Comparative sonographic study of cerebral hemodynamic differences and changes after oxygen therapy in healthy youths of different ethnicities in Tibet.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to sonographically assess the cerebral hemodynamic differences and changes after oxygen therapy in healthy youths of different ethnicities in Tibet. METHODS: Sixty-six healthy young Han visitors and 29 healthy young Tibetan residents were divided into 4 groups. Basic information was collected. Pulsed Doppler sonography was used to record the cerebral hemodynamic parameters for the internal carotid, vertebral, and middle cerebral arteries. The participants were then instructed to inhale oxygen, and basic information and cerebral hemodynamic parameters were recorded at 1, 2, 4, and 8 minutes, respectively. Differences in these parameters between groups were analyzed. RESULTS: In comparisons of the flow parameters between sex-matched groups, the mean resistive index values for the internal carotid, vertebral, and middle cerebral arteries in the Han groups were significantly lower than those in the Tibetan groups (P <. 05). The mean peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and mean velocity values for the middle cerebral artery in the Han groups were significantly higher than those in the Tibetan groups (P < .05). After oxygen uptake, there were no significant differences in the mean arterial oxygen saturation, heart rate, mean velocity, and resistive index values between the male groups, and similar changes were found for the arterial oxygen saturation and peak systolic velocity values between female groups after 8 minutes of oxygen uptake (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Sonography is a useful modality for noninvasive and real-time detection of changes in cerebral hemodynamics and can provide reference values for the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.

Quantitative analysis of titanium-induced artifacts and correlated factors during micro-CT scanning.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of cover screw, resin embedment, and implant angulation on artifact of microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) scanning for implant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of twelve implants were randomly divided into 4 groups: (i) implant only; (ii) implant with cover screw; (iii) implant with resin embedment; and (iv) implants with cover screw and resin embedment. Implants angulation at 0°, 45°, and 90° were scanned by micro-CT. Images were assessed, and the ratio of artifact volume to total volume (AV/TV) was calculated. A multiple regression analysis in stepwise model was used to determine the significance of different factors. One-way ANOVA was performed to identify which combination of factors could minimize the artifact. RESULTS: In the regression analysis, implant angulation was identified as the best predictor for artifact among the factors (P < 0.001). Resin embedment also had significant effect on artifact volume (P = 0.028), while cover screw had not (P > 0.05). Non-embedded implants with the axis parallel to X-ray source of micro-CT produced minimal artifact. CONCLUSIONS: Implant angulation and resin embedment affected the artifact volume of micro-CT scanning for implant, while cover screw did not.

Dose-dependent effect of radiation on titanium implants: a quantitative study in rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the dose-dependent effect of radiation on dental implant stability and osseointegration using a series of quantitative analyses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six rabbits were randomly assigned to 15 and 30 Gy radiation groups. Each rabbit received radiation at the tibial and femoral metaphyseal region of left hind leg. The right leg was used as control. Implant surgery was performed on tibial and femoral metaphyses after 1 week. Totally 24 implants were inserted. The animals were killed at postoperative week four. Implant stability was measured using resonance frequency analysis. Ratio of bone volume to total volume (BV/TV), rate of bone growth, and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) were assessed using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), fluorochrome labeling analysis, and histomorphometric analysis, respectively. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of healing, all implants were integrated (n = 6). Implant stability was significantly compromised by 15 Gy (P = 0.010) and 30 Gy (P = 0.025) of radiation. Radiation decreased BV/TV, and the significant effect was detected at the dose of 15 Gy (P = 0.008) and 30 Gy (P < 0.001). Bone growth in osseointegration was impaired by radiation. In 15 Gy group, the radiation side showed significant lower rate of bone growth than the control side at week 3 (P = 0.001), while the undistinguishable signals on 30 Gy radiation side suggested the low rate of new bone formation at each time point. Histomorphological BIC had no significant difference between 15 Gy control side and 15 Gy radiation side. 30 Gy radiation side showed a significantly lower BIC than 30 Gy control side (P < 0.001) as well as 15 Gy radiation side (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Implant stability and osseointegration were compromised by radiation. Radiation compromised osseointegration in a dose-dependent manner.

Possible contributions of fibrogenesis to recurrent miscarriages - A transcriptome analysis.

Recurrent miscarriages (RM) generally refer to two or more consecutive pregnancy losses. The risk of miscarriages grows with its frequency of occurrences, so as the future obstetric complications or longer-term health problems for patients. Most previous researches sought to discover the etiology of RM by making comparisons between patients with RM and fertile women. Our study collected decidua tissues from patients with RM and single miscarriage (SM) for transcriptome sequencing analysis and aimed at identifying vital factors contributing to additional miscarriages after previous miscarriage. Between the RM and SM group, a total of 122 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected and pathways associated with cell adhesion and ECM remodeling were particularly enriched in the RM group, which indicated abnormally activated fibrogenesis process. Particularly, the enhancement of ITGB6, EGFLAM and COL3A1 in the RM group were validated by RT-qPCR. Our study discovered that fibrogenesis, which might be caused by intrauterine manipulation, could lead to recurrent miscarriages after a previous miscarriage. Therefore, we encourage higher attention to thorough prevention and prompt remedies towards fibrotic disorders related diseases.

The complete mitochondrial genome of a new deep-sea hagfish Eptatretus sp. Nan-Hai (Myxinidae: Eptatretus) from the South China Sea.

In this study, the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of a hagfish Eptatretus sp. Nan-Hai from a depth of 1000 m is presented. The complete sequence was determined using next-generation sequencing and long PCRs. The mitochondrial genome of Eptatretus sp. Nan-Hai is 17,538 bps in size and composed of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and one control region (D-loop). The base composition of mitochondrial genome is biased toward A + T content, at 67.21%, with GC skew of -0.35 and AT skew of -0.03. A phylogenetic tree revealed that within the genus Eptatretus, Eptatretus sp. Nan-Hai is closely related to Eptatretus atami.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the largest amphipod, Alicella gigantea: Insight into its phylogenetic relationships and deep sea adaptive characters.

Alicella gigantea (Alicelloidae) is a scavenger with the largest body size among amphipods. It is a participant in the foodweb of deepsea ecosystem and distributed with vast bathymetric and geographic ranges. In this study, the mitochondrial genome of A. gigantea was completely assembled and characterized. The complete sequence has a total length of 16,851 bp, comprising the usual eukaryotic components, with 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and 2 noncoding control regions (CRs). The gene rearrangement and reverse nucleotide strand bias of its mitochondrial genome are similar to those observed in the deepsea amphipod Eurythenes maldoror (Eurytheneidae), but different from the characters of Halice sp. MT-2017 (Dexaminoidea), an inhabitant of a deeper environment. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that A. gigantea occupies the basal branch of deepsea species-E. maldoror and Hirondellea gigas. This phylogeny supports the hypothesis that the evolution of hadal amphipods has undergone a transition from the abyssal depth. Compared to 41 available shallow water equivalents, the four accessible mitochondrial genomes from the deep sea, including the one produced in this study, show significantly fewer charged amino acids in the 13 PCGs, which suggests an adaption to the deepsea environment.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the deep-sea amphipod Eurythenes magellanicus (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Lysianassidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of the deep sea amphipod Eurythenes magellanicus was determined in this paper. This molecular was 14,988 bp in length, and contained the typical 13 protein coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and one control region (CR). The gene order of E. magellanicus was identical to that from E. maldoror, a deep sea amphipod inhabiting in a deeper habitat than E. magellanicus. A maximum-likelihood tree based on the 13 PCGs from 25 amphipods indicated that E. magellanicus and E. maldoror were closely related and the origin of deep sea amphipods was not monophyletic.

Characterization of the mitochondrial genome of an ancient amphipod Halice sp. MT-2017 (Pardaliscidae) from 10,908 m in the Mariana Trench.

Small amphipods (Halice sp. MT-2017) with body length <1 cm were collected from the Challenger Deep (~10,920 m below sea level). The divergence time of their lineage was approximately 109 Mya, making this group ancient compared to others under study. The mitochondrial genome of Halice sp. shared the usual gene components of metazoans, comprising 13 protein coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). The arrangement of these genes, however, differed greatly from that of other amphipods. Of the 15 genes that were rearranged with respect to the pancrustacean gene pattern, 12 genes (2 PCGs, 2 rRNAs, and 8 tRNAs) were both translocated and strand-reversed. In contrast, the mitochondrial genomes in other amphipods never show so many reordered genes, and in most instances, only tRNAs were involved in strand-reversion-coupled translocation. Other characteristics, including reversed strand nucleotide composition bias, relatively higher composition of non-polar amino acids, and lower evolutionary rate, were also identified. Interestingly, the latter two features were shared with another hadal amphipod, Hirondellea gigas, suggesting their possible associations with the adaptation to deep-sea extreme habitats. Overall, our data provided a useful resource for future studies on the evolutionary and adaptive mechanisms of hadal faunas.

Ontogeny reversal and phylogenetic analysis of Turritopsis sp.5 (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Oceaniidae), a possible new species endemic to Xiamen, China.

Ontogeny reversal, as seen in some cnidarians, is an unprecedented phenomenon in the animal kingdom involving reversal of the ordinary life cycle. Three species of Turritopsis have been shown to be capable of inverted metamorphosis, a process in which the pelagic medusa transforms back into a juvenile benthic polyp stage when faced with adverse conditions. Turritopsis sp.5 is a species of Turritopsis collected from Xiamen, China which presents a similar ability, being able to reverse its life cycle if injured by mechanical stress. Phylogenetic analysis based on both 16S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genetic barcodes shows that Turritopsis sp.5 is phylogenetically clustered in a clade separate from other species of Turritopsis. The genetic distance between T. sp.5 and the Japanese species T. sp.2 is the shortest, when measured by the Kimura 2-Parameter metric, and the distance to the New Zealand species T. rubra is the largest. An experimental assay on the induction of reverse development in this species was initiated by cutting medusae into upper and lower parts. We show, for the first time, that the two dissected parts have significantly different potentials to transform into polyps. Also, a series of morphological changes of the reversed life cycle can be recognised, including medusa stage, contraction stage I, contraction stage II, cyst, cyst with stolons, and polyp. The discovery of species capable of reverse ontogeny caused by unfavorable conditions adds to the available systems with which to study the cell types that contribute to the developmental reversal and the molecular mechanisms of the directional determination of ontogeny.

Deep learning applied to two-dimensional color Doppler flow imaging ultrasound images significantly improves diagnostic performance in the classification of breast masses: a multicenter study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The current deep learning diagnosis of breast masses is mainly reflected by the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions. In China, breast masses are divided into four categories according to the treatment method: inflammatory masses, adenosis, benign tumors, and malignant tumors. These categorizations are important for guiding clinical treatment. In this study, we aimed to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) for classification of these four breast mass types using ultrasound (US) images.@*METHODS@#Taking breast biopsy or pathological examinations as the reference standard, CNNs were used to establish models for the four-way classification of 3623 breast cancer patients from 13 centers. The patients were randomly divided into training and test groups (n = 1810 vs. n = 1813). Separate models were created for two-dimensional (2D) images only, 2D and color Doppler flow imaging (2D-CDFI), and 2D-CDFI and pulsed wave Doppler (2D-CDFI-PW) images. The performance of these three models was compared using sensitivity, specificity, area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), positive (LR+) and negative likelihood ratios (LR-), and the performance of the 2D model was further compared between masses of different sizes with above statistical indicators, between images from different hospitals with AUC, and with the performance of 37 radiologists.@*RESULTS@#The accuracies of the 2D, 2D-CDFI, and 2D-CDFI-PW models on the test set were 87.9%, 89.2%, and 88.7%, respectively. The AUCs for classification of benign tumors, malignant tumors, inflammatory masses, and adenosis were 0.90, 0.91, 0.90, and 0.89, respectively (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 0.87-0.91, 0.89-0.92, 0.87-0.91, and 0.86-0.90). The 2D-CDFI model showed better accuracy (89.2%) on the test set than the 2D (87.9%) and 2D-CDFI-PW (88.7%) models. The 2D model showed accuracy of 81.7% on breast masses ≤1 cm and 82.3% on breast masses >1 cm; there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). The accuracy of the CNN classifications for the test set (89.2%) was significantly higher than that of all the radiologists (30%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The CNN may have high accuracy for classification of US images of breast masses and perform significantly better than human radiologists.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#Chictr.org, ChiCTR1900021375; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=33139.

Effect of Fluoride-Modified Titanium Surface on Early Adhesion of Irradiated Osteoblasts.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of fluoride-modified titanium surface on adhesion of irradiated osteoblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fluoride-modified surface was obtained and the morphology, roughness, and chemical composition of the surface were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The adhesion of irradiated osteoblast-like cells, in terms of number, area, and fluorescence intensity on the titanium surface, was evaluated using immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Numerous nanosize pits were seen only in the F-TiO surface. The pits were more remarkable and uniform on F-TiO surface than on TiO surface; however, the amplitude of peaks and bottoms on F-TiO surface appeared to be smaller than on TiO surface. The Sa value and Sdr percentage of TiO surfaces were significantly higher than those of F-TiO surface. The concentrations of main elements such as titanium, oxygen, and carbon were similar on both surfaces. The number of irradiated osteoblasts adhered on the control surface was larger than on fluoride-modified surface. Meanwhile, the cells on the fluoride-modified surface formed more actin filaments. CONCLUSIONS: The fluoride-modified titanium surface alters the adhesion of irradiated osteoblasts. Further studies are needed to investigate the proliferation, differentiation, maturation, gene expression, and cytokine production of irradiated osteoblasts on fluoride-modified titanium surface.

Effects of calcium phosphate nanocrystals on osseointegration of titanium implant in irradiated bone.

Radiotherapy may compromise the integration of implant and cause implant loss. Implant surface modifications have the possibility of promoting cell attachment, cell growth, and bone formation which ultimately enhance the osseointegration process. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of calcium phosphate nanocrystals on implant osseointegration in irradiated bone. Sixteen rabbits were randomly assigned into control and nano-CaP groups, receiving implants with dual acid-etched surface or dual acid-etched surface discretely deposited of nanoscale calcium-phosphate crystals, respectively. The left leg of all the rabbits received 15 Gy radiation, followed by implants placement one week after. Four animals in each group were sacrificed after 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. Implant stability quotient (ISQ), ratio of bone volume to total volume (BV/TV), bone growth rate, and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) were evaluated. The nano-CaP group showed significantly higher ISQ (week 12, P = 0.031) and bone growth rate (week 6, P = 0.021; week 9, P = 0.001) than that in control group. No significant differences in BV/TV and BIC were found between two groups. Titanium implant surface modified with CaP nanocrystals provides a potential alternative to improve bone healing around implant in irradiated bone.

Prognosis and Genetic Characteristics of Patients with Plasma Cell Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical characteristics, genetic abnormalities, treatment efficacy and prognostic factors in patients with plasma cell leukemia(PCL).@*METHODS@#30 patients diagnosed as PCL in our hospital from January 1993 to December 2019 were enrolled, and the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, therapeutic regimes, and survival data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The median age of the 30 patients was 56.5 (28-80) years old, among them, 25 patients were primary plasma cell leukemia, and 5 patients were secondary plasma cell leukemia. Complex karyotypes and subdiploids were most common in cytogenetic abnormalities. Among the 20 cases of chromosome G banding, 11 (55%) cases were complex karyotypes and 8 (40%) cases were hypodiploid. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) test showed that among 11 cases, 6 cases showed 17p13 deletion, 8 cases showed at least two kinds of abnormalities, which including t (14; 16), t (8; 14), t (11;14), 17p13 deletion, and 13q14 deletion. The median overall survival (OS) time was 10.5 months for all patients. The median OS time of the patients in ECOG score ≤ 2 group was 21.5 months, which was significantly longer than those in the ECOG score>2 group(1.2 months) (P=0.017). The median OS time of the patients treated with novel agents (including proteasome inhibitor and/or immunomodulator) was 24.9 months, which was significantly longer than the patients treated with traditional chemotherapy group(10.5 months) (P＜0.001). For the patients treated with novel agents, the median OS time of patients accepted two novel agents combination was 30.9 months, which was longer than those of single novel agent(11.5 months) (P=0.021). The effect of genetic abnormolity to the OS of the patients showed no statistical difference. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that ECOG score>2 was the independent prognostic factor of plasma cell leukemia patients. There were two patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the study,but died due to the pulmonary infection within 6 months after transplantation.@*CONCLUSION@#In the era of novel agents, ECOG score is an independent prognostic factor of plasma cell leukemia. Multiple novel agents treatment should be underwent as soon as possible to improve the prognosis of the patients. Pulmonary infection is a common factor that cause the death of the patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

A minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of nutcracker syndrome using individualized three-dimensional printed extravascular titanium stents / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with nutcracker syndrome (NCS) who were treated with three-dimensional printing (3DP) extravascular titanium stents (EVTSs). The 3DP EVTS was expected to release the hypertension of the left renal vein (LRV) produced by its compression between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the aorta without causing any complications.@*Method@#The pre-operative kidney model of each patient was printed out to enable surgical planning. After that, the EVTS was designed based on the LRV’s primitive physiologic structure using computer-aided design software, and each stent was printed out with a precision setting of 20 μm. Seventeen patients who had been suffering from NCS underwent laparoscopic 3DP EVTS placement. The surgical procedure was designed for the placement of EVTS, taking great care in positioning and fixing the stent. Surgical data, which included patient demographic characteristics as well as pre- and post-operative test results, were collected and analyzed.@*Results@#The mean duration of surgery was 75 ± 9 min, and the mean blood loss was 20 ± 5 mL. Computed tomography examinations revealed that the pre- and post-operative angle between the SMA and the aorta ranged from 18.7° ± 4.3° to 48.0° ± 8.8° (P < 0.05); in patients with left varicocele, the mean diameter of the left spermatic vein ranged from 3.7 ± 0.5 to 1.3 ± 0.2 mm (P < 0.05). Moreover, Doppler ultrasound examinations showed that the peak velocity of blood flow at the hilar area ranged from 12.4 ± 3.3 to 18.5 ± 3.4 cm/s (P < 0.05). No side effects were observed in the 24 to 42 months following surgery.@*Conclusion@#The findings after 2 years of follow-up suggest that the 3DP EVTS is a safe and effective minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of NCS.

A minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of nutcracker syndrome using individualized three-dimensional printed extravascular titanium stents / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with nutcracker syndrome (NCS) who were treated with three-dimensional printing (3DP) extravascular titanium stents (EVTSs). The 3DP EVTS was expected to release the hypertension of the left renal vein (LRV) produced by its compression between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the aorta without causing any complications.@*METHOD@#The pre-operative kidney model of each patient was printed out to enable surgical planning. After that, the EVTS was designed based on the LRV's primitive physiologic structure using computer-aided design software, and each stent was printed out with a precision setting of 20 μm. Seventeen patients who had been suffering from NCS underwent laparoscopic 3DP EVTS placement. The surgical procedure was designed for the placement of EVTS, taking great care in positioning and fixing the stent. Surgical data, which included patient demographic characteristics as well as pre- and post-operative test results, were collected and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The mean duration of surgery was 75 ± 9 min, and the mean blood loss was 20 ± 5 mL. Computed tomography examinations revealed that the pre- and post-operative angle between the SMA and the aorta ranged from 18.7° ± 4.3° to 48.0° ± 8.8° (P < 0.05); in patients with left varicocele, the mean diameter of the left spermatic vein ranged from 3.7 ± 0.5 to 1.3 ± 0.2 mm (P < 0.05). Moreover, Doppler ultrasound examinations showed that the peak velocity of blood flow at the hilar area ranged from 12.4 ± 3.3 to 18.5 ± 3.4 cm/s (P < 0.05). No side effects were observed in the 24 to 42 months following surgery.@*CONCLUSION@#The findings after 2 years of follow-up suggest that the 3DP EVTS is a safe and effective minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of NCS.

Therapeutic effects of Bianyanning decoction on acute pharyngitis in rats and its mechanism / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Bianyanning on acute pharyngitis in rats, and to provide evidence and experimental data for its clinical application.@*METHODS@#The acute pharyngitis of rats was induced by spraying ammonia directly to their throat. The model rats were randomly divided into model control group, the high-, medium- and low-dose group of Bianyanning, while normal rats were used as control group, 10 in each group. After the corresponding drug treatment, the symptoms and manifestations of each group were observed and recorded; 24 hours after last gavaging, blood samples of each group were collected from the abdominal aorta. The serum contents of interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. HE method was used to observe the characteristic of the lung tissues and the transmission electron microscopy method was used to observe the trachea cilia.@*RESULTS@#After the treatment, compared with the model control group, the high-, medium- and low-dose group of Bianyanning, the symptoms of acute pharyngitis such as inflamed and congestive throat were relieved obviously. The morphological changes of lung and bronchus tissues were apparently improved. The contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum were decreased significantly.@*CONCLUSION@#Compound Bianyanning can promote the recovering process of acute pharyngitis, improve the morphology of lungs and bronchus, which may be related to inhibiting the releasing of the IL-1β and TNF-α in serum.

Development of a sensitive and reliable high performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection for high-throughput analysis of multi-class mycotoxins in Coix seed.

As an edible and medicinal plant, Coix seed is readily contaminated by more than one group of mycotoxins resulting in potential risk to human health. A reliable and sensitive method has been developed to determine seven mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, zearalenone, α-zearalenol, and ß-zearalenol) simultaneously in 10 batches of Coix seed marketed in China. The method is based on a rapid ultrasound-assisted solid-liquid extraction (USLE) using methanol/water (80/20) followed by immunoaffinity column (IAC) clean-up, on-line photochemical derivatization (PCD), and high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). Careful optimization of extraction, clean-up, separation and detection conditions was accomplished to increase sample throughput and to attain rapid separation and sensitive detection. Method validation was performed by analyzing samples spiked at three different concentrations for the seven mycotoxins. Recoveries were from 73.5% to 107.3%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 7.7%. The intra- and inter-day precisions, expressed as RSDs, were lower than 4% for all studied analytes. Limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.01 to 50.2 µg kg(-1), and from 0.04 to 125.5 µg kg(-1), respectively, which were below the tolerance levels for mycotoxins set by the European Union. Samples that tested positive were further analyzed by HPLC tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for confirmatory purposes. This is the first application of USLE-IAC-HPLC-PCD-FLD for detecting the occurrence of multi-class mycotoxins in Coix seed.

Discussion on Difference of Different Compatibility Ratios of Astragali Radix and Puerariae Lobatae Radix Based on Content Analysis / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To study the contents of puerarin in decoction with different compatibility ratios of Astragali Radix and Puerariae Lobatae Radix; To verify the rationality of compatibility ratios of Huangqi Gegen Decoction and Yu y e Decoction; To provide references for clinical medication. Methods Different compatibility ratios of Astragali Radix and Puerariae Lobatae Radix were set as 0:1, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4. SinoChrom ODS-BP (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) was used as the chromatographic column to detect the contents of puerarin;methanol-0.1% phosphoric acid (35:65) was used as the mobile phase with 0.5 mL/min flow rate; sample volume was 20 μL; the wavelength was 250 nm. Results The regression equation of puerarin was Y=66 449.269 1X-175 665.663 1 (r=0.999 6) in the range of 5 to 300 μg/mL, showing a good linear relationship. The repeatability, stability and recovery rate were fine as well. The contents of puerarin were (2.506 7±0.025 8)%, (2.526 7±0.071 2)%, (2.863 3± 0.086 4)%, (2.956 7±0.119 6)%, (2.835 0±0.078 7)%, (2.480 0±0.072 4)%, (2.530 0±0.064 8)%, and (2.183 3±0.128 9)% in different compatibility ratios of Astragali Radix and Puerariae Lobatae Radix with 0:1, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4, respectively. Conclusion When the compatibility ratios of Astragali Radix and Puerariae Lobatae Radix are 2:1. 3:1, and 4:1, the contents of puerarin in decoction are the highest. This study verifies that the compatibility ratios of Astragali Radix and Puerariae Lobatae Radix in classical prescriptions are rational, which can be the optimal compatibility ratios in clinic.

Comparison of gene expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 between continuous and intermittent distraction osteogenesis: a quantitative study on rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Distraction osteogenesis is a controlled surgical procedure that initiates a regenerative process and uses mechanical strain to enhance the biological responses of the injured tissues to create new bone. To explore the effect of high-frequency mechanical traction on the expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), we compared the gene expression of TIMP-1 between continuous and intermittent distraction osteogenesis using a rabbit model of mandibular lengthening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to the intermittent and continuous distraction groups. A unilateral mandibular osteotomy was performed and a custom-designed manual-driven or auto-driven distractor was bridged over the osteotomy segments. Animals were sacrificed at day-6, day-10, day-14 and day-21 after osteotomy. Samples were examined with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Real-time PCR examination showed significantly higher mRNA levels of TIMP-1 under continuous distraction than that under intermittent distraction at day-6 and day-10. No significant differences were found at day-14 and day-21. CONCLUSION: High-frequency traction provides a good mechanical environment for accelerating bone formation by up-regulating TIMP-1.

The predictive value of carotid intima-media thickness and elasticity for coronary heart disease / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

Objective To explore the value of quantitative measurement of carotid intima-media thickness and elasticity for evaluating the degree of coronary heart disease by radio frequency ultrasonography. Methods From February 2011 to June 2012, a total of 142 subjects in cardiovascular internal medicine of the fourth military medical university Tangdu hospital with suspected CAD were enrolled in this study and were divided into non CAD group (n=35), atherosclerosis group in which coronary stenosis rate was less than 50%and no hemodynamic changes were detected (n=33), single artery involved group in which coronary stenosis rate was more than 50% (n=36) and multi-artery involved group in which coronary stenosis rate was more than 50%(n=38) based on the results of the coronary angiography (CAG). Measure the left common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and blood vessel elasticity index including the left common carotid artery pulse wave velocity (PWV) and stiffness index (β). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to calculate and compare the degrees of coronary heart disease, area under the curve of the left carotid artery elasticity parameters, cut-off value,sensitivity, speciifcity and Youden's index. Results LIMT, LPWV and Lβhad statistical signiifcance differences among four groups (F=3.621, 4.769 and 4.756, all P<0.05). The maximum values of parameter area under ROC curve were all observed in multi-artery involved groups and were 0.759 (LIMT), 0.770 (LPWV) and 0.764 (Lβ). The maximum value of Youden's index of the left common carotid artery intima-media thickness was observed in the coronary atherosclerosis group and was 0.513. The maximum value of Youden's index of the left common carotid artery pulse wave velocity and stiffnessβwere both observed in the multi-artery involved group and were 0.524 and 0.469. For diagnosing multivessel lesions, the sensitivities of LIMT, LPWV and Lβwere 71.0%, 77.4%and 71.0%, and the speciifcities were 73.4%, 74.7%and 75.9%. Conclusions The carotid elastic parameters have better predictive value for multivessel lesions. LPWV and Lβhave higher predictive value for coronary arterial disease than LIMT.