Objective To investigate the relationship between diameter and drainage territory of tributaries of the hepatic vein and the clinical value of hepatic venous drainage territory evaluation before LDLT.Methods MSCT covering abdomen was performed on 68 donors.The images were transported and reconstructed in GE Advantage Windows 4.2 workplace and IQQA-liver CT images readout and analytical system.The tributaries of hepatic vein were marked,and the diameter and drainage territory were measured.Functional hepatic volume (FHV),and effective hepatic volume (EfHV) of donors and recipients according to the hepatic venous reconstruction results during the operation were calculated.The corresponding graft-to-recipient body weight ratio of recipients was calculated.Results In the tributaries of 220 hepatic veins studied,the coefficient correlation of diameter and drainage territory was 0.752 (P≤0.01),but there was significant difference in the drainage territory of the veins with same diameter.By using Chi-square analysis,venous diameter and drainage territory are classified and statistical frequency by 5 mm and 50 cm3 respectively,and there was statistically significant difference between them (X2 =61.97,P＜0.01).The mean value of drainage territory of RHV (RHVV) was 510.80 ± 168.33 cm3,and that of RFHV (drainage territory with reconstructed IRHV added) was 577.26± 156.72 cm3 respectively.The mean value of drainage territory of LHV (LHVV) was 292.70 ± 76.61 cm3,and that of LFHV (drainage territory with Ⅳ segment tributaries of MHV added) was 551.26 ± 111.82 cm3 respectively.In 25 grafts without MHV,the mean value of drainage territory of EfHV was 405.52-1038.43 cm3.In 43 donors donating grafts with MHV,the mean value of drainage territory of EfHV was 175.35-575.35 cm3.Conclusion There is significant difference in drainage territory of same diameter veins.Bigger diameter doesn't always mean bigger drainage territory.Hepatic vein drainage territory evaluation before LDLT has important clinical significance to formulate surgery scheme.

Objective To investigate the viability of analysis of hemodynamic changes with color Doppler flow imaging in the prediction of acute rejection in transplanted liver.Methods Sixty-eight patients enrolled in the study were categorized into three groups:transplanted liver without acute rejection [rejection activity index(RAI) 0-3,n =24],transplanted liver with mild acute rejection (RAI 4-5,n =23),transplanted liver with moderate and severe acute rejection (RAI 6-9,n =21).All the patients were confirmed by pathology.The color Doppler flow imaging were performed in all the patients within 24 hours and 1 week after biopsy.Results In transplanted liver with moderate and severe acute rejection,the peak systolic velocity of portal vein (PV-PSV) was (31.4 ± 14.1)cm/s,significantly lower than that in transplanted liver without acute rejection,which was (45.1 ± 17.7)cm/s (P ＜0.05).A week later after steroid therapy,the PV-PSV in transplanted liver with moderate and severe rejection was increased to (46.7 ± 21.8)cm/s(P ＜0.05).Patients with acute rejection were associated with the decrease of the PVPSV (P ＜0.05).Conclusions The decrease of PV-PSV may have some clinical value in evaluation the acute rejection in transplanted liver.

OBJECTIVETo analyze LC-MS fingerprints of Aristolochia manshuriensis for quality assessment with two different chemical pattern recognition models.

METHODLC-MS fingerprints of A. manshuriensis were established from 24 batches of samples from different habitats. SIMCA and Clustering analysis were used to compare the parameters of the 29 common peaks.

RESULTTwo methods had good consistency, while they reflected the inherent sample information from different perspectives, respectively.

CONCLUSIONModern equipment analysis technology and multivariable chemical pattern recognition would be an efficient way for quality control and variety identification of A. manshuriensis.

Aristolochia ; chemistry ; classification ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Cluster Analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Phylogeny ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo observe Smads protein expression in lung tissue of quartz exposed mice and to explore its association with pulmonary fibrosis in silicosis.

METHODSThe experimental mice were divided into control and quartz groups. 0.2 g/kg weight of quartz was injected intratracheally in quartz group. Samples were collected at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th and 28th day after injection. Immunohistochemical methods with quantitative image analysis were used to assay the protein expression of transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), Smad 2/3, Smad 4, and Smad 7 protein levels. Protein expression level is presented by positive unit (PU).

RESULTSSmad 2/3 protein expression increased from day 3, reaching its peak level in day 14 [(42.2 +/- 2.4) PU], and decreased gradually. The elevation of Smad 4 protein level began from day 5, and the highest degree came into day 14 [(40.0 +/- 1.8) PU], decreased thereafter. The expression of Smad 7 presented a decreasing tendency at the beginning and reaching the lowest level in day 14 [(33.5 +/- 3.3) PU]. It seemed to elevate in day 28, but was still lower than the controls. There were positive correlation between Smad 2/3, Smad 4 and TGF-beta(1) (r = 0.91, r = 0.71, respectively, P < 0.05) and also between Smad 2/3 and hydroxyproline contents of lung tissue (r = 0.85, P < 0.05) except Smad 7.

CONCLUSIONSmad protein may have certain association with pulmonary fibrosis in silicosis.

Animals ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; immunology ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Quartz ; toxicity ; Smad2 Protein ; Smad3 Protein ; Smad4 Protein ; Smad7 Protein ; Trans-Activators ; immunology ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the enhancement patterns of liver metastases and their influencing factors using dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). METHODS: A total of 240 patients (139 male and 101 female; 58.5±11.2 years of age) diagnosed with liver metastases in our hospital were enrolled in this study to evaluate tumor characteristics using CEUS. A comparison of enhancement patterns with tumor size and primary tumor type was performed using the chi-square test. The differences between quantitative variables were evaluated with the independent-sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The enhancement patterns of liver metastases on CEUS were categorized as diffuse homogeneous hyperenhancement (133/240, 55.4%), rim-like hyperenhancement (80/240, 33.3%), heterogeneous hyperenhancement (10/240, 4.2%), and isoenhancement (17/240, 7.1%). There were significant differences in the enhancement patterns during the arterial phase based on the nodule size (p=0.001). A total of 231 of the nodules showed complete washout during the portal phase, and 237 nodules were hypoenhanced during the delayed phase. The washout time was correlated with tumor vascularity, with a longer washout time observed in hypervascular metastases compared to hypovascular metastases (p=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Diffuse homogeneous hyperenhancement followed by rapid washout was the most common enhancement pattern of liver metastases on CEUS and was affected by the nodule size and tumor vascularity. Small metastases were prone to show diffuse homogeneous hyperenhancement. Hyper-vascular metastases showed a significantly longer washout time compared to hypovascular metastases.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Contrast Media/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Liver/diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Liver Neoplasms/blood supply/*diagnostic imaging/secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography/*methods ; Young Adult

Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen(HBO)therapy on mitochondrial free radicals after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

METHODSThe male SD rats were randomly assigned into two groups, control and HBO groups. All animals were subjected to 90 min intra-luminal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with the regional cerebral blood flow monitored in vivo by laser Doppler flowmetry. HBO treatment was performed in a pressure chamber with 100% O(2)(3 ATM 1 h) 3 h after ischemia. Twenty-four hours after ischemia, mitochondria in the ischemic core and penumbra were isolated and the contents of H(2)O(2), O(2)(*-), MDA, SOD, GSH-PX and GSH in mitochondria were measured respectively.

RESULTAfter cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, contents of mitochondrial H(2)O(2), O(2)(*-), MDA increased, while the SOD, GSH-PX and GSH in the mitochondria decreased significantly both in the ischemic core and the ischemic penumbra, compared with those in the normal controls(P<0.05). In the ischemic penumbra, HBO therapy increased significantly the content of O(2)(*-)(P<0.05), enhanced the activity of SOD, and decreased the level of MDA (P<0.05). However, HBO therapy did not change the level of MDA, though it also increased the content of O(2)(*-) and the activity of SOD in the ischemic core. HBO therapy had no significant effect on the contents of H(2)O(2), GSH-PX and GSH in the ischemic mitochondria.

CONCLUSIONHBO therapy initiated early after acute transient cerebral ischemia in rats can increase the mitochondrial free radicals level, but also increase the activity of the anti-radical enzymes. HBO treatment inhibits the lipid peroxidation damage of mitochondria in the ischemic penumbra, but not in the ischemic core, which indicates that the mitochondrial function plays a role in the reaction of the free radical in the ischemic area after HBO therapy.

Animals ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; methods ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; metabolism ; therapy ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; metabolism ; therapy ; Male ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in the treatment of fresh thoracolumbar fractures in the elderly.

METHODSFrom May 2004 to March 2009, among 29 patients (32 vertebras) with thoracolumbar fractures, 18 patients (21 vertebras) were treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and 11 patients (11 vertebras) were treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). The visual analogue scale (VAS) and mobility were evaluated 3 days before and after operation. During follow-up period, patients were observed and evaluated in terms of relief of back pain and regaining of living ability. Complications such as bone cement leakage were analyzed.

RESULTSAll the patients got successful operation. The average operation time was 38.6 minutes for the 18 patients (21 vertebras) with PVP performed, and 3.2 ml (2-5 ml) bone cement was injected. For the 11 patients (11 vertebras) with PKP performed, the average operation time was 43 minutes, and an average of 3.8 ml (2-6 ml) bone cement was injected. The VAS decreased from preoperative (7.5 +/- 0.7) to (2.2 +/- 0.5) at the 3rd day after operation; the mobility scores of the patients decreased from preoperative (2.4 +/- 0.6) to (1.2 +/- 0.3) at the 3rd day after operation; the vertebral height increased from an average of (52.4 +/- 9.7)% pre-operation to (85.2 +/- 10.6)% after operation; and the average kyphosis correction of Cobb angle was 11.2 degrees. During an average of 12.6 months follow-up, no patients reported vertebral pain. Review of X-ray films showed no significant loss of vertebral height. One patient died from complications of heart disease 5 months being discharged from hospital. Another patient died from the same cause at 6 months after opertaion. Paravertebral leakage of bone cement was also found in 2 patients. No serious complications occurred and patients were satisfied with the treatment.

CONCLUSIONPVP, PKP can be used to instantly reinforce vertebral injury, relieve pain, and improve the patient's mobility. For elder people with fresh thoracolumbar fractures, when health conditions are allowed, PVP or PKP surgery is the right treatment.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Cements ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Vertebroplasty ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the expressions of Integrinalpha2beta1 and CD133 in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) complicated by prostatitis and their significance.

METHODSSpecimens were obtained from 56 BPH patients undergoing transvesical prostatectomy. Paraffin sections of the specimens were subjected to HE staining for pathological examination of inflammatory changes under the light microscope. Twenty-four patients with simple BPH were included in Group A, and the other 32 with BPH complicated with prostatitis in Group B. The expressions of Integrinalpha2beta1 and CD133 in the prostatic tissues of the two groups were determined by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and IPP6.0 image analysis software.

RESULTSThe expressions of Integrinalpha2beta1 and CD133 were significantly higher in Group B than in A (P < 0.05), and so were the mean relative value of the optical density of Integrinalpha2beta1 (0.29 +/- 0.18 vs 0.04 +/- 0.03) and that of CD133 (0.08 +/- 0.07 vs 0.0020 +/- 0.0018) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONInflammation can up-regulate the expressions of Integrinalpha2beta1 and CD133 in BPH tissue.

AC133 Antigen ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Integrin alpha2beta1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatitis ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective To investigate the mechanism of reverse redistribution (RR) on dipyridamole 201Tl myocardial perfusion studies in the patients with coronary artery spasm. Methods Twenty-six patients with coronary artery spasm and presented as RR on dipyridamole 201Tl myocardial perfusion studies were enlisted as RR group, while other 16 patients with no coronary artery stenosis nor RR were enlisted as control group. Dipyridamole test was repeated during coronary angiography. Corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (CTFC) and TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) were measured at RR related and non-RR related coronary arteries before and after dipyridamole infusion respectively.All of the data were analyzed by Student's t-test orχ2-test and correlation analysis. Results Coronary artery angiography showed slower blood flow and lower myocardial perfusion in RR related vessels when compared with non-RR related vessels in RR group, but there was no significant difference among the main coronary arteries in control group. The perfusion defects of RR area at rest were positively related to slowerblood velocity at corresponding coronary arteries ( r = 0.79, t = 10.18, P ＜ 0.001 ). In RR related vessels,CTFC were (36 ±6) frames and (26 ±7) frames (t =4.15, P ＜0.01 ), while TMPG were (2.02 ±0.39)grades and (2.92 ± 0.12) grades ( t = 2.25, P ＜ 0.05 ) before and after dipyridamole infusion, respectively.In non-RR related vessels, CTFC were (29 ±7) frames and (25 ±5) frames (t =2.31, P ＜0.05), while TMPG were (2.56 ± 0.31 ) grades and (2.96 ± 0.06) grades ( t = 2.17, P ＜ 0.05 ) before and after dipyridamole infusion, respectively. However, there were no significant changes of CTFC and TMPG before and after dipyridamole infusion in control group ( t = 0.932, 0.867, respectively, both P ＞ 0.05 ). Conclusion RR is related to the decreased blood flow and myocardial perfusion induced by coronary artery spasm at rest,which may be improved by stress test such as intravenous dipyridamole infusion.