US-guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism: Long-term Outcomes and Prognostic Factors.

Background Although favorable outcomes have been reported with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), the long-term efficacy remains insufficiently investigated. Purpose To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of US-guided percutaneous RFA in patients with SHPT undergoing dialysis and to identify possible predictors associated with treatment failure. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included consecutive patients with SHPT with at least one enlarged parathyroid gland accessible for RFA who were undergoing dialysis at seven tertiary centers from May 2013 to July 2022. The primary end point was the proportion of patients with parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels less than or equal to 585 pg/mL at the end of follow-up. Secondary end points were the proportion of patients with normal calcium and phosphorus levels, the technical success rate, procedure-related complications, and improvement in self-rated hyperparathyroidism-related symptoms (0-3 ranking scale). The Wilcoxon signed rank test and generalized estimating equation model were used to evaluate treatment outcomes. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses identified variables associated with treatment failure (recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism). Results This study included 165 patients (median age, 51 years [IQR, 44-60 years]; 92 female) and 582 glands. RFA effectively reduced PTH, calcium, and phosphorus levels, with targeted ranges achieved in 78.2% (129 of 165), 72.7% (120 of 165), and 60.0% (99 of 165) of patients, respectively, at the end of follow-up (mean, 51 months). For the RFA sessions, the technical success rate was 100% (214 of 214). Median symptom scores (ostealgia, arthralgia, pruritus) decreased (all P < .001). Regarding complications, only hypocalcemia (45.8%, 98 of 214) was common. Treatment failure occurred in 36 patients (recurrent [n = 5] or persistent [n = 31] hyperparathyroidism). The only potential independent predictor of treatment failure was having less than four treated glands (odds ratio, 17.18; 95% CI: 4.34, 67.95; P < .001). Conclusion US-guided percutaneous RFA was effective and safe in the long term as a nonsurgical alternative for patients with SHPT undergoing dialysis; the only potential independent predictor of treatment failure was a lower number (<4) of treated glands. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Acupuncture Decreases Risk of Hypertension in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria in Taiwan: A Nationwide Study.

Patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) have a higher risk of developing hypertension. This study aimed to determine whether acupuncture could decrease the risk of hypertension in patients with CSU. We enrolled patients newly diagnosed with CSU between 1 January 2008, and 31 December 2018, from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database. The claims data were assessed from the index date to 31 December 2019. A Cox regression model was used to compare the hazard ratios (HRs) of the two cohorts. The cumulative incidence of hypertension was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. After propensity score matching with a 1:1 ratio, 43,547 patients with CSU who received acupuncture were matched with 43,547 patients with CSU who did not receive acupuncture in this study. After considering potential confounding factors, patients who received acupuncture had a significantly lower risk of hypertension than those in the control group (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.56, 95% confidence interval = 0.54-0.58). Patients who received medications combined with acupuncture tended to have the lowest risk of hypertension. This study revealed that acupuncture decreases the risk of hypertension in patients with CSU in Taiwan. The detailed mechanisms can be further clarified through prospective studies.

Research Note: Probiotic, Bacillus subtilis, alleviates neuroinflammation in the hippocampus via the gut microbiota-brain axis in heat-stressed chickens.

High ambient temperature (heat stress, HS) is one of the critical environmental factors causing gut microbiota dysbiosis and increasing gut permeability, consequently inciting neuroinflammation in humans and various animals including chickens. The aim of this study was to examine if a probiotic, Bacillus subtilis, can reduce neuroinflammation in heat-stressed broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty 1-d-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 48 pens among 4 treatments in 2 identical, thermal-controlled rooms (n = 12): Thermoneutral (TN)-regular diet (RD), TN-PD (the regular diet mixed with a probiotic at 250 ppm), HS-RD, and HS-PD. The probiotic diet was fed from d 1, and HS at 32°C for 10-h daily was applied from d 15 for a 43-day trial. Results showed that compared to the TN broilers, the HS broilers had higher hippocampal interleukin (IL)-6, toll-like receptor (TLR)4, and heat shock protein (HSP)70 at both mRNA and protein levels regardless of dietary treatment (P < 0.05). In addition, the HS-PD broilers had higher levels of hippocampal IL-8 (P < 0.05) than the TN-PD broilers. Within the HS groups, compared to the HS-RD broilers, the HS-PD broilers had lower levels of IL-6, IL-8, HSP70, and TLR4 (P < 0.05) in the hippocampus. Within the TN groups, the TN-PD broilers had lower IL-8 at both mRNA expressions and protein levels (P < 0.05) but higher TLR4 protein levels (P < 0.05) in the hippocampus as compared to the TN-RD broilers. These results indicate that dietary supplementation of the Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic may reduce HS-induced brain inflammatory reactions in broilers via the gut-brain-immune axis. These results indicate the potential use of probiotics as a management strategy for reducing the impact of HS on poultry production.

Effects of a synbiotic as an antibiotic alternative on behavior, production performance, cecal microbial ecology, and jejunal histomorphology of broiler chickens under heat stress.

The aim of this study was to examine if synbiotics present similar efficiency to a common antibiotic used in poultry production under heat stress (HS) conditions. Two hundred and forty-one-day-old male Ross 708 broiler chicks were distributed among 3 treatments with 8 pens per treatment of 80 birds each for a 42-day trial. From day 15, birds were heat stressed (32°C for 9 h daily, HS) and fed the basal diet (CONT), the basal diet mixed with an antibiotic (Bactiracin Methylene Disalicylate) (0.05 g/kg of feed, BMD) or a synbiotic (0.5 g/kg of feed, SYN). The treatment effects on bird behavior, production performance, jejunal histomorphology, and cecal microbial ecology were examined. Behavioral observation was recorded by using instantaneous scan sampling technique. Production parameters were measured on day 14, 28, and 42. Cecal microbial populations of Escherichia coli and Lactobacilli and jejunal histomorphological parameters were measured at day 42. The results showed that, SYN birds exhibited more feeding and preening but less drinking and panting behaviors compared with both BMD and CONT birds (P < 0.05). The SYN birds also had higher body weight (BW) at both day 28 and 42 compared to CONT birds (P < 0.05). At the end of the experiment, the counts of Escherichia coli of SYN birds were at the similar levels of BMD but were lower than that of CONT birds (P < 0.05); while there were no treatment effects on the populations of Lactobacilli (P > 0.05). In addition, SYN birds had greater villus height compared with both CONT and BMD birds (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the dietary synbiotic supplement has significant performance and welfare benefits, with the potential to be used as an alternative to antibiotics for poultry meat production, especially during hot seasons.

Effects of early-life cecal microbiota transplantation from divergently selected inbred chicken lines on growth, gut serotonin, and immune parameters in recipient chickens.

Recent studies have revealed that fecal microbiota transplantation exerts beneficial effects on modulating stress-related inflammation and gastrointestinal health of the host. The aim of this study was to examine if cecal microbiota transplantation (CMT) presents similar efficiency in improving the health status of egg-laying strain chickens. Chicken lines 63 and 72 divergently selected for resistance or susceptibility to Marek's disease were used as CMT donors. Eighty-four d-old male recipient chicks (a commercial DeKalb XL layer strain) were randomly assigned into 3 treatments with 7 replicates per treatment and 4 birds per replicate (n = 7): saline (control, CTRL), cecal solution of line 63 (63-CMT), and cecal solution of line 72 (72-CMT) for a 16-wk trial. Cecal transplant gavage was conducted once daily from d 1 to d 10, then boosted once weekly from wk 3 to wk 5. The results indicated that 72-CMT birds had the highest body weight and ileal villus/crypt ratio among the treatments at wk 5 (P ≤ 0.05); and higher heterophil/lymphocyte ratios than that of 63-CMT birds at wk 16 (P < 0.05). 72-CMT birds also had higher levels of plasma natural IgG and Interleukin (IL)-6 at wk 16, while 63-CMT birds had higher concentrations of ileal mucosal secretory IgA at wk 5 and plasma IL-10 at wk 16 (P < 0.05), with a tendency for lower mRNA abundance of splenic IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α at wk 16 (P = 0.08 and 0.07, respectively). In addition, 72-CMT birds tended to have the lowest serotonin concentrations (P = 0.07) with the highest serotonin turnover in the ileum at wk 5 (P < 0.05). There were no treatment effects on the levels of plasma corticosterone and testosterone at wk 16 (P > 0.05). In conclusion, early postnatal CMT from different donors led to different patterns of growth and health status through the regulation of ileal morphological structures, gut-derived serotonergic activities, peripheral cytokines, and antibody production in recipient chickens.

A propellant-free superconducting solenoid thruster driven by geomagnetic field.

