Objective To evaluate the value of quantitative analysis of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in differentiating acute rejection(AR) from acute tubular necrosis(ATN) of transplant kidney. Methods Total of 67 kidney recipients were examined with conventional US and CEUS. Biopsies were performed in 37 patients, 26 patients were with AR, 11 with ATN, 30 patients as control group. The hemodynamic parameters (PSV and RI) were measured on infrarenal artery with conventional US, while CEUS quantitative analysis was performed on the cortex, pyramid and interlobar artery by time‐intensity curve (TIC). TIC parameters including rise time (RT ), time to peak (TTP), mean transit time (mTT ) were compared among three groups. In addition, the reproducibility of TIC parameters was evaluated. Results The RI in AR group was significantly higher than that in control group, but there were no significant differences of RI between AR and ATN groups. TIC parameters including RT, TTP were with high reproducibility (ICC> 0 7.5). Compared to the other two groups, the RT and TTP of the pyramid, ΔRTm‐c, and ΔTTPm‐c were significantly longer in AR group, the receiver operating curves (ROC) analysis demonstrated that ΔRTm‐c had the highest accuracy and RI had the lowest accuracy for detecting AR(areas under the curve were 0 7.86, 0 7.56, 0 7.49, 0 7.36 and 0 4.98, respectively). High sensitivity and specificity(78 3.% and 73 5.%, respectively) were shown when using 4 6.2 s as a cutoff point of ΔRTm‐c to diagnose AR. Conclusions Quantitative analysis of CEUS could detected the changes of the microcirculation perfusion in kidney grafts with AR and ATN, which might be superior in the diagnosis of AR compared with conventional US.

Objective To study the value of quantitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in diagnosing acute rejection of kidney graft.Methods Sixty-seven patients with normal kidney grafts and thirty-five patients with acute rejection were recruited.In conventional ultrasound,the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and resistance index (RI) of segmental artery and interlobar artery were measured.In quantitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound,four regions of interest including renal cortex,medulla,segmental artery and interlobar artery were drew and three parameters including rising time(RT),time to peak(TTP) and mean transit time(mTT) were obtained.In addition,the difference in RT,TTP and mTT between the renal cortex and interlobar artery,as well as medulla and interlobar artery were calculated.Results The differences of PSV in interlobar artery between the two groups were statistically significant (P ＜0.05).The time-intensity curves of the whole kidney grafts,and the difference in RT and TTP between the renal cortex and interlobar artery were statistically different between two groups (P ＜0.05).Conclasions Quantitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound proved a quantitative method for diagnosing kidney allograft acute rejection.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) in the diagnosis of renal allograft fibrosis.Methods The renal allografts of 82 patients with biopsies or nephrectomy were assessed by virtual touch quantification.The renal allograft fibrosis was categorized according to the 2005 updated Banff criteria for a G0～G3 grade.All the results were compared among four groups.Results The mean SWV values in G0～G3 were (2.39 ± 0.31)m/s,(2.45 ± 0.34)m/s,(2.58 ± 0.18) m/s,(3.11 ± 0.40)m/s,respectively.There were no significant differences in the mean SWV value between G0 and G1 group,or between G1 and G2 group(P ＞0.05).There were significant differences in the mean SWV value between G0～G2 and G3 group,or between G0 and G2 group(P ＜0.05).Stiffness of renal allograft was significantly correlated to the mean SWV value (Spearman r =0.671,P ＜0.001).According to the area under the ROC curve,the sensitivity and specificity of SWV (area under ROC curve =0.847,cut-off=2.64 m/s) for grade ≥G2 was 78.9％ and 79.5％ respectively.Conclusions Stiffness measured by VTQ reflects the interstitial fibrosis in renal allograft.VTQ technique might be a new tool to identify patients with chronic allograft injury.

Objective To evaluate the metabolite pattern and the severity in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/ Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD) by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) on different cerebellar regions, including cerebellar vermis, cerebellar peduncles, cerebellar cortex, and dentatum. Methods Thirty-six SCA3/MJD patients, and 27 sex, age-matched healthy controls were scanned with 1H-MRS for N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho) and creatine (Cr). We made cerebellar vermis, cerebellar peduncles, cerebellar cortex, and dentatum as the region of interests (ROI), and finally got access to NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and NAA/Cho ratios. We also examined the CAG repeat numbers of MJD1 gene, scored the 36 patients by the scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA), analyzed the differences in ratios between SCA3/MJD patients and the control group, and explored whether relevance existed between these ratios and duration of the disease, age of onset, CAG repeat times, and SARA scores respectively. Results The ratio of NAA/Cr in SCA3/MJD patients showed a significant reduction in the cerebellar cortex, dentatum, cerebellar vermis and medipeduncle (P<0.01) compared with the controls. The ratio of NAA/Cho also showed significant reduction in the dentatum and cerebellar vermis (P<0.01). A number of correlations were found between the metabolite ratios of 1H-MRS and duration of the disease, age of onset, expanded CAG and SARA score in SCA3/MJD patients. Conclusion 1H-MRS, which shows the neural metabolic changes in the cerebella of SCA3/MJD patients, provides useful information about the severity of SCA3/MJD.

BACKGROUNDTo observe the suppressive effects of exogenous p27 gene on human lung cancer cell line A549.

METHODSAn adenovirus expression vector (pAd CMV-p27) containing 570 bp human full-length p27 cDNA was transfected into human lung cancer cell line A549. Expression of exogenous p27 gene was detected by dot-blot hybridization and laser co-focal system. MTT was adopted to measure the effects of exogenous p27 gene on cell cycle progression and cell features of the infected A549.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expression level of p27 was remarkably increased after transfecting with exogenous p27 gene. The apoptosis of infected A549 occurred and the progression of cell cycle was arrested in G1 phase.

CONCLUSIONSp27(kipl) gene transfer may play a therapeutic role in the treatment of lung cancer.

Objective To investigate the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) combined with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitor NS-398 on the apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma QBC939 cells and the mechanism.Methods In vitro,cholangiocarcinoma QBC939 cells were treated with 0,15,30,45,60 and 75 μg/ml DHA with 0,25,50,100,150 and 200 μmol/L NS-398,respectively.The absorbances of the QBC939 cells were measured by CCK8 and its growth inhibition ratios were analyzed.Flow cytometry was applied to detect cell apoptosis.The level of β-catenin and COX-2 mRNA and protein were measured by real-time PCR,immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay,respectively.Results DHA combined with NS-398 could significantly suppress the growth of QBC939 cells (P ＜ 0.05).When the concentration of DHA went up to 45 μg/ml and NS-398 was 100 μmol/L,the relative growth inhibition rate of QBC939 cells was 90.0％.If the concentrations were increased,the result showed no significant differences.Furthermore,flow cytometry analysis indicated that DHA combined with NS-398 could induce QBC939 cells apoptosis at the early stage,and the apoptosis rate was significantly different between the experimental and control groups (P ＜ 0.01).Real-time PCR showed low β-catenin and COX-2 expression in QBC939 cells disposed by DHA combined with NS-398,and their expression were significantly different between the experimental and control groups (P ＜ 0.01).Immunocytochemistry and ELISA demonstrated that DHA combined with NS-398 could decrease β-catenin and COX-2 protein expression in QBC939 cells.Conclusion DHA combined with NS-398 induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of cholangiocarcinoma cells QBC939 in vitro through targeting β-catenin and COX-2.

Cardiac disease is the general term of diseases, caused by damage to the structure or abnormal function of the heart. Its morbidity and mortality have remained high, seriously threatening the lives and health of people. The tyrosine kinase receptor ErbB2 (also known as EGFR2 or HER2) was originally discovered for its oncogenic activity, however, recent studies have found that ErbB2 have protective effects in various heart diseases. Therefore, this article reviews the role and underlying mechanism of ErbB2 in myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxic injury and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, this article also preliminarily discusses the application prospects, limitations and development directions of ErbB2 as a clinical diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for heart disease.

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the biological effects of anti VEGF₁₆₅ ribozyme on human lung adenocarcinoma cell.

METHODSHammerhead ribozyme (VRz) against VEGF₁₆₅ gene transcripts (site 212) and its paired mutant ribozyme (mVRz) were designed and synthesized, and the cleavage activity of the ribozymes on target RNA in a cell-free system was observed. The replication-incompetent adenovirus-mediated eukaryotic expression vectors (rpAdVRz) containing VRz and mVRz gene were constructed and identified. Then the human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) were infected with recombinant adenovirus. The biological characteristics of A549 cell before and after infection in vitro were inspected by Northern blot, laser confocal imaging system analysis, flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSVRz specifically and efficiently cleaved the VEGF₁₆₅ mRNA. The rpAdVRz was successfully constructed and infected A549 cell. The level of VEGF₁₆₅ expression decreased 87% in rpAdVRz infected cells compared with the other groups, but their biological characteristics were not influenced by the expression of the exogenous gene.

CONCLUSIONSThe adenovirus mediated hammerhead ribozyme against VEGF₁₆₅ can significantly decrease the expression of VEGF₁₆₅. This provides an experimental basis for human lung cancer gene therapy with antiangiogenesis method.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of polymorphisms in XRCC1 and APE1 genes on vinyl chloride (VC)-induced chromosomal damage in peripheral lymphocytes.

METHODSIn this study, 317 workers occupationally exposed to VC were recruited from a factory in Shandong Province, China. The micronucleus (MN) frequency in peripheral lymphocytes was used as an indicator of chromosomal damage. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and created restriction site combined with restriction fragment length polymorphism were used to determine the five single nucleotide polymorphisms in XRCC1 and APE1 genes in the base excision repair pathway. The association of chromosomal damage with these polymorphisms and the haplotype of XRCC1 was analyzed using Poisson regression and PHASE 2.0.2.

RESULTSIt was found that among the VC-exposed workers, individuals with XRCC1 polymorphisms (-77C/T, Arg194Trp, Arg280His, and Arg399Gln) had a significantly higher MN frequency than those with homozygous wild-type genotypes, with frequency ratios (FR) as follows, respectively: FR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.05∼1.39 (P < 0.05); FR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.00∼1.38 (P < 0.05); FR = 1.26, 95%CI: 1.11∼1.44 (P < 0.05); FR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.08∼1.46 (P < 0.05). APE1 Asp148Glu was found of no significant relationship with MN frequency. Haplotype analysis of XRCC1 demonstrated that the MN frequencies in subjects with CTAA/CTAA and CCAA/CTAA were significantly higher than that in those with TCGG/TCGG (FR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.02∼1.32, P < 0.05; FR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.02∼1.87, P < 0.05). Furthermore, association was found between accumulated exposure to VC and XRCC1 polymorphisms (-77C/T, Arg194Trp, Arg280His, and Arg399Gln) after adjustment for age, sex, drinking, and smoking.

CONCLUSIONVC can induce chromosomal damage even when the exposure level is lower than the national occupational health standard of China (PC-TWA: 10 mg/m(3)); the polymorphisms in XRCC1 and APE1 are associated with chromosomal damage induced by VC.

Adult ; DNA-(Apurinic or Apyrimidinic Site) Lyase ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Vinyl Chloride ; poisoning ; X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1 ; Young Adult

Objective:To explore the characteristics of vocal cord polyps and to study the application value of high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of vocal cord polyps.Methods:A total of 169 patients diagnosed with vocal cord polyps ( 176 polyps in total ) by pathology in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from December 2016 to September 2021 were collected, the ultrasonic image characteristics of vocal cord polyps were summarized, and the characteristics of thyroid cartilage calcification at glottic level and the influence of the calcification range of thyroid cartilage at glottic level on the display of vocal cord polyps were observed.Results:The sonogram images of all vocal cord polyps showed the localized uniform low echo between the upper cortex and the ligament layer, the morphology could be circular and flat, and all polyps could be divided into high tension type and low tension type, no blood flow signal was found in 96.8% of the polyps. Round polyps were more easier to be detected by ultrasound than flat polyps, but there was no significant difference( P>0.05). The incidence of thyroid cartilage calcification at glottis level was higher in men than in women, and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05). The range of thyroid cartilage calcification at the glottic level affects the display rate of vocal cord polyps.With the increase of calcification range, the display rate of vocal cord polyps gradually decreased. There was significant difference in the display rate of vocal cord polyps between non calcification group and moderate calcification group, non calcification group and severe calcification group(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Vocal cord polyps have typical sonographic appearance. High-frequency ultrasound can identify the morphology, location and size of vocal cord polyps. Especially for patients with no or mild calcification of thyroid cartilage at glottic level, ultrasound can meet the requirements of accurate diagnosis. It is expected to become an effective supplement to laryngoscopy, and apply for to the preliminary screening of vocal cord polyps and postoperative review.