Objective To evaluate the feasibility of contrast material on image quality of coronary CT angiography (CCTA)by using double injection technology and iterative reconstruction.Methods 120 patients with suspected coronary heart disease who underwent CCTA were randomly divided into two groups.Then,60 patients with 30 kg/m2>BMI≥25 kg/m2 were averagely divided into A1 and B1 groups,and other 60 ones with BMI<25 kg/m2 were also averagely divided into A2 and B2 groups.The patients in group A were scanned with 120 kV tube output and iolromide 350 mg I/mL,and the images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP).Meanwhile,the patients in group B were scanned with 80 kV or 100 kV tube output and 245 mg I/mL or 280 mg I/mL of contrast media (BMI≥25 kg/m2 )using double injection technology,and the images were reconstructed using adaptive iterative dose reduction 3D (AIDR 3D).The effective radiation dose (ED)of each patient was also calculated.CT attenuation of the main proximal vessels (ascending or descending aorta,pulmonary artery,RCA,LM,LAD and LCX)and the obj ective image quality (SD,CNR and SNR)were measured,and the subj ective evaluation was also assessed by an experienced radiologist.Results There was significant differences in mean image quality scores,SD,SNR and CNR of ascending aorta between group A1 and B1(P<0.05),but no difference in the SI of values (P>0.05).There was no significant difference in mean image quality scores between group A2 and B2 (P>0.05), however,there were significant differences in the SI,SD of values and SNR,CNR of ascending aorta (P<0.05).The values of BMI were negatively related to the values of CT in ascending aorta between two subgroups (r=-0.66 and -0.441,P<0.05).The values of weight were not related to the values of CT in ascending aorta (P>0.05).There was significant difference in effective dose between subgroups (P<0.05).Conclusion The method with a combination of iterative reconstruction and a contrast material of 245 mg I/mL using double inj ection technology can improve the contrast enhancement without impairing image quality.

Objective:To investigate the effect of genistein,a soybean-derived isoflavone,on thestimulating effect on bone resorption of IL-1?.Methods:The osteoclasts(OCs)were isolated with themethods of Yu Shifeng.The rat calvaria were cultured as an organ.The cells in the experiment weregrown in four respectively:Control(without genistein or IL-1?),10~(-6) mol/L genistein,10 ?g/L IL-1?and 10~(-6) mol/L genistein+10 ?g/L IL-1?.The area of bone resorption,the concentration of Ca~(2+) in thesupernatant liquid of OCs cultures and mice calvaria were tested.The contents of acid phosphatase(ACP)were also examined by biochemistry method.The index of bone resorption was counted as the ra-tio of the experiment average and control ones,which indicated the increase in bone resorption when itwas above 1.0.Results:The area of bone resorption of 10~(-6) mol/L genistein+10 ?g/L IL-1? increasedcompared with that of 10~(-6) mol/L genistein,while the concentration of Ca~(2+) in the supernatant liquid ofOCs cultures decreased significantly.The index of bone resorption of 10~(-6) mol/L genistein+10 ?g/L IL-1? lied between 10~(-6) mol/L genistein and 10 ?g/L IL-1?.In the organ culture,there was no differencein the content of ACP among all the groups,The index of bone resorption of 10~(-6) mol/L genistein+10?g/L IL-1? was below that of 10?g/L IL-1?,but both were above 1.0.The index of bone resorptionwas below 1.0 in the group of 10~(-6) mol/L genistein.Conclusion:Genistein can suppress obviously thebone resorption simulated by single IL-1?.

BACKGROUNDHuman urotensin II (UII) is the most potent mammalian vasoconstrictor identified so far. Our previous study showed that UII is a potent mitogen of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) inducing ASMC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. The signal transduction pathway of UII mitogenic effect remains to be clarified. This study was conducted to investigate the signal transduction pathway in the proliferation of ASMC induced by UII.

METHODSIn primary cultures of rat ASMCs, activities of protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and calcineurin (CaN) induced by UII were measured. The effect of CaN on PKC and MAPK was studied by adding cyclosporin A (CsA), a specific inhibitor of CaN. Using H7 and PD98059, inhibitors of PKC and MAPK, respectively, to study the effect of PKC and MAPK on CaN. The cytosolic free calcium concentration induced by UII was measured using Fura-2/AM.

RESULTSUII 10(-7) mol/L stimulated ASMC PKC and MAPK activities by 44% and 24% (P < 0.01), respectively, after incubating for 20 minutes. It increased CaN activity in a time-dependent manner, being 1.68 times as that of control for 24 hours (P < 0.01). It promoted the cytosolic free calcium concentration increase of 18% (P < 0.01). CsA 10(-6) mol/L and H7 50 micromol/L inhibited UII-stimulated CaN activity by 45% (P < 0.01) and 21% (P < 0.05), respectively, while PD98059 50 micromol/L had no effect on CaN activity (P > 0.05). CsA 10(-6) mol/L inhibited UII-stimulated PKC activity by 14% (P < 0.05), while having no effect on MAPK activity (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUII increases cytosolic free calcium concentration and activates PKC, MAPK and CaN. The signal transduction pathway between PKC and CaN has cross-talk.

Animals ; Calcineurin ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Enzyme Activation ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Mitogens ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Trachea ; cytology ; Urotensins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of genistein on the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of the osteoblasts in vitro.

METHODSThe primary osteoblasts (OBs) were obtained from the rat calvaria and the cell line of osteosarcoma-UMR-106 served as control. The cells in the experiment group were grown in 10% (volume fraction) fetal calf serum (FCS) + alphaMEM + various concentrations of genistein. The control groups were grown in 10% FCS + alphaMEM. The growth of OBs was assessed by flow cytometry and MTT method. The differentiation of OBs was examined by the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity.

RESULTSFlow cytometry analysis and MTT showed that genistein could prompt primary OB from stage G(0) (G(1)) to stage S, G(2) or M. By contrast, genistein had no effect on the cell cycle of UMR-106, but could induce its apoptosis. Additionally, the results of ALP activity showed that genistein stimulated the differentiation of primary OB.

CONCLUSIONSGenistein can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of the primary osteoblasts in some degree, and induce the apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the constitution and health status of the Beijing residents, and the primary influencing factors on nutrition and health, as to finding out the epidemiological characters and the changing trend of chronic diseases and to establish scientific basis for the establishment of public health and disease prevention policies of Beijing.

METHODSA stratified multi-stage cluster randomly sampling method was used. In total, 18 districts were surveyed, and among them, 9 were conducted dietary survey. The investigation was based on household, and all family members were surveyed at their home. After having got the compliance from the family members, question asking, medical examination, laboratory test and dietary investigation were carried out in these people.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of hypertension was 25.0% for the resident > or = 15 year-old, and over 50% for middle-aged and elderly people (> or = 45 years old). The incidence of diabetes for those not younger than 15 years old was 7.7%. The over-weight rate and the obesity rate for adults were 35.1% and 20.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe following risk factors of chronic disease, such as unreasonable diet pattern, deficient intake of some micronutrients, over-weight and obesity, lack of physical examination, smoking and over-drinking, should be the important factors influencing the health of Beijing residents severely.

China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Incidence ; Life Style ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features of central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws and the relationship between the pathologic features and its clinical behavior.

METHODSHistologic, radiographic and follow-up information for 31 cases of central giant cell granuloma were reviewed. The histopathologic patterns were analyzed between nonrecurrent and recurrent cases for which the following-up information was available.

RESULTSThe majority of the giant cell granuloma of the jaws occurred in patients under 30 with a predilection of females and mostly were involved in the mandible. The radiographic features of CGCG non-specific. The multinucleated giant cell scattered unevenly, the numbers of the nuclei were few and mostly 10-19. The marked fibrosis, the multiple area of hemorrhage, abundant hemosiderin and newly formed bone were always present in the lesions. No significant difference exited between the recurrence and nonrecurrence groups in the pathologic features. The patients with aggressive behavior showed more consistent with the recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSCGCG was a non-neoplastic lesion of the jaws which was different from the giant cell tumor. It was difficult to distinguish between the CGCG and giant cell tumor (GCT), and to predict its clinical behavior only by the histopathological patterns. It was helpful to combine the clinical presentation of CGCG with its treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma, Giant Cell ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Jaw Diseases ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular epidemiological characteristics of hantavirus seen during 2000-2003 in Qingdao region of Shandong province.

METHODSSera were collected from 64 patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and viral RNA was extracted from the sera. HTN and SEO universal primers were designed as outer primers and HTN and SEO specific primers as inner primers. G1 gene region of M segment from hantavirus was amplified by using RT-nest-PCR for sequencing. The data of nucleotide sequences were analyzed by DNA star software.

RESULTSSix cases were positive by HTN specific primer of total cases (9%); 25 of 64 cases by SEO specific primer (39%); total positive rate was 48%. In general, SEO type was a prevalent type of hantavirus in Qingdao region. The variation of the nucleotide sequences among SEO viruses (nucleotide sequence divergence ranged from 0.3% approximately 8.9%) was lower than that among HTN type (nucleotide sequence divergence ranged from 2.6% approximately 11.2% ).

CONCLUSIONMajority of hantavirus found in Qingdao region belonged to SEO type and still a few strains belonged to HTN type. Most of the HTN viruses were detected in Jiaonan county.

China ; Genotype ; Hantavirus ; genetics ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; blood ; virology ; Humans ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics

Objective To preliminarily understand the genotyping characteristics regarding the variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates so as to provide evidence for the development of tuberculosis control and prevention programs in Fujian province.Methods Fifteen VNTR locus sets were used to detect the clinical isolates from the fifth surveillance project on tuberculosis resistance,in Fujian province.BioNumerics version 4.5 were used to analyze the cluster from the results generated by genotyping.Results 313 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were divided into 9 clusters,including Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ,Ⅴ,Ⅵ,Ⅶ,Ⅷ and Ⅸ,with the number of 220,9,48,2,1,3,10,10,10 isolates,respectively.Cluster Ⅰ was the major lineage,accounting for 70.3％ (220/313) of the total.Resistance rates of cluster Ⅰ isolates to isoniazid,streptomycin,ethambutol and multi-drug-resistaut were not statistically different from other clusters (P＞0.05).However,resistance rate to rifampicin (RFP) was significantly higher than that of other isolates of the clusters,33.2％ (73/220) vs.20.4％ (19/93) (P＜0.05).Conclusion The strains isolated from Fujian province showed significant polymorphism on genotyping.Cluster Ⅰ seemed to be the dominant,calling for the close monitoring program on cluster Ⅰ strains.Results from our initial studies demonstrated the existence of significant correlation between cluster Ⅰ strains and drug resistance to RFP.

Objective To investigate the rehabilitation promoting factors in stroke patients and to provide references for the design and implementation of effective intervention for rehabilitation of stroke patients.Methods In-depth interviews were conducted among eight stroke patients,and interview data were collected and analyzed.Results Five themes were identified through analysis and classification of the interview data:practical rehabilitation goals,effective rehabilitation training behaviors,overcoming abandonment behaviors and negative emotions,suitable support system,and proper self-adjustment.Conclusion The rehabilitation promoting factors for stroke patients are performing effective rehabilitation training towards effective rehabilitation goals.In this process,patients need to rely on appropriate social support and patients' self-adjustment to overcome abandonment behaviors and negative emotions.These factors form a force to promote rehabilitation during the process of rehabilitation.

We investigated the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of laboratory confirmed cases of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Shandong Province,China.A descriptive epidemiological method combined with case investigation was used in this study.Cases information were collected by standard questionnaire and analyzed by Epidata3.1,SPSS 17.0 and ArcGIS10.0 software.Results showed that a total of 154 cases were analyzed and the case fatality rate was 7.1％.Epidemic peak was from May to October,the high incidence areas were located in the middle and east hilly areas of Shandong Province.The characteristic of SFTS cases were farmers (93.5％),and the age was over 40 years.Most of them were living in the hilly areas (85.7 ％),and had outdoor activities within the previous 2 weeks prior to fever onset (83.8 ％).The 16.8％ of them had tick bites history.Tick carrying rates of sheep,cattle,dogs and cats were 66.7％,40％,34.3％ and 12.5％,respectively.Directly contact with bloody secretion of SFTS death cases can be infected with the disease.Major symptoms include high fever (98.1％),anorexia (90.9 ％),fatigue (53.3％),thrombocytopenia (73.4 ％) and leukocytopenia (60.4 ％).The 35.7 ％ cases need to go through more than three referrals for treatment,the interval time between onset and diagnosis was 5 days(3-15),only hospitals above county level can make the correct diagnosis of the disease.Compared with survival patients,the death cases were elderly patients (t =2.03,P=0.044) and with bleeding performance (x2 =13.09,P＜0.01).In conclusion,SFTS is a severe disease with high mortality.Living hilly environment,doing agricultural labor,feeding animals,tick carrying rates of animals and direct contacting with bloody secretion of deaths maybe possible risk factors.To reduce morbidity and mortality of SFTS,measures should be carried out to propagandize the basic knowledge for SFTS prevention and control and to improve the medical treatment skills of doctors in the epidemic foci.