Reference change values for lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive α-fetoprotein and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Abstract Background: Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive α-fetoprotein (AFP-L3) and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) have been routinely used as serological tumor markers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for surveillance. The aims of this study were: (i) to determine the biological variation of AFP-L3 and DCP in patients with chronic hepatitis C; and (ii) to calculate the reference change values (RCVs) of AFP-L3 and DCP. Methods: Ten patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and without HCC were enrolled in the study. Serum samples were collected at 14-day intervals, and 10 samples in total were obtained for each patient. AFP-L3 and DCP levels were measured by microchip capillary electrophoresis and liquid-phase binding assay. Intra-individual (CVI) and inter-individual (CVG) biological variations and RCVs were estimated from the data generated. Results: The CVI was 29.0% for AFP-L3 and 24.6% for DCP, and CVG was 63.5% for AFP-L3 and 40.4% for DCP. The RCVs for AFP-L3 and DCP were 68.3% and 58.5%, respectively. Conclusions: Increases in values for AFP-L3 and DCP within 68.3% and 58.5% may be biological variations. Clinician should take these variations into consideration for the management of patients with HCV infection under surveillance of HCC.     

Potential diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and tumor markers in differentiating combined hepatocellular–cholangiocarcinoma from hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the combination of tumor markers [alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9)] and imaging features in differentiating combined hepatocellular–cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC).

Methods

Forty consecutive patients with pathologically proven CHC were retrospectively evaluated with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Additionally, 40 HCC and 40 CC patients who were randomly selected from the same period served as a control group. Images were classified as HCC-like or CC-like pattern according to CEUS guidelines recommended by World and European Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB-EFSUMB). The diagnostic criteria of CHC were defined as follows: (1) both AFP and CA19-9 are simultaneously elevated (AFP > 20 ng/ml and CA19-9 > 100 units/ml); or (2) elevated AFP with a CC-like pattern on CEUS and without elevated CA19-9 level; or (3) elevated CA19-9 with an HCC-like pattern on CEUS and without elevated AFP level. The diagnostic tests were performed with calculation of the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

For the 40 CHC patients, the rates of elevated AFP and CA19-9 serology were 55.0 and 30.0%, respectively. Twenty-three (57.5%) patients exhibited an HCC-like pattern, and 15 (37.5%) showed a CC-like pattern. After applying the above diagnostic criteria of CHC in the 120 patients, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy, and AUC were 32.5, 93.8, 72.2, 73.5, 73.3, and 0.631%, respectively. When the actual prevalence rate (0.4–14.3%) was taken into account, the PPV and NPV were modified from 2.1 to 46.7% and 89.3 to 99.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

The combination of enhancement patterns on CEUS and serum tumor markers (AFP and CA19-9) may be a potentially specific diagnostic method to differentiate CHC from HCC and CC.

     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Control of activated T-cell survival and its application in gene therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

Over the past 10 years adoptive immunotherapieshave been developed for cancer treatment. Cytotoxic Tlymphocytes (CTL) play a major role in host antitumorimmune response. The perforin and Fas ligand (Fas-L)pathways which were two major mechanisms are res-ponsible for tumor cell death by CTLs. A major obstacleto the application of adoptive imunotherapy in thetreatment of human malignancy has been the inability to     

Features of in vitro ultrasound biomicroscopic imaging and colonoscopy for detection of colon tumor in mice

The present work tested the capability of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), at 45 MHz, to provide cross-sectional images with appropriate resolution and contrast to detect tumors and determine their penetration depths on the colon of mice, Mus musculus (Linnaeus 1758), treated with carcinogen for colon tumor induction. B-mode images were obtained, in vitro, from each animal (13 treated and 4 untreated) colon opened longitudinally and immersed in saline solution at room temperature. Prior to UBM inspection, all animals were also examined by colonoscopy. The layers of normal colon identified by UBM are: mucosa (hyperechoic), muscularis mucosae (hypoechoic), submucosa (hyperechoic) and muscularis externa (hypoechoic). UBM images of colon lesions presented structures corresponding to tumors (hyperechoic), lymphoid hyperplasia (hypoechoic) and polypoid tumors (hyperechoic). Additionally, tumoral lesion invasion through the colon was also identified. When compared with histopathologic analysis, all colon lesions detected by UBM were confirmed, while colonoscopic findings had two false negatives.     

