OBJECTIVETo design and improve signal processing algorithms of ophthalmic ultrasonography based on FPGA.

METHODSAchieved three signal processing modules: full parallel distributed dynamic filter, digital quadrature demodulation, logarithmic compression, using Verilog HDL hardware language in Quartus II.

RESULTSCompared to the original system, the hardware cost is reduced, the whole image shows clearer and more information of the deep eyeball contained in the image, the depth of detection increases from 5 cm to 6 cm.

CONCLUSIONThe new algorithms meet the design requirements and achieve the system's optimization that they can effectively improve the image quality of existing equipment.

Algorithms ; Data Compression ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Ophthalmology ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Ultrasonography

Objective To estimate time of gauze swabs left in abdomen with comparison of the number of foreign body giant cells,theirs nuclei and the proportion of type Ⅰ collagenous fibers to type Ⅲ and argentaffin fibers in different times.Methods F344 rat models dependent 2,8,30,120 days were established by gauze swab fixed in the abdomen,and were studied on gauze swab wrapped by greater omentum,the number of foreign body giant cells and theirs nuclei by HE staining,and the proportion of type Ⅰ collagenous fibers to type Ⅲ and argentaffin fibers by sirius red and silver staining respectively.The results were analyzed by image analysis system.Results The results showed that number of foreign body giant cells,theirs nuclei and the proportion of type Ⅰ collagenous fibers to type Ⅲ and argentaffin fibers increased gradually(P<0.01)followed the time delayed.The Proportion of type Ⅰ collagenous fibers to argentaffin fibersis Power Function of Days of guaze swab left in rat abdomen(r=0.972).Conclusion The number of foreign body giant cells,theirs nuclei and the proportion of type Ⅰ collagenous fibers to type Ⅲ and argentaffin fibers contribute to the estimation of foreign body(eg.gauze swab)left in abdomen.

AIM:To establish and characterize the patient-derived esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma xeno-graft (PDECX) in mice.METHODS:The samples of human esophageal cancer were grafted into severe combined immu-nodeficient ( SCID) mice.The xenografts were transferred to SCID mice when the first passage of xenografts grew up .The growth of tumors in the first, second and third passages was observed .HE staining was performed.The expression of CK5/6, p63 and p40 in the patient samples , and the first and third passages of the xenografts were detected by immunohisto-chemical analysis.The expression of mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K, p-p70S6K, Akt1, p-Akt (Ser473), Erk1/2 and p-Erk1/2 were determined by Western blot .RESULTS:The PDECX was successfully established .The positive expression of CK5/6, p63 and p40 in the xenografts was consistent with that in the patients ’ samples.The levels of phosphorylated and total proteins of proliferation-related signaling pathways were different in the xenografts from different patients .CONCLU-SION:The PDECX model adequately reflects the tumal heterogeneity that is observed in the patients .

Objective : To investigate the factors affecting concurrent sarcopenia among patients with cardiovascular diseases, so as to provide insights into early identification and prevention of cardiovascular diseases complicated with sarcopenia. Methods: A total of 250 inpatients with cardiovascular diseases in the Sixth Division Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps were recruited and divided into the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups according to the diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia. Subjects' basic characteristics, body mass index, blood biochemical indicators and human body composition parameters were collected using questionnaire surveys, and factors affecting concurrent sarcopenia among patients with cardiovascular diseases using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Among the 250 patients with cardiovascular diseases, there were 149 males (59.60%) and 101 females (40.40%). The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 8.40% among the study subjects. The mean age and body mass index were (75.19±9.74) and (20.77±2.19) kg/m2 in the sarcopenia group and (65.24±11.50) years and (25.85±2.87) kg/m2 in the non-sarcopenia group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age (OR=1.115, 95%CI: 1.030-1.207) and body mass index (OR=0.582, 95%CI: 0.445-0.761) were as factors affecting concurrent sarcopenia among patients with cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion Advanced age and low body mass index may increase the risk of concurrent sarcopenia among patients with cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the method of array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) in identifying unbalanced chromosome aberrations.

METHODSFour cases that could not be diagnosed by conventional cytogenetic technique were selected to undergo array-CGH analysis. DNA samples were extracted and hybridized with the Affymetrix SNP 6.0 arrays using Human Mapping SNP6.0 assay kit following the manufacturer's standard protocol. The data were analyzed by two professional software packages, GCOS and Genotyping Console.

RESULTSBy using array-CGH technique, all the four cases were diagnosed precisely through identifying two duplications and two complex derivative chromosomes.

CONCLUSIONArray-CGH is an effective method for whole-genome identification of unbalanced chromosomal aberrations with high sensitivity and specificity. It has a great value to investigate the correlations between genotype and phenotype in clinical service, especially in prenatal diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cells ; cytology ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; methods ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Young Adult

Objective:To compare the prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy outcome of increased nuchal translucency (NT) with or without nuchal cystic hygroma (CH) in fetuses with first-trimester NT ≥5 mm.Methods:Data from 131 fetuses with NT ≥5 mm who received invasive prenatal diagnosis at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from July 2017 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Those with a septum in the cyst were grouped as NT with CH group ( n=57), and those without as increased NT without CH group ( n=74). Genetic test results, incidence of structural malformations, survival rate after birth were compared using Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test and non-parametric test. Results:There was no significant difference in the incidence of fetal genetic abnormalities[67.6%(50/74) vs 61.4%(35/57), χ 2=0.54, P=0.464], ultrasonic structural malformations [21.6%(16/74) vs 33.3%(19/57), χ 2=2.26, P=0.133], or in the survival rate (12/14 vs 3/8, P=0.053) between increased NT without CH group and NT with CH group. Conclusions:For increased NT with or without CH, although the two groups had different spectrum of disease, they had a high incidence of chromosomal abnormalities and structural malformations, and both groups had a certain healthy survival rate after birth.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become an increasingly important health challenge, with a substantial rise linked to changing lifestyles and global obesity. Ursolic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, has been explored for its potential therapeutic effects. Given its multifunctional bioactive properties, this research further revealed the pharmacological mechanisms of ursolic acid on MASLD. Methods: Drug target chips and bioinformatics analysis were combined in this study to explore the potential therapeutic effects of ursolic acid on MASLD. Molecular docking simulations, surface plasmon resonance analyses, pull-down experiments, and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to verify the direct interactions. Gene knockdown mice were generated, and high-fat diets were used to validate drug efficacy. Furthermore, initial CD4+ T cells were isolated and stimulated to demonstrate our findings. Results: In this study, the multifunctional extracellular matrix phosphorylated glycoprotein secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) was investigated, highlighting its capability to induce Th17 cell differentiation, amplifying inflammatory cascades, and subsequently promoting the evolution of MASLD. In addition, this study revealed that in addition to the canonical TGF-β/IL-6 cytokine pathway, SPP1 can directly interact with ITGB1 and CD44, orchestrating Th17 cell differentiation via their joint downstream ERK signaling pathway. Remarkably, ursolic acid intervention notably suppressed the protein activity of SPP1, suggesting a promising avenue for ameliorating the immunoinflammatory trajectory in MASLD progression. Conclusions Ursolic acid could improve immune inflammation in MASLD by modulating SPP1-mediated Th17 cell differentiation via the ERK signaling pathway, which is orchestrated jointly by ITGB1 and CD44, emerging as a linchpin in this molecular cascade.