Objective To investigate the expression of IL-23 and IL-23 mRNA in allograft and peripheral blood of mice receiving skin transplantation under different immune states. Methods Mice skin allograft models were established and divided into 3 groups: synergeneic transplant group (BALB/c→BALB/c), allogeneic transplant group (C57BL/6→BALB/c), donor spleen cells infusion group (C57BL/6→BALB/c). Peripheral blood plasma concentration of IL-23 was measured by ELISA. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of IL-23 mRNA in the skin allograft. Results There was no significant difference in the IL-23 and IL-23 mRNA expression among all three groups one day after skin transplantation (P＞0. 05). On the day 3, 5, and 7 after skin transplantation, there was significant difference in the IL-23 and IL-23 mRNA expression levels between synergeneic transplant group, donor spleen cells infusion group and allogeneic transplant group (P ＜ 0. 01 ), but there was no significant difference between synergeneic transplant group and donor spleen cells infusion group (P＞0. 05). Conclusion The high expression levels of IL-23 and IL-23 mRNA were detected when early acute rejection took place in recipient mice. IL-23 could serve as a predictable and prognostic marker for the acute rejection. Infusion of donor spleen cells can significantly prolong the allograft survival.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported the cause and treatment of biliary complication. However, how to improve operative technique for preventing the complication is rarely reported.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of operational skil s during liver transplantation on biliary complications.
METHODS:Biliary complications in 475 patients who underwent liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between operational skil s and biliary complications after liver transplantation was observed. The potential risk factors about operative technique were summarized. Some preventive interventions for biliary complications were suggested.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Biliary complication was diagnosed in 36 (7.6%) of 475 patients who underwent liver transplantation. They were nonanastomotic biliary stricture (n=19, 4.0%), anastomotic biliary stricture (n=7, 1.5%), biliary leakage (n=3, 0.6%), twisted common biliary duct (n=3, 0.6%), residual common duct stone (n=1, 0.2%), and neoformative common duct stone (n=3, 0.6%). There was no difference in the incidence of nonanastomotic biliary stricture among the three biliary anastomotic styles. The possibility of anastomotic biliary stricture in placing T-drainage tube group was lower than the other two groups according to clinical data. Nevertheless, there was no statistical difference between these three groups. Infusing UW into the liver from cranial mesenteric vein and douching the biliary duct immediately while taking the donor could decrease the incidence of biliary complication after liver transplantation (P=0.013 and P=0.018, OR=0.26 and OR=0.28), the later factor could also decrease the incidence of nonanastomotic biliary stricture (P=0.001, OR=0.09). Meanwhile, some operational skil s also decrease the incidence of biliary complications, such as protecting the artery around the biliary duct, and elevating the liver when suturing the common biliary duct.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAPA) after liver transplantation.Methods The clinical data of 4 patients who had HAPA after liver transplantation at the No.309 Hospital of PLA from April 2002 to April 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.All the 4 patients had abdominal massive hemorrhage,and 2 of them were complicated by bile leakage and bile duct bleeding.Peritoneal effusion was observed in the 4 patients,and 3 of them were complicated by peritoneal infection.All the patients were diagnosed and treated by angiography and exploratory laparotomy.Results The mean time of hemorrhage of ruptured HAPA was 24.6 days (range,14-35 days).One of the patients was diagnosed by exploratory laparotomy,and the other 3 patients were diagnosed by angiography.Hemostasis of HAPA was successed in 1 patient by hepatic artery ligation,2 patients by interventional embolization + endovascular covered coronary stent grafts implantation guided by digital subtraction angiography (DSA),1 patient by interventional embolization.1 patients died of hepatic failure and 1 died of multiple organ disfunction syndrome.Conclusions Early diagnosis of HAPA after liver transplantation is difficult and the mortality is high.Interventional embolization + endovascular covered coronary stent grafts implantation guided by DSA is the first choice for the diagnosis and treatment of HAPA.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and security of splenic artery ligation for severe hypersplenism during liver transplantation.Method Thirty-two liver transplant patients with preoperative hypersplenism were selected,including 17 cases (ligation group) treated by splenic artery ligation during liver transplantation,and rest 15 patients as non-ligation group.The fluctuation of white blood cells,platelets and volume of spleen were compared between these two groups.At the same time,splenic infarction,postoperative infection,recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding,splenic artery steal syndrome and other complications were observed in these two groups.Result All recipients were followed up for over 6 months.One recipient in ligation group died of multiple organ dysfunction caused by delayed recovery of liver donor with the survival rate being 94.1％ (16/17).The survival rate in non-ligation group was 93.3 ％ (14/15) (one recipient died of respiratory failure caused by pulmonary infection).There was no statistically significant difference in survival rate between these two groups (P＞0.05).Splenic necrosis wasn't detected in the ligation group.The splenic volume in ligation group was significantly less than that in non-ligation group (P＜0.01).The products of splenic maximum length and wide diameter shrunk 33.17-± 8.26 cm2 and 22.47 ± 7.25 cm2 in ligation group and non-ligation group,respectively.The platelet counts of ligation group were significantly greater than those of non-ligation group in all the observation points within 6 postoperative months (P＜0.01).The white blood cell counts of ligation group were greater than those of non-ligation group at the first week postoperatively (P＜0.01),whereas,there was no statistically significant difference between these two groups from then on (P＞0.05).The infection incidence of ligation group was lower than that of non-ligation group within 6 postoperative months (P ＜0.05).Statistically significant differences in recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and splenic artery steal syndrome weren't found between these two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion Splenic artery ligation in liver transplantation is safe and effective.It can rapidly increase the counts of platelet and white blood cell in the earlier postoperative time,which is beneficial to patient's recovery.Besides,it adds no correlative complication.

Objective To explore the imaging characteristics of the ovarian thecoma-fibroma.Methods The clinical imaging characteristics of 25 patients with thecoma-fibroma were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 27 lesions were seen in 25 patients, and the maximum diameter of the tumors was 1.2 - 15.0 cm, with an average diameter of 6.9 cm. The tumors whose maximum diameter larger than 6 cm were mainly as cysticsolid. Twenty-six lesions were well-defined margin, and 14 lesions were round and oval masses, 9 lesions were lobulated masses, 3 lesions were irregular masses, and 1 lesion presented with unclear boundary. A total of 10 lesions in 9 cases were performed with CT scan, and the density was similar to uterine muscle density. In MRI scan of a total of 17 lesions of 16 cases, all lesions showed hypointensity on T1WI. On T2WI, 8 lesions showed slightly hyperintensity, 7 lesions appeared slight hypointensity, and 2 lesions appeared significantly hypointense. Eight lesions showed slit hyperintensity. Enhancement scanning was performed in seven cases. Five cases showed mild to moderate enhancement, 1 case was enhanced obviously, and 1 case was not strengthened. Conclusions The imaging findings of the ovarian thecoma-fibroma have somewhat features and can indirectly reflect pathology of tumor. Combined with the clinical data, imaging characteristics are is helpful to the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the disease.

This study was aimed to analyze the bioinformatics of proteomics of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) intervened by active principle region of Yang-Xin Tong-Mai Formula (apr-YTF). The latest versions of bioinformatics tools including DAVID (http://david.abcc.ncifcrf.gov/) and GO (http://www.geneontology.org/) were combined to assign a precise function to rat bone marrow MSCs intervened by apr-YTF. KEGG and VISANT were assigned with a precise function to rat bone marrow MSCs intervened by apr-YTF. The results showed that a total of 102 biological processes were mainly involved, with 35 cellular components and 6 molecular functions. These proteins interacted in 3 signal transduction pathways. It was concluded that the following proteins and signal transduction pathways played an important role in the process of apr-YTF inducing BMSCs differentiation into cardiomyocytes. Presenilin-1 and Presenilin-2 were in the Notch signaling pathway. And syntaxin-4 protein was in soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion protein attachment protein (SNARE). The apr-YTF played a role on MSCs from multiple sites, with multiple links through different biological processes. The bioinformatics of proteomics can predict action mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from the holism concept. The validation in combination with molecularbiology was a good way for TCM modernization.

