Objective To explore pathological characterization of the enlarged contrast enhanced area of hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) on contrast enhanced ultrasonography ( CEUS). Methods Thirty-five HCC patients underwent conventional ultrasonography and CEUS before hepatectomy. The tumor sizes were measured on conventional ultrasonography,CEUS and postoperative resected specimen at the largest section. The infiltration depth of the HCC was observed under microscope in the peripheral area of the tumors. HCC with the size of contrast enhancement area on CEUS 0. 3 cm larger than that on conventional ultrasonography was defined as group A, and the others as group B. The pathological character of the tumor and tissues surrounding the tumor were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results Among 35 HCC, 40% (14/35) HCC increased in size on CEUS compared with ultrasonography. Of them,9 tumors with increased area on CEUS were confirmed to be invasive HCC on pathology. Using the enlarged contrast enhanced area on CEUS as the diagnostic criteria of invasive HCC, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 90%, 80%, 82.9%, 64.3%, 95. 2%, respectively. Conclusions The contrast enhanced area on CEUS can reflect the infiltrative tumor size more accurately compared with conventional ultrasonography.

Thyroglossal duct papillary carcinoma is extremely rare in clinical practice.This article reports a case of a thyroglossal duct cyst complicated by thyroid papillary carcinoma,while also reviewing the relevant literature.It summarizes the clinical manifestations,imaging characteristics,and pathological features of thyro-glossal duct papillary carcinoma and discusses the relationship between thyroglossal duct cysts,malignant trans-formation of thyroglossal duct cysts,and thyroid papillary carcinoma.

Objective To establish a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) expressing human triple mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the hippocampus, and to provide a model for the study of disease mechanisms and drug development. Methods Twenty-four 12-week-old SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a virus control group and an experimental group, with eight rats in each group; among them, the experimental group received a stereotaxic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying the human triple mutant APP and NanoLuc luciferase genes into the hippocampus. In vivo imaging was used to observe viral expression in the brains of rats in each group, the novel object recognition test was used to assess the recognition memory of the rats in each group, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of the APP gene, HE staining was used to examine the brain histopathology, Nissl staining was used to assess the hippocampal lesions, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Results In vivo imaging showed that reporter fluorescence was detected in the brains of rats in both experimental and virus control groups. Fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of the APP gene was significantly increased in the brains of rats in the experimental group (P<0.01). Novel object recognition test revealed that the recognition memory of rats in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared with that of the blank control group (P<0.01). Six months after recombinant AAV virus infection, HE staining and Nissl staining of brain tissues showed that the number of neurons and Nissl bodies in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the experimental group was reduced and disorganized; immuno-histochemistry testing of the CA1 region of the hippocampus and the pyramidal cell layer of the experimental group revealed prominent brown deposits, indicating Aβ protein deposition. Conclusion The rat model successfully established by stereotaxic injection and AAV-mediated delivery of human triple mutant APP gene exhibits typical AD features, providing a valuable animal model for studying AD pathology and developing drug therapies targeting Aβ protein deposition.

Objective To establish a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) expressing human triple mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the hippocampus, and to provide a model for the study of disease mechanisms and drug development. Methods Twenty-four 12-week-old SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a virus control group and an experimental group, with eight rats in each group; among them, the experimental group received a stereotaxic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying the human triple mutant APP and NanoLuc luciferase genes into the hippocampus. In vivo imaging was used to observe viral expression in the brains of rats in each group, the novel object recognition test was used to assess the recognition memory of the rats in each group, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of the APP gene, HE staining was used to examine the brain histopathology, Nissl staining was used to assess the hippocampal lesions, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Results In vivo imaging showed that reporter fluorescence was detected in the brains of rats in both experimental and virus control groups. Fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of the APP gene was significantly increased in the brains of rats in the experimental group (P<0.01). Novel object recognition test revealed that the recognition memory of rats in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared with that of the blank control group (P<0.01). Six months after recombinant AAV virus infection, HE staining and Nissl staining of brain tissues showed that the number of neurons and Nissl bodies in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the experimental group was reduced and disorganized; immuno-histochemistry testing of the CA1 region of the hippocampus and the pyramidal cell layer of the experimental group revealed prominent brown deposits, indicating Aβ protein deposition. Conclusion The rat model successfully established by stereotaxic injection and AAV-mediated delivery of human triple mutant APP gene exhibits typical AD features, providing a valuable animal model for studying AD pathology and developing drug therapies targeting Aβ protein deposition.

BACKGROUNDLittle is known about asthma control and perception of asthma among asthmatic patients in China. This study marked the first survey conducted on a national scale that aimed at obtaining baseline information on asthma control and patients' perception of asthma and providing a point of reference for future studies.

METHODSThis face-to-face, questionnaire-based survey was conducted from April 2007 to March 2008 with 3 069 asthmatic patients from the respiratory outpatient clinics of 36 general hospitals located in 10 geographically dispersed cities.

RESULTSConsistent with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, 28.7% and 45.0% of our patients achieved control and partial control, respectively. Of the patients in the study, only 21.8% had used a peak flow meter (PFM), and 6.6% of these patients used it daily. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus a long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) and ICS were the two most common medication regimens and were used in 45.6% and 30.4% of patients, respectively. Asthma had a significant effect on the patients' life and work. A considerable number of hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and sick days were observed.

CONCLUSIONDespite improvements in asthma control and ICS and PFM compliance compared with past literature, the current level of asthma control countrywide continues to fall short of the goals set in the GINA.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; therapeutic use ; Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Data Collection ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult