【Objective】 To investigate the effects of different temperature on ¹⁸F-fluoro-deoxyglucose(¹⁸F-FDG) uptake in brown adipose tissue(BAT) of tumor mice with use of Micro-PET/CT imaging. 【Methods】 After fasted for 8 h, all the four BALB/c breast cancer model mice were successively exposed to 3 different temperature together at 30℃, 25℃ and 20℃ respectively. Under each exposure, the mice were injected intravenously with ¹⁸F-FDG and 45 min later imaged by micro PET/CT. Then the images were reviewed and the maximum standardized uptake values(SUVmax) of BAT in the deep neck and scapula were measured. 【Results】 At the temperature of 30 ℃, 25 ℃ and 20 ℃, the SUVmax of ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in BAT were 0.63±0.16, 1.29±0.17 and 2.21±0.11, respectively; in tumor tissues 2.36±0.11, 1.85±0.10 and 1.51±0.17, respectively; in brain tissues 2.35±0.19, 2.34±0.14 and 2.38±0.11, respectively. 【Conclusion】 At room temperature(20℃), the metabolism in BAT is significantly enhanced, the metabolism in tumor tissues is induced. When temperature increases to 25℃ or 30℃, the uptake in non-specific areas such as brown fat in mice is significantly reduced or eliminated, and the metabolism in tumor tissues is enhanced. Temperature has significant effects on ¹⁸F-FDG uptake of BAT in mice and temperature control can help better ¹⁸F-FDG Micro-PET/CT imaging for tumor mice.

Background: Right upper lobectomy (RUL) for lung cancer with different dissecting orders involves the most vari-able anatomical structures, but no studies have analyzed its effects on postoperative recovery. This study compared the conventional surgical approach, VAB (dissecting pulmonary vessels first, followed by the bronchus), and the alter-native surgical approach, aBVA (dissecting the posterior ascending arterial branch first, followed by the bronchus and vessels) on improving surgical feasibility and postoperative recovery for lung cancer patients. Methods: According to the surgical approach, consecutive lung cancer patients undergoing RUL were grouped into aBVA and VAB cohorts. Their clinical, pathologic, and perioperative characteristics were collected to compare periop-erative outcomes. Results: Three hundred one patients were selected (109 in the aBVA cohort and 192 in the VAB cohort). The mean operation time was shorter in the aBVA cohort than in the VAB cohort (164 vs. 221 min, P < 0.001), and less blood loss occurred in the aBVA cohort (92 vs. 141 mL, P < 0.001). The rate of conversion to thoracotomy was lower in the aBVA cohort than in the VAB cohort (0% vs. 11.5%, P < 0.001). The mean duration of postoperative chest drainage was shorter in the aBVA cohort than in the VAB cohort (3.6 vs. 4.5 days, P = 0.001). The rates of postoperative complica-tions were comparable (P = 0.629). The median overall survival was not arrived in both cohorts (P > 0.05). The median disease-free survival was comparable for all patients in the two cohorts (not arrived vs. 41.97 months) and for patients with disease recurrences (13.25 vs. 9.44 months) (both P > 0.05). The recurrence models in two cohorts were also comparable for patients with local recurrences (6.4% vs. 7.8%), distant metastases (10.1% vs. 8.3%), and both (1.8% vs. 1.6%) (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: Dissecting the right upper bronchus before turning over the lobe repeatedly and dissecting veins via the aBVA approach during RUL would promote surgical feasibility and achieve comparable postoperative recovery for lung cancer patients.

OBJECTIVETo develop a 96-microwell plate DNA diagnostic chip for simultaneous detection of 9 major foodborne bacteria.

METHODSType-specific PCR primers labeled with biotin and oligonucleotide probes were designed according to the conservative genes of 9 major foodborne bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7 (Stx1 and Stx2), Shigella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. A one-tube multiplex PCR system for simultaneous amplification of these bacteria was established, and the DNA probes were spotted and immobilized in the wells of the plate in 5x5 array format. Stable hybridization system between PCR products and oligonucleotide probes in the microwell was established after condition optimization. Alkaline phosphatase-conjugated streptavidin and NBT/BCIP were used to detect the hybridized PCR products.

RESULTSTwenty standard bacteria strains were used to validate the 96 microwell plate DNA diagnostic chip and highly specific and stable experiment results were obtained. Using this chip assay, the causal pathogen Staphylococcus aureus was identified within 12 h after the sampling from an incident of food poisoning, and the result was consistent with that obtained using conventional bacterial culture and biochemical identification.

CONCLUSIONThe novel 96 microwell plate DNA diagnostic chip allows rapid, accurate, automated and high-throughput bacterial detection and is especially valuable for quick response to such public health emergencies as food poisoning.

Bacteria ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Food Microbiology ; methods ; Foodborne Diseases ; microbiology ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods

Objective To investigate mitochondrial oxidative stress on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in cardiac sarcolemma and mitochondria after application of hypoxia postconditioning and free radical scavengers.Methods Primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to 3 h hypoxia ( H ) followed by ( 1 ) 6 h of reoxygenation (R) (H/R),(2) 3 intermittent cycles of 5 min H and R before 6 h of R (PC),(3) application of superoxide dismutase (SOD) before PC ( SOD +PC),(4) application of catalase (CAT) before PC ( CAT + PC ),and (5) application of SOD plus CAT before PC (SOD + CAT + PC ).Cardiac sarcnlemma and mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation.Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected with fluorescent probes ( DCFHDA) and cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected with flow cytometry.The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in cardiac sarcolemma and mitochoncria were measured by Western blot.Results Mitochondrial ROS reduced significantly in PC,SOD + PC,CAT + PC and especially in SOD + CAT + PC groups ( all P ＜0.01 ).The number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes reduced significantly in PC,SOD + PC and CAT + PC ( all P ＜0.01 ) but not in SOD + CAT + PC groups.Bcl-2 levels increased while Bax levels decreased in cardiac sarcolemma and mitochondria in PC,SOD + PC and CAT + PC groups (all P＜0.01 ),Bcl-2 levels decreased and Bax levels increased in H/R and PC + SOD + CAT groups ( all P ＜0.01 ).Conclusions PC attenuated H/R induced ROS and cardiomyocyte apoptosis,which might be mediated by upregulating the expression of Bcl-2 and downregulating the Bax in mitochondria and sarcolemma:SOD or CAT alone did not but SOD plus CAT attenuate the anti-apoptotic effect of hypoxia postconditioning:mitochondrial ROS thus plays an important role in PC's cardioprotection.

Aim To investigate the effect of Exendin4 on proliferation, migration, adhesion and senescence of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in type I diabetic mice and its possible mechanism. Methods EPCs from 6-month diabetic mice were isolated and cultured by density gradient centrifugation. Cells were treated with different concentrations of Exendin-4 (1, 5, 10, 25 μmol · L

OBJECTIVETo study the morphological features of the lungs obtained from autopsies of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients.

METHODSBilateral lungs from 7 patients died from SARS were carefully studied grossly and microscopically. All tissues from these cases were routinely processed and carefully studied.

RESULTSAll lungs from these cases were extremely expanded and became solid. Microscopically, the edema and fibrin exudates in the alveoli was the most common findings, especially in the early phase of the disease. The hyaline membrane was almost always present in the lungs of these cases. The organization of intra-alveolar fibrin exudates along with the interstitial fibrosis led to obliteration of alveoli and consolidation of lungs. The desquamation and hyperplasia of alveolar lining cells was also apparent. Foci of haemorrhage and lobular pneumonia, even diffuse fungal infection were frequently seen in these specimens. Micro-thrombus were easily found in these lungs.

CONCLUSIONSThe lung of SARS from autopsy is characterized by edema, intra-alveolar fibrin exudates, hyaline membrane formation, organization of intra-alveolar exudates and fibrosis, which lead to the obliteration of alveoli and consolidation of lungs.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; pathology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; pathology

OBJECTIVESeven cases of autopsy from SARS patients are studied to investigate the pathogenesis and the pathologic changes of the major organs.

METHODSDetailed gross and microscopic examination of the autopsy specimen is performed, including lung, heart, liver, kidney, spleen and lymph nodes.

RESULTSAll of the lungs are markedly enlarged and consolidated. Microscopically, pulmonary edema is a prominent finding, especially at the early stage of the disease (5 days after the onset). The alveolar spaces are filled with fibrinous exudates and lined with hyaline membrane. In 5 cases that undergo over 3 weeks of the course, the main pattern is organization of intra-alveolar deposit, along with fibroblastic proliferation in the alveolar septa, which leads to obliteration of alveolar space and pulmonary fibrosis. All of the lungs show bronchopneumonia, scattered hemorrhage, and proliferation of alveolar epithelial cells with desquamation. Microthrombi are seen in 6 cases. Fungal infection is noted in 2 cases. One of them is disseminative, involving bilateral lungs, heart, and kidney; the other one is diagnosed in hilar lymph nodes. In immune system, hilar and abdominal lymph nodes are usually congested and hemorrhagic, with depletion of lymphocytes, and accompanied with subcapsular sinus histiocytosis. One of the cases shows enlargement of abdominal lymph nodes, which have reduced number of germinal centers. Spleen exhibits atrophy of white pulps, and even lost of white pulps in some areas. The red pulp is markedly congested and hemorrhagic. In 5 cases, cardiomegale is prominent. Thrombosis (2 cases), focal myocarditis (1 case), and fungal myocarditis (1 case) are observed. In addition, liver shows massive necrosis (1 case) and nodular cirrhosis (1 case).

CONCLUSIONSLung is the major organ affected by SARS, demonstrated as diffuse alveolar damage. It is postulated that viral infection induces severe damage of alveolar epithelial and capillary endothelial cells, leads to pulmonary edema, intra-alveolar fibrin deposit, and hyaline membrane formation. Consequently, intra-alveolar organization and alveolar septal fibrosis causes loss of alveolar spaces, eventually, pulmonary fibrosis and atelectasis. The immune system is often affected, and presented as depletion of lymphoid tissue in lymph nodes and spleen. Secondary infection is a common complication, which should be paid close attention in the management of SARS patients.

Adrenal Glands ; pathology ; Adult ; Autopsy ; Bone Marrow ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Liver ; pathology ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; pathology ; Spleen ; pathology

Background:Clinical outcomes of undifferentiated arthritis (UA) are diverse,and only 40 ％ of patients with UA develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after 3 years.Discovering predictive markers at disease onset for further intervention is critical.Therefore,our objective was to analyze the clinical outcomes of UA and ascertain the predictors for RA development.Methods:We performed a prospective,multi-center study from January 2013 to October 2016 among Chinese patients diagnosed with UA in 22 tertiary-care hospitals.Clinical and serological parameters were obtained at recruitment.Follow-up was undertaken in all patients every 12 weeks for 2 years.Predictive factors of disease progression were identified using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression.Results:A total of 234 patients were recruited in this study,and 17 (7.3％) patients failed to follow up during the study.Among the 217 patients who completed the study,83 (38.2％) patients went into remission.UA patients who developed RA had a higher rheumatoid factor (RF)-positivity (42.9％ vs.16.8％,x2=8.228,P=0.008),anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodypositivity (66.7％ vs.10.7％,x2 =43.897,P ＜ 0.001),and double-positivity rate of RF and anti-CCP antibody (38.1％ vs.4.1％,x2 =32.131,P ＜ 0.001) than those who did not.Anti-CCP antibody but not RF was an independent predictor for RA development (hazard ratio 18.017,95％ confidence interval:5.803-55.938;P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion:As an independent predictor of RA,anti-CCP antibody should be tested at disease onset in all patients with UA.

Thirteen steroids(1-13) were isolated from the non-alkaloid constituents of Uncaria rhynchophylla by column chromatography on silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by analyses of the MS and NMR spectral data. All the compounds were isolated from the genus Uncaria for the first time, and 1 was a new compound. The ~1H-NMR and ~(13)C-NMR data of two compounds(12 and 13) in deuteron-chloroform were completely assigned. This study enriched the steroid constituents of U. rhynchophylla and provided scientific references for the elucidation of active constituents and further development and utilization of U. rhynchophylla.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Steroids ; Uncaria/chemistry*