Objective To investigate the correlation between genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in Hubei Han population. Methods Genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 of 270 patients with UC (UC group) who were admitted to the Zhongnan Hospital, People's Hospital of Wuhan University, Tongji Hospital and Union Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from August 2002 to December 2009 and 623 healthy people ( control group) were detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction. All UC patients were allocated to distal UC group (n= 229) and extensive UC group (n =41 ) according to the location of the lesions; and all UC patients were also allocated to mild-moderate group (n = 237) and severe group (n = 33 ). The genetic polymorphisms of GSTP1 of these patients and healthy people were detected by polymerase chain reaction. The genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 were also detected. GSTM1 and GSTT1 containing small DNA segments ( 157 bp and 480 bp) were defined as GSTM1 (+) and GSTT1 (+), otherwise, GSTM(-) and GSTT1 (-), respectively. All data were analyzed by chisquare test. Results The frequencies of GSTM1(-), GSTT1(-) and GSTP1 (Val/Val) were 70.7% (191/270),64.8% (175/270) and 48.9% (132/270) in the UC group, and 41.7% (260/623), 47.2% ( 294/623 ) and 34.3% (214/623) in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (x2 = 63. 404,22. 320, 25. 384, P ＜0.05 ). The frequencies of GSTT1 (-) and GSTP1 (Val/Val) were 71.6% (164/229) and 57.6% (132/229) in the distal UC group, which were significantly higher than 31.7% (13/41) and 29.3%( 12/41 ) in the extensive UC group ( x2 = 24.528, 9.609, P ＜ 0.05 ). The frequencies of GSTM1 (-) were 65.1%(149/229) in the distal UC group and 56.1% (23/41) in the extensive UC group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( x2 = 1. 210, P ＞ 0.05 ). The frequencies of GSTT1 (-) and GSTP1 ( Val/Val ) were 71.6%(164/229), 31.7% ( 13/41 ) in the distal UC group and 57.6% ( 132/229), 29.3% ( 12/41 ) in the extensive UC group, with a significant difference between the two groups ( x2 = 24. 528, 9. 609, P ＜ 0. 05 ). There was no significant difference in the frequencies of GSTM1 (-), GSTT1 (-), GSTP1 (Val/Val) in the mild-moderate group and the severe group( x2 = 0. 623, 1. 884, 3. 403, P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusions Variant genotypes of GSTs are significantly correlated with UC in Hubei Han population. The severity of UC may not be correlated with variant genotypes of GSTs.

Ex-vivo liver resection and liver autotransplantation offers a chance to cure extensive regional liver diseases which are otherwise deemed untreatable in selected cases. A 33-year-old male patient with advanced alveolar echinococcosis (AE) which invaded the right lobes and adjacent retrohepatic inferior vena cava, while the left lobes were free from lesion and had proliferated to over 1200 ml in size except for a 1 cm × 1 cm solid lesion in the segment Ⅳ. No extrahepatic metastases were found in this patient. A lesion with a size of 4300 ml and other small lesions in the right lobes were removed extracorporeally,and the retrohepatic vena cava was repaired, then the remaining AE-free left lobes (more than 700 ml in size) and the retrohepatic inferior vena cava were re-implanted in situ. A temporary end-to-end cavo-caval shunt with interposition of a blood vessel prosthesis and end-to-side portocaval shunt were established to keep the blood flow during the four-hour anhepatic phase. The patient was followed up for six months, and he had no signs of residual liver disease with good hepatic function.

Anatomical hepatic segmentectomy is the treatment of choice for hepatolithiasis. However, in consideration of the volume of residual liver and the liver function, anatomical polysegmentectomy of the bilateral lobes for hepatolithiasis is restricted. Protection of the portal pedicles to the segments preserved and avoidance of ischemia/reperfusion injury to the residual liver parenchyma are critical steps during the operation.A female patient with hepatolithiasis and had a surgical history of choledocholithiasis removal and T-tube drainage received ana tomic polysegmentectomy with segments Ⅰ and Ⅳ preservation at the General Hospital of Kunming Medical College. During the operation, Portal pedicles to the segments Ⅰ , Ⅱ, right lobe,and segments Ⅱ and Ⅲ were isolated prior to liver parenchyma transection. Portal pedicles to segments Ⅰ and Ⅳ were protected under direct visualization. Hepatoduodenal ligament occlusion was not applied during liver parenchyma transaction. Segments Ⅱ- Ⅲ and Ⅴ-Ⅷ were anatomically resected, and segments Ⅰ ,Ⅳ were preserved with satisfactory vascularization. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged 14 days after the operation.

Objective To investigate the methods and techniques of simplified binding pancreaticojejunostomy for patients with periampullary malignant tumor after radical pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD). Methods From March 2005 to May 2010, 323 patients with periampullary malignant tumor received RPD at the Tongji Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Simplified binding pancreaticojejunostomy was applied after RPD: the distal end of pancreas was freed for 3-4 cm;a No. 6 or No. 8 silicone urinary catheter was inserted into the pancreatic duct for 4-5 cm, and the remaining urinary catheter (6-8 cm) out of the pancreatic duct was sutured to the pancreatic stump with absorbable sutures.The cutting end of the jejunum (2-3 cm) was everted, and the everted mucosa of the jejunum ( 1 cm) was injured by electrocautery, then the everted jejunum was reverted to its normal position. The cutting end of the mesentery of jejunum and its opposite side, as well as the mid-point of these two parts were sutured symmetrically with the lower and upper edges of the pancreas, and with the capsule of pancreas between them. The everted jejunum was wrapped over the pancreatic stump and sutured it to the pancreas for fixation. The cutting end of the jejunum was bound to the pancreatic stump with 1-0 absorbable suture after confirming the jejunum was completely invaginated into the pancreas. The alimentary tract was reconstructed by using Child's method. Results Simplified binding pancreaticojejunostomy was successfully completed in all patients, Pancreatic fistula was detected in one patient who was complicated with anastomotic bleeding on the third day after secondary laparotomy. The patient was discharged with catheter and spontaneously recovered one month later. Pancreatic fistula was also detected in two patients with distal bile duct carcinoma and two patients with carcinoma in the uncinate process of pancreas at postoperative day 3, 6, 8 and 11, and they were cured by expectant treatment. The incidence of pancreatic fistula was 1.5% (5/323). Conclusion Simplified binding pancreaticojejunostomy is simple, safe and feasible, and it can significantly reduce the incidence of pancreatic fistula.

Objective To investigate the expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in liver cancer and its clinical significance. Methods The specimens of liver cancer tissues, adjacent tissues, cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues were collected from 50 patients who received radical resection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from July 2007 to April 2008. The mRNA and protein expressions of DNMT1,DNMT3a and DNMT3b in liver cancer tissues, adjacent tissues, cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA expression of DNMTs in the liver cancer tissues was compared with those in the adjacent tissues, cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues by using t test and Mann-Whitney U test. The correlation between the protein expression of DNMTs in the liver cancer tissue and the clinicopathological features was analyzed by chi-square test or Fisher exact test, and the tumor-free survival time was analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier method and the difference in tumor-free survival rate between different patients was analyzed by Log-rank test. Results The mRNA expressions of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b in the liver cancer tissue were 2.57, 2.29 and 4.86 times higher than those in the adjacent tissues (t = 3.94, 2. 72, 4. 06, P ＜ 0.05 ). The mRNA expressions of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b were 2.38,2.14 and 4.66 times higher than those in the cirrhotic tissues, and 6.12, 4.58 and 12.99 times higher than those in the chronic hepatitis tissues. The mRNA expressions of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b in the liver cancer tissue were significantly higher than those in the cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues ( U = 587.5,730. 0,562.5; 65.5, 64.5, 71.0, P ＜ 0.05). The protein expression of DNMT1 was correlated with the size, number,TNM stages and vascular invasion of tumors ( x2 = 4.08, 5.95, 4.08, P ＜ 0.05 ). The protein expression of DNMT3a was correlated with the size, number and TNM stages of tumors (x2 = 4.08, 5.95, 4.08, P ＜ 0.05 ).The mean tumor recurrence time of patients with low expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT3a were 9.4 and 8.7 months, which were significantly longer than 5.0 and 3.2 months of those with high expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT3a (x2 =3.89, 9.91, P＜0.05). Conclusions DNMTs play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis.High expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT3a are correlated with the postoperative recurrence of liver cancer, which are valuable prognostic factors for liver cancer.

Objective To investigate the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the expression of 67-kDa laminin receptor (67LR) in human bile duct carcinoma QBC939 cells, and study the possible mechanism of perineural invasion and metastasis of bile duct carcinoma. Methods ( 1 ) The expression of a high-affinity receptor for NGF, TrkA, was detected by immunofluorescence staining. ( 2 ) QBC393 cells were pretreated by β-NGF at different concentrations ( 1, 10, 100,200 μg/L), and then the mRNA and protein expressions of 67LR were examined by Real-Time PCR and Western blot assay. QBC939 cells were divided into control group and β-NGF (1, 10, 100,200 μg/L) groups. (3) The ideal concentration of β-NGF was selected according to the results of previous tests, and then the mRNA and protein expressions of 67LR were re-examined by adding specific TrkA inhibitor K252a at different concentrations ( 100,200,300 nmol/L). QBC939 cells were divided into control group, β-NGF 100 μg/L group and K252a ( 100,200,300 nmol/L) groups. All data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance or LSD-test. Results (1) A strong expression of TrkA was detected in the membrane of QBC939 cells. (2) The mRNA and protein expressions of 67LR in QBC939 cells were 0.35 ± 0.06 and 0. 32 ± 0.05 in the control group, 0.38 ±0.14 and 0.50 ±0.09 in the β-NGF 1 μg/L group, 0.62 ±0.14 and 0. 69 ±0. 13 in β-NGF 10 μg/L group, 0.90 ± 0.08 and 0.93 ± 0.07 in the β-NGF 100 μg/L group, and 0. 70 ± 0. 10 and 0. 76 ±0.07 in the β-NGF 200 μg/L group, there were significant differences among the five groups (F = 22. 4, 14. 6,P ＜0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of 67LR in the β-NGF 100 μg/L group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t = 19. 0, 21.0, P ＜ 0. 05 ). (3) The mRNA and protein expressions of 67LR in the QBC939 cells were 0.35 ±0.10 and 0.41 ±0.10 in the control group, 0. 88 ±0. 14 and 0.84 ±0.10 in the β-NGF 100 μg/L group, 0.80±0.08 and 0.76 ±0.04 in the K252a 100 nmol/L group, 0.67 ±0.12 and 0.61 ± 0.09 in the K252a 200 nmol/L group, and 0. 43 ± 0.07 and 0. 50 ± 0. 12 in the K252a 300 nmol/L group, there were significant differences among the five groups ( F = 14. 1, 8. 9, P ＜ 0.05 ). There were no significant differences in the mRNA and protein expressions of 67LR between the K252a 300 nmol/L group and the control group (t =1.02, 0. 85, P＞0.05). Conclusion In bile duct carcinoma cells, NGF enhances the expression of 67LR by combining with TrkA, which might be the mechanism of NGF mediating perineural invasion of bile duct carcinoma.

Objective To observe the pathological changes of tissues of the injured bile duct, and to provide theoretical basis for bile duct repair. Methods Dog models of obstructive biliary injury were established.Sixty dogs were equally divided into five groups according to the duration of biliary obstruction: biliary obstruction for 5 days (BDL5 group), 10 days (BDL10 group), 15 days (BDL15 group), 20 days (BDL20 group) and 30 days (BDL30 group). The morphological and pathological changes of bile duct and local tissues were observed, and biliary-enteric Roux-en-Y anastomosis was applied to repair the injured bile duct and postoperative complications were observed. All data were analyzed by LSD test, independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance and chi-square test. Results Proximal bile duct rapidly expanded as the pressure increased in the early stage, and the bile duct expanded to ( 15.6 ± 1.8)mm in the BDL10 group. The expansion rate decreased in the later stage,and the bile duct expanded to (18.9 ± 1.9)mm in the B DL15 group. Acute inflammation was observed in injured local tissues. The acute inflammation was severe in the BDL5 group with white blood cell count of 54 ± 6, and the acute inflammation was relatively mild in the BDL15 group with white blood cell count of 42 ± 7. There was a significant difference between the BDL5 group and BDL15 group in the degree of acute inflammation (t =4. 688,P ＜ 0. 05). The content of the collagen was increased in the injured bile duct as time passed by. Bile duct repair was successfully performed on 57 dogs. Ten dogs ( three in the BDL5 group, four in the BDL10 group, one in the BDL15 group, one in the BDL20 group and one in the BDL30 group) died of bile leakage after the operation. The incidences of bile leakage was 30% (7/23) within 10 days and 9% (3/34) beyond 10 days, with a significant difference between the two groups (x2 =4.429, P＜0.05). Conclusion Ten days after obstructive biliary injury,an obvious reduction of bile duct expansion and edema of the bile duct is observed, the difficulty of the operation is reduced and the incidence of bile leakage is low, so 10 days after the incidence of obstructive biliary injury is the proper timing for the surgical repair.

Objective To detect the changes of hemodynamics in patients with portal vein embolization (PVE) before surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and analyze the relationship between hemodynamics and liver hypertrophy. Methods The clinical data of 21 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma who were admitted to the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital from April 2008 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.Relevant hemodynamic variables were detected and analyzed before and 3, 7, 14 days after PVE. Data were processed using Student t test or linear correlation analysis. Results The main portal vein pressure after PVE was (25.9 ± 4.1 ) cm H2O ( 1 cm H2O = 0.098 kPa), which was ( 3.5 ± 2.5 ) cm H2O higher than that before PVE [( 22.4 ± 4.1 ) cm H2O] ( t = - 6. 504, P ＜ 0.05 ). The blood flow velocity in the non-embolized branch of portal vein increased after PVE, and reached peak [(26 ±9)cm/s] at the seventh day after PVE. A positive correlation was found between the hypertrophic rate of the non-embolized lobes and the ratio of embolized lobes to total liver volume ( r = 0. 593, P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusion Greater scope of the embolized vascular bed of portal vein induces higher hypertrophic rate of non-embolized liver.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of regional lymphadenectomy for patients with T2 gallbladder cancer. Methods From January 1990 to December 2009, 48 patients with T2 gallbladder cancer received regional lymphadenectomy following radical surgery at the Xinhua Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the range of lymphadenectomy. Standard group (23 patients): lymph nodes in the regions of bile duct, common bile duct and hepatoduodenal ligament were dissected; extended group (25 patients): lymph nodes in the regions of hepatoduodenal ligament, head of pancreas, duodenum, portal vein, common hepatic artery and celiac axis were dissected).The condition of patients in the two groups were compared after the treatment. The morbidity and survival rate were analyzed by using Fisher exact test and Kaplan-Meier method, respectively, and the survival rates between the two groups were compared by using Log-rank test. Results No perioperative death was found in the two groups. The morbidities was 17% (4/23) in the standard group and 24% (6/25) in the extended group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( P ＞ 0.05 ). The 5-year cumulative survival rate and median survival time were 40% and 29.8 months in the standard group, and 66% and 53.2 months in the extended group, with significant differences between the two groups ( x2 = 4. 687, P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion Extended regional lymphadenectomy should be performed on patients with T2 gallbladder cancer if the primary lesions can be dissected radically.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of different surgical procedures for the treatment of gallbladder cancer. Methods The clinical data of 81 patients with gallbladder cancer who were admitted to the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2000 to October 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.The efficacies of different surgical procedures for the treatment of gallbladder cancer, and the relationship between T stage and lymph node metastasis were investigated. The postoperative survival rates of patients in different TNM stages were analyzed and compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test, respectively. Results The median survival times of patients in stage Ⅰ , Ⅱ ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ were 68, 18, 7 and 5 months, respectively. The 1-,3-, 5-year survival rates were 100%, 80% and 60% for patients in stage Ⅰ, 57%, 29% and 14% for patients in stage Ⅱ, 27%, 7% and 0 for patients in stage Ⅲ and 11%, 4% and 0 for patients in stage Ⅳ. There were significant differences in the survivals of patients in different TNM stages ( P ＜ 0.05 ). Of the 81 patients, 67 received surgical treatment. The 5-year survival rate was 100% for patients in stage T1b who received standard radical resection and 0 for patients who received simple cholecystectomy. The median survival time was 45 months for patients in stage Ⅱ who received standard radical resection and 12 months for patients in stage Ⅱ who received simple cholecystectomy, and their 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 67%, 33%, 33% and 50%, 0, 0, respectively, with significant differences ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of patients in stage Ⅲ who received standard radical resection were 33%, 17% and 6%, respectively. The survival time of patients who received extended radical resection was longer than 12 months, while the survival time of patients who received standard radical resection or other palliative therapy was shorter than 12 months. The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of patients in stage Ⅳ who received extended radical resection and standard radical resection were 38%, 12%, 0and 14%, 0, 0, respectively. The survival time of patients in stage Ⅳ who received other treatments was shorter than 12 months. Lymph node metastasis were identified in 7 patients in stage T2(n = 15), 7 patients in stage T3(n = 14), and 12 patients in stage T4(n = 13), no patient in stage T1 (n =2) was found with lymph node metastasis. Conclusions Lymph node metastasis is significantly influenced by the depth of invasion of the gallbladder cancer. For patients in stage T1b, Ⅱ and Ⅲ, radical resection of gallbladder cancer is necessary; for patients in stage Ⅳ, although the incidence of complication is higher, the survival time is much longer when compared with other treatments.