Quality Evaluation of Temporomandibular Joint Images from 3 High-resolution Dynamic Sequences / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To compare the image quality of three high-resolution dynamic MRI methods for evaluating the motion of temporomandibular joint disc and condyle. Methods Twenty-five patients with suspected temporomandibular joint disorders were examined by single-shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE),fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA),and spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) on the oblique sagittal position.Two radiologists performed subjective and objective evaluation on the images with double-blind method.The subjective evaluation included the signal intensity of mandibular condyle,articular disc,soft tissue around articular disc,and lateral pterygoid muscle,the contrast between articular disc and condyle,the contrast between articular disc and surrounding soft tissue,condylar motion,and disc movement.The objective evaluation indexes included image signal intensity,signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).The subjective and objective indexes of the image quality were compared between the three sequences. Results The SSFSE sequence had lower signal intensity of articular disc and higher signal intensity of condyle and surrounding soft tissue than FIESTA and SPGR sequences (all P<0.001).The SPGR sequence showed higher signal intensity of lateral pterygoid muscle than the SSFSE and FIESTA sequences (P=0.017,P<0.001).Among the three sequences,SSFSE sequence showed the clearest articular disc structure (χ2=41.952,P<0.001),the strongest contrast between articular disc and condyle (χ2=35.379,P<0.001),the strongest contrast between articular disc and surrounding soft tissue (χ2=27.324,P<0.001),and the clearest movement of articular disc (χ2=44.655,P<0.001).SSFSE and FIESTA sequences showed higher proportion of disc displacement and reduction than SPGR sequence (all P<0.001).The CNR (χ2=21.400,P<0.001),SNR (χ2=34.880,P<0.001),and condyle signal intensity (F=337.151,P<0.001) demonstrated differences among SSFSE,FIESTA,and SPGR sequences.The CNR of SSFSE sequence was higher than that of FIESTA sequence (P<0.001),while it had no significant difference between SSFSE and SPGR sequences (P=0.472).In addition,the SSFSE sequence had higher SNR and signal intensity than FIESTA and SPGR sequences (all P<0.001). Conclusion The best image quality can be observed from SSFSE sequence where both the structure and movement of temporomandibular joint are well displayed.Therefore,SSFSE is preferred for the examination of temporomandibular joint movement.

Combined treatment of hyperthyroidism crisis with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, plasma exchange, and continuous renal replacement therapy: One case report / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

To investigate the clinical features,treatment methods,and prognosis of a patient with hyperthyroidism crisis.The clinical characteristics,treatment methods,and prognosis of patients with hyperthyroidism crisis in our department were retrospectively analyzed.The application of adjuvant therapy and its influence on prognosis were summarized.Hyperthyroidism crisis is the most serious complication of those patients.The onset is urgent and the prognosis is poor,which requires the clinician to be vigilant and to interfere as early as possible.The extracorporeal circulation technique removes excessive free thyroxine,reduces the high metabolic state,and ensures safe of the heart.Brain,kidney,and other important organ functions which play important roles in the treatment on proper time.In this case,we finally achieved clinical cure,providing some new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism crisis.

Proangiogenic functions of an RGD-SLAY-containing osteopontin icosamer peptide in HUVECs and in the postischemic brain

Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphorylated glycoprotein secreted into body fluids by various cell types. OPN contains arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) and serine-leucine-alanine-tyrosine (SLAY) motifs that bind to several integrins and mediate a wide range of cellular processes. In the present study, the proangiogenic effects of a 20-amino-acid OPN peptide (OPNpt20) containing RGD and SLAY motifs were examined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and in a rat focal cerebral ischemia model. OPNpt20 exerted robust proangiogenic effects in HUVECs by promoting proliferation, migration and tube formation. These effects were significantly reduced in OPNpt20-RAA (RGD->RAA)-treated cells, but only slightly reduced in OPNpt20-SLAA (SLAY->SLAA)-treated cells. Interestingly, a mutant peptide without both motifs failed to induce these proangiogenic processes, indicating that the RGD motif is crucial and that SLAY also has a role. In OPNpt20-treated HUVEC cultures, AKT and ERK signaling pathways were activated, but activation of these pathways and tube formation were suppressed by anti-αvβ3 antibody, indicating that OPNpt20 stimulates angiogenesis via the αvβ3-integrin/AKT and ERK pathways. The proangiogenic function of OPNpt20 was further confirmed in a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model. Total vessel length and vessel densities were markedly greater in OPNpt20-treated ischemic brains, accompanied by induction of proangiogenic markers. Together, these results demonstrate that the 20-amino-acid OPN peptide containing RGD and SLAY motifs exerts proangiogenic effects, wherein both motifs have important roles, and these effects appear to contribute to the neuroprotective effects of this peptide in the postischemic brain.

Osteopontin Peptide Icosamer Containing RGD and SLAYGLR Motifs Enhances the Motility and Phagocytic Activity of Microglia

Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted glycoprotein that is expressed in various tissues, including brain, and mediates a wide range of cellular activities. In a previous study, the authors observed the robust neuroprotective effects of recombinant OPN and of RGD and SLAYGLR-containing OPN-peptide icosamer (OPNpt20) in an animal model of transient focal ischemia, and demonstrated anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects of OPNpt20 in the postischemic brain. In the present study, we investigated the effects of OPNpt20 on the motility and phagocytic activity of BV2 cells (a microglia cell line). F-actin polymerization and cell motility were significantly enhanced in OPNpt20-treated BV2 cells, and numbers of filopodia-like processes increased and lamellipodia-like structures enlarged and thickened. In addition, treatment of cells with either of three mutant OPN icosamers containing mutation within RGD, SLAY, or RGDSLAY showed that the RGD and SLAY motifs of OPNpt20 play critical roles in the enhancement of cell motility, and the interaction between exogenous OPNpt20 and endogenous αv and α4 integrin and the activations of FAK, Erk, and Akt signaling pathways were found to be involved in the OPNpt20-mediated induction of cell motility. Furthermore, phagocytic activity of microglia was also significantly enhanced by OPNpt20 in a RGD and SLAY dependent manner. These results indicate OPNpt20 containing RGD and SLAY motifs triggers microglial motility and phagocytic activity and OPNpt20-integrin mediated signaling plays a critical role in these activities.

Study on the preparation method of capillary electrophoresis sieving medium based on domestic genetic analyzer / 中国法医学杂志

Objective To prepare a capillary electrophoresis sieving medium and apply it in GA118-16A genetic analyzer. Methods The white solid polyacrylamide (LPA) was prepared by polymerization and lyophilized. Through the swelling of the sol buffer, the sieving medium was obtained. The sieving medium was evaluated by 1) characterizing the parameters, including molecular weight, structure and viscosity, 2) applying in the GA118-16A genetic analyzer, including the spatial calibration, the spectral calibration and the STR analysis.. Results The prepared sieving medium Mw 1.8 x 105Da, Mn 1.2 x 105 Da, is of correct structure and high purity. The polydispersity was 1.5The spatial calibration and spectral calibration files can be established successfully in GA118-16A genetic analyzer, and the sieving medium can effectively separate the DNA fragments with 1bp difference. The STR profile is of sharp peaks, no impurity peaks, no tail, and no peak loss. Conclusion The sieving medium prepared by the method can be applied to domestic genetic analyzer such as GA118-16A.

Influence of metoprolol combined lisinopril on cardiac function and serological markers in patients with heart failure / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective:To explore influence of metoprolol combined lisinopril on cardiac function and serological mark-ers in patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods:A total of 120 CHF patients treated in our hospital from May 2014 to May 2016 were enrolled.They were randomly and equally divided into lisinopril group and combined treatment group(received metoprolol combined lisinopril),both groups were treated for six months.Therapeutic effect,incidence rate of adverse reactions,levels of cardiac function indexes,C reactive protein(CRP),tumor nec-rosis factor α(TNF-α),N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),cystatin C(CysC)and neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin(NGAL)before and after treatment were compared between two groups.Results:Compared with before treatment,after six-month treatment,there were significant reductions in left ventricular end-diastolic dimension(LVEDd),left ventricular end-systolic dimension(LVESd),levels of CRP,TNF-α,NT-proBNP,CysC and NGAL,and significant rise in left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)in both groups,P=0.001 all.Compared with lisinopril group after six-month treatment,there were significant rise in total effective rate(73.33% vs.90.00%),P=0.018,and LVEF[(44.91 ± 2.45)% vs.(48.82 ± 3.55)%],P=0.001;and sig-nificant reductions in LVEDd[(50.34 ± 3.11)mm vs.(45.92 ± 3.04)mm],LVESd[(41.34 ± 3.33)mm vs.(35.53 ± 2.34)mm],levels of CRP[(14.47 ± 2.77)ng/L vs.(10.32 ± 3.01)ng/L],TNF-α[(157.78 ± 43.21)ng/L vs.(110.22 ± 29.01)ng/L],NT-proBNP[(932.43 ± 46.45)pg/ml vs.(464.21 ± 39.78)pg/ml],CysC[(1.34 ± 0.36) mg/L vs.(0.97 ± 0.22)mg/L]and NGAL[(117.69 ± 16.51)μg/L vs.(75.58 ± 10.22)μg/L]in combined treat-ment group,P=0.001 all.No adverse drug reaction was found in two groups.Conclusion:Compared with alone lisi-nopril,metoprolol combined lisinopril can effectively improve cardiac function,inhibit inflammation,relieve body injury,improve cardiac structure and effectively improve prognosis more in CHF patients,which is worth extending.

Expressions of OCT4 and CD133 and their correlation in colonic cancer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of Oct4 and CD133 and their correlation in colonic cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of Oct4 and CD133 were detected by immunohistochemistry in 30 colon cancer specimens and the paired adjacent tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positivity rates of Oct4 and CD133 expression were 83.3% (25/30) and 73.3% (22/30) in colonic cancer tissue, respectively, and their expressions were positively correlated (r=0.586, P<0.05). The matched adjacent tissues showed significantly lower levels of Oct4 and CD133 expressions (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expressions of Oct4 and CD133 are upregulated in colonic cancer compared with those in the adjacent tissues and show a positive correlation. Oct4 and CD133 may play an important role in the development of colon cancer.</p>

Efficacy of zoledronic acid combined with chemotherapy in treatment of skeletal metastases of non-small cell lung cancer and the bone metabolic markers / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy of zoledronic acid combined with chemotherapy in the management of skeletal metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and investigate the value in urine amino-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (uNTX) and serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase (sBALP) in monitoring skeletal metastasis of NSCLC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From February, 2007 to January, 2009, 32 NSCLC patients with bone metastases received treatment with zoledronic acid at the dose of 4 mg given every 3 weeks and platinum-based chemotherapy (each cycle lasting for 3 weeks). Before and during the treatments, uNTX and sBALP were measured in these patients using ELISA and precipitation with wheat germ lectin, respectively. The patients were followed up for skeletal-related events (SREs) and status of survival.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A significant decrease occurred in the pain scores and analgesic use in the patients after the therapy. SREs were not observed during the treatment. Serum creatinine and calcium levels underwent no significant variation during the treatment. Eleven patients reported 14 possible zoledronic acid-related adverse events. The concentration of uNTX and sBALP in patients with bone metastases was above the upper limit of the normal range. A positive correlation was observed between the levels of the markers and the extent of bone metastases. At the third month, uNTX and sBALP were significantly lowered, but radionuclide whole-body bone imaging showed no obvious changes. Of the 32 patients, 24 had elevated uNTX values, which became normal after the treatment in 15 patients and remained elevated in the other 9 patients. SREs occurred in these two subgroups at the rates of 53% and 89% (P=0.039), respectively. Twenty-six patients had elevated sBALP level, and 16 of them exhibited normal sBALP level after the treatment. The incidences of SREs in the patients with elevated and normal sBALP level were 50% and 90% (P=0.038), respectively. The levels of uNTX/Cr and sBALP were not correlated to the survival of the patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Zoledronic acid combined with chemotherapy is an effective treatment for NSCLC with bone metastases. Zoledronic acid is safe and well tolerated. Urinary NTX and serum BALP have a high value in the diagnosis, therapeutic effect monitoring and SRE prediction of NSCLC with bone metastases.</p>

Cloning of transmembrane domain sequence of EGFR gene / 浙江大学学报·医学版

OBJECTIVE: To clone the transmembrane (TM) domain sequence of EGFR gene and lay a good foundation for constructing the transmembrane expression vector of recombinant superantigens and cytokines. METHODS: A pair of primers special to the sequence encoding TM domain of EGFR gene were synthesized, TM domain fragment was cloned by RT-PCR, and the PCR product of TM domain sequence was ligated with the pGEM-T vector and confirmed by DNA sequencing. RESULTS: TM domain sequence was successfully cloned and verified by DNA sequencing. CONCLUSION: The successful cloning of TM domain sequence provides a basis for the construction of transmembrane fusion protein of Superantigen-TM or Cytokines-TM in cancer biotherapy.