Incidence and Intensity of Early Dumping Syndrome and Its Association with Health-Related Quality of Life Following Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dumping syndrome (DS) is a shared but underappreciated complication after metabolic-bariatric surgery. The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence and intensity of symptoms suggestive of DS and their relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was performed for all patients with a history of sleeve gastrectomy between July 2017 and July 2022 in our center. Basial clinic statistics were gathered from electronic medical database, the prevalence and severity of DS were assessed by Dumping Symptom Rating Scale (DSRS), and HRQOL is collected through the Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). RESULT: In total, 133 of 202 patients completed the questionnaire (response rate 65.8%). A total of 64.7% (N = 86) of participants were female, aged 34.0 (IQR 26.0-39.0) years at completion of the questionnaire, with a mean body mass index of 35.8 (IQR 31.4-40.5) kg/m2. The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of DS was 45.9% (N = 61), and the associated protective factor was the time between surgery and study. Compared with the patients without DS, patients with DS scored significantly worse on four of eight SF-36 subdomains. CONCLUSION: Symptoms suggestive of early dumping syndrome after sleeve gastrectomy are common and are associated with a worse health-related quality of life, which deserves clinical attention. Additional counselling, education, and care are needed to mitigate the decline in quality of life caused by dumping symptoms.

Evaluation of Six Noninvasive Methods for the Detection of Fibrosis in Chinese Patients with Obesity and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

PURPOSE: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world, and liver fibrosis has been proven to be associated with liver disease related events and total mortality. Several noninvasive methods have been developed, but whether those methods are suitable for the detection of fibrosis in Chinese patients with obesity and NAFLD has not been completely elucidated. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), modified aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (m-APRI), BARD (BARD (BMI (body mass index) > 28 = 1 point, AAR (aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase) > 0.8 = 2 points, DM (diabetes mellitus) = 1 point)), NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), and shear wave elastography (SWE) in the evaluation of the degree of liver fibrosis in Chinese patients with obesity and NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study consisted of 100 patients. The accuracy of FIB-4, APRI, m-APRI, BARD, NFS, and SWE in the assessment of significant or advanced liver fibrosis in Chinese patients with obesity and NAFLD was compared. RESULTS: Weight and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were independent risk factors for liver fibrosis. SWE, APRI, and m-APRI had significant efficiency in the diagnosis of significant fibrosis in patients with obesity and NAFLD. APRI and SWE were superior to the other methods in the diagnosis of significant and advanced liver fibrosis in patients with obesity and NAFLD. APRI and SWE showed no statistically significant difference in diagnostic efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Weight and ALT are independent risk factors for liver fibrosis progression in NAFLD patients. SWE and APRI have predictive value for significant and advanced fibrosis of NAFLD in Chinese patients with obesity.

[Distribution and Sources of Microplastics in Farmland Soil Along the Fenhe River].

This study investigated the distribution and sources of microplastics smaller than 1 mm in farmland soil along the Fenhe River. Microplastics in soil samples were separated and extracted using the traditional density centrifugation method. The quantity and type of microplastics were examined with a stereomicroscope. The micro-morphology of plastic particles were observed with a scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer. The chemical composition was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicate that the average abundance of microplastics in farmland soil along the Fenhe River is 290.5 n ·kg-1. These microplastics occur as fibers, films, fragments, and foams. Fiber microplastics are the most abundant, accounting for 52.67% of the total, and are mostly composed of polyethylene. Films and fragments mainly consist of polypropylene whereas the foams consist of polystyrene. Soil samples from different parts of the Fenhe River can be ranked according to the microplastics content in the following order:downstream>midstream>upstream. The abundance of microplastics in soil from the downstream region of the Fenhe River was 500.0 n ·kg-1, twice that of from the upstream and midstream regions. The results of the random forest model indicate that the sources of microplastics in farmland soil along the Fenhe River are closely related to the amount of agricultural films, population, gross domestic product, and industrial production. Among these factors, the amount of agricultural films is a key factor that influences the occurrence of microplastics in farmland soil along the Fenhe River.

Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Versus Sleeve Gastrectomy Plus Procedures for Treatment of Morbid Obesity: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are the most commonly performed bariatric procedures globally, but both techniques have shortcomings. Several modifications of SG (SG plus procedures) have been developed, but the efficacy of the different procedures has not been completely elucidated. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SG plus procedures. Out of the initially identified 2357 studies, thirteen were selected for this meta-analysis: two studies on banded sleeve gastrectomy (BSG), four studies on sleeve gastrectomy plus duodenal-jejunal bypass (SG + DJB) or sleeve gastrectomy with loop duodenal-jejunal bypass (SADJB), two studies on sleeve gastrectomy with jejunal-jejunal bypass (SG + JJB), four studies on single anastomosis duodenal-ileal switch (SADI-S), and one study on stomach intestinal pylorus-sparing surgery (SIPS). SADI-S procedure was found to achieve significantly greater percentage of excess weight loss than the RYGB. SG + DJB and SADJB achieved greater weight loss than the RYGB. Major complications were fewer with SG + JJB than with RYGB, but the difference was not significant. Overall, SG plus procedures appear to achieve better weight loss and cause fewer complications than RYGB.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease complicating laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: current knowledge and surgical therapies.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is currently the most commonly performed bariatric procedure worldwide. However, the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after LSG is high. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to identify the optimal surgical strategy for treating GERD after LSG. SETTING: West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies on surgical treatments for GERD after LSG. The effectiveness and safety profile of surgical management on GERD after LSG were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 40 articles enrolling 2049 patients were included in this review. Surgical strategies to prevent GERD after LSG were mainly of 2 types: concomitant LSG + antireflux procedures (hiatal hernia repair or fundoplication) and secondary procedures (conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB] or repeat sleeve gastrectomy). The short-term remission or improvement rate of GERD was 34.6%-100% after concomitant LSG + antireflux procedures. The postoperative complication rate was the same (3.0%) for both LSG + antireflux procedures and LSG alone. The remission or improvement rate of GERD was 57.1%-100% after conversion to RYGB and 100% after repeat sleeve gastrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness and safety profile of concomitant LSG + antireflux procedures is uncertain. However, secondary operations after LSG, such as conversion to RYGB, appear to provide good results. The data overall are heterogeneous, with imprecise methods of documenting and defining GERD complicating LSG. More cohort studies or RCT studies of high quality with long-term follow-up are needed in the future.

[Level indicators construction and temporal-spatial distribution features of agricultural flood in the southwest of China].

Flood level indicators of southwest provinces were built in this study by using daily precipitation data of 341 weather stations in southwest agricultural areas from 1961 to 2010 combined with grey correlation analysis. In the process of building the indicators, we took single station flood indicators of Chongqing as the prototype. Through increasing and decreasing the precipitation threshold of Chongqing indicators by the amplitude of -50-+50 mm and the step size of 1 mm, each province got 101 groups of flood indicators. Based on the correlation between flood intensity calculated by all the indicators and crop flood real seriousness, coincidence between indicators and historical flood records and the comparability of different province indicators, we finally constructed agricultural flood level indicators of each province step by step. According to the flood indicators, we also analyzed temporal-spatial distribution features of flood disaster in southwest agricultural areas. The results were as follows: the final indicators of Yunnan were the original indicators plus 16 mm, while it was plus 30 mm for Guizhou and plus 40 mm for Sichuan-Chongqing. The correlation coefficients between flood index defined by indicators and affected ratio were 0.314 (P < 0.05), 0.553 (P < 0.01) and 0.305 (P < 0.05), respectively. The coincidence was relatively high between indicators and historical flood records. The ages in which flood disaster appeared very serious were 1980s in Yunnan, 1990s in Guizhou and 1980s and 2000s in Sichuan-Chongqing in the nearly 50 years. In the southwest and southeast of Yunnan, southwest of Guizhou and west and northeast of Sichuan Basin, the flood disaster was prevalent.

[Composition and variation characteristics of atmospheric carbonaceous species in PM 2.5 in Taiyuan, China].

Day-night variation characteristics of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in atmospheric fine particles (PM2.5) collected during winter of 2009 and spring of 2010 in Taiyuan city were analyzed using DRI Model 2001A Thermal/Optical Carbon Analyzer, and the sources of carbonaceous materials in PM2.5 were analyzed. The results showed that the average concentrations of PM2.5, OC, EC and average OC/EC ratios were all higher during winter [(289.2 ± 104.8) µg x m(-3), (65.2 ± 22.1) µg x m(-3), (23.5 ± 8.2) µg x m(-3) and 2.8 ± 0.3] than during spring [(248.6 ± 68.6) µg x m(-3), (29.7 ± 6.2) µg x m(-3), (20.2 ± 5.4) µg x m(-3) and 1.5 ± 0.3], higher in nighttime [(309.3 ± 150.0) µg x m(-3), (74.6 ± 19.5) µg x m(-3), (24.3 ± 6.6) µg x m(-3) and 3.1 ± 0.3] than in daytime [(234.9 ± 122.1) µg x m(-3), (54.9 ± 28.2) µg x m(-3), (22.6 ± 10.8) µg x m(-3) and 2.5 ± 0. 5] during winter while higher in daytime [(292.5 ± 120.8) µg x m(-3), (32.7 ± 10.5) µg x m(-3), (22.7 ± 10.1) µg x m(-3) and 1.6 ± 0.5] than in nighttime [(212.3 ± 36.7) µg x m(-3), (29.6 ± 6.6) µg x m(-3), (20.7 ± 6.4) µg x m(-3) and 1.5 ± 0.2] during spring. This result was explained by the fact that winter is a "heating season", especially in nighttime, emission of carbonaceous particles was increased because of the increase of coal and biomass combustion and diffusion of pollutants was difficult because of low atmospheric temperature and stable atmospheric conditions; and high OC/EC was caused by increase of OC emission but not contribution of secondary organic carbon (SOC) since low temperature and weak solar radiation were not favorable for the formation of SOC. The higher concentrations of PM2.5, OC and EC in daytime than in nighttime during spring might be due to more dust in daytime because of higher wind speed and lower relative humidity in daytime than in nighttime, and the higher OC/EC in daytime than in nighttime might be caused by higher temperature and stronger solar radiation in daytime, which were favorable for the formation of SOC. Comparing with other cities in China, Taiyuan showed high concentrations of PM2.5, OC and EC, indicating serious carbonaceous aerosol pollution which may significantly contribute to the formation of dust-haze.

The value of magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of prostate cancer in patients with previous negative biopsies and elevated prostate-specific antigen levels: a meta-analysis.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for targeting prostate cancer in patients with previous negative biopsies and elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify suitable studies published from January 2001 to October 2013. Polled estimation and subgroup analysis data were obtained using a random effect model. Summary receiver operating characteristic curves were used to summarize overall test performance. RESULTS: Fourteen studies involving 698 patients met the included criteria. The mean prostate cancer detection rate was 37.5%. Twelve studies had a pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 88%, 69%, and 16.84 by patient analysis, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, magnetic resonance imaging spectroscopy (MRSI) provided higher pooled sensitivity (91%) and specificity (69%) compared with T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). MRSI combined with MRI had the highest pooled specificity (73%). By site analysis, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and DOR in nine studies were 57%, 90%, and 14.34, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, MRSI combined with MRI showed higher pooled sensitivity (58%) and specificity (93%) compared with T2WI. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) showed the highest pooled specificity: 95% but the lowest pooled sensitivity: 38%. CONCLUSIONS: A limited number of studies suggest that the value of MRI to target prostate cancer in patients with previous negative biopsies and elevated PSA levels appears significant. MRI combined with MRSI is particularly accurate. Further studies are necessary to confirm the eventual role of DWI in this field.

Prospective evaluation of 3T MRI findings for primary adnexal lesions and comparison with the final histological diagnosis.

PURPOSE: We prospectively investigated the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3.0 Tesla (3T) for the detection of suspected primary adnexal masses in a large cohort of patients. METHODS: This prospective clinical study included 223 patients with suspected gynaecological disease who were referred for 3T MRI assessments before laparoscopy or laparotomy. Fifty-nine patients were excluded. All detected adnexal pathologies on MRI were categorized into the four groups (endometric cysts, teratomas, benign tumours and malignant tumours). Histological findings were used as the comparative reference standard. As measures to detect or rule out primary adnexal masses, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were determined by lesion-based evaluations. RESULTS: The reference standard method detected 141 primary adnexal lesions in 125 patients. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the lesion-based evaluations for endometric cysts, teratomas, benign lesions and malignant lesions were 92.8, 93.6, 95.1 and 94.4 %. Lesion-based evaluation yielded an accuracy of 90.3 %, sensitivity of 92.7 %, specificity of 89.3 %, PPV of 77.6 % and NPV of 96.8 % in differentiating malignancies from non-malignant lesions. The diagnostic value of 3T MRI for detecting malignancies was superior to that for benign tumours. CONCLUSIONS: 3T MRI well categorize the characteristics of primary adnexal lesions and may be a reliable modality for distinguishing malignancies from benign tumours.

In vivo MRI tracking of iron oxide nanoparticle-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells in limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Stem cell transplantation has been investigated for repairing damaged tissues in various injury models. Monitoring the safety and fate of transplanted cells using noninvasive methods is important to advance this technique into clinical applications. METHODS: In this study, lower-limb ischemia models were generated in nude mice by femoral artery ligation. As negative-contrast agents, positively charged magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (aminopropyltriethoxysilane-coated Fe2O3) were investigated in terms of in vitro labeling efficiency, effects on human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) proliferation, and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visualization. Ultimately, the mice were sacrificed for histological analysis three weeks after transplantation. RESULTS: With efficient labeling, aminopropyltriethoxysilane-modified magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (APTS-MNPs) did not significantly affect hMSC proliferation. In vivo, APTS-MNP-labeled hMSCs could be monitored by clinical 3 Tesla MRI for at least three weeks. Histological examination detected numerous migrated Prussian blue-positive cells, which was consistent with the magnetic resonance images. Some migrated Prussian blue-positive cells were positive for mature endothelial cell markers of von Willebrand factor and anti-human proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In the test groups, Prussian blue-positive nanoparticles, which could not be found in other organs, were detected in the spleen. CONCLUSION: APTS-MNPs could efficiently label hMSCs, and clinical 3 Tesla MRI could monitor the labeled stem cells in vivo, which may provide a new approach for the in vivo monitoring of implanted cells.

Evaluation of primary adnexal masses by 3T MRI: categorization with conventional MR imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the 3.0-Tesla (3 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of primary adnexal lesions for discriminating benign from malignant lesions. METHODS: One hundred thirty-nine patients with pathologically proven primary adnexal masses referred for 3 T MRI assessment preoperatively were included. Baseline characteristics, components, and conventional MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI-MRI) signals were recorded and compared. RESULTS: There were 22 ovarian cysts, 33 endometriomas, 43 benign tumors and 42 malignant tumors. When ovarian cyst and endometrioma were excluded, there were no significant differences in patients' age between benign and malignant tumor (P = 0.235). There were no significant differences (P = 0.606) in the conventional MRI signals and significant difference (P = 0.008) in DWI-MRI signal between the non-malignant and malignant lesions. There was a significant difference (P = 0.000) in the apparent diffusion coefficient values (ADCs) between the non-malignant and malignant lesions. CONCLUSIONS: 3 T MRI categorized the characteristics of primary adnexal lesions. Conventional MRI signals were not useful for characterizing between benign and malignant lesions. DWI-MRI and ADCs were helpful for distinguishing malignant from benign ovarian lesions.

Long-term MRI tracking of dual-labeled adipose-derived stem cells homing into mouse carotid artery injury.

BACKGROUND: Stem cell therapy has shown great promise for regenerative repair of injured or diseased tissues. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have become increasingly attractive candidates for cellular therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging has been proven to be effective in tracking magnetic-labeled cells and evaluating their clinical relevance after cell transplantation. This study investigated the feasibility of imaging green fluorescent protein-expressing ADSCs (GFP-ADSCs) labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles, and tracked them in vivo with noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging after cell transplantation in a model of mouse carotid artery injury. METHODS: GFP-ADSCs were isolated from the adipose tissues of GFP mice and labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles. Intracellular stability, proliferation, and viability of the labeled cells were evaluated in vitro. Next, the cells were transplanted into a mouse carotid artery injury model. Clinical 3 T magnetic resonance imaging was performed immediately before and 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days after cell transplantation. Prussian blue staining and histological analysis were performed 7 and 30 days after transplantation. RESULTS: GFP-ADSCs were found to be efficiently labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles, with no effect on viability and proliferation. Homing of the labeled cells into the injured carotid artery tissue could be monitored by magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSION: Magnetically labeled ADSCs with expression of GFP can home into sites of vascular injury, and may provide new insights into understanding of cell-based therapy for cardiovascular lesions.

CTA combined with CT perfusion for assessing the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy in rabbit VX2 tumors.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to validate the feasibility of assessing the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy on VX2 tumors using three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) angiography (CTA) combined with CT perfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty rabbits with VX2 tumors were randomly assigned to four groups according to different doses of antiangiogenic drug, which were administered intraperitoneally daily for 14 days. In each group, 10 animals were scanned using three-dimensional CTA and CT perfusion on days 1 and 2 after the latest administration of the drug. Tumor masses were sectioned, stained by immunohistochemistry, and processed for correlation between CT imaging and histology. RESULTS: The numbers of new tumor vessels from CTA were significantly different among the four groups (P < .001). As the dose of the drug increased, blood flow and blood volume on CT perfusion increased linearly, but the mean transit time and permeability surface-area product decreased linearly (P < .001). Immunohistochemical analyses showed that microvascular density decreased, while both luminal vascular number and mature vessel number increased linearly as the drug dose increased (P < .001). CT manifestations were correlated well with histologic findings (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to assess the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy on VX2 tumors using three-dimensional CTA combined with CT perfusion. Three-dimensional CTA can display the morphologic changes of tumor vessels, while CT perfusion can predict the functional changes of tumor vessels after antiangiogenic therapy.

A comparison of 3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA for the dynamic monitoring of angiogenesis in a rabbit VX2 tumor.

PURPOSE: To compare three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) and four-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (4D-CE-MRA) for the in vivo monitoring of tumor angiogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: VX2 tumors were implanted into the right thigh muscle of 30 New Zealand white rabbits. The animals were randomly assigned to 5 groups, which, respectively, were scanned by 3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA on day 4, 7, 10, 13, or 16 after tumor implantation. After scanning, tumors were resected and processed for conventional histology and CD-31 immunohistochemistry. Tumor volume measurements derived from CT and MR imaging were compared with histopathological data. The minimum tumor diameter and the number of new tumor blood vessels detectable by 3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA were also compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the tumor volume measurements derived from CT, MR, and histological analysis. The minimum diameter of tumor vessels detectable by 3D-CTA (0.68 ± 0.07 mm) was significantly less than that by 4D-CE-MRA (0.85 ± 0.12 mm) (P=0.005). The number of tumor vessels detected by each imaging method was not significantly different until day 13 after implantation, when 3D-CTA detected a greater number (P<0.001). The morphologic process of tumor angiogenesis was demonstrated dynamically by 3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor angiogenesis can be dynamically monitored in vivo by 3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA. Of the two methods, 3D-CTA has better spatial resolution, but 4D-CE-MRA allows temporal resolution of tumor angiogenesis.

LC-MS/MS determination of acrylamide in instant noodles from supermarkets in the Hebei province of China.

Acrylamide (AA) concentrations in instant noodles (90 samples, covering 10 different brands) from Hebei Province of China were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The instant noodles were sampled from the southern and northern areas of Hebei Province (Shijiazhuang and Tangshan, respectively). The average content of AA for all 10 instant noodle brands was 6-145 µg/kg. The average content of AA in fried instant noodles was 4.47 times of those in non-fried ones, indicating the influence of the frying process. The average content of AA in instant noodles from Shijiazhuang was 1.64 times that of the samples from Tangshan (56 µg/kg). Eighty-four percent of the instant noodle samples in Hebei were contaminated with AA, with an average content of 80 µg/kg. These observations will be helpful for evaluating individual exposure to AA from instant noodles in China.

Studies of pathology and VEGF expression in rabbit cerebrospinal fluid metastasis: application of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze the correlation of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression and to assess the potential application of DCE-MRI to the rabbit cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metastasis model. METHODS: Thirty New Zealand rabbits were divided into experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, VX2 tumor cells were injected into the subarachnoid space at the plane of cisterna magna in 24 rabbits. In the control group, physiological saline was injected into the subarachnoid space at the plane of cisterna magna in six rabbits. DCE-MRI was performed at multiple time points, and several pharmacokinetic parameters, including K(trans), K(ep) and V(e), were calculated. Also, VEGF levels in plasma and CSF were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay prior to DCE-MRI examination. After DCE-MRI examination, the rabbits were sacrificed, and the corresponding tumor specimens were harvested. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and VEGF immunohistochemical staining were carried out, and VEGF expression in the specimens was evaluated by the immunohistochemical scoring system. RESULTS: Vascular endothelial growth factor positive staining was localized in the cytoplasm and cell membranes of tumor cells, as well as in a subset of epithelial cells. Both VEGF immunohistochemical scores and VEGF expression in CSF and plasma exhibited positive correlations with K(trans) and K(ep) values as demonstrated by rank correlation statistical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in plasma and CSF in the CSF metastasis model was higher than in normal tissues. Therefore, DCE-MRI reliably indicated VEGF expression in the rabbit CSF metastasis model.

Combination of vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligonucleotide therapy and radiotherapy increases the curative effects against maxillofacial VX2 tumors in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of combination of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antisense oligonucleotide therapy and radiotherapy on maxillofacial VX2 tumors in rabbits. METHODS: We used 24 New Zealand white rabbits as a model to induce maxillofacial VX2 tumor. The rabbits were randomly divided into the following 4 groups: radiotherapy group (group A), treated with 16 Gy of radiotherapy; VEGF antisense oligonucleotide treatment group (group B), treated with an injection of 150 µg of VEGF antisense oligonucleotide into the local tumor; VEGF antisense oligonucleotide combined with radiotherapy group (group C), treated with an injection of 150 µg of VEGF antisense oligonucleotide into the local tumor immediately after 16 Gy of radiotherapy; and control group (group D), treated with an injection of 300 µl 5% aqueous glucose solution into the local tumor. On days 3 and 14 after treatment, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) was performed to calculate maximal enhancement ratio (MER), slope of enhancement (SLE), and tumor volume change. Rabbits were killed on day 14 to obtain samples for pathological examination and immunohistochemical staining for VEGF. RESULTS: In group C, tumor volume was significantly reduced on day 14 after treatment, and the difference was statistically different as compared to that before treatment, on day 3 after treatment and other groups (P < 0.01). Values of both MER and SLE after treatment were significantly lower than the values before treatment (P < 0.05). Pathological specimen revealed tumor cell edema, bleeding, necrosis, vascular wall thickening and occlusion, and decreased VEGF expression. The immunohistochemical score (IHS) of group C was significantly different from groups A and D respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Injecting the tumor with VEGF antisense oligonucleotide immediately after radiotherapy can enhance the curative effect on rabbit maxillofacial VX2 tumor, and DCE-MRI can serve as a reliable technique for in vivo monitoring.

Expression of HGF/c-Met is dynamically regulated in the dorsal root ganglions and spinal cord of adult rats following sciatic nerve ligation.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-Met play pivotal roles in post-traumatic regeneration of the nervous system. However, following peripheral nerve injury, the role and regulation of the HGF/c-Met system is less clear. Therefore, using a sciatic nerve ligation (SNL) model, spatiotemporal changes in HGF and c-Met expression were detected in the dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) and lumbar spinal cords of adult rats. HGF expression following SNL was found to be significantly decreased in ipsilateral L4-L5 DRGs from day 3 to day 14, with the lowest levels of expression detected on days 5 and 7. In contrast, no significant change in HGF expression was detected in the lumbar spinal cords. c-Met expression in ipsilateral L4-L5 DRGs and within the ipsilateral dorsal horn was found to be significantly up-regulated following SNL, particularly from day 5 to day 14, with peak levels of expression detected on days 7 and 14. In contrast, c-Met levels following SNL consistently remained stable in the spinal ventral horn. These findings suggest that the HGF/c-Met system is spatiotemporally regulated by a unique pattern of signaling pathways induced by peripheral nerve injury, and these pathways have a role in promoting the survival of injured neurons, especially adult DRG sensory neurons.

