efore graft harvesting in living donor liver transplantation.

Objective To investigate the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) for detection of hepatic artery stenosis(HAS) in recipients following orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT). Methods CEUS was performed in 50 OLT recipients (42 men and 8 women) with abnormal liver function test and/or abnormal findings on color Doppler ultrasound(CDUS). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA), computed tomographic angiography(CTA) or follow-up CDUS was used as the reference standard. The degree (mild,narrowing rate＜50 %; moderate, narrowing rate 50 % ～ 75 %; severe, narrowing rate＞ 75 % ), location and type (single or multiple) of HAS were evaluated. Moderate and severe stenosis were defined as substantial stenosis. Results CTA or DSA depicted substantial HAS in 39 patients, 8 patients with mild HAS or normal HA were depicted on CTA,and the remaining 3 patients were diagnosed as non-substantial HAS on clinical and CDUS follow-up. CEUS depicted substantial HAS in 38 cases. Moreover,CEUS corrected falsepositive findings on CDUS in 9 of 50 cases(18.0% ). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of CEUS in diagnosing HAS were 90.0% ,92.3% ,81.8% ,94. 7% and 75.0%,respectively. Conclusions CEUS is able to provide comprehensive information including presence,degree,location and type of HAS, which may facilitate the further interventional procedure or surgical treatment.

OBJECTIVEComparative study on the immunologic functions of total flavones of Epimedium (TFE) in two species in Guizhou on CTX mice.

METHODTo set up a hypoimmunity mouse model by CTX and give TFE in 10 days, the enhancement of immunologic functions of TFE of two species were observed with the indice of the weight of body and spleen, the spleen-index, the serum level of hemolysin, TNF-alpha and IL-2.

RESULTThe spleen-index, the level of hemolysin, TNF-alpha and IL-2 of the mice decreased apparently (P < 0.01) by single ip in CTX 80 mg x kg(-1). The weight of body and spleen, the spleen-index of the mice increased, the decreased serum level of hemolysin TNF-alpha and IL-2 increased significantly (P < 0.01), by TFE of two species of 1.3, 0.65 g x kg(-1) from the mice ig.

CONCLUSIONThe TFE of two species of Epimedium in Guizhou have an obvious immune enhancement effect on the non-specific immunity and specific immunity of CTX model mice. But the immune enhancement effects of the TFE from the stem and leaves of two species of Epimedium contrast insignificantly. This indicates that in addition to ICA, there must be other bioactive components that can enhance immunity.

Animals ; Cyclophosphamide ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Female ; Flavones ; pharmacology ; Immunity ; drug effects ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To investigate the effect of autologous tissue breast reconstruction with microsurgical lymph node transfers and lymphatic-venous anastomoses for the treatment of mastectomy related axillary cavitydeformation and upper extremity lymphedema .Methods The donor sites of lymph node transfers were mainly chosen according to the donor site of breast reconstruction .Themicrosurgical lymph nodes were transferred to the axillary cavity .When the superficial lymph vessels could be detected in lymphangiography with indocyanine green , thelymphatic-venous anastomoses were done to improve the lymphatic drainage .The treatment effect was assessed by the perimeter changes of different parts of upper extremity, the isotope lymphangiography and associated symptoms . Results 20 cases involved in autologous tissue breast reconstruction with microsurgical lymph node transfers , 18 cases from ingruinallymph nodes and 2 cases from lateral thoracic lymph nodes .2 cases receivedlymphatic-venous anastomoses on their upper extremity .The perimeters of palm and wrist were found significantly decreased in 6 months postoperation , while the perimeters of midpoint forearm and upper arm also decreased .The cellulitis, pain and swell happened less during the follow-up from 6 months up to 4 years. The postoperation isotope lymphangiography showed functional transferred lymph nodes inaxillary cavity , better lymphatic drainage and less volume of upper extremity .The subcutaneous superficial lymphatic drainage signs could be observed by the isotope lymphangiography in cases who had lymphatic -venous anastomoseson upper extremity .Conclusions Autologous tissue breast reconstruction with microsurgical lymph node transfers and lymphatic-venous anastomoses is a promising option for the treatment of mastectomy related axillary cavitydeformation and upper extremity lymphedema .The long term results need longer follow-up and more research .

Objective To investigate the effect of autologous tissue breast reconstruction with microsurgical lymph node transfers and lymphatic-venous anastomoses for the treatment of mastectomy related axillary cavitydeformation and upper extremity lymphedema .Methods The donor sites of lymph node transfers were mainly chosen according to the donor site of breast reconstruction .Themicrosurgical lymph nodes were transferred to the axillary cavity .When the superficial lymph vessels could be detected in lymphangiography with indocyanine green , thelymphatic-venous anastomoses were done to improve the lymphatic drainage .The treatment effect was assessed by the perimeter changes of different parts of upper extremity, the isotope lymphangiography and associated symptoms . Results 20 cases involved in autologous tissue breast reconstruction with microsurgical lymph node transfers , 18 cases from ingruinallymph nodes and 2 cases from lateral thoracic lymph nodes .2 cases receivedlymphatic-venous anastomoses on their upper extremity .The perimeters of palm and wrist were found significantly decreased in 6 months postoperation , while the perimeters of midpoint forearm and upper arm also decreased .The cellulitis, pain and swell happened less during the follow-up from 6 months up to 4 years. The postoperation isotope lymphangiography showed functional transferred lymph nodes inaxillary cavity , better lymphatic drainage and less volume of upper extremity .The subcutaneous superficial lymphatic drainage signs could be observed by the isotope lymphangiography in cases who had lymphatic -venous anastomoseson upper extremity .Conclusions Autologous tissue breast reconstruction with microsurgical lymph node transfers and lymphatic-venous anastomoses is a promising option for the treatment of mastectomy related axillary cavitydeformation and upper extremity lymphedema .The long term results need longer follow-up and more research .