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The inner wall corrosion of pipelines is concealed and hard to monitor in time. In order to visualize the shape of the internally corroded pipeline, as well as the defect volume and its spatial distribution, a three-dimensional(3D) model reconstruction method based on the ultrasonic phased array technology was proposed for the internally corroded pipeline. A self-built acquisition platform was used to control the one-dimensional linear array probes for the phased array, and the reflected echo signal was used to obtain the space coordinates between the inner and outer diameters of the corroded pipeline. Then, the point cloud data set between the inner and outer diameters was constructed by the interpolation method, and the point cloud data of each fracture zone were obtained by the hierarchical scanning method. Besides,data processing, reverse model reconstruction and forward modeling were performed for the 3D model reconstruction of the collected point cloud data. Finally, the reconstructed 3D model was compared with the point cloud data obtained by the Creaform 3D laser scanner. The results show that it is feasible to obtain the point cloud data using one-dimensional linear array probes based on the ultrasonic phased array technology, and the established 3D model and defects have small errors and high precision, which has important reference value for the safety evaluation of oil and gas pipelines.

Aiming at the key problem in the process of pure electric vehicle starting, namely the torque output of motor, kinetic analysis was carried out. Based on the open degree of accelerator pedal and the change rate of it, the fuzzy control principle was used to analysis of driver's starting intention. Torque control strategies was developed on the basis of driver's starting intention as well as the actual situation of the vehicle. Simulation models were seeted up in Matlab)/Simulink. The starting performance of pure electric vehicle was analyzed from three aspects: the impact degree and the vehicle speed and torque output value. The results show that the control strategies meet the requirements of the start up of pure electric car well including of the ability to speed up, and the requirements of comfort also the intent of the driver, it has a certain practical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The real-time receiving and processing of various types of streaming sensor data is the foundation requirements of the Internet of things intelligent application. Taking a city real-time vehicle monitoring system as an example, the system exposed the issue of real-time data receiving and efficient data querying which restricted each other. Against this issue, this paper proposed a structured data query optimization method, which applied to data management in the Internet of things, to provide efficient data query capabilities under the protection of real-time data written. The method used database cluster to response the performance requirements of concurrent access to data, and through the master-slave delay replication technology to reduce the influence of data query on the performance of data receiving, and used the data partitioning and data caching technology to enhance the query performance of single data node. Experimental results show that this method can reduce the influence on data written to some extent and improve the efficiency of data query. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tang Xianzu's preface to Yuhe Ji includes such words as "ten years from now", from which Xu Shuofang drew a conclusion that it was in the 14th year of the reign of Emperor Wanli that the preface was written. But it is this very year that one of Mei Dingzuo's concubines who is mentioned in Tang's Chuisheng Ge gave birth to a son in that year, so it is impossible for her to accompany Mei on the trip to Nanjing. Therefore, we argue that it is the 13th year of the Wanli Reign that Tang wrote his preface to Yuhe Ji, when Mei Dingzu participated in the imperial examination. Furthermore, as for the controversy over the description of "ban the shows by the minister" between Xu Shuofang and Deng Changfeng, we think that the minister was most probably Hai Rui who was then on his ministerial post in Nanjing rather than Wang Shimao. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To summarize YU Tian - yuan 's experience of applying Danzhong (CV 17) for mental illness in acupuncture and tuina . YU Tian - yuan uses Danzhong (CV 17) alone or in combination with other acupoints to treat mental illnesses such as insomnia, palpitation and chest distress. Professor YU emphasizes 4 tips when treating diseases, nourishing the heart to tranquilize by light stimulation; regulating spirit by combined stimulation; leaving the acupoints and holding on the meridian for a wide range of stimulation; using rubbing and pushing manipulation in several directions for regulating qi to soothe the chest. And in clinical practice, formed a unique therapy to treat mental illness.

Drinking water is an important cadmium (Cd) exposure pathway for residents in China. In order to quantitatively characterize the risk of cadmium exposure through drinking water, the Cd concentrations of three main drinking water types in China were collected via systematic literature review. The probability distribution of the exposure parameters was estimated using regression models. The non-carcinogenic risk of cadmium exposure to residents through drinking water was evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation. The results showed that significant differences were found among Cd contents in the three water types. The geometric mean of ρ (Cd) in tap water, untreated underground water, and surface water were (0.48±0.78), (1.07±1.82), and (1.04±1.38) μg·L -1 , respectively. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment showed that the median of hazard quotients in all age groups and in the three water types were found to be less than 1. Compared with the exposure dose threshold recommended by the US EPA, the probabilities exceeding the threshold of underground water, surface source water, and tap water were 2.4%, 1.3%, and 1.0%, respectively. Children aged 6-8 had the greatest daily average dose of Cd, and the least exposure dose was found in the 15-17 age group. The result of Monte Carlo simulation based on age-stratification weight showed that people 18-44 years old accounted for 50.8% of the total number of people who exceeded the exposure threshold. In summary, the probability of noncarcinogenic risk caused by Cd exposure through drinking water of Chinese residents was relatively low. However, people in some sub-groups still had a relatively high probability of exceeding the exposure dose threshold. It is necessary to further strengthen the control of cadmium pollution in drinking water in order to reduce the health risk caused by cadmium exposure and ensure drinking water safety.

The total arsenic concentrations of the three main drinking water types in China were determined through a systematic literature review. The distribution models of drinking water exposure parameters for different age groups were obtained using the regression method. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of different population groups caused by arsenic exposure through different drinking water types were evaluated by a probabilistic risk assessment. The results showed that the geometric mean of total arsenic content in all the drinking water samples in China was (13.0±38.1) μg·L -1 . The highest arsenic content was found in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, followed by Guangxi and Shanxi. Based on the relevant standards for drinking water quality, the probability exceeding the threshold value of groundwater and source water is 23.2% and 18.4%, respectively. According to the results of non-carcinogenic risk assessment, the probability of the residents drinking well water and surface water from the water source area exceeding the daily average exposure dose threshold was 24.0% and 19.5%, respectively. According to the carcinogenic risk assessment, the median of carcinogenic risk caused by arsenic in drinking water in China was 3.22×10 -5 , which is acceptable. The population group of 18-45 years old had the highest risk, and the median LCR was 1.37×10 -5 . There was still a certain probability that the LCR of drinking well water and surface water would exceed the acceptable risk level recommended by the US EPA. In conclusion, the potential health risks caused by arsenic exposure through drinking water intake exist among Chinese residents. Further control of the arsenic concentration in drinking water is required to reduce the health risk and improve the safety of drinking water. Meanwhile, it is suggested to strengthen the research on risk threshold to provide a scientific basis for the residents' health protection.

Nano-LC MS/MS was used to analyze trypsin digested deer-hide gelatin(DHG) samples, hydroxylation and O-glycosylation on lysine sites of DHG were comprehensive identified by using PEAKS Studio software. The sites, sorts and amounts of hydroxylation and O-glycosylation on Type Ⅰ collagen α1 chain(COL1 A1) and α2 chain(COL1 A2) of DHG were revealed. As a result, 5 284 peptides were identified from DHG samples, which were mainly from COL1 A1 and COL1 A2. Among these peptides, there were 449 peptides with hydroxylysine, 442 with galactosyl-hydroxylysine, 449 with glucosyl-galactosyl-hydroxylysine. The major modified sites of hydroxylation and O-glycosylation in DHG were shown as follow: α1-9 N and α2-5 N in N-telopeptides, α1-87, α1-174, α1-930, α2-87, α2-174, α2-933 in triple helix domain, and α1-16 C in C-telopeptides. These hydroxylation and O-glycosylation were correlated with the formation and stability of collagen molecules and collagen fibrils. It is feasible for the collagens and peptides dissolving from deer skin collagen fibrils under high temperature and pressure decocting, high temperature and pressure also might destroy inter-molecular covalent cross-linking and help those glycol-peptides formations. The present study provided ideas and strategies for the in-depth investigation on DHG chemical constituents, and showed good theoretical significance and application value.

Atmospheric particulate matter was collected during the heating period and the non-heating period of a typical steel industrial process in Northeast China to study the following:① the size-depended distribution and enrichment characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); ② the deposition concentrations of PAHs of different particle sizes in various organs of the human respiratory system; and 3 the risk from human respiratory exposure. The 14 priority PAHs in the samples were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and respiratory exposure assessment was conducted by combining the atmospheric particle size fractionation sampling technique with an internal deposition model. The results showed that the PAH concentrations during the heating periods (743.9 ng·m -3 ) were higher than those during the non-heating periods (169.0 ng·m -3 ). Most PAH contributions (86.3%-89.9%) were related to fine particles with a diameter ≤ 2.06 μm; medium and low molecular weight PAHs showed two concentration peaks in 1.07-2.06 μm and 7.04-9.99 μm range, respectively. In contrast, high molecular weight PAHs showed a unimodal peak in 1.07-2.06 μm range. Four-ring PAHs accounted for 40% of the total PAHs concentrations. With respect to human exposure, 53.3% and 55.3% of the granular PAHs were deposited in the lungs during the heating and non-heating periods, respectively. The incremental lifetime cancer risk ( R ) of particulate PAHs in the population was calculated using the concentration in the human respiratory system and the total concentration associated with the particulate matter. The R values for adults ranged between 1.3×10 -5 and 2.9×10 -5 during the heating period, and between 3.1×10 -6 and 6.0×10 -6 during the non-heating period. The R values for children during the heating period ranged between 1.0×10 -5 and 2.3×10 -5 , and between 2.4×10 -6 and 4.8×10 -6 during the non-heating period. The results indicated that particle size greatly affected the concentrations of particles deposited in the respiratory system and the level of carcinogenic risk. The combination of the grading sampling technique and the respiratory system settlement model can effectively avoid the over-evaluation of human respiratory exposure.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the predictive value of short-term risk of death of global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) risk scores, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) scores and rapid emergency medicine score (REMS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)., Methods: A retrospective review of clinical data of 390 patients with AMI admitted from October 2012 to March 2013 in emergency department and cardiology care unit (CCU) in Guizhou People's Hospital were performed. The lowest scores within 24 hours of GRACE risk score, APACHEII risk score, and REMS risk score, respectively, for each patient were recorded. Mortality rate within 30 days after onset was calculated. Prediction of the mortality rate of AMI within 30 days as made in three scoring systems was compared., Results: A total of 54 patients died from cardiovascular disease within 30 days. GRACE risk scores, APACHEII scores, and REMS risk scores were higher in non-survivors as compared with that of survivors (GRACE: 206.09±24.67 vs. 150.17±25.72, t=-4.349, P=0.000; APACHEII: 15.81±7.60 vs. 7.50±2.83, t=-4.182, P=0.000; REMS: 7.11±2.70 vs. 5.38±2.59, t=-2.345, P=0.020). Area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) for GRACE risk scores, APACHEII risk scores and REMS in patients with AMI died from cardiac vascular disease in 30 days were 0.862 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.76-0.95, P=0.000], 0.825 (95%CI 0.71-0.93, P=0.002) and 0.615 (95%CI 0.46-0.77, P=0.192), sensitivity of three kinds of scoring system was 92.32%, 76.91%, 69.26%, respectively, with specificity of 66.23%, 77.84%, 54.02% respectively., Conclusions: GRACE and APACHEII scores for patients with AMI risk of short-term death showed more accurate in predicting early than GRACE scores, and REMS for AMI risk of short-term death did not have predictive value.

Objective: To improve understanding of the clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP)., Methods: The clinical data of 5 AFOP patients were retrospectively analyzed. AFOP was diagnosed via percutaneous lung biopsy guided by chest computerized tomography (CT) in the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School during March 2011 to June 2012. The clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of those patients were summarized., Results: Among the 5 patients, 2 were male and 3 were female, aging 43-61 years. They were all subacute onset. The main clinical manifestations were dyspnea, productive cough, fever and chest pain with hypoxemia via blood gas analysis. Bilateral infiltrates with diffuse and pathy distribution were the predominant features in chest HRCT. The pathological examination revealed slightly widened alveolar septa, 1ymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration and the presence of intra-alveolar fibrin in the form of fibrin "balls" (organization) within the alveolar spaces. No neutrophil, and eosinophil infiltration and hyaline membrane formation were detected, which was different from other well-recognized histologic patterns of acute lung injury, such as diffuse alveolar damage, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia and eosinophilic pneumonia. All patients were treated by corticosteroids and showed significant clinical and radiological improvement., Conclusions: AFOP has nospecific features, and its diagnosis depends on pathological examination. Treatment with corticosteroids is optimal. However, whether it is a unique interstitial disease needs to be further clinically investigated.

Objective: To investigate the expressions of caveolin-1, collagen-I, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Smad in lung tissues of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and therefore to explore their potential roles in the pathogenesis of the disease., Methods: Six patients with IPF confirmed pathologically by open lung biopsy in Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University from January 2005 to December 2008 were studied. Diagnosis of IPF was made in accordance with the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Consensus Statement. At the same period, 6 normal lung samples were also obtained from patients with lung cancer by surgical resections as the control group. The level of caveolin-1 mRNA and protein, collagen-I, α-SMA and Smads in lung tissues were detected by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry., Results: Compared with the control group, significantly reduced levels of caveolin-1 mRNA and protein (0.66 ± 0.19 vs 0.05 ± 0.02; 0.81 ± 0.11 vs 0.16 ± 0.05, P < 0.05) were observed in the lungs of patients with IPF. However, collagen-I (0.85 ± 0.11 vs 0.16 ± 0.04) and α-SMA (0.78 ± 0.08 vs 0.14 ± 0.05) proteins in the lung tissues of IPF patients were significantly increased as compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The expressions of p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 proteins were significantly increased (0.78 ± 0.08 vs 0.17 ± 0.04; 0.86 ± 0.07 vs 0.14 ± 0.04, respectively, P < 0.05), while that of Smad7 protein decreased (0.22 ± 0.05 vs 0.78 ± 0.08, P < 0.05) in the lungs of patients with IPF as compared with the control groups., Conclusion: The reduced expression of caveolin-1 in lung tissues of IPF may be related to the development and progress of pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective: To investigate the expressions of caveolin-1, collagen-I and alpha-SMA in human fetal lung fibroblasts induced by transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1))., Methods: Human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFLF) were cultured in vitro, and exposed to TGF-beta(1) with different final concentrations (2, 5, 10 microg/L). Cells without TGF-beta(1) exposure served as the control. Caveolin-1 mRNA and protein, collagen-I and alpha-SMA proteins in cell (at least 5 x 10(8)) lysates, were detected at different points after the treatment of TGF-beta(1), by RT-PCR, Western blot and Immunohistochemistry. Each experiment was repeated 3 times. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare data among groups, and linear regression was established for correlation analysis., Results: TGF-beta(1) reduced caveolin-1 mRNA and protein expressions in a dose- and time-dependent manner, measured by integral optical density. Compared with the control group (1.22 +/- 0.12 and 1.45 +/- 0.06), caveolin-1 mRNA and protein expressions (0.59 +/- 0.06 and 0.53 +/- 0.04) were significantly reduced, with statistical significance (F = 29.279 and F = 95.786, P < 0.01), in cells exposed to TGF-beta(1) (5 microg/L) for 12 h. The collagen-I and alpha-SMA protein expressions (1.35 +/- 0.09 and 0.75 +/- 0.06) measured by integral optical density increased after stimulation, peaked at 24 h in 5 microg/L TGF-beta(1) group. At that time point, the collagen-I and alpha-SMA protein expressions were 4.2 and 4.8 times of the control group (0.28 +/- 0.04 and 0.18 +/- 0.04), F = 81.221 and F = 65.477, P < 0.01. Caveolin-1 expression had a negative correlation with collagen-I (r = -0.923, P < 0.05) and alpha-SMA protein expression (r = -0.793, P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The reduced caveolin-1, which was negatively correlated with expressions of collagen-I and alpha-SMA proteins in HFLF cells exposed to TGF-beta(1), may be related to the development and progress of pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective: to improve understanding of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection complicated with pneumonia., Method: clinical presentations, radiological data, laboratory data and treatments of 2 patients with pneumonia caused by the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus were retrospectively analyzed., Results: one patient was a middle-aged woman, and the other was a young man with a history of asthma. Both patients had fever (temperatures more than 39 degrees C), cough, and dyspnea. At the time of admission, both patients had hypoxemia. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed patchy distribution of consolidation and ground-glass opacity mainly in peripheral subpleural regions, as well as peribrochovascular lesions with air-bronchogram. The decreased and lymphocytes, elevated lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase were found in both patients. After admission, the patients received oseltamivir with a dose of 75 mg twice a day for a minimum of 5 days. Other treatments included antibiotics and methylprednisolone. One patient needed intermittent non-invasive ventilation for respiratory distress. Both patients recovered and the opacities on their chest CT were almost absorbed. WBC counts increased to normal and the levels of LDH and CK decreased., Conclusions: patients with the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection may develop pneumonia. The manifestations are non-specific. Chest CT scan reveals patchy distribution of consolidation and ground-glass opacity. In addition to antiviral therapy, glucocorticoids may have some effects on the pulmonary lesions and be useful for improving the clinical conditions.

Objective: To improve the range of use and efficiency of first-aid in a disaster, a mobile intensive care unit (ICU) ambulance was designed and evaluated., Methods: The data of disasters, accidental injury in astronauts, injuries occurred in conflicts in foreign nations were reviewed and analyzed, together with our clinical experience of first-aid, a mobile ICU in an ambulance was designed., Results: Provided with automatic cardiopulmonary resuscitation apparatus and instruments for surgical life-saving operation, the mobile ICU ambulance could allow the occupants to perform effective rescue means during rush hour of urban traffic. The new model of ambulance was proved to be able to afford an increased rescue rate in disaster scenario., Conclusion: The disability rate and fatality of accidental injuries and local conflicts could be reduced significantly by the use of our mobile ICU ambulance.

Objective: To highlight the clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of Objective To highlight the clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of giant cell interstitial pneumonia (GIP) associated with Hard metals., Method: The clinical, radiological and pathological data of a patient with hard metal lung disease confirmed by video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy of the right lung were presented, and relevant literatures were reviewed., Results: A 30-year-old female patient presented with cough and dyspnea on exertion for more than 40 days. She had worked for grinding tungsten rod, with exposure to metal dusts containing cobalt and tungsten for more than 3 years. Chest radiographs and CT demonstrated bilateral ground-glass attenuations and ill-defined small nodules. Lung function studies showed the mixed type of ventilation dysfunction with a low diffusion capacity (DLCO of 39% of predicted). Lung biopsy specimens showed desquamative interstitial pneumonia like reaction with alveolar macrophages and numerous large multinucleated histiocytes that ingested inflammatory cells in alveolar spaces, which was characteristics of GIP. The lung parenchyma also showed patchy chronic inflammatory-cell infiltrates centered predominantly around the bronchioles and interstitial fibrosis. Considering the exposure history and the histological findings of the lung, the diagnosis of hard metal lung disease and GIP associated with hard metals was made. Her cough, dyspnea, and radiological changes showed marked improvement after corticosteroid therapy and avoidance of further exposure to hard metals., Conclusion: GIP is almost pathognomonic for hard metal lung disease. Meticulous history taking on occupational exposure is important for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of suspected interstitial lung disease.

Textbook construction is an important part of course construction. The development of the Chinese genetics teaching has been full of ups and downs, demonstrating its specificity compared with other subjects of life science. Through the investigation upon the developmental course of genetics textbooks in China from before liberation to the 21st century, we hope that we can provide valuable reference for composing new textbooks that fit the characteristic of undergraduates teaching, and keep close to the genetics front, bringing valuable reference to the cultivation of application and study talents with basic genetics knowledge and innovation ability.

Objective: To highlight the etiological diagnosis of pulmonary granulomatosis., Methods: The clinical, radiological and pathological data of a patient with sarcoidlike lung granulomatosis confirmed by open lung biopsy were presented, and relevant literatures were reviewed., Results: A 50-year-old female worker presented with intermittent cough and dyspnea for 3 years, after exposure to aluminum dust for 15 years. Radiographs of the chest and high-resolution CT demonstrated bilateral areas of ground-glass attenuation, patchy areas of consolidation, extensive reticular hyper-attenuating areas and traction bronchiectasis. Lung function studies showed a restrictive pattern with a low diffusion capacity. Lung biopsy specimens confirmed the presence of diffuse, noncaseating granulomatous nodules. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive radiograph analysis revealed large quantities of foreign particles mainly containing aluminum in granulomas. Her cough, dyspnea, radiological shadowing and pulmonary function showed marked improvement after corticosteroid therapy., Conclusions: With the occupational history, histological and mineralogical studies, the patient was considered to have pulmonary sarcoidlike granulomatosis, most likely related to occupational exposure to aluminum dust. The search for any possible relevant exposure of a patient with suspected sarcoidosis seems mandatory.

Fucoidanase was isolated and purified from marine fungus LD8 by solid state fermentation, extraction with citric acid buffer, acetone precipitatation and column chromatography on Sephadex G-100. A single band on PAGE shows that pretty pure fucoidanase has been obtained. FT-IR spectra and its derivation, self-deconvolution and curve-fitting methods were used to analyze the secondary structure of the fucoidanase. Composite bands of the amide I and amide III were studied by using Fourier self-deconvolution (FSD) with an enhancement factor of K = 2.2 and a half width of 20.2 cm(-1). The relative average fractions of alpha-helix, beta-sheet, random coil, beta-turn are 11.5%, 58.6%, 14.5% and 15.9%, respectively, according to amide I region, while the content of alpha-helix is 12%, beta-sheet 57.3%, random coil 14.5%, and beta-turn 16.3% on amide III region. In other words, both the conclusions were exactly consistent. All the above results show that beta-sheet was the dominant component, which is about 58%, and that beta-turn is about 15%, random coil 15%, and alpha-helix 12% at room temperature.

Objective: To describe the clinical and pathological features of primary NK/T cell lymphoma of the lung., Methods: Two cases of primary NK/T cell lymphoma of the lung were reported, and the clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of the disease were discussed with literature review of 3 cases., Results: Most patients presented with fever, cough and dyspnea, and antibiotics were ineffective. Radiographic findings included solitary or multiple nodules and consolidation, unilateral orbilateral pleural effusions (4/5), without hilar or mediastinal adenopathy. Ebstein-Barr virus was positive in cases patients (3/5). Histopathology revealed a great deal of abnormal lymphocyte infiltration, which were angio-centric with marked tissue putrescence and angio-destruction. Immunophenotyping showed CD56(+), CD3(+), perform (+), T-cell intracytoplasmic antigen-1(+) and/or GranB(+), but CD20(-). Most patients died of respiratory failure in half a year (4/5)., Conclusion: Primary NK/T cell lymphoma of the lung is rare, but should be considered when patients present with lung shadows and fever non-responsive to antibiotics, decreased WBC and increased LDH.

Objective: To describe the characteristics of high-resolution CT(HRCT) findings of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and the correlation with pathological changes., Methods: The HRCT features of 9 cases (3 men and 6 women) of histopathologically confirmed NSIP were retrospectively analyzed and correlated with the pathological findings., Results: The predominant HRCT features, found in all the cases, were bilaterally patchy areas of ground-glass opacity with or without areas of consolidation. Irregular linear opacities, traction bronchiectasis, and thickening of bronchovascular bundles were also frequently seen. The abnormalities were distributed over the peripheral zones of the middle and lower lungs in most cases. Honeycombing was not a feature in all the cases. Areas of ground-glass opacity with or without irregular linear opacity or traction bronchiectasis corresponded pathologically to areas of interstitial thickening caused by varying degrees of interstitial inflammation and fibrosis showing temporal uniformity. Areas of consolidation were associated with extensive collagen-type interstitial fibrosis and mild interstitial inflammation at the biopsy sites, and occasionally represented the areas of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, foamy cell collections in alveolar spaces, or microscopic honeycombing with mucin stasis., Conclusion: The HRCT manifestations of NSIP are characteristic though not specific. In patients with consistent clinical features, the diagnosis of NSIP can be suspected by typical HRCT findings.

Objective: To explore the distribution of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase gene (LCAT) 608C/T polymorphism in Chinese Han population and the relationship of the polymorphism association with the occurrence of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction., Methods: The lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase gene 608C/T polymorphism is identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP)and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in 150 patients with ACI and 122 healthy controls matching age and sex., Results: The distribution of LCAT 608C/T gene polymorphism was in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The CT genotype frequency (14.0%) and T allele frequency (7.0%) in ACI group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in 608CC subgroups were significantly higher than those in 608CT subgroups both in ACI group and in control group (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The LCAT 608C/T polymorphism is possibly a predisposing factor in ACI happening of Chinese Han population. T allele frequency is possibly concerned with the metabolism of HDL-C.

Objective: To highlight the characteristics of giant cell interstitial pneumonia (GIP)., Methods: The clinical, radiological and pathological data of a patient with GIP confirmed by open lung biopsy were presented, and relevant literatures were reviewed., Results: Patients with GIP usually had a history of exposure to metal dust. Clinical presentations include cough and dyspnea on exertion, and pulmonary function testing showed a restrictive abnormality. On chest radiography and high-resolution CT scans, it presents as bilateral areas of ground-glass attenuation, areas of consolidation, diffuse small nodules, extensive reticular opacities and traction bronchiectasis. The main pathological findings include a desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP)-like reaction with intra-alveolar macrophages and numerous large multinucleated histiocytes that ingested inflammatory cells were admixed with macrophages. The finding of GIP is almost pathognomonic for hard metal pneumoconiosis., Conclusions: GIP is a very rare chronic interstitial pneumonia, and has no characteristic clinical manifestations. Radiographic findings are similar to other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Meticulous history taking on occupational exposure is important for the diagnosis of GIP.

Objective: To investigate the expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), GM-CSF/IL-3/IL-5 receptor common beta chain (GM-CSFbetacR), surfactant protein (SP)-A and SP-D in adult patients with idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), so as to demonstrate the possible association of GM-CSF, GM-CSFbetacR, SP-A and SP-D with human PAP., Methods: The protein expression of GM-CSF, GM-CSFbetacR, SP-A and SP-D in the alveolar macrophages and alveolar type II epithelial cells was detected by immunohistochemical staining., Results: The age was 51.8 +/- 9.5 years old for patients with idiopathic PAP (6; males 4, females 2) and 48.8 +/- 12.6 years old for the control adult individuals (6; males 4, females 2). There was no difference in the expression of GM-CSF (P = 0.818) and SP-D (P = 0.24) in alveolar macrophages between patients with idiopathic PAP and the controls. The expression of GM-CSFbetacR (P = 0.002) and SP-A (P = 0.004) in alveolar macrophages of patients with idiopathic PAP was less than that in the controls. There was no expression of GM-CSF in alveolar type II epithelial cells of patients with idiopathic PAP and the controls. There was a little expression of GM-CSFbetacR in alveolar type II epithelial cells of the controls. There was no expression of GM-CSFbetacR in alveolar type II epithelial cells of patients with idiopathic PAP. There was no difference in the expression of SP-A (P = 0.818) and SP-D (P = 0.485) in alveolar type II epithelial cells between patients with idiopathic PAP and the controls., Conclusion: The decreased protein expression of GM-CSFbetacR in alveolar macrophages may be one of the mechanisms causing dysfunction of the macrophages in adult patients with idiopathic PAP.

Objective: To improve the treatment of severe hypoxaemia in patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP)., Methods: The clinical data of a patient with pathologically proven PAP treated with whole-lung lavage utilizing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were described and the literature was reviewed., Results: This 57-year-old man was admitted because of cough and progressive dyspnea for 12 months. His PaO(2) was 46 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and saturation of pulse oximeter (SpO(2)) was from 85% to 88% with oxygen 5 L/min by nasal cannula. His chest CT, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsies were consistent with PAP. Whole-lung lavage was performed in the operation room under general anesthesia. A double-lumen tube was intubated in order to selectively ventilate and lavage a single lung independently. During mechanical ventilation for both lungs, the SpO(2) was from 80% to 90%, but when a single right lung ventilation was tried, the SpO(2) (from 68% to 80%) dropped significantly. To ensure adequate oxygen supply during lavage, a veno-arterial ECMO was set up by inserting catheters percutaneously into the right femoral artery and right femoral vein respectively. Then the SpO(2) improved, from 89% to 97% during single right lung ventilation. The left lung was lavaged with a total of 20.8 L of normal saline. The SpO(2) ranged from 80% to 94% during the lavage. After the lavage, the patient no longer experienced shortness of breath. Then 28 days later the right lung was lavaged without the aid of ECMO. A month after the second lavage, his chest CT showed marked improvement in infiltrates of both lungs., Conclusion: When a patient with PAP has refractory hypoxemia prior to the lavage procedure, ECMO should be considered in order to avoid severe hypoxaemia with fatal consequences during lavage.

The interaction of cystine and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from nicotian tobaccum has been studied. The results show that cystine has an inhibitory effect on the enzymatic activity, the mechanism of which might be that the thiolether in cystine coordinates with Cu2+ in the active site of PPO, and the inactivation constant value of PPO by cystine is 0.633 min(-1), while the substrates or the products inhibit their combination. Cystine can also be combined with the products of enzymatic reaction to form a colourless compound. Cystine can inhibit the enzymatic activity completely when the molar ratio of cystine to PPO approaches 16,000:1. The effect of cystine on the fluorescence changes with the molar ratio of cystine to the PPO. However, when the molar ratio gets to 75:1, cystine has no longer the effect on either the fluorescence spectra or the synchronous spectra. Microenvironment of trp residue in PPO is more hydrophobic than that of free trp in water.

To get insights into the principles of gene expression changes during cardiac hypertrophy, three rat cardiac hypertrophy models were prepared, i.e., suprarenal abdominal aortic stenosis (SRS), arterial-vein fistula (AVF) and continuous jugular vein infusion of norepinephrine (NEi). The cardiac function and structure were analyzed by echocardiograph as well as histological examination. Total RNA of left ventricles was extracted and gene expression profiles were analyzed by cDNA microarray. SRS and NEi induced concentric cardiac hypertrophy and AVF induced eccentric hypertrophy in rats, among which NEi caused obvious cardiac fibrosis. The changes of gene expression profiles were compared comprehensively across different pathologic cardiac hypertrophy models. While gene expression profiles of different cardiac hypertrophy models compared with pairs, parts of the genes involved were found overlapped, and mostly the gene expression changed in the same direction between two models, but some of them changed in the opposite directions. Expression levels of 19 genes were found changed across all cardiac hypertrophy models, and genes relatively regulated in a specific model was also found when comparison of all the three models was carried out. Novel clues for further study might derive from the results mentioned above, and some genes might be the marker genes of cardiac hypertrophy or the targets of therapy.

Objective: To compare the effects of treatment of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) by the Chinese herbal medicines, Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (C1), Radix Astragalus membranaceus (C2) and Caulis Tripterygium wilfordii (C3); western drugs, hydrocortisone (W1) and azathioprine (W2), and combined W2 with C3., Methods: Eighty SD rats were divided into 8 groups. Except the 10 rats in the normal control group, the other 70 rats were made into animal model of PF by bleomycin administration, and treated with various medicines, except the 10 rats in the model control group. The treatment started from the 15th day of modeling, the model animals were perfused with C1, C2, C3, W1, W2 and W2 + C3 respectively for 14 days. Rats were sacrificed by the end of experiment, their lung tissue was taken for pathological section to conduct the pathological examination under light microscope and computerized image quantitative analysis to evaluate the effects of the treatments objectively., Results: The therapeutic effect of C1 was the best, that of W1 the second and C2 the third. W2 showed some effect, but PF worsened after the combined therapy of W2 and C3 was applied., Conclusion: Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae shows definite therapeutic effect in treating PF.

The interaction between salicylic acid and bovine serum albumin has been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The results show that the quenching mechanism of the combination of bovine serum albumin with salicylic acid is a static quenching procedure, the quenching constant K(sv) is 1.097 x 10(4) (mol x L(-1))(-1), and the equilibrium constant is 7.377 x 10(4). The number of binding sites is 1 and it is a strong one. When the ratio of molar concentration of salicylic acid to bovine serum albumin is lower than 1:1, it binds to Trp residue first but it doesn't result in any microenvironment changes of Trp residue. The binding distance between salicylic acid and bovine serum albumin and the energy transfer efficiency were obtained based on the theory of Förester spectroscopy energy transfer.

Wistar rats of 8, 10 and 12-week-old were chosen for study of the relationship between cardiac growth and its gene expression profile changes during maturation. The ultrasonic parameters of rat hearts were recorded before sacrifice, then total RNA of left ventricle were extracted and gene expression profiles were analyzed by cDNA microarray. During growth from 8 weeks to 12 weeks, the body weight increased by 45.5% (287+/-13 g vs 197+/-10 g), and the increment in the first two-week period was equal to that of the second two-week period. The mass of left ventricle and the posterior wall thickness increased by 27.7% (0.60+/-0.03 g vs 0.47+/-0.02 g) and 23.6% (2.04+/-0.04 mm vs 1.65+/-0.13 mm), respectively, and their increment in the first two-week period was much more than that in the second one. Meanwhile, the gene expression profile of the left ventricle changed significantly, which involved cellular structure, metabolism, oxidative stress, signal transduction, etc. Compared with the 8-week-old rats, these genes were mostly up-regulated in 10-week-old rats, while for 12-week-old rats, the gene expression profile of the left ventricle recovered to the pattern of 8-week-old rats again on the whole. These results suggest that the relationship between the changes in cardiac function and gene expression profile can be analyzed comprehensively with the technique of microarray, and that the changes in gene expression profile of the left ventricle during rat maturation adapt to the physiological growth of heart, which is of benefit for keeping the metabolism balance between materials and energy.