OBJECTIVETo detect the in-vitro effects of arbidol hydrochloride against 2009 new influenza virus A (H1N1).

METHODSThe activity of arbidol hydrochloride against 2009 new influenza virus A (H1N1) was determined in MDCK cell cultures. Hemagglutination assay, observation of cytopathic effects, RT-PCR and quantitative RT-PCR tests were performed for determination of virus titers. Inhibition concentration 50% and cytotoxic concentration 50% were calculated with Chou's Menu of Dose-Effect Program.

RESULTSArbidol hydrochloride showed low cytotoxicity (cytotoxic concentration 50%>100 μmol/L)and significant anti-2009 new influenza virus A (H1N1) activity in cell cultures. Inhibition concentration 50% were (5.5 ± 0.9), (3.4 ± 0.8), and (1.5 ± 0.2) μmol/L in hemagglutination assay, cytopathic effect test, and quantitative RT-PCR assay, respectively.

CONCLUSIONArbidol has low cytotoxicity and high anti-virus activity and can effectively trigger the activities of interferon and immune response, and therefore can be a valuable anti-influenza virus drug.

Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Dogs ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; drug effects ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of the fetal weight estimation system in terms of estimating the fetal weight.Methods The fetal weight estimation system developed by the Department of Electronic Engineering,Fudan University was applied to estimate the fetal weight in many hospitals,and the differences between the estimated results of the system and the actual weight of newborn fetuses,as well as the accuracy of the estimation system and the traditional estimation methods were compared.Results A total number of 610 cases were employed,with each case including the ultrasound images of fetus before birth,the corresponding measurement data and the newborn weight.The correlation coefficients between the weight of the newborn babies and the fetal parameters,which were measured by the estimation system in terms of the biparietal diameter,the head circumference,the abdomen circumference and the femur length,were higher than those obtained by manual annotations,with improvements of 0.08,0.17,0.09 and 0.05,respectively.The absolute error of the estimated weight of the system with respect to the actual weight was 44 g smaller than those estimated by traditional method,and the variance of the absolute error was 53 g smaller;while the corresponding absolute percentage error was 1.8％ lower,and the corresponding variance percentage was 1.5％ lower.Conclusions The fetal weight estimation system improves the accuracy of the prenatal ultrasound assessment and provides reliable information to clinical diagnosis.

Objective To describe the MRI features and pathologic findings of biliary cystadenocarcinoma(BCAC)and to assess the diagnostic value of MRI in those tumors.Methods Five cases of BCAC were collected.All cases were proved by pathology.Non-enhanced and multiphase-enhanced MRI were performed in all cases.MRCP were performed in two cases.The MRI features of the five cases were reviewed retrospectively and correlated with pathologic findings.Results Histological evidence demonstrated five cases of BCAC.Four cases were solitary,whereas the other case was multifocal.All cases were solid and cystic lesions.Two cases were unilocular,whereas the other three cases were multilocular. Multiple mural nodules and irregular thickening cystic walls were presented in all cases.The cystic parts of the lesions were homogeneous in signal intensity and showed no enhancement after contrast administration in the five BCAC.Septa were present in three BCAC with multilocular cyst.On MRCP the bile duct dilatation was found in two BCAC.Conclusion MRI can reveal the characteristic findings of BCAC and accurate preoperative diagnosis can be made.

Objective To improve the level of early detection and treatment of pyonephrosis. Methods This study included 41 cases(17 men and 24 women;mean age,49 years)of pyonephrosis.A variety of examinations,including urinary analysis,blood analysis,kidney nuclear medicine scan,ultrasonog- raphy,intravenous urography(IVU),and CT were used for the early diagnosis of pyonephrosis.Pereutaneous nephrostomy(PCN)drainage was done for the interim management of pyonephrosis,then phase 2 operation was performed in 28 cases.The double-J tube was placed in ureter by ureteroscope for drainage,and then phase 2 operation was done in 2 cases.Emergency operation was done in 10 cases.The remaining 1 case un- derwent ESWL after anti-infective therapy.Results Definite diagnosis of pyonephrosis before operation was made by invasive examinations in 31 cases(75.6%),and by percutaneous drainage in 4 cases;the other 6 cases were detected during operation.Only 6 cases(14.6%)underwent nephrectomy;the other 35 cases (85.4%)underwent kidney-sparing operation.Follow-up of 3 months to 9 years was available in 37 cases. No nephrectomy was needed in 33 cases with spared kidney.Serum creatinine was normal in the 4 cases un- dergoing nephrectomy.Conclusions The key to the treatment of pyonephrosis by kidney-sparing surgery is early diagnosis,timely drainage and relief of obstruction.Ultrasonography plays an important role in the early diagnosis of pyonephrosis,and CT has a high sensibility in the diagnosis.Pereutaneons nephrolithotomy (PCNL)secondary to drainage through pereutaneous nephrostomy was beneficial to the patients with kidney stones or upper ureter stones.

BACKGROUNDCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare disease, is uncharacterized by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study was aimed to evaluate the diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) manifestations of CJD and to discuss their diagnostic value.

METHODSThe findings of T(1)-weighted MRI (T(1)WI), T(2)-weighted MRI (T(2)WI), DWI and post-contrast MRI in 5 patients (3 patients with biopsy-proven CJD and 2 patients with clinically-proven CJD) were retrospectively analyzed in this study.

RESULTSFour out of the 5 patients had cerebral atrophy of various degrees. One patient showed symmetric high signal intensity at the bilateral globus pallidus and the head of the caudate nucleus, with very high signal in the cerebral cortex on the DWI. This patient only had symmetric slightly high signal at the bilateral globus pallidus and putamen on T(2)WI. One patient had high signal intensity at the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex on DWI, but abnormal T(2) signal intensity at the bilateral paraventricular white matter on MRI. Two patients presented with widely gyri-like high signal intensity at the cortex on DWI, but routine MRI showed bilateral paraventricular long T(2) signal intensity in 1 patient and no abnormal findings in another. No abnormalities were shown by both routine MRI and DWI in the last patient.

CONCLUSIONSDWI is more sensitive than its conventional counterpart in the depiction of CJD. DWI is more sensitive to detect cortical abnormal signal intensity in CJD not detected by T(2)WI.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrophy ; Brain ; pathology ; Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome ; diagnosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

With rapid and efficient drug release, few side effects and excellent biodegradable properties, the reduction-sensitive carriers is not only the new hot point in the field of pharmaceutical research, but also the most promising intelligent drug carrier on clinical application. This paper reviews the latest research of reduction-sensitive drug and gene carriers, including the mechanisms of drug release and the synthesis of the reduction-sensitive conjugates, reduction-sensitive nano polymer micelles, nano vesicles, nano hollow microspheres, nano liposomes, as well as the characteristics and advantages of various kinds of carrier system. It will provide a theoretical basis for its further application.
Drug Carriers ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Micelles ; Microspheres ; Nanoparticles ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo summarize our experience on the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic serous cystadenoma.

METHODData from 20 patients with pancreatic serous cystadenoma in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1994 to 2004 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSUltrasound test was a good choice for primary diagnosis, while computed tomography scan and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were better choice for the suspected cases. Most tumors (60%) were located in the body and tail of pancreas. The distal pancreatectomy was the commonest operation procedure. The main complications were pancreatic leakage (35%). The symptoms were resolved after surgical treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe treatment of pancreatic serous cystadenoma depends on the accurate diagnosis. Ultrasound and computed tomography are useful diagnostic methods. Surgical operation is the treatment of choice. Long-term follow-up has shown satisfactory outcomes if the tumors are resected completely.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cystadenoma, Serous ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo clarify the effects of nylestriol on microarchitecture and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression in tibial bone in ovariectomized rats.

METHODS30 female rats were randomly allocated into 3 groups: sham, OVX and nylestriol-treated group. Nylestriol-treated group were ovariectomized, then fed with nylestriol for 3 months and the bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in lumbar vertebra by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. After sacrifice of the animal, bone histomorphometric parameters were measured to study the changes in bone microarchitecture, and RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of IL-6 mRNA in bone tissue.

RESULTSBMD was significantly reduced, while IL-6 mRNA level elevated in the OVX group compared with the sham group. Static histomorphometric data showed that the trabecular bone volume, mean trabecular plate thickness and density were reduced while the mean trabecular plate space elevated remarkably in the OVX group in comparison with that in the sham group. As for dynamic parameters, trabecular osteoid surface, tetracyclin labeled surface and bone turnover rate were increased while osteoid maturation rate decreased significantly in the OVX group compared with the sham group. BMD, IL-6 mRNA expression and bone histomorphometric parameters were improved in nylestriol-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONNylestriol plays an important role in maintaining bone volume and improving bone microarchitecture by markedly inhibiting bone turnover and bone resorption, which might be to some degree attributed to reduced IL-6 expression.

Animals ; Bone Remodeling ; drug effects ; Bone Resorption ; prevention & control ; Estradiol Congeners ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Interleukin-6 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; pathology ; Ovariectomy ; Quinestrol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tibia ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in bone metastasis detection using bone scintigraphy as comparison.

METHODSForty-five patients with malignancy history were enrolled in our study. All the patients received the whole body DWI and bone scintigraphy scan within 1 week. The magnetic resonance (MR) examination was performed on 3.0T MR scanner using embedded body coil. The images were reviewed separately by two radiologists and two nuclear medicine physicians, who were blinded to the results of the other imaging modality. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the two techniques for detecting bone metastasis were analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 181 metastatic lesions in 77 regions of 34 patients were detected by whole body DWI, and 167 metastatic lesions in 76 regions of 31 patients were identified by bone scintigraphy. The patient-based sensitivity and PPV of whole body DWI and bone scintigraphy were similar (89.5% vs. 81.6%, 97.1% vs. 91.2%), whereas, the patient-based specificity and NPV of whole body DWI were obviously higher than those of bone scintigraphy (85.7% vs. 57.1%, 60.0% vs. 36.4%). Ten regions negative in scintigraphy but positive in whole body DWI, mainly located in spine, pelvis, and femur; nine regions only detected by scintigraphy, mainly located in skull, sternum, clavicle, and scapula. The region-based sensitivity and specificity of whole body DWI were slightly higher than those of bone scintigraphy (89.5% vs. 88.4%, 95.6% vs. 87.6%).

CONCLUSIONWhole body DWI reveals excellent concordance with bone scintigraphy regarding detection of bone metastasis, and the two techniques are complementary for each other.

Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; secondary ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Whole Body Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of inheritance and epidemiology of gallstone disease in one pedigree.

METHODSA gallbladder disease-specific questionnaire was administered to all family members to ascertain histories of cholecystectomy and other medical conditions as well as anthropometrical data. Laboratory examination and ultrasonography were performed to determine the existence of gallstone.

RESULTSOne hundred and thirteen members of four generations in the index family were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of gallstone in females (34.48%) was higher than in males (23.64%) but with no significant difference. The prevalence in the second and third generations (52%) was higher than in others (20%) (P < 0.05). The heritability and standard error showed as 86.38% +/- 46.46% in I generations. Body mass index, histories of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and blood glucose were positively related to gallstone disease (P = 0.012, < 0.01, 0.017, 0.043, respectively) in this family. Gallstone disease was not significantly related to history of diabetes, daily alcohol or diet habit. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not correlated with gallstone disease.

CONCLUSIONGallstone disease presented aggregation in the family and was in accordance with the characteristics of autosomal dominant inheritance. Being female, obesity, hypertension and history of hyperlipidemia might serve as risk factors to this family.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Family Health ; Female ; Gallstones ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; Hypertension ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; complications ; Pedigree ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires