Objective To investigate the effects of ult rasonic cavitation on cell membrane cultured in vitro. Methods The rat pulmonary artery vascular smooth muscle cells were divided into three groups, control group, simple ultrasound radiation group and contrast plus ultrasound radiation group.The latter two groups were exposed to ultrasound(665 kHz, 0.5- W/cm 2) for 20 s but the last group with contrast agent. Immediately after the experiment or 24 hours after treatments, electron microscopic scanning was used to observe the membrane change. Results Compared with control group, the cell structure and cell surface had no apparent changes in the second group treated with ultrasound alone. In the third group, nearly 20% cells exhibited small holes with diameter mostly about 1-2 ?m in the cell surface and returned to normal appearance after 24 hours later. Conclusions Ultrasonic cavitation can cause small transient holes in cell surface and hence increase permeability of the cell membrane. It might be the main mechanism for gene delivery with ultrasound contrast agents.

Objective To investigate the antitumor effect and its mechanism of microbubble contrast combined with Mitoxantrone exposed to low-frequency ultrasound on human breast cancer cell MCF-7. Methods MTT method was applied to examine the growth inhibition of MCF-7 treated with Mitoxantrone. MCF-7 cells were randomly divided into 4 groups:Mitoxantrone group (group D), ultrasound+Mitoxantrone group (group U+D), ultrasound+microbuble +Mitoxantrone group (group U+M+D) and control group (group C). The cytoactive of each group was examined with MTT. The intracellular drug content in each group was measured with high performance liquid chromatography. The morphology of MCF-7 cells apoptosis was observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results The IC_(50) of Mitoxantrone was 2.87 μg/ml. The differences of cytoactive among all groups were significant (P<0.05). The intracellular drug content of group U+M+D was higher than that of group U+D, and the latter was higher than that of group D. The morphological changes of apoptosis were observed with TEM. Conclusion Low-frequency ultrasound can promote intracellular drug content as to enhance the sensitivity of chemotherapy drugs on tumor cells, and this effect can be enhanced by microbubble contrast exposure to low-frequency ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE:To study the chemical constituents in antioxidant activity part of Semiaquilegia adoxoides. METH-ODS:The antioxidant activity part of S. adoxoides were isolated and purified by chromatography on silicagel and Sephadex LH-20 column,and compound structures were identified physicochemical properties and spectral data analysis. RESULTS:Nine com-pounds were isolated from the antioxidant activity part of S. adoxoides,namely magnoflorine (1),griffonilide (2),salidroside (3),ferulic acid(4),genistein(5),2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid(6),chlorogenic acid(7),caffeic acid(8)and p-coumaric acid (9). CONCLUSIONS:The study confirms the active material basis in antioxidant activity part of S. adoxoides for the first time.

Objective To investigate how many probably benign lesions on ultrasound(US) fulfilled the published criteria and to evaluate how clinical and personal factors influenced the categorization of breast lesions.Methods A total of 487 lesions in 487 women with more than 12 months follow-up after the initial category 3 assessment on US were included.The initial US images were retrospectively reviewed according to previously published criteria,and evaluated several factors that could influence the characterization of breast lesions in clinical practice such as age,multiplicity,palpability,radiologist 's experience,and lesion size.Results Of 487 lesions,479 (98.36%) were benign and 8 (1.64%) were malignant.Of 487 lesions,203(41.68%) including 8 malignancies were reassessed as category 4.If strict criteria had been applied at initial US examination,the positive biopsy rate would have been only 3.94% (8/203) and 96.06% (195 of 203) biopsies would have been unnecessary.Lesions in women 40 years or older and multiple lesions were more frequently reassessed as category 4 (P = 0.008 and P = 0.006,respectively).The presence of palpability,lesion size,and the radiologist 's experience did not significantly influence the categorization of breast lesions on US.Of 487 probably benign lesions,41.68 % could be classified as category 4 lesions when strict criteria were applied in initial practice.Conclusions The multiplicity of the lesion and the patient 's age were found to have a significant influence on the classifcation of probably benign solid masses.

Purpose To explore the apoptosis mechanism of human ovarian cancer cells SKOV3 processed with ultrasound (US) combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT), with self-contained lactic acid/glycolic acid (PLGA) microbubbles (MBQDs/PLGA) containing quantum dots (QDs) as a photosensitizer. Materials and Methods MBQDs/PLGA was prepared with double emulsion method, and MTT was used to compare the cytotoxic activity difference between QDs and MBQDs/PLGA, to determine the proper treatment condition. SKOV3 cells were treated under selective conditions, cell damage manifestation was observed with HE staining, and double staining flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. Results When cells were treated with PDT with energy density of 180.0 J/cm2 and US with sound intensity of 0.5 W/cm2 (1.0 MHz, 10 s), cell deformation could be observed under a microscope in both US-PDT-MBQDs/PLGA group and PDT-MBQDs/PLGA group, and cell connections were absent between cells;transmission electron microscope showed dense chromatin gathered along the nuclear membrane, with the formation of apoptotic bodies also be displayed. Maximum apoptosis rate was (22.17±0.38)% Conclusion MBQDs/PLGA-mediated PDT contains proliferation inhibition effect for SKOV3 cells, which can be synergied with low-power ultrasonic irradiation due to sonoporation effect.

Objective To explore the feasibility of virtual touch tissue quantification(VTQ) technique in noninvasive assessment of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPSS).Methods Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this study.Shear wave velocity(SWV) of the liver and spleen were obtained by VTQ technique on one day before TIPSS insertion and one week after TIPSS placement,and the portal vein pressure was measured while placing the TIPSS.The correlation between SWV of the liver and spleen and portal venous pressure were analysed.In addition,fourteen patients were followed up for one month after TIPSS placement.Results There was significant difference in portal vein pressure pre [(27.82 ± 4.07) mm Hg] and post [(16.26-± 3.10) mm Hg] TIPSS insertion.The SWV of the liver in patients pre and post TIPSS measured (2.43 ± 0.37)m/s and (2.40 ± 0.34)m/s,respectively.The SWV of the spleen in patients pre and post TIPSS were (3.49 ± 0.40)m/s and (3.08 ± 0.39)m/s,respectively,there was significant difference (P =0.000).However,SWV of the liver pre and post TIPSS placement was no significant difference(P =0.130).And as well as the patients which were followed up for one month after TIPSS placement.A significant,direct,linear correlation(r =0.602,P =0.000) was found between SWV of the spleen and portal vein pressure,but liver SWV was not correlated with the portal venous pressure.Conclusions SWV of the spleen measured by VTQ technique has a significant correlation with portal vein pressure.Hence,the spleen SWV based on VTQ technique can be used as a non-invasive method for quantitatively in monitoring the portal vein pressure as the function of the TIPSS.However,evidence to support a similar role for liver stiffness is lacking.

Objective To combine the active poly lactic co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanosperes with adriamycin in side (ADM-NP) on the surface of ultrasound micrbubbles in covalent bonding and to prepare a novel drug-loading ultrasound micrbubble,and observe the physicochemical property.To quantify drug encapsulation efficiency and drug-loading amounts and drug-release properties in vitro and the effect of tumor imaging.Methods ADM-NP were prepared with double emulsification method,The surface carboxyl of ADM-NP was activated with carbodiimide method.Amino ultrasound microbubbles (MB-NH2) were prepared with mechanical shaking.The carboxyl of ADM-NP and the MB-NH2 could take place condensation reaction under a certain condition.Light microscope was used to observe the shape and distribution of the novel micrbubble.High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify drug encapsulation efficiency and drug loading amounts.This novel microbubbles were put in 2 dialysis bag to observe the releasing properties of ADM in vitro,and one of the bag was using low frequency ultrasound irradiation for 120 s.The effect of tumor imaging using this novel microbubble was observed.Results After 48 hours,a number of ADM-NP attacted to the MB-NH2 like a gar land.Determination of entrapment efficiency and drug loading of it by HPLC weare (86.11 ± 6.76)％ and (8.71 ± 0.46)％.The sustained release in vitro can last for more than 48 hours.More than 90％ of ADM encapsulated in the 2 groups was sustained released for 48 hours.And the release characteristics of the 2 groups in vitro was in accord with Higuchi equation,and no difference was observed in the 2 groups (P ＞0.05).The tumor showed typical enhancement pattems of quick wash-in and quick wash-out.Conclusions To combine the nanospheres to the surface of microbubbles with covalent bonding,it could prepare a novel efficient drug-loading microbubbles for a original technique of ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction(UTMD).

Objective To prepare the quantum dots(QDs) (CdTe-MPA)-loaded polymer(lactic-coglycolic acid,PLGA) microbubbles(MBQDs@PLGA) as dual-modality imaging agent for both fluorescent and ultrasonic imaging ability.Methods The MBQDs@PLGA were generated by the double emulsion technique,then filling in C3F8 after freeze-drying.Confocal laser scanning microscope(CLSM) and transmission electron microscope(TEM) were used to confirm the load of quantum dots in the MBs.Fluorospectro photometer spectra of the MBQDs@PLGA were analyzed to demonstrate the fluorescent imaging ability and determine the encapsulation efficiency by using the regression equation.Imaging experiments was applied to validate the fluorescent and ultrasonic imaging ability of the MBQDs@PLGA both by imaging of the model in vitro and by imaging of ovarian tumor blood vessels of tumor-bearing nude mouse in vivo.Results At excitation 272 nm the MBQDs@PLGA peak of the emission spectrum was 549 nm,and the encapsulation efficiency was 54％.The average diameter of MBQDs@PLGA was (1.7 ±0.2)μm,CLSM and TEM results confirmed the QDs-loaded in MBQDs-PLGA.The imaging results of MBQDs@PLGA showed a dual-modality imaging ability both fluorescent and ultrasonic imaging.Conclusions MBQDs@PLGA present fluorescence-ultrasound dual mode imaging performance by the QDs embedding in polymer microbubbles,and explore a new development train of thought of multi-mode imaging agent.

Objective To evaluate the performance of virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ)technique in noninvasive assessment of esophageal varices (EV) in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis.Methods One hundred and thirty-five patients were enrolled in this study.Liver shear wave velocity (LSWV) and spleen shear wave velocity (SSWV) were obtained by VTQ technique,and the detection of EV was performed by upper endoscopy per patient.The severity of EV was staged on a G1-G3 scale.Liver function was also tested.ResultsThe mean value of LSWV in patients with cirrhosis was (2.48±0.50)m/s,LSWV was not correlated with the stage of EV.The mean value of SSWV was (3.25 ± 0.44) m/s,a significant,direct,linear correlation ( r =0.66,P＜0.001 ) was found between SSWV and the stage of EV.The cut-off value of SSWV for predicting the presence of EV was 3.16 m/s and the area under ROC curve was 0.83,with the sensitivity and specificity of 0.83 and 0.80,respectively.The cut-off value of SSWV for predicting severe EV was 3.39m/s and the area under ROC curve was 0.84,with the sensitivity and specificity of 0.83 and 0.77,respectively.ConclusionsIn cirrhotic patients infected with hepatitis B virus,SSWV measured by VTQ technique can be used as a noninvasive method for determining the presence and the severity of EV,however evidence to support a similar role for LSWV is lacking.

Objective To prepare polyclactic-co-glycolic acid(PLGA) polymer ultrasound contrast agent loading sudan black dye (SB-PLGA) and study the enhancement effect of it on rabbit lymph nodes imaging and as a sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in the feasibility and value of the indicator.Methods SB-PLGA ultrasound contrast agent was made by double emulsion and freeze-drying methods.Thigh subcutaneous rabbit VX2 tumor model of eight lymph nodes were set up with the foot pad subcutaneous injection of contrast agents to get contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of the popliteal lymph node and the second inguinal lymph node stations.Then the blue stained lymph nodes were resected by popliteal lymph node dissection and the second station lymph nodes were also observed after 30 mins respectively,lymph nodes were examined by frozen sections HE staining in parallel.Results SB-PLGA microbubbles had a tight size distribution.Ultrasound imaging can be significantly enhanced lymph node imaging,the second station lymph node imaging was not obvious.Popliteal lymph node dissection for lymph node staining,30minutes later,frozen sections HE staining were seen within the lymph node contrast agent present in the lymphatic sinus and a large entry of macrophages.Inguinal lymph node dissection showed the second station of lymph nodes no blue staining.Conclusions SB-PLGA ultrasound contrast agent is good for sentinel lymph node imaging and biopsy indicator.Contrast agent retention and accumulation in the lymph nodes by the uptake of macrophages may be associated with the mechanisms of lymph node enhanced imaging.