bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased Levels of Soluble Vascular Endothelial Cadherin are Associated with Poor Outcome in Severe Sepsis
Authors: Zhang R-Y , Liu Y-Y , Li L , Cui W , Zhao K-J , Huang W-C , Gu X-W , Liu W , Wu J , Min D , Mao E-Q , Tang Y-Q
Published: February 2013

Endothelial cells are thought to play a key role in sepsis pathogenesis: vascular endothelial damage occurs in severe sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction. Soluble vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) levels were investigated in a prospective study involving 28 consecutive critically ill patients with or without severe sepsis who were admitted to surgical intensive care; 13 healthy age-matched volunteers were included as controls. Soluble VE-cadherin levels increased significantly in patients with severe sepsis compared with ill patients without severe sepsis and healthy controls. There was a significant linear correlation between soluble VE-cadherin levels and illness severity scores. Soluble VE-cadherin levels were significantly higher in patients who died compared with survivors. In vitro cell culture showed that serum from patients with severe sepsis greatly decreased VE-cadherin staining at intercellular junctions and total VE-cadherin expression in human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells. These findings suggest that endothelial cells play an important role in the poor outcome of patients with severe sepsis.
Effect of Narrow-Band UVB Phototherapy on Soluble Cell Adhesion Molecules in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris
Authors: Long JW , Tao J , Pi XM , Wang YY , Tu YT
Published: February 2013

This study investigated the effect of narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy on serum levels of the soluble cell adhesion molecules sE-selectin, sP-selectin, sL-selectin and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in 58 patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores significantly decreased after treatment, confirming the efficacy of NB-UVB phototherapy. Serum levels of sE-selectin also decreased significantly after treatment, and levels of sICAM-1 showed a significant correlation with PASI score and with levels of sE-selectin. The efficacy of NB-UVB phototherapy in improving psoriatic lesions may be a function of decreased serum levels of E-selectin. These findings emphasize the complex roles of soluble cell adhesion molecules in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis.
Improved Prediction from Revised Injury Severity Classification (RISC) over Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) in an Independent Evaluation of Major Trauma Patients
Authors: Brilej D , Vlaović M , Komadina R
Published: February 2013

The usefulness of the Revised Injury Severity Classification (RISC) analysis was compared with that of the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) for evaluating the quality of treatment of severely injured patients at the General Hospital Celje, Slovenia. Over a period of 2 years, data from a cohort of 155 patients treated at the General Hospital Celje were included in the Traumaregister Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie. The structure of the patient group was compared with that in the registry, and TRISS and RISC analyses were performed. The M statistic (0.83) showed a good match of the distribution of probability of survival between groups. Evaluation of RISC (area under the curve [AUC] 0.94, Hosmer–Lemeshow test 3.5) demonstrated the efficacy of this method in the patient group. TRISS (AUC 0.89, Hosmer– Lemeshow test 21.1) was not a reliable instrument for analysis of treatment of major trauma patients. We believe that RISC should replace TRISS for evaluation of the treatment of major trauma patients.
Real-Time Imaging and Detection of Intracranial Haemorrhage by Electrical Impedance Tomography in a Piglet Model
Authors: Xu C-H , Wang L , Shi X-T , You F-S , Fu F , Liu R-G , Dai M , Zhao Z-W , Gao G-D , Dong X-Z
Published: February 2013

The aim of this study was to use electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to detect and image acute intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) in an animal model. Blood was infused into the frontal lobe of the brains of anaesthetized piglets and impedance was measured using 16 electrodes placed in a circle on the scalp. The EIT images were constructed using a filtered back-projection algorithm. The mean of all the pixel intensities within a region of interest – the mean resistivity value (MRV) – was used to evaluate the relative impedance changes in the target region. A symmetrical index (SI), reflecting the relative impedance on both sides of the brain, was also calculated. Changes in MRV and SI were associated with the injection of blood, demonstrating that EIT can successfully detect ICH in this animal model. The unique features of EIT may be beneficial for diagnosing ICH early in patients after cranial surgery, thereby reducing the risk of complications and mortality.
Control of the Haemodynamic Response to Surgical Stimuli in Semi-Closed Circuit or Closed Circuit Anaesthesia Using a Multifunctional Anaesthesia System
Authors: Choi SU , Shin HW , Jung HI , Park JY , Yoon SZ , Lee YS , Kim WY , Chang SH
Published: February 2013

This study compared the ability of the Zeus® multifunctional anaesthesia system to control haemodynamic response to surgical stimulation in semi-closed (SCA) or closed circuit anaesthesia (CCA) modes. Fifty patients undergoing gynaecological surgery were randomly assigned to SCA or CCA. Anaesthesia was induced with 2 mg propofol and 0.9 mg/kg rocuronium, intravenously, and maintained using sevoflurane (minimum alveolar concentration [MAC], 1.0) using 2 l/min oxygen plus 2 l/min nitrous oxide (SCA 4 l/min group) or 50% oxygen plus 50% nitrous oxide (CCA group). An increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) < 20% above baseline in response to surgical stimulation provoked a stepwise increase in sevoflurane (1.3 MAC and then 1.6 MAC), followed by fentanyl 1 μg/kg intravenously (rescue drug). The time required for MAP to return to within 10% of baseline was significantly shorter in the CCA group (6.4 ± 3.6 min) compared with the SCA 4 l/min group (10.2 ± 6.0 min). The percentage of patients requiring fentanyl was significantly greater in the SCA 4 l/min group than in the CCA group. In conclusion, CCA controlled acute haemodynamic responses to surgical stimuli more successfully and rapidly than SCA 4 l/min, using a multifunctional anaesthesia machine.
Apoptosis-Mediated Cytotoxic Effects of Ibandronic Acid on Hormone- and Drug-Refractory Prostate Cancer Cells and Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Kucukzeybek Y , Gorumlu G , Cengiz E , Karabulut B , Sezgin C , Atmaca H , Sanli UA , Uzunoglu S , Uslu R
Published: February 2013

Over 80% of patients with advanced breast and prostate cancer ultimately develop bone metastases. Ibandronic acid has proven efficacy for treatment of bone metastasis secondary to breast cancer. This study was designed to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of ibandronic acid on hormone- and drug-refractory prostate carcinoma DU-145 and human breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using an XTT cell proliferation kit, and apoptosis was assessed by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (histone-DNA fragmentation) and measurement of caspase 3/7 activity. With increasing concentrations of ibandronic acid there was a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell numbers. MCF-7 cells were more resistant than DU-145 cells (half maximal inhibitory concentrations of 122 and 90 μM, respectively). Ibandronic acid induced apoptosis in both cell lines. The study showed an apoptosis-mediated cytotoxic effect for ibandronic acid (in addition to the already known osteoclast inhibiting effect) in breast cancer patients with bone metastases; which was also observed in prostate cancer cells. Further clinical studies involving breast and prostate cancer patients with bone metastases are warranted to confirm these findings.
Inhibition of the Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STAT) 3 Signalling Pathway by AG490 in Laryngeal Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Zhang H , Zhang D , Luan X , Xie G , Pan X
Published: February 2013

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) are important in the development of laryngeal carcinomas and are potential novel molecular targets for therapy to improve survival of patients with this cancer. This study was designed to investigate the influence of the janus activated kinase (JAK)/STAT inhibitor AG490 on proliferation and apoptosis of Hep-2 human laryngeal cancer cells and whether there was any inhibition by AG490 of the JAK/STAT3 signalling pathway. AG490 inhibited cell proliferation in dose-and time-dependent manners and induced apoptosis in Hep-2 cells, with the number of apoptotic cells increasing with time. AG490 inhibited G1 to S cell cycle transition and induced G1 cell cycle arrest as well as significantly down-regulating STAT3, phosphorylated STAT3 and survivin in Hep-2 cells. This study showed that AG490 significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cells through down-regulation of STAT3 and survivin, suggesting a potential target for laryngeal carcinoma treatment.
The Role of Serum D-Dimer Level in the Diagnosis of Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department Complaining of Chest Pain
Authors: Orak M , Üstündağ M , Güloğlu C , Alyan Ö , Sayhan MB
Published: February 2013

This study investigated D-dimer levels in 241 patients admitted to the emergency department with sudden-onset chest pain. The patient group included those diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS; i.e. unstable angina pectoris [USAP], non-ST elevated myocardial infarction [NSTEMI], ST-elevated myocardial infarction [STEMI]); the control group included those diagnosed with non-cardiac chest pain. Mean serum levels of D-dimer, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and troponin I (TPI) were compared between the groups. Levels of D-dimer, CK-MB and TPI in the patient group were significantly higher than in the control group. There were also significantly higher D-dimer, CK-MB and TPI levels in the STEMI and NSTEMI patient subgroups compared with the control group. Only the D-dimer level was significantly higher in the USAP subgroup versus the control group. The sensitivity and specificity of D-dimer for ACS were 83.7% and 95.4%, respectively, suggesting that evaluating D-dimer levels might be useful in the emergency room for diagnosing ACS and predicting mortality in patients presenting with acute chest pain.
Assessment of the Risk of Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysms using Three-Dimensional Cerebral Digital Subtraction Angiography
Authors: Yu J , Wu Q , Ma F-Q , Xu J , Zhang J-M
Published: February 2013

The aim of this study was to develop an improved binary logistic regression model for predicting the risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture. A cohort of patients ( n = 37) with aneurysms underwent three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography examination to measure several morphological parameters of the aneurysm. The aspect ratio (height/neck size) and the size ratio (length/mean diameter of parent vessel) were also calculated. All the morphological parameters combined with the aneurysm location and the patient's baseline data were used to derive a backward binary logistic regression model. In order to validate the model, it was applied to another independent cohort of 19 patients with aneurysms. The model had sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 84.6%, 66.7% and 78.9%, respectively. This binary logistic regression model of aneurysm rupture risk identified the status of an aneurysm with high accuracy and could form the basis of more complex models in the future.
Effect of Number of Pregnancies on Bone Mineral Density
Authors: Hiz O , Ediz L , Tekeoglu I
Published: February 2013

This study investigated the effect of the number of pregnancies on bone mineral density (BMD) in 320 post-menopausal women aged between 49 and 64 years. Cases were selected from people with similar lifestyles and stratified into five groups according to the number of pregnancies. Each group was divided into two subgroups according to the duration of the menopause (3 − 5 years versus 6 − 10 years). Lumbar (L2 – L4) and femoral neck BMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and T-score values were used in the statistical evaluation. No significant difference was found between the number of pregnancies and BMD within each group based on the same menopause duration, but a significant correlation was found in most groups based on menopause duration: T-scores decreased as menopause duration increased. Changes in BMD are likely to be related to menopause duration, rather than the number of pregnancies.
Solitary Intracranial Plasmacytoma Located in the Spheno-Clival Region Mimicking Chordoma: A Case Report
Authors: Liu ZY , Qi XQ , Wu XJ , Luo C , Lu YC
Published: February 2013

Solitary intracranial plasmacytoma (SIP) is very rare. This case report presents serial findings of SIP located in the spheno-clival region in a 54-year old female who presented with an inferior hemianopia in the right eye and an enlarged physiological blind spot in both eyes. Based on the initial diagnosis of a spheno-clival region chordoma, the tumour was partially resected by the nasal–sphenoidal sinus approach. Subsequently, the correct diagnosis of SIP was made based on the pathology and immunohistochemical staining of the tumour. The patient was treated using a whole skull-base radiation therapy protocol with 45 Gy and she was in good physical condition during the subsequent 22 months. The findings of a series of similar case reports documenting SIP in 20 cases published from 1976 to 2008 are also reviewed. Based on these case reports, the key features of SIP, including their clinical manifestations, clinical imaging characteristics, treatment and prognosis, are described.
Post-Operative Implantation Metastasis of Craniopharyngioma: A Case Report
Authors: Wang X-Y , Xu S-J , Li X-G
Published: February 2013

Craniopharyngiomas are histologically benign epithelial tumours arising from squamous epithelial remnants of Rathke's pouch, which have a tendency to invade surrounding structures and recur after apparently complete resection. They represent the most frequent non-glial tumour in children, accounting for approximately 5% of paediatric brain neoplasms. Total resection of a craniopharyngioma may be difficult, and recurrence has been reported in 25 − 70% of patients. Recurrence often occurs at the primary site, although a few cases of ectopic recurrence along surgical or needle tracts have been reported. Here a case of metastatic adamantinomatous-type craniopharyngioma attributed to direct implantation by surgical procedure is presented, along with a review of the current literature on craniopharyngiomas.
Changes of Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea–Hypopnoea Syndrome following Adenotonsillectomy
Authors: Wang Y , Wang J-J , Zhao M-Q , Liu S-M , Li Y-Z
Published: February 2013

Children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) have substantial cognitive functional morbidity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key mediator of memory and cognition, but its regulation in OSAS is unknown. Circulating BDNF, transforming growth factor-β1 and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels, cognitive ability and overnight polysomnography were evaluated in 44 children with newly-diagnosed OSAS and in 26 healthy children. All parameters were monitored pre-operatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months after adenotonsillectomy. Pre-operative cognitive ability and sleep parameters were significantly poorer in children with OSAS compared with controls, but BDNF levels were similar. At 3 months post-operation, serum BDNF concentrations decreased, but cognitive ability and sleep parameters remained deficient. At 6 months post-operation, serum BDNF levels, sleep parameters and cognitive ability had improved and, by 12 months, there were no differences between the two groups. It is concluded that adenotonsillectomy can rapidly normalize sleep parameters and improve the cognitive ability of children with OSAS, by regulating the circulating level of BDNF.
A Morphological Study of Corneal Flap after Thin-Flap Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis by Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Xu Y , Zhou X , Wang L , Xu H
Published: February 2013

This prospective study assessed corneal flap morphology in 115 patients undergoing laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Flaps were created using the Moria M2 90-μm or KM-5000D 110-μm microkeratomes. Flap thickness was measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography at seven points in a 7-mm diameter zone 1 h, 1 day, 3 days, 1 week and 1 month after surgery. Flap accuracy, reproducibility, uniformity and changes over time were evaluated. The Moria M2 microkeratome created flaps with less accuracy in the centre than the KM-5000D microkeratome (114.06 ± 6.46 μm vs 128.39 ± 6.79 μm, respectively, at 1 week). For both microkeratomes, flap thickness varied between most of the peripheral areas and the central point. Both microkeratomes created flaps with good central predictability and reproducibility, but high variation and significant deviation from intended thickness were observed in peripheral flap thickness.
Sonographic Assessment of Ceftriaxone-Associated Biliary Pseudolithiasis in Chinese Children
Authors: Meng D , Cao Y , Fu J , Chen R , Lu L , Tu Y
Published: February 2013

In this randomized, single-blind, case-controlled, prospective study, the incidence and outcome of ceftriaxone-associated biliary pseudolithiasis in Chinese children was evaluated via ultrasonography. A total of 108 children diagnosed with hepatobiliary infection or pneumonia were randomized to receive ceftriaxone or ceftazidime. Serial gallbladder sonograms were obtained on days 1, 5 − 7 and 10 − 14 of therapy. Gallstones were detected in 43.10% of patients in the ceftriaxone-treated group and in 2.00% of the ceftazidime-treated group. The incidence of pseudolithiasis was significantly higher in the ceftriaxone-treated than the ceftazidime-treated group. Biliary precipitation abnormalities appeared after 2 − 7 days of treatment. After gallstones were found, the drug was stopped and symptoms resolved within 1 − 2 days. This study suggests that the risk of ceftriaxone-associated biliary pseudolithiasis should be considered when treating Chinese children.
The mutL Mutation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates Reveals Multidrug-resistant Traits and Possible Evolutionary Trends
Authors: Wang YM , Liu SL , Liu GR , Wan YL , Wang X , Wang PY , Wang QS , Cao XL , Liu YC
Published: February 2013

To evaluate the genetic differences and possible evolutionary trends of clinical multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and evolutionary distances were estimated. A total of 85.7% of the P. aeruginosa isolates were MDR strains. Strains with the PFGE pattern A predominated; all were susceptible to amikacin and cefepime but resistant to levofloxacin and meropenem (except strain PA45 which was sensitive to meropenem). PFGE pattern H or P strains exhibited resistance to six to eight different antibiotics. PFGE pattern I or J strains were susceptible to all antibiotics tested. Two imperfect six base-pair tandem repeats, CTGGCG and CTGGCC, were found in the mutL gene. In conclusion, MDR characteristics and PFGE profiles were clearly correlated with the mutL phylogenetic tree. This indicates that mutations in mutL might contribute to genetic stability in adaptation by changing the MDR traits. Phylogenetic analysis of mutL revealed the MDR relatedness of P. aeruginosa strains.
Effects of a Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Selective Antagonist on the Inflammatory Reaction to Titanium Particles In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Zhou F , Lu J , Zhu X , Mao H , Yang H , Geng D , Xu Y
Published: February 2013

Wear particle-induced inflammation is a major factor contributing to aseptic loosening in peri-prosthetic tissue. The effects of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) on wear particle-induced inflammation remain unclear. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to assess the effects of a CB2-selective antagonist, AM630, on regulation of the inflammatory reaction and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to in vitro and in vivo stimulation with titanium particles. In vitro studies, in a model for pre-osteoclast-like cells, demonstrated that AM630 inactivation of CB2 profoundly inhibited interleukin (IL)-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α production by RAW264.7 cells stimulated with titanium particles. In vivo findings in a murine air-pouch model of titanium-induced inflammatory osteolysis indicated that AM630 reduced titanium-induced tissue inflammation, seen as a reduction in pouch membrane thickness, inflammatory infiltration and levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α. Thus, inactivation of CB2 by AM630 inhibited the titanium particle-induced inflammatory reaction by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo.
Evaluation of Two Different Hand Hygiene Procedures during Routine Patient Care
Authors: Eksi F , Mehli M , Akgun S , Bayram A , Balci I , Aydin N
Published: February 2013

In this study, the antimicrobial efficacy of hand washing (HW) and hand washing plus rubbing with an alcohol-based solution (HWR) on numbers of total and transient flora colonies on the hands of healthcare workers (HCWs) during routine patient care was assessed. Samples were collected, using a standard bag broth technique, from the hands of 154 HCWs, before and immediately after carrying out a hand hygiene procedure. The numbers of total and transient flora colonies per plate were counted and transient pathogens were identified. A significant statistical difference between ward speciality was detected with respect to the isolation rate of transient flora. Transient hand flora were recovered from 25.3% of HCWs before carrying out the hand hygiene procedure. With respect to the disappearance and prevention of regrowth of transient flora after hand hygiene, the HWR technique was significantly more effective than HW. In conclusion, a disinfectant should be added to the hand washing process to achieve optimum protection against nosocomial infections in routine hospital practice.
Predictive Value of Assessment of Different Modalities in the Diagnosis of Infantile Cholestasis
Authors: Donia AES , Ibrahim SM , Kader MSEMA , Saleh AM , El-Hakim MS , El-Shorbagy MS , Mansour MM , Gibriel MA
Published: February 2013

This study investigated the relative accuracy and roles of abdominal ultrasonography, hepatobiliary scintigraphy and liver biopsy in the diagnosis of infantile cholestasis. A total of 50 infants (27 females) aged 1 − 12 months were classified into those with intrahepatic causes of cholestasis ( n = 22) and those with extrahepatic causes ( n = 28). Cholestasis is caused by a wide range of conditions and diagnosis requires meticulous history taking, thorough clinical examination and many laboratory tests. The most common cause of intrahepatic cholestasis was found to be idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (54.5%), followed by infectious hepatitis (9.1%), metabolic liver diseases (9.1%), intrahepatic biliary atresia (9.1%) and Alagille syndrome (4.5%). The most common cause of extrahepatic cholestasis was extrahepatic biliary atresia (96.4%). The incidence of choledochal cyst was low (3.6%). The cornerstone of the diagnosis of infantile cholestasis was found to be liver biopsy, which was associated with a high degree of accuracy.
The Diagnostic Value of Ultrasound Elastography in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus Infection: A Prospective Study
Authors: Gou YZ , Liu B , Jiang W , Yu HT , Bai XF
Published: February 2013

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound elastography for evaluating liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in 74 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, treated with telbivudine (22 with chronic HBV infection, 32 with compensated cirrhosis and 20 with decompensated cirrhosis). Each patient underwent ultrasound elastography measurements and serum liver marker assays before and after 6 months' treatment with 600 mg telbivudine, orally, once daily. In the 22 patients with chronic HBV infection, LSM values measured by ultrasound elastography decreased significantly following the treatment period compared with baseline. The LSM values were significantly higher in the 20 patients with decompensated cirrhosis than in the 32 patients with compensated cirrhosis after treatment. Significant decreases in serum hepatic fibrosis indices occurred in all patients following treatment. The correlation between fibrosis index, hyaluronic acid level and LSM was statistically significant in all patients, whereas the correlation between alanine aminotransferase and LSM was not. The findings suggest that liver stiffness in patients with HBV can be measured simply with ultrasound elastography and that it is reduced within 6 months by treatment with telbivudine. The main adverse events noted during the study period were that creatine kinase levels were increased in seven patients and that seven patients had influenza-like symptoms.
Hyperosmolar Water-Soluble Contrast Medium in the Management of Adhesive Small-Intestine Obstruction
Authors: Atahan K , Aladağli I , Çökmez A , Gür S , Tarcan E
Published: February 2013

This prospective study investigated the value of the hyperosmolar water-soluble contrast medium Urografin® in choosing which patients with small-intestine obstruction, caused by post-operative adhesions, to treat conservatively. Thirty-seven patients with adhesive intestinal obstruction received Urografin® via a nasogastric tube. Direct abdominal radiographs were taken after 2, 4 and 8 h. Twenty-four patients (64.9%) had Urografin® in the right colon within 8 h and were considered to have partial obstruction. These patients commenced oral feeding even though abdominal radiographs revealed gas–fluid levels. In the remaining 13 patients (35.1%), Urografin® was not observed in the right colon within 8 h: three of the 13 patients (23.1%) were successfully treated conservatively; 10 of the 13 patients (76.9%) developed toxic signs and underwent surgery, with obstruction resulting from adhesive bands being confirmed at operation. Conservative treatment can be recommended for patients in whom contrast medium is observed in the right colon within 8 h following administration, regardless of the presence of obstruction signs. Absence of contrast medium in the right colon within 8 h cannot, however, be considered an indication for surgery.
Expression of Glucose Transporter-1, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α, Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Protein Kinase B (Akt) in Relation to [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake in Nasopharyngeal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Fang J , Luo X-M , Yao H-T , Zhou S-H , Ruan L-X , Yan S-X
Published: February 2013

This report presents a case of nasopharyngeal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and a literature review concerning the use of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). A 37-year old man was admitted to hospital complaining of nasal secretions with minor epistaxis and a 20-year history of snoring. Nasal endoscopy found diffuse swelling in the nasopharynx and a biopsy was performed. Prior to chemotherapy, FDG-PET/CT showed soft-tissue diffuse thickening and FDG accumulation in the nasopharynx and bilateral cervical lymph nodes; FDG did not accumulate elsewhere. After four cycles of chemotherapy (rituximab, cyclo-phosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine) and prednisone treatment, FDG-PET/CT showed that FDG still accumulated in the nasopharynx and bilateral cervical lymph nodes, therefore radiotherapy was initiated. At 1 year, FDG-PET/CT showed no FDG accumulation. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the tumour was positive for phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt), suggesting that FDG uptake may be associated with factors activated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signalling pathway.
CD34-Positive Expression in Benign Nasal Glomus Tumour: Two Case Reports and a Literature Review
Authors: Xu Y-Y , Luo X-M , Zhou S-H , Zheng Z-J
Published: February 2013

Nasal glomus tumours are extremely rare neoplasms with poorly understood histogenesis, but which are clinically recognized as benign. The neoplastic cells of glomus tumours resemble normal glomus cells and are arranged around a varying number of thin-walled, sometimes branching, capillaries. CD34 is known to be a marker of tumour progenitor cells. In this report, two cases of benign nasal glomus tumour are presented. The tumours were excised completely via endoscopic endonasal surgery under local anaesthesia. During surgery, there was little bleeding and the post-surgical course for both patients was uneventful. Tumour cells from both cases were positive for α-smooth muscle actin, actin, vimentin and CD34 protein. Thus, CD34 positivity against a background of other immunohistochemical markers is helpful in the differential diagnosis of glomus tumours.
MicroRNA in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Yu C , Chen W-P , Wang X-H
Published: February 2013

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent degenerative joint disease and is accompanied by pain and joint dysfunction. Its clinical treatment tends to be unsatisfactory. Novel targets in OA include genes that are involved in OA pathophysiology and have been discovered using gene network, epigenetic and microRNA (miRNA) approaches. miRNA has been implicated in important cellular processes such as lipid metabolism, apoptosis, differentiation and organ development. The importance of miRNA regulation in cellular function is becoming increasingly clear as new miRNA targets are revealed. The present review summarizes the current evidence of the important role played by miRNA in determining the complex gene expression patterns of OA chondrocytes and their role in the regulation of transcription, and possible demethylation mechanisms that might be applicable in OA. In summary, miRNA may have important diagnostic and therapeutic potential, and might provide a novel means of treating OA.
QT Dispersion Measured by Automatic Computerized 12-Lead Electrocardiography Contributes Significantly to Detection of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Japanese Patients
Authors: Izumi R , Shinohata R , Ohmaru N , Kitawaki T , Usui S , Ikeda S , Kusachi S
Published: February 2013

This study assessed the diagnostic value of QT dispersion for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) as determined by echocardiography. The QT and QRS interval parameters were determined automatically using computerized 12-lead electrocardiography in 153 Japanese outpatients. Corrected QT dispersion (QTcD) and maximal QRS duration (MaxQRS) were significantly correlated with left ventricular mass index. The sum of QTcD and MaxQRS showed the highest correlation with left ventricular mass index among QT and QRS interval parameters and their combinations. The cut-off points for LVH discrimination in this study were different to those reported in Western, mainly Caucasian, populations, suggesting the need for ethnicity-specific LVH detection criteria. A scoring system derived from multiple logistic regression analysis, employing a combination of QTcD, QRS time–voltage product and ST-T change, showed a specificity of 86.3%. It was concluded that QTcD, in addition to QRS time–voltage product and ST-T change, improved the detection of LVH.
AKR1B10 is Associated with Smoking and Smoking-Related Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kang M-W , Lee E-S , Yoon SY , Jo J , Lee J , Kim HK , Choi YS , Kim K , Shim YM , Kim J , Kim H
Published: February 2013

This prospective study explored the relationship between expression of AKR1B10 mRNA and various clinical parameters in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in terms of its validation as a marker for NSCLC. Tumour tissue samples were collected from 229 patients with NSCLC. Tissue samples from adjacent non-malignant lung tissue (> 5 cm from the tumour) of 89 of these patients and samples from 20 patients with benign lung disease were used as controls. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction showed significantly higher levels of AKR1B10 mRNA expression in NSCLC tumour tissue than in adjacent non-malignant lung tissue and benign lung tissue. Statistically significant factors for AKR1B10 mRNA over-expression were found to be male gender, smoking, squamous cell carcinoma and moderate or poor cell differentiation. It is concluded that AKR1B10 seems to have potential as a prognostic marker for NSCLC and warrants further investigation.
Correlation between B Lymphocyte Abnormality and Disease Activity in Patients with Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Wang B , Zuo K , Wu Y , Huang Q , Qin W-S , Zeng C-H , Li L-S , Liu Z-H
Published: February 2013

This study investigated the relationship between peripheral blood B lymphocytes, regulatory T-cells and T lymphocyte subsets, the distribution of B lymphocytes in the kidney, and the pathogenesis of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). Lymphocyte subsets were measured using flow cytometry in 66 patients with clinically-confirmed IMN and in 40 healthy control subjects. Compared with healthy subjects, the number of peripheral blood B lymphocytes was significantly increased in IMN patients and that of regulatory T-cells was significantly decreased, accompanied by an increased CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio. There was no relationship between the number of peripheral blood B lymphocytes and markers of kidney function. Although the number of infiltrating B lymphocytes in the kidney of IMN patients was higher, there was no relationship with the number of peripheral blood B lymphocytes. In conclusion, there was no relationship between peripheral blood B lymphocytes and disease activity, suggesting that peripheral blood B lymphocytes are not a biomarker of disease activity and therapeutic efficacy in IMN.
Significant Increase in Natural-Killer T Cells in Patients with Tuberculosis Complicated by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zhang Q , Xiao H-P , Cui H-Y , Sugawara I
Published: February 2013

This study examined the frequency of Vα24+/Vβ11+ natural-killer T (NKT) cells from peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM). The clinical grade of TB was significantly higher among diabetic patients. NKT cells from both peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage were significantly increased in diabetic TB patients compared with non-diabetic TB patients. This may be due to the generally higher bacillary burden in diabetic TB patients. NKT cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in TB patients with or without DM were significantly increased, compared with levels in non-TB diabetic patients and healthy controls. The measurement of NKT cells from peripheral blood has the potential to be a reliable, non-invasive, practical diagnostic marker for active TB.
Emu Model of Full-Range Femoral Head Osteonecrosis Induced Focally by an Alternating Freezing and Heating Insult
Authors: Fan M , Peng J , Wang A , Zhang L , Liu B , Ren Z , Xu W , Sun J , Xu LX , Xiao D , Qin L , Lu S , Wang Y , Guo QY
Published: February 2013

The emu, a large bipedal bird with hip joint biomechanics similar to humans, was used to establish an experimental model of femoral head osteonecrosis and subsequent femoral head collapse. Focal lesions were induced in 20 adult male emus using an alternating liquid nitrogen freezing and radiofrequency heating insult. At 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks post-surgery, hip magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Before the emus were sacrificed, barium sulphate was infused to the lower extremity to study blood vessel distribution patterns. Femoral samples were scanned by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and evaluated histologically. Hip MRI showed changes from broad oedema to femoral head collapse. Emus developed a crippled gait from post-operative week 6. Micro-CT scans and histology showed human-like osteonecrotic changes with an impaired local blood supply. The protocol resulted in consistent full-range osteonecrosis of the femoral head that may serve as a model for testing potential treatments.
Features of Hirayama Disease on Fully Flexed Position Cervical MRI
Authors: Yin B , Liu L , Geng D-Y
Published: February 2013

This study reports on cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed in the fully flexed position in 13 male patients with Hirayama disease and 12 normal controls (males). The anterior–posterior diameter of the cervical cord at the superior margin of the C6 vertebral body was measured, as well as the angle between adjacent cervical bodies. Localized lower cervical-cord atrophy, cord flattening and abnormal signals in the posterior epidural space were studied. Patients demonstrated an increased angle between C5 and C6, and C6 cord lesions. There were significant differences between patients and controls in localized lower cervical-cord atrophy and cord flattening. Many patients were found to have a crescent-shaped high-intensity mass on T2WI MRI and a low-intensity mass on T1WI MRI in the posterior epidural space. In patients, there were specific imaging features of Hirayama disease on fully flexed MRI. Cervical MRI in the fully flexed position has significant value in the clinical diagnosis of Hirayama disease.
Immunohistochemical Detection of Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein in Normal Cervical Tissue and Cervical Cancer Tissue
Authors: Hu CJ , Zhou L , Zhang J , Huang C , Zhang GM
Published: February 2013

Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) may be a suppressor of metastasis: RKIP levels are high in normal tissues, low in primary cancers and lowest or absent in metastatic cancers. This immunohisto chemistry study investigated RKIP protein levels in 250 clinical specimens of human cervical tissue and lymph node metastases (LNM) from 210 patients with normal cervical tissue, cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN), or cervical cancer with/without LNM. Thirty-nine (86.7%) of the 45 normal-tissue samples were RKIP-positive, six (13.3%) were RKIP-negative; 48/60 (80.0%) CIN samples were positive, 12 (20.0%) were negative; 47/105 (44.8%) cervical cancer tissue samples were positive, 58 (55.2%) were negative; only 7/40 (17.5%) LNM tissue samples were positive, 33 (82.5%) were negative. There was no significant correlation between RKIP positivity and clinical stage, microscopic subtype or pathological differentiation grade. RKIP positivity correlated inversely with LNM. RKIP may play a role in cervical-cancer genesis and metastasis; RKIP down-regulation was associated with metastatic disease in human cervical cancer.
Pre-Operative Trans-Thoracic Doppler Ultrasonography Evaluation and Intra-Operative Manual Evaluation of the Left Internal Thoracic Artery in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Cihan HB , Erbas F , Erdil N , Sigirci A , Battaloglu B , Yologlu S
Published: February 2013

Patients with coronary artery disease, with ( n = 25) and without ( n = 59) type 2 diabetes, who were scheduled to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled in this prospective study. The left internal thoracic artery (LITA) was assessed for graft suitability before surgery by trans-thoracic Doppler ultrasonography and during surgery by manual measurement. Significant differences were seen between pre-operative and intra-operative LITA blood flow rates and LITA diameters, and the values of each at the two time points showed significant correlation, suggesting that pre-operative measurements largely related to intra-operative conditions. The pre-operative and intra-operative LITA blood flow rates and LITA diameters were not significantly different between patients with and without type 2 diabetes. Pre-operative LITA blood flow was monophasic in three patients without diabetes and the LITA grafts of these patients were deemed unsuitable for implantation during surgery. It is concluded that type 2 diabetes does not seem to have a negative effect on the suitability of LITA grafts. In addition, trans-thoracic Doppler ultrasonography is an easy, cost-effective, reproducible and non-invasive examination method, which may help in the evaluation of LIMA function and contribute to graft selection.
Diagnosis of Small-Bowel Disease: Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Enteroclysis and Conventional Enteroclysis
Authors: Silit E , Basekim CC , Mutlu H , Kizilkaya E , Yigitler C
Published: February 2013

In this prospective study, 32 patients with symptoms suggestive of small-bowel disease underwent conventional enteroclysis and magnetic resonance (MR) enteroclysis. Image quality, luminal distension, wall thickening, homogeneity of luminal opacification, the presence of artefacts and extraluminal changes were assessed. Small-bowel pathologies were subsequently proved surgically and by follow-up examinations in 19 (59.4%) of the patients. Abnormal findings were detected by MR enteroclysis in 11 of these 19 patients (57.9%). Normal findings on MR enteroclysis were found in eight of the 19 patients (42.1%) whereas conventional enteroclysis detected abnormal findings in these patients. Abdominal lesions outside the small bowel, comprised renal cysts, cholelithiasis, ovarian cysts and horseshoe kidney, and were detected by MR enteroclysis in two, one, four and one, respectively, of these normal patients but not by conventional enteroclysis. Excluding lesions outside of the small bowel, a higher rate of false-negative results and the missing of superficial lesions occurred with MR enteroclysis. It is, therefore, suggested that MR enteroclysis should not be used as a primary way of evaluating small-bowel disease and its use should be restricted to follow-up examinations of known disease.
Clinicopathological Characteristics and Computed Tomography Features of Mucinous Gastric Carcinoma
Authors: Yan C , Zhu Z-G , Yan M , Zhang H , Pan Z-L , Chen J , Xiang M , Chen M-M , Liu B-Y , Lin Y-Z
Published: February 2013

This study investigated the clinicopathological characteristics of mucinous gastric carcinoma (MGC) and assessed whether multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) could differentiate MGC from non-mucinous gastric carcinoma (NGC). Clinicopathological data from 542 patients with gastric carcinoma (23 MGC, 519 NGC), who underwent pre-operative MDCT examination and curative or palliative gastrectomy, were analysed. Only seven of the 23 patients with MGC were correctly diagnosed pre-operatively by endoscopic biopsy. The MGC patients had larger tumours, a higher frequency of lymph node metastases, were more likely to have tumours of tumour, node, metastasis stages III and IV, and were less likely to have a curative resection than NGC patients. In addition, five MGC patients had calcifications in the thickened gastric wall. In conclusion, MGC is rare and is detected mostly at an advanced stage. The diagnostic sensitivity of MGC by endoscopic biopsy was relatively low, whereas MDCT was helpful in distinguishing MGC from NGC.
Differential Diagnosis of Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumour and Low-Grade Myofibroblastic Sarcoma: Two Case Reports with a Literature Review
Authors: Ni C , Xu Y-Y , Zhou S-H , Wang S-Q
Published: February 2013

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) and low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS) have similar morphological and immunophenotypic features, but LGMS is more malignant than IMT and the treatment requires a wider surgical margin plus post-operative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. To date, only 28 cases of IMT and two cases of LGMS have been reported in the laryngopharynx. Recent studies have suggested that anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and cytokeratin are important markers for differentiating between the two tumours. Here, two cases involving different myofibroblastic tumours of the larynx are reported. Based on the histological and immunohistochemical results, case 1 was diagnosed as IMT involving the right arytenoepiglottic fold, while case 2 was diagnosed as LGMS involving the epiglottic–glossal surface. There was no recurrence or metastasis in either case after post-operative follow-up (12 and 14 months, respectively). It is difficult to distinguish IMT from LGMS; both morphological and immunohistological analyses are required.
Tuberculous Sacroiliitis: A Study of the Diagnosis, Therapy and Medium-Term Results of 15 Cases
Authors: Gao F , Kong X-H , Tong X-Y , Xie D-H , Li Y-G , Guo J-J , Tang T-S
Published: February 2013

This report reviews the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of 15 Chinese patients with tuberculous sacroiliitis (TBS) from 1997 to 2007. Buttock pain and lower back pain were the main complaints. All patients received antituberculosis chemotherapy treatment for at least 18 months; 10 also underwent surgery, with seven undergoing modified Smith-Petersen arthrodesis (evaluated using a visual analogue scale [VAS] for pain and the Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]). No simplex tuberculous synovitis existed at diagnosis. Bone-marrow oedema, cold abscess and soft-tissue oedema responded to antituberculosis treatment. Thirteen patients (86.7%) had satisfactory outcomes. There were also significant improvements in VAS and ODI scores post-operatively. In the chemotherapy plus surgery group, eight patients had solid bony fusions at 24 months post-operatively, while the five on chemotherapy alone presented with fibrous ankylosis at 24 months. Chemotherapy is the main treatment for TBS and modified arthrodesis is a feasible and effective method for treating severe joint
Dasatinib Treatment for Imatinib Resistant or Intolerant Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
Authors: Li J , Xu G , Yu S , He L , Guo L
Published: February 2013

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a genetically associated malignancy of haematopoietic stem cells, characterized by a t(9;22) translocation that forms the Philadelphia chromosome and creates a novel fusion gene, BCR—ABL. Treatment with molecular-targeted therapy is usually initiated with imatinib, an inhibitor of BCR—ABL tyrosine kinase. Imatinib resistance is, however, observed in some CML patients, especially in those with advanced disease. Through computerized literature searches, a systematic analysis was conducted to examine the efficacy and benefits of dasatinib therapy for imatinib resistant or intolerant CML patients in the chronic phase (CP), accelerated phase (AP) and fatal blast crisis phase (BC). In terms of major haematological and cytogenetic responses, this meta-analysis showed no significant differences in dasatinib treatment between myeloid BC-CML and lymphoid BC-CML patients with imatinib resistance or intolerance. Dasatinib therapy was, however, significantly more effective in improving major haematological and cytogenetic responses for CP-CML patients than for AP-CML patients with imatinib resistance or intolerance.
Expression of the Stem Cell Marker Nestin in Pre/Hypertrophic Chondrocytes in Osteochondroma
Authors: Du K , Peng Y , Zhang L , Liang A , Huang D
Published: February 2013

The pathogenesis of osteochondroma, the most common benign bone tumour, is not fully known. To date, regulation of nestin protein levels in osteochondromas and normal growth plates has not been reported. This study used immunohistochemical analysis to detect nestin protein levels in 48 osteochondromas and 13 normal growth plates (eight fetal and five postnatal). Nestin protein was mainly restricted to prehypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes in osteochondroma. Nestin levels were significantly higher in osteochondromas in adolescents (age range 4 – 18 years, n = 32) than in osteochondromas in young adults (age range 20 – 28 years, n = 11), and significantly higher in osteochondromas in young adults than in those in older adults (age range 40 – 77 years; n = 5). Nestin protein was not present in normal growth plates. The presence of nestin protein parallels the biological behaviour of osteochondromas and is restricted to prehypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes, indicating that these nestin-positive cells may be central to osteochondroma development.