Objective: To analyze the multi-mode ultrasound manifestation of male breast cancer, and to discuss its value in clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Methods: The clinical data of 15 male patients with pathologically-confirmed breast cancer were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients were examined by multi-mode ultrasound (including 2D, 3D, color Doppler flow imaging [CDFI], and intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasound [CEUS]). The ultrasonic characteristics of the 8 patients were compared with those of 7 patients with hyperplasia. The diagnostic values of the ultrasonic characteristics were summarized. Results: (1) 2D sonogram: 6 of 7 cases with ultrasonically diffused masses, which were all initially interpreted as hyperplasia on ultrasound, were confirmed pathologically, with an accurate rate of 86%. All the 8 patients had unilateral focal masses (ipsilateral in 3 of 8). They were all diagnosed as having breast cancer by ultrasound, with hypoechoes and irregular shape. Three of them had micro-calcification. All the 8 patients were confirmed to have breast cancer pathologically, with the accurate rate of ultrasound being 100%. (2) CDFI and CEUS: hyperplasia patients had weak blood flow signal and breast cancer patients all had rich blood flow signal. High frequency CEUS showed that only 3 breast cancer patients had marked micro-vascular enhancement, while low-frequency CEUS showed prominent enhancement in all cancer cases. (3) 3D reconstruction: coronary display of 2 focal masses showed "convergent sign". Conclusion: Multi-mode ultrasound imaging can provide comprehensive information of male patients with breast disorders; it may facilitate the early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment for male breast cancer.

Abstract Exposure to atmospheric PM2.5 is closely related to the morbidity and mortality of kidney diseases such as chronic kidney disease, membranous nephropathy and kidney cancer. Acute and chronic PM2.5 exposure lead to the damage of glomerular filtration and kidney tissue of mice. PM2.5 induces cellular oxidative stress, inflammatory response, endoplasmic reticulum stress, renin angiotensin system and bradykinin system activation, so that causes renal blood vessel and tissue damage, decreases glomerular filtration rate and clearance capacity, and mediates the occurrence of kidney damage and diseases. This article reviews the studies into the impact of PM2.5 on kidney and its mechanism form 2016 to 2020, so as to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of kidney injury induced by PM2.5.

OBJECTIVETo observe the improvements in constipation differentiated as intestine system syndrome and lung system syndrome treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and explore their correlation.

METHODSSeventy cases of severe functional constipation were randomized into an EA group and a pseudo-EA group, 35 cases in each one. In the EA group, the needles were inserted deeply at Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) on bilateral sides, and directly went to parietal peritoneum. EA was attached to the needles, dense-disperse wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz, and 0.1 to 1.0 mA. The perpendicular insertion was done at Shangjuxu (ST 37), 25 mm in depth. After qi arrival, the needle was lifted, thrusted and rotated once every 10 min, for 3 times totally. The needles were retained for 30 min. In the pseudo-EA group, the pseudo-points lateral to Tianshu (ST 25), Fujie (SP 14) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) on bilateral sides were punctured shallowly. The electric stimulation was pretended to connect but with the electric wire cutting off. The needles were retained for 30 min. The treatment was given 5 times weekly in the first two weeks and 3 times weekly in the later 6 weeks. Totally, 28 treatments were required. TCM intestine and lung syndrome scale was used for evaluation. The changes in TCM syndromes were observed before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSThe total score of intestine and lung syndrome and the score of individual syndrome were all reduced after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01). The improvements of the EA group in the total score of intestine system syndrome, the scores of large. intestine syndrome and stomach syndrome, the total score of lung system syndrome and the score of lung dysfunction in dispersing and descending syndrome were superior to those of the pseudo-EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The differences in the scores of lung qi deficiency syndrome and throat syndrome were not significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). Simultaneously, the very strong positive correlation (P<0.01) and positive linear correlation (P<0.01) were presented in the total score of intestine and lung syndrome of the two groups.

CONCLUSIONEA obviously improves in intestine system syndrome (including large intestine syndrome and stomach syndrome), as well as lung system syndrome (lung dysfunction in dispersing and descending) in the treatment of constipation. But the improvements are not apparent in the treatment of lung qi deficiency and throat disorder. Additionally, the obvious correlation is displayed in the improvements in intestine and lung syndrome.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; physiopathology ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo screen antifungal activity of endophytes from Pseudolarix kaempferi.

