Objective To investigate into the indications and related anatomic foundation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) creation by direct transcaval approach in patients with portal hypertension cirrhosis suffering unusual anatomy between the hepatic veins and portal bifurcation; and to evaluate the security, feasibility and clinical significance. Methods Direct transcaval approach TIPS were performed in 65 patients including active variceal bleeding (n=52), intractable ascites (n=12), and as a bridge to liver transplantation (n=1). Results Technical and functional success were achieved in all patients. The success rate was 100% without related complications including the technique and primary patency rate is obvious higher than classical TIPS. Conclusion In patients with unusual anatomy between the hepatic veins and portal bifurcation, and inaccessible or inadequate hepatic veins, transcaval TIPS creation is secure and feasible. The results suggest that the direct transcaval approach offering favorable primary patency because the shunt has a straight line in construction.

In recent years, many modern spectral databases for complex materials ( such as soil, feed, forensic evidence materials, pharmaceuticals and oils) have been established based on molecular spectroscopy (UV, infrared, near infrared, Raman and fluorescence) both at home and abroad, which are playing more and more important roles in the agricultural and industrial production and science research. Spectral searching method is one of the key technologies to make full use of the molecular spectral database. This paper reviewed the progress in the basic and modified algorithm, strategy and application of molecular spectral searching methods, and put forward the scientific and technological problems that need attention and further research.

To solve the calibration transmission problem in near-infrared ( NIR) spectroscopy, a novel model transfer method, Simple Linear Regression Direct Standard-ization ( SLRDS ) , has been presented. To investigate the validity of the proposed method, a real corn sample NIR dataset was tested and the direct standardization ( DS ) method and piecewise direct standardization ( PDS ) method were involved as a comparison. Our results indicated that SLRDS can correct compressed NIR data differences among instruments and enable the user to share corn sample PLS calibration model among three instruments, at the same time it has higher prediction accuracy, fewer parameters and simpler model than DS and PDS.

Genetic algorithms (GA), a global searching method, is applied to select wavelength variables of near infrared spectroscpy (NIR) for multivariate calibration made by partial least squares (PLS) method. Two application examples of NIR analysis show that this wavelength selection method for PLS modeling not only simplifies and optimizes calibration model but also increases the prediction ability of calibration model. The method is especially adequate for the system where only PLS is difficult to correlate.

Ionizing radiation can directly attack biological macromolecules including DNA, protein and lipids. Radiation can also damage cells indirectly by the formation of lots of free radicals through the radiolysis of surrounding water molecules. As the result, ion-izing radiation may make serious injury in human immune system, reproductive system and nervous system. Several synthetic radiopro-tectors have been used in clinic. However, most of them have some undesirable side effects. Hence, natural radioprotectors with high efficiency and low toxicity have been the focus of radioprotection field in recent years. In the paper, the recent research progress in the protection and repair effects of polysaccharides on radiation damage was reviewed.

Objective To determine the expression level of microRNA-25 in animal models of diabetic nephropathy and human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) cultured in different conditions, and to explore its regulating effect on the fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. Methods The expression of microRNA-25 was detected by real-time PCR. The downstream target protein of microRNA-25 was verified by bioinformatic prediction, transient transfection of cells and Western blotting. Results MicroRNA-25 was down-regulated in animal models of diabetic nephropathy and HK-2 cells which were cultured in high-glucose medium (P<0. 01). MAP2K4 might be the downstream target protein of microRNA-25. Overexpression of microRNA-25 reduced the protein expression of MAP2K4 and α-SMA (P<0. 01). Conclusion MicroRNA-25 inhibits the fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy by regulating the expression of MAP2K4.

AIM: To study the therapeutic effects and the related mechanism of Pingchuanling(PCL) on bronchial asthma in rats. METHODS: The rats asthma model was established by ovalbumin(OVA) sensitization.The SD rats were divided into the normal control group,asthma model group,dexamethasone group,low and higher dose of PCL group.Eos in serum and BALF were taken count of and tissue slice dyed with HE were observed.In addition Fas,Bcl-2 expression in lung tissue were examined by immunotisssuchemical technology. RESULTS: Eos count in serum and BALF of asthma model group were increased significantly as compared with that in normal animals.Asthma induced delitescence also were shorten obviously,the differences between the groups were all significant(P

Objective To evaluate the effect of combination therapy of tolterodine and tamsulosin in improving symptoms in patients with indwelling double-J ureteral stents.Methods A total of 96 patients underwent placement of a double-J ureteral stent after retrograde ureteroscopy for urinary stone disease,which were prospectively randomized ( random numbers table) into two groups.The tamsulosin group ( n =48) was administered tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily,the combination group (n =48) was administcred tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily and tolterodine 2 mg twice daily.All the patients completed a validated Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ),the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS),the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) one day before he placement and 4 weeks after stent placement of stent.Results The mean urinary symptom index score (25.4 ± 4.0 vs 15.3 ± 2.9,P ＜ 0.0001 ),the mean pain index score (15.0 ±2.6 vs10.3 ±2.1,P ＜0.0001),the mean general health index score (15.4 ±2.2 vs 11.0±1.5,P＜0.0001),the work performance index score (13.0±2.2vs9.7±1.9,P＜0.0001),the sex index score (3.6 ± 1.1 vs 2.2 ± 0.9,P ＜0.0001 ) improved significantly in combination group than those in tamsulosin group.There was a statistically significant difference between tamsulosin group and combination group in the IPSS score ( 12.8 ± 2.0 vs 9.2 ± 1.7,P ＜ 0.0001 ) and OABSS score ( 6.7 ± 1.4 vs 4.2 ± 1.4,P ＜ 0.0001 ) at the 4 weekfollow-up.Conclusions Indwelling ureteral stents have a significant impact on health related quality of life.It is effective for improving symptoms in patients with indwelling double-J ureteral stents by combination therapy with tolterodine and tamsulosin.

Objective To investigate the CD34~+ umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells (CD34~+ UBSC) transfected with interleukin 21 (IL-21) against the ovarian cancer effect in tumor-bearing nude mice. Methods CD34~+ UBSC were obtained from the UBSC by a magnetically activated cell sorting technique and then transfected with recombinant plasmid plRES2-IL-21-EGFP after the CD34~+ UBSC were proliferated in vitro. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by the size of the tumor and the life span in nude mice treated with the CD34~+ UBSC-IL-21. The expression of IL-21 and its bioactivity in CD34~+ UBSC-IL-21 and in local neoplasitc tissues were respectively detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immune fluorescence technique, ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and splenocyte proliferative activity. The NK cell cytotoxicity and the numbers of NK cells, serum level of IFN-γ and TNF-αwere simultaneouly detected by FCM and ELISA, respectively. Results CD34~+ UBSC were cultured and transfected with pIRES2-IL-21-EGFP successfully. CD34~+ UBSC-IL-21 could inhibit the tumor growth and extended nude mice life span compared with other groups (P < 0.01). The expression of IL-21 in the neo-plastic tissue, serum level of IFN-γ and TNF-α , NK cell activity and the numbers of NK cells of mice origin and of human origin in splenocytes were increased significantly in the nude mice treated with CD34~+ UBSC-IL-21 compared with other groups(P <0.01). Conclusion The CD34~+ UBSC transfected with IL-21 have competent against ovarian cancer in tumor-bearing nude mice. The findings may establish a foundation for gene therapy of the ovarian cancer by CD34~+ UBSC-IL-21 in clinic application.

Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of asparagine synthase deficiency.Methods:Case series studies. Retrospective analysis and summary of the clinical data of 6 cases with asparagine synthase deficiency who were diagnosed by genetic testing and admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2017 to April 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. The main clinical features, laboratory and imaging examination characteristics of the 6 cases were summarized, and the gene variation sites of them were analyzed.Results:All of the 6 cases were male, with onset ages ranging from 1 month to 1 year and 4 months. All of the 6 cases had cognitive and motor developmental delay, with 3 cases starting with developmental delay, 3 cases starting with convulsions and later experiencing developmental arrest or even regression. All of 6 cases had epilepsy, in whom 2 cases with severe microcephaly developed epileptic encephalopathy in the early stages of infancy with spasms as the main form of convulsions, 4 cases with mild or no microcephaly gradually evolved into convulsions with no fever after multiple febrile convulsions with focal seizures, tonic clonic seizures and tonic seizure as the main forms of convulsions. Three cases of 4 gradually developed into stagnation or even regression of development and ataxia after multiple convulsions with no fever. There were normal cranial imaging in 2 cases, dysplasia of the brains in 1 cases, frontal lobe apex accompanied by abnormal white matter signal in the frontal lobe and thin corpus callosum in 1 case, thin corpus callosum and abnormal lateral ventricular morphology in 1 case, and normal in early stage, but gradually developing into cerebellar atrophy at the age of 5 years and 9 months in 1 case. Two cases underwent visual evoked potential tests, the results of which were both abnormal. Three cases underwent auditory evoked potential examination, with 1 being normal and 2 being abnormal. All of 6 cases had variations in the asparagine synthase gene, with 2 deletion variations and 7 missense variations. The variations of 2 cases had not been reported so far, including c.1341_1343del and c.1283A>G, c.1165_1167del and c.1075G>A. The follow-up time ranged from 3 months to 53 months. Two cases who had severe microcephaly died in infancy, while the other 4 cases with mild or no microcephaly were in survival states until the follow-up days but the control of epilepsy was poor.Conclusions:Asparagine synthase deficiency has a certain degree of heterogeneity in clinical phenotype. Children with obvious microcephaly often present as severe cases, while children with mild or no microcephaly have relatively mild clinical manifestations. The variation of asparagine synthetase gene is mainly missense variation.