Purpose To explore the value of direct CT venography (CTV) for the diagnosis of varicose veins of lower limb. Materials and methods Forty patients diagnosed as varicose veins of lower limbs were enrolled. 40 patients with 56 involved limbs underwent direct CTV examination, and their images were stratified and evaluated according to the severity and the scope of the disease. Main assessment:definition and scope of CT axial scans combined with volume rendering (VR) and maximum intensity projection for the display of the varicose veins; situation for the display of perforating veins, deep veins and iliac veins;diagnostic compliance between CTV and DSA. Results All of the 56 involved limbs underwent laser intra-cavity occlusion surgery, among them 7 cases with 11 limbs underwent venous angiography under DSA at the same time. In the evaluation of the VR, excellent proportion was 92.86%(52/56), moderate proportion was 7.14%(4/56). Among the deep veins, ratio of the imaging that was able to meet the diagnostic standard was 94.34%, 88.46%and 27.27%, respectively for calf vein, femoral vein and external iliac vein. The total demonstration rate of perforating veins was 98.21%(55/56). Diagnostic compliance between CTV and DSA was 100.00%. Conclusion Lower extremity direct CTV imaging is convenient and noninvasive for patients with varicose veins, with high compliance with DSA results, thus is significantly valuable for the guide of clinical treatment.

BACKGROUND:The influence of Tol-like receptor 2 (TLR2), Tol-like receptor 4 (TLR4), Tol-like receptor 6 (TLR6) signal transduction pathway and active Treg in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura has been unknown.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR6 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Treg immune response in patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura, and to explore the role of TLR2, TLR4, TLR6 and Treg activation in the pathogenesis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura.
METHODForty-two hospitalized children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura were enrol ed in this study. Another 15 healthy children were selected as controls. TLR2, TLR4 and TLR6 at protein level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by flow cytometey;reverse-transcription PCR and real-time PCR were used to evaluate the level of MyD88;the levels of transforming growth factor-βand interleukin-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. t-test or t’-test was used to compare the levels of these genes and proteins. Pearson’s correlation test was done for correlation analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, the protein levels of TLR2, TLR4, TLR6 and the relative expression level of MyD88 mRNA were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). The serum levels of transforming growth factor-βand interleukin-10 were higher in the Henoch-Schonlein purpura children than the healthy children (P<0.05). There was a significant correlation between the protein levels of TLR2, TLR4, TLR6 and mRNA level of MyD88 (P<0.01), but no relationship was found between TLRs and interleukin-10, transforming growth factor-β(P>0.05). The excessive activation of TLR2, TLR4, TLR6 may be involved in the process of Henoch-Schonlein purpura via MyD88-dependent pathway, and the compensatory activation of Treg may participate in protective immunity.

OBJECTIVE:To study the antitumor effect of phellinus linteus polysaccharide on sarcoma S180 cells in vivo and in vitro. METHODS:Sarcoma S180 cells in logarithmic growth period were selected,adding into 0(blank control),2,4,8 mg/mL phellinus linteus polysaccharide solution and respectively culturing for 12,24,36,48 h. The in vitro proliferation inhibition rate of cells was determined by MTT method;its apoptotic morphology was observed by fluorescence staining and cell apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. S180 tumor-bearing mice models were established and randomly divided into control group,phellinus linteus polysaccharide high-dose,medium-dose,low-dose groups(400,200,100 mg/kg),10 in each group. Model mice were in-tragastrically administrated related medicined,once a day,for 12 d. Mice were executed after 24 h of last administration,tumor weight was determined,tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect the tumor suppressor gene PTEN and oncogene C-myc protein expressions in tumor tissue. RESULTS:Compared with blank control group,phellinus linteus polysaccharide can increase the proliferation inhibition rate of S180 cells and induce the increase of apoptosis rate(P<0.05 or P<0.01),showing a concentration-time manner. Compared with control group,the tumor inhibition rates in phellinus linteus polysaccharide groups were obviously increased (P<0.01),PTEN protein expressions were strengthened (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and C-myc protein expressions were weakened (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Phellinus linteus polysaccharide shows antitumor ef-fect in vivo and in vitro,which can up-regulate the PTEN,down-regulate C-myc protein expressions.

AIM:To compare the effect of 1,2-propanediol (PROH) and ethylene glycol (EG) on apoptosis and expressions of P53,Bcl-2 of follicles in human ovarian tissue,in order to offer experimental foundation for selecting the best cryoprotectant. METHODS:Biopsies of ovarian tissue obtained from 12 women were cryopreserved,and ovarian tissue slice from each woman was divided into three groups:fresh control group,ethylene glycol group and 1,2-propanediol group. The slow-freezing /rapid-thawing protocol was used to freeze and thaw the slice of ovarian cortex. Apoptosis of follicles in fresh and frozen-thawed ovarian cortical tissue was detected by TUNEL experiment,and expressions of P53 and Bcl-2 were detected by immuno-histochemistry. RESULTS:The percentages of apoptosis follicles were 14.58%,23.08%,30.43% in fresh control group,PROH group and EG group,respectively,and the percentage of apoptosis follicles in EG group was higher than that in fresh control group (P0.05). The percentages of P53 positive follicles were 13.48%,25.00% and 33.93%,respectively. There was significant difference between fresh control and EG group (P0.05). CONCLUSION:The results of this study indicate that 1.5 mol/L PROH is more suitable for cryopreservation of human ovarian tissue rather than 1.5 mol/L EG in slow-freezing /rapid-thawing protocol. The protocol of slow-freezing/ rapid-thawing may preserve oocytes well,but it is not ideal for cryopreservation of granulosa cells. Cryopreservation may influence on apoptosis of follicles in human ovarian tissue.

Objective To observe the influence of different doses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on function of T cells in cord blood of premature infants and to explore the immunomodulating mechanism of IVIG.Methods Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) were isolated by density gradient centrifugation method from 15 preterm infants born between June 1,2011 to December 31,2011 at 32 34 gestational weeks.Three groups were formed according to the concentrations of IVIG used for CMBC culturing in vitro (Group A,6 mg/ml; Group B,9 mg/ml; Group C,12 mg/ml).After 72 hours in sterile conditions,the levels of IFN 7,IL 4,IL-10 and TGF β1 in the supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expression of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells was examined by fluorescent activated cell sorter.Differences among groups were compared by one way analysis of variance.For comparison between two groups,LSD test was used.Results (1) The level of IFN γ secreted by CBMC in Group C was 0.03 ± 0.02,which was much lower than that in Group A(0.18±0.08) and Group B(0.13±0.05) (F=5.72,both P＜0.01).The level of IFN-γ in Group B and Group A did not show statistical difference (P＞0.05).Compared with Group A(0.03±0.01),the level of IL4 was much lower in Group B (0.02±0.01) and Group C(0.01±0.01) (F=20.38,both P＜0.01),while no significant difference was shown between Group B and Group C (P＞0.05).(2) No significant difference was found in the expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells among different groups (F 0.67,P＞0.05).(3) The level of IL 10 in Group C was 3.02 ± 3.79,which was significantly lower than that in Group A (10.78±5.44) and Group B (6.90±4.64)(F=4.68,P＜0.01 and 0.05).The level of IL-10 inGroup B was still lower than that in Group A (P＜0.05).The levels of TGF-β1 in Group C(8.44± 13.71) and Group B(16.15 ±13.94) were significantly lower than that in Group A(30.23 ± 16.32) (F=5.22,P＜0.01,P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between Group B and Group C (P＞0.05).Conclusions IVIG might inhibit the function of Th cells in CBMC of preterm infants in a dose dependent manner.IVIG could inhibit the function of natural Treg cells by regulating the secretion of cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β1 in a dose dependent effect.

Purpose Elderly patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have gradually increased in recent years. Most patients also have systemic disease with poor cardiac and pulmonary function, thus can only receive non-surgical treatment. This paper is to assess the clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and prognostic factors of HCC in elderly patients. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 106 patients with HCC diagnosed by US, dynamic CT or dynamic MRI [average age (74.9±3.3) years, range 71-84 years] and treated by TACE. The clinical characteristics, survival and prognosis factors were analyzed. Results Follow-up was performed at a median of 18 months (range 1–40 months). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 80.2%, 42.5% and 22.6%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the patient's gender and cirrhosis, HBV/HCV infection, diabetes and systemic disease were not significantly correlated with prognosis (P>0.05). Child grade, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) grade, tumors size, number of tumors, serum alpha-fetoprotein level, portal vein tumor thrombus and Barcelona clinic liver cancer stage were significantly related to OS (P<0.05, P<0.001). Moreover, the Cox multivariant survival analysis revealed that portal vein tumor thrombus, tumor size, serum alpha-fetoprotein level and ECOG stage were independent prognostic indicators (P<0.05, P<0.001). Conclusion Systemic disease does not impact long-term survival in elderly patients with HCC. Portal vein tumor thrombus, tumor size, serum alpha-fetoprotein level, and ECOG grade are independent prognostic indicators.

Objective To investigate the effects of original antigenic sin caused by previous expo-sure to influenza A virus subtype H1N1 on the immune response to inactivated H5N1 vaccine. Methods In this study, the BALB/c mice were first infected with A/PR8 (H1N1) virus or immunized with inactivated vaccine to induce immune responses against the A/PR8 virus. Then they were injected once with inactivated H5N1 vaccine at dosages of 0. 01μg, 0. 1μg and 1μg, respectively. The levels of IgG and neutralizing an-tibodies in serum samples were detected after immunization. Four weeks after immunization, the mice were challenged with a lethal dose of H5N1 virus. Some indicators including the survival rate, body weight loss and residue virus titer in lung were recorded for further evaluation. Results The pre-existing anti-A/PR8 antibodies in mice didn′t alleviate the immune responses to inactivated H5N1 vaccine. Conclusion This study indicates that the original antigenic sin associated with the previous exposure to A/PR8 virus has no significant effect on the immune efficacy of H5N1 vaccine.

Objective To analyze the relationship between the clinical features of hepatoblastoma and serum alpha-fetoprotein level.Methods We did a retrospective study in 74 cases into the relationship of clinical stages,treatment,prognosis,and AFP value in hepatoblastoma.Results In Stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients,the average AFP was (36 333 ± 13 782) ng/ml and in Stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ,the average AFP was (78 346 ± 27 956) ng/ml,P ＜ 0.05.68 patients received preoperative chemotherapy with alpha-fetoprotein determinations before and after chemotherapy respectively.In 44 cases AFP decreased ＞ 50％ after chemotherapy,and in 20 cases AFP declined ＞90％,while in 13 cases AFP increased after chemotherapy.15 cases had serum AFP measured on the first postoperative day,among them 10 cases had a ＞ 50％ AFP decline,3 cases had a ＜ 50％ AFP decline,while in 2 cases AFP value increased.52 cases were postoperatively followed-up,with overall 3 year-survival rate of 86.5％ ; 7 cases recurred,4 died.The average preop AFP level in 7 recurred cases was (27 060 ± 3 569) ng/ml,while the average preop AFP level in those of 3-year recurrence-free was (29 865 ± 5 867) ng/ml,P ＞ 0.05.Only 57％ tumor recurred cases had back to normal AFP level within one month postop,while 89％ long term survivals reported normal range of AFP during that period,P ＜ 0.05.Conclusions Serum AFP level in patients with hepatoblastoma is related to the course of disease.It can be used to estimate the effect of clinical chemotherapy.The speed of alpha-fetoprotein decline postop can be used as an indicator of prognosis.The postoperative normal AFP level within 4 weeks predicts a favorable prognosis.

Objective To assess the clinial application of 3D reconstruction with MSCT for acetabular fractures.Methods Volume scanning was performed in 20 patients with acetabular fractures,all data sets were transferred to workstation.Reconstruction were done with more thinner slices.Results Acetabular frature 3D images went all the way with the results of surgery in 17 cases.Conclusion MSCT 3D images can compare beauty with gross specimen,which could be propitious to the subtype of acetabulum fracture and have an advantage in the application.

To study and optimize the fermentation parameters for expressing human-like collagenⅡduring E. coli high-density fermentation. The effects of pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and induction instant on the cell growth and human-like collagenⅡproduction were investigated to optimize the fermentation conditions. The results demonstrated that the following conditions were beneficial for cell growth and foreign gene expression, controlling pH in phase induction at 6.8 and initial pH at 6.5, maintaining fermentation temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration was controlled at 34?C and 20% respectively, and implementing induction at the later logarithmic growth phase. Under the optimized condition, the cell density and human-like collagenⅡyield could reach 88.4 g/L and 14.2 g/L, respectively.