Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo evaluate computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

METHODSThe imaging findings of pancreas and extra-pancreas in 24 patients with AIP were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, CT scan was performed in 18 patients, MRI in 11, and bGth CT and MRI in 10.

RESULTSThe pancreas showed diffuse enlargement (25%, 6/24), focal enlargement (37. 5%, 9/24), combined enlargement (25%, 6/24) ,and no enlargement (12. 5%, 9/24). Unenhanced CT showed hypoattenuation in AIP area (n = 2) . After intravenous injection of contrast medium, 17 patients showed abnormal contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma, including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (50%, 9/18) and hyper attenuation during the delayed phase (94. 4%, 17/18). Precontrast MRI showed abnormal signal intense (n =9), including hypointense on T1-weight images (T1 WI) (n = 7), hyperintense (n = 7) and hypointense (n = 2) on T2-weight images (TIWI). Enhanced MRI demonstrated abnormal contrast enhancement within lesions (n = 11), including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (81. 8%, 9/11) and good enhancement during the delayed phase (100%, 11111). A capsule-like rim was seen around pancreas (37. 5%, 9/24), among which CT detected in 6 out of 18 patients and MRI found in 7 out of 11 patients.The main pancreatic duct lumen within lesions has no visualization (100%, 24/24) and upstream dilation of the main pancreatic duct (n = 8) , ranging from 2. 2 to 4. 5 mm(mean 3. 1 0. 47 mm) in diameter. Narrowing of the common bile duct was shown in 14 patients. Miscellaneous findings were: infiltration of extrapancreatic vein (n = 9) and artery (n = 1); mild fluid collection around pancreas (n = 2); pseudocysts (n = 3). Fourteen patients also presented one or more of the following extrapancreatic imaging findings: narrowing of the intra-hepatic bile duct or hilar duct (n = 5); thickening of gallbladder wall (n = 5); fibrosis in mesenteric (n = 2), in retroperitoneal (n = 2) and in ligamentum teres hepatis (n = 1); renal involvement (n = 3); peri-pancreatic or para-aortic lymphadenopathy (n = 10); and ulcerative colitis (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONAIP display some characteristic CT and MRI imaging features: sausage-like change of the pancreas; capsule-like rims around lesions; delayed contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma; segment or diffuse pancreatic duct stenosis but mild upstream dilation and extrapancreatic organs involvement. CT and MRI findings combining with serological tests and pancreas biopsy can assist physicians to make accurate and timely diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Autoimmune Diseases ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pancreatitis ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of fractalkine (FKN) and CD11c expressions oncommon carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques from apoE(-/-) mice with the severity of atherosclerotic lesions.

METHODSTotally 24 apoE(-/-) mice were divided into two groups and fed on a high-fat diet or a normal diet for 12 weeks. Then the blood lipids as well as the plaque area and vascular stenosis rate of the common carotid artery were measured to evaluate the severity of atherosclerotic lesions of the animals. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the levels of FKN and CD11c expression.

RESULTSThe plaque areas and vascular stenosis rates of the common carotid artery in the experimental group were remarkably larger than those in control group (about 4-fold and 2-fold, respectively). The level of FKN expression in the experimental group was 2 times of that in the control group (P<0.05), and the number of CD11c (+) cells in the plaques in the experimental group was about 4 times of than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of chemokine and FKN remarkably increase in apoE (-/-) atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting that chemokine and FKN may paly important roles in the development of atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; CD11 Antigens ; metabolism ; Chemokine CX3CL1 ; metabolism ; Diet, High-Fat ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; pathology

AIMTo synthesize a series of 2-arylimino-4-thiazolidone derivatives and 2-imidazolino [2,3-b]-4-thiazolidone in order to get some novel potent compounds with nitric oxide synthases (NOS) inhibitory activity.

METHODSThe target compounds were prepared by reaction of N-chloroacetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline or N-chloroacetylphthalimide with substituted thioureas, their NOS inhibitory activity were measured.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONThe 15 new compounds were synthesized and most of the reaction yields were over 65%. The structures of new compounds were identified by IR, 1H NMR, MS and elemental analyses. Bioassay indicated that, most of 15 new compounds synthesized had confirmed bioactivities inhibition against NOS.

Molecular Structure ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Thiazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Thiourea ; analogs & derivatives

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the characteristics of myocardial (18)F-FDG imaging in pilots with regular aerobic exercise training.

METHODSTwenty seven healthy male pilots with regular aerobic exercise training were included in this study. The subjects were divided into fasting (n = 17) or non-fasting group (n = 10). Fluorine-18-labeled deoxyglucose and Tc-99m-sestamibi dual-nuclide myocardial imaging were obtained at rest and at target heart rate during bicycle ergometer test. The exercise and rest myocardial perfusion imaging were analyzed for myocardial ischemia presence. The myocardial metabolism imaging was analyzed with the visual semi-quantitative analyses model of seventeen segments.

RESULTSThe secondary-extreme heart rate (195-age) was achieved in all subjects. There was no myocardial ischemia in all perfusion imaging. In the visual qualitative analyses, four myocardial metabolism imaging failed in the fasting group while one failed in the non-fasting group (P > 0.05). In the visual semi-quantitative analyses, myocardial metabolism imaging scores at rest or exercise in all segments were similar between two groups (P > 0.05). In the fasting group, the myocardial metabolism imaging scores during exercise were significantly higher than those at rest in 6 segments (P < 0.05). In the non-fasting group, the scores of 3 exercise myocardial metabolism imaging were significantly higher than those at rest (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSatisfactory high-quality myocardial metabolism imaging could be obtained at fasting and exercise situations in subjects with regular aerobic exercise.

Adult ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Exercise ; Exercise Test ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the necessity of No.14v lymph node dissection in D2 lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSClinicopathological data of 131 cases of advanced gastric cancer receiving D2 or D2+ plus No.14v lymph node dissection were reviewed retrospectively. Clinicopathological factors associated with No.14v lymph node metastasis were analyzed and prognostic value of No.14v lymph node metastasis was evaluated.

RESULTSOf the 131 patients, 24 (18.3%) had positive No.14v lymph node. The incidence of 14v metastasis was associated with tumor location, tumor size, depth of invasion, N staging, TNM staging, No.1, No.6, and No.8a lymph nodes metastasis. Tumor location and N staging were independent risk factors for No.14v metastasis (all P<0.05). The 5-year survival rate was 8.3% and 37.8% in patients with and without No.14v metastasis respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that metastasis of No.14v was an independent prognostic factor for advanced gastric cancer after D2 lymphadenectomy (P=0.029, RR=1.807, 95%CI:1.064-3.070).

CONCLUSIONSFor advanced middle and lower gastric cancers, especially those with larger size, serosa invasion and possibility of No.6 lymph node metastasis, it is necessary and feasible to remove the No.14v lymph node.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of mixed histological type (MHT) gastric cancer.

METHODSClinical and follow-up data of 1108 gastric cancer patients undergoing radical operation in Tianjin Cancer Hospital between 2003 and 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. Clinicopathologic characteristics of MHT gastric cancer were summarized and the prognosis was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and COX regression.

RESULTSAmong the 1108 patients, 144 (13.0%) had mixed histology type of gastric cancer. Compared to the unitary histological type (UHT), MHT gastric cancer had bigger tumor size, higher proportion of T4 tumor, and was easier for lymph node and distant metastasis (all P<0.05). The 3- and 5-year survival rates of patients with MHT were 26.5% and 10.8% respectively, which were lower than those with UHT (58.8% and 35.0%, P<0.01). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed TNM classification was an independent prognostic factor (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMHT gastric cancer shows worse prognosis than UHT gastric cancer. There is no difference in prognosis among various combination of MHT gastric cancer. TNM classification is an independent prognostic factor of MHT gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasms, Complex and Mixed ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic value of metastatic lymph node ratio (MLR) for gastric cancer patients with less than 15 lymph nodes dissected.

METHODSClinical data of 610 gastric cancer patients undergoing operation in Tianjin Cancer Hospictal from January 2003 to July 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: <15 lymph nodes dissected group (n=320) and ≥ 15 lymph nodes dissected group (n=290). MLR was classified based on the following intervals: rN1 ≤ 10%, rN2 10%-30%, rN3 30%-60% and rN4 >60%. Survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier method and difference was assessed by Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard regression model. Survival rates were compared between two groups in pN and rN stages respectively.

RESULTSIn <15 nodes group, all the survival differences among various rN stages were not significant (all P>0.05), while in same rN stage, all the survival differences among various pN stages were not significant (all P>0.05). Significant differences of 5-year cumulative survival rates were found between the two groups in pN2 and pN3a stage patients (both P<0.05) while no significant differences were found among different rN stages (all P>0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated rN stage was an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer patients with <15 lymph nodes dissected (P=0.012, RR=1.617, 95%CI:1.111-2.354).

CONCLUSIONThe rN staging system based on MLR can predict the prognosis of gastric cancer patients with less than 15 lymph nodes dissected.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and necessity of No.13 lymph node dissection in D2 radical gastrectomy for lower-third advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

METHODSData of 379 cases who were diagnosed as TNM II-III stage AGC were collected from January 2001 to June 2007. One hundred cases who undergone No.13 lymph node dissection during D2 gastrectomy for lower-third AGC were selected as study group. Other 279 cases (control group) received only D2 gastrectomy. The differences in clinicopathologic and intraoperative and postoperative parameters and 5-years survival rate were compared using the SPSS 17.0 software.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between the two groups in patients' gender, age, tumor size, histologic type, Borrmann type, duodenum invasion, tumor depth, lymph node metastasis, TNM classification, operative time, blood loss and the incidence of postoperative complications (P > 0.05). In the study group, there were 9 patients with positive No. 13 lymph node, and its 5-year survival rate (46.0%) was higher than the control group (36.5%, χ² = 4.452, P < 0.05). The Univariate analysis showed that age (χ² = 7.539), No.13 lymph node dissection (χ² = 4.452), tumor size (χ² = 7.100), duodenum invasion (χ² = 9.106), tumor depth (χ² = 7.428), lymph node metastasis (χ² = 45.046), TNM classification (χ² = 57.008) are associated with prognosis of lower-third AGC (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified age (HR = 0.500, 95% CI: 0.343 - 0.730), tumor size (HR = 0.545, 95%CI: 0.339 - 0.876), duodenum invasion (HR = 5.821, 95%CI: 2.326 - 14.572), and tumor depth (T4: HR = 2.087, 95% CI: 1.283 - 3.394) as independent prognostic factors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNo. 13 lymph node dissection for TNM II-III stage lower-third advanced gastric cancer is feasible and necessary.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of tumor size in the prognosis of T4a stage gastric cancer.

METHODSThe best cut-off point depending on tumor size was selected by Kaplan-Meier. Compare cliniclópathological characteristics between small size gastric cancer (SSG) and large size gastric cancer (LSG). Univariate analysis was done by Log-rank test and multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. The independent prognostic factors of patients were performed subgroup analysis.

RESULTSEight centimetre was the optimal cut-off of tumor size for T4a stage gastric cancer. There were significantly differences between SSG and LSG in tumor location (χ² = 15.695), histological grade (χ² = 4.393), macroscopic type (χ² = 5.629) and early recurrence (χ² = 4.292). Univariate analysis showed age (χ² = 4.463), tumor size (χ² = 9.057), macroscopic type (χ² = 6.679), histological grade (χ² = 5.122), location of tumor (χ² = 8.707) and N stage (χ² = 132.954) are related to survival (P < 0.05). Among them, tumor size (HR = 1.339), histological grade (HR = 1.169) and N stage (HR = 1.876) were independent risk factor for survival (P = 0.05). For SSG, N stage (HR = 2.014) and histological grade (HR = 1.192) were independent risk factor for survival (P = 0.05), and for LSG, N stage (HR = 1.876) was independent risk factor for survival (P = 0.000). Further stratified analysis indicated that the 5-year survival rate of LSG is significantly lower than that of SSG in T4a stage patients of gastric cancer without lymph nodes metastasis or poorly differentiated (HR = 0.182 and 0.653, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTumor size is an independent prognostic factor in patients of T4a stage gastric cancer. Tumor size cut-off point of 8 cm can exert significant impact on the prognosis of T4a stage gastric cancer without lymph nodes metastasis or poorly differentiated.

Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Stomach ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; Survival Rate