Objective To evaluate the clinical value of 131 Ⅰ SPECT/CT in the differentiation of indeterminate 131Ⅰ uptake on planer whole body scan (WBS) for patients with DTC after 131Ⅰ treatment. Methods Fifty-six DTC patients ( male: 19, female: 37, mean age: 45 ± 15 years, ranging from 20 to 85 years) underwent 131Ⅰ treatment. 131Ⅰ WBS was performed five days after 131 Ⅰ treatment, followed by regional 131Ⅰ SPECT/CT for the indeterminate foci with abnormal uptake on 131Ⅰ WBS. The diagnostic difference of the two imaging modalities was compared by x2 test. Results There were 288 foci with abnormal uptake on 131 Ⅰ WBS, including 108 indeterminate foci (37.5%). Subsequent 131Ⅰ SPECT/CT identified 27 foci as DTC metastases (25.0%) and 71 foci as non-metastases such as benign lesions at nose, oral cavity, salivary gland, maxillary cyst, thyroid remnant, thymus, gallbladder, gastrointestinal tract, and uterus, or non-specific uptake of body contaminations (65.7%). However, the remaining 10 foci (9.3%) remained indeterminate on 131 Ⅰ SPECT/CT imaging. The diagnostic accuracy of 131 Ⅰ SPECT/CT was significantly higher than that of 131Ⅰ WBS (x2 = 102.35, P＜0. 01). Conclusion 131Ⅰ SPECT/CT could significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy for the differentiation of indeterminate foci with abnormal uptake on 131Ⅰ WBS.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of bone scintigraphy in 117 cases with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).Methods Of these 117 cases (50 males and 67 females),there were 116 parathyroid adenomas and 1 parathyroid cancer.Mean age was 61.1(12-86) years old.All had ~(99)Tc~m-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone scintigraphy.The bone images could be classified into 4 categories.Category Ⅰ:normal;category Ⅱ:localized abnormal,which could be subcategorized as Ⅱ A with skull and mandible involvement,and Ⅱ B with Ⅱ A characteristics plus metabolic derangement;category Ⅲ:systemic,whole-body incmased tracer uptake;category Ⅳ:systemic plus localized metabolic derangement.Data were analyzed statistically with X~2 and t-test (isolated samples).Results According to the scintigraphic findings,there were 47 cases(40.17%)of category Ⅰ,35 cases(29.91%) category Ⅱ (21/35cases Ⅱ A and 14/35 cases Ⅱ B),30 cases (25.64%) category Ⅲ,and 5 cases (4.27%) category Ⅳ.Combining categories Ⅱ、Ⅲ and Ⅳ together,there were 70 abnormal cases.These patients had history of abnormal bone images such as bone fracture (39 cases,55.71%),calculus (8 cases,11.43%),bone fracture plus calculus(7 cases,10.00%),osteoporosis (51 cases,72.86%) or ostalgia(26 cases,37.14%);however,in the 47 cases of category Ⅰ,only 1 (2.13%),0,0,10(21.28%)and 10 cases (21.28%),respectively,were found.Therefore.these case history characteristics were statistically significant (X~2=11.152,P=0.01).The tumor size,parathyroid hormone (PTH),blood calcium,blood phosphorus in the patients of abnormal PHPT categories Ⅱ to Ⅲ were(14.52±13.72)cm~3,(731.67±618.40)ng/L,(3.05±0.29) mmol/L and (0.71±0.14) mmol/L,respectively.with statistically significant difference compared to category Ⅰ:(0.78±1.33) cm~3,(112.04±62.98)ng/L,(2.56±0.42) mmol/L and (1.03±0.36)mmol/L(t=-5.724,-5.741,-7.274 and -6.451;all P＜0.01).Conclusions (1)Bone scintigraphy was normal in 40% of PHPT patients.(2)The bone images of PHPT could be classified into 4 categories and each could reflect the duration and severity of the disease status on bone.(3)The bone imaging characteristic could be useful for differential diagnostic purposes.

Standardization of ~(131)I treatment following thyroidectomy for DTC patients tends to be compulsory in clinical practice. However, many remains controversies concerning with the indications for ~(131)I treatment since it takes definitive effects mostly in parts of DTC patients with unresectable lesions or metastases. Standardization of ~(131)I treatment also requires proper management of radiation protection for in-patients taking high dose ~(131)I,objective and complete evaluation of treatment outcomes as well as side effects related with ~(131)I therapy, and above all, the establishment of long-term follow-up database.

Objective: To investigate the effect and related mechanism of homocysteine (Hcy) on calcium overload in neonatal rat atrial cells (NRICs). Methods: NRICs were assigned to 9 groups after culture for 3 days: (1) control group; (2) Hcy group (0, 50, 100, 200, 500 μmol/L for 48 hours); (3) antioxidant group (NAC, 10 μmol/L for 24 hours); (4) Hcy+NAC group (500 μmol/L Hcy for 48 hours, then treated with 10 μmol/L NAC for 24 hours); (5) calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase Ⅱδ (CaMKⅡδ) inhibitor group (KN-93, 3 μmol/L KN-93 for 5 hours); (6) specific sodium current inhibitor group (ELE, 1 μmol/L ELE for 5 hours); (7) Hcy+KN-93 group (500 μmol/L Hcy for 48 hours, then treated with 3 μmol/L KN-93 for 5 hours); (8) Hcy+ELE group (500 μmol/L Hcy for 48 hours, then treated with 1 μmol/L ELE for 5 hours; (9) Hcy+KN-93+ELE group (500 μmol/L Hcy for 48 hours, then treated with 3 μmol/L KN-93 and 1 μmol/L ELE for 5 hours). Moreover, NRICs were also treated with CaMKⅡδ-siRNA lentivirus, and Nav1.5-siRNA lentivirus, negative lentivirus carrier containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) for 24 hours. The MOI values of the three groups were 10. Infection efficiency of lentivirus was determined by observing the percentage of GFP fluorescence under inverted fluorescence microscope after transfection for 24 hours, and cultured regularly with simultaneous Puro screening, then cells were grouped as Hcy+CaMKⅡδ-siRNA group, Hcy+Nav1.5-siRNA group and Hcy+negative group. The concentration of Ca²⁺ in NRICs ([Ca²⁺]i) of various groups was detected through Fluo-4/AM fluorescence probe, then 2', 7'- two chlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was used as a probe to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) in NRICs by flow cytometry. The malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected by the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase was detected by thiobarbituric acid colorimetry. The protein and mRNA expression level of CaMKⅡδ and Nav1.5 in NRICs were detected by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR. Results: (1) ROS, MDA and SOD were similar between NAC group and control group, ROS and MDA were significantly increased, while SOD was significantly reduced in Hcy group in a concentration-dependent manner. (2) [Ca²⁺]i: The level of [Ca²⁺]i was (155.57+7.25), (187.43+13.07), (248.98+27.22) and (307.36+15.09) nmol/L in 50, 100, 200 and 500 μmol/L Hcy groups, which was significantly higher than that in the control group ((123.18+7.24) nmol/L, P<0.01). In addition, the level of [Ca²⁺]i in Hcy+NAC group ((222.87+23.71)nmol/L) was significantly lower than that in Hcy 500 μmol/L group ((305.15+39.45) nmol/L, P<0.05), while [Ca²⁺]i level was similar between NAC group and the control group. (3) The protein expression of CaMKⅡδ and Nav1.5 was significantly upregulated in Hcy groups than in the control group. The protein expression level of CaMKⅡδ-Thr287 was significantly lower in NAC group than in Hcy 500 μmol/L group (P<0.01), however, there was no significant difference on the protein expression levels of CaMKⅡδ-Thr287 and Nav1.5 between NAC group and control group (all P>0.05). (4) The protein expression levels of CaMKⅡδ-Thr287 and the concentration of [Ca²⁺]i were significantly lower in Hcy+KN-93 group and Hcy+KN-93+ELE group than in Hcy 500 μmol/L group (P<0.05). [Ca²⁺]i concentration was significantly lower in Hcy+KN-93 group, Hcy+ELE group and KN-93+ELE+Hcy group than in Hcy 500 μmol/L group (P<0.05). (5) The mRNA and protein expression levels of CaMKⅡδ and Nav1.5 in each group infected with lentivirus: the GFP expression was ideal post lentivirus transfection for 24 hours (up to 90%), which was significantly lower in the CaMKⅡδ-siRNA group and Nav1.5-siRNA group than in the negative infection group (all P<0.05), which was similar between negative infection group and control group (P>0.05). Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of CaMKⅡδ and CaMKⅡδ-Thr287 was significantly lower in Hcy+Nav1.5-siRNA group than in Hcy+negative infection group (P<0.05). The protein and mRNA levels of Nav1.5 were similar between Hcy+CaMKⅡδ-siRNA group and Hcy+negative infection group (P>0.05). Conclusions Hcy can induce calcium overload in NRICs by increasing oxidative stress, upregulating the sodium channel protein, and activating the late sodium current and phosphorylating CaMKⅡδ.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of miR-124-1 on neuronal differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

METHODSMSCs cells were assigned into three groups: control (uninfected and untransfected), miR-124-1+ (infected with miR-124-1), and miR-124-1- (transfected with Anti-rno-miR-124* Inhibitor). MSCs were induced by β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) to differentiate into neurons. The fluorescence expressed by infected MSCs was observed under an inverted fluorescence microscope. MTT method was used to measure cell survival rate after transfection or infection. Immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot methods were used to detect the expression of β3 tubulin, MAP-2 and GFAP 6 days after β-ME induction.

RESULTSThe expression of miR-124-1 in the miR-124-1+ group was significantly higher 2 days after infection of lentivirus vector compared with the control group (P<0.01). In the miR-124-1- group, the cell survival rate and the miR-124-1 expression level decreased significantly 24 hrs after transfection of anti-rno-miR-124* inhibitor (P<0.01). After 6 days of β-ME induction, the protein and mRNA expression levels of β3 tubulin and MAP-2 in the miR-124-1+ group were much higher than the other two groups (P<0.01); while the expression levels of β3 tubulin and MAP-2 in the miR-124-1-group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). The expression of GFAP in the three groups was weak (<1%).

CONCLUSIONSmiR-124 might promote neuronal differentiation of rat MSCs.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; analysis ; Neurons ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tubulin ; analysis

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of 131I treatment for bone metastases from DTC and analyze the survival rates after 131I treatment and prognostic factors. Methods One hundred and six DTC patients with bone metastases treated by 131I during January 1991 and January 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment efficacy was assessed based on serum Tg change, bone pain palliation and changes on medical imaging. Univariate analysis was performed for defining the factors affecting 131I treatment efficacy. Survival curves were estimated using the life table method. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method. Results Serum Tg decreased dramatically in 37/106 (34.9%) patients treated with131I. Thirty-nine of 61 patients (63.9%) with bone pain had pain relief. Age, tumor subtype and presence of non-osseous distant metastases were significant factors affecting 131I treatment efficacy based on serum Tg change (χ2=6.443, 11.455, 6.756, all P<0.05), but had no significant effects on bone pain palliation (χ2=0, 0, 0.060, all P>0.05). There were no imaging changes of bone metastases in 77.4% of patients after 131I treatment. The overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates from initial diagnosis of bone metastases was 86.47% and 57.90%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that number of metastases, presence of non-osseous distant metastases and pre-131I treatment surgery were significant factors for survival (Log-rank values were 4.05, 5.98, 4.22, all P<0.05). Conclusions 131I treatment for bone metastases from DTC is effective for lowering serum Tg and palliation of bone pain. Single metastasis, absence of non-osseous distant metastases and pre-131I therapy surgery are favorable predictors of prognosis.

Objective To investigate the interference of thyroglobulin antibodies ( TgAb ) on the measurement of thyroglobulin ( Tg) by 2 chemiluminescence immunoassays ( CLIAs) .Methods Data of 199 315 individuals with determined TgAb and Tg , including physical checkup subjects , differentiated thyroid carcinoma ( DTC) patients and patients with other diseases , were retrospectively collected in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from November 2012 to April 2015.The correlation between serum Tg level and serum TgAb concentration was analyzed and the positive rate of TgAb in physical checkup subjects was calculated.Furthermore, 290 serum samples with different TgAb concentration were applied in the recovery test by adding in confirmed serum Tg .The correlation between the recovery of confirmed serum Tg and TgAb concentrations was evaluated using Pearson correlation analysis .Results The serum Tg was all decreased with the elevated TgAb concentration in each group of subjects .The positive rate of TgAb was 10.84%(8 416/77 634) in physical checkup subjects .It was higher in females than in males and was increased with age.Recovery test showed that the average recoveries of confirmed serum Tg in TgAb-negative serum were 107.28%(86.30%-117.60%) and 107.94% (85.60%-124.10%) respectively in Roche and Beckman systems.But in TgAb-positive serum samples , the average recoveries in Roche and Beckman systems were 88.59% (35.85% -141.53%) and 95.77% (36.48% -131.78%) respectively, and 12.63%(24/190) and 13.68%(26/190) samples displayed a recovery less than 80%.The recovery rate of confirmed serum Tg showed a significantly negative correlation with elevated TgAb concentration , with r=-0.239 (P=0.001) in Roche and r=-0.251 (P<0.001) in Beckman.Conclusions TgAb-positive serum, especially with high concentration of TgAb , significantly interfered the measurement of Tg .Thus, serum TgAb should be determined together with serum Tg to explore whether there was an interference .To avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate therapy , clinician should be informed once serum TgAb displayed positive.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Child ; Chromosome Aberrations ; radiation effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Humans ; Hypoparathyroidism ; etiology ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; administration & dosage ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Parathyroid Glands ; physiopathology ; Salivary Glands ; physiopathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the performance of computed tomography perfusion imaging (CTPI) in predicting the early response to transarterial chemo-lipiodol infusion (TACLI) and survival of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomography perfusion imaging was performed before and 1 month after TACLI in 61 consecutive patients. Therapeutic response was evaluated on CT scans 1 month and 4 months after TACLI; the patients were classified as responders and non-responders based on 4-month CT scans after TACLI. The percentage change of CTPI parameters of target lesions were compared between responders and non-responders at 1 month after TACLI. The optimal parameter and cutoff value were determined. The patients were divided into 2 subgroups according to the cutoff value. The log-rank test was used to compare the survival rates of the 2 subgroups. RESULTS: Four-month images were obtained from 58 patients, of which 39.7% were responders and 60.3% were non-responders. The percentage change in hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP) 1 month after TACLI was the optimal predicting parameter (p = 0.003). The best cut-off value was -21.5% and patients who exhibited a > or = 21.5% decrease in HAP had a significantly higher overall survival rate than those who exhibited a < 21.5% decrease (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Computed tomography perfusion imaging can predict the early response to TACLI and survival of patients with CRLM. The percentage change in HAP after TACLI with a cutoff value of -21.5% is the optimal predictor.
Adult ; Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms/mortality/*pathology ; Contrast Media/administration & dosage ; Ethiodized Oil/*administration & dosage ; Female ; Hepatic Artery/radiography ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*drug therapy/mortality/*radiography/secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perfusion Imaging/*methods ; Prospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods

AIM To investigate the effect and mechanism of methanolic extract of Eupatorium (MEOE) to model rats with chronic soft tissue injury.METHODS The model rats were established by mechanical injury and a subsequent two-week normal feeding for respective administration of high,medium and small dosage of MEOE once a day successively for 14 days.An array of indices,the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD),malondialdehyde (MDA),prostaglandin E2 (PGE2),nitric oxide (NO),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and histamine,the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α),nitric oxide (NO) and Collagen-Ⅰ/Ⅲ,and the activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were measured to analyze the effect of MEOE to model rats with chronic muscle injury.RESULTS MEOE resulted in apparent reduction of contents of MDA,PGE2 and NO,and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in muscular tissue (P ＜ 0.05),significantly increased of the SOD in muscular tissue (P ＜ 0.01),a remarkably inhibited expression of the tissue Collagen-Ⅰ/Ⅲ protein (P ＜ 0.01),and significantly improved activity of tissue VEGF and bFGF (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION The certain therapeutic effects of MEOE to rats with chronic muscle injury may correlate with its influence to the levels of inflammatory factors inhibition,the oxidative stress relief,the overexpression of collagen-Ⅰ/Ⅲ inhibition,the VEGF and bFGF activity improvement,and the time spare from the repairing.