BACKGROUND: We wanted to differentiate small hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from hypervascular pseudolesion (HPL) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: We reviewed small hypervascular foci (< or = 2 cm in diameter) on dynamic MRI in patients with chronic liver disease, which were followed-up with serial MRI examinations. RESULTS: Twenty of 34 hypervascular foci were larger at follow-up; 19 of 20 foci had characteristics suggesting HCC; and 14 foci did not grow or disappeared and were judged to be HPLs. There were no differences in the initial sizes and follow-up periods between HCCs and HPLs. On initial MRI, nine of 19 HCCs (47%) and one of 14 HPLs (7%) appeared hyperintense on T2-weighted images. The difference between HCCs and HPLs on T2-weighted images was statistically significant (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: HPLs are seen frequently as small hypervascular foci on dynamic MRI in patients with chronic liver disease. Hyperintensity of the foci on T2-weighted images differentiates HCCs from HPLs.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Duodenal adenoma with production of massive mucus: report of a case with emphasis on US findings.

Duodenal adenoma with massive mucus production is very rare. We report such a case. Ultrasonography (US) showed the presence of massive mucus, and contrast- enhanced US revealed the thickened wall to be homogeneously enhanced, suggesting that the lesion was composed of the same pathology. The US results were confirmed histologically by endoscopically guided biopsy. Thus, contrast-enhanced US helps determine the biopsy point and determine good diagnostic strategies.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Gallbladder adenoma: report of a case with emphasis on contrast-enhanced US findings.

There is a marked paucity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US) findings of gallbladder disease in the literature, and there is only one previous case of gallbladder adenoma. We report such a case. US showed a 2-cm polypoid lesion at the gallbladder body. Color Doppler US showed the hypervascular nature of the lesion, and contrast-enhanced US revealed the lesion to be homogeneously enhanced, suggesting that the lesion was composed of the same pathology. The lesion was surgically resected, and was found to be an adenoma without cancer foci. This case suggests that contrast-enhanced US is an effective tool in diagnosing a gallbladder adenoma.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Partial characterization of an immortalized human trophoblast cell-line, TCL-1, which possesses a CSF-1 autocrine loop.

Many previous studies in both mouse and human placenta have implicated a role for colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) in the regulation of placental development. In this study we have examined CSF-1 production by an immortalized cell line (TCL-1) derived from the choriodecidua, transfected with a retrovirus gene coding for the large-T antigen. TCL-1 cells were uniformly positive by immunocytochemistry for the composite sub-units of human chorionic g gonadotrophin (hCG) but were negative for markers of other cell types localized at the fetal-maternal interface. Gelatinase enzymes were secreted by TCL-1 cells cultured on extracellular matrix in a manner indicative of extra-villous trophoblast. Dot-blot immunoassays and ELISA indicated that CSF-1 was secreted by TCL-1 cells, at levels comparable to primary trophoblast cells and BeWo choriocarcinoma (trophoblast tumour) cells. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed the presence in TCL-1 cells of CSF-1 receptor mRNA (c-fms gene product), indicating that the components of a potential autocrine loop were present in these cells. Proliferation of TCL-1 cells was not affected by the addition of exogenous CSF-1 but was elevated in response to treatment with a CSF-1 neutralizing antibody. The immortalized cell line, TCL-1, provides a potential model in which to investigate regulation of growth and differentiation of trophoblast cells in vitro.

Base Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cerebrospinal fluid tau protein as a potential diagnostic marker in Alzheimer's disease.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Quantitative MRI of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic livers.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic livers was reviewed in 26 Japanese patients. Thirteen of the 15 HCC from noncirrhotic livers were iso- to low intense to surrounding parenchyma on T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) images. In contrast, seven of the 11 HCC in cirrhotic livers were high intense (p < 0.05). Signal intensity ratio and contrast-to-noise ratios of HCC in cirrhotic livers on T1-weighted images were higher (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) than those of HCC in noncirrhotic livers.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Increased biological potency of hexafluorinated analogs of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on bovine parathyroid cells.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) is known to be involved in regulating the proliferation of parathyroid cells and PTH synthesis through reactions involving its nuclear receptor. We evaluated the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and its hexafluorinated analog, 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3), on parathyroid cells. The 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 each inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, which is important in cell proliferation, in primary cultured bovine parathyroid cells. The inhibitory effect of 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 on PTH secretion from parathyroid cells was significantly more potent than that of 1,25-(OH)2D3 between 10(-11) M and 10(-8) M. Study of 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 metabolism in parathyroid cells in vitro elucidated its slower degradation than that of 1,25-(OH)2D3. After 48 h of incubation with [1beta-3H]26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3, two HPLC peaks, one for [1beta-3H]26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3, and a second larger peak for [1beta-3H]26,27-F6-1,23(S),25-(OH)3D3, were detected. No metabolites were detected after the same period of incubation with 1,25-(OH)2[26,27-3H]D3. We observed that 26,27-F6-1,23(S),25-(OH)3D3 was as potent as 1,25-(OH)2D3 in inhibiting the proliferation of parathyroid cells. Data suggest that the greater biological activity of 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 is explained by its slower metabolisms and by the retention of the biological potency of 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 even after 23(S)-hydroxylation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A less invasive surgery for rotator cuff tear: mini-open repair.

As a less invasive surgery of the shoulder, the mini-open repair was carried out from March 1997 through December 1998 in 22 patients (mini-open repair group) for all types of rotator cuff tears, except massive tears. A transacromial skin incision about 3 cm long was made. The anterior deltoid was split along its muscle fibers, and an anterior acromioplasty was accomplished by using a specially designed bone rasp. The rotator cuff was repaired with use of the McLaughlin technique. The results were compared with those obtained in 36 patients subjected to conventional open surgery from April 1994 through February 1997 (control group). No significant difference was seen between the UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) shoulder scores of the two groups 1 year after the repair. However, active forward flexion in the mini-open group was significantly greater than in the control group 3 and 6 months after surgery. With mini-open repair, patients seem to be able to return to sports or social activities earlier than with conventional open surgery.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Shrinkage in the inferior pouch of the scapulohumeral joint is related to postoperative pain after rotator cuff repair: radiographic and arthrographic comparison between patients with postoperative pain and those without it.

Fluoroscopic and arthrographic studies were performed in 50 patients to determine whether pain in the shoulder after rotator cuff repair was related to the restricted movement of the glenohumeral joint. The 50 patients were divided into 2 groups: group A consisted of 22 patients with mild shoulder pain for more than 1 year postoperatively, and group B consisted of the remaining 28 patients without pain after surgery. The motion in the scapulothoracic articulation and that in the glenohumeral joint were analyzed separately by measurement of the scapular motion on radiographs taken under fluoroscopic control. The glenohumeral joint capacity was measured by arthrography. Changes in the glenoid tilting angle with shoulder elevation were significantly greater in group A than those in group B. Patients in group A demonstrated a significantly smaller inferior pouch on arthrograms than those in group B. The patients with shoulder pain after rotator cuff repair thus had reduced capacity and motion of the glenohumeral joint.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatic perfusion abnormalities during treatment with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy: value of CT arteriography using an implantable port system.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate CT arteriography (CTA) using an implantable port system in the detection of perfusion abnormalities occurring during hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC). METHOD: In 51 patients with unresectable primary and metastatic liver tumors, who had implanted port systems for HAIC, CTA examinations through the infusion pump were performed. When perfusion abnormalities were found, selective angiography and/or digital subtraction angiography using the implantable port system were performed to determine the etiology. RESULTS: Forty-nine perfusion abnormalities were detected in 32 patients. Intrahepatic hypoperfusion was found in 24 cases. Of 11 patients in whom correction of the hypoperfusion was attempted, it was successful in 10. Of 13 patients in whom correction was not attempted, 6 patients showed progressive disease in nonperfused areas. Intrahepatic hyperperfusion was found in 14 cases, which showed no subsequent complication. Extrahepatic perfusion was found in 11 cases. CONCLUSION: We consider CTA to be useful in detecting perfusion abnormalities that may compromise HAIC.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMedDate not supplied

MR arteriography using an implantable port system: a new method in assessing perfusion abnormalities during hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.

We present a case in which MR arteriography (MRA) with an indwelling catheter was used in a perfusion study of intrahepatic arterial chemotherapy for liver metastases. After embolization of collateral vessels using platinum coils, CT imaging was disturbed by strong artifact. However, platinum coils produced no MR artifact. In addition, MRA had greater advantages in depicting perfusion defects than perfusion scintigraphy. We consider MRA useful in assessing perfusion abnormalities during intrahepatic arterial chemotherapy.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

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Spinal canal involvement in infantile myofibromatosis: case report and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: An unusual case of infantile myofibromatosis with spinal canal involvement is reported and the literature is reviewed. PATIENT AND METHODS: A female neonate had bladder and bowel dysfunction and paresis of the lower extremities. RESULTS: Intrapelvic and paravertebral masses with extension into the spinal canal were detected by imaging studies. In addition, radiologic examination showed multiple metaphyseal radiolucent lesions of the long bones and pathologic fracture of the left femur. The histopathologic diagnosis of the paravertebral tumor and bone lesions was infantile myofibromatosis. Surgical resection of the paravertebral and intrapelvic masses was performed to improve her neurologic impairments. Paresis of the lower limbs gradually improved, whereas bladder and bowel dysfunction remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Only six cases of infantile myofibromatosis associated with spinal canal involvement have been reported. Three patients with flaccid paresis of extremities and respiratory distress died in the newborn period. The other three patients showed improvement of the paresis. The prognosis of infantile myofibromatosis without visceral complication is generally good, but neurologic impairment may occur at birth if the spinal cord is compressed.

Bone Neoplasms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Increasing prevalence of ampicillin- resistant, non-beta-lactamase-producing strains of Haemophilus influenzae in children in Japan.

Among Haemophilus influenzae isolated from children with respiratory tract infections, the evolution of ampicillin resistance was investigated during 1996 and 1997 in Japan. beta-Lactamase production was assessed and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of eight antimicrobial agents were determined using a broth microdilution method in Mueller-Hinton-lysed horse blood medium. Of 74 H. influenzae, 11 strains (14.9%) produce beta-lactamase and were thus highly resistant to ampicillin (MIC of >4.0 microgram/ ml). In addition, moderate resistance to ampicillin, defined as an MIC of >==1.0 microgram/ml, was noted in 44.4% of all beta-lactamase-negative isolates. These beta-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) organisms were resistant to other cephalosporins such as cefpodoxime and cefdinir, while beta-lactamase-producing strains were susceptible to them. Cefditoren, cefteram, and minocycline were active against all strains studied, whereas cefaclor and clarithromycin were inactive against all H. influenzae isolates in this study. Results indicate that BLNAR strains have emerged among children with respiratory tract infections in Japan.

Ampicillin↗