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Objective To explore the risk factors for upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (UGH) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal hypertension (PH). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 231 patients with HCC-PH treated in our Department from 1st January 2005 to 1st August 2009. The clinicopathologic factors were evaluated for their possible association with UGH in univariate analysis followed by multivariate analysis using Logistic regression model. The overall survival (OS) was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis with calculation of the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were carried out to assess the predictive ability of the independent risk factors. Results Among 247 patients diagnosed with HCC-PH, 231 patients met the inclusion criteria and were entered into this study. UGH occurred in 28 patients (12.12 %, 28/231). Patients suffering from UGH had a higher 30-and 60-d mortality when compared with the non UGH group (53.57% vs. 4.43%, 96.43%vs. 10.34%, P＜0. 001, 0. 001). The 1-,2-and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates in the non-UGH and the UGH groups were 3. 57% (1/28), 0% (0/28), 0% (0/28) and 21.18% (43/203), 14.29% (29/203), 4.43% (9/203), respectively. There was a trend towards a non-significantly statistical difference in long-term (≥3 yr) survival (P=0. 605). UGH had a dismal prognosis with a median OS of 0. 8 months (0. 10-2. 40 months). Multivariate analysis of the risk factors showed elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (P = 0. 026) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) more than twice normal (2N)(P=0. 004) were predictive factors, in particular, AST≥2N. A cutoff value (PI≥7. 242) predicted UGH with an AUC of 0.828 (95%CI, 0.698-0.957), sensitivity of 81.0% and a specificity of 81.0%, as calculated from the ROC. Risk score stratification predicted UGH to show a statistically significant difference (P＜0. 001). Conclusions UGH, as one of the end-stage incidents of HCC-PH,had a dismal prognosis. Patients with elevated AFP levels and AST levels above 2N were associated with high risks for UGH and should be monitored carefully or offered prophylactic treatments. Risk score stratification was useful for prediction of UGH.

Objective To evaluate factors affecting early recurrence and overall survival after curative hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients. Methods Sixty two HCC cases with concomitant liver cirrhosis were retrospectively reviewed after curative hepatectomy in our department during the period between Jan. 2002 and Jan. 2009. Clinicopathologic data were evaluated for their possible association with postoperative early recurrence (ER) and overall survival (OS) in univariate analysis followed by multivariate analysis using COX proportional hazard model. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis with calculation of the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity was applied to assess predictive ability of independent risk factors. Results During follow-up period, 47 patients developed postoperative ER. The 1-, 2-, 3-and 5-year cumulative recurrence rate was 62.9% (39/62) ,75.8% (47/62), 80.7% (50/62), 83.9% (53/62) ,respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates were 59. 7% (37/62), 21.0% (13/62) and 1.6% (1/62), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that increased BCLC staging, severity of liver cirrhosis and tumoral residue resectional edge as independent risk factors influencing ER. Cutoff point value ( PI ≥2.171 ) predicted ER with AUC of 0.874(95%CI, 0.757～0.990), sensitivity was 85. 1% and specificity was 77. 8% calculated from ROC.Difference of median recurrence time according to risk stratification reached statistical significance ( 18.7mons, 7.7 mons vs. 2.9 mons, Log-rank test,λ2 =25. 288, P =0.000. While ER, post-recurrence treatment and severity of liver cirrhosis affected OS, cutoff point value ( PI ≥ 2. 893 ) predicted OS with sensitivity 86. 8%, and specificity 88.9%, with AUC 0.894(95% CI,0.798 ～ 0.990). Median OS time according to risk stratification demonstrated significant difference (27.8 mons, 21.5 mons vs. 8.5 mons,Log-rank test, λ2 = 30. 869, P = 0. 000). Conclusion Severity of liver cirrhosis and surgical tumor margin determines postoperative ER and OS for HCC after curative hepatectomy. Effective management of ER also contributes to good prognosis. Risk stratification can be used for evaluation of ER and OS of HCC.

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effects of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) expression controlled by five copies of the hypoxia-responsive elements after focal cerebral ischemia .Methods Three groups of rats re-ceived RV-5H-NT3, RV-5H-EGFP or saline injection .Three days after gene transfer , the rats underwent 90 min of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion ( tMCAO) , followed by 1-28 days of reperfusion .Immunohistostaining and western blotting were performed to detect ischemia/hypoxia-regulated expression of NT-3 controlled by HRE . The volume of brain infarction and the apoptosis were analysised by TTC and TUNEL staining .The neurological scoring was determined by neurological behavior tests .Results Three days after tMCAO , brain NT-3 expression was significantly increased in the RV-5HNT3-transduced animals compared with the RV-5H-EGFP or saline group (P<0.05), and brain infarct volume was smaller in the RV-5H-NT3-transduced group than the RV-5H-EGFP or saline group ( P<0.05 ) .The percentage of TUNEL-positive cells was reduced in RV-5 H-NT3-transduced brains compared with the RV-5 HEGFP or saline group 3 and 7 days after tMCAO ( P<0.05 ) .Furthermore , the neurolog-ical status of RV-5H-NT3-transduced rats was better than that of RV-5H-EGFP-or saline-transduced animals from 1 day to 4 weeks after tMCAO ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusions HRE may modulate NT-3 expression in the ischemic brain tissue and that the up-regulated NT-3 may effectively improve neurological status following tMCAO due to de-creased initial damage .

Objective To explore the feasibility and validity of laparoscopic choledochotomy and choledochoscopy for treament of patients with acute pancreatitis accompanying commom bile duct stones. Methods A total of 102 patients acute pancreatitis accompanying common bile duct gall stones were treated in our institution between January 2007 and November 2009. Among them, 43 patients underwent laparoscopic choledochotomy and choledochoscopy within 72h after admission entered our study group. They all had a laparscopic cholecystectomy and choleldochotomy and choledochoscopy to retrieve common bile duct stones. Of these, 13 patients undergoing pancreatic capsule incision and peritoneal lavage. Fifty-nine patients undergoing traditional conservative treatment firstly were used as a control group. Of these, 46 were performed laparscopic surgery and choledochotomy after smoothly recovery from pancreatitis. 13 underwent emergency open operation due to complications of pancreatitis. Results In the gastrointestinal function recovery time, amylase recovery time, length of stay and hospitalization cost, there was a significant difference between study group and the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Our study provides evidence for the good clinical efficacy of early implementation of laparoscopic choledochotomy and choledochoscope for treatment of choledocholithiasis and acute pancreatitis.

Objective To construct and identify the recombinant retroviral vector containing five copies of hypoxia responsive elements (5HRE)and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3 ).Methods Using PCR,enzyme digestion and DNA ligase,5HRE and human derived NT-3 were cloned into the retroviral vector plasmid (pLNCX)to construct the recombinant retroviral vector plasmid pLNCX-5HRE-SV40-NT3-IRES-EGFP.The retrovirus RV-5HRE-NT3 was packaged in the PT67 cells,and then it was purified and concentrated by high-speed centrifugation.After infected for 48 h with the concentrated retrovirus,the number of the EGFP positive cells in the NIH 3T3 cells was counted by fluorescence activated cells and sorted to calculate the retrovirus titer.Results The retroviral vector plasmid,pLNCX-5HRE-SV40-NT3-IRES-EGFP,was successfully constructed,and the retrovirus was packaged and defined as RV-5HRE-NT3.After purification and concentration,the retrovirus titer reached 9.1 × 10 6 cfu/mL. Conclusion The recombinant retroviral vector which carried out hypoxia-regulated expression of NT-3 was successfully constructed.It may provide basis for studies on hypoxia-regulated expression of the exogenous genes.

Objective To explore the main causes for death due to severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) to improve the level of diagnosis and treatment. Methods The clinical data of 1162 SAP cases treated in our hospital from June 1997 to May 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Among which, 144patients (12. 39%) died, 82(7.06%)abandoned treatment and 936(80.55%)were cured. Results the APACHE Ⅱ scores and pancreas Balthazar CT scores of the death group were higher than that of the survival group. The percentage of single one organ dysfunction and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) was significantly higher in the death group than in the survival group. The mortality rate of SAP without obvious inducing factors was significantly higher than that of SAP with inducing factors. Conclusion Integrated traditional and western non-surgical treatment is effective for SAP.The treatment for SAP without obvious inducing factors is a challenge. The mortality rate of SAP is primarily related to the pathological changes of pancreas and the patient's general condition. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to decrease mortality rate and maintaining the function of important organs is basic to ensure curative effect.

Objective To explore the effect on traditional experiment and case teaching method in regional anatomy study. Methods 80 students from 2014 medical students were randomly selected as the teaching subjects and divided into traditional group and case teaching group. The traditional group con-tained 40 students, using the traditional teaching method, while case teaching group had also 40 students with case teaching method. In the process of teaching, three clinical cases were introduced, including thesubtotal thyroidectomy thoracic outlet syndrome andpancreatic cancer. After the end of the course, the students conducted a unified questionnaire and examination. SPSS 18.0 was used for data line t test or chi square test between the two groups. Results The scores of the students in the case group in the selection questions, blanks and essay questions in the final exam were higher than those of the traditional group; The average total score of the case group was (85.69 ±11.61), while the traditional group was (73.19 ±18.66), and the difference was statistically significant (t=3.597, P=0.002). The results of the questionnaire showed that the students in the case group were higher than the traditional group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=14.753, P=0.001). Conclusion The effect on regional anatomy study with case teaching method is better than the traditional teaching method, and it is a promising teaching reform for the med-ical students.

Objective:To explore the effects of Ophiopogon D combined with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene silencing on the proliferation, migration and invasion of human pancreatic cancer BxPC-3 cells.Methods:BxPC-3 cells were divided into blank control group, Ophiopogonin D high-dose group (40 μmol/L), medium-dose group (20 μmol/L) and low-dose group (10 μmol/L). The COX-2-slienced cells were divided into control group, COX-2 inhibited group (50 pmol/ml siRNA-COX-2), Ophiopogonin D group (20 μmol/L) and combination treatment group (Ophiopogonin D 20 μmol/L+ 50 pmol/ml siRNA-COX-2). The proliferation activity of BxPC-3 cells was detected by CCK-8, and the migration distance of BxPC-3 cells was detected by scratched assay. The invasion degree of BxPC-3 cells was detected by Transwell, the relative expression level of COX-2 gene in BxPC-3 cells was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and the relative expressions of COX-2, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins in BxPC-3 cells were detected by Western blotting.Results:The cell proliferation rates of blank control group, Ophiopogonin D high-dose, medium-dose and low-dose groups were (100.0±4.9)%, (71.8±5.4)%, (80.5±5.8)% and (89.7±5.7)%, respectively. The migration distances were (279.8±24.0) μm, (141.9±21.2) μm, (168.8±37.1) μm and (224.6±19.9) μm, respectively. The absorbance ( A) values of invasion number were 1.107±0.095, 0.390±0.030, 0.596±0.017 and 0.826±0.034, respectively.There were statistically significant differences ( F=19.770, P<0.001; F=48.270, P<0.001; F=198.400, P<0.001). The above indexes of the Ophiopogonin D high-, medium- and low-dose groups were significantly lower than those in the blank control group (all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of COX-2 gene were 1.007±0.178, 0.387±0.169, 0.567±0.142 and 0.740±0.030, respectively, and the relative protein expression levels were 1.000±0.033, 0.654±0.085, 0.762±0.110 and 0.881±0.049, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=10.280, P=0.004; F=11.780, P=0.003). The above indexes of the Ophiopogonin D high- and medium-dose groups were significantly lower than those in the blank control group (all P<0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between the Ophiopogonin D low-dose group and blank control group (both P>0.05). The medium-dose of Ophiopogonin D (20 μmol/L) was selected as the subsequent concentration.After COX-2 silencing, the proliferation rates of the control group, COX-2 inhibited group, Ophiopogonin D group and combination treatment group were (100.0±2.8)%, (68.4±6.7)%, (67.7±5.9)% and (57.0±8.5)%, respectively, the migration distances were (274.4±23.8) μm, (217.0±18.8) μm, (186.2±18.6) μm and (115.7±15.8) μm, respectively, and the A values of invasion number were 1.143±0.092, 0.791±0.058, 0.715±0.026 and 0.424±0.058, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=34.430, P<0.001; F=103.400, P<0.001; F=131.100, P<0.001). The proliferation rates, migration distances and invasion numbers in each treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.001). Compared with the COX-2 inhibited group and Ophiopogonin D group, the cell proliferation, migration and invasion were significantly inhibited in the combination treatment group (all P<0.05). Compared with the Ophiopogonin D group, only the migration distance of the COX-2 inhibited group was significantly different ( P<0.05). The relative expression levels of COX-2 protein in the above groups were 0.995±0.037, 0.779±0.060, 0.806±0.076 and 0.645±0.079, respectively, the relative expression levels of HIF-1α were 1.083±0.104, 0.749±0.070, 0.736±0.070 and 0.394±0.016, respectively, and the relative expression levels of VEGF protein were 1.016±0.103, 0.757±0.090, 0.745±0.021 and 0.603±0.023, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=14.650, P=0.001; F=45.220, P<0.001; F=18.180, P<0.001). The expression levels of the three proteins in each treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Compared with the COX-2 inhibited group and Ophiopogonin D group, the relative protein expression levels of COX-2, HIF-1α and VEGF in the combination treatment group were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Compared with the Ophiopogonin D group, there were no significant differences in the expression of the three proteins in the COX-2 inhibited group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Ophiopogon D combined with COX-2 gene silencing can inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of COX-2 pathway and the decrease of HIF-1α and VEGF protein expression levels.

