New model of PIRADS and adjusted prostatespecific antigen density of peripheral zone improves the detection rate of initial prostate biopsy: a diagnostic study / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study explored a new model of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) and adjusted prostate-specific antigen density of peripheral zone (aPSADPZ) for predicting the occurrence of prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). The demographic and clinical characteristics of 853 patients were recorded. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA density (PSAD), PSAD of peripheral zone (PSADPZ), aPSADPZ, and peripheral zone volume ratio (PZ-ratio) were calculated and subjected to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The calibration and discrimination abilities of new nomograms were verified with the calibration curve and area under the ROC curve (AUC). The clinical benefits of these models were evaluated by decision curve analysis and clinical impact curves. The AUCs of PSA, PSAD, PSADPZ, aPSADPZ, and PZ-ratio were 0.669, 0.762, 0.659, 0.812, and 0.748 for PCa diagnosis, while 0.713, 0.788, 0.694, 0.828, and 0.735 for csPCa diagnosis, respectively. All nomograms displayed higher net benefit and better overall calibration than the scenarios for predicting the occurrence of PCa or csPCa. The new model significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy of PCa (0.945 vs 0.830, P < 0.01) and csPCa (0.937 vs 0.845, P < 0.01) compared with the base model. In addition, the number of patients with PCa and csPCa predicted by the new model was in good agreement with the actual number of patients with PCa and csPCa in high-risk threshold. This study demonstrates that aPSADPZ has a higher predictive accuracy for PCa diagnosis than the conventional indicators. Combining aPSADPZ with PIRADS can improve PCa diagnosis and avoid unnecessary biopsies.

p38 MAPK is Crucial for Wnt1-and LiCl-Induced Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by myofibroblast foci in lung parenchyma.Myofibroblasts are thought to originate from epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).Wnt1 and lithium chloride (LiCl) induce EMT in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs),but the mechanisms are unclear.AECs were treated with Wnt1 and LiCl,respectively;morphological change and molecular changes of EMT,including E-cadherin,fibronectin,and vimentin,were observed.SB203580 was administrated to test the role of p38 MAPK signaling in EMT.Then AECs were treated with siRNAs targeting p38 MAPK to further test the effects of p38 MAPK,and the role was further confirmed by re-expression of p38 MAPK.At last β-catenin siRNA was used to test the role of β-catenin in the EMT process and relationship of β-catenin and p38 MAPK was concluded.Exposure of AECs to Wnt1 and LiCl resulted in upregulation of vimentin and fibronectin with subsequent downregulation of E-cadherin.Wnt1 and LiCl stimulated the p38 MAPK signaling pathways.Perturbing the p38 MAPK pathway either by SB203580 or through p38 MAPK siRNA blocked EMT and inhibited fibronetin synthesis,which were reversed by transfection of p38 MAPK expression plasmid.β-catenin siRNA attenuated the EMT process and decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation,indicating that β-catenin is involved in the EMT-related changes through regulation of p38 MAPK phosphorylation.These findings suggest that p38 MAPK participates in the pathogenesis of EMT through Wnt pathway and that p38 MAPK may be a novel target for IPF therapy.

p38 MAPK is Crucial for Wnt1-and LiCl-Induced Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by myofibroblast foci in lung parenchyma.Myofibroblasts are thought to originate from epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).Wnt1 and lithium chloride (LiCl) induce EMT in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs),but the mechanisms are unclear.AECs were treated with Wnt1 and LiCl,respectively;morphological change and molecular changes of EMT,including E-cadherin,fibronectin,and vimentin,were observed.SB203580 was administrated to test the role of p38 MAPK signaling in EMT.Then AECs were treated with siRNAs targeting p38 MAPK to further test the effects of p38 MAPK,and the role was further confirmed by re-expression of p38 MAPK.At last β-catenin siRNA was used to test the role of β-catenin in the EMT process and relationship of β-catenin and p38 MAPK was concluded.Exposure of AECs to Wnt1 and LiCl resulted in upregulation of vimentin and fibronectin with subsequent downregulation of E-cadherin.Wnt1 and LiCl stimulated the p38 MAPK signaling pathways.Perturbing the p38 MAPK pathway either by SB203580 or through p38 MAPK siRNA blocked EMT and inhibited fibronetin synthesis,which were reversed by transfection of p38 MAPK expression plasmid.β-catenin siRNA attenuated the EMT process and decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation,indicating that β-catenin is involved in the EMT-related changes through regulation of p38 MAPK phosphorylation.These findings suggest that p38 MAPK participates in the pathogenesis of EMT through Wnt pathway and that p38 MAPK may be a novel target for IPF therapy.

Diagnostic Value of Prospective Electrocardiogram-triggered Dual-source Computed Tomography Angiography for Infants and Children with Interrupted Aortic Arch / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Accurate assessment of intra- as well as extra-cardiac malformations and radiation dosage concerns are especially crucial to infants and children with interrupted aortic arch (IAA). The purpose of this study is to investigate the value of prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) angiography with low-dosage techniques in the diagnosis of IAA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirteen patients with suspected IAA underwent prospective ECG-triggered DSCT scan and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Surgery was performed on all the patients. A five-point scale was used to assess image quality. The diagnostic accuracy of DSCT angiography and TTE was compared with the surgical findings as the reference standard. A nonparametric Chi-square test was used for comparative analysis. P <0.05 was considered as a significant difference. The mean effective radiation dose (ED) was calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Diagnostic DSCT images were obtained for all the patients. Thirteen IAA cases with 60 separate cardiovascular anomalies were confirmed by surgical findings. The diagnostic accuracy of TTE and DSCT for total cardiovascular malformations was 93.7% and 97.9% (P > 0.05), and that for extra-cardiac vascular malformations was 92.3% and 99.0% (P < 0.05), respectively. The mean score of image quality was 3.77 ± 0.83. The mean ED was 0.30 ± 0.04 mSv (range from 0.23 mSv to 0.39 mSv).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In infants and children with IAA, prospective ECG-triggered DSCT with low radiation exposure and high diagnostic efficiency has higher accuracy compared to TTE in detection of extra-cardiac vascular anomalies.</p>

Comparison of low-dose sequences of dual-source CT and echocardiography for preoperative evaluation of aortic valve disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Accurate evaluation of coronary artery, aortic valve annulus diameter (AVAD), and cardiac function in patients with aortic valve disease is of great significance for surgical strategy. In this study, we explored the preoperative evaluation of low-dose sequence (MinDose sequence) scan of dual-source CT (DSCT) for those patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty patients suspected for aortic valve disease (the experimental group) underwent MinDose sequence of DSCT to observe coronary artery, AVAD, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Another 33 subjects suspected for coronary artery disease (the control group) underwent conventional retrospective electrocardiographically-gated sequence of DSCT. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) and four-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (4D-TTE) were applied in the experimental group to measure AVAD and LVEF and compared with MinDose-DSCT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a strong correlation between LVEFs measured by 2D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT (r = 0.87, P < 0.01), as well as between 4D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT (r = 0.90, P < 0.01). AVAD measured by MinDose-DSCT was in good agreement with corresponding measurements by 2D-TTE (r = 0.90, P < 0.01). The effective dose in the experimental group was 63.54% lower than that in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MinDose sequence of DSCT with a low radiation dose serving as a one-stop preoperative evaluation makes effective assessment of the coronary artery, AVAD, and LVEF for patients with aortic valve disease.</p>

MRI Features of Spinal Epidural Angiolipomas

OBJECTIVE: To describe the MRI findings in ten patients of spinal epidural angiolipoma for differentiated diagnosis presurgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten surgically proved cases of spinal epidural angiolipomas were retrospectively reviewed, and the lesion was classified according to the MR findings. RESULTS: Ten tumors were located in the superior (n = 4), middle (n = 2), or inferior (n = 4) thoracic level. The mass, with the spindle shape, was located in the posterior epidural space and extended parallel to the long axis of the spine. All lesions contained a fat and vascular element. The vascular content, correlating with the presence of hypointense regions on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and hyperintense signals on T2-weighted imaging, had marked enhancement. However, there were no flow void signs on MR images. All tumors were divided into two types based on the MR features. In type 1 (n = 3), the mass was predominantly composed of lipomatous tissue (> 50%) and contained only a few small angiomatous regions, which had a trabeculated or mottled appear. In type 2 (n = 7), the mass, however, was predominantly composed of vascular components (> 50%), which presented as large foci in the center of the mass. CONCLUSION: Most spinal epidural angiolipomas exhibit hyperintensity on T1WI while the hypointense region on the noncontrast T1WI indicates to be vascular, which manifests an obvious enhancement with gadolinium administration.

Biological characteristics of the cerebral venous system and its hemodynamic response to intracranial hypertension / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The role of the cerebral venous system (CVS) in intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation remains largely unclear. In the present study, the interaction between ICP and the cerebral venous system and its possible mechanism were investigated with respect to the biological characteristics of the cerebral venous system and its hemodynamic response under increased ICP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We created intracranial hypertension animal model, measured and calculated the venous flow velocity and diameter of the outflow terminal of the CVS with color ultrasonic system and recorded the vascular morphology by 3-dimensional anatomical microscopy. Patients who suffered from raised ICP underwent MRI and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) examination to show the length in the vertical direction of the wall of the bridging vein representing the diameter value. Pathological autopsy was performed from bodies of patients who had died from non-cerebral causes to observe the juncture part between the venous sinuses and tributary vertical brain veins.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Under increased ICP conditions, venous drainage through the outlet cuff segment, a unique structure between the bridge vein and sinus, was obstructed and in turn venous blood became congested. Therefore, the increased blood volume worsened the pre-existing ICP according to the well-accepted theory regarding volume-pressure relationship. This phenomenon was described as concurrent "venogenic intracranial hypertension", which is characterized by intracranial venous blood stasis responsive to and together with the original increased ICP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The existence of this special pathophysiological process is prevalent, rather than rare, in various intracranial disorders. This finding would definitely provide new insight into the area of cerebral venous system research.</p>

Lifting-thrusting and rotating manipulations: a comparison on energy input / 中国针灸

Through the energy input model of lifting-thrusting and rotating manipulations, using the theory of energy density, energy flux density and sound intensity level in physics, the average energy flux intensity and frequency distributions of average poynting's vector were calculated respectively within the range of infrasound. According to the distribution table, it was discovered that both of the energy flux density and sound intensity level during the process of acupuncture were high. And it was concluded that the essence of meridians was probably fascial tissues which were rich in elastic fibers and collagenous fibers. The heat-producing needling with reinforcing effect (setting the moutain on fire) which focused on forceful thrusting was held to be the result of the action of same position solitary wave. And the coolness-producing needling with reducing effect (thorough heavenly cool) emphasized on the manipulation of forceful lifting was considered as the action of opposite position solitary wave. The energy input of lifting-thrusting manipulation is comparatively larger than the rotating method, however without significant difference. The speed of manipulations applied is regarded to have greater impact on energy transmission. And the energy produced by rotating manipulation can be better transmitted through meridians.

Diagnostic value of dual-source CT in Kawasaki disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Doppler color echocardiography is a common method for detecting coronary artery lesions in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). However, the diagnostic accuracy for the whole coronary artery lesions is limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) and Doppler color echocardiography for the assessment of coronary artery lesions caused by KD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen patients, 12 with typical KD and 4 with atypical KD, underwent DSCT and Doppler color echocardiography. The position and internal diameter of each coronary artery lesion was measured. Correlation analysis was used to compare the diagnostic value of the two imaging modalities.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the typical KD group, seven patients did not have any coronary artery lesion as confirmed by both DSCT scans and Doppler color echocardiography; in four patients proximal coronary artery injuries were identified by both modalities; in one patient an aneurysm in the middle and distal segments of the coronary artery was detected by DSCT but was negative in Doppler color echocardiography. In the atypical KD group, three cases showed the same results with both modalities, while one case with coronary artery stenosis in the middle segment was identified by DSCT but not detected by Doppler color echocardiography. There was a good correlation between the two imaging modalities (Kappa value, 0.768 (>or= 0.75)).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DSCT coronary artery angiography is an accurate, non-invasive, and valuable technique for detecting and following up coronary artery lesions in patients with KD.</p>

Significance of the preoperative guidance of dual-source CT in carotid body tumor / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Accurate views of the head and neck vessels, tumor angiogenesis and the relationship of tumor and the surrounding blood vessels are especially crucial to carotid body tumor (CBT) patients. The aim of this study was to explore the value of dual-source CT (DSCT) cerebral and carotid angiography in CBT diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DSCT cerebral and carotid angiography was performed on nine patients with CBT. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstruction images were obtained by means of multiple planar reconstructions (MPR), maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume rendering (VR). All patients were subjected to color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) examination. Two kinds of examinations were performed in 3 days, and all patients were confirmed by surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DSCT angiography was successful in all patients. CBTs were diagnosed in 9 patients with 10 lesions (1 case had multiple bilateral CBTs). The largest lesion was 12 cm in diameter, and the smallest one was 1.6 cm in diameter. All patients had clearly demonstrated head and neck vessels, tumor angiogenesis, and tumor relationship with the surrounding blood vessels. The internal and external carotid artery (ICA, ECA) were involved in 2 cases. There were 7 cases with basilar artery ring integrity, and 1 case had the posterior communicating artery absent; 1 case had middle cerebral artery stenosis; 4 cases (4 tumors) showed arterial phase homogeneous enhancement; 5 cases (6 tumors) had obvious heterogeneous enhancement where irregular low-density necrosis could be seen in the tumors. CDFI could demonstrate the nearby blood vessels and tumor structure, instead of tumor angiogenesis. However, DSCT can display both the tumor and the peripheral vascular tumor angiogenesis consistent with surgical findings.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>DSCT cerebral and carotid angiography can provide reliable information for the operation. It might be a valuable CBT diagnostic method by showing accurate views of the CBT along with the bilateral neck and brain blood vessels.</p>

Analysis on the mechanism of acupuncture infrasound energy in treatment of diseases / 中国针灸

Infrasound is a sound wave with vibration frequency of less than 20 Hz, characterized by a longer wavelength, weak attenuating and strong penetration power, etc. Since the inherent frequencies of the human body and the organs are within infrasound vibration range, so infrasound has a stronger effect on the human body. The study found that the process of acupuncture at acupoints could be regarded as one containing a forced vibration with damping, and in the acupuncture, a infrasound of 2-15 Hz could be produced, which can easily has a resonance with the human body and the organs. By calculation of the sound pressure and sound strength in acupuncture, it was found that acupuncture infrasound had four characteristics: small total energy, small amplitude, strong voice, and orientation spreading along the meridian line. Because the meridian lines are the good pathway to spread low-frequency sound, acupuncture infrasound energy can successfully pass the meridian lines to reach the focus, penetrate the morbid tissues and improve the functions of tissues or organs.

Inhibition of mitochondria responsible for the anti-apoptotic effects of melatonin during ischemia-reperfusion / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate a possible mechanism responsible for anti-apoptotic effects of melatonin and provide theoretical evidences for clinical therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ischemia-reperfusion mediated neuronal cell injury model was constructed in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) by deprivation of glucose, serum and oxygen in media. After ischemia, melatonin was added to the test groups to reach differential concentration during reperfusion. DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activity were observed after subjecting cerebellar granule neurons to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that OGD induced typical cell apoptosis change, DNA ladder and apoptosis-related alterations in mitochondrial functions including depression of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (its maximal protection ratio was 73.26%) and release of cytochrome c (its maximal inhibition ratio was 42.52%) and the subsequent activation of caspase-3 (its maximal protection ratio was 59.32%) in cytoplasm. Melatonin reduced DNA damage and inhibited release of mitochondrial cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3. Melatonin can strongly prevent the OGD-induced loss of the mitochondria membrane potential.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our findings suggested that the direct inhibition of mitochondrial pathway might essentially contribute to its anti-apoptotic effects in neuronal ischemia-reperfusion.</p>

The application of multi-slice CT dynamic enhancement scan in the diagnosis and treatment of colonic lymphomas / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the value of multi-slice CT dynamic enhancement scan in the diagnosis and treatment of colonic lymphomas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>16 patients with colonic lymphomas underwent multi-slice CT dynamic enhancement scans, images of axial and reconstructive images of VR, MPR and CTVE were analyzed, patients were respectively diagnosed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Appearances of primary colorectal lymphomas were categorized into focal and diffuse lesions. Focal and diffuse lesions were 6 and 10 patients, respectively. The accuracy rate of diagnosis was 87.5%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MSCT dynamic scan has distinctive superiority in diagnosis and treatment of colonic lymphomas.</p>

Melatonin in in vitro apoptosis of H22 hepatocarcinoma cells / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of melatonin (MLT) in in vitro apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The apoptotic cells, bcl-2 and bax were detected through immunocytochemical method (ICC) and Tolt-mediated x-duTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Computer image analysis system was used to quantify the expression of bcl-2 and bax by detecting the absorbance value of positive products. Apoptosis index (AI) was used to quantify the number of apoptotic cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In vitro, AI increase was both concentration- and time-dependent through TUNEL. During the same duration, AI of medium dose group was higher than that of low dose and control group (P < 0.05); AI of high dose, medium dose and 5-Fu group were higher than those of low dose and control group (P < 0.01), however, there was no significant difference between the low dose and control group (P > 0.05). At the same dose, in high dose, medium dose and 5-Fu group, the change of AI showed significant difference from 24 to 36 hours (P < 0.05). The expression of bcl-2 was down-regulated as the MLT increased, and there was significant difference between the low dose and control group (P < 0.01). But, the expression of bax was up-regulated as the dose of MLT increased, showing significant difference between the high dose and control groups (P < 0.01). As time went on, the expression of bcl-2 was decreased and in every group, with the change in absorbance value of bcl-2 significantly different from 24 to 36 hours (P < 0.05), whereas that of bax remained almost unchanged. The ratio of bax/bcl-2 was increased with the increase in the concentration of MLT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Melatonin may induce apoptosis in the hepatocarcinoma cells which is concentration- and time-dependent, in which bcl-2 and bax are involved.</p>

Role of 64-slices spiral CT in acute chest pains / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore role of 64-slices spiral CT in differetiation of acute chest pains.Methods Thirty six patients with acute chest pains were performed 64-slices spiral CT chest angiography.Two-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstruction was performed in all patients by means of multiplanar reconstruction(MPR)(coronal,sgittal oblique),curved planar reformation(CPR), maximum intensity projection(MIP),and volume rendering(VR).All images were blindly reading by two experienced radiologist.DSA were performed at the same time in 16 cases.Results The coronary artery branches,pulmonary artery and aortic artery in all patients were showed clearly,The acute myocardial infarction were showed in 10 cases,The pulmonary artery embolism in 14 cases,The aortic dissection in 6 cases respectively,The Coronary embolism in One case ,pneumothorax In One case The constrictive pericarditis in 1 case respectively.Normal findings in 4 cases.Conclusion 64-slices spiral CT is a useful and noninvasive examination in acute chest pain.

The value of 64-slice spiral CT angiography based on pre-contrasted raw data in diagnosing pulmonary arteriovenous fistula / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of 64-slice spiral CT angiography based on pre- contrasted raw data in diagnosing pulmonary arteriovenous fistula.Methods 64-slice spiral CT plain scan and enhanced scan was performed in 16 patients with pulmonary arteriovenous fistula,pulmonary angiography based on pre-contrast and post-contrast raw data was performed respectively,including maximum intensity projection(MIP),shaded-surface display(SSD),and volume rendering(VR).According to the results of angiocardiography and surgical findings,comparson of the three methods was made in the display of PAVF in pre-contrast and post-contrast phase images.Results 8 of the 16 PAVF cases were single lesion,8 cases were multi-lesions.30 PAVF lesions were found in all the patients.MIP,SSD and VR based on pre-contrast raw data displayed PAVF lesions in 20,14,and 22,respectively.The combination of the 3 methods based on pre-contrast raw data could show 26 PAVF lesions.MIP,SSD,and VR based on post-contrast raw data displayed PAVF lesions in 24,18,and 30,respectively.The combination of the 3 methods based on post- contrast raw data could show 30 PAVF lesions.Conclusion 64-slice spiral CT angiography based on pre- contrasted raw data can clearly show the position,number,and shape of PAVF lesions,which is of great value in diagnosing PAVF.