Objective To evaluate the feasibility of MR PWI in judging maturity and variability of tumor vasculature in gliomas in rats.Methods Twenty male SD rats were randomly assigned to tumor group and control group.Four weeks after implantation of C6 glioma cells in the brains of tumor group and injection of saline in the brains of control group,all rats were examined using MR PWI before and after inhalation of a mixture of 10% CO2 and 90%air.PaCO2 and blood pH values of rats were monitored.Relative cerebral blood volume(rCBV)and relative cerebral blood flow(rCBF)values of tumors and normal brain tissue were measured.Brain sample were examined histologically using HE and immunohistochemical staining for smooth muscle actin(SMA).The histological features of gliomas were observed and SMA positively stained vessels of each tumor were counted manually using a light microscope.Perfusion data and pathological findings were analyzed statistically with SPSS for Windows.Results PaCO2 increased significantly[from(4.69±0.62)kPa to(7.62±0.81)kPa in tumor group and from(4.67±0.51)kPa to(7.63±0.78)kPa in control group,P＜0.05)after inhalation of the mixed gas.The rCBV and rCBF values of tumor core were remarkably greater than those of normal contralateral brain tissue.The increasing rate of rCBV and rCBF values in gliomas[(26±17)%and(26±18)%respectively]were significantly less than those in normal brain tissue[(90±32)%and(45±14)%repectively](t=5.05 and 2.355,P＜0.05)Immunohistochemical staining of 10 tumors as well as contralateral brain tissue all demonstrated positive SMA expression in the smooth muscles of the vessels.The vascular walls of positive SMA labeled vessels within tumors were thinner and their vascular lumen wider than those within normal brain tissues.The number of SMA(+)vessels in tumors[(6.7±2.8)/HP]was statistically less than that in contralateral brain tissue[(12.7±2.8)/HP](t=1.86,P＜0.01).Changing rate of rCBV,rCBF of the tumor cores and number of the positive SMA labeled vessels showed no correlation(r=0.504 and 0.607,P＞0.05),while changing rate of rCBV,rCBF in normal brain tissue correlated well with number of positive SMA labeled vessels(r=0.721 and 0.525,P＜0.05).Conclusion PWI can detect the hemodynamic change induced by PaCO2 increase in the normal brain and in the tumor.It may be a useful technique to measure maturity of tumor vessels.

This paper is aimed to investigate the effect of rest-inserted loading on the mechanosensitivity of osteocytes. In the investigation, cultured MLO-Y4 osteocyte-like cells were strained on cyclic compressive force (CCF) by the self-made compressive loading device. Then we observed the effect of different rest periods-inserted loading (5 s, 15 s, 30 s, respectively) on the mechanosensitivity of osteocytes. We then determined the levels of secreted nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by Griess method and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. We then stained the cytoskeleton F-actin using immunofluorescence. We found that the expressions of NO and PGE2 in rest-inserted strained groups (> 15 s) were significantly increased compared to those in the continuous strained group. And rest-inserted loading promoted the parallel alignment of stress fibers. It indicates that rest-inserted loading could promote the mechanosensitivity of osteocytes, and this might be related to the parallel alignment of stress fibers.
Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line ; Cytoskeleton ; metabolism ; Dinoprostone ; secretion ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; secretion ; Osteocytes ; secretion ; Stress, Mechanical

The objective of this research is to evaluate the effects of different silane coupling agents on the bond strength between Ceramco3 opaque porcelain and indirect composite resin. Five groups of Co-Cr metal alloy substrates were fabricated according to manufacturer's instruction. The surface of metal alloy with a layer of dental opaque porcelain was heated by fire. After the surface of opaque porcelain was etched, five different surface treatments, i.e. RelyX Ceramic Primer (RCP), Porcelain Bond Activator and SE Bond Primer (mixed with a proportion of 1:1) (PBA), Shofu Porcelain Primer (SPP), SE bond primer (SEP), and no primer treatment (as a control group), were used to combine P60 and opaque porcelain along with resin cement. Shear bond strength of specimens was tested in a universal testing machine. The failure modes of specimens in all groups were observed and classified into four types. Selected specimens were subjected to scanning electron microscope and energy disperse spectroscopy to reveal the relief of the fracture surface and to confirm the failure mode of different types. The experimental results showed that the values of the tested items in all the tested groups were higher than that in the control group. Group PBA exhibited the highest value [(37.52 +/- 2.14) MPa] and this suggested a fact that all of the specimens in group PBA revealed combined failures (failure occurred in metal-porcelain combined surface and within opaque porcelain). Group SPP and RCP showed higher values than SEP (P < 0.05) and most specimens of SPP and RCP performed combined failures (failure occurred in bond surface and within opaque porcelain or composite resin) while all the specimens in group SEP and control group revealed adhesive failures. Conclusions could be drawn that silane coupling agents could reinforce the bond strength of dental composite resin to metal-opaque porcelain substrate. The bond strength between dental composite resin and dental opaque porcelain could meet the clinical requirements.
Acrylic Resins ; chemistry ; Ceramics ; chemistry ; Composite Resins ; chemistry ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Humans ; Polyurethanes ; chemistry ; Resin Cements ; chemistry ; Silanes ; chemistry

ObjectiveTo elucidate the association of immune response to hepatitis B vaccination with HLA-DRB1 * 12 allele as well as the level of IL-4 and IFN-γ.MethodsSeventy-four healthy college students from Guangxi province who had non- or hypor -response to recombinant hepatitis B vaccination and 64 medium- or hyper-responders with the conditions of similar were selected randomly and involved in this study.HLA-DRB1 * 12 was detected by PCR-SSP,the level of IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines were examined by ELISA.Results(1)The allelic frequencies of HLA-DRB1 * 12 was lower in the non- or hypor-responders than that in the medium- or hyper-responders ( 10.8％ vs 32.8％,P=0.002) ; (2)The expression level of IFN-γ in the non- or hypor-responders ( 7.21±7.92 ) ng/ml was much less than that of the medium- or hyper- responders ( 16.36± 11.00) ng/ml ( P=0.000).(3) The expression level of IL-4 in the non- or hyporresponders (3.18±4.45) ng/ml was much less than that of the medium- or hyper- responders (7.76±5.71 ) ng/ml(P=0.000).(4)No significant differences was seen between the expression level of IFN-γ in the HLA-DRB1 * 12 positive ( 13.18± 11.24) ng/ml and the negative ( 11.00± 10.29 ) ng/ml ( P =0.349 ).(5)No significant differences was seen between the expression level of IL-4 in the HLA-DRB1 * 12 positive (5.947±4.530) ng/ml and the negative (5.132±5.800) ng/ml (P=0.423).ConclusionHLA-DRB1 * 12 might be the allele enhanced immune response to hepatitis B vaccination.The expression levels of IFN-γand IL-4 correlating to Thl/Th2 cells might affect on the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination.

ObjectiveTo observe the activity and safety of a novel combination therapy for patients with recurrent or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).MethodsSix consecutive patients with recurrent or refractory aggressive NHL were treated with B-VIP regimen,boanmycin (5 mg/m2 on Days 1,4,8,12 and 15),vincristine (1.4 mg/m2 on Days 1,8 and 15),ifosfamide (1.2 g/m2 on Days 1,2,3 and 15,16,17) and prednisone (50 mg on Days 1 to 10),every 21 days.All the patients had received ≥5 cycles (average 8.3 cycles) of previous chemotherapy.ResultsSix patients (100 ％) were evaluable for response.The overall objective response rate was 66.7 ％ (4 patients),including 1 case complete (CR) and 3 cases partial responses.Myelosuppression was the most frequent serious complication of this regimen.ConclusionIn the current study,B-VIP was a highly active and safe combination therapy for patients with refractory disease with a poor prognosis or for patients with multiply recurrent aggressive NHL.

Aim To study the effect of genistein on apoptosis in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and the underlying mechanisms. Methods MTT as-say was used to observe the inhibitory rate on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells treated with genistein. Colony assay was used to determine the cell colony formation rate on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells treated with genistein. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3,NF-κB, ERK, p-ERK, JNK and p-JNK in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells treated with genistein. Results The results of MTT assay showed that genistein inhibited the viability of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells in a time- and concentration-de-pendent manner. Colony assay suggested that genistein had an antiproliferative effect on MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression levels of Bcl-2, NF-κB and p-ERK were significantly down-regulated compared with con-trol(P < 0.01). However, the expression of Bax, caspase-3 and p-JNK was significantly up-regulated(P<0.01). Conclusions Genistein could inhibit the growth of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and induce apoptosis,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB, ERK/MAPK signaling path-ways and the activation of JNK/MAPK signaling path-way.

Parathyroid adenoma is a major cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. Treatment usually involves the surgical removal of one or more parathyroid glands. However, specific localising techniques have boosted the development of nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedures, such as percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) under ultrasonographic guidance, which are gaining popularity as a method of treatment. This paper reports two male patients who presented with hypercalcaemia (highest serum calcium level 4.56 mmol/L and 4.57 mmol/L, respectively) and hyperparathyroidism (highest serum parathyroid hormone [PTH] level 772 ng/L and > 1,900 ng/L, respectively) due to solitary parathyroid adenoma. Four days after percutaneous RFA, the serum calcium levels in both patients decreased and PTH levels showed a significant decreasing trend. Both patients recovered well with normal levels of calcium and improvement of symptoms. Thus, we conclude that RFA may be a safe and effective therapeutic option in the treatment of parathyroid adenoma.
Adenoma ; complications ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism ; etiology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Parathyroidectomy ; methods ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

To perform a systemic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of PET (CT) and metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) for diagnosing neuroblastoma (NB),electronic databases were searched as well as relevant references and conference proceedings.The diagnostic accuracy of MIBG and PET (CT) was calculated for NB,primary NB,and relapse/metastasis of NB based on their sensitivity,specificity,and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUSROC) in terms of per-lesion and per-patient data.A total of 40 eligible studies comprising 1134 patients with 939 NB lesions were considered for the meta-analysis.For the staging of NB,the per-lesion AUSROC value of MIBG was lower than that of PET (CT) [0.8064±0.0414 vs.0.9366±0.0166 (P＜0.05)].The per-patient AUSROC value of MIBG and PET (CT) for the diagnosis of NB was 0.8771±0.0230 and 0.6851±0.2111,respectively.The summary sensitivity for MIBG and PET (CT) was 0.79 and 0.89,respectively.The summary specificity for MIBG and PET (CT) was 0.84 and 0.71,respectively.PET (CT) showed higher per-lesion accuracy than MIBG and might be the preferred modality for the staging of NB.On the other hand,MIBG has a comparable diagnosing performance with PET (CT) in per-patient analysis but shows a better specificity.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical significance of AFP-L3 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODSSerum AFP-L3 variants were separated by micro centrifugal column, and detected by chemiluminescence.

RESULTSAFP and AFP-L3 levels were higher in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma than those in patients with chronic hepatitis (P<0.001); as a diagnostic target, the sensitivity and specificity of AFP-L3 were 72.3 percent and 97.2 percent, respectively. Eight patients with hepatitis have higher AFP-L3, but none of them were found with carcinoma by CT three months later.

CONCLUSIONAFP-L3 is very useful in the diagnosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; diagnosis ; Centrifugation ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis ; isolation & purification

BACKGROUND: T?nnis classification is commonly used to quantify the severity of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), which relies on the presence of the epiphyseal ossification centre. Thereafter, a new classification system (IHDI method) has been developed by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI). However, the pathologic morphology has not been defined based on the IHDI grade.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation of the pathologic changes of the hip on MRI with IHDI classification.METHODS: Image data of 65 infants (89 hips) with DDH were analyzed retrospectively, with an average age of 20.4 months. The radiographic severity was graded by IHDI system, and the correlation between IHDI classification and pathological changes of the hip was analyzed, by observing the morphology and position of the limbus, and the cartilaginous acetabular index.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) A positive correlation was detected between severity of the IHDI grades and age at reduction (r=0.456, P < 0.001). (2) Unexpectedly, the cartilaginous femoral epiphysis still remained contacting with the acetabulum in a part of type III DDH. The cartilaginous acetabular index was significantly increased with IHDI grade increasing (P=0.028). (3) The limbus was everted in all of the type I hips; however, inverted or mixed shape accounted about 60% in the type II hips, 86% in the type III, and 97% in the type IV, respectively. (4) These results manifest that the DDH was severer, and the limbus trended to be more inverted with the increasing in IHDI grade. Moreover,understanding the correlation of the pathologic morphology with the IHDI classification is of great significance for planning an appropriate treatment scheme for DDH.