Objective To investigate the effect of L4 transverse process erector spinae plane block(ESPB)before general anesthesia hip surgery in elderly patients on reducing perioperative pain and stress,thus reducing opioid consumption and improving postoperative recovery quality.Methods Sixty patients aged 65 years old and above who underwent unilateral hip surgery from January to December 2023 were randomly divided into two groups(n = 30)by using the random number table method.The ESPB group received ultrasound-guided ESPB at the L4 level with 0.3%ropivacaine(0.5 ml/kg)before induction of anesthesia,while the control group did not receive ESPB.Laryngeal mask anesthesia was administered in both groups.The induction and maintenance methods were consistent in both groups.The Numerical Rating Scale(NRS)was used to evaluate the degree of pain at 8 h and 24 h after surgery.The times of pressing analgesic pump within 24 h after surgery were recorded.The hemodynamic changes at each time point during the operation were observed.The time interval from the end of the operation to the complete recovery and to remove the laryngeal mask were recorded.Intraoperative and Postanesthesia Care Unit(PACU)opioid consumption were noted.The incidence of postoperative agitation,postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV),dizziness,and the recovery quality score were compared.Results The NRS scores of rest pain and motion pain at 8 h and 24 h after surgery were significantly lower in the ESPB group than those in the control group,and the times of pressing the analgesic pump within 24 h after surgery in the ESPB group was significantly less than that in the control group(P<0.05).The mean arterial pressure(MAP)of the ESPB group at 20 min after peeling was lower than that of the control group[(87.2±15.5)mm Hg vs.(96.7±16.9)mm Hg,P = 0.026].The sufentanil consumption,remifentanil consumption,and the number of cases using urapidil in the ESPB group were significantly lower than those in the control group[12.5(10.0,14.0)μg vs.12.5(12.5,17.5)μg,P =0.041;270(100,400)μg vs.600(448,800)μg,P<0.001;1 case vs.11 cases,P =0.001].The Steward score at30 min after entering PACU was significantly higher in the ESPB group than in the control group[6(5,6)points vs.5(4,5)points,P<0.001].There was no statistical significance in incidence of postoperative agitation,PONV,and dizziness between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Preoperative ESPB at the level of the L4 transverse process can reduce the pain score within 24 h after surgery,reduce the amount of opioid used during and after hip surgery,and improve the quality of postoperative recovery in the elderly.