Objective To evaluate the value of CT perfusion imaging (CTPI) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Method CTPI was carried out on 21 patients with 26 lesions to obtain the following perfusion parameters: hepatic blood flow (HBF), hepatic blood volume (HBV),mean transit time (MTT), permeability surface area product (PS), and hepatic arterial fraction (HAF). The parameters from the lesion and non-lesion areas were compared. In addition, serum AFP was measured in the HCC patients and a linear correlation analysis between the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level and the CTPI parameters was performed. Result CTPI failed in 3 patients with 3 lesions and was successful in 18 patients with 23 lesions which included 18 HCC, 4 hemangioma of the liver,and 1 hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). On comparison of the HCC parameters in the lesion and non-lesion areas, significant differences were found in the HAF which was 4.11 times higher in the lesion than the non-lesion areas, while the MTT and PS were significantly lower. There was no significant difference in the HBF and HBV. Correlation between the serum AFP level and the CTPI parameters of the HCC lesion was insignificant. The differences of all the parameters between the lesion and the non-lesion in hemangioma were similar to those in HCC, except for a higher HBF in the lesion than in HCC. There was no significant difference between the parameters of FNH and the non-nodular part of the liver. Conclusion CTPI played an important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of HCC, especially when the AFP was negative and/or the imaging manifestation was atypical on contrast CT.

Adult ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; etiology ; therapy ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; surgery ; Rituximab

Objective To investigate the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis or bone loss in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients by Bugu capsules.Methods Sixty-six patients with SLE were randomly divided into A and B groups:34 patients in Group A were treated by glucocorticoid and Bugu capsules,and 32 patients in Group B by glucocorticoid alone.All patients were measured for bone mineral density (BMD) in Wards triangle,and for related biochemical parameters such as serum calcium, phosphonium,alkaline phosphatase,parathyroid hormone (PTH) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) before and after the treatment.As the control group,thirty healthy subjects were measured for the above parameters.Results There was significant difference in the serum level of IL-6,calcium and PTH between the Group B and con- trol group (P＜0.01).The occurrence rate of osteoporosis or bone loss in group A was significant lower than that in group B [2/34 (5.88%) vs 9/32 (28.13%),P=0.0364].Conclusion Bugu capsules can prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis or bone loss in SLE patients,possibly by restoring the balance among serum IL-6,calcium and PTH.

Objective：To investigate the mechanism of increased glucose uptake, the expression of myoc ardial glucose transporter1 (GLUT1) was determined after low-flow myocardial is chemia. Methods： An in vivo open-chest canine model of low -flow myocardial ischemia was used to correlate myocardial glucose uptake with the number of GLUT1. The expression of myocardial GLUT1 glucose transporter was determined by semiquantitative Northern blotting and immunoblotting. Res ults： GLUT1 mRNA and GLUT1 polypeptide expression was substantially inc reased in ischemic region from the experimental hearts when compared to normal h earts. There was no significant regional difference in GLUT1 expression in eith er normal or ischemic hearts.Conclusion：Myocardial ischemia ind uces a factor or factors which stimulate GLUT1 expression in ischemic myocardial regions. Enhanced GLUT1 expression may be an important protective mechanism by which myocardial cells enhance glucose uptake and metabolism during low-flow my ocardial ischemia.

Objective: To investigate whether there is additi ve effects of hyperinsulinemia and ischemia on expression of canine myocardial G LUT4 gene in vivo. Methods: The expression of myocardial GLU T4 was determined by semiquantitative immunoblotting.The expression of GLUT4 mRN A was determined by semiquantitative Northern blotting. Results: Dramatic changes were seen in GLUT4 mRNA and GLUT4 expression in the ischemic hearts.After infusing insulin for 8 h,regional GLUT4 mRNA and GLUT4 levels in is chemic hearts were 2.5, 2.3-fold that of expression in normal hearts(P<0.01 ). Myocardial glucose uptake in ischemic hearts was increased by 4-fold when co mpared with normal hearts(P<0.01). Conclusion: There are not only additive effects of hyperinsulinemia and low-flow ischemia on canine myoc ardial GLUT4 mRNA and GLUT4 expression in vivo, but also increase of myocar dial glucose uptake. Enhanced GLUT4 expression may be an important protective m echanism by which myocardial cells enhance glucose uptake and metabolism during low-flow ischemia.

Objective To explore the relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and deceleration capacity (DC) in children with idiopathic ventricular premature contraction of different origins. Methods The clinical data from 155 children with idiopathic ventricular premature contraction were retrospectively analyzed. According to the age, the children were divided into young children group (

Objective To investigate the effect of Qizaoyixue decoction with exercise on cancer-related fatigue for oophoroma patients during intermittent chemotherapy.Methods 92 oophoroma patients with cancer-related fatigue were given diet intervention with exercise. They were investigated by Simple Fatigue Assessment Scale and European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-QLQ-C30 for assessing their cancer-related fatigue and quality of life before the intervention and 30 days after the intervention with self-contrast method. Fatigue level and change of quality of life for them before and after the intervention were compared.Results Patients' fatigue was greatly relieved after the intervention;there was significant difference compared with that before the intervention (u=4.5,P<0.01). There was significant difference in quality of life compared with that before the intervention (P<0.01).Conclusions Qizaoyixue decoction with exercise could effectively relieve cancer-related fatigue for oophoroma patients during intermittent chemotherapy and improve their quality of life.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether insulin resistance exists in patients with colorectal cancer and its clinical significance.

METHODSA total of 135 patients with colorectal cancer were included as the study group, and 120 healthy subjects were included as the control group. Height, weight, and blood pressure were recorded. Fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and insulin were measured. Insulin resistance index(lnHOMA-IR) was calculated.

RESULTSThe lnHOMA-IR was 0.84±0.38 in the study group and 0.42±0.08 in the control group(P<0.05). The incidence of metabolic syndrome was 34.1%(46/135) in the study group and 22.5%(27/120) in the control group(P<0.05). Insulin resistance index did not differ between the groups according to metabolic syndrome(0.98±0.41 vs. 0.74±0.22, P>0.05). There were no significant associations between insulin resistance index and tumor differentiation, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM staging(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONInsulin resistance exists in colorectal cancer patients, and it is possibly associated with metabolic syndrome and the tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo prepare antibodies against pORF5 plasmid protein of Chlamydia trachomatis and develop double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (DAS-ELISAs) for the detection of genital C. trachomatis infections.

METHODSThe pORF5 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and used to immunize BALB/c mice and New Zealand rabbits to produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and polyclonal antibody (pAb) for DAS-ELISAs. Clinical samples from 186 urogenital infection patients (groups I) and 62 healthy donors (groups II) were detected in parallel by the DAS-ELISAs developed in this study and by IDEIA PCE commercial ELISA.

RESULTSTwo hybridoma cell lines, named 2H4 and 4E6, stably secreting specific mAbs against pORF5 were obtained. The mAb 2H4 was recognized by 32 (17.20%, positive recognition rate) and 25 (13.44%), mAb 2H4 by 0 (0%) and 2 (3.22%) samples from groups I and II, respectively. The sensitivities of mAbs 2H4 and 4E6 were 92.11% and 77.78% and the specificities were 100% and 96.88%, respectively in relation to the IDEIA PCE commercial ELISA. The sensitivities of detection for the DAS-ELISAs were 10 ng/mL (based on 2H4) and 18 ng/mL (based on 4E6).

CONCLUSIONTwo DAS-ELISAs were developed in this study that provided a feasible and effective assay that could be considered alternative tools for the serodiagnosis of C. trachomatis infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Chlamydia Infections ; diagnosis ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; pathogenicity ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urogenital System ; microbiology ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the effect of ZnO nanoparticles on the expressions of plasma membrane calcium ATPasel (PMCA1) of human lens epithelial cell B-3 (HLEB-3) at both mRNA and protein levels in the presence and absence of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation.Methods HLEB-3 was cultured in RPMI 1640 medium,and the cytotoxic effect of different concentrations of ZnO (0 μg · mL-1,2.5 μg · mL-1,5.0μg · mL-1,10.0 μg · mL-1) on HLEB-3 was investigated in the presence and absence of UVB irradiation.DAPI staining was used to monitor the effect of ZnO on HLECB-3 nuclei,and cell apoptosis was evaluated using annexin V-FITC/PI staining in the presence and absence of UVB irradiation.In addition,the intracellular calcium ion (Ca2 +)levels were assayed using Fluo-3/AM staining,and the expression levels of both PMCA1 mRNA and protein within HLEB-3 were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.Results DAPI staining showed that the ZnO-treated HLEB-3 displayed a concentration-dependent apoptosis,and UVB irradiation could further aggravate the cytotoxic effect of ZnO on HLEB-3.In addition,in the presence of UVB irradiation,concentration gradient of ZnO (2.5 μg · mL-1,5.0 μg · mL-1,10.0 μg · mL-1) increased the intracellular calcium ion levels [from (156.34 ±4.59) nmol · L-1 to (173.88 ±7.17)umol · L-1,(289.02 ± 9.09) nmol · L-1,(488.36 ± 48.16) nmol · L 1,respectively] and upregulated HLEB-3 apoptosis,with statistical difference (all P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,the expression level of PMCA1 in the 2.5 μg · mL-1,5.0 μg · mL-1,10.0 μg · mL-1 ZnO-treated epithelial cells was accordingly 0.75,0.57 and 0.41 as much as that in the 0μg · mL-1 ZnO-treated cells in the absence of UVB irradiation (all P ＜ 0.05),and was accordingly 0.64,0.24 and 0.09 in the present of UVB irradiation,with significant difference (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Both ZnO nanoparticle and UVB irradiation can exert cosuppression effect on HLEB-3 via calcium-mediated signaling pathway,indicating it has great potential for the treatment of posterior capsular opacification with UVB irradiation.