Objective To compare the efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT, 99Tcm-MDP bone scintigraphy (BS), and combination of the two techniques (PET/CT + BS) for detecting bone metastasis by ROC curve analysis. Methods All 296 patients with various cancers, who underwent both 99Tcm-MDP BS and 18F-FDG PET/CT within two months, were retrospectively analyzed. These images were interpreted according to 5-point scale (0: definitely negative, 1: probably negative, 2: equivocal, 3: probably positive, 4:definitely positive for bone metastasis), and the scale of PET/CT + BS was the sum of PET/CT and BS. In light of the confirmed diagnosis derived from pathology or follow-up, ROC curve analysis was performed.The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared by z-test. Results Of 296 cases, 61 (20.6%) were confirmed as bone metastases and 235 (79.4%) were negative. The AUC were 0. 919 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) :0. 867 - 0. 971) for BS, 0. 949 (95% CI: 0. 906 - 0. 991) for PET/CT, and 0. 994 (95% CI: 0.988-0.999) for PET/CT + BS, rctrospectively. The AUC of PET/CT + BS was statistically significantly larger than that of BS (z=2. 866, P=0.004) or PET/CT (z =2.027, P=0.043), while the AUC of PET/CT was larger than that of BS, but no statistically significance (z = 0. 881, P = 0. 378) was showed. The optimal sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value(NPV) were 90. 2% (55/61), 85. 1% (200/235), 86. 1% (255/296), 61. 1% (55/90), 97. 1%(200/206) for BS, 88.5% (54/61), 97.0% (228/235), 95.3% (282/296), 88.5% (54/61), 97.0% for PET/CT, and 98.4% (60/61), 95.7% (225/235), 96.3% (285/296), 85.7% (60/70) for PET/CT + BS,respectively. The specificity (χ2 = 19.862, P<0. 001), accuracy (χ2 = 23. 361, P<0.001) and PPV (χ2 =11. 791, P =0.001) of PET/CT + BS were significantly higher than those of BS, the sensitivity of PET/CT +BS was significantly higher than that of PET/CT (χ2 =4.167, P=0.031). Compared with BS, PET/CT had a higher specificity (χ2 = 19.600, P<0. 001), accuracy (χ2 = 13. 755, P <0. 001), PPV (χ2 = 13. 608, P <0. 001), but their sensitivity showed no statistically significant difference (χ2 = 0, P = 1. 000). Conclusions The efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT for detecting malignant bone metastasis was superior to that of 99Tcm-MDP BS alone. The detection ability can be obviously improved by combination of the two techniques.

To develop an analytic method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of dodecatetraenamides A, B in 42 samples of two official species of Asari Radix et Rhizoma( ARR) (37 samples of Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum with different collection time and 5 samples of Asarum sieboldiivar. seoulense). The HPLC-IT-TOF-MS/MS methods for the qualitative and UPLC-PDA methods for the quantitative analysis were established. Dodecatetraenamides A, B were identified by comparing the retention time, UV absorption spectrum and quasi-molecular ion peak [ M + H]+ with the reference compound using HPLC-IT-TOF-MS/MS. The content of dodecatetraenamides A and B in ARR were determined by UPLC-PDA. The separation was successfully carried out on a ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 µm) column eluted with mobile phases of water (A) and acetonitrile (B) in gradient program (0-3 min, 35% B; 3-5 min, 35%-36% B; 5-6 min, 36%-43% B; 6 min-11 min 43% B; 11-12 min, 43%-100% B). The column temperature was 45 °C, and the detection wavelength was set at 254 nm. The flow rate was 0.6 mL · min(-1). On one level mass spectrometry scanning, the results showed that the quasi-molecular ion [M + H] + of both dodecatetraenamides A and B were m/z 248.20. The quantitative method with UPLC-PDA has made the baseline separation of the constituents, which were reported as mixtures in the most literatures. The average recovery of dodecatetraenamides A and B were 97.90% and 99.86%, the relative standard deviation were 0.4% and 1.1%, respectively. The contents of dodecatetraenamides A, B in all ARR samples was in the range of 0.11-3.89 and 0.24-6.65 mg · g(-1). Their contents reduced with the extension of storage time. Compared with the samples of 2013, the average content of the two constituents in the samples collected in year 2002-2003 reduced 34% and 36%, respectively (P < 0.05). Compared the A. sieboldii var. seoulense and A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum with the same collective time and production area, the average contents of the two constituents in latter were up to (1.59 ± 0.75) mg · g(-1) and (2.90 ± 1.17) mg · g(-1), respectively, significantly higher than that in A. sieboldii var. seoulense (dodecatetraenamide A were (0.78 ± 0.52) mg · g(-1), dodecatetraenamide B were (1.69 ± 0.83) mg · g(-1)) (P < 0.05). The content of the dodecatetraenamide A in overground part was in the range of 0.11-0.33 mg · g(-1), dodecatetraenamide B was 0. 24-0.60 mg · g(-1), which were much lower than that of the underground part of ARR (dodecatetraenamide A was in the range of 0.73-3.89 mg · g(-1), dodecatetraenamide B was 2.11-6.24 mg · g(-1)). The method was certified to be simple, accurate and reliable and could be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of dodecatetraenamide A and B in different species of ARR, also can be used for the comprehensive quality control of traditional Chinese medicine, Asari Radix et Rhizoma.
Amides ; chemistry ; Asarum ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of the mRNA expressions of myocardial cytoskeletal proteins in endotoxemic rats.

METHODSThirty-seven Wistar rats were randomized into two groups with injection of 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or normal saline through the femoral vein. The cardiac function of the rats was monitored continuously for 24 h, and the morphological changes of the cardiac myocytes were observed with HE staining and electron microscope. The mRNA levels of myocardial cytoskeletal proteins including actin, tubulin and desmin were determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in the number of CD3(+)T lymphocytes in the TILs between different groups. After the immunotherapy, the peLPS injection resulted in significant impairment of the cardiac function and myocardial microstructure of the rats with reduced heart rate and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP). The mRNA expression of actin in the cardiac myocytes measured by fluorescence optical density was reduced significantly 8 h after LPS injection, and that of tubulin was decreased significantly 24 h after LPS treatment; desmin mRNA expression showed no significant variation after LPS injection.

CONCLUSIONLPS can significantly impair the cardiac function of the rats possibly by inducing damages of the myocardial cytoarchitecture and causing changes in the mRNA expressions of such cytoskeletal proteins as actin and tubulin.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Endotoxemia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Female ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tubulin ; genetics ; metabolism

Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo discuss the causes of unsatisfied cervical posterior decompression surgery and describe the overhauling strategies and precaution.

METHODSThe clinical data of 14 patients required revision surgery were retrospectively analyzed, and these patients with unsatisfied effects were due to cervical posterior decompression surgery from January 2012 to December 2014. Overhauling reasons were analyzed and then different revision procedures were performed. The functions of cervical cord and ambulation were evaluated respectively by modified Japanese Orthopedic Association(mJOA) score and Nurick grade according to the course order:preoperative for the first time, pre-revision and at final follow-up. Improvement rate of nerves function were calculated before and after operation for the first time, before and after revision. Above data were statistically analyzed by SPSS16.0 software.

RESULTSReoperation reasons including 2 patients with the insufficiency width of laminectomy, 2 patients with the inadequate length of decompression, 2 patients with nerve root and spinal cord compression caused by fractured collapse, 4 patients with closed the door of vertebral lamina, 1 patient with less open-door angle, 2 patiens with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (1 case complicated with close the door), 2 patients with cervical spine kyphotic deformity aggravating (1 case complicated with close the door), 1 patient with nerve root canal stenosis caused by uncovertebral joint hyperplasia. Preoperative for the first time, pre-revision and at final follow-up, mJOA scores were 11.89±1.67, 13.11±1.09, 15.61±0.59, and Nurick grades were 4.21±0.58, 3.57±0.51, 1.71±0.47, respectively. There was significant difference between final follow-up and preoperative for the first time, pre-revision(<0.05). Improvement rate of nerve function was (22.33±9.49)% with bad before and after operation for the first time, and (64.60±9.88)% with good before and after revision, with statistical significance(<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIndividualized revision surgery based on different causes for unsatisfied cervical posterior decompression can improve the function of spinal cord. Preoperative carefully analyzing the etiological factors, thoroughly decompression can reduce the revision rate.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic value of dual-head (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) imaging in metastatic lesion with unknown primary tumour (UPT).

METHODSSeventy patients with UPT underwent dual-head (18)F-FDG imaging after iv (18)F-FDG 1.85 MBq/kg. The primary tumour was diagnosed according to the FDG uptake and T/N value.

RESULTSOf the 70 patients, the primary tumour was identified by positive FDG imaging and finally confirmed pathologically in 58 patients (82.9%), and 12 patients had a negative FDG imaging (17.1%). Forty-two of the 58 positive patients were found to have lung cancer (72.4%). Among the 12 negative patients, their primary tumour was then identified by other diagnostic procedures in 5 patients (41.7%), in 1 patient, the primary site was detected during follow-up, however, the primary tumour was never detected in the rest 6 patients.

CONCLUSIONDual-probe (18)F-FDG imaging is a simple, quick, non-invasive and sensitive technique with an accuracy over 80% in the diagnosis of unknown primary tumour. The lung is found to be the most frequent primary site. Dual-probe (18)F-FDG imaging can be recommended as the first diagnostic choice for UPT.

Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography

OBJECTIVETo obtain human mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), mitochondrial transcription factor B1 (TFB1M), and mitochondrial transcription factor B2 (TFB2M) that were expressed efficiently in E. coli BE21 and to purify the target proteins.

METHODSTFAM, TFB1M, and TFB2M segments were designed and synthesized. After having been sequenced, the reconstructed expression vectors were constructed by enzyme digestion and by cloning into an expression vector pET42a. Then the reconstructed vectors were transformed into E. coli BL21. Recombinant glutathione S transferase (GST) fusion proteins were expressed via the induction of IsoPropyl beta-D-ThioGalactoside (IPTG) and purified by glutathione Sepharose 4B.

RESULTSThe expression plasmids of pET42a-TFAM, pET42a-TFB1M, and pET42a-TFB1M were successfully constructed. The sequences of the cloned gene segments were identical with GenBank reported. The protein bands with relative molecular masses of 56 000, 67 000, and 69 000 appeared on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) after the expressed GST-TFAM, GST-TFB1M, and GST-TFB2M fusion proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE. The expressed fusion proteins were purified to high purity.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant plasmids pET42a-TFAM, pET42a-TFB1M, and pET42a-TFB2M were successfully constructed, and the GST-fused target proteins were prepared.

Cloning, Molecular ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Methyltransferases ; genetics ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of 5-azacytidine (5-AZA) on XAF1 expression in myeloma cells and efficacy of 5-AZA treatment for myeloma in vitro. XAF1 expression was analyzed by semi-quantitative PCR. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect the methylation status of XAF1 promoter CpG islands. RPMI 8226 and XG-7 cells were treated with 0-5 micromol/L of 5-AZA. Expression of XAF1 mRNA variants was confirmed by gel electrophoresis. The results indicated that the untreated RPMI 8226 cell expressed XAF1 mRNA transcript 1 and transcript 2, untreated XG-7 cells did not express XAF1 mRNA. Hypermethylation of XAF1 promoter CpG islands could be detected in both cell lines. Both cell lines expressed full-length XAF1 transcript after being treated with 2.5 micromol/L of 5-AZA for 72 hours. 5-AZA treatment led XAF1 promoter CpG island to hypomethylation in both cell lines. 5-AZA exerted anti-myeloma activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The IC(50) value of XG-7 cells treated with 5-AZA for 48 hours was 2.6 micromol/L. 1.0, 2.0, 2.5 and 5.0 micromol/L of 5-AZA treatment for 48 hours induced (34.3 +/- 8.0)%, (54.8 +/- 3.1)%, (64.1 +/- 3.4)%, (81.0 +/- 4.1)% apoptosis in XG-7 cell line respectively. The combination of 1.0 - 4.0 micromol/L of 5-AZA with 1.0 - 4.0 micromol/L of arsenic trioxide (ATO) exhibited synergistic toxicity in myeloma cells with all CI values less than 1.0. It is concluded that lack of XAF1 expression and abnormal expression of XAF1 in myeloma cell lines are associated with the hypermethylation of XAF1 gene promoter CpG island. 5-AZA treatment can induce the expression of XAF1 mRNA and protein in myeloma. 5-AZA exerts anti-myeloma activity via apoptosis at clinically achievable concentrations. The findings suggested that 5-AZA and ATO may be an effective combination in the therapy of patients with multiple myeloma.
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Azacitidine ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Multiple Myeloma ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of abdominal acupuncture for cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type.

METHODSThirty cases of cervical vertigo, in which the color ultrasonography indicated vertebral arterial blood insufficiency, were treated with abdominal acupuncture therapy. The points were Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Xiawan (CV 10), Shangqu (KI 17) and Huaroumen (ST 24). The treatment was given once every day and five continuous treatments made one session. Separately, before treatment and in the 1st and 5th treatments, the cervical vertigo symptom and functional assessment scales were adopted for scoring. Simultaneously, the color ultrasonography was applied to observe the blood flow changes of the bilateral cervical arteries.

RESULTSExcept the score for headache in the 1st treatment, the scores in cervical vertigo and function assessment scale in the 1st and 5th treatments were all improved significantly in 30 patients as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). In the 1st and 5th treatments, on the affected side, the vertebral artery diameter, mean velocity and blood flow per minute were all improved significantly as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.01). In one session treatment, the total effective rate was 100.0% (30/30) and the curative rate was 60.0% (18/30).

CONCLUSIONAbdominal acupuncture therapy not only relieves the clinical symptoms, but also improves vertebral arterial blood supply for the patients of cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type.

Abdomen ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Regional Blood Flow ; Spondylosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebral Artery ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo introduce a method by reversed ulnar fasciocutaneous flap incised form the ulnar side of the fifth metacarpal area for repairing the soft tissue defect of the fifth finger.

METHODSFrom May 2001 to September 2001, ten patients with the soft tissue defects of the thenar side, dorsal side or ulnar side of the fifth finger were treated with the reversed ulnar fasciocutaneous flap incised from the fifth metacarpal area. The axial line of the flap was the line from ulnar side of the head of the fifth metacarpal bone to the pisiform level. The revolving point of the flap pedicle was 0.5-1 cm near the proximal end of the metacarpal-phalangeal joint.The area of the flap was form 5.0 cm x 3.5 cm to 1.5 cm x 1.0 cm.

RESULTSAll flaps of the ten cases were alive. 5-7 months followed-up show that, after operation, the flap present sensation in 6-12 mm, with soft texture and good appearances.

CONCLUSIONSThe advantages of this operative method were as follows: the reversed ulnar fasciocutaneous flap of the fifth metacarpal area have reliable blood supply, it was easily dissected and with good texture. So far this kind of flap is a good choice in repairing the soft tissue of the fifth finger.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Fascia ; transplantation ; Female ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Metacarpal Bones ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult