BACKGROUND:Conventional prosthetic vessel replacement has been gradually replaced by endovascular covered stent graft exclusion in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).However,whether it has advantages over conventional prosthetic vessel replacement in clinical curative effects and biocempatibility produced in the implantation of new type of biomaterials remains unclear.OBJECTIVE:To compare the curative effects and complications of endovascular covered stent graft exclusion and prosthetic vessel replacement in the treatment of AAA.DESIGN: A controlled observation analysis.SETTING: Department of Vascular Surgery,Wuhan nion Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two patients with AAA (renal artery not involved) who received the treatment in the Department of Vascular Surgery,Union Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology between September 2001 and July 2006,were recruited in this study.They were all confirmed by CT angiography (CTA) and other examinations.According to the selected operative way,patients were allocated into interventional therapy group (n =17) and conventional therapy group (n =25).In the interventional therapy group,the patients,including 16 males and 1 female,were averaged (68±10)years old,and their mean tumor diameter was (6.4±1.3) cm.In the conventional therapy group,the patients,including 23 males and 2 females,were averaged (64±9) years,and their mean tumor diameter was (6.2±1.1) cm.Significant difference did not exist in the baseline material between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).This study was approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee.Written informed consents were obtained from all the patients.METHODS:In the interventional therapy group,patients underwent ndovascular covered stent graft exclusion by an interventional means.After being generally anesthetized,patients were dissected at unilateral femoral artery.Under the perspective condition,a covered stent graft was placed at a proper position with a forwarder,and then it was released and expanded.Following the position and xpansion of a covered stent being examined by CTA,femoral artery was anastomosed and incision was closed.If arteria iliaca was involved,then another covered stent was implanted from contralateral femoral artery and connected to stem.In the conventional therapy group,patients underwent prosthetic vessel replacement by a conventional means.Postoperatively,patients in the two groups all received anti-inflammation,anti-coagulation and other symptomatic and supportive treatments necessarily.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:① Postoperative complications of patients in two groups.② Recovery was observed by B-ultrasonography and CTA examination 1,3,6 and 12 months after operation.③ Follow-up of biocompatibility of biomaterials and host during 1 year postoperatively.RESULTS:Forty-two patients participated in the finial analysis.①Patients who exhibited pulmonary infection and renal function deterioration in the interventional therapy group were fewer than those in the conventional therapy group (P ＜0.05).② In the interventional therapy group,patients with covered-stent graft displacement,aortic injury and hematoma formed at the puncture point of femoral artery were not found.In the conventional therapy group,one patient died of acute large-area myocardial infarction at the 6th week postoperatively,and patients,who suffered from stomal leakage,prosthetic vessel thrombogenesis and infection,etc.,were not found.③ Neither obvious inflammatory reactions in the peripheral tissue of prosthetic vessel nor thrombogenesis in the prosthetic vessel was found in patients of two groups.It was demonstrated that both covered stent graft and prosthetic vessel had good biocompatibility.CONCLUSION:Endovascular covered stent graft exclusion can treat AAA due to its less surgical trauma,rapid postoperative recovery,good biocompatibility and other advantages.

Objective To investigate the health knowledge and behaviors related to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among the elderly of communities in national TCM health education pilot area of Zhejiang province and provide reference for TCM health education. Methods A survey about the health knowledge and behaviors status related to TCM was made among 600 elderly people in Gongshu District. The survey included demographic characteristics, health knowledge of TCM and health behaviors related to TCM. The univariate and multivariate analyses were used for analyzing the health knowledge and behavior status and influencing factors of the elderly. Results The awareness rate of knowledge about TCM health knowledge in elderly was 94.7%, the qualified rate of TCM behaviors was only 31.6%. It showed that the qualified TCM behaviors among the elders were significantly different in those of different economic status and physical exercise situation (χ2=6.606, 10.243, P=0.037, 0.001). The results of logistic regression model showed that the protective factors of qualified TCM behaviors were 60-year old and good physical exercise (OR=1.836, 2.249) and the risk factor was moderate economic status (OR=0.539). Conclusion The awareness rate of TCM health knowledge in Gongshu District was high, but the qualified rate of TCM behaviors was low. The age, economic status and physical exercise situation are the influencing factors of TCM behaviors.

0.05).This study was approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee.Written informed consents were obtained from all the patients.METHODS:In the interventional therapy group,patients underwent endovascular covered stent graft exclusion by an interventional means.After being generally anesthetized,patients were dissected at unilateral femoral artery.Under the perspective condition,a covered stent graft was placed at a proper position with a forwarder,and then it was released and expanded.Following the position and expansion of a covered stent being examined by CTA,femoral artery was anastomosed and incision was closed.If arteria iliaca was involved,then another covered stent was implanted from contralateral femoral artery and connected to stem.In the conventional therapy group,patients underwent prosthetic vessel replacement by a conventional means.Postoperatively,patients in the two groups all received anti-inflammation,anti-coagulation and other symptomatic and supportive treatments necessarily.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:① Postoperative complications of patients in two groups.② Recovery was observed by B-ultrasonography and CTA examination 1,3,6 and 12 months after operation.③ Follow-up of biocompatibility of biomaterials and host during 1 year postoperatively.RESULTS:Forty-two patients participated in the finial analysis.①Patients who exhibited pulmonary infection and renal function deterioration in the interventional therapy group were fewer than those in the conventional therapy group(P

Objective To study the locations, types and causes of different pseudoaneurysms in order to find out the optimal individualized treatment for different pseudoaneurysms. Methods Different methods were applied in treating 21 patients with pseudoaneurysm, which were located at limb (n = 11 ), spleen (n =3), kidney (n = 2) , common lilac artery (n = 1), internal iliac artery (n = 1), gallbladder (n = 1) and penis (n = 1 ). Different managements were employed in treating these pseudoaneurysms. Temporary obstruction of blood circulation with balloon together with arterial anastomosis or direct incision neoplasty was performed in 9 cases with pseudoaneurysms at limb arteries close to the larger joints. Endovascular stent graft was used to isolate the trunk type of pseudoaneurysm in 4 cases, in 2 of them branch arterial embolism and stent graft endovascular exclusion were applied as they had common iliae artery trunk type of pseudoaneurysm at the opening of internal iliac artery. Gelfoam together with metallic coils embolization was employed in 6 cases with terminal type of pseudoaneurysms. Results After different treatments, tumor cavities disappeared in the 21 cases with pseudoaneurysms. Distal arterial pulse returned to normal and no nerve damage occurred in 11 cases with limb pseudoaneurysms. No internal hemorrhage was observed and distal blood circulation returned to normal after graft endovascular exclusion in 2 eases with pseudoaneurysms at spleen artery trunk and in 2 cases with pseudoaneurysms at iliac artery trunk. In 6 cases with terminal type of pseudoaneurysms,the tumor cavity disappeared, hemorrhage stopped and no ischemic necrosis of organ occurred. But one of them with multiple traumatic pseudoaneurysms located at the second grade branch died one week after embolism due to a serious pelvic trauma accompanied with serious infection. Conclusion Based on the locations, types and causes of pseudoaneurysms, different individualized treatment should be adopted in order to obtain optimal results with least damages.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and surgical treatment of intracaval venous tumors. Methods Clinical data of 6 cases were retrospectively analyzed, including signs and symptoms diagnostic means such as type-B ultrasound, CTA, MRA, surgical procedures and prognosis. Results All six cases received type-B ultrasonic examination, final definite diagnosis was achieved by CTA exam in 2 cases and through MRA in 4 cases. Heart involvement was found in 3 cases. All patients underwent a surgery. According to the extent of the tumor,3 cases had thoraco-abdominal incision,3 cases with extracorporeal circulation and right atrium opening. All of the tumors were completely resected. Pathological exam revealed that 4 cases were of leiomyomatosis and 2 cases were of leiomyosarcoma. One case with leiomyosarcoma died of liver disfunction postoperatively.The other 5 cases recovered without major complications. An average 51 months of follow-up found no recurrence. Conclusions CT and MRI are the mainstay for the diagnosis,and MRI can provide clear anatomy image to the surgeons, help choose the surgical procedures. The one-stage operation is effective. During the operation, the main branches of the vena cava system should be detected, and the attachment of the tumor should be found and removed thoroughly to prevent the recurrence of the tumor. When the attachment point is lower than the iliac vein level, ligation of the involved iliac vein should be mandatory.

Objective To observe the effects of MSH2 gene re expression on estrogen-induced apoptosis of colon cancer cells LOVO,and to explore its mechanisms.Methods According to different plasmid and whether with estradiol intervention,colon cancer LOVO cells were divided into empty plasmid with ethanol group,empty plasmid with estradiol group,MSH2 with ethanol group,MSH2 with estradiol group,estrogen receptor (ER) β with ethanol group,ERβ with estradiol group,ERβ with MSH2 and ethanol group and ERβ with MSH2 and estradiol group,and received corresponding treatment.The expression of MSH2,ERβ protein and apoptosis related caspase 3 protein were detected by Western blotting.Cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8.Cell DNA fragments of each group were isolated with apoptosis DNA fragments isolation kit.And the DNA ladder was observed.The rate of apoptosis was detected by flow cytometer.Single factor variance analysis was performed for comparison among multiple groups,and t test was used for comparison between the two groups.Results After transfection,the expression of the MSH2 and ERβ at protein level in LOVO cells significantly increased and neither of their expression was effected by estradiol.The expression levels of caspase 3 cleavaged active fragments of ERβ with estradiol group and ERβ with MSH2 and ethanol group were higher than other groups,and there was no significant difference between these two groups.The LOVO cell viability of empty plasmid with ethanol group,empty plasmid with estradiol group,MSH2 with ethanol group,MSH2 with estradiol group,ERβ with ethanol group,ERβ with estradiol group,ERβ with MSH2 and ethanol group and ERβ with MSH2 and estradiol group was 1.72 ±0.25,1.74 ± 0.31,1.77 ± 0.35,1.74±0.33,1.70±0.34,1.02±0.48,1.71±0.31 and 1.07±0.18,respectively,and the differences between the groups were statistically significant (F=3.791,P＜0.05).Among them,the LOVO cell viability of ERβ with estradiol group was lower than that of ERβ with ethanol group,accordingly,that of ERβ with MSH2 and estradiol group was lower than that of ERβ with MSH2 and ethanol group,that of ERβ with estradiol group was lower than that of empty plasmid with estradiol group,that of ERβ with MSH2 and estradiol group was lower than that of MSH2 with estradiol group,and the differences were statistically significant (t=3.158,3.075,3.648,3.253,all P＜0.05).DNA ladder formed from DNA fragments of apoptosis cells was seen in ERβ with estradiol group and ERβ with MSH2 and estradiol group.The apoptosis rate of empty plasmid with ethanol group,empty plasmid with estradiol group,MSH2 with ethanol group,MSH2 with estradiol group,ERβ with ethanol group,ERβ with estradiol group,ERβ with MSH2 and ethanol group and ERβ with MSH2 and estradiol group was 7.86±0.19,7.87±0.39,8.39±1.02,9.05±1.54,7.54±0.99,19.77±2.35,7.76±1.32 and 19.30±1.75,respectively,and the differences between groups were statistically significant (F=45.436,P＜0.05).Among them,the apoptosis rate of ERβ with ethanol group was lower than that of ERβ with estradiol group,that of ERβ with MSH2 and ethanol group was lower than that of ERβ with MSH2 and estradiol group,that of empty plasmid with estradiol group was lower than that of ERβ with estradiol group,that of ERβ with MSH2 and estradiol group was lower than that of MSH2 with estradiol group,and the differences were statistically significant (t =8.260,9.133,8.596,7.617,all P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Estrogen may promote colon cancer cell apoptosis through ERβ pathway.The process of apoptosis maybe related with caspase protein,MSH2 may not be involved in the regulation of this signal pathway.

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are the highest proportion of liver non-parenchymal cells with fenestrae structure and high endocytic ability maintaining liver homeostasis and playing an indispensable role in the physiology and patholo-gy of the liver.LSECs are involved in the regulation of patholog-ical process in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),alco-holic fatty liver(AFL),hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),liverregeneration and liver fibrosis mainly via antiinflammation,endocytosis,secretion of angiocrine signals and maintaining thequiescence phenotype of HSCs.This review highlights the physiological function of LSECs and the different roles in different pathological conditions,which aims to provide a new perspectivefor the treatment of liver diseases through targeting LSECs.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare benign neoplasm which originates from the smooth muscle cells and is usually confined to the pelvic venous system. Rarely, intracaval and intracardiac extension has been described. Death can occur as a result of intracardiac involvement. We reported 4 cases of IVL with right heart involvement (intracardiac leiomyomatosis, ICL). Three of them suffered recurrent sudden syncope, and the other one was totally asymptomatic. All of them were successfully treated through one-stage operation under extracorporeal circulation.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase ( NOXs) contributes to the production of reactive oxygen species ( ROS) in liver fibrosis, resulting in the activation of endoplas-mic reticulum stress ( ERS ) and IRE1α-XBP1 signaling path-way. ROS is a series of oxygen metabolites and its derivatives, produced by the single electron reduction of molecular oxygen ( O2 ) , including superoxide anion ( O2- ) , hydroxyl radical (-OH) , hydrogen peroxide ( H2 O2 ) , hypochlorite ion ( OCl-) and so on. They can interact with a large number of molecules, including small inorganic molecules, proteins, lipids, carbohy-drates and nucleic acids, resulting in lipid peroxidation of cell damaging molecules. And as a second messenger, ROS can also affect the proliferation and activation of HSC in liver fibrosis, and induce the hepatocyte apoptosis through a variety of cellular signal transduction. Here we review the current status of the study on the mechanism of NOXs in liver fibrosis.

The general characteristics, outcomes and risk factors of the patients with aortic dissection (AD) were evaluated in a single medical center. From January 2002 to December 2008, 284 patients with AD were treated and followed-up at our institution, including 105 cases of type A AD and 179 cases of type B AD. The patients in each type were divided into three groups according to management: medical treatment group (A or B), open surgery group (A or B), and stent-graft group (A or B). The characteristics and follow-up outcomes were compared between the groups or subgroups. The results showed that there was significant difference in the prognosis for type A AD between medical treatment group and open surgery group, but there was no significant difference in the prognosis for type B AD between medical treatment group and stent-graft group. Independent risk factors of follow-up mortality for patients with type A AD included a history of atherosclerosis (HR, 3.807; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.489 to 7.611; P=0.003), in-hospital hypotension/shock (HR, 4.687; 95% CI, 1.846 to 11.900; P=0.001), in-hospital myocardial ischemia or infarction (HR, 3.734; 95% CI, 1.613 to 8.643; P=0.002), pleural effusion (HR, 2.210; 95% CI, 1.080 to 4.521; P=0.030), branch vessel involvement (HR, 2.747; 95% CI, 1.202 to 6.278; P=0.016) and surgical treatment (HR, 0.177; 95% CI, 0.063 to 0.502; P=0.001). And there were insignificant independent predictors for mortality of the patients with type B AD. It was concluded that there were significant differences in characteristics and one year mortality between type A AD and type B AD, but after one year, there was no significant difference in the mortality and complications of them. There were several discordant risk factors of AD, such as female gender, age, thrombus, abrupt onset of pain that were considered as the risk factors in some papers. And there was no definite risk factor of mortality in this study in the patients with type B AD.