Hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe clinical syndrome characterized by jaundice, coagulopathy, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy and with a high mortality rate of 65% to 93%. It involves significant ethical issues when a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study is conducted to such a serious disease. Therefore, a prospective cohort study design was utilized to explore a new treatment modality of applying integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Objective To study the promotive effect of chitosan liquid on wound healing.Methods Wound model was established on the back of 60 rats,which were classified into 3 groups to be treated with topical chitosan liquid (group A),basic fibroblast growth factor (group B),and sodium chloride physiological solution (group C),respectively.The time required for the healing of wound was recorded.Regenerated tissues were resected from the rats on day 3,7 and 14 after the establishment of wound model,and observed with light microscopy.Results The time required for the healing of wound was 17.3 ± 1.35 days in group A,18.2 ± 1.15 days in group B,and 24.0 ± 1.37 days in group C.For the time required for the healing of wound,no significant difference was observed between the group A and B (P ＞ 0.05),but group C significantly differed from group A and B (both P ＜ 0.05).Chitosan liquid accelerated the generation of capillary sprouts and vascular endothelial cells at the early stage of wound healing,promoted the production of fibroblasts and collagen fibers at the middle stage,and improved the organization of collagen fibers at the late stage.Conclusion Chitosan liquid exerts a promising promotive effect on wound healing.

The neural stem cells in Wistar rats were cultured in vitro, purified, and transplanted into C6 glioma model in order to observe their biological characters and provide a basic foundation for treatment of neurological diseases by neural stem cell transplantation. The cells at hippocampal area from gestation 15-day rats were cultured in vitro, and frozen and preserved in liquid nitrogen. C6 tumor-bearing models (n=25) and neural stem cells transplantation models (n=35) were established. When the tumor grew to 3 to 4 weeks, 5 rats in each group were randomly selected for MRI examination. At different intervals, the rats were perfused and sampled for HE staining, GFAP and BrdU immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that after resuscitation of neural stem cells at 1-4 passages, the cell viability was 40%-63% with the difference being not significant. The cells could proliferate, passage, and most cells transplanted into glioma model survived. The mean survival time in neural stem cell transplantation group and control was 4.28 and 3.88 weeks respectively, and the average tumor size in the former was smaller than in the latter. It was concluded that embryonic neural stem cells in rats could proliferate and differentiate, and after resuscitation the biological characteristic and viability of the cells were not influenced. Neural stem cells had inhibitory effects on the growth of glioma cells and could prolong the survival of rat model.
Brain/cytology ; Brain Neoplasms/*therapy ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology ; Embryonic Stem Cells/*transplantation ; Glioma/*therapy ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neurons/*cytology ; Random Allocation ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cell Transplantation

Objective To observe the effects of atorvastatin calcium on serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-α and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI), so as to approach the mechanism of atorvastatin calcium inhibiting ACI inflammatory injury. Methods Eighty-four patients with ACI were randomly divided into 2 groups: group B (42 cases, treated with antiplatelet therapy and improving cerebral circulation), group A(42 cases, treated with atorvastatin calcium 20 mg/d after the onset of ACI for 28 days on the base of group B). TNF- α and CRP were detected before treatment and in the 3rd,7th day after treatment. The European stroke scale (ESS) was evaluated on the same time. A healthy control group (group C, 16 cases) was also included in the study. Results The peak of CRP and TNF-α levels were observed in the 3rd and 7th day after treatment respectively, and the levels of group A were lower than those of group B [(13.00 ± 2.45) mg/L vs (19.21 ± 3.67) mg/L,(19.79 ± 11.01) ng/L vs (30.69 ± 18.47) ng/L, P < 0.05]. In the 7th day after treatment, the scores of ESS was higher in group A than that in group B [(79.19 ± 30.59) scores vs (63.91 ± 27.87) scores, P < 0.05]. Conclusions Atorvastatin calcium can prevent the increase of serum TNF-α and CRP, and it has anti-inflammatory effect. Atorvastatin calcium may have the role of neuroprotection besides lipid-lowering.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI)combined with three dimensional pseudo continuous arterial spin labeling (3D-PCASL)on the prognosis analysis of acute cerebral infarction.Methods Thirty cases with acute cerebral infarction (< 72 h)underwent conventional MRI,MRA,3D-PCASL and SWI.NIHSS scores were performed at the time of examination and 3 months later.The correlation between the collateral blood vessels,regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)detected by combination of SWI and 3D-PCASL with clinical prognosis were analyzed.Results Twenty-three cases showed collateral blood vessels in the lesions with 1 grade in 14,and 2 grade in 9.The average rCBFs in grade 0,1,2 infarction areas were (22.69±11.94)mL·100 g-1 ·min-1 ,(25.10±16.55)mL·100 g-1 ·min-1 and (33.04±24.24)mL·100 g-1 ·min-1 ,respectively.Collateral blood vessels,rCBF were positive correlated with the NIHSS scores (r=0.989,P< 0.01).18 cases showed multiple vessels around the lesions. The average rCBFs in the infarction area with or not with periphery collateral blood vessles were (28.33±24.24)mL·100 g-1 ·min-1 and (22.69±11.94)mL·100 g-1 ·min-1 ,respectively.There was a positive correlation between rCBF and NIHSS scores (r=0.897,P<0.01). Of 30 cases of acute cerebral infarction,the average CBFs in the infarct areas and the contralateral mirror areas were (26.92±18.22)mL·100 g-1 · min-1 and (34.22±12.37)mL·100 g-1 ·min-1 .There was significant difference (t=8.093,P<0.01).Conclusion The combination of SWI and 3D-PCASL can display the collateral blood vessels in the lesions and soft meninges,and provide the quantitative analysis of rCBF,which has important clinical significance for prediction of the prognosis of acute cerebral infarction.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical promoting effect of crossing nape electroacupuncture on the recovery of swallowing function and recovery from pulmonary infection in post-cerebral infarction patients with tracheotomy.MethodSixty post-cerebral infarction patients with cough reflex disorder and swallowing dysfunction associated with pulmonary infection receiving tracheotomy and tracheal intubation were subjects. They were allocated, using a random number table, to three groups, 20 cases each. In each group, the patients were enrolled in order of visits. The three groups were given the same basic treatment for fighting inflammation, resolving phlegm and improving blood supply. The crossing nape electroacupuncture group received bilateral points Fengchi (GB20), Yifeng (TE17), Dicang (ST4)-to-Jiache (ST6) and Lianquan (CV23) acupuncture with electrodes connected by left-right crossing. The acupuncture group received bilateral points Fengchi, Yifeng, Dicang-to-Jiache and Lianquan acupuncture without electrodes connected. The control group received basic treatment with Western drugs without acupuncture therapy. Observations were carried out using the Kubota’s water drinking test, the Toshima Ichiro Swallowing Assessment and the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated in the three groups.ResultThe therapeutic effects evaluated using the Kubota’s water drinking test and the Toshima Ichiro Swallowing Assessment were better in the crossing nape electroacupuncture group than in the acupuncture group and better in the acupuncture group than in the control group (P<0.05). The score of the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score decreased in all the three groups. The promoting effect on recovery from pulmonary infection was marked in the crossing nape electroacupuncture group (P<0.01).ConclusionCrossing nape electroacupuncture has a marked improving effect on dysphagia in post-cerebral infarction patients with tracheotomy and tracheal intubation. It can promote recovery from pulmonary infection in post-cerebral infarction patients with cough reflex disorder receiving tracheotomy and tracheal intubation.

Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endovascular balloon dilatation in removing incarcerated tunnel cuffed catheter (TCC) . Methods The clinical data and the imaging materials of 4 hemodialysis patients with incarcerated TCC, who received endovascular balloon dilatation at Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, China, during the period from January 2017 to March 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. After the treatment, the patient's vital signs were monitored, and the procedure-related complications such as hemopneumothorax, subcutaneous hematoma, arrhythmia, etc. were documented. Results The mean age of the 4 patients was (73.3±6.4) years. The average indwelling time of TCC was 5.5 years (4-8 years) . Successful treatment of incarcerated TCC was achieved in all 4 patients. In one patient, both 5-mm and 6-mm balloons were used to simultaneously dilate the dual cavities of TCC.Temporary arrhythmia occurred in one patient during operation. No serious postoperative complications occurred. Conclusion For the remove of long-term indwelling incarcerated TCC, endovascular balloon dilatation is minimally-invasive, safe and effective, although more researches are needed to further confirm its safety and reliability.

The neural stem cells in Wistar rats were cultured in vitro, purified, and transplanted into C6 glioma model in order to observe their biological characters and provide a basic foundation for treatment of neurological diseases by neural stem cell transplantation. The cells at hippocampal area from gestation 15-day rats were cultured in vitro, and frozen and preserved in liquid nitrogen. C6 tu-mor-bearing models (n=25) and neural stem cells transplantation models (n=35) were established.When the tumor grew to 3 to 4 weeks,5 rats in each group were randomly selected for MRI examina-tion. At different intervals, the rats were perfused and sampled for HE staining, GFAP and BrdU im-munohistochemical staining. The results showed that after resuscitation of neural stem cells at 1-4 passages, the cell viability was 40%-63% with the difference being not significant. The cells could proliferate, passage, and most cells transplanted into glioma model survived. The mean survival time in neural stem cell transplantation group and control was 4.28 and 3.88 weeks respectively, and the average tumor size in the former was smaller than in the latter. It was concluded that embryonic neu- ral stem cells in rats could proliferate and differentiate, and after resuscitation the biological charac- teristic and viability of the cells were not influenced. Neural stem cells had inhibitory effects on the growth of glioma cells and could prolong the survival of rat model.

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and discuss the role and significance of surgical intervention in the treatment of AIP.Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with preoperative confirmed AIP and 8 patients with preoperative suspected AIP receiving surgical intervention at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from 2011 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among 11 preoperatively confirmed AIP patients,9 (47.4％) underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with nasal bile duct implantation or biliary stent drainage,and 2 (10.5％)underwent choledochojejunostomy.Among 8 putative AIP patients in which a cancer was suspected 4 (21.1％) underwent choledochojejunostomy,3 (15.8％) did pancreaticoduodenectomy,and 1 (5.3％) had distal pancreatectomy plus splenectomy.Postoperative pathology confirmed pancreatic cancer in 3 cases,IPMN in 1 case.Conclusions While autoimmune pancreatitis is IgG4 related disease,surgical intervention is indicated when there is poor response to drug treatment or when a cancer is to be ruled out.

Background: During hot environment work tasks with whole-body enclosed anti-bioaerosol suit, the combined effect of heavy sweating and exhaled hot humid air may cause the N95 medical respirator to saturate with water/sweat (i.e., water-blocking). Methods: 32 young male subjects with different body mass indexes (BMI) in whole-body protection (N95 medical respirator + one-piece protective suit + head covering + protective face screen + gloves + shoe covers) were asked to simulate waste collecting from each isolated room in a seven-story building at 27-28°C, and the weight, inhalation resistance (Rf), and aerosol penetration of the respirator before worn and after water-blocking were analyzed. Results: All subjects reported water-blocking asphyxia of the N95 respirators within 36-67 min of the task. When water-blocking occurred, the Rf and 10-200 nm total aerosol penetration (Pt) of the respirators reached up to 1270-1810 Pa and 17.3-23.3%, respectively, which were 10 and 8 times of that before wearing. The most penetration particle size of the respirators increased from 49-65 nm before worn to 115-154 nm under water-blocking condition, and the corresponding maximum size-dependent aerosol penetration increased from 2.5-3.5% to 20-27%. With the increase of BMI, the water-blocking occurrence time firstly increased then reduced, while the Rf, Pt, and absorbed water all increased significantly. Conclusions This study reveals respirator water-blocking and its serious negative impacts on respiratory protection. When performing moderate-to-high-load tasks with whole-body protection in a hot environment, it is recommended that respirator be replaced with a new one at least every hour to avoid water-blocking asphyxia.