This paper analyses the data structure of DICOM standard by the applications in the Non-DICOM format fluoroscopic images converted into the DICOM format images. It puts forward a solution to integrate the Multi-Channel Electrophysiology Recorder System with the X -ray system in the cardio-catheter room.
Computer Communication Networks ; Diagnostic Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods ; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac ; instrumentation ; Fluoroscopy ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Radiology Information Systems ; standards ; Software Design ; Video Recording ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards

OBJECTIVE: To observe the origin, course and diameter of the metatarsal nutrient artery. METHODS: The metatarsaL nutrient in 90 feet, ranging in age from newborn to 87 years, were studied by perfusion method. The origin, course and diameter of these arteries were observed and measured. RESULTS: The diameter of the metatarsal nutrient artery was 0.24 approximate, equals 0.30 mm. The nutrient arteries of the first metatarsal bone originated from the deep plantar branch and the first metatarsal plantar artery in 59.6% of specimens, while the nutrient arteries of the other metatarsal bones mainly originate from the plantar metatarsal arteries, the plantar arch and its perfora-ting branches. The diaphysial nutrient foramina were situated in the middle third of the shaft over 90% of specimens. CONCLUSION: The metatarsal nutrient artery showes practical significance in clinic.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the modulation effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) implantation on the collagen remodeling in myocardial infarction.

METHODSAcute myocardial infarction (AMI) was induced in SD rats by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, and the animals were assigned randomly into the Sham group, MI + PBS group and MI + MSCs group. Echocardiography and hemodynamic examinations were performed to evaluate the cardiac function. HE staining and Masson trichrome staining were used to evaluate the myocardial infarction size. Infarcted area and infarcted expansion index were calculated. The expression of collagens in infarcted hearts was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS(1) Infarct area was significantly reduced post MSCs transplantation [MI + MSCs vs. MI + PBS: (38.27 ± 2.70)% vs. (46.20 ± 3.17)%, P < 0.001]. (2) Cardiac function was significantly improved post MSCs transplantation [MI + MSCs vs. MI + PBS: FS(%): 29.98 ± 4.50 vs. 23.43 ± 3.34, P = 0.005; LVSP (mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa): 113.63 ± 10.81 vs. 99.25 ± 16.76, P < 0.05; LVEDP (mm Hg): 12.10 ± 4.28 vs. 20.08 ± 4.26, P < 0.05; +dp/dtmax (mm Hg/s): 4616.63 ± 363.34 vs. 3912.75 ± 248.79, P < 0.05; -dp/dtmax (mm Hg/s): 4254.63 ± 324.34 vs. 3530.88 ± 309.71, P < 0.05]. (3) Collagen synthesis was enhanced in infarcted area and decreased in non-infarcted area post MSCs transplantation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMSCs transplantation could enhance the collagen synthesis in infarcted area while decrease the deposition of collagen in non-infarcted area in this MI model. This may be one of the mechanisms by which ventricular remodeling is attenuated post MSCs transplantation.

Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical effect and safety of the Chinese medicine Longbishu Capsule combined with mesylate doxazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type.

METHODSThis was a randomized, double-blind, double-simulation control study. We equally assigned 60 men diagnosed with BPH of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type to an experimental and a control group, the former treated with mesylate doxazosin plus Longbishu Capsule and the latter with mesylate doxazosin plus placebo. We compared the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), Chinese symptom score (CSS), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and prostate volume between the two groups of patients before and after 6 months of medication.

RESULTSAfter treatment, there were 5 cured cases, 13 markedly effective cases, 9 effective cases, 1 ineffective case, and 2 eliminated cases in the experimental group, as compared with 2 cured cases, 8 markedly effective cases, 10 effective cases, 7 ineffective cases, and 3 eliminated cases in the control group. The total effectiveness rate was obviously higher in the former (96.4%) than in the latter (74.1%). IPSS, Qmax, and CSS were improved in both of the groups after medication, even more significantly in the experimental than in the control group (IPSS: 15.22 ± 2.98 vs 18.15 ± 5.88, P <0.05; Qmax: [13.56 ± 2.26] ml/s vs [11.78 ± 2.97] ml/s, P <0.05; CSS: 6.18 ± 2.13 vs 9.52 ± 3.15, P <0.05). Because of the difference in the QOL score between the two groups at the baseline (P = 0.038 <0.05), no more comparison was made in this aspect after treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of Longbishu Capsule with mesylate doxazosin is safe and effective for the treatment of BPH.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Double-Blind Method ; Doxazosin ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Urination

OBJECTIVETo establish a high-sensitivity, high-specificity and low-cost hydrogel chip platform for the clinical screening of Y chromosome microdeletions.

METHODSSite-specific extended primers with a common sequence at the 5' end were used for hybridizing with the target. The Cy5-dUTP was incorporated into the products by primer extension, and the products were labeled with fluorescence. Then the extended products were added to the chip for hybridizing with acrylamide-modified common probes immobilized on the chip. After removal of the free Cy5-dUTP by electrophoresis, the signals were obtained by fluorescence scanning. And the detecting conditions of this method were optimized.

RESULTSSY254 of 9 samples was successfully detected with the hydrogel chip. The results showed that 3 were normal and the other 6 with microdeletions (1 female sample as a negative control), which coincided with the results of conventional multiplex PCR-electrophoresis.

CONCLUSIONThe hydrogel chip platform we established has provided a new technique for the detection of Y chromosome microdeletions, and is beneficial to the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Carbocyanines ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Deoxyuracil Nucleotides ; Humans ; Hydrogels ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development ; diagnosis ; genetics

Apoptosis ; B-Lymphocytes ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinogenesis ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Curcumin ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; In Situ Hybridization ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; MicroRNAs ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVETo investigate the modulation effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) implantation on the myofibroblasts congregating in the infarct region after myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODSMI was induced in SD rats by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, and the experimental animals were assigned randomly into the sham group, MI + PBS group and MI + MSC group (myocardial injection of 0.1 ml 2×10(7)/ml in four locations in the infarct region). Echocardiography, hemodynamic examinations and Masson trichrome staining were performed. Implanted MSC differentiation and myofibroblasts congregating in infarct region were investigated by immunofluorescence staining. TGF-β(1)-Smad2 signaling pathway was examined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS(1) Four weeks late, heart-weight/body-weight ratio [(3.04 ± 0.16) mg/g vs. (3.34 ± 0.14) mg/g, P < 0.01] and myocardial infarction size [(38.72 ± 2.38)% vs. (46.36 ± 2.81)%, P < 0.01] were significantly reduced in MI + MSC group than in MI + PBS group, while scar thickness of infarct region was thicker [(0.93 ± 0.17) mm vs. (0.65 ± 0.16) mm, P = 0.01], and LVEF was higher [LVEF: (32.5 ± 5.9)% vs. (26.5 ± 4.5)%, P = 0.03] in MI + MSC group than in MI + PBS group. (2) Myofibroblasts congregating in the infarct region was significantly enhanced in MI + MSC group compared with MI + PBS group [(196 ± 20) cells/mm(2) vs. (89 ± 25) cells/mm(2), P < 0.01], and part of implanted MSC expressed α-SMA(+). (3) TGF-β(1) expression and the phosphorylating of Smad2 in the infarct region were significantly upregulated in MI + MSC group compared with MI + PBS group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMSC could improve myocardial function and promote myofibroblasts congregating in the infarct region via activating the TGF-β(1)-Smad2 signaling pathway in this model.

Animals ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; therapy ; Myofibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Ventricular Remodeling

BACKGROUNDThe Fc receptor associated pathway might improve the immune responses against hepatitis B virus (HBV) as previously described by us. In addition, the Flt3 ligand (FL) has been reported to potentiate antigen presenting cells in vivo and may act as a potential adjuvant to boost antigen-specific immune responses. In this study, the immune efficacies of a set of fusion proteins of HBsAg and Fc and/or FL were evaluated in HBsAg transgenic mice.

METHODSThe fusion proteins composed of HBsAg and the Fc domain of murine IgG1 (HBsAg-Fc) and/or the Flt3 ligand, and yeast-derived recombinant HBsAg were used as immunogen to immunize HBsAg transgenic mice, respectively. Serum and liver HBsAg levels, serum anti-HBsAg and cytokine profile, and the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/AST were investigated after immunization.

RESULTSAfter six injections, the most pronounced decrease in serum and liver HBsAg levels was observed in the HBsAg-Fc immunized group. In addition, serum Th1 cytokines and ALT/AST activities were highest in this group, indicating an effective induction of a favorable cellular immune response. Interestingly, the fusion protein containing HBsAg-Fc and the Flt3 ligand stimulated an alternative Th1-type immune response featured with high level productions of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoabstractant protein 1 (MCP-1), causing a more severe cytotoxicity in hepatocytes while showed less effective in reducing serum HBsAg level.

