Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy on early treatment of large pancreatic pseudocyst by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transgastric drainage. Methods The clinical data of 23 cases of large pancreatic pseudocyst treated with EUS-guided transgastric drainage from 2003 to 2008 was retrospectively analyzed. Results All were of single pseudocyst. Pseudocyst was present in the head of the pancreas in 3 cases, in the body of the pancreas in 11 cases, in the tail of the pancreas in 9 cases. Mean diameter of pancreatic pseudocysts was 11 cm( range 8 - 18 cm ). The interval between the finding of pseudocysts and EUS-guided transgastric drainage ranged 17 -65 d, averaging 31 d. Two had postoperative infection of the pseudocyst, one received percutaneons external drainage and the other one received surgical internal drainage. Three had postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding and were treated with antacid and hemostatic drugs. Patients were examined by CT two to three months later. Pancreatic pseudocysts disappeared completely in 6 cases and significantly shrank in the rest. The clinical symptoms of all patients,such as abdominal pain, abdominal bloating were significantly relieved. All patients were followed-up for 1 year, there was no pseudocyst recurrence, ulcer,bleeding or infection. Conclusions Early treatment of large pancreatic pseudocyst by EUS-guided transgastric drainage is safe and effective.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

METHODSThe imaging findings of pancreas and extra-pancreas in 24 patients with AIP were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, CT scan was performed in 18 patients, MRI in 11, and bGth CT and MRI in 10.

RESULTSThe pancreas showed diffuse enlargement (25%, 6/24), focal enlargement (37. 5%, 9/24), combined enlargement (25%, 6/24) ,and no enlargement (12. 5%, 9/24). Unenhanced CT showed hypoattenuation in AIP area (n = 2) . After intravenous injection of contrast medium, 17 patients showed abnormal contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma, including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (50%, 9/18) and hyper attenuation during the delayed phase (94. 4%, 17/18). Precontrast MRI showed abnormal signal intense (n =9), including hypointense on T1-weight images (T1 WI) (n = 7), hyperintense (n = 7) and hypointense (n = 2) on T2-weight images (TIWI). Enhanced MRI demonstrated abnormal contrast enhancement within lesions (n = 11), including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (81. 8%, 9/11) and good enhancement during the delayed phase (100%, 11111). A capsule-like rim was seen around pancreas (37. 5%, 9/24), among which CT detected in 6 out of 18 patients and MRI found in 7 out of 11 patients.The main pancreatic duct lumen within lesions has no visualization (100%, 24/24) and upstream dilation of the main pancreatic duct (n = 8) , ranging from 2. 2 to 4. 5 mm(mean 3. 1 0. 47 mm) in diameter. Narrowing of the common bile duct was shown in 14 patients. Miscellaneous findings were: infiltration of extrapancreatic vein (n = 9) and artery (n = 1); mild fluid collection around pancreas (n = 2); pseudocysts (n = 3). Fourteen patients also presented one or more of the following extrapancreatic imaging findings: narrowing of the intra-hepatic bile duct or hilar duct (n = 5); thickening of gallbladder wall (n = 5); fibrosis in mesenteric (n = 2), in retroperitoneal (n = 2) and in ligamentum teres hepatis (n = 1); renal involvement (n = 3); peri-pancreatic or para-aortic lymphadenopathy (n = 10); and ulcerative colitis (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONAIP display some characteristic CT and MRI imaging features: sausage-like change of the pancreas; capsule-like rims around lesions; delayed contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma; segment or diffuse pancreatic duct stenosis but mild upstream dilation and extrapancreatic organs involvement. CT and MRI findings combining with serological tests and pancreas biopsy can assist physicians to make accurate and timely diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Autoimmune Diseases ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pancreatitis ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To construct three-dimensional finite element model of lumbar spondylolysis,then to verify its validity by comparison of biomechanics in vitro.Method According to the radiological data of a patient with lumbar spondylolysis,the bone and intervertebral disc of L4-S1 were reconstructed by Simpleware software.The lumbar attaching ligaments and articular capsule were added into simulating model by Ansys software.The three-dimensional finite element model of lumbar spondylolysis was finally simulated successfully,and validated by lumbar spondylolysis biomechanical experiment in vitro.Results The reconstruction of digital model contained the bones of lumbar spine which include vertebral cortical bone,cancellous bone,facet joint,pedicle,lamina,transverse process and spinous process,as well as the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,superior and inferior end-plates.Besides,anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments,flavum ligament,supraspinal and interspinal ligaments and articular capsule of facet joint are also attached.The model consisted of 281,261 nodes and 661,150 elements.Imitation of spondylolysis is well done in this model.The validity of the model was verified by comparison of the results of biomechanics in vitro which involved in the trends under loading of stress/strain of L4 inferior facet process,L5 superior and inferior facet process,S1 superior facet process and the trends of stress/strain of lateral and medial L4 inferior facet process.Conclusions Three-dimensional model of lumbar spondylolysis is reconstructed using finite element analysis,and can be further used in the research in biomechanics of lumbar spondylolysis.

Objective To construct three-dimensional finite element model of lumbar spondylolysis,then to verify its validity by comparison of biomechanics in vitro.Method According to the radiological data of a patient with lumbar spondylolysis,the bone and intervertebral disc of L4-S1 were reconstructed by Simpleware software.The lumbar attaching ligaments and articular capsule were added into simulating model by Ansys software.The three-dimensional finite element model of lumbar spondylolysis was finally simulated successfully,and validated by lumbar spondylolysis biomechanical experiment in vitro.Results The reconstruction of digital model contained the bones of lumbar spine which include vertebral cortical bone,cancellous bone,facet joint,pedicle,lamina,transverse process and spinous process,as well as the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,superior and inferior end-plates.Besides,anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments,flavum ligament,supraspinal and interspinal ligaments and articular capsule of facet joint are also attached.The model consisted of 281,261 nodes and 661,150 elements.Imitation of spondylolysis is well done in this model.The validity of the model was verified by comparison of the results of biomechanics in vitro which involved in the trends under loading of stress/strain of L4 inferior facet process,L5 superior and inferior facet process,S1 superior facet process and the trends of stress/strain of lateral and medial L4 inferior facet process.Conclusions Three-dimensional model of lumbar spondylolysis is reconstructed using finite element analysis,and can be further used in the research in biomechanics of lumbar spondylolysis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Chinese recipe, Wuye Decoction (WYD), on immune function in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSEighty-two patients of NSCLC with pathologically confirmed diagnosis, who had received operative treatment and completed the post-operational chemotherapy, were randomly assigned into 2 groups. Group A (42 cases) received WYD and Group B (40 cases) received no specific medicine. Positive rate of various peripheral lymphocyte subsets, including CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19 and CD25, in both groups was observed immediately after chemotherapy (T(0)) and 3 months later (T(1)), the same indexes of 20 healthy volunteers allocated in Group C were also determined at T(0) for control.

RESULTSThe positive rates of CD4, CD4/CD8, CD16, CD19 and CD25 were significantly lower (P < 0.05) while that of CD8 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Group A and B at T(0) than those in Group C; at T(1), these indexes, except CD25, got significantly restored in Group A with the level approaching normal range (P > 0.05), and showed significant difference from those in Group B (P < 0.05), since these indexes in that group remained unchanged at the corresponding period. As for CD25, it was insignificantly changed in Group A after WYD treatment, and thus, at T(1), it was still lower than that in Group C (P < 0.05) and showed insignificant difference as compared with that in Group B (P > 0.05). Comparison of CD3 among the 3 groups showed no significant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWYD could activate the immune function of NSCLC patients, and so it is recommended to be used in the treatment of NSCLC in clinical practice.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype

OBJECTIVETo observe the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin with proteasome inhibitor on osteosarcoma cells.

METHODSCell survival was tested by MTT, apoptotic morphology was observed by electron microscopy, apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry, the transcription level of excision repair cross complementation-1 (ERCC-1) was tested by reverse transcription polymerase reaction.

RESULTSCompared with cells treated with cisplatin alone, cells treated with cisplatin and proteasome inhibitor showed a decreased survival rate, more typical apoptotic morphology, higher apoptotic rate [(14.37 +/-2.37)% vs. (50.93 +/-4.84)%, P<0.01)], and lower transcription level of excision repair cross complementation-1.

CONCLUSIONProteasome inhibitor could increase the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin on osteosarcoma cells and promote cisplatin-induced osteosarcoma apoptosis. These effects may be associated with the decreased transcription of excision repair cross complementation-1.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacology ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Rats ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo evaluate tear film stability and tear secretion in patients with diabetes after phacoemulsification.

METHODSTwenty-five diabetic cataract patients and 20 age-matched non-diabetic cataract patients as control underwent phacoemulsification. Tear film break-up time (TFBUT), Schirmer I test (SIT), corneal fluorescein staining, and dry eye symptoms were measured pre- and postoperatively.

RESULTSDiabetics had a decreased preoperative TFBUT and SIT. TFBUT was reduced on Day 1 and recovered on Day 180 postoperatively in both groups. SIT was increased after phacoemulsification, but returned to preoperative levels by Day 180 in non-diabetics, whereas it was lower than preoperative level in diabetics. Positive corneal fluorescein staining was elevated in both groups, and returned to preoperative levels only in controls. Dry eye symptoms were similar to fluorescein staining in both groups.

CONCLUSIONTear secretion was reduced in diabetic cataract patients after phacoemulsification, which worsened dry eye symptoms and predisposed those patients to ocular damage.

Aged ; Aging ; Cataract ; therapy ; Cornea ; pathology ; Diabetes Complications ; pathology ; therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus ; pathology ; Female ; Fluorescein ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phacoemulsification ; Tears ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antitumor effect of natural killer (NK) cells on human colorectal cancer cells HT-29 in vitro by blocking transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling in NK cells transfected with vector containing dominant negative TGF-β type 2 receptor (DNTβR2).

METHODSTGF-β1 was added at the final concentration of 10 ng/ml for HT-29 cells. Primary NK cells were transfected with recombinant plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP-DNTβR2 and control plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP using Amaxa Nucleofector technology respectively. The cytotoxicity of these two types of NK cells to HT-29 cells was detected and analyzed by cell counting kit-8.

RESULTSThe transfection efficiency of primary NK cells was 18.85% for the plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP-DNTβR2 and 35.28% for the control plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP. The expression of DNTβR2 in NK cells was confirmed by Western blotting and RT-PCR. Primary NK cells displayed significantly lower cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells incubated with TGF-β1 than that without TGF-β1 (effect-target cell ratio 10:1,14.40%∓ 2.00% vs. 26.14% ∓ 2.50%, P > 0.05; effect-target cell ratio 20:1, 19.18% ∓ 2.49% vs. 40.81% ∓ 3.50%, P > 0.05). The cytotoxicity of NK cells transfected with DNTβR2 vector was significantly higher than that with control vector against HT-29 cells cultured with 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 (effect-target cell ratio 10:1, 21.17% ∓ 2.49% vs. 11.48% ∓ 1.11% ,P > 0.05; and effect-target cell ratio 20:1, 35.30% ∓ 3.78% vs. 17.19% ∓ 2.29%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNK cells transfected with DNTβR2 vector show better antitumor effect, which may provide new method for NK-based adoptive immunotherapy for cancer.

HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the cytotoxic effect of thermo-chemotherapy with cisplatin on osteosarcoma OS-732 cell line and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSThe osteosarcoma OS-732 cell line was treated with different temperature, cisplatin alone and 43 degrees C +cisplatin for 1 h, respectively and the in vitro cytotoxic effect was observed with MTT assay. The cell cycle and the apoptotic rate were analyzed with flow cytometry (FCM); the cellular apoptosis was observed also with electron microscope.

RESULTThe cytotoxicity index increase markedly as the temperature elevated or the concentration of cisplatin increased. While treated with 43 degrees C hyperthermia and cisplatin simultaneously, the cytotoxicity index increased to 72.37%;the cell cycle of the treated OS-732 cells line was changed with marked increase in S phase and decreasing in G(2)/M phase. The apoptotic rate increased markedly with the highest of 56.47%. Electron microscope showed the characteristic apoptotic alterations.

CONCLUSIONHyperthermia with cisplatin enhance cytotoxicity on osteosarcoma OS-732 cell line and the induced cell apoptosis may be one of the mechanisms of enhanced cytotoxicity by thermo-chemotherapy.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Combined Modality Therapy ; DNA Damage ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; therapy

Objective To investigate the efeects of microRNA(miR)-103a-3p regulates tumor protein 53-regulated inhibitor of apoptosis 1(TRIAP1)on osteoblast differentiation and bone mass in ovariectomized mice.Methods MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into normal group,miR-103a-3p-NC group,miR-103a-3p mimic group,miR-103a-3p mimic+TRIAP1-NC group,miR-103a-3p mimic+TRIAP1 mimic group.mRNA expression of miR-103a-3p,TRIAP1,P53 were detected by Real-time PCR;Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by MTT test and flow cytometry;cytoskeleton and mineralization of cells were detected by F-actin immunofluorescence staining and alizarin staining;alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity was detected by ELISA.24 female mice were divided into sham group,osteoporosis(OP)group,miR-103a-3p antagonist-NC group,miR-103a-3p antagonist group(six in each group),extract bilateral ovaries to establish an OP model,sham group mice only isolated fat around ovarian tissue.mRNA expression of miR-103a-3p,TRIAP1,P53,ALP,osteocalcin(OCN),osteopontin(OPN)of bone tissue were detected;microCT detect bone mineral density(BMD),bone mineral content(BMC);haematoxylin eosin staining was used to observe pathological changes of bone tissue.Results After miR-103a-3p mimic was transfected into cells,the miR-103a-3p and P53 expression increased,TRIAP1 expression decreased,cell proliferation decreased,apoptosis increased,F-actin expression decreased,the number of calcium nodules decreased,and ALP enzyme activity decreased(P<0.01);however,after TRIAP1 mimic was additionally transfected into cells,the above result caused by miR-103a-3p mimics were significantly reversed(P<0.01).In OP group,the miR-103a-3p and P53 expression in bone tissue increased,the TRIAP1,ALP,OCN and OPN expression decreased,BMD and BMC were decreased,and bone tissue construct was damaged(P<0.05);in miR-103a-3p antagonist group,the miR-103a-3p and P53 expression in bone tissue decreased,TRIAP1,ALP,OCN,OPN expression increased,BMD and BMC increased,and bone tissue construct was improved(P<0.05).Conclusion MiRNA-103a-3p mediate TRIAP1/P53 to inhibit proliferation and mineralization of osteoblast,while miR-103a-3p antagonistic treatment reduce bone loss in OP mice.