In order to meet the requirements of ultrasound bone density measurement, we proposed a software solution to improve the accuracy and speed of measurement of bone mineral density of the ultrasound bone densitometer. We used a high-speed USB interface chip FT232H, along with a high-speed AD converter chip to calculate speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA ) and other bone density parameters in the PC software. This solution improved the accuracy of the measurement data, reduced the measurement time and increased the quality of the displayed image. It is well concluded that the new software can greatly improve the accuracy and transmission speed of bone density measurement data through a high-speed USB interface and a software data processing technology.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density ; Software ; Sound ; Ultrasonics

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the features of drowning victims with psychiatric disorders to support further investigation on such cases. METHODS: One hundred and five archives of drowning victims with psychiatric disorders from January 2010 to June 2014 in Harbor Public Security Subbureau, Shanghai Public Security Bureau were reviewed. The decedents' general information, autopsy findings, case investigation data and disease histories were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 105 cases, 104 were suicides. Most decedents were poorly educated. Most suicides occurred in warm climate, and the corpses were usually found within 2 days. Most decedents had no suicide history and notes, but had abnormal mental or behavior changes before suicide. Depression, depression status and schizophrenia were the main types of psychiatric disorders, and only 9 decedents had received regular therapies before their deaths. CONCLUSION Mental disorder is a high risk factor in the drowning victims. Guardians should be aware of psychotic abnormal behaviors, especially during warm climate seasons.
China/epidemiology* ; Depression/epidemiology* ; Depressive Disorder/epidemiology* ; Drowning/psychology* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders/psychology* ; Psychotic Disorders ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Schizophrenia ; Seasons ; Suicide/statistics & numerical data*

Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Lactic Acid ; Microspheres ; Nanotechnology ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the intra-vaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) of varicocele patients, the influence of spermatic vein ligation on IELT, and the relationship of Visual Analogue Score (VAS) with IELT.

METHODSWe selected 112 males who had regular sexual life after spermatic vein ligation and conducted follow-up visits for 6 months. According to preoperative IELT, we divided the patients into an IELT < or = 2 min group and an IELT > 2 min group, and compared their IELT, VAS and Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation-5 (CIPE-5) scores before and 6 months after operation.

RESULTSFollow-up was accomplished in 81 of the patients, 18 in the IELT < or = 2 min group and 63 in the IELT >2 min group. Compared with the baseline, IELT was significantly prolonged postoperatively in both the IELT < or = 2 min group ([1.26 +/- 0.37] vs [4.53 +/- 1.69] min, P < 0.01) and the IELT >2 min group ([5.14 +/- 2.03] vs [7.69 +/- 4.51] min, P < 0.05); the postoperative CIPE-5 scores were remarkably improved in the former (11.27 +/- 3.52 vs 15.64 +/- 2.37, P < 0.05) but insignificantly in the latter group (20.42 +/- 4.65 vs 21.83 +/- 5.49, P > 0.05); the postoperative grades of the CIPE-5 scores showed significant differences in both groups (chi2 = 6.353, P = 0.042 and chi2 = 3.910, P = 0.048); the postoperative VAS was markedly increased (3.18 +/- 0.92 vs 1.56 +/- 0.83 and 3.24 +/- 0.95 vs 1.74 +/- 0.79, P < 0.05), with significant differences in the grades of VAS in both groups (chi2 = 4.433, P = 0.035 and chi2 = 10.088, P = 0.001). The variation of VAS was negatively correlated with that of IELT in both groups (r = -0.572, P < 0.01 and r = -0.465, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVaricocele may be one of the causes of premature ejaculation, and some of the varicocele patients with IELT < or = 2 min may benefit from spermatic vein ligation. Improved VAS is negatively correlated with prolonged IELT. The relationship between varicocele and premature ejaculation deserves further studies.

Adult ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligation ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the expression and regulatory mechanism of hypoxia inducible factor-1?(HIF-1?)during fracture healing. Methods Mouse models of tibia fracture healing were established,and callus samples were collected 1,3,7,14,21 and 28 days after fracture.The development of callus and new bone formation were evaluated with roentgenology,Micro-CT and tetracycline double labeling method,and the expression of HIF-1?,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),Runx2 and ALP in callus were detected with RT-PCR,Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.The relationship between HIF-1? and fracture healing was analysed. Results The expression of HIF-1? was detected in cells in the fracture sites as well as in evolved osteoblasts,chondrocytes and osteocytes in early callus under hypoxia.The highest expression rate of HIF-1? achieved on the 7th day after fracture,lasted for about 7 days,then decreased gradually,and returned to intact level on the 28th day after fracture.The expression tendency of VEGF resembled that of HIF-1?.Bone formation activity was more active in early callus,and the callus volume peaked on the 14th day after fracture and decreased gradually.The mineralization of callus mainly took place in the late healing period(14th to 28th day after fracture).Conclusion Cells involved in fracture healing are hypoxia-responsive cells,which express HIF-1?.HIF-1? can regulate cell state and function,and can promote angiogenesis so as to play a crucial role in fracture healing.

AIMTo investigate the paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(D,L-lactic acid) amphiphilic diblock copolymer (PMT).

METHODSPMT was prepared by solid dispersion technique. The average size and size distribution were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The morphology was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and 1HNMR. The influences of the copolymer molecular weight and the paclitaxel-fed amount on PMT were studied. Therapeutic effect of PMT was studied on Kunming mice liver cancer H22.

RESULTSPMT showed nanometer size and spherical morphology with core and shell. The sizes of PMT increased with increasing the molecular weight of the hydrophobic segment in PEDLLA or increasing the drug-loaded amount. The tumour inhibiting effect of PMT was similar with that of Taxol.

CONCLUSIONIt will provide an experiment basis for the development of new kind of intravenous administration of paclitaxel.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Lactic Acid ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; Mice ; Microspheres ; Nanotechnology ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of high glucose on Porphyromonasgingivalis (Pg) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulating human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) to secret the cytokines.

METHODSHGF were obtained from the primary culture of the tissue explants. Cells were divided into four groups, low glucose (5.5 mmol/L) + 1 mg/L Pg LPS (group A);low glucose + 10 mg/L Pg LPS (group B); high glucose (25 mmol/L) +1 mg/L Pg LPS(group C); high glucose+10 mg/L Pg LPS (group D). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in cell supernatants were detected by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay at 6 h and 12 h. The expressions of toll-like receptor 2, 4 (TLR-2, 4) were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. After pretreatment with anti-TLR2 and anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibody in HGF, TNF-α and L-1β levels were detected.

RESULTSTNF-α concentration increased obviously in high glucose 6 h and 12 h after Pg LPS stimulation (P < 0.01). IL-1β secretion increased (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, TLR2, 4 mRNA expression increased, especially in high glucose+10 mg/L Pg LPS (P < 0.01). After inhibition of the TLR2, 4 in high glucose + 10 mg/L Pg LPS respectively, TNF-α level [(297.16±11.49), (390.01±12.81) ng/L] decreased (F = 166.02, P < 0.01), and IL-1β level [(49.90±4.08), (99.35±5.01) ng/L] also decreased (F = 153.51, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHigh glucose may promote Pg LPS to stimulate the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β through regulating TLR2, 4 expression, which suggests that the elevating blood glucose precipitate in aggravating the process of periodontal disease.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Drug Synergism ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Glucose ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Periodontal Diseases ; etiology ; Polysaccharides, Bacterial ; toxicity ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; chemistry ; Time Factors ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; immunology ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; immunology ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

The biological characters of Sindbis virus strain of Yunnan(YN87448 strain) were studied by the test of the filtration, acid-resistant, ether-resistant, CPE, susceptibility of animal, HA, plague, determination of virus titres, and the cross-HI, cross-IFAT and PRNT as well.The results indicated that YN87448 strain belongs to Sindbis virus, Alphavirus, Togaviridae. YN87448 strain virus was plaque purified(PYN87448). The biological character of PYN87448 strain virus was studied too. PYN87448 strain virus will be used in the molecule biological test.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Chinese adults.

METHODSData on PA and other variables were obtained at the baseline examination of China Multi-center study of Cardiovascular Epidemiology in 1998 and of International Collaborative study of Cardiovascular Disease in Asia(InterASIA) during 2000 - 2001. Follow-up study was conducted in 2007 - 2008. A total of 11 512 Chinese adults aged 35 - 74 years (5563 men and 5949 women) were included in the final data analysis. Information on demographics, PA, smoking and alcohol consumption were obtained and components of MS were examined. Participants were divided into four groups according to quartile of total metabolic equivalent (MET) values per day. In addition, subjects were grouped into the following categories according to occupational PA: inactive, light, moderate and vigorous. Binary logistic model was used to examine the association between PA and the incidence of MS.

RESULTSA total of 2527 cases with MS were documented during an average following up of 8.1 years. The annual incidence rate of MS was 2.71% (2527/93 178.68). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, compared with participants with total PA volume < 32.0 MET×h×d(-1) (annual incidence rate was 3.19% (697/21 830.74)), the RR (95%CI) value of participants with total PA volume during 32.00 - 37.85, 37.86 - 52.29, and ≥ 52.30 MET×h×d(-1) was 1.05(0.92 - 1.19), 0.98(0.86 - 1.12), and 0.68(0.59 - 0.80), respectively (χ(2)trend = 34.23, P < 0.05), with corresponding annual incidence rates of 2.82% (690/24 504.25), 2.73% (661/24 179.36) and 2.11% (479/22 664.33). In addition, compared to inactive occupational PA (annual incidence rate was 2.76% (402/14 588.33)), the corresponding RR (95%CI) value was 0.80 (0.69 - 0.92), 0.70 (0.59 - 0.82), and 0.54 (0.45 - 0.65) (χ(2)trend = 42.34, P < 0.05), and the annual incidence rates were 2.86% (648/22 663.41), 2.40% (455/18 956.14) and 1.89% (344/18 173.86) in participants with light, moderate and vigorous occupational PA, respectively.

CONCLUSIONBoth increased total PA volume and occupational PA intensity are significantly associated with decreased risk of incidence of MS.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVEThis study was designed to investigate the effect of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) on the proliferation of colony forming unit granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM), CFU-erythroid (CFU-E), burst forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E), CFU-multipotential (CFU-Mix) and CFU-megakaryocytic (CFU-Mk) progenitor cells of cord blood in vitro as well as the possible mechanism.

METHODSTwenty cord blood specimens were collected from the umbilical vein of normal full-term neonates delivered spontaneously. This study consisted of five groups: 3 Infection groups in which 0.1 mL 10(3), 10(4) and 10(5) plague forming unit (PFU) HCMV-AD169 virus solution was added to the culture system, an Inactivated control group in which the equal volume of inactivated virus solution was added, and a Blank control group (normal progenitor cells culture system without HCMV virus infection). Colony forming unit-assay was applied to detect the effects of HCMV-AD169 strain on the colony formation, inhibition rate and colony-maintaining duration of CFU- GM, CFU-E, BFU-E, CFU-Mix and CFU-Mk of cord blood. PCR technique was used to demonstrate the existence of HCMV-DNA in the colony cells of cultured CFU-GM, CFU-E, CFU-Mix and CFU-Mk.

RESULTSHCMV-AD169 (10(3)PFU) in low concentration had inhibition effects on colony formation of the CFU-Mix and CFU-Mk (P < 0.05), whereas 10(5) PFU and 10(4) PFU HCMV-AD169 lead to decreased colonies in CFU-GM, CFU-E, BFU-E, CFU-Mix and CFU-Mk compared with the Blank control and the Inactivated control groups (P < 0.05). The suppression effect of HCMV on the colony formation was dose-dependent. The colony-maintaining duration of the CFU-GM, CFU-E, BFU-E, CFU-Mix and CFU-Mk in the 10(5) PFU and 10(4) PFU HCMV infection groups was significantly shorter than that in the two control groups (P < 0.01). The low concentration of HCMV-AD169 (10(3)PFU) infection resulted in a shortened colony-maintaining duration of the CFU-Mix and CFU-Mk (P < 0.01), but had no effects on the colony-maintaining duration of CFU-GM, CFU-E and BFU-E. PCR amplification demonstrated the existence of HCMV-AD169 DNA in the colony cells of the three Infection groups.

CONCLUSIONSHCMV-AD169 strain can infect hematopoietic progenitors of cord blood and inhibit the proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors, associated with anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in HCMV patients.

Cell Proliferation ; Cytomegalovirus ; pathogenicity ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans