OBJECTIVETo explore the value of phase ordering with automatic window selection(PAWS)and simultaneous multiple volume(SMV)algorithm double respiratory navigator-gated two-dimensional(2DNAV)dual inversion recovery(DIR)fast spin echo(FSE)high-resolution black-blood coronary artery wall magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and evaluate its advantages and limitations.

METHODSPAWS and SMV 2DNAV DIR FSE high-resolution black-blood MRI was performed in 21 healthy volunteers. The images were evaluated qualitatively by using four grades(grade 0can not evaluate;grade 1bad;grade 2good;grade 3perfect). Images defined as grade 0 and grade 1 were excluded and those defined as grade 2 and 3 were evaluated further. Thickness of proximal(or middle)segment of right coronary artery(RCA)and left anterior descending branch(LAD)were measured. The difference of wall thickness was analyzed by using two-tailed independent sample t-test. P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTSAmong the 38 slice images,31 slices(RCA13 slices,LAD18 slices;grade 214 slices,grade 317 slices)were obtained for further evaluation. The mean thickness of RCA and LAD was(0.94±0.16)and(0.89±0.15)mm,respectively,and the difference was not significant(t=-0.790,P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPAWS and SMV algorithm 2DNAV DIR FSE high-resolution black-blood MRI has certain clinical value for coronary artery wall imaging.

Adult ; Coronary Vessels ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common condition obsessing urologists and patients. It is also known as a heterogeneous syndrome, with varied etiologies, progression courses and responses to treatment. Based on the deeper insights into its pathogenesis and re-evaluation of its clinical trials, a novel phenotypic classification system UPOINT has been developed, which clinically classifies CP/CPPS patients into six domains: urinary (U), psychosocial (P), organ-specific (O), infection (I) , neurologic/systemic (N) and tenderness of pelvic floor skeletal muscles (T), and directs individualized and multimodal therapeutic approaches to CP/CPPS. This review systematically summarizes the theoretical foundation, clinical characteristics of UPOINT and treatment strategies based on the UPOINT phenotypic classification system.
Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Pelvic Pain ; classification ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Phenotype ; Prostatitis ; classification ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of JWA gene in benzo (a) pyrene [B (a) P] induced DNA damage and repair effects in HeLa cells.

METHODSThe antisense JWA express vector (pEGFP-C1-asJWA) was constructed and stably transfected into HeLa cells. JWA deficient HeLa cells (asJWA-HeLa) was then screened and established. The general characteristics of asJWA-HeLa cells were investigated. DNA damage and repair cell culture model was conducted by treating the cells with 50 micromol/L B (a) P plus S9 for 3 hours and then the cells were maintained further 0, 1, 3, and 24 hours for DNA repairing. The damaged DNA was detected by single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay).

RESULTSJWA deficient HeLa cells (with a 31% of JWA protein expression as compared with the control) were obtained successfully. Compared with the empty vector transfected cells (C1-HeLa) and the untransfected HeLa cells, asJWA-HeLa cells were more sensitive to B (a) P exposure and with a delayed DNA repair process.

CONCLUSIONThe JWA determined might function as a potential effective environmental responsive gene and actively participate the process of B (a) P exposure associated with intracellular signal pathways of DNA damage and repair.

Benzo(a)pyrene ; toxicity ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; DNA Repair ; DNA-Formamidopyrimidine Glycosylase ; deficiency ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; HeLa Cells ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; deficiency ; genetics ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; deficiency ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of 64-slice CT in the diagnosis of coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR).Methods Fourteen patients with 37 implanted coronary stents were examined by both 64-slice CT angiography (CTA) and conventional coronary angiography(CCA).The diagnosis of ISR was evaluated by two methods(visual inspection and the measurement of the in-stent contrast attenuation)on CTA.The accuracy of the two methods in the diagnosis of ISR was compared with reference to CCA.Results ISR(＞50%)was found on CCA in 11 stents.CTA with visual inspection and with measurement of in-stent CT attenuation correctly detected ISR in 2 and 3 stents respectively with reference to CCA.The sensitivity, specificity,positive predictive value and negative predicitive value of the two methods were 18%,69%, 20%,67% and 27%,81%,38%,72%,respectively.There was no significant difference (P＞0.05) between the accuracy of two methods.Conclusion The ISR was very difficult to diagnose by 64 slice CT, but the high specificity of 64-slice CT study implied an important role in excluding ISR.

This report aims to investigate the dynamical changes of HBcAg18-27 epitope specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV DNA and HBsAg in peripheral blood of acute hepatitis B patients, and to explore the roles of HBcAg18-27-specific CTLs in virus clearance and liver injury. Acute hepatitis B (AHB) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients were divided into two groups according to results of HLA-A0201. Patients with positive HLA-A0201 were classified into HBcAg-specific CTL group and those with negative HLA-A0201 were referred as control group. The specific CTLs were stained with HLA-A0201 limited HBcAg18-27 epitope MHC-Pentamer and the frequencies of CTLs, T, B, NK and NKT cells were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The serum ALT, HBV DNA and HBsAg were examined using speed analysis, quantitative PCR and abbott chemiluminescent technology. The frequencies of HBcAg18-27-specific CTLs in AHB patients were higher in the early three weeks as compared to the late three weeks. The apex time of HBV-specific CTL frequencies lagged behind those of HBV DNA, HBsAg and ALT. The loss of HBsAg in patients with high frequencies of HBV-specific CTL was earlier than that in patients with low frequencies (t = 2.018, P value is less than 0.05). In the second week the peak frequencies of CD3+CD8+ cells overlapped with that of HBcAg18-27-specific CTLs and with a positive correlation between (r = 0.420, P value is less than 0.05). During the early stages of AHB, the frequencies of NK and NKT cells were found significantly lower than that of control group and CHB group and the levels were back to normal after recovery. Moreover, a negative correlation existed between the frequencies of NK cells and the dynamic changes of HBcAg18-27-specific CTLs (r = -0.435, P value is less than 0.01) in AHB group. The frequencies of HBcAg18-27-specific CTLs were significantly higher as compared to CHB group in the first three weeks (z = -3.258, -4.04, and -3.259, P value is less than 0.01). The early loss of HBsAg was closely related to the high frequencies of HBcAg18-27 specific CTLs in AHB patients. HBcAg-specific CTL frequencies in peripheral blood could be used to predict clinical outcome after HBV infection. The frequencies of CD8+ T cells can reflect the changes of frequencies of HBcAg-specific CTL during acute HBV infection.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; HLA-A2 Antigen ; immunology ; Hepatitis B ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; cytology ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging derived quantitative metrics and serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) level in an embolic canine stroke model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A middle cerebral artery occlusion model was established in 24 beagle dogs. Experimental dogs were divided into low- and high-sCD40L group according to serum sCD40L level at 4.5 hours after establishing the model. IVIM imaging was scanned at 4.5 hours after model establishment using 10 b values ranging from 0 to 900 s/mm². Quantitative metrics diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) of ischemic lesions were calculated. Quantitative metrics of ischemic lesions were normalized by contralateral hemisphere using the following formula: normalized D = D(stroke) / D(contralateral). Differences in IVIM metrics between the low- and high-sCD40L groups were compared using t test. Pearson's correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationship between IVIM metrics and serum sCD40L level. RESULTS: The high-sCD40L group showed significantly lower f and normalized f values than the low-sCD40L group (f, p < 0.001; normalized f, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in D*, normalized D*, D, or normalized D value between the two groups (All p > 0.05). Both f and normalized f values were negatively correlated with serum sCD40L level (f, r = −0.789, p < 0.001; normalized f, r = −0.823, p < 0.001). However, serum sCD40L level had no significant correlation with D*, normalized D*, D, or normalized D (All p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The f value derived from IVIM imaging was negatively correlated with serum sCD40L level. f value might serve as a potential imaging biomarker to assess the formation of microvascular thrombosis in hyperacute period of ischemic stroke.
Animals ; CD40 Ligand* ; Diffusion ; Dogs ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Perfusion ; Stroke* ; Thrombosis

OBJECTIVETo search differentially expressed proteins in serum of patients with Crohn disease.

METHODSSerum protein samples from 4 patients with Crohn disease and 8 healthy adults were recruited cross-labeled with variant CyDye, and then followed by two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE), image analysis, and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).

RESULTSThe 2-D electrophoresis results were compared between the Crohn disease patients and the healthy adults. The spot 1058 expression in serum of Crohn disease patients increased by 1.68 folds as compared with healthy adults (P<0.05). The protein was identified as haptoglobin by mass spectrometry.

CONCLUSIONUp-regulating expression of haptoglobin in serum of Crohn disease patients may play a role in disequilibrium of immunity system.

Adult ; Blood Proteins ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Crohn Disease ; blood ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Haptoglobins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Proteomics ; methods ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

OBJECTIVETo study the five-year postoperative effect of the ligation and resection of the deep penile vein for the patient of erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by penile venous leakage.

METHODSSixteen ED patients received deep penile vein ligation and resection. Observations of the penile erection had been recorded for 5 years after surgery.

RESULTSEight cases demonstrated erectile hypofunction after 18 months postoperatively and total ED after 21-30 months of which 6 were improved by chemotherapy, and 2 showed no improvement. Seven cases remained normal and 1 case get out of touch at the 24th month postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONSThe ligation and resection of the deep penile vein can be considered as an easy and effective method to treat patients of ED caused by penile venous leakage.

Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Impotence, Vasculogenic ; surgery ; Ligation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; blood supply ; Postoperative Complications ; Veins ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the immunoregulatory effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) e antigen (HBeAg) on peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs).

METHODSPBMCs were isolated from patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB; both HBeAg- and HBeAg+) and healthy controls, and cultured with recombinant HBeAg. The HBeAg-induced changes in expression of PD-1/PD-L1 were measured by flow cytometry of the cells and in secreted cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the supernatants. Comparisons between two groups were made by the independent-samples t-test; the relationship between PD-1/B7-H1 level and HBV DNA copy number was evaluated by Spearman's correlation analysis.

RESULTSExposure to HBeAg led to a significant decrease in CD3+CD4+ T lymphocyte-specific expression of IFNa for both the CHB patients' and healthy controls' samples (t = 2.382 and -4.190 respectively, P less than 0.01). For the HBeAg- CHB patients' and healthy controls' samples, the HBeAg exposure led to increased levels of secreted cytokines IL-6, IL-10 and TNFa (t = 2.504, 3.583 and 4.324, P less than 0.01 and t = 3.542, 6.246 and 5.273, P less than 0.01 respectively) and of CD14+ PBMC-specific expression of PD-L1 (t = 4.815 and 3.454, P less than 0.05 respectively). Compared to the HBeAg-negative CHB patients' and healthy controls' samples, the HBeAg+ CHB patients' samples had significantly lower CD3+CD4+ T cell-specific expression of IFNa (t = -3.177 and -4.541, P less than 0.01 respectively), but significantly higher levels of secreted IL-4 (t = 3.382 and 4.393, P less than 0.01 respectively), of CD3+ T cells-specific expression of PD-1/PD-L1 (t = 4.755, 2.942 and 4.518, 4.595, P less than 0.01 respectively), and of CD14+ T cells-specific expression of PD-L1 (t = 5.092 and 5.473, P less than 0.01 respectively). The CD3+ T cells-specific expression of PD-L1 was significantly higher in the samples from HBeAg- CHB patients than from the healthy controls (t = 3.214, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHBeAg was able to down-regulate the production of Th1-type cytokines (IFNgamma), and up-regulate the secretion of Th2-type cytokines (IL-6, IL-10) and the expression of PD-1/PD-L1on monocytes. These changes are conducive to the formation of immune tolerance to HBV. Therefore, HBeAg may play an important role in immune tolerance to chronic HBV infection.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Interleukin-10 ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th1-Th2 Balance ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical causes of the erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSOne hundred and thirty cases of ED were examined by hemonamometry and cavernosography with vasodilating agent. The data about penile brachial index, intracavernous pressure, maintenance flow rate, and pressure loss change were obtained and the status of the penile veins was detected.

RESULTSAmong 130 patients with ED, 39 had venous leakage including penile arterial insufficiency simultaneous venous leakage in 15 patients. Various leakage sites were observed by using cavernosography. Twenty-eight patients showed deep dorsal veins only and the remaining crural veins.

CONCLUSIONHemodynamometry is effective to diagnose the cause of ED.

Adult ; Aged ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology