Objective To investigate the clinical manifestions ,neuropathology and imaging in the patients with MELAS type of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy for exploring the diagnostic method of the disease. Methods Systemic study was performed on the clinical features,imaging of four MELAS patients. Muscle biopsy and 2 brain biopsies of 3 cases were examined. Results The main clinical features were characterized by intolerance to exercise,recurrent headache and vomit,focal or generalized seizures,dementia,stroke like episodes,sensorineural deafness, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,endocrine dysfunction,short stature,lactic acidosis and so on. Electromyography showed myopathic damage. CT showed calcification in basal ganglia. CT showed multiple low density lesion primarily in gray matter of occipital,parietal and temporal cortex,which was expressed by the abnormal longer T 1 and T 2 weighted signals on MRI.Muscle biopsy showed red ragged fiber and abnormal mitochondria. Brain biopsy showed laminar necrosis of cortex,astrocytosis,diffused microvascular proliferation and calcification. Four cases were diagnosed as MELAS type.Conclusion According to clinical manifestations and neuroimage features,MELAS is possibly early defined in combination with muscle or/and brain biopsy.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of infratentorial primary angiitis in central nervous system (PACNS).Methods A total of 5 cases diagnosed as infratentorial PACNS in the neurology department of Navy General Hospital of PLA in 2015 were enrolled in the study.The clinical,imaging and pathological data were collected and analyzed.Results All the 5 cases were male with the median onset age of thirty-four.Five cases presented with dizziness,two with headache,three with walking unstable,two with facial numbness and one with dysarthria.Rising pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (190-245 cmH2O,1 cmH2O =0.098 kPa) was found in 4 cases by the lumbar puncture,mildly increased number of leukocyte in 2 cases [(12-28) × 106/L],increased CSF protein in 3 cases(540-979 mg/L) and increased IgG index in 3 cases (0.84-1.45).Pons lesions were revealed by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) in 4 cases,brachium pontis lesions in 2 cases,cerebellum lesions in 2 cases,one with midbrain lesion in 1 case,unilateral lesions in 4 cases and bilateral lesion in 1 case.Different degree of edema and mass effect were shown in all lesions by MRI.Patch like enhancement was found by contrast MRI in 5 cases and meningeal enhancement in 2 cases.Elevation of choline (Cho) peak was found by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in 4 cases,reduction of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) peak in 3 cases,appearance of lactate peak in 1 case and lipid peak in another case.Arterial spin labeling (ASL) was performed in 4 cases and no hyperperfusion was found.Susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) was performed in 3 cases and microhemorrhage in the lesions was found in 2 cases and normal in 1 case.Magnetic resonance arteriography(MRA) was performed in 1 case and no stenosis was found.Digital subtraction arteriography(DSA) was performed in 1 case and multiple stenosis of the intracranial arteries was showed.Two cases had taken the stereotactic brain biopsy and the histopathologic diagnosis was angiitis.Five cases were treated with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide was added on in 1 case.Good prognosis was found in all cases.Conclusions Infratentorial PACNS mostly attacks middle-aged males.The lesions tend to locate in unilateral pons,brachium pontis,cerebellum and midbrain.Hemorrhage or microhemorrhage in lesions is often found by SWI and no hyperperfusion is shown by ASL,which would be useful to distinguish PACNS from malignant tumors.Given the limitations of brain biopsy in clinical practice,clinical and imaging features would be helpful to diagnose PACNS.

The relation of metabolic syndrome and its components with body mass index (BMI) was investigated in Zhanshan community, Qingdao. The results showed that the prevalence and relative risk of metabolic syndrome and its components were increased with BMI. Nearly one-third of individuals with overweight or obesity had metabolic syndrome.

The development and progression of atherosclerosis and thrombosis are closely related to changes of hemodynamics parameters. Ultrasonic pulse wave Doppler technique is normally used for noninvasively blood flow imaging. However, this technique only provides one-dimensional velocity and depends on the angle between the ultrasound beam and the local velocity vector. In this study, ultrasonic particle image velocimetry method was used to assess whole field hemodynamic changes in normal blood vessels. By using the polynomial fitting method, we investigated the velocity gradient and assessed the shear in different blood flow velocity of 10 healthy rats. It was found that using four polynomial fitting could result in optimal measurement results. The results obtained by ultrasonic particle image velocimetry accorded with the results obtained using Doppler technique. The statistical average of cyclical vessel wall shear stress was positively related to the locational mean velocity. It is proven that ultrasonic particle image velocimetry method could be used to assess directly the real-time whole field hemodynamic changes in blood vessels and was non-invasively, and should be a good prosperous technique for monitoring complex blood flow in stenotic ar- teries.
Algorithms ; Animals ; Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Hemodynamics ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Rats ; Rheology ; Stress, Mechanical ; Ultrasonics

Objective To investigate the role of intestinal fatty acid binding protein(I-FABP)in evaluating intestinal dysfunction of septic rats and the effect of glutamine on I-FABP expression.Methods Rats were divided into 3 groups,control group were only fed with Peptisorb,model group were fed with Peptisorb after intraperitoneal injection with E.coli endotoxin lipopolysaccharidegiven and glutamine group were added glutamine on basis of model group.The correlation between serum I-FABP level and intestinal mucosa damage index were analyzed and the concentrations of serum I-FABP in each group were observed and compared. Results The serum level of I-FABP in rats were correlated with the Chiu’s score of intestinal mucosa,mucosa thickness and villus length(P<0.05 ).Compared with control group,the concentration of serum I-FABP in model group and glutamine group were significantly increased(P<0.05),but which in glutamine group was lower than that in model group(P<0.05).Conclusions Serum I-FABP could be an non-invasive diagnosis index for evaluating acute intestinal dysfunction in septic rats.In addition,dietary glutamine supplementation may ameliorate sepsis-induced intestinal epithelial injury in rats.

Objective To improve the diagnostic ability of leukoencephalopathy with cerebral calcifications and cysts (LCC),a rare central nervous system disease.Methods The clinical manifestations,neuroimages and neuropathological features of a 19-year-old male patient were analyzed.A total of 20 cases from 14 literatures were reviewed.Results The patient was admitted with right limb weakness,cognitive decline,headache and blurred eyesight.Head CT scan showed multiple calcifications,cysts formation and leukoencephalopathy.Brain MRI showed several cysts in bilateral hemisphere,basal ganglia,thalamus and paraventricular areas.A mural nodule was noted inside one of the cyst,which was enhanced on the contrasted MRI.The wall of the cysts was partially enhanced,but not with the fluid inside the cysts.The corresponding CT calcifications foci showed on T1 and T2 with either both hyperintensity or both hypointensity,which was also partial enhanced.Extensive leukoencephalopathy was formed around the cysts and the ventricles.But neither Cho nor NAA changed a lot on MRS.Amplitude diagram of SWI series exhibited multiple round small dark signals all over the affected areas with mixed signals showed in the phase diagram,which indicated both calcifications and microbleedings at the lesions.Neuropathological examinations found no tumor cells in the operated cyst,and showed angiomatous small blood cells were dominant in the cyst wall.Hyaline degenerations,microcalcifications and hemosiderin deposition were observed.No obvious demyelination was discovered,while gliosis,numerous Rosenthal fibers and fibrinoid vascular necrosis were found around the lesions.The clinical,neuroimaging and pathological features of this patient were in accordance with the cases reported in the literatures.Conclusions Neuroimaging is the most important method for the diagnosis of LCC.As small vessel lesions are probably closely related to the pathophysiology of LCC,SWI could be recommended to further reveal the etiology of LCC.

Objective To explore the value of brain CT scanning for distinguishing tumor-like inflammatory demyelinating diseases (TIDD) from glioma or primary central nervous system lymphoma.Methods The brain CT features in 20 patients with TIDD(10 female,10 male;mean age (35.6±14.0)years;range,6-51 years)and 32 gliomas(16 female,16 male;mean age(42.0±19.8)years;range,12-75 years)and 6 lymphomas(3 female,3 male;mean age(53.8±11.8)years;range,32-68 years)were retrospectively reviewed and compared between brain tumors and TIDD.Results (1)Among the 38 primary brain tumors,there were 19 cases(50%,14 gliomas,5 lymphomas)with hyperdense lesions,10 cases(26.3%,9 gliomas,1 lymphomas)with isodense lesions,and 9 glionms (23.7%)with hypodense lesions.In contrast,the brain unenhanced CT manifestation of 20 TIDD all showed with hypodense lesions.(2)On unenhanced CT the lesions of 6 lymphomas all were hyperdense or isodense,like 90% of 20 high grade gliomas(WHO grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ),but this rate for grade Ⅱ was only 41.7%.(3)According to the shape of hyperdense lesions of the 19 primary brain tumors with,7 cages(6 gliomas,1 lymphomas)manifested with asymmetric hyperdense small-patches,4 cases(1 gliomas,3 lymphomas)with symmetric hyperdense large-patches,4 cases(3 gliomas,1 lymphomas)with diffused hyperdensed lesions,and 4 cases(4 gliomas)with ring-shaped hyperdensed lesions.Furthermore,4 primary brain tumors(4 lymphomas)underwent CT enhanced scanning and all the cases showed strong enhancement(3 cases with hyperdense lesions and 1 with isodense lesions on unenhanced CT),but only 3 cases of 7 TIDD showed mild enhancement in contrast.(4)By Spearman's relevant analysis,hyperdense and isodense on unenhanced CT was proved to have significant positive correlation between the grade of gliomas(r=0.435,P=0.013).Therefore,the frequency of hyperdense and isodense lesions in lymphomas and WHO grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ astrocytoma was higher in contrast with low grade astrocytoma.Conclusions Brain CT as a simple,economical and practical examination method has significant meaning for differentiating TIDD from glioma or PCNSL and could be used as an adjuvant method for MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Patients with hyperdense or isodense on unenhanced CT or strong enhancement could be excluded from TIDD.

BACKGROUND: Fish oil is one of mainly natural resources of n-3 fatty acids, which can inhibit cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and prolong the survival of cardiac allograft. But, the mechanism is unclear. Recent in vitro data suggested that n-3 fatty acids could inhibit the release of inflammatory transmitter by the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-y (PPARy). OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that n-3 fatty acids from fish oil ameliorates CAV development via activating PPARy. METHODS: A total of 6 Lewis rats and 18 Fisher344 rats were randomly selected as heart donors. An additional 24 Lewis rats were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups. In isograft group, heart transplantation was performed among Lewis rats, without any drug. In low-dose fish oil-treated group, F344→Lewis transplantation was performed. At 1 day following surgery, 0.03 mL/kg fish oil was treated by gavage for 8 weeks. In high-dose fish oil-treated group, F344→Lewis transplantation was conducted. At 1 day following surgery, 0.06 mL/kg fish oil was treated by gavage for 8 weeks. In control group, F344→Lawis transplantation was conducted. Cyclosporine A was administrated by gavage for 8 weeks. In the low-dose and high-dose fish oil-treated groups, cyclosporine A (1.5 mg/kg) was given daily by intramuscular injection for 2 weeks following surgery. CAV was evaluated by histological examination. Activity of nuclear factor (NF) k-B and PPARy was assessed in homogenate. Contents of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interferon-inducible protein 10 were measured by enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chemokine receptor CCR2 and CXCR3 expression was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All 24 receptor Lewis rats were survived following surgery. The donor heart could regularly beat at 8 weeks following transplantation. Compared with the isograft group, severe CAV was detected in the control group al 8 weeks. Compared with the control group, CAV was significantly relieved, the activity of PPARy was significantly elevated, the activity of NF k-B was significantly decreased, levels of intragraft monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interferon-inducible protein-10 were significantly reduced in the low-dose and high-dose fish oil-treated groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.05), especially in the high-dose fish oil-treated group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in expression of chemokine receptors CXCR3 in the low-dose and high-dose fish oil-treated groups and control group. Our results demonstrated that n-3 fatty acids from fish oil can attenuate CAV development, possibly through activating PPARy and subsequently inhibiting the NF-kB activation, the chemokines secretion and its receptor expression in a dose-dependent fashion in rat models.

Objective To study the clinical and neuroimaging features of gliomatosis cerebri(GC)so as to enhance the accuracy of diagnosis. Methods The clinical manifestations and cranial MRI characteristics of 10 cases of GC confirmed by neuropathology of brain biopsy were analyzed. Results Main clinical features of the 10 patients were not so severe and varied with headache, dizziness, dementia,aphasia, epilepsy, etc. Cranial MRI scan showed diffuse long T2 signals in frontal lobes, temporal lobes,parietal lobes, occipital lobes bilaterally, as well as corpus collosum, thalamus, paraventricular white matter, caudate nucleus and putamen. Brain stem and cerebellum were also involved. The borders of the lesions were unclear and no obvious mass effect was found. Contrast enhancement was positive only in 3 patients after Gd-DTPA injection. The lesions were always bilateral without cystic formation or hemorrhage.DWI signals of 8 cases were in accordance with pathological grades. Cho/Cr and Cho/NAA ratio increased in all 7 cases with MRS imaging. Cho/Cr in tumor area versus normal area was 1.28 ±0. 15 vs 0. 92 ±0. 17(t=4.201,P=0.0012,95% CI:0.17-0.57).The value of Cho/NAA was 3.21 ± 1.19 vs 0.61 ±0.18(t = 5.716,P=0.0001,95 % CI:1.61-3.59).Biopsy pathological examination showed diffuse infiltrative growth of astroglioma cells of 8 cases with low-grade while 2 cases with high-grade. Conclusions Mismatch between relatively slight clinical manifestations and heavy diffuse imaging features are important in the diagnosis of GC, with the aid of brain biopsy. MRS would contribute to diagnosis and DWI signal may be correlated with GC grade and help judging prognosis.

Objective To summarize the clinical features, neuroimaging findings and pathological characteristics of 26 patients with tumor-like inflammatory demyelinating diseases (TIDD) confirmed by histopathology for better diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Methods The clinical features, neuroimaging findings and pathological characteristics of 26 patients (14 male, 12 female) with pathologically proven TIDD(24 brain-type and 2 spinal cord-type ) were retrospectively analysed. Results The mean onset age was 6-69 (36.7±13.8) years. Twenty-one patients had good prognosis with a median followed-up duration of 51.0 months. Two patients were died of post-operative complication and pulmonary infection respectively and the remaining 3 patients were lost to followed up. The TIDD patients almost showed monophasic clinical setting. Headache, indifference accompanied with hypomnesis were the commonest initial symptoms. The positive or abnormol rates of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands (OCB) and myelin basic protein (MBP)in TIDD patients were high. The involvements of bilateral and multi-lesions were commonest in TIDD (61.5%, 65.4% respectively). Twenty-two patients with CT unenhanced scanning showed hypodense lesions. Long T1 and long T2 signal intensity was showed on MRI and most cases apeared round-like lesion in shape. Acccording to the shape of enhancement of the 23 patients performed with contrast agents, 11 were shown with open-ring enhancement, 4 cases (including 2 accompanied with open-ring enhancement) with complete ring enhancement, 3 with asymmetrical dotted enhancement, 2 with diffused even enhancement,and no enhancement was seen in the other 6. Furthermore, 14 cases with DWI and 12 with FLAIR all appeared hyperdensity. The typical pathological changes were demyelinating, perivascular inflammatory cells infiltration and reactive gliosis. Occationally, the Creutzfeuldt cells were also found in brain tissue of some patients. Conclusions TIDD is a distinct demyelinating disease entity. In spite of being apt to be confused with the neoplasm in brain and spinal cord. TIDD has its own-features, for example, OCB is frequently positive in patients with TIDD and the level of MBP may be significantly increased. Furthermore, the involvements of bilateral and multi-lesions are the common in TIDD, and most cases showed open-ring enhancement or complete rim enhancement on MRI. In addition, all cases present hypodense lesions on unenhanced CT and patients with hyperdense seemed not to be considered as TIDD.