Objective To assess the usefulness of a computer-aided detection(CAD)system on detecting the pulmonary nodules in digital chest radiography.Methods Three hundred and twenty-eight digital chest radiographies along with corresponding chest computed tomography were selected for this study. Two senior chest radiologists interpreted these cases using the CAD system and marked the locations and sizes of all nodules with consensus,which were stored in a computer system as Gold Standard to evaluate the performance of the CAD system.Eight radiologists of various experience read these selected cases without and with the aid of CAD system and their results were stored in a computer system.The radiologists' performance was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic analysis.Comparison is made regarding the difference in Az values when CAD was not used versus when CAD was used by using the paired-samples t test.Results For small nodules,the sensitivity of this computer system used by the two senior chest radiologists in 100 digital radiographs was 78.1%(118.0/151).Without and with the assistance of CAD system,the nodule detection sensitivity of the radiology residents was 62.4% (94.2/151),77.4%(116.8/151)respectively,and the area under the curve of radiology residents was 0.769,0.836 respectively.Statistical analysis showed there was statistically significant difference between interpretation without and with the CAD system(P0.05).Conclusions This CAD system can help to enhance the radiologists' ability to detect small pulmonary nodules.This is especially helpful for radiology residents.

Objective To evaluate the value of computer-aided detection (CAD) system for pulmonary nodule detection using digital chest radiography in lung cancer screening. Methods One hundred consecutive digital chest radiographs from 6280 outpatients for lung cancer screening were independently reviewed by a thoracic radiologist and a computer-aided pulmonary nodule detection system.The radiographs were also reviewed by two experienced thoracic radiologists and the true nodules confirmed by two radiologists with reference to the CT images were marked and stored as a gold standard in the CAD system. The sensitivity and false positive of the radiologist and the CAD system for the detection of nodules on digital chest radiographs were compared. Results Ninety-five and 304 nodules were identified by radiologist and the CAD system, respectively. Of 134 nodules marked as true nodules by experienced radiologists, 82 (61.2%) and 105 (78. 4% ) nodules were identified by the radiologist and the CAD,respectively. The radiologist missed 35 true nodules which were only detected by CAD. The CAD system missed 10 true nodules which were only detected by radiologist. One hundred and twelve (83.6%) nodules were identified by radiologist with the CAD system. One hundred and ninety-nine nodules identified by CAD were false-positive with a rate of 2. 0 ( 199/100 ) per case. Conclusion Combining review of digital radiographs by radiologist with CAD system can improve the detection of pulmonary nodules in lung cancer screening.

This paper developed a calculation method to acquire the yield load P of bone plate during four-point bending test. This method is based on the displacement--force (δ-F) curve function f(M)(δ) obtained from the test, each slope of the curve was calculated using piecewise smooth function and the line segment in f(M)(δ) elastic deformation area was searched by setting the minimum slope T. Slope S was obtained through linear fit so as to build parallel displacement function f(L)(δ). Then, approximating intersection point of f(M)(δ) and f(L)(δ) was obtained through linear interpolation. Thus, yield load P was acquired. The method in the paper was loyal to YY/T 0342-2002 regulation and was liable to program calculation. The calculating process was nothing to do with whether the initial point during the test was preloaded or unloaded, and there was no need to correct the original point. In addition, T was set in an ideal fitting level guaranteed by the fitting coefficient of determination R2, and thus S was very close to the real value, and P was with a high accuracy.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Posture ; Weight-Bearing

BACKGROUND:In vitro isolation and purity technique of stem cells mostly depends on the identification of cell surface marker,such as monoclonal antibody adherent spreading method,flow cell sorting method and immunomagnetic beads sorting method,but the operation was complicated and the price was high.OBJECTIVE:To observe the biological characteristics of human amniotic fluid-derived embryonic mesenchymal stem cells,which were isolated and cultured using the two-step method.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:The opening study was conducted at the Stem Cell Research Room of Xinjiang Medical University from March 2008 to March 2009.MATERIALS:Totally 10 amniotic fluid specimens were obtained from pregnant women who underwent prenatal diagnosis following 16-22 weeks of gestation or voluntarily induced abortion.With ultrasonic guidance,amniocentesis was performed to collect 20-40 mL amniotic fluid.METHODS:Human amniotic fluid-derived embryonic mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured using the two-step method.Amniotic fluid was first centrifuged and incubated till spindle-shape cells were seen,with the presence of flbroblast-tike cell colonies.Supematant was moved to a new 25 cm~2 culture flask for further culture till spindle-shape fibroblast-like mesenchymal stem cell colonies.When 70% confluence,cells were digested,and incubated in α-MEM,supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor,served as the first passage.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Morphological changes in human amniotic fluid-derived embryonic mesenchymal stem cells of primary culture and subculture were measured.Karyotype,cycle,growth curve and colony formation ability of human amniotic fluid-derived embryonic mesenchymal stem cells were measured.Surface antigen and cytokine were examined using flow cytometry,immunofluorescence and RT-PCR.RESULTS:Human amniotic fluid-derived embryonic mesenchymal stem cells were successfully isolated and subcultured.During metaphase,primarily cultured amniotic fluid cells presented scattered spindle cells and flbroblast-like mesenchymal stem cell colonies every 7 days.Passaged cells completely adhered in 12 hours.Following 1 or 2 days of latent period,cells proliferated rapidly.About 90% confluence was observed following 6 or 7 days of culture.Cell arranged regularly,showing whirlpool-shape,radiated shape.Cells were spindle-shape,with unclear boundary.Chromosome karyotype of human amniotic fluid-derived embryonic mesenchymal stem cells was normal diploid.Growth curve showed "S" shape,but the two-step method reached a peak at (6.1±0.5) days,which was significantly rapid compared with the one-step method (7.2±0.6) days (P=0.035).Flow cytometry analyses showed that P3 cells at S phase took up (14±2.3)% using the two-step method,which was more than the one-step method (9.0±1.4)% (P=0.031).Low-density human amniotic fluid-derived embryonic mesenchymal stem cells were incubated for 7 days prior to cells formed scattered cell colonies.However,colony forming efficiency using the two-step method (15.0±2.3)% were significantly more than the one-step method (10.0±1.8)% (P=0.021).Flow cytometry results showed that human amniotic fluid-derived embryonic mesenchymal stem cells expressed CD44,CD29 and CD105,but were negatively for CD45,CD34,HLA-DR.Immunofluorescence suggested that Oct-4-positive cells were observed in amniotic fluid.However,the proportion of Oct-4-positive cells using two-step method (1.2±0.3)% was significantly greater than the one-step method (0.9±0.2)% (P=0.041).RT-PCR suggested that human amniotic fluid-derived embryonic mesenchymal stem cells obtained using the two methods expressed Oct-4.CONCLUSION:Human multipotent mesenchymal stem cells are present in human amniotic fluid.The two-step culture protocol could be a kind of high performance and simple protocol which may not interfere with the normal prenatal diagnosis procedure.

Objective To investigate the correlation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as well as serum levels of NT-proBNP, Hcy and D-Dimer (D-D) with different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome types of chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods A total of 178 CHF patients were divided into heart function normal ejection fracture group (HF?NEF, n=86) and heart function reduction (HFREF, n=92) according to their LVEF performance. Another 35 cases with nor?mal cardiac function were included in control group. All CHF patients was also divided into 3 TCM syndrome types:both de?ficiency of Qi and Yin syndrome group(n=64),Qi asthenia causing blood stasis syndrome group(n=59) andYang defi?ciency water stop group (n=55). All patients were examined with cardiac color doppler and LVEF values were recorded. And serum NT-proBNP、Hcyand D-D levels were all quantified. Results As to serum levels of NT-proBNP, Hcy and D-D, they were higher in HFREF group than those in HFNEF group than those in control group. On the other hand, LVEF was lowest in HFREF group but highest in control group. All differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Among patient in HFNEF group, LVEF in theYang deficiency water stop groupwas lower than that inboth deficiency of Qi and Yin syn?drome group(P<0.05). Serum levels of NT-proBNP, Hcy, and D-D were not significantly different between different TCM syndrome groups. By contrast, among patients in HFREF group, LVEF values did not differ significantly between different TCM syndrome groups. Serum level of NT-proBNP was lower inboth deficiency of Qi and Yin syndrome groupthan that inQi asthenia causing blood stasis syndrome group than that in Yang deficiency water stop group. As to serum levels of Hcy and D-D, they are higher inYang deficiency water stop groupthat those inboth deficiency of Qi and Yin syndrome group and Qi asthenia causing blood stasis syndrome group(P<0.05). Conclusion Patients with different TCM syn?drome types of CHF present different levels of serum NT-proBNP, Hcy, D-D level and LVEF. Changes of indicators in HFREF groups are more obvious than they did in HFNEF group.

Objective To highlight the characteristics of pulmonary sequestration (PS) with combination of practical experience and review of literature. Methods One patient with PS confirmed by biopsy was described and the relevant literatures of 279 cases were reviewed. Results PS can be divided into two types: intralobar type and extralobar type. The percentage of intralobar type is about 78.5%, intralobar type is 13.3%, other unreported is 8.2%. Clinically, PS was often combined by repeated pulmonary infection. The mis-diagnose rate is 72.8%. Etrograde arteriography or enhanced CT scan could find the abnormal artery, from which we can make correct diagnosis. The diagnose rate is 100%. Conclusion For patients with above clinical and X-ray symptoms, PS should be considered. Enhanced CT or retropgrade arteriography examination should be done as soon as possible. Timely diagnosis and surgery treatment are important for curing this kind of disease.

Objective Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) silenced by RNA interference (RNAi) technique were used to induce the apoptosis and growth inhibition in T24 and 5637 bladder cancer cells. Methods Three recombinant plasmids pGenesil-1-shRNA-STAT3 was constructed and transfected into T24 and 5637 cells. The expression of STAT3 gene was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. FCM was used to observe the apoptosis in T24 and 5637 cells. Results pGenesil-1-shRNA-STAT3 was successfully constructed, and transfected into T24 and 5637 cells. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis demonstrated that pGenesil-1-shRNA-STAT3 could significantly inhibit the expression of STAT3 in T24 and 5637 cells; FCM results show that it could suppress the growth of 1'24 and 5637 cells. Conclusion pGeneSiI-1-shRNA-STAT3 could significantly inhibit STAT3 expression, suppress the growth of T24 and 5637 cells.

Based on three aspects of academic research, academic morality and academic publication, this pa-per discussed the ethical quality that medical journal editors should possess. Medical knowledge and knowledge of medical ethics are the basic ethical qualities that a good medical editor should possess. Editor should strictly control the manuscript process, abide by the professional ethics, and contribute to the fast and correct spread of medical information.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of notoginsenoside R1 on amyloid-β (1-42) (Aβ(1-42)) induced mitochondrial apoptotic death in SH-SY5Y cells.

METHODCell viability was assayed by MTT, apoptotic rates were analyzed with PI/Annexin V flow cytometry, Bax and Bcl-2 expression were detected with Western blotting, enzymatic activity of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 were measured by ELISA assay.

RESULTThe 6.25-100 nmol x L(-1) of notoginsenoside R1 attenuate Aβ(1-42) induced apoptotic death of SH-SY5Y in dose dependent manner. The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was elevated in SH-SY5Y with notoginsenoside R1 treatment. Caspase-3 and caspase-9 were activated with notoginsenoside R1 treatment while caspase-8 was not affected.

CONCLUSIONNotoginsenoside R1 could protect SH-SY5Y cells from Aβ(1-42) induced apoptosis via mitochondria related apoptotic pathway.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cytoprotection ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; Peptide Fragments ; antagonists & inhibitors