Objective To find an efficient and practical reconstruction algorithm for the fluorescence molecular tomography basing on total leastsquares rule as well as the normalized conjugate gradient method.Methods The finite element method was used to get the weighting matrix from the forward diffusion model.For the inverse reconstruction problem,the total least-squares rule was employed.The normalized conjugate gradient method was applied to find the fluorochrome information in the objective area.Results The simulation experiments showed that images reconstructed by the total least-squares rule were more accurate than those reconstructed by the least-squares rule under the same circumstances when noise existed.The presented algorithm could also give consistent results when the initial guesses varied in a wide range.Conclusion The algorithm presented in this paper offers a practical and efficient reconstruction for the fluorescence molecular tomography.

Inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (ID1) has an aberrantly high expression in multiple cancer tissues, including colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and so on, which is closely related to cancer aggressiveness and poor clinical outcomes in cancer patients. It has been reported that ID1 maintains colorectal cancer cells (CRCs) stemness traits and contributes to the CRC drug resistance. While, the biological molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this research, we found that ID1 upregulates octamer binding transcription factor (OCT4) protein level as well as OCT4 signaling pathway via Western blot, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), dual-luciferase reporter assay, and real-time PCR. Through the in vitro sphere formation assay, we found that overexpression of OCT4 reverses the inhibitory effect of knocking down ID1 on CRC sphere formation ability. With the help of JASPAR and GEPIA database, we predicted a novel transcriptional repressor—forkhead box D3 (FOXD3) of OCT4. Finally, by using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), confocal and real-time PCR, we demonstrated that ID1 interacts with FOXD3 to inhibit its transcriptional repression activity and therefore to upregulate OCT4 transcription and OCT4 signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study provides a new theoretical basis for the regulation mechanism of colon cancer stem cells, and the newly found protein-protein interaction of ID1-FOXD3 provides a potential drug target for the therapy of CRC.

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) film was prepared for the determination of heroin. The sensor was prepared by re-modifying the molecular imprinting membrane onto the Ru ( bpy ) 2+3 modified glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence behavior of the sensor was investigated. The proposed sensor displayed high sensitivity and excellent selectivity for the target molecule heroin. Under the optimum conditions (0. 1 mol/ L PBS (pH 7. 0) at a scan rates of 100 mV/ s and incubation time of 5 min), a linear response was observed with the concentrations of heroin from 1. 0 × 10-14 mol/ L to 1. 0 ×10-10 mol/ L and the detection limit was 4. 0 × 10-15 mol/ L. The sensor was successfully applied to the determination of heroin in urineand saliva samples with the recoveries from 97% to 104% .

Objective To explore the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal rats.Methods Eighty full-term Sprague-Dawley rats within 12 hours after birth were randomly divided into control group,hyperoxia group,sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) + hyperoxia group (NaHS 90 μmol/kg injected intraperitoneally) and propargylglycine (PPG) +hyperoxia group (PPG 50 mg/kg injected intraperitoneally).Except for the control group,the other three groups were exposed to 95％ O2 for seven days.Pulmonary histopathology was observed after HE staining,numeration of leukocyte and albumin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were processed by optical microscope and Lowry methods.The plasma H2S concentration,activity of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) and contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in lung tissues were also detected.Analysis of variance and LSD-t test were used for statistics.Results (1) Compared with the control group,alveolar hemorrhage,interstitial edema,inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the hyperoxia group.The number of white blood cells,neutrophils and albumin content in BALF increased in the hyperoxia group [(130.2± 15.3) × 107/L vs (15.1 ±2.5) × 107/L; (64.6± 12.4) × 107/L vs (2.1 ±0.5) × 107/L; (934.6± 106.4) mg/L vs (254.3±50.7) mg/L,respectively.LSD-t=-14.65,5.78 and 2.97,all P＜0.01],but the plasma H2S concentration and the activity of CSE in lung tissue decreased [(112.6± 20.4) μmol/Lvs (182.3±15.7) μ mol/L,LSD-t=-9.90; (3.4±0.4) μmol/ (min·g) vs (6.8± 1.4) μ mol/ (min · g),LSD-t=-4.59; both P＜0.01].However,the contents of MDA increased [(1.7± 0.3) nmol/ml vs (0.9±0.1) nmol/ml,LSD-t=3.03,P＜0.01].(2) Compared with the hyperoxia group,inflammatory exudation and structural disorder of lung tissue were alleviated in the NaHS+hyperoxia group.White blood cells [(56.3± 11.6) × 107/L],neutrophils [(34.8±7.8) × 107/L] and albumin content [(753.8± 89.6) mg/L] in BALF decreased significantly (LSD-t=-9.66,-11.81 and-5.78,P＜0.01).The plasma H2S concentration [(235.7±32.7) μ mol/L] and the activity ofCSE [(5.8± 1.1) μ mol/(min · g)] increased significantly (LSD-t=11.34 and 5.98,P＜0.01) in the NaHS+hyperoxia group.(3) Compared with the hyperoxia group,inflammatory exudation and structural disorder of lung tissue were more severe in PPG+ hyperoxia group.White blood cells,neutrophils and albumin content in BALF increased significantly (LSD-t=5.52,6.37 and 8.23,P＜0.01),the plasma H2S concentration and the activity of CSE decreased (LSD-t=-4.29 and-3.97,P＜0.01),the contents of MDA increased (LSD-t=3.02,P＜0.01).Conclusions H2S is involved in the pathophysiological process of hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal rats.Exogenous H2S can alleviate the pulmonary injury by inhibiting inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress.

Objective To explore the relationship between KISS-1 gene and metastasis of bladder carcinoma,and to study the effect of the stable expression of KISS-1 gene on the invasion of bladder carcinoma cell line T24.Methods Fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of KISS-1 mRNA in primary bladder carcinoma without metastasis and primary bladder carcinoma with metastasis.Recombinant vector pIRES2-AKS-1 was constructed and transfected into T24 cells.Single clone of stably transfected cells was screened,and the changes in the invasive ability of T24 cells was detected after transfection.Results The expression level of KISS-1 mRNA in primary bladder carcinoma with metastasis was significantly lower than that in primary bladder carcinoma without metastasis(P＜0.05).The expression of KISS-1 protein in the single clone of stably transfected cells increased significantly,and the invasive ability significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion KISS-1 gene is correlated with the metastasis of bladder carcinoma,and the up-regulated expression of KISS-1 gene can inhibite the invasiveness of T24 cell line.

Cancer has become clear that not merely gene variations but also epigenetic modifications may contribute to it. Epigenetic changes refer to stable alterations in gene expression with unrelated to changes in the underlying genetic sequence,resulting in heritable. DNA methylation is one of the common epigenetic changes. It control the gene expression through changing DNA conformation and stability, chromatin structer, DNA-protein interaction. The reversal of dysregulated DNA methylation has emerged as a potential strategy for the treatment of thyroid carcinoma. The artical will provide an overview of how DNA methylation contribute to thyroid carcinoma dissemination,invasion and metastasis and we will summarize the latest epigenetic therapies for thyroid carcinoma.
Chromatin ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of thymoma for myasthenia gravis.Methods Between July 2005 and February 2006,10 patients with thymoma were enrolled in this study.After double lumen intubation,video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of the thymus and thymoma was performed on the patients under total intravenous anesthesia.The largest tumor in this series was 6 cm ? 4 cm ? 3 cm.For a three-trocar technique,three incisions with a length of 1,3,or 1.5 cm were made respectively at the fifth intercostal space on the midaxillary line,fourth intercostal space on the middle between the anterior axillary line and midclavicular line,and sixth intercostal space on the anterior axillary line.During the operation,to expose the ipsilateral thymus and part of the contralateral thymus,the mediastinal pleura was cut along the internal thoracic artery,and superior vena cava or phrenic nerve.The thymus was then separated,and the thymic vein was dissected along the brachiocephalic vein and ligated.All the patients received radiotherapy after the operation with a dose of 4000 cGy.Results The operation time ranged from 70 to 130 minutes(mean,110 minutes)and the blood loss was less than 100 ml in all the cases.After the operation,7 patients presented Masaoka stage Ⅰ and 3 were at stage Ⅱ.No patient died or had cardiopulmonary complications or myasthenia crisis.The symptoms of myasthenia gravis were relieved in 1 week.The patients were followed up for 8 to 15 months(mean 13.0 months).During the period,none of them developed recurrence,metastasis,or aggravation of the myasthenia gravis.Conclusions It is feasible to resect stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ thymoma by video-assisted thoracoscopy.The procedure is minimal invasive with a few postoperative complications and good cosmetic outcomes.

Matrine is an effective natural product isolated from the traditional herb,Sophora flavescens,with wide range of pharmacological and clinical effects and treating as the treatment for chronic viral hepatitis in clinic.Currently,the mainstream clinical preparations of matrine involved injections,tablets,capsules and suppositories,while preparations under development included targeting preparations,sustained-release preparations and transdermal drug delivery preparations.Admittedly,It can significantly improve the biological utilization of matrine through the optimization of its clinical preparations for with scientific researches and the development of new dosage forms.While the clinical applications will be expanded and the clinical efficacy of the preparations of matrine enhanced with the development of researches for new dosage forms and drugs and the application of new materials.It may be also benefical to the study of monomer compositions of Chinese material medica,including the development of the preparation of matrine.Rested on the recent studies,pharmacological activities,preparation methods and researches for the preparations of matrine was summarized in this text for providing a reference for developing its preparations in the future.

Objective To establish animal model of arterial vulnerable plaques for molecular imaging study.Methods Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into high lipid diet+balloon-injury group (A),high lipid diet group (B)and regular diet group (C).Ultrasound (US)and magnetic resonance (MR)imaging were used to dynamically observe the formation of plaque in abdominal aorta. Results were compared with blood lipid level and pathological indicators.Results At 4 weeks,several plaques could be seen in group A.The plaque number increased rapidly and reached to 22 at 12 weeks,which was in parallel with the change of blood lipid. Only a few plaques were observed in group B,while no vulnerable plaque was revealed in group C.All the plaques were judged to be soft plaques on US and MR images,which was consistent with the macrophages gathering and smooth muscle cell proliferating in plaques.Conclusion High lipid diet+balloon-injury is an ideal method to build animal model for molecular imaging of atherosclerotic plaque.

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to test the accuracy and precision of iWitness photogrammetry for measuring the facial tissues of mannequin head.

METHODSUnder ideal circumstances, the 3D landmark coordinates were repeatedly obtained from a mannequin head using iWitness photogrammetric system with different parameters, to examine the precision of this system. The differences between the 3D data and their true distance values of mannequin head were computed.

RESULTSOperator error of 3D system in non-zoom and zoom status were 0.20 mm and 0.09 mm, and the difference was significant (P 0.05). Image captured error of 3D system was 0.283 mm, and there was no significant difference compared with the same group of images (P>0.05). Error of 3D systen with recalibration was 0.251 mm, and the difference was not statistically significant compared with image captured error (P>0.05). Good congruence was observed between means derived from the 3D photos and direct anthropometry, with difference ranging from -0.4 mm to +0.4 mm.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides further evidence of the high reliability of iWitness photogrammetry for several craniofacial measurements, including landmarks and inter-landmark distances. The evaluated system can be recommended for the evaluation and documentation of the facial surface.