Objective To evaluate the value of CT perfusion imaging (CTPI) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Method CTPI was carried out on 21 patients with 26 lesions to obtain the following perfusion parameters: hepatic blood flow (HBF), hepatic blood volume (HBV),mean transit time (MTT), permeability surface area product (PS), and hepatic arterial fraction (HAF). The parameters from the lesion and non-lesion areas were compared. In addition, serum AFP was measured in the HCC patients and a linear correlation analysis between the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level and the CTPI parameters was performed. Result CTPI failed in 3 patients with 3 lesions and was successful in 18 patients with 23 lesions which included 18 HCC, 4 hemangioma of the liver,and 1 hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). On comparison of the HCC parameters in the lesion and non-lesion areas, significant differences were found in the HAF which was 4.11 times higher in the lesion than the non-lesion areas, while the MTT and PS were significantly lower. There was no significant difference in the HBF and HBV. Correlation between the serum AFP level and the CTPI parameters of the HCC lesion was insignificant. The differences of all the parameters between the lesion and the non-lesion in hemangioma were similar to those in HCC, except for a higher HBF in the lesion than in HCC. There was no significant difference between the parameters of FNH and the non-nodular part of the liver. Conclusion CTPI played an important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of HCC, especially when the AFP was negative and/or the imaging manifestation was atypical on contrast CT.

Objective To understand the potential risk of schistosomiasis transmission in Xiuzhou District of Jiaxing City, so as to provide the scientific evidence for consolidating schistosomiasis control achievements. Methods Fixed and mobile surveillance sites were set up in Xiuzhou District of Jiaxing City from 2013 to 2015. Oncomelania hupensis snails was surveyed historical snail habitats, current snail habitats, and suspected snail habitats. The schistosome infections were identified using serological and parasitological testing among local residents and mobile populations. In addition, the survival and reproduction of snails imported into Xiuzhou District was observed, and the schistosome infection in wild reservoir hosts was detected. Results A total of 540.14 hm² of settings were surveyed in Xiuzhou District, Jiaxing City from 2013 to 2015, and 1.65 hm² of snail habitats were identified. The snail habitats were mainly located in dry lands, and no infected snails or importation of snails were found. During the period from 2013 to 2015, a total of 7 668 local residents and mobile populations were examined in Xiuzhou District, and no new local infections were detected; however, three imported schistosomiasis cases were identified. Field simulation experiment showed that the imported snails laid eggs and reproduced in Xiuzhou District, and no schistosome infections were found in wild animals. Conclusion There are still residual Oncomelania snails and imported schistosomiasis patients in Xiuzhou District of Jiaxing City; therefore, the surveillance and management of local Oncomelania snails and imported schistosomiasis should be intensified to reduce the risk of schistosomiasis transmission.

The Trendelenburg position and reverse Trendelenburg position are frequently employed during lower abdominal surgery to achieve optimal surgical field visualization and complete exposure of the operative site, particularly under pneumoperitoneum conditions. However, these positions can have significant impacts on the patient's physiological functions. This article overviews the historical background of Trendelenburg position and reverse Trendelenbury position, their effects on various physiological functions, recent advancements in their clinical applications, and strategies for preventing and managing associated complications.
Humans ; Head-Down Tilt/physiology* ; Patient Positioning ; Abdomen ; Laparoscopy

Objective: To investigate the effects of two anesthetic modes on cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic cervical cancer resection. Methods: From August 2016 to April 2018, 60 elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic cervical cancer resection in the General Hospital of Armed Police were divided into control groupand observation group according to odd and even of bed number, with 30caese in each group.Intravenous anesthesia was used in the control group, and intravenous anesthesia combined with inhalation anesthesia was used in the observation group.The anesthetic effect, MMSE score, MoCA score and the incidence of cognitive dysfunction were compared between the two groups. Results: The anesthesia effect time, extubation time and recovery time of the observation group were (1.62±0.30)min, (15.68±3.26)min, (8.69±3.68)min, respectively, which were significantly shorter than those of the control group[(4.68±0.91)min, (27.46±4.03)min, (20.36±4.58)min](all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in MMSE score and MoCA score between the two groups before operation (all P<0.05), and there was statistically significant difference in MMSE score between the two groups at 2 h and 6 h after operation (all P<0.05). The MMSE score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(all P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference on the 1st day after operation (P>0.05). At 2 h, 6 h, 1 d after operation, the MoCA scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The incidence of cognitive dysfunction in the observation group was 6.67%(2/30), which was significantly lower than 26.67%(8/30) in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with intravenous anesthesia alone, intravenous anesthesia combined with inhalation anesthesia for elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic cervical cancer resection has a good anesthetic effect and can reduce the incidence of cognitive dysfunction, which is worthy of further application in clinical practice.

Objective: To investigate the effects of miRNA on the expression of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and its clinical application in the patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods: Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze and predict PON1 related regulation on miRNA. PON1 luciferase reporter gene vectors were constructed and the activity of dual luciferase was analyzed. The up/down-regulated levels of miRNA in HepG2 cells of different groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), and the levels of PON1 protein in HepG2 cells were detected by western blot. The levels of miR140-5p in the serum of healthy people and NASH patients were also analyzed by qRT-PCR. Results: According to the prediction of TargetScan database, miR140-5p may bind complementarily to the end of PON13′-UTR. The analysis for the activity of dual luciferase reporter gene showed that miR-140-5p mimic significantly downregulated the fluorescence of wild type PON1 vector (P＜0.01). The results of qRT-PCR demonstrated that miR-140-5p mimic group showed high overexpression (P＜0.01) compared with the normal cell control group and the negative mimic control group, while miR-140-5p inhibitor group appeared corresponding low expression (P＜0.05). western blot results suggested that the transfection of miR140-5p mimic significantly down-regulated the expression of PON1 (P＜0.01) while miR140-5p inhibitor up-regulated this expression (P＜0.01). Compared with the healthy control group, the level of miR140-5p was decreased in the serum of NASH patients, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01). Conclusion miR140-5p may be involved in the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis through regulation for the posttranscriptional gene expression of PON1.

Objective To cultivate glioblastoma U87 stem-like cells(SLCs)and to detect the level of stemness bio-markers,mitochondrial respiratory capacity and the capacity of in vivo tumorigenesis.Methods B-27,growth factors EGF and bFGF was added into DMEM/F-12 culture in serum-free stem cell culture medium for U87 SLCs.Suspended culture of U87 SLCs was suspended using the neuro-sphere formation assay,while adherent culture of U87 SLCs was achieved by coating Matrigel matrix on the culture surface.The mRNA and protein level of stemness biomarkers in culture were detected using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot.The proportion of CD133+cells in culture was detected by flow cytometry.The changes of cell oxygen consumption rate were detected by Seahorse cell metabo-lism analysis.Cell tumorigenesis ability was verified by subcutaneous tumor transplantation in animals.Results U87 SLCs in stem cell culture medium would grow into typical sphere morphology within one week,and the spheres would continue to grow as the culture process prolongs.At the appropriate concentration of adhesive,U87 SLCs adhered to and grow well in stem cell culture medium.The mRNA transcription of stemness biomarkers such as CD133,nes-tin,OLIG2,CD44,CD15,and integrin α6(ITGA6)was significantly increased as found in both culture methods,and the protein levels of CD133 and nestin were also increased under both methods(P＜0.05).U87 SLCs showed higher mitochondrial reserve respiratory capacity(P＜0.05).U87 SLCs could form larger subcutaneous tumors with fewer inoculated cells(P＜0.05),and grew faster in vivo with stronger tumorigenic ability.Conclusions U87 SLCs have typical stemness characteristics and may function as tumor cell model with higher stemness properties.

Objective To study the effect of carboxyamidotriazole-orotate(CTO)on the proliferation and fatty acid anabolism regulation of human pancreatic cancer cells.Methods Human pancreatic cancer cell lines AsPC-1,AsPC-1/GEM(AR),PANC-1 and MiaPaCa-2 were used as the study subjects;cell survival rate was detected by sulfo-nylrhodamine B(SRB);the mRNA level of key genes for fatty acid synthesis was detected by qPCR;the protein level of the AMPK/ACC pathway was detected by Western blot;intracellular lipid metabolites were examined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS).Results Comparing to control group,CTO significantly de-creased the cell viability of AsPC-1,AR,PANC-1,and MiaPaCa-2(P＜0.05).CTO down-regulated the mRNA level of key fatty acid synthesis genes(P＜0.05).CTO significantly reduced the protein expression of AMPK,ACC and c-Myc(P＜0.05),while increasing the protein expression of p-AMPK and p-ACC(P＜0.05).CTO decreased lipid metabolite content in AR cells(P＜0.05).Conclusions CTO attenuates cellular fatty acid anabolism by inhibition of oncogene c-Myc expression and AMPK/ACC pathway,down-regulates the expression of fatty acid synthesis-related genes,and then inhibits proliferation of the human pancreatic cancer cell lines AsPC-1,AR,PANC-1 and MiaPaCa-2.

Objective To investigate the effect of afferent blockade of visceral adipose tissue(VAT)on cardiac function and cardiac neural remodeling in rats after myocardial infarction(MI).Methods After 30 healthy SPF-grade male SD rats were subjected,12 of them were randomly divided into control group(n=6)and activation group(n=6).In the activation group,low-dose capsaicin(1 mmol/L)was used to activate VAT afferent nerves,while in the control group,an equal amount of normal saline was injected,and real-time blood pressure and heart rate were monitored for 30 min.The other 18 rats were randomly assigned into sham group(n=6),MI group(n=6),and high-dose capsaicin blockade group(n=6).The MI model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery.After MI modeling,the high-dose capsaicin blockade group was give 33 mmol/L capsaicin to block VAT afferent nerve,and the sham opera-tion group and MI group were injected with the same amount of normal saline.After 2 weeks,car-diac function was measured by echocardiography,infarct size was measured by TTC staining,heart rate variability was analyzed,and myocardial tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)was measured.The levels of myocardial superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)were measured by biochemical methods.Results More significant changes in blood pressure and heart rate were observed in the activation group than the control group(P＜0.01).The MI group had obviously larger infarct size,higher LVEDD and LVESD,and increased myocardial TH density and MDA level,but lower LVEF and myocardial SOD activity than the sham group(P＜0.05).However,the infarct size,LVEDD(9.15±0.37 mm vs 10.1±0.85 mm),LVESD(6.33±0.40 mm vs 7.87±0.86 mm)were obviously decreased,while LVEF[(67.04±3.34)％vs(47.10±3.89)％]and myocar-dial FS[(33.26±2.50)％vs(20.81±2.14)％]activity were greatly increased in the high dose capsaicin group than the MI group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Activation of VAT afferent nerve can increase blood pressure and heart rate;while its blockade can reduce the infarct size,protect cardiac function and inhibit cardiac nerve remodeling in MI rats,possibly by reducing oxidative stress.