Collimating micro-lens fiber array for noncontact near-infrared diffuse correlation tomography

Near-infrared diffuse correlation spectroscopy/tomography (DCS/DCT) has recently emerged as a noninvasive measurement/imaging technology for tissue blood flow. In DCT studies, the high-dense collection of light temporal autocorrelation curves (g₂(τ)) via fiber array are critical for image reconstruction of blood flow. Previously, the camera-based fiber array limits the field of view (FOV), precluding its applications on large-size human tissues. The line-shape fiber probe based on lens combination, which is predominantly used in current DCT studies, requires rotated-scanning over the surface of target tissue, substantially prolonging the measurement time and increasing the system instability. In this study, we design a noncontact optical probe for DCT based on collimating micro-lens fiber array, termed as FA-nc-DCT system. For each source/detector fiber, a single optical path was collimated by coupling with one micro-lens in the fiber array that is integrated in a square-shape base. Additionally, an 8×8 optical switch is used to share the hardware laser and detectors without spatial scanning. The FA-nc approach for the precise collection of g₂(τ) curves was validated through a speed-varied phantom experiment and the human experiments of cuff occlusion, from which the expected value of the blood flow index (BFI) was obtained. Furthermore, the flow anomaly in the phantom and the ischemic muscle in human were accurately reconstructed from the FA-nc-DCT system, which is combined with the imaging framework based on the Nth-order linear algorithm that we recently created. Those outcomes demonstrated the great potential of FA-nc-DCT technology for fast and robust imaging of various diseases such as human breast cancers.     

Platelets in Early Antibody-Mediated Rejection of Renal Transplants

Antibody-mediated rejection is a major complication in renal transplantation. The pathologic manifestations of acute antibody-mediated rejection that has progressed to functional impairment of a renal transplant have been defined in clinical biopsy specimens. However, the initial stages of the process are difficult to resolve with the unavoidable variables of clinical studies. We devised a model of renal transplantation to elucidate the initial stages of humoral rejection. Kidneys were orthotopically allografted to immunodeficient mice. After perioperative inflammation subsided, donor-specific alloantibodies were passively transferred to the recipient. Within 1 hour after a single transfer of antibodies, C4d was deposited diffusely on capillaries, and von Willebrand factor released from endothelial cells coated intravascular platelet aggregates. Platelet-transported inflammatory mediators platelet factor 4 and serotonin accumulated in the graft at 100- to 1000-fold higher concentrations compared with other platelet-transported chemokines. Activated platelets that expressed P-selectin attached to vascular endothelium and macrophages. These intragraft inflammatory changes were accompanied by evidence of acute endothelial injury. Repeated transfers of alloantibodies over 1 week sustained high levels of platelet factor 4 and serotonin. Platelet depletion decreased platelet mediators and altered the accumulation of macrophages. These data indicate that platelets augment early inflammation in response to donor-specific antibodies and that platelet-derived mediators may be markers of evolving alloantibody responses.     

Cardiac Denervation for Arrhythmia Treatment with Transesophageal Ultrasonic Strategy in Canine Models

Stellate ganglion (SG) modification has been investigated for arrhythmia treatment. In this study, transesophageal SG imaging and intervention were explored using a homemade 30F integrated focused ultrasonic catheter in healthy mongrel canines in vivo. Anatomic details of SGs were ultrasonically imaged and evaluated. SG had a heterogeneous echoic structure and characteristic profiles sketched by hyper-echoic outlines in an ultrasonogram. Left SGs in the experimental group were successfully ablated through the esophagus under ultrasonic guidance provided by the catheter itself. Two weeks after the ablation, the QT and QTc of the experimental group decreased compared with those of the sham group and at baseline (both p values < 0.001). Histologic examination revealed that left SGs were destroyed. No major complications were observed. This approach may be further explored as a method for ganglia remodeling evaluation and as a strategy of ganglia modification for arrhythmia and for other diseases.     

新生儿肺部超声在早产儿肺部感染评价中的价值

目的 探讨新生儿肺部超声在早产儿肺部感染评价中的价值。 方法 选取肺部感染早产儿80例为观察组，无肺部感染的早产儿80例为对照组，均给予新生儿肺部超声检查，比较2组肺部超声评分、氧合指数、呼吸指数，比较观察组不同病情、预后患儿肺部超声评分、氧合指数、呼吸指数,分析肺部超声评分和氧合指数、呼吸指数的相关性。 结果 观察组肺部超声评分、氧合指数低于对照组，呼吸指数高于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。观察组极危重患儿肺部超声评分、氧合指数低于危重和非危重患儿，呼吸指数高于危重和非危重患儿，危重患儿肺部超声评分、氧合指数低于非危重患儿，呼吸指数高于非危重患儿，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。肺部超声评分与呼吸指数呈负相关（r=-0.455，P＜0.05），与氧合指数呈正相关（r=0.470，P＜0.05）。观察组死亡患儿肺部超声评分、氧合指数低于存活患儿，呼吸指数高于存活患儿，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。肺部超声评分预测患儿预后的ROC曲线下面积为0.874，高于呼吸指数和氧合指数（P＜0.05），其截断值为20分时，敏感度和特异度为88.50%和75.00%。 结论 新生儿肺部超声在早产儿肺部感染评价中有较好的效果，值得临床使用。     

Cardiovascular effects and mechanisms of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors) are a new type of drug for the treatment of diabetes, and they have been proven to have a good hypoglycemic effect. Several lines of clinical evidence have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors can significantly reduce the risks of atherosclerosis, hospitalization for heart failure, cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality and delay the progression of chronic kidney disease. Because of the protective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on the heart and kidney, they are being studied for the treatment of heart failure and chronic kidney disease in patients without diabetes. Therefore, it is necessary for cardiologists, patients with diabetes, and nephrologists to fully understand this type of drug. In this review, we summarize the following three aspects of SGLT2 inhibitors: the recent clinical evidence of their cardiovascular benefits, their mechanisms of action, and their safety.     

Characterization of membrane occupation and recognition nexus repeat containing 3, meiosis expressed gene 1 binding partner,in mouse male germ cells

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a well-organized process of cell development and differentiation. Meiosis expressed gene 1 (MEIG1) plays an essential role in the regulation of spermiogenesis. To explore potential mechanisms of MEIG1''s action, a yeast two-hybrid screen was conducted, and several potential binding partners were identified; one of them was membrane occupation and recognition nexus repeat containing 3 (MORN3). MORN3 mRNA is only abundant in mouse testis. In the testis, Morn3 mRNA is highly expressed in the spermiogenesis stage. Specific anti-MORN3 polyclonal antibody was generated against N-terminus of the full-length MORN3 protein, and MORN3 expression and localization was examined in vitro and in vivo. In transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells, the antibody specifically crossed-reacted the full-length MORN3 protein, and immunofluorescence staining revealed that MORN3 was localized throughout the cytoplasm. Among multiple mouse tissues, about 25 kDa protein, was identified only in the testis. The protein was highly expressed after day 20 of birth. Immunofluorescence staining on mixed testicular cells isolated from adult wild-type mice demonstrated that MORN3 was expressed in the acrosome in germ cells throughout spermiogenesis. The protein was also present in the manchette of elongating spermatids. The total MORN3 expression and acrosome localization were not changed in the Meig 1-deficient mice. However, its expression in manchette was dramatically reduced in the mutant mice. Our studies suggest that MORN3 is another regulator for spermatogenesis, probably together with MEIG1.     

上海市黄浦区社会办医疗美容机构《医疗美容管理办法》知晓情况调查

目的了解上海市黄浦区社会办医疗美容机构的管理人员和医师对《医疗美容管理办法》相关内容的掌握情况,发现存在的问题并提出改善建议.方法采用现场调查与现场问卷调查相结合的方式,对在上海市黄浦区开展医疗美容科目的所有社会办医疗机构(共计38家)进行全覆盖现场调查,并对其中的管理人员41人、相关医师31人进行问卷调查.结果38家社会办医疗美容机构中,美容外科和美容皮肤科的开展率较高,分别为96.8%和97.2%,而美容牙科开展率为52.4%,美容中医科开展率最低(25.0%).管理人员关于非主诊医师可在主诊医师指导下工作的知晓率仅68.3%.关于美容外科、皮肤科、中医科、牙科主诊医师应具备的工作年限,管理人员答对率为90.2%,医师答对率为72.0%,二者有显著性差异(P<0.05).结论社会办医疗美容机构中的二级科目设置需进一步优化,以减少资源空置.应加强对医疗机构管理人员和医师的法律培训,改变经营模式,制定明确的准入与退出机制,从而减少违法违规行为的发生.     

Quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer (qCEST) MRI – omega plot analysis of RF‐spillover‐corrected inverse CEST ratio asymmetry for simultaneous determination of labile proton ratio and exchange rate

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is sensitive to labile proton concentration and exchange rate, thus allowing measurement of dilute CEST agent and microenvironmental properties. However, CEST measurement depends not only on the CEST agent properties but also on the experimental conditions. Quantitative CEST (qCEST) analysis has been proposed to address the limitation of the commonly used simplistic CEST‐weighted calculation. Recent research has shown that the concomitant direct RF saturation (spillover) effect can be corrected using an inverse CEST ratio calculation. We postulated that a simplified qCEST analysis is feasible with omega plot analysis of the inverse CEST asymmetry calculation. Specifically, simulations showed that the numerically derived labile proton ratio and exchange rate were in good agreement with input values. In addition, the qCEST analysis was confirmed experimentally in a phantom with concurrent variation in CEST agent concentration and pH. Also, we demonstrated that the derived labile proton ratio increased linearly with creatine concentration (P < 0.01) while the pH‐dependent exchange rate followed a dominantly base‐catalyzed exchange relationship (P < 0.01). In summary, our study verified that a simplified qCEST analysis can simultaneously determine labile proton ratio and exchange rate in a relatively complex in vitro CEST system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.