Objective To assess and compare the difference in image quality and exposure dose between single-sided reading image plate(IP)and dual-sided reading IP.Methods A contrast-detail phantom CDRAD 2.0 was exposed by single-sided and dual-sided reading IP with different mAs sets.The entrance surface doses were recorded for all images.Images were then presented to two radiologists on a high resolution monitor of diagnosis workstation.The image quality figure(IQF)was measured for each image. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman's correlation test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare the difference in image quality and exposure dose between single-sided IP and dual-sided reading IP. Results With different tube current dosage of 5.6,12.0,20.0,25.0,and 40.0 mAs,IQF values of single-sided reading IP were 47.95,37.68,34.31,28.61,and 24.65,respectively,while those of dual- sided reading IP were 38.83,29.81,29.65,25.16,and 21.43,respectively.The IQF difference between them showed statistical significance(P

Background Researches demonstrated that dendritic cells(DCs) are uniformly immature in the central cornea but mature in the peripheral region of cornea.So an important question is which factor impact the maturation of DCs,especially in terms of corneal transplant rejection and the known roles of DCs in the development and persistence of some corneal diseases.Objective This study aimed to examine whether corneal stroma cells (CSCs) inhibit DCs maturation through secreting transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).Methods DCs,T cells and CSCs were isolated and cultured from clean BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice.The level of PGE2 and TGF-β2in CSCs culture supernatant and the fresh RPMI 1640 medium were then analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).During the DCs maturation stage,the neutralizing TGF-β2 antibody and the EP2 receptor antagonist AH6809 were added in the CSCs culture supernatant respectively.According to the different treatment,cultured cells were assigned to different groups as follows:control group,CSCs culture supernatant group,AH6809 group,TGF-β2 antibody group,AH6809 +TGF-β2 antibody group.Subsequently,the cellular surface markers for DCs,including CD11c,CD80,CD86,and MHC- Ⅱ,were analyzed by flow cytometry.The capability of stimulating the proliferation of T lymphocytes was evaluated by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions,and the function of endocytosis was assessed by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran(FITC) uptake.Results The data of ELISA showed a higher concentration of TGF-β2 and PGE2 in murine CSCs culture supernatant than in the fresh RPMI 1640 medium.Compared with the CSCs culture supernatant group,the expression of CD80,CD86,and MHC- Ⅱ was up-regulated ( P ＜ 0.05 ),the expression of dextran was down-regulated ( P ＜ 0.05 ),and the stimulate index was increased( P＜ 0.05 ) in the TGF-β2 antibody group; the expression of CD86,and MHC-Ⅱ was up-regulated (P＜0.05),the expression of dextran was down-regulated ( F =13.740,P =0.006 ),and the stimulate index was increased(P＜0.05) in the AH6809 group;the expression of MHC-Ⅱ was up-regulated and the stimulate index was increased with statistical difference in interaction(P＜0.05 ) in the AH6809+TGF-β2 antibody group.Compared with the control group,the expression of CD80 and CD86,and the stimulate index was still lower(P＜0.05 ).Conclusions TGF-β2 and PGE2 contribute to the inhibitory effects on DCs maturation mediated by murine CSCs in vitro and further have additive effect on the immunosuppression of DCs.

This research established an HPLC method for determination of six C-Glycoside flavones of warer-soluble total flavonoids from Isodon lophanthoides var. gerardianus (Benth.) H. Hara, and studied the antitumor activity of the warer-soluble total flavonoids. The HPLC system consisted of Kromasil 100-5 C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column and a solution system of methanol, acetonitrile and 0.5% formic acid gradient elution at a flow rate of 0. 8 mL x min(-1) and the wavelength of detector was at 334 nm. The column temperature was 25 degrees C. The antitumor activity of water-soluble flavonoids was assayed using HepG2 cell as the tested cell. The linear ranges of vicenin II, vicenin III, isoschaftoside, schaftoside, vitexin, 6, 8-di-C-a-L-arabinosylapigenin were 0.25-2.53, 0.12-1.20, 0.37-3.69, 0.16-1.63, 0.19-1.92, 0.14-1.42 microg, respectively. The average recoveries (n = 6) were 99.6% (RSD 0.87%), 100.2% (RSD 2.0%), 99.6% (RSD 1.8%), 97.9% (RSD 1.5%), 98.8% (RSD 1.2%), 98.6% (RSD 1.2%), respectively. After exposure in 24, 48, 72 h, the total flavonoids showed inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells with IC50 as the evaluation index, the IC50 values of 1.89, 1.71, 1.51 g x L(-1), respectively. The method is quick, simple and accurate with good re- producibility, and can be used for determination of vicenin II, vicenin III, isoschaftoside, schaftoside, vitexin, 6, 8-di-C-a-L-arabino- sylapigenin in the warer-soluble total flavonoids from L lophanthoides var. gerardianus. The warer-soluble total flavonoids from L lophanthoides have inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Flavones ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Isodon ; chemistry ; Monosaccharides ; analysis ; pharmacology

The present study was to investigate in vitro the rat cardiomyocyte injury with targeting of home-made perfluorocarbon lipid particles with avidin-biotin interaction. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were cultured in vitro and divided into two groups: TNF-alpha activated group and non-activated group. Those in the TNF-alpha activated group were exposed to 200 ng/ml TNF-alpha solution for 6 hours and then cardiomyocytes in both groups were pretargeted with biotinylated ICAM-1 monoclonal antibodies, and were exposed to streptavidin, and then to homemade green fluorescently-labeled biotinylated perfluorocarbon lipid particles. Cardiomyocytes nucleus stained with Hoechst. The results were detected with fluorescence microscope. As a result, in TNF-alpha activated group, around blue fluorescent cardiomyocytes nucleus, a great amount of green fluorescent particles were found, while there were few green fluorescent particles in non-TNF activated group. It has been shown that ICAM-1 is expressed in the surface of cardiomyocytes when they are stimulated by TNF-alpha. Perfluorocarbon lipid particles associated with ICAM-1 monoclonal antibodies can be targeted to injured cardiomyocytes by avidin-biotin interaction.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Fluorocarbons ; immunology ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Male ; Microspheres ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology ; Ultrasonography

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; analysis ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Dendritic Cells ; physiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) in rats with severe burn, and to analyze the effects on important organs.

METHODSOne hundred and four healthy male SD rats were divided into normal control group (NC, n = 8), burn group (B, n = 48), and H2S intervention group (HI, n = 48) according to the random number table. SD rats in HI group were intraperitoneally injected with NaHS (56 micromol/kg) once a day for 5 days. Then rats in HI and B groups were subjected to 30% TBSA full-thickness burn. Blood sample as well as heart, liver, lung, kidney, and stomach tissue samples were harvested from rats in B group at post burn hour (PBH) 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 respectively for determination of serum content of H2S and CSE activity. Serum content of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Cr) in HI and B groups were examined at each time point. Samples were harvested from above organs in each group for histomorphological observation. Above-mentioned indexes were also determined in NC group as control. Data were processed with SNK- q test, t test, correlation analysis (between serum content of H2S and CSE activities, biochemical indexes).

RESULTSSerum content of H2S and CSE activities of above organs (except for lung tissue at PBH 48, 96) in B group within PBH 96 were lower than those in NC group, reaching minimum values at PBH 6 or 12. Compared with those in NC group, serum contents of all biochemical indexes in B group were obviously increased within PBH 48, in which serum contents of BUN [(32.5 +/- 9.8) mmol/L] and Cr [(65 +/- 9) micromol/L] reached peak at PBH 6, and serum contents of ALT [(423 +/- 59) U/L], AST [(993 +/- 60) U/L], and CK-MB [(49 261 +/- 6637) U/L] peaked at PBH 12. Serum contents of all biochemical indexes in HI group at each time point were significantly decreased as compared with those in B group, but the same change tendencies were showed in both groups. Histomorphological observation showed that all the organs were severely injured in B group at PBH 24, whereas those in HI group were markedly ameliorated. Serum content of H2S in B group was respectively correlated with CSE activities of all organs (with r value from 0.639 to 0.894, P values all below 0.005) and serum contents of biochemical indexes (with r value from 0.301 to 0.585, P values all below 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSH2S/CSE system may take part in pathophysiological process in rats with severe burn. Exogenous H2S replacement therapy can protect important organs of rats with severe burn.

Animals ; Burns ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Kidney ; pathology ; Liver ; pathology ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stomach ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics and the surgical treatment strategy of cervical kyphosis.

METHODSFrom March 2006 to October 2009, 31 cases of cervical kyphosis were treated. According to the clinical features and imaging findings, different treatment methods were used. There were 9 patients in operation group, including 4 male and 5 female patients, aged from 17 to 72 years (average age of 35 years). Among them, 5 cases were idiopathic kyphosis and 4 cases were caused by laminectomy or other reasons. There were 22 patients in conservative treatment group, including 11 male and 11 female patients, aged from 14 to 40 years (average age of 29 years), who were all idiopathic cervical kyphosis. Before and 1 week after operation, clinical assessment were taken for the patients in operation group using Spinal Cord Injuries Classification Standard of American Spinal Injury Association (AISA). During the periodic review, the anteroposterior, normal sagittal films of cervical spine were taken. At 1 week and every 6 months after operation, MRI films were also taken. These films were studied to evaluate the effects of the operations. In the conservative group, assessment of treatment results by studying anteroposterior and normal lateral views of cervical spine were were taken every month. The clinical characteristics and the surgical treatment strategies of these patients were analyzed.

RESULTSIn operation group, 9 cases were followed up for 6 to 18 months, all patients did not failed in internal fixation and fusion. AISA neurological score and neurological function significantly improved. Three days after operation the average Cobb angle was -1.29 ° (preoperative 54.24 °). In conservative group, the average Cobb angle was -5.41 ° (before treatment 11.20 °) 4 months after the treatment. The symptoms of neck shoulder and back pain disappeared, and all patients were followed up for 3 to 24 months, with no recurrence of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONSIn the early period of cervical kyphosis, adopt postural therapy, plaster braces to correct an imbalance in cervical spine biomechanics can prevent deformity development. According to patients' clinical characteristics, choosing individual treatment programs can correct the severe cervical kyphosis and achieve good outcome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To observe the change of c-fos protein(Fos) and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) staining in the brain of rat after experimental brain contusion. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry of c-fos and NGFR were applied to investigate the brain contusion. RESULTS: (1) The expression of Fos protein could be observed at 0.5 h after injury and then increased with the prolonging of time. By 3 h after injury, the positive staining cells could be detected massively not only in and round the wound site but also in other areas of the whole ipsilateral cortex. The stains decreased 6-12 h later and could hardly be detected 1 d after the brain contusion. The control-experiment is negative. (2) NGFR positive staining cells could be found round the wound area 1 d postlesion. At 3 d following injury, a peak of massive positively stained cells appeared both in number and in intensity, showing significant differences compare with that of 1 d after damage (P < 0.01). 5 d later the positive express declined slowly. The express in the control-rat is negative. CONCLUSION There is a rule that the expression of Fos and NGFR positive staining changes with time going after brain contusion, which will be of great value in estimation of brain injury time. Detection of Fos can be used for time deduction in earlier period after injury, while NGFR in later period. They are also very important for distinguishing between antemortem or postmortem injury.
Animals ; Brain Concussion/complications* ; Brain Injuries/pathology* ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neuroglia/metabolism* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor/metabolism* ; Time Factors

This study aimed to evaluate the vasorelaxant effect and mechanisms of compound reserpine and triamterene tablets (CRTTs) and its component triamterene on isolated rat thoracic aorta rings. Isolated rat thoracic aorta rings pre-contracted by high potassium or norepinephrine (NE) were used to evaluate the vasodilatory effect of CRTTs and its component triamterene. The mechanisms concerning endothelium, potassium channels and calcium channels were studied through the interventions of several tool drugs. Animal welfare and experimental procedures followed the requirements of the Laboratory Animal Management and Animal Welfare Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. The results showed that both CRTTs and triamterene had potent relaxant effect on KCl and NE pre-contracted vessels. Triamterene showed partial endothelium dependency, and N-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) could influence the relaxant effect, which may be related to the opening of calcium-activated potassium channels. Meanwhile, CRTTs could inhibit intracellular Ca²⁺ release and extracellular Ca²⁺ influx. Overall, CRTTs and its component triamterene have vasorelaxant effects on vessels in vitro, and the vasorelaxant effect of CRTTs may be related to intracellular Ca²⁺ release and extracellular Ca²⁺ influx, while this effect of triamterene may depend on vascular endothelial function and may also be related to the opening of calcium-activated potassium channels.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the long term effects of adjuvant radiotherapy for postoperative breast cancer.

METHODSFrom 1985 to 1986, 162 patients with operable breast cancer were randomly given adjuvant radiotherapy according to clinical stage and involving condition of axillary lymph nodes (LN). The radiotherapy group (RG) was irradiated in the supraclavicular area and/or internal mammary area to 50 Gy, while the control group (CG) was not.

RESULTSThe overall 5-, 10- and 15-year survival rates of the RG were 72.0%, 56.1% and 54.3%, while they were 66.3%, 51.3% and 49.4% in the CG (P > 0.05). Clinical stage I-IIIa and positive or negative LN showed no significant difference in the two groups. But in patients with LN(+) > or = 4, the 5-, 10- and 15-year survival rates of the RG were 55.6%, 38.9% and 37.1%, which were higher than the CG of 29.0%, 16.1% and 16.1% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAdjuvant radiotherapy can improve the prognosis for breast cancer patients with LN(+) > or = 4, but not for LN(-).

Breast Neoplasms ; mortality ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Survival Rate