Objective To characterize the image morphology and time-intensity curve of renal cell cancer and angiomyolipoma on contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography. Methods A total of 57 patients with 58 renal masses were enrolled in this study prospectively. The renal masses included 47 renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and 11 angiomyolipomas (AML). All patients were evaluated by tradi-tional gray-scale sonography, color Doppler sonography and contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography. Imaging findings and time-intensity curves of all renal masses were analyzed. The contrast-enhance-ment features between RCC and AML were analyzed. Results 57.4% of RCCs were hyperechoic masses and peripheral surrounding vessels and / or penetrating vessels were noted in 83.0% of RCCs on color Doppler sonography. 54.5 % of AMLs were hyperechoic masses while peripheral surrounding vessels and / or penetrating vessels were only noted in 27.3% of AMLs on color Doppler sonography. On contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography, hyper- or iso-enhancement were noted in 83.0% of RCCs, while hypo-enhancement were noted in 81.8% of AMLs (P<0.01). Statistically significant differences were noted between RCC and AML in the values of peak time (P=0.03), wash time (p= 0.02), peak intensity-basic intensity (P=0. 01), AT/R (△A tumor/△A renal) (P=0.00), k (P= 0.02), and Aok (P=0.02). Conclusions Contrast-enhanced sonography is useful in the differentia-tion of renal masses. Most RCCs are hyper- or iso-enhanced while most AMLs are hypo-enhanced. Time-intensity curves are helpful in differentiating RCC and AML.

Objective To observe the levels of Foxp3+ CD+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in the peripheral blood of condyloma acuminatum (CA) patients and investigate their roles in the pathogenesis of CA. Methods The peripheral blood was collected from 30 CA patients (including 15 with relapsing and 15 with first onset) and 20 healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear ceils (PBMC) were isolated and stained with anti-human CD4-PE-Cy5 and anti-human CD25-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) monoclonal antibodies on cell membrane, followed by intraeellular staining with anti-human Foxp3-PE. The percentage of Foxp3+ CD4+-CD25+ regulatory T cells was detected by three-color flow cytometry. Comparison between groups was done by ANOVA test. Results The percentages of Foxp3+ CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells among total CD4 + T cells in CA patients and relapsing CA group were (3.4 ± 1.0) % and (4.7 ±+ 1.2) %, respectively, which were both significantly higher than that in healthy control group [(1.2±0. 5)%, P<0.01]. Furthermore, that in first onset CA group was (2. 1 ± 1.0) %, which was higher than that in healthy control group, but without statistical significance; but that in relapsing CA group was significantly higher than that in first onset group (P<0.05). Conclusions The number of Foxp3+ CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells increases in the peripheral blood of CA patients. The disorder of cellular immunity may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of CA.

Objective To investigate the value of guide-wire loop in interventional therapy of patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome with hepatic vein obstruction.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 25 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) with hepatic vein obstruction treated from May 2011 to August 2014.The technique of guide-wire loop was used in these patients.The pressure of the hepatic vein was measured before and after treatment.The difference in the pressure was analyzed by the t test.Results All the patients were treated successfully using guide-wire loop angioplasty.No complications of bleeding,pericardial tamponade and liver capsule hemorrhage were observed.After treatment,the pressure of the hepatic vein reduced from (48.3± 8.0) cmH2O to (20.9 ± 3.8) cmH2O (t =26.82,P ＜ 0.05);The symptoms and physical signs of the patients were relieved or disappeared.BCS-related symptoms reappeared on follow-up in 4 patients,2 were treated by balloon dilation successfully.1 patient was treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) because of decompensated liver cirrhosis.1 patient with ankylosing spondylitis had treatment failure and the symptoms relapsed for the third time.Conclusion The technique of guide-wire loop in interventional therapy of patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome with hepatic vein obstruction is safe and effective,and it can improve the overall success rate of treatment.

Purpose To investigate the expression of XBP-1s and ADRP in kidney of diabetic rats. Methods Diabetic rat models were successfully established by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. After two months rats were sacrificed and XBP-1s and ADRP were de-tected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results XBP-1s and ADRP were located in renal tubular cells and increased by a-bout 2. 017 times and 1. 544 times in comparison with normal control rats (P<0. 05). Moreover, it was shown that high expression of XBP-1s was commonly accompanied with increased ADRP by Pearson correlation analysis and the correlation coefficient was 0. 723 (P<0. 05). Conclusion The increased XBP-1s may cause the up-regulation of ADRP in the kidney of diabetic rats.

