Effect of lumbar bone marrow composition on bone marrow diffusion signal intensity and apparent diffusion coefficient in healthy adult women / 重庆医学

Objective To analyze the effect of lumbar bone marrow composition on bone marrow diffu-sion-weighted imaging(DWI)in healthy adult women.Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on up-per abdominal MRI of 103 adult women.Bone marrow fat fraction of lumbar vertebra was measured according to two-point water-lipid separation technique,and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value of lumbar verte-bra was measured according to DWI image(b=800 s/mm2).The subjects were divided into the high-signal group and the equal-low-signal group according to the signal intensity of lumbar vertebra and adjacent erector spine muscles.The effects of age,lumbar bone marrow fat fraction and menstrual status on the signal intensity and ADC value of lumbar bone marrow diffusion were analyzed.Finally,the correlation between lumbar bone marrow fat fraction and ADC value was analyzed.Results Univariate analysis showed that the lumbar bone marrow diffusion signal intensity and ADC value were affected by age,lumbar bone marrow fat fraction and menstrual status(P＜0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that age(P=0.046)and lumbar bone marrow fat fraction(P=0.005)were the influencing factors of lumbar bone marrow diffusion signal intensity,but men-strual status(P=0.242)was not the influencing factor.In addition,lumbar bone marrow fat fraction(P＜0.001)was the factor influencing the ADC value of lumbar bone marrow,and the two were negatively correla-ted(r=-0.607,P＜0.001),but age(P=0.497)and menstrual status(P=0.082)were not the influencing factors.Conclusion The bone marrow composition of lumbar vertebrae in healthy adult women has significant effects on the signal intensity and ADC value of bone marrow diffusion.

Clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine therapy for female stress urinary incontinence: a meta-analysis / Eficácia clínica da terapia da medicina tradicional chinesa para a incontinência urinária de esforço feminina: uma meta-análise / Eficacia clínica de la terapia de medicina tradicional china para la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo femenina: un metaanálisis

ABSTRACT Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Method: PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched for articles published up to September 2022. Variables were analyzed using weighted mean difference (WMD), standardized mean difference (SMD), odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Eight studies containing 744 patients were included in this study. The results demonstrate that TCM therapy had more advantages in improving the clinical outcome of SUI patients (OR = 2.90, 95%CI:1.92-4.37, P = 0.000), reducing the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form (ICIQ-SF) score (WMD = -2.41, 95%CI:-2.83- -1.98, P = 0.000), reducing 1-h urinary pad leakage urine volume (WMD = -1.86, 95%CI:-2.23- -1.49, P = 0.000) and increasing Maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) (SMD = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.61-1.11, P = 0.000). Conclusion: TCM therapy is effective in improving urinary incontinence symptoms, urodynamics, and quality of life in patients with SUI. This article provides a reference for the application of TCM therapy in women with urinary incontinence.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Investigar la eficacia de la medicina tradicional china (MTC) en el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo (IUE) femenina. Método: Se llevaron a cabo búsquedas de artículos publicados hasta septiembre de 2022 en las bases de datos PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang y VIP. Las variables se analizaron mediante la diferencia de medias ponderada (DMP), la diferencia de medias estandarizada (DME), la razón de momios (RM) y el intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95%. Resultados: Este estudio incluyó ocho investigaciones con la participación de 744 pacientes. Los resultados indican que la terapia de medicina tradicional china (MTC) presentó mejoras significativas en los resultados clínicos de pacientes con incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo (IUE) (RM = 2.90, IC del 95%: 1.92-4.37, P = 0.000), al reducir la puntuación del Cuestionario Internacional sobre la Incontinencia y su impacto en la calidad de vida (ICIQ-SF) (DMP = -2.41, IC del 95%: -2.83- -1.98, P = 0.000), así como la disminución del volumen de orina a la 1 hora de fuga de la almohadilla urinaria (DMP = -1.86, IC del 95%: -2.23- -1.49, P = 0.000) y el aumento de la presión de cierre uretral máxima (PCUM) (DME = 0.86, IC del 95%: 0.61-1.11, P = 0.000). Conclusión: La terapia de medicina tradicional china (MTC) resulta efectiva en la mejora de los síntomas de la incontinencia urinaria, la urodinámica y la calidad de vida en pacientes con incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo (IUE). Este artículo ofrece una referencia para la aplicación de la terapia de MTC en mujeres con incontinencia urinaria.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a eficácia da medicina tradicional chinesa (MTC) no tratamento da incontinência urinária de esforço (IUE) feminina. Método: Foram realizadas pesquisas de artigos publicados até setembro de 2022 nas bases de dados PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang e VIP. As variáveis foram analisadas por meio da diferença de média ponderada (DMP), da diferença média padronizada (DMP), da razão de chances (RC) e do intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%. Resultados: Esta pesquisa envolveu oito estudos, contando com a participação de 744 pacientes. Os resultados indicam que a terapia da medicina tradicional chinesa (MTC) apresentou melhorias significativas nos resultados clínicos de pacientes com incontinência urinária de esforço (IUE) (RM = 2.90, IC de 95%: 1.92-4.37, P = 0.000), ao reduzir a pontuação do Questionário Internacional sobre a Incontinência Urinária - Versão Breve (ICIQ-SF) (Diferença de Média Ponderada = -2.41, IC de 95%: -2.83- -1.98, P = 0.000), assim como na diminuição do volume de urina na 1 hora de vazamento do absorvente urinário (Diferença de Média Ponderada = -1.86, IC de 95%: -2.23- -1.49, P = 0.000) e no aumento da pressão máxima de encerramento uretral (PMCU) (Diferença Média Padronizada = 0.86, IC de 95%: 0.61-1.11, P = 0.000). Conclusão: A terapia da medicina tradicional chinesa (MTC) é eficaz na melhoria dos sintomas da incontinência urinária, na urodinâmica e na qualidade de vida em pacientes com incontinência urinária de esforço (IUE). Este artigo fornece uma referência para a aplicação da terapia da MTC em mulheres com incontinência urinária.

LRG1 alleviates Aβ1-42-induced SH-SY5Y cell damage by inhibiting the activation of p38/MAPK pathway / 中风与神经疾病杂志

@#Objective　To explore the role and mechanism of LRG1 in the cell model of Aβ1-42-induced Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods　Aβ1-42 stimulated SH-SY5Y cells was used to build AD cell model in vitro.The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect cell aviability.LRG1 transcriptional level was measured through real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).The phosphorylation level of p38 and the protein levels of LRG1,Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blot.Apoptosis rate was checked by flow CytoMetry.Results　The results showed that treatment of Aβ1-42 in SH-SY5Y cells significantly reduced cell aviability and increased LRG1 protein level.LRG1 silencing promoted the cell aviability and inhibited apoptosis that induced by Aβ1-42.Silencing LRG1 reversed the changes of Bcl-2 and Bax protein levels which induced by Aβ1-42.Silencing LRG1 inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 that induced by Aβ1-42.In addition,U-46619 (p38 specific activator) reversed the protective effect of LRG1 silencing on Aβ1-42-treated SH-SY5Y cell damage.Conclusion　These results suggest that LRG1 silencing alleviates cell injury that induced by Aβ1-42 through deactivating of the p38/MAPK signaling pathway.

Anesthesia management of cervical chordoma resection: A case report / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Chordoma is a slow-growing, locally invasive, lowgrade malignant tumor with a prevalence of one in 100 000, accounting for 1%-4% of all malignant bone tumors. At present, it is considered that chordoma originates from ectopic embryonic chordal tissue and can occur in any part of the spine from the skull base to the sacrum. About 50% of chordoma occurs in the sacrococcygeal region, about 30% in the skull base, and the rest occurs in the active spinal region. Cervical chordoma is rare, but it may be accompanied by difficult airways. The tumors compress the pharynx and throat forward, which can cause upper airway obstruction. If the anesthesia is not properly handled, the patient may die of asphyxia. The core issues of airway management during the perioperative period of cervical chordoma surgery involve three main parts: preoperative airway evaluation, airway management and extubation management. Difficult airway assessment often relies on physical examination indicators, such as inter-incisor gap, thyromental distance, neck circumference, Mallampati test, etc. But the accuracy is insufficient. The application of imaging examination in the observation of different tissues can make up for the inaccurate evaluation of the internal structure of the airway. Because chordoma destroys cervical vertebral body and accessories, cervical stability is impaired. Excessive cervical vertebral extention should be avoided during tracheal intubation to prevent severe compression of the spinal cord. It is better to fix the head by an assistant and perform neutral tracheal intubation. Considering that the patient with a difficult airway that could be predicted before operation, the strategy of tracheal intubation under conscious sedation with topical anesthesia was selected. After sedation and topical anesthesia, the patient was successfully intubated with optical stylet. After operation, the patient returned to ICU with tracheal catheter. On the 4th day after operation, the tracheal tube was pulled out. On the 5th day after operation, the patient was transferred to the orthopaedic ward and discharged on the 7th day after operation. It is of great significance to establish specific strategies for such operations to reduce related complications, speed up post-operative rehabilitation and save medical resources. We reported the anesthetic management of cervical chordoma cured in Peking University Third Hospital.

Generality and specificity of cognitive control: research logics and debates / 生理学报

As a high-level cognitive function of actively regulating human behaviors, cognitive control plays essential roles in conflict processing, working memory, decision making and so on. However, it is still under debate whether a universal cognitive control mechanism underlies the processing of various conflicts. Many existing theories tend to hold that cognitive control is domain-general; however, this view has been challenged by recent empirical studies. The logics of studying generality/specificity mainly include transferability, parallel comparison, correlation and resources competition, etc. Current empirical findings support that cognitive control is domain-general, domain-specific or both, respectively. To tackle this controversy, future studies about cognitive control can be performed from the perspectives of life-span development, the dynamic brain network, combination of multiple logics, causal relationship from brain injury, computational modeling, cognitive flexibility and functional connectivity.

The antenatal diagnosis of placentaaccreta by ultrasound / 医学研究生学报

As one of the pregnancy complications， Placenta accreta is becoming increasingly common. Ultrasound is the primary technique for prenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta, whereas the features of the image are complex and the diagnostic criteria are not still uncover. This article reviewed the ultrasonographic features of placenta accrete on two-dimensional, color doppler and power doppler ultrasonography.

Diffusion tensor imaging in differential diagnosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma / 中国介入影像与治疗学

Objective To evaluate the value of ADC and FA of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in differentiating clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of kidney pelvis.Methods Thirty-eight histopathology proven ccRCC and TCC patients (29 cases of ccRCC and 9 cases of TCC) were retrospectively enrolled.All the patients were performed abdominal MR fat saturation T1WI,fat saturation T2WI,LAVA and DTI (b=0,600 s/mm2).MR images were reviewed and analyzed by two radiologists in a double-blind manner with the value of ADC and FA measured using the Functool on AW 4.4 workstation.The data of two observers were analyzed with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) to assess inter-observer consistency.The differences of ADC values and FA values between ccRCC and TCC were compared by independent t-test.The ROC curves were used to analyze and compare the diagnostic value of DTI in differentiating ccRCC and TCC.Results The inter-observer agreements were good (ICC＞0.75).The ADC value of ccRCC was statistically higher than that of TCC ([2.03 ± 0.49] × 10-3 mm2/s vs [1.57 ± 0.43] × 10-3 mm2/s,P =0.015).But the FA value of ccRCC was statistically lower than that of TCC ([0.24±0.10] vs [0.42±0.22],P=0.002).The area under the ROC curve of ADC was 0.761 (P＜0.05),and the sensitivity and specificity were 79.3％ and 77.8％.The ADC threshold for differentiating ccRCC from TCC was 1.59× 10-3 mm2/s.The area under the ROC of FA was 0.762 (P＜ 0.05),and the sensitivity and specificity were 66.7 ％ and 93.1％.The FA threshold for differentiating ccRCC from TCC was 0.326.Conclusion MR DTI can effectively discriminate ccRCC and TCC.FA values has good diagnostic specificity in differentiating between ccRCC and TCC.

The detection value of single source-dual energy CT for bladder cancer with hematoma / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To assess the utility of single source-dual energy CT for distinguishing bladder cancer from hematoma. Methods We retrospectively identified 14 patients with postoperative or follow-up bladder hematoma who had undergone dual energy protocol (40-140 keV)scanning by single source-dual energy CT.The subjective scoring of tumor detection and image quality,the optimal monochrome images and iodine-water images were evaluated by two radiologists who didn’t know the results.The consistency of two observers was analyzed by Kappa test.Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the difference between the two kinds of diseases and ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency.The statistical differences of image quality scoring among different images were obtained by using Mann-Whitney U test.Results The consistency of the two observers about scoring of lesion detection was good for all groups.There were statistical differences between two groups in non-enhanced phase and arterial phase of mixed-energy images,non-enhanced phase,arterial phase and delayed phase of optimal monochromatic images,and all phase of iodine-water images. The AUC of iodine-water images in the four phases (0.985,1.000,0.955,0.924,respectively)were all higher than that of polychrome unenhanced and arterial phase images (0.909,0.909).The diagnostic efficiency of arterial phase on iodine-water images was the highest.Sensitivity and specificity were both 100% when score was greater than 2.5.There was no statistical difference between two kinds of diseases on non-enhanced phase,delayed phases of mixed-energy or monochromatic images(P >0.05).There were no statistical differences in image quality scoring among the three groups with the same phases (P>0.05).Conclusion Optimal monochromatic images and iodine-water images of single source-dual energy CT are more effective than conventional CT in distinguishing bladder cancer from hematoma.

Determination of Fumonisin B1 and Fumonisin B2 in Formula Feeds for Livestock and Poultry by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry / 分析化学

A method was developed for the determination of fumonisin B1 ( FB1 ) and fumonisin B2 ( FB2 ) in livestock and poultry formula feeds by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS. After extracted by acetonitrile-water (50: 50, V/V) and purified with MAX solid phase extraction column, the fumonisins were separated by Thermo C18(100 mm×2. 1 mm, 5 μm) column with 0. 1% formic acid in water and methanol as the mobile phase. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used to acquire mass spectrometric data under electrospray positive ionization mode ( ESI+) . The results showed that the linear correlation coefficients (R2) of fumonisin FB1 and FB2 were all greater than 0. 999 in the range of 1-500 μg/L. The limits of quantitation (LOQ) were 0. 098 and 0. 197 μg/L, and the limits of detection ( LOD) were 0. 328 and 0. 656 μg/L, respectively. At different spiked levels, the recoveries of FB1 and FB2 were ranged from 89. 7% to 95. 1%, and the relative standard deviation ( RSD) was ranged from 3. 2% to 8. 6%. Additionally, the detection rate reached 98. 11% screening through the established method in the 106 livestock and poultry formula feeds collected from markets. This result indicates that the method is suitable for accurate quantitative analysis of FB1 and FB2 in different complicated livestock and poultry formula feeds.

Contraindications of spirit (shen) in acupuncture and moxibustion / 中国针灸

ABSTRACT The taboos of man-spirit (RenShen) and bottom-spirit (KaoShen) are two kinds of time-related contraindications that are more commonly seen in the literature of acupuncture and moxibustion. The meaning of man-spirit is often extended to qi-blood or mind, or else directly equals to heaven-spirit (TianShen). It is highly possible that the bottom-spirit is subordinate to man-spirit, and both Taoist philosophy and the SanCai theory declare the importance of bottom in human body. The violation of contraindications could lead to diseases in the neighborhood where man-spirit travels. However, the results are generally recorded as ulcer, lingering disease and death in most medical texts. From Ming dynasty, more and more doctors have expressed disapproval of man-spirit and bottom-spirit.

Research on acupuncture for throat diseases in Qing Dynasty / 中国针灸

The accurate acupoint and application of acupuncture for throat diseases described in Zheng Mei-jian's book Chonglou Yuyao (Jade key to the secluded chamber) is clarified through exploration on recordings of the relative acupuncture skills in medical literatures of the mid-Qing Dynasty. It is found that the so called open-the-wind-way-acupuncture includes at least two groups of acupoints on the hand and the head, they are applied respectively for light and severe cases of sore-throat. Together with the third group of points which is used for the extremely severe cases, the three groups of points are all classified into the concept of qi-acupuncture. Although the composition of acupoints and process of application are different in recordings of various medical literatures in same periods, the treating principles are all focused on "opening the passage for elimination of the wind so as to remove the pathogenic wind-heat and promote blood circulation".

Occluding effects of three new calcium desensitizers on dentinal tubules in vitro / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the occluding effects of three new calcium desensitizers on dentinal tubules in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-five dentin specimens of 1.00 mm thick from freshly extracted third molars were divided into five groups randomly. After treatment with 6% citric acid, group A was treated with distilled water, and group B-E were treated with NovaMin, Pro-Argin, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), and 75% NaF glycerin for 2 min respectively. Then the teeth were vertically cleaved into two sections. The surfaces and cross sections were observed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), which were analyzed by the Image-Pro Plus software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The percentage of dentin tubules sealed were (81.6 ± 6.1)%, (71.5 ± 6.3)%, (43.2 ± 2.6)%, (39.9 ± 4.1)% for groups B, C, D and E respectively, and the occluding depth were (30.33 ± 2.26), (24.55 ± 2.58), (16.10 ± 4.65) and (8.90 ± 1.51) µm respectively. The differences between these groups were statistically significant (P < 0.01) except for group B and C (P > 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between all the groups for the Ca/P ratios (P = 0.342).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NovaMin may have better immediate occluding effects than other desensitizers and could deposit a dentin-like mineral.</p>

Simultaneous determination of four alkaloids in Lindera aggregate by high performance liquid chromatography / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop an HPLC method for simultaneous determination of four major alkaloids in Lindera aggregate.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The analysis was carried out on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with gradient elution using acetonitrile-water (containing 0. 15% diethylamine, adjusted to pH = 3.0 with acetic acid) as mobile phase. Flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength was at 289 nm.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The calibration curves were linear over the range of 0.428-8.560 microg for boldine, 2.122-31.83 microg for norboldine, 0.760-15.20 microg for reticuline and 0.020 4-0.400 8 microg for linderegatine, respectively. The average recoveries were 99.18% for boldine, 101.0% for norboldine, 100.3% for reticuline and 99.17% for linderegatine, respectively. with RSD not more than 3.0%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The described method is reliable and convenient and could be used for the quality control of Lindera aggregate.</p>

Study of the relationship between the acupoints of Zhongzhu (TE 3), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and their corresponding cortical areas with the functional MRI / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Using the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to observe the distributed characteristic of excited cerebral cortical areas that induced by acupuncture-stimulating the Zhongzhu (TE 3) of the meridian of Hand-Shaoyang and Yanglingquan (GB 34) of the meridian of Foot-Shaoyang, and investigate the central neural mechanism on the effect of meridians and acupoints.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two right handed healthy volunteers were randomly divided into Zhongzhu (TE 3) group and Yanglingquan (GB 34) group. The functional cortical changes during acupuncture-stimulating the Zhongzhu (TE 3) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) were successively scanned with fMRI, and the effected areas were determined through analysing the obtained data with SPM2 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The main excited areas were bilateral frontal lobes, temporal lobes, cerebellum and occipital lobes successively in Zhongzhu (TE 3) group, and bilateral occipital lobes, cerebellum, frontal lobes and temporal lobes in Yanglingquan (GB 34) group in contrast.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture-stimulating both Zhongzhu (TE 3) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) can excite bilateral acoustic, visual and somatomotor cortices, which might be the central neural basis for clinical treatment on related diseases.</p>

Experimental study of human adipocyte dedifferentiation for adipose tissue engineering / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the dedifferentiation of mature adipocytes and the possibility of adipose tissue engineering using dedifferentiated adipocytes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human adipose tissue was harvested from healthy women undergoing abdominal liposuction procedures, and mature adipocytes were isolated with enzymatic digestion and cultured by ceiling adherent culture method, using the third-passage cells for subsequent experiment. The cells were cultured in adipogenic, chondrogenic or osteogenic media, and Oil red-O staining, Alcian blue staining and Alizarin red staining were used for dedifferentiation identification. The third-passage cells labeled with DiI were mixed with fibrin glue and injected subcutaneously on one side of the nude mouse back (n=6), and fibrin glue solution without cells as control was injected on the other side (n=6). After 8 weeks of cell implantation, the specimens were harvested for general observation and histological, Oil red-O staining and fluorescent microscope analyses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mature adipocytes were round, unilocular cells. After ceiling adherent culture, the adipocytes underwent morphological changes into fibroblast-like cells indicating their dedifferentiation. The dedifferentiated adipocytes were induced for adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation in specified media. Eight weeks after the cell injection in nude mice, newly formed tissue occurred which was identified as mature adipose tissue. The implants without cells were completely absorbed in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mature adipocytes can dedifferentiate in vitro culture, and the dedifferentiated adipocytes are capable of differentiating into adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages. Adipose tissue engineering can be achieved in vivo using the dedifferentiated adipocytes as the seed cells.</p>

Estrogen-like activity of volatile components from Vitex rotundifolia L.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The fruits of Vitex rotundifolia L. are used as a traditional medicine in China. Dried fruits of V. rotundifolia (rich in essential oils) have been known to show strong estrogenic activity. Therefore, we investigated volatile components in the essential oil isolated from the fruits of V. rotundifolia and its estrogen-like biological activity in human breast adenocarcinoma cells. METHODS: Essential oil was extracted by SFE (supercritical fluid extraction) and its chemical composition was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The estrogenic activity of essential oil was evaluated in the MCF-7 cells by proliferation assay. RESULTS: The chemical composition of 40 compounds was determined and this represented 84.1 per cent of the total oil which was characterized by a high content of unsaturated fatty acids (54.84% of total oil). The oil contained mainly linoleic acid (47.46%), palmitic acid (5.18%), untriacontane (2.28%), bicetyl (2.61%) and stearic acid (2.2%). The essential oil strongly stimulated the proliferation of MCF-7 cells, and this effect was significantly inhibited by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our results showed estrogen-like biological activity of the essential oil of the fruits from V. rotundifolia, and in future has a potential medical application.

Dynamic variations of hepatitis B virus polymerase gene in lamivudine-treated hepatitis B patients / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study variation features of the hepatitis B virus polymerase gene in chronic hepatitis B patients before and after lamivudine treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From the serum samples of five CHB patients both before and after 12 months' lamivudine treatment, HBV polymerase gene was amplified and positive DNA fragments were cloned into JM105. Twenty positive clones of every sample were checked with mismatched polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and YMDD variants were sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among five patients after 12 months lamivudine treatment, M552I mutations in two patients with HBV DNA rebounding and D553G mutation in one non-responder were detected except in two patients with negative HBV DNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>D553G mutation is probably one of the reasons which caused non-responsiveness to the lamivudine treatment. The mutations of YMDD motif that occurred after lamivudine treatment are caused by the induction of the drug.</p>

Differentiation between malignant and benign ovarian tumors by magnetic resonance imaging / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of an ovarian mass which are most predictive of malignancy and assess the value of intravenous gadolinium administration in the characterization of an ovarian mass.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 74 consecutive patients with a clinically or sonographically indeterminate adnexal mass underwent MR imaging, of whom 59 had subsequent surgical resection of 70 adnexal masses. These 59 patients formed the study population. MR imaging studies were prospectively and independently reviewed by a senior and a junior radiologist. The senior radiologist also reevaluated the studies in a blind fashion after a minimum 6 months interval. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of contrast-enhanced and unenhanced MR imaging were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The most predictive MR imaging findings for malignancy were presence of vegetations in a cystic lesion and presence of necrosis in a solid lesion. The odds ratio was even higher when the ancillary finding of peritoneal metastasis or ascites was present. Contrast media contributed significantly to lesion characterization. Total 70 ovarian masses were detected by contrast-enhanced MR imaging including 37 malignant ovarian masses and 33 benign ovarian masses with 87% (61/70) accuracy, 86% (32/37) sensitivity, 88% (29/33) specificity, 89% (32/36) positive predictive value, and 85% (29/34) negative predictive value, whereas 70 ovarian masses were detected by unenhanced MR imaging with 74% (52/70) accuracy, 73% (27/37) sensitivity, 76% (25/33) specificity, 77% (27/35) positive predictive value, and 71% (25/35) negative predictive value. There were significant differences in accuracy (P < 0.01), sensitivity (P < 0.01), specificity (P < 0.01) between contrast-enhanced and unenhanced MR imaging.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Contrast-enhanced MR imaging is highly accurate in detection and characterization of complex adnexal masses.</p>

Evaluation of cirrhotic liver with perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging: a preliminary experimental study in animal models with half-liver cirrhosis / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluation of cirrhotic liver.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With a 4F catheter, 1% diluted carbon tetrachloride (1 ml/kg) was selectively injected into right or left hepatic artery of 12 dogs fortnightly. The half liver into which carbon tetrachloride was injected was called as study side (SS), while the other half liver without carbon tetrachloride injection was called as study control side (SCS). Conventional and perfusion-weighted MRI were performed in every 4 weeks. Via a 4F catheter, 5ml gadolinium diethylentriamine pentaaceti acid (Gd-DTPA) dilution was injected into superior mesenteric artery at the 5th scan. The signal intensity-time curves of SS, SCS, and portal vein were completed in MR workstation. The maximal relative signal increase (MRSI), peak time (tp), and slope of the curves were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On conventional MR images, no abnormalities of externality and signal intensity were observed in both SS and SCS of liver at each stage. The mean tp, MRSI, and slope of intensity-time curves in normal liver were 10.56 seconds, 1.01, and 10.23 arbitrary unit (au)/s, respectively. Three parameters of curves didn't show obvious change in SCS of liver at every stage. Abnormal perfusion curves occurred in SS of liver at the 12th week after the 1st injection. The abnormality of perfusion curve in SS was more and more serious as the times of injection increased. The mean tp, MRSI, and slope intensity-time curves in SS of liver were 19.45 seconds, 0.43, and 3.60 au/s respectively at the 24th week.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Perfusion-weighted imaging can potentially provide information about portal perfusion of hepatic parenchyma, and to some degree, reflect the severity of cirrhosis.</p>

Imaging characteristics of autoimmune pancreatitis / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).Methods MR imaging was performed in 12 patients with AIP proved histopathologically or clinically,of them CT was scanned in 10 patients and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)in 3.All imaging data were reviewed retrospectively.Results All 12 patients had enlargement of the pancreas either diffusely(n=9)or focally(n=3).The swollen pancreas was hypointense on T_1-weighted images and mildly hyperintense on T_2-weighted images.It also demonstrated decreased enhancement on artery phase of dynamic imaging and moderate enhancement on delayed phase images. Capsule-like enhanced rim was found around the swollen pancreas in 11 patients.Stricture of the distal common bile duct was found in 9 patients,and ERCP showed diffuse and irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct in 3 cases.At follow-up,pancreatic abnormalities and common bile duct stricture resolved after steroid therapy in 7 patients.Conclusion AIP showed some characteristic imaging findings,and imaging examinations will play an important role in the diagnosis of AIP.