Objective To study the value of measurement of sinus node artery in adults with multi-slice spiral CT(MSCT).Methods 119 cases were examined by MSCT coronary artery angiography.The diameter of the sinus node artery,the distance from the origin of the sinus node artery to the origin of the coronary artery(S-O),to the origin of left circumflex branch(LO-O),and to straightly the aortic wall erectly(S-W) and the angle between the sinus node artery and the proximal segment of the coronary artery(the angle of S-C) were measured on axial and MIP images.Results The origin,morphological characteristics of the sinus node artery were shown clearly on CT coronary artery angiography,and the diameter,length,the distance of S-W,S-O and LO-O and the angle of S-C were measured precisely.Conclusion The parameters of the sinus node artery measured by MSCT are basically corresponded with those on anatomy,MSCT may be used to show the sinus node artery.

Objective To detect the meshwork of tiny lymphatic channels at bilateral vertebral body and ventral aorta at 3.0 Tesla and to probe the relationship between its detective ratio and some diseases.Methods Fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging in 91 patients was performed at the upper abdomen. The meshworks of tiny lymphatic channels at bilateral vertebral body and ventral aorta on contiguous axial and coronal images were reviewed. The classifications of the lymphatic meshwork were made according to its width and length on coronal images. The differences in the detective ratios of the lymphatic meshwork between control group and the risk ones including portal hypertension group, choledochus obstruction group and malignant tumour group were analyzed.Results Right- or left-sided lymphatic meshwork at vertebral body or ventral aorta were 34.07%(31/91),32.97%(30/91),32.97%(30/91) and 43.96%(40/91) respectively. The detective ratio of the lymphatic meshwork on the side of the ventral aorta was higher significantly in the portal hypertension group than that in the control or malignant tumour one (P0.05). Conclusion Meshwork of tiny lymphatic channels at bilateral vertebral body and ventral aorta allows to be detected on fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging at 3.0 Tesla, and the portal hypertension may influence the detective ratio of the lymphatic meshwork on the side of the ventral aorta.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical and epidemiological value of semi-quantitative regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF)imaging in children with school phobia. Methods A total of 20 cases diagnosed with school phobia were examined with rCBF.Twelve were males and the other 8 were females.The mean age was(14.2?2.1)years(11-18 years).Semi-quantitative analysis methods were used to investigate the correlations among gender,age and rCBF. ResultsThere were significant differences in the rCBF of right fronto-parietal lobe,right occipital lobe,caput and putamen,left thalamus and hippocampus,and temporo-occipital lobe between males and females(P0.05).Only the PI of left temporo-parietal lobe of those ≥ 15 years old was significantly different from that of those

To provide a scientific basis for the selection of the appropriate drying method for Mentha Haplocalyx Herba (MHH), determine 2 monoterpenes, 4 phenolic acids and 5 flavonoids in MHH by GC-MS and UPLC-TQ-MS methods, and investigate the effects of the drying methods on the changes in contents of these analytes. The qualities of products obtained with different drying methods were evaluated by the multivariate statistical method of Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Results showed that the drying methods had the greatest impact on menthol, caffeic acid, and rosemary acid, which were followed by chlorogenic acid and diosmetin-7-O-glucoside. The contents in these analytes processed with hot-air-drying method were higher than those with microwave-drying and infrared-drying methods at the same temperatures. The contents in these analytes processed under low temperature (40-45 °C) were higher than those under higher temperature (60-70 °C). Above all, the contents in phenolic acids processed with microwave fixation (exposed under microwave at 100 °C for several minutes) were obviously higher than those of not being processed, showing an inhibition of some enzymes in samples after fixation. The TOPSIS evaluation showed that the variable temperature drying method of 'Hot-Air 45-60 °C' was the most suitable approach for the primary drying processing of MHH. The results could provide the scientific basis for the selection of appropriate drying method for MHH, and helpful reference for the primary drying proces of herbs containing volatile chemical components.
Desiccation ; methods ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Hydroxybenzoates ; analysis ; Mentha ; chemistry ; Monoterpenes ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate aquaporin 9 (AQP9) mRNA and protein expression in antrum follicle and luteinizing granulosa cells of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) ovary, and its relation to follicular fluid steroids hormone levels during IVF cycles.

METHODSAQP9 mRNA expression on luteinizing granulosa cells in IVF cycles was detected by RT-PCR. AQP9 protein expression in antrum follicles of PCOS ovary and luteinizing granulosa cells was measured by immunohistochemistry. The concentrations of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and testerone (T) in follicular fluid were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTThe expression of AQP9 mRNA in luteinizing granulosa cells during IVF cycles was positive by RT-PCR. No significant differences in AQP9 mRNA levels in granulosa cells between PCOS and control group were found during IVF cycles. The expression level of AQP9 mRNA in large follicles was higher than that in small follicles, but not significantly. The immunoreactivity for AQP9 was localized in membrane and cytoplast of granulosa cells in antrum follicles from PCOS ovary and luteinizing granulosa cells during IVF cycles. Multiple regression analysis showed that AQP9 mRNA levels on granulosa cells were not correlated with E2, P and T levels in follicular fluid during IVF cycles.

CONCLUSIONAQP9 may play an important role in the follicle development and antrum formation through water transport and AQP9 may be involved in the mechanism of follicle development in PCOS.

Adult ; Aquaporins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Granulosa Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; complications ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) following repeated febrile seizures in rats and its possible correlation with neurocyte apoptosis.

METHODSFifty-one male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to three groups: normal control (n=14), febrile seizure (FS, n=18), hyperthermia alone (n=19). Febrile seizures were induced by hot water bath. The level of BDNF in the hippocampal homogenate was measured using ELISA and the expression of BDNF in various brain regions was measured by immunohistochemistry. The neurocyte apoptosis of the brain was determined by TdT-mediated biotinylated-dUTP nick end labling (TUNEL).

RESULTSThe level of BDNF in the hippocampus in the FS group(89.9+/-12.5 ng/g)was higher than that in the normal control group(54.4+/-18.9 ng/g)and in the hyperthermia alone group (64.1+/-15.0 ng/g) (P<0.01). The OD value of BDNF positive neurons in various brain regions of the FS group was significantly higher than that of the normal control group (P<0.01) and the hyperthermia alone group (P<0.01). The FS group had significantly higher apoptotic index in various brain regions than the normal control and the hyperthermia alone groups (P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between the expression of BDNF and the apoptotic index in various brain regions (r=0.332, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBDNF expression in the brain increases following repeated febrile seizures in rats, and the increased BDNF expression is correlated with neurocyte apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seizures, Febrile ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective To explore protective effect of Heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) on irradiation-induced endothelial cell apoptosis.Methods Human endothelial cell line EA.hy926 were administered with or without HO-1 activator Copp and/or HO-1 inhibitor Znpp,respectively.Then,cells were treated with or without 8 Gy radiation.The HO-1 protein expression of cells were assessed with Western blotting and apoptosis of cells treated with irradiation were evaluated with flow cytometry.Moreover,cytochrome C releasing into cytosol were also determined by Western blotting. Results In PBS+R group,HO-1 protein expression of EA.hy926 was low posterior to irradiation.When cells were preconditioned with Copp and/or Znpp,then recieved with 8Gy irradiation,the HO-1 protein expression of EA.hy926 increased significantly in comparision with the PBS+R group(P

Objective To investigate the long-term follow-up results of patients treated with radical nephrectomy for small renal carcinoma.Methods Between January 1992 and June 2004,a total of 56 pa- tients(41 men and 15 women;mean age,54 years;age range,19-71 years)underwent radical nephrectomy for small renal carcinoma.The clinical data and long-term follow-up results of the 56 cases were analyzed ret- rospectively.All the patients were followed by questionnaire;and the 5-and 10-year survival rates were calcu- lated by Kaplan-Meier method.Results None of the patients was found to have metastasis preoperatively. Postoperative pathology showed renal clear cell carcinoma in 44 cases,granular cell carcinoma in 7,and mixed cell carcinoma in 5.Among these cases,ipsilateral adrenal metastasis was found in 1 case,local lymph- aden metastasis in 2,and perirenal fat metastasis in 4.Postoperatively,49 of the 56 patients(87.5%)were followed for 11-155 months with a mean of 71 months.The 5-and 10-year survival rates were 81.7% and 66.9%,respectively.Five patients died of metastasis from renal carcinoma.Conclusions Radical ne- phrectomy for small renal carcinoma has favorable long-term effects,therefore it is an optimal surgical proce- dure for small renal carcinoma.

Objective To determine the potential sources of food safety risk and food safety related awareness of employees in the farmer markets in Yangpu District of Shanghai, and to provide evidence for food safety management. Methods The investigation on food safety and food-borne disease knowledge were conducted in 13 farmer markets in Yangpu District, and to assess the impact of employees′ behavior on food safety. Results A total of 368 employees in the 13 farmer markets were included in the study.Employees with high school education and above had better knowledge of food safety (P < 0.001).There was significant difference in the physical examination and habit of smoking in public places among the employees with different education levels.In addition, the employees in various positions in the markets differed significantly in the knowledge of food safety and behavior, such as taking physical examination, washing hands before meal and continuing working when feeling sick. Conclusion Food safety related risk in the farmer markets in Yangpu District mainly originates from the inadequate knowledge of the employees with low education levels, which further affects their behavior.Market management should strengthen the training of food safety related knowledge in the employees and advocate healthy behavior, such as taking physical examination and stop smoking, which contributes to creating a healthy work and shopping environment.

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in uptake of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)-conjugated nanoparticles between breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells with high metabolism and breast fibroblasts with normal metabolism, and investigate the feasibility of using the coated nanoparticles as a MRI-targeted contrast agent for highly metabolic carcinoma cells.

METHODSThe γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG was prepared. The glucose metabolism level of both cell lines was determined. The targeting efficacy of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG and γ-Fe2O3@DMSA NPs to breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells and breast fibroblasts at 10 min, 30 min, 1 h and 2 h was measured with Prussian blue staining and UV colorimetric assay. MRI was performed to visualize the changes of T2WI signal intensity.

RESULTSPrussian blue staining showed more intracellular blue granules in the MDA-MB-231 cells of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs group than that in the γ-Fe2O3@DMSA NPs group, and the γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG uptake was greatly competed by free D-glucose. As revealed by UV colorimetric assay, MDA-MB-231 cells also showed that the cellular iron amount of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG group was significantly higher than that of the γ-Fe2O3@DMSA group and γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG + D-glucose group, statistically with a significant difference between them. MRI showed that the signal intensity of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG group was decrease significantly, the T2 signal intensity was decreased by 10.5%, 37.5%, 72.9%, 92.0% for 10 min, 30 min, 1 h and 2 h, respectively. In contrast, the signal intensity did not show obvious decrease in the γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG group, the T2 signal intensity was decreased by 8.5%, 11.4%, 32.0%, 76.7% for 10 min, 30 min, 1 h and 2 h, respectively. However, HUM-CELL-0056 cells did not produce apparent difference for positive staining in the γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG group, γ-Fe2O3@DMSA group and γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG+D-glucose group, and the signal intensity also did not produce apparent difference.

CONCLUSIONSγ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG has good targeting ability to highly metabolic breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cells. It is feasible to serve as a specific MRI-targeted contrast agent for highly metabolic carcinoma cells, and deserves further studies in vivo.

Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Colorimetry ; methods ; Contrast Media ; pharmacokinetics ; Deoxyglucose ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Ferric Compounds ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Humans ; Iron ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Nanoconjugates ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Succimer ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics