Objective To analyze clinical features and sum up experience for the treatment of ischemic bowel disease. Methods Clinical data of 73 patients with the diagnosis of ischemic bowel disease were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsTwenty-eight patients were male and 45 patients were female. The median of age was 65 years (range of 38 to 89 years). Forty-eight patients were associated with hypertension, 23%(17/73) patients had a history of coronary disease and 15% (11/73) had diabetes. Seventy patients presented symptom of abdominal pain and 93% (68/73) had hematochezia. Symptoms relieved by conservative treatment in 96% (63/66) patients. Nine patients underwent a surgery. One patient died of sepsis postoperatively. One suffered from colostomy necrosis and leakage of the rectum segment. Conclusion 1. Elder patients presenting symptoms of abdominal pain and hematochezia, especially with a history of cardio-cerebrovascular disease and diabetes should be considered for the possibility of ischemic bowel disease. 2. Most patients with ischemic bowel disease could be successfully treated by conservative therapy. 3. Surgery for patients with chronic relapsing and nonresponsible symptoms was difficult and patients often suffer from high postoperative complications.

Objective To explore the biological functions of retinoic acid-inducible gene-I(RIG-I) in vivo through phenotype analysis of RIG-I knockout mice. Methods The gene expression of RIG-Ⅰ in various tissues of mice was examined with Northern blotting and semi-quantitative RT-PCR.The phenotypes observed included body weight measurement,differential count of peripheral blood cells,metabolic parameters measurement and histopathologic examination. ResultsRIG-Ⅰ expressed in various tissues of mice with different levels.No gross developmental abnormalities and expected maturation arrest in granulocytic differentiation were observed in RIG-Ⅰ knockout mice.However,RIG-Ⅰ knockout mice exhibited an unexpected increase in the ratios of neutrophiles to lymphocytes in peripheral blood and increased susceptibility to bacteria infection. Conclusion RIG-Ⅰ may play an important role in immune regulation in mice.

BACKGROUNDLaminectomy is a major method to treat lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), but it has lots of flaws such as scar tissue can form around the dura again or spinal instability. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of transverse rotation laminoplasty (TRL) in the treatment of LSS.

METHODSThe mimic operations of TRL were performed both in the computerized image processing and on the lumbar specimen. Computed tomography (CT) images were either collected from 80 clinical patients with complaints of lumbago or obtained from 40 sets of lumbar specimens after rebuild of spinal canals. In the CT image processing the heights of the spinous process and laminae at L3-L5 were measured. The total length of the spinous process plus one side laminae after the operation was evaluated and compared with the length of inner margin of pedical before the operation. The areas of the vertebral canal were examined before and after the operation.

RESULTSIn the CT images, the height of spinous process of L3, L4 and L5 was 24.74 ± 3.45, 22.68 ± 5.96 and 21.54 ± 4.12 mm respectively, and that of laminae was 23.66 ± 2.32, 22.68 ± 5.36 and 20.99 ± 3.67 mm respectively (P > 0.05). Distance of inner border of pedical of L3, L4 and L5 was 23.01 ± 6.59, 24.65 ± 5.54 and 26.03 ± 7.34 mm respectively, and length of spinous process with laminae of those was 29.76 ± 4.91, 29.31 ± 6.43 and 32.53 ± 5.76 mm respectively (P < 0.05). Preoperative area of spinal canals of L3, L4 and L5 was 299.81 ± 10.09, 297.66 ± 9.54 and 308.22 ± 10.04 mm2 respectively, and postoperative area was 480.01 ± 9.33, 487.32 ± 8.65 and 501.03 ± 9.12 mm2 respectively (P < 0.05). In the human lumbar vertebrae specimen, the data similar to the former.

CONCLUSIONSThe excised canal posterior was covered, and the lumbar canals enlarged by TRL. The TRL provided a new alternative in the treatment of LSS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Stenosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of specific siRNA on survivin gene in transfected leukemia cells.

METHODThe small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted survivin mRNA was synthesized in vitro and was transfected into K562 cell by Hiperfect into human leukemia cell line K562, which has high survivin expression level. The level of survivin mRNA expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with SYBR GREEN I. The apoptosis index of cytotrophoblasts were determined and analyzed by FCM (Annexin V-FITC/PI staining methods). The cell proliferation was examined by MTT at 48 h and 72 h after transfection.

RESULTThe level of mRNA expression was significantly inhibited by the siRNA 48 h and 72 h after transfection, the suppression rate of survivin mRNA separately reached 85.21%, 94.35% mensurated by quantitative RT-PCR with SYBR GREEN I, cell proliferation was inhibited significantly by 45.02% and 50.88%, respectively, the apoptotic rate detected by Annexin V-FITC assay reached 12.28%and 21.55%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe chemosynthesized siRNA targeting survivin could significantly down-regulate survivin mRNA. Survivin siRNA was able to inhibit the proliferation of leukemia cell line K562. Survivin may become a new target for leukemia gene therapy.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; genetics ; K562 Cells ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the long-term outcomes of various antireflux procedures for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

METHODSBetween November 1988 and January 2004, 129 patients with GERD underwent antireflux procedures. Six kinds of antireflux procedures were performed including Nissen fundoplication, cardiac oblique invagination (COI) procedure, Belsey Mark IV, Toupet, Thal and Dor procedures. One hundred and sixteen patients were followed up. Esophageal manometry study was carried out in 95 patients preoperatively and 51 postoperatively. 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring were carried out in 56 patients preoperatively and 35 postoperatively. Esophagoscopy were performed in all patients before operation and 48 cases after operation.

RESULTSClinical symptom scores reduced significantly from 4.1 +/- 0.4 before surgery to 1.1 +/- 1.0 after surgery (t = 27.21, P < 0.01). The outcome of surgery showed excellent in 42 cases (36.2%), good in 60 (51.7%), fair in 7 (6.0%), poor in 7 (6.0%). The long-term follow-up showed excellent or good results in 87.9% of patients. There was no significant difference in Nissen fundoplication, COI procedure and Belsey Mark IV.

CONCLUSIONSThere are significant differences in symptom score, esophageal manometry, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and esophagoscopy pre- and post-operatively. There is no significant difference in Nissen fundoplication, COI procedure and Belsey Mark IV.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fundoplication ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; etiology ; surgery ; Hernia, Hiatal ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation between changes in serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, especially in relation to metastasis.

METHODSSerum VEGF expression level, measured by quatitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, R&D system), was measured before, 3 days and 4 weeks after TACE in 30 patients with HCC. The development of metastasis was evaluated at the end of the third month after TACE.

RESULTS1. The serum VEGF level in 30 patients was 154.47 +/- 90.17 pg/ml, 2. Post-TACE total serum VEGF level increased as compared with their basal level in 30 patients (P < 0.05) and serum VEGF level had a tendency to increase in patients with heterogeneous uptake of iodized oil and portal vein thrombosis. During the follow-up of 1 - 2 years, metastatic foci were found in 74% (20) patients with SVEGF increase, while none of the patients showing SVEGF decrease developed metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSerum VEGF expression increase is associated with the development of metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma after TACE.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

Objective To investigate the effects of duration of untreated psychiatry (DUP) on the white matter integrity in first-episode medication-free patients with schizophrenia. Methods The Chinese version of Nottingham Onset Schedule was used to assess the DUP of 39 first-episode medication-free patients with schizophrenia. According to the median of DUP, the 39 patients were grouped into long-DUP group and short-DUP group. Diffusion weighted images of the 39 patients' whole brains were acquired with a Half-Fourier Acquired Single-Shot Turbo Spin Echo (HASTE) sequence.After being preprocessed with DTI-studio and statistical parametric mapping software (SPM5), the fractional anisotropy (FA) images of the 2 groups were compared by two-sample t-test with SPM5 software. The differences of gender, age, education level and total scores of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores between the 2 groups were also detected. Results No significant difference was noted on gender, age, education level, PANSS scores between the 2 groups (P＞0.05).Subjects of long-DUP group showed significantly reduced FA value in the right anterior cingulate fasciculus (x=8, y=40, z=24) and left prefrontal white matter thresholded (x=32, y=34, z=4) as compared with that of short-DUP group at a level of P＜0.001 (uncorrected). Conclusion Extension of the duration of DUP will reduce the white matter integrity in first-episode medication-free patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of asthma and its correlated factors in Zaozhuang area in 2003, to provide a basic consideration for prevention/treatment and control policy.

METHODS6 points were selected by stratified-clusterd-random sampling with a total of 16,725 persons expected, but only 10,610 subjects investigated.

RESULTSIn this survey, 128 asthma cases were identified with a overall prevalence of 1.21%. The prevalence for children was 2.02%, and for adult was 0.90% with the former significantly higher then the latter (chi(2) = 21.39, P < 0.01). Rates for male and female were 1.08%, 1.32% with a ratio of 1:1.22. For 77.97% of children with asthma. The initiative age of asthma was before 7 years old among children while among 36.23% of the adults, it was before 15 years of age. Correlation analysis showed that upper respiratory tract infection (OR = 17.81, 95% CI: 12.25-25.89), cold air exposure (OR = 3.43, 95% CI: 2.41-4.90), stimulation through cooking and by harmful gases (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.80-3.63), allergic materials (OR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.80-4.17) were main inducing factors. 65.63% of the asthma cases having had history of allergic disease while 25.78% having had family history with the OR of allergic history and family history as 21.69 vs. 73.96.

CONCLUSIONThe epidemic status of bronchial asthma was serious, with an assumption that asthma cases might have reached the number of 43 thousand in Zaozhuang area.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical value of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) on early gastrointestinal cancer and precancerous lesion.

METHODSThe EMR data of 42 lesions from 28 patients, collected from Apr. 2001 to Dec. 2005, were retrospectively analyzed. All the lesions were confirmed histologically before and after operation.

RESULTSForty-two lesions were removed by the EMR from 28 patients. Lesion types observed under endoscopy were as follows: type I 9 lesions (type Isp 2 lesions, type Is 7 lesions), type II 33 lesions (type IIa 23 lesions, type IIa + IIc 4 lesions, type IIb 6 lesions). Thirty-eight EMRs were performed by using snare resection techniques and 4 EMRs by using suction cap-assisted techniques. The size of lesions changed from 0.6 cm x 0.6 cm to 3.0 cm x 3.5 cm. Complete resections were achieved in 36 of 40, among them, 2 lesions were divided into 2 pieces and 1 lesion was divided into 3 pieces. Post-EMR histopathologic evaluation revealed the following

RESULTScarcinoma in 4 lesions, high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in 11 lesions, middle-grade dysplasia (MGD) in 17 lesions, adenoma in 6 lesions, non-adenoma in 2 lesions. The pathology match rate between local biopsy and EMR was 60.0%. The detection rates of cancer, HGD and MGD by EMR were higher than that by routine biopsy. No serious complications were seen in this study.

CONCLUSIONEndoscopic mucosal resection has significant impact on the endoscopic intervention treatment of early cancer and precancerous lesion in digestive tract.

Adult ; Aged ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Gastric Mucosa ; pathology ; surgery ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the expression of P120 catenin in pancreatic carcinoma and to explore the association between P120 catenin gene polymorphism at T755G position and pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODSThe expression of P120 catenin in 52 cases of pancreatic carcinoma and normal pancreatic tissues on the mRNA and protein levels were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western Blot methods respectively. P120 catenin gene polymorphism at T755G position of in 52 patients and 60 healthy controls were examined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expressions of P120 catenin in pancreatic carcinoma tissues were significantly lower than normal pancreatic tissues (P=0.000, P=0.002). Reduced expression of P120 catenin mRNA was significantly correlated with differentiated (P=0.033), lymph node metastasis (P=0.004), vascular invasion (P=0.022), and pTNM stage (P=0.003). Additionally, there were significant difference of P120 catenin gene polymorphism genotypes and alleles at T755G position between patients and healthy controls (P=0.008, P=0.016). The GG genotype of P120 catenin gene was associated with higher risk of incidence for pancreatic carcinoma compared with the TT genotype (OR=2.765, 95%CI=1.312-3.958).

CONCLUSIONSThe reduced expressions of both P120 catenin mRNA and protein in pancreatic carcinoma suggest its association with pancreatic carcinoma development. Polymorphism of P120 catenin gene at T755G situation might be a risk factor for pancreatic carcinoma, and it may be used to diagnosis and prevent pancreatic carcinoma early.

Case-Control Studies ; Catenins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymorphism, Genetic