Objective To investigate the role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods Seventy-six patients with polyarthralgia (fifty-four were finally diagnosed as RA,and twenty-two were non-RA) were selected to undergo MR scanning of bilateral hands and wrists.The signs including synovial enhancement or thickening,bone erosion,bone marrow edema,tendonitis,and effusion were observed on MR imaging.The value of various MR manifestations was evaluated.Bayes discriminant analysis was used to investigate the MR imaging criterion for the diagnosis of RA.Results MR imaging first diagnosed twelve of the fifty-four RA patients.When using bilateral synovial enhancement or thickening as criterion,the sensitivity and specificity were 85.19% and 86.36%,respectively.Conclusion MR imaging is one of the reliable diagnostic indexes of RA and it is extremely useful in early diagnosis.The diagnosis of early RA was highly suggested when bilateral synovial enhancement presented.When both the bilateral synovial enhancement or thickening and at least one of bone erosion/bone marrow edema/tendonitis/effusion presented,or when both the unilateral synovial enhancement or thickening and at least two of them presented at the same time,the diagnosis of RA should be considered.

Objective To explore whether CCL18 is involved in regulating the expression of miRNAs in breast cancer.Methods The expression profile of miRNAs in the breast cancer cell following CCL18 treatment was determined by miRNAs microarray analysis.Then we performed QRT-PCR and Luciferase Reporter Assay to validate the results from the miRNAs microassay.We used transient transfection to change the expression of miR98 and c-myc in breast cancer cells.We then used QRT-PCR and Western blot to analyze the mechanism by which CCL18 downregulates the expression of miR98 in breast cancer cells.Results miRNAs microarray analysis showed that cells treated with CCL18 differentially expressed 20 miRNAs genes compared with those in the control group. Our QRT-PCR and Luciferase Reporter Assay confirmed the result.The mRNA and protein expressions of C-myc and lin28 were increased after CCL18 stimulation in breast cancer cells.Transfection with c-myc siRNAs rescued the increase of lin28 and loss of miR98 expression caused by CCL18 stimulation.Our results also showed that CCL18 could upregulate the expression of N-Ras at post-transcription level.Conclusion CCL18 downregulates the expression of miR98 via N-Ras/c-myc/lin28 pathway.The downregulated miR98 increases the expression of N-Ras after transfection,which further activates c-myc/lin28 pathway and forms a positive feedback loop.

Objective To control the image quality and to optimize the scan protocols of 64 multi-slice CT coronary imaging by analyzing factors that influence the image quality.Methods Seventy-eight patients with known or suspected CAD underwent CT coronary angiography using 64 multi-slice CT.The image quality in those cases was analyzed retrospectively to derive the optimized scan protocols.The application value of the override function was discussed.The dependency of cardiac reconstruction algorithms and corresponding image quality on patient heart rates was analyzed.In addition,the relationship between heart rate and the contrast-enhancement effect was studied.Results(1)Correct use of override function could improve the quality of cardiac images.(2)For patients with heart rates below 70 beats per minute,the image quality of single-segment reconstruction was satisfactory.For patients with heart rates between 70 and 79 beats per minute,the scores of images reconstructed with two-segments were better than that of single-segment reconstruction.(3)In the group with averaged heart rate of 60.7 beats per minute,the forecast contrast quantity of 70 ml was judged insufficient in 65.7%(23/35)cases;while for the group with averaged heart of 71.1 beats per minute,52.9%(18/34)cases were enhanced well.Conclusion The use of override function,correct segment mode and appropriate contrast quantity could be selected according to the heart rate,which could improve the image quality and reliability.

Objective To investigate the effects of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1 ) inhibitor N, N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS)combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells and to explore the possible mechanisms involved.Methods MGC-803 cells were cultured in vitro.The effects of DMS and 5-FU on cell proliferation,apoptosis,and cell cycle distribution of MGC-803 cells were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometer (FCM),respectively.The expressions of SphK1 ,TS,DPD,NF-κB p65 and Bcl-2 proteins were detected by Western blot.Results Different concentrations of DMS or 5-FU alone or in combination could obviously inhibit the proliferation of MGC-803 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manners (P<0.05 ).And the proliferation inhibition rate of MGC-803 cells in the combination group was significantly higher than that in the single drug groups (P<0.05).Treatment of MGC-803 cells with DMS did not affect the cell cycle distribution (P>0.05).As compared with the cells without drug treatment,DMS or 5-FU alone could obviously increase the apoptosis rate of MGC-803 cells (P<0.05);the apoptosis rate in the combination group was significantly higher than that in the single-drug groups (P<0.05).The expression levels of SphK1,NF-κB p65 and bcl-2 proteins were down-regulated with the treatment of DMS alone or in combination,whereas those of TS and DPD were not affected.Conclusion DMS can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells in vitro.It shows a good synergetic effect in combination with 5-FU,probably by down-regulating the expressions of SphK1,NF-κB p65 and Bcl-2 proteins.

0.05).There was remarkable low signal intensity on T2-weighed imaging and no evident artifacts for molecular probe when the concentration of Fe2+ was 20 mg/L.The least number of labeled cells detected by MR in vitro was 6?106 when the concentration of Fe2+ was 20 mg/L.Conclusion:Molecular probe,SPIO-OCT,can effectively label breast cells which express SSTR.The reasonable Fe2+ concentration of labeled cells and imaging was 20 mg/L.There is a correlation between MR signal intensity in vitro and the number of labeled cells.

ObjectiveTo improve the visualization of anteromedial and posterolateral bundles of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and investigate the optimal MRI plane for the bundles at a 3.0 T MR scanner.MethodsMR images of 149 knee joints were reviewed retrospectively.Display rates of AMB,PLB and their different parts (the top portion,the middle portion and the low portion) on MR different planes including axial,sagittal and coronal planes were analyzed and their differences were compared with the x2 section method.ResultsThere was no statistical difference in the display rates of two bundles of ACL between axial plane ( 115/149,77.2％ ) and coronal plane (103/149,69.1％ ) (x2 =2.4606,P ＞0.0125 ).Statistical differences were found between axial and sagittal plane,coronal plane and sagittal plane (21/149,14.1％ ) ( x2 =119.5138,92.8695 respectively,P ＜0.0125 ).There was a statistical difference for the top portion of ACL between axial plane ( 104/149,69.8％ ) and coronal plane,sagittal (0/149,0)and coronal planes ( 7/149,4.7％ ) ( x2 =135.081,159.7526 respectively,P ＜ 0.0125 ),between sagittal and coronal planes (x2 =7.1684,P ＜ 0.0125 ).For the middle portion of ACL,there was no statistical difference between axial plane ( 108/149,72.5％ ) and coronal plane (94/149,63.1％ ) (x2 =3.0120,P ＞ 0.0125 ),while statistical differences were found between axial and sagittal plane,coronal planes and sagittal plane ( 10/149,6.7％ ) ( x2 =134.7454,104.2173 respectively,P ＜ 0.0125 ).For the low portion of ACL,there was no statistical difference between axial plane ( 103/149,69.1％ ) and coronal plane (101/149,73.8％ ) (x2 =0.8065,P ＞0.0125),while statistical differences were detected between axial and sagittal plane,coronal planes and sagittal plane ( 18/149,12.1％ ) ( x2 =100.5300,115.9132,P ＜ 0.0125 ). The different parts of ACL displayed low intensity on different MR planes and normal morphology.ConclusionsACL can be displayed on conventional MR planes at a 3.0 T MR scanner to some extent.Axial and coronal planes might be the optimal MRI planes for ACL and its two bundles.

10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.25.008

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have the chemotaxis and homing role that promotes immune system reconstruction, eliminate residual lesions and prevent recurrence in patients.
OBJECTIVE:To observe therapeutic effect of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation into high-metastatic potential hepatocellular carcinoma animal models on metastatic potential of high-metastatic potential hepatocellular carcinoma.
METHODS:Nude mouse models of high-metastatic potential hepatocellular carcinoma were established in vivo. In the experimental group, 5×105 cells were injected via the tail vein on day 7 after tumor inoculation, twice a week. In the control group, cellculture medium, 0.2 mL per mouse, was injected by the tail vein. After the start of the experiment, tumor volume was measured every 4 days. After tumor inoculation for 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, 35 days, 42 days, animal models were sacrificed, and then tumor mass and body mass were recorded to calculate the inhibition rate. PCR was employed to detect osteopontin, bone sialoprotein, and integrinα Ⅴ mRNA expression, as wel as bcl-2, bax, caspase3 mRNA expression.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The inhibition rate of tumor mass showed the best results in week 3. As time went on, the tumor inhibition rate was gradual y decreased. Metastasis-related biological factors showed a gradual down-regulated trend, indicating the polarization of tumor apoptotic indexes, that is, anti-apoptotic factor, bcl-2, showed a decreasing trend, while apoptotic factors, bax and caspase3, appeared to have a gradual y increased trend. These findings suggest that human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells effects to inhibit high-metastatic potential hepatocellular carcinoma animal models appear to vary with time. After human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation for 3 weeks, the inhibition performance on high-metastatic potential hepatocellular carcinoma is the best, and then it weakens with time. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are found to inhibit the metastatic potential of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective To develop a Gd-based MR probe containing arginine-glyeine-aspartic acid (RGD)motif to reveal integrin avβ3 receptor-expressed tumor.Methods Commercially available HYNICRGD conjugate with co-ligand EDDA was labeled with GdCl3,and the mixture was isolated and purified by solid phase extract(SPE)to get the entire probe Gd-EDDA-HYNIC-RGD.Human HCC cell line BEL-7402 was cultured and the cells harvested and suspended then subcutaneously inoculated into athymic nude mice for tumor growth.In vitro cell binding assay to integrin avβ3 receptor and cell viability experiments were conducted.Then in vivo,imaging of the three arms of xenografts were performed by MR scan with a dedicated animal coil at baseline and time points of 0.30,60,90 mninutes and 24 hour post-intravenous injection(P.i.) via the tail vein.Three arms of nude mice then were sacrificed for histological examination to confirm the imaging results.Results Gd-EDDA-HYNIC-RGD was successfully isolated by SPE and validity was verifled on signal enhancement througll in vitro and in vivo experiments.The T1 relaxation rate of the probe is 3.31 mmol/s:It is well tolerated to living cells when the concentration of the probe is below 0.1 μmol/ml;both BEL-7402 Hunlan Hepatocellular Carcinoma cell Iine and the tumor expressed avβ3receptor;The RGD-iigand was observed specificly binding with avβ3 receptor in vitro;The nude mice model bearing HHCC was well estabhshed.The signal intensity(SI)at the tumor site were 2247.6±39.0 at baseline and 2820.9±35.2 at 90 min p.i.respectively,the SI at 90min increased less than 25%of baseline,which is statistically different(t=-38.031,P＜0.05);while the SI at muscle site were 1824.2±32.8 and 1845.8±27.2 respectively,which is not statistically different(t=-1.424,P＞0.05);The signal to time curve for probe-administrated group is straightforward over time in the span of 0 to 90 minute p.i.while the control arms do not show such tendency.Conclusion Gd-EDDA-HYNIC-RGD has the potential to used as an MR probe detecting integrin avβ3 receptor-expressed tumor.This work may offer possibility of early detection and differentiation of specific tumors.

Objective To investigate the effect of 23.4% hypertonic saline(HTS)on intracranial pressure(ICP), cerebral peffusion pressure(CPP), cerebral blood flow(CBF)in poor-grade patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH).Methods Sixteen patients(Glasgow coma score ≤ 8)with poor-grade SAH received 23.4% hypertonic saline intravenously for elevated ICP.ICP, mean arterial pressure(MAP), CPP and the middle cerebral artery flow velocity(FV)were observed and recorded before and at 30, 60, 90,120, 150, 180 min after the injection respectively.Results Thirty minutes postinfusion, a significant increase in MAP, CPP, FV was seen together with a decrease in ICP(P<0.05).ICP remained reduced for 180 minutes, CPP and FV remained elevated for 90 minutes(P < 0.05).Conclusions HTS can significantly decrease ICP and improve CBF in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage and may be used for reversal of pathophysiologic changes caused by cerebral ischemia.