Objective To investigate the expression of chemokine VCC-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods RT-PCR was used to detect the VCC-1 mRNA expressions in 8 HCC cell lines,10 normal liver tissues and 42 HCC tissues.Result In HCC cell lines,the expressions of VCC1 mRNA were high in SUN 398,intermediate in SUN387,SUN449,SUN423,HepG2,PLC5,and low in Hep3B and Huh7.In HCC tissues,the expressions of VCC-1 mRNA could be found in tumor and adjacent tissues.In these 42 tissues,VCC-1 mRNA was highly expressed in 26 specimens of tumor tissues (61％,14.9±7.6 fold) and 16 specimens of adjacent tissues (39％,6.9±5.4 fold).VCC-1 mRNA was up regulated in tumor tissues (P＜0.01).The expression levels of VCC-1 mRNA in 2 specimens were related to tumor differentiation and tumor size (P＜0.05).In the 10 specimens of normal liver tissues,no expression was detected in 8 specimens and light expression in 2 specimens.The expression was lower compared with cell lines,cancer tissues and adjacent tissues (P＜0.01).In 3 cases of recurrence,VCC-1 was highly expressed in cancer tissues (20.1±2.3 fold).In 8 specimenswith tumor thrombosis,5 tissues showed highly expressed VCC-1 (17.3±4.5 fold) while 3 specimens showed low expression.Conclusion VCC-1 plays an important role in HCC,and it may be considered as a potential therapeutic target of HCC.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of laparoscopic (LDP) versus open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) using meta-analysis.Methods Comprehensive literature search was conducted on articles only in English published from 2006 to 2012 on MEDLINE,EMbase,Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials to compare LDP with ODP for Pancreatic disease.Data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently.The quality of the included trials was evaluated.Meta-analyses were conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.1 software.Results Fourteen controlled clinical trials (n=1417) were included.The LDP group was significantly longer than the ODP group in operation time,and was significantly larger in the number of patients with spleen preservation [(MD-273.10,95％ CI-354.39-191.081,P＜0.01),(OR 2.42,95％ CI 1.78-3.30,P＜0.01) respectively].The LDP group was significantly less than the ODP group in intraoperative blood loss,time to oral intake,and length of hospital stay [(MD-273.10,95％ CI -354.39-191.81,P＜0.01),(MD-1.78,95％ CI-2.36-1.20,P＜0.01),(MD-3.15,95％ CI-3.97-2.33,P＜0.01) respectively].There were no significant differences in blood transfusion,pancreatic fistula rate,and mortality between the two groups.Conclusions LDP is feasible and safe in treating pancreatic disease.When compared with ODP,LDP has the advantages of having less intraoperative blood loss,quicker recovery and more patients with spleen preservation.

Objective To explore the application of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of prostatic cancer. Methods Diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequences were performed in 46 patients, including 21 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 9 cases of chronic prostatitis and 16 cases of prostate cancer. DWI were obtained with a b-factor of 800 s/mm2. According to the pathological results obtained by ultrasound guided biopsy, the peripheral zone of prostate was divided into six parts by orientations and they were divided into noncancerous, hyperplasia, prostatitis and cancerous groups. The ADC value of each region was measured and analyzed with one-way ANOVA and ROC analysis. Results Acceptable images for ADC measurement were obtained in all cases.The mean ADC values of prostatic peripheral zone, prostatic central gland, inflammatory area and cancerous area were (2.20±0. 29)×10-3 mm2/s, (1.66±0.14)×10-3 mm2/s, (1.95±0.34)×10-3 mm2/s and ( 1.24 ± 0.32) × 10-3 mm2/s, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in ADC values between the inter-groups (P＜0. 01 ). With ROC cut point setting to 1.49 ×10-3 mm2/s, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for prostate cancer were 86. 8% and 94. 0%, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0. 945±0. 010. Conclusions ADC value might be useful to evaluate prostate cancer. DWI has an important clinical application value in the diagnosis and differentiation of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of three different metal alloy surfaces treated with primer methacryloxy propyl trimethoxyl silane (gamma-MPS) coupling agent on the bond strength of Filtek Z350 resin.

METHODSTotal 36 specimens of nickel-chromium(Ni-Cr) alloy, pure titanium(Ti) and aurum-palladium(Au-Pd) alloy, each of 12 pieces produced by lost wax casting method, were divided into 6 groups. After treated with gamma-MPS on the bonding surface, experimental group samples were adhered to Filtek Z350 resin, then compared with the surface without gamma-MPS treatment. The tensile and shear strength of each group tested and the fracture sections were observed with scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTSComparing the Ni-Cr alloy and pure Ti experimental group with them in control group, the shearing strength of the experimental group was higher, and the differences were significant (P < 0.001). The shearing strength of the experimental group and control group of Au-Pd alloy were not significant (P > 0.05). Comparing the experimental groups, the shearing strength of pure Ti was higher than Ni-Cr alloy, both were higher than Au-Pd alloy (P < 0.01). These entire specimens were adhesive fracture. Comparing with the control group, Ni-Cr alloy and pure Ti experimental group showed more resin juts in the fracture surface, while the Au-Pd alloy in experimental group showed less resin juts.

CONCLUSIONgamma-MPS can enhance the adhesion between metal and resin, but it is also related to the metal composition. gamma-MPS can significantly increase the bond strength of resin and Ti or Ni-Cr alloy, but not the case of Au-Pd alloy and resin.

Chromium Alloys ; Composite Resins ; Dental Alloys ; Dental Bonding ; Materials Testing ; Shear Strength ; Silanes ; Surface Properties ; Titanium

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous studies reported that integrated information in the brain ultimately determines the subjective experience of patients with chronic pain, but how the information is integrated in the brain connectome of functional dyspepsia (FD) patients remains largely unclear. The study aimed to quantify the topological changes of the brain network in FD patients. METHODS: Small-world properties, network efficiency and nodal centrality were utilized to measure the changes in topological architecture in 25 FD patients and 25 healthy controls based on functional magnetic resonance imaging. Pearson's correlation assessed the relationship of each topological property with clinical symptoms. RESULTS: FD patients showed an increase of clustering coefficients and local efficiency relative to controls from the perspective of a whole network as well as elevated nodal centrality in the right orbital part of the inferior frontal gyrus, left anterior cingulate gyrus and left hippocampus, and decreased nodal centrality in the right posterior cingulate gyrus, left cuneus, right putamen, left middle occipital gyrus and right inferior occipital gyrus. Moreover, the centrality in the anterior cingulate gyrus was significantly associated with symptom severity and duration in FD patients. Nevertheless, the inclusion of anxiety and depression scores as covariates erased the group differences in nodal centralities in the orbital part of the inferior frontal gyrus and hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest topological disruption of the functional brain networks in FD patients, presumably in response to disturbances of sensory information integrated with emotion, memory, pain modulation, and selective attention in patients.
Anxiety ; Brain* ; Chronic Pain ; Connectome ; Depression ; Dyspepsia* ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Memory ; Orbit ; Putamen

Objective To detect aberrant methylation in the promoter of FHIT and RASSF1A genes in peripheral plasma and tumor tissues from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to determine its clinical significance.Methods The methylation status of FHIT and RASSF1A genes in peripheral plasma and tumor tissues from 36 patients with HCC were detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction(MSP).The correlation between methylation status in plasma and clinicopathological features was analyzed.Results The frequency of promoter methylation of FHIT in tissues was 75％ (27/36) and in plasma 52.8％ (19/36),and the correlation coefficient was r=0.482 (P=0.003).The frequency of promoter methylation of RASSF1A in tumor tissues was 83.3％ (30/36) and in plasma 61.1％ (22/36),and the correlation coefficient was r=0.561 (P=0.0004).Aberrant methylation of FHIT,RASSF1A gene in the plasma and tissues had no correlation with the patients' clinicopathological features such as gender,age,HBV/HCV infection,hepatic cirrhosis,tumor size,alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level,pathological grade,staging,vascular tumour thrombus and recurrence.The sensitivity of AFP ≥400 μg/L was 44.4％,and AFP ≥20 μg/L 69.4％.The sensitivity of FHIT and RASSF1A gene promoter hypermethylation in 36 HCC patients was 72.2％.In 20 patients whose AFP ＜400 μg/L,the frequency of hypermethylation of the two genes together was 80％.When AFP ＜20 μg/L,the frequency of hypermethylation of the two genes together was 54.5 ％.Conclusions There was a significant concordance between plasma and tumor tissue methylation profiles.The methylation status in plasma and tumor tissues had no correlation with the patients' clinicopathological features.Combining promoter methylation of FHIT and RASSF1A genes was superior to AFP in the diagnosis of HCC.

Objective To evaluate 3D visualization technology in the preoperative planning of hepatic malignancy surgery.Methods The clinical data of 42 patients with hepatic malignancy undergoing radical resection after 3D reconstruction assessment from Feb 2015 to Feb 2018 in our center was retrospectively studied.The predicted resected liver volume were compared with that of resected specimen.Results Surgery was successful in all the 42 patients,and there were no operative deaths.The average operation time was (303 ± 109) minutes,the average intraoperative blood loss was (510 ±482) ml,and 28 patients had intraoperative hepatic inflew occlusion.Postoperative Clavien Ⅲ complications occurred in 4 cases.In terms of the resection liver volume,there was no significant difference between the predicted results (PELV) and actual results [resection liver volume (AELV):(1 143 ± 584) ml vs.(1 091 ± 570) ml,t =0.414,P ＞ 0.05].There is a strong positive correlation between AELV and PELV (r =0.996,P ＜ 0.01).PELV was highly consistent with AELV data (ICC =0.998).Conclusion Three-dimensional visualization technology can accurately reflect the anatomic relationship between intrahepatic tumors and vessels,and correctly assess liver volume,guide surgical resection,thus,it can instruct radical resection of liver malignancy.

Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with the highest mortality and the fastest growing incidence,which seriously threatens human life and health.With the popularization of low-dose spiral CT and the enhancement of public awareness of physical examination,more and more ground-glass nodules have been detected.Accumulating studies have shown that for patients with nodules diameter≤2 cm and ground-glass opacity≥50% ,under the condition of ensuring the cutting edge,thoracoscopic sublobectomy or subsegmentectomy can more effectively preserve the lung function of patients,and has gradually become the recommended surgical method.In recent years,with the continuous improvement of thoracoscopic surgery technology,thoracoscopic subsegmentectomy and combined subsegmentectomy have been gradually carried out.Compared with lobectomy and segmentectomy,subsegmental resection can retain more normal lung tissue and reduce the loss of lung function under the condition of ensuring the safe cutting edge.However,thoracoscopic subsegmental resection requires a higher level of surgical technique and anatomical knowledge for the operator,and is rarely reported in relevant literature.Therefore,this article reviews the progress of anatomical subsegmentectomy and combined subsegmentectomy in the treatment of early non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND:Internal heat-type acupuncture therapy is a new treatment technique that combines acupuncture therapy with hyperthermia.It has good clinical effects on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head,but the mechanism of action is still not fully clear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the possible mechanism of internal heat-type acupuncture therapy in treating steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rabbits. METHODS:Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank group,model group,internal heat-type acupuncture group and shock wave group using a random number table method,with 8 rabbits in each group.The model group,internal heat-type acupuncture group and shock wave group were modeled using methylprednisolone sodium succinate combined with Escherichia coli endotoxin.The internal heat-type acupuncture group received an internal heat-type acupuncture intervention on the buttocks of rabbits,once a week,for 20 minutes each time.The shock wave group received shock wave intervention on the buttocks of rabbits,once a week,with 2 000 beats per session.The blank group and model group were not given any treatment.After 4 weeks of intervention,blood samples and bilateral femoral head samples were collected from experimental rabbits.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in serum were detected by ELISA;the histomorphology of the femoral head was observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining and the rate of empty lacunae was calculated;the protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 9,matrix metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor 1,and matrix metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor 2 were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank group,the model rabbits showed reduced food intake,mental fatigue,and decreased activity;compared with the model group,the above performance of the experimental rabbits was significantly improved after internal heat-type acupuncture and shock wave treatment.Compared with the blank group,the histomorphology of the femoral head in the model group deteriorated significantly and the rate of empty bone lacuna increased(P<0.001),while the histomorphology of the femoral head in the internal heat-type acupuncture group and shock wave group was significantly improved compared with the model group,and the rate of empty bone lacuna was reduced(P<0.001).The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group(P<0.05),while the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the internal heat-type acupuncture group and the shock wave group were significantly lower than those in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the blank group,the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in the femoral head of the model group were significantly increased,while the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor 1 and matrix metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor 2 were significantly decreased(P<0.001);compared with the model group,the protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 were significantly decreased,while the protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor 1 and matrix metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor 2 were significantly increased in the internal heat-type acupuncture group and the shock wave group(P<0.001).Overall,these findings indicate that internal heat-type acupuncture may promote the repair of the necrotic femoral head by regulating the levels of matrix metalloproteinases/matrix metalloproteinase tissue inhibitors and serum inflammatory factors,thus treating early steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.