As a new type of carbon nanomaterials, fluorescent carbon dots (fluorescent CDs) have many advantages when compared with the traditional fluorescent probes. They are photoluminescence stable and resistance to photo bleaching. Moreover, they are excellent in biocompatibility, low-toxic and easy to modify. All these above make them a promising optical image material as a probe in optical image. This article reviews structure, the common carbon sources, the preparation methods, and the light-emitting principles of the carbon dots. We also introduce the research progress of fluorescent carbon dots in biomedicine, and the problems need to be resolved in the study of fluorescent CDs.
Carbon ; chemistry ; Fluorescent Dyes ; chemistry ; Nanostructures ; chemistry ; Quantum Dots ; chemistry

Objective To study the clinical value of color Doppler ultrasonography in typing tuberculous epididymitis.Methods The appearances of color Doppler ultrasound and the findings on operation were analysed in 33 patients with tuberculous epididymitis.Results Of the 33 patients,epididymis appeared as diffusely and heterogeneously enlarged lesions with increased flow in 2 cases,appeared as nodular lesions in 13 cases including nodi with echofree space in 3 cases, nodi with high-level echo patches in 3 cases, and low echo-level nodi in 7 cases. Multiple lesions in scrotum were detected in 17 cases, of whom epididymis up to 11 cases appeared as diffusely enlarged heterogeneous lesions with flow increased.The sonographic appearancs of tuberculous epididymitis could be divided into 3 types:diffusion type, nodus type and complicated type. Nodus type included 3 subtypes: purulence type, calcification type, and cheese type.The accuracy rate of ultrsound diagnosis was 87.9%.Conclusions Testis is easy to be involved when epididymitis appears as diffusion type, so surgical treatments should be early.Purulence type and complicated type need surgical treatments while calcification type does not. Antituberculous drug treatments can be tried before surgical treatments in cheese type.Sonography of urinary system is helpful for the diagnosis of asymptomatic tuberculosis in urinary system when tuberculous epididymitis is first suspected on sonography.

Objective: To investigate the effect of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) on fatigue in rats with chronic exercise-induced exhaustion. Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group and a moxibustion group, 10 rats in each group. Except rats in the blank group, the remaining rats were subjected to create long-term exhaustion models by repeated swimming. After successful modeling, rats in the moxibustion group received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) for 15 min, once every other day with a total of 10 times. Rats in the model group and the blank group did not receive moxibustion. At the end of the treatment, the exhausted times, and the body weight of rats before and after the experiment were compared among groups. The levels of blood malondialdehyde (MDA) and urea nitrogen (BUN), as well as the activities of aspartate transarninase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also measured by the automatic biochemical analyzer, 24 h after the exhausting excise. Results: The 10th swimming time was significantly longer in the moxibustion group than that in the model group (P<0.01). The increase rate of the body weight was lower in the rats of the moxibustion group than that in the model group before the 7th and the 10th exhausting excise (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum MDA and BUN, as well as the activities of AST, ALT and LDH in the model group were higher than those in the blank group (all P<0.01). The levels of serum MDA and BUN, as well as the activities of AST, ALT and LDH in the moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) can decrease the serum levels of MDA and BUN, as well as activities of AST, ALT and LDH in the long-term fatigue rats, thus to improve the symptoms of fatigue.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of serum TR(6) for the diagnosis and TNM classification in patients with gastric carcinoma.

METHODSSerum TR(6) levels were measured using ELISA method in 31 gastric cancer patients, 19 patients with nonmalignant conditions and 29 healthy individuals. TR(6) expression in tumor mass was studied with immunohistochemistry. TR(6) gene copy number in tumor tissues was evaluated by real time PCR.

RESULTSNinety-seven point nine percent (47 of 48 cases) of healthy individuals and patients with nonmalignant conditions were serum TR(6)-negative. In contrast, 71% (22 of 31 cases) of gastric cancer patients were serum TR(6)-positive. Serum TR(6) positiveness was closely correlated with tumor differentiation status and TNM classification. TR(6) gene amplification did not occur in gastric carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONSSerum TR(6) levels were correlated significantly with TNM stage and histopathological type of tumor. This can help to determine the pre-operative TNM classification and to choose the optimal extent of lymph node dissection for gastric cancer.

Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; blood ; Neoplasm Staging ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; blood ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 6b ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo design DNA microarray and investigate the molecular anti-tumor mechanism of herbs of traditional Chinese medicine.

METHODcDNA microarrays consisting of 56 probes representing 24 human cell cycle genes were constructed, Four anti-hepatocarcinoma herbs including Radix Linderae, Hebra Artemisiae Annuae, Radix Amebiae, Radix Astragli, were chosen. Effects of herbs on SMMC-7721 cell cycle were observed by flow cytometry assay. Effects of herbs on cell cycle gene expression in SMMC-7721 cells were analyzed by comparing hybridization of Dig-Labeled cDNAs from herb-treated cells and cDNAs from untreated cells.

RESULTExpressions of cell cycle geneswere changed in different degrees after herbs treated. Some genes were down-regulated and some genes were up-regulated. The changes in gene expression agreed with the results of flow cytometry assay.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that these herbs may have effects on cell cycle and DNA damage checkpoint genes which may be the mechanism of the herbs, and DNA microarray can be used to investigate the biological function of extracts of traditional Chinese medicine.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Artemisia ; chemistry ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gene Amplification ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genes, cdc ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lindera ; chemistry ; Lithospermum ; chemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; cdc25 Phosphatases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo develop a with high efficiency and practicality for separating and purifying total steroidal saponins lax china.

METHODUsing adsorption capacity and desorption rate of total steroidal saponins as the primary screening index, surveyed, and the optimized conditions of adsorption and desorption of total steroidal saponins were studied.

RESULTThe adsorption and desorption rate of total steroidal saponins reached 16 mg x mL(-1) and 90% respectively for macroporous resin HPD100 chosen. Macroporous resin HPD100 could be well used in separating and purifying total steroidal saponins from S. china.

Adsorption ; Anion Exchange Resins ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; Smilax ; chemistry ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; methods

OBJECTIVETo discuss the correlation between sonographic appearance of different degrees of acute unilateral testicular ischemia and histological changes of the testis after reperfusion.

METHODSThirty-two male rabbits were equally divided into a control (sham operation) group and 3 ischemia groups. Unilateral testicular ischemia models were established under the color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) observation and allocated according to different degrees of ischemia to Group A (with homogeneous echoes and slightly decreased flow signals), B (with heterogeneous echoes and obviously decreased flow signals) and C (with radial or small-shredded low echoes and absence of flow signals). Then contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) was performed, followed by reperfusion of the ischemic testes. A month later, the histological changes of the testes were observed and the correlation of the histological changes with the sonographic and CEUS manifestations was analyzed.

RESULTSConcerning the CEUS parameters such as the arrival time (AT), reperfusion rate, time-to-peak (TTP), half descent time (DT/2) of the ischemic testes, Groups A and B showed significant differences from the control group (P < 0.05). The peak-base difference (PBD) was significant in Group B (P < 0.05) but not in A (P > 0.05), and no enhancement was seen in Group C. As for Johnson's scores obtained 1 month later, Group A exhibited no significant difference (8.70 +/- 0.39) (P > 0.05), Group B showed significant difference (6.01 +/- 0.88) (P < 0.05), and Group C extremely significant difference (3.16 +/- 1.05) (P< 0.001) from the control group (9.10 +/- 0.11).

CONCLUSIONCEUS is superior to CDU in evaluating the perfusion of testicular ischemia. Sonographic appearances of testicular ischemia are significantly correlated with histological changes of the testis after reperfusion. Ultrasonography helps to predict the spermatogenetic function of ischemic testes after reperfusion.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ischemia ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Male ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Testicular Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Testis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

BACKGROUNDPostoperative pancreatic fistula remains one of the most common and troublesome complications following pancreaticoduodenectomy. No consensus exists regarding the optimal pancreaticojejunostomy reconstruction technique to reduce this complication. We aimed to perform a systematic review comparing two commonly used techniques of pancreaticojejunostomy reconstruction (duct-to-mucosa versus invagination), by meta-analysis and assessment of evidence quality.

METHODSDatabases searched including The Cochrane Library, Medline, PubMed, Embase, etc. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing duct-to-mucosa and invagination pancreaticojejunostomy were included. Outcomes of interest were pancreatic fistula rate, mortality, morbidity, reoperation and hospital stay. Pooled estimates were expressed as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference.

RESULTSFrom 321 identified abstracts, four RCTs (467 patients; duct-to-mucosa: 232; invagination: 235) were included. Pancreatic fistula rate (RR, 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24-2.28; P = 0.60), mortality (RR, 1.18; 95% CI: 0.39- 3.54; P = 0.77), morbidity (RR, 0.91; 95% CI: 0.69-1.21; P = 0.53), reoperation (RR, 1.09; 95% CI: 0.54-2.22; P = 0.81) and hospital stay (mean difference, -1.78; 95% CI: -4.60-1.04; P = 0.22) were similar between techniques.

CONCLUSIONSDuct-to-mucosa and invagination pancreaticojejunostomy are comparable with regards to assessed parameters. High-quality, large-volume, multi-center RCTs with standard outcome definitions are required.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; methods ; Pancreaticojejunostomy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of sentinel lymph nodes in gastric cancer, and evaluate clinicopathologic characteristics leading its metastasis.

METHODSThe location of metastatic lymph nodes was analyzed retrospectively in 27 patients of gastric carcinoma with solitary lymph node metastases, and in 80 cases metastasis was limited to only 1 station in Japanese nodal classification. The clinicopathologic characteristics of the patients with solitary lymph node metastases and 111 cases without lymph node metastases were compared.

RESULTSTwenty-five in 27 cases with solitary lymph node metastases were limited in level I. Skip metastasis occurred in 2 cases. Sentinel lymph nodes of 16 cases in 21 patients with the tumors in the lower and middle third stomach were located in less curvature (No. 3) and in greater curvature (No. 4). Sentinel lymph nodes of 3 cases in 6 patients in the upper third stomach were located in right cardia (No. 1). Multivariate analysis showed that the frequency of sentinel lymph node metastasis of pT(3) lesion was significantly higher than that of pT(1) lesion with an odds ratio of 4.926 (P < 0.01). The frequency of sentinel lymph node metastasis in the tumor located in the upper third stomach was significantly higher than that in lower third stomach, with an odds ratio of 4.381 (P < 0.05). Early gastric cancer had lower risk for sentinel lymph node metastasis than that in Borrmann type I cancer, with an odds ratio of 0.082 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMajority of sentinel lymph nodes are located in the regional perigastric lymph node groups close to the tumor. Skip metastasis is rare. Depth of invasion and location of tumor are correlated with sentinel lymph node metastasis. Sentinel lymph node assessment can instruct to determine extent of lymph node dissection for gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo discuss the correlation of ultrasonographic grading of varicocele (VC) with the changes of seminal parameters after varicocelectomy.

METHODSA total of 129 cases of VC were diagnosed by scrotal color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) and graded into 3 groups: VC I, VC II and VC III, according to three different grading indexes: the regurgitant volume of pampiniform plexus veins (PPV), the maximum diameter of PPV and the combination of the regurgitant volume and the maximum diameter of PPV. All the patients underwent high ligation of the spermatic vein and semen analysis was performed before and after varicocelectomy according to the WHO guidelines.

RESULTSWith the maximum diameter of PPV as the grading index, there were statistically significant differences in the seminal parameters of VC III (P < 0.05) but not in those of VC I and VC II (P > 0.05) before and after varicocelectomy, while based on the regurgitant volume of PPV or the combination of the regurgitant volume and the maximum diameter of PPV, the differences were insignificant in VC I (P > 0.05), significant in VC II (P < 0.05) and extremely significant in VC III (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found in the rate of sperm abnormality among the 3 groups after varicocelectomy (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDifferent grading indexes influence the changes of seminal parameters after varicocelectomy. The regurgitant volume of PPV and the combination of the regurgitant volume and the maximum diameter of PPV are more reasonable and reliable as the grading indexes of VC. Different grades of VC respond differently to varicocelectomy. Whether VC I necessitates varicocelectomy needs to be further investigated.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; cytology ; physiology ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods ; Varicocele ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery