Objective To analyze sampling frequency and grid density frequency on the computed radiography(CR)system and to develop an effective method to suppress or eliminate grid artifacts.Methods To test grids with different grid-density in combination with IP boards of different specifications. Radiographic images with various qualities were obtained by simulating two kinds of signaling frequencies (namely two kind of grids with different grid densities),and utilizing three kinds of sampling frequencies (6,8,10 pixels/mm).A variety of different simulation images were obtained.Results By comparing simulation images with actual images,it was discovered that correct signaling frequency could be achieved if the sampling frequency were equal to twice the signaling frequency.The obtained image was clear and free of grid artifact.A grid density of

OBJECTIVE: 1H-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Method) was used to quantitatively determine the MePEG (me-thoxy polyethylene glycol) content and chain density on MePEG-PLGA-NP surface, and study the influences of MePEG molecular weights and proportion on the chemical and physical properties of MePEG-PLGA-NP surface. METHODS: MePEG-PLGA-NP were prepared by self-emulsion solvent diffusion method with methoxy polyethylene glycol-poly(lactic acid-hydroxyl acid) copolymer (Me-PEG-PLGA) as the carriers. And the particle average size and Zeta potential were characterized. 1H-NMR method were used to ascertain the composition of the MePEG-PLGA copolymer and determine the MePEG content and chain density on the MePEG-PLGA-NP surface, and compared with colorimetric assay. RESULTS: The composition of MePEG-PLGA copolymer are basically the same with the labelled amount. When the Molecular weight is at the same, along with the increase of proportion of MePEG, the average size of MePEG-PLGA-NP decrease, the absolute value of the Zeta potential also decrease gradually, MePEG content on particles surface (α) increase gradually, the MePEG chain density on nanoparticles surface (δ) increase gradually, the distance between two adjacent MePEG chains on the surface of the particles (D) decrease; When there is the same proportions, with MePEG chain length increases, nanoparticles are not significantly different on the particle average size and the Zeta potential, whereas α increase gradually, the δ decreases, and D increases; Theavalue of the same MePEG-PLGA-NP determined by colorimetric assay is higher than which is determined by 1H-NMR. CONCLUSION: 1H-NMR method can be used to quantitatively determine the MePEG content and chain density on MePEG-PLGA-NP surface; Compared with the traditional method, the results determined by 1H-NMR method are more accurate. With the experimental limits, MePEG molecular weighs and proportion have influences on the chemical and physical properties of MePEG-PLGA NP surface, such as mean size, Zeta potential and the MePEG content and chain density on nanoparticles surface. Copyright 2012 by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common and serious microvascular complications of diabetes, and it is a very complex pathological process, displaying multi-factor, multi-stage characteristic in the outcome. Recent studies have shown that the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy is closely related to oxidative stress, and antioxidant therapy can effectively improve the condition. Heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)is a widely existing antioxidant defense enzyme, which can reduce the injury caused by oxidative stress and plays an important physiological role. Studies have indicated that in retina HO-1 can be highly induced by hyperglycemia. Moreover, the expression level of HO-1 by man-made changes can accelerate or postpone the diseases progression. That means HO-1 for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy has satisfactory applied foreground. In this article we would like to review the role of HO-1 in diabetic retinopathy.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of coronary's pathological changes in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Methods Four-hundred and ninety patients who were suspected with ischemic chest pain were divided into three groups according to their OGTT results: (1) IGT group: n = 161,(2) 12DM group:n = 159, (3) NGT group: n = 170. Serum levels of triglyceride (TG) , total cholesterol (TC) , highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high sensitive Creactive protein (hs-CRP) were detected, their body mass indexes (BMI) were calculated. General clinical information (including gender, age, history of smoking, history of hypertension) were collected. All the CAG results were analyzed and Gensini scores were assessed as well. Results The TG levels in the T2DM group and IGT group ([2. 41 ± 1.70] mmol/L and [2. 26 ± 1. 20] mmol/L) were significantly higher than that of the NGT group (1.95 ± 1.14) mmol/L, the differences were significant (t=0.4610,0.3124, P<0. 01 and 0.05,respectively),whereas there was no significant difference between the IGT group and T2DM group (P >0.05);No significant difference was found among the three groups about TC, HDL-C, LDL-C levels (either P > 0.05). The levels of hs-CRP in T2DM group ([2. 38 ± 1. 76] mg/L and IGT group [2. 33 ± 2. 03] mg/L) were higher compared with the NGT group ([1. 54 ± 1. 32] mg/L), the differences were significant (t = 0. 8391,0. 7815, Ps < 0. 01), whereas there was no significant difference between the IGT group and T2 DM group (P >0.05). BMIs of the IGT group ([25.50 ± 3.04]kg/m2) and T2DM group ([26.09 ± 2.86]kg/m2) were higher than that of the NGT group ([24. 70 ± 3. 27] kg/m2), the differences were significant (t = 0. 8063,1. 3947, P<0. 05 and <0.01, respectively),whereas no significant difference was found between the T2DM group and IGT group (P > 0. 05). The incidence of single coronary pathological changes was 44.7% in the NGT group,it was higher than that of the IGT group (23. 6%) and T2DM group (18. 9%) (x2 = 16. 310,25. 116,Ps < 0. 05), whereas there was no significant difference between the IGT group' and T2DM group (P > 0. 05);The incidences of 2 branches pathological changes in the T2DM group (37. 1%) and IGT group (39. 8%) were higher compared with NGT group (23. 5%) ,the differences were significant (x2 =1. 200,10. 099,Ps <0. 05),whereas there was no significant difference between the IGT group and T2DM group (P >0. 05) ;The incidences of 3 vessels pathological changes in the T2DM group (40.9%) and IGT group (33. 5%) were higher than that of the NGT group (20. 0%) , the differences were significant (x2 = 7. 767,17. 028, Ps < 0.05), there was no significant difference between the IGT group and T2DM group (P > 0. 05). The incidence of subtotal or total occlusion of the T2DM group and IGT group were 22. 6% and 18.0% respectively,both were higher than that of the NGT group(7. 6%) (x2 = 14. 573,8. 019 ,Pa < 0.05) , whereas no significant difference was found between the T2DM group and IGT group (P > 0. 05). The incidences of vascular diffusing pathological change in the IGT group (24. 8%) and T2DM group (30. 8%) were higher compared with the NGT group (12.4%) (x2 =8.583,16.724, Ps < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference between the IGT group and T2DM group (P >0.05). The Gensini scores in the IGT group (55. 05 ± 22. 99) and T2DM group(56. 15 ± 24. 87) were significnatly higher than that of the NGT group (38. 03 ± 17. 38), the differences were significant ((t =17.0142,18. 1186,Ps <0.01),whereas there was no significant difference between the IGT group and T2DM group (P>0.05). Conclusion The incidences of 2 and 3 vessels pathological changes increase significantly in patients with IGT. Moreover, the incidences of occlusion and diffuse stenosis increase significantly. This is similar to the coronary artery pathological charactersitics in patients with diabetes, which indicates that IGT is closely related to the pathological severity of coronary artery. We should pay much attention to those patients with IGT in the clinical work.

Objective To propose the concept of “Diffusion Index”to replace Oxygenation Index as independent indicators to evaluate prognosis on ARDS patients under mechanical ventilation treatments,and comparison carried out between them preliminarily.Methods Calculation of “1 000 × (PaO2 /FiO2 /PEEP)”was taken as “Diffusion Index”.A total of 130 ARDS patients under mechanical ventilation support (MVS)were admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital ICU from July 2013 to July 2014.The data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.Of them,15 patients were excluded because these patients refused invasive ventilation support.Respirator parameter setting and haemogas figures were recorded accordingly. Both Diffusion Index and Oxygenation Index were used separately to predict detachment of MVS from patients in 28 days,and the correlation between these two indexes and ARDS prognosis were determined.Results According to the outcomes of patients in 28 days,patients were divided into 3 groups:detached group (n =44),failed to detach group (n =14)and death group (n =57).There was obvious difference in trend diagrams observed among three groups between diffusion index and oxygenation index.COX regression analysis of survival curve demonstrated that if Diffusion Index kept greater than 405.8,probability of detachment of MVS from patients was higher and the correlation was significant (P =0.009 ).Conclusions Compared with Oxygenation Index,“Diffusion Index” is a comprehensive indicator for ARDS prognosis with better reliability and validity.

Objective To dynamically observe stenosis and wall thickness of carotid artery with endothelium injury in mouse using 7T micro-MR imaging in vivo. Methods A mouse model of carotid artery intimal injury was established by removing endothelium with a flexible wire. The lumen diameter, lumen area, wall thickness and wall area of the injured arteries were observed, and serial MR scanning was performed in different time points after operation. Results The injured arteries and perivascular parenchyma were clearly observed by MR imaging. Before and 1, 5, 10 and 15 days after artery injury, the lumen diameter were (0.57±0.07)mm,(0.41±0.19)mm, (0.44±0.10)mm, (0.43±0.10)mm and (0.47±0.11)mm respectively, and the lumen area were (0.30±0.06)mm2, (0.18±0.11)mm2, (0.18±0.06)mm2, (0.18±0.06)mm2 and (0.22±0.07)mm2. The thickness of artery wall was(0.23±0.12)mm, and the area of artery wall was (0.35±0.24)mm2 15days after artery injury. Conclusions Stenosis and wall thickening of carotid artery after the artery intimal injury of mouse can be dynamically observed on MR imaging in vivo.

Background：In April 2013, a hospital in Suzhou City notified authorities of a patient with nitrite poisoning with two other family members who had similar toxic symptoms five days prior. We investigated the event to identify the cause, source and possible route of contamination.Methods：A case was defined as any person living in the Yang Shan Hua Yuan community who had been diagnosed with cyanoderma and food poisoning symptoms from 15 to 25 April 2013. Active case finding was conducted by interviewing community residents and reviewing medical records from local clinics; information was then retrospectively collected on the patient’s food history, cooking procedures and food sources.Results：We identified three nitrite poisoning cases, one male and two females, from the same family. The time between dinner and onset of illness was less than an a hour. A retrospective survey showed that a substance presumed to be sugar mixed with asparagus on 17 April and with stir-fried asparagus on 21 April was the suspected contaminant. The presumed sugar came from a clean-up of a neighbouring rental house. Nitrite was detected in a vomitus sample, the sugar substance and two leftover food samples.Conclusion：This family cluster of nitrite poisoning resulted from the mistaken use of nitrite as sugar to cook dishes. We recommend that sodium nitrite be dyed a bright colour to prevent such a mistake and that health departments strengthen food hygiene education to alert people about the danger of eating unidentified food from an unknown source.

The present study is to establish Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells and investigate the transport capability of PLGA nanoparticles with different surface chemical properties across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells. PLGA-NPs, mPEG-PLGA-NPs and chitosan coated PLGA-NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation method using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as carrier material with surface modified by methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) and chitosan. The particle size and zeta potential of nanoparticles were measured by dynamic light scattering. Coumarin 6 was used as a fluorescent marker in the transport of nanoparticles investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The transport of furanodiene (FDE) loaded nanoparticles was quantitively determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Colchicine and nocodazole were used in the transport study to explore the involved endocytosis mechanisms of nanoparticles. Distribution of the tight junction proteins ZO-1 was also analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that the nanoparticles dispersed uniformly. The zeta potential of PLGA-NPs was negative, the mPEG-PLGA-NPs was close to neutral and the CS-PLGA-NPs was positive. The entrapment efficiency of FDE in all nanoparticles was higher than 75%. The transport capability of mPEG-PLGA-NPs across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells was higher than that of PLGA-NPs and CS-PLGA-NPs. Colchicine and nocodazole could significantly decrease the transport amount of nanoparticles. mPEG-PLGA-NPs could obviously reduce the distribution of ZO-1 protein than PLGA-NPs and CS-PLGA-NPs. The transport mechanism of PLGA-NPs and mPEG-PLGA-NPs were indicated to be a combination of endocytosis and paracellular way, while CS-PLGA-NPs mainly relied on the endocytosis way. PEG coating could shield the surface charge and enhance the hydrophilicity of PLGA nanoparticles, which leads mPEG-PLGA-NPs to possess higher anti-adhesion activity. As a result, mPEG-PLGA-NPs could penetrate the mucus layer rapidly and transport across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells.
Biological Transport ; Caco-2 Cells ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemistry ; Coculture Techniques ; Drug Carriers ; Furans ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; HT29 Cells ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein ; metabolism

[Objective]This study was designed to investigate capability of the conditioned media that originated from Renca cells to convert CIM~+ CD25~- T cells into CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells,which can exert immunosuppressive effect on effector T cells in vitro and in vivo.[Methods]The common media were mixed with the conditioned media at different ratios,and fresh enriched CD4~+ CD25~- T cells with MACS were cultured in mixed media for 7 days.At end-point of culture,the cells were collected and detected phenotypes in flow cytometer.Moreover,we detected immunosuppressive effect of converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells on effeetor T cells proliferation in one-way mixed lymphocytes reaction by using CCK-8,and we observed survival time and histology of grafts.The delayed type hypersensitivity was determined 14 days after transplantation.[Results]The mixed media could increase ratio of CD4~+ CD25~+ Foxp3~+ T cells in conditioned media ratio-dependent(P＜0.05),compared with control groups,when the mixed media contained no mote than 75% of conditioned media.The converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells significantly suppress proliferation of effector T cells in vitro,and prolong survival time of grafts,which were(29.6±1.4)d in converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells treated groups(P＜0.05),compared with that in untreated groups(9.8±0.6 d)or PBS treated groups(10.9±0.6 d).Moreover,delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction were conducted at day 14 after transplantation in the recipients,and the results showed that less pad swelling in the group treated with converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells than other control groups was found,according to measurement of pad swelling.In addition,progressed to complete necrosis of grafts were exhibited in the mice treated with PBS and untreated mice,whereas better healing of grafts and less lymphocytes infiltration were displayed in the mice treated with converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells,which were similar to the mice treated with natural regulatory T cells.[Conclusion]The converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells with Renca conditioned media play suppressive role in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Shoutai Pill (STP) containing serum on bioactivity behaviors of trophoblast cells in spontaneous abortion (SA) patients such as cell proliferation, invasion, migration and secretion.

METHODSTrophoblast cells in artificial abortion in normal pregnancy and SA patients were isolated and cultured in vitro, which were then treated with STP containing serum at various concentrations (5%, 10%, 20%, respectively). Blank serum was taken as the normal control group and dydrogesterone containing serum as the dydrogesterone control group. The proliferation, cycle distribution, invasion and migration capacity, and beta human chorionic gonadotropin (p-HCG) level were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry, flow cytometry (FCM), Transwell experiments, and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the activity of cell proliferation obviously decreased, ratios of apoptotic cells (SubGO/G1) and G2/M phase were obviously elevated, S phase cell ratio was obviously reduced (all P < 0.05). Transwell experiments indicated invasion and migration capacity obviously decreased, secreted beta-HCG level were obviously reduced after 72-h intervention (P < 0.05). Compared with the SA group, the activity of cell proliferation obviously increased, ratios of apoptotic cells and G2/M phase were obviously reduced, S phase cell ratio was obviously elevated, invasion and migration capacity were obviously enhanced, secreted beta-HCG level were obviously elevated after 72-h intervention in the dydrogesterone control group and each STP containing serum group (all P < 0.05). The activity of trophoblastic cell proliferation, S phase cell ratio, invasion and migration capacity, and secreted beta-HCG level were strengthened along with increased STP containing serum. Besides, the effects of 20% STP containing serum group were significantly superior to those of the dydrogesterone control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTP containing serum could dose-dependently enhance the proliferative activity of trophoblastic cells, invasion and migration capacity, secretion of beta-HCG, and reduce the apoptosis of trophoblast cells, which might be one of mechanisms for STP preventing and treating SA.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Dydrogesterone ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Trophoblasts ; drug effects