Objective To explore the effects of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) on cell multiplication and apoptosis at exposure coverage and marginal zone and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen and apoptosis of subcutaneous neurogliocytoma in nude mice. Methods Eighteen nude mice bearing subcutaneous human neurogliocytoma were consecutively ablated in 20s by an extracorporeal HIFU with 9.7MHz transducer (the focal length of 4.5mm and focal intensity 2500W/cm2). The 18 nude mice were randomly di?vided into 7 d group,14 d group and 30 d group according to sacrifice date. Immunohistochemical method, TdT-mediat?ed dUTP nick end labeling method were used to examine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and prolifer?ating cell nuclear antigen and apoptosis at exposure coverage, marginal zone and normal zone, respectively. Results The expression of VEGF and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were evident at exposure coverage, marginal zone and normal zone in 7, 14 and 30 days after ablation. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and apoptosis were absent at exposure coverage in 7,14 and 30 days after ablation. The percentage of VEGF expression was lower in marginal zone than in normal zone (23.79%± 3.11% vs. 46.16%± 2.43%) in 7 d after ablation (F=110.03,P<0.05). The percentage of VEGF expression was also lower (10.94%±3.95%) in exposure coverage than in normal zone (46.16%±2.43%) in 7 d af?ter ablation (F=272.80,P<0.05). The percentage of VEGF expression was lower in marginal zone than in normal zone (17.17%±2.89%vs. 43.47%±3.77%) in 14 d after ablation (F=152.05,P<0.05). The percentage of VEGF expression was lower in marginal zone than in normal zone (9.27%± 2.08%vs. 44.58%± 3.34%) in 30 d after ablation (F=274.1,P<0.05 2). The proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index(PCNA LI) was lower in marginal zone than in normal zone ((33.04%±4.31%vs. 65.15%±3.85%) in 7 d after ablation (F=242.46, P<0.05). The PCNA LI was lower in marginal zone than in normal zone (21.05%± 1.96%vs. 62.99%± 3.34%) in 14 d after ablation (F=413.52, P<0.05). The PCNA LI was lower in marginal zone than in normal zone (6.36%± 0.51% vs. 62.07%± 18.07%) in 30 d after ablation, (F=729.59, P<0.05) .The apoptotic index (AI) was higher in marginal zone than in normal zone (26.10%±4.54%vs. 1.43%±0.35%) in 7 d after ablation, (F=216.22, P<0.05). The apoptotic index(AI) was higher in marginal zone than in normal zone (65.70%± 1.14% vs. 1.82%± 0.31%) in 14d after ablation (F=1448.64, P<0.05). The apoptotic index (AI) was higher in marginal zone than in normal zone (82.02%± 3.98% vs. 2.52%± 0.29%) in 30d after ablation (F=2244.33, P<0.05). Conclusion The present study demonstrates that an extracorporeal HIFU with 9.7MHz transducer (the focal length of 4.5mm and fo?cal intensity 2500W/cm2) can completely ablate neurogliocytoma at exposure coverage and inhibit the proliferation of neurogliocytoma at marginal zone. Thus, HIFU may be a new and selective treatment for neurogliocytoma.

Objective Thymic epithelial tumors(TET) consist of thymoma and thymic carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) coinci-dence SPECT imaging in TET. Methods 18 F-FDG coincidence SPECT images of 37 TET patients ( male 16, female 21, age range 24-82 years; mean age 55 years) were retrospectively analyzed according to the simplified WHO histological classification: high survival thymoma (types A, AB and B1 ), median survival thymoma (types B2 and B3 ), and low survival thymoma (thymic carcinoma). Qualitative visual interpreta-tion was based on foci of18F-FDG uptake'higher than that of normal mediastinum. Turnour/lung radioactivity ratio (TLR) was calculated from the counts of region of interest (ROI) drawn around the mass and over a comparable area of normal lung tissue in TET patients. The distribution of18F-FDG uptake was compared with the enhanced CT findings. TLR was also correlated with the Ki67-1abeling index. Statistical comparison for TLR in different groups were performed with variance analysis. Results Thirty-four TET were positive and 3 negative ( A, A, AB) by 18 F-FDG coincidence SPECT images. The differences among the 3 sub-groups were statistically significant (F=9.99,P<0.05). The TLR of these 3 subgroups was variable: 1.42±0.27, 2.13±0.74, 3.00±1.19, respectively. A close correlation (r=0.613, P=0.002) of the TLR with the Ki67 labeling index (n= 22) was found. In addition, 18 F-FDG coincidence SPECT detected two metastases ( anterior chest wall and right supraclavicular fossa lymph node) that were not identified on enhanced CT. Conclusions 18 F-FDG coincidence SPECT is useful in differentiating subgroups of thymic epithelial tumors and in identifying more invasive thymic lesions.18 F-FDG may be a novel tracer that ena-bles in vivo evaluation of cellular proliferation in human TET.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of putative bacteriocin immunity proteins on the growth mode of Streptococcus mutans (Sm). To observe the differences of antimicrobial sensitivity in planktonic Sm wild-type strains and mutant strains caused by the inactivation of bacteriocin immunity proteins and their influence on the biofilm formation.

METHODSSm wild-type strains (WT) and its knockout mutants defective in immA and immB (ΔimmA(-) and ΔimmB(-) mutants) coding putative bacteriocin immunity proteins were cultured in brain heart infusion (BHI) and selected by erythromycin at the concentration of 10 mg/L. Optical density was detected by spectrophotometer every hour and growth curve was drawn. WT, ΔimmA(-) and ΔimmB(-) mutants were treated with ampicillin (0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08 mg/L), sodium fluoride (50, 100, 150, 200, 250 mg/L) and sodium hypochlorite (0.078%, 0.156%, 0.313%, 0.625%, 1.250%) for 24 hours. Optical density was detected by multifunctional micro plate reader. WT and the mutants were cultured in MBEC(TM) P&G Assay for 24 hours. The minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of chlorhexidine against Sm was determined by serial dilution method. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to visualize the biofilm architecture, depth and ratio of live to dead bacteria.

RESULTSGrowth curve showed that it took about 3 hours to reach exponential phase and about 7 hours to stationary phase for WT, while 4 hours to exponential phase and 8 hours to stationary phase for mutants. Optical density of mutants were lower than WT in the presence of various antimicrobial agents (P < 0.01). In 0.06 mg/L ampicillin group, optical density value of WT, ΔimmA(-) and ΔimmB(-) mutants were 0.334 ± 0.016, 0.027 ± 0.016 and 0.047 ± 0.018. In 150 mg/L sodium fluoride group, optical density value of WT and mutants were 0.254 ± 0.018, 0.129 ± 0.011 and 0.167 ± 0.010. In 0.313% sodium hypochlorite group, optical density value of WT and mutants were 0.467 ± 0.008, 0.017 ± 0.006 and 0.050 ± 0.006. The MBEC of chlorhexidine against Sm WT, ΔimmA(-) and ΔimmB(-) mutants were 6.25, 1.57, and 3.13 mg/L. The results by CLSM showed a noticeable difference in biofilm architecture. The depth of WT biofilm was higher than the mutants biofilm (P < 0.01). The ratio of live to dead bacteria of WT biofilm was higher than ΔimmA(-) mutants in all layers (P < 0.05) and ΔimmB(-) mutants in the outer and intermedium layer (P < 0.01). There is no significant different between the inner layers of WT and ΔimmB(-) mutants (P = 0.191).

CONCLUSIONSPutative bacteriocin immunity proteins have influence on the growth mode of Sm. The antimicrobial sensitivity of planktonic Sm can be up-regulated by the inactivation of immA or immB. The MBEC of chlorhexidine against ΔimmA(-) and ΔimmB(-) mutants is lower than WT. The inactivation of immA or immB affects the biofilm formation.

Ampicillin ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacteriocins ; genetics ; immunology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Cariostatic Agents ; pharmacology ; Chlorhexidine ; pharmacology ; Disinfectants ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mutation ; Plankton ; drug effects ; Sodium Fluoride ; pharmacology ; Sodium Hypochlorite ; pharmacology ; Streptococcus mutans ; drug effects ; genetics

This study was aimed to establish a quantitative method for the determination of agarotetrol in agarwood to control its quality. The HPLC analysis was performed on a Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm í 250 mm, 5 μm), eluted with a mobile phase of water with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile in gradient mode with the flow rate of 0.7 mL·min-1. The detection wavelength was set at 252 nm. The column temperature was 30oC. The results showed that the separation of agarotetrol and adjacent peaks were more than 1.5, which achieved a baseline separation. A good lin-earity (r = 0.999 8) was observed in the range of 2.0-125.0 μg·mL-1, with the average recovery of 102.75%. The a-garotetrol cannot be less than 0.15% based on the data of Agarwood samples. It was concluded that the method was accurate and reliable to determine the content of agarotetrol, which can be used for the quality control of agarwood.

BACKGROUND:The conditions of teenager and adult skeletons have great differences. Thus, it is dangerous to place screw on teenagers using the methods for adults.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the anatomical features of teenagers’ upper-middle thoracic vertebra images, and to provide experimental basis for pedicle nailing and pedicle-rib head unit nailing in teenagers’ upper-middle thoracic vertebrae.
METHODS:We chose 30 teenagers (13 to 18 years old) without spine lesions, and then they were scanned (0.625-1.25 mm) from T 1 to T 12 segments using CT. The original data were loaded into a three dimensional software in DICOM format for measuring related indicators. At last, we analyzed the data according to different segments.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The trend between the width of pedicle and pedicle-head unit was similar, showing a“V”shape. The minimum of width was located in the T 4 , and there were significant differences between the corresponding vertebral bodies (P<0.05). The trend between pedicle nail road length and pedicle-rib head unit nail road length was similar, and the trend between them was gradual y increasing. The minimum of length was located in T 1 , and the maximum of length was located at T 10 , and there were significant differences between the corresponding vertebral bodies (P<0.05). The trend between the pedicle transverse angle and pedicle rib-head unit transverse angle was similar. The trend from T1 to T10 was on a decline, and there were significant differences in corresponding vertebrae (P<0.05). The trend of curves between pedicle sagittal angle and pedicle rib-head unit sagittal angle was similar, showing a wavy shape, and there were significant differences in corresponding vertebrae (P<0.05). These results confirmed that the same segmental pedicle rib-head unit can provide a safer nailing place than the pedicle relatively.

Objective To study the effect of Pioglitazone(PIO) on intimal hyperplasia after vein graft and its potential mechanism.Methods 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divieded into two groups,one admisnistrated with PIO(3 mg· kg-1 · d-1) and the other with saline.A week later,the right common carotid arteries were reconstructed using homolateral external jugular veins in rats.The drugs treatment was continued after surgery for 2 or 4 weeks until grafted veins were harvested.The neointima thickness was measured by Computer image analysis software.To observe the activation of ERK1/2 pathway,the western blot were performed.In vitro,human great saphenous vein smooth muscle cells were co-cultured with PIO,and cells proliferation was detected by the CCK-8 assay.The TUNEL staining was performed to determine apoptosis.Results PIO treatment significantly attenuated intimal thickening compared with the the control group both at second [(8.56 ± 1.64) μm vs (25.44 ± 0.89) μm,P ＜ 0.01] and fourth week [(10.51 ± 1.47) μm vs (35.69 ± 1.07) μm,P ＜ 0.01)] after veins graft.Also PIO inhibited the ERK1/2 activation in grafted veins.In vitro,PIO significantly reduced PDGF-induced cells proliferation and increased cells apoptosis.Conclusion PIO effectively improved intimal hyperplasia in grafted veins perhaps associated with its ability to suppress vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation and enhance cell apoptosis,and might be related to the down regulation of ERK1/2 activity.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of type 3 secretion system and biofilm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in diabetic foot wound, and to analyze the relationship between these factors, as well as to the antibiotic sensitivity.Methods:Thirty-three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from the foot wounds of diabetic foot inpatients in Tianjin Medical University Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital from February 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Thirteen strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from non-diabetic wounds. All strains were tested for antibiotic sensitivity. The virulence genes exoS or exoU of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the ability of biofilm formation were tested. The characteristics of exoS or exoU and biofilm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were analyzed. Patients′ clinical outcomes were also analyzed.Results:Pseudomonas aeruginosa with exoS gene was the major pathogen, 90.9% found in diabetic foot group and 84.6% in control group, with no significant difference( χ2=0.54, P=0.46). The drug-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with exoS accounted for 16.7% in diabetic foot group and 18.2% in control group, also with no significant difference( χ2=0.18, P=0.83). There were 5 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa carrying exoU, 3 strains in diabetic foot group, of which 1 was resistant, 2 in control group, no resistant strain. Pseudomonas aeruginosa increased the ability of biofilm formation in diabetic foot group, accounting for 57.6%, and for resistant strains, 83.3% of them increased the biofilm formation ability. Two kinds of Pseudomonas aeruginosa produced different biofilms, but they were effectiveless for carbapenem antibiotics. The times of debridement ( P<0.01), time of antibiotic use ( P<0.01) were more in biofilm wound, but the healing rate reached 75%-90%. Conclusion:Pseudomonas aeruginosa secreting ExoS is the main one in the diabetic foot wound. The ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to produce biofilm in DF wound is increased. Biofilm is one reason for its antibiotic resistance. Multiple debridement combined with sensitive antibiotics is an effective method to remove biofilm.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of the timed “up and go” test (TUGT) on measuring functional mobility of stroke patients.MethodsNinety hemiparetic stroke patients participated in this study. The balance, gait speed and disability of patients were measured by Berg balance scale (BBS), maximal gait speed and functional independence measure (FIM) to find out the critical value of TUGT.ResultsA good relationship existed among TUGT and the BBS,gait speed and FIM (r=-0.926—-0.674,P<0.001).The percentage of independent walking of stroke patients whose TUGT scores <10s or>20s were 100% and 8.3%. The optimal cut off values of TUGT to predict the independent walking of patients were 15.2s, and in stroke group sensitivity and specificity of TUGT were 89.4% and 79.1%.Conclusion TUGT is a reliable instrument with adequate concurrent validity to measure the functional mobility of stroke patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the second to the fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and body mass index (BMI) in infertile men of the Han ethnic group in Ningxia.

METHODSUsing anthropometry, we calculated the mean ratio of 2D:4D and BMI of 197 infertile men and 148 normal healthy male controls, followed by analysis of their relationship.

RESULTSThe BMI was correlated positively with the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand in the infertile men (P < 0.05) and in the patients with a higher 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05), but negatively with the 2D:4D ratio of the righ/left (Dr-1) (left: P < 0.01; Dr-l: P < 0.05). The mean 2D: 4D ratio and BMI were both lower in the normal control than in the infertile men, with statistically significant differences in BMI (P < 0.05) and the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is a correlation between the 2D:4D ratio and BMI in infertile men.

Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Fingers ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; Male

Objective To study the effect of fluoride on bone metabolism in rats, and to understand the mechanism of pathogenesis of skeletal fluorosis. Methods A total of 80 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups that included control group (distilled water), low-dose group(NaF, 50 mg/L), medium-dose group (NaF,100 mg/L) and high-dose group(NaF, 150 mg/L), respectively. After being bred for 12 weeks, the rats were put to death (etherization). Incidence of dental fluorosis was estimated, and serum was collected. Radioimmunoassay was employed to detect the levels of osteocalcin (BGP), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT), respectively.Colorimetry method was employed to determine the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP). Results Incidence of dental fluorosis between the four groups was significantly different statistically(x2 =82.81 ,P ＜ 0.01 ). The incidence was significantly different(x2 = 22.67, 40.00, 40.00, all P＜ 0.01 ) between low-dose ( 80%, 16/20), medium-dose ( 100%, 20/20), high-dose groups ( 100%, 20/20) and control group (0,0/20),respectively. Serum levels of BGP, PTH, CT were significantly different between the groups(F = 38.614, 20.778,3.023, P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05). There was no significant difference between the four.groups of ALP and ACP in serum (F = 0.609,2.895, all P ＞ 0.05 ). Serum BGP in low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups[ ( 19.60 ± 12.79),(33.41 ± 10.81 ), (39.46 ± 9.51 )mg/L, respectively] was significantly higher than that of the control group[ (7.35 ± 3.22)mg/L, all P ＜ 0.01 ]. Serum PTH in low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups[ (72.27 ± 25.38), (67.80 ± 12.01), (106.52 ± 36.37)pmol/L] was significantly higher than that of the control group[(47.08 ± 9.22)pmol/L,all P ＜ 0.01 ]. Serum PTH of the high-dose group was significantly higher than that of the low-dose and the mediumdose groups(all P ＜ 0.01 ). Serum CT in medium-dose and high-dose groups[ ( 13.39 ± 2.07), ( 15.05 ± 4.77)pmol/L ] was significantly lower than that of the control group[ (26.06 ± 28.31 ) pmol/L, all P ＜ 0.05 ] and also significantly lower than that of the low-dose group [ (24.49 ± 14. 10) pmol/L, all P ＜ 0.05 ]. Conclusions Fluoride affects bone metabolism in rats, BGP, PTH and CT play a key role in the pathogenesis of skeletal fluorosis.