Objective To assess the CT image quality of the pure ground glass nodule(pGGN)in chest phantom by using different field of view(FOV)and matrix.Methods CT(Philips Brilliance 128 spiral CT)scans were performed on chest phantom containing 9 artificial pGGNs(diameter≥5 mm)in 3 different FOV (50 mm,150 mm,300 mm ),and were reconstructed in 2 different matrix(512×512, 1 024×1 024),standard kernel.Recorded the CT values and standard deviations (SD)of the nodules and surrounding regions in different FOV and matrix,and calculated the mean standard deviation(MSD),contrast noise ratio (CNR)and signal noise ratio (SNR),then compared the difference among them.Two radiologists assessed the image quality of the pGGNs in blind method respectively,then evaluated the coherence between them using Kappa testing.Results The coherence of 2 observers was substantial or almost perfect.No significant differences were found on MSD,CNR and SNR in different FOV (P value>0.05)when matrix was kept,whereas the visibility of the nodules improved with the FOV changing smaller.And there were significant differences all on MSD,CNR and SNR by using different matrix when FOV was kept.The MSD increased and the CNR,SNR decreased in high-resolution group.The visibility of the pGGNs was not improved obviously in high-resolution group.Conclusion The image quality of the pGGN(diameter≥5 mm)won’t be changed by using smaller FOV when matrix is kept ,but the visibility will be improved with the FOV changing smaller.When FOV is kept,the MSD increased and the CNR,SNR reduced in high-resolution group,but the visibility will not be improved obviously compare to the standard resolution group.

Objective To explore the role of protein kinase C(PKC) to regulate the activation of nuclear factor-?B(NF-?B)in T lymphocyte in children with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP).Methods Sterility peripheral blood was collected from acute ITP children(n=30)and healthy children(n=30).T lymphocytes were isolated and purified,and divided into 3 groups:control group,PMA group stimulated with PMA,PMA plus H-7 group stimulated with PMA and H-7.The expression of NF-?B and inhibitor protein-?B(I-?B)was detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot,respectively.Results The percentage of cells with active NF-?B was significantly higher and the expression level of I-?B was significantly lower in acute ITP PMA group than that in acute ITP control group and normal PMA group,respectively(all P

Rhubarb anthraquinone derivatives (AQs) have been documented to have both therapeutic and toxic effect on liver and kidney, leading to a complex puzzle to assess their benefits and risks. In this study, the tissue distributions of AQs in SD rats after orally administrated extracts of raw and prepared rhubarb were examined whether they undergo different uptake. The total rhubarb extract (14.49 g x kg(-1) of body weight per day od, counted on the quantity of crude material) was administrated orally for 12 weeks. The concentrations of the AQs in different tissues were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The five major AQs, aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophynol and physcion, could all be detected in the liver, kidney and spleen, while only rhein, aloe-emodin and emodin reached the quantitative limit. The tissue concentrations of AQs in raw rhubarb group were higher than that in steamed rhubarb group with rhein > emodin > aloe-emodin in the same tissue. On the whole, the tissue distribution of rhein was higher than that of emodin and aloe-emodin in liver, spleen and kidney. AQs could not be detected in those tissues after drug withdraw for 4 weeks, which suggested scarcely any accumulative toxicity of rhubarb. The result indicated that raw rhubarb had more tissue toxicity than steamed rhubarb and rhein may be one of the major poisonous ingredients. The results were concordant with the traditional Chinese medicine theory of toxicity-attenuating effect of processing.

Animals ; China ; Ehrlichia ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Ehrlichiosis ; microbiology ; transmission ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Sheep ; parasitology ; Ticks ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA-HOTAIR in prostate cancer cells and its effects on the growth and metastasis of the cells.

METHODSUsing quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), we determined the relative expression of HOTAIR in the normal human prostate epithelial cell line RWPE-I and prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU145. We detected the effects of HOTAIR on the cell cycle and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells by RNA interference, flow cytometry, and Transwell mitration assay.

RESULTSThe expressions of HOTAIR in the PC3 and DU145 cells were increased 3.2 and 5.7 times, respectively, as compared with that in the normal RWPE-1 cells. After si-HOTAIR interference, the prostate cancer cells were arrested in the G2 phase and downregulated in the G1 phase. The invasive ability of the prostate cancer cells was evidently inhibited, with the inhibition rates of 32% and 44% of the PC3 cells and 43% and 34% of the DU145 cells for si-HOTAIR1 and si-HOTAIR2, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIncRNA HOTAIR is highly expressed in prostate cancer, which is associated with the growth and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells. HOTAIR is potentially a novel marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer.

Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Division ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; G1 Phase ; G2 Phase ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prognosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; metabolism ; RNA, Untranslated ; metabolism

Objective To explore the quality of life (QOL) and its influential factors among patients with 3 major rheumatic diseases. Methods A total of 216 patients with rheumatic diseases (84 patients with systemic lu- pus erythematosus, SLE, 83 with rheumatoid arthritis, RA, and 49 with ankylosing spondylitis, AS) were recruited. The information with regard to their quality of life, sociopsychological factors and the evaluation of disease activity were obtained by using the medical outcomes study short form-36 (SF-36) and clinic documents. Results Patients with rheumatic diseases scored significantly lower with each subscale of SF-36 as compared to those of a healthy popu- lation in China (P

Objective To evaluate the myocardial blood supply in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) using 99Tcm-MIBI SPECT MPI. Methods A total of 342 patients were divided into four groups according to the number of abnormal metabolic indices: no abnormal metabolic index (Group 1), one abnormal index (Group 2), two abnormal indices (Group 3), three or more abnormal indices (Group 4). Each patient underwent two-day protocol of gated stress and rest 99Tcm-MIBI MPI. One hundred and three of the 342 patients were clinically diagnosed as MS and underwent CAG within 1 month after MPI. χ2test was used to evaluate the difference among the four groups and Kappa test to analyze the correlation between MPI and CAG. Results Compared with CAG, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values by 99Tcm-MIBI SPECT MPI for coronary artery diseases (CAD) in 103 MS patients were 80.5% (33/41), 85.5% (53/62), 78.6% (33/42) and 86.9% (53/61), respectively. The correlation coefficient between MPI and CAG was 0.657 (P<0.001). The abnormal MPI rates in group 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 23.3% (10/43), 32.9% (26/79), 54.4% (56/103), and 57.3% (67/117), respectively (χ2=23.22, P<0.001). Conclusions In MS patients,99Tcm-MIBI SPECT MPI can be useful for evaluating myocardial blood supply and the myocardial ischemia rates may correlate positively with the number of abnormal metabolic indices.

Humans ; Infant ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; complications ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Thymus Gland ; abnormalities

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of multislice-CT angiography (MSCTA)in planning for the patients undergoing deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEAP) flap operations. Methods Eighteen patients were performed with a 16-slice CT scanner to evaluate the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator prior to DIEAP flap operations. Axial, multiplanar reconstruction( MPR), maximum intensity projection(MIP) and volume rendered (VR) images were analysed and the origins, calibers, courses and anatomic relationships of the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator were evaluated. The anastomosis between the superficial inferior epigastric artery and the main perforator was observed as well. The images were classified into three grades based on the vessels'appearance. A + indicated the vessel appeared clear,continuous and thick. A- indicated the vessel appeared foggy,discontinuous and thin or the vessel partly showed. B indicated no related vessel can be seen. Other 18 patients undergoing conventional abdomen-pelvis CT scans for other reasons were used for control group to compare their CT findings of the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator. Results MSCTA well showed the course of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA). Of the 18 cases, 17 cases appeared as A +, another one A -. It precisely displayed the origins, subcutaneous and intramuscular courses, relations of the main perforators on all cases of showing A +. The exact points where the chosen perforator vessels emerged from the rectus abdominis muscle fascia were located precisely. The superficial inferior epigastric arteries were mostly displayed and the connection between the arteries and the largest-caliber perforator from the deep system could also be shown clearly. Strict concordance with operative findings was found in CTA. Conclusion MSCTA can precisely locate the chosen perforator vessels emerging from the rectus abdominis muscle fascia and it may be a feasible, fast, safe and effective method for preoperative evaluation of DIEAP.

BACKGROUND: Classic isolation method of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is Percoll density gradient centrifugation. Blood cell component was removed. However, this method is complicated. Preparation density was needed when isolating dog bone marrow. Moreover, centrifugation was frequent, which had a great damage to cells. OBJECTIVE: To establish methods of the isolation, proliferation, culture and osteoinduction of canine BMSCs, and observe the in vitro proliferation and ability to osteoinduction differentiation. METHODS: 10 mL bone marrow was extracted from dog posterior superior iliac spine, heparin anticoagulation, diluted using Hanks juice, treated with 1.077 g/mL Ficoll solution 3 mL, and centrifuged at 2 000 r/min for 20 minutes. Karyocytes were absorbed to form white cloudlike layering interface, and then centrifuged twice using DMEM supplemented with fetal bovine serum, incubated at 12×10~4/cm~2 at 37 ℃ in a 5% CO_2 incubator. Following subculture, cells were incubated in DMEM containing dexamethasone, β-sodium phosphoglycerol and ascorbic acid 2-phosphate. Immunocytochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining were utilized to detect osteocalcin, osteopontin and type Ⅰ collagen expression in osteoblasts. Alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 1.077 g/mL Ficoll density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate karyocytes that were significant compared with Percoll solution. Obtained BMSCs had high purity, good growth and the mean doubling time was 24 hours. Following in vitro osteogenic incubation of dog BMSCs, osteocalcin, osteopontin and type Ⅰ collagen showed positive expression. Alkaline phosphatase staining demonstrated bluish-green cytoplasm. Alizarin red staining showed red nodes in extracellular matrix, and could differentiate into osteoblasts in vitro.