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 investigate the correlation between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)and prognostic factors in rectal cancer.Methods 5 5 patients with rectal cancer were confirmed pathologically.Conventional pelvic MRI and DWI examination were performed,and the mean ADC values of tumor were measured preoperatively.The patients were divided into two groups with or without lymph node metastasis,and were also divided into four groups with negative,weakly positive,positive or strongly positive expression of EGFR in rectal cancer.The ADC values were calculated in each group,and the correlation of ADC values with the lymph node status and EGFR expression classification were analyzed.Results In 5 5 patients with colorectal cancer,there were 13 lesions with lymph node metastasis and the positive expression rate of EGFR was 67.2%.There were no significant difference in mean ADC value between the groups with and without lymph node metastasis (P=0.342).The number of lesions with negative,weakly positive,positive and strongly positive EGFR expression were 18,15,12 and 10.The difference in the mean ADC values among negative,weakly positive,positive and strongly positive expression groups of prognostic factor EGFR was not significantly different (P=0.412).There were also no correlations in the prognostic factors mentioned above (r=0.183 and -0.324,all P>0.05).Conclusion The ADC value can not be used to predict the prognosis and to provide more valu-able information for individualized therapy in patients with rectal carcinoma,which needs further studiy in the future.

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.

Objective To investigate the effects of treatment on end-stage liver disease and diabetes mellitus by simultaneous liver-pancreas-duodenum transplantation with the pancreas of the recipients reserved.Method Simultaneous liver-pancreas-duodenum transplantations were carried out in three patients with the pancreas of the recipients reserved.The diseases of the recipient 1,2,and 3 were alcoholic liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus,chronic hepatitis B liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus,and chronic hepatitis B liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus complicated with renal function failure.The recipient 3 received simultaneous renal transplantation.Result The recipient 1 suffered from pancreatitis after the operation and discharged with normal liver function and blood glucose levels,and he was treated with insulin at 4th year after the operation.Intestinal fistula occurred in the recipient 2 and drainage was done without acute peritonitis,the liver allograft was experienced an acute rejection episode treated by intravenous bolus methylpredisolone at 19th month after operation,but gastrointestinal perforation happened and the patient died of acute peritonitis.In the recipient 3,peripancreatic effusion and pancreatitis happened and were treated by drainage,and the recipient survived to now with normal liver and kidney functions,but given insulin at first year after operation.Conclusion It is effective to implement simultaneous liver-pancreas-duodenum transplantation with the pancreas of the recipients reserved on the patients with end-stage liver disease and diabetes mellitus.However,how to maintain the pancreatic endocrine function after the transplantation for a long period awaits further investigation.

Objective To analysis and summarize the diagnosis and treatment of acute humoral rejection after liver transplantation.Method The clinical data of 2 patients with humoral rejection after liver transplantation were analyzed.One patient with severe hepatitis B underwent ABO-incompatible liver transplantation and the donor blood type was AB and recipient blood type was A.Another patient with autoimmune liver disease was subjected to liver transplantation with the same blood type.Result Two patients were given tacrolimus,mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone immune suppression scheme.Anti-human lymphocyte immune globulin was used in case 1 for induction therapy.Both cases recovered well after liver transplantation in one week evaluated by the transplanted liver function,but liver function deteriorated from 7 days after transplantation.Titer of anti blood type B antibody was increased in case 1,and biopsy of transplantation liver confirmed acute humoral rejection.Plasma exchange,bortezomib plus intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) were used for therapy for acute humoral rejection,and acute humoral rejection in case 1 was reversed after treatment and graft function recovered gradually.However,the graft function was not improved after treatment in case 2,and liver graft biopsy showed no acute cellular rejection signs.Only few liver cells necrosis and cholangiole cholestasis were seen.The levels of HLA Ⅰ and Ⅱ class antibody were 3.4％ and 95.9％ respectively.We suspected acute humoral rejection in case 2.Plasma exchange,bortezomib plus IVIG were given,but liver graft function was not improved after treatment,and liver re-transplantation was done 2 months after first liver transplantation.Acute humoral rejection diagnosed pathologically.Conclusion We should alert the occurrence of acute humoral rejection in ABO-incompatible liver transplantation,and the patients with autoimmune liver disease due to the disorder of immune function after liver transplantation.Liver graft biopsy,and detection of the levels of panel reactive antibodies will help to diagnose the acute humoral rejection.The treatment should seize the opportunity and combine a variety of approaches.Liver re-transplantation is performed once the rejection can not be reversed

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.