Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of ginsenoside Rg3 combined with 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)on tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth in colon cancer in mice.Methods CT26 mouse model of colon cancer was established and the mice were randomly assigned to the control group,the ginsenoside Rg3 group,the 5-FU group,and the Rg3 combined with 5-FU group.The 5-FU group was injected intraperitoneally at the dose of 20 mg/kg,0.2 mL/animal,and once a day for 10 days.Treatment for the Rg3 group was given at the dose of 20 mg/kg,0.2 mL/animal,and once a day for 21 days via gastric gavage.The dose and the mode of treatment for the Rg3+5-FU combination group were the same as those for the 5-FU and the Rg3 group.The control group was intraperitoneally injected with 0.2 mL/d of normal saline for 10 days.The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and CD31 and the microvascular density(MVD)of the tumor tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry.The blood flow signals and tumor necrosis were examined by color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI).The quality of life,survival rate,tumor volume,tumor mass,and tumor inhibition rate of the mice were monitored.Results After 21 days of treatment,the tumor volume and the tumor mass of all treatment groups were significantly decreased compared with those the control group,with the combination treatment group exhibiting the most significant decrease.The tumor inhibition rates of the Rg3 group,the 5-FU group,and the combination group were 29.96%,68.78%,and 73.42%,respectively.Rg3 treatment alone had inhibitory effect on tumor growth to a certain degree,while 5-FU treatment alone or 5-FU combined with Rg3 had a stronger inhibitory effect on tumor growth.The tumor inhibition rate of the combination group was higher than that of the 5-FU group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Color Doppler ultrasound showed that there were multiple localized and large tumor necrotic areas that were obvious and observable in the Rg3 group and the combination group,and that there were only small tumor necrotic areas in the 5-FU group and the control group.The tumor necrosis rate of the combination group was(55.63±3.12)%,which was significantly higher than those of the other groups(P<0.05).CDFI examination of the blood flow inside of the tumor of the mice showed that the blood flow signals in the combination group were mostly grade 0-Ⅰ,and that the blood flow signals in the control group were the most abundant,being mostly grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ.The abundance of the blood flow signals in the Rg3 and 5-FU groups were between those of the control group and the combination group.Compared with those of the control group,the expression levels of MVD and VEGF in the tumor tissues of the Rg3 group,the 5-FU group,and the combination group were significantly decreased,with the combination group showing the most significant decrease(P<0.05).HE staining results indicated that there was significant tumor necrosis in mice in the control group and that there were more blood vessels.In contrast,in the tumor of the Rg3 group and the 5-FU group,there were fewer blood vessels and necrotic gaps appeared within the tumors.In the combination group,the tumor tissues had the fewest blood vessels and rope-like necrosis was observed.The mice started dying on the 18th day after treatment started,and all the mice in the control group died on the 42nd day.By this time,there were 3,5,and 7 mice still alive in the Rg3 group,the 5-FU group,and the combination group,respectively,presenting a survival rate of 30%,50%,and 70%,respectively.All mice in all the groups died on day 60 after treatment started.Conclusion Ginsenoside Rg3 combined with 5-FU can significantly inhibit tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth of colon cancer in mice and improve the survival and quality of life of tumor-bearing mice.

Accurate DNA quantitation is a prerequisite in many biomedical and pharmaceutical studies. Here we established a new DNA quantitation method by nuclease P1 digestion and UPLC-MS/MS analysis. DNA fragments can be efficiently hydrolyzed to single deoxyribonucleotides by nuclease P1 in a short time. The decent stabilities of all the four deoxyribonucleotides were confirmed under different conditions. Deoxyadenosine monophosphate (dAMP) was selected as the surrogate for DNA quantitation because dAMP showed the highest sensitivity among the four deoxyribonucleotides in the UPLC-MS/MS analysis. The linear range in DNA quantitation by this method is 1.2-5000 ng/mL. In the validation, the inter-day and intra-day accuracies were within 90％-110％, and the inter-day and intra-day precision were acceptable (RSD<10％). The validated method was successfully applied to quantitate DNA isolated from tumors and organs of a mouse xenograft model. Compared to the quantitation methods using UV absorbance, the reported method provides an enhanced sensitivity, and it allows for the accurate quantitation of isolated DNA with contamination of RNA and ribonucleotide.

Objective To investigate the conventional ultrasonic and elastographic characteristics of papillary thyroid micro-carcinomas(PTMC) suffered in normal and Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT).Methods A total of 227 patients with 249 nodules that were confirmed by surgery or biopsy were included in this study.The cases were divided into normal group and HT group.All patients underwent conventional ultrasound and elastography (static pressure).The sonographic characteristics and strain ratio (SR) value were evaluated.Results In the normal group,the ratio between male and female was 1 ∶ 2.9,while in HT group,it was 1 ∶ 11,which was significant different between the two group (P =0.002).Sonographic characteristics that had no significant difference between the two groups (P ＞0.05) include:boundary,shape,vertical and horizontal ratio,halo,echogenicity,calcification,posterior shadowing,vascularity on color Doppler ultrasonography.The strain ratio value was statistically different between the two groups (P =0.034),with 3.44 ± 1.03 in normal group and 3.13 ± 1.13 in HT group.Conclusions The conventional ultrasonographic features of PTMC were similar in both normal thyroid and HT.However,females suffering HT were more susceptible to PTMC,and the strain ratio value of PTMC concomitant HT decreased.

The method for segmenting malignant halo of malignant breast tumor in ultrasound image is useful in providing evidence for the differential diagnosis of breast tumor. In this respect, we adopt an improved anisotropic diffusion filtering method to preprocess the breast tumor ultrasound image, and then apply an improved LBF model with combination of Otsu and morphology methods to extract internal and external contours for obtaining malignant halo based on LBF model proposed by Li. We compare our data of malignant halo with doctor's manual-sketched malignant halo, and make quantitative analysis. The result shows that the malignant halo segmented by the proposed methods in this paper is in accordance with the manual-sketched malignant halo.
Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Models, Theoretical ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; methods ; Ultrasonography, Mammary ; methods

Based on the breast ultrasound database of West China Hospital from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2007, a study of data mining techniques for utilizing the diagnostic information of breast ultrasound and breast pathology was carried out. An innovative computerized retrieval system was invented. With the visual user interface of the system, the data of benignancy or malignancy diagnosed by ultrasound and pathologic examination, and the data on the diagnostic correlation of ultrasound and pathology were obtained, respectively. The qualities of data mining were 99. 98%-100%. By means of the retrieval system, the users can secure numerous data from the breast ultrasound database rapidly and accurately; so it contributes to the rational utilization of information from medical database for serving various medical studies. This method may also be helpful for doctors to utilize ultrasound database in other fields.
Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Data Mining ; Databases, Factual ; Female ; Humans ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; methods ; Medical Records Systems, Computerized ; Ultrasonography

Objective To evaluate the assessment of tumor's size with ultrasound in research of prognosis of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Clinical data of 148 patients with HCC who underwent liver transplantation were analyzed retrospectively. Results One-, 2-,3-,and 5-year overall actuarial survival were 73.3% ,45.6% ,35.4% ,and 32.1%,respectively. One-,2-,3-,and 5-year overall recurrence-free survival were 70.7 %, 44.3 %, 38. 5%, and 34. 5%, respectively. The overall tumor recurrence rate was 43.2%. Univariate analysis indicates that (the Kaplan-Meier method with the Log-Rank test) the total tumor burden (TTB) (χ2=15.098,P=0.001) was found to be significantly affecting the actuarial survival. While TTB (χ2=29. 038, P<0.001) was for recurrence-free survival. In multivariate analysis (with the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model), TTB (R2=1.610, P =0. 008) was found to be an independent predictor of actuarial survival. On the other hand, TTB (R2 =2. 206, P<0.001) was identified as the prognostic factor independently related to recurrence-free survival. Conclusions TTB is an independent prognostic factor for patients with liver transplantation for HCC. Assessment of tumor size with ultrasound is beneficial to the evaluation of indication for liver transplantation when patients with HCC were concerned.

Objective To investigate the clinical application value of ultrasonography in excising breast mass with Mammotome vacuum assisted biopsy device and a stereotactic unit(MMT).Methods Guided by ultrasonography,breast masses were biopsy and excised with MMT.The property of masses were identified by pathology.The effects were followed up with ultrasonography.Results Sixty one masses of breast in 34 cases were excised.Pathology showed that 54 were fibroadenoma and 7 were fibroadenosis.The patients had little discomfort in operation and few complications post operation.There were no relapses during short interviews.Conclusions MMT can biopsy and excise the breast mass guided by ultrasonography.The operation has little wound and few complications.It is a useful minimally invasive method which does not influence the appearance of breast.Ultrasonography can insure operation safety and precision.The effects are evaluated immediately.

Objective To study the value of ultrasonographic diagnosis of galactostasis in lactation.MethodsPatients in lactation and post-lactation were examined by color Doppler ultrasonography.Combined puncture,operation and pathology,the imaging features of different stage were summarized.Results The type of galactostasis included ductal ectasia,galactocele,infection and consolidation.The ultrasonographic examination with imaging features can determine the diagnosis and judge the type and the course of disease.Conclusions Ultrasonography is a first choice in diagnosing galactostasis in lactation.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous umbilical blood sampling. Methods Eight hundred and seventy-two pregnancies with proper indications underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous umbilical sampling. The data of each procedure were prospectively collected and subsequently analyzed for successful rate and pregnancy outcomes. Results Of 872 ultrasound-guided percutaneous umbilical sampling, 62.7% were done successfully at the first attempt, 36.0% were done successfully by two to four attempts. 31.4% fetuses had mild procedure-related complications and 0.3% fetuses had severe complications. Conclusion We should improve the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous umbilical sampling and make it a correct, safe and effective procedure for prenatal diagnosis.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic value of minimally invasive excision of benign breast lesions using stereotactic mammotome minimally invasive surgery system.Methods Under ultrasonographic image monitoring,1160 breast masses of 310 patients were excised using mammotome minimally invasive stereotactic excision system and sent for pathologic examinations immediatly.Patients′condition was follow-ed up and recorded post-operative.Their clinical data were retrospectively analysed.Results Accurate and complete resection of all of the 1160 breast masses was achieved.The resected tissues were large enough to make pathologic diagnosis.The pathologic diagnoses were all found to be benign,and included: fibroadenoma(n=672),fibroadenosis(n=451),intraductal papilloma(n=12),cyst(n=6),cystic hyperplasia(n=17) and tubular adenoma(n=17).Regular follow up every 6-12 months was done.Postoperative surgical scars were unremarkable,the skin incisions were small and concealed,breast appearance and skin sensation were normal and ultrasonography did not reveal residual lesions or recurrences.Conclusions Complete resection of benign breast lesions can be done with mammotome technique.This technique is safe,accurate and effective.Moreover,there is little trauma,low complication rate,and the breast appearance is not affected.This minimally invasive excision technique for benign breast lesions is suitable for wide use.