Evidence of allosteric conformational changes in the antibody constant region upon antigen binding

We have addressed the question of whether antigen binding induces a conformational change in the heavy chain constant (C(H)) domain of antibodies using staphylococcal protein A or streptococcal protein G as probes, since these proteins are known to bind to IgG domains such as C(H)1 and C(H)2-C(H)3 domains. Biosensor assays on interactions between these proteins and mouse IgG specific to (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP) or their enzymatic fragments conducted in the presence or absence of the hapten, NP-epsilon-aminocaproic acid (NP-Cap), showed that the binding of IgG to these proteins was inhibited by the binding of NP-Cap. The results of isothermal titration calorimetry also revealed that the association constant for the interaction of protein A with IgG2b decreased by the addition of NP-Cap. These results suggested that antigen binding induced conformational changes in binding sites for protein G or protein A located at C(H)1 and C(H)2-C(H)3 domains, respectively.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of femoral head development in roentgenographically normal patients

Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 22 patients with roentgenographically normal hips were reviewed retrospectively and the findings categorized according to age. With increasing maturity, the MR intensity of the femoral heads on spin echo images increased, as marrow fat became a dominant tissue in the head. The femoral head pattern was relatively inhomogeneous, with a broad band of diminished intensity extending in a posteromedial to anterolateral direction, corresponding to the pattern of trabecular bone. The femoral capital epiphyses were visible in younger patients as structures of bright intensity which remained evident through early adulthood. The articular cartilage of the hip joint was noted as a distinctive halo around the femoral head. An understanding of the MR pattern of the normal hip will aid in the early recognition of pathologic conditions, such as osteonecrosis.     

Remote metabolic effects of cerebrovascular lesions: magnetic resonance and positron tomography imaging

Summary Combined Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Proton Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) study were performed in six patients with chronic supratentorial stroke to investigate whether remote hypometabolic regions revealed by PET showed any abnormality on MRI. Either regional oxygen consumption (n=4) or glucose utilization (n=2) were measured using PET and the ¹⁵O steady state ¹⁸FGD technique, respectively. Four patients, with deeply located brain lesions, showed a significant metabolic reduction in the overlying cerebral cortex. In the remaining two patients, affected by a large cortical infarct, there was a significant crossed cerebellar hypometabolism. The MRI weighted by the parameters spin density (), spin lattice (T₁) and spin-spin (T₂) relaxation times were obtained employing various sequences in the same subjects. In no patient did the MRI show any contrast modification in these hypometabolic remote regions, suggesting that subtle loss of tissue and/or biochemical change do not underlie the reduction in metabolic rate.     

The Effects of Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Implantable Pulse Generators

The effects of magnetic resonance imaging were assessed on four dual chamber and two single chamber pulse generators. The tests were performed with a resistive, water-cooled magnet operating at 0.15 T. The 6.4-MHz radiofrequency (RF) field was operated at a maximum power of 1,000 watts with a period adjusted from 130 to 500 ms. Reed switch closure occurred in all six pulse generators tested when placed near the entrance of the magnetic resonance imaging scanner, and the generators reverted to asynchronous operation unless programmed to the "magnet off" mode. None of the pulse generators exhibited any alterations in programmed parameters or in the ability to be reprogrammed after RF pulsing. When the RF field was turned on, there was no change in the asynchronous paced cycle length in four pulse generators; however, during RF scanning there was rapid cardiac stimulation at the RF pulse period in one single chamber and one dual chamber pulse generator.     

亚急性联合变性的临床分析

目的探讨亚急性联合变性(SCD)的临床特点、发病机制及电生理和磁共振成像的诊断价值.方法对14例SCD患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果发现所有SCD患者发病均由维生素B12缺乏所引起.肢体感觉异常,深感觉减退,共济失调及痉挛性轻瘫是SCD常见的症状和体征.该病早期易误诊,电生理检查有极高的敏感性,磁共振成像可以确定脱髓鞘的部位.结论血清维生素B12浓度测定,体感诱发电位及磁共振对诊断和治疗有重要作用.     

The clinical impact of Prostate Imaging–Reporting and Data System classification in patients with haemospermia undergoing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate

In this study, we evaluated the role of the Prostate Imaging–Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) classification of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to determine the likelihood of prostate cancer (PCa) in patients with haemospermia. Fifty-one patients presenting with haemospermia between 2018 and 2020 were included in this retrospective study. Forty-two of the patients (82.4%) were over 40 years, and the median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 1.4 ng/ml. Fourteen of the patients (27.5%) had recurrent haemospermia. All patients underwent mpMRI, and assessments were classified according to PI-RADS v2. The mpMRI revealed PI-RADS one to four lesions in 10 (19.6%), 30 (58.8%), 6 (11.8%) and 5 (9.8%) patients respectively. One patient with PI-RADS 3 and five with PI-RADS 4 lesions underwent cognitive fusion prostate biopsy depending on MRI findings, and two patients with PI-RADS 4 lesions were diagnosed with PCa. Patients with haemospermia and risk factors, that is aged over 40 years, a high PSA level or familial history of PCa, need a more thorough evaluation with mpMRI.     

Relationship between Pathological Characteristics and Radiological Findings on Perfusion MR Imaging of Meningioma

Few studies have reviewed the roles of perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the histopathological examination of meningiomas. We analyzed the relationships between radiological findings on perfusion MR imaging and pathological characteristics such as origin of the tumor, mitotic activity, pathological subtype, and perifocal edema formation. The subjects were 21 surgical cases of meningioma preoperatively evaluated by perfusion MR imaging. A region of interest (ROI) was set inside of the tumor, and perifocal edema of the same size, cerebral blood volume (CBV), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) on perfusion MR and diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging were analyzed. These radiological data were evaluated in comparison with histopathological characteristics. On perfusion MR imaging, the average ratio of CBV against the contralateral side was 6.43 (1.13–20.0) and that of CBF was 7.73 (1.34–11.3). There was no significant relationship with perfusion MR imaging data, tumor volume, or perifocal edema volume. However, the large peritumoral edema group often had a higher CBV and CBF than the non-large peritumoral edema group. The skull base group had a significantly higher CBV and lower signal intensity on DW images than the non-skull base group. Signal intensity on DW images was higher in grade II or III than in grade I. Perfusion MR imaging data revealed that the higher ratio of peritumoral edema against tumor size was associated with higher blood flow and blood volume under intratumoral circulatory conditions, and that skull base meningioma had a higher blood volume than non-skull base meningioma.     

动态增强磁共振成像在评估女性乳房乳头乳晕血供的应用

目的探究动态增强磁共振成像(DCE-MRI)用于评估女性乳房乳头乳晕血供特点的可行性,为乳房整形手术提供乳头乳晕的血供参考。方法从2012年3月至2019年10月华中科技大学同济医学院附属同济医院影像数据库中收集女性乳腺DCE-MRI图像资料,选择未发现肿物的正常乳房的DCE-MRI图像进行研究。在西门子工作站将患者乳腺DCE-MRI图像通过图像减影获取乳房血管图像,分别对轴位、冠状位和矢状位的最大密度投影(MIP)图像进行评估,结合三维MIP图像识别所有供应乳头乳晕的血管。乳头乳晕的血供被划分为内上、内侧、内下、外上、外侧、外下、中央、上方和下方9个象限,对各个象限血管进行统计和分析,并测量血管至乳房皮肤表面投影的最大距离。采用SPSS 19.0软件进行统计分析,通过卡方检验分别比较左侧与右侧乳房的乳头乳晕复合体(NAC)血供象限分布构成比。计算血管到皮肤距离的平均值、标准差及95%置信区间,通过方差分析比较各象限血管至皮肤距离的差异。P<0.05为差异具有统计学意义。结果共收集到245例患者490只女性乳房DCE-MRI图像,其中97例患者97只乳房发现有乳腺肿物,其余393只为正常乳房(97例单侧乳房、148例双侧乳房),将其作为研究对象。患者年龄23~72岁,平均43.7岁。393只乳房(左侧200只、右侧193只)共发现有637条(左侧311条、右侧326条)乳头乳晕供应血管。在637条血管中,内上象限269条(42.2%),外上180条 (28.3%),内侧57条(8.9%),下方37条(5.8%),中央30条(4.7%),内下25条(3.9%),外下25条(3.9%),上方11条(1.7%),外侧3条(0.5%)。卡方检验表明左侧乳房和右侧乳房在NAC血供象限分布构成比差异无统计学意义(χ2 =6.4,P=0.602)。除中央象限血管以外,所有血管到皮肤表面投影最大距离的平均值为0.91 cm, 95%置信区间为0.86~0.96 cm。方差分析表明各象限供血血管到皮肤投影的最大距离,差异有统计学意义(F=11.4,P<0.001)。结论 DCE-MRI可以清晰地显示乳头乳晕的血供来源。乳头乳晕血供主要来源于内上象限和外上象限的血管,血管在皮下约1 cm深度走行。