Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a more and more important role in medical image area for its advantages of nonradiative,multiple imaging and high spatial resolution.This review gives a systematic discussion over a couple of MRI segmentation algorithms that are used widely to help people have an entire knowledge of MRI segmentation methods.On the base of classification and summary of MRI segmentation,the MRI segmentation algorithms have been classified into 5 different categories after preliminary investigation and survey.Based on threshold,pattern recognition,active contours,Markov random field (MRF) and graph cut,separately.After further investigation and survey we summarize the characters and field of applications of the 5 different algorithms,then take a few segment experiments among these algorithms on abdomen MRI and present their distinct characteristics.At last,we take a prospect at the future of the MRI segmentation.

ObjectiveTo seek experimental evidence of epidermal barrier dysfunction in psoriasis,and to provide a basis for adjuvant therapy of psoriasis.MethodsPhysiometric methods were used to determine the value of sebum content,transepidermal water loss(TEWL) and water content of stratum corneum in 60 patients with psoriasis and 48 normal human controls.The ultrastructure of lamellar bodies was observed with transmission electron microscopy,and the expression of acid ceramidase in normal skin and psoriatic lesions was detected by using immunohistochemical techniques.ResultsCompared with the normal skin,TEWL value was increased(P ＜ 0.01),but water content of stratum corneum decreased(P ＜ 0.01 ) in psoriatic lesions,and sebum content was similar between normal skin and psoriatic lesions.As electron microscopy showed,lamellar bodies in keratinocytes were reduced in number with a disorganized arrangement and irregular size in psoriatic lesions.The expression of acid ceramidase also decreased in psoriatic epidermis.Conclusions The function of epidermal barrier in psoriasis is impaired,and to restore epidermal barrier function and enhance hydration may serve as an important adjuvant therapy of psoriasis.

Objective To evaluate the effects of Prinsepia utilis Royle oil (PURO) on the synthesis of ceramide and expression of acid ceramidase N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase 1 (ASH1),and to explore the mechanisms underlying its moisturizing and skin barrier-repairing effects.Methods Keratinocytes from human foreskin tissue were classified into 2 groups to be cultured in keratinocyte-serum free medium (K-SFM) with or without the presence of PURO.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the level of ceramide in the culture supernatant of keratinocytes at 0,3,8,24 and 48 hours.The back of nude mice was divided into 4 areas,i.e.,test area,matrix area,blank control area and negative control area.Acetone and ether were used to destroy the epidermal barrier in the test,matrix,and blank control areas,then,the former 2 areas were topically treated with emulsions containing 1％ PURO and matrix,respectively,and the blank control area remained untreated.The epidermal barrier remained intact and untreated in the negative control area.Noninvasive methods were used to determine transepidermal water loss (TEWL),epidermal moisture content and skin lipid content in these areas on day 0,1,3,and 7.Skin tissue was obtained from these areas on day 0 and 7 followed by an immunohistochemical study for the quantification of ASH1 expression.Results The level of supernatant ceramide increased with time in the PURO-treated keratinocytes,which was significantly higher at 24 hours and 48 hours than at 0 hour (1.3817 ± 0.100 and 1.3737 ± 0.047 vs.0.7630 ± 0.143,both P ＜ 0.05).The supernatant ceramide was also elevated in the PURO-treated keratinocytes compared with untreated keratinocytes at 24 and 48 hours (both P ＜ 0.05).Noninvasive skin tests showed a gradual decrease in the TEWL,but an increase in the epidermal moisture content and skin lipid content with time in the 3 epidermal barrier-destroyed areas.As far as the test area was concerned,TEWL value was significantly lower on day 3 and 7 than on day 0 (10.85 ± 0.64 and 8.01 ± 0.58 vs.12.65 ± 0.71,both P ＜ 0.05),while a significant increment was observed in the skin lipid content on day 3 and 7 compared with day 0 (29.14 ± 0.40 and 31.30 ± 0.88 vs.27.02 ± 0.65,both P ＜ 0.05),as well as in the epidermal moisture content on day 1,3 and 7 compared with day 0 (13.98 ± 0.28,15.00 ± 0.38 and 15.86 ± 0.18 vs.11.74 ± 0.62,all P＜ 0.05).On day 7,there was a statistical decline in TEWL value,but an elevation in epidermal moisture content,skin lipid content and ASH1 expression in the test area compared with the matrix area and blank control area (all P ＜ 0.05).Also,the expression of ASH1 was upregulated on day 7 compared with day 0 in the 3 barrier-destroyed areas (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion PURO may exert skin-moisturizing and barrier-repairing effects by enhancing the synthesis of ceramide and expression of acid ceramidase ASH1.

Objective To investigate the effect of calcium antagonist verapamil on the function of rat?- cells and tolbutamide (D860)-induced insulin release.Methods Insulin released from isolated islets were measured in control,verapamil,D860,and verapamil+D860 groups.Furthermore,intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was conducted in acute experiments treated with verapamil and D860 respectively to assess?-cell function in rats with the same allocation as in vitro.Another IVGTT was performed in the end of 4 weeks' treatment.The insulin contents in pancreas were assayed and pancreas islets morphology were observed with immunohistochemistry.Results Verapamil could inhibit insulin release from isolated islets.Verapamil group was [(1.244?0.082)ng?ml~(-1)?islet~(-1)]and control group (2.623?0.226) ng?ml~(-1)?islet~(-1)(P0.05).Also,similar results were obtained in normal rats during acute experiments and verapamil reduce the hypoglycemic effect promoted by D860. However,above results were not observed in the end of 4 weeks experiments,and no difference for insulin content and morphological change in islets was found among four groups.Conclusion Treatment of verapamil chronically does not impair islet function and interfere with the hypoglycemic effect of D860 in rats .

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effects of baicalin on induction of apoptosis in human prostate cancer cell line DU145.

METHODHuman prostate cancer cell line DU145 was treated with different concentration of baicalin in vitro. The apoptosis rate was determined by FACS analysis, cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry, morphological changes and protein analysis were determined by means of electron microscope techniqueand immunohistochemical techniquerespectively.

RESULT50micromol x L(-1) and 125 micromol x L(-1) of baicalin dose-dependently induced apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cell DU145 in a dose and time-dependent manner. DNA flow cytometric analysis indicated that baicalin induced a arrest in G1 phase, showing a typical apoptosis peak. Electron microscopy detected a characteristic appearance of the apoptotic cells morphology. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that induction of apoptosis by ways of inhibition of the bcl-2, loss of the Bax, and upregulation of Fas.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that baicalin may induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of prostate cancer cells, and has direct anti-tumor effects on human prostate cancer cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; G1 Phase ; Humans ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Scutellaria ; chemistry ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

Objective To analyze the main clinical features of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods A retrospective analysis of complete clinical data of 9 cases of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza complicated by ARDS admitted from March 2013 to December 2014 admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School was conducted.Results Nine patients' mean age was (46.3±12.3) years, male accounting for 66.7% (6/9). The main clinical features: ① In the duration of acute phase, high fever, cough, hemoptysis sputum, reduction of white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet count (PLT), and myocardial enzyme elevation were the features of the disease. Chest CT showed pulmonary consolidation and ground-glass like shadows. ② On admission, all their oxygenation indexes (PaO2/FiO2) were less than 200 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) of which 66.7% (6/9) was less than 100 mmHg, mean (98.9±62.8) mmHg; 55.6% (5/9) required invasive mechanical ventilatory support; 77.8% (7/9) combined with shock, and hemodynamic monitoring showed peripheral vascular resistance was decreased. ③ There were secondary bloodstream infection in 5 cases and lung infection in 4 cases, accounting for 77.8% (7/9). ④ In 22.2% (2/9) patients, the virus relapsed after the anti-virus therapy was stopped for 7 days, then immediately antiviral treatment was used again, it was still effective.Conclusion Human infection with H7N9 avian influenza complicated by ARDS has typical clinical symptoms, laboratory tests and imaging features, often associated with distributive shock, and at the late stage, secondary pulmonary or blood infection and the virus resurgence may occur.

Objective To discuss the correlation between MSCT morphological index of emphysema and pulmonary function test (PFT) indexes. Methods We randomly selected 33 cases with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),and conducted CT and PFT in a week. The whole lung was scanned by MSCT at the end of deep aspiration,and the post-processing workstation was used for quantitative determination of a total of 12 morphological indexes,including the density of lung, pulmonary diameter line,lung volume,and etc,then their correlation with lung function index was analyzed.Results FEV1.0%had correlation with upper right lung density ( =0.391, =0.391), lower right lung density ( =0.465, =0.038),the mean lung density ( =0.576,=0.576), and total lung capacity (=0.471, =0.471),upper right lung volume ( =0.413, =0.049) . FEV1.0/FVC had correlation with left lower lung density ( =0.392, =0.024), the mean lung density ( =0.703, = 0.000), total lung transverse diameter ( = 0.521, = 0.521), upper right lung maximum transverse diameter ( =0.627, =0.627), and total lung capacity ( =0.549, =0.549) correlation. FVC had correlation with upper right lung maximum transverse diameter ( = 0.378, = 0.378), characterized by maximum transverse diameter (=0.349, =0.037) . TLC had correlation with mean lung density (=0.523,=0.523), upper right lung maximum transverse diameter ( =0.454, =0.454), and total lung capacity (= 0.001), the right lung volume ( = 0.492, = 0.492) . Conclusion MSCT lung morphology quantitative indicators have good clinical application value in the diagnosis and assessment of emphysema patients.

Total 149 strains of endophytic bacteria were isolated from different healthy organisms of Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. from Xinjiang. The fermented liquids of these strains were screened by TLC and analysed by HPLC, and the glycyrrhizinic acid monoammonium salt was taken as standard control at the same time. Only one endophtytic bacterial stain of Bacillus subtilis could produce Glycyrrhizinic acid monoammonium salt analogue.

Objective To explore the relationship between fluconazole resistance and expression of multidrug resistant protein genes,including CDR1,CDR2,MDRI.Methods The total RNA was extracted from fluconazole-resistant and -susceptible Candida albicans isolates,and cDNA was synthesized.The expression of CDR1,CDR2 and MDRl genes was then detected by quantitative real-time PCR.The?CT (threshold cycle) value was obtained by subtracting the CT value of 18S rRNA from that of the targeted gene.Results The?CT value of CDR2 was significantly lower in fluconazole-resistant isolates than in fluconazole- susceptible isolates (7.52?2.53 vs.9.28?3.15,t=2.367,P

Objective To study the effects of fluid loading during fluid resuscitation on hemodynamics and cerebral perfusion(CPP)under different levels of intra-abdominal pressure(IAP).Methods Forty swine were employed in the study.Hypovolemia was made by blood withdrawal of 30% of estimated blood volume from each animal through the carotid artery line.All swine were randomized(random number) into four groups, namely IAPL0, IAPL15, IAPL25 and IAPL35.Then N2 gas was used to inflate in the abdomen slowly for elevating the IAP to 0,15, 25 and 35 mmHg.Fluid loading were performed with 500 mL hydroxyethyl starch within 30 minutes.Hemodynamic variables were evaluated by PiCCO.Heart rate (HR),mean arterial pressure(MAP), central venous pressure(CVP), cardiac output(CO), global end-diastolic volume index(GEDVI) and stroke volume index(SVI)were measured 30 minutes before fluid loading and 30 minutes after fluid loading.After placement of intracranial pressure optical fiber probe in the ventricle connected to intracranial pressure monitor for continuous monitoring of ICP changes, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) could be calculated.Results (1)HR decrease, MAP increased, SVI, CI and GEDVI significantly increased after fluid loading in all four groups (IAPL0,IAPL15,IAPL25 and IAPL35)(P<0.05),and there were not significant changes in CVP and EVLWI(P>0.05).SVRI decreased significantly in group IAPL15,IAPL25 and IAPL35 respectively(P<0.05).(2) ICP increased significantly in group IAPL15, IAPL25 and IAPL35(P<0.05), and CPP increased significantly in group IAPL25 and IAPL35(P<0.05) while CPP only slightly increased in group IAPL15(P>0.05).Conclusion When combined with intra-abdominal hypertension,fluid loading could improve the circulation of swine due to increase in CO and improve CPP.