CONCLUSIONHBsAg-Fc is effective in eliciting both the humoral and cellular immune responses against HBsAg in HBsAg transgenic mice, which makes it a potential immunogen for the immunotherapy of chronic hepatitis B.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; Immunity, Humoral ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Receptors, Fc ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the phased expression of gene and protein of NogoA and its receptor (NgR) that affects axon growth of spinal cord injury (SCI), and to explore the time window effect of electroacupuncture on SCI rats. Methods A total of 144 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham operation group (group A, n=48) and model group (n=96). In the model group, Allen's method was used to establish SCI rats model, and they were further subdivided into model control group (group B, n=48) and electroacupuncture group (group C, n=48). Group C received electroacupuncture on Dazhui (GV14), Yaoyangguan (GV3), bilateral Ciliao (BL32) and Zu-sanli (ST36) with loose-tight wave, for 20 minutes every day, one day, seven days and 14 days after modeling. The rats at every interventional therapy time were randomly subdivided into two subgroups, which accepted sev-en or 14 days of treatment. Groups A and B were killed and the injured spinal cord tissue was extracted one day, three days, seven days, 14 days and 28 days after modeling, group C at the corresponding time. The hind limb motor function was assessed with BBB score before all of rats were killed. Four samples at every time in each group were randomly selected to detect the expression of mRNA and protein of NogoA and NgR at different stage of SCI using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Results The BBB score began to increase 14 days after modeling, and significantly increased until 28 days after model-ing (P<0.05), compared with one day, three days and seven days after modeling in group B. The BBB score in-creased in group C than in group B at all the time points (P<0.05), except 14 days after electroacupuncture one day after modeling. The BBB score was higher as electroacupuncture intervening seven days and 14 days after modeling than that at one day after modeling in group C, and no significant difference was found between seven days and 14 days of treatment at either electroacupuncture time point (P>0.05). The expression of gene and pro-tein of NogoA and NgR in group B was in the increasing tendency after SCI, and was at the peak until 21 days af-ter modeling, and was higher in group B than in group A at each time point (P<0.01). The expression of gene and protein of NogoA decreased at all the time points in group C than in group B (P<0.05), except seven days of elec-troacupuncture intervening one day after modeling in the expression of NogoA mRNA (P>0.05). The expression of gene and protein of NogoA and NgR was lower as electroacupuncture intervening 14 days after modeling than one day after modeling in group C (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of gene and protein of NogoA and NgR between electroacupuncture intervening 14 days and seven days after modeling, and seven days and one day after modeling (P>0.05); as well as between seven days and 14 days of treatment at each time point (P>0.05). Conclusion Elerctroacupuncture could improve the hind limb motor function, which may associate with the inhibition of the expression of gene and protein of NogoA and NgR in injured spinal cord of rats after SCI. Elerctroacu-puncture is effective in the treatment of SCI at the early time, however, it is much better in the recovery stage.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of different concentrations of PPAR gamma agonist rosiglitazone on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced oxidative stress, cell viability and apoptosis in rat cardiac myocytes.

METHODSCultured rat cardiac myocytes were divided into 5 groups, namely group I (normal group), group II (20 micromo/L ROS group), group III (I/R group), group IV (I/R+20 micromo/L ROS group), and group V (I/R+80 micromo/L ROS group). Group IV and group V were treated with rosiglitazone 12 h before hypoxia/reoxygenation. The changes in cell morphology were observed under optical and transmission electron microscopy, and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content were determined after the treatment. MTT assay was performed to assess the cell viability and flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell apoptosis.

RESULTSHypoxia/reoxygenation resulted in significantly increased MDA and LDH contents and apoptosis of the cardiac myocytes (P<0.05), but lowered SOD activity and the cell viability (P<0.05). The MDA and LDH contents and apoptotic rate were significantly lower but SOD content and cell vitality significantly higher in groups IV and V than in group III (P<0.05). Group V showed significantly lower MDA and LDH contents and apoptotic rate but higher but SOD content and cell vitality than group IV (P<0.05). Electron microscopy revealed obvious apoptotic changes in group III, and only mild changes were found in group V.

CONCLUSIONRosiglitazone can significantly reduce hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced oxidative stress in cardiac myocytes, improve the cell viability and dose-dependently reduce the apoptotic rate of the cardiac myocytes.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; agonists ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology