This paper is to explore the reasonable applications of automatic exposure control in computed radiography, and to improve the quality of CR images. It is very important to select a suitable KV value in automatic exposure control in computed radiography. At the same time, a suitable ionization chamber, correct density compensation and necesary post-processing should be selected.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Automation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Head ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Infant ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality Control ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; methods ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; standards

OBJECTIVETo assess the correlations between Survivin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their clinical significance.

METHODSThe expressions of Survivin and VEGF in 50 HCC specimens and 20 normal hepatic tissue specimens were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the results were analyzed in relation to the patients' clinicopathologic characteristics.

RESULTSOf the 50 HCC specimens, 32 (64.0%) were positive for Survivin expression, and 34 (68.0%) were positive for VEGF expression. Survivin expression was not detected in normal hepatic tissues, and 2 (10%) of these tissues were positive for VEGF, showing significant difference in Survivin and VEGF expressions between HCC specimens and normal hepatic tissues. Survivin and VEGF expressions were not correlated to the patients' gender, age, tumor size, degree of differentiation and alpha fetoprotein level (P<0.05), but related to the clinical stage and lymph node metastasis of HCC (P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated a close correlation between the expressions of survivin and VEGF in the HCC specimens (chi 2=6.69, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSurvivin and VEGF are over-expressed in HCC tissues, and may theoretically serve as the targets of molecular targeted drugs. Detection of the expressions of Survivin and VEGF in HCC tissues may provide assistance for prognostic evaluation of the patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis

Aim To study the apoptosis effect of cucurbitacin Ⅱa on non-small cell lung cancer cell lines NCI-H460 and A549 and its underlying mechanism.Methods Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay.The apoptosis effect and cell cycle arrest were detected by Flow cytometry.Western blot was employed to detect the related protein.Results The proliferation of lung cancer cell lines NCI-H460 and A549 was inhibited by CuⅡa, which showed cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 224.9 nmol·L-1 and 108.3 nmol·L-1 against NCI-H460 and A549 respectively.CuⅡa induced the cells apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase.The results of Western blot showed CuⅡa inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3 and Cofilin in a dose-dependent manner.Further, CuⅡa inhibited the phosphorylation of Aurora A, in line with the important characteristics of anti-tumor effect of Aurora A kinase inhibitor with blocking cells in the G2/M phase.Conclusion CuⅡa has obvious anti-tumor effect against non-small cell lung cancer, which suggests its value as a lead compound for lung cell carcinoma.

Objective To observe apelin and its receptor (APJ) expressions in human osteoblasts and evaluate the effect of apelin on osteoblasts.Methods The expressions of apelin and APJ in human osteoblasts were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot.After human osteoblasts were treated with apelin,cell proliferation was measured by [~3H] thymidine incorporation and cell counting.Cell function was measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity,the secreted osteocalcin level and typeⅠcollagen production .The activation of signaling cascades was tested by Western blot.Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) to blockade APJ was applied to observe effects of apelin on cell proliferation and the activation of signaling cascades.Results Both apelin and APJ were expressed in human osteoblasts.Apelin increased the proliferation and did not show the influences on ALP activity, osteocalcin secretion and type I collagen production in human osteoblasts.Apelin induced activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) downstream effector (Akt),but not mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) such as c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),p38 and ERK1/2 in human osteoblasts.Suppression of APJ with siRNA or LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) abolished the apelin-induced cell proliferation and the activation of Akt.Conclusion Human osteoblasts express apelin and APJ.Apelin stimulates the proliferation of human osteoblast via APJ/PI3K/Akt pathway,but has no effect on osteoblast differentiation.

Formaldehyde is a prevalent organic solvent in industrial and indoor environment,which can seriously harm human health,so it is of great significance to develop highly sensitive formaldehyde sensors with fast response,low detection limit and long life.In this study,the NiO-In2O3 composite structure was prepared using indium-based metal organic framework(In-MOF)as the precursor,and the formaldehyde gas sensor was constructed with In2O3 and NiO-In2O3 composite structure as the sensitive material.The results demonstrated that the In2O3 material had a microflower-like structure,while the NiO-In2O3 composite structure was composed of NiO nanoparticles attached to the surface of In2O3.The sensor exhibited excellent detection performance for formaldehyde in the environment of relative humidity of 33%and 75%,especially the response characteristic of the NiO-In2O3 composite structure sensor to formaldehyde was considerably better than that of the In2O3 sensor under the same test conditions,which was closely related to the catalytic effect of NiO and the heterogeneous structure formed between NiO and In2O3.The NiO-In2O3 composite structure sensor had a response value of 21.3 and 12.6 to 10 μL/L formaldehyde when the relative humidity was 33%and 75%at 200℃.The response/recovery time was 4/6 s and 7/10 s,and the limit of detection(LOD)was 1.2×10-7 μL/L and 4.1×10-5 μL/L respectively.Meanwhile,the sensor had excellent selectivity and long-term stability.This sensor showed a wide application prospect in the field of high-performance detection of low concentration of formaldehyde gas.

Objective To prepare a deeelhilarized whole laryngeal scaffold by utilizing a perfusion-decellularized technique, reseed cells on it, and construct recellularized laryngeal muscles. Methods Perfusion decelluarized larynxes were obtained by common carotid arterious perfusion with detergents. Then they were performed by macroscopic view, histological examination, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cartilage viability. Decellularized laryngeal scaffold were then reseeded with inducted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Composites were transferred into greater omentums of rabbits after one day' s adherence and harvested after eight weeks. Macroscopic view, histological examination and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results Perfusion larynxes became transparent after two hours. Histology and SEM indicated that perfnsion method shewed better deculluarized effect. More ventages and collagen fibers but no intact cell or anclei were retained in the decellularized martrix. Porosity measured by Image pro plus 6. 0 was 80. 4% ± 3.2% (x ± s). Chondrocyte vitality assay indicated chondrocyte vitality rate in the perfusion group was 86. 9% ± 1.5% . After eight weeks, vascularization formed and integrated cartilage frameworks still remained. Histological examination could clearly show the presence of muscle bundles and vessels. Immunohistoehemical examination indicated that sarcomeric-α actin expressed positively in corresponding areas. Conclusions It is feasible to reseed MSCs into the decellularized laryngeal muscle matrix for constructing tissue-engineered laryngeal muscles. This in vivo maturation into the omentum could be the first step before in situ implantation of the construct.

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) recurrence in adult patients and establish a prognosis index (PI) calculation model in order to improve the prevention strategy of ALL in adults.

METHODS104 adult ALL patients from Blood Diseases Hospital & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between August 2008 and November 2011 were enrolled. COX proportional hazards regression stratified by Dummy variable was used to set up the prediction model; Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used to estimate and compare the survival. After calculated individual PI value, patients' expected survival should be estimated by groups.

RESULTSThe overall median survival of adult ALL patients was 22.00 months (95% CI 17.00-27.00). COX regression analysis showed that chemotherapy group patients had a higher risk of recurrence than of ASCT group while setting treatment as the dummy variable (RR=2.052, 95%CI 0.877-4.799, P=0.007). Stratified Analysis showed that the risk factors of B-ALL recurrence in adult patients included HGB <100 g/L (RR=0.186, 95% CI 0.068-0.512, P=0.001), CNSL (RR=7.767,95% CI 2.951- 20.433, P=0.001), number of consolidation chemotherapy<3 (RR=0.445, 95% CI 0.211-0.940, P=0.034) and Ph chromosome positive (RR=2.771, 95% CI 1.353-5.674, P=0.005). Grouped by the PI value, the expected survival of each individual patient could be estimated as PI=0.58 base.

CONCLUSIONHGB, CNSL, number of consolidation chemotherapy and Ph chromosome were independent risk factors of B-ALL recurrence in adult patients. PI value could predict the survival of adult ALL patients and provide reference for individual therapy and prognostic evaluation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo report the results of endoscopic transpterygoid intervention of nine patients with meningoencephalocele and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks within lateral recess of sphenoid sinus (LRSS). The diagnosis, operative techniques and their related problems were discussed.

METHODSNine hospitalized patients with meningoencephalocele and CSF leaks within lateral recess of sphenoid sinus (LRSS) were included in this paper. Six were male and 3 were female, aged from 27 to 56 years old. Two patients had the histories of endoscopic repair. The preoperative orientation of CSF leaks and meningoencephalocele depended on CT scan and MR cisternography. Endoscopic transpterygoid intervention and the repair of skull base defects were undertaken under general anesthesia.

RESULTSAll the operations were successful. One patient had a postoperative intracranial hypertension and Hydrocephalus. Two patients had postoperative ipsilateral facial, upper lip and palatal hypesthesia. One of them had a xerophthalmia. All the symptoms above mentioned relieved gradually 6 months after operation. No recurrence was found during follow -up for 6 to 58 months (mean 25. 6 months).

CONCLUSIONSEndoscopic transpterygoid intervention for meningoencephalocele and CSF leaks within LRSS is a minimally invasive technique and a straightforward approach.

Adult ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea ; complications ; surgery ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meningocele ; complications ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Skull Base ; surgery ; Sphenoid Bone ; surgery ; Sphenoid Sinus ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To study the epidemiologic characteristics of viral diarrhea in children under 5 years old in Lanzhou, understand the four major virus in children of distribution. Methods In the first hospital of Lanzhou university from Jul 2009 to Jun 2010 ,we collected 290 stool specimens from children with diarrhea and 114 asymptomatic controls. Rotavirus was detected by ELISA, further strain characterization was carried out by nested PCR. The human calicivirus, astrovirus, adenovirus were detected by RT- multiplex PCR and PCR. Results At least one of the four viral agents was found in 60% of the specimens.Rotavirus, human calicivirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus were identified in 39. 31% , 11.38 % , 10.69% , and 4.83% in 290 specimens respectively. Rotavirus G3 was the most prevailing serotype, P [8] was the most common genotype. In the 114 control samples, 7 sample was positived for calicivirus, 5 samples were positived for human adenovirus and 1 sample was positived for astrovirus. Conclusion The results indicated clearly the impact of viral agents causing diarrhea and the importance of long-term systematic surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Coronary atherosclerotic plaque could go through rapid progression and induce adverse cardiac events. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of smoking status on clinical outcomes of coronary non-target lesions. METHODS: Consecutive patients with coronary heart disease who underwent two serial coronary angiographies were included. All coronary non-target lesions were recorded at first coronary angiography and analyzed using quantitative coronary angiography at both procedures. Patients were grouped into non-smokers, quitters, and smokers according to their smoking status. Clinical outcomes including rapid lesion progression, lesion re-vascularization, and myocardial infarction were recorded at second coronary angiography. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the association between smoking status and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1255 patients and 1670 lesions were included. Smokers were younger and more likely to be male compared with non-smokers. Increase in percent diameter stenosis was significantly lower (2.7 [0.6, 7.1] % vs. 3.5 [0.9, 8.9]%) and 3.4 [1.1, 7.7]%, P = 0.020) in quitters than those in smokers and non-smokers. Quitters tended to have a decreased incidence of rapid lesions progression (15.8% [76/482] vs. 21.6% [74/342] and 20.6% [89/431], P = 0.062), lesion re-vascularization (13.1% [63/482] vs. 15.5% [53/432] and 15.5% [67/431], P = 0.448), lesion-related myocardial infarction (0.8% [4/482] vs. 2.6% [9/342] and 1.4% [6/431], P = 0.110) and all-cause myocardial infarction (1.9% [9/482] vs. 4.1% [14/342] and 2.3% [10/431], P = 0.128) compared with smokers and non-smokers. In multivariable analysis, smoking status was not an independent predictor for rapid lesion progression, lesion re-vascularization, and lesion-related myocardial infarction except that a higher risk of all-cause myocardial infarction was observed in smokers than non-smokers (hazards ratio: 3.00, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-8.62, P = 0.042). CONCLUSION Smoking cessation mitigates the increase in percent diameter stenosis of coronary non-target lesions, meanwhile, smokers are associated with increased risk for all-cause myocardial infarction compared with non-smokers.