ABSTRACT
Serine protease inhibitor, a protein superfamily that inhibits the serine protease activity, protects hosts from parasitic infections. This review describes the spatial structure and classification of serine protease inhibitor, mechanisms underlying the interplay between serine protease inhibitor and host immune responses and current advances in serine protease inhibitor of zoonotic cestode family Taeniidae, so as to provide insights into the diagnosis of zoonotic tapeworm infections, discovery of therapeutic targets and screening of vaccine candidates.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the accuracy and repeatability of Revolution CT energy spectrum imaging for measuring bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebra phantom. Methods: Revolution CT was used with different tube current and different tube rotation speed combinations, a total of 20 sets of scanning conditions, and the European spine phantom (ESP) were scanned repeatedly for 10 times. The Hydroxyapatite (HAP) value of L1, L2, and L3 vertebral bodies were measured by energy spectral material decomposition technique, and the measured HAP values were compared with actual values. At the same time, the volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) of each scanning condition were recorded and compared. Then the repeatability of measurements with CT machines was observed. Results: Under 20 groups of conditions, the measured HAP values of L1, L2 and L3 intervertebral bodies were statistically significant (all P0.05), and CTDIvol was 9.09 mG and 15.46 mGy, respectively. Conclusion: Revolution CT scan is accurate in measuring BMD of ESP, especially with tube rotation speed 0.8 s/rot and tube current 230 mA, and the radiation dose is low. The repeatability between different CT machines of same model is good.
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and ascorbic acid (AA) on hemin-induced K562 cell erythroid differentiation and the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this process. Hemin increased ROS levels in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas NAC and AA had opposite effects. Both NAC and AA eliminated transient increased ROS levels after hemin treatment, inhibited hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis, and decreased mRNA expression levels of β-globin, γ-globin, and GATA-1 genes significantly. Pretreatment with 5,000 μmol/L AA for 2 h resulted in a considerably lower inhibition ratio of hemoglobin synthesis than that when pretreated for 24 h, whereas the ROS levels were the lowest when treated with 5,000 μmol/L AA for 2 h. These results show that NAC and AA might inhibit hemin-induced K562 cell erythroid differentiation by downregulating ROS levels.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acetylcysteine , Pharmacology , Antioxidants , Pharmacology , Ascorbic Acid , Pharmacology , Cell Differentiation , Down-Regulation , Erythroid Cells , Hemin , Pharmacology , K562 Cells , Reactive Oxygen Species , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the clinical therapeutic effects of elastic intramedullary nail on extremity fractures in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2005 to March 2008, 40 children with extremity fractures were treated by elastic intramedullary nail, in whom femoral shaft fractures occurred in 26 cases, tibiofibular fractures in 8 cases, radial capitular fractures in 4 cases, ulnoradial fractures in 2 cases. All patients were treated by closed reduction and elastic intramedullary nail fixation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the fractures gained satisfactory reduction and healing. The average duration needed for fracture healing was 1-2 months. Postoperative follow-up confirmed a sound functional recovery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The elastic intramedullary nail is a minimally invasive and effective surgical approach for treatment of extremity fractures in children. It allows early functional exercises after operation and secures a satisfactory bone union and functional recovery.</p>