Objective To investigate the effect of stem cells transplantation on immune function,liver function and related indexes in the patients with end-stage liver disease(ESLD).Methods A total of 163 cases of ESLD in Nanyang Municipal Central Hospital of Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were selected and divided into 2 groups by the randomized single blind method.Eighty-one cases in the control group were given the conventional symptomatic treatment,while 82 cases in the observation group received bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell(BMSC) transplantation based on the control group.The changes of immune function,liver function,alpha fetoprotein(AFP),rate of prothrombin activity(PTA) and plasma total protein(TP) level before and after treatment were observed in the two groups.Results The immune function indexes CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+,TP and PTA levels after treatment in the observation group were significantly higher than those before treatment and in the control group (P＜0.05),while the levels of AFP,alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL)were lower than those before treatment in the same group and the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in complication occurrence rate between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion BMSC transplantation for treating ESLD can improve the immune function,improves the liver function and reduces the AFP level.

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into hepatic stem cells in a specific environment, and participate in the repair and reconstruction of liver function.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on decompensated hepatitis B.METHODS:Eighty-four patients with decompensated hepatitis B were randomly divided into two groups:normal group (n=42) with symptomatic treatment, and oral entecavir, Fuzheng Huayu Capsule; stem cell group (n=42) with the left and right hepatic artery transplantation of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (1×106/kg) based on conventional treatments. Degree of liver fibrosis, liver function and score on Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) system, 1-year survival rate of patients were detected and analyzed with statistics before and 12, 24 weeks after treatment.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Liver fibrosis after treatment in two groups:hyaluronic acid, laminin, type Ⅲ collagen and type IV collagen levels after treatment were lower than those before treatment in both two groups (P < 0.05), while these indexes in the stem cell group were lower than those in the normal group at 12 and 24 hours after treatment (P <0.05). (2) Liver function:after treatment, decreased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels were found in both two groups (P < 0.05), and albumin, cholinesterase, prothrombin activity levels were higher than those before treatment (P < 0.05). The alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels in the stem cell group were lower than those in the normal group at 12 and 24 weeks after treatment, while the cholinesterase level was higher in the stem cell group (P < 0.05). (3) MELD scores:MELD scores were both decreased in the two groups after treatment (P < 0.05), and lower in the stem cell group compared with the normal group at 24 weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). (4) The 1-year survival rate was higher in the stem cell group (69%) than the normal group (50%; P < 0.05). To conclude, the use of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in the treatment of hepatitis B can significantly improve the patients' liver fibrosis and liver function, and improve the 1-year survival rate of patients.

Objective: To examine the associations of fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), its co-receptor KLB gene and its receptor FGFR4 with susceptibility to sarcopenia, so as to provide insights into elucidation of sarcopenia pathogenesis and formulation of precision interventions for sarcopenia. Methods: A case-control study was conducted. Patients with sarcopenia at ages of 60 years and older included in the Zhejiang Provincial Elderly Health Surveillance Cohorts were selected as the sarcopenia group, and normal residents at ages of 60 years and older were served as controls. Subjects' demographics were collected using questionnaire surveys, and the height, body weight, appendicular skeletal muscle mass and grip strength were measured. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples for multiplex PCR targeted capture. The associations between the KLB gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and susceptibility to sarcopenia were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: There were 200 cases in the sarcopenia group, including 91 men and 109 women, and 180 cases in the control group, including 70 men and 110 women. All SNPs satisfied the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and the minor allele frequencies were all > 0.05. There were no significant differences in the distribution of SNPs between the sarcopenia and control groups (all P>0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the SNP rs2687968 locus in the KLB gene was significantly associated with the susceptibility to sarcopenia among the elderly men (superdominant model), and individuals carrying the AC allele had a 2.332-fold higher risk of sarcopenia than those carrying the AA/CC allele (95%CI: 1.882-3.313). Conclusions KLB gene may correlate with the susceptibility to sarcopenia among the elderly men.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate adverse factors that may hinder successful placement and stabilization of the microcatheter during endovascular therapy of micro-intracranial aneurysms (&le; 3 mm in maximum diameter), and to explore the relevant managements.

METHODSForty-six patients with fifty-one micro-intracranial aneurysms treated by endovascular therapy from June 2001 to October 2009 were retrospectively analyzed for their intervention data.

RESULTSAdverse factors of optimal micro-catheterization mainly included, tortuosity of the proximal vessels (PVs) and the parent artery (PA), relative large gap in diameter among the PVs, the PA and the microcatheter, relative large divergence in direction among the PVs, the PA and the aneurysm dome, and stent deployed in the PA.

CONCLUSIONSCarefully considering the direction of the PVs and the PA, the aneurysm's location and dome orientation, choosing the microcatheter and microwire after balancing among their physical properties, as well as utilizing balloon and/or stent assistance, can facilitate micro-catheterization during endovascular treatment of micro-intracranial aneurysms.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Catheterization ; methods ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the necessity, feasibility, security of carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) for symptomatic carotid stenosis combined with kinking.

METHODSTwelve patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis and kinking demonstrated by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) received CAS from December 2003 to December 2009. There were 9 male and 3 female patients, age ranged from 59 to 77 years (mean 69.3 years). All the patients' clinical, imaging, intervention and follow up data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSAll CAS procedures were successfully performed with 14 self-expandable stents placed. The mean degree of stenosis was reduced from 85.6% before stenting to 11.2% after stenting, the angle of kinking, according to Metz' category, were improved from less than 90° to more than 120° in each case. No perioperative procedure related stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurred. The clinical symptoms and signs of cerebral ischemia were improved or disappeared for all patients. During follow-up of these 12 patients for 6 to 72 months, one patient experienced ipsilateral carotid territory TIA and another patient experienced contralateral carotid territory TIA. DSA follow up of 5 patients demonstrated 1 case with in-stent restenosis and arterial kinking remote to the stent of internal carotid artery. CAS were performed again and CT angiography follow up demonstrated no kinking and restenosis 2 years after the intervention. Duplex scan of the other 7 patients demonstrated neither kinking nor restenosis.

CONCLUSIONSCAS seems to be feasible and safe for the patients with symptomatic kinking and stenosis, and maybe helpful to lower the risk of cerebral ischemia, but further study is needed.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; methods ; Carotid Stenosis ; surgery ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVESTo establish a theoretical model for the tortuosity of internal carotid artery and summarize the hemodynamic rule of blood flow in a tortuous artery. To explore the relationship of cerebral ischemia and tortuous internal carotid artery.

METHODSTaking the internal carotid artery as a prototype, a geometric model of a tortuous artery was constructed according to the normal physiological and anatomical parameters of internal carotid artery. The boundary conditions and calculation conditions of blood flow are proposed. The numerical simulation of the blood flow in the tortuous artery is carried out with finite element method. Hemodynamic parameters of internal carotid artery were measured in 15 cases with the tortuosity of internal carotid artery and in 15 cases of normal control group. Blood pressure was measured by microcatheter connecting a pressure transducer at internal carotid artery, pre-tortuous and post-tortuous artery. The diameter and length of the above artery were measured and calculated by DSA machine.

RESULTSNumerical simulation results indicated pressure drop of blood flow and elongated length of artery is increased with diminution of the angle of tortuous artery. Clinical measurement data disclosed the same trend in the same curve as numerical simulation.

CONCLUSIONThe elongation and tortuosity of internal carotid artery results in decrease of blood pressure in the distal segment of tortuous internal carotid artery, kinking of internal carotid artery may be one of factors related to attack of cerebral ischemia on certain conditions.

Adult ; Aged ; Brain ; blood supply ; Brain Ischemia ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; physiopathology ; Carotid Stenosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Female ; Finite Element Analysis ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Regional Blood Flow

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility, safety and short-term efficacy of stent-assisted angioplasty and/or drug therapy for elderly patients with symptomatic vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

METHODSElderly patients (> or = 60 years old) with symptomatic vertebrobasilar stenosis (> or = 50%) demonstrated by cerebral angiography were treated with drug therapy and some with endovascular stenting further from April 2001 to June 2006. The clinical, imaging, intervention and follow-up data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSEighty-one elderly patients were chosen for study, including 68 males and 13 females. The mean age is 70 years (60 - 87 years); stroke rate of 4.9% (4/81) and stroke-related mortality rate of 2.5% (2/81) were found in this group during hospitalization and follow-up (mean 28.1 months), and symptoms resolved or improved clinically in 66 (81.5%). Fifty-two balloon expandable stents were placed in 48 (59.3%) patients of this group with a technical success rate of 98.1% and the mean degree of stenosis was reduced from (82.4 +/- 13.1)% to (6.4 +/- 3.2)% (t = 22.4, P = 0.00).

CONCLUSIONSAppropriate management including endovascular stenting and/or drug therapy may improve short-term outcomes of elderly patients with symptomatic vertebrobasilar insufficiency; meanwhile, stent-assisted angioplasty is technically feasible and relatively safe.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Anticoagulants ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ; drug therapy ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) serum level in the Guangxi BA-MA minipigs whose carotid arteries were injured by balloon denudation and in the patients with carotid stent assisted angioplasty.

METHODSTwelve Guangxi BA-MA minipigs were chosen. High fat/cholesterol feeding and endovascular balloon denudation were used to create a carotid artery atherosclerotic stenosis animal model. Blood samples were collected from peripheral veins before starting the procedure, and again, at 2 and 3 weeks after the procedure, respectively. Serum NO and ET concentrations of blood samples were tested. Nineteen patients with carotid artery stenosis who underwent stent assisted angioplasty were randomly selected, and their serum NO and ET were tested using the same methods as above.

RESULTSIn the animal group, there was a significant decrease of mean NO concentration at 2 weeks after carotid injury (t-test, P < 0.05), however, no significant change of ET was observed. A very significant increase of ET was observed at 3 weeks after the procedure (t-test, P < 0.01). In the patient group, there were no significant differences among serum NO or ET concentration of peripheral vein blood before, immediately after, and 6 h after the endovascular treatment.

CONCLUSIONSIn this study, a decrease of NO concentration and an increase of ET concentration of peripheral vein blood are found in BA-MA minipigs after carotid arteries are injured by balloon denudation, which might be a cue for the formation of atherosclerosis. However, no significant changes are observed in this group of patients who underwent carotid angioplasty treatment. Therefore, further studies are needed.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Animals ; Carotid Arteries ; surgery ; Carotid Stenosis ; blood ; surgery ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelins ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Postoperative Period ; Random Allocation ; Stents ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVESTo explore influencing factors of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in geriatric carotid stenosis, and to analyze changes of rCBF and clinical symptoms after carotid stenting.

METHODSDuring August 2005 and April 2008, 68 geriatric patients of carotid stenosis having SPECT examination in our hospital were retrospectively studied, whose diagnosis was approved by angiography. Correlated rCBF was compared separately in different stenotic degrees of carotid stenosis, in unilateral or bilateral stenosis, accompanied with vertebrobasilar stenosis (VBS) or not, with collateral circulation or not, before and after carotid stenting.

RESULTSWhen patients of unilateral carotid stenosis were grouped by different clinical factors, cases of patients with reduced rCBF were compared using chi(2) test: the P value was 0.046 and 0.020 when comparing group of stenotic degree 90% - 99% with group 70% - 89% and group 50% - 69%; the P value was 0.927 between group accompanied with VBS and group without; the P value was 0.222 between group with collateral circulation and group without. When comparing reduced rCBF cases between unilateral and bilateral carotid stenosis, the P value was 0.046. After carotid stenting, 76% of patients had their rCBF improved, and also the scores of presenting symptoms evaluated by modified Rankin scale were elevated from 1.4 +/- 0.7 on admission to 0.4 +/- 0.3 postoperatively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe research indicates that higher stenotic degree and bilateral carotid stenosis may cause rCBF decrease in geriatric carotid stenosis. Carotid stenting may improve rCBF and change clinical symptoms significantly.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain ; blood supply ; Carotid Stenosis ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Regional Blood Flow ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents

Objective:To investigate the relationship between neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and cystatin C (Cys-C) and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:1 990 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into simple diabetes group (N group), simple diabetic retinopathy group (DR group), simple diabetic nephropathy group (DN group) and diabetic retinopathy combined with diabetic nephropathy group (DRN group). The general data and biochemical indexes were collected to analyze the differences of NLR and Cys-C among the groups. The risk factors of diabetic microvascular complications were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.Results:The NLR in DRN group was higher than that in N group and DN group ( P<0.05), but there was no difference between DRN group and DR group ( P>0.05). The serum Cys-C in DRN group was higher than that in N group, DN group and DR group, with statistical significance ( P<0.05). After adjusting for age, duration of diabetes and other factors, multivariate logistic regression showed that NLR was an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetic retinopathy complicated with diabetic nephropathy, while serum Cys-C was not. Subgroup analysis showed that NLR was an independent risk factor for both diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy, while Cys-C was only related to diabetic nephropathy, which was not related to retinopathy ( P<0.05). Conclusions:NLR is associated with type 2 diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy, while serum Cys-C is only associated with type 2 diabetic nephropathy, but not with diabetic retinopathy.