Objective To monitor the quality changes of iodized salt and analyze its impact factor in Chongqing between 2001 and 2009. Methods Salt samples were collected according to the east, west, south,north and center locations in iodized salt production, wholesale and household sectors. Two units in iodized salt production and wholesale segment were sampled from north, south, east and west places and only 1 unit was sampled from the central place. Nine samples were collected every month in each place. If the place had less than 9 units, and then taken all the units. About resident household, 2 townships were sampled from north, south, east and west places, and 1 township was sampled from the central place, then 20 samples were collected from each township. Iodine content was detected by oxidation-reduction assay. The index of mean iodine, qualified rate from factories and wholesale, coverage rate and taking rate of qualified iodized salt in residents were calculated.Significance was analyzed by trend test, analysis of variance and X2 test. Results The qualified rate of iodized salt from the manufacturers was 92.9%(13/14) in 2001 and the rate was 100.0% each year from 2002 to 2009. The qualified rates of iodized salt from the wholesale were 88.7%(282/318) - 99.8%(431/432). The rates of 2001 and 2002 were lower than that of other years(X2 = 4.98 - 45.69, all P< 0.05 or < 0.01). The coverage rate and taking rate of qualified iodized salt in residents were 94.2% (11 154/11 841 ) - 98.9% ( 14 061/14 217), 83.5% (9 887/11 841 ) -95.8% (13 449/14 039), respectively. The rates showed an increasing tendency (F = 9.27, 26.39, all P < 0.05).The districts(counties) with qualified iodized salt consumption rate > 90% kept increasing. The mean iodine from the manufacturers and wholesale were 29.71 - 36.25, and 31.26 - 36.13 mg/kg, respectively. The iodine level showed a descending trend(F = 35.45, 140.59, all P < 0.01 ). The mean iodine level from the inhabitants were 28.84 - 30.98 mg/kg which remained stable (F = 3.05, P > 0.05 ). The iodine level from manufacturers, wholesale to inhabitants showed an descending trend(F = 38.46 - 671.23, all P < 0.01 ). Conclusions The surveillance results of iodized salt shows an increasing tendency in quality of iodized salt, eoverage rate and taking rate of qualified iodized salt. Factors that affect the quality of iodized salt is that the enterprise does not add iodine to salt strictly by the standard.

Objective To study the relationship between Couagen Ⅰ,MMP-2,TIMP-2 gene expression and atrial fibrosis during heart failure(HF)in dog.Methods Fourteen dogs were used and randomized into HF induced by ventricular tachypacing and control group.Burst atrial pacing was used to induce atrial fibrillation(AF).And the mRNA and protein level of collagen Ⅰ,MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical technique.Tissue samples were stained with Mallory trichrome.Results Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased from (67.4? 6.0)% to (29.2?7.8)%,the inducible rate of AF(7/7 vs 2/7) and sustained AF(5/7 vs 0/7) increased and duration of AF stabeatrial fibrillation(SAF) [(462.12?181.43)s vs(0.57?0.57) s] prolonged significantly in HF group.Atrial fibrous tissue content and atrial size of HF group were significantly greater than the controls dogs(268.8% in lefe atria and 190.3% in right atria).The mRNA and protein level of collagen Ⅰ(56.2% and 132.2% in lefe atria,37.4% and 78.0% in right atria)and MMP-2 (100.0% and 115.7% in lefe atria,65.7% and 96.8% in right atria) increased evidently in both lefe atria and right atria,TIMP-2 mRNA decreased 46.3% in lefe atria and had no change in right atria and that its protein had no change in both atrium,whereas the ratio of MMP-2/ TIMP-2 of mRNA and protein increased markedly in both lefe atria (285.3% and 148.8%)and right atria (106.1% and 134.7%)of HF group.SAF had a positive correlation with fibrosis and the gene level of collagen Ⅰ in lefe atria,the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 had a positive correlation with fibrosis and collagen Ⅰ gene level in lefe atria during HF.Conclusions The changes of collagen Ⅰ,MMP-2 and TIMP-2 gene expression appear to be a molecular mechanism of AF, and the molecular remodeling of collagen Ⅰ induced by regulation unbalance of MMP-2/TIMP-2 appears to be an important mechanism of atrial fibrosis during HF.

OBJECTIVETo determine the molecular mechanisms involved in atrial fibrosis which occurs in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and to investigate their effects on the initiation and maintenance of AF.

METHODSThe right atrial tissue samples were taken from 73 patients with rheumatic heart disease who underwent heart valve replacement surgery. 34 patients had no history of AF (sinus rhythm group), 9 patients had paroxysmal AF and 30 patients had persistent AF. The mRNA content of collagen type I, collagen type III, MMP-2, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4 was measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and normalized to beta-actin or GAPDH.

RESULTSCompared to sinus rhythm group, the mRNA of collagen type I and MMP-2 increased significantly in the persistent AF group (all, P < 0.01), followed by the paroxysmal AF group (all, P < 0.05). The mRNA of collagen type III was slightly higher in both AF groups than in the sinus rhythm group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The mRNA of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 was down-regulated in the persistent AF group (all, P < 0.01, respectively), however, the trends of reduction did not reach statistical significance in the paroxysmal AF group (P > 0.05). The mRNA of TIMP-4 remained compatible in each group. The mRNA of collagen type I was significantly correlated with left atrial dimension (r = 0.336, P = 0.004) and AF duration (r = 0.339, P = 0.003). The mRNA of MMP-2 was significantly correlated with the mRNA of TIMP-2 (r = -0.326, P = 0.006), the mRNA of collagen type I (r = 0.322, P = 0.006), left atrial dimension (r = 0.300, P = 0.011) and AF duration (r = 0.300, P = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONThe increased level of collagen type I associated with selective downregulation of TIMP-2 and upregulation of MMP-2 gene expression in atrium could be one of the molecular mechanisms of atrial fibrosis during atrial fibrillation, which correlates with the initiation and maintenance of AF.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Atrial Fibrillation ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; genetics ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases ; genetics

To propose an optimal level set approach for fast medical image segmentation. By confining the computation quantity of the level sets function and using the image characteristics, we improved the efficiency of segmentation and decreased the parameter setting in some degree for DSA vascular segmentation.
Algorithms ; Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results

Objective To acquire more knowledge about Abernethy malformation.Methods Eighteen cases with Abernethy malformation published previously in China from 2001 to 2012 were reviewed.The clinical,radiological and pathological manifestations and treatment were summarized.Results Of 13 cases with type Ⅰ Abernethy malformation (including 6 type Ⅰ a and 7 type Ⅰ b,5 male and 8 female),11 cases occurred by the age of 18 years.Their clinical manifestations included hematochezia in 4,hematemesis in 4,liver dysfunction in 5,liver cirrhosis in 2,hepatic encephalopathy in 2,hepatic nodule in 4,splenomegaly in 5,hypersplenism in 4,portal hypertension in 3 and other associated malformations in 3.Of 5 cases with type Ⅱ Abernethy malformation,2 cases occurred by the age of 18 years.Their clinical manifestations included liver dysfunction in 4,hematochezia in 1,liver cirrhosis in 1,hepatic encephalopathy in 1,hepatic nodule with focal nodular hyperplasia in 1.All 18 patients underwent imaging evaluation,multi-slice computed tomography(CT) angiography (MSCTA) in 16,including vascular ultrasound in 15,digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 7,magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in 1 and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 1.The sites of drainage for portal vein system in 15 cases were documented,including the inferior vena cava (2/15 cases),internal iliac vein (5/15 cases),left renal vein (3/15 cases),azygos vein (2/15 cases),right atrium (2/15 cases) and pelvic venous plexus (1/15 case).And there was no record of specific draining site in other 3 cases.Ballooning degeneration of liver cells,liver cells nodular hyperplasia and fatty degeneration were detected in 2 cases of type Ⅰ Abernethy malformation.And liver focal nodular hyperplasia was demonstrated in 1 case of type Ⅱ Abernethy malformation.Four cases with hematochezia were misdiagnosed as ulcerative colitis,hemorrhoids or purpura.Two cases with clitoral hypertrophy were misdiagnosed as genital malformations.Due to crying,one 5-month-old baby was misdiagnosed as sepsis.Of these 18 cases of Abernethy malformation,most of the cases received conservative treatment.Surgical techniques such as splenectomy,surgical ligation of the veins of sigmoid and interventional embolization to occlude the shunt were used to treat splenomegaly,hematochezia,hematemesis or hepatic encephalopathy.Conclusions Abernethy malformation mainly occurs in children.Clinical presentation is nonspecific.Liver dysfunction,hepatic nodule,hematochezia,hematemesis,plenomegaly and hypersplenism are common manifestations.Compared with overseas reports,hepatic nodule,hepatic encephalopathy and concomitant abnormalities are rare,while hematochezia and hematemesis are more common.The diagnosis is made primarily according to imaging changes,and MSCTA is a useful tool to make a diagnosis.Individualized treatment of Abernethy malformation is determined by the type of deformity and the conditions of the patient.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical significance of human papillomavirus in paraffin-embedded cervical cancer and precancerous lesion tissue by gene clip technology.METHODS 153 Patients with paraffin-embedded examples.DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissues and amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).RESULTS The positive rate of high-risk HPV of inflammation was 8.33%,CINⅠ45.83%,CINⅡ/CINⅢ 87.50% and invasive cancer 92.21%.The HPV infection rate of squamous cell carcinoma was 94.12%.The HPV infection rate of adenocarcinoma was 88.46%.Among all the patients with cervical cancer and CIN,the infection rate of HPV16,the most genotype,was 88.98%.The infection rate of HPV18,the second most subtype,was 33.06%.In addition,the minority were infected HPV52、33、59、68.Among 48 cases of cervical squamous cell carcinoma,the infection rate of HPV16,HPV18 was 93.73% and 27.08% respectively.Among 23 cases of cervical adenocarcinoma,the infection rate of HPV16,HPV18 was 82.61% and 52.17% respectively.On the other hand,all the patients with cervicitis were HPV single infection.The HPV multiple infection rate of CINⅠ,CINⅡ/CINⅢ,cervical cancer was 20.00%,28.57%,36.62% respectively.CONCLUSIONS Gene chip technology can detect multiple HPV genotypes in paraffin-embedded tissues with high sensitivity and specificity,which is useful in the pathogenesis and prevention of cervical cancer.

Background Haze formation is a key factor of vision reduce following corneal refractive surgery.Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) are documented to participate in haze formation.Laboratory study showed that bevacizumab can not only inhibit corneal neovascularization,but also promote the healing of corneal epithelial basement membrane.However,the impact of bevacizumab on corneal healing after Off-flap epipolis laser in situkeratomileusis (Off-flap Epi-LASIK) is unclear.Objective The present study was to investigate the inhibition effect of bevacizumab on corneal haze after off-flap Epi-LASIK and its active mechanism.Methods Off-flap Epi-LASIK was performed in 24 adult pigmented rabbits and these rabbits were randomized into three groups.Bevacizumab of 0.1 ml (2.5 mg) was subconjunctivally injected 10 minutes after surgery in 16 rabbits and the same amount of bevacizumab was repeatedly injected 4 days after the initial injection in 8 eyes of 16 eyes.In addition,equivalent amount of normal saline solution was used in the same way in the other 8 rabbits.Another 2 health rabbits were used as the blank controls.Operative eyes were examined by slit lamp biomicroscope daily after surgery and haze was scored based on SundarRayde criteria.Corneas were obtained 4 weeks after operation for hematoxylin & eosin and periodic acid Schiff staining.Expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA in corneal tissue were detected by immunochemistry.Results Corneal epithelium healed completely in all eyes 4-5 days after operation.The haze scores were lower in the bevacizumab single injection group and repeat injection group than those in the normal saline solution group (P＜0.05) in 1 week and 4 weeks after operation.However,no significant difference was seen in the haze scores between the bevacizumab single injection group and repeat injection group (P ＞ 0.05).The hostopathological examination showed that the fibrosis response of cornea tissue was slight in the bevacizumab single injection group and repeat injection group comparison with the normal saline solution group.At 1 week after operation,the expression levels of TGF-β1 were (49.8 ± 2.1) PU and (38.6 ±4.4) PU in the bevacizumab single injection group and repeat injection group,and those of 4 weeks were (37.7 ±4.8) PU and (28.3 ± 3.5) PU,indicating significant decrease in the TGF-β1 expression compared with (65.1 ±5.3) PU and (51.6±2.2) PU of the normal saline solution group in both 1 week and 4 weeks (P＜0.01).The expression levels of α-SMA in corneas were (67.2±10.0) PU and (32.7±3.1) PU at 1 week,and (34.2±5.7) PU and (22.8±3.0) PU at4 weeks after operation in the bevacizumab single injection group and repeat injection group,which were significantly lower than (87.8±7.7) PU and (59.4±5.6) PU in the normal saline solution group in both 1 week and 4 weeks (P＜0.05).Meanwhile,the expression levels of TGF-β1 and α-SMA were declined in the bevacizumab repeat injection group compared with single injection group (P＜0.01).Periodic acid Schiff staining exhibited that the basement membrane of cornea was intact and continued in bevacizumab injection group.But corneal basement membrane was discontinuous in the normal saline solution group.Conclusions Subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab downregulates the expressions of TGF-β1and α-SMA in cornea after Off-flap Epi-LASIK and thus prevents haze formation.

Objective To analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of non-iodized salt at household level based on geographic information system (GIS) in Chongqing.Methods The database of non-iodized salt at county level from 2001 to 2010 was established in Chongqing.By using GIS technology,the spatial distribution and spatial autocorrelation were analyzed by ArcGIS 9.3 software.Results The rate of non-iodized salt was fluctuated between 2.35％-5.78％ during 2001-2006 and the rate was reduced to less than 2.00％ after 2007.The result of spatial autocorrelation analysis on non-iodized salt from 2001 to 2006 indicated that Moran's Ⅰindex was 0.145578,0.078801,0.108033,0.091957,0.127749,0.214302,respectively(Z value was 3.066275,1.977321,2.541619,2.309972,2.900446,3.874203,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).The spatial distribution of non-iodized salt had marked spatial cluster through Chongqing region from 2001 to 2006.The result of local spatial autocorrelation analysis from 2001 to 2006 indicated that Fengdu and Fuling were two high-risk areas(all P ＜ 0.05).Dianjiang,Yubei,Jiangbei,Wulong and Banan were also confirmed as high-risk areas in 2001,2005 and 2006(all P ＜ 0.05).The results also indicated that the distribution of non-iodized salt in the seven high-risk areas was positively correlated.The result of spatial autocorrelation analysis on non-iodized salt from 2007 to 2010 indicated that Moran's Ⅰ index was 0.018361,0.016186,0.040769,-0.059691,respectively (Z value was 1.093310,0.787361,1.071811,-0.583820,respectively,all P ＞ 0.05).The spatial distribution of non-iodized salt was at random on the whole from 2007 to 2010.However,there were four local high-risk areas.The distribution in Fengdu and Dianjiang was positively correlated,while that in Jiangjin and Shizhu was negatively correlated.Conclusions The distribution of non-iodized salt at households level in Chongqing is changed from spatial distribution before 2006 to random distribution after 2007,but there are high value areas,which should be taken as the focus of monitoring.

Objective To find out the current thyroid volume of school children and its influencing factors in Chongqing.Methods Probability sampling method(PPS) was used to select 30 counties in Chongqing in 2011.Forty children aged 8-10of 1 randomly selected school from every county chosen were enrolled in the study.Thyroid volume of children was examined by B-ultrasonograghy.Body height and body weight were measured.The relationship between gender,age,height and weight and thyroid volume was analyzed,respectively.Results One thousand three hundred and twenty-two children aged 8-10 were investigated.The median of thyroid volume was 3.53 ml.The goiter rate was 5.52％ (73/1322).Thyroid volume of female and male was 3.55 and 3.51 ml,respectively.There was no significant difference of thyroid volume between female and male (H =0.68,P ＞ 0.05).Thyroid volume of children aged 8,9 and 10 was 3.30,3.53 and 3.76 ml,respectively.There was a significant difference of thyroid volume among different age groups(H =52.49,P ＜ 0.01).Thyroid volume of children height (110-,120-,130-and ≥140 cm,respectively) was 2.96,3.22,3.59 and 4.13 ml.There was a significant difference of thyroid volume among different height groups (H =149.23,P ＜ 0.01).Thyroid volume of children weight(17-,20-,30-and ≥40 kg,respectively) was 2.71,3.31,3.91 and 4.74 ml.There was a significant difference of thyroid volume among different weight groups(H =138.44,P ＜ 0.01).For the coefficients of simple and partial correlation,there was a significant correlation between thyroid volume and age,height and weight (P ＜ 0.05).The Spearman coefficient was 0.2411,0.3950 and 0.4285,respectively.The partial correlation coefficient was 0.0640,0.1154 and 0.2319,respectively.The standard partial coefficient of age,height and weight was 0.640,0.1154 and 0.3410,respectively.The proportion of the standard partial coefficients was 1 ∶ 1.8 ∶ 5.3.The function of body weight to thyroid volume was 5.3 times that of age and 3.0 times that of body height.Conclusions The goiter rate of schoolchildren in Chongqing is relatively high.Thyroid volume is affected by age,body height and body weight.The relationship between thyroid volume and iodine nutrition needs further study.

Objective To investigate the nutritional status of iodine among residents in Chongqing, and to facilitate scientific prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders. Methods Select 9 towns in each of the 40 districts (counties) in Chongqing, and collect 40 resident edible salt samples in each of the selected town to detect salt iodine by direct titrimetry. Select 5 towns on the site of the east, west, south, north and middle of every district (county), select 20 children aged 8 to 10 in each of the selected town to collect urine samples and detect urinary iodine by As-Ce catalytic spectrophotometric assay. Results The median of iodine of 14 217 salt specimens by household was 292 mg/kg with a coverage rate of qualified iodized salt of 98.90%( 14 061/14 217). The consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 95.59%( 13 590/14 217). The median of urinary iodine for 4050 children aged 8 to 10 was 247.20μg/L, of which < 50 μg/L accounted for 4.60%(186/4050), 50-99μg/L accounted for 7.28% (295/4050), 100 - 199 μg/L accounted for 26.44% (1071/4050), 200 - 299 μg/L accounted for 25.58% (1036/4050), 300 μg/L or more, accounted for 36.10% (1462/4050). However, no significant difference was observed between different age groups(x2 = 3.77, P > 0.05). At district (county) level, the median of urinary iodine in 10(25.00%) districts (counties) was 100 - 200 μg/L, that in other 23(57.50%) districts (counties) was 200 - 300 μg/L, and that in other 7(17.50%) districts/counties was greater than 300 μg/L, and statistical significance was observed between different districts/counties (x2 = 441.95, P < 0.01). Conclusions Current iodine nutrition among residents in Chongqing is adequate. While there is excess, need to reduce the amount of salt iodization.