Objective To compare three methods for the extraction of mycobacterial DNA.Methods Two commercial DNA extraction kits and an ordinary freeze-thawing method were used to extract DNA from the pure suspensions of three species of Mycobacteria (M.tuberculosis,M.leprae and M.smegmatis) at different densities (1 × 10 to 1 × 105 cells/ml),simulated clinical specimens containing different concentrations of mycobacterial cells (1 × 10 to 1 × 104 cells/ml).The purity and concentration of the extracted DNA were evaluated.Then,PCR was performed to amplify the 16S rRNA region of Mycobacteria.The performance of the three methods was compared by the purity and concentration of extracted DNA as well as the results of PCR.Further more,76 clinical skin specimens suspected to be infected with Mycobacteria were used to further validate the performance of these methods.Results All the extracted DNA samples could be detected by PCR.The highest purity of DNA was obtained by the kit A,followed sequentially by the freeze-thawing method and the kit B.When pure suspensions were used,the detection limit was consistently 1 × 102 cells/ml for all the three methods.With simulated specimens,the detection rate was consistently 100％ for all the three methods at the concentration of 1 × 103 cells/ml,60％ (12/20),55％ (11/20) and 55％ (11/20) for the kit A,kit B and freeze-thawing method respectively at the concentration of 1 × 102 cells/ml.The analysis of clinical specimens showed that the kit B could be used to extract DNA from paraffin-embedded specimens,with the detection rate similar to that of kit A and freeze-thawing method.Conclusions The kit A could rapidly yield high-quality genomic DNA of Mycobacteria by repeated cleaning of columns,and may serve as the optimal method for scientific and clinical studies,and the kit B is suitable for extracting mycobacterial DNA from fresh tissue specimens besides paraffin-embedded specimens.

Objective To observe the enhancement pattern and time-intensity curve of endometrial carcinomas by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS). Methods Altogether 30 endometrial carcinomas were evaluated with real-time gray-scale CEUS, using pulse inversion harmonies technique. The enhancement patterns were observed. Twenty tumors were compared for the size between traditional ultrasound and CEUS. In 21 cases, the parameters of time-intenaity curve were compared between the endometrial lesion and un-involved myometrium. Results The contrast agent arrived at the feeding vessels firstly and then branched into the endometrial tumors. All of the endometrial tumors were enhanced completely except for the necrosis area. In 73.3 % (22/30) of cases, the tumors washed out earlier than the un-involved myometrium. By using CEUS 76. 7% (23/30) of cases showed the feeding vessels of tumor. 43.3% (13/30) of cases showed more clearly than traditional ultrasound in tumor base, position and boundary. The mean enhancement sizes of tumor were bigger than the size showed by traditional ultrasound in 85% of cases by (0. 62±0.50)cm. More than 90% cases showed the tumors start to enhance and wash-out earlier than or at the same time as myometrium. The arrival time and peak time of cancer group were significantly earlier than myometrium group. The peak intensity, enhancement intensity and the rising rate of the tumor group were significantly higher than those of the myometrium group. Conclusions There are some characteristic points in CEUS of endometrial carcinomas. CEUS can provide richer information in tumor imaging than traditional ultrasound and has certain clinical value.

Objective To compare the roles of inflammatory response in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by blunt chest trauma verus by blunt chest trauma-hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (double hits) in rats.Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8 weeks,weighing 240-280 g,were randomly assigned into 3 equal groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),blunt chest trauma group (T group),and blunt chest trauma and hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation group (THSR group).Lung contusion was induced in anesthetized rats by dropping a 300 g weight onto a precordial protective shield to direct the impact force away from the heart and toward the lungs.Blood was withdrawn via the left femoral artery 5 min later until MAP was decreased to 35-45 mmHg within 15 min and maintained at this level for 60 min,followed by resuscitation.At 6 h after the model was established,the arterial blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis and detection of serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-1β and IL-10 (by ELISA).The rats were then sacrificed and pulmonary specimens were obtained for determination of contents of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β and IL-10 in lung tissues and for microscopic examination.Results Compared with group S,PaO2 was significantly decreased,and the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β and IL-10 in serum and lung tissues were increased in T and THSR groups.Compared with group T,PaO2 was significantly decreased,and the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β and IL-10 in serum and lung tissues were increased in group THSR.The histopathological damage to lung tissues was aggravated in THSR group as compared with T group.Conclusion The role of inflammatory response in ALI induced by blunt chest trauma-hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (double hits) is significantly stronger than that in ALI induced by blunt chest trauma alone in rats.

Objective To investigate the efficiency of ultrasound microbubble-mediated HGF gene transfer on liver fibrosis in rats. Methods The eukaryotic expression vector pMD18-T/HGF was constructed. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal group, model group, low dose group,middle dose group and high dose group. The rat liver fibrosis were induced. At day 14 after treatment, the rats were sacrificed, the ALT lever were evaluated, pathological evaluation of liver fibrosis were made,immunohistochemical evaluation of HGF protein expressions were observed, HGF mRNA expression were detected by RT-PCR. Results Liver 1function after the treatment showed that the treatment groups were better than model group ( P ＜ 0. 05). The difference between low dose group and normal group showed significant difference ( P ＜0.05), and the difference between middle/high dose groups and normal group showed no significant ( P ＞0. 05). Pathological results showed that the treatment groups could reduce liver fibrosis;treatment groups had the positive HGF expression by immunohistochemistry and the expression level increased with the increasement of the treatment dose ( P ＜0.05). RT-PCR showed HGF mRNA expression in the treatment groups were higher than in model group ( P ＜0.05). Conclusions Ultrasound microbubbles which carrying HGF can inhibit the process of hepatic fibrosis.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of DTI for prostate cancer.Methods From October 2009 to December 2010,44 patients suspected of prostate cancer received MRI and DTI.The data of MRI and DTI were analyzed retrospectively.By histopathology,prostate cancer was proved in 16 patients,and benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ) was proved in 28 patients.Differences in ADC and FA values between prostate cancer and BPH were compared by independent samples t test.Diagnostic accuracy of FA value and ADC value for prostate cancer was analyzed by using ROC curve,and the diagnostic threshold of FA value and ADC value for prostate cancer was determined.Results The mean FA value of the tumor regions and BPH were 0.308 +0.084 and 0.203 ±0.029,respectively.The mean ADC value of the tumor regions and BPH were (0.883 +0.192) × 10 -3 mm2/s and ( 1.408 ±0.130) × 10-3 mm2/s,respectively.There were statistically significant differences in ADC and FA values between tumor regions and BPH (t values were 4.833 and 10.779 respectively,P＜0.01).The ADC value area under curve of ROC was 0.996 (95％ CI was 0.984 to 1.007) ; the FA value area under curve of ROC was 0.904(95％ CI was 0.812 to 0.996) ; Combined the FA and ADC value area under curve of ROC is 0.996(95％ CI was 0.984to 1.007) ; Using the ADC value of 0.725 × 10 3 mm2/s as the ROC cut off point,the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 100.0％ and 96.0％,respectively; Using the FA value of 0.311as the ROC cut off point,the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 100.0％ and 68.7％,respectively.Conclusion DTI imaging can provide valuable information for prostate cancer diagnosis and differential diagnosis,and improve the diagnosis ability of prostate cancer.

Objective To optimize the extraction technology of Zhiqian Capsule;To provide evidence for researches on preparation into new Chinese medicine. Methods The main influential factors of extraction technology included the quantity of water, extraction time and immersion time. The extraction effect was evaluated with the content of aesculetin and the extract yield as indexes. The optimal extraction technology of Zhiqian Capsule was selected by single factor experiment and central composite design-response surface method. Results The best extraction conditions were as follows:reflux extraction for twice, the first time adding 10-fold of water and extraction for 2.5 h, the second time adding 8-fold of water and extraction for 2 h. Conclusion The optimal extraction technology of Zhiqian Capsule is efficient for extracting aesculetin, as well as economical, reasonable, easy and feasible.

Objective To evaluate the value of MRS in quantitative assessment of degeneration of lumbar discs.Methods Totally 82 patients with lumbago underwent lumbar MR scanning.All the discs were classified with Pfirrmann grades in the sequences of sagittal T2WI.The area under N-acetyl peak,under water peak and the ratio of N-acetyl/Water were measured by MRS.Correlation between MRS values and Pfirrmann grade,age were analyzed.Results In 82 patients,204 lumbar discs were measured by MRS.There were 89,73,39,3 discs in Pfirrmann Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ,V respectively.The areas of N-acetyl,water peak and N-acetyl/Water ratio of nucleus region were positively correlated with Pfirrmann grading,respectively (rs =-0.460,-0.204,-0.526,all P＜0.05).There were 62,25,37,51,29 discs in patients aged ＜30,30-39,40-49,50-59,＞59 years respectively.The ares of N-acetyl peak,N-acetyl/Water ratio of nucleus region was negatively correlated with the age (rs=-0.247,-0.385,both P＜0.05).Conclusion MRS can be used for quantitative assessment of lumbar discs degeneration.

With the rapid development of modern medicine, medical equipment is continuously updated and improved, so that we can get a deeper understanding of certain diseases, such as inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT). The etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of IMT are not typical. Its imaging impression also lacks specificity, and there are many similarities with malignant tumors, prone to misdiagnosis. However, imaging examinations can indicate the scope of mass, the relationship with the surrounding tissues, and benign and malignant tendency and other information. Preoperative diagnosis of IMT has a certain value and can guide the clinical selection of a proper treatment. This article summarizes the progress of IMT in imaging diagnosis in recent years in order to improve the understanding of IMT.

Objective To summarize the characteristics of common carotid arterial wave intensity (WI) in healthy volunteers and offer the normal reference values of WI. Methods Common carotid arteries (CCA) in 525 healthy volunteers were examined using Aloka Prosound α10 equipped with wave intensity software. The volunteers were divided into six group according to age,group A,＜20 years old;group B,20 - 29 years old;group C,30 - 39 years old;group D,40 - 49 years old;group E,50 - 59 years old and group F,≥60 years old. Carotid arterial wave intensity in normal subjects had two positive peaks, the first peak,W1 ,and the second peak, W2. Between the two positive peaks, a negative area (NA), the time interval between the R-wave of ECG and the first peak(R-W1 ) and that between the first and second peaks (W1-W2) were observed. Results ① 1050 common carotid arteries in 525 volunteers were studied. The mean values of W1,W2,NA,R-W1,and W1-W2 were (8332±4796) mmHg · m-1 · s-3,(1853±1143)mmHg · m-1 · s-3,(38 ± 26) mmHg · m-1 · s-2, (102 ± 19)ms and (266 ± 42)ms,respectively. ②These values were no significant between the left and right CCA in same group. W1 and NA were correlated with age ( r = - 0. 204 and r = -0.301, P ＜0. 001). W1 and NA in group A and B were significant increased than those in other groups( P ＜0. 05 or P ＜0. 001 ). ③There were statistical significances in W1 and W1-W2 of CCA between male and female. ④There were no statistical significances in all values in common carotid arteries of both sides (P ＞0. 05). ConclusionsWI technique is useful for evaluating the dynamic behavior of the heart and the vascular system and their interaction. W1 is very sensitive to the changes in the working condition of the cardiovascular system.