In this paper, the question about automatic brightness control for x-ray imaging systems based on CCD camera is discussed, and the structure and principle of an auto brightness control loop are analyzed along with the working procedure of the x-ray imaging system. A kind of digital brightness controller about a typical device and the designing idea of the computer brightness intelligent control software is introduced.
Algorithms ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Radiation Protection ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; instrumentation ; Radiography ; instrumentation ; X-Ray Intensifying Screens

Background Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a monogenic inheritance and blinding disease of fundus oculi.There is not an effective therapeutic method now.Objective This work was to identify the mutations of RP1 gene in Chinese RP patients in Ningxia area and to explore the potential interactions in the pathogenesis of RP.Methods The periphery blood of 3-5 ml was collected from 110 individuals with RP(35 ADRP and 75SRP)and 100 normal controls in Ningxia area.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing were used to screening the sequence alterations in the entire coding region and splice sites of RP1 gene.Multivariate analysis and two web-based programs( PolyPhen and SIFT) were used to analyze the results.Results Eleven mutation locus were detected in the exon 4 of RP1 gene including two novel sequence variants:p.Lys1152Lys without a higher mutation rate in comparison with normal control group(x2 =9.12 P＜0.01 ),but c.* 247A＞C with a higher mutation rate in comparison with normal control group(x2 =12.77,P＜0.01 ) and c.* 247A＞C mutation was thought to be correlated with RP( r=1.11,P＜0.05 ).The other ten mutation locus were reported as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP).The mutation rate of p.Gln1725Gln was found to be higher in the RP patients than the normal controls (x2 =42.09,P＜0.01 ),but no the significant correlation was seen between the pathogenesis of RP and mutation of p.Gln1725Gln(r=1.74,P＞0.05).p.Lys1152Lys mutation was found in only 1 patient.Three SNPs( p.Arg872His,Ala1670Thr,Ser1691Pro) were always occurred in the same 83 RP patient and the relevance ratio was higher than controls ( P＜0.01 ).The age of night blindness on patients with concurrent three mutations was (30.54± 13.68 ) years,and the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.50 ± 0.38.The age of night blindness on patients without concurrent three mutations was(21.06± 16.24) years,and the BCVA was 0.40 ±0.33 and were higher than controls ( t =2.11,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions In this study,the prevalence of RP1 mutations among the RP patients in Ningxia population was lower than other populations (＜ 1％ ).The alliance of SNPs (p.Arg872His、p.Ala1670Thr、p.Ser1691Pro) may play a protective role on RP patients and reduce the frequency of mutatiaon in RP1 gene.

OBJECTIVETo explore the function and motor pathway of remained cerebral hemisphere by studying motor evoked potential of both upper extremities on patients long term after anatomical hemispherectomy.

METHODSFive patients after anatomical hemispherectomy, who were marked 5 dispersive sites on head to perform transcranial magnetic stimulation. Recording motor evoked potential of target muscles (brachioradialis muscle and abductor pollicis brevis) of both upper extremities respectively when muscle resting and contracting.

RESULTSOnly affected abductor pollicis brevis of case 2 and only affected brachioradialis muscle of case 4 and 5 recorded motor evoked potential when muscle resting. Motor evoked potential of some cases can be recorded simultaneously in homonymous muscles of both sides when muscle resting or contracting.

CONCLUSIONSThere exists motor cortex that controls movement of ipsilateral limbs and also ipsilateral motor pathway of corticospinal connection at patients after anatomical hemispherectomy. It also means that the motor function of affected limbs has potency to recover well after hemispherectomy. The mirror movement after hemispherectomy is possible relate to overlap of both limbs' motor cortex.

Adult ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; physiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemispherectomy ; Humans ; Male ; Motor Cortex ; physiopathology ; Postoperative Period ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Upper Extremity ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of dexamethasone on human lung fibroblast cell proliferation, cell cycles, and cell mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) passway.

METHODSDexamethasone was used at various concentration in culture medium. Cell number was counted using a hemacytometer. Whole cell propidium iodide staining and flow cytometric analysis were performed to determine cellular DNA content. MAPK proteins and activation were tested by Western blot analysis with antibodies to c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phospho-JNK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phospho-ERK, p38 and phospho-p38.

RESULTS1x10(-7) mol/L and 1x10(-6) mol/L dexamethasone suppressed the proliferation of lung fibroblast cells by 34% and 72%, respectively, than that of control. This suppression was dose-dependant. Dexamethasone suppressed cell cycle with accumulation of cells in G1/G0 stage. It increased from 81.9% to 90.1% compared with that of control. We did not find any apoptosis induced by dexamethasone for lung fibroblast cells. Using Western blot analysis, we found that dexamethasone resulted in decreased activity of ERK, but had no effects on JNK and p38.

CONCLUSIONSDexamethasone may suppresses the proliferation of lung fibroblast cells, which is partly resulted from the facts that it can inhibit ERK activation in MAPK-signaling pathway but has little effect on JNK and p38 pathway. Dexamethasone may not induce lung fibroblast cell apoptosis directly.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Depression, Chemical ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEThe acute toxic effects of Aristolochia manshuriensis (GMT) and the total aristolochic acids (TA) were compared in mice with aristolochic acid A (AA) as the dose standard. The dose relationship of the renal toxicity induced by Aristolochia manshuriensis was determined.

METHODA single dose of GMT extract or TA was given intragastrically to mice at different doses. LD50 values, the blood levels of BUN, Cr and ALT were measured. A histomorphological study was also performed in livers and kidneys of mice.

RESULTLD50 value of GMT extract was 4.4 g x kg(-1) which was equivalent to 40 mg x kg(-1) as calculated by the content of AA in GMT extract, and this value was comparable with LD50 obtained from TA given intragastrically in mice (equivalent to 33 mg x kg(-1) of AA for male and 37 mg x kg(-1) for female). GMT extract caused a significant increase in blood BUN and Cr and an obvious morphological change in kidney in a dose-dependent manner at doses of AA 4.5 mg x kg(-1) and above. Liver damage, characterized by both an increase in blood level of AST and histomorphological change, was observed at doses of AA 25 mg x kg(-1) and above. All changes were in proportion to the doses of AA.

CONCLUSIONGMT causes both renal and liver toxicity. The dose leading to nephrotoxicity is much lower than that inducing hepatatoxicity. Aristolochic acids existed in GMT are the main toxic components to cause renal toxicity which is a crucial cause to result in death. The lethality and nephrotoxicity of GMT is in proportion to the doses of AA.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aristolochia ; chemistry ; Aristolochic Acids ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; blood ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Female ; Kidney ; pathology ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the optimal dosage of pirfenidone for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in Wistar rats, and the alteration of expressions of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) in lung tissue.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were endotracheally instilled with bleomycin or normal saline. Pirfenidone (25-800 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), dexamethasone (3 mg/kg), or 1% carboxymethylcellulose sodium were given daily by feed 2 days before instillation of bleomycin. Groups T7 and T14 were fed pirfenidone 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) at 7 days or 14 days after bleomycin instillation. Lungs were harvested at 28 days after bleomycin instillation. Patholological changes in lung tissues were evaluated with HE staining. Lung collagen was stained by sirius red and measured by content of hydroxyproline. Expression of proteins of TGF-beta 1, TIMP-1, and MMP-13 were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSAt doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), pirfenidone had significant anti-fibrotic effects for bleomycin-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis, and these effects were most significantly attenuated at the dosage of 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) (HE: P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P = 0.064; sirius red: P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05; hydroxyproline: P = 0.595, P < 0.01, and P = 0.976). Pirfenidone at a dosage of 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) inhibited protein expression of TGF-beta1 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue in the early phase (0.79 and 0.75 times of control group), but had no effect on expression of MMP-13.

CONCLUSIONLow dose pirfenidone, especially at dosage of 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), has significant anti-fibrotic effects on bleomycin-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis. Pirfenidone partially inhibits the enhancement of the expression of TGF-beta 1 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Bleomycin ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Pyridones ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the protective activity of liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (GalN) between Huangqin-Tang and their metabolites by human intestinal bacteria(HIB).

METHODThe liver injuries in conventional and pseudo-germfree mice were induced by GalN. After oral administration of Huangqin-Tang and their metabolites mixtures by HIB, the serum transaminase (ALT and AST) activities were detected.

RESULTIn conventional mice, large and medium doses (20 and 10 g.kg-1) of Huangqin-Tang decoction significantly reduced the increase of serum ALT activity after 18 h GalN treatment. In pseudo-germfree mice, metabolites significantly reduced the ALT levels. However, Huangqing-Tang didn't affect the ALT levels in this kind of mice. To all of the animals, AST levels remained the same after oral Huangqin-tang or their metabolites.

CONCLUSIONThe metabolism by intestinal bacteria plays a role in pharmacological effects of constituents of Chinese herbal medicine. The metabolites of the constituents by intestinal bacteria were the real active components in vivo.

Administration, Oral ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Bacteria ; metabolism ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Galactosamine ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Liver Diseases ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; metabolism ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the function of gamma delta T lymphocytes and the polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain in the lungs of asthmatic patients and explore the role of gamma delta T cells in airway inflammation.

METHODSBronchoalveolar lavage fluid BALF was obtained from 7 asthmatic patients and 7 healthy control individuals. The percentage of gamma delta T cell in BALF was measured by flow cytometry. The gamma delta T cell in BALF was purified by magnetic labeled beads. Proliferous activity was examined by MTT assay. Cytokines secreted by gamma delta T cells in medium was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain was detected by RT-PCR and gene scan analysis.

RESULTSThe proportion of gamma delta T cell in the BALF of asthmatic patients [(6.39+/-0.71)%] was significantly higher than that in control subjects [(2.62+/-0.37)%] (P<0.01). The proportion of macrophage in the BALF of asthmatic patients [(81+/-4)] was significantly lower than that in control subjects [(86+/-2)] (P<0.05). The proliferation rate of asthmatic patients [(284.2+/-43.6)%] was significantly higher than that of control subjects [(217.5+/-59.5)%] (P<0.05). Interleukin-4 secreted by gamma delta T cells of asthmatic patients [(18.9+/-3.1) pg/ml)] significantly increased when compared with the control subjects [(14.1+/-3.0) pg/ml] (P<0.05). The polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain was not significantly different between these two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe increase of gamma delta T cells in the lung of asthmatic patients further exacerbates Th1/Th2 disturbance and airway inflammation. Antigen recognition by gamma delta T cells is non-specific.

Adult ; Asthma ; genetics ; immunology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Female ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor delta ; genetics ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor gamma ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; genetics ; Lung ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; metabolism ; Th1-Th2 Balance

OBJECTIVETo assess the metastatic frequency in different groups of lymph nodes and its influencing factors of the thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in order to determine the extent of lymphadenectomy during esophagectomy.

METHODSThe clinical data of 730 patients with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSOf 730 patients, 166 had metastasis to the para-esophageal lymph nodes (22.7%), 90 to the left gastric artery lymph nodes (12.3%), 67 to the lymph nodes around gastric cardia, and 15 to the subcrinal lymph nodes (2.1%). Univariate analysis showed that metastasis to the subcrinal lymph node was positively correlated with the length and differentiation of tumor (P < 0.05), but it was not correlated with any the above parameters when analyzed by multivariate analysis. The metastasis to the para-esophageal lymph node was positively correlated with the length, invasion depth and differentiation of tumor by univariate and multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). The metastasis to the lymph nodes around gastric cardia and metastasis to left gastric artery lymph nodes were positively correlated with the position and invasion depth of tumor by univariate and multivariate analysis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLymph nodes of the para-esophagus, gastric cardia and left gastric artery usually have high frequency to harber mestastasis, therefore, it was suggested that the lymph nodes in these groups should be dissected during esophagectormy with two-field lymphadenectomy for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Whereas for those patients with the lesion < 3 cm in length or with tumor invasion confined within the esophageal wall or with a lesion located at the upper or lower third of the thoracic esophagus, the subcrinal lymph nodes may not be necessarily dissected.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Cardia ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Esophagus ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the hepatotoxicity effects in rats with different extract of Fructus Gardeniae.

METHODObserve the change of appearance, behavior and weight of rats through oral gavage daily for 3 d. Weigh the liver and calculate the liver index. Detect the ALT, AST and TBIL. Observe the liver tissue by optical microscope.

RESULTThe weight and index of liver were increased by 3.08 g x kg(-1) aqueous extract, 1.62 g x kg(-1) alcoholic extract and 0.28 g x kg(-1) geniposide, compared to those of the blank group (P < 0.005, P < 0.001) and the activities of ALT, AST and the content of TBIL were also increased, compared to those of the blank group (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). The liver cells were obviously swell, necrotic and changed with inflammatory infiltrate.

CONCLUSIONAqueous extract, alcoholic extract and geniposide displayed hepatotoxicity, and the geniposide which was the main substance of the Fructus Gardeniae might be mainly responsible for the hepatotoxicity.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Female ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Iridoids ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pyrans ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley