Objective　To evaluate the effects of meglumine diatrizoate mucilage (MDC) used as contrast medium in bronchography. Methods A total of 500 patients undergoing bronchography were reviewed, including male 346, female 154, with an average age of 42 (ranged 5～71). Among them, 415 were examined with bilateral bronchography in a dose of 20～30 ml, 85 with unilateral bronchography in 10～15 ml of MDC. Results　In 487 cases (97.4%), the lobes, segments, subsegment bronchi were revealed very well, and 456 cases (91.2%) had no cough. Conclusion　MDC is regarded as an ideal bronchial contrast medium, and may replace dionosil and iodized oil.

Background Human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell transplantation treating retinal degenerative diseases is a researching topic,and the source of human RPE cells is a key problem.Many biological carriers can be used for the preparation of RPE cell layer.However,some advantages,such as cytotoxicity,lack of stability and immunologic reaction etc.are still existed.To study an ideal biological carrier is very important.Objective This experimental was to determine the effects of amniotic membrane on the proliferation and differentiation of human RPE cells and the possibility as a scaffold for RPE cell transplantation.Methods ARPE19 cell line cells were cultured and passaged in DMEM/F12 medium with 10％ fetal bovine serum,and 8-12generation of cells were used.The cells were divided into two groups.One group of cells were incubated on the denuded amniotic membrane,and the other group of cells were cultured in the medium (control group).MTT was performed to detect the A492 value of RPE cells for the evaluation of cell proliferation ability 24,48,72,96 hours after culture.Cell morphology was compared by histopathological examination 3 weeks after culture.The mRNA expression of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF),N-cadherin,β-catenin and cell connection related proteins in the cells of both groups were assayed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Ultrastructure of the cells was observed under the transmission and scan electronic microscope 3 weeks after culture.Results The number of ARPE-19 cells cultured on denuded amniotic membrane was decreased significantly in comparison with the normal culture plate(F=41.760,P =0.000).Histopatholy also showed that the cell density on amniotic membrane was lower than of normal cells on plate surface.Moreover,the expression level of claudin 1 mRNA,N-cadherin mRNA and PEDF mRNA were significantly up-regulated in denuded amniotic membrane group in comparison with control group (t=15.828,P=0.000 ;t=6.839,P=0.002 ;t=14.667,P=0.000),but the expression of Connexin 43 mRNA was down-regulated in denuded amniotic membrane group compared with control group(t=3.358,P=0.024).Ultrastructural examination revealed that ARPE-19 cells cultured on amniotic membrane exhibited a polygonal epithelial phenotype with cilium on the apical side,however,the cells cultured on normal culture plate displayed fusiform shape and uneven thickness.Conclusions Amniotic membrane plays a promoting effect on the differentiation of ARPE-19 cells and a inhibitory effect on the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells,suggesting that amniotic membrane might be an useful scaffold for the preparation of functionally mature RPE cells for clinical transplantation.

Objective To investigate the gene expression difference of IFN and their receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of pulmonary embolism (PE) patients.Methods Twenty cases of PE patients and twenty sex and age matched controls were recruited into the study.Human cDNA microarray analysis was used to detect the gene expression difference of IFN associated genes between the two groups,and random variance model corrected t test was used to analyze the statistical data.Results In comparison with the control group, mRNA expression of type Ⅰ IFN, including IFNα5 mRNA,IFNα6 mRNA,IFNα8 mRNA,IFNα14 mRNA,IFNκ mRNA,IFNω1 mRNA,IFNε1 mRNA in PBMC of PE patients Were down-regulated (P ＜ 0.05 ).There was no significant difference in gene expression of type Ⅰ IFN receptors IFNαR1 and IFNαR2 between the PE and control groups (P ＞ 0.05 ).In comparison with the control group,mRNA expression of IFNγ gene was down-regulated ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The mRNA expression of IFNγR1 and IFNγR2 genes were upregulated compared with the control (P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusion mRNA expression of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ IFN in PE are significantly down-regulated,but not the IFN receptors.Reduced immune function may play an important role in the PE patients who are susceptible to virus,intracellular bacteria and parasites.

Objective Epicardial fat volume ( EFV) was a risk factor for coronary heart disease ( CHD) , but there is little research regarding the relationship of EFV with insulin resistance ( IR) and CHD in patients with metabolic syndrome ( MS) .The aim of the article was to explore the effect of EFV in patients with MS on CHD and IR . Methods Patients with MS treated by percutane-ous coronary angiography ( CAG) in our hospital from February 2013 to August 2013 were recruited in this study .The data of height , weight, waist circumference(WC) and hip circumference(HP) were recorded.EFV were measured by MSCT.Fasting blood samples were collected for blood biochemical test . Results EFV in patients with MS was in positive relation with IR index (IRI)(r=0.335, P<0.001) and CHD (r=0.321, P<0.05), and the correlation still remained when the influences of WC and body mass index (BMI) were excluded.Logistic regression analysis showed that EFV was an independent risk factor for CHD (P<0.05), while linear regression analysis indicated EFV , BMI and LDL-C were the risk factors for IRI .ROC curves analysis proved EFV and BMI had diag-nosis value for IRI, and the areas under curve of EFV were 0.755 and 0.679 (P<0.05) respectively. Conclusion EFV is an in-dependent risk factor for CHD and IRI in patients with MS , and EFV has an advantage over BMI in the diagnosis value of IRI .

Objective To evaluate the role of spiral CT in initial diagnosis and following up detection for patients with thoracic sarcoidosis.Methods 25 patients with thoracic sarcoidosis which had complete data were analyzed retrospectively.Radiography and CT were performed in all cases.The diagnostic accuracy of two methods were statistically compared.Results The diagnostic accuracy of CT in initial detection of thoracic sarcoidosis was 64%.Among the misdiagnosed patients,5 cases were misdiagnosed as lymphoma(n=5) and the else were misdiagnosed as thoracic tuberculosis(n=1) and metastatic tumors(n=3).Conclusion As well as it's significance in following up period,the advantage of CT in determining the diagnosis of thoracic sarcoidosis is conspicuous.CT also can be used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy.

Objective To validate the therapeutic effect of Centella Triterpenes after surgical excision and X-ray irradiation.Methods Surgical excision was performed on one hundred and six patients with keloid,after operation superficial X-ray irradiation was given to the patients.Then,they were divided into three groups:36cases in group A treated with higher dose of Centella Triterpenes;39cases in group B treated with lower dose of Centella Triterpenes;31cases took placebo as controls.All patients were followed up for12months after treatment.Results All patients were healed completely after operation.The effective rate was significantly higher in Centella Triterpenes groups than that in the control group(P

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of spinal manipulation on chronic, non-specific neck pain.Methods:Thirty patients with chronic, nonspecific neck pain were divided randomly into an observation group ( n=15) and a control group ( n=15). Patients in the observation group were given 20 minutes of a novel 4R spinal manipulation (resetting joint malalignment, resetting abnormal muscle, resetting joint stabiliazation, resetting sensorimotor control) twice a week for 2 weeks while the control group were given 20 minutes of medium frequency and high frequency conventional physiotherapy 4 times a week, also for 2 weeks. Before the treatment, right after, and one and three months later, both groups were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a neck disability index (NDI). Right before and after the treatment, cervical flexion and extension range of motion (ROM) were measured. The surface electromyography was employed to record the root mean square (RMS) of the EMG amplitude and the median frequency (MF) from the erector spinae and upper trapezius. Results:Before the treatment no significant differences were found in any of the measurements between the two groups. Afterward and one and three months later the average VAS, NDI and cervical ROM results of both groups had improved significantly, with the improvements in the observation group significantly greater than those in the control group on average. After 2 weeks of treatment, the average RMS and MF values had improved in both groups, again with the observation group′s average values significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusion:Spinal manipulation can effectively improve the strength and stamina of cervical muscle groups in patients with chronic, non-specific neck pain.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanisms for biocompatibility of chitosan material using agarose/chitosan blended hydrogels as a model.Methods A series of agarose/chitosan blended hydrogels with different chitosan content were prepared by the blending method.The chemical groups of the blended hydrogels were analyzed by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.The blending compatibility between the agarose and chitosan was evaluated with the fluorescein-4-isothiocyanate (FITC) staining method.The charge of the blended hydrogels was determined by the zeta potential measurement.The adsorption of total fetal bovine serum (FBS) proteins and bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the blended hydrogels was measured by the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method.The adsorption of fibronectin (FN) on the blended hydrogels was measured with ELISA.Cell culture experiment adopted human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1) as the model.The cytocompatibility was studied by evaluating adhesion,proliferation,and morphology of the cells on the blended hydrogels.Results Characteristic chemical groups of chitosan could be detected in the agarose/chitosan blended hydrogels.The chitosan had a good blending compatibility with the agarose.The amino groups of chitosan were uniformly distributed in the blended hydrogels.The blended hydrogels were strongly positively charged at acidic pH (pH 3.0),however,the zeta potentials of all the hydrogels were reduced to nearly 0 mV at neutral pH (pH 7.4).There were no significant differences in the adsorption of total FBS proteins and BSA between the blended hydrogel groups.However,the adsorption of FN on the hydrogels significantly increased with the increase of chitosan content.Cell culture experiment indicated that the cytocompatibihty of the blended hydrogels was significantly improved with the increase of chitosan content.The HMECs exhibited higher levels of adhesion,spreading,and proliferation on the hydrogels with higher chitosan content.ConclusionResults in this study indicated that the chitosan component preferentially adsorbed FN compared to the other serum proteins,leading to adhesion and spreading of the cells on the blended hydrogels.In contrast to prevailing views,it was found in the present study that the biocompatibility of chitosan did not relate to its positive charge.

Objective To evaluate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the viability of rat alveolar macrophages.Methods The rat alveolar macrophages were seeded in 96-well plate at a density of 4× 104/ml.After being cultured for 24 h, the cells were randomly divided into 6 groups (n =5 each) using a random number table : control group (group C), LPS 0.1 μg/ml group (group LPS0.1), LPS 1.0 μg/ml group (group LPS1.0), LPS 10.0 μg/ml group (group LPS10), LPS 5.0 μg/ml group (group LPS50), and LPS 100.0 μg/ml group (group LPS100).Phosphate buffer solution was added to the culture medium in group C, and LPS with the final concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 10, 50.0 and 100.0 μg/ml were added to the culture medium in LPS0.1, LPS1.0, LPS10, LPS50, and LPS100 groups, respectively.At 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after addition of PBS or LPS, the cell viability was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay.Results Compared with group C, the viability of alveolar macrophages was significantly increased at 6 and 12 h after addition of LPS in the other five groups , and was decreased at 24 and 48 h after addition of LPS in groups LPS50and LPS100 (P＜0.05), and no significant change was found in LPS0.1, LPSL0 and LPS10 groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion Incubation with LPS 0.1-100.0 μg/ml for less than 12 h can enhance the viability of rat alveolar macrophages;incubation with LPS with the concentration ≥ 50.0 μg/ml for more than 24 h can decrease the cell viability.

Objective To explore the associations between polymorphisms in CYP24A1 gene and the risk and prognosis of colorectal cancer ( CRC) .Methods A case-control study consisting of 528 CRC patients and 605 cancer free controls and a follow up study with 317 cases were conducted to explore the associations be-tween two polymorphisms in CYP24A1 and the risk and prognosis of CRC,as well as the combinations and inter-actions of polymorphisms with dietary factors on CRC risk.Results Although there was no association between polymorphisms in CYP24A1 and the risk of CRC,significant combinative effects between polymorphisms and diet-ary factors on CRC risk were observed.For Rs4809957 polymorphism,the prognosis of AA genotype carriers was worse than GG/GA carriers in CRC,colon cancer and rectal cancer(Log-rank test P=0.01,P=0.01,P=0.02,respectively).Compared with GG genotype,AA genotype carriers of Rs4809957 polymorphism had worse prognosis in CRC(HR =2.35,95%CI =1.28~4.30),colon caner(HR =2.37,95% CI =1.09~5.14) and rectal cancer(HR =2.11,95% CI =1.11~4.01).Conclusion The combinations of the polymorphisms in CYP24A1 gene with dietary factors are associated with the susceptibility of CRC,and Rs4809957 polymorphism may lead to a worse prognosis of CRC.