METHODEndophytes from P. kaempferi were separated. By means of microdilution method, antifungal active endophytes were fast screened by Pyricularia oryzae P-2b model, and activity of endophytes against pathogenic fungus was studied.

RESULT44.8% of endophytes showed activity against P. oryzae P-2b in Pseudolarix kaempferi. Among them JJ314, JJ323 introduced formation of characteristic beads and swellings on the growing hyphae, JJ324 inhibited the conidia germination. They all showed activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans.

CONCLUSIONEndophytes from P. kaempferi are a potential resource for the development of antifungal agent.

Antifungal Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Cryptococcus ; drug effects ; Fungi ; chemistry ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Mitosporic Fungi ; drug effects ; Pinaceae ; microbiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Trichophyton ; drug effects

Objective To quantitatively analyze and compare the texture features of thermal and chemical lesions on the porcine striated muscle, in vitro extracted from high-frequency ultrasonograms using computer-assisted image analysis technique, and to investigate the application values. Methods The thermal lesion and chemical lesion were induced in vitro in porcine striated muscle by microwave ablation and anhydrous acetic acid injection, respectively. The two dimension (2D) ultrasonographic ifndings were qualitatively compared between the groups of thermal and chemical lesion models, in which eight textural features in geometric mathematics extracted from 2D ultrasonograms were quantitatively analyzed by a technique of computer-assisted image analysis named multiscale decomposition method of echo intensity of interface relfections. Results As expected, microwave ablation and anhydrous acetic acid caused signiifcant changes of several texture features extracted from ultrasonograms. There were significant differences between the normal group and microwave ablation group in grayscale mean (Mean), irregularity (IRGL) and periodicity of distribution (POD) as follows (Mean: 1.9143±0.2914 vs 1.2334±0.3357, t=-5.306, P=0.000; IRGL: 0.5577±0.0334 vs 0.5092±0.0459, t=-2.957, P=0.007; POD: 0.000 27±0.000 005 vs 0.000 29±0.000 008, t=4.782, P=0.000). There were signiifcant differences between the normal group and anhydrous acetic acid injection group in number of blobs (NOB), size of blobs (SOB) and periodicity of distribution (POD) as follows (NOB: 51.0324±13.6998 vs 31.6042±4.8315, t=4.633, P=0.000; SOB:16.4843±3.9349 vs 25.6230±2.3555, t=6.903, P=0.000;POD:0.000 26±0.000 015 vs 0.000 29±0.000 008, t=-4.459, P=0.000). For each group of injured regions, there were significant differences between the microwave ablation group and anhydrous acetic acid injection group in Mean, IRGL, NOB and SOB as follows (Mean: 1.2664±0.2688 vs 1.9143±0.2914, t=-5.661, P=0.000; IRGL: 0.5220±0.0422 vs 0.5577±0.0334, t=-2.295, P=0.032;NOB:51.0324±13.6998 vs 34.5856±2.6362, t=4.048, P=0.000;SOB:16.4843±3.9349 vs 25.3176±2.3501, t=-6.676, P=0.000). Conclusion Technique of computer-assisted image analysis named multiscale decomposition method of echo intensity of interface relfections, based on multiscale blob features extraction, was useful to differentiate ultrasonic texture features between the groups injured in our study, which established quantitative muscle ultrasound as a practical and reliable tool for the muscle injury diagnosis to distinguish the structural changes induced by different physiochemical factors.

With low molecular weight chitosan and poloxamer 188 as the joint carriers, ginsenoside Rg3 solid dispersions were prepared by using the solvent evaporation method for an in vitro dissolution test. Subsequently, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (X-RD) were adopted for a phase analysis. The results showed that the 60 min in vitro cumulative dissolution rate of ginsenoside Rg3 solid dispersions prepared with low molecular weight chitosan and poloxamer 188 at the ratio of 2:1 exceeded 90%, and the drug was dispersed in carriers in an amorphous state. Therefore, ginsenoside Rg3 solid dispersions prepared with low molecular weight chitosan and poloxamer 188 could help significantly improve the drug dissolution, with a practical application value.
Chitosan ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Ginsenosides ; chemistry ; Molecular Weight ; Poloxamer ; chemistry ; Solvents ; chemistry

Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; surgery ; Endovascular Procedures ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged

To prepare ginseng saponin Compound K with ultrasound-assisted total zymolytic ginseng saponins. The conversion rate was taken as the index to detect the pre-treatment factors such as ultrasonic power and ultrasonic time, as well as the impact of enzymatic factors, such as pH value, temperature, concentration of substrate, dosage of enzyme and reaction time, on the conversion rate. The response surface method was used to optimize the preparation conditions. The enzymolytic products were identified with MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. The results showed that the optimum conditions of the ultrasound-assisted enzymolysis were 250 W for ultrasonic power, 15 min for ultrasonic time, 5.5 for enzymolytic pH, 50 degrees C for enzymolytic temperature, 36 h for enzymolytic time, 4:5 for enzymolytic dosage: substrate and 1.0 g x L(-1) for concentration of substrate. The relative molecular mass of reaction products was 622.4. Therefore, the nuclear magnetic map verified that the reaction product was rare ginseng saponin Compound K. Under the above conditions, based on the total zymolytic ginseng saponins, the conversion rate of rare ginseng saponin Compound K was 6.91% in proportion to the total of ginsenosides. The process features gentle reaction conditions, high conversion rate and simple and reliable process, which is suitable for industrial production.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Enzymes ; chemistry ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ultrasonics ; methods

Using MS as basic medium, supplemented with 1.0 mg · L(-1) IBA, the adventitious roots of Tripterygium wilfordii were induced, and the good adventitious root culture system was established by leaves or callus induced by leaves as explants. The adventitious roots were also induced with 2.0-4.0 mg · L(-1) NAA and the good adventitious root culture system established by using suspension cells from callus as materials to induce adventitious root. The content of triptolide of three adventitious roots culture system were exceeded in the natural root bark. The content of triptolide of AR3 adventitious roots was the highest about 5.3 times as that in the natural root bark. By using 5 L stirred fermentor during pilot enlarge cultivation, compared with 250 mL flask cultivation, the adventitious roots increment and secondary metabolites content per liter medium showed no significant difference. The accomplishment of this analysis laid a foundation by tissue culture production of the secondary metabolites of T. wilfordii.
Culture Media ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Plant Growth Regulators ; analysis ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Tripterygium ; growth & development ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the application value of identification of the scalp surface locations of cerebral ischemia lesions before direct revascularization for moyamoya disease and to design surgical approaches according to this by using the fusion of single photon emission computed tomography ( SPECT) cerebral perfusion imaging with CT imaging. Methods The clinical data of 13 adult patients with ischemic-type moyamoya disease underwent superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass surgery were analyzed retrospectively. SPECT cerebral perfusion imaging was fused with CT imaging of the same machine before procedure. The lesions of ischemia were located on the cortical surface. The surgical approaches were designed at the center of the ischemic lesions. The patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months after procedure. The improvement of clinical symptoms and cerebral perfusion of the patients were observed after operation. Results One patient had perioperative cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome,and the others did not have any perioperative complications. At one-month follow-up, the improvement of symptoms in 4 patients were excellent,in 5 were good,in 4 were fair,and none was poor. At 6 to 12 month follow-up,the improvement of symptoms in 9 patients were excellent,in 4 were good,and none was poor. The postoperative visual SPECT cerebral perfusion imaging analysis suggested that the cerebral perfusion was improved significantly as compared with before procedure in all patients. Quantitative analysis:There was significant difference in target ischemic lesions between preoperative Fb and postoperative Fb ([2. 13±1. 06]% vs. [4. 13±2. 09]%;P<0. 05). There was significant difference between preoperative Fb and Fe ([2. 46±1. 97]% vs. [2. 13±1. 06]%;P<0. 05). The postoperative BFCR was [67. 57±3. 78]%( >50%) , which indicated that the efficacy of the procedure was remarkable. The superficial temporal arteries fed to brain of the patients were observed after procedure by using the head CT angiography. The postoperative head MRI reexamination showed no new infarcts occurred at 6 months. Conclusion Combine SPECT cerebral perfusion imaging with CT imaging to design surgical approach for superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass surgery may improve the efficacy and reduce the risks of operation.