Evaluation of peripheral blood involvement of mantle cell lymphoma by fluorescence in situ hybridization in comparison with immunophenotypic and morphologic findings.

Mantle cell lymphoma is non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma characterized by the t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation. Peripheral blood involvement of mantle cell lymphoma is usually associated with a poor prognosis and therefore, its identification is clinically important. In this study, we performed cyclin D1/IgH-probe fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis on 223 peripheral blood samples: 185 from 125 mantle cell lymphoma patients, and 38 normal controls. The cutoff values for the test were established using normal controls. Flow cytometry on peripheral blood and corresponding bone marrow samples was used to evaluate this test. In all, 26% of the 185 peripheral blood samples and 27% of the 161 corresponding bone marrow samples were flow cytometry positive for mantle cell lymphoma. The mean numbers of single and- double-fusion signals and the mean number of CD5/CD19-positive cells, absolute blood lymphocyte count, and white blood cell count were significantly higher in peripheral blood and corresponding bone marrow samples with mantle cell lymphoma-positive flow cytometry. Double-fusion signals were more specific than single-fusion ones. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was far more likely to be positive for mantle cell lymphoma when the peripheral blood and the corresponding bone marrow samples had positive flow cytometry results or morphology (P<0.01). Our study indicates that cyclin D1/IgH-fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis could be used to determine the presence and character of circulating mantle cell lymphoma cells in peripheral blood, thus enhancing our ability to evaluate leukemic mantle cell lymphoma and minimum residual disease.     

结核分枝杆菌Ag85B/GST融合蛋白表达载体构建及在大肠杆菌中的表达

目的 构建结核分枝杆菌Ag85B／GSF融合蛋白表达质粒，并在大肠杆菌(E．coli)中诱导表达。方法 以质粒pUC18／Ag85B为模板，用PCR法扩增结核杆菌Ag85B基因，扩增的Ag85B上游含有EcoR Ⅰ酶切位点，下游含有SalⅠ酶切位点；将Ag85B基因定向插入质粒pGEX-4T-1中，构建原核表达质粒pGEX-Ag85B并转化E．coli B121，筛选阳性重组子，限制性内切酶切鉴定和DNA序列测定，异丙基硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导表达，SDS-PAGE和Westem blot鉴定结果。结果 成功构建原核表达质粒pGEX-Ag85B并表达出Mr约56000大小的Ag85B／GSY融合蛋白，表达量占总菌体的30％。结论 为进一步进行纯化Ag85B蛋白和研究其在膀胱肿瘤治疗中的作用奠定了基础。     

Migraine is associated with enhanced arterial stiffness.

Migraine is a common subtype of headache. Epidemiological studies have revealed that migraine could be an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke even in elderly subjects. Arterial stiffness is one of the major pathophysiological bases of stroke. In the present study, we cross-sectionally investigated the possible relationship between migraine and arterial stiffness in community-dwelling subjects. The study subjects were independently recruited from two sources (Group A, n=134, 68+/-5 years; Group B, n=138, 68+/-7 years). Augmentation index (AI), the ratio of augmented pressure by the reflection pressure wave to the pulse pressure, was obtained from the radial arterial waveform as an index of arterial stiffness. Brachial blood pressure was also measured simultaneously. Migraine was diagnosed using a previously validated questionnaire. The prevalence of migraine was 5.2% (Group A) and 16.7% (Group B). Subjects with migraine had higher radial AI in both Group A (migraine, 101+/-15%; other headache, 88+/-12%; no headache, 86+/-12%, p=0.003) and Group B (95+/-11%, 90+/-11%, 91+/-14%, p=0.058). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that migraine was an independent determinant of AI (beta=0.154, p=0.002) after adjustment for other confounding factors: age (beta=-0.024, p=0.654); sex (beta=0.141, p=0.069); body height (beta=-0.215, p=0.005); systolic blood pressure (beta=0.174, p=0.001); medication for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus (beta=-0.014, p=0.787); and heart rate (beta=-0.539, p<0.001). In a separate analysis by sex, migraine was also a significant determinant for AI (male, beta=0.246, p=0.019; female, beta=0.159, p=0.008). Migraine in the elderly could be a clinical manifestation of enhanced arterial stiffness.     

Temperature dependence of spurious pulses in use of plastic scintillation detectors.

Pulse-height and time spectra of afterpulses from a scintillation detector with NE102A scintillator sandwiching a 60Co source were observed at several different temperatures. From time analysis with a slow amplifier followed by a conventional TAC, spurious pulses are grouped into two types; time-dependent afterpulses and random noise. The intensity of afterpulses decreased considerably with increasing temperature, while the intensity of random noise pulses increased abruptly above 50 degrees C. Experiments, in which the temperatures of scintillator sheets and of the photomultiplier tube were changed separately, suggested that the time-dependent afterpulses were produced in the scintillator itself, while the random component arose from photomultiplier tube.     

Localized wall thickening of the gallbladder mimicking a neoplasm

Clinical diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis is made based on diffuse hyperechoic thickening of the gallbladder wall as shown by ultrasonographic examination. We herein report three cases of chronic cholecystitis showing localized hypoechoic thickening of the gallbladder wall that mimicked gallbladder cancer by ultrasonography. Histologically, hypertrophy of the muscularis propria was a common characteristic finding in these three patients. A smooth surface of the inner hypoechoic layer of the thickened wall was considered to be a reliable finding in the differential diagnosis between this type of chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder cancer.     

原发性小肠肿瘤诊断治疗的临床分析(附58例报告)

目的探讨原发性小肠肿瘤临床特型、病理分型及诊治经验。方法回顾性分析1993年10月。2003年10月收治的有完整资料的58例原发性小肠肿瘤病例。结果本组包括13例(22．4％)良性肿瘤，45例(77．6％)。小肠良性肿瘤均行局部肠段切除，除2例死于其它疾患外，余11例健在；小肠恶性肿瘤患者中，院内死亡6例，仅11例能行根治性肠切除，37例行化疗(总有效率83．4％)，随访33例(随访率89．5％)，存活5年以上者14例(5年生存率42．4％)，多为T细胞性非何杰金淋巴瘤。结论原发性小肠肿瘤恶性所占比例较高，缺乏特征性的临床表现及有效的诊断手段，易致长期延误诊治，预后甚差；对原因不明的腹痛、消化道出血及定位不明的腹部包块患者及早行剖腹探查是避免小肠肿瘤长期误诊、改善患者预后的可靠手段。     

健身宝对衰老模型小鼠血清SOD和MDA的影响

目的　研究健身宝补脾益肾、延缓衰老的作用机制。方法　将 60只小鼠随机分为 6组 ,除正常对照组外均每日注射对D -半乳糖造成衰老模型 ,同时给予不同剂量的健身宝和金匮肾气丸。 6周后检测小鼠血清中SOD活性、MDA含量。结果　衰老模型组与正常对照组比较 ,小鼠血清中SOD活性显著降低 ,MDA含量显著升高 (P <0 .0 1 ) ;而健身宝大、中剂量组与正常对照组相比较 ,小鼠血清中SOD活性显著升高 ,MDA含量显著降低 ,与衰老模型组相比较有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　健身宝明显提升D -半乳糖拟衰小鼠血清中SOD活性 ,降低MDA含量 ,可从调节自由基代谢和提高抗氧化能力方面发挥延缓衰老的作用。     

糖皮质激素依赖性皮炎的治疗进展

糖皮质激素依赖性皮炎临床报道中,中医、中西医结合的治疗方法最多,显示出了其优势所在,其中中药疗效优于西药,且在改善和治愈面部潮红、毛细血管扩张、色素变化、病情反跳等症状方面优势明显,对于面部痤疮样皮疹、痒及不适等症状,中、西药治疗疗效相近。目前糖皮质激素依赖性皮炎最好的治疗方法应该是中西医结合疗法。     

Performance measurement of the microPET focus 120 scanner.

The microPET Focus 120 scanner is a third-generation animal PET scanner dedicated to rodent imaging. Here, we report the results of scanner performance testing. METHODS: A (68)Ge point source was used to measure energy resolution, which was determined for each crystal and averaged. Spatial resolution was measured using a (22)Na point source with a nominal size of 0.25 mm at the system center and various off-center positions. Absolute sensitivity without attenuation was determined by extrapolating the data measured using an (18)F line source and multiple layers of absorbers. Scatter fraction and counting rate performance were measured using 2 different cylindric phantoms simulating rat and mouse bodies. Sensitivity, scatter fraction, and noise equivalent counting rate (NECR) experiments were repeated under 4 different conditions (energy window, 250 approximately 750 keV or 350 approximately 650 keV; coincidence window, 6 or 10 ns). A performance phantom with hot-rod inserts of various sizes was scanned, and several animal studies were also performed. RESULTS: Energy resolution at a 511-keV photopeak was 18.3% on average. Radial, tangential, and axial resolution of images reconstructed with the Fourier rebinning (FORE) and filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithms were 1.18 (radial), 1.13 (tangential), and 1.45 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) (axial) at center and 2.35 (radial), 1.66 (tangential), and 2.00 mm FWHM (axial) at a radial offset of 2 cm. Absolute sensitivities at transaxial and axial centers were 7.0% (250 approximately 750 keV, 10 ns), 6.7% (250 approximately 750 keV, 6 ns), 4.0% (350 approximately 650 keV, 10 ns), and 3.8% (350 approximately 650 keV, 6 ns). Scatter fractions were 15.9% (mouse phantom) and 35.0% (rat phantom) for 250 approximately 750 keV and 6 ns. Peak NECR was 869 kcps at 3,242 kBq/mL (mouse phantom) and 228 kcps at 290 kBq/mL (rat phantom) at 250 approximately 750 keV and 6 ns. Hot-rod inserts of 1.6-mm diameter were clearly identified, and animal studies illustrated the feasibility of this system for studies of whole rodents and mid-sized animal brains. CONCLUSION: The results of this independent field test showed the improved physical characteristics of the F120 scanner over the previous microPET series systems. This system will be useful for imaging studies on small rodents and brains of larger animals.