Objective To explore the value of virtual touch tissue imaging (VTI) of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Methods VTI features of 77 histologically proven thyroid nodules in 74 patients were analyzed and the VTI features were divided into 6 grades.The higher grade represented higher tissue stiffness.Differences in VTI grade between benign and malignant lesions were analyzed by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve,and the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy were calculated.Results 77 pathologically proven thyroid nodules included 61 benign and 16 malignant lesions.VTI images classification included 0 in grade Ⅰ,1 ingrade Ⅱ,1 in grade Ⅲ,9 in grade Ⅳ,3 in grade Ⅴ and 2 in grade Ⅵ for malignant diseases ; and included 18 in grade Ⅰ,28 in grade Ⅱ,10 in grade Ⅲ,1 in grade Ⅳ,2 in grade Ⅴ and 2 in grade Ⅵ for benign diseases.The best diagnostic point of VTI-grade was grade Ⅳ.When VTI-grade Ⅳ or greater was used as the diagnostic criterium for malignancy,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy rate in differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules were 87.50％,91.80％ and 90.9(％ respectively.Conclusions VTI is useful in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Objective To investigate the role of opioid receptors in the protective effects of isoflurane-induced delayed preconditioning against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rabbits. Methods Forty male New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2.0-2.5 kg were randomly assigned into 4 groups ( n = 10 each) : group I sham operation (S); group II I/R; group Ⅲ isoflurane + I/R (Iso) and group IV Iso + naloxone + I/R (Nal). Myocardial I/R was induced by 40 min occlusion of left anterior descending branch (LAD) of coronary artery followed by 120 min reperfusion. In group Ⅲ (Iso) 2% isoflurane in 100% O2 was inhaled for 2 h and I/R was produced 24 h later. In group IV (Nal) naloxone 6 mg/kg was given iv 10 min before 2 h of 2% isoflurane inhalation and I/R was produced 24 h later. At the end of 120 min reperfusion, infarct size (IS) and area at risk (AAR) were determined by Evan's blue and TTC staining. Myocardial ultrastructure was examined by electron microscopy. The phosphorylated p38MAPK protein expression in myocardium was determined by Western blot. Results The IS was significantly smaller in group Iso ( Ⅲ ) ( 19.7% ± 2.8%) than in I/R group ( II ) (37.8% ±1.7%) (P<0.05). The phosphorylated p38MAPK protein expression in myocardium was significantly lower in group Iso than in group I/R. Microscopic examination showed less myocardial damage in Iso group than in group I/R. The protective effects of delayed preconditioning by isoflurane was prevented by naloxone pretreatment. ConclusionOpioid receptors may be involved in the protective effects of delayed preconditioning by isoflurane against myocardial I/R injury.

Objective To investigate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields(PEMFs)on proliferation and differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs).Methods EPCs were isolated from rat bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation.EPCs were exposed to PEMFs from the 5th day to the end of culture.MTT was used to measure the proliferation of EPCs.The expression ofⅧ-related antigen and NOS_3 was evaluated by flow cytometry. Results Compared with the control,the proliferating ability of EPCs exposed to PEMFs was stronger;the number ofⅧ-related antigen and NOS_3 positive cells increased significantly in EPCs exposed in PEMFs.Conclusion PEMFs promotes the proliferation and differentiation of rat bone marrow EPCs.

Objective To establish the benign prostatic hyperplasia evaluation index system for nursing quality. Methods Indicators framework for perioperative nursing quality evaluation index system was built up by the theoretical research, clinical research, expert meetings approach firstly, then the Delphi method was used to screen and verify the indicators. Results Two rounds of consultation questionnaires were collected with rate of 86.0%, 95.3% respectively, the first round of consultation had the retention of 13 indicators, removed 4 indicators of those. After the second round, the average score of important target was no less than 8.0, and more than half of indicators had a full mark, coefficient of variation targets no higher than 0.20 were up to 100%. Coefficient of concordance of two rounds were 0.241 and 0.433 respectively. ConclusionsAfter two rounds of consultation, there were 13 quality indicators left and experts had well authoritativeness and representative.

Objective: To study the effect of ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty(?-3 PUFA) on the serum lipid of ovariectomized rats.Methods: 60 virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats,3 months of age,were randomized by the stratified weight method into 6 groups: Sham group:deionized water 2 mL/d,OVX group:eionized water 2 mL/d,E2 group: OVX+17?-ethinylestradiol 0.1 mg/(kg?d),A group: OVX+?-3 PUFA 75 mg/(kg?d),B group: OVX+?-3 PUFA 150 mg/(kg?d) and C group: OVX+?-3 PUFA 300 mg/(kg?d).Each group had 10 rats.Experiment period was 90 days.Body weight were measured every week.Serum were collected to measure Cholesterol(TC),Triglyceride(TG),High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C),and Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C).Results: There were significant difference between groups in the serum lipid.In the OVX group,TC and LDL-C increased.In the E2 group,TC increased compared with that in the Sham group,and HDL-C,LDL-C and HDL-C/TC decreased significantly compared with that in the OVX group.In the A,B and C groups HDL-C/TC increased significantly compared with those in the E2 group.Conclusion: The ovariectomized rats have lipid metabolism disorderd.The ?-3 PUFA and estrogen replacement therapy plays a role in the lipid metabolism.The ?-3 PUFA has the best efficiency in reducing the level of serum lipid.

Objective:To explore the benefit effects of ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on bone biomechanics in ovariectomized(OVX) rats.Methods: 60 virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized by the stratified weight method into 6 groups: ① Sham group:deionized water 2 mL/d;②OVX group:deionized water 2 mL/d;③E2 group: OVX +17?-ethinylestradiol 0.1 mg/(kg?d);④ A group: OVX+?-3 PUFAs 75 mg/(kg?d);⑤B group: OVX+?-3 PUFAs 150 mg/(kg?d);⑥ C group: OVX+?-3 PUFAs 300 mg/(kg?d).Each group had 10 rats.After feeding for 90 days,the rats were killed and femur were separated.The maximum load,maximum deformation,elastic load,elastic deformation and energy absorption were measured from three point bending test.Bone wet weights were measured.Result: The femur biomechanics markers of OVX group decreased obviously,while that of all medicated group increased obviously(P

Alteration in the structural appearance of the optic disk and retinal nerve fiber layer usually precedes the development of reproducible glaucomatous visual field defects.Identification of these changes is important in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma at an early to moderate stage and in monitoring its clinical course.This paper reviews the optical coherence tomography(OCT),Heidelberg retina tomography(HRT),optic nerve head stereophotograph(ONHP)and scanning laser polarimetry(SLP) in the field of open angle glaucoma.

Background Oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization is the main pathological basis for many retinal vascular diseases.Research showed that light exposure at night can suppress retinal neovascularization in oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR),but there were few reports discussing its effect on ROP.Objective This study aimed to observe the effect of light exposure at night on retinal neovascularization in an OIR mouse model.Methods Sixty-four newborn C57 BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups,with 16 mice for each group.OIR models were established by rearing the newborn C57BL/6J mice with their mothers in a(75±2)％ oxygen environment from postnatal day 7(P7)to Pl2,and then transferred to room air.In the OIR model group,the environmental illumination level was the same as the normal control group,and the model mice were exposed to 100 lx light at night in the OIR+ light exposure group.In the simple light exposure group,normal mice were reared in room air and were exposed to light at night from P12 to P17.All the mice were sacrificed on P17,and retinal flat mounts were prepared to assess the oxygen-induced changes of retinal vessels using the adenosine diphosphatase(ADPase)histochemical technique.The amount of proliferative neovascularization was quantified by counting the number of endotheliocyte nuclei in new vessels extending from the retinal inner limiting membrane into the vitreous in ocular cross-sections.The expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)protein was detected by immunohistochemistry.Real-time PCR analysis was performed to examine the expression of VEGF mRNA.The rearing and usage of the animals complied with the Statement of ARVO.Results Less free-vascular areas and new blood vessels were seen in the OIR+light exposure group compared with the OIR model group.On day 17 of the mouse life,the number of the endotheliocyte nuclei in new vessels extending from retinal inner limiting membrane were 0.97±0.83,1.00±0.72,38.57±5.01 and 16.92±3.39 in the normal group,simple light exposure group,OIR model group and OIR+light exposure group,respectively,showing significant differences among them(F =78.767,P =0.000).The number of nuclei in the OIR+light exposure group were less than that of the OIR model group(t=20.446,P＜0.01).Immunochemistry showed that the expression of VEGF in retina was weaker in the OIR+light exposure group than the OIR model group.The relative expression values of VEGF mRNA were 1.00±0.00,0.94±0.07,2.08±0.50 and 1.43±0.21 in the normal group,simple light exposure group,OIR model group and OIR+light exposure group,respectively,showing a significant difference (F=11.268,P =0.003),where the VEGF mRNA level in the OIR+light exposure group was lower than that of the OIR model group(t =20.163,P＜0.05).Conclusions Light exposure at night can weaken retinal neovascularization in OIR mice

OBJECTIVETo observe the meridian reaction in patients with hypertension, to explore the significance of meridian diagnosis.

METHODSSixty-six patients with hypertension received two different methods of meridian detection. Kang Wei Human Body Meridian Analysis and Diagnosis System was applied to detect the volt-ampere characteristic curve on the Yuan (source) point of the 12 meridians. Five minutes after the first examination, the traditional method of meridian detection was used to examine the meridian reactions, such as pressing pain, tuber and cord-like reactants along the 12 meridians at forearms, lower limb, head and back.

RESULTSThere were sixty-five cases of abnormal volt-ampere characteristic curve among sixty-six patients with hypertension. The number of cases about Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin and Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang were both 28 with the highest abnormal rate being 43.1%; Using traditional method of meridian detection, there were 41 cases of abnormal meridian reactions, about 28 cases of Governor Vessel, with the highest abnormal rate being 68.3%.

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal meridian reactions exist in Governor Vessel, Kidney Meridian and Bladder Meridian in patients with hypertension. Therefore, this finding provides clinical evidence in meridian diagnosis.

Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnosis ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of glycogen synthase 3β (GSK-3β) in the regula-tion of NLRP3 inflammasome activation after acute myocardial infarction (MI) in Sprague Dawley(SD) rats. METHODS Ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) in SD rats was used to establish an acute myocardial infarction model. SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10, each group):sham group,MI group,and MI+SB group:the GSK-3β inhibitor(SB216763)was given 1 h by intrave-nous injection(0.6 mg·kg-1·d-1)before surgery.The serum and heart tissue were collected to measure lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and IL-1β content and mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Cas-pase-1,IL-1β and GSK-3β after 2 days and 7 days operation,respectively.RESULTS The serum levels of LDH and IL-1β in the MI group were significantly higher than those in the sham group(P<0.01),and the MI+SB group was obviously lower than the MI group(P<0.01).In addition,mRNA and protein levels of NNLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β and GSK-3β expressions in MI group were clearly increased (P<0.01) compared with those in sham group.These indicators were significantly decreased in SB+MI group (P<0.01). Interestingly, the indicators were all higher at 7 days than 2 days. CONCLUSION GSK-3β inhibition induces cardioprotection via attenuating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome after the acute myocardial infarction in rats.