Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal her-nia. Methods Sixty-one patients underwent laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia, all having laparo-scopic Toupet fundoplication. Results Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia was completed success-fully in all the 61 patients. The average operation time was 110 min and the blood loss 10～50 ml. Postopera-tive oral feedings were resumed 24～48 h after surgery, and no postoperative complication occurred. The me-dian postoperative hospital stay was 5.7 d. Conclusion Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia is an effective and safe surgical procedure of minimal invasion.

The progress and clinical application of medical image post-processing technology are introduced from the aspects of image preprocessing, image segmentation; registration-fusion and 3D reconstruction. Correlated problems and development trends are put forward.

Objective: To examine the emotional states of asthmatic children with different degrees of severity, as well as the effects of emotion on change of cytokines in airway. Methods: Asthmatic children were divided into two groups according to the degrees of severity: moderate and mild. Their emotional states were measured and results were compared. Correlation analysis was conducted between scores on emotional scales and sputum levels of IL-8.Results: Total scores on anxiety and depression were higher in the moderate group than in the mild group. Negative correlation was found between levels of anxiety and IL-8 during acute exacerbation of asthmatic condition. Conclusion: Emotional distress was found to be increased with severity of asthmatic condition in children. Anxiety contributed to the decreased concentration of IL-8 in asthmatic children's airway.

GDF-15,a distant member of the TGF-superfamily,is identified as an apoptotic accelerat- ing,anti-tumorigenesis and nerve2nutritional factor in varied injures and tumors and has cardioprotective ac- tivity.The characteristics and roles of GDF-15 gene/protein and antibodies are expounded besides the rela- tionship between GDF-15 serum level/genetypes and CRC.It is also discussed here that some antitumorigenic substances inducing GDF-15 in CRC tissues and CRC cells.

Objective To explore the role of integrin αvβ6 in mediating the tolerance of gastric cancer AGS cells to 5-fluorouracil, and to determine whether direct β6-extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase(ERK) binding is involved. Methods Gastric cancer AGS cells in the logarithmic phase were incubated with either 5-fluorouracil for 24 hours ( control group), with 0.1 g/L of mouse anti-αvβ6 monoclonal antibody 10D5 for 6 hours and then with 5-fluorouracil for24 hours ( 10D5 group), with IgG2a and 5-fluorouracil ( IgG2a group), or with 5-fluorouracil and 20 μnol/L of ERK inhibitor PD98059 for 24 hours ( PD98059 group). Cell proliferation,apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 protein were detected by MTT assay, flow cytometry and western blotting, respectively. All data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance and LSD test. Results The cell inhibition rates of the control group, 10D5 group, IgG2a group and PD98059 group were 28.1% ±2.7%,84.5% ± 1.6%, 31.4% ±5.2%, 86.7% ±5.2%, respectively, with a significant difference ( F = 342. 5, P ＜0.05). The apoptosis rates of the control group, 10D5 group, IgG2a group, and PD98059 group were 6.6% ±1.4%, 30.6% ± 2.4%, 8.1% ± 1.3%, 36.0% ±4.0%, respectively, with a significant difference among the four groups (F = 105.4, P ＜0.05 ). There was a significant difference in the expression of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 among the four groups (F=292.1, 181.6, P＜0.05). Conclusion Integrin αvβ6 can mediate the tolerance of gastric cancer AGS cells to 5-fluorouracil through direct β6-ERK binding.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of transvaginal endoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods The clinical data of 88 female patients who underwent cholecystectomy at the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from May to November, 2009 were retrospectively analysed. Among all the patients, 32 received transvaginal endoscopic cholecystectomy ( NOTES group) and the remaining 56 patients received laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Thirty-two patients who received LC at the same period were selected (LC group)acccording to age, body mass index, type and severity of disease to conduct a matched case-control study. The differences in time span of postoperative pain, anodyne dose, enterokinesia recovery time, operation time, out-ofbed activity time, average hospital stay and hospitalization expenses between the two groups were compared using the paired t test. Results Cholecystectomies were successfully carried out for all the patients. The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, degree of pain, anodyne doses, enterokinesia recovery time, out-of-bed activity time,average hospital stay and hospitalization expenses were (5.7 ± 1.5 ) ml, ( 76 ± 27 ) minutes, 2.2 ± 0.6, ( 10 ±6) mg, (25±5) hours, (9±3) hours, (2.1 ±1.2) days and (1.12±0.34) ×104 yuan in NOTES group, and they were ( 13.9 ± 3.1 ) ml, (38 ± 16) minutes, 6.7 ± 1.5, (28 ± 8) mg, (45 ± 8) hours, (26 ± 6) hours,(4.3 ± 2.1 ) days and ( 1.54 ± 0.18 ) × 104 yuan in the LC group. There were significant differences between the two groups (t = 5.098, - 4.712, 2.417, 3.203, 3.089, 4.136, 4.786, 3.917, P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion Transvaginal endoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and feasible, and it is superior to tranditional LC.

Objective: To construct a polycistron tandem repeated Echistatin (Ecs) gene. Methods: Three Ecs genes with independent initiation and termination codon were ligated tandem through restriction enzyme sites after amplified with 3 pairs of primers using pMD18T-Ecs as template. The polycistron Ecs gene was inserted into pET30a and expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3) with IPTG induction. The expression results were identified by 18% SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Results: The expression of Ecs polycistron was accomplished with 18% expression level of total protein determined by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Conclusion: The successful expression of Ecs polycistron provided a new method for the preparation of low molecular weight protein.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of treating liver cancer using 131I-anti-CD147-monoclonal-antibody (131I-anti- CD147-McAb) by transcatheter hepatic arterial infusion (TAI) in a rabbit liver cancer model. Methods Forty-five rabbit models were randomly divided into three groups evenly. Transcatheter hepatic artery infusion under general anesthesia were performed in all three groups. Group A:control group, saline. Group B:pure 131I solution. Group C: 131I-anti-CD147-McAb solution. About 2 ml blood sample was obtained from all rabbits for liver, kidney,and thyroid function at pre-TAI and post-TAI 1 day, 3 days ,7 days, 14 days, 21 days. The rabbits were scanned by single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) to monitor radionuclide bio-distribution and tumor size on 1 day, 7 days, 14 days, 21days after procedures in group B and C. On 14 days after procedure, five rabbits were randomly selected to be sacrificed in each group for pathological and immunological investigations. The remaining rabbits continued to be fed, and survival rates were measured. Results The TAI and SPECT-CT/CT procedures were successfully performed in all rabbits. Test results showed that AST and ALT levels tended to increase transiently 1 day after TAI (P<0.05). The liver function returned to pre-operative levels (P> 0.05) 7 days after TAI. FT3 and FT4 mean values of rabbits in group B and C continued to decline 7 days after TAI, while thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) showed corresponding increase (P<0.05). WBC mean value of rabbits in group B and C declined slightly after procedures (P>0.05). SPEC-CT imaging of rabbits shows that most of the radionuclide was gathered in the gastrointestinal tract and thyroid in Group B, however, radionuclide was mainly concentrated in the tumor lesions in Group C. Fourteen days after procedures, radionuclide imaging of all rabbits disappeared in group B and C. The VX2 liver tumors increased rapidly after treatment in group A and B;but the tumors gradually reduced their size in group C. At 14 days after TAI: The proportion of tumor necrosis in group C was significantly greater than that in groups A and B (P<0.05). The microvessel density (MVD) number of residual tumor in group C was less than groups A or B (P<0.05).TUNEL analysis suggested that more apoptosis bodies was displayed in the residual tumor tissue in group C than that in groups A and B, but the expression of MMP-2 and vessel endothelial grouth factor (VEGF) was significantly reduced in group C than group A and group B. Median survival time of the rabbits in groups A, B, C was 22 days, 26 days and 54 days respectively. Survival time of the rabbits in group C was significantly prolonged than other two groups (P<0.01). Conclusions Radioimmunotherapy with 131I-anti-CD147-McAb by TAI can inhibit the growth and metastasis of liver cancer, and prolong the survival of experimental animals. The method is effective and safe in this animal study.

Purpose To evaluate imaging characteristics of normal and dynamic contrast enhanced multi-slice-spiral CT (MSCT) and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the patients with the mesenteric Castleman's disease (CD).Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was made in 11 patients who were pathologically diagnosed CD and investigated their imaging characteristics of the MSCT and 18F-FDG PET/CT.Results 6 cases showed single lesion,all of them were round or oval.5 cases presented satellite lesions.The maximum diameter was (6.11 ± 1.45)cm.3 cases showed stippled or branch calcification,and 3 cases showed slightly patchy low density.11 cases had clear margins except 1 case.All cases showed the same strong lesion enhancement as that in aorta.9 cases showed significantly enhanced tumor blood vessels around the edge or shadow.The degree of 18F-FDG uptake increased in 11 cases,SUVmax was 3.1-5.7,and the average was (4.16 ± 0.86).Conclusion Multimodality imaging performances play an important role in the diagnosis of mesenteric CD.

Objective To investigate the effect of heat treatment on the proliferation of, melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in cultured normal human melanocytes. Methods Normal human foreskin tissue was obtained by sterile circumcision and melanocytes were harvested by using methods for epidermal cell culture. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was utilized as the primary mitogen to establish the culture system of normal human epidermal melanocytes. Masson-Fontana staining was proformed to identify melanocytes.Third-passage melanocytes were treated with hyperthermia at various temperatures (39 ℃, 41 ℃, 42 ℃, 43 ℃ and 45℃) for 1 hour a day for consecutive 3 days followed by the measurement of cell viability with MTT assay. The hyperthermia at optimized temperature was used to treat fourth-passage melanocytes for 1 hour a day for consecutive 3 days; subsequently, the tyrosinase activity were detected with L-Dopa as the substrate, and melanin content was determined in heat-treated and untreated (control) melanocytes. Results The hyperthermia at 42 ℃ exhibited the strongest promotive effect on the proliferation of melanocytes among these 5 hyperthermia conditions. After treatment with hyperthermia at 42 ℃ for 1 hour a day for consecutive 3 days, melanocytes showed an increment in tyrosinase activity by 36.4% and melanin synthesis by 78% compared with the untreated melanocytes (both P＜0.05). Conclusions Heat treatment can enhance the proliferation of cultured human melanocytes, promote their melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity.