Polar residual network model for assisting evaluation on rat myocardial infarction segment in myocardial contrast echocardiography

Objective To investigate the value of polar residual network(PResNet)model for assisting evaluation on rat myocardial infarction(MI)segment in myocardial contrast echocardiography(MCE).Methods Twenty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into MI group(n=15)and sham operation group(n=10).MI models were established in MI group through ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery using atraumatic suture,while no intervention was given to those in sham operation group after thoracotomy.MCE images of both basal and papillary muscle levels on the short axis section of left ventricles were acquired after 1 week,which were assessed independently by 2 junior and 2 senior ultrasound physicians.The evaluating efficacy of MI segment,the mean interpretation time and the consistency were compared whether under the assistance of PResNet model or not.Results No significant difference of efficacy of evaluation on MI segment was found for senior physicians with or without assistance of PResNet model(both P>0.05).Under the assistance of PResNet model,the efficacy of junior physicians for diagnosing MI segment was significantly improved compared with that without the assistance of PResNet model(both P<0.01),and was comparable to that of senior physicians.Under the assistance of PResNet model,the mean interpretation time of each physician was significantly shorter than that without assistance(all P<0.001),and the consistency between junior physicians and among junior and senior physicians were both moderate(Kappa=0.692,0.542),which became better under the assistance(Kappa=0.763,0.749).Conclusion PResNet could improve the efficacy of junior physicians for evaluation on rat MI segment in MCE images,shorten interpretation time with different aptitudes,also improve the consistency to some extent.

“什么时候发生“■■””一文读后感

“什么时候发生“■■””一文读后感中国医科大学张麓营近日笔者拜读了《日语知识》１９９７年第８期所载的“什么时候发生一文，读罢此文使笔者对这一日语音声现象有了一定的了解，受益匪浅。但笔者对“什”文有几点不同的看法，请允许提出，不当之处还望指正。１．“什...

历史唯物主义视域下的人工智能反思

人工智能这一迄今为止最有智慧的人造活死物(=死活物)具有类似人乃至超越人的文明功能而可能消灭人的主体性与社会性后替代人的第一存在性乃至没有人的存在性而可能引发人类文明自我解体乃至人类自我消亡,历史唯物主义视域探讨未来人工智能如何理性发展才有可能发挥其文明正价值并规避其负价值已成为一个哲学热点问题。人类必须也必然引导人工智能理智发展并转化为顺势结束资本主义社会而进入共产主义社会的契机与新时代引擎。

如何做好实验室工作

我从事实验室工作多年,感触颇深。为了使物理实验室充分发挥其特有的作用,我们做了以下几个方面的工作: 1 重视实验器材的保养,发挥实验仪器的效能 对仪器进行检修。使一大批“死物”复活,工作虽然浩繁艰辛,但势在必行。

闯出来的一条生存发展之路——湖北省襄樊市木材公司大幅扭亏增盈的调查与启示

在社会主义市场经济建立和完善的过程中,国有企业如何摆脱困境,实现扭亏增盈目标,对此,湖北省襄樊市国有农口企业——市木材公司进行了大胆的实践,获取了有益的尝试。早在几年前,市木材公司由于改革滞后,管理松懈,领导班子不力等原因,1994年开始亏损,到1996年底已累计亏损1173万元,资不抵债588万元。资产负债率高达130％,整个公司处于内外交困的境地。从1996年8月开始。

Stenting versus non-stenting treatment of intermediate stenosis culprit lesion in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction： a multicenter random- ized clinical trial

