Targeting type H vessels in bone-related diseases.

Blood vessels are essential for bone development and metabolism. Type H vessels in bone, named after their high expression of CD31 and Endomucin (Emcn), have recently been reported to locate mainly in the metaphysis, exhibit different molecular properties and couple osteogenesis and angiogenesis. A strong correlation between type H vessels and bone metabolism is now well-recognized. The crosstalk between type H vessels and osteoprogenitor cells is also involved in bone metabolism-related diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, fracture healing and bone defects. Targeting the type H vessel formation may become a new approach for managing a variety of bone diseases. This review highlighted the roles of type H vessels in bone-related diseases and summarized the research attempts to develop targeted intervention, which will help us gain a better understanding of their potential value in clinical application.

Comparison of Three Ovulation Induction Therapies for Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Infertility.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of 3 ovulation induction therapies for treating infertility in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this retrospective study, we compared the success rates of 90 patients who underwent intrauterine insemination, who were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: letrozole (LE) + urinary gonadotropin (human menopausal gonadotropin [HMG]), clomiphene (CC) + HMG, or HMG alone. Using ultrasound scanning, we examined the number of mature follicles, ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, endometrial thickness, and blood flow. When compared to the other 2 groups, the LE + HMG group had significantly higher levels of mature follicles, ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, estradiol, and luteinizing hormone on the day of the human chorionic gonadotropin injection and endometrial receptivity (P < .05). There was no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups in terms of abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, or adverse reactions. In this research, we found that infertility in patients with PCOS could be effectively treated by combining LE with HMG. This protocol increased ovulation, boosted fertility, and enhanced endometrial receptivity with no increase in adverse reactions. Therefore, it may be a useful clinical approach for inducing ovulation and treating infertility in patients with PCOS.

Stanniocalcin-1 secreted by human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells regulates interleukin-10 expression via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in alveolar macrophages.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a syndrome of acute respiratory failure caused by infection, trauma, shock, aspiration or drug reaction. The pathogenesis of ARDS is characterized as an unregulated inflammatory storm, which causes endothelial and epithelial layer damage, leading to alveolar fluid accumulation and pulmonary edema. Previous studies have shown the potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in combating the inflammatory cascade by increasing the anti-inflammatory mediator interleukin-10 (IL-10). However, the involved mechanisms are unclear. Here we investigated whether a key immunomodulatory regulator, stanniocalcin-1 (STC-1), was secreted by MSC to activate phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT)/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway to increase IL-10 expression in alveolar macrophages. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated alveolar macrophages co-cultured with human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSC) secreted high levels of IL-10. HUMSC co-cultured with alveolar macrophages expressed high STC-1 levels and increased PI3K, AKT and mTOR phosphorylation after LPS activation in alveolar macrophages. STC-1 knockdown in HUMSC decreased the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT and mTOR and suppressed IL-10 expression in alveolar macrophages. Rapamycin (an mTOR inhibitor) reduced IL-10 secretion in alveolar macrophages. These results, together with our previous study and others, indicate that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is involved in the regulation of IL-10 production by STC-1 secreted by HUMSC in alveolar macrophages.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of combined application of concentrated growth factors in ridge preservation of teeth with severe periodontitis].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of combination of deproteinized bovine bone matrix and concentrated growth factors in maintaining the three-dimensional contour of alveolar bone in ridge preservation of teeth with severe periodontitis. METHODS: Thirty patients with posterior teeth suffering from severe periodontitis requiring extraction and with the intention of implant restoration were selected and randomly divided into the experimental group and control group, with 15 cases in each group. In the experimental group, DBBM combined with CGF fluid was used as bone graft material and placed in the extraction socket of the patient after minimally invasive tooth extraction and thorough debridement,while DBBM was used in the control group mixed with normal saline as the bone graft material.The extraction wounds of both groups were covered with absorbable biofilm and free gingival tissue. CBCT was performed at the initial diagnosis, immediately after operation, and 6 months after operation, and the CT images were imported into Mimics 20.0 software package to measure the difference after fitting to obtain data, SPSS 26.0 software package was used for statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS: The vertical height of the alveolar bone in the experimental group and the control group was significantly increased 6 months after operation compared with the initial diagnosis (P＜0.05), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups(P＞0.05). There was significant difference in the change of the alveolar bone width at 1 mm below the alveolar crest between the two groups at the initial diagnosis and 6 months after operation(P＜0.05), and the horizontal width absorption in the experimental group was smaller than that in the control group. The horizontal absorption rate of bone graft material in the two groups at 1 mm below the alveolar crest showed that the experimental group was lower than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with DBBM alone, combined application of DBBM and CGF can better maintain the alveolar bone contour of the extraction socket with severe periodontitis.

Qipengyuania thermophila sp. nov., isolated from a Chinese hot spring.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, short rod-shaped and aerobic bacterial strain, designated as CFH 74456 T, was isolated from sediment of a hot spring, Tengchong, Yunnan Province, south-western China. Growth occurred at 20-53 ºC (optimum 45 ºC), pH 7.0-9.0 (optimum pH 8.0) and up to 2.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0-1.0%, w/v). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). The major fatty acids (> 10%) were C17:1 ω6c (17.9%) and summed feature 8 (38.6%). The polar lipid profile of strain CFH 74456 T was identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, three unidentified glycolipids and three unidentified polar lipids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain CFH 74456 T belongs to the genus Qipengyuania, and was most closely related to Qipengyuania sediminis CGMCC 1.12928 T (95.7%). The draft genome size of the isolate was 2.29 Mb with G + C content of 68.5%. The amino acid identity, average nucleotide identity and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain CFH 74456 T and the closest relatives ranged from 67.0 to 67.9%, 73.0 to 74.2% and 18.2-19.3%, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic analyses, it is concluded that strain CFH 74456 T represents a new species of the genus Qipengyuania, for which the name Qipengyuania thermophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CFH 74456 T (= KCTC 62921 T = CCTCC AB 2018237 T).

Agromyces agglutinans sp. nov., isolated from saline lake sediment.

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain CFH 90414T, was isolated from sediment sampled at a saline lake in Yuncheng, Shanxi, PR China. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain CFH 90414T were Gram-reaction-positive, aerobic and non-motile. Growth occured at 4-40 °C, pH 5.0-9.0 and in the presence of up to 0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CFH 90414T was a member of the genus Agromyces. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis indicated that strain CFH 90414T was most closely related to Agromyces italicus JCM 14320T (98.07 %) and Agromyces lapidis JCM 14321T (97.18 %). The whole genome of CFH 90414T was 3.64 Mb, and showed a G+C content of 71.5 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between CFH 90414T and the other species of the genus Agromyces were found to be low (ANI <78.99 % and dDDH <22.9 %). The whole-cell sugars were rhamnose, mannose, ribose, glucose and galactose. The isolate contained l-2,4-diaminobutyric acid, d-alanine, d-glutamic acid and glycine in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-12. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain CFH 90414T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Agromyces, for which the name Agromyces agglutinans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CFH 90414T (=DSM 105966T=KCTC 49062T).

Efficient phenol degradation by laccase immobilized on functional magnetic nanoparticles in fixed bed reactor under high-gradient magnetic field.

Enzymatic degradation of emerging contaminants has gained great interest for the past few years. However, free enzyme often incurs high costs in practice. The immobilized laccase on the polyethylenimine (PEI)-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NH2-PEI-laccase) was fabricated to efficiently degrade phenolic compounds continuously in a newly fixed bed reactor under a high-gradient magnetic field. The degradation rate of continuous treatment in the bed after 18 h was 2.38 times as high as that of batch treatment after six successive operations with the same treatment duration. Under the optimal conditions of volume fraction of nickel wires mesh, flow rate of phenol solution, phenol concentration, and Fe3O4-NH2-PEI-laccase amount, the degradation rate of phenol kept over 70.30% in 48 h continuous treatment. The fixed bed reactor filled with Fe3O4-NH2-PEI-laccase provided a promising avenue for the continuous biodegradation of phenolic compounds for industrial wastewater in practice.

Brachybacterium subflavum sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from the foregut of grass carp.

A novel actinobacterium, designated CFH 10395T, was isolated from the foregut of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), which had been fed with ginseng extract supplement. The taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Cells of CFH 10395T were Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, ovoid-shaped, non-spore-forming and non-motile. On the basis of the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, CFH 10395T was most closely related to Brachybacterium endophyticum KCTC 49087T, Brachybacterium squillarum JCM 16464T and Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum JCM 17781T (97.85%, 97.51 and 97.29% similarity, respectively). CFH 10395T grew at 4-37 °C, pH 5.0-9.0 and in the presence of up to 10.0 % NaCl (w/v). The dominant menaquinone was MK-7. The whole-cell sugars were rhamnose, glucose, mannose and galactose. meso-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The genome size was 3.99 Mbp with a DNA G+C content of 71.9 mol%. On the basis of the results of phylogenetic analysis, physiological properties, chemotaxonomic characteristics, low average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DDH (dDDH) results [ANI calculated using MUMmer (ANIm) <87 %, ANI calculated using blast (ANIb) <83 % and dDDH <23 %], it is concluded that CFH 10395T represents a novel species of the genus Brachybacterium, for which the name Brachybacterium subflavum sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is CFH 10395T (=CGMCC 1.13804T=KCTC 49235T).

Association between short-term ambient air pollution and outpatient visits of anxiety: A hospital-based study in northwestern China.

Anxiety, a common and devastating mental disorder, has raised widespread interests. The impacts of air pollution on physical health are well known, whereas few studies have explored the association of atmospheric pollution, especially short-term air pollution exposure, with the risk of anxiety disorders. In addition, there are increasing concerns in emerging evidence supporting a possible etiological link. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the relationship between short-term exposure to atmospheric pollutants and anxiety outpatient visits in Xi'an, a city of northwestern China and a metropolis with relatively heavy air pollution. We collected the data of both daily outpatient visits and daily air pollution (SO2, NO2, and PM10) between January 1, 2010 and January 31, 2016 (2222 days). To clarify the association between short-term ambient atmospheric pollution exposure and anxiety outpatient visits, an over-dispersed Poisson generalized additive model was applied by adjusting the day of the week and weather conditions (including temperature, humidity, sunlight hours, and rainfalls). Positive association between gaseous air pollutants (SO2 and NO2) and anxiety daily outpatient visits was observed. Moreover, the largest estimated values of both SO2 and NO2 were evidence at lag 03 (4-day moving average lag), with 10 µg/m3 increase corresponded to the increase of outpatient anxiety visits at 4.11% (95% CI: 2.15%, 6.06%) for SO2 and 3.97% (95% CI: 1.90%, 6.06%) for NO2. However, there was no differences in susceptibility to air pollutants between different genders as well as different ages. Taken together, short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants, especially gaseous air pollutants (NO2 and SO2), can be related to higher risk of anxiety outpatient visits.

Brevibacillus migulae sp. nov., isolated from a Yellow River sediment sample.

Strain CFH S0501T, a novel Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, endospore-forming and motile micro-organism with peritrichous flagella, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the Yellow River in Henan Province, PR China. Optimum growth was observed at 28 °C, pH 7.0 and without NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain belonged to the genus Brevibacillus and was closely related to Brevibacillus centrosporus DSM 8445T and Brevibacillus ginsengisoli Gsoil 3088T (with 96.8 and 96.7 % sequence similarity, respectively). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. Polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified polar lipid. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The genome size was 5.26 Mbp with a G+C content of 49.7 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA-DNAhybridization (DDH) values between CFH S0501T and the other species of the genus Brevibacillus were found to be low (ANIm <86.11 %, ANIb <70.30 % and DDH <25.00 %). Based on physiological properties, chemotaxonomic characteristics and low ANI and DDH results, strain CFH S0501T is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Brevibacillus migulae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CFH S0501T (=DSM 29940T=BCRC 80809T).

Isoptericola halalbus sp. nov., a halotolerant actinobacterium isolated from saline lake sediment.

A novel Gram-stain-positive bacterium, designated CFH 91151T, was isolated from sediment collected from a saline lake in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, PR China. Cells of strain CFH 91151T were rod-or v-shaped, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and halotolerant. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain CFH 91151T was closely related to Isoptericola variabilis MX5T and Isoptericola nanjingensis H17T (98.7 and 98.4% sequence similarity, respectively). The strain grew at 4-45 °C, pH 5.0-9.0 and with 0-14.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Cells were positive for catalase, nitrate was not used and H2S was not produced. Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 (62.76 %), anteiso-C17 : 0 (12.09 %) and iso-C15 : 0 (9.46 %). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, two unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified glycolipids. The menaquinone was MK-9 (H4). The genome size was 4.10 Mbp with a G+C content of 72.4 mol%. The average amino acid identity (ANI) and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values between CFH 91151T and the other species of the genus Isoptericola were found to be low (ANIm <87.19 %, ANIb <84.38 % and DDH <29.30 %). Based on physiological properties, chemotaxonomic characteristics and low ANI and DDH results, strain CFH 91151T is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Isoptericola halalbus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CFH 91151T (=DSM 105976T=KCTC 49061T).

Amycolatopsis nivea sp. nov., isolated from a Yellow River sample.

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain CFH S0261T, was isolated from a sediment sample of the Yellow River. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain CFH S0261T were Gram-reaction-positive, aerobic, non-motile. Growth occurs at 15-37 °C, pH 6.0-8.0 and with 0-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain CFH S0261T was a member of the genus Amycolatopsis. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain CFH S0261T is most closely related to the type strains of Amycolatopsis niigatensis LC11T (98.95 %), Amycolatopsis echigonensis LC2T (98.81 %) and Amycolatopsis albidoflavus IMSNU 22139T (98.73 %). The whole-genome of CFH S0261T showed a G+C content of 69.5 mol%. The ANI values and in silico DDH values between CFH S0261T and the other species of the genus Amycolatopsis were found to be low (ANIb <90.61 % and DDH <53.40 %). The cell wall diamino acid in the peptidoglycan of strain CFH S0261T was meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell hydrolysate comprised arabinose, galactose, glucose, rhamnose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and four unidentified glycolipids. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain CFH S0261T represents a novel species of the genus Amycolatopsis, for which the name Amycolatopsis nivea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CFH S0261T (=KCTC 39515T =CCTCC AA 2014028T).

Thermus thermamylovorans sp. nov., isolated from a hot spring.

A novel thermophilic bacterium, designated CFH 72773T was isolated from the enrichment of a Jinze hot spring sample which was collected from Dientan town, Tengchong county, Yunnan province, south-western PR China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and non-sporulating. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Growth occurred at 37-75 °C, pH 6.0-8.0 and with 0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated the strain represented a member of the genus Thermus and showed close relationships to the type strains Thermus caliditerrae YIM 77925T (96.3 % similarity) and Thermus igniterrae RF-4T (96.2 % similarity). The whole genome of CFH 72773T consisted of 2.25 Mbp and the DNA G+C content was 69.5 mol%. A total of 2262 genes, including a variety of enzymes for chemolithotrophy and anerobic respiration, were predicted. The strain had a unique negative oxidase activity and could hydrolyze starch at high temperature. Furthermore, various genes related to methane, sulfur, fumarate and nitrate metabolism were found, all these indicated that it is worth studying the novel strain. The predominant menaquinone is MK-8. The predominant cellular fatty acids included iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The major polar lipids were comprised of aminophospholipid, glycolipid and two phospholipids. On the basis of low ANI values, different phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characters and phylogenetic analysis, we made a proposal that strain CFH 72773T represents a novel member of the genus Thermus, for which the name Thermus thermamylovorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CFH 72773T (=CCTCC AB2018244T=KCTC 43129T).

Formaldehyde Inhibits Sexual Behavior and Expression of Steroidogenic Enzymes in the Testes of Mice.

BACKGROUND: Formaldehyde, a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, is used extensively and has been proved to impair male reproduction in mammals. However, no trials have explored whether formaldehyde affects sexual function. AIM: To evaluate the effect of long-term formaldehyde exposure on sexual behavior and to investigate the potential mechanism. METHODS: Forty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly allocated to four equally sized groups. Mice were exposed to formaldehyde at a dose of 0 (control), 0.5, 5.0, or 10.0 mg/m3 by inhalation for 60 days. OUTCOMES: Sexual behavior, body and reproductive organ weights, testosterone concentration in serum and testicular tissue, expression of steroidogenic enzymes, quality of sperm, and testicular structure were measured. RESULTS: Formaldehyde inhibited sexual behavior and decreased reproductive organ weights in mice. Serum testosterone levels and intratesticular testosterone concentrations were decreased in the formaldehyde-treated groups. Expression levels of steroidogenic enzymes, including steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD), also were decreased in the testes of mice exposed to formaldehyde. Moreover, the structure of seminiferous tubules was destroyed and sperm quality decreased after formaldehyde exposure. In addition, the results indicated that the effects of formaldehyde were dose dependent. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Efforts should be undertaken to decrease impairment of sexual function caused by formaldehyde exposure. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The relatively small sample might have affected the outcomes. Further experiments are needed to study the mechanism of action of formaldehyde. CONCLUSION: Exposure to formaldehyde gas inhibited sexual behavior, caused reproductive organ atrophy, and impaired spermatogenesis in male mice, which might have been induced by suppressed expression of steroidogenic enzymes in Leydig cells and decreased testosterone synthesis. Zang Z-J, Fang Y-Q, Ji S-Y, et al. Formaldehyde Inhibits Sexual Behavior and Expression of Steroidogenic Enzymes in the Testes of Mice. J Sex Med 2017;14:1297-1306.

Aspirin inhibits the proliferation of human uterine leiomyoma cells by downregulation of K­Ras­p110α interaction.

Aspirin has been confirmed as an effective antitumor drug in various cancers. However, the relationship between aspirin and uterine leiomyoma is still underexplored. Here, we explored the effects of aspirin on human uterine leiomyoma cells and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry analysis showed that aspirin treatment inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in a dose- and time­dependent manner of human uterine leiomyoma cells. Further studies revealed that aspirin blocked the interaction between K-Ras and p110α by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. Western blotting demonstrated K­Ras­p110α interaction was required for the effects of aspirin­induced inhibition on cell growth and cell cycle transition via cell cycle regulators, including cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). PI3K/Akt/caspase signaling pathway was involved in human uterine leiomyoma cell growth under aspirin treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that aspirin inhibited human uterine leiomyoma cell growth by regulating K­Ras­p110α interaction. Aspirin which targeting on interaction between K-Ras and p110α may serve as a new therapeutic drug for uterine leiomyoma treatment.

Quantitative Low-Dose Computed Tomography of the Lung Parenchyma and Airways for the Differentiation between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma Patients.

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to differentiate between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in clinics; therefore, for diagnostic purposes, imaging-based measurements could be beneficial to differentiate between the two diseases. OBJECTIVES: We aim to analyze quantitative measurements of the lung and bronchial parameters that are provided by low-dose computed tomography (CT) to differentiate COPD and asthma from an imaging perspective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 69 COPD patients, 52 asthma patients, and 20 healthy subjects were recruited to participate in CT imaging and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Comparative analysis was performed to identify differences between COPD and asthma in CT measurements. PFT measurements enabled validation of the differentiation between COPD and asthma patients. RESULTS: There were significant differences among the COPD, asthma, and healthy control groups. The differences were more significant among the following: inspiratory emphysema index (EI)-950 (%), expiratory lung volume, expiratory mean lung density (MLD), and expiratory EI-950 (%) and EI-850 (%). The COPD group had a significantly higher EI-950 (%) than the asthma group (p = 0.008). There were significant differences among the three groups in lumen area (LA), wall area (WA), total area, and Pi10WA. The asthma group had significantly higher WA%/WV% than both the COPD (p = 0.002) and the control group (p = 0.012). There was high sensitivity in EI-950 (%), EI-850 (%) and expiratory MLD in the parenchyma and high sensitivity in LA and Pi10WA in small airways in the differential diagnosis of COPD and asthma. CONCLUSION: To aid the diagnosis, CT can provide quantitative measurements to differentiate between COPD and asthma patients.

Quantitative Assessment of Airway Pathology in Subjects With COPD Using Low-Dose High-Resolution Computed Tomography.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to correlate airway parameters of COPD determined by low-dose high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) with pulmonary function testing (PFT) results. METHODS: PFT data were collected for subjects with COPD and healthy controls. All subjects received inspiratory and expiratory phase low-dose HRCT. Bronchi in the apical segment of the right upper lobe (RB1), posterior segment of the right lower lobe (RB6), and lower lingual segment of the left upper lobe (LB5) were the target bronchi. Software automatically calculated airway wall area, inner area, and airway wall area percentage (percentage wall area for bronchial external area). RESULTS: A total of 75 COPD and 20 control subjects were included. The subjects with COPD were classified according to COPD stage, with 20 grade I, II, and III subjects, respectively, and 15 grade IV subjects. In COPD grade II, residual volume/total lung capacity was negatively correlated with airway wall area in LB5 (r = -0.51). In COPD grade III, FVC was negatively correlated with airway wall area percentage in LB5 (r = -0.49) but positively correlated with airway wall area in RB6 (r = 0.52); percent-of-predicted FEV1 was negatively correlated with airway wall area percentage in RB1 (r = -0.49); residual volume was negatively correlated with airway wall area (r = -0.47), and total lung capacity was negatively correlated with airway wall area in RB1 (r = -0.52) (all, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that airway parameters in different COPD grades have no uniform tendency of correlation with PFT, but some HRCT parameters are correlated to some PFT parameters.

New Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is one of major pulmonary fungal diseases. Although it is not a rare in clinical settings,the misdiagnosis rate is high and the treatment effectiveness remains unstable. This article reviews the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

[Biological characteristics and management of familial papillary thyroid carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical biological characteristics and investigate the managements of familial papillary thyroid carcinoma (FPTC). METHODS: Clinical data of 36 patients with PTC from 15 families were retrospectively analyzed compared with 95 control cases taken randomly from the patients with sporadic PTC diagnosed and treated in Tianjin Cancer Hospital between January 2010 and August 2011. RESULTS: Of the 36 patients with FPTC, 15 (41.7%) were ≥45 years old, 12 (33.3%) had bilateral carcinoma, 20 (55.6%) were multifocality, 27 (75.0%) had neck lymph node metastases, 17 (47.2%) coexisted thyroid benign tumors. Of the 95 patients with SPTC, 60 (63.2%) were ≥45 years old, 12(12.6%)had bilateral carcinomas, 21 (22.1%) were multifocality, 51 (53.7%) had neck lymph node metastases, and 26(27.4%)coexisted thyroid benign tumors. Of the 36 patients with FPTC, 22 (61.1%) underwent total thyroidectomy and 14 (38.9%) with unilateral thyroidectomy plus isthmusectomy, 3 (8.3%) received unilateral or bilateral lateral neck dissection and central compartment neck dissection (CND), 7 (19.4%) received unilateral or bilateral posterolateral neck dissection and CND, 6 (16.6%) received posterolateral neck dissection and bilateral CND, and 20 (55.6%) received unilateral or bilateral CND. CONCLUSIONS: Age at disease presentation of FPTC was younger than that of SPTC. FPTC has higher rates of multifocality and bilateral carcinoma coexisting with thyroid benign tumor than those of SPTC. It necessary to take family history in detail and to evaluate diseases before operation.

Preparation of a novel fluorescence nanoparticles and its application in the determination of Hg(II).

The strong fluorescence 2-vinylnaphthalene and acrylic acid polymer nanoparticles have been prepared under ultrasonic radiation. Based on the fluorescence quenching of polymer by Hg(II), a method for the selective determination of Hg(II) was developed. The reaction conditions between Hg(II) and polymer were investigated in detail. The assay is very few interference stable fluorescence signals (at least 2h), simple instrument (common spectrofluorometer) and simple step. Under optimal experimental conditions, a limit of detection of 0.01 microg ml(-1) was achieved. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range 0.04-0.1 microg ml(-1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.9927. The proposed method has been applied to the selective quantification of Hg(II) in synthetic samples with the satisfactory results.