The SEM specimens of the blood vessels of the gall-bladder in the full term fetus were produced with the methyl methacrylate cast. The specimens were dryed and gilded with EIKO. IB-3. and then observed under scanning electron microscope. The microvessels of the wall of gall-bladder obviously were divided into three layers, namely: serous vessels, muscular vessels and mucous vessels. The serous and muscular vessels are similar to that of the intestinal canal. However the mucous vessels were characterized by subepithelial capillary networks and veins of large calibre in the lamina propria. The capillary networks were connected directly with the venous plexus by the capillaries. There are fewer arterioles passing and branching among the venous plexuses. Each arteriole was connected to capillary networks. The short capillary was seen frequently between the arterioles and the venous plexus, serving as communication between them.

The microvasculature of monkey parotid gland was observed by scanning electron microscope. The capillary networks around the acini were loose and the capillary networks around the ducts were dense and sinusoidal in type. The capillary networks around both the acini and intercalated duct and sinusoidal capillary networks around both the striated duct and intralobular duct were supplied by the blood passing through the acinar or duct arterioles from interlobular and intralobular artery. The capillary networks around the acini showed three draining forms: (1) draining into the vein directly; (2) draining into the capillary network around the striated duct through capillaries; (3) draining into the capillary network around the striated duct through venules. The latter form (venules) is named as "portal system". The capillary networks around the striated duct showed two draining forms: (1) they continued to form the capillary network around the intralobular duct; (2) they converged into venules which accompanied by the intralobular duct. The arterio-venous anastomoses were not observed in the parotid gland. However, arterio-arterial and venovenous anastomoses were found in interlobular region.

In monkey submandibular gland there were two types of capillary networks, which were apparently different in calibre and architecture, i. e. the capillary networks around the acini and the capillary networks around the striated ducts. They originate from their respective precapillary arterioles stemed from intralobular terminal arterioles. Between the two types of capillary networks they are connected by both capillaries and postcapillary venules. The latter were called portal vessels. The capillary networks around the striated duct have two types of draining vessels. First, they converged to form postcapillary venules, which continued to form intralobular veins. Second, they directly continued to form the capillary networks around the intralobular ducts. The capillary networks around the intralobular ducts directly supplied blood through precapillary arteioles around the duct besides they connected respectively with the capillary networks around the acini and striated ducts through capillaries. Furthermore, a ring-shaped constriction was observed distinctly at the intralobular terminal arteriole.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to explore ultrastructural characters of the newly formed bone in the correction of cleft palate (CP) bone defect by distraction osteogenesis (DO).

METHODSThe CP experimental animal models (12 cats) were established surgically, and were divided randomly into the experimental group (10 cats), in which the hard palate bone defects were corrected with DO procedure at the rate of 0.4 mm x 2/day. The specimen retrieval with euthanasia was carried out at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 weeks after completion of distraction. Ultrastructural study was then performed; the experimental control group (2 cats) was kept for 6 weeks before euthanasia without any correction, the other extra 2 cats were used as the negative control.

RESULTSNew bone formation appeared in early 2 weeks. Exclusively intramembranous bone formation was observed in all specimens. The remodeling activities were keep observed throughout the period of study, and the bone structure matured gradually till 12 weeks after the completion of DO. No repair was observed in experimental control group.

CONCLUSIONThe reconstruction of CP bone defect by means of DO could get active intramembranous bone formation and remodeling, which adapted to normal functional activities.

Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; Cats ; Cleft Palate ; pathology ; surgery ; Osteogenesis ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; methods ; Palate, Hard ; ultrastructure

Objective To investigate the diagnosis value of spleen stiffness measurement by transient elastography (FibroScan, FS) for esophageal-gastric varices (EV) in patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis receiving anti-viral treatment. Method Total of 41 patients from Jan 2014 to Dec 2014 diagnosed with HBV-related liver cirrhosis receiving anti-viral treatment were enrolled. All patients were evaluated for spleen and liver stiffness measurement by FS and checked by gastroscopy for diagnosis of EV. Using gastroscopy as the gold standard, the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were used to evaluate the value of the spleen stiffness and liver stiffness in diagnosis of EV and its degree. Results The spleen and liver FS values in patients were (40.64 ± 25.45) kPa and (20.76 ± 13.21) kPa respectively, and they showed a positive correlation (r = 0.402, P < 0.001). The spleen FS values in patients without EV were significantly lower than those in patients with mild EV and moderate-severe EV (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, they showed significantly lower in patients with mild EV than those in patients with moderate-severe EV too (P < 0.05). The AUROC of spleen FS in patients with EV was 0.863, with sensitivity of 79.4% and specificity of 83.2%. Moreover, the AUROC of spleen FS in patients with moderate-severe EV was 0.924, with sensitivity of 87.9% and specificity of 91.3%. Both of them were much higher than those of liver FS. Conclusion Spleen FS may act as a non-invasive marker to predict EV and its degree in patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis receiving anti-viral treatment.

Objective To investigate the relationship between HBV mutations in the precore (PC)/core promoter region and the liver histological changes in HBeAg negative CHB patients. Method A total of 71 HBeAg negative CHB patients with liver biopsy from April 2012 to Dec 2013 were enrolled. DNA was extracted from blood serum, then the HBV S gene and PC/core promoter region were amplified by semi-nested PCR and sequenced. The relationship between significant liver histological changes and viral factors were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis. Results The incidence of significant necroinflammation (15.8% vs. 27.3%, χ2 =1.398, P = 0.237) and significant fibrosis (71.1% vs. 84.4%, χ2= 1.926, P = 0.165) were found to be similar between patients infected with HBV genotype B and genotype C . By Logistic regression analysis including risk factors of age, sex, HBV genotype and mutations (T1753V,A1762T/G1764A,A1846T and G1896A), the A1762T/G1764A mutation in HBV associated with significant necroinflammation (OR = 4.296, P = 0.037), while factors of age, sex, genotype and other mutation were not associated with significant liver histological changes. (all P > 0.05). Conclusion Mutation in PC/core promoter region of HBV may act as a marker to evaluate the liver histological changes.

Objective To investigate the epidemiologic and clinical features of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV)co-infected patients.Methods Patients who confirmed with HIV infection and received highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART)at Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital were enrolled.HIV/HBV co-infected patients and HIV mono-infected patients were screened and their epidemiological and clinical features were analyzed before HAART.Comparison of the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT),aspartate transaminase (AST),CD4 + T lymphocyte and HIV RNA between the two groups were conducted.The data were statistically analyzed by chi-square test and nonparametric test.Results One hundred and sixty-five out of 1 218 (13.5 %)patients were hepatitis B surface antigen positive.The median ALT and AST levels of HIV mono-infected patients were 29 U/L and 34 U/L respectively,which were both higher than HIV/HBV co-infected patients (22 U/L and 25 U/L, respectively)(Z = - 4.270 and Z = - 5 .780,respectively,both P = 0.000 ).The median CD4 + T lymphocyte count of HIV/HBV co-infected patients was significantly lower than that of HIV mono-infected patients (Z = -2.980,P =0.003 ).The CD4 + T lymphocyte count was lower in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)positive patients than HBeAg negative patients (Z =-2.660,P =0.008).The median CD4 + T lymphocyte count in patients with HBV DNA≥5 lg copy/mL was significantly lower than those with HBV DNA<5 lg copy/mL (Z = -2.311 ,P =0.021 ).The proportions of positive HBV DNA, HBV DNA≥5 lg copy/mL,abnormal ALT and AST in 54 patiens with CD4 + T lymphocyte counts <50/μL were 81 .5 %,66.7%,44.4% and 53.7%,respectively.All were significantly higher than patients with CD4 + T lymphocyte count≥50/μL(χ2 =6.159,P =0.046 ;χ2 =6.618,P =0.037 ;χ2 =7.144,P =0.028 andχ2 =9.586,P =0.008,respectively).Conclusions The prevalence of HBV/HIV co-infection is high in this study.The CD4 + T lymphocyte counts in HIV/HBV co-infected patients are lower,especially in patients with HBeAg positive and high HBV DNA level.The CD4 + T lymphocyte counts are associated with HBV DNA replication levels.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological and clinical features of acute hepatitis E (AHE).Methods All the data of AHE patients from April 2005 to October 2011 were collected and their epidemiological features were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into two groups:patients with single hepatitis E virus (HEV ) infection and patients with HEV/hepatitis B virus (HBV ) coinfection,to compare the biochemical parameters and outcomes and to find out the risk factors for AHE related liver failure.Kruskal-Wallis test,Chi square test,and Logistical regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results A total of 621 cases were included in the present study and most patients were elderly male and happened from February to May every year.The incidence of AHE related liver failure and mortality was 18.68% and 1 .93%,respectively.Compared to the single HEV group (n=331 ),the HEV/HBV group (n = 280 )had a longer hospital stay (46 d vs 40 d,Z = - 4.591 ,P < 0.01 ),a significantly lower prothrombin activity (55 .5 % vs 78.7%,Z =-7.998,P <0.01 )and a significantly higher incidence of AHE related liver failure (30.7% vs 9.1 %,χ2 =46.229,P <0.01 ).In single HEV related liver failure group (n=30),the percentages of early-stage,interim-stage and end-stage live failure were 53.33%,23.33% and 23.33%,respectively.While in the HEV/HBV related liver failure group (n=86),the corresponding numbers were 34.88%,31 .40% and 33.72%,respectively.The differences were not statistically significant (χ2 = 3.176,P = 0.204 ).Additionally,the clinical outcome between these two groups was also comparable (83.33% vs 91 .86%,χ2 =0.945 ,P = 0.331 ).The Logistic analysis showed that age over 50 years (OR=2.080,P =0.002)and coinfection with HBV (OR=5 .632, P <0.01)were risk factors for AHE related liver failure.Conclusions AHE is seasonal and mainly occurs in elderly male.Advanced age and HBV coinfection may be risk factors of severe AHE.

Objective To evaluate the preventive effect of entecavir on liver injury in chronic HBV infected patients complicated with tuberculosis receiving anti-tuberculosis treatment.Methods A total of 102 chronic HBV infected patients complicated with tuberculosis were collected from Guangzhou Eighth People' s Hospital and Guangzhou Chest Hospital during January 2011 and May 2012.Patients were divided into three groups:group A (n =33) received entecavir plus anti-tuberculosis treatment,group B (n =29) received lamivudine plus anti-tuberculosis treatment,and group C (n =40) received anti-tuberculosis treatment only.Liver injury,termination of treatment,liver function and HBV DNA load before and after treatment were observed.SPSS 13.0 was used for statistial analysis.Results Two cases (6.1％) in group A,6 cases (20.6％) in group B and 22 cases (55.0％) in group C had liver injury,and the difference among three groups was of statistical difference (x2 =22.126,P ＜ 0.01),but the difference between group A and group B was not significant (x2 =3.024,P＞0.05).One case (3.0％) in group A,3 cases (10.3％) in group B and 15 cases (37.5％) in group C terminated the treatment,and the difference among three groups was of statistical significance (x2 =16.008,P ＜ 0.01),but the difference between group A and group B was not significant (x2 =1.410,P ＞0.05).ALT and AST in group A and group B were not of significant differences before and after anti-tuberculosis treatment,but those in group C were significantly higher (Z =18.306,16.821,P ＜ 0.01).There was no significant difference in HBV DNA load among three groups before the treatment (Z =0.460,P ＞ 0.05),while HBV DNA loads in group A and group B significantly decreased during the treatment,and the difference among three groups after the treatment was significant (Z =23.213,P ＜0.01).In addition,lower HBV DNA load was observed in group A compared with group B after one month anti-tuberculosis treatment (Z =8.109,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Early use of entecavir can effectively prevent liver injury during anti-tuberculosis treatment,ensuring anti-tuberculosis treatment and anti-HBV treatment carried out as planned.

The course of estahlishing coronary collateral circulation has been studied after ligating the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery (L. A. D.) of the heart in 20 rabbits. Another 5 rabbits were studied as control group. The experimental results were as follows: (1) The rabbit electrocardiograms EGG were made before and after the ligation of the L. A. D. The EGG of control group was made only before killing. In these experiments, the pathological changes of No. 28 were observed immediately after ligating the L. A.D. It was found that the T wave was inverted in standard lead I, and that the volts of the QRS complex in lead Vc fell apparently. This phenomenon may be interpreted as myocardial ischemia in the anterior wall of the heart. After ligating the L. A. D. the S-T segment of No. 27 in AVL lead elevated and exceeded I mm, and the depressive Q wave in Vc lead was greater than the one-fourth of the R wave before killing. All of the phenomenen observed in the rabbit entirely confirmed the myocardial infarction and myocardial ischemia. In No. 25, the T wave was inverted in standard lead I, and the QRS complex in lead Vc was not only shallow in depth but also very little. The conditions accounted probably for myocardial ishcmia. During 4 to 21 days after ligating the L. A. D.,the pathological changes in the EGG occurred frequently.The rabbit ECG gradually became normal from 21 st day on. (2) The coronary arteries of the rabbit hearts were injected with X-ray contrast medium and were examined. The X-ray film thus obtained were compared with the specimen after they were cleared. At the same time, sections of the heart walls (the infarcted area and its surrounding areas) of fifteen rabbits were studied carefully under microscope. Our primary impression was that only a few newly formed vessels in the central part of the infarct till the fourth day after ligating the L. A. D. The vessels surrounding of the infarct show a slight winding and distension. During 10 to 28 days, the number of the newly formed vessels in the infarct increased gradually day by day. The vessels surroundings the infarct were also highly crooked and distended, especially in the anterior wall of the right ventricle. This is possibly the most active period in the establishment of coronary collateral circulation. During 28 to 49 days, the morphology of the vessels in the infarct area became similar to that of the corresponding area of the control group. (3) The significance of the coronary collateral circulation on the heart wall was discussed.