ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the clinical value of "taller-than-wide sign" on ultrasound image in diagnosing thyroid nodules which diameter is 1 0 mm or less. Methods: The data of 208 patients with 232 thyroid nodules were retrospectively analyzed. The number of nodules and anteroposterior/transverse diameter ratio were recorded. Taking the pathological results as gold standard, the application value of taller-than-wide sign in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules which diameter was 10 mm or less was assessed. Results: There were significant differences in the aspect of taller-thanwide sign (anteroposterior/transverse diameter ratio ≥1) among thyroid nodules with different sizes. With the increase in volume, the detection rate of thyroid microcarcinoma was also increased. Benign thyroid nodules took a large proportion of thyroid nodules which diameter was 4 mm or less with taller-than-wide sign, while the proportion of thyroid microcarcinoma was increased significantly in thyroid nodules which diameter was larger than 4 mm with taller-than-wide sign. Conclusion: Taller-than-wide sign can help to identify benign and malignant thyroid nodules which diameter is 10 mm or less.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the adeno-associated virus (AAV)gene transduction and cellular endocytosis mediated by ultrasound combined with microbubbles in two types of cells.Methods HeLa and NIH/3T3 cells were infected by rAAV2-EGFP at a concentration gradient to get the optimal concentrations for enhancement.At these concentrations,HeLa and NIH/3T3 cells were infected by rAAV2-EGFP mediated by ultrasound combined with microbubbles.The gene transduction efficiency were observed and measured by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry at 48 h after treatment.The cell viability was tested by CCK-8.The number and distribution of cellular clathrin-coated endocytic pits were observed by confocal fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy on 45 min after treatment.Results The optimal concentrations for HeLa and NIH/3T3 cells were 2000 v.g./cell and 10000 v.g./cell.Ultrasound combined with microbubbles significantly enhanced the transduction efficiency of rAAV2-EGFP (P 0.05 ).Confocal fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that clathrin-coated endocytic pits were more obviously increased in ultrasound combined with microbubbles mediated AAV transduction group than AAV transduction group. Conclusions Ultrasound combined with microbubbles can efficiently enhance the gene transduction of AAV,whose cellular transportation depends on cellular endocytosis,in two types of cells.Stimulating cellular endocytosis might be one of the mechanisms of enhanced cellular transportation of AAV mediated by ultrasound combined with microbubbles.