Objective:To measure CT linearity and evaluate if it would show linear relationship between coefficient and attenuation.Methods:The Catphan phantom was used to measure CT linearity in 18 computed tomography equipments,and the results were calculated.Results:(1)The CT linearity were qualified in 14 equipment but 4.Conclusion:(1)There are many factors which affect CT linearity.The artifact will be produced if the CT linearity is unqualified.(2)CT linearity must be calibrated periodically to assure the stability of the CT linearity and to make for the accurate diagnoses.

Objective:To investigate serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods:VEGF ELISA Quantikine kit.The serum RF level was also d etermined using Beckman Array 360.Results:The serum concen tration of VEGF was significantly higher in patients with RA than in healthy co ntrol(P＜0.01).Conclusion:It suggests that VEGF is involved in the pathog enesis of RA and that measurment of serum concentration of VEGF is noninvasive, usful method for monitoring the disease activity of RA.

Objective:To measure CT linearity and evaluate if it would show linear relationship between coefficient and attenuation.Methods:The Catphan phantom was used to measure CT linearity in 18 computed tomography equipments,and the results were calculated.Results:(1)The CT linearity were qualified in 14 equipment but 4.Conclusion:(1)There are many factors which affect CT linearity.The artifact will be produced if the CT linearity is unqualified.(2)CT linearity must be calibrated periodically to assure the stability of the CT linearity and to make for the accurate diagnoses.

Background C57BL/6andB10R Ⅲareroutinemurinespeciesusedinexperimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU).The inflammation is light for mouse after immunization whereas it is prominent for B10R Ⅲ.ObjectiveThis study was to observe the killing effect of interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) 1-20-specific T cells on mouse retinal astrocyte.Th1 and Th17 cells effect in the EAU mechanism was discussed.MethodsB10RllⅢ mice and C57BL/6 mice were immunized with IRBP 161-180 and IRBP 1-20 in complete Freund adjuvant (CFA).The infiltrating cells of diseased B10R Ⅲ eyes were analyzed by flow cytometry.IRBP 1-20-specific T cells were isolated from the drainage lymph node and spleen and cultured in IL-2 or IL-23 for Th1 and Th17 cells polarization,respectively.Th1 and Th17 cells cultured for 5 days were seeded on the mouse retinal astrocyte monolayer pretreated with gamma interferon.Cell interaction was observed and the quantity of TNF-α was tested by ELISA.Every test was repeated 6 times and the mean was calculated.The maintenance of experimental animals complied with the Statement of ARVO.ResultsThere were lots of infiltrating cells in the eyes of B10Rm mice after immunization,including 9.5％ IFNγ+ cells,5.1％ IL-17+cells and 41.4％ CD45+ cells.Six days after IRBP1-20 stimulation and cultured by IL-2 and IL-23,44.0％ and 8.0％ cells were IFNγ+,and 1.0％ and 26.0％ cells were IL17+.Twentyfour hours after the interaction between Th1 or Th17 and retinal astrocyte,retinal astrocyte died and detached.The killing effect of Th17 was stronger than Th1.48 hours after co-culture of Th1 or Th17T cells with astrocytes,the concentrations of TNF-α were ( 500± 10 ) and ( 801 ±24 μg/L) μg/L,respectively,with a significant statistical difference (t =-20.36,P =0.00).ConclusionsBoth Th1 and Th17 can kill retinal astrocyte,but Th17 plays a key role in the EAU pathogenesis process.The killing effect is caused by intercellular contact and interaction under the induction of cytokines.

Objective To investigate the effect of immunosuppressive drugs on the activity of pancreatic islet cells, and to explore their role in islet allotransplantation. Method Human pancreatic islet cells were isolated and purified in vitro, and their activity was determined by MTT assay after incubation with immunosuppressive drugs in different concentrations. Results The activity of the islet cells was not reduced after exposure to rapamycin at lower concentrations, although exposure to rapamycin at higher concentrations (≥1ng/ml) was associated with a significant inhibition of activity. No reduction of islet cell activity was observed after exposure to daclizumab and FTY720, at either lower or higher concentrations. Conclusion Rapamycin acts to damage islet cells directly, and the degree of the damage was concentration-dependent. No obvious toxicity to the islet cells was observed after exposure to daclizumab and FTY720.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have indicated that cellular apoptosis might be related with the pathological process of diabetic penis erection function disorder. OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of apoptosis inhibiting gene Bcl 2 and apoptosis inducing gene Bax in the penis cavernosal tissue of diabet ic rats based on the diabetic rat model. DESIGN: A randomized controlled experimental study. SETTING: The Central Laboratory of Jiamusi University. MATERIALS: Fifty male adult Wistar rats were selected. The rats wererandomly divided into normal control group (n=10) and the model group(n=40). The rats in the model group were divided into subgroups according to whether they had diabetes mellitus, namely alloxan medicine control group (n=9) and diabetes mellitus group (n=12). METHODS: The experiment was conducted at the Central Laboratory of Jiamusi University. 20 g/L Alloxan was injected intravenously into the tails of the rats in the model group at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Urine and blood sugar were examined 48 hours after the injection. Diagnosis of diabetes was established when urine sugar was (+++)～ (++++) and blood sugar was above 16.67 mmol/L. The rats in the alloxan group (n=9) were not found to have diabetes mellitus. The rats in the diabetic group were found to have diabetes mellitus, and dead rats were excluded. The blood sugar and urine sugar were measured before experiment and 48 hours, 2, 4, 6and 8 weeks after the experiment. After 8 weeks, the penises were harvested and fixed in 10% neutral formaldehydum polymerisatum. The remaining structures were thoroughly embedded in paraffin, and sections were obtained. Then, apoptosis and the protein of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected in the erectile tissues. 0.5 cm of the middle-section of bulbocavernosus body was collected, and it was then fixed in 10 g/L neutral formaldehydum polymerisatum at 4 ℃ for 24 hours. Then, 5-7 μ m paraffin sections were obtained. The cellular apoptosis was detected with in situ end labeling method. Bcl-2 and Bax gene expressions were detected with histochemical staining. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cellular apoptosis in the erectile tissues of the rats and genes Bcl-2 and Bax expressions. RESULTS: Nineteen rats died after model establishment and 31 rats entered the stage of the result analysis. ①Cellular apoptosis of the erectile tissues of the rats: The apoptosis rate in the diabetic group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group and alloxan group (16.26±6.63)%,(0.38±0.02)%, (0.40±0.03)%,(q=4.45, P ＜ 0.01). ② Expression of Bcl-2gene of the erectile tissues of the rats: Bcl-2 gene expression of the diabetic group was significantly lower than that in the normal control group and alloxan group [(12.04±2.30)%,(20.88±3.02)%,(21.23±2.58)%,q=4.45,P＜0.01].③Expression of Bax gene in the erectile tissues of the rats: Bax gene expression of the diabetic group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group and alloxan group [(18.35±2.00)%, (9.33±0.56)%,(10.32±0.63)%, (q=4.45, P ＜ 0.01)]. ④ The ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax: The ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax of the diabetic group was significantly lower than that in the normal control group and alloxan group. CONCLUSION: That the cellular apoptosis of the erectile tissues in rats with diabetes mellitus increased suggests that cellular apoptosis is related with diabetic erectile dysfunction. Also, Bcl-2/Bax was down-regulated,and this indicates that Bcl-2 and Bax cooperates in the cellular apoptosis in the diabetic erectile tissues.

In order to induce heavy Pneumocystis pneumonia, rats were treated with dexame-, thasone twice a week for 14 weeks. Mature cysts, immature cysts and ruptured cysts were, identified on lung imprints. By phase-contrast microscopy mature cysts were spherical in, shape containing intracystic bodies both spherical and irregular, small to large trophozoites having polymorphic shapes, one nucleus and many vacuoles. Elcctro-microscopically, large amount of irregular trophozoites adhered to the surface of the type I alveolar epithelial cells in the alveolar cavity were observed. The above histological findings were typical features of Pneumocystis pneumonia (Figs. 1-8).

Objective To explore the change of serum sIL-2R and IL-6 levels in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) and its role in the pathogenesis. Methods The serum slL-2R and IL-6 were detected by sandwich ELISA. The serum hs-CRP level was measured by DADE BEHRING BN ProSpec. Results The serum levels of sIL-2R and hs-CRP in KD before and after high-dose intravenous gama globulin(IVIg) were significantly higher than in healthy controls (P

AIM:To investigate the protective effect of losartan(Los) on apoptosis of H9c2 cells induced by isoprenaline(ISO),and to discover its related mechanism.METHODS:H9c2 cells cultured on plastic plates were divided into control,ISO,ISO+Los,ISO+Los+LY294002 and DMSO groups.Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometery and agarose gel electrophoresis.The mRNA levels of bax,bcl-2 and caspase-9 were detected by RT-PCR and the expressions of phosphorylated and total Akt(p-Akt and t-Akt) were assessed by Western blotting.The cAMP was measured by radioimmunoassay.RESULTS:ISO at concentration of 10 ?mol/L induced apoptosis of H9c2 with an increase in bax/bcl-2,caspase-9 and cAMP.Addition of 10 ?mol/L losartan inhibited apoptosis obviously with a decrease in bax/bcl-2,caspase-9 and cAMP.A significant increase in p-Akt was observed,and its protein level was elevated.LY294002 at concentration of 1 ?mol/L abolished the protective effects of losartan on ISO-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells.CONCLUSION:ISO might induce H9c2 cell apoptosis through stimulation of ?-adrenergic receptor(?-AR).Los inhibits downstream signaling of ?-AR,and promotes the activation of Akt.Subsequently it might attenuate the apoptosis induced by ?-adrenergic stimulation of ISO.

Objective To evaluate the clinical values of acoustic radiation force impulse(ARFI) elastography for liver fibrosis on hepatopath patients.Methods ARFI elastography was prospectively performed on 99 patients prepared to undergo hepatic surgery to get a shear wave velocity(Vs) which was the representative of liver stiffness.The fibrosis stages,inflammation grades and steatosis grades were evaluated histologically after surgery.Values of Vs were compared with the histological results.Results Values of Vs with fibrosis stage 0-4 was (1.14 ± 0.22) m/s,(1.30 ± 0.22) m/s,(1.36 ± 0.38) m/s,(1.47 ± 0.37)m/s and (1.87 ± 0.08) m/s,respectively.A significant difference was observed among them (P ＜0.001).There was a certain correlation between Vs and fibrosis stage(r =0.541,P ＜0.001).Vs was a significant predictor of stage ≥3 fibrosis with an area under the ROC curve of 0.812,sensitivity 73.2％ and specificity 81.4％ when 1.40 m/s was the cutoff value (P ＜ 0.001).Values of Vs with inflammation grade 0-3 was (1.17 ± 0.16)m/s,(1.43 ± 0.36) m/s,(1.59 ± 0.53) m/s and (1.89 ± 0.59) m/s,respectively,which were significantly different (P ＜ 0.001).A certain correlation was observed between Vs and inflammation grade(r =0.383,P ＜0.001).Values of Vs with steatosis grade 0-4 was (1.61 ±0.42) m/s,(1.47±0.58) m/s,(1.56 ± 0.71)m/s,1.13 m/s and (0.94 ± 0.95) m/s.Obvious difference didn't exist between Vs and steatosis grade (P =0.286).Obvious correlation wasn't observed between them,either (r =-0.177,P =0.080).Conclusions ARFI elastography has a certain value for the evaluation of liver fibrosis,while inflammation grade may affect its performance.