In vitro dissolution of gallstones with MTBE: correlation with characteristics at CT and MR imaging

The authors undertook a study to determine whether in vitro computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging could enable the prediction of the outcome of gallstone dissolution with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). In vitro CT and MR images were obtained of gallstones removed at surgery from 40 and 30 patients, respectively. The patterns of the gallstones seen on CT scans were categorized as dense, moderately dense, faint, isodense, rimmed, and laminated. Gallstones were categorized by maximal signal intensities seen on T1-weighted MR images. After imaging, gallstones underwent in vitro MTBE dissolution. CT appearances correlated well with dissolution rates. Greatest weight change was noted in gallstones with homogeneously faint and isodense patterns, and least weight change was seen in stones with a homogeneously dense pattern. Rimmed and laminated stones with foci of high attenuation dissolved significantly to 5% or less of the original weight, a finding indicating that such foci do not preclude dissolution. Dissolution rates correlated with attenuation values of homogeneous stones (r = .8) and of the rim portion of rimmed stones (r = .8). No correlation was found between T1-weighted signal intensities on MR images and MTBE dissolution rates.     

US location of the adductor canal hiatus: morphologic study

In the lower extremities, the adductor canal hiatus is a site of predilection for arterial stenoses and occlusions. The high incidence of vascular disease in this region is thought to be due to a local factor. To gain more insight into the mechanisms leading to such disease, the authors used ultrasound to locate the adductor canal hiatus in dissecting room preparations and in healthy volunteers.     

Fetal rhombencephalon: normal US findings

Using ultrasound (US), the authors examined 25 embryos that were 8-10 menstrual weeks old for gestational age and the presence of a small cystic structure (3-4 mm) in the posterior aspect of the cranium. This structure was seen in all embryos. The US images of an in vitro embryo at 8 weeks menstrual age were also evaluated for anatomic correlation. Analysis of these US images determined that the cystic structure was the open rhombencephalon or hindbrain. Follow-up US studies or postpartum clinical examinations of the 25 in utero embryos demonstrated no abnormal posterior cranial cystic structures or neurologic deficits. This first-trimester structure should be considered a normal finding, since it develops into the normally proportioned fourth ventricle after the 11th menstrual week.     

罗格列酮对伴有糖尿病冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病患者纤溶系统的影响：预防支架术后再狭窄的可行性

目的:观察罗格列酮对伴有糖尿病的冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)患者纤溶系统的影响,由此对罗格列酮防止支架术后再狭窄机制作初步探讨。方法:选择2006-02/12于苏州大学附属第一医院就诊的伴有2型糖尿病的冠心病患者78例,均知情同意。①实验分组及方法:按随机数字表法分为两组(n=39),常规治疗组对其基础疾病进行治疗,包括常规针对冠心病和糖尿病治疗;罗格列酮组在此基础上加用罗格列酮口服,4mg/d。②实验评估:两组观察对象均在入院时及治疗3个月后分别抽取外周血,分离血浆,检测一氧化氮、组织型纤溶酶原激活物和纤溶酶原激活物抑制剂1含量。测定一氧化氮采用硝酸还原酶法,测定组织型纤溶酶原激活物和纤溶酶原激活物抑制物1采用酶联免疫法。结果:78例患者全部进入结果分析,无脱落。①罗格列酮组患者外周血浆一氧化氮含量升高的幅度显著高于常规治疗组(P<0.01)。②罗格列酮组患者外周血浆组织型纤溶酶原激活物含量升高的幅度显著高于常规治疗组(P<0.01)。③罗格列酮组患者外周血纤溶酶原激活物抑制物1含量降低的幅度显著高于常规治疗组(P<0.01)。结论:对于伴有糖尿病的冠心病患者,在常规治疗基础上加用罗格列酮能促进纤溶系统的激活,防止血栓的形成,有效防止支架术后再狭窄。     

Delayed rupture of renal artery after renal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

Two cases are reported in which rupture of the renal artery occurred many hours after renal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Delayed rupture can be recognized by the angiographic appearance and by the presence of persistent flank pain. The typical angiographic finding is a poorly defined zone of contrast medium at the site of perforation.     

Epigenetic silencing of microRNA-199b-5p is associated with acquired chemoresistance via activation of JAG1-Notch1 signaling in ovarian cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer is a highly lethal and aggressive gynecological malignancy. The high mortality rate is due in part to the fact that many advanced cancer patients become refractory to current chemotherapeutic agents, leading to tumor recurrence and death. However, the underlying mechanisms leading to chemoresistance remain obscure. Here, we report that the loss of miR-199b-5p due to progressive epigenetic silencing leads to the activation of the JAG1-mediated Notch1 signaling cascade, thereby leading to the development of acquired chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. Using miRCURY LNA™ microRNA array and Q-PCR analyses of two pairs of cisplatin-sensitive and –resistant ovarian cancer cell lines, we identified miR-199b-5p as significantly down-regulated in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells and confirmed that miR-199b-5p is clinically associated with advanced and poor survival ovarian cancers. Interestingly, the loss of miR-199b-5p could be restored by 5-Aza-dC-mediated demethylation, and methylated specific PCR (MS-PCR), bisulfite-sequencing and pyrosequencing revealed that the promoter region of miR-199b-5p was hypermethylated. Computational and mechanistic analyses identified JAG1 as a primary target of miR-199b-5p. Notably, the reduced expression of miR-199b-5p was found to be inversely correlated with the increased expression of JAG1 using an ovarian cancer tissue array. Enforced expression of miR-199b-5p sensitized ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, re-expression of miR-199b-5p and siRNA-mediated JAG1 knockdown or treatment with Notch specific inhibitor γ-secretase (GSI) attenuated JAG1-Notch1 signaling activity, thereby enhancing cisplatin-mediated cell cytotoxicity. Taken together, our study suggests that the epigenetic silencing of miR-199b-5p during tumor progression is significantly associated with acquired chemoresistance in ovarian cancer through the activation of JAG1-Notch1 signaling.     

速激肽NK-1受体拮抗剂SR-140333对抗原引起致敏大鼠气道高反应性的影响

为观察速激肽NK-1受体拮抗剂SR-140333对抗原攻击引起的致敏大鼠气道高反应性的影响,测定了致敏大鼠在抗原攻击前后的基础呼吸频率,对MCh的反应性及支气管-肺泡灌洗液中的白细胞数量。实验结果显示,致敏大鼠吸入OA后6h基础呼吸频率增加,并显著增加乙酰甲胆碱(MCh)的反应性、MCh的-logPC₃₀值和支气管-肺泡灌洗液中的白细胞数量。ip速激肽NK-1受体拮抗剂SR-140333(0.1mg·kg^-1)或地塞米松(0.5mg·kg^-1),可明显抑制上述反应,小剂量SR-140333(0.01mg·kg^-1)仅有部分抑制作用。结果提示抗原攻击可引起致敏大鼠气道高反应性和气道炎症,速激肽NK-1受体拮抗剂可抑制这些反应。