Cone-Beam Computed Tomography-Guided Cryobiopsy Combined with Conventional Biopsy for Ground Glass Opacity-Predominant Pulmonary Nodules.

INTRODUCTION: Cryobiopsy (CB) using a 1.1-mm cryoprobe under fluoroscopic guidance is feasible and safe for diagnosis of ground glass opacity (GGO) lesions. However, the efficacy of CB combined with cone-beam CT (CBCT) for GGO-predominant pulmonary nodules remains elusive. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients who underwent CB combined with conventional biopsy under CBCT guidance for GGO-predominant pulmonary nodules with a consolidation-to-tumour ratio <50.0%. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients with GGO-predominant pulmonary nodules were enrolled: 17 pure GGOs and 15 mixed GGOs. The mean lesion diameter was 15.81 ± 5.52 mm and the overall diagnostic yield was 71.9%. Seven lesions were diagnosed by CB alone, which increased the diagnostic outcomes by 21.9%. Diagnostic yields for CB, forceps biopsy (FB), brushing, and guide sheath flushing were 65.6%, 46.9%, 15.6%, and 14.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that positive computed tomography (CT) bronchus sign (p = 0.035), positive CBCT sign (p < 0.01), and CB-first biopsy sequence (p = 0.036) were significant predictive factors for higher diagnostic yield. Specimens obtained by CB had larger mean sample size (p < 0.01), lower blood cell area (p < 0.01), and fewer crush artefacts (p < 0.01) than specimens from FB. No severe bleeding or other complications occurred. CONCLUSION: CB using a 1.1-mm cryoprobe under CBCT guidance increased diagnostic yield for GGO-predominant pulmonary nodules based on conventional biopsy. Further, it provided larger and nearly intact samples compared with forceps.

Preparative chromatography behavior of palmitoleic acid on octadecyl stationary phases with different densities.

The availability of various high-purity unsaturated fatty acids has a wide range of needs due to their different activities. The nonlinear preparative chromatography behavior and principle for purification of palmitoleic acid with octadecyl bonded stationary phases were studied. The peak broadening and the concentration distribution of the target compounds were used to compare different C18 stationary phases. In preparative liquid chromatography, the C18 stationary phases with low, medium, and high bonding density showed different peak broadening and concentration distribution results. Medium bonding density C18 was suitable for the purification of ethyl palmitoleic acid. The forward broadening was much greater than the backward broadening on medium bonding density C18 column. And the highest concentration distribution of impurities and the main peak was not crossed in this column. Due to the low content of crude ethyl palmitoleic acid sample, a two-step purified method yields an oily product with purity of 96.57% in the GC method. This method would be universal and extensible for constructing purification method for other unsaturated fatty acids.

[Laparoscopic management of persistent Müllerian duct syndrome: A case report and pedigree investigation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and etiology of persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS). METHODS: A 3-year-old boy was diagnosed with PMDS according to the clinical manifestations and the results of ultrasonography, laboratory examinations and earlier surgical examination. We performed genetic tests for the patient and his family members, removed the infantile uterus by laparoscopic wedge hysterectomy, biopsied and descended the bilateral testes, and ligated the bilateral internal rings, followed by a retrospective analysis and review of relevant literature. RESULTS: The operation was successful. Gonad biopsy revealed testis tissue, and PMDS was confirmed by intraoperative findings and related examinations. Good bilateral testicular blood supply was found during the 6-month follow-up after surgery. Medical exome sequencing showed the AMHR2 gene c.1499G > A (p.Cys500Tyr) mutant homozygote (A/A) in the patient and his sister and mutant heterozygote (G/A) in his parents. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is definitely effective for the treatment of PMDS. In surgery, the infantile uterus should be removed in case of good blood supply to the testis, and so were the bilateral testes if they cannot be descended. The homozygous mutation in the AMHR2 gene c. 1499G > A (p. Cys500Tyr) can lead to male PMDS. Pedigree investigation may provide some evidence for possible fertility in PMDS patients.

[Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate and its metabolite single-ethylhexyl phthalate affect TGF-beta 1 expression and telomerase activity in the testis of young male rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influences of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and its metabolite single-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) and telomerase activity in young male Wistar METHODS: Ninety-six 2-week-old male Wistar rats were equally randomized into a normal control (NC) group, a positive control (PC) group, and six experimental groups. Those of the NC group were intragastrically administered 0.9% normal saline at a dose of 0.2 ml per kg per d for 3 weeks, those in the PC group cyclophosphamide (CTX) at 100 mg per kg per d for 1 week, and those of the experimental groups DEHP and MEHP, respectively, at a low dose (100 mg per kg per d) for 3 weeks, a moderate dose (200 mg per kg per d) for 2 weeks, and a high dose (300 mg per kg per d) for 1 week. Then we observed the morphological changes of the testicular sperm and counted the sperm heads and their abnormity rate at different doses and times. We detected the expression of TGF-beta1 in the testis tissue using immunohistochemical SABC and RT-PCR, measured the area density, and determined telomerase activity by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the NC group, the experimental groups showed an obvious reduction in the total sperm count and number of sperm heads (P < 0.05) and a significant increase in the rate of teratosperm (P < 0.05), such as decapitated, hookless, and double-tailed sperm. And there were no significant differences between the high-dose short-term and low-dose long-term medication groups (P > 0.05). The expression of TGF-beta1 was low in the NC group, high in the PC group, and obviously increased in the membrane and cytoplasm of spermatogenic cells of the experimental groups. The area density and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression were 0.156 0 +/- 0.003 5 and 1.51 +/- 0.20 in the NC group, 0.534 0 +/- 0.003 1 and 8.43 +/- 1.75 in the PC group, 0.289 0 +/- 0.003 6 and 3.83 +/- 1.57 in the DEHP groups, and 0.284 0 +/- 0.003 1 and 3.51 +/- 1.41 in the MEHP groups. There were significant differences between the experimental and the other two groups (P < 0.01), but not between the high-dose short-term and low-dose long-term medication groups (P > 0.05). Telomerase activity was remarkably reduced in the experimental groups as compared with the NC group (P < 0.05), but with no significant difference between the high-dose short-term and low-dose long-term medication groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: DEHP and its metabolite MEHP can evidently induce spermatogenic injury in young male rats, which may be associated with their induction of increased TGF-beta1 expression and decreased telomerase activity in the rat testis.

Synthesis and chromatographic evaluation of pyrazinedicarboxylic anhydride bonded stationary phase.

A silica based hydrophilic stationary phase bonding with 2,3-pyrazinedicarboxylic anhydride and amino groups was synthesized via amino-acid anhydride ring opening reaction. The bonded groups could not only provide hydrophilic interaction, but also electrostatic, π-π and hydrogen bonding interactions, etc. The results of characterization with elemental analysis and solid-state 13C cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning NMR indicated the successful preparation of amino and carboxyl bonded stationary phase named ZAC. The ζ-potential of ZAC stationary phase showed the negatively charge was dominate at pH larger than 3.5. Chromatographic evaluation revealed that ZAC stationary phase behaved well under HILIC mode. It showed different selectivity and retention compared to some typical commercial columns, and it was validated by the separation of chitooligosaccharides, flavonoid glycosides, organic acids and alkaloid samples. Based on the different selectivity between ZAC stationary phase and C18 columns, ZAC stationary phase also showed different selectivity with C18. And it was verified by the separation of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Menispermi Rhizoma extracts.

Evaluation and application of a positively-charged phenylaminopropyl bonded stationary phase for separation of basic compounds.

Silica-based positively-charged stationary phase bonding phenylaminopropyl (named PHN) was found to produce symmetrical peak shape and higher sample loading for basic compounds. In this work, firstly, surface charge property of the PHN was evaluated by ζ-potential and retention of NO3-. A considerable amount of pH-dependent positive charges was confirmed more than that on CSH Phenyl-Hexyl, a commercial positively-charged phenyl stationary phase. Then chromatographic evaluation of standard alkaloids revealed that PHN could offer better peak shape and higher column efficiency at lower pH, and it functioned well under a wide range of buffer ionic strength. The PHN also showed different selectivity for basic compounds compared to the CSH Phenyl-Hexyl. Furthermore, it provided superior peak shape for high sample mass, demonstrating potential applications of this stationary phase in a preparative scale. These results can be explained by the strong charge intensity of the PHN stationary phase. Finally, the PHN was applied to separate a fraction from rhizomes of Corydalis decumbens, and purify dehydrocorybulbine from Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang. Our study indicated the advantages and potential applications of the phenylaminopropyl bonded PHN stationary phase for basic compound separation.

[Preparation of macroporous silica and its application on polysaccharide derivative based chiral stationary phase].

In order to prepare 100-nm macroporous silica, spherical silica (5 µm in particle size, 10 nm in pore diameter) was treated by hydrothermal or baking methods. During hydrothermal treatment, 22 g/L NaF was added, which efficiently promoted the enlargement of pore diameters. By this method, the average pore diameter of silica reached 100 nm after heating for 48 h at 160℃ in an autoclave, but showed a poor size distribution. In the baking method, pore diameter enlargement was controlled by modifying the baking temperature, time, and the amount of double salt LiCl-NaCl added. The addition of 1.125 g LiCl·H2O and 0.75 g NaCl per 10 g silica and baking at 500℃ for 3-5 h yielded silica with 100-nm pore diameters. This method was more efficient, easier, and better in the product pore diameter distribution than hydrothermal treatment. The obtained silica was very similar to commercial Fuji-1000 gel. The macroporous silicas obtained from the hydrothermal and baking treatments were both modified with aminopropyl silane and coated by cellulose tri(3,5-dimethylphenyl carbamate) to prepare chiral stationary phases (CSPs). The CSP based on the baking-treated silica exhibited much better selectivity and resolution for enantiomers.

[Effect of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and its metabolite mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate on spermatogenic cell apoptosis in young male Wistar rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influences of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and its principle metabolite mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP) on spermatogenic cell apoptosis in young male Wistar rats. METHODS: Ninety-eight 2-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 14 equal groups to receive daily intragastric administration of 0.2 ml/kg normal saline for 3 weeks (normal control), 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CTX) for 1 week (positive control), 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg DEHP or MEHP for 1 week, or 100 mg/kg DEHP or MEHP for 1, 2, and 3 weeks. After the treatments, the pathological changes of the testicular tissues were examined, spermatogenic cell apoptosis was detected, and serum sex hormones levels were measured using TUNEL assay or radioimmunoassays. RESULTS: CTX, DEHP, and MEHP all caused shrinkage, development retardation and quantitative reduction of spermatogenic cells with and mitochondrial swelling vacuolar changes. The damage of spermatogenic cells increased significantly with the increment of DEHP and MEHP doses and exposure time. Both DEHP and MEHP treatments resulted in significantly increased cell apoptosis index (AI) in close correlation with the exposure doses and duration (P<0.01). DEHP and MEHP treatments also significantly increased serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone and decreased testosterone levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: DEHP and MEHP can induce obvious apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in young male rats with a dose- and time-dependent effect.

A polar-copolymerized method to prepare silica-based anion exchanger for ion chromatography.

A novel silica-based strong anion exchanger was developed for ion chromatography by copolymerizing methyltrichlorosilane and 3-chloropropyltrichlorosilane. The method allows the column capacity to be easy control simply by adjusting the ratio of silanes. The unwanted residual silanol groups onto the surface of silica gel could also be greatly reduced by this strategy. The effective column capacity of the column used was measured to be 50.8 µequiv/column (2.03 µequiv/cm). The exchanger was characterized by solid state CP/MAS (13)C NMR and elemental analysis and its separation performance was evaluated for the separation of common inorganic anions. The results showed that the column had good separation efficiency (e.g. the plate number of nitrite is 80,000/m) and the separation mechanism was observed to be dominantly governed by ion exchange mechanism. The utility of the column was demonstrated for the determination of nitrite and nitrate in saliva sample.