Objective To evaluate the value of medical imaging technology in qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of liver steatosis.Methods To describe the current status and advancements of medical imaging technology such as sonography,CT and MRI in qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of liver steatosis,and to contrast their advantages and shortages.Results Sonography could be used as the primary screening and evaluate measures in qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of liver steatosis,and CT was more reliable in quantitative diagnosis,MRI had significant improving with its high sensitivity and specificity.Conclusion Medical imaging technology has significant clinical value in qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of liver steatosis,especially with the help of functional MR imaging techniques such as spectroscopy and chemical shift Gradient-Echo technic.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of CT scanning and MR imaging on acute cholecystitis.Methods The CT or MR imaging data of 21 patients with proved acute cholecystitis were retrospectively reviewed.Eleven patients were examined with contrast-enhanced multi-detector-row spiral CT scanning and other 10 cases underwent contrast-enhanced MR imaging.Results Nineteen patients showed obscure gallbladder outlines(90.5%).The gallbladder wall demonstrated even thickening in 15 patients(71.4%) and irregular thickening in 6 cases(28.6%).All patients showed inhomogeneous enhancement of the gallbladder wall(100%).The bile was hyper-dense or hyper-intense on T1W image in 11 cases(52.4%).Ten cases had free peri-cholecystic effusion(47.6%),and 16 cases had peri-cholecystic adhesive changes or fat swelling(76.2%).Patchy or linear-like transient enhancement of the adjacent hepatic bed in the arterial phase was seen in 16 cases(76.2%).Twelve patients developed pleural effusion,or ascites,or both(57.1%).Gallbladder perforation complicated with peritonitis was seen in one case,micro-abscess formation and pneumocholecystitis was observed in another case,and one case had gallbladder diverticulum.Conclusion Wall blurring,pericholecystic adhesion or fat edema,and transient enhancement of adjacent hepatic bed in the arterial phase are the imaging findings specifically associated with acute cholecystitis,which are readily appreciated on contrast-enhanced multi-phasic CT and MR scanning.

Objective To investigate the mult-slice spiral CT(MSCT)imaging manifestations of bowel wall thickening due to nontumorous causes,and to address the value of MSCT scanning in assessing nontumorous bowel wall thickening.MethodsThe MSCT findings of 284 patients with bowel wall thickening due to nontumorous causes confirmed by surgery,biopsy,or clinical follow-up were retrospectively analyzed.The location,range,symmetric or asymmetric,degree,attenuation,presence or absence of enhancement and associated perienteric abnormalities of thickened bowel wall were involved.ResultsAll nontumorous disease caused bowel wall thickening include liver cirrhosis(109 cases),acute pancreatitis(54 cases),bowel obstruction(36 cases),inflammatory bowel disease(14 cases),ischemic bowel disease(12 cases),radiation enterocolitis(13 cases),tuberculosis(12 cases),immune reaction(10 cases),infective enteritis(3 cases),acute appendicitis(3 cases),hypoproteinemia(5 cases),non-common disease(8 cases)and normal variants(5 cases).The attenuation pattern of the thickened bowel wall include high attenuation(1 case),iso-attenuation(144 cases),low attenuation(127 cases),fat deposition(5 cases)and pneumatosis(7 cases).The enhancement pattern of the thickened bowel wall included gentle enhancement(249 cases),notable enhancement(32 cases)and unenhancement(3 cases).Degree of bowel wall thickening included mild thinckening(279 cases)and marked thickening(5 cases).The range of bowel wall thickening was focal(8 cases),segmental(64 cases)and diffuse(212 cases).The associated perienteric abnormalities of thickened bowel wall included swelling of fat(218 cases),ascites(189 cases),lymphadenopathy(5 cases),peirenteirc abscess(2 cases),mesenteric vascular lesion(25 cases)and involvement of solid abdominal organs(169 cases).ConclusionMSCT has an invaluable role in the diagnostic evaluation of nontumorous bowel wall thickening.A wide variety of nontumorous diseases may manifest with bowel wall thickening at MSCT.Paying attention to the characteristics of thickening of bowel wall will benefit the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of various intestinal diseases.

Objective To investigate multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) and MRI features of stasis cirrhosis and the diagnostic value of MSCT and MRI. Methods MSCT and MRI findings of 35 patients with stasis cirrhosis were studied. The size of liver and spleen, the diameter of hepatic vein (HV), enhancement pattern of liver parenchyma, contrast medium reflux in inferior vena cava (IVC) and (or) HV, ascites, number of varices and correlated abnormalities were reviewed. Results The volume index of liver and spleen of 35 patients was 4 434.95 cm3 and 621.92 cm3 respectively. The mean diameter of HV of 27 patients (77.1%) was 3.61 cm and HV of other 8 patients (22.9%) were too small to show. Number of patients showed waves of borderline, inhomogeneous pattern of parenchymal contrast enhancement, contrast medium reflux in IVC and (or) HV, varices and ascites was 5 (14.3%), 29 (82.9%), 20 (57.1%), 16 (45.7%), and 6 (17.1%), respectively. Correlated abnormalities included cardiac enlargement 4 cases (11.4%), pericardium thickening 11 cases (31.4%), and pericardial effusion 2 cases (5.7%). Conclusions Stasis cirrhosis mainly demonstrate liver enlargement, inhomogeneous pattern of parenchymal contrast enhancement, contrast medium reflux in IVC and (or) HV, and slight portal hypertension. MSCT and MRI play invaluable roles in diagnosis, differential diagnosis and etiological diagnosis of stasis cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND:Human mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton's jelly(WJCs)display the characteristics of MSCs as defined by the International Society for Cellular Therapy.They can be differentiated into bone,cartilage,adipose,muscle,and neural cells.They can also support the expansion of other stem cells,be weli-tolerated by the immune system,and have the ability to home to tumors.OBJECTIVE:To investigate biological changes of WJCs and brain tumor stem cells(BTSCs)co-cultured in vitro.METHODS:WJCs cultured by situ cultivation and BTSCs used enzyme digestion way respectively,and gathering the 3rd passage of WJCs though subculturing as well as BTSCs.Two kinds of cells co-cultured in 24-well plates in serum-free medium (SFM)without any growth factor.3 and 7 days after co-cultured respectively,CD133 expression of suspension cells in the 24-well plates were identified by flow cytometry,and immunofluorescence was performed for Nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)expression of adherent cells.Co-culture supernatant(CCS)re-suspended 3~(rd) passage of BTSCs and cultured into 96-well plates at day 3,which were used to determine the difference in cell growth curve in both groups using a microplate reader.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:With the cocultivation days increasing,the phenomenon that tumor sphere cells began to be decomposed,adherent and differentiated observed by an inverted microscope.BTSCs in the co-cultured group expressed GFAP and Nestin when adherent and differentiated.The higher degree of malignant brain tumor tissue used in culturing BTSCs was,the higher expression of CD133 in BTSCs was.CD 133~+ in BTSCs declined when co-cultured with WJCs.Growth curve of brain tumor stem cells cultured in CCS compared with in SFM at day 3,which indicates that the proliferation of BTSCs inhibited obviously.Results indicated that CD 133~+ expression and proliferative capacity of BTSCs went down and BTSCs underwent differentiation during the co-culture in vitro.

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have low immunogenicity and immunomodulatory effect,but there are seldom reports concerning the immunomodulatory effect of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells of human umbilical cord and its mechanims.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells of human umbilical cord on varient peripheral blood T lymphocytes.METHODS:Mesenchymal stem cells were isolateded from Wharton's jelly of human umbilical cord by tissue culture.T lymphocytes from human peripheral blood were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin and co-cultured with umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells and umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells supernatant respectively to measure A value following 72 hours of coculture using multifunctional microplate reader.Expression of cytokines including transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1)and interferon-y(IFN-γ)was evaluated by enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells could inhibite the proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by phytohemagglutinin.The proliferation inhibition rate was 56%(P＜0.01).Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells supernatant also had inhibitory effects on proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by phytohemagglutinin,in a dose-dependent fashion.The proliferation inhibition rates were 8.3% and 27% respectively in the 50% Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells supernatant and 100% Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells supematant groups(P＜0.05).Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells significantly decreased γ-interferon secrted from T-lymphocytes(P＜0.05).The secretion of TGF-β1 was lower in the coculture of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells and T lymphocytes group than Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells alone group(P＜0.05).These indicated that Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells and Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells supernatant have inhibitory effects on proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by phytohemagglutinin.The mechanims may be associated with cell contant and inhibition of v-interferon secrted from T-lymphocytes.

This study was aimed to observe clinical efficacy of Bushen Huoxue Kaiqiao (BSHXKQ) treatment of diabetes-induced vascular mild cognitive impairment . A total of 30 cases of diabetes-induced vascular mild cognitive impairment were randomly divided into the treatment group ( 15 cases ) and the control group ( 15 cas-es). The treatment group received free-fried BSHXKQ prescription (Cistanche 10 g, Shichangpu 5 g, Sanqi 2 . 5 g ) for treatment 3 times a day , and in combination of 30 mg of nimodipine , 3 times a day . In the con-trol group , 30 mg of nimodipine was orally administrated 3 times a day . The treatment was continued for 6 months. Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Beijing Edition ( MoCA ) and TCM Syndrome Score were used in the evaluation before and after the treatment . The results showed that the rate of progress was in both groups after treatment . In the treatment group , the rate was 86 . 70%, and in the control group the rate was 33 . 33%. The total effective rate in the treatment group was superior to the control group ( P < 0 . 05 ) . There were statistical significances in the MoCa Scale , ADL Scale and TCM Syndrome Score before and after treatment in each group ( P < 0 . 05 ) . The treatment ef-fect in the treatment group was superior to the control group ( P < 0 . 05 ) . There was no statistical significance in the incidence of adverse events in both groups . It was concluded that the effect of BSHXKQ prescription in the treatment of diabetes-induced vascular mild cognitive impairment was superior to nimodipine in improving activities of daily living , cognitive function , degree of dementia and TCM syndrome score . There was no differ-ence in the incidence of adverse events compared with nimodipine .

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). Methods: Forty-eight patients with DLBCL treated at Peking University Cancer Hospital between November 2010 and December 2014 were assessed. All patients underwent PET/CT scanning prior to or after auto-HSCT. Correlation analysis was done based upon patients characteristics, PET/CT scan results and survival. Results: ①Among 48 patients, 27 was male, 21 female, median age was 43 (17-59) years old. ② Patients with negative pre-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment demonstrated significantly better 3-year progression free survival (PFS) (87.1% vs 53.3%, χ²=7.02, P=0.019) and overall survival (OS) (90.3% vs 60.0%, χ²=6.51,P=0.022) than patients with positive pre-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment. Three-year PFS (94.1% vs 30.0%, χ²=22.75, P=0.001) and OS (97.1% vs 40.0%, χ²=21.09, P=0.002) were also significantly different between patients with negative and positive post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment. ③ Multivariate analysis indicated a significant association of PFS (HR=13.176, P=0.005) and OS (HR=20.221, P=0.007) with post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment. Number of prior treatment regimens was associated with PFS (HR=10.039, P=0.040). ④ Harrell’s C index revealed that the value of combined use of number of prior treatment regimens and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment was superior to either one used alone in PFS (Harrell’s C values were 0.976, 0.869 and 0.927 in combined use, number of prior treatment regimens and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment, respectively), and the combined use of ECOG performance status and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment significantly increased the Harrell’s C index in OS (Harrell’s C values were 0.973, 0.711 and 0.919 in combined use, ECOG performance status and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment, respectively). Conclusions Post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment is the main predictor of outcomes in DLBCL patients receiving auto-HSCT. Combined use of post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment and number of prior treatment regimens and ECOG performance status is a better prognostic tool in patients with DLBCL undergoing transplantation.

Adult ; Aged ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo determine the predictive value of interim and end-of-treatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT after first-line treatment in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).

METHODSThe clinical data of 50 newly diagnosed HL patients were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline, interim and end-of-treatment PET-CT were performed, and then imaging results were analyzed for the survival of patients via software SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSFifty patients received first-line treatment with ABVD (doxorubicin + bleomycin + vincristine + dacarbazine) or BEACOPP (bleomycin + etoposide + doxorubicin + cyclophosphamide + vincristine + procarbazine+ prednisone) regimen. Interim PET-CT of 35 patients were performed after 2-4 cycles of treatment, 46 patients received PET-CT scans at the end of treatment. After a median follow-up of 29.4 months (12.2-52.4 months), the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 100% and 70% for the interim PET-CT negative (n=25) and positive (n=10) patients, respectively (P=0.004). The 3-year PFS rates were 100% and 60% for the post-treatment PET-CT negative (n=36) and positive (n=10) patients, respectively (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONInterim and end-of-treatment PET-CT were correlated with 3-year PFS rates for HL patients. They may play an important role in predicting the outcome of HL. The relationship with OS can not be determined because of the short follow-up time.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Hodgkin Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome