Role of the Emphysema Index Combined with the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test Score in the Evaluation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the emphysema index (EI) in distinguishing chronic bronchitis (CB) from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its role, combined with the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, in the evaluation of COPD. Methods: A total of 92 patients with CB and 277 patients with COPD were enrolled in this study. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed to evaluate whether the EI can preliminarily distinguish chronic bronchitis from COPD. Considering the heterogeneity of COPD, there might be missed diagnosis of some patients with bronchitis type when differentiating COPD patients only by EI. Therefore, patients with COPD were classified according to the CAT score and EI into four groups: Group 1 (EI < 16%, CAT < 10), Group 2 (EI < 16%, CAT ≥ 10), Group 3 (EI ≥ 16%, CAT < 10), and Group 4 (EI ≥ 16%, CAT ≥ 10). The records of pulmonary function and quantitative computed tomography findings were retrospectively analyzed. Results: ROC curve analysis showed that EI = 16.2% was the cutoff value for distinguishing COPD from CB. Groups 1 and 2 exhibited significantly higher maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) percent predicted (pred), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal midexpiratory flow of 25-75% pred, carbon monoxide-diffusing capacity (DLCO)/alveolar ventilation (VA), FEV1 % pred (p ≤ 0.013), and maximal expiratory flow 50% pred (all p < 0.05) than Group 4. FEV1/FVC and DLCO/VA were significantly lower in Group 3 than in Group 2 (p=0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). The residual volume/total lung capacity was higher in Group 3 than in Groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The combination of EI and CAT was effective in the evaluation of COPD.

Assessment of Acute Pulmonary Embolism by Computer-Aided Technique: A Reliability Study.

BACKGROUND Acute pulmonary embolism is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases. Computer-aided technique is widely used in chest imaging, especially for assessing pulmonary embolism. The reliability and quantitative analyses of computer-aided technique are necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of geometry-based computer-aided detection and quantification for emboli morphology and severity of acute pulmonary embolism. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty patients suspected of acute pulmonary embolism were analyzed by both manual and computer-aided interpretation of vascular obstruction index and computer-aided measurements of emboli quantitative parameters. The reliability of Qanadli and Mastora scores was analyzed using computer-aided and manual interpretation. RESULTS The time costs of manual and computer-aided interpretation were statistically different (374.90±150.16 versus 121.07±51.76, P<0.001). The difference between the computer-aided and manual interpretation of Qanadli score was 1.83±2.19, and 96.7% (29 out of 30) of the measurements were within 95% confidence interval (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC=0.998). The difference between the computer-aided and manual interpretation of Mastora score was 1.46±1.62, and 96.7% (29 out of 30) of the measurements were within 95% confidence interval (ICC=0.997). The emboli quantitative parameters were moderately correlated with the Qanadli and Mastora scores (all P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Computer-aided technique could reduce the time costs, improve the and reliability of vascular obstruction index and provided additional quantitative parameters for disease assessment.

Determination of vascular alteration in smokers by quantitative computed tomography measurements.

A new method of quantitative computed tomography (CT) measurements of pulmonary vessels are applicable to morphological studies and may be helpful in defining the progression of emphysema in smokers. However, limited data are available on the relationship between the smoking status and pulmonary vessels alteration established in longitudinal observations. Therefore, we investigated the change of pulmonary vessels on CTs in a longitudinal cohort of smokers.Chest CTs were available for 287 current smokers, 439 non-smokers, and 80 former smokers who quit smoking at least 2 years after the baseline CT. CT images obtained at the baseline and 1 year later were assessed by a new quantitative CT measurement method, computing the total number of pulmonary vessels (TNV), mean lung density (MLD), and the percentage of low-attenuation areas at a threshold of -950 (density attenuation area [LAA]%950). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the independent sample t test were used to estimate the influence of the baseline parameters. The t paired test was employed to evaluate the change between the baseline and follow-up results.The current smokers related to have higher whole-lung MLD, as well as less and lower TNV values than the non-smokers (P <.05). But no significant differences in LAA%950 were found between smokers and non-smokers. After one year, the increase in LAA%950 was more rapid in the current (additional 0.3% per year, P <. 05-.01) than in the former smokers (additional 0.2% per year, P = .3). Additionally, the decline in TNV was faster in the current (additional -1.3 per year, P <.05-.01) than that in the former smokers (additional -0.2 per year, P = .6). Current smoke, pack-years, weight, and lung volume independently predicted TNV at baseline (P <.001) in multivariate analysis.The findings of this study reveal that the decline in the pulmonary vessels in smokers can be measured and related to their smoking status.

The utility of measuring the apparent diffusion coefficient for peritumoral zone in assessing infiltration depth of endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: The invasion depth of endometrial cancer is one of the most important prognosis factors. The aim of the current study was to investigate the diagnostic value of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the peritumoral zone for assessing the infiltration depth of endometrial cancer. METHODS: An institutional review board approved this prospective study, and all study participants provided informed consent. A total of 58 patients (mean age 54 ± 8.3 years, range 34-69 years) with endometrial cancer were prospectively enrolled. Two radiologists assessed all preoperative magnetic resonance images with T1, T2, and diffusion-weighted imaging, and determined the location of the deepest invasion of the tumor. The peritumoral zone was defined as a 5-mm-thick zone surrounding and adjacent to the cancerous endometrium. The mean ADC (ADCm) values of the tumor and the peritumoral zone were measured. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) were calculated for visual inspection, and an ADC cutoff value for the peri-endometrial zone was determined for predicting the myometrial invasion depth. RESULTS: The ADCm values of tumors and peritumoral zones were 0.83 × 10- 3 mm2/sec and 1.06 × 10- 3 mm2/sec, respectively. There was no significant difference between the ADCm values of the tumors in the superficial and deep myometrial invasion groups (P > 0.05). However, the ADCm value at the peritumoral zone in the deep myometrial invasion group (1.23 × 10- 3 mm2/sec) significantly differed from that in the superficial myometrial invasion group (0.99 × 10- 3 mm2/sec) (p = 0.005). In assessments of deep myometrial invasion, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were 0.58, 0.93, 0.84, and 0.77, respectively, for the ADCm cutoff value of the peritumoral zone, and 0.71, 0.80, 0.87, and 0.60. respectively, for visual inspection. The accuracy of myometrial invasion depth assessment using the ADCm cutoff value and visual inspection were 83 and 78%, respectively. The Az for both was 0.76. CONCLUSION: ADCm at the peritumoral zone can predict deep myometrial invasion of endometrial cancer. This value can therefore enhance confidence in preoperative endometrial cancer evaluation, and when tailoring surgical approaches.

Sex-related differences in bronchial parameters and pulmonary function test results in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on three-dimensional quantitative computed tomography.

Objective This study was performed to evaluate the effect of sex on bronchial parameters and the predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s expressed as a percentage of the forced vital capacity (FEV1% pred) on pulmonary function testing. Methods The data of 359 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with available FEV1% pred and computed tomography (CT) images were retrospectively reviewed. FACT-Digital lung TM software (DeXin, Xi'an, China) was used to perform fully automated three-dimensional CT quantitative measurements of the bronchi. Generation 5 to 7 bronchi were measured, and the parameters analyzed were the lumen diameter (LD), wall thickness (WT), lumen area (LA), and WA% [WA / (WA + LA) × 100%]. Results In the smoking, smoking cessation, and nonsmoking groups, women had a significantly larger WA% and smaller LD, WT, and LA than men. The FEV1% pred was significantly lower in women than men in the smoking and smoking cessation groups. The FEV1% pred was significantly higher in women than men in the nonsmoking group. Conclusion Sex-related differences may partially explain why smoking women experience more severe pulmonary function impairment than men among patients with COPD.

MRI characteristics of primary fallopian tube choriocarcinoma: a case report.

Tubal choriocarcinoma is uncommon, and its magnetic resonance imaging characteristics have not yet been reported. In this report, a 39-year-old woman presented with irregular painless vaginal bleeding and a palpable left lower abdominal lump for 2 months following 6 weeks' amenorrhea and positive urine pregnancy test. Her serum ß-human chorionic gonadotropin value was significantly increased. Ultrasound revealed a left adnexal mass, which showed no blood flow signal on Color doppler flow imaging. A further MR examination showed a well-defined cystic-solid mass with cystic component accounting for a large proportion in the left lower abdomen. The solid part with mixed signals resembled a honeycomb. Finally, the left tubal choriocarcinoma was confirmed by pathology. When the solid parts of cystic-solid mass appeared as "honeycomb appearance" and the ovaries were normal by magnetic resonance imaging, together with typical symptoms and significantly elevated ß-human chorionic gonadotropin values, radiologists should feel more confident in suspecting tubal choriocarcinoma and reporting it on their differential.

SUVmax of 18F-FDG PET/CT correlates to expression of major chemotherapy-related tumor markers and serum tumor markers in gastric adenocarcinoma patients.

The expression of P53 was previously found by us significantly correlated with maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Hence, the aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between SUVmax and the status of the chemotherapy-related tumor marker expression or serum tumor markers in gastric adenocarcinoma patients. Sixty-four gastric adenocarcinoma patients who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT prior to treatment were enrolled in this study. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect changes of Her-2, P53 and Survivin in lesions, and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method was used to quantify expression of serum CA72-4, CA19-9 and CEA of these patients. Then, the relationships between these parameters above were assessed by Spearman correlation analysis. Also, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to determine the best cut-off value of SUVmax for suggesting chemotherapy resistant tumor markers. Besides, we identified a linear correlation to estimate the equations between SUVmax and the serum tumor markers. Our results showed that higher SUVmax was detected in patients with positive expression of Her-2 and P53, compared with negative groups. The Spearman correlation analysis showed that SUVmax was associated with Her-2 or P53 with the moderate relevant Pearson correlation coefficient. ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of SUVmax for suggesting Her-2 or P53-positive, when the cut-off value of SUVmax was set at 3.25 or 5.45, respectively. Moreover, the relationship between SUVmax and serum tumor markers were analyzed by linear correlation analysis, and serum CA72-4 and CA19-9 could be used as independent parameters to establish an equation for SUVmax by the linear regression models. These results suggested that SUVmax of 18F-FDG PET/CT could be used to predict and evaluate Her-2 or P53 related chemotherapy resistance of gastric adenocarcinoma patients. However, before PET/CT scanning, serum tumor markers could be used to calculate the SUVmax approximately.

Combined subjective and quantitative analysis of magnetic resonance images could improve the diagnostic performance of deep myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the combination of subjective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and quantitative analysis by using the exponential ADC (EADC) value of the peri-endometrial zone can improve the diagnostic performance of deep myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 111 patients with either cervical cancer (normal endometria group) or endometrial cancer (endometrial cancer group). Two radiologists assessed all preoperative MR images with T1, T2, and diffusion-weighted imaging. The EADC value of the peri-endometrial zone was measured. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) were calculated for Subjective MRI, an EADC cutoff value of the peri-endometrial zone and the combination of the two methods in assessing the prediction of deep myometrial invasion. RESULTS: Specificity for EADC cutoff of the peri-endometrial zone was higher (0.93) than for Subjective MRI (0.80), as were the positive predictive values (EADC, 0.79; visual, 0.60). Sensitivity for the combined test was higher (0.88) than for Subjective MRI (0.71) and the EADC cutoff value (0.65), as were the negative predictive values (the combined test, 0.94; vs. EADC, 0.79; vs. Subjective MRI, 0.60). There were no differences in Az between the three methods (P>0.05), but the combined test had the highest Az. CONCLUSIONS: Combined with conventional Subjective MRI, calculating EADC value of the peri-endometrial zone could improve the accuracy of preoperative assessment of deep myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer patients, and maybe helpful in tailoring a surgical approach for intervention.

A three-dimensional approach for identifying small pulmonary vessels in smokers.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to develop a computerized scheme that utilizes a differential geometric approach to identify pulmonary vessels and then evaluate the performance of the scheme on the CT images of heavy smokers. METHODS: The scheme consists of two primary steps to segment entire lung vascular tree and identify the number of pulmonary vessels in a cross section. The scheme performance including accuracy, consistency, and efficiency was assessed using 102 chest CT scans. Further assessment was performed on the relationship between pulmonary vessels and the extent of emphysema as well as pulmonary artery alteration. RESULTS: The mean number of vessels in the cross section at the 5th generation was 17.84±4.74 and 17.23±4.85 assessed by computerized scheme and radiologists, respectively, which are significantly different (t = 2.12, p = 0.055). The results were consistent with those obtained by using a semi-automatic tool (r = 0.75, p = 0.01). In addition, in the 5th generation, the mean number of vessels was inversely related to the percentage of the low attenuation area (r = -0.704, p = 0.000), the mean lumen area of pulmonary vessel was inversely related to the mean value of main pulmonary artery diameter (r = -0.617, p = 0.000). The computational time of segmenting vessels was 6.50±0.02 seconds, which is much less than the average 8 minutes of the time spent by radiologists using the semi-automatic tool. CONCLUSION: Applying the computerized scheme yields reasonable performance on the segmentation of pulmonary vessels. The alteration of pulmonary vessels may reflect the presence of pulmonary hypertension, as well as the extent of emphysema.

Overexpression of FAM83H-AS1 indicates poor patient survival and knockdown impairs cell proliferation and invasion via MET/EGFR signaling in lung cancer.

Whole transcriptome analyses of next generation RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data from human cancer samples reveled thousands of uncharacterized non-coding RNAs including long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). Recent studies indicated that lncRNAs are emerging as crucial regulators in cancer processes and potentially useful as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. To delineate dysregulated lncRNAs in lung cancer, we analyzed RNA-Seq data from 461 lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) and 156 normal lung tissues. FAM83H-AS1, one of the top dysregulated lncRNAs, was found to be overexpressed in tumors relative to normal lung and significantly associated with worse patient survival in LUAD. We verified this diagnostic/prognostic potential in an independent cohort of LUAD by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were decreased after FAM83H-AS1 knockdown using siRNAs in lung cancer cells. Flow cytometry analysis indicated the cell cycle was arrested at the G2 phase after FAM83H-AS1 knockdown. Mechanistically, we found that MET/EGFR signaling was regulated by FAM83H-AS1. Our study indicated that FAM83H-AS1 plays an important role in lung tumor progression and may be potentially used as diagnostic/prognostic marker. Further characterization of this lncRNA may provide a novel therapeutic target impacting MET/EGFR signaling.

The Combination of Diffusion- and T2-Weighted Imaging in Predicting Deep Myometrial Invasion of Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the diagnostic difference among the combination of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting deep myometrial invasion of endometrial cancer. METHODS: A structured search was conducted to identify published studies between January 2005 and April 2014, which assessed depth of myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer by using DCE-MRI or DWI or DWI-T2WI. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies were included. Significant difference was found between DWI-T2WI and DWI in pooled specificity, and also in comparison between DCE-MRI and DWI-T2WI (P < 0.05). In summary, receiver operating characteristic analysis, area under the curve for DWI-T2WI, DWI, and DCE-MRI were 0.94, 0.90, and 0.93, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Diffusion-weighted imaging-T2WI can improve diagnostic performance in comparison with DWI alone. Meanwhile, DWI-T2WI performs better than DCE-MRI in predicting myometrial invasion of endometrial cancer. It may be an alternative for DCE-MRI in presurgical staging of endometrial cancer.

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and chemotherapy-related tumor marker expression in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The chemotherapy resistance of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a clinic challenge and is closely associated with several biomarkers including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ( Drugs 72(Suppl 1):28-36, 012.), p53 ( Med Sci Monit 11(6):HY11-HY20, 2005.) and excision repair cross complementing gene 1 (ERCC1) ( J Thorac Oncol 8(5):582-586, 2013.). Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is the best non-invasive surrogate for tumor biology with the maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax) being the most important paradigm. However, there are limited data correlating FDG-PET with the chemotherapy resistant tumor markers. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of chemotherapy related tumor marker expression with FDG-PET SUVmax in NSCLC. METHODS: FDG-PET SUVmax was calculated in chemotherapy naïve patients with NSCLC (n=62) and immunohistochemical analysis was performed for EGFR, p53 or ERCC1 on the intraoperative NSCLC tissues. Each tumor marker was assessed independently by two pathologists using common grading criteria. The SUVmax difference based on the histologic characteristics, gender, differentiation, grading and age as well as correlation analysis among these parameters were performed. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was further performed to determine the primary predictor for SUVmax and the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to detect the optimized sensitivity and specificity for SUVmax in suggesting chemotherapy resistant tumor markers. RESULTS: The significant tumor type (P=0.045), differentiation (P=0.021), p53 (P=0.000) or ERCC1 (P=0.033) positivity dependent differences of SUVmax values were observed. The tumor differentiation is significantly correlated with SUVmax (R=-0.327), tumor size (R=-0.286), grading (R=-0.499), gender (R=0.286) as well as the expression levels for p53 (R= -0.605) and ERCC1 (R=-0.644). The expression level of p53 is significantly correlated with SUVmax (R=0.508) and grading (R=0.321). Furthermore, multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that p53 expression was the primary predictor for SUVmax. When the cut-off value of SUVmax was set at 5.15 in the ROC curve analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of SUVmax in suggesting p53 positive NSCLC were 79.5% and 47.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that SUVmax of primary tumor on FDG-PET might be a simple and good non-invasive method for predicting p53-related chemotherapy resistance in NSCLC when we set the cu-off value of SUVmax at 5.15.

Conspicuity of breast lesions at different b values on diffusion-weighted imaging.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging has shown potential to differentiate between malignant and benign breast lesions. However, different b values have been used with varied sensitivity and specificity. This study aims to prospectively evaluate the influence of b value on the detection and assessment of breast lesions. METHODS: Institutional review board approval and informed patient consent were obtained. Between February 2010 and September 2010, sixty women suspected of having breast cancer by clinical examination and mammography underwent bilateral breast MRI and DW imaging (with maximum b values of 600, 800, and 1000 s/mm(2)). Conspicuity grades of lesions at different b values on DW images were performed. Signal intensity and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were recorded and compared among different b values by the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Fifty-seven lesions from 52 recruited patients including 39/57 (68%) malignant and 18/57 (32%) benign were confirmed with pathology. DCE MRI accurately detected 53 lesions with the sensitivity of 93.0% and specificity of 66.7%, and DW imaging accurately detected 51 lesions with the sensitivity of 89.5% and specificity of 100%. There were no significant differences in conspicuity grades compared among the three b values (P = 0.072), although the SNR and CNR of breast lesions decreased significantly with higher b values. Mean ADCs of malignant lesions (b = 600 s/mm(2), 1.07 ± 0.26 × 10-3 mm(2)/s; b = 800 s/mm(2), 0.96 ± 0.22 × 10-3 mm(2)/s; b = 1000 s/mm(2), 0.92 ± 0.26 × 10-3 mm(2)/s) were significantly lower than those of benign lesions (b = 600 s/mm(2), 1.55 ± 0.40 × 10-3 mm(2)/s; b = 800 s/mm(2), 1.43 ± 0.38 × 10-3 mm(2)/s; b = 1000 s/mm(2), 1.49 ± 0.38 × 10-3 mm(2)/s) with all P values <0.001, but there were no significant differences among the three b values (P = 0.303 and 0.840 for malignant and benign lesions, respectively). According to the area under the ROC curves, which were derived from ADC and differentiate malignant from benign lesions, no significant differences were found among the three b values (P = 0.743). CONCLUSIONS: DW imaging is a potential adjunct to conventional MRI in the differentiation between malignant and benign breast lesions. Varying the maximum b value from 600 to 1000 s/mm(2) does not influence the conspicuity of breast lesions on DW imaging at 1.5 T.

Identification of novel low molecular weight serum peptidome biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

AIM: To identify discriminating protein patterns in serum samples among non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and healthy controls. To discover specific low molecular weight (LMW) serum peptidome biomarkers and establish a diagnostic pattern for NSCLCby using proteomic technology. METHODS: We used magnetic bead-based separation followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to identify patients with NSCLC, COPD, and pneumonia. A total of 154 serum samples were analyzed in this study, among which there were 60 serum samples from NSCLC patients, 30 from patients with other lung-related diseases (16 pneumonia patients and 14 patients with COPD) as disease controls, and 64 from healthy volunteers as healthy control. The mass spectra, analyzed using ClinProTools software, distinguished between cancer patients and healthy individuals based on GA algorithm model. RESULTS: In this study, we generated numerous discriminating m/z peaks as well as disease-specific discrimination peaks. A set of five potential biomarkers (m/z: 7,763.24, 1,012.61, 4,153.16, 1,450.55, and 2,878.89) could be used as the diagnostic biomarkers to distinguish NSCLCpatients from healthy controls. In the training set, patients with NSCLC could be identified with sensitivity of 97.5% and specificity of 98.8%. Similar results were obtained in the testing set, showing 80.7% sensitivity and 91.2% specificity. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that a combined application of magnetic beads with MALDI-TOF MS technique was suitable for identification of serum biomarkers for NSCLC.

[Anatomic distribution of embolus at CT pulmonary angiography in patients suspected acute pulmonary embolism].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize and analyse the morphology and distribution of embolus in patients suspected acute pulmonary embolism. METHODS: The CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) imagings of 279 patients suspected acute pulmonary embolism were analysed retrospectively in Ningxia from January 2004 through June 2006 and in Beijing from September 2005 through October 2006. The incidence of central embolus, peripheral embolus and mixed embolus, and the distribution and the morphology of embolus in different levels of pulmonary arteries were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 279 patients (158 males, 121 females; Median age was 63 years) were recruited. The incidence of central embolus, peripheral embolus and mixed embolus were 3.5%, 40.9% and 55.6%, respectively. There were 1850 emboli found above the segmental pulmonary arterial, 58.2% were found in right pulmonary artery, and 41.8% in left pulmonary artery. For all of the emboli, there were 29.7% in bilateral upper lobes, 18.3% in medial lobe and lingual lobe, and 49.8% in bilateral lower lobes. The percent of A, B and C type embolus were 81.7%, 7.6% and 10.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: It was not unusual for the peripheral thrombosis, and can be improved to detect peripheral thrombosis by thin-slice CT scan. The distribution of embolus in pulmonary vascular and the distribution of blood flow was consistent, the number of embolus in right lung were more than left lung, and lower lobes more than upper lobes and middle lobes.

Serum peptidome profiling in patients with gastric cancer.

To identify discriminating protein patterns in serum samples between gastric cancer patients (early and advanced stages) and healthy controls. We used magnetic bead-based separation followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) to identify patients with gastric cancer. In total, serum samples from 62 gastric cancer patients (32 in the training set and 30 in the test set; 19 of which had early-stage tumors and 43 of which had advanced-stage tumors) and 64 healthy controls (32 in the training set and 32 in the test set) were analyzed. The mass spectra, analyzed using ClinProTools software, distinguished between cancer patients and healthy individuals based on three different algorithm models. In the training set, patients with gastric cancer could be identified with a mean sensitivity of 94.7% and a mean specificity of 99%. Similar results were obtained with the test set, showing 79.3% sensitivity and 86.5% specificity. Our study demonstrates the high sensitivity and specificity of screening serum protein patterns using MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of patients with gastric cancer.

[Diffusion characteristics of subcortical structures in patients with subcortical ischemic vascular disease and its correlation to cognitive function].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) characteristics of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and normal-appearing gray matter (NAGM) on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with subcortical ischemic vascular disease (SIVD) and examine the relation of such features with the general cognitive function of the patients. METHODS: DTI was performed in 46 SIVD patients and 34 age-matched control subjects with normal MRI findings. The apprarent diffusion coeeficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured within the regions of white matter lesions (WMLs), NAWM and NAGM. All the subjects were examined by neurologists with MMSE and clinical neurologic examination. RESULTS: Compared with normal controls, SIVD subjects showed increased ADC values in the subcortical NAGM and NAWM in anterior periventricular and centrum semiovale, with decreased FA values in the caudate nucleus, thalamus and centrum semiovale. An increased severity of the WMLs was associated with increased ADC and decreased FA in the NAWM of SIVD patients. After controlling for age, the ADC in the NAWM of the posterior periventricular, NAWM and WMLs in the centrum semiovale, caudate nucleus and thalamus showed significant inverse correlations to MMSE; FA values in NAWM of the anterior periventricular and WMLs of the centrum semiovale were positively correlated to MMSE. CONCLUSION: In SIVD patients, the NAWM and NAGM regions shown by MRI contain diffusion abnormalities, and these abnormalities shown by DTI are significantly correlated to the general cognitive function of the patients.

[Coronary artery disease diagnosis with 64-slice spiral CT coronary artery angiography in China and abroad: a meta analysis].

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis evaluated the accuracy of diagnosing coronary artery disease using 64-section spiral computed tomography, and compared the difference between Chinese studies and abroad studies. METHODS: Relevant English and Chinese articles published from 1998 to 2009 were searched in Cochrane library, Medline, Embase database, OVID database and CNKI. Heterogeneity was tested, pooled weighted sensitivity and specificity and the corresponding 95%CI were calculated. Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was drawn and the area under the curve was calculated, differences between studies from China and abroad were compared. RESULTS: A total of 433 articles were searched and 108 articles were included (46 English articles and 62 Chinese articles) after excluding articles of research purposes or design does not match. Because of no gold standard, no blind, can not be calculated literature data, 7 and 20 (P > 0.05), 44 and 6 (P < 0.05), 3 and 1 (P < 0.05) Chinese studies and English articles respectively were excluded. Twenty-seven articles fulfilled all inclusion criteria (8 Chinese and 19 foreign studies) In 8 Chinese studies the pooled weighted sensitivity and specificity and area under SROC curve was 0.892 (95%CI: 0.868 - 0.913), 0.972 (95%CI: 0.966 - 0.977) and 0.983 (95%CI: 0.966 - 1.000) at segment-based analysis. In 19 foreign studies, the pooled weighted sensitivity and specificity and area under SROC curve was 0.971(95%CI: 0.957 - 0.982), 0.878 (95%CI: 0.852 - 0.902) and 0.973 (95%CI: 0.958 - 0.989) at patient-based analysis, 0.917 (95%CI: 0.895 - 0.936), 0.919 (95%CI: 0.909 - 0.928) and 0.974 (95%CI: 0.964 - 0.984) at vessel-based analysis, 0.882 (95%CI: 0.868 - 0.895), 0.959 (95%CI: 0.956 - 0.962) and 0.985 (95%CI: 0.978 - 0.992) at segment-based analysis. Pooled weighted pecificity of 64-section spiral CT angiography at segment-based analysis has significant different between home and abroad (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analysis showed that noninvasive 64-section spiral computed tomography could correctly diagnose coronary artery disease with high sensitivity and specificity. Quality of related studies performed in abroad is significantly higher than those performed in China.

SKOV-3 cell imaging by paramagnetic particles labeled with hairpin cell-penetrating peptides.

BACKGROUND: The hairpin cell-penetrating peptides (hCPPs) demonstrate an interesting characteristic of conditioned activation by molecules. We hypothesized that hCPPs have the potential to selectively deliver a paramagnetic gadolinium probe into the matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) positive human ovary adenocarcinoma cell lines, SKOV-3. METHODS: hCPPs were synthesized and labeled with 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N''' tetraacetic acid gadolinium (III) (Gd-DOTA) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) by f-moc strategy using a standard solid phase peptide synthesis protocol. MMP-2 expression and activity were demonstrated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and zymography. Internalization and location of hCPPs in SKOV-3 cells were observed by fluorescein imaging and flow cytometery. Selective delivery of Gd-DOTA in SKOV-3 cells was observed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: The uptake of hCPPs by SKOV-3 cells depended on the activity of MMP-2. T1WI signals of SKOV-3 cells treated with Gd-DOTA-hCPPs suggested the uptake of Gd-DOTA-hCPPs increased in a time- (r = 0.990, P < 0.01) and concentration-dependent manner (r = 0.964, P < 0.001), but was inhibited by a MMP-2 inhibitor. Electron-dense particles observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus by transmission electron microscopy proved the intracellular penetration of gadolinium. CONCLUSIONS: hCPPs can be used as an effective vector for an MRI molecular probe to assess the activity of MMP-2.