Research progress on effect and mechanism of diesel exhaust particles on asthma / 环境与职业医学

As a source of traffic-related air pollution, diesel particulate matter (DPM) associate with a variety of lung-related diseases, but there is no systematic review of the relationship between DPM and the development and progression of asthma. This article reviewed the relationship between DPM and asthma, the effect and mechanism of DPM on airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma, and illustrated that DPM exposure may participate in airway inflammation and remodeling through oxidative stress, immune regulation and regulation of lung and intestinal microecology, so as to promote the development and progression of asthma.

Effect of acupuncture on learning and memory ability and hippocampal Ngb expression in rats with vascular cognitive impairment / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To discuss the effect of acupuncture on learning and memory ability and the expression of neuroglobin (Ngb) of the hippocampus of vascular cognitive impaired (VCI) rats.Methods:VCI rats model was established by repeated ligation of the carotid arteries of the two sides to induce ischemia-reperfusion injury. The successful modeled rats were divided into acupuncture group and a model group according to the random number table method, with 12 rats in each group, and 12 rats were selected as the normal group. The rats in the acupuncture group received acupuncture at "Baihui", "Fengfu" and "Yongquan", 10 times as a course of treatment, a total of 3 courses, and stop acupuncture treatment for 2 days during the courses of treatment. Neurobehavioral scores were measured on the 3rd day after the intervention. Morris water maze was conducted to detect the learning and memory ability of the rats in each group, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of Ngb in the hippocampus of the rats.Results:Compared with the model group, the behavioral score of the acupuncture group decreased after intervention ( P<0.05), the escape latency was significantly shortened ( P<0.05), the number of crossing platforms was increased ( P<0.05), and the hippocampal Ngb (1.18±0.06 vs.0.98±0.04) was significantly increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture at "Baihui", "Fengfu" and "Yongquan" could promote the expression of Ngb in the hippocampus of rats and improve the learning and memory ability of VCI rats.

Contrast-enhanced MRA in differential diagnosis of spinal cord vascular malformation and secondary vascular tortuosity caused by non vascular malformations on spinal cord / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To observe the value of CE-MRA in differentiating secondary vascular tortuosity of the spinal cord caused by spinal vascular malformations (SCVM) or non-vascular malformations.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 30 patients suspected as SCVM.Based on the results of DSA or surgery,the patients were divided into SCVM group (n=16) or non-vascular malformation group (n=14).CE-MRA features were compared between the two groups,including the number,length,position,tortuosity degree of spinal cord tortuous vascular and whether the abnormal feeding artery existed surrounding tortuous vascular.Results Compared with non-vascular malformation group,SCVM group showed more average number of tortuous vascular [(1.38 ± 0.16) vs 1,P=0.012],longer tortuous vascular lengthy [similar lengthy of (9.68 ± 1.18) vertebral body vs(4.14±0.62) vertebral body,P＜0.001),higher score of tortuosity degree [(2.23 ± 0.22) scores vs (0.86±0.10) scores,P＜0.001] and more easier to appear abnormal feeding artery surrounding tortuous vascular [75.00％(12/16) vs28.57％(4/14),P=0.014].Furthermore,only2 cases (2/16,12.50％) of tortuous vascular located in and limited to lower thoracic vertebra (T7 T12 vertebrae) in SCVM group,while 11 cases (11/14,78.57％) in non-vascular malformation group (P=0.020).Conclusion Spinal cord secondary vascular tortuosity of SCVM can be well distinguished from that caused by non-vascular malformation with CE MRA spinal angiography.

Controversy and consensus of the anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha in the treatment of Crohn's disease with intestinal stricture / 中华消化外科杂志

The emergence of the anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha(anti-TNF-α)therapies has brought lots of benefits to patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).However,controversies exist over whether anti-TNF-α could be used for Crohn's disease(CD)patients with intestinal stricture.Some articles found stricturing CD patients under anti-TNF therapy had a high risk of intestinal obstruction or even perforation while others found that there was no association between anti-TNF-α and intestinal obstruction.The fundamental cause lies in that anti-TNF-α only target at inflammation,but cannot be resistant to intestinal fibrosis or change long term outcome.To avoid and prevent intestinal obstruction or perforation,authors should evaluate the component and type of intestinal stricture cautiously before starting anti-TNF-α therapy.Exploring new specific antifibrotic therapy will be a promising way for all stricturing CD patients.

Contrast enhanced ultrasonography vs.contrast enhanced computed tomography for the diagnosis of focal lesions of the pancreas / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To assess the characterization and usefulness of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to diagnose focal lesions of pancreas in comparison to contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT).Methods 177 cases of focal solid lesions of the pancreas confirmed by pathology were collected.The enhanced patterns and diagnostic capability of CEUS were analyzed,and these results were compared with those of CECT.Results The diagnostic accuracies of ultrasound,CEUS and CECT were 61.6％ (109/177),89.3％ (158/177),and 92.1％ (163/177),respectively.There was no significant difference between the diagnostic accuracies of CEUS and CECT (P =0.071).The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value (NPV),and accurate rate for CEUS were 90.9％,63.6％,73.8％,86.2％,82.5％ (the areas under the curve,AUC =0.820),and 89.8％,69.3％,76.7％,85.9％,84.7％ for CECT (AUC =0.847),respectively,when the hypo-enhanced was regarded as the cut value.No significant difference was found between these results from CEUS and CECT (P =0.071).Conclusions The diagnostic ability of CEUS in focal lesions of the pancreas is similar to that of CECT.

Challenges and considerations in the diagnosis and treatment for pancreatic cystic neoplasms / 中华消化外科杂志

With the development of abdominal imaging examination,detection rate of pancreatic cystic neoplasms is increasing in recent years.Misdiagnosis and unreasonable treatment sometimes are unavoidable since the variable subtype,pathology and natural history.Multidisciplinary team (MDT)including surgeons,radiologists,gastro-enterologists and pathologists is very helpful to make an exact diagnosis and appropriate treatment for pancreatic cystic neoplasms.However,because of the complexities of pancreatic cystic neoplasms,challenges and difficulties of MDT always exist.In this article,authors summarized the newest advancement of pancreatic cystic neoplasms and highlighted the experiences in the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms from MDT,aiming to seek the optimal strategy.

Challenges and considerations in the diagnosis and treatment for pancreatic cystic neoplasms / 中华消化外科杂志

With the development of abdominal imaging examination,detection rate of pancreatic cystic neoplasms is increasing in recent years.Misdiagnosis and unreasonable treatment sometimes are unavoidable since the variable subtype,pathology and natural history.Multidisciplinary team (MDT)including surgeons,radiologists,gastro-enterologists and pathologists is very helpful to make an exact diagnosis and appropriate treatment for pancreatic cystic neoplasms.However,because of the complexities of pancreatic cystic neoplasms,challenges and difficulties of MDT always exist.In this article,authors summarized the newest advancement of pancreatic cystic neoplasms and highlighted the experiences in the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms from MDT,aiming to seek the optimal strategy.

Multi-slice computed tomography for diagnosis of mucinous cystic neoplasms and serous cystadenomas of the pancreas / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the value of multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms and serous cystadenoma.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The MSCT images were reviewed for 19 pathologically confirmed cases of pancreatic mucinous cystadenomas and 13 cases of pancreatic serous cystadenomas (n=13) treated in our center between July, 2003 and December, 2009. The CT features were analyzed including the tumor location, contour, dimension of the largest cyst, cystic wall, septation, presence of calcification, solid component, pancreatic atrophy, main pancreatic duct dilatation, and lesion margins.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant differences were found between the two groups in lesion diameter (P=0.009), cyst distribution of the largest cyst (>2 cm) (P=0.01), and the presence of solid component (P=0.02).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MSCT can be of important value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms and serous cystadenomas.</p>

CT and MRI in the diagnosis of primary clear cell carcinoma of liver / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the imaging features of primary clear cell carcinoma of liver and to assess the role of CT and MRI in the diagnosis of the disease. Methods Nineteen cases of primary liver clear cell carcinoma of liver were collected. All cases were confirmed by operation and pathology. Both pre-contrast and post-contrast scans with spiral CT were performed in 13 cases. MRI with T1WI, T2WI, and dynamic multi-phase contrast scanning were performed in 8 cases. Imaging findings in all cases were retrospectively reviewed. Results On pre-contrast CT scans, all 13 lesions appeared as hypodensity and among them irregular more hypodense region was found in 9 cases. On the arterial phase, all cases showed obvious enhancement, among which 9 cases were enhanced heterogeneously with central non-enhanced area.On the portal venous phase, 11 lesions were hypodense compared with normal live parenchyma and 2 lesions were isodense. The rim enhancement of tumor capsule was demonstrated in 3 cases. On MR T1WI, 5 of 8 were hypointense and 3 were slightly hyperintense. On MR T2WI, 5 of 8 cases were heterogeneously hyperintense, and 3 were iso-hypointense. On the MR arterial phase, marked enhancement was found in all 8 cases. On the portal venous phase and delayed phase, 7 of 8 cases were hypointense and 1 was isointense.The rim enhancement of tumor capsule was found in 2 cases. Conclusion CT and MRI can display the characteristic features of primary clear cell carcinoma of liver and can be helpful to improve the diagnostic accuracy.

MR Imaging of endometrial benign and malignant polypoid lesions: correlations with clinicopathological findings / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of conventional and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted (T1W) MRI in benign and malignant endometrial polypoid lesions. The pathologic basis of MRI features was also evaluated. Methods The conventional and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI features in 48 cases with clinicopathologically-proved endometrial polypoid lesions were retrospectively analyzed, including 26 cases with malignant tumors (23 eases with endometrial carcinoma and 3 cases with endometrial sarcoma) and 22 cases with benign polypoid lesions (12 cases with endothehal polyps and 10 cases with submucons leiomyomas). The occurrence probability of central fibrous core, intratumoral cysts and intact junctional zone were evaluated by Fisher's exact test. Results Benign and malignant endometrial polypoid lesions had specific characteristics on MRL Endometrial carcinomas usually appeared as homogeneous intermediate or slightly high signal-intensity masses on T2-weighted images, and relatively homogeneous hypedense masses on contrast-enhanced images with myometrial invasion (P < 0.05). An irregular central fthrous core and small non-enhanced intratumoral cysts were seen more frequently in endometrial polyps (P < 0.05) than others. All 3 cases with uterine sarcomas showed obviously inhomageneous intensity on T2WI and demonstrated areas of early and persistent marked enhancement.Submucous leiomyomas demonstrated isodense or slightly low-density masses with defined outline on T2 WI and the endomerium was displaced. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of malignant polypoid masses were 92.3% (24/26), 83.3% (20/24) and 95.8% (46/48) respectively. Conclusion Conventional and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI are valuable in characterizing the benign and malignant endometrial polypoid lesions.

The value of multi-slice spiral CT in the preoperative assessment of living renal donor / 中华放射学杂志

Objective The purpose of this study is to assess the value of multi-slice spiral CT(MSCT)in the preoperative evaluation of living renal donor as a all in one modality.Methods Thirty-six potential living renal donors underwent the examination using a GE light VCT scanner.Informed consent was obtained from all participants.The plain scan,early arterial phase,late arterial phase and excretory phase scans are performed in the former 25 donors(injection rate 5 ml/s,total volume 100 ml,tube tension 120 kV).While in the later 11 donors(2 ml/s 40 ml+4 ml/s 60 ml),the scanning protocol included the plain scan(100 kV),vascular phase and excretory phase scans(100 kV).The excretory phase data were used in the reconstruction of CT urography in both groups.All images were reviewed by one radiologist and one urologist,and the findings of MSCT were compared with intraoperative findings for 33 donors,to investigate the utilities of MSCT in assessing renal vascularity,urinary tract and lesions of renal parenchyma.When discrepancies are found between the two reviewers,consensus was obtained via discussion.Au data was statiscally processed with SPSS for Windows.Results MSCT angiography is in accordance with intraoperative findings in demonstrating the anatomy of renal arteries and renal vein trunk,accesary arteries,early branching of renal artery.The findings from CTA are highly in accordance with the intraoperative findings,which facilitate intraoperative ligation and reduce relevant complications.CTU demonstrates the anatomy of urinary tract in good agreement with the intraoperative findings.The image quality of 3D vascularity and CTU between the two groups.scored 4.4±1.2 vs 4.2±1.3 and 4.6±0.8 vs 4.4±0.9 respectively,no statistical between-groups difference was found(Z=-0.89,-0.47,P＞0.05).Conclusion MSCT multiphase scanning combined with CTA and CTU play a important role in the evaluation of living renal donor,which preoperatively provide detailed information of renal vascularity,urinary tract and renal parenchyma as a all-in-one modality.