ObjectiveTo investigate the MRI appearance of malignant melanoma in the sinonasal tract and nasopharynx.MethodsMRI Findings and clinical data from 8 patients with biopsy or operation proved malignant melanoma were retrospectively reviewed.Gadolinium-enhanced imaging and dynamic contrast enhancement scanning were performed in all cases.ResultsThe majority of lesions were located in the nasopharynx (n =2),middle turbinate (n =1 ),or a combination of the nasal cavity,ethmoidal sinus,and maxillary sinus ( n =5 ).The aggressive nature of the tumors was demonstrated by bone destruction ( n =5 ) and invasion of adjacent structures,involving anterior fossa (n =2 ),orbits (n =4 ),infratemporal fossa ( n =2 ),pterygopalatine fossa ( n =3 ),and parapharyngeal space ( n =1 ).The MRI appearance included two patterns.In the first pattern,the tumors were round and small (smaller than 2 cm in maximum dimension in three patients).MR signal intensity of the lesions was hyperintense to gray matter on T1 WI and hypointense on T2.In the second pattern,the lesions were irregular and large ( larger than 3 cm in maximum dimension in five patients).They showed heterogeneous low-signal on T1 WI.On T2WI,one lesion showed isointensity or little hypo-intensity,and four lesions showed hyperintense.They demonstrated mild heterogeneous enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced images.Four patients demonstrated as plateau type time-signal intensity curve (TIC) pattern,and another four patients demonstrated as wash-out type TIC pattern.ConclusionsThe MR signal characteristic of the malignant melanoma in the sinonasal tract and nasopharynx were related with the tumor size.When the lesion was small,the MR signal intensity was more typical.When the lesion was large,they had mixed signal intensity as other malignant tumors,and specific mild heterogeneous enhancement.

A quantitative analysis method of multi-components with a single marker (QAMS) for simultaneous determination of six marker compounds (one from phenolic acids and five from phthalides) in Chuanxiong Rhizoma was established by applying HPLC and using butylidenephthalide as the internal reference substance. And also the feasibility and accuracy of the established method for quality evaluation and application of Chuanxiong Rhizoma were investigated and validated. The analysis was performed with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile - 0.2% aqueous formic acid. The flow rate was 1.0 mL . min-1 and the column temperature was maintained at 30 °C. The detection wavelengths were set at 252 nm (for ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, and butylidenephthalide) and 266 nm (for senkyunolide I, senkyunolide A, and coniferyl ferulate), separately, and 20 µL was injected for analysis with gradient elution. The results showed that there were no significant differences observed between the HPLC-QAMS method and the external standard method (RSD <5%). The relative correction factors were credible (RSD < 5%) in changed chromatographic conditions. The established HPLC-QAMS method can be accurately used for simultaneously evaluating and controlling the quality of Chuanxiong Rhizoma with multi-components.
4-Butyrolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; Acetonitriles ; Benzofurans ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coumaric Acids ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; standards ; Hydroxybenzoates ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

BackgroundBiological behavior of choroidal melanoma is closely related with angiogenesis.The microcirculation pattern in which tumor cells may be involved is different from neovascularization.ObjectiveThis study was to observe the microcirculation pattern of the choroidal melanoma tissue and analyze its relationship with the clinical pathology factor and the degree of cellular proliferation.Methods Forty-eight specimen of choroidal melanoma tissue were collected at Beijing Tongren Eye Centre from November 1997 through March 2006.Periodate acid Schiff staining was used to determine the microcirculation pattern of choroidal melanoma.The morphology of the tumor cells and the distribution of microcirculation pattern in the tumor were observed under a fluorescence microscopy with 544 nm wavelength,and the Ki-67 expression in the tumor was detected by immunochemistry.The relationships between the choroidal melanoma clinical pathology factor with Ki-67 expression and microcirculation pattern were evaluated by multiple stepwise regression model.ResultsA total of 9 kinds of microcirculation patterns were found by periodate acid Schiff staining.The occurring rate of loop- or network-like vascular pattern showed a significant elevation in the tumor tissue with epithelial cells in comparison with the tumor with spindle-like cells (66.7％ vs.30.6％ ) ( P=0.027 ).The expression rates of Ki-67 were 18.961 ± 10.995 and 19.481 ± 12.167 in the tumor tissue with loop- or network-like microvascular pattern,and those in the tumor tissue without loop- or network-like microvascular pattern were 10.261 ±5.669 and 12.021 ± 6.802,presenting significant differences between them ( P =0.000,P =0.010).Loop-like microvascular pattern was determined as the risk factor of the proliferation and metastasis of choroidal melanoma by multiple stepwise regression analysis (P=0.002).ConclusionsAmong the nine microcirculation patterns in choroidal melanoma,networks pattern is the most fashion,and Ki-67 expression is more strong in the tumor with epitheliod cells,suggesting that this microcirculation pattern is associated to the malignant degree and extent of proliferation in choroidal melanoma.

