Clinical value of ultrasound parameters PI, TTP, and MTT in assessing cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical value of ultrasound in assessing cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). METHODS: The medical records of 179 PTC patients treated in Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital between March 2016 and March 2019 were collected. The patients were assigned to a transfer group (54 cases) and a non-transfer group (125 cases) according to their pathologic results. The ultrasound parameters (peak intensity (PI), time to peak (TTP), and mean transit time (MTT)) of the two groups were compared. Then, multivariate logistic regression was used to analysis the results, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the value of risk factors in predicting CLNM. RESULTS: The transfer group showed notably lower PI, TTP and MTT than the non-transfer group (P<0.001), and focus diameter, microcalcification, multiple foci, PI, TTP, and MTT were identified as independent risk factors for LNM in patients (P<0.05). According to the ROC curve, the areas under the curves (AUCs) of microcalcification, multiple foci, and PI were all smaller than 0.7; the AUCs of focus diameter and MTT were smaller than 0.8, and the AUC of TTP was 0.855. CONCLUSION: PI, TTP, and MTT all decrease in PTC patients with CLNM, and TTP has a strong predictor for CLNM in them, with an AUC of 0.855.

Integration of ultrasound-based radiomics with clinical features for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis in postoperative patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to establish a radiomics model utilizing longitudinal +cross-sectional ultrasound (US) images of lymph nodes (LNs) to predict cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) following differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) surgery. METHODS: A retrospective collection of 211 LNs from 211 postoperative DTC patients who underwent neck US with suspicious LN fine needle aspiration cytopathology findings at our institution was conducted between June 2021 and April 2023. Conventional US and clinicopathological information of patients were gathered. Based on the pathological results, patients were categorized into CLNM and non-CLNM groups. The database was randomly divided into a training cohort (n = 147) and a test cohort (n = 64) at a 7:3 ratio. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm was applied to screen the most relevant radiomic features from the longitudinal + cross-sectional US images, and a radiomics model was constructed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess US and clinicopathological significance features. Subsequently, a combined model for predicting CLNM was constructed by integrating radiomics, conventional US, and clinicopathological features and presented as a nomogram. RESULTS: The area under the curves (AUCs) of the longitudinal + cross-sectional radiomics models were 0.846 and 0.801 in the training and test sets, respectively, outperforming the single longitudinal and cross-sectional models (p < 0.05). In the testing cohort, the AUC of the combined model in predicting CLNM was 0.901, surpassing that of the single US model (AUC, 0.731) and radiomics model (AUC, 0.801). CONCLUSIONS: The US-based radiomics model exhibits the potential to accurately predict CLNM following DTC surgery, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy.

Association of body fat and muscle tissue parameters with fatty liver disease identified by ultrasound.

AIMS: To examine the association between body fat and muscle parameters and FLD in individuals of Chinese descent. METHODS: A total of 515 participants who underwent routine check-ups between November 2019 and August 2021 were reviewed. Based on ultrasound performance, the subjects were categorized into the non-FLD group and the FLD group. The prevalence of FLD in sex subgroups was analyzed using logistic regression to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) of body composition parameters with adjustment for confounders. RESULTS: A total of 262 males and 253 females aged 20-84 years were reviewed. In both males and females, higher fat mass index (FMI) (OR: 1.989 for males vs. 1.389 for females), fat mass percent (FM%) (OR: 1.253 for males vs. 1.149 for females), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (OR: 1.002 for males vs. 1.002 for females), and body mass index (BMI) (OR: 1.530 for males vs. 1.247 for females)were associated with increased ORs of FLD while higher lean mass percent (LM%) (OR: 0.839 for males vs. 0.856 for females)was associated with decreased ORs of FLD. Despite accounting for confounding factors, the associations remained present. Logistic regression of the quartiles of the indices showed associations with the prevalence of FLD. The trends still existed even after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION: Independently of age, lipid profiles and other confounders, lower VAT, FM, FMI, FM% and BMI tended to be associated with a lower prevalence of FLD, while lower LM% trended to be associated with a higher prevalence of FLD in both sexes of the general population.

Equations for predicting DXA-measured visceral adipose tissue mass based on BMI or weight in adults.

BACKGROUND: Obesity, especially presenting with excessive amounts of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), is strongly associated with insulin resistance (IR), atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). AIMS: To construct a predication equation for estimating VAT mass using anthropometric parameters and validate the models with a validation group. METHODS: Five hundred fifteen subjects (366 for the derivation group and 149 for the validation group) were enrolled in the study. The anthropometric parameters, blood lipid profile, and VAT mass were accessed from medical records. Stepwise regression was applied to develop prediction models based on the dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-measured VAT mass in the derivation group. Bland-Altman plots and correlation analysis were performed to validate the agreements in the validation group. The performance of the prediction equations was evaluated with the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Model 1, which included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and the grade of hepatic steatosis, had a variance of 70%, and model 2, which included age, sex, weight, height, TG, HDL, and the grade of hepatic steatosis, had a variance of 74%. The VAT mass measured by DXA was correlated with age, sex, height, weight, BMI, TG, HDL, and grade of hepatic steatosis. In the validation group, the VAT mass calculated by the prediction equations was strongly correlated with the DXA-VAT mass (r = 0.870, r = 0.875, respectively). The AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of the two prediction equations were not significantly different (both P = 0.933). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that prediction equations including age, sex, height, BMI, weight, TG, HDL, and the grade of hepatic steatosis could be useful tools for predicting VAT mass when DXA is not available.

Numerical simulation of uneven settlement of municipal solid waste landfill by FLAC 3D.

After the landfill site is sealed, the uneven settlement is related to the safety of reutilisation of the site, and it is critical to calculate the uneven settlement of the site without error. In this article, the soil parameter of garbage body was changed with biodegradation. Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua in three dimensions (FLAC 3D) numerical simulation was applied to the settlement of the landfill site closure. In calculating the settlement of landfill, the soil parameters of landfill with age were obtained by field drilling experiments. The parameters can reflect the characteristics of soil organic matter in different biodegradation stages. Finally, the uneven settlement within 20 years of the closure period was obtained by the numerical simulation taking Jinzhou Nanshan landfill as an example. The results show that the settlement with the age increases gradually, but the rate will be more and more moderate, and the maximum subsidence value in the sealing field after 20 years will be 9.11 m, 15.71% of the maximum elevation. Around the landfill slope position of uneven settlement rate is bigger, and the maximum angle of uneven settlement is up to 45°. But the middle position is small, which is close to 0°.

[Ultra-remote robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery for varicocele through 5G network: Report of two cases and review of the literature].

OBJECTIVE: At present, the longest network transmission distance (NTD) for 5G remote endoscopic surgery is reportedly only about 229 km, and the NTD longer than 5 000 km has not yet been reported in clinical application. In this study, we attempted the clinical application of 5G ultra-remote robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery in spermatic vein ligation. METHODS: This retrospective study included two cases of 5G ultra-remote robot-assisted laparoscopic spermatic vein ligation using the home-made Tumai Surgical Robot System. The operation table was located in Xinjiang Kezhou People's Hospital, with an NTD of about 5 800 km (a linear distance of about 3 800 km) from the surgeon's console in the Telemedical Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, the apparatuses connected through the public 5G network. We observed the network connection delay, network fluctuation, and data packet loss rate of the devices at both ends of the loop through the feedback value of the Ping command by real-time monitoring. RESULTS: The total operation time of the two cases was 45 and 40 minutes respectively, with a mean blood loss of < 5 ml. The patients resumed a liquid diet and out-of-bed activity on the first day, the abdominal drainage tubes removed on the second, and both discharged from the hospital on the third day. The intraoperative average two-way network delay was 130 ms, and the average continuous data packet loss rate was 1.4%. No adverse network events, such as network interruption, occurred during the operation. CONCLUSION: Through the public 5G network and home-made Tumai Surgical Robot System, ultra-remote robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery was performed safely and successfully.

Intra-abdominal hypertension and increased acute kidney injury risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The present meta-analysis aimed to determine the relationship between intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and an increased prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and identify the associated risk factors in various patient populations, regardless of whether they were admitted to an intensive care unit. METHODS: We used three databases for the following search terms: "IAH," "abdominal compartment syndrome," "AKI," "acute kidney failure," and others. The articles retrieved were compared to identify appropriate studies published until 7 May 2020. The main outcome was AKI. RESULTS: Six studies with 344 individuals were included. The patients were divided into two main groups: the IAH and non-IAH groups. Compared with patients without IAH, patients with IAH had a higher risk of AKI (odds ratio = 2.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.55-4.26). In the subgroup and meta-regression analyses, body mass index, age, the presence or absence of burns, and cardiac surgery did not affect the risk of AKI. CONCLUSION: IAH was associated with AKI risk, and this association was not influenced by age, body mass index, the presence or absence of burns, or cardiac surgery.

The Effect of Rectal Distention on the Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Parameters: Using Sonography Transmission Gel.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters of rectal tumors before and after lumen distension obtained with sonography transmission gel. METHODS: Twenty-five patients were enrolled. The multiple b values of IVIM including 0, 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000 s/mm. Two blinded readers have drawn the region of interests and calculated the D, D*, and f values. Interobserver variability between the 2 readers was measured by intraclass correlation coefficients and Altman-Bland plots. The intergroup differences of the average values were compared with the paired sample t test. RESULTS: After distention, the interrater agreement of the D* value increased obviously (from 0.547 to 0.692) and that of the D and f values increased slightly (from 0.731 and 0.618 to 0.807 and 0.666). The difference in the D value had statistical significance (P = 0.0043). CONCLUSIONS: Intraluminal distension can increase the repeatability of IVIM parameters and the value of IVIM.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Mangiferin on an Experimental Model of Allergic Rhinitis through the Inhibition of NF-κB Signaling Pathways.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is nasal inflammation caused by allergy and the prevalence of AR is rising globally. In this investigation, we used ovalbumin-provoked AR to examine the antiallergic, anti-inflammation activities of mangiferin. Mangiferin is a xanthone found in higher plants as well as mango and it has numerous health benefits including antitumor, antioxidant, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Alternatively, the antiallergic action of mangiferin on AR has been not yet investigated. Mangiferin administration reduced the symptoms of nasal allergy such as sneezing as well as rubbing in AR. Besides, the generated MDA through allergen administration was considerably diminished as a result of mangiferin treatment. Additionally, mangiferin prevented the STAT3 as well as NF-κBp65 signaling pathway activation in the cytosol, which resulted in the anti-inflammatory cytokines being upregulated, whereas, the pro-inflammatory cytokines were downregulated. Moreover, mangiferin reduced signs of ciliary loss, vascular congestion in the lamina, goblet cell elevation, and eosinophil filtration in the AR model. Hence, our findings suggest that mangiferin is a promising approach for immunotherapy in AR disease.

New Combination of Magnet and Coil of Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer for Generating and Detecting Rayleigh Wave.

Nondestructive testing for identifying defects on the surface of metal materials is important for industries and infrastructures. The Rayleigh wave is widely used for detecting these surface defects. For replacing piezoelectric transducers with electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) for the surface inspection of metal materials, this article proposes a new magnet and coil combination consisting of a periodic-permanent-magnet (PPM) and a returned dislocation meander line coil. The returned dislocation meander line coil was developed using a traditional meander line coil, whose wires return from one side to another and shift for a certain distance. A 2-D finite-element simulation was conducted to analyze the performance of the proposed Rayleigh wave EMAT. The simulation results revealed that, compared with a large conventional magnet, the PPM increased the maximum magnetic flux density, and made the magnetic flux density distribution more concentrated on the specimen's surface, particularly below the coil. In the middle part of the coil, the PPM greatly increased the intensity of the horizontal magnetic field. Additionally, the returned dislocation meander line coil made full use of the strong magnetic field below the center of each small magnet and at the adjacent magnets. The designed Rayleigh wave EMAT was fabricated, and the experimental results revealed that the new design of the Rayleigh wave EMAT increased the received signal by 57.9% compared with the conventional Rayleigh wave EMAT.

Application of transvaginal three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in benign and malignant endometrial diseases.

To investigate the value of transvaginal three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of benign and malignant endometrial diseases.A total of 144 patients with endometrial thickness ≥4 mm were enrolled. Endometrial thickness was measured by transvaginal 3D B-mode ultrasound, while blood signals were detected by 3D power Doppler ultrasound. Endometrial volume (EV), vascularization index (VI), blood flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated. All histopathological diagnoses of endometrium were obtained.There were 86 benign and 58 malignant cases. There were statistically significant differences between two groups in endometrial thickness [1.50 (1.30, 1.80) vs 2.30 (1.80, 3.20), P < .001], EV [10.62 (7.14, 17.36) vs 28.94 (9.59, 67.96), P < .001], VI [6.07 (3.61, 10.33) vs 12.01 (7.50, 19.87), P = .001], FI [27.42 (24.45, 31.33) vs 32.98 (30.22, 35.40), P < .001], and VFI [1.58 (0.92, 3.32) vs 4.28 (2.24, 6.41), P < 0.001]. Sensitivity and specificity of endometrial thickness were relatively high [endometrial thickness (86.2%, 76.1%), EV (48.3%, 97.7%), VI (72.4%, 69.8%), FI (72.4%, 74.4%), and VFI (72.4%, 74.4%)]. There was no significant difference in any parameters of the endometrium between different stages (Ia, Ib, II, and above) or phases (G1, G2, and G3) of Ia phase of endometrial cancer (all P > .05).Transvaginal 3D power Doppler ultrasound is valuable in the differentiating benign and malignant endometrial lesions.

Identification of serum microRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: At present, the schizophrenia diagnoses are based on the clinical symptoms and behaviors neglecting the laboratory test indicators. RESULTS: To better investigate the diagnostic potential of miRNAs for schizophrenia, we selected 14 candidate miRNAs and examined their expressions in the serums of 40 schizophrenia patients and 40 healthy controls by qRT-PCR. Ultimately three abnormally expressed microRNAs were identified, i.e., miR-34a-5p, miR-432-5p and miR-449a. Then, binary regression analysis was employed to combine 3 dysregulated miRNAs. ROC analysis revealed that the AUC of the combination of miR-432-5p + miR-449a in serums was 0.841 (95% CI: 0.791~0.887) with 90% sensitivity and 80% specificity. The AUC of the combination of miR-34a-5p + miR-432-5p + miR-449a in serums was 0.843 (95% CI: 0.791~0.887) with 90% sensitivity and 77.5% specificity. The results indicated that the combined model of miR-432-5p + miR-449a and miR-34a-5p + miR-432-5p + miR-449a have better prediction performances. CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes that the two miRNAs combinations have the potential to be used as biomarkers for schizophrenia diagnoses. The finding may be conducive to overcoming the dilemmas faced by current schizophrenia diagnosis.

Identification of diagnostic long non­coding RNA biomarkers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer­associated mortality worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common subtype of liver cancer. The aim of the present study was to identify long non­coding RNA (lncRNAs) as diagnostic biomarkers for HCC. The lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles of a large group of patients with HCC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and the differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were identified by bioinformatics analysis. Using feature selection procedure and a classification model, the optimal diagnostic lncRNA biomarkers for HCC were identified. Classification models, including random forests, decision tree and support vector machine (SVM), were established to distinguish between HCC and normal tissues. DEmRNAs co­expressed with the lncRNAs were considered as targets of DElncRNAs. Functional annotation of DEmRNAs co­expressed with these lncRNAs biomarkers was performed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of lncRNAs biomarkers was conducted. A total of 3,177 lncRNAs and 15,183 mRNAs between HCC and normal tissues were obtained. RP11­486O12.2, RP11­863K10.7, LINC01093 and RP11­273G15.2 were identified as optimal diagnostic lncRNA biomarkers for HCC that were co­expressed with 273, 69, 76 and 1 DEmRNAs, respectively. The area under the curve values of the random forest model, decision tree model and SVM model were 0.992, 0.927 and 0.992, and the specificity and sensitivity of the three models were 100.0 and 95.6, 92.0 and 98.3 and 98.0 and 97.2%, respectively. 'PPAR signaling pathway' and 'retinol metabolism' were two significantly enriched target pathways of DElncRNAs. The present study identified four DElncRNAs, including RP11­486O12.2, RP11­863K10.7, LINC01093 and RP11­273G15.2, as potential diagnostic biomarkers of HCC. Functional annotation of target DEmRNAs provided novel evidence for examining the precise roles of lncRNA in HCC.

Ultrasound appears to be a reliable technique for the diagnosis of piriformis syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Piriformis muscle syndrome (PS) is a disorder encompassing a constellation of symptoms, including buttock and hip pain. In this study we aimed to assess the value of ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of PS. METHODS: Thirty-three clinically diagnosed PS patients and 26 healthy volunteers underwent a clinical PS scoring examination and US and MRI assessment of the bilateral piriformis muscles. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of the US parameters (i.e., increased thickness [iTh] and increased cross-sectional area [iCSA]) for piriformis muscle were evaluated. RESULTS: On US and MRI, the thickness and CSA were increased in PS patients. The AUROCs for the iTh and iCSA for discriminating stage 0 (healthy volunteers) from stage 1 through stage 3 (PS patients) were 0.88 and 0.95, respectively. DISCUSSION: US may be a reliable technique for the clinical diagnosis of PS. Muscle Nerve 59:411-416, 2019.

[Treatment of proximal humeral fractures with proximal humeral locking system plate via an intertubercular sulcus approach].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of proximal humerus internal locking system (PHILOS) plate in the treatment of Neer 2 and 3 part fractures of proximal humerus through tuberosity approach. METHODS: From July 2015 to January 2018, 15 cases of proximal humerus Neer 2 and 3 fractures were treated with PHILOS plate through intertubercular sulcus approach. There were 7 males and 8 females. The age ranged from 23 to 67 years old, with an average of 46 years old. There were 5 cases on the left side and 10 cases on the right side (including 7 cases of Neer 2 partial fracture and 8 cases of Neer 3 partial fracture). X-ray films and CT were taken before and after operation to assess fracture location and fracture healing. Clinical evaluation included Constant-Murley shoulder function score and operative complications. All 15 patients were treated with the PHILOS. Constant-Murley score was used to evaluate shoulder function after operation. RESULTS: All the 15 cases were followed up, and the duration ranged from 14 to 36 months. All the fractures healed and the healing time ranged from 14 to 26 weeks, averaged 19.1 weeks. There were no complications such as humeral head necrosis, axillary nerve injury and fracture nonunion after operation. At the 3rd month after operation, the shoulder function score of Constant-Murley ranged from 72 to 94 points, with an average of 81 points; 2 cases got an excellent result and 13 good. CONCLUSIONS: The PHILOS plate for the treatment of proximal humerus fractures has the advantages of simple operation, small injury and quick recovery of shoulder joint function.

Computed tomography portography of patients with cirrhosis with normal body mass index: Comparison between low-tube-voltage CT with low contrast agent dose and conventional CT.

This study is to investigate the computed tomography (CT) image quality of the low- tube-voltage protocol with low contrast agent dose.CT portography was performed in 118 cirrhosis patients with body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m under 2 protocols: Protocol A, tube voltage of 90 kVp/395 mAs and contrast agent dosage of 1.2 mL/kg, and, Protocol B, tube voltage of 120 kVp/200 mAs and contrast agent dosage of 1.5 mL/kg.The number of patients in each protocol was 59. The CT value noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in portal veins was comparatively analyzed between the 2 protocols. The subjective image quality was further assessed on 5-point scales. Radiation dose was also recorded and statistical analysis was performed.The CT value, CNR, and SNR of the images were higher at 90 kVp than those at 120 kVp (P < .05). There was no significant difference in image noise between the 2 protocols (P > .05). The CT dose index volume, dose-length product, and effective dose at 90 kVp were 18.2%, 16.0%, and 16.0% less than that at 120 kVp, respectively. There was no difference in image quality score between the 2 protocols (P > .05). The average amount of contrast agent was decreased by 17.8% when the 90 kVp protocol was used.CT portography at 90 kVp combined with low-dosage contrast agent leads to a significant reduction in radiation dose and improved SNR and CNR, without deterioration of image quality.

[Isoliquiritigenin can inhibit migration and invasion of human glioma stem cells by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of isoliquiritigenin on the migration and invasion of human glioma stem cells and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The stem cell markers CD133 and Nestin in SHG44 human glioma stem cells were examined with immunofluorescence microscopy. The migration and invasion ability of glioma stem cells was determined by transwell method. The mRNA and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were detected by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: CD133 and Nestin were positive in SHG44 cells. The number of migrated cells in SHG44 cells treated with 20 and 80 µmol/L isoliquiritigenin for 48 h were significantly lower than that in control group (76±5 and 42±4 vs. 85±6, all P<0.01), and the number of migrated cells in 80 µmol/L isoliquiritigenin group was lower than that in 20 µmol/L isoliquiritigenin group (P<0.01). The numbers of cells crossing through membrane in 20 and 80 µmol/L isoliquiritigenin groups were 190±13 and 130±9, respectively, which were significantly lower than that in control group (230±14, all P<0.01), and the number of crossed cells in the 80 µmol/L isoliquiritigenin group was lower than that in 20 µmol/L isoliquiritigenin group (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were decreased compared with control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the expression levels in 80 µmol/L isoliquiritigenin group were lower than those in 20 µmol/L isoliquiritigenin group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Isoliquiritigenin exhibits antitumor effects on glioma stem cells by inhibiting cell migration and invasion, which may be related to the down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Endoglin-targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging in hepatoblastoma xenografts.

Angiogenesis is required for the growth of hepatoblastoma (HB). In the present study, an ultrasonic contrast agent, microbubbles (MB), was combined with an endoglin antibody, and then injected into nude mice with HB. This was conducted to detect specific binding to microvessels via non-linear harmonic imaging for tumor angiogenesis assessment. In addition, endoglin expression in experimental animals was measured using western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were co-cultured with conditioned media collected from HepG2 cells. Western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to detect the changes of endoglin expression. In targeted ultrasound imaging, it was determined that the differential targeted enhancement of MBendoglin was significantly higher than that of MBisotype. Over expression of endoglin was identified in the tumor of experimental nude mice; however, it was not present in the liver of the mice. Endoglin expression in HUVECs was significantly increased by co-culture with the conditioned media of HepG2 cells; therefore, the results suggest that endoglin is upregulated in angiogenic vessels in the HepG2 cell xenografts in nude mice. Thus, endoglin-targeted ultrasound imaging is presented as a potential approach for the diagnosis of liver carcinoma.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in combination with SonoVue induces cytotoxicity of human renal glomerular endothelial cells via repression of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVES: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and SonoVue have been used widely for diagnosis and therapeutic treatment. The effects of LIPUS and SonoVue on the microvascular system and underlying molecular mechanisms have not been established. METHODS: Cultured human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGECs) were treated with 5-min ultrasonic irradiation, 20% SonoVue or the combination of both treatments. Cell proliferation, viablity, and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay, Trypan blue exclusion assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Activation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) were examined by Western blot. RESULTS: We found that LIPUS and SonoVue alone do not induce cytotoxicity of HRGECs; however, the combination of the two treatments reduces cell proliferation and increases cell death. In addition, the combination of LIPUS and SonoVue suppressed the activation of ERK 1/2 in HRGRCs. With pretreatment of the inhibitor of ERK1/2 signaling, PD98059, LIPUS, and SonoVue does not induce additional cell death and inhibition of proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: LIPUS combined with SonoVue induces cytotoxicity of HRGECs via repression of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.