The application of multiple teaching methods based on outcome-based education in physiology teaching / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To explore the application effects of multiple teaching methods based on the outcome-based education (OBE) on the teaching of physiology.Methods:The application of multiple teaching methods based on the OBE was used in physiology teaching for 356 students majoring in anesthesiology, stomatology, medical imaging, and psychiatry of five-year undergraduate from 2020 in Shenyang Medical College. Analysis and assessments were done by course examinations and questionnaires. SPSS 16.0 was used for t-test. Results:According to the course examinations, students got higher scores in the medical licensing examination than in the western medicine integrated examination [(88.19±16.35) points vs. (66.69±21.45) points, P < 0.001], and students had higher scores in the final exam (A2 questions) than in the final exam (A1 questions) [(70.63±17.67) points vs. (63.16±14.80) points, P < 0.001]. At the same time, the results of questionnaires showed that students had a positive attitude towards multiple teaching methods. Conclusion:The multiple teaching methods based on the OBE applied in the teaching of physiology can enhance the comprehensive learning ability and future position competence of students, and improve the teaching quality.

The protective effects of disialyllacto-N-tetraose of neonatal intestinal barriers in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To study the expression of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) in neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and to explore the effects of disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), a compound extracted from human milk, on the intestinal barriers in rat model of NEC.Methods:(1) Human study: From Feb 2013 to Dec 2020, the pathological samples of ileum tissue from 21 neonates (12 patients with NEC and 9 with intestinal atresia) from Pathology Department of our hospital were collected. The expressions of ZO-1 in these samples were examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC) method. (2) Animal study: A total of 28 newborn rats were randomly assigned into control group ( n=8), NEC group ( n=10) and DSLNT+NEC group ( n=10). Experimental NEC model was established based on hypoxia (95%N 2 10 min) /cold exposure (4 ℃ 10 min) three times a day for consecutive 3 days. DSLNT+NEC group were fed with formula+DLSNT (300 μmol/L) during hypoxia/cold exposure. All the surviving rats were sacrificed at the end of the experiment (72 h) and the terminal ileum tissues were collected. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate tissue damage and Western blotting was used to determine the expressions of ZO-1. (3) Cellular study: Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to establish a cellular inflammation model in human intestinal epithelial cell lines (Caco-2) and DSLNT (300 μmol/L) was applied to this model. Thiazolyl blue assay was used to examine cell viabilities and immunofluorescence assay was used to detect ZO-1 expression. The effects of DSLNT on cell growth and tight junctions of Caco-2 cells were analyzed. Results:(1)Human study: The villi of mucous layer of the lesion were damaged in NEC patients. ZO-1 expressions at the epithelial junction of NEC patients were decreased compared with intestinal atresia patients and non-lesion intestines of NEC patients. (2)Animal study: Apical extrusion, necrosis and shedding of epithelial cell were seen at the lesions in NEC group. The expression of ZO-1 in NEC group was significantly lower than the control group and DSNLT+NEC group ( P<0.05).DSNLT+NEC group had higher survival rates (8/10 vs. 6/10) and lower ileum inflammatory pathological scores [2.0(1.0, 2.8) vs. 3.5(3.0, 4.0)] than NEC group. (3) Cellular study: Caco-2 cells exposed to LPS showed inhibited cell growth and decreased ZO-1 immunofluorescence staining. Caco-2 cells in the DSLNT+LPS group showed better viability than LPS group and were comparable with the control group. The expression of ZO-1 was significantly increased in the DSLNT+LPS group. Conclusions:Tight junction injury of the intestinal epithelial cell is an important characteristic of NEC. ZO-1 is a potential target for the prevention and treatment of NEC. DSLNT may protect the neonatal intestines by modulating the expression of ZO-1 and keeping tight junction integrity.

