OBJECTIVE: To realize the automated assessment of the levels of epiphysis of distal radius and ulna by support vector machine (SVM). METHODS: The X-ray films of the left wrist joints were taken from 140 teenagers aged from 11 to 19 years old as training samples. The levels of epiphysis of distal radius and ulna were divided into five developmental levels. Each level contained 28 samples. Another 35 cases were selected as independent verifying samples. SVM classification models of the five developmental levels of epiphysis of distal radius and ulna were established. The internal cross validation was made by leave one out cross validation (LOOCV), while the external validation was made by histogram of oriented gradient (HOG), and then the accuracy (PA) of testing results was calculated, respectively. RESULTS: The PA of SVM, LOOCV and HOG of distal radius epiphyseal level were 100%, 78.6%, and 82.8%, respectively; whereas the PA of SVM, LOOCV and HOG of distal ulna epiphyseal level were 100.0%, 80.0% and 88.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION The SVM-based automatic models of the growth stage of distal ra- dius and ulna appear to have certain feasibility, and may provide a foundation for software development of bone age assessment by forensic medicine.
Adolescent ; Bone Development/physiology* ; Child ; Epiphyses/growth & development* ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Male ; Radius/growth & development* ; Support Vector Machine ; Ulna/growth & development* ; Wrist/growth & development* ; Wrist Joint/growth & development* ; Young Adult

In this study, we developed a novel liposome-silica hybrid nano-carrier for tumor combination therapy via oral route, using paclitaxel and cyclosporine as a model drug pair. Optimization of the preparation of the drug-loading formulation and characterization of its physicochemical parameters and drug release profile were performed in vitro. Then in vivo pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics studies were performed. The results showed that the obtained formulation has a small particle size (mean diameter of 100.2 +/- 15.2 nm), a homogeneous distribution [the polydispersity index was (0.251 +/- 0.018)] and high encapsulation efficiency (90.15 +/- 2.47) % and (80.64 +/- 3.52) % for paclitaxel and cyclosporine respectively with a mild and easy preparation process. A sequential drug release trend of cyclosporine prior to palictaxel was observed. The liposome-silica hybrid nano-carrier showed good biocompatibility in vivo and co-delivery of cyclosporine and paclitaxel significantly enhanced the oral absorption of paclitaxel with improved anti-tumor efficacy, suggesting a promising approach for multi-drug therapy against tumor and other serious diseases via oral route.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Biological Availability ; Cyclosporine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Female ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Particle Size ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sarcoma 180 ; pathology ; Silicon Dioxide ; chemistry ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the fracture resistance and the failure pattern of horn-shaped root canal orifice restored by different materials.

METHODSFifteen human maxillary central incisors were selected. After schedule root canal therapy, the residual dental roots with horn-shape root canal orifice were prepared. The specimens were assigned to three groups randomly. A group was rehabilitated by casting metal post-core crown. B group was rehabilitated by prefabricated fiber post and composite core crown. C group was rehabilitated by shapeable fiber-reinforced composite resin post and core crown. Loads were applied on the samples at 130 degree to the long axis of the root and measured with universal testing machine. The failing patterns were recorded.

RESULTSThere were no difference in fracture resistance among three groups (P>0.05). But the failing patterns were different. A group manifested root fracture and separation between cement and root dentin. B group mainly manifested separation between cement and post. C group manifested separation between cement and root dentin.

CONCLUSIONFor restoration of residual dental root with horn-shaped orifice, fiber composite post-core crown has advantages in residual root protection and once more restoration.

Composite Resins ; Crowns ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Dentin ; Humans ; Incisor ; Post and Core Technique ; Root Canal Therapy ; Tooth Fractures ; Tooth Root ; Tooth, Nonvital

OBJECTIVE: To access application value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) and coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) in investigation the coronary artery disease (CAD), and to explore the effective way of virtual autopsy to evaluate the sudden death due to CAD. METHODS: Nine cases of sudden cardiac death were collected to analyze MSCT before the autopsy. The quantitative analysis of the degree of coronary artery calcium was made by Agatston's method. The CACS of all the subjects were calculated based on the diagnostic criteria for CAD, in which calcium scoring was more than 400. The results of CACS were compared with that of the autopsy. RESULTS: Only 2 cases got the high calcium scoring which were more than 400 in the 9 cases died of CAD confirmed by the autopsy. The prediction rate of CACS for CAD was only 22.2%. Pulmonary edema of different severity was found in both autopsy and MSCT. There was a higher morbidity rate in the left anterior descending of coronary artery than the other branches. CONCLUSION Obvious calcification of coronary artery can be detected by MSCT and calculating CACS. To detect subtle calcification needs other technologies such as postmortem angiography.
Autopsy ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease/diagnostic imaging* ; Death, Sudden/pathology* ; Humans ; Multidetector Computed Tomography/methods* ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Vascular Calcification/diagnostic imaging*

This study examined the effect of Notch-1 signaling on malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells by regulating breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). BCSCs were enriched by using serum-free medium and knocked out of Notch-1 by using a lentiviral vector. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the Notch-1 expression levels in breast cancer cell lines and BCSCs, and flow cytometry to detect the proportion of BCSCs in BCSC spheres. The BCSC self-renewal, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity were examined by the tumor microsphere-forming assay and transwell assay and after xenotransplantation. The results showed that the Notch-1 silencing reduced the number of BCSC spheres, the proportion of BCSCs, and the number of cells penetrating through the transwell membrane. It also decreased the size of tumors that were implanted in the nude mice. These results suggest that Notch-1 signaling is intimately linked to the behaviors of BCSCs. Blocking Notch-1 signaling can inhibit the malignant behaviors of BCSCs, which may provide a promising therapeutical approach for breast cancer.

Age estimation by the measurement method is to get the data such as the length, width, thickness, area of the ossification center, transverse diameter of the metaphysis, transverse diameter of osteoepiphysis, width of the epiphyseal line and the ratio between the diaph and the epiphyseal, by measuring the different bones of human in different ages with the radiological technology and to explore the relationship between these data and the life age by statistics. According to the relationships the personal life age may be estimated. In this article the measurement methods above mentioned and its application in age estimation were reviewed.
Age Determination by Skeleton/methods* ; Bone Development/physiology* ; Cervical Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Female ; Femur/diagnostic imaging* ; Forensic Anthropology/methods* ; Hand Bones/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Humerus/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; X-Ray Film

Bipartite patella is uncommon in clinical medicine. It is formed by two or more ossification centers It is repeatedly misdiagnosed as patellar fracture in clinical practice. which do not fused in adolescence. In order to elevate the recognition of imaging signs of bipartite patella and to avoid the fault in medicolegal expertise testimony, three cases of bipartite patella were analyzed in combination of literature review, and the possible causes, histological changes, imaging signs, and clinical manifestation of bipartite patella were also discussed. The three cases concerned were all adults, two male and one female. They all felt pain after knee joint injury and were diagnosed as patellar fracture in medical institutions. Two cases were appraised on the degree of injury and one was on the degree of disability. According to Saupe's grouping, two cases were group III, and one was group II and III. In the practice of medicolegal expertise testimony, recognizing imaging signs of bipartite patella could provide more rigorous and objective conclusion.
Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Fractures, Bone/etiology* ; Humans ; Knee Injuries/diagnostic imaging* ; Knee Joint/diagnostic imaging* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain/etiology* ; Patella/injuries* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To further improve the accuracy of bone age identification using the time of secondary ossification center appearance and epiphyseal fusion of 7 joints to estimate the age of living individuals. METHODS: DR films were taken from 7 parts including sternal end of clavical and the left side of shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, knee and ankle joints of 1 709 individuals who came from eastern China, central China and southern China, whose ages were between 11.0 and 20.0 years. From those 7 joints 24 osteal loci were selected as bone age indexes, which could better reflect age growth of teenagers. The characteristics of secondary ossification center appearance and epiphyseal fusion were observed, and the mean and age range of secondary ossification center appearance and epiphyseal fusion were calculated. RESULTS: The fusion time of the 24 epiphyses were advanced at different degrees, the most obvious epiphyses the sternal end of clavicle, scapular acromial end, distal end of the radius, distal end of the ulna, iliac crest, ischial tuberosity, the upper and lower end of tibia and fibula. The appearance time of sternal end of clavicle, scapular acromial end, iliac crest and ischial tuberosity epiphyses were all found to be after the age of 12, and the female's age, approximately 1 year ahead of schedule in comparison with the male's. CONCLUSION The relevant forensic information and data for bone age identification should be updated every 10-15 years so as to provide accurate and objective evidence for court testimony, conviction and sentencing.
Adolescent ; Age Determination by Skeleton/methods* ; Asian People/ethnology* ; Bone Development/physiology* ; Bone and Bones/diagnostic imaging* ; Child ; China/ethnology* ; Clavicle/growth & development* ; Epiphyses/growth & development* ; Female ; Forensic Anthropology/methods* ; Humans ; Joints/growth & development* ; Male ; Sex Characteristics ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To establish standardized methods and parameters of the isolated heart coronary angiography through the experiment of in vitro porcine heart by MSCT. METHODS: Based on different perfusion volume (50, 60 and 70 mL) and different perfusion-imaging time (5, 10 and 20 min), the in vitro porcine coronary artery was injected liposoluble and water-soluble contrast agents using remodel angiography equipment and scanned by MSCT. And the 3D image results were compared. The images were recorded and evaluated by 2 radiologists and analyzed by statistical software. RESULTS: Liposoluble contrast agent affected the images by damaging and infiltrating the fats around the coronary artery, while the water-soluble contrast agent didn't affect the images. The groups with 60 mL or 70 mL perfusion and 5 min perfusion-imaging time had the best images. CONCLUSION The suitable parameters of the angiography lay the foundation of postmortem coronary angiography.
Animals ; Coronary Angiography/veterinary* ; Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging* ; Heart ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods* ; In Vitro Techniques ; Multidetector Computed Tomography/veterinary* ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Software ; Software Validation ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo study the role of urotension-II in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in the process of airway remodelling in asthmatic rats.

METHODSThirty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal control and 2-week, 4-week and 8-week asthmatic groups (OVA inhalation of 2, 4 and 8 weeks respectively). Rats were sensitized and challenged by OVA to establish a model of asthma. The bronchial wall thickness and the airway smooth muscle thickness were measured by image analysis system. The urotension-II contents in serum and BALF were determined using ELISA.

RESULTSThe bronchial wall thickness and the airway smooth muscle thickness in the three asthmatic groups significantly increased compared with those in the normal control group (P<0.01). The urotension-II contents in serum and BALF in the three asthmatic groups also increased significantly compared with those in the normal control group (P<0.01). The urotension-II contents in serum and BALF in the 8-week asthmatic group were the highest, followed by the 4-week and the 2-week asthmatic groups (P<0.01). BALF urotension-II contents were positively correlated with the bronchial wall thickness and the airway smooth muscle thickness as well as serum U-II contents in the four groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe urotension-II contents in serum and BALF in the process of airway remodeling increase in asthmatic rats. The changes in serum and BALF urotension-II contents may be associated with airway remodeling in asthmatic rats.

Airway Remodeling ; Animals ; Asthma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Bronchi ; pathology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urotensins ; analysis ; blood