OBJECTIVETo analyze the imaging characteristics of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) and their correlation with histopathological findings.

METHODSCT and MRI imaging and histopathological characteristics of five patients with hepatic EHE were retrospectively reviewed and the correlation of their imaging characteristics with pathological findings was analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 92 lesions were found in the 5 patients, all presenting with multiple nodules. All the 92 lesions were located within a 2-cm zone heneath the hepatic capsule, i.e., the shortest distance from the horder of lesions to the hepatic capsule. 28 of the 92 lesions showed the "capsular retraction" sign. 36 lesions were found in three patients receiving MRI. 77.8% of the 36 lesions demonstrated the "halo" sign on a fat-suppression T2- weighted image, while 91.7% after contrast enhancement. A peripheral dark rim was found in 91.7% of the lesions on a fat-suppression T2-weighted image. In addition, 36.1% of the lesions showed slight internal or edge enhancement at the hepatohiliary phase. In the two patients receiving CT examination, 7 of 56 lesions demonstrated the "halo" sign.

CONCLUSIONSHepatic EHE may manifest as nodular lesions with predilection of peripheral subcapsular growth and nodular confluence, together with "halo" sign and " capsular retraction". The peripheral dark rim on a fat-suppression T2-weighted image and slight enhancement at the hepatobiliary phase can help to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and differential diagnosis of this hepatic tumor. MRI is superior to CT imaging to denict their intra-lesional characteristics.

Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Physical Examination ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To study the effect of cholesterol and 25-OH-cholesterol on cholesterol metabolism in HepG2 cells and the effect of coptisine (Cop) extracted from Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) in reducing and regulating cholesterol. In this study, TC, TG, LDL-c and HDL-c were measured by biochemical analysis; mRNA and protein expressions of LDLR, HMGCR and CYP7A1 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. According to the results, cholesterol and 25-OH-cholesterol inducing could decrease in mRNA and protein expressions of LDLR and CYP7A1, so as to increase TC and LDL-c contents. However, Cop could up-regulate mRNA and protein expressions of LDLR and CYP7A1 and down-regulate that of HMGCR, so as to reduce TC and LDL-c levels. These findings suggested that Cop has potential pharmacological activity for reducing cholesterol, and may reduce cholesterol by regulating mRNA and protein expressions of key genes involved in cholesterol metabolism, such as LDLR, CYP7A1 and HMGCR. This study laid a firm theoretical foundation for developing new natural drugs with the cholesterol-lowering activity.
Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, LDL ; genetics ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

To explore the incidence and risk factors for spontaneous hemorrhagic transformation (HT) of cardioembolism (CE,n =150) and large artery atherosclerotic infarction (LAA,n =370).The incidence of HT was 29.3％ in CE.And it was significantly higher than 9.7％ (P ＜0.05).Infarct size,low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score were independent predictors of spontaneous hemorrhagic transformation in LAA.OR values were 3.92,2.96 and 1.45 respectively.Infarct size,admission NIHSS score and random blood glucose level were independent predictors of spontaneous hemorrhagic transformation in CE.OR values were 4.86,2.42 and 1.42 respectively.As compared with LAA,CE was more prone to HT.LAA and CE-related factors of hemorrhagic transformation are not completely identical.

Objective To investigate rite effects of loag-term exposure to low-level sevoflurane on reproductive function in mice.Method F0ny male ICR mice,aged 60 d,weighlag 20-25 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=10 each):control group received no sevoflunme(C);group S1-3 were exposed to 0.003%.0.01% and 0.03% sevoflurane 2 h per day for 5 consecutive days per week for 8 weeks respectively. The mice were then sacrificed at the end of the 8 weeks.The testes and epididymis were emoved and sampled for determination of the activities of total lactic dehydregenase(LDH)and lactic dehydrogenase-X(LDH-X),and the motility rate,amount,and aberration rate of sperm.Testicular uhrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Results The sperm motifity nne were significantly lower.the sperm aberration rate higher and the activity of LDH-X lower in group S3 than in group C(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in the above parametem between group SI and group S2(P>0.05).The pathology changed of testes occurred only in group S3 among the 3 groups.Conclusion Long-term exposure to 0.03% sevoflurane can result in the abnormality of the reproductive function in male mice but exposure to≤0.01%sevoflurane dose not.

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences between computer aided identification and ultra-thin layer slicing in measuring the lesions of femoral head necrosis,and to confirm the accuracy and practicability of computer aided method.

METHODSFrom June 2012 to December 2013, the X-ray and MRI of 24 patients (24 hips on unilateral) were reviewed, who had avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFA) at late stage (stage III and IV) according to the ARCO international staging system. There were 15 males and 9 females, with an average age of (65.1 ± 8.8) years old, ranged 33 to 74 years old. Based on the software system with seeds point identification, the ragional adaptive search method with computer aid was used to calculate the volume of necrotic lesion in femoral on MRI. Then the pathological slices of those intraoperative femoral heads were made to measure the gross volume of necrotic lesion in femoral head,and the values were compared with the data in the computer.

RESULTSFor 24 hips, by the calculation of computer, the necrotic volume was (20.00 ± 3.04) cm (ranged, 18.72 to 21.29 cm³). Under the pathological section, the necrotic volume of the femoral head was (19.89 ± 3.17) cm³ (ranged, 18.55 to 21.23 cm³). In computer and pathology two kinds of measurement, the two entire femoral head volume had no significant difference using these two measurements (t = -1.227, P = 0.232).

CONCLUSIONComputer aided identification for necrotic area of femoral head adaptive can demonstrate the morphology of femoral head necrosis accurately and reliably, which will help surgeon better understand the morphology and orientation in femoral head.

Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ; Female ; Femur Head Necrosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To study local and systemic immune response in an animal model treated with recombinant hIFN-α-2b-BCG instillation. Methods The MB49 orthotopic bladder cancer model in C57BL/6 mice was established and treated separately with rBCG, wild BCG, wild BCG combined with IFN-α-2b and PBS as the control. The changes of lymphocyte subgroups in peripheral blood were analyzed with FCM, and mTNF-α and mIL-12 in peripheral blood of mice were detected with ELISA.Immunohistochemistry was carried out to detect the local immune reaction, T cell subsets and FAS, in bladder cancer after being treated with rBCG or wBCG. Results The content of CD4+ T lymphocyte was up-regulated in the rBCG group. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio of 2. 63 was up-regulated than pretreatment, significantly different than that of wBCG group(P＜0.05). ELISA assay showed that BCG significantly up-regulated the level of mTNF-α and mIL-12 in serum of orthotopie murine bladder cancer mice. The mTNF-α 806 pg/ml, mIL-12 860 pg/ml in rBCG group, was not significantly higher than those in wBCG group and combination group. The immunocompetent cell numbers with CD3, CD4,CD8 phenotype increased significantly in the tumor tissue of BCG treated group than the control(P＜0.05). The results of CD4+ in rBCG group and the combination group, and CD8+ in rBCG group were significantly higher than that of the wBCG(P＜0.05). The expression of Fas in tumor tissues treated with intravesical BCG was increased(P＜0. 05). Conclusions The recombinant IFN-α-2b-BCG can retrieve the disproportion of systemic lymphocyte subgroups, and increases Th1-type factors and local Fas expression in orthotopic murine bladder cancer. The recombinant IFN-α-2b-BCG is effective in regulating local and systemic immune reaction in orthotopic murine bladder cancer model.

Objective To explore the relationship between the CHADS2 score and short-term prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Methods Consecutive ischemic stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who were hospitalized within 7 days after stroke were registered.Patients were divided into 3 groups on the basis of CHADS2 pre-stroke score (0 to 1,2,3to 6).And recovery was assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months follow-up (mRS ≤ 2reflected good prognosis,and mRS ≥ 5 implicated unfavorable outcome).After screening the risk factors affecting prognosis using univariate analysis,the relationship between CHADS2 score and prognosis was estimated using logistic regression model.Results Of 203 patients enrolled,the CHADS2 score of 0-1,2,3-6 were present in 72,53 and 78 respectively.Patients with the higher CHADS2 score had a higher initial NIHSS score (9.8,12.6,13.0,F =3.404,P =0.008 ),more likely to receive nosocomial pulmonary infection( 12.5％,34.0％,39.7％,x2 =14.643,P =0.001 ),negatively related to good prognosis (x2 =28.542,P =0.000 ) and positively related to unfavorable outcome ( x2 =23.575,P =0.000 ).Logistic regression model results suggested that CHADS2 score was an independent predictor of good prognosis and unfavorable outcome. Compared with CHADS2 score 3-6, CHADS2 score 0-1 was independently associated with good prognosis ( OR =5.018,95 ％ CI 2.055-12.560 ).And compared with CHADS2 score 0-1,CHADS2 score 3-6 was independently associated with unfavorable outcome ( OR =6.197,95％ CI1.670-22.996 ).Conclusions CHADS2 pre-stroke score appears to be useful in prediction of stroke outcome for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.After acute ischemic stroke,the patients with the lower CHADS2 score (0-1) are more likely to achieve good prognosis,inversely,the patients with the higher CHADS2 score (3-6) are more likely to achieve unfavorable outcome.

Objective To improve the understanding of bacteria bolt in upper urinary tract,and to investigate its diagnosis and treatment.Methods The clinical data of 11 cases with bacteria bolt in upper urinary tract were reviewed retrospectively.The clinical manifestation and treatment were summarized.Results Infection and obstruction were the clinical manifestation.Two-stage treatment was provided.Ureteral stent was indwelled in two cases,and percutaneous nephrostomy was provided at the first stage in the other 9 cases.Then the bacteria bolt was taken by ureteroscopy (1 case) or by percutaneous nephrostomy (10 cases) when the condition improved.The second stage operation took 37 min on average (ranged from 20 to 55).Estimated blood loss 60 ml on average (ranged from 10 to 200 ml).Hemoglobin decreased 5.1 g/L (3-11 g/L) 48 hours after operation in the 10 cases underwent percutaneous nephrostomy.Bolt-free rate was 100％.There was no infectious shock occurred.No relapse was observed during the 16 months of follow-up.Conclusions Bacteria bolt in upper urinary tract is not common.Infection and obstruction are its manifestation.Two-stage treatment is safe and effective.

To determine the effects of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) on the invasion and migration of glioma U251 cells. Methods:U251 GBM cells were transfected using VHL expression plasmid. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to de-tect VHL mRNA expression after transfection. Western blot assay was used to measure protein (VHL, MMP-2, and MMP-9) expres-sion. Tumor invasion and migration were examined by the Transwell and wound-healing experimental methods after VHL up-regula-tion. The intracranial model of nude mouse was developed using U251 cells transfected by VHL expression plasmid, and immunohisto-chemical staining was used to measure protein (VHL, MMP-2, and MMP-9) expression in the tissue sections. Results: In the U251 cells transfected by VHL expression plasmid, the expression of VHL mRNA and VHL proteins increased, and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein decreased. Meanwhile, the invasion and migration of glioma U251 cells were also inhibited. Immunohistochemical staining results showed that the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins decreased, and the VHL protein expression increased after transfection. Conclusion:VHL can inhibit the invasion and migration of glioma U251 cells. Thus, VHL gene can be used as a target for the gene therapy of gliomas.

A 23-year-old man in remission from acute myeloblastic leukemia after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation developed peripheral neuropathy presenting as sciatic and peroneal nerve deficits. Electrophysiological tests localized the lesions to the left sciatic and common peroneal nerve. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed nerve thickening and enhancement, while a positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan demonstrated increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake tracking along the nerve, suggesting peripheral nerve infiltration. This report demonstrates an unusual presentation of acute leukemia relapse presenting as focal neuropathy