Objective No reports has been found to date on whether frequency compounding can improve elastographic image signal to noise ratio (SNRe) and how it affects elastogram performance.In this paper simulations investigation was carried out on transmit-side frequency compounding (TSFC)for elastography.Methods 50 mm×50 mm tissue model was simulated with two round hard inclusions of 10mm diameter uniformly distributed along the tissue central axial line,and their elasticity modulus were 10 times of the background.Then simulation of 3.5 MHz、5 MHz and 7.5 MHz probes were introduced to form compression elastography of the double-lesion model by quasi-static compression method (applied strain 1%).Then,sub-elastograms obtained by the combination of 3.5 MHz and 5 MHz,3.5 MHz and 5 MHz,3.5 MHz and 7.5 MHz were compounded,respectively.Results Before compounding,signal to noise ratio (SNRe) of the various sub-elastograms were 8.42,9.62,10.73,respectively,contrast to noise ratio (CNRe) were 11.35,14.82,18.37,respectively and axial resolutions were 9.83,9.82,9.81.After compounding elastograms,the SNRe were 11.82,13.05,19.45,CNRe were 22.31,27.63,56.12,while axial resolutions were 9.83,9.83,9.83.Conclusion Frequency compounding elastograms have higher SNRe and CNRe than any sub-elastogram before compounding and have no axial resolution loss.The TSFC can improve elastogram performance efficiently and frequency compounding for elastography enhancement is feasible.

This study was to investigate the chemical constituents from pseudobulbs of Pleione yunnanensis, one of the source of traditional Chinese medicine "Shancigu". The chemical constituents were isolated by various chromatography methods, including silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified from the EtOAc fraction of 90% ethanol extract, including five dihydrophenanthrenes, four bibenzyls, two triterpenoids, and three phenylacrylic acids. Their structures were identified on the basis of the spectral data as 4, 7-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (1), 4, 7-dihydroxy-1-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (2), (2,3-trans)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -3-hydroxymethyl-10-methoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-phenanthro[2,1-b]furan-7-ol (3), pleionesin B (4), blestriarene A (5), batatasin III (6), 3, 3'-dihydroxy-2-(p-hydroxybenzyl) -5-methoxybibenzyl (7), 3', 5-dihydroxy-2-(p-hydroxybenzyl) -3-methoxybibenzyl (8), 3,3'-dihydroxy-2,6-bis(4-hydroxybenzyl) -5-methoxybibenzyl (9), triphyllol (10), pholidotin (11), (E) -p-hydroxycinnamic acid (12), (E)-ferulic acid (13), and (E)-ferulic acid hexacosyl ester (14). Compounds 5,10-14 were separated from this plant for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Orchidaceae ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Objective To observe the effect of ultrashort wave diathermy on collagen type I expression in early stage of hormon-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) in rabbit.Methods A total of 40 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups:a control group (n=10) and a treatment group (n =30).All the animals in the treatment group were injected with horse serum and methylprednisolone to establish the ANFH model,and then divided into 2 subgroups:a model group and a ultrashort wave diathermy group,which were treated accordingly.After 12 weeks of treatment,all the animals were sacrificed and collagen type I expression in the femoral head was observed.Results It was shown that the expression of the collagen type I was significantly lower in the model animals than that in the controls as indicated by the stronger immunohistochemistry staining for rabbit collagen type,while that of the ultrashort wave diathermy group was significant higher than the control group ( P

Fourteen compoumds were isolated from the ethyl acetate portion of the 95% ethanolic extract of Pleione bulbocodioides by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, ODS, macroporous adsorbent resin, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC, of which ten compoumds were phenanthrenes and dihydrophenanthrenes, two compoumds were bibenzyls, one was lignan and a sterol. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic data as monbarbatain A(1), 2, 7, 2'-trihy-droxy-4, 4', 7'-trimethoxy-1, 1'- biphenanthrene(2), blestriarene A(3), pleionesin B(4), shanciol H(5), 17-hydroxy-7'-(4'-hy-droxy-3 '-methoxyphenyl)- 4-methoxy-9, 10, 7', 8'-tetrahydrophenanthro[2, 3-b]furan-8'-yl methyl acetate(6), 1-p-hydroxybenzyl-4-methoxy phenanthrene-2, 7-diol(7), 1-p-hydroxybenzyl-4-met-hoxy-9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene-2, 7-diol(8), hircinol(9), coelonin( 10), gigantol(11), batatasin 11 (12), syringaresinol(13) and ergosta4, 6, 8 ( 14) , 22-tetraen-3-one (14). Compounds 1-3, 9, 13 and 14 were isolated from this genus for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Orchidaceae ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis

Background There are a lot of studies about the carrier of corneal endothelial transplantation,but the best carrier has not been defined.Objective This study was to investigate the biocompatibility of chitosan carrier with rabbit corneal endothelium in vivo.Methods Fresh eye-balls were obtained from 10 New Zealand white rabbits.Rabbit corneal endothelial cells (CECs) were isolated and cultured on chitosan carrier in vitro.The morphology and density of rabbits CECs were observed every day,and the expressions of fibronectin (FN),collagen-1 (Coil-I) and Zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) were detected by immunoinfluorescence.The morphology and ultrastructure of CECs were observed under the scanning and transmission electron microscope.Chitosan carrier with CECs was implanted into the anterior chamber of the left eyes in ten healthy New Zealand white rabbits,and only paracentesis of anterior chamber was performed in the right eyes as controls.The inflammation of ocular anterior segment was examined under the slit lamp microscope,and corneal thickness was measured 1 week,4 and 8 weeks after operation.Corneal endothelium cell density and morphology were examined under the corneal endothelial microscope at postoperative 2 weeks.Corneal samples were collected for the regular histopathological examination to observe the inflammatory reaction at postoperative 1 month and 3 months.Paired t test was used for statistical analyses between the control group (left eyes) and the experimental group (right eyes).The use and care of the animals followed the Statement of ARVO.Results CECs formed an intact monolayer of cells with the uniform shape and size on the chitosan membrane after incubated for 5 days.The cells reached confluence of 90％ 7 days after cultured with the 40％ hexagon cells.Under the scanning electron nicroscope,rabbit CECs showed the round or polygon in the shape with the microvillus on the cell surface.The cells connected closely by desmosome.The processes,pseudopodiums and microvillus on the cellular surface,vacuole in the cytoplasm,expanded endoplasmic reticulum with ribosome and abundant chromatin were exhibited under the transmission electron microscope.The immunofluorescence examination revealed the positive expressions of FN,Coll-Ⅰ and ZO-1 in the CECs on the chitosan carrier.In the in vivo experiment,the exudation in the anterior chamber and corneal edema were seen under the slit lamp microscope 3 days after implantation of chitosan carrier with CECs.However,the inflammation was gone 14 days after operation.The differences of the corneal thickness were no significant between the experimental group and the control group 1 week and 4,8 weeks after operation (t =1.377,P=0.265;t =1.795,P=0.165 ; t =0.390,P =0.760).In addition,no significant differences were found in the CECs density and the hexagon cells rate between the two groups(P =0.365,0.062).The histopathological examination showed that the inflammatory cells around the chitosan membrane were disappeared 3 months after operation and showed a good corneal structure.Conclusions Chitosan carrier has a good biocompatibility with rabbit CECs and anterior chamber,and it may be a potentially good carrier for CECs transplantation.

OBJECTIVETo show the involvement of lymphocyte-derived catecholamines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we investigated the change in expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a rate-limiting enzyme of catecholamine synthesis, by CD4+ T lymphocytes in lymphoid tissues of DBA/1 mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

METHODSCIA model was induced by chicken type II collagen in DBA/1 mice. The joints of the mice were observed for clinical score of swelling on and after the 22nd day of primary immunization. Pathological changes of ankles were examined by staining of tissue sections with hematoxylin and eosin on the 35th and 55th day following primary immunization. Immunofluorescent histochemistry was used to identify the number of TH-positive, CD4-positive, and double-labeled cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen.

RESULTSPaw-swelling onset was on days 29 - 32 after the first immunization in DBA/1 mice. Clinical score for swelling of the paws reached peak on day 46 after the first immunization. Compared with the ankles of intact or vehicle mice, the joints of CIA mice had these characteristics: increased inflammatory cells in the synovial tissues, proliferated synoviocytes in the multilayers, narrowed articular space, and destructed articular cartilages. Simultaneously, the number of TH-positive, CD4-positive, and double-labeled cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen was significantly increased on days 35 and 55 following the first immunization. Between day 35 and day 55 post-immunization, there was no significant difference in the number of these positive cells.

CONCLUSIONCD4+ T lymphocytes up-regulate TH expression in the process of CIA and therefore, it is suggested that endogenous catecholamines of lymphocytes involve in the pathogenesis of RA.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; metabolism ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Lymphoid Tissue ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ischemic postconditioning on the expression of rat myocardium matris metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and relationship between its expression and interstitium and the effect on left ventricular function.

METHODSTwenty-four rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8): sham control (SC) group, ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) group and ischemic postconditioning (IPTC) group. The left ventricular peak systolic pressure and its derivate (+/- dp/dt) were calculated; The amount of myocardium collagenous were determined; The vitality of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) of plasma were detected; The activity of myocardium MMP-2 was measured by Western blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTSAs compared with I/R group, IPTC could lower the expression of MMP-2, ameliorate left ventricular function and increase the content of myocardium collagenous. In the meantime, the vitality of superoxide dismutase (SOD) of plasma were greatly enhanced and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) of plasma were reduced in IFC group.

CONCLUSIONProtective effect of IPIC on myocardium may be due to reduce free radical, lower expression of MMP-2 and protect myocardial interstitium. MMPs plays an important role in the myocardial protection provided by IPTC.

Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; enzymology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ischemic postconditioning (IPTC) on the changes of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) protein and mRNA levels in rat heart subjected to ischemia/reperfusion, and explore the mechanism by which IPTC protects myocardial interstitium following ischemic/reperfusion (I/R).

METHODSTwenty four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8): sham control (SC) group, I/R group and IPTC group. The parameters of left ventricular function including left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and its derivate (±dp/dt) were measured; the amount of myocardial collagen contents was determined by hydroxyproline quantification; the plasma activity of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was detected; the protien levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was measured by Western blot and the mRNA levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was detected by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe myocardial collagen contents, left ventricular function and the protein and mRNA levels of TIMP-2 were significantly decreased in I/R group compared with those of SC group, wherease the activities of CK and LDH in the plasma and the protein and mRNA levels of MMP-2 were significantly enhanced in I/R group when compared to SC group. Compared with I/R group, the myocardial collagen contents, left ventricular function and the protein and mRNA levels of TIMP-2 were increased in IPTC group, the activities of CK and LDH in the plasma and the protein and mRNA level of MMP-2 were decreased in IPTC group.

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that IPTC has protective effects on myocardial interstitial after the myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and IPTC may exert its cardioprotectve effect via inhibiting MMP-2 and enhancing TIMP-2 expression in cardiac muscle.

Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Creatine Kinase ; metabolism ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objective To investigate the characteristics of maternal thyroid function of pregnant women with negative thyroid antibody in high water iodine area. Methods The investigation sites were selected,which were the Hospital for Women and Children of Jinghai county in the high water iodine area(drinking iodine > 200 μg/L) and the Hospital for Women and Children of Heping district in Tianjin in the adaptive iodine area (drinking iodine < 10μg/L,popularization rate of iodized salt > 90％,residents urinary iodine > 200μg/L). In the maternal and child hospitals,50 pregnant women of each stage from obstetric clinics in first,second,third term of pregnancy were selected,the blood samples were collected and the thyroid function were measured with chemiluminescence. Water,salt and diurnal optional urine samples were measured for iodine concentration. Iodine levels of urine,water,salt were determined respectively by As-Ce catalysis spoctrophotometry method,quantitative determining kit which use time-recorded determination by catalytic effect on the As-Ce reaction and sodium hyposulfite titration method. Results ①In pregnant women with negative thyroid antibody,serum TT_4,TT_3,FT_4 in first term of pregnaney and TT_4,TT_3 in second term of pregnancy were significantly lower in high water iodine area than low water iodine area(111.97 nmol/L vs 140.46 nmoL/L,Z = 3.56,P < 0.01 ; 1.86 nmol/L vs 2.26 nmol/L,Z = 2.35, P < 0.05; 14.13 pmol/L vs 16.32 pmol/L,Z = 5.14,P < 0.01,and 11.98 pmol/L vs 14.30 pmol/L,Z = 5.75,P < 0.01 ; 4.04 pmol/L vs 4.32 pmol/L,Z = 2.76,P < 0.01),while TT_3 and TSH in third term of pregnancy were significantly higher(2.88 nmoL/L vs 2.70 nmol/L,Z=-2.27,P< 0.05; 2.37 mU/L vs 1.75 mU/L,Z =-2.70, P < 0.01).②Concentration of water iodine and urine iodine were higher(205.57μg/L vs 8.26 μg/L,Z =-14.71,P < 0.01 ; 305.91 g/L vs 191.86 g/L,Z =-5.30,P < 0.01),while salt iodine was lower(26.5 mg/kg vs 31.7 mg/kg,Z =-5.86,P < 0.01) in high water iodine area. ③Among 290 selected healthy pregnant women without medical history of thyroid diseases,there was no significant difference in positive rate of thyroid antibody in each term of pregnancy between high water iodine area and low water iodine area(10.20％ vs 10.64％ ; 14％ vs 9.52％ ; 4％ vs 7.69％ ; all P > 0.05). Conclusions The thyroid function of pregnant women with negative thyroid antibody in high water iodine area is different from pregnant women in low water iodine area with universal salt iodization. Enhanced monitoring on thyroid function of pregnant women in high water iodine area should be performed,especially in first and second trimester.