Objective To investigate the spectrum of spiral CT imaging findings of blunt liver trauma.Methods Clinical data of 17 patients with blunt liver trauma were retrospectively collected. All patients underwent standardized spiral CT examination of the upper abdomen, which include plain scan, arterial phase and portal venous phase acquisition. The morphology, density and integrity of liver parenchyma and intrahepatic venous structures were carefully observed, as well as regions of porta hepatis, peritoneal cavity and retroperitoneal space.Results Twelve cases (70.6%) developed hepatic parenchymal laceration. There were 9 cases (52.9%) of traumatic hematoma, among which 5 were intraparenchymal and 4 were subcapsular. One case (5.9%) showed active bleeding within an intrahepatic hematoma, while two cases (11.8%) had injury (laceration) of hepatic veins. There were 7 patients (41.2%) who demonstrated the so-called “halo sign” around the intrahepatic portal branches. Thirteen patients were associated with peritoneal fluid (blood) collection, 3 with hematoma or hemorrhage of the right adrenal gland, 8 with plural effusion and 3 cases with rib fractures of right lower chest. Conclusion CT imaging findings of blunt liver trauma include parenchymal laceration, intraparenchymal and /or subcapsular hematomas, active hemorrhage, and tear of hepatic veins. Plain CT scan and contrast-enhanced dual-phase acquisition is very important for the comprehensive evaluation of patients with blunt liver trauma.

Objective To investigate the CT imaging features of metastatic hepatic adenocarcinomas from the digestive tract by using multi-detector-row helical CT (MDCT) with pathological correlation. Methods CT and clinical data of 36 patients with pathologically proven metastatic hepatic adenocarcinomas from the digestive tract were retrospectively reviewed. The primary tumors included 10 cases of gastric cancer, 1 duodenal cancer, 18 colo- nic carcinoma, 7 rectal cancer. All patients underwent MDCT plain scan and contrast-enhanced dual-phase scanning of upper or whole abdomen. The appearances of hepatic metastatic lesions on MDCT images at various enhancement phases were carefully observed. Results On plain CT scan 32 cases (88.9%) presented multiple nodules of low density at different sizes, 3 cases (8.3%) showed a single low-density nodule, and 1 case presented with a cystic mass. On contrast-enhanced scan, 4 cases (11.1%) showed faintly enhanced rim around the nodules on arterial phase; on portal venous phase 29 cases (80.6%) presented slight ring-like enhancement at the periphery of the nodule while the nodule core was markedly hypodense with intermediate soft tissue density area in between, giving rise to the typical appearance of “bull’s-eye” sign. Three cases (8.3%) showed no enhancement on either phase images. Conclusion The ring-like enhancement and the appearance of “bull’s-eye” on portal venous phase was characteristic CT features of metastatic hepatic adenocarcinoma from digestive tract.

Objective To investigate the imaging features of malignant invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures (the portal and hepatic venous vasculature, the bilie duct) by primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using multi-detector-row spiral CT (MDCT). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 68 documented HCC patients with tumorous invasion of the major intrahepatic ductal structures who had undergone contrast-enhanced dual-phase MDCT scanning of the upper abdomen.The morphological changes of the portal and hepatic venous vasculature, the bile duct, and the liver parenchyma at both the hepatic arterial phase and portal venous phase images were carefully observed and recorded. Results Among the 68 patients, 47 patients had malignant invasion of the intrahepatic portal venous vessels with secondary tumor thrombus formation; 12 patients had tumor involvement of the hepatic veins and intraheptic segment of the inferior vena cava; Tumor invasion of the bile duct was seen in 9 patents. The direct CT signs of tumor invasion of intrahepatic venous vessels included: ①dilatation or enlargement of the involved vein with intraluminal soft-tissue “filling defect”; ②enhancement of the tumor thrombus at hepatic arterial phase, the so-called “venous arterialization” phenomenon. The indirect CT signs included: ①arterial-venous shunt, ②early and heterogeneous enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma adjacent to HCC focus, ③cavernous transformation of the portal vein. The CT signs suggesting tumor invasion of the bile duct included: ①dilation of the bile ducts near or proximal to HCC lesion, ②soft-tissue nodule or mass inside the bile ducts. Conclusion Invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures by HCC will present corresponding CT imaging features. Contrast-enhanced MDCT dual-phase scanning combined with appropriate image post-processing techniques can better evaluate the malignant invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures.

AIM To compare the effects of probimane( Pro), bimolane ( Bim) and razoxane( Raz) on animal tumor metastasis in vivo . METHODS A biological inoculation method for assessment of pulmonary metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma(3LL) was employed. RESULTS Pro and Bim inhibited the pulmonary metastasis of 3LL both from d 2 and from d 8 injections, but Raz only inhibited the pulmonary metastasis of 3LL from d 2 injections. Pro inhibited the pulmonary metastasis of 3LL more potently than Bim did at equitoxic dosage. CONCLUSION Pro is better in the treatment of pulmonary metastasis of 3LL than Raz for its possible novel molecular mechanisms.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performances of seven estimation formulas for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in pre-operative patients with renal cell carcinoma.Methods A total of 386 pre-operative patients with renal cell carcinoma in the first affiliated hospital of Chongqing medical university from January 2012 to October 2014 were selected.All the patients' GFRs were measured by the renal dynamic imagingwith 99mTc-DTPA as reference (rGFR) and the seven GFR estimation equations (eGFR) were compared with the rGFR respectively.Their correlations and consistencies were observed with spearman correlation analysis and Bland and Altman analysis.The diagnostic sensitivity,specificity and likelihood ratios were calculated and the eGFR accuracies were assessed with receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis.Results The correlations between the rGFR and eGFRs were significantly (P＜0.001).In addition,CKD-EPI-Asian Crea and Ruijin formula were more accurate than others in different stages with larger ROC area in diagnosing renal cell carcinoma.Conclusion There were significant correlations between the eGFRs and rGFR,but some deviations existed.CKD-EPI-Asian Crea and Ruijin formula were more suitable for assessment of eGFR of pre-operative patients with renal cell carcinoma.However,both of these equations had a few limitations.

Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a membrane protein which is attached to the cellular external membrane. The uPAR expression can be observed both in tumor cells and in tumor-associated stromal cells. Thus, in the present study, the human amino-terminal fragment (hATF), as a targeting element to uPAR, is used to conjugate to the surface of superparamagnetic iron nanoparticle (SPIO). Flowcytometry was used to examine the uPAR expression in different tumor cell lines. The specificity of hATF-SPIO was verified by Prussian blue stain and cell phantom test. The imaging properties of hATF-SPIO were confirmed in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of uPAR-elevated colon tumor. Finally, the distribution of hATF-SPIO in tumor tissue was confirmed by pathological staining. Results showed that the three cells in which we screened, presented different expression characteristics, i. e., Hela cells strongly expressed uPAR, HT29 cells moderately expressed uPAR, but Lovo cells didn't express uPAR. In vitro, after incubating with Hela cells, hATF-SPIO could specifically combined to and be subsequently internalized by uPAR positive cells, which could be observed via Prussian blue staining. Meanwhile T2WI signal intensity of Hela cells, after incubation with targeted probe, significantly decreased, and otherwise no obvious changes in Lovo cells both by Prussian blue staining and MRI scans. In vivo, hATF-SPIO could be systematically delivered to HT29 xenograft and accumulated in the tumor tissue which was confirmed by Prussian Blue stain compared to Lovo xenografts. Twenty-four hours after injection of targeting probe, the signal intensity of HT29 xenografts was lower than Lovo ones which was statistically significant. This targeting nanoparticles enabled not only in vitro specifically combining to uPAR positive cells but also in vivo imaging of uPAR moderately elevated colon cancer lesions.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Ferric Compounds ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Molecular Imaging ; methods ; Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator ; chemistry ; Staining and Labeling

