Objective To explore imaging manifestations of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEH). Methods CT and MR images in 14 patients with HEH proven by histopathology were retrospectively analyzed. Plain and two-phase contrast-enhanced CT scan were performed in 5 cases, non-contrast and multiphase contrast-enhanced MR scan were performed in 7 cases, CT and MRI were both performed in 2 cases. Characteristics of CT and MR T2WI images were classified and analyzed. All lesions were classified into three types:multiple, diffuse and solitary form. Results (1) Multiple form of HEH:228 lesions were found in 11 patients, including 178 lesions on MRI and 50 lesions on CT. On T2WI, three or two layered-target-signs with hyperintensity core were found in 79.2% (141/178) of the lesions. Three layer-target-sign included hyperintensity core, hypointensity rim and slightly high signal halo from the inside out. Two layer-target-sign included hyperintensity core and slightly high signal halo from the inside out. Characteristics of dynamic contrast-enhanced scan included peripheral two or three layered-rim-like enhancement in 66.3%( 118/178) of the lesions;peripheral, gradual rim-like enhancement with enhanced core in 27.0%( 48/178) of the lesions;heterogeneously mild enhancement in 2.2%( 4/178) of the lesions;centripetal enhancement in 4.5%( 8/178) of the lesions. Fifty lesions were found in CT, which showed low density nodules or masses with clear margins. Two-layered-black-target sign were found in 42 lesions in contrast-enhanced images, white-target sign were found in 3 cases, and centripetal enhancement was found in 5 cases. (2) Diffuse form of HEH:in one of the two cases of this type, the lesions could not be separated from normal liver parenchyma, gradual enhancements were found along with the vessels in the center of the lesions. (3) Solitary form of HEH: one case, the lesion showed heterogeneous density in non-contrast CT images and gradual enhancement in contrast-enhanced images. Conclusions We found some imaging characteristics of HEH. Two or three layered-target-sign on T2WI and black-target sign, white-target sign on contrast-enhanced images were unique imaging features of HEH.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To explore the relationship of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),IFN-? and IL-4 and effect of Bude-sonide on their in asthmatic rats.Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:asthma group,Budesonide-treatment group and control group.On the first day of the experiment and the 8th day,the rat models of the asthma group and Budesonid treatment group were allergized by the OVA/Al(OH)3 through intraperitoneal injection,respectively.And starting from the 15th day,they were challenged by the OVA through atomization for 2 weeks.Control group was allergized and challenged by NS atomization.Budesonid treatment group was interfered in Budesonide inhalation before suscitation in 0.5 h.After 12 h the same inhal done was again in Budesonide group.Twenty-four hours after the last challenge,the rats in 3 groups were sacrificed,and blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were collected.The concentrations of IL-4,IFN-? and VEGF in serum and BALF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The concentrations of IL-4 in serum and BALF in asthma group and Budesonide treatment group were significantly increased than those in control group(P

Objective To assess the contribution of transrectal realtime tissue elastography (TRTE) on the differential diagnosis of prostatic diseases. Methods A total of 88 prostatic disease patients with 95 lesions proved by pathology from May 2012 to January 2013 in the Afifliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University were included. The elasticity grade and strain ratio were calculated by using TRTE. According to the gold standard of pathological results, the sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy rate were calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of elasticity grade and strain ratio in distinguishing benign and malignant prostatic diseases;and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were made respectively. The accuracy of elasticity grade and strain ratio in diagnosing prostatic diseases was also compared using chi-square test. Results Forty-seven benign lesions were found in the 95 prostatic lesions and the other 48 lesions were malignant. The elasticity grades of the 95 prostatic lesions were as follows:GradeⅠ26, GradeⅡ19, GradeⅢ16, GradeⅣ21, and GradeⅤ13. Elasticity grade ≤Ⅱwas considered to be benign, while grade ≥Ⅲwas malignant. The sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy rate of elasticity grade in diagnosis of prostatic malignant lesions was 79.17%(38/48), 74.47%(35/47) and 76.84%(73/95), respectively. According the ROC curve analysis, the cutoff point of strain ratio was 4.67, and Youden′s index was 0.622. The sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy rate of strain ratio was 83.33%, 78.72%and 81.05%, respectively. The area under ROC curves of strain ratio was superior to that of elasticity grade. But the diagnosis accuracy of the two approaches was almost the same in statistics (χ2=0.51, P>0.05). Conclusions TRTE is valuable in the differential diagnosis of the prostatic benign and malignant lesions. Both strain ratio and elasticity grade are useful approaches, and have similar diagnostic accuracy.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of the TRPV6 gene silencing by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of human prostate cancer LNCaP cells.

METHODSWe constructed two siRNA sequences (siTRPV6-1 and siTRPV6-2) targeting the TRPV6 gene and then transfected them into LNCaP cells mediated by liposome. The transcription of TRPV6 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR, and the effects of siRNA on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of the LNCaP cells were determined by MITT and flow cytometry.

RESULTSBoth siTRPV6-1 and siTRPV6-2 significantly suppressed the expression of TRPV6 mRNA in the LNCaP cells, and the expression was decreased with the extension of time, by 73 and 77% respectively at 72 h after transcription with siTRPV6-1 and siTRPV6-2 as compared with the blank control group (P < 0.01). The proliferation inhibition rates were the highest (34.53 and 29.32%) at 48 h in comparison with 24 and 72 h (P < 0.05). The number of cells was significantly increased in the GO and G1 phases and decreased in the S phase after siTRPV transfection (P < 0.01). The apoptosis rates of LNCaP cells were 14.45 and 12.73% respectively at 48 h after transfected with siTRPV6-1 and siTRPV6-2, significant higher than in the blank control and negative control groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTRPV6-targeted siRNA can effectively inhibit the transcription of TRPV6 mRNA, inhibit the proliferation of LNCaP cells, arrest their cycles in the G0 and G1 phases, and induce their apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; Calcium Channels ; genetics ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; pharmacology ; TRPV Cation Channels ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVEThe objective was to provide a brief history of J wave syndromes and to summarize our current understanding of their molecular, ionic, cellular mechanisms, and clinical features. We will also discuss the existing debates and further direction in basic and clinical research for J wave syndromes.

DATA SOURCESThe publications on key words of "J wave syndromes", "early repolarization syndrome (ERS)", "Brugada syndrome (BrS)" and "ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)" were comprehensively reviewed through search of the PubMed literatures without restriction on the publication date.

STUDY SELECTIONOriginal articles, reviews and other literatures concerning J wave syndromes, ERS, BrS and STEMI were selected.

RESULTSJ wave syndromes were firstly defined by Yan et al. in a Chinese journal a decade ago, which represent a spectrum of variable phenotypes characterized by appearance of prominent electrocardiographic J wave including ERS, BrS and ventricular fibrillation (VF) associated with hypothermia and acute STEMI. J wave syndromes can be inherited or acquired and are mechanistically linked to amplification of the transient outward current (I to )-mediated J waves that can lead to phase 2 reentry capable of initiating VF.

CONCLUSIONSJ wave syndromes are a group of newly highlighted clinical entities that share similar molecular, ionic and cellular mechanism and marked by amplified J wave on the electrocardiogram and a risk of VF. The clinical challenge ahead is to identify the patients with J wave syndromes who are at risk for sudden cardiac death and determine the alternative therapeutic strategies to reduce mortality.

Brugada Syndrome ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the lineage of the malignant cells in malignant histiocytosis.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction with two groups of common primers for TCR-gamma gene was used to analyze the malignant cells of 28 autopsied cases of malignant histiocytosis.

RESULTSMonoclonal TCR-gamma gene rearrangements were detected in 12 out of the 28 samples (43%).

CONCLUSIONMost cases diagnosed as malignant histiocytosis in Southwest China seems to be peripheral T-cell lymphomas.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; CD56 Antigen ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor ; Histiocytosis ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To observe the effect of abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding on sleep homeostasis system in rats with anxiety insomnia.Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,abdominal massage group,thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group and abdominal massage plus thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group,with 8 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,the rats in the other groups were used to replicate the model of anxiety insomnia by multi-factor compound stimulation.After the corresponding intervention,Morris water maze test was used to detect the level of learning and memory.Open field test was used to detect the degree of anxiety stress.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the pathological changes of hypothalamic ventral lateral preoptic nucleus(VLPO)neurons.Immunohistochemistry,real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and Western Blot were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptor subunits NR1,NR2B and calmodulin kinase Ⅱ(CaMK Ⅱ)in hypothalamic VLPO area,respectively.Results Compared with the normal group,the daytime anxiety symptoms of the rats in the model group were aggravated,the sleep latency was prolonged and the duration was shortened(P＜0.01).The average total swimming distance and average escape latency of the water maze directional navigation experiment were increased(P＜0.01).The number of crossing the hidden platform and the retention time of the target quadrant in the space exploration experiment were decreased(P＜0.01).The movement distance,the number of central grid crossings and the retention time of the central grid in the open field experiment were significantly reduced(P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the modification frequency and the number of uprights(P＞0.05).Neurons in the VLPO brain region showed pathological damage.The protein and mRNA expression levels of NR1 and CaMK Ⅱ were decreased(P＜0.01)in VLPO brain region,and the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR2B were increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the level of learning and memory in the water maze test and the degree of anxiety stress in the open field test were significantly restored in the abdominal massage group,the thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group and the abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the neuronal damage in the VLPO brain region was improved,the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR1,CaMK Ⅱ were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR2B were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The improvement effect of the above indexes in the abdominal massage plus thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group was superior to that in the abdominal massage group or thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion Abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding can promote sleep and anti-anxiety in rats with anxiety insomnia.The related mechanism may be related to adjusting the dynamic balance between NR1/NR2B in VLPO brain area and up-regulating the expression level of CaMK Ⅱ,improving the function of neurons in VLPO brain area,and then restoring the regulation of sleep homeostasis system.

BACKGROUNDEpidemiologic studies have shown an independent and definite association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension. This study aimed to define the association between daytime blood pressure and severity of OSA in Chinese population in mainland of China.

METHODSTwenty university hospital sleep centers in mainland of China were invited by the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) to participate in this epidemiologic study and 2297 consecutive patients (aged 18 - 85 years; 1981 males and 316 females) referred to these twenty sleep centers for evaluation of OSA between January 2004 and April 2006 were prospectively enrolled. Nocturnal polysomnography was performed in each patient, and disease severity was assessed based on the apneahypopnea index (AHI). These patients were classfied into four groups: nonapneic control (control, n = 257) with AHI < or = 5 episodes/hour; mild sleep apnea (mild, n = 402) with AHI > 5 and < or = 15 episodes/hour; moderate sleep apnea (moderate, n = 460) with AHI > 15 and < or = 30 episodes/hour and severe sleep apnea (severe, n = 1178) with AHI > 30 episodes/hour. Daytime blood pressure measurements were performed under standardized conditions in each patient at 10 a.m. in office on the day of referring to sleep centers for getting average value. All the patients were requested to quit medications related to blood pressure for three days before the day of assessing.

RESULTSBoth daytime systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure values were significantly related to AHI positively (r = 0.201 and 0.276, respectively; both P values < 0.001) and to nadir nocturnal oxygen saturation negatively (r = -0.215 and -0.277, respectively; both P values < 0.001), which were the parameters of OSA severity. In two special designed mean plots, means of daytime systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased gradually with increasing AHI. Beyond AHI of 61 - 65, this increasing trend reached a plateau.

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that OSA severity was associated with daytime blood pressure until AHI of 61 - 65, providing evidence for early OSA management, especially in OSA patients with concomitant hypertension.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; pathology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe nocturnal nondipping and elevated morning blood pressure (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) have not yet been well investigated in Chinese patients. This study aimed to describe the BP profile, and to elucidate the relationships between daytime BP and nighttime BP, and between evening BP and morning BP in patients with OSAS.

METHODSTwenty teaching hospital sleep centers in China were organized by the Chinese Medical Association to participate in this study and 2297 patients were recruited between January 2004 and April 2006. BP assessments were made at four time points (daytime, evening, nighttime and morning) and polysomnography (PSG) was performed and subjects were classified into four groups by their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): control, n = 213 with AHI < 5; mild, n = 420 with AHI ≥ 5 and < 15; moderate, n = 460 with AHI ≥ 15 and < 30; and severe, n = 1204 with AHI ≥ 30. SPSS 11.5 software package was used for statistical analysis and figure drawing.

RESULTSAll the average daytime, nighttime, evening and morning BPs were positively correlated with AHI and negatively correlated with nadir nocturnal oxygen saturation. The ratios of nighttime/daytime and morning/evening average BP were positively correlated with AHI. The ratio of nighttime/daytime systolic BP became a "reversed BP dipping" pattern until the classification reached severe, while the ratio of nighttime/daytime diastolic BP became reversed at moderate. Similarly, the ratio of morning/evening diastolic BP becomes reversed even at mild.

CONCLUSIONSOSAS may result in higher BP levels at all four time points. The ratios of nighttime/daytime and morning/evening BP increase with increased AHI. The increasing of diastolic BP, which is inclined to rise more quickly, is not parallel with increasing systolic BP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anthropometry ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; physiopathology ; Young Adult