Objective To evaluate the predictability of MSCT perfusion in the restorability of renal function of hydronephrotie kidneys with unilateral partial ureteric obstructed rabbit model as to explore a method to predict the restorability of renal function of hydronephrotic kidneys and to investigate the changes of MSCT perfusion parameters during the course of the restore of renal function.Methods Establish a unilateral partial ureteric obstructed rabbits hydronephrotie model.Hydronephrotie rabbits were grouped as control,2,4 and 8 week(G_2w,G_4w and G_8w)after obstruction and the later 3 groups of rabbits were reared for further 4 weeks after the obstruction was released.MSCT perfusion scanning was performed and the specimen was made into histological slices with HE staining.Results BF and BV value of renal cortex and medulla of G_2w after obstruction [(864?32)ml?100 g~(-1)?min~(-1),(19.5?0.9)ml/100 g (cortex ); (182.1?7.5)ml?100g~(-1)?min~(-1),(8.37?0.51)ml/100g(medulla)]was released restored in substance and approached that of control[(899?63)ml?100g~(-1)?min~(-1),(21.6 + 1.4)ml/100 g (cortex);(193.5?16.5 )ml?100g~(-1)?min~(-1),(8.50?0.54 )ml/100 g (medulla)]while there was no significant restore in that of G_4w and G_8w after obstruction[(525?15)ml?100g~(-1)?min~(-1),(12.8? 0.6)ml/100g (G_4 w);(512?10)ml?100g~(-1)?min~(-1),(9.4?1.0)ml/100 g (G_8w)] was released. Histologically,there was a positive correlation between the duration of obstruction and the seriousness of pathologic changes.Conclusion MSCT perfusion can provide information not only morphologically but also about renal perfusion of hydronephrotic kidneys.

Objective MR microscopy technique was used to study the visualization of senile plaque deposition in brains of the Alzheimer disease(AD)transgenic mice.Methods Two transgenic mice and 2 wild type mice at the age of 17 months were scanned in vivo using T_2 weighted image.After MR imaging,the brains were cut serially and immunostained according to the orthogonal pilot images.MR T_2 weighted images and immunohistological images of the senile plaque were observed and matched.Results The MR images showed that some black spots were visible in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of the AD transgenic mice and some spots were consistent with the senile plaques on immunohistological sections.There were no spots in the MR images and the immunohistological sections of the wild type mice.Conclusion It is possible that MR microscopy can be used to detect the deposition of the senile plaque and diagnose AD specifically.

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in the diagnosis of midline prostatic cysts.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the TRUS manifestations of 87 cases of midline prostatic cysts.

RESULTSOf the total number, 33 cases were diagnosed as Müllerian duct cysts, 21 cases ejaculatory duct cysts and the other 33 cases undifferentiated midline prostatic cysts; 19 cases had dilated seminal vesicles, 19 seminal vesicle agenesis, 9 seminal vesiculitis and 5 dilation of the ejaculatory duct.

CONCLUSIONTRUS, convenient, sensitive, safe and non-invasive, is a desirable method for the diagnosis of midline prostatic cysts.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cysts ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Rectum ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of acupoint injection of oxymatrine (OM) on experimental hepatocellular carcinoma and the mechanism.

METHODSThe rats of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by 2-acetoaminoflurence (2-AAF) were randomly divided into a normal control group (group N), a model group (group M), a control group of oxymatrine intraperitoneal injection (OM ip group) and a treatment group of small dose oxymatrine injection into Zusanli (OM ZSL group). At the end of 12h week, the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) were determined. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.

RESULTSThe number of cancer nodes on the surface of liver in th Om ip group and the Om ZSL group was lower than in the group M, with the serum ALT, AST, and gamma-GT levels significantly decreased (P<0. 01), and significantly inhibited expressions of cyclin D1, CDK4 mRNA (P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONOM ip and small dose oxymatrine injection into ZSL can treat or delay hepatocarcinogenisis of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by 2-AAF. Partial mechanism of this anti-carcinoma is protecting hepatocytes possibly through improving hepatic functions, and inhibiting excessive proliferation of liver cancer cells via inhibiting the expressions of cyclin Dl, CDK4 mRNA.

Acupuncture Points ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Cyclin D1 ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; genetics ; Injections ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Male ; Quinolizines ; administration & dosage ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; blood

BACKGROUNDWith the advanced MRI techniques, pathologic features can be detected at an early stage and quantitatively evaluated, resulting in the advantages of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. This study aimed to determine the value of diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in detection of early ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and investigate the characteristic manifestations of AS on whole body DWI (WB-DWI).

METHODSTwenty patients with the diagnosis of early AS, twenty patients with low back pain (LBP), and twenty-five healthy volunteers were included in this study. The subchondral bone apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) among these groups in the bilateral ilia and sacrum along the sacroiliac joints were compared. An independent sample t-test was utilized to analyze ADC value differences among groups. P-values less than 0.05 denoted statistical significance. The mean ADC values of focal DWI lesions in AS patients were also measured. Whole body diffusion-weighted imaging was performed in fifteen additional AS patients, and analyzed with MIP and MPR techniques in comparison to conventional MR images in order to evaluate the ability to detect AS lesions with whole body DWI.

RESULTSMean ADC values in AS patients were (0.518 ± 0.122) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s in the ilium and (0.503 ± 0.168) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s in the sacrum. These were significantly greater than the values measured in the ilium and sacrum of LBP patients, (0.328 ± 0.053) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s in the ilium and (0.311 ± 0.081) × 10(-3) m(2)/s in the sacrum, and control group, (0.325 ± 0.015) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s in the ilium and (0.318 ± 0.011) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s in the sacrum respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between LBP group and control group. The mean ADC value of focal DWI lesions in early AS patients was (0. 899 ± 0.265) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, which was significantly higher than that of adjacent normal-appearance areas ((0.454 ± 0.079) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s). WB-DWI detected abnormalities in the 15 additional AS patients both within the sacroiliac joints and at other sites, corresponding to the clinical symptoms of the patients. The mean ADC value of focal DWI lesions of this patient cohort was (1.286 ± 0.311) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s in the sacrum and (1.220 ± 0.299) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s in the ilium.

CONCLUSIONSSubchondral marrow ADC values of subchondral marrows near the sacroiliac joints allow for the differentiation of patients with early AS from normal volunteers and LBP patients. Combined with post-processing techniques such as MIP and MPR, WB-DWI allows for the comprehensive assessment of AS patients, an evaluation potentially helpful in determining prognosis and following the therapeutic response.

Adult ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Female ; Hepatic Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDDiffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model has shown promising results for providing both diffusion and perfusion information in cervical cancer; however, its use to predict and monitor the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in cervical cancer is relatively rare. The study aimed to evaluate the use of DWI with IVIM and monoexponential models to predict and monitor the efficacy of NACT in cervical cancer.

METHODSForty-two patients with primary cervical cancer underwent magnetic resonance exams at 3 time points (pre-NACT, 3 weeks after the first NACT cycle, and 3 weeks after the second NACT cycle). The response to treatment was determined according to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors 3 weeks after the second NACT treatment, and the subjects were classified as two groups: responders and nonresponders groups. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true diffusion coefficient (D), perfusion-related pseudo-diffusion coefficient (DFNx01), and perfusion fraction (f) values were determined. The differences in IVIM-derived variables and ADC between the different groups at the different time points were calculated using an independent samples t-test.

RESULTSThe D and ADC values were all significantly higher for the responders than for the nonresponders at all 3 time points, but no significant differences were observed in the DFNx01 and f values. An analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicated that a D value threshold <0.93 × 10-3 mm 2 /s and an ADC threshold <1.11 × 10-3 mm 2 /s could differentiate responders from nonresponders at pre-NACT time point, yielding area under the curve (AUC) of which were 0.771 and 0.806, respectively. The ROC indicated that the AUCs of D and ADC at the 3 weeks after the first NACT cycle and 3 weeks after the second NACT cycle were 0.823, 0.763, and 0.787, 0.794, respectively. The AUC values of D and ADC at these 3 time points were not significantly different (P = 0.641, 0.512, and 0.547, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSD and ADC values may be useful for predicting and monitoring the efficacy of NACT in cervical cancer. An IVIM model may be equal to monoexponential model in predicting and monitoring the efficacy of NACT in cervical cancer.

Adult ; Area Under Curve ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Pilot Projects ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between rs751141 gene polymorphisms in EPHX2 gene and essential hypertension in Kazak and Han in Xinjiang.

METHODSA total of 267 essential hypertensive patients in Kazaks, 368 essential hypertensive patients in Hans, 284 normotensive controls in Kazaks and 348 normotensive controls in Hans were enrolled in this study. TaqMan assay was used to detect the rs751141 G/A gene polymorphisms of EPHX2 gene.

RESULTSThe rs751141 G/A genotype frequencies for GA + AA genotypes was 40.2 percent in essential hypertensive subjects and 52.0 percent in control subjects in Hans, respectively. The genotype frequencies were significant difference between the two groups in Hans in Xinjiang (P < 0.01). The rs751141G/A gene polymorphism had no significant difference between essential hypertensive patients and normotensive controls in Kazaks in Xinjiang (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe essential hypertension in Kazaks in Xinjiang is not associated with rs751141G/A gene polymorphism of EPHX2 gene, but the essential hypertension in Hans in Xinjiang is associated with rs751141G/A allele gene polymorphism of EPHX2 gene. A type of rs751141 allele gene polymorphism may be the independent protective factor of essential hypertension in Hans in Xinjiang.

Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVEA randomized trial of breast self-examination (BSE) Program was carried out to evaluate whether the intensive BSE could reduce the number of deaths among women from breast cancer.

METHODSThis study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT). A total of 266 064 women (age of 30 to 64 years) associated with 519 textile factories in Shanghai had been randomly assigned to a BSE group (132 979 women) or a control group (133 085 women) since 1989. Initial instruction in BSE group would include demonstration of proper palpation techniques and was followed by 2 reinforcement sessions during the subsequent 4 years including video shows, BSE instruction sessions and BSE practice under medical supervision. These activities were continued for 5 years. Attendance at all events was recorded. The cohort was followed through July 2000 for development of breast diseases, and the breast cancer cases were followed through 2001 for vital status. Data analysis methods used would include Kaplan-Meier plots, log-rank test and Cox modeling.

RESULTSAmong women under instruction, 864 breast cancers detected and 133 breast cancer deaths occurred while 896 breast cancers were detected and 130 deaths recorded in the control group. The tumor size (P = 0.07), TNM stage (P = 0.39) and cumulative breast cancer mortality rate (P = 0.72) were not significantly different between the 2 groups. However, more and smaller fibroadenomas were detected in the instruction group than in the control group (P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIntensive instruction in BSE did not seem to have reduced the mortality rate of breast cancer, but more and smaller benign breast lumps could be detected.

Adult ; Breast Diseases ; diagnosis ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; mortality ; Breast Self-Examination ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Patient Education as Topic

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the whole body MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI in detecting intranodal lesions in patients with lymphoma.

METHODSWhole body MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) were performed in 23 patients with histologically proven lymphoma. A conventional coronal MRI scan from head to inguinal groove was done for whole body scanning. In the DWI, axial MRI scans were performed after segmentation based on SENSE technique, and all images were merged into whole body image reconstruction by software.

RESULTS417 lymph nodes were detected by MRI in the 23 patients. The overall positive rate of whole body MRI and DWI was 79.1% and 89.7%, respectively. It was 70.9% versus 85.2% and 79.4% versus 90.1% for the lymph nodes of < 2 cm and 2-3 cm in diameter, with a significant difference between the two methods (P < 0.01). However, it was 94.7% versus 97.9% for the lymph nodes of > 3 cm in diameter, not significantly different between the two methods (P > 0.05). Both methods had similar sensitivity in detecting the lymph nodes in the neck, supraclavicular and infraclavicular fossae, mediastinum and axillary fossa. However, the positive rate of whole body MRI was 51.2%, 43.8% and 52.2%, significantly less sensitive than 83.7%, 71.9% and 87.0%, respectively, by DWI in detecting the lymph nodes in the retroperitoneal space, pelvic cavity and inguinal groove (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBoth whole body MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI have a relative high sensitivity in detecting intranodal lesions for patients with lymphoma, showing a certain value in clinical application.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Whole Body Imaging ; methods ; Young Adult