Objective:To investigate serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods:VEGF ELISA Quantikine kit.The serum RF level was also d etermined using Beckman Array 360.Results:The serum concen tration of VEGF was significantly higher in patients with RA than in healthy co ntrol(P＜0.01).Conclusion:It suggests that VEGF is involved in the pathog enesis of RA and that measurment of serum concentration of VEGF is noninvasive, usful method for monitoring the disease activity of RA.

Objective To observe the serum lipid level of patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).Methods A total of 71 BRVO patients (BRVO group) were enrolled in this study.The patients included 31 males and 40 females,with an average age of (52.75 ± 10.2) years.All the patients were examined for visual acuity,slit lamp ophthalmoscopy combine with preset lens,fundus color photography and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) examination.Seventy-two age-and sex-matched normal subjects were enrolled in this study as control group.The subjects included 32 males and 40 females,with an average age of (53.10±9.5) years.The BRVO and control group were divided into four subgroup which including age with ＜40 years,40-49 years,50-59 years and ≥60 years.The plasma cholesterol and triglyceride level of BRVO group,control group,and age subgroups of BRVO and control group were comparatively analyzed.Results The average plasma cholesterol levels were (4.529±0.100) and (4.274±0.106) mmol/L in BRVO and control group,respectively.There was no difference between two groups (t=-1.738,P＞0.05).The average triglyceride levels were (1.500±0.129) and (1.319±0.095) mmol/L in BRVO and control group,respectively.There was no difference between two groups (t=-1.135,P＞0.05).There was no difference of average plasma cholesterol (t=-1.755,1.850,-1.892,-0.507) and triglyceride (t=0.846,-0.074,-1.288,-1.887) level in age subgroups of BRVO and control subgroup (P＞0.05).Conclusion There is no significant difference of serum lipid level between BRVO patients and controls.

Objective:To study the antiviral effect of ISG20 on HCV replicon.Methods:Wild type ISG20/mutated ISG20 cDNAs were obtained by RT-PCR/two step-PCR directed mutagenesis, and wild type ISG20 and dominant negative mutated ISG20 mammal expression vectors were consuructed. The constructed pISG20wt and pISG20m expressing vectors were transfected into Huh7 cells or Huh7 cells containing HCV replicon to investigate its effects on HCV replicon replication.Results:The ISG20wt/ISG20m expression vectors were constructed and the expressions of these two vectors were confirmed at both mRNA and protein levels. The effects of ISG20wt on HCV replicon replication were evaluated by Northern blot and Western blot. The results showed that expression of ISG20wt had significant inhibitory effect on HCV RNA replication.Conclusion:ISG20 participates in the anti-HCV action of IFN-? on HCV replicon system.

Ultrasonic thrombus ablation is a newly-developed technology for percutaneous arterial recanalization. An ultrasound angioplasty device is described here in detail. The device has an adjustable power output range and distal tip longitudinal displacement range. Experimental data suggest that this ultrasound device is significantly effective in ablating fresh thrombi.
Catheter Ablation ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Expert Systems ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Transducers ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Vibration

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Modified Dachengqi Decoction (MDD) as whole course therapy on mediators of inflammation in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) model rats, and to compare interventional advantages over intestinal mucosal barrier (IMB) of SAP rats between whole course therapy of MDD and early stage therapy of MDD.

METHODSTotally 190 SD rats were divided into five groups according to random digit table, i.e., the sham-operation group, the model group, the octreotide (OT) group, the early stage MDD treatment group, the whole course MDD treatment group, 38 in each group. SAP models were established with retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreaticobiliary duct. Three hours after modeling normal saline (NS) was administered to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group by gastrogavage, once per 12 h.1.35 µg/100 g OT was subcutaneously injected to rats in the OT group, once every 8 h. 0.4 mL/100 g MDD was administered to rats in the early stage MDD treatment group, and 6 h later changed to NS (once per 12 h).0.4 mL/100 g MDD was administered to rats in the whole course MDD treatment group, once every 12 h. The accumulative survival rate and morphological manifestations of pancreas and small intestine were observed under microscope 48 h after modeling. Pathologic scores of the pancreas and small intestine were conducted at 4, 6, 24, and 48 h after modeling. Contents of serum amylase (AMY), alanine transaminase (ALT), and TNF-α were also detected. The expression of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) in the small intestine tissue was also detected by Western blot. The positive rate of bacterial translocation in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) was observed within 48 h. Correlations between serum TNF-α or HMGB1 in small intestinal tissue and pathological scores of the pancreas or the small intestine were analyzed.

RESULTSThe accumulative survival rate was 100. 0% in the sham-operation group, 79. 2% in the whole course MDD treatment group, 70. 8% in the OT group, 45. 8% in the early stage MDD treatment group, and 37.5% in the model group. At 6 h after modeling, pathological scores decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group, the early stage MDD treatment group, the OT group than in the model group (P < 0.05). At 24 and 48 h after modeling, pathological scores of the pancreas and the small intestine decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group and the OT group than in the early stage MDD treatment group (P <0. 05). At 6, 24, and 48 h after modeling, serum contents of AMY and ALT both decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group, the early stage MDD treatment group, the OT group than in the model group (P < 0.05). At 48 h after modeling serum contents of AMY and ALT both decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group and the OT group than in the early stage MDD treatment group (P < 0.05). At 6 h after modeling serum TNF-α levels decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group, the early stage MDD treatment group, the OT group than in the model group (P < 0.05). At 6, 24, and 48 h after modeling the level of HMGB1 in the small intestinal tissue decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group, the early stage MDD treatment group, the OT group than in the model group (P < 0.05). Of them, HMGB1 levels at 24 and 48 h were lower in the whole course MDD treatment group and the OT group than in the early stage MDD treatment group (P < 0.05). The number of MLNs bacterial translocation at 48 h after modeling was lower in the whole course MDD treatment group and the OT group than in the early stage MDD treatment group and the model group (P < 0.05). Serum TNF-α contents within 6 h were positively correlated with pathological scores of pancreas (r = 0.579, P < 0.01). ROC curve showed that serum TNF-α contents could predict the severity of SAP (ROC = 0.990, 95% Cl: 0.971 to 1.000). HMGB1 in the small intestine was positively correlated with pathological scores of the small intestine (r = 0.620, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEarly stage use of MDD could effectively reduce the release of TNF-α, while whole course use of MDD could effectively inhibit the expression of HMGB1. The latter could preferably attenuate injuries of the pancreas and the small intestine, lower MLNs bacterial translocation, and elevate the survival rate.

Animals ; Bacterial Translocation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; HMGB1 Protein ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; Octreotide ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis ; drug therapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Taurocholic Acid ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Objective To discuss the improvement of surgical techniques and adjustment of immunosuppressive regimen for combined liver and intestinal transplantation.Method A male patient with liver dysfunction and short bowel syndrome underwent the combined liver and intestinal transplantation.Ostomy of graft was performed instead of intestinal anastomosis during the operation.The anastomosis of graft and autologous intestine was performed 8 months after transplantation.Hospital and follow-up data of the patients were analyzed retrospectively.Result The functions of liver and small bowel recovered smoothly after operation.Slight rejection occurred one month after operation with normal function of intestine but dysfunction of liver.In the first month after operation, abdominal infection was controlled by intraperitoneal drainage with open surgery.Immunosuppression protocol was administrated with alemtuzumab for induction plus maintenance treatment with tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil was added because of renal dysfunction 2 years after transplantation.The patient was followed up for nearly 3 years with good quality of life without rejection and infection.Conclusion Combined liver and intestinal transplantation could improve patient's life quality and extend the survival time through the improvement of surgical techniques and individual immunosuppressive regimen.

Objective To investigate the immunosuppressive regimen of cyclosporine A(CsA) reduced or withdrawn in the HBV-DNA positive kidney transplanted patients. Methods The program of 64 kidney transplanted patients with HBV-DNA positive from Jan,2004 to Dec,2007 were analyzed, the patients were divided into 3 groups ①CsA + MMF group(A group) ;②FK506 + MMF group(B group) ;③low dose of CsA + SRL group(C group). All the patients received entecavir to resist HBV replication and were followed up for acute rejection incidence,liverfunc- tion and HBV-DNA test for 6 months. Results There was no significant difference in 3 groups about acute rejection incidence rate. Liver dysfunction took place in 12 patients of A group (80%) ,8 patients(53%) in A group HBV-DNA became negative; 5 patients (20%) in B group appeared the liver dysfunction, HBV-DNA became negative in 18 patients(75%). 4 patients in C group(16%) appeared liver dysfunction sHBV-DNA was negative in 18 patients (72%) of C group. Conclusion It was safe and efficient for the immunosuppressive regimen of cyclosporin A re-duced or withdrawn in the HBV-DNA positive kidney transplanted patients,not increasing the incidence of acute re-jection and aggratating the liver injury.

Objective To investigate the complications and the risk factors of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods The clinical data of 339 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from January 2000 to Decembcr 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.The risk factors of pancreatic fistula were analyzed.The incidences of complications accured from 2000 to 2004 and from 2005 to 2009 were compared.All data were analyzed by the t test,chi-square test,Fisher exact probability or Logistic regression model.Results The incidence of complications of all patients was 33.0％ ( 112/339),and the incidence of pancreatic fistula was 8.6％ (29/339).Of the 29 patients complicated with pancreatic fistula,6 patients were in grade A,8 in grade B and 15 in grade C.Soft texture of remnant pancreas and the diameter of pancreatic duct smaller than 3 mm were the independent risk factors of pancreatic fistula( OR =1.75,3.75,P ＜ 0.05 ).The number of hospital death was 12,including 1 patient died during the first period (2000-2004) and 11 patients died during the second period (2005-2009).Three patients died of pancreatic fistula and abdominal hemorrhage,3 died of postoperative upper gastrointesitnal bleeding,2 died of cardiac insufficiency,1 died of respiratory failure,1 died of pancreatic fistula,abdominal infection and necrotic pancreatitis,1 died of abdominal hemorrhage and hepatic and renal failure,1 died of bililary fistula,abdominal infection and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.Conclusions Soft texture of remnant pancreas and the diameter of the pancreatic duct smaller than 3 mm are important risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula.Pancreatic fistula is the main factor causing death after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Objective To investigate the effect of hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc) dimer interfaces amino acids mutation on nucleocapsid assembly and HBV DNA replication. Methods Based on HBc three dimension structure, four HBc dimer interfaces domain mutation plasmids, pHBc14-18M,pHBc120-135M,pHBc23-39M and pHBc122-139M were constructed in pcDNA3.1 vector by PCR site-directed mutagenesis, there was a flag-tag at the C-terminal of all mutants for easy detection. Wild type core protein plasmid 1-183flag was also constructed as a positive control. The 4 mutants were cotransfected HepG2 cells with pHBV1.2 core negative plasmid (pHBV1.2-core-) ,which contained 1.2 copies of HBV whole genome but the core protein would not express due to a stop codon. The capsid formation, HBV pregenome(pgRNA) and HBV DNA replication mediate were analyzed by native agarose gel electrophoresis and Western blot, Northern blot and Southern blot , respectively. The 4 mutants were also cotransfected HepG2 cells with HBV wild type plasmid pHBV1.2 and examined by Southern blot. Virions in the medium were determined by native agarose gel electrophoresis and Western blot. Results Cotransfecting HepG2 cells with pHBV1.2-core- plasmid, pHBc14-18M,pHBc120-135M and pHBc122-139M mutant groups formed nucleocapsid-like structure but pHBc23-39M could not, Northern and Southern blot displayed no signal in all mutants except 1-183flag conrol group. In pHBV1.2 cotransfection experiment, HBV DNA replication was blocked in pHBc14-18M, pHBc120-135M and pHBc122-139M mutant groups, sharply decreased in pHBc120-135M and pHBc122-139M groups, correspondingly virons production in medium were also inhibited. pHBc23-39M mutant exerted no influence on HBV replication. Conclusion pHBc23-39M mutant can neither form nucleocapsid-like structure nor interact with wild type HBc dimmer to interfere HBV replication.On the contrast, pHBc14-18M, pHBc120-135M and pHBc122-139M mutants can form nucleocapsid-like structure by themselves, but this structure does not support HBV DNA synthesis. Besides, they can effectively inhibit wild type HBV DNA replication by contacting with wild HBc dimmers resulting in nucleocapsid dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the association between CYP11 B2 gene polymo-rphism and left ventricle hypertrophy with meta analysis.Methods Literatures about the association of CYP11 B2 gene polymorphism and left ventricle hypertrophy from January 1992 to December 2011 were searched.The electronic databases retrieved from Pubmed,Embase,China national knowledge intemet,Chinese biological medicine disk,VIP fulltext database and Wanfang fulltext database.Odds ratio of CYP11 B2 genotype distributions in left ventricle hypertrophy patients comparing with healthy control were analyzed.RevMan5.1 software was applied for investigating hereogeneity among individual studies and summarizing effects with proper statistical methods.Six case control studies were enrolled.Results A total of 541 cases and 553 controls were enrolled for the study.The pooled OR of CC vs TT + TC genotype was 1.15 (95％ CI:0.74 ～ 1.80) (Z =0.63,P =0.53) in the subgroup of hypertension,and the pooled OR of CC vs TT + TC genotype was 1.15 (95 ％ CI:0.74 ～ 1.80) (Z =0.63,P =0.53) in the subgroup of race.The pooled OR of C vs T allele was 1.15 (95％ CI:0.76 ～ 1.74) vs 0.87 (95％ CI:0.58 ～ 1.31) (Z =0.67,P =O.50).Conclusion Whether the hypertension or the race,the genotype of CYP11 B2 polymorphism has no association with an increased risk of left ventricle hypertrophy.