Objective To evaluate mesenteric muhidetector row CT angiography (MDCTA) in the diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI).Methods In this study,43 cases of AMI proven by clinical criteria,or operation and pathology underwent whole abdomen MDCT precontrast,arterial phase and venous phase scan with 0.6 mm collimation.The mesenteric arteries and veins were reconstructed by using volume rendering (VR),maximum intensity projection (MIP),thin slab maximum intensity projection (TSMIP) techniques,and abnormal CT angiography findings as well as abnormal bowel and mesentery were analyzed.Results It was found that AMI was caused by superior mesenteric artery (SMA) embolism (n =4),SMA thrombosis (n = 6),mesenteric and portal venous thrombosis (n = 13),SMA dissection (n =5),strangulated bowel obstruction (n = 10) and vasculitis (n = 5).MDCTA showed clearly the position,shape,severity and extent of the vascular occlusion,narrow and dissection.It could also demonstrate the abnormal course and direction of the vessels including vascular gathering,shift,tortuosity,retortion,and twist.Furthermore,the pathogenesis of various conditions including atherosclerotic plaque,emboli,thrombosis,dissection,tumorous invasion,strangulated bowel obstruction and vasculitis could be identified by MDCTA.Conclusion MDCTA can clearly demonstrate direct signs leading to AMI,and identify AMI and its etiology at early stage,with the combination with its indirect findings.

Objective To evaluate the changes of endometrial microcirculation between pre-and postmenopause with magnetic resonance dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging (MR DCE-PWI)and intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI).Methods Thirty-three patients with normal endometrium (premenopause in 21 and postmenopause in 12)confirmed by pathology underwent DCE-PWI,IVIM-DWI and conventional MRI.Quantitative parameters of DCE-PWI and IVIM-DWI in the endometrium were analyzed and compared between pre-and postmenopause groups.Results The DCE-PWI parameters were significantly higher in premenopause group than those in postmenopause one with significant differences in Ktrans (0.161±0.081)min-1 vs (0.097±0.054)min-1 , Kep (0.285±0.145)min-1 vs (0.184±0.119)min-1 and IAUC60 (20.854±10.695)mmol·kg-1 ·s vs (10.481±6.253)mmol·kg-1 ·s. No significant differences were found between the two groups in IVIM-DWI parameters including D,D* and f values.Conclusion DCE-PWI,rather than IVIM-DWI,can be used to quantitatively evaluate the changes of endometrial microcirculation between pre-and postmenopause.

Objective To compare the appearances between chronic mastitis and breast cancer on MRI and investigate the differ-ential diagnostic value.Methods MRI data of 20 patients with chronic mastitis pathologically proved by biopsy or operation were ret-rospectively analyzed.30 cases of breast cancer were contemporaneously chosen as the control group.Morphological feature and dy-namic contrast-enhanced(DCE)manifestation of the lesions were evaluated and statistical difference was compared between mastitis and breast cancer.Morphological feature included configuration,spiculated sign,ring-like enhancement,peri-focal edema,skin thick-ening,nipple involvement and axillary lymph nodes enlargement.DCE manifestation contained calculating early enhancement ratio and drawing time-intensity curve (TIC).Results There were significant statistical differences among configuration,ring-like en-hancement and peri-focal edema between mastitis and breast cancer,respectively.No statistical differences could be found among spiculated sign,skin thickening,nipple involvement and axillary lymph nodes enlargement.Early enhancement ratio in the group of mastitis was 1.1 56±0.635 while 1.253±0.499 in the group of breast cancer and there was no statistical difference between them. There were 1 1 cases with type Ⅰ TIC,6 with type Ⅱ,3 with type Ⅲ in the lesions of mastitis,while 4 with type Ⅰ,1 1 with typeⅡ,1 5 with type Ⅲ in the lesions of breast cancer and significant statistical differences could be found between two groups.Conclu-sion Mastitis usually manifests as non-mass-like lesions on MRI.Ring-like enhancement,peri-focal edema and benign type TIC can be applied to discriminate mastitis from breast cancer.

