Correlation between caspase regulatory gene expression and facial nerve injury in a facial nerve injury model / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Caspase plays a crucial role in the cellapoptosis, but the influence of different facial nerve injury on caspase 1, caspase 8, cyto-c protein expression and their correlation stil remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To construct facial nerve crush or distal transection injury models, observe the morphological changes of facial motoneurons, investigate death gene caspase 3, caspase 8, cyto-c expression, and analyze their correlation. METHODS:Facial nerve crush or distal transection injury model was established in the right facial nerve of rats, while the left facial nerve served as normal controls. We observed the morphology and the death of facial motoneurons with toluidine blue staining and transmission electron microscope. Expressions of caspase 3, caspase 8 and cyto-c proteins were studied by immunohistochemistry analysis fol owing facial nerve injury. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Both facial nerve distal transection and crush injury resulted in the death of facial motoneurons, and the death pattern was mainly apoptosis. Caspase 3, caspase 8 and cyto-c protein expressions were observed in the subnucleus of normal rat facial nucleus. cells of the distal transection group were stained more intensely than that of crush group. Expressions of these proteins began to increase at 3 days after the injuries. Caspase 3 and caspase 8 protein expression peaked at 14 days, whereas cyto-c protein expression peaked at 7 days after the injuries. Expressions of caspase 3, caspase 8 and cyto-c proteins were correlated with facial nerve injury type and injury time. Expressions of caspase 8 and cyto-c protein were correlated with expression of caspase 3 protein. The findings indicate that, caspase 8 and cyto-c contribute to activate caspase 3, and caspase cascade reaction plays an important role in the apoptosis of facial motoneurons.

Free fibula flap and computed tomographic angiography in the functional reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial hard and soft tissue defects / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#Assessed the feasibility of application of free fibular flap and clinical significance of pre-operational contrast enhanced CT angiography in functional reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial hard and soft tissue defects.@*METHOD@#Eight cases with mandibular and soft tissue defects received a free fibula flap using arteriovenous anastomosis anastomosis method. The relationship between fibula flap design, size, repair parts and survival were analyzed. Preoperative enhanced CT angiography (CTA) examination was conducted to detect any abnormal blood vessels in fibula flap valve area.@*RESULT@#Peroneal artery and posterior tibial artery variation was identified in one case of gums cancer, who used other muscle flap. Free fibula flap in the other 7 cases survived, which carried a skin island with an area ranging from 6 cm x 2 cm to 10.0 cm x 3.5 cm. Postoperative facial appearance, functionality, dental occlusion and voice function was normal. Lower limb function returned to normal from 2 weeks to 4 months after surgery.@*CONCLUSION@#CTA examination of the free vascularized fibula flap in the preoperative evaluation of the donor site is a valuable tool. Free fibula flap of bone, periosteum and bone marrow has a dual blood supply and are highly resistant to infection after transplantation. Personalized shaping osteotomy allowed for accurate recovery of mandibular alveolar patterns. Furthermore, the height and width of the fibula and the thickness of cortical bone is suitable for dental implants. Free fibula flap skin island can also be used to monitor the post-operative blood supply and is an ideal technique for mandible and soft tissue defects reconstruction as well as functional restoration.

CT findings of tuberculous lymphadenitis in parotid gland / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To analyze the CT findings of tuberculous lymphadenitis in parotid gland, so as to improve the diagnostic accuracy of tuberculosis of parotid gland. Methods Nine cases with tuberculous lymphadenitis in parotid gland confirmed by surgical pathology and acid-fast bacilli after preoperative spiral CT plain scan and two phases dynamic enhancement scan were retrospectively analyzed.Imaging findings of CT were reviewed and compared with surgical pathology. Results Seven of the 9 cases of tuberculosis of the parotid gland occurred in the left side, and 2 in the right side, and superficial lobe involvement occurred in 8 cases and deep lobe in 1 ease. The lesion was classified as tumour type (8 cases)and infiltration type (1 case). In tumour type, the number of lesion was from 1 to 4, and the size was from 2.7 to 5.3 cm in diameter. One case of infiltration type measured 3.4 cm in diameter. On CT plain scan,the lesions showed homogeneous slight high-density with regular edge in 5 cases and irregular low-density in 4 cases, and 2 of them with partly blurred edge. On CT enhanced scan, uniform moderate enhancement was seen in 3 cases, circular enhancement in 4 cases, inhomogeneous enhancement in 1 case, and lace-like enhancement in 1 case. Local infiltration occurred in 6 cases. Lymphadenovarix in the same side of lesion occurred in 2 cases. Conclusion CT findings of tuberculous lymphadenitis in parotid gland present diversification, which correlate well with pathological changes. Understanding of characteristic CT findings of tuberculous lymphadenitis in parotid gland is helpful for differential diagnosis, but final diagnosis still depends on pathology and acid-fast baeilli.