Objective:To optimize 3.0T MRI diagnosis indicator in breast cancer and to select the best MRI scan program.
Methods:Totally 45 patients with breast cancers were collected, and another 35 patients with benign breast tumor served as the control group. All patients underwent 3.0T MRI, including T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), fat suppression of the T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) sequence. With operation pathology results as the gold standard in the diagnosis of breast diseases, the pathological results of benign and malignant served as dependent variables, and the diagnostic indicators of MRI were taken as independent variables. We put all the indicators of MRI examination under Logistic regression analysis, established the Logistic model, and optimized the diagnosis indicators of MRI examination to further improve MRI scan of breast cancer.
Results:By Logistic regression analysis, some indicators were selected in the equation, including the edge feature of the tumor, the time-signal intensity curve (TIC) type and the apparent diffusion coeffcient (ADC) value when b=500 s/mm2. hTe regression equation was Logit (P)=-21.936+20.478X6+3.267X7+21.488X3.
Conclusion:Valuable indicators in the diagnosis of breast cancer are the edge feature of the tumor, the TIC type and the ADC value when b=500 s/mm2. Combining conventional MRI scan, DWI and dynamic enhanced MRI is a better examination program, while MRS is the complementary program when diagnosis is diffcult.

Objective To study the effects of γ-IFN on the expression of HLA-G mRNA in primary cultured astrocytoma cells. Methods Different concentrations of γ-IFN were added to primary cultured cells, and HLA-G mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. Results After γ-IFN treatment, HLA-G mRNA can not be determined from HLA-G originally negative astrocytoma cells. The expression of HLA-G are up - regulated in all original HLA-G positive astrocytoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion γ-IFN can increase the ex-pression of HLA-G gene in the primary cultured astrocytoma cells which HLA - G are originally positive.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Care

Diacylglycerol, DAG, because of its multifunctional and nutritional properties, attracted considerable attention recently. Enzymatic synthesis of diacylglycerols from linoleic acid was investigated in a solvent-free reaction in a continuously operated fixed bed reactors containing Lipozyme RM IM. By appropriate manipulation of the fluid-residence time, the relative proportions of the various acylglycerols in the effluent stream can be controlled. In addition, the presence of excess glycerol is effective for the removal of water produced during the esterification reactions. Under the conditions of molar ratio of linoleic acid to glycerol of 0.5, the immoblized enzyme maintained high stability and allowed the reaction to continue for 10 days without significant deterioration in enzyme activity. It was determined that the conversion of fatty acid, content of 1,3-DAG and volume efficiency of reactor reached optima under the conditions: a packaged-bed reactor(with a ratio of packed length to inner diameter of 7.8), reacting temperature at 65 degrees C, molar ratio of linoleic acid to glycerol of 0.5, and feeding flow rate of 1.2 mL/min.
Catalysis ; Diglycerides ; chemical synthesis ; Enzyme Stability ; Enzymes, Immobilized ; chemistry ; Lipase ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDAccurate knowledge of the spinal structural functions is critical to understand the biomechanical factors that affect spinal pathology. Many studies have investigated the human vertebral motion both in vitro and in vivo. However, determination of in vivo motion of the vertebrae under physiologic loading conditions remains a challenge in biomedical engineering because of the limitations of current technology and the complicated anatomy of the spine.

METHODSFor in vitro validation, a human lumbar specimen was imbedded with steel beads and moved to a known distance by an universal testing machine (UTM). The dual fluoroscopic system was used to capture the spine motion and reproduce the moving distance. For in vivo validation, a living subject moved the spine in various positions while bearing weight. The fluoroscopes were used to reproduce the in vivo spine positions 5 times. The standard deviations in translation and orientation of the five measurements were used to evaluate the repeatability of technique. The accuracy of vertebral outline matching with metallic marks matching technology was compared.

RESULTSThe translation positions of the human lumbar specimen could be determined with a mean accuracy less than 0.35 mm and a mean repeatability 0.36 mm for the image matching technique. The repeatability of the method in reproducing in vivo human spine six degrees of freedom (6DOF) kinematics was less than 0.43 mm in translation and less than 0.65° in rotation. The accuracy of metallic marks and vertebral outline matching did not show significant difference.

CONCLUSIONSCombining a dual fluoroscopic and computerized tomography imaging technique was accurate and reproduceable for noninvasive measurement of spine vertebral motion. The vertebral outline matching technique could be a useful technique for matching of vertebral positions and orientations which can evaluate and improve the efficacy of the various surgical treatments.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Fluoroscopy ; methods ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Spine ; anatomy & histology ; physiology

Child ; Exons ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Sequence Analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the capability of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) differentiating into adipose cells in vitro and to determine their changes in cell morphology, structure and function during differentiation.

METHODSPDLSCs isolated by magnetic-activated cell selection were treated continuously with adipogenic medium for 21 d. Then the cell morphology, ultrastructure, adipose specific markers of low density lipoprotein (LPL) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) were analyzed by inverted contrast microscope, trans mission electron microscope (TEM), flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. These adipose-like cells were also identified by oil red O staining to determine the formation of lipid droplet, and the non-induced cells were used as control.

RESULTSAfter continuous induction, the treated cells differentiated into adipose-like cells with round shape, and large amount of lipid drop in cytoplasm. 96.54% of the PDLSCs were found to differentiate into adipose cells as showed by flow cytometry, the specific markers of LPL mRNA and PPAR-gamma mRNA, and oil red O staining, respectively. Further, PPAR-gamma protein was detected in the induced cells in a time-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONHuman PDLSCs have the potential of differentiating into adipose cells under appropriate condition, and the differentiated cells exhibited characteristics of adipose cells both from cell morphology and from their functions.

Adipocytes ; Cell Differentiation ; Humans ; PPAR gamma ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stem Cells

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of vascularized fibular graft on large defects of long bones and the monitoring method for the vascular status of the grafted fibula.

METHODSFrom March 1988 to February 1998, 30 patients with long bone defects over 6 cm in length received vascularized fibular graft including a monitoring island flap in our department to monitor the blood circulation of the fibulae.

RESULTSMonitoring island abnormalities were indicated in 6 flaps, which accurately gave the alarm of the circulation crisis of the fibular graft. Surgical exploration was performed timely and the blood supply was recovered instantaneously. All the bone defects were healed at 6 months postoperatively. After 4 years of follow-up, all the grafted fibulae were thickened and were just like tibiae.

CONCLUSIONSA monitoring island flap is a satisfactory method for repairing large defects of the long bones and a reliable method for assessing the vascular status of the grafted fibulae.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fibula ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo detect hot point mutations of ATP7B gene in Hunan Han patients with Wilson' disease (WD).

METHODSThe genomic DNA of 22 WD patients was extracted and exons 5, 8, 12, 13 were amplified by PCR. Screening for the mutations was done by direct sequencing and analysed by BLAST.

RESULTSFifteen of the 22 patients were found with mutations. Ten heterozygous Arg778Leu (2273G --> T) mutations were found in exon 8, all of them were accompanied with 2250C --> G polymorphism (Leu770Leu). Seven patients were found with 2855G --> A (Arg952Lys) polymorphism (4 heterozygous and 3 homozygous), 3 of them had Arg778Leu mutation in exon 8 and one with heterozygous mutation Gly943Asp (2828G --> A) in exon 12 simultaneously. Only one patient was found with heterozygous Pro992Leu (2975C --> T) mutation in exon 13. No mutations were found in exon 5.

CONCLUSIONArg778Leu is the hot point mutation of ATP7B gene in Hunan Han patients with Wilson' disease while exon 5 is not.

Adenosine Triphosphatases ; genetics ; Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Child ; Copper-transporting ATPases ; DNA ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; ethnology ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutation

OBJECTIVESThe physicians knowledge and attitude to erectile dysfunction (ED) is very important to the diagnosis and management of this disease. We investigated the physicians and practitioners knowledge of ED, attitude to ED, and if they actively find the underlying ED patients.

METHODSThree hundreds and one physicians and practitioners in Beijing completed a questionnaire. The subjects included urologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, surgeons, orthopaedicians and community practitioners.

RESULTSThe definition of ED was well known by most subjects (83.4%). Many agreed that ED was a common condition in the aging men (85.0%), and it was an important health problem (78.7%) and it was the local signs of certain systemic diseases (89.7%). The most common risk factors of ED enumerated by the physicians were diabetes (45.5%), hypertension (12.6%) and coronary artery diseases (12.0%). 45.5% physicians met the patients who initiated questions about ED. 32.6% physicians would discuss ED with the patients if the patients initiate questions about ED. 95.0% non-urological physicians would refer the ED patients to urologists or andrologists. 43.5% of all the physicians never asked their patients about erectile function, this proportions in the subgroups of urologists, non-urological physicians and community practitioners were 7.2%, 55.3% and 60.5% respectively (P < 0.01). The most common reasons for the physicians not to initiate the inquiries about ED was "the patients would not have ED if they didnt complain about it" (42.2%), "there was no ED patients in my specialty" (20.9%), "diagnosis and treatment of ED was not my business" (17.3%), "have no time" (15.6%), "feel embarrassed" (13.6%).

CONCLUSIONSMost physicians regarded ED as an important health problem and a common condition in aging men, but they didnt take an active attitude to ED in their clinical practice.

Aging ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; China ; epidemiology ; Education, Medical ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Knowledge ; Male ; Physicians ; psychology ; Risk Factors