Objective To evaluate the clinical application of contrast-enhanced digital subtraction MRI in musculoskeletal malignant tumors.Methods Fifty patients with musculoskeletal malignant tumors were scanned by contrast enhanced T 1WI with an injection of Gd-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg), and digital subtraction was performed between post-contrast-enhanced images and pre-contrast-enhanced images. Musculoskeletal malignant tumors were evaluated by means of a contrast-to-noise ratio (C/Ns). Imaging sign of the musculoskeletal malignant tumors were compared between subtraction MR images and conventional contrast enhanced MR images.Results Contrast-enhanced digital subtraction MR images were better than conventional contrast enhanced MR images. All cases were confirmed by operation or pathology. All the lesions had higher C/Ns on subtraction MR imaging than on conventional contrast enhanced MR images. C/Ns was 109.74?5.10 (?s) for subtraction MR imaging and 23.61?3.16 for conventional contrast enhanced MR images (t=101.51, P

Objective To assess the virtual non-contrast liver CT from dual-energy CT for the clinical application. Methods In total, 51 patients were included in the study, and all patients underwent multi-phase liver CT on a dual-source CT. The True non-contrast liver CT (TNCT) was performed in a single-energy acquisition mode, but the arterial and portovenous liver CT (VNCT) were performed in a dual-energy mode of 110 kV and 140 kV respectively. The virtual non-contrast CT images were derived from the arterial data using liver virtual non-contrast software. Between the true non-contrast CT and the virtual non-contrast CT, the image quality, mean CT HU values in the liver and muscle, signal to noise (SNR), the radiation dose of volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) in a single phase and total examination were compared with t test. Results There was no significant difference in the detection of liver lesions between TNCT and VNCT. The CT Hu values of muscle on both TNCT and VNCT images were almost equal. The CT HU values of liver on VNCT images were higher than that on TNCT images and the difference was significant [61.32 ±6. 04 vs. (56. 85 ±4. 80) HU, t = -3. 927,P＜0.01]. There was also significant differenc of SNR between TNCT (11.28±2. 78) and VNCT (8.65 ± 1.56) images( t =-5.590,P＜0.01). The CTDIvol and DLP of single phase were (7.07 ±0.85) mGy and (155.11 ±respectively, but in TNCT the total CTDIvol and DLP reached (21.43 ± 2. 46 ) mGy and (469. 02 ±significance, but the total CTDIvol and DLP were significantly different (t = 16. 168 and 13. 132, P ＜0. 01). Conclusion With the consequent reduction in radiation dose, the VNCT can replace TNCT as an imaging protocol in multi-phase abdominal CT examination in clinic.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of micro(mi) RNA-195 on high-glucose induced neonatal cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and to explore the related mechanism.

METHODSThe potential target gene of miRNA-195 (Smad7) was predicted by TargetScan5. 1 software. Cardiomyocytes were isolated from neonatal SD rats and cells were then randomly divided into three groups: cells treated by culture medium containing 5 mmol/L glucose (control group) , by culture medium containing 25 mmol/L glucose (high glucose group) and treated by culture medium containing 25 mmol/L glucose and miRNA-195 inhibitor transfection (miRNA-195 inhibitor group). After 24, 48, or 72 h of in vitro culture, the morphology of cardiomyocytes was examined under phase contrast microscope. Micrographs were captured and the cell surface was calculated. The mRNA expressions of miRNA-195 and myosin heavy chain β (β-MHC), a biomarker for cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, in cardiomyocytes were detected by RT-PCR. The protein expression of Smad7 was determined by Western blot. The concentration of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the supernatant of culture medium was measured by ELISA.

RESULTSCross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, expression of miRNA-195 and β-MHC and secretion of TGF-β1 were significantly increased in high glucose-treated cells (P < 0.05 vs. normal control). The protein expression of Smad7 was significantly downregulated in cells exposed to high glucose for 48 h (P < 0.05 vs. normal control). Downregulation of miRNA-195 partly reversed the high glucose-induced effects. The expression of Smad7 was negatively correlated with miRNA-195 in high glucose control group (correlation coefficient: -0.945, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur results demonstrate that Smad7 could be the target gene of miRNA-195. miRNA-195 might play a crucial role in the development and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy possibly through downregulating the expression of Smad7 and modulating TGF-β/Smad pathways.

Animals ; Down-Regulation ; Glucose ; Hypertrophy ; MicroRNAs ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Objective To investigate the features of 2-D air vented ionization chamber array MatriXX system to use the QA procedures of radiotherapy. Methods Some important QA procedure of clinical radiotherapy practice were investigated by using a MatriXX system and a phantom made in house, mainly including the calibration of MatriXX, the off-axis rate (OAR) of virtual wedge fields, the connection between two half-fields or two asymmetry-fields, the skillful adjustment of the clinac flat filter, the 2-D dose distribution verification of radiotherapy planning, the influence of scatter screen to a large area electron beam field, the effect and best thickness and shielding position of block for a large area electron beam fields with scatter screen. Results The OAR of any virtual wedge field can be measured by a MatriXX system in a single irradiation. The conjunction accuracy of two half-fields or two asymmetry-fields may be less than 1 ram. The difference between the calculated and measured dose of any point or any isodose or any OAR of a field can be determined by using a MatriXX system. After the adjustment of the elinae flat filter with the help of MatriXX system, the flatness and symmetry of the field are 1. 85 % and 0.98 %, respectively. The dose characteristic of a large area electron beam field may be distinctively influenced by a scatter screen, and under this condition, the block faraway from the shielded target can hardly protect the organ at risk, and directe block which is put on or near the organ at risk is perfect. Conclusion Compared with conventional ionization chamber (Farmer type) or film dose measuring, the MatriXX combined with the OmniPre I'mRT software is much more convenient and effective in QA practice of clinical radiotherapy, and it's a perfect tool for the QA procedure of radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: Uridine-cytidine kinase (UCK) 2 is a rate-limiting enzyme involved in the salvage pathway of pyrimidine-nucleotide biosynthesis. Recent studies have shown that UCK2 is overexpressed in many types of cancer and may play a crucial role in activating antitumor prodrugs in human cancer cells. In the current study, we evaluated the potential prognostic value of UCK2 in breast cancer. METHODS: We searched public databases to explore associations between UCK2 gene expression and clinical parameters in patients with breast cancer. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify biological pathways associated with UCK2 gene expression levels. Survival analyses were performed using 10 independent large-scale breast cancer microarray datasets. RESULTS: We found that UCK2 mRNA expression was elevated in breast cancer tissue compared with adjacent nontumorous tissue or breast tissue from healthy controls. High UCK2 levels were correlated with estrogen receptor negativity (p<0.001), advanced tumor grade (p<0.001), and poor tumor differentiation (p<0.001). GSEA revealed that UCK2-high breast cancers were enriched for gene sets associated with metastasis, progenitor-like phenotypes, and poor prognosis. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses of microarray datasets verified that high UCK2 gene expression was associated with poor overall survival in a dose-response manner. The prognostic power of UCK2 was superior to that of TNM staging and comparable to that of multiple gene signatures. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that UCK2 may be a promising prognostic biomarker for patients with breast cancer.
Biomarkers ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Dataset ; Estrogens ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Phenotype ; Prodrugs ; Prognosis* ; RNA, Messenger ; Uridine Kinase*

A model of fluid dynamics related to the myocardial bridginged and mural coronary artery was designed and manufactured according to the physical principle and characteristic of the mural coronary artery. The model can imitate systematically well the effect of myocardial bridging on hemodynamic change of the mural coronary artery under different controlled experimental parameter. The methodology is proved to be feasible and has good prosperity of experimental study.
Coronary Vessels ; physiology ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Myocardial Bridging

Objective To investigate the predisposing locations of active hemorrhage in patients with esophageal variceal bleeding. Methods Data of 823 patients with acute esophageal and gastric variceal hemorrhage receiving emergency gastroscopy diagnosed from January 2003 to December 2013 were retrospectively studied. The location and site of active hemorrhage or stigmata were analyzed and its relationship with active hemorrhage was discussed. Results A total of 372(45. 2%,372/823) patients with active bleeding and stigmata were found under emergency endoscopy. Among 372 patients, 190 got accurate hemorrhage and stigmata location and site description. Bleeding or stigmata in 58(30. 5%) patients was 28-32 cm from incisor in group A, and that in 132 (69. 5%) patients was more than 35 cm in group B ( χ2＝57. 642, P＜0. 000 1). In 190 cases, the proportion of bleeding or stigmata at 3:00 point was the highest (37%,70/132), followed by those at 12:00 point(30%,58/132),6:00 point(24%,45/132),and 9:00 point (9%,17/132). The change trend of the percentage of each point in group A and group B was the same as that in all cases. The percentage of almost all points in group B was significantly higher than that in group A except that at 9:00 point ( P＜0. 000 1).Conclusion Esophageal variceal bleeding in cirrhosis is more common at 3:00 point, 6:00 point and 12:00 point of esophagus, and the high risk area is 35 cm below the incisors.

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of SCUBE3 in human osteosarcoma cell lines and surgical specimens of osteosarcomas and investigate its association with the patients' prognosis.

METHODSThe expression of SCUBE3 protein was detected in 5 osteosarcoma cell lines using Western blotting. CCK8 assay was used to assess the effect of SCUBE3 suppression mediated by two specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) on the proliferation of U2OS osteosarcoma cells, and the cell cycle changes were detected using flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of SCUBE3 in 60 osteosarcoma tissues, and Kaplan-Meier method was performed for survival analysis of the patients.

RESULTSCompared with osteoblast hFOB1.19 cells, the osteosarcoma cell lines all showed significantly higher expressions of SCUBE3. In U2OS cells, suppression of SCUBE3 expression by siRNA significantly inhibited the cell proliferation (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with high SCUBE3 expression had worse prognosis than those with low SCUBE3 expression (P=0.036).

CONCLUSIONSCUBE3 is up-regulated in the 5 osteosarcoma cell lines and in primary osteosarcoma tissues to promote the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells. A high SCUBE3 expression in osteosarcoma tissues is associated with a poor prognosis of the patients, suggesting that SCUBE3 can serve as a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.

Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Osteosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of CXCL14 in human osteosarcoma cell lines and tissues and investigate its association with the prognosis of the patients.

METHODSRT-PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR were used to detect the expression of CXCL14 in 4 osteosarcoma cell lines and in 40 pairs of osteosarcoma tissues and adjacent muscular tissues. CCK8 assay and colony formation assay was used to assess the effect of CXCL14 suppression mediated by two specific siRNAs on the proliferation of U2OS osteosarcoma cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of CXCL14 in 58 osteosarcoma tissues, and Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were performed for survival analysis of the patients.

RESULTSSignificant up-regulation of CXCL14 expression was found in the osteosarcoma cell lines and in osteosarcoma tissues compared with the adjacent muscles (P<0.01). In U2OS cell, suppression of CXCL14 expression by siRNA significantly inhibited the cell proliferation (P<0.01) and colony formation rate (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with high CXCL14 expression had worse prognosis than those with low CXCL14 expression (P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONCXCL14 is up-regulated in both osteosarcoma cell lines and primary osteosarcoma tissues to promote the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells. A high CXCL14 expression in osteosarcoma tissues is associated with a poor prognosis, suggesting the that CXCL14 serve as a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.

Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Chemokines, CXC ; metabolism ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the incidence of syphilis infection and to determine the risk factors related to syphilis infection among young men who had sex with men (YMSM), which were documented for developing effective intervention to prevent sexually transmitted diseases among YMSM.

METHODSA cohort study was conducted in 8 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming,Guiyang, Chongqing, Chengdu, Urumqi and Nanning) from May to December, 2009. A total of 1 037 syphilis-negative YMSM aged 18-25 were enrolled in the cohort and the two follow-up surveys were carried out every six months. The contents of study included sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related knowledge, sexual behavior and condom use in the 6 months prior to survey. All participants were tested for syphilis with whole blood specimens. Chi-square test was used to compare demographic characteristics of participants in baseline with those of two follow-up, and Cox regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with syphilis infection.

RESULTSThe rates of participants in 6, 12 months follow-up surveys was 79.85% (828/1 037) and 82.16% (852/1 037) respectively.39 syphilis seroconversions were found in the 12 months follow-up survey. Cumulative observed person-years during follow-up time was 1 106.67. The syphilis incidence rate was 3.5%. The Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the education of senior high school (senior high school vs some college or higher, RR = 2.19, 95% CI:1.21-3.98), bisexual orientation (bisexual orientation vs homosexual orientation, RR = 2.19, 95% CI:1.21-3.97), score of HIV/AIDS knowledge <8 (score of HIV/AIDS knowledge <8 vs knowledge = 8, RR = 2.39, 95%CI:1.35-4.21), had two and more sexual partners and inconsistent condom use in the past 6 months (inconsistent condom use vs consistent condom use, RR = 3.10, 95% CI:1.39-6.91) were significantly associated with syphilis seroconversion in the 12-month period.

CONCLUSIONSThe syphilis incidence was high and risk behaviors were common among YMSM of China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Risk-Taking ; Syphilis ; epidemiology ; Young Adult