Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of CT and MRI in tubo ovarian masses. Methods CT scan was performed in 67 patients with tubo ovarian masses confirmed by pathology. 19 of them underwent MRI. Results (1) 20 primary malignant ovarian tumors showed cystic, solid or cystic solid masses; papillary projections on cystic wall; pelvic organs and pelvic wall invasion. Chocolate cysts with malignant degene ration exhibited small nodules on thickened cystic wall on CT and MRI.T 1WI was better for revealing the lesions. (2) Of 11 cases of metastasis to tubo ovary, 4 showed peritoneal linear enhancement. (3) There were 9 cystadenomas and 2 adenofibromas , one of the cystadenomas contained fat, two adenofibromas were similar to uterus in density on CT while showing lower signal intensity on MRI (both T 1WI and T 2WI). (4) Three cases of thecoma exhibited cystic or solid masses, solid thecomas revealed granular enhancement.(5) Teratomas were most spicific, one of them was associated with thecoma.(6) Tubo ovarian abscesses and tuberculosis depicted cystic or cystic solid masses.(7) Two cases of tubal pregnancy showed inhomogeneous soft tissue masses, the lower density areas in the centers were clot and organized tissues confirmed by pathology. Conclusion (1) CT and MRI had higher sensitivity but lower specificity for tubo ovarian masses, the diagnosis should be combined with clinical history and patients′ age. (2) Tumors of two different types may coexist and sometimes fat may be present in tumors other than teratoma.

BACKGROUND:Human embryonic stem cels are able to self-renew indefinitely and have the capacity to differentiate into al three germ layers (ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm). These properties imply great potential in the basic research and clinical application, including regenerative medicine, drug screening and toxins, early human embryo, cel transplantation, gene therapy,etc. However, it is a substantial chalenge to develop efficient techniques for their large-scale culture under defined conditions, and for controling and directing their differentiation. For therapeutic purposes, many scholars are trying to establish methods for maintaining pluripotency in defined xeno-free conditions and scalable culture systems. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the progress of serum-free culture systems in human embryonic stem cel research reported in recent years and to highlight the chalenges and advances being made towards the development of serum-free and xeno-free culture systems suitable for therapeutic applications. METHODS:A computer-based search of CNKI and PubMed academic database was performed for articles addressing serum-free culture systems of human embryonic stem cels published from 2008 to 2015. Repetitive and old articles were excluded. Finaly, 58 articles were summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Several groups have attempted to exclude individual animal components by using feeder-free matrices, feeder cels of human origin, or defined xeno-free media, aiming to select a suitable matrix and medium that can minimize or not use heterologous components, in order to obtain cel lines at clinical level. However, the current cel products are far from clinical application. There are stil many problems to be solved, such as standardization, normalization and individualization of cel products. With the normative development of stem cel research and industry, human embryonic stem cel products are expected to be widely used in clinic.

Objective To evaluate the clinical applications and limitations of helical CT virtual cystoscopy (CTVC).Methods CTVC was performed in 36 patients suspected bladder diseases, all cases were confirmed by conventional cystoscopy and pathology. CTVC images were generated from the volumetric data of the excretory phase using helical CT. The results were then compared with the findings of axial images and conventional cystoscopy in a double-blinded manner. Results CTVC could clearly display the normal anatomic structures of bladder, 11 ureteric orifices were visualized at CTVC in 7 of 8 normal bladders. The location, size, numbers, configuration and extension of lesions showed on CTVC were corresponded well with that of conventional cystoscopy. The sensitivity to vesical carcinoma was 94.7%,2 tumors smaller than 5 mm depicted on CTVC images were not seen on the axial images, whereas areas of wall thickening and extravesical invasions were more readily appreciated on axial and MPR images. There was 1 false lesions detected on CTVC images. Conclusion CTVC has proved to be a noninvasive and reliable technique in the detection and diagnosis of bladder lesions, but the optimal evaluation requires adequate bladder filling with contrast medium, and should combine with the interpretation of axial and MPR images.

Objective To design a set of software Gene_Norm for the data processing of genechips by normalization methods. Methods Hybridization spots were divided into two groups: "good" and "bad". Turn on off spots were extracted from the "bad" spots. Normalization processing of data was performed by using average ratio. Results Application of Gene_Norm in the processing of high density microarray data (10 080 spots, 42 records of each spot) resulted in satisfactory processing results. Conclusion The software of genechip can be used to process large amount of data. Some parameters can be chosen manually, so the software is of simple operation and wide application.

Objective To investigate the aberrant methylation and expression of growth arrest and DNA-damage-in-ducible 45 gamma (GADD45G) gene in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA). Methods Bisulfite conversion-methylation specific polymerase chain reaction method (BS-MSP) and immunohistochemistry method were used respectively to detect the methylation status and protein expression of GADD45G in 138 GCA tumor tissues and corresponding normal tissues. Re-sults The methylation status of GADD45G distal promoter (region 1) was not detected in GCA tumor tissues and corre-sponding normal tissues. For GADD45G region 2 and region 3, the BS-MSP results of region 3 were identical to that of re-gion 2. The methylation frequency of proximal promoter and exon 1 in GADD45G island 2 (region 2 and region 3) in GCA tu-mor tissues (49.3%, 68/138) was significantly increased compared to that in corresponding normal tissues (0, P＜0.01). The methylation status of this two sites in tumor tissues was associated with TNM stage of tumors (P＜0.05). The protein expres-sion of GADD45G in tumor tissues was significantly decreased than that in corresponding normal tissues (P ＜ 0.05),and threre was a significant negative correlation with methylation status of GADD45G proximal promoter and exon 1 (rs=-0.398). Conclusion The decreased expression of GADD45G by hypermethylation of proximal promoter exon 1 of the gene may play an important role in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma.

Objective: To analyze the long-term prognosis of re-operation in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) after left sided valve replacement (LSVR) and hence evaluate the optimal timing of mentioned re-operation. Methods: A total of 59 FTR patients who had re-operation after their prior LSVR in our hospital from 1999-01 to 2013-01 were analyzed. The clinical information and post-operative follow-up results were recorded in all patients. Results: There were 5/59 (8.5%) patients died in peri-operative period and the overall post-operative mortality was 11.9% (7/59). The follow-up data of 54 survivors were available for the mean time of 51.1 (21-188) months. There were 19/54 (35.2%) patients suffered from MACE and 30 (55.6%) were beneifted by improved cardiac function. Uni-variable analysis indicated that pre-operative NYHA class IV (P=0.008), pre-operative right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (P=0.037), concomitant left-sided redo-operation (P=0.017) and TVR operation (P=0.002) were associated with all cause mortality of tricuspid re-operation. Multi-variable Cox regression analysis showed that pre-operative RV dysfunction was the only independent risk factor of long term MACE-free accumulating survival rate (HR=3.0, 95% CI 1.11-8.2,P=0.031); while TVR operation (HR=12.8, 95% CI 1.53-107.02,P=0.019) and pre-operative NYHA class IV (HR=5.3, 95% CI 1.20-24.51,P=0.032) were the independent risk factors for long-term mortality in patients after tricuspid re-operation. Conclusion: Patients with compensatory RV function showed better long term prognosis after secondary tricuspid operation. Aggressive re-operation before the occurrence of right ventricular dysfunction could be beneficial for relevant patients.

Objective To evaluate the clinical applications of helical CT scans in the ureteral diseases.Methods The precontrast and four-phase postcontrast helical CT scans were performed in 110 patients with ureteral diseases confirmed by clinic and pathology, and the multiplanar reformation (MPR) and three-dimensional reconstruction (3D) images were generated from the volumetric data.The ability of helical CT in detecting and diagnosing the ureteral diseases was investigated.The results were then compared with the findings of the other imaging techniques and surgery.Results Combined with axial and MPR images, the location, size, morphology, extension, and the urinary obstruction of the ureteral diseases could be clearly demonstrated in 97.3% cases, and the curved MPR was useful in directly detecting the lesions.The findings of ureteral lesion on helical CT images corresponded well with that of surgery in 81 cases. 3D reconstruction could produce a three-dimensional image that mimics conventional urography, and was useful in displaying the ureteral lesions from multiple views.Helical CT could compensate for some disadvantages of the other imaging techniques.Conclusion Helical CT, with large scanning area and high resolution, can provide comprehensive information about the ureteral diseases, and the curve MPR has the highest value.

Objective　To evaluate the clinical application of helical CT multiplanar reformation (MPR), three-dimensional reconstruction (3D) and virtual laryngoscopy (CTVL) in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods　Axial helical CT scans were performed in 22 patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinoma, along with MPR, 3D and CTVL. These results were compared with the findings of fiber optic laryngoscopy and surgery. Results　Combining axial and MPR images, both the accuracy in preoperative tumor staging and the diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes were 95%. MPR demonstrated more information about the extent of tumor than axial images in 23% cases; 3D image displayed clearly the extension of tumor, the vessels and airway from multiple views. The location, size and extent of tumors found in cranio-caudal CTVL corresponded well with that of laryngoscopy, and CTVL demonstrated the relationship between the tumor and vocal cords and anterior commissure by caudo-cranial approach, which was inaccessible to fiber optic laryngoscopy in 3 cases. Conclusions　Axial images of helical CT clearly demonstrate the location, size and extent of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma, while MPR and 3D images are useful in displaying the three-dimensional images and anatomical relation of the tumor. CTVL can clearly display the mucosal surface structures of the larynx and hypopharynx and is a good complementary method of laryngoscopy.

Objective To evaluate the clinical applications and limitations of CT virtual endoscopy (CTVE) in the auditory ossicular chain. Methods CTVE of the auditory ossicular chain was performed with 1.0 mm collimation at pitch 1.0, bone algorithm, 9.6 cm field of view, and 0.1 - 0.2 mm reconstruction interval in 40 patients with middle ear diseases. 30 cases were confirmed by surgery. Results were compared with the findings of axial high resolution CT (HRCT) and multiplanar reformation (MPR) images and surgery. Results The accuracy of CTVE images in detecting ossicular destruction was 92.6%, significantly higher than that of axial HRCT (83.9%) and multiplanar reformation (76.5%) images. CTVE could also clearty reveal the postoperative condition and congenital dysplasia of the auditory ossicular chain. Conclusions CTVE can clearly demonstrate a three-dimensional image of the auditory ossicular chain and is useful in evaluating diseases of the ear, especially the auditory ossicles. CTVE could not clearly demonstrate abnormal soft tissue within the tympanic cavity, abnormal changes of the tympanic membrane and tympanic walls, and could be easily influenced by artificial factors.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) between Taxilli Herba parasitized in mulberry and its host-plants.

METHODThe contents of DNJ of Taxilli Herba parasitized in mulberry and non-mulberry were determined by RP-HPLC. DNJ was extracted with 0.05 mol x L(-1) HCl, and then detected by fluorescence detector after derivatized with FMOC-Cl at pH 8.0 with borate buffer. The separation was performed on an Agilent C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1% aqueous acetic acid (51: 49) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The wavelength of fluorescence detector was operated at lambda(EX) = 254 nm and lambda(EM) = 322 nm.

RESULTThe linear range of DNJ was 3.72-37.2 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 9). The average recovery was 96.42%. The contents of DNJ in mulberry and Taxilli Herba parasitized in mulberry were 1.39-10.16 mg x g(-1) and 0.46-2.72 mg x g(-1), respectively. However, the contents of DNJ could not be detected in Taxilli Herba parasitized in non mulberry and its host-plants.

CONCLUSIONAs the characteristic constituent of mulberry, DNJ was accumulated in Taxilli Herba This method can be applied to the quality control of Taxilli Herba from mulberry.