Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of dual energy CT spectrum curve combined with CT morphology in central lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Materials and Methods Thirty-one PTC patients who accepted dual energy CT double-phase enhanced scan before surgery were analyzed.Central lymph nodes with short diameter ＞ 5 mm were labelled using axial plus 3D positioning.Preoperative labelled lymph nodes were collected and marked during operation.The CT morphology of metastatic lymph nodes was analyzed.The spectrum curve slope (K) difference between metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes of arterial-phase and venous-phase primary lesion was compared.The critical K value and the diagnostic efficacy of K value combined with morphology were obtained according to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results A total of 73 central lymph nodes were obtained from 31 patients,among which 51 were metastatic and 22 were non-metastatic.There was no significant difference in K value between metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes of arterial phase group (P＞0.05).While,there was a significant difference in K value between metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes of venous phase group (P＜0.05).For venous phase,the sensitivity and specificity of the K value in diagnosing central lymph node metastasis were 62.7％ and 59.1％,respectively,and combined with morphology,the sensitivity and specificity reached 76.5％ and 81.8％,respectively.Conclusion The K value of CT spectrum curve is of certain significance in predicting PTC central lymph node metastasis,and the K value combined with CT morphology can improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial KATP (mito-KATP) channel in reduction of renal ischemia-repeerfusion (I/R) injury by ischemic postconditioning (IPo) in rats. Methods Thirty-five adult male SD rats weighing 250-280 g were randomly divided into 5 groups ( n = 7 each): group Ⅰ sham operation (group S); group Ⅱ I/R; group Ⅲ IPo; group Ⅳ 5-HD + I/R and group V 5-HD + IPo. The rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal (IP) chloral hydrate 300 mg/kg. Bilateral kidneys were exposed and their pedicles were occluded for 45 min with atraumatic mini-clamp followed by 6 h reperfusion in group Ⅱ - Ⅴ . In group Ⅲ and Ⅴ 3 cycles of 10 s reperfusion followed by 10 s ischemia were applied immediately after 45 min kidney ischemia. In group Ⅳ and Ⅴ 5-HD (a specific blocker of the mito-KATP channel) 10 mg/kg was given IP at 30 min before ischemia. Blood samples were obtained at 6 h of reperfusion for determination of serum creatinine (Cr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations. The animals were then killed. Bilateral kidneys were removed for determination of mitochondrial membrane potential in the renal tubular epidural cell and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)content and free Ca2+ concentrations. Results Renal I/R significantly increased serum Cr and BUN concentrations and intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and ROC content and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential as compared with sham operation group. IPo significantly attenuated the I/R-induced changes mentioned above. The protective effects of IPo against renal I/R injury was reversed by 5-HD. Conclusion Mito-KATP channel is involved in reduction of I/R-induced renal injury by ischemic postconditioning.

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of valproic acid ( VPA) on radiosensitivity to MCF7 breast cancer cells. METHODS MCF7 cells were pretreated with VPA 0.5 and 1 mmol.L-1 for 0, 24, 48 and 72 h respectively, irradiated with 8 Gy lR, and at 6 h post-lR, the γ-H2 AX foci formation in MCF7 cells was tested by immunofluorescence assay. MCF7 cells were pretreated with VPA 0.5 and 1 mmol.L-1 for 72 h, irradiated with 4 Gy lR, and at 48 h post-lR, the cell survival rate was detected by MTT assay. MCF7 cells were pretreated with VPA 0.5 mmol.L-1 for 24 h, and then irradiated according to the amount of cells: 2 Gy (500 and 1000 cells per plate), 4 Gy (2000 and 4000 cells per plate), 6 Gy (8000 and 16000 cells per plate), and the cloning efficiency was calculated. MCF7 cells were pretreated with VPA 0.5 and 1 mmol.L-1 for 0, 24, 48 and 72 h respectively and the cell cycle profile was analyzed via flow cytometry. RESULTS After treatment with VPA alone for 24 h, MCF7 cells showed a significant increase in the amount of γ-H2 AX foci formation ( P < 0. 01). lt was also found that VPA increased lR-induced γ-H2 AX foci formation, which obviously prolonged the pretreatment time of VPA(P<0.01) in a time-dependent manner(r=0.98, P<0.05). VPA 0.5 and 1 mmol.L-1 had the same effect on γ-H2 AX foci formation. Furthermore, VPA was able to cause a significant decrease in lR-induced clonogenic survival but an increase in lR-induced cytotoxicity by MTT assay. Also, VPA alone decreased the plating efficiency of MCF7 cells. However, the cycle profile of MCF7 cells treated with both VPA 0.5 and 1 mmol.L-1 was not changed. CONCLUSION Without affecting the cell cycle profile, both the safe and critical dose of VPA used in clinical epilepsy treatment can significantly increase the accumulation of DNA double strand breaks in the cells and sensitize the cells to lR treatment, suggesting that VPA can induce radio-sensitization of breast cancer cells.

Objective To evaluate the effects of TAT-heme oxygenase-1 (TAT-HO-1) fusion protein on liver injury in rats undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Methods Adult male Lewis (inbred) rats (aged 8-10 weeks,weighing 180-230 g) were used as donors and Brown Norway rats (aged 8-10 weeks,weighing 180-230 g) as recipients.The recipient rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=6 each) using a random number table:OLT group and TAT-HO-1 group.The livers were harvested according to the method described by Kamada.In OLT group,the donor livers were flushed and preserved with 4 ℃ HTK solution,while the livers were flushed and preserved for 6 h with 4 ℃ HTK solution containing TAT-HO-1 50 μg/ml in group P.Blood samples were obtained at 7 days after transplantation for measurement of activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum.Hepatic specimens were obtained at 7 days after transplantation and stained with haematoxylin and eosin for examination under light microscope.Rejection activity index was calculated according to Banff criteria.The contents of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and interleukin-6 in liver tissues were determined using ELISA.Kupffer cells were isolated and cultured for 48 h to determine the levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and interleukin-6 in culture medium.Results Activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum,rejection activity index and levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and interleukin-6 in liver tissues and culture medium of Kupffer cells were significantly decreased,and the pathological changes of livers were mitigated in group TAT-HO-1 as compared to group OLT.Conclusion TAT-HO-1 fusion protein applied during cold storage of donor livers can attenuate liver injury in rats undergoing OLT.

Objective To evaluate the role of the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the reduction of renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by ischemic postconditioning in tats.Methods One hundred and forty healthy male SD rats weighing 250-280 g were randomized into 4 groups ( n = 35 each) : sham operation group (S group) ; I/R group; ischemic postconditioning group (IPo group); quercetin (an inhibitor of HSP) + ischemic postconditioning group (Q + IPo group). Renal I/R was produced by clamping bilateral renal pedicels for 45 min followed by reperfusion. In group S, bilateral kidneys were only exposed through a midline incision but their- pedicels were not clamped. In IPo and Q + IPo groups, 45 min ischemia was followed by three 10 s episodes of ischemia at 10 s intervals for reperfusion and in addition intraperitoneal quercetin 100 mg/kg was injected at 1 h before ischemia in group Q + IPo. Blood samples from hearts were obtained at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h of reperfusion (T0-6) and the rats were then sacrificed and kidneys removed to detect the expression of HSP70 and HO-1 mRNA and protein in renal tissues. The blood samples obtained at T3 were used to determine serum creatinine (Cr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations and the expression of caspase-3 mRNA . The apoptosis in the renal tissues was detected using TUNEL and apoptotic index ( AI) was calculated. Microscopic examination was performed with light microscope. Results Compared with group S, the serum Cr and BUN concentrations and AI were significantly increased at T3,the expression of caspase-3 mRNA was up-regulated at T3, and the expression of HSP70 and HO-1 mRNA and protein was up-regulated at T0-6 in the other groups (P ＜ 0.05) . Compared with group I/R, the serum Cr and BUN concentrations and AI were significantly decreased at T3, the expression of caspase-3 mRNA was down-regulated at T3, and the expression of HSP70 and HO-1 mRNA and protein was up-regulated at T1-5 in group IPo ( P ＜ 0.05) . Compared with group IPo, the serum Cr and BUN concentrations and AI were significantly increased at T3, the expression of caspase-3 mRNA was up-regulated at T3, and the expression of HSP70 and HO-1 mRNA and protein was down-regulated at T1-5, in group Q + IPo ( P ＜ 0.05) . The microscopic examination showed that the renal I/R injury was significantly attenuated by ischemic postconditioning and the degree of injury in group IPo was similar to that in group I/R. Conclusion The expression of HSP70 and HO-1 is involved in the reduction of renal I/R injury by ischemic postconditioning in rats.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuralgia ; therapy ; Young Adult

Objective To observe the characteristic changes in cardiac function and to raise diagnostic accuracy and sensibility.Methods 39 silent myocardial ischemia and 58 angina and 46 age-matched healthy subjects and 62 obsolete myocardial infarction underwent myocardial tomography imaging and gated ventricular imaging.Covariance analysis was used to compare difference between SPECT imaging and parameters of function.The age was tested as covariate factor,then SNK-Q test and multiple comparison were carried on.Results The silent myocardial ischemia and angina showed reversible radioactive defect or fixed defect.Most of myocardial SMI showed single peak exempt TPFR.EF,PFR and PER showed remarkably statistical difference (P<0.01).The multiple comparison of PFR and PER was increased according by OMI,AN,SMI and negative control group (P<0.05).Conclusions The myocardial damage and PFR,PER in SMI is lower than that in AN group,which have no remarkably influence on the parameters of diastolic and retractile function in left ventricular.

Hamartoma ; pathology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology

BACKGROUND: Human allogenic acellular dermal matrix, as a kind of permanent dermal scaffold, has widely used in the fields of burn wound reparation and aesthetic medicine. However, it is limited due to insufficient resources. OBJECTIVE: To prepare porcine acellular dermal matrix (PADM) dermal matrix, in addition, to estimate its in vitro biocompatibility. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An in vitro cytology contrast experiment. The Experiment was performed at the laboratory of Biomaterials and Pharmacy Technology Institute, China Institute for Radiation Protection between August 2007 and June 2008. MATERIALS: The experiment pigs were supplied by experimental animal center of China Institute for Radiation Protection. Human fibroblasts were obtained from prepuce tissues of healthy children who underwent circumcision at the Shanxi Provincial General Hospital, Chinese People's Armed Police Forces. METHODS: The PADM was prepared from porcine skin by removing epidermis with a hypertonic salt solution and excluding cellular components in dermis with sodium dodecyl sulfate, and trypsin in hypersonic conditions. Human fibroblasts were cultured in vitro, and the biocompatibility of PADM was estimated with MTT method and contact method. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Histological morphology of PADM. ②In vitro biocompatibility of PADM. RESULTS: The prepared PADM was a kind of matrix with normal structure and organization of collagen without epidermis and any cellular components in the dermis. The extraction of the porcine acellular dermal matrix had no effect on proliferation of the cultured human fibroblast. The cultured human fibroblasts could attach and proliferate on PADM. CONCLUSION: The PADM effectively removed epidermis and all cellular components with excellent biocompatibility can be obtained by this preparation method.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; methods ; Remission Induction