BgNet: Classification of benign and malignant tumors with MRI multi-plane attention learning.

Objectives: To propose a deep learning-based classification framework, which can carry out patient-level benign and malignant tumors classification according to the patient's multi-plane images and clinical information. Methods: A total of 430 cases of spinal tumor, including axial and sagittal plane images by MRI, of which 297 cases for training (14072 images), and 133 cases for testing (6161 images) were included. Based on the bipartite graph and attention learning, this study proposed a multi-plane attention learning framework, BgNet, for benign and malignant tumor diagnosis. In a bipartite graph structure, the tumor area in each plane is used as the vertex of the graph, and the matching between different planes is used as the edge of the graph. The tumor areas from different plane images are spliced at the input layer. And based on the convolutional neural network ResNet and visual attention learning model Swin-Transformer, this study proposed a feature fusion model named ResNetST for combining both global and local information to extract the correlation features of multiple planes. The proposed BgNet consists of five modules including a multi-plane fusion module based on the bipartite graph, input layer fusion module, feature layer fusion module, decision layer fusion module, and output module. These modules are respectively used for multi-level fusion of patient multi-plane image data to realize the comprehensive diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors at the patient level. Results: The accuracy (ACC: 79.7%) of the proposed BgNet with multi-plane was higher than that with a single plane, and higher than or equal to the four doctors' ACC (D1: 70.7%, p=0.219; D2: 54.1%, p<0.005; D3: 79.7%, p=0.006; D4: 72.9%, p=0.178). Moreover, the diagnostic accuracy and speed of doctors can be further improved with the aid of BgNet, the ACC of D1, D2, D3, and D4 improved by 4.5%, 21.8%, 0.8%, and 3.8%, respectively. Conclusions: The proposed deep learning framework BgNet can classify benign and malignant tumors effectively, and can help doctors improve their diagnostic efficiency and accuracy. The code is available at https://github.com/research-med/BgNet.

Research on Wave Energy Harvesting Technology of Annular Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Multi-Electrode Structure.

Triboelectric nanogenerators can convert wave energy into the electrical energy required by ocean sensors, but the problem of the low electrical output performance of triboelectric nanogenerators has always been a concern. In this paper, an annular triboelectric nanogenerator (A-TENG) composed of an annular outer shell and an inner ball is proposed to improve the electrical output performance of the triboelectric nanogenerator by optimizing the structural parameters and wave parameters. Using the control variables, the effects of structural parameters (structure size, number of electrodes, electrode spacing, inner ball diameter, and number of inner balls) and wave parameters (wave frequency and wave amplitude) on the electrical output performance of the A-TENG were studied by combining COMSOL simulation and experimental research. The experimental results show that increasing the diameter and number of inner spheres can improve the open-circuit voltage between electrodes; the multi-electrode structure can improve the electron transfer rate and efficiently collect wave energy in all directions; and within the range of fixed sea conditions, there is an optimal annular size, which has the advantages of good electrical output performance and small size. The electrical output performance of the A-TENG can be greatly improved by optimizing the structural parameters. There are optimal wave parameters, such that the A-TENG can maximize the ocean wave energy conversion. This low-cost, long-life, efficient, and reliable energy harvesting system is ideal for powering ocean sensors.

Predicting postoperative recovery in cervical spondylotic myelopathy: construction and interpretation of T2*-weighted radiomic-based extra trees models.

OBJECTIVES: Conventional MRI may not be ideal for predicting cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) prognosis. In this study, we used radiomics in predicting postoperative recovery in CSM. We aimed to develop and validate radiomic feature-based extra trees models. METHODS: There were 151 patients with CSM who underwent preoperative T2-/ T2*-weighted imaging (WI) and surgery. They were divided into good/poor outcome groups based on the recovery rate. Datasets from multiple scanners were randomised into training and internal validation sets, while the dataset from an independent scanner was used for external validation. Radiomic features were extracted from the transverse spinal cord at the maximum compressed level. Threshold selection algorithm, collinearity removal, and tree-based feature selection were applied sequentially in the training set to obtain the optimal radiomic features. The classification of intramedullary increased signal on T2/T2*WI and compression ratio of the spinal cord on T2*WI were selected as the conventional MRI features. Clinical features were age, preoperative mJOA, and symptom duration. Four models were constructed: radiological, radiomic, clinical-radiological, and clinical-radiomic. An AUC significantly > 0.5 was considered meaningful predictive performance based on the DeLong test. The mean decrease in impurity was used to measure feature importance. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: On internal and external validations, AUCs of the radiomic and clinical-radiomic models, and radiological and clinical-radiological models ranged from 0.71 to 0.81 (significantly > 0.5) and 0.40 to 0.55, respectively. Wavelet-LL first-order variance was the most important feature in the radiomic model. CONCLUSION: Radiomic features, especially wavelet-LL first-order variance, contribute to meaningful predictive models for CSM prognosis. KEY POINTS: • Conventional MRI features may not be ideal in predicting prognosis. • Radiomics provides greater predictive efficiency in the recovery from cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Utility of Advanced DWI in the Detection of Spinal Cord Microstructural Alterations and Assessment of Neurologic Function in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Patients.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can quantify the microstructural changes in the spinal cord. It might be a substitute for T2 increased signal intensity (ISI) for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) evaluation and prognosis. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between DWI metrics and neurologic function of patients with CSM. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: Forty-eight patients with CSM (18.8% females) and 36 healthy controls (HCs, 25.0% females). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3 T; spin-echo echo-planar imaging-DWI; turbo spin-echo T1/T2; multi-echo gradient echo T2*. ASSESSMENT: For patients, conventional MRI indicators (presence and grades of T2 ISI), DWI indicators (neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging [NODDI]-derived isotropic volume fraction [ISOVF], intracellular volume fraction, and orientation dispersion index [ODI], diffusion tensor imaging [DTI]-derived fractional anisotropy [FA] and mean diffusivity [MD], and diffusion kurtosis imaging [DKI]-derived FA, MD, and mean kurtosis), clinical conditions, and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) were recorded before the surgery. Neurologic function improvement was measured by the 3-month follow-up recovery rate (RR). For HCs, DWI, and mJOA were measured as baseline comparison. STATISTICAL TESTS: Continuous (categorical) variables were compared between patients and HCs using Student's t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests (chi-square or Fisher exact tests). The relationships between DWI metrics/conventional MRI findings, and the pre-operative mJOA/RR were assessed using correlation and multivariate analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among patients, grades of T2 ISI were not correlated with pre-surgical mJOA/RR (P = 0.717  and 0.175, respectively). NODDI ODI correlated with pre-operative mJOA (r = -0.31). DTI FA, DKI FA, and NODDI ISOVF were correlated with the recovery rate (r = 0.31, 0.41, and -0.34, respectively). In multivariate analysis, NODDI ODI (DTI FA, DKI FA, NODDI ISOVF) significantly contributed to the pre-operative mJOA (RR) after adjusting for age. DATA CONCLUSION: DTI FA, DKI FA, and NODDI ISOVF are predictors for prognosis in patients with CSM. NODDI ODI can be used to evaluate CSM severity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 5.

Optimal machine learning methods for radiomic prediction models: Clinical application for preoperative T2*-weighted images of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Predicting the postoperative neurological function of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patients is generally based on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns, but this approach is not completely satisfactory. This study utilized radiomics, which produced advanced objective and quantitative indicators, and machine learning to develop, validate, test, and compare models for predicting the postoperative prognosis of CSM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 151 CSM patients undergoing surgical treatment and preoperative MRI was retrospectively collected and divided into good/poor outcome groups based on postoperative modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scores. The datasets obtained from several scanners (an independent  scanner) for the training (testing) cohort were used for cross-validation (CV). Radiological models based on the intramedullary hyperintensity and compression ratio were constructed with 14 binary classifiers. Radiomic models based on 237 robust radiomic features were constructed with the same 14 binary classifiers in combination with 7 feature reduction methods, resulting in 98 models. The main outcome measures were the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and accuracy. RESULTS: Forty-one (11) radiomic models were superior to random guessing during CV (testing), with significant increased AUROC and/or accuracy (P AUROC < .05 and/or P accuracy < .05). One radiological model performed better than random guessing during CV (P accuracy < .05). In the testing cohort, the linear SVM preprocessor + SVM, the best radiomic model (AUROC: 0.74 ± 0.08, accuracy: 0.73 ± 0.07), overperformed the best radiological model (P AUROC = .048). CONCLUSION: Radiomic features can predict postoperative spinal cord function in CSM patients. The linear SVM preprocessor + SVM has great application potential in building radiomic models.

Regulation of Hedgehog signaling Offers A Novel Perspective for Bone Homeostasis Disorder Treatment.

The hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway is central to the regulation of bone development and homeostasis. HH signaling is not only involved in osteoblast differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), but also acts upstream within osteoblasts via the OPG/RANK/RANKL axis to control the expression of RANKL. HH signaling has been found to up-regulate parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) expression in osteoblasts, which in turn activates its downstream targets nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), and as a result CREB and NFAT cooperatively increase RANKL expression and osteoclastogenesis. Osteoblasts must remain in balance with osteoclasts in order to avoid excessive bone formation or resorption, thereby maintaining bone homeostasis. This review systemically summarizes the mechanisms whereby HH signaling induces osteoblast development and controls RANKL expression through PTHrP in osteoblasts. Proper targeting of HH signaling may offer a therapeutic option for treating bone homeostasis disorders.

Fault-Tolerant Control of ANPC Three-Level Inverter Based on Order-Reduction Optimal Control Strategy under Multi-Device Open-Circuit Fault.

The multi-device open-circuit fault is a common fault of ANPC (Active Neutral-Point Clamped) three-level inverter and effect the operation stability of the whole system. To improve the operation stability, this paper summarized the main solutions currently firstly and analyzed all the possible states of multi-device open-circuit fault. Secondly, an order-reduction optimal control strategy was proposed under multi-device open-circuit fault to realize fault-tolerant control based on the topology and control requirement of ANPC three-level inverter and operation stability. This control strategy can solve the faults with different operation states, and can works in order-reduction state under specific open-circuit faults with specific combined devices, which sacrifices the control quality to obtain the stability priority control. Finally, the simulation and experiment proved the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.

ent-Abietane and Tigliane Diterpenoids from the Roots of Euphorbia fischeriana and Their Inhibitory Effects against Mycobacterium smegmatis.

An investigation on the bioactive chemical constituents of the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana has been conducted, with 21 diterpenoids obtained using various chromatographic techniques. On the basis of spectroscopic data analysis, the new compounds were elucidated as four ent-abietane-type diterpenoids (1-4) and four tigliane-type diterpenoids (13-16). Also obtained were eight known ent-abietane (5-12) and five known tigliane (17-21) diterpenoids. The potential antituberculosis effects of these diterpenoids were evaluated using a Mycobacterium smegmatis model. The most potent compound according to the in vitro bioassay used was 17-hydroxyjolkinolide B (12) (MIC 1.5 µg/mL).

Evaluation of calcium cyanamide addition during co-composting of manure and maize straw in a forced-aeration static-pile system.

BACKGROUND: Composting is one of the most environmentally friendly treatments to inactivate pathogenic organisms or reduce them to acceptable levels. However, even under thermal conditions, some pathogenic organisms such as E. coli could exist for a long time in composting. Such great persistence may increase the possibility of outbreaks of these organisms and further increase the environmental load. Calcium cyanamide (CaCN2) has recently been recognized to have the fungicidal effect on the pathogens of the soilborne diseases. So, the present study determined the effect of CaCN2 addition on composting progress as an antimicrobial agent and an amendment during forced-aeration static-pile composting of cow manure, which was mainly aimed to inhibit the pathogens that had not been inactivated by heat during composting. METHODS: The mixtures of dairy cow manure and maize straw with addition of 2 % CaCN2 or no addition were composted for 63 days. The physical, chemical and biological changes in compost mixtures were examined during composting. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA procedure from SAS software (version 9.0). RESULTS: The results showed that the addition of CaCN2 significantly increased the maximum temperature and lengthened the duration of the thermophilic phase, and increased the percent T-N but decreased C/N ratio. For microbiological test, the addition of CaCN2 shortened the time to inactivate E. coli, and increased the total average population of thermophilic bacteria but did not significantly influence that of mesophilic bacteria. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the addition of CaCN2, at least at the additive content of 2 % could benefit the thermophilic phase and the composting could quickly reach the sanitary standard during the composting of manure with maize straw in a forced-aeration static-pile system. This finding will contribute to solve the feces disposal problems.

Design and synthesis of purely inorganic 3D frameworks composed of reduced vanadium clusters and manganese linkers.

Two purely inorganic three-dimensional (3D) frameworks [Mn4(H2O)11V(IV)(18)O42(PO4)](7-) (1) and [Mn2(H2O)7V(IV)(18)O42(PO4)](11-) (2) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and PXRD. Structural analysis revealed that these two compounds contained a similar all reduced polyoxoanion [V(IV)(18)O42(PO4)](15-) linked by different amounts of manganese centers to form 3D framework materials. The V centers in these two compounds were all reduced to the +IV oxidation state, resulting in an all reduced polyoxoanion, which was firstly used as the building block for constructing 3D framework materials. The all reduced typical polyoxoanion [V(IV)(18)O42(PO4)](15-) with 15 negative charges supplied enough charge amount to accept TM cations. In these two structures, the anions were surrounded by 12 and 5 Mn(2+) ions, respectively, adjusted by varying the feeding amount of MnCl2·4H2O. An electrocatalytic study revealed that compound 1 exhibits electrocatalytic activity for reduction of H2O2.

Effects of meteorological elements on admission rates of cerebral infarction patients with hypertensive nephropathy from nine hospitals in Changchun city, Jilin Province.

BACKGROUND: It is well recognized that meteorological factors have important infuences on the onset and development of many kinds of diseases. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the meteorological elements on admission rates of cerebral infarction patients with hypertensive nephropathy at Changchun city, Jilin Province, northeast China. METHODS: A total of 763 medical records of inpatients from nine hospitals at Changchun city, during a period from April 6 to April 17 in 2010, were reviewed. These patients were admitted to hospitals due to the occurrence of cerebral infarction. The hypertensive nephropathy was evidenced with certain diagnosis of essential hypertension and hypertension-related kidney injuries. The cerebral infarction was diagnosed according to the World Health Organization (Stroke) standard. All the meteorological data were from practical monitoring records in Jilin Province Meteorological Observatory. The relationships between the epidemiological prevalence of cerebral infarction and meteorological variables were analyzed using the time series models of statistics. RESULTS: Compared with admission rates before the violent change in meteorological status (April 6 to April 17, 2010), the number of admission patients suffering from cerebral infarction remarkably peaked on April 12. Such an increase was highly correlated with heavy precipitation, elevation of daily average relative humidity, and reduction of average daily air temperature. With the betterment of the meteorological conditions on April 17, the admission rates of cerebral infarction patients dropped to the same level as the dates before snowing (April 6 to April 11). CONCLUSIONS: The meteorological changes are highly associated with the occurrence of cerebral infarction in patients with hypertensive renal injury in northeast China. This study also suggested that an intensive medical interference for those patients with hypertension-induced organ injuries is very necessary in preventing the occurrence of cerebral infarction with hypertensive nephropathy when there is a violent change in meteorological condition.

Regulation of T lymphocyte subpopulations in specific pathogen free chickens following experimental fowl adenovirus Ⅷ infection

Two-day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were divided into two groups. Group I was inoculated orally with fowl adenovirus VIII (FAV-VIII). Group II served as a negative control. Chickens were investigated at various days post-inoculation (dpi) by flow cytometric analysis for changes in T lymphocyte subpopulations in immune system and blood. In the thymus, CD3+ T lymphocytes were increased at 25 dpi, with significant increases in the FAV infected noted at 1, 12, 20dpi (p<0.05). This was accompanied by a corresponding increase of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. In the spleen, CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes were increased significantly at 30 dpi (p<0.01) whereas CD8+ and TCR γ δ+ T lymphocytes were decreased at 1 (p<0.05), 30 dpi (p<0.01). An increase of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes was noticed in peripheral blood, and accompanied by a decrease of TCR γ δ+ T lymphocytes. These results demonstrated that infection with FAV-VIII causes significant fluctuations in T lymphocyte subpopulations in thymus, blood and spleen. It can be concluded that an infection with FAV-VIII has profound effects on the immune system, especially on cell mediated immune competency.

Occurrence and characteristics of virulence genes of Escherichia coli strains isolated from healthy dairy cows in Inner Mongolia, China

Virulence genes of Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates from healthy dairy cows were identified and characterized by a multiplex PCR assay and serogrouping test. The results showed that among the target genes, eaeA was most frequently detected, accounting for 22.11% (67/303) in all strains from 101 cows. For categorization of E. coli, aEPEC was the category with widest distribution detected in 55 (18.15%) strains from 22 cattle. All of 84 PCR-positive strains belonged to 14 O serogroups, and O149 (25.00%) was most common identified, followed by O2 (17.86%), O8 (11.90%) and O103 (9.52%) with relatively high prevalence.

Occurrence and characteristics of virulence genes of Escherichia coli strains isolated from healthy dairy cows in Inner Mongolia, China.

Virulence genes of Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates from healthy dairy cows were identified and characterized by a multiplex PCR assay and serogrouping test. The results showed that among the target genes, eaeA was most frequently detected, accounting for 22.11% (67/303) in all strains from 101 cows. For categorization of E. coli, aEPEC was the category with widest distribution detected in 55 (18.15%) strains from 22 cattle. All of 84 PCR-positive strains belonged to 14 O serogroups, and O149 (25.00%) was most common identified, followed by O2 (17.86%), O8 (11.90%) and O103 (9.52%) with relatively high prevalence.

Regulation of T lymphocyte subpopulations in specific pathogen-free chickens following experimental fowl adenovirus-â §VIII infection.

Two-day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were divided into two groups. Group I was inoculated orally with fowl adenovirus Ⅷ (FAV-Ⅷ). Group II served as a negative control. Chickens were investigated at various days post-inoculation (dpi) by flow cytometric analysis for changes in T lymphocyte subpopulations in immune system and blood. In the thymus, CD3(+)T lymphocytes were increased at 25 dpi, with significant increases in the FAV infected noted at 1, 12, 20dpi (p<0.05). This was accompanied by a corresponding increase of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes. In the spleen, CD3(+) and CD4(+) T lymphocytes were increased significantly at 30 dpi (p<0.01) whereas CD8(+) and TCR γ δ(+) T lymphocytes were decreased at 1 (p<0.05), 30 dpi (p<0.01). An increase of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes was noticed in peripheral blood, and accompanied by a decrease of TCR γ δ(+) T lymphocytes. These results demonstrated that infection with FAV-Ⅷ causes significant fluctuations in T lymphocyte subpopulations in thymus, blood and spleen. It can be concluded that an infection with FAV-Ⅷ has profound effects on the immune system, especially on cell mediated immune competency.

Poly[[(µ-benzene-1,4-dicarboxyl-ato)bis-[µ-4-(1H-1,3,7,8-tetra-aza-cyclo-penta-[l]phenanthren-2-yl)benzoato]dizinc] tetra-hydrate].

In the title complex, [Zn(2)(C(8)H(4)O(4))(C(20)H(11)N(4)O(2))(2)]·4H(2)O, the Zn(II) atom is six-coordinated by two carboxyl-ate O atoms from one bidentate benzene-1,4-dicarboxyl-ate (1,4-BDC) ligand, two carboxyl-ate O atoms from two different monodentate 4-(1H-1,3,7,8-tetra-aza-cyclo-penta-[l]phenanthren-2-yl)benzoate (HNCP) ligands and two HNCP N atoms. The Zn(II) atoms are bridged by the centrosymmetric 1,4-BDC ligands, forming an extended single-chain structure. Neighbouring single chains are connected by the HNCP ligands from two opposite directions, resulting in a sheet. In addition, there are N-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions between adjacent layers. As a result, the polymeric sheets are further extended into a three-dimensional supra-molecular structure.

Poly[[µ-2,2'-diethyl-1,1'-(propane-1,3-di-yl)di-1H-imidazole-κN:N](µ-5-hy-droxy-isophthalato-κO:O)zinc].

In the title coordination polymer, [Zn(C(8)H(4)O(5))(C(13)H(20)N(4))](n), the Zn(II) ion is coordinated by an O(2)N(2) donor set in a distorted tetra-hedral geometry. The Zn(II) ions are connected by 5-hy-droxy-isophthalate (hbdc) and 2,2'-diethyl-1,1'-(propane-1,3-di-yl)di-1H-imidazole (pbie) ligands, forming a threefold inter-penetrating diamondoid framework. In the pbie ligand, one of the ethyl-imidazole groups is disordered over two positions, with a site-occupancy ratio of 0.670 (9):0.330 (9). An inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond is formed between the hy-droxy and carboxyl-ate groups of the hbdc ligands.

Bis(µ-3,5-dinitro-2-oxidobenzoato)-κO,O:O;κO:O,O-bis[aqua-(2-phenyl-1,3,7,8-tetra-azacyclo-penta-[l]phenanthrene-κN,N)cobalt(II)].

In the title compound, [Co(2)(C(7)H(2)N(2)O(7))(2)(C(19)H(12)N(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], the Co(II) atom is six-coordinated by two N atoms from a 2-phenyl-1H-1,3,7,8,-tetraaza-cyclo-penta-[l]phenanthrene (L) ligand, three O atoms from two 3,5-dinitro-2-oxidobenzoate (3,5-dinitro-salicylate or DNSA) ligands and one O atom from a water mol-ecule in a distorted octa-hedral geometry. The Co(II) atoms are bridged by two carboxyl-ate O atoms from two DNSA ligands, forming a centrosymmetric dinuclear structure. Neighbouring dinuclear units inter-act with each other through two types of π-π inter-actions between the L ligands [shortest centroid-centroid distance = 3.646 (3) Å] and between the L and DNSA ligands [shortest atom-to-centroid distance = 3.794 (3) Å]. N-H⋯O, O-H⋯N and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are observed, which lead to a three-dimensional structure.

[Effects of hepatocyte growth factor gene transfer in combination with echocardiographic destruction of microbubbles in a rat model of experimental myocardial infarction.].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether ultrasonic microbubble destruction (US/MB) could enhance the therapeutic effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene transfer for acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: MI was induced by left anterior descending artery ligation in male SD rats. Two to 4 hours thereafter, MI rats were randomly treated with tail vein infusing pc-DNA3.1-HGF plasmid mixed with microbubbles (US/MB-HGF group, n = 18); tail vein infusing pc-DNA3.1-HGF plasmid mixed with saline (US-HGF group, n = 18); tail vein infusing empty plasmid mixed with microbubbles (US/MB-P group, n = 18). All rats were exposed to ultrasound treatment thereafter till contrast imaging disappeared in cardiac region. Rats were sacrificed at 24 hours, 7 days or 14 days, respectively (n = 6 each) and myocardial protein expression of bcl-2 and HGF as well as microvascular density (MVD) were determined. RESULTS: The myocardial protein expressions of bcl-2 and HGF in US/MB-HGF group were significantly higher than those in US-HGF and US/MB-P groups at 7 days post MI (all P < 0.01) and MVD was significantly higher in US/MB-HGF group (367.6 +/- 17.6) than that in US-HGF (268.9 +/- 0.8) and US/MB-P (186.8 +/- 11.8) groups (all P < 0.05) at 14 days post MI. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction could enhance systemic HGF administration induced myocardial angiogenesis and reduce systemic HGF administration induced myocardial apoptosis in rats with acute MI.

[Effect of ethanol gasoline and unleaded gasoline on exhaust emissions of EFI vehicles with TWC].

The injectors' flow-rate of all test vehicles that each was fixed with a three-way catalytic converter (TWC) and Electronic Fuel Injection System (EFI) was tested including before and after vehicles operated on unleaded and ethanol gasoline respectively running for a long time on real road. The three main engine-out exhaust emissions (HC, CO and NOx) from vehicles operating on different fuels were also analyzed by exhaust testing procedure for the whole light-duty vehicle. Test results showed that comparing with unleaded gasoline and ethanol gasoline has a remarkable effect on decreasing engine-out exhaust emissions of CO and HC (both at about ten percent) and the exhaust emissions of CO, HC and NOx from vehicles with TWC respectively. When burning with unleaded gasoline the three main pollutants from vehicles with TWC have already or nearly reached Europe Exhaust First Standard, after changing to ethanol gasoline CO has drastically decreased at about thirty percent, while HC and NOx decreased at about eighteen and ten percent respectively, at this time which they were all above Europe Exhaust Standard First or nearly reached Europe Exhaust Second Standard; ethanol gasoline has also other better performance such as a slight cleaning function on injectors, a slower deteriorative trend of engine-out CO and HC and a longer operating life-span of TWC.