Objective To evaluate common carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) and elasticity using ultrasound radio-frequency data (RF-data) technology, the normal values of the related parameters were determined in healthy adults for their potential clinical applications.Methods One hundred and sixty healthy adults were included and divided into 4 age groups with 20 males and 20 females in each group.The quantitative parameters of common carotid arterial IMT, common carotid arterial distensibility (CD),local pulse wave velocity(PWVβ) and stiffness(β) were calculated automatically.The correlations that the IMT, PWVβ and β were correlated positively with aging and CD was correlated negatively with between IMT and PWVβ or β, while no correlation between IMT and CD.The positive correlation was found correlation between IMT and age ( P＜0.05) ;In 30～39 and 40～49 years old groups,PWVβ increased and CD decreased with aging;In 50～59 years old group,PWVβ and β increased with aging;But in 60～69 years these parameters changed with aging in subjects＜60 years old.Conclusions RF-data technology could quantitativly evaluate common carotid arterial IMT and elasticity, the normal values of the related parameters were determined with aging,it may be a promising modality to assess the arterial condition.

Objective: Endoscopic measurement mainly depends on visual estimation or open biopsy forceps,which have been proved lacking in accuracy due to the image barrel distortion caused by wide-angle lens in endoscope.This study aimed to validate a new concept of "virtual internal standard" proposed by ourselves and develop a new method for endoscopic measurement based on the concept.Methods: We photographed planar grid graphs printed with standard calibrations with an electronic endoscope at different object distances,obtained the information on the virtual internal standard from each photo at the corresponding object distance,and analyzed the digital characteristics of the barrel distortion photos,including the size of the visual field,the image compression ratio,and the credible area for measurement with the virtual internal standard.Based on the analyses,the method of endoscopic measurement by the virtual internal standard was established and experiments both in vivo and in vitro were conducted.Results: The ratio of the object distance to the visual field was 1 ∶ 2 when the former was between 10 mm and 40 mm.Calculation of the compression ratio showed that the credible area of measurement in the central area was 10 mm at the object distance of 10-15 mm,20 mm at 20-30 mm,and 30 mm at 30-50 mm.The credible area of measurement on various planes accounted for 2/5 to 3/5 of the total image width.There was a tendency of double-curve change in the arrangement of pixel values of the central grids on different planes.The differences between the pixel values per centimeter became slight at the object distance of 35-50 mm.Conclusion: Endoscopic measurement by the virtual internal standard is a objective,accurate,simple and practical method.

Objective To observe the effect of endostatin(Endostar) combined with radiotheraphy on the growth,microvessel density (MVD),the expressions of regulators of G-protein signaling 5 (RGSS),vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-induced factor-1 α (HIF-1 α) ingastric transplantation tumor,and to explore underlying mechanism.Methods Thirty-two tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into four groups including control group,ES group,RT group and ES + RT group.Then the tumor-bearing mice survival and tumor volume alterations were observed.After treatments of drug and RT,the inhibition rate of tumor growth and tumor MVD were measured.Immunohistochemical staining method was used to detect the expressions of RGS5,VEGF and HIF-1α.Results Compared with the ES group and control group,the ES + RT and RT treatment had effective anti-tumor effect(t=7.4,5.6,P ＜ 0.05),where as the ES + RT was more obvious in anti-tumor with the lowest value of MVD in tumor.Compared with the control group,the expression of HIF-1α in ES group,RT group,and especially ES + RT group was significantly reduced (t =6.5,8.2,13.1,P ＜ 0.05).The expression levels of VEGF and RGS5 wereincreased in RT group but was reduced in ES group and ES + RT group,and the expressions of VEGF and RGS5 in ES group and ES + RT group had no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Rank correlation analysis showed the expression of HIF-1α and the expressions of VEGF and RGS5 were positively correlated (r =0.57,0.71,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions A possible mechanism of Endostar combined with radiotherapy on tumor growth inhibition may due to the inhibition of HIF-1α and its downstream VEGF and RGS5,and then inhibit tumor angiogenesis that results in the recovery of tumor blood vessels and tumor oxygen supplement.

As early as the 20 th century, it has been observed that radiotherapy (RT), as a local therapy, can activate the adaptive immune system, resulting in spontaneous regression of tumors out of the radiation field, which is known as "abscopal effect". Although the occurrence of abscopal effect is still rare, with the gradual increase in the application of immunotherapy, more and more clinical cases of abscopal effect have been reported. Increasing attention has been paid to the therapeutic potential of RT in inducing systemic anti-tumor response. Especially, the combination of RT and immunotherapy enhances the research value of abscopal effect. However, its mechanism has not been fully elucidated, and the optimal timing, dose and fractionation of RT are also under study. How to classify the beneficiary groups is also a key issue. In this article, the history of abscopal effect, and the role of RT and immunotherapy in this phenomenon were briefly introduced, and the existing controversies in clinical application were illustrated, aiming to clarify the direction of current research and development and open a new chapter for tumor treatment in a short period of time.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of celecoxib on the tendon adhesion and healing after anastomosis.Methods54 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to one of 3 ( celecoxib,ibuprofen,and saline) groups.The deep flexor tendon was transected,followed by a primary repair.The care was begun the day after surgery and was continually provided for 14 days.Celecoxib was given[20 mg/( kg · d) ],ibuprofen was given [75 mg/( kg · d) ],or the same volume of saline solution was given respectively.At the 4th and 8th week the animals were killed and assessed by general observation,histologically observation,and biomechanical testing.ResultsGeneral observation,celecoxib group and ibuprofen group showed good shape of tendons,smooth surface,and covered with a film - like tissue,and it was easy to be separated.Saline group showed that tendon and surrounding tissue medium had dense adhesions,and it was difficult to be separated.Histologically observation showed between tendon and paratenon had clear gap in celecoxib and ibuprofen group.The mature fiber cells gradually arranged rules and in the same direction.Saline between the tendon and paratenon gradually emerged a gap,but more fibroblasts and arranged in irregular.Biomechanical testing showed that tendon sliding resistance appeared in celecoxib and ibuprofen group.Compared with saline group,the differences were statistically significant (0.354 ± 0.078/0.382 ±0.121 vs 0.521 ±0.126,P ＜0.05;0.075 ±0.035/0.097 ±0.043 vs 0.414 ±0.110,P ＜0.01).UTS (ultimate tensile strength had statistical significance among celecoxib,saline groups and ibuprofen group.(36.812 ±6.388 vs 24.899 ±4.667,P ＜0.05;34.297 ±8.132 vs 24.899 ±4.667,P ＜0.01 ;54.515 ±4.688/59.037 ± 6.606 vs 42.418 ± 5.594,P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionsCelecoxib can effectively prevent tendon adhesion,and does not affect the tendon healing.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of open tension-free hernioplasty and two kind of laparoscopic hernia repair for the treatment of primary unilateral inguinal hernia. Methods Patients suffering from primary unilateral inguinal hernia were randomly divided into 3 groups to undergoopen operation with mesh-plug and patch or transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty (TAPP) or totally extraperitoneal hernioplasty (ZEP). Results From February 2006 to February 2009, a total of 164patients were divided into 3 groups, with 62 undergoing open tension-free mesh-plug hernia repair, 50receiving TAPP and 52 receiving TEP. Postoperative patients were then followed up for a period of(16±8)months. The average operating time for the patients in the open mesh repair group was significantly shorter compared to the other two groups (P＜0.01 ). The cost in the open mesh repair group was also significantly lower than the other two groups (P＜0.01). The pain scores in open mesh group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P＜0.01). The hospital stay and the recovery time were both significantly longer in the open mesh repair group (P＜0.01) compared to the other two groups. No major complications and recurrence was found in neither groups. Conclusions Open tension-free mesh-plug hernia repair, TAPP and TEP are all safe and effective for the treatment for patients with primary unilateral inguinal hernia. TAPP and TEP are superior to open tension-free mesh-plug hernia repair as these two procedures involve less postoperative pain and fast recovery.

Objective To evaluate the effect of percutaneous transhepatic embolization of gastroesophageal varices on acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotic portal hypertensive patients. Methods Percutaneous transhepatic embolization was performed in 37 cases of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding until varix thrombosed. Results Bleeding stopped in all patients. No technical complications occurred. During 1～38 months follow-up, variceal bleeding recurred in two cases in 3 months. One died of heart failure, five died of hepatic carcinoma in 6 months . Conclusion Percutaneous transhepatic embolization of gastroesophageal varices is a safe and effective treatment for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in portal hypertensive patients.

Objective Our previous study demonstrated that toll-like receptor 2(TLR2) can distinguish extraneous antigen and prevent the immunological response. This study was designed to detect the expression of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) mRNA in cornea and investigate the effect of steroid on TLR2 expression in rats cornea following allograft penetrating keratoplasty. Methods The penetrating keratoplasty models were established in SPF rats with the 108 SD rats as receiptors and 36 SPF Wistar rats as donors, and other 6 SPF SD rats worked as normal controls. The receiptor rats were divided randomly into autograft group, allograft group and steriod group. The clarity and neovascularization of corneas of experiment rats were examined under the slit-lamp microscope and the rejection index was calculated based on Holland criteria. Corneal histopathological examination was carried out by hemotoxylin and eosin staining under the light microscope, and real time-PCR was employed for the detect of TLR2 mRNA in the corneas at the fifth, seventh and ninth day after operation. The experimental animals were obtained from the Animal Experimental Center of Southern Medical University and the procedure followed the Statement of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Results The rejection occurred in 7 days after operation in allograft group, and only mild edema, opacity and neovascularization of corneas were found at different degrees in 9 days after operation in autograft group and steriod group. Severe corneal edema, a lots of inflammatory cells infiltration and new vessels in stroma were seen in allograft group, and mild inflammatory response was found in autograft group and steriod group. Normal comeal structure was exhibited in normal control group under the light microscope. The fold differences of TLR2 mRNA expression in cornea after amplification was significantly different among three groups and different time points (F_(group) = 39. 46, P = 0. 00; F_(time) =35. 38, P = 0. 00 ; F_(interaction) = 45. 66, P =0. 00), and the evident enhance of TLR2 mRNA expression was revealed in allograft group compared with autograft group (P ＜ 0. 05) and declined in steriod group (P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusion Steriod may restrain the acute allograft rejection by down-regulating the expression of TLR2 in corneas and its signals transaction. This result suggests that steriod offer a protection from rejection of cornea after penetrating keratoplasty.

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of ultrasonographic elastography for identifying suspected malignant thyroid nodules. Methods Fifty-one patients with small single solid thyroid nodule underwent two-dimensional and color power Doppler ultrasonography. The size, shape, boundary, internal echo and halo, calcification of thyroid nodule were observed with two-dimensional ultrasound. Then color Doppler ultrasonography was used to detect blood signal and distribution in the nodules. Longitudinal scanning of elastography was performed, and the findings on elastography were classified into Ⅰ-Ⅴ grades. The ultrasonographic results were compared with pathologic findings. Results Six patients were found with grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ benign lesions;9 with grade Ⅲ ( 6 benign and 3 malignant), 36 with Ⅳ and Ⅴ (2 benign and 34 malignant) lesions on ultrasonographic elastography. Taking the elasticity grade Ⅳ or Ⅴ as malignant standard, the diagnostic sensitivity was 91.89%, specificity was 85.71%, accuracy was 90.20%, while the positive and negative predictive value was 94.44% and 80.00%, respectively. Conclusion Real-time ultrasound elastography is a promising imaging technique that can assist in the differential diagnosis of malignant thyroid small single solid nodule.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease ,which is still endemic in western China .An earthquake struck south-western China on May 12th ,2008 ,which affected Longnan City of Gansu Province considerably .The objective of this survey is to determine the effect of the Wenchuan earthquake on the Kala-azar epidemic in Longnan City .In this study ,VL cases were collected from 2005 to 2013 and diagnosed on positive test for anti-rK39IgG antibodies by the Kala-azar Detect rK39 dip-stick (InBios ,USA) .The incidence rates were calculated among various counties of Longnan City with SPSS 19 .0 soft-ware .The epidemiological characteristics of the disease were analyzed before and after the Wenchuan earthquake .From 2005 to 2013 ,there were 825 VL cases in Longnan City ,with an annual incidence of 3 .36/100 000 and a significantly higher incidence in males than that in females (P＜ 0 .001) .All age groups were affected .During this period ,there was an obvious upward trend from 2005 to 2008 ,and a distinct downward tendency since 2010 .The incidences of VL between 2008 and 2010 were sig-nificantly different with that in other years (P＜0 .01) .Results revealed that VL was widespread in Longnan City ,which was likely exacerbated by the earthquake in 2008 .Earthquake created diverse natural environment and social circumstances ,w hich may contribute to the spread of the VL epidemic .Together ,our data strongly suggest that the epidemic of VL should be close-ly monitored after earthquake .