This paper presents a probability segmentation algorithm for lung nodules based on three-dimensional features. Firstly, we computed intensity and texture features in region of interest (ROI) pixel by pixel to get their feature vector, and then classified all the pixels based on their feature vector. At last, we carried region growing on the classified result, and got the final segmentation result. Using the public Lung Imaging Database Consortium (LIDC) lung nodule datasets, we verified the performance of proposed method by comparing the probability map within LIDC datasets, which was drawn by four radiology doctors separately. The experimental results showed that the segmentation algorithm using three-dimensional intensity and texture features would be effective.
Algorithms ; Databases, Factual ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Lung ; pathology ; Probability

Embryo Transfer ; Endometrium ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine

AIM: To investigate the effect of high concentration of chlorine gas(Cl 2) exposure on lung haemodynamic and respiratory function in intact and isolated perfused rabbit lungs (IPLs). METHODS: 8 intact and 10 IPLs were exposed to Cl 2 at high concentration(50?10 -4 )for 20 min, as measured group, 8 additional intact and 9 IPLs, which were similarly treated but not exposed to Cl 2, served as controls. The changes of lung weigh of IPL(△W)?pressure of pulmonary artery(Pa)and venous pressure(Pv)?airway pressure and tidal volume(TV) were continuously measured and recorded simultaneously. RESULTS: In IPL group: While the perfusing blood flow was kept constant (133.3 mL/min), and Pv did not change, following the exposure, the Pa increased slightly, then the lung weight were increased significantly and the TV decreased . Hematocrit of perfusate of EIPL and parameters of lung water increased also. In intact group : Pa increased slightly, respiratory rate accelerated immediately, and TV decreased. CONCLUSION:Although mean Pa increased continuously and slightly in both intact and IPL group following the exposure to high concentration of Cl 2, the primary cause of edema was most likely to alter pulmonary capillary permeability. The respiratory rate accelerated and TV decreased due to exposure to Cl 2 enhanced hypoxia of intact rabbits.

Objective To explore the inhibiting effects of arsenic trioxide and cisplatin on MG-63 cells. Methods Using MTT assay,flowcytometry,phase contrast microscopy and electron microscopy methods,the therapeutic effect of arsenic trioxide was studied for the osteosarcoma in the cultured MG-63 cells in vitro,and compared these effects with cisplatin. The inhibitory rotes of cell growth and the effect of apoptosis and cell cycle were compared between arsenic trioxide and cisplatin on MG-63 cells. Results The contrast phase microscope revealed the adhesion ability of normal groups was good and cellular morphology showed epithelium cells. But the celhdar morphology showed irregular arrangement in arsenic trioxide groups and cytoplasmic vacuoles in cisplatin group. Electron microscope revealed the globular plasmalemma ecphymas in cell surface of control groups,the enlarged crista mitochondriales and the double-deck membrane structure appeared clearly. But electron microscope revealed globular plasmalemma processes in cell surface of arsenic trioxide groups,thinned crista mitochondriales and clearly seen karyopycnosis and nuclear membrane of apoptotic cells. The globular plasmalemma processes in cell surface of cisplatin groups were separated,nuclear membrane thickened and chromatin were in sandy shape. Both arsenic trioxide and cisplatin inhibited effectively MG-63 cells growth. There was a significant difference in different groups of inhibition ratios to the growth of cells(all P < 0.05). In 2,4,8,16,32,64,128 hours,the inhibition ratios(%) of arsenic trioxide(56.31±0.03,70.00±0.06,79.84±0.03,87.31±0.13,84.70±0.09,90.68±0.06,91.18±0.05) and cisplatin groups(7.55±0.15,15.70±0.17,30.72±0.07,49.80±0.05,45.11± 0.13,61.62±0.08,93.80±0.12) were obviously increased as compared with those in the control group(2.03± 0.07,2.78±0.08,3.11±0.01,5.67±0.04,12.23±0.04,18.65±0.04,24.45±0.04,all P < 0.05). Moreover the inhibition ratio of arsenic trioxide group in 2 to 32 hour was significantly higher than that of cisplatin group and the effect was more faster(all P < 0.05). Both arsenic trioxide and cisplatin could induce apoptosis MG-63 cells. There was a significant difference in different groups of the inhibition ratio to the growth of cells(F = 13.317,P < 0.05). The inhibition ratios(%) of arsenic trioxide on 24,36,48 hour(20.50±3.78,45.76±9.90,25.16±15.41),and cisplatin groups on 24,36,48 hour(12.55±1.51,18.85±3.40,12.37±5.43),were obviously increased as compared with those in the control group at the same time(6.57±1.48,8.03±2.08,6.54±1.30,P< 0.05 or<0.01). Both arsenic trioxide and cisplatin inhibited MG-63 cells cycle. There was a significant difference in different groups of the inhibition ratio to the growth of cells(F = 54.579,43.429,21.795,P < 0.05 or < 0.01). And the total inhibition ratios(%) in G1 cycle of arsenic trioxide(78.26±5.24) and cisplatin groups(80.48±2.81) were obviously increased as compared with those in the control group(57.49±6.65,all P < 0.05 or < 0.01). Conclusions Arsenic trioxide and cisplatin can effectively inhibit the proliferation of MG-63 cell line and induce the apoptosis of MG-63 cell line. And the effects induced by arsenic trioxide group were faster than that of cisplatin groups. Moreover arsenic trioxide can arrest the cell cycle of MG-63 cell line at G1 phase.

