Significance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in Characterization of Equivocal Lesions in High-Risk Testicular Carcinoma in Restaging Setting

Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the role of Positron emission tomography (PET) -computed tomography (CT) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in the restaging of high-risk testicular cancer. Methods: Forty-five patients (mean age of 38.1±11.3 years and range 23-81 years) with testicular carcinoma, underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT during their clinical course were prospectively selected. PET positivity was defined as a site of abnormal 18F-FDG uptake in tissue histologically proven or clinically or radiographically suspected to represent tissue involvement. The sites of disease were characterized as either nodal or extranodal. All patients were followed-up for at least 12 months with a diagnostic and/or functional imaging modality. Results: Of the 45 patients 38 (84%) patient presented with seminoma and 7 (16%) were Non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. Analysis of secondary disease spectrum showed nodal involvement in 65%, osseous involvement in 23% and mixed visceral/soft tissue lesions in 12% of patients. Nineteen (42%) were negative for any metastatic disease. All negative patients remain disease free in the follow-up of one year. Out of the positive 26/45 patients, PET-CT showed progressive disease in 3/26, stable disease 1/26 and partial response in 2/26 and complete metabolic resolution in 20/26 patients. 18F-FDG PET-CT was able to characterize all patients leading to significant change of primary decision of wait and watch to go for treatment and vice versa. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET-CT scan is potentially an excellent tool for characterization of equivocal lesions on CT scan in the restaging settings and follow up of high-risk testicular cancer patients.     

A Review of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Technique to Analyze the Stability and Degradation Mechanism of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Cathode Materials

Nondestructive characterization of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) materials has drawn attention owing to the advances in instrumentation that enable in situ characterization during high-temperature cell operation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is widely used to investigate the surface of SOFC cathode materials because of its excellent chemical specificity and surface sensitivity. The XPS can be used to analyze the elemental composition and oxidation state of cathode layers from the surface to a depth of approximately 5–10 nm. Any change in the chemical state of the SOFC cathode at the surface affects the migration of oxygen ions to the cathode/electrolyte interface via the cathode layer and causes performance degradation. The objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the adoption of XPS for the characterization of SOFC cathode materials to understand its degradation mechanism in absolute terms. The use of XPS to confirm the chemical stability at the interface and the enrichment of cations on the surface is reviewed. Finally, the strategies adopted to improve the structural stability and electrochemical performance of the LSCF cathode are also discussed.     

A Review of Flow Characterization of Metallic Materials in the Cold Forming Temperature Range and Its Major Issues

We focus on the importance of accurately describing the flow behaviors of metallic materials to be cold formed; we refer to several valuable examples. We review the typical experimental methods by which flow curves are obtained, in addition to several combined experimental-numerical methods. The characteristics of four fundamental flow models including the Ludwik, Voce, Hollomon, and Swift models are explored in detail. We classify all flow models in the literature into three groups, including the Ludwik and Voce families, and blends thereof. We review the experimental and numerical methods used to optimize the flow curves. Representative flow models are compared via tensile testing, with a focus on the necking point and pre- or post-necking strain hardening. Several closed-form function models employed for the non-isothermal analyses of cold metal forming are also examined. The traditional bilinear C-m model and derivatives thereof are used to describe the complicated flow behaviors of metallic materials at cold forming temperatures, particularly in terms of their applications to metal forming simulations and process optimization.     

Streptococcus thermophilus Phages in Whey Derivatives: From Problem to Application in the Dairy Industry

Fifteen samples of whey protein concentrate (WPC) were tested against 37 commercial Streptococcus thermophilus strains to detect infective bacteriophages. Seventy-three diverse phages were isolated from 12 samples, characterized by using DNA restriction patterns and host range analyses. Sixty-two of them were classified as cos, two as pac, and nine as 5093, according to PCR multiplex assays. Phage concentration was greater than 10⁴ PFU/g for 25.3% of isolated phages. Seven phages showed an unusual wide host range, being able to infect a high number of the tested strains. Regarding thermal resistance, pac phages were the most sensitive, followed by cos phages, those classified as 5093 being the most resistant. Treatments at 85 °C for 5 min in TMG buffer were necessary to completely inactivate all phages. Results demonstrated that the use, without control, of these whey derivatives as additives in dairy fermentations could be a threat because of the potential phage infection of starter strains. In this sense, these phages constitute a pool of new isolates used to improve the phage resistance of starter cultures applied today in the fermentative industry.     

中药物质基础研究的思路与方法

本文以中药现代化和国际化为导向,论述了中药研究中的重点与难点问题。阐述了中药研究的主要发展方向是突破中药化学物质基础研究,并提出了以活性导向的标准组分模式的中药物质基础研究新思路、新观点。强调中药物质基础研究的关键技术发展的重要性,并介绍了现代中药分离分析与表征的方法与技术。     

琼脂糖凝胶基片用于蛋白质与抗原分子的固定研究与表征

目的 探索一种新型的适用于生物分子偶联的固相载体，并对其用于蛋白质与抗原分子微阵列制作的实验条件和检测结果进行评价。方法 于氨基硅烷化的载玻片表面制作琼脂糖凝胶膜，经NaIO4氧化和戊二醛分子偶联后，得到3种不同的凝胶表面，分别考察其固定生物分子的偶联效率、检测敏感度和稳定性能，并用原子力显微术和X射线光电子能谱对其表面进行表征和对比研究。结果 未经氧化的琼脂糖凝胶基片固定生物分子的能力和检测敏感度低于经NaIO4氧化与后续醛化处理的基片，其中又以后者的应用效果最佳，温度因素（实验温度分别为37℃、25℃和4℃）对用此法制作的蛋白质与抗原分子微阵列的使用无显著影响。表征结果提供了琼脂糖凝胶表面固定生物分子的直接证据和内在机制。结论 经修饰处理的琼脂糖凝胶基片可有效固定不同的生物分子，用其作为固相表面制作的蛋白质与抗原分子微阵列可取得较为理想的实验效果。     

两种普朗尼克材料联合聚氰基丙烯酸正丁酯载紫杉醇的控药释放能力

背景：包含普朗尼克P123的载紫杉醇聚合物胶束能够有效的延长药物体内循环时间,并且能够改变紫杉醇的作用靶位.但是,这种紫杉醇聚合物胶束在溶液中的稳定性以及载药能力仍有待提高. 目的：观察载紫杉醇聚氰基丙烯酸正丁酯-普朗尼克P123/F68胶束的药剂学特性和体外抗肿瘤能力.方法：采用薄膜水化法,以聚氰基丙烯酸正丁酯为交联剂,普朗尼克P123/F68为载体材料,制备载疏水性药物-紫杉醇纳米胶束.应用透射电镜观察胶束形态;电位粒度分析仪测定胶束电位和粒径;高效液相色谱分析方法测定胶束载药量和包封率;荧光探针法测定胶束临界胶束浓度;体外试验考察胶束的释药情况、稳定性以及抗肿瘤情况. 结果与结论：实验制备的载药胶束为圆形,粒径和电位分别在100 nm和-10 mV左右,包封率和载药量为（93.3±2.15）%和（1.82±0.04）%,临界胶束浓度为0.067 g/L.药物体外释放试验和稳定性试验显示,该载药胶束具有一定的缓释功能和抗稀释能力.MTT试验结果表明,与游离药物相比,载药胶束具有更强的杀伤乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的能力.可见,载紫杉醇聚氰基丙烯酸正丁酯-普朗尼克P123/F68胶束具有明显的控制药物释放的能力和良好的稳定性,抗肿瘤能力强.     

Immunomodulatory treatment strategies in inflammatory cardiomyopathy: current status and future perspectives

Chronic autoimmunity and viral persistence constitute prognostic factors for adverse outcome in dilated cardiomyopathy patients. Inflammatory cardiomyopathy is a specific cardiomyopathy entity diagnosed in approximately 50% of dilated cardiopmyopathy patients by immunohistological quantification of immunocompetent infiltrates and cell adhesion molecule abundance. Patients with autoimmune inflammatory cardiomyopathy benefit from immunosuppressive treatment and immunoadsorption by improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction and heart failure symptoms, paralleled by a significant suppression of intramyocardial inflammation. However, dilated cardiomyopathy patients with viral persistence do not respond favorably to immunosuppression.     

竹荪子实体多糖的提取及化学组成

从天然竹荪中经脱脂、采用20、40、60、80℃四个不同温度热水梯度抽提、Sevage法脱蛋白、乙醇沉淀得到四种粗竹荪多糖。对其中在60℃下提取的多糖进行研究。经测定此多糖具有较高的粘度,再对其用丙酮进行分级得到纯度较高的竹荪多糖-3。用气相色谱对其单糖组成结构进行分析,结果表明荪多糖-3是一种以葡萄糖为主的多糖,通过刚果红实验证实此多糖可能具有三螺旋结构。     

复方丹参脉冲片的制备工艺及体外释药特性研究

目的:根据冠心病发病的时辰节律性,以复方丹参方的药效物质和作用机制为基础,制备复方丹参脉冲片并考察其体外释药特性.方法:脉冲片由含有复方丹参药物、丁二酸、羧甲基淀粉钠、乳糖和微晶纤维素的片芯外包3层衣膜构成,内层为隔离层,由Eudragit RL 100构成;中间层为溶胀层,由HPMC E5构成;外层为控释层,由Eudragit RS 100,RL 100和EC的混合物构成.结果:5种有效成分丹参素、原儿茶醛、人参皂苷Rg_1,Rb_1、三七皂苷R_1以相近的释药规律释药,脉冲片在膨胀作用的基础上,利用渗透泵、有机酸诱导和扩散机理在设定的时滞后快速释药.结论:成功制得一定时滞后快速释放的复方丹参脉冲片用于冠心病的防治,可减少"心血管事件"发生的几率.