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A high-performance noncoherent transmission scheme is proposed in the broadcasting phase of a two-way relay transmission (TWRT), where multiple-symbol differential detection (MSDD) is performed because of its excellent detection performance with no channel estimation. Specifically, the generalized likelihood ratio test aided MSDD (GLRT-MSDD) is developed for the down-link. Furthermore, GLRT-MSDD is reformulated and a semidefinite relaxation aided MSDD (SDR-MSDD) is proposed. The reformulation of GLRT-MSDD to SDR-MSDD is desirable owing to its reduced complexity. Performance analysis and the simulations validate that the proposed SDR-MSDD provides the bit-error-rate performance close to that of GLRT-MSDD with reasonable complexity in TWRT.

The commitment of nursing preceptors to their role is an important driving force that supports their clinical teaching and affects teaching quality. Role commitment undergoes dynamic development and thus changes over time. Existing studies have utilized only cross-sectional study designs and have not analyzed the changes in commitment trajectories with related factors.This study aimed to investigate the development trajectories of the commitment of preceptors and to examine the predictors between the trajectories of role commitment among nursing preceptors.A single-group, repeated-measures design was adopted, and 59 participants completed the Commitment to the Preceptor Role Scale and the Preceptor's Perception of Support Scale. The latent class growth analysis method was used to estimate the trajectory class patterns. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test, a nonparametric method, was used to compare the differences in demographic characteristics between the trajectories of commitment among nursing preceptors. Predictors were examined using binary logistic regression analysis.The two-class model was the best-fitting model to describe the trajectories of nursing preceptor commitment. The two classes in this model were "low commitment," which accounted for 90.3% of all the participants, and "high commitment," which accounted for 9.7%. A significant difference was found between the two classes in terms of motivation for being a preceptor (p = .048). Neither demographic characteristics nor organizational support had a predictive effect on the trajectories of commitment development.This study found a low level of role commitment among new preceptors. Moreover, internal motivation was found to be a significant factor affecting the trajectories of this commitment. Therefore, institutions should foster an appropriate environment to enhance the role identity of preceptors as well as cultivate and stimulate their commitment to this role.

Forest carbon storage has important impacts on climate change. The previous models do not take into consideration of the inherent spatial correlation structure of residual and non-stationary of forest carbon storage which limits the prediction accuracy. Based on ETM+ remotely sensed imagery and 193 fixed plots of Maoershan Experimental Forest Farm of Northeast Forestry University, we established the geographically weighted regression kriging (GWRK) model between forest carbon storage and extracted factors from remotely sensed imagery and topographic factors. The prediction accuracy of GWRK, ordinary least square (OLS) model and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were compared. The results showed that the mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) of GWRK were lower than those of OLS and GWR models, while the mean error (ME) of GWRK model was lower than that of GWR model and was close to that of OLS model. The prediction accuracy of GWRK model was 83.2%, which was 6% and 10% higher than that of OLS model (73.7%) and GWR model (77.3%). Therefore, the GWRK model was more effective in estimating forest carbon storage than the others. The mean value of forest carbon storage predicted by GWRK model was 70.31 t·hm森林碳储量对于全球气候变化具有重要影响,以往的模型估算未考虑到模型残差的空间相关性和碳储量数据的非平稳性,影响模型的预测精度.本研究基于东北林业大学帽儿山实验林场的ETM+遥感影像数据和193块固定样地,利用地理加权克里格回归(GWRK)建立森林碳储量与遥感和地形因子的回归模型,同时对比最小二乘模型(OLS)、地理加权回归模型(GWR)的预测精度.结果表明: 对于帽儿山地区的森林碳储量估算,GWRK的平均绝对误差(MAE)、均方根误差(RMSE)低于OLS模型和GWR模型,GWRK模型的平均误差(ME)低于GWR模型,与OLS模型相近.GWRK模型的预测精度为83.2%,较OLS模型(73.7%)和GWR模型(77.3%)分别提高6%和10%,拟合精度明显提高,说明GWRK模型是森林碳储量估算的有效方法.利用GWRK模型预测的研究区森林碳储量平均值为70.31 t·hm

Two previously undescribed steroidal compounds, 16, 23-epoxy-22, 26-epimino-cholest-22(N), 23, 25(26)-trien-3β-ol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-galactopyranoside (1) and 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-5α-furost-20(22)-en-3β, 26-diol (2), together with 7 known ones including 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-5, 20(22)-dien-furost-3β, 26-diol (3), (25R)-5-en-spirost-3β-ol-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-[α-L-rhmanopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-galactopyranoside (4), funkioside D (5), aspidistrin (6), tigogenin-3-O-β-D-lucotrioside (7), desglucolanatigonin II (8), and degalactotigonin (9), were isolated from Solanum lyratum Thunb. Their cytotoxic activities were tested in two cancer cell lines by MTT method. One of the steroidal glycosides (6) showed significant cytotoxic activity against gastric cancer SGC7901 and liver cancer BEL-7402 cells.

This paper illustrates a method to establish the theoretical equations of profile curve of gear teeth generated by the pre-grinding hob. Matrix computation and differential geometry are employed to derive the equations. Graphics of numerical examples based on the mathematical equations are interpreted using Matlab. The proposed model draws the conclusion about the proper parameters of the teeth profile for the optimization of hob design for industrial application. Furthermore, a three-dimensional model of the pre-grinding hob is built with Pro/E in parametric form as a supplementary approach. It is a descriptive-geometry-based method to generate the gear directly without mathematical derivation. By changing parameters that affect the geometry of a hob tooth profile the hobbing cutter can be constructed to generate any conjugated gear through the motion simulation. With the aid of exact mathematical model and computer program, efficiency of gear machining can be improved by eliminating the traditional trial and error procedure. Keywords-pre-grinding hob; antenna; differential geometry; theoretical equation; parametric design; simulation of generation.

CNC machining tool is the core application technology of equipment manufacturing and the key to modern manufacturing industry, which is of great significance to improve processing quality and efficiency. In general, parts with rotational characteristic are most common in NC machining. In this paper, some problems that are often encountered during NC Machining of Parts with Rotational Characteristic are introduced, and the reasons and solutions are also given.

The conventional methods for pika observation and investigation are costly both in material resources and manpower, moreover these approaches are difficult to use in long-term and continuous investigation. In this context, a plateau pikas monitoring scheme based on image processing technology was described, and the steps of pika identification is presented. Furthermore, the most challenging issue of pika identification, feature extraction was analyzed in detail. Based on the analysis, the image graying method was utilized to avoid redundance and compress data capacity, and image binarization technology was utilized to eliminate the background noise. Moreover, in order to effectively extract the features, four edge detectors: Sobel, Prewitt, Roberts and Canny were chosen for evaluation, and among these algorithms Roberts detector were found has better performance in the application. At last, median filtering method was utilized in image smoothing for spiky noise elimination and sharp edges preservation. The experiment results showed that the pika detection method based on image processing has the advantages to achieve dynamic and continuous monitor of pika in close quarters, and significantly improved the technique in meadow biogeocenose protection.

In order to obtain a stable acoustic suspension field, it is essential to select a system of ultrasonic. This paper through Theoretical analysis of a system of ultrasonic, combine the condition of acoustic levitation polishing, to select the ultrasonic generator, ultrasonic transducer and the horn, to provides a good base for obtain a stable acoustic suspension field.

Based on a novel polishing method named as acoustic levitation polishing. Analysis of the basic principles of acoustic levitation polishing. Through the simulation of fluid field in polishing, by the case that in a single or multiple sound source vibration, contrast the flow field of slurry. Analysis of the effect of the movement of slurry in the container to the surface uniformity.

This paper proposes a novel bipolar plate flow field of PEMFC with the intersectant microstructure. Numerical simulation about both the flow velocity distribution and the pressure distribution for the reactive gas were accomplished according to the model building by Pro/E, grid meshing and boundary condition specifying by Fluent. Compared to traditional serpentine flow fields, the gas pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of this novel flow field is appropriate to promptly discharge the water produced during the operation of the PEMFC, and the flow velocity of the reactive gas among all the flow field is well-distributed, which assures reactions occurring uniformly in the flow field under the bipolar plate. All the properties of this novel flow field make a great sense to improve the integrated performance of the PEMFC.

The purpose of this paper is to compare different simulation model of orthogonal cutting process using three different FEM commercial codes as well as with the results of orthogonal experiment. For one thing, element type, boundary condition and friction model between the chip and tool commercial have been compared when the numerical model established in implicit finite element code, Deform3D and the explicit code ANSYS/LS-DYNA and Thirdwave AdvantEdge. For another, main and thrust cutting forces, shear angles, chip thicknesses and contact lengths by three codes are compared with the orthogonal metal cutting experiment by Movahhedy and Altintas.

This paper reviews three methods used to evaluate the uniformity in the lapping process. The first one evaluates the uniformity in lapping process according to studying the uniformity of lapping trajectory. The second one, compared with the measurement pattern based on polar coordinate, explains the advantages of Cartesian -based coordinate pattern in evaluating the lapping uniformity. The last one develops a model to calculate material removal in the lapping process and indicates the uniformity by calculating the material removal. These methods evaluate the uniformity in lapping process from different views, respectively, but each method still has various drawbacks. Therefore, further researches must be carried out to improve the system used to evaluate the uniformity in the lapping process.

Lapping processes of single crystal sapphire are investigated in relation to crystallo- graphic orientation, the influence of the crystal anisotropism under different lapping liquid concentration, loading forces on materials removal rate and roughness in sapphire lapping is discussed. C-plane(0001),M-plane ( ),R-plane ( ),A-plane ( ) sapphire wafers were used for lapping experiments, experimental results show that Surface roughness is depend on the fracture toughness, surface orientation with higher fracture toughness such as C-plane would get better roughness during lapping, material removal rate of R-plane is the lowest in four planes, it is for elastic modulus and fracture toughness of R-plane are less than other three planes.

A new trajectory and uniformity was studied for single lapping process, kinematic theory analysis trajectories of the workpiece under the mode driven by swing motion. According to the theoretical analysis on lapping trajectory and simulated results, uniformity during swing driven lapping process is better than tranditional lapping process, angle rotation ratio between lapping plate and swing plate has great effect on lapping uniformity, when rotation speed of lapping plate is three times to that of swing plate, best uniformity could be gotten during lapping process.

A new method was used to analysis the performance of Nano-MAX lapping machine under working condition. Model analysis in ANSYS and operational model analysis in LMS Test.Lab are banded together properly, which reduce the calculation difficulty. Time frequency analysis method is also used to study in which speed is the most suitable one for processing of Nano-MAX lapping machine. Model analysis results reveal that 100Hz is the natural frequency of chassis and the workbench and 178Hz is the natural frequency of chassis and spindle outer covering. If the exciting frequency is 100Hz or 178Hz, there will be two mechanical parts set up resonance which will likely to cause the whole machine resonance.

Effect of lapping speed, plate material and crystal orientation on material removal rate and surface roughness were investigated by experiments and Taguchi Methods. Experimental results show both materials remove rate and surface roughness could be finished by using sythetic copper lapping plate with w3.5 cubic boron nitride abrasive than that for thin plate. Materials removal rate and surface roughness have no much difference for different crystal orientation as A-plane, C-plane and M-plane with experimental parameter conditions, lapping speed would be recommonded to not over 40rpm.

This paper discussed the polishing characteristic of single crystal sapphire (0001) when using 100°C vapor as polishing liquid and cedar wood as polishing pad. Surface roughness and scratch were compared before and after hydration polishing process. For 20 hours hydration polishing, both XRD and surface texture show that sapphire surface was changed in micro-structure and texture, even with minor scratch on the hydration polished surface, surface roughness could be decreased to Rt6.74 in X direction and Rt7.64nm in Y direction, it is about 2 nm surface layer was removed during hydration polishing.

To determine the changes in the visual centers of rats following monocular visual deprivation after postnatal eyelid opening (PEO). Monocular eyelid suture was performed on rats on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 28 after PEO, and the glucose metabolism was measured 1, 2, 5, and 7 days after the eyelid suture. Ex vivo autoradiography with 14C- or 18F-labeled 2-deoxy-d-glucose was carried out. Effects of monocular enucleation or dark rearing were also determined. Monocular eyelid suture did not decrease the glucose metabolism in any contralateral visual structures on day 1 after visual deprivation in the PEO1 or PEO3 lid-sutured rats. However, there was a decrease on day 1 after the eyelid suture in PEO7 and older rats. Similarly, monocular enucleation on PEO1 did not reduce the glucose metabolism in the visual cortex (VC), but enucleation on PEO7 and thereafter did. Eyelid suture on PEO8 following dark rearing until PEO7 did not reduce the glucose metabolism 1 day after suture, but reduced it at 7 days after suture. Glucose metabolism was altered by visual deprivation on PEO7 and thereafter. Five days of visual experience after PEO were required for initiation of visual function in the rat visual system. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2005;49:6–11 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2005

The specific binding of [(11)C]doxepin, which has been used as a radioligand for mapping histamine H(1) receptors in human brain by positron emission tomography, was evaluated in five animal species. In mice the [(11)C]doxepin uptake was reduced by treatment with cold doxepin and two H(1) receptor antagonists, but not with H(2)/H(3) antagonists. The specific binding evaluated with treatment with (+)-chlorpheniramine (H(1) antagonist) was in the range of 10-30% in mouse, rat, rabbit, and monkey, but was not detected in guinea pig.

To determine whether positron emission tomography (PET) can be used for imaging of neuroreceptors in eyes of rabbits. PET imaging of dopamine D2 receptor, dopamine transporter, serotonin1A receptor and sigma1 receptor in the eyes and brain was performed using corresponding positron-emitting ligands in baseline, pretreatment and displacement conditions. The 4 radioligands outlined the eyes and brain in the baseline. Pretreatment resulted in a slight reduction (26–28%) in the uptake in the anterior segments of eyes. The binding of each radioligand in the iris-ciliary body and retina was confirmed by ex vivo autoradiography. However, the PET signal in the eyes was unexpectedly higher than the autoradiography signal. The identification of radioligand-neuroreceptor binding by PET in the rabbit eyes is not specific enough.

In previous in vivo studies with mice, rats and monkeys, we have demonstrated that [11C]TMSX ([7-methyl-11C]-(E)-8-(3,4,5-trimethoxystyryl)-1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a potential radioligand for mapping adenosine A2A receptors of the brain by positron emission tomography (PET). In the present study, we performed a preclinical study. A suitable preparation method for [11C]TMSX injection was established. The radiation absorbed-dose by [11C]TMSX in humans estimated from the tissue distribution in mice was low enough for clinical use, and the acute toxicity and mutagenicity of TMSX were not found. The striatal uptake of [11C]TMSX in mice was reduced by pretreatment with theophylline at the dose of 10 and 100 mg/kg, suggesting that the [11C]TMSX PET should be carefully performed in the patients received with theophylline. We have concluded that [11C]TMSX is suitable for mapping adenosine A2A receptors in the human brain by PET.

Purpose: To determine the changes in the adenosine A 1 and benzodiazepine receptor density and in glucose metabolism in the visual centers of the rat brain following monocular enucleation or eyelid suture on postnatal day 10 (PN10). Methods: Following monocular enucleation or eyelid suture on PN10 rats, the alterations in adenosine A 1 and benzodiazepine receptor density, and in glucose metabolism were evaluated in the superior colliculus (SC), the dorsal lateral geniculate body (DLG), and the visual cortex (VC) by ex vivo autoradiography with [ 11 C]MPDX, [ 11 C]flumazenil and [ 14 C]2-deoxyglucose, respectively. Results: Enucleation reduced the [ 11 C]MPDX binding in the SC and DLG, and enhanced the [ 11 C]flumazenil binding in the SC. Eyelid suture reduced the [ 11 C]flumazenil binding in the VC at day 20. [ 14 C]2-deoxyglucose uptake was not decreased by enucleation in any region except in the SC and DLG at day 1, but was decreased by eyelid suture in the SC at days 20 and 55 and in the VC at day 55. Conclusions: The decrease in the presynaptic adenosine A 1 receptors in the SC following enucleation is coupled with an upregulation of postsynaptic benzodiazepine receptors. These neural reactions are completely different from those following eyelid suture. The development of neural architecture for visual functions is not completed at PN10 in rats.

We prepared sigma(1)-receptor selective 1-([4-methoxy-C-11]-3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine ([C-11]SA4503) and its fluorinated analog 1-([4-methoxy-C-11]3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)-4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)propyl]piperazine ([C-11]SA5845), and their [C-11]ethoxy and [F-18]fluoroethoxy analogs, and evaluated their potential for positron emission tomography studies. [C-11]SA4503 is most selective for sigma(1) receptors. and the other five showed affinities for sigma(1) and sigma(2) receptors with a different extent. All radioligands showed the receptor-specific binding in the brain, and Visualized similar regional brain distributions by ex vivo autoradiography. The [C-11]ethoxy analogs were relatively labile for metabolism. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Purpose: To determine the visual characteristics of Japanese subjects with the Waardenburg syndrome type 2. Methods: The visual functions of 11 albino patients who were identified from the screening of 240 children attending a school for children with a hearing deficit were studied. The ophthalmological examinations included eye position, visual acuity, biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, visual field by confrontation or Goldmann's perimetry, stereoacuity by the Titmus test, and color vision by the Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates. Results: A combination of congenital sensory deafness and partial ocular albinism without lateral displacement of the lacrimal puncta was observed in 11 (4.6%) of the students with hearing deficit. All these children had sectorial heterochromia irides with local retinal hypopigmentation. Lid deformities were not present. The retinal vasculature was normal, and macular hypoplasty was not found. Other than 1 eye with hyperopic amblyopia, no serious visual disturbance was found in these patients. Conclusions: The 11 students were classified as having Waardenburg syndrome type 2. None had a critical visual deficit, and all had partial heterochromia irides and retinal hypopigmentation.

Purpose: To study the changes in the distribution of postsynaptic benzodiazepine (BDZ) and presynaptic adenosine A 1 (AA 1 ) receptors in the superior colliculus (SC) and visual cortex (VC) of rats following monocular enucleation. Methods: The right eyes of 6-week-old Long-Evans rats were enucleated and ex vivo autoradiography was performed on the SC and VC obtained at different times up to 8 weeks after the enucleation. [ 14 C]deoxyglucose was used to detect glucose metabolism, and [ 11 C]flumazenil and [1-methyl- 11 C]8-dicyclopropylmethyl-1-methyl-3-propylxanthine ([ 11 C]MPDX) were used to map BDZ and AA 1 receptors, respectively. The receptor-specific binding for 11 C was determined, and 11 C and 14 C activities were evaluated separately in the same tissue by a double tracing method. Results: The uptake of [ 14 C]deoxyglucose in the SC was depressed immediately after enucleation and gradually recovered. The binding of [ 11 C]flumazenil to BDZ receptors in the contralateral SC was increased at week 2, and then returned to the pre-enucleation levels. The uptake of [ 11 C]MPDX by the AA 1 receptors in the contralateral SC decreased by about 67% on day 5 after enucleation and remained low thereafter. In the contralateral VC, the uptake of [ 14 C]deoxyglucose decreased immediately after the enucleation followed by a gradual recovery, whereas the uptake of [ 11 C]flumazenil and [ 11 C]MPDX was not altered. Conclusions: The axon degeneration related decrease of the AA 1 receptor density resulted in a transient up-regulation of postsynaptic BDZ receptor density in monocularly enucleated adult rats. These results suggest that these radioligands can be used to study the distribution of the postsynaptic BDZ and presynaptic AA 1 receptors in the visual system and can probably be applied to the human visual system for positron emission tomography.