Objective To study the effect of fluoride on the expression of bcl-2 and Bax in chondrocyte in vitro, and investigate the mechanism of action of chondrocyte apoptosis induced by fluoride. Methods Articular chondrocytes of neonate rat were cultured in vitro and treated with 0(control),5,20,40 mg/L of fluoride,respectively, for 10 days. Then observed the u]trastructure of chondrocytes under eletronicmicroscope, and tested the expression of bcl-2 and Bax in chondrocyte in different groups by Western blotting. Results Abundant rough endoplasmic reticulums (RERs) and complete structure of mitochondria membranes were presented in globular chondrocytes in the control group and 5 mg/L group; but more lipid droplets and vacuoles were seen in the cytoplasm, and the structure of intracellular membranes became incomplete, and some shrieked chromatin and pyknosis were seen in the chondrocytes of the 20,40 mg/L groups. The expression of bcl-2 markedly decreased in 20 mg/L group(0.626 ± 0.042) and 40 mg/L group(0.531± 0.039) compared to the control group(0.876 ± 0.035,all P ＜ 0.01 ). And the expression of Bax significantly increased in 20 mg/L group(0.966 ± 0.047) and 40 mg/Lgroup ( 1 .289 ± 0.156) compared to the control group(0.642 ± 0.050, all P ＜ 0.01). But there was no statistical significant difference of the expression of bcl-2 or Bax between 5 mg/L group(0.885 ± 0.065,0.657 ± 0.045) and control group (all P ＞ 0.05 ). However there were statistical differences of expressions of bcl-2 and Bax between 20 and 40 mg/L groups(all P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions Twenty and 40 mg/L fluoride can cause damage to the ultrastructure of chondrocyte, and fluoride possibly promotes chondrocyte apoptosis by reducing the expression of antiapoptotic factor bcl-2 and increasing the expression of Bax.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Guishen Pill (GSP) on expression levels of Oct-4, MVH, and Egr-1 in mice with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

METHODSTotally 40 female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, the normal control group, the model group, the GSP group, and the dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) group, 10 in each group. Pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) were sequentially administrated to produce superovulation. The DOR model was established by exposing to ozone inhalation. Mice in the GSP group were intragastrically administered with GSP at 0.3 mL. Those in the DHEA group were intragastrically administered with DHEA at 0.3 mL. Equal volume of normal saline was intragastrically administered to mice in the normal control group and the model group. All mice wer treated for 21 days. Serum levels of estrogen (E2), progestogen (P), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were measured by ELISA. Changes of Oct-4, anti-AMH, and early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) mRNA in ovaries were dtected by Real-time PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, serum levels of E2, P, and AMH, as well as contents of estrogen receptor (ER), progestogen receptor (PR), MVH, and Oct-4 mRNA significantly increased in the GSP group and the DHEA group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGSP could improve expression levels of Oct-4, MVH, and Egr-1 mRNA in DOR mice and their ovarian function.

Animals ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; metabolism ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Early Growth Response Protein 1 ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; metabolism ; Ovarian Reserve ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Superovulation

Objective To establish a quick electrochemical biosensor for the detection of nucleic acid of Ebola virus . Methods The DNA tetrahedral nanostructure was self-assembled on gold surface by strong Au-S chemical bonds , leaving the target probe at the top .A biotinylated-ssDNA was introduced as the detection probe by specific binding of the captured target sequence , before avidin-horseradish peroxidase ( HRP) was used as a signal amplifier to transduce amperometric sig-nal through interactions with TMB substrate .Results The results indicated that the nucleotide sequence of Ebola virus could be recognized and detected by the sensor .The linear range for the detection of target DNA was from 1.0 ×10 -9 to 5.0 ×10 -6 mol/L,and the detection limit was 5.2 ×10 -10 mol/L.Conclusion The fabricated sensor is demonstrated to be sensitive and specific for the detection of Ebola virus nucleotide .

Objective: To investigate the long-term outcome of anterior decompression and bone graft fusion for cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM) and factors affecting the outcome. Methods: Two hundred and forty-five patients with CSM were treated with anterior cervical decompression and auto iliac bone graft fusion, of whom 31 had a second operation between 4 months and 2 years after operation. Follow-up studies were carried out within 5 to 15 years after operation, averaging 6.8 years. Results: Function evaluation: excellent in 118 cases (48.16%), good in 71 (28.98%), passable in 35 (14.29%) and poor in 21 (8.57%). According to the 40 points score method, there was an average of 8 point increase in all cases, of which 101 were between 36 to 40 points, 54 between 31 to 35 points. Conclusion: The long-term outcome of surgical treatment for CSM is definite. Significant factors affecting the outcome include timing of operation, degree of pathology and technique of surgery.

Quality variation and ecotype classification of Chinese herbal medicine are important scientific problems in Daodi herbal medicine research. The diversity of natural environmental conditions has led to form unique multi-Daodi, multi-product areas that produce particular Chinese herbal medicine. China is one of three big American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) producing areas worldwide, with over 300 years of application and 40 years of cultivation history. Long-term production practice has led to the formation of three big advocate produce areas in China: Northeast province, Beijing and Shandong. P. quinquefolium L. grown under certain environmental conditions will develop long-term adaptations that will lead to more stable strains (different ecotypes). P. quinquefolium L., can vary greatly in quality; however, the ecological mechanisms causing this variation are still unclear. Root samples were collected from four-year-old cultivated P. quinquefolium L. plants in the three major genuine (Daodi) American ginseng-producing areas of Northeast province, Beijing and Shandong province, China. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze the contents of eight ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Rg2). Data for nine ecological factors, including temperature, moisture and sunlight, were obtained from the ecological database of Geographic Information System for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Soil samples from the sampling sites were collected. Effective boron and iron, available nitrogen and potassium, as well as other trace elements and soil nutrients, were determined by conventional soil physicochemical property assay methods. Analytical methods of biostatistics and numerical taxonomy were used to divide ecotypes of the three main Panax quinquefolium L. producing areas in China based on ginsenoside content, climate, soil and other ecological factors. To our knowledge, this is the first time that ecological division of P. quinquefolium L. producing areas in China has ever been conducted. The results show that there are two chemoecotypes of P. quinquefolium L. in China: ginsenoside Rb1-Re from outside Shanhaiguan, and ginsenoside Rg2-Rd from inside Shanhaiguan. Similarly, there are two types of climatic characteristics: inside Shanhaiguan (Beijing, Shandong) and outside Shanhaiguan (Northeast). This suggests that the formation and differentiation of chemoecotypes of P. quinquefolium L. is closely related to variability of the climatic and geographical environment. Additionally, ecological variation of the three main producing areas, characteristics of two climatic ecotypes, and soil characteristics are also discussed and summarized. These results provide experimental scientific evidence of the quality variation and ecological adaptation of P. quinquefolium L. from different producing areas. They also deepen our understanding of the biological nature of Daodi P. quinquefolium L. formation, and offer novel research models for other multi-origin, multi-Daodi Chinese herbal medicines ecotypes. In addition, the results demonstrate the critical need for improving quality, appropriate ecological regionalization and promoting industrialized development of P. quinquefolium L.

Percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) has become one of the most important therapeutic methods for atherosclerotic heart disease(AHD),but the following complications such as stent thrombosis and restenosis af- fected its long-term efficacy.Platelet activation was a key component of thrombosis of during perioperative period PCI.As one of the most effective antiplatelet drugs,clo- pidogrel has been established its important role in preven- ting thrombosis during perioperative period of PCI.After several large-scale clinical trials in recent years.