Objective To determine whether low frequency ultrasound mediated microbubbles destruction (UMMD) could inhibit VX2 orthotopic hepatic tumor growth in rabbit models.Methods Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were implanted with VX2 tumor in left hepatic lobe to establish a homograft rabbit model of liver neoplasms in situ,which were randomly divided into four groups(6 rabbits in each group):group A (intravenous saline only),group B (intravenous microbubbles only),group C (intravenous saline+ low frequency focused ultrasound exposure),and group D (intravenous microbubbles+low frequency focused ultrasound exposure).After 3 days consecutive treatment,tumor volume(TV),and peak intensity (PI) were monitored by conventional ultrasound and contrast enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) on 0,1,7,14 and 21 days after treatment.The rabbits were euthanized at the end of the experiment.Tumor tissues were evaluated by HE stain.Results The parameters of TV and PI of each tumor had no significant difference among four groups before treatment(all P>0.05).TV had no significant difference among four groups on 1 day after treatment(all P>0.05);PI in group C and group D were significantly lower than those in group A and group B (all P<0.05).TV and PI in group D were significantly smaller than those in other groups on 7,14,21 days after treatment(all P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in TV and PI among group A,group B and group C(all P>0.05).The pathological changes of necrosis tissue,hemorrhagic damage of microvessel and thrombosis were observed in the tumors of group D only,whereas these changes occurred rarely in other groups.Conclusions UMMD can inhibit the growth of VX2 hepatic tumors in rabbits,and be used as a promising novel therapeutic strategy to liver neoplasms.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of puncture feeling combined with fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for thyroid nodules.Methods One thousand and fourteen thyroid nodules were retrospectively analyzed.Eighty-six thyroid nodules were performed repeat FNAC.All nodules were confirmed by pathology,the agreement of puncture feeling at different time was evaluated by Kappa test.Results There were 751 malignant nodules and 263 benign nodules.Sensitivity and accuracy of FNAC combined with puncture feeling were higher than those of single FNAC or single puncture feeling (x2 =11.609,4.433 and P =0.00,0.04;x2 =19.369,6.697 and P =0.00,0.01,respectively).There were no statistically differences in the sensitively and accuracy between single FNAC and puncture feeling (x2 =1.230,0.242 and P =0.27,0.62,respetively).The Kappa values of inter-observer and intra-observer were 0.829(P =0.00) and 0.885(P =0.00) respectively with statistically significance.Conclusions Puncture feeling combined with FNAC can improve the sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules,the reproducibility of puncture feeling is excellent.

This study investigated the variation of serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in patients with both diabetes mellitus (DM) and metabolic syndrome (MS). Based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) diagnostic criteria, 93 patients enrolled in this study were divided into four groups: normal control (NC), simple DM, simple MS, and DM plus MS (DM-MS) groups. The main measures included height, weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), serum triglyceride (TG), HDL-ch, LDL-ch, and MCP-1. The results showed that the serum levels of MCP-1 in the DM-MS group were significantly increased as compared with those in the DM and MS groups (P<0.05), and the increase in the MCP-1 level in the DM group was much higher than in the MS group (P<0.05). The DM-MS group had the highest HOMA-IR levels, followed by MS, DM and NC groups (P<0.05). Correlation tests showed that the association of MCP-1 with age, HDL-ch, or LDL-ch was insignificant, whereas that of MCP-1 with body mass index (BMI), waist hip rate (WHR), WC, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), TG, and HOMA-IR was significantly positive. It was concluded that circulating MCP-1 was substantially increased in patients with both DM and MS as compared with that in the patients with DM or MS alone, and the central obese state may contribute to a more vicious proinflammatory condition and insulin resistance in patients with diabetes.

