Objective In order to examine the value of the combination of carotid artery ultrasound and Transcrani-al Doppler (TCD) in the evaluation of carotid artery stenosis stenting. Methods Seventy-one carotid stenosis cases con-firmed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) who had cerebral ischemia symptoms and received stent implantation were reviewed. Carotid artery ultrasound and TCD were adopted to measure the vessel diameter, peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the narrow segment, PSV and pulsatility index (PI) of ipsilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) before and after the treatment of intravascular stents, and a comparison analysis was made. Results Carotid stent implantation significant-ly improved the inner diameter, PSV of the narrow part, PSV and PI of the MCA on the stenotic side. Inner diameter of the narrow part was 3.13±0.83, 4.77±0.51 and 4.64±0.52 mm at before, one week and one year after the implantation, re-spectively (P<0.05). The PSV of the narrow part was 190.69±113.65, 86.15±30.52 and 90.28±29.79 cm/s at before, one week and one year after the implantation, respectively(P<0.05).PSV of the MCA on the stenotic side was 77.68±14.66, 115.62±22.32 and 108.89±20.29 cm/s at before, one week and one year after the implantation, respectively(P<0.05). PI of the MCA on the stenotic side was 0.81±0.01, 1.07±0.01 and 1.06±0.02 at before, one week and one year after the implantation, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusions The present study demonstrates that the combination of carotid artery ultrasound and TCD can quantitatively detect the vascular structural and hemodynamic improvements following the endo-vascular stenting, indicating that the combination of carotid artery ultrasound and TCD can be used for the accurate as-sessment and follow up of carotid artery stenting treatment.

Objective To determine the effect of high dose albumin on permeability of blood brain barrier (BBB) in brain of rats after ischemic-reperfusion (IR) in order to explore its possible mechanism.Methods Establishment of brain ischemic reperfusion rat model by using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).Medicine treatment was given by caudal vein injection after 2 hours of MCAO.Thirty-six healthy male SD rats were then randomly (random number) divided into 6 groups (n =6 in each):6 h and 24 h sham-operation groups (Group Sham:operation without ischemia),6 h and 24 h normal saline groups (Group NS:NS injection 5 ml/kg) and 6 h and 24 h albumin group (Group Alb:25 ％ Alb injection 1.25 g/kg).Six hours and 24 hours after the end of reperfusion,rats were measured by Zea-Longa score (neural function deficit) separately.Serum concentration of S100B was examined by the ELISA kit and Evans blue in brain tissue was detected by spectrophotometer.The level of AQP4 was examined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.All data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA),The intergroup comparisons were analyzed by the least-significant-difference (LSD) test by using SPSS version 17.0 software.Differences were considered statistically significant if P ＜ 0.05.Results Zea-Longa score significantly increased in both group NS and group Alb at 6 h and 24 h (P =0.000).However,there was no significant difference in ZEA-LONGA score of 6 h and 24 h between group Alb and group NS (P =1.000).The serum concentration of S100B in group NS 6 h was significantly lower than that in group Alb at 6h (196.67±20.11 vs 160.04±14.00,P=0.000),and at24h (2.45±0.07 vs.2.23±0.07,P=0.000).Furthermore,concentration of Evans blue in brain tissue in group Alb was significantly higher than that in group NS at both 6 h (0.97 ± 0.08 vs.0.74 ± 0.06,P =0.000) and 24 h (2.45 ± 0.07 vs.2.23 ± 0.07,P =0.000).The expression of AQP4 in brain tissue was higher in group Alb than that in group NS at both 6 h (0.72 ±.0.11 vs.0.57 ± 0.06,P ＜ 0.01) and 24 h (0.80 ± 0.03 vs 0.61 ± 0.02,P ＜0.01).Conclusions High dose albumin contribute slightly in improvement of neural deficit in rats after IR.On the contrary,it can also aggravate the IR injury,which increases brain edema then increase the permeability of BBB.The mechanism may be associated with over-expression of AQP4 in brain tissue.

Objective:To study our initial experience on feasibility and safety of magnetic compression anastomosis in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy(LPD).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 7 patients who underwent LPD with laparoscopic magnetic compression choledochojejunostomy (LMC-CJ) or pancreaticojejunostomy (LMC-PJ) at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from May 2018 to September 2019. There were 6 males and 1 female. The median age of patients was 63 (56-83) years. Data analyzed included the model of the magnetic anastomosis device, operation time of the LMC-CJ or LMC-PJ, other operation-related parameters, postoperative complications, time to perform magnetic anastomosis, and time of discharge of the magnet from patients’ body.Results:All 7 patients completed LPD successfully, including 7 LMC-CJ and 2 LMC-PJ. The median operation time was 340 (310-450) minutes. The median diameter of the biliary-enteric magnetic anastomosis ring used was 10 (9-12) mm, and the median time of the biliary-enteric magnetic anastomosis was 11 (8-16) min. The diameter of the pancreaticojejunal magnetic anastomosis ring was 5 mm in the two anastomoses, and the times taken were 12 min and 15 min. Complications occurred in 4 patients, including 1 patient each for grade A and grade B pancreatic fistula, 2 patients with abdominal infection, 2 patients with postoperative gastric emptying disorder, and 1 patient with abdominal hemorrhage. All patients responded to conservative treatment. There was no biliary or pancreatic fistula at the magnetic anastomoses. Pancreaticojejunostomy functioned at 24 and 30 days after operation. The median time for the magnets to pass out from the body of all patients was 50 (40-170) days. The median follow-up was 11 (4-18) months. No biliary-enteric or pancreaticojejunostomy stenosis was detected.Conclusion:Magnetic compressive anastomosis was simple, feasible, and safe for choledochojejunostomy or pancreaticojejunostomy in LPD.

A new anastomat for digestive tract operations, based on the magnetic compressive technique and mechanical transmission mechanism, is composed of a removable head and a reusable body. The head includes two parts: the proximal end can be fixed to the body, and the distal end could be used for performing a purse string suture. The procedure of anastomosis is similar to that of the stapler, and the anastomoses is established using a pair of magnetic rings. The instrument makes magnamosis more simple and feasible, and it would facilitate the clinical application. The body of the anastomat is reusable and the head could be replaced according to the clinical scenarios, these could reduce the medical cost. The magnetic rings would be excreted with the feces, and there is no foreign body response at last.
Anastomosis, Surgical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the involvement of hepatitis B X protein (HBx) in promoter 3 (P3)-driven mRNA overexpression of the insulin-like growth factor II gene (IGF-II) and investigate the underlying epigenetic mechanism.

METHODSLevels of P3 and HBx mRNA and status of P3 methylation were analyzed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples, with and without hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and bisulfite sequencing. In addition, the levels of P3 mRNA and P3 methylation were examined in HepG2 cells stably overexpressing HBx (HepG2-HBx). Finally, P3 promoter-luciferase constructs were cotransfected into HepG2 cells along with an HBx-expressing plasmid, and the effects of HBx on transcriptional activity and methylation of P3 were analyzed. Statistical analyses of the data were conducted by chi square test, Fisher's exact test, Student's t-test, Marn-Whitney U test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient test.

RESULTSThe HBV-positive HCC specimens had significantly higher levels of P3 mRNA than the HBV-negative HCC specimens (-9.59 ± 3.22 vs. -12.97 ± 3.08 delta CT; P=0.006) but significantly lower levels of P3 methylation (mean values for the 17 CpG sites (36.9% ± 15.5% vs. 52.1% ± 19.1%; P=0.025). The P3 transcript abundance was positively correlated with the level of HBx expression and negatively correlated with the level of P3 methylation. The epigenetic results from experiments with the HepG2-HBx cells were similar. Transfection of HBx significantly decreased P3 methylation level and increased its activity.

CONCLUSIONHBx expression may promote IGF-II expression by inducing hypomethylation of its P3 promoter in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Trans-Activators ; pharmacology

Magnetic compression anastomosis can compress tissues together and restore the continuity. Magnetic compression anastomosis mainly experienced three stages: magnetic ring, magnetic ring and column, and smart self-assembling magnets for endoscopy (SAMSEN). Nowadays, the magnetic compression anastomosis has been applied in vascular and different digestive tract surgeries, especially for complex surgery, such as anastomotic stenosis of biliary ducts after liver transplantation or congenital esophageal stenosis. Although only case reports are available at present, the advantages of the magnetic compression anastomosis includes lower cost, simplicity, individualization, good efficacy, safety, and minimally invasiveness. We are building a better technical platform to make magnetic compression anastomosis more advanced and popularized.
Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Humans ; Magnetics

Objective:To explore the change of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in septic rats.Methods:A rat model of sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture. Rats were randomly (random number) grouped according to the intervention time: sham-operated group, sepsis 1-day group, sepsis 4-day group, and sepsis 7-day group. Fluorescein sodium was used to test the permeability of the BBB. Western blot and immunofluorescence methods were applied to detect the expression of tight junction proteins including Claudin-5, Occludin and ZO-1.Results:Compared with the sham-operated group, rats in the sepsis group presented quick breath, slow response, decreased intake of food and water, obvious abdominal distension and loose stools. After abdominal anatomy of sepsis rats, we found mesenteric adhesions, dilatation of proximal intestinal, black cecum ligation site with purulent exudate, enlarged liver and diffused bloody exudate. Compared with the sham-operated group, body weight of sepsis rats was reduced remarkably ( P < 0.05). The body weight of rats of sepsis 7-day group was the lowest, which was significantly lower than that of rats of sepsis 4-day group ( P< 0.05) and 1-day group ( P< 0.05). Compared with the sham-operated group, the content of fluorescein sodium in sepsis 1-day rats was increased remarkably ( P< 0.05). The content of fluorescein sodium in rats of sepsis 7-day group was the highest, which was significantly higher than that in rats of sepsis 4-day group ( P< 0.05) and 1-day group ( P< 0.05). Compared with the sham-operated rats, the expression of Claudin-5, Occludin and ZO-1 in sepsis rats were decreased remarkably (all P < 0.05). The expression of Claudin-5, Occludin and ZO-1 were the lowest in rats of the sepsis 7-day group, which were significantly decreased than those of rats in the sepsis 4-day group (all P< 0.05) and rats in sepsis 1-day group (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Sepsis rats showed increased permeability of the BBB, and the permeability of BBB increased continuously along with the duration of sepsis.

OBJECTIVETo identify the pathogenic mutation in a family affected with tuberous sclerosis.

METHODSFor the proband and its parents, mutational hotspots in the 11 exons of TSC1 and TSC2 gene were analyzed with DNA sequencing and bioinformatics tools.

RESULTSA heterozygous c.4493G>C missense mutation was identified in the proband. The same mutation was however not found in the parents.

CONCLUSIONThe missense mutation c.4493G>C probably underlie the tuberous sclerosis complex seen in the child.

Base Sequence ; Child ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Point Mutation ; Tuberous Sclerosis ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic and early-warning value of laboratory test indicators for sepsis-induced myocardial injury (SIMD).Methods:The clinical data of 183 patients with sepsis admitted to the Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from August 2016 to October 2020 were collected. The patient's age, gender, past medical history, vital signs and pathogen culture results were extracted. Cardiac function, blood routine, liver function, renal function, inflammatory factors, coagulation function, APACHE Ⅱ and SOFA scores were recorded at enrollment and 72 h after admission. SIMD was defined as cTnT ≥300 pg/mL and NT-proBNP ≥1243 pg/mL twice in 72 h intervals between enrolled cases, and the early-warning factors of patients with SIMD were analyzed. The differences in various indicators between the two groups were compared, and Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the diagnostic efficacy of cTnT and NT-proBNP combined for SIMD, and the correlation between PCT/PLT ratio and the occurrence of SIMD.Results:Among 250 patients, 67 patients were excluded for lack of the main indicators, and 183 patients (including 62 patients with history of cardiac disease) were enrolled finally. Among 183 patients with sepsis, 105 patients (57.38%) with cTNT ≥300 pg/mL and NT-proBNP ≥1 243 pg/mL, were diagnosed as myocardial injury; after excluding 62 patients with history of cardiac disease, 59 patients (48.76%) with cTNT ≥300 pg/mL and NT-proBNP ≥1 243 pg/mL were diagnosed as myocardial injury. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased PCT/PLT ratio ( OR=1.585, 95% CI: 1.124-2.237, P=0.009) was an independent risk factor for early-warning of SIMD. The PCT/PLT ratio ( OR= 1.850, 95% CI: 1.103-3.102, P=0.020) could stably predict the occurrence of SIMD in patients without previous history of heart disease. ROC curve analysis showed that PCT/PLT ratio could effectively predict the occurrence of SIMD (AUC=0.693, 95% CI: 0.617-0.769, P<0.001), the optimal cut-off value was 0.177 (sensitivity: 65.7%, specificity: 66.7%). The PCT/PLT ratio was still effective in predicting the occurrence of SIMD after excluding patients with previous history of heart disease (AUC=0.733, 95% CI: 0.643-0.823, P<0.001), and the optimal cut-off value was 0.429 (sensitivity: 55.9%, specificity: 83.9%). Conclusions:The combination of cTnT and NT-proBNP has certain diagnostic value for SIMD, and the PCT/PLT ratio could warn the occurrence of SIMD.