A spectrometer is one of the most important parts in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system. This paper describes the design of a digital MRI spectrometer. It is constructed on a PXI platform with several data acquisition boards and a high-resolution timing board. All functions of a MRI spectrometer are realized by the specially- designed software. The software architecture and its implementing details are discussed and experimental results are introduced.
Equipment Design ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Software Design

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from dysfunction of pancreatic islets β cells.Recent studies supported that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress takes an important role in pancreatic β cell excessive loss,resulting in T1D.Here,we aimed to review the relationship between ER stress and T1D.Additionally,we also reviewed the potential mechanisms underlying ER stress mediated T1D.Studies have shown that severe ER stress is directly involved in the pancreatic β cells destruction and pathogenesis of T1D.ER stress plays a key part in pancreatic β cells and T1D,which will help in developing new effective therapeutics for T1D.

OBJECTIVETo examine the changes of the mechanical properties of 7 different light-cured composite resins after thermal cycling and the correlations between these properties.

METHODSSeven different light-cured composite resins, including 2 microfilled composites (A110:AH and ESTELITE :ET), 3 microhybrid composites (AELITE:AT, Z250:ZS, and CharmFil plus:CP), and 2 nanohybrid composites (Z350:ZH and Grandio:GD), were prepared into test specimens with a diameter of 12 mm and a thickness of 1.0 mm. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees celsius; for 24 h prior to 1 000 thermal cycles of 5 degrees celsius; for 15 s and 55 degrees celsius; for 15 s. The biaxial flexural strength (δ(f)) was tested using the ball-on-three-ball method at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min (ISO4049). The fracture surface was observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the remaining specimens underwent Knoop hardness test with a 50-g loading for 10 s.

RESULTSThe highest and lowest Weibull modulus was observed in AH (18.752) and AT (5.290) group, respectively. The highest and lowest biaxial flexural strength was observed in ZS (158.2 MPa) and ET (54.0 MPa) groups, respectively. The δ(f) of the tested materials decreased in the order of microhybrid composite, nanohybrid composite, and microfiller composite, and the δ(f) showed no significant difference between the composites with a similar filler (P>0.05). The fracture number was positively correlated to the strength of the material. The Knoop hardness numbers (H) was the highest in GD group (110.81∓14.77 kg/mm(2)) and the lowest in AH group (42.81∓1.91 kg/mm(2)). SEM showed that the interface region of the matrix and the filler was vulnerable to crack formation.

CONCLUSIONThe nanohybrid composite resins better suit clinical applications than microhybrid composites. The applicability of Knoop hardness test in hardness measurement of the composite resins needs to be further demonstrated.

Composite Resins ; chemistry ; Materials Testing ; Nanocomposites ; Nanoparticles ; Stress, Mechanical ; Temperature ; Tensile Strength

Snake venom proteins,particularly from the viper and elapid families, have been known to contain a number of platelet active components including what cause platelet aggregation or inhibit platelet aggregation. Some of them have potential clinical usefulness for the treatment of human hemorrhagic or thrombotic disease. Agkistrodon halys pallas belonging to viper family is only growing in China. The aim of this study was to purify a human platelet aggregation inhibitor from venom of Agkistrodon halys pallas and determine its biochemical character. Whether a component could inhibit human platelet aggregation was act as a method to follow the tracks of the protein. Crude venom of Agkistrodon halys pallas was loaded onto a DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B chromatography column could gain 6 peaks. A platelet inhibitor with molecular mass of 65 kD on SDS-PAGE, was purified from peak 2 by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration and SP-Sepharose, Mono Q on FPLC. It could inhibit human platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen without activities of phospholipase A2, esterase, fibrinogenolytic. It is concluded that a platelet inhibitor can be isolated and purified from venom of Agkistrodon halys pallas and its inhibition of platelet aggregation is does-dependent.
Crotalid Venoms ; analysis ; Humans ; Oligopeptides ; chemistry ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the secretory proteins of the ventral prostate on the glycoproteins in the oviductal fluid of golden hamsters.

METHODSMale golden hamsters were divided into four groups: sham operation (SH), total removal of accessory sex glands (TX), and retainment of the ventral prostate only (VP). Oviductal fluid was collected from female hamsters at 0.5, 2, 4 and 6 h after mating with the males of different operated groups with or without ventral prostate. Glycoproteins were probed with a panel of lectins and their changes in the oviductal fluid were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSThe 47 000, 52 000, 81 000 and 128 000 WGA-binding proteins were observed in the oviductal fluid of the 6 h TX group, the 32 000, 35 500, 47 000 and 52 000 WGA-binding glycoproteins noted in the 6 h VP group, the 47 000, 68 000, 95 000 and 128 000 pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA)-binding glycoproteins shown in the 6 h TX and VP groups, two extra 32 000 and 37 500 bands detected in the 6 h VP group, the 47 000 and 52 000 dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA)-binding glycoproteins present in the 6 h VP but absent in the 6 h TX group.

CONCLUSIONVentral prostate secretory proteins affect acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine/galactose and mannose in the oviductal fluid collected 6 hours after mating. And these glycoproteins may play an important role in the development of embryos.

Animals ; Copulation ; physiology ; Cricetinae ; Fallopian Tubes ; metabolism ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesocricetus ; Prostatic Secretory Proteins ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the binding of secretory proteins in the ventral prostate to the surface of sperm.

METHODSWe used different techniques to demonstrate the possibility of ventral prostate secretory proteins binding to sperm in golden hamsters. Polyclonal antibodies against crude secretion of the ventral prostate cultured in rabbits were used to detect the antigens in hamster epididymal, uterine and oviductal spermatozoa by indirect immunofluorescence technique. The uterine and oviductal spermatozoa were collected after mating with the males with or without ventral prostate glands. The ventral prostate secretory proteins were isolated and transblotted to the membrane, which was incubated with the biotinylated epididymal sperm membrane proteins, and then the biotinylated binding proteins were stained.

RESULTSAn immunoreaction restricted to the middle piece was observed in the sperm incubated with the ventral prostate secretion and ejaculated sperm recovered from the uteri and oviducts. The rate of the epididymal sperm bound with the ventral prostate secretory proteins was (80 +/- 5) %, and the rats of the sperm binding to the ventral prostate secretory proteins were (30.0 +/- 4.6) % from the uterus and (16.0 +/- 3.6) % from the oviduct after mating with the males with ventral prostate glands, significantly higher than after mating with those without prostate glands (P < 0.01). Five bands were identified by Western blot analysis in vitro of the ventral prostate secretory proteins incubated with biotinylated epididymal sperm membrane proteins.

CONCLUSIONThe present data indicate that ventral prostate secretory proteins bind to the middle piece of sperm in golden hamsters.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cricetinae ; Epididymis ; metabolism ; Fallopian Tubes ; metabolism ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Male ; Mesocricetus ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Seminal Vesicle Secretory Proteins ; metabolism ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism ; Uterus ; metabolism

This study was aimed to explore the effect of bortezomib and low concentration cytarabine (Ara-C) on proliferation and apoptosis in U937 cell line and its mechanism. The proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells treated with bortezomib (10 nmol/L) and(or) Ara-C (50 nmol/L) were observed by cell count, cell morphology, flow cytometry and Western blot. The results showed that bortezomib and Ara-C alone inhibited U937 cell proliferation. The inhibitory effect was enhanced by combination of these two drugs, the inhibitory rates of U937 cell proliferation were (55.00 ± 2.81)% and (70.02 ± 3.33)% after treatment for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Bortezomib and Ara-C synergistically induced apoptosis and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in U937 cells. The percentage of Rhodamin123 positive cells was (38.70 ± 1.54)%. Bortezomib and Ara-C also synergistically induced activation of caspase-9, caspase-8 and caspase-3. It is concluded that the bortezomib and low concentration Ara-C synergistically induced apoptosis in U937 cells, mainly through mitochondrial pathway, and possibly through death receptor pathway.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Boronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cytarabine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; U937 Cells

The objective of this study was to develop a method for the determination of taxol injection using near infrared transmission spectroscopy, turning out redetermination for injection from hospital pharmacy before using. Near infrared spectra (NIR) in the range of 12 000 approximation 4 000cm(-1) were recorded for the taxol injection manufactured during recent 24 months with different time. Calibration models were established using the partial least squares (PLS). Comparing different spectra pretreatments methods, dimension and spectra range, The study showed that spectra information cab be extracted thoroughly by delete a line method with dimension 6, spectra range 9002.5 approximately 4597.7cm(-1) ,standard error of the calibration sets(SEC) 0.035 and standard error of the prediction sets(SEP) 0. 059. Percent of prediction sets sample is less than +/- 2%. Results indicate that near infrared transmission spectroscopy method can be used to rapidly analyze the frequent and important drugs from hospital pharmacy.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; Calibration ; Injections ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods

Objective To study the clinical and imaging features of patients with bone metastases from breast cancer and identify the factors related to the incidence of bone metastases. Methods Three hundred and thirty-four patients with breast cancer were recruited into this study. Whole-body 99Tcm-methylene disphosphonate (MDP) bone scan, clinical staging, pathological, immunohistochemical and serological test results were analyzed retrospectively. χ2 test was used for statistical analysis. Results The incidence rate of bone metastases for patients with and without lymph node metastases was 71% (152/214) and 22. 5% (27/120), respectively (χ2 =72.80, P =0.000). The incidence rate of bone metastases from infiltrated non-specified and specified breast cancer was 69% (203/294) and 41.7% (5/12), respectively (χ2 =3. 97, P=0.046). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was elevated in 28.5% (51/179) and 14.9%(11/74) of patients with and without bone metastases, respectively (χ2 = 5. 25, P = 0.022 ). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 15-3, CA125, CA19-9 increased in 68.7% ( 123/179) and 27.0% (20/74) of patients with and without bone metastases, respectively (χ2 = 37. 03, P =0. 000). Conclusions The incidence of bone metastases from breast cancer is correlated to pathological types of primary tumor and lymph node metastases. Bone metastases occurs more frequently in patients with infiltrated, non-specified, primary cancer and with lymph node metastases. Serum ALP, CEA, CA15-3,CA125, CA19-9 might be the tumor makers for early diagnosis of bone metastases from breast cancer.

Objective To explore the expression level and influencing factors of CD4 +CD25 + regulatory cells(Treg)among male drug -abusers with syphilis.Methods 144 male drug -abusers with syphilis,41 male drug -abusers without syphilis,35 male non -drug abuser with syphilis and 35 male healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study.Expression levels of CD4 +CD25 +Treg of them were detected.A questionnaire interview was conducted among these participants, including drug abuse duration,drug types and abuse ways.Results The levels of Treg expression of drug -abusers with syphilis were significantly higher than that of drug -abusers without syphilis and non -drug abuser with syphilis (P <0.01 ).Despite of the stage of syphilis,types of drugs and abuse way,Treg expression levels with drug abuse duration of"above 1 -year"were significantly higher than those of "1 -year or below"(P <0.01 ).Treg expression levels were positively correlated to drug abuse duration (R2 =0.672,P <0.01)among patients.Among the participants,people both with traditional and new drugs were significantly higher than that with only traditional or new drug (P <0.01).In addition, people both with injecting and non -injecting abuse were significantly higher than that with one way of drug -abuse (P <0.01).Among those with drug abuse duration of "above 1 -year",Treg levels of drug -abusers with traditional drugs and injecting abuse way were remarkably higher than that with new drug and non -injecting abuse respectively (P <0.01). Conclusion Among male drug -abusers with syphilis,suppression of cellular immune function resulting from increased CD4 +CD25 +regulatory T cells is related to drug abuse duration,and is also influenced by drug types and abuse ways.