Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of CT and PET-CT characteristics in predicting the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) gene mutations in lung adenocarcinomas. Methods One hundred and sixty-eight lung adenocarcinomas cases confirmed by pathology were enrolled in our study. They were divided into EGFR gene mutations group (89 cases) and wild types group (79cases) according to whether EGFR gene mutation occurred. All patients underwent CT examination. Seventy-five patients underwent PET-CT examination, including 37 gene mutationsand 38 wild types.The demographic (the patients' age, the gender and smoking history), CT characteristics(lobulation, cavitation, spiculation, pleural-indentation, air-bronchogram, ground glass opacity/tumor ratio(G/T) and the maximum diameter of tumor(Dmax)) and PET-CT characteristics(the maximum standardized uptake value, (SUVmax))between these two groups were retrospectively compared. The independent sample t test was used to analyze the
difference between these two groups regarding the patients' age,Dmax,SUVmax. The χ2 test was used to demonstrate the difference between these two groups regarding the gender, smoking history and CT features including lobulation, cavitation, spiculation, pleural-indentation, air-bronchogram and G/T.The trend analysis between SUVmax and EGFR gene mutations was performed by usingχ2 test for trend.Results No significant difference was found regarding partial CT characteristics of lesions including lobulation, cavitation, spiculation, pleural-indentation, air-bronchogram (P>0.05),however, the Dmax of EGFR gene mutations group and wild types group were(2.53±1.39),(3.00±1.77)cm, respectively. The amount of G/T>50%in EGFR gene mutations group and wild types group was 21 and 5, respectively. Significant differences were found regarding the G/T and Dmax(χ2=9.538, P<0.05;t=1.974,P<0.05). The SUVmax in EGFR gene mutations group (37 cases) and wild types group (38 cases) were 5.13 ± 4.35 and 9.64 ± 5.12, respectively. Significant difference was found regarding SUVmax(t=4.104, P<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity in predicting EGFR gene mutations were 24%and 93%, respectively, using G/T>50%as diagnostic criterion. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) results indicated Dmax=1.85 cm was the optimal value in predicting EGFR gene mutations, with the sensitivity and specificity of 76% and 42%, respectively. Meanwhile, SUVmax=6.85 was the optimal value, with the sensitivity and specificity of 71% and 73%, respectively. Moreover,χ2 test for trend showed that an obvious trend was found to associate SUVmax with the incidence of EGFR gene mutations (χ2=15.755, P<0.05). Conclusion SUVmax may be helpful in predicting EGFR gene mutations in lung adenocarcinomas with relatively high diagnostic value.

Objective To determine the pathway of macrophage metalloelastase (MME)generate active angiostatin by decomposing plasminogen and its effect on inhibiting growth of tumor and microvessel density (MVD) in vivo in mouse models. Methods The recombined plasmid pEGFPC1-MME was constructed. Thirty mice were subcutaneously inoculated with CT-26 cells that were stably transfected with pEGFP-C1-MME (MME-transfected group), 30 with CT-26 cells transfected with empty vector pEGFP-C1 (vector-transfected group) and 30 with CT-26 cells (non-transfected group). Radioiodination and radioisotope tracer were used to explore the pathway of angiostatin generation in vivo. Results SDS-PAGE electrophoresis analysis revealed that, in the PAGE gel contained the protein with molecular weights of 35 000 and 38 000, radioactivity in MME-transfected group was significantly higher than vector-transfected and non-transfected groups (P = 0. 00).Western blotting analysis demonstrated two bands containing 35 000 and 38 000 fragments in three groups. Quantification of the protein signals by image analysis revealed that the levels of 35 000 and 38 000 fragments were obviously increased in MME-transfected group (9.32±1.52 and 5.61±2.24,respectively) than those in vector-transfected (2.47 ± 0.23 and 0. 67 ± 0. 12, respectively) and nontransfected (1.21±0. 69 and 0. 86 ± 0.44, respectively) groups (P= 0.00). The average value of MVD and fluorescent express of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were lower in MMEtransfected group when compared with those in vector-transfected and non-transfected groups (P =0.00). The average tumor size in MME-transfected group was small in comparison with vectortransfected and non-transfected groups (P= 0.00). Conclusions MME is demonstrated to be one of matrix metalloproteinase that closely related with angiostatin production and has inhibitory effect on tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice.

Objective To investigate the impact of accountable and kindred-like nursing and the practice of quality care.Methods 100 primiparas who gave birth three months before the accountable and kindred-like nursing were selected as the control group,while 100 primiparas who gave birth three months after accountable and kindred-like nursing were selected as the observation group.Tow groups' understanding of health education knowledge and skills,satisfaction with nursing when discharged,nomination rate of the most satisfactory nurse and compliance behavior after discharged were compared.Results In the observation group,62 cases had fully understood,28 had basically understood and 10 had not understood the health education knowledge when discharged,while in the control group the numbers were respectively 30,56 and 14.In the observation group,75 cases had fully understood,19 had basically understood and 6 had not understood the health education skills when discharged,while in the control group the numbers were respectively 28,58 and 14.The understanding of health education knowledge and skills were much better in the observation group than in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =21.13,44.40,respectively; P ＜0.05).After being discharged,the compliance behaviors including pure breastfeeding,newborn massage and baby swimming of the observation group were also better than the control group (49 vs 27,58 vs 27,47 vs 18,respectively),and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =9.93,20.14,19.16,respectively; P ＜0.05).There were no significant differences in infant buttock nursing between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The satisfaction of nursing and nomination rate of the most satisfactory nurse were also much higher in the observation group (99 vs 93,82 vs 53,respectively),and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =10.86,19.17,respectively ;P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Accountable and kindred-like nursing can enhance the effect of health education,compliance behaviors,so as to improve the satisfaction degree of puerperants and their families with nursing service.

To evaluate the properties of solidifying volatile oil with graphene oxide, clove oil and zedoary turmeric oil were solidified by graphene oxide. The amount of graphene oxide was optimized with the eugenol yield and curcumol yield as criteria. Curing powder was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of graphene oxide on dissolution in vitro and thermal stability of active components were studied. The optimum solidification ratio of graphene oxide to volatile oil was 1:1. Dissolution rate of active components had rare influence while their thermal stability improved after volatile oil was solidified. Solidifying herbal volatile oil with graphene oxide deserves further study.
Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Clove Oil ; chemistry ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Eugenol ; Graphite ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Oxides ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Powders ; Sesquiterpenes

Objective To observe Meissner's corpuscles in prepuces of different shapes and ages. Methods The Meissner's corpuscles were detected with immunohistochemical stain in 204 prepuce sam- ples of different shapes and ages (3-59 years),and the density of Meissner's corpuscles in every sample was obtained as well.The difference of Meissner's corpuscle densities between phimosis and redundant pre- puce,and correlation between Meissner's corpuscle densities and ages were analyzed with Chi-square test and linear regression,respectively.Results The density of Meissner's corpuscles in redundant prepuce has begun to increase since infancy and reached the peak at the age about 15 years.No significant difference in densities of Meissner's corpuscles between phimosis and redundant prepuce was observed till the age of 20 years,and then there was a trend of disappearance of Meissner's corpuscles in redundant prepuce.A signifi- cantly negative correlation between the densities of Meissner's corpuscles and ages was revealed in redundant prepuce (r=-0.236,P=0.009),whereas an insignificantly positive correlation between the densities of Meissner's corpuscles and ages was shown in phimosis (r=0.193,P=0.084).Conclusions The den- sities of Meissner's corpuscles in redundant prepuce develop synchronically with genital differentiation and accord with the status of sexual function in adult males.The persistent high level of Meissner's corpuscles in adult phimosis might be a mechanism of physiological compensation.

Objective To determine the correlation between mouse maerophage metalloelastase (MME)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression involved in angiogenesis of colon cancer.Methods A eDNA fragment coding for domainsⅠandⅡof MME was transfected into murine CT-26 colon cancer cells that were MME deficient.The enzymatic activity of recombinant MME was confirmed by cleavage of native substrate in vitro.An orthotopic implantation model was established by using MME-transfected cells and control cells.Tumor samples were subjected to in situ hybridization (ISH)and immunohistochemical staining(IHC)to detect expressions of MME and VEGF.The microvessel counting was used to assess angiogenesis of murine colon tumors.Results It was demon- strated that the tumor growth was significantly inhibited in MME-transfected group compared with pcDNA3.1 transfected and nontransfected groups(P＜0.001).It was also found that,compared with pcDNA3.1-transfected and nontransfected groups,the microvessel formation in MME transfected group was significantly reduced(P＜0.001).The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein was significantly lower in MME-transfected group than those in the controls,as demonstrated by ISH(MME-transfected group versus pcDNAa.1-transfected group,P=0.028;and versus nontransfected group,P=0.003) and by IHC(MME-transfected group versus pcDNA3.1-transfected group,P=0.025;and versus non- transfected group,P=0.008).Conclusions The MME gene transfected into murine colon cancer cells can effectively suppress the growth of orthotopic tumors by inhibition of vaseularity.Both MME and VEGF gene expression is highly associated with the vascularity of tumors,which may depend on a hal- ance between MME and VEGF expression.

AIM To investigate the correlations between antioxidant activities and contents of total flavonoids and total phenols of chloroform,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and ethanol extracts from Nervilia fordii (Hance) Schltr..METHODS The contents of total flavonoids and total phenols in four extracts from N.fordii were determined by AlCl3-HAc-NaAc coloration method and Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method,respectively.The antioxidant activities of extracts were evaluated by determining scavenging activities of DPPH radical,hydroxyl radical and ABTS radical,together with reducing power.Then the correlations between antioxidant activities and contents of two constituents were analyzed by SPSS17.0 software.RESULTS The antioxidant activities of four extracts from N.fordii all showed dose-effect relationships,that of ethyl acetate extract was the strongest,while that of ethanol extract was the weakest.They had some correlations with the content of total flavonoids (0.604 ＜ r ＜ 0.638) and significant correlations with the content of total phenols (r ＞ 0.977).CONCLUSION Ethyl acetate extract from N.fordii can be used for the development of natural antioxidants,and the content of total phenols is the main factor to influence its antioxidant activity.

To evaluate the automated segmentation algorithm for detection of intra - retinal layers to process images obtained from ultra- high resolution optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) . Graph theory and the shortest path search based on dynamic programming were applied to automatically segment the 8 intra - retinal layers. We experimentally verified the accuracy and reliability of the algorithm. The results showed that the intra-retinal layer boundaries between automated and manual segmentations matched well. The algorithm successfully segmented the intra- retinal layers in glaucoma, high myopia, and retinitis pigmentosa patients. The proposed automatic segmentation for intra-retinal layers provides a promising tool for quantitative analysis in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Background Sirius system,a new Scheimpflug camera combined with Placido topography,improved the capability of imaging the anterior eye segment significantly.However,the study of assessing the repeatability and agreement between Sirius and Pentacam is still lack up to now.Objective This study was to evaluate the repeatability and agreement of the anterior ocular segment measuring parameters by Sirius and Pentacam in myopia received laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).Methods Thirty-five myopic eyes of 35 patients received LASIK were included in School of Optometry and Ophthalmology Eye Hospital from 2010 May through 2010 July.Corneal power flat keratometry (Kf),step keratometry (Ks),mean keratometry (Km),thinnest corneal thickness(TCT),the location of TCT,anterior chamber depth (ACD) and anterior chamber volume (ACV) were measured by Sirius and Pentacam in all the eyes,respectively.The repeatability of the measuring results were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Cronbach's coefficient alpha (CoA),and the agreement of measuring parameters between Sirius and Pentacam was analyzed using Bland-Altman plot.Results Both Sirius and Pentacam demonstrated high intraobserver repeatability,with all ICC and CoA more than 0.90.No significant differences were found in Kf values and Ks values between the two methods (t =-1.533,-1.750,P＞0.05).Km value was (39.14 ± 1.95) D by Sirius measurement,which was sígnificantly higher than (39.05 ± 1.91) D by Pentacam measurement (t =3.572,P =0.001).The TCT was (457.6 ± 40.9) μm by Sirius method,showing a significant reduce in comparison with (465.4±37.5) μm of Pentacam method (t =-6.689,P＜0.001).A positive correlation was seen in the TCT between the two methods (r=0.988,P＜0.001).The Bland-Alrman plots showed the 95％ CI-21 μm to 6 pm in the TCT value between the two devices.Pairwise comparison of the location of TCT measurements showed significant differences between the two devices (t =-4.132,-5.696,P＜0.001),with a good correlation (r=0.751,0.775) and the 95％ CI (-0.36-0.17 mm,-0.35-0.12 mm).A very good agreement was seen in ACD between the two devices (-0.02-0.12 mm),but the agreement result was not very well in the ACV between the two devices with the 95％ CI (-27.70-6.20 mm3).Conclusions Sirius and Pentacam measurements for anterior ocular segment parameters have a very good repeatability in post-LASIK eyes.In addition,good agreement results are exhibited in corneal power,TCT and ACD between Sirius and Pentacam with an acceptable maximal different value between them.Sirius and Pentacam can be used interchangeably in clinical examination.However,the two devices can not interchangeably for ACV measurement and TCT location.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of procalcitonin(PCT) in early diagnosis of neonatal infections.Methods Rapid hemi-quantitative immunoassay was used to measure PCT levels in 196 hospitalized neonates, who were divided into sepsis group,(local-)infection group, virus-infection group and non-infection group.Results If plasma PCT≥0.5 ?g/L was taken as positive,the positive rates in sepsis group,local-infection,virus-infection,non-infection group were 87.87%,41.66 %,12.0%,11.11%,respectively.The positive rate of sepsis group was significantly higher than that of the other 3 groups(all P