We have evaluated the feasibility of using four positron emission tomography (PET) tracers for imaging the globus pallidus by ex vivo autoradiography in rats. The tracers investigated were [11C]KF18446, [11C]SCH 23390 and [11C]raclopride for mapping adenosine A2A, dopamine D1 and dopamine D2 receptors, respectively, and [18F]FDG. The highest uptake by the globus pallidus was found for [11C]SCH 23390, followed by [18F]FDG, [11C]KF18446 and [11C]raclopride. The receptor-specific uptake by the globus pallidus was observed in [11C]KF18446 and [11C]SCH 23390, but not in [11C]raclopride. Uptake ratios of globus pallidus to the striatum for [18F]FDG and [11C]KF18446 were approximately 0.6, which was twice as large as that for [11C]SCH 23390. In a rat model of degeneration of striatopallidal gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic-enkephalin neurons induced by intrastriatal injection of quinolinic acid, the uptake of [11C]KF18446 by the striatum and globus pallidus was remarkably reduced. To prove the visualization of the globus pallidus by PET with [18F]FDG and [11C]KF18446, PET-MRI registration technique and advances in PET technologies providing high-resolution PET scanner will be required. The metabolic activity of the globus pallidus could then be measured by PET with [18F]FDG, and [11C]KF18446 may be a candidate tracer for imaging the pallidal terminals projecting from the striatum.

In vivo assessment of the adenosine A(2A) receptors localized in the striatum with positron emission tomography (PET) may offers us a new diagnostic tool for neurological disorders. We evaluated the potential of [7-methyl-(11)C](E)-8-(2,3-dimethyl-4-methoxystyryl)-1, 3,7-trimethylxanthine ([(11)C]KF21213) as a PET ligand for mapping adenosine A(2A) receptors in the central nervous system. KF21213 showed a high affinity for the adenosine A(2A) receptors in vitro (Ki = 3.0 nM) and a very low affinity for the A(1) receptors (Ki > 10,000 nM). In mice, the striatal uptake of [(11)C]KF21213 increased for the first 15 min and then gradually decreased, whereas the uptake in the reference regions such as the cortex and cerebellum rapidly decreased. The uptake ratio of striatum to cortex and striatum to cerebellum increased to 8.6 and 10.5, respectively, at 60 min postinjection. The striatal uptake was significantly blocked by co-injection of carrier KF21213 or each of three other A(2A) antagonists, but not by co-injection of A(1) antagonist. The specific uptake was not detected in the cortex or in the cerebellum. Ex vivo autoradiography and PET clearly visualized adenosine A(2A) receptors in the rat striatum. [(11)C]KF21213 was the most selective tracer for mapping adenosine A(2A) in the central nervous system by PET among the tracers proposed to date.

7561Background: Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal-type is highly aggressive with rather poor prognosis. Combined chemoradiotherapy is necessary for those having fever and/or ...

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for all vertebrates, however, at environmental relevant levels, it is a potent toxin. In the San Francisco Bay-Delta, white sturgeon, an ancient Chondrostean fish of high ecological and economic value, is at risk to Se exposure. The present study is the first to examine the uptake, distribution, and excretion of various selenocompounds in white sturgeon. A combined technique of stomach intubation, dorsal aorta cannulation, and urinary catheterization was utilized, in this study, to characterize the short-term effects of Se in the forms of sodium-selenate (Selenate), sodium-selenite (Selenite), selenocystine (SeCys), l-selenomethionine (SeMet), Se-methylseleno-l-cysteine (MSeCys), and selenoyeast (SeYeast). An ecologically relevant dose of Se (∼500 μg/kg body weight) was intubated into groups of 5 juvenile white sturgeon. Blood and urine samples were repeatedly collected over the 48 h post intubation period and fish were sacrificed for Se tissue concentration and distribution at 48 h. The tissue concentration and distribution, blood concentrations, and urinary elimination of Se significantly differ (p ≤ 0.05) among forms. In general, organic selenocompounds maintain higher blood concentrations, with SeMeCys maintaining the highest area under the curve (66.3 ± 8.7 and 9.3 ± 1.0 μg h/ml) and maximum Se concentration in blood (2.3 ± 0.2 and 0.4 ± 0.2 μg/ml) in both the protein and non-protein bound fractions, respectively. Selenate, however, did not result in significant increase of Se concentration, compared with the control, in the protein-bound blood fraction. Regardless of source, Se is preferentially distributed into metabolically active tissues, with the SeMet treated fish achieving the highest concentration in most tissues. In contrast, Selenite has very similar blood concentrations and tissue distribution profile to SeCys and SeYeast. From blood and tissue Se concentrations, Selenate is not stored in blood, but taken up rapidly by the liver and white muscle. Urinary elimination of Se is form dependent and peaks between 3 and 12 h post intubation. A basic understanding of the overall Se absorption, distribution, and elimination is provided through monitoring tissue Se concentrations, however, conclusions regarding to the dynamics and the specific processes of Se metabolism can only be inferred, in the absence of kinetic information.

Sharps injuries are a common occupational hazard in the operating room. This paper presents a conceptual map of sharps injuries prevention at the intraoperative level based on the evidence-based literature. The three outcome indicators identified include safety precaution, no sharps injuries, and competence. Five preventive interventions are suggested, including using hands-free techniques, wearing double-walled gloves, using blunt-tipped needles, providing education courses and making safety devices available. Recommendations in this paper may be used as a reference in developing a standard protocol for preventing sharps injuries in the operating room.

Purpose: This study evaluates the difference in damage to middle ear function with CRT and IMRT techniques in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We explore the isthmus of the Eustachian tube (ET) as the key anatomic site for the prevention of radiation-induced otitis media with effusion. Methods and materials: Eighty-two patients with NPC were divided into two groups: 40 patients treated with CRT and 42 patients treated with IMRT. The difference between dosage over the middle ear cavity and the isthmus of the ET was evaluated in both CRT group and IMRT group. All patients underwent hearing tests including pure tone audiometry and impedance audiometry before and after RT. Results: The dosage difference to the middle ear cavity and isthmus between these two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The difference in hearing test results between these two groups was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). If we limited the dose to the middle ear cavity under 34 Gy and the dose to the isthmus under 53 Gy with IMRT, we may decrease radiation-induced OME even with the larger 2.25 Gy fraction size. Conclusions: IMRT may have better protected the middle ear function compared with the CRT technique, even with larger fraction sizes than for the conventional CRT technique.

International audience; Apoptosis, which is usually accompanied by DNA degradation, is important not only for the homeostasis of metazoans but also for mammalian development. If DNA is not properly degraded in these processes, it can cause diverse diseases, such as anemia, cataracts, and some autoimmune diseases. A large effort has been made to identify these nucleases that are responsible for these effects. In contrast to Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I), Deoxyribonuclease II (DNase II) has been less well characterized in these processes. Additionally, enzymes of DNase II family in Trichinella spiralis, which is an intracellular parasitic nematode, are also considered involved in the development of the nematode. We have compiled information from studies on DNase II from various organisms and found some nonclassic features in these enzymes of T. spiralis. Here we have reviewed the characterization and functions of DNase II in these processes and predicted the functions of these enzymes in T. spiralis during host invasion and development.

To establish a rat model of chronic pulmonary infection by inoculating two different Pseudomonas aeruginosa embedded in minute seaweed alginate beads made by an ejection set with an acuminata hole to Sprague-Dawley rats. To evaluate the animal model with bacteriology and pathology values.(1) 300 healthy, clean Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: the wide-type Pseudomonas aeruginosa group (PAO(1) group), the mutant type Pseudomonas aeruginosa group (PAO-JP2 group) and the control group. (2) Two different Pseudomonas aeruginosa were embedded in minute seaweed alginate beads by an ejection set with an acuminata hole. Then the beads were inoculated into the rats' lung through tracheal intubation. The bacteria numbers in lung and pathology scores were measured 3, 7, 14, 28 days after infection.(1) The bacteriology values: No bacterium were detected in the control group. PAO(1) and PAO-JP2 were detected from rats of PAO1 and PAO-JP2 infected groups respectively. Bacterial number was higher than 10(5) CFU/g 3, 7 days after infection (LgCFU/g): 3 d: PAO1 group: 19 +/- 6, PAO-JP2 group: 17 +/- 7; 7 d: PAO1 group: 13 +/- 4, PAO-JP2 group: 12 +/- 4) and higher than 10(3) CFU/g 14, 28 days after infection (LgCFU/g: 14 d: PAO1 group: 11.3 +/- 2.8, PAO-JP2 group: 9.6 +/- 3.3; 28 d: PAO1 group: 9.1 +/- 1.5, PAO-JP2 group: 4.2 +/- 3.0). (2) The pathological changes showed: 3, 7 days after infection, lung abscess, edema, consolidation, haemorrhage can be seen from lungs of both groups. And at optical microscopic, alginate-Pseudomonas aeruginosa caused a pronounced inflammatory reaction with polymorphonuclear cells surrounding a bead. Small microcolonies formed at the periphery of the bead were also seen. 14, 28 days after infection, the consolidation reduced gradually and lung atelectasis, fibrinous adhesions and granulomas became the major pathological changes, which is more significant in the PAO(1) group.The animal model of chronic pulmonary infection can be established by inoculating Pseudomonas aeruginosa embedded in minute seaweed alginate beads made by an ejection set with an acuminata hole to Sprague-Dawley rats.

