"Moderate" adjuvant chemotherapy-induced leukopenia is beneficial for survival of patients with early breast cancer: a retrospective study.

Background: The association between chemotherapy-induced leukopenia (CIL) and survival for patients with early breast cancer (EBC) is not known. We investigated the relationship between different grades of CIL and survival in patients with EBC receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: A total of 442 patients with EBC receiving a regimen containing an anthracycline (A) and taxane (T) were included into our analysis.

Clinical Application of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Using High-Frequency Linear Probe in the Detection of Small Colorectal Liver Metastases.

To compare the performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using high-frequency linear and convex probes in the detection of small colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). A total of 85 patients with 143 small CRLMs were evaluated. High-frequency ultrasound (US) and CEUS detected significantly more superficial lesions within 60 mm below the skin than a convex probe (p <0.

Correlation between Disease Activity and Endorectal Ultrasound Findings of Chronic Radiation Proctitis.

The aim of this study was to summarize the imaging features of chronic radiation proctitis (CRP) on endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) and investigate the value of ERUS in the evaluation of disease activity. 40 CRP patients and 30 control patients were investigated by ERUS. Rectal wall thickness and layers, ulcers and rectovaginal fistulas were evaluated by B-mode ultrasound.

Preliminary Analysis of Clinical Situations Involved in Quantification of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Crohn's Disease.

To assess influencing factors for quantitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in Crohn's disease (CD), dynamic CEUS examinations from 77 consecutive CD patients were recorded. Peak intensity (PI) values were calculated using the pre-installed quantification software of the ultrasound scanner. The influence of depth, pressure from the ultrasound probe and intraluminal gas was analyzed.

[Comparison of four surgical procedures for the treatment of varicocele].

Objective: To compare the clinical effects of inguinal varicocelectomy, Palomo varicocelectomy,laparoscopic varicocelectomy, and microscopic varicocelectomy in the treatment of varicocele.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the pre- and post-operative clinical data about 318 cases of varicocele,108 treated by inguinal varicocelectomy,84 by Palomo varicocelectomy,68 by laparoscopic varicocelectomy, and 58 by microscopic varicocelectomy. We compared the operation time, hospital stay, pre- and post-operative sperm concentration and progressive motility, incidence of complications, rate of recurrence, and rate of sperm quality improvement among the four groups.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of gallbladder diseases: a multi-center experience.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating malignant from benign gallbladder (GB) diseases.

Methods: This study had institutional review board approval. 192 patients with GB diseases from 9 university hospitals were studied.

High-sodium intake aggravates myocardial injuries induced by aldosterone via oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of aldosterone with or without high sodium intake on blood pressure, myocardial structure and left ventricular function in rats, and to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects.

Methods: Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) control (CON) group fed a normal sodium diet, (2) aldosterone (ALD) group receiving aldosterone infusion and a normal sodium diet, and (3) high sodium plus aldosterone (HS-ALD) group receiving 1% NaCl diet in conjunction with aldosterone infusion. Aldosterone was administered through continuously subcutaneous infusion with osmotic minipump at the rate of 0.

[Correlation study between obstructive level diagnosed by Apnea Graph and cephalometric posterior airway space in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To study the correlation between Apnea Graph (AG) analysis of airway obstruction and cephalometric assessment of the posterior airway space in the diagnosis of obstructive level in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), so as to improve the preoperative diagnostic accuracy and the therapeutic outcome.

Methods: Thirty patients (28 males and two females) who were diagnosed with severe OSAHS (mean AHI 58.6) by overnight polysomnography in recent 3 months were enrolled.

The preventive effect of oral EGCG in a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder mouse model.

Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a challenging public health problem. Previous studies have found an association between FASD and oxidative stress. In the present study, we assessed the role of oxidative stress in ethanol-induced embryonic damage and the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant extracted from green tea, on the development of FASD in a murine model.

Ultrasonic elastography in breast cancer diagnosis: strain ratio vs 5-point scale.

Rationale And Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a more reliable ultrasonic elastographic diagnostic method than a five-point scoring system by analyzing the difference in stiffness between benign and malignant breast lesions.

Materials And Methods: From January 2008 to April 2009, 559 solid lesions (415 benign, 144 malignant) in 437 consecutive patients (age range, 12-77 years) were examined using ultrasound elastography (UE). Final diagnosis was made on the basis of histopathologic findings.

Semi-quantitating stiffness of breast solid lesions in ultrasonic elastography.

Rationale And Objectives: To explore whether strain ratio measurement could semi-quantitatively evaluate the stiffness of breast lesions.

Materials And Methods: From January 2008 to May 2008, 148 patients with 254 solid lesions (183 benign, 71 malignant) in the breast were included in the study. Ultrasound sonography found the lesions and ultrasonic elastography obtained the strain images.

Comparison of ultrasound elastography, mammography, and sonography in the diagnosis of solid breast lesions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of ultrasound elastography (UE) in differentiating benign versus malignant lesions in the breast and compare it with conventional sonography and mammography.

Methods: From September 2004 to May 2005, 296 solid lesions from 232 consecutive patients were diagnosed as benign or malignant by mammography and sonography and further analyzed with UE. The diagnostic results were compared with histopathologic findings.

Percutaneous ethanol injection, radiofrequency and their combination in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic effect and the indication of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and their combination in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Two hundred and fifty-five patients with HCC received treatment of PEI, RFA or their combination. Group 1 (< 3 cm in diameter, n=85) was treated with PEI, group 2 (< 3 cm in diameter, n=153) with RFA.

Impact of personality and coping mechanisms on health related quality of life in liver transplantation recipients.

Background: With the great development of liver transplantation in China, long survival and quality of life after liver transplantation have been matters of growing interest. This study was designed to investigate the impact of personality and coping skills on the quality of life after liver transplantation.

Methods: Fifty-five outpatients who had been followed up after liver transplantation at our center were assessed by general quality of life inventory (GQOLI-74), a medical coping modes questionnaire (MCMQ), an eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ), and a general condition questionnaire(GCQ).

Differentiation between malignant and benign nodules in the liver: use of contrast C3-MODE technology.

Aim: To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced C3-MODE technology in differentiating malignant nodules of liver from the benign ones.

Methods: Forty-six nodules in 36 patients (29 men and 7 women) were studied by contrast-enhanced C3-MODE technology and contrast-enhanced CT in 1 wk before the biopsy or operation. A low MI monitor and a high MI flash imaging were intermittently performed.

Detection of intratumoral vascularity in small hepatocellular carcinoma by coded phase inversion harmonics.

Objective: To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced coded phase inversion harmonic imaging (PIHI) in the depiction of intratumoral vascularity in small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Eighty-five patients with 106 HCCs < or =3 cm in diameter were evaluated with coded harmonic angio (CHA), a coded PIHI, with use of an intravenous contrast medium, Levovist. Intratumoral vessels were detected in the early arterial phase, and tumor parenchymal stain was demonstrated in the late vascular phase.

Characterization of hepatic tumors: value of contrast-enhanced coded phase-inversion harmonic angio.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced coded phase-inversion harmonic imaging in showing the characteristic intranodular hemodynamics of hepatic tumors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Using a microbubble contrast agent we performed coded harmonic angio in 163 patients with 192 hepatic tumor nodules: 153 hepatocellular carcinomas, 13 metastases, 14 hemangiomas, eight dysplastic nodules, and four focal nodular hyperplasias.

Detection of tumor vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma with contrast-enhanced Dynamic Flow imaging: Comparison with contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced Dynamic Flow imaging and contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging using Levovist(®) as a microbubble contrast agent in evaluating intratumoral vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: Twenty-nine patients with 54 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules (before treatment, 31; after treatment, 23) were studied with both Dynamic Flow and power Doppler imaging with intravenous injection of Levovist(®). Tumor vascularity was categorized as 0, no blood flow signals within the tumor; 1, dotlike blood flow signals within the tumor; 2, moderate blood flow signals within the tumor; and 3, abundant blood flow signals within the tumor.

Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: therapeutic response using contrast-enhanced coded phase-inversion harmonic sonography.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of contrast-enhanced coded phase-inversion harmonic sonography in assessing the therapeutic response of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Subjects And Methods: Sixty-seven patients with a total of 107 examinations on 91 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules underwent coded harmonic angio, a technique of coded phase-inversion harmonic sonography, using the IV microbubble contrast agent Levovist before and after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. The intratumoral blood vessels and tumor parenchymal stain were detected in the early arterial phase and the late vascular phase, respectively.

Value of new contrast harmonic technique for detecting tumor vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma: Preliminary results.

Purpose: To investigate the value of a new wide-band contrast harmonic imaging method in depicting intratumoral vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-two patients with 28 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules evaluated with Contrast Harmonic Echo, a new wide-band harmonic imaging method, using Levovist(®) as a contrast-enhancing agent. Intermittent imaging was carried out in the early arterial phase for 10 to 40 seconds, in the late vascular phase for 1 to 2 minutes, and in the postvascular phase for 5 to 7 minutes.

Contrast-enhanced agent detection imaging: Early experience in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To investigate the usefulness of contrast-enhanced Agent Detection Imaging in assessing intratumoral vasculature in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Fourteen hepatocellular carcinoma nodules in 11 patients were studied with contrast-enhanced Agent Detection Imaging, a wide-band color Doppler imaging method, employing, Levovist(®), a microbubble contrast agent. High acoustic power was used with contrast-enhanced Agent Detection Imaging.

Spontaneous regurgitation of portal blood flow normalized by meal intake in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

We report a case with spontaneous regurgitation of portal blood flow (SRPBF) that was normalized by meal intake. A 41-year-old man with long-term alcohol abuse was admitted with a chief complaint of general fatigue. He was diagnosed as having alcoholic liver cirrhosis since his laboratory tests showed the abnormal liver function.

Assessment of image quality of contrast-enhanced power doppler imaging in hepatocellular carcinoma with the personal ultrasound imager: Comparison with the conventional machine.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging with the personal ultrasound imager in depicting intratumoral vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging was used to examine 52 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules in 29 patients, using both the personal ultrasound imager and the conventional ultrasound machine in combination with intravenous injection of Levovist(®). Results obtained using dynamic CT were used as the gold standard.

Contrast advanced dynamic flow imaging and contrast pulse subtraction imaging: Preliminary results in hepatic tumors.

Purpose: To investigate the usefulness of contrast advanced dynamic flow imaging and contrast pulse subtraction imaging in the intranodular hemodynamics of hepatic tumors.

Materials And Methods: Ten patients underwent contrast advanced dynamic flow imaging and contrast pulse subtraction imaging using Levovist(®), a microbubble contrast agent. Fourteen hepatic tumor nodules were studied: 9 were hepatocellular carcinoma, 1 metastasis, 1 hemangioma, 1 adenomatous hyperplasia, and 2 metastatic lymph nodes of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Evaluation of image quality of personal ultrasound imager: Comparison with the conventional machine.

Objective: To determine if the image quality of a personal ultrasound imager (PUI) is as good as that of a conventional machine (CM).

Materials And Methods: Ninety patients were studied by the same operator using both the PUI and CM. The quality of the B-mode images obtained from these patients was scored 0, 1 or 2, defined as poor, fair, or good, respectively.