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Objective: To study the apoptosis of facial motor neurons and the expression of apoptosis-related genes, Bcl-2 and Bax, in the animal model of viral facial paralysis., Methods: Total of 84 Balb/c mice were divided into viral inoculation group and nerve transaction group. The animals were executed 1, 3, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 30 days after being operated respectively. The histopathological features of facial neurons in brain stem were observed by HE and Nissl stain. The changes of facial neuronal apoptosis were observed by TUNEL. The changes of expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes in facial neurons were observed by immunohistochemistry staining., Results: After nerve transection, increased apoptotic cells were found in homolateral facial motor nucleus and the peak appeared at 10 and 15 days. The level of Bcl-2 expression in neurons declined while the expression of Bax increased gradually. Correspondingly, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax declined. In the viral inoculation group, no visible change of apoptosis and Bax expression, but the level of Bcl-2 and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax increased gradually., Conclusions: Comparing to axotomy, facial motor nucleus in HSV-1 infective animal model are free of apoptosis. Both the mild form of lesion and the ability to block apoptosis of HSV-1 are likely to be involved into the phenomenon. Bcl-2 and Bax might interfere with the apoptotic response.

Livestock feces and domestic sewage are the one of the main factors inducing water pollution, while the identification of the pollution source is particularly important in pollution control and management. Because of this, microbial source tracking (MST) has recently been paid more and more attention by the related researchers around the world. In this paper, the research progress of two types of MST methods, their advantages and disadvantages, and existing problems in application were reviewed and discussed. It was considered that in the library- and culture-dependent MST methods, PCR genotyping based on repetitive sequences was most practicable, while in the library- and culture-independent MST methods, PCR-DGGE based on the gene of specificity in Escherichia coli had a very glaring sight. Future researches should be more focused on the library- and culture-independent MST, and the combination of library- and culture-dependent MST with library- and culture-independent MST could make the tracking results more credible.

The title compound, C(17)H(17)N(4) (+)·C(9)H(5)O(6) (-)·C(9)H(6)O(6)·H(2)O, contains a protonated 2,2'-(1,3-propanedi-yl)bis-(1H-benzimidazole) cation, a deprotonated benzene-1,3,5-tricarb-oxy-lic acid anion, a neutral benzene-1,3,5-tricarb-oxy-lic acid mol-ecule and a water mol-ecule, which are linked together through N-H⋯O, O-H⋯O and weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into almost double sheets parallel to (4). These hydrogen-bonded sheets are packed in the crystal with the formation of centrosymmetric voids of 25.5 Å(3), which are filled by the water mol-ecules.

A novel DR image denoising algorithm based on Laplace-Impact mixture model in dual-tree complex wavelet domain is proposed in this paper. It uses local variance to build probability density function of Laplace-Impact model fitted to the distribution of high-frequency subband coefficients well. Within Laplace-Impact framework, this paper describes a novel method for image denoising based on designing minimum mean squared error (MMSE) estimators, which relies on strong correlation between amplitudes of nearby coefficients. The experimental results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper outperforms several state-of-art denoising methods such as Bayes least squared Gaussian scale mixture and Laplace prior.

Objective: To develop a new method to explore the three-dimensional characteristics of anatomical structures at the sellar region in transnasal endoscopic surgery., Methods: (1) The MicronTracker binocular visual navigation system was modified, and the tool's accuracy was tested by comparing the vernier caliper and turntable. (2) The basis nasi plane and median sagittal plane were used as datum plane, S point (the lateral margin point of nasal spine) and M point (maxillary line midpoint) were used as datum point to orientate the structures. The pitching angle, direction angle and distance of the important structures were measured by the tool designed by us based on the MicronTracker binocular visual navigation system and made a computer graphics model., Results: (1) The tool's accuracy had no statistical difference as compared with vernier caliper and turntable. (2) The pitching angle, direction angle and distance of the important structures were obtained. (3) 3D-max 9.0 and AutoCAD-2008 were used to set up three-dimensional anatomical model of the anatomical structures., Conclusion: Based on the familiar point and datum of the skull, the orientation data of the important structures could be obtained and the three-dimensional model of the sella region anatomical structures could be constructed.

Objective: To study the character of facial nerve palsy due to four different auris diseases including chronic otitis media, Hunt syndrome, tumor and physical or chemical factors, and to discuss the principles of the surgical management of otogenic facial nerve palsy., Methods: The clinical characters of 24 patients with otogenic facial nerve palsy because of the four different auris diseases were retrospectively analyzed, all the cases were performed surgical management from October 1991 to March 2007. Facial nerve function was evaluated with House-Brackmann (HB) grading system., Results: The 24 patients including 10 males and 14 females were analysis, of whom 12 cases due to cholesteatoma, 3 cases due to chronic otitis media, 3 cases due to Hunt syndrome, 2 cases resulted from acute otitis media, 2 cases due to physical or chemical factors and 2 cases due to tumor. All cases were treated with operations included facial nerve decompression, lesion resection with facial nerve decompression and lesion resection without facial nerve decompression, 1 patient's facial nerve was resected because of the tumor. According to HB grade system, I degree recovery was attained in 4 cases, while II degree in 10 cases, III degree in 6 cases, IV degree in 2 cases, V degree in 2 cases and VI degree in 1 case., Conclusions: Removing the lesions completely was the basic factor to the surgery of otogenic facial palsy, moreover, it was important to have facial nerve decompression soon after lesion removal.

Objective: To investigate the specific T cell subpopulation and the relationship with facial motoneuron in immune deficiency mouse model with facial nerve paralysis, so as to find information for new strategy of facial palsy treatment., Methods: Firstly, purifying the CD4+ T cell from wild type mouse and reestablishing the immune function of nude mouse by infusing the CD4+ T cell through the tail vein a week before the surgery. Then the all nude mouse (BALB/c background) and wild type mouse (BALB/c background) were subjected to a right facial nerve axotomy. Then the mouse was studied by application and assessment with fluorogold retro tracer at specific time. After collecting the slices of brain stem three days post the operation, the facial motoneurons was observed under fluorescence microscope, then analyzed and counted with the software Image Pro Plus5. 1., Results: The number of survival facial motoneuron in the group with CD4+ T cell transplantation and control group was (3444.5 +/- 84.2, x +/- s) and (3013.2 +/- 65.3) respectively. There was significant difference of the number of survival facial motoneurons between nude mouse transplanted with CD4+ T cell and PBS at three days post the operation (t = 5.52, P = 0.0003). But there was no significant difference of survival facial motoneurons between nude mouse transplanted with CD4+ T cell and wild type mouse three days post the operation (t = 0.49, P = 0.6347). It was the transplantation of CD4+ T cell that rescued the survival facial motoneuron to the level of wild type., Conclusions: CD4+ T cell have the ability to rescue the injuring facial motoneuron from death. It may suggest that there is a critical role of the specific T cell subpopulation in facial nerve repair and regeneration.

Objective: To explore the health-related quality of life (QOL) status of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis., Methods: Sixty four patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and twenty healthy volunteers were enrolled, and their QOL scores were assessed by using SF-36 questionnaire (Chinese version) and SNOT-22 questionnaire translated into Chinese., Results: The feasibility, reliability, validity, and responsibility of Chinese version of SNOT-22 questionnaire all passed the test. It showed that by Chinese version of SNOT-22 questionnaire the most five important items affecting health status were nasal obstruction, runny nose, loss of smell or taste, dizziness and post-nasal discharge respectively. The coefficient of correlation was 0. 233 between the SNOT-22 questionnaire and the Lund-MacKay CT score of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis., Conclusions: Chinese version of SNOT-22 questionnaire can effectively assess the QOL status of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. It showed less correlation between the SNOT-22 questionnaire and the Lund-MacKay CT score of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of facial nerve neuroma about its diagnosis and management., Methods: Ten patients with facial nerve neuroma were analyzed retrospectively from February 1993 to August 2005. The period of follow-up varied from 1.5 years to 10 years (mean 5 years). Facial nerve function was evaluated with House-Brackmann grading system., Results: The patients complained of facial paralysis in 7 cases, otitis media in 1 case, a mass in parotid gland in 1 case and a mass on the side of the orbital on face in 1 case. Seven patients were undergone either CT scan or MRI or both. Image studies revealed mass located along the facial nerve course from the nerve endings to the intracranial parts. All the patients accepted the surgery. Intraoperative findings showed that the tumor location matched the image findings. Postoperative pathological diagnosis demonstrated 8 Schwannoma, 2 neurofibroma. There was partial tumor resection in 1 patient accepted and his nerve function was unchanged. Four patients were undergone facial nerve graft but 1 case failed while facial nerve function was improved in 3 other patients. Two patients underwent tumor resection while the continuity of facial nerve was preserved as result their facial nerve function improved respectively. No facial nerve reconstruction was done on other 2 patients., Conclusions: Multiple origins of facial nerve neuroma were noted and the most common system was facial nerve palsy. The decision on how to treat these patients should be individualized and based on initial facial function, growth rate, surgical experience and informed patient consent. The more effective methods need being seeked for the management of facial nerve neuroma.

A unique high resolution simultaneous microwave plasma torch (MPT) atomic emission spectrometer was developed and studied preliminarily. Some advanced technologies were applied to the spectrometer, such as echelle grating, UV-intensified CCD array detector, adjustable microwave generator, and water cooling system for the generator, etc. The detection limits of the spectrometer for some elements were determined, the spectral resolution and pixel resolution of the spectrometer were calculated, and an analysis of a practical sample was carried out. The preliminary results demonstrate that such simultaneous spectrometer has advantages of saving sample and time, possessing high sensitivity and resolution, and low-cost for the purchase and maintenance. Taking analytical figures of merit into consideration, the high resolution simultaneous MPT spectrometer will have extended application areas and greater competition potential as compared with sequential MPT spectrometers.

Objective: To investigate causes and treatment of complications of tracheoesophageal puncture for Blom-Singer voice restoration after total laryngectomy., Methods: From 1986 to 2004, one hundred and fifty one cases with Blom-Singer technique after total laryngectomy for voice restoration were retrospectively analyzed., Results: All cases were followed up from 6 months to 15 years. Among 151 cases, 138 cases got successful phonation and the total success rate of voice restoration was 91.4%. Of the 151 cases, 15 cases occurred complications. The rate of complications was 9.9%. The common complications included fistula granulations, infection, and leakage. Twelve cases got successful treatment accordingly, and the other 3 cases failed in phonation., Conclusions: The procedure of tracheoesophageal puncture for voice restoration is relatively simple and has low complications. this method had high phonation success and good phonation quality, which is one of the best way to make laryngectomee to speak.

It has been well documented that in adult rats astrocytes in the subventricular zone and subgranular layer of the dentate gyrus are neural stem cells. Elsewhere in the CNS astrocytes are not generally recognized as stem cells. Here we describe nestin expression in a population of astrocytes in the spinal cord of adult rat following cord injury. In either hemitransectioned or longitudinally cut spinal cord, there was widespread nestin expression in astrocytes of both the gray and white matters. Isolation of the lateral part of the spinal cord from the central canal region, where stem cells may reside, could not block the appearance of nestin-immunoreactive astrocytes in the lateral cord, and none of them showed Fast DiI labeling after the central canal ependyma had been labeled by the dye, indicating that the nestin-immunoreactive astrocytes can evolve locally in the lateral cord. They were found to be undergoing a process of de-differentiation. Culture of the nestin-immunoreactive astrocytes of the lateral cord generated neurospheres, the cells of which had the ability of self-renewal, and were able to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, or oligodendrocytes. Taken together, the results indicate that the astrocytes in injured adult rat spinal cord may acquire the potential of neural stem cells.

Using a scalpel, crisscross grooves 1-2 mm apart were made on the dermis of an allogenic skin graft. Epithelial cells in a suspension, harvested from the patient, were seeded into the dermal grooves. The allograft thus prepared was used to cover wounds resulting from excision of full thickness burns. Four patients with burn areas ranged from 5% to 28% were treated with this technic. 10-13 days after the operation, when epidermis of the allografts were lifted, epithelial growth was seen on the dermal surface. It thickened rapidly, and cornification was seen. Except in one case, in whom newly grown epithelium was rubbed away owing to poor bandage and fixation, all the other wounds healed on 70-80 days after the operation. The healed surfaces of wounds were even and smooth. With this technic, the expansion of the donor area was estimated to be as much as 30-56 fold. Biopsy sections at regular intervals after the operation showed that the auto-skin epidermal cells grew out from the grooves to more superficial portions until they reached the surface of dermis, where they extended and finally covered the whole surface of the wound. 10-14 months after the operation the epidermis assumed more or less a wavy contour, and it seemed to be firmly united with the dermis. The cellular structure was clear, and their arrangement regular. With special staining, it was demonstrated that there were collagenous fibers, reticular fibers and elastic fibers in the dermis. However, there were no dermal appendages. One year later, the color of the new skin approximated that of the normal skin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)