ObjectiveTo assess the clinical value of ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) combined with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).MethodsNinety HCC patients with different type PVTT underwent ultrasound-guided PEI once or twice a week.The follow-up lasted 12 to 60 months,and the 1-,2-,3-,4- and 5-year survival rates were calculated.ResultsThe median survival time of HCC combined with PVTT patients treated with PEI was 12 months,and the 1-,2-,3-,4- and 5-year survival rates was 52.22％,23.33％,15.56％,12.22％ and 10.00％,respectively.The survival rate correlated significantly to the type of PVTT.The lower the type of PVTT was,the longer the patients lived.ConclusionUltrasound-guided PEI is a safe and effective method for the treatment of HCC combined with PVTT,and can prolong the survival time of HCC patients with low type PVTT.

BACKGROUND:Ricin possesses strong cytotoxicity but lacks of specificity.Severe adverse reactions can be caused if ricin is systemically administered.Interstitial chemotherapy with ricin coated by a sustained-release carrier can enhance local therapeutic effects of tumor,avoiding systemic-toxic occurrence.OBJECTIVE:To prepare injectable and biodegradable thermosensitive poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA)-polyethylene glycol(PEG)-PLGA copolymer-based hydrogels and to observe the in vitro drug delivery of the PLGA-PEO-PLGA copolymer hydrogel as a sustained-release carrier of ricin.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A controlled observation was performed at the Center for Medical Bioengineering.Fujian Medical University between August and December 2007.MATERlALS:Ricin with a purity of 95%was purified by Fuiian Institute of Ultrasonic Medicine.DL-lactide and L-glycolide were provided by Glycolide Lactide Co.,Ltd..China.METHODS:PLGA-PEG-PLGA-copolymer was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Phase transition temperature was determined by test tube turnover.relativemolecular mass by high-performance gel permeation chromatography,the proportion of block copolymer by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry.the in vitro drug delivery of ricin coated by PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymcr hydrogelby enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.the structural integrity of released ricin by high-performance liquid chromatography,the cytotoxicity of released ricin by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay.RESULTS:The synthesized copolymer PLGA-PEG-PLGA exhibited reverse.thermosensitivity.The phase transition temperature of the copolymer was 26℃at 230 g/L.The weight-average molecular weight and number-average molecular weight of this copolymer was 8 027 and 6 643,respectively,and the multiple-dispersion toefficient was 1.17.The block ratio for PEG and PLGA was 3:2.Drug-loaded PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel could release ricin in vitro for a total of 18 successive days and simultaneously well maintain cytotoxicity and the structural stability of ricin.CONCLUSION:PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymer is an ideal carrier for sustained delivery of ricin

Objective To investigate the features of quantitative analysis and parametric imaging of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC).Methods Ninety-seven pathologically confirmed ccRCCs underwent conventional ultrasound and CEUS.Both quantitative parameters and dynamic vascular pattern (DVP) reconstructure were analyzed with Sonoliver software.Four types of DVP curves were described with type Ⅰ (Unipolar +),type Ⅱ (Bipolar + /-),type Ⅲ (Bipolar -/+) and type Ⅳ (Unipolar-),while the DVP parametric images,similarly,were divided into four types,with type Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ,respectively.Results As for the parameter of CEUS,there were statistical differences in maximum intensity (IMAX),area under the curve (AUC) and mean transit time (mTT) (P ＜0.05) and no statistic differences in rise time (RT) and time to peak (TTP) between ccRccs and peripheral renal parenchyma.Concerning of DVP of ccRCCs,type Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ accounted for 58.8％ (57/97),11.3％ (11/97),10.3％ (10/97) and 19.6％ (19/97) respectively.As for each type in DVP parametric images,the percentages were 58.8％ (57/97),11.3％ (11/97),8.2％ (8/97),21.7％ (21/97),respectively.Conclusions Quantitative analysis and parametric imaging can depict different features of vascularity in ccRCCs and improve the diagnosis of the tumors.

Objective To investigate the usefulness of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography for noninvasive evaluation of liver fibrosis in rats.Methods A total of 70 male Wistar rats were included in the group for dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver injury,and 10 saline-injected rats were used as normal control.Hepatic injury was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of DMN at a dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight.Several rats in the group with DNM injected and the normal control group were randomly selected and sacrificed at each of the following post-injection time:day 5,7,10,14,21,24,and 28.And their livers were taken for pathology analysis.All the rats underwent ARFI elastography before sacrificed in order to acquire a shear wave velocity (Vs) to represent liver stiffness.Correlation between Vs and the histological finding was analysed.ResultsAmong 58 successfully modeled rats,9,13,14 and 12 rats were found to be with S1,S2,S3 and S4 of liver fibrosis pathologically,respectively.And 10 rats were found to be with severe inflammatory activity without any fibrosis.Values of Vs increased with the stage of liver fibrosis ( P ＜0.05).There was a significant correlation between Vs and stage of liver fibrosis ( r =0.947,P =0.000).The areas under ROC curve for the diagnosis of fibrosis S≥S1,S≥S2,S≥S3 and S=S4 were 0.983,0.995,0.999 and 0.964,respectively;for the cutoff values of Vs were 1.59 m/s,2.13 m/s,2.33 m/s and 2.51 m/s,respectively,the sensitivity was 95.8％,92.3％,100％ and 84.6％,and specificity was 100％,100％,96.9％ and 95.6％,respectively.The values of Vs in the group with severe inflammatory activity were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P =0.000).ConclusionsARFI has a relatively high value in the evaluation of liver fibrfosis in rats,while severe inflammatory activity may affect its accuracy.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intratumoral injection of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres containing cobra venom cytotoxin in nude mice with transplanted human hepatoma. Methods: Cytotoxic activity of cytotoxin from cobra venom was determined by using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium method in vitro. Microspheres containing cobra venom cytotoxin were prepared with a double emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Forty BALB/c nude mice were inoculated subcutaneously in right flank with hepatoma BEL-7404 cells. Thirty-two mice whose tumor size reached about 1.0 cm in diameter, were randomly assigned into normal saline group, blank microsphers group, cytotoxin group and cytotoxin-PLGA group. Nude mice were intratumorally injected with normal saline, blank microspheres, cytotoxin or cytotoxin-PLGA microspheres respectively. Internal echo characteristics and blood flow of tumors were observed by high-frequency ultrasound every week after treatment. Twenty-six days after treatment, the tumors were removed to calculate the inhibition rate of tumor growth. The tumor, heart, liver and kidney tissues were obtained for histopathological examination. Results: The cytotoxin separated and purified from crude cobra venom caused intense cytotoxic effects to the BEL-7404 cells in vitro. The diameter of PLGA microspheres containing cobra venom cytotoxin was about (34.45+/-9.85)mum. Encapsulation rate was up to (78.13+/-8.92)%, and cumulative amount of cobra venom cytotoxin released from the PLGA microspheres in vitro during 30 days was up to 84.3%. After intratumoral injection, tumor volumes and weights in the cytotoxin-PLGA group were lower than those in the normal saline group, with a tumor growth inhibition rate of 52.36%. Observed under a light microscope, most tumor tissues were necrotic. No obvious morphological change could be seen on the liver, kidney and heart tissues. Conclusion: The above findings indicate that intratumoral injection of cytotoxin-PLGA microspheres has strong antitumor effect and can obviously lessen systemic toxicity, which may provide an effective and feasible method for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Objective To observe the effects of family cognitive training on patients with vascular cognitive impairment but without dementia.Methods Sixty patients with non-dementia type vascular cognitive impairment were divided at random into a group which received family cognitive training (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases).The 2 groups all took routine drugs and exercise.The family cognitive training group received cognitive training additionally.Before treatment and after 1 and 6 months of treatment,all of the patients of both groups were assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE),the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and the modified Barthel index (MBI).Results After 1 month of treatment there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in any of the assessments.After6 months the scores on each item of the MMSE,MoCA and MBI had improved significantly more in the family cognitive training group than in the control group.Conclusion Family cognitive training is effective in treating non-dementia type vascular cognitive impairment.It can delay disease progression and improve cognitive function and ability in the activities of daily living.

Objective To investigate the ultrasonic characteristics of invasive micropapillary carcinoma(IMPC) of breast and the metastatic lymph nodes,and to evaluate the value of ultrasonography for preoperative TNM staging.Methods The ultrasonic characteristics of 16 IMPC and 81 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) confirmed by pathology,as well as the metastatic lymph nodes were analyzed retrospectively.The TNM-staging for IMPC by preoperative ultrasonography was evaluated according to pathology.Results Compared with IDC group,the masses showed higher A/T ratio (＜ 0.7),larger maximum diameter,more calcification,unclear border and lymph node metastasis rate,while less acoustic halo in IMPC group.Meanwhile,similar ultrasonic characteristics,such as irregular shape,uneven internal echo,spiculate margin,posterior acoustic attenuation and internal blood flow were seen in IMPC and IDC groups (P ＞0.05).According to pathology,the ultrasonic coincidence rate for T staging was 56.3 ％,and T2-staging was 85.7％.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of ultrasonic diagnosis on lymph node metastases was 70.0％,83.3％,87.5％ and 62.5％,respectively.Conclusions Ultrasonography displayed more typical malignant signs,higher lymph node metastasis rate and diagnosis accuracy for IMPC,which possessed certain value for preoperative TNM staging.

Objective To investigate the value of color Doppler ultrasonography in metaplastic breast carcinoma(MBC).Methods The ultrasonic characteristics of 23 MBC and 1 1 8 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively.And the ultrasound characteristics of different types of MBC was analyzed according to pathology.Results Mean maximum diameter of(3.73±1 .74)cm in MBC was larger than that in IDC[(2.57 ± 1 .19)cm,P = 0.005].Most MBC lesions showed larger diameter(>3 cm),clear border(56.5%),irregular shape(65.2%),lack of hyperechoic halos(65.2%), posterior enhancement(60.9%),no calcification(60.9%) and grade 2 - 3 of blood flow (56.5%).The detection rate of unclear border,unsmooth edge and hyperechoic halos of MBC was lower than those of IDC (P <0.05).But MBC had a higher detection rate in the masses with larger than 3 cm in diameter and posterior enhancement than IDC.Five (45.5%) lesions of 1 1 squamous cell carcinoma showed cystic constituent.The mean maximum diameter of 5 MBC with mecenchymal tissue lesions was larger than spindle cell carcinoma,but smaller than squamous cell carcinoma.And 4 lesions of the 5 MBC with mecenchymal tissue showed calcification,which occupied the highest proportion among different pathological types of MBC. The ultrasonic coincidence rate for MBC was 86.96%.Conclusions The ultrasonic appearances of MBC have a certain characteristics,and different pathological types of MBC also have corresponding characteristics.It shows important value of ultrasonography in preoperative diagnosis for MBC.

Objective To explore the sonographic features of intrascrotal adenomatoid tumor.Methods The sonographic features of 21 cases with intrascrotal adenomatoid tumor confirmed by surgery and pathology were retrospectively analyzed.Results Twenty-one cases with intrascrotal adenomatoid tumor could be typed into 3 ultrasonic patterns:(1) The homogeneous echo type:15 cases,their ultrasonic features were homogeneous echo,including 5 cases with low echo,8 case with equal echo,and 2 case with high echo;5 cases with testicular albuginea adenomatous tumors were also homogeneous echo,2 cases of equal echo,2 cases of low echo and 1 case of high echo that was posterior echo attenuation slightly.(2) The edge halo type:4 cases,they showed the epididymis or testis sheath round or oval nodules,of which the middle was low echo and the edge is high echo halo ring.(3) The mixed echo type:2 cases,they showed cystic mixed echo of epididymis nodules,1 case with irregular cystic areas and poor sound transmission,while the other one with good sound transmission cystic areas and a small papillae on the wall.Conclusions Sonography is a valuable method for diagnosis of intrascrotal adenomatoid tumor.The edge halo type has sonographic features.

Objective To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in diagnosis of renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (eAML).Methods The CEUS features of 18 patients with 18 histopathologically proved renal eAMLs were retrospective analyzed using both of qualitative and quantitative approachs.Tumor conventional ultrasound and CEUS features were observed.The Sonoliver software was applied to perform quantitative analysis,which provided five parameters,including the maximum intensity (IMAX),rise time (RT),time to peak (TTP),mean transit time (mTT) and area under the curve (AUC).Results All of 18 lesions were pathological proved as eAML,among them,heterocyst was observed in 7 lesions,1 lesion had dissemination inter-kidney and vessel invasion,necrosis or cystic degeneration was found in 3 eAMLs.On conventional ultrasound,eAML showed hypoecho,isoecho and hyperecho were 14(77.8％),3(16.7％) and 1 (5.6％) respectively.Blood flow could be detected in 16 (88.9％) lesions.On CEUS,the characters of slow-in,synchronous-in,slow centripetal enhancement and entire enhancement were observed in 10 (55.6％),8 (44.4％),8 (44.4％) and 12 (55.6％) lesions,respectively.Most of eAMLs showed homogeneous enhancement (15/18,83.3％) and hyper-or iso-enhancement (16/18,88.8 ％) at peak time.The characters of fast-out,synchronous-out and slow out were observed in 8 (44.4％),2 (11.2％) and 8 (44.4％) cases,respectively.Pseudocapsule was detected in 5 (27.8％) lesions.The parameters of RT,TP and AUC for eAMLs were higher than that for renal cortex (P ＜ 0.05),while the parameters of IMAX and mTT had no significant statistical difference between eAMLs and renal cortex(P ＞0.05).Conclusions Qualitative and quantitative analysis of CEUS reflect the blood perfusion of eAMLs in different aspect,which offer some useful informations for the diagnosis of eAMLs.