AIM: To study the patients with low gradient ascites in hospitals of Guilan Province (northern Iran).METHODS: Patients admitted in hospitals of Guilan Province with low gradient ascites from 1993 to 2000 were enrolled...AIM: To study the patients with low gradient ascites in hospitals of Guilan Province (northern Iran).METHODS: Patients admitted in hospitals of Guilan Province with low gradient ascites from 1993 to 2000 were enrolled in the study. Serum and ascitic fluid albumin levels were determined by biochemical reactions. The serum-ascitic albumin gradient (SAAG) less than 1.1 g/dL was considered low. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 9.0software and P＜0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: Of the 148 patients enrolled in the study, 72(48.6%) were males and 76 (51.4%) were females with a mean age of 59.03±13.54 years. Tuberculous peritonitis was the most frequent cause of low gradient ascites in 68 (45.9%). Other most frequent causes were cancer in 62 (41.9%), nephrotic syndrome in 9 (6%), pancreatitis in 6 (4%). Peritoneal cancer was found in 22 (35%),ovarian and gastric cancers were found in 14 (22.5%)and 12 (19.3%), respectively. All of which were the causes of ascites. The mean SAAG was 0.68±0.19 g/dL. The mean serum and ascitic fluid albumin concentrations were higher in tuberculous patients (P＜0.006), but lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was higher in cancer patients (P＜0.0001). In peritoneal tuberculosis, mean ascitic glucose concentration was significantly lower than other patients (P＜0.0001).CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis should be considered in all patients with low gradient ascites especially in developing countries (like Iran), as the first cause of ascites. In the approach to patients with low gradient ascites, ascitic fluid glucose, and LDH level are useful indicators for decision making.展开更多
Objective： To compare the effectiveness of digital mammography and MRI in the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer and to assess the value of these modalities as well as the combination of the two. Methods： Sixt...Objective： To compare the effectiveness of digital mammography and MRI in the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer and to assess the value of these modalities as well as the combination of the two. Methods： Sixty-seven patients with surgery and pathology proved breast lesion （malignant, n = 32; benign, n = 46） underwent digital mammography and MRI, the pulse sequences included T1WI, T2WI, diffuse weighted imaging （DWI）, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI before surgery. Of the results of these two modalities, all lesions were classified into 5 groups according to BI-RADS classification, and the imaging findings were correlated to histopathology. The sensitivity and specificity of each modality as well as the combination of the two were calculated. Results： Of these 78 breasts lesions, The sensitivity was 78.13%% （25/32） for digital mammography and 93.75% （30/32） for MRI （P 〉 0.05）. The specificity was 73.91%% （34/46） and 89.13% （41/46） accordingly （P 〈 0.05）, both of them showed statistical difference. The sensitivity and specificity was 98.63% and 97.16% respectively as these two modalities were used in combination. Conclusion： Digital mammography in combination with MRI is helpful in the diagnosis of breast cancer, the sensitivity and specificity was enhanced when compared to that of single modality.展开更多
AIM： To identify the bacterial flora in conditions such as Barrett＇s esophagus and reflux esophagitis to determine if they are similar to normal esophageal flora. METHODS： Using broad-range 16S rDNA PCR, esophageal...AIM： To identify the bacterial flora in conditions such as Barrett＇s esophagus and reflux esophagitis to determine if they are similar to normal esophageal flora. METHODS： Using broad-range 16S rDNA PCR, esophageal biopsies were examined from 24 patients [9 with normal esophageal mucosa, 12 with gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD）, and 3 with Barrett＇s esophagus]. Two separate broad-range PCR reactions were performed for each patient, and the resulting products were cloned. In one patient with Barrett＇s esophagus, 99 PCR clones were analyzed. RESULTS： Two separate clones were recovered from each patient （total = 48）, representing 24 different species, with 14 species homologous to known bacteria, 5 homologous to unidentified bacteria, and 5 were not homologous （〈97% identity） to any known bacterial 16S rDNA sequences. Seventeen species were found in the reflux esophagitis patients, 5 in the Barrett＇s esophagus patients, and 10 in normal esophagus patients. Further analysis concentrating on a single biopsy from an individual with Barrett＇s esophagus revealed the presence of 21 distinct bacterial species. Members of four phyla were represented, including Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Microscopic examination of each biopsy demonstrated bacteria in intimate association with the distal esophageal epithelium, suggesting that the presence of these bacteria is not transitory. CONCLUSION： These findings provide evidence for a complex, residential bacterial population in esophageal reflux-related disorders. While much of this biota is present in the normal esophagus, more detailed comparisons may help identify potential disease associations.展开更多
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical efficacy of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy （3D-CRT） for locally advanced or postoperatively relapsed rectal cancer, and to examine the changes in cancer multi-biomarke...OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical efficacy of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy （3D-CRT） for locally advanced or postoperatively relapsed rectal cancer, and to examine the changes in cancer multi-biomarkers. METHODS Sixty patients with locally advanced or postoperatively relapsed rectal cancer were randomly divided into two groups after 40 Gy external radiation, namely a late-course 3D-CRT group and a conventional radiotherapy group that served as the control. There were 30 patients in each group. For patients in the 3D-CRT group, multi-biomarkers were measured before and after radiotherapy and after relapse. RESULTS Response rates in the 3D-CRT and the control groups were 86.7% （26/30） and 70% （21/30） respectively, without a significant difference （P〉0.05）. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 80%, 53.3% and 36.7% in the 3D-CRT group; in the control group the rates were 56.7%, 40% and 13.3% respectively, with a significant difference （P=0.0213）. CEA, CA19-9, CA242 and FER decreased after radiotherapy in the 3D-CRT group, P〈0.01, indicating a significant difference. The values after relapse were higher than those without relapse, P〈0.01, indicating a significant difference. CONCLUSION Conventional radiotherapy with a 3D-CRT boost gives better therapeutic effect to patients with locally advanced or postoperatively locally relapsed rectal cancer. A multi-biomarker protein chip diagnosis system can be utilized as an effective tool to determine the therapeutic effect and prognosis.展开更多
文摘AIM: To study the patients with low gradient ascites in hospitals of Guilan Province (northern Iran).METHODS: Patients admitted in hospitals of Guilan Province with low gradient ascites from 1993 to 2000 were enrolled in the study. Serum and ascitic fluid albumin levels were determined by biochemical reactions. The serum-ascitic albumin gradient (SAAG) less than 1.1 g/dL was considered low. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 9.0software and P＜0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: Of the 148 patients enrolled in the study, 72(48.6%) were males and 76 (51.4%) were females with a mean age of 59.03±13.54 years. Tuberculous peritonitis was the most frequent cause of low gradient ascites in 68 (45.9%). Other most frequent causes were cancer in 62 (41.9%), nephrotic syndrome in 9 (6%), pancreatitis in 6 (4%). Peritoneal cancer was found in 22 (35%),ovarian and gastric cancers were found in 14 (22.5%)and 12 (19.3%), respectively. All of which were the causes of ascites. The mean SAAG was 0.68±0.19 g/dL. The mean serum and ascitic fluid albumin concentrations were higher in tuberculous patients (P＜0.006), but lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was higher in cancer patients (P＜0.0001). In peritoneal tuberculosis, mean ascitic glucose concentration was significantly lower than other patients (P＜0.0001).CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis should be considered in all patients with low gradient ascites especially in developing countries (like Iran), as the first cause of ascites. In the approach to patients with low gradient ascites, ascitic fluid glucose, and LDH level are useful indicators for decision making.
文摘Objective： To compare the effectiveness of digital mammography and MRI in the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer and to assess the value of these modalities as well as the combination of the two. Methods： Sixty-seven patients with surgery and pathology proved breast lesion （malignant, n = 32; benign, n = 46） underwent digital mammography and MRI, the pulse sequences included T1WI, T2WI, diffuse weighted imaging （DWI）, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI before surgery. Of the results of these two modalities, all lesions were classified into 5 groups according to BI-RADS classification, and the imaging findings were correlated to histopathology. The sensitivity and specificity of each modality as well as the combination of the two were calculated. Results： Of these 78 breasts lesions, The sensitivity was 78.13%% （25/32） for digital mammography and 93.75% （30/32） for MRI （P 〉 0.05）. The specificity was 73.91%% （34/46） and 89.13% （41/46） accordingly （P 〈 0.05）, both of them showed statistical difference. The sensitivity and specificity was 98.63% and 97.16% respectively as these two modalities were used in combination. Conclusion： Digital mammography in combination with MRI is helpful in the diagnosis of breast cancer, the sensitivity and specificity was enhanced when compared to that of single modality.
基金Supported by R01CA97946, R21DK57941, R01GM63270,R01 DK58587, and R01CA77955, and by the General Clinical Research Center core grant to New York University School of Medicine (NIH/NCRR M01 RR00096) from the National Institutes of Health, by the Medical Research Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and by the Ellison Medical Foundation
文摘AIM： To identify the bacterial flora in conditions such as Barrett＇s esophagus and reflux esophagitis to determine if they are similar to normal esophageal flora. METHODS： Using broad-range 16S rDNA PCR, esophageal biopsies were examined from 24 patients [9 with normal esophageal mucosa, 12 with gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD）, and 3 with Barrett＇s esophagus]. Two separate broad-range PCR reactions were performed for each patient, and the resulting products were cloned. In one patient with Barrett＇s esophagus, 99 PCR clones were analyzed. RESULTS： Two separate clones were recovered from each patient （total = 48）, representing 24 different species, with 14 species homologous to known bacteria, 5 homologous to unidentified bacteria, and 5 were not homologous （〈97% identity） to any known bacterial 16S rDNA sequences. Seventeen species were found in the reflux esophagitis patients, 5 in the Barrett＇s esophagus patients, and 10 in normal esophagus patients. Further analysis concentrating on a single biopsy from an individual with Barrett＇s esophagus revealed the presence of 21 distinct bacterial species. Members of four phyla were represented, including Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Microscopic examination of each biopsy demonstrated bacteria in intimate association with the distal esophageal epithelium, suggesting that the presence of these bacteria is not transitory. CONCLUSION： These findings provide evidence for a complex, residential bacterial population in esophageal reflux-related disorders. While much of this biota is present in the normal esophagus, more detailed comparisons may help identify potential disease associations.
基金This work was supported by a grant from Scientific Foundation of the Health Department,Hunan Provence(No.B2004-038).
文摘OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical efficacy of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy （3D-CRT） for locally advanced or postoperatively relapsed rectal cancer, and to examine the changes in cancer multi-biomarkers. METHODS Sixty patients with locally advanced or postoperatively relapsed rectal cancer were randomly divided into two groups after 40 Gy external radiation, namely a late-course 3D-CRT group and a conventional radiotherapy group that served as the control. There were 30 patients in each group. For patients in the 3D-CRT group, multi-biomarkers were measured before and after radiotherapy and after relapse. RESULTS Response rates in the 3D-CRT and the control groups were 86.7% （26/30） and 70% （21/30） respectively, without a significant difference （P〉0.05）. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 80%, 53.3% and 36.7% in the 3D-CRT group; in the control group the rates were 56.7%, 40% and 13.3% respectively, with a significant difference （P=0.0213）. CEA, CA19-9, CA242 and FER decreased after radiotherapy in the 3D-CRT group, P〈0.01, indicating a significant difference. The values after relapse were higher than those without relapse, P〈0.01, indicating a significant difference. CONCLUSION Conventional radiotherapy with a 3D-CRT boost gives better therapeutic effect to patients with locally advanced or postoperatively locally relapsed rectal cancer. A multi-biomarker protein chip diagnosis system can be utilized as an effective tool to determine the therapeutic effect and prognosis.
