The clinical value of whole body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) as an imaging tool in diagnosis of ophthalmic tumors was investigated.The retrospective observational case series were performed on the patients with suspected ophthalmic tumors who underwent whole body PET/CT.The golden standard of diagnosis was the final pathological diagnosis or the results of long-term follow-up for patients without surgery/ biopsy.PET/CT findings were compared with the golden standard.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and positive likelihood ratio of PET/CT in the detection of ophthalmic tumors were calculated.The clinical application of PET/CT in different types of ophthalmic tumors was evaluated.The results showed that 30 patients (18 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 43.0 years (range 4-63 years) were collected.The mean sizes of orbital tumors and intraocular tumors were 26.8 mm×17.8 mm and 11.2 mm×6.1 mm,respectively.The overall sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and positive likelihood ratio of whole body PET/CT in ophthalmic tumors were 76.5％,71.4％,75.0％ and 2.67,and were 62.5％,100％ and 70.0％ in intraocular tumors,and those were 100％,60.0％ and 84.6％ in orbital tumors,respectively.PET/CT findings were applied to help make appropriate treatment options in 27 out of 30 patients (90.0％),and 12 (40.0％) patients changed the treatment strategy.False negative results in 4 cases and false positive results in 2 cases were observed in this series.It was suggested that PET/CT was an effective imaging modality in detecting,diagnosing and developing therapeutic schedule for patients with ophthalmic tumors.It was more sensitive and accurate for detecting orbital tumors than for detecting intraocular tumors.

AIM:To investigate the effects of ethyl acetate(EtOAc)extract of Pleione bulbocodioides (Franch.)Rolfe on proliferation and apoptosis of human leukemia K 562 and HL-60 cells and the possible apoptosis path-way.METHODS:Human leukemia cell lines were treated with EtOAc extract of Pleione bulbocodioides at different con-centrations.XTT method was used to evaluate the viability of K 562 cells and HL-60 cells.The cell growth inhibition was calculated by Trypan blue exclusion test.The percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by flow cytometry,and 4,,6-dia-midino-2-phenylindole(DAPI)was used to observe morphological changes of the cells.The cell cycle was observed by pro-pidium iodide(PI)staining.The protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase(PARP), cleaved caspase-3,cytochrome C and apoptosis-inducing factor(AIF)wase determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The cell viability and proliferation were inhibited by EtOAc extract of Pleione bulbocodioides with IC50of(42.14 ±2.54)mg/L for HL-60 cells and(51.28 ±3.12)mg/L for K562 cells at 24 h.The results of Annexin V-FITC/PI and DAPI staining showed that EtOAc extract of Pleione bulbocodioides induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.The apoptotic rate was increased compared with control group(P<0.05).The G2phase increased with typical cell apoptosis-induced mor-phological changes.The levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 were increased, while Bcl-2 was down-regulated(P<0.05).Cytochrome C and AIF in cytosol,characteristic proteins of intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway,also increased with the concentration of EtOAc extract of Pleione bulbocodioides increasing(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:EtOAc extract of Pleione bulbocodioides significantly inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in human leukemia cell lines HL-60 and K562 through intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Objective To map the vision cortex of rats by dynamic manganese-enhanced functional magnetic resonance imaging and provide a method for researching the nervous function. Methods Six adult male Wistar rats were chosen and the process was divided into 4 continuous phases. No agent was injected into the rats in the first phase (5 min). Disrupting the BBB with marmitol and injecting manganese chloride were performed in the fight internal carotid artery (ICA) in the second phase (10 min). In the third phase (15 min), manganese chloride was administrated into theright ICA and vision stimulation was performed before the imaging process. The mixed liquor of manganese chloride and glutamate was injected into the rats in the forth phase (5 min). MRI was performed instantly after the handles in each phase. SPM and Matlab software were employed to help analyze the imaging data. Region-of-interest (ROI) was recorded to observe the stimulated regions and compare the signal intensity in the visual cortex. Results No specific enhanced region was found in the rat brain in the first and second phases. The right visual cortex was enhanced specifically on T1WI in the third phase. Many brain regions of the right hemisphere, the sites that agents was injected, were obviously enhanced in the forth 2008A1-E4011)phase. ROI analysis showed that the signal intensity in the third phrase (1.897±0.172) was significantly stronger as compared with that in the second phrase(1.549±0.163)(P<0.05). Conclusion The dynamic manganese-enhanced functional magnetic resonance imaging can analyze the functional activities of the vision cortex in rats and provide a new method for researching the function of the nervous system.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the usefulness of percentage of free prostate specific antigen (FPSA/TPSA) in serum/PSA density [(F/T)/PSAD] in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

METHODSTwo hundred and four patients who had been carried out transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy, were involved in this study. Among them, 90 patients were proved to be suffering from prostate cancer, and other 114 patients were identified as benign prostate hypertrophy. The effect of total serum PSA level, FPSA/TPSA, PSAD and (F/T)/PSAD in the diagnosis of prostate cancer were investigated, and at the same time, selecting patients who should be carried out a prostate biopsy.

RESULTSThe mean values of (F/T)/PSAD were significantly lower for patients with prostate cancer in different PSA levels (<4.0, 4.0-, 10.1-, >20.0 microg/L), when compared with benign prostate hypertrophy patients. This difference has arrived statistical significance (P < 0.05). (F/T)/PSAD could provide higher specificity for diagnosing prostate cancer than FPSA/TPSA or PSAD. Among all patients, at the same higher sensitivity (about 90%), the specificity of FPSA/TPSA, PSAD and (F/T)/PSAD was 31.6%, 45.6% and 64.0%, respectively. At the same time, it was suggested that clinicians use different cutoffs for (F/T)/PSAD in different PSA level. When PSA level of patients was no more than 4.0 microg/L, 2.5 as the commended cutoff for (F/T)/PSAD was preferred; if PSA level was between 4.0 microg/L and 20.0 microg/L, 0.8 was a more suitable cutoff; 0.5 also could be taken as an appropriate cutoff in case of PSA level being higher than 20.0 microg/L.

CONCLUSIONSKeeping high sensitivity, using of (F/T)/PSAD can improve the diagnostic specificity of prostate cancer significantly.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate ; pathology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the detection of prostate cancer in different prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and the predict value of PSA, digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasound scan (TRUS) and PSA density (PSAD).

METHODSThe clinical data of 634 cases who had underwent transrectal ultrasound guided systematic sextant prostate biopsies between April 1996 to December 2002 due to being suspicious of prostate cancer were retrospectively analyzed. The detection of prostate cancer in different PSA groups, namely PSA < or = 4.0, 4.1-, 10.1-, > 20.0 microg/L, and the predict values of PSA, DRE, TRUS and PSAD were statistically analyzed using t test, chi2 test and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe rates of prostate cancer detection in different PSA groups were 11.6%, 26.8%, 39.8% and 68.6%, respectively. The higher the PSA, the higher the rate of prostate cancer detection, the same was the positive predictive value of DRE and TRUS. The sensitivity and specificity of PSA > 4.0 microg/L were 93.0% and 33.0%, and the efficiency of DRE and TRUS were very low. Logistic regression analysis indicated that PSAD was the most risk factor of prostate cancer in the group of PSA 4.1-20.0 microg/L (OR = 687.09 +/- 646.96, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe rates of prostate cancer detection in different PSA groups are different compared with other countries. The screening roles of DRE and TRUS are dependent on PSA level. Utilization of the screening protocol which to stratify cases into three PSA groups, namely PSA < or = 4.0, 4.1 - 20.0, > 20.0 microg/L, can elevate the positive rate of prostate biopsies without sacrificing cancers detected.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy, Needle ; methods ; Digital Rectal Examination ; methods ; Early Diagnosis ; Endosonography ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prostate ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of the Eag1 K( +) channel in the prostate cancer (PCa) tissue, its correlation with the development and progression of PCa, and whether it could be a target for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa.

METHODSWe used RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of the Eag1 K(+) channel in the normal peritumoral tissue of androgen-dependent PCa (ADPCa) (group A) and androgen-independent PCa (AIPCa) (group B) as well as in the tumorous tissue of ADPCa (group C) and AIPCa (group D).

RESULTSThe relative coefficients of the mRNA expression of the Eag1 K(+) channel were 0.265 +/- 0.413, 0.167 +/- 0.511, 2.673 +/- 2.988 and 2.815 +/- 2.901 in groups A, B, C and D, respectively, increased significantly in the latter two groups (P < 0.05). The positive rates of the protein expression of the Eag1 K (+) channel were significantly higher in groups C (88.9%) and D (86.7%) than in A (7.4%) and B (6.7%) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Eag1 K(+) channel might be involved in the pathophysiological processes of PCa, and is expected to be a valuable target for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa.

Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Prostate ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo propose the clinical classification of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS).

METHODS AND RESULTSRetrospective analysis of 52 patients with PJS admitted in Nanfang Hospital from 1980 to 2003 was conducted. Twenty-four patients were found to have family history of PJS, who had a mean age of 19 years. In the PJS patients, the incidence of gastric polyps was 64.4%, colorectal polyps 76%, and small bowel polyps 95%. The number of polyps was above 50 in 19 of the 31 patients with gastric polyps, in 18 of the 38 patients with colorectal polyps, and in 8 of the 19 patients with small bowel polyps. The pathology of the majority of the polyps (63/108) was characterized by hamartomas, and the incidence of malignancy was 13.5% in the PJS patients.

CONCLUSIONSPJS can be classified according to family history and location, pathology, and number of the polyps. As most patients with over 50 polyps require surgical intervention, 50 polyps is recommended as the criteria for PJS classification. Endoscopic surgery may suffice for management of patients with fewer polyps (<50), while in patients with more polyps or small bowel polyps, open surgery combined with intraoperative endoscopic surgery is recommended.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Polyps ; pathology ; Male ; Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome ; classification ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

Adolescent ; Adult ; Angiography ; methods ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Hematuria ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; diagnostic imaging ; Renal Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; Syndrome ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of carotid ligation in the treatment of the carotid artery rupture(CAR).

METHODSA series of 30 patients who had CAR treated with carotid ligation were reviewed. There were 24 males and 6 females ranging in age from 32 to 76 years, with a mean of 53.9 years. The original sites of tumours were hypopharynx (n = 11), larynx (n = 5), thyroid (n = 6) and others (n = 8). Of the 30 patients, 24 patients had received radiotherapy from 40 - 126 Gy and 10 patients underwent one or more surgical treatments. CAR in all cases occurred after surgical operation. CAR occurred in 5 - 21 days after operation.

RESULTSBy pressing the carotid and keeping breathe of the patients immediately after CAR, 25 patients were conscious, 2 patients in coma, and 3 patients died before carotid ligation. Seven cases were applied with carotid ligation, 3 cases with the combined ligation of carotid and brachiocephalic arteries, and 17 cases with carotid ligation plus the repair by pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. The causes of CAR concluded fistula, wound dehiscence, wound infection and transferred flap necrosis. The mende hemorrhage occurred in 14 patients. Of 25 cases with the treatments of carotid ligation, 22 patients survived with no complication, 1 with brief muscle weakness and 2 with unconscious. Clinical follow-up period lasted more than 5 years at least in 6 patients.

CONCLUSIONSCAR is the most dangerous complication in advanced carcinoma of the head and neck. The prompt hemostasis and carotid ligation are effective methods to rescue patients of CAR. It is important to keep patients conscious before carotid ligation surgery, with low rates of death and hemiplegia postoperatively.

Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Ligation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; etiology ; therapy ; Rupture

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular mechanism of the effect of alcohol on insulin sensitivity.

METHODSFour groups of Wistar rats were used, i.e. control (C) group, and low (L), moderate (M) and high (H) alcohol group. Alcohol doses of each group were 0, 0.6, 1.8 and 3.0 ml.(kg.bw)(-1).day(-1). Each group was comprised of 10 male and 10 female rats. Alcohol was given to rats by gastric intubation. Thirteen weeks later, serum was collected for testing of fasting plasma glucose and insulin. HOMA-IR index of each group were calculated. Total muscle RNA was extracted using Trizol Reagent (Promega). The expression level of IRS-1 mRNA in muscle was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSIn female rats, the fasting plasma glucose of group (8.36 +/- 0.57) mmol/L was higher and the fasting plasma insulin (15.25 +/- 3.32) was lower than those of group C (7.56 +/- 0.85, 20.80 +/- 3.25). The HOMA-IR of group L (1.775 3 +/- 0.138 1) was lower than that of group C (1.982 6 +/- 0.124 6) (P < 0.05), while IRS-1 mRNA (0.766 1 +/- 0.076 9) was up-regulated (P < 0.05); HOMA-IR of group M (2.202 2 +/- 0.271 0) was higher than that of group C (P < 0.01), while IRS-1 mRNA (0.501 8 +/- 0.049 2) was suppressed (P < 0.01); HOMA-IR of group H (1.850 1 +/- 0.162 8) was not significantly changed as compared with that of group C (1.982 6 +/- 0.124 6) (P > 0.05), while IRS-1 mRNA (0.418 1 +/- 0.049 1) was significantly suppressed (P < 0.01). In male rats, the fasting plasma glucose and insulin had the similar change as those of female rats. The HOMA-IR of group M (1.878 5 +/- 0.250 2) was lower than that of C group (2.147 3 +/- 0.330 8) (P < 0.05), IRS-1 mRNA was up-regulated (0.824 9 +/- 0.064 7) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe present study showed that low-to-moderate dose of alcohol could increase insulin sensitivity; while alcohol abuse could decrease insulin sensitivity. Sex difference in this effect was found. Changes of IRS-1 mRNA expression may be involved in the molecular mechanism of the effects of alcohol on insulin sensitivity.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ethanol ; pharmacology ; Female ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Phosphoproteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Up-Regulation