The effect of recombinant human phospholipase D2(rhPLD2)in vivo was investigated on the secretion of serum glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D(GPI-PLD)in guinea pigs of chronic asthma．Ater treating the guinea pigs attacked by chronic asthma with rhPLD2,the GPI-PLD activity detection was canrried out by phase separation of human placental alkaline phosphatase in Triton X-114．Compared with the healthy guinea pigs(NS group),the serum GPI-PLD in the guinea pigs of chronic asthma are much higher than that of control groups,P≤0．01．Our results showed that rhPLD2 could significantly reduce the secretion of GPI-PLD when the guinea pigs were attacked by chronic asthma．

Objective To investigate the relationship between esophageal motility and distal latency (DL) in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using high resolution manometry (HRM).Methods A total of 51 GERD patients underwent HRM and 24 h-esophageal pH monitoring.According to the HRM topography (characterized as either break peristalsis or normal esophageal movement),all GERD patients were divided into two groups:hypomotility group (n =28) and normal group (n =23).Fourteen non-GERD controls were enrolled.The monitoring results were analyzed.Results The HRM DL of 28 esophageal hypomotility patients(54.9％,28/51) were the longest (7.27 ± 1.44) s.Patients with normal peristalsis also had longer latency (6.70 ± 1.41)s than the non-GERD controls (5.86 ± 0.96)s.All the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.01).DCI of hypotensive peristalsis patients (712.49 ± 703.10) mmHg · s · cm was lower compared with the other groups [(1 285.85 ± 850.83) mmHg · s · cm,(1 109.74 ± 611.70) mmHg · s · cm] (P ＜0.O1).Other indicators such as LES pressure,CFV and IBP showed no significant differences among groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Esophageal manometry of GERD patients indicates that esophageal hypomotility is accompanied with prolonged DL.Because DL of all GERD sufferers are extended,esophageal dysmotility has great implications for GERD's development.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of gastroesophageal junction(GEJ) in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using high resolution manometry (HRM),and the features in different GERD subtypes,reflux esophagitis (RE) and non-erosive gastrooesophageal reflux disease (NERD).Methods Sixty GERD patients were divided into two subtypes,RE (n =33) and NERD(n =27),based on the results of endoscopy.All patients received HRM,and were divided into three subtypes,type Ⅰ,type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ according to the GEJ pressure morphology.HRM results among different subtypes were investigated.Results In 60 GERD patients,the GEJ was divided into three subtypes,including 26 cases of type Ⅰ (RE =14,NERD =12),29 cases of type Ⅱ (RE =14,NERD =15) and 5 cases of type Ⅲ (RE =5).The characteristics of GEJ morphologic subtypes were analyzed.The total length of lower esophageal sphincter(LES) of three GEJ subtypes(type Ⅰ,type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ) were (3.35 ± 0.56) cm,(3.29 ± 0.87) cm and(2.43 ± 0.22)cm,respectively.The LES intra-abdominal length of three GEJ subtypes were(2.41 ± 0.68) cm,(3.07 ± 4.59) cm and (0.00 ± 0.00) cm,respectively.The LES rest pressure of three GEJ subtypes were (22.00 ± 8.00) mmHg,(16.46 ± 8.60) mmHg and (11.07 ± 5.80) mmHg,respectively.The total length of LES were significantly different among three subtypes (P ＜ 0.05).The LES rest pressure were not significantly different among three subtypes (P ＞ 0.05).Among type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ patients,there were no significant difference in LES-CD distance,total length of LES,LES intra-abdominal length and LES rest pressure between RE group and NERD group.Conclusion HRM can clearly distinguish the GEJ subtypes.To some extent,esophageal motility characteristics of the patients with different subtypes GEJ is various.However,it still needs further studies with larger sample size to confirm.

Objective To study the effects of high albumin, high glucose and low bovine serum on the phenotypic transformation of renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods The normal human kidney proximal tubular eel] line (HKC) was cultured for 30 days in the presence of high albumin (1.5 g/L), high glucose(25 mmol/L) and low bovine serum(2% ) . Morphological changes were observed by electronic microscopy. Immunohistochemistry stain was used to examine the expression of cytokeratin, vimentin, a-SMA, collagen Ⅰ and TGF-pl protein. Western blot was applied to further detect the process of collagen I protein expression, and in situ hybridization was used to examined the expression of collagen Ⅰ gene. Results Renal tubular epithelial cells cultured in high albumin, high glucose and low bovine serum showed obvious morphologic changes, including elongated shape, decrease of microvilli and mitochondria, and increase of rough endoplasmic reticulum under electronic microscopy. Immunohistochemistry stain revealed the reduction of cytokeratin, and enhancement of vimentin, ?-SMA, TGF-?1 and collagen Ⅰ. Western blot demonstrated that the expression of collagen Ⅰincreased in a time-dependent manner, and in situ hybridization showed that collagen type Ⅰ mRNA increased as well. Conclusion High albumin, high glucose and low bovine serum induce phenotypic transformation of renal tubular epithelial cells into mesanchymal cells.

Objective To assess the characteristic of left ventricular(LV) twist changed from infancy to the elder,in order to determine the normal value of LV twist in different age group.Methods After acquired basal and apical LV short-axis images in 293 healthy volunteers (aged 15 days to 72 years) by 2-dimensional echocardiography, speckle tracking echocardiography was used to analysis LV twist motion offline.The peak apical rotation (PAr), peak basal rotation (PBr), peak LV twist (Ptw), peak LV twist normalized by LV length ( PtwN), peak untwisting velocity ( PutwV), isovolumic untwisting% ( Iutw% ) in different group were compared.Results Reliable LV twist measurements were obtained in 274 volunteers.Different LV twist values were noted according to age.Ptw increased gradually with advancing age, when normalized by LV length, PtwN showed higher values before 3 years old and 25 to 45 years old.PutwV increased with aging from infancy to 25 years old, and leveled off from 25 to 45 years old, then decreased with advancing age.Iutw% was lowest before 3 years old,and increased gradually from 25 to 45 years old,then decreased with aging.Conclusions speckle tracking echocardiography can be used to noninvasively and exactly assess LV twist with high feasibility.The effect of aging on LV twist may reflect the process of maturational and adaptive modulation of LV torsional biomechanics from infancy to the elder.

Objective To establish the normative data of the 2D and 3D ultrasound (US)measurements of the developing fetal thymus and comparing the 2DUS and 3DUS measurements of the fetal thymus. Methods The normal fetuses' thymus of 567 cases were assessed, and maximum transverse diameter(MTD),antero posterior diameter (APD), suprainferior diameter (SID), maximum transverse area (MTA) were measured by 2DUS,and thymic volume(TV) was measured by 3DUS. Results 2DUS,3DUS assessments of the fetal thymic MTD, APD, SID, MTA and TV were possible in 541 of 567 normal singletons. The fetal thymic 2D diameters/area and 3D volume grow with the gestational age(GA) in linear correlation. The 3D-US TV measurements and GA was significantly higher than that of any individual 2DUS measurements and GA ( P ＜0.05). Conclusions This study presents the normative data of the 2DUS and 3DUS measurements of the developing fetal thymus. 3DUS fetal thymus volume is more significantly correlated to GA than the other 2DUS measurements, which indicates 3DUS measurement of the fetal thymus is more accurate than that of 2DUS.

Objective To investigate upper esophageal sphincter (UES)abnormalities in patients with achalasia (AC),and to analyze the correlation between UES abnormalities and clinical symptoms, treatment efficacy.Methods From February 2012 to December 2014,158 patients with AC and received high resolution manometry (HRM)examination were retrospectivly analyzed.According to whether with UES abnormalities,patients were divided into UES normal group and UES abnormal group.Patients of UES abnormal group were sub-divided into UES hypotensive group (UES resting pressure<34 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),hypertensive group (UES resting pressure>104 mmHg)and impaired relaxation group (residual pressure>12 mmHg).Analysis of Variance,Kruskal-Wallis H test and Chi square test were performed to compare the clinical data and dynamic characteristics of the patients in each group. Results A total of 74 (46.8%)AC patients had UES abnormalities,the majority of whom were impaired relaxation (35 cases,47.3%).The age of patients in hypotensive group ((60.6 ± 10.1 )years)was significantly older than that of hypertensive group ((43.9 ±11 .1 )years)and impaired relaxation group ((46.8±16.3)years),and the disease course (10 years,4 to 30 years)was obviously longer than that of hypertensive group (6 years,1 to 10 years)and impaired relaxation group (8 years,3 to 15 years),and the differences were statistically significant (F = 7.983,H = 13.816,both P < 0.01).There was no correlation between UES abnormalities and clinical symptoms (P >0.05 ).The results of AC subtyping indicated that type Ⅱ AC accounted 55 .7% (88/158).Type Ⅱ AC cases number of UES normal group and abnormal group was 46 and 42 cases,both was majority (54.8% and 56.8%).Among these patients,123 patients finally received peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM),47.2%(58/123 )of whom had abnormal UES.More than 85 % patients were satisfied at one month after the operation.And Eckardt scores significantly decreased.There was no significant difference in treatment efficacy between the two groups.Conclusions Most AC patients are with UES abnormality,and impaired relaxation is more common.There is no correlation between UES abnormalities and major symptoms.There is no predictive role of UES abnormalities in treatment efficacy of POEM in AC patients.

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes in achalasia patients by using high resolution manometry (HRM).Methods Twenty-four achalasia patients were enrolled for HRM examination and typing.The esophageal pressure of patients with different subtypes was analyzed.Chi-square test was used for count data analysis.Two independent samples t-test was used for measurement data.Results Among twenty-four achalasia patients,five patients were type Ⅰ and maledominated,18 patients were type Ⅱ and female was more than male,and only one male patient was type Ⅲ.The frequency of weight loss in type Ⅰ was higher than that of type Ⅱ (x2 =6.97,P=0.008).The frequency of chest pain and food reflux in type Ⅰ was higher than that of type Ⅱ (both P＞0.05).The average distance from the nares to the upper edge of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) with the electrode successfully inserted into the stomach was (44.9±3.3) cm and to the lower edge of the LES was (48.0±3.2) cm.The average LES length was (3.1 ±0.7) cm,average intraabdominal LES length was (2.1 ±0.5) cm.The average LES resting pressure was (34.6 ± 13.8) mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa) and the integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) was (31.1 ± 12.0) mm Hg.Conclusion Esophageal manometry is the golden standard for achalasia diagnosis,and HRM may be a simple,direct viewing and accurate method for accessing esophageal motor function.

To solve the problem of imprecise positioning of feature point and of the feature data redundancy in facial expression recognition by active appearance models (AAM), the automatic adjustment of initial model for AAM fitting is proposed in this paper. The specific aims are to improve the precision of positioning and to more effectively reflect the variation of expressions by acquired features. The problem of feature selection is resolved by adopting quadratic mutual information and reducing the feature dimension. The support vector machine (SVM) classifier is used for expression recognition. The experimental results on CAS-PEAL facial expression database show that the proposed method effectively improves the performance of facial expression recognition, the maximum recognition rate being 83.33%.
Algorithms ; Computer Simulation ; Facial Expression ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Models, Biological ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; methods ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between genetic polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, sites at -238 nt and -308 nt) and susceptibility to chronic benzene poisoning.

METHODThe polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene were detected by nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique from 50 benzene poisoning patients and 60 control individuals exposed to benzene.

RESULTSThe frequency of the TNF-alpha-238G/G, A/G and A/A in controls (95%, 5% and 0%, respectively), were not significantly different from those in patients (92%, 6% and 2%, respectively, P > 0.05). The frequency of the TNF-alpha-308G/G, A/G and A/A in patients were 76%, 24% and 0% respectively, and that in control individuals were 93%, 7% and 0% respectively. Chi(2) test showed that frequency of TNF-alpha-308A/G in patients was significantly higher than that in controls (chi(2) = 6.22, P = 0.013). Logistic analysis showed that TNF-alpha-308A/G was the independent risk factor of benzene poisoning (OR = 5.3, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIndividuals with TNF-alpha-308A/G gene polymorphism are susceptible to benzene poisoning.

Adult ; Benzene ; poisoning ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics