Image Recognition of Chinese Herbal Pieces Based on Color Matching Template / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To construct the color matching template irrelevant to size and rotation according to the types and distribution characteristics of colors in images of Chinese herbal pieces, in order to establish color characterization and image identification methods for Chinese herbal pieces. Method::Totally 20 types of Chinese herbal pieces were selected, including rhizomes, flowers, seeds and fruits.For each sample, two observation surfaces were selected to extract color parameters in foreground through image processing such as image segmentation, model transformation from RGB to L*a*b*.Color vectors of the two observation surfaces were sequenced in a descending order, scaled to a certain size by interpolating, and combined into an integrated color vector in a weight ratio of 1∶1.As for centripetally distributed observation surface images(e.g.transverse section), corrosion operation was conducted to extract the color components of each ring from outer to inner by circles, which were then ordered and scaled.The integrated color vector was used as initial template for training, the correlation coefficient between each sample and the template was calculated, and the interval estimation of positive samples were carried out by t test.With the total recognition rate as an indicator, the optimal template dimensions, width of ring and training volume were ultimately determined. Result::The visualization results of the trained templates of the varied herbal pieces were easy to be visually distinguished.After 260 samples of the herbal pieces were tested, the template of a and b components was better than that of L*, a* and b* in terms of recognition performance, with a* recognition accuracy of 95.8%(249/200). Conclusion::Color characteristics of images from two observation surfaces of Chinese herbal pieces are integrated to obtain the combined color feature vector, so as to achieve preferable recognition results for samples from both the same and different medicinal parts.This method boasts a strong anti-interference ability of random variation of sample shape, sampling part and color.

Microscopic Image Recognition of Chinese Medicinal Materials Based on Gray-level Matching Template / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To build a gray-level matching template by using the gray level information of the microscopic image of the transverse section of Chinese medicinal materials,in order to realize the automatic recognition of the images of Chinese medicinal materials independent of scale and orientation. Method:By using the embedding method of polyethylene glycol (PEG),the transverse slices of 19 kinds of common rhizomatous medicinal materials were obtained. The images of the slices were taken by digital microscopic imaging technology,and the mosaic grayscale images were obtained by image registration,noise removal and boundary location. The center of the structure of the materials in the images was selected to establish the polar coordinate system, so as to divide grids from the radial and angular directions. By counting the gray information in each grid,the gray information digital matrix that can characterize the microscopic identification characteristics of the materials was obtained. Images in an appropriate sample size was used to train the matrix for generalization of the matrix. The covariance coefficients between the matrix of positive or negative verification sample and the template matrix were calculated to set the best identification parameters. For each medicinal material,80 fan-shaped images were prepared,including 70% of training samples,15% of validation samples and 15% of test samples,and single template and template set were tested with test samples. Result:In the test of 240 images including non-template-set medicinal materials,the correct recognition rate of single-template test was 90.1%,and that of template-set test was 92.5%. Conclusion:This method can well characterize the microscopic identification characteristics of Chinese medicinal materials, with a strong anti-interference ability and less subjective-errors, acquire sample images easily, and provide technical support for the digitization of morphological quality control of Chinese medicinal materials.

IL-6 and TNF-α promote the differentiation of human BMSCs to TFAs by mimicry inflammatory microenvironment / 基础医学与临床

Objective To observe whether BMSCs differentiate into TAFs in inflammatory microenvironment simula-ted by IL-6 and TNF-α.Methods The experiment was divided into 9 groups:the BMSCs group,the 50 ng/mL, 100 ng/mL IL-6 intervention group, the 50 ng/mL,100 ng/mL TNF-α intervention group, the 50 ng/mL IL-6+50 ng/mL TNF-α intervention group,the 50 ng/mL IL-6+100 ng/mL TNF-α intervention group,the 100 ng/mL IL-6+50 ng/mL TNF-α intervention group and the 100 ng/mL IL-6+100 ng/mL TNF-α intervention group; After continuous induction for 42 days, BMSCs cell morphology and cycle, TAFs-tagged α-SMA and FAP protein were examined by phase-contrast microscope,flow cytometry and Western blot method. Results Compared with the normal control group, the 100 ng/mL IL-6+50 ng/mL TNF-α intervention group BMSC cell proliferation was significantly promoted;G1phase decreased in proportion and S phase increased;α-SMA and FAP protein expression was signifi-cantly increased (P＜0.05).Conclusions Microenvironment simulated by the 100 ng/mL IL-6+50 ng/mL TNF-α may induce the abnormal change of the BMSCs morphological and proliferative characteristics. TAFs reference mole-cule α-SMA and FAP expression is increased.

Effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide on airway inflammation and Th17/Treg balance in asthmatic mice / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on the airway inflammation and its regulatory effect on Th17/Treg imbalance in asthmatic mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 30 BALB/c mice were equally and randomly divided into three groups: control, asthma, and VIP. An acute asthmatic mouse model was established by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). The control group received normal saline instead of OVA. Before the challenge with OVA, the VIP group was administered VIP (20 μg/mL) by aerosol inhalation for 30 minutes. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the lung tissue were collected from mice. The pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of Th17/Treg-related cytokines in BALF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The histopathological results showed that the VIP group had milder symptoms of airway inflammation than the asthma group. The level of IL-17 in BALF in the asthma group was significantly higher than that in the control group and the VIP group (P<0.01), but the level of IL-17 in the control group was significantly lower than that in the VIP group (P<0.01). The level of IL-10 in BALF in the asthma group was significantly lower than that in the control group and the VIP group (P<0.01, but the level of IL-10 in the VIP group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The asthma group showed significantly higher expression levels of RORγt mRNA and protein in the lung tissue and significantly lower expression levels of Foxp3 mRNA and protein than the control group (P<0.01). The VIP group had significantly lower expression levels of RORγt mRNA and protein in the lung tissue and significantly higher expression levels of Foxp3 mRNA and protein than the asthma group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The Th17/Treg imbalance may be closely related to the airway inflammation in asthmatic mice. VIP can improve airway inflammation by regulating the Th17/Treg imbalance in asthmatic mice.</p>

Epidemiological characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the epidemiological characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in children, and to provide a basis for diagnosis and treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The serum level of Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibody IgM (MP-IgM) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for 3156 hospitalized children with confirmed community acquired pneumonia from February 2011 to January 2012. The antigens of seven respiratory viruses were detected in the nasopharyngeal secretions of children with MPP.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MP-IgM was detected in 427 of the 3156 patients, with a positive rate of 13.53%. The infection rate in female patients was significantly higher than in male patients (16.30% vs 11.70%; P<0.01). The MP-IgM detection rates were 3.6%, 12.5%, 19.2%, and 24.4% in children aged under 1 year, 1-3 years, 3-6 years and 6-14 years respectively (P<0.01), and the total MP-IgM detection rate in children aged under 3 years was significantly lower than in children over 3 years (P<0.01). The MP-IgM detection rate varied with the seasons and was significantly higher in summer and autumn than in winter and spring (19.18% vs 9.61%; P<0.01). Of the 427 MP-IgM-positive children, 60 (14.1%) were infected with respiratory viruses, and the highest proportion of which was respiratory syncytial virus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MPP is sporadic throughout the whole year, with a higher incidence in summer and autumn. MPP occurs mostly in preschool and school-age children, and there is mixed infection of MP and respiratory viruses.</p>

Tumor-infiltrating FoxP3+ Tregs are associated with CD34 expression and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation between FoxP3+ regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and peritumoral tissues with CD34 expression and patient prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-five sets of patient-matched tumors and peritumoral tissues were obtained during curative resection for HCC. In situ immunohistochemistry was used to assess and comparatively analyze Treg presence and CD34 expression in each specimen set. The relation between quantified Tregs values and various clinicopathologic factors were evaluated by the Spearman Rank Correlation test. Univariate (Log Rank test) and multivariate (Cox Regression model) analyses were used to determine the potential prognostic value of each factor.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average number of intratumoral Tregs was significantly higher than that in corresponding peritumoral tissues (10.8 (range: 4.4 to 19.4) vs. 1.4 (0.6 to 3.2), respectively; P less than 0.01). The presence of intratumoral Tregs correlated with up-regulated CD34 expression (r = 0.279, P less than 0.05). Increased number of intratumoral Tregs were significantly associated with decreased rates of overall survival (OS, P less than 0.05) and disease-free survival (DFS, P less than 0.05), and was identified as an independent prognostic factor (OS, hazard ratio (HR) = 3.310, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.368-8.007, P less than 0.01; DFS, HR = 2.666, 95% CI: 1.321 to 6.394, P less than 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intratumoral infiltration by Tregs is a marker of poor prognosis in HCC patients.</p>

Effect of ionization on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and VEGF in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells under anoxic condition / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of ionization on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells under anoxic condition, and search for an effective method for improving the radiosensitivity of the tumor cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HepG2 cells were divided into 4 groups, namely the control group, hypoxia group, ionization radiation group, and hypoxia and radiation group, with corresponding treatments. The cell apoptosis was detected by fluorescence microscope, and the cell viability analyzed by MTT assay. The expressions of HIF-1alpha and VEGF mRNAs were detected by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A few apoptotic cells were found in hypoxia group, but significant apoptosis occurred in the radiation group; fewer apoptotic cells were observed in the hypoxia and radiation group than in the hypoxia group. The viable cell fraction increased in the order of the control group>hypoxia group> hypoxia plus radiation group> radiation group (P<0.05), and the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA increased in the order of hypoxia plus radiation group>hypoxia group>radiation group (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found in the radiation group and control group. The expression of VEGF mRNA increased in the order of hypoxia plus radiation group> hypoxia group>radiation group>control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of HIF-1alpha may protect the hepatocellular carcinoma cells from damages by radiation in hypoxic condition, and HIF-1alpha decreases the radiosensitivity of the cells possibly by inducing VEGF expression.</p>

Anatomic research of the subtemporal transpetrosalridge approach / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Subtemporal transpetrosal ridge approach (STA) was introduced to remove the petroclival meningiomas with the simple, safe and minimal invasive character. It is suggested to replace the combined approach to reduce the morbidity and mortality.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Surgical anatomic study was done on 10 adult cadaver heads fixed in 10% formalin and 10 dry skulls. Ten cadaver heads were examined by bone-window CT scan pre and post-operation. The relationships of important anatomic structures and positions were measured and photographed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For the STA, the important structures include Vein of Labbe, petrous bone and brain stem ventral space. The important data include the drilling space of the petrous ridge.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>STA is an original approach to remove petroclival meningiomas. By drilling the petrous ridge, it allows the resecion of the tumor simple, safe and minimal invasive. It is suggested to replace the combined approach with STA to diminish the morbidity and mortality.</p>

Effects of the box-3 region of the LIFRalpha-chain cytoplasmic domain (gp190CT3) on the proliferation and differentiation of HL-60 cells / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Box-3 region of the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) alpha-chain cytoplasmic domain on the proliferation and differentiation of HL-60 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression vector of gp190CT3 was constructed and expressed in HL-60 cells. The expression level of gp190CT3 was assayed by immunocytochemistry. The growth of wild type and gp190CT3 transfected HL-60 cells were examined under microscope. The PCNA levels were assayed by Western blot, and the levels of CD15 by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The gp190CT3 transfected HL-60 cells were enlarged in size and their proliferation was slower than that of wild type. The expression level of PCNA was down-regulated while the level of CD15 up-regulated in transfected HL-60 cells as compared with that of the wild type cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Box-3 region of the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor alpha-chain cytoplasmic domain (gp190CT3) participates the LIFR signal transduction in inhibiting the growth and inducing the differentiation of HL-60 cells.</p>