ABSTRACT
The model organism Drosophila melanogaster, as a species of Holometabola, undergoes a series of transformations during metamorphosis. To deeply understand its development, it is crucial to study its anatomy during the key developmental stages. We describe the anatomical systems of the thorax, including the endoskeleton, musculature, nervous ganglion, and digestive system, from the late pupal stage to the adult stage, based on micro-CT and 3D visualizations. The development of the endoskeleton causes original and insertional changes in muscles. Several muscles change their shape during development in a non-uniform manner with respect to both absolute and relative size; some become longer and broader, while others shorten and become narrower. Muscular shape may vary during development. The number of muscular bundles also increases or decreases. Growing muscles are probably anchored by the tissues in the stroma. Some muscles and tendons are absent in the adult stage, possibly due to the hardened sclerites. Nearly all flight muscles are present by the third day of the pupal stage, which may be due to the presence of more myofibers with enough mitochondria to support flight power. There are sexual differences in the same developmental period. In contrast to the endodermal digestive system, the functions of most thoracic muscles change in the development from the larva to the adult in order to support more complex locomotion under the control of a more structured ventral nerve cord based on the serial homology proposed herein.
ABSTRACT
Inorganic scintillating material used in optical fibre sensors (OFS) when used as dosimeters for measuring percentage depth dose (PDD) characteristics have exhibited significant differences when compared to those measured using an ionization chamber (IC), which is the clinical gold standard for quality assurance (QA) assessments. The percentage difference between the two measurements is as high as 16.5% for a 10 × 10 cm2 field at 10 cm depth below the surface. Two reasons have been suggested for this: the presence of an energy effect and Cerenkov radiation. These two factors are analysed in detail and evaluated quantitatively. It is established that the influence of the energy effect is only a maximum of 2.5% difference for a beam size 10 × 10 cm2 compared with the measured ionization chamber values. And the influence of the Cerenkov radiation is less than 0.14% in an inorganic scintillating material in the case of OFS when using Gd2O2S:Tb as the luminescent material. Therefore, there must be other mechanisms leading to over-response. The luminescence mechanism of inorganic scintillating material is theoretically analysed and a new model is proposed and validated that helps explain the over-response phenomenon.
ABSTRACT
A novel ultraviolet (UV) optical fiber sensor (UVOFS) based on the scintillating material La2O2S:Eu has been designed, tested, and its performance compared with other scintillating materials and other conventional UV detectors. The UVOFS is based on PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) optical fiber which includes a scintillating material. Scintillating materials provide a unique opportunity to measure UV light intensity even in the presence of strong electromagnetic interference. Five scintillating materials were compared in order to select the most appropriate one for the UVOFS. The characteristics of the sensor are reported, including a highly linear response to radiation intensity, reproducibility, temperature response, and response time (to pulsed light) based on emission from a UV source (UV fluorescence tube) centered on a wavelength of 308 nm. A direct comparison with the commercially available semiconductor-based UV sensor proves the UVOFS of this investigation shows superior performance in terms of accuracy, long-term reliability, response time and linearity.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Previous findings show that osteoblast-specific peptides can promote the repair and regeneration of skull defects in rabbits, and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is used as a scaffold to carry osteoblast-specific polypeptides. Both of them not only complement each other, but also fully exert dual effects of osteoinduction and bone conduction. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of osteoblast-specific peptide on the preservation of the anterior tooth extraction site in rabbits, and to study the effect on the alveolar bone remodeling. METHODS: Twenty-seven New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (n=9 per group), and the right mandibular incisors were removed to establish the animal models of tooth extraction. β-TCP/osteoblast-specific peptide compounds were implanted in the experimental group, and pure β-TCP meal was implanted into the material group. The blank control group had no implantation. Three rabbits from each group were scarified at 4, 8 and 12 postoperative weeks, and tissue samples were prepared for gross observation, histomorphology measurements, and radiographic measurements of extraction socket healing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Imaging results showed that the relative length of residual alveolar bone after modeling was ranked as follows: the experimental group > the material group > the blank control group, and the difference was statistically significant among groups (P < 0.05). Cone-beam CT findings in the three groups changed as time went on. At 4 and 8 postoperative weeks, the implanted materials in the experimental and material groups gradually degraded; the bone mass in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the material and blank control groups. At 12 postoperative weeks, the experimental group had basically completed the reconstruction of tooth socket, but there were still some bone defects in the material and blank control groups. (2) Histomorphological findings showed that at 4 postoperative weeks, the experimental group exhibited obvious bone deposition lines, and the bone trabecula was widened; in the material and blank control groups, the new bone was less. At 8 postoperative weeks, a small amount of undegraded scaffold was found in the experimental group, with mature lamellar bone, the amount of new bone tissues in the material group increased and osteoblasts were obviously detected in the blank control group. At 12 postoperative weeks, the bone remodeling in the extraction socket of the experimental group was basically completed; in the material group, there were still a small amount of scaffold materials and dense plate-like new bone; and in the blank control group, the new bone tended to be mature, and there was obvious lamellar structure. To conclude, osteoblast-specific peptides can effectively preserve the length of the residual alveolar bone after tooth extraction, promote the formation of new bone, and have the function of preserving the tooth extraction site.
ABSTRACT
Splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL) or splenic marginal zone lymphoma with circulating villous lymphocytes is rare, and prolymphocytic transformation of SLVL is rarer. At present, only one case of SLVL with t(8;14)(q24;q32) translocation has been reported. In this study, we report a case of B-lymphoproliferative disorder with villous lymphocytes harboring t(8;14)(q24;q32) chromosome translocation that we inclined to SLVL with a prolymphocytic transformation. A 73-year-old female showed marked hepatosplenomegaly and high lymphocytosis (lymphocytes > 200 × 10/L). The abnormal lymphocytes had short coarse villi and round nuclei with prominent nucleoli. The immunophenotypes showed CD19, CD20, HLA-DR, CD22, CD5, Kappa, CD25, CD71, Lambda, CD7, CD10, CD23, CD34, CD33, CD13, CD14, CD117, CD64, CD103, and CD11c. The karyotype showed complex abnormality: 46XX,+ 3,-10, t(8;14)(q24; q32)[11]/46XX[9]. The cytoplasmic projection, immunological characteristics, and trisomy 3 chromosome abnormality supported the diagnosis of SLVL. However, the presence of prominent nucleoli and high lymphocytosis suggested prolymphocytic transformation, probably as a result of t(8,14) chromosome translocation. In this report, we described an unusual case of B-lymphoproliferative disorder with villous lymphocytes harboring t(8;14)(q24;q32) translocation, which could provide help in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of B-lymphocytic proliferative diseases.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , B-Lymphocytes , Pathology , Immunophenotyping , Lymphoproliferative Disorders , Genetics , Pathology , Translocation, GeneticABSTRACT
An inorganic scintillating material plastic optical fiber (POF) dosimeter for measuring ionizing radiation during radiotherapy applications is reported. It is necessary that an ideal dosimeter exhibits many desirable qualities, including water equivalence, energy independence, reproducibility, dose linearity. There has been much recent research concerning inorganic dosimeters. However, little reference has been made to date of the depth-dose characteristics of dosimeter materials. In the case of inorganic scintillating materials, they are predominantly non water-equivalent, with their effective atomic weight (Zeff) being typically much greater than that of water. This has been a barrier in preventing inorganic scintillating material dosimeter from being used in actual clinical applications. In this paper, we propose a parallel-paired fiber light guide structure to solve this problem. Two different inorganic scintillating materials are embedded separately in the parallel-paired fiber. It is shown that the information of water depth and absorbed dose at the point of measurement can be extracted by utilizing their different depth-dose properties.
ABSTRACT
To systematically evaluate the efficiency and safety of Shenfu injection in treating patients with angina pectoris. Retrievals were made in Embase, Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials.gov, CNKI, CBM, VIP and Wanfang (before September 2015) for randomized or semi-randomized controlled trials reporting data of Shenfu injection in the adjuvant treatment of angina pectoris. The quality of included trials was evaluated according to tool evaluation at cochrane.org. STATA version 12.0 was applied for Meta analysis after quality assessment of included studies. Finally, a total of 17 studies, including 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 1 controlled clinical trial (CCT) involving 1 309 patients, met the inclusion criteria, of which 659 patients received Shenfu injection treatment. Meta-analysis results showed that Shenfu injection treatment group significantly improved angina pectoris symptoms (OR=3.38, 95%CI： 2.47-4.64, P=0.000) and ischemic ST-T changes in electrocardiogram (OR=3.30, 95%CI： 2.22-4.90, P=0.000), compared with control group. In the Meta-regression analysis, the average age of patients was positively correlated with the improved clinical (β=0.17) and electrocardiogram (β=1.15) efficacies. Major complication rate of Shenfu injection was 3.4%, and no serious adverse events were reported. Current clinical evidence in this study proved that Shenfu injection could significantly improve clinical symptoms and ECG ischemic changes for angina pectoris patients, with a good safety.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the anti-angiogenic effect of cryptotanshinone (CPT) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the effect of CPT on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HUVECs were incubated with 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 μ mol/L CPT for detecting cell viability with dimethyl thiazolyl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Then, HUVECs were incubated with 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 μ mol/L CPT for detecting endothelial cell migration, invasion, and tubular-like structure formation with wound healing, transwell invasion and matrigel tube formation assays, respectively. To gain insight into CPT-mediated signaling, the effects of CPT on T-cell factor/lymphocyte enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) transcription factors were detected by the Dual-luciferase reporter assay. Next, the nuclear expression of β-catenin was evaluated using Western blot and immunochemistry. Finally, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cyclin D1, downstream proteins of the Wnt pathway were examined with Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CPT dose-dependently suppressed endothelial cell viability, migration, invasion, and tubular-like structure formation. In particular, CPT blocked β-catenindependent transcription in HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. In Western bolt, 10 μ mol/L CPT decreased expression of β-catenin in nucleus of HUVECs (P<0.01). In immunohistochemistry, β-catenin was more potent in response to LiCl (an activator of the pathway) treatment. However, the signals were weaker in the nucleus of the CPT (10 μ mol/L) group, compared to the positive control. Also, VEGF and cyclin D1 were both eliminated by CPT in 5 and 10 μ mol/L doses (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our study supported the role of CPT as an angiogenic inhibitor, which may impact on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Blotting, Western , Cell Movement , Cell Survival , Cyclin D1 , Metabolism , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells , Cell Biology , Metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , Luciferases , Metabolism , Neovascularization, Physiologic , Phenanthrenes , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , Metabolism , Wnt Signaling Pathway , beta Catenin , MetabolismABSTRACT
[Objective]To explore the mechanism of bioactive tanshinones in Salviae Miltiorrhiae regulating angiogenesis and lay the foundation for the prevention and treatment of cancer, atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease and other angiogenesis-related diseases. [Method]Based on angiogenesis mechanisms, infer to recent 10 years of articles from home and abroad, analyze and summarize the angiogenesis regulatory mechanisms of various bioactive ingredients in Danshen on endothelial cells, in vitro tumour cells and in vivo xenograft tumor. [Result] Among various bioactive ingredients of Salvia, Salvianolic acid B, Tanshinone IIA, Cryptotanshinone, Dihydrotanshinone I can promote or inhibit angiogenesis. Furthermore, Salvianolic acid B and Tanshinone IIA are considered to be the most important bioactive ingredients in Danshen and exhibit a dual angiogenic regulating activity through regulating various approaches, such as pro-angiogenic factors, MMPs, HIF-1α, the PI3K/AKT/eNOS signal pathway and so on. [Conclusion]Various bioactive ingredients of Salvia can serve as a regulator of angiogenesis, and it may provide new ideas for the prevention of angiogenesis-related diseases.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical effects of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for hypospadias.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-five children aged 1 to 12 years with hypospadias were included in this study, 5 cases of them were glans type, 27 cases penis type, and 3 cases penoscrotal type. Hypospadias was treated by one-stage tubularized incised plate urethroplasty. Incised plate in the middle line loosened the urethral plate, and the microsurgery technique was applied during the suture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The appearance and function of the new urinary meatus was satisfactory. Thirty cases were successfully corrected with no urethral fistula and stricture. Two cases with urethral fistula and 3 cases with urinary meatus stricture were corrected by re-operation. Follow-up investigations were carried out in 32 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The urethral plate, close to normal urethral tissues, has an abundant blood supply and satisfactory elasticity. Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty is an ideal method for stage-one correction of hypospadias.</p>
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Male , Follow-Up Studies , Hypospadias , General Surgery , Urethra , General Surgery , Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male , MethodsABSTRACT
An assortment and analysis was made into the distribution of 100 cases of dispute over medical malpractice taken up by the Association the author works with across various levels of medical institutions and different disciplinary specialties as well as the results of arbitration. The leading causes of dispute on the part of physicians were misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, and delayed treatment; inappropriateness in the selection of indications of operation, operational procedures and postoperative observation and handling; irrational use of drugs and adverse drug reactions; poor performance of the duty to provide necessary information; and improper medical records. The preventive measures put forward for guarding against medical malpractice included: ①taking strict precautions against misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis; ②ensuring the quality of operations; ③putting under strict control the indications and ways of drug use; ④properly performing the duty to provide necessary information and respecting patients right of informed consent; ⑤reinforcing management of medical institutions at the grassroots and perfecting various rules and regulations.
