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Approximately 15%−25% of breast lymphatic drainage passes through the internal thoracic (internal mammary) lymphatic system, draining the inner quadrants of the breast. This study aimed to use lymphosonography to identify sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in the axillary and internal thoracic lymphatic systems in patients with breast cancer. Seventy-nine patients received subcutaneous ultrasound contrast agent injections around the tumor.Lymphosonography was used to identify SLNs. In 14 of the 79 patients (17.7%), the tumor was located in the inner quadrant of the breast. Lymphosonography identified 217 SLNs in 79 patients, averaging 2.7 SLNs per patient. The 217 identified SLNs in the 79 patients were located in the axillary lymphatic system; none were located in the internal thoracic (internal mammary) lymphatic system, although it was expected in two to four patients (i.e., 4–11 SLNs). These results implied that SLNs associated with breast cancer are predominantly located in the axillary lymphatic system.
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Renal transplant (RT) recipients have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.However,the effects of renal transplantation on the development of arteriosclerosis have been controversial.The carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and diameter (CD) are important indicators of vascular remodeling and arteriosclerosis.In this study,31 patients with hemodialysis (HD),31 RT recipients and 84 age-and gender-matched control subjects were enrolled.Their CIMT and CD were measured by ultrasonic radiofrequency tracking,and the linear regression models and Z test were used to identify the progression of arteriosclerosis and the risk factors.Compared with HD group,RT group had significantly lower CIMT and CD.CIMT was found to be associated with age,body weight,resistance index and diastolic velocity,while CD was associated significantly with age,body weight,pulsatility index,end diastolic velocity and diastolic blood pressure (DBP),respectively.The correlation curves between CIMT and age showed the slopes of curves were decreased successively in control,RT and HD groups,and the curves between CD and age showed the slopes were decreased in order of RT ＞ control ＞ HD groups.It was concluded that CIMT and CD were significantly correlated with age in RT and moderately with age in HD patients.RT could reduce the progress of arteriosclerosis in patients with end-stage renal disease.
ABSTRACT
Renal transplant (RT) recipients have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.However,the effects of renal transplantation on the development of arteriosclerosis have been controversial.The carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and diameter (CD) are important indicators of vascular remodeling and arteriosclerosis.In this study,31 patients with hemodialysis (HD),31 RT recipients and 84 age-and gender-matched control subjects were enrolled.Their CIMT and CD were measured by ultrasonic radiofrequency tracking,and the linear regression models and Z test were used to identify the progression of arteriosclerosis and the risk factors.Compared with HD group,RT group had significantly lower CIMT and CD.CIMT was found to be associated with age,body weight,resistance index and diastolic velocity,while CD was associated significantly with age,body weight,pulsatility index,end diastolic velocity and diastolic blood pressure (DBP),respectively.The correlation curves between CIMT and age showed the slopes of curves were decreased successively in control,RT and HD groups,and the curves between CD and age showed the slopes were decreased in order of RT ＞ control ＞ HD groups.It was concluded that CIMT and CD were significantly correlated with age in RT and moderately with age in HD patients.RT could reduce the progress of arteriosclerosis in patients with end-stage renal disease.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between genetic polymorphism in microRNAs (miRNAs) precursor and genetic predisposition of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study including 963 HCC cases and 829 HBsAg positive controls and 852 HBsAg negative controls was conducted. hsa-mir-146a rs2910164 C→G and hsa-mir-196-a2 rs11614913 T→C were selected, where the genotypes were determined by the primer introduced restriction analysis-PCR (PIRA-PCR) assay. Odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated by logistic regression analysis to investigate the relationship between onset risk of HCC and different genotypes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The genotype frequencies of CC, CG and GG at rs2910164 gene locus were separately 34.5% (319/925), 48.6% (450/925) and 16.9% (156/925) in cases; 36.4% (274/753), 45.0% (339/753) and 18.6% (140/753) in HBsAg positive controls; and 36.1% (303/840), 46.0% (386/840) and 18.0% (151/840) in HBsAg negative controls. The genotype frequencies of TT, CT and CC at rs11614913 were respectively 29.7% (277/934), 48.1% (449/934) and 22.3% (208/934) in cases; 30.3% (238/785), 51.0% (400/785) and 18.7% (147/785) in HBsAg positive controls; and 28.6% (239/837), 49.8% (417/837) and 21.6% (181/837) in HBsAg negative controls. No significant relationships were observed between these two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and onset risk of HCC after adjusting the factors as age, gender, smoking and drinking status in comparison with HBsAg positive controls: hsa-mir-146a rs2910164 (CG + GG vs CC): adjusting OR = 1.10, 95%CI: 0.90 - 1.36; hsa-mir-196-a2 rs11614913 (CC + CT vs TT): adjusting OR = 1.01, 95%CI: 0.81 - 1.25; as well as in comparison with HBsAg negative controls: hsa-mir-146a rs2910164 (CG + GG vs CC): adjusting OR = 1.06, 95%CI: 0.87 - 1.29; hsa-mir-196-a2 rs11614913 (CC + CT vs TT): adjusting OR = 0.94, 95%CI: 0.76 - 1.16. As well, no significant relationships were observed between these two SNPs and onset risk of HCC in the subgroups stratified by age, gender, smoking and drinking status.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>hsa-mir-146a rs2910164 C→G and hsa-mir-196-a2 rs11614913 T→C may not play an important role in the HCC predisposition among Chinese populations.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Asian People , Genetics , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Genetics , Case-Control Studies , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genotype , Liver Neoplasms , Genetics , MicroRNAs , Genetics , Polymorphism, Single NucleotideABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this study was to discuss the relationship between genetic polymorphism of promoter region let-7 and genetic susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this case-control study, 1300 cases of HBV positive patients were recruited in case group and another 1344 cases of persistent chronic HBV carriers were selected as control. 5 ml of blood sample was collected from each subject, from which the DNA was extracted; and rs10877887 and rs13293512 in promoter region let-7 were selected as the study sites. The polymorphism was detected by TaqMan allelic discrimination assay and the OR value (95%CI) was evaluated by Logistic Regression Method to analyze the relationship between susceptibility to HCC and different genotypes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of genotype TT, CT and CC in site rs10877887 were 43.0% (542/1261), 44.7% (564/1261) and 12.3% (155/1261) respectively in case group; while separately 44.0% (581/1319), 44.4% (585/1319) and 11.6% (153/1319)in control group. The frequencies of genotype TT, CT and CC in site rs13293512 were 32.0% (406/1270), 48.1% (611/1270) and 19.9% (253/1270) respectively in case group; while separately 33.1% (427/1291), 49.4% (638/1291) and 17.5% (226/1291) in control group. The results of multifactor logistic regression analysis showed no statistical significance in the relationship between different genotype TT, mutated genotype C in site rs10877887 and susceptibility to HCC (CC + CT vs TT, adjusted OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.90 - 1.23); and either no statistical significance in the relationship between different genotype TT, mutated genotype C in site rs13293512 and susceptibility to HCC (CC + CT vs TT, adjusted OR = 1.06, 95%CI: 0.89 - 1.25). The united-analysis of the two sites showed the frequencies of 0, 1, 2 and 3-4 mutated-genotype C were 13.3% (164/1235), 36.2% (447/1235), 33.0% (408/1235) and 17.5% (216/1235) respectively in case group; and separately 14.2% (181/1269), 37.0% (469/1269), 33.1% (420/1269) and 15.7% (199/1269) in control group. The susceptibility to HCC in 1,2,3-4 mutated-genotype C carriers were 1.05 (0.81 - 1.34), 1.07 (0.83 - 1.38) and 1.22 (0.91 - 1.62) times of the non-mutated genotype subjects; but there was no statistical significance (Wald χ(2) = 1.79, P = 0.181).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The polymorphism of study sites rs10877887 and rs13293512 may not be the biomarker of susceptibility to HCC in Chinese.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Genetics , Virology , Case-Control Studies , Gene Frequency , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genotype , Hepatitis B virus , Liver Neoplasms , Genetics , Virology , MicroRNAs , Genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Promoter Regions, GeneticABSTRACT
Objective To explore standardized continuing vascular ultrasound training in China.Methods Data of current ultrasound practitioner education levels in the secondary and tertiary hospitals were collected.Under the direction of the Chinese Ultrasound Doctor Association (CUDA),Vascular Ultrasound Guidelines were introduced.The CUDA Steering Committee for Standardized Vascular Ultrasound Training and Vascular Ultrasound Training Centers were established.Results The questionnaires were received from 182 ultrasound departments of 57 secondary hospitals and 125 tertiary hospitals.The proportion of ultrasound practitioners who obtained a university degree was significantly higher in the ultrasound departments of tertiary hospitals than that in the secondary hospitals (75.18% vs 52.63%).The proportion of ultrasound practitioners who only received short-term ultrasound training and did not have tertiary education was significantly higher in the ultrasound departments of secondary hospitals than that in the tertiary hospitals (8.31% vs 1.03%).The directors of ultrasound departments in both secondary and tertiary hospitals believed that ultrasound practitioners should at least have a university diploma and preferably have a university degree.The CUDA and the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) co-hosted two standardized vascular ultrasound training seminars and the first Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) credential examination in Beijing.A well-known vascular ultrasound reference book,Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound was translated from English into Chinese and published in September 2008.The CUDA Vascular Ultrasound Guidelines were drafted by 12 vascular ultrasound experts from China,U.S.and Australia,which were widely discussed and passed by the CUDA Standing Committee.The guidelines have been published in the Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography and on the website of CUDA (www.cuda.org.cn).The CUDA has signed a publishing contract with a medical press to publish the guideline booklet.The CUDA Steering Committee for the Standardized Vascular Ultrasound Training was established which includes 24 domestic and foreign experts.The CUDA Standardized Vascular Ultrasound Training Centers were awarded to 12 hospitals,which were selected,trained and assessed by the CUDA from 35 candidates.Each center is expected to undertake one to two standardized vascular ultrasound training courses each year.Conclusion Continuing education of vascular ultrasound introduced by CUDA has been accepted positively by a portion of Chinese doctors with ultrasound major.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare and characterize polyelectrolyte multilayer film coated microbubbles for use as ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) and evaluate its effects in ultrasonic imaging on normal rabbit's liver parenchyma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Perfluorocarbon (PFC)-containing microbubbles (ST68-PFC) were prepared by sonication based on surfactant (Span 60 and Tween 80). Subsequently, the resulting ST68-PFC microbubbles were coated using oppositely charged polyelectrolytes by microbubble-templated layer-by-layer self-assembly technique via electrostatic interaction. The enhancement effects in ultrasonic imaging on normal rabbit's liver parenchyma were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The obtained microbubbles exhibited a narrow size distribution. The polyelectrolytes were successfully assembled onto the surface of ST68-PFC microbubbles. In vivo experiment showed that polyelectrolyte multilayer film coated UCA effectively enhanced the imaging of rabbit's liver parenchyma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The novel microbubbles UCA coated with polyelectrolyte multilayer, when enabled more function, has no obvious difference in enhancement effects compared with the pre-modified microbubbles. The polymers with chemically active groups (such as amino group and carboxyl group) can be used as the outermost layer for attachment of targeting ligands onto microbubbles, allowing selective targeting of the microbubbles to combine with desired sites.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Rabbits , Contrast Media , Chemistry , Electrolytes , Chemistry , Fluorocarbons , Chemistry , Liver , Diagnostic Imaging , Microbubbles , Polymers , Chemistry , Surface Properties , Surface-Active Agents , Chemistry , Ultrasonics , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare polyelectrolyte multilayer film-coated microbubble ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) and evaluate its effects in contrast imaging on normal rabbit's liver parenchyma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Perfluorocarbon (PFC) -containing microbubble UCA (ST68-PFC) were prepared by sonication-based on surfactants (Span 60 and Tween 80). Subsequently, the resulting ST68-PFC microbubbles were coated using oppositely charged polylysine (PLL) and alginate (Alg) by microbubble-templated layer-by-layer self-assembly technique via electrostatic interaction. The enhancement effects in contrast imaging on normal rabbit's liver parenchyma were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The obtained microbubble UCA exhibited a narrow size distribution. The polyelectrolytes were successfully assembled onto the surface of ST68-PFC microbubbles. In vivo experiment showed that polyelectrolyte multilayer film-coated UCA effectively enhanced the imaging of rabbit's liver parenchyma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The novel microbubble UCA obtained via layer-by-layer self-assembly, when enabling more functions, has no obvious difference in enhancement effects compared with the premodified microbubbles. The polymers with chemically active groups (such as amino group and carboxyl group) can be used as the outermost layer for the attachment of targeting ligands to microbubbles, which allows the selective targeting of the microbubbles to desired sites.</p>