OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic values of ultrasound (US) and (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography (FDG PET)/computerized tomography (CT) in diagnosing suspected thyroid carcinoma and lymph node metastasis.

METHODSThe clinical data of 28 patients who had undergone total or subtotal thyroidectomy with or without neck dissection from December 2011 to December 2012 in PUMC Hospital and had undergone US and FDG PET/CT before surgery were retrospectively analyzed. In each patient, US and FDG PET/CT images were retrospectively reviewed to determine the presence of carcinoma with or without loco-regional metastasis by level-by-level analysis. The potential correlation between imaging results and histopathology were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 11 benign lesions,15 papillary carcinomas, one follicular carcinoma, and one medullary carcinoma. For thyroid carcinoma,the sensitivity and specificity were 88.2% and 63.6% for US and 76.5% and 54.5% for FDG PET/CT(P>0.05). For lymph node metastasis, the sensitivity was 68.0% for US and 60.0% for FDG PET/CT (P>0.05), and the specificity was 96.7% for US and FDG PET/CT.FDG PET/CT could provide more diagnostic information than US for patients with level 2 or 5 metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSCombination of US and FDG PET/CT is typically not needed for differentiating thyroid lesions.However, for patients with suspected lymph node metastasis of infrequently involved levels, the combination of US and FDG PET/CT may be a good choice.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develop a real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR) based on TaqMan technology by using a new MGB probe for detecting enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in paper.

METHODSPrimers and MGB probe were designed in the ecoding region of heat-stable toxin of ETEC. Real-time PCR detected ETEC by using the exterior standard method with protracting standard curves. The specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, stability of real-time PCR system was evaluated. An internal negative antithesis was added to the real-time PCR system in order to get rid of the false positive of system. Using UNG enzyme expelled the contamination of PCR reaction.

RESULTSPrimers and MGB probe were suited to the Real-time PCR. The assay showed that the method was quick, special, sensitive and stable. The real-time PCR system could detect ETEC in a large scale. The assay might be finished in two hour.

CONCLUSIONThese observations suggested that real-time PCR based on MGB probe should be an excellent candidate for a standard ETEC detection method.

Bacterial Toxins ; isolation & purification ; DNA Primers ; DNA Probes ; DNA, Bacterial ; Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Probe Techniques ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Taq Polymerase

The chemical investigation on Ganoderma philippii led to the isolation of sixteen compounds by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. On the basis of spectroscopic data analyses, their structures were elucidated as 2, 5-dihydroxyacetophenone (1), methyl gentisate (2), (S) -dimethyl malate (3), muurola-4, 10 (14) -dien-11beta-ol (4), dihydroepicubenol (5), 5-hydroxymethylfuran carboxaldehyde (6), ergosta-7, 22E-dien-3beta-ol (7), ergosta-7, 22E-dien-3-one (8), ergosta-7, 22E-diene-2beta, 3alpha, 9alpha-triol (9), 6/beta-methoxyergo-sta-7, 22E-dien-3beta, 5alpha-diol (10), ergosta-4, 6, 8(14), 22E-tetraen-3-one (11), ergosta4, 6, 8-(14), 22E-etetraen-3beta-ol (12), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 22E-dien-3beta-ol (13), 7alpha-methoxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxyergosta-8-(14), 22E-dien-3beta-ol (14), ergosta-8, 22E-diene-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta, 7alpha-tetraol (15), and ergosta-5, 23-dien-3beta-ol, acetate (16). All the compounds were obtained from this fungus for the first time, and compounds 4 and 5 were isolated from the Ganoderma genus for the first time.
Ganoderma ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; isolation & purification

Aged ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Neurilemmoma ; pathology ; Scrotum

OBJECTIVETo confirm the effect of combined detection of K-ras gene mutation and CA 19-9 level in plasma in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODSIn 33 patients without pancreatic carcinoma and 15 patients with pancreatic carcinoma, the value of K-ras mutation and CA 19-9 level were examined by enriched polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and radioimmunoassay respectively. The data were analysed with chi(2) test, Fisher's exact test and Kruekal-wall's test. All patients were confirmed pathologically.

RESULTSEleven of the 15 patients with pancreatic carcinoma and 2 of 10 patients with chronic pancreatitis were found K-ras mutation. CA 19-9 level in patients with pancreatic cancer was significantly higher than that in those with benign disease but with a low specificity. The sensitivity, specificity of combined detection of K-ras gene mutation and CA 19-9 level in the plasma of patients with pancreatic cancer were 66.67% and 97%. There was a significant difference between patients with pancreatic cancer and those without pancreatic cancer. Pathological examination showed atypical hyperplasia in one patient with chronic pancreatitis who had K-ras mutation and higher CA 19-9 level.

CONCLUSIONSCombined detection of K-ras gene mutation and CA 19-9 can be used for adjuvant diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. It is more specific than detection of single K-ras gene mutation or CA 19-9 level in the plasma. The method is complementary to single detection of K-ras gene mutation or CA 19-9 level because it decreases the rate of false-positive diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; CA-19-9 Antigen ; blood ; Female ; Genes, ras ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of FK506 on the cavernous nerve regeneration after injury and to discuss its possible action mechanisms.

METHODSFifty-four male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: Group 1 (sham control), Group 2 (unilateral cavernous nerve ablation), and Group 3 (unilateral cavernous nerve ablation with subsequent injection of FK506). Electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve was performed at 1 and 3 months after surgical injury. The intracavernous pressure was continuously detected and the rats were followed by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) staining to identify NOS in the penile nerve fibers of the penile shaft.

RESULTSAt 1 month, the number of NOS-positive nerve fibers significantly decreased with no statistical difference among the three groups except the sham controls (P > 0.05). At 3 months, electrostimulation revealed greater maximal intracavernous pressure in Group 3 than in Group 2 (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the number of NOS-positive nerve fibers showed a significant increase (P < 0.01), but not in Group 2 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFK506 injection enhances the regeneration of cavernous nerves after injury and the recovery of erectile function in rats.

Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Male ; Nerve Fibers ; enzymology ; physiology ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; analysis ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Penis ; innervation ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tacrolimus ; pharmacology

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

A novel sesquiterpenoid (1) and three known compounds identified as isoaltenuene (2), altenuene (3), and alternariol 4, 10-O-dimethyl ether (4), were isolated in our investigation of the cytotoxic constituents from solid cultures of the endophytic fungus Colletotrichum sp. The structures of these compounds were elucidated through spectroscopic data analysis. All compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity against lung cancer cell line A549, breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1. Compound 4 could induce the PANC-1 cells inflation or death, but couldn't induce apoptosis at the IC50 of 60.2 microg x mL(-1).
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Colletotrichum ; chemistry ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Lactones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

iRGD-modified sterically stabilized liposomes loaded doxorubicin (iRGD-SSL-DOX) were prepared and their cellular toxicity and anti-tumor efficacy were evaluated, comparing to doxorubixin loaded sterically stabilized liposomes (SSL-DOX) and RGD modified doxorubixin loaded sterically stabilized liposomes (RGD-SSL-DOX). The iRGD peptide, with both tumor targeting and cell penetrating functions, was conjugated to DSPE-PEG-NHS and DSPE-PEG-iRGD was obtained. DSPE-PEG-RGD was gained in the same way. iRGD-SSL-DOX, RGD-SSL-DOX and SSL-DOX were prepared by ammonium sulfate gradient method. The size and zeta potential of the liposomes were characterized by dynamic laser light scattering. The cellular toxicity study was done on B16 melanoma cell line and the anti-tumor efficacy study was carried on B16 cell line bearing C57BL/6 mice. The results showed that the particle sizes of liposomes were all around 90-100 nm. DOX entrapment efficiency was above 95%. The formulations were with good preparation reproducibility. iRGD-SSL-DOX showed no significant difference in B16 cellular toxicity with SSL-DOX and RGD-SSL-DOX, but the anti-tumor efficacy on B16 melanoma bearing C57BL/6 mice was significantly better than that of SSL-DOX, similar as that of RGD-SSL-DOX. Therefore, iRGD modified liposomes loaded DOX would be a promising drug delivery system for tumor therapy.
Animals ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Liposomes ; Male ; Melanoma, Experimental ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Molecular Weight ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oligopeptides ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Particle Size ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEWernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome resulting from thiamine deficiency, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The disorder is still greatly underdiagnosed in children because of either a relatively non-specific clinical presentation in some cases or unrecognized clinical setting. The aim of this literature review was to provide knowledge of pediatric WE in an effort to assist in early diagnosis, thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality.

METHODSThe clinical manifestations, characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diagnosis and treatment of one case and the other 35 cases reported in the last decade in children were summarized.

RESULTSThirty-six cases (22 boys and 14 girls, 2-month to 16-year-old) were analyzed. All the other 35 cases except for our case had underlying diseases: improper feeding in 25/35 cases, long-time vomiting in 5/35 cases, immunosuppressive therapy in 4/35 cases, long-time total parenteral nutrition without multivitamin preparations supplementation in 3/35 cases and anorexia nervosa in 1/35 case. The classic triad (mental-status changes, nystagmus and ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia) was seen in 6/36 cases. The other clinical manifestations included consciousness disturbance in 24/36 cases, infection in 22/36 cases, pathological reflex and muscular tension changes in 18/36 cases, convulsion in 17/36 cases, developmental delay in 4/36 cases and failure to thrive in 2/36 cases. Cerebrospinal fluid examination was performed in 31/36 cases, and a slightly raised protein concentration was seen in 7/31 cases. The cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels were detected in 4/36 cases (all increased), serum lactic acid levels in 7/36 cases (6/7 cases increased), serum pyruvate in 4/36 cases (all increased), thiamine pyrophosphate effect (TPPE) in 9/36 cases (all increased), and serum thiamine in 2/36 cases (increased in 1/2 cases). The brain computed tomography (CT) scan was conducted in 20/36 cases and 16/20 cases showed abnormal hypodensity in bilateral basal ganglia, one case revealed diffuse cortical atrophy. The brain MR scan was conducted in 13/36 cases and all the 13 cases revealed symmetrical abnormal signal in bilateral mamillary body and basal ganglia, and 7/13 cases showed abnormal signals in the tegmentum of midbrain, cerebral aqueduct and white matter around the third and fourth ventricles. The diagnosis of WE was confirmed by MR in 12 cases, triad combined with MR in 3 cases, autopsy in 1 case among the 13 cases who underwent MR scan. The diagnosis of WE was confirmed by the TPPE and/or lactate levels in 9/11 cases. The initial thiamine was given by intravenous or intramuscular infusion in 33/36 cases, unknown method in 1 case, orally in 1 case and no thiamine was used in 1 case. The dosage of thiamine was 100 mg daily in 29/35 cases, unknown in 3/35 cases, 50 mg daily in 2/35 cases, 600 mg daily in 1/35 case. 34/35 patients' clinical symptoms improved during 24 hours to 1 week after initial treatment, and 1 case died due to no response to thiamine. Nineteen patients were followed up for 2-2.5 months and 17 cases recovered completely.

CONCLUSIONWernicke's encephalopathy can be difficult to diagnose because of a relatively non-specific clinical presentation. The characteristic MRI findings and the dramatic response of neurological signs to parenteral thiamine will assist early clinical diagnosis. Early and timely thiamine supplementation could reverse the clinical features and improve the prognosis in most cases.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Sepsis ; complications ; Wernicke Encephalopathy ; complications ; diagnosis