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BACKGROUND: To use adversarial training to increase the generalizability and diagnostic accuracy of deep learning models for prostate cancer diagnosis. METHODS: This multicenter study retrospectively included 396 prostate cancer patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (development set, 297 patients from Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital and Eighth People’s Hospital; test set, 99 patients from Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University). Two binary classification deep learning models for clinically significant prostate cancer classification [PM1, pretraining Visual Geometry Group network (VGGNet)-16-based model 1; PM2, pretraining residual network (ResNet)-50-based model 2] and two multiclass classification deep learning models for prostate cancer grading (PM3, pretraining VGGNet-16-based model 3; PM4: pretraining ResNet-50-based model 4) were built using apparent diffusion coefficient and T2-weighted images. These models were then retrained with adversarial examples starting from the initial random model parameters (AM1, adversarial training VGGNet-16 model 1; AM2, adversarial training ResNet-50 model 2; AM3, adversarial training VGGNet-16 model 3; AM4, adversarial training ResNet-50 model 4, respectively). To verify whether adversarial training can improve the diagnostic model’s effectiveness, we compared the diagnostic performance of the deep learning methods before and after adversarial training. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate significant prostate cancer classification models. Differences in areas under the curve (AUCs) were compared using Delong’s tests. The quadratic weighted kappa score was used to verify the PCa grading models. RESULTS: AM1 and AM2 had significantly higher AUCs than PM1 and PM2 in the internal validation dataset (0.84 vs. 0.89 and 0.83 vs. 0.87) and test dataset (0.73 vs. 0.86 and 0.72 vs. 0.82). AM3 and AM4 showed higher κ values than PM3 and PM4 in the internal validation dataset {0.266 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.152–0.379] vs. 0.292 (95% CI: 0.178–0.405) and 0.254 (95% CI: 0.159–0.390) vs. 0.279 (95% CI: 0.163−0.396)} and test set [0.196 (95% CI: 0.029–0.362) vs. 0.268 (95% CI: 0.109–0.427) and 0.183 (95% CI: 0.015–0.351) vs. 0.228 (95% CI: 0.068−0.389)]. CONCLUSIONS: Using adversarial examples to train prostate cancer classification deep learning models can improve their generalizability and classification abilities.

To compare advanced non-parallel transmission zoomed diffusion-weighted imaging (nonPTX zoom-DWI) to conventional DWI (conv-DWI) for the assessment of prostate cancer (PCa). This retrospective study included 98 patients who underwent conv-DWI, nonPTX zoom-DWI, and T2-weighted imaging of the prostate. The image qualities of the two DWI sets, including the distortion of the prostate and the existence of artifacts, were evaluated. To compare the overall PCa and clinically important PCa (ciPCa) detection ability between the sets, lesions were scored using the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the lesions were also measured and compared. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables, and the χ2 test was used to compare categorical variables. Two-sided P values of

Background Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) dysfunction contributes to vascular disease in diabetes mellitus. However, the molecular mechanism underlying EPC dysfunction and its contribution to delayed reendothelialization in diabetes mellitus remain unclear. Our study aimed to illustrate the potential molecular mechanism underlying diabetic EPC dysfunction in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of EPC transplantation on endothelial regeneration in diabetic rats. Methods Late outgrowth EPCs were isolated from the bone marrow of rats for in vivo and in vitro studies. In vitro functional assays and Western blotting were conducted to reveal the association between C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR7) expression and diabetic EPC dysfunction. To confirm the association between cellular CXCR7 levels and EPC function, CXCR7 expression in EPCs was upregulated and downregulated via lentiviral transduction and RNA interference, respectively. Western blotting was used to reveal the potential molecular mechanism by which the Stromal-Derived Factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCR7 axis regulates EPC function. To elucidate the role of the SDF-1/CXCR7 axis in EPC-mediated endothelial regeneration, a carotid artery injury model was established in diabetic rats. After the model was established, saline-treated, diabetic, normal, or CXCR7-primed EPCs were injected via the tail vein. Results Diabetic EPC dysfunction was associated with decreased CXCR7 expression. Furthermore, EPC dysfunction was mimicked by knockdown of CXCR7 in normal EPCs. However, upregulating CXCR7 expression reversed the dysfunction of diabetic EPCs. The SDF-1/CXCR7 axis positively regulated EPC function by activating the AKT-associated Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (keap-1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) axis, which was reversed by blockade of AKT and Nrf2. Transplantation of CXCR7-EPCs accelerated endothelial repair and attenuated neointimal hyperplasia in diabetes mellitus more significantly than transplantation of diabetic or normal EPCs. However, the therapeutic effect of CXCR7-EPC transplantation on endothelial regeneration was reversed by knockdown of Nrf2 expression. Conclusions Dysfunction of diabetic EPCs is associated with decreased CXCR7 expression. Furthermore, the SDF-1/CXCR7 axis positively regulates EPC function by activating the AKT/keap-1/Nrf2 axis. CXCR7-primed EPCs might be useful for endothelial regeneration in diabetes-associated vascular disease.

We aim to explore and analyze the related influencing factors of liver and cardiac iron overload in MDS patients detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).We have detected cardiac T2* and liver T2* by MRI in 105 MDS patients. Among them, 20 patients accepted MRI examination before and after iron chelation therapy (ICT).These results showed special attention should be paid to these related influencing factors of liver and cardiac T2* expression when we evaluated iron overload and detected the efficacy of ICT in MDS patients.

The present study was conducted to assess the effects of AMD3100 and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) on cellular functions and endothelial regeneration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The cell proliferation and adhesion capacity of EPCs were evaluated in vitro following treatment with AMD3100 and SDF‑1 using a Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay. Furthermore, the expression levels of C‑X‑C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and C‑X‑C motif chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) were detected before and after treatment with AMD3100 and SDF‑1 to elucidate their possible role in regulating the cellular function of EPCs. A rat carotid artery injury model was established to assess the influences of AMD3100 and SDF‑1 on endothelial regeneration. AMD3100 reduced the proliferation and adhesion capacity of EPCs to fibronectin (FN), whereas it increased the adhesion capacity of EPCs to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). However, SDF‑1 stimulated the proliferation and cell adhesion capacity of EPCs to HUVECs and FN. Additionally, the expression levels of CXCR7 but not CXCR4 were upregulated following AMD3100 treatment, whereas the expression levels of both CXCR4 and CXCR7 were upregulated after SDF‑1 treatment. In vivo results demonstrated that AMD3100 increased the number of EPCs in the peripheral blood and facilitated endothelial repair at 7 days after treatment. However, local administration of SDF‑1 alone did not enhance reendothelialization 7 and 14 days after treatment. Importantly, the combination of AMD3100 with SDF‑1 exhibited superior therapeutic effects compared with AMD3100 treatment alone, accelerated reendothelialization 7 days after treatment, and attenuated neointimal hyperplasia at day 7 and 14 by recruiting more EPCs to the injury site. In conclusion, AMD3100 could positively regulate the adhesion capacity of EPCs to HUVECs via elevation of the expression levels of CXCR7 but not CXCR4, whereas SDF‑1 could stimulate the proliferation and adhesion capacity of EPCs to FN and HUVECs by elevating the expression levels of CXCR4 and CXCR7. AMD3100 combined with SDF‑1 outperformed AMD3100 alone, promoted early reendothelialization and inhibited neointimal hyperplasia, indicating that early reendothelialization attenuated neointimal hypoplasia following endothelial injury.

BackgroundApparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) obtained with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) are highly valuable for the detection and staging of prostate cancer and for assessing the response to treatment. However, DWI suffers from significant anatomic distortions and susceptibility artifacts, resulting in reduced accuracy and reproducibility of the ADC calculations. The current methods for improving the DWI quality are heavily dependent on software, hardware, and additional scan time. Therefore, their clinical application is limited. An accelerated ADC generation method that maintains calculation accuracy and repeatability without heavy dependence on magnetic resonance imaging scanners is of great clinical value.ObjectivesWe aimed to establish and evaluate a supervised learning framework for synthesizing ADC images using generative adversarial networks.MethodsThis prospective study included 200 patients with suspected prostate cancer (training set: 150 patients; test set #1: 50 patients) and 10 healthy volunteers (test set #2) who underwent both full field-of-view (FOV) diffusion-weighted imaging (f-DWI) and zoomed-FOV DWI (z-DWI) with b-values of 50, 1,000, and 1,500 s/mm2. ADC values based on f-DWI and z-DWI (f-ADC and z-ADC) were calculated. Herein we propose an ADC synthesis method based on generative adversarial networks that uses f-DWI with a single b-value to generate synthesized ADC (s-ADC) values using z-ADC as a reference. The image quality of the s-ADC sets was evaluated using the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), root mean squared error (RMSE), structural similarity (SSIM), and feature similarity (FSIM). The distortions of each ADC set were evaluated using the T2-weighted image reference. The calculation reproducibility of the different ADC sets was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient. The tumor detection and classification abilities of each ADC set were evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and a Spearman correlation coefficient.ResultsThe s-ADCb1000 had a significantly lower RMSE score and higher PSNR, SSIM, and FSIM scores than the s-ADCb50 and s-ADCb1500 (all P < 0.001). Both z-ADC and s-ADCb1000 had less distortion and better quantitative ADC value reproducibility for all the evaluated tissues, and they demonstrated better tumor detection and classification performance than f-ADC.ConclusionThe deep learning algorithm might be a feasible method for generating ADC maps, as an alternative to z-ADC maps, without depending on hardware systems and additional scan time requirements.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the difference between dual energy spectral computed tomography (DECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to detect liver/cardiac iron content in Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients with differently adjusted serum ferritin (ASF) levels.Method: Liver and cardiac iron content were detected by DECT and MRI. Patients were divided into different subgroups according to the level of ASF. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was applied in each subgroup. The correlation between iron content detected by DECT/MRI and ASF was analyzed in each subgroup.Result: ROC curves showed that liver virtual iron content (LVIC) Az was significantly less than liver iron concentration (LIC) Az in the subgroup with ASF < 1,000 ng/ml. There was no significant difference between LVIC Az and LIC Az in the subgroup with 1,000 ≤ ASF < 2,500 ng/ml and 2,500 ≤ ASF < 5,000 ng/ml. LVIC Az was significantly higher than LIC Az in the subgroup with ASF 5,000 mg/L in LIC, LIC became correlated with ASF. There was no significant difference between the subgroup with 2,500 ≤ ASF < 5,000 ng/ml and 5,000 ng/ml ≤ ASF in LIC expression. Furthermore, both LIC and liver VIC had significant correlations with ASF in patients with ASF < 2,500 ng/ml, while LVIC was still correlated with ASF, LIC was not correlated with ASF in patients with 2,500 ng/ml ≤ ASF. Moreover, neither cardiac VIC nor myocardial iron content (MIC) were correlated with ASF in these subgroups.Conclusion: MRI and DECT were complementary to each other in liver iron detection. In MDS patients with high iron content, such as ASF ≥ 5,000 ng/ml, DECT was more reliable than the MRI in the assessment of iron content. But in patients with low iron content, such as ASF < 1,000 ng/ml, MRI is more reliable than DECT. Therefore, for the sake of more accurately evaluating the iron content, the appropriate detection method can be selected according to ASF.

PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate a diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) deep learning framework based on the generative adversarial network (GAN) to generate synthetic high-b-value (b =1500 sec/mm(2)) DWI (SYN(b1500)) sets from acquired standard-b-value (b = 800 sec/mm(2)) DWI (ACQ(b800)) and acquired standard-b-value (b = 1000 sec/mm(2)) DWI (ACQ(b1000)) sets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study included 395 patients who underwent prostate multiparametric MRI. This cohort was split into internal training (96 patients) and external testing (299 patients) datasets. To create SYN(b1500) sets from ACQ(b800) and ACQ(b1000) sets, a deep learning model based on GAN (M(0)) was developed by using the internal dataset. M(0) was trained and compared with a conventional model based on the cycle GAN (M(cyc)). M(0) was further optimized by using denoising and edge-enhancement techniques (optimized version of the M(0) [Opt-M(0)]). The SYN(b1500) sets were synthesized by using the M(0) and the Opt-M(0) were synthesized by using ACQ(b800) and ACQ(b1000) sets from the external testing dataset. For comparison, traditional calculated (b =1500 sec/mm(2)) DWI (CAL(b1500)) sets were also obtained. Reader ratings for image quality and prostate cancer detection were performed on the acquired high-b-value (b = 1500 sec/mm(2)) DWI (ACQ(b1500)), CAL(b1500,) and SYN(b1500) sets and the SYN(b1500) set generated by the Opt-M(0) (Opt-SYN(b1500)). Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare the readers’ scores. A multiple-reader multiple-case receiver operating characteristic curve was used to compare the diagnostic utility of each DWI set. RESULTS: When compared with the M(cyc), the M(0) yielded a lower mean squared difference and higher mean scores for the peak signal-to-noise ratio, structural similarity, and feature similarity (P < .001 for all). Opt-SYN(b1500) resulted in significantly better image quality (P ≤ .001 for all) and a higher mean area under the curve than ACQ(b1500) and CAL(b1500) (P ≤ .042 for all). CONCLUSION: A deep learning framework based on GAN is a promising method to synthesize realistic high-b-value DWI sets with good image quality and accuracy in prostate cancer detection. Keywords: Prostate Cancer, Abdomen/GI, Diffusion-weighted Imaging, Deep Learning Framework, High b Value, Generative Adversarial Networks © RSNA, 2021 Supplemental material is available for this article.

We aimed to compare the efficiency of prostate cancer (PCa) detection using a radiomics signature based on advanced zoomed diffusion-weighted imaging and conventional full-field-of-view DWI. A total of 136 patients, including 73 patients with PCa and 63 without PCa, underwent multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI). Radiomic features were extracted from prostate lesion areas segmented on full-field-of-view DWI with b-value = 1500 s/mm2 (f-DWIb1500), advanced zoomed DWI images with b-value = 1500 s/mm2 (z-DWIb1500), calculated zoomed DWI with b-value = 2000 s/mm2 (z-calDWIb2000), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps derived from both sequences (f-ADC and z-ADC). Single-imaging modality radiomics signature, mp-MRI radiomics signature, and a mixed model based on mp-MRI and clinically independent risk factors were built to predict PCa probability. The diagnostic efficacy and the potential net benefits of each model were evaluated. Both z-DWIb1500 and z-calDWIb2000 had significantly better predictive performance than f-DWIb1500 (z-DWIb1500 vs. f-DWIb1500: p = 0.048; z-calDWIb2000 vs. f-DWIb1500: p = 0.014). z-ADC had a slightly higher area under the curve (AUC) value compared with f-ADC value but was not significantly different (p = 0.127). For predicting the presence of PCa, the AUCs of clinical independent risk factors model, mp-MRI model, and mixed model were 0.81, 0.93, and 0.94 in training sets, and 0.74, 0.92, and 0.93 in validation sets, respectively. Radiomics signatures based on the z-DWI technology had better diagnostic accuracy for PCa than that based on the f-DWI technology. The mixed model was better at diagnosing PCa and guiding clinical interventions for patients with suspected PCa compared with mp-MRI signatures and clinically independent risk factors. • Advanced zoomed DWI technology can improve the diagnostic accuracy of radiomics signatures for PCa. • Radiomics signatures based on z-calDWIb2000 have the best diagnostic performance among individual imaging modalities. • Compared with the independent clinical risk factors and the mp-MRI model, the mixed model has the best diagnostic efficiency.

Background: To investigate the efficacy of retrograde recanalization for chronic total occlusion (CTO) of femoral-popliteal artery in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, all patients who had undergone endovascular recanalization for femoral-popliteal CTOs at our center from June 2011 to October 2014 were included. Patients’ demographics, immediate and follow-up outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 205 patients with 238 CTOs were enrolled. In total, successful recanalization was achieved in 228 CTOs (95.8%). The antegrade procedure was successful in 196 CTOs. The retrograde procedure was successfully performed in 32 CTOs after failed antegrade procedure. Ankle-brachial index increased from 0.48±0.18 to 0.79±0.16 in antegrade group vs . 0.41±0.13 to 0.76±0.13 in retrograde group (P=0.438). Pulse score increased from 0.48±0.50 to 2.30±0.76 in antegrade group vs . 0.48±0.51 to 2.30±0.79 in retrograde group (P=0.771). At 12 and 24 months, primary patency rate was 86.2% (169/196) and 51.5% (101/196) in the antegrade group, and 75.0% (24/32) and 43.8% (14/32) in the retrograde group, respectively (P=0.346). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed limb salvage rates of 85.7% in the antegrade group vs . 78.1% in the retrograde group (P=0.198). Conclusions: Retrograde recanalization is effective for CTO of femoral-popliteal artery after the failure of an antegrade procedure; immediate outcomes and mid-term patency and limb salvage rate are comparable with that of antegrade procedure.

Deep learning based on the generative adversarial network is a promising method to generate high-b-value diffusion-weighted images with good quality and detection capability for prostate cancer.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained mistakes. The legends to Figs. 2-4 were incorrectly interchanged. The correct versions are given below. The original article has been corrected.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with increased prevalence and severity of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and location of atherosclerosis in intracranial and extracranial vessels in diabetic patients and to investigate their association with ischemic stroke subtype. METHODS: Diabetes patients (n=128) and nondiabetic patients (n=195) were enrolled. Brain MRI, MR angiography, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging findings in the two groups were retrospectively compared. The characteristics of atherosclerosis (prevalence, location, severity) and collateral flow in diabetic and nondiabetic patients and their association with stroke subtype were analyzed. RESULTS: Atherosclerosis in extracranial vessels was more common in diabetes patients than in nondiabetic patients (43.8% vs. 23.1%; P65 years (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.24–5.22; P=0.011) were independent risk factors for lacunar infarct. Diabetes patients with symptomatic extracranial stenosis or occlusion, combined with good collateral circulation, had significantly higher risk of lacunar infarction than nondiabetic patients (47.8% vs. 30.5%; P=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: DM aggravates the severity of extracranial atherosclerosis. Lacunar stroke is relatively common in diabetic patients and could even be due to large artery disease (LAD).

Aims To assess the effects of plerixafor on function and endothelial regeneration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Methods The proliferation and adhesion capacity of EPCs were evaluated in vitro. Furthermore, the expression levels of CXC chemokine receptor-7 (CXCR7) were detected before and after treatment with plerixafor. The CXCR7 expression of EPCs was knocked-down by RNA interference to evaluate the role of CXCR7 in regulating function of EPCs. A rat carotid artery injury model was established to assess the influences of plerixafor on endothelial regeneration. Results Plerixafor stimulated adhesion capacity of EPCs, associating with upregulation of CXCR7 and activation of LFA-1 and VLA-4 molecules. Knockdown of CXCR7 slightly impaired proliferation capacity but significantly attenuated adhesion capacity of EPCs. Plerixafor facilitated endothelial repair at 7 days, while reduced neointimal hyperplasia at 7 and 14 days via recruiting more EPCs participating in endothelial reparation. Conclusions Plerixafor can positively regulate adhesion capacity of EPCs to HUVECs via elevating the expression level of CXCR7 and stimulating LFA-1 and VLA-4 molecules activation. Treatment with plerixafor accelerated re-endothelialization and inhibited neointimal hyperplasia after endoth elial injury, indicating that it can to be used for endothelial regeneration.

Aims Wound healing is deeply dependent on neovascularization to restore blood flow. The neovascularization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) through paracrine secretion has been reported in various tissue repair models. Exosomes, key components of cell paracrine mechanism, have been rarely reported in wound healing. Methods Exosomes were isolated from the media of EPCs obtained from human umbilical cord blood. Diabetic rats wound model was established and treated with exosomes. The in vitro effects of exosomes on the proliferation, migration and angiogenic tubule formation of endothelial cells were investigated. Results We revealed that human umbilical cord blood EPCs derived exosomes transplantation could accelerate cutaneous wound healing in diabetic rats. We also showed that exosomes enhanced the proliferation, migration and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells in vitro . Furthermore, we found that endothelial cells stimulated with these exosomes would increase expression of angiogenesis-related molecules, including FGF-1, VEGFA, VEGFR-2, ANG-1, E-selectin, CXCL-16, eNOS and IL-8. Conclusion Taken together, our findings indicated that EPCs-derived exosomes facilitate wound healing by positively modulating vascular endothelial cells function.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is used to treat unresectable bone and soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and as a pre-surgical adjuvant treatment. However, its efficiency for advanced STS is undetermined. This study evaluated TACE’s efficiency in treating advanced STS and prognostic factors for patient survival. We enrolled 39 patients with unresectable STS who underwent TACE as an alternative treatment during 2010–2014, with overall survival (OS) as the primary end point. Cancer pain was evaluated by visual analogue scores (VAS) before and after TACE procedures. Factors that affect survival were evaluated by multivariate analyses (Cox proportional hazard model). Mean OS after TACE was 23.7 ± 2.1 months, with 1-year OS 71.5 %, 2-year OS 45.8 %, and 3-year OS 32.5 %. Lesion number and tumor stage were key predictors of survival. TACE was found to decrease cancer pain VAS and increase relapse interval. Size of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particle diameter (P = 0.03) and imaging response (P = 0.044) were also found to affect relapse interval. TACE was an effective treatment for advanced STS, with a 32.5 % 3-year OS rate, and led to lower cancer pain VAS and longer relapse intervals than chemoinfusion only. Smaller PVA particles are preferable during the TACE procedure.

To investigate factors predictive of thromboembolic occlusions and evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy (PAT) for infrainguinal thromboembolic occlusions in patients undergoing endovascular recanalization (EVR).In this single-center retrospective study, 23 patients who underwent PAT for thromboembolism during EVR and 237 patients who underwent successful EVR without thromboembolic occlusions (control group) were enrolled. Immediate posttreatment and follow-up outcomes between groups were compared. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors predictive of thromboembolic occlusions. Technical success of PAT was defined as achievement of30% residual stenosis and restoration of modified thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 3 flow.The technical success rate was 95.7% in the PAT group. After intervention, ankle brachial index (ABI), restoration of blood flow, and improvement in dorsal/plantar arterial pulse score showed no significant differences between the PAT and control groups. During follow-up, no significant differences were observed between groups in improvement of sustained ABI and maximum walking distance, ulcer healing, restenosis/occlusion and limb salvage rates, and pain relief in patients with critical ischemia. Stenosis greater than 90% with lesion occlusion (odds ratio, 12.891; 95% confidence interval, 1.676-99.161; P = .014) and intraluminal angioplasty (odds ratio, 18.423; 95% confidence interval, 2.408-140.942; P = .005) were associated with a high incidence of thromboembolism.Stenosis greater than 90% with lesion occlusion and intraluminal angioplasty may be factors predictive of thromboembolic occlusions. PAT is a safe and effective treatment for thromboembolism during infrainguinal arterial EVR.

Background aims Exosomes, a key component of cell paracrine secretion, can exert protective effects in various disease models. However, application of exosomes in vascular repair and regeneration has rarely been reported. In this study, we tested whether endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-derived exosomes possessed therapeutic effects in rat models of balloon-induced vascular injury by accelerating reendothelialization. Methods Exosomes were obtained from the conditioned media of EPCs isolated from human umbilical cord blood. Induction of the endothelial injury was performed in the rats' carotid artery, and the pro-re-endothelialization capacity of EPC-derived exosomes was measured. The in vitro effects of exosomes on the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells were investigated. Results We found that the EPC-derived exosomes accelerated the re-endothelialization in the early phase after endothelial damage in the rat carotid artery. We also demonstrated that these exosomes enhanced the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells in vitro . Moreover, endothelial cells stimulated with these exosomes showed increased expression of angiogenesis-related molecules. Conclusions Taken together, our results indicate that exosomes are an active component of the paracrine secretion of human EPCs and can promote vascular repair in rat models of balloon injury by up-regulating endothelial cells function.

Rationale and Objectives To compare the clinical outcomes of retrograde transplantar arch angioplasty and conventional below-the-knee (BTK) anterograde recanalization. Materials and Methods One hundred twelve limbs in 96 patients underwent attempt at antegrade tibial angioplasty. Among 27 technical failures, retrograde trans-dorsal or -planter percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was attempted in 22 limbs. Ankle–brachial index (ABI), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade, and dorsal/plantar arterial pulse score improvement were compared immediately after the procedures between patients received successful anterograde angioplasty (anterograde angioplasty group [AAG], 85 limbs in 71 patients) and retrograde angioplasty (retrograde angioplasty group [RAG], 22 limbs in 20 patients). Target vessel restenosis and limb salvage were observed during follow-up. Results Primary technical success rate was 75.9% in the RAG (vs. 74.0% AAG, P > .05). ABI improved from 0.55 ± 0.21 to 0.93 ± 0.19 in the RAG (vs. 0.56 ± 0.14 to 0.89 ± 0.18 AAG, P > .05). TIMI flow grade demonstrated greater reperfusion of distal foot tissue in the RAG (2.3 ± 0.8 vs. 1.0 ± 0.8, P P > .05). Kaplan–Meier analysis after 24 months found limb salvage rates of 93.8% in the RAG and 96.5% in the AAG ( P > .05). Conclusions Retrograde transplantar arch angioplasty achieved better immediate blood flow and similar ABI improvement, primary patency rate, and limb salvage rate compared to conventional transtibial angioplasty for BTK occlusions. This could become a supplementary technique when anterograde angioplasty fails.

To investigate morphological characteristics used to predict recanalisation strategies in long-segment (10 cm) femoral chronic total occlusion (LSF-CTO) angioplasty.We retrospectively evaluated a range of morphological CTA and DSA features in patients who underwent recanalisation of LSF-CTO. The stage of CTO was classified into early (3-12 months) and late (12 months) according to estimated duration. Characteristics including stump morphology, lesion length and calcification, proximal side branches, collaterals circulation, runoff vessels and concomitant arterial occlusion were used as predictors, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables associated with late-stage CTO and retrograde technique.A total of 119 patients with 137 CTOs in 137 limbs were enrolled. Overall, successful recanalisation was achieved in 122 CTOs (89.1%). Flush occlusion [odds ratio (OR) 2.958; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.172-7.465; p = 0.022], large collateral (OR 2.778; 95% CI 1.201-6.427; p = 0.017) and TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II class D (TASC D) lesion (OR 1.743; 95% CI 1.019-2.981; p = 0.042) were predictors for late-stage CTO. Flush occlusion (OR 75.278; 95% CI 10.664-531.384; p0.001) and large collateral (OR 23.213; 95% CI 3.236-166.523; p = 0.002) were associated with high likelihood for retrograde approach.Flush occlusion and large collateral were associated with a CTO at late-stage which may require retrograde recanalisation.• CTO morphological characteristics help estimate lesion duration and optimise recanalisation strategies. • Flush occlusion and large collateral is associated with late-stage CTO and retrograde recanalisation. • Application of anterograde and retrograde recanalisation for long-segment femoral CTO is effective.

Our aim was to assess the reliability of detecting distal runoff vessels using contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) that were occult on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for predicting the outcome of endovascular recanalization (ER). This retrospective analysis comprised 63 patients with diabetes (98 limbs) who underwent ER for infrapopliteal lesions. Before ER, they underwent CE-MRA and DSA for peripheral arterial disease; runoff vessels were detected with CE-MRA, but not with DSA. Immediate and follow-up postoperative outcomes were assessed. Univariate analysis was performed to identify variables associated with successful ER. Successful ER was achieved in 85.7 % of limbs, and runoff score was significantly lower than in failure limbs (5.1 ± 1.1 vs. 6.2 ± 1.3; P

To evaluate treatment decision-making based on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in patients with hemorrhage after thrombolysis.One hundred and forty-six patients without intracranial hemorrhage on CT after receiving recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) were allocated to two groups: antiplatelets (n=72), who received antiplatelet therapy 24h after rt-PA for 10 days; and non-antiplatelets (n=74), who received no antiplatelet therapy. Twenty-two patients with SWI-detected microbleeds (MBs) or hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in the antiplatelets group (Group A) and 28 with MB or HT in the non-antiplatelets group (Group B) were included in this study.Sixteen patients had MB and six HT in Group A; 18 had MB, six HT, and four parenchymal hemorrhage (PH) in Group B. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at 7 and 14 days and the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days post-rt-PA were significantly lower in Group B than in Group A, duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter, and the favorable outcome rate was higher at 90 days (P0.05). There were no other significant differences. SWI evaluation at 14 days revealed eight patients with MB, 11 HT, and three PH in Group A; in Group B, 16 had MB, five HT, and one PH, with resolution of hemorrhage in six patients.Treatment decision-making based on SWI in acute stroke after thrombolysis was validated by the significantly reduced NIHSS score after 7/14 days, improved outcome, and reduced mRS in hemorrhage patients without antiplatelet therapy.

This study investigated the influencing factors of foot plantar pressure and attempted to find practical indicators to predict abnormal foot pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Vibration perception threshold (VPT) and foot plantar pressure in 1,126 T2DM outpatients were examined. Patients were assigned to Group A (n=599), Group B (n=312), and Group C (n=215) according to VPT values and to Group I (n=555), Group II (n=436), and Group III (n=135) based on body mass index (BMI). The clinical characteristics and pressure-time integral (PTI) were compared among the three groups, and the associated factors of the total PTI in the entire foot (T-PTI) were analyzed.PTI of Group C in heel medial and heel lateral was significantly higher than that of Group A (all P0.01). PTI of Group B in the right fifth metatarsal and heel medial was significantly higher than that of Group A (all P0.05). T-PTI of Group C was significantly higher than those of Groups A and B, and that of Group B was higher than that of Group A (all P0.01). PTI of Groups II and III in the second, third, and fourth metatarsal, midfoot, heel medial, and heel lateral was significantly higher than that of Group I (all P0.05). T-PTI of Groups II and III was significantly higher than that of Group I (all P0.01). Pearson correlation analysis showed that T-PTI was positively associated with age, VPT, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and BMI (P0.05). In multiple stepwise regression analysis, VPT (P=0.004) and BMI (P=0.000) were independent risk factors of T-PTI, and each 1 unit increase in BMI increased the T-PTI by 5.962 kPa•s. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis further revealed that the optimal cutpoint of VPT and BMI to predict the abnormal PTI was 21 V (odds ratio=2.33, 95% confidence interval 1.67-3.25) and 24.9 kg/m(2) (odds ratio=2.12, 95% confidence interval 1.55-2.90), respectively.Having a VPT higher than 21 V and a BMI above 24.9 kg/m(2) increases the risk of excessive foot plantar pressure in Chinese T2DM.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of dl-3n-butylphthalide (NBP) on the protection of cerebral tissue and possible mechanism on ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and to find out whether NBP therapy can extend the reperfusion window in an experimental stroke model in rats.MethodsSeventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation, ischaemia-reperfusion and ischaemia-reperfusion with NBP groups. Focal cerebral ischaemia was induced using the modified intraluminal thread method and maintained for 2, 3 or 4 h. The ischaemia-reperfusion group received reperfusion immediately after ischaemia-reperfusion. The NBP group received intraperitoneal injection of NBP immediately after ischaemia, followed by reperfusion. The sham operation group received only injection of physiological saline. The cerebral infarction volume and neurological deficit were analysed, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in brain tissues was visualised by immunohistochemistry.ResultsNBP treatment caused a significant decrease in both infarction volume and neurological deficit compared with the ischaemia-reperfusion group at corresponding time points in each (p < 0.05). In the NBP group, the infarction volume and neurological deficit did not change with different ischaemia times. The expression of VEGF was significantly decreased in the ischaemia-reperfusion group compared with the sham group (p < 0.01), while this change was partly prevented in the NBP group (p < 0.01). The expression of VEGF in brain tissue in both the NBP and ischaemia-reperfusion groups gradually decreased when the ischaemic period was prolonged.ConclusionNBP treatment has a protective effect against cerebral ischaemia; this possible mechanism maybe related to the VEGF expression and may extend the reperfusion window for subsequent salvage of cerebral ischaemia by reperfusion.

To determine whether string-like lumina (SLs) on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) predict better outcomes in diabetic patients with below-the-knee (BTK) chronic total occlusions (CTOs). This study involved 317 long-segment (>5 cm) BTK CTOs of 245 patients that were examined using CE-MRA and treated using endovascular angioplasty. An SL with a CTO was slowly filled with blood on conventional CE-MRA. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of procedural success, recanalisation method and immediate blood flow restoration. The target-lesion patency and limb-salvage rates were assessed. SL-positive CTOs (n = 60) achieved a higher technique success rate, preferred intraluminal angioplasty and better blood flow restoration than SL-negative CTOs (n = 257, P

To explore whether human albumin (Alb) administration prior to thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) can eliminate brain damage induced by this treatment given after the effective and safe window of 3h after stroke onset. Rats were subjected to embolic stroke by unilateral embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Three or six hours after the onset of stroke, rats were administered intravenously with saline (control), rt-PA (thrombolysis) or rt-PA+Alb (additional Alb 3h after MCAO, combination). Cerebral blood flow, infarct volume, space-occupying effect and blood brain barrier (BBB) leakage of gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) were assessed dynamically by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 24h, 7 and 14days after treatment. BBB leakage of both fluoro-isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-dextran) and erythrocytes was also evaluated 14days after treatment. The space-occupying effect in the combination group at 7days after treatment declined significantly compared with that at 24h after treatment (P

Rationale and Objectives To retrospectively analyze the significance of 3.0-T contrast-enhanced (CE) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with calf compression in the lower limbs of diabetic patients with peripheral vascular disease. Materials and Methods Sixty-one type 2 diabetes patients underwent both MRA and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) within 1 week. The patients were divided into two groups: one with (pressure) and one without (conventional) calf compression during MRA. Two radiologists evaluated the quality of MRA images and compared the two groups. Cohen’s kappa statistic was used to determine the concordance between MRA and DSA. Results Image quality in the calf and foot was better in the group with calf pressure than the conventional group without applied pressure ( P = .001 [calf], 0.008 [foot]). Significantly more runoff vessels in the calf were detected with MRA than with DSA ( P = .0043 [conventional], 0.0031 [pressure]). The kappa values were 0.928 in the conventional group and 0.979 in the pressure group, but in the conventional group, the diagnostic accuracy of CE-MRA was lower than that of DSA ( P = .002). Diagnostic accuracy in the pressure group was significantly higher than that in the conventional group ( P = .009). The overall sensitivity and specificity for >50% stenosis or occlusion was 93.8% and 98.5%, respectively, in the conventional group and 98.7% and 99.6%, respectively, in the pressure group. With calf compression, venous overlap ( P = .0396, .0425) and deep vein overlap ( P = .022, .022) were significantly reduced in the leg and foot. Conclusion Calf compression with 3.0-T CE-MRA was convenient and practical and could improve image quality and diagnostic accuracy in diabetic patients with peripheral vascular disease by reducing venous overlap.

Retrievable temporary stent placement has recently been suggested as a potential treatment for benign esophageal stricture.To assess the efficacy of a newly designed cardia stent for the treatment of benign cardia stricture in a canine model compared with groups that received pneumatic dilation or standard esophageal stent insertion.Basic experimental study.GI interventional center.Forty-eight dog models were randomly divided into a control group (no stent insertion) (n=12), a pneumatic dilation group (PDG) (n=12), a standard esophageal stent group (SESG) (n=12), and a novel cardia stent group (NCSG) (n=12).Pneumatic dilation, standard esophagus stent, cardia stent.Lower esophageal sphincter pressures and the 5-minute barium height were assessed before and immediately after the procedure, after 1 week, and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up. Three dogs in each group were killed for histological examination.Stent insertion was tolerated by all dogs, with a lower migration rate in the NCSG (0% vs 41.7% in the SESG; P=.0373). At the 6-month follow-up, the lower esophageal sphincter pressure and 5-minute barium height values in the NCSG were still stable compared with those in the PDG and SESG (P.05). Immunohistochemistry for mouse anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen and α-smooth muscle actin revealed a stronger inflammatory reaction peak in the PDG than in the SESG and NCSG (P.05). Collagen proliferation was most severe after 6 months in the PDG (P.05).Longer follow-up studies are required to assess whether the recurrence rate is lower because of less inflammation and scarring.The novel cardia stent was more effective than pneumatic dilation or a standard stent in this canine model.

The purpose of this article is to compare the efficacy of self-expanding metallic stents and pneumatic dilation for the long-term clinical treatment of achalasia.Patients diagnosed with achalasia (n = 120) were allocated for treatment with pneumatic dilation (n = 30; group A) or a temporary self-expanding metallic stent with a diameter of 20 mm (n = 30; group B), 25 mm (n = 30; group C), or 30 mm (n = 30; group D). Data on clinical symptoms, complications, and long-term clinical outcomes were collected, and follow-up was performed at 6 months and at 1, 3-5, 5-8, 8-10, and more than 10 years after surgery.Pneumatic dilation and stent placement were technically successful in all patients. The follow-up at more than 10 years revealed that the clinical remission rate in group D (83.3%) was higher than that in groups A (0%), B (0%), and C (28.6%), and the overall cumulative clinical failure rate in group D (13%) was lower than that in groups A (76.7%), B (53.3%), and C (26.7%). Patients in group D exhibited reduced dysphagia scores and lower esophageal sphincter pressures and had normal levels of barium height and width during the follow-up periods, whereas these markers increased with time in the other groups. The duration of primary patency in group D was also longer than that in groups A, B, and C.A temporary self-expanding metallic stent with a diameter of 30 mm has superior clinical efficacy for the treatment of achalasia compared with pneumatic dilation or self-expanding metallic stents with diameters of 20 or 25 mm.

We designed a small randomized clinical trial to prospectively test the hypothesis that batroxobin is more effective than aspirin alone to prevent restenosis in patients with diabetes undergoing angioplasty of infrapopliteal arteries.After a successful angioplasty, a total of 52 diabetic patients with symptomatic infrapopliteal obstructions were randomized to either the treated group (n = 26) or the control group (n = 26). Patients in the treated group received 5 IU batroxobin through an intravenous drip once every alternate day, for a total of six doses. The primary end point was restenosis and reocclusion, which was documented by magnetic resonance angiography or duplex scanning at 12-month follow-up. The clinical symptoms relief and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were compared before and after the procedure, and during follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to evaluate restenosis or reocclusion-free, limb salvage, and amputation-free rates.Restenosis and reocclusion occurred in 22.0% and 34.5% lesions in the treated and the control group, respectively (p = 0.0307). Statistical differences were observed between the ABI before the angioplasty procedure(p0.05) and the ABI at the 12-month follow-up (p = 0.0094) of the two groups. Clinical symptoms improvement and tissue healing occurred in 23 and 19 patients in the batroxobin group and the control group, respectively (p = 0.0544). Twelve months after angioplasty, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the restenosis and reocclusion-free rate was 74.0% and 54.8%, the limb salvage rate was 96.2% and 92.3%, and the amputation-free rate was 84.6% and 84.6%, in the treated and control group, respectively.This pilot trial revealed that batroxobin usage was effective in preventing restenosis and reocclusion after infrapopliteal arterial angioplasty, and it might provide better clinical symptoms relief; however, it did not report preferable limb salvage or amputation-free rates.

Purpose To prospectively evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of a newly designed self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) in the treatment of patients with acute malignant colorectal obstruction. Methods Between April 2001 and October 2007, 52 patients with acute malignant colorectal obstruction were treated with a new designed SEMS as an investigational bridge to surgery. Patients were prospectively followed and relevant data collection was collected, including details regarding technique, clinical symptoms, complications, need for elective surgery, and overall survival. Results Stent placement was technically successful in all but two patients (due to complete obstruction) with no procedure-related complications. Complications included stent migration ( n = 4), anal pain ( n = 2) and stool impaction ( n = 1). Clinical success was achieved in 49 (98%) of 50 patients with resolution of bowel obstruction within 2 days of stent placement. In one patient with stool impaction 2 days after stent placement, endoscopic disimpaction was successfully performed. An elective one-stage surgical procedure was performed in all 50 patients who successfully received a SEMS as a bridge to surgery within a mean of 8 ± 2 days (range: 4–11 days) after stent placement. Mean follow-up time was 36 ± 12 months (range 3–70 months), and all patients remained alive at the time of this report. Conclusion The newly designed SEMS placement as a bridge to surgery was a safe and effective intervention for colonic decompression in patients with acute malignant colorectal obstruction and allowed a high proportion of patients to be successfully proceeded to elective surgery.

Background and Aim: To retrospectively analyze and compare the clinical efficacy of temporary stent insertion with pneumatic dilation of the same diameter in the treatment of achalasia based on a long-term follow up. Methods: A total of 101 treated achalasia patients were divided into a pneumatic dilation group (Group A, n = 38) and a temporary stent insertion group (Group B, n = 63). The diameter of the balloon or stent used was 30 mm. The total symptom scores (TSS) and esophageal manometry were used to assess the symptoms and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure improvement. Barium swallow–esophageal studies were used to assess esophageal emptying objectively. TSS and LES pressure improvement were assessed, recorded, and compared during the regular interval follow up. Results: Forty-nine pneumatic dilations and 65 stent insertions were successfully performed in all patients under fluoroscopy. Complications included pain, reflux, and bleeding, which occurred in nine (23.6%), eight (21.1%), and three (8%) patients in Group A, and in 27 (42.9%), eight (12.7%), and 10 (15.9%) patients in Group B, respectively. The stent was retained approximately 4–7 days and was retrieved via endoscope. TSS, esophageal manometry, and barium esophagram post-treatment significantly improved compared to those given pretreatment (P

PURPOSE To assess the feasibility and efficacy of subintimal angioplasty (SA) in the treatment of below-the-ankle arterial occlusion in diabetic patients with chronic critical limb ischemia (CLI). METHODS SA was applied in 37 diabetic patients (24 men; mean age 70.9+/-8.5 years, range 52-88) with chronic CLI and occlusive disease of the dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) and/or plantar artery (PA) but were poor candidates for intraluminal angioplasty or bypass surgery. Tissue loss was present in 31 (54.4%) of 57 afflicted limbs, and rest pain was reported in 51 (89.5%) limbs. SA was performed to create continuous arterial flow to the foot for limb salvage. The clinical symptoms, DPA or PA pulse volume scores, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were compared before and after SA. Wound healing, amputation, and restenosis of target vessels were also evaluated at follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to evaluate limb salvage, survival, and freedom from amputation. RESULTS Below-the-ankle SA was performed successfully in 55 (83.3%) of 66 arteries in 57 limbs. Median pulse volume scores and ABIs were 0.33+/-0.55 and 0.31+/-0.19 before SA and 2.04+/-1.05 and 0.80+/-0.14 after SA, respectively (p

