Objective To explore whether the presence of juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula (JPDD) risks biliary stone disease and recurrence.Methods 829 patients undergoing ERCP in our hospital from Aug 2008 to Dec 2012 were divided into four groups:biliary stone disease (n =609) non-stone biliary abnormality (n =124) common bile duct malformation with cholelithiasis (n =38) and normal control group (n =58).There were 206 patients with JPDD and 623 patients without JPDD.Biliary stoneformation,post-ERCP pancreatitis,cannulation failure,and stone recurrence were compared between those with JPDD and those without.Results The incidence of JPDD in biliary stone disease group (27.8％) was significantly higher than in non-stone biliary anatomical abnormality group (18.5 ％) (x2 =4.512,P ＜ 0.05).In biliary stone disease group,rates of post-ERCP pancreatitis were significantly higher in JPDD cases (33.7％) compared to those without JPDD (13.8％) (x2 =30.841,P ＜ 0.05).The cannulation failure rate was also higher in patients with JPDD (15.4％) compared to JPDD negative (6.8％) (x2 =0.731,P ＜0.05).Recurrence rates in biliary stone disease were significantly higher in patients with JPDD (19.5％) when compared to JPDD-lacking individuals (9.3％) (x2 =14.51,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions JPDD is a risk factor for biliary stone formation.JPDD also is associated with post-ERCP pancreatitis,cannulation failure and biliary stone recurrence.

Objective: To investigate the alterations of bcl-2 gene family in the rat brain and the molecular mechanism of neuronal apoptosis follow ing traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to lateral fluid percussion brain injury(FPBI) of moderate severity. bax and bcl-xL mRNA and protein expression was detected by RT-PCR an d immunohistochemistry. In addition to morphological evidence of apoptosis, TUNE L histochemistry was used to identify DNA fragmentation in situ under both l ight and electron microscope, whereas characteristic internucleosomal DN A fragm entation of apoptosis was demonstrated by DNA gel electrophoresis. Resul ts: bcl-xL mRNA and protein decreased in the ipsilateral hemisphere t o the impact site as early as 6 h post-injury［(67.42±7.54)% and (85.85±5.72)% r espectively］. The decrease in bcl-xL mRNA and protein preceded apoptosis was observed 12 h post-injury. And this was the main cause of up-regulation of the ratio of bax to bcl-xL in the acute period(minutes-hours) followin g FPBI. bax mRNA and protein were observed to rise slowly, doubled 3 d post- injury, returned to sham level slowly. The delayed cell death (days-weeks) migh t associated with the up-regulation of pro-apoptotic gene bax. Conclusio n: The expression of bcl-xL and bax coincide with apoptosis following TBI. The reg ulation of bax and bcl-xL by TBI occur before transcription. The balance of bax/bcl-xL ratio determines the neurocytes to survive or die following FPBI.

BACKGROUNDThe decrease of glomerular filtration rate has been theoretically supposed to be the result of low perfusion in renal artery stenosis (RAS). But the gap between artery stenosis and the glomerular filtration ability is still unclear.

METHODSPatients with selective renal artery angiogram were divided by the degree of renal artery narrowing, level of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), respectively. The different levels of eGFR, renal microcirculation markers, and RAS severity were compared with each other, to determine the relationships among them.

RESULTSA total of 215 consecutive patients were enrolled in the prospective cohort study. Concentrations of microcirculation markers had no significant difference between RAS group (RAS ≥ 50%) and no RAS group (RAS < 50%) or did not change correspondingly to RAS severity. The value of eGFR in RAS group was lower than that in the no RAS group, but it did not decline parallel to the progressive severity of RAS. The microcirculation markers presented integral difference if grouped by different eGFR level with negative tendency, especially that plasma cystatin C (cysC) and urinary microalbumin to creatinine ratio (mACR) increased with the deterioration of eGFR, with strong (r = -0.713, P < 0.001) and moderate (r = -0.580, P < 0.001) correlations. In the subgroup analysis of severe RAS (RAS ≥ 80%), the levels of plasma cysC and urinary mACR demonstrated stronger negative associations with eGFR, (r = -0.827, P < 0.001) and (r = -0.672, P < 0.001) correlations, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSeverity of RAS could not accurately predict the value of eGFR, whereas microcirculation impairment may substantially contribute to the glomerular filtration loss in patients with RAS.

Aged ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Microcirculation ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the role of proximal nerve stimulation at Erb point in the early diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in children.

METHODSThirty-two children who were diagnosed with GBS between October 2013 and December 2014 received neurophysiological examination. Thirty healthy children were used as controls. Compound muscle action potentials and distal motor latency of the median and ulnar nerves were determined and analyzed after nerve stimulation at the wrist, elbow, and Erb point in the two groups. Moreover, F-wave latency of the median nerve and H-reflex latency of the tibial nerve were measured and analyzed in the two groups.

RESULTSThe F-wave and H-reflex latencies were significantly longer in the patient group than in the control group (P<0.05). In thirty-two patients, the numbers of patients with abnormal amplitude, abnormal latency, and conduction block at Erb's point were 24 (75%), 22 (69%), and 20 (62%), respectively. The patient group had significantly lower amplitudes but significantly longer latencies of the ulnar and median nerves at Erb point than the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the amplitudes and latencies at the wrist and elbow between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe nerve stimulation at Erb point holds promise as a routine examination for the early diagnosis of GBS.

Adolescent ; Child ; Early Diagnosis ; Electrodiagnosis ; methods ; Female ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; H-Reflex ; Humans ; Male ; Neural Conduction ; physiology ; Reaction Time

AIMTo investigate the effects of 323-A and 323-B, two isomers extracted from the metabolites of cultured marine fungus, Halorosellinia oceanicum 323, on the contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum (GPI).

METHODSThe GPI contractions were recorded with a two-channel-physiological recorder with tension transducers. Cumulative dose-response curves of contractions of isolated GPI induced by histamine (Hist), acetylcholine (ACh) and potassium chloride (KCl) were constructed, then the influences of 323-A and 323-B on each curve were observed. Furthermore, possible mechanisms underlying effects of the two compounds were explored by analyzing their influences on the biphasic contractile response to ACh, with comparison of a calcium antagonist, verapamil (Ver).

RESULTSThe data indicated that both 323-A and 323-B inhibited the contractile actions of GPI triggered by Hist, ACh and KCl in a concentration-dependent manner, with pD2' values of 5.13, 4.97, 5.36 and 5.51, 5.56, 5.62, respectively. The initial phase component of the ACh-elicited contractions, in the absence of external Ca2+, was significantly reduced by 323-A, 323-B, as well as Ver, whereas the subsequent sustained tonic contractions induced by adding Ca2+ to the bath solution were almost unaffected.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that 323-A and 323-B have calcium antagonistic effects similar to that of Ver in mechanisms, and they might have potential to be developed as calcium antagonists.

Acetylcholine ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Animals ; Calcium ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fungi ; chemistry ; Guinea Pigs ; Histamine Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Ileum ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; Potassium Chloride ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of bevacizumab (Avastin) on pulmonary microvascular angiogenesis induced by lung cancer.

METHODSThe effects of Avastin on cell growth, cell cycle and apoptosis of lung microvascular endothelial cells were assayed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSAvastin inhibited the growth of lung microvascular endothelial cells and induced increase of cell apoptosis index in a concentration-dependent manner. With the increment of Avastin concentration from 25 to 100 microg/ml, avascular area increased from 0.944-/+0.073 cm square to 5.189-/+0.192 cm square, and the cell apoptosis index increased from 32.5%-/+1.5% to 39.25-/+1.6%.

CONCLUSIONAvastin can inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of lung microvascular endothelial cells in three-dimensional culture, possibly in association with cell cycle arrest in G(0/1) phase.

Adenocarcinoma ; blood supply ; pathology ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bevacizumab ; Capillaries ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; pathology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood supply ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; Rats

INTRODUCTIONThe objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of using intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) as a parameter for the diagnosis of prostate adenoma (PA), as well as to determine the relationship between the site of PA and bladder outlet obstruction. IPP was determined with the use of transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS).

METHODSA total of 77 consecutive adult men aged 30-85 years with haematuria or undergoing checkup for bladder tumour were enrolled. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the results of uroflowmetry, TAUS and cystourethroscopy were assessed. All cases of IPP were classified into grades 0 (no IPP), 1 (1-5 mm), 2 (6-10 mm) or 3 (> 10 mm). PA diagnosis was confirmed using flexible cystourethroscopy. The sites of PA were classified as U0 (no adenoma), U1 (lateral lobes), U2 (middle lobe) or U3 (lateral and middle lobes).

RESULTSOf the 77 patients, 11 (14.3%) had no IPP. PA was confirmed using cystourethroscopy for all patients with IPP and for 7 of the 11 patients without IPP. Of the 37 patients with prostate volume < 20 g, 29 (78.4%) had IPP. Sensitivity, specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values for diagnosing PA using only IPP were 90.4%, 100.0%, 100.0% and 36.4%, respectively. Higher sensitivity (95.9%) and negative predictive value (50.0%) were obtained when PA was used together with peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) < 20.0 mL/s. The mean Qmax of patients classified as U1 (n = 39) was 16.0 mL/s, while the mean Qmax in those classified as U2 (n = 12) and U3 (n = 22) was 11.9 mL/s and 8.9 mL/s, respectively.

CONCLUSIONAll patients with IPP had PA, and PA in the middle lobe was more obstructive than those in lateral lobes. Patients without IPP may still have PA.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy ; Cystoscopy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; complications ; diagnosis ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; diagnosis ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo establish an animal model of tumor-associated depression and observe their biological behaviors and biochemical indices.

METHODSFour groups of SD rats kept in separate cages were subjected to tumor cell inoculation with or without chronic unpredictable moderate stress administered before or after the inoculation. The depressive behaviors of the rats were examined by open-field test, and the concentration of 5-HT in the hippocampus was measured by spectrophotofluorometry. The body weight of the rats and volume of the implanted tumor were monitored and sugar water test was performed.

RESULTSThe rats subjected to chronic stress displayed significant depression, manifested by reduction in movement in the central area and total movement distance with prolonged resting time and shortened time of activity. These rats maintained high levels of depression even 12 days after withdrawal of chronic stress. Compared with the control group, the depressive rats showed obviously reduced sugar water consumption and hippocampal 5-HT level. Tumors of different sizes were observed in all rats in the 4 groups.

CONCLUSIONA rat model of tumor-associated depression is established, and the tumor-bearing rats exhibit obvious depressive behaviors and reduced level of neural substance (5-HT), which provides a good basis for studying the association of depression with tumorigenesis,progression and prognosis of tumor.

Animals ; Carcinoma 256, Walker ; complications ; psychology ; Depressive Disorder ; etiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Psychological ; complications

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of pirarubicin (THP) in combination with hyperthermia on gastric cancer tissues in vitro and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSIn vitro three-dimensional culture models were established with tissue biopsies from 36 patients with pathologically confirmed gastric cancer. The tumor cell viability was measured by MTS-PMS assay, and HE staining was used to study the histomorphological changes of the tissues following chemotherapy and hyperthermia.

RESULTSSynergistic tumor cell-killing effects of cisplatin, THP, and mitomycin with hyperthermia was observed in the tumor tissues (P=0.000), and THP exhibited stronger cytotoxic effects than the other drugs. Histomorphological study suggested strong killing effects of THP on the tumor tissues, which displayed disrupted tissue structure, cellular degradation and necrosis, karyopyknosis and karyolysis, with cytoplasm loss. The anti-tumor effects of THP were associated with clinical staging and pathological grading of the tumors (P=0.000), but not with the patients' gender, age, tumor size and preoperative CEA levels (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPirarubicin shows good synergistic effects with hyperthermia, and the cytotoxicity of pirarubicin against gastric cancer tissue is enhanced considerably by mild hyperthermia. THP can be a potential therapeutic drug for intraperitoneal chemohyperthermia.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Doxorubicin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Female ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitomycin ; pharmacology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between estrogen and the development of hemangioma.

METHODSThe expression of EST and ER in samples from the thirty-eight cases of hemangioma and six cases of normal control group was examined with the immunohistochemical steptavidin peroxidase conjugated method (SP method).

RESULTSThe EST in capillary hemangioma expressed significantly higher than in the cavernous hemangioma, the racemose hemangioma or the control group. Although the EST in cavernous hemangioma and racemose hemangioma also expressed higher than in the control, there are no statistical differences among them. The ER only expressed in some cases in the capillary hemangioma group. No sexual difference was shown in the expressions of the EST and the ER.

CONCLUSIONThis study shows that there may be a relationship existed between the estrogen and the capillary hemangioma. It may indicate that some capillary hemangioma may be possibly treated by the drugs.

Case-Control Studies ; Estrogens ; metabolism ; Female ; Hemangioma, Capillary ; metabolism ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism