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ObjectiveTo correlate high resolution dynamic MR features with prognostic factors in breast cancer.Materials and MethodsOne hundred and ninety-four women with invasive ductal carcinomas underwent dynamic MR imaging using T1-weighted three-dimensional fast low-angle shot (3D-FLASH) sequence within two weeks prior to surgery. Morphological and kinetic MR features were determined based on the breast imaging and reporting data system (BI-RADS) MR imaging lexicon. Histological specimens were analyzed for tumor size, axillary lymph node status, histological grade, expression of estrogen receptor (ER), expression of progesterone receptor (PR), and expression of p53, c-erbB-2, and Ki-67. Correlations between the MR features and prognostic factors were determined using the Pearson χ2 test, linear-by-linear association, and logistic regression analysis.ResultsBy multivariate analysis, a spiculated margin was a significant, independent predictor of a lower histological grade (p < 0.001), and lower expression of Ki-67 (p = 0.007). Rim enhancement was significant, independent predictor of a higher histological grade (p < 0.001), negative expression of ER (p = 0.001), negative expression of PR (p < 0.001) and a larger tumor size (p = 0.006). A washout curve may predict a higher level of Ki-67 (p = 0.05). Most of the parameters of the initial enhancement phase cannot predict the status of the prognostic factors. Only the enhancement ratio may predict a larger tumor size (p = 0.05).ConclusionOf the BI-RADS-MR features, a spiculated margin may predict favorable prognosis, whereas rim enhancement or washout may predict unfavorable prognosis of breast cancer.

Antibacterial activities of six acid-soluble [two degrees of deacetylation (DD) · three viscosities] and two water-soluble chitosans (two DD with similar viscosities) were examined against eight gram-negative (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Proteus vulgaris, Erwinia carotovora, Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, and Salmonella Typhimurium) and six gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, Lactobacillus curvatus, and L. plantarum). Antibacterial activities of chitosans differed depending on the chitosan types and bacteria tested. Watersoluble chitosans inhibited bacterial growth by one to eight log cycles at 0.1% concentration; however, the effects were much lesser than those observed with 0.05% acid-soluble chitosans. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values (0.03% to above 0.1%) of acid-soluble chitosans were much lower than those (0.05% to above 0.8%) of water-soluble chitosans. Based on MIC values, the acid-soluble chitosan with 99% DD and lower viscosity (17.9 mPa s) was most effective in inhibiting bacteria growth among eight chitosans tested.

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Physicochemical, binding, and antibacterial properties of chitosans prepared without and with deproteinization (DP) process (5, 10, 15, and 30 min at 15 psi/121 degrees C) were compared. Chitosan from DP 0 min had comparable nitrogen content, lower degree of deacetylation and solubility, but higher molecular weight and viscosity than chitosans from DP 5-30 min. The latter four chitosans showed differences only in molecular weight. Deproteinization treatment resulted in slightly decreased L values and increased a and b values compared with those of DP 0 min. Chitosan from DP 0 min had comparable water and fat-binding capacity (FBC) except for chitosan from DP 15 min, which had a higher FBC but lower dye-binding capacity than those of the four chitosans from DP 5-30 min. The antibacterial activities of chitosans against seven different bacteria showed that the inhibitory effects varied with the deproteinization time and the particular bacterium.