Protective Effect of Total Lignans of Arctii Fructus on Retina in Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of total lignans of Arctii Fructus on the retinal tissue in the rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. MethodWistar rats were randomized into normal， model， solvent， Shuangdan Mingmu Capsules （618 mg·kg-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （100， 200， 400 mg·kg-1， respectively） total lignans of Arctii Fructus groups， with 16 rats in each group. The rat model was established by streptozotocin （STZ） combined with a high-fat diet and administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage once a day for 14 weeks. At the 14th week， blood was sampled for the collection of serum from the abdominal aorta after anesthesia， and bilateral eyeballs were collected and frozen. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of the retinal tissue in rats. The pathological changes of retinal vascular network in rats were observed by retinal vascular tissue digestion and mounting The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1） in the serum were determined by the ELISA kit. ResultCompared with the normal group， the solvent group showed pathological changes in the retinal tissue， reduced retinal ganglion cells （P<0.01）， and retinal thinning （P<0.01）， decreased E/P value in retinal blood vessels （P<0.01）， and elevated serum levels of VEGF， TNF-α， and ICAM-1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the total lignans of Arctii Fructus increased the retinal ganglion cells （P<0.01）， thickened the retina （P<0.01）， and lowered the serum levels of VEGF， TNF-α， and ICAM-1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionTotal lignans of Arctii Fructus may lower the VEGF， TNF-α， and ICAM-1 levels to protect the retina.

Research on mechanism of salidroside activating HIF-1 a signaling pathway to promote MOB proliferation / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effeet of salidroside (SAL) on proliferation of osteoblasts and its possible mechanism by using mouse primary osteoblasts ( MOB) as the research object.Methods Alkaline phosphatase ( ALP) staining was used to identify the extracted primary cells.MTT was used to detect the effect of SAL on the proliferation.RT-PCR, Western blot, ELISA were used to investigate the molecular mechanism of SAL.Results The extracted cells generated black-brown deposits by ALP staining, which were shown to be osteoblasts clearly.SAL promoted the pro liferation of MOB.Meanwhile, SAL could up-regulate the mRNA and protein expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-lcx ( HIF-1 ex), vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF ) , angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) and interleukin 6 ( IL-6 ) , which were down-regulated by using the HIF-lex blocker YC-1.Conclusions SAL could promote the proliferation of MOB through HIF-1 a/VEGF, ANGPTL4, IL-6 signaling pathway.

Comparison of efficacy between nasogastric tube and nasojejunal tube enteral nutrition at the early stage of patients with moderately severe acute pancreatitis / 中华消化杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerance of different enteral nutritional therapy in the treatment of moderately severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP).Methods:From January 2018 to January 2019, 65 patients with MSAP who were hospitalized in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University were prospectively enrolled. According to random number table, the patients were divided into the nasogastric tube enteral nutrition (NGEN) group (35 cases) and the nasojejunal tube enteral nutrition (NJEN) group (30 cases). All the patients received enteral nutrition solution through continuously pumping at a constant speed for 24 h. The two groups were compared in the relief time of abdominal pain, time from admission to receiving enteral nutrition treatment, time to resume oral feeding, computed tomography severity index (CTSI) score 1 week after enteral nutrition, nutrition status, infection parameters, hospitalization time, hospitalization expenses and complications. Independent sample t test and rank sum test of two independent samples were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), CTSI score and Ranson score at admission, relief time of abdominal pain, time from admission to receiving enteral nutrition treatment, time to resume oral feeding, CTSI score one week after enteral nutrition or hospitalization time between NGEN group and NJEN group (all P>0.05), and there was no death in both groups. The cost of hospitalization, catheterization time, cost of catheterization of NGEN group were all lower than those of NJEN group ((40.0±10.0) thousand yuan vs. (40.4±9.0) thousand yuan; 2.00 min (1.50 min, 2.50 min) vs. 11.50 min (9.50 min, 12.75 min); 135.42 yuan (135.42 yuan, 135.42 yuan) vs. 1 313.30 yuan (1231.20 yuan, 1 823.72 yuan)), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.342, Z=6.737 and 7.687, all P<0.01). The albumin levels of MSAP patients of the NGEN group at admission and 1 week after enteral nutrition were both higher than those of NJEN group ((43.5±5.1) g/L vs. (41.0±4.0) g/L, (42.1±4.1) g/L vs. (39.5±4.4) g/L), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.135 and 2.486, P=0.04 and 0.02), however there was no statistically significant difference in the decrease of albumin level between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of nutrition-related complications (abdominal distension, diarrhea, gastric retention and lumen obstruction) or the incidence of severe complications (transient organ failure and pancreatic necrosis complicated with infection) between NGEN group and NJEN group (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The efficacy and safety of NGEN are equivalent to NJEN in MSAP. Moreover, it can reduce the medical expenses of patients, and it is convenient to carry out in primary hospitals because of its easy operation.