To prospectively evaluate the long-term clinical safety and efficacy of a newly designed self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) in the treatment of patients with achalasia. Seventy-five patients with achalasia were treated with a temporary SEMS with a 30-mm diameter. The SEMSs were placed under fluoroscopic guidance and removed by gastroscopy 4–5 days after stent placement. Follow-up data focused on dysphagia score, technique and clinical success, clinical remissions and failures, and complications and was performed at 6 months, 1 year, and within 3 to 5 years, 5 to 8 years, 8 to 10 years, and >10 years postoperatively. Stent placement was technically successful in all patients. Complications included stent migration (n = 4, 5.33%), chest pain (n = 28, 38.7%), reflux (n = 15, 20%), and bleeding (n = 9, 12%). No perforation or 30-day mortality occurred. Clinical success was achieved in all patients 1 month after stent removal. The overall remission rates at 6 months, 1, 1–3, 3–5, 5–8, 8–10, and >10 year follow-up periods were 100%, 96%, 93.9%, 90.9%, 100%, 100%, and 83.3%, respectively. Stent treatment failed in six patients, and the overall remission rate in our series was 92%. The median and mean primary patencies were 2.8 ± 0.28 years (95% CI: 2.25–3.35) and 4.28 ± 0.40 years (95% CI: 3.51–5.05), respectively. The use of temporary SEMSs with 30-mm diameter proved to be a safe and effective approach for managing achalasia with a long-term satisfactory clinical remission rate.

Purpose To assess the technical feasibility and efficacy of the rendezvous technique, a type of subintimal retrograde wiring, for the treatment of long-segmental chronic total occlusions above the knee following unsuccessful standard angioplasty. Methods The rendezvous technique was attempted in eight limbs of eight patients with chronic total occlusions above the knee after standard angioplasty failed. The clinical symptoms and ankle-brachial index were compared before and after the procedure. At follow-up, pain relief, wound healing, limb salvage, and the presence of restenosis of the target vessels were evaluated. Results The rendezvous technique was performed successfully in seven patients (87.5%) and failed in one patient (12.5%). Foot pain improved in all seven patients who underwent successful treatment, with ankle-brachial indexes improving from 0.23 ± 0.13 before to 0.71 ± 0.09 after the procedure ( P Conclusion The rendezvous technique is a feasible and effective treatment for chronic total occlusions above the knee when standard angioplasty fails.

Purpose: To compare the feasibility and efficacy of recanalizing below-the-knee (BTK) chronic total occlusions (CTOs) between patients with good or poor distal runoff based on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) scans. Methods: Two hundred long-segment BTK CTOs in 171 limbs of 113 diabetic patients (58 men; mean age 69.8±1.9 years) were divided into good distal runoff (GDR: 119 lesions, 98 limbs) or poor distal runoff groups (PDR: 81 lesions, 73 limbs) based on baseline MRA findings. After angioplasty, modified thrombolysis in myocardial ischemia (mTIMI) grades and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were used to assess immediate outcomes. Regularly scheduled duplex or MRA imaging was performed in follow-up. The restenosis and limb salvage rates were compared. Results: The success rates were 93.3% and 87.7% in the GDR and PDR groups, respectively (p=0.21); subintimal angioplasty was more common in the PDR group (93.0% vs. 63.1%, p

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy (PAT) for infrainguinal arterial thromboembolism in patients undergoing endovascular recanalization (EVR) and to investigate the predictors for thromboembolic complications. Materials and Methods In total, 23 patients (23 limbs) who underwent PAT for thromboembolism (PAT group, PG) during EVR and 237 patients (302 limbs) who underwent successful EVR without thromboembolic complications (control group, CG) were enrolled. Immediate post-operation and follow-up outcomes were compared between the two groups. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the predictors of thromboembolic complications. Technical success of PAT was defined as achievement of

To compare the clinical outcomes of retrograde transplantar arch angioplasty and conventional below-the-knee (BTK) anterograde recanalization.One hundred twelve limbs in 96 patients underwent attempt at antegrade tibial angioplasty. Among 27 technical failures, retrograde trans-dorsal or -planter percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was attempted in 22 limbs. Ankle-brachial index (ABI), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade, and dorsal/plantar arterial pulse score improvement were compared immediately after the procedures between patients received successful anterograde angioplasty (anterograde angioplasty group [AAG], 85 limbs in 71 patients) and retrograde angioplasty (retrograde angioplasty group [RAG], 22 limbs in 20 patients). Target vessel restenosis and limb salvage were observed during follow-up.Primary technical success rate was 75.9% in the RAG (vs. 74.0% AAG, P.05). ABI improved from 0.55 ± 0.21 to 0.93 ± 0.19 in the RAG (vs. 0.56 ± 0.14 to 0.89 ± 0.18 AAG, P.05). TIMI flow grade demonstrated greater reperfusion of distal foot tissue in the RAG (2.3 ± 0.8 vs. 1.0 ± 0.8, P.05). Primary patency rates at 12 and 24 months were 63.6% (14 of 22) and 45.5% (10 of 22) in the RAG and 52.9% (45 of 85) and 37.6% (32 of 85) in the AAG, respectively (P.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis after 24 months found limb salvage rates of 93.8% in the RAG and 96.5% in the AAG (P.05).Retrograde transplantar arch angioplasty achieved better immediate blood flow and similar ABI improvement, primary patency rate, and limb salvage rate compared to conventional transtibial angioplasty for BTK occlusions. This could become a supplementary technique when anterograde angioplasty fails.

The detection rate of prostate cancer (PCa) using traditional biopsy guided by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is not satisfactory. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of 3-Tesla (3-T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to TRUS-guided prostate biopsy and to investigate which subgroup of patients had the most evident improvement in PCa detection rate. A total of 420 patients underwent 3-T MRI examination prior to the first prostate biopsy and the positions of suspicious areas were recorded respectively. TRUS-guided biopsy regimes included systematic 12-core biopsy and targeted biopsy identified by MRI. Patients were divided into subgroups according to their serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, PSA density (PSAD), prostate volume, TRUS findings and digital rectal examination (DRE) findings. The ability of MRI to improve the cancer detection rate was evaluated. The biopsy positive rate of PCa was 41.2% (173/420), and 41 of the 173 (23.7%) patients were detected only by targeted biopsy in the MRI-suspicious area. Compared with the systematic biopsy, the positive rate was significantly improved by the additional targeted biopsy (P=0.0033). The highest improvement of detection rate was observed in patients with a PSA level of 4–10 ng/ml, PSAD of 0.12–0.20 ng/ml2, prostate volume >50 ml, negative TRUS findings and negative DRE findings (P50 ml, negative TRUS findings and negative DRE findings.

We chose hepcidin and its related factors as evaluating indicators to determine the degrees of iron overload in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. A total of 73 patients and 28 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. We performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure both bone marrow and peripheral blood serum hepcidin. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the gene expression of growth differentiation factor 15 and twisted gastrulation 1. Serum ferritin (SF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythropoietin were measured by routine standard laboratory assays. CD4(+) and CD19(+) lymphocytes and Th polarization were detected by flow cytometry. Twenty-four MDS patients were measured their cardiac and liver iron deposition levels through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2* examination. No significant difference was found between the bone marrow hepcidin levels and peripheral blood hepcidin levels (P = 0.134). Stratified according to different World Health Organization subtypes, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts patients had the lowest hepcidin levels (105.40 ± 5.13 ng/ml), while refractory anemia with excess blasts-1 had the highest levels (335.71 ± 25.16 ng/ml). Stratified according to International Prognostic Scoring System and WHO Classification-based Prognostic Scoring System, there was a significant difference of hepcidin levels between low-risk group and high-risk group in two systems, respectively (P = 0.033 and 0.009). The hepcidin levels of CD4(+) high-expression group were demonstrated higher than the normal expression groups (P = 0.02), but the CD19(+) high-expression group did not show the same result (P = 0.206). Meanwhile, patients with a Th1 polarization trend had a high level of hepcidin versus normal group (P < 0.001). Liver iron concentration (LIC) measured by MRI T2* had a closer correlation (r = 0.582, P < 0.001) to hepcidin than serum ferritin, by stepwise regression. C-reactive protein and LIC seemed to be the key determinants of hepcidin, by multivariate regression. Inflammation plays an important role in the regulation of hepcidin expression. T-lymphocyte activation and Th polarization trend might participate in the regulatory mechanism partly. The capability of organ iron load assessment of MRI T2* seems better than that of SF. It seems that hepcidin with CRP and LIC measured by MRI T2* are potential indicators of iron overload in MDS patients.

Objective To prospectively investigate predictors for good restoration of blood flow of below-the-knee (BTK) chronic total occlusions (CTOs) after endovascular therapy in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Materials and Methods A total of 120 long-segmental (≥ 5 cm) BTK, CTOs in 81 patients who underwent recanalization were included in this study. After angioplasty, blood-flow restoration was assessed using modified thrombolysis in myocardial ischemia grades and classified as good flow (grade 3) and poor flow (grade 1/2). One hundred and six CTOs with successful recanalization were divided into a good flow group (GFG; n = 68) and poor flow group (PFG; n = 38). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were undertaken to determine independent predictors of blood-flow restoration. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the best cutoff value. The prevalence of target-lesion restenosis during follow-up was compared between two groups. Results Univariate analyses suggested that CTOs in GFG were characterized by lighter limb ischemia (p = 0.03), shorter course of ischemic symptoms (p < 0.01) and lesion length (p = 0.04), more frequent use of intraluminal angioplasty (p = 0.03), and higher runoff score (p < 0.01) than those in PFG. Multivariate regression analyses suggested that distal runoffs (p = 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 10.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.082–26.071) and lesion length (p < 0.001; OR, 1.26; 95% CI: 1.091–1.449) were independent predictors for good flow restoration. Kaplan-Meier analyses at 12 months showed a higher prevalence of non-restenosis in GFG (p < 0.01). Conclusion Distal runoffs and lesion length are independent predictors for good flow restoration for long-segmental BTK, CTOs in DM patients who receive endovascular therapy.

A patient with insulinoma diagnosed by clinical features and localized preoperatively using a combination of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), dual phase contrast enhanced spiral computed tomography (DPSCT) and arterial stimulation and venous sampling (ASVS) was reported. A 37-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of hypoglycemic attacks, palpitations, and muscular weakness. Fajans' ratio reported to be an index for insulinoma was positive. Transabdominal computed tomography and ultrasonography failed to detect any abnormalities. CEUS showed a small low echoic lesion in the pancreatic body with blood flow and the early arterial phase of DPSCT revealed a small strengthening focus, which mimicked a pancreatic tumor in the pancreatic body. ASVS showed that the insulin levels in the hepatic vein were extremely increased by calcium injection to the gastroduodenal artery. An open intra-abdominal operation was performed and an insulinoma was confirmed in the pancreatic body. Enucleation of tumor was undertaken and histopathological examination showed an adenoma, insulin expression was positive in immunofluorescence staining. Symptomatic hypoglycemia never happened even without glucose infusion since the operation. His blood glucose level improved to within the normal range.

To assess the technical feasibility and efficacy of transdorsal-to-plantar (TDP) or transplantar-to-dorsal (TPD) intraluminal re-entry following unsuccessful subintimal angioplasty for arterial occlusion below the ankle.TDP or TPD retrograde intraluminal re-entry angioplasty was attempted in 8 limbs of 8 diabetic patients (5 men; mean age 74.5 ± 7.76 years, range 62-81) with chronic below-the-ankle arterial occlusive disease when standard transtibial subintimal angioplasty failed. The clinical symptoms, dorsal or plantar arterial pulse volume scores, and ankle-brachial indexes (ABI) were compared before and after the procedures. At follow-up, pain relief, wound healing, limb salvage, and the presence of any restenosis of the target vessels were evaluated.TDP or TPD retrograde intraluminal re-entry angioplasty was performed successfully in 5 (62.5%) patients; foot pain improved, with median pulse volume scores and ankle-brachial indexes increasing from 0.60 ± 0.55 and 0.32 ± 0.20 before to 2.40 ± 0.55 and 0.75 ± 0.12, respectively, after the procedure (p0.01 for both). At the end of follow-up, the visual analogue scale improved from 7.40 ± 1.14 to 2.20 ± 1.48 (p=0.002). Ulcers in 2 of the successfully treated patients either healed (n=1) or improved (n=1). No amputation occurred. Restenosis of 1 target vessel was revealed by magnetic resonance angiography.TDP and TPD retrograde intraluminal re-entry techniques are feasible and effective in the treatment of foot ischemia in diabetic patients when standard below-the-ankle angioplasty has failed.

PURPOSE To evaluate the safety of thrombolysis with rt-PA in acute ischemic strokes during a 12-hour time window using an ultrafast MR protocol. METHODS Forty-six patients who met the clinical criteria (acute ischemic stroke within 12 hours after symptom onset; National Institutes of Health stroke scale score (NIHSS) of 4 to 22 and no intracranial hemorrhage on CT) and MRI selection criteria (acute ischemic stroke except lacunar and large DWI lesion) were treated with intravenous rt-PA. MRI was performed before rt-PA, and at 24 hours, 7 days, and 14 days after stroke. Clinical status was assessed using the NIHSS and Modified Rankin scale (mRS). RESULTS From 46 MRI-selected rt-PA patients, 43.5% (n= 20) were treated ≤3 hours (group A) and 56.5% (n= 26) after 3 to 12 hours (group B). No patients experienced symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and the mortality rate was zero. No significant differences in age, gender, MRI lesion volumes, NIHSS score, and mRS were found between the 2 groups. Forty-five percent of the patients in group A and 46% in group B experienced a favorable outcome (P= .938). CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated the safety of thrombolysis with rt-PA in selected stroke patients within a 12-hour time window using an ultrafast MR protocol. Neuroimaging 2011;21:370-374.