Objective To investigate the MRI manifestations and diagnostic value of adenomatoid tumor (AT)of epididymis. Methods The MRI features of 5 patients with AT of epididymis were analyzed retrospectively,which were confirmed by histopathology,and some relevant medical literatures were reviewed.Results The epididymal tumor was manifested as moderate signal on T1 WI and T2 WI,similar to adjacent testicule,and as moderate signal with slightly high rim-enhancement on enhanced T1 WI in 4 cases.Secondary infarction and chronic granulomatous inflammation in 1 patient was found and presented unevenly moderate signal on T1 WI,slight hypointensity on T2 WI, hyperintensity on DWI and rim-enhancement on dynamic enhancement MRI.Few hydrocele was detected in all 5 patients.Conclusion AT of epididymis is a rare benign neoplasm with some characteristic MRI features which is helpful for the preoperative diagnosis.

The aim of this investigation was to determine whether a PPARgamma2 Pro12Ala polymorphism was associated with insulin resistance, beta-cell function and hypertension in Chinese populations. 289 unrelated Chinese subjects first diagnosed Type 2 diabetes (HbAC1 < 6.0) were investigated, including 132 hypertensive diabetic (HTD) subjects, 157 normotensive diabetic (NTD) subjects. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were collected from all participants, as well as several venous blood samples during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Biochemical measurements (high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides) and PPARgamma2 Pro12Ala genotype were also determined. And insulin resistance and beta-cells function was assessed by HOMA-IR and HOMA-beta respectively. The frequency of subjects bearing the Pro12Ala was lower in the hypertension group (3.03%) than in the non-hypertension group (5.7%) (P < 0.05) after adjusted for age, BMI and gender. Hypertensive diabetic Pro12Ala subjects had lower fasting plasma glucose level (P = 0.0127), and better glucose tolerance 60 min after oral glucose (P = 0.0361). Moreover, plasma insulin concentrations at 60 min was lower than those without A variant (P = 0.0275), and both hypertensive Ala/Pro in HOMA-beta (P = 0.0455) and AUC for insulin (P = 0.0473) were higher, and HOMA-IR was lower (P = 0.0375) as compared with hypertensive Pro/Pro subjects. No association was observed between Pro12Ala genotype and BMI, total cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol or triglycerides in either group. Our findings suggested that the Ala 12 allele of the PPARgamma2 gene may improve insulin resistance and ameliorate beta-cell function reserves in T2DM with hypertension, and protect patients from hypertension in T2DM. As an important thrifty gene, environment factors may exerts an effect of PPAR gamma2 on glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance.
Alanine/genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Hypertension/*complications ; Hypertension/genetics ; Insulin Resistance/*genetics ; Insulin-Secreting Cells/*physiology ; Mutation ; PPAR gamma/*genetics ; Proline/genetics

Objective To explore the bronchoscopic features of endobronchial tuberculosis induced by lymphatic fistula and the efficacy of interventional treatment. Methods The data on 31 patients with endobronchial tuberculosis induced by lymphatic fistula who had received bronchoscopic diagnosis and treatment in our hospital during the period of January 2010 to June 2013 were reviewed. The bronchoscopic features , along with the frequency of interventional therapies and duration of the therapies , were retrospectively analyzed; and the efficacy of the therapies and the related complications were assessed. Rusults The endoscopic appearance showed: granuloma (19.4%), necrosis (51.6%), granuloma with necrosis (25.8%), and fistulous opening (3.2%). Dark gray matter or carbon deposition inside the lesions was the characteristics of endobronchial tuberculosis induced by lymphatic fistula. There were 76 orificium fistulae in 31 patients , mostly in the right side. The median frequency of treatment was five in patients with single orificium fistulae and the median treatment duration was 65 days; whereas the median frequency of treatment was nine in patients with multiple fistulae and the median treatment duration was 108 days. There were significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05 for both comparisons). The effectiveness rate of treatment was 98.7%. The therapy-related complication was of a small amount of bleeding, with a rate of 2.1%. Conlusions Endobronchial tuberculosis induced by lymphatic fistula shows certain characteristics under bronchoscopic examination. Bronchoscopic clamping combined with infusions with antituberculosis agents is a safe, simple, effective therapeutic method.

BACKGROUND:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a commonly sport-induced knee joint injury that does serious harm to the knee stability. ACL reconstruction is a commonly used treatment method, but researches on 1/2 peroneus longus tendon (PLT) graft are rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical outcomes of removing the autologous ipsilateral 1/2 PLT under arthroscopy for ACL reconstruction. METHODS:106 patients with complete ACL rupture in the Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University from December 2010 to December 2014 were enrolled, and autologous ipsilateral 1/2 PLT was removed under arthroscopy for ACL reconstruction. At baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, the knee stability was evaluated manually through the anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and pivot-shift test, and the knee function was evaluated by Tegner activity scale, Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scores. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Postoperative anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and pivot-shift test tests were negative in all patients. In terms of Tegner activity scale, Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scores, there were significant differences at baseline and postoperative 3 months as compared with postoperative 6 months (P < 0.05); the scores at baseline and postoperative 3 months showed significant differences compared with 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05); the scores showed no significant difference between 6 and 12 months postoperatively (P > 0.05). These results indicate that autologous ipsilateral 1/2 PLT is a good choice for ACL reconstruction under arthroscopy, achieving rapid and satisfactory functional recovery of the knee joint, which is not only minimally invasive and easy to operate, but also exhibits good therapeutic efficacy.

Clinical practice teaching in out-patient department is an important part of general internal clinical teaching for medical students. From 2010, eight-year program medical students in Huazhong University of Science and Technology began their clinical rotation practice in the out-patient department of general internal medicine. The one-on-one tutoring style was used in clinical teaching. We combined teacher demonstration teaching method with teacher supervision teaching method in clinical practice, and carried out periodical case discussion. At the end of each rotation stage, regular teaching evaluation and examination was taken. It has been proved that our teaching mode can not only help the students improve their professional and practical levels of clinical skills, and also help them gain the clinical working abilities and the professional spirits, which is worthy of further promotion.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of bronchoscopic MMC topical spraying for the treatment of tuberculous cicatricial stenosis of the central airway. Methods 45 patients with t tuberculous cicatricial stenosis of the central airway were randomly divided into a control group (14 patients), treatment group 1 (group1, 15 patients), or treatment group 2 (group 2, 16 patients), who received bronchial balloon dilatation alone, bronchial balloon dilatation combined with topical MMC spraying for one time, and for twice, respectively . The clinical efficacy was observed by using the MRC score and measuring airway diameter at the time points before treatment, end of treatment, and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, respectively. Results For the MRC scores at different time points, the MRC scores in group 2 (0.06 ± 0.25) and group 1 (0.33 ± 0.617) were significantly lower than those in the control group at 3 months after treatment (P < 0.05 for all comparisons);there were nosignificant differences at the other time points among the three groups. For the airway mean diameters at the different time points, the airway mean diameter was higher in group 2 than in the control group at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.01), and in group 1 at 3, 6, and 12 months (P < 0.05). No statistical differences were found in the other time points among three groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions Bronchial balloon dilatation combined with topical MMC spraying has certain short-term and long-term efficacy for improving dyspnea and maintaining the airway diameter after dilatation.

Objective To explore the clinical features of transbronchial tuberculous mediastinal lymph-adenitis and value of bronchoscopic interventional therapy. Methods The clinical data of 50 patients who had been diagnosed as tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis and had received bronchoscopic interventional therapy in our hospital during the period from January 2008 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The bronchoscopic change , improvement in symptoms , and time to sputum smear and culture conversion were used to assess the therapeutic effect. The patients were followed up for six months. Results The mean age of the patients was (35 ± 15) years and the male to female ratio was 1:1.2. The lesions occurred mostly at the right middle lobe in 24% (12/50) of the patients. The total effectiveness rate was up to 98% (49/50) after chemotherapy and bronchoscopic interventional therapy. The major complication associated with interventional therapy was hemoptysis (8%, 4/50). After follow-up of 6 months , 49 patients with active lesions were stable , with smooth bronchial mucosa and no obvious obstruction by granulation and caseous necrosis tissues. Conclusions The relavent clinical symptoms of transbronchial tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis is mainly caused by tuberculosis inflammation which destroys and blocks the airway. The fiber bronchoscopic therapy with forceps clip and drug infusion has a definite effect and fewer complications.

Objective To explore the values of metrics on intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and gadoxetic acid enhanced T1ρ imaging for staging of non?alcoholic fatty liver disease activity scores (NAS) and inflammation in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rabbits model. Methods NASH rabbits model was established by feeding with a varied duration (4, 8, 12 weeks) of high?fat, high?cholesterol diet. IVIM and gadolinium?ethoxybenzyl?diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd?EOB?DTPA) enhanced T1ρ images were performed by a 3.0 T MR scanner. The inter?class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland?Altman analysis were applied to evaluate the reproducibility of the IVIM and Gd?EOB?DTPA enhanced T1ρ mapping measurers. Spearman correlation analysis were used to assess the correlation between MR metrics, including ADC, D, D*, f, T1ρ, T1ρ (hepatobiliary phase, HBP), and NAS score and inflammation grades respectively with reference to histopathology. ROC curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of T1ρ and IVIM parameters for NASH, inflammation grade, and hepatic fibrosis. Multiple linear regression equations were used to analyze the independent influence factors of T1ρ (HBP). Results The f value was negatively correlated with the NAS score (r=-0.530, P<0.01). The f value of the fibrosis S1?2 was significantly lower than that of the S0 (P<0.01). There was no statistical difference in D, D*, ADC among NASH score, inflammation, and fibrosis stage. T1ρ and T1ρ (HBP) values were positively correlated with NAS scores and inflammation grades. The area under curve (AUC) for the diagnosis of NASH for T1ρ, T1ρ(HBP), ADC, D, D*, and f values were 0.849, 0.949, 0.728, 0.596, 0.522, and 0.871, respectively. The AUCs of T1ρ (HBP)+f in the diagnosis of NASH, G2?3 inflammation, and F1?2 fibrosis were 0.971, 0.935, and 0.903, respectively. Fibrosis (R2=0.624, P=0.002) and inflammation (R2=0.746, P=0.002) were major independent factors of T1ρ (HBP). Conclusion Gd?EOB?DTPA enhanced T1ρ imaging can reflect the severity of NASH and degree of inflammation. IVIM measurements are not accurate enough to stage liver inflammatory activity of NASH. T1ρ (HBP)+f might be a superior noninvasive imaging biomarker than either non?enhanced T1ρ or IVIM for NASH activity and inflammation assessments.

The aim of this investigation was to determine whether a PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism was associated with insulin resistance, β-cell function and hypertension in Chinese populations. 289 unrelated Chinese subjects first diagnosed Type 2 diabetes (HbAC1＜6.0) were investigated, including 132 hypertensive diabetic (HTD) subjects, 157 normotensive diabetic (NTD) subjects. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were collected from all participants, as well as several venous blood samples during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Biochemical measurements (high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides) and PPARγ2 Pro12Ala genotype were also determined. And insulin resistance and β-cells function was assessed by HOMA-IR and HOMA-β respectively. The frequency of subjects bearing the Pro12Ala was lower in the hypertension group (3.03 %) than in the non-hypertension group (5.7 %) (P＜0.05) after adjusted for age, BMI and gender. Hypertensive diabetic Pro12Ala subjects had lower fasting plasma glucose level (P=0. 0127), and better glucose tolerance 60 min after oral glucose (P=0. 0361). Moreover, plasma insulin concentrations at 60 min was lower than those without A variant (P = 0. 0275), and both hypertensive Ala/Pro in HOMA-β (P = 0. 0455) and AUC for insulin (P=0. 0473) were higher, and HOMA-IR was lower (P=0. 0375) as compared with hypertensive Pro/Pro subjects. No association was observed between Pro12Ala genotype and BMI, total cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol or triglycerides in either group. Our findings suggested that the Ala 12 allele of the PPARγ2 gene may improve insulin resistance and ameliorate β-cell function reserves in T2DM with hypertension, and protect patients from hypertension in T2DM. As an important thrifty gene, environment factors may exerts an effect of PPAR γ2 on glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance.

Objective To investigate the differences in GD-EOB-DTPA multi-modality MR images be-tween well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma(WHCC)and non well-differentiated HCC.Methods The clin-ical and MR images of 57 patients with pathologically proved HCC were retrospectively collected. All patients un-derwent abdominal enhancement MRI,including T1 weighted and T2 weighted imaging(T1WI and T2WI),diffu-sion weighted imaging(DWI),the apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)map,and gadoxetic acid-enhanced multi-phase sequences. The patients were classified into well-differentiated HCC(WHCC)group and non-WHCC group which combined moderate HCC and poor differentiated HCC according to their histopathological differentiation.Dif-ferences of T1WI,T2WI,DWI,ADC map,the types of HCC on hepatobiliary phase(HBP)images,and enhance-ment patterns on dynamic images were compared. The chi-square test or Fisher exact was used for comparing the imaging signal differences between WHCC and non-WHCC. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent predictors of WHCC. Results T1WI signal intensities,HBP signal types,enhancement patterns and ADC maps showed statistical significance between WHCC and non-WHCC(P<0.05).But,multiple logistic regression analysis showed that signal intensities on T1WI were independent risk factors for WHCC(P =0.001). In addition,hyperintense on T1WI showed higher statistical significance compared with isointense or hy-pointense on T1WI(P = 0.002). Conclusions Multi-modality of GD-EOB-DTPA MRI is useful for assessing WHCC. The signal intensities on T1WI are independent risk factors for evaluating WHCC. Moreover,WHCC are more likely in hyperintense T1WI signal intensity.