Changes in dynamic and static brain fluctuation distinguish minimal hepatic encephalopathy and cirrhosis patients and predict the severity of liver damage.

Purpose: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is characterized by mild neuropsychological and neurophysiological alterations that are not detectable by routine clinical examination. Abnormal brain activity (in terms of the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) has been observed in MHE patients. However, little is known concerning temporal dynamics of intrinsic brain activity. The present study aimed to investigate the abnormal dynamics of brain activity (dynamic ALFF; dALFF) and static measures [static ALFF; (sALFF)] in MHE patients and to strive for a reliable imaging neuromarkers for distinguishing MHE patients from cirrhosis patients. In addition, the present study also investigated whether intrinsic brain activity predicted the severity of liver damage. Methods: Thirty-four cirrhosis patients with MHE, 28 cirrhosis patients without MHE, and 33 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting-state magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). dALFF was estimated by combining the ALFF method with the sliding-window method, in which temporal variability was quantized over the whole-scan timepoints and then compared among the three groups. Additionally, dALFF, sALFF and both two features were utilized as classification features in a support vector machine (SVM) to distinguish MHE patients from cirrhosis patients. The severity of liver damage was reflected by the Child-Pugh score. dALFF, sALFF and both two features were used to predict Child-Pugh scores in MHE patients using a general linear model. Results: Compared with HCs, MHE patients showed significantly increased dALFF in the left inferior occipital gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, and right insula; increased dALFF was also observed in the right posterior lobe of the cerebellum (CPL) and right thalamus. Compared with HCs, noMHE patients exhibited decreased dALFF in the right precuneus. In contrast, compared with noMHE patients, MHE patients showed increased dALFF in the right precuneus, right superior frontal gyrus, and right superior occipital gyrus. Furthermore, the increased dALFF values in the left precuneus were positively associated with poor digit-symbol test (DST) scores (r = 0.356, p = 0.038); however, dALFF in the right inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) was negatively associated with the number connection test-A (NCT-A) scores (r = -0.784, p = 0.000). A significant positive correlation was found between dALFF in the left inferior occipital gyrus (IOG) and high blood ammonia levels (r = 0.424, p = 0.012). Notably, dALFF values yielded a higher classification accuracy than sALFF values in distinguishing MHE patients from cirrhosis patients. Importantly, the dALFF values predicted the Child-Pugh score (r = 0.140, p = 0.030), whereas sALFF values did not in the current dataset. Combining two features had high accuracy in classification in distinguishing MHE patients from cirrhotic patients and yielded prediction in the severity of liver damage. Conclusion: These findings suggest that combining dALFF and sALFF features is a useful neuromarkers for distinguishing MHE patients from cirrhosis patients and highlights the important role of dALFF feature in predicting the severity of liver damage in MHE.

Synovial sarcoma: Magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging features and differential diagnostic considerations.

The present study retrospectively examined 24 cases of pathologically confirmed synovial sarcoma and analyzed the clinical presentation and imaging findings in order to explore the imaging features of synovial sarcoma. The majority of the lesions were large (>5 cm; 88%), rounded or lobulated, relatively well-defined tumor masses in the extremities near the joints or deeply located. On computed tomography (CT) scans, the lesions demonstrated intensity signals similar to those of muscle. Six cases exhibited punctate calcification in the periphery of the tumor. On T1-weighted images, the largest lesions of >5 cm, were usually heterogeneous, with a signal intensity similar to or slightly higher than that of muscle. On T2-weighted images, heterogeneous high-intensity or slightly high-intensity signals were observed, with 12 cases exhibiting a high signal consistent with hemorrhage and 12 presenting signals that indicated internal septations. Contrast-enhanced scanning revealed heterogeneous enhancement in the majority of the lesions and no enhancement in areas of cystic necrosis or internal septations. Synovial sarcoma has specific imaging features, and comprehensive analysis of CT and magnetic resonance imaging can improve the accuracy of the pre-operative diagnosis.

Diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in malignant obstructive jaundice.

Malignant obstructive jaundice is caused by tumors arising from the head of the pancreas and biliary tree, or seen due to secondary metastases in the porta hepatis lymph nodes. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that can be used for imaging the entire biliary tree and pancreatic duct system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of MRCP in the diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice. The methods used involved comparative review of the images obtained by using magnetic resonance imaging and MRCP as well as comparison between MRCP- and pathology-based diagnoses. The accuracy of MRCP-based diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice was analyzed. Our data show that the positive rate of anatomical diagnosis and the detection rate of bile ducts on the proximal side of obstruction are 100%. The diagnostic accuracy of malignant obstruction was 82.9%. MRCP was found to have high diagnostic specificity for determining the location and extent of obstruction. We, therefore, concluded that MRCP had significance for clinical diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice. The positive rate of localization diagnosis was 100%. Distinguishing the quality of obstruction was also important. The diagnostic accuracy of MRCP for malignant obstructive jaundice was remarkably higher.

Biotoxicity of nickel oxide nanoparticles and bio-remediation by microalgae Chlorella vulgaris.

Adverse effects of manufactured nickel oxide nanoparticles on the microalgae Chlorellavulgaris were determined by algal growth-inhibition test and morphological observation via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results showed that the NiO nanoparticles had severe impacts on the algae, with 72 h EC(50) values of 32.28 mg NiOL(-1). Under the stress of NiO nanoparticles, C. vulgaris cells showed plasmolysis, cytomembrane breakage and thylakoids disorder. NiO nanoparticles aggregated and deposited in algal culture media. The presence of algal cells accelerated aggregation of nanoparticles. Moreover, about 0.14% ionic Ni was released when NiO NPs were added into seawater. The attachment of aggregates to algal cell surface and the presence of released ionic Ni were likely responsible for the toxic effects. Interestingly, some NiO nanoparticles were reduced to zero valence nickel as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The maximum ratios of nickel reduction was achieved at 72 h of exposure, in accordance with the time-course of changes in soluble protein content of treated C. vulgaris, implying that some proteins of algae are involved in the process. Our results indicate that the toxicity and bioavailability of NiO nanoparticles to marine algae are reduced by aggregation and reduction of NiO. Thus, marine algae have the potential for usage in nano-pollution bio-remediation in aquatic system.

[Examination of resistance of lung adenocarcinoma cells to cisplatin by technetium-99m methoxyisobutyl isonitrile].

OBJECTIVE: To study whether technetium-99m methoxyisobutyl isonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) can be used to examine the drug resistance of lung adenocarcinoma cells and to explore the efficiency of gensenoside Rh2 in reversing the resistance of adenocarcinoma cells to cisplatin (DDP). METHODS: Human lung adenocarcinoma cells of the line A549 sensitive to DDP and drug-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells of the line A549DDP were cultured. DDP and gensenoside (Rh2) of different concentrations were added. Mthoxyisobutylisnitrile (MTT) method was used to test the inhibit concentration (IC) of DDP and Rh2 to the cells. The IC(50) of DDP to these 2 kinds of cells and its low-efficiency inhibition concentration (< or = IC(20)) to A549DDP cells, and the IC(5) of Rh2 to A549DDP cells were calculated. < or = IC20 was regarded as the low-efficiency concentration of DDP to A549DDP cells and IC(5) was regarded as the in-toxic concentration of Rh2 to A549DDP cells. A549DDP cells were divided into 4 groups: control group, added with normal saline; DDP group, added with DDP at the low-efficiency concentration; Rh2 group, added with in-toxic Rh2; and DDP + Rh2 group, added with DDP at the low-efficiency concentration and Rh2 at the in-toxic concentration. Cell apoptosis was detected by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Forty-seven hours after the stimulation by different drugs (99m)Tc-MIBI solution was added and 1 hour later the radioactivity of the cells was detected by gamma-counter. Twenty-four nude mice were divided into 4 equal groups: A549 group, inoculated with A549 cells and normal saline intraperitoneally; control group, inoculated with A549DPP cells and normal saline intraperitoneally; DDP group, inoculated with A549DDP cells and low-efficient DDP intraperitoneally; and Rh2 + DDP group, inoculated with A549DDP cells and low-efficient DDP and in-toxic Rh2intraperitoneally. The growth of tumor and survival of mice were observed. Before the inoculation of tumor cells, 4 mice were randomly selected to undergo single photons emission computed tomography (SPECT). Two months after the inoculation SPECT was performed on all mice. By the end of experiment all the mice were killed and their tumors underwent pathological examination. RESULTS: The IC(50) of DDP was 24 microM to A549 cells and 325 microM to A549DDP cells, with a resistance index of 13.54. When the concentration of Rh2 was < or = 10 microM there was no evident toxicity to A549DDP cells. The inhibition rate of 100 microM DDP to the A549DDP cells was 12%. After the cells were treated by 10 microM Rh2 and 100 microM DDP, the IC(50) of DDP to A549DDP cells was decreased to 94 microM; compared with the cells treated by 100 microM DDP alone, the reverse resistance of the latter was 3.5 times that of the former. Fluorescence microscopy showed that fluorescence was distributed uniformly in the nuclei of A549DD cells in the Rh2 group, DDP group, and the control group, and fluorescence were conglomerated like grain in the nuclei and apoptotic little substance appeared in the Rh2 + DDP group. The apoptotic rates of the control group, Rh2 group, DDP group, and DDP + Rh2 group were 6.1% +/- 1.0%, 5.9% +/- 1.1%, 8.2% +/- 1.0%, and 59.5% +/- 1.2% with a significant difference between the DDP + Rh2 group and control group (P < 0.01). There was no evident apoptotic apex in the control group, Rh2 group and DDP group, whereas there was distinct apoptotic apex in the Rh2 + DDP group. The radioactivity of (99m)Tc-MIBI could be incepted by the 4 groups. The radioactivity of the DDP + Rh2 group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05) and there were no significant difference in radioactivity between the other 3 groups and the control group (all P > 0.05). The radioactivity of the A549 cells was significantly higher than that of the A549DDP cells (P < 0.01). Dense (99m)Tc-MIBI image of tumor could be seen in the A549 group mice, control group mice, and DDP group mice, the latter 2 groups with lighter images. No tumor image was seen in the Rh2 + DDP group mice. The R or R' value in the A549 group mice was remarkably higher than those in the control group and DDP group mice (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: (99m)Tc-MIBI can be used to examine the resistance of lung adenocarcinoma A549DDP cells. Gensenoside Rh2 of in-toxic concentration can reverse the resistance of lung adenocarcinoma A549DDP cells to cisplatin.

[Relevant factors of nm23 protein expression and dangerous factors of bone metastasis in breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relevant factors of the expression of nm23 protein and the dangerous factors of bone metastasis in breast cancer. METHODS: Seventy-six breast cancer patients confirmed by histological examination after surgeries were enrolled in this study. nm23 protein expressions in original breast cancer tissues were detected by immunohistochemical procedures. The relevant factors of nm23 protein expression and the dangerous factors of bone metastasis were conducted logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the 58 breast cancer patients who did not have bone metastasis in the observation period, 55 did not have bone metastasis;while the other 18 breast cancer patients having bone metastasis were confirmed in only 14 patients. The correction was 94.83% and 77.78% respectively. The general correction was 90.79%. CONCLUSION: The detection of nm23 protein is helpful to evaluate prognosis and improve the therapy. It is one of the important methods to instruct the breast cancer patients to perform radio-nuclide imaging in the follow-up.

[99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion tomography for monitoring the anthracycline cardiotoxicity].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion tomography monitoring the cardiotoxicity induced by anthracycline. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with anthracycline chemotherapy were examined by electrocardiogram (ECG), myocardial enzyme (CK-MB), nuclear angiography for detecting left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion tomography for detecting myocardial relative quantity (MRQ). These examinations were repeated after every chemotherapy. RESULTS: The MRQ after one period of anthracycline chemotherapy was significantly lower than the pretherapy in 23 patients (P < 0.01). The MRQ significantly decreased after one period of chemotherapy in 11 patients treated by pirarubicin, in 6 by epirubicin, and 6 by mitoxantrone (P < 0.05). There was not significant change in the mean value of ECG and CK-MB after one period of chemotherapy (P > 0.05). After multiple-period anthracycline chemotherapy in 10 patients, a decrease was observed in MRQ (P < 0.01). There was not significant difference in MRQ between multiple periods and one period therapy (P > 0.05) and in LVEF in the period before and after multiple-period chemotherapy (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion tomography can monitor the anthracycline cardiotoxicity and its changes are earlier than LVEF's. 99mTC-MIBI myocardial perfusion tomography may be helpful to the clinical treatment for anthracycline.