Objective:A new algorithm based on Hough transform (HT) was proposed to improve the accuracy and stability of the film image analysis of Automatic Quality Assurance (AQA) test, and to explore the influence of the resolution of film image on the test results.Methods:Nine pairs of films were obtained for AQA modules in this study. Firstly, the median filter was used to preprocess the grayed-out film image to remove noise interference. Then, a global threshold was utilized to binarize the image. The images were edge-detected and the film edge line was extracted by Hough transform. The film image was transformed to the correct position. Finally, the edge of the field shadow circle and the shadow circle of the tungsten ball were extracted by the edge detection method and Hough transform. The radial error was finally obtained by analyzing the concentricity.Results:There was no significant difference in the accuracy between the test results yielded by the HT method and the AQA software ( P>0.05). The difference in the standard deviation of the test results was statistically significant ( P=0.027), indicating that the algorithm increased the stability while ensuring the accuracy of film analysis. Increasing the resolution of film scanning failed to significantly improve the accuracy and stability of film analysis in both two methods. Conclusions:The algorithm used in this study can eliminate the human error caused by film scanning placement while ensuring the accuracy of film analysis, providing a more stable way for the AQA test of the CyberKnife system.

Objective To investigate the effect of recombinant chlamydiaphage phiCPG1 capsid protein Vp1 on Chlamydia trachomatis(Ct) after Vp1 was co-cultured with Ct (reference strains and clinical strains).Methods The recombinant chlamydiaphage phiCPG1 capsid protein Vp1 was expressed and purified.Equal amount of Ct standard strains (E/UW-5/Cx and D/UW-3/Cx) or clinical strains,which had been incubated with Vp1 protein at the concentration of 53 μg/ml for 3 h at room temperature,were inoculated into McCoy.After cell culture,idione stain and transmission electron microscope were used to observe the effect of Vp1 on the Ct.The effect of Vp1 protein on the cell line McCoy was determined by MTT assay,the responses of Escherichia coli BL21 and DH5α toward Vp1 protein were determined using broth microdilution assays.Results Vp1 had obviously inhibitive effect on Ct,the inhibition ratios were about 40％-70％in clinical strains,72％ in reference strain D and 78％ in E,respectively.Abnormally enlarged RBs were observed after Vp1-treatment and Vp1 could arrest chlamydial developmental cycle using electron microscope.There was no effect of Vp1 on McCoy cells or bacteria BL21 or DH5α.Conclusion The recombinant Vp1 from phiCPG1 has obviously inhibitive effect on the growth of Ct,it will be helpful for the treatment of Ct infection in clinic.

Metabonomics was employed to investigate the effect of Angelica sinensis volatile oil (ASVO) to the endogenous metabolites of normal rats, and to reveal the possible ways of metabolism in rats caused by ASVO. The fifty male Waster rats were randomly divided into five groups (each consists of 10 rats), such as control group, high dose group of ASVO, middle dose group of ASVO, low dose group of ASVO, and Aspirin group. They were given 0.9% saline, 0.352 mL x kg(-1) ASVO, 0.176 mL x kg(-1) ASVO, 0.088 mL x kg(-1) ASVO and ASP respectively with the equal volume of 0.2 mL. Drugs and vehicle were given for 3 successive days. The urine was collected at 12, 24, 36, 48 h after modeling with metabolic cages. Rat urine metabolic fingerprint in different stages was analyzed using GC-MS, based on which the principal component analysis (PCA)and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were established for metabonomic analysis. Potential biomarkers were screened by using variable importance in the projection (VIP) and T test. It was revealed that the middle dose of ASVO at 36 h induces a substantial change in rat urine. Compared with control group, seven kinds of endogenous metabolites in ASP group and ASVO group change significantly (P < 0.05), among which aconitic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, alpha-ketone glutaric acid, glycine and malic acid content had an upward trend (P < 0.05) and prostaglandin content had a downward trend (P < 0.01). The mechanism of ASVO and ASP have the similarity. It is likely that ASVO intervenes the metabolic process by affecting the energy, amino acid and lipid metabolism. Our work also indicates that rats administrated with ASVO can increase the energy metabolism of the body, induce the production of inflammatory substances and strengthen the body's immune ability. The result has also provide a proof for futher interpret ASVO pharmacological effects.
Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Plant Oils ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Urine ; chemistry

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Yellow Fever ; epidemiology ; Yellow fever virus ; immunology

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes of pathogens in hematological ward and susceptibility of patients received chemotherapy to antibiotics. The pathogens were taken from blood, urine and sputum of patients who accepted chemotherapy from years 2001 to 2005, then were isolated and identified. The susceptibility test was performed by disk diffusion method. The results showed that the total of 418 strains were detected. Gram-negative bacteria were the most common of nosocomial infection. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, E. coli account for the most of Gram negative- bacteria infection and most resistant to broad-spectrum penicillin, Acinetobacter baumannii showed a trend of increase. The ratios of gram positive bacteria and fungi were increased slowly, mainly as Enterococcus and Candida. Enterococcus is the most common cause of Gram-positive bacterial infection. Vancomycin resistance did not occur. It is concluded that Gram-negative bacteria are main cause of nosocomial infection in patients with hematological malignancies. Gram positive bacteria and fungi had been more frequent. Strains resistant to antimicrobial agents increase.
Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Hematologic Diseases ; microbiology ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; microbiology ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo establish a novel Myc gene transgenic mouse model for spontaneously forming B-lymphoma and assessing its tumorigenesis potential.

METHODSFreshly isolated hematopoietic progenitor cells served as the target for Myc gene transfer mediated by a retrovirus vector. These cells were engrafted into C57BL/6 mice with (60)Co-gamma ray radiation in advance. Tumor latency was measured and the tumor loaded mice were followed for survival time. Tumor was identified with histology and immunostaining. The exogenous Myc gene was detected by Western blot (in liver, spleen, tumor tissue) and flow cytometry (FCM) \[in bone marrow (BM)\].

RESULTSMice BM-infected with mutant Myc gene more readily gave rise to B-cell lymphomas than those infected with wild type Myc gene did Myc gene was expressed highly in BM and tumor tissues but not in liver and spleen.

CONCLUSIONOur model will be a tool in assessing the transforming potential of Myc mutants and in studying cooperation between Myc and other oncogenes. Mutant Myc is more effective than wild-type Myc in promoting B cell lymphomagenesis in mice.

Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Flow Cytometry ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Retroviridae Infections

AIMTo study the effects of hydrocortisone sodium succinate on sodium current in human atrial myocytes and in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

METHODSSingle cardiac myocytes were isolated by enzyme. The effects of hydrocortisone sodium succinate on sodium current (INa) were assessed by applying whole-cell patch clamp techniques.

RESULTSHydrocortisone sodium succinate (1, 3, 10 micromol x L(-1)) was shown to inhibit INa of both human atrial myocytes and guinea pig ventricular myocytes in concentration dependent manner and the IC50 were 6.97 and 8.74 micromol x L(-1), respectively. The inhibition effects acted quickly (1-3 min) and the maximal activating voltage of INa was not changed in both human and guinea pig cardiac myocytes.

CONCLUSIONHydrocortisone sodium succinate can exhibit inhibitory effects on INa in both human and guinea pig cardiac myocytes, and its inhibitory effects act rapidly, which are not consistent with genomic effects, so there may be nongenomic effects.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Cell Separation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Atria ; pathology ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; pathology ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Sodium Channels ; drug effects

AIM:To explore the effect of acteoside on behavioral changes and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)in prefrontal cortex of depressive rats.METHODS:Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats(n=108)were randomly divided into 6 groups:control group,model group,fluoxetine(20 mg/kg)group,low-dose(30 mg/kg)acteoside group,medium-dose(60 mg/kg)acteoside group and high-dose(120 mg/kg)acteoside group,with 18 rats in each group.The depres-sive-like rat model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)combined with solitary way for 28 d.The rats in fluoxetine group and acteoside groups were treated with fluoxetine(20 mg/kg)or acteoside(30 mg/kg,60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg)once daily by intragastric administration for 3 weeks.The rats in control group and model group were both given equal volume of saline by intragastric administration for 3 weeks.The behavioral changes were detected by the open-field test and sugar preference experiment.The protein expression of glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78 )and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)was assessed by immunofluorescence and Western blot.The caspase-3 activity was measured by spectrophotometer.RESULTS:Compared with control group ,the total distance ,time spent in the center and sugar in-take were all decreased ,the expression of GRP78 and CHOP was increased ,and the activity of caspase-3 was increased in model group ,fluoxetine group and acteoside groups(P<0.05 ).Compared with model group ,the total distance ,time spent in the center and sugar intake were increased ,the expression of GRP78 and CHOP was reduced ,and the activity of caspase-3 was decreased(P<0.05)in fluoxetine group and acteoside groups.CONCLUSION:Acteoside improves de-pressive-like behaviors in depressive rats ,which may be related to the inhibition of ERS and neuronal apoptosis in prefron-tal cortex.

Recent studies have shown that astrocytes play important roles in ATP degradation and adenosine (a well known analgesic molecule) generation, which are closely related to pain signaling pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate whether morphine, a well known analgesic drug, could affect the speeds of ATP enzymolysis and adenosine generation in rat astrocytes. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) of astrocyte was measured by flow cytometry, and the time points that morphine exerted notable effects were determined for subsequent experiments. Cultured astrocytes were pre-incubated with morphine (1 μmol/L) and then were incubated with substrates, ATP and AMP, for 30 min. The speeds of ATP enzymolysis and adenosine generation were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that both 1.5 and 48 h of morphine pre-incubation induced maximal ATP enzymolysis speed in astrocytes among all the time points, and there was no statistical difference of ATP enzymolysis speed between morphine treatments for 1.5 and 48 h. As to adenosine, morphine pre-incubation for 1.5 h statistically increased adenosine generation, which was degraded from AMP, in cultured astrocytes compared with control group. However, no difference of adenosine generation was observed after 48 h of morphine pre-incubation. These results indicate that treatment of morphine in vitro dynamically changes the concentrations of ATP and adenosine in extracellular milieu of astrocytic cells. In addition, astrocyte can be regarded as at least one of the target cells of morphine to induce changes of ATP and adenosine levels in central nervous system.
Adenosine ; biosynthesis ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Analgesics, Opioid ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Astrocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Calcium ; analysis ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; Morphine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEMechanical ventilation support is a very important method for the salvage of serious patients. However, it can result in the formation of an adherent matrix of bacteria on the surfaces of implanted materials which is termed "biofilm". Biofilm is dense bacterial communities attached to a solid surface and surrounded by an exopolysaccharide matrix. One of the most important features of bacterial biofilm is their resistance to antimicrobial agents and host immune system components. As a consequence, diseases involving biofilm are generally chronic and difficult to treat. The present study was conducted to explore the relationship between ETT-biofilm and the lower respiratory infection by observing microbial colonization and associated biofilm accumulation on the surface of endotracheal tubes (ETTs) removed from neonates treated with intubated mechanical ventilation.

METHODSTwenty neonates undergoing mechanical ventilation (from January to June in 2005) were recruited into this study. Clinical data about lower respiratory infection for each case were collected. ETTs were collected at the first time of extubation. A sterile control tube was also processed. For each ETT, a 1-cm-long cross-sectional segment was divided into two portions for both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and aerobic/anaerobic cultures. The presence of biofilm on the surface of ETTs were examined by SEM, meanwhile, bacteria harvested from the surface of ETTs and the secretions of lower respiratory tract were isolated, identified and assessed on antimicrobial susceptibility, respectively.

RESULTSThe diagnosis on admission of the twenty cases included: neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (10), meconium aspirate syndrome (2), severe asphyxia (2), pneumatothorax (2), severe pneumonia (1), scleredema neonatorum (1), inborn pulmonary hypoplasia (1) and recurrent apnea (1). Thirteen cases did not present symptoms and signs of lower respiratory infection before mechanical ventilation. However, during the mechanical ventilation process, symptoms and signs of lower respiratory infection presented and lasted until extubation. Nine of the above mentioned thirteen cases (70%) had the same duration of tube use as mechanical ventilation duration (mean: 3.6 days). Observation by SEM showed that colonization was time dependent and the incidence of microbial colonization increased when the duration of tube use exceeded one days (12/20). There were no obvious bacterial colonies except that some amorphous material was noted in 5 of 20 ETTs as early as one day of tube use. Up to 2 days of tube use (4/20), attached bacterial colonization was seen embedded in amorphous material (3/4). Up to 3 days (7/20), a layer of biofilm formation presented on ETTs (5/7). Furthermore, biofilm architecture became more mature and complex if the duration exceeded 3 days. Neither bacteria nor biofilm formation was seen on the control ETT. The results of aerobic/anaerobic cultures showed that there were 14 cultures from ETTs (normal flora grew in 4) and 7 pathogens were isolated; 13 cultures from the secretions of lower respiratory tract (normal flora grew in 1) and 10 pathogens were isolated. Seven samples had the same pathogen both on the surface of ETTs and in the secretions of lower respiratory tract, which accounted for 50% of the positive cultures from ETTs, including Xanthomonas maltophilia (2), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2), Acinetobacter lwoffii (1), Acinetobacter baumannii (1) and normal flora (1). The gram-negative bacteria isolated from the surface of ETTs and the secretions of lower respiratory tract presented multi-resistance to antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONSThe ETT-biofilm develops into mature and complex form with the duration of tube use increase. This study provides evidence that there is correlation between microbial colonization, biofilm formation on the surface of ETTs and the lower respiratory infection in neonates who were intubated and ventilated for a prolonged period. ETT-Biofilm could also be a possible source of the recurrent infection. Increased attention must be paid to modification of the ETT to prevent or substantially reduce biofilm formation.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; isolation & purification ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Biofilms ; Colony Count, Microbial ; Equipment Contamination ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; adverse effects ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; methods ; Pediatrics ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Respiration, Artificial ; adverse effects ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Trachea ; microbiology