Background The benefit/risk ratio of stenting in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） patients with single vessel intermediate stenosis culprit lesions merits further study, therefore the subject of the present study. Methods and results It was a pro- spective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Between April 2012 and July 2015, 399 acute STEMI patients with single vessel disease and intermediate （40%-70%） stenosis of the culprit lesion before or after aspiration thrombectomy and/or intracoronary tirofiban （15 pg/kg） were enrolled and were randomly assigned （h 1） to stenting group （n = 201） and non-stenting group （n = 198）. In stenting group, patients received pharmacologic therapy plus standard percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） with stent implantation. In non-stenting group, pa- tients received pharmacologic therapy and PCI （thrombectomy）, but without dilatation or stenting. Primary endpoint was 12-month rate of major adverse cardiac and eerebrovascular events （MACCE）, a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction （M1）, repeat re- vascularization and stroke. Secondary endpoints were 12-month rates of all cause death, ischemia driven admission and bleeding complica- tion. Median follow-up time was 12.4 ~ 3.1 months. At 12 months, MACCE occurred in 8.0% of the patients in stenting group, as compared with 15.2% in the non-stenting group （adjusted HR： 0.42, 95% Ch 0.19-0.89, P = 0.02）. The stenting group had lower non-fatal MI rate than non-stenting group, （1.5% vs. 5.5%, P = 0.03）. The two groups shared similar cardiac death, repeat revascularization, stroke, all cause death, ischemia driven readmission and bleeding rates at 12 months. Conclusions Stent implantation had better efficacy and safety in reducing MACCE risks among acute STEMI patients with single vessel intermediate stenosis culprit lesions.

Heterotrimeric G-protein is involved in phytochrome A-mediated cell death of Arabidopsis hypocotyls

The heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein （G-protein） has been demonstrated to mediate various signaling pathways in plants. However, its role in phytochrome A （phyA） signaling remains elusive. In this study, we discover a new phyA-mediated phenotype designated far-red irradiation （FR） preconditioned cell death, which occurs only in the hypocotyls of FR-grown seedlings following exposure to white light （WL）. The cell death is mitigated in the Gα mutant gpal but aggravated in the Gβ mutant agbl in comparison with the wild type （WT）, indicative of antagonistic roles of GPA1 and AGBI in the phyA-mediated cell-death pathway. Further investigation indicates that FR-induced accumulation of nonphotoconvertible protochlorophyllide （Pchlide^633）, which generates reactive oxygen species （ROS） on exposure to WL, is required for FR-preconditioned cell death. Moreover, ROS is mainly detected in chloroplasts using the fluorescent probe. Interestingly, the application of H2O2 to dark-grown seedlings results in a phenotype similar to FR-preconditioned cell death. This reveals that ROS is a critical mediator for the ceil death. In addition, we observe that agb1 is more sensitive to H2O2 than WT seedlings, indicating that the G-protein may also modify the sensitivity of the seedlings to ROS stress. Taking these results together, we infer that the G-protein may be involved in the phyA signaling pathway to regulate FR-preconditioned cell death ofArabidopsis hypocotyls. A possible mechanism underlying the involvement of the G-protein in phyA signaling is discussed in this study.

THE EFFECT OF BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR SLOW-RELEASE MICROCAPSULES ON ANGIOGENESIS IN INFARCTED RABBIT MYOCARDIUM

Objectives To observe the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) slow-release microcapsules on angiogenesis in infarcted myocardial regions. Methods.Myocardial infarction was induced in 24 New Zealand rabbits by ligating the root of left anterior descending coronary artery.Group Ⅰ(n=8) served as control, group Ⅱ(n=8) as a blank microcapsule group, group Ⅲ(n=8, each microcapsule contains 1μg bFGF) as micrpcapsule group.In group Ⅱ and Ⅲ, 5 blank microcapsules or bFGF slow-release microcapsules were implanted into myocardium underneath the epicardium between the left anterior descending coronary artery and left circumflex artery.Infarct size was evaluated by infarcted weight/left ventricle weight ratio and angiogenesis was evaluated by immunohistochemical examinations 5 weeks later. [WT5”BX] Results.As compared with group Ⅰ and Ⅱ, rabbits treated with bFGF slow-release microcapsules showed higher microvessel counts (group Ⅰ3775±450, group Ⅱ3837±498,vs.group Ⅲ 13550±481,P<0001) and less infarcted weight /left ventricle weight (group Ⅰ168%±04%,group Ⅱ167%±05%,vs.group Ⅲ 70%±02%,P<0001). Conclusions.Subepicardial administration of bFGF slow-release microcapsule in the infarcted rabbit model results in effective angiogenesis and reduction in infarct size.

The effect of dead wood and understory coverage on small rodent abundance in Korean forest

This study was conducted to investigate the population characteristics of small rodents in different habitats with the artificial presence and absence of dead wood, and understory vegetation after forest cutting at natural deciduous forest in north-eastern South Korea from April to December in 1997 and 1998. Two forests, one hectare each (100 100 m), were se-lected and designated as the control and the treatment area. Forest structure of mid and high canopy layers in both study areas was similar. But number and volume of fallen trees, and coverage of understory vegetation were higher in the control area than in the treatment area. Total captures of small rodents in two areas combined comprised Eothenomys regulus (55.5%, n = 211) and Apodemus peninsulae (44.5%, n = 169). Total abundance of E. regulus and A. peninsulae, and population stability were sig-nificantly greater in the control area than in the treatment area. The difference in the captured number of two small rodents be-tween the two sites was caused by the difference in reproduction and residency. The structure of forest floor appears to be im-portant to small rodents. The presence of dead wood and understory vegetation after the forest cutting would be necessary for the maintenance of small rodent population in the forest cutting areas.

Investigation into the hemolytic activity of tentacle venom from jellyfish Cyanea nozakii Kishinouye

Cyanea nozakii Kishinouye （C. nozakii）, a giant cnidarian of the class Scyphomedusae, order Semaeostomeae and family Cyaneidae, is widely distributed in the East China Sea, the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, and is abundant from late summer to early autumn. Venom produced by C. nozakii during mass agglomerations can contaminate seawater resulting in death of the halobios and seriously damage commercial fisheries. Swimmers and fishermen commonly suffer painful stings from this j ellyfish, resulting in local edema, tingling, breathing difficulties, depressed blood pressure and even death. Such effects arise from the complex mixture of biologically active molecules that make up jellyfish venom. In the present study, the hemolytic activity of venom from tentacles of C. nozakii and factors affecting its activity were assayed. The HUso （defined as the amount of protein required to lyse 50% of erythrocytes） of the venom against dove and chicken erythrocytes was 34 and 59 gg/mL, respectively. Carboxylmethyl chitosan and glycerol could increase hemolytic activity at concentrations greater than 0.06% and 0.2 mol/L, respectively.

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF CAPTOPRIL ON PROGNOSIS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Objective. This study sought to investigate the effects of early and long-term intervention with an- giotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitor captopril on the elderly patients with acute myocardial in farc- tion(AMI), and observe its in-hospital and post-hospital outcomes during serial follow-up of 54 months. Methods. 631 elderly patients(60～75 years old) with AMI and without cardiogenic shock were hospi- talized within 72 hours of symptoms and were randomly allocated to captopril (n = 361;treatment group) and conventional treatment (n = 270; control group). The survival and cardiac events (congestive heart fail- ure, reinfarction, severe arrhythmias and cardiac death)of each group were determined during hospitaliza-tion and follow-up. Results. During hospitalization, the survival was higher in treatment group than in control group(p< 0. 0001 ). On the other hand, in treatment group lower mortality was true for patients with anterior my- ocardial infarction(p < 0. 001 ) or with anterior+inferior myocardial infarction (P= 0. 026 ), but not statis- tically significant in ones with inferior myocardial infarction (P= 0. 061 ). During follow-up, the occurrence of cardiac death, heart failure, reinfarction and severe arrhythmias were lower in treatment group (P = 0. 0001, P = 0. 05, P = 0. 0004 and P = 0. 027). So higher survival (P = 0. 005 ) and lower total cardiac events(p= 0. 0008) could be seen in treatment group over this period. Conclusions. Early and long-term treatment with captopril in the elderly patients with AMI has bene-ficial outcomes in both in-hospital and follow-up periods.

TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER CHARACTERISTICS IN PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATUS,LOCKED-IN SYNDROME AND BRAIN DEATH

Aim. Comparison of the trascranial Doppler (TCD) characteristics of cerebral circulation in persistent vegetative status (PVS), locked in syndrome and brain death patients. Methods. Using TCD ultrasound to detect the flow velocity and waveform patterns of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and basilar artery (BA) in patients with PVS, locked in syndrome and brain death. Results. The mean velocities of middle cerebral artery (Vmca) and basilar artery (Vba) were 30.0cm/s and 24.3cm/s in PVS patients respectively, which decreased 45.0% and 14.4% in comparing with normal value. For patients with locked in syndrome, Vmca and Vba were 49.7cm/s and 9.8cm/s, which decreased 5.0% and 61.7% than the normal value respectively. These results showed that the decrease of anterior circulation was predominant in PVS, and the decrease of posterior circulation was predominant in locked in syndrome. A unique diastolic reverse flow, short peak systolic wave or undetectable flow signal in middle cerebral artery were predominant in brain death patients, which was completely different from that of either PVS or locked in syndrome. Conclusion. TCD was a valuable tool in distinguishing PVS, locked in syndrome and brain death patients according to the differences in velocities and patterns of anterior and posterior cerebral arteries.

Current trends in management of hepatitis B virus reactivation in the biologic therapy era

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation represents an emerging cause of liver disease in patients undergoing treatment with biologic agents. In particular, the risk ofHBV reactivation is heightened by the use monoclonalantibodies, such as rituximab (anti-CD20) and alemtuzumab (anti-CD52) that cause profound and longlasting immunosuppression. Emerging data indicatethat HBV reactivation could also develop following theuse of other biologic agents, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors. When HBV reactivation is di-agnosed, it is mandatory to suspend biologic treatmentand start antiviral agents immediately. However, preemptive antiviral therapy prior to monoclonal antibodyadministration is crucial in preventing HBV reactivationand its clinical consequences. Several lines of evidencehave shown that risk of HBV reactivation is greatlyreduced by the identifi cation of high-risk patients andthe use of prophylactic antiviral therapy. In this article, we discuss current trends in the management of HBV reactivation in immunosuppressed patients receiving biologic therapy, such as rituximab, alemtuzumab and TNF-α antagonists.

Three-Qubit Entanglement Sudden Death

We study entanglement dynamics of three-qubit system via negativity. Three atoms A, B, and C interact isolatedly with their own Jaynes-Cummings cavities a, b, and c. Aa system is prepared entangled with Bb and Cc, however, their mutual isolations forbid Aa interacting with system Bb and Cc. It is the same for system Bb and Cc. We show entanglement evolution of different three-qubit systems ABC, abc, Abc, and aBC and find entanglement sudden death effect.

Effects of Three Plant Powders on Behaviour, Mortality and Reproductive Fitness of Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

The effects of powders from dry flower buds of Eugenia aromatica Baill., seeds of Piper guineense Schum and Thonn and fruits of Capsicum frutescens L. on adult behaviour, mortality and reproductive fitness of the cowpea seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) were investigated under ambient laboratory conditions. All experiments were carried out in glass Petri plates. All powders elicited aversion in adult beetles. The contact toxicity symptoms included restlessness, loss of coordination, knock down and eventual death of adult beetles. These behaviours were more pronounced with E. aromatica in which adult beetles died within 16 hours. P. guineense and C. frutescens powders did not cause 100% mortality of adult beetles, even after 24 hours. Each of the three powders significantly (P<0.05) reduced the mating competition of adult males after sub-lethal exposure for one, two, and three hours, respectively. E. aromatica powder caused more reduction in male mating competition for females than any of the other two powders after each period of exposure. Receptiveness of treated females to courting males was also decreased by exposure to any of the three powders. Similarly, E. aromatica powder caused greater decreases in female receptiveness to males than any of the other two powders after each period of exposure. Exposure of either adult male or female C. maculatus to the powders for sub-lethal times of three, six and nine hours significantly reduced the fecundity of the beetles. E. aromatica powder caused the most reduction of eggs laid and also significantly reduced fertility of the eggs.

Aggressive therapy with statins in elderly and malnourished patients with acute myocardial infarction： is the right time to change？

The changes in the demographic profile of the population with longer life expectancy are mainly due to an improvement of lifestyle, prevention and care of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.

Impact of statin usage patterns on outcomes after percutaneous coronary in-tervention in acute myocardial infarction：Korea Working Group on Myocar-dial Infarction registry （KorMI） study

Background The benefit of statin use after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） has been well established, however, the influence of the timing of statin administration has not been elucidated. The objective of this study focused on early clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. Methods This analysis of the Korea Working Group on Myocardial Infarction registry （KorMI） study included 3,584 STEMI patients （mean age, 63 ±13 years;male, 2,684, 74.9%） undergoing PCI from January 2008 to June 2009. Rates of major adverse cardiac events （MACE：all-cause death, recurrent MI, and target lesion revascularization） were compared among patients grouped according to statin therapy timing：I, both during and after hospitalization （n=2,653, 74%）;II, only during hospita-lization （n=309, 8.6%）;III, only after discharge （n=157, 4.4%）;and IV, no statin therapy （n=465, 13%）. Mean follow-up duration was 234 ± 113 days. Results Multivariate factors of statin use during hospitalization included prior statin use, multiple diseased vessels, final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade III, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. At 6-month follow-up, groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ had the highest MACE rates （2.3%, 3.9%, 5.1%, and 4.9%for groups I-IV, respectively, P=0.004）. After adjusting for confounders, groups Ⅱ-Ⅳ had a higher MACE risk than group Ⅰ [hazard ratio （HR）：3.20, 95%confidence interval （95%CI）：1.31-7.86, P=0.011;HR：3.84, 95%CI：1.47-10.02, P=0.006;and HR：3.17, 95%CI：1.59-6.40, P=0.001;respectively]. Conclusions This study, based on the national registry database, shows early and continuous statin therapy improvs early outcomes of STEMI patients after PCI in real-world clinical prac-tice.

Changes of bone mineral in steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rabbits

To investigate the significance of bone mineral changes in the pathogenic process of steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rabbits. Methods： Seventy adult female Japanese White rabbits were randomly divided into five groups Animals in steroid group received an intramuscular injection of methylprednisolone acetate （4 mg/kg） once a week, and killed in four different time after first treatment. Animals in control group received an intramuscular injection with the same volume of normal saline, while 150 kU penicillin was injected twice a week for preventing infection in all groups. The contents of serum calcium （Ca） and phosphorus （P） were determined and the bone mineral densities of the femoral head and neck were measured at the 2nd, 4th, 8th and 10th weeks after first treatment. Meanwhile the general condition such as weight, spirit and hair of rabbits was observed. Results： Compared with the control group, the weight of rabbits in steroid group lost since the first week, and progressively aggravated; the bone mineral density of the femoral head and neck was lowered since the 2nd and 4th week respectively （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）, and lowered more quickly in femoral neck than in femoral head. In steroid group, the bone mineral density of the femoral neck at the 10th week was significantly lower than that at the 8th week （P〈0.05） Compared with the control group, the serum levels of Ca and P in steroid group were lowered since the 2nd week （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. In steroid group, the serum Ca level at the 10th week was lower than that at the 8th week, and the serum P level waslowered more quickly than Ca level was. Conclusion： Osteonecrosis appears in rabbits shortly after corticoids are first administered, and osteonecrosis in rabbits is chronologically associated with the onset of hypocalcaemia, hypophosphatemia and lowered bone mineral density. Steroid-induced osteonecrosis may be relevant to bone mineral loss and density lowering of the femoral head and neck.

Current management strategy of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remains a considerable challenge for surgeons.Surgery,including liver transplantation,is the most important therapeutic approach for patients with this disease.HCC is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages and has a poor prognosis with a high mortality rate even when surgical resection has been considered potentially curative.This brief report summarizes the current status of the management of this malignancy and includes a short description of new pharmacological approaches in HCC treatment.