OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical features and imaging findings of intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL).

METHODThe clinical features and imaging findings of 9 patients with pathologically confirmed IVL were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSOut of these 9 patients, there were 5 first-episode patients and 4 recurrent patients. Five patients had a history of uterine leiomyoma.Inferior vena cava (IVC) were involved in all 9 patients. The tumor extended through IVC into right heart chamber in 7 patients, among whom tumor were initially arisen from pelvic vessels in 6 patients. The first-episode symptoms included chest tightness and shortness of breath (n=4), edema of low extremity (n=2), abdominal distention (n=2), and menorrhagia (n=1). Tumors in pelvis/venous system and right heart cavity appeared as hypoechoic mass under ultrasound examinations, and hypodense mass with mottled enhancement were observed on contrasted CT. Tumors appeared to be isointense to muscles on T1-weighted images and slightly hyperintense on T2-weighted images.

CONCLUSIONSIVL has certain clinical history and lesion locations. Combined imaging examinations are helpful in the early diagnosis, surgery planning, and follow-up of IVL.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyomatosis ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Vascular Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Veins

Objective To observe the in vitro damage to hairs by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ), and to compare the differences in the duration needed for the two fungi to damage hairs in different age groups. Methods We collected healthy hairs from different age groups, and performed hair perforation test in vitro. The damage to the hairs was observed by SEM and light microscopy. Results Both T. mentagrophytes and M. canis could damage the hairs. The duration needed for T. mentagrophytes to damage the hairs was significantly shorter than that for M. canis in all age groups ( P

Objective To investigate protein expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase(TERT),telomerase-associated protein 1(TP1) and telomeric repeat binding factor 2(TRF2) in human fetal cadiacmyocytes.Methods Using immunohistochemical method,sections of human fetal hearts were stained with antibodies against TERT,TP1 and TRF2.Results Expression of TERT was gradually decreased with development in human fetal cadiacmyocytes nuclear.Expression of TP1 and TRF2 was gradually increased with development in human fetal cadiacmyocytes cytoplasm.Conclusion Down-regulation of TERT and up-regulation of TP1 and TRF2 may promote the permanent withdrawal of cardiomyocytes from the cell cycle and enter terminal differentiation and myocardium hypertrophy.

AIM:To observe the pathological changes of the lower segment of nasolacrimal duct mucosa in rabbits at different stages after retrograde lachrymal dilated drainage tube implantation.
METHODS:Totally 14 New Zealand rabbits were used in the present study. One side of nasolacrimal duct was obstructed to produce an experimental model and operated the reverse implantation of nasolacrimal duct intubation. Histological changes of the lower segment of nasolacrimal duct mucosa were observed by routine light microscope at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14wk after the operation.
RESULTS: Compared with the control side, the group of 2 and 4wk after surgery presented the inflammatory cytokine. The group of 12wk after the operation presented isolated granuloma. Group 12 and 14wk presented scattered granuloma. The size of the granulomas was smaller and the density of epithelioid cell and fibroblast were lower in group 12wk than those in group 14wk by HE and Masson trichrome stain.
CONCLUSION:Recurrent Silicone Tube is used to treat nasolacrymal duct obstruction. Nasolacrimal duct can be narrowed and blocked again by granuloma, progressive fibrosis and adhesion of surrounding tissues when tube is in the duct more than 12wk.

【Objective】 To establish a new method for the determination of fibrinogen content in cryoprecipitated antihemophilic factor. 【Methods】 Fibrinogen (Fib) could bind with sheep anti-human fibrinogen (anti-Fib) specifically and further form antigen-antibody complex. When the Fib was present in the solution, the fluorescence of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled on the anti-Fib (FITC-anti-Fib) was quenched due to the formation of immune complex. The fluorescence quenching degree of FITC-anti-Fib was positively correlated with Fib concentration (cFib) in a certain concentration range. 【Results】 The linear relationship between fluorescence quenching degree [(I0-I)/I0] of FITC-anti-Fib and ln(cFib) was (I0-I)/I0=15.53ln(cFib)+ 80.79 (R²=0.99) when the cFib was in the range of (0.007 8-0.560 0) g/L. The recovery of Fib was (96.77-102.43) %. When the method was applied to determine Fib at high, medium, and low concentrations, the obtained intra-day variation coefficients were 0.31%, 0.56%, and 0.49%, respectively, and the inter-day variation coefficients were 3.81%, 3.06%, and 4.13%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the results measured by fluorescence quenching method and coagulation method (t=-0.075, P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 In this work, a new fluorescence method for the determination of Fib in cryoprecipitated antihemophilic factor was successfully established based on the specific combination of fib and FITC-anti-Fib. The method is simple and rapid. The obtained results were accurate and reliable by using this method to determine Fib.

【Objective】 To determine the volume range of suspended erythrocyte and establish its internal control standard. 【Methods】 The theoretical value of suspended erythrocyte volume was calculated according to the screening criteria of healthy blood donors and Quality Requirements for Whole Blood and Blood Components. A total of 2 410 bags of 1 U and 2 U suspended erythrocyte were randomly selected and weighed, and the volume range were formulated by ±2S and ±10% respectively and then compared to determine the volume range in line with the actual situation of our center. 【Results】 The theoretical volume range of 1 U and 2 U suspended erythrocyte were 117-160 mL vs 234-320 mL, and the actual volume range were 142-180 mL vs 276-393 mL. The volume range of 1 U and 2 U suspended erythrocyte formulated by ±2S were 145-181 mL vs 298-358 mL, and by ±10% were 147-179 mL vs 295-361 mL. The hematocrit and hemoglobin content of suspended erythrocyte within the actual volume range met the quality requirements. There were fluctuations in the volume of suspended erythrocyte from different regions. 【Conclusion】 Based on the actual situation of our center and the sampling results of suspended erythrocytes in recent two years, 163 mL±10% and 328 mL±10% were determined as the internal control standards of 1 U and 2 U suspended erythrocyte, respectively. Blood centers should establish accurate and feasible standard of suspended erythrocyte according to the actual situation.

【Objective】 To establish a simple, economical and rapid method for the determination of methylene blue (MB) release in virus inactivation bag. 【Methods】 Based on the fluorescence energy transfer between MB and BSA-stabilized gold nanoclusters (BSA-AuNCs), the standard curve of MB determination was established by measuring the fluorescence quenching degree of MB to BSA-AuNCs in different concentrations to conduct the determination of MB release in virus inactivation bag. 【Results】 There was a good linear relationship between the MB concentration (cMB) and the fluorescence quenching degree of BSA-AuNCs[ (I0-I)/I0=0.018cMB+ 0.021(r=0.996)] when the fluorescence emission wavelength was about 620 nm and the cMB was in the range of (0.9-36) μmoL/L. The recovery of MB was 98.00% -101.95 % when applied to determine MB at high, medium, and low concentrations, the obtained intra-day variation coefficients were 0.73%, 0.81% and 0.77% respectively, and the obtained inter-day variation coefficients were 3.92%, 3.81%, and 4.73% respectively. There was no significant difference between the results measured by this method and those measured by combination of solid-phase extraction and spectrophotometry(P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 The fluorescence energy transfer method could achieve simple and rapid determination of MB release in virus inactivation bag with accurate and reliable results.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of cis-combretastatin-A1 phosphate (cis-CA1P) on tumor cell proliferation, and its effects on the blood vessel formations.

METHODSMTT and IC50 values were used to assess the inhibitory effects of cis-CA1P on tumor cell proliferation. Chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane and thoracic aorta annulations isolated from rats were used to investigate the effects of cis-CAIP on the blood vessel formation.

RESULTSCis-CA1P concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferations of several cancer cell lines, including human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC-803, human leukemic monocyte lymphoma cell line U937, human melanoma cell line A375, human colon cancer cell line HCT116, human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231, and human leukemia cell line K562. Cis-CAIP significantly decreased the formation of blood vessels in chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane and in thoracic aorta annulations.

CONCLUSIONCis-CA1P inhibits cancer cell proliferation and prevents blood vessel formation.

Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chick Embryo ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; blood supply ; drug effects ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; prevention & control ; Phosphates ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Stilbenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology

【Objective】 To detect the anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody levels in convalescent plasma (CP) and to evaluate whether it has specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antigen effect, so as to provide laboratory data support for clinical use of CP. 【Methods】 Nine CP donors who have recovered from COVID-19 were studied, and 4 volunteers who completed the vaccination and 3 asymptomatic infected blood donors were compared. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies including total antibody, IgM and IgG were measured by chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassays (CMIA) test in three groups. The VSV pseudovirus-based neutralization assay for evaluating neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was carried out in all samples. 【Results】 All samples were tested positive by the total antibody and IgG CMIA in COVID-19 CP donors and recipients of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. High titers of IgG were observed in CP donors and vaccine recipients compared with asymptomatic blood donors. All vaccine recipients and 8 of 9 CP donors tested positive by SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus-based neutralization test, whereas all asymptomatic blood donors tested negative. 【Conclusion】 The levels and characteristics of neutralizing antibodies among COVID-19 CP donors, vaccine recipients and asymptomatic blood donors were different. When unable to implement the pseudovirus assay to measure neutralizing antibodies, the detection of total antibody can be considered instead.

BACKGROUNDTissue Doppler imaging (TDI) has provided an objective means to quantify global and regional left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function with improved accuracy and greater reproducibility than conventional echocardiography. This study was conducted to assess RV myocardial systolic activation by TDI in subjects with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

METHODSA total of 30 patients with PAH and 30 healthy volunteers, all comparable in age and sex, underwent standard Doppler echo and TDI. Using pulsed Doppler echocardiography combined with TDI, the following regional parameters were evaluated in three different myocardial segments (RV basal lateral wall, basal septal, and LV basal lateral) on apical 4-chamber view: systolic (Sm), early- and late-diastolic (Em and Am) peak velocities. RV myocardial systolic activation delay was defined as the difference in time to peak TDI systolic velocities between the RV basal lateral wall and basal septal. In addition, RV end-diastolic and end-systolic areas were measured to calculate RV fractional area change from the same apical 4-chamber view.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, patients with PAH showed increased RA and RV end-diastolic diameter (RA: (4.5 +/- 1.2) cm vs (3.0 +/- 0.8) cm, P < 0.05 and RV: (4.8 +/- 1.9) cm vs (3.4 +/- 0.5) cm, P < 0.05) and reduced RV fractional area change; (35 +/- 14)% vs (56 +/- 9)%, P < 0.05. These PAH patients showed lower myocardial peak velocities and a significant activation delay compared with controls (P < 0.05). Moreover, a strong correlation between RV myocardial systolic activation delay and RV fractional area change was shown in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (r = -0.82).

CONCLUSIONSIn PAH, RV myocardial systolic activation was markedly delayed, which was directly related to the RV fractional area change. RV myocardial systolic activation delay assessed by TDI could offer a unique approach to predict RV dysfunction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Diastole ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Systole ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right ; etiology ; Ventricular Function, Right