3D-pCASL与DSC-MRI在急性轻度创伤性脑损伤中的应用价值

目的探讨三维伪连续式动脉自旋标记(3D-pCASL)技术和动态磁敏感对比磁共振成像(DSC-MRI)技术在急性轻度创伤性脑损伤(mTBI)中的临床应用价值。方法选取25例急性轻度创伤性脑损伤患者的常规MRI、磁敏感加权成像(SWI)、DWI、3D-pCASL和DSC-MRI图像。比较3D-pCASL与DSC-MRI两种灌注成像技术所测得的脑血流量(CBF)与相对脑血流量(rCBF)的差异。结果3D-pCASL与DSC-MRI可发现常规MRI无法显示的mTBI患者脑内血流灌注减低区域。两种技术测量局部脑内低灌注区和对侧镜面区配对t检验结果,CBF(P<0.01)和rCBF(P<0.01)差异有统计学意义。3D-pCASL和DSC-MRI两种方法所测得的CBF与rCBF有显著相关性(r=0.622,P=0.001)。结论3D-pCASL和DSC-MRI技术对显示脑内低灌注病灶具有较好的一致性。这两种方法在评估mTBI患者的局部血流灌注情况方面有很好的应用价值,对临床早期诊断与改善预后具有重要意义。     

Forensic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the Chinese Han population from Chongqing Municipality,Southwest China

Chongqing Han is an important southern Han group, but investigations on its paternal genetic structure are still limited. Here, we analyzed the forensic and phylogenetic characteristics of the Chongqing Han population based on 27 Y-STR and predicted Y-SNP markers. Based on AMOVA, haplogroup distribution and network analysis, we explored the genetic relationship between Chongqing Han, other Chinese groups and some southern indigenous groups (speaking Kra-Dai, Austronesian, etc).     

Effects of chronic apical periodontitis on the inflammatory response of the aorta in hyperlipemic rats

Clinical Oral Investigations - To study the effects of chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) on the inflammatory response and initial lesion of aorta in hyperlipemic rats. Sprague–Dawley (SD)...     

Quercetin reduces erosive dentin wear: Evidence from laboratory and clinical studies

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of quercetin on the acid resistance of human dentin through both laboratory and clinical studies.MethodsTwo hundred and twelve dentin blocks (2 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm) were prepared and used. For the laboratory study, dentin specimens were randomly divided into 8 groups (n = 12): deionized water, ethanol, 1.23 × 10⁴ μg/ml sodium fluoride (NaF), 120 μg/ml chlorhexidine, 183.2 μg/ml epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and 75 μg/ml, 150 μg/ml, and 300 μg/ml quercetin (Q75, Q150, and Q300). The specimens were treated with the respective solutions for 2 min and then subjected to in vitro erosion (4 cycles/d for 7 d). The surface microhardness loss (%SMH_l), erosive dentin wear, and surface morphology were evaluated and compared. For the impact on MMP inhibition, the release of crosslinked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and the thickness of the demineralized organic matrix (DOM) were measured using additional dentin specimens. For the clinical study, the specimens were treated with NaF or Q300 for 2 min and then subjected to in vivo erosion (4 cycles/d for 7 d). The %SMH_l and erosive dentin wear of the specimens were measured to determine whether quercetin similarly inhibits erosion in situ.ResultsThe quercetin-treated group had a significantly lower %SMH_l and erosive dentin wear than any other group, and the effect was concentration-dependent in vitro (P < 0.05). Dentin treated with quercetin produced significantly less ICTP and had a thicker DOM than the control dentin (P < 0.05). After in vivo erosion, the %SMH_l and erosive dentin wear of the Q300 group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05).SignificanceThe application of quercetin was shown, for the first time, to increase the acid resistance of human dentin, possibly through MMP inhibition and DOM preservation.     

Tophaceous pseudogout of the temporomandibular joint with erosion into the middle cranial fossa

This report presents a case of extensive tophaceous pseudogout involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), causing erosion into the middle cranial fossa. Pseudogout is a benign metabolic arthropathy caused by calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition within joints and peri-articular tissue. Pseudogout more frequently occurs in large joints such as the knee, wrist, symphysis pubis, and shoulder. Tophaceous pseudogout involving the TMJ is rare, with only seven cases involving erosion into the middle cranial fossa reported previously. Despite skull base erosion being a rare consequence of this erosive disease, this case highlights the importance of appropriate investigation and multidisciplinary team management.     

Long-term comparison study of philtral ridge morphology with two different techniques of philtral reconstruction

Cleft lip and/or cleft palate are the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies. Philtral ridge morphology is an important aesthetic component of unilateral cleft lip (UCL) repair. To this end, we have developed two techniques of philtral ridge reconstruction: (1) asymmetric mattress muscle sutures, and (2) overlapping mattress muscle sutures. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to compare their outcomes in UCL repairs. Group I patients (n = 30) underwent UCL repair before August 2003, including philtral ridge reconstruction by asymmetric mattress muscle sutures. Group II patients (n = 30) underwent UCL repair after August 2003, including philtral ridge reconstruction by overlapping mattress muscle sutures. Philtral morphology was evaluated by ultrasonographic and three-dimensional photographic measurements, examining cleft side philtral projection and philtral ridge symmetry. These demonstrated that group II patients had better philtral column symmetry and projection on the cleft side when compared to group I. Overlapping mattress muscle sutures produced better philtral morphology in UCL repairs than asymmetric mattress muscle sutures.     

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Chinese adults screened by vibration controlled transient elastography and its diagnostic discrepancy compared with ultrasound

BackgroundThe prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in China as assessed using vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and its consistency with ultrasound is still unknown. We aimed to conduct a head-to-head comparison of consecutive measurements of NAFLD with ultrasound or VCTE to evaluate the discrepancy in the prevalence and distribution of NAFLD screened by two non-invasive techniques.MethodsWe collected VCTE and ultrasound examination data from 4,388 participants who underwent health check-ups at the Health Promotion Center of Jiangsu Province Hospital between January 2017 and December 2019. The major outcome was the presence of hepatic steatosis, which was defined as a median controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) ≥ 248 dB/m by VCTE or the definition of steatosis by ultrasound.ResultsAmong the 4,388 participants, 2,214 were diagnosed with NAFLD by VCTE (CAP ≥ 248 dB/m, 50.46%). Participants with severe steatosis (CAP ≥ 280 dB/m) were commonly male (77.94% vs. 50.38%, P < 0.001), were obese (45.09% vs. 1.79%, P < 0.001), had a worse metabolic profile, had elevated liver enzyme levels, and had advanced fibrosis. The prevalence of ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD was 56.42%. After consistency analysis, VCTE and ultrasound showed moderate agreement regarding the diagnosis of NAFLD (κ = 0.475). We then compared the characteristics and clinical features of the four groups classified by the diagnosis results of the two techniques. NAFLD participants diagnosed by VCTE only were older, more obese, and had worse metabolic and biochemical profiles than NAFLD participants diagnosed by ultrasound only; in particular, the former had a higher proportion of abnormal alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels and a higher proportion of advanced fibrosis than the latter.ConclusionsMore than half of Chinese adults were affected by NAFLD according to VCTE. Screening based on VCTE is more likely to identify NAFLD patients with severe clinical features than ultrasound. Therefore, VCTE is a more practical non-invasive tool for the screening and follow-up of NAFLD in China.     

Synergistic effects of AKAP95, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1, and Cx43 in the development of rectal cancer

Objective: To explore the expression of A-kinase anchor protein 95 (AKAP95), Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1, and Connexin43 (Cx43) in rectal cancer tissues and assess the associations between each of the proteins and pathological parameters, as well as their inter-relationships. Methods: AKAP95, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1, and Cx43 protein expression rates were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 50 rectal cancer specimens and 16 pericarcinoma tissues. Results: The positive rates of AKAP95, Cyclin E1, and Cyclin D1 proteins were 54.00 vs. 18.75%, 62.00 vs. 6.25%, and 72.00 vs. 31.25% in rectal cancer specimens and pericarcinoma tissues, respectively, representing statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The positive rate of Cx43 protein expression in rectal cancer tissues was 44.00% and 62.50% in pericarcinoma tissues, and the difference between them was not significant (P > 0.05). No significant associations were found between protein expression of AKAP95, Cyclin E1, Cyclin D1, and Cx43, and the degree of differentiation, histological type, and lymph node metastasis of rectal cancer (P > 0.05). However, significant correlations were obtained between the expression rates of AKAP95 and Cyclin E1, Cyclin E1 and Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1 and Cx43 protein, and Cyclin D1 and Cx43, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: AKAP95, Cyclin E1, and Cyclin D1 protein expression rates were significantly higher in rectal cancer tissues compared with pericarcinoma samples, suggesting an association between these proteins and the development and progression of rectal cancer. In addition, the significant correlations between the proteins (AKAP95 and Cyclin E1, Cyclin E1 and Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1 and Cx43 protein, and Cyclin D1 and Cx43) indicate the possible synergistic effects of these factors in the development and progression of rectal cancer.     

姜黄素诱导人食管癌EC9706细胞凋亡过程中核磷蛋白的表达与定位变化

目的探讨核磷蛋白NPM在癌细胞诱导凋亡过程中在细胞内、细胞核基质上的定位与表达变化,以及NPM与凋亡调控相关蛋白的关系,探索其在凋亡调控中的作用。方法在姜黄素诱导人食管癌EC9706细胞凋亡的基础上,以亚细胞蛋白质组学方法分析NPM在核基质中的存在与变化,并以免疫印迹法杂交实验进行确证;激光扫描共焦显微镜观察NPM在EC9706细胞凋亡过程中的定位与变化,以及NPM与Bax、Bcl-2等基因产物的共定位关系。结果 NPM存在于EC9706细胞核基质蛋白组分中,并在姜黄素处理后表达下调。NPM在EC9706细胞凋亡过程中发生显著的胞质-核之间的穿梭定位变化,并与Bax、Bcl-2等蛋白具有共定位关系,且共定位区域发生了变化。结论 NPM是一种核基质结合蛋白,在EC9706细胞凋亡中的表达与定位变化,及其与凋亡调控蛋白的共定位关系提示,它在EC9706细胞凋亡调控中具有重要作用。