With the development of magnetic resonance (MR) technology, the concern is focused on molecular and physiological imaging besides structural information. Ultra high field MR scanner shows great superiority. 3. 0-T MR scanners provide almost two-fold signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) compared with a standard 1. 5-T MR scanner. The higher baseline SNR can be converted into a variety of alternative benefits. There are still some other changes brought about by 3. 0-T, such as higher sensitivity to motion, susceptibility effect, more difference in resonant frequency among different metabolites, and so on. These features may be a double-edged sword in structural and functional imaging. But with the ceaseless progress of the technology and gains in experience, 3. 0-T systems will provide more information and show more advantages.
Animals ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; instrumentation ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective:Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) plays important roles in the maintenance and survival of motor neurons. This study attempted to explore the expression and distribution of CNTF mRNA and its protein in the ambiguous nucleus(Amb) motoneuron in order to clarify its functional state after long term laryngeal denervation. Methods: The recurrent laryngeal nerves were obtained from dogs. Brain stems were removed and sectioned for histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization of CNTF. Amb motoneurons were identified by Nissl staining. The count and intensity of positive reactive motoneurons were measured by computer image processing system. Results: Transection of the laryngeal nerve led to a very marked reduction in the count and intensity of CNTF mRNA positive reactive motoneurons, and reached minimal levels at week 3. CNTF immunoreactivity increased rapidly and reached maximal levels also at week 3. At week 4, a significant increase in CNTF mRNA expression and decrease in CNTF immunoreactivity were observed. At week 6, both CNTF mRNA and its protein expression were significantly less than those of unlesioned contraletaral sides. Although a difference between week 6 and 12 was observed, the motoneurons were generally stable in the expression level of CNTF mRNA and its protein, and in the size and count after 12 weeks, with 78%, 84.4%, 80.9% and 83.7% respectively as compared with the unlesioned contralateral Amb. Conclusion: The results indicate that although degenerating changes occurre in the Amb motoneurons after long term laryngeal denervation, the ciliary neurotrophic factors activity of the lesioned motoneurons is still maintained at a certain level. [

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Feiji Recipe (FR) intervening indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) induced immune escape on the murine model of Lewis lung carcinoma. Methods Totally 48 C57BL/6 mice inoculated with Lewis lung cancer cells transfected with human (enhanced green fluorescent protein,EGFP)-IDO gene were divided into four groups according to radom digit table, i.e., the model group (administered with normal saline by gastrogavage) , the Chinese medicine group (treated with FR Decoction at the daily dose of 100 mg/g by gastrogavage), the 1-methyl-D-trytaphan (1-MT) group (administered with 1-MT mixed liquor at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg by gastrogavage), and the Paclitaxel group (treated with Paclitaxel at the daily dose of 15 mg/kg by peritoneal injection), 12 in each group. The intervention was started from the 2nd day of modeling. The survival time was observed in 24 of them. Ratios of CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in the spleen were detected in the rest 24 mice by flow cytometry respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the survival time was significantly prolonged in the Chinese medicine group and the 1-MT group (P < 0.01); ratios of Treg cells remarkably decreased in the Chinese medicine group, the 1-MT group, and the Paclitaxel group (P < 0. 01). Compared with the Paclitaxel group, the survival time was significantly prolonged in the Chinese medicine group and the 1-MT group (P < 0.01); ratios of Treg cells decreased significantly in the 1-MT group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFR could inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells and immune eseape, improve the immune function, and prolong the survival of tumor-bearing mice.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Lewis Lung ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Paclitaxel ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory

Objective:To explore the expression and distribution of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in laryngeal nerve degeneration and regeneration. Methods:Transection of the recurrent laryngeal nerves in 8 dogs and suture following transection in 12 cases were performed. Both proximal and distal ends of transected or sutured region were sectioned at various survival times for CNTF immunohistochemistry and CNTF mRNA in situ hybridization. The area and intensity of reactive product were measured by computer image processing system. Results:After nerve transection, reactive product of CNTF mRNA and its protein reduced rapidly in distal stumps, after neurorrhaphy, they were observed in thin Schwann cell processes ensheathing axons and not found in the proliferating Schwann cells which didn′t ensheathe axons. CNTF immunoreactivity was also detected in the regenerated nerve axons. CNTF expression increased with survival time, but even at the longest survival time, it was still significantly less than that in intact nerve. The same change was observed in a short segment proximal to the transected or sutured region. Conclusion:CNTF expression is in the down regulation and is collected with Schwann cell axon in peripheral nerve degeneration and regeneration. The changed distribution of CNFT might provide a supportive environment for axonal regeneration.

OBJECTIVETo study the factors influencing health of burn patients in rehabilitation period.

METHODSOne hundred and one patients hospitalized in burn department of Xiehe Hospital of Fujian Medical University from February 2008 to October 2008 were investigated by means of General Information Questionnaire, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, and the Social Support Rating Scale. Their rehabilitation condition was scored according to the Abbreviated Burn-Specific Health Scale. Investigation data were processed by multiple linear regression analysis in order to find out the factors influencing rehabilitation of burn patients.

RESULTSPatients in this group were scored (57 +/- 16) points in physical function, rate [(actual score/possible highest score) x 100%, the same below] 71.1% (the lowest); (97 +/- 19) points in psychological function, rate 80.6%; (53 +/- 8) points in social function, rate 88.4% (the highest); (45 +/- 11) points in general health, rate 74.5%; (251 +/- 44) points in comprehensive health [standard score (314 +/- 55) points], rate 78.5% (upper middle). The factors included in the comprehensive health regression equation (F = 11.602, P < 0.001) were: monthly income, size of burn, number of operations, introverted/extroverted characteristics, living, degree of utilization of support, social support, and resignation. They accounted for 46.6% of the variance of comprehensive health.

CONCLUSIONSMonthly income, size of burn, introverted/extroverted characteristics, living, social support, and resignation are the main factors influencing the rehabilitation level of burn patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Burns ; psychology ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Social Support ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy of phase-weighted imaging in differentiating multiple system atrophy (MSA) from idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD).

METHODSA phase-weighted sequence was performed covering striatum in 21 patients with MSA, 20 patients with IPD, and 26 age-matched healthy volunteers after conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging examination on a 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging system. An experienced neuroradiologist who were blind to the clinical diagnosis applied region of interest (ROI) on post-processing phase images to measure the phase shift value of bilateral globus pallidus, putamen, and caudate head.

RESULTSThe phase shift values at bilateral putamen of MSA group were significantly lower than those of IPD group and control group (P < 0.05), while phase shift values at other locations of MSA group were not statistically different from those of other groups. The phase shift values showed no statistical difference between IPD group and control group at all regions.

CONCLUSIONQuantitative phase-weighted imaging is a useful sequence to reflect the abnormal iron accumulation in brains of patients with movement disorders and is helpful in the differential diagnosis between MSA and IPD.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Caudate Nucleus ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Globus Pallidus ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple System Atrophy ; diagnosis ; Parkinson Disease ; diagnosis ; Putamen ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) in detecting susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) onto four first line anti-tuberculosis drugs.

METHODThe 24-hole cell culture plates were used to test drug susceptibility of MTB on liquid medium, and the best detecting condition of MODS assay was probed; 66 clinical isolates susceptibility to streptomycin (S), isoniazid (H), rifampin (R) and ethambutal (E) were evaluated by using MODS assay and Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J), thereafter, all the inconcordance of isolates between MODS and L-J were tested for the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC).

RESULTSConcordance rate of the susceptibility to S, H, R and E in 66 clinical isolates detected by MODS and L-J was 97.0%, 90.9%, 95.5% and 86.4% respectively. If the results obtained by L-J were taken as a golden standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV) as well as accuracy of susceptibility test to S detected by MODS was 96.0%, 97.6%, 96.0%, 97.6% and 97.0%; 100%, 85.4%, 81.0%, 100% and 90.9% to H; 96.2%, 95%, 92.6%, 97.4% and 95.5% to R; 73.7%, 91.5%, 77.8%, 89.6% and 86.4% to E. There were 20 inconsistent results of 16 isolates by comparing MODS with L-J, and MIC yielded 16 results of those 14 isolates showing identical results with those of the MODS, while 4 results of other 4 isolates identical with L-J.

CONCLUSIONMODS method simultaneously provides drug susceptibility to S, H, R and E. MODS might be one of the rapid tools to diagnosing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis as it is rapid, simple, inexpensive and has high concordance with L-J drug susceptibility test.

Bacteriological Techniques ; methods ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; methods ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; drug effects ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the values of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating the un-resectability of blood vessels in pancreatic tumor.

METHODSImages obtained from MSCT and MRI of pancreas in 14 patients with pancreatic cancer were retrospectively reviewed. MSCT scanning included arterial phase, pancreatic-portal phase, and delay-phase. MRI scanning included fat-suppressed T2WI, dual-echo T1WI, and fat-suppressed T1WI before and after injection of contrast (arterial phase, pancreatic-portal phase, delay-phase, and late delay phase). Seven patients received operations within two weeks after the examinations. The staging of peripancreatic blood vessels in MSCT and MRI images was evaluated and compared. The veracity of MSCT and MRI in assessing the un-resectability of peripancreatic blood vessels was calculated and compared according to the findings in operation.

RESULTSAll the tumors were observed in MSCT and MRI images. Statistical difference existed in staging of peripancreatic blood vessels and in evaluating their un-resectability between MSCT and MR (P < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the un-resectability assessed by MSCT were 77.8%, 95%, 91.8%, 77.8%, and 95%, respectively, and those assessed by MR were 66.7%, 90%, 85.7%, 60%, and 92.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONDynamic MSCT is better than dynamic MR to some extent in evaluating the un-resectability of peripancreatic blood vessels in pancreatic tumor.

Aged ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in analysis of olfaction function with modified OEP-98C olfactometer and event-related design.

METHODSSix young right-handed men underwent olfactory fMRI with event-related design. OEP-98C olfactometer was modified to accommodate MR environment. There were 2 types of tasks in the experiment. In one task, only isoamyl acetate was used as odorant. In the other task, to avoid possible decreased olfactory attention, vanillin was given before each presentation of isoamyl acetate.

RESULTSIn both tasks, uniform activation in piriform cortex and secondary olfactory cortexes was determined. The activation of piriform cortex was not significantly different between the two tasks (P > 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSWith isoamyl acetate as odorant, modified OEP-98C olfactometer, and event-related design, olfaction fMRI can depict cortex activation at primary and secondary olfactory cortex. Applying other odorant with similar quality to avoid olfactory attention decrease can not promote depiction of activation in primary olfactory cortex.

Adult ; Evoked Potentials ; physiology ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Olfactory Pathways ; physiology ; Olfactory Perception ; physiology ; Pentanols

The complete nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone encoding weever ribosomal protein L8, WeevL8, is described here. The WeevL8 cDNA has 848 nucleotides in full length and encodes a 257 amino-acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 28.02 kDa. Two conserved domains have been identified in WEEVL8. It was concluded fromsequence alignment that WeevL8 gene was quite conservative, consistent with its role as a house-keeping gene. A phylogenetic analysis made by L8 protein showed the similar phylogenetic relationship to that with 18s rDNA. The high similarity supports the notion that ribosomal protein L8 can also be used as phylogenetic criterion.