Objective To study the mRNA expressions of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with leprosy. Methods SYBR Green fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR was conducted to detect the mRNA expressions of TLR2 and 4 in PBMCs from 30 patients with cured leprosy, 30 patients with active leprosy and 30 normal human controls. Results The expression of TLR2 mRNA in patients with active leprosy was significantly higher than that in those with cured leprosy and in controls (both P ＜ 0.01 ), but there was no significant difference between the latter two groups (P ＞ 0.05). The expression of TLR4 mRNA was of no significant difference between patients with active leprosy and those with cured leprosy orthe controls (both P＞ 0.05). Conclusion The expression of TLR2 mRNA is decreased in PBMCs from leprosy patients, suggesting that TLR2 may be a specific recognition receptor in patients with leprosy.

Objective To study on the anti-hepatic fibrosis effects of salvianolic acid A injection (SAA), and further to provide the theoretical basis for the clinical application .Methods Using CCl4 induced hepatocyte injury in vitro, the hepatocyte viability , the levels of ALT , AST and LDH in cell culture supernatants and the levels of SOD and MDA in cell lysates were detected .In addition , the hepatic fibrosis rat model was made by subcutaneous injection of CCl 4 , the serum LN, HA, SOD and MDA levels were detected and the pathological changes in liver tissue were also observed . Results Compared with model group , the hepatocyte viability in SAA high or low dose group and Vit E group were significantly increased (P <0.01), and the activities of ALT, AST and LDH in SAA high dose group were significantly lowed ( P <0.01 ) .The activity of SOD in SAA high dose group and Vit E group was significantly increased ( P <0.05), while MDA content was decreased (P <0.05).Vivo test showed that the levels of serum LN and HA in SAAhigh dose group were significant lower than those of hepatic fibrosis rat model group (P <0.05).Moreover, the activity of SOD in SAA high or low dose group was significantly increased (P <0.05, P <0.01), while MDA content was lowed (P <0.05, P <0.01), and can improve the pathological of liver tissues .Conclusions SAA injection can anti-lipid peroxidation and thereby protect hepatocyte and reduce hepatic fibrosis .

Objective To investigate the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the children born to HBV‐infected parent (s) after in vitro fertilization (IVF) .Methods From January 2008 to December 2013 , in the reproductive medicine center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University ,the medical history of 221 mothers by IVF were collected .Inclusion criteria were at least one of the parents was positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) ,and HBV DNA<1 × 104copies/mL . Hepatitis B vaccination status and HBV infection status of children were followed by telephone .Results One hundred and seventy‐two cases were followed up successfully ,and 49cases were lost .Two hundred and twenty‐four cases of children were HBsAg negative ,but one of them showed hepatitis B virus e antibody and hepatitis B virus core antibody positive .Conclusions The vertical transmission risk of HBV infection of children born to HBV‐positive patent(s) by IVF did not increase .

Objective To investigate the correlation between the serum ferritin levels and the post-stroke depression (PSD). Methods From July 2014 to October 2015, the inpatients with the first-ever acute ischemic stroke were colected consecutively. Chemiluminescence microparticle immune assay was used to measure the serum ferritin levels within 24 h after admission. Depressive symptoms were screened by using the 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) at 3 months after onset. In patients with a HAMD-17 score ≥7, the depression was further diagnosed according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. Results A total of 200 patients with the first-ever acute ischemic stroke were enroled, 55 (27. 5% ) of them were diagnosed as PSD. There were significant differences in the body mass index (BMI), years of education, waist circumference, high sensitive-C-reactive protein, homocysteine, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (at baseline, discharge, and day 90), mRs score (at discharge and day 90), BI (at discharge and day 90), and the proportions of widowed or solitary patients between the PSD group and the non-PSD group (al P < 0. 05 ). The serum ferritin level in the PSD group was significantly higher than that in the non-PSD group ( median [ interquartile range], 261. 90[142. 10-364. 90] μg/L vs. 164. 40[132. 50- 195. 10] μg/L; Z = - 4. 814, P < 0. 001 ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors showed that the baseline serum ferritin level >136. 375 μg/L was an independent risk factor for PSD (odds ratio 1. 041 per 1-quartile increase, 95%confidence interval 1. 009-1. 239; P = 0. 045). Conclusions The elevated baseline serum ferritin level is associated with PSD.

Objective To study the role of MDCT with 3D fusion images in the preoperative evaluation of pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods 37 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy from March 2016 to May 2018 in the Affiliated Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were included in this retrospective study.All patients underwent a dual-phase enhanced MDCT before operation.The volume data of enhanced MDCT were transmitted to a dedicated CT post-processing workstation.The 3D images,including the tumor,pancreas,portal vein system,arterial system,pancreatic and biliary tract,were reformatted respectively before the fusion imaging.Two reviewers analyzed the tumor location and its spatial relations with the pancreaticobiliary system,peripancreatic vessels and vascular variations by means of zooming,rotating,splitting and transparent displaying on fusion images.Then,the assessed items were compared to the surgical and pathological findings.Results The 3D fusion images of 37 patients in this study depicted the tumor,pancreas,peripancreatic vessels and pancreatic and biliary tract clearly.Compared with the intraoperative and pathological findings,the accuracy of both tumor detection and localization with the 3D fusion images was 100％.To compare the intraoperative findings,visualization and variation detection of the celiac,splenic,common hepatic,gastroduodenal,hepatic,and superior mesenteric arteries,and the superior mesenteric and portal veins were all 100％.Visualizations of the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery (ASPDA),posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery (PSPDA),inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (IPA) and dorsal pancreatic artery (DPA) were 85.7％,82.8％,72.2％ and 75.8％,respectively.Conclusion The MDCT 3D fusion imaging technology allowed one stop preoperative assessment of pancreaticoduodenectomy,especially in clearly outlining the tumor location and its spatial relations with the surrounding surgical anatomies before surgery.

Objective:To compare CT with MRI on the accuracy in TNM staging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) based on the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer System and Pathological Staging.Methods:From October 2013 to October 2019, 105 patients who had pathologically confirmed PDAC treated at the Affiliated Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively studied. Of 52 patients who met the inclusion criteria, there were 32 males and 20 females, with age ranging from 45 to 84 years (mean 66.1 years). Based on the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer System and Pathological Staging, CT was compared with MRI in their accuracies in categorizing TNM and staging of PDAC.Results:Forty-three of 52 patients who underwent curative resection had a mean tumor size of (3.4±1.2) cm, compared with tumor sizes of (3.3±1.2) cm and (3.3±1.4) cm on CT and MRI, respectively. No significant differences were observed between gross pathological examination and CT ( P>0.05) or MRI ( P>0.05). The accuracy of T, N, and M categories on CT versus (vs) MRI was 97.7% (42/43) vs 97.7% (42/43), 79.1% (34/43) vs 76.7% (33/43), and 100% (9/9) vs 88.9% (8/9), respectively. No significant differences were observed between the two modalities ( P>0.05). The overall accuracy of PDAC staging on CT vs MRI was 82.7% (43/52) vs 76.9% (40/52), respectively. There was also no significant difference between the two modalities ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Both CT and MRI had similar accuracies in categorizing TNM and staging of PDAC. However, the accuracies of T and M stages were higher than that of the N stage for these two imaging modalities.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application value of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination in preoperative evaluation of adjacent organ invasion for periampullary carcinomas (PACs).Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 81 patients with PACs who were admitted to the Affiliated Wuxi No.2 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2013 to June 2019 were collected. There were 52 males and 29 females, aged from 41 to 80 years, with an average age of 62 years. Observation indicators: (1) surgical and pathological outcomes; (2) evaluation of adjacent organ invasion on CT and MRI examination for PACs; (3) comparison of diagnostic accuracy between CT and MRI examination in assessing adjacent organ invasion for PACs; (4) auxiliary and feature images of adjacent organ invasion for PACs; (5) comparison between CT and MRI examination in assessing adjacent organ invasion for PACs. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range), and count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages. Comparison between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test.The receiver operating characteristic curve and area under curve were used to evaluate diagnostic accuracy between CT and MRI examination in assessing adjacent organ invasion for PACs. Consistency was compared using the κ test. Results:(1) Surgical and pathological outcomes: of the 81 patients, 76 underwent pancreatoduodenectomy, 5 underwent palliative gastrojejunostomy or biliary drainage combined with biopsy, including the pancreas, duodenum, or lymph nodes. Of the 81 patients, 35 had pancreatic head carcinoma including 26 with duodenal invasion and 9 without duodenal invasion; 23 had ampullary carcinoma including 17 with duodenal invasion, 4 with both duodenal invasion and pancreatic invasion, and 2 without duodenal invasion or pancreatic invasion; 17 had distal bile duct carcinoma (including papillary type in 4 patients and periductal infiltrative type in 13 patients), of which 8 had duodenal invasion, 1 had duodenal invasion and pancreatic invasion (pathological classification of the 9 patients was periductal infiltrative type), 8 had neither duodenal invasion nor pancreatic invasion; 6 had duodenal carcinoma including 4 with pancreatic invasion and 2 without pancreatic invasion. (2) Evaluation of adjacent organ invasion on CT and MRI examination for PACs: of the 35 patients with pancreatic head carcinoma, duodenal invasion was identified in 25 patients and no duodenal invasion in 10 patients on both CT and MRI examination. Of the 23 patients with ampullary carcinoma, duodenal invasion, pancreatic invasion, both duodenal invasion and pancreatic invasion, and neither duodenal invasion nor pancreatic invasion were identified in 17, 1, 4, and 1 patients on CT examination, respectively; the above indicators were identified in 15, 2, 4, and 2 patients on MRI examination. Of the 17 patients with distal bile duct carcinoma, pancreatic invasion, both duodenal invasion and pancreatic invasion, and neither duodenal invasion nor pancreatic invasion were identified in 8, 1, and 8 patients on CT examination, respectively; the above indicators were identified in 9, 1, and 7 patients on MRI examination. Of the 6 patients with duodenal carcinoma, pancreatic invasion and no pancreatic invasion were identified in 3 and 3 patients on both CT and MRI examination.(3) Comparison of diagnostic accuracy between CT and MRI examination in assessing adjacent organ invasion for PACs: two reviewers had good agreement in assessing adjacent organ invasion on CT examination for pancreatic head carcinoma, ampullary carcinoma, and distal bile duct carcinoma ( κ=0.868, 0.701, 0.881, P<0.05), but they had poor agreement for duodenal carcinoma ( κ=0.333, P>0.05). Meanwhile, two reviewers had good agreement in assessing adjacent organ invasion on MRI examination for pancreatic head carcinoma and ampullary carcinoma( κ=0.860, 0.747, P<0.05), and moderate agreement for distal bile duct carcinoma ( κ=0.643, P<0.05), but they had poor agreement for duodenal carcinoma ( κ=0.333, P>0.05). (4) Auxiliary and feature images of adjacent organ invasion for PACs: for the 25 patients who had pancreatic head carcinoma with duodenal invasion on CT and MRI examination, based on well filling in duodenum, 12 patients showed locally morphological change of lumen and flattened or disappeared duodenal mucosal folds on negative contrast CT cholangiopancreatography; 14 patients showed similar signs on T2 weighted imaging or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. The 17 patients who had distal bile duct carcinoma with pancreatic invasion on CT and MRI examination were periductal infiltrative type. Pancreatic invasion manifested as local thickenness of ductal wall with marked enhancement and narrowed ductal lumen, which was indistinguishable from the pancreas, and the pancreatic parenchyma showed hyperdense or hyperintense signs similar with the lesion, like a "transmural" sign. One patient with both duodenal invasion and pancreatic invasion showed locally thickened and enhanced duodenal wall on both CT and MRI examination. Four patients, who had papillary type distal bile duct carcinoma with neither duodenal invasion nor pancreatic invasion, showed intraductal growing mass which had a discernible boundary to the pancreas and slighter enhancement than infiltrative type on both CT and MRI examination. (5) Comparison between CT and MRI examination in assessing adjacent organ invasion for PACs: CT examination evaluating adjacent organ invasion for pancreatic head carcinoma, ampullary carcinoma, distal bile duct carcinoma, and duodenal carcinoma had a sensibility of 92.3%, 90.5%, 88.9%, 75.0%, a specificity of 88.9%, 50.0%, 87.5%, 100.0%, an accuracy of 0.906, 0.702, 0.882, 0.875, respectively. MRI examination evaluating adjacent organ invasion for pancreatic head carcinoma, ampullary carcinoma, distal bile duct carcinoma, and duodenal carcinoma had a sensibility of 88.5%, 85.7%, 88.9%, 75.0%, a specificity of 77.8%, 50.0%, 75.0%, 100.0%, an accuracy of 0.831, 0.679, 0.819, 0.875. There was no significant difference in sensibility for pancreatic head carcinoma, distal bile duct carcinoma, or duodenal carcinoma between CT and MRI examination( χ2=3.140, 0.141, 0.444, P>0.05), while there was a significant difference in sensibility for ampullary carcinoma ( χ2=13.263, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in specificity for pancreatic head carcinoma, ampullary carcinoma, or distal bile duct carcinoma between CT and MRI examination( χ2=0.321, 2.000, 3.429, P>0.05). There was no significant difference in accuracy for pancreatic head carcinoma, ampullary carcinoma, distal bile duct carcinoma, or duodenal carcinoma between CT and MRI examination( Z=0.967, 0.273, 0.559, 0.000, P>0.05). Conclusion:CT and MRI examination can be used for preoperative evaluation of adjacent organ invasion for periampullary carcinoma, with similar performance in specificity and accuracy, however, CT examination has a higher sensibility for ampullary carcinoma.

Objective:To investigate the value of the extrahepatic bile duct and main pancreatic duct segment patterns on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) for differentiating the periampullary carcinoma (PAC).Methods:The clinicopathologic data of 125 patients with PAC who were admitted to Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital from June 2013 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 72 males and 53 females, aged (64.9±8.6) years. According to its anatomy, the extrahepatic bile duct (B) was divided into suprapancreatic and intrapancreatic (including ampullary) segments, and the main pancreatic duct (P) was divided into tail-body and head segments. MRCP patterns: i. the extrahepatic bile duct or main pancreatic duct visible without dilatation, ii. cutoff of the distal extrahepatic bile duct or main pancreatic duct with upstream dilatation, iii. cutoff of the intrapancreatic or head segment with upstream dilatation and remnant intrapancreatic or head segments invisible, iv. cutoff of the intrapancreatic or head segment with upstream dilatation and nondilated remnant intrapancreatic or head segments, were represented as 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Segment patterns of B1/P0+ B1/P1, B0/P2+ B0/P3+ B2/P2+ B2/P3+ B3/P3, B3/P0, and B0/P0+ B2/P0 on MRCP were compared in PAC patients.Results:Of the 125 patients, there were 57 (45.6%) with pancreatic head carcinoma, 36 (28.8%) with ampullary carcinoma, 20 (16.0%) with distal cholangiocarcinoma, and 12 (9.6%) with periampullary duodenal carcinoma. Segment patterns of B0/P2+ B0/P3+ B2/P2+ B2/P3+ B3/P3 were found in 52 patients with pancreatic head carcinoma (91.2%, 52/57), with a significant difference between PAC (χ 2=110.66, P<0.001). Segment patterns of B1/P0+ B1/P1were found in 36 patients with ampullary carcinoma (100.0%, 36/36), fallowed by 11 (91.7%, 11/12) with periampullary duodenal carcinoma, with a significant difference between PAC (χ 2=129.95, P<0.001). Segment pattern of B3/P0 presented in 16 patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma (80.0%, 16/20), with a significant difference between PAC (χ 2=62.45, P<0.001). The segment patterns of B0/P0+ B2/P0 were only seen in 3 of 57(5.3%) patients with pancreatic head carcinoma. Conclusion:On MRCP, cutoff of the head segment with upstream dilatation and remnant head segment invisible or nondilated indicates the pancreatic head carcinoma. Cutoff of the intrapancreatic segment with upstream dilatation, remnant intrapancreatic segment visible, and main pancreatic duct nondilated, indicates the distal cholangiocarcinoma. And cutoff of the distal extrahepatic segment with upstream dilatation and main pancreatic duct dilatation or not, indicates the ampullary or periampullary duodenal carcinoma.