Hepatic angiomyolipoma: Dynamic computed tomography features and clinical correlation

AIM: To study the dynamic computed tomography (CT) features of hepatic angiomyolipoma (AML) in patients with or without tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).METHODS: The clinical information, CT fi ndings and histopathological results of hepatic AML were analyzed retrospectively in 10 patients.RESULTS: Hepatic AML was prone to occur in female patients (7/10), and most of the patients (8/10) had no specific symptoms. All tumors presented as well-def ined, unenveloped nodules in the liver. Six patients with sporadic hepatic AML had a solitary hepatic nodule with a definite fat component. Non-fat components of the hepatic lesions were enhanced earlier and persistently. Prominent central vessels were noted in the portal venous phase in three patients. In four patients with hepatic AML and TSC, most of the nodules were within the peripheral liver. Seven fat-deficient nodules were found with earlier contrast enhancement and rapid contrast material washout in two patients. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis was found in one patient.CONCLUSION: Imaging features of hepatic AML are characteristic. Correct diagnosis preoperatively can be made in combination with clinical features.

Transgenic barley with overexpressed PTrx increases aluminum resistance in roots during germination

A transgenic barley line(LSY-11-1-1) with overexpressed Phalaris coerulescens thioredoxin gene(PTrx) was employed to measure the growth,protein oxidation,cell viability,and antioxidase activity in barley roots during germination on the presence of 2 mmol/L AlCl3 on filter paper.The results show that(1) compared with the non-transgenic barley,LSY-11-1-1 had enhanced root growth,although both were seriously inhibited after AlCl3 treatment;(2) the degree of protein oxidation and loss of cell viability in roots of LSY-11-1-1 were much less than those in roots of non-transgenic barley,as reflected by lower contents of protein carbonyl and Evans blue uptakes in LSY-11-1-1;(3) activities of catalase(CAT) ,glutathione peroxidase(GPX) ,ascorbate peroxidase(APX) ,and glu-tathione reductase(GR) in LSY-11-1-1 root tips were generally higher than those in non-transgenic barley root tips,although these antioxidase activities gave a rise to different degrees in both LSY-11-1-1 and non-transgenic barley under aluminum stress.These results indicate that overexpressing PTrx could efficiently protect barley roots from oxidative injury by increasing antioxidase activity,thereby quenching ROS caused by AlCl3 during germination.These properties raise the possibility that transgenic barley with overexpressed PTrx may be used to reduce the aluminum toxicity in acid soils.