Objective To investigate the perfusion characteristics of intraductal breast lesion by real-time gray-scale contrast ultrasound and to determine the value of real contrast ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast masses.Methods A total of 30 breast lumps by ultrasound contrast enhancement were observed from the enhanced level.An enhanced mode and enhanced border were observed when the lesion was clear.The perfusion characteristics were compared between the benign and malignant lesions.Results Thirty breast lumps include 17 benign lumps and 13 benign lumps by pathological operation.After injected with the microbubble contrast medium,all breast lumps enhanced to varied extent.And malignant lesions showed significant enhancement for more than 3 grade(69.2%,9/13).The radial enhancement around lesion were mainly observed in the malignant lesions (P＜0.05).Conclusion The microvascular perfusion of breast intraductal lesions can be clearly displayed by real-time gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound.The feasibility of differentiation between benign and malignant lesions according to their perfusion characteristics appears to be promising.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of 3-(4-~(18)F-fluorobenzyl)-8,9-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochromeno [3,4-c]pyridin-5-one ( is F-FDTP) as a potential dopamine D4 receptor PET imaging agent.Methods ~(18)F-FDTP solution in ethanol-physiological saline was incubated with calf serum to test its in vitro stability through the determination of radiochemical purity.Normal rats were injected intravenously with ~(18)F-FDTP and then sacrificed at 2,5,10,15,30,60 and 120 min after anesthesia.Blood,organs and brain tissue samples were collected.All samples were weighed and measured for radioactivity.The uptake of samples was expressed as percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue ( % ID/g).Results The stability of ~(18)F-FDTP was satisfactory and its radiochemical purity was above 95% after incubation 120 min at 37℃ in calf serum.The biodistribution showed that ~(18)F-FDTP could penetrate through the blood-brain barrier and selectively accumulate in striatum,hypothalamus,frontal certex,hippocampus,cerebellum,where the D_4 receptor was reportedly located.The radioactivities in hippocampus,hypothalamus,striatum,frontal cortex,cerebellum,pons were (0.42±0.03),(0.46±0.05),(0.54±0.04),(0.39±0.04),(0.45±0.06),(0.35±0.04) %ID/g,respectively,2 min post injection.And there was difference between the normal biodistribution results and the blocking experimental results:(0.36 ±0.05),( 0.33±0.05 ),(0.55±0.05 ),(0.30±0.07 ),(0.34±0.07 ) and (0.32±0.04) % ID/g in hippocampus,hypothalamus,striatum,frontal cortex,cerebellum and pons,respectively.Conclusions ~(18)F-FDTP can penetrate through the blood-brain barrier and selectively accumulate in striatum,hypothalamus,frontal cortex,hippocampus,cerebellum,where the D_4 receptor was known to concentrate.These preliminary results suggest that ~(18)F-FDTP is a potential dopamine D_4 receptor imaging agent and further studies are needed.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection is a common complication of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).This study aimed to explore the association between human leukocyte antigen-antigen D-related (HLA-DR) expression and multidrug-resistant infection in patients with SAP.A total of 24 SAP patients who were admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between May 2015 and December 2016 were enrolled in the study.The percentages of CD4+,CD8+,natural killer (NK),and HLA-DR (CD14+) cells and the CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio on days 1,7,14,and 28 after admission were determined by flow cytometry.Eighteen patients presented with the symptoms of infection.Among them,55.6％ patients (10/18) developed MDR infection.The most common causative MDR organisms were Enterobacter cloacae and Acinetobacter baumannii.The CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio and the percentage of NK cells were similar between patients with non-MDR and patients with MDR infections.In patients without infection,the HLA-DR percentage was maintained at a high level throughout the 28 days.Compared to the patients without any infection,the HLA-DR percentage in patients with non-MDR infection was reduced on day 1 but increased and reached similar levels on day 28.In patients with MDR infection,the HLA-DR percentage remained below normal levels at all-time points.It was concluded that persistent down-regulation of HLA-DR expression is associated with MDR bacterial infection in patients with SAP.

Human tumstatin(hTumstatin)cDNA was amplified from recombinant plasmid pET-3c-tum, cloned in frame with the signal sequence in yeast vector pPICZalphaA and transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 by electroporation. The expression of hTumstatin in GS115(pPICZalpha-tum)was then induced by methanol and secreted into the culture medium, with a yield of 25mg/L as shown by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The expressed hTumstatin was purified to more than 85% purity using a simple one-step SP-Sepharose cation exchange chromatography. The MTT and chick chorioallantoic membrane assay showed that the yeast produced hTumstatin could inhibit the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and the neovascularization induced by bFGF. Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining also demonstrated the apoptotic change in endothelial cellular nuclear morphology.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; metabolism ; Autoantigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type IV ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Electroporation ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate stress distribution of different material restored post-cores in dentine and provide a theoretical guidance for clinical use.

METHODSA three-dimensional finite element model of maxillary central incisor restored with post-core and PFM crown was constructed by SCT scan technology. Based on this model, stress distribution in dentine was analyzed before and after post-core restorations with 6 different materials, including cast Ni-Cr alloy, cast titanium alloy, cast gold alloy, glass fiber reinforced composite, polythene fiber reinforced composite, and common composite resin.

RESULTSWhen the tooth was restored with cast Ni-Cr alloy post and PFM crown, the maximum tensile stress and Von Mises stress in dentin at post apex increased 152% and 162% respectively, compared with a tooth restored only with PFM crown. If polythene fiber reinforced composite was used as post material, the stress distribution did not significantly change. When the other materials were used for the post, the stress distribution changed greatly. The elastic modulus of post-core materials affected the stress distribution pattern in dentine.

CONCLUSIONThe materials with elastic modulus similar to that of dentin, such as polythene fiber reinforced composite, may be suitable for post restoration.

Chromium Alloys ; Dental Materials ; Dental Restoration, Permanent ; Dental Stress Analysis ; methods ; Dentin ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Incisor ; physiology ; Materials Testing ; Post and Core Technique ; Tensile Strength

OBJECTIVETo investigate the stability and three-dimensional movements of the atlantoaxial joint after artificial atlanto-odontoid joint (AAOJ) arthroplasty by comparing with a conventional method.

METHODSAfter anterior decompression, 24 human cadaveric spinal specimens of C0-C3 were randomly divided into two groups: Group A receiving artificial AAOJ arthroplasty; Group B experiencing anterior transarticular screw (ATAS) fixation. Two groups underwent flexibility test in intact and instrumented states. Rotational angle of the C0-C3 segments was measured to study the immediate stability and function of anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty compared with the intact state and ATAS fixation.

RESULTSCompared with the intact state, anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty resulted in a significant decrease in the range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) during flexion, extension and lateral bending (P less than 0.05); however, with regard to axial rotation, there was no significant difference in ROM and NZ (P larger than 0.05). Compared with anterior decompression with ATAS fixation, anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty during flexion, extension and lateral bending, significant difference was found in ROM and NZ (P larger than 0.05); however, as for axial rotation, there was a significant increase in ROM and NZ (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe self-designed AAOJ has an excellent biomechanical performance, which can restore excellent instant stability and preserve the movement of the atlantoaxial joint.

Adult ; Arthroplasty ; methods ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Cadaver ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the difference in intracellular calcium ion [Ca2+]i concentration in prostate smooth muscle cells (PSMCs) between SD rat models of chronic abacterial prostatitis (CAP) and normal controls, and to evaluate the role of [Ca2+]i concentration in CAP.

METHODSWe established CAP models in SD rats using purified prostate protein and Freund's complete adjuvant, cultured in vitro and then purified the PSMCs of both the CAP models and normal controls. Continuous dynamic scanning was performed under the laser confocal scanning microscope after incubation of the cells with FLUO-3AM.

RESULTSThe fluorescence intensities of [Ca2+]i in the PSMCs were 80.39 +/- 9.00 and 27.95 +/- 10.04 in the CAP models and normal controls, respectively, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe concentration of [Ca2+]i increased in the PSMCs of the CAP rat models, which might enhance the constriction of PSMCs and subsequently increase the sensibility to pain and cause lower abdominal pain.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Chronic Disease ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of serum reproductive hormones with male aging and to compare the differences in the hormone levels among different age groups or between township and rural males of the same age group.

METHODSUsing cluster and stratified sampling, we recruited 434 healthy old and middle-aged (40-69 years) males, 198 from the township and 236 from the rural communities. We determined the concentrations of serum total testosterone (tT), luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free testosterone (fT), bio-available testosterone (Bio-T), and obtained the testosterone secretion index (TSI) and free testosterone index (fTI). Meanwhile, we included fifty-nine 20-39 years old males from the same communities in a control group.

RESULTSWith the increase of age, the serum tT levels did not change significantly, while the levels of serum LH and SHBG increased, and those of fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI decreased gradually. Statistically significant differences were found among the four different age groups in all the parameters of reproductive hormones (P < 0.01), except in the serum tT level (P > 0.05). The serum tT level was not significantly correlated with aging and LH (P > 0.05). Serum LH and SHBG had a marked positive correlation with aging, and SHBG with LH (P < 0.01), while fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI were negatively correlated with aging and the LH level (P < 0.01). Serum LH, TSI and fTI showed statistical differences (P < 0.05), while fT and Bio-T exhibited extremely significant differences (P < 0.01) between the township and rural males in the 40 -49 yr group, and in the same age group, the increase rates of serum LH and SHBG and reduction rates of fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI were higher in the rural men than in the township residents. However, the results were just the opposite in the 50 - 59 and 60 - 69 yr groups.

CONCLUSIONThe levels of serum LH, SHBG, fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI changed with aging in a gradientmanner in the old and middle-aged males, but no significant changes were observed in the level of serum tT. There were statistical differences in many parameters of serum reproductive hormones among different age groups or between township and rural males.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aging ; metabolism ; China ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Population ; Serum Albumin ; metabolism ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the patency rate and restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for the treatment of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) stenosis in dialysis patients. Methods The patients who were successfully treated by PTA for the first time in the blood purification center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to June 2017, including 71 cases of AVF in the forearm, 52 cases of AVF in the upper arm and 59 cases of AVG were recorded. The data of different stenosis parts were analyzed before and after treatment and followed up for 12 months. The initial patency rate and assisted-PTA patency rate were observed at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months after ultrasound interventional therapy, and the initial patency time for patients who needed to reintervention among all types of pathways were recorded. Results The initial patency rates at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months after ultrasound interventional therapy were 98.59％, 90.14％, 71.93％, 54.93％ respectively in forearm AVF, 90.38％, 65.38％, 42.31％, 32.69％ respectively in upper arm AVF, 91.53％, 32.20％, 6.78％, 1.69％ respectively in AVG, and the PTA-assisted patency rates were 98.59％, 97.18％, 95.77％, 94.37％ respectively in forearm AVF, 92.31％, 86.54％, 84.62％, 80.77％respectively in upper arm AVF, 100.00％, 98.31％, 96.61％, 93.22％ respectively in AVG, while the initial patency time was (8.99 ± 3.54) months in forearm AVF, (6.33 ± 3.01) months in upper arm AVF, (4.80 ± 1.40) months in AVG respectively. Conclusions Ultrasound can comprehensively evaluate the function of peripheral vascular access, guide PTA treatment, and evaluate treatment outcomes. Ultrasound intervention therapy has best initial patency rate for forearm AVF stenosis. The prognosis of upper arm AVF stenosis PTA is relatively poor due to the easy cephalic stenosis. Although AVG has a short interval of restenosis, it can achieve a better long-term patency rate through regular intervention with ultrasound intervention.

Objective To construct SpyCatcher-mi3 nanoparticle vaccine delivery vectors,evaluate their role in enhancing the immunogenicity of the ovalbumin CD8+T-cell epitope peptide,OVA257-264,and determine its protective effect in a model which mice were immunized and subcutaneously challenged with E.G7-OVA tumor cells.Methods SpyCatcher-mi3 proteins were expressed by E.coli and purified by affinity chromatography and anion exchange chromatography sequentially.OVA257-264-SpyTag peptide was obtained by synthesis.The OVA257-264-mi3 nanoparticles were produced by the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system.The toxicity of OVA257-264-mi3 was evaluated using hemolysis assay,CCK-8 assay and mouse experiment.A total of 42 female SPF-grade C57BL/6 mice(6～8 weeks old,18～20 g)were randomly divided into OVA257-264-mi3,OVA257-264,and control groups,with 14 mice in each group.Then the mice in each group were immunized on days 0,14 and 28.In 14 d after the last immunization,the amounts of spot-forming cells(SFCs,indicating IFN-γ secreting cells in splenic lymphocytes)were determined using ELISpot assay to evaluate their immunogenicity.After the immunized mice were subcutaneously implanted with E.G7-OVA tumor cells,the antitumor effect of the vaccine in prophylactic xenograft tumor model was evaluate by observing tumor volumes with a caliper and tumor growth with MRI.Results Both SpyCatcher-mi3 and OVA257-264-mi3 could be self-assembled to form homogeneous and stable nanoparticles,with an average particle size of about 43.8 and 91.3 nm,respectively.The OVA257-264-mi3 was safe for in vitro and in vivo toxicity evaluation.The number of IFN--y secreting cells per 1 × 106 splenic lymphocytes reached 253 in the OVA257-264-mi3 group of mice,significantly higher than that in the OVA257-264 group and the Control group(P＜0.05).The tumor volume of mice in the OVA257-264-mi3 group was about 151.1 mm3 on day 22,which was significantly smaller than that of the OVA257-264 group and the Control group(P＜0.05),and the survival rate during the observation period reached 60％,which was significantly higher than that of the OVA257-264 groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion Nanoparticle vaccine OVA257-264-mi3 is successfully constructed,and it shows enhancing effect on the immunogenicity of the antigen epitope peptide,and exerts protective effect on prophylactic xenograft tumor model,providing a theoretical basis for the research of tumor neoantigen vaccines.