ObjectiveTo evaluate characteristic imaging findings of tumor attenuation in 4-phase CT between renal oncocytoma ( RO ) and clear-cell renal ceil carcinoma ( ccRCC ) of small tumor size (≤Scm).Methods Fifty-six patients with histologically confirmed renal masses (11ROs and 45 ccRCCs) were included in this study.Heterogeneous enhancement was found all tumors during the corticomedullary phase (CMP).The CT values of the normal renal cortex,the relatively high enhanced region and the relatively less-enhanced region of the tumor were measured in each phase.Statistical comparison was carried out by Chi-square test or Mann-Whitney test.ResultsIn CMP,the CT value of the relatively high enhanced region in RO [ 163.0 HU ( 141.0—178.0 HU) ] was significantly lower than that in ccRCC [ 194.0 HU ( 166.5—235.0 HU) ; Z = -2.847,P =0.004].Compared CMP with the excretory phase,the attenuation of the relatively highly enhanced region in RO [70.0 HU (41.0—86.0 HU)] were significantly lower than that in ccRCC [87.0 HU (65.0—126.5 HU) ] (Z= -2.032,P =0.042).In the excretory phase,9 of 11 ROs had a further enhancement with its relatively less-enhanced region which was significantly higher than that in ccRCC (21/45 ; x2 = 4.391,P = 0.036).ConclusionsIn CMP,the CT value of the relatively high enhanced region in RO was significantly lower than that in ccRCC.Compared with ccRCC,in the excretory phase,the RO had less attenuation of the relatively highly enhanced region with homogeneous density.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of the quantitative analysis parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) for prostate cancer.Methods MR examination were performed in 26 patients and correlations were made with surgical pathology following radical prostatectomy.According to the localization of pathologic specimens,ROI were drawn on areas of cancerous regions,noncancerous regions in peripheral zone and central gland to measure the values of Ktrans,kep and Ve.The values of the three parameters in different tissue were compared with Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U.Results Twenty six patients had prostate cancer confirmed by pathology.Data from 468 assessable regions of prostate were acquired,including 115 cancerous regions and 142 noncancerous regions in central gland,68 cancerous regions and 143 noncancerous regions in peripheral zone.Prostate cancer showed a multifocal distribution.The K,kep and Ve values were (1.04 ± 0.26)/min,(1.43 ± 0.46)/min,(0.76 ±0.12) respectively for cancerous regions in central gland,and (0.82 ±0.19)/min,(1.12 ±0.26)/min,(0.75 ± 0.14) respectively for noncancerous regions in central gland,(0.95 ±0.31)/min,(1.31 ±0.51)/min,(0.76 ± 0.13) respectively for cancerous regions in peripheral zone and (0.32 ± 0.07)/min,(0.52 ± 0.13)/min,(0.64 ± 0.14) respectively for noncancerous regions in peripheral zone.The differences among the three parameters were statistically significant (x2 =316.008,297.985,63.681,P ＜0.01).The Ktrans,kep values of cancerous regions were significantly higher than the corresponding values of noncancerous regions,respectively.Conclusion Quantitative analysis parameters of DCE-MRI contribute to the diagnosis of prostate cancer,including cancer located in central gland.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of multi ? b value DWI to differentiate pancreatic adenocarcinoma from healthy pancreas using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and parameters derived from the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) theory. Methods Forty?eight patients with histopathologically proven pancreatic adenocarcinoma and fifty patients with healthy pancreas were examined at 3.0 Tesla using a single?shot echo?planar imaging DWI pulse sequence. Eight b?values ranging from 0 to 1 000 s/mm2 were used. ADC, diffusion coefficient (D), perfusion?related diffusion (D*) and perfusion fraction (f) were compared between pancreatic adenocarcinoma and healthy pancreas, t test or Mann?Whitney U test was used to compare the MRI parameters, ROC was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency. Results In comparison to healthy pancreatic tissue, a significant reduction of the ADC, D*and f was found in pancreatic adenocarcinoma [healthy pancreatic tissue:(1.68±0.31)×10-3mm2/s, 27.10×10-3mm2/s, (36.92±12.47)%;pancreatic adenocarcinoma:(1.51±0.37)×10-3mm2/s, 13.90×10-3mm2/s, (30.06±19.84)%] (P<0.05). No significant difference in the diffusion coefficient D was observed between the two groups (1.06× 10-3 and 1.26 × 10-3mm2/s; P>0.05). In the ROC?analyses, the area under curve for D* was the largest (0.727), followed by f and ADC in order (0.680 and 0.669). Conclusion Using the IVIM DWI approach, the D*, f and ADC value are useful for differentiating pancreatic adenocarcinoma from healthy pancreatic tissue.

