Purpose To assess the feasibility of applying dual-energy dual-source CT virtual non-contrast (VNC) imaging in the diagnosis of colorectal diseases. Materials and Methods Eighty-ifve patients with clinically suspected colorectal lesions underwent abdominal CT scan as well as arterial and venous phase dual-energy enhanced scan, VCN images of arterial and venous phase were obtained using the dual-energy software, the differences of image quality, radiation dose and diagnostic coincidence rate between the true non-contrast scan and VNC images were compared. Results The radiation dose of two-phase dual-energy scan was 34.8%lower when compared with the conventional three-phase scans. The CT values of the intestinal lesions, metastasis lymph nodes and intestinal fat in VNC were lower than the true unenhanced scan (P<0.05 or P<0.01), whereas were higher than the real scan in liver and liver metastases (P<0.01), there was no signiifcant difference of VNC between the arterial and venous phase. Differences of intestinal wall thickness, metastasis lymph node size, peripheral invasion and liver metastases observed from real non-contrast scan and VNC were not statistically significant (P>0.05), and neither was the diagnostic coincidence rate for intestinal diseases (P>0.05). The noise level of images obtained from VNC was lower than that of the real non-contrast scan (P<0.05), with higher SNR and CNR, there was no signiifcant difference of image scoring among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion For colorectal lesions, the virtual non-contrast images from the dual-energy dual-source CT scan can be used to reduce the radiation dose without effecting image quality and diagnosis accuracy.

Objective To explore the regulation mechanism of X box binding protein 1 (XBP1)signal transduction pathway for TNF-α and effective approach in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of liver transplantation for short hairpin RNA (shRNA) interference used to gene therapy in liver graft.Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: the cold ischemia transfection group (CIT), the in vivo transfection group (IVT) and the control group. Experiments of orthotopic liver transplantation were performed by two cuff method. The rats in CIT were perfused with XBP1-shRNA plasmid (pSIXBP1) during cold ischemia phase, those in IVT received the equivalent volume (2 ml) of pSIIRAK 4 after portal vein inoculation, and those in the control group were not subjected to any treatment. Rats were killed at 60 or 180 min after restoring reperfusion of hepatic portal vein.Histopathological damage degree of graft liver was observed by light microscope. The expression levels of XBP1 gene and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The activities of NF-κB and the serum TNF-α level were detected by ELISA. Results All the indexes including the degree of histopathological damage, the expression levels of XBP1 mRNA and protein and the TNF-α level were significantly decreased in CIT as compared with IVT and control group (P＜0. 05). However,there was no significant difference in NF-κB activity among the three groups (P＞0. 05). Conclusion The role of XBP1 pathway in TNF-α gene regulation and that of NF-κB pathway in rat liver I/R injury are two relatively independent aspects, and the depression of XBP1 expression with XBP1 shRNA through portal vein perfusion during cold ischemia phase could effectively alleviate graft hepatic I/R

As technologies are progressing rapidly in many aspects, microPET has been developing worldwide at present. The principle, up-to-date status and development of microPET, as well as its existing problems which should be solved, have been introduced in this paper.
Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; trends

Objective To investigate the application value of the Perclose Proglide vascular devices in the thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of aortic dissection.Methods Retrospective analysis of 106 patients who underwent TEVAR for Standford B type aortic dissection were performed.The femoral lumen was measured by CTA be fore,1 month and 1 year after TEVAR.Results A total of 223 Perclose Proglide vascular closure devices were used in the 106 patients,including 97 patients with 2 devices,7 patients with 3 devices,2 patients with 4 devices.The puncture femoral artery diameters had no significant differences between before and 1 month,1 year after TEVAR (all P ＞0.05).Conclusion Per close Proglide vascular closure devices can be effectively and safely used in the TEVAR,which has little influence on the femoral artery diameter,and is worth to be applied in the clinics extensively.

Objective To study the efficiency of tele-consultation on Internet with transmitting realtime 12-lead ECG carried out by the Chest Pain Center evaluated by the length of time required for the emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods A total of 435 STEMI patients treated by emergency PCI were divided into the group A (n =98,admitted in 2010),group B (n =114,admitted in 2011) and group C (n =223,admitted in 2012).Data were collected before (2010) and after establishment of the Chest Pain Center (2011 to 2012) including the length of time elapsed from onset of symptoms to the first medical contact (FMC),the length of time required from FMC to the intra-aortic balloon inflated (FMC-2B) and the length of time required from entering the gate of hospital to the intra-aortic balloon inflated (D-2B).Measure data were described with non-normal median and interquartile intervals.Comparisons were made among groups with rank sum test.Results The median time of D2B of three groups were 107,78 and 59 mins in groups A,B and C,respectively.The differences in D2B among three groups were significant (P =0.000).The time of the D2B was shortened significantly because of the patients transferred to the hospital with a variety of ways (P =0.008).However,the length of D2B time was not significantly changed (P =0.846) when patients came to the hospital all on themselves.The median times from symptom onset to FMC in the group A,group B and group C were 112,62 and 78 mins.and the differences among three groups were not statistically significant (P =0.368).The median times of FMC2B in three groups were 287.0,313.5 and 421.8 mins,respectively,and there were no significant differences (P =0.135).Conclusions The establishment of the Chest Pain Center and Internet of things can effectively shorten the duration of D2B in STEMI patients.However,the reduction of time length from the symptom onset to reperfusion must rely on the coordination between communities and health care system.

OBJECTIVETo probe in the possible acting mechanism of Bizhongxiao Decoction (BZXD) for treatment of early active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by way of observing the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis map of proteins in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy persons and RA patients (intervened or un-intervened with BZXD), analyzing the differential proteins and seeking out the RA associated proteins.

METHODSEighteen patients with early active RA were randomized into the BZXD group and the methotrexate (MTX) group, nine in each group, they were treated with BZXD (contained 15 Chinese herbs, as Herba Hedyotis diffusae, Herba Sarcandrae glabrae, Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae, Caulis Trachelosperi, Rhizoma Drynariae, Semen Coicis, etc.) and MTX combined with nimesulide Tablets respectively, three months as a treatment course, and their blood samples were collected for observation. Besides, blood samples from 9 healthy persons were taken as normal controls. PBMCs were isolated from blood using lymphozytes separation medium, and total protein in the cells was extracted through immobilized pH gradient two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. After Coomassie brilliant blue G250 staining, gel-image analysis was performed using PDQuest software. The differentially expressed proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Then partial proteins were validated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe 2-DE protein profile of PBMCs from healthy persons and RA patients before and 3 months after treatment were obtained, and 23 differential protein spots were found, 14 from 18 differential protein spots were successfully identified, of which 8 proteins were up-regulated and 6 proteins were down-regulated in RA patients as compared with control. After 3-month treatment, 5 differentially expressed proteins showed more obvious in the BZXD group than in the MTX group. RT-PCR verified that the expression of ApoA-I in all the three groups was consistent with the outcomes of 2-DE.

CONCLUSIONSSome differentially expressed proteins exist in the PBMCs of RA patients, which may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of RA; BZXD may treat RA by way of regulating the expression of some differential proteins in patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; drug therapy ; Blood Proteins ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Proteome ; analysis ; Proteomics ; methods

Objective To assess the curative effect of percutem transilluminated with negative pressured on the potaried technique on the treatment of venous ulcer in lower extremity.Methods The clinical date of 300 cases involving 300 legs with venous ulcer in lower extremity,who underwent the percutum transilluminated negative pressured potaried technique using TRIVEXTM Ⅱ potaried system or the percutum transfixion surgical treatment from October 2005 to June 2009,were analyzed.Three hundred cases were randomly divided into potaried group and transfixion group.In potaried group,there were 190 cases involving 190 legs treated with TRIVEXTM Ⅱ potaried system.In transfixion group,110 cases involving 110 legs treated with percutum transfixion.The clinical indexes of skin infection rate and skin necrosis rate,shrinkage rate of wound area and skin depigmentation rate,ulcer healing rate and ulcer recurrence rate were calculated to assess the clinical curative effect on day 5,day 20,day 120 and day 360 after operation respectively.Results The rates of skin infection and skin necrosis were significantly decreased in potaried group compared with transfixion group on day 5 after operation (P0.05).Ulcer recurrence rate was remarkably lower in potaried group than that in transfixion group on day 360 (P

Objective　To investigate the expression of TGF-β and TGF-β receptor in human breast cancer cell Bcap-37 inhibited by soybean isoflavones. Methods　mRNA and protein of TGF-β1、TGF-βRⅠ in Bcap-37 cells were examined with reverse transcription ploymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry after cells were treated with daidein or genistein for 1-4 d.The expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 was determined with TGF-β resistance test. Results　The TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β recepor increased in Bcap-37 cells at a concentration of 3×10-5 mol/L of genistein. No changes was found when treated with daidzein. Conclusion　Genistein may inhibit the proliferation of Bcap-37 cells and accompany with increasing expression of TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β receptor.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical importance of titanium mesh cage (TMC) in anterior instrumentation for scoliosis.

METHODSThirty-six consecutive patients with thoracolumbar/lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were treated with anterior derotation and instrumentation using autologous bone grafting and TMC for interbody fusion. The average age of patients was 17 years (ranged from 14 to 22 years), in which 5 cases were male and 31 cases were female.

RESULTSThe coronal Cobb angle before surgery, 2 weeks after surgery, and 13 months at the follow-up was measured as 56 degrees , 15 degrees , and 18 degrees respectively, while the thoracic kyphosis from T(5) to T(12) was 30 degrees , 33 degrees , and 37 degrees respectively, and the lumbar lordosis from L(1) to S(1) was 46 degrees , 56 degrees , 51 degrees . There were no death, infection, implant failures or collapse of intervertebral space. Intraoperative injury of lacteal occurred in one patient, but no postoperative complications happened. One of two patients who had pleural effusion was managed with close drainage. Exudative pleurisy occurred in one patient, the sympathectomy effect occurred in three patients who presented asymmetry of skin temperature and resolved in short term.

CONCLUSIONSCoronal and sagittal alignment can be well corrected and maintained with TMC in anterior scoliosis surgery, collapse of intervertebral space and lumbar kyphosis can be prevented.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Orthopedic Fixation Devices ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Titanium

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the polymorphism of 11 canine STR loci. METHODS: A fluorescent multiplex system with 11 STR loci (PEZ1, PEZ2, PEZ3, PEZ5, PEZ6, PEZ8, PEZ12, FH2010, FH2054, FH2132 and FH2611) was constructed independently and performed to amplify 105 samples from dogs. The character of these loci was analyzed with the PCR data. RESULTS: The distributions of genotypes and allele frequencies of 11 STR loci were obtained. The total power of discrimination for the 11 loci in canine population was 0.9999999 and the cumulative probability of exclusion was 0.9330621. The observed heterozygosity and polymorphism information content (PIC) were 0.502 and 0.640, respectively. CONCLUSION Each of the eleven canine STR loci has a high genetic polymorphism and can be applied for the parentage testing and individual identification. The fluorescent multiplex system is a reliable method in forensic application.
Alleles ; Animals ; Dogs/genetics* ; Forensic Genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Genetic