Objective To prospectively evaluate changes in serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before and after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and to investigate the association between serum VEGF levels and characters of imaging features. Methods Serum VEGF levels in 30 patients with HCC were measured on one day before TACE 3-4 days and 28-30 days after TACE, using quatitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA R&D system). The occurrence of metastasis was assessed 6 months after TACE by CT (computed tomography) and DSA (digital subtraction angiography). Results (1) Serum VEGF levels had a tendency to increase in patients with the heterogenous uptake of iodine oil and those with portal vein invasion (P

Objective To explore the value of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) in the quantitative analysis of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) of the rabbit kidneys . Methods Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to IRI group (n=24, operation with clamping) and Sham group (n=6, operation without clamping). Left renal ischemia-reperfusion was performed by occlusion (calmping) of the left renal arterial for 60 minutes, followed by reperfusion. All the rabbits underwent MRI including T2WI and SWI before and 0.5 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after the establishments of models . Three rabbits in IRI group were randomly sacrificed 0.5 h, 12 h, and 24 h after the establishment of model. The rest of the rabbits in IRI group and 6 rabbits in sham group were sacrificed for pathological examination 48 h after the establishment of model All specimen were cut into slices and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). Region of interest ( ROI) was manually created by outlining the inner medulla, inner stripe of outer medulla, outer stripe of outer medulla, and cortex, then relative signal-to-noise ratio of the kidney (rSNR) to muscle in SWI sequence was recorded. and compared with histopathologic features. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare difference of rSNR to muscle in respective location at 5 time-points between Sham group and IRI group, and the differences between groups were tested using repetitive measure analysis of variance, repetitive measure analysis of variance was performed to compare difference of rSNR to muscle in respective location at respective time-points between Sham group and IRI group. Results rSNR value in the inner medulla 0.5 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after the establishments of models were 0.28 ± 0.04, 0.98 ± 0.14, 0.69 ± 0.07, 0.57±0.06, 0.43±0.03, respectively (F=69.82,P<0.01), the inner stripe of outer medulla at the five time-points 0.08 ± 0.03, 0.57 ± 0.05, 0.32 ± 0.07, 0.16 ± 0.02, 0.04 ± 0.01, respectively(F=16.59,P<0.01), the outer stripe of outer medulla were 0.31 ± 0.04, 0.86 ± 0.09, 0.65 ± 0.07, 0.55 ± 0.06 0.43 ± 0.04(F=67.52,P<0.01), respectively,the cortex 0.05±0.01, 0.80±0.04, 0.68±0.07, 0.47±0.07, 0.36±0.08, respectively(F=118.96,P<0.01). The difference of the rSNR was statistically significant in the inner medulla, inner stripe of outer medulla, outer stripe of outer medulla, and cortex at the five different time-points. The differences between two groups were significant (F=206.29, 14.25, 42.8, 39.12, P all<0.05). The pathological findings in Sham group included normalglomerular structure l, clear cavity of tubular, no interstitial hyperemia and edema. The pathological findings in IRI group demonstated, at 0.5 h after IRI, Bowman's capsule cavity expansion, glomerular shrinkage, swelling of renal tubular epithelial cells, vacuoles degeneration, the tube cavity expansion, interstitial edema and congestion ecta became slender, andat 12 h after IR, Bowman's capsule expansion became more obvious, foam degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, apoptosis, partial loss of the brush border of the proximal convoluted tubule, formation of protein cast, and a small amount of inflammatory cells appeared in the renal interstitium, swelling of endothelial cells of the vasa recta, congestion of small vessels, and at 24 and 48 h after IRI, more serious injury of renal tubular in the outer stripe of outer medulla , massive necrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells, apoptosis, parts of the renal tubular had the contour lines, and renal tubular outline, increment in inflammatory cells, red cell and protein cast. Conclusion rSNR of SWI in the inner medulla, inner stripe of outer medulla, outer stripe of outer medulla, and cortex of the kidney varies with the degree of IRI over time, and is consistent with corresponding pathological feature, suggesting SWI is useful imaging tool to detect early damage of renal IRI quantitatively.

OBJECTIVE To assess the treatment reliability of covered stent for carotid artery blowout after head and neck tumors resection. METHODS Five cases with postoperative rupture of carotid artery invaded by the head and neck tumor were reviewed. They presented with life threatening massive neck or oral bleedings. All of them were treated with self expanding covered stents through intervention therapy approach. RESULTS The covered stent were successfully deployed in the target arteries in all cases,the instant isolation effect was quite satisfactory. After treatment, angiography showed successful occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm, patency of carotid artery lumen, and significant improvement of clinical symptoms without neurologic dysfunction. Following up 2 to 36 months, 3 patients were alive with no disease, two patients died of recurrence. CONCLUSION For the treatment of carotid blowout, endovascular occlusion with covered stent is a minimally-invasive, safe and reliable methods.

Objective Definition Chiasm of crus penis and discuss its possible role in penile erection. Methods Penile samples were acquired from 15 formalin preserved corpses.The structure located among crus penises were observed.The information about the structure located in crus penises with the nerve and blood vessel structure were recorded and analyzed. Results There was a structure of muscle fiber of ischiocavernosus among the crus penises.These muscle fiber through muscle bundle and tendon reach albuginea of cavernous body of the penis.There was long muscle fiber in the lateral surface of crus penises.While the muscle bundles were interlaced with each other with opposite side homonymous muscle and were encased with connective tissue when it reach to the back side of cavernous body of the penis.There were nerves and blood vessels observed in and out of the cavernous body of the penis and through the above structure in the crus penises. Conclusions Chiasm of crus penis was named as a structure of muscle fiber coming from two sides of the ischiocavernosus in crus penises.The structure of Chiasm of crus penis may provide an internal connection for the role of controlling the erection of the penis.

Objective:To explore the relationship between MRI texture features with the histopathology in early renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).Methods:Forty-eight healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into the IRI group ( n=40) and the sham group ( n=8). As for the IRI group, rabbits underwent the left kidney surgery by clamping the left renal artery for 60 mins and then releasing the clamp to establish renal IRI model. The rabbits in the sham group underwent the same operation, but without clamping the left renal artery. MR examination were performed before and at 1 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h after the operations. As for the IR group, eight rabbits were randomly sacrificed at each time point immediately after MR exam. The eight rabbits in the sham group were sacrificed after MR exam at 48 h after the operation. The left kidney was harvested for histopathological examination. The single item score of the histopathological features, the microvessel density (MVD), and the pathological total score were calculated. Differences in the single item score of the histopathological features, MVD, and the pathological total score among IRI group with different time points and sham group were determined using the Kruskal-Wallis test. MRI texture features of the left kidney were extracted. Multiple dimensionality reduction for MRI texture features were performed, and the features associated with the pathological total score were selected. The relationship between MRI texture features with the single item score of the histopathological features and MVD was assessed by Pearson correlation coefficients. Results:There were significant differences in renal tubular brush border destruction, renal tubular epithelial edema, necrosis, cast, interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, MVD, and the pathological total score in IRI group among the different time points (all P<0.05). T 2WI_S (3, -3) InvDfMom had the highest correlation with renal tubular brush border destruction, renal tubular epithelial edema, necrosis, and cast ( r=0.56, -0.58, 0.62, 0.69, all P<0.01). BOLD_S (4, -4) Correlat had the highest correlation with interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration ( r=0.63, P<0.01). SWI_S (4, 4) DifEntrp had the highest correlation with MVD ( r=0.61, P<0.01). Conclusion:MRI texture analysis can provide valuable information for evaluating early renal IRI.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging at 3.0 T MRI in quantifying renal redox metabolism in vitro models and experimental animals.Methods:Redox metabolites in vitro models with physiological concentrations were prepared, including reduced metabolites (glutamate, alanine, glutathione) and oxidized metabolites (2-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, glutathione disulfide, ammonium hydroxide). CEST examinations were performed at 3.0 T MRI. The imaging parameters were as follows: CEST images with different saturation pulse intensity (B 1) (1, 2, 3, 4 μT) and a fixed radio frequency (RF) duration of 2 000 ms; CEST images with different RF durations (1 500 and 2 000 ms) were acquired with a fixed B 1 value of 2 μT to obtain the optimal scanning parameters. CEST examinations with optimized parameters were performed on the left kidneys of seven healthy rabbits, and the differences in magnetic resonance ratio asymmetry (MTR asym) between rabbit renal cortex and outer medulla were measured. A paired t-test was used to compare the differences. Results:The optimal B 1 for CEST examination of redox metabolites was 2 μT, and the optimal RF duration was 2 000 ms. The MTR asym peaks of glutathione disulfide, glutathione, glutamic acid, and alanine were at 3.75, 3.5, 3, and 1.5 ppm, respectively. The MTR asym peaks of pyruvate, 2-ketoglutarate, and ammonium hydroxide were at 1 ppm. The MTR asym peak values of reduced metabolites were higher than those of oxidized metabolites. When the B 1 value was 2 μT and the RF duration was 2 000 ms, the MTR asym signal of the renal cortex was (2.60±1.10) %, (2.86±1.32) %, (3.04±1.06) %, and (2.98±0.91) % at 1, 3, 3.5, and 3.75 ppm, respectively. The MTR asym signal of the outer medulla was (1.00±0.56) %, (2.43±0.94) %, (2.29±0.88) % and (1.98±0.58) %, respectively. The MTR asym signal of the renal cortex was higher than that of the outer medulla, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.04, P=0.023; t=2.56, P=0.043; t=3.50, P=0.013; t=3.45, P=0.014). Conclusion:CEST imaging at 3.0 T MRI can be used to quantitatively evaluate redox metabolism of healthy rabbit kidneys in vitro model and normal experimental rabbits.

OBJECTIVESince human mast cell is an important source of cytokines, it is of importance to understand the effects of anti-allergic drugs on cytokines modulation in mast cells. In the present study, we aimed at observing whether IL-4 could be released from human mast cell line (HMC-1) after the stimulation of PMA + A23187, and the effects of systemic glucocorticosteroid, dexamethasone, topical glucocorticosteroid, budesonide and H1 antagonist, desloratadine on IL-4 release and mRNA expression.

METHODSHMC-1 was stimulated with 25 ng/ml phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and 2.5 x 10(-7) mol/L ionomycin (A23187) and cultured for 6 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours respectively in the presence or absence of 10(-6)-10(-10) mol/L concentrations of test drugs. Culture supernatants were collected and the levels of IL-4 were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The mRNA expression of IL-4 was measured by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSHMC-1 expressed IL-4 mRNA and the resulting protein production of IL-4 released after being stimulated with PMA plus A23187. Dexamethasone, budesonide and desloratadine had potent inhibitory effect on IL-4 release at any concentrations and time points, with significant deference (P < 0.05) compared to the control cells. The inhibitory effect did not show time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner. Desloratadine and budesonide showed neither up-regulatory nor down-regulatory effects on IL-4 mRNA expression at the test concentrations, however, desloratadine could down-regulate IL-4 mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONSHMC-1 could express and produce IL4 after stimulation. Dexamethasone, budesonide and desloratadine all had inhibitory effects on IL-4 release from HMC-1. In addition, desloratadine could also inhibit the IL-4 mRNA expression.

Budesonide ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; biosynthesis ; Loratadine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Mast Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the early and late symptomatic, pathological and immunological changes in an intranasal ovalbumin-induced animal model of allergic rhinitis in guinea pigs.

METHODSGuinea pigs were intranasally sensitized with ovalbumin absorbed on aluminum hydroxide and after 5 days' interval, they were challenged with 1% ovalbumin solution once every 3 days for total 11 times. Two control groups were studied in parallel, the positive treatment control group was treated with antihistamine and the negative control group was sham-sensitized and sham-challenged. Typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as sneezing, nasal scratching, nasal blockage and rhinorrhea were evaluated. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction (PCA) was performed to measure the levels of IgG1 and IgE. Eosinophils infiltration and goblet cells in nasal mucosa were observed. In addition, the level of histamine and the number of total leukocytes and eosinophils in the nasal lavage fluid were also measured.

RESULTSIn the model group, symptoms of sneezing, nasal scratching, nasal blockage and rhinorrhea were induced after ovalbumin challenge. The respiratory rate (RR), which reflected the resistance of upper airway, showed a biphasic change. In the PCA test, IgG1 and IgE levels increased after challenges. Eosinophil infiltration in nasal mucosa was more obvious in active groups in comparison to with the negative control group (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The histamine, total leucocytes and eosinophils levels in nasal lavage fluid also showed higher in the model group (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The antihistamine treated animals were also induced out above changes but modest compared with the model group (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The negative control showed few of above changes with significant difference (P < 0.05 or < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOur results implied that the modified animal model of allergic rhinitis was capable of showing satisfactory symptomatic and pathophysiological changes in allergic rhinitis. It showed a biphasic nasal blockage with shorter establishment duration. The model also had good treatment reaction to antihistamine. The animal model we introduced may be useful in the study of allergic rhinitis.

Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Guinea Pigs ; Nasal Lavage Fluid ; Ovalbumin ; administration & dosage ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial

Objective To compare and analyze the primary and secondary structures and antigenic epitopes of the two allergens: Der p 2 and Der f 2. Methods The protein sequences of Der p 2 and Der f 2 were downloaded online. The primary and secondary structures of the dust mite allergens were compared and analyzed bioinformatically to determine the potential epitope and signal peptide sites. Results Both Der p 2 and Der f 2 contained 146 amino acids and 9 potential protein binding sites with a secondary structure that mainly contains [3 - sheets, and there might be signal peptides site at the 1st 17th segment of the N - terminus. B cell epitopes analysis revealed that both Der p 2 and Der f 2 have 9 potential linear B epitopes and 2 conformational B epitopes. NetMHCⅡserver prediction showed Der p 2 contains 6 high affinity sites, whereas Der f 2 0nly contains 5. Conclusion This study may lay the foundation for further research of the biochemical function of the 2 allergens and contribute to vaccine development for allergen - specific immunotherapy.

Objective:To investigate the value of multimodal MRI radiomics in the preoperative prediction of Fuhrman nuclear grade of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).Methods:A total of 129 patients with ccRCC confirmed by pathology from April 2011 to April 2021 in Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were collected, and the imaging and clinicopathological data were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into training set ( n=90) and validation set ( n=39) at the ratio of 7∶3 using random indicator method. According to the postoperative pathological results, Fuhrman grades Ⅰ and Ⅱ were included in the low grade group (96 cases, 65 cases in the training set and 31 cases in the validation set), and Fuhrman grades Ⅲ and Ⅳ were included in the high grade group (33 cases, 25 cases in the training set and 8 cases in the validation set). Two radiologists manually delineated regions of interest (ROI) on T 1WI, T 2WI, Dixon-water, Dixon-fat, susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) images, and 396 texture features were extracted from each ROI. In the training set, intra-class correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney U test, minimum redundancy maximum relevance and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method were used to reduce the dimension of features to obtain the best texture features. The logistic regression was used to develop the multimodal radiomics model, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the model in identifying high and low-grade ccRCC in training set and validation set. Results:Four SWI, one T 2WI and one BOLD texture features were selected for modeling. The areas under the ROC curve (95%CI) of the multimodal radiomics model for identifying high and low grade ccRCC in the training and validation sets were 0.859 (0.770-0.923) and 0.883 (0.740-0.964), with the specificity at 95.4% and 87.1%, the sensitivity at 68.0% and 87.5%, the accuracy at 87.8% and 87.2%, respectively. Conclusion:The multimodal MRI radiomics model based on T 2WI, SWI and BOLD images has high effectiveness in preoperative predicting Fuhrman nuclear grade of ccRCC.