ObjectiveTo assess the clinical value of ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) combined with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).MethodsNinety HCC patients with different type PVTT underwent ultrasound-guided PEI once or twice a week.The follow-up lasted 12 to 60 months,and the 1-,2-,3-,4- and 5-year survival rates were calculated.ResultsThe median survival time of HCC combined with PVTT patients treated with PEI was 12 months,and the 1-,2-,3-,4- and 5-year survival rates was 52.22％,23.33％,15.56％,12.22％ and 10.00％,respectively.The survival rate correlated significantly to the type of PVTT.The lower the type of PVTT was,the longer the patients lived.ConclusionUltrasound-guided PEI is a safe and effective method for the treatment of HCC combined with PVTT,and can prolong the survival time of HCC patients with low type PVTT.

BACKGROUND:Ricin possesses strong cytotoxicity but lacks of specificity.Severe adverse reactions can be caused if ricin is systemically administered.Interstitial chemotherapy with ricin coated by a sustained-release carrier can enhance local therapeutic effects of tumor,avoiding systemic-toxic occurrence.OBJECTIVE:To prepare injectable and biodegradable thermosensitive poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA)-polyethylene glycol(PEG)-PLGA copolymer-based hydrogels and to observe the in vitro drug delivery of the PLGA-PEO-PLGA copolymer hydrogel as a sustained-release carrier of ricin.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A controlled observation was performed at the Center for Medical Bioengineering.Fujian Medical University between August and December 2007.MATERlALS:Ricin with a purity of 95%was purified by Fuiian Institute of Ultrasonic Medicine.DL-lactide and L-glycolide were provided by Glycolide Lactide Co.,Ltd..China.METHODS:PLGA-PEG-PLGA-copolymer was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Phase transition temperature was determined by test tube turnover.relativemolecular mass by high-performance gel permeation chromatography,the proportion of block copolymer by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry.the in vitro drug delivery of ricin coated by PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymcr hydrogelby enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.the structural integrity of released ricin by high-performance liquid chromatography,the cytotoxicity of released ricin by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay.RESULTS:The synthesized copolymer PLGA-PEG-PLGA exhibited reverse.thermosensitivity.The phase transition temperature of the copolymer was 26℃at 230 g/L.The weight-average molecular weight and number-average molecular weight of this copolymer was 8 027 and 6 643,respectively,and the multiple-dispersion toefficient was 1.17.The block ratio for PEG and PLGA was 3:2.Drug-loaded PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel could release ricin in vitro for a total of 18 successive days and simultaneously well maintain cytotoxicity and the structural stability of ricin.CONCLUSION:PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymer is an ideal carrier for sustained delivery of ricin

Objective To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in diagnosis of renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (eAML).Methods The CEUS features of 18 patients with 18 histopathologically proved renal eAMLs were retrospective analyzed using both of qualitative and quantitative approachs.Tumor conventional ultrasound and CEUS features were observed.The Sonoliver software was applied to perform quantitative analysis,which provided five parameters,including the maximum intensity (IMAX),rise time (RT),time to peak (TTP),mean transit time (mTT) and area under the curve (AUC).Results All of 18 lesions were pathological proved as eAML,among them,heterocyst was observed in 7 lesions,1 lesion had dissemination inter-kidney and vessel invasion,necrosis or cystic degeneration was found in 3 eAMLs.On conventional ultrasound,eAML showed hypoecho,isoecho and hyperecho were 14(77.8％),3(16.7％) and 1 (5.6％) respectively.Blood flow could be detected in 16 (88.9％) lesions.On CEUS,the characters of slow-in,synchronous-in,slow centripetal enhancement and entire enhancement were observed in 10 (55.6％),8 (44.4％),8 (44.4％) and 12 (55.6％) lesions,respectively.Most of eAMLs showed homogeneous enhancement (15/18,83.3％) and hyper-or iso-enhancement (16/18,88.8 ％) at peak time.The characters of fast-out,synchronous-out and slow out were observed in 8 (44.4％),2 (11.2％) and 8 (44.4％) cases,respectively.Pseudocapsule was detected in 5 (27.8％) lesions.The parameters of RT,TP and AUC for eAMLs were higher than that for renal cortex (P ＜ 0.05),while the parameters of IMAX and mTT had no significant statistical difference between eAMLs and renal cortex(P ＞0.05).Conclusions Qualitative and quantitative analysis of CEUS reflect the blood perfusion of eAMLs in different aspect,which offer some useful informations for the diagnosis of eAMLs.

Objective To investigate the value of color Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of breast sclerosing adenosis (SA).Methods Preoperative sonography in 32 SA,99 invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC),51 ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) and 64 fibroadenoma(FA) confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed.Results The average age of SA group was younger than IDC and DCIS groups',but older than FA group's (P ＜0.05).The focal maximum diameter of SA group was the smallest among all(P ＜0.05).All the SA sonograms showed solid hypoechoic lesions,with spiculate margin was less than IDC group and larger than DCIS and FA groups (P ＜0.05).Similar ultrasonic characteristics,such as irregular shape,unclear border,acoustic halos were seen in SA and DCIS groups (P ＞0.05),while IDC group showed the highest rate and FA group had the least(P ＜0.05).SA masses' uneven internal echo,calcification,posterior acoustic attenuation was higher than FA group(P ＜0.05),but less than IDC and DCIS groups(P ＞0.05).Meanwhile,A/T ratios(≥0.7) were higher than DCIS and FA groups,but less than IDC group(P ＞0.05).In addition,SA group had a similar detection rate of the internal blood flow with FA group(P ＞0.05),but less than the IDC and DCIS groups(P ＜0.05).Conelusions Ultrasonography has a significant clinical value in diagnosis and differential breast sclerosing adenosis.

Objective To investigate the ultrasound characteristics of microinvasive breast carcinoma (MBC),and to improve its detection rate.Methods Sixty-five MBC,85 breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)and 99 breast invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC)confirmed by pathology were divided into mass type and ductal type according to ultrasonic manifestaions,and the ultrasound characteristics were retrospectively analyzed.Results MBC showed 89.23%(58/65)mass type with 64 lesions and 10.77%(7/65)ductal type. DCIS showed 88.24% (75/85 )mass type with 78 lesions and 1 1 .76% (10/85 )ductal type.IDC group showed all mass type with 102 lesions.In MBC,most mass type lesions were solid and hypoechoic with a mean maximum diameter,which was larger than DCIS,but similar with IDC(P >0.05).More mass type lesions with irregular shape and calcification were found in MBC than in DCIS(P < 0.05 ),while similar with IDC(P >0.05).The detection rate of spiculate margin in mass type lesions of MBC was higher than DCIS(P <0.05),but lower than IDC(P <0.05).Less mass type lesions showed unclear border,high A/T ratio and hyperechoic halos in MBC than in IDC(P <0.05),but similar with DCIS(P >0.05).More ductal type lesions displayed indistinct duct wall in MBC than DCIS(P <0.05 ).Meanwhile,MBC had a higher detection rate of internal blood flow(grade 2-3)than DCIS.Conclusions There are more lesions with large diameter,irregular shape,short spiculate margin and calcification in MBC than DCIS.Compared with IDC, MBC lesions are atypical in spiculate margin,and less lesions show hyperechoic halos and high A/T ratio. To be familiar with ultrasound characteristics of MBC is significant for improving its ultrasound detection rate.

Objective To probe the significance of ultrasonographic characteristics of cholangiectasis in differential diagnosis of the diseases of bile duct obstruction (DBDO) .Methods A total of 164 patients with DBDO were divided into 4 groups:bile duct calculi (n=52) ,cholangiocarcinoma (n=56) ,cystic dilatation of biliary duct (n=32) and bile duct papilloma (n=24) .The ultrasonographic characteristics of cholangiectasis were classified as regular type,abnormal type,cystic dilated type and bile lake type.The average value of the largest diameter of the bile duct (DBD) and the percentage of each type of the cholangiectasis of each group were compared.Results The accuracy of ultrasound for the diagnosis of 164 DBDO was 98.17% (161/164) .DBD of both bile ducts of calculi and cholangiocarcinoma were different from that of cystic dilatation of biliary duct and bile duct papilloma,respectively (P＜0.01) ,as well as between cystic dilatation of biliary duct and bile duct papilloma (P＜0.01) .The percentage of regular type of cholangiectasis in bile duct calculi (65.38%,34/52) ,abnormal type in cholangiocarcinoma (83.93%,47/56) ,cystic dilated type in cystic dilatation of biliary duct (81.25%,26/32) and bile lake type in bile duct papilloma (83.33%,20/24) was different from those of others,respectively (P＜0.01) .Conclusion Different ultrasonographic characteristics of cholangiectasis has important clinical significance in the differential diagnosis of DBDO.

Objective To detect high-frequency ultrasound and clinical features of acute scrotum in children. Methods High-frequency ultrasound and clinical manifestations of 112 children with acute scrotum were analyzed and compared with the final diagnosis and therapeutic regimen.Results Torsion of appendage with uneven echo nodular near the upper pole of testis or head of epididymis, accompanying secondary reactive inflammation or not were detected in 65 children. Complete testicular torsion was found in 21 children who had the whirlpool sign and absent flow in the affected testicle. There was incomplete torsion in 4 patients with winding courser sign and some flow with low resistant index. Flow increased in 22 children with acute epididymo-orchitis, except 1 with suppurative orchitis. The ultrasonic diagnose accordance rate was about 98.21% (110/112). The clinical manifestations of acute scrotum had some characteristics though partial overlapping exited. Fifteen children with torsion of appendage, 25 with complete torsion and 1 with acute orchitis received operation, and the other received expectant treatment.Conclusion The objective and precise emergency ultrasonic diagnosis combined with the overall and profound analysis of related clinical data may provide important information for the diagnosis and treatment of acute scrotum in children.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intratumoral injection of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres containing cobra venom cytotoxin in nude mice with transplanted human hepatoma. Methods: Cytotoxic activity of cytotoxin from cobra venom was determined by using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium method in vitro. Microspheres containing cobra venom cytotoxin were prepared with a double emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Forty BALB/c nude mice were inoculated subcutaneously in right flank with hepatoma BEL-7404 cells. Thirty-two mice whose tumor size reached about 1.0 cm in diameter, were randomly assigned into normal saline group, blank microsphers group, cytotoxin group and cytotoxin-PLGA group. Nude mice were intratumorally injected with normal saline, blank microspheres, cytotoxin or cytotoxin-PLGA microspheres respectively. Internal echo characteristics and blood flow of tumors were observed by high-frequency ultrasound every week after treatment. Twenty-six days after treatment, the tumors were removed to calculate the inhibition rate of tumor growth. The tumor, heart, liver and kidney tissues were obtained for histopathological examination. Results: The cytotoxin separated and purified from crude cobra venom caused intense cytotoxic effects to the BEL-7404 cells in vitro. The diameter of PLGA microspheres containing cobra venom cytotoxin was about (34.45+/-9.85)mum. Encapsulation rate was up to (78.13+/-8.92)%, and cumulative amount of cobra venom cytotoxin released from the PLGA microspheres in vitro during 30 days was up to 84.3%. After intratumoral injection, tumor volumes and weights in the cytotoxin-PLGA group were lower than those in the normal saline group, with a tumor growth inhibition rate of 52.36%. Observed under a light microscope, most tumor tissues were necrotic. No obvious morphological change could be seen on the liver, kidney and heart tissues. Conclusion: The above findings indicate that intratumoral injection of cytotoxin-PLGA microspheres has strong antitumor effect and can obviously lessen systemic toxicity, which may provide an effective and feasible method for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Objective To observe the effects of family cognitive training on patients with vascular cognitive impairment but without dementia.Methods Sixty patients with non-dementia type vascular cognitive impairment were divided at random into a group which received family cognitive training (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases).The 2 groups all took routine drugs and exercise.The family cognitive training group received cognitive training additionally.Before treatment and after 1 and 6 months of treatment,all of the patients of both groups were assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE),the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and the modified Barthel index (MBI).Results After 1 month of treatment there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in any of the assessments.After6 months the scores on each item of the MMSE,MoCA and MBI had improved significantly more in the family cognitive training group than in the control group.Conclusion Family cognitive training is effective in treating non-dementia type vascular cognitive impairment.It can delay disease progression and improve cognitive function and ability in the activities of daily living.

Objective To investigate the ultrasonic characteristics of invasive micropapillary carcinoma(IMPC) of breast and the metastatic lymph nodes,and to evaluate the value of ultrasonography for preoperative TNM staging.Methods The ultrasonic characteristics of 16 IMPC and 81 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) confirmed by pathology,as well as the metastatic lymph nodes were analyzed retrospectively.The TNM-staging for IMPC by preoperative ultrasonography was evaluated according to pathology.Results Compared with IDC group,the masses showed higher A/T ratio (＜ 0.7),larger maximum diameter,more calcification,unclear border and lymph node metastasis rate,while less acoustic halo in IMPC group.Meanwhile,similar ultrasonic characteristics,such as irregular shape,uneven internal echo,spiculate margin,posterior acoustic attenuation and internal blood flow were seen in IMPC and IDC groups (P ＞0.05).According to pathology,the ultrasonic coincidence rate for T staging was 56.3 ％,and T2-staging was 85.7％.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of ultrasonic diagnosis on lymph node metastases was 70.0％,83.3％,87.5％ and 62.5％,respectively.Conclusions Ultrasonography displayed more typical malignant signs,higher lymph node metastasis rate and diagnosis accuracy for IMPC,which possessed certain value for preoperative TNM staging.