Objective To investigate image quality and clinical value of dual-source dual energy virtual non-contrast (VNC) CT of the head. MethodsSixty-two patients suspected of cerebrovascular diseases underwent conventional non-contrast (CNC) CT and dual energy CTA examination of the head with dual-source CT. Virtual non-contrast images were reconstructed using dual energy software. The CT values of gray matter, white matter, cerebrospinal fluid, hyperdense hemorrhagic lesion and hypodense ischemic lesion were compared between CNC and VNC images. A four-score scale was used to assess image quality subjectively. Image noise, radiation dosage and detection rate were compared between CNC and VNC images. Paired t test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Chi-square test (McNemar test and Kappa test) were used. Results The CT value on CNC and VNC images, were (43. 3 ± 1.5) and (33. 2 ± 1.3) HU for gray matter (t = 46.98, P ＜ 0. 01), (32. 9 ± 1.3) and (28.8 ± 1.6) HU for white matter(t = 16. 28, P ＜0.01), (9.0 ± 1.4) and (5.3 ± 1.9) HU for cerebrospinal fluid (t=12.41, P＜0.01),(62.8 ±10.0) and (51.3 ± 11.5) HU for hyperdense lesion (Z = -4.37, P ＜ 0.01), (20.7 ±4.7) and (18.0 ±6. 9) HU for hypodense lesion (t = 3. 84, P ＜ 0. 01), respectively. VNC images[(1.63 ±0.34) HU]had more noise than CNC images[(0.99±0.18) HU](Z= -6.41, P＜0.01). VNC [(0. 53 ± 0. 08) mSv]had less effective dose than CNC[(1.37 ± 0. 23) mSy](Z= - 6. 45, P ＜ 0. 01).In subjective assessment, VNC images had more noise (2. 7 ± 0. 5 for VNC and 3.9 ± 0. 3 for CNC,Z = -6. 84, P ＜ 0. 01) and skull base-related artifacts (2. 4 ± 0. 9 for VNC and 3.7 ± 0. 5 for CNC,Z = -6. 15, P ＜0. 01) than CNC images. The gray/white matter contrast (1.3 ± 0. 5 for VNC and 3.3 ±0. 6 for CNC, Z = - 7. 01, P ＜ 0. 01), hyperdense lesion display (3.0 ± 0. 4 for VNC and 4. 0 ± 0. 0 for CNC,Z = -4. 52, P ＜ 0. 01) and hypodense lesion display (3.2 ± 0. 8 for VNC and 3.9 ± 0. 3 for CNC,Z= -3. 12, P ＜0. 01) on VNC images were lower than those on CNC images. In per-patient analysis,29 cases of hyperdense lesion (hemorrhage) were found on VNC images without misdiagnosis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were all 100. 0% (29/29,33/33, 29/29, 33/33). VNC images had the same detection rate of hyperdense lesions as CNC images (P ＞0. 05, Kappa = 1. 000) at per-patient level. Twenty-two patients with hypodense ischemic lesions were found on VNC images with one false positive case and two false negative cases. The sensitivity,specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 91.3% (21/23), 97.4%(38/39), 95.5% (21/22) and 95.0% (38/40) respectively. No statistical difference was found in detecting hypodense lesions between VNC and CNC images (χ2 = 0. 00, P ＞ 0. 05, Kappa = 0. 895). In per-lesion analysis, 53 hemorrhage lesions were found on VNC images with false negative results of four lesions and no false positive result. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 93.0% (53/57), 100. 0% (38/38), 100. 0% (53/53) and 90. 5% (38/42)respectively. There was no significant difference in detection rate of hyperdense lesion between VNC and CNC images (χ2 =2. 25, P ＞0. 05, Kappa =0. 914). Thirty-eight hypodense lesions were found on VNC images with 2 false positive lesions and 13 false negative lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 73.5% (36/49), 96.4% (53/55), 94. 7% (36/38)and 80. 3% (53/66) respectively. The detection rate of hypodense lesion on VNC images was lower than that on CNC images (χ2 = 6. 67 ,P ＜ 0.01, Kappa = 0. 707). Conclusion Compared with CNC images,head VNC images have reduced image quality and radiation dosage. VNC images can replace CNC images potentially in detecting intracranial hemorrhage and provide information for ischemic cerebrovascular diseases to some extent.

Using the CT data, we have constructed the finite element models of human femur distally amputated at high-position, middle-position and low-position, along with distally osseointegrated implant under the maximal load during a normal walking cycle. Results of finite element analysis revealed: the maximal stress of implant is produced near the exit of the amputated limb, where the fatigue breakpoint caused by cyclic stress would take place. With the ascending of truncated position, the peri-implant interfacial stress of bone increases. There is severe stress-shielding at the bone-implant interface, and there is concentration of stress at the end of implant and at the 3/4 point of femur, which would lead to bone loss and bone resorption and would shorten the longevity of implant. The results also showed that the curvature of natural bone has notable effect on the stress distribution, which should not be neglected. These data may provide reliable reference for the design and research of osseointegarted artificial limb.
Artificial Limbs ; Computer Simulation ; Femur ; physiology ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Models, Biological ; Osseointegration ; physiology ; Prosthesis Design ; Stress, Mechanical

Objective To analyze the correlation of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)with the expression levels of regulatory T cell (Treg)and cytokines in peripheral blood. Methods A total of 56 patients who underwent liver transplantation in the 309th Hospital of People's Liberation Army from 2010 to 2014 were studied. According to the postoperative pathological data,all the patients were divided into the group of liver transplantation for HCC (HCC group,n=28)and group of liver transplantation for cirrhosis (liver cirrhosis group,n=28), of which the HCC group was further divided into non-recurrence group (n=8)and recurrence group (n=20)according to the situation of postoperative tumor recurrence. The expression levels of Treg and cytokines [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),interleukin (IL)-2,IL-10,IL-12,transformation growth factor (TGF)-βand interferon (IFN)-γ]in peripheral blood of the patients in various groups were compared. Results Compared with the liver cirrhosis group,levels of IFN-γand IL-12 in the non-recurrence group increased significantly (both P<0.05);levels of Treg%,VEGF,IFN-γ, IL-10 and TGF-βin the recurrence group increased significantly,while levels of IL-2 and IL-12 decreased significantly (all P<0.05). Compared with the non-recurrence group,levels of Treg%,VEGF,IL-10 and TGF-βin the recurrence group increased significantly,while levels of IFN-γ,IL-2 and IL-12 decreased significantly (all P<0.05 ). Conclusions Levels of Treg and cytokines can be used to predict the tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for HCC.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of thymalfasin in the treatment of severe pulmonary infection after liver transplantation.Methods Twenty seven patients who developed severe lung infection after undergoing liver transplantation in Organ Transplant Institute of the 309 th Hospital of People’s Liberation Army from January 2008 to May 2014 were enrolled in this study.According to whether the application of thymalfasin,the patients were divide into thymalfasin group (n =11)and control group (n =16).In the thymalfasin group,thymalfasin was administered via subcutaneous injection at a dose of 1.6 mg once daily for consecutive two weeks.In the control group,conventional anti-infection therapy was delivered. Ventilator time,duration of fever,the length of intensive care unit (ICU)stay and mortality were statistically compared between two groups.And the incidence of acute rejection (AR)was monitored.Results Ventilator time,duration of fever,length of ICU stay of patients in the thymalfasin group were significantly shortened compared with those in the control group (all in P <0.05).There was no significant difference in the mortality between two groups.No clinical AR was observed in either group.No thymalfasin-related adverse event was found in the thymalfasin group.Conclusions Thymalfasin can improve the curative effect to anti-infection of patients with severe pulmonary infection after liver transplantation without the incidence of AR,which is efficacious and safe in the treatment of severe pulmonary infection.