[Diagnostic Value of ROC Curve Evaluating Serum Related Indexes for Bloodstream Infection in Patients with Hematopathy].

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum PCT, CRP and SAA for bloodstream infection(BSI) in patients with hematopathy. METHODS: Sixty hematopathy patients with bloodstream infection from July 2016 to June 2018 were selected and enroued in bloodstream infection group. Sixty-five patients with negative blood culture during the same period were selected and enrolled in non-bloodstream infection group. The ROC curves were drawn and used to eualuate the diagnostic value of above montioned indexes. RESULTS: The levels of PCT, CRP and SAA in the bloodstream infection group were higher than those in the non-bloodstream infection group (P<0.05). ROC curve showed that AUC values of PCT, CRP, SAA and the combined test detection were 0.868, 0.746, 0.678 and 0.900, respectively, there was no significant difference in AUC between combined test and PCT test (P>0.05). AUC of combined test and PCT test were higher than those of CRP and SAA test, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in AUC between CRP and SAA (P>0.05). The optimal PCT detection threshold was 0.49 ng/ml, the sensitivity and specificity were 75.0% and 83.1%, respectively. The optimal critical value for CRP detection was 15.76 mg/L, the sensitivity and specificity were 60.0% and 80.0% respectively. The optimal SAA detection threshold was 35.66 mg/L, the sensitivity and specificity were 81.7% and 53.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PCT, CRP and SAA detection have good diagnostic value for blood stream infection in patients with hematopathy. The diagnostic value of PCT is better than CRP and SAA, and there is no significant difference in diagnostic value between combined test and PCT test.

Knockdown of long noncoding RNA PVT1 suppresses cell proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer via upregulation of microRNA-214-3p.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the occurrence and tumorigenesis of numerous malignant cancers. Microarray expression profiles were used to screen colorectal cancer (CRC)-related differentially expressed genes and lncRNAs, which revealed that insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) were highly expressed in CRC. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of lncRNA PVT1 in CRC. Subcellular localization detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization identified that lncRNA PVT1 was primarily located in the cytoplasm. The interaction between lncRNA PVT1 and microRNA-214-3p (miR-214-3p) and IRS1 was predicted using the RNA22 website. Next the dual luciferase reporter gene assay, RNA pull-down, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays verified lncRNA PVT1 to be a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) against miR-214-3p, and IRS1 was found to be a target of miR-214-3p. The expression pattern of lncRNA PVT1, miR-214-3p, IRS1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and Akt was characterized in response to lncRNA PVT1 silencing or miR-214-3p upregulation. Meanwhile, their regulatory effects on cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis were detected in CRC cells. With increased levels of miR-214-3p and decreased levels of lncRNA PVT1 in CRC cells, the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, putative (PI3K) and Akt was reduced, and consequently, the cell apoptosis was stimulated and cell proliferation and invasion were suppressed. All in all, lncRNA PVT1 competitively binds to miR-214-3p to upregulate the expression of IRS1 thus activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thus accelerating CRC progression. This study suggests that lncRNA PVT1 might be a potential target of therapeutic strategies for CRC treatment.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study mainly suggests that long noncoding (lnc)RNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) is a downregulated lncRNA in colorectal cancer (CRC), accelerating CRC progression. Strikingly, lncRNA PVT1 acts as a competitive endogenous RNA against microRNA (miR)-214-3p, whereas miR-214-3p targets insulin receptor substrate 1, which draws a comprehensive picture of the potential molecular mechanisms of lncRNA PVT1 in CRC.

The mechanism of miR-16-5p protection on LPS-induced A549 cell injury by targeting CXCR3.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of miR-16-5p on lung cancer cell injury and apoptosis, and its mechanism. METHODS: LPS induced lung cancer cell A549 injury; qRT-PCR method was applied to detect the expression of miR-16-5p and CXCR3 in A549 cells. Con (without LPS treatment), LPS + miR-NC group (transfected negative control samples), LPS + miR-16-5p group (transfected miR-16-5p mimics); LPS + si-NC group (transfected negative control samples), LPS + si-CXCR3 group (transfected si-CXCR3); LPS + miR-16-5p + pcDNA3.1 group (co-transfected miR-16-5p mimics and pcDNA3.1), LPS + miR-16-5p + pcDNA3.1-CXCR3 group (co-transfected miR-16-5p mimics and pcDNA3.1-CXCR3) were transfected into A549 cells by liposome method. Western blot was used to detect protein expression of CXCR3, IL-6 and TNF-α in A549 cells; apoptosis of A549 cells was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the expression of miR-16-5p mRNA was significantly decreased in A549 cells in LPS group, and the mRNA and protein expression of CXCR3 were significantly increased (p < .05). Overexpression of miR-16-5p and knockdown of CXCR3 both can down-regulated protein expression of IL-6 and TNF-α, and up-regulated apoptosis in LPS-induced A549 cell; CXCR3 is a target of miR-16-5p. Overexpression of CXCR3 rescued the protective effect of miR-16-5p on LPS-induced A549 cell injury. CONCLUSION: miR-16-5p can protect LPS-induced A549 cell injury, and its mechanism may be related to the targeted regulation of CXCR3, which could provide a new target for targeted therapy of lung cancer.

Mechanism of miR-137 regulating migration and invasion of melanoma cells by targeting PIK3R3 gene.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of microRNA-137 (miR-137) on the migration and invasion of melanoma cells and its mechanism. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-137 in melanoma tissues and cells. miR-137 mimics, phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 3 (PIK3R3) small interfering RNA and corresponding controls were transfected into A375 and WM451 cells by lipofection. The expression of PIK3R3 was examined by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The Trans-well assay was conducted to measure cell migration and invasion. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the interaction between miR-137 and PIK3R3. RESULTS: Compared with normal pigmented nevus tissue, miR-137 expression was significantly reduced in melanoma tissues. Compared with keratinous HaCaT cells, the level of miR-137 was significantly decreased in melanoma SK-MEL-1, A375, and WM451 cells. Knockdown of miR-137 significantly reduced the migrated and invasive abilities of melanoma A375 and WM451 cells. Moreover, inhibition of PIK3R3 obviously suppressed the migration and invasion abilities of melanoma A375 and WM451 cells. Luciferase activity assay showed that PIK3R3 was a direct target of miR-137. In addition, overexpression of miR-137-inhibited PIK3R3 expression, while knockdown of miR-137-enhanced PIK3R3 abundance. Restoration of PIK3R3 reversed the regulatory effect of miR-137 on cell migration and invasive in melanoma A375 and WM451 cells. CONCLUSION: miR-137 inhibited melanoma cell migration and invasion by targeting PIK3R3 gene.

miR-9 induces cell arrest and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma via CDK 4/6 pathway.

Oral cancer remains a major public concern with considerable socioeconomic impact in the world, especially in southeast Asia. Despite substantial advancements have been made in treating oral cancer, the five-year survival rate for OSCC remained undesirable, and 35-55% patients developed recurrence within two years even with multimodality therapeutic strategies. Hence, identification of novel biomarkers for diagnosis and evaluating clinical outcome is of vital importance. MicroRNAs are 22-24 nt non-coding RNAs that could bind to 3' UTR of target mRNAs, thereby inducing degradation of mRNA or inhibiting translation. Due to its implication in regulation of post-transcriptional processes, the role of miRNAs in malignancies has been extensively studied, among which the discovery of functional miR-9 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remained to be elucidated. We first demonstrated that miR-9 was down-regulated in 21 OSCC patients, and we further found that forced expression of miR-9 could result in deterred cell proliferation and decreased ability to migrate and form colonies. Flow cytometry displayed cell-cycle arrested at G0/G1 phase. We next used Targetscan to predict target genes of miR-9. CDK6, a protein highly implicated in cell cycle control, was chosen for verification. Down-regulation of CDK6 and Cyclin D1 in Tca8113 transfected with miR-9 mimics indicate that the complex formed by both proteins may be the effector of the antiproliferative function of miR-9 in OSCCs. Considering small molecules are developed to target CDK4/6, our finding may provide valuable scientific evidence for research and development of therapies and diagnostic methodology in OSCCs.

miR-124 inhibits progression of hepatocarcinoma by targeting KLF4 and promises a novel diagnostic marker.

Hepatocarcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancy haunting the Chinese population, which is partially due to the difficulties in diagnosis at an early stage. The search for a biomarker that could signify the presence and progress of hepatocarcinoma is never ended. MicroRNAs are 22-nt RNAs that could bind to 3' UTR of target mRNAs, mediating degradation of mRNAs or inhibiting the translation. Although much has been investigated, the role of miR-124 in hepatocarcinoma remained elusive. We first detected aberrant expression level of miR-124 in HCC tissues of 112 patients. By exploring the clinical parameters, we found a significantly inverse correlation between miR-124 level and TNM stages. Consistent with this, the survival analysis indicated the association of low miR-124 with longer survival time. Subsequent forced expression miR-124 resulted in reduced cell viability of Hep3B and SMMC-7221, which cell lines have high and low background expression of miR-124, respectively. TargetScan prediction rendered a subset of target candidates, which were selected for experimental validation, KLF4 was subject to luciferase assay. Ectopic expression of KLF4 increased the sphere formation ability and CD44/133-positive cell numbers, which can be reversed by abundant expression of miR-124, suggesting that KLF4 is a functional target of miR-124 in tumourigenesis and cancer progression of HCC.

Clinical significance of STAT3 and MAPK phosphorylation, and the protein expression of cyclin D1 in skin squamous cell carcinoma tissues.

The present study aimed to investigate the significance of the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and mitogen­activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the protein expression of cyclin D1, in skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissues. SCC specimens from the skin were collected from 30 patients, and normal skin tissues were collected from 10 individuals as a control. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p­)STAT3, p­MAPK and cyclin D1 in the SCC tissues. The levels of p­STAT3 protein were abnormally increased in SCC (P<0.05); however, no significant differences in the protein expression of p­MAPK were identified between the normal skin and the SCC specimens. The extent of the upregulation of the expression of p­STAT3 and cyclin D1 correlated with the depth of tumor invasion (P<0.05). A positive correlation existed between the expression of p­STAT3 and cyclin D1 in SCC. However, no association between the expression intensity of p­MAPK and cyclin D1 was identified in SCC. It is postulated that the activation of STAT3 may induce the overexpression of cyclin D1, which results in the persistent proliferation of these tumor cells in SCC.

Inhibitory effect of curcumin on invasion of skin squamous cell carcinoma A431 cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of curcumin on expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in skin squamous cell carcinoma tissues as well as possible mechanisms of curcumin in prevention and treatment of skin squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Highly invasive A431 cells were treated with curcumin at various doses .The cytotoxic effects of treatment with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 50 umol/L curcumin for 24, 48 and 72 hours on A431 cells were measured by MTT assay. The invasion capacity of cells treated with 5, 10 and 15 umol/L curcumin was measured by Transwell test, while adhesive ability was assessed by cell adhesion assay. The effects of 5,10 and 15 umol/L curcumin on expression levels of STAT3 were determined by Western blotting and on transcription levels of STAT3 mRNA by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Treatment with curcumin at a doses of more than 15 umol/L for more than 24 hour inhibited the growth of A431 cells in a time-and dose-dependent fashion (p<0.001). The doses of 15 umol/L and less for 24 hours showed no significant cytotoxic effects on the cells, survival rates being more than 85%.The invasion and adhesive abilities decreased gradually with the increasing curcumin concentration, 15 umol/L exerting the strongest inhibitory effects (p<0.05). Curcumin showed significant dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the transcription level of STAT3 mRNA (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin may reduce the invasive ability of A431 cells by inhibiting the activation of STAT3 signal pathway and expression of STAT3 as a target gene in the pathway.

[UV photolysis of propranolol in aqueous solution: mechanism and toxicity of photoproducts].

This paper studied the phtodegradation behavior, mechanism and security of propranolol (PRO) in water under ultraviolet irradiation using the high pressure mercury lamp. The photodegradation mechanism was verified by reactive oxygen species (ROS) quenching method, and the photoproducts security was evaluated by luminescent bacteria toxicity test. The results showed that the rate of photolysis (k) of PRO decreased with increasing initial concentration, and showed a significant negative correlation (r2 > 0.95). The increasing k value was also accompanied with higher pH of the solution, and the k values were 0.0953-0.267 min(-1) under pH 5-9. ROS quenching experiments showed that the PRO UV photolysis process included a triplet PRO (3PRO*) direct photolysis participation, and self-sensitized photolysis participation caused by hydroxyl radical (·OH) and singlet oxygen (1O2). Direct photolysis rate was greater than the rate of self-sensitized photolysis. The result of 1O2 steady concentration measured by FFA as the probe was consistent with the quenching method. The toxicity evaluation illustrated the formation of some intermediate photoproducts, which were more toxic than PRO.

[Photodegradation of naproxen in aqueous systems by UV irradiation: mechanism and toxicity of photolysis products].

This paper studies the degradation mechanism, the reaction kinetics and the toxicity of photolysis products of naproxen in waters under UV irradiation (120 W mercury lamp) by quenching experiments of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxygen concentration experiment and toxicity evaluation using Vibrio fischeri bacteria. The results demonstrated that NPX could be degraded effectively by UV irradiation and the photolysis pathways was the sum of the degradation by direct photolysis and self-sensitization via ROS, and the contribution rates of self-sensitized photodegradation were 0.1%, 80.2%, 35.7% via *OH, (1)O2, O2*-, respectively. The effect of oxygen concentration illustrated that dissolved oxygen had an inhibitory effect on the direct photodegradation of NPX, and the higher the oxygen content, the more obvious the inhibitory effect. The toxicity evaluation illustrated the formation of some intermediate products that were more toxic than NPX during the photodegradation of NPX. The process of NPX degradation in all cases could be fitted by the pseudo first-order kinetics model.

[Association of genetic polymorphisms of key molecules in JAK/STAT signaling pathway with susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the association of genetic polymorphisms of key molecules in JAK/STAT signaling pathway with susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A total of 367 HCC patients and 367 healthy controls were recruited in this sex- and age-matched case-control study. Genetic polymorphisms of IL-6 (rs1800796, -572C > G), STAT3 (rs744166, +26312T > C; rs3816769, +42240T > C; rs6503695, +40980T > C), EGFR (rs11543848, +142530A > G), and mTOR (rs7211818, +170278A > G; rs9674559, +196983A > G; rs11653499, +65678G > A) were genotyped using a mass spectrometry method. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Genotype frequency of the 8 polymorphisms of IL-6, STAT3, EGFR, and mTOR were not significantly different between the patients with HCC and the controls. When stratified by sex, the female subjects who carried STAT3 +26312CC, +42240CC, or +40980CC had a decreased risk of HCC when compared to those who carried TT allele (OR = 0.192, 95%CI: 0.047 - 0.784; OR = 0.180, 95%CI: 0.045 - 0.725; OR = 0.198, 95%CI: 0.049 - 0.806, respectively). When compared with AA genotype on the site of EGFR +142530, the (AG + GG) genotype reduced the risk of HCC in women (OR = 0.422, 95%CI: 0.179 - 0.994). CONCLUSION: The polymorphisms of IL-6 (rs1800796) and mTOR (rs7211818, rs9674559, and rs11653499) were not associated with the HCC susceptibility. Those carrying CC allele in three loci (rs744166, rs3816769, and rs6503695) of STAT3 and (AG + GG) in rs11543848 of EGFR had a decreased risk of HCC in women. However, these results need to be validated using larger sample size.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal association of serum alanine aminotransaminase and γ-glutamyltransferase with metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly Chinese people.

BACKGROUND: Although associations of the liver enzymes alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are well recognized, whether they are independent of insulin resistance and which enzyme is more effective are yet to be clarified. METHODS: A total of 5404 subjects aged ≥ 40 years were recruited from two urban communities in Shanghai for cross-sectional analyses. A subgroup of 681 participants without MetS at baseline was included in the longitudinal analyses. Insulin resistance was measured using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were adopted to diagnose MetS. RESULTS: Both GGT and ALT were strongly and positively associated with MetS risks in simple and multivariate analyses. Further adjustment for HOMA-IR and ALT did not change the association of GGT and MetS materially, whereas adjustment for HOMA-IR and GGT substantially attenuated the ALT-MetS association. In longitudinal analyses, risks of developing MetS were increased across GGT quartiles in a dose-dependent manner after extensive adjustments (odds ratios were 1.00, 1.38, 1.62, and 2.29 for GGT, quartile 1 through quartile 4; P for trend = 0.01). In contrast, ALT was no longer associated with MetS development after final adjustment for GGT (P for trend = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed significant and independent associations of GGT and ALT with MetS in adult Chinese people. Moreover, GGT might be more effective for indicating the future development of MetS.

Association of novel mutations and haplotypes in the preS region of hepatitis B virus with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The association of viral mutations and haplotypic carriages with mutations in the preS region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes B and C with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is of great significance for the prediction of this malignancy, but it remains obscure. We analyzed the preS sequences of HBV genotypes B and C from 1172 HBV-infected subjects including 231 patients with HCC. As compared with the HBV-infected subjects without HCC, C2875T, G2946C, A3054C, C3060A, T3066C, C3116T, A3120C, G3191A, A1C, C7A, C10A, A31C, C76T, G105C, and G147C in both genotypes were significantly associated with increased risks of HCC. C2875A, G2950A, G2951A, A3054T, C3060T, T3066A, T3069G, A3120T, and G3191C were significantly associated with increased risks of HCC in genotype C, whereas these mutations were inversely associated with HCC in genotype B. Multivariate regression analyses showed that C76A/T was a novel factor independently associated with an increased risk of HCC, as compared with those without HCC. The frequencies of haplotypes 2964A-3116T-preS2 start codon wild-type-7C, 2964C-3116T-7A-76C, and 2964A-3116T-7C-76A/T were significantly higher in the patients with HCC (P<0.001), whereas a haplotypic carriage with a single mutation and another three wildtypes were inversely associated with HCC. Conclusively, the association of HBV mutations in the preS region with HCC depends on HBV genotype and haplotypic carriage with two or more mutations that are each associated with an increased risk of HCC independently.

[Effectiveness and related factors of Z-palatopharyngoplasty for treating obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and related factors of Z-palatopharyngoplasty for treating severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: Thirty four OSAHS patients with graded 1-3 tonsil, posterior airway space (PAS) > or = mm , Friedman II and III oropharyngeal airway were included in this study, all cases had Z-palatopharyngoplasty. The follow up was at least 6 months postoperatively. Measurement parameters of responders and nonresponders were analyzed. RESULTS: According to related criterion of China, cure rate was 35.3%, accumulative total excellence rate 64.7% and accumulative valid rate 70. 6%. The cured and excellence patients were considered as responders, the other as nonresponders. The lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO2), percentage of time with oxyhemoglobin saturation below 0.90 (CT90), mandibular plane angle (MPA), mandibular body length, position of tongue and Friedman clinical stage are statistically significant between responder and nonresponder. The best cut points of LSaO2, CT90 and MPA were 0.72, 22.80% and 29.40 degrees respectively. The logistic regression showed that Friedman stage and MPA entered into equation, which was Y = ln [P/(1-P)] = -122.85 + 31.57X1 + 1.01X2, if setting X1 as Friedman stage, and X2 as MPA. CONCLUSIONS: Z-palatopharyngoplasty is effective surgical approach for OSAHS patients with posterior airway space (PAS) > or = 11 mm. The affective factors of Z-palatopharyngoplasty included LSaO2, CT90, MPA, mandibular body length, position of tongue and Friedman clinical stage. Among them, the mandibular plane angle and Friedman clinical stage were predominant factors.

Genioglossus advancement and hyoid suspension plus uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for severe OSAHS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of a comprehensive surgical approach on the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and find out possible predictors to the effectiveness of this approach. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Eighteen patients received genioglossus advancement with hyoid suspension (GAHM) and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). The multiple logistic regression was used to analyze predictors for the outcome of treatment. RESULTS: Apnea hypopnea index (AHI) showed a reduction in the preoperative vs postoperative polysomnography (63.83 +/- 16.34 vs 21.43 +/- 20.34). With success defined as a final postoperative AHI of less than 20 events per hour, the success rate was 67%. The main differences between responders and nonresponders include age, posterior airway space (PAS), time of oxyhemoglobin saturation below 90% (CT90), and body mass index (BMI). Age and BMI were key predictors for therapeutic effect. CONCLUSION: GAHM plus UPPP may benefit severe OSAHS patients with oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal obstruction. The success was best predicted by low BMI and younger age. SIGNIFICANCE: This paper provides reference for patient selection of UPPP plus GAHM, and considers that older or morbidly obese patients with OSAHS should be excluded from this operation.

Anatomic and spiral computed tomographic study of the genial tubercles for genioglossus advancement.

OBJECTIVE: To measure and compare Chinese mandibular genial tubercles measured anatomically and with computed tomography (CT). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Spiral CT scans were taken of 40 adult human skulls; the superior genial spines were measured using anatomic and CT methods. RESULTS: The height and width of the superior genial spines, mandible thickness, and distance from the menton to the inferior and superior margins of the superior genial spines were 5.82 +/- 0.71, 6.98 +/- 1.35, 11.95 +/- 1.59, 11.08 +/- 2.05, and 16.91 +/- 2.30 mm from anatomic measurements and 6.17 +/- 0.71, 7.01 +/- 1.13, 12.19 +/- 1.64, 10.41 +/- 1.55, and 15.73 +/- 2.12 mm using spiral CT, respectively. The anatomic and CT measurements were correlated. CONCLUSION: Spiral CT of the genial tubercles can help locate the osteotomy in genioglossus advancement. SIGNIFICANCE: This study acquired reference data on Chinese genial tubercles demonstrating that CT measurements of the genial tubercles reflect their anatomy, which should allow accurately locate the osteotomy.

[Effectiveness of combined surgery for treating severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficiency of a comprehensive surgical approach of genioglossus advancement and hyoid suspension (GAHM) plus uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for treating severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and to evaluate related factors on surgery outcomes. METHODS: Eighteen patients with severe OSAHS (apnea hypopnea index, AHI > 40/h) confirmed with polysomnography received genioglossus advancement and hyoid suspension plus uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. The obstruction in both the oropharynx and the hypopharynx were evaluated by preoperative physical examination, fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy, cephalometry, and computed tomography of the upper airway. The follow up was at least 6 months postoperatively. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the preoperative and postoperative results by SPSS 11.0 for windows. The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the difference between responders and nonresponders. RESULTS: The follow up time ranges from 6 to 24 months, there were statistically significance in all but body mass index (BMI) between preoperative and postoperative measurements. Mean AHI was reduced from preoperative (x +/- s, 63.8 +/- 16.3)/h to postoperative (23.6 +/- 19.5)/h, lowest mean oxygen saturation increased from 0.72 +/- 0.07 to 0.81 +/- 0.13(x +/- s). According to criterion at home, the 6-month rate of responder is 83%, if AHI <20/h and decreased by at least 50% as success, the rate of success is 67%. The age, posterior airway space (PAS) and percentage of time with oxyhemoglobin saturation below 0.90 (CT90) were (39.1 +/- 7.4) years, (8.3 +/- 0.9) mm, (18.5 +/- 10.9)% in responder, while (52.5 +/- 9.4) years, (6.8 +/- 1.3) mm, (37.7 +/- 23.6) % in nonresponder, and there are statistically significant between responder and nonresponder. CONCLUSIONS: GAHM plus UPPP is effective surgical approach for patients with severe OSAHS who suffer from oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal obstruction. Age, PAS and CT90 were possible affective factors on surgical outcomes.

[Anatomic and spiral computed tomographic study of the genial tubercles for genioglossus advancement].

OBJECTIVE: To study anatomic and computed tomographic measurements of Chinese mandibular genial tubercles and to evaluate the correlations between them. METHODS: The axial images were taken by spiral CT in 40 adult human skulls with 1 mm thick section from infraorbital margin to menton. Sagittal plane reconstruction was produced through mandibular central line. Then the height and width of superior genial tubercles, the distance between menton and inferior margin of genial tubercles, the distance between mandibular incisor apex and superior margin of superior genial tubercles, the thickness of mandible were measured respectively. Thereafter anatomic measurements were taken by the same methods as computed tomographic images. The measured value were showed as means +/- standard deviation, then paired-t test and correlation analysis was made by SPSS 10.0. RESULTS: The genioglossus almost origins from superior genial tubercles, geniohyoideus from inferior genial tubercles. The height of superior genial tubercles which were measured by anatomy and spiral CT were (5.82 +/- 0.71) mm and (6.17 +/- 0.71) mm respectively. The width of superior genial tubercles were (6.98 +/- 1.35) mm and (7.01 +/- 1.13) mm. The distance between menton and inferior margin of superior genial tubercles were (11.08 +/- 2.05) mm and (10.41 +/- 1.55) mm. The distance between mandibular incisor apex and superior margin of superior genial tubercles for male were (15.57 +/- 1.82) mm and (14.34 +/- 2.06)mm, and for female were (9.36 +/- 2.79) mm (8.78 +/- 2.53) mm. The thickness of mandibles at genial tubercles were (11.95 +/- 1.59) mm and (12.19 +/- 1.64) mm. The distance from menton to superior margin of superior genial tubercles were (16.1 +/- 2.30) mm and (15.73 +/- 2.12) mm. The correlations between anatomic measurements and spiral CT measurements of the above mentioned parameters were significant except for height of superior genial tubercles (r = 0.59 - 0.92). CONCLUSION: The anatomic and spiral CT measurements of genial tubercles appear to have significant correlations. Preoperative spiral CT measurements of genial tubercles could be help for the design of osteotomy in genioglossus advancement.

[Spectrophotometric study on the color reaction of multicomponent complex of tungsten-3,5-dibromosalicyl fluorone-CTMAB-Tween80].

In the presence of mixed surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide(CTMAB) and Tween80, the photometric analysis properties of color reaction of 3,5-dibronosalicyl fluorone (DBSAF) with tungsten(VI) were studied. The experimental result showed that tungsten(VI) reacted with DBSAF to form a micelle complex with a maximum absorption at 527 nm in a 0.60 mol x L(-1) hydrochloric acid medium. The mixed surfactant remarkably improved the sensitivity of the method and the dissolubility of the complex. The apparent molar absorptivity of the complex is 2.64 x 10(5) L x mol(-1) x cm(-1) at 527 nm. Tungsten (VI) reacted with DBSAF to form a complex with a stoichiometric ratio of 1:2, which was determined by mole ratio method and continual method of transformation, respectively. Beer's law was obeyed in the range of 0-400 microg tungsten (VI) per L. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of trace amount of tungsten in alloy steel samples.

Effect of CuO on the efficiency of sulfur capture of Ca-based compounds during coal combustion.

The efficiency of sulfur capture of CaO, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3 as well as the effect of CuO on them were studied. Results showed that the efficiency of sulfur capture of Ca(OH)2 is the highest among these three compounds. When CuO was used with each of CaO, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3 at the same time, the efficiency of all of them would rise, and that of Ca(OH)2 raise most. The efficiency of sulfur capture of Ca(OH)2 with CuO is 14.4% higher than that without CuO.