Objective To determine the accuracy and radiation dose of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) in evaluating solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) by virtual non-enhanced images.MethodsSixty-one patients with SPNs including 39 malignant and 18 benign nodules proved by pathology underwent DECT scans. The CT values of SPNs on enhanced weighted average and virtual non-enhanced images were compared by using Liver VNC processing unit in terms of their diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing malignant and benign nodules with a 20 HU threshold. Diagnostic accuracy was compared. In 28 patients of all patients, image noise and quality score of the non-enhanced and virtual non-enhanced images were compared, and radiation doses of each patient were recorded. The paired t test was used to analyze the noise difference between the plain scan and virtual non-enhanced scan. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze statistically significant differences of the image quality score and radiation dose between the non-enhanced scan and virtual non-enhanced scan. ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for distinguishing benign and malignant nodules by using the virtual non-enhanced image of were 89. 7％(35/39), 72.2％ (13/18), 84.2％ (48/57)respectively.The noise of common CT and virtual nonenhanced images were(8. 49 ± 1. 94) HU and( 10. 14 ± 2. 18 ) HU, and there were statistically difference (t＝9.45,P＜0. 01 ). The quality scores of common CT and virtual non-enhanced images were (4.71 ±0. 46 ) and ( 4.42 ± 0. 57 ), and there were no statistical difference ( U ＝ 290. 00, P ＞ 0. 05 ). The radiation doses of common CT and DECT were ( 3. 72 ± 0. 48 ) mSv and ( 3.78 ± 0. 45 ) mSv, and there were no statistical difference ( U ＝ 350. 50,P ＞ 0. 05 ). ConclusionDECT by using virtual non-enhanced images is useful tool to distinguish the benign and malignant SPN without additional radiation dose.

ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness of collagen sponge for reducing volume of drainage after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. MethodsOne hundred and eighty-six patients who suffered from lumbar spinal stenosis were divided into two groups by random digits table method. The test group(96 cases) used collagen sponge to cover dura mater before placing drainage tube,the control group (90 cases) was treated without collagen sponge. The volume of drainage at 1,12,24 h after surgery were observed, the blood routine test was carried out at before and 48 h after surgery and the volume and ratio of blood transfusion after surgery was also measured and compared between the two groups. ResultsThe volume of drainage were significantly decreased in the test group compared with the control group at 1,12,24h after surgery [( 106.11 ± 20.02 ) ml vs. ( 127.02 ± 25.09) ml, (236.12 ± 34.06) ml vs. (327.31 ± 51.21 )ml, (355.16 ± 49.03 ) ml vs.( 506.36 ± 85.29 ) ml](P ＜ 0.05 ). The volume and the ratio of blood transfusion in the test group were ( 176.27 ± 21.37) ml and 10.42％(10/96) ,which were greatly lower than those in the control group[(445.94 ±24.56) ml and 32.22％ (29/90)](P ＜0.05). The number of RBC and the concentration of Hb were (2.96 ± 0.45 ) × 1012/L and ( 106.75 ± 7.30) g/L, differently in the test group at 48 h after surgery,which were increased significantly compared with the control group[(2.35 + 0.57) × 1012/Land (90.45 ± 5.10) g/L](P ＜ 0.05 ). ConclusionsCollagen sponge provides rapid ,effective and durable hemostasis and decreases the leak of cerebrospinal fluid after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. It can be used as an effective and economic method to reduce the volume of drainage after surgery.

HIV-1 integrase (IN) is a key enzyme for the viral replication. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) between HIV-1 IN and a cellular cofactor lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75) is a validated target for anti-HIV drug discovery. In order to build the platform for screening inhibitor against PPI between IN and LEDGF/p75, the vector containing the LEDGF/p75 protein cDNA was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli and the function of the LEDGF/p75 protein was assayed. The LGDGF/p75 encoding gene optimized according to the preference codon usage of E. coli, was synthesized and cloned into the expression vector pGEX-4T-1 to form a recombined plasmid, then transformed into host cell E. coli BL21 (DE3). The recombined clones were identified and confirmed by BamH I/Sal I digestion and sequencing, the successfully recombined plasmid in the host cell was induced by IPTG and the condition of the expression was optimized. The expressed protein was purified by the Ni2+ affinity chromatography column and SDS-PAGE was used to analyze the molecular weight and specificity. In addition, ELISA assay was used to analyze the function of the recombinant protein. The recombinant LGDGF/p75 was soluble, and expressed highly and stably in E. coli. The protein was proved to enhance HIV-1 IN strand transfer activity in vitro by ELISA. It will be helpful to build the platform of screening inhibitors against PPI between IN and LEDGF/p75.
Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; HIV Integrase ; metabolism ; HIV-1 ; physiology ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Protein Binding ; Virus Replication

Objective To study the multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) manifestations of septic pulmonary embolism(SPE) in order to get a better understanding of the disease,Methods The MSCT manifestations of 12 patients with septic pulmonary embolism were retrospectively analyzed and compared with chest radiograph.Results Of the 12 patients,Chest radiograph and CT scanning showed multiple peripheral pulmonary nodules in 8 and 12 cases,a feeding vessel sigu(0,9 cases),cavitations(6,10 cases) and wedge-shaped opacities(4,7 cases),focal infiltrates(2,4 cases),air cyst(2,5 cases),pleural lesions (3,6 cases),hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy(0,3 cases).Peripheral or subpleural zones were most commonly affected (8,12 cases).CT was more useful in revealing nodules and a feeding vessel sign.Multiplanar reconstructions (MPR),maximum intensity projection (MIP) showed that most of these vessels passed around nodules and wedge-shaped lesions.MPR showed regular nodular margin.Conclusion SPE presents with variable and often nonspecific clinical and radiographic features.MPR and MIP showed the features of nodules and feeding vessels better.The diagnosis is usually suggested by the presence of a predisposing factor,febrile illness,and CT findings of multiple,periphery pulmonary nodules,with orwithout cavitation and a feeding vessel sign.

Objective To investigate the correlation of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI features with microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods Conventional MR imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced scan in thirty-three patients with NSCLC confirmed by pathologyn were performed. MVD and VEGF were stained with immuno-histochemical technique in all cases. Some parameters of DCE MRI, including maximum slope(Smax) and time to peak(TTP) were put more analysis. The relationship between the results of DCE MRI (Smax and TTP) and that of immuno-histochemistry (MVD and VEGF) was analysed.Results The Smax of adeno carcinoma was higher than that of squamous cell carcinoma,but TTP was lower. The difference was obvious difference(t=3.22,P

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of proximal femoral locking compression plate (LCP)fixation in elderly intertrochanteric fractures patients. Methods 30 cases of intertrochanteric fracture fixed with LCP were collected,and the functional recovery of all hip joints was observed. Results The average follow-up and healing time of all cases was 10 months(6 to 14 months)and 3.5 months respectively. Hip joint function of 27 cases was excellent( Harris scoring≥90) ,that of the other 3 cases was good ( Harris scoring:80 ～ 89). Conclusion The proximal femoral LCP fixation had a good clinical value in treatment of elderly intertrochanteric fracture patients. It had many advantages, such as simplicity, rigid fixation, less trauma and bleeding, shorter operative time, less complications, high heal rate, etc.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of 1-hydroxy-2, 3, 5-trimethoxyxanthone (QGS) on acute lung injury of mice induced by ip lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods Mice were pretreated with QGS for 7 d. Murine models of acute lung injury were duplicated by injection of LPS 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally. In 12 h, the lung weight index was observed and the NO level in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was measured with kits. The lung was also assessd for the expression of I-?B, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-Ⅱ (COX-2) using Western blotting analysis. Lung pathological changes were also observed by HE in each group. Results The lung weight index of injury lung in mice induced by LPS was decreased in 500 mg/kg QGS group (P

