A fast microscopic image mosaicing method is proposed in this paper by making a study of the mosaic methods and the characteristics of microscopic images. In the paper, invariant local features based on normalized moment of inertia (NMI) are used to select the matching points and calculate the spatial translation. The experimental results demonstrate that this algorithm can achieve fast, effective microscopic image mosaicing.
Algorithms ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Photomicrography ; methods

Objective : To investigate the willingness to receive HIV testing in primary health service institutions (PHSIs) among young students in Wuhan City, so as to provide the evidence for improving the detection of HIV testing among young students. Methods: Fifteen PHSIs were sampled using a stratified random sampling method in 14 districts of Wuhan City, and school students at ages of 15 to 24 years were sampled from each district using a convenience sampling method. Participants' demographics, awareness of AIDS-related knowledge, HIV testing and willingness to receive HIV testing were collected using questionnaires, and factors affecting the willingness to receive HIV testing in PHSIs were identified among school students using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results : A total of 301 questionnaires were allocated, and 299 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 99.34%. The respondents included 143 men (47.83%) and 156 women (52.17%), and had a mean age of (19.36±2.40) years; there were 223 respondents with an educational level of diploma and above (74.58%). The awareness of AIDS-related knowledge was 71.57% among the respondents, and 144 respondents had received AIDS-related health education in PHSIs (48.16%). There were 34 respondents that had received HIV testing (11.37%) and 203 respondents that were willing to receive HIV testing in PHSIs (67.89%). The respondents that were unwilling to receive HIV testing in PHSIs were mainly attributed to considering to be unlikely to get HIV infections (82.29%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that school students who knew AIDS-related knowledge (OR=2.797, 95%CI: 1.583-4.941), knew free HIV counseling and testing services in PHSIs (OR=2.070, 95%CI: 1.123-3.814), and had received AIDS-related health education in PHSIs (OR=2.814, 95%CI: 1.573-5.032) were more willing to receive HIV testing in PHSIs. Conclusions There were 67.89% of school students that were willing to receive HIV testing in PHSIs in Wuhan City, and the willingness to receive HIV testing was correlated with the awareness of risk of HIV infections, and awareness and experience of AIDS control services in PHSIs.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate two commercial anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgM kits used for differential diagnosis of acute enteric viral hepatitis.

METHODSThe kit for IgM capture assay, was produced with a recombinant HEV structural protein protecting primates against experimental infection by different HEV genotypes, while the other kit for indirect ELISA was produced with recombinant structural proteins from different HEV genotypes. The serum specimens were taken from 241 cases with a confirmed or presumptive diagnosis of hepatitis A and 74 cases with a confirmed or presumptive diagnosis of hepatitis E.

RESULTSThe sensitivity and specificity of the IgM capture assay kit were 97% and 100%, respectively, and the corresponding values for the other kit were 70% and 78%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe IgM capture assay kit has higher sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing acute enteric viral hepatitis E.

Diagnosis, Differential ; Hepatitis E ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; immunology ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Glucose Intolerance ; epidemiology ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; complications ; Prevalence ; Rural Health ; Sampling Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Health

Objective To study the mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-mediated alleviation of pulmonary alveolitis in mice exposed to silica dust. Methods Thirty mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:control group, and two silica groups with or without BMSCs transplantation.Through the tracheal tube clearance, mice in control group received a single injection 20.0 μL of 0.90% sodium chloride solution by one time.Mice from in silica group and silica/BMSCs transplantation group first received a single injection of 20.0 μL silica dust suspension (mass concentration 250 g/L); followed by either 500.0 μL of 0.90% sodium chloride solution or by 500.0 μL of BMSCs suspension (cell density 1×10⁹/L) through tail vein infusion 6 hours later.Mice were euthanized on the 3th day of the experiments.The levels of NALP3 inflammasome in lungs was determined by Western blot.Transwell system was used for co-culture of BMDM (in upper-chamber) and BMSC (in lower-chamber) co-culture.The level of cytokines IL-1β in BMDM cultural supernatant was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay after stimulated by SiO₂ stimulation.The levels of NALP3 inflammasome of in BMDM was determined by Western blot. Results The levels of pro-IL-1β, IL-1β, pro-caspase-1, caspase-1 in lungs of silica/BMSCs transplantation group were lower than that in silica group (P < 0.01).In the experiment in vitro, the concentrations of IL-1β in SiO₂ exposed BMSC/BMDM co-culture group were lower than the SiO₂ exposure only groups (P < 0.05).Meanwhile, the levels of pro-IL-1β, IL-1β, pro-caspase-1, caspase-1 in BMDM was lower than that in silica group (P < 0.01).The level of these proteins didn′t change while when the cell-free supernatant of BMSC culture was directly added. Conclusion The BMSC could inhibit NALP3 inflammasome of macrophages stimulated by SiO₂.

OBJECTIVETo establish a detection method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for concentrations of volatile nitrosamine compounds in urine, and apply it to the test of real samples.

METHODSTarget compounds dichloromethane in urine samples was extracted with dichloromethane through liquid-liquid extraction, then the dichloromethane extract was filtrated, evaporated with nitrogen at 40°C to dryness, and the volume was set with 0.2 ml dichloromethane. Analysis of nine volatile nitroso-compounds were performed with GC-MS under selected ion monitoring mode, external reference method was used for quantification, and the detection limit, repeatability and sensitivity were evaluated. In addition, nine volatile nitroso-compounds of 92 urine samples in a town of Anhui province were measured.

RESULTSA good linear range of 2 - 200 ng/ml (with correlation coefficient 0.9985 - 0.9999) were obtained for the above mentioned nine kinds of analyte, and the lowest examination concentration was 0.05 - 0.50 ng/ml. The addition standard recoveries were 68%-102% with the RSD of 0.4% - 5.5% (n = 3). The detection limits were 0.001 - 0.013 ng/ml urine. The detection rate of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosomethylethylamine (NMEA), N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine (NDPA), N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR), N-nitrosomorpholine (NMOR), N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP), N-nitrosodi-n-butylamine (NDBA) and N-nitrosodiphenylamine (NDPhA) were 71% (65), 74% (68), 65% (60), 80% (73), 92% (85), 78% (72), 76% (70), 87% (80), 98% (90), respectively, with the results (0.27 ± 0.12), (0.75 ± 0.29), (0.06 ± 0.02), (0.16 ± 0.07), (23.66 ± 5.18), (1.01 ± 0.35), (0.38 ± 0.11), (2.47 ± 0.52) and (15.13 ± 3.48) nmol/g creatinine.

CONCLUSIONSA gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detect method was developed for low level volatile nitrosamines in urine samples.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Humans ; Nitrosamines ; urine ; Urinalysis ; methods ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; urine

BACKGROUNDThe genome of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) includes sequences encoding the putative protein X4 (ORF8, ORF7a), consisting of 122 amino acids. The deduced sequence contains a probable cleaved signal peptide sequence and a C-terminal transmembrane helix, indicating that protein X4 is likely to be a type I membrane protein. This study was conducted to demonstrate whether the protein X4 was expressed and its essential function in the process of SARS-CoV infection.

METHODSThe prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein X4-expressing plasmids were constructed. Recombinant soluble protein X4 was purified from E. coli using ion exchange chromatography, and the preparation was injected into chicken for rising specific polyclonal antibodies. The expression of protein X4 in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells and lung tissues from patients with SARS was performed using immunofluorescence assay and immunohistochemistry technique. The preliminary function of protein X4 was evaluated by treatment with and over-expression of protein X4 in cell lines. Western blot was employed to evaluate the expression of protein X4 in SARS-CoV particles.

RESULTSWe expressed and purified soluble recombinant protein X4 from E.coli, and generated specific antibodies against protein X4. Western blot proved that the protein X4 was not assembled in the SARS-CoV particles. Indirect immunofluorescence assays revealed that the expression of protein X4 was detected at 8 hours after infection in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells. It was also detected in the lung tissues from patients with SARS. Treatment with and overexpression of protein X4 inhibited the growth of Balb/c 3T3 cells as determined by cell counting and MTT assays.

CONCLUSIONThe results provide the evidence of protein X4 expression following SARS-CoV infection, and may facilitate further investigation of the immunopathological mechanism of SARS.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; BALB 3T3 Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Growth Inhibitors ; analysis ; physiology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; chemistry ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; SARS Virus ; chemistry ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; metabolism ; Vero Cells ; Viral Structural Proteins ; analysis ; physiology

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively analyze the relationship between three dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) and dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) in ischemic stroke patients. Thirty patients with ischemic stroke were included in this study. All subjects underwent routine magnetic resonance imaging scanning, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), 3D-ASL and DSC-PWI on a 3.0T MR scanner. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on the cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps (derived from ASL) and multi-parametric DSC perfusion maps, and then, the absolute and relative values of ASL-CBF, DSC-derived CBF, and DSC-derived mean transit time (MTT) were calculated. The relationships between ASL and DSC parameters were analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis. Receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curves were performed to define the thresholds of relative value of ASL-CBF (rASL) that could best predict DSC-CBF reduction and MTT prolongation. Relative ASL better correlated with CBF and MTT in the anterior circulation with the Pearson correlation coefficients (R) values being 0.611 (P<0.001) and-0.610 (P<0.001) respectively. ROC curves demonstrated that when rASL ≤0.585, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for predicting ROIs with rCBF<0.9 were 92.3%, 63.6% and 76.6% respectively. When rASL ≤0.952, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for predicting ROIs rMTT>1.0 were 75.7%, 89.2% and 87.8% respectively. ASL-CBF map has better linear correlations with DSC-derived parameters (DSC-CBF and MTT) in anterior circulation in ischemic stroke patients. Additionally, when rASL is lower than 0.585, it could predict DSC-CBF decrease with moderate accuracy. If rASL values range from 0.585 to 0.952, we just speculate the prolonged MTT.
Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDLaparoscopic resection (LAP) for small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is not as common as for stomach. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LAP for small bowel GISTs with systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODSThe Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed databases before December 2016 were comprehensively searched to retrieve comparative trials of LAP and conventional open resection (OPEN) for GISTs of small bowel with a relevance of review object. These researches reported intraoperative and postoperative clinical course (operation time, blood loss, time to first flatus and oral intake, hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality), oncologic outcomes, and long-term survival status.

RESULTSSix studies involving 391 patients were identified. Compared to OPEN, LAP had associated with a shorter operation time (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -27.97 min, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -49.40--6.54, P < 0.01); less intraoperative blood loss (WMD = -0.72 ml; 95% CI: -1.30--0.13, P = 0.02); earlier time to flatus (WMD = -0.83 day; 95% CI: -1.44--0.22, P < 0.01); earlier time to restart oral intake (WMD = -1.95 days; 95% CI: -3.31--0.60, P < 0.01); shorter hospital stay (WMD = -3.00 days; 95% CI: -4.87--1.13, P < 0.01); and a decrease in overall complications (risk ratio = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.33-0.97, P = 0.04). In addition, the tumor recurrence and long-term survival rate showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups of patients.

CONCLUSIONSLAP for small bowel GISTs is a safe and feasible procedure with shorter operation time, less blood loss, less overall complications, and quicker recovery. Besides, tumor recurrence and the long-term survival rate are similar to open approach. Because of the limitations of this study, methodologically high-quality studies are needed for certain appraisal.

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications