The antigen of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) virus in the infected suckling mouse brains was purified by a combined method—Protamin sulfate sedimentation and sucrose cushion uhracentrifugation. The Purified antigen was labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). A kind of IgM antibody capture ELISA that used HRP—labeled antigen of HFRS Virus, i.e, direct ELISA, was successfully established for the detection of specific IgM antibody in sera from patients with HFRS. Compared with IgM antibody capture ELISA that used HRP—labeled IgG antibody to HFRS virus ,direct ELISA was similar in sensitivity to it,but direct ELISA could completely avoid the interference caused by rheumatoid factor (RF) as well as could reduce one step immune reaction. 87 serum samples from patients with HFRS(diagnosed clinically) in various stages, including 37 from Patients with HFRS in early stage(from 1 to 5 days after the onset of HFRS)were detected by direct ELISA . The positive rates of specific IgM antibody were 96.5% and 91.8%, respectively. We think that direct ELISA that uses HRP—labeled antigen provides a more specific,simpler and faster method for early di—agnosis of HFRS.

Objective To study the histological structures of retinotectal system in zebrafish. Methods The structures of tectum and retina were examined histologically and the total number and diameter of the optic nerve fibers were studied quantitatively. Results The retina includes 10 layers, and the tectum is differentiated into 6 layers. The mean thickness of the tectum is about 219\^7?8\^3?m. The optic nerve of zebrafish has approximately 78?960 myelinated fibers. The mean of the outer diameter (D) of the myelinated fibers was 0\^50?0\^18?m, while the mean of the inner diameter (d) is 0\^35?0\^14?m. Virtually all axons within optic nerves are myelinated.Conclusion\ The results not only accord with the typical pattern of retina and tectum in vertebrates, but also reflect the characteristic of diurnal activity and good vision in zebrafish.\;[

Objective To describe the characteristic MR appearances in hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) during follow-up studies. Methods MR images of 110 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after RFA ,which were categorized into 3 MR examination intervals ( ≤48 h, 1-6 m, ＞6 m), were analyzed retrospectively. The sequential changes of MR images were assessed and compared using Chi-square test. Results All RFA areas of 110 patients typically exhibited hyperintensity on GRE-T1 WI and hypointensity on TSE-T2 WI with fat suppression within 48 h after ablation. Subsequently,the signal intensities of the RFA areas decreased on GRE-T1 WI which showed significant differences after 6 months( P ＜0. 015 ). On GRE-T1 WI , RFA lesions were hyperintense in 72, iso-or hypo-intense in 4 at 1-6 months and hyperintense in 60, iso-or hypo-intense in 17 after 6 months. On TSE-T2 WI, 65 RFA lesions were hypointense, 11 isointense at 1-6 months and 47 were hypointense, 30 isointense after 6 months. The increased intensity on TSE-T2 WI showed significant differences after 6 months( P ＜ 0. 015 ).On contrast-enhanced MR images, RFA lesions showed peripheral rim of enhancement within 48 h and exhibited a tendency to show no enhancement ( n = 37 at 16 months and n = 63 after 6 months ) with significant differences between MR examination intervals( P ＜ 0. 015 ). In 6 patients with residual tumor or local tumor progression, nodular lesions were found at the periphery of the RFA. These nodular lesions showed moderate to marked enhancement as well as hypointense signal on GRE-T1WI, and moderate hyperintense signal on TSE-T2WI. Conclusion MR imaging could depict the characteristics of coagulative necrosis of tumor, residual tumor or local tumor progression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after RFA therapy.

Objective To discuss the diagnostic value of CT and MRI for primary anorectal malignant melanoma(AMM).Methods 5 patients(2 males and 3 females)with AMM confirmed pathologically were analyzed retrospectively,which were examined by CT(n=4)and 1.5T MRI(n=1).Results AMM presented as bulky intraluminal fungating masses without intestinal obstruction(n=4)and irregular rectal wall thickening(n=1).2 cases had perirectal fat infiltration and extended to the presacral space in one case,4 cases had perirectal enlarged lymph nodes and larger than 3 cm in diameter in one case.Nonenhanced CT showed a hypodense lesion and contrast-enhanced CT showed slight enhancement(n=1)and mild enhancement(n=3).The tumor scanned by MRI depicted high intensity on T1WI and low intensity on T2WI,so did the enlarged lymph nodes and bone metastasis.Fat-saturation T1WI significantly improved the extention of tumor and detection of metastasis.Conclusion Bulky intraluminal fungating masses without intestinal obstruction,perirectal fat infiltration and enlarged lymph nodes may be helpful to diagnose AMM.MRI is especially useful in differentiating melanotic AMM from other rectal tumors.

