Nicorandil protects against ischaemia-reperfusion injury in newborn rat kidney.

Ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is the predominant cause of acute kidney injury. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. The current study investigated the effects of nicorandil on ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and the potential signal transduction pathway(s) in a rat kidney IRI model and in cultured tubular HK-2 cells subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury. The standard procedure for IRI was performed in newborn rat kidneys. Pretreatment with nicorandil (10 mg/kg) 2 h prior to induction of IRI improved renal function, attenuated tubule damage, and prevented apoptosis of tubule cells, infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, and production of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17 and tumour necrosis factor-α. Ischaemia-reperfusion-induced reduction of KIR6.2 was restored to normal levels by nicorandil. The activation of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-nuclear factor (NF)-κB axis was detected in this rat kidney IRI model, which was blocked by nicorandil. The renoprotection of nicorandil against IRI was abolished by its inhibitor glibenclamide (1 mg/kg). Similar results were obtained in OGD/R-damaged HK-2 cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrated the specific renoprotective role of nicorandil in the newborn rat IRI kidney by decreasing the production of inflammatory cytokines, and restoring the expression of KIR6.2 potentially through the PI3K-Akt-NF-κB axis.

Findings of chest radiograph and spiral computed tomography in Swyer-James syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of X-ray and spiral computed tomography (SCT) in the diagnosis of Swyer-James syndrome (SJS). METHODS: A total of 28 patients, 12 males and 16 females, were studied retrospectively. Ages ranged from 11 to 57 years, the mean age was 32 years. All patients underwent inspiratory chest X-ray films, 5 with expiratory chest films and 1 with bronchogram. Furthermore, inspiratory and expiratory SCT scans were performed. The SCT findings were analyzed and compared with X-ray films. RESULTS: SCT demonstrated 56 lobes with hyperlucency and diminished vascularity. The size of 51 lobes were smaller and 5 were normal. X-ray films showed that hyperlucency was only in 29 lobes, in which 19 lobes were small-sized and the other 10 lobes normal. There were 56 lobes with air-trapping on expiratory SCT scans, but only 5 lobes with air-trapping on expiratory X-ray films. Bronchogram in 1 case demonstrated bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis obliterans. SCT showed 24 patients with bronchiectasis, 9 patients with tuberculosis, 10 patients with bronchiolitis, and 2 with segmental collapse. CONCLUSION: SCT scan is superior to chest radiography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SJS.

[Application of multi-slice spiral CT angiography after endoluminal exclusion of aortic diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the application of multi-slice spiral CT angiography (MSCTA) after endoluminal exclusion of aortic diseases. METHODS: 16-slice CT angiography was performed in 15 patients with aortic dissection and 4 patients with aortic aneurysm after endovascular exclusion. Two observers analysed the images and interpreted the outcomes and complications after endovascular exclusions of aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm. RESULTS: In 19 patients, thrombus was found in all the false lumens of aortic dissection and the outer-stent cavity of aortic aneurysm. However, one patient with aortic aneurysm graft thrombosis; 4 patients had endo-leak (3 with type I endo-leak, 1 with type III endo-leak complicating graft deformation); one achieved perfusion recovery, and one experienced thrombolysis of superior mesenteric artery. CONCLUSION: MSCTA can be an objective tool for the post-operative evaluation of endovascular exclusion of aortic diseases.

[Multi-slice spiral CT imaging in the post-operative assessment of cochlear implanted electrode].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) in the post-operative assessment of cochlear implanted electrode. METHODS: Twenty-three cochlear implant recipients were enrolled in this study. All patients were examined with a SOMATOM Sensation 16-slice CT scanner (Siemens) using the following parameters: 120 kV, 100 mAs, 0. 75 mm collimation, 1 mm reconstruction slice thickness and increment, a pitch factor of 1, and a FOV of 100 mm. The axial images of interested ears were reconstructed with 0.1 mm increment and a FOV of 50 mm, and then volume rendering technique (VRT) reconstruction were done on the work station. RESULTS: The electrode arrays were detected on axial CT images. Both inner ear and electrode array could be displayed on one image simultaneously. VRT provided an intuitionistic view of the relationship between electrode array and cochlea VRT showed the number of the electrode array in 20 patients implanted with Combi 40 + standard electrode array and demonstrated the shape, position, and insertion depth. The electrode array number determined by VRT was in accordance with the surgical findings in 18 patients, and was underestimated in two patients. In 3 patients with Combi 40 + compressed electrode array, only 4 to 5 electrodes arrays were clearly identified and others were not observed. CONCLUSION: MSCT with VRT can provide useful three-dimensional information of the electrode array and indicate the exact relationship between electrode array and cochlea.

Post-traumatic stress disorder after typhoon disaster and its correlation with platelet 5-HT concentrations.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate residents' psychological stress factors and research the correlation between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and platelet 5-HT concentrations so as to provide scientific bases for diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and psychological intervention for people in the disaster area. METHODS: A questionnaire survey of 5500 residents who have accepted psychological help was conducted by the emphatic investigation method. While high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the platelet serotonin concentration of 100 PTSD patients and 100 healthy people. RESULTS: (1) Of the 5114 cases, 3167 (61.93%) showed positive results in screening for psychological stress symptoms, and 399 (7.8%) were tested having apparent PTSD symptoms. Male and female prevalence showed no significant difference (χ(2) = -0.380, P = 0.704). The differences of prevalence between different age groups were statistically significant (χ(2) = 381.89, P = 0.000). (2) The differences in the level of platelet 5-HT between PTSD patients and normal control group were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The typhoon of Hainan Province caused relatively large psychological problems to the disaster victims. Compared with normal control group, the platelet 5-HT levels of PTSD patients in the disaster areas are lower. It may be related to incidents exposure levels, cultural background, religious ideas, social concerns and psychological rescue of the residents who live in the disaster areas of Hainan.

Using quantitative CT to predict postoperative pulmonary function in patients with lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: At present, the therapy for patients with lung cancer that achieves a high rate of cure is surgical resection at an early stage of the disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate quantitative computed tomography (QCT) for predicting postoperative pulmonary function in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: The data of thirty-one patients with lung cancer who underwent both pulmonary functional tests and QCT scan before operations were collected. A CT program was used to quantify the volume of whole lung parenchyma with attenuation of -910 HU to -600 HU, which was defined as total functional lung volume (TFLV). Similarly, the volume of lung (lobes or segments) with attenuation of -910 HU to -600 HU was defined as regional functional lung volume (RFLV). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), FVC% and FEV1% (ratio to reference values of the matched population) were obtained from preoperational pulmonary functional tests. According to the formula: predicted FVC (pre-FVC) = preoperative FVC x [1-(RFLV/TFLV)]; predicted FEV1 (pre-FEV1) = preoperative FEV1 x [1-(RFLV/TFLV)], we obtained values of predicted FVC, predicted FEV1, predicted FVC% (pre-FVC/reference values of the matched population), and predicted FEV1% (pre-FEV1/reference values of the matched population). The paired t test and Pearson correlation test were used to assess significance of differences and correlations between CT predicted values and postoperative measured results of FVC, FEV1, FVC% and FEV1%. RESULTS: QCT predicted values correlated well with postoperative FVC, FEV1, FVC% and FEV1% (r = 0.873, 0.809, 0.849 and 0.801 respectively, all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: QCT is an effective and accurate way to predict postoperative pulmonary function in patients undergoing pulmonary resection, regardless of the patients' preoperative pulmonary functional status.

Activation of integrin ß1-focal adhesion kinase-RasGTP pathway plays a critical role in TGF beta1-induced podocyte injury.

The depletion of glomerular podocytes is the key mechanism of glomerulosclerosis and progressive renal failure. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGFß) is a central mediator of signaling networks that control a diverse set of cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Though many key events in TGFß1 signaling have been documented at cellular and molecular level in podocytes, the complete effects of TGFß1 on podocyte integrity are still elusive. In this study, the function of adhesion protein integrin ß1, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and a small GTPase Ras was explored in TGFß1-induced podocyte injury. In cultured mouse podocyte, caspase 3-positive cells were counted by flow cytometry to evaluate podocyte damage at different time points after TGFß1 treatment. Immunoblotting assay showed that integrin ß1, FAK, Src kinase, and an adaptor protein Grb2 were activated rapidly after TGFß1 stimulation. Active Ras Pull-Down assay revealed that the active Ras (GTP-bound Ras) level was upregulated in TGFß1-treated cell. Immunoprecipitation results displayed that TGFß1 enhanced the complex formation of integrin ß1, FAK and Src kinase, as well as FAK, Grb2 and Ras. The FAK inhibitor TAE226 and the specific knockdown of Grb2 remarkably alleviated TGFß1-induced podocyte apoptosis. The activation of p38MAPK and Erk1/2, and the nuclear translocation of NFκB(p65) were increased evidently in TGFß1-treated cell, which could be dramatically prohibited by the application of the p38MAPK inhibitor SB202190 and the Ras inhibitor FPT Inhibitor III. The Src kinase inhibitor PP2 obviously prevented the activation of FAK and Ras, as well as the translocation of NFκB(p65) from cytoplasm to nuclei. The PP2, FPT Inhibitor III, and SB202190 significantly decreased TGFß1-induced podocyte apoptosis. Taken together, these data demonstrated that the activation of integrin ß1/Src/FAK and Grb2/RasGTP should be responsible for TGFß1-induced podocyte damage through the p38MAPK and Erk1/2-mediated nuclear translocation of NFκB(p65).

Multislice spiral computed tomography imaging in congenital inner ear malformations.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of multislice spiral computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of congenital inner ear malformations. METHODS: Forty-four patients with sensorineural hearing loss were examined on a Somatom Sensation 16 (Siemens) CT scanner. The 3-dimensional reconstructions and multiplanar reformation (MPR) were performed using the volume-rendering technique (VRT) on the workstation. RESULTS: Of the 44 patients examined for this study, 25 patients were found to be normal and 19 patients (36 ears) were diagnosed with congenital inner ear malformations. Of the malformations, the axial, MPR, and VRT images can all display the site and degree in 33 of the ears. Volume-rendering technique images were superior to the axial images in displaying the malformations in 3 ears with small lateral semicircular canal malformations. The common malformations were Michel deformity (1 ear), common cavity deformity (3 ears), incomplete partition I (3 ears), incomplete partition II (Mondini deformity) (5 ears), vestibular and semicircular canal malformations (14 ears), enlarged vestibular aqueduct (16 ears, 6 of which had other malformations), and internal auditory canal malformation (8 ears, all accompanied by other malformations). CONCLUSIONS: Multislice spiral CT allows a comprehensively assessment of various congenital inner ear malformations through high-quality MPR and VRT reconstructions. Volume-rendering technique images can display the site and degree of the malformation 3-dimensionally and intuitionisticly. This is very useful to the cochlear implantation.

[Diagnostic significance of multi-slice computed tomography imaging in congenital inner ear malformations].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and usability of multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) in congenital inner ear malformations. METHODS: Fourty-four patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) were examined by a Somatom Sensation 16 (siemens, Germany) CT scanner with following parameters: 120 kV, 100 mAs, 0.75 mm collimation, 1 mm reconstruction increment, a pitch factor of 1 and a field of view of 100 mm. The axial images of interested ears were reconstructed with 0.1 mm reconstruction increment, and a field of view of 50 mm. The 3D reconstructions were done with volume rendering technique (VRT) on the workstation (3D Virtuoso and Wizard,siemens). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were normal and 19 patients (36 ears) were congenital inner ear malformations among 44 patients scanned with MSCT. Of the malformations, all the axial, MPR and VRT images can display the site and degree in 33 ears. VRT images were superior to the axial images in displaying the malformations in 3 ears with the small lateral semicircular canal malformations. The malformations were Michel deformity (1 ear), common cavity deformity (3 ears), incomplete partition I (3 ears), incomplete partition II (Mondini deformity, 5 ears), vestibular and semicircular canal malformations( 14 ears), vestibular aqueduct dilate( 16 ears, of which 6 ears accompanied by other malformations), the internal auditory canal malformation(8 ears, all accompanied by other malformations). CONCLUSION: MSCT allows a comprehensively assessing various congenital ear malformations through high quality MPR and VRT reconstructions. VRT images can display the site and degree of the malformations three-dimensionally and intuitionisticly. It is very useful to the cochlear implantation.