We propose a new dual treatment strategy by venous ulcer, consisting in simultaneous modulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the wound. One treatment method which can efficient...We propose a new dual treatment strategy by venous ulcer, consisting in simultaneous modulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the wound. One treatment method which can efficiently modulate both these substances is based on the application of dual-frequency ultrasound (LDM). This strategy was checked in a pilot study on 10 patients with chronic venous ulcers and demonstrated excellent healing rate.展开更多
AIM: To experimentally investigate the acoustical behavior of different dual-mode nanosized contrast agents(NPCAs) for echographic medical imaging at low ultrasound(US) frequency. METHODS: We synthesized three differe...AIM: To experimentally investigate the acoustical behavior of different dual-mode nanosized contrast agents(NPCAs) for echographic medical imaging at low ultrasound(US) frequency. METHODS: We synthesized three different nanosized structures:(1) Pure silica nanospheres(SiNSs);(2) FePt-iron oxide(FePt-IO)-coated SiNSs; and(3) IOcoated SiNSs, employing three different diameter of SiNS-core(160, 330 and 660 nm). Tissue mimicking phantoms made of agarose gel solution containing 5 mg of different NPCAs in 2 mL-Eppendorf tubes, were insonified by a commercial echographic system at three different low US pulse values(2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 MHz). The raw radiofrequency signal, backscattered from each considered NPCA containing sample, has been processed in order to calculate the US average backscatter intensity and compare the acoustic behavior of the different NPCA types. RESULTS: The highest US contrast was exhibited by pure SiNSs; FePt-IO-coated SiNSs acoustical behavior followed a similar trend of pure SiNSs with a slight difference in terms of brightness values. The acoustic response of the examined NPCAs resulted function of both SiNS diameter and US frequency. Specifically, higher US frequencies determined higher value of the backscatter for a given SiNS diameter. Frequencydependent enhancement was marked for pure SiNSs and became less remarkable for FePt-IO-coated SiNSs, whereas IO-coated SiNSs resulted almost unaffected by such frequency variations. Pure and FePt-IO-coated SiNSs evidenced an image backscatter increasing with the diameter up to 330 nm. Conversely, among the types of NPCA tested, IO-coated SiNSs showed the lowest acoustical response for each synthesized diameter and employed US frequency, although a diameter-dependent raising trend was evidenced. CONCLUSION: The US characterization of magnetically covered SiNS shows that FePt-IO, rather than IO, was the best magnetic coating for realizing NPCAs suitable for dual mode imaging of deep organs, combining US and magnetic resonance imaging.展开更多
BACKGROUND Synchronous combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma(CHC)and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is very rare,with few literature reports and poor clinical outcomes associated with the disorder.Surgical resectio...BACKGROUND Synchronous combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma(CHC)and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is very rare,with few literature reports and poor clinical outcomes associated with the disorder.Surgical resection is the main treatment,which makes the preoperative diagnosis very important.However,due to imaging manifestations overlapping with HCC,diagnosis of this type of synchronous cancer is challenging and it tends to be misdiagnosed as multiple HCC.Herein,we report the contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)manifestations of a case of synchronous CHC and HCC,aiming at adding to the understanding of this disease.CEUS displayed exquisite vascularity and tissue perfusion in real time with good spatial and temporal resolution and more accurately reflect tumor washin and washout times than contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)in this case.CASE SUMMARY The patient was a 69-year-old female with a 20-year history of chronic hepatitis B.Due to months of epigastric pain and anorexia,she reffered to our hospital for treatment.Five days before hospitalization,abdominal magnetic resonance imaging performed at another hospital detected a space-occupying lesion in the liver.After her hospitalization,laboratory tests showed elevated alpha-fetoprotein and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level.Two suspicious liver lesions located in S4 and S6,respectively,were identified in a cirrhotic background by abdominal contrast-enhanced CT(CECT).Furthermore,the lesion in S4 and S6 were detected by CEUS and assigned to CEUS LI-RADS 5 and M categories,respectively.The patient underwent tumor radical resections.Post-operative pathology confirmed the S4 and S6 lesions to be HCC and CHC,respectively.A newly-found suspicious liver nodule with potential malignancy was detected in liver S1 by both CEUS and CECT 7 mo after operation.CONCLUSION The CEUS characteristics of CHC and HCC are different.CEUS features in combination with clinical information could help in effective diagnosis,clinical decision-making and better prognosis.展开更多
文摘We propose a new dual treatment strategy by venous ulcer, consisting in simultaneous modulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the wound. One treatment method which can efficiently modulate both these substances is based on the application of dual-frequency ultrasound (LDM). This strategy was checked in a pilot study on 10 patients with chronic venous ulcers and demonstrated excellent healing rate.
基金Supported by Italian Ministry of Instruction and Research,No.DM18604-Bando Laboratori-DD MIUR 14.5.2005 n.602/Ric/2005FESR PO Apulia Region 2007-2013-Action 1.2.4,No.3Q5AX31the Progetto Bandiera NANOMAX ENCODER
文摘AIM: To experimentally investigate the acoustical behavior of different dual-mode nanosized contrast agents(NPCAs) for echographic medical imaging at low ultrasound(US) frequency. METHODS: We synthesized three different nanosized structures:(1) Pure silica nanospheres(SiNSs);(2) FePt-iron oxide(FePt-IO)-coated SiNSs; and(3) IOcoated SiNSs, employing three different diameter of SiNS-core(160, 330 and 660 nm). Tissue mimicking phantoms made of agarose gel solution containing 5 mg of different NPCAs in 2 mL-Eppendorf tubes, were insonified by a commercial echographic system at three different low US pulse values(2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 MHz). The raw radiofrequency signal, backscattered from each considered NPCA containing sample, has been processed in order to calculate the US average backscatter intensity and compare the acoustic behavior of the different NPCA types. RESULTS: The highest US contrast was exhibited by pure SiNSs; FePt-IO-coated SiNSs acoustical behavior followed a similar trend of pure SiNSs with a slight difference in terms of brightness values. The acoustic response of the examined NPCAs resulted function of both SiNS diameter and US frequency. Specifically, higher US frequencies determined higher value of the backscatter for a given SiNS diameter. Frequencydependent enhancement was marked for pure SiNSs and became less remarkable for FePt-IO-coated SiNSs, whereas IO-coated SiNSs resulted almost unaffected by such frequency variations. Pure and FePt-IO-coated SiNSs evidenced an image backscatter increasing with the diameter up to 330 nm. Conversely, among the types of NPCA tested, IO-coated SiNSs showed the lowest acoustical response for each synthesized diameter and employed US frequency, although a diameter-dependent raising trend was evidenced. CONCLUSION: The US characterization of magnetically covered SiNS shows that FePt-IO, rather than IO, was the best magnetic coating for realizing NPCAs suitable for dual mode imaging of deep organs, combining US and magnetic resonance imaging.
文摘BACKGROUND Synchronous combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma(CHC)and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is very rare,with few literature reports and poor clinical outcomes associated with the disorder.Surgical resection is the main treatment,which makes the preoperative diagnosis very important.However,due to imaging manifestations overlapping with HCC,diagnosis of this type of synchronous cancer is challenging and it tends to be misdiagnosed as multiple HCC.Herein,we report the contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)manifestations of a case of synchronous CHC and HCC,aiming at adding to the understanding of this disease.CEUS displayed exquisite vascularity and tissue perfusion in real time with good spatial and temporal resolution and more accurately reflect tumor washin and washout times than contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)in this case.CASE SUMMARY The patient was a 69-year-old female with a 20-year history of chronic hepatitis B.Due to months of epigastric pain and anorexia,she reffered to our hospital for treatment.Five days before hospitalization,abdominal magnetic resonance imaging performed at another hospital detected a space-occupying lesion in the liver.After her hospitalization,laboratory tests showed elevated alpha-fetoprotein and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level.Two suspicious liver lesions located in S4 and S6,respectively,were identified in a cirrhotic background by abdominal contrast-enhanced CT(CECT).Furthermore,the lesion in S4 and S6 were detected by CEUS and assigned to CEUS LI-RADS 5 and M categories,respectively.The patient underwent tumor radical resections.Post-operative pathology confirmed the S4 and S6 lesions to be HCC and CHC,respectively.A newly-found suspicious liver nodule with potential malignancy was detected in liver S1 by both CEUS and CECT 7 mo after operation.CONCLUSION The CEUS characteristics of CHC and HCC are different.CEUS features in combination with clinical information could help in effective diagnosis,clinical decision-making and better prognosis.
