Objective To investigate the effects of berberine on cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage derived foam cells, and explore the possible mechanism. Methods HP-1 cells were induced into macrophages by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and were treated with acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL) to establish the THP-1 macrophage derived foam cell models. Foam cells were divided into blank control group and berberine (5 to 20 μmol/L) treatment groups according to the way of treatment and berberine concentrations. After treatment for 24 h, flow cytometry was employed to detect AcLDL aggregation, enzymic method was adopted to detect contents of cholesterol and triglyceride, scintillation counting technique was used to detect cholesterol efflux, and effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) antagonist GW9662 pretreatment on cholesterol efflux (pioglitazone as positive control) were analysed. Besides, RT-PCR was applied to detect expression of liver X receptor α (LXRα) and ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) mRNA. ResultsCompared with blank control group, AcLDL aggregation and contents of cholesterol and triglyceride of foam cells in various berberine treatment groups decreased significantly (P＜0.01), while cholesterol efflux increased (P＜0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. After GW9662 pretreatment, there was no significant difference in cholesterol efflux between various berberine treatment groups and control group (P>0.05). Furthermore, expression of LXRα and ABCA1 mRNA of foam cells in various berberine treatment groups was higher than that in blank control group. Conclusion Berberine may increase cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage derived foam cells, the mechanism of which may be associated with activation of PPARγ pathway and increase of expression of LXRα and ABCA1 mRNA.

Objective To study the value of 256-slice spiral CT (MSCT) in internal thoracic artery. Methods The angiographic images of 107 patients who were suspected thoracic and abdominal aortic diseases were retrospectively ana-lyzed. The running rule and branches of internal thoracic artery on both sides were observed. Each side of the internal thorac-ic artery was divided into 3 sections according to the running rule. The lumen diameter, vessel length and its branches were measured in three segmental vascular of the internal thoracic artery. The lumen diameter of the diaphragmatic artery diame-ter,and the distance between internal thoracic artery and each border of the sternum were also measured. Results Both sides of the internal thoracic and diaphragmatic arteries were shown in 107 patients (100%). There were significant differenc-es in vascular lumen diameter of intrathoracic artery of both sides (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences between both sides of the corresponding segments (P>0.05). The left internal thoracic artery was significantly longer in the left side than that of right side (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences between the diameter of diaphragmatic arteries and the distance between the internal thoracic artery and the sternal edge of two sides (P>0.05). Conclusion The application of 256-slice spiral CT angiography can clearly show the running rule and anatomical features of internal thoracic artery ,and provide a relatively important clinical information.

Objective To evaluate the value of retrospective ECG-gated 256 slices spiral CT technique in the scanning of inferior phrenic artery (IPA).Methods 80 patients with underdone abdominal CTA were divided randomly into two groups (40 patients each)as regular abdominal CTA scanning group and retrospective ECG-gated technique group.And further analysis was done to evaluate the display of IPA branches and the image quality.Results 80 patients were all scanned successfully.40 cases LIPA and 40 cases RIPA were showed in the regular group.80 cases showed 1st level branches of IPA,73 cases with 2nd level,59 cases with 3rd and 43 ca-ses showing 4th level.40 cases LIPA and 40 cases RIPA were showed in ECG-gated group.And the numbers of IPA branches levels were 80,79,71,65,respectively.There is no significant difference in the ability of showing the1st level IPA or their image quality between those two groups (P >0.05);and there is a statistical significance in the ability of showing other levels of IPA and their im-age quality.Conclusion It is feasible that we use retrospective ECG-gated 256 slices spiral CT scanning technique to show the IPA. And it could improve the ability of showing the IPA branches as well as the image quality.

Objective To evaluation the anatomy relationship between thoracic artery and coronary artery by using 256 layer spiral CT angiography. Methods The angiographic images of thoracic aortic and coronary artery angiography were re?vealed in 200 patients with chest pain. Values of the major branch length, diameter, length of the aorta-coronary artery by?pass on both sides of the thoracic artery and coronary artery were measured. Results The diameter of thoracic artery was (2.52±0.38) mm, and the length of thoracic artery from the starting point to terminal was (190.12 ±1.90) mm. There were no significant differences in the thoracic artery lumen diameter and length between both sides. The inner diameters of left anteri?or descending coronary artery, left circumflex, diagonal branch, right coronary artery and the posterior interventricular branch were (2.82 ±0.25), (2.60±0.12), (2.22±0.25), (3.02±0.27) and (2.35±0.35) mm respectively. There were no significant differences in thoracic artery diameters except for the right coronary artery diameter, which was higher than that of the thorac?ic artery. About free transplantation the length from 2cm above in the ascending aorta starting to the halfway point of anterior descending coronary artery, to the atrioventricular node along the left circumflex way, to the atrioventricular node along the right coronary artery and from the atrioventricular node to halfway point of posterior interventricular branch was shorter than that of thoracic artery (P<0.05). About situ transplantation in addition to the length from the thoracic artery start department to the point of anterior descending compared with the thoracic artery length, there were no statistical significance ( P>0.05). The length from the thoracic artery start department to the left-hand atrioventricular node, to the right coronary artery atrio?ventricular node was higher than that of the thoracic artery length (P<0.05). Conclusion The branches of internal thoracic artery and coronary artery are similar. About situ transplantation is suitable for the wall blood vessels before the heart. With free thoracic artery transplantation, its length can meet any bridging from the ascending aorta to the coronary arteries.

Objective To evaluate the application value of 256 slice spiral CT angiography (CTA)in the bridge vessels lesions af-ter grafts operation in lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans patients.Methods Taken DSA as the gold standard,using 256 slices spiral CTA to analysis the post-processing image of 76 article Bridge vascular which can be assessed in 65 cases patients with lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans,and to evaluated the diagnosis accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive rate and negative predictive rate of postoperative bridge intravascular lesions.Results Using 256 slices spiral CTA,the bridge vascular of grafts operation patients can be clearly displayed,stenosis or unobstructed,and the anastomosis of the bridge vascular.5 graft occlu-sion,22bridge intravascular plaque were diagnosed correctly,3 vascular lesions were undiscovered.The accuracy,sensitivity,speci-ficity,positive predictive rate and negative predictive rate were 98.15%,96.15%,97.90%,92.59% and 97.96% respectively. Conclusion Using 256 slices spiral CTA can clearly show the endovascular lesions of lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans after grafts operation,and has high accuracy and specificity.It can be safely used as one of noninvasive follow-up means after grafts oper-ation.

Objective To evaluate the value of positive 99Tcm-MIBI tumor imaging for thyroid cancer diagnosis. Methods Fifty four suspected thyroid cancer patients underwent 99Tcm-O4 and 99Tcm-MIBI combined imaging procedure. The imaging data were confirmed by pathological findings. Results All the 54 cases had single throid nodules, and 25 of which were pathologically malignant. Fifty two cases of nodules were detected by the 99Tcm O4 thyroid static imaging, including 2 hot nodules,4 warm nodules, 10 cool nodules and 36 cold nodules;2 cases were negative by the imaging. Of the 25 malignant thyroid nodules, 16 nodules were visible by 99Tcm-MIBI uptake and were cold nodules;29 exhibited benign thyroid nodules,of which 15 could be seen by 99Tcm-MIBI uptake,including 1 warm nodules,2 cool nodules and 12 cold nodules. The sensitivity, specificity of the combined imaging of 99Tcm O4 and 99Tcm-MIBI were 64. 00% ( 16/25 ) and 48. 28% (14/29). No significant difference was found for the positivity between benign nodules and malignancy nodules by 99Tcm-MIBI tumor imaging ( χ2 = 0. 83, P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusion 99Tcm-MIBI tumor imaging is not specific for the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy.

Objective To investigate the role of a small RNA interference against VEGF in radiation sensitivity in melanoma .Methods A375 human melanoma cell lines were transplanted into nude mice ,which with malignant melanoma were randomly divided into control group , VEGF negative plasmid group and VEGF positive plasmid group, followed by 4Gy irradiation twice a week for 2 weeks.The volume of tumor was calculated twice a week, the area of tumor necrosis was assayed by HE,the expression of VEGF in tumor was determined by Western-blot and Immunohistochemical. ResuIts The expression of VEGF in VEGF positive plasmid group decreased significantly (P<0.05), VEGF positive group had more tissue necrosis, tumor growth was significantly inhibited (P<0.05).ConcIusion siRNA-VEGF in tumor injection liposome encapsulated in malignant melanoma has a role in the radiation sensitization, which provides an experimental basis for the clinical development of targeted therapy combined with radiotherapy for the treatment of VEGF gene.

Objective To discuss the correlation between aortic elasticity and coronary artery calcification by CT.Methods Totally 111 patients who were diagnosed of coronary artery disease underwent coronary artery CTA.The images were qualified for aortic elasticity measurement.All patients were divided into calcification negative group (n=43) and calcification positive group (n =68).The calcification positive group was further divided into light,medium,and serious groups according to their calcification scores.The ascending aortic images were reconstructed every 5 ％ R-R intervals.The cross-sectional areas and diameters of aortic in each R-R interval were measured automatically,then diameter variation rate (％ A0),aortic distensibility (A0D),aortic compliance (A0C) and aortic stiffness (A0SI) were calculated to evaluate aortic elasticity.Correlation between aortic elasticity and coronary artery calcification were analyzed.Results ％ A0,A0 D,A0C were lower and A0SI was higher in calcification positive group than those in calcification negative group (all P＜0.05).There was no significant differences in the four reference indexes of aortic elasticity among light,medium,and serious groups in calcification positive group (all P＞0.05).Correlation analysis demonstrated negative correlations between ％ A0,A0 D,A0 C and calcification scores,and a positive correlation between A0SI and calcification scores.Conclusion Aortic elasticity is correlated with coronary artery calcification,and the combination of them will be beneficial for the early diagnosis of coronary heart disease.

AIM:To study the effect of astragalus polysaccharides(Aps)on cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells.METHODS:After exposed to Aps at different doses,cholesterol efflux and ABCA1 protein levels in cultured THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells were determined by a ? counter and flow cytometry,respectively.RESULTS:Aps increased cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells with dose dependent pattern and resulted in an increase in the expression of ABCA1 protein in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells.CONCLUSION:The increase in cholesterol efflux by Aps might be related to the up-regulation of ABCA1.

Objective:The effect of serum thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) on permanent hypothyroidism (HT) after 131I treatment in Graves disease patients and its predictive value Methods:479 Graves' disease patients who underwent 131I treatment at the Nuclear Medicine Department of North China University of Technology Affiliated Hospital from October 2013 to October 2021 were selected. Among them, 350 cases (permanent HT group) had permanent HT during follow-up, while 129 cases (non permanent HT group) did not. Collect general clinical data such as gender, age, degree of thyroid enlargement, as well as indicators such as iodine intake rate, thyroid function, and treatment dose 24 hours before treatment, from two groups of patients. Compare the general clinical data and pre treatment levels of various detection indicators between two groups of patients, analyze the risk factors for permanent HT in Graves disease patients after 131I treatment, and evaluate the predictive value of pre treatment serum TRAb levels, and evaluate the consistency between the predicted results and clinical diagnosis. The econometric data with a normal distribution is represented by xˉ± s, and two independent sample t-tests are used for comparison between the two groups; The econometric data that do not conform to the normal distribution are represented by M（ Q1， Q3）, and the Wilcoxon rank sum test is used for comparison between the two groups; The counting data is represented as an example (%), and the comparison between the two groups is conducted using the four grid χ 2 test, while the comparison of grade data is conducted using the Willcoxon rank sum test; The logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Draw a subject work characteristic curve to evaluate the predictive efficacy of TRAb, and screen the predictive threshold based on the Chayoden index; Calculate sensitivity and specificity, and evaluate the consistency between the predicted results and clinical diagnosis by calculating Kappa values. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, degree of thyroid enlargement, 24-hour iodine uptake rate, serum thyroid stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine levels, and 131I treatment dose between the permanent HT group and the non permanent HT group (all P>0.05); The pre treatment TRAb levels in the permanent HT group were higher than those in the non permanent HT group [14.51(4.95,33.58) U/L vs 3.40(1.67,16.5) U/L], with a statistically significant difference ( Z=5.87, P<0.001). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that pre treatment TRAb levels were a risk factor for permanent HT in Graves' disease patients after 131I treatment (odds ratio=1.042,95% confidence interval: 1.025-1.059, P<0.001). The area under the working characteristic curve for predicting permanent HT in Graves' disease patients after 131I treatment with pre-treatment TRAb levels is 0.674 (95% confidence interval: 0.616~0.732), and the optimal critical value is 7.025 U/L. Using TRAb>7.025 U/L before treatment as the standard for predicting postoperative permanent HT in patients, the sensitivity and specificity were 73.7% and 75.2%, respectively. The predicted results showed moderate consistency with clinical diagnosis ( Kappa=0.426). Conclusions:The pre treatment TRAb level is a risk factor for permanent HT in Graves disease patients after 131I treatment ( P<0.001), and the diagnostic efficacy of permanent HT is best when TRAb>7.025 U/L.