Value of CT radiomic features in differential diagnosis of lung metastases / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To distinguish lung metastases of different origin by constructing a classification model according to CT radiomics features.Methods:A total of 226 patients with lung metastases of gastric cancer, breast cancer and kidney cancer attending Chongqing Red Cross Hospital from January 2015 to July 2020, with a total of 402 metastases, were randomly divided into a training cohort (training set, 136 patients, 280 metastases) and a validation cohort (validation set, 90 patients, 122 metastases) by the hold-out method. In addition, 68 patients with lung metastases (138 lung metastases in total) attending Chongqing Red Cross Hospital from August 2020 to April 2022 were matched as an external test cohort (test set). Region of interest segmentation was performed by two experienced radiologists independently and manually without clinical information to construct the model by using LASSO screening for the best radiomic features. Support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF) were selected to build dichotomous and trichotomous models respectively. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the classification efficiency of both models.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in age ( t=-0.06, P=0.534), gender ( χ2<0.01, P=0.961) and number of lung metastases ( χ2=0.71, P=0.703) between the validation and test sets. A total of 792 radiomic features were extracted, 703 of which had good agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient≥0.75), while 89 features being excluded for having poor agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient<0.75). The dichotomous model (SVM) screened 28 (lung metastases from gastric cancer vs. lung metastases from breast cancer), 25 (lung metastases from gastric cancer vs. lung metastases from kidney cancer) and 34 (lung metastases from kidney cancer vs. lung metastases from breast cancer) features, respectively; the trichotomous model (RF) screened 20 features (three types of lung metastases), in which Short Run Emphasis and Inverse Variance were significantly higher in lung metastases from kidney cancer than in the other two types, correlation was higher in lung metastases from gastric cancer than in the other two types, and there was no significant difference in the sphericity of the three lung metastases. For the dichotomous model, in the validation set, the area under the curve (AUC) of the 28 features selected to distinguish gastric cancer lung metastases from breast cancer lung metastases was 0.81, the AUC of the 25 features distinguishing gastric cancer lung metastases from kidney cancer lung metastases was 0.86, and the AUC of the 34 features distinguishing kidney cancer lung metastases from breast cancer lung metastases was 0.92, and the AUCs of the test set were 0.80, 0.79 and 0.86 respectively. For the trichotomous model, the AUC for predicting lung metastases from gastric cancer, breast cancer and kidney cancer in the validation set were 0.85, 0.82 and 0.91 respectively, and both macroscopic and microscopic AUC were 0.85; In the test set, the AUC for predicting lung metastases from gastric cancer, breast cancer, and kidney cancer were 0.77, 0.86 and 0.84 respectively, and both macroscopic and microscopic AUC were 0.81. Conclusion:The SVM and RF models based on CT radiomic features are helpful in distinguishing lung metastases derived from gastric cancer, breast cancer and kidney cancer.

Identification the key factor of pulmonary fibrosis following silica nanoparticles exposure based on bioinformatics analysis / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To investigate the main mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis following silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) exposure through constructing the macrophage-fibroblast model in vitro, which simulated the process of pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: In January 2021, human mononuclear leukemia cells (THP-1) were treated with 0, 25, 50, 100 μg/ml SiNPs for 24 h. The supernatant of THP-1 cells was collected and applied to human embryonic lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5) which divided into control and low, medium and high dose groups at the logarithmic growth stage for 24 h. MRC-5 cell viability was detected by CCK8. The hydroxyproline (Hyp), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression were detected in the supernatants of MRC-5. The changed proteins were detected by liquid-phase mass spectrometry in high dose group. GeneCard database were applied to identity the differential pulmonary fibrosis proteins in high dose group. Gene Ontology (GO) was performed to identity the key biological process in differential pulmonary fibrosis proteins of high dose group. The String database was used to construct the protein-protein interactions (PPI) network of differential pulmonary fibrosis proteins. The APP of CytoHubba was applied to calculate the key protein of differential pulmonary fibrosis proteins in PPI network. Correlation coefficients between key differential pulmonary fibrosis proteins were calculated using Pearson correlation analysis. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of key proteins of differential pulmonary fibrosis proteins in different groups. Results: CCK8 results showed that MRC-5 cell viability was increasing in low, medium and high dose groups compared with control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of Hyp and IL-1β in different group were increased compared with control group, the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were increased in high dose group compared with control group (P<0.05). GeneCard database identified 26 differential pulmonary fibrosis proteins, which were mainly involved in extracellular matrix hydrolysis, cell inflammatory response, tissue repair, cell proliferation, inflammation response by GO analysis. The APP of CytoHubba was calculated that matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) played an important role in PPI network. The results of correlation analysis showed that MMP9 was correlated with the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), TIMP1 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (r=0.97, 0.98, 0.94, 0.93, P<0.05). Western blotting results showed that TIMP1 protein expression was increased in low, medium and high dose groups, while MMP9 protein expression was increased only in high dose group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Differential expression proteins related with pulmonary fibrosis in MRC-5 cells mainly regulate biological processes of extracellular matrix hydrolysis, tissue repair, and cellular inflammation response following SiNPs exposure. MMP9 and TIMP1 may be the key proteins, which affected the fibrosis process in vitro pulmonary fibrosis model.

An injectable hydrogel/staple fiber composite for sustained release of CA4P and doxorubicin for combined chemotherapy of xenografted breast tumor in mice / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To prepare an injectable hydrogel/staple fiber composite loaded with combretastain A-4 disodium phosphate (CA4P) and doxorubicin (DOX) and evaluate its antitumor efficacy via intratumoral injection.@*METHODS@#DOX-loaded PELA staple fibers (FDOX) were prepared using electro-spinning and cryo-cutting, and the drug distribution on the surface of the fibers was observed using a fluorescence microscope, and the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of FDOX were determined with a fluorospectro photometer. The fibers were then dispersed in CA4P-loaded PLGA-PEG-PLGA tri-block polymer solution at room temperature to obtain the hydrogel/staple fiber composite (GCA4P/FDOX). The thermo-sensitivity of this composite was determined by a test tube inverting method. An ultraviolet spectrophotometer and a fluorospectrophotometer were used to detect the release profile of CA4P and DOX, respectively. We observed in vivo gel formation of the composite after subcutaneous injection in mice. The in vitro cytotoxicity of GCA4P/FDOX composite in MCF-7 and 4T1 cells was assessed using cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) reagent. In a mouse model bearing breast tumor 4T1 cell xenograft, we evaluated the antitumor efficacy of the composite by monitoring tumor growth within 30 days after intratumoral injection of the composite. HE staining, immunohistochemistry for Ki67 and immunofluorescence (TUNEL) assay were used for pathological examination of the tumor tissues 21 days after the treatments.@*RESULTS@#The average length of FDOX was 4.0±1.3 μm, and its drug loading capacity was (2.69±0.35)% with an encapsulation efficiency of (89.70±0.12)%. DOX was well distributed on the surface of the fibers. When the temperature increased to 37 ℃, the composite rapidly solidified to form a gel in vitro. Drug release behavior test showed that CA4P was completely released from the composite in 5 days and 87% of DOX was released in 30 days. After subcutaneous injection, the composite solidified rapidly without degradation at 24 h after injection. After incubation with GCA4P/FDOX for 72 h, only 30.6% of MCF-7 cells and 28.9% of 4T1 cells were viable. In the tumor-bearing mice, the tumor volume was 771.9±76.9 mm3 in GCA4P/FDOX treatment group at 30 days. Pathological examination revealed obvious necrosis of the tumor tissues and tumor cell apoptosis induced by intratumoral injection of G4A4P/FDOX.@*CONCLUSION@#As an efficient dual drug delivery system, this hydrogel/staple fiber composite provides a new strategy for local combined chemotherapy of solid tumors.

Crosstalk between CpG Methylation and Polymorphisms (CpG-SNPs) in the Promotor Region of DIO2 in Kashin-Beck Disease / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective This study was designed to determine the methylation profile of four CpGs and the genotypes of two CpG-SNPs located in promoter region of DIO2 in patients with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). We also analyzed the interaction between the CpGs methylations and CpG-SNPs. Methods Whole blood specimens were collected from 16 KBD patients and 16 healthy subjects. Four CpGs and two CpG-SNPs in the promoter regions of DIO2 were detected using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The CpGs methylation levels were compared between samples from KBD patients and healthy subjects. The methylation levels were also analyzed in KBD patients with different CpG-SNP genotypes. Results The mRNA expression of DIO2 in whole blood of KBD patients was significnatly lower than in healthy controls (P <0.05). The methylation levels of DIO2-1_CpG_3 in KBD patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (P <0.05). The methylation levels of four CpGs were not significantly different between KBD patients and healthy controls. The methylation level of DIO2-1_CpG_3 in the promoter region of DIO2 in KBD patients with GA/AA genotype was significantly higher than that of KBD patients with GG genotype (P <0.05). Conclusion The methylation level of DIO2 increases in KBD patients. Similar trends exist in KBD carriers of variant genotypes of CpG-SNPs DIO2 rs955849187.

A review on the application of UK Biobank in neuroimaging / 生物医学工程学杂志

UK Biobank (UKB) is a forward-looking epidemiological project with over 500, 000 people aged 40 to 69, whose image extension project plans to re-invite 100, 000 participants from UKB to perform multimodal brain magnetic resonance imaging. Large-scale multimodal neuroimaging combined with large amounts of phenotypic and genetic data provides great resources to conduct brain health-related research. This article provides an in-depth overview of UKB in the field of neuroimaging. Firstly, neuroimage collection and imaging-derived phenotypes are summarized. Secondly, typical studies of UKB in neuroimaging areas are introduced, which include cardiovascular risk factors, regulatory factors, brain age prediction, normality, successful and morbid brain aging, environmental and genetic factors, cognitive ability and gender. Lastly, the open challenges and future directions of UKB are discussed. This article has the potential to open up a new research field for the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases.

Clinical characteristics of 10 patients with uremic tumoral calcinosis / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with uremic tumoral calcinosis (UTC).Methods:A total of 10 patients with UTC were enrolled in this study, who were admitted in the Department of Nephrology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital and Beijing Chuiyangliu Hospital from March 2013 to February 2019.Results:The average age of 4 male and 6 female patients on regular hemodialysis was (39.90±8.57) years. The average dialysis duration was(5.90±2.57) years. Three patients presented as single lesion of one joint, the other 7 patients as involvement of multiple large joints. Serum calcium was elevated in 2 patients,both over 2.75 mmol/L. Serum hyperphosphatemia was seen in all patients with average level 2.22 (1.94,2.44) mmol/L. Serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) was remarkably increased in 9 patients with average level 1 348.0(854.8,1 800.0) ng/L, while only 1 patient reported slight elevation (92.4 ng/L).High-sensitivity C-reactive protein increased in all 10 patients with average 35.81 (17.60,74.20) mg/L. The imaging findings before treatment suggested that a large number of irregular masses of calcification shadows deposited in the soft tissue adjacent to the joints. The outlines of calcification were clear without significant bone absorption. Nine patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) were treated with parathyroidectomy, resulting in lesions diminishing or even disappearing. A total of 32 parathyroid glands were resected, and pathological results showed that 7 parathyroids were diffuse hyperplasia, 11 as diffuse/nodular hyperplasia, the rest 14 as nodular hyperplasia. At least one hyperplastic parathyroid gland was seen in each patient. Only 1 patient received medical therapy yet no obvious improvement was observed.Conclusion:UTC is a rare complication in patients on regular hemodialysis, which is usually associated with severe SHPT. Parathyroid surgery may improve the clinical outcome.

Inhibitory effect of miRNA-126 on inflammatory response in mice with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury / 医学研究生学报

ObjectiveThe mechanism of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is highly associated with the inflammatory response. MiRNA-126 plays a key role in vascular inflammation. This study aims to investigate the effect of miRNA-126 on the inflammatory response in mice accompanying cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through the NLRP3/NF-κB signal axis, and to explore the mechanisms involved.Methods A total of forty-eight male mice were randomly divided into four groups: the sham-operated group, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model group, miRNA negative control group (miRNA-126 agomir NC group) and miRNA-126 overexpression group (miRNA-126 agomir group), and each group included twelve mice. The neurobehavioral score was recorded. The left-brain of the mice was sacrificed after anesthesia, and the water content of the brain tissue was measured. HE staining and light microscopy were used to identify the histopathological changes of the cerebral of the mice. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 in brain tissue and serum of mice were detected by ELISA. Western Blot method was used to determine the protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, NF-κB p65, NF-κB P50, p-NF-κB 65 and p-NF-κB 50 in brain tissues of mice in each group. RT-PCR was used to test the expression levels of miRNA126, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, NF-κB p65 and NF-κB P50 in brain tissue and serum of mice.ResultsIn the sham-operated group, the morphology, and structure of cerebral cortex were normal as healthy mice, being with the dense and orderly arrangement of nerve fibers, with no occurrence of impaired nerve function, and the neurobehavioral score was zero. In both of model group and the miRNA-126 agomir NC group, the ruptured cerebral cortex could be observed visually being with necrotic and disordered cells. The blurred pyknosis and interstitial edema occurred with increased water content of brain tissue. The nerve damage was observed with a significantly increased neurobehavioral score (P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the pathological morphology of the cerebral cortex in the miRNA-126 agomir group was significantly improved, and the number of necrotic cells was decreased, the arrangement of which was denser and more orderly. Reduced interstitial edema and the neurobehavioral score were identified. The significantly improved nerve injury and the decreased water content of brain tissue were observed as well (P<0.05). Compared to the sham-operated group A, the expression level of miRNA-126 mRNA in the model group and the miRNA-126 agomir NC group decreased significantly. The expression level of IL-1β and IL-6 increased, while the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, NF-κB p65, NF-κB p50, p-NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p50, and NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, NF-κB p65, NF-κB p50 mRNA increased generally (P<0.05). Compared to the model group and the miRNA-126 agomir NC group, the expression level of miRNA-126 mRNA in the miRNA-126 agomir group increased. However, the expression level of IL-1β and IL-6 decreased, and the expression level of NLRP3/NF-κB signal axis related gene protein and mRNA decreased (P<0.05).ConclusionOverexpression of miRNA-126 can inhibit the expression of NLRP3/NF-κB signal axis related genes and the level of inflammation in brain tissue, and improve the neurological injury of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in mice.

Clinical and fundamental research Yinhua Miyanling Tablets in treating urinary tract infection / 中国中药杂志

As the famous Chinese patent medicine, Yinhua Miyanling Tablets, which was derived from ancient prescription denominated Bazhengsan, has not only the effects in clearing away heat and purging pathogenic fire, removing dampness and relieving stranguria, but also have the functions of detoxifying and tonifying. A great number of scientific studies have demonstrated that Yinhua Mi-yanling Tablets played significant roles in destroying harmful microbes and resisting inflammatory and diuresis. Compared with antibiotics, traditional antibacterial Chinese patent medicine Yinhua Miyanling Tablets has the advantage in bacterial resistance in long-term use. Fundamental studies about the content of pharmaceutical ingredients and the modern pharmacology of Yinhua Miyanling Tablets were collected and summarized, which conduces to indicating the active ingredients of Yinhua Miyanling Tablets with the medicinal efficacy from the molecular level and the internal mechanism of Yinhua Miyanling Tablets in the treatment of urinary tract infection(UTI) from the scientific perspective. In the field of clinical research, literatures associated with Yinhua Miyanling Tablets for the treatment of UTI were summarized and analyzed in terms of treatment type, administration mode, dosage, frequency of medication, course, efficiency, side effects and whether combined with healthy lifestyle. These literatures confirmed the medicinal values and the application prospect of Yinhua Miyanling Tablets in treating UTI, especially acute UTI, which provides a scientific theoretical foundation and a correct direction for the clinical application of Yinhua Miyanling Tablets. In conclusion, this article contributes to the standardization of Yinhua Miyanling Tablets in the treatment of UTI, in the expectation of giving the scientific guidance for clinical practice.

Clinical application evaluation of clinical practice guideline on traditional Chinese medicine therapy alone or combined with antibiotics for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection / 中国中药杂志

A questionnaire survey of 1 000 clinicians having experience in treating uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections from different levels of hospitals was conducted to mainly evaluate the applicability and effectiveness of clinical application of clinical practice guideline on traditional Chinese medicine therapy alone or combined with antibiotics for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection(hereinafter referred to as Guideline). The research was conducted with the three-level quality control strictly throughout the process, and the data was real and reliable. The survey's results showed that: most clinicians considered that the Guideline had good clinical applicability. The availability and price of the recommended medicine were moderate. Traditional Chinese medicine had obvious features and advantages in treating lower urinary tract infection for it could reduce the usage of antibiotics and shorten the course of antibiotic application. In the recommendation section, clinicians proposed increasing medication guidance, updating the Guideline timely, as well as increasing treating methods and techniques, strengthen propaganda and promotion, and improve the use of evidence-based methods. In the evaluation of effectiveness, the majority of clinicians agreed that the definition in both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine and differential diagnosis in the Guideline were accurately described and the basic principle of treatment as well as the treating method of TCM were recommended appropriately. The TCM formulas and Chinese patent medicine had good effect. Some clinicians suggested refining the syndrome differentiation of stranguria. Some clinicians considered that the formulas and herbs recommended in Guideline didn't have obvious effect and some had doubts about the manipulation of fumigation and washing in the part of other methods recommended in Guideline. Moreover, specification and procedure of manipulation of fumigation and washing using herbs and the acupuncture included in characteristic TCM therapy treating uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection remained to be developed.

Correlation of serum androgen levels with lipid metabolism in middle-aged and elderly men in Zunyi, Guizhou / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the relationship of the levels of serum androgens with lipid metabolism in middle-aged and elderly men in Zunyi, Guizhou.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using the stratified cluster sampling method, we conducted a questionnaire investigation and physical examinations among 437 men in Zunyi City. We divided the subjects into a middle-aged (40－64 ［53.20 ± 7.41］ years, n = 269) and an elderly group (=≥65 ［70.63 ± 4.66］ years, n = 168) and collected fasting elbow venous blood samples from them for measuring the levels of total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), total cholesterol (TCH), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), calculated free testosterone (cFT), free testosterone index (FTI), and testosterone secretion index (TSI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the elderly group, the middle-aged males showed significantly lower SHBG, LH, HDL and LDL, and higher cFT, FTI, TSI, TG and TCH (all P < 0.05). TT and SHBG were negatively correlated with TG, TCH, HDL and LDL, while cFT was positively correlated with TCH, and so was FTI with TG, TCH with LDL, and TSI with TCH, HDL and LDL (all P < 0.05), but LH was negatively correlated with TG, TCH and LDL (all P < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that TT and SHBG were negatively correlated with TG, TCH, HDL and LDL, and so was LH with TCH, HDL and LDL (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In the middle-aged and elderly men in Zunyi, low concentrations of TT, SHBG and LH were associated with the increased risk of high-TCH and -LDL dyslipidemia, low concentrations of TT and SHBG with that of high-TG dyslipidemia, while high concentrations of TT, SHBG and LH with that of low-HDL dyslipidemia.</p>

Preventive Effect of Salvia Miltiorrhiza on Acute Acoustic Trauma Induced by Rifle Shooting / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To study the protective effects of salvia miltiorrhiza on acute acoustic trauma (AAT) showed by temporary threshold shifts (TTS) induced by impulse noise.Methods A total of 62 male soldiers from a boot camp were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group,each with 31 persons.The experimental group was treated with salvia miltiorrhiza,and the control group with placebo.Salvia miltiorrhiza was taken orally at the dosage of 780 mg each time,three times a day for 3 consecutive days before the live fire training and 1 day after the live fire training.The pure tone thresholds of right ears of these two groups were measured and compared 72 hours before live fire training and 6 hours after the live fire training.Results The puretone averages at 0.5,1 and 2 kHz of the right ears of the experimental group and the control group before live fire training were 16.32±6.12 dB and 16.21±5.42 dB,respectively,and the averages at 4,6 and 8 kHz were 14.22±5.16 dB and 14.89±5.38 dB,respectively.There were no significant differences between the 2 groups(P＞0.05).The PTAs of the right ears of the experimental group and the control group 6 hours after live fire training were 21.88±5.71 dB and 21.66±6.62 dB,respectively(P＞0.05),while the HPTAs were 25.89 ± 7.97 dB and 39.75 ± 7.84 dB,respectively(P＜0.01).There were significant differences in TTS between the two groups at 4,6 and 8 kHz(P＜ 0.01).Conclusion Salvia miltiorrhiza can reduce TTS at high frequencies induced by AAT.It has a potential preventive effect on AAT.

Application of Dexamethasone Reduces Sensorineural High Frequency Hearing Loss after Mastoidectomy / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To investigate the protective effect of dexamethasone on hearing loss induced by canalwall-down mastoidectomy.Methods A total of 76 patients (76 ears) were randomized to dexamethasone group and non dexamethasone group with 38 patients in each group.For dexamethasone group,gelfoam soaked with dexamethasone (5 mg/ml) was topically applied to the round window niche at the end of the surgery,and dexamethasone was administrated intravenously at the dosage of 5 mg/50 kg immediately after the surgery.While for non-dexamethasone group,dexamctbasone was not used.The pure-tone audiograms were performed before mastoidectomy and 90 days after the surgery.Absolute bearing change was defined as the difference in hearing thresholds in decibels before and after the surgery.Results The changes of bone conduction thresholds in dexamethasone group were 8.3± 3.9 dB at 6 kHz,11.3±5.2 dB at 8 kHz,and 10.1±7.2 dB for HPTA (4-6-8 kHz high tone average).As in non-dexamethasone group,the changes of bone conduction thresholds were 13.7±4.6 dB at 6 kHz,25.1±5.4 dB at 8 kHz,19.3±9.7 dB for HPTA.There were significant differences in the changes of bone conduction thresholds between dexamethasone and non dexamethasone groups at frequencies of 6 kHz (P=0.039),8 kHz (P=0.007) and HPTA (P=0.009).Conclusion The results demonstrated that application of dexamethasone significantly reduced sensorineural high frequencies (6 kHz and 8 kHz) hearing loss after canal-wall down mastoidectomy,thus the use of dexamethasone is recommended.

MRI diagnosis of intracranial extra-encephalon cavernous angiomas / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate MRI diagnosis of intracranial extra-encephalon cavernous angiomas.Methods In 9 intracranial extra-encephalon cavernous angiomas,5 masses located in the parasellar,2 masses in the lateral ventricle triangle,1 mass in the fourth ventricle and 1 mass in temporal subdural space.The MRI features of the masses were analyzed.Results 5 parasellar cavernous angiomas enclosed the ipsilateral internal carotid artery and extended the saddle.The masses showed homogeneous low intensity on T1WI,high intensity on T2WI,obvious enhancement on enhanced scan.Of 2 cavernous angiomas in the right lateral ventricle triangle, 1 mass showed homogeneous low intensity on T 1WI,high intensity on T2WI,obvious enhancement on enhanced scan;the other mass showed isointensity on T1WI,slight high intensity on T2WI,high intensity on DWI,low intensity on SWI and patchy enhancement on enhanced scan.1 cavernous angioma located in the fourth ventricular showed mixed intensity on T 1WI and T2WI,low signal rim around the mass on T2WI,inhomogeneous high intensity on DWI sequence and little enhancement on enhanced scan.1 mass located in temporal subdural space showed homogeneous low intensity on T 1WI,high intensity on T2WI,low intensity on DWI,isointensity on SWI and homogeneous obvious enhancement on enhanced scan.Conclusion The MRI findings of the intracranial extra-encephalon cavernous angiomas are characteristic.Most masses show homogeneous low intensity on T1WI,high intensity on T2WI and obvious enhancement on enhanced scan.The masses should mainly be distinguished from meningiomas.

Vasectomy has no obvious longterm influence on the levels of serum androgens in aging males / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To explore the longterm influence of vasectomy on the levels of serum androgens in aging males.@*METHODS@#Using stratified random sampling, we conducted a questionnaire survey and physical examinations among 437 adult males aged ≥40 years, 232 with and 205 without the history of vasectomy. In addition, we measured the levels of serum total testosterone (TT), sexhormone binding globulin (SHBG), calculated free testosterone (cFT), testosterone secreting index (TSI), free testosterone index (FTI), and luteinizing hormone (LH).@*RESULTS@#Compared with the nonvasectomy group, the vasectomy group showed significantly increased levels of serum TT (［16.01±5.41］ vs ［17.39±6.57］ nmol/L), SHBG (［58.91±36.89］ vs ［70.28±40.90］ nmol/L), and LH (［8.86±6.49］ vs ［10.85±11.73］ IU/L) (all P0.05), nor after adjustment for relevant factors in TT (β: 1.015, 95% CI: －0.180－2.210), SHBG (β: 5.118, 95% CI: －2.069－12.305), cFT (β: 0.003, 95% CI: －0.011－0.018), FTI (β: －0.012, 95% CI: －0.035－0.011), TSI (β: 0.138, 95% CI: －0.131－0.407), and LH (β: 1.011, 95% CI: －0.811－2.834) (all P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Vasectomy has no obvious longterm influence on the levels of serum androgens in aging males.

Review on advantages and evidence of treating and preventing urinary tract infection in traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Urinary tract infection (UTI) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) belongs to the category of stranguria. This article describes the unsatisfactory situations in clinical practice such as antibiotics abuse, increasing of drug-resistant bacteria, high recurrence rate, etc. According to evidence-based medicine, literatures as evidence are collected for summarizing and analyzing and the result shows the advantages of TCM of relieving symptoms, reducing the dosage of antibiotics, less side effects, lower recurrence rate, etc. In the field of fundamental research, literatures associated with UTI are also summarized and analysed from several perspectives, such as causes, pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation, pharmacological effects of Chinese herbal medicine, working mechanism of non-drug therapy, etc and the result presents that integrated treatment of TCM in UTI has significant advangtages and its own characteristic.

Clinical analysis of curative effect of acellular dermal matrix contrast with temporalis fascia in type Ⅰ tympanoplasty / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical curative effect of acellular dermal matrix contrast with temporalis fascia in type Ⅰ tympanoplasty. METHODS A retrospective analysis of 60 inflammatory chronic suppurative otitis media patients from January 2014 to January 2015 in Genenral Hospital of PLA Guangzhou Military Area were conducted.All cases were perpormed the ear incision under local anesthesia, including 32 cases(32 ears) with acellular dermal matrix, 28 cases(28 ears) with temporal fascia. The operation time, postoperative pain, the healing of tympanic membrane and the postoperative recovery were compared between the two groups. RESULTS There was significant difference in the operation time and postoperative pain between the two groups(P0.05). CONCLUSION The effect of acellular dermal matrix for repairing tympanic membrane is similar to the temporalis fascia. The use of acellular dermal matrix has the advantage of shorter operation time, less postoperative pain, and can avoid regional two incisions, it is worthy of clinical application.

Correlation of the expressions of serum hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and brain-derived neurotrophic factor with cognitive impairment in Wistar rats under different hypoxia conditions / 医学研究生学报

Objective Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) often causes damage to multiple systems, especially to the central nervous system, inducing cognitive dysfunction.This study aims to explore the possible correlation of the expressions of serum hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) with cognitive impairment in rats under different hypoxia conditions.Methods Twenty-four Wistar rats were equally randomized into a normal control, a chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), and a chronic continuous hypoxia (CCH) group.The rats of the CIH group were placed in a hypoxia chamber filled with N2 and air, the oxygen concentration switched from (7±0.5)% to 21%, 1.5 minutes for each state and 4 minutes for each cycle, while those of the CCH group were placed in another hypoxia chamber with the oxygen concentration of (7±0.5)%, 8 hours a day and all for 30 days.Then we recorded the body weight of the rats, detected the expressions of serum HIF-1α and BDNF by ELISA, and observed the changes of behavior by Morris water maze test and those of the hippocampal morphological structure by HE staining.Results At 30 days after modeling, the body weight of the rats was significantly decreased in the CIH and CSH groups as compared with the normal control ([195.75±6.497] and [180.88±12.017] vs [218.63±15.287] g, P<0.05).Positioning navigation showed that the escape latency was significantly longer in the hypoxia models than in the controls (P<0.05), even longer in the CIH than in the CCH group (P<0.05).Spatial exploration test manifested a lower frequency of crossing the platform in the CIH and CCH groups than in the control ([2.63±1.45] and [3.22±1.30] vs [4.97±0.47] times, P<0.05).The expression levels of serum HIF-1α and BDNF were significantly higher in the CIH ([36.14±9.34] and [1625.34±332.44] pg/mL) and CCH ([27.27±6.88] and [1204.07±363.81] pg/mL) than in the normal control group ([14.11±4.06] and [1036.40±124.48] pg/mL) (P<0.05), even higher in the CIH than in the CCH group (P<0.05).HE staining exhibited scattered and disorderly arrangement of hippocampal neurons in the model rats, with unclear nuclear membrane, pyknosis of the nuclei, darkly stained cytoplasm, and some damaged cells.More obvious absence and vacuolization of some cells were observed in the rats of the CIH group.Conclusion Chronic hypoxia inhibits the growth and development of rats and induces cognitive dysfunction.High-level HIF-1α in chronic intermittent hypoxia indicates hypoxia-stress of the body, while compensatory increase of serum BDNF may be involved in neuronal cell damage regulation.

Investigation on cognitive misunderstandings in English learning among the students with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) majors in TCM universities / 国际中医中药杂志

To investigate the current condition of cognitive misunderstandings of English learning among students with traditional Chinese medicine majors, in order to put forward strategies for English learning in TCM universities.The investigation was carried out by the method of questionnaires among the students with TCM majors. Another investigation was carried out by interviews with TCM students, English teachers and experts, TCM teachers and experts. Cognitive misunderstandings of English learning among students with TCM majors occurred, such as low participation of English extracurricular learning, wrong learning motivation, weak awareness of self-learning and international exchange and communication. There were 3 ways for solving cognitive misunderstandings, including that students could improve the correct learning attitude and self-learning awareness and practice, that English and TCM teachers and experts could give students some advice of career development and TCM internationalization, and that TCM universities could reinforce English and bilingual teacher team construction, improve educational environment.

Comparison of three different types of donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for intermediate and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome / 中华血液学杂志

Objective@#To investigate three different types of donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for intermediate and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) .@*Methods@#Between August 2001 and May 2015, 167 consecutive patients with MDS in intermediate and high-risk who underwent allogeneic HSCT were analyzed retrospectively.@*Results@#With the median follow up of 60 (12-177) months, The total 5-year DFS was 67.8% (95%CI 60.0%-75.6%) . Among three different types of donor, 5-year DFS rates were 68.0% (95%CI 54.1%-81.9%) in MSD-HSCT vs 77.4% (95%CI 62.1%-92.7%) in MUD-HSCT vs 64.0% (95% CI 52.4%-75.6%) in Haplo-HSCT (P=0.632) , respectively. Univariate analysis showed that median disease course before HSCT was the influencing factor of DFS (P=0.018) . Five-year relapse and TRM had no correlation with the above-mentioned factor.@*Conclusions@#Haplo-HSCT for intermediate and high-risk MDS achieved similar effect produced by MUD or MSD, Haplo-HSCT could be used as an important alternative donor. allo-HSCT must be performed on intermediate and high-risk MDS patients as early as possible after diagnosis.

Effect of minimal residual disease monitoring by multiparameter flow cytometry pre-conditioning on prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effect of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) pre-conditioning on prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission (CR1-AML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) , and to explore the value of MRD monitoring by MFC in the prognosis evaluation on allo-HSCT in CR1-AML.@*Methods@#Between April 2012 and March 2015, consecutive 186 patients with CR1-AML who underwent allo-HSCT were analyzed retrospectively. MRD in BM before conditioning was detected by eight-color MFC. Any level of residual disease was considered to be MRD positive.@*Results@#①Of 186 patients, MRD was negative in 151 patients, positive in 35 patients (<1% in 25 patients and 1% to 3% in 10 patients) . ② With the median follow up of 18 (5-41) months, two-year DFS was 80.0% (95%CI 68.5%-92.3%) . Univariate analysis showed that MRD positive patients had lower DFS[62.9% (95%CI 50.6%-75.2%) vs 88.9% (95%CI 76.6%-100.0%) , P<0.001], higher relapse[11.4% (95%CI 4.1%-29.0%) vs 3.3% (95% CI 0.6%-20.9%) , P=0.003] and higher NRM [25.7% (95% CI 8.1%-43.3%) vs 7.9% (95% CI 1.3%-26.5%) , P=0.001] after HSCT compared with that of MRD negative patients. Secondary AML showed lower DFS than primary AML [60.0% (95% CI 42.4%-76.6%) vs 86.0% (95% CI 68.4%-100.0%) , P=0.004]. ③Multivariate analysis indicated that MRD positive pre-HSCT was the independent risk factor on DFS [HR=4.565 (95%CI 2.918-9.482) , P<0.001], relapse [HR=5.854 (95%CI 1.538-22.288) , P=0.010] and NRM [HR=3.379 (95%CI 1.361-8.391) , P=0.009] after allo-HSCT in CR1-AML.@*Conclusion@#MRD positive pre-conditioning was the only negative impact factor for patients with CR1-AML after allo-HSCT. MRD by MFC can be used to assess the prognosis of CR1-AML after allo-HSCT.