Objective To investigate the value of Habib 4X in hepatic resection. Methods The clinical outcome of 21 patients with liver disease who received liver resection at the Tianjin Third Central Hospital from November 2009 to April 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. All the operations were carried out by using Habib 4X. Results All patients received hepatectomy, including right hepatectomy in three patients, left hepatectomy in one patient, multiple segmentectomy in nine patients, single segmentectomy in seven patients and partial liver resection in one patient. All tumors were reseeted completely. The mean operation time was (50±25) minutes and the mean blood loss was(129±117)ml. No patient was transferred to ICU. Three patients were complicated with bile leakage, one with lymphatic leakage and four with pleural effusion, and they were cured by non-surgical treatment. There were no patients with postoperative hemorrhage, incision infection or hepatic failure. No mortality was observed. The mean postoperative hospital stay was(19±14)days. Conclusions Radiofrequency energy was applied along the margins of the tumor to create zones of necrosis before resection with a scalpel, offering hepatobiliary surgeons an additional method for performing liver resections with minimal blood loss, low morbidity and mortality rates. As for malignant tumors, minor or major liver resection assisted by Habib 4X is safe, and it can reduce the chance of positive incisal margin.

Objective To identify and rename one strain stored in National Center for Medicine Culture Collections ( CMCC) and used for tracheitis vaccine production. Methods The test strain CMCC (B)29108 and the type strain DSM30007T were cultured on NA medium. Characteristics in morphology, physiology, biochemistry and fatty acid profile were compared between the two strains. Phylogenetic analysis was based on 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequences, together with the DNA-DNA hybridization assay. Results A Comparative analysis of a partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the CMCC( B) 29108 strain was closed to the Acinetobacter species and showed the highest similarity with the type strain Acinetobacter baumannii DSM30007T. Moreover, the CMCC(B)29108 strain was highly similar to type strain DSM30007T in morphology, physiology, biochemistry and fatty acid profile. On the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA and rpoB gene of all Acinetobacter members, the CMCC(B)29108 strain steadily clustered into one independent branch only with the DSM30007 T strain with a DNA-DNA hybridization value of 100%. Conclusion The CMCC(B)29108 strain that is one of the strains used for the production of tracheitis vac-cine should be assigned to the species of Acinetobacter baumannii based on its phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics.

Objective:To construct a DNA vaccine co-expressing the HBV compound multi-epitope antigen gene, the hIL-12 and the anti-HBV siRNA genes, and to express this DNA vaccine in HepG2 cells. Methods:The HBV multi-epitope antigen gene was designed and synthesized before it was fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP) gene, and cloned into the multi-clone site(MCS) of the eukaryotic expression vector pVAX1. The expressinig units of hIL-12 and siRNA were cloned into the BspH I and Mlu I site of pVAX1 respectively. Then the recombinant plasmid pVAX1-siHBV-HB-EGFP-hIL12 was transiently transfected HepG2 cells. The expression of HBV compound multi-epitope gene was observed through EGFP report gene. The expression of hIL-12 was analyzed by ELISA and the effects of anti-HBV siRNA was confirmed with rtPCR . Results: The analysis of enzyme digestion and sequencing both demonstrated that the trible-expressing HBV DNA vaccine has been constructed successfully. The green fluorescent image was detected in the transfected cells which could confirm the expression of the multi-epitope antigen gene. The amount of hIL-12 secretion was 1289pg/ml in supernatant at 48h after transfection and 1712pg/ml at 72h after transfection. The mRNA amount of HBV S gene, which was the siRNA target, had been obviously knockdown. Conclusion: The DNA vaccine co-expressing the HBV compound multi-epitope antigen gene, the hIL-12 and the siRNA genes was constructed and transiently expressed in HepG2 cells, and siRNA had shown us a good anti-HBV effect. It laid a foundation of further study on anti-HBV effect of the new DNA vaccine.

Objective To observe the effects ofXiangsha Liujunzi Decoction (XSLJZ) on levels and mRNA of IL-6, IL-10 and protein expression of HSP70 of gastric mucosa in chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) rats with spleen-stomach deficiency; To discuss its mechanism.Methods Rats were divided into 2 groups through random number table: normal group and model group. The model of CAG rat with spleen-stomach deficiency type was induced by synthetic methods. After successful modeling, rats were divided into model group, positive control group, XSLJZ high-, medium-, low-dose group. Rats in normal and model group received distilled water 10 mL/(kg?d) for gavage; XSLJZ high-, medium-, low-dose group received XSLJZ 24, 12, 6 g/(kg?d), respectively; positive control group received mycin 0.30 g/(kg?d) for gavage for 120 consecutive days. Generally living conditions, levels and mRNA of IL-6, IL-10 and protein expression of HSP70 in gastric mucosa tissue were detected by protein immunoblotting.Results Compared with the normal group, generally living conditions of rats in the model group were poor; mRNA and the content of IL-6 increased significantly, and mRNA and the content of IL-10 decreased significantly (P<0.05,P<0.01); mRNA and protein expression of HSP70 in gastric tissues was much lower than that of normal group (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with model group, generally living conditions of rats in the XSLJZ high-dose groups were improved significantly; mRNA and the content of IL-6 decreased significantly, and mRNA and the content of IL-10 increased significantly (P<0.05); XSLJZ high-, medium-dose groups mRNA and protein expression of HSP70 in gastric tissues increased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion XSLJZ has protective effects on gastric mucosa of CAG rats with spleen-stomach deficiency.

"Symptom set" was changed into "combined set of syndrome factors" by exploring the mapping relationship be-tween symptom and syndrome factors,among which the ones meeting the definition of pathogenesis were chosen to further form the"pathogenesis set" under the ISOR combination principle,so as to build a new syndrome factor system of"symptom collection-syndrome factor collection-pathogenesis collection",which is not only beneficial to perfect the syndrome factor sys-tem,but also a new thought for applying mathematics and computer science to Chinese medicinal research.

Objective To evaluate the influences of statin treatment on MR vessel wall imagingobserved characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque in the thoracic aorta of the elderly.Methods Elderly subjects (≥ 60 years) without any serious cerebro-cardiovascular diseases were recruited.Thoracic aorta was imaged on MR scanner for all the subjects.The plaque burden was calculated quantitatively,the composition of plaque in thoracic aorta was evaluated qualitatively,and the contributions of statin treatment to these characteristics were also compared by image interpretation personals.The thoracic aorta was divided into three segments (AAO:ascending aorta;AOA:aortic arch,and DOA:descending aorta)on the imaging.Results Totally 55 recruited subjects had atherosclerotic plaque in thoracic aorta,with 24 subjects receiving statin treatment,and 50 ％ (12/24) male,aged 73.8±6.3 years.The level of LDL C[(2.4±0.7)mmol/L vs.(3.1±0.8)mmol/L(P＜ 0.01)]and total cholesterol[(4.4±0.6)mmol/L vs.(5.1 ±1.0)mmol/L(P＜0.01)]were significantly lower in statin group than in non-statin group.The lumen area,wall area,and total vessel area in all three segments of thoracic aorta were significantly smaller in statin group(all P＜0.05)than in nonstatin group.The average wall thickness in segment of AOA[(2.7±0.3)mm vs.(2.8±0.4)mm(P＜0.01)]and DAO[(2.5±0.4)mm vs.(2.6±0.5)mm(P＜0.01)]were smaller in statin group than in non-statin group.The incidence rate of intraplaque hemorrhage / mural thrombus [6 cases (25.0％) vs.8 cases(25.8 ％)]in thoracic aorta was a little lower in statin group than in non-statin group,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusions Statin treatment decreases LDL-C level,reduces the burden of atherosclerotic plaque in thoracic aorta,and maintains the atherosclerotic plaque stability.

BACKGROUNDStroke is the most common neurological disease in China, and antiplatelet treatment is important for primary and secondary prevention. This study aimed to describe the current status of antiplatelet treatment before, immediately after, and 1 month after ischemic stroke in the Qingdao area of China, and to determine the factors and potential barriers influencing use.

METHODSA total of 1114 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled from 11 hospitals in the Qingdao area. Patient demographic data, clinical data, and treatment before and after the stroke were recorded. Univariate analysis (two sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test) and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to determine the frequency of antiplatelet treatment, and factors associated with treatment, at three time points: before the stroke, in hospital after the stroke, and at 1-month follow-up.

RESULTSThe frequency of antiplatelet treatment was 6.4% before the stroke, 91.5% in hospital, and 77.2% at 1 month. Aspirin pretreatment was independently associated with higher education level, higher income level, history of hyperlipidemia, and history of cerebral vascular disease. Antiplatelet treatment in hospital was independently associated with treatment in an urban hospital, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at onset, and statin use in hospital. Antiplatelet treatment at 1-month follow-up was independently associated with higher income level, diagnosis of transient ischemic attack, antiplatelet treatment in hospital, large artery atherosclerosis according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification, and statin use at follow-up. Modified Rankin Scale ≥ 4 at 1-month follow-up and history of coronary heart disease were negatively associated with antiplatelet treatment at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSThis study documents the current status of antiplatelet treatment in primary and early secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in China. Further education of clinicians and the public about stroke prevention is important.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDAccurate knowledge of the spinal structural functions is critical to understand the biomechanical factors that affect spinal pathology. Many studies have investigated the human vertebral motion both in vitro and in vivo. However, determination of in vivo motion of the vertebrae under physiologic loading conditions remains a challenge in biomedical engineering because of the limitations of current technology and the complicated anatomy of the spine.

METHODSFor in vitro validation, a human lumbar specimen was imbedded with steel beads and moved to a known distance by an universal testing machine (UTM). The dual fluoroscopic system was used to capture the spine motion and reproduce the moving distance. For in vivo validation, a living subject moved the spine in various positions while bearing weight. The fluoroscopes were used to reproduce the in vivo spine positions 5 times. The standard deviations in translation and orientation of the five measurements were used to evaluate the repeatability of technique. The accuracy of vertebral outline matching with metallic marks matching technology was compared.

RESULTSThe translation positions of the human lumbar specimen could be determined with a mean accuracy less than 0.35 mm and a mean repeatability 0.36 mm for the image matching technique. The repeatability of the method in reproducing in vivo human spine six degrees of freedom (6DOF) kinematics was less than 0.43 mm in translation and less than 0.65° in rotation. The accuracy of metallic marks and vertebral outline matching did not show significant difference.

CONCLUSIONSCombining a dual fluoroscopic and computerized tomography imaging technique was accurate and reproduceable for noninvasive measurement of spine vertebral motion. The vertebral outline matching technique could be a useful technique for matching of vertebral positions and orientations which can evaluate and improve the efficacy of the various surgical treatments.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Fluoroscopy ; methods ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Spine ; anatomy & histology ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) encoded by the hepatitis C virus RNA genome affects the expression of hepcidin gene.

METHODSHCV NS5A expression plasmid (pCN5A) and pRc/CMV were transfected into QSG7701 cells individually, RT-PCR was employed to detect the HCV NS5A and hepcidin mRNA transcription. Western blot was used for detection of HCV NS5A and hepcidin proteins. Iron was stained to evaluate the intracellular iron level.

RESULTSHCV NS5A plasmid was successfully transfected into QSG7701 cells, which was evidenced by HCV NS5A mRNA and protein from the transfected cells. The hepcidin mRNA relative quantification in untransfected cells, pRc/CMV transfected cells and pCNS5A transfected cells were 0.711+/-0.049, 0.718+/-0.052 and 0.264+/-0.030 respectively. The transcription of hepcidin mRNA decreased remarkably in the cells transfected with pCNS5A plasmid as compared to the untransfected cells and pRc/CMV transfected cells (P less than 0.01). The level of hepcidin protein expression was found also significantly lower in the pCN5A plasmid transfected cells as compared to the untransfected cells and pRc/CMV transfected cells. The intracellular iron staining was remarkably higher in the pcNS5A transfected cells than untransfected or pRc/CMV transfected cells.

CONCLUSIONSHCV NS5A inhibits the transcription of hepcidin mRNA and expression of hepcidin protein, inducing hepatic intracellular iron storage.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepcidins ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Transfection ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics