Lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) is a type-Ⅱ membrane protein belonging to the C-type lectin family molecules, which acts as a cell surface endocytosis receptor for atherogenic oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL). LOX-1 supports the binding internalization and proteolytic degradation of oxidized LDL, but not of significant amounts of acetylated LDL. LOX-1 is initially synthesized as a 40 kD precursor protein with N-linked high mannose-type carbohydrate, which is further glycosylated and processed into a 48-kD mature form. In vivo, endothelial cells that cover early therosclerotic lesions, intimal macrophages and smooth muscle cells in advanced atherosclerotic plaques express LOX-1. LOX-1 is cleaved at membrane proximal extracellular domain and released from the cell surface. Measurement of soluble LOX-1 in vivo may provide novel diagnostic strategy for the evaluation and prediction of atherosclerosis and vascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE To assess the ultrasonographic features and clinical significance of the complications of the thyroglossal cysts. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonographic findings in 41 cases with complications of the thyroglossal cyst, which was confirmed surgically and pathologically. 43 cases with simple thyroglossal cyst consisted of the control group. The location, size, internal echo, internal septa, wall thickness, posterior acoustic feature, boundary, vascularity, and fistulas of the lesion were analyzed and compared with the control group. RESULTS Most of the inflammatory thyroglossal cyst showed thickening walls, indistinct boundaries, posterior echo enhancement, and peripheral vascularity on ultrasound images. There were significant differences of the thickness of the cyst wall, indistinct boundary, and peripheral vascularity between the two groups. CONCLUSION The characteristic findings of thyroglossal cyst with inflammation are thickened wall, indistinct boundary, and peripheral vascularities. Ultrasonography can be useful tool in determination of the appropriate time of the operation to reduce the recurrence rate.

BACKGROUND: The oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is a key influencing factor in the occurrence and development process of atherosclerosis. How is the merit of the method for the detection of the level of anti-serum oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) antibody on the evaluation of atherosclerotic plaque?OBJECTIVE: To study the method for the detection of serum anti-ox-LDL antibody in mice with apolipoprotein E (Apo-E) genetic defect to analyze the merits of serous level of anti-ox-LDL antibody on the evaluation of the area of atherosclerotic plaque in mice with Apo-E genetic defect.DESIGN: Single factor analysis of variance (a case-controlled study)SETTING: Laboratory of nutrition and metabolism diseases in a university.PARTICIPANTS: Mice with Apo-E genetic defect were grouped into positive group (series: C57B L/6J, n = 15), while normal mice were grouped into control group (series: C57BL/6J, n = 15).INTERVENTIONS: Mice of two groups were fed in separate cage on laminar flow shelf for free drinking and eating. The venous blood was drawn from the orbit of mice after 16 weeks for the separation of mice serum. The level of anti-ox-LDL antibody was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the separated serum from either mice with Apo-E genetic defect or normal mice. The area of atherosclerotic plaque was measured by image analysis after oil red O staining.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ox-LDL level and atherosclerotic plaque area in mice with Apo-E genetic defect or normal mice.RESULTS: Anti-ox-LDL antibody level of mice with Apo-E genetic defect was[ (0. 079 ±0. 028)% ], which was significantly higher than [(0. 012± 0.001 )% ] of normal mice ( F= 10. 666, P ＜ 0.01 ). The area of atherosclerotic plaque of mice with Apo-E genetic defect was (26. 25 ± 9.20) %, which was also significantly higher than 0% of normal mice, and moreover, there was a significant correlation between these two factors ( r =0. 638, P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Serum level of anti-ox-LDL antibody in mice with Apo-E genetic defect is closely correlated with the area of atherosclerotic plaque,which is an important indicator for the generation of atherosclerosis in mice with Apo-E genetic defect.

Traditional medical education focus on expository teaching,rote learning,and apprenticeship training for clinical skill.Although these teaching approaches can be beneficial for imparting knowledge and clinical skill,they appear to be insufficient for team cooperation,knowledge integration,and standard training.Biomedical simulation teaching is a new method for imparting knowledge,and has achieved good results in current medical education.This paper aims to introduce the definition and characteristic of biomedical simulation,and the application and significance of biomedical simulation in ultrasound teaching are also outlined and discussed.

Objective To establish a novel method for the determination of betaine in serum by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection.Methods Pre-column derivatization of serum was performed directly in acetonitrile without extraction with p-bromophenacyl bromide and 18-crown-6 ether as catalyst.The p-bromophenacyl ester derivatives were then separated by Supelcosil LC-SCX, using an was 0.8 ml/min and the effluent was monitored at 259 nm. Betaine was used for preparation of standard curve and quantification with external standards.Results The linearity of this method was 6.25-200.00 μmol/L,the regression was 0.999 8.The detection limit was 3.0 μmol/L.The within-day imprecision was 1.88%-3.79% ( average 3.24% ), the between-day imprecision was 3.14%-6.76% ( average 4.39% ), the recovery rates were 95.89%-102.86% (average 99.16% ).Conclusion This method is sensitive, rapid, accurate and suitable for the research and routine clinical practice.

AIM: To determine the role of LOX-1/PPAR pathway in regulating expression of adhesion molecules elicited by oxidizing low density lipoprotein(Ox-LDL) through Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1(LOX-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).METHODS: HUVECs were incubated with Ox-LDL,poly(I),carrageenan or 15-deoxy-△12,14-prostaglanding J2(15d-PGJ2).PPAR mRNA and protein were examined by real time RT-PCR and Western blotting.ICAM-1 and E-selectin were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively.RESULTS: Ox-LDL increased PPAR expression in HUVECs,which was inhibited by pretreatment of HUVECs with LOX-1 blockers.Preincubation of HUVECs with 15d-PGJ2 attenuated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) and E-selectin in response to Ox-LDL.Upregulation of ICAM-1 and E-selectin mediated by Ox-LDL were suppressed more significantly by the combination of 15d-PGJ2 and polyinosonic acid as compared to either 15d-PGJ2 or polyinosonic acid alone.CONCLUSION: The results indicate that Ox-LDL exerts a biphasic effects on inflammatory response.It evokes harmful effects by inflammatory injury on one side and protective effects by triggering the LOX-1/ PPAR signaling pathway on the other hand.

AIM: To investigate the effects of lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) on the expression of MCP-1 in the cultured human unbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: Cultured HUVECs was incubated with ox-LDL, or preincubated with carrageenan and polyinosinic acid. LOX-1 and MCP-1 mRNA and protein were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Incubation of HUVECs with ox-LDL (from 0-100 mg/L) for 24 h markedly increased the expression of LOX-1 and MCP-1 (mRNA and protien) in a concentration-dependent fashion. Preincubation of HUVECs with carrageenan and polyinosinic acid, the chemical inhibitors of LOX-1, for 2 h, ox-LDL-mediated upregulation of LOX-1 and MCP-1 was suppressed (P

Objective: Our study described the body composition of 50 preschool children aged from 4 to 6 years old and evaluated their nutritional and developing status. Methods: Body composition was measured with dual energy X ray absorptiometry(DXA). Results: BMC, BMD, FTM, %BF, LTM of all children were (463.3?80.9)g、(0.69?0.04)g/cm 2、(3917.1?1281.6)g、(21.8?4.9)、(13391.4? 1823.8 )g respectively. The relationships between BMC and age and between LTM and age were positively correlated. BMD and LTM of the boys were significantly higher than those of the girls. On the contrary, FTM, %BF, F t/l and F t/a of the girls were obviously greater than those of the boys. Conclusion: DXA method may be used to evaluate the nutritional and developing status in preschool childran.

Objective To evaluate quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography for differential diagnosis of prostate nodules in peripheral zone.Methods Forty-seven patients suspected of prostate cancer for peripheral zone nodules on ultrasonographic imaging were enrolled in this study.Time intensity curves of contrast-enhanced ultrasound were analyzed in all patients.Results The full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of malignant lesions in peripheral zone was shorter than that of adjacent peripheral zone (47.1 s±21.1 s vs 74.2 s±29.7 s, P=0.01).The peak intensity (PI) of benign nodules in peripheral zone was lower than that of adjacent peripheral zone 11.9 dB±7.7 dB vs 17.5 dB±4.5 dB, P=0.02).Conclusions It is helpful for differentiation diagnosis of peripheral zone nodule through analyzing FWHM and PI on contrast-enhanced transrectal ultmsonography imaging.