Background As a main cellular component of retinal microvascular,retinal vascular endothelial cells (RVECs) play critical roles in the occurrence and development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) by proliferating,migrating and angiogenesis.Apolipoprotein A-Ⅰ (ApoA-Ⅰ) is the major apolipoprotein of high density lipoprotein.ApoA-Ⅰ is overexpressed in the retina of diabetic patients and plays different effects on RVECs upon different microenvironments,but its relationship with RVECs in high glucose environment is still not elucidated.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of ApoA-Ⅰ on proliferation,migration,tubulogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in human RVECs (hRVECs) in high glucose environment.Methods hRVECs were cultured with DMEM containing 10％ fetal bovine serum and passaged,and the cells at generation 3 to 6 were used in the study.The cells were divided into low-glucose group,low-glucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group,high-glucose group and high-glucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group,and the low concentration glucose (5 mmol/L),high contration glucose (25 mmol/L)and ApoA-Ⅰ (30 μg/ml) was added separately according to grouping.The proliferation and migration rate of the cells were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and scratch wound test respectively.The tubulogenesis of the cells was examined by tube formation test.The mRNA and protein expression of VEGF in the cells was detected by using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot.Results The prolifative value (absorbancy) and migration rate of the cells in the high-glucose group were significantly higher than those in the low-glucose group,and those in the high-glucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group were significantly reduced in comparion with the high-glucose group (A value:P =0.001,0.033;migration rate:P =0.001,0.010).The number of tubes in the low-glucose group,low-glucose+ ApoA-Ⅰ group,high-glucose group and high-glucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group was 7.250±2.217,9.250±2.630,19.000± 3.916 and 11.500±3.697,showing a significant difference among the groups (F=10.335,P=0.001).The number of tubes in the high-glucose group was more than that in the low-glucose group,and the number of tubes in the highglucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group was less that that in the high-glucose group (P=0.001,0.037).The relative expression levels of VEGF mRNA were 0.944 ± 0.083,1.117 ± 0.204,1.768 ± 0.164 and 1.301 ± 0.077,and those of V EGF protein were 1.000±0.130,1.217±0.152,1.871 ±0.101 and 1.609±0.087 in the low-glucose group,low-glucose+ ApoA-Ⅰ group,high-glucose group and high-glucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group,respectively,with significant differences among the groups (mRNA:F =18.640,P =0.001;protein:F =10.335,P =0.001),and the expressions of VEGF mRNA and protein in the high-glucose group were significantly higher than those in the low-glucose group and high glucose+ ApoA-Ⅰ group (mRNA:P=0.000,0.004;protein:P=0.000,0.029).Conclusions ApoA-Ⅰ plays inhibitory effects on the proliferation,migration and tubulogenesis of hRVECs in high glucose environment,which may be associated with the downregulation of VEGF expression.

BACKGROUND:Based on the integration of virtual reality technology with acupoints, acupuncture can be expressed three-dimensional y.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the structure of points through reconstructing digitalized three-dimensional visualization of Neiguan (PC6) structure based on VOXEL-MAN and Micro-XCT.
METHODS:Muscles and other tissues adjacent with Neiguan (PC6) were segmented and merged based on the VOXEL-MAN system combined with the anatomical knowledge of acupoints;nerves and blood vessels were performed with three-dimensional reconstruction;the needle-inserting animation of Neiguan (PC6) was obtained by running script file. Three-dimensional visualization and virtual needle-inserting researches of Neiguan (PC6) were performed. Nature of the acupoints was detected by the Micro-XCT-200 machine additional y.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The visualization of the anatomical structure of local Neiguan (PC6) was completed, and the localization and expression of Neiguan (PC6) in the digitized virtual human were realized. The Neiguan (PC6) structure was researched with Micro-XCT-200, and showed there was no new tissue. Local three-dimensional reconstruction of the acupoint structure could help to display the anatomical structure of acupoints and simulate the acupuncture process. It could also help to observe the relationship between the needle body and the surrounding tissues during needle-inserting, which supplying a good basis not only for exploring the security of needle-inserting, but also for improving the clinical effect of acupuncture. The research on the structure of acupoint Neiguan (PC6) by Micro-XCT-200 provides further experimental evidence for the hypothesis of three-dimensional acupoint.

Objective To evaluate the effect of digital subtraction angiography and transcatheter embolization for gastrointestinal hemorrhage.Methods Twenty patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage received celiac arteries,superior mesenteric arteries and inferior mesenteric arteries angiography. Superselective angiography were performed when the arteries were suspicious by clinic or angiogrraphy.Ten patients with definite diagnosis and manifestation of hemorrhagic arteries by angiography were embolized after superseleetive catheterization with gelfoam particles,gelfoam particles and coils,polyvinyl alcohol particles. Results The positive signs were observed in 13 cases.The DSA features including contrast medium accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract outside vascular,aneurysm,tumorous vascularization and staining, artery affect and local vasospasm.The bleedings were stopped immediately in 8 patients.No rebleeding and intestinal ischaemia or necrosis were observed in 30 days.One patient died in the second day after embolization from multiple organ failure.Rebleeding occurred 3 days after embolization in another patient, and was recovered after surgical operation.Conclusion DSA is more effective for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal vascular malformation and tumors complicating acute bleeding.Transcatheter embolization is effective and safe to control the hemorrhage.

This paper describes a web service for biomedical image mosaicing. A web site based on CGI (Common Gateway Interface) is implemented. The system is based on Browser/Server model and is tested in www. Finally implementation examples and experiment results are provided.
Internet ; standards ; Programming Languages ; Radiology Information Systems ; Software

BackgroundWith the increasing prevalence of dry eye and the continuous improvement of living standards,the problem of dry eye more and more get the attention of people.At present,China still lacks the large population-based epidemiological data of dry eye. Objective To investigate the prevalence and possible risk factors of dry eye in a community of Huidong County of population aged 14 and over.Methods From September 2010 to January 2011,using questionnaires and examination of dry eye related,2800 people were selected randomly for cross-sectional survey.Those suspected as dry eye were examed by the SchirmerⅠtest ( S Ⅱ T),tear-film breakup time(BUT),corneal fluorescein staining(F1).Results In the 2475 questionnaire effectively,154 persons were diagnosed as dry eye,and the prevalence rate of dry eye was 6.22％,8.06％in females,4.14％in males.The prevalence rate increases with age.The S Ⅰ T and BUT decreased with increasing age.S Ⅰ T and BUT in females are less than males.Foreign body sensation is the primary complaints of patients.Logistic analysis showed that the most common risk factors in dry eye are age and gender.The system disease and eye diseases,eye fatigue and long exposure to dust are also main determinants.ConclusionsThe population prevalence rate of dry eye increased with age,the prevalence rate of dry eye in females is higher than that in males.The key factors associated with dry eye are age,gender,systemic disease and eye diseases,occupation,working environment.

Objective To measure the concentration of serum transthyretin (TTR) of patients with different stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR).Methods A total of 176 patients with diabetes mellitus were included in this study.There were 104 males and 72 females.The patients aged from 21 to 74 years,with the mean age of(56± 11) years.The diabetes duration raged from 1 to 30 years,with the mean diabetes duration of (10 ± 7) years.The HbA 1C was 5.2％-14.1％,with the mean HbA 1C of (8.6 ± 2.0)％.According to the fundus examination,58 patients had DR (33.0％),but the other 118 patients not (67.0％).For these DR patients,10 patients were in stage Ⅰ (5.7％),26 patients in stage Ⅱ (14.8％),8 patients in stage Ⅲ (4.5％),and 14 patients in stage Ⅳ (8.0％).The concentration of serum TTR was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay kit.The differences in the concentration of serum TTR between different DR stages were compared.Bivariate analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of TTR.Results The concentrations of serum TTR of the patients without DR or with DR of stage Ⅰ to Ⅳ were (224.96±65.47),(383.68± 102.99),(247.44±63.21),(228.2 ± 45.89),(189.34± 70.12) mg/L,respectively.The difference between different DR stages was statistically significant (F=14.690,P＜ 0.001).Bivariate analysis showed that the concentration of TTR was correlation to DR (r=0.179,P=0.017).There was no correlation between the concentration of TTR and diabetes duration (r=-0.027,P=0.727),hypertension (r=0.018,P=0.810),hyperlipoidemia (r=0.101,P=0.182),and the use of insulin (r=-0.032,P=0.675).Conclusion The concentration of serum TTR was increased in early DR patients,and gradually decreased with the progression of DR.The concentration of TTR is correlated to DR.

Objective To demonstrate the diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)characteristics of multiple sclerosis(MS)plaques,periplaque white matter regions and normal appearing white matter (NAWM)regions in patients with MS,and to evaluate the clinical values of DTI and three-dimensional brain fiber tracking for the diagnosis of MS.Methods Conventional MRI and DTI were performed in 32 patients with MS and 32 age-matched control subjects.Fractional anisotropy(FA)and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)maps were generated and coregistered with T_2-weighted MR images,FA and ADC values were calculated in regions of interest in plaques,periplaque white matter regions,NAWM regions and white matter regions in control subjects.And three-dimensional brain fiber tracking maps were generated by using the DTI.Results TheADCwas(1.233?0.119)?10~(-3)mm~2/s in MS plaques,(0.973?0.098)?10~(-3) mm~2/s in periplaque white matter regions,(0.748?0.089)?10~(-3)mm~2/s in NAWM,and(0.620? 0.094)?10~(-3)mm~2/s in control subjects.The FA was 0.225?0.052 in MS plaques,0.311?0.050 in perip]aque white matter regions,0.421?0.070 in NAWM,and 0.476?0.069 in control subjects. Significant differences in FA and ADC values were observed among all white matter regions(P

Objective Application of the second metatarpophalangeal joint by traction prolong trans- plant repair the defects in the metacarpophalangeal joint,reconstruct the function of it.Methods By means of the apparatus to prolong finger in advance,then transplant the second metatarpophalangeal joint to recon- struct metacarpophalangeal joint for seven cases of obsolete defects in the metacarpophalangeal joint.Results The average of finger prolong was 2.6 cm,consultation from 1 to 4 years.average 2.5 years,thai the trans- plant joints have all survived and osteal concrescence.Through the criterion Chinese Medical Association,good rate was 85.7%. Conclusion It' s a good method to repair obsolete defects in the metacarpophalangeal joint by transplant traction prolong of the second metatarpophalangeal joint.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of niacin on HDL-induced cholesterol efflux and LXRalpha expression in adipocytes from hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

METHODSTwelve rabbits fed with high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks were randomly divided into two groups: (1) high cholesterol group (n = 6): maintained high cholesterol diet for 6 weeks; (2) niacin group (n = 6): the same cholesterol diet plus niacin (0.2 g . kg(-1). d(-1)) for 6 weeks. Control group (n = 6) was fed with normal diet for 14 weeks. Subcutaneous adipose was collected for adipocyte culture. RT-PCR was used to evaluate adipocytes LXRalpha mRNA expressions. Cholesterol efflux rate was determined through measuring release of radioactivity from 3H-cholesterol prelabeled cells into medium containing HDL. The direct effect of niacin on LXRalpha and PPARgamma mRNA expression in primary rabbit adipocytes was assayed.

RESULTSHigh cholesterol diet resulted in decreased LXRalpha mRNA expressions and reduced cholesterol efflux rate in adipocytes. Six weeks of niacin treatment significantly enhanced the cholesterol efflux from adipocytes, which was related to the increased mRNA expressions of LXRalpha (r = 0.71, P < 0.05). In vitro study, niacin dose-dependently stimulated LXRalpha and PPARgamma mRNA expression in cultured adipocytes and there were positive correlations between various doses of niacin-induced cholesterol efflux and LXRalpha and PPARgamma mRNA expression (r = 0.83 P < 0.01, r = 0.76 P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONLXRalpha and PPARgamma might play an important role in cholesterol efflux from adipocytes. Niacin can up-regulate LXRalpha and PPARgamma mRNA expressions and promote the cholesterol efflux in adipocytes from hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Adipocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypercholesterolemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Liver X Receptors ; Male ; Niacin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Orphan Nuclear Receptors ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the anatomic structure of Huantiao (GB 30) visually, to imitate the inserting process of the needle to explore the safty of needle insertion and improve the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in clinic.

METHODSCombined with anatomic structure of acupoint, muscles and other tissues related with Huantiao (GB 30) were interactively segmented in VOXEL-MAN with the computer graphics technology. Nerves and blood vessels were reconstructed by establishing mathematic model, and the needle-inserting animation of Huantiso (GB 30) was obtained by running script file.

RESULTSThe three-dimensional (3-D) visualization of Huantiao (GB 30) on needle-inserting animation was accomplished, the spatial location and expression of Huantiao (GB 30) in the digitized virtual human body were observed, the virtual inserting process was imitated realistically, and the 3-D animation of needle insertion at Huantiao (GB 30) was created.

CONCLUSIONBuilding mathematic model is favorable for expressing the anatomic structure of Huantiao (GB 30) in 3-D space, imitating the process of needle insertion realistically and observing the spatial structure of the point and the around tissues, which can provide a solid foundation for the safety of needle insertion of acupoints and improve therapeutic effect of acupuncture in clinic.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Computer Graphics ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional