Objective To assess and compare the difference in image quality and exposure dose between single-sided reading image plate(IP)and dual-sided reading IP.Methods A contrast-detail phantom CDRAD 2.0 was exposed by single-sided and dual-sided reading IP with different mAs sets.The entrance surface doses were recorded for all images.Images were then presented to two radiologists on a high resolution monitor of diagnosis workstation.The image quality figure(IQF)was measured for each image. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman's correlation test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare the difference in image quality and exposure dose between single-sided IP and dual-sided reading IP. Results With different tube current dosage of 5.6,12.0,20.0,25.0,and 40.0 mAs,IQF values of single-sided reading IP were 47.95,37.68,34.31,28.61,and 24.65,respectively,while those of dual- sided reading IP were 38.83,29.81,29.65,25.16,and 21.43,respectively.The IQF difference between them showed statistical significance(P

In order to clone and identify differentially expressed genes in the sporogony stage of Eimeria tenella, the cDNAs from unsporulated oocysts and sporulated oocysts of E. tenella were used as driver, respectively, the cDNAs from sporozoites of E. tenella was used tester, Two subtractive cDNA libraries of sporozoites were constructed by using the technique of suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). the cDNAs from unsporulated oocysts was used driver, the cDNAs from sporulated ooceysts was used tester, one subtractive cDNA library of sporulated oocysts was constructed. PCR amplification revealed that the two subtractive cDNA libraries of sporozoites and one subtractive cDNA library of sporulated oocysts contained approximated 96%, 96% and 98% recombinant clones, respectively. Fifty positive clones were sequenced and analyzed in GenBank with Blast search from three subtractive cDNA libraries, respectively, thirteen unique sequences were found from the subtractive cDNA library of sporulated oocysts, eight ESTs shared significant identity with previously described. A total of forty unique sequences were obtained from the two subtractive cDNA libraries, nine ESTs shared significant identity with previously described, the other sequences represent novel genes of E. tenella with no significant homology to the proteins in Genbank. These results have provided the foundation for cloning new genes of E. tenella and further studying new approaches to control coccidiosis.
Animals ; Chickens ; parasitology ; Coccidiosis ; parasitology ; veterinary ; DNA, Protozoan ; genetics ; Eimeria tenella ; genetics ; physiology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gene Library ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; Oocytes ; metabolism ; Poultry Diseases ; parasitology ; Spores

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of antisense c-myb oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) on hCG-induced testosterone secretion in isolated rat Leydig cells. The effects of cAMP, Ca(2+) and cycloheximide (CYX) on c-Myb protein expression and testosterone secretion were also observed. The results showed that antisense c-myb ODN inhibited hCG-induced testosterone secretion of isolated rat Leydig cells in a dose-dependent manner. At the same time, integral optical density immunostaining of Myb in Leydig cells was also remarkably reduced. Nonsense tat ODN had no effect on Leydig cells. Further experiments showed that dbcAMP (100 micromol/L) obviously increased hCG-induced testosterone secretion and integral optical density (IOD) immunostaining of Myb in Leydig cells. Verapamil (10 micromol/L), a Ca(2+) channel blocker, and cycloheximide (50 microg/ml), a protein synthesis inhibitor, reduced the immunostaining of c-Myb, and also lowered hCG-induced testosterone secretion in isolated rat Leydig cells. The results indicate that c-myb closely correlates with hCG-induced testosterone secretion, and that cAMP and Ca(2+)-dependent pathway participates in the expression of protooncogene.
Animals ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; pharmacology ; Leydig Cells ; secretion ; Male ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone ; secretion

OBJECTIVEThe incidence of invasive fungal infection (IFI) has risen dramatically along with the prolongation of immunocompromised individuals' lifespan. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of IFI among high risk pediatric patients and to evaluate the diagnostic value of circulating (1,3)-beta-D-glucan (BG) in IFI.

METHODSHigh risk pediatric inpatients from hemato-oncology department and ICU were enrolled from November 2007 to June 2008. All the patients had persistent fever for 4 to 7 days or longer. Circulating BG levels were detected once or twice weekly until the signs and symptoms improved, or IFI was excluded, or death. Circulating BG levels were determined by the GKT-5M Set Kinetic Fungus Detection Kit. Detection of plasma BG was judged positive when the level was > or = 10 pg/mL.

RESULTSA total of 130 patients were enrolled. Two patients with candidemia were classified as proven IFI, 20 as probale IFI,7 as possible IFI, and 101 without IFI. The patients with proven or probable IFI had a longer length of hospital stay (P< 0.05) and an increased mortality rate (P< 0.05). The patients with IFI demonstrated a higher plasma level of BG than those without IFI (P< 0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for plasma BG detction were 81.8%, 82.4%, 48.6% and 95.7% respectively. Positive BG results occurred before the abnormal results on computed tomography scan or fungal culture or simultaneously in 72.2% of the cases.

CONCLUSIONSIFI is not rare among pediatric high-risk patients. Circulating BG detection is accurate to a certain extent in the diagnosis of IFI. It is a useful adjunct means for IFI screening in high-risk patients.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mycoses ; blood ; diagnosis ; ROC Curve ; beta-Glucans ; blood

OBJECTIVEProgressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPD) (MIM#208230) is a rare autosomal recessive disease of cartilage homeostasis characterized by axial and peripheral skeletal dysplasia. Analysis of WISP3 (Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein 3, MIM#603400) gene mutation can confirm the clinical and radiographic diagnosis for PPD. This study aimed to recognize PPD based on clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics of bones, and to investigate the mutations of WISP3 gene in three patients with PPD.

METHODThree male patients (9 - 16 years old) from three unrelated Chinese families, who presented with joint pain, swelling, deformities and motion limitation, were referred to this study. PPD was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics of bones and laboratory evaluation. All five exons and their exon/intron boundaries of the WISP3 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the peripheral blood DNA of three PPD family members, and mutation analysis was performed by bidirectional DNA sequencing.

RESULT(1) Three patients were diagnosed as PPD by characteristic evidences: all patients presented with non-inflammatory multiple joints swelling and stiffness including joints in hand and feet as they age. Radiographs showed platyspondyly, ovoid or wedged anterior end-plate of vertebral bodies, coxa vara, widened epiphyses or metaphyses including capital femoral, metacarpophalangeal, interphalangeal joints and metatarsals. Normal laboratory values were found for the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factors, antinuclear antibodies etc. (2) The three different mutations of WISP3 gene were identified in three patients with PPD, including two small insert mutations (c.624_625insA, c.866_867insA), one was deletion mutation (c.729_735delGAGAAAA). The types of mutation of two alleles in three patients were c.624_625insA/c.729_735delGAGAAAA, c.624_625insA/c.866_867insA and c.866_867 insA/c.866_867insA, respectively. These mutations were found in exon 4 and exon 5 of WISP3 gene, accounting for 50%(3/6) respectively. All three different mutations were novel variations, and none of 3 novel variations was found in the 50 controls.

CONCLUSIONThe characteristic evidences of PPD were non-inflammatory multiple enlarged joints (including hand and feet), limited movement, normal laboratory values such as rheumatoid factors. It is essential for making diagnosis to carefully examine the entire skeleton including spine. The characteristics of bone imaging are platyspondyly, widened epiphyses or metaphyses including large and small joints and narrow joint spaces. Three different novel variations of WISP3 gene were identified in three PPD patients, they are c.624_625insA, c.866_867insA and c.729_735delGAGAAAA. Each of novel mutations is insert or deletion mutation.

Adolescent ; Arthropathy, Neurogenic ; diagnosis ; genetics ; CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins ; Child ; Humans ; INDEL Mutation ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Joint Diseases ; congenital ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data

Breast Neoplasms/surgery* ; China ; Humans ; Mastectomy ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical

Asians ; Biological Assay ; Breast Neoplasms/surgery* ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Mastectomy

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a new form of ultrasound (US) that can dynamically display microvessels in a highly sensitive manner. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of CEUS for characterizing testicular lesions in comparison with conventional US. Forty-seven patients with testicular lesions were enrolled. The histopathology results revealed that 31 cases were neoplastic (11 cases of seminomas, 8 nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, 8 lymphomas, 2 Leydig cell tumors, and 2 nonspecific tumors), and 16 cases were nonneoplastic (8 cases of infarctions, 3 epidermoid cysts, and 5 inflammation). The indicators of shallow lobulated morphology and cystic-solid echogenicity on conventional US were suggestive of germ cell tumors. More indicators on CEUS were found to be useful for characterizing testicular lesions. All the neoplastic lesions showed hyperenhancement on CEUS. Moreover, germ cell tumors presented with heterogeneous enhancement (73.7%, 14/19), a twisted blood vessel pattern, rapid wash-in and wash-out, and peripheral rim hyperenhancement signs. Lymphoma was characterized by nonbranching linear vessel patterns (87.5%, 7/8), rapid wash-in and slow wash-out. In nonneoplastic lesions, infarction and epidermoid cysts showed no enhancement, and abscesses were observed with marginal irregular enhancement. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CEUS for differentiating between neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions were 100%, 93.8%, and 97.9%, respectively, and these values were higher than those for conventional US (90.3%, 62.5%, and 80.9%, respectively). CEUS can sensitively reflect the microvascular perfusion in testicular lesions and offers high accuracy for characterizing them.
Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epidermal Cyst ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/diagnostic imaging* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Testicular Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography/methods*

Objective: To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of 33 children with congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia (CLAH) caused by StAR gene defects. Methods: The clinical, biochemical, genetic, and follow-up (until December 2021) data of 33 children diagnosed with CLAH from 2006 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed in Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Results: Of the 33 children with CLAH, 17 had a karyotype of 46, XX and 16 had a karyotype of 46, XY; 31 were female and 2 were male by social gender. Classic type and non-classic type were found in 30 and 3 children respectively. The age at diagnosis was 9.0 (3.0, 34.5) months. All the 30 cases with classic CLAH presented within the first year of life with skin hyperpigmentation (28 cases, 93%), vomiting and(or) diarrhea (19 cases, 63%), no increase in body weight (8 cases, 27%), elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone levels (21cases (70%)>275 pmol/L), decreased cortisol levels (47 (31,126) nmol/L), hyponatremia ((126±13) mmol/L), hyperkalemia ((5.7±1.1) mmol/L), and normal 17α-hydroxyprogesterone levels (30 cases, 100%). All these with classic CLAH exhibited female external genitalia. Three children with non-classic CLAH (including 2 cases of 46, XY and 1 case of 46, XX) also showed signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, but 2 of them had an age of onset later than 1 year of age, including 1 case of 46, XY with male external genitalia and 1 case of 46, XX with female external genitalia. The other 46, XY patient with non-classic CLAH presented with adrenal insufficiency at 2 months of age, showing micropenis and hypospadias. In the 17 females with 46, XX, 4 older than 10 years of age showed spontaneous pubertal development. A total of 25 StAR gene pathogenic variants were identified in 33 patients, with p.Q258* (18/66, 27%), p.K236Tfs*47 (8/66, 12%) and p.Q77* (6/66, 9%) being the common variantion. Six novel variants were found, including c.358T>G, c.713_714del, c.125del, c.745-1G>A, c.179-2A>C, and exon 1 deletion. Conclusions: Patients with classic CLAH typically present with signs and symptoms of primary adrenal insufficiency in the early infancy period and female external genitalia. p.Q258*, p.K236Tfs*47 and p.Q77* are common variants in CLAH patients.
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital/genetics* ; Adrenal Insufficiency ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Disorder of Sex Development, 46,XY ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hydroxyprogesterones ; Hyperplasia ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; Phosphoproteins/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies