Objective To study the expression of aquaporins-4 (AQP4) in the brain tissue of rats with pancreatic encephalopathy (PE) induced by phospholipase A2 and to explore the role of aquaporins-4 in PE.Methods Twenty five healthy Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups:blank group ( n =5),PE group (n =10 ) and control group (n =10 ).The experimental model was established in rats by injecting phospholipase A2 into carotid artery (0.1 ml/100 g body weight).Same amount of normal saline was used in the control group and no treatment was used in the blank group.One day later,the rats were sacrificed,then the measurement of brain tissue wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio was performed,and brain tissue was routinely pathologically examined,immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed in each group to detect the expression of aquaporins-4.Results There was no obvious brain tissue pathological change in the control group and blank group.Neurons in the brain tissue of PE rats presented with significant edema and ballooning degeneration,infiltration of inflammatory cells,leukocyte aggregation around the microvessels.The water contents in the brain tissue in the blank group and control group,PE group were (61.44 ±0.36)％,(63.20±0.32)％ and (78.33 ±0.24)％,and it was significantly higher in PE group than that in the control and blank group (P＜0.05).The expressions of aquaporins-4 in the brain tissue were 0.41 ±0.27,0.49 ±0.13,0.98 ±0.21,respectively,and it was significantly increased in PE group than that in the control and blank group (P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Aquaporins-4 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of pancreatic encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND:Pathological mechanism of femoral head necrosis is not fuly known, and high-dose corticosteroids are prone to induce femoral head necrosis.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels combined with theaflavin on steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head in rats.
METHODS: Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels were isolated and culturedin vitro and compounded onto gelatin sponge, and then, divided into four groups: model group, decompression group, cel transplantation group and combined group. Models of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head were established using liquid nitrogen method. In the combined group, gelatin sponge carrying bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels was transplanted and 250 mg theaflavin was given daily after modeling.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 4 weeks after modeling, the femoral head samples in the four groups were round with exfoliation of articular cartilage that was pale in color. Then, the exfoliation of articular cartilage was aggravated in the model group, and some specimens appeared to colapse; the femoral head specimens in the combined group were round and pale. Until the 8th week after modeling, bone necrosis was increased in the model group; osteoblasts were found in the decompression group with fibrous calus formation; a few of empty bone lacunae appeared with irregular medulary cavity in the cel transplantation group; a large amount of new bone tissues formed in the combined group, and intramedulary adiocytes were in regular array. At 4 and 8 weeks after modeling, the number of empty bone lacunae was significantly lower in the combined group than the other groups (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels combined with theaflavin is an ideal therapy for steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.

Objective To investigate the causes and treatment of encephalopathy occurred after orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT). Methods The clinical data of consecutive 51 patients who undergoing OLT were analyzed retrospectively. Results Encephalopathy occurred in 6 cases within one month after operation.The incidence of encephalopathy after OLT was 11.8%(6/51). All the 6 cases were cured by application of sedative agent and dopamine recipient blocking agent(aloperidin). Conclusions The etiology of encephalopathy following OLT is thought to be multifactors including metabolism desturbance before and after OLT,blood dynamics alternation during opration,application of immuosuppression drug etc. Application of sedative agent and dopamine recipient blocking agent may result in ideal effects in treating the encephalopathy.

Objective To investigate the role of pancreatic β cell on pancreatic regeneration following experimental acute pancreatitis.Methods Eighty-seven SD male rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group ( n =15 ),STZ group ( n =24),L-Arg group ( n =24 ),STZ + Arg group ( n =24).60 mg/kg of STZ was administrated by intraperitoneal injection to induce the diabetes model.2.5 g/kg body weight of LArg was administrated by intraperitoneal injection to induce the acute pancreatitis model.The rats were sacrificed 1,3,5,7 d later and the serum levels of amylase and glucose were measured.Relative pancreatic weight (pancreatic weight/body weight) were measured.Pancreatic tissue underwent routine pathologic examination,and the percentage of area of necrosis and tissue transformation was calculated.The expression of Reg4 and insulin was performed by immunofluorescence.Results Serum level of glucose significantly increased after STZ injection.After L-Arg injection,serum level of amylase significantly increased,and there was pancreatic tissue edema,necrosis,infiltration of inflammatory cells,which suggested the successful model induction.The percentage of area of necrosis in STZ + L-Arg group was (71.6 ± 6.0) ％ at the 3rd day,which were significantly higher than (42.3 ± 4.0 ) ％ in L-Arg group; the percentage of area of transformation was (45.6 ± 5.4) ％,which were significantly lower than (78.5 ± 6.4) ％ in L-Arg group.Expression of Reg4 in pancreatic islets of STZ + L-Arg group was significantly lower than those in L-Arg group.Conclusions STZ impairs pancreatic β cells,aggravates pancreatic damage following L-arginine induced pancreatitis and inhibits pancreatic regeneration.

Objective To compare the value of bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP),Ranson score and Balthazar computed tomography severity index (CTSI) in predicting the severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods From 2005 to 2011 in Shanghai,the clinical data of 1004 AP cases from seven hospitals was collected and retrospectively analyzed.The value of BISAP score,Ranson score and Balthazar CTSI in predicting the severity and prognosis of AP were assessed with receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve.Results Among 1004 patients,the main cause of AP was biliary disease (580 cases),about 57.77％.The incidence of pancreatic necrosis,mortality and SAP increased along with BISAP score.The risk of pancreatic necrosis in patients with CTSI ≥ three was significantly higher than that of ＜ three.The risk of pancreatic necrosis and SAP in patients with BISAP score ≥ two was significantly higher than that of ＜ two (OR:4.93,95％CI 3.62-6.70; OR 2.62,95％CI 1.59-4.31,respectively).There was no significant difference in the accuracy of predicting the progression and mortality of AP among these three score systems.However the sensitivity of BISAP score (OR:61.54,95％CI 35.09-87.99) in predicting the progression and mortality of AP was better than that of Ranson (OR:46.15,95 ％ CI 19.05-73.25) and CTSI (OR:46.15,95％CI 19.05-73.25).Conclusions BISAP score is easy to perform and when combined with CTSI,it helps to make the diagnosis and classification of AP in time,predict the prognosis accurately.Compared with Ranson score,BISAP score has higher clinical value.