It has been well known that apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest are typical biological effects observed in cancer cells after proteasome inhibition. TH2 is a new natural xanthone analogue isolated from the resin of Garcinia hurburyi tree. Here, the cell growth inhibition of TH2 on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Bel-7402) was evaluated in vitro using SRB assay. The treatment of 10 ?mol/L TH2 reduced the surviving fraction from 86% (12 h) to 17.2% (48 h). To assess whether TH2 induce apoptosis, the appearance of sub-G1 peak, a specific fraction for apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry analysis. Progressive increase in the percentage of apoptotic population was observed in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, a cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), a marker of early apoptosis, was observed clearly when the cells exposed to 10 ?mol/L of TH2 for 24 h by immunoblotting analysis. In vitro activities of 20 S proteasome purified from human erythrocytes on fluorogenic peptide substrates revealed that TH2 inhibited the trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like and peptidylglutamyl peptide hydrolyzing activities in dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the turnover of tumor suppressor p53, a sign of deregulation of cell cycle progression and apoptosis induction by classical proteasome inhibitors, was disrupted in Bel-7402 cells. All these data indicate that TH2 had inhibitory effect on the proliferation of Bel-7402 cells and induction of apoptosis, which might be related to its inhibition of proteasome.

Objective To investigate the effects of inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) on proliferation of human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 and primary cultured osteoblasts so as to explore the optimal concentration for achieving anti-cancer effects.Methods We primary cultured and identified human osteoblasts.Then we made recovery and normal culture of human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63.We tested the proliferation of two kinds of cell lines under different concentrations of IP6 by MTT to determine the optimal concentration and then detected MG-63 cell cycle and apoptosis by flow cytometry.Results When IP6 concentration was more than 1 mmol/L,IP6 began to inhibit the proliferation of MG-63 cell line in the time-dose dependent manner.When the concentration reached 4 mmol/L,this inhibitory effect was the maximum.When IP6 concentration was 0.5 mmol/L or 1 mmol/L,the proliferation of osteoblasts was not obviously inhibited.When it was 2 mmol/L,the proliferation was slightly inhibited.A concentration of 4 mmol/L caused the apoptosis of osteoblasts.Conclusion IP6 can inhibit the proliferation of osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 and lead to its apoptosis.The optimal concentration is 2 mmol/L for achieving anti-cancer effects.

Objective To evaluate the change of renal function in patients with acute stroke by estimate glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR). Methods One hundred patients with acute stroke admitted into hospital from emergency department in 72 h were enrolled. There were 100 patients, with 50 male patients and 50 female patients. Fifty-eight patients were older than 50 years old, and 42 patients were less than 50 years. Blood samples were collected from the next day in hospital to detect the level of creatinine (Cr), then e-GFR was calculated with a simplified method of modification of diet in renal disease. According to the National Kidney Foundation published kidney disease outcome quality initiative (K/DOQI), the renal function of these 100 patients was estimated. The outcome of e-GFR and Cr were compared. The differences of e-GFR in patients with acute stroke were analyzed from the aspects of age and gender. Results 56.0% (56/100) patients were determined as decreased renal function according to the standard of GFR<90 ml/(min · 1.73 m2). 4.0% (4/100) patients were determined as decreased renal function according to the standard of Cr> 124μmol/L. The abnormal rate of e-GFR in patients older than 50 years old was 93.1%(54/58), in patients less than 50 years old was 4.8%(2/42), and there was significantly difference (χ2=77.16, P<0.01). The abnormal rate of e-GFR in male and female had no significantly difference: 54.0%(27/50) vs. 58.0% (29/50), P > 0.05. Conclusions The decreased renal function in patients with acute stroke is common. The detection of e-GFR can more accurately assess the patient′s renal function and provide a basis for individual choice of drugs.