Diagnostic value of CT and MRI combined with serum LDH, NSE, CEA, and MYCN in pediatric neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and N-myc (MYCN) in the diagnosis of pediatric neuroblastoma. METHODS: Fifty-two children diagnosed with neuroblastoma were selected as the neuroblastoma group. During the same period, 52 children who visited our hospital with abdominal distension, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting but were finally excluded from neuroblastoma were selected as the control group. CT and MRI were performed on all children. RESULTS: Fifty-two cases of neuroblastoma of the central nervous system were confirmed by pathological examination. The levels of LDH, NSE, CEA, and MYCN in the neuroblastoma group were clearly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The results of CT and MRI combined with serum LDH, NSE, CEA, and MYCN were false positive in 10 cases and false negative in 6 cases, which were consistent with the pathological results. The sensitivity of CT and MRI combined with serum LDH, NSE, CEA, and MYCN in the diagnosis of neuroblastoma was notably higher than that of the three alone (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The imaging findings of CT and MRI in children with central nervous system neuroblastoma were definitely characteristic. MRI had higher diagnostic value than CT. The diagnostic value of CT and MRI combined with serum LDH, NSE, CEA, and MYCN was improved to some extent.

Quercetin Alleviates Asthma-Induced Airway Inflammation and Remodeling through Downregulating Periostin via Blocking TGF-ß1/Smad Pathway.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to discuss whether the anti-asthmatic effect of quercetin is related to periostin and the downstream molecular pathway of quercetin's anti-asthmatic effect. METHODS: We constructed asthmatic mice, sensitized by ovalbumin, and administrated different treatments into mice according to the experimental design. In this study, we mainly observed the inflammatory response, airway fibrosis, and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice. Pathological stains (H&E, PAS, and Masson) were performed. We also detected the inflammation factors and fibrosis-related cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay. In addition, we also explored the level of periostin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay and Western blot. At the same time, TGF-ß1/Smad pathway was also determined by Western blot. RESULTS: A high expression of periostin was found in asthmatic mice, and quercetin decreases periostin content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Quercetin and OC-20 inhibit airway inflammation response, airway fibrosis, and airway hyperreactivity. Quercetin downregulated TGF-ß1/Smad pathway in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice. Anti-asthma role of quercetin is related to periostin. Then deeper mechanical study revealed that inhibiting TGF-ß1 could improve asthmatic symptoms, and quercetin exerted the protective effect on asthmatic mice through inhibition of TGF-ß1/Smad pathway. CONCLUSION: Quercetin provided a protective role against asthma via periostin, manifested by mild inflammatory infiltration, reduced goblet cell proliferation, and reduced airway fibrosis. TGF-ß1/Smad pathway is an important transduction system, participating in the protective effect of quercetin on asthma.