Objective To study the mechanism of the protective effect of α_(1A)-AR antagonist Tamsulosin (Tam) on renal ischemic injury in hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) rats. Methods HRS was induced in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by intraperitoneal injection of D-(+)-galactosamine hydrochloride (GalN). Thirty-two HRS rats were divided into 3 groups randomly. Then surgical occlusions of the infrahepatic inferior vena cave (OIVC) were performed; Tam, an α_(1A)-AR antagonist, was administered daily before injection of GalN. During the operation, hemodynamic changes of the kidney and liver were measured by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Serum samples were collected to measure serum levels of liver and renal function. At the same time, renal and liver samples were harvested and stained by HE and immunohistochemistry. Other parts of the sample were fixed with 2.5% glutaral to observe the cellular ultrastructure of renal and vascular endothelium by electron microscope. Results OIVC developed much severe ischemic injury in the kidney and liver of HRS rats. The renal cortex blood perfusion (RCBP) of HRS rats decreased rapidly after OIVC, and did not return to baseline after reflow. Pathological study showed severe injury of the liver and kidney. However, expressions of alpha-1 AR on renal artery and kidney were reduced in those rats that had received Tam before OIVC. Histological examination of the kidney also showed few abnormalities. Conclusion Marked increases of contractive response of renal artery of HRS rats induced by up-regulation of α_1-AR may be associated with a high risk of progression to acute renal failure in HRS rats after ischemia. Tamsulosin has a protective effect on renal ischemic injury through reducing α_(1A)-AR overexpression in HRS rats.

ABSTRACT:Objective To investigate the distributional characteristics of anaphylactogens in prurigo nodularis (PN)patients so as to provide clinical basis for selecting the method of allergy test.Methods We divided 262 PN patients into four groups and then used skin-prick (5 4 patients ),skin-patch (5 0 patients ),serum IgE allergen detection (56 patients)and serum IgG allergen detection (102 patients)to analyze anaphylactogen positive rate and their distribution differences in PN.Results For skin-prick test in 54 PN patients,the detection rates of platanus orientalis,artemisia argyi,poplar,dust mite,dirt mite,cod,peanut and tomato were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05 ).For skin-patch test in 50 PN patients,the detection rates of nickel sulfate,flavor compounds,black rubber,and carba mix were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05).For serum IgE test in 5 6 PN patients,the detection rates of house dust,scandent hop,cat/dog hair,bug,penicillium/neurospora and mutton were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05).For serum IgG test in 102 PN ones,the detection rates of crab,shrimp,beef and cod were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Skin-prick test and serum IgE detection have high application values in PN patients.Serum IgG detection is of certain importance in adjusting PN patients’diet structure while skin-patch test applied in PN needs further exploration.

Aim To study the antitumor and immunological regulation effects of ardipusilloside-Ⅰ(ADS-Ⅰ) on tumor-bearing mice of S180, H22, EAC and L1210. Methods The tumor-bearing mouse model was made through injecting cancer cells in the right limb oxter(or in abdominal cavity), and the mice were administrated orally with ADS-Ⅰfor 8 days. Then we detached the tumor and counted the inhibition rate of tumor growth. Incorporation of ()~3H-TdR was used to assess the proliferation of T spleen lymphocyte cells; phagocytosis of abdominal cavity macrophage was measured with the method of chicken red blood cells. Results ADS-Ⅰ was proved to be effective on the tumor-bearing mice of S180, H22 and EAC, and the maximal inhibition rate of the dose of 100 mg?kg~(-1) was 38.7%, 48.6% and 50.0%, respectively;ADS-Ⅰ promoted the proliferation of T spleen lymphocyte cells,and strengthened the phagocytosis of macrophage in the tumor-bearing mice significantly. Conclusion ADS-Ⅰ can inhibit the growth of transplanted tumor,and improve the immunological function of tumor-bearing mice.

Objective To investigate the effects of acitretin on T helper cell (Th) 1/Th2 balance and Th17 cells in psoriasis vulgaris (PV) patients. Methods A total of 13 men and 17 women with PV were investigated. 10 mg of acitretin was administered twice a day for 8 weeks for intervention therapy. Serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. T, Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells in skin biopsies were counted with double-labeled immunofluorescence. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was calculated before and 8 weeks after treatment. Results Before treatment PV patients had higher serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-17, and increased T, Th1 and Th17 cells in skin biopsies. After treatment, both serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-17, and T, Th1 and Th17 cells infiltrating in PV skin decreased significantly. Th1/Th2 balance was restored to normal. However, their IL-4 and Th2 cells showed no significant change throughout the therapy. Conclusion Acitretin exerts influence on dermal Th1/Th2 balance and Th17 cell infiltration, so does it on production of systematic inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17 in PV patients. However, Th2 cells and its derivative cytokine-IL-4 are not affected.

Objective To investigate the effects of geraniin on platelet aggregation and platelet-neutrophil interactions.Methods Platelet aggregation,in vitro and ex vivo,was determined by use of Born's method,and the binding of thrombin-stimulated platelets to neutrophils was observed based on the rosette assay.Intracellular calcium concentration of platelets was measured by using Fura-2-AM.Results Geraniin in vitro significantly inhibited arachidonic acid (AA)-,adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-,or platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced platelet aggregation,in a concentration-dependent manner.The medium inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were 2.4,0.4 and 1.1 μmol/L,respectively.Intragastric geraniin at 5 mg/kg markedly suppressed platelet aggregation induced by AA,ADP,or PAF.Geraniin decreased the total rise of [Ca2+]i,Ca2+ release,and Ca2+ influx,in a concentration-dependant manner.The IC50 values were 71.9,84.9,and 62.9 μmol/L,respectively.Geraniin decreased the binding of thrombin-stimulated platelets to neutrophils,and significantly inhibited washed platelet aggregation stimulated by fMLP-activated neutrophils.The IC50 values were 3.2 and 10.2 μmol/L,respectively.Conclusion It is suggested that geraniin inhibited platelet aggregation in vitro and ex vivo,decreased the calcium mobilization of platelets,and suppressed the interactions between platelets and neutrophils.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between total cholesterol (TC)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and unstable carotid plaque.Methods:From February 2021 to May 2021, adult patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaque admitted to the Department of Neurology, the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang were retrospectively enrolled. The demographic and related clinical data were collected. Carotid artery plaques were detected by ultrasound, and the subjects were divided into a stable plaque group and an unstable plaque group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent risk factors for unstable carotid plaques. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of TC/HDL-C ratio for unstable carotid plaques. Results:A total of 362 patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaque were enrolled, including 226 (62.43%) in the stable plaque group and 136 (37.57%) in the unstable plaque group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, only TC/HDL-C ratio was the independent risk factor for unstable carotid plaque (taking the 1 st quintile array of TC/HDL-C ratio as a reference, the 4 th quintile array: odds ratio 3.13, 95% confidence interval 1.50-6.55, P=0.002; the 5 th quintile array: odds ratio 6.75, 95% confidence interval 3.21-14.22, P<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of TC/HDL-C ratio for predicting unstable carotid plaque was 0.691 (95% confidence interval 0.634-0.748; P<0.001), the optimal cut-off value was 4.38, and the sensitivity and specificity were 50.0% and 82.7%, respectively. Conclusion:TC/HDL-C ratio is an independent risk factor for unstable carotid plaques and has a certain predictive value for unstable carotid plaques.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in intervertebral disc degeneration and its association with the pathological grading of disc degeneration.

METHODSNormal and degenerative intervertebral disc tissues were collected were classified into 5 grades of increasing degenerative changes. HE staining, immunohistochemistry, TUNEL staining and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of TGF-β1 in the disc tissues.

RESULTSImmunohistochemistry and RT-PCR showed positive expressions of TGF-β1 and Bcl-2 in normal disc tissues, where Bax was expressed at have a trace level. In the degenerative disc tissues, TGF-β1 expression increased with the pathological grades; the expression levels of TGF-β1 showed significant differences between degenerative and normal tissues and between grade IV and grade I disc tissues (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONTGF-β1 is an important factor participating in the disc degeneration and its expression level is closely related to the pathological grade of degenerative discs.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; pathology ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism