Objective To evaluate the feasibility of virtual touch tissues quantification (VTQ) technique in the assessment of liver fibrosis and to find the suitable measuring position of VTQ. Methods Liver stiffness was measured with Acuson S2000 ultrasound system in totally 533 subjects including healthy people ( n = 302), patients with hepatitis B virus(HBV) ( n = 191) and patients with fatty liver ( n =40). Each subject received VTQ measurements in four parts (superficial and deep parts of right lobe, and superficial and deep parts of left lobe) and every part was measured five times to get five values. The reproducibility of different part of VTQ was analyzed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results The achievement rate was high in both right and left lobes,especially in right lobe. The lowest rate was from the deep part of left lobe. Except deep part of left hepatic lobe in fatty liver,all parts of liver in all groups of patients were with ICC higher than 0. 75. In deep part of right lobe, VTQ values were (1.12 ± 0. 19)m/s in control group subjects, (1.83 ± 0. 62)m/s in patients with hepatitis B virus and (1.05 ± 0. 25)m/s in patients with fatty liver. There was significant difference of VTQ value between control group and patients with HBV ( P = 0.000), also between patients with HBV and patients with fatty liver ( P = 0.000). Conclusions It is stable to measure liver stiffness with VTQ technique, which is a new method to evaluate liver stiffness noninvasively. Right hepatic lobe is the most suitable position to be measured.

Objective:To investigate the immune effects of CIK cells induced by Toll like receptor 7 agonist (Tlr7a) instead of IFN-γon killing lymphoma cells in vitro .Methods: Mononuclear cells were isolated from healthy human peripheral blood .CIK were induced by Tlr7a in vitro instead of IFN-γ.Two groups were divided as follows:CIK group,Tlr7a-CIK group.Then the main investigation on immune effects included immune phenotype was detected respectively , and cytotoxicity of the effectors was analyzed .Results: In Tlr7a-CIK group,the amount of CD56+cells was more than CIK group (P<0.05),and the cytotoxicity was also stronger (P<0.05). Conclusion:Tlr7a instead of IFN-γcould promote the immune effects of CIK cells on killing tumor cells in vitro .

OBJECTIVE: By studying the MRI apperances of postcricoid area invaded by laryngeal carcinoma, to identify the characteristic appearances of the invaded postcricoid area and to provide information on the early detection of the lesions. METHOD: Eighteen cases of MRI images of postcricoid area invaded by laryngeal carcinoma were included in this study. To find out the characteristic manifestation of the lesions, the destructions of surrounding structures and layers, and the invaded extent were observed. RESULT: In 18 cases the invaded lesions of postcricoid area include the mucous layer, submucous fat layer and the mucous layer of anterior wall. In 14 cases the invaded lesions of postcricoid area include the mucous layer, submucous fat layer and the mucous layer of the posterior wall. The soft tissue mass was found in 15 cases, and disappeared hypopharynx cavity in 16 cases. In 14 cases, the full-thickness of both anterior and posterior walls were invaded, accompanied with soft tissue mass and disappeared hypopharynx cavity. CONCLUSION The postcricoid area invaded by laryngeal carcinoma usually shows the destruction of normal structures, signal change in MRI and soft tissue mass. Being familiar with the imaging of the invaded postcricoid area is extremely important to early detect laryngeal carcinomas invading postcricoid area.
Cricoid Cartilage ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Hypopharynx ; pathology ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Larynx ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging