Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; prevention & control ; Rural Population ; Sampling Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Transients and Migrants

OBJECTIVETo establish a microemulsion liquid chromatography system with direct sample loading for determining the serum level of emodin in rats.

METHODSThe separation was performed on C₁₈ column (Hypersil BDS, 5 µm,150 mm×4.6 mm) with the microemulsion mobile phase consisting of 3.3% (w/V) SDS, 6.6% (V/V) n-butyl alcohol, and 1.0% (V/V) octane and water. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and the detection wavelength was 254 nm.

RESULTSThe linear range of emodin detection was 0.333-5.32 µg/ml. The average recovery was 99.65% with a RSD of 3.60%. The limit of quantification was 0.1386 µg/mL.

CONCLUSIONMicroemulsion liquid chromatography system with direct sample loading allows simple, accurate and rapid determination of emodin in rat serum.

Animals ; Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Emodin ; blood ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum ; chemistry

The required time of conventional magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging technique is too long to be applied to clinic. It is necessary to develop the fast methods for magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. Nowadays there are 7 kinds of methods presented, which come from MRI techniques. In this contribution the conventional spectroscopic imaging and 7 sorts of fast spectroscopic imaging are elaborated. It is envisaged that more rapid imaging techniques will be designed, if these arbitrary trajectory reconstruction methods in MRI are applied to spectroscopic imaging.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; trends ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; methods

A PC-based software was developed and programmed with VC++6 for reconstructing MR images from the data acquired on an irregular k-space trajectory. It can read clinical MRI raw data and image data, create numerical phantoms, design k-space trajectories, generate k-space data from numerical phantom, calculate weighting functions, reconstruct images, and carry out error analysis for the reconstructed images. It is helpful to the investigations of new k-space trajectories and new reconstruction algorithms.
Algorithms ; Bayes Theorem ; Brain ; anatomy & histology ; Fourier Analysis ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Programming Languages ; Software ; Software Design

Objective: To assess the diagnostic values of ¹¹C-methionine (MET) PET/CT semiquantitative parameters for detecting recurrence in patients who were diagnosed with suspicious recurrence by MRI after resection of supratentorial gliomas. Methods: A total of 164 patients (107 males, 57 females, age 6-74 years; high-grade 94, low-grade 63, unclear 7) with supratentorial gliomas who underwent ¹¹C-MET PET/CT between June 2015 and June 2017 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital were enrolled respectively. All patients were with suspicious recurrence after surgery showed by MRI and followed up for 6 months at least. The final diagnosis was determined with histopathological analysis or clinical follow-up. The maximum and mean standardized uptake value (SUV_max and SUV_mean), tumor-to-background ratios (TBR) of SUV_max and SUV_mean (TBR_max and TBR_mean) were recorded and compared between patients with recurrence or without recurrence using independent-sample t test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to determine the threshold, and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of each parameter were calculated. Results: According to the clinical diagnosis, there were 139 patients with recurrence and 25 without recurrence. SUV_max, SUV_mean, TBR_max and TBR_mean were significantly higher for patients with recurrence than those without recurrence (4.19±1.95 vs 2.59±1.18, 2.34±1.08 vs 1.46±0.72, 2.95±1.17 vs 1.83±0.79, 2.64±1.11 vs 1.59±0.71; t values: 5.126-6.183, all P<0.01), but there was no difference in the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) for diagnosis of recurrence with the 4 parameters (z values: 0.265-1.674, all P>0.05), for which the optimal cut-off values were 3.05, 1.65, 1.96 and 1.79, respectively, and the corresponding sensitivities/specificities for the diagnosis of recurrence were 67.6%(94/139)/100%(25/25), 67.6%(94/139)/100%(25/25), 79.9%(111/139)/100%(25/25), 74.8%(104/139)/100%(25/25), respectively. Patients with (n=81) or without (n=13) recurrence had different semiquantitative parameters in high-grade glioma group (t values: 5.137-5.871, all P<0.01), and the AUC for TBR_mean was greater than that for SUV_mean (0.858 vs 0.802; z=1.982, P<0.05). Patients with (n=54) or without (n=9) recurrence in low-grade glioma group showed significant difference in the 4 parameters (t values: 2.730-7.009, all P<0.01), while the AUCs of the 4 parameters were not significantly different (z values: 0.444-1.407, all P>0.05). Among 37 patients with recurrence confirmed by pathology, there were no significant differences in the semiquantitative parameters between the high-grade and low-grade glioma groups and AUCs were not different either (t values: 1.387-1.937, z values: 0.106-1.752, all P>0.05). Conclusions Semiquantitative parameters of ¹¹C-MET PET/CT are equally accurate in the differentiation of recurrence from radiation injury in patients with gliomas, while TBR_mean was superior than SUV_mean in patients with the high-grade gliomas. Among the patients with recurrence confirmed by pathology, the value of the semiquantitative parameter is limited for the identification of high- and low- grade gliomas.

BACKGROUNDAs two novel adipocytokines, chemerin and apelin play a key role in the pathological process of insulin resistance (IR), glucose metabolism and obesity, researchers have found that the levels of chemerin and apelin changed significantly in type 2 diabetic patients with obesity, however, the underlying mechanism involved remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether chemerin and apelin play an important role in the pathophysiologic proceeding of diabetes.

METHODSThis study enrolled 81 newly diagnosed obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients (T2DM group, n = 81). All the patients were randomly assigned to DM1 group treated with metformin (n = 41) and DM2 group treated with pioglitazone (n = 40). After hypoglycemic agents treatment, patients under better blood glucose control were chosen to be given antioxidant treatment. Another 79 subjects without T2DM were recruited as normal control group (NC group), including 40 subjects (NC1 group) with normal body mass index (BMI) and 39 obese subjects (NC2 group). Levels of chemerin, apelin, BMI, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) and 8-isoprotaglandim F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) were examined at baseline and post-treatment. The relationship between chemerin, apelin and BMI, TNF-α, HOMA-IR, 8-iso-PGF2α was analyzed.

RESULTSThe baseline levels of chemerin, apelin, TNF-α, HOMA-IR and 8-iso-PGF2α in T2DM group were significantly higher than normal control group (P < 0.001). All indices mentioned above were significantly decreased after treatment (P < 0.05). In T2DM patients treated with pioglitazone, indices mentioned above except for HOMA-IR, were decreased significantly compared with patients treated with metformin (P < 0.05). After antioxidant treatment using lipoic acid, levels of chemerin, apelin, TNF-α and 8-iso-PGF2α were further significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the levels of chemerin and apelin correlated positively with BMI, TNF-α, HOMA-IR and 8-iso-PGF2α before and after treatment with hypoglycemic agents (P < 0.01). The levels of chemerin and apelin also had positive correlation with TNF-α and 8-iso-PGF2α after antioxidant treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe levels of chemerin and apelin in obese T2DM patients are closely related to IR. The increased levels may be a result of compensatory response to IR, and also may be the causative factor of IR. The levels of chemerin and apelin correlate closely with oxidative stress and inflammation. The two adipokines may be inflammatory factors playing important roles in the initiation and development of obese T2DM. Chemerin and apelin are related to the pathophysiology of IR, oxidative stress and inflammation.

Apelin ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Body Mass Index ; Chemokines ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Dinoprost ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Metformin ; therapeutic use ; Thiazolidinediones ; therapeutic use ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDCD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) mediate immune suppression through cell-cell contact with surface molecules, particularly cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family-related protein (GITR), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), but little is known about the exact role of Tregs in the pathogenesis of asthma. This study sought to characterize the expression of surface markers on peripheral blood mononuclear cells-derived Tregs in patients with atopic asthma and healthy subjects, and to investigate the effect of inhaled corticosteroid on them.

METHODSThe expression of surface molecules on CD4(+)CD25(high) Tregs was detected by flow cytometry. The effect of inhaled corticosteroid on expression of the surface molecules on Tregs was determined in vivo and in vitro. Total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and latex enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay, respectively.

RESULTSEquivalent numbers of peripheral Tregs were found in patients with atopic asthma (stable and acute) and healthy subjects. Tregs preferentially expressed CTLA-4, GITR, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), latency-associated peptide (LAP/TGF-beta1), and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3). Patients with acute asthma had decreased numbers of CD4(+)CD25(high)LAP(+) T cells compared to healthy subjects and stable asthmatics. Inhaled corticosteroid enhanced the percentage of Tregs expressing LAP in vivo and in vitro dose-dependently. Furthermore, the percentages of Tregs expressing LAP were negatively correlated with total serum IgE levels and severity of asthma, but positively correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second percentage of the predicted value in patients with asthma.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that membrane-bound TGF-beta1 is a potential candidate for predicting the severity of asthma, and may contribute to the sustained remission of asthma. Strategies targeting Tregs on their surface markers, especially TGF-beta1, are promising for future therapy of asthma.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; Antigens, Differentiation ; blood ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Budesonide ; pharmacology ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; blood ; Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related Protein ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor ; blood ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; blood ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects ; immunology ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

BACKGROUNDBeta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)AR) desensitization is a common problem in clinical practice. beta(2)AR desensitization proceeds by at least such three mechanisms as heterologous desensitization, homologous desensitization and a kind of agonist-induced rapid phosphorylation by a variety of serine/threonine kinases. It is not clear whether there are other mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate potential mechanisms of beta(2)AR desensitization.

METHODSTwenty-four BALB/c (6-8 weeks old) mice were divided into three groups, which is, group A, phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-treated; group B, ovalbumin (OVA)-induced; and group C, salbutamol-treated. Inflammatory cell counts, cytokine concentrations of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), pathological sections, total serum IgE, airway responsiveness, membrane receptor numbers and total amount of beta(2)AR were observed. Asthmatic mouse model and beta(2)AR desensitization asthmatic mouse model were established. Groups B and C were selected for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) analysis so as to find key protein spots related to beta(2)AR desensitization.

RESULTSAsthmatic mouse model and beta(2)AR desensitization asthmatic mouse model were verified by inflammatory cell count, cytokine concentration of BALF, serum IgE level, airway hyperreactivity measurement, radioligand receptor binding assay, Western blot analysis, and pathologic examination. Then the two groups (groups B and C) were subjected to 2DE. Two key protein spots associated with beta(2)AR desensitization, Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor 2 (RhoGDI(2)) and peroxiredoxin 5, were found by comparative proteomics (2DE and mass spectrum analysis).

CONCLUSIONOxidative stress and small G protein regulators may play an important role in the process of beta(2)AR desensitization.

Albuterol ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Female ; Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors ; analysis ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oxidative Stress ; Peroxiredoxins ; analysis ; Proteomics ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 ; physiology ; rho-Specific Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between the expression of Fcgamma receptor II b (FcgammaRII b) on B cells and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients of Shen deficiency syndrome (SDS).

METHODSThere were 43 RA patients, including 26 of SDS and 17 of non-SDS. The expression levels of FcgammaRII b on naive B cells, memory B cells, and plasma blasts in the peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. The numbers of tender joints, numbers of swollen joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), and disease activity score (DAS28), the correlation between the distribution of B cells and the expression level of FcgammaRII b in RA patients were analyzed. Besides, another 21 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group.

RESULTSThe expression level of FcgammaRII b was 49.65% +/- 15.86% on memory B cells and 43.69% +/- 22.57% on plasma blasts in RA patients of SDS, significantly down-regulated when compared with those of the control group (64.03% +/- 6.01%, 66.59% +/- 10.18%, P < 0.01). The expression level of FcgammaRII b on memory B cells of RA patients of non-SDS was down-regulated more obviously when compared with that of the control group (52.70% +/- 9.52% versus 64.03% +/- 6.01%, P < 0.01). The expression level of FcgammaRII b on plasma blasts was obviously lower in RA patients of SDS than in RA patients of non-SDS (56.10% +/- 17.05%, P < 0.05). The expression level of FcgammaRII b on memory B cells was not correlated with numbers of tender joints, numbers of swollen joints, ESR, RF, or DAS28.

CONCLUSIONSThe defective immunological tolerance of B cells in RA patients of SDS might be closely correlated with down-regulation of FcgammaRII b on memory B cells and plasma blasts. There might exist genetic abnormality of FcgammaRII b gene in RA patients of SDS, thus inducing loss of autoimmunity tolerance.

Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; diagnosis ; immunology ; B-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, IgG ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo summarize the clinical results in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis with debridement, bone grafting and anterior fixation and to evaluate the safety and the value of this procedure.

METHODSFrom June 1997 to May 2001, 18 patients with spinal tuberculosis were treated using anterior debridement, autograft of bone and primary internal instrumentation. They were 8 men and 10 women, aged from 25 to 59 years (mean 41 years). The degree of kyphosis before surgery was 27.0 degrees to 75.5 degrees (mean 47.5 degrees +/- 11.4 degrees ). The involved spines included cervical spine (1 patient), thoracic spine (10), thoracic-lumbar spine (2), and lumbar spine (5). Average 2.8 intervertebral bodies in each patient were afflicted with tuberculosis disease. Spinal fusions were done with iliac bone grafts.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for an average of 25 months. No deep wound infection and sinus were observed after surgery. The grafted bones were fused in all patients with an average time of 3.6 months. The degree of spine kyphosis correction was 32.7 degrees +/- 8.3 degrees, and 3.2 degrees +/- 2.8 degrees was lost on average in the late stage.

CONCLUSIONAnterior instrumentation for spinal tuberculosis could stabilize the spine, correct kyphosis and fuse the grafted bone.

Adult ; Bone Transplantation ; Debridement ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Kyphosis ; microbiology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; surgery