Objective To segment brain magnetic resonance (MR) images corrupted by noises. Methods We presented a novel Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) algorithm for image segmentation. The algorithm was by modifying the objective function in the conventional FCM. Firstly,by using kernel method,the original Euclidean distance in the FCM was replaced by a kernel-induced distance. Then,a spatial penalty term was added to the objective function to compensate the influence of the neighboring pixels on the center pixel. Results Segmentation results on a four-class synthetic image corrupted by salt & pepper noise shows that the new algorithm is less speckled and smoother. The new algorithm is applied to simulation MR images and is shown to have less misclassification rate than the other FCM-based methods. Conclusion The results of experiments show that the proposed algorithm is more robust to noise than other FCM-based methods.

Objective To investigate the expression of neurotrophic tyresine kinase receptor TrkB in the eutopic and ectopic endometium of women with endometriosis and evaluate the role of TrkB in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Methods Seventeen women with endometriosis and 9 controls were studied. Expression of TrkB was investigated using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot, respectively. Results TrkB mRNA was expressed in eutopic endometrium in secretory phase and ectopic endometium of women with endometriosis, (23.51±0.51)% vs (35.29±0.67) % (P<0.05), but TrkB mRNA expression was not detected in control endometrium and eutopic endometrium in proliferative stage of women with endometriosis by RT-PCR. TrkB was expressed both on membrane (glycosylated receptor) and in cytoplasm (non-glycosylated receptor) of the glandular epithelial cells of ectopic endometium, and more often observed in cytoplasm of glandular epithelial cells of eutopic endometrium in secretory phase of women with endometriosis by IHC. In eutopic endometrium in secretory phase and ectopic endometium of women with endometriosis, the expression of TrkB protein was (0.12±0.02)% vs (0.37±0.01)% (P<0.05) by Western blot. Conclusions There is an overexpression of TrkB in eutopic endometrium in secretory phase and ectopic endometium of women with endometriosis. Full-length (glycosylated receptor) TrkB more often is overexpressed in ectopic endometium of women with endometriosis, and TrkB may act as a pathogenic role in formation of endometriosis.

Acetylation regulated by histone deacetylases (HDAC) has a broad influence on plenty of physiological processes and regulation of malignant tumor.HDAC inhibitors can promote tumor cell apoptosis and have little effect on normal cells,so they have been developed a new kind of anti-tumor agent,and part of them have entered clinical trials.Vorinostat and romidepsin have been approved by FDA for treating cutaneous T cell lymphoma patients with progressive,persistent and recurrent disease.Studies of the molecular mechanisms of the HDAC inhibitors will contribute to the further clinical application.

Objective On the basis of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ), to establish and appraise a new prognostic evaluation system for elder patients with respiratory failure undergoing mechanical ventilation in order to predict hospital mortality in the respiratory intensive care unit. Methods Two hundred and thirty-eight senile patients with respiratory failure having had mechanical ventilation during their hospitalization were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: model group (n=138) and validation group (n=100). Data of model group were analyzed by monofactorial and multifactorial regression analysis to screen the risk factors. Risk factors were given numerical values according to different grades, and complementary scoring system was then established. APACHE Ⅱ system was combined with complementary scoring system with Logistic multiple regression to form SRFMV system, a special evaluation system for the senile patients with respiratory failure undergoing mechanical ventilation. One hundred patients from validation group were evaluated by both SRFMV system and APACHE Ⅱ system, and the results were then compared to assess the validity and reliability of SRFMV system. Oxygenation index, positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), tidal volume, phlegm quantity and character, and pulmonary auscultation were selected to serve as standard for complementary scoring system. Mortality equation was set up with logistic multiple regression analysis. Results The predication sensitivity and specificity evaluated by SRFMV system in validation group (0.878 and 0.821, respectively) outstripped that evaluated by APACHE Ⅱsystem (0.818 and 0.771, respectively); the area under ROC curve in SRFMV system and the X2 value in Lemesshow-Hosmer statistic (0.911 and 13.77, respectively) also outstripped that in APACHE Ⅱsystem (0.860 and 11.808, respectively). Conclusions SRFMV system is of better sensitivity and specificity, in which the prediction of mortality is closely consistent with the reality. SRFMV system can be applied to obtain valid predictions of relevant outcomes in senile patients with respiratory failure underwent mechanical ventilation.

Purpose:To evaluate the therapeutic effects of 3-D conformal radiotherapy(3D-CRT) and concurrent chemotherapy in advanced non -small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Methods:38 stage Ⅲ NSCLC patients were given radio therapy to a total dose of 75~80 Gy(5-10 Gy/fraction;8-10 fractions)by using SCRT.And ea ch patient was given four cycles of concurrent chemotherapy(vinorelbine 25 mg/m ~2 on Days1,8;cisplatin 80 mg/m~2 on Days1;21 days for one cycle). Results:The response rate was 92.1%,of which 16 complete respo nders and 19 partial responders .The survival rate was 74.53%at 1 year, 37.45% at 2 years,the median survival time was 16 months. Conclusions:Stereotactic conformal radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy,as described here,is a well tolerated regimen with acceptable toxic ity.More effective treatment schemes are required to improve local disease contr ol and overall survival.

Objective To explore the effect of token on the pain and compliance of wound care of postoperative children with hypospadias, and provide evidence for the pain management and psycho-behavior intervention of children. Methods Selected 80 cases of hypospadias and they were assigned to the experience group and the control group. The control group was guided by conventional nursing intervention method while the experience group was guided by token intervention. Compare the pain score and compliance of two groups. Results The pain score of the experience group were (2.65±1.89), (2.40± 1.73), (2.10±1.43) points, the control group were (4.10±2.52), (3.35±2.09), (2.90±1.75) points. There were significant differences between the two groups (t=2.912, 2.399,- 2.239, all P<0.05). There were significant differences between the two groups for the compliance (χ2=5.415, 7.587, 9.372, all P<0.05). Conclusion Token can relief the pain of wound care of postoperative children with hypospadias, increase the compliance of wound care of the children.

Objective: To examine the relationship between self-management behaviors and time perspective among patients with comorbid diabetes, so as to provide the evidence for improving self-management behaviors among patients with comorbid diabetes. Methods: The patients with comorbid diabetes who were registered in the chronic disease health management system of Minhang District, Shanghai Municipality in 2021, followed up regularly, and lived in Meilong Town were recruited. Demographic information and family history of diabetes were collected through questionnaire surveys. Time perspective and self-management behaviors were assessed using the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and Diabetes Self-Management Behavior Scale, respectively. The relationship between self-management behaviors and time perspective was analyzed using a multivariable ordinal logistic regression model. Results: A total of 907 patients with comorbid diabetes were enrolled, including 472 males (52.04%) and 435 females (47.96%). There were 652 cases aged 65 years and above, accounting for 71.89%. In terms of the types of time perspective, 280 patients were future-oriented (30.87%), 236 were balanced (26.02%), 162 were sensation-seeking (17.86%), 123 were fatalistic (13.56%), and 106 were negative (11.69%). In terms of the self-management behaviors, 46 patients were good (5.07%), 643 were moderate (70.89%), and 218 were poor (24.04%). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender, educational level, marital status, occupation status, monthly income, and family history of diabetes, the patients with comorbid diabetes who had a future-oriented time perspective had better self-management behaviors (OR=1.874, 95%CI: 1.204-2.915). Conclusion The self-management behaviors among patients with comorbid diabetes are moderate to poor, and patients with a future-oriented time perspective can better engage in self-management behaviors.

Objective: To research the functional segments of B-FA molecule binding invariant chain and their characters. Methods:The DNA segments (α1α2, sα1α2 and α3TC ) of B-FA genes were respectively cloned and inserted into prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression plasmids,then they were singly or co-transfected with Ii gene into the engineering bacteria E. coli (BL-21)or 293T cells. After induction of expression,affinity chromatography and SDS-PAGE identification,the binding between B-FA segments and Ii molecule and co-localization in cells were observed with Pull-down and Western blot. Results:First three recombinant prokaryotic expression plasmids and four recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmids were constructed. The single molecules expressed by B-FA segments were observed after an affinity chromatography. Secondly the complexes of Ii/B-FA-α1α2 and Ii/B-FA-sα1α2 were detected by a Pull-down from the co-transfected corresponding prokaryotic expression plasmids,but no complex of Ii andα3TC,also in the western blot it was detected that B-FA-α1α2 or B-FA-sα1α2 as functional segment could bind Ii to form complex. Finally in eukaryotic expression 293T cells B-FA-sα1α2 kept localization, the same as B-FA. Conclusion: Chicken B-FA-α1α2 is function segment to bind with Ii molecule and keeps the location characters same as B-FA. The results of this research first time provide experimental evidence about B-FA functional region binding segment to Ii molecule.

Objective To investigate the regulatory effects of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC -MSCs) on Th17 cells and related cytokines in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Human UC-MSCs were isolated and expanded and infused into fourteen SLE patients. Clinical changes were evaluated before and after transplantation by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), 24-hour urine protein, serum albumin and complement C3. The percentages of CD3 +CD8-IL17A + T cells in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Concentrations of plasma IL-6, TGF-β, IL-17A, IL-22were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). UC-MSCs and peripheral blood mononindependent samples t-test. Results SLEDAI scores decreased significantly at 3 month (7.8±1.2, t=2.19) and 6 month (6.9±0.9, t=4.2) after UC-MSCs transplantation than pre-transplantation level (10.4±0.9, P< 0.05). Twenty-four-hour proteinuria decreased significantly 6 months after MSCs infusion [(1489±260) mg vs (2454±322) mg, t=2.6, P<0.05]. Meanwhile, serum albumin and complement C3 levels had increased significantly since 1 month after transplantation (P<0.05). The percentages of peripheral blood CD3+CD8-IL17A+T cells decreased obviously in 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after UC-MSCs transplantation (all P<0.05). The coculture of UC-MSCs with PBMC from SLE patients resulted in a statistically significant reduction of CD3+CD8-IL17A+T cells percentage in PBMC (P<0.05), but was not in a dose dependent manner. No change of plasma IL+6, TGF-β, IL-17A and IL-22 levels was observed after UC-MSCs transplantation (P>0.05).Conclusion UC-MSCs transplantation down-regulates the percentages of CD3+CD8-IL17A+T cells in SLE patients, which may be one of the mechanisms for its therapeutic effect in refractory SLE.

Objective To study the effects of midkine (MK) gene-targeting small interfering RNA (siRNA)on the invasion of melanoma cells.Methods Three MK gene-targeting siRNAs (S1,S2 and S3)were designed,constructed,and transfected into human A375 melanoma cells.Real-time PCR was performed to measure the expression of MK gene and to screen the siRNA with best efficacy.Then,A375 cells were transfected with the optimal siRNA of various doses (3.125,6.25 and 12.5 nmol/L)followed by additional culture of various durations(24,48,72 hours).Some A375 cells remaining untreated served as the blank control group,and some transfected only with liposomes served as the vector control group.Reverse transcription (RT) -PCR and Western blot were conducted to detect the mRNA and protein expression of MK,respectively,MTT assay to observe the adhesion of A375 cells,and Boyden chamber was used to evaluate cell invasion.Results The expression of MK mRNA was downregulated by all the three siRNAs,especially by the siRNA S3,which was used in the following transfection experiment.Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that the MK mRNA expression was reduced by the siRNA in a dose- (r24hours=-0.906,r4Bhours=-0.922,r72hours=-0.939,all P<0.01)and time-dependent(r3.125nmol/L=-0.889,r625nmol/L=-0.935,r125nmol/L=-0.928,all P<0.01)manner.MTT assay showed that the percentage of adhesing cells was 73.66%±2.25%,49.36%±2.16%and 28.35%±1.68%in A375 cells transfected with the siRNA of 3.125,6.25 and 12.5 nmol/L,respectively.The number of cells migrating across the chamber filter was 23.9±1.6,12.1±1.5,5.6±1.2 among A375 cells transfected with the siRNA of 3.125,6.25 and 12.5 nmol/L,respectively,significantly lower than that in the blank control group(36.8±1.5).The percentage of adhesing cells and number of migrating cells decreased with the dose of siRNA(r=-0.936,-0.915,P<0.01,0.05,respectively).Conclusions MK gene might play an important role in the adhesion and invasion of melanonla cells.To down-regulate the expression of MK gene by siRNA may suppress the adhesion and invasion of melanoma cells.