OBJECTIVETo analyze the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of small hepatocellular carcinoma to improve the accuracy in the diagnosis.

METHODSThis retrospective analysis involved 41 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma cases confirmed by pathological examination of the biopsy samples or follow-up. These patients were assessed for CT and MRI findings including lesion size, density or signal intensity, enhancement patterns, and presence of tumor capsules.

RESULTSOn unenhanced CT images, small hepatocellular carcinomas were displayed mainly as low-density masses, and the majority of tumors presented with low signal intensity on T1-weighted unenhanced MR images with increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images in comparison with the surrounding liver parenchyma. Most of tumors showed intense enhancement during the arterial phase (CT in 15 cases and MRI in 13 cases), but some appeared isointense to the liver parenchyma (CT in 4 cases and MRI in 4 cases). In portal and delayed phases, the tumors typically had lower signal intensity than that of the surrounding liver tissues (CT in 25 cases and MRI in 12 cases) with enhancement of the tumor capsules (13 cases).

CONCLUSIONDynamic enhanced scanning can be more informative of the pathology and blood supply of small hepatocellular carcinoma. Early and late arterial phase imaging may help in detecting the small lesions and in making differential diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The study found that the presence of intestinal microbiota is not only important for the metabolism of essential nutrients in the body, but also plays a key role in the development of the body′s immune system in recent years. Partial microbiota, through natural selection and co-evolution with the host, forms symbiotic relationships with host microbes that are inseparable from host physiology in mice. Symbiotic flora affects the formation of the body′s immune system by affecting innate and adaptive immunity and the development of various regulatory mechanisms. The destruction of the microbial ecosystem in the intestine can lead to the occurrence of many diseases,especially those related to the immune system. Peripheral immune organs always receive a number of immune cells colonized by antigen stimulation. So,the intestinal flora plays an important role in maintaining the function of immune cells. This article will investigates the effects of mouse-related intestinal flora on peripheral immune organ function.

As a member of G protein coupled-receptors superfamily, free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1), is also known as GPR40, has been shown to regulate numerous pathophysiological processes in a variety of tissues and organs. The activated FFAR1 has a variety of biological functions. For instance, it can not only regulate metabolism of fatty acids and glucose, but also play an important role in immune inflammatory response, it may be a potential drug target for the treatment of various chronic inflammatory diseases. In this review, we focus on the recent researches of FFAR1's action in the regulation of pathophysiological processes, its molecular mechanism and new agonists development. At the same time, this review will take the discovery of series FFAR1 agonists as examples, and display the applied prospects of FFAR1.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of minocycline hydrochloride ointment on cell attachment and proliferation on titanium disks.

METHODSCommercially pure (grade 4) machined titanium discs with three different kinds of surfaces (smooth, acid-etched and sandblasted combined with acid-etched) were treated with minocycline ointment for 1 week, and then cleaned in ultrasonic cleanser for 10 minutes. Surface properties were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and roughness tester before and after the treatment. Surface roughness was compared by paired t test. MG-63 (human osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell) cells were seeded on these three kinds of discs with or without minocycline treatment, and methl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) was performed to investigate the attachment in the 1st day and proliferation in the 4th and 7th day. Data were analyzed by double factor analysis of variance.

RESULTSSurface roughness before and after minocycline application was as follows, Smooth: (0.093 ± 0.025) µm, (0.086 ± 0.026) µm; Acid-etched: (1.100 ± 0.095) µm, (1.009 ± 0.196) µm; Sandblasted combined with acid-etched: (2.837 ± 0.283) µm, (2.968 ± 0.206) µm. No significant changes in roughness were found before and after minocycline application (P values were 0.118, 0.436 and 0.692). SEM examination revealed as similar surface configuration after minocycline application as before, except for some remnant of the minocycline ointment in acid-etched and sandblasted combined acid-etched groups. In MTT test, the growth of MG-63 cells in the 1 st, 4th day and 7th day was not different between groups with and without minocycline application (P values were 0.450, 0.848 and 0.835), and among three groups of different surface (P values were 0.184, 0.579 and 0.331).

CONCLUSIONSMinocycline hydrochloride ointment did not affect the surface configuration, surface roughness or the properties for cell attachment and proliferation of titanium discs.

Acid Etching, Dental ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Minocycline ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Ointments ; Osteoblasts ; pathology ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry

Biopsy ; methods ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagoscopy ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; pathology ; Precancerous Conditions ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo preliminarily investigate the mechanism of small interfering RNA (siRNA) induced apoptosis in glioma U251 cells by silencing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

METHODSU251 cells were divided into the normal control group, the mock group and experiment group, the mock and experiment group were transfected with mock vector (Ad-null) and the recombinant adenovirus carrying bFGF-siRNA (Ad-bFGF-siRNA) respectively at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 100. After 72 hours, the expression of related proteins was revealed by the method of Western blot. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) was measured with flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, Groups were compared using single factor analysis of variance (One-way ANOVA).

RESULTSAfter U251 cells were transfected with bFGF-siRNA, the results of Western blot showed that after 72 hours of transfection the bFGF protein in the experiment group decreased obviously, meanwhile Cytochrome C, Caspase-3 and Bax showed increased expression while in the Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 proteins decreased expression. The proportion of high mitochondrial membrane potential of cells by flow cytometry, the experimental group was 74.4% ± 4.7% decreased significantly compared with the control group 92.1% ± 2.5%, the mock group 90.9% ± 1.8% (F = 28.805, P < 0.05); laser scanning confocal microscopy results showed that the red fluorescence and green fluorescence ratio of the experimental group was 0.83 ± 0.12 decreased significantly compared with 1.36 ± 0.40 of the control group and 1.32 ± 0.35 of the mock group(F = 7.920, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONsiRNA targeting bFGF induced U251 cell apoptosis may be achieved through the mitochondrial pathway.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; genetics ; Glioma ; pathology ; Humans ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the anti-glioma effect of recombinant adenovirus mediated combined gene therapy of bFGF-siRNA and HIV1-Vpr in vivo.

METHODSMouse glioma model was established by injecting 5 × 10(6) LN229 cells into BALB/c-nu nude mice. 30 nude mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: the negative control group, mock group, bFGF-siRNA group, Vpr group and combined therapy group, which at regular intervals were injected with PBS, rAd5-null, rAd5-bFGF-siRNA, rAd5-Vpr, rAd5-bFGF-siRNA plus rAd5-Vpr, respectively. The tumor volume was recorded every third day to draw a growth curve. After four weeks treatment, the mice were killed and specimens were taken. HE, immunohistochemical and TUNEL staining were performed to observe the cell morphology, detect the changes of relevant target proteins and cell apoptosis, respectively. Also the ultrastructural changes were observed by electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe tumor growth inhibition rates were 36.9%, 37.2% and 58.6% in the bFGF-siRNA group, Vpr group and combined therapy group, respectively, and the combined therapy group showed the most significant effect (P < 0.05). Also the results of HE, immunohistochemical and TUNEL staining revealed that the combined therapy group had the best effects on proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induced in glioma cells (P < 0.05). The most significant ultrastructural changes were observed in the combined therapy group.

CONCLUSIONThe combined gene therapy of bFGF-siRNA with Vpr shows a prominent and synergistic anti-glioma effect compared with that of mono-gene therapy in nude mice.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Products, vpr ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Therapy ; Glioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the volatile fatty acids in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and to analyze the relationship between the levels of the volatile fatty acids and chronic periodontitis.

METHODSGCF samples taken from 37 patients with chronic periodontitis and 16 volunteers with healthy periodontal status were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis.

RESULTSThe detection frequencies and concentrations of succinic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid were significantly higher in GCF of chronic periodontitis than in that of healthy group. The detection frequencies of propionic acid had no statistic difference between the two groups, but the concentrations of it was significantly higher in inflammation group. We also found that the concentrations of succinic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid were significantly lower in shallow pockets than that in deep pockets.

CONCLUSIONSThe volatile fatty acids, especially succinic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid were associated significantly with the severity and inflammation of periodontal disease. The levels of succinic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid in GCF were related to pocket depth.

Adult ; Aged ; Butyrates ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Periodontitis ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; Fatty Acids, Volatile ; analysis ; Female ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periodontium ; metabolism ; Propionates ; analysis ; Succinic Acid ; analysis

The purpose of the present study is to establish a rapid and effective PCR method for the identification of B. multicinctus. Based on sequence alignment of B. multicinctus and its adulterants, we found that Cyt b gene is a good molecular genetic marker for the authentication of B. multicinctus. On the basis of the sequence data, a pair of highly specialized primers was designed. The templates were extracted by the DNA purification system. Key factors such as annealing temperature, concentration of Taq enzyme and cycle numbers were analyzed and optimized. The modified PCR program consisted of an initial denaturation step at 95 degrees C for 5 min, followed by 30 cycles of 95 degrees C for 30 s and 55 degrees C for 45 s and a final extension at 72 degrees C for 5 min. Thirteen samples of B. multicinctus were identified accurately from their 20 adulterants in 4 hours. The results indicated it is a highly accurate, rapid and applicable method for the authentication of B. multicinctus.
Animals ; Bungarus ; classification ; genetics ; Cytochromes b ; genetics ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo study the association of human epidermal growth factor receptor family molecules expression in gastric cancer tissues with the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.

METHODSClinical data of 161 patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital between January 2006 and January 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. The expression of HER1, HER2, HER3 and HER4 was detected by immunohistochemistry. Association of the expression of HER family with the prognosis of patients was examined. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival.

RESULTSHigh expression rates of HER1, HER2, HER3 and HER4 were 46.0% (74/161), 10.6% (17/161),55.9% (90/161) and 68.3% (110/161) respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that high expression of HER3 was associated with tumor invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, stage, neurovascular invasion, and overall 4-year survival. High expression of HER4 was associated with tumor distant metastasis and stage. High co-expression of HER2 and HER3 was associated with overall 4-year survival (P=0.023). Multivariate analysis revealed that high expression of HER3 and stage were prognostic independent factors.

CONCLUSIONUp-regulated expression of HER3 is associated with the poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Receptor, ErbB-3 ; metabolism ; Receptor, ErbB-4 ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology