Objective To analyze HRCT and thin-slice CT scan findings in 150 patients with pulmonary diffuse mild micronodule, and to find the features with the purpose of identifying random micronodule, peri-lymphatic micronodule, and centrilobular micronodule. Methods The useful features in 150 patients with pulmonary diffuse mild micronodule were translated into scores by means of discrimination method of large log-likelihood to identify the micronodular category. Results The accuracy of diagnosis was 94.0% for random micronodule, 76.0% for peri-lymphatic micronodule, and 90.0% for centrilobular micronodule. Conclusion HRCT and thin-slice CT scans were helpful in differential diagnosis of pulmonary diffuse mild micronodule. The discrimination method of large log-likelihood was propitious to diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Objective To assess the usefulness of a computer-aided detection(CAD)system on detecting the pulmonary nodules in digital chest radiography.Methods Three hundred and twenty-eight digital chest radiographies along with corresponding chest computed tomography were selected for this study. Two senior chest radiologists interpreted these cases using the CAD system and marked the locations and sizes of all nodules with consensus,which were stored in a computer system as Gold Standard to evaluate the performance of the CAD system.Eight radiologists of various experience read these selected cases without and with the aid of CAD system and their results were stored in a computer system.The radiologists' performance was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic analysis.Comparison is made regarding the difference in Az values when CAD was not used versus when CAD was used by using the paired-samples t test.Results For small nodules,the sensitivity of this computer system used by the two senior chest radiologists in 100 digital radiographs was 78.1%(118.0/151).Without and with the assistance of CAD system,the nodule detection sensitivity of the radiology residents was 62.4% (94.2/151),77.4%(116.8/151)respectively,and the area under the curve of radiology residents was 0.769,0.836 respectively.Statistical analysis showed there was statistically significant difference between interpretation without and with the CAD system(P0.05).Conclusions This CAD system can help to enhance the radiologists' ability to detect small pulmonary nodules.This is especially helpful for radiology residents.

Objective To evaluate the value of computer-aided detection (CAD) system for pulmonary nodule detection using digital chest radiography in lung cancer screening. Methods One hundred consecutive digital chest radiographs from 6280 outpatients for lung cancer screening were independently reviewed by a thoracic radiologist and a computer-aided pulmonary nodule detection system.The radiographs were also reviewed by two experienced thoracic radiologists and the true nodules confirmed by two radiologists with reference to the CT images were marked and stored as a gold standard in the CAD system. The sensitivity and false positive of the radiologist and the CAD system for the detection of nodules on digital chest radiographs were compared. Results Ninety-five and 304 nodules were identified by radiologist and the CAD system, respectively. Of 134 nodules marked as true nodules by experienced radiologists, 82 (61.2%) and 105 (78. 4% ) nodules were identified by the radiologist and the CAD,respectively. The radiologist missed 35 true nodules which were only detected by CAD. The CAD system missed 10 true nodules which were only detected by radiologist. One hundred and twelve (83.6%) nodules were identified by radiologist with the CAD system. One hundred and ninety-nine nodules identified by CAD were false-positive with a rate of 2. 0 ( 199/100 ) per case. Conclusion Combining review of digital radiographs by radiologist with CAD system can improve the detection of pulmonary nodules in lung cancer screening.

Objective To study the effect of allicin on the growth and radiosensitivity of human pancreatic carcinoma BXPC3 cells.Methods BXPC3 cells were exposed to X-rays in the presence or absence of allicin.Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay.Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry assay.Cell radiosensitivity and the influence of allicin on it was evaluated by colony formation assay.The expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results IC50 values of allicin on cell growth were 76.24,58.34 and 43.58 μmol/L under 12,24 and 48 h treatment,respectively.Treatment of cells with allicin obviously inhibited cell growth after irradiation and hence increased radiosensitivity (t =2.74,P ＜ 0.05).This treament also enhanced radiation-induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase (t =11.41,P ＜0.05),apoptosis induction (t =12.36,P ＜ 0.05),and Bax expression (t =4.83,P ＜ 0.05),but it decreased Bcl-2 expression (t =3.69,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Allicin could inhibit cell growth,induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via Bax/Bcl-2 pathway and hence increases radiosensitivity of BXPC3 cells.

The genus Xestospongia is one of the most widespread genera of sponges, containing abundant secondary metatolites with novel structures and potent bioactivities. The main structure types of secondary metatolites found in this genus are alkaloids, quinines, terpens, steroids, lipids, polyketones, etc. These metatolites exhibit a variety of bioactivities, such as cytotoxic, antibacterial and antiviral activities. This paper reviews the progress in the chemistry and pharmacological activities of the second metabolities from sponges of Xestospongia, especially for recent five years, with the aim for further research.
Animals ; Secondary Metabolism ; Xestospongia ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the effects of human S100A6 on β-catenin in human osteosarcoma cell lines MG63 and U2OS. Methods Cell lines MG63 and U2OS were infected by recombinant adenoviruses carrying human S100A6 and its siRNA gene, AdS100A6 and AdSiS100A6 respectively, to up-regulate and down-regulate the ex-pression of S100A6. Then RT-PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemistry were used to detect mRNA and protein (level and/or distribution) of β-catenin. Results In both cell lines, with up-regulated S100A6, expression of β-catenin mRNA and protein increased(P <0. 05) and β-catenin protein increase was more obvious in nuclear than in cytoplasma; while down-regulating S100A6, both the mRNA and protein level of β-catenin decreased (P<0. 05) ; β-catenin protein decrease was more obvious in nuclear than in cytoplasma, too. Conclusion In-creasing Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity may be a mechanism that S100A6 involves in tumor development.

Objective To investigate the coagulation disorder status of patients with pancreatic cancer and to explore its role in tumor formation,progression and metastasis.Method The present study involved 114 patients with pancreatic cancer diagnosed by surgery or biopsy,and 40 healthy volunteers.For each individual,nine plasma coagulation parameters were tested using the STAGO Compact automated.Results The levels of plasma antithrombin Ⅲ (AT-Ⅲ) and protein C of the pancreatic cancer group were significantly reduced compared with the control group,while the levels of plasma PT,APTT,INR,FIB,F-Ⅷ,D-dimer (D-D) were significantly elevated.The level of plasma D-D increased with increase in clinical stage,while the level of AT-Ⅲ decreased.The level of plasma D-D became higher with worsening in histological grade.Conclusions Patients with pancreatic cancer were in a state of hypercoagulation,with reduced anticoagulation function and secondary hyperfibrinolysis.The level of Plasma D-D was significantly associated with the clinical stage,histological grade and distant metastasis.These together with AT-Ⅲ could be used as indicators to monitor patients with pancreatic cancer.

Objective To assess the capability of the colon computer-aided-detection(CAD) for the detection of colonic neoplasm on low-dose CT colonography with changing sphericity filter values. Methods Low dose (50 mA) CT colonography data from 56 patients with 159 colonic neoplasms confirmed by conventional colonoscopy and surgery were divided into four groups: colorectal cancer, ≥ 10 mm polyps,5. 1 to 9. 9 mm polyps and ≤ 5.0 mm polyps. The golden standard was established by matching the neoplasms on CT colonography images. The datasets analyzed subsequently by the Colon CAD system at four discrete sphericity filter settings (SFV): 0. 25, 0. 50, 0. 75 and 1.00. The location and size of highlight lesions by the colon CAD were recorded. Comparison was made with the known golden standard in order to determine the detective rate of colonic neoplasms. Chi-square tests were used to compare the detection rates of four groups by CAD SFV at four settings. Results Fifty six patients had 159 colonic neoplasms including 44 colonic cancers, 45 large polyps (max diameter≥ 10. 0 mm), 32 median polyps (max diameter 5. 1 to 9. 9 mm) and 38 small polyps ( max diameter ≤5.0 mm). The colon CAD had the detective rate of 85.5%( 136/159), 85.5% ( 136/159 ), 79. 2% ( 126/159 ) and 56. 0% (89/159) for all colonic neoplasms at four sphericity filter settings 0. 25, 0. 50, 0. 75 and 1.00 respectively. There was statistically significant difference between the sphericity filter settings at 0. 25 and 1.00 ( P ＜ 0. 05). Detective rate was highest at lower sphericity, false-positive rate increased at same time, however, 91.4% ( 138/151 )to 93.9% (31/33 )of false-positives were rapidly dismissible with 2D axial images, only 6. 1% (2/33)to 8.6% (13/151)of false-positives needed to discriminate with multiplanar reconstruction or 3D virtual colonoscopy. Conclusion The Colon CAD system can detect colonic neoplasms satisfactorily in low dose CT colonography and may satisfy the needs of radiologists with different experience by changing sphericity filter settings.

Objective To investigate the expression and role of β-catenin in small-for-size liver grafts during early stage of liver regeneration after liver transplantation in rats.Method The livers of male Sprague-Dawley rats were reduced to 30％ or 50％ of their original sizes and transplanted.The experiment was divided into 3 groups:small-for-size graft group (SSG),half-size graft group (HSG) and sham-operated group.Liver samples were harvested at various time points after transplantation (n =6 per time point) for Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Six rats in each group were sacrificed at 3rd day after liver transplantation for estimating liver regeneration rate.Result Liver regeneration rate in SSG group was lower than that in HSG group.The expression of β-catenin was down-regulated in liver graft of both groups after being stored in cold Ringer solution for 2 h.The expression of β-catenin was significant up-regulated in HSG group from 5 min to 12 h after operation,while the down-regulated expression of β-catenin was persisted in SSG group at 5 min after operation,and mildly increased expression of β-catenin occurred at 2 h and 6 h,which was significantly lower than that in HSG group at the corresponding time points.The expression of active-β-catenin was low in each group before transplantation.Significant expression of active-β-catenin was found at 5 min in HSG group and persisted until 12 h after operation,mildly increased expression of active-β-catenin in SSG group was only found at 2 h,which was lower than that in HSG group at the same time points.Immunohistochemical staining revealed that β-catenin was mainly expressed on the hepatocyte membrane and in cytoplasm in the sham-operative group,many hepatocytes exhibited nuclear localization of β-catenin in HSG group from 5 min to 24 h,while only some hepatocytes exhibited nuclear localization of β-catenin in SSG group.The expression of Cyclin D1 in SSG group was significantly lower than that in HSG group,which was similar to the expression of C-Myc.Conclusion Attenuated activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and down-regulated expression of target genes during early regeneration of small-for-size liver grafts may be involved in the inhibition of liver regeneration of small for size liver grafts.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of B-mode ultrasonography in detecting middle hepatic vein(MHV)in chronic liver disease patients.Methods 80 chronic liver disease patients were divided into 2 groups(chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis).Liver biopsies and the inner diameter(ID)of MHV was detected with B-mode ultrasonography.The ID of MHV was compared in the chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis groups,different liver fibrosis stages and compensation/non-compensation liver cirrhosis.The ability of ID of MHV in auxiliary diagnosis liver cirrhosis was analyzed with the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC).Results The size of ID of MHV in liver cirrhosis(3.82±1.84)mm was smaller than that of chronic hepatitis(6.15±1.67)mm(P＜0.01).The size of ID of MHV in non-compensation liver cirrhosis(2.98±1.15)mm was smaller than that of compensation liver cirrhosis(4.42±2 20)mm(P＜0.05).There was midrange negative correlation with liver fibrosis stages and the ID of MHV(rs=-0.465,P＜0.01).The cutoff point of ID of MHV diagnosis liver cirrhosis was 4.7mm.The area under ROC(AUC)achieved 0.813(P＜0.01).The sensitivity(Se),specificity,(Sp),positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value(NPV)and Youden index were 67.5%,90.0%,88.0%,73.5% and 57.5%,respectively.Conclusion There is well clinical value with B-mode ultrasonography detecting ID of MHV for the auxiliary diagnosis of chronic liver disease.