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Terahertz (THz) spectroscopic imaging technique was applied to classify the tumor region in the rabbit liver with VX2 hepatocellular carcinoma. Within the measurement range of 0.1-2 THz, the average reflectance values for all tumor samples were more than 4% higher than those for healthy cells, and the terahertz measurements correlated well with histological analysis results. This study on paraffin-embedded tissues showed the alteration of cell density and protein content in tumors, excluding the effect of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional inactivation of TP53 and Rb tumor suppressor proteins by the HPV-derived E6 and E7 oncoproteins is likely an important step in cervical carcinogenesis. We have previously shown siRNA technology to selectively silence both E6/E7 oncogenes and demonstrated that the synthetic siRNAs could specifically block its expression in HPV-positive cervical cancer cells. Herein, we investigated the potentiality of E6/E7 siRNA candidates as radiosensitizers of radiotherapy for the human cervical carcinomas. HeLa and SiHa cells were transfected with HPV E6/E7 siRNA; the combined cytotoxic effect of E6/E7 siRNA and radiation was assessed by using the cell viability assay, flow cytometric analysis and the senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-Gal) assay. In addition, we also investigated the effect of combined therapy with irradiation and E6/E7 siRNA intravenous injection in an in vivo xenograft model. Combination therapy with siRNA and irradiation efficiently retarded tumor growth in established tumors of human cervical cancer cell xenografted mice. In addition, the chemically-modified HPV16 and 18 E6/E7 pooled siRNA in combination with irradiation strongly inhibited the growth of cervical cancer cells. Our results indicated that simultaneous inhibition of HPV E6/E7 oncogene expression with radiotherapy can promote potent antitumor activity and radiosensitizing activity in human cervical carcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reported the synthesis of highly water-stable iron oxide nanoparticles by a simple one-pot reaction. Non-toxic polyethylene glycol MW 600 (PEG) acted as a solvent, capping agent and reducing agent in the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles. As a result of the synthesis, PEGylated small-size (4.2 ± 0.39 nm average diameter and 7.2 ± 1.9 nm hydrodynamic sizes measuring by DLS) iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIO) were obtained, which show great colloidal stability in water and tolerate high salt concentration (0.75 M sodium chloride) and a wide pH range of 4 to 12. Oxidation of PEG was observed during the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles, which makes USPIO easy to functionalize with other molecules. Functionalization of the USPIO surface with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was conducted for investigating the possibility for multimodal imaging. Also the cytotoxicity test and lymph node imaging were performed by using the FITC labelled USPIO (FITC@USPIO). According to these results, the stable water dispersed USPIO and FITC@USPIO are expected to apply for multimodal in vivo imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine normal reference values for aortic diameters in asymptomatic Korean adults. Materials and Methods: Three hundred adults without signs or symptoms of cardiovascular diseases were enrolled in this study. Aortic diameters were measured at nine predetermined levels on CT images. Aortic diameter measurements were adjusted for body surface area. Analysis of data was performed with regard to age, sex, weight, height and hypertension. Results: Aortic diameters were 2.99 ± 0.57 cm at the ascending aorta, 2.54 ± 0.35 cm at the transverse aortic arch, 2.36 ± 0.35 cm at the proximal descending thoracic aorta (DTA), 2.23 ± 0.37 cm at the mid DTA, 2.17 ± 0.38cm at the distal DTA, 2.16 ± 0.37 cm at the thoracoabdominal junction, 2.10 ± 0.35 cm at the level of the celiac axis, 1.94 ± 0.36cm at the suprarenal aorta, 1.58 ± 0.24cm at the aortic bifurcation. Men had slightly larger diameters than women (p < 0.05). All diameters in- creased with age and hypertension, with statistical significance (p < 0.01). And all aortic diameters increased with height (p < 0.05) except at the level of the aortic arch (p = 0.056), and increased with weight (p <0.05) except at the level of the suprarenal aorta (p = 0.067). Conclusion: Male sex, higher weight and height, age and hypertension are associated with larger aortic diameters in asymptomatic Korean adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymph node (LN) status is an important parameter for determining the treatment strategy and for predicting the prognosis for patients with uterine cervical cancer. Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) can be feasible for differentiating metastatic from non-metastatic lymph nodes in patients with uterine cervical cancer Purpose: To determine the usefulness of CAD that comprehensively evaluates MR images and clinical findings for detecting LN metastasis in uterine cervical cancer. Material and Methods: In 680 LNs from 143 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy for uterine cervical cancer, the CAD system using the Bayesian classifier estimated the probability of metastasis based on MR findings and clinical findings. We compared the diagnostic accuracy for detecting metastatic LNs in the CAD and MR findings. Results: Metastasis was diagnosed in 70 (12%) LNs from 34 (24%) patients. The area under ROC curves of CAD (0.924) was greater than those of the mean ADC (0.854), minimum ADC (0.849), maximum ADC (0.827), short-axis diameter (0.856) and long-axis diameter (0.753) (P < 0.05). The specificity and accuracy of the CAD (86%, 86%) were greater than those of the mean ADC (77%, 77%), maximum ADC (77%, 77%), minimum ADC (68%, 70%), and short-axis diameter (65%, 67%) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: CAD system can improve the diagnostic performance of MR for detecting metastatic LNs in uterine cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the efficacy of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) for tumor growth and as a treatment outcome predictor in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who are undergoing antiangiogenic therapy. Patients' attenuation values were reviewed on CECT images of metastatic lesions. The relationship of contrast enhancement and treatment results were analyzed.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of music on anxiety and perceived pain during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. Materials and Methods: Forty consecutive men with an elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and/ or an abnormal digital rectal examination referred for transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy were recruited and allocated to a music (n = 20) or a non-music (n = 20) group. Anxiety was assessed prior to and after biopsy and pain was assessed after biopsy in each patient using visual analog scales (VAS) in the same setting, and group anxiety scores were compared. Results: Patients in the music group experienced less anxiety (P = .046) during the procedure, but group pain scores were not significantly different. Conclusion: Music was found to decrease anxiety effectively during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the case of a 47-year-old woman who was referred for evaluation of acute left abdominal pain. Left nephrectomy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection were performed wherein renal cell carcinoma with renal vein thrombosis were diagnosed. The article discusses the case of a rapidly progressing malignant epithelioid renal angiomyolipoma.

Background: The lung is the most common site of distant metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma. Correct differentiation between metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma of the lung and primary lung cancer is sometimes difficult without biopsy. Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of measuring the attenuations of pulmonary nodules on early-phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) for the differentiation of pulmonary metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma and primary lung cancer. Material and Methods: Thirteen patients with pulmonary metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (nine men, four women; age 53.9±14.2 years, range 16-70 years) and 25 patients with primary lung cancer (14 men, 11 women; age 62.2±9.4 years, range 43-72 years) were retrospectively evaluated. Contrast-enhanced scans were obtained 35 s after commencing intravenous injection of contrast medium. Attenuation values and the size of the pulmonary nodules were measured on contrast-enhanced CT scans. CT and clinical features were analyzed with regard to age, sex, body surface area of the patients, the attenuation values and size of the nodules, and CT machines using univariate analysis (Fisher's exact test for binary data sets and the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous data sets). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to eliminate confounding factors. Results: The mean attenuation value of metastatic pulmonary nodules from hepatocellular carcinoma (75.7±24.9 HU) was higher than that of primary lung cancer nodules (45.8±14.4 HU) (P<0.01). Other variables such as age, sex, body surface area of the patients, CT device, and nodule size were not significant variables on multiple regression analysis. When a cut-off value of 75 HU was applied, the positive predictive value for diagnosing metastatic nodules from hepatocellular carcinoma was 100%. Conclusion: Pending confirmation in a large study, our findings suggest that there is a difference in contrast enhancement between pulmonary metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma and primary lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate computed tomographic (CT) findings of pathologically proven yolk sac tumors of the ovary. Methods: Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated CT findings of 10 yolk sac tumors in consensus. The presence of bright dot sign; laterality; presence of necrosis; size, margin, and shape of the mass were analyzed. Results: Mean age of patients was 22 years (ranging from 11 to 34 years). Mean size of the tumors was 14 cm (ranging from 11.1 to 18.5 cm). All 10 tumors showed bright dot sign, necrotic portion, and smooth margin in post-contrast CT scan. All the tumors were unilateral. Nine of 10 tumors showed oval shape. Conclusions: On CT scans, ovarian yolk sac tumors appeared as large, unilateral, smooth marginated mass with bright dot sign and necrotic portion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co@Pt–Au nanoparticles, which have enhanced magnetism and high stability in aqueous media, are utilized in conjunction with MRI to monitor the structural evolution of Aβ assemblies, especially Aβ protofibrils in the early reversible stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]