Objective To observe the hemodynamic variations of both the mother and fetus when the pregnancy was complicated with early-onset of severe preeclampsia, and to evaluate the role of monitoring the blood flow with Doppler in the management and prognostic value in the same condition. Methods A prospective case-control study was conducted in 36 pregnant women admitted for early-onset of severe preeclampsia (S-PE). The control group included 72 healthy pregnant women matched with the S-PE group. All had color Doppler sonography monitored during this study period. Data were collected for the umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility index (PI) and systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) , the middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI and S/D and the maternal mean uterine artery (UtA) PI and S/D. Those subjects with adverse perinatal outcomes were followed up after birth. Results The mean Doppler indices(S/D and PI) of fetal UA, MCA and maternal UtA were all declined gradually with the advancing gestational ages in both groups. The values of UA-S/D, UA-PI, UtA-S/D, and UtA-PI in the early-onset S-PE group were significantly higher than those of the control(P

BACKGROUND: Ischemic reperfusion syndrome occurs in early donor liver reperfusion after orthotopic liver transplantation. It is the most important cause for liver function failure and patient death. Ischemic reperfusion severity is closely related to blocking of inferior vena cava period. Some studies demonstrate that inferior vena retrograde perfusion can shorten the blocking time during liver transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of retrograde perfusion on the hemodynamics in orthotopic liver transplantation without venovenous bypass during neohepatic reperfusion phase. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Case comparison was performed at Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from December 2006 to June 2007. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-nine patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation without venovenous bypass under general anesthesia. METHODS: According to perfusion methods, the patients were divided into two groups: retrograde perfusion through inferior vena cave (n=19), and perfusion through portal vein (n=20). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure and other hemodynamic parameters were measured before operation, and at anhepatic phase and primary neohepatic phase. The rewarming ischemia time of grafted liver was also recorded. RESULTS: The rewarming ischemia time of grafted liver in the retrograde perfusion through inferior vena cave group was significantly less than that in the perfusion through portal vein group (P

Objective To investigate the impact of segment weight optimization(SWO) technique on the intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) plan for post-operative cervical cancer regarding the number of segments,monitor units (MU),the target homogeneity index (HI),conformal index (CI) and dose distribution of target volume and normal tissues.Methods Ten patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ cervical cancer after radical resection were randomly selected for this study.The initial IMRT treatment plans were generated using ELEKTA XIO 4.62 system based on the step and shoot method (S-IMRT plan).With the same directions of fields and optimization parameters,the SWO tool was introduced to optimize the IMRT plans further (SWO-IMRT plan).Then the number of segments and MU were compared between the S-IMRT plan and SWO-IMRT plan.By using the dose-volume histogram (DVH),the target homogeneity index (HI),conformal index (CI) and dose distribution in the volumes of target and normal tissues were also analyzed.Results Compared with S-IMRT plan,the average number of segments in SWO-IMRT plan was decreased from 96 ± 4 to 87 ± 4 (t =10.049,P ＜ 0.05),and MU was increased from(638.79±35.02)) cGy to (672.03 ±39.07) cGy (t =3.5952,P ＜0.05).The maximum and mean doses of the planning target volume (PTV) decreased (t =2.262,2.323,P ＜ 0.05).A reduction of the maximum dose in the spinal cord was also observed [from (3856.00 ± 112.14) cGy to (3750.00 ± 141.38) cGy,t =3.976,P ＜ 0.05].The values of V30,V40,V50 in bladders,rectal V30 and L-femoral V50 were reduced in the SWO-IMRTplan (t=4.223,5.801,7.534,2.451,2.269,3.976,P ＜0.05).However,there was no significant difference in target homogeneity index(HI),conformal index (CI),rectal V40,V50,L-femoral V30,V40,V50,R-femoral V40 and V50.Conclusions The application of SWO technique in the IMRT planning for cervical post-operative cancer could reduce the total number of segments,doses in the spinal cord and bladder,but increase the total number of MU.As a result,the spinal cord and bladder toxicity can be reduced which enables an opportunity for dose escalation of gross tumor volume (GTV).SWO technique provides clinicians with an optional optimization solution in IMRT plan for post-operative cervical cancer patients.

Objective To explore the dynamic expressions and the significance of Notch/Jagged signal pathway in rat model of hepatic fibrosis. Methods A total of 42 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=6) and model group (n= 36). The model group was further divided into six subgroup according to different time points: subgroups of 4 days, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks with six rats in each subgroup. The rat model of hepatic fibrosis was induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspertate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (Alb) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were detected dynamically after 4 days, 1,2,4,6 and 8 weeks of injection. The liver tissues were observed under optical microscope after HE and Masson staining. Notch-1, Jagged-1 mRNA and protein in liver were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. The comparison of means among groups was done by univariate ANOVA. Results The hepatic fibrosis model was successfully induced by DMN injection and pseudolobules were found after 4 weeks of injection. The serum levels of ALT, AST, Alb and HA were all increased after 4 day of injection and peaked at week 4 which were all significantly higher than those in control group (F=83.10, 104.63, 54.24, 203.81,respectively; all P＜0.05). The expressions of Notch-1, Jagged-1 mRNA and protein in model group were all significantly increased than those in control group (F=282. 44, 369.14, 374.17, 256. 14,respectively;P＜0. 01). And the expressions of Notch-1, Jagged-1 were closely correlated with the hepatic fibrosis stages and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) expression (r=0. 821, 0. 917,0. 767,0. 844, respectively; P＜0. 01 ). Conclusions The Notch/Jagged pathway may participate in the development of hepatic fibrosis, which is closely correlated with the progression and severity of liver fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the dynamic expressions of exchange protein directly activated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) (Epac) in rat model of hepatic fibrosis(HF).Methods Forty-two male SD rats were divided into control group (n = 6) and model group (n = 36)which was divided into six subgroups of day 4, week 1, week 2, week 4,week 6 and week 8 with six rats in each subgroup. The rat model of HF was established by intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). The pathological changes of liver were observed by Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson staining. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of Epac1, Epac2 and transforming gronth factor (TGF)β1 during the process of modeling and localization in the liver. The statistical analysis was done using one-factor ANOVA, LSD-t test,Dunnett T3 test and Pearson linear correlation analysis. Results Rat model of liver fibrosis was established successfully. In control group, Epac1 (0. 031 28±0. 008 96) and Epac2 protein (0.034 43±0. 002 45) mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. In model group, the level of Epac1 decreased at day 4 (0. 023 97±0. 003 81) and week 1 (0. 015 81±0. 002 48) ,then began to increase at week 2 of modeling and peaked at week 6 (0. 039 54±0. 001 43), which had statistical significance compared to the control group (t= 5.47,11.58 and - 6.18, respectively; all P＜0.05). Epac2 protein expression declined after modeling, reached the lowest level at week 4 (0. 011 21 ±0. 001 32), which had statistical significance compared to the control group (t= 24. 50, P＜0. 05). TGFβ1 protein expression increased after modeling and peaked at week 4 (0. 011 30±0.001 03) which had statistical significance (t= -23. 36, P＜0. 05) compared to the control group (0. 002 08 ±0. 000 18). The expressions of Epac1, Epac2 and TGFβ1 mRNA were consistent with the trend of protein levels.Correlation analysis showed that Epac1 protein was positively correlated with the course of HF (r =0. 703, P＜0.01 ), while Epac2 protein was negatively correlated (r = - 0. 409, P＜0.05). Conclusions During the progression of HF, Epac1 expression tends to decrease firstly and increase afterwards,while Epac2 expression declines continually. Epac may be involved in the pathogenesis of HF.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether CD4+ CD25+ CD127dim/- regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) can induce the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and expression of fibrosis-related factors on HSC in vitro and further to explore the mechanism of Treg inducing fibrogenesis. MethodsHSC LX-2 cells were subcultured.CD4+ CD25+ CD127dim/- cells were purified using magnetic cell separation. The HSC were co-cultured with Treg by direct contact or by Transwell system in vitro. The HSC cultured alone was used as control. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay.The expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 was detected by enzyme-linked inmunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expressions of hyaluronic acid (HA) and precollagen Ⅲ (PC Ⅲ ) were detected by radio immunoassay (RIA). The data were analyzed by LSD-t test. ResultsHSC proliferation was strongest when Treg∶ HSC= 1.5∶ 1. The absorbance in direct contact co-culture group and Transwell system co-culture group was (0. 713±0. 032) cpm and (0. 735±0. 028) cpm, respectively, both of which were higher than that in control group [(0. 677 ± 0. 029) cpm](t = 5. 4003 and 8. 7878,respectively; both P＜0. 01). The concentrations of TGF-β1 in the supernatant were (781. 59 ±76.45) pg/mL and (813. 53±60. 62) pg/mL, respectively in direct contact co-culture group and Transwell system co-culture group, which were significantly higher than that in control group [(722.51±59. 66) pg/mL](t = 4.0014 and 6. 1653, respectively; both P＜0.01).The concentrations of HA were (433. 575±27.90) ng/mL and (445.40±23.73) ng/mL, respectively in direct contact co-culture group and Transwell system co-culture group, which were higher compared to that in control group [-(415. 83±19.44) ng/mL](t =3. 3124 and 5. 5231, respectively; both P＜0.01). Likewise, the concentrations of PCⅢ were (21. 93± 1.71) and (23. 125± 1.87) ng/mL in direct contact group and Transwell group, respectively compared to (20. 10± 1.49) ng/mL in control group (t = 4. 8082 and 7. 9436, respectively; both P ＜ 0.01).Furthermore, the absorbance,concentrations of TGF-β1, HA and PC Ⅲ in Transwell co-culture group were all higher compared to direct contact group (t = 3. 3875, 2.1639, 2. 2107 and 3.1354, respectively; all P＜0. 05).ConclusionsThe cell proliferation and the expressions of fibrosis-related factors in HSC increase greatly after co-cultured with CD4+ CD25+ CD127dim/-Treg. Therefore, Treg may play an important role in inducing liver fibrogenesis.

Objective To investigate the changes and clinical significance of the frequency of circulating CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) patients.Methods CD4+ CD25+ Treg in the peripheral blood from 50 NAFL patients and 50 healthy subjects were quantitatively analyzed using flow cytometry. Group t test or Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation test were used for statistical analysis.Results The proportion of circulating CD4+CD25+ Treg in NAFL patients was (5.39 ± 1.94)％,which was significantly higher than that in healthy controls [(4.21±1.52)％](t=3.385,P＜0.01).Further analysis revealed that the frequency of Treg was positively correlated with triglyceride (TG) level and body mass index (r=0.307 and 0.251,respectively; P=0.002 and 0.012,respectively),and negatively correlated with high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C) (r=-0.306,P=0.002).Meanwhile,Treg in patients with high body mass index,high TG,low HDL-C,hypertension and metabolic syndrome (MS) were all higher than those in controls (t=2.294,2.533,3.154,2.010 and 4.454,respectively; all P＜0.05).But there was no significant difference between patients with high fasting blood glucose and controls (U=1143.500,P=0.471).Conclusion The increased frequency of peripheral Treg in NAFL patients may have some relations with the imbalance of proinflammation and anti-inflammation in NAFL patients who coexisting with MS.

OBJECTIVE:To optimize the technology of supercritical CO2 extraction from Zingiberis rhizoma. METHODS:With the comprehensive score of the contents of 6-ginger phenol,8-ginger phenol and 10-ginger phenol and the extraction rate of the oil from Z. rhizoma as the index,uniform design method was adopted to investigate the effects of extraction pressure,extrac-tion temperature and extraction duration on the extraction result;verification tests were conducted. RESULTS:The optimal condi-tions were as follows as the extraction pressure of 25 MPa,extraction temperature of 30 ℃ and extraction duration of 2 h. In the verification tests,the average extraction rate of the oil from Z. rhizoma was 3.2%(n=3),and the comprehensive score was 1.874 2 (RSD=0.65%,n=3),with the relative deviation of 0.6% between the measured value and the predicted value. CONCLUSIONS:The optimal extraction technology is stable and feasible,with the advantages of low temperature,short duration.

Objective To determine the expression and distribution of Disabled-2(Dab2) in normal human adrenal glands, and further to study the expression of Dab2 in tissues of different adrenocortical adenomas, and to elucidate whether Dab2 can be a specific molecular marker in the pathology of primary aldosteronism. Methods Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect Dab2 expression in 10 aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) samples, 8 cortisol-producing adenoma ( CPA) samples, 8 non-functioning adenoma ( NFA) samples and 6 normal adrenal samples. Results Immunohistochemical staining showed that Dab2 was significantly highly expressed in zona glomerulosa of normal human adrenal glands. Sporadical cluster of ZG cells with moderate Dab2 staining were demonstrated in APAs. In all CPA and NFA tumors, weak dab2 staining was detected. According to the results of real-time PCR, Dab2 mRNA expression was increased significantly in APAs compared with normal adrenal glands. There was no significant difference between normal adrenal glands, CPAs, and NFAs in regard to Dab2 mRNA expression. Compared to nontumor portions, APAs also showed higher Dab2 mRNA expression in the tumor( P<0. 05). Conclusion Dab2 was predominantly localized in zona glomerulosa in normal adrenal gland. Increased Dab2 mRNA expression was detected in APAs compared with normal adrenal glands. Whereas, Dab2 protein expression was just moderate increased in APAs. Weather Dab2 can be a specific molecular marker in the pathology of primary aldosteronism has to be further studied.

Objective To investigate the transfection efficiency of combination of ultrasound (US) microbubbles (MBs) mediated liposome small interference RNA (siRNA) to human and rat retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Methods Human and rat RPE cells and siRNA were incubated in 24-well plates (2×10~5/well and 1×10~5/well, respectively). The cells were devided into 5 groups: siRNA+US, siRNA+MBs+US, siRNA+L (liposome), siRNA+L+US, siRNA+L+US+MBs. After 12 h, transfection efficiency was observed with fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Results US or ultrasound targeted microbubbles destruction without liposome-mediated could not promote siRNA transfection efficiency to human and rat RPE cells. The transfection efficiency of human and rat RPE cells significantly decreased in the siRNA+L+US+MBs group, but increased in siRNA+L+US group. Conclusion Ultrasonic irradiation can promote lipid-mediated siRNA transfected human RPE cells.