OBJECTIVETo measure the diameter and length of infrarenal inferior vena cava (IVC) in Shandong Peninsula adult through digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for better vena cava filter (VCF) choice and placement.

METHODSFrom April 2008 to June 2010, 83 discontinuous patients (49 males and 34 females, mean age 56.4 years) with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of lower extremity were placed VCF through DSA according to ACCP-8. During operation, diameter and length of infrarenal IVC were measured. At the same time, the renal vein location and the type of the IVC were identified to help the VCF choice.

RESULTSAll the VCFs were placed successfully, no complications occurred. The diameter of infrarenal IVC was 10 to 26 mm with a mean of (19 ± 5) mm. The average length from beginning of IVC to the lower renal vein was (10.6 ± 2.8) cm. The renal vein was located between the first and second lumbar vertebra, the IVC beginning was located between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebra.

CONCLUSIONSDiameter and length measurement of infrarenal IVC is helpful to the VCF selection and the domestic VCF research. Vena cava angiography is very important to the accurate placement of VCF.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phlebography ; Vena Cava Filters ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo investigate the techniques and clinical applications of multislice helical computed tomography (CT) colonography in colonic lesions.

METHODSFifty-nine patients with malignant lesions of colon underwent volume scanning using multislice helical CT. Four types of reconstruction including CT virtual colonoscopy (CTVC), shaded surface display (SSD), Raysum, and multiple planar reconstruction (MPR) were used for image post-processing. The results were compared with those of colonoscopy and pathology.

RESULTSMultislice helical CT colonography detected 54 colorectal carcinomas, 4 adenomas with focal carcinoma, 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The lesions' number, size, location, morphology, stricture of intestinal cavity, infiltration, and metastasis were shown satisfactorily by multislice helical CT colonography. Whole colon could be shown in all patients. CT colonography displayed 4 synchronous colonic tumors, 1 ascending colon carcinoma combined with left renal carcinoma among 54 patients with colonic carcinomas. The accuracy of location of CT colonography was 100%. There were 9 cases that CT showed the tumor location was different from the finding of conventional colonoscopy, while all of the CT location were proven exact by operation. CT colonography also displayed the infiltration of serous layer and fatty tissue in 45 cases; 21 cases matched the pathological results in all the 24 cases of suspicious lymph node metastasis, the sensitivity was 87.5%, the specificity was 90.6%; 9 cases hepatic metastasis, 2 ovarian metastasis, and 1 double adrenal gland metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSMultislice helical CT colonography is effective in preoperative diagnosis, location, stage, and making treatment plan of colorectal carcinoma. It can display the portion not seen during colonoscopy and may have an adjunctive role.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Adenoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colon ; diagnostic imaging ; Colonic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Colonography, Computed Tomographic ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship of mesorectum with fasciae and nerves in the pelvic cavity and to specify the proper planes of dissection in total mesorectal excision.

METHODSTwenty-four pelvises (12 males and 12 females) harvested from cadavers were studied by dissection.

RESULTSThere were three planes surrounding the rectum as the visceral fascia, vesicohypogastric fascia and parietal fascia. The pelvic plexus and its branches situated between the visceral fascia and the vesicohypogastric fascia. Pelvic splanchnic nerves and hypogastric nerves were observed between the visceral fascia and the parietal fascia.

CONCLUSIONSThe posterior plane of total mesorectal excision lies between the visceral fascia and the parietal fascia. The lateral dissection should be conducted in a plane between the visceral fascia and the vesicohypogastric fascia. The proper planes for posterior and lateral resection can be identified by the hypogastric nerve and the pelvic plexus respectively.

Fascia ; anatomy & histology ; Fasciotomy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesentery ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Pelvis ; anatomy & histology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between Chinese medicine (CM) constitutive susceptibility and syndrome diversity in diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODSEpidemiologic investigation on constitution adopting the "Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire" (CCMQ), and survey on syndrome type by CM syndrome scale (preliminary) were carried out in 180 DN patients. Cluster analysis on symptom items was used to determine the syndrome type, and canonical correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between patients' constitution and syndrome.

RESULTSBaseline levels in all enrolled patients were not different statistically. Cluster analysis showed 8 syndromes existed in DN patients, namely: I, qi-yin deficiency with qi-stagnancy type; II, yin-yang deficiency with heat-water-blood stasis type; III, qi-yin deficiency with dampness-heat type; IV, yin-yang deficiency with blood-stasis and heat type; V, qi-yin deficiency with stagnant heat type; VI, yin-yang deficiency with inner dampness-heat stagnancy type; VII, yin deficiency with heat stagnancy type; and VIII, Kidney (Shen)-Spleen (Pi) deficiency with stagnant heat type. Correlation analysis on the 8 syndromes and the 9 constitutions showed statistical significant correlations between syndrome III and dampness-heat constitution (P=0.0001); syndrome IV and blood-stasis constitution (P=0.0001); and syndrome VII and yin-deficiency constitution (P=0.0180).

CONCLUSIONCertain relationship revealed between CM constitutions and syndrome types; constitution decides the disease genesis, its syndrome type and prognosis, as well as the change of syndromes.

Aged ; Body Constitution ; Cluster Analysis ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of Chinese medicine constitution susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy (DN) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (T869C) gene polymorphism.

METHODSTGF-β1 gene polymorphism detected with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was screened for 180 DN cases and 180 type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) cases without combined DN. Patients with DN were surveyed epidemiologically with constitution in the Chinese medicine questionnaire (CCMQ). Binary logistic regression analysis was utilized to study the correlation between nine types of Chinese medicine constitution and TGF-β1 (T869C) gene polymorphisms.

RESULTSThe DN group has a higher frequency of TGF-β1 (T869C) gene polymorphism than the T2DM group, and CC/CT genotypes than the T2DM group [CC, CT, TT (DN group): 88, 87, 5 (cases) versus (T2DM group) 71, 73, 36 (cases), P<0.05]. The phlegm-dampness constitution, damp-heat constitution, and blood stasis constitution have correlations with TGF-β1 (T869C) gene polymorphism.

CONCLUSIONChinese medicine constitutions were associated with TGF-β1 (T869C) gene polymorphism, a potential predictor of susceptibility to DN in T2DM patients.

Aged ; Body Constitution ; genetics ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the scan technique and image quality of coronary angiography with dual source computed tomography (CT) without oral metoprolol preparation.

METHODSPlain and enhanced dual source CT coronary angiography without oral metoprolol preparation was prospectively performed in 600 patients. Calcium scoring with plain scan images as well as multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), and volume rendering technique (VRT) reconstruction with enhanced scan images were performed in all cases. The scan technique and post-reconstruction experience was summarized. The image quality was classified as 1 to 4 points, and coronary segments classified according to the American Heart Association standards were evaluated.

RESULTSThe average calcium score of the 600 cases was 213.6 +/- 298.7 (0-3,216.5). The average heart rate of the enhanced scan was 82.1 +/- 16.2 (47-139) bpm. The post-reconstruction methods with which coronary segments could be shown as best as possible consisted of single phase reconstruction method, two or more phases supplemented method, and electrocardiogram editing method. Altogether 8,457 coronary segments were evaluated, among which 97.2% were evaluated as point 1, 1.7% point 2, 0.5% point 3, and 0.6% point 4. The coronary segments in 261 cases were completely normal, while 360 segments were diagnosed with < 50% stenosis and 625 segments with > or = 50% stenosis.

CONCLUSIONSExcellent coronary artery image can be obtained with dual source CT in patients with any heart rate without oral metoprolol preparation. Heart rate is not a major source of the artifact, coronary segments can be well shown with single or multiple-phase reconstruction method.

Adult ; Coronary Angiography ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the techniques and clinical applications of 16 multislice helical CT in colonic lesions.

METHODSEighty-one patients including 54 colorectal carcinomas, 5 adenomas, 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 6 inflammatory bowel diseases, and other 15 cases underwent volume scanning using 16 multislice helical CT. Four types of reconstruction included multiple planar reconstruction, shaded surface display, raysum, and CT virtual colonoscopy.

RESULTSComplete colon could be shown in all patients. The lesions' morphology, number, size, location, intestinal cavity, pericolonic changes, and other abdominal organs were satisfactorily shown by CT.

CONCLUSIONSSixteen multislice helical CT colonography is a valuable imaging technique for detecting colonic diseases. It is effective in diagnosis and treatment planning. It can display the portions of colon that is inaccessible at colonoscopy.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Adenoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colonography, Computed Tomographic ; methods ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo compare the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) imaging between 16-slice spiral CT and 64-slice spiral CT.

METHODSTotally 27 patients with CABG received multi-slice spiral CT imaging and the results were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 8 patients received 16-slice spiral CT scanning, 19 patients received 64-slice spiral CT scanning.

RESULTSThe evaluability rates of 64-slice spiral CT in evaluating the proximal anastomosis, bypass graft, distal anastomosis, and distal blood vessel were 100%, 100%, 90.2%, and 93.9%, respectively, while those of 16-slice spiral CT were 92.3%, 95.2%, 90.0%, and 90.0%, respectively. The patency rates of the above four aspects of 64-slice spiral CT were 66.7%, 70.0%, 71.7%, and 70.0%, respectively, while those of 16-slice spiral CT were 83.3%, 85.0%, 83.3%, and 88.9% .

CONCLUSIONS64-slice spiral CT is superior to 16-slice spiral CT in CABG imaging. It can be used as a non-invasive tool for the post-operative follow-up of CABG.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Graft Occlusion, Vascular ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

Aim To prepare hyaluronic acid nanoparti-cles(Ade/GA-HA) using glycyrrhetinic acid modified hyaluronic acid as the carrier and adenine as a model drug, and analyze their physicochemical property and proliferation effect on Bel-7402 cells. Methods Gly-cyrrhetinic acid and hyaluronic acid were combined by chemical cross-linking method, dialysis and freeze-dr-ying,based on which Ade/GA-HA was prepared using ultrasonic method, and the particle size and Zeta po-tential were determined by Malvern laser particle analy-zer,and the morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the absorbance was deter-mined by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, high performance liquid chromatograph and microplate read-er to caculate drug load, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release. MTT assays were utilized to determine the proliferation of nanoparticles treated Bel-7402 cells. Results GA-HA nanoparticles had spherical shape with a good dispersion, at diameters of 398.1 nm, of which Zeta potential was - 34.2 mV, and presented good short term stability. The drug load and encapsulation efficiency of Ade/GA-HA nanoparticles were (22.5 ± 5.8)% and (87.27 ± 0.33) %, re-spectively. Burst release was observed in Ade/GA-HA nanoparticles within 4 h, while controlled release 4 h later. Compared with free adenine,Ade/GA-HA nano-particles had a stronger inhibitory effect on cell prolif-eration with statistically significant difference. Conclu-sion GA-HA nanoparticles has excellent physico-chemical properties and meet the design requirement.

Aim To assess the effects of Trillium Tschonoskii Maxim ( TTM ) decoction on Tau protein phosphorylation and synaptic development in AD model rats induced by high activity GSK-3β. Methods The SD rats were divided into five groups of ten animals, named sham-operated group ( blank group) , AD model group, TTM group (0. 5, 0. 25, 0. 125 g·kg-1 · d-1 ) . Treatment group received gavage once a day for seven days with TTM decoction, while other groups by gavage once a day for seven days with drinking water. On 2nd day by gavage, Morris water maze test was used to assess the spatial learning and memory ability of the rats. After five days' training, rats in the treat-ment groups and AD model group were injected wort-mannin ( WT, PI3K specific inhibitor ) and GF-109203X (GFX, PKC specific inhibitor) (100 μmol ·L-1 of each, total volume of 10 μL) into the right lateral ventricle. Western blot was used to detect the levels of phosphorylation Tau protein at multiple sites and the expression level of PI3K, Akt, PKC, GSK-3β(S9, T216) and synapse-associated proteins. Immu-nohistochemical method was used to detect the hyper-phosphorylation of Tau protein in hippocampus of rats. Golgi staining was applied to detect the number and morphological changes of synaptic development and dendritic spines. Nissl' s staining was employed to ob-serve the development of neonatal neurons in hippo-campus and cortex. Results Western blot showed that the phosphorylation level of Tau in hippocampus increased in model group, and the activity of GSK-3βwas up-regulated. Among them, however, in middle dose TTM group, the phosphorylation level of Tau in hippocampus decreased and the activity of GSK-3βde-creased. The expression levels of p-PKC and p-Akt in low and middle dose treatment group were higher than those in model group, thus increasing the activity of PKC and Akt to inhibit the activity of GSK-3β kinase. Immunohistochemistry also indicated that TTM could decrease the biological effects of Tau phosphorylation in hippocampus of AD rats. Western blot showed that TTM could increase the expression levels of synapsin-1 , syn-aptophysin and GluR-1 in hippocampus of AD rats. Nissl staining showed that the number of Nissl bodies in hippocampal neurons of AD model group were signif-icantly fewer than those of sham operation group, which could be increased by TTM middle and high dose group, and the complexity and dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons in AD rats could be en-hanced as well. Conclusion TTM can effectively im-prove the cognitive function of AD rats induced by the increase of GSK-3β activity, and its possible mecha-nism may be via down-regulating the activity of GSK-3β and inhibiting the phosphorylation of tau protein and promoting the development of neurons.