Objective:To improve the method for isolating platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Methods:Whole blood was collected from 8 healthy donors and then PRP was separated by both the tube method and the syringe method respectively. Samples were activated to get serum rich-in growth factors (SRGF).Platelets in the SRGF were counted and the level of TGF-?1 was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:The end product of syringe method has both a higher platelet count in PRP (P=0.003) and a higher level of TGF-?1 in SRGF(P=0.041) than that of tube method.Conclusion:The syringe method is an effective method in preparation of PRP.

Objective To observe the value of one-step spectral imaging and perfusion imaging in diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule(SPN).Methods Forty-seven patients with SPN proved by pathology underwent perfusion scan with gemstone spectral ima-ging mode,who were divided into malignant group in 28 patients and benign one in 1 9.The parameters of CT perfusion including blood volume (BV),blood flow (BF),mean transit time (MTT)and permeability surface (PS)were analyzed.Iodine concentration (IC),normalized iodine concentration (NIC)and slope rate of spectral curve in both arterial phase and venous phase were measured and calculated.The independent sample t test was performed to compare quantitative parameters between malignant and benign SPN.Results BF,BV and PS of malignant SPN were higher than those of benign ones (P <0.05).No statistically significantly differences between malignant and benign SPN were found (P >0.05).IC,NIC and slope rate of spectral curve in malignant SPN were higher than those in benign ones in both phases (P <0.05).Conclusion One-step spectral imaging and perfusion imaging can provide more parameters,which is helpful for the diagnosis of SPN.

Objective To investigate the impact of automatic tube voltage selection ( ATVS) and sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction ( SAFIRE) on image quality and radiation dose in the arterial phase (AP) and portal venous phase (PVP) abdominal dual-source CT imaging.Methods Abdomen contrast-enhanced computed tomography ( CECTs ) in 70 patients were scanned with dual-source CT.Patients were divided into study group and control group based on the scanning date.In the first 35 patients ( study group) , ATVS mode was applied; in the second 35 patients ( control group ) , the conventional fixed at 120 kVp mode was used.The imaging of the study group was reconstructed with FBP ( protocol A ) or SAFIRE ( protocol B ) respectively; the imaging of the control group was reconstructed with FBP ( protocol C).Image quality scores of the 3 protocols were assessed and compared with Rank-sum test.Analysis of variance was used to compare mean signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and image noise among the 3 protocols.Two sample t tests were used to compare the radiation dose difference.Results The effective radiation dose in the study group ( 3.9 ±0.4 ) mSv was much lower than that in the control group (4.9 ±0.4) mSv, dropped by 20.41% (t =2.315, P=0.021).The subjective rating scores in protocol A, B, C in arterial were (3.65 ±0.08), (4.41 ±0.10) and (3.79 ±0.10) point, while the subjective rating scores in venous phase were (3.57 ±0.08), (4.41 ±0.10) and (3.95 ±0.11) point.The differences were statistically significant (Z value were 27.587 and 27.436, P<0.01).The image noise of protocol A , B, C in dual-phase were ( 11.96 ±0.33 ) , ( 8.45 ±0.26 ) , ( 10.38 ±0.26 ) HU and (12.79 ±0.39),(9.14 ±0.36), (11.13 ±0.18) HU.The differences were statistically significant (F value were 39.235 and 29.846, P<0.01).Compared to protocol A and C, SNR and CNR in protocol B were much higher (P<0.01).No statistically significant differences were shown between protocol A and C in SNR and CNR ( P>0.05).Conclusion Use of ATVS and SAFIRE could reduce the radiation dose and provide better quality images compared with conventional abdominal CECT and FBP .

The effect of phenol concentration on the structure and function of microbial communities,which were cultured in different conditions using coking wastewater biofilm as seeding,was investigated by Biolog and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE)methods.The less number of bands of cultivated sam-ples on the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprint of 16S rRNA gene indicated reduction of di-versity after enrichment and cultivation.Some bands on the DGGE gel were significantly influenced by the phenol concentration in medium.The results of Biolog showed that the original biofilm sample had the highest substrate utility capacity as measured by average well color development(AWCD).But low concen-tration of phenol enriched sample S7 showed more diverse activity on the utility of Carboxylic acids.The principal component analysis(PCA)of Biolog data revealed that the metabolic patterns were similar when using the same phenol concentration,although the sample S7 much less similar to other cultivated samples.These results suggested that the enrichment and cultivation with phenol supplemented decreased the diver-sity and also changed the metabolic function of the microbial community.Lower phenol concentration in-creased the microbial community metabolic activity.The phenol degrading capacity of isolates from each samples indicated that the enrichment and cultivation condition had changed the type and property of cul-truable bacteria.Based on these results,we concluded that the different microorganisms will be isolated un-der different cultivation condition.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of patient’s body mass index on applications of auto-matic tube voltage selection (ATVS)for contrast-enhanced abdominal CT.Methods 1 60 patients underwent contrast-enhanced ab-dominal CT scan were assigned into the study group (ATVS technique)and the control group (120 kVp)with equal size (both n =80)according to the scanning mode.The two groups were both divided into four subgroups according to BMI (A:BMI <18.5 kg/m2 ;B:BMI 18.5~23.9 kg/m2 ;C:BMI 24~28.9 kg/m2 ;D:BMI ≥29 kg/m2 ).Image quality were assessed and compared with Rank-sum test.Analysis of variance was used to compare differences in mean contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)and image noise a-mong the two groups.Two sample t tests were used to compare the radiation dose.Results In the study group,tube voltage of 100 kVp were selected highest(78.75%)and distributed from subgroups A to D,accounting for 60%,80%,90% and 60% respectively, with average BMI of (23.71±3.1 9)kg/m2 .Compared to control group,the effective dose of study group from subgroups A to C re-duced by 35.09%,27.61% and 1 9.08% respectively(t=3.829,4.389,2.238,P =0.005,<0.001,0.025).Despite the higher image noise in study group,the overall image quality was acceptable.Conclusion The contrast-enhanced abdominal CT with AVTS technique can reduce radiation dose in patients with BMI smaller than 28.9 kg/m2 .

OBJECTIVETo explore activity laws of mitochondrial complex II in patients of deficiency-cold syndrome (DCS) and deficiency-heat syndrome (DHS) under various ambient temperatures.

METHODSSubjects were recruited by questionnaire and expert diagnosis from grade 1 - 3 undergraduates at Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in November 2012, and assigned to a normal control group, the DCS group, and the DHS group, 20 in each group. Their venous blood samples were collected at two different temperature conditions. Activities of mitochondrial complex II were measured by spectrophotometry.

RESULTS(1) Comparison of mitochondrial complex It under various ambient temperatures: Compared with room temperature in the same group, activity values were all increased in the normal control group at cold temperature with significant difference (P <0.05), but there was no significant difference in the DCS group and the DHS group (P >0. 05). Compared with the normal control group, activity values of complex H were reduced in the DCS group at cold and room temperatures with significant difference (P <0.05). Compared with the DCS group, activity values of complex It were increased in the DHS group with significant difference (P <0. 05). (2) Changes of adjustment rates: Compared with room temperature, the adjustment rate all rose at cold temperature in the normal control group and the DHS group with significant difference (P <0.05), but with no significant difference found in the DCS group (P >0. 05). Compared with the normal control group at the same temperature, the adjustment rate in the DHS group and the DCS group was all reduced at cold and room temperatures with significant difference (P <0. 05). There were no significant difference in the adjustment rate between the DHS group and the DCS group (P > 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSEnvironment temperature can affect the activity of mitochondrial complex II with different influence degrees on different syndrome types of people, but its change trend are basically identical.

Cold Temperature ; Electron Transport Complex II ; metabolism ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Syndrome ; Temperature

Background and Objective: Mutations in DNA repair system are related to carcinogenesis.This study was to evaluate the correlations of polymorphisms and haplotypes of XPD gene with individual susceptibility to gastric cancer. Methods: Genomic DNA were extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of 207 gastric cancer patients and 212 healthy controls. Genotypes at codon 312 and codon 751 polymorphic sites were identified by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction(ARMS-PCR) or polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRPFLP), respectively. Results: At codon 312, the frequency of GA or AA genotype was higher in the gastric cancer patients than in the healthy controls (P＜0.01,OR=3.41, 95% CI: 2.06-4.79; P＜0.01, OR=3.47,95% CI:1.39-8.68). No significant difference was found in the distribution of the polymorphism at codon 751 between the two groups(P＞0.05). By the haplotype AA (codon 312A-codon 751A) analysis, the frequency of heterozygote(-/AA) or homozygote (AA/AA) was higher in the patients than in the controls (P＜0.01 ,OR=2.81, 95% CI:1.82-4.34;P=0.02,OR=3.92, 95%CI:1.31-11.70,respectively). Whereas there were no significant differences of the other three haplotypes between the patients and the controls (P＞0.05).Conclusions: The polymorphism of XPD at codon 312 might contribute to the etiology of gastric cancer.The haplotype AA (codon 312A-codon 751A) would be a critical risk factor of the susceptibility to gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP)-specific autoantibodies on high-dose dexamethasone therapy in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

METHODSModified direct monoclonal antibody immobilization of platelet antigen assay (MAIPA) was used to detect platelet GPIIb/IIIa and/or GPI b specific autoantibodies. All patients received oral dexamethasone 40 mg/d for 4 days.

RESULTSThe response rate of high-dose dexamethasone in GPIIb/IIIa and/or GPIb specific autoantibody-negative patients was significantly different from that of antibody-positive patients (P<0.05). The response rate of GPIIb/IIIa specific autoantibody-positive patients was lower than that of antibody-negative patients (P<0.05). GPIb specific autoantibody had no significant impact on the efficacy of high-dose dexamethasone (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPlatelet membrane GPIIb/IIIa-specific autoantibody can be a potential negative indicator for ITP patients'response to high-dose oral dexamethasone.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex ; immunology ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex ; immunology ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of the peripheral blood P2X5 receptor at various ambient temperatures, and to explore its relationship with deficiency-cold syndrome and deficiency-heat syndrome.

METHODSSubjects were selected by questionnaire and expert diagnosis, and assigned to the normal control group, the deficiency-cold syndrome group, and the deficiency-heat syndrome group, 20 in each group. 5 mL venous blood was collected at room temperature (25 °C) and cold temperature (-4-5 °C) respectively. Then the expression of P2X5 receptor was relatively quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and compared at room temperature and cold temperature respectively.

RESULTSThe expression of P2X5 receptor in deficiency-cold syndrome and deficiency-heat syndrome groups was lower than that in the normal control group at room temperature (P < 0.05). It decreased more at cold temperature in the deficiency-cold syndrome group than in the normal control group (P < 0.01) as well as in the deficiency-heat syndrome group (P < 0.05). The expression of P2X5 receptor showed no difference in all groups at two different temperatures (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of P2X5 receptor was different in different syndrome groups at various ambient temperatures. Ambient temperatures had insignificant effect on the expression of P2X5 receptor of the population with the same syndrome.

Cold Temperature ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X5 ; metabolism ; Syndrome

BACKGROUNDThe level of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) increases rapidly after cerebral ischemia. However, the molecular mechanisms for the effects of bFGF on cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (cMVECs) have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, a murine cMVEC line, bEnd.3, was employed to study the effects of bFGF on cyclooxygenase (COX) expression and its downstream effects in cMVECs.

METHODSAfter treatment with bFGF, RT-PCR and Western blotting analyses were carried out to evaluate the changes in COX-2 mRNA and protein expression, respectively. MTT assays were performed to measure cell proliferation. The prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations in the culture medium were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSCOX-2 mRNA and protein expressions in bEnd.3 cells were induced by bFGF in time- and dose-dependent manners. The bFGF-induced COX-2 upregulation led to enhanced PGE2 production by bEnd.3 cells, and this effect was abolished by the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398. bFGF also increased VEGF production by bEnd.3 cells, and this effect was blocked by NS-398 and the EP1/2 (PGE2 receptors) antagonist AH6809. Furthermore, exogenous PGE2 increased VEGF production in bEnd.3 cells, and AH6809 blocked this effect.

CONCLUSIONbFGF increases VEGF production in an autocrine manner by increasing COX-2-generated PGE2 in cMVECs and subsequently stimulates MVEC proliferation and angiogenesis.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Receptors, Prostaglandin E ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Xanthones ; pharmacology