Objective To investigate the cause of metastatic metatarsalgia after hallux valgus surgery and the clinical outcomes of Weil osteotomy for metastatic metatarsalgia after hallux valgus surgery. Methods From July 2009 to Janurary 2012, data of 27 patients (27 feet) with metastatic metatarsalgia of 2nd to 4th head of metatarsal bone after hallux valgus surgery who had been treated by Weil osteotomy were retrospectively analyzed. There were 1 male and 26 females with an average age of 51 years (range, 28-73 years). Metatarsalgia occurred 6-24 months after operation for hallux valgus. 13 feet underwent mini-invasive cervi-cal wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal, 7 with Chevron procedure, 5 with Akin procedure, and 2 with Lapidus procedure. No shortening in first metatarsal was found in 5 feet with Akin osteotomy, while there were varying degrees of shortening in first meta-tarsal in the remaining 22 feet. The clinical results were evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. The preoperative and postoperative plantar pressure changes were tested by plantar pressure tester. Results 25 Patients were followed up for 12-42 months (average, 24 months). Among these 25 cases, the metatarsalgia of 23 cases were completely disappeared. The metatarsal plantar lateral metastatic pain occurred in the remaining 2 cases (2 feet) and 1 was relieved by the foot pad, 1 was cured by re-Weil osteotomy. AOFAS score was 46.82 ± 6.13 before surgery and 90.63 ± 1.65 after surgery. The VAS score was 7.5 (6, 7) before surgery and 0.5 (0, 1.0) after surgery. The last follow-up, according to the score of AOFAS toe metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal joint, of which 23 cases were excellent, 1 good, 1 poor;the excellent and good rate was 96%(24/25). Preoperative pressure under 2nd to 5th metatarsal head were 3.12±1.62 Pa, 5.81±1.92 Pa, 4.63± 2.10 Pa, 3.37±1.57 Pa, 1.67±1.20 Pa and postoperative were 3.33±1.35 Pa, 3.89±1.08 Pa, 3.65±1.96 Pa, 2.25±1.23, (1.48±1.11) Pa. Postoperative pressure under 2nd to 5th metatarsal head were significantly decreased. Conclusion Weil osteotomy can effec-tively adjust the length of the metatarsal and the height of metatarsal head, thus effectively improve the pressure under the metatar-sal head, so it could reach a good effect in the treatment of metastatic metatarsalgia after hallux valgus surgery.

We investigated the development of an injectable, biodegradable hydrogel composite of poly(trimethylene carbonate)-F127-poly(trimethylene carbonate)(PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 )loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) derived peptide P24 for ectopic bone formation in vivo and evaluated its release kinetics in vitro. Then we evaluated P24 peptide release kinetics from different concentration of PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel in vitro using bicinchoninic acid (BCA)assay. P24/ PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was implanted into each rat's erector muscle of spine and ectopic bone formation of the implanted gel in vivo was detected by hematoxylin and eosin stain (HE). PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel with concentration more than 20 percent showed sustained slow release for one month after the initial burst release. Bone trabeculae surround the P24/ PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was shown at the end of six weeks by hematoxylin and eosin stain. These results indicated that encapsulated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) derived peptide P24 remained viable in vivo, thus suggesting the potential of PTMC11-F127-PT- MC11 composite hydrogels as part of a novel strategy for localized delivery of bioactive molecules.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; pharmacology ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; Dioxanes ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Hydrogels ; chemistry ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Peptides ; Prostheses and Implants ; Rats

Objective To investigate imaging characteristics of multistep hepatocarcinogenesis in cirrhotic livers on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI).Methods Seventy-three patients with 83 nodules in cirrhotic livers underwent hepatic MR imaging with SWI.Two radiologists reviewed MR images by consensus.Imaging characteristics of dysplastic nodules (DN),DN with malignant foci and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were evaluated.Prussian blue staining was performed for semiquantification of hepatic iron content and above cirrhosis-associated nodules.Results Positive iron staining of background liver parenchyma was found in 69 of 73 patients and 4 HCC patients showed iron-negative staining of background liver parenchyma.Nine DNs appeared as hypointensity or isointensity with pathologically confirmed similar (n =7) or slightly decreased (n =2) iron deposition compared with background liver parenchyma.SWI detected 14 of 15 DNs with malignant foci.Seven patients appeared as homogeneous hyperintensity and 1 patient appeared as heterogeneous hyperintensity due to intratumoral hemorrhages.The remaining 6 patients demonstrated as nodule-in-nodule appearance with iron deposition in all background nodules,iron deposition with grade 1 in one internal HCC foci,and iron-free in 5 internal HCC foci.The remaining 50 patients with hepatic iron deposition had 55 HCC lesions.Three HCC lesions had iron deposition with grade 1 to 2 and the remaining 52 HCC lesions were pathologically iron-resistant.HCC appeared as hyperintensity compared with siderotic surrounding liver parenchyma.However,HCCs with diameter larger than 3 cm usually demonstrated heterogeneous hyperintensity due to intratumoral hemorrhage.Conclusions SWI could accurately demonstrate dynamic iron depletion on multistep hepatocarcinogenesis in cirrhotic livers.On SWI images,DNs appear as hypointensity due to siderosis and malignant nodules appear as hyperintensity due to iron depletion.

Objective To investigate the value of susceptibility?weighted imaging (SWI) for characterization of small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) in cirrhotic livers. Methods Two hundred seventy?two patients suspiciousof HCC underwent conventional MR imaging and susceptibility?weighted imaging (SWI). Two hundred and five patients were excluded due to either size larger than 3.0 cm, no cirrhosis or HCC. Finally, a total of 84 hepatocellular nodules in 67 patients were included in this prospective study. There were 22 DNs in 12 cases, 8 DNs with HCC foci in 7 cases, and 54 overt HCCs in 48 cases. Two abdominal radiologists independently evaluated signal intensity and enhancing pattern using conventional MRI set and conventional MRI combining with SWI set. A five?point scale was performed to evaluate diagnostic confidence of HCC. Kappa analysis was performed to assess interobserver agreement of the two sets by two readers.The diagnostic performance and confidence level were compared for each image set,ROC was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency.Results Good interobserver agreement was identified with a Kappa value of 0.923 for conventional MRI set and 0.865 for conventional MRI combining with SWI set, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the alternative?free response ROC (Az) were 80.6% and 80.6%, 81.8% and 77.3%, 81.0% and 79.8%, 0.804 and 0.782 using conventional MRI set, and 93.5%and 85.5%, 90.9%and 86.4%, 92.9%and 85.7%, 0.898 and 0.859 using conventional MRI combining with SWI set for reader 1 and reader 2, respectively.The diagnostic confidence level of conventional MRI combining with SWI set for diagnosis of HCC with less than 2 cm in size(n=36) was significantly higher than that of conventional MRI (reader 1, 3.86±0.47 vs 3.40±0.91;reader 2, 3.85±0.57 vs 3.41±0.92;t values were 3.733 and 2.468, P were 0.001 and 0.018).Conclusion SWI can provide additional valuable information and improve diagnostic performance for characterization of sHCC in cirrhotic livers.

Objective To prepare P24/PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel,to study the in vitro release profile and to observe ectopic bone formation in p24 peptide incorporated PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel.Methods Corresponding weight powder of p24 peptide was infunded into tubes of PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 solution with concentrations of 16％,20％ and 25％.Release profiles of P24 peptide in different concentration PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel were measured in vitro by BCA assay.P24/PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was implanted into each rat's erector muscle of spine,and the implanted gel was detected by hematoxylin and eosin stain (HE).Results PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel showed sustained slow release for the whole process after the initial burst release.With the increase of concentration in PTMC11-F127-PTMC.hydrogel,the initial burst release was reduced significantly.Ectopic bone formation was observed by computed tomography in p24 peptide incorporated PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel after four weeks.Bone trabeculae surround the P24/PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was observed at forth week by hematoxylin and eosin stain.The bone trabeculae became thicker from sixth week.Conclusion Delayed release of peptide from the hydrogel was mainly controlled by disintegration of hydrogel and a satisfactory release profile was observed.These results suggest that the p24-loaded PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel remmns active of p24 at the implanted site,continuously induce differentiation of osteoblast precursor cells into osteoblasts,and activate osteoblasts to promote ectopic calcification.

Objective To analyze the feasibility of Ilizarov apparatus for ankle joint distraction to treat post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis(OA).Methods From March 2012 to May 2014,15 patients with moderate post-traumatic ankle OA treated with foot and ankle deformities,and combined with ankle distraction surgery simultaneously by Ilizarov apparatus.The average age of patients was (35.6±6.5) years (10 Males and 5 females).Selected cases were involved in unilateral ankle disease,including 9 cases with ankle fractures medical history and 6 cases with ankle sprain medical history.Distraction was carried out for 3 months during which full weight bearing was allowed.Results Joint mobility and radiographic joint space were preserved in all 15 cases.No patients had undergone either ankle arthrodesis or total ankle arthroplasty.Ankle osteoarthritis scale (AOS) score was (33.8 ± 7.95) points before operation,(55.4 ± 5.46) points in the first year follow-up,and increased to (71.4 ± 10.19) points in the second year after operation,medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) score was (37.2 ± 4.32) points before operation,and increased to (52.8 ± 3.42) and (59.2 ± 2.95) points at 1 year and 2 years after operation,respectively,the difference between the two groups was statistically significant.The results of ankle range of motion (ROM) indicated function improved which was similar at both 1 year and 2 year's follow-up.Radiology joint space width (JSW) assessment indicated that ankle gap was improved significantly in 11 patients (73.3％,11/15) in the first year and maintain successfully in the second year.For the rest 4 patients (26.7％,4/15),ankle joint gap did not improved significantly,AOS and SF-36 showed clinical symptoms improved.Conclusion Ilizarov apparatus for ankle joint distraction is a promising treatment for moderate post-traumatic ankle OA at early stage of treatment,at least delaying the need for a joint fusion or total ankle arthroplasty.

Objective To explore the effect of complement activation on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)and evaluate the effect after transfection of complement regulatory proteins.Methods Bone marrow aspirate was harvested from 10 cases of patients suffered from fractures.Mesenchymal stem ceils were isolated,indentified cultured and then experimented in vitro.The complement cytotoxicity on the mesenchymal stem cells in autologous serum was measured by Europium cytotoxicity assay.The samples were divided into BMSCs group,BMSCs+ autologous human serum (AHS) group and BMSCs+ inactivated autologous human serum (iAHS) group.The complement membrane attack complex (MAC) deposited on the membranes was detected by flow cytometry.Finally,the cytotoxicity on BMSCs was measured after transfected with membrane complement regulatory proteins (mCRPs).All samples were divided into BMSCs with mCRPs untransfected group and BMSCs with mCRPs transfected group.Results More than 95％ of cells derived from bone marrow were identified to be mesenchymal stem cells through detection of cell surface markers by flow cytometry.The cytotoxicity of untreated cells was 0.41％± 1.48％.BMSCs harvested from the 10 patients all had cytotoxicity after incubated with autologous serum,and the cytotoxicity was 32.59％±2.73％,while cytotoxicity after incubated with complement inactivated autologous serum was 2.59％±3.08％,which was similar to control group.Complement attack complex (MAC) could be detected on the BMSCs incubated with autologous serum,which implied the complement activation.After transfection of mCRPs,the cytotoxicity of autologous serum on transfected cells was decreased.The cytotoxicity of untransfected cells (41.70％±4.47％) had significant difference compared to the cells transfected with CD55 (21.87％±2.19％),the cells transfected with CD59 (18.67％± 1.42％),and the cells transfected with CD46+CD55+CD59 (28.43％±2.14％).CD55,CD59 and CD46+CD55 +CD59 transfected groups could impair effectively the cytotoxicity from complement.However,the cytotoxicity impairment was less effective in CD46 transfected cells (39.30％±3.96％),which had no significant difference compared to untransfected cells.Conclusion Membrane complement regulatory proteins could effectively protect bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from attacks by complement.