Ultrasonic detection method based on flexible capillary water column arrays coupling.

Conventional water immersion ultrasonic testing faces limitations due to factors such as environmental conditions, workpiece dimensions, corrosion, and resource wastage. Contact-based coupling methods, which employ coupling media or specific coupling structures, offer a convenient approach to coupling acoustic waves and reduce signal attenuation. However, these methods are time-sensitive and lack adaptability to uneven surfaces, particularly when dealing with workpieces featuring subtle undulations, resulting in significant signal decay.

The positivity rates and drug resistance patterns of using nucleotide MALDI-TOF MS assay among suspected tuberculosis patients in Shandong, China: a multi-center prospective study.

Objective: To investigate the positivity rates and drug resistance characteristics of (MTB) among suspected tuberculosis (TB) patients in Shandong Province, the second-largest population province in China.

Methods: A prospective, multi-center study was conducted from April 2022 to June 2023. Pathogen and drug resistance were identified using nucleotide matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (nucleotide MALDI-TOF MS).

Analysis of the Value of Serum Biomarker LBP in the Diagnosis of Spinal Tuberculosis.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the expression of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) in peripheral blood of spinal tuberculosis and clinical diagnosis and to evaluate its value as a diagnostic marker of spinal tuberculosis.

Methods: In the experimental group, clinical history data and peripheral blood were collected from 100 patients with spinal tuberculosis who were admitted to the Department of Spine Surgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from May 2017 to May 2020, and peripheral blood was collected from 30 healthy volunteers in the control group. Screening of differential LBP expression by proteomics and ELISA to verify its expression in peripheral blood of spinal tuberculosis patients.

Pathological features of Brucella spondylitis: A single-center study.

Objective: To explore the pathological features of Brucella spondylitis (BS) under the optical microscope, thus providing pathological references for the diagnosis.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 70 BS patients (42 males and 28 females, mean age 52.01 ± 10.

Pentoxifylline protects against loss of function and renal interstitial fibrosis in chronic experimental partial ureteral obstruction.

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) is a hallmark of chronic kidney disease resulting from diverse etiologies and predicts severity and progression of the kidney disease. To investigate the pathogenesis of TIF, complete unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is the most widely used animal model. However, UUO precludes evaluation of renal function.

A transcriptomic analysis of black cohosh: Actein alters cholesterol biosynthesis pathways and synergizes with simvastatin.

Previous studies indicate that the herb black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.) and the triterpene glycoside actein inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells and activate stress-associated responses. This study assessed the transcriptomic effects of black cohosh and actein on rat liver tissue, using Ingenuity and ToxFX analyses.

Digitoxin enhances the growth inhibitory effects of thapsigargin and simvastatin on ER negative human breast cancer cells.

Background: The cardiac glycoside digitoxin preferentially inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells and targets the Erk pathway. Digitoxin alters the expression of genes that mediate calcium metabolism and IAP genes.

Purpose: Since the optimal treatment for cancer involves the use of agents in combination, we assessed the growth inhibitory effects of digitoxin combined with agents that alter calcium metabolism, thapsigargin, a sarcoplasmic/ER Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, and the statin simvastatin, as well as digitoxin's effect on the IAP pathway of apoptosis.

Gender-specific effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P on coronary blood flow in an experimental model.

Background: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) play counter-regulatory roles in coronary flow. This study is to assess whether effects of CGRP and SP are gender-specific.

Methods: Langendorff-perfused hearts were used to compare coronary flow rates among 119 wild-type, alpha-CGRP and SP receptor knockout mice under various perfusion pressures (20, 30, 40, 50 mmHg).

Aspirin reduces platelet aggregation during high-energy excimer laser.

Background And Objectives: Excimer laser is used clinically in arterial revascularization procedures. This study evaluated the efficacy of aspirin in reducing platelet aggregation during high-energy excimer lasing.

Study Design/materials And Methods: Platelet rich plasma (PRP) from seven rabbits was circulated in a dual organ chamber with aspirin added to one and the other was control.

Arterial wall cholesterol content is a predictor of development and severity of arterial thrombosis.

Background: It is unclear if total cholesterol content contributes to the severity of cardiovascular events by affecting the amount of thrombosis. This study evaluated relationships between cholesterol levels and the amount of thrombosis in an atherosclerotic rabbit model of plaque disruption and thrombosis.

Methods: Three groups of NZW rabbits were used: normal rabbits (Group I, n = 4); atherosclerotic rabbits (Group II, n = 4); and atherosclerotic rabbits with pharmacologically triggered thrombosis (Group III, n = 16).

Laser-light scattering, a new method for continuous monitoring of platelet activation in circulating fluid.

We evaluated a novel technique of laser-light scattering (LLS) to detect platelet-volume changes continuously, reflecting platelet aggregation in circulating fluid. Carotid arteries from 20 dogs were mounted in a dual perfusion chamber. Balloon angioplasty (BA) was performed and arteries perfused with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Thrombostatin, a bradykinin metabolite, reduces platelet activation in a model of arterial wall injury.

Objective: Thrombin activates platelets and contributes to the occlusion of arteries following thrombolytic therapy or angioplasty. Thrombostatin (RPPGF), the angiotensin converting enzyme degradation product of bradykinin, inhibits alpha-thrombin induced platelet activation. We hypothesized that thrombostatin prevents platelet aggregation and adhesion after balloon angioplasty (BA).