No abstract available.
Female ; Hemangioendothelioma/metabolism/*pathology/surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Interferon-alpha/therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism/*pathology/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; alpha-Fetoproteins/*analysis

OBJECTIVETo establish a new function method for the analysis of a-fetoprotein (AFP) and beta-hCG in testicular tumors.

METHODSWe reexamined the serum levels of AFP and beta-hCG after radical orchiectomy, and calculated the measured coordinate, with the abscissa representing the number of the half-lives of tumor markers, and the ordinate representing the measured value of tumor markers. Referring to the measured value of tumor markers before surgery as a, the number of half-lives as x, and their theoretical value over a period of x elimination half-lives as y (logarithm to the base 2 of y), we calculated the predicted coordinate according to the formula y = log2(a/2x) ==> x + y = log2a (function 1). Then we assessed tumor residue and metastasis by analyzing the relationship between the measured and predicted coordinates.

RESULTSThe pathological examination of case 1 revealed a germ cell tumor of a mixed histological pattern of syncytiotrophoblast and yolk sac tumor. The measured coordinates of AFP and beta-hCG were (2.22, 6.21) and (10, 8.38), and the predicted coordinates (2.22, 6.34) and (10, 4.41) , indicating the elimination of the yolk sac tumor and metastasis of the syncytiotrophoblast tumor. Case 2 demonstrated the mixed pathological nature of teratocarcinoma and yolk sac tumor. The measured coordinates of AFP and beta-hCG were (2.67, -1.03) and (12, -3.32), and the predicted coordinates (2.67, 1.41) and (12, -5.80). But the review times of AFP and beta-hCG were out of the effective range of half-lives, with the measured values below the normal, which suggested no tumor residue or metastasis. Case 3 was found to be embryonal carcinoma. The measured coordinate of AFP was (0.22, 9.25) , and the predicted coordinate (0.22, 9.55) , indicating the elimination of tumor.

CONCLUSIONThe change of the tumor markers predicted by the function method coincided with the natural course of disease in the three cases. The coincidence of the measured with the predicted coordinate after radical orchiectomy indicates no metastasis, while their disagreement suggests possible residue and metastasis of the tumor.

Adult ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Statistical ; Orchiectomy ; Testicular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of low frequency pulsed magnetic field on the proliferation and differentiation of HepG2 cells.

METHODS3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) colorimetry method and ELISA assay of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were used to determine the cell proliferation and differentiation after the cells were exposed to pulsed magnetic fields with different frequency but the same field intensity.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in cell proliferation between sham and treated groups exposed to the field of 80 Hz, 1.55 mT for 1, 4, 8, 12, 24 h (P > 0.05). There were also no significant differences in cell proliferation and AFP secretion between sham and treated groups exposed to 16 Hz, 1.55 mT pulsed magnetic fields for 1, 4, 8, 24 h (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were no "window effects" found in HepG2 cells proliferation or AFP secretion at 16 Hz and 80 Hz pulsed magnetic fields.

Cell Differentiation ; radiation effects ; Cell Division ; radiation effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; cytology ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Humans ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of CT scan in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular space-occupying lesions.

METHODSIn patients with testicular space-occupying lesions, 11 underwent examinations for such tumor markers as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Plain CT scans were performed with a section thickness and interval of 2 mm followed by enhanced scans after intravenous bolus injection of 70 ml 60% ultravist. Spiral CT multiplanar reconstruction images were also obtained.

RESULTSOf the 13 patients, histopathologically confirmed seminoma was found in 3, endodermal sinus tumor in 1, teratoma in 2, mixed germinoma in 2, leucoma in 1 case, abscess in 2, and tuberculosis in 2. One seminoma patient had slightly elevated AFP level while 5 of the 6 noneminoma patients (83%) had elevated AFP level. CT scans displayed characteristic features for diagnosis of testicular space-occupying lesions. Spiral CT with multiplanar reconstruction allowed full view of the lesions and demonstrated their relationship with the surrounding structures.

CONCLUSIONCT scan in combination with the clinical analysis and tumor marker examinations can be of important value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular space-occupying lesions. The application of spiral CT multiplanar reconstruction also helps in the diagnosis.

