Objective To investigate the clinical value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) associated with patient-based low dose of contrast medium protocol in carotid CTA. Methods One hundred and twenty patients who were suspected with stenotic carotid artery or carotid plaque were prospectively enrolled in the study. All of them were divide into two groups by random number table. Group A (routine group): 60 were scanned with 120 kVp after the administration of moderate-concentration CM(320 mg/ml) with 5 ml/s injection velocity, Group B (low dose group):60 were scanned with GSI which was reconstructed using 50%ASiR after the administration of the same CM with 3 ml/s injection velocity. The contrast dose [(test bolus peak time +2 s – 5 s) × injection velocity] was calculated. Images of the two groups were compared in terms of arterial attenuation, signal-noise-ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and subjective image quality (IQ) score. The value of CT dose index volume (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP) and effective dose (ED) was recorded, respectively. Data were analyzed by using independent samples t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Results The mean attenuation, noise, SNR, CNR, subjective image quality score, contrast dose, CTDIvol, DLP and ED of routine group was (363 ± 56)HU, (13 ± 4)HU, 30 ± 10, 38±13, 3.0 score, (69 ± 13) ml, 13.61 mGy,527 mGy · cm and 3.11 mSv, respectively. The above variables of low-dose-group was (378 ± 69) HU, (9 ± 4)HU, 48 ± 19, 62 ± 24, 2.0 score,(49 ± 7)ml, 12.72 mGy, 478 mGy · cm and 2.82 mSv, respectively. The mean attenuation and subjective IQ score of carotid artery had no significant differences statistically between two groups (P>0.05), respectively. The noise, SNR, CNR, contrast dose, CTDIvol, DLP and ED had significant differences statistically between two groups (P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion Compared with 120 kVp protocol, the use of GSI associated with patient-based low dose of contrast medium protocol in carotid CTA could provide equivalent image quality and higher SNR and CNR of carotid artery with a smaller amount of iodine and a lower radiation dose.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of sevoflurane on the brain against focal ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury and its mechanism.Methods Twenty-four male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly allocated into 3 groups(n=8 each):group Ⅰ sham operation;grouop Ⅱ I/R and group Ⅲ I/R + sevoflurane.The rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate 300 mg?kg~(-1).Middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)was produced by insertion of a 4-0 mono-filament nylon thread with rounded tip at bifurcation of right common carotid artery into internal carotid artery.The nylon thread was advanced cranially until resistance was felt.The depth of insertion was 18-20 mm.After 3 h MCAO the thread was withdrawn to allow reperfusion.In group Ⅲ the animals inhaled 1.0 MAC sevoflurane for 30 min at 30 min before reperfusion.The rectal temperature of the animals was kept at 36.5-37.5℃.At the end of 24 h reperfusion the animals were weighed again.The animals'neurological deficit was evaluated using Zea Longa score(0=no defcit,4=unable to walk and unconscious).The animals were then killed.The neuronal apoptosis in striatum was assessed(TUNEL)and the PKC protein expression in striatum was determined by immunocyto-chemistry.Results The body weight of the animals in I/R group was significantly reduced after 24h reperfusion as compared to the body weight before ischemia (P＜0.01),while in control group and sevoflurane group there was no significant difference in the body weight before and after sham operation or I/R.The neurological deficit scores were significantly higher in I/R group than in sevoflurane group.The number of apoptotic neurons in striatum was significantly higher in I/R group than in sevoflurane group.The PKC expression in striatum was significantly higher in sevoflurane group than in I/R group (P＜0.01).Conclusion 1.0 MAC sevoflurane inhalation has protective effect on the brain against I/R injury. Upregulation of PKC expression in striatum decreased by I/R is involved in the mechanism.

Objective To investigate pulmonary infect flora distribution characteristics of stroke patients with tracheotomy in Intensive care unit (ICU) and analyze the risk factors.Methods A total of 792 cases of ICU stroke patients was selected,including 426 cases of tracheotomy patients,and 366 cases of non-tracheotomy patients.The incidence of lung infections was compared.Bacteriological examination was used for tracheotomy bacteriological studies for lung infected stroke patients with tracheotomy.Bacteria infection's characteristics was observed.The risk factors were analyzed.Results (1) The tracheotomy patient 's lung infection rate was 23.00％,higher than 9.56％ of the non-tracheotomy patients,the difference was statistically significant (X2 =19.125,P ＜0.05);(2) For lung infection-occurred patients with tracheotomy of ICU,gram-negative bacteria infection rate was 63.97％,significantly higher than 19.85％ of gram-positive bacteria and 16.18％ of fungi,the difference was statistically significant (x2 =18.255,17.042,P ＜ 0.01);(3) Lung infection rate of ICU stroke tracheotomy patients with unconscious,dysphagia,hospitalization time ＞ 14 d,blood glucose levels ≥≥7.8 mmol/L,and based diseases was significantly higher than that of patients with conscious,non-dysphagia,hospitalization time ≤＜14 d,blood sugar level ＜7.8 mmol/L,and no based diseases (P ＜ 0.05);(4) Consciousness,dysphagia,hospitalization,blood sugar levels,and the underlying disease were the independent risk factors of lung infection in ICU stroke tracheotomy patients (OR1 =11.528,OR2 =8.046,OR3 =15.174,OR4 =7.795,ORs =10.784,P ＜0.05).Conclusions Gram-negative bacteria is the main reason for pulmonary infections in ICU stroke tracheotomypatients patients with stroke.State of consciousness,invasive treatment,hospitalization,blood sugar levels,and the underlying disease are the independent risk factors.

OBJECTIVE:To study the stability of omeprazole sodium solution for injection under the influence of metal ion calcium and magnesium.METHODS:HPLC was adopted to determine the variation of the content of omeprazole sodium solution acted by metal ion calcium and magnesium of different concentrations in different time.The change in colour and luster was also observed.RESULTS:Omeprazole sodium solution tended to disintegrate rapidly along with the prolonging of time,and increase with the increasing of concentration;when Mg2+ was added,change in color was seen,with no degradation substance produced;when Ca2+was added,change in color was also seen,with white deposit produced.CONCLUSION:Ca2+ and Mg2+ show significant influence on the stability of omeprazole sodium solution.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the quinoline derivative PQ1 combined with cisplatin on the proliferation and gap junction communication of prostate cancer PC3 cells.

METHODSWe cultured in vitro prostate cancer PC3 cells and divided them into DMSO blank control, cisplatin control, and cisplatin (10 mg/ml) plus PQ1 (1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 μmol/L) groups. We measured the proliferation of the prostate cancer PC3 cells, determined the expressions of the connexin 43 (Cx43) mRNA and protein by RT-PCR and Western blot, and compared the indexes among different groups.

RESULTSCisplatin combined with PQl at 1 - 10 μmol/L significantly inhibited the proliferation of the PC3 cells and the inhibition rate rose in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, from (48.72 ± 0.98)% vs (50.33 ± 0.62)% at 0 μmol/L to (77.38 ± 1.12)% vs (83.50 ± 1.05)% at 15 μmol/L at 24 and 48 hours (P < 0.05). Compared with the cisplatin control, cisplatin combined with PQ1 at 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 μmol/L increased the expression of Cx43 mRNA from 0.379 ± 0.113 to 0.669 ± 0.031, 0.831 ± 0. 127, 0.769 ± 0.100, 0.532 ± 0.086, and 0.475 ± 0.134, respectively (P < 0.05), and cisplatin combined with PQ1 at 1, 2, 5, and 10 μmol/L elevated that of Cx43 protein from 0.138 ± 0.146 to 0.263 ± 0.111, 0.306 ± 0.152, 0.415 ± 0.280, and 0.643 ± 0.310, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe quinoline derivative PQ1 can promote the gap junction communication of prostate cancer PC3 cells and enhance the killing effect of cisplatin on PC3 cells by upregulating the expressions of Cx43 mRNA and protein.

Aminoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Connexin 43 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Time Factors

RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) belong to pattern recognition receptors, which perform significant roles in antiviral responses. RLRs can initiate a cascade of signaling transduction that induces the production of type I interferon and activates the interferon signaling pathway, ultimately resulting in antiviral responses. In the course of evolution, viruses have been constantly counteracting host immune systems to facilitate their own survival and replication, and have developed a set of antagonistic strategies. These mainly comprise elusion, disguise and attack strategies to eliminate the activation of RLRs. In virus-infected cells, RLRs recognize viral RNA and then induce antiviral responses. A better understanding of viral antagonistic strategies against RLRs will provide insights into the development of new antiviral medicines. This mini-review concludes that there are three main antagonistic strategies by which RNA viruses can counteract the activation of the RLRs pathway. It aims to provide references and insights for similar studies on viral antagonism in an array of RNA viruses.
DEAD Box Protein 58 ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; genetics ; immunology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; RNA Viruses ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; RNA, Double-Stranded ; genetics ; immunology ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; Virus Diseases ; genetics ; immunology ; virology

Objective To evaluate the effect of point-of-care hemoglobin/hematocrit (POC HGB/HCT) devices and intraoperative blood salvage on the amount of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion and blood conservation in clinical practice.Methods A total of 46 378 medical records of 22 selected hospitals were reviewed. The volume of allogeneic red blood cell and plasma, number of patients transfused, number of intraoperative autologous blood salvage, total volume of autologous blood transfusion, and amount of surgery in the year of 2011 and 2013 were tracked. Paired t-test was used in intra-group comparison, while t-test of two isolated samples carried out in inter-group comparison. P<0.05 was defined as statistically significant difference.Results In the hospitals where POC HGB/HCT device was used (n=9), the average allogeneic blood transfusion volume per 100 surgical cases in 2013 was significantly lower than that in 2011 (39.86±20.20 vs. 30.49±17.50 Units, t=3.522, P=0.008). In the hospitals without POC HGB/HCT meter, the index was not significantly different between 2013 and 2011. The average allogeneic blood transfusion volume was significantly reduced in 2013 than in 2011 in the hospitals where intraoperative autologous blood salvage ratio [autologous transfusion volume/(autologous transfusion volume+allogeneic transfusion volume)] was increased (n=12, t=2.290, P=0.042). No significant difference of the above index was found in the hospitals whose autologous transfusion ratio did not grow.Conclusion Intraoperative usage of POC HGB/HCT devices and increasing autologous transfusion ratio could reduce perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion.

Objective To study the effect of single chain variable fragment (ScFv) antibody to EC3-4 fragment of desmoglein (Dsg) 3 in a mouse model of pemphigus vulgaris.Methods The ScFv an- tibody to EC3-4 fragment of Dsg-3 was injected subcutaneously into neonatal BALB/c mice at different time points;the mice were then evaluated clinically,histopathologically and by direct immunoflorescence exami- nation for the development of lesions.Results When injected alone,the ScFv antibody did not induce the appearance of key clinical features of pemphigus vulgaris.The antibody also did not prevent the develop- ment of pemphigus vulgaris features induced by sera of patients with pemphigus vulgaris,regardless of the time point of injection of ScFv antibody.Conclusion The ScFv antibody to EC3-4 fragment of Dsg-3 lacks pathogenicity in neonatal BALB/c mice,and also could not inhibit the development of lesions induced by sera from patients with pemphigus vulgaris.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide(rhBNP)on ventricular remodeling and ventricular systolic synchrony in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods: A total of 48 patients with AMI after PCI were randomized into two groups: rhBNP Group (n=25) and Routine treatment Group (n=23).Two dimension echocardiography was used to measure the index of left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDVI), the index of left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESVI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the index of left ventricular mass (LVMI), the movement index of infarcted regional wall (RWMI) at 1 week, 4 weeks and 24 weeks after the treatment procedure.And at 1 week and 24 weeks period, equilibrium radionuclide angiography was performed respectively to evaluate the ventricular systolic synchrony.Results: ①1 week after PCI, LVESVI in rhBNP group was decreased and LVEF was increased than that in Routine treatment group (P<0.05, respectively).4 and 24 weeks after PCI, LVEDVI, LVESVI, LVEF were significantly different in rhBNP group than those in Routine treatment group (P<0.05,respectively).24 weeks after PCI, RWMI and LVMI were significantly decreased in rhBNP group than those in Routine treatment group(P<0.05,respectively).②24 weeks after PCI, phase shift, full width at half maximum and peak phase standard deviation were significantly improved in rhBNP group than those in Routine treatment group (P<0.05, respectively).Conclusion: Intravenous injection of rhBNP could inhibit left ventricular remodeling and improve left ventricular function.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of Saussurea involucrate injection in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in rats.Methods A total of 80 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups:SAP group (three hours、48 hours),Saussurea involucrate treated group (three hours、48 hours),ulinastatin control group (three hours、48 hours) and sham operation group (three hours、48 hours),10 rats in each group.After modeling,the rats of SAP group were regularly feeded and the rats of other three group were treated with Saussurea involucrate injection (1.04 mL/kg) intraperitoneal injection,ulinastatin 10 000 U/L tail vein injection,and saline femoral vein injection,respectively and injected every 12 hours.At three hours and 48 hours after treated,blood and pancreatic tissue samples were obtained.The mortality rate,serum amylase level and pathological changes of the pancreas of each group were observed.Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α),interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 levels were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in pancreatic tissues was determined by chemical colorimetry.The level of TNF-α mRNA,IL 6 mRNA and IL-10 mRNA in pancreatic tissues were measured with reverse trascription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The activity of nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) in the pancreatic tissue was tested by immunohistochemistry.Single factor analysis of variance was used to compare multiple groups,and the least significant difference (LSD) method was used in the multiple comparisons between groups.Fisher's exact probability method was performed for rates comparison.Results At 48 hours,there was no statistically significant difference in mortality rate among Saussurea involucrate treated group,SAP group and ulinastatin groups (all P＞0.05).At 48 hours,the histopathology score (8.13 ± 0.64),levels of serum amylase ((2 597.0±214.0) U/L),TNF-α ((254.4±11.6) ng/L),IL-6 ((441.4±14.6) ng/L),levels of pancreatic tissues MDA ((311.0±10.6) mmol/L),TNF-α mRNA(2.04±0.08),IL-6 mRNA (1.77±0.04)and activity of NF-κB p65 ((25.90±2.90)％) of Saussurea involucrate treated group were all lower than those of SAP group (11.40±0.89,(4 780.0±101.0) U/L,(396.0±7.4) ng/L,(664.4± 7.6) ng/L,(418.0± 10.6) mmol/L,2.94±0.03,2.63±0.08 and (51.60±5.27) ％;however level of serum IL-10 ((133.5±6.9) ng/L vs (95.1±5.2) ng/L) and IL-10 mRNA of the pancreatic tissue (1.38±0.06 vs 0.85±0.03) significantly increased (F=253.07、441.63、489.40、2 465.00、196.65、477.89、562.79、131.70、560.18、570.04,all P＜0.01).There was no significant differences in all above parameters between Saussurea involucrate treated group and ulinastatin groups (7.56±0.88,(2 607.0±239.0) U/L,(252.2 ±9.2) ng/L,(443.4±9.6) ng/L,(308.4±9.2) mmol/L,2.10±0.12,1.74±0.04,(26.00±3.67)％,(134.5±7.8) ng/L and 1.42±0.06) at 48 hours (all P＞0.05).Conclusion Saussurea involucrate injection can eliminate oxygen free radicals and prevent to xidation,inhibit NF-κB activation,regulate synthesis and release of cytokines,and alleviate pancreatic injury in SAP rats,but it can not decrease mortality.