Objective To discuss the value of extra-hepatic artery embolization in the treatment of giant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Thirty-five patients with giant HCC were enrolled in this study.Angiography was performed on celiac artery at the 1st time of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE),and on superior mesenteric artery and diaphragmatic artery right internal thoracic artery,right intercostal artery,during the 2nd and next TACEs to explore extra-hepatic blood supply of the tumors.Results In all 35 patients,49 extra-hepatic arterial branches were found,and 46 were treated with chemoembolotherapy,3 with super selective chemotherapy.Diaphragmatic artery often served as extra-hepatic arterial blood supply,and then internal thoracic artery,intercostal artery,etc.Conclusion Super selective chemoembolization or chemothrephy of extra-hepatic blood supply arteries can improve the therapeutic effect of TACE for giant HCC.

Objective To approach the changes of advanced glycosylated end products (AGEs),surfactant proteins A (SP-A) in the lung of experimental diabetic rats and their relationship. Methods 48 male SD rats were divided into diabetes mellitus (DM) group and control group, each group with 24 rats.The DM rat model was made by injecting streptozocin (60mg/kg) into caudal vein. The rats were killed and the lung was individually taken out at the end of 4, 12 and 20 weeks after the models were established. The changes of AGEs, SP-A in rats lung were observed with immunohistochemical assay and the images were analyzed( black is minimum of gray, white is maximum of gray ). Results We observed a great quantity of AGEs positive cells in the alveolar epithelial cells, bronchial mucosal epithelium, angio-endothelial cell and smooth muscle cells of the DM rats. The average gray (AG) was inferior to that of the controls(4weeks 93.92 ± 7.92 vs 104. 75 ± 8. 20; 12 weeks 76. 25 ± 6. 76 vs 93.50 ± 7.56; 20 weeks 47.63 ± 7.96 vs 142. 38 ± 19. 76; P ＜0. 05) and decreased with the DM course. In the 4 weeks DM rats, there were a few SP-A positive cells in the type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells, Clara cells and alveolar macrophage cells. In the 12 and 20 weeks DM rats, there were a great many CTGF and TGF-β1 positive cells. The AG was inferior to that of the controls( 12 weeks 75.63 ± 6. 70 vs 110. 50 ± 13.20;20 weeks 47.38 ± 4. 84 vs 97. 25 ± 9. 87; P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion With the progress of diabetes, DM rats' pulmonary alveolar type Ⅱ cells injury appeared, that might be related with the deposition of AGEs.

Grounding impedance measurement is a traditional proficiency testing programs, 2014 proficiency testing program on the basis of original ability to verify, combined with actual detection need, innovation introduced two verification point of the power input socket and metal plane testing. This paper analyzes and discusses the results of the ability verification in 2014, and puts forward the points of attention and the recommended method of metal plane test.
Laboratories ; standards ; Laboratory Proficiency Testing

Objective To investigate the feasibility of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with 80 kVp and contrast agent of iodixanol (270 mg I/ml) by filtered back projection(FBP) reconstruction.Methods In total,52 patients who underwent CTPA were randomly divided into two equally-sized groups,control group and experimental group.The volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and dose-length product (DLP)were recorded,and the weighted computed tomography dose index (CTDIw) and effective dose (E) were calculated.The image quality was visually evaluated and measured,and statistical analyses were performed on the image quality and the radiation dose.Results The sex,age,height,weight and body mass index (BMI) had no statistical difference between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The average iodine dosage decreased by 22.9％ in the experimental group compared with the control group.Compared with the control group,the CTDIvol,DLP,CTDIw and E decreased by 73.5％,75.1％,73.5％ and 75.8％,respectively.The differences were statistically significant (t =＜0.001,30.5,＜ 0.001,-28.7,P ＜ 0.05).The image quality of the two groups met the requirement of diagnosis and there were no significant statistic differences between visually evaluating and objectively measuring the image quality (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Using 80 kVp and iodixanol for CTPA,FBP reconstruction image quality can meet diagnostic requirements.At the same time the radiation dose,the contrast agent dose and the X-ray tube wastage are reduced respectively.

Objective To study the role of adiponectin (ADP)post-conditioning in alleviating myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) in 3-week old rats.Methods SD rats (3-week old) were randomly divided into 4 groups by random digits table (n =6):sham group was processed identically except that the left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD) was not ligated;MIRI group was subjected to occlusion of the LAD followed by reperfusion,occlusion for 30 min and reperfusion for 120 min;ADP group was subjected to injection of ADP into femoral vein before reperfusion;LY294002 group (ADP post-conditioning and LY294002) was subjected to injection of ADP and LY294002 into femoral vein before reperfusion.The titer of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),cardiac troponin I(cTnl) and malondialdehyde(MDA) in plasma were observed.The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD)and MDA in myocardial tissue were observed.Results The levels of LDH,cTnI and MDA in plasma of MIRI group was (732.11 ± 111.29) IU/L,(38.05 ± 6.17) g/L and (4.49 ± 0.17) nmol/L,respectively,compared with sham group,the levels of LDH,cTnI and MDA in plasma of MIRI group increased obviously(all P ＜ 0.05);the levels of LDH,cTnI and MDA in plasma of ADP group were (581.72 ± 68.41) IU/L,(20.70 ± 5.43) g/L and (3.10 ± 0.20) nmol/L,respectively;compared with MIRI group,the levels of LDH,cTnⅠ and MDA in plasma of ADP group declined significantly (all P ＜0.05);the levels of LDH,cTnI and MDA in plasma of LY294002 group were (701.10 ±99.59) IU/L,(33.13 ± 4.32) g/L and (4.19 ± 0.46) nmol/L,compared with ADP group,the levels of LDH,cTnI and MDA in plasma of group LY294002 increased remarkably (t =2.477,1.804,2.961,all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with sham group,the SOD level decreased and the MDA level increased in myocardial tissue of MIRI group(all P ＜ 0.05);compared with MIRI group,the SOD level increased and the MDA level decreased in myocardial tissue of ADP group (all P ＜ 0.05);compared with ADP group,the SOD level decreased and the MDA level increased in myocardial tissue of LY294002 group (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions ADP postconditioning is perhaps a protective factor for alleviating myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in 3-week-old rats,the protective effect is perherps related to alleviating the damage of the lipid peroxidation by signaling pathway of adiponectin/phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase B.

Objective To study the role of adiponectin (ADP) postconditioning on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats .Methods SD rats were divided randomly into 3 groups :⑴Group Sham were processed identically except the left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD) and was not ligated;⑵ Group MIRI were subjected to LAD occlusion for 30 min and reperfusion for 120 min;⑶ Group ADP were subjected to ADP injection before reperfusion .The titer of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ,cardiac troponin I(cTnI) and malondialdehyde(MDA)in plasma were observed .The levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA)in myocardial tissue were observed .The results of HE staining and electrocardiograms(ECG) was ob‐served .Results Compared with Group Sham ,LDH ,cTnI and MDA in plasma in Group MIRI increased (P<0 .05);Compared with Group MIRI ,LDH ,cTnI and MDA in plasma in Group ADP declined (P<0 .05);Compared with Group Sham ,SOD decreased and MDA increased in myocardial tissue in Group MIRI (P<0 .05);Compared with Group MIRI ,SOD increased and MDA decreased in myocardial tissue in Group ADP (P<0 .05) .The myocardial injury was serious in Group MIRI while it was lightened in Group ADP .There were acute ischemia ECG change in Group MIRI while it was slight in Group ADP .Conclusion ADP postconditioning is a protective factor against MIRI in rats ,it is related to eliminating free radicals and alleviating the damage of lipid peroxidation .

Medicinal plants of the Fructus Amomi containing three species (A momum villosum, A momum longiligu-lare, Amomum villosum var. xanthioides)are well-known, which are widely used as traditional medicines. The mor-phological characteristics of the three origins are very similar, especially in the form of seed. In this study, 60 sam-ples of Fructus Amomi were co llected, and 34 sequences of the Fructus Amomi and their adulterants from GenBank were analyzed. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected. All the ITS2 sequences here (including our ex-periments and GenBank data)were examined for SNPs at the interspecies level. Results from the study revealed that two stable bases at position 135 bp and 199 bp were found, which could be used as a unique marker to distinguish the three origins of Fructus Amomi. The two SNPs in the ITS2 were found to exist stably between the three species, and all the GenBank sequences of the Fructus Amomi. Our findings indicated that SNP-based DNA barcoding could be used as an efficient method for the rapid and accurate identification of the three origins of Fructus Amomi.

Objective To assess the accuracy (ACC),sensitivity (SEN),and specificity (SPE) of dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters in predicting the radiation pneumonitis (RP) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Methods Complete clinical data of 118 non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with three-dimensional conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapy plus chemotherapy were included.Chi-square and logistic regression were retrospectively applied to analyze the correlations between DVH parameters [relative lung volume received ≥ 5 Gy (V5),10 Gy (V10),13 Gy(V13),20 Gy (V20) and 30 Gy (V30) and mean lung dose (MLD)] and grade 2 (and above) RP defined by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events,version 3.0.ROC curve was adopted to investigate the predictive ACC,SEN and SPE of potential DVH parameters associated with RP.Results Total lungs V5,V10,V13,V20 and MLD were all correlated to the development of RP (x2 =4.786,5.771,6.366,7.367 and 6.945,P ＜ 0.05) according to univariate analysis.However,total lungs V30,patient characteristics (age,sex,KPS,tumor location,pathology) and treatment factors (prescription dose,radiotherapy technique,chemotherapy method and timing) were not contributors to RP.Logistic regression showed that V20 of both lungs remains tight by associated with RP (x2 =10.96,OR =4.16,95％ CI 1.40 ～ 12.36,P ＜0.05),although significant colinearity was found between V20 and other DVH parameters (r =0.767-0.902,P ＜0.05).ROC curve confirmed that V20 of both lungs could act as a predictor for RP (Z =2.038,P ＜ 0.05).The predictive ACC,SEN,and SPE were 0.645 (95％ CI0.498-0.793),0.650 (95％ CI0.408-0.864),and 0.674 (95％ CI0.571-0.765),respectively.However,the positive predictive value was only 28.9％.Conclusions V20 of both lungs was correlated to the development of RP.It could act as a predictor for RP though the predictability is limited.

Objective To investigate mutation spectrums of α- and β-haemoglobin genes in thalassemia patients and carriers in Yunnan province,and to establish procedures on prenatal gene diagnosis.MethodsTotally 10 033 counseling couples and pregnant women,and 22 cases of children with moderate or severe thalassemia were recruited from 5 parts of Yunnan Province,middle,western,eastern,southern and northern areas, during July 2009 to July 2011.Medical records, including results of haemoglobin electrophoresis,blood routine examination,and gene diagnosis of subjects were collected and saved in an database in Excel software by the Key Laboratory for Birth Defects and Genetic Diseases.Using multiple gap-PCR and PCR-reversed dot blotting kits, DNA samples collected from 1077 cases of haematological positive thalassemia patients and carriers were tested to determine common mutations of the α-or β-haemoglobin genes.The codon regions of haemoglobin genes were sequenced by the Sanger sequencing in cases that the mutation tests were negative.Mutation spectrums of α- and β-haemoglobin genes were concluded.Prenatal gene diagnosis was offered to fetuses who had risk of thalassemia major.Results( 1 ) In 1077 cases of haemological screen positive subjects,deletions and mutations of α-haemoglobin gene were tested in 119 subjects among 347 cases suspected as α-thalassemia patients and carriers.Five kinds of deletions and mutations on α-haemoglobin gene were found.In 104 subjects,four kinds of common deletions and mutations onα-haemoglobin gene were determined:--SEA, -α3.7, αCS α,-α4.2.Other 14 subjects were double heterozygotes with haemoglobin H disease and severe α-thalassemia phenotypes.A rare mutation of insertion and deletion in α2 haemoglobin gene intron,α301-24-301-23 indel,was found in one carrier subject.(2)In 1077 cases of haemological screen positive subjects,deletions and mutations of β-haemoglobin gene were tested in 297 subjects among 730 cases suspected as β-thalassemia patients and carriers.Sixteen kinds of β-haemoglobin gene mutations were found,including 7 cases of rare abnormal haemoglobinopathy patients with β-haemoglobin gene mutations.In one case with β + phenotype patient,the Codon 5 (-CT)mutation at β-haemoglobin gene was found (firstly reported in China ). (3) Three fetuses with high riskS of α-thalassemia were accepted for prenatal diagnosis.One case of Hb Bart's hydrops syndrome fetus with the genotype --SEA/--SEA,and one case of mild α-thalassemia fetus with the genotype αCS α/αα were found.Another one fetus was found with normal α-haemoglobin.In 6 fetuses accepted for prenatal diagnosis due to high risks of β-thalassemia,one case of β-thalassemia major with the genotype CD17( A→T)/-28 (A→G) was found,3 fetuses were heterozygote carriers,and 2 fetuses had normal genotypes without mutations found in their parents.Medical terminations for 2 fetuses with severe thalassemia were made according to the choice of pregnant women.Other 7 pregnancies continued to term.Anemia or growth retardation was not found in the 7 infants when following up after given-birth 6 to 12 months.Conclusions The mutation spectrums of α- and β-haemoglobin genes of thalassemia patients and αarriers.in Yunnan province are special,in which β-haemoglobin gene exits more polymorphism in the mutation spectrum.Carrier screening in pregnant women,and offering prenatal gene diagnosis to the high risk pregnancies should be an efficient strategy to prevent thalassemia major.