ObjectiveTo compare the diagnostic efficiency of 18F- FDG coincidence SPECT/CT and 99Tcm- MDP whole body bone scan (WBBS) in detecting malignancy.MethodsA total of 71 cases (male 45,female 26,mean age 59.2 ± 15.4 years) with clinically confirmed malignancy underwent both 99TcmMDP WBBS and 18F-FDG coincidence imaging within three weeks.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive and negative prediction value of these two imaging methods in detecting bone metastases were compared based on the results from pathology or clinical follow-up.x2test was used for data analysis.ResultsA total of 350 lesions (including primary,second malignancy and benign disease) in 71 patients were eval-uated.81.7％ (286/350) malignant lesions were identified by either 99Tcm-MDP WBBS (209/350,59.7％ ) or 18F-FDG coincidence imaging ( 141/350,40.3％ ) (x2 =25.65,P ＜ 0.01 ).The imaging findings of osteoblastic,osteolytic,mixed types of bone metastases by99Tcm-MDP WBBS and 18F-FDG coincidence imaging were significantly different (x2 =20.78,2.89 and 9.94,all P ＜ 0.05 ).The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,false-positive,false-negative,positive and negative predictive values for detecting bone metastases by 18 F-FDG coincidence study and 99Tcm-MDP WBBS were as follows:11.72％ ( 15/128),91.67％(22/24),24.34％ (37/152),8.33％ (2/24),88.28％ (113/128),88.24％ (15/17),16.30％ (22/135) ; and 53.91％ (69/128),75.00％ ( 18/24),57.24％ (87/152),25.00％ (6/24),46.09％ (59/128),92.00％ (69/75),23.38％ ( 18/77 ).The sensitivity,accuracy,false-negative,positive-predicting value of the two methods had been significant different (x2 =32.70- 46.21,all P ＜ 0.01 ).When two methods were combined,the diagnostic efficiency could been improved.ConclusionThe 99Tcm-MDP WBBS and 18F-FDG coincidence imaging has a complementary role in detecting bone metastases.

OBJECTIVESTo review degenerative lumbar disease treated with Wallis and the re-herniation cases after the implantation of Wallis, so as to evaluate the effect of the device.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to June 2010, a retrospective analysis was done and 48 patients (30 males and 18 females) with an average age of 43 years (ranging from 17 to 69 years), who received stabilization of the segment using the Wallis device, were reviewed. The involved segments included: 4 cases at L(3-4), 38 cases at L(4-5), 6 cases at L(5)-S(1). Preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scales (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded to evaluate the clinical efficiency, imageology diversity was assessed by X-rays and MRI.

RESULTSAll cases received fenestration and the implantation of Wallis. No surgery related complications were recorded. There were 48 cases were followed up. The average follow-up period was (20 ± 4) months (12 - 30 months). The average ODI score dropped from 46 ± 10 to 24 ± 7 (t = 12.765, P < 0.05). The average VAS for back and leg pain dropped from 8.1 ± 1.6 to 2.1 ± 1.1(t = 21.881, P < 0.05). Six patients with recurrent lower back and leg pain were diagnosed by MRI, as recurrent herniation (6/48, 12.5%). All re-herniation occurred at L(4-5) level, between 2 and 13 months after the surgery. Three of the 6 patients underwent additional discectomy and fusion, others received conservative treatment.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough existing problems such as recurrence after surgery, the clinical outcome of Wallis in treating protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc and lumbar stenosis is satisfied in middle-early stage.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Spinal Stenosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between oral neoplasm genetic susceptibility and genetic polymorphism of p53 intron 7.

METHODSThe intron 7 ApaI polymorphism of p53 was analyzed in 95 oral neoplasm patients and 105 healthy individuals by utilizing polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) genotyping assay technique, and direct sequencing was performed in 30 cases which were selected from the patients and controls by random sampling.

RESULTSIn oral neoplasms cases, haplotype combinations were T-G 43.2%, C-T 56.8%, and frequencies of genotype were T-G/T-G 15.8%, C-T/T-G 54.7%, C-T/C-T 29.5%, while in controls they were T-G 30.9%, C-T 69.1% and T-G/T-G 10.5%, C-T/T-G 41.0%, C-T/C-T 48.5%. There was a significant difference in the allelic frequency and the genotypical distributions between the oral neoplasm patients and the controls. The individuals with the T-G allele had a slight increasing neoplasm risk than individuals with C-T allele; the OR for T-G versus C-T was 1.69 (95% CI, 1.12 - 2.51). The risk of suffering from oral neoplasms was higher in the individuals of T-G/T-G genotype and of T-G/C-T genotype than in individuals of C-T/CT genotype with odds ratio of 2.48 versus 2.20.

CONCLUSIONSThere are two polymorphic points in the 7th intron of human p53 gene, which could be associated with genetic susceptibility of oral neoplasms. T-G allele may be the risk factor of oral neoplasms.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Introns ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo compare the mechanical properties of point contact-dynamic compression plate (PC-DCP) and its effects on cortical bone perfusion with that of dynamic compression plates (DCP) in goat tibiae.

