Objectives:To explore the microanatomy and functional MRI(fMRI) of arcuate fasciculus(AF) and superior longitudinal fasciculus(SLF),and to analyze their functions.Methods:Ten normal adult cadaveric head specimens (20 cerebral hemispheres) were fixed with 10% methanal at the Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders of the Wannan Medical College from February to December 2022.The Klingler fiber dissection technique was utilized to perform white matter fiber dissection,with a magnification ranging from 6 to 40.The study focused on the microanatomical structures of the AF and SLF,aiming to explore their relationships with deep brain fibers.Furthermore, six healthy adult volunteers who underwent fMRI of the brain were included.The collected diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were processed and integrated with the microanatomical findings for a comprehensive analysis.Results:After removing the gray matter of the cerebral cortex,the superficial U fibers were exposed.The long association fibers that beneath the U fibers were the AF and SLF,which were the main long association fibers in the superficial layers of the brain.The AF could be divided into dorsal and ventral parts,while the SLF could be divided into Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ.SLF Ⅰ lied within the upper bank of the cingulate sulcus,travels medial to the callosal sulcus.The SLF Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and the AF were located on the lateral surface of the brain.By removing the gray matter of the insular cortex and the extreme capsule,exposing the external capsule and claustrum.Subsequently,the AF and SLF Ⅱ,Ⅲ were dissected,revealing the corona radiata and sagittal stratum,along with other deep brain fibers.During the dissection,it was observed that there was a close connection between the AF,SLF Ⅱ,and the deep brain fibers.Furthermore,in the regions above the lateral fissure of the cerebral hemisphere,there was no direct connection of long association fibers between the gray matter cortex and the deep U fibers in the coronal plane.These findings were further supported by DTI studies.Conclusions:The AF and SLF are the major long association fibers that located in the superficial layers of the brain,and closely connect to the gray matter cortex and U fibers,even closely relate with deep brain fibers.In the regions above the lateral fissure of the hemisphere,only the AF and SLF Ⅱ and Ⅲ serve as superficial long association fibers in the anterior-posterior direction.These fibers are likely involved in the transmission of brain functional information between the top and bottom gray matter cortex in the coronal plane above the lateral fissure.

Objective:To investigate the differences in gene expression levels in knee chondrocytes and chondrons in vitro.Methods:The chondrocytes and chondrons were isolated from full thickness of the 8-months ( n=5) rabbit knees cartilage. Chondrons from right knee were enzymatically isolated using 0.3% dispase and 0.2% collagenase-2 with shaking for 3 hours. Chondrocytes were isolated by 0.4% Pronase and 0.025% collagenase-2 from left knee. The mRNA levels in chondrocytes and chondrons were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR, including matrix proteins [aggrecan(Agg), collagen(Col-2), Col-6A6, Col-10, Col-11], MMPs and inhibitors (MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3), cytoskeletal proteins (Sox-9, vinculin, tubulin, actin), cytokines (IL-β, TNF-α). Analysis was performed using SPSS 16.0 statistical software, and the two-group comparisons were considered as significant by t-test at P<0.05. Results:Compared to the chondrocytes, the Agg [(5.78±0.90) vs (1.89±0.27), t=9.26, P<0.001], Col-2 [(6.29±0.76) vs (3.06±0.60), t=7.46, P<0.001], Col-6A6 [(0.89±0.18) vs (0.22±0.06), t=7.90, P<0.001], Col-10 [(3.83±0.76) vs (1.00±0.26), t=7.88, P<0.001] and TIMP-1 [(1.98±0.85) vs (1.03±0.34), t=2.32, P=0.049], TIMP-2[(3.46±1.50) vs (1.52±1.06), t=2.36, P=0.046], TIMP-3 [(3.96±0.50) vs (1.36±0.18), t=10.94, P<0.001], Sox-9 [(7.09±2.93) vs (3.24±0.77), t=2.84, P=0.022], vinculin [(3.42±1.69) vs (1.46±0.68), t=2.41, P=0.043], tubulin[(9.34±0.71) vs (2.35±0.80), t=14.61, P<0.001] showed higher expression in the chondrons. Compared to the chondrocytes, the MMP-1 [(1.02±0.30) vs (2.67±0.45), t=6.91, P<0.001], MMP-3 [(1.21±0.32) vs (2.52±0.79), t=3.44, P=0.009], MMP-13 [(1.23±0.34) vs (3.42±0.86), t=5.30, P=0.007], IL-1β [(1.02±0.14) vs (2.70±0.49), t=7.37, P<0.001], TNF-α [(0.99±0.08) vs (3.15±0.54), t=8.85, P<0.001] showed lower expression in the chondrons. There were no difference between chondrons and chondrocytes for Col-11, MMP-9, actin ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The gene expression of extracellular matrix components are higher and the gene expression levels of inflammatory factors and MMPs are decreased in chondrons compared with the chondrocytes, suggesting the chondrons have more multiplication potential as seeding cells for tissue-engineered cartilage.

Objectives:To explore the microanatomy and functional MRI(fMRI) of arcuate fasciculus(AF) and superior longitudinal fasciculus(SLF),and to analyze their functions.Methods:Ten normal adult cadaveric head specimens (20 cerebral hemispheres) were fixed with 10% methanal at the Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders of the Wannan Medical College from February to December 2022.The Klingler fiber dissection technique was utilized to perform white matter fiber dissection,with a magnification ranging from 6 to 40.The study focused on the microanatomical structures of the AF and SLF,aiming to explore their relationships with deep brain fibers.Furthermore, six healthy adult volunteers who underwent fMRI of the brain were included.The collected diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were processed and integrated with the microanatomical findings for a comprehensive analysis.Results:After removing the gray matter of the cerebral cortex,the superficial U fibers were exposed.The long association fibers that beneath the U fibers were the AF and SLF,which were the main long association fibers in the superficial layers of the brain.The AF could be divided into dorsal and ventral parts,while the SLF could be divided into Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ.SLF Ⅰ lied within the upper bank of the cingulate sulcus,travels medial to the callosal sulcus.The SLF Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and the AF were located on the lateral surface of the brain.By removing the gray matter of the insular cortex and the extreme capsule,exposing the external capsule and claustrum.Subsequently,the AF and SLF Ⅱ,Ⅲ were dissected,revealing the corona radiata and sagittal stratum,along with other deep brain fibers.During the dissection,it was observed that there was a close connection between the AF,SLF Ⅱ,and the deep brain fibers.Furthermore,in the regions above the lateral fissure of the cerebral hemisphere,there was no direct connection of long association fibers between the gray matter cortex and the deep U fibers in the coronal plane.These findings were further supported by DTI studies.Conclusions:The AF and SLF are the major long association fibers that located in the superficial layers of the brain,and closely connect to the gray matter cortex and U fibers,even closely relate with deep brain fibers.In the regions above the lateral fissure of the hemisphere,only the AF and SLF Ⅱ and Ⅲ serve as superficial long association fibers in the anterior-posterior direction.These fibers are likely involved in the transmission of brain functional information between the top and bottom gray matter cortex in the coronal plane above the lateral fissure.

Brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) is a common cerebrovascular disease in clinical practice. Compared with adults, children with bAVM are more prone to rupture and bleeding, and have a higher mortality and disability. Therefore, it is very important to accurately evaluate the bleeding risk of children with bAVM and reasonably select intervention measures to improve the prognosis. The treatment methods of children with bAVM mainly include conservative treatment, microsurgical treatment, endovascular embolization, stereotactic radiosurgery, and multimodal combined treatment. At present, the treatment indications and specific treatment options for children with bAVM are controversial.

Objective:To explore the effects of Alpha-2-macroglobulin-rich serum (A2MRS) on knee post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA).Methods:The knee PTOA models were constructed by transection of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in 80 SD male rats, aged 2 months and weighing from 250 to 300 g, which were randomized into 4 groups ( n=20): a high dose group (A2MRS containing 20 μg/μL A2M administered), a low dose group (A2MRS containing 10 μg/μL A2M administered), a positive control group (normal saline administered), and a blank control group (the knee joint cut pseudooperatively and normal saline administered). HE, toluidine blue staining, safranine O staining, modified Mankin scoring and Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring were conducted to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of A2MRS on the knee PTOA among the 4 groups. Results:The rat cartilage was thinner with patchy and cracked surface, and the chondrocytes were reduced and distributed unevenly in the positive control group, compared with the blank control group. The modified Mankin score (3.89±0.93) and OARSI score (10.05±0.72) in the positive control group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group (0.67±0.07 and 3.10±0.29) ( P<0.05). The rat cartilage was thicker with basically complete and crack-free surface, and the chondrocytes were increased and distributed more evenly in the high dose group and the low dose group, compared with the positive control group. The modified Mankin scores (1.33±0.50 and 1.56±0.53) and OARSI scores (6.30±0.64 and 4.75±0.66) in the high dose group and the low dose group were significantly lower than those in the positive control group ( P<0.05). However, there were no such differences between the high dose group and the low dose group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:A2MRS effectively delays the pathological process of knee PTOA.

Objective:To investigate the short-term effects of articular injection of hyaluronic acid combined with glucocorticoid in patients with knee osteoarthritis.Methods:From October 2017 to June 2018, a total of 188 patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis received parallel articular injection. There were 60 cases with mild knee osteoarthritis, 72 with moderate and 56 with severe according to the WOMAC knee functional score. There patients were divided into group rank Ⅰ48 cases, Ⅱ 49 cases, Ⅲ 45 cases, Ⅳ 46 cases according to the knee joint X-ray Kellgren-Lawrence classification. The unified treatment regimen was 2.5 ml Sodium Hyaluronate (SHA) injection for the first time, SHA 2.5 ml and compound betamethasone injection (CBI) 1 ml for the second week, and 2.5 ml of SHA for the third week. WOMAC score and Lequesne index were used to evaluate joint function before the first injection and after SHA and SHA+CBI injection. The improvement rate of Lequesne index ≥30% or improvement rate of WOMAC score ≥25% was regarded as effective treatment.Results:Lequesne index and WOMAC score decreased gradually in the mild, moderate and severe groups after 3 weeks of injection. Among these patients, the improvement rates of Lequesne index after SHA injection and SHA+CBI injection were 36.44%±8.46% and 49.26%±13.75% in the mild group, 23.09%±12.61% and 30.66%±14.95% in the moderate group, and 10.50%±8.78% and 11.07%±6.52% in the severe group. The improvement rate of WOMAC score in the mild group after SHA injection and after SHA+CBI injection was greater than 25%. After SHA injection, the improvement rate of WOMAC score was 13.06%±10.21% in the moderate group, and 27.49%±13.61% after SHA+CBI injection. Those in severe group were all less than 25%. Kendall's staub correlation analysis results showed that there was a strong positive correlation between WOMAC function score and X-ray Kellgren-Lawrence classification ( r=0.744, P<0.001). The Lequesne index and WOMAC scores of the Kellgren-Lawrence X-ray classification decreased gradually after 3 weeks of injection. The improvement rate of Lequesne index period in group rank Ⅰ after SHA and SHA+CBI injection was 36.64%±10.05% and 52.00%±8.19%, respectively. That for group rank Ⅱ was 32.05%±8.09% and 41.95%±10.53%, group rank Ⅲ 16.93%±10.34% and 27.77%±10.25%, group rank Ⅳ 7.52%±5.53% and 7.60%±6.66%. The improvement rate of WOMAC score period in group rank Ⅰ after SHA and SHA+CBI injection was 29.48%±11.77% and 42.59%±13.55%, respectively. That for group rank Ⅱ was 26.72%±10.21% and 30.49%±16.90%, group rank Ⅲ 13.78%±5.96% and 23.05%±9.52%, group rank Ⅳ 4.77%±3.80% and 4.27%±4.23%. Conclusion:For mild or X-ray classification Ⅰ, Ⅱ knee osteoarthritis patients, articular injection SHA or SHA+CBI are effective. Further, SHA+CBI is better than single injection of SHA. SHA+CBI injection was effective for moderate knee osteoarthritis patients. For severe or X-ray classification Ⅲ, Ⅳ patients, SHA or SHA+CBI injection at interval are invalid.

OBJECTIVETo detect potential mutation of TCOF1 gene in a Chinese family affected with Treacher-Collins syndrome.

METHODSClinical data of the patient was collected. The analysis included history taking, clinical examination and genetic testing. All coding regions of the TCOF1 gene were subjected to PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSA novel mutation c.2261ins G (p.E95X) of the TCOF1 gene was discovered in the patient. The same mutation was not found in his parents and 100 healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONThe c.2261insG (p.E95X) mutation of the TCOF1 gene probably underlies the disease in the patient. Genetic testing can facilitate diagnosis and genetic counseling for families affected with TCS.

Critical ultrasonography(CUS) is different from the traditional diagnostic ultrasound,the examiner and interpreter of the image are critical care medicine physicians.The core content of CUS is to evaluate the pathophysiological changes of organs and systems and etiology changes.With the idea of critical care medicine as the soul,it can integrate the above information and clinical information,bedside real-time diagnosis and titration treatment,and evaluate the therapeutic effect so as to improve the outcome.CUS is a traditional technique which is applied as a new application method.The consensus of experts on critical ultrasonography in China released in 2016 put forward consensus suggestions on the concept,implementation and application of CUS.It should be further emphasized that the accurate and objective assessment and implementation of CUS requires the standardization of ultrasound image acquisition and the need to establish a CUS procedure.At the same time,the standardized training for CUS accepted by critical care medicine physicians requires the application of technical specifications,and the establishment of technical specifications is the basis for the quality control and continuous improvement of CUS.Chinese Critical Ultrasound Study Group and Critical Hemodynamic Therapy Collabration Group,based on the rich experience of clinical practice in critical care and research,combined with the essence of CUS,to learn the traditional ultrasonic essence,established the clinical application technical specifications of CUS,including in five parts:basic view and relevant indicators to obtain in CUS;basic norms for viscera organ assessment and special assessment;standardized processes and systematic inspection programs;examples of CUS applications;CUS training and the application of qualification certification.The establishment of applied technology standard is helpful for standardized training and clinical correct implementation.It is helpful for clinical evaluation and correct guidance treatment,and is also helpful for quality control and continuous improvement of CUS application.

Objective To compare the accuracy of placement of ventricular shunt tube,the efficacy and complications of the neuronavigation-assisted ventriculoperitoneal shunt (group A) and traditional ventriculoperitoneal shunt (group B).Methods A retrospective study was made on 40 cases of hydrocephalus managed with neuronavigation-assisted ventriculoperitoneal shunt or ventriculoperitoneal shunt from January 2012 to June 2016.There were 18 cases [12 males,6 females;(47.5 ±8.5) years of age] in group A and 22 cases [14 males,8 females;(44.5 ± 7.5) years of age] in group B.Therapeutic effect and complications were analyzed postoperatively.The accuracy rate in ventricular end shunt placement that was free from the frontal horn of lateral ventricle and flush the Moro hole had also been studied.Results The position of ventricular shunt of all the patients were postoperative timely review of the CT view,and hospital outpatient follow-up periodical for 3-24 months after discharge from hospital.Patients with postoperative timely review of head CT and found that group A of ventricular end of the shunt tube position reach a set position in 16 cases,2 cases had not reached the set position,the accuracy rate was 88.89％.There were 8 cases in group B reach to the set position and 14 cases did not and the accuracy rate was 36.36％.After the statistical analysis there were significant differences (P ＜ 0.05).The total efficiency of A and B groups (excellent + effective) were 94.4％ and 86.4％ (P ＞ 0.05).Postoperative complications included bleeding,infection,obstruction of the shunt,excessive shunt,shunt insufficiency and so on.During follow-up,group A appeared excessive shunt in 1 case;group B incision infection in 1 case,4 cases of shunt obstruction,excessive shunt in 1 case,2 cases of deficiency of shunt.Two groups of patients were recovery well through the drainage tube pressure adjustment or set it once again.The incidence of complications in group A was 5.56％,group B was 36.36％.There was no significant difference between group A and group B (P ＞ 0.05).In group A,there was no obstruction of shunt tube,ventricular end of the shunt tube blockage occurred in 4 cases in group B,the incidence rate was 18.18％ (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Neuronavigation guided ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement to the accuracy of position setting has significant advantages over traditional ventriculoperitoneal shunt in the ventricular end of the shunt tube and it has some advantages in reducing postoperative complications.

Objective To explore the histological properties of isolated chondrons and chondrocytes from rabbit knee cartilage,and to determine if these properties vary with age.Methods Three groups of rabbit knees were evaluated according to different age:(1) young (2 months,n=10);(2) adult (8 months,n=10);and (3) old (31 months,n=10).The cartilage structure,proteoglycan,collagen-2,and collagen-6 content were determined by light microscopic using hematoxylin-eosin (HE),Toluidine Blue,and col-2,6 staining.The chondrons were enzymatically isolated using 0.3 g/L dispase and 0.2 g/L collagenase-2 by shaking for 3 hours.The morphology and composition of isolated chondrons were observed by HE and collagen-6 immunostaining staining after overnight coverslip monolayer culture under a microscopy.Results The chondrocytes became sparser and the total content of proteoglycans and collagen-2 were decreased in the articular cartilage with age.Compared to the chondrocytes,the surrounding rim or capsule was more obvious in the isolated chondrons,and they exhibited obvious differences in shape.The cells within one cluster from different age groups were similar to the morphology observed in cartilage in situ.The adult and old chondrons generally possessed a thicker pericellular matrix with more enclosed cells,and the chondrons contained more cells can reach 47％.Conclusion These findings further suggest that the properties of the chondrons and pericellular matrix have an important influence on the biomechanical microenvironment of the knee joint cartilage degeneration that occurs with age.