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

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 investigate 7 short chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentrations in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and to analyze the relationship between levels of SCFA and AgP clinical parameters.

METHODSGCF was collected from 152 sites of 38 AgP patients and 56 sites of 14 healthy subjects. Formic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and isovalerianic acid were detected by high performance capillary electrophoresis.

RESULTSThe concentrations of succinic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and isovalerianic acid in GCF were significantly higher in AgP patients than in healthy group, while formic acid was lower in GCF of AgP group compared with healthy group. Correlation analysis showed that formic acid was negatively correlated with bleeding index (BI), probing depth (PD) and attachment loss (AL), while BI was positively correlated with succinic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid; PD and AL were positively correlated with succinic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and isovalerianic acid.

CONCLUSIONSThe elevation of succinic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and isovalerianic acid concentrations in GCF may be related with AgP destruction condition, while formic acid concentration was reduced.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aggressive Periodontitis ; physiopathology ; Butyrates ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; Fatty Acids, Volatile ; analysis ; Female ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Propionates ; analysis ; Young Adult

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

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect and safety of entecavir and adefovir in the treatment of lamivudine-resistant HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSSixty-five patients with lamivudine-resistant HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B were randomly divided into two groups. The entecavir treatment group included 33 patients, who were administrated entecavir 1.0 mg/d. The adefovir treatment group included 32 patients, who were administrated adefovir dipivoxil 10 mg/d. Changes in serum HBV DNA, liver functions, phosphocreatine kinase, creatinine and adverse reaction were dynamically monitored.

RESULTSAt the end of the 12th, 24th, 48th week of treatment, the rates of serum ALT normalization of the entecavir treatment group were higher than that of the adefovir treatment group, but there wasn't statistically difference between two groups until the end of the 48 th week of treatment (P > 0.05). The rate of sera to turn negative for HBV DNA of the entecavir treatment group was significantly higher than that of the adefovir treatment group at the end of the 12th week. Moreover, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth entecavir and adefovir dipivoxil might have a good response to lamivudine-resistant HBeAg-negative chronical hepatitis B. Entecavir could achieve better therapeutic effects.

Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; Female ; Guanine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphonates ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

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

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted to survivin in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in inhibiting the proliferation of MCF-7 cells.

METHODSA siRNA targeted to survivin was synthesized and transfected into MCF-7 cells via lipofectin. Changes of the cell growth activity in response to combined treatment with survivin siRNA and 5-FU or 5-FU treatment alone was evaluated by MTT assay. The Q method of Jin Zhenjun was used to evaluated synergism between the synthesized siRNA and 5-FU.

RESULTSTreatment with 5 nmol/L siRNA reduced the IC50 of 5-FU from 4.42 to 1.18 microg/ml, and the inhibitory effect of combined treatment on MCF-7 cells was higher than that of 5-FU alone (F=26.74, P<0.01). Synergism effect was observed between 5-FU at lower concentrations and survivin siRNA.

CONCLUSIONsiRNA may enhance the effectiveness of 5-FU in inhibiting the proliferation of MCF-7 cells.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; genetics ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection