma from colorectal adenoma. Methods Forty patients underwent preoperative abdominal dual energy spectral CT scan were analyzed restrospectively, including 17 with colorectal adenomas and 23 with mass type colorectal adenocarcinomas proven by endoscopic and surgical pathology. All patients underwent plain and three-phase enhanced CT scanning. The conventional polychromatic CT value and its pre- and postcontrast CT values, monochromatic CT value of 40 to 100 keV, the slope of spectral curve and iodine(water) concentration were measured, and the maximum diameter of the lesion was recorded. The maximum diameters of the lesions and imaging parameter differences between the adenomas and adenocarcinomas in plain and three-phase enhanced scan were analyzed with independent sample t tests. The data of the parameters with significant differences were further analyzed by ROC curves. Results The maximum diameters of the adenomas and mass type adenocarcinomas were (1.97 ± 0.54), (2.32±0.53) cm respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference (t=-2.011, P=0.051). There was no statistically differences of the conventional polychromatic CT value and its pre-and postcontrast CT values between the two groups in 4 phases (P>0.05). However, in the arterial phase, the CT values of adenomas were significantly lower than those of adenocarcinomas at low (40, 50 keV) energy (P<0.05). The values did not differ significantly between these two groups at other phases (P>0.05). The slope of spectral curve and the iodine(water) concentration both showed significant differences in the arterial phase between the two groups (P<0.05), while they were not significantly different at other phases (P>0.05).The largest area under the ROC curve of the iodine(water) concentration in the arterial phase was 0.757 in differentiating adenomas and mass type adenocarcinomas, with sensitivity of 73.9%and specificity of 82.4%at the cut-off of 21.02 mg/cm3. Conclusion Spectral CT imaging is valuable in differentiating colorectal adenoma from mass type colorectal adenocarcinoma with the parameters of the arterial phase.

Objective To investigate the value of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI)quantitative parameters in evaluating patholog-ical grade of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).Methods The DKI images of 45 patients with CSCC were analyzed retrospec-tively.According to the results of pathology,22 cases were divided into poorly differentiated group and 23 cases well-moderately dif-ferentiated group.The DKI parameters of two groups were measured by two observers,which included mean kurtosis (MK),axial kurtosis (Ka),radial kurtosis (Kr),fractional anisotropy of kurtosis (FAk),mean diffusivity (MD),axial diffusivity (Da),radial diffusivity (Dr)and fractional anisotropy (FA).The intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC)was used to test the consistency of the parameters measured results on two observers.The two independent samples t test was used to compare the parameters of two groups,and the ROC curve was used to evaluate the effectiveness of each parameter in order to evaluate the poorly differentiated CSCC and find the boundary values.Results The data consistency of two observers were good (ICC>0.75).The MK,Ka and Kr values on poorly differentiated CSCC were greater than that on well-moderately differentiated (P<0.05),the MD,Da and Dr values were less than that on well-moderately differentiated (P<0.05),the FAk and FA values had no difference (P>0.05).Thearea un-der curve (AUC)of MK,Ka,Kr,MD,Da and Dr values to diagnose poorly differentiated CSCC were 0.914,0.831,0.865,0.850, 0.778 and 0.865,respectively.The boundary values of diagnosing poorly differentiated CSCC were MK≥0.973,Ka≥1.075,Kr≥0.823, MD≤0.974μm2/ms,Da≤1.185μm2/ms and Dr≤0.762μm2/ms,respectively.Conclusion DKI can effectively predict the patho-logical grading of CSCC,which has a good clinical application prospects.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of multi-parameter MRI in diagnosing ovarian endometrial cysts. Methods Pelvic MRI of 68 patients with confirmed pathological diagnosis were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into ovarian endometriosis (35 patients with 42 lesions, group A) and other cystic lesions (33 patients with 38 lesions , group B).The signal intensity value of T1WI, T2WI of cyst fluid and iliopsoas, ADC value, phase values and R2*values were obtained, cyst fluid/iliopsoas ratios (T1R and T2R) were calculated. The non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was employed to compare parameter values between the two groups. The values of diagnostic performance were analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Use the Logistics regression parameters of diagnostic efficacy to select the highest Youden index for the best parameter association after combining the parameters step by step. Results The median of T1R, T2R, ADC, phase, T1R and R2*values for group A were 3.39, 5.28, 1.20×10-3 mm2/s,2.19×10-2, 15.08 Hz respectively, and that of group B were 0.91, 10.85, 2.64×10-3mm2/s,2.67×10-2, 3.01 Hz, respectively. There were statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01).The AUC of T1R, T2R, ADC value, phase values and R*2 value were 0.930, 0.874, 0.891, 0.685 and 0.924 respectively, and there was no difference among them (P>0.05). When combining T1R, ADC value, R2*value together, the Youden index (0.849 7) was highest. Conclusion Combining T1R, ADC and R2* values can provide an effective way to discriminate endometrial ovarian cyst from other ovary cystic lesions.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the differences in the condylar position of subjects with skeletal class I and skeletal class II. To provide a basis of diagnosis and treatment.

METHODSGroup A was composed of 50 subjects with skeletal class I (27 males and 26 females; age range = 18 years to 30 years; mean age=26 years). Group B comprised 50 subjects with skeletal class II (24 males and 26 females; age range = 18 years to 28 years; mean age=25 years). The condylar position and the shapes of the condyle and the glenoid fossa were linearly measured on the sagittal and coronal sections by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0.

RESULTSNo statistically significant differences were found in the measurements of the condylar position between the sides of each group on the sagittal plane and the coronal plane (P > 0.05). There were significant differences on the anterior space and the posterior space between group A and B (P < 0.05). The A/P joint space ratio of group A was larger than that of group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe subjects of skeletal class I show an anterior condyle position. The subjects of skeletal class II show a posterior condyle position.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Face ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Young Adult

Objective To establish an in vitro model of mycobacterial granuloma.Methods Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy human subjects,and stimulated to differentiate into macrophages,which were then classified into four groups to be cocultured with Mycobacterium marinum,Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Bacillus Calmette-Guérin,and Mycobacterium leprae,respectively,for five days followed by incubation with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the corresponding donors to establish an in vitro model of mycobacterial granuloma.The macrophages cocultured with PBMCs or mycobacteria alone served as the control.Microscopy was performed to dynamically visualize the formation of granuloma in vitro,flow cytometry to detect the expressions of cell surface antigens at different stages,real-time quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the mRNA expressions of important cytokines and their protein levels in the supernatant of macrophages,respectively.Results After 7-9 days of coculture with mycobacteria and PBMCs,the macrophages aggregated to form granuloma-like clumps,and some cells fused to form multinuclear giant cells,along with the expressions of some surface antigens such as CD14,CD68 and CD86 on these macrophages.The mRNA expressions of some important cytokines,including tumor necrosis factor-a,interferon-γ interleukin (IL)-1 β and IL-10,were detectable in the macrophages cocultured with mycobacteria and PBMCs,and the secretion of these cytokines was confirmed by ELISA in the supernatant of these cells.Conclusions An in vitro model of mycobacterial granuloma is basically established,which may facilitate the investigation into the formation of granuloma caused by and immune response to mycobacterial infection.

Objective To investigate the differences in the condylar position of subjects with skeletal class Ⅰ and skeletal class Ⅱ. To provide a basis of diagnosis and treatment. Methods Group A was composed of 50 subjects with skeletal class Ⅰ(27 males and 26 females; age range=18 years to 30 years; mean age=26 years). Group B comprised 50 subjects with skeletal class Ⅱ(24 males and 26 females; age range=18 years to 28 years; mean age=25 years). The condylar position and the shapes of the condyle and the glenoid fossa were linearly measured on the sagittal and coronal sections by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0. Results No statistically significant differences were found in the measurements of the condylar position between the sides of each group on the sagittal plane and the coronal plane (P>0.05). There were significant differences on the anterior space and the posterior space between group A and B (P<0.05). The A/P joint space ratio of group A was larger than that of group B (P<0.05). Conclusion The subjects of skeletal class Ⅰ show an anterior condyle position. The subjects of skeletal class Ⅱ show a posterior condyle position.