Hepatic tumor-specific magnetic resonance (MR) enhancement with Gd-EOB-DTPA can detect and distinguish small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with greater sensitivity than conventional magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.Hepatic tumor-specific MR enhancement with Gd-EOB-DTPA is more sensitive in detecting focal HCC,and more reliable in detecting lesions with a diameter smaller than 2cm.Gd-EOB-DTPA is excreted through the kidneys and biliary tract,and thus may provide more information about anatomic structures,demonstrate non-obstruction of the intra- and extrahepatic bile duct system,and provide information about hepatic function.

Objective Chronic heart failure ( CHF) is a disease with high morbidity, and mortality.The study was designed to explore the prognostic value of rest gated SPECT myocardial perfusion ( GSMPI) in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods This study was a prospective study, in which 142 CHF patients was included from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2012.All patients underwent GSMPI, further, summed rest score ( SRS) , left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) , end-diastolic volume ( EDV) , end-systolic volume ( ESV) and phase standard deviation ( PSD) were recorded.All the patients were followed up.Primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiac events ( MACE) .Additionally, we analyzed the independent predictive factor of MACE occurrence by using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results during the follow-up, MACE occurred in 65 cases.The median time to MACE occur-rence was 28(5-48) months.The 3-year MACE free survival rate was 64.3%.Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that cardiac function grade[HR(95%CI):1.761(1.087~4.824), P=0.005], NT-proBNP[HR(95%CI):1.153(1.125~5.997), P =0.009], LVEF[HR(95%CI): 1.945(1.138 ~
6.131), P=0.019], SRS[HR(95%CI):1.517(1.108~4.278), P=0.027] and PSD[HR(95%CI):1.442(1.156~5.339), P=0.032] were all independent predictors of MACE. Conclusion GSMPI may be a prognostic factor for the patients with chronic heart failure.

Objective To observe the pathological changes of bone hydatid cyst of meriones meridianus after radiation therapy,and to investigate the clinical effect of radiotherapy on bone hydatid disease.Methods Ascus was dissected sterilely from sheep liver that naturally infected with Echinococcus granulomas,sheared and sac skin removed.Then it was washed and precipitated with 0.9％ sterile saline for 3 times,and scolex was HE stained and counted,from which a 20 ml suspension was made containing 12 × 106/L of scolex.Health meriones meridianus (referred to as gerbil) 140,male and female were in each half,aged 2 to 3 months,body weight(38 ± 6)g,were involved in the study.Gerbil was injected a 0.2 ml suspension containing Echinococcus granulomas scolex into hind tibial periosteum,and X-ray was taken 12 months after the injection.According to the bone destruction in the vaccination site,gerbil hindleg tibia with clear jagged bone destruction was treated as inclusion criteria,and 72 animal were selected as gerbil bone hydatid disease animal models,male and female were in each half.A tatal of 72 gerbils were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group,40 beequerel(Gy) group,50 Gy group and 60 Gy group,18 rats in each group,male and female in each half.The model animals were treated with radiotherapy for 5 times,with 2 d interval,and radiation dose was 300 cGy/min.Each group of gerbils was sacrificed after radiotherapy,bone Echinococcus granulomas cysts was taken out sterilely,and observed by light and electron microscope.Intracapsular cyst fluid was extracted,washed and precipitated with 0.9％ sterile saline repeatedly,and and the pellet was HE stained for observation of scolex morphology and activity by light microscope.Results The morphology and activity ofEchinococcus granulomas in cystic fluid in control group were normal; the morphology and activity of Echinococcus granulomas were still normal in the 40 Gy group,and Echinococcus granulomas was not stained red; but those were abnormal,deformation and atrophy and stained red in the 50 Gy group; and were stained red,deformed,fractured and were wrapped by unknown in the 60 Gy group.By light microscope,the germinal layer,cuticle layer,brood capsule and histological structure of protoscolex were basically normal in irradiated region in the control group.The pathological changes of hydatid cyst in the 40 Gy group were mainly degeneration,structure of hydatid cyst was abnormal,stratum corneum was extensive edema,germinal layer became thinner and the fertile cyst was rare.The main pathological change of hydatid cyst in the 50 Gy group was that corneous layer was widely fractured,and the germinal layer was edema,buckling folds,cells decreased,rare seen brood capsule and scolex; the main pathological changes of hydatid cyst were mainly necrosis in the 60 Gy group,cuticle was extensive fault,stratum corneum and germinal layer was separated,germinal layer was atrophy and disorder,no brood capsule and scolex.By electron microscope,cuticle structure of Echinococcus granulomas cyst was clear,microvillus arranged neatly,morphology and structure of the cell and organelle in cytoplasm were normal in the control group.There were many inflammatory cells infiltrating germinal layer of Echinococcus granulomas cyst,microfilament and contents in microfilament were reduced in the 40 Gy group.Microvillus of Echinococcus granulomas disappeared,nuclear membrane was unclear,endoplasmic and mitochon eclasis,lymphocyte nuclear chromatin was clumping and edge set and in circular permutation in the 50 Gy group.Microvillus disappeared,perinuclear membrane indistinct and ruptured,parts of nucleoli were fragmented and marinated,endoplasmic reticulum was extensive expansion,mitochondria was pyknosis and obvious vacuolization,lymphocyte nuclear chromatin clumping and edge set,lysosomes and macrophage emerge in the 60 Gy group.Conclusions Radiotherapy can destroy the morphology and structure of bone hydatid cyst,radioactivity at 50 Gy has a lethal effect on hydatid cyst.Radiation treatment of bone hydatid disease has a good clinical effect.

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects between surgical and conservative treatment for postoperative lumbar discitis.

METHODSFrom January 2004 to January 2009, 41 patients (17 males and 24 females ranging the age from 37 to 68 years with an average of 53.6 years) with postoperative lumbar discitis were retrospectively studied and divided into two groups. There were 19 patients in operation group, 22 patients in conservative group. Clinical data and features,image data, laboratory examinations, antibiotics utilization, hospital stays and sequelae were recorded and analyzed. Visual analogue scales system (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were applied to evaluate therapeutic effects.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up over 2 years. Imaging revealed good bone fusion and no occurrence of discitis. VAS score and ODI at 1 month, 1 year and 2 years were significantly improved after treatment (P < 0.01). While VAS and ODI in operation group at 1 month were improved more than that of conservative group (P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference between two groups at 1 year and 2 years (P > 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSurgical and conservative treatment for postoperative lumbar discitis is effective. Surgical treatment is superior to conservative treatment in a short time, while conservative treatment can achieve long-term satisfactory curative effects.

Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Discitis ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; drug effects ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Age Factors ; Endometrial Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; pathology ; Endometrium ; cytology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle ; Papanicolaou Test ; Postmenopause ; Vaginal Smears

Objective To identify the differential serum proteins in patients with hepatic injury resulting from coal-burning type of arsenism. Methods Six serum samples were collected from patients with liver injury resulting from coal-burning type of arsenism and healthy subjects(control gruop) in endemic arsenism area. Twodimensional gel electrophoresis(2-DE) was performed to separate serum proteins, after silver staining, the differential expression of proteins were analyzed and then identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS). Results The 2-DE map of serum protein patterns of patients and normal control were established successfully. The results showed that there were an average of (824 ± 31 ) spots and (782 ± 42) spots on 2-DE matching of the patients and control groups and the matching rate was 94.9%(782/824). From these two groups 49 differential protein spots were identified, of which over 3 times the difference in the expression of 30 protein spots were singled out and MALDI-TOF-MS analysis was carried out. Ten proteins were identified. Upregulated expression was observed in alpha-2-macroglobulin, B-cell receptor-associated protein, keratin 1,apolipoprotein A-I, and down-regulated expression was observed in haptoglobin, α2-heremans-schimid-glycoprotein,mitogen-activated protein kinase 4, zinc finger protein 323, ZAP-70 and SP40 in the patient group. Conclusions The well-resolved and reproducible 2-DE serum patterns of patients are established and some differentially expressed proteins are characterized. Whether these proteins of differential expression are serum markers for liver injury resulting from coal-burning type of arsenism need to be further verified.

Objective: To investigate the effect of matrine (Ma) on telomerase activity and cell cycle in hepatoma cell line HepG 2 cells. Methods: TRAP ELISA method was used to determine the telomerase activity in HepG 2 cells which were treated with different concentrations of Ma. Plasmid inserted with 800 bp of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter was transiently transfected into HepG 2 cells by lipofect. Different concentrations of Ma were added into culture media 2 h later, and the activity of the hTERT promoter was tested 48 h after transfection. In addition, the percentages of HepG 2 cells in different cell cycle were determined by the flow cytometry on the 24, 48 and 72 h respectively after adding the different concentrations of Ma. Results: The telomerase activity of HepG 2 was suppressed by Ma at the dose of 750 ?g/ml and the expression of hTERT promoter was also inhibited. The percentage of G 0/G 1 stage cells increased and the percentage of S and G 2/M stages cells decreased in both 500 ?g /ml and 750 ?g /ml groups 48 and 72 h after Ma was added. Conclusion: Ma may have inhibitory effect on hTERT promoter expression, which is related to the telomerase activity and cell cycle regulation.

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of serum nitric oxide (NO) level after acute hepatic injury (AHI) in mice and the effect of Yugan capsule (YC) on it.

METHODSThe mouse AHI model was induced by carbon tetrachloride ( CC14 ) at different time points. After treatment with or without YC, serum nitric oxide ( NO) , anlanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected, and liver histopathologic injury was observed at different time points after AHI, respectively.

RESULTSSerum NO, ALT and AST in the model group escalated significantly with time going, while they decreased and liver histopathologic injury was improved in the YC groups.

CONCLUSIONThe serum levels of NO, ALT and AST increased,and liver histopathologic injury gradually aggravated with time going after CCl4 injection. Yugan capsule could decrease the levels of ALT, AST and NO.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; blood ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Tablets

From original concept and literature of acupoint, the concept and clinical significance of ashi method is discussed, which clarifies that the essence of ashi method is to locate the acupoints by patients' sensitivity on force. The clinical application of heat-sensitive moxibustion has illustrated that positioning method of this therapy is based on the appearance of heat-sensitive moxibustion sensation. Although both types are based on patients' feeling, positioning method of heat-sensitive moxibustion stands on a new angle and uses a new method to locate acupoint. Therefore, it is believed that the positioning method of heat-sensitive moxibustion is the inheritance and development of ashi method.
Acupuncture Points ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Moxibustion ; history ; methods ; Sensation

Objective To find out the current thyroid volume of school children and its influencing factors in Chongqing.Methods Probability sampling method(PPS) was used to select 30 counties in Chongqing in 2011.Forty children aged 8-10of 1 randomly selected school from every county chosen were enrolled in the study.Thyroid volume of children was examined by B-ultrasonograghy.Body height and body weight were measured.The relationship between gender,age,height and weight and thyroid volume was analyzed,respectively.Results One thousand three hundred and twenty-two children aged 8-10 were investigated.The median of thyroid volume was 3.53 ml.The goiter rate was 5.52％ (73/1322).Thyroid volume of female and male was 3.55 and 3.51 ml,respectively.There was no significant difference of thyroid volume between female and male (H =0.68,P ＞ 0.05).Thyroid volume of children aged 8,9 and 10 was 3.30,3.53 and 3.76 ml,respectively.There was a significant difference of thyroid volume among different age groups(H =52.49,P ＜ 0.01).Thyroid volume of children height (110-,120-,130-and ≥140 cm,respectively) was 2.96,3.22,3.59 and 4.13 ml.There was a significant difference of thyroid volume among different height groups (H =149.23,P ＜ 0.01).Thyroid volume of children weight(17-,20-,30-and ≥40 kg,respectively) was 2.71,3.31,3.91 and 4.74 ml.There was a significant difference of thyroid volume among different weight groups(H =138.44,P ＜ 0.01).For the coefficients of simple and partial correlation,there was a significant correlation between thyroid volume and age,height and weight (P ＜ 0.05).The Spearman coefficient was 0.2411,0.3950 and 0.4285,respectively.The partial correlation coefficient was 0.0640,0.1154 and 0.2319,respectively.The standard partial coefficient of age,height and weight was 0.640,0.1154 and 0.3410,respectively.The proportion of the standard partial coefficients was 1 ∶ 1.8 ∶ 5.3.The function of body weight to thyroid volume was 5.3 times that of age and 3.0 times that of body height.Conclusions The goiter rate of schoolchildren in Chongqing is relatively high.Thyroid volume is affected by age,body height and body weight.The relationship between thyroid volume and iodine nutrition needs further study.