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Objective:To investigate the expression of LncRNA ANCR in human glioma tissues and its relationship with malignant proliferation of cells.Methods:The samples of 10 normal brain tissue,13 low-grade and 45 high-grade gliomas were regarded as normal group, low-grade group and high-grade group, which were collected from neurosurgery department in Linyi Central Hospital, and the expression of ANCR and potential interaction molecule eIF4B was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in vitro. Lentivirus transfection in vitro was used to construct the U251 shRNA ANCR and control cell line in human high-grade gliomas as control, test 1 and test 2 group cells in the study. QPCR detect the expression level ANCR, eIF4B and Myc mRNA in cells. Western blot was used to detect the expression of eIF4B and c-Myc protein, CCK-8 assay was used to detect the relative proliferation ability of cells, and the colony formation assay was used to observe the change of cell clone formation. SPSS 21.0 was used for statistical analysis, analysis of variance was used for inter group comparison, and SNK-q pairwise comparison method was used for intra group comparison.Results:The expressions of ANCR mRNA in high-grade glioma tissues, low-grade gliomas and normal brain tissues were 0.710±0.125, 2.033±0.312 and 3.408±0.296. The expressions of eIF4B mRNA in high-grade glioma tissues, low-grade gliomas and normal brain tissues were 0.176±0.019, 0.268±0.022 and 0.426±0.028. The expression of ANCR and eIF4B in high-grade glioma tissues was higher than that in low-grade gliomas and normal brain tissues ( P<0.001). The expression of ANCR in low-grade glioma tissues was higher than that in normal brain tissues ( P=0.013). There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of ANCR and eIF4B in glioma tissues ( P<0.001) ; The expressions of ANCR mRNA in Control, test1 and test2 were 1.000±0.021, 0.202±0.057 and 0.300±0.016. The expressions of eIF4B mRNA were 1.000±0.078, 0.452±0.012 and 0.526±0.037, and the expressions of c-Myc mRNA were 1.000±0.053, 0.688±0.067 and 0.564±0.089. the expressions of ANCR, eIF4B and c-Myc mRNA and protein in test1 and test2 cells were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01) ; the proliferation of test1 and test2 groups were significantly decreased at 72h and 96h, and the ability of colony formation was significantly decreased ( P<0.001) . Conclusion:The expression of ANCR was significantly up-regulated in high-grade glioma tissues and positively correlated with the expression of eIF4B. Interference with ANCR in vitro could mediate the decrease of the expression of eIF4B and c-Myc mRNA and protein molecules, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of glioma cells.
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Boron neutron capture therapy(BNCT)is an advanced radiotherapy combined with targeted therapy and heavy ion therapy. BNCT is based on the nuclear reaction 10B (n, α) 7Li that occurs when boron-10 isotopes is irradiated with neutrons of the appropriate energy to produce high-energy recoiling 7Li nuclei and α particles. The released high linear energy transfer (LET) particles have path lengths of approximately one cell diameter (5-9 μm) and deposit most of their energy within the boron-containing tumor cells. BNCT has the advantages of precise tumor targeting, less damage to normal tissue and fewer irradiation fractionations (1-3 fractionations) than conventional radiotherapy (30 fractionation). The neutrons used in BNCT are produced by reactors or accelerators. The boron drugs used in clinical trials include BPA and BSH. In this paper, we review the clinical trial status and the significant progress of BNCT for head and neck tumors. The clinical data have approved the effectiveness of BNCT in the treatment of head and neck cancer. With the technical improvement of accelerator neutron source and the development of new boron drugs, BNCT will play a more important role in the field of clinical radiotherapy in the future.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the distribution and characteristics of peripheral nerve abnormalities in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) using magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) and to examine the diagnostic efficiency.