Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and compare it with contrast-enhanced CT(CECT). Methods Eighty-one focal liver lesions were evaluated with CEUS and CECT, diagnostic value of two modalities were calculated, vaseularity manifestations of two modalities in arterial phase were compared. Results The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of CEUS were 96.6 %, 86.9 %, 94.9 %, 90.9 %, 93. 80%, respectively, and the diagnostic value of CECT were 98.3%, 82. 6%, 93.4%, 95.0%, 93.8%, respectively. Among all the metastasis, hypervascular manifestation lesions in arterial phase of CEUS and CECT were 72% (18/25) and 32% (8/25)( P <0.05). Conclusions The diagnostic value of CEUS and CECT in focal liver lesions are comparably satisfying,and there is no significant difference between them, the combination use of two modalities would improve the diagnosis performance. CEUS can show more hypervaseular metastasis than CECT in arterial phase.

Objective To explore the application value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18 F-FDG PET/CT) and 99Tcm-methylene diphosphonate (99 Tcm-MDP) bone scintigraphy for detecting bone destruction in multiple myeloma (MM).Methods 18 F-FDG PET/CT and 99Tcm-MDP bone scintigraphy results of 27 MM patients were analyzed retrospectively.Inspection areas checked by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray were the limited scopes.The location and number of bone destruction were recorded,and the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was measured simultaneously.The results were comparatively analyzed.Diagnostic certainty regarding the presence or absence of bone destruction was evaluated according to the reference standard consisting of MRI and X-ray.Results A total of 235 lesions were found according to the reference standard.Of these,227 lesions (97％) were identified by 18F-FDG PET/CT,whereas 187 lesions (80％) were identified by bone scintigraphy,with a significant statistical difference (x2 =32.43,P ＜ 0.05).SUVmax was 8.3 ± 1.7 (4.3 to 18.9).The discovery rates of bone fracture of 18F-FDG PET/CT and bone scintigraphy were 100％ (97/97) and 90％ (87/97),and there was a significant statistical difference between them (x2 =78.09,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion 18 F-FDG PET/CT is a possible method to detect bone lesions in patients with MM,and is better than 99Tcm-MDP bone scintigraphy.

Objective To investigate the blood-saving effect of controlled low central venous pressure (CLCVP) in different types of hepatectomy.Methods Ninety ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes,aged 37-76 yr,weighing 40-75 kg,undergoing elective hepatectomy,were divided into 6 groups according to the surgical approach and whether CLCVP was used during surgery (n =15 each):CLCVP1-3 groups and nonCLCVP1-3 groups (NCLCVP1-3 groups).The standard hepatectomy,half liver resection and irregular hepatectomy were performed in CLCVP1-3 groups,respectively,with CLCVP.The standard hepatectomy,half liver resection and irregular hepatectomy were performed in NCLCVP1-3 groups,respectively,without CLCVP.In CLCVP1-3 groups,from skin incision to the end of liver resection,CVP was maintained ≤ 5 cm H2 O through adjustment of the position,fluid restriction and iv infusion of nitroglycerin,and norepinephrine was infused simultaneously to maintain mean arterial pressure ≥ 60 mm Hg.In NCLCVP1-3 groups CVP was maintained at 6-12 cm H2O.Intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion were recorded.Results Compared with NCLCVP1-3 groups,intraoperative blood loss was significantly decreased in CLCVP1-3 groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with NCLCVP3 group,the amount of blood transfusion was significantly decreased,the constituent ratio of intraoperative blood loss ＜ 200 ml was increased,and the constituent ratio of intraoperative blood loss ＞ 1000 ml was decreased in group CLCVP3 (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion CLCVP can decrease the intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion in patients undergoing irregular hepatectomy.

Objective To investigate the effect of sevoflurane postconditioning on the myocardial oxidative stress injury in patients undergoing heart valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) . Methods Thirty ASA Ⅱ or Ⅲ and NYHA class Ⅱ or ID patients, aged 30-59 yr, weighing 42-62 kg, scheduled for cardiac valve replacement with CPB, were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n = 15 each) : control group (group C) and sevoflurane postconditioning group (group S) . Anesthesia was induced with iv injection of midazolam 0.05-0.08 mg/kg, fentanyl 3-6 μg/kg, vecuronium 0.10-0.15 mg/kg and etomidate 0.1-0.2 mg/kg. The patients were tracheal intu- bated and mechanically ventilated. Anesthesia was maintained with intermittent iv boluses of fentanyl and midazolam and continuous infusion of atracurium and propofol. In group S, 2% sevoflurane was given over 15 min via the cardiopulmonary bypass machine immediately after aortic unclamping. Blood samples from the internal jugular vein were collected immediately before skin incision (T1 ) and at 30 min, 3 h and 24 h after aortic unclamping (T2-4 ) for measurement of the plasma malondialdehyde level. Myocardial tissues were taken from the left auricle before operation and after termination of CPB for determination of α-glutathione-S-transferase expression by Western blot. Results The plasma malondialdehyde concentration was significantly lower at T2, 3, while a-glutathione-S-transferase expression in myocardial tissues higher after termination of CPB in group S than in group C ( P ＜ 0.05) . Conclusion Sevoflurane postconditioning can enhance the antioxidant capacity and attenuate the myocardial oxidative stress injury in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement with CPB, which may be helpful to reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

TLR2 activity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, tumor carcinogenesis and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. To establish a TLR2 receptor-based cell screening model, NF-kappaB promoter-driven luciferase reporter plasmids were transfected into human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) stably expressing human TLR2 and co-receptors CD14, TLR1 and TLR6. Single clones were then isolated and characterized. Using this screening system, a human TLR2-binding peptide C8 was obtained from the Ph.D.-7 Phage Display Peptide Library through biopanning and rapid analysis of selective interactive ligands (BRASIL). The binding characteristic of C8 with human TLR2 was evaluated by ELISA, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The NF-kappaB luciferase activity assay showed that C8 could activate the TLR2/TLR1 signaling pathway and induce the production of cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6. In conclusion, the TLR2 receptor-based cell screening system is successfully established and a new TLR2-binding peptide is identified by using this system.

Skeletal muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) is the microenvironment for muscle cells to survive and function. Changes in ECM components and structure directly affect the activity and function of muscle cells. Pathological remodeling occurs to skeletal muscle ECM in insulin resistance, including collagen deposition, hyaluronan accumulation, activation of membrane protein integrin signaling path-way, and the imbalance of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, while all those would impair the tissue insu-lin sensitivity.

Diagnosis, Differential ; Femur ; Fibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leg ; Liposarcoma, Myxoid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Myxoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neurofibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Syndrome ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of static magnetic field on the expression of SP-mRNA in TG in rats.

METHODS44 Wistar rats aged 6-7 weeks were put into static magnetic field and were sacrificed at 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, respectively. In situ hybridization method was used to evaluate the changes of SP-mRNA expression at different time point.

RESULTSMany neurons in TG were marked with SP probes in each group, the expression of SP-mRNA increased remarkably in static magnetic field group. In this group, the percentage of SP-mRNA positive neurons in TG increased greatly in 1 h, reached its peak in 2 h, from then on, decrease of the percentage started slowly but a moderate percentage was kept until 24 h, which was thought to be enough to maintain orthodontic tooth movement. The tendency of control group was almost the same with that of experimental group. The expression of SP-mRNA was higher in experimental group within 2 h but became lower after 2 h as compared with control group, this indicated that magnetic field reduced the SP-mRNA expression and exerted restoring effect on trauma. There were significant differences between experimental groups and control group at different time points (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of SP-mRNA in TG in rats increased significantly in static magnetic field.

Animals ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Female ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; radiation effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Substance P ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; radiation effects ; Trigeminal Ganglion ; metabolism ; radiation effects

To enhance the quality and efficiency of ozagrel by investigating the differences between the ozagrel polymorphs in bioavailability. Solid ozagrel in different polymorph forms were orally administered to SD rats. An HPLC method was established to determinate plasma level of ozagrel. The bioavailabilities of two polymorph forms were calculated and compared. The pharmacokinetic parameters of ozagrel, were as follows: Cmax was 32.72 ± 17.04 and 34.01 ± 19.13 mg · L(-1), respectively; AUC0-t was 61.14 ± 14.76 and 85.56 ± 18.08 mg · L(-1) · h, respectively; t½ was 1.53 ± 0.51 and 4.73 ± 3.00 h, respectively. There was no significant difference in pharmacokinetic parameters between form I and II polymorphs of ozagrel while the t½ of form II is longer, which indicates that the use of form II polymorph as pharmaceutical product may prolong the effective action time in clinics. This would help the polymorph quality control in drug production.
Animals ; Biological Availability ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Methacrylates ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of low-dose once-daily tadalafil combined with Shuganyiyang Capsules in the treatment of mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSNinety patients with mild-to-moderate ED were equally randomized to groups A, B and C to receive Shuganyiyang Capsules, tadalafil, and tadalafil + Shuganyiyang Capsules, respectively. The scores of the patients on IIEF-5 and SF-PAIRS (15-Item Short Form of Psychological Interpersonal Relationship Scales) were recorded before and at 1 and 3 months after treatment.

RESULTSThe IIEF-5 scores of groups A, B and C were 10.13 +/- 1.55, 11.00 + 1.60 and 10.73 +/- 1.91 before treatment, and 13.77 +/- 2.11, 17.77 +/- 2.13 and 17.17 +/- 3.84 at 1 month after treatment, significantly higher in B and C than in A (P <0. 001) , but with no remarkable difference between B and C (P =0. 411). At 3 months after treatment, the IIEF-5 scores were 15.77 +/- 2.05, 18.07 +/- 2.24 and 19.37 +/- 3.76 in the three groups, dramatically higher in B and C than in A (P <0.001) as well as in C than in B (P<0.05). The scores on sexual self-confidence, sexual spontaneity and time concerns in SF-PAIRS were 3.90 +/-0.80, 8.67 +/- 1.94 and 14.43 +/- 1.92 before medication, 5.83 +/- 1.02, 9.90 +/- 1.75 and 11.17 +/- 1.68 at 1 month and 6.73 +/- 0.98, 11.07 +/- 2.08 and 10.67 +/-1.60 at 3 months after medication in group A; 4.17 +/- 0.87, 9.37 +/-1.43 and 14.47 +/-1.57 before medication, 6.47 +/-0.78, 10.83 +/- 2.18 and 10.20 +/-1.56 at 1 month and 6.83 +/-0.91, 11.30 +/- 1.88 and 9.47 +/- 1.57 at 3 months in group B; and 4.23 +/-0. 94, 9.50 +/- 1.89 and 14.67 +/- 2.91 before medication, 8.03 +/- 1.67, 13.43 +/-1.10 and 9.70 +/-1.21 at 1 month and 8.93 +/- 1.78, 14.70 +/- 1.26 and 8. 87 +/- 0. 97 at 3 months in group C. Compared with the baseline, the SF-PAIRS scores of the three groups were all significantly improved after treatment (P <0. 05) , and markedly higher in C than in the other two groups (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow-dose once-daily tadalafil combined with Shuganyiyang Capsules is obviously effective in the treatment of mild-to-moderate ED, which not only improves the patients'erectile function, sexual self-confidence and sexual spontaneity, but also reduces their time concerns.

Adult ; Carbolines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Tadalafil ; Treatment Outcome