Evaluation of the blood supply and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for patients with liver metastasis using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of patients with liver metastasis using integrated 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography. A total of 97 liver metastasis patients treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization were enrolled in this study. The 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography images of liver metastasis patients were collected before and after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment. The efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for the treatment of liver metastasis was evaluated according to the revised Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors guidelines. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine cut-off values of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography parameters (Tsuvmax, Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmean) for predicting the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Progression-free survival and the incidence of postoperative complications were compared. Correlation of Tsuvmax, Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmean with blood supply and lipiodol deposition in the lesion was analyzed. Among three 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography parameters, the receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax with a cut-off value of 3.56 was the best predictor of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization efficacy. According to the cut-off value of Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, liver metastasis patients were divided into the Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax ≤ 3.56 and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax > 3.56 groups. Compared with the Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax > 3.56 group, the Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax ≤ 3.56 group showed a longer progression-free survival and a lower incidence of postoperative complications. The Tsuvmax, Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmean in the lesion with abundant blood supply were significantly lower than those in peripheral liver parenchyma, while the Tsuvmax, Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmean in the lesion with lack of blood supply were significantly higher than those in peripheral liver parenchyma. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that lipiodol deposition in the lesion was positively correlated with the Tsuvmax, Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmean. The Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography may be a good tool for predicting the blood supply and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for patients with liver metastasis.

[Influence of drying method on content of epigoitrin and uridine in isatidis radix].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of different drying methods on the content of epigoitrin and uridine in Isatidis Radix. METHODS: Fresh Isatidis Radix was processed by four drying methods including airing drying and drying in far infrared oven at different temperature,drying in the sun and drying in the shade. The contents of epigoitrin and uridine were determined by HPLC. RESULTS: The contents of epigoitrin as well as uridine in samples valued from 3.847 - 5.204 mg/g and 0.701 - 1.028 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSION: The optimal drying method is airing drying at 55 degrees C, which will be serviced in the large-scale processing of Isatidis Radix.

An experimental study of using Chai Lai Prescription to treat in vitro rabbit models of reflux esophagitis.

BACKGROUND: Chai Lai Prescription is a Chinese herbal compound which is used to sooth the liver, strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach for descending adverse Qi. We initiated the study to investigate its mechanism of treating in vitro rabbit reflux esophagitis models. METHODS: Adult male Japanese white rabbits, weighing 1.8-2.2 kg, were divided into five groups of three each, which were: normal control group (Krebs buffer, pH7.4), esophagitis model group (Krebs buffer, pH5.8), esophagitis model proup+low-dose Chinese herbal medicine protection group (0.6 mg × ml(-1)× kg(-1)), esophagitis model group+moderate-dose Chinese herbal medicine protection group (6 mg × ml(-1)× kg(-1)), esophagitis model group+high-dose Chinese herbal medicine protection group (60 mg × ml(-1)×kg(-1)). The RT-PCR method was used to test the influence of Chai Lai Prescription on IL-1 and IL-6 in in vitro rabbit models of esophagitis. We treated the in vitro models with different doses of Chinese herbal medicine. RESULTS: Esophageal mucosa were filled with various liquids. IL-6 and IL-1ß mRNA expression was increased in rabbit esophageal mucosa stimulated with acid. Chinese herbal medicine significantly reduced the levels of IL-6 and IL-1ß mRNA expression in the in vitro cultured rabbit esophageal mucosa. Using Chinese herbal medicine to treat in vitro models of RE, we found that the IL-6 and IL-1ß mRNA expression levels went down, near to or lower than the normal control levels, compared with the group treated with acidified buffer solution. CONCLUSIONS: Chai Lai Prescription lowered the IL-1ß and IL-6 cytokine mRNA levels and protected the esophageal mucosa in the in vitro models of reflux esophagitis, suggesting that the traditional Chinese herbal compound may be able to treat reflux esophagitis by inhibiting the its inflammatory mediators.

[Study on the difference between components in volatile oil of Citrus reticulata before and after being processed].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the change of components in volatile oil of Citrus reticulata before and after being processed. METHODS: The volatile oil of Citrus reticulata was extracted by steam distillation and comparatively studied by GC-MS. RESULTS: The content of volatile of Citrus reticulata after being steamed decreased from 1.13% to 1.06%. 34 components was detected in Citrus reticulata, 30 components was detected in the processed Citrus reticulata, 24 components in volatile oil of Citrus reticulata were identified. 15 components in volatile oil of Citrus reticulata before and after being processed were the same, 9 components were not detected after steamed, but there were 9 new kinds being detected. The relative contents of 4 components increased, 10 components decreased. CONCLUSION: There are many differences between the components in the volatile oil of Citrus reticulata before and after being processed and also the content of the components may offer some theoretical evidence for drug property transform and different clinical application.