Objective To assess the value of CT perfusion imaging in differentiation of mild from moderate liver fibrosis .Methods 18 patients with mild liver fibrosis (F1 phase) and 21 ones with moderate fibrosis (F2 and F3 phase) confirmed by liver biopsy were analyzed ,and all patients underwent the liver 256‐slice CT perfusion imaging .The differences in the CT parameters including hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP) ,portal venous perfusion (PVP) ,total liver perfusion (TLP) and time to peak (TTP) between dif‐ferent fibrosis were analyzed .ROC curve was used to evaluate the ability of perfusion indexes to distinguish mild from moderate liver fibrosis ,then the maximum Youden index was selected as a cutoff point to calculate the sensitivity and specificity .Results Compared with the mild fibrosis ,the TTP [(43 .86 ± 13 .41)s vs (37 .84 ± 9 .97)s ,P=0 .034)] in liver with moderate fibrosis was significantly increased .However ,no differences in the HAP ,PVP and TLP were found .The ROC curve analysis showed that a TTP threshold of 41 .7 s allowed discrimination of mild from moderate fibrosis with a sensitivity of 72 .7% and a specificity of 75% .Conclusion 256‐slice CT perfusion imaging can reflect the hemodynamic changes of liver fibrosis ,and the TTP may help to discriminate mild from moderate fibrosis .

ObjectiveTo investigate the concentration of water fluoride and the application of water defluoridation projects in Suizhou,and to provide a basis for water improvement and prevention of the disease.MethodsCross-sectional study was carried out to investigate completely the water defluoridation projects built between 1986 and 2009 in the area under Suizhou's jurisdiction; 3 source water and terminal water samples of the projects in use were collected,respectively; 1 water sample was collected,respectively in the 3 projects with out-ofcommission or discarded water sources that used to be major water supply,for detection of fluoride,chloride,total hardness,heavy metals and other indicators.ResultsA total of 21 projects were investigated,14 projects were in normal use (66.7％),7 projects were out of order and abandoned (33.3％).Of the 14 projects normally used,13projects with water fluoride concentration ≤ 1.0 mg/L(92.9％)and 1 project with water fluoride concentration higher than 1.0 mg/L(7.1％),the concentration of water fluoride in the 7 abandoned projects was higher than 1.0 mg/L(100％).Arsenic and lead levels of all the water samples were normal.There were two water samples with iron content exceeded the standard,and one total hardness of water samples exceeded the standard in the normally used 14 peripheral water sources.One chloride content exceeded the standard,one manganese content exceeded the standard,two iron content exceeded the standard and three total hardness exceeded the standard in the seven abandoned projects.ConclusionsSome defluoridation projects are stopped using and abandoned in Suizhou,and the water fluoride exceeds the standard.

OBJECTIVETo screen and identify the differentially expressed genes in hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721 responsing to the aqueous extract from dried powdered rhizomes of Typhonium giganteum (AEoTGE).

METHODThe response of hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721 to AEoTGE was explored with the technique of mRNA differential display.

RESULTAfter hepatocarcinoma cells SMMC-7721 were treated by AEoTGE for 36 hours, 1 gene expression was upgrade and 1 gene expression was downgrade induced by AEoTGE.

CONCLUSIONThe research has provided important clues for the molecular mechanism of how hepatocarcinoma cells responseing to T. giganteum.

Araceae ; chemistry ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Objective To study the inducement of U251 glioblastoma cell apoptosis in vivo through up-regulating PUMA expresion and knocking down miR-221/222, and explore its mechanism.Methods Nude mouse xenograft models were established in 5-week-old BALB/c nude mice by subcutaneous vaccination of U251 glioblastomas; 1 week later, they were treated with intratumoral injection of lipofcctamine-mediated miRNA-221/222 antisense oligonucleotides (GroupA), nonsense sequences (Group B) and controls (Group C),respectively (n=8).The tumor growth was monitored until the end of observation period (28 d after the treatment) and pathological changes of the glioblastoma tissues were observed by HE staining at the end of observation.Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and real-time PCR were employed to measure the miR-221 and miR-222 expressions. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated uridine 5'-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect the apoptosis of glioblastomas.Immunohistochemistry and Westem blotting were used to detect the expressions of PUMA,bax,bcl-2 and p53 in removed tumor specimens. Results The volume in Group A was significantly smaller than that of those in group B and group C 6-28 dater treatment (P=0.006). The miR-221 and miR-222 mRNA expressions in Group A were significantly decreased as compared with those of those in group B and group C.HE staining indicated that decreased heteromorphism and reduced number of new vessels in Group A were noted as compared with those in group B and group C.The cell apoptotic index in Group A was significantly higher than that in group B and group C (P＜0.05).Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression levels of PUMA and bax in Group A was significantly up-regulated as compared with those in group B and group C, while the expression of bcl-2 in Group A was significantly down-regulated as compared with that in group B and group C; and no significant changes were noted in the p53 expression. Conclusion By up-regulating PUMA expresion,knocking down miR-221/222 can induce U251 glioma apoptosis in vivo.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the therapeutic effects of the atlantoaxial pedicle screw system fixation in treatment of atlantoaxial instability.

METHODSFrom June 2003 to March 2010, 32 patients with atlantoaxial instability were treated by atlantoaxial pedicle screw system fixation, included 21 males and 11 females wiht an average age of 42.5 years old ranging from 28 to 66 years. Among them, 18 cases were odontoid process fractures, 7 were congenital dissociate odontoid process, 4 were Jefferson fracture combined with odontoid fracture, 3 were rheumatic arthritis causing atlantoaxial instability. All patients suffered from the atlantoaxial subluxation and atlantoaxial instability. The JOA score ranged from 4 to 14 (means 9.1 +/- 0.3) before operation. The patients had some image examination including the X-ray of cervical vertebrae (include of dynamic position film), spiral CT 3D reconstruction and/or MRI. The position of pedicle screw system implantation,the angle of pedicle screw system implantation and screw length were measured. Operating skull traction. Operation undewent general anesthesia, implanted the pedicle screw, reduction and bone fusion under direct vision. The bone was fixated between posterior arch of atlas and lamina of axis by the lateral combination bended to posterior.

RESULTSOne hundred and twenty-eight atlantoaxial pedicle screws were implanted in 32 patients. No patient had the injure of spinal cord, nerve root and vertebral artery. All patients were followed-up from 6 to 48 months (averaged 16 months). After operation, the JOA score ranged from 11 to 17 (averaged 15.9 +/- 0.2), improvement rate was 86.1%. The fracture of odontoid process were healing completely. All fusion bone were combinated. The internal fixation wasn't loosening and breaking.

CONCLUSIONThe atlantoaxial pedicle screw system fixation was effective method to treat atlantoaxial instability. The method had many advantages, such as provide rigid and short segment fixation, safe and simple, high fusion rate. The method was worth in clinical application.

Adult ; Aged ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo design DNA microarray and investigate the molecular anti-tumor mechanism of herbs of traditional Chinese medicine.

METHODcDNA microarrays consisting of 56 probes representing 24 human cell cycle genes were constructed, Four anti-hepatocarcinoma herbs including Radix Linderae, Hebra Artemisiae Annuae, Radix Amebiae, Radix Astragli, were chosen. Effects of herbs on SMMC-7721 cell cycle were observed by flow cytometry assay. Effects of herbs on cell cycle gene expression in SMMC-7721 cells were analyzed by comparing hybridization of Dig-Labeled cDNAs from herb-treated cells and cDNAs from untreated cells.

RESULTExpressions of cell cycle geneswere changed in different degrees after herbs treated. Some genes were down-regulated and some genes were up-regulated. The changes in gene expression agreed with the results of flow cytometry assay.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that these herbs may have effects on cell cycle and DNA damage checkpoint genes which may be the mechanism of the herbs, and DNA microarray can be used to investigate the biological function of extracts of traditional Chinese medicine.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Artemisia ; chemistry ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gene Amplification ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genes, cdc ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lindera ; chemistry ; Lithospermum ; chemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; cdc25 Phosphatases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of conventional metal materials in oral cavity on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODSFour kinds of metal materials (metal ligature wire, forging hard and slotless denture, casting nichrome denture, casting copper alloy denture) in oral cavity were scanned through MRI. FSE sequence T1 weighted imaging (FSE T1), EPI diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequence of ordinary, Propeller DWI imaging were used.

RESULTSIn FSE T1 sequence, metal ligature wire and forging hard and slotless denture produced serious false image, casting nichrome denture produced moderate false image, casting copper alloy denture produced only little false image. In EPI DWI sequence, obvious magnetic-sensitive false image were produced in the dissection tissue of the brain by metal ligature wire. While in Propeller DWI sequence, magnetic-sensitive false image were greatly reduced and satisfactory images were formed.

CONCLUSIONDifferent metal materials in oral cavity have different influence on the MRI. The false images produced by different metal materials are closely related to the type of the material. Magnetic-sensitive false images can be eliminated by Propeller DWI technique.

Dental Materials ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This paper introduces the design and implementation of a system which can get the NEMA2.0 image data from the hard disks of the imaging equipments directly,then analyzes and transforms these image data into the DICOM3.0 image data and sends them to the image server. The design has the advantages of reliable image quality, low cost and information.
Computer Storage Devices ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Software

OBJECTIVETo analyze the surgical treatment result and clinical characteristics of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in order to improve the rate of early diagnosis and radical resection.

METHODSBetween 1986 and 2004,84 hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients underwent surgery, and their data were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSAccording to the Bismuth-Corlette staging system, 7 were type I, 18 type II, 22 type II a, 12 type IlI b, 20 type IV and 5 unclassified. 32 patients (38.1%) had had the history of operation for cholelithiasis before or were found to have cholelithiasis simultaneously at the time of diagnosis. The rate of making correct diagnosis by ultrasound, CT and MRCP was 71.4% , 84.0% and 91.4% , respectively. Of these 84 patients, 24 (28.6%) underwent radical resection, 14 (16.7%) palliative resection and 30 (35.7%) only internal or external drainage, while 16 patients was found to have contraindication for any further surgical intervention. The overall operation rate was 81.0% (68/84) with a radical resection rate of 35.3% (24/68). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates was 70.8%, 50.0% and 20.8% in the radical resection group, and 50.0%, 21.4% and 0 in the palliative resection group, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the survival between two groups. Whereas in the internal or external drainage group, the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates was 20.0% ,10.0% and 0. All of the patients who did not undergo surgical intervention died within one year.

CONCLUSIONCholelithiasis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Early diagnosis and radical resection are two important factors to improve the prognosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Skeletonization of hepatoduodenal ligament with partial liver resection can improve the rate of radical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Drainage ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the expression of P120 catenin in pancreatic carcinoma and to explore the association between P120 catenin gene polymorphism at T755G position and pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODSThe expression of P120 catenin in 52 cases of pancreatic carcinoma and normal pancreatic tissues on the mRNA and protein levels were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western Blot methods respectively. P120 catenin gene polymorphism at T755G position of in 52 patients and 60 healthy controls were examined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expressions of P120 catenin in pancreatic carcinoma tissues were significantly lower than normal pancreatic tissues (P=0.000, P=0.002). Reduced expression of P120 catenin mRNA was significantly correlated with differentiated (P=0.033), lymph node metastasis (P=0.004), vascular invasion (P=0.022), and pTNM stage (P=0.003). Additionally, there were significant difference of P120 catenin gene polymorphism genotypes and alleles at T755G position between patients and healthy controls (P=0.008, P=0.016). The GG genotype of P120 catenin gene was associated with higher risk of incidence for pancreatic carcinoma compared with the TT genotype (OR=2.765, 95%CI=1.312-3.958).

CONCLUSIONSThe reduced expressions of both P120 catenin mRNA and protein in pancreatic carcinoma suggest its association with pancreatic carcinoma development. Polymorphism of P120 catenin gene at T755G situation might be a risk factor for pancreatic carcinoma, and it may be used to diagnosis and prevent pancreatic carcinoma early.

Case-Control Studies ; Catenins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymorphism, Genetic