Phospho-histone H2AX(γH2AX) has been widely used in vitro genotoxicity evaluation of ionizing radiation, carcinogenic substances and cigarette smoke as an important biomarker of DNA double stranded breaks ( DSBs) . The study developed an enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay for detection of the content ofγH2AX in cells to evaluate the genotoxicity of cigarette smoke. The study exposed CHO cells with cigarette smoke total particulate matter ( TPM) and cigarette smoke condensate ( CSC) of different dose, dose-effect relationship between smoke exposure and DNA damage and the poisonous difference of cigarette smoke components has been investigated by detecting the content change ofγH2 AX in cells under different exposure time and dose. In addition, reactive oxygen species ( ROS) in cells were also detected to study the mechanism of cigarette smoke exposure induced DSBs. The experiment result showed that the required time for the level ofγH2AX in cells grew to the peak prolonged with increased exposure dose. Once the level of γH2AX in cells grew to the peak value, then it decreased slowly; the level of γH2AX in cells rised with increasing dose of cigarette smoke;The effect of TPM on the content change of γH2AX was more than CSC; Moreover, smoke exposure could induce concentration increase of ROS in cells, and a good correlation of content change of ROS and γH2AX in cells were found, free radicals in cigarette smoke may be one major cause of DSBs.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of Zishen Shengxue Recipe (ZSR) in treating renal anemia by observing its effect on serum level of endogenous erythropoietin in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis.

METHODSSixty renal anemia patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis were randomly and equally assigned to two groups. The treated group was treated with subcutaneous injection of erythropoiesis stimulating factor (rHuEpo) combined with oral intake of ZSR, and the control group treated with rHuEpo alone. They were observed for eight weeks, and the blood levels of endogenous human erythropoietin (Epo), hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), as well as the residual renal function (RRF) in the two groups were compared.

RESULTSSerum Epo level in the control group was unchanged after treatment (P>0.05), while that in the treated group increased significantly, and showed significant difference in comparing with that in the control group (P<0.05). Levels of Hgb and Hct increased and RRF decreased in both groups (P<0.01), but the treated group showed higher increments and lesser decrement than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSZSR can enhance the blood levels of Hgb, Hct and Epo, postpone the descent of RRF, and correct the anemic status in patients. Its mechanism of action is possibly through alleviating the inhibition of uremic toxin on erythropoiesis, in the meanwhile of promoting the secretion of Epo.

Adult ; Anemia ; blood ; therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Erythropoiesis ; drug effects ; Erythropoietin ; blood ; Female ; Hematinics ; therapeutic use ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slope max) and model-based (Ktrans , Kep, and Ve) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; Ktrans -10th and Ktrans -mean; and Ve-10th, Ve-mean, Ve-90th, and Ve-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher Ktrans -mean and Ktrans -max; and higher Kep-10th, Kep-mean, and Kep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and Ve-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and Ktrans -mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and Ve-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and K trans -mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slope max) and model-based (Ktrans , Kep, and Ve) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; Ktrans -10th and Ktrans -mean; and Ve-10th, Ve-mean, Ve-90th, and Ve-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher Ktrans -mean and Ktrans -max; and higher Kep-10th, Kep-mean, and Kep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and Ve-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and Ktrans -mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and Ve-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and K trans -mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slope max) and model-based (Ktrans , Kep, and Ve) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; Ktrans -10th and Ktrans -mean; and Ve-10th, Ve-mean, Ve-90th, and Ve-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher Ktrans -mean and Ktrans -max; and higher Kep-10th, Kep-mean, and Kep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and Ve-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and Ktrans -mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and Ve-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and K trans -mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slope max) and model-based (Ktrans , Kep, and Ve) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; Ktrans -10th and Ktrans -mean; and Ve-10th, Ve-mean, Ve-90th, and Ve-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher Ktrans -mean and Ktrans -max; and higher Kep-10th, Kep-mean, and Kep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and Ve-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and Ktrans -mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and Ve-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and K trans -mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slope max) and model-based (Ktrans , Kep, and Ve) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; Ktrans -10th and Ktrans -mean; and Ve-10th, Ve-mean, Ve-90th, and Ve-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher Ktrans -mean and Ktrans -max; and higher Kep-10th, Kep-mean, and Kep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and Ve-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and Ktrans -mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and Ve-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and K trans -mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of (18)F-FDG PET-CT in detecting the primary tumor in patients with metastatic cancers of unknown primary origin.

METHODSSixty-seven patients with metastatic cancers of unknown primary origin after extensive conventional diagnostic work-up were enrolled into this study. (18)F-FDG PET-CT scans were performed at approximately 60 minutes after the intravenous injection of 7.4 MBq (18)F-FDG/kg, then delayed imaging scans was done at approximately 180 minutes for detecting the primary focus. The standardized uptake value (SUV) >or= 2.5 on standard PET/CT imaging was considered as positive. Ten percent increase of retention index (RI) was also regarded as positive. The correlation between (18)F-FDG PET-CT results and histopathological and clinical findings were analyzed, and the SUV of detected primary focus and that of metastatic cancers were compared.

RESULTSOf the 67 patients, the primary tumors were identified in 39 (53.7%) by (18)F-FDG PET-CT, and 36 of them were confirmed by pathology or follow-up. Thirteen distant metastases and seventeen lymphatic metastases were newly discovered by whole body (18)F-FDG PET-CT imaging. The SUV of metastatic tumors was significantly lower than that of primary tumors (t = 3.470,P = 0.001) and closely correlated with that of the primary tumors (r = 0.738, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION(18)F-FDG PET-CT is not only valuable in identifying the unknown primary tumor in patients with metastatic carcinoma, but can also be used to reveal the biological characteristics of the tumors by functional imaging.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary ; diagnostic imaging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To evaluate the value of 18F-FDG PET-CT in detecting the primary tumor in patients with metastatic cancers of unknown primary origin. Methods Sixty-seven patients with metastatic cancers of unknown primary origin after extensive conventional diagnostic work-up were enrolled into this study, 18F-FDG PET-CT scans were performed at approximately 60 minutes after the intravenous injection of 7.4 MBq 18F-FDG/kg, then delayed imaging scans was done at approximately 180 minutes for detecting the primary focus. The standardized uptake value (SUV)≥2.5 on standard PET/CT imaging was considered as positive. Ten percent increase of retention index (RI) was also regarded as positive. The correlation between 18F-FDG PET-CT results and histopathological and clinical findings were analyzed, and the SUV of detected primary focus and that of metastatic cancers were compared. Results Of the 67 patients, the primary tumors were identified in 39 (53.7%) by 18F-FDG PET-CT, and 36 of them were confirmed by pathology or follow-up. Thirteen distant metastases and seventeen lymphatic metastases were newly discovered by whole body 18F-FDG PET-CT imaging. The SUV of metastatic tumors was significantly lower than that of primary tumors (t=3.470, P=0.001) and closely correlated with that of the primary tumors (r=0.738, P=0.000). Conclusion 18F-FDG PET-CT is not only valuable in identifying the unknown primary tumor in patients with metastatic carcinoma, but can also be used to reveal the biological characteristics of the tumors by functional imaging.

Objective To evaluate the value of 18F-FDG PET-CT in detecting the primary tumor in patients with metastatic cancers of unknown primary origin. Methods Sixty-seven patients with metastatic cancers of unknown primary origin after extensive conventional diagnostic work-up were enrolled into this study, 18F-FDG PET-CT scans were performed at approximately 60 minutes after the intravenous injection of 7.4 MBq 18F-FDG/kg, then delayed imaging scans was done at approximately 180 minutes for detecting the primary focus. The standardized uptake value (SUV)≥2.5 on standard PET/CT imaging was considered as positive. Ten percent increase of retention index (RI) was also regarded as positive. The correlation between 18F-FDG PET-CT results and histopathological and clinical findings were analyzed, and the SUV of detected primary focus and that of metastatic cancers were compared. Results Of the 67 patients, the primary tumors were identified in 39 (53.7%) by 18F-FDG PET-CT, and 36 of them were confirmed by pathology or follow-up. Thirteen distant metastases and seventeen lymphatic metastases were newly discovered by whole body 18F-FDG PET-CT imaging. The SUV of metastatic tumors was significantly lower than that of primary tumors (t=3.470, P=0.001) and closely correlated with that of the primary tumors (r=0.738, P=0.000). Conclusion 18F-FDG PET-CT is not only valuable in identifying the unknown primary tumor in patients with metastatic carcinoma, but can also be used to reveal the biological characteristics of the tumors by functional imaging.