Reproducibility and accuracy of quantitative assessment of articular cartilage volume measurements with 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) of articular cartilage represents a powerful tool in osteoarthritis research, but has so far been confined to a field strength of 1.5 T. The aim of the study was to determine the reproducibility and accuracy of qMRI assessments of the knee cartilage volume by comparing quantitative swine cartilage volumes of the sagittal (sag) multi echo data imagine combination water-excitation (MEDICwe) sequence and the fast low-angle shoot water-excitation (FLASHwe) sequence at 3.0-T MRI to directly measured volumes (DMV) of the surgically removed articular cartilage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Test-retest MRI was acquired in 20 swine knees. Two sag FLASHwe sequences and two sag MEDICwe sequences (spatial resolution 0.4 mm × 0.4 mm × 1.0 mm of 3-dimension (3D) were acquired at 3-T MRI in a knee. Articular cartilage volume was calculated from 3D reformations of the MRI by using a manual program. Calculated volumes were compared with DMV of the surgically removed articular cartilage. Knee joint cartilage plates were quantified paired in order.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the knee joint of swine, reproducibility errors (paired analysis) for cartilage volume were 2.5% to 3.2% with sag FLASHwe, and 1.6% to 3.0% with sag MEDICwe. Correlation coefficients between results obtained with qMRI and DMV ranged from 0.90 to 0.98 for cartilage volume. Systematic pairwise difference between results obtained with qMRI and DMV ranged from -1.1% to 2.8%. Random pairwise differences between results obtained with qMRI and DMV ranged from (2.9 ± 2.4)% to (6.8 ± 4.5)%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FLASHwe and MEDICwe sequences permit highly accurate and reproducible analysis of cartilage volume in the knee joints of swine at 3-T MRI. Cartilage volume reproducibility for the MEDICwe data is slightly higher than the FLASHwe data.</p>

Clinical observation on effect of auricular point injection combined with superficial anesthesia for nasal endoscopy surgery / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the anesthetic effect of combined superficial anesthesia and auricular point injection for nasal endoscopy surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty cases of grade I - II as ASA for nasal endoscopy surgery were randomly divided into a combined auricular point injection and superficial anesthesia group (group A) and a simple superficial anesthesia group (group B), 20 cases in each group. Both groups accepted superficial anesthesia 2 times on the bilateral nasal cavities with cotton pieces that was immersed in the mixed solution of 1% Tetracaine 30 mL and 0.1% Adrenaline 2 mL. In group A, bilateral auricular points of Shenmen and Waibi (externol nose) were injected with 0.1 mL Vitamin B1 solution before the superficial anesthesia. After 10 min of observation, surgery was carried out. During the surgery, the patients only accepted a small amount of vasoactive substance and Fentanyl according to the changes of patient's blood pressure, heart rate and pain feeling.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate of 90.0% in the group A was significantly better than 75.0% in the group B (P<0.05). The rate of using analgetic and vasoactive substance in the group A was obviously less than that of the group B.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined auricular point injection and superficial anesthesia has good anesthetic effect for nasal endoscopy surgery.</p>

Comparison of MRI manifestations and histopathologic findings in pancreatic head carcinoma in vivo ex vivo / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prospectively analyze the correlation of MRI image characteristics with histopathological findings in pancreatic head carcinoma in vivo and ex vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen patients with pancreatic head carcinoma were examined by 1.5T MRI. MR sequences included pre-and post-contrast dynamic 2D FLASH T1WI, TSE T2WI + fat suppressed (FS). All fresh specimens were scanned again within an hour after resection during the Whipple procedure, and were then cut into slices along the direction of MRI scan. The MRI image characteristics were compared with gross and histopathologic findings of the specimens.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tumor size ranged from 1.5 cm x 2.0 cm to 4.8 cm x 4.2 cm with a mean value of 3.6 cm x 3.1 cm. The MRI findings in vivo showed hypointensity in 14 lesions and isointensity in 2, and on 2D FLASH T1WI and TSE T2WI, all lesions displayed mixed intensity except 3 lesions with iso-intensity. During post-contrast dynamic pancreatic parenchymal phase, 15 lesions showed mild enhancement and 11 lesions had ring enhancement sign. Nine lesions displayed progressive irregular moderate enhancement during post-contrast dynamic hepatic phase. Four lesions showed enhancement with iso- and hyperintensity in post-contrast dynamic delayed phase. The MRI findings demonstrated that all lesions ex vivo had hypointensity on 2D FLASH T1 WI and mixed intensity on TSE T2WI + FS. Tumor tissues mainly displayed hypointensity, and the area containing tumor and inflammatory tissue showed iso-intensity on 2D FLASH T1WI. On T2WI + FS, the fibrosis proportion displayed hypo or isointensity, while the tumor and chronic inflammatory tissue demonstrated slight hyperintensity, and the zones of mucous degeneration or pancreatic ductal dilatation displayed hyper-intensity. The ring enhancement of tumor was caused by multiple factors and no obvious enhancement within tumor and fibrosis area were observed during post-contrast dynamic pancreatic parenchymal phase. Progressive irregular enhancement originated from desmoplastic reaction within the tumor during post-contrast dynamic hepatic phase and delayed phase, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pancreatic head carcinomas contain various kinds of tissues. MRI can reveal these pathologic characteristics. No obvious hemorrhage and necrosis within the tumor were observed in this series.</p>

