High-Resolution MRI for Evaluation of the Possibility of Successful Recanalization in Symptomatic Chronic ICA Occlusion: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Accurate radiologic evaluation of the possibility of successful recanalization in symptomatic chronic ICA occlusion remains challenging. This study aimed to investigate the high-resolution MR imaging characteristics of symptomatic chronic ICA occlusion and their association with successful recanalization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with symptomatic chronic ICA occlusion who underwent balloon dilation plus stent implantation were identified retrospectively and divided into 2 groups: a successful recanalization group and an unsuccessful recanalization group. Clinical and high-resolution MR imaging characteristics were compared between the groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the characteristics associated with successful recanalization. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients were included in the study. High-resolution MR imaging characteristics independently associated with unsuccessful recanalization were longer lesion length (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.36-0.55; P = .009) and larger calcification volume (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.37-0.68; P = .002) for proximal occlusion and reversed distal ICA flow at the level of ophthalmic segment or above (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.08-0.48; P = .001). Reversed distal ICA flow at the level of the petrous segment or below (OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.65-8.38; P = .001) and lumen area (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04-1.61; P = .002) for distal occlusion were risk factors of successful recanalization. CONCLUSIONS: In symptomatic chronic ICA occlusion, lesion length and calcification volume (for proximal occlusion), the level of reversed distal ICA flow, and the lumen area (for distal occlusion) appear to be predictors of successful recanalization. High-resolution MR imaging can evaluate chronic ICA occlusion and help in clinical decision-making.

[Screening different HPV genotypes infection and type-specific in cervical exfoliated cells of women in Yili area of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China].

Objective: To investigate the infection status and genotype distribution of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) in women of different ethnic groups and different ages in Yili, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang). Methods: By using the convenient sampling method, 54 760 women from November 2015 to May 2017 seeking for service in gynecological clinics in a general hospital in Yili, Xinjiang, were selected as the research subjects, and 3 445 samples of cervical mucous exfoliative cells were collected, and the social information of their ethnic and age was collected at the same time. The inclusion criteria were those with sexual life, cervical integrity, and ethnic groups for Han or Uygur or Kazak. PCR-reverse dot blot hybridization was used to detect HPV genotyping in exfoliated cells, and chi-square test was used to compare the difference of HPV positive rate among different ethnic groups. Then, according to ethnicity and age, the differences in positive rates of different ages and ethnic groups were compared in each layer. Results: The positive rate of HPV was 25.6% (882 cases), of which the Han, Uygur and Kazakh were 27.9% (564 cases), 22.9% (196 cases) and 21.6% (122 cases), and the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=13.80, P=0.001). The most prevalent high-risk genotypes of Han women were HPV16/52/58, accounting for 24.8% (140 cases), 17.7% (100 cases) and 9.8% (55 cases), respectively. The most prevalent high-risk genotypes of Uygur women were HPV16/52/53, accounting for 34.2% (67 cases), 12.8% (25 cases), 9.2% (18 cases), respectively. The most prevalent high-risk genotypes of Kazak were HPV16/52/53, accounting for 37.7% (46 cases), 17.2% (21 cases), 12.3% (15 cases), respectively. The highest rate of HPV in Uygur patients aged ≥61 years was 41.5% (22 cases), and the lowest in group 36-40 years old, 15.9% (21 cases), the difference between different age groups was statistically significant (χ(2)=35.01, P<0.001). Conclusion: The positive rate of HPV infection among Han, Uygur and Kazak in Yili Prefecture of Xinjiang was different, and the HPV positive genotype differs among different ethnic groups.

Alteration of plasma cytokines in patients with active epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence suggests that inflammatory cytokines are involved in pathophysiology of epilepsy. However, possible interaction between the cytokines and active epilepsy remains unclear. This study aimed to interictal and postictal plasma cytokines in active epilepsy patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 48 patients with active epilepsy and 30 healthy adults and measured postictal and interictal interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) concentrations in peripheral blood by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: We found postictal and interictal concentrations of IL-6, IL-17A, and IFN-γ were significantly elevated in epilepsy patients compared with healthy controls. There were no significant postictal and interictal alterations of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-17A in patients with generalized seizures compared to those with partial seizures, in carbamazepine (CBZ)-treated patients compared to valproic acid (VPA)-treated patients or in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients compared to extra-temporal lobe epilepsy (eTLE) patients. Furthermore, multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that interictal IL-17A concentration positively correlated with National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHS3) scores (B=0.092, P=.007) and seizure frequency (B=0.045, P=.000). Interictal IFN-γ concentration was also showed positively correlation with seizure frequency (B=0.019, P=.004). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that postictal and interictal various inflammatory cytokines are elevated in plasma of active epilepsy patients. Furthermore, interictal IL-17A and IFN-γ may predict seizure severity.

Low plasma adiponectin as a potential biomarker for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether plasma adiponectin level is correlated with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). METHODS: Blood adiponectin level in patients with nontraumatic ONFH (n = 120) was compared with a group of healthy subjects (n = 120). Patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA; n = 30) and traumatic ONFH (n = 45) were included as controls. Potential compounding factors, such as plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1), apolipoprotein B (apo B), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also examined. RESULTS: Patients with nontraumatic ONFH had significantly lower plasma levels of adiponectin than the healthy controls (7.14 ± 3.53 vs 10.93 ± 3.41 µg/ml, respectively; p < 0.001). Adiponectin level was positively correlated with HDL (r = 0.282, p < 0.001) and age (r = 0.145, p = 0.01), yet negatively correlated with body mass index (r = -0.70, p < 0.001), TG (r = -0.55, p<0.001), LDL/HDL ratio (r = -0.173, p = 0.002), and CRP (r = -0.634, p < 0.001). No correlation was seen with LDL (r = -0.017, p = 0.762). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that adiponectin level is an independent predictor of the presence of nontraumatic ONFH (p < 0.001, OR 0.676, 95% CI 0.546 to 0.845). CONCLUSION: Low adiponectin level is significantly associated with the presence of nontraumatic ONFH. This biomarker may be useful in assessing the potential presence of nontraumatic ONFH.

[Effects of high-affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor gene on NGF-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell line].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of transfection of high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor gene (trkA) on NGF-induced differentiation of human neuroblastoma cell line IMR-32. METHODS: The recombinant retrovirus vector containing exogeneous trkA gene was constructed and packed by PA317 packaging cell line. The neuroblastoma cell line IMR-32 was transfected by virus containing supernatant. The transformant cell line was confirmed by Southern blot and RT-PCR techniques. The NGF was used to induce cellular differentiation of the transformant cells. RESULTS: The trkA gene was successfully transferred and expressed in the neuroblastoma cells. After NGF treatment, the transformant cells displayed apparent neuron-like differentiation morphologically, and a slower rate of cell growth (MTT value 0.028 +/- 0.003) compared with original cell line (0.258 +/- 0.017) and empty virus transformed cell line (0.237 +/- 0.011). The cells remained in differentiated status after withdrawing the NGF from the medium. The transformant tumor cells rarely formed colonies in soft agar and failed to form tumor in nude mice. CONCLUSION: Restoration of high-affinity NGF receptor (trkA) expression in neuroblastoma cells could induce non-reversal differentiation. The trkA might be the important factor during NGF-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell.

[Effects of antisense N-myc gene on nerve growth factor-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell line].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of antisense N-myc gene transfection on nerve growth factor-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell line. METHODS: Recombinant retroviral vector expressing antisense N-myc gene was constructed. Using the Transfectam Reagent, the recombinant vector was transduced into the human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR-32/NGFR, which was previously transfected by nerve growth factor receptor gene. The transformant cell line expressing antisense N-myc was established and studied by single chain RNA probe hybridization, immunocytochemistry, and nerve growth factor treatment to see whether nerve growth factor can induce differentiation in this transformant cell line and inhibition of N-myc expression. The TUNEL technique and electromicroscopy were used to detect apoptosis of the tumor cells. RESULTS: The cell line transduced by antisense N-myc expressed much less amount of N-myc both on mRNA and protein levels. After nerve growth factor treatment, remarkable morphological differentiation appeared in these cells. Apoptosis was also enhanced in these cells. CONCLUSIONS: Antisense N-myc transfection could specifically inhibit the expression of N-myc and promoted the nerve growth factor-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell line. Transfection of antisense N-myc could also enhance the process of apoptosis of the tumor cells.

