Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infectious disease with strong contagiousness, strong variability, and long incubation period. The probability of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis can be significantly decreased with the use of automatic segmentation of COVID-19 lesions based on computed tomography images, which helps doctors in rapid diagnosis and precise treatment. This paper introduced the level set generalized Dice loss function (LGDL) in conjunction with the level set segmentation method based on COVID-19 lesion segmentation network and proposed a dual-path COVID-19 lesion segmentation network (Dual-SAUNet++) to address the pain points such as the complex symptoms of COVID-19 and the blurred boundaries that are challenging to segment. LGDL is an adaptive weight joint loss obtained by combining the generalized Dice loss of the mask path and the mean square error of the level set path. On the test set, the model achieved Dice similarity coefficient of (87.81 ± 10.86)%, intersection over union of (79.20 ± 14.58)%, sensitivity of (94.18 ± 13.56)%, specificity of (99.83 ± 0.43)% and Hausdorff distance of 18.29 ± 31.48 mm. Studies indicated that Dual-SAUNet++ has a great anti-noise capability and it can segment multi-scale lesions while simultaneously focusing on their area and border information. The method proposed in this paper assists doctors in judging the severity of COVID-19 infection by accurately segmenting the lesion, and provides a reliable basis for subsequent clinical treatment.
Humans ; COVID-19/diagnostic imaging* ; Respiratory Rate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether kirenol, the major pharmacologically active compound of the Chinese medicinal herb , can protect mice from dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: C57BL/6 mice with or without kirenol pretreatment were treated with DSS in drinking water for 7 days to induce UC. The symptoms of UC including weight loss, diarrhea and bloody stool were observed daily and graded using the disease activity index (DAI). Colon injury of the mice was assessed by measuring the length of the colon and HE staining of the colon tissue. The levels of inflammatory cytokines produced by the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) lymphocytes were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the apoptosis of the lymphocytes and CD4 T cells was analyzed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The mice receiving pretreatment with kirenol showed obviously ameliorated symptoms of UC and milder pathological changes in the colon as compared with the control mice. Kirenol treatment significantly down-regulated the secretion of IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-6 and TNF-α by the MLNs lymphocytes and increased the apoptosis of lymphocytes, especially CD4 T cells in the DSS-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS Kirenol can protect against T cell-mediated colon injury in DSS-treated mice possibly by suppressing the secretion of inflammatory mediators and inducing apoptosis of the inflammatory lymphocytes.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Cytokines ; Dextran Sulfate ; Diterpenes ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; T-Lymphocytes

Background and objective The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with primary bronchopulmonary carcinoma complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to opti-mize the early diagnoses in the coexistence of COPD and primary bronchopulmonary carcinoma.Methods The clinical data of 118 patients with COPD complicated with primary bronchopulmonary carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively, including age, sex, smoking history, smoking index, clinical symptoms and signs, pathological type, staging, metastasis site and lung func-tion index. 120 patients with simple COPD were selected as control.Results The smoking rate (55.1%) and smoking index ≥400 branch /year (90.8%) of the patients with COPD complicated with primary bronchopulmonary carcinoma were higher than the simple COPD group (20.8%, 48.0%). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the incidence of common symptoms such as cough, sputum, fever, fatigue and dyspnea in COPD complicated with primary bronchopulmonary carcinoma patients with simple COPD group (P>0.05), while the in-cidence of hemoptysis, weight loss, chest pain, hoarseness, pleural effusion and atelectasis were significantly higher than those in simple COPD group (P<0.01). When the patients were first diagnosed as COPD with primary bronchopulmonary carcino-ma, 63.6% of the group were advanced or located late, and the distant metastases are common for pleural metastasis and bone metastases. There was no significant difference in forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC),FEV1% pre, total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV)/TLC between the two groups (P>0.05), but the diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) of COPD patients complicated with primary bronchopulmonary carcinoma was lower than that of simple COPD patients (P<0.05) . In the COPD patients with primary bronchopulmonary carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma was the most common pathological type (51.7%). Male patients were mainly squamous cell carcinoma (60.7%), while female patients with adenocarcinoma (69.0%).Conclusion COPD combined with primary bronchopulmonary carci-noma occurs in male smokers more. There is higher incidence of squamous cell carcinoma. When they are first diagnosed, most of them are advanced or located late, due to no specific clinical symptoms at the early stages. Periodic chest CT examination for COPD patients can help early diagnoses of primary bronchopulmonary carcinoma.

Objective To explored high-risk HPV genotyping PCR testing whether as a feasible means for the early screening of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. Methods From January 2013 to June 2014, 15 192 outpatients in China-Japan Friendship Hospital voluntary were tested by high-risk type HPV genotyping PCR. The average age of them were (33±8) years old. High-risk HPV types genotyping PCR tested by fluorescence PCR technology,in which 13 kinds of high-risk HPV subtypes were detected,
including HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 and 68. A total of 4 315 cases of them were tested by the liquid-based cytology (LCT), among them with positive of high-risk HPV genotyping tested by PCR (n=2 366) were biopsy under colposcope (648 cases) in those LCT results were positive or LCT negative but HPV16 positive or LCT negative but had the clear clinical symptoms or and non-HPV16 positive but with clear clinical symptoms. (1) Analysis high-risk HPV infection status of 15 192 women.(2)As the pathological diagnosis was the gold standard in the diagnosis of cervical lesions, analysis of the relationship among high-risk HPV infection,virus loads and cervical lesions. (3) To evaluated the value of high-risk HPV genotyping PCR tested method in screening of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. Results ⑴ Of 15 192 cases tested by high-risk HPV genotyping PCR, 2 366 cases were HPV positive (HPV infection), the overall infection rate was 15.57%(2 366/15 192), in which a single subtype of HPV infection in 1 767 cases, infection rate was 11.63%(1 767/15 192), and multiple subtypes of HPV infection (two and more subtypes HPV infection) in 599 cases, infection rate was 3.94%(599/15 192). The HPV16, 52 and 58 infections were the most common HPV subtypes in 13 subtypes, the infection rate was 3.95% (600/15 192), 2.86%(435/15 192) and 2.67% (406/15 192), respectively. (2) The most relevant subtypes with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)Ⅱand even higher lesion were HPV16, 52 and 58, accounted for 57.7%(154/267) of all above CINⅡlesions. The most relevant subtype with the cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (CGIN) Ⅱ or above lesions was HPV18, 3 cases with CGIN Ⅱ or above lesions were all single HPV18 infection. The pathologic examination positive percentage of patients which HPV virus loads≤103 copys/104 cells was 18.2%(25/137), while the pathologic examination positive proportion was 33.3%(247/742) which HPV virus loads≥104 copys/104 cells , there was statistically significant difference between them (χ2=27.06, P=0.000).(3)Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for detection of CINⅡ or above using HPV genotyping PCR were 96.11%, 85.76%, 30.94% and 99.70%, respectively. Conclusions There were a guiding significance for high-risk HPV genotyping PCR tested in screening of cervical cancer and precancerous lesion. HPV16, 52 and 58 were related to the severe cervical squamous epithelial lesions, while HPV18 was related to cervical severe glandular cell pathological changes. HPV genotyping is feasible and economical as the first choice of opportunistic screening in tertiary hospitals.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy and safety of methotrexate with different methods of administrations com-bined with hysteroscopy in the treatment of scar pregnancy(CSP). METHODS:Data of 56 CSP patients were retrospectively ana-lyzed and divided into group A(26 cases)and group B(30 cases)by different methods of administrations. The fluid in group A was injected methotrexate 50 mg/m2 into the capsule,once a week. After 1 week,if the β-HCG was decreased less than or equal to 50%,the patient was additionally injected methotrexate;and if the β-HCG was decreased more than 50%,no more methotrexate was given,the lesion electrosurgical excision was conducted under hysteroscopy when β-HCG<1 000 mU/ml. Group B was inject-ed methotrexate 50 mg/m2 into muscle,once a week. After 1 week,if β-HCG was decreased less than or equal to 50%,the patient was additionally injected methotrexate;and if the β-HCG was decreased more than 50%,no more methotrexate was given,the le-sion electrosurgical excision was conducted under hysteroscopy when β-HCG<1 000 mU/ml. The clinic data was observed,includ-ing success rate,β-HCG before and 4,7,10 and 14 d after treatment and the mass diameter of CSP before and 7 and 14 d after treatment in 2 groups. The incidence of adverse reactions was recorded. RESULTS:There were no significant differences in the suc-cess rate,mass diameter of CSP before and after treatment between 2 groups (P>0.05). After treatment,the β-HCG in 2 groups was significantly lower than before,14 d<10 d<7 d<4 d,and group A was lower than group B,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in group A was significantly lower than group B,the difference was statis-tically significant(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Methotrexate with different methods of administrations combined with hysteroscopy has good efficacy in the treatment of CSP,however,the safety of intracapsular injection is better than intramuscular injection.

Objective To explore the prevalence and influential factors of chronic respiratory system diseases among resi-dents over 1 5 years old in Hubei province and provide evidence for disease prevention.Methods During October to November in 2013,through stratified cluster sampling,we sampled 20 cities or counties.The survey included the the general condition of family, individual,chronic diseases.Results A total of 28 563 residents answered the questionnaire and 423 of them reported chronic re-spiratory system diseases by themselves.The prevalence rate was 14.8‰.These included 229 cases with COPD(54.1%),44 cases with asthma(10.4%),35 cases with chronic pharyngolaryngitis(8.3%)and 1 1 5 cases with other chronic respiratory system disea-ses(27.2%).In urban and rural area,the prevalence rate were 13.6‰ and 1 5.7‰ respectively.Multivariate logistic analysis showed that gender,age,economic status and medical insurance are influential factors of chronic respiratory system diseases.Conclusion Prevalence rate of chronic respiratory system diseases among residents over 1 5 years old in Hubei province was slightly increased and disease control measures should be brought out.

Objective To screen siRNAs that can effectively inhibit Apollon gene expression and determine the cellular functions of those siRNAs.Methods A chemical synthesis method was used to synthesize 3 siRNA sequences against different sites of Apollon.They were transfected into the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by using Lipofectamine 2000.mRNA level of Apollon was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Cellular immunity fluorescence quantitative analysis combined with confocal laser technology was used to determine the protein level of Apollon.Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry were used to determine the effects of siRNA targeting Apollon on proliferation and apoptosis of MCF-7 cells,respectively.Results Three pairs of siRNA could significantly inhibit Apollon mRNA expression,at the inhibition rates of (36.201±11.629) ％,(67.308±7.686) ％and (47.123±12.000) ％,respectively (P ＜ 0.05).After tranfection by siRNA2,Apollon protein fluorescence intensity was (14.97±2.08) ％ compared with control cells.The cell proliferation MCF-7 was inhibited by (73.361±2.118) ％and apoptosis was increased by (28.793±0.743) ％.Conclusions Screened siRNA2 effectively silences Apollon gene expression,effectively inhibits the proliferation and increases the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells.This provids the foundation for its clinical application in cancer therapy.

Background and purpose:Apollon gene is highly expressed in leukemia and other tumors. The study aimed to discuss whether RNAi technology can reverse multidrug resistance of chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 through constructing a eukaryotic vector of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting at Apollon gene. Methods:The eukaryotic vector pGPHI-GFP-Neo-Apollon with shRNA targeting at Apollon gene was constructed and then transfected into K562 cells by LipofectamineTM2000, and G418 pressure selection. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunolfuorescence were used to detect the expression of Apollon mRNA and protein after Apollon was transfected stably in K562 cells. The changes of sensitivity of K562 cells to leurocristine (VCR) and etoposide (VP16) after transfection with shRNA-Apollon were detected by MTT method, and the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. Results: pGPHI-GFP-Neo-Apollon carrier was constructed successfully and expressed stably in K562 cells, and after G418 screening, it silenced Apollon mRNA and protein expression effectively. According to the result of MTT, the sensitivity of K562 cells to VCR and VP16 increased significantly in the group of gene interference, with half of its inhibition concentration (half-inhibitory, IC50) value signiifcantly lower than the control group (P<0.05);Flow cytometry showed that the cell apoptosis rate was increased signiifcantly (P<0.05), but there was no statistically signiifcant difference in the apoptosis rate between shRNA negative control group and normal control group (P>0.05). Conclusion:pGPHI-GFP-Neo-Apollon carrier can enhance the abilities of VCR and VP16 to induce the apoptosis of K562 cells, namely an increase of sensitivity to these chemotherapeutics in K562 cells, it is hinted that RNA interference targeting Apollon gene may reverse the multidrug resistance of leukemia cells in some degree.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of submandibular gland transfer for prevention of xerostomia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHOD: Sixty-five cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were randomly divided into study group of 32 patients and control group of 33 patents. The submandibular gland was transferred to submental region on 32 cases with nasopharyngeal carcinoma before receiving conventional radiotherapy and a block was used to cover the submental region. Before radiotherapy, two groups of submandibular gland function was detected by imaging of the submandibular gland. At 60 months after radiotherapy, submandibular gland function was detected by 99mTc radionuclide scanning, the questionnaire about the degree of xerostomia was investigated respectively. Five-year survival rate was counted. RESULT: After following up for 60 months, submandibular gland uptake and secretion function in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group, there was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01) respectively. The incidence of moderate or severe xerostomia in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (15.4% vs 76.9%, P < 0.01). Five-year survival rate of the study group and control group was 81.3% and 78.8% respectively, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The long-term efficacy of submandibular gland transfer for prevention of xerostomia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma was well. It could improve the quality of life in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy, and did not affect the long-term efficacy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Adult ; Carcinoma ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Submandibular Gland ; surgery ; Xerostomia ; etiology ; prevention & control

Phytochemical studies of the the herb Sarcopyramis bodinieri var. delicate (Melastomataceae) have been carried out. The compounds were separated by repeated D101 macroporous adsorption resin column combined with Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and silica gel chromatgrophy. The structures were identified on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis, and by comparison of their spectral data with those reported. Eight flavonoid compounds isolated from the ethyl acetate extract was identified as isorhamnetin (1), quercetin (2), isorhamnetin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), isorhamnetin-3-O-(6"-acetyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), isorhamnetin-3-O-(2"-acetyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), quercetin-3-O-(6"-acetyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), and quercetin- 3-O-(6"-O-E-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8). All of the compounds were separated from the genus of Sarcopyramis for the first time.
Flavonoids ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Melastomataceae ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization