Objective To evaluate the effect of various iterative reconstruction methods on phase analysis of gated myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Methods Thirty consecutive patients scanned by the Philips CardioMD system were recruited into this study. The gated SPECT (GSPECT) data were reconstructed with filtered backprojection (FBP),maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM),three-di-mensional (3D) resolution recovery MLEM (AST),attenuation corrected (AC) MLEM,AC and 3D Monte Carlo scatter corrected (ACSC) MLEM methods. Parameters of left ventricular ( LV ) dyssynchrony ( phase standard deviation and histogram bandwidth) were measured using the software SyncTool. Paired t-test was used to compare the differences of the LV dyssynchrony indices between FBP and MLEM,AC MLEM,ACSC MLEM,AST respectively. Results The phase standard deviations of stress GSPECT MPI for FBP,MLEM,AC MLEM,ACSC MLEM,and AST were 11.6°,10.9°,11.2°,11.6°,11.4° respectively;while the histogram bandwidths were 35.7°,34.3°,35.1°,36.9°,35. 1 ° respectively. The phase standard deviations of rest GSPECT MPI for FBP,MLEM,AC MLEM,ACSC MLEM and AST were 15.2°,14. 5°,15.4° ,15. 4°,14.8° respectively; while the histogram bandwidths were 47.3°,46.4°,46.4° ,47.9°,46.1 ° respectively. No statistical significance was observed between the FBP and various iterative reconstruction methods for both the stress and rest GSPECT MPI study (t:-1. 179 to 1.554,P＞0.05 forall). Conclusion The standard FBP reconstruction method is accurate enough for the measurement of LV dyssynchrony indices using the widely used clinical software SyncTool.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of the bioactive artificial vertebrae of a nano- hydroapatite crystals and polyamide 66 composite(n-HA/PA66)to restore the height and architecture of thoracolumbar burst fracture.Methods From December 2003 to February 2006,38 patients(29 males and 9 females)with a mean age of 35.6 years(17-63 years)were treated surgically through anterior ap- proach for decompression and implanted with the bioactive artificial vertebrae of n-HA/PA66 composite to reconstruct the structure of the thoracolumbar burst fractured vertebra.Results All the patients were successfuly followed-up for an average of 8 months,ranging from 6 to 21 months.The bioaetive artificial vertebrac of n-HA/PA66 composite were fused with the receptor bone 3-4 months after operation.The neu- rological function of the patients was restored partially or completely.The thoracolumbar spine was stable during physical examination and the height of thoraeolumbar burst fractured vertebrae that had been restored did not changa during the follow-up.Conclusions Our results show the bioaetive artificial vertebrae of n-HA/PA66 can restore the height and structure of thoracolumbar burst fractured vertebrae and reconstruct the structure of the tboraeolumbar vertebrae effectively,indicating that the bioaetive artificial vertebrae of n- HA/PA66 can be used extensively in clinical spinal surgery.

The infection status of anisakid larvae was examined in 290 marine fish of 25 species and in 108 cephalopods of 3 species purchased in Bayuquan region, Yingko city nearby the coast of the Bohai Sea from may to August 1992. A total of 7,327 larvae were collected from 156 fish of 19 species and 8 squids of one species. The 3rd-stage larvae of Anisakis simplex were collected from 121 fish (63.4%) of 15 species (N = 191) and from 8 squids (14.8%) of one species (N = 54), and they were total, 5,992 (81.8%). Out of remaining 1,335 larvae, 154 (2.1%) were classified as Thynnascaris type B from 23 fish of 4 species, 1,013 (13.8%) as Thynnascaris type C from 79 fish of 13 species. 164 (2.2%) as Hysterothylacium China type V from 20 fish of 4 species, 3 (0.04%) as Raphidascaris from 3 fish of 2 species and one was Pseudoterranova decipiens larva.
Animal ; Anisakiasis/veterinary* ; Anisakiasis/parasitology ; Anisakiasis/epidemiology ; Anisakis/isolation & purification ; Anisakis/classification* ; China ; Fish Diseases/parasitology* ; Fish Diseases/epidemiology ; Fishes ; Larva ; Seawater ; Squid/parasitology*

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of automated quantification of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using a method based on a Western normal database for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a group of Chinese patients. Methods Seventy-two Chinese patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and MPI within 3 months were recruited into this study. Eighty selected from 140 Chinese patients with low probability of CAD ( ＜ 5% ) were enrolled into local normal database of 99Tcm-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) MPI using Cedars quantitative perfusion SPECT (QPS) database. Two Western MPI normal databases (CSMC MibiMbiAuto and Mibimibi) were used for processing the Chinese CAD patients recruited in this study, and the results were compared with those using local normal database and visual interpretation. T-test and z-test were used for statistical analysis. Results The extent (EXT)measurement obtained from Mibimibi and local database was ( 10.73 ± 14.54)% and ( 14.22 ± 16.51 )%,respectively ( t = 7.87, P ＜ 0.001 ); the severity (SEV) was 1.07 ± 0.93 and 1.34 ± 1.20, respectively ( t =7.45, P＜0.001). The area under curve(AUC) by using EXT measurement for local database (0.85 ±0.05) was larger than that for CSMC MibiMbiAuto ( AUC = 0.72 ± 0.06, z = 2.50, P ＜ 0.01 ) and Mibimibi ( AUC = 0.77 ± 0.06, z = 2.47, P = 0.014). The AUC of local database showed no significant difference from that of visual interpretation (AUC=0.83 ±0.05, z=0.05, P＞0.05). Conclusion Quantification of MPI of our Chinese patients using Western normal database would decrease the accuracy for the detection of CAD.

Although enediyne antibiotic lidamycin ( LDM) is a potent inducer of apoptosis, the underlying mechanisms of its apoptotic functions remain to be explored. Here, we aim to elucidate its possible mechanisms in mitochondria initiated apoptotic pathway involved in human BEL-7402 and MCF-7 cells. Cytochrome c released from mitchondria to cytosol fraction was detected by Western blotting. p53 and Bax, Bcl-2 expressions were detected by Western blotting and RT-PCR. MTT assay was used to detect cytotoxicity of LDM with or without caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. After the BEL-7402 cells were exposed to 0. 1 micromol x L(-1) LDM within 6 h, the increase of cytochrome c in the cytosol and decrease in the mitochondria were observed when compared with untreated cells. The expression of Bax, an important proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, increased gradually in the BEL-7402 cells after exposure to LDM of 0. 1 micromol x L (-1) for 2, 6, and 9 h, separately, while Bcl-2 increased at 2 and 6 h, and decreased at 9 h after LDM treatment. Enhanced protein expressions were parallel with respective increased mRNA level for Bax only, but not p53. Caspase inhibitor may inhibit partially the killing effects induced by LDM. Therefore we conclude that the rapid activation of mitochondrial pathway induced by LDM in tumor cells might contribute to its highly potent cytotoxicities.
Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones ; pharmacology ; Aminoglycosides ; pharmacology ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase Inhibitors ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Cytosol ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Enediynes ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether two kinds of in vitro prepared advanced glycation end products (AGEs), Glu-BSA and Gal-BSA, could change oxidation stress and anti-oxidation abilities in astrocytes, and thus might contribute to brain injury.

METHODSChanges of GSH, MDA, SOD, MAO-B, nitric oxide were measured after AGEs treatment.

RESULTSBoth 0.1 g/L Glu-BSA and Gal-BSA could slightly decrease GSH level, while 1 g/L of them significantly decreased GSH level by 35% and 43% respectively. The MDA levels of both 1 g/L AGEs treated groups (306 +/- 13 and 346 +/- 22) were higher than that of the normal group (189 +/- 18), which could be inhibited by free radical scavenger NAC. The SOD activities of both 1 g/L AGEs treated groups (67.0 +/- 5.2 and 74.0 +/- 11.0) were lower than that of the normal group (85.2 +/- 8.0). Both 0.1 g/L AGEs could slightly increase the activity of MAO-B, while 1 g/L of them could increase MAO-B activity by 1.5 and 1.7 folds respectively. Both AGEs stimulation could produce NO level by 1.7 and 2 folds respectively.

CONCLUSIONEnhanced levels of astrocytic oxidation stress and decrease of antioxidation abilities may contribute to, at least partially, the detrimental effects of AGEs in neuronal disorders and aging brain.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Cattle ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; pharmacology ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Monoamine Oxidase ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects of aging or advanced glycation on gene expression in the cerebrum and spleen of female C57BL/6J mice.

METHODSThe gene expression profile was determined by using cDNA expression arrays containing 588 cDNA.

RESULTSAging and advanced glycation resulted in differential gene expression patterns of cerebrum and spleen compared with young mice. Among the 80 genes detected in cerebrum, 43 exhibited a change in mRNA ratios with aging or treatment. Thirty-four changes (79%) were common in aged and D-galactose treated mice, whereas the cerebrum from aged and AGE-lysine treated mice showed common changes in expression of 38 genes (88%). Of the 86 genes detected in spleen, 29 (34%) displayed an age-related decrease in expression, whereas 3 (3%) displayed an increase in expression levels with aging. Eighteen genes from the detectable genes exhibited expression changes in both cerebrum and spleen of mice.

CONCLUSIONSThe gene expression profiles of D-galactose and AGE-lysine treated mice resemble those of aged mice. Use of cDNA hybridization arrays may provide a promising tool to explore the mechanism of aging at a molecular level.

Aging ; physiology ; Animals ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Spleen ; physiology ; Telencephalon ; physiology

BACKGROUNDRecently, local sustained-release antibiotics systems have been developed because they can increase local foci of concentrated antibiotics without increasing the plasma concentration, and thereby effectively decrease any systemic toxicity and side effects. A vancomycin-loaded bone-like hydroxyapatite/poly-amino acid (V-BHA/PAA) bony scaffold was successfully fabricated with vancomycin-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid microspheres and BHA/PAA, which was demonstrated to exhibit both porosity and perfect biodegradability. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the biosafety of this novel scaffold by conducting toxicity tests in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSAccording to the ISO rules for medical implant biosafety, for in vitro tests, the scaffold was incubated with L929 fibroblasts or rabbit noncoagulant blood, with simultaneous creation of positive control and negative control groups. The growth condition of L929 cells and hemolytic ratio were respectively evaluated after various incubation periods. For in vivo tests, a chronic osteomyelitis model involving the right proximal tibia of New Zealand white rabbits was established. After bacterial identification, the drug-loaded scaffold, drug-unloaded BHA/PAA, and poly (methyl methacrylate) were implanted, and a blank control group was also set up. Subsequently, the in vivo blood drug concentrations were measured, and the kidney and liver functions were evaluated.

RESULTSIn the in vitro tests, the cytotoxicity grades of V-BHA/PAA and BHA/PAA-based on the relative growth rate were all below 1. The hemolysis ratios of V-BHA/PAA and BHA/PAA were 2.27% and 1.42%, respectively, both below 5%. In the in vivo tests, the blood concentration of vancomycin after implantation of V-BHA/PAA was measured at far below its toxic concentration (60 mg/L), and the function and histomorphology of the liver and kidney were all normal.

CONCLUSIONAccording to ISO standards, the V-BHA/PAA scaffold is considered to have sufficient safety for clinical utilization.

Amino Acids ; chemistry ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Microspheres ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry ; Vancomycin ; adverse effects

Adult ; Fatal Outcome ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; secondary ; Priapism ; etiology ; pathology ; Radiography ; Testicular Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of 70 degrees recumbent position transperitoneal laparoscopy for treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

METHODSFrom May 2004 to January 2007, 70 degrees recumbent position transperitoneal laparoscopy combined with urethral resectoscope was used to treat 31 cases of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. At the same time titanium clip to occlude the two extremities of ureter tumor was used, extracting specimen by oblique incision of lower quadrant.

RESULTSAll operations were finished successfully, no one was turned to open surgery; mean operation time was 140 min, mean blood loss 80 ml, mean hospital stay time 8 d, without complications of urine leakage and intestinal fistula and so on.

CONCLUSIONS70 degrees recumbent position transperitoneal laparoscopy for resection of whole kidney and ureter is worth of general clinical application because it could provide large space for operation, simplify the treatment of renal pedicle vessels, decrease operation risk, reduce operation trauma and offer early recovery. But its effect on tumor spread and recurrence will still need long term follow-up.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Posture ; Treatment Outcome ; Ureteral Neoplasms ; surgery ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; surgery