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BACKGROUND:Studies have testified that nano-ultrasound contrast agents have a strong permeability, making it possible to image the targeted tissues outside blood vessels and overcome the limitation that micron contrast agents are only available for the blood pool imaging. OBJECTIVE:To construct the folate-modified nanoparticles targeting breast cancer as ultrasound contrast agents, as wel as to observe their ability to specifical y bind to cel s and imaging effect in vitro. METHODS:Both contrast agents, pegylated lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer wrapping liquid fluorocarbon formed nanoparticles (mPP/PFOB) and folate modified pegylated lactic acid-glycolic acid wrapping liquid fluorocarbon formed nanoparticles (mPPF/PFOB), were constructed by phacoemulsification-evaporation method. (1)Biocompatibility detection:HFF-1 and MCF-7 cel s in the logarithmic phase were cultivated with various concentrations (0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 1 g/L) of mPP/PFOB or mPPF/PFOB for 24 hours respectively, and then the cel viability was measured. (2)Targeting ability detection in vitro:HFF-1 and MCF-7 cel s in the logarithmic phase were divided into three groups. Cy5-labled mPP/PFOB and mPPF/PFOB were added into groups A and B, respectively;the cel s in group C were pretreated with folate for 2 hours, and sequential y Cy5-labled mPPF/PFOB was added into group C. Fluorescence intensity was detected by flow cytometry after 0.5 hours of culture. The distribution of contrast agents in cel s was observed using confocal microscopy after 20 minutes of culture. (3)Ultrasound imaging in vitro:there were three groups:saline was as group A;the suspension of saline and mPPF/PFOB nanoparticles was prepared as group B;MCF-7 cel s were resuspended with the mixture of saline and mPPF/PFOB nanoparticles to prepare the suspension of nanoparticles and cel s as group C. In each group, the suspension was added into latex gloves, that were then tightened and immersed in water. Final y, the ultrasound was use to detect the ultrasound imaging effect in vitro. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Neither nanoparticles were with significant cytotoxicity. The flow cytometry showed that the mean fluorescence intensity in MCF-7 cel s of group B was significantly higher than that of groups A and C. But there were no significant differences in the mean fluorescence intensity in HFF-1 cel s among the three groups. It was observed that mPPF/PFOB mainly gathered around the MCF-7 cel membrane, while mPP/PFOB randomly distributed in the cytoplasm. After mPPF/PFOB binding to MCF-7 cel s, they could enhance ultrasound echo in vitro. These findings indicate that the targeted nanoparticles mPPF/PFOB have good biocompatibility and can specifical y bind to breast cancer MCF-7 cel s in vitro and enhance the imaging capability.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT).MethodsThis retrospective study used data from Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University of Medicine during November 2012 to December 2013. A total of 111 small thyroid nodules (75 PTMC/36 benign nodules) with 107 HT cases which were pathologically conifrmed were included in this study. The sonographic characteristics of nodules were investigated, including nodule aspect ratio, shape, border, margin, acoustic halo, internal structure, echo level, microcalciifcations, rear acoustic attenuation, vascular pattern and extent of the blood supply and the types of thyroid tissue echogenicity. Chi-square test and Fisher′s exact probability method was used to compare the differences of the sonographic characteristics between the benign nodules and malignant nodules. With surgical pathology as the gold standard, computing the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of PTMC with HT, including the sensitivity, speciifcity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value.ResultsA total of 111 thyroid tiny nodules (75 PTMC/36 benign nodules) with 107 HT cases which were pathologically conifrmed were included in this study. The results showed 111 small thyroid nodules as solid hypoechoic. Four indexes between PTMC and benign nodules had statistical signiifcance, such as margin, microcalciifcations, vascular pattern and extent of the blood supply. The other six indexes between PTMC and benign nodules had no statistical significance, such as aspect ratio, shape, border, acoustic halo, rear acoustic attenuation and the types of thyroid tissue echogenicity. Ultrasound diagnostic accuracy of small tyroid nodules in patients with HT was 74.77% (83/111). The sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the ultrasound diagnosis of PTMC were 93.33% (70/75), 36.11% (13/36), 74.77% (83/111), 75.27% (70/93), and 72.22% (13/18), respectively.ConclusionsCompared with general population, some classic ultrasound features became less effective in patients with HT. However, ultrasonography has some differential diagnostic value in these cases.
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Objective To explore the pathological basic of some common characteristic of papillary microcarcinoma of thyroid in ultrasound. Methods Totally 117 thyroid papillary microcarcinomas that were completed all thyroid ultrasound examinations before the surgical excisions were collected. Shape, border, internal echogenicity, halo, posterior echogenicity and calciifcation were observed in ultrasound. While the degree of inifltration of the tumor, the tumor’s internal structure as well as calciifcation was observed in pathology. Results IIrregular shape (87.18%, 102/117), unclear border (80.34%, 94/117), hypoechoic (90.60%, 106/117) and microcalciifcations (65.81%, 77/117) were recognized by ultrasound while the main pathological features were invasive growth (93.16%, 109/117), cell components internally (46.15%, 54/117) and calciifcation (56.41%, 66/117). Of the 109 neoplasms which were invasive growth in pathology, 102 (93.58%) nodules presented irregular shape in ultrasound while 91 (77.78%) presented unclear border. All of the 8 neoplasms which were not invasive growth in pathology showed regular shape in ultrasound. Thirteen nodules showed halos in ultrasound, and 8 of them showed visible ifbrous capsule surrounding the mass. Whatever the tumor’s internal structure was, most nodules presented hypoechoic. And the hyperechoic nodules were all found cell components internally. Of the 66 neoplasms which were found calciifcation by microscope, 35 (53.03%) nodules showed calciifcation in ultrasound and 31 (46.97%) did not. And of the 51 neoplasms in which calciifcation were not found by microscope, 42 (82.35%) nodules showed calciifcation in ultrasound and 9 (17.65%%) did not. Conclusions There is no doubt that all the performances of papillary microcarcinoma in ultrasound have bases in pathology. It is helpful to the judgment of a thyroid nodule if we could understand the correlation of performances in ultrasound and pathology.
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Objective To assess the enhancement effect of diagnostic ultrasound combined with microbubbles in the generation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)and nitric Oxide(NO)in endothelial cells.Methods Normal cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)were divided into blank control group(A group),simple microbubble group(B group),simple ultrasound group(C group)and ultrasound combined with microbubble group(D group).According to different conditions,group D was divided into three sub-groups:different time groups(1 min,5 min,10 min);different machinery index(MI)groups(0.09,0.4,1.0),different microbubble concentration groups(5×10~8/ml,2.5×10~8/ml,1.25×10~8/ml).Cell morpha was observed in the light microscope immediately and 24 h after the intervention,respectively.RT-PCR was used to measure the relative expression of eNOS in cells.NO kit was used to measure the NO Ievels in culture medium.And statistical methods were used to analyse the experimental data.Results NO and eNOS were significantly higher in group D than the other three groups.When MI=1.0,microbubble concentration=2.5×10~8/ml,and irradiation time=10 min,the increase of eNOS and NO in group D was the most obvious.Furthermore,the cell morphology had no significant change in the light microscope immediately and 24 h after the intervention.Conclusions Ultrasound combined with microbubble can increase the generation of eNOS and NO in endothelial cells.
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Objective To evaluate the usefulness of color Doppler ultrasonography in differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy by depicting the intranodal vascular pattern. Methods One hundred and twenty lymph node lesions in 113 patients who underwent color Doppler flow imaging were grouped as reactive lymphadenitis ( n =25), tuberculosis ( n =14), lymphoma ( n =41), and metastasis ( n =40). The vascular patterns of hilar type, central type, peripheral type and mixed type were assessed. Results Most reactive lymph nodes( 92.0%) and lymphomatous nodes( 75.6%) showed hilar vessels,lymphomatous nodes also frequently demonstrated peripheral vessels( 75.6%).Central vessels or peripheral vessels were frequent in metastatic nodes( 60.0% and 57.5%, respectively).The intranodal vascular distribution in tuberculous nodes was simulated malignant disease. Avascularity was observed in 2 of 25 reactive lymph nodes and 1 of 14 tuberculous nodes. Conclusions Central vessels or peripheral vessels were mainly found in malignant lymphadenopathy,and the presence of hilar vessels is suggestive of benign lymphadenopathy. However, there is overlap of appearance between benign and malignant disease.