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Objective:To understand the X-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging features of Brucella spondylitis (BS) in non-pasture areas. Methods:The medical records of 21 patients with BS diagnosed and treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University from December 2013 to November 2020 were collected. There were 14 males and 7 females. The age was (52.4 ± 15.8) years old, ranging from 21 to 77 years old. They all came from non-pasture areas. The diagnostic criteria refered to the "Diagnosis for Brucellosis" (WS 269-2019). The results of imaging examinations (including X-ray, CT and MRI, 19, 16 and 21 cases respectively) were retrospectively analyzed.Results:In 21 patients with BS, the main lesion site was lumbar vertebrae (16 cases, 76.2%). In 19 cases of X-ray examination, 9 cases (47.4%) showed "Bird's Beak" hyperostosis, and 7 cases (36.8%) had vertebral bone destruction. Among the 16 cases of CT examination, 10 cases (62.5%) had hyperosteosclerosis and 8 cases (50.0%) had vertebral bone destruction, they had been showed the characteristic change of "Lace Like" sign. There were 7 cases (43.8%) of intervertebral disc lesions, 1 case (6.2%) of paravertebral abscess and 1 case (6.2%) of psoas major abscess. In 21 patients with MRI examination, 10 cases (47.6%) showed hyperostosis and 11 cases (52.4%) showed bone destruction; 13 cases (61.9%) had signal changes of intervertebral disc. There were 1 case (4.8%) of prevertebral abscess, 1 case (4.8%) of paravertebral abscess and 1 case (4.8%) of psoas major abscess. Sixteen patients underwent CT and MRI examinations at the same time, MRI was superior to CT in detecting intervertebral disc lesions (13 vs 7 cases, χ 2 = 4.800, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The X-ray, CT and MRI imaging features of BS patients in non-pasture areas are varied, and the lesion site mainly involves the lumbar vertebrae, and MRI is superior to CT in detecting intervertebral disc lesions.
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Objective To evaluate the effect of postoperative thyroid residual tissue on 131I treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) metastases in patients with DTC.Methods Patients with thyroid residual tissue and lymph node metastases or distant organ metastases were confirmed by 131I whole body scan after 131I treatment of DTC from January 2004 to January 2013 in Dalian.The clinical data were divided into the cured group and the non-cured group according to the final results of mI treatment.The per unit area count value (Kc/cm2) of residual thyroid remnant (NTR),lymph node metastases (LNM) and distant metastases (DM) were measured and performed semi-quantitative analysis.The thresholds of the analysis results were calculated by the Bootstrap method.Results A total of 114 patients were studied,aged from 14 to 80 years old,including 47 males and 67 females;the ratio of males to females was 1.0:1.4.There were significant differences in NTR unit area counts (0.25 vs 1.29 Kc/cm2) between the cured group and the non-cured group (72 in the cured group and 42 in the non-cured group,U =0.001,P ＜ 0.05);there was no significant difference in LNM unit area counts (0.21 vs 0.41 Kc/cm2) between the cured group and the non-cured group (U =0.052,P ＞ 0.05).Those with the ratio of residual area to lymph node metastases (N/L) and the ratio of residual area to distant metastases(N/D) less than 1.7 had a better 131I treatment;unit area N/L greater than 4.9 and unit area N/D greater than 8.0 had a poor therapeutic effect.Conclusion Excessive residual tissue after surgery results in poor efficacy of 131I treatment;semi-quantitative analysis for whole body scan after 131I treatment can predict the efficacy of 131I treatment.
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Objective To assess the mid-term and long-term efficacy of the permanent inferior vena cava filter in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis of lower limb and discuss the clinical significance of inferior vena cava filter.Methods Retrospectively analyze on the 86 cases with deep vein thrombosis of lower limb (41 males and 45 females,aged 50 to 94 years,mean age was 71.8 years) treated with implantation of permanent inferior vena cava filter in inferior vena cava from Janunary 2010 to October 2015.In these patients,there were 51 cases with embolism in the left leg,25 cases in the right leg,10 cases in both legs and 6 cases were accompanied with pulmonary embolism.The cases without contraindication underwent catheter directed thrombolysis and even percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or stents subsequently if necessary after inferior vena cava filter implantation.All the cases with no contraindication were treated with anticoagulant therapy.Results All the 86 patients were implanted inferior vena cava filter (B.Braun Vena Tech LP 76 and Cordis TrapEase 10)successfully.Sisty-five cases were underwent inferior wena cava filter implantation only,while 21 cases were treated with inferior vena cava filter implantation and catheter directed thrombolysis or even percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stents.During the follow-up period(12 to 81 months,mean time was 51 months),27 patients died dueing to malignant tumor(17 cases) and other diseases (10 cases) rather than complications caused by inferior vena cava filter.Three patients had recurrence of deep vein thrombosis and 2 patients suffered from the thrombosis induced by stenosis of stents.Inferior vena cava filter appered tilted with angle less than 15 degrees in 6 cases.Three cases suffered from new thrombosis below the filter and 2 cases complained of the filter migration.No case was found with fracture of filter,perforation of the inferior vena cava,bleeding or pulmonary embolism(new onset or recurrent).Conclusions Application of permanent inferior vena cava filter may cause complications,though it is an effective approach to prevent pulmonary embolism in patients with deep vein thrombosis of lower limb.However,permanent inferior vena cava filter may be fit for patients with old age,incurable cancer or limited expected life.
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Background: Recent studies showed that inappropriate expression of microRNAs [miRNAs] is strongly associated with tumor-related processes in humans [2-9,11-17]
Objective: To understand the changes of miRNAs in endometriosis
Materials and Methods: With real-time RT-PCR, we investigated the miR-143 and miR-145 expression in eutopic [EU, n=2] and ectopic endometrium [EC, n=11] [from women with endometriosis] [as well as EU+EC, n=11], along with the normal endometrium [EN, n=22] [from women without endometriosis, but with leiomyoma]
Results: We did not find that the expression of miR-143 and/or miR-145 in EN or EC changed with menstrual cycle. But our results showed the miR-143 was up-regulated in EC [p=0.000] compared to EN. The miR-143 was also up-regulated in EU, but the difference did not reach statistically significance [p=0.053]. Compared to EU, the expression of miR-143 in EC was up-regulated [p=0.016]. MiR-145 had the similar characteristic to miR-143. The miR-145 was up-regulated in both EU [p=0.004] and EC [p=0.000] in compared to EN group. When compared with EU, the miR-145 in EC was up-regulated [p=0.008]
Conclusion: In conclusion, the miR-143 and miR-145 may play a certain role in the development and progression of endometriosis
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This article introduces a new radial arterial pressure signal pre-processing and heartbeat cycle recognition algorithm which can be used on left ventricular assist device. The algorithm is featured with the real-time processing, applicable to embedded platforms, delay compensation, avoiding arterial pressure baseline drift effects, recognizing heartbeat disorder.
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Humans , Algorithms , Heart-Assist Devices , Radial Artery , PhysiologyABSTRACT
Objective To present clinical results of endovascular treatment of total iliac vein occlusions and to discuss the technique details of this treatment. Methods From Feb 2006 to Aug 2010,15 patients with chronic total occlusive lesions of the iliac vein and adjacent vein segments underwent endovascular treatment. Average age was (62 ±7) years (range 35 to 81 years), the male/female ratio was 12: 3. Clinical score of CEAP was grade 3 in 33. 3%, grade 4 in 40%, grade 5 in 13. 3%, and grade 6 in 13.3%. Venography showed left iliac vein was occluded in all 15 patients, common femoral vein was occluded in 14 patients, and superior femoral vein was occluded in 9 patients, however profounder femoral vein was patent in these patients with superior femoral vein being occluded. Results No postoperative major morbidity or mortality was seen. The technique success rate was 93. 3%. Treatment failure was caused in one case for a wrong selection of the femoral vein approach site. The average length of stent was 18. 4 cm.In 12(80. 0% ) stents crossed the inguinal ligament. The average follow-up time was 11.6 ± 2. 4 months.The primary patency rates of the stents at 6 months were 92. 9%. 10 (66. 7% ) patients were asympotomatic, 3(20% )were improved, 1 (6. 7% ) was unchanged, and 1 (6.7%) was worse, compared to before intervention. Conclusions Endovscular recanalization and stent placement is a safe and effective treatment for chronic total occluded iliac veins, with good patency, significant symptom resolution, and minimal morbidity in the short term follow-up.
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Objective To explore the diagnostic value of ultrasonography of fetal congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAM), and to predict the prognosis according to ultrasonographic findings. Methods The chest of 19 fetus with CCAM was multi-sectionally scanned with two-dimensional ultrasonography. The position, appearance and size of mass were observed, and complications were continuously followed. Results CCAM was pathologically confirmed in 13 fetus after induced abortion. One neonatal died, while CCAM in other 5 fetus disappeared before 36 weeks. The mass of typeⅠCCAM became smaller and smaller, and eventually disappeared. The echo-free spaces in typeⅡbecame smaller and fewer, and the strong echo weakened to the same level as normal lung. For type Ⅲ, the echo of solid mass weakened to the same level as normal lung, or transformed to typeⅡ gradually, and finally recovered to normal echo of lung as the gestational age increased. During follow up, there were 10 fetus (10/19, 52.63%) that lung adenoma cyst increased with the gestational age increased, and the heart, mediastinal shifted, pleural effusion, and (or) fetal edema were observed. Conclusion Ultrasound examination is a reliable method for the diagnosis of CCAM, and enable to predict the prognosis of the affected fetuses. If heart and mediustinum displacement, pleural effusion, hydrops fetal or other abnormalities exist, it's necessary to terminate the pregnancy.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Newborn blood vessel formation correlates closely with active cellular proliferation of tumor. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship of expression of COX-2 and VEGF, MVD with CT enhancement appearance of lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Dynamic CT scans were evaluated in 25 patients with lung cancer and 35 patients with pulmonary benign disease who underwent complete resection and did not receive any chemotherapy or radiotherapy prior to operation. Expression of COX-2, VEGF and MVD were detected by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of COX-2 (P < 0.05), VEGF (P < 0.05), MVD (P < 0.05) and CT enhancement value (P < 0.01) in lung cancer group were significantly higher than those in plumonary benign tumor group. The levels of COX-2, VEGF and MVD were closely related to CT enhancement value, histological type, clinical stages and lymph node metastasis, but not to differentiation grade of lung cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>COX-2, VEGF and MVD may be important molecular biological predictors in early diagnosis and prognosis estimation of lung cancer. Dynamic CT enhancement scans can reflect the vascularity characteristics of lung cancer, and it may be helpful to determine the involvement, metastasis and prognosis of lung cancer.</p>
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Objective To research the relationship between the expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),microvessel density(MVD)and the CT appearances of lung cancer.Methods CT scans were performed respectively in 35 patients with benign disease and 25 patients with lung cancer confirmed pathology.The immunohistochemistry of all pathologic specimen was analysed using P-V method.The relationship between the expression of COX-2,VEGF,MVD and the CT appearances,histological types,clinic stages,lymph nodes metastasis of lung cancer was evaluated.Results The expression level of COX-2,VEGF,and MVD in lung carcinoma was(64.8?13.8)%,(76.4?14.1)% and(62.5?14.6)/HP respectively,it was higher than that in the lung benign disease group.The level of expression of COX-2,VEGF and MVD was closely related to the CT appearances,histological types,clinic stages and lymph nodes metastasis of lung cancer,but there was no relationship with differentiation of carcinoma.Conclusion COX-2,VEGF and MVD may be important molecular biological predictors in diagnosing lung cancer early and can evaluate prognosis of patients with lung cancer.CT appearances can reflect the vascular characteristics of lung cancer,and can predict the involvement,metastasis and prognosis of lung carcinoma according to the appearances of CT.
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Objective To research the value of dynamic CT enhancement in diagnosing lung cancer.Methods 35 patients with benign disease and 25 patients with lung cancer underwent dynamic CT scan,the results of CT were analysed in comparison with that of pathological specimens,the relationship between the dynamic CT enhancement phenomena and histological results.Results CT enhanced peak,the enhanced ratio of focus and aorta,the form of enhancement and time-dense curve were different between two groups.CT enhanced peak was related to the histological types and clinical stages of pulmonary cacinoma,and metastasis of lymph nodes.Conclusion Dynamic CT enhanced scan can reflect the characteristic of blood in lung cancer.The invasion and metastasis in lung carcinoma can be predicted according to the CT enhanced peak.
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ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of neural tube defects (NTDs) caused by hyperglycemia and thiadiazole and the antagonistic effect of taurine MethodsThe pregnant mice were divided into hyperglycemia groups, thiadiazole group,taurine groups and control groups The mRNA and the protein of Pax3 or Cx43 gene were detected respectively by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay and immunohistochemical method ResultsAs compared with mice treated by thiadiazole-stomach-perfusing, NTDs were significantly increased from mice treated with glucose-injection when blood glucose levels were ≥ 13 4 mmol/L Elevated glucose and thiadiazole could cause changes in Pax3 and Cx43 expression Hyperglycemia had stronger developmental toxicity on mice embryos Expression of Pax3 (mRNA 0 97?0 20, protein 0 11?0 02) in hyperglycemia group was significantly decreased, while expression of Cx43 (mRNA 7 05?1 63, protein 0 94?0 05) was significantly increased, and the relationship of dose-effect was demonstrated In the thiadiazole group, the expression of Cx43 (mRNA 6 96?0 73, protein 0 92?0 12) was significantly stronger than control groups, but there were no significant differences in expression of Pax3 between thiadiazole and its control groups Both of their teratogenicity could be antagonized by taurine ConclusionsThis study suggests that congenital malformation associated with diabetic pregnancy is caused by disruption of regulatory genes,Pax3 and Cx43 expression in embryo in response to elevated glucose Thiadiazole can only disturb the regulation of Cx43 gene causing NTDs Taurine can correct the disruption caused by the two teratogens
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AIM: To determine whether overexpression of CLN3 is involved in the tumorigenesis of ovarian cacinoma. METHODS: 10 specimens of ovarian carcinoma were screened for CLN3 gene expression level by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Overexpression of CLN3 mRNA and protein was found in all ovarian tumor tissues as compared with normal tissues. CONCLUSION: The overexpression of CLN3 may contribute to tumor development of ovarian cancer.
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Objective:To investigate a valuable method of gene therapy to treat chronic arterial ischemic diseases in lower extremity.Methods:VEGF was selected as the target therapeutic gene.Recombinant plasmid phVEGF 165 constructed in vitro as the eukaryotic vector of human VEGF cDNA,was directly injected into the ischemic hindlimb muscles in rabbit models.In situ hybridization and RT PCR were carried out to detect the expression of hVEGF 165 in the muscle.Immunohistochemistry assay and Western blotting were carried out to detect the expression of hVEGF 165 protein.Results:The expression of external hVEGF 165 peaked at l week and sustained 2～3 weeks.The expression of protein peaked at 2 weeks and lasted 4 weeks after injection.Conclusion:Skeletal muscle can extract and express external hVEGF 165 ,and further translate the external gene into protein.The effect of direct intramuscular injection of phVEGF 165 is limited in local muscles,and no longer than 1 month.So this method of gene therapy is quite safer.