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Glomerulus ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lipoproteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Nephrosis, Lipoid ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective: To explore the beneficial regulatory effect of mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) of healthy population on the functions of temperature-related brain regions. Methods: In 20 recruited healthy subjects, the change of the temperature-related brain regions induced by mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) was observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results: In comparison of the values in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) during and before moxibustion, it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left anterior cingulated cortex and lateral surrounding cerebral regions, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral regions of the peripheral cortex of the calcarine fissure; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial side and paracingulated gyrus, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral zone of the left middle temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial and paracingulated gyrus; and in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left hippocampus. In comparison of the value of regional homogeneity (ReHo), it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the posterior lobe of the right cerebellum, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right occipital lobe; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the left cerebellar posterior lobe and left frontal lobe, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right inferior temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the right superior frontal gyrus and ReHo value decreased in the brain regions of the right parietal lobe and angular gyrus; in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the right frontal lobe and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right brainstem. Conclusion: In moxibustion of 3 cm distance, the changes in the brain regions basically conform to the transmission route of body trunk temperature.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and mechanism of Compound Salvia injection (CSI) on nitrate ester tolerance.

METHODSEighty-four patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were randomly divided into three groups, Group A treated with isosorbide dinitrate (ISD, 15 mg, 4 times per day) alone, Group B with ISD plus CSI and Group C with ISD plus vitamin C. The therapeutic course for all groups was 10 days. The tolerance to nitrate ester and blood pressure were monitored. Before and after treatment, the color Doppler ultrasonic apparatus was used to detect the baseline value of humeral arterial internal diameters (D0), the humeral arterial dilatory response under compression [D1, that is, the flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD)] and the vasodilatory response after sucking of nitroglycerin (D2). And the blood levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression were determined. The endothelial-dependent vasodilation (EDD) was expressed by (D1 - D0)/D0 x 100%, and the endothelial-independent vasodilation (EID) was expressed by (D2 - D0)/D0 x 100%.

RESULTS(1) The occurrence rate of nitrate tolerance in Group B and C (28.57% and 35.7%) was lower than that in Group A (64.29%), but insignificant difference was found between the former two. (2) After treatment, blood pressure increased in Group A to the level of pre-treatment, that in Group C also increased but still lower than that of pre-treatment, while insignificant increase was observed in Group B, comparison between Group B and C showed significant difference (P < 0.05). (3) After treatment, EID lowered in Group A, EDD increased in Group B and C (P < 0.05), EDD and EID in Group B and C were higher than those in Group A (P < 0.05), and EDD was higher in Group B than in Group C (P < 0.05). (4) After treatment, ET-1 mRNA expression lowered in Group B, eNOS mRNA expression increased in Group B and C, with significant difference as compared with those before treatment and those in Group A (P < 0.05), and eNOS mRNA expression in Group C was lower than that in Group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCSI could partially prevent the occurrence of tolerance to nitrate ester, with the effect better than vitamin C, the mechanism might be related with its regulation on eNOS, ET-1 mRNA expression and protection on vascular endothelial function.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; Drug Resistance ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Endothelin-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Isosorbide Dinitrate ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Phytotherapy ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use

We reported an unusual case of disseminated cryptococcal lymphadenitis in an immunocompetent host who presented with fever and lymphadenopathy, which were the only two symptoms and signs. Latex agglutination test of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were negative, while lymph node biopsy showed Cryptococcus neoformans. A diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcal lymphadenitis was made. Then the patient was treated with amphotericin B for 15 days as initial therapy and itraconazole for 6 months as maintenance therapy respectively. The patient received re-examination per 6 months and was followed up for 2 years. Swollen lymph nodes diminished gradually, and no fever or other symptoms were found. Latex agglutination test of serum and CSF were negative throughout the follow-up period, and anti-HIV, syphilis and tuberculosis antibody were all negative.
Adolescent ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; immunology ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Lymphadenitis ; diagnosis ; immunology ; microbiology ; Male