Accurate segmentation of retinal blood vessels is of great significance for diagnosing, preventing and detecting eye diseases. In recent years, the U-Net network and its various variants have reached advanced level in the field of medical image segmentation. Most of these networks choose to use simple max pooling to down-sample the intermediate feature layer of the image, which is easy to lose part of the information, so this study proposes a simple and effective new down-sampling method Pixel Fusion-pooling (PF-pooling), which can well fuse the adjacent pixel information of the image. The down-sampling method proposed in this study is a lightweight general module that can be effectively integrated into various network architectures based on convolutional operations. The experimental results on the DRIVE and STARE datasets show that the F₁-score index of the U-Net model using PF-pooling on the STARE dataset improved by 1.98%. The accuracy rate is increased by 0.2%, and the sensitivity is increased by 3.88%. And the generalization of the proposed module is verified by replacing different algorithm models. The results show that PF-pooling has achieved performance improvement in both Dense-UNet and Res-UNet models, and has good universality.
Algorithms ; Retinal Vessels ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted

c-Myc protein encoded by c-Myc (cellular-myelocytomatosis viral oncogene) gene regulates the related gene expression through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and has received extensive attention in recent years. The purpose of this study was to express Helicoverpa armigera c-Myc gene (Ha-c-Myc) by using prokaryotic expression system, prepare the polyclonal antibody, examine the spatio-temporal expression profile of Ha-c-Myc, and investigate the possible function of Ha-c-Myc in regulating H. armigera sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) gene expression. The Ha-c-Myc gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into a prokaryotic expression plasmid pET-32a(+). The recombinant plasmid pET-32a-Ha-c-Myc was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21. IPTG was used to induce the expression of the recombinant protein. Protein was purified by Ni²⁺-NTA column and used to immunize New Zealand rabbits for preparing the polyclonal antibody. The Ha-c-Myc expression levels in different developmental stages (egg, larva, prepupa, pupa, and adult) of H. armigera and different tissues (midgut, fat body, head, and epidermis) of the prepupa were determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Ha-c-Myc siRNA was synthesized and transfected into H. armigera Ha cells. The relative mRNA levels of Ha-c-Myc and HaSCP-2 in Ha cells were detected by qRT-PCR. Results showed that the pET-32a-Ha-c-Myc recombinant plasmid was constructed. The soluble Ha-c-Myc protein of about 65 kDa was expressed in E. coli. The polyclonal antibody was prepared. Western blotting analysis suggested that the antibody had high specificity. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the titer of the antibody was high. Ha-c-Myc gene expressed at all developmental stages, with high levels in the early and late instars of larva, and the prepupal stage. Tissue expression profiles revealed that Ha-c-Myc expressed in various tissues of prepupa, with high expression level in the midgut, but low levels in the epidermis and fat body. RNAi results showed that the knockdown of Ha-c-Myc expression significantly affected transcription of HaSCP-2, leading to a 50% reduction in HaSCP-2 mRNA expression level. In conclusion, the Ha-c-Myc was expressed through a prokaryotic expression system, and the polyclonal anti-Ha-c-Myc antibody was obtained. Ha-c-Myc may promote the expression of HaSCP-2 and play an important role in the lipid metabolism of H. armigera. These results may facilitate further study on the potential role and function mechanism of Ha-c-Myc in H. armigera and provide experimental data for exploring new targets of green pesticides.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Moths/genetics* ; Blotting, Western ; Larva/genetics* ; Isoantibodies/metabolism* ; Antibody Specificity

Objective To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) gene Rs1801282 and brick-tea type fluorosis. Methods From 2012 to 2013, this cross-sectional study was performed in 16 endemic fluorosis areas of brick-tea type in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,Qinghai and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China,to select adults>18 years old as subjects, who were diagnosed as skeletal fluorosis by X-ray. All of the subjects filled in demography survey questionnaire; the survey contents included general characteristic s, and average daily brick tea intake. Drinking tea samples and urine samples of each subject were collected, and fluoride content of urine and brick-tea was determined via the ion selective electrode method (WS/T 89-2006). X-ray scintigraphy was used to diagnose skeletal fluorosis, according to the "Diagnostic Criteria of Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis" (WS/T 192-2007); the subjects were divided into skeletal fluorosis group (case group) and non-skeletal fluorosis group (control group). To collect venous blood 5 ml, whole blood DNA was extracted, and polymorphism at Rs1801282 of PPARγ was detected by MassARRAY time-of-flight mass spectrometry, to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results There were 1 414 people included in this study,including 347 in case group and 1 067 in control group. By the Hardy-Weinberg balance test, the PPARγ gene Rs1801282 genotype was representative in case group, control group and each nationality (P > 0.05). The difference of PPARγ gene Rs1801282 genotype in case group and control group was not statistically significant (OR was 0.991, 95%CI: 0.704 - 1.395, the adjusted OR was 1.026, 95%CI: 0.707-1.489).The difference of PPARγ gene Rs1801282 genotype(CC,CG+GG)in case group and control group in different nationality was not statistically significant (Tibetan: OR was 1.400, 95%CI: 0.576 - 3.404, the adjusted OR was 1.258, 95%CI: 0.474 - 3.340; Kazak: OR was 0.898, 95%CI:0.516 -1.562,the adjusted OR was 0.936,95%CI:0.532 -1.648;Mongolia: OR was 1.148,95%CI:0.508-2.594, the adjusted OR was 1.644, 95%CI: 0.683 - 3.956; Han: OR was 1.058, 95%CI: 0.451 - 2.482, the adjusted OR was 0.959, 95%CI: 0.388 - 2.371; Russian: OR was 0.000, 95%CI: 0.000 - 0.000, the adjusted OR was 0.000, 95% CI: 0.000 - 0.000) with binary Logistic regression analysis. Conclusion We have found no association between SNP of PPARγ gene Rs1801282 and skeletal fluorosis of brick-tea type fluorosis in China.

Objective To explore the expression and cilinical significance of UCH37 in colon cancer, and detect the effects and underlying mechanism of UCH37 on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis of colon cancer cell lines. Methods Expressions of UCH37 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in colon cancer patients. Spearman′s rank test was conducted to analyze the clinical relevance of UCH37 in colon cancer. QPCR was conducted to detect the expression of UPS39 in colon cancer cell lines and NCM460 cells.CCK-8,flow cytometry, co-immunoprecipitation were conducted to detect the effects of UCH37 on cell proliferation,cell apoptosis. And ubiquitinated level of MIF. Results Compare to adjacent tissues,immunohistochemistry and chi square analysis revealed that the positive rate of UCH37 was upregulated in colon cancer tissues.Spearman rank correlation showed that positive UCH37 expression was significantly associated with TNM stage and cell differentiation of colon cancer patients. CCK-8 results showed cell proliferation in colon cancer cells transfected with UCH37 NC was promoted and cell apoptosis in colon cancer cells transfected with UCH37 NC was inhibited compared with cells transfected UCH37 siRNAs;furthermore,compared to cells transfected lentiviral vector carrying pLenti6.3.cell proliferation in colon cancer cells transfected with lentiviral vector carrying UCH37 was promoted and cell apoptosis in colon can-cer cells transfected with lentiviral vector carrying UCH37 was inhibited.Co-IP showed MIF could be deubiquitinat-ed by UCH37 in colon cancer cells. Conclusion UCH37 expression is upregulated in colon cancer,and UCH37 could promote cell proliferation of colon cancer cells by deubiquitinating MIF.

Objective To investigate the current state of core competence of hospital clinical new nurses of different training mode so as to provide the basis for formulating targeted training mode . Methods Adopted order-form training mode that including internship and employment .Then using Competency Inventory For Registered Nurse to survey 104 new nurses who have registered in 2013 and analyzed the results . Results Total core capability score of new nurses was (158.40 ±25.95).And the dimensions score of critical thinking(27.81 ±3.72), clinical care (26.37 ±2.96), leadership ability (29.84 ±3.18), interpersonal relationships(26.05 ±5.47), legal/ethical practice(26.27 ±3.22), professional development (17.57 ±2.34) and education/consultation(20.43 ±3.14)among new nurses of order-form training was higher then that of non-order-form training nurses,and the differences between two groups showed statistically significance (t=6.207, 5.530,3.782,4.531,3.912,2.195,4.053,respectively;P<0.05).Conclusions Hospital should increase the proportion of order-form training, promote effective cooperation between institutions and hospitals and broaden the new ways of hospital talents construction .

Background and objective Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most malignant neuroendocrine tumor but highly sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. At present, the standard ifrst-line chemotherapy regimen of extensive-stage SCLC is platinum combined etoposide regimen. However, most patients who receive ifrst-line chemotherapy will relapse within one to two years. Once recurrent, it indicates poor prognosis. In this study, we analyzed the survival among all extensive-stage SCLC and patients who received ifrst-line chemotherapy and determined prognostic factors. Methods Total of 394 patients who were diagnosed as extensive-stage small cell lung cancer from February 2001to December 2011hospitalized in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were collected. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Univariate analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to detect the inlfuence factors of survival. Results hTe median OS of all extensive-stage small cell lung cancer was14.8 months;1-year, 2-year and 5-year survival rates were 58.9%, 27.2%and 7.8%, respectively. According to the results of univariate and Cox multivariate analysis, OS of extensive-stage SCLC was closely associated with age (P=0.006), ECOG PS (P=0.021), liver metastasis (P<0.001), bone metastasis (P<0.001) and chemotherapy (P<0.001). hTe mortality risk of patients who didn’t receive chemotherapy was 4.919 times higher than that who received;the mortality risk of patients without liver, bone metastasis was reduced by approximately 50 percent. hTe ifrst-line chemotherapy was mainly EP (DDP+VP-16) or CE (CBP+VP-16) regimens (accounting for 82.8%) with 4-6 cycles. hTe median OS and PFS in ifrst-line chemotherapy were15.1months and 7.5 months, respectively. hTe result of Cox regression analysis indicated that OS in ifrst-line chemotherapy was remarkably related to smoking history (P=0.041), liver metastasis (P<0.001), bone metastasis (P<0.001), chemotherapy cycle number (P<0.001);PFS was relevant with smoking history (P=0.003), liver metastasis (P=0.001), bone metastasis (P<0.001), chemotherapy cycle number (P<0.001). hToracic radiotherapy was not an independent inlfuence factor of OS and PFS in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Con-clusion hTe patients who were younger than 60-year old, with good KPS, absence of liver and bone metastasis had better prognosis. Patients should receive chemotherapy with ifrst-line standard regimen (CE/EP regimen). It was beneifcial to sur-vival if the effect of ifrst-line chemotherapy was SD or PR-CR and the proper chemotherapy cycle number was 4-6 cycles. hTe role of thoracic radiotherapy in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer needed to be investigated further.

Nowadays, lung cancer is the malignant tumor of the highest morbidity and mortality over the world, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) makes up about 80%. hTere is a great many NSCLC patients have been in advanced stage when diagnosed. As a result, people pay more attention to curing advanced NSCLC. hTe standard treatment to advanced NSCLC is platinum-based combined chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy drugs usually have limited effects on improving the survival of the patients. hTen exploring new therapies is extremely urgent to us. Now, molecular targeted therapy has been the most promising research area for the treatment of NSCLC with researches going deep into pathogenesis and biological behavior of lung cancer. Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have achieved a great suc-cess in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. hTeir representatives are erlotinib and geiftinib. hTe two drugs have been widely used to treat advanced NSCLCs worldwide, especially for the patients with EGFR activating mutations. However, atfer a period of treatment (median time is 6 to 12 months), most patients will develop drug resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Intense research in these NSCLCs has identiifed two major mechanisms of resistance to TKIs:primary and acquired resistances. hTe research about resistance mechanism of NSCLC to EGFR-TKIs is a hot one because of their excellent effects on improving overall and progression-free survival. hTe aim of this article was to summarize the development of the resistance mechanisms.

Background and objective Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most malignant neuroendocrine tu-mor and sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, most patients who receive ifrst-line chemotherapy will relapse within one to two years. Once recurrent, it indicates poor prognosis. Currently, the standard ifrst-line chemotherapy regimen of extensive-stage SCLC is platinum combined etoposide regimen while the standard second-line chemotherapy regimen is open to debate. hTe aim of this study is to analysis the prognostic factors of second-line chemotherapy in extensive-stage SCLC and to compare the differences of objective response rate, side effects and survival among different second-line chemotherapy regimens. Methods 181 patients who were diagnosed as extensive-stage SCLC and received second-line chemotherapy were collected.χ2 test was used to analysis the differences of enumeration data and between different groups. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Univariate analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to detect the prognostic factors. Objective response rate was evaluated by RECIST criteria and side effects were evaluated by WHO criteria. Results hTe patients who received second-line chemotherapy can be divided into 6 groups, namly group A (CE/EP regimen) 27 cases, group B (regimens containing TPT) 44 cases, group C (regimens containing CPT-11) 33 cases, group D (regimens containing TAX/DXL) 20 cases, group E (regimens containing IFO) 28 cases and group F (other regimens) 29 cases. hTe median OS in second-line chemotherapy as 7.0 months and was relevant with smoking his-tory (P=0.004), ECOG PS (P<0.001), liver metastasis (P=0.019) and bone metastasis (P=0.028) independently. hTe median PFS in second-line chemotherapy as 3.0 months and was relevant with smoking history (P=0.034), ECOG PS (P=0.011) and bone metastasis (P=0.005). hTe response rate among six regimens was signiifcantly different (P=0.017);hTere was not statistical signiifcance between each group. As to side effects, the incidence of gastrointestinal reaction in group C was higher than any other group. hTe differences of OS and PFS between six regimens in second-line therapy were not statistically differ-ent (P=0.914, P=0.293). Conclusion hTe most signiifcant prognostic factor of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer patients who received second-line chemotherapy was ECOG PS. hTe most optimal second-line chemotherapy regimen with deifnite curatice effect was controversial.

Background and objective At present, surgery is advocated for stage IIIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the survival of them is determined by many factors. hTe aim of this study is to analyze the inlfuencing factors of prognosis for stage IIIa surgical patients. Methods Between March 2002 and October 2012, 151 surgical cases that have postoperative pathological ifnding of stage IIIa NSCLC with completed followed-up data were received in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. According to different N stages, 151 patients were divided into T4N0/T3-4N1M0 and T1-3N2M0 stages. Kaplan-Meier survival method was used to calculate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and to proceed univariate analysis of survival. Cox regression analysis was used to conduct multivariate analysis. A p-value less than 0.05 was evaluated as statistically signiifcant. Results 151 stage IIIa NSCLC patients had 43 stage T4N0/T3-4N1M0 cases and 108 stage T1-3N2M0 cases. hTe median OS and PFS of the whole group were 38.9 and 12.9 months respectively. hTe median OS of stage T4N0/T3-4N1M0 and T1-3N2M0 were 48.7 and 38.9 months. hTe median PFS of them were 14.9 and 19.8 months respectively. hTere were no signiifcant differences of OS and PFS between two groups. Univariate and multivari-ate analysis indicated that postoperative chemotherapy had a signiifcant inlfuence on OS of the surgical patients with stage IIIa NSCLC (P=0.001), and family history of tumor had a signiifcant inlfuence on PFS (P<0.05). hTe maximum diameter of tumor had a signiifcant inlfuence on PFS only in univariate analysis. Conclusion For stage IIIa NSCLC, postoperative chemotherapy can increase OS and PFS, but postoperative radiotherapy have no beneift on them.

Background and objective Nowadays, comprehensive treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy is advocated for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, many researchers have questioned the effectiveness of surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of surgery for stage III NSCLC. Methods Between March 2002 and October 2012, 310 cases that have completed followed-up data with stage III NSCLC were received in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. They were divided into surgical and non-surgical groups according to whether received surgery when diagnosed. In TNM staging, stage III NSCLC includes stage IIIa and IIIb, and stage IIIa NSCLC can be grouped into stage T4N0/T3-4N1M0 and T1-3N2M0 according to different N stages. Analyzed the enumeration data by Chi-Square test. Kaplan-Meier survival method was used to calculate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and to draw the survival curves. AP value less than 0.05 was evaluated as statistically significant. Results Three hundred and ten stage III NSCLC patients include surgical group 189 cases and non-surgical group 121 cases. One hundred and eighty-eight stage IIIa NSCLC patients include surgical group 152 cases and non-surgical group 36 cases. In stage IIIa, stage T4N0/T3-4N1M0 had 57 patients with 44 surgical and 13 non-surgical patients, and stage T1-3N2M0 had 131 patients with 108 surgical and 23 non-surgical patients. Thirty-seven out of 121 stage IIIb NSCLC patients received surgery. They had 22 stage T4N2M0 cases and 15 stage T1-4N3M0 cases. The patient whose performance status was 0 and staging was stage IIIa was more inclined to undergo surgery. For stage IIIa NSCLC patients, the median OS of surgical and non-surgical groups were 38.9 and 21.8 months, and the median PFS of them were 19.2 and 11.9 months respectively. The difference of OS between the two groups was significant (P=0.041), but the PFS of them had no significant difference (P=0.209). For stage T4N0/T3-4N1M0 which belongs to stage IIIa, the median OS of surgical and non-surgical groups were 48.7 and 20.1 months, and the median PFS of them were 14.6 and 10.5 months respectively. There were no significant differences of OS and PFS between the two groups (P>0.05). For stage T1-3N2M0 which also belongs to stage IIIa, the median OS of surgical and non-surgical groups were 38.9 and 30.8 months, and the median PFS of them were 19.8 and 12.7 months respectively. There were also no significant differences of OS and PFS between the two groups (P>0.05). The maximum diameter of tumor and auxillary chemotherapy had significant influences on OS and PFS of stage IIIa-N2 NSCLC patients, while the histology of tumor only influenced the OS of them (P<0.05). Conclusion The patient whose performance status is 0 and staging is stage IIIa is more inclined to undergo surgery. Surgery can prolong OS of patients with stage IIIa, especially for stage T4N0/T3-4N1M0. However, it has no benefit on PFS. The maximum diameter of tumor and auxillary chemotherapy have significant influences on OS and PFS of stage IIIa-N2 NSCLC patients, while the histology of tumor only influence the OS of them.