Cardiac enlargement is an important symptom of vascular and heart disease. The cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) is an important index used to measure the size of heart. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between aging and cardiothoracic ratio. This paper also presents an improved C-V level set method to segment lung tissue based on X-ray image, which used to automatically compute CTR. In the investigation carried out in our school, we got more than 3 120 chest radiographs from medical examination of the working population in Beijing, and we systematically studied the effects of age and gender on the CTR to obtain reference values for each group. The reference values established in this study can be useful for recording and quantifying the cardiac enlargement, so that it may be useful for calling attention to the cardiovascular diseases and the heart diseases.
Aging ; Algorithms ; Cardiomegaly ; pathology ; Heart ; diagnostic imaging ; Heart Diseases ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Radiography, Thoracic ; methods ; Reference Values

Silkworm is a holometabolous insect of Lepidoptera. During metamorphosis, significant morphological changes happen including the dissociation of old tissues and remodeling of new tissues. It has been reported that cathepsins are involved in these processes. Cathepsin is a kind of intracellular proteinase that exists in many species. It includes some subfamilies like cathepsin B, H and L. The studies on cathepsin are useful for clarifying the details of silkworm metamorphosis process. In total, 13 cathepsins were identified by screening the silkworm genome database. The basic information and the expression patterns about these genes were analyzed. Interestingly, an ovary-specific cathepsin L gene (Gene ID: BGIBMGAOO4622) was investigated by the data of silkworm microarray and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The full-length cDNA is 1,209 bp, encoding a protein with 402 amino acids. Sequences alignment revealed that it has a high sequence similarity with cathepsin L of other species, and it is highly conserved in the active-site of the enzyme. The phylogenetic analysis showed that ovary-specific cathepsin L is clustered with other lepidopterous insects. Furthermore, this gene was cloned and prokaryotic expressed. Recombinant protein was present in inclusion body. Importantly, the qPCR result showed that the expression level of this gene is increasing during the early stage of pupal development and reaches the highest value at the 3rd day of pupal stage, which suggests that this gene may be involved in the process of development of the ovary and oocyte.
Animals ; Bombyx ; genetics ; Cathepsins ; genetics ; Insect Proteins ; genetics ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Bushen Tongdu Capsule (BTC) on RANK/RANKL/ OPG pathway of collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rats, thereby laying theoretic evidence for treating rheumatic arthritis (RA) by Chinese medicine.

METHODSRA model was induced by CIA. Totally 42 rats were randomly divided into six groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the low dose BTC (BSL) group, the medium dose BTC (BSM) group, the high dose BTC (BSH) group, and the Tripterygium Glycosides (TG) group, 7 in each group. BTC at the daily dose of 120, 240, and 480 mg/kg was given by gastrogavage to rats in the BSL, BSM, and BSH group respectively from the 13th day of modeling. TG at the daily dose of 24 mg/kg was given by gastrogavage to rats in the TG group. All medication was given once daily, 2 mL each time. Two mL normal saline was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group. All medication lasted for 18 days. Samples were taken at day 31. The TRAP section of the ankle joint was fixed in 10% formalin for TRAP stain. Serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were detected using ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, positive reactions of pathological ankle joint section, inflammation, and osteoclasia degree were significantly improved in the model group, serum levels of RANKL and M-CSF were up-regulated, levels of OPG and OPG/RANKL were significantly lowered (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, positive reactions of pathological ankle joint section, inflammation, and osteoclasia degree also significantly decreased in the BSH group and the TG group (all P < 0.01). RANKL and M-CSF were significantly down-regulated in each medicated group, while levels of OPG and OPG/RANKL were significantly up-regulated (all P < 0.01). Compared with the TG group, M-CSF was lower, but levels of OPG and OPG/RANKL were significantly up-regulated in the normal control group (all P < 0.01). RANKL and M-CSF were significantly up-regulated, while levels of OPG and OPG/RANKL were significantly down-regulated in the model group and each BS group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBTC could relieve bone damage of CIA rats possibly through regulating and controlling osteoclasts.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoprotegerin ; metabolism ; RANK Ligand ; metabolism ; Rats ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; metabolism ; Tripterygium

Objective To establish homogeneous immunoassay for detecting serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) by using light induced chemiluminescent immunoassay (LiCA). Methods Polyclonal antibodies of cTnI were coated on the receptor particles, monoclonal antibodies of cTnI were biotinylated, and the donor particles were coated with streptavidin, all of which were composed of LiCA reagents. The optimal test conditions and analytical performance of the detection method were studied. Results The method was rapid, sensitive, and detection time was 17.5 min.The analytical sensitivity was 0.045 ng/mL and the functional sensitivity was 0.053 ng/mL.The recovery rate was 104.96%-108.21%;The within-run and the between-run coefficients of variation were 3.88%-5.53%and 7.60%-8.75%, respectively. The interference rates for the endogenous substances were less than 10%. The reference value of cTnI was less than 1.05 ng/mL;Results of cTnI LiCA correlated well with direct chemiluminescence detection (r2 =0.979). Conclusions This approach can be used for the quantitative detection of serum cTnI, and it is homogeneous and is free of clean separation. It provides a convenient, highly sensitive detection platform for clinical practice.

MicroRNA (miRNA) belongs to a class of small, non-coding RNA molecules that contains 18-25 nucleotides and regulates gene expression at post-transcriptional level. Many miRNAs are highly conserved and display timing- and tissue-specific expression. With the advance of the miRNA detection technologies, miRNA has been introduced to forensic science as a potentially novel set of genetic markers of forensic body fluid identification, species identification and PMI estimation. In this article, the detection methodologies of miRNA are reviewed, and their potential applications in forensic practice and research future are also discussed.
Body Fluids ; Forensic Medicine ; Genetic Markers ; Humans ; MicroRNAs

Objective To evaluate the association of islet autoantibodies [ glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody(GADA),protein tyrosine phosphatase antibody(IA-2A)and insulin autoantibodies(IAA)1 with HLA- DQ genotypes in the first-degree relatives of autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus.Methods This was a cross- sectional and case-control study.Three hundred and fifty-one first-degree relatives with normal glucose tolerance of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 376 healthy controls were recruited and measured for GADA,IA-2A and IAA by radioligand assay,and 156 first-degree relatives of patients with autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus and 278 controls were typed for genetic polymorphisms of HLA-DQ with PCR sequencing-based typing method.Results (1)DQA1*03,DQBI*0303,*0401 alleles and DQA1 * 03-DQBI * 0303,DQA1 * 05-DQBI * 0201,DQA1 * 03-DQBI * 0401 haplotypes were significantly increased in the first-degree relatives of autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus(P

BACKGROUND:Piglitazone, aperoxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPAR-γ) agonist, has been demonstrated topromote survivalandcardiac differentiation ofexogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem celsto improvecardiacfunction.In this study, we attempted to investigate whether pioglitazone couldinduce cardiac differentiation of endogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem celsandimprove cardiacfunction, andmeanwhile, probed into the relevant mechanisms.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the therapeutic efficacy ofpioglitazone combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel transplantation, pioglitazone alone and phosphate buffer solution(PBS)and to investigatetherelevant mechanisms.
METHODS:ThirtySprague-Dawley ratswith myocardial infarctioninducedby ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery were randomized intocombined group (combination of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels and pioglitazone), pioglitazone group andPBSgroup. Two weeks later, PKH26-labeled bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels inPBSorPBSalone wereinjected into the local infarct zone in the combinedgroup andthe other twogroups, respectively. Pioglitazone (3 mg/kg/d) was given by the oral gavage in the combinedand pioglitazone groups forcontinuous2weeks after cels transplantation. At 2weeks after treatment, cardiac functions were evaluated. In addition, expressions of PPAR-γ, connexin 43 and relative factors in transforming growth factor-β1/SMAD signaling pathway were examined in different areas of the left ventricle from each harvested heart.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were no differences in the baseline parameters of cardiac function between the two groups.Twoweeksafter treatment, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction were significantlyimprovedin the combined groupcompared with the other two groups; the expression of PPAR-γ was significantly increased in different zones of the left ventriclein the combined andpioglitazone groups.In the combined group, there was a significantlyhigher expression of connexin 43, and the levels of transforming growth factor-β1, SMAD2 and SMAD3 were obviously attenuated in the infarctand marginal zones.However, no differences were found in the abovedeterminants between the pioglitazone andPBSgroups. To conclude, pioglitazone cannot induce the differentiation andproliferation of endogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels, but pioglitazone combined with exogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels can improve cardiac function post myocardial infarction.In this process,PPAR-γmight promote the connexin 43 expression inexogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem celsviathe blockade oftransforming growth factor-β1/SMAD signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have demonstrated that the electrophysiological stability and ventricular fibril ation threshold after myocardial infarction in rats are significantly improved in the mid-term of cardiac stem cel transplantation, but relative regulatory mechanism and pathway remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the relative molecular regulatory mechanism of cardiac stem cel s improving the electrophysiological stability and ventricular fibril ation threshold after myocardial infarction in rats. METHODS:Myocardial infarction was induced in 20 Sprague-Dawley rats by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary, which were then randomized into two groups (n=10 per group) and were subjected to the injection of cardiac stem cel s labeled with PKH26 in phosphate buffer solution (cardiac stem cel group) or the same amount of phosphate buffer solution (PBS) alone (PBS group) into the local infarct zone at 2 weeks after modeling, respectively. Six weeks later, relevant signaling molecules involved in the ANGII/AT1R/TGF-β1/SMAD/Cx43 pathway were al examined in myocardial tissues of the left ventricle and harvested blood samples. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the PBS group, expressions of connexin 43 in different zones of the left ventricle were significantly increased in the cardiac stem cel group (P<0.01);there was a significant reduction of the angiotensin II level in plasma and different regions of the left ventricular (P<0.05;P<0.01). Furthermore, in the cardiac stem cel group, expressions of angiotensin II type I receptor, transforming growth factor-β1, SMAD2 and SMAD3 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Whereas SMAD7 was significantly elevated (P<0.05) in different areas of the left ventricle compared with the phosphate buffer solution group. These findings suggest that the cardiac stem cel transplantation can improve the electrophysiological stability and ventricular fibril ation threshold after myocardial infarction by enhancing the expression of connexin 43 via ANGII/AT1R/TGF-beta1/SMAD/CX43 signaling pathway.

Objective: To observe blood levels of cystetine C (Cys C) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndromes (OSAS) related hypertension (HP). Methods: A total of 102 HP patients received polysomgography (PSG) in our hospital from 2013-01 to 2013-12 were studied. According to apnea hypopnea index (AHI), the patients were divided into 2 groups: OSAS with HP (OH) group, n=55 patients with AHI≥5 and HP group,n=47 patients with AHI<5; in addition, there was a Control group,n=45 normal subjects with PSG examination at the same period. The general conditions, biochemical and sleep parameters were studied, the differences among 3 groups were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 software. Results: In OH group, HP group and Control group, blood levels of Cys C were (1.06 ± 0.27) mg/L, (0.91 ± 0.19) mg/L and (0.79 ± 0.32) mg/L respectively; SOD were (127.63 ± 63.19) U/mL, (149.14 ± 60.12) U/mL and (181.54 ± 59.37) U/mL respectively, allP<0.05. Based on clinical conditions, OH group was further divided into Mild, Moderate and Severe sub-groups, blood levels of Cys C and SOD were similar among different sub-groups,P>0.05. Conclusion: Blood levels of Cys C in OH and HP groups were higher than Control group, Cys C in OH group was higher than HP group; SOD levels in OH and HP groups were lower than Control group, SOD in OH group was lower than HP group. The relationships between Cys C, SOD and OH severity were unclear.

To understand the family sex education for young children in rural areas of Sichuan province and analyze the influencing factors. A multi-stage random sampling method was used to select 2246 parents of kindergarten children from rural areas in Sichuan province for a questionnaire-based survey.The Chi-square test and Logistic regression model were used for data analysis. It was found 1132(52.33%)parents had implemented family sex education for young children and 1031(47.67%)had not.Young children having asked sex-related questions(=1.536,95%=1.257-1.878),parents thinking that early childhood sex education is necessary(=3.691,95%=2.029-6.717),and parents having the intention to know early childhood sex education(=1.700,95%=1.274-2.269),and kindergarten having implemented early childhood sex education(=3.316,95%=2.515-4.372)were promoting factors for parents to conduct early childhood sex education,whereas a total annual household income at the middle level(=0.664,95%=0.456-0.968)was a hindering factor for parents to conduct early childhood sex education. Parents of young children in rural areas of Sichuan province have poor awareness of sex education,and the proportion of parents who have never conducted sex education for children is high.The total annual income of the family,whether the children have asked about sex-related questions,parents' attitude towards early childhood sex education,and whether the kindergarten has conducted the early childhood sex education are important factors that influence the level of children's family sex education.
Child ; China ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Parents ; Sex Education ; Surveys and Questionnaires