AIM:To investigate the relationship between serum ghrelin level and body composition including bone mineral content (BMC),fat mass(FM) & lean mass(LM) in premenopausal women with different thyroid functional status.METHODS:We measured the serum ghrelin levels by radioimmunoassay (RIA),the serum levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3),free thyroxine (FT4) and sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (sTSH) by chemiluminescene immune assay.The total body composition including total BMC,FM and LM was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 71 premenopausal women with different thyroid functional status (33 hyperthyroidism,18 hypothyroidism and 20 normal subjects).RESULTS:(1) The level of serum ghrelin in patients with hyperthyroidism was significantly lower than that in patients with hypothyroidism (P0.05).The serum ghrelin level was correlated negatively with FT3(r=-0.318,P0.05).CONCLUSION:The serum ghrelin level in the premenopausal women with different thyroid functional status may correlate with the total BMC,LM and body weight.

BACKGROUND: Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) current plays an important role in regulating heart spontaneous pulsation.OBJECTIVE: To observe target gene expression and electrophysiological characteristics of pig bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transfected with hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 2 (HCN2) gene recombinant adenovirus.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Cell-gene in vitro study was performed at the Laboratory of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery,Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from July 2007 to March 2008.MATERIALS: Yorkshire pig was supplied by Animal Institute, Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA. HCN2 plasmid was presented by Professor Dario DiFrancesco from Italy. Recombinant adenovirus Ad.HCN2 was constructed and stored using Ad5 in this laboratory.METHODS: Pig BMSCs were isolated with combination of gradient centrifugation of Percoll and adherent treatment in vitro.Ad.HCN2 was transfected at multiplicity of infection=50. We also set non-transfection and transfected Ad.Null groups.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expression of HCN2 mRNA was detected with RT-PCR, and expression of HCN2 channel protein was examined with immunofluorescent staining. Electrophysiology of HCN2 channel protein was measured with whole-cell patch clamp.RESULTS: No amplified fragments were found in the non-transfection and transfected Ad.Null groups, but amplified fragments were determined at 250-500 bp following Ad.HCN2 amplification, which was the same as plasmid carrying HCN2 gene. Staining strength of cell nuclei following transfection was significantly weaken compared with cell membrane and plasma, which showed identical distribution as HCN2 protein. No HCN2 protein was detected in the non-transfection and transfected Ad.Null groups.Pacemaker current could be recorded with a whole-cell patch clamp. It was fully activated around -140 mV with an activation threshold of -60 mV, presenting voltage dependence. CsCI (4 mmol/L) reversibly blocked the inward currents. No pacemaker current was detected in the non-transfection and transfected Ad.Null groups.CONCLUSION: The HCN2 recombinant adenovirus carrier was transferred into serial subcultivation porcine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. HCN2 channel protein has been expressing. Pacemaker current could be recorded with a whole-cell patch clamp.

Objective: To investigate chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its risk factors in people receiving physical examination. Methods: hTis retrospective study included people over 20 years old who had physical examination in the Health Management Center of Third Xiangya Hospital from Janurary 2008 to June 2011. CKD and its risk factors as well as questionnaire were recorded. hTe risk factors were analyzed by multivariate logistic analysis. CKD was deifned by kidney damage (microalbuminuria≥30 mg/L) and/or hematuria and/or reduced kidney function [evaluate glomerular ifltration rate (eGFR)<60mL/(min.1.73 m2)]. We counted eGFR according to the modiifcation of diet in renal disease (MDRD). Results: A total of 5 708 physical examination reports were included. The detection rate of albuminuria, reduced renal function and hematuria was 25.0%, 1.7% and 1.1%. hTe detection rate of CKD was 25.6%, and detection rate of CKD stage 1-5 was 17.8%, 6.7%, 1.1%, 0 and 0, respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, male, age, and smoking were the risk factors for CKD. Increasing physical activity was the protective factor against CKD. Conclusion: High prevalence of CKD in people receiving physical examination is found in Changsha, especially stage 1 and 2 CKD. Physical examination is important to screen CKD. Stopping smoking, control of blood glucose, blood pressure, blood lipids and increasing physical activity may help reduce the prevalence of CKD.

Objective To assess the levels of nucleosomes released from peripheral blood mononu-clear cells(PBMC)of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE),and their relationship with auto-antibodies as well as disease activity.Methods Levels of both nucleosomes released from PBMC and vari-ous auto-antibodies were detected by ELISA in sera from SLE patients.The disease severity was evaluated using SLEDAI(systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index)system.Results Levels of nucleosomes released from PBMC were significantly higher in patients with active SLE than those of patients with inactive disease and normal controls(39.39?25.70,13.44?8.82,and11.73?7.87IU/mL,respectively).There was a significant positive correlation between nucleosome levels and SLEDAI scores,serum ds-DNA auto-an-tibody levels,and low C3levels.Conclusion Nucleosomes released from apoptotic PBMC of patients with SLE is closely correlated to disease activity,which implies that nucleosomes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

BACKGROUND:Our preliminary study found that the monocusp valves made of ultramicropore expanded
polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) revealed no significant thrombus, calcification, or degradation 20 weeks after implanted into the descending aorta and the left pulmonary artery in sheep, which verified the good property of ePTFE. However, the surface of ePTFE in the left pulmonary artery was covered with obvious neointima.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the biocompatibility of phosphorylcholine-coated ePTFE.
METHODS:ePTFE surface was modified by phosphorylcholine derivative. Then the changes of surface shape, tensile stress at yield and elasticity modulus, water contact angle, and protein absorption capacity of ePTFE after surface modification were observed. (1) Hemolytic test: the leaching solution of phosphorylcholine-coated ePTFE, leaching solution of uncoated ePTFE, normal saline, and distiled water were added to the diluted human blood, respectively. (2) Platelet count test: the phosphorylcholine-coated ePTFE, uncoated ePTFE, high density
polyethylene, and Zymosan A were added to the whole blood samples from healthy volunteers, respectively.
(3) Platelet activation test: the phosphorylcholine-coated ePTFE, uncoated ePTFE, γ-Globulins, and Zymosan A
were added to the whole blood samples from healthy volunteers, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The mean micropore diameter of ePTFE was significantly decreased after
phosphorylcholine coating (P < 0.001). The hydrophilicity and the ability of suppressing protein adsorption were
significantly strengthened after phosphorylcholine coating (P < 0.001). Phosphorylcholine coating did not influence
ePTFE in biomechanical properties and hemolytic test. The platelet count test and platelet activation test demonstrated that phosphorylcholine coating significantly improved anti-thrombus function of ePTFE. So, phosphorylcholine coating can enhance anti-thrombus function, suppress protein adsorption, and improve biocompatibility of ePTFE.

ObjectiveTo investigate the imaging characteristic of DW1,tumor cell apoptosis and proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) xenograft transfected hNIS gene after 131Ⅰ treatment.MethodsThe NPC xenograft models were established with CNE-2-hNIS cells(experimental group) and CNE-2 cells(control group) respectively.After i.p.injections 131Ⅰ in the experimental group and control group,the changes of xenograft tumor volume and ADC value were observed in 3,6,12,18,24 days by MR scan.The correlations of changes of ADC with pathological TUNEL,Caspase-3 immunohistochemistry of apoptosis,and Ki-67 proliferation detection were further investigated.Independent samples t-test were compared between the two groups and Pearson linear correlation analysis was used.ResultsThe tumor volume of the experimental group was significantly reduced compared with that of the control group after 131 Ⅰ treatment (t values:8.27-19.46,P ＜0.05 ).DW-MRI showed that in the 3th day after 131Ⅰ treatment,ADC values increased in the experimental group,and ADC values reached the peak in the 6th and 12th day after 131Ⅰ treatment,then ADC values were decreased. ADC values after treatment was positively correlated with apoptotic index ( r =0.72,P ＜ 0.05 ) and caspase-3 positive rate ( r =0.65,P ＜ 0.05) and there was a negative correlation with Ki-67 proliferation index ( r =- 0.71,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionADC values can reflect growth inhibition of NPC xenograft transfected hNIS gene after 131 I treatment.It is possible that DWMRI techniques can be used in early non-invasively monitor the therapy effect of 131Ⅰ treatment of NPC xenografts transfected hNIS gene.

Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors ; analysis ; genetics ; Male ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; blood ; genetics ; pathology

Objective To evaluate MR relaxometry techniques and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for the diagnosis of osteoporotic diseases in rats. Methods Thirty 3-month-old female rats were randomly divided (using completely randomized grouping method) into two groups (each contained 15 rats). Animals in group A without osteoporotic castration were included as normal controls, whereas osteoporotic castration was created in each animal in group B. Three parameters (BMC, BMD, Hbmdl)was measured for both groups by DXA at two time points, one immediately before the castration and another at the 12 th week after the castration. Then animals from the control group and the osteoporotic group went through the following three diagnostic procedures using a 1.5 T MR system: (1) A fast multi echo gradient echo (MEGRE) pulse train sequence with different inter-echo intervals (1000, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100) to obtain the T_2~* value. (2) A multi-echo fast spin echo sequence to obtain the T_2map. (3) A conventional spin-echo (CSE) sequence to obtain the T_1map. The statistical difference between group A and group B was tested by t-test to analyze parameters. And, the most significant parameter for diagnosis ofosteoporotic diseases was picked out from all parameters by Fisher Sequential diseriminant analysis. At the end of experiments, animals were killed and histopathological examination was performed on the femurs of animals from both control and osteoporotic groups. Results (1) Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of osteoperosis in all animals in group B. (2) BMD was picked out from 3 DXA parameters (BMC,BMD,Hbmdl) by fisher stepwise discriminant analysis, and its discriminant rates was 87.6%. (3) All 2-sample t-test results(t=6.20, 4.79, 5.18, 5.22, 5.59, 4.37, 6.14, 5.12, 5.09, 4.99, 5.57, 4.84, 4.07, 2.98, 6.75 individually) for MR relaxometry parameters(T_2~* 1000,R_2~* 1000,T_2~* 500,R-2~* 500,T_2~* 400,R_2~* 400,T_2~* 300,R_2~* 300,T_2~* 200, R_2~* 200, T_2~* 100, R_2~* 100, T_2map, R_2map, T_1map) showed statistically significant differences between groups A and B (P=0.01 for T_2~* map, P=0.00 for all other parameters) except the R_2map(P=0.07). (4) Using fisher stepwise discriminafion method in the analysis of 14 parameters of MR relaxometry techniques and 3 parameters of dual X-ray absorptiometry(T_2~* 1000,T_2~* 500,T_2~* 400,T_2~* 300,T_2~* 200,T_2~* 100,T_2map, R_2~* 1000, R_2~* 500, R_2~* 400, R_2~* 300, R_2~* 2OO, R_2~* 100,T_1map,BMC,BMD,Hbmdl), we found that the most significant difference was from the T_2map and T_1map. Conclusions The MR relaxometry parameter-T_2map in the present study is shown to be appropriate parameter for the diagnosis of osteoperotie diseases, and stability of magnetic field plays an important role in this process. It would be the optimal method to make a diagnosis of osteoporotic diseases with both MR relaxometry and DXA technological means.

Objective To compare the dosimetric difference between RapidArc and fixed gantry angle dynamic IMRT (dIMRT) for central-type lung cancer radiotherapy. Methods Therapy for 10 patients previously treated with dIMRT was replanned with RapidArc. Dose prescription was 66 Gy/33 fraction. Comparative endpoints were planning target volume (PTV) dose, doses to surrounding structures,number of monitor units, and treatment delivery time. Results There was no significant dosimetric difference between RapidArc and dIMRT. Compared with dIMRT, RapidArc slightly elevated target volume dose, lung V5, V10. The average values of lung V20, V30 and heart V30 were larger in dIMRT than those in RapidArc. The number of monitor units was reduced by 32% and the treatment time by 66% in RapidArc.Conclusions Both RapidArc and dIMRT plans could meet the clinical therapy needs. RapidArc could achieve similar target coverage and sparing of organs at risk, with fewer monitor units and shorter delivery time than dIMRT.

Objective The existing Quality Standards for Qianliean Capsules lack the quantitation control item and therefore cannot completely reflect the quality of the preparation .This study aimed to establish the methods for qualitation and quantitation of Qianliean Capsules . Methods Thin-layer chromatography ( TLC) was used for the qualitative identification of Radix Salviae miltior-rhizae, Rhizoma curcumae, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis in Qianliean Capsules .The content of hesperidin was determined by high-per-formance liquid chromatography ( HPLC) , and the method of determination was systematically evaluated . Results TLC spots were clear with a strong specificity .The content of hesperidin showed a good linear relationship within the range of 11 .56-310 .00μg/mL (r=0.999 5), with a mean recovery rate of 99.55% and relative standard deviation of 1.93%. Conclusion The qualitation and quantitation methods we established were simple , accurate and reliable , with a good reproducibility , and can be used for the quality control of Qianliean Capsules .