Pseudomonas sp. M18, one of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria, can produce secondary metabolites including phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) and pyoluteorin (Plt). PA2572 gene coding protein is a probable two-component response regulator in Pseudomonas according to homologous speculations. In order to investigate its genetic function, PA2572 homologous gene, ppbR, was amplified from M18 genome, inactivated by inserting a Gm cassette. The resulting reconstruct was introduced into the M18 genome using homologous recombination technique, so as to obtain the null mutant M18P. The results showed that the M18P has less flagellar swimming and swarming motility, and yielded fewer PCA. The production of PCA was only 50% of the wild type. However, there was no remarkable difference between mutant and wild type in producing pyoluteorin in KMB medium.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the collagen constitution of hyperplastic scar (HS) in different ages and the change of relative factors.

METHODSThirty cases with HS were divided into two groups according to patients' age: group 1 (1 - 19 years, A) and group 2 (20 - 50 years, B). The normal skin (NS) from corresponding age of volunteers was employed as control group. The changes in TGFbeta1, collagenase (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1beta) and the collagen ratio were observed by means of in situ hybridization technique and SABC (Strept-Avidin-Biotin complex) immunohistochemistry and image analysis.

RESULTSThe ratio of type I to type III collagen in A group was 6.48 in average and 3.76 in B group, but there was no evident difference in the ratio during the disease process in both groups. The expression of TGFbeta1 in A group was much higher than that in B group (P < 0.01). The TIMP-1 mRNA expression showed no difference among all age groups in HS patients, but it was much higher than that in NS group. The MMP-1 expression was evidently lower than TIMP-1 expression, and there was no difference in MMP-1 expression compared with NS group.

CONCLUSION(1) The TGFbeta1 expression in HS patients was negatively correlated with age, and the increased expression of TGFbeta1 produced an increase ratio of type I to type III collagen. (2) High level expression of TIMP-1 led to the formation of HS by inhibiting MMP-1 expression, and the expression was not related to age.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Burns ; metabolism ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; Collagen Type III ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; Young Adult

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV infection had a revolutionary impact, with the universal application of the anti-retroviral drugs, HAART-related adverse reactions have attracted more and more attention. HAART-related hyperlipidemia is one of the common adverse reactions with more and more scholars study the pathogenesis and therapy of hyperlipidemia in recent years. This article elaborated the latest research of Chinese medicine treatment of HAART-related hyperlipidemia.
Animals ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; adverse effects ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; chemically induced ; therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

ObjectiveTo investigate the CT and MRI characteristic features of neuroendocrine carcinoma in paranasal sinuses.MethodsCT and MRI findings of 10 patients with proved neuroendocrine carcinoma by pathology were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent plain and enhanced MRI scanning,and 9 patients also underwent CT manning.ResultsThere were 5 males and 5 females with mean age of (48 ± 9 ) years old,ranging from 27 to 57 years.The treatment time after symptoms onset ranged from 1 to 4 months,with the median of 2 months.Clinical symptoms were headache and vision loss,hyposmia and yellow nasal discharge,and exophthalmos.The lesions were located in the ethmoidal sinus ( n =6 ),maxillary sinus ( n =2),and bilateral sphenoid sinus ( n =5 ).The lesions were symmetrical in the sphenoid sinus.Pathology type included typical carcinoid tumor ( n =1 ),atypical carcinoid ( n =1 ),and neuroendocrine carcinoma not otherwise specified ( n =8 ). Immunohistochemical staining showed that neurospecific enolase,synaptophysin,cytokeratin and P53 were all positive.On CT images,lesions showed isointensity (n =1 ),iso- to hypointense (n =4 ),and iso- to hyperintense (n =4 ) with hypointense or hyperintense spots.Bone changes included bony absorption and sclerosis ( n =1 ) with a clear margin in typical carcinoid tumor,and moth-eaten bone destruction in other 8 cases( n =8).The lesions were isointense on T1-weighted images,and isointense (n =4) or mixed iso- to hyperintense on T2-weighted images (n =6).Lesions showed mild to medium heterogeneous enhancement ( n =7 ) or marked enhancement ( n =3 )on gadolinium-enhanced images.Time-signal intensity curve ( TIC ) showed plateau type in 2 cases.The aggressive nature of the tumors was demonstrated by invasion of adjacent structures,involvement of nasal cavity( n =9 ),orbits ( n =7 ),pterygopalatine fossa ( n =4 ),ethmoidalsinus and sphenoid ( n =3 ),clivus ossis occipitalis(n =2),cavernous sinus and internal carotid canal(n =2),optic canal(n =2),jugular fossa ( n =1 ),anterior fossa ( n =1 ),apex partis petrosae ossis temporalis ( n =1 ),meninges ( n =1 ),temporal fossa and infratemporal fossa ( n =1 ),pharyngonasal cavity and parapharyngeal space ( n =1 ).ConclusionsThere are different CT features in different pathological types of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the paranasal sinuses,and MRI can demonstrate the invasive extent accurately. CT combined MRI can provide more comprehensive information in the diagnosis and therapy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological significance of positive CK7 expression in human colorectal carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was used to detect CK7 and CK20 protein expressions in 68 cases of HCC, 20 cases of canalicular adenoma (CA), 5 cases of serrated adenoma (SA) and 20 cases of hyperplastic polyps (HP).

RESULTSThe positivity rate of CK20 expression was 89.7% in HCC, and 100% in CA, SA and HP. In HCC, the expression rate of CK7 (39.7%) was not correlated with Dukes' classification, differentiation and tumor location. CK7 positivity rate in colon cancer was 35.7% (15/52) and 42.3% (11/26) in rectal cancer. CK7 expression was negative in CA. CK7 positivity rate in SA was 49% and 30% in HP.

CONCLUSIONCK7 is a possible marker for colorectal carcinogenesis from HP to SA, and ultimately to HCC, and examination of the colorectal polypoid lesions for CK7 expression can be significant for estimating the colorectal polypous cancerization.

Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDDifferentiating benign from malignant sinonsal lesions is essential for treatment planning as well as determining the patient's prognosis, but the differentiation is often difficult in clinical practice. The study aimed to determine whether the combination of diffusion-weighted (DW) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) can improve the performance in differentiating benign from malignant sinonasal tumors.

METHODSThis retrospective study included 197 consecutive patients with sinonasal tumors (116 malignant tumors and 81 benign tumors). All patients underwent both DW and DCE-MRI in a 3-T magnetic resonance scanner. Two different settings of b values (0,700 and 0,1000 s/mm 2 ) and two different strategies of region of interest (ROI) including whole slice (WS) and partial slice (PS) were used to calculate apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs). A DW parameter with WS ADCs b0,1000 and two DCE-MRI parameters (time intensity curve [TIC] and time to peak enhancement [Tpeak]) were finally combined to use in differentiating the benign from the malignant tumors in this study.

RESULTSThe mean ADCs of malignant sinonasal tumors (WS ADCs b0,1000 = 1.084 × 10-3 mm 2 /s) were significantly lower than those of benign tumors (WS ADCs b0,1000 = 1.617 × 10-3 mm 2 /s, P < 0.001). The accuracy using WS ADCs b0,1000 alone was 83.7% in differentiating the benign from the malignant tumors (85.3% sensitivity, 81.2% specificity, 86.4% positive predictive value [PPV], and 79.5% negative predictive value [NPV]). The accuracy using DCE with Tpeak and TIC alone was 72.1% (69.1% sensitivity, 74.1% specificity, 77.5% PPV, and 65.1% NPV). Using DW-MRI parameter was superior than using DCE parameters in differentiation between benign and malignant sinonasal tumors (P < 0.001). The accuracy was 87.3% (90.5% sensitivity, 82.7% specificity, 88.2% PPV, and 85.9% NPV) using DW-MRI combined with DCE-MRI, which was superior than that using DCE-MRI alone or using DW-MRI alone (both P < 0.001) in differentiating the benign from the malignant tumors.

CONCLUSIONSDiffusion-weighted combined with DCE-MRI can improve imaging performance in differentiating benign from malignant sinonasal tumors, which has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and to provide added value in the management for these tumors.

Adult ; Contrast Media ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of Ca(2+) on the apoptosis induced by hyperthermia in neonate rat hippocampal neurons to provide the applicative evidence of dantrolene for preventing brain injuries.

METHODSDantrolene, Ca(2+) specific blocking agent, was used in the hyperthermia-induced apoptosis of primary hippocampal neurons in vitro to observe its effect on the apoptosis, fluorescent intensity, and dynamic change of Ca(2+) by flowcytometry and laser confocal microscopy.

RESULTSThe rate of apoptosis was decreased significantly after hyperthermia treatment by dantrolene sodium. The intracellular Ca(2+) fluorescent intensity in 42 degrees C treatment group (107.35 +/- 6.0) was significantly lower than that in control group (159.12 +/- 33.8). The concentration of Ca(2+) began to decrease 20 approximately 25 s after adding dantrolene sodium, and reached the lowest level about 50 s later, and then kept lower than the basal level.

CONCLUSIONDantrolene sodium has an important protective effect on hippocampal neurons apoptosis induced by hyperthermia and may have some applicative value of preventing heat-induced brain injury.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dantrolene ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Temperature