Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasonic elastography in lymph node staging of gastrointestinal tumors.Methods Thirty-nine abdominal lymph nodes and 26 mediastinal lymph nodes of 35 patients with gastric cancer or esophageal carcer were examined by endoscopic ultrasonic elastography of five-point elastic score.Lymph node at 1-3 points was regarded as negative(benign),while 4-5 points as positive(malignant).The diagnostic value of EUS elastography was determined by comparing the results with pathological findings.Results Of all the 65 lymph nodes,49 were diagnosed as positive and 16 negative.The sensitivity and specificity of EUSE in the diagnosis of malignant lymph nodes were 91.1%and 60.0%.respectively.Conclusion EUSE is helpful for diagnosis of malignant metastasic lymph nodes.

ObjectiveThe efficacy and safety of nitrous oxide-sedated transnasal gastroscopy for high-risk patients of intravenous anesthesia were evaluated. MethodsA total of 157 patients were randomly assigned to the nitrous oxide group ( n =80) and the oxygen group ( n =77). Heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure and electrocardiogram were monitored. Complications in both groups were recorded.Satisfaction degrees of patients and endoscopy physicians were evaluated with a questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS) score. The questionnaire questions for physicians included the procedure evaluation ( steady, ok, unsteady). Patients' questionnaire questions included discomfort (light, moderate, severe), the patients' tolerance ( fine, moderate, weak) and the patients' willingness to undergo a second procedure. Statistical analysis was performed between the two groups. ResultsSix of the toal 157 patients were removed because of the operation failure (difficulty in access to nasal cavity in 5 patients and nose bleeding in one patient), 151 patients underwent the transnasal gastroscopy successfully and completed the questionnaires. In experimental group, there were 37 males and 41 females (mean age was 67.7 years, ranging 16-88 years, 7 patients were grade 1 of ASA, 61 were grade 2, and 11 were grade 3). In the control group, there were 36 males and 37 females (mean age was 67.9 years, ranging 17-86 years, 6 patients were grade 1 of ASA, 57 were grade 2, and 9 were grade 3). There was no differences in sex, average age and ASA grade between the two groups (P ＞ 0. 05 ). There was no difference in the mean operation time between the two groups, either (200. 1 s vs 200. 3 s) ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). There were no significant differences between the two groups in changes of blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure, electrocardiogram and complication rates ( P ＞ 0. 05 ).Both physicians' and patients' positive evaluations of the experimental group were more than that of the control (P ＜ 0. 05 ), while physicians' and patients' negative evaluations of the experimental group were less than the control (P ＜0. 05). VAS of physicians' satisfaction in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group (84 vs 70, t =14. 67, P ＜ 0. 05), and VAS of patients' satisfaction in the experimental group was superior to the control group (82 vs 71, t =11.56, P ＜ 0. 05). The number of patients wiring to undergo a second procedure in the experimental group was higher than that of the control (89. 7％ vs 69. 9％, P ＜ 0. 05). ConclusionNitrous oxide-sedated transnasal endoscopy is an effective and safe procedure for high risk patients of intravenous anesthesia.

Objective To investigate the optimal time for double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).Methods Data of 78 patients with OGIB who underwent DBE from January 2009 to November 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.They were classified into two groups:emergency DBE and non-emergency DBE.The demographic and clinical features and outcomes of DBE,the time of examination and complications were compared.Results The overall diagnostic yield of DBE was 48 lesions (61.54 ％).The overall diagnostic yield of emergency DBE group was 77.14％,which was significantly higher than that in non-emergency DBE group (48.83％) (P =0.019).The time of examination in emergency group was shorter than that of non-emergency group with significant difference (P =0.031).Conclusion Emergency DBE takes less time and yields a higher rate of detection.Patients withOGIB should receive DBE as soon as possible.

ObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic value of EUS for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.MethodsClinical data of 26 patients with final diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors,who had underwent EUS and EUS-FNA,were retrospectively analyzed.Results On EUS,pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors presented as hypoechoic masses with clear margins and rich blood flow.Of the 26 pancreatic lesions,3 were in the head,2 in unicate process,2 in neck,11 in body and 8 in tail.The tumors presented with function in 16 ( mean size 9 mm),and on function in 10 ( mean size 29 mm).EUS-FNA yeilded positive results in 22 patients and negative in 4.The accuracy rate of EUS for preoperative localization was 100％ in 23 patients who underwent surgery.ConclusionEUS can provide accurate preoperative localization and pathologic evidence for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic value of endoscopic band ligation in gastric stromal tumors.Methods Twenty-nine patients with small gastric stromal tumors(diameter<12mm)underwent endoscopic band ligation,and were followed up with routine endoscopy and EUS.Results Twentyeight patients recovered completely,with the surface healing up 4-6 weeks(average 4.8 weeks)thereafter.The neoplasm did not slough off in one patient,so he underwent a second ligation.Hemorrhage occurred in one patient three days after ligation,but was successfully managed with hemoclips.Other patients showed no complications.All the patients were followed up for 36 to 51 months,and there was one case of recurrence.Conclusion Endoscopic band ligation is an effective and safe treatment for small GISTs of less than 12 mm.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of carbon dioxide (CO2) used as an alternative to air in the gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Methods 80 cases underwent ESD treatment were randomly as-signed to two groups, 40 cases in CO2 group and 40 in air group. Arterial blood CO2 partial pressure was measured preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative respectively. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to record patients the degree of abdominal pain and distention at 1 h, 6 h and 24 h after operation in each group. The incidence of com-plications were evaluated. Regular follow up were scheduled in all the patients. Results There was no significant dif-ference in degree of abdominal pain score and the CO2 partial pressure between the two groups. The abdominal dis-tension scores of CO2 group were significant lower than air group at 1 h, 6 h after the ESD procedure. There were no statistically significant difference in the incidence rate of complications. Conclusion The utilization of CO2 in gas in-sufflation during gastric ESD is safe. CO2 insufflation can significant reduce the postoperative abdominal distension and improve the quality of postoperative recovery.

BACKGROUND: Transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) can promote vascular regeneration and improve heart function. However, whether the combined application is superior to single application or not is still unclear.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of allogenetic bone manow stem cells transplantation combined with VEGF transfection on vascular regeneration and heart function of rats with acute myocardial infarction.DESIGN: Simple sample observation was used in culturing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell of rats; Randomized controlled animal experiment was used in cell transplantation and gene transfection.SETTING: Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Cardiovascular Institute of Tongji Medical College MATERIALS: Totally 94 healthy male Wistar rats and expression vector PAdTrack/VEGF165 were used in this experiment.METHODS: This experiment was carried out at Cardiovascular Institute of Tongji Medical College between June 2004 and June 2005. ①Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of rats were isolated, purified and cultured in vitro, then labeled with bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU). ② Preparation , extraction, purification and identification of plasmid PAdTrack/VEGF165. ③Two weeks after coronary artery was ligated to create acute myocardial infarction model, rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=12 in each group): stem cell + plasmid group(50 μL BrdU-labeled bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell solution and 100 μL plasmid PAdTrack/VEGF165 were injected into the rats through multiple sites), stem cell group (50 μL bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell solution was injected through multiple sites), plasmid group (100 μL plasmid PAdTrack/VEGF165 was injected through multiple sites) , control group(100 μL serum-free DMEM was injected through multiple sites). ④ Immunohistochemistry andechocardiography were performed 4 weeks later.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Immunohistochemical and haematoxylin-eosin stainings were conducted in the infarcted and ischemic areas of rats in each group; ② Blood vessel counts; ③Echocardiography.RESULTS: Totally 48 rats entered the stage of result analysis. ① BrdUlabeled transplanted cells could be seen at the infarcted and ischemic myocardium in the stem cell+plasmid group and stem cell group. Some transplanted cells at ischemic myocardium differentiated into vascular endothelial cells and formed newborn blood capillary. ②Density of Ⅷ factor positively-stained newborn blood capillary took stem cell +plasmid group ＞ plasmid group ＞ stem cell group ＞ control group in order (all P＜ 0.01).③Wall thickness and wall motion range improved after cell transplantation and gene transfection therapy. The increased range of ejection fraction took stem cell +plasmid group ＞ stem cell group ＞ plasmid group ＞ control group in order (all P ＜ 0.01) .CONCLUSION: Allogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation and VEGF gene transfection could further boost vascular regeneration of infarcted ischemic area and improve wall thickness and heart function of rats.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects and safety of double-channel forward-view endoscopy for lower-position biliary obstruction after Billroth-Ⅱ gastrectomy.Methods A total of 18 patients with lower-position biliary obstruction after Billroth-Ⅱ gastrectomy were enrolled and treated with doublechannel forward-view endoscopy.The process and the outcomes were recorded.Effectiveness and safety were evaluated.Results Double-channel forward-view endoscopic treatment was successfully performed in 13 of the 18 patients (72％),with stone removal or stents implantion to resolve biliary obstruction.The procedure failed in 5 patients,who were transferred to surgery or underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage.Delayed bleeding occurred in 1 patient,and pancreatitis in 2,who were cured after standard treatments.Conclusion Double-channel forward-view endoscopy is effective and safe for lower-position biliary obstruction in patients after Billroth-Ⅱ gastrectomy.

Objective To evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of endoscopic implantation of self-expandable metallic stent (SEMs) for malignant colorectal obstruction.Methods A total of 208 patients who had undergone endoscopic SEMs implantation for malignant colonic obstruction from January 2012 to May 2014 at the endoscopy center of Shengjing hospital were enrolled.The technical and clinical success rate and the complications were reviewed.Results The technical and clinical success rates were 99.04％ (206/208) and 96.15％ (200/208), respectively.Abdominal pain, perforation and bleeding were the most common post-procedure complications, the rates of which were 13.46％ (28/208), 2.88％ (6/208), 1.92％ (4/208), respectively.The abdominal pain in most patients was self-relieving except for 6 patients with perforation of colon.Patients with perforation were cured by emergency surgery.One patient with intraperitoneal hemorrhage was also cured by emergency surgery, the other patients developing bleeding recovered themselves.Conclusion The success rate of endoscopic SEMs implantation is satisfactory in the study.As a bridge to surgery or a palliative care method, endoscopic SEMs implantation is effective and safe for malignant colorectal obstruction.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic metal stent implantation for afferent limb obstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD). Methods A retrospective analysis of 5 patients with afferent limb obstruction after PD treated by endoscopic metal stent implantation was performed.Data of each patient was reviewed including the records of the endoscopic procedure,the complications and the clinical outcomes. Results All the metal stents were implanted successfully in the 5 patients. The abdominal disten-sion and cholangeitis were well relieved in all the patients. The liver function improved in all the patients in 3 to 5 days.No abdominal discomfort,bleeding,perforation,or stent dislocation occurred.CT scan showed that all stents were well expanded.The survival time of the 5 patients were 3 to 8 months,and 4. 6 months on av-erage. There was no recurrence of afferent limb obstruction. Conclusion For afferent limb obstruction after PD,endoscopic metal stent implantation is effective in relieving obstruction,the symptoms,and improving the quality of life.