Diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced sonography and acoustic radiation force impulse imaging in solid liver lesions.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced sonography and acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant liver lesions. METHODS: A total of 156 patients with liver lesions were included in the study. The images from conventional sonography and contrast-enhanced sonography and the shear wave velocity values of the liver lesions were obtained. The diagnostic performance of conventional sonography, contrast-enhanced sonography, and ARFI was assessed by using pathologic examination (needle biopsy or surgery) or clinical imaging inspection as the reference standard. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of conventional sonography for malignant liver lesions were 57.1% and 43.1%, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity of ARFI were 81.3% and 74.1%. When using contrast-enhanced sonography for the diagnosis of malignant liver lesions, the sensitivity and specificity were 92.9% and 89.7%. The sensitivity and specificity of contrast-enhanced sonography were significantly higher than those of ARFI and conventional sonography (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The differential diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced sonography is most predictive of malignant liver lesions. Contrast-enhanced sonography and ARFI have complementary effects in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant liver lesions.

Elevated visfatin levels in obese children are related to proinflammatory factors.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and related metabolic diseases are associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation,which is characterized by abnormal cytokine production and increased synthesis of proinflammatory proteins.Recent studies have indicated that visfatin is both an adipokine and an inflammatory cytokine. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we assessed the association between serum visfatin concentrations and markers of systemic inflammation [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a)] and insulin resistance in Chinese obese children. METHODS: A total of 44 obese Chinese children (23 boys and 21 girls) and 50 age- and gender-matched normal weight children (23 boys and 27 girls) were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were taken. Fasting levels of visfatin, hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-a,glucose, insulin, and lipid profile were assayed, and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance was calculated as a marker of insulin resistance. RESULTS: Serum visfatin levels [obese group (OB):7.48±0.39 vs. C: 5.31±0.28, pO.OS); there were no significant differences in visfatin, hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-a concentrations between girls and boys. The correlations between visfatin and anthropometric, metabolic parameters,and inflammatory [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triglyceride, hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-a] revealed differences between genders; visfatin correlated with BMI(r=0.247, p=0.029) and IL-6 (r=0.427, p=0.013) in boys only. CONCLUSION: The association of circulating visfatin with anthropometric parameters, metabolic parameters, and inflammatory factors is dependent on gender, although no such correlation was observed between serum visfatin concentration and insulin resistance. Visfatin could bean important inflammatory cytokine representing a low grade inflammatory state in obesity.

[Multicenter randomized clinical study of high-intensity focused ultrasound and cortical hormone in the treatment of non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of vulva].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and cortical hormone in the treatment of non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of vulva. METHODS: A total of 268 cases with pathologically diagnosed non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of vulva were randomly allocated into two groups of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) (n = 119) and cortical hormone (n = 124). And 25 cases became lost to follow-ups. Their signs, symptoms and quality-of-life were assessed before treatment, 1 month post-treatment and 3 months post-treatment. And the relationship was analyzed between pathologic type, age, course and efficacies. RESULTS: Their signs, symptoms and quality-of-life improved in both groups after 1 and 3 month. Compared with drug therapy, HIFU showed superior results in lesion amelioration at 1 month with significantly statistical difference and so did lesion amelioration and therapeutic effect at 3 month. And the efficacy of HIFU was better in those with >10-year disease course and pathologically diagnosed lichen sclerosus in 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: HIFU is both safe and effective in the treatment of non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of vulva.

Gut Microbiota Diversity and Overweight/Obesity in Infancy: Results from a Nested Case-control Study.

OBJECTIVE: Childhood obesity is a major health concern worldwide. Previous studies have explored the relationship between obesity and gut microbiota. However, the results from such studies remain contradictory. METHODS: In the present nested case-control study, based on a twin birth cohort study, the relationship between gut microbiota diversity and overweight/obesity in 1- and 6-month-old infants was explored. Twins were enrolled when one child had normal weight and the other child was overweight/obese at six months old. For both infants, stool samples were collected at 1 and 6 months of age. Finally, 12 twins were enrolled in the study. The gut microbiota was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing in the V3-V4 area. Six of the twins were monozygotic. RESULTS: The results revealed that the microbiota communities of monozygotic twins were similar to those of dizygotic twins. The relative abundance (RA) of microbiota of 1-month-old twins was significantly higher than that of 6-month-old twins. However, the microbiota diversity of 1-month-old twins was significantly lower than that of 6-month-old twins. In addition, 6-month-old twins had significantly higher RA levels of Bifidobacterium and Lachnospiracea incertae sedis than 1-month-old twins. The 6-month-old group had significantly lower RA levels of Veillonella, Klebsiella, Akkermansia, Streptococcus, or Staphylococcus than the 1-month-old group. At six months, the RA level of Clostridium sensu stricto was higher in the overweight/obesity group than the normal-weight group. CONCLUSION: These findings imply that changes in gut microbiota diversity during infancy may contribute to the development of obesity in early infancy.

[Prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus and incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in female populations in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in female populations in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. METHODS: Totally 1137 women aged 15-59 from Shahe Community, Nanshan District, Shenzhen were investigated for cervical cancer during an population-based epidemiological screening from November 2004 to December 2004. Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), colposcopy, liquid-based cytology test (LCT), and hybrid capture 2 (HC-) were performed to detect the high-risk HPV types in cervical secretions. Biopsy under colposcope was performed in women who were HPV-positive with LCT >or= atypical squamous cells of undetermined sign (ASCUS) or HPV-negative with LCT >or= low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), with the pathological results as the golden standards. RESULTS: The detection rate of high-risk HPV-DNA was 14.0%. HPV detection rates in 15-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, and 50-59 age groups were 15.5%, 17.7%, 12.6%, 8.8%, 10.2%, 15.3%, and 21.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). HPV detection rates in 25-29 years group and 50-59 years group were significantly higher than those in other groups (P < 0.05) and 35-39 group had the lowest detection rate. The curve of HPV infection rates in all groups was 'V' type. The overall incidence of CIN was 4.4%. The incidences of CIN , CIN , and CIN were 3.2%, 1.0%, and 0.3%, respectively, in which the incidence of CIN was significantly higher than those of CIN and . HPV detection rates increased with cervical lesion grades, which in >or=CIN groups and normal group were 100.0% and 8.3%, respectively. No cervical cancer was identified in this research. The sensitivities of VIA, colposcopy, LCT, and HC-II for high-risk HPV screening were 35.7%, 50.0%, 92.9%,and 100%, respectively, in detecting high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), the specificities of these four methods were 96.0%, 87.2%, 88.4%, and 86.9%, respectively. Satisfactory negative predictive values were obtained for all methods. CONCLUSIONS: HPV infection is the main risk factor for CIN. Cervical cancer among female populations in Shenzhen is still in early stages. Prevention of HPV infection and treatment of CIN are key for the prevention of cervical cancer.

[Role of progesterone in acylation stimulating protein-receptor C5L2 pathway in adipocytes and preadipocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of progesterone on the mRNA expression of acylation stimulating protein (ASP)-receptor C5L2 in adipocytes and preadipocytes and the C5L2 protein expression on the cell surface. METHODS: Preadipocytes of the line 3T3-L1 were cultured and induced to differentiate. Progesterone of the doses 0 - 1 x 10(-6) mol/L was added into the cultured fluid of the mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes and preadipocytes overnight. RT-PCR and flow cytometry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of ASP receptor C5L2. Both non-progesterone treated and progesterone-treated 3T3-L1 cells were cultured with 5.0 micromol/L ASP for 4 hours, then the cell protein was extracted and the expressions of G protein (including Galphaq/11 and Gbeta) and phosphated protein kinase C (including p-PKCalpha and p-PKCzeta) were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: The C5L2 protein expression level of the mature adipocytes stimulated by progesterone 1 x 10(-6) mol/L for 18 h was 36% +/- 15%, significantly downregulated compared with that of the adipocytes stimulated by progesterone 0 mol/L (46% +/- 12%, P < 0.01), with a inhibition rate of 22%. The C5L2 mRNA and protein expression levels of the preadipocytes stimulated by progesterone 1 x 10(-6) mol/L for 18 h were 0.17 +/- 0.11 and 36% +/- 16% respectively, both significantly lower than those of the preadipocytes stimulated by progesterone 0 mol/L (0.50 +/- 0.18 and 51% +/- 20% respectively, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05) with the inhibition rates of 66% and 29%respectively. The ASP-stimulated Galphaq/11, Gbeta, p-PKCalpha, and p-PKCzeta expression levels of the mature adipocytes after overnight exposure to progesterone 1 x 10(-8) and 1 x 10(-6) mol/L were suppressed dose-dependently. For example, the ASP-stimulated Galphaq/11, Gbeta, and p-PKCalpha expression levels of the progesterone 1 x 10(-6) mol/L group were significantly lower than those of the progesterone 0 mol/L group by 41%, 63%, and 49% respectively (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01. In the preadipocytes the reduction of ASP-induced Galphaq/11, Gbeta, and p-PKCzeta expression levels were observed at the concentration of progesterone as low as 1 x 10(-8) mol/L, and all the four proteins were inhibited significantly at the 1 x 10(-6) mol/L progesterone concentration. CONCLUSION: Progesterone induces ASP resistance in adipocytes and preadipocytes. ASP resistance may contribute to the physiological abnormalities associated with insulin resistance induced by progesterone.

[Experimental study of portal hemodynamics after microcapsule transplantation by intraportal and transarterial approach].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the changes of portal hemodynamics after microcapsule transplantation by intraportal and transarterial approach with color doppler sonography. METHODS: Thirty male dogs were divided into 2 groups randomly: Group PV (microcapsules implanted into the portal vein) and Group HA (microcapsules implanted into the hepatic artery). Both groups were divided into 3 subgroups(PV1, PV2, and PV3; HA1, HA2, and HA3) according to the number of implanted microcapsules (8,000/kg, 16,000/kg, and 32,000/kg). The internal diameter and flow velocity of the portal vein were measured with color doppler sonography before the transplantation,within 24 hours and 1, 2, and 4 weeks after microcapsule transplantation. RESULTS: The flow velocity of the portal vein in Group PV1 and PV2 within 24 hours increased significantly (P<0.05); The meanwhile the internal diameters did not change significantly (P> 0.05). The flow velocity of the portal vein in Group PV3 within 24 hours decreased significantly (P<0.05), but the internal diameter increased significantly (P<0.05). Portal hemodynamics of different transarterial subgroups did not change significantly (P> 0.05). The level of ALT in Group PV and Group HA all increased significantly (P<0.05). And when the numbers of microcapsule transplantation were same, the level of ALT in subgroup PV were significantly higher than that in subgroup HA (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Microcapsule transplantation by transarterial approach is safer than by intraportal way, and the hepatic artery can contain more microcapsule than the portal vein.

[Preparation and examination of the vitro releasing of pH-dependent kuijiekang tablet for colon-specific delivery].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare the pH-dependent kuijiekang tablet for colon-specific delivery used in treating the ulcerative colitis and to develop the in vitro release method of kuijiekang tablets. METHODS: The coating prescription was screened by the in vitro delivery of Puerarin and Berberine hydrochloride. The in-vitro releasing property of the preparation was examined by the method of in-vitro delivery. RESULTS: The preparation methods of the pH-dependent kuijiekang tablet for colon-specific delivery was obtained from the in-vitro delivery, Puerarin and Berberine hydrochloride were not detected in the simulated gastric fluid after 2 h and the quantitied of Puerarin and Berberine hydrochlo4de were less 10% in the simulated intestinal fluid after 4 h. The quantities of Puerarin and Berberine hydrochloride were 90.07% and 89.87%. CONCLUSION: It can be prepared and the preparation is a promising delivery system for drugs to be delivery to the colon.

[Determination of tanshinone II A and deoxyschizandrin in danshenwuweizi tablet by RP-HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: to set up a determination of tanshinone II A and deoxyschizaadrin in danshenwuweizi tablet by RP-HPLC. METHODS: two components were separated through Kromasil C18 (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column with methanol-water (85:15) by volume as a mobile phase. The flow rate was 1 ml x min(-1) and the detection wavelength were 270 nm (tanshinone II A) and 254 nm (deoxyschizandrin). RESULTS: The linear range of tanshinone II A and deoxyschizandrin were 0.3232 microg-1.616 microg and 0.525 microg-2.625 microg, respectively. The average recovery was 99.83% with RSD 0.36% for tanshinone II A and 100.2% with RSD 0.72% for deoxyschizandrin respectively. CONCLUSION: The method is simple, accurate and rapid with good reproducibility. It can be used for the quality control of danshenwuweizi tablet.

[Contrast enhanced power Doppler in evaluating the angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of contrast enhanced power Doppler in evaluating tumor angiogenetic activity. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were analysed. Flow signals of hepatocellular carcinoma were observed by power Doppler imaging after the injection of contrast agent, and then the relative perfusion rate and blood flow were assessed. The microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) were assessed by immunohistochemical method. The relationship between the relative perfusion rate,blood flow, MVD,VEGF was studied. RESULTS: The relative perfusion rate in the tissues with positive expression of VEGF was significantly higher than that in the tissues with negative expression of VEGF in hepatocellular carcinoma. There was correlation between the relative perfusion rate, blood flow grade and MVD(P<0.05). The expression of VEGF was positively related to the relative perfusion rate and blood flow grade(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Contrast enhanced power Doppler is useful in evaluating the tumor angiogenetic activity.

[Comparison of treatment response in primary hepatocellular carcinomas with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced helical CT].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultra sonography for non-surgical treatment response in hepatocellular carcinomas. METHODS: Non-surgical therapies were performed on 56 patients (64 liver neoplasms) who were diagnosed by ultrasonography-guided biopsy before the therapy. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) and contrast-enhanced helical CT were performed to assess the treatment response. RESULTS: Forty-six of the 64 lesions were not enhanced with CEUS.Partial enhancement was demonstrated in the other 18 lesions. Forty-eight of the 64 lesions were not enhanced with contrast-enhanced helical CT. Partial enhancement were demonstrated in the other 16 lesions.The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 94.4%, 97.8%, and 96.9% for CEUS and 83.3%, 97.8%, and 93.8% for contrast-enhanced helical CT (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: CEUS is a good method in assessing the non-surgical treatment response in hepatocellular carcinomas and is more sensitive and useful than contrast-enhanced helical CT in assessing the treatment response of transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization.

Endoscopic variceal ligation combined with Hassab's procedure in preventing the recurrence of esophageal varices.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) combined with Hassab's procedure in the prevention of variceal recurrence. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five patients with esophageal varices were randomized to receive EVL alone, Hassab's procedure alone or a combination of EVL and Hassab's procedure for variceal eradication. Ultrasonographic venous network images were recorded by an esophageal microprobe before and after the EVL or Hassab's procedure. The clinical outcome and vascular network images of the 3 groups were analyzed. RESULTS: Esophageal varices were obliterated immediately after EVL alone, while both perforating veins and periesophageal collaterals remained patent, and 83% had recurrence of esophageal varices during an initial 3-year follow-up. Esophageal varices were reduced in size, periesophageal collaterals were obliterated after Hassab's procedure alone, and 30% experienced rebleeding and 95% with variceal recurrence. EVL combined with Hassab's procedure obliterated all esophageal varices, perforating veins and periesophageal collaterals, and only 3 patients (8%) recurred. CONCLUSION: The existence of patent perforating veins and periesophageal collaterals is the reason of esophageal variceal recurrence after EVL alone. EVL combined with Hassab's procedure can effectively prevent the recurrence, even if the cirrhojtic portal hypertension persisted.

Childhood gynecomastia: a clinical analysis of 240 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Two hundred forty cases of childhood gynecomastia were studied retrospectively. There were 13 cases aged 3 to 10 years and 227 cases aged 11 to 15 years. Of the 240 cases of gynecomastia, 160 presented with bilateral breast enlargement, 50, left breast enlargement, and 30, right breast enlargement. The etiology of gynecomastia of the 240 patients included adolescent breast hyperplasia (n=219), drug ingestion (n=2), and secondary causes (n=5). Fourteen patients did not show identifiable causes and were diagnosed as idiopathic gynecomastia. The 8 patients with identifiable causes received specific treatment. After 1-3 months of treatment, the breasts of the patients improved. The 219 cases of adolescent breast hyperplasia and 14 cases of idiopathic gynecomastia were not given any medication. They were followed up regularly. Most of the patients recovered well within a 27-month follow-up.

Cholinergic activation suppresses palmitate-induced macrophage activation and improves acylation stimulating protein resistance in co-cultured adipocytes.

Acylation-stimulating protein (ASP), produced through activation of the alternative complement immune system, modulates lipid metabolism. Using a trans-well co-culture cell model, the mitigating role of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR)-mediated cholinergic pathway on ASP resistance was evaluated. ASP signaling in adipocytes via its receptor C5L2 and signaling intermediates Gαq, Gß, phosphorylated protein kinase C-α, and protein kinase C-ζ were markedly suppressed in the presence of TNFα or medium from palmitate-treated RAW264.7 macrophages, indicating ASP resistance. There was no direct effect of α7nAChR activation in 3T3-L1 cell culture. However, α7nAChR activation almost completely reversed the ASP resistance in adipocytes co-cultured with palmitate-treated RAW264.7 macrophages. Further, α7nAChR activation could suppress the production of pro-inflammatory molecules TNFα and interleukin-6 produced from palmitate-treated co-cultured macrophages. These results suggest that macrophages play a significant role in the pathogenesis of ASP resistance and α7nAChR activation secondarily improves adipose ASP resistance through suppression of inflammation in macrophages. Impact statement 1. Adipocyte-macrophage interaction in acylation-stimulating protein (ASP) resistance 2. Lipotoxicity induced inflammatory response in ASP resistance 3. A vicious circle between lipotoxicity and inflammatory response in ASP resistance 4. Cholinergic modulation of inflammatory response in adipocyte and macrophage.

[Evaluation of gene chip technology for high risk type human papillomavirus in cervical cancer screening].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of gene chips technology for human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical cancer screening. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional screening study was conducted among 1137 women aged 15-59 in a community, Shenzhen city. Hybrid capture 2 (hc2) and gene chip technology were performed to examine the high risk type human papillomavirus in the exfoliated cervical cells. Liquid-based cytology test (LCT) was also performed at the same time. The HPV-positive women with LCT > or = atypical squamous cells of undetermined sign (ASCUS) and the HPV-negative women with LCT > or = low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) underwent biopsy under colposcopy. The pathological results were used as the gold standard to evaluate the two HPV test methods. RESULTS: Totally 122 biopsy specimens were obtained. Pathological examination showed no cervical cancer case, 3 cases of grade III cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), 11 cases of grade II CIN, 36 cases of grade I CIN, 69 cases of chronic cervicitis and metaplasia of squamous epithelium, and 3 cases of normal cervix. The HPV-positive rate was 14.0% by hc2 and 9.8% by gene chips with a HPV-positive rate by hc2 higher than that by gene chips (P < 0.001) and an mediocre accordance rate between these methods (kappa = 0.498). The. HPV-positive rate increased along with the increase of the grade of cervical lesions (P < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive prevalue, negative prevalue, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of hc2 for high-risk HPV were 100%, 87.1%, 87.3%, 8.8%, 100%, 7.7 and 0.000, respectively; and those of gene chips were 78.6%, 91.1%, 90.9%, 9.9%, 99.7%, 8.8 and 0.235 respectively. CONCLUSION: At present hc2 high risk HPV testing is still the better method for cervical cancer screening. Gene chips technology is able to rival hc2 except that its sensitivity for cervical high grade lesions need be improved.

[Distribution of human papillomavirus types in Shenzhen women].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the status of genital infection as well as distribution of types of human papillomavirus (HPV) in women in Shenzhen and provide population data for the future vaccine intervention on cervical cancer. METHODS: Women with age between 15 and 59 years were selected in cluster stratified sampling from Huaqiaocheng community, Nanshan district, Shenzhen and received a population-based cervical cancer screening. After consent, every woman was interviewed by using questionnaire and tested by liquid-based cytology and HPV DNA (hybrid capture 2 and gene chips typing) separately. RESULTS: Totally 1 137 women were screened. The rate of high risk HPV of hybrid capture 2 test (14. 0% ) was higher than gene chips typing test (9. 8%) (chi(2) = 27. 198, P < 0. 001) ; the consistency of the two tests was acceptable ( kappa = 0. 498, P < 0. 001). The rates of low risk HPV types and other types of gene chips typing test in this population were 1. 9% and 0. 2% respectively. The percentages of HPV 16, 18 and 58 in HPV positive women were 29. 7% , 18. 9% and 18. 9%. The rates of different age group of low risk HPV were 1. 4% (17-34), 1. 7% (35-44) and 3. 2% (45-59) , respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HPV 16, 18, and 58 are the most popular types in the study population. The differences of infection rates of high risk HPV are due primarily to the variation of HPV16 distribution among age-specific population. The chances of being affected by low risk HPV will increase with age.

[Effects of different treatment complex on esophageal vascular structures in patients with portal hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of different treatment complex on esophageal vascular structures in patients with portal hypertension. METHODS: Patients (142 cases) with esophageal varices received either endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) alone (54 cases), pericardial devascularization procedure (PDP) alone (23 cases), a combination of EVL and partial splenic embolization (PSE) (34 cases), or a combination of EVL and PDP (31 cases) for variceal eradication. Esophageal vascular structures were examined with miniature ultrasonic probe. The recurrence and rebleeding of esophageal varices were investigated. RESULTS: Esophageal submucous varices were obliterated and collateral veins remained unchanged in patients treated by EVL or EVL combined with PSE; esophageal submucous varices were diminished in size and collateral veins were obliterated by PDP, and both esophageal submucous varices and collateral veins were obliterated by the combination of EVL and PDP. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of EVL and Hassab's procedure can effectively shut off the portoazygous shunt, prevent esophageal varices from bleeding and recurrence. It's a simply and less cost procedure.

[Study on amino acids from the fruit of Clausena lansium].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the amino acids from the fruit of Clausenae lansium. METHODS: To determine the content of hydrolyzed and free amino acids from fresh fruit and dried fruit of Clausenae lansium by HPLC, 10 mmol/L Na2HPO4 (PB) was used as mobile phase (A) and PB-methanol-acetic acid (50:35:15) was used as mobile phase (B) on a Hypersil ODS column. RESULTS: 16 kinds of amino acids were assayed, 10 of all was necessary or half-necessary amino acids. The total content of free and hydrolyzed amino was 4.8 mg/g and 15.0 mg/g in fresh fruit; 4.8 mg/g and 15.0 mg/g in dried fruit. CONCLUSION: There are abundant amino acids in the fruit of Clausenae lansium.

[Study on chemical constituents of volatile oil and trace elements from fruits of Clausena lansium].

OBJECTIVE: To study and determine the chemical constituents of the volatile oil and the trace elements in the fruits of the Clausena lansium. METHOD: The essential oils were extracted by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and separated on capillary columns with HP6890GC-5973MS. The components were quantitatively determined with normalization method, and were identified with GC-MS. And the trace elements were determined by ICP-MS and ICP-AES. RESULT: 36 Components constituting 95% of the total essential oil were separated and identified, and 11 trace elements were identified. CONCLUSION: 18 Compounds were found from the fruit of C. lansium for the first time.

[Comparison of ultrasound-guided mammotome and Tru-cut biopsy needle in diagnosing breast masses].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic value of ultrasound-guided mammotome and Tru-cut biopsy needle in diagnosing breast masses. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed in 214 patients with breast masses obtained separately by mammotome or Tru-cut biopsy needle guided by ultrasound, and analyzed by pathological examination. The success ratios of sample choosing and the coincident ratios of pathological diagnosis were compared. RESULTS: The success ratios of sample choosing for mammotome and Tru-cut biopsy needle were 100% and 90%, respectively. The coincident ratios of pathological diagnosis of mammotome and Tru-cut were 98. 7% and 90%, respectively. There was significant difference in the 2 groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Mammotome is a useful method and superior to Tru-cut biopsy needle in the diagnosis of breast masses.