Objective To investigate the clinical application of iodine-enhanced image of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Methods Thirty patients with thyroid nodules underwent DSCT imaging with dual-source computed tomography.All thyroid nodules were confirmed by operation or biopsy.Iodine concentration in the thyroid nodule and normal thyroid tissue were calculated and not enhanced.A receiver operator characteristic curve in SPSS software was utilized to select critical value of optimum sensitivity and specificity.The data were retrospectively analyzed.Results There were 30 patients with 40 thyroid nodules (17 malignant nodules,23 benign nodules).The range of iodine concentration in malignant nodules was -2.4-0.9 mg/ml(median-0.5 mg/ml),and that in normal thyroid tissue was-0.9-2.2 mg/ml (median 0.7 mg/ml).The range of iodine concentration in benign nodules was 1.5-4.4 mg/ml(median 2.4 mg/ml),and that in normal thyroid tissue was 1.5-4.3 mg/ml (median 2.6 mg/ml).Among them,the iodine concentration in the solid part of benign nodules was significantly higher than that in malignant nodules,the difference was statistically significant(Z=-3.23,P=0.21).When critical value was 0.15 mg/ml,sensitivity was 82.40％,specificity was 81.00％.Conclusion Iodine-enhanced images with DSCT in non-enhanced weighted images may be an implement tool for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant nodules of the thyroid gland.

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of microRNA-15b in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs).Methods PCR assay was used to determine the expression of microRNA-15b in the HMrSV5 induced by 138mmol/L high glucose for 24 h.MicmRNA-15b mimic or inhibitor was transfected into human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HMrSV5) to over-express or down-regulate microRNA-15b.The cells were then incubated with 138 mmol/L high glucose for 24 h,and the expressions of E-cadherin(E-Cad),Vimentin (VIM),Fibronectin(FN) and Smad7 were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting respectively.Results microRNA-15b in the HMrSV5 ceils was over-expressed and down-regulated.Increased level of microRNA-15b was obtained in HMrSV5 cells treated with high glucose.In vitro,high glucose led to the up-regulation of vimentin as well as fibronectin and the down-regulation of E-cadherin in HMrSV5 cells (all P ＜ 0.05),which indicated EMT and fibrosis.Suppression of microRNA-15b by transfection with microRNA-15b inhibitor partially reversed the EMT and fibrosis changes (P ＜ 0.05),while over-expression of microRNA-15b by transfection with microRNA-15b mimic obviously enhanced the EMT and fibrosis changes (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions MicroRNA-15b mediates high glucose induced EMT in human peritoneal mesothelial cells by the inhibition of Smad7 possibly.MicroRNA-15b maybe a new target for the prevention and treatment of peritoneal fibrosis during peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Based on Moens-Korteweg model & hydrostatic principle, a simple calibration method by changing vertical distance between heart and radial artery is proposed in this paper. Using hydrostatic pressure to change arterial pressure and pulse wave transmit time, consequently obtain several sets of cardiovascular parameters and finally build up relationship between blood pressure and pulse wave transmit time. Clinical tests have been carried with different age and gender for long and short time monitoring. The comparison results with Sphygmomanometer OMRON EW3152 show its promising accuracy and coincidence feature in blood pressure measurement.
Blood Pressure Determination ; instrumentation ; methods ; Blood Pressure Monitors ; Calibration ; Equipment Design