Adult ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; analysis ; Histocytochemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Reproducibility of Results ; Seminoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Testicular Diseases ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Testicular Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Testis ; chemistry ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis

Bi-phenotypic neoplasm refers to tumors derived from a common cancer stem cell with unique capability to differentiate histologically into two distinct tumor types. Bi-phenotypic hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC), although a rare tumor, is important for clinicians to recognize, since treatment options targeting both elements of the tumor are crucial. Imaging findings of bi-phenotypic HCC-CC are not specific and include features of both HCC and CC. A combination of imaging and immuno-histochemical analysis is usually needed to make the diagnosis.
CA-19-9 Antigen/metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality/pathology/radiography ; Cholangiocarcinoma/mortality/pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/mortality/pathology/*radiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Phenotype ; Risk Factors ; Survival Analysis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; alpha-Fetoproteins/analysis

Biomarkers ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; analysis ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Protein Precursors ; blood ; Prothrombin ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*pathology/therapy ; Cell Differentiation ; Chondrocytes/pathology ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Ethanol/administration & dosage ; Giant Cells/pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms/*pathology/therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoclasts/pathology ; Vimentin/metabolism ; alpha-Fetoproteins/analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the applicability of MultiCalc software to prenatal screening of Down's syndrome in Jiangsu province, China.

METHODSThe gestational age-specific median of maternal serum marker was calculated by means of regression method. Regression functions for adjustment of Multiple of the Median (MoM) by weight were established for our own population.

RESULTSBefore the adjustment by weight, the average level of alpha fetal protein(AFP) was 16% higher and the free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG) was 14% higher than those of the Caucasian in MultiCalc software respectively. But when the AFP and free beta-hCG results were converted to weight-adjusted MoM levels, the values were 0.99 and 1.02 respectively. The median of MoM of AFP and the free beta-hCG were 1.00 through the regression model of gestational age and weight adjustment.

CONCLUSIONThere was no difference of average weight-adjusted MoM levels between the Jiangsu population and the Caucasian, and the MultiCalc software was applicable to maternal serum screening for Down's syndrome of Jiangsu.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Weight ; China ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; blood ; Down Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Female ; Fetal Diseases ; diagnosis ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; blood ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Reference Values ; Regression Analysis ; Software ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of different interventional therapies for primary hepatic cell cancer (HCC).

METHODS1126 HCC patients before or after hepatectomy were treated by different kinds of interventional therapies: transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), TACE and radio-frequency ablation (RFA), Chinese traditional medicine and biotherapy after TACE or the transcatheter arterial infusion (TAI). The results of liver function, alpha-fetoprotein, imaging, color-ultrasonography and survival rate were reviewed.

RESULTS874 patients were followed up for 2 to 63 months. The overall 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate was 67.8% , 28.7% and 18.8%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate of patients who received TACE before hepatectomy was 74.7%, 41.4% and 36.9% ; after hepatectomy 78.9%, 40.4% and 37.5%, respectively. The response rate ( PR + NC) of TACE and RFA was 93.4%, and the 1-, 3-year survival rate was 74.5% and 36.8%, respectively, after TACE and RFA. The response rate (PR + NC) of TACE was 83.2% with 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate of 69.3%, 21.7%, 8.4% after TACE, respectively. The response rate (PR + NC) of TAI was 27.5% with 1-, 2-year survival rate of 11. 6% and 0 after TAI. The Child grade of liver function, color-ultrasonography and alpha-fetoprotein of TACE + RFA group, TACE and TAI were compared. There was no significant difference between each above mentioned index among TACE, RFA or TACE groups.

CONCLUSIONCompared with other modalities, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) before or after hepatectomy is more effective than other interventional therapies for primary hepatocellular cancer, whereas, if combined with radiofrequency ablation (TAI), it is much more effective than TACE alone.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Analysis ; Treatment Outcome ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (combined HCC-CC) is a rare subtype of primary liver cancer. We investigated the histopathologic features of transitional or intermediate areas in 21 combined HCC-CCs and immunophenotypes using different hepatic progenitor cell markers (CK7, CK19, c-kit, NCAM, and EpCAM). Major histologic findings of transitional or intermediate areas of 21 combined HCC-CCs included strands/trabeculae of small, uniform, oval-shaped cells with scant cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei embedded within an abundant stroma, small cells with an antler-like anastomosing pattern, and solid nests of intermediate hepatocyte-like cells surrounded by small cells in periphery, in order of frequency. The intermediate area of one tumor was composed predominantly of spindle cells arranged in short fascicles. Immunophenotype of tumor cells with intermediate morphology suggested a progenitor cell origin for this tumor. Clinical findings of combined HCC-CC showed a closer resemblance with those of HCC than those of CC. In univariate analysis, tumor size, TNM stage, and serum alpha-fetoprotein levels showed a significant association with poor patient survival. Serum alpha-fetoprotein level was an independent prognostic indicator in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, an awareness of the clinicopathologic features, specifically the various morphologic features of intermediate areas in this tumor, is essential for prevention of potential misdiagnosis as another tumor.
Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, Neoplasm/metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*pathology ; Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism ; Cholangiocarcinoma/*pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Keratin-19/metabolism ; Keratin-7/metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms/*pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/metabolism ; alpha-Fetoproteins/analysis