Objective To study the expression of interleukin-1β in aortic dissections and aneurysms. Methods Aortic specimens were obtained from patients with type Ⅰ thoracic aortic dissection (11 cases),ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (10 cases),and healthy organ donors (7 cases).Expression of interleukin-1β,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and signal transduction factors phospho-p38 and phospho-JNK were detected by real time RT-PCR,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry,respectively.TUNEL staining was performed to detect apoptosis of media cells. Results Apoptosis in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms was dramatically higher than control group.Expression of interleukin-1β gradually increased in an order of control group,thoracic aortic dissection to ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms ( P ＜ 0.01,respectively).Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9significantly increased in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms compared with control group (P ＜ 0.01,respectively).There were positive correlations between interleukin1 β and matrix metalloproteinase-9,interleukin-1β and phospho-p38 in thoracic aortic dissection ( P ＜ 0.01,respectively),interleukin-1β and apoptosis in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions Interleukin-1β and interferon-γ might effect the formation of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms possibly through the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and apoptosis of media cells in humans.

The anaerobic granular sludge from an Internal Circulation (IC) reactor of a paper mill wastewater treatment plant were seeded in an Anammox upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor. After 185 days operation, the reactor was finally started up by increasing the influent ammonium and nitrite concentrations to 224 mg/L and 255 mg/L, respectively, with volumetric nitrogen removal rate increasing to 3.76 kg/(m3·d). The physicochemical characteristics of the cultivated Anammox granules were observed by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results suggested that during the start-up course, the granular sludge initially disintegrated and then re-aggregated. FTIR spectra results revealed that the Anammox granular sludge contained abundant functional groups, indicating that it may also possess good adsorption properties. The ecological structure of the granular sludge, analyzed by the metagenomic sequencing methods, suggested that the relative abundance of the dominant bacterial community in the seeding sludge, i.e., Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, significantly reduced, while Planctomycetes which contains anaerobic ammonium oxidation bacteria remarkably increased from 1.59% to 23.24% in the Anammox granules.
Ammonia ; chemistry ; Bacteria ; Bioreactors ; Nitrogen ; chemistry ; Sewage ; microbiology ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; methods ; Waste Water ; chemistry

Aim To investigate the relationship be-tween the cardioprotection of apigenin ( Api ) from an-oxia/reoxygenation ( A/R) injury and Bcl-2 pathway. Methods H9 c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured and di-vided into normal control group, A/R group, Api pre-treatment group ( Api ) , Api + Bcl-2 inhibitor group ( Api + ABT-737 ) . Expression of Bcl-2 was deter-mined by Western blot,and cell viability was measured by MTT method. LDH, SOD, GSH-Px, MDA activity were determined by chromometry. ROS generation, mi-tochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis were de-termined by flow cytometry. Results 25h after apige-nin precondition,the expression of Bcl-2 was upregulat-ed in cardiomyocytes ( P <0. 01 ) . In the group pre-treated with 40 μmol · L-1 apigenin before A/R, the activity of LDH in culture medium decreased; the ac-tivity of intracellular SOD, GSH-Px increased; the content of MDA and ROS generation decreased; cell viability increased; mitochondrial membrane potential could be more stable and cell apoptosis decreased ( P<0. 01 ) . However, all these protective effects were attenuated significantly in the group pretreated with apigenin and Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-737 . Conclusion The effect of apigenin against A/R injury in cardiomyo-cytes involves Bcl-2 pathway, and at least partly de-pends on its effect on upregulating the expression of Bcl-2 .

The effects of glipizide on SI、SG、KG、Iarea 0～20min、FBG、FINS with minimal model in non-insulin-dependent diabetes meIlitus were observed.The results showed SI、SG、KG、Iarea 0～20min were lower and FBG was higher in NIDDM than these in normal subjects before glipizide therapy.After two weeks of glipizide therapy,FBG was decreased and SI、SG、KG、Iarea 0～20min were increased.These data suggested that glipizide not only had the effect on stimulating islet ?-cell secretion,but also improving insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Sol-Gel coating on the corrosion resistance of nickel-chronium alloys in vitro.

METHODSThe bond strength of coating-substrate interface sintered at different temperatures (300, 400, 500, 600 degrees C) was tested by scratching method. The Sol-Gel coating was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and its corrosion resistance was assessed by a static immersion method.

RESULTSThe bond strength of coating-substrate interface reaches the peak at 400 degrees C. The Sol -Gel coating can apparently inhibit the release of metal ions and improve the corrosion resistance of nickel-chromium alloy.

CONCLUSIONSol-Gel coating can evidently improve corrosion resistance of the nickel-chromium alloy, which has great potential in prospective clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the application of fetuses with talipes equinovarus (TE) using chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) technology. Methods From May 2012 to June 2015, 54 fetuses were found with TE and with or without other structural anomalies by prenatal ultrasound. Karyotyping was taking for them all, and the fetuses with normal karyotypes took another CMA test. The data were analyzed with CHAS software. Finally all the cases were followed up to know about their pregnancy outcomes. Results One of the 54 cases was detected with abnormal karyotype which was trisomy 18 (2%, 1/54). CMA was undertaken to the remaining fetuses, they were divided into 2 groups, including isolated TE group (n=38) and complex TE group (n=15). The detection rate of clinical significant copy number variations (CNV) by CMA was 11% (6/53), while isolated and complex TE group were 5% (2/38) and 4/15, respectively (P=0.047). Of the 53 cases, 51 cases were successfully followed up. Eleven cases were found without TE after birth, and the false positive rate (FPR) of TE was 22%(11/51). Conclusions Whole-genome high-resolution CMA increased the detection rate by 11% in fetuses with TE. With the FPR and the detection rate of the clinical significant CNV of 2 groups, whole-genome CMA could be recommended to the fetuses with complex TE group but normal karyotypes. A series of ultrasonic tests should be suggested to the isolate TE group, while with the abnormal ultrasound, fetuses would be suggested to have CMA test for decreasing the rates of invasive prenatal diagnosis and FPR.

Objective:To study the impact on dose accuracy for the treatment planning by manually assigning accurate electron density for CT image-based tumor tissues and organs at risk.Methods:Twenty cases of retrospective postoperative cervical cancer radiotherapy plans were selected. The body electron density of the corresponding organs was derived from the ICRU 46 report and assigned in the treatment planning system (Monaco5.11, Sweden), including the bladder, rectum, intestine, kidney, spinal cord, femoral head, and ilium. The original plans were double-arc volumetric modulated arc therapy plan (360° VMAT), using Monte Carlo algorithm, the calculation grid was 0.3 cm × 0.3 cm × 0.3 cm, and the minimum subfield width was 0.6 cm. Keep the original plan fluence unchanged and recalculate the dose to generate a new plan. The two-dimensional dose distribution and dose-volume histogram (DVH) were used to compare the differences between the two plans. The difference was compared between the two group plans by using the dosimetry parameters and DVH two dimension curve.Results:For the planning of assigning bulk electron density (Plan RED), the deviation of the patient′s target dose parameters and the original plan (Plan ref) was <2%, and the average deviation of all target regions D2, D98, Dmean was < 0.7%, only 2 of the 180 data were between 2% and 3%. The average deviation of V20, V30, D1 cm 3, Dmean of the bladder, rectum, and small intestine, the original Plan ref was less than 0.6%, and 4 out of 240 data had values > 2%. Plan RED′s average hop count was 0.9% higher than Plan ref, and the total number of subfields remains unchanged. The planned dose generated by manually assigning the electron density in Plan RED was higher than that in Plan ref, but met the clinical requirements. The two-dimensional curves of the DVH diagram for targets and OARs almost completely overlapped, and there was no obvious difference in the dose distribution diagram of the same cross section. The statistical result of all parameters showed that the difference in planned dose parameters between the two groups was not statistically significant( P>0.05). Conclusions:The overall deviation of dose accuracy between Plan RED and Plan ref is <2%, which meets the clinical requirements and provides a reference for realizing MRI-only treatment planning.

Brain Neoplasms ; Germinoma ; Humans ; Pineal Gland

Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Rickets ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; complications

Objective To explore the feasibility of 3D printed individualized applicator for the intracavitary HDR-brachytherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods CT scan was performed in 1 case of recurrent rT1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 1 case of T2 residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the obtained images were transmitted to 3D image processing software.The geometric contour parameters of the nasopharyngeal cavity were obtained and a pipeline was designed to make it close to the recurrent gross tumor volume (rGTV).Individualized cavity applicators were created by using 3D printer.The applicator was inserted into the patient's nasopharyngeal cavity through oral cavity.The source tube and false source were inserted into the preset pipe of the applicator.CT scan was performed again and the images were transmitted to the 3D brachytherapy planning system.Mter delineating the target volume and organ at risk,treatment plan was optimized.After completing the first treatment,the applicator was removed.Before second treatment in a few days,CT scan was reviewed to confirm whether the position was correct.Results When the applicator was inserted into the nasopharyngeal cavity,it could be fully aligned with the nasopharyngeal wall and self-fixed without additional fixation measures.Comparing the location of false source in multiple reviews of CT scan,the error was ≤ 1 mm.No significant discomfort was reported throughout the treatment.In optimized three-dimensional treatment,100％ prescription dose curve included the full rGTV,maximum dose of the brain stem and spinal cord was＜30％ prescription dose.Recurrent patients were given with a prescription dose of DT 40Gy/8 fractions/4 weeks and patients with residual tumors were given with 12Gy/2 fractions/1 week.No tumor recurrence was observed at postoperative 3 months in two cases.Conclusions The 3D printed individualized nasopharyngeal intracavitary applicator has the advantages of self-fixation,accurate location,good repeatability and good patient tolerance.The short-term outcome is effective,whereas its long-term clinical effect and adverse reactions need to be further observed.