Objective To explore the mechanism of azithromycin (AZM) for inhibiting the proliferation of rat airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs).Methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into the control group,asthma model group and AZM group.The rat model of asthma was established by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and stimulation in vitro.The airway related parameters of rat lung tissue were determined by using the medical image analysis system.Primary passage ASMCs were isolated and cultured using the tissue-sticking method,and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression vector or tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) overexpression vector was transfected into ASMCs in the AZM group.The protein levels of VEGF,NF-κB p65 and TRAF6 were detected by Western blotting,and the proliferation of ASMCs was evaluated by CCK-8 kit.Results AZM significantly inhibited the increase of thickness of total airway wall,thickness of inner airway wall and thickness of airway smooth muscle layer in asthma rats (P<0.05),also significantly inhibited the proliferation of ASMCs in the asthma model group (P<0.05).AZM significantly inhibited the protein expression of VEGF and NF-κB p65 induced by asthma (P<0.05),and the overexpression of VEGF significantly reduced the inhibiting effects of AZM on proliferation of ASMCs (P<0.05).AZM significantly inhibited the high expression of TRAF6 induced by asthma (P<0.05),and the overexpression of TRAF6 significantly reduced the inhibiting effects of AZM on expression of VEGF and NF-κB p65 as well as proliferation of ASMCs (P<0.05).Conclusion AZM can suppress the proliferation of ASMCs,its partial mechanism may be realized through inhibiting TRAF6/NF-κB/VEGF signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity and choroidal thickness,and evaluate the utility of a choroidal thickness measurement in assessing IBD activity.Methods A total of 100 eyes of 50 patients of IBD with different disease activity,including 23 patients of ulcerative colitis,27 patients of Crohn's disease (CD).Ninety-six eyes of 48 healthy volunteers were recruited as control group.Choroidal thickness was measured using enhanced depth imaging(EDI)optical coherence tomography.Results Compared with the subfoveal choroidal thickness (294.37 ± 35.04) μm in healthy volunteers,the subfoveal choroidal thickness (349.28 ± 76.57) μm in UC patients with severe disease activity,the subfoveal choroidal thickness (326.71 ± 59.71) μm and (354.24 ± 66.34) μm,respectively,in CD patients with moderate and severe disease activity were found to be increased significantly (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Choroidal thickness should be considered as a potential marker to assess the disease activity in patients with IBD,especially in patients with CD.

Objective To investigate the FECH gene mutation in a Chinese family with erythropoietic protoporphyria, to explore the relationship between gene mutation and clinical manifestations so as to estab-lish a basis for the genetic diagnosis and treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria. Methods Clinical data on a Chinese family with typical EPP was collected. Peripheral blood was obtained from patients, unaffected individuals in the family and 50 unrelated human controls. Genomic DNA was extracted and PCR was per-formed to amplify the whole coding regions (exons 1 to 11) of FECH gene and their flanking intron sequences followed by direct sequencing to detect possible mutations. Results Based on clinical symptom and por-phyrin levels, a diagnosis of erythropoietic protoporphyria was made in 3 family members. DNA fragments of expected size were amplified by PCR. Gene sequencing revealed a heterozygons mutation (IVS1 + 1G >C) in intron 1 of FECH gene in the proband, his sister and father, but not in unaffected family members or unrelated human controls. Also, an IVS1-23C/T polymorphism associated with low expression alleles was observed in intron 1 of FECH gene of the proband, his sister and mother. Conclusions A novel mutation in the donor splice site of intron 1 of FECH gene is first reported in a Chinese family with EPP; this muta-tion may lead to a deficiency of FECH gene and serve as a molecular basis of development of erythropoietic protoporphyria.

Objective To investigate imaging characteristics of multistep hepatocarcinogenesis in cirrhotic livers on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI).Methods Seventy-three patients with 83 nodules in cirrhotic livers underwent hepatic MR imaging with SWI.Two radiologists reviewed MR images by consensus.Imaging characteristics of dysplastic nodules (DN),DN with malignant foci and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were evaluated.Prussian blue staining was performed for semiquantification of hepatic iron content and above cirrhosis-associated nodules.Results Positive iron staining of background liver parenchyma was found in 69 of 73 patients and 4 HCC patients showed iron-negative staining of background liver parenchyma.Nine DNs appeared as hypointensity or isointensity with pathologically confirmed similar (n =7) or slightly decreased (n =2) iron deposition compared with background liver parenchyma.SWI detected 14 of 15 DNs with malignant foci.Seven patients appeared as homogeneous hyperintensity and 1 patient appeared as heterogeneous hyperintensity due to intratumoral hemorrhages.The remaining 6 patients demonstrated as nodule-in-nodule appearance with iron deposition in all background nodules,iron deposition with grade 1 in one internal HCC foci,and iron-free in 5 internal HCC foci.The remaining 50 patients with hepatic iron deposition had 55 HCC lesions.Three HCC lesions had iron deposition with grade 1 to 2 and the remaining 52 HCC lesions were pathologically iron-resistant.HCC appeared as hyperintensity compared with siderotic surrounding liver parenchyma.However,HCCs with diameter larger than 3 cm usually demonstrated heterogeneous hyperintensity due to intratumoral hemorrhage.Conclusions SWI could accurately demonstrate dynamic iron depletion on multistep hepatocarcinogenesis in cirrhotic livers.On SWI images,DNs appear as hypointensity due to siderosis and malignant nodules appear as hyperintensity due to iron depletion.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the priority application of thin adrenal CT scanning in out-patients with hypertension for early diagnosis of adrenal hypertension.MethodsThe patients with hypertension were collected from January to August 2009,in whom the secondary hypertension ( including endocrine and renal hypertension) and malignant cancers were excluded.All patients accepted the adrenal CT scan firstly,and then the patients with the positive result of morphological abnormalities in the adrenal CT( including adenoma and hyperplasia)were evaluated for endocrine function of adrenal glands.Results A total 362 cases of hypertension were studied,in.cluding 162 males and 200 females.The average age was (60.9 ±9.3 ) year-old,the average duration of hypertension was ( 13.8 ±5.3 ) year.After adrenal thin layer scanner CT scan,35 patients ( 9.6％ ) with adrenal abnormalities were found.Endocrine functional assessments of adrenal glands were carried out among these patients,17 cases (4.7％) with functional lesions were diagnosed,including 14 cases(3.9％ )with primary hyperaldosteronism,2 cases(0.6％ )with Cushing's syndrome,and 1 case ( 0.3％ ) with pheochromocytoma.Conclusion This study revealed that the percentage of adrenal lesions in outpatients with hypertension was 9.6％.The percentage of adrenal hypertension was 4.7％.Thin layer CT scan seems to effectively screen the adrenal hypertension with adrenal lesions,and would be helpful to the diagnosis of endocrine hypertension.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic role of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the smear and culture negative tuberculosis.Methods The tuberculosis suspected patients with spu-tum-negative for three times and with hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy were randomly divided into 2 groups,study group received EBUS-TBNA and bronchoalveolar lavage group(BAL) examination,control group received BAL examination only.Chi-square test was used to compare their diagnostic sensitivity and negative predictive value.Results Totally 82 patients were included this study,40 patients were in control group and 42 in the study group.In the control group,tuberculosis was confumed in only 8 cases by means of bacteriological examination in the BAL fluid,27 were confirmed by the following surgery ordiagnostic treatment of anti-Tuberculosis,and the other 5 cases were diagnosis as other diseases; In the study group,tuberculosis was confirmed in 28 patients through bacteriological and pathological examination,8 were false negative and the other 6 were diagnosis as non-tuberculosis diseases.The diagnostic sensitivity in the study group was significantly higher than that in control group (77.8％ verus 22.9％,x2 =21.4,P ＜ 0.01 ) ; and the negative predictive value in the EBUS-TBNA group was also significantly higher than that in the BAL group (42.9％ VS 15.6％,x2 =3.97,P =0.046).Complications were similar inthese 2 groups,only 1 case of intervention required puncture site bleeding happened in the study group.Conclusion EBUSTBNA has a higher sensitivity and negative predictive value in the diagnosis of smear and culture negative pulmorary tuberculosis patients with hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes.This technique is a safe method with few complications than the traditional BAL examination.It may play an important role in the diagnosis of smear and culture negative tuberculosis patients.