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one CIDP patients and 21 controls underwent MR scans. Three-dimensional sampling perfections with application-optimized contrasts using different flip-angle evolutions and T1-/T2- weighted turbo spin-echo sequences were performed for neurography of the brachial and lumbosacral (LS) plexus and cauda equina, respectively. Clinical data and scores of the inflammatory Rasch-built overall disability scale (I-RODS) in CIDP were obtained.RESULTS: The bilateral extracranial vagus (n = 11), trigeminal (n = 12), and intercostal nerves (n = 10) were hypertrophic. Plexus hypertrophies were observed in the brachial plexus of 19 patients (61.3%) and in the LS plexus of 25 patients (80.6%). Patterns of hypertrophy included uniform hypertrophy (17 [54.8%] brachial plexuses and 21 [67.7%] LS plexuses), and multifocal fusiform hypertrophy (2 [6.5%] brachial plexuses and 4 [12.9%] LS plexuses) was present. Enlarged and/or contrast-enhanced cauda equina was found in 3 (9.7%) and 13 (41.9%) patients, respectively. Diameters of the brachial and LS nerve roots were significantly larger in CIDP than in controls (p < 0.001). The largest AUC was obtained for the L5 nerve. There were no significant differences in the course duration, I-RODS score, or diameter between patients with and without hypertrophy.CONCLUSION: MRN is useful for the assessment of distribution and characteristics of the peripheral nerves in CIDP. Compared to other regions, LS plexus neurography is more sensitive for CIDP.
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Objective@#To explore the association among clinical features, electromyography (EMG) and magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). @*Methods@#A cross-sectional survey was conducted to enroll consecutively typical CIDP patients in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from May 2017 to May 2019. The Hughes Disability Scale (HDS) was used to evaluate the illness severity of the patients. The electrodiagnostic parameters including motor conduction velocity (MCV), compound muscle action potential (CMAP), F-wave latency, sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) of upper and lower limbs were analyzed. The patients whose response waveform can be elicited in all nerves were defined as group A, and those without response in one or more nerves as group B. MRN quantitative technique was used to calculate the cross-sectional area of nerves roots (nr-CSA) of brachial plexus and lumbosacral plexus. The linear regression method was used to analyze the correlation among clinical features, EMG and nr-CSA. @*Results@#A total of 32 patients with typical CIDP met the criteria, 75% (24/32) of whom were males. There were 16 patients in the mild group (group A) and 16 in the severe one (group B). The abnormal rate of F-wave latency was the highest. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein, HDS score were correlated significantly with the nr-CSA of brachial plexus and lumbosacral plexus in the two groups (group A: CSF protein and brachial plexus nr-CSA: r=0.498, P=0.004; CSF protein and lumbosacral plexus nr-CSA: r=0.479, P=0.007; HDS score and brachial plexus nr-CSA: r=0.650, P=0.000; HDS score and lumbosacral plexus nr-CSA: r=0.625, P=0.000. group B: CSF protein and brachial plexus nr-CSA: r=0.497, P=0.049; CSF protein and lumbosacral plexus nr-CSA: r=0.503, P=0.047; HDS score and brachial plexus nr-CSA: r=0.605, P=0.001; HDS score and lumbosacral plexus nr-CSA: r=0.648, P=0.000). MCV of median nerve and ulnar nerve was negatively correlated with nr-CSA of brachial plexus in the two groups (group A: MCV of median nerve and nr-CSA of brachial plexus: r=-0.309, P=0.019; MCV of ulnar nerve and nr-CSA of brachial plexus: r=-0.286, P=0.027. group B: MCV of median nerve and nr-CSA of brachial plexus: r=-0.660, P=0.000; MCV of ulnar nerve and nr-CSA of brachial plexus: r=-0.581, P=0.001). The F-wave latencies of median and ulnar nerves were positively correlated with nr-CSA of brachial plexus, and the CMAP amplitude of tibial nerve and SNAP amplitude of sural nerve were positively correlated with nr-CSA of lumbosacral plexus in group B. @*Conclusions@#Male patients with CIDP are predominant. The higher the nr-CSA in brachial plexus and lumbosacral plexus, the higher the CSF protein and disability score, and the larger the nr-CSA in brachial plexus, the slower the MCV in the median and ulnar nerve. For group B patients with more severe nerve injury, the larger nr-CSA of brachial plexus was, the longer F-wave latency of median and ulnar nerve was, and the larger nr-CSA of lumbosacral plexus was, the lower CMAP amplitude of tibial nerve and SNAP amplitude of sural nerve were. As a non-invasive test, MRN can be used to assist in the diagnosis of CIDP and to assess the severity of the disease.
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Objective@#To investigate the correlation between c-kit mRNA expression and prognosis in patients with rectal carcinoma.@*Methods@#The expression of c-kit mRNA in rectal carcinoma tissues(n=66) was detected by multiplex branched-DNA liquid chip method. According to the expression level, the patients were classified into the c-kit mRNA high expression group and the low group. We analyzed the relationship between the c-kit mRNA expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients, as well as the factors affecting patients′prognosis.@*Results@#Of the 66 rectal carcinoma patients, 18(27.3%)cases were c-kit mRNA high expression. No significant correlation was found between the c-kit mRNA expression and gender, age, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen, preoperative hemoglobin, distance to verge, lymph node metastasis, tumor thrombus, T stage, TNM stage and tumor differentiation (P>0.05). In follow-up, 34 patients died, 32 patients and 36 patients were recurrence or metastasis. The 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival(OS) of c-kit mRNA high expression group were 100.0%, 77.8%, 77.8%, respectively, while those of the low one were 93.8%, 56.3%, 45.8%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant(P=0.025). Lymph node metastasis, T stage and TNM stage were also significant associated with OS(P<0.05). The 1-, 3-, 5-year disease free rate (DFS)of the c-kit mRNA high expression group were 100.0%, 77.8% and 77.8%, respectively, while those of the low one were 77.1%、43.8% and 41.7%, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was significant (P=0.044). As a reslut, c-kit mRNA expression (P=0.038) and TNM stage (P=0.039) were the independent prognostic factors affecting the OS in rectal cancer patients.@*Conclusions@#Low expression of c-kit was associated with poor prognosis of rectal carcinoma. And the mechanism underlying this phenomenon deserves further exploration.
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Objective To investigate collagen metabolism modulation of Intermedin 1-53 ( IMD1-53 ) on angiotensin Ⅱ( AngⅡ)-induced rat cardiac fibroblasts .Methods SD neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts were cultured and divided them into control group, AngⅡ +different concentrations IMD1-53 groups.ⅠandⅢcollagen expression in cardiac fibroblasts were measured by Westem blot , IMD1-53 receptor-like receptor ( calcitonin receptor-like receptor , CRLR) and transforming growth factor-β( TGF-β) mRNA expression were exammed by real-time PCR.Results IMD1-53 significantly inhibited AngⅡ-induced collagen synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts , and this effect was more ob-vious with the increase of IMD 1-53 ( P<0.01 ,P<0.05 ) .Similar phenomenon was recorded in TGF-βexpression in cardiac fibroblasts ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusions IMD1-53 inhibited collagen synthetic in cardiac fibrosis induced by AngⅡ, down-regulated TGF-βexpression.These may relate to IMD1-53 anti myocardial fibrosis.
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Objective: To observe influence of anxiety or depression on prethrombotic state in patients with essential hypertension (EH). Methods: A total of 112 EH patients were equally divided into EH + A/D group and pure EH group. Levels of prethrombotic state indicators, including serum CD62P, von Willebrand factor (vWF), tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 and endothelin (ET)-1 were measured in two groups. Results: Compared with pure EH group, there were significant increase in levels of CD62P [(4.52±2.01) % vs. (8.38±1.96) %], vWF [(155.28±23.11) % vs. (185.23±22.21) %], PAI-1 [(54.35±13.21) ng/L vs. (79.88±14.53) ng/L] and ET-1 [(121.56±33.32) ng/L vs. (152.78±30.23) ng/L], P<0.05 all; and significant decrease in t-PA level [(19.37±11.46) ng/L vs. (9.56±8.32) ng/L, P<0.05] in EH + A/D group. Conclusion: Anxiety or depression can aggravate prethrombotic state of patients with essential hypertension through activation of platelets, influencing vascular endothelial function and fibrinolytic system imbalance.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the central nervous system mechanisms of active of movement switch in the patients with Tourette' s syndrome( TS),and to explore the possible underlying distinct neural networks for tic trigger and generation. Methods Participants were 14 patients with TS and 14 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers with no history of physical,psychiatric or neurological disease: All patients were assessed with functional magnetic resonances imaging (fMRI)of the brain during the intermittent performance of finger-tapping switch tasks,Blood-oxygen-level dependent-fMRI was performed using a 3.0 Tesla MR.The area over which the activation was distributed was calculated,and the activation volumes were also compared between the patients with TS and the control subjects.ResultsThe regions activated in the patients with TS and in the volunteers were similar in several brain regions,including contralateral precentral and postcentral gyrus,contralateral mesia pre-front gyrus,contralateral cingulate gyrus,contralateral insula and ipsilataral cerebellum. There were also many different activation areas between the patients and the control subjects. The patients with TS demonstrated more significant and extended activation in the contralateral pre- and postcentral gyrus than the healthy volunteers.The volume of the left pre- and postcentral gyrus of the TS patients was (8.024 ±0.071 ) cm3,while the volume of the left pre-and postcentral gyrus of the control subjects was ( 6.480 ± 0.026) cm3 ( t =3.026,P ＜ 0.01 ) ; The volume of the right pre- and postcentral gyrus was (6.192 ± 0.019) cm3 in the TS cases,while there was (5.608 ±0.037) cm3 in the control subjects (t =2.752,P ＜0.05).There were significant differences in the volumes of bilateral pre- and postcetral gyrus between the TS and control subjects. The activations of conralateral thalamus without contralateral insula were found in the patients with TS. Conversely, the contralateral insula activation without thalamus activation could be found in the healthy volunteers.ConclusionThe thalamus might play an important role in the aetiological and physiopathologic mechanisms of the TS. The thalamus along with the parietal cortex,cingulate cortex and insular cortex appear to constitute a distinct neural network for tic trigger and generation.
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Objective To study the changes of the putamen metabolites with magnetic resonance spectrum(MRS),and to explore possible underlying unrecongnised aetiological factor and pathophysiology mechanism in the central nervous system of the patients with Tourette' s syndrome.Methods Twenty-two cases of Tourette' s syndrome,and twenty-two gender and age-matched subjects ( the control subjects ) were performed on a clinical 3.0 T MRI system.Proton prob-voxel spectroscopy imaging (1H-MRS) was obtained from two sides of the putamen.The metabolites included N-acetylaspartate (NAA),creatine and phosphocreatine ( Cr),choline-containing compounds (Cho),and myoinositol ( MI ).The value of the NAA,Cr,Cho,and MI were calculated by integration of their peaks.The ratios of NAA/Cr,Cho/Cr,ML/Cr were calculated respectively.Repeated measures analysis of variance ( ANOVA ) was used to test both the value of NAA/Cr,Cho/Cr,MI/Cr of the putamen for group difference,with group as between-subjects factor and side as within-subjects factor.Results The NAA/Cr ratio in patients ( left:1.29 ± 0.13 ; right:1.34 + 0.15 ) was significantly lower than that in the control subjects ( left:1.50 ± 0.08,T =1.962,P ＜0.05 ; right:1.52 ± 0.11,T =1.865,P ＜ 0.05 ).There was no significant difference in the Cho/Cr and MI/Cr ratio between both groups.Conclusion The abnormalities of the structure and(or) function in the putamens of patients may be the one of the underlying anaetiological factors and pathophysiology mechanisms of the Tourette' s syndrome.
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Objective To explore the mechanism of self-awareness in the heavy smokers(HS)by using regional homogeneity(ReHo)combined with resting-state functional MRI(fMRI).Methods Thirty HS and 31 healthy non-smokers(NS)matched for age and sex underwent a 3.0 T resting-state fMRI.The data were post-processed by SPM 5 and then the ReHo values were calculated by REST software.The ReHo values between the two groups were compared by two-sample t-test.The brain map with significant difference of ReHo value was obtained.Results Compared with that in NS group,the regions with decreased ReHo value included the bilateral precuneus,superior frontal gyrus,medial prefrontal cortex,right angular gyrus,inferior frontal gyrus,inferior occipital gyrus,cerebellum,and left middle frontal gyrus in HS group.The regions of increased ReHo value included the bilateral insula,parahippocampal gyrus,white matter of parietal lobe,pons,left inferior parietal lobule,lingual gyrus,thalamus,inferior orbital gyrus,white matter of temporal-frontal lobe,and cerebellum.The difference was more obvious in the left hemisphere.Conclusions In HS,abnormal ReHo on a resting state which reflects network of smoking addiction.This method may be helpful in understanding the mechanism of self-awareness in HS.
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Objective To analyze the relationship between the number as well as distributions of positive lymph nodes, and the clinical outcomes of postoperative radiotherapy for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC) , And to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy . Methods From January 1993 to March 2007,945 patients with TESCC treated with three-field lymphadenectomy were involved in this study. All patients were with lymphoid metastasis but without distant metastasis. Among them, 590 patients received surgery alone and the other 355 received surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy. The radiotherapy were begun in the third or fourth week after operation and the median total radiation dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions of 2 Gy, 5 fractions per week. Results The follow-up rate was 94.5%. 189 patients finished minimal follow-up of five years. The 5-year survival rates in the surgery alone group and in the postoperative radiotherapy group were 29.6% and 38.0%, respectively (χ~2 = 10.44 ,P = 0.001). In stratification analysis, compared with the surgery alone, postoperative radiotherapy could increase the 5-year survival rate of the patients with 3 to 5 (30.5% : 23.1%, χ~2 = 4.11, P = 0.043) or > 5 positive nodes (16.7% : 8.9%, χ~2= 6.87, P= 0.009) , or metastastatic node in the region of supraclavicular or upper mediastinum (45.5% : 34.9%, χ~2= 5.37, P = 0.020). In patients with positive nodes number less than 3, or with medium mediastinum or lower mediastinum lymph nodes metastasis, postoperative radiotherapy could not increase the 5-year survival rates (50.7% : 41.2%, χ~2 = 3.30, P = 0.069 ; 32.0% : 27.7% , χ~2= 2.22 , P = 0. 137) , Though could decrease lymph nodes metastasis in supraclavicular and medium-upper mediastinum (15 : 76, χ~2 = 18.10, P = 0.000; 18 : 97, χ~2= 26.81, P = 0.000). Conclusions In TESCC patients with positive lymph nodes number ≥3 or nodes in the region of supraclavicular and upper mediastinum, postoperative radiotherapy can improve the survival after three field lymphadenectomy. And the rate of metastastatic lymph nodes in the supraclavicular region or upper-medium mediastinum can also be decreased.
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Objective To analyze setup errors for irradiation of pelvic carcinoma by online conebeam CT (CBCT) scanning and to calculate the external margins from clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) in treatment planning. Methods Twelve patients with rectal or prostate cancer were enrolled in this study. Translational errors (x,y,z) and rotational errors (u,v,w) were obtained by using CBCT in radiotherapy. Results The set-up errors were gathered from 229 sets of CBCT in 12patients. The systemic ± random errors on x,y,z, u,v and w axes were (0.49 ± 1.18) mm, (-0. 11 ±3.45) mm, (-2. 00 ± 1.59) mm, 1.14°±0. 67°, 0. 42°±O. 94°and -0. 32°±±0. 68°, respectively. Setup errors in the left-right, anterior-posterior, and superior-inferior directions were 4. 6 mm, 12. 5 mm, and 6. 2 mm, respectively. Conclusions Set-up errors were unavoidable in pelvic carcinoma irradiation. To minimize the influence of set-up errors, we suggest a PTV margin of 5 mm, 15 mm and 10 mm in the leftright, anterior-posterior and superior-inferior directions, respectively.
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Objective To assess the values of MRI and echocardiography for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Methods Eleven cases with CA proved pathologically performed MRI and echocardiography, the findings were analyzed retrospectively. Results The characteristic features of cardiac amyloidosis on MRI and echocardiography were:diffuse slight myocardial thickening of the left ventricular wall and interventricular septum (11 cases ), slight myocardial thickening of the interatrial septum (5 cases), increased left ventricular mass (7 cases), enlarged left atrium ( 7 cases), impaired ventricular systolic and diastolic function (10 cases ), pleural and pericardial effusions (11 and 9 cases ).Echocardiography showed that myocardium was hyperechoic and presented as ground glass with some spotty hyperechoes in 6 cases. MRI revealed a distinct diffuse delayed enhancement of subendocardial and entire myocardium in 8 cases. Conclusion Doppler echocardiography is the first-choice imaging technique and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can provide more information for the diagnosis of CA.
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This study described the radiological features on echocardiography and MRI specific to cardiac amyloidosis confirmed on biopsy. Eleven cases of biopsy-proven cardiac amyloidosis were retrospectively reviewed in this study. All patients underwent biopsy, cardiac MRI and echocardiography. The main echocardiography and MRI findings were as follows: diffuse ventricular and septum wall thickening, atrial enlargement, pericardial effusion, restricted left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, characteristic granular sparkling of myocardium. MRI revealed a characteristic pattern of global subendocardial late enhancement, extending in varying degrees into the neighboring myocardium. The findings agreed with the infiltration distribution of amyloid protein. Typical abnormalities seen on echocardiography and MRI should have important diagnostic and prognostic value of cardiac amyloidosis. MRI should be considered in the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis if echocardiographic features are suspicious.
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Objective To investigate the MRI features of cardiac myxoma by correlated with its pathological findings. Methods MRI features of 22 cases of pathologically confirmed cardiac myxomas were retrospectively reviewed. Results Of 22 cases, 21 are solitary, 12 located in left atrium, 6 located in right atrium, 2 located in left ventricle and 1 located in right ventricle. The other one occupied multiple chambers. MRI: 19 are heterogeneous and 3 are homogeneous. Cine-MRI: 18 attach to the endocardium with a pedunculated stalk and 4 are sessile and with a broad attachment. Thirteen cases had secondary valve insufficience or stenosis. Nine have compromised cardiac function. Nineteen cases demonstrated mild to moderate heterogeneous enhancement after Gd-DTPA administration and 3 ease showed no enhancement. Four cases had gadolinium first-pass perfusion study and showed a slow and continuous increasing time-intensity, lower than normal myocardium. The pedicles and wall showed delay enhancement. Pathologic findings: 21 are oval and lobalar configuration, 1 is grape-like. Ten cases had fresh hemorrhage and 5 had chronic hemorrhage. Fourteen had necrosis , 2 had cystic change and 4 had calcification. Blood vessels or inflanmmtory cells could be detected in 19 cases. Conclusions MRI can evaluate the size, location, morphology, especially the vascularity, histologic features and cardiac function of cardiac myxomas.
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Objective To analyze the status of quality of life (QOL) and the related factors in pa-tients with uasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy, and to explore the significance of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in decreasing side effects and improving QOL. Methods A questionnaire including 35 items was designed according to EORTC QLQ-30 and the related symptoms and side effects of NPC. 142 NPC patients surviving with disease-free after radiotherapy were surveyed for the evaluation of QOL. The median follow-up was 25 months. The information of social demography and clinical details were collected. The patients were divided into IMRT group (75 patients) and conventional radiotherapy (CRT) group (67 patients). A statistical software package SAS 8.1 was used to compare the marks of QOL between the groups and analyze the influencing factors. Results In IMRT group and CRT group, the marks of affec-tire cognitive domain were 82.8±14.7 and 77.5±16.0(t=2.07, P=0.040);and the marks of disease and treatment-related symptoms, and reactive domain were 78.9±10.3 and 69.8±13.3 (t=4.59, P=0.000). The marks were significantly different in xerostomia, trismus, deglutitory choke, hoarseness, re-striction of neck movement and dysphagia (P < 0.05). Of the influencing factors of QOL, the domain of body function was sex (regression coefficient was -4.692), the self-evaluation of total QOL were follow-up time and educational background (regression coefficients were -0.618 and 12.316, respectively), the fi-nancial status was family monthly income per capita (regression coefficient was -11.133), and the disease and treatment-related symptoms and reactive domain were group (techniques of radiation) and age (regression coefficients were -9.384 and -5.853, respectively). Conclusions IMRT could improve the QOL through decreasing the side effects of patients with NPC including xerostomia, trismus, restriction of neck movement and dysphagia. Sex, age, family monthly income per capita, educational background, fol-low-up time and the irradiation techniques may affect QOL.
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Objective To investigate the etiology and relative factors of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Chinese patients. Methods A case-control study was conducted to compare 233 patients with DCM in high-incidence areas (case group) and 150 patients with stable angina pectoris (control group). Life styles and history of diseases information was collected by questionaire; human anti-myocardial antibody IgG (AMA- IgG), human Coxsackie B virus IgG (CBV- IgG) and human adenovirus antibody IgG (ADV- lgG) were measured with ELISA. General chemical and toxicological indicators in drink water from high and low prevalence areas and serum trace elements also were compared. Results 1 ) Compared with the control group, the case group had more farmers (P < 0.01), with low average incomes (P < 0.01), higher alcohol consumption (P < 0.01) and higher incidence of the history of myocarditis (P < 0.01 ). 2) AMA-IgG, CBV-IgG and ADV-IgG levels were low and the positive rates ofAMA-IgG, CBV-IgG and ADV-IgG of patients with DCM were respectively 7.78%, 6.67% and 6.67%, no statistical significance comparing with those in the control group. 3) The content of iron (1.36±2.18 vs 0.39±0.67 mg/L, P<0.05) and manganese (0.384±0.35 vs 0.15±0.14, P<0.01 ) in drinking water of high-incidence areas was significantly higher than that in low-incidence areas. 4) The content of serum iron (69.14±57.8 vs 20.04±17.5 μ mol/L, P<0.01 ) and copper (25.74±4.2 vs 19.7±4.5 μmol/L, P<0.01) in the case group evidently exceeded the normal range and obviously higher than that in the control group. Conclusions 1) The incidence of some DCM is related with low incomes, high alcohol consumption and myocarditis. 2) These data do not support that DCM is related with persistent virus infection and autoimmunization; 3) Iron and manganese contents exceeding standards in drinking water and the high content of serum iron and copper is comparatively related with the incidence of DCM.
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Objective To explore the brain changes of electroacupuncturing (EA) different acupoints of peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods Eighteen patients with left PFP were randomly divided into three groups. Six of them received electroacupuncturing left Dicang, 6 received electroacupuncturing left Hegu, and 6 received electroacupuncturing left Houxi. fMRI data were obtained from scanning of the whole brain. Functional data were processed by SPM99 software and functional responses were established with t-test analysis (P<0.05). Results Electroacupuncturing Dicang and Hegu on the left induced decreasing of signal in bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left cingulate gyrus, signal increased of right precentral gyrus, bilateral postcentral gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus and right insular, while electroacupuncturing Houxi on the left induced decrease of signal in bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, left lentiform nucleus, right middle temporal gyrus, right cerebellar tonsil, signal increased of right caudate head, right cingulate gyrus, brainstem, cerebellar vermis and right parahippocampal gyrus. Conclusion Electroacupunctuing Hegu and Dicang can cause corresponding functional activation in cerebrum, while electroacupuncturing Houxi can not, suggesting that there is association between cerebral and acupoint of owned meridian.
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This study examined the effect of different b values on diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) of human prostate by using single-shot spin echo echo planar imaging (SE-EPI) sequences, observed the normal appearances and measured apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in anatomical regions of normal prostate. Twenty-four healthy volunteers (mean age: 32 y) were studied by using a 1.5T system with a phased array surface multicoil. Two kinds of single-shot SE-EPI sequence were used to perform DWI in the prostate in volunteers, with five b values being 0, 30, 300, 500 to 1000 s/mm(2). The image quality with different imaging parameters was analyzed and the ADC values in anatomical regions of normal prostate were measured. DWI of prostate was successfully obtained in all volunteers. The images were of good quality, without artifacts containing pixels within the prostate. The contrast was good between the different anatomical regions of the prostatic gland, i.e., the peripheral zone (PZ), which exhibited higher signal intensity, and the central gland (CG). Signal intensity contrast was related to the magnitude of b values. The ADC values in PZ and CG were (1.27+/-0.22)x10(-3) mm(2)/s and (1.01+/-0.17)x10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively. The ADC values were found to be significantly higher in PZ than in CG (P<0.05, paired t-test). Significant differences were found between the slice-selecting component and both the read-out and phase-encoding components of the ADC values. It is concluded that SE-EPI is a suitable DWI sequence for human prostate. The contrast between PZ and CG is good when b values are low, while the diffusion and ADC values are accurate when b values are high. ADC values are higher in PZ than in CG in normal prostate. Diffusional anisotropy is present in normal prostatic tissue.
Subject(s)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Prostate/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
In order to observe the feature of age-related marrow conversion and maturation of epi-physeal cartilage and analyze the distribution of red and yellow marrow in the proximal femur at STIR MR imaging, STIR and T1 weighted MR imaging of the proximal femur in 52 subjects, aged 4 months to 25 years old, were retrospectively analyzed for the distribution and appearance of red and yellow marrow. The subjects with no known bone marrow abnormalities were divided into 6 age groups. The signal intensity of the marrow in the proximal epiphysis, proximal metaphysis, proximal diaphysis, distal diaphysis and greater trochanter was compared with the signal intensity and homo- geneity of surrounding muscle and fat and graded by two observers. The results showed that the con- version of hematopoietic marrow in the proximal femur followed a well-defined sequence, occurring first in the proximal epiphysis, followed by the distal diaphysis, and then greater trochanter and metaphysis. STIR in combination with T1-weighted imaging could display clearly the origin of ossi-fication center and the course of conversion from red to yellow marrow in proximal epiphysis and greater trochanter. STIR imaging showed that the marrow conversion in proximal metaphysic began below epiphyseal plate and intertrochanter. The site of red yellow was distributed in weight-bearing axis by 20 years of age. The marrow conversion of diaphysis was from distal end to proximal end, and the consequence of conversion was that distal diaphysis contained yellow marrow but proximal diaphysis partly red marrow connected with the red marrow of metaphysic. The epiphyseal cartilage had different characters of signal-intensity with age in STIR sequence. The distribution of red marrow in STIR imaging was more close to that of anatomy than T1-weighted imaging. It was concluded that STIR could dynamically display the feature of morrow conversion and the development of epiphyseal cartilage and accurately reveal the age-related distribution of red and yellow marrow on STIR imag-ing in the proximal femur.