Objective To establish the model and software for quality assessment of fetal nuchal translucency ultrasound image using computer image recognition technology.Methods The proposed approach firstly divided the input image into four sub-image blocks:the nasal bone(NB) area,the nuchal translucency (NT) area,the midbrain area,and the jaw and chest area.For each sub-image block,the algorithm compared the image block with the corresponding area of the standard training image set,and then determined whether the current image block was the qualified one using the the Gabor feature and Bayesian decision.The input ultrasound image was determined to be qualified only if it had four qualified sub-image blocks.Results The difference between our automatic method and the manual screening by experts wasting small,the method obtained Kappa =0.795 and P ＜0.001.Moreover,the efficiency of our method was much higher than the manual screening method.Conclusions Image recognition technology can effectively assist the sonographer to assess the quality of fetal NT of ultrasound image.The proposed approach can reduce the subjectivity and randomness of the manual evaluation of NT image.

Diabetic Retinopathy ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; complications ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Hemorrhage ; etiology ; surgery

Purpose To compare and investigate the oncogenic and metastatic phenotypes in nude mice by injection of rat hepatocellu-lar carcinoma ( HCC) cells L2 via two different routes. Methods Twenty of 7-week-old female BALB/cA mice were randomly divided into 2 groups. After the injections of L2 from liver or spleen lobe, the survival rate, tumor formation rate, carcinogenic features, and metastasis were comparatively studied. Results All of the liver orthotopic nude mice developed liver cancer (100%) with 60% lung metastasis rate, and exhibited an expansive growing pattern with surrounding invasion. In the spleen orthotopic model, 78% mice de-veloped HCC in spleen, with 67% liver metastatic rate and 11% lung metastatic rate, lower than the liver orthotopic model ( P <0. 05). But the microscopically hilar lymph node metastasis rate was 33%. Conclusion The direct liver injection of L2 in female nude mice is a better modeling method for studying the mechanism of both carcinogenesis and metastasis, as well as the evaluation of therapeutic effect of liver cancer.

Objective To explore the relationship between the endemic arsenism and the liver,renal damage.Methods Some permanent residents were selected as investigated subjects who lived at 3 villages in Datong in Shanxi Province,an arseniasis-endemic areas,These objects were divided into arsenic poisoning and control group on the basis of Diagnosis Standard for Endemic Arsenism(WS/T 211-2001).Then blood and urine samples were collected in the surveyed people.Serum glutamate pyruvic transaminase(ALT)were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as the indicator of the impaired hepatic function.The microdosis albumen (mAlb)and acetylglucosaminidase(NAG)in urine were detected by end-point method and alkaline picric acid as the renal damage indicators.Results A total of 661 people investigated,of which 144 cases were arsenic poisoning patients.The rates of abnormal liver function were significant hisher in arsenic poisoning group[10.42% (15/144)]than that in control[5.22%(27/517)],and both wag significant[X2=5.107,P＜0.05;OR=2.11,95%CI (1.09-4.08)].The geometric mean of mAlb/Ucr was 2.16 mg/g Cr in control,and 2.31 mg/g Cr in arsenic poisoning group,and both was not significant(t=-1.71,P＞0.05).The geometric mean of NAG waft higher in arsenic poisoning group(2.43 U/g Cr)than that in the control(2.22 U/g Cr),and both was significant(t=-3.55, P＜0.05).Conclusions The damage of the liver and renal function were related with endemic arsenism,and NAG is the early indicators suggesting impaired renal function due to endemic arsenism.

Objective To master the prevalence trend of Kaschin-Beck disease in Xinghai county (Shanglujuan and X.ialujuan village of Tangnaihai township) from 2003 to 2008 in order to understand changes of selenium level of internal and external environments. Methods According to monitoring method on national Kaschin-Beck disease,we carried out epidemical investigation,clinical examination and X-ray photograph on school children aged 7-12 in Xinghai county,a monitoring region,and collected samples of hair and grain. The content of selenium was detected by 2,3-naphthalene fluorescence. Results From 2003 to 2008,in Shanglujuan village,the prevalence rate of clinic examination was fluctuating between 0(0/34)-17.14%(6/35); the detectable rate of X-ray examination was fluctuating between 11.11% (3/27)-20.59% (7/34),the prevalence rates of metaphysis and extremities were fluctuating between 0 (0/27)-13.21%(7/53) and 2.63% (1/38)-11.43% (4/35). In Xialujuan village,the prevalence rate of clinic examination was fluctuating between 2.94% (1/34)-13.33% (6/45); the detectable rate of X-ray examination was fluctuating between 26.67% (12/45)-43.63%(24/55),the prevalence rate of metaphysis and extremities were fluctuating between 8.33% (6/72)-26.47% (9/34) and 13.33% (6/45)-38.18% (21/55). The selenium contents in hair samples were (139.92±92.27),(134.98±63.77)μg/kg respectively in Shanglujuan and Xialujuan village in 2003; the selenium contents in grain samples were (12.90± 7.18),(14.58±9.90)μg/kg respectively in Shanglujuan and Xialujuan village in 2005. Conclusions The prevalence state of Kaschin-Beck disease in national monitoring region is rigid and pathogenetic factors of Kaschin-Beck disease are active. Selenium levels of internal and external environments are low in this region.

Objective To further investigate direct effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DPP4) on calcification and to identify responsible signaling pathways in human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMC). Methods The effect of DPP-4 on calcification of HVSMC was observed by alizarin red, and Western blot was used to detect whether DPP4 induced calcification-related protein expressions through extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway. Results The Alizarin red staining results showed that calcified nodules in DPP4 group were significantly increased as compared with control group, similar to calcification group.The protein expressions of osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteopontin (OPN), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) were stimulated by DPP4 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 was significantly increased after DPP4 incubation for 15 min (P<0.05). PD98059, an ERK1/2 inhibitor, significantly lowered DPP4-stimulated expressions of calcification-related proteins (P<0.05). Conclusion DPP4 may promote the calcification of HVSMC through ERK1/2 signaling pathways.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of combination of intensive preconditioning regimen allo-HSCT with imatinib for treatment of Ph chromosome positive acute lymphocyte leukemia (ALL). Methods Between 2009 and 2010, 8 patients diagnosed as Ph+ ALL received allo-HSCT from HLA identical sibling during complete remission. Imatinib was added into the therapies of 5 patients.Seven patients received the intensive preconditioning regimen based on BuCy2, one patient received the regimen of TBI-Cy. A median of 6. 02 × 108/kg mononuclear cells and 3. 14 × 106/kg CD34+ cells were transfused. GVHD prophylaxis included cyclosporine A and methotrexate. Results All patients were well tolerant to the regimen without serious regimen-related toxicity. The median time of ANC≥0. 5 × 109/L was 15. 5 days, and that of PLT≥20 × 109/L was 19 days. Thirty days after allo-HSCT, all patients got donor engraftment successfully. Among 8 cases, 4 cases presented acute GVHD, 2 developed degree Ⅰ , one developed degree Ⅱ , and one developed degree Ⅳ. Seven patients were alive 100 days after allo-HSCT, 3 of whom presented chronic GVHD. At the end of following-up period, 6 patients were alive, among them, 3 patients were alive without relapse; 3 patients relapsed; Two patients died, one from acute GVHD, and one from leukemia relapse. Conclusion Combined intensive preconditioning regimen allo-HSCT with Imatinib was an effective treatment for Ph+ ALL, but the effect of anti-chronic GVHD of imatinib should arouse certain attention.

OBJECTIVEHighland natives adapt well to the hypoxic environment at high altitude (HA). Several genes have been reported to be linked to HA adaptation. Previous studies showed that the endothelial ni- tric oxide synthase (ENOS) G894T polymorphism contributed to the physiology and pathophysiology of hu- mans at HA by regulating the production of NO. In this meta-analysis, we evaluate the association between the ENOS G894T polymorphism and HA adaptation through analyzing the published data.

METHODSWe searched all relevant literature about the ENOS G894T polymorphism and HA adaptation in PubMed, Med- line, and Embase before Step 2015. A random-effects model was applied (Revman 5.0), and study quality was assessed in duplicate. Six studies with 634 HA native cases and 621 low-altitude controls were included in this meta-analysis.

RESULTSFrom the results, we observed that the wild-type allele G was significantly overrepresented in the HA groups (OR = 1.85; 95% Cl, 1.47-2.33; P < 0.0001). In addition, the GG genotype was significantly associated with HA adaptation (OR = 1.99; 95% Cl, 1.54-2.57; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONOur results showed that in 894 G allele carriers, the GG genotype might be a beneficial factor for HA adaptation through enhancing the level of NO. However, more studies were needed to confirm our findings due to the limited sample size.

Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Prostaglandins E ; therapeutic use ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Research Design

Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Tyrosinemias ; diagnosis ; therapy