OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the impact of cell spreading area on odontoblast polarization and differentiation using micropatterned surfaces ge-nerated by photolithography. METHODS: Micropatterned surfaces with differential adhesive properties were prepared using polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA)-ba-sed photolithography. Human dental pulp stem cells (hD-PSCs) were isolated into single cells and cultured on micropatterned surfaces with areas of 1 800, 2 700, and 3 600 μm². Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe cell morphology and analyze the relocating of the golgi apparatus and nucleus. Alkaline phosphatase staining was preformed to examine odontogenic differentiation. RESULTS: The hDPSCs were successfully isolated and cultured on micropatterned surfaces mimicking the morphology of polarized odontoblasts. Phalloidin staining confirmed that the isolated hDPSCs successfully recapitulated the morphology of predesigned micropatterns. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the polarization and differentiation levels of the hDPSCs with a 3600 μm² area were significantly higher than those with 1 800 and 2 700 μm² areas (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The polarization and differentiation of single hDPSCs increased with the cell areas on micropatterned surfaces.
Cell Differentiation ; Humans ; Dental Pulp/cytology* ; Odontoblasts/cytology* ; Stem Cells/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cell Polarity ; Surface Properties

Objective To explore the value of the ratio of soluble FmS-like tyrosine kinase-1(sFlt-1)to placental growth factor(PlGF)in predicting vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women with preeclampsia.Methods A total of 740 singleton pregnant women who underwent prenatal examination in Qijiang Health Center for Maternal and Child Care from January to November 2023 and were able to complete follow-up were selected as the research subjects.They were divided into the normal group(n=44)and the deficiency group(n=696)according to the vitamin D[1,25-(OH)2D3]level.Information such as age,BMI,pregnancy histo-ry,family history and medical history of each group was collected.5 mL of peripheral venous blood was drawn after fasting for 6-8 hours at 12-14 weeks of pregnancy to detect the levels of sFlt-1,PlGF and vitamin D in peripheral blood,and evaluated the predictive value of sFlt-1/PlGF for vitamin D deficiency in preeclampsia.Results There were no statistically significant differences in general conditions such as height,age,BMI,edu-cational level and occupation between the two groups(P>0.05).There were statistically significant differ-ences in the prenatal weight,vitamin D level,sFlt-1/PlGF and neonatal birth weight between the two groups(P<0.05).The results of univariate analysis showed that the prenatal weight,sFlt-1/PlGF,and neonatal birth weight were risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in patients with PE.The results of multivariate analysis showed that sFlt-1/PlGF and neonatal birth weight were factors for predicting vitamin D deficiency in patients with PE(P<0.05).All these variables are used to establish the nomogram prediction model.The receiver op-erating characteristic(ROC)curve showed that area under the curve(AUC)of the training group and the val-idation group was 0.66(95%CI:0.56-0.77)and 0.63(95%CI:0.49-0.76),respectively.Conclusion In pregnant women with preeclampsia,elevated sFlt-1/PlGF may be an early warning indicator for predicting vi-tamin D deficiency.

Objective:To investigate the application of the 7E teaching model (i.e., Elicit, Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate, and Extend) combined with standardized patients (SP) in nursing practice teaching for general surgery.Methods:A total of 80 nursing students who were assigned to Department of General Surgery in our hospital were selected and divided into control group and observation group according to the order of admission, with 40 students in each group. The students in the control group received traditional teaching, while those in the observation group received the 7E teaching model combined with SP. Theoretical and practical operation scores were assessed for both groups, and the scores of non-technical skills were compared between the two groups. SPSS 22.0 was used to perform the t-test. Results:Compared with the control group, the observation group had significantly better scores of theoretical assessment (89.36±2.13 vs. 87.64±2.07, P<0.05) and practical operation (92.07±4.33 vs. 85.19±3.46, P<0.05). The observation group had significantly higher scores of non-technical skills (humanistic care ability, ability to stimulate learning interest, communication ability with patients, depth of the understanding of diseases and nursing ability, knowledge extension ability, team collaboration ability, clinical thinking ability, and clinical decision-making ability) than the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The 7E teaching model combined with SP in nursing practice teaching for general surgery can better enhance the theoretical and practical abilities of nursing interns and help to improve the level of non-technical skills.

Objective To examine the nonhuman primate(NHP)model of acute cerebral infarction thrombus-thrombolysis using multi-parameter high-field magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). Methods Altogether, 8 adult male rhesus monkeys aged 8.2(± 1.2)years old and weighing 9.4(± 1.0)kg were randomized into an infarction group(n=4)and thrombolysis group(n =4). Middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)was induced with a clot in the M1 segment. Monkeys in the thrombolysis group were treated with the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, rt-PA, while those in the infarction group were treated with 0.9% NaCl only. T2 weighted imaging(T2WI), T2-weighted-fluid-attenuated inversion recovery(T2-FLAIR), time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography(TOF-MRA), and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)were used to examine all monkeys at 4 and 24 h after onset of ischemia. Results The rhesus monkey thrombus-thrombolysis model was successfully established. MRA showed that the middle cerebral artery(MCA) was not recanalized in the infarction group, but was recanalized in the thrombolysis group. T2WI sequence showed an increase in infarction volume(12 027 ± 5507 mm3)in the infarction group compared with the thrombolysis group(4910 ± 2764 mm3). DWI sequence showed an increase in infarction volume(9498 ± 5226 mm3)in the infarction group and thrombolysis group(4854 ± 1792 mm3). Both T2WI and DWI sequences showed no significant difference in infarction volume at 4 h between the two groups, while infarction volume in the thrombolysis group at 24 h was significantly lower compared with the infarction group. The increase in infarction volume was significantly lower in the thrombolysis group compared with the infarction group. Conclusions MRI sequences can be used to successfully evaluate recanalization and infarct changes in the thrombus-thrombolysis model in rhesus monkeys.

Objective: To evaluate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 3.0T in differential diagnosis of the origin of adenocarcinoma at the junction of the lower uterine segment and endocervix. Methods: 71 patients with adenocarcinoma at the junction of the lower uterine segment and endocervix were retrospectively collected. Pelvic MR examinations, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) sequences, were performed within 2 weeks before surgery. MR images were analyzed and measured by two radiologists, including the location of the tumor center, the enhancement pattern, the anterior and posterior diameters, the left and right diameters, the upper and lower diameters, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the tumor. Immunohistochemical method was used as gold standard in distinguishing cervical adenocarcinoma and uterine adenocarcinoma. Results: The upper and lower diameters of uterine adenocarcinoma were [(5.80±2.31) cm], significantly larger than those of cervical adenocarcinoma [(4.16±2.17) cm, P=0.009]. Using 4.5cm as the best cutoff point value, the sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing uterine adenocarcinoma and cervical adenocarcinoma were 68.4% and 65.4%, respectively. According to the location of tumor center, the sensitivity and specificity were 84.2% and 73.1%, respectively. Using tumor enhancement pattern as the criterion, the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing uterine adenocarcinoma and cervical adenocarcinoma were 68.4% and 80.8% respectively. Conclusions MRI has certain clinical value in evaluating the origin of adenocarcinoma at the junction of the lower uterine segment and endocervix. The lesions can be diagnosed according to the main location, the characteristics of dynamic enhancement and the growth pattern of the tumor.

BACKGROUNDThe incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose dual-phase helical computed tomography (CT) in the characterization of thyroid lesions, and to discuss the relationship between image characteristics and their pathology.

METHODSOne hundred and six patients with thyroid lesions underwent low-dose dual-phase helical CT after the injection of contrast material. CT scans were obtained at arterial and venous phase with delays of 25 and 65 seconds, and tube current of 60 and 120 mA, respectively. The attenuation change in the lesion between the arterial and venous phase was analyzed and categorized as "increased," "decreased," "mixed" or "no change."

RESULTSHistopathologic diagnosis was obtained by surgery in 106 patients (115 lesions). Of the 106 patients, 45 had nodular goiter, 5 thyroid adenoma, 6 thyroiditis, and 50 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) (59 lesions). The attenuation value showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the arterial and venous phase for the high attenuation area. There was statistical significant difference in terms of attenuation value in high attenuation areas at both phases and in low attenuation areas on arterial phase between nodular goiter and PTC (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in attenuation value between adenoma and PTC. Twenty-nine cases (76.3%) of goiter manifested mixed type, 3 cases (3/5) of adenoma showed decreased type, 6 cases (6/6) of thyroiditis showed increased type, and 55 cases (93.2%) of PTC showed decreased type attenuation. The sensitivity, specificity for thyroid carcinoma by dual-phase CT were 94.9% and 80.4% respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy for thyroid lesions by dual-phase CT was 87.8%.

CONCLUSIONSThe performance of dual-phase helical CT is related to the pathological structure of the lesions. The analysis of enhancement patterns by using dual-phase helical CT will be helpful in the differential diagnosis of thyroid lesions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Female ; Goiter, Nodular ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Gland ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Thyroiditis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Objective To study the psychological conditions of HIV/AIDS patients' families.Methods The non-structural interview was done with 4 HIV/AIDS patients' families.The data were analyzed for summarizing the themes.Results Six themes were summarized including suspicion and denial,humiliation and discrimination,helplessness and guilty,fear and sadness, desperate,threat and revenge.Conclusion HIV/AIDS patients’families are under tremendous psychological pressure and economic pressure,and their quality of life is very low.Therefore,it is necessary to lower the negative emotions in HIV/AIDS patients' families so that their quality of life is to be increased.