[3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA for dynamic monitoring tumor angiogenesis in a rabbit VX2 tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To study possibility of dynamic monitoring tumor angiogenesis in vivo by 3D-CTA on a 64-row multidetector CT and 4D-CE-MRA on a 3T MR scanner; compare the advantages and faults of these two methods; and analyze the relationship between tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. METHODS: This study had been approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits with implanted VX2 tumors in the right thigh muscle were randomly divided into five groups according to survive time (n = 6). The rabbits were scanned by a 64-row multidetector CT and a 3T MR at 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 days after tumor implantation respectively, and then sacrificed to extract the tumor. The tumors' long diameters, short diameters and volume measurements derived from CT and MR imaging were compared with pathological data. The minimum tumor diameter and the number of new tumor blood vessels detectable by 3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA were also compared. The morphologic process of tumor angiogenesis was monitored and described. RESULTS: (1) The volume of tumors measured by CT imaging, MR imaging and pathological data had no significant difference (P > 0.05). (2) The minimum diameter of tumor vessels displayed on 3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA images was 0.68 mm +/- 0.07 mm and 0.85 mm +/- 0.12 mm respectively. The minimum diameter of tumor vessels displayed on 3D-CTA imaging was significantly smaller than 4D-CE-MRA imaging (t = -6.5075, P = 0.005). (3) The number of tumor vessels on 3D-CTA imaging and 4D-CE-MRA imaging had no significant difference at 4, 7, 10 days after tumor implantation. The number of tumor vessels on 3D-CTA images were significantly more than that on 4D-CE-MRA images at 13, 16 days after tumor implantation (all P < 0.01). (4) The morphologic process of tumor angiogenesis was demonstrated as sprouting from pre-existing blood vessel, forming lots of new vessels around tumor, and forming the immature vessels web with lots of tortuous, dilated, irregular vessels penetrating into the tumor at last. CONCLUSIONS: Volume CT and high magnet field MR can monitor tumor growth in vivo. 3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA can dynamicly monitor morphological changes of tumor angiogenesis in vivo. Of the two methods, 3D-CTA has better spatial resolution, but 4D-CE-MRA allows better temporal resolution of tumor angiogenesis monitoring.

Lack of effect of genetic polymorphisms of SLCO1B1 on the lipid-lowering response to pitavastatin in Chinese patients.

AIM: To investigate the SLCO1B1 388A>G and 521T>C polymorphisms in hyperlipidemia patients and evaluate the effect of the two polymorphisms on the lipid-lowering efficacy of pitavastatin. METHODS: The functional polymorphisms of SLCO1B1 (388A>G and 521T>C) were genotyped in 140 Chinese patients with essential hyperlipidemia using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and one-step tetra-primers ARMS-PCR. Eighty-five patients were enrolled in the clinical trial and given 2 mg of pitavastatin daily for 8 weeks. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) serum levels were measured at baseline, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The allele frequencies of SLCO1B1 388A>G and 521T>C in essential hyperlipidemia patients were 71.1% and 11.1%, respectively. The 4- and 8-week treatment with pitavastatin significantly reduced TC, TG, and LDL levels, but there was no statistical difference among patients with wild type, SLCO1B1 388A>G or SLCO1B1 521T>C in the lipid-lowering efficacy of pitavastatin. CONCLUSION: The present study found that the allele frequencies of SLCO1B1 388A>G and 521T>C in Chinese patients with essential hyperlipidemia are comparable to those in healthy Chinese population. SLCO1B1 388A>G and 521T>C do not affect the lipid-lowering efficacy of pitavastatin.