Evaluation of a new method of calculating breast tumor volume based on automated breast ultrasound.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and advantages of a new method for calculating breast tumor volume based on an automated breast ultrasound system (ABUS). Methods: A total of 42 patients (18-70 years old) with breast lesions were selected for this study. The Ivenia ABUS 2.0 (General Electric Company, USA) was used, with a probe frequency of 6-15 MHz. Adobe Photoshop CS6 software was used to calculate the pixel ratio of each ABUS image, and to draw an outline of the tumor cross-section. The resulting area (in pixels) was multiplied by the pixel ratio to yield the area of the tumor cross-section. The Wilcoxon signed rank test and Bland-Altman plot were used to compare mean differences and mean values, respectively, between the two methods. Results: There was no significant difference between the tumor volumes calculated by pixel method as compared to the traditional method (P>0.05). Repeated measurements of the same tumor volume were more consistent with the pixel method. Conclusion: The new pixel method is feasible for measuring breast tumor volume and has good validity and measurement stability.

Z-Guggulsterone Relieves Neuropathic Pain by Inhibiting the Expression of Astrocytes and Proinflammatory Cytokines in the Spinal Dorsal Horn.

Objective: The study objective was to investigate whether Z-guggulsterone can relieve neuropathic pain in sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) mice by inhibiting the expression of astrocytes and proinflammatory cytokines in the spinal dorsal horn. Methods: Neuropathic pain was induced and assessed in CCI mice. Z-guggulsterone was administered multiple times via intraperitoneal injection. Pain behaviour assessments were made by conducting paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) tests. The expression level of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the spinal dorsal horn was observed by immunofluorescence. The levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in the spinal cord were measured by ELISA. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA or two-way ANOVA. Results: The PWMT and TWL were higher on the 5th, 7th, 10th and 14th days after CCI, the expression level of GFAP in the spinal dorsal horn was lower, and the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in the spinal cord were lower in the CCI+Z-GS-L, CCI+Z-GS-M and CCI+Z-GS-H groups than in the CCI+Veh group in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Z-guggulsterone can relieve neurological pain in CCI mice, which may be related to the inhibition of astrocytes and proinflammatory cytokines in the spinal dorsal horn.