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Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) is considered a promising visualization measurement technique, in which image reconstruction algorithms play an important role in real applications. In this paper, a dynamic reconstruction model, which integrates the ECT measurement information and the dynamic evolution information of the reconstruction objects, is presented. A generalized objective function, which simultaneously considers the ECT measurement information, the dynamic evolution information of the objects of interest, the temporal constraints and the spatial constraints, is proposed. An iteration scheme that integrates the beneficial advantages of the split Bregman iteration technique and the homotopy algorithm is developed for solving the proposed objective function. Numerical simulations are implemented to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. For the cases simulated in this paper, the accuracy of the images reconstructed by the proposed algorithm is improved and the artifacts in the reconstructed images can be removed effectively, which indicates that the proposed algorithm is successful in solving ECT inverse problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the anatomic parameters related to clival screw and establish reference data concerning the craniovertebral fixation technique.Methods: Morphometric measurement of the clivus and the surrounding anatomic structures were obtained on 41 dry bone specimens. Then, 2-D CT reconstruction of the craniovertebral region of 30 patients (19 men and 11 women, ranging in age from 20-64 years with an average age of 38.8 years) were performed to measure the safety range for a 3.5-mm screw placement. Nine entry points were evaluated. Finally, one male fresh cadaver specimen (age 46 years) was dissected to observe the craniovertebral region.Results: The clivus faces the basilar artery, the V ~ XII cranial nerves, the pons, and ventral medulla oblongata at its intracranial surface. The longitudinal diameter of extracranial clivus was 25.87 ± 2.64 mm. The narrowest diameter of the clivus was 12.84 ± 1.08 mm, the distance between the left and right hypoglossal canal was 32.70 ± 2.09 mm at its widest part. The distance between the left and right structures, the maximum value was 49.31 ± 4.16 mm at carotid canal, the minimum value was 16.54 ± 2.04 mm at the occipital condyle. The measurement of clival screws placement simulation via 2-D CT reconstruction images shows the maximum upper insertion angle of three components the optimal entry points, the candidate points, the limit entry points was 130.19°, 125.23° and 85.72°, and the total mean screw length was 7.57, 10.13 and 15.6 mm at the vertical entry angle, respectively.Conclusions: Clival screw placement is a viable option for craniovertebral fixation. There is a safe scope for the screw length and angle of the screw placement. And, these parameters obtained in the present study will be helpful for anyone contemplating the use of clival screw fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large proportion of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients are refractory to pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral therapy. The aim of this pilot, waitlist-controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) as add-on therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. Nineteen patients with treatment-resistant OCD were assigned to EA treatment for 12 sessions (5 sessions per week, n = 10) or waitlist for controls (n = 9) while continuing their current anti-OCD medications. The clinical outcomes were measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity at baseline and end point. EA additional treatment produced significantly greater improvements at end point compared with the waitlist group in reducing both Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (10.2 +/- 4.2 vs. 18.8 +/- 7.4, p = 0.004) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity scores (3.0 +/- 1.1 vs. 4.4 +/- 1.1, p = 0.002). As an additional therapy, EA is effective in alleviating OCD symptoms of treatment-resistant patients. A large-scale controlled study is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Various percent canal occlusion measurement methods have been used to assess the spinal canal stenosis following a thoracolumbar burst fracture. However, there are no studies performed comparing these techniques. The objective of this study was to determine the reliability of three techniques used to measure the spinal canal stenosis in thoracolumbar burst fractures on lateral radiograph and CT scans, and to identify the most reliable and practical method of assessment. Methods: Fifty preoperative lateral radiographs and axial computed tomography (CT) scans of thoracolumbar burst fractures were analyzed by five observers in two sessions. The three measurement techniques were tested: the ratio of sagittal diameter of spinal canal at the injury level to that at the adjacent level on lateral plain radiographs (Ratio 1) and on axial CT scans (Ratio 2); and the ratio of cross-sectional area of spinal canal at the injury level to that at the adjacent level on axial CT scans (Ratio 3). Interobserver and intraobserver reliability for each measure was assessed. Results: Greater coefficient of variation (CV) of measurement was founded for the Ratio 1 obtained from lateral plain radiographs than the other two ratios (Ratio 2 and 3) from CT scans (P<0.05), while no differences of CV were noted between the Ratio 2 and Ratio 3 with CT scans (P>0.05). There was no significant improvement (P>0.05) of the interobserver agreement after a 3-month interval for all three methods. A high significant positive correlation was observed between Ratio 1 and Ratio 2, Ratio 1 and Ratio 3, and Ratio 2 and Ratio 3 (P<0.05 for all). Conclusions: CT scans are more reliable than plain radiographs in the evaluation of spinal canal occlusion in thoracolumbar burst fractures although the agreement might be acceptable for the latter. Measurement of sagittal diameter of spinal canal using CT scan might be a more reasonable choice than of cross-sectional area of spinal canal because of its simplicity and comparable measurement reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: An in vitro biomechanical investigation. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between various load-sharing score and the acute flexibility of thoracolumbar fractures by measuring the 3-dimensional flexibility data. Summary Of Background Data: The load-sharing classification is a way to describe the injury severity of a spinal fracture and can be very useful in determining successful candidates for the choice of operative approaches. However, this classification needs to be validated by biomechanical and more clinical studies before its widespread use. To date, no biomechanical study was available. Methods: Eighteen fresh bovine T12-L3 specimens were harvested and divided into 3 groups, and subjected to axial compressive impact with 63.8, 107.8, and 137.2 J energy, respectively. Radiograph films and computed tomography scans of the experimental spine were taken in neutral posture after trauma. Multidirectional flexibility of each specimen was measured under flexion-extension, right/left lateral bending, and right/left axial rotation before and after trauma. The association between the multidirectional instabilities and the vertebral injuries to each of load-sharing point score was analyzed. Results: The load-sharing score of a fracture increased with the level of impact energy. Significant positive correlations were found between the load-sharing score and the motion parameters (average R = 0.434, average P = 0.004). Fractures with mild comminution (< or =6 points) showed more stability as compared to those with more comminution (> or =7 points) (P < or = 0.016). Conclusion: This study confirms that assessing the load-sharing score should be helpful in evaluating the acute instability of thoracolumbar fractures, and justifies the use of load-sharing classification in the thoracolumbar fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Morphology comparisons between the pedicle and pedicle rib unit in the immature spine were conducted through computed tomographic scans. Objective: To establish reference data concerning the dimensions of the pedicle rib unit for normal children. Summary Of Background Data: Until recently, studies on extrapedicular fixation were mostly based on adults. No published study has assessed the morphology of the pedicle rib unit in the normal immature population. Establishment of the basic morphometric characteristics may be beneficial in treating immature patients with spinal disorders. Methods: Measurements were carried out on the chest computed tomography scans of the immature Chinese patients without any spinal disorder findings. The width, chord length, and transverse angle of the pedicle rib unit were obtained and compared with the corresponding pedicle index. Difference between sex groups was measured, and significant statistical correlations were carefully studied to determine potentially important clinical relationships. Results: The mean values and the standard deviations obtained for each thoracic segment were determined. The width, chord length, and transverse angle of the pedicle rib unit were significantly larger than corresponding pedicle measurements at all levels. Significant difference for measurements between sexes was found at some segments. Compared with the sex, age seemed to have a more significant effect on the measurements. Linear pedicle and pedicle rib unit dimensions had good correlations with age, whereas the transverse angle seemed to change little with age. Conclusion: Compared with the dimensions of the immature pedicle, the significantly larger size of the corresponding pedicle rib unit provides a more ample space, which accommodates screws with larger diameters. Extrapedicular vertebral body fixation was anatomically feasible for the immature spine. The new procedure should be cautiously applied to avoid potential implant failures or a new deformity because of the growth of the immature spine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dianhydride (EDTAD) to modify oxalate decarboxylase (OXDC) to improve its adsorption on calcium oxalate stones. The modified sites were identified by Ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and the adsorption mechanism of the EDTAD-modified OXDC on calcium oxalate (CaOx) was investigated. We investigated adsorption time, initial enzyme concentration, temperature and solution pH on the adsorption process. Data were analyzed using kinetics, thermodynamics and isotherm adsorption models. UPLC-MS showed that EDTAD was attached to OXDC covalently and suggested that the chemical modification occurred at both the free amino of the side chain and the α-NH2 of the peptide. The adsorption capacity of the EDTAD-OXDC on calcium oxalate was 53.37% greater than that of OXDC at the initial enzyme concentration of 5 mg/ml, pH = 7.0, at 37° C. The modified enzyme (EDTAD-OXDC) demonstrated improved oxalate degradation activity at pH 4.5−6.0. Kinetic data fitting analysis suggested a pseudo second order kinetic model. Estimates of the thermodynamic parameters including ΔG0, ΔH0 and ΔS0 of the adsorption process showed it to be feasible, spontaneous and endothermic. Isotherm data fitting analysis indicated that the adsorption process is reduced to monolayer adsorption at a low enzyme concentration and to multilayer adsorption at a high enzyme concentration. It may be possible to apply OXDC to degradation of calcium oxalate stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Airway mucus hypersecretion is a key pathophysiological feature in asthma. Fasudil, a selective Rho-A/Rho kinase inhibitor, has been used in clinical trials to treat pulmonary hypertension. However, its function in modulating airway mucus hypersecretion in asthma remains undefined. Objective We examined whether fasudil, a selective Rho-A/Rho kinase inhibitor, affects the mucus hypersecretion by suppressing MUC5 AC via signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 6 ( STAT6) and nuclear factor-kappa B ( NFκB) in mice and cells. Methods We measured mucus secretion and the expression of Rho-kinase in the airway tissue of patients with asthma. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin ( OVA) followed with fasudil treatment. The lung tissues were assessed for airway inflammation and mucus secretion. Cytokine levels and airway responsiveness were determined. STAT6 and NFκB were quantified by Western blot. 16 HBE cells were stimulated with house dust mite ( HDM) extracts. MUC5 AC and muc5ac promoter activities were measured. Using si RNA to knockdown STAT6 in epithelial cells, we determined the impact of STAT6 on muc5ac promoter activity. NFκB nuclear translocation was observed with immunostaining. Results Fasudil administration significantly decreased the number of inflammatory cells, inflammation index in the lung and airway responsiveness. Fasudil also reduced mucous secretion and MUC5 AC expression in OVA-challenged mice. Fasudil down-regulated the levels of IL-17, IL-4 and IL-13 in the lung tissue of OVA-challenged mice. Fasudil also decreased the expression and phosphorylation of NFκB and STAT6 as well as the nuclear translocation of NFκB. In addition, human airway epithelial cells (16 HBE) were challenged with HDM extracts and then treated with fasudil. Fasudil inhibited HDM extract-induced MUC5 AC expression, which is associated with a reduction in STAT6 and NFκB in epithelial cells. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance These findings indicate that the Rho-A/Rho kinase inhibitor, fasudil, plays a negative regulatory role in allergen-induced mucus secretion and MUC5 AC expression by regulating STAT6 and NFκB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on shelf life, fruit visual quality and nutritional quality were investigated. Netted melons were treated with air (control) and 0.6 µl l−1 1-MCP at 25 ℃ for 24 h, and then stored at 25 ℃ or 10 ℃ for 10 days. 1-MCP significantly extended the shelf life, inhibited weight loss and delayed firmness decline of melon fruits. Ethylene production was also inhibited and respiration rate was declined. 1-MCP retarded 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) increases and inhibited ACC synthase and ACC oxidase activity. Moreover, 1-MCP treatment reduced the decrease in total soluble solids and titratable acidity, as well as the decrease of the content of sugars (sucrose, fructose and glucose). These results indicated that 1-MCP treatment is a good method to extend melon shelf life and maintain fruit quality, and the combination of 1-MCP and low temperature storage resulted in more acceptable fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Contents This study was conducted to explore the influencing factors of ova in vitro fertilization (IVF) and transfer of the fertilized ova into the oviduct of recipient hens. The efficiency of fertilization was compared using three aspects: (i) the different time of ova collection and transfer, (ii) egg-laying period of recipient hen; and (iii) semen volume. The following results are observed: 72%, 40% and 0% of ova were found in ovarian sac in 30∼40 min, 50∼60 min and more than 90 min post-oviposition, respectively; 20%, 18%, 14% and 5.8% of ova were fertilized with 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 ml semen, respectively; and 33% and 100% of healthy chickens were hatched from fertile ova with 0.1 and 0.5 ml of semen, respectively. All oocytes obtained from ovary and mid-oviduct were unfertilized. Embryos were transferred into recipient hens 30 min ± 10 min post-oviposition, and 70% of shelled eggs were produced. There were no eggs produced in the other transfer times. This demonstrated that live chicken can be obtained by IVF of ova collected shortly after oviposition. It was important that the ovum was transferred into the oviduct infundibulum of recipient hens immediately or shortly after oviposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose To test a hypothesis that: (i) duodenal pH and osmolarity are individually controlled at constant set points by negative feedback control centred in the enteric nervous system ( ENS); (ii) the purinergic P2Y1 receptor subtype is expressed by non-cholinergic secretomotor/vasodilator neurons, which represent the final common excitatory pathway from the ENS to the bicarbonate secretory glands. Experimental Approach Ussing chamber and pH-stat methods investigated involvement of the P2Y1 receptor in neurogenic stimulation of mucosal bicarbonate ( HCO3−) secretion in guinea pig duodenum. Key Results ATP increased HCO3− secretion with an EC50 of 160 nM. MRS2179, a selective P2Y1 purinergic receptor antagonist, suppressed ATP-evoked HCO3− secretion by 47% and Cl− secretion by 63%. Enteric neuronal blockade by tetrodotoxin or exposure to a selective vasoactive intestinal peptide ( VIP, VPAC1) receptor antagonist suppressed ATP-evoked HCO3− secretion by 61 and 41%, respectively, and Cl- by 97 and 70% respectively. Pretreatment with the muscarinic antagonist, scopolamine did not alter ATP-evoked HCO3− or Cl− secretion. Conclusion and Implications Whereas acid directly stimulates the mucosa to release ATP and stimulate HCO3− secretion in a cytoprotective manner, neurogenically evoked HCO3− secretion accounts for feedback control of optimal luminal pH for digestion. ATP stimulates duodenal HCO3− secretion through an excitatory action at purinergic P2Y1 receptors on neurons in the submucosal division of the ENS. Stimulation of the VIPergic non-cholinergic secretomotor/vasodilator neurons, which are one of three classes of secretomotor neurons, accounts for most, if not all, of the neurogenic secretory response evoked by ATP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A questionnaire survey was performed for the first time to assess the prevalence of visual symptoms and G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) due to +Gz exposure in the Chinese Air Force (CAF) to determine the effectiveness of current G tolerance training. Responses were received from 594 individuals. Among them, 302 reported at least one episode of some sort of symptoms related to +Gz, including 110 (18.5%) with visual blurring, 231 (38.9%) with greyout, 111 (18.7%) with blackout, and 49 (8.2%) with G-LOC. Incidences were most common in aircrew with 250-1,000 flying hours (53.6%) and were more prevalent in those with fewer on type flying hours (p < 0.001). The most common situation was reported between +5 and 5.9 Gz. The results indicate a fairly high prevalence of visual symptoms and G-LOC among Chinese Air Force aircrew. There remains considerable scope for +Gz education, particularly in the early centrifuge training and selection of rational physical exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents Fibronectin type II and cysteine-rich secretory proteins have been well studied in the murine and human. The present study evaluated CRISP1, CRISP2, CRISP3 and Fn-type II (ELSPBP1 and pB1) gene expression patterns in ejaculated sperm and reproductive tracts of Chinese Meishan pigs from birth to day 150 of age. In ejaculated sperm, except for ELSPBP1, all others genes studied were detectable. In sexually mature boars and gilts, CRISP1 gene was expressed strongly in whole epididymides, moderate in prostate and weak in seminal vesicle. CRISP2 gene represented extensive distribution along reproductive tracts with highest abundance in testis. CRISP3 gene was expressed highly in prostate and bulbourethral gland, but weakly in testis. ELSPBP1 gene was expressed with highest abundance in cauda epididymides, moderate in corpus epididymides and weak in seminal vesicle and prostate. pB1 mRNA expression was also abundant along reproductive tracts. During the sexual development of boars after birth, these genes showed different expression patterns. CRISP1 and CRISP3 gene expression was high on day 1 and maintained until day 150, while CRISP2 expression was detectable on day 60 with high abundance and maintained until day 90 and dropped on day 150. ELSPBP1 showed low expression at birth and increased significantly on day 30 (p < 0.05) and then kept static until day 150. pB1 gene displayed moderate expression from birth to day 30 and increased significantly on day 60 (p < 0.05) and maintained at high level until day 150. Collectively, CRISP and Fn-type II genes were expressed extensively along genital tracts, and most of them showed mRNA signal in ejaculated sperm. The expression of CRISP1 and CRISP3 genes in Meishan boar was not age-dependent, while CRISP2 and pB1 gene expression was parallel with sexual development. Their unique gene expression patterns may shed light on the mechanism for the high prolificacy of Meishan pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study is presented. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of estrogen receptor beta gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Studies have shown that idiopathic scoliosis is related to genetic factors, such as XbaI site polymorphism of the estrogen receptor alpha gene. To our knowledge, however, the relationship of estrogen receptor beta gene polymorphisms and the individual susceptibility to idiopathic scoliosis has not been studied. METHODS: This study included 218 patients with AIS and 140 healthy controls. Height, menarche status, curve pattern, Cobb angle, and Risser sign in female patients were recorded. Blood samples were taken from each subject by venipuncture. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes using standard phenol/chloroform extraction. PCR products from amplification of genomic DNA from all individuals were analyzed using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography. Samples with aberrant HPLC profiles were sequenced in both the forward and the reverse directions on an ABI 3100 automated sequencer. The chi test was used to determine the significant difference in genotype distribution between patients with AIS and the controls. RESULTS: The frequency of CC genotype of the exon øK (in reality 5' UTR OK-1)was significantly higher in patients than that in controls (P < 0.05). The C alleles appeared to be overrepresented in patients compared with controls (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the frequencies of CC genotypes in female patients whose height was > or =160 cm and Cobb angle was > or =30 degrees were higher than those whose height was <160 cm and Cobb angle was <30 degrees (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION.: The sites of the exon øK polymorphisms of estrogen receptor beta gene may be associated with a susceptibility of AIS. Furthermore, the sites of the exon øK polymorphism may be associated with the height and the curve severity of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphatic metastasis has always been regarded as a major prognostic indicator for disease progression and as a guide for therapeutic strategies to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but to date, how tumor cells access and spread via the lymphatics have not been fully elucidated. Whether tumor cells metastasize by expansion and invasion of pre-existing peritumoral lymphatics or by the induction and invasion of newly formed lymphatics within tumors is controversial. In order to address this issue and find out the clinicopathological significance of intratumoral lymphangiogenesis, we investigated 86 archival specimens from patients with OSCC, quantitating lymph vessels by immunostaining with D2-40. We also quantified lymphatic invasion and examined the possible associations of all the above parameters with clinicopathological features and outcome. Higher intratumoral lymphatic density (ILD) and peritumoral lymphatic density (PLD) were both significantly associated with the presence of lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis and the outcome of the post-operation biopsy of 77 patients (P = 0.001). Higher ILD was significantly associated with a higher incidence of intratumoral lymphatic invasion, peritumoral lymphatic invasion and recurrence of tumor ( P = 0.001 and P = 0.041 and P = 0.001, respectively). Patients with higher ILD exhibited shorter 5-year cumulative and disease-free survival ( P = 0.001). Thus, lymphangiogenesis indeed occurs in oral squamous cell carcinoma; ILD might be used as an index to inflect the aggression of the disease, to evaluate the status of lymphatic metastasis, to separate patients at higher risk of an adverse clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: A prospective diagnostic clinical trial. Objective: To evaluate the accuracy, repeatability of a new method for measuring spinal curvature in patients with scoliosis, the axis-line-distance technique (ALDT), in comparison with the Cobb method. Summary Of Background Data: Timely and accurate determination of the degree of lateral curvature of the spine is essential for deciding the appropriate treatment method for scoliosis. Although the Cobb method has been accepted as the clinical standard for 60 years, many investigators have reported a high degree of variance in the measurements of spinal curvature obtained using this method. Therefore, the development of an alternative method that incorporates the advances in imaging technology and assessment is needed. Methods: Sixty-five scoliosis patients were evaluated by 6 physician observers. The spinal curves were measured on 2 separate occasions using the Cobb method and the ALDT on a picture archiving and communication system workstation. The time interval between the 2 measurements was 3 weeks, and the data were analyzed by a paired-sample Student t test and Pearson correlation method using SPSS 12.0 software package. Results: Intraobserver variance of the 2 measurements, the minimum variance, the maximum variance, and the mean and standard deviation values were 0 degrees, 26 degrees, and 5.14 degrees +/- 0.69 degrees for the Cobb method, and 0 mm, 20 mm, and 2.55 +/- 0.38 mm for the ALDT, respectively. There was a significant intraobserver difference in the Cobb angle measurements among 3 of the 6 observers (P < 0.05). No significant intraobserver variance in ALDT measurements was detected. The mean interobserver measurement variance for the Cobb method was 6.54 degrees +/- 1.35 degrees, significantly greater than that for the ALDT (3.58 +/- 0.93 mm; P < 0.05). There were significant positive correlation between the ALDT and the Cobb measurements (r = 0.73, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The ALDT is more reliable, reproducible, and straightforward, and less error-prone than the Cobb method for measurements of spinal curvature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]