Analysis of surveillance results of key occupational diseases in Nanning City, 2015-2019 / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution characteristics of surveillance results of key occupational diseases in Nanning City.METHODS: The occupational health monitoring data of key occupational diseases of Nanning City from 2015 to 2019 were collected using judgment sampling method and analyzed by descriptive epidemiology method. RESULTS: A total of 38 cases of key occupational diseases were reported in Nanning City during the past 5 years.The main diseases were occupational pneumoconiosis and occupational noise-induced deafness(ONID). The rate of occupational health examination was 40.06%, showing an increasing trend with the increase of years(P<0.01). The detection rate of occupational pneumoconiosis was higher than that of ONID(0.19% vs 0.01%, P<0.01). However, the abnormal detection rate of occupational health special examination in noise-exposed workers was higher than that in dust-exposed workers(10.98% vs 0.35%, P<0.01). The detection rate of pneumoconiosis-like changes in dust-exposed workers was the highest in private enterprises(P<0.01). The detection rate of binaural high frequency average hearing threshold ≥40 dB was highest in small and micro enterprises and private enterprises(all P<0.01). The detection rate of blood lead level >400 μg/L was 24.75%, and 98.80% of the abnormal workers were concentrated in medium-sized foreign-funded enterprises. The detection rates of abnormal leukocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts in benzene-exposed workers were 1.17%, 3.21% and 0.26% respectively. CONCLUSION: Among the key occupational disease risk factors in Nanning City, the number of workers exposed to dust and noise is relatively high, which results in serious consequences and harm. But the hazards of lead and benzene cannot be ignored. Emphasis should be placed on strengthening the supervision and management of key occupational diseases in small and medium-sized micro-enterprises and private enterprises.

Isoflurane provides neuroprotection in neonatal hypoxic ischemic brain injury by suppressing apoptosis / Isoflurano fornece neuroproteção em lesão cerebral hipóxico-isquêmica neonatal por inibição da apoptose

Abstract Background and objectives: Isoflurane is halogenated volatile ether used for inhalational anesthesia. It is widely used in clinics as an inhalational anesthetic. Neonatal hypoxic ischemia injury ensues in the immature brain that results in delayed cell death via excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. Isoflurane has shown neuroprotective properties that make a beneficial basis of using isoflurane in both cell culture and animal models, including various models of brain injury. We aimed to determine the neuroprotective effect of isoflurane on hypoxic brain injury and elucidated the underlying mechanism. Methods: A hippocampal slice, in artificial cerebrospinal fluid with glucose and oxygen deprivation, was used as an in vitro model for brain hypoxia. The orthodromic population spike and hypoxic injury potential were recorded in the CA1 and CA3 regions. Amino acid neurotransmitters concentration in perfusion solution of hippocampal slices was measured. Results: Isoflurane treatment caused delayed elimination of population spike and improved the recovery of population spike; decreased frequency of hypoxic injury potential, postponed the onset of hypoxic injury potential and increased the duration of hypoxic injury potential. Isoflurane treatment also decreased the hypoxia-induced release of amino acid neurotransmitters such as aspartate, glutamate and glycine induced by hypoxia, but the levels of γ-aminobutyric acid were elevated. Morphological studies showed that isoflurane treatment attenuated edema of pyramid neurons in the CA1 region. It also reduced apoptosis as evident by lowered expression of caspase-3 and PARP genes. Conclusions: Isoflurane showed a neuro-protective effect on hippocampal neuron injury induced by hypoxia through suppression of apoptosis.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: Isoflurano é um éter volátil halogenado usado para anestesia por via inalatória. É amplamente usado na clínica como um anestésico para inalação. A lesão hipóxico-isquêmica neonatal ocorre no cérebro imaturo e resulta em morte celular tardia via excitotoxicidade e estresse oxidativo. Isoflurano mostrou ter propriedades neuroprotetoras que formam uma base benéfica para o seu uso tanto em cultura de células quanto em modelos animais, incluindo vários modelos de lesão cerebral. Nosso objetivo foi determinar o efeito neuroprotetor de isoflurano em hipóxia cerebral e elucidar o mecanismo subjacente. Métodos: Fatias de hipocampo, em fluido cerebrospinal artificial (CSFA) com glicose e privação de oxigênio, foram usadas como um modelo in vitro de hipóxia cerebral. O pico de população ortodrômica (PPO) e o potencial de lesão hipóxica (PLH) foram registrados nas regiões CA1 e CA3. A concentração de neurotransmissores de aminoácidos na solução de perfusão das fatias de hipocampo foi medida. Resultados: O tratamento com isoflurano retardou a eliminação do PPO e melhorou a recuperação do PPO; diminuiu a frequência do PLH, retardou o início do PLH e aumentou a duração do PLH. O tratamento com isoflurano também diminuiu a liberação de neurotransmissores de aminoácidos induzida pela hipóxia, como aspartato, glutamato e glicina, mas os níveis de ácido γ-aminobutírico (GABA) estavam elevados. Estudos morfológicos mostram que o tratamento de edema com isoflurano atenuou o edema de neurônios piramidais na região CA1. Também reduziu a apoptose, como mostrado pela expressão reduzida da caspase-3 e genes PARP. Conclusões: Isoflurano mostrou um efeito neuroprotetor na lesão neuronal no hipocampo induzida por hipóxia através da supressão de apoptose.

Safety and efficacy evaluation of gemcitabine combined with oxaliplatin for the treatment of patients with lymphoma / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of GEMOX regimen for the treatment of lymphoma, so as to provide the reference for further rational selection of chemotherapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 61 patients with relapse and refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) treated with chanotherapy of GEMOX regimen from 2010 Jannary -2013 year were selected, and their clinical data were collected, and the short-term efficacy, toxic effects and short-term survival were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The improved rate of B symptom was 86.36%; the LDH level in 38 cases with high LDH level after chemotherapy all obviously decreased; the ORR and CBR in 64 patients after treatment were 68.75% and 87.50% respectively; the comparison of ORR and CBR between patients with different IPI score showed significantly statistical difference (P<0.05). The adverse reactions mainly observed in blood and digestive tract, but were mild; adverse reactions were reduced or disappeared after stoping drugs or symptomatic treatment. The median progression-free survival time of patients was 10.5 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gemcitabine combined with oxaliplatin for treatment of relapse-refractory lymphoma shows singnificant efficacy and low toxicity, this regimen can be used as a second-line chemotheray in clinic.</p>

Optimal technique of three-dimensional MRI of the lumbar nerve root and its radicular vein in normal and lumbar disc herniation patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Although three-dimensional MRI (3D-MRI) of short T1 inversion recovery turbo spin-echo (STIR TSE) has showed superior to two-dimensional MRI (2D-MRI) in showing the spinal cord and lumbar nerve roots, it remains difficult in demonstrating radicular vein at present. We have found that short T1 inversion recovery long time echo (STIR LONG TE) was better in showing radicular vein. To further study the methods and character of the 3D-MRI of lumbar nerve root, ganglions and radicular vein in normal and lumbar disc herniation (LDH) adults, in the present study, we evaluated two 3D-MRI techniques, STIR TSE and STIR LONG TE for demonstrating lumbar nerve roots and especial radicular vein in normal and LDH adults.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve normal adult persons and 19 LDH patients were included in this study; special oblique coronal location was adopted. STIR TSE and STIR LONG TE were performed in all participants, and the detection rates of radicular vein and nerve root of L3, L4, L5, S1 were calculated. The grading system was used in grading compromise of the intraspinal extradural lumbar nerve root, ganglion and radicular vein in LDH patients, and all the grading injury of nerve root, ganglion and radicular vein had been evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The definite rate of radicular vein (DRRV) of 3D-MRI of STIR LONG TE was significantly different from that of STIR TSE. DRRV of STIR LONG TE was L3, 91.7%, L4, 100%, L5, 100%, S1, 100% and that of STIR TSE was L3, 33.3%, L4, 37.5%, L5, 58.3%, S1, 45.8% in normal adults. It showed no difference between STIR LONG TE and STIR TSE in the detection rate of nerve root. The different patho-injuries of nerve root, ganglion and radicular vein could be seen in all LDH patients by the 3D-MRI of STIR LONG TE. The mean score of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) was 16.16, and 29 nerve roots were calculated in all the study. The mean grading injury of nerve root was 2.17, that of nerve root ganglion was 1.28, that of radicular vein was 1.83, and the mean co-grading injury of nerve root, ganglion and radicular vein was 5.31. The correlation coefficient was 0.478 (P = 0.010) between the score of JOA and that of radicular vein.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 3D-MRI of STIR LONG TE is superior to STIR TSE for not only detecting the lumbar nerve root, ganglion and especial radicular vein in normal adults, but also displaying their patho-injuries degree in LDH patients.</p>

Analysis on acupoint prescription for acupoint sticking therapy of treating winter diseases in summer for preventing and curing chronic cough and asthma / 中国针灸

Based on ZhangShi YiTong written by ZHANG Lu of Qing dynasty, and the record that external application of Baijiezi (seeds of Brassica Alba) for treating asthma of cold syndrome, retrospective study is conducted to modern literature of treating winter diseases in summer with acupoint sticking therapy for preventing and treating chronic cough and asthma. Learning from thoughts and methods of evidence-based medicine, and according to subject characteristics of TCM and acupuncture, acupoints and point-selecting discipline of prescription for preventing and treating chronic cough and asthma in summer with acupoint sticking are analyzed. The results show that the top ten common acupoints used for acupoint sticking therapy of treating winter diseases in summer are Feishu (BL 13), Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Xinshu (BL 15), Geshu (BL 17), Danzhong (CV 17), Shenshu (BL 23), Gaohuang (BL 43), Dazhui (GV 14), Pishu (BL 20), Tiantu (CV 22), most of which belong to the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang, Conception Vessel and Governor Vessel or extra-meridian points. It refers that the core acupoints of acupoint sticking therapy are Feishu (BL 13), Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Xinshu (BL 15), Geshu (BL 17), Danzhong (CV 17), and adjunct points can be selected by syndrome, disease different stage, disease or symptoms.

Value of magnetic resonance imaging in displaying the parotid gland segments of the facial nerve / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in displaying the parotid gland segments of the facial nerve.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen volunteers (9 males and 7 females) and 132 surgically confirmed patients with parotid tumors locating in the deep or shallow lobe of the parotid gland (including 89 with benign and 43 with malignant tumors) underwent MRI using T1WI and T2WI. The transverse images were obtained with the plane tilted 35 degrees to the foot, and the coronal images were acquired using conventional scanning.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On transverse T1WI, the parotid gland segments of the facial nerve displayed low signal with arc-shaped curve in the cross-section, showing a symmetrical dot-like low signal in the coronal plane. The facial nerve in 63% of the patients with parotid tumors in the cross-section could be displayed, but in the coronal plane the proportion reached 83%. MRI could accurately reveal the position of the parotid tumors in the deep or shallow lobe of the parotid gland.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MRI can show the major portion of the parotid gland segments of the facial nerve and has important value in locating the parotid tumors and displaying the relationship between the tumor and facial nerve.</p>

Magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of parotid malignant tumors and the pathological basis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of parotid malignant tumors and study their pathological basis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-seven patients with parotid malignant tumors confirmed by surgery (41 patients) or biopsy (6 patients) were enrolled in this study. A comparative analysis was conducted of the pathological and MRI findings in 30 patients with the entire lesions available. Each of the MRI features was analyzed retrospectively and the typical MRI findings of common parotid malignant tumors were summarized.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MRI allowed accurate diagnosis of parotid malignant tumors. Four patients with low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma showed well-defined tumor margin and were difficult to distinguish from benign tumors. Six patients with high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma had obscure margin of the tumor which easily underwent necrosis with liable lymph node involvement. The 8 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma was characterized by extensive invasion surrounding the parotid gland. Most of 8 cases of malignant pleomorphic adenoma still showed high and heterogeneous signal on T2WI, with irregular shape and poorly defined margin. Nine cases of lymphoma all had secondary lesions characterized by extensive involvement and presence of multiple nodules. The 4 cases of acinic cell carcinoma showed either regular or irregular tumor morphology, presenting with high signal intensity on T1WI and T(2)WI.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MRI is an important modality for the diagnosis of parotid malignant tumors. Most of the common parotid malignant tumors have characteristic MRI and pathological features, which make possible their differential diagnosis.</p>

Literatures studies about the key factors affecting the effectiveness of acupoint sticking therapy treating winter diseases in summer / 中国针灸

Based on the literatures about the optimized effectiveness of the acupoint sticking therapy for diseases which are attacked in winter but are treated in summer, the main constituent elements of plaster, acupoints, the dose and the application time are reviewed and analyzed. It is suggested that the stepwise procedures are adoped to accumulate clinical evidence, standardize the technique instructions based on the clinical evidences, and perform high quality clinical trials.

Adenovirus mediated gene transfer of tyrosinase gene on HepG2 cell by magnetic resonance imaging / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the transfect results of recombinant adenovirus vector carrying tyrosinase gene (Ad-tyr) in vitro by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after the Ad-tyr was transfected into HepG2 cell.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The Ad-tyr which carried the full-length cDNA of tyrosinase gene was transfected into HepG2 cell. The transfected cells were scan by MRI sequences of T1 weighted image (T1WI) , T2 weighted image (T2WI) , and short time inversion recovery (STIR) to observe the MRI signals of expressed melanin. Masson-Fontana staining was performed to search for melanin granules in transfected cells. Real-time PCR method was used to search for cDNA of tyrosinase gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ad-tyr was transfected into HepG2 cells and synthesized a large amount of melanin inside. The synthesized melanin of 1 x 10(6) cells which had been transfected by Ad-tyr with the 50, 150, and 300 multiplicity of infection separately were all sufficient to be detected by MRI and showed high signals in MRI T1WI, T2WI, and STIR sequences. The signal intensities of MRI were positively correlated to the amounts of transfected Ad-tyr. The melanin granules were found in HepG2 cells in Masson-Fontana staining. The cDNA amount of tyrosinase gene in transfected HepG2 cells, which was detected by real-time PCR, was remarkably higher than that in nontransfected cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The synthesized melanin of HepG2 cells, which controlled by expression of exogenous gene, can be detected by MRI, indicating that the adenovirus vector can efficiently carry the tyrosinase gene into HepG2 cells.</p>

Thinking about academic development of acupuncture and moxibustion in recent ten years / 中国针灸

Through combing the academic development of acupuncture in recent ten years, objectively reflects the real development status of acupuncture subject on these aspects sucl as basis, clinic, equipment, teaching and standardization, etc., shows the scientific and technological achievements and the highlights of the acupuncture academic development, analyzes the bottleneck and dilemma of the acupuncture academic development. It is indicated that there are several problems existed in acupuncture researche at present, such as the scale and the input of the acupuncture theory research are not enough, the basic research and clinical application is disjointed, the correlation between the acupoints and viscera need more systematic and further researches, the design level of clinical research on acupoints' main indications should be improved. From now on we should follow the inherent rule of the traditional theory of Chinese medicine and the way of integrated thinking, explore the new rule of acupuncture academic development, in order to fit the new historical period, and comprehensively promote the sustainable and coordinated development of acupuncture science.

Atypical magnetic resonance imaging vs pathological findings of leiomyoma in the female reproductive system / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the atypical leiomyoma in the female reproductive system in comparison with the pathological features of the neoplasms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis of the MRI findings and the pathological features was conducted in 24 cases of atypical leiomyoma involving the female reproductive system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Atypical leiomyomas were displayed by MRI as solid tumor mass surrounded by cystic degeneration, pseudotumors, or solid mass with homogeneous signal intensity. Intrauterine lesions were found in 19 cases, involving the subserosal layer (n=11), intramural region (n=4), broad ligament (n=3), cervix (n=2), submucous layer (n=2), vagina (n=1), and the ovary (n=1). Except for two cases with submucous lesions shown as solid mass, all the cases had lesions appearing as solid cystic mass, whose solid part showed hypo or isointense signals on T1WI and moderate hyperintense signals on T2WI, with heterogeneous enhancement after contrast agent injection. Tumor cell and interstitial cell swelling, vascular hyalinosis, hyalinosis, myxoedema, cystic degeneration, and hemorrhage were found in the lesions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Leiomyoma can occur at almost any site in the female reproductive system, and atypical leiomyoma usually are shown as solid cystic mixed mass in the pelvic cavity. Evaluation of the relationship between the solid mass and cystic portion and observation for the presence of low signal on T2WI may help in the diagnosis of atypical leiomyoma.</p>

Correlation analysis between multi-slice CT perfusion imaging and microvessel density in ovarian tumors / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the correlation between the perfusion data and microvessel density (MVD) in ovarian tumors, and investigate the hemodynamic features of the tumors in terms of anatomy and functional CT imaging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six patients with surgically confirmed benign ovarian tumors and 6 with malignant ovarian tumors underwent multi-slice CT perfusion imaging to acquire the perfusion parameters including perfusion, PEI, TTP, BV peak enhancement image(PEI), time to peak(TTP) and blood volume(BV). The tumors were stained and counted by Immunohistochemical staining of the microvessels in the tumor was performed to detect the MVD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>s The time-density curves of the benign ovarian tumors increased slowly, reaching the peak at 40 s; the curves of the malignant tumors rose rapidly and continuously and reached the peak at 25 s. The differences in the perfusion data (PEI, TTP, BV) were statistically significant between the benign and malignant tumors (P<0.05). The MVD of the malignant tumors was significantly greater than that of the benign tumors (P<0.05). The mean BV of the malignant ovarian tumor was positively correlated to MVD (r=0.786, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging can provide accurate enhancement data of the ovarian tumors and helps in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the ovarian tumors by presenting the changes of the hemodynamic features in the tumors.</p>

Value of multi-slice spiral CT with three-dimensional reconstruction in the diagnosis of neoplastic lesions in the jawbones / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the value of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) with three dimensional (3D) reconstruction in the diagnosis of neoplastic lesions in the jawbones.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-three patients with neoplastic lesions of the jawbones underwent MSCT scanning with 3D reconstruction. Of these patients, 14 had ameloblastoma, 8 had hemangioma, 3 had osteosarcoma, 3 had ossifying fibroma, 2 had chondrosarcoma, 2 had fibrosarcoma, and 1 had odontogenic myxoma. Preoperative MSCT scanning was performed with the slice thickness of 2 mm, and 3D reconstruction of the images was conducted by means of multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), curved-planar reformation (CRP), and 3D volume rendering technique (VRT). The results were compared with those observed during the operations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 33 cases, the neoplastic lesions of the jawbones were displayed by 2D or 3D imaging and confirmed by intraoperative findings. Two-dimensional imaging allowed better observation than 3D imaging of the deep structures, whereas 3D imaging was superior in visualizing the morphological changes of the compromised bones and the spatial relationship between the tumors and surrounding structures. Two-dimensional imaging and MPR were excellent in revealing the internal structures and pathological changes of tumors, having also better performance in showing the tumors involving the soft tissues. Benign tumors were most visualized as bone expansion changes with well defined ovoid or lobulated borderlines, and malignant ones often resulted in adjacent bony destruction and soft tissue masses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MSCT examination is useful in defining the scope of tumor involvement and bony changes to help in the definite diagnosis, differential diagnosis and choice of clinical treatment. Two-dimensional imaging, MPR, VRT and CRP have their respective advantages and limitations in showing jawbone tumor, and their combination can be of great clinical value.</p>

Hepatic metastasis of human colon carcinoma: establishment of a nude mouse model and its magnetic resonance imaging / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a nude mouse model mimicking hepatic metastasis of human colon carcinoma and study its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and the quality of diffusion-weighted images (DWI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human colon carcinoma SW480 cells were inoculated subcutaneously ((1x10(7)/ml, 0.5 ml) in the costal regions of 2 nude mice, and after successful tumor formation, the generated tumors were harvested and cut into tissue blocks of 1 mm(3). The tissue blocks were subsequently implanted into the liver of 36 nude mice, from which TSE-T1WI, T2WI and EPI-DWI were obtained after tumor growth.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The success rate of intrahepatic tumor implantation was 100% (36/36), and the tumors grown in the liver measured 0.7 to 2 cm in diameter 2 to 6 weeks after implantation. All the tumors were clearly visualized on T1WI and T2WI images, with isointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity on T2WI. Compared with the T2WI, DWI showed conspicuous geometry deformation in 4 mice to cause difficult detection, moderate to slight geometric deformation in 14 mice which remained detectable, and no geometric deformation in 18 mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The nude mouse model of hepatic metastasis of SW480 colon cancer cell line, with ideal implantation and tumor growth rate, allows convenient tumor observation on MR T1WI, T2WI and DWI, and the MRI findings of the tumor are well consistent with those by pathological examination, suggesting the validity of this model for molecular imaging research of human colon cancer.</p>

Imaging and pathological features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the imaging features and pathological manifestations of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The imaging characteristics and pathological manifestations of 26 surgically treated patients with histologically confirmed GISTs were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tumors were found to originate from the small bowel (n=10), stomach (n=8), colon (n=6), mesentery (n=1) and omentum (n=1). The imaging and pathological features of GISTs were (1) most of GISTs were well-defined and exophytic (n=19, 73.1% ), which usually compressed the adjacent tissues but no invasion. The tumor diameter ranged from 5.1 to 23.5 cm with a mean diameter of 11.6 +/- 5.9 cm, (2)most tumors had an inhomogenous density or signal intensity due to necrosis(n=21, 80.8%), hemorrhage (n=15, 57.7%) or calcification (n=3, 11.5%) within the tumor, (3) on the CT or MR images, heterogeneous enhancement pattern presented as peripheral or intra-tumor patchy enhancement was common (n=21, 80.8%). Furthermore, enhanced striped vessels were seen in 12 patients. However, homogenous enhancement pattern was rare (n=5, 19.2%), (4) the most common site where GIST metastasized to was the liver (n=7), followed by the peritoneum (n=4), but rarely to lymph nodes, (5) of these 26 patients, spindle-cell type was observed in 69.2% (n=18), epithelioid-cell type in 23.1% (n=6), and mixed cell type in 7.7% (n=2). Immunohistochemical studies showed positive CD117 expression in all of these 26 patients, but positive CD34 expression in only 22 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gastrointestinal stromal tumor usually presents as a exophytic, well-defined large tumor, with internal striped vessels, necrosis or hemorrhage within. It usually metastasizes to the liver or the peritoneum but rarely to lymph nodes. Pathologically, most of gastrointestinal stromal tumors consist of spindle-cells, while a small portion of the tumors are composed of epithelioid-cells or mixed ones. Both CT and MRI play an important role in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.</p>

Clinical significance of diffusion-weighted MRI with STIR-EPI in differential diagnosis of cervical lymph nodes / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a new MRI imaging method--diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) with short TI version recovery-echo planar imaging (STIR-EPI) sequence in differentiating benign cervical lymph nodes from malignant ones. METHODS Twenty nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and fourteen volunteers received both conventional MRI and DWI with STIR-EPI. Ability of detecting lymph nodes between conventional MRI and STIR-EPI-DWI was compared, and the difference of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value between metastatic lymph node and normal lymph node was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DWI was more sensitive in detecting lymph node than conventional MRI. ADC value of metastatic lymph node (0. 766 +/- 0. 119) x 10 (-3) mm(2)/s was significantly lower than that of normal lymph node (0. 975 +/- 0. 179) x 10 - mm2/s (P < 0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As a new MRI imaging technique in detecting cervical lymph nodes, diffusion weighted imaging ( DWI) with short TI version recovery-echo planar imaging ( STIR-EPI) sequence is more reliable and sensitive than conventional MRI imaging, providing an alternative way to differentiate benign lymph nodes from malignant ones.</p>

The risk factors and preventive strategies of heterotopic ossification after artificial disc replacement in lumbar spine / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the risk factors of heterotopic (HO) ossification after total lumbar disc replacement and probe the preventive strategies for it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The radiographs and clinical data of 78 discs in 65 patients who received artificial lumbar disc replacement (ADR) from April 1998 to December 2003 were analyzed retrospectively by two radiologists and one orthopaedic surgeon and then postoperative HO were graded according to McAfee system. The bony formations in disc spaces, time of HO were found, and range of motion (ROM) of the operated levels were measured on radiographic films. In addition, the risk factors such as preoperative peri-annulus ossification, bony endplates injuries, and subsided or mal-position of the prostheses were also analyzed by Logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Postoperative HO was found in 10 spaces of 9 cases. Class I of HO were occurred in 7 patients at means 2.1 years postoperatively with normal range of motion preserved. Three of them turned into class II or III with 10 degrees of mean ROM in the following 2.5 years. Another 2 (2/9) cases with preoperative peri-annulus ossification had bridging trabecular bone (class III) between the endplates and 9 degrees of ROM 2 years after surgery, then turned into class IV at 6 years with 0 degrees and 4 degrees of motion in the operated levels. As the risk factors of HO, preoperative annulus ossification (2 cases), bony endplates injuries (5 cases), mal-positioned prostheses (2 cases) and subsided prostheses (2 cases) were found simultaneity with significant positive relation to HO occurred (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Factors such as preoperative ossification of annulus, endplate injuries, prosthesis subsided and mal-position would have higher risks to have HO occurred after ADR, but ROM of most affected levels are preserved. Strict control indication and avoid all above risk factors can prevent HO occurring effectively.</p>

Field demonstration of reduction of lead availability in soil and cabbage (Brassica Chinensis L.) contaminated by mining tailings using phosphorus fertilizers / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

A field demonstration of reduction of lead availability in a soil and cabbage (Brassica Chinensis L.) contaminated by mining tailings, located in Shaoxing, China was carried out to evaluate the effects of applications of phosphorus fertilizers on Pb fractionation and Pb phyto-availability in the soil. It was found that the addition of all three P fertilizers including single super phosphate (SSP), phosphate rock (PR), and calcium magnesium phosphate (CMP) significantly decreased the percentage of water-soluble and exchangeable (WE) soil Pb and then reduced the uptake of Pb, Cd, and Zn by the cabbage compared to the control (CK). The results showed that the level of 300 g P/m(2) soil was the most cost-effective application rate of P fertilizers for reducing Pb availability at the first stage of remediation, and that at this P level, the effect of WE fraction of Pb in the soil decreased by three phosphorus fertilizers followed the order: CMP (79%)>SSP (41%)>PR (23%); Effectiveness on the reduction of Pb uptake by cabbage was in the order: CMP (53%)>SSP (41%)>PR (30%). Therefore our field trial demonstrated that it was effective and feasible to reduce Pb availability in soil and cabbage contaminated by mining tailings using P fertilizers in China and PR would be a most cost-effective amendment.

Diagnostic value of multi-slice spiral CT three dimensional reconstruction in maxillofacial diseases / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the diagnostic value of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) three dimensional (3D) reconstruction for maxillofacial diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients with maxillofacial diseases underwent the scanning of MSCT with 3D reconstruction. Among them, 34 patients with maxillofacial fracture, 10 patients with maxillofacial tumors and tumor-like diseases, and 16 patients with congenital deformities. The MSCT scanned with slice thickness of 2 mm. The methods of 3D reconstruction included multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), shaded surface display (SSD), and volume rendering (VR). The results were compared with what was observed during operations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 36 cases of maxillofacial fracture were shown by 2D or 3D imaging and were validated by the observations during operation. The MSCT with 3D reconstruction imaging was significantly superior to 2D axial imaging in maxillofacial fracture. Three dimensional imaging could clearly show the spacial anatomy of facial, fragment displacement, and tracing fracture lines. However, 2D imaging had better effectiveness than 3D imaging in observing deep structure and fine fracture. In maxillofacial tumors and tumor-like diseases, 3D imaging was significantly superior to 2D axial imaging in showing the tumor shape and spacial relationships between tumors and surrounding structures. Two dimensional imaging and MPR imaging were excellent to reveal internal structure and pathological changes of tumors. 2D imaging and MPR imaging also achieved better results in showing tumors extended to soft tissues. In maxillofacial congenital deformities, 3D imaging were superior than 2D imaging.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>3D imaging has an important value in the diagnosis and clinical assessment of maxillofacial fracture, tumor-like diseases, and congenital deformities.</p>