Objective To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Thirty patients with stable bronchial asthma (asthma group), 28 patients with stable COPD (COPD group), and 24 healthy subjects (control group) were studied. Lung function, inflammatory cell differentials in sputum and the level of VEGF in induced sputum were determined by induced sputum method and ELISA method respectively. Results The levels of eosinophils in induced sputum in asthma group were 0.9 (0.4-1.4) × 109/L, significantly higher than those in COPD greup[0.1 (0-0.2)×109/L], and control group[0.0(0-0.1) × 109/L] (P < 0.05). The levels of neutrophils in COPD group were 2.3 (1.8-2.8) × 109/L, significantly higher than those in asthma group [1.1 (0.2-1.9) × 109/L], and control group [1.0(0.8-1.2) × 109/L] (P < 0.05). The levels of VEGF in asthma group, COPD group and control group were (2.3 ± 0.5), (0.3 ± 0.1), (0.9 ± 0.2) μg/L, respectively, and significant difference was showed between each group (P < 0.05). The VEGF level in induced sputum was positively correlated with the number of eosinophils in induced sputum in asthma group (γ = 0.62,P < 0.05), and was negatively correlated with FEV<,1>% (γ =-0.56, P < 0.05). The VEGF level in induced sputum was positively correlated with FEV1% in COPD group (γ = 0.43, P < 0.05), and was not correlated with the number of neutrophils in induced sputum (γ = 0.21, P > 0.05). Conclusions The concentration of VEGF in induced sputum increases in patients with bronchial asthma. VEGF may take part in the airway inflammatory development of asthma. The concentration of VEGF in induced sputum decreases in patients with COPD. VEGF may take part in the incidence of COPD.

Objective To investigate the methods and strategies of therapeutic ERCP in patients with duodenum stricture.Methods Endoscopic procedure,success rate and complications in patients with duodenum stricture who underwent ERCP were retrospectively analyzed.Results In 7276 patients who underwent therapeutic ERCP,duodenum stricture was found in 158 (2.17％),patients with malignant tumor infiltration in 120 and benign stricture in 38.The total success rate of ERCP and biliary drainage was 84.2％,with posture change or guidewire leading method in 96 patients,stylolitic water sac dilation in 33and duodenum metal stent placement before biliary drainage in 4.The procedure was failed in 25 patients.Minor bleeding occurred in 5 patients and no major complication including massive bleeding or perforation was observed.Conclusion ERCP is safe,effective and feasible for patients with duodenum stricture,which can be performed by posture change or guidewire leading method in mild stricture,and stylolitic water sac dilation or duodenum metal stent placement in severe stricture.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic intraductal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for unresectable malignant biliary strictures.MethodsA total of 12 patients with malignant biliary obstructions,who were unsuitable for surgical resection,were prospectively selected for this study.During ERCP,when successful biliary cannulation achieved,a bipolar radiofrequency probe was introduced into bile duct over a guidewire.RFA was given to the tumor lesion under fluoroscopy,followed by stent placement.The patients were closely observed and followed up after the procedure.ResultsSuccessful RFA was achieved in all patients before stents insertion ( plastic and metal stents in 6 respectively,additional pancreatic stents were given to 3).Mild complications of cholangitis and pancreatitis occurred in 1 patient respectively,which were cured with short-term management.Jaundice was promptly controlled in 7 patients (58.3％ ).During the mean follow-up duration of 3.4 (range 0.5-5.5) months,one patient died of cardiocerebral accident and others survived without obvious disconffort.The 1- month and 3- month stent patency was 100％ (12/12) and 80％ (8/10),respectively.ConclusionIt is technically feasible and safe to perform endoscopic intraductal RFA for the palliation of biliary malignancies.The short-term outcome is satisfying,however,long-term result and the better therapeutic schedule need further evaluation.

Objective To evaluate endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for diagnosis and management of biliary cast syndrome after orthotropic liver transplantation. Methods A total of 71 consecutive patients with abnormal liver function and MRCP findings after liver transplantation underwent ERCP for diagnosis and management. Their data were retrospectively reviewed. Results A total of 188 sessions of ERCP were carried out on the 71 patients, most of whom were found to have stenosis of anastomotic stoma and/or bile duct. Bile sludge was found and removed in all patients diagnosed within 3 months after liver transplantation, while pigmentoid stones were found and removed in patients diagnosed within 3-6 months and biliary casts in patients diagnosed at more than 6 months. Each patient underwent 2.6 sessions averagely. Biliary casts were formed at an average time of 22. 7 ± 15.6 months after transplantation. PostERCP complications included 2 cases of pancreatitis and 3 cholangitis, with an occurrence rate of 2. 6%(5/188), which were all controlled with conservative treatment. The follow-up data was available in 56 patients showing improvement in liver function after ERCP, among who 42 met the endoscopic criteria of cure,1 0 received second liver transplantation because of progressive sclerosing cholangitis and 4 died from diseases other than liver transplantation. Conclusion Therapeutic ERCP for the biliary cast syndrome after liver transplantation is feasible, safe and effective, and can be performed repeatedly with good short-term effect.

Objective To evaluate the cardiopulmonary allograft function and to analyze key factors for long-term survival of heart-lung transplantation in a patient survived more than 5 years. Methods On December 17th, 2003 at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, a homologous heart-lung transplantation was performed on a female who diagnosed with cardiopulmonary failure secondary to congenital atrial septal defect with severe pulmonary hypertension. Heart-lung allograft was preserved with 1 000 mL UW solution and 4 000 mL HTK solution.Postoperative immunosuppressive therapies were managed with Zenapax, cyclosporine A (or tacrolimus), mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids. Cyclosporine A maintained with serum trough levels of 100-200 μg/L and tacrolimus with serum trough levels of 8-20 μg/L. Cardiopulmonary allograft functions were evaluated by echocardiogram, pulmonary function test and thoracic CT periodically. Results The patient survived operation and experienced normal daily life with NYHA cardiac function of class Ⅰ-Ⅱ during the follow-up of 5 years and 6 months. Echocardiogram showed left ventricular ejection fraction of 65% to 86%. Pulmonary function test exhibited with nearly normal oxygen exchange, meanwhile, small airway obstruction was detected from one year after operation and keeping stable from then on. Two episodes of severe pneumonia were complicated and treated with antibiotics and fhconazob, no severe acute allograft rejection episode was experienced. Conclusions Heart-lung transplantation proves to be a reliable therapy modality for terminal cardiopulmonary failure. Excellent donor organ preservation, accurate balance of the risk between acute allograft rejection and infection, and strict preventive measures against infection are key factors for long-term survival of heart-lung transplantation.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a newly designed anti-reflux metallic stent (ARMS) for malignant extra-hepatic biliary obstruction. Methods A total of 23 patients with unresectable biliary malignancy in the middle or lower part of common bile duct underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and ARMs placement. The success rate, early complications, stent patency and patients' survival were recorded. Results The ARMSs were successfully placed in all patients and no procedure-related complication was recorded. The average operation time was similar to that of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMs). In 22 patients completing the follow-up, the total serum bilirubin dropped to normal within one month in 20. ARMs dysfunction occurred in 6, including tumor in-growth in 1, overgrowth in 2, and stent dislodgement in 3. Other patients were free of biliary symptoms until death or at the end of follow-up. The average stent patency of ARMs was 14 months. Patency rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 95%, 74% and 56%, respectively. The mean patient survival was 7. 9 months ( 1-14 months).Postoperative survival rates at 3,6 and 12 months were 91.0%, 81.3% and 17. 2%, respectively. Conclusion Endoscopic placement of novel ARMs in patients with extra-hepatic biliary tumors is feasible,safe and effective.

Objective To investigate the efficiency and safety of endoscopic large balloon dilation following small sphincterotomy (ESBD) for treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones, and to prospectively compare it with traditional sphincterotomy (ES). Methods Patients with single or multiple calculi in extra-hepatic bile ducts and with the diameter of CBD larger than 13 mm, were randomized into 2 groups to receive maximal sphincterotomy (ES group), or partial sphincterotomy plus sphincteroplasty with 15mm-balloon (ESBD group), respectively, followed by conventional stones removal and/or lithotripsy. The success rate of stone clearance, operation time and related complications were observed. Results A total of 86 patients were enrolled in 2 endoscopy centers, with 2 excluded because of papillary pre-cut in 1 and non-compliance with the protocol in the other, and were randomly divided into groups ES and ESBD, with 42 patients in each. The clinical characteristics, including average diameter of CBD, size and quantity of calculi, and incidences of peri-ampullary diverticulum, of patients in both groups were all similar. Stones clearance with single session in 2 groups were 88% and 93%, respectively (P =0. 531 ). The operation time were (25.76 ± 12. 74) min and (26. 38 ± 12. 86) min ( P = 0. 825 ). The rate of mechanical lithotripsy was 36% and 25%, respectively (P=0. 363). Complications occurred in 5 cases in ES group (3 mild, 2 medium), and 2 mild complications occurred in ESBD group (no statistical difference). No death happened in any group.Conclusion ESBD is an effective method for clearance of extra-hepatic bile duct stones with the similar safety, compared with traditional sphincterotomy. It could be an optimal alternative for those with large stones or difficult sphincterotomy.

Objective To study the effect of corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) of infarction related artery on systolic function of infarct area of myocardium after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods One hundred and six patients with AMI having undergone successful PCI in Cangzhou Central Hospital were selected, and they were divided into two groups (each, 53 cases). The standard of fast or slow flow was in accord to the CTFC of infarction related artery (IRA) measured soon after successful PCI. The patients with greater value of CTFC were enrolled in the slow flow group, while the patients with smaller such value were assigned in the fast flow group. At 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after PCI, the venous plasma MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) level was measured. And at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after PCI, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured by cardiac ultrasound, and the levels of radial strain (RS) and longitudinal strain (LS) of the infarct area were measured via speckle tracking imaging (STI). The differences in CTFC, CK-MB, RS and LS between the two groups were analyzed, and the correlations between the strains and CTFC, CK-MB were analyzed by Pearson linear correlation method. Results After successful PCI, the CK-MB of fast flow group was higher than that of the slow flow group at 6 hours. However, the CK-MB of slow flow group was higher than that of the fast flow group after 12 hours, appearing separate phenomenon, and the statistical significance occurred beginning from 24 hours after PCI (U/L, 24 hours:98.43±11.65 vs. 86.43±18.97, 48 hours:51.09±8.94 vs. 49.80±6.92, both P<0.05). CTFC in fast flow group was significantly lower than that of slow flow group (frame: 22.69±4.83 vs. 26.14±5.67, P < 0.01). After 3 months of follow-up, LVEF in fast flow group was higher than that of the slow flow group, but the difference had no significance (P > 0.05). RS and LS in fast flow group were higher than those in slow flow group, and the statistically significant difference appeared from 1 month after PCI (1 month RS:29.74±6.66 vs. 26.86±5.61, LS:-16.37±3.91 vs. -15.27±3.22, 3 months RS: 30.03±6.31 vs. 27.63±5.67, LS: -17.74±3.96 vs. -15.75±4.17, all P < 0.05). Pearson linear correlation showed:the strains (both RS and LS) and CK-MB had no significant relation (both P>0.05). Both RS and LS at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months were of significantly positive correlation with CTFC of each group (fast flow group:r value of CTFC and RS was respectively-0.526,-0.515,-0.532, r value of CTFC and LS was respectively-0.532,-0.541,-0.572;slow flow group:r value of CTFC and RS was respectively-0.691,-0.685,-0.702, r value of CTFC and LS was respectively-0.621,-0.584,-0.605, all P<0.01). Conclusion CTFC has some relationship with the recovery of the systolic function in area of infarct myocardium after PCI, and can be regarded as an important index to predict the long-term prognosis in patients with AMI.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Qili Qiangxin capsule combined with glucocorticoid for treatment of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy accompanied by refractory heart failure. Methods A prospective study was conducted. Forty-eight patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and refractory heart failure in Hebei Cangzhou Central Hospital were enrolled,and they were randomly divided into three groups:control group,treatmentⅠand treatmentⅡgroups(each,16 cases). All groups were treated with conventional anti-heart failure western treatment, meanwhile additionally prednisone was given to treatment groupⅠand groupⅡ,firstly 40 mg/d,then the dosage of 5 mg was decreased in every 5 days until reaching 5 mg per day;in treatment groupⅡ,besides the same treatment of group I,the traditional Chinese medicine therapy Qili Qiangxin capsule 4 granules(one capsule 0.3 g)each time and 3 times a day was added,2 months being the therapeutic course in all the patients. The clinical efficacy and cardiac functional indexes,such as the left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),the left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and the plasma B type brain natriuretic peptide (BNP),etc. were observed in 1 week and 2 months after treatment. Meanwhile the electrocardiogram(ECG),aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr),blood routine, urine routine examination and the adverse effects were investigated. Results The total effective rates in treatment groupⅠand treatment groupⅡwere significantly higher than those in the control group〔after treatment for 1 week:81.2%(13/16),81.2%(13/16)vs. 43.8%(7/16);after 2 months:87.5%(14/16),93.7%(15/16)vs. 50.0%(8/16), all P<0.05〕. After treatment,the LVEDV,LVESV and BNP were lowered and the LVEF was increased in the three groups,and the above indexes in treatment groupⅡwere improved more significantly than those in groupⅠ〔LVEDV (mL):142.4±33.0 vs. 174.8±52.5,LVESV(mL):111.6±23.7 vs. 132.4±29.0,LVEF:0.421±0.037 vs. 0.390±0.045,BNP(μg/L):1.944±0.751 vs. 3.038±1.905,all P<0.05〕. Conclusion Qili Qiangxin capsule combined with glucocorticoid may effectively improve the cardiac function and clinical symptoms in near and forward future in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy accompanied by refractory heart failure,thus it may elevate the patients' life quality.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of pancreatic duct guidewire pre-occupying in ERCP with difficult biliary cannulation.Methods During a four-year study period from June 2008 to June 2012,a total of 3505 patients were included in this retrospective analysis.Initial biliary cannulation method consisted of single-guidewire technique for up to 5 attempts,followed by double-guidewire technique when repeated unintentional pancreatic duct cannulation had taken place.Pre-cut papillotomy technique was reserved for when double-guidewire technique had failed or no pancreatic duct cannulation had been previously achieved.Biliary cannulation success and post-ERCP complication rate were compared.Results Single-guidewire technique was characterized by statistically significant higher success rate (93.4％),compared with the double-guidewire technique (54.8％,P ＜0.001),pre-cut failed double-guidewire technique (81.3％,P ＜0.001) or precut as first step method (84.6％,P =0.011).Pre-cut failed double-guidewire technique and pre-cut as first step method offered a statistically significantly more favorable outcome compared with the double-guidewire technique (both P ＜ 0.001).The incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis did not differ in a statistically significant manner among the four methods.Numbers of patients who got bleeding in pre-cut papillotomy technique and sphincterotomy after successful single-guidewire technique were 5 and 2 respectively.One case of perforation was recorded using pre-cut papillotomy technique.There was no procedure-related mortality within 30 days.Conclusion Although double-guidewire technique success rate proved not to be superior to singleguidewire technique or pre-cut papillotomy,it is considered highly satisfactory in terms of safety in order to avoid the risk of a pre-cut when biliary therapy is necessary in difficult-to-cannulate cases.