Objective To determine the measurement consistency of diffusion coefficient D, perfusion fraction f and pseudodiffusion coefficient D*in rectal cancers based on different ROIs. Methods Forty-three patients with histologically proven rectal cancers were examined using echo-planar DW-MRI with eight b values (0 to 1 000 s/mm2). Intravoxel incoherent motion parameters were measured on intravoxel
incoherent motion map that contained the largest tumor cross-section, according to two distinct ROI protocols:freehand outline ROI and semi-automatic tumor center ROI. The two protocols were compared for differences in IVIM parameters and the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were also calculated. intra-and inter-observer variability using paired t test and Bland-Altman plot. Results The IVIM parameters(D, f and D*) obtained by ROIs for outlined and center analysis were (1.08 ± 0.24) × 10-3mm2/s, (0.16 ± 0.06), (26.59 ± 19.54) × 10-3mm2/s and (1.06 ± 0.27) × 10-3mm2/s, (0.17 ± 0.07), (30.79 ± 20.85) × 10-3mm2/s, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the means of the IVIM parameters (D, f, D*) calculated by the two methods (t=1.113,-0.259,-1.660;P=0.272, 0.797,0.104, respectively),and the relative ICC were 0.863, 0.469, 0.663, respectively. The intra-observer 95% limits of consistency of IVIM parameters were (-0.012—0.038) × 10-3mm2/s, (-0.003—0.007), (-0.923—1.166) × 10-3mm2/s with ROI outline tumor, respectively;(-0.024—0.044)×10-3mm2/s, (-0.005—0.015), (-1.670—4.195)×10-3mm2/s with center ROI, respectively. The inter-observer 95% limits of consistency of perfusion parameters were (-0.047—0.009) × 10-3mm2/s, (-0.015—0.009), (-7.206—3.190) × 10-3mm2/s with ROI outlined tumor, respectively;(-0.068—0.048) × 10-3mm2/s, (-0.005—0.041), (-17.657—0.779) × 10-3mm2/s with center ROI, respectively. Conclusions There was no statistically significant difference between the outlined ROI and tumor center ROI analysis of rectal cancers' IVIM parameters. The tumor analysis by outlined ROI protocol appropriately improves intra-and inter-observer consistency and can provide more reproducible and stable results.

Objective To determine the consistency between quantitative CT perfusion measurements of colorectal cancer obtained from single section with maximal tumor dimension and from average of whole tumor,and compare intra-and inter-observer consistency of the two analysis methods.Methods Twenty-two patients with histologically proven colorectal cancer were examined prospectively with 256-slice CT and the whole tumor perfusion images were obtained.Perfusion parameters were obtained from region of interest (ROI) inserted in single section showing maximal tumor dimension,then from ROI inserted in all tumor-containing sections by two radiologists.Consistency between values of blood flow (BF),blood volume (BV) and time to peak (TTP) calculated by two methods was assessed.Intra-observer consistency was evaluated by comparing repeated measurements done by the same radiologist using both methods after 3 months.Perfusion measurements were done by another radiologist independently to assess inter-observer consistency of both methods.The results from different methods were compared using paired t test and Bland-Altmnan plot.Results Twenty-two patients were examined successfully.The perfusion parameters BF,BV and TTP obtained by whole tumor perfusion and single-section analysis were (35.59 ± 14.59) ml · min-1 · 100 g-1,(17.55 ±4.21) ml · 100 g-1,(21.30 ±7.57) s and (34.64 ± 13.29)ml· min-1 · 100 g-1,(17.61 ±6.39)ml± · 100 g-1,(19.82 ±9.01)s,respectively.No significant differences were observed between the means of the perfusion parameters (BF,BV,TTP)calculated by the two methods (t =0.218,-0.033,-0.668,P ＞ 0.05,respectively).The intra-observer 95％ limits of consistency of perfusion parameters were BF-5.3％ to 10.0％,BV-13.8％ to 10.8％,TTP-15.0％ to 12.6％ with whole tumor analysis,respectively; BF-14.3％ to 16.5％,BV-24.2％ to 22.2％,TTP-19.0％ to 16.1％ with single section analysis,respectively.The inter-observer 95％ limits of consistency of perfusion parameters were BF-8.0％ to 8.3％,BV-10.9％ to 11.5％,TTP -14.5％ to 11.1％ with whole volume analysis,respectively; BF-10.2％ to 14.1％,BV-19.0％ to 17.6％,TTP-22.0％ to 24.0％ with single section analysis,respectively.Conclusion There was no statistically different between the single section and whole volume analysis of tumor perfusion CT.The whole volume perfusion analysis apparently improves intra-and inter-observer consistency and can reflect the whole tumor angiogenesis more accurately and repeatedly.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) plays important roles in varieties of biological processes. This factor is highly conserved in mammalian animals and only one heterozygous LIF mutation was reported to cause the infertility of women. A LIF mutation was generated and the evidences were provided that the mutation of mature LIF at the 29th amino acid totally abolished its functions, including stimulation of STAT activation assayed by Luciferase reporter gene expression and EMSA experiments. In addition, the mutated LIF failed to inhibit the proliferation of M1 cells. The data indicated that the mutation of LIF did not have a dominant negative effect but lost the biological functions, suggesting that the 29th amino acid is critical for maintaining the activities of LIF.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The study examined the association between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus in patients with H-type hypertension and assessed the possible effect modifiers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1,255 eligible participants in the ‘H-type Hypertension Management and Stroke Prevention Strategic International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project’ among rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: The mean level of total homocysteine (tHcy) in the diabetes mellitus population was 19.37 μmol/L, which was significantly higher than the non-diabetic patients (18.18 μmol/L). When tHcy was analyzed as a continuous variable, the odds ratio (OR) of diabetes was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.35; per interquartile range). When tHcy was stratified according to the quintile, the ORs for diabetes were 2.86 (95% CI, 1.22–6.69) in the highest quintile (tHcy ≥ 20.60 μmol/L) compared to the reference group (tHcy < 12.04 μmol/L). When tHcy was grouped by 15 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L, patients with tHcy ≥ 20 μmol/L had a significantly (P = 0.037) higher risk of diabetes (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.04–3.96) than in those with tHcy < 15 μmol/L. Subgroup analysis showed that the tHcy-diabetes association was unaffected by other variables. CONCLUSION In this study of rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension, the tHcy levels showed a positive association with diabetes mellitus. This independent association is unaffected by other potential risk factors.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The study examined the association between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus in patients with H-type hypertension and assessed the possible effect modifiers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1,255 eligible participants in the ‘H-type Hypertension Management and Stroke Prevention Strategic International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project’ among rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: The mean level of total homocysteine (tHcy) in the diabetes mellitus population was 19.37 μmol/L, which was significantly higher than the non-diabetic patients (18.18 μmol/L). When tHcy was analyzed as a continuous variable, the odds ratio (OR) of diabetes was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.35; per interquartile range). When tHcy was stratified according to the quintile, the ORs for diabetes were 2.86 (95% CI, 1.22–6.69) in the highest quintile (tHcy ≥ 20.60 μmol/L) compared to the reference group (tHcy < 12.04 μmol/L). When tHcy was grouped by 15 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L, patients with tHcy ≥ 20 μmol/L had a significantly (P = 0.037) higher risk of diabetes (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.04–3.96) than in those with tHcy < 15 μmol/L. Subgroup analysis showed that the tHcy-diabetes association was unaffected by other variables. CONCLUSION In this study of rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension, the tHcy levels showed a positive association with diabetes mellitus. This independent association is unaffected by other potential risk factors.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The study examined the association between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus in patients with H-type hypertension and assessed the possible effect modifiers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1,255 eligible participants in the ‘H-type Hypertension Management and Stroke Prevention Strategic International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project’ among rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: The mean level of total homocysteine (tHcy) in the diabetes mellitus population was 19.37 μmol/L, which was significantly higher than the non-diabetic patients (18.18 μmol/L). When tHcy was analyzed as a continuous variable, the odds ratio (OR) of diabetes was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.35; per interquartile range). When tHcy was stratified according to the quintile, the ORs for diabetes were 2.86 (95% CI, 1.22–6.69) in the highest quintile (tHcy ≥ 20.60 μmol/L) compared to the reference group (tHcy < 12.04 μmol/L). When tHcy was grouped by 15 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L, patients with tHcy ≥ 20 μmol/L had a significantly (P = 0.037) higher risk of diabetes (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.04–3.96) than in those with tHcy < 15 μmol/L. Subgroup analysis showed that the tHcy-diabetes association was unaffected by other variables. CONCLUSION In this study of rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension, the tHcy levels showed a positive association with diabetes mellitus. This independent association is unaffected by other potential risk factors.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The study examined the association between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus in patients with H-type hypertension and assessed the possible effect modifiers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1,255 eligible participants in the ‘H-type Hypertension Management and Stroke Prevention Strategic International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project’ among rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: The mean level of total homocysteine (tHcy) in the diabetes mellitus population was 19.37 μmol/L, which was significantly higher than the non-diabetic patients (18.18 μmol/L). When tHcy was analyzed as a continuous variable, the odds ratio (OR) of diabetes was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.35; per interquartile range). When tHcy was stratified according to the quintile, the ORs for diabetes were 2.86 (95% CI, 1.22–6.69) in the highest quintile (tHcy ≥ 20.60 μmol/L) compared to the reference group (tHcy < 12.04 μmol/L). When tHcy was grouped by 15 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L, patients with tHcy ≥ 20 μmol/L had a significantly (P = 0.037) higher risk of diabetes (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.04–3.96) than in those with tHcy < 15 μmol/L. Subgroup analysis showed that the tHcy-diabetes association was unaffected by other variables. CONCLUSION In this study of rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension, the tHcy levels showed a positive association with diabetes mellitus. This independent association is unaffected by other potential risk factors.