A total of 200 outpatients with congenital urogenital abnormalities were recruited.Peripheral blood from each patient had mixed lymphocyte culture and chromosome karyotype was analyzed.Among them,22 (11％) cases showed abnormal chromosomal karyotypes.The aberrations included abnormal chromosome number (n =13),abnormal chromosome structure (n =8) and sex reversal syndrome (n =1).Chromosomal aberrations are important causative factors of congenital urogenital abnormalities.

Objective To propose a practical method for moderate-to-server cup-ear correction.Methods Auricular reconstruction was performed in a manner of two-stage approach with mastoid flap and costal cartilage support.In the first stage,the autogenous costal cartilage framework was inserted under the retroauricular mastoid skin flap.The corrected ear was raised in the second operation and wound was closed with grafting skin.Results Satisfaction of appearance was achieved for totally 18 cases except one case of partly necrosis of cartilage.They were followed-up for 3-26 months.Conclusions This integrative two-stage approach of mastoid flap combining three dimensional costal cartilage is safe and effctive for moderate to severe cup-ear correction,which brings about good appearances and symmetry.The complications are in control.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and mechanisms of LW-AFC,a new formula derived from Liuwei Dihuang decoction,on chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)-induced mood and cogni-tion impairment in mice. METHODS C57BL/6J mice were randomly placed into seven groups (n=10):normal control group,CUMS group,Fluoxetine(10 mg·kg-1,once per day)group,Liuwei Dihuang de-coction group(LW,10 g·kg-1,once per day),and LW-AFC(0.8 g·kg-1,1.6 g·kg-1,3.2 g·kg-1,once per day) group. The stressed group was given CUMS for 4 weeks to set up a chronic multiple-stressed model.LW and LW-AFC was oral administered a week prior to CUMS and until the end of the study(a total of 35 d),while fluoxetine was administrated orally for 4 weeks.The anxiety behavior was analyzed using the open field test(OFT)and elevated plus maze test(EPM).The depression behavior was ana-lyzed using the sucrose preference test (SPT) and forced swimming test (FST). Spatial cognition was evaluated using Morris water maze (MWM) test and working memory was evaluated using new object recognition test(NORT). RESULTS CUMS for 28 d increased depressive-and anxiety-like behaviors. LW-AFC (1.6 g·kg-1) significantly increased the numbers of entries into the open arm and time in the open arm of CUMS mice (P<0.05). LW-AFC (3.2 g·kg-1) increased sucrose consumption and de-creased the immobility time of FST (P<0.01) of CUMS mice. The MWM test showed that spatial learning andmemory in CUMS mice were remarkably affected relative to controls,whereas LW-AFC(3.2 g·kg-1)im-proves cognitive functions(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The mood and theability of learning and memory of thestressed group can be affected after exposure to CUS.Oral administration of LW-AFC significant-ly improved CUMS-induced impairments of mood and cognition in mice.

Objective To investigate the potential effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue exendin-4 (Ex-4) on immune function of T lymphocytes via neuroendocrine modulation mechanism in mice following severe burns.Methods Male BALB/C mice were randomly (ramdam number) divided into thermal injury group (n =50) and sham-thermal group (n =30).The thermal injury model was made by exposing the back skin of 15％ total body surface area (TBSA) to 95 ℃ water for 7 seconds,while in sham-thermal model the mice were immersed in 37 ℃ water instead.The expression of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1 R) was determined in sorted CM + T cells from normal mice by immunofluorescence method.In ex vivo experiment,the mice were sacrificed at 24 h post-bum,then the mononuclear cells (MNC) from spleen were separated from both groups and cultured in RMPI 1640 with 10％ FCS (fetal calf serum) in presence of ConA (concanavalin A,5 μg/mL).Cells were pretreated with catecholamine receptor antagonist propranolol (prop) for 1 hour,followed by consecutive dose of Ex-4 for another 48 h.In in vivo experiment,prop (30 mg/kg) was i.p.injected 30 minutes before thermal injury,then Ex-4 (2.4 nmol/kg) was injected i.p.immediately after scalding.Mice were sacrificed at 6 h and 24 h after thermal injury,then the serum and the spleens were collected.Results GLP-1R was expressed on splenic CD4 + T cells from normal micc.Ex-4 exerted no marked effect on the functions of T cells in terms of proliferation and IL-2 secretion at all doses examined ex vivo,which was not affected by pretreatment with prop.In vivo,T cell functions were suppressed by Ex-4 in thermal mice (P ＜ 0.05),but was restored by pretreatment with prop.Regardless of ex vivo or in vivo,Ex-4 could induce T cells switched to Th2 response (P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,the Th2 switch by Ex-4 was greatly potentiated by prop intervention in thermal mice in vivo other than ex vivo.Norepinephrine level was increased and epinephrine was decreased by Ex-4 in thermal mice.Both norepinephrine and epinephrine levels were obviously enhanced by pretreatment with prop.Conclusions Ex-4 can inhibit the proliferation and IL-2 secretion of splenic T lymphocytes through the sympathetic nervous system,however,it might induce Th2 switch from Th cells by acting directly on GLP-1R.

OBJECTIVETo compare the sonographic findings with pathological features of ovarian thecoma, and to analyze the relationship between them.

METHODSThe sonograms of 45 ovarian thecoma cases were reviewed retrospectively and categorized into three subtypes as sound attenuation pattern, homogeneous hypoechoic pattern and solid and cystic mixed pattern. The pathological findings were classified as theca cell-predominant, fibroblast-predominant and mixed thecoma according to the cellular composition of the tumors. Hyaline degeneration and luteinization of the tumors were recorded. The pathologic findings of each subtype based on sonography were compared.

RESULTSOf the 45 patients, there were 34 (75.6%) solid ovarian lesions, 15 (33.3%) of those showed a sound-attenuation pattern with an anterior hypoechoic zone and posterior acoustic attenuation in sonography, the other 19 (42.2%) cases had homogeneous hypoechoic pattern with no posterior acoustic attenuation, and the remaining 11 (24.4%) cases presented as a solid and cystic mixed pattern. There were no significant differences in pathological cellular composition among the three sonographic subtypes. Five solid tumors containing hyaline degeneration and one with luteinization were found to have posterior acoustic attenuation. The solid and cystic mixed thecomas showed cystic degeneration and hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONSolid ovarian thecomas usually have typical sonographic features, which may be associated with degeneration but not with cellular composition within the tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; CA-125 Antigen ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; blood ; classification ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Thecoma ; blood ; classification ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods ; Young Adult

Aim To observe the effect of thioesterase superfamily member 4 ( THEM4 ) expression on extra-cellular matrix ( ECM ) accumulation in the kidney of diabetic mice .Methods For in vivo vector delivery experiment , male CD1 mice were randomly divided in-to four groups: normal control mice ( Control group ) , diabetic mice ( DM group ) , diabetic mice receiving pYr-ads-4-THEM4 vector ( DM+THEM4 vector ) and diabetic mice receiving pYr-adshuttle-4 vector ( DM+V vector ) .pYr-ads-4-THEM4 vector or pYr-adshuttle-4 vector ( 1 mg · kg -1 ) were mixed with TransIT-EE Hydrodynamic Delivery Solution from Mirus Co .and injected into tail vein once a week for four weeks after STZ injection.Four weeks later, mice were sacrificed and Western blot , immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were used to detect the expression of phospho-Akt(Ser 473), THEM4, TGF-β1, α-SMA, Col Ⅲ, FN proteins and THEM4 mRNA in kidneys respectively . Results THEM4 decreased in kidney of diabetes mel-litus accompanied with increased phospho-Akt ( Ser 473), TGF-β1, α-SMA and ECM.The delivery of pYr-ads-4-THEM4 vector increased THEM4 expression and decreased phospho-Akt (Ser 473), TGF-β1, α-SMA and ECM deposit in kidneys of diabetic mice . Conclusion The up-regulation of THEM4 may pre-vent ECM deposit by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Akt and down-regulating the expression of TGF-β1 andα-SMA in kidneys of diabetic mice .