A seven-year old child was scheduled for excision of hemangioma under local anesthesia. Utilizing the concept of caring, we provided pre- and intra-operative support to both the patient and his mother. Before the operation, we effectively established the self-confidence of the patient by providing sufficient disease-related information and encouragement in a child-oriented approach, in order to enable the patient to overcome fear and pain. This caring approach proved effective during the operation since the patient was fully aware of each surgical step and the levels of pain to be experienced. The mother was also involved throughout the process. She was therefore not only emotionally pacified, but also actively involved in the psychosocial support process. Traditionally, almost all surgical procedures in pediatric patients have been performed under general anesthesia. This report indicates that under appropriate care some of the less invasive surgical procedures in school-age children can be carried out under local anesthesia to avoid the risks involved in general anesthesia.

A variety of in vitro experiments indicated that most of the extracellular virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) were controlled by the quorum sensing system. The aim of this study was to explore the role of the quorum sensing system in a rat model of PA pulmonary infection.Rats were infected intratracheally with PA strain PAO1 or PAO1-JP2 (lasI rhlI double mutant) which was embedded in seaweed alginate bead. The difference of bacteriology and pathology between the two groups was compared. The in vitro activity of elastase was measured by the Congo Red method and the expression of exotoxin A was detected by Western blot.At the 14th and 28th days after challenge, the bacterial colony counts in the PAO1-JP2 group were (9.6 +/- 3.3) lgCFU/g and (4.2 +/- 3.1) lgCFU/g respectively; however, those of the PAO1 group were (11.3 +/- 2.8) lgCFU/g and (9.1 +/- 1.5) lgCFU/g respectively, which showed significant difference (P0.05). The lung index of macroscopic pathology (LIMP) and the score of macroscopic pathology of the PAO1-JP2 group were significantly lower than those of the PAO1 group at 7th, 14th and 28th days after challenge. The size of lung abscesses or granuloma in the lung under the microscope and the score of microscopic pathology of the PAO1-JP2 group were also significantly lower at the 7th, 14th and 28th days. The in vitro activity of elastase of the PAO1-JP2 strain was 0.02 +/- 0.00 and that of the PAO1 strain was 0.35 +/- 0.03, which showed significant difference (P0.05). The expression of exotoxin A could be detected by Western blot in the PAO1 strain but not in the PAO1-JP2 strain.When the quorum sensing system of PA was deficient the expression of some virulence factors, such as elastase and exotoxin A, were decreased, which resulted in milder pulmonary infection.

To investigate the in vivo activities of ceftazidime and cefepime with susceptibility in vitro in rats with experimental pneumonia caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing strain of Klebsiella pneumonia.With intratracheal instillation method, 3 Klebsiella pneumonia strains isolated from this hospital were used to produce 3 groups of experimental model of pneumonia in rats. All the 3 strains showed resistant to cefotaxime and susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam in vitro. To ceftazidime and cefepime, strain 1 was both susceptible. Strain 2 was susceptible to ceftazidime and resistant to cefepime. Strain 3 was resistant to ceftazidime and susceptible to cefepime. The three groups of rats were randomly assigned to one of the following five groups: one control group and four treatment groups. The efficacies were evaluated 96 hours later by the survival rate and the viable bacterial counts of the lungs (lg CFU/g).Group 1: piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime and cefepime significantly improved the survival rate (75.0%, 76.9%, 80.0%) and reduced the bacterial counts [(10.8 +/- 2.8), (11.1 +/- 3.2), (11.0 +/- 3.7) lg CFU/g] compared with cefotaxime and the control group [36.0%, 32.0%; (15.7 +/- 5.6), (16.0 +/- 5.5) lg CFU/g; P0.05]. Group 2: piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime significantly improved the survival rate (79.2%, 73.1%) and reduced the bacterial counts [(10.7 +/- 2.3), (11.0 +/- 2.7) lg CFU/g] compared with cefotaxime and the control groups [42.3%, 33.3%; (15.5 +/- 5.4), (15.8 +/- 4.6) lg CFU/g; P0.05]. Group 3: the survival rate in piperacillin-tazobactam and cefepime groups (80.8%, 75.0%) were significantly higher and the bacterial counts in piperacillin-tazobactam [(10.4 +/- 2.4) lg CFU/g] were significantly lower compared with the cefotaxime and the control groups [37.5%, 34.6%; (14.2 +/- 5.6), (15.3 +/- 4.9) lg CFU/g; P0.05].Cefepime and ceftazidime can reduce the mortality and the number of viable bacteria in rat pneumonia caused by some ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumonia strains susceptible to either of them and their efficacies were similar to piperacillin-tazobactam.

We prepared 11C-labeled 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole ([11C]1) and 4-[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide ([11C]2) for imaging COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms, respectively, by positron emission tomography. [11C]1 and [11C]2 were synthesized in high radiochemical yields by O-[11C]methylation with [11C]methyl triflate in acetone containing an equivalent of NaOH as a base with respect to the phenolic precursors. In vivo evaluation in rats bearing AH109A hepatoma demonstrated minimal specific binding of [11C] to COX-1 in peripheral organs, such as the spleen and small intestine. Carrier-saturable uptake of [11C]2 was found in the spleen, but COX-2-specific binding of [11C]2 was not identifiable in the brain, AH109A hepatoma or other peripheral organs, although ex vivo autoradiography showed regionally different distribution in the brain and AH109A. The results suggest that neither [11C]1 nor [11C]2 is a suitable radioligand for in vivo biomarkers of COX enzymes, mainly because of marked non-specific binding.

This study evaluated the effectiveness and acute toxicity of DL111-IT combined with mifepristone (RU486) and misoprostol (MISO) on early pregnancy termination. In the pregnant rats experiments, the ED(50) values of RU486 in two-drug combinations were 0.16 (combined with DL111-IT) and 0.40 (combined with MISO) mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), while in three-drug combination treatment group (DL111-IT 9.0 mg x kg(-1) (

We investigated the potential of O -[ 11 C]methyl-L-tyrosine and O -[ 18 F]fluoromethyl-L-tyrosine as positron-emitting tracers for tumor imaging. The two tracers had similar distribution patterns in rats bearing AH109A hepatoma, with pancreas and, on a lesser extent, AH109A showing the highest uptake. Uptake of both tracers in the AH109A and uptake ratios of AH109A-to-tissues (with the exception of AH109A-to-bone) gradually increased for 60 min. O -[ 11 C]methyl-L-tyrosine was metabolically stable, whereas a negligible low amount of metabolites was observed for O -[ 18 F]fluoromethyl-L-tyrosine. Both tracers showed the potential for tumor imaging.

Sigma receptors are present on the neurons of the central nervous system and in peripheral organs. They have also been demonstrated in ocular tissues by in vitro membrane binding assays. We have investigated whether sigma(1) receptors can be demonstrated in rat eyes by ex vivo autoradiography using [(11)C]SA4503, a selective radioligand. We also tested whether in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) can be used to show sigma(1) receptors in rabbit eyes. In rats, a high accumulation of [(11)C]SA4503 was found in the iris-ciliary body and retina. A carrier-loading experiment showed that the receptor-specific binding of [(11)C]SA4503 was approximately 75% of the total binding in the brain. Sigma(1) receptors were also detected in the projecting terminals of the retina to the superior colliculus. PET showed radioactivity in the anterior segment including the iris-ciliary body and retina, and pretreatment or displacement by a sigma receptor ligand (haloperidol), suggested that the PET signal reflects radioligand-receptor binding. The high density of sigma(1) receptors in the iris-ciliary body and retina was confirmed by ex vivo autoradiography. In conclusion, the iris-ciliary body and retina are rich in sigma(1) receptors, and PET may be used to investigate the in vivo distribution of these neuroreceptors in the eye.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of a central scotoma on the amplitude, implicit time (IT), and temporal frequency characteristics (TFC) of the visual evoked potentials (VEPs) elicited by a pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) stimulus in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients. Methods: Twenty-six patients with AMD, 17 eyes with visual acuity of less than 20/100, and 9 eyes with visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/25, were examined. Nine eyes of age-matched healthy volunteers served as controls. To elicit the PRBS-VEPs, one eye was stimulated with a PRBS stimulus. The first-order kernel was calculated from a cross-correlation between the PRBS and the VEPs. The Fourier transformed first-order kernel was used as the TFC of the visual system. Results: The mean IT of P2 (second positive peak) of the first-order kernel was significantly delayed (t-test, P < .05), and the P2–N2 (peak-to-peak of P2 and second negative peak N2) amplitude was significantly reduced (t-test, P < .01) in eyes with AMD. A depression of the TFC values in the 6–18 Hz band was prominent in patients with AMD (t-test, P < .01). Conclusion: PRBS-VEPs demonstrated a prolonged IT and reduced amplitude of the first-order kernel, and reduced TFC with a reduction of visual acuity in patients with macular degeneration.