Objective: The aim of our study was to determine an optimal slice thickness that was efficient in revealing bronchial imageology of pulmonary nodules (PNs) on multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) images ...Objective: The aim of our study was to determine an optimal slice thickness that was efficient in revealing bronchial imageology of pulmonary nodules (PNs) on multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) images preliminarily. Methods: Fifty-four patients with 62 PNs (diameter 〈 3 cm) underwent multidetector-row computed tomography of the chest in a single-breath-hold technique. The raw data were acquired with a collimation of 0.625 mm. Three sets of contiguous im- ages were reconstructed with 1-, 2-, and 5-mm slice thickness, respectively. Bronchial imageology of SPNs on the CT images presented in 1-, 2-, and 5-mm slice thickness was compared. Using the 1-mm sections as the gold standard, an optimal slice thickness in revealing bronchial imageology of PNs was determined. Results: Bronchial imageology of PNs on the CT images presented in 1 mm slice thickness involved 85 bronchi (35 second-fourth generation bronchi; 50 fifth-eighth generation bronchi). Bronchial imageology on 2-mm-thick sections was as same as that on I-mm-thick sections in 34 second- fourth generation bronchi. No statistically significant difference in number of second- fourth generation bronchi with same bronchial imageology was found between that on 2-mm-thick images and I-mm-thick images (P = 0.836 〉 0.05). Bronchial imageology on 5-mm-thick sections was as same as that on 1-mm-thick sections in 24 second-fourth generation bronchi. There was statistically significant difference in number of second-fourth generation bronchi with same bronchial imageology between that on 5-mm-thick images and 1-mm-thick images (P = 0.026 〈 0.05). Bronchial imageology on 2-mm-thick sections was as same as that on 1-mm-thick sections in 38 fifth-eighth generation bronchi. There was statistically significant difference in number of fifth-eighth generation bronchi with same bronchial imageology between that on 2-mm-thick images and 1-mm- thick images (P = 0.029 〈 0.05). Bronchial imageology on 5-mm-thick images was as same as that on I-mm-thick images in 31 fifth-eighth generation bronchi. There was statistically significant difference in number of fifth-eighth generation bronchi with same bronchial imageology between that on 5-mm-thick sections and I-mm-thick sections (P = 0.001 〈 0.05). Conclusion: It is suggested that the use of 2-mm slice thickness is suitable in revealing second- fourth generation bronchi and the use of l-mm slice thickness is suitable in revealing fifth-eighth generation bronchi.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To investigate bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine in allergic airway inflammation of SD rats. METHODS: SD rats were immunized and challenged by chicken ovalbumin (OVA). Airway responsiveness, acetylc...OBJECTIVE: To investigate bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine in allergic airway inflammation of SD rats. METHODS: SD rats were immunized and challenged by chicken ovalbumin (OVA). Airway responsiveness, acetylcholine (Ach) provocation concentration needed to increase baseline airway resistance by 200% (PC(200)) were measured. RESULTS: The value of baseline airway resistance in asthma group was significantly higher than that in control group (2.282 +/- 0.128 vs 3.193 +/- 0.239; P展开更多
Background Potassium (K +) channels are important in regulating cell membrane potential and excitability. Although bronchial myocytes from asthmatic rats show a significant reduction in voltage-dependent delayed rec...Background Potassium (K +) channels are important in regulating cell membrane potential and excitability. Although bronchial myocytes from asthmatic rats show a significant reduction in voltage-dependent delayed rectifier potassium channel (Kv) current density and higher excitability, the activity and expression of Kv in human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs) have never been studied. The ob jective of this study was to investigate the effect of passive sensitization by asthmatic serum on the activity of Kv and the expression of Kv isoform Kv1.5 in HBSMCs.Methods HBSMCs were randomly divided into two groups: control group (containing 10% serum from nonatopic individuals) and sensitized group (containing 10% asthmatic serum), then cultured for 24 hours. Whole-cell patch clamp, immunofluorescence staining, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot techniques were used to study the effect of passive sensitization on the activity of Kv and the expression of Kv1.5 in HBSMCs.Results The membrane potential in passively sensitized HBSMCs was significantly depolarized to -(26.7±5.2) mV compared with -(41.3±6.4) mV in the cont rol group (P<0.01). Passive sensitization caused a significant inhibition of Kv currents in HBSMCs, resulting in a downward shift in the current-voltage (Ⅰ-Ⅴ) relationship curve. At +50mV, the peak Kv current density of passively sensitized HBSMCs was significantly decreased from (54.6±8.7) picoamperes per picofarad ( pA/pF) to (32.1±7.1) pA/pF (P<0.01). The expression level of Kv1.5 mRNA in passively sensitized HBSMCs was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.76±0.07 vs 1.04±0.13, P<0.05). The expression of Kv1.5 protein of passively sensitized HBSMCs was also significantly reduced compared to that from the control group (984±168 vs 2200±380, P<0.05).Conclusions The activity and expression of Kv were all decreased in HBSMCs passively sensitized by asthmatic serum compared with nonsensitized cells. These changes might be involved in the mechanisms of formation and development of asthma.展开更多
Objective: Tracheobronchial injuries are defined as injuries involving the trachea and/or bronchi from the level of the cricoid cartilage extending up to the division of the bronchi. We present a case series with mos...Objective: Tracheobronchial injuries are defined as injuries involving the trachea and/or bronchi from the level of the cricoid cartilage extending up to the division of the bronchi. We present a case series with most of the tracheobronchial injuries found to be sustained after penetrating trauma. Methods: A retrospective review was performed at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. From January 2004 to December 2009, 168 patients with thoracic trauma were treated, of whom 15 were recognized to have major tracheobronchial and pulmonary injuries. Results: The average age was 3 l years with most of the patients being male (14:1). Among them,11 patients had penetrating trauma as the main cause of injury, 3 patients had blunt trauma from road traffic accidents, only 1 patient had combined trauma (blunt and penetrating trauma). Eightpatients were diagnosed based on radiological findings. All the patients were treated surgically. Lobectomy was the most common intervention performed in 7 patients. The mortality rate was 7% (1 patient). Most patients survived with no sequelae (10 patients) while 5 survived with disability. We found that penetrating trauma was the leading cause of injury in our series. The severity of injury depends upon the weapon causing the trauma. Patients in our series had multiple injuries and required surgical management. Conclusions: Tracheobronchial injuries are rare but potentially life threatening. They require quick diagnosis and management. Diagnosis tends to be difficult since there are no specialised diagnostic modalities available at present.展开更多
文摘Objective: The aim of our study was to determine an optimal slice thickness that was efficient in revealing bronchial imageology of pulmonary nodules (PNs) on multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) images preliminarily. Methods: Fifty-four patients with 62 PNs (diameter 〈 3 cm) underwent multidetector-row computed tomography of the chest in a single-breath-hold technique. The raw data were acquired with a collimation of 0.625 mm. Three sets of contiguous im- ages were reconstructed with 1-, 2-, and 5-mm slice thickness, respectively. Bronchial imageology of SPNs on the CT images presented in 1-, 2-, and 5-mm slice thickness was compared. Using the 1-mm sections as the gold standard, an optimal slice thickness in revealing bronchial imageology of PNs was determined. Results: Bronchial imageology of PNs on the CT images presented in 1 mm slice thickness involved 85 bronchi (35 second-fourth generation bronchi; 50 fifth-eighth generation bronchi). Bronchial imageology on 2-mm-thick sections was as same as that on I-mm-thick sections in 34 second- fourth generation bronchi. No statistically significant difference in number of second- fourth generation bronchi with same bronchial imageology was found between that on 2-mm-thick images and I-mm-thick images (P = 0.836 〉 0.05). Bronchial imageology on 5-mm-thick sections was as same as that on 1-mm-thick sections in 24 second-fourth generation bronchi. There was statistically significant difference in number of second-fourth generation bronchi with same bronchial imageology between that on 5-mm-thick images and 1-mm-thick images (P = 0.026 〈 0.05). Bronchial imageology on 2-mm-thick sections was as same as that on 1-mm-thick sections in 38 fifth-eighth generation bronchi. There was statistically significant difference in number of fifth-eighth generation bronchi with same bronchial imageology between that on 2-mm-thick images and 1-mm- thick images (P = 0.029 〈 0.05). Bronchial imageology on 5-mm-thick images was as same as that on I-mm-thick images in 31 fifth-eighth generation bronchi. There was statistically significant difference in number of fifth-eighth generation bronchi with same bronchial imageology between that on 5-mm-thick sections and I-mm-thick sections (P = 0.001 〈 0.05). Conclusion: It is suggested that the use of 2-mm slice thickness is suitable in revealing second- fourth generation bronchi and the use of l-mm slice thickness is suitable in revealing fifth-eighth generation bronchi.
文摘OBJECTIVE: To investigate bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine in allergic airway inflammation of SD rats. METHODS: SD rats were immunized and challenged by chicken ovalbumin (OVA). Airway responsiveness, acetylcholine (Ach) provocation concentration needed to increase baseline airway resistance by 200% (PC(200)) were measured. RESULTS: The value of baseline airway resistance in asthma group was significantly higher than that in control group (2.282 +/- 0.128 vs 3.193 +/- 0.239; P
基金ThisstudywassupportedbytheNationalNaturalScienceFoundationofChina (No 3 0 2 70 5 83 )
文摘Background Potassium (K +) channels are important in regulating cell membrane potential and excitability. Although bronchial myocytes from asthmatic rats show a significant reduction in voltage-dependent delayed rectifier potassium channel (Kv) current density and higher excitability, the activity and expression of Kv in human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs) have never been studied. The ob jective of this study was to investigate the effect of passive sensitization by asthmatic serum on the activity of Kv and the expression of Kv isoform Kv1.5 in HBSMCs.Methods HBSMCs were randomly divided into two groups: control group (containing 10% serum from nonatopic individuals) and sensitized group (containing 10% asthmatic serum), then cultured for 24 hours. Whole-cell patch clamp, immunofluorescence staining, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot techniques were used to study the effect of passive sensitization on the activity of Kv and the expression of Kv1.5 in HBSMCs.Results The membrane potential in passively sensitized HBSMCs was significantly depolarized to -(26.7±5.2) mV compared with -(41.3±6.4) mV in the cont rol group (P<0.01). Passive sensitization caused a significant inhibition of Kv currents in HBSMCs, resulting in a downward shift in the current-voltage (Ⅰ-Ⅴ) relationship curve. At +50mV, the peak Kv current density of passively sensitized HBSMCs was significantly decreased from (54.6±8.7) picoamperes per picofarad ( pA/pF) to (32.1±7.1) pA/pF (P<0.01). The expression level of Kv1.5 mRNA in passively sensitized HBSMCs was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.76±0.07 vs 1.04±0.13, P<0.05). The expression of Kv1.5 protein of passively sensitized HBSMCs was also significantly reduced compared to that from the control group (984±168 vs 2200±380, P<0.05).Conclusions The activity and expression of Kv were all decreased in HBSMCs passively sensitized by asthmatic serum compared with nonsensitized cells. These changes might be involved in the mechanisms of formation and development of asthma.
文摘Objective: Tracheobronchial injuries are defined as injuries involving the trachea and/or bronchi from the level of the cricoid cartilage extending up to the division of the bronchi. We present a case series with most of the tracheobronchial injuries found to be sustained after penetrating trauma. Methods: A retrospective review was performed at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. From January 2004 to December 2009, 168 patients with thoracic trauma were treated, of whom 15 were recognized to have major tracheobronchial and pulmonary injuries. Results: The average age was 3 l years with most of the patients being male (14:1). Among them,11 patients had penetrating trauma as the main cause of injury, 3 patients had blunt trauma from road traffic accidents, only 1 patient had combined trauma (blunt and penetrating trauma). Eightpatients were diagnosed based on radiological findings. All the patients were treated surgically. Lobectomy was the most common intervention performed in 7 patients. The mortality rate was 7% (1 patient). Most patients survived with no sequelae (10 patients) while 5 survived with disability. We found that penetrating trauma was the leading cause of injury in our series. The severity of injury depends upon the weapon causing the trauma. Patients in our series had multiple injuries and required surgical management. Conclusions: Tracheobronchial injuries are rare but potentially life threatening. They require quick diagnosis and management. Diagnosis tends to be difficult since there are no specialised diagnostic modalities available at present.