INTRODUCTION: Space travel nowadays relies on physical ejection of propellants, which is challenged by reachable distance of a vehicle in desirable time. In contrast, electromagnetic propulsion was proposed to be a potential solution without need of carrying bulky mass of propellants, by using force interaction of local magnetic dipoles with the external natural magnetic field. Further development of this technique, however, has been daunted by extremely small magnetic induction that can be obtained. OBJECTIVES: To generate a significant thrust by a system with a reasonable scale, we propose an alternative concept of design, based on the variation of local magnetic dipole moments that has not been considered. METHODS: A magnetic dipole is created by wrapping a solenoid around an iron core. It is varied spatially by changing the cross-sectional area of the solenoid, hence giving a gradient of magnetic dipole moment. The interaction force is measured by an in-house force sensor based on a cantilever, which has a high sensitivity of one micro-Newton. In addition, numerical simulation is used to calculate the magnetic field and created force via the Maxwell stress tensor. RESULTS: As shown by experimental measurements and numerical simulations, a substantially larger magnitude of force is obtained on the solenoid with varying cross-sectional area, indicating a much stronger interaction with the geomagnetic field. Furthermore, to enhance electric current with negligible dissipation, a superconducting solenoid can be adopted at low temperature in space. With readily attainable conditions of operation, we demonstrate generation of a thrust comparable to that of present electric propulsion thrusters which are deemed as the most promising techniques for long-term space travel. CONCLUSIONS: By incorporating supplementary means, we provide a breakthrough solution for constructing an efficient thruster with minimal energy consumption and nearly null propellant load for near-Earth transportation and deep-space exploration.

Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic promotes bone growth by inhibition of inflammation in broilers subjected to cyclic heating episodes.

Heat stress as an environmental stressor causes abnormal bone remodeling and microarchitectural deterioration. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic on bone mass of broilers subjected to cycling high ambient temperature. One hundred and twenty 1-day-old Ross 708 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments (12 pens per treatment): control diet and the control diet plus 250-ppm probiotic consisting of 3 strains of Bacillus subtilis. Room temperature was gradually decreased from 35°C on day 1 by 0.5°C/d until day 15, when ambient temperature was increased from 28°C to 32°C for 10 h (07:00 h-17:00 h) daily until day 44. Samples of blood, leg bones (tibia and femur), and brains (raphe nuclei and hypothalamus) were collected at day 43, while latency to lie test was conducted at day 44. Compared with controls, probiotic supplementation increased bone mineral content, weight, size, weight to length index, and reduced robusticity index in the tibia and femur (P < 0.05) of broilers subjected to heat stress. Serum concentrations of c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) were reduced (P = 0.02) by the probiotic supplementation, while ionized calcium, phosphate, and osteocalcin were not affected (P > 0.05). Moreover, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in probiotic fed broilers was decreased (P = 0.003) without changes of plasma interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, interferon-γ, and corticosterone concentrations. There were no treatment effects on the concentrations of peripheral serotonin and central serotonin and catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) as well as their metabolites. These results may indicate that dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic increases bone growth in broilers under a cyclic heating episode probably via inhibition of bone resorption, resulting from downregulation of the circulating TNF-α and CTX. Dietary probiotic supplementation may be a management strategy for increasing skeletal health of broilers under hot weather.

Lentinan-functionalized Selenium Nanoparticles target Tumor Cell Mitochondria via TLR4/TRAF3/MFN1 pathway.

Rationale: Malignant ascites caused by cancer cells results in poor prognosis and short average survival time. No effective treatment is currently available for malignant ascites. In this study, the effects of lentinan (LNT)-functionalized selenium nanoparticles (Selene) on malignant ascites were evaluated. Furthermore, the mechanism of Selene targeting mitochondria of tumor cells were also investigated. Methods: Selene were synthesized and characterized by TEM, AFM and particle size analysis. The OVCAR-3 and EAC cells induced ascites models were used to evaluate the effects of Selene on malignant ascites. Proteomic analysis, immunofluorescence, TEM and ICP-MS were used to determine the location of Selene in tumor cells. Mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS, ATP content, and caspase-1/3 activity were detected to evaluate the effect of Selene on mitochondrial function and cell apoptosis. Immunofluorescence, Co-IP, pull-down, duolink, Western blot, and FPLC were used to investigate the pathway of Selene targeting mitochondria. Results: Selene could effectively inhibit ascites induced by OVCAR-3 and EAC cells. Selene was mainly located in the mitochondria of tumor cells and induced apoptosis of tumor cells. The LNT in Selene was involved in caveolae-mediated endocytosis through the interaction between toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) and caveolin 1 (CAV1). Furthermore, the Selene in the endocytic vesicles could enter the mitochondria via the mitochondrial membrane fusion pathway, which was mediated by TLR4/TNF receptor associated factor 3 (TRAF3)/mitofusin-1 (MFN1) protein complex. Conclusion: Selene is a candidate anticancer drug for the treatment of malignant ascites. And TLR4/TRAF3/MFN1 may be a specific nano-drug delivery pathway that could target the mitochondria.

A dietary polysaccharide from Eucheuma cottonii downregulates proinflammatory cytokines and ameliorates osteoarthritis-associated cartilage degradation in obese rats.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common form of arthritis, which is characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage, leading to joint dysfunction. Oral drug therapy seems to ameliorate some signs and symptoms of OA, but may be accompanied by side effects and does not appear to be effective long-term. Seaweed has received much attention for pharmacological application due to its various biomedical properties, including the anti-inflammation, antitumor, and antioxidant effects. This study investigated the ameliorative effects of a dietary polysaccharide from Eucheuma cottonii extract (ECE) on an anterior cruciate ligament transection with partial medial meniscectomy surgery (ACLT+MMx) to induce OA in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an HFD for 12 weeks before ACLT+MMx surgery, after which they were administered a daily oral gavage of saline (Sham, OB Sham, and OBOA) and either low-dose ECE (100 mg per kg body weight), high-dose ECE (400 mg per kg body weight), or glucosamine sulfate as a positive control (OBOAGS; 200 mg per kg body weight) for 5 weeks. Treatment with ECE decreased the body weight, triglyceride and total cholesterol (TC) levels, and the TC/high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C ratio in the obese rats. Additionally, ECE downregulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, and leptin, and suppressed nuclear factor-kappa B and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase-1/2 expression, resulting in a decrease in the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-13 and prostaglandin-E2 and attenuated cartilage degradation. These results demonstrate that the dietary polysaccharide from ECE can suppress OA development in obese rats, suggesting its potential efficacy as a promising candidate for OA treatment.

Effects of heat stress and probiotic supplementation on protein functionality and oxidative stability of ground chicken leg meat during display storage.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of heat stress and probiotic supplementation on protein functionality and oxidative stability of ground chicken leg during display storage. Two hundred and forty, 1-day-old male chicks (5 birds per pen) were subjected to four treatments in a 2 (thermoneutral condition at 21 °C and cyclic heat stress at 32-21-32 °C for 10 h day-1 ) × 2 (regular diet with 0 or 0.25 g kg-1 Bacillus subtilis) factorial design. Chickens were harvested at day 46, and pairs of whole legs were collected at 1 day postmortem. The chicken legs were deboned, ground, tray-packaged with oxygen-permeable film, and displayed for 3 days. RESULTS: Heat stress and probiotic supplementation had no impact on pH, water-holding capacity, color, protein functionality, lipid lipolysis and lipid/protein oxidation stability (P > 0.05). Display storage increased the pH and lipid oxidation of ground chicken legs (P < 0.05). In addition, protein oxidation occurred during display storage, as determined via an increased carbonyl group (P = 0.0109) and reduced thiol group (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that chronic heat stress and probiotic supplementation had no practical adverse impact on protein functionality and oxidative stability of ground chicken leg meat. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Clinical effectiveness of acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatments of symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may improve symptoms and aid nerve repair as well as improve sensory and motor functions. However, limited evidence is available regarding the effects of these treatments based on comprehensive evaluation methods. This research completed the treatment and evaluation of 26 patients with confirmed CTS. Participants were divided into two treatment groups based on a modified neurophysiological grading scale. Of the total number of participants, 15 received acupuncture and 11 received electroacupuncture on both upper limbs. Acupoints were PC-7 (Daling) and PC-6 (Neiguan) along the pericardial meridian compatible with the median nerve tract. The treatment program consisted of 24 sessions of 15 min duration over 6 weeks. After electroacupuncture treatments, symptom severity was evaluated using the short clinical questionnaire by Lo and Chiang, which indicated improvements in the respective symptom severity score. After the acupuncture treatment, grip strength in the major symptomatic side in CTS patients could be significantly increased. Electrophysiology evaluation likewise indicated a significant increase in the distal median motor amplitude of the palm-wrist segment. In addition, Tinel's sign significantly decreased in the major symptomatic side. Our findings indicated that electroacupuncture could improve symptomatology, while acupuncture could exert positive therapeutic effects for CTS patients, as evidenced by improved symptomatology, grip strength, electrophysiological function, and physical provocation sign.

Lucidone protects human skin keratinocytes against free radical-induced oxidative damage and inflammation through the up-regulation of HO-1/Nrf2 antioxidant genes and down-regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

We investigated the protective effects of lucidone, a naturally occurring cyclopentenedione isolated from the fruits of Lindera erythrocarpa Makino, against free-radical and inflammation stimulator 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells, with the aim of revealing the possible mechanisms underlying the protective efficacy. Lucidone pretreatment (0.5-10 µg/mL) markedly increased HaCaT cell viability and suppressed AAPH-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage. Notably, the antioxidant potential of lucidone was directly correlated with the increased expression of an antioxidant gene, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), which was followed by the augmentation of the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), with or without AAPH. Nrf2 knockdown diminished the protective effects of lucidone. We also observed that lucidone pretreatment inhibited AAPH-induced inflammatory chemokine prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in HaCaT cells. Lucidone treatment also significantly inhibited AAPH-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and suppressing the degradation of inhibitor-κB (I-κB). Furthermore, lucidone significantly diminished AAPH-induced COX-2 expression through the down-regulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Therefore, lucidone may possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful for the prevention of free radical-induced skin damage.

[The construction of over-expression vector for Panax notoginseng SS gene and its transformation].

PNS (Panax notoginseng saponins) is the main medical bioactive component in Panax notoginseng. The medical value of PNS cannot be extended because of its low production. With the deep study of saponins biosynthetic pathway, the control of PNS biosynthesis through metabolic engineering has gradually become possible. In this study, the Squalene synthase (SS) over-expression vector was established. By the way of agrobacterium-mediated method, the vector was transfered and integrated into the Panax notoginseng genome. The result of the PCR detection and the saponin content detection shows that over-expression SS is able to produce high level of Panax notoginseng saponins, and confirms the regulatory function of SS in the biosynthesis of ginsenosides in Panax notoginseng. It provides a theoretical basis and technical basis for the construction of PNS homologous or heterologous efficient expression system in the future.

The construction of over-expression vector for Panax notoginseng SS gene and its transformation / 药学学报

PNS (Panax notoginseng saponins) is the main medical bioactive component in Panax notoginseng. The medical value of PNS cannot be extended because of its low production. With the deep study of saponins biosynthetic pathway, the control of PNS biosynthesis through metabolic engineering has gradually become possible. In this study, the Squalene synthase (SS) over-expression vector was established. By the way of agrobacterium-mediated method, the vector was transfered and integrated into the Panax notoginseng genome. The result of the PCR detection and the saponin content detection shows that over-expression SS is able to produce high level of Panax notoginseng saponins, and confirms the regulatory function of SS in the biosynthesis of ginsenosides in Panax notoginseng. It provides a theoretical basis and technical basis for the construction of PNS homologous or heterologous efficient expression system in the future.

[Predictive value of (99)Tc(m)-MIBI scintimammography in evaluation of the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with operable breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99)Tc(m)-MIBI) imaging in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) and prognosis in patients with operable breast cancer. METHODS: Sixty five patients with breast cancer underwent (99)Tc(m)-MIBI scintimammography before NCT, and static planar images were taken at 10 min and 180 min after scintimammography. The clearance rate was calculated in each patient, correlation between the clearance rate and efficacy of NCT, and the disease free survival rate were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean clearance rate of 65 patients was (17.4 ± 6.8)%. The efficacy of NCT was 86.2% (CR 4 cases, PR 52 cases, SD 8 cases, and PD 1 case), and the mean clearance rate of patients with good response or poor response of chemotherapy were (15.5 ± 5.0)% and (29.2 ± 3.2)%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups. The average disease free survival rate in the group with low clearance rate was (75.8%, P = 0.046), significantly higher than that in the group with high clearance rate (53.1%). CONCLUSION: Scintimammography of (99)Tc(m)-MIBI may be used to evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of NCT for patients with operable breast cancer.

Predictive value of (99)Tc(m)-MIBI scintimammography in evaluation of the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with operable breast cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the value of technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99)Tc(m)-MIBI) imaging in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) and prognosis in patients with operable breast cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty five patients with breast cancer underwent (99)Tc(m)-MIBI scintimammography before NCT, and static planar images were taken at 10 min and 180 min after scintimammography. The clearance rate was calculated in each patient, correlation between the clearance rate and efficacy of NCT, and the disease free survival rate were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean clearance rate of 65 patients was (17.4 ± 6.8)%. The efficacy of NCT was 86.2% (CR 4 cases, PR 52 cases, SD 8 cases, and PD 1 case), and the mean clearance rate of patients with good response or poor response of chemotherapy were (15.5 ± 5.0)% and (29.2 ± 3.2)%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups. The average disease free survival rate in the group with low clearance rate was (75.8%, P = 0.046), significantly higher than that in the group with high clearance rate (53.1%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Scintimammography of (99)Tc(m)-MIBI may be used to evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of NCT for patients with operable breast cancer.</p>