Effect of Rhizoma Drynariae total flavonoids on ER-P38/MAPK pathway of memory impaired mice / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To study the effect of total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae on learning and memory impairment mice induced by sodium nitrite. Methods:75 mice were divided into blank group, model group, Kangnaoshuai capsule group, Rhizoma Drynariae total flavonoids group and Rhizoma Drynariae total flavonoids+inhibitor group according to the random number table method, with 15 mice in each group. The Kangnaoshui Capsule group was administered with Kangnaoshui Capsule 585 mg/kg, the Rhizoma Drynariae total flavonoids group was administered with the Rhizoma Drynariae total flavonoids 97.5 mg/kg, the Rhizoma Drynariae total flavonoids group and the inhibitor group were administered with the Rhizoma Drynariae total flavonoids by intragastric administration 97.5 mg/kg, and intraperitoneal injection of 0.072 mg/kg ICI182780 for 21 days, once a day. The model was established on the 22nd day. Except for the blank group, the other mice were injected with sodium nitrite intraperitoneally to replicate the mice model with impaired learning and memory capability. The learning and memory capabilit of mice were detected with water maze method, and the estrogen receptor in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry β (estrogen receptor β, ERβ). The expression of ERβ in hippocampus and the expression of phosphorylated P38 (P-P38) and the protein contents of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated death promoter (Bad) and Caspase-3 in the apoptotic system was detected by Western blot. The kit was used to detect MDA,SOD and NO protein content in hippocampus. Results:The latency of Rhizoma Drynariae total flavonoids group was significantly shorter than the model group, the number of crossing platform and the residence time in the target quadrant were significantly increased ( P<0.01); The expression of ERβ Protein in mice hippocampus (0.371 ± 0.010 vs. 0.124 ± 0.009), Bcl-2 protein (1.146 ± 0.028 vs. 0.726 ± 0.016) and the contents of SOD [(153.657 ± 6.385) U/mg vs. (67.719±5.845) U/mg] increased significantly ( P<0.01); The expression of P-P38/P38 protein (0.412 ± 0.043 vs.0.806 ± 0.069), Bad protein (0.421 ± 0.010 vs.0.633 ± 0.010), Caspase-3 protein (0.923 ± 0.042 vs.1.437 ± 0.033), and the content of MDA [(8.669 ± 0.662) nmol/mg vs. (11.772 ± 1.054) nmol/mg] and NO [(4.259 ± 0.225) nmol/mg vs. (10.805 ± 0.415) nmol/mg] decreased significantly ( P<0.01). In addition, ER blocker can antagonize the above recovery and improvement effects of Rhizoma Drynariae total flavonoids group. Conclusion:Rhizoma Drynariae total flavonoids can regulate memory impairment, inhibit neuronal apoptosis and reduce oxidative stress in sodium nitrite model mice through ER-P38/MAPK signal pathway.

Understanding the physiological functions of the host xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptors PXR and CAR on the gut microbiome using genetically modified mice

Pharmacological activation of the xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptors pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is well-known to increase drug metabolism and reduce inflammation. Little is known regarding their physiological functions on the gut microbiome. In this study, we discovered bivalent hormetic functions of PXR/CAR modulating the richness of the gut microbiome using genetically engineered mice. The absence of PXR or CAR increased microbial richness, and absence of both receptors synergistically increased microbial richness. PXR and CAR deficiency increased the pro-inflammatory bacteria Helicobacteraceae and Helicobacter. Deficiency in both PXR and CAR increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, which has bile salt hydrolase activity, corresponding to decreased primary taurine-conjugated bile acids (BAs) in feces, which may lead to higher internal burden of taurine and unconjugated BAs, both of which are linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and cytotoxicity. The basal effect of PXR/CAR on the gut microbiome was distinct from pharmacological and toxicological activation of these receptors. Common PXR/CAR-targeted bacteria were identified, the majority of which were suppressed by these receptors. hPXR-TG mice had a distinct microbial profile as compared to wild-type mice. This study is the first to unveil the basal functions of PXR and CAR on the gut microbiome.

Analysis of serum anti-EB virus antibody in children with infectious mononucleosis / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To understand the profile type of serum Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies in children with infectious mononucleosis (IM), and to analyze the significance of viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG antibody affinity in the diagnosis of IM.Methods:Retrospective analysis was performed on the results of the serum anti-EBV antibody profile and plasma EBV nucleic acid test of 150 hospitalized children with IM diagnosed in Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from May 2016 to May 2019.Anti-EBV antibody profiles, including anti-VCA-IgG, anti-VCA-IgM, anti-early antigen (EA) IgA, anti-EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) IgG, and anti-VCA-IgG affinity, were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma EBV nucleic acids were detected by real-time quantitative PCR.Results:There were mainly two types of anti-EBV antibody profiles in 150 children with IM: (1)130 cases who were positive for anti-VCA-IgM/IgG, negative for anti-EBNA-IgG and positive for anti-VCA-IgG antibodies with low affinity, accounting for 86.7% (130/150 cases), of which 50 cases were positive for anti-early antigen IgA; (2)18 cases who were negative for anti-VCA-IgM, positive for anti-VCA-IgG, negative for anti-EBNA-IgG and positive for anti-VCA-IgG antibody with low affinity, accounting for 12.0% (18/150 cases), of which 5 cases were positive for anti-EA IgA.EBV DNA was measured in 132 children, with a posi-tive rate of 37.9% (50/132 cases).Conclusions:There were several types of serum EBV antibody profiles in children with IM, 12.0% of patients with IM in this study were negative for anti-VCA-IgM, and the diagnosis of IM was confirmed by the affinity of anti-VCA IgG.

Ocular lens opacity in residents of areas with high natural radiation background in Yangjiang City, China / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of long-term and low dose ionizing radiation on ocular lens opacities of residents living in areas with high natural radiation background(HNRB) in Yangjiang City, China. METHODS: A total of 483 Han residents from Yangjiang City(HNRB area) and 517 from Enping City(control area) were selected as study subjects using a cluster random sampling method. Questionnaire survey and lens examination were carried out. The risk factors of lens opacity and its severity were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of lens opacity, cortical opacity and posterior subcapsular opacity in HNRB area were higher than those in control area(60.7% vs 51.6%, 53.4% vs 46.8%, 21.9% vs 9.3%, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in karyotype turbidity between HNRB area and control area(52.4% vs 47.6%, P>0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors including age, gender, cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, smoking, alcohol drinking and tea drinking, the unconditional logistic regression analysis results showed that the risk of ocular opacity, cortical opacity and posterior subcapsular opacity in residents of HNRB area was higher than that in control area(all P<0.05). Multivariate disordered logistic regression analysis results showed that residents in the HNRB area had a higher risk of grade two karyotype turbidity than grade one karyotype turbidity(P<0.01). Ordered logistic regression analysis results showed that residents in HNRB area had an increased risk of developing severe cortical turbidity(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Long-term and low dose ionizing radiation exposure may increase the risk of ocular lens opacity, especially cortical and posterior subcapsular cataract, and affect the severity of the disease.

Total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma regulates ER-p38 MAPK signaling pathway to improve scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments in model mice / 中国中药杂志

This study intended to explore the effect and mechanism of total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma in improving scopola-mine-induced learning and memory impairments in model mice. Ninety four-month-old Kunming(KM) mice were randomly divided into six groups. The ones in the model group and blank group were treated with intragastric administration of normal saline, while those in the medication groups separately received the total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma, Kangnaoshuai Capsules, donepezil, as well as total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae plus estrogen receptor(ER) blocker by gavage. The mouse model of learning and memory impairments was established via intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine. Following the measurement of mouse learning and memory abilities in Morris water maze test, the hippocampal ERβ expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression levels of ERβ and phosphorylated p38(p-p38) in the hippocampus and B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated death promoter(Bad), and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3(caspase-3) in the apoptotic system were assayed by Western blot. The contents of malondia-ldehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and nitric oxide(NO) in the hippocampus were then determined using corresponding kits. Compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly prolonged incubation period, reduced frequency of cros-sing the platform, shortened residence time in the target quadrant, lowered ERβ, Bcl-2 and SOD activity in the hippocampus, and increased p-p38/p38, Bad, caspase-3, MDA, and NO. Compared with the model group, the total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae increased the expression of ERβ and SOD in the hippocampus, down-regulated the expression of neuronal pro-apoptotic proteins, up-re-gulated the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, and reduced p-p38/p38, MDA, and NO. The effects of total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma on the above indexes were reversed by ER blocker. It has been proved that the total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma obviously alleviate scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments in mice, which may be achieved by regulating the neuronal apoptotic system and oxidative stress via the ER-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(ER-p38 MAPK) signaling pathway.

Research progress on the mechanism of epithelial mesenchymal transformation in RPE cells and the treatment of PVR / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#Proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR)is a serious complication arisen from ocular trauma, diabetic retinopathy, vascular retinopathy, inflammatory retinopathy and other ocular diseases. It is also the most important reason for the failure of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery, which is a great threat of visual function. A large number of studies have proved that the main risk factor for PVR is the damage of blood-retinal barrier, in which retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)cells are stimulated by cytokines in the vitreous cavity. RPE cells underwent epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT), which transformed into fibroblasts. The cell morphology changed, the tight junctions between cells disappeared, the cell polarity lost, and the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities were enhanced. A contractile fibrous proliferative membrane is formed on the anterior surface or under the retina. The fibrous proliferative membrane will lead to the retina folds, pull the retina and lead to retinal detachment, which will eventually lead to vision loss or even blindness. Nowadays, plenty of studies investigating the prevention and treatment of PVR have been carried out at home and abroad. In this review, we briefly illustrated the signaling pathways related to epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in RPE cells and the treatment of PVR.

3D-printing non-coplanar template assisted 125I seed implantation for head and neck tumor: individualized template design and application / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To compare the dosimetric data between preoperative plans and postoperative verification in computed tomography (CT)-guided and 3D-printing non-coplanar template-assisted 125I seed implantation for head and neck tumor,aiming to explore the safety,feasibility and accuracy of the individualized template design method.Methods A total of 42 patients with recurrent/metastatic malignant head and neck tumor admitted to Peking University Third Hospital from January to December 2016 were recruited in this study.A prescribed dose of l10-160Gy was adopted.3D-printing non-coplanar templates were designed for 42 cases.The dosimetric parameters including D90,minimum peripheral dose (mPD),V100,V150,V200,conformal index (CI),external index (EI) and homogeneity index (HI) were statistically compared before and after surgery.Results All templates were properly implanted intraoperatively.Compared with preoperative planning,postoperative D90,V100,CI,EI and HI did not significantly differ (P=0.490,0.407,0.893,0.143 and 0.079),whereas mPD,V150 and V200 significantly differed (P=0.036,0.007 and 0.000).Conclusion After postoperative verification,the main dosimetric parameters have high therapeutic accuracy and properly match with preoperative planning,which can meet clinical requirements.

Atypical Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome caused by PRNP P102L mutation: a case report and literature review / 中华神经科杂志

Objective@#To improve the clinician′s recognition of Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS).@*Methods@#The detailed clinical information, neuropsychological examination, cerebrospinal fluid examination, imaging characteristics, electroencephalogram examination and gene detection were analyzed in a case of GSS similar to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in symptomatology. The differences between the two different prion diseases were compared in combination with the literature review.@*Results@#The patient is a 62-year-old woman, with cerebellar ataxia as the first symptom, followed by rapid dementia, accompanied by pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyper-intense signal in diffusion weighted imaging in caudatum and cortical ribboning, and protein 14-3-3 was negative. PRNP gene analysis showed P102L gene mutation.@*Conclusions@#The typical clinical manifestation of GSS is hereditary ataxia followed by cognitive decline of varying severity. Detection of PRNP plays an important role in the diagnosis of GSS.

3D-printing non-coplanar template assisted 125I seed implantation for head and neck tumor: individualized template design and application / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective@#To compare the dosimetric data between preoperative plans and postoperative verification in computed tomography (CT)-guided and 3D-printing non-coplanar template-assisted 125I seed implantation for head and neck tumor, aiming to explore the safety, feasibility and accuracy of the individualized template design method.@*Methods@#A total of 42 patients with recurrent/metastatic malignant head and neck tumor admitted to Peking University Third Hospital from January to December 2016 were recruited in this study. A prescribed dose of 110-160Gy was adopted.3D-printing non-coplanar templates were designed for 42 cases. The dosimetric parameters including D90, minimum peripheral dose (mPD), V100, V150, V200, conformal index (CI), external index (EI) and homogeneity index (HI) were statistically compared before and after surgery.@*Results@#All templates were properly implanted intraoperatively. Compared with preoperative planning, postoperative D90, V100, CI, EI and HI did not significantly differ (P=0.490, 0.407, 0.893, 0.143 and 0.079), whereas mPD, V150 and V200 significantly differed (P=0.036, 0.007 and 0.000).@*Conclusion@#After postoperative verification, the main dosimetric parameters have high therapeutic accuracy and properly match with preoperative planning, which can meet clinical requirements.

Metabonomic analysis of plasma biochemical changes in pyrexia rats after treatment with Gegenqinlian decoction, aspirin and itraconazole by UHPLC-FT-ICR-MS / 药物分析学报

A metabonomic approach involving an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography combined with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (UHPLC-FT-ICR-MS) was used to investi-gate the changes in the endogenous metabolites in the plasma of rats with yeast-induced pyrexia treated with Gegenqinlian decoction (GQLD), aspirin and itraconazole. The differences in the small molecule profiles of treatment using traditional Chinese medicine, etiological treatment and symptomatic treat-ment were elucidated. Thirty-six plasma metabolites were identified or putatively identified, and the effects of the three medicines on the thirty-six metabolites were studied. Their metabolic pathways indicated that GQLD, aspirin and itraconazole ameliorated the rats with yeast-induced pyrexia pre-dominantly by regulating the metabolisms of phospholipid, sphingolipid, fatty acid oxidation, fatty acid amides, amino acid and glycerolipid in vivo. The pharmacodynamics and metabonomic results showed that the three medicines exhibited the therapeutic effects on pyrexia by regulating the perturbations of multiple metabolisms. The study provided a scientific basis for an in-depth understanding of the ther-apeutic effects of GQLD, aspirin and itraconazole on rats with yeast-induced pyrexia.

Prenatal diagnosis and pedigree analysis of a case of Nail-patella syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To carried out prenatal diagnosis and genetic analysis for a case with Nail-patella syndrome.@*METHODS@#Based on the clinical phenotype and prenatal imaging, genetic testing and prenatal diagnosis were carried out through whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing.@*RESULTS@#Analysis of amniotic fluid showed that the fetus has carried a heterozygous c.139+1G>T splicing site variant [Chr9(GRCh37): g.129376868G>T] of the LMX1B gene, which was verified by Sanger sequencing. The same heterozygous variant was found in the pregnant woman, her daughter and her mother but not in her husband. Searching of HGMD database showed that the c.139+1G>T was previously unreported.@*CONCLUSION@#Nail-patella syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder with various clinical manifestations. WES is helpful for its genetic and prenatal diagnosis.

Atypical Gerstmann-Str(a)ussler-Scheinker syndrome caused by PRNP P102L mutation: a case report and literature review / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To improve the clinician's recognition of Gerstmann-Str(a)ussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS).Methods The detailed clinical information,neuropsychological examination,cerebrospinal fluid examination,imaging characteristics,electroencephalogram examination and gene detection were analyzed in a case of GSS similar to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in symptomatology.The differences between the two different prion diseases were compared in combination with the literature review.Results The patient is a 62-year-old woman,with cerebellar ataxia as the first symptom,followed by rapid dementia,accompanied by pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs.Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyper-intense signal in diffusion weighted imaging in caudatum and cortical ribboning,and protein 14-3-3was negative.PRNP gene analysis showed P102L gene mutation.Conclusions The typical clinical manifestation of GSS is hereditary ataxia followed by cognitive decline of varying severity.Detection of PRNP plays an important role in the diagnosis of GSS.

Analysis of clinical and neuroimaging features in a Chinese family with hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with neuroaxonal spheroids / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To explore the clinical and neuroimaging features in a Chinese family with hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with neuroaxonal spheroids (HDLS) caused by mutation of the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor gene (CSF1R). Methods The proband and another patient from a HDLS pedigree were assessed respectively through standardized clinical evaluation (medical history inquiry, physical examination),neuropsychology assessment,MRI,genetic sequencing, as well as brain PET imaging with carbon11-labelled Pittsburgh compound-B(11C-PIB). Results A HDLS pedigree with three patients was recruited to this study. Apathy, memory decline, slow behavior were the first symptoms for two of the patients. Being bedridden, urinary incontinence and epilepsy were developed at the later stage. A missense mutation c. 2381T>C(p. I794T) in exon 18 of the CSF1R gene of chromosome 5 was identified in the proband. The brain DWI illustrated multiple patchy high signal in periventricular white matter and centrum semiovale which was characterized by persistence, and the corpus callosum was affected in the early stage. Conclusion The multiple patchy high signal with persistence in periventricular white matter and centrum semiovale of DWI is helpful for the early diagnosis of HDLS.

Effect of soyasaponin on drug resistance of ovarian cancer cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To screen the most effective soyasa-ponins for reversing the drug resistance of ovarian cancer cells, and investigate the possible mechanism. Methods Cell viability assay was used to analyze the drug resistance of A2780/PTX cells treated with four different common soyasaponins respectively,in order to screen out the most effective soyasaponin. Then, the most effective soyasaponin was used to detect the ex-pression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition ( EMT)-related marker proteins, including N-cadherin and E-cadherin,with Western blot and confocal microsco-py. Finally, transwell assay and wound healing assay were applied to observe effect of soyasaponin on regula-ting cancer cell migration. Results Compared with other soyasaponins,soyasaponin Ac most effectively re-versed the drug resistance of A2780/PTX cells. The expression of N-cadherin decreased while that of E-cadherin increased in A2780/PTX cells when treated with soyasaponin Ac for 48 h. The results of transwell and wound healing assay suggested that soyasaponin Ac also reduced the migration of A2780/PTX cells. Con-clusion Soyasaponin Ac can decrease the drug resist-ance via EMT pathway and weaken the migration abili-ty of ovarian cancer cells.

Application of dual-source CT spectrum energy curve and iodine quantification in determination of differentiation degree of clear cell renal carcinoma / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To explore the value of dual-source CT spectrum energy curve and iodine quantification in determining the degree of differentiation of clear cell renal carcinoma(ccRCC).Methods The radiographic data of 38 cases with pathologically confirmed ccRCC were analyzed retrospectively.All patients underwent dual-source CT,cortical phase and nephrographic phase dual energy scan,including 22 well-moderated differentiated(gradeⅠ,gradeⅡ)and 16 poorly differentiated neoplasms(gradeⅢ,gradeⅣ).The slope of spectrum energy curve (40-70 keV,70-100 keV,100-140 keV)and the normalized iodine concentration (NIC)between the two grades were compared. Results In the spectrum energy curve 40-70 keV and 70-100 keV segment interval,the slope of spectrum of well-moderated differentiated group was higher than that of poorly differentiated group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).In the 100-140 keV segment interval,the slope of spectrum of well-moderated differentiated group was higher than that of poorly differentiated group, but the difference was insignificant(P>0.05).The NIC of well-moderated differentiated group was significantly higher than that of poorly differentiated group(P<0.05).Conclusion The slope of spectrum energy curve and NIC are correlated with the differentiation degree of ccRCC.The slope of spectrum energy curve and iodine quantification of dual-source CT could be used as new methods for preoperative grading of ccRCC.

Comparison of the translucency and color masking effect of the zirconia ceramics made by milling and gel deposition / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#Three kinds of zirconia specimens were made respectively by milling of the prisintered blocks and by three dimensional (3D) gel deposition for in vitro evaluation of their optical translucency under three different thicknesses and their color masking effect on discolored teeth. The study aims for establishing the principle for guiding the materials selection in clinical practice.@*METHODS@#Ninety A2-colored zirconia disc specimens with diameter of 14 mm were prepared and were divided into three groups (n=30). (1) Group CZ, by milling of the presintered blanks; (2) Group NZW, by 3D gel deposition, without a color masking opaque inner layer; (3) Group NZY, by 3D gel deposition, with a color masking opaque inner layer. Furthermore, each group was divided into three sub-groups (n=10) according to the sample thickness, i.e., 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5 mm, respectively. The maxillary anterior teeth with severe discoloration, extracted owing to periodontal disease, were collected and embedded. By gentle gridding and polishing a plane, larger than 6 mm2×6 mm2, was generated on the labial surface of each tooth. Chromatic values(CIE1976-L*a*b*) of the zirconia samples in the nine sub-groups were measured by the spectrophotometer Crystaleye in front of the black or white background in a cassette, and the translucency parameter (TP) values were calculated for each sample. Thereafter the zirconia specimens were bonded onto the labial surface of the polished teeth for measuring the chromatic values, using the chromatic value of the medium 1/3 of the standardized Vita A2 as a control. The color aberration ΔE between each zirconia specimen and the control value was calculated, respectively. The results were statistically analyzed by One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni.@*RESULTS@#(1) The optical transparency of the three kinds of zirconia disc specimens with the thickness of 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5 mm was 14.09, 12.31 and 10.45 for group CZ; 19.84, 16.54 and 12.44 for group NZW;14.81, 13.16 and 11.92 for group NZY. In each group, the degree of optical transparency of the specimens showed a clear tendency as in the sub-group 0.6 mm >1.0 mm >1.5 mm. The TP value of the specimens in the three groups with the same thickness showed a tendency of the group NZW >group NZY >group CZ. (2) After bonding onto the polished labial surface of the teeth, the color aberration ΔE of the specimens with the thickness of 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5 mm was calculated to be 10.77, 9.94 and 8.50 for group CZ; 6.84, 5.89 and 5.29 for group NZW; 4.16, 3.92 and 3.67 for group NZY. In each group, the color aberration of the specimens showed a clear tendency as in the sub-group 0.6 mm >1.0 mm >1.5 mm; the color aberration of the three groups with the same thickness was in the order of the group CZ >group NZW >group NZY.@*CONCLUSION@#In all the specimen groups with a fixed specimen thickness, the optical translucency of the specimen was the highest in group NZW made by 3D gel deposition, and the best color masking effect was obtained in specimens with a color masking opaque inner layer in group NZY, where a thickness of 0.6 mm was sufficient enough for obtaining the ideal color masking effect.

Brain Network Studies in Chronic Disorders of Consciousness: Advances and Perspectives / 神经科学通报·英文版

Neuroimaging has opened new opportunities to study the neural correlates of consciousness, and provided additional information concerning diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic interventions in patients with disorders of consciousness. Here, we aim to review neuroimaging studies in chronic disorders of consciousness from the viewpoint of the brain network, focusing on positron emission tomography, functional MRI, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, electrophysiology, and diffusion MRI. To accelerate basic research on disorders of consciousness and provide a panoramic view of unconsciousness, we propose that it is urgent to integrate different techniques at various spatiotemporal scales, and to merge fragmented findings into a uniform "Brainnetome" (Brain-net-ome) research framework.

Spinal Cord Stimulation Frequency Influences the Hemodynamic Response in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness / 神经科学通报·英文版

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a promising technique for treating disorders of consciousness (DOCs). However, differences in the spatio-temporal responsiveness of the brain under varied SCS parameters remain unclear. In this pilot study, functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure the hemodynamic responses of 10 DOC patients to different SCS frequencies (5 Hz, 10 Hz, 50 Hz, 70 Hz, and 100 Hz). In the prefrontal cortex, a key area in consciousness circuits, we found significantly increased hemodynamic responses at 70 Hz and 100 Hz, and significantly different hemodynamic responses between 50 Hz and 70 Hz/100 Hz. In addition, the functional connectivity between prefrontal and occipital areas was significantly improved with SCS at 70 Hz. These results demonstrated that SCS modulates the hemodynamic responses and long-range connectivity in a frequency-specific manner (with 70 Hz apparently better), perhaps by improving the cerebral blood volume and information transmission through the reticular formation-thalamus-cortex pathway.