Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in scar tissue and its relationship with apoptosis

AIM: To examine the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in scar tissue, and observe the phenomenon of apoptosis and its involvement in the process of pathological scarring and the presence of myofibroblasts or absence of cell in the dermis. To investigate the potential role of reparative cell apoptosis in hyperplastic scar formation. METHODS: The samples of scar were obtained from post-burn patients undergoing plastic operation in our burn unit recently, and the samples of control came from skin donor site of the same patient correspondingly. TUNEL assays were performed to evaluate the number of apoptotic cells in scar versus normal skin. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry staining technique were employed to determine the expression of different dermis cells markers in scar tissue and normal skin. RESULTS: There existed evident difference in apoptotic cells in the dermis between scars tissue and normal human skin. The expression positive cells were much more in hyperplastic scars than that in normal human skin; the apoptotic cells of proliferative stage were slight more than that of mature stage. However, in proliferative stage, the number of apoptotic cells was higher for the combination of hyperplastic scar than normally healed flat scars. But in mature stage, no obviously difference was detected between hyperplastic scar and normally healed flat scar. The monoclonal anti-α smooth muscle actin (ASMA) expression was significantly stronger in proliferative stage than that of mature stage. CONCLUSIONS: With reconstitution of dermal tissue, myofibroblasts containing alpha-SM actin disappear under normal wound healing, probably as a result of apoptosis. The myofibroblast play a critical role in wound closure and in the pathologic sequelae of healing.     

Role of potassium channels in the regulation of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in rats

AIM: To investigate the role of potassium channels in the regulation of intracellular free calcium concentration ( [Ca²⁺]_i) of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in rats. METHODS: The fluorescence Ca²⁺ indicator Fura-2/AM was used to observe [Ca²⁺]_i of rat PASMCs in normal and chronic hypoxic condition. The influences of potassium channels on PASMCs proliferation were assessed by MTT assay. RESULTS: 1. In normoxic condition, [Ca²⁺]_i was (156.91±8.60) nmol/L, and in hypoxic condition, [Ca²⁺]_i was (294.01±16.81) nmol/L. 2. In normoxic condition, the voltage-dependent K⁺-channel antagonist 4-aminopyridine (4AP), but not the Ca²⁺-activated K⁺-channel antagonist tetraethylammonium (TEA) and the ATP-sensitive K⁺-channel antagonist glibenclamide (Glib) increased [Ca²⁺]_i. 3. In hypoxic condition, 4AP and TEA caused the rise in [Ca²⁺]_i , but Glib had no effect on [Ca²⁺]_i. 4. MTT assay showed that 4AP increased the value of absorbing light degree (A value) in normoxic and hypoxic condition (0.582±0.062,0.873±0.043,respectively, P＜0.01), TEA increased A value only in hypoxic condition, and Glib had no effect on the proliferation of PASMCs. CONCLUSIONS: K_V plays an important role in the regulation of [Ca²⁺]_i and proliferation of PASMCs. K_Ca serves as distinct responsive roles in the regulation of proliferation of PASMCs in hypoxic condition. K_ATP has no effect on [Ca²⁺]_i and proliferation of PASMCs in normoxic and hypoxic conditions.     

基于融合坐标信息的改进YOLO V4模型识别奶牛面部

为实现奶牛个体的准确识别,基于YOLO V4目标检测网络,提出了一种融合坐标信息的奶牛面部识别模型。首先,采集71头奶牛面部图像数据集,并通过数据增强扩充提高模型的泛化性能。其次,在YOLO V4网络的特征提取层和检测头部分分别引入坐标注意力机制和包含坐标通道的坐标卷积模块,以增强模型对目标位置的敏感性,提高识别精度。试验结果表明,改进的YOLO V4模型能够有效提取奶牛个体面部特征,平均精度均值为93.68%,平均帧率为18帧/s,虽然检测速度低于无锚框的CenterNet,但平均精度均值提高了10.92%;与Faster R-CNN和SSD模型相比,在检测速度提高的同时,精度分别提高了1.51和16.32个百分点;与原始YOLO V4相比,mAP提高0.89%,同时检测速度基本不变。该研究为奶牛精准养殖中的牛脸图像识别提供了一种有效的技术支持。     

Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma with visceral metastases in a White Carneau pigeon and literature review

Cutaneous leiomyosarcomas are malignant mesenchymal tumors of smooth muscle origin and are reported occasionally in avian species. A 14-y-old male laboratory White Carneau pigeon (Columba livia) was presented for surgical excision of a cervical soft tissue mass. Ultrasonography with color flow Doppler imaging revealed multiple cavitations of mixed echogenicity within the mass and vascularization. Histologically, the dermis and subcutis were expanded by a densely cellular multinodular mass comprised of fusiform cells forming haphazardly arranged broad streams and short interwoven bundles, often surrounding blood vessels and variably sized cavitations. Neoplastic cells were strongly immunopositive for desmin and α–smooth muscle actin, and negative for pancytokeratin, S100, and von Willebrand factor. Based on histopathology and IHC findings, the cutaneous mass was diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma (LMS). The pigeon died 312 d post-operatively. Postmortem examination revealed masses infiltrating the left and right pulmonary airways and one hepatic nodule, but no regrowth at the surgical site. Histologic and IHC evaluation of the pulmonary and hepatic masses were consistent with LMS, representing metastatic foci from the primary cutaneous LMS. Our case highlights the malignant behavior and histomorphologic features of cutaneous LMS in an avian species.     

Leiomyoma of the third eyelid in a dog

A 14‐year‐old neutered male Dachshund presented for the evaluation of oculus dexter (OD) third eyelid elevation ongoing for approximately 2 months. Complete ophthalmic examination revealed a large, nonpainful, well‐demarcated, soft mass at the base of the right third eyelid causing elevation and mild hyperemia. The mass was freely moveable with the third eyelid, and no right globe deviation was noted. No other abnormalities were noted on physical examination, routine blood chemistry, complete blood count, serum T4, urinalysis, or urine cortisol/creatinine ratio. Ocular B‐mode ultrasonography showed an anechoic, well‐demarcated, homogenous, soft tissue mass at the base of the third eyelid with no orbital extension. A leiomyoma was diagnosed after multiple punch biopsies were obtained from the palpebral surface of the mass. The right third eyelid was excised surgically. Histopathology confirmed a completely excised, nodular, unencapsulated, expansile mass within the third eyelid. Positive smooth muscle actin and negative S‐100 immunohistochemistry confirmed a leiomyoma. Bundles of normal smooth muscle were also present adjacent to the mass. The mass was compressing the adjacent lacrimal gland and associated with moderate dacryoadenitis. Twelve months postoperatively, the right globe position and motility remain normal with no evidence of mass regrowth. To the author's knowledge, this is the first reported case of a leiomyoma of the third eyelid in any species. In this case, the mass was completely excised and no regrowth has occurred twelve months after surgery. This case along with independently reviewed canine third eyelids clearly demonstrates the presence of smooth muscle within the canine third eyelid.     

Analysis on Micro-structure of TiN Thin Film and Polyimide with AFM

The study in molecular morphology is given with a highresolution Atomic Force Microscope AFM.IPC-208B.By taking TiN thim film prepared by magnerton sputtering method and polymide(PI) fibre for examples,the preferenthal growing plme of TiN thin film,the atomic arranges of TiN thin film on the preferential growing plme and the surficial micro-structure can be ascertained form the three-dimensional images obtamed by AFM.IPC-208B.These experiments not only identify small structures of the materials,but also affirm that AFM.IPC-208B holds the precision of atomic level and potential application in micro-structure field,at the same time it establishs the groundwork for the application in micro-process kingdom.     

A STATIC STRESS ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF STRATIFICATION PLANE OF ROCK MASSES ON SMOOTH BLASTING

The influenfial factors of stratification plane to smooth blasting are studied according to the ti eory of smooth blasting and the anslysis of static stress. The results show that the angle p between the maximum principal plane and the rertical line of stratification plane has some influence on the fracture of rock masses.     

A NEW METHOD OF RESEARCHINE THE SITE DUPLE FACE DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINE RIGID ROTATOR BASE DON AMPLITUDE MEASUREMENT

In this paper, a new method of researching; the site dupleface dynamic balance of machine rigid rotator, namely duple test weightmethod is presented. Weight the new method against the existing method,namely single test weight method [1], both the efficiency increasing and theenergy-consumming dicreasing would be forty percent and over, with thebasic points of vibration theory, the formula of calculating weight andposition of the duple face dynamic unbalance of a rotator by means ofapplying the duple test weight is developed in detail. The method in handll-ing distinct bearing form is also discussed. Rightness of the new method isproved out by the living example of the simulant contrast testing carried outn the dynamic balance test machine and the site balance for a rotatorsystem of motor.