Anti-tumor and immune-modulating effect of decoction in mice bearing hepatoma H22 tumor / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the antitumor activity of decoction and study its liver and kidney toxicity and its effect on the immune system in a tumor-bearing mouse model.@*METHODS@#Hepatoma H22 tumor-bearing mouse models were randomized into model group, cyclophosphamide (CTX) group, and low-, moderate-, and high-dose decoction groups (JW-L, JW-M, and JW-H groups, respectively). The antitumor activity of decoction was assessed by calculating the tumor inhibition rate and pathological observation of the tumor tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-3 in the tumors. The liver and kidney toxicity of decoction was analyzed by evaluating the biochemical indicators of liver and kidney functions. The immune function of the tumor-bearing mice were assessed by calculating the immune organ index, testing peripheral blood routines, and detection of serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.@*RESULTS@#Compared with that in the model group, the tumor mass in CTX, JW-M and JW-H groups were all significantly reduced ( < 0.05) with cell rupture and necrosis in the tumors. Immunohistochemistry revealed obviously up-regulated expressions of Bax and caspase-3 and down- regulated expression of Bcl-2 protein with an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in CTX, JW-M and JW-H groups. Treatment with decoction significantly reduced Cr, BUN, AST and ALT levels, improved the immune organ index, increased peripheral blood leukocytes, erythrocytes and hemoglobin levels, and up-regulated the levels of TNF-α and IL-2 in the tumor-bearing mice. These changes were especially significant in JW-H group when compared with the parameters in the model group ( < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@# decoction has a strong anti-tumor activity and can improve the liver and kidney functions of tumor-bearing mice. Its anti-tumor effect may be attributed to the up-regulation of Bax, caspase-3, TNF-α and IL-2 levels and the down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression as well as the enhancement of the non-specific immune function.

Effect of Modified Si Junzitang on Angiogenesis of H22 Tumor-bearing Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of modified Si Junzitang on angiogenesis in transplanted tumor of H22 tumor-bearing mice. Method:The effect of modified Si Junzitang on tumor inhibition and growth of peripheral blood vessels in tumor-bearing mice was observed by tumorigenesis experiment in mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to detect the distribution of blood vessels and the expression of vascular endothelial markers (CD31) in tumor-bearing mice. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in tumor tissue. Result:The inhibition rates of modified Sijunzi Tang in low-dose group (ig, 11.83 mg·kg-1·d-1), middle-dose group (ig, 23.66 mg·kg-1·d-1) and high-dose group (ig, 47.32 mg·kg-1·d-1) were 29.97%, 59.80%and 82.34%, respectively. Compared with the model group, the average tumor weight was lower in middle and high-dose groups, with statistically significant differences (PPPα in middle and high-dose modified Si Junzitang groups were lower than those in the model group (PConclusion:Modified Si Junzitang can inhibit the tumor growth of H22 tumor-bearing mice and the angiogenesis of transplanted tumors, which may be related to the reduction of TNF-α, VEGF and VEGFR2 expression levels.

Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Therapy on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus / 中国实验方剂学杂志

In recent years, as the level of economic life has improved, the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus has increased year by year. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been a serious threat to maternal and newborn health. The pathogenesis of gestational diabetes is not very clear, and may be closely associated with insulin resistance, genetic susceptibility, inflammatory response, metabolic disorders. According to the gestational diabetes diagnostic standard,24-28 weeks pregnant women keep an empty stomach over 8 h, taken 75 g oral glucose directly, and then receive the oral glucose tolerance test. GDM is diagnosed as fasting blood-glucose> 5.1 mmol · L-1,1-hour postprandial blood glucose>10.0 mmol · L-1,and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose>8.5 mmol · L-1. Western medicine treatment is mainly based on diet, exercise, drugs, education, monitoring and insulin therapy according to blood glucose. Meanwhile, GDM is a type of diabetes in traditional Chinese medicine. GDM is prevented and treated with diets and traditional method sports and Chinese herbs. Therefore, integrated Chinese and western medicine therapy can maximize the curative effect, reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus, and effectively improve the adverse outcome and prognosis of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus from mother to child.

Clinical and Imaging Findings of Musculoskeletal Melioidosis in the Right Hip: A Case Report

Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by a Gram-negative bacterium thought to be caused Burkholderia pseudomallei. This disease is endemic in tropical regions, but is not endemic and is rarely encountered in Korea. Nevertheless, the importance of early diagnosis of melioidosis is drawing substantial attention, due to its proliferation and the high mortality caused by the disease. Melioidosis can attack any organ, and manifests with a variety of symptoms. In particular, musculoskeletal melioidosis is rare and presents with nonspecific musculoskeletal symptoms. The imaging features of musculoskeletal melioidosis manifest a form of osteomyelitis or septic arthritis with soft tissue abscess or can mimic a bone tumor. This study describes the clinical and imaging findings of melioidosis involving the right femur and hip joint in a 64-year-old man.

Long-term Treatment with Anti-platelet Agents for Collagen-induced Arthritis Improves Radiological Findings

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the long-term effect of anti-platelet treatment on the radiological progression of collagen-induced arthritis in rats. METHODS: Female Lewis rats with collagen-induced arthritis were divided into three experimental groups: saline, aspirin monotherapy (n = 12), and aspirin–clopidogrel dual therapy (n = 12). Drugs were administered daily and continued up to 70 days after the induction of arthritis. The clinical arthritis index (weight, morphology score, and paw thickness) and radiological scores were evaluated. RESULTS: The clinical arthritis index peaked on day 20, while the radiological scores peaked on day 35. No intergroup difference was observed in the clinical arthritis index throughout the experiment. The aspirin–clopidogrel dual therapy group had a significantly higher mean radiological score than the other groups (p = 0.045) on day 35. Further treatments resulted in significantly improved radiological findings in the aspirin monotherapy and aspirin–clopidogrel dual therapy groups on day 70 but no significant improvement in the saline group. CONCLUSION: Anti-platelet agent treatment improved radiological findings on day 70. These observations emphasize the importance of a future long-term study of the effects of anti-platelet agent treatment on arthritis.

Clinical analysis of 91 cases of primary parapharyngeal space tumors / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize and analyze the clinical features, diagnosis methods, surgical approaches and treatment outcomes of patients with primary parapharyngeal space tumors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective review of 91 cases with primary parapharyngeal space tumors treated from January 1999 to December 2011 was performed. All patients underwent preoperative enhanced CT scan and postoperative histopathologic examination. Intraoperative frozen section biopsies were performed in 36 of 91 cases. The surgical approaches included trans-cervical approach in 73 cases, trans-parotid approach in 5 cases, trans-oral approach in 5 cases, and mandibulotomy in 8 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The postoperative pathological diagnoses consisted of 29 variants, including 20 for benign tumors and 9 for malignant tumors. Of the 80 cases with benign tumors, 6 cases were lost to follow-up and 74 cases were followed up for 31-84 months with no recurrence. Eleven cases with malignant tumor were followed up for 8-51 months (median 29 months), of them 7 cases died and 1 case was lost to follow-up. The post-operative complications included Horner syndrome in 3 cases, hoarseness in 2 cases, hypoglossal nerve palsy in 1 case, accessory nerve palsy in 1 case, upper airway obstruction in 1 case, and internal carotid artery cavernous sinus fistula in 1 case.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Parapharyngeal space tumors are rare, with atypical clinical manifestation, and have pathological types of diversification. CT or MRI is helpful to evaluate the tumor size, location and possible sources, and to make operation scheme. Surgery is the first choice for parapharyngeal space tumors. Trans-cervical approach can be applied to most tumors. Parapharyngeal benign tumors have good prognosis, but malignant tumors have poor prognosis.</p>

Surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma with laryngeal or tracheal invasion / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical characters, surgical treatments and prognosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) with laryngeal or tracheal invasion.@*METHOD@#Forty-six cases including 33 papillary and 13 follicular were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-four cases with tracheal invasion received conservative resection (17), window resection (11) and sleeve resection (6). One case with subglottic invasion was performed subglottic partial laryngectomy. Eleven cases with trachea-laryngeal invasion received total laryngectomy(4), 3 shave technique and 4 preservative laryngectomy.@*RESULT@#Complications included infections and hypocalcaemia, 15 patients got permanent fistula. 5-year survival rate in cases of tracheal shave resection was 88.2%, while 63.6% in those of window resection and 83.3% in those of sleeve resection. Survival rate within 5 years of patients received preservative laryngectomy was 62. 5%. Conclusion: With meticulous preoperative examination and positive surgical treatment, both survival rate and quality of life could be improved in patients of DTC with laryngeal or tracheal invasion.

A Comparison of Conventional Ultrasonography and Arthrosonography in the Assessment of Cuff Integrity after Rotator Cuff Repair

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to perform conventional ultrasonography, magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) and arthrosonography exams after rotator cuff repair to compare the results of conventional ultrasonography and arthrosonography with those of MRA as the gold standard. METHODS: We prospectively studied 42 consecutive patients (14 males, 28 females; average age, 59.4 years) who received arthroscopic rotator cuff repair due to full-thickness tears of the supraspinatus tendon from 2008 to 2010. The integrity assessment of the repaired rotator cuff was performed 6 months postoperatively using conventional ultrasonography, MRA, and arthrosonography. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy of the conventional ultrasonography compared to MRA was 78.6% and the McNemar test results were 0.016 in full-thickness tear and 0.077 in partial-thickness tear. The diagnostic accuracy of arthrosonography compared to MRA was 92.9% and the McNemar test results were 0.998 in full-thickness tear and 0.875 in partial-thickness tear. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the integrity assessment of the repaired rotator cuff by ultrasonography must be guarded against and that arthrosonography is an effective alternative method in the postoperative integrity assessment. Also, an arthrosonography seems to be a suitable modality to replace the conventional ultrasonography.

Surgical treatment of advanced laryngeal cancer with preservation of laryngeal function / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the surgical methods for advanced laryngeal cancer and long term effects of laryngectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and thirty-eight cases of laryngeal cancer at different stages, including 103 cases with supraglottic cancer, 118 cases with glottic cancer, 3 cases with subglottic cancer, and 14 cases with recurrent cancer, underwent different kinds of operation from 2000 to 2010. The TNM classifications were as follows: T3 168 cases, T4 70 cases. Stage III 145 cases, Stage IV 93 cases. N0 134 cases,N1 64 cases,N2 38 cases, and N3 2 cases. The effects of operation, especially with the preservation of laryngeal function, was analyzed. The disease-free survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Partial laryngectomy was performed on 142 of the 238 cases (59.7%). Total laryngectomy was performed on 96 cases. In 142 patients who received partial laryngectomy with preservation of laryngeal function, the trachea cannula was extracted in 90 patients, with the decannulation rate as 63.4%. The nasal feeding tube was removed and peroral feeding was recovered in all patients. The patients undergoing partial laryngectomy succeeded in phonation. The 3 years and 5 years disease-free survival rates in all patients were 81.4% and 59.5%. The 3 years and 5 years disease-free survival rate of partial laryngectomy were 82.9% and 64.3%. The 3 years and 5 years disease-free survival rates in total laryngectomy were 79.2% and 52.4%. There was no significantly different between the two groups (χ(2) = 2.478, P = 0.115).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For the advanced laryngeal cancer, it is possible to preserve the laryngeal function without compromising the remote survival rate by detailed pre-operational estimation, properly selected operation and skilled surgical practice.</p>

Cognitive attitude of medical students towards standardized resident training in Shanghai in a university / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective To investigate the attitude of medical students towards standardized resident training in Shanghai and to provide references for policy adjustment.Methods Self-made questionnaire was used to investigate the attitude of 267 clinical medical students towards standardized resident training in Shanghai.Reference reviewing and expert consultation were also performed.Results Nearly eighty percent of students believed that they had basic knowledge of the training.Two thirds of students hold objective attitude towards the policy.Conclusions Income and pressure in finding jobs are the main reasons why students object the policy.Standardized resident training program need to improve in aspects of advertisement,incoming,quality of teaching staff,connection between medical education and training.

Comprehensive treatment of 352 cases with hypopharyngeal cancer / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the experience of different surgical construction methods and comprehensive treatments for hypopharyngeal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three hundred and fifty-two cases (According to UICC 2002 criteria, stage I, 3; II, 31; III, 134; IV, 184) with hypopharyngeal cancer were retrospectively reviewed from 1999 to 2005 in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, including 321 males and 31 females. The median age was 58 years old, ranged from 26 to 82 years old. All the tumors originated from the pyriform sinus (272), posterior pharyngeal wall (61), postcricoid area (19). There were no distant metastasis. Two hundred and fourty-one cases were surgically treated with laryngeal functions preserved and 111 cases without laryngeal functions preserved. All the patients received modified neck dissection, including both unilateral (247 patients) and bilateral (105 patients). Pharyngoesophageal defect reconstruction methods in cases with laryngeal functions preserved were: direct suture in 137, pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap in 62, split graft in 2, pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap combined with the split graft in 5, stomach pulling-up in 12, colon interposition in 23 patients. While in cases without laryngeal functions preserved the methods includes: direct suture in 54, laryngotracheal flap in 54 patients, pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap in 7, laryngotracheal flap combined with pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap in 8, stomach pulling-up in 22, colon interposition in 3 patients. All patients received radiotherapy postoperatively (dose 55 - 75 Gy).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall 3 and 5 year survival rates were 65.1% (229/352) and 53.6% (142/265), respectively. For stage I, the 5 year survival rate was 3/3, stage II, 80.6%(25/31), stage III, 65.0% (67/103), stage IV, 36.7% (47/128). The 3 and 5 year survival rates in functionally preserved group were 68.0% (164/241) and 59.7% (114/191), respectively, while in non-functionally preserved group were 58.6% (65/111) and 37.8% (28/74), respectively. The cervical lymph node metastasis was found in 239 sides. Pathologic findings showed that well, moderately and lower differentiated squamous cell carcinomas were 84, 163, 105 cases, respectively. Laryngeal functions (voice, respiration and deglutition) were completely restored in 169 patients and partially restored (voice and deglutition) in 72 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Combined surgery and radiotherapy are the best choice for hypopharyngeal cancer. The continuity of the pharyngoesophagus is restored and the laryngeal function is preserved as far as possible. The preservation of laryngeal function and the laryngeal and pharyngeal reconstruction are based on the premise that the tumor was excised completely.</p>

Celiomesenteric Trunk with Concurrent Common Hepatic Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report

Celiomesenteric trunk is a rare anomaly, and its co-occurrence with an aneurysm is even more unusual. We present a case of celiomesenteric trunk with a concurrent hepatic arterial aneurysm, both of which were found incidentally on screening abdominal ultrasonography.

The Safety and Feasibility of Transradial Coronary Angiography Over 70-Year-Old Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The transradial approach has been suggested as an alternative entry site for coronary angiography. The complication and success rates of the vascular procedure have been associated with age. The aim of this study was to determine the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of transradial coronary angiography for patients greater than age 70 compared with younger patients. SUBJCETS AND METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data were reviewed retrospectively in 894 consecutive patients who underwent transradial coronary angiography from January 2001 through May 2003. Procedure-related results were used to compare 2 groups, patients aged 70 years. RESULTS: In a consecutive series of 894 patients, 638 were 70 years of age. There was no significant difference in the rate of success in patients >70 years compared with patients < 70 (91.1% vs 93.6%). No severe complications, such as death, vascular dissection, rupture, and major cerebrovascular accidents were present in either group. Procedure-related variables, including procedure time, radiographic contrast use, and the number of catheters used per case, were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Transradial access is a safe and feasible approach for coronary angiography in elderly patients, yielding results similar to those achieved with younger patients.

The Safety and Feasibility of Transradial Coronary Angiography Over 70-Year-Old Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The transradial approach has been suggested as an alternative entry site for coronary angiography. The complication and success rates of the vascular procedure have been associated with age. The aim of this study was to determine the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of transradial coronary angiography for patients greater than age 70 compared with younger patients. SUBJCETS AND METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data were reviewed retrospectively in 894 consecutive patients who underwent transradial coronary angiography from January 2001 through May 2003. Procedure-related results were used to compare 2 groups, patients aged 70 years. RESULTS: In a consecutive series of 894 patients, 638 were 70 years of age. There was no significant difference in the rate of success in patients >70 years compared with patients < 70 (91.1% vs 93.6%). No severe complications, such as death, vascular dissection, rupture, and major cerebrovascular accidents were present in either group. Procedure-related variables, including procedure time, radiographic contrast use, and the number of catheters used per case, were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Transradial access is a safe and feasible approach for coronary angiography in elderly patients, yielding results similar to those achieved with younger patients.

A Digital Imaging Teaching File by Using the Internet, HTML and Personal Computers

PURPOSE: A film-based teaching file takes up space and the need to search through such a file places limitson the extent to which it is likely to be used. Furthermore it is not easy for doctors in a medium-sized hospitalto experience a variety of cases, and so for these reasons we created an easy-to-use digital imaging teaching filewith HTML(Hypertext Markup Language) and downloaded images via World Wide Web(WWW) services on the Internet. This was suitable for use by computer novices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used WWW Internet services as a resource for various images and three different IMB-PC compatible computers(386DX, 486DX-II, and Pentium) in downloading theimages and in developing a digitalized teaching file. These computers were connected with the Internet through ahigh speed dial-up modem(28.8Kbps) and to navigate the Internet. Twinsock and Netscape were used. HWP 3.0, Korean word processing software, was used to create HTML(Hypertext Markup Language) files and the downloaded images were linked to the HTML files. In this way, a digital imaging teaching file program was created. RESULTS: Access to aWeb service via the Internet required a high speed computer(at least 486DX II with 8MB RAM) for comfortabel use ;this also ensured that the quality of downloaded images was not degraded during downloading and that these were good enough to use as a teaching file. The time needed to retrieve the text and related images depends on the sizeof the file, the speed of the network, and the network traffic at the time of connection. For computer novices, adigital image teaching file using HTML is easy to use. CONCLUSION: Our method of creating a digital imaging teaching file by using Internet and HTML would be easy to create and radiologists with little computer experience who want to study various digital radiologic imaging cases would find it easy to use.

Tuberculous Pneumonia: CT Findings in 20 Patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate CT findings of tuberculous pneumonia mainly presenting as parenchymal consolidation. MATERIALS & METHODS: CT scans of twenty patients with tuberculous pneumonia were retrospectively reviewed. Analyses included the location, extent, and homogeneity of consolidation, presence of volume loss of involved lung and air-bronchogram, associated lesions suggesting previous tuberculous infection and evidence of bronchogenic spread. RESULTS: The location of consolidation revealed relatively even distribution without any specific predilection site. The areas of consolidation were irregular in margin (95%), inhomogeneous in attenuation (75%) including focal areas of low attenuation and multiple cavities within it. Volume loss (70%) of the involved lobe was associated. There were lesions suggesting previous tuberculous infection (95%) in the surrounding area and evidences of bronchogenic spread (100%) such as poorly-defined nodules and Iobular consolidations in the remote site from main consolidation. CONCLUSION: In tuberculous pneumonia, the areas of consolidation are irregular in margin and inhomogeneous in attenuation on CT scan. The evidences of bronchogenic spread and lesions suggesting previous tuberculous infection are almost always associated in the surrounding or remote site from main consolidation.