The relationship between expressions of N-myc and c-myc oncogenes in neuroblastoma: an in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical study.

N-myc gene amplification is the most characteristic feature of neuroblastoma. c-myc oncogene, another member of myc gene family, plays an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation. Both of them may contribute to tumorigenesis of neuroblastoma. In this study we use the in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical methods to test the frequencies of N-myc and c-myc expressions in 20 cases of human neuroblastoma at mRNA and protein levels. The positive rates of the expression of N-myc are 90% and 100% detected by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical methods respectively. The positive rates of c-myc are 80% and 85% respectively. Sixty percent of the 20 specimens tested by in situ hybridization and 55% by immunocytochemistry show an inverse relationship between the expressions of these two oncogenes and this may indicate that there are different gene expression controlling mechanisms in different cases.

[Detection of MDM 2 and p 53 genes in rhabdomyosarcoma by in situ hybridization].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the correlation between MDM2, p53 genes and the pathogenesis, clinical pathology and prognosis in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). METHODS: Thirty one cases of MRS with follow-up history were covered for this study. MDM2 and p53 genes were detected by digoxigenin labeling in situ hybridization-technique. RESULTS: The positive rates for MDM2 and p53 genes were 77.4% (24/31) and 66.7% (21/31) respectively, regardless of age, sex and the histological typing of RMS, but there was remarkable difference in the positive rates and intensity between the well and poorly differentiated cases, metastatic and non-metastatic cases as well as one year and three years survival period (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The detection of MDM2 and p53 gene is considered valuable in evaluating the malignant degree, predictable metastasis and prognosis of RMS.

[Alterations of MDM2 and p53 genes in bone tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of MDM2 and p53 genes and their possible role in the pathogenesis and development in bone tumors. METHODS: Digoxigenin labeling in situ hybridization technique was used to investigate the expression of MDM2 and p53 in 38 cases of bone tumors, including 12 osteosarcomas, 10 chondrosarcomas, 14 giant cell tumors of bone and 2 chondroblastomas. The relationship between MDM2 and p53 expressions was analyzed. RESULTS: The positive rates for MDM2 in osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and giant cell tumor of bone were 41.7%, 50.0% and 35.7%, while those for p53 were 58.3%, 40.0% and 21.4%, respectively. The two cases of chondroblastoma showed both MDM2 and p53 overexpression. There was a striking association between MDM2 and p53 overexpressions. CONCLUSION: MDM2 and p53 alterations are frequent events in bone tumors and may be involved in tumorigenesis or tumor progression in bone tumors.

[Studies on gene expression of bcl-2 and its correlation with tumor cell apoptosis as well as expression of p16 in human neuroblastoma].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the relationship between bcl-2 gene expression and the frequency of apoptosis of tumor cells, and study the expression of p16 tumor suppressor gene in neuroblastoma. METHODS: In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry methods were used to study the frequencies of expression of bcl-2 and p16 genes in 20 cases of neuroblastoma. Meanwhile, an in situ apoptotic cell detection method was adopted to detect the apoptotic cells in these tumors, and the number of apoptotic cells was compared with the bcl-2 gene expression in each case. RESULTS: In situ hybridization revealed that the positive frequencies of both bcl-2 and p16 gene expression in 20 neuroblastoma specimens were 95%, and the expression rates at the protein level of these 2 gene products as detected by immunohistochemistry were both 100%. There was no significant difference between the positive rates obtained by these 2 methods. Comparing the bcl-2 expression and apoptotic cell number in these specimens, we found that the apoptotic cell number increased as the level of bcl-2 expression decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The bcl-2 gene was expressed in most of human neuroblastomas. The reverse correlation of bcl-2 expression and tumor cell apoptosis further confirms that bcl-2 as an important gene inhibiting cell apoptosis may indirectly promote the carcinogenesis of neuroblastoma. It seems that there was no significant loss of p16 gene expression in these cases.