Are pocket sized ultrasound devices sufficient in the evaluation of lung ultrasound patterns and aeration scoring in pulmonary ICU patients?

Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing - Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a practical diagnostic tool for several lung pathologies. Pocket sized USG devices (PSUDs) are more affordable, accessible,...     

Effects of near-field ultrasound stimulation on new bone formation and osseointegration of dental titanium implants in vitro and in vivo

A near-field ultrasound stimulation system was designed for use in in vitro and in vivo trials. The intensity of ultrasound was studied to optimize the osseointegration of the dental titanium implant into the adjacent bone. MG63 osteoblast-like cells were seeded on commercial purity titanium (CP-Ti) plate, and then sonicated for 3 min/day at a frequency of 1 MHz and intensities of 0.05, 0.15 and 0.30 W/cm², using either pulsed or continuous ultrasound. Cells were analyzed to determine viability (inhibition of (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Tissue culture was performed in vitro by placing a CP-Ti plate in a cultured rat neonatal calvarial defect in response to ultrasound stimulation. In the in vivo trial, screw-shaped CP-Ti implants were inserted into the metaphysis of rabbit tibia, and then stimulated by ultrasound for 10 min daily for 30 d. All samples were processed for histomorphometric evaluation and analyzed by image system. Color Doppler ultrasonography was inspected to evaluate the supply of blood flow. Pulsed ultrasound groups had higher MTT and ALP than control. Tissue culture indicated that pulsed ultrasound groups promoted cell migration and new bone regeneration more effectively than in the control. In animal study, blood flow and mature type I collagen fibers were more prevalent around titanium implants, and bone formation was accelerated in pulsed ultrasound groups. In conclusion, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound at 0.05−0.3 W/cm² may accelerate cell proliferation and promote the maturation of collagen fibers and support osteointegration. (E-mail: jrchang@ctust.edu.tw)     

Strength of skeletal muscle and quality of life in patients suffering from “typical male” carcinomas

Aim

This pilot study aimed to compare muscle strength and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients suffering from two different “typical male” cancer entities (prostate cancer and head and neck cancer).

Methods

The Biodex System 3 device was used for isokinetic strength testing of thigh muscles in both groups. QOL was evaluated by using the SF-36 Health Survey.

Results and discussion

Surprisingly, prostate cancer patients showed significantly higher values for muscular strength of thigh muscles than significant younger patients with head and neck cancer. Furthermore, prostate cancer patients revealed significantly better values in QOL subscales “bodily pain” and “physical functioning”.     

Does hepatobiliary phase sequence qualitatively outperform unenhanced T1-weighted imaging in assessment of the ablation margin 24 hours after thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinomas?

Purpose

To retrospectively determine whether hepatobiliary phase (HBP) sequence outperforms unenhanced T1-weighted imaging (uT1wI) in distinguishing the ablation margin (AM) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 24 h after thermoablation.

Material and methods

Ninety-one patients [mean age, 65.7 years; 68 M/23F] with 138 HCCs (>6 months follow-up) underwent pre- and postablation gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI. AM showed a hyperintense middle zone (MZ) surrounding central hypo- or hyperintense HCCs on uT1wI, and an intermediate-intense MZ encompassing central hypo- or hyperintense HCCs during HBP. The visible AM was defined as persistent MZ around HCCs, which were demarcated from MZ, or peripherally band encompassing MZ, which were not demarcated from HCC. The indefinite AM was defined as no demarcating HCCs from MZ. The ability to distinguish AM from HCC was classified as visible or indefinite on axial (ax)-uT1wI, ax-HBP, coronal (cor)-HBP, and combined all images. To investigate the AM visibility during HBP, significance of differences upon comparison of ax-uT1wI with combined images was analyzed. Preablation liver-tumor contrast ratio (LTCR) on ax-uT1wI and ax-HBP sequence is compared between the visible and indefinite AM.

Results

The McNemar test demonstrated a significant increase (p < 0.05) in visible AM from ax-uT1wI (60), to ax-HBP (70), cor-HBP (79), and combined images (83). TLCR with visible AM was significantly higher than that with indefinite AM on ax-uT1wI (0.4 vs. 0.2, p = 0.001) and ax-HBP sequence (0.9 vs. 0.6, p = 0.004).

Conclusions

HBP sequence might have higher feasibility to distinguish AM from tumor than ax-uT1wI. The TLCR value in visible AM was higher than that in indefinite AM on both ax-uT1wI and ax-HBP sequences.