The expression of serum and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase in the renal cortex of diabetic rats was examined, and the function of signal transduction mediated by SGK1 in diabetic nephropathy and its modulatiqn by fluvastatin were also investigated. 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n = 8), diabetic nephropathy group (n = 8) and fluvastatin-treated diabetic nephropathy group (15 mg/kg/d, n = 8). The metabolic parameters were measured at the 8th week. The expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and fibronectin (FN) was immunohistochemically examined. The expression of SGK1 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, and CTGF mRNA was assessed by RT-PCR. As compared to DN, blood glucose, 24-h urinary protein, Cer and kidney weight index were all decreased and the weight was increased obviously in group F. At the same time, mesangial cells and extracellular matrix proliferation were relieved significantly. The levels of cortex SGK1 mRNA and protein were up-regulated, and both TGF-beta1 and FN were down-regulated by fluvastatin. The mRNA of SGK1 was positively correlated with the CTGF, TGF-beta1 and FN. SGK1 expression is markedly up-regulated in the renal cortex of DN group and plays an important role in the development and progress of diabetic nephropathy by means of signal transduction. Fluvastatin suppressed the increased SGK1mRNA expression in renal cortex and postponed the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To summarize the clinical characters, diagnostic and therapeutic strategy of the cured patient with human H5N1 avian influenza pneumonia in mainland of China,and to provide effective experiences for the physicians to diagnose human avian influenza infection.Methods The clinical data of the cured patient with H5N1 avian influenza infection in China was analyzed.Results The patient was treated with short-term symmetrel and ribavirin for antiviral therapy companied with the lowdosage and long-term(4 weeks) glucocorticoid therapy.The CPAP assistant ventilation was used and the airway was kept unobstructed.The antibiotic was used to prevent and control the followed infection.The supportive treatment was applied to protect the organ′s function of the patient.The pathogenetic condition of the patient became better with the hemogram risen and the lungs pathological changes absorbed gradually.The chest CT reexamined at the 7th day of the hospitalized-term suggested that the left lung fibrosis started to be absorbed and it was obviously absorbed at the 16th day.The breath function and all the internal organs functions became better.The patient convalesced and left hospital at the 46th day.Conclusion In the human avian influenza infection,the pathogenetic condition may progress quickly after the pneumonia appears.The lung injury and lung fibrosis as well as the multi-organs dysfunction were emerged in the patient rapidly.The progression of disease can be controlled and the prognosis can be improved by the prompt and correct treatment.

Objective To evaluate the association of the size of thyroid nodules and the diagnostic value of repeat fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC) in diagnose of thyroid nodules.Methods One hundred and forty-three thyroid nodules in one hundred and thirty-five patients with repeat FNAC and thyroidectomy were retrospectively analyzed.The nodules were divided into three groups according to the largest diameter(L):GroupA,L＜0.5 cm;GroupB,0.5 cm≤L≤1.0cmandGroupC,L＞1.0cm.Yield of FNACs were divided into six levels according to the classification criteria of the Bethesda system,and Level Ⅰ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ,Ⅴ were defined as the indefinite cytological diagnosis.Results The diagnostic rate of repeat FNAC was obviously higher in group B compared with group A and group C,with significantly statistical difference (P ＜0.05).The risk of malignancy for persistently indefinite diagnostic aspirates after repeat FNAC was significantly reduced with statistical difference from the initial indefinite diagnostic aspirates in group B (P ＜0.05),while there was no statistical difference between group A and group C (P＞0.05).The diagnostic accuracy of repeat FNAC in group B was significantly higher than that in group A(P ＜0.05),but not in group C (P ＜0.05).Conclusions The repeat FNAC has a higher efficiency in those nodules with a largest diameter between 0.5 cm and 1.0 cm,and a repeat FNAC can be suggested.

Objective To study the role of Anopheles anthropophagus in malaria transmission and transmission threshold so as to provide basis for vector surveillance and malaria control strategy. Methods Parasitological and entomological methods were used in the investigation at 5 villages of Xinyang City, Henan Province. Results From July to August, 1999, 74 febrile cases (10\^9% of the total population) were examined. Among them 50 were infected, the incidence in the population of surveyed spots was 7\^4%. Active detection was made in another randomly selected two villages and found that the parasite rate in the inhabitants was 2\^0%, and the positive rate of IFA was 8\^4%. Only vivax malaria was detected. An.anthropophagus and An.sinensis were collected, with An.anthropophagus as the predominant one in human dwellings. The estimated man\|biting rate and the human blood index were 4\^9388 and 0\^7858 respectively. The vectorial capacity of An. anthropophagus was 5\^5296. The critical man\|biting rate of An.anthropophagus was 0\^2407 as calculated by the formula (ma=-rlnP/abP\+n) according to Macdonald′s model.The local man\|biting rate was 20 times higher than that of the critical man\|biting rate. Conclusion The results demonstrated that An.anthropophagus is the principal vector in malaria transmission in the area. The findings imply that the critical man\|biting rate is of practicable importance in vector surveillance.

This study investigated the variation of serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)in patients with both diabetes mellitus (DM) and metabolic syndrome (MS).Based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) diagnostic criteria,93 patients enrolled in this study were divided into four groups:normal control (NC),simple DM,simple MS,and DM plus MS (DM-MS) groups.The main measures included height,weight,waist circumference (WC),hip circumference,blood pressure,fasting blood glucose,insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR),serum triglyceride (TG),HDL-ch,LDL-ch,and MCP-1.The results showed that the serum levels of MCP-1 in the DM-MS group were significantly increased as compared with those in the DM and MS groups (P＜0.05),and the increase in the MCP-1 level in the DM group was much higher than in the MS group (P＜0.05).The DM-MS group had the highest HOMA-IR levels,followed by MS,DM and NC groups (P＜0.05).Correlation tests showed that the association of MCP-1 with age,HDL-ch,or LDL-ch was insignificant,whereas that of MCP-1 with body mass index (BMI),waist hip rate (WHR),WC,systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),TG,and HOMA-IR was significantly positive.It was concluded that circulating MCP-1 was substantially increased in patients with both DM and MS as compared with that in the patients with DM or MS alone,and the central obese state may contribute to a more vicious proinflammatory condition and insulin resistance in patients with diabetes.

Objective To assess the therapeutic efficacy of subcutaneous transplantation pancreatic cancer in nude mice model with different size microbubbles. Methods Eighteen Balb/C nude mice with subcutaneous pancreatic carcinoma xenografts were divided into three groups:group A( 6 mice) did not received microbubbles and ultrasonic irradiation;group B(6 mice) received standard microbubbles and ultrasonic cavitation treatment;group C(6 mice) received up-sized microbubbles and ultrasonic cavitation treatment.Body weight and tumor size of nude mice were measured respectively at the time points of 0,7, 14,21 days after three times ultrasound radiation and before ultrasound treatment. Tumor volumes were calculated.Then the mice were sacrificed finally. Results There was no significant difference in tumor volumes among three groups before treatment( P > 0.05). Tumor volume continued to increase in all groups.Compared with group A,growth rate in group B and group C were lower,growth rate in group B was higher than that in group C,the difference was statistically significant( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the parameters of regional blood volume(RBV) and regional blood flow(RBF)among three groups before treatment( P > 0.05). RBV and RBF were decreased significantly after 3 days treatment in group B and group C( P <0.05),the RBV and RBF in group C were lower than those in group B,the differences were statistically significant( P <0.05).There was no significant difference in the body weight of nude mice before and after radiation among three groups during the follow-up period( P >0.05). Conclusions The cavitation effect of up-sized microbubbles is more efficient for mice subcutaneous pancreatic cancer xenograft tumor inhibition compared with standard microbubbles.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of BRAF V600E mutation combined with shear wave elastography(SWE) for thyroid nodules of Bethesda Ⅲ diagnosed by fine-neddle aspiration(FNAC). Methods: One hundred and seventeen thyroid nodules diagnosed as Bethesda Ⅲ in the department of ultrasound and confirmed by BRAF V600E gene detection, SWE examination and surgery were collected. BRAF V600E detection, SWE examination and both combined with pathological results were using to retrospective analysis. Results: There were 75 benign nodules and 42 malignant nodules according to pathology. Sensitivity and negative predictive value of BRAF V600E combined with SWE were higher than single BRAF V600E mutation detection and SWE with statistically significant(P=0.01, 0.001; P=0.029, 0.01, respectively). There were no statistically differences between single BRAF V600E mutation detection and SWE for Bethesda Ⅲ nodules(P=0.483, 0.645). Conclusions BRAF V600E mutation detection combined with SWE can improve the sensitivity and negative predictive value in the diagnosis of Bethesda Ⅲ thyroid nodules.