Objective To evaluate the usefulness and necessity of spiral computer tomography (SCT) and color-Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods Plain SCT scanning and contrast-enhanced SCT scanning or / and CDU were performed for 68 HCCs before and four weeks after TACE. Factors related to overall survival (OS) were observed as tumor size necrosis, relapse, lipiodol deposition, blood supply of the survived tumor. Images of SCT and CDU were compared. Clinical significance obtained through direction of diagnostic radiology was evaluated. Results 139 masses observed in the 68 cases were shranked or necrotized in a different degree after TACE. 8 new metastasized massed were observed. Complete lipiodol deposition was observed in 27 masses and no lipiodol deposition in 14 masses. As for estimating the types of lipiodol deposition, SCT was better than CDU with significant difference. SCT could indirectly estimate the blood supply of tumor after TACT through 3 dynamic enhanced phases, while CDU could directly visualize the hemodynamic changes of liver, internal and peripheral parts of the tumor. Conclusion TACE is an effective way to treating HCC. SCT scanning and / or CDU are necessary before and after TACE to estimate the imaging changes so as to provide indispensable information for the best therapeutic schedule in the future.

AIM: To explore the inhibitory effect of honokiol on retinal NV. METHODS: Hyperoxia was induced in NV model in 60 mice.Twenty mice received an intraperitoneal injections of 100 mg/kg honokoil twice daily for 5 days as large-dosage group and 20 mice received 50 mg/kg as small one while 20 mice received BSS as control.The collagen IV immunohistochemical staining was used to observe retinal vessels.The effect was evaluated by counting the nuclei extending from retina to vitreous and expressions of VEGF and MMP-2. RESULTS: The reduced density of vessels in the treatment group were found in retinal.The number of nuclei was less in the treated groups,which in the lagre-dosage group was significantly less.The expressions to VEGF and MMP-2 were less in the treatment than in the control respectively.That in the large-dosage group was significantly less. CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal injections of honokoil can effectively inhibit retinal NV,depending on dosage.

Objective To evaluate the effect of enteral nutrition (EN) versus total parenteral nutrition(TPN) on gut barrier function in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods Sixtythree patients with SAP enrolled from 4 hospitals were randomly assigned into EN group(29 cases) and TPN group(34 cases). EN group patients were fed via a spiral nasojejunal feeding tube placed routinely by endoscopy or fluoroscopy, and TPN group patients were nourished intravenously with TPN during the same period. The changes of serum endotoxin, diamine oxidase, and urinary excretion of lactulose and mannitol ratio (L/M) were observed. Results Plasma concentration of endotoxin were markedly decreased in EN group as compared with that in TPN group at the 7th,14th ,21th day of entry trial [(39. 30 ± 15. 82) EU/L vs (73.05 ±21.16) EU/L,(22.64 ±14.31) EU/L vs (49.34 ±24.54) EU/L,(14.81 ± 10.93)EU/L vs ( 30. 08 ± 14. 10 ) EU/L, P ＜ 0. 05]. Plasma concentration of diamine oxidase were markedly decreased in EN group as compared with that in TPN group at the 7th, 14th day of entry trial [(9. 97 ± 3. 84)U/Lvs (19.89±9.89)U/L,(5.42±1. 84) U/Lvs (8.79 ±4.08) U/L, both P ＜ 0. 05]. The urinary L/M decreased significantly in EN group than those in TPN group at the 7th, 14th,21th day of entry trial (0.28 ±0.25 vs 0. 65 ±0.45,0.21 ±0. 18 vs 0.54 ±0.41,0.08 ±0.04 vs 0.29 ±0.06, all P＜0.05).Conclusion EN has better effect on improving intestinal barrier function than TPN in treatment of patients with SAP.

Objective To compare the levels of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) from HIV-1 infected and HIV-1 negative individuals and in human tumor cells in the presence or absence of TLR ligand stimulation.Methods TaqMan probe real-time RT-PCR method for human IDO mRNA was established; IDO mRNA levels in the PBMCs from HIV-1+ and HIV-1-individuals were tested; IDO mnRNA levels in mucosal origin(T84,Caco-2,Hela) and leukocyte origin(THP-1,MT-4) tumor cells before and after exposure to agonists for TLR4,TLR7/8 and TLR9 were examined.Results It was found that a high level of IDO mRNA could be found in HIV-1+ individuals( 103.42 copy IDO mRNA/106 copy GAPDH mRNA) ; however,some high risk HIV-1-individuals may have also a high level of IDO mRNA.Some of the tumor cells could express higher level of IDO mRNA after exposure to TLR agonist.Conclusion This study indicated a role for IDO in the viral persistence and tumor formation in HIV/AIDS and further studies were warranted.

Objective To assess the effect of continuous early enteral nutrition(EEN)combined with intestinal mucosal protective agents on gut barrier function in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.Methods A total of 79 patients with severe acute pancreatitis selected from four centers between May 2004 to June 2006 were enrolled and divided into EEN combined with intestinal mucosal protective agents group(combined group,n=39)and total parenteral nutrition(TPN)group(n=40).The patients were received either EEN or TPN when homeostasis were achieved within 72 hours after onset.The patients in combined group were administered pepti-2000 variant combined with glutamine,arginine and intestinal mucosal protective agents.The patients in TPN group were administered through a central vein.APACHE-Ⅱ score was recorded every week;The concentration of serum amylase,plasmic diamine oxi dase(DAO)and endotoxin were mesured on day 1,7,14 and 21 as well as urinary excretion of lactulose (L)and mannitol(M).Complications,lenth and charges of hospital stay were recorded.Results There was no death in both groups.The APACHE-Ⅱ score decreased on day 7,but lower in combined group (6.00±1.60)than that in TPN group(7.08±2.34)(P＜0.05).On day 7,14 and 21,the concentrations of endotoxin in combined group was(39.30±15.82),(22.64±14.31),(14.81±10.93)Eu/L,respectively,urinary L/M ratio was 0.28±0.25,0.21±0.18 and 0.08±0.04,respectively,IFABP-c was 15.62±5.26),(5.46±1.18)and(3.26±0.94)pg/ml,respectively.All of these parameters were significantly lower than those in TPN group(P＜0.05).The infectious rates including pancreatic,peritoneal and respiratory infection in TPN group were much higher than that in combined group(26.47% vs 3.44%,P＜0.01).The composition of flora fecal remained unchange in combined group rather than TPN group.The mean hospital stay was shorter in combined group[(20.0±5.7)days]compared to TPN groups[(34.5±12.9)days].The charges were also significantly lower in combined group,with average cost of RMB 25,900±14,200,while it was 46,800±4,030 in TPN group.Conclusions EEN combined with intestinal mucosal protective agents can improve gut barrier function via reducing the gut permeability,improving the hypoperfusion,maintaining the integrity and gut fecal flora.It might reduce the course and charges of hospital stay.

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To investigate an operative method of combined resection of preseptal fat: and partial retro-orbicularis oculus fat (ROOF) for correction of upper eyelid heaviness, and evaluate the efficacy and safety of the method.

METHODSPreseptal fat lies widely under the orbicularis oculi in the upper eyelid, and retro-orbicularis oculus fat (ROOF) lies in the lateral supraorbital area. Combined resection of preseptal fat and partial ROOF was performed in patients selected by examination. The efficacy and safety were evaluated by follow-up study.

RESULTSFrom May 2011 to July 2013, 38 selected patients received the treatment with 3 months to 28 months follow up. The heaviness of upper eyelid improved in all cases. One patient developed postoperative hematoma, and another patient had a transient numbness over the lateral upper brow region. 37 patients were satisfied with the result.

CONCLUSIONSCombined resection of preseptal fat and partial ROOF was effective in reducing the heaviness of upper eyelid, without major complications. The operative method should be an important adjunct for selected patients undergoing blepharoplasty.

Adipose Tissue ; surgery ; Blepharoplasty ; adverse effects ; methods ; Eyelids ; surgery ; Facial Muscles ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forehead ; Humans ; Safety

Objective:To understand the clinical characteristics and prognosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) with skin-limited lesion.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical characteristics and prognosis of 16 skin-limited LCH patients, out of 578 LCH patients who were hospitalized in Beijing Children′s Hospital during December 2013 to June 2018.Results:A total of 16 skin-limited LCH cases, accounted for 2.7% of all 578 cases, were included.Among which, sex ratio (male vs.female) was 1.28∶1.00.Median ages of skin eruption occurrence and of diagnosis of the disease were 3.5 months (3 days to 2 years and 5 months) and 6 months (2 months 14 days to 2 years and 8 months) in this group.Among the 16 cases, seborrheic dermatitis-like lesions(11 cases, 68.7%) was the most common, and the trunk was most frequently involved[75.0% (12 cases)]. Serine/threonine protein kinase gene V600E [ BRAF (p.V600E)] mutation was detected in pathological specimens from 10 skin-limi-ted cases, with 9 cases being positive.Plasma samples from 5 positive cases were further detected for BRAF (p.V600E) mutation, and 4 positive results were gained.Of all 16 patients, 11 cases (68.7%) were treated.Remission were achieved in 3-6 months from treatment start in patients treated whether according to the Histiocyte Society′s LCH-2009 protocol for 25 weeks(6 cases, 37.5%), or with topical mometasonefuroate for 3 months (3 cases, 18.8%). Two patients(12.5%) with solitary cutaneous lesions underwent excision biopsy (one face and one prepuce) and were considered to be in remission immediately after surgery.None of these patients suffered from the recurrence of the disease.The remaining 5 patients (31.3%) with skin-limited LCH were just evaluated regularly, and achieved remission in 3-6 months of commencing observation.Among these untreated patients, 1 with consistently positive BRAF (p.V600E) mutation in plasma had bone involvement in the 24 th month of assessment, and was then treated based on the Histiocyte Society′s LCH-2009 Protocol.No clinical or imageological evidence supporting disease progression was found on this patient.Median follow-up period was 32.8 months (2.9-63.9 months). Except one patient, none of the rest cases had active disease till follow-up ended.Two-year event free survival(EFS) of this research was (92.3± 7.4)%.There was no significant difference between EFS of treated group and that of observation group( χ2=1.250, P=0.264). Conclusions:Skin-limited LCH often occurs in infants and newborns, with strong heterogeneity in clinical manifestations, laboratory indicators, and pathogenesis.Seborrheic dermatitis-like lesions were the most common cutaneous type.The prognosis of the patients is excellent despite progressing into multisystem involvement can be seen in a few patients.

To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for the measurement of hemodialysis access recirculation (AR) and access flow rate (Qa), a two pump system was used to simulate access and dialyzer flow. AR and Qa under different conditions, such as reversal connection of dialysis lines and the needle orientation, were compared with each other. The value of access flow and recirculation flow were calculated based on the formulas introduced in this paper, and the correlation and consistency between true flow rate and calculated values were analyzed. The measured R correlated well with true value of flow rate (r = 0.57, P = 0.038, Qa > Qb; r = 0.95, P = 0.001, Qa < Qb). The Bland-altman test showed good agreement between the calculated value based on CEUS and true values. The CEUS can be used as a new advanced technology for AR and Qa measurement.
Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Computer Simulation ; Contrast Media ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; blood ; therapy ; Models, Biological ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; instrumentation ; Regional Blood Flow ; Renal Dialysis ; methods ; Ultrasonography

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) polymers do not support endothelialization because of nonconductive characteristics towards cellular attachment. Inner surface modification of the grafts can improve endothelialization and increase the long-term patency rate of the ePTFE vascular grafts. Here we reported a method of inner-surface modification of ePTFE vascular graft with extracellular matrix (ECM) and CD34 monoclonal antibodies (CD34 mAb) to stimulate the adhesion and proliferation of circulating endothelial progenitor cells on ePTFE graft to enhance graft endothelialization. The inner surface of ECM-coated ePTFE grafts were linked with CD34 mAb in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) solution and the physicochemical properties, surface morphology, biocompatibility, and hemocompatibility of the grafts were studied. The hydrophilicity of CD34 mAb-coated graft inner surface was significantly improved. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed ECM and CD34 mAb cross-linking in the ePTFE vascular grafts with our method. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed protein layer covering uniformly on the inner surface of the modified grafts. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay confirmed that the modified graft has no obvious cytotoxicity. The modified graft showed a low hemolytic rate (0.9%) in the direct contact hemolysis test, suggesting the modification improved hemocompatibility of biopolymers. The modification also decreased adhesion of platelets, while significantly increased the adhesion of endothelial cells on the grafts. We conclude that our method enables ePTFE polymers modification with ECM and CD34 mAb, facilitates endothelialization, and inhibits platelet adhesion on the grafts, thus may increase the long-term patency rate of the prosthetic bypass grafts.
Antibodies* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Biopolymers ; Blood Platelets* ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelial Progenitor Cells ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Hemolysis ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Methods ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Polymers ; Polytetrafluoroethylene* ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Surface Properties ; Transplants

Distal junctional problem (DJP) is one of the severe complications after spinal correction, fixation and fusion. As the number of patients receiving spinal surgery increased recently, the incidence of DJP also increased dramatically. Compared with proximal junctional problem, the incidence of DJP is low. However, the clinical symptoms are severe, and the rate of surgical revision is high in patients with distal junctional problems. DJP include distal junctional kyphosis (DJK) and distal junctional failure(DJF). The definition of DJK is confusing, however, and the most commonly used was that the distal junction Angle at the last follow-up was greater than 10° and increased by 10° compared with that before surgery. There are 6 DJF modes: progressive loss of lumbar lordosis,acute wedging in the disc below the instrumentation, fracture of LIV, osteoporotic fracture below the long rigid fixation, failure of the instrumentation at LIV, spinal stenosis and or segmental instability underneath the instrumentation. Possible risk factors for DJP include weight, age, type of spinal deformity, osteoporosis, choice of LIV, hip disease, deformity location, surgical approach, surgical procedure, fusion segments, fixation devices, LIV at L5, fixed to S1 with no iliac screws, poor restoration of spinal alignment, et al. Currently, there are some controversies in DJP, mainly including the incidence, risk factors whether needs to and how to revise. The review intends to conduct a simple literature review of the current DJP diagnostic criteria, incidence, risk factors, and other research progress, in order to improve the understanding of the distal junction problem.