METHODSTwenty pairs of matched fresh goat tibiae were used. A transverse fracture model was established. The fractures with a 3mm interspace between the fracture ends were subject to fixations with the DCPs and the PC-DCPs respectively, then the four-points bending tests and the torsion tests were conducted to compare the mechanical properties of the PC-DCP with that of DCP. Another 13 sexually mature goats underwent fixations with the DCPs and the PC-DCPs, respectively, at the mid-shafts of the intact bilateral tibiae. Ischemic zones were observed at four time points (1 day, 2, 6, and 12 weeks after operation) using disulphine blue staining technique.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in mechanical properties, such as bend- and torsion-resistance, between the DCPs and the PC-DCPs. One day, 2, and 6 weeks after operation, on the side of DCP fixation, outer cortical bone ischemia under the plate persisted, and this condition did not reverse until 12 weeks after operation. However, on the side of PC-DCP fixation, cortical bone ischemia occurred only in the periphery of the screw holes and at the contact sites of the PC NUTs 1 day after operation, and it disappeared at 2 weeks after operation.

CONCLUSIONSThe PC-DCP has similar biomechanical properties of the DCP, but is less detrimental to local bone blood circulation than the conventional plates.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Goats ; Staining and Labeling ; Tibia ; blood supply ; Tibial Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of JWA gene in benzo (a) pyrene [B (a) P] induced DNA damage and repair effects in HeLa cells.

METHODSThe antisense JWA express vector (pEGFP-C1-asJWA) was constructed and stably transfected into HeLa cells. JWA deficient HeLa cells (asJWA-HeLa) was then screened and established. The general characteristics of asJWA-HeLa cells were investigated. DNA damage and repair cell culture model was conducted by treating the cells with 50 micromol/L B (a) P plus S9 for 3 hours and then the cells were maintained further 0, 1, 3, and 24 hours for DNA repairing. The damaged DNA was detected by single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay).

RESULTSJWA deficient HeLa cells (with a 31% of JWA protein expression as compared with the control) were obtained successfully. Compared with the empty vector transfected cells (C1-HeLa) and the untransfected HeLa cells, asJWA-HeLa cells were more sensitive to B (a) P exposure and with a delayed DNA repair process.

CONCLUSIONThe JWA determined might function as a potential effective environmental responsive gene and actively participate the process of B (a) P exposure associated with intracellular signal pathways of DNA damage and repair.

Benzo(a)pyrene ; toxicity ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; DNA Repair ; DNA-Formamidopyrimidine Glycosylase ; deficiency ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; HeLa Cells ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; deficiency ; genetics ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; deficiency ; genetics

Objective To study the FT-IR fingerprint characteristics of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties in Gansu Province; To provide references for identification and application of Hedysari Radix in different producing counties. Methods FT-IR fingerprints of 110 batches of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties in Gansu Province were collected in the wave number range of 4000–400 cm-1. The common pattern of the fingerprints were analyzed, and the similarity analysis were used to analyze the FT-IR fingerprints of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties. The FT-IR fingerprint characteristics of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties in Gansu Province were compared. Results The rank of average similarity of FT-IR fingerprints of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties was Tanchang County > Li County > Xihe County > Wudu District > Zhang County > Min County > Longxi County >Weiyuan County, and Hedysari Radix from Longxi County and Weiyuan County were very different from other producing counties. The FT-IR fingerprints of Hedysari Radix from Longnan City (Tanchang County, Li County, Xihe County and Wudu District) were similar, and the average similarity was relatively high; while that from Dingxi City (Zhang County, Min County, Longxi County and Weiyuan County) were similar, and the average similarity was relatively low. Hedysari Radix from every producing county had a significant and unique FT-IR fingerprint characteristic. Conclusion The identification and application of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties in Gansu Province can be realized according to FT-IR fingerprint characteristics.

Background:A ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often fatal.In addition to surgery and transarterial embc lization,radiofrequency ablation (RFA) might be another option for treating a ruptured HCC.Unfortunately,conventional RFA has a limited ablation zone;as such,it is rarely used to treat ruptured tumors.Case presentation:This case was a 60-year-old man who had a large,ruptured HCC in which hydrochloric acid (HCI)-enhanced RFA successfully controlled the bleeding and made the tumor completely necrotic.Conclusion:Considering the effectiveness of HCI-enhanced RFA in achieving hemostasis and tumor ablation,it might be a new option for treating large,ruptured HCCs.

OBJECTIVETo establish a novel model of lumbar disc degeneration on the early stage in the rhesus monkey using percutaneous needle puncture guided by CT.

METHODS(1) Thirteen rhesus monkeys aged from 4 to 7 years, female 7 and male 6 were selected for establishing a model of the early stage of lumbar disc degeneration. (2)13 monkeys, 91 discs were divided into 3 groups: 64 discs from L1/2 to L5/6 were percutaneous punctured with a needle 20G as experimental group and 1 disc with a needle 15G as puncture control group and 26 discs were not be punctured from L6,7 to L7-S1 as control group. (3) Lumbar disc localization for needle puncture was guided by CT. All discs were examined by MRI, the HE, Masson's trichrome, Safranine-O and immunohistochemical staining of type II collagen before disc puncture and after puncture at 4, 8 and 12 weeks.

RESULTSMRI: (1) Experimental group: Pfirmann's Grade I was shown at postoperation 4, 8 and 12 weeks; (2) Puncture control group: Grade III was shown at postoperation 4 weeks and Grade IV at 8 weeks; (3) CONTROL GROUP: Grade I was shown at postoperation 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Histological examination: (1) In experimental group, there was no any change at postoperation 4 weeks, and the cell population of the nucleus was decreased at 8 weeks and more decreased at 12 weeks in HE. (2) There was no any change at postoperation 4 weeks, the clefts among the lamellae of the annulus fibrosus (AF) were shown at 8 weeks and more wider of the clefts of AF at 12 weeks in Masson's trichrome. (3) No any change was shown at postoperation 4 weeks, proteoglycan were progressively decreased at 8 and 12 weeks in Safranine-O. (4) No statistically significant difference in positive rate was observed at 4 and 8 weeks compared with control group in immunohistochemical staining of type II collagen. There was statistical difference at 12 weeks compared with control group (P<0.05). In puncture control group postoperation 8 weeks, the morphology of cell of nucleus pulposus was not clear in HE. The wider clefts of lamellae of the AF were shown in Masson's trichrome. The proteoglycan was obviously decreased in Safranine-O. Immunohistochemical staining collagen II synthesized was decreased. In normal control group, no any change was shown at 4, 8 and 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSThe degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc on the early stage could be induced by the percutaneous needle puncture (20G) to the annulus fibrosus. The assessment of disc degeneration on early stage is not shown on MRI and only confirmed by histological examination.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Macaca mulatta ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the activity and genotype of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) and the concentration of thioguanine nucleotides (TGNs) as parameters for individualizing mercaptopurine (6-MP) therapy.

METHODSErythrocyte TPMT activity was measured by means of radiochemical assay. Sequence specific primer (SSP) PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used to determine the mutations in TPMT genomic DNAs. Erythrocyte TGNs concentration in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients after 6-MP treatment was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTSThe erythrocyte TPMT activity in Han population was 16.6 +/- 4.5U/ml pRBCs (man 16.8 +/- 5.0 U/ml pRBCs, woman 16.5 +/- 4.4 U/ml pRBCs), the activity in 8.1% of the samples was lower than 10 U/ml pRBCs. There was no difference for TPMT activity by gender, age, and between healthy donors and ALL patients. For TPMT genotypes, there were 5 cases of TPMT * 2, 4 TPMT * 3A, 6 TPMT * 3B, 10 TPMT * 3C and 5 unknown in 30 subjects who had low TPMT activity. In children with ALL, the TGNs level did show a negative correlation with TPMT activity at diagnosis and 7 approximately 14 days after 6-MP therapy and with WBC count 14 days after the determination of TGNs.

CONCLUSIONDetection of TPMT activity before 6-MP therapy and TGNs level during 6-MP therapy may be helpful for preventing side effects from antipurine metabolic drug overdose, and individualizing 6-MP chemotherapy in children with ALL.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; therapeutic use ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Mercaptopurine ; therapeutic use ; Methyltransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Purine Nucleotides ; metabolism ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy, median time to progression (TTP), quality of life and toxicity in the patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), treated with thalidomide plus vinorelbine and cisplatin (NP) or NP alone.

METHODSSixty six patients with advanced NSCLC were divided randomly into two groups, the trial and control groups. The trial group was treated with vinorelbine 25 approximately 30 mg/m(2) i.v. on D1 and D8, cisplatin 70 approximately 80 mg/m(2) i.v. on D1 (NP regimen), and thalidomide 200 mg orally and daily from D1. The control group received vinorelbine and cisplatin as above described.

RESULTSOf 66 assessable patients, the overall response rate was 51.5% in the trial group and 36.4% in the control group (P = 0.22). The median TTP was 6.0 months for the trial group, and 3.6 months for the control group (P < 0.001). The score of quality of life in trial group was higher than that in the control group, but no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in toxicities between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNP regimen combined with thalidomide can significantly prolong the median time to tumor progression in patients with advanced NSCLC. Thalidomide may have a synergic activity with NP regimen without increased toxicities.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Disease Progression ; Drug Synergism ; Feeding and Eating Disorders ; chemically induced ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Quality of Life ; Remission Induction ; Thalidomide ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Thrombocytopenia ; chemically induced ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Vomiting ; chemically induced