Objective To evaluate the clinical value of electron beam computed tomography (EBCT)in the diagnosis of atherosclerotic aortic ulcer.Methods Sixty-eight consecutive patients(55 men and 13 women,aged 40—85 years,mean 65.12?9.55 years)with atherosclerotic aortic ulcer,who underwent EBCT scans from December 2001 to December 2004,were studied retrospectively.Contrast- enhanced continuous volume scanning(CVS)was performed by Imatron C-150XP EBCT scanner with 6 mm or 3 mm slice thickness and 100 milliseconds acquisition time.The scan was started 18—30 s after the injection of 80—100 ml contrast medium at the rate of 3.5—4.5 ml/s.Results In sixty-eight patients with atherosclerotie aortic ulcer,50 patients had acute aortic syndromes,36 had intramural hematomas,15 had atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms,3 had aortic dissections.46 patients with progresive ulcer usually had acute aortic syndrome while 22 patients with stable ulcer didn't(P

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fever ; complications ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypergammaglobulinemia ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Male ; Pain ; complications

Objective To evaluate the clinical impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT on patients with suspected cervical cancer recurrence. Methods Fifty-one cervical cancer patients, clinically suspected to have tumor recurrence during follow-up, underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT examination. 18 F-FDG PET/CT results were compared with those of conventional images, as referred to histopathology or clinical follow-up. Impacts of 18F-FDG PET/CT were evaluated based on documented changes of clinical management. Results In total, 43 patients were found to have positive lesions by 18F-FDG PET/CT, in which 40 were true recurrence,but 2 were pelvic abscess and 1 was radiation enterocolitis. Other 8 patients were found negative by 18F-FDG PET/CT and confirmed by pathology or follow-up. In patient-based analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of tumor recurrence were 100% (40/40), 72. 73% (8/11),and 94.12% (48/51) respectively. In 7 patients, the clinical management was changed due to 18F-FDG PET/CT findings. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT is an efficient tool for determining the recurrence of cervical cancer and instructing the clinical management.

It was constructed that a genomic DNA library from Lactobacillus sp. MD-1 yielding D, L-lactic acid. The gene encoding L-lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH) was cloned from the genomic library of strain MD-1 by complementation in E. coli FMJ144 which was lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate-formate lyase double defective mutant. The nucleotide sequence of the ldhL gene predicted a protein of 316 amino acid starting with ATG. The putative molecular weight of the L-LDH amino acid sequence was 33.84kD. A putative typical promoter (-35 and -10 boxes) had been observed in the 5' noncoding region. An rho-independent transcriptional terminator has been observed in the 3' noncoding region. Three highly conserved regions (Gly13 approximately Asp50, Asp73 approximately Ileul00 and Asn123 approximately Arg154) with several conserved residues had been identified. Gly13 approximately Asp50 was NADH-binding site domain. Asp73 approximately Ileu100 and Asn123 approximately Arg154 were reported to be the active site domains. The ldhL and the L-LDH of Lactobacillus sp. MD-1 showed the low identity and similarity with other Lactobacilli, and the highest percentage were 61.9% and 68.9% respectively. All the above indicated this gene is a novel ldhL.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Lactobacillus ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data

A label-free method for sensitive and selective detection of thrombin ( Tb) was constructed based on rare earth ion mediated fluorescence switch of graphene quantum dots ( GQDs) . Rare earth ion ( Er3+) can assemble onto the surface of GQDs through the coordination interaction between Er3+ ions and the carboxylate groups located on the surface or edge of the GQDs, resulting in the aggregation of the GQDs and thereby decrease of the fluorescence of the GQDs. In the presence of Tb, the oxygen and nitrogen-donor atoms in Tb can coordinate with Er3+ ions and compete with the carboxylate groups on GQDs to coordinate Er3+ ions, thus the interaction between GQDs and Er3+ ions is reduced, which lead to the restoration of the GQDs fluorescence. In this study, the sensing mechanism was demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The limit of detection for Tb assay was as low as 0. 049 nmol/L. Moreover, this assay was successfully applied to the selective determination of Tb in real samples.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of phlegm-dispelling and blood stasis-resolving traditional Chinese drugs on the cell cycle of cardiac myocytes and left ventricular reconstruction in hypertensive rats.

METHODSBilateral renal artery stenosis was conducted to induce hypertension in rats, which were randomly divided into hypertensive model group (n = 10), sham-operated group (n = 8), high-dose drug group (n = 11) and low-dose drug group (n = 11), with 8 normal untreated rats as the normal control group. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured in the tail artery of the rats. Two months after the operation, the left ventricular mass (LVM) and LVM index (LVI) were calculated in all the rats. The cell cycle changes in the left ventricular cardiac myocytes were evaluated using flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe mean blood pressure and LVI of the hypertensive model group were significantly higher than those of the normal control (P < 0.05) and sham-operated group (P < 0.01). After treatment with preparation of the traditional Chinese drugs at either high or low dose, the mean blood pressure and LVM of the rats showed obvious reduction, and LVI was decreased significantly compared with that of the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the hypertensive model group which showed obviously decreased cell percentage in G0/G1 phase and increased S phase cells, the treatment at both doses significantly increased the cells in G0/G1 phase (P < 0.05) and decreased the S-phase cells (P < 0.05) to levels comparable to those in the normal control and sham-operated groups (P > 0.05). The percentage of G2/M-phase cells showed no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe traditional Chinese drugs can significantly decrease blood pressure and LVI in hypertensive rats, and induce cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase to reverse left ventricular hypertrophy by regulating the cell cycle and inhibiting the division and proliferation of the cardiac myocytes.

Animals ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hypertension ; complications ; drug therapy ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; drug therapy ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between polymorphisms of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and susceptibility to radiation injury.

METHODSIn 1:1 case-control study, 113 abnormal chromosome workers exposed to ionizing radiation were selected as cases and 113 normal chromosome as controls who matched with case for sex, age (+/- 5 years), nation, type of work, the same or more but in 2 years work length and the same similar levels of the cumulative exposure radiation dose. Genotypes were analysed using PCR based restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques.

RESULTSThe frequency of XRCC1 26304TT allele in case group (18.58%) was significantly higher than that in control group (7.08%), with OR for radiation damage being 3.47 (95% CI 1.43 - 8.44, P < 0.05). No association was observed between XRCC1 G27466A and G28152A and susceptibility to radiation injury.

CONCLUSIONThe mutation of XRCC1 C26304T is related with the susceptibility to radiation injury. The polymorphisms of XRCC1 G27466A and G28152A are not found to have association with abnormal chromosomes.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromosome Aberrations ; DNA Repair ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Radiation Injuries ; genetics ; X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1

OBJECTTo investigate the therapeutic effect of microencapsulated porcine retinal pigmented epithelial cells (RPE-M) transplantation on rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODSPrimary porcine RPE cells were harvested by enzyme digestion and expanded in culture medium. Determine the levels of dopamine (DA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) by high performance liquid chromatography electrochemical (HPLC) assay, and the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) were detected by ELISA. Alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) microencapsulated cells were produced by using a high voltage electrostatic system. PD rat model was established by unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). After that, the RPE-M was transplanted into the corpus striatum of PD rat, and then the rotation test scores were recorded and biochemical changes of the corpus striatum were tested.

RESULTSThe levels of DA, HVA, BDNF and GDNF secreted by RPE were stable in the RPE culture supernatant and were not changed by the microencapsulation. Eighty-three percent rats developed PD by unilateral lesion of 6-OHDA in the MFB. The RPE-M transplantation had therapeutic effect on 33% PD rats.

CONCLUSIONPorcine RPE cells grow actively in vitro and could secrete DA, HVA, BDNF, and GDNF constantly, which does not be affected by the passage culture and the APA miroencapsulation. RPE-M transplantation of may be a curative therapy for PD.

Adrenergic Agents ; toxicity ; Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; transplantation ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Male ; Oxidopamine ; toxicity ; Parkinson Disease ; etiology ; surgery ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retina ; cytology ; Swine ; anatomy & histology ; Time Factors ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; methods ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo identify reasons for poor image quality and nonassessability of coronary artery segments, and compare results between early and late diastolic triggering on coronary electron beam angiography (EBA).

METHODSOne hundred patients referred for EBA were studied. Contrast-enhanced transaxial coronary images were acquired using electrocardiographic triggering and reconstructed three-dimensionally using volume rendering techniques. The image quality of coronary segments and image artifacts were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSVolume rendering was failed in 7 patients (7%) due to cardiac and breathing motions. Image quality was the best with the left main (LM), and worst with the left circumflex (LCX) coronary artery (P < 0.001). The image quality decreased systematically from proximal to distal within each coronary artery (P < 0.001). Forty percent R-R interval triggering on electrocardiography was better than 80% for image quality. The nonassessable segments occurred in 3% of LM, 2%, 8%, and 5% of proximal, 24%, 22%, and 12% of mid, 64%, 45%, and 20% of distal segments of the left anterior descending (LAD), LCX, and right coronary artery (RCA), respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe major limitations of coronary EBA are in suboptimal spatial resolution and image artifacts. The image quality could be improved by using optimal electrocardiographic triggering.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality Control ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

BACKGROUNDThe diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is presently based on non-specific symptoms. However, radionuclide dopamine transporters imaging can provide specific diagnostic tool for Parkinson's disease. This study was designed to investigate the effects of imaging of dopamine transporters with 99mTc-TRODAT-1 in early diagnosis or differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

METHODSNine normal monkeys were used to establish N-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetra-hydropyridine (MPTP) hemi-Parkinsonian animal models, and they were subjected to imaging. Twenty-nine patients with Parkinson's disease, 12 age-matched healthy volunteers, and 18 age-matched patients with Parkinson's syndrome were investigated. Single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) was performed 3 hours after intravenous injection of 740 MBq 99mTc-TRODAT-1. Striatum specific uptake of 99mTc-TRODAT-1 was calculated according to the ratio of striatum (ST) to cerebellum (CB) in dopamine transporters uptake.

RESULTSIn normal monkeys, bilateral ratio of ST/CB was 2.34 +/- 0.41. After the injection of MPTP, uptake rate of 99mTc-TRODAT-1 at damaged region was much lower than that at the contralateral region, resulting in a significant difference in the ratio of ST/CB (right: ST/CB = 1.73 +/- 0.35; left: ST/CB = 1.90 +/- 0.30), especially in hemi-Parkinsonian model monkeys (right: ST/CB = 1.29 +/- 0.17; left: ST/CB = 1.80 +/- 0.33). The ratios of ST/CB were 1.57 +/- 0.17 and 1.61 +/- 0.14 for the right and left respectively in the healthy volunteers, 1.04 +/- 0.29 and 1.06 +/- 0.30 in the age-matched patients with Parkinson's disease, and 1.56 +/- 0.17 and 1.59 +/- 0.18 in the age-matched patients with Parkinson's disease syndrome. A significant difference was noted between group of Parkinson's disease, normal controls and Parkinson's disease syndrome.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that 99mTc-TRODAT-1 dopamine transporters SPECT has clinical application value in early diagnosis or differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; Female ; Haplorhini ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; analysis ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; analysis ; Organotechnetium Compounds ; Parkinson Disease ; diagnosis ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Tropanes