Objective To evaluate the clinical value of the oral contrast-enhanced three-dimensional spiral CT cholangiography to display better the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. Methods Before spiral CT scanning, the preparation was similar to the conventional X-ray oral cholecystography. The collected parameters included 3-5 mm slice, 1 or 1.5 pitch, 120 kV, 220-250 mAs, and 1 mm reconstruction image. Volume rendering was used to construct the 3D bile duct images. Results In the 20 patients without serious biliary obstruction, oral three-dimensional CT cholangiography displayed the grade Ⅰ branch of hepatic ducts clearly and the displaying rate was 100%. The displaying of the grade Ⅱ branch of hepatic ducts was not good enough and the rate was 60%. The grade Ⅲ branch of hepatic ducts could not be displayed. Conclusion As the substitute and supplement of invasive ERCP, spiral CT 3D cholangiography is safe, simple, painless, and non-invasive. Furthermore, spiral CT 3D cholangiography can display the space structure of bile duct tree more clearly than ERCP. This technique is of great clinical value.

Objective To explore, the effect of different dosage of pulmonary surfactant (PS) on the inci-dence of bronchopulmanary dysplasia. Method Four hundred and three premature infants with hyaline membrane disease were divided into 3 groups according to the dose of PS: low-dose group (L-PS group, ≤ 100 mg/kg, n =188) ,high-dose group(H-PS group, > 100 mg/kg, n = 94) and no-PS group (N-PS group, n = 121). The frac-tional inspired oxygen(FiO2) and ptlmonary oxygenating function before and after 6 hours treatment were observed and the durations of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation, frequency of repeated intubafion, length of hospi-talization and the incidence of BPD were compared among the three groups. Results After 6 hours PS administra-tion, the FiO2,oxygen index and duration of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation were significantly decreased (P <0.05), while PO2 and the arterio-alveolar partial pressure of oxygen were significantly increased (P <0.05)in the H-PS and L-PS groups, compared with the N-PS group. Compared with the L-PS and N-PS groups,the H-PS group showed a decreased incidence of BPD. Conclusions PS administration could improve the pul-monary oxygenation and prevent the development of BPD, especially in high-dose.

BACKGROUND:The main treatment of lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis is the surgery, in a broader attempt to decompression, reduction, fixation and fusion of the lesioned segments. The golden standard of the treatment is biological fusion, while internal fixation is a reliable assistance for fusion therapy. ＜br> OBJECTIVE:To discuss the clinical value and curative effect of intervertebral fusion cage combined with pedicle screw systems for the treatment of lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis. ＜br> METHODS:From March 2010 to March 2013, 21 cases of isthmic spondylolisthesis were treated with intervertebral fusion cage combined with pedicle screw systems, including 18 cases of spondylolisthesis of degree II and 3 cases of spondylolisthesis of degree III. Al patients were fol owed up regularly, taking JOA lumbago score and visual analog scale score as the objective evaluation criteria of pain in postoperative fol ow-ups. The curative effect was assessed by Macrab standard, and the functional recovery was evaluated based on indicators such as Prolo, and the spinal fusion rate was assessed according to Lenke criteria. Changes of slippage rate, slippage angle, sacral inclination angle and intervertebral space post height in preoperative and postoperative periods were evaluated by iconography data. ＜br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al the 21 patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis were fol owed up for 12-16 months. JOA lumbago score and vasual analog scale score of al patients were improved after treatment, and the difference was statistical y significant compared with before treatment (P=0.000). According to Macrab evaluation criteria, there were 17 excellent cases and 4 good cases. Each indicator evaluated by preoperative Prolo activities and symptom grading showed significant differences in preoperative and postoperative periods (P=0.003). Postoperative lumbar spondylolisthesis was basical y reset, the slippage angle was significantly reduced, the sacral inclination angle was increased, and the height of the intervertebral space was recovered basical y. Intervertebral fusion cage combined with pedicle screw systems was one of the effective strategies to treat lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis.

OBJECTIVETo determine the expression of Skp2 in different prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines and tissues, and explore its influence on the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway and development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

METHODSThe expression levels of Skp2 and AR in different PCa cell lines were detected by Western blot. After knockdown of Skp2 in the C4-2 and 22RV1 cells transfected with shRNA, the expressions of AR and P27 were determined and the activity of ARR3-Luc measured by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay following treatment with dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The expressions of AR and Skp2 in human naïve PCa or CRPC specimens were detected by immunohistochemical staining followed by analysis of their differences and correlation.

RESULTSThe Skp2 protein expression level was significantly higher in the C4-2 or 22RV1 cells than in the LNCaP cells. DHT treatment increased the expression of Skp2 in the C4-2 cells, but knock-down of Skp2 significantly up-regulated the expression of the well-known downstream protein P27 and down-regulated that of AR. Consistently, DHT treatment increased the activity of ARR3-Luc, while knockdown of Skp2 remarkably decreased it in the C4-2 and 22RV1 cells (P < 0.05). In addition, significantly higher expressions of Skp2 and AR were observed in the CRPC than in the naïve specimens (P < 0.05), with a positive correlation between the two proteins (r = 0.658 1, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSkp2 can enhance the expression and transcription activity of the AR protein in CRPC cells or tissues and is promising to be a critical molecular therapeutic target.

Androgens ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dihydrotestosterone ; pharmacology ; Disease Progression ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; metabolism ; S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins ; physiology ; Transcriptional Activation ; Up-Regulation

Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mastectomy ; methods ; Metaplasia ; pathology ; Papilloma, Intraductal ; pathology ; surgery ; Sebaceous Glands ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of four natures of medicine on therapeutic effect of acupoint sticking therapy.

METHODSSixty-one cases of primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into a capsaicin group (n=20), a menthol group (n=20) and a control group (n=21). They were treated respectively with capsaicin and menthol, which are extracts of Lajiao (Fructus Capsici) and Bohe (Herba Menthae) with same pungent in flavor and different cold (cool) and heat in property, and application of Tongjing Jiu Tieji (plaster for dysmenorrhea) at Shenque (CV 8). Changes of clinical symptoms before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the cumulative scores of symptoms and the scores of pain decreased significantly in the 3 groups (P < 0.01), with no significant differences among the 3 groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn acupoint sticking therapy, the four natures of medicine have no obvious effect on the therapeutic effect, so the four natures of medicine should not used as main standard of medicine selection.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Dysmenorrhea ; therapy ; Hot Temperature ; Humans

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of "one-stitch anastomosis through the skin" repair of canalicular laceration.METHODS:The data of 32 cases (32 eyes) of canalicular laceration who underwent repair of lacerated canaliculi with one-stitch anastomosis through the skin were retrospectively reviewed, inferior canalicular laceration in 29 patients,superior canalicular laceration in 1 patient, 2 cases involving both the inferior and superior canalicular laceration. All the operations were performed under surgical microscope, 5-0 silk sutures were used and silicone tube of 0.8mm diameter was employed in intubation. The stents were left in place for 3 months postoperatively and then removed. The follow-up period was 1 to 36 months.RESULTS: In 32 patients, 28 (88%)patients were cured entirely, 3 (9%)patients were meliorated, and 1 (3%)patient had no effects. A total of 29 patients complied with scheduled follow up 1-36 months (average 12 months) after stent removal, and 3 patients were lost in follow-up. All the patients had got good recovery of eyelid laceration with no traumatic deformity in eyelid and canthus.CONCLUSION: In "one-stitch anastomosis through the skin"repair of canalicular laceration, the cut ends could be anastomosed directly,for there was no suture remained in the wound permanently, so there was no suture-related granuloma which might cause obstruction or stenosis of canaliculi. It was simple, economical ,effective and safe.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of astragalus on tubulointerstitial lesions in rats with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and to explore the possible mechanism.

METHODSTwenty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups. The rat model of IgA nephropathy was induced by intragastric administration of bovine serum albumin and injections of LPS and CC14. Six weeks later, the rats with IgAN were randomly treated with oral astragalus (3 g/kg/d, for 6 weeks) or normal saline. Normal control rats which were not subjected to IgAN were treated with normal saline. The number of urinary erythrocytes and urinary protein and B-D-N-Acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG) contents were determined by Pan-automatic biochemistry analyzing meter. Expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) in tubulointerstitial tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. A semiquantitative score was used to evaluate the degree of renal pathologic lesions.

RESULTSThe number of urinary erythrocytes (74.02+/-16.58 / microL vs 383.23+/-4.94 /microL) and urinary protein (13.88+/-4.94 vs 59.82+/-14.73 mg/L) and NAG contents (2.84+/-0.31 vs 5.24+/-0.80 U/L) in the astragalus-treated IgAN rats decreased remarkably compared with those in the IgAN rats without astragalus treatment (P<0.01). Expression of the NF-kappaB and MCP-1 in the renal tissues in the IgAN rats without astragalus treatment was significantly higher than that in the astragalus-treated IgAN rats and normal control rats (P<0.01). There were significant differences in the scores of renal pathologic lesions between the IgAN rats with or without astragalus treatment (6.03+/-0.46 vs 10.57+/-1.23; P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAstragalus can decrease the number of urinary erythrocytes and urinary protein and NAG contents, and relieves tubulointerstitial lesions, possibly through the down-regulation of NF-kappaB and MCP-1 expression in rats with IgAN.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Chemokine CCL2 ; analysis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney Tubules ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcription Factor RelA ; analysis

Objective: To investigate the effects of oxLDL and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin on PKC activity, and level of cytosol ic free Ca 2+ in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Methods: Th e activity of PKC was determined by its ability to transfer phosphate from 32P-ATP to lysine-rich histone and level of cytosolic free calcium［Ca2+ ］i was measured by flow cytometric analysis loading with the Ca2+ dye F luo-3/Am. Results: oxLDL increased PKC total activity in a dose-de pendent manner and peaked after 12 min, then decreased slowly and maintained for at least 30 min, while oxLDL induced biphasic ［Ca2+］i responses includ ing the rapid initial transient phase and the sustained phase. Removal of extrac ellular Ca2+ did not inhibit the rapid transient phase, but abolished the sustained phase. When simvastatin was added, the activity of PKC wasmarkedly dec reased with no impairment to the initial peak response, but significantly reduce d the sustained phase. Conclusion: oxLDL can induced dynamic changes of signal transduction of PKC and level of cytosolic free Ca2+ in HUVEC, these 2 events are closely linked. The change of rapid initial transient phase i s the result of mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular pool and the chang e of sustained phase is from the influx of extracellular Ca2+. The inhibit ion of PKC activity induced by simvastatin may contribute to the changes of ［Ca 2+］i.