Clinicopathologic analysis of 92 cases of pancreatic cystic neoplasm / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-two cases of cystic neoplasm of pancreas were retrieved from the Department archival file during the period from 1999 to 2005. Histologic features were studied and the tumors were typed according to WHO classification. Immunohistochemistry was also carried out using paraffin-embedded tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The age of patients ranged from 16 to 80 years. The patients included 33 males and 59 females. The tumors varied from 2 cm to 21 cm in diameter. They consisted of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (36/92), serous cystic neoplasm (18/92), solid pseudopapillary tumor (18/92), mucinous cystic neoplasm (14/92), cystic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (4/92) and cystic pancreatic endocrine neoplasm (2/92). Immunohistochemical study revealed variable staining patterns, with frequent overlaps between different tumor types. In general, serous cystic neoplasm expressed MUC1, while mucinous cystic neoplasm was positive for MUC-5AC, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm for MUC-2 and cystic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma for MUC-1. On the other hand, solid pseudopapillary tumor expressed alpha-antitrypsin, alpha-antichymotrypsin, vimentin and progesterone receptor.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Accurate diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms requires correlation of clinical findings, radiologic examination, histologic features and immunostaining results. Pathologic distinction is important because of different prognostic significance. Two-thirds of pancreatic cystic neoplasms are premalignant or malignant and warrant surgical resection, whereas the remaining one-third (including pseudocyst and serous cystadenoma) are benign and can be treated conservatively.</p>

MRI in the evaluation of peripancreatic vessel invasion and resectability of pancreatic carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of MRI in evaluating the peripancreatic vessel invasion and resectability of pancreatic carcinoma based on the comparison of MRI image with surgical exploration, and try to establish the criteria for assessment of the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of resectability.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-one pancreatic carcinoma patients confirmed by pathology received preoperative plain and contrast enhanced MRI scan, and 37 of them had additional coronal MRA scan. Peripancreatic vessel invasion was preoperatively assessed based on MRI features, and the vessel invasion degree from the uninvolved to the severely involved was divided into 6 grades represented by 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 4, respectively. Compared with the findings during the surgery, the sensitivity and specificity of each vessel invasion grade were studied and the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of resectability evaluation based on 2 and 2a degree were calculated respectively. The resectability of involved arteries and veins of grade 2 were also analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 41 patients, 22 had resectable tumor, with 20 curative resection and 2 palliative. Compared with the findings during surgery, seven vessels including three arteries and four veins were not correctly interpreted by MRI. If grade 1,2a,2b,3a and 3b was used as the resectable standard,respectively, the sensitivity to predict the unresectbility was 78.3%, 84.8%, 67.4%, 56.5% and 47.8%, respectively. Receiver operator characteristic curve demonstrated that grade 2a was the optimal critical point. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of grade 2a in predicting the unresectbility were 84.8%, 98.5%, 92.9%, 96.6% and 95.9%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our data showed that grade 2a (tumor involvement < 2 cm long and < 1/2 circumference of the vessel) may be more sensitive and accurate in predicting the resectability, which may be considered as the line of demarcation between the respectable and unresectable cases in clinical practice.</p>

Evaluation of 2D and 3D MRI imaging in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate various kinds of sequences and modified dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI methods in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-nine pancreatic carcinoma patients proved by histopathology or clinical examination and follow-up underwent MR examination. Plain MR sequences included: T1-weighted 2D FLASH, T1 WI 3D VIBE, TSE T2 WI and HASTE with FS. Modified dynamic contrast-enhanced scanning procedures were coronal scaning with 3D FLASH and axial scaning using T1 WI 3D VIBE sequences in turn for the upper abdominal area and pancreatic area. The coronal imaging were used to obtain 3D peripancreatic vessels during arterial phase and portal vein phase scanning, respectively. The axial imaging were used to detect the tumor in pancreatic parenchymal phase and delayed phase scanning, respectively. Final scanning for the whole upper abdomen was performed using T1 WI 2D FLASH axial sequence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Of 49 lesions in these patients, 45 showed hypo-intensity and 4 iso-intensity on 3D VIBE. Forty-six lesions showed hypo-intensity and 3 isointensity on 2D FLASH. On TSE T2 + FS, lesion contour was not clear enough; 3 of them displayed isointensity, the other showed iso- or hyper-intensity. (2) During pancreatic parenchymal phase, 48 lesions showed hypo-intensity and 39 ring enhancement. Twenty-four lesions displayed marginal tubercle and inner compartment enhancement during portal vein and delayed phase. Six lesions showed iso- or hyper-intensity in delayed phase. (3) Thirty-seven patients underwent surgical exploration. MRI and MRA had a good correlation with surgical findings for peripancreatic vessels which were diagnosed as being invasive or noninvasive by tumors except three superior mesenteric arteries and four superior mesenteric veins being misdiagnosed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As"one-stop-shop" MRI examination, modified MRI sequences consisting of dynamic coronal and axial contrast-enhanced scanning is feasible and helpful in diagnosing, staging and assessing the resectability for pancreatic carcinoma.</p>

CT diagnosis of intraductal papillary mucinous tumor of the pancreas / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the CT and MRI manifestatitions of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Both clinical and imaging data of 12 pathologically confirmed intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, of the pancreas were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pancreatic IPMN can be classified into two types based on CT image: the branch duct IPMN (n=7) originated from the head and uncinate process of the pancreas. The tumor consisted of lobulated or clustered small cyst lesions with septa among them, the wall and septa can be enhanced; the combined IPMN (n=5) involved branch ducts of the uncinate process as well as the main pancreatic ducts with dilatation (diameter: 4-7 mm), one of these involved the branch ducts along the pancreatic body. The pancreatic IPMN was mainly found in elderly patient with a chief clinical symptoms of abdominal pain and/or pancreatitis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas enjoys specific features in CT and MRI image, which are helpful to the diagnosis.</p>

Safeguard and management of the heart vales in congenital heart disease procedure / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the experience in performing reoperation of valve dysfunction after congenital heart disease procedure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 1994 to 2001 we reviewed the data of 13 patients with valve dysfunction after congenital heart disease operation, in which 8 patients after ventricular septal defect, 3 after atrioventricular canal and 2 after respectively tetralogy of Fallot and atrial septal defect were corrected. Before the first operation, 6 patients had presented the mild to moderate mitral regurgitation, 1 had aortic regurgitation. Other 6 patients had valves dysfunction occurring after the first operation, among them, 2 suffered from respectively residual shunt of the ventricular septal defect, 2 had anterior chordae rupture of tricuspid valve, one had an operative injured aortic valve and one had surviving of right ventricular outlet obstruction. Thirteen patients were reoperated, including mitral valve replacement in 6, tricuspid valve replacement in 2, aortic valve replacement in one, aortic valve replacement consists with mitral valve repair and tricuspid valve repair in one and tricuspid valve repair in 3. Concomitant procedures were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Low cardiac output occurred in 3 cases and there were 2 early deaths, due to cerebral air-embolism, respiratory and circulatory failure respectively. Other 11 cases discharged and were followed up well.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is important to safeguard and repair the valvular construction and function during the operation in congenital heart disease. Reoperation should be performed timely for obtaining recurrent and a good results.</p>

Advances in Microbial Transformation of Phytosterol into Steroid Medicine Intermediates / 微生物学通报

Microbial selective side-chain degradation of phytosterol,which can obtain the steroid medicine intermediate compounds-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (4-AD) and androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD),has an important meaning to pharmacy. There is no systematic literature concerned in existence. Its mechnism,approaches,influencing factors and so on over these years were fully reviewed in the paper. The trend of development in the area is expanded.