Objetcive To analyze the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)features in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) of different size and to discuss the diagnostic value of CEUS in CCRCCs. Methods The contrast-enhanced and conventional US features of 80 CCRCCs confirmed pathologically were retrospectively analyzed. Samples were divided into three groups by diameters: small CCRCCs (≤30 mm), medium CCRCCs(＞30 mm) and large CCRCCs(＞50 mm). The tumoral vascularity, lesion homogeneity and presence of an anechoic rim were observed on conventional US. The enhancement of echogenicity, homogeneity and pseudocapsule were evaluated on CEUS. Results Among the 80 renal masses, 32 were small CCRCCs, 28 were medium CCRCCs while the large CCRCCs were 20. On conventional US, 18.8%(6/32) of small CCRCCs, 71.4%(20/28) of medium CCRCCs and 95%(19/20) of large CCRCCs demonstrated as heterogeneous and the differences were highly statistically significant, whereas there were no differences in the tumoral vascularity and the presence of pseudocapsule sign among the three groups. On CEUS, 28.1%(9/32) of small CCRCCs, 85.7%(24/28) of medium CCRCCs and 100%(20/20) of large CCRCCs showed a homogeneous enhancement. The incidence of pseudocapsule sign in medium tumors was higher than small and large groups(71.4%,50% and 25%,respectively). There were statistically significant differences among the three groups in the enhanced homogeneity and the presence of pseudocapsule sign. However, all the three groups revealed mainly isoechoic and hyperechoic and there were no differences among them. Compared with conventional US, CEUS depicted significantly the increased tumoral vascularity (51.3% vs. 87.5%) and pseudocapsule sign(22.5% vs. 51.3%). Eight lesions demonstrated heterogeneous contrast enhancement on CEUS while homogeneous on conventional US, but there were no differences in lesion homogeneity between conventional US and CEUS findings. Conclusions Different sizes of CCRCC showed distinct CEUS features in the enhanced homogeneity and the presence of pseudocapsule sign. CEUS is more effective on improving the sonographic characteristics of tumoral visualization and may provide important information of US findings for the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma.

Aim To investgate the mechnism through which ginkgolides affect learning and memory capabilities of the Alzheimers disease-like rats. Methods Okadaic acid(OA)was injected into the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus and the rats were gavaged with ginkgolides. The learning and memory abilities of the rats were assessed through Morris water maze behavioral test, and the expressions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and ChAT were observed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively.Results Compared with the control rats, the capabilities of learning and memory were lowered significantly(P

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical and epidemiological value of semi-quantitative regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF)imaging in children with school phobia. Methods A total of 20 cases diagnosed with school phobia were examined with rCBF.Twelve were males and the other 8 were females.The mean age was(14.2?2.1)years(11-18 years).Semi-quantitative analysis methods were used to investigate the correlations among gender,age and rCBF. ResultsThere were significant differences in the rCBF of right fronto-parietal lobe,right occipital lobe,caput and putamen,left thalamus and hippocampus,and temporo-occipital lobe between males and females(P0.05).Only the PI of left temporo-parietal lobe of those ≥ 15 years old was significantly different from that of those

Objective To find out the iodine nutritional status of children in Xiamen island, and to provide the scientific basis for iodine supplimentation. Methods On March 2010, thyroids of all children aged 6to 12, from primary school on the Xiaodeng island of Xiamen were examined by palpation, urinary iodine, iodine content of salt athome and IQ level were tested, and were collected 20 households, iodine content of drinking water was tested randomly. Results IQ testing and thyroid palpation were carried out among a total of 156 children, the goiter rate of children was 1.28% (2/156), the mean IQ was 110; 154 urine samples were taken, the median urinary iodine was 219.1 μg/L; a total of 153 salt samples were tested, and the qualified rate of iodized salt was 87.58%(134/153), and the mean iodine content in the tap water was 4.52 μg/L Conclusions Iodine nutritional status of the island residents is better, and there are no such problems as excessive iodine.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia (HAAA). A retrospective analysis was conducted among 8 cases of established HAAA in light of the clinical and laboratory findings and the patient outcomes.

METHODSSerum samples from 8 patients with HAAA were tested for the antibodies to hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, E and CMV, and 7 patients showed negative serological results while only one was positive for HBsAg. The percentage of CD4(+) cells was significantly lowered while the percentage of CD8(+) cells significantly increased to result in a lowered ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) cells in these HAAA patients. A shift in the Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 balance to a Th1 and Tc1 dominance was noted. The percentage of Treg cells was obviously decreased. Significant increments were found in the serum levels of interleukin-2, THF-α and interferon-γ. Three of the patients responded to immunosuppresssive treatment; one patient achieved a complete remission, two had a partial remission, and five failed to respond to the therapy and died.

CONCLUSIONSHAAA may not have an obvious association with viral infections as by hepatitis virus A, B, C, D, or E, and its pathogenesis often involves abnormalities of the T cell immunity. Commonly with a poor prognosis, HAAA is associated with a high mortality rate.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; etiology ; immunology ; virology ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Female ; Hepatitis ; complications ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate values of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in eyes filled with silicone oil.Design Prospective cases series.Participants 40 eyes of 40 patients were filled with silicone oil after ocular injury.Methods MRI was performed in the 40 patients,including axial FSE T_1WI,T_2WI,coronal T_2WI with fat saturation,oblique sagittal T_1WI and axial T_2FLAIR.MRI findings,in- cluding morpbous,signal and complications were analyzed.Oculi axes were measured.Main Outcome Measures Morphous,signal, complications and oculi axes of the eyes filled with silicone oil.Results Affected oculi axis was 2.18cm?0.21cm,normal oculi axis was 2.48cm?0.16cm.The silicone oil in eyes demonstrated isointense signal or slightly hyperintense signal on T_1WI and T_2WI,hypointense signal after fat saturation.Hydrops was found in vitreous cavity in 33 patients,including simple hydrops in 17 patients and complicated other abnormality in 16 patients.Choroidal detachment was found in 11 patients,complicating vitreous hydrops in 5 patients and lo- calized bulge of eyeball wall.Retinal detachments were found in 4 patients,of whom 3 patients complicated with vitreous hydrops.Per- fluorocarbon liquid residual in vitreous cavity,foreign body in anterior chamber,localized thickness of the wall of the globe and meagre- mean of silicone oil in vitreous cavity were found respectively in one patient complicating vitreous hydrops.Except for eye changes, fracture of orbital wall and foreign body in orbit were found in one patient.Conclusions MRI can display the changes of eyes filled with silicone oil,and measure oculi axes biologically and accurately offering important clinical application value.(Ophthalmol CHN,2007,16: 312-315)

Objective To investigate and compare the pharmacokinetics of midazolam in Chinese Korean and Han healthy volunteers after oral administration.Methods Nine healthy Chinese Korean volunteers and ten healthy Han volunteers were given 15 mg midazolam tablets.The concentration of midazolam in plasma was determined by HPLC method and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.0.1 software.Results The pharmacokinetic parameters of midazolam in Chinese Korean and Han were as follow:t_(max) were(0.63±0.72)and(1.52±0.74)h,C_(max) were(189.03 4±82.05) and (103.11±26.37)μg·L~(-1),t_(1/2) were (3.82±2.33) and (2.96±0.77)h,AUC_(0-12) were (369.75±85.47) and (368.95±103.63)μg·h·L~(-1),AUC_(0-∞) were (403.29±124.28) and (397.29±124.06)μg·h·L~(-1),respectively. Conclusion There is large interindividual variabilities in pharmacokinetic parameters of Chinese Korean and Han healthy volunteers,after administration.There were double peaks in plasma concentration-time profile after oral administration.There is significant difference in the t_(max) and C_(max) between Chinese Korean and Han healthy volunteers.

Objective To investigate the current conditions of water iodine,childrens'iodine nutrition and residents'edible circumstance of iodized salt in the villages with high iodine in drinking water and the adjacent three villages in Xiamen city of Fujian province.Methods Four natural villages of Qianbian,Donglian,Dazhong and Dongshan of Xiangan county were chosen as survey spots in 2008.In each village,one running water sample and all well water samples were collected to obtain the benchmark for each location.All children aged 7-13 year in the four villages underwent thyroid palpation and were selected to measure the urine iodine and the salt iodine.The water iodine and urine iodine were determined by As3+-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry digestion,salt iodine was determined by direct titration.Results In four investigated villages,iodine of four running water samples were all 1.5μg/L.The range of 237 well water iodine samples was from 0.1 μg/L to 506.0 μg/L.There were 18.6% (44/237)specimens in which the well water iodine less than 10 μg/L,73.4%(174/237)between 10 μg/L and 150 μg/L and 8%(19/237)more than 150μg/L.The median of urinary iodine was 153.3 μg/L in 79 urine samples,which was 114%(9/79)more than 200μg/L and less than 300μg/L,12.7%(10/79)equal or more than 300 μg/L and less than 500μg/L,7.6%(6/79)equal or more than 500μg/L and less than 800 μg/L in all samples.Seventy-nine students were examined by palpation and the total goiter rate of children measured was 11.4% (9/79).Seventy-one samples of iodine salt were detected and the coverage rate of iodized salt was 77.5%(55/71).Conclusions The well water iodine contents have a wide distribution in the investigated villages.We should enhance the community awareness by educating them on the damage of iodine excess and iodine deficiency.

BACKGROUNDDifferential diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis (ICMVT) and gastrocnemius hematoma is essential for early identification of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound for differential diagnosis of ICMVT and gastrocnemius hematoma.

METHODSA retrospective case series of 35 ICMVT (M:F, 21:14; mean age (64.5 ± 10.6) years) and 23 gastrocnemius hematoma (M:F, 16:7; mean age (75.4 ± 11.8) years) patients with bilateral/unilateral lower limb pain was conducted between January 2006 and September 2012. Characteristics and the morphology of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasonography of the lower limb deep vein, great saphenous vein, calf muscles, skin, and soft tissue were examined.

RESULTSICMVT hypoechoic signals were characterized by long, tube-like masses on longitudinal sections and oval masses on transverse sections, with apparent muscle thrombosis boundaries, distal and proximal venous connections, and, often, lower limb DVT. Gastrocnemius hematoma hypoechoic signals were characterized by large volumes, enhanced posterior hematoma echo, hyperechoic muscle boundaries, no hematoma blood flow, and no DVT, and clear differences in trauma/exercise- and oral anticoagulant-induced hematomas were readily apparent. According to the measurement, the ratio of long diameter/transverse diameter (D/T) in ICMVT patients was about less than 2.0, whereas in gastrocnemius hematoma patients the ratio was more than 2.0. Early stage isoechoic and hypoechoic signals were detected with gradually increasing ovular anechoic areas. Partial muscle fibers in the hematoma due to muscle fractures were apparent.

CONCLUSIONHigh-frequency color Doppler ultrasound was found to be a sensitive and reliable method for differential diagnosis of ICMVT and gastrocnemius hematoma due to trauma and exercise or prolonged oral anticoagulant use.

Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Venous Thrombosis ; diagnostic imaging

AIM AND METHODSTo further explore the functions of alveolar macrophage and their modulation mechanisms, the activity of lysozyme in rat alveolar macrophage assessed by electrophoresis was determined. The effects of androsterone and estradiol on lysozyme secretion and their mechanisms were also studied.

RESULTSThe results showed that androsterone and estradiol increased activity of lysozyme significantly (P < 0.01), indomethacin abolished those effects. This suggests that the insufficiency of sex hormones secretion as the retrogression of gonads is involved in the decrease of immunological functions, and the susceptibility to infectious diseases.

CONCLUSIONSex hormones increased activity of lysozyme, and those effects related to prostaglandin.

Androsterone ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Female ; Indomethacin ; pharmacology ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; drug effects ; enzymology ; secretion ; Male ; Muramidase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar