Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of intraductal ulstrasonography(IDUS)in non-opaque bile duct stones.Methods Between January 2009 and August 2010 in the Department of Gastroenterology at Shanghai 10th People's Hospital,a total of 183 patients(male:102 cases,mean age 69 years； female:81 cases,mean age 71 years)were enrolled,who were suspected of bile duct stones or stenosis which could not be diagnosed by abdominal CT,MRI,and abdominal B-mode ultrasound.All the patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)first,and then patients with non-opaque bile duct stones followed by IDUS.Results A total of 134 cases (73.2％)of bile duct stones were diagnosed by ERCP,49 cases(26.8％)were negative.And then the 49 patients underwent IDUS,of whom 24 patients with sand-like stones,11 patients with lowdensity stones,6 patients with ampullary cancer,2 patients with pancreatic cancer,6 patients with sclerosing cholangitis.The diagnostic accuracy of IDUS in the position and quality of bile duct stones was 100％,higher than that of ERCP,which was 80％.After ERCP,pancreatitis occurred in 3 patients and improved after conservative treatment,there was no complications like perforation and bleeding.Conclusion The diagnostic accuracy of IDUS in the position and quality of bile duct stones is high,which can make up for the misdiagnosis by ERCP without increasing the complications.IDUS can provide reliable basis for the diagnosis of clinical bile duct stones.

Objective To study the expression of aquaporins-4 (AQP4) in the brain tissue of rats with pancreatic encephalopathy (PE) induced by phospholipase A2 and to explore the role of aquaporins-4 in PE.Methods Twenty five healthy Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups:blank group ( n =5),PE group (n =10 ) and control group (n =10 ).The experimental model was established in rats by injecting phospholipase A2 into carotid artery (0.1 ml/100 g body weight).Same amount of normal saline was used in the control group and no treatment was used in the blank group.One day later,the rats were sacrificed,then the measurement of brain tissue wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio was performed,and brain tissue was routinely pathologically examined,immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed in each group to detect the expression of aquaporins-4.Results There was no obvious brain tissue pathological change in the control group and blank group.Neurons in the brain tissue of PE rats presented with significant edema and ballooning degeneration,infiltration of inflammatory cells,leukocyte aggregation around the microvessels.The water contents in the brain tissue in the blank group and control group,PE group were (61.44 ±0.36)％,(63.20±0.32)％ and (78.33 ±0.24)％,and it was significantly higher in PE group than that in the control and blank group (P＜0.05).The expressions of aquaporins-4 in the brain tissue were 0.41 ±0.27,0.49 ±0.13,0.98 ±0.21,respectively,and it was significantly increased in PE group than that in the control and blank group (P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Aquaporins-4 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of pancreatic encephalopathy.

Objective To investigate the role of Hedgehog pathway in hepatic fibrosis and its association with activation of hepatic stellate cells. Methods Twenty male Spragur-Dawley rats were divided into control and model groups with 10 each. The animal models were induced by injection with CCl4 and fed with fat-rich diet. The rats in both groups were sacrified at the 8 week with 5 each and the liver tissues were removed for HSC-T6 culture. The deposition of collagen fiber in liver was detected with HE and Masson staining. RT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), smoothened (Smo), patched (Ptc), Gli-1 and α-smooth muscle action (α-SMA) mRNA in HSC-T6 and liver tissues. The influence of cyclopamine (Cyc) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on HSC-T6 proliferation were assayed by MTT. The expressions of Shh, Smo, Ptc, Gli-1 and α-SMA mRNA after intervention with Cyc (100μmol/L) and LPS were measured by real-time PCR. Results A lot of lipo and collagen deposited in liver of model rats. The Shh,Smo,Gli-1 and α-SMA mRNA were highly expressed in model rats than those in control group (2-△△Ct were 20.45±3.31 vs. 1, 12.78 ± 0. 53 vs. 1, 10.88 ± 2.41 vs. 1, 4.91 ± 2. 59 vs. 1, respectively, all P value <0. 05). In vitro Cyc inhibited HSC-T6 proliferation in dose dependant manner (F=636.81, P<0.01). Compared to the control group, the mRNA expressions of Smo, Ptc, Gli-1,α-SMA in HSC-T6 were significantly reduced after Cyc intervention (2△△Ct, were 0. 20±0. 11, 0. 21 ± 0. 08, 0. 28 ± 0. 05,0. 27±0.10,respectively, all P values<0.01). Conclusion The expression of members of Hedgehog pathway are increased in the progress of hepatic fibrosis, which may accelerate the hepatiee fibrosis by activating HSC.

Objective To investigate the role of pancreatic β cell on pancreatic regeneration following experimental acute pancreatitis.Methods Eighty-seven SD male rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group ( n =15 ),STZ group ( n =24),L-Arg group ( n =24 ),STZ + Arg group ( n =24).60 mg/kg of STZ was administrated by intraperitoneal injection to induce the diabetes model.2.5 g/kg body weight of LArg was administrated by intraperitoneal injection to induce the acute pancreatitis model.The rats were sacrificed 1,3,5,7 d later and the serum levels of amylase and glucose were measured.Relative pancreatic weight (pancreatic weight/body weight) were measured.Pancreatic tissue underwent routine pathologic examination,and the percentage of area of necrosis and tissue transformation was calculated.The expression of Reg4 and insulin was performed by immunofluorescence.Results Serum level of glucose significantly increased after STZ injection.After L-Arg injection,serum level of amylase significantly increased,and there was pancreatic tissue edema,necrosis,infiltration of inflammatory cells,which suggested the successful model induction.The percentage of area of necrosis in STZ + L-Arg group was (71.6 ± 6.0) ％ at the 3rd day,which were significantly higher than (42.3 ± 4.0 ) ％ in L-Arg group; the percentage of area of transformation was (45.6 ± 5.4) ％,which were significantly lower than (78.5 ± 6.4) ％ in L-Arg group.Expression of Reg4 in pancreatic islets of STZ + L-Arg group was significantly lower than those in L-Arg group.Conclusions STZ impairs pancreatic β cells,aggravates pancreatic damage following L-arginine induced pancreatitis and inhibits pancreatic regeneration.

Objective To investigate the expression of Iroquois homeobox protein 1 ( IRX1 ) gene and the hypermethylation status of its promoter in pancreatic cancer,and their relationship.Methods Real-time PCR was used to quantitatively detect IRX1 gene expression level of 12 sets of resected pancreatic cancer tissue and 6 sets of pancreatic cancer cell lines; gene sequences analysis was used to detect the structure of IRX1 promoter; DNA methylation inhibitor 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) was used in pancreatic cancer cell lines,and then the methylation of IRX 1 was measured by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and unmethylation sequence-PCR (USP) methods.Results Expression of IRX1 mRNA in pancreatic cancer tissue was 0.31 ± 0.11,which were significantly lower than that in normal pancreatic tissue ( 1.05 ±0.32,P ＜0.01 ).IRX1 mRNA expression of AsPCl,BxPC3,Capan 2,PANCl,PaTu8988 and SW1990 were 0.36 ± 0.08,0.34 ±0.16,0.37 ±0.11,0.25 ±0.06,0.31 ±0.04,0.36 ±0.02,which were significantly lower than that in human kidney epithelial 293 cells ( 1.03 ± 0.28,P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01 ).Analysis of IRX1 gene sequence showed abundant CpG islands in promoter.Hypermethylation of IRX1 promoter site was found in all pancreatic cancer cell lines.However,its methylation status could be reversed by 5-Aza-dC,and the IRX1 expression was also restored.Conclusions IRX1 mRNA expression is down-regulated in pancreatic cancer,and it is related with promoter CpG islands hypermethylation.

Objective To analyze expression of interleukin (IL)-23p19 and IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),and the role in the induction of peripheral blood T cell activation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion.Methods Peripheral blood (PB) and intestinal mueosal biopsies were collected from 12 patients with Crohn's disease (CD),25 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 20 healthy controls.Expression of IL-23p19 was determined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.IL-23R expression in CD4+,CD8+ T and NK cells from peripheral blood and lamina propria was analyzed by flow eytometry.Peripheral blood mononuclear ceils (PBMC) were isolated and cultured under stimulation with IL-23 and anti-CD3,and the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) interferon (IFN)γ and IL-2 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The expression of II.-23p19 was significantly increased in inflamed mucosa of CD at both the transcriptional and translational levels compared with that in UC and healthy controls.IL-23R was mainly expressed in PB- and lamina propria-CD4+,CD8+T cells and NK cells from IBD patients,and markedly increased compared with controls (P＜0.05).IL-23 strongly triggered PBMC from IBD patients to produce significantly higher levels of IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-2(P＜0.05).Conclusions IL-23p19 and IL-23R are highly expressed in IBD,particularly in CD,and may play an important role in the induction of T cell activation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion,suggesting that targeted therapy directed against IL-23 may have a therapeutic role in IBD.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of remimazolam-propofol-sufentanil for anesthesia in patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.Methods:Eighty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical statusⅠor Ⅱ patients, aged 20-59 yr, weighing 44-69 kg, scheduled for elective painless gastroscopy, were divided into 2 groups ( n=40 each) using a random number table method: remimazolam-propofol-sufentanil group (group RPS) and propofol-sufentanil group (group PS). The patients in group RPS received successive intravenous injection of sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg, remimazolam 0.15 mg/kg and propofol (at a rate of 4 mg/s). The patients in group PS received intravenous injection of sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg and propofol (at a rate of 4 mg/s). When Observer′ s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale score was 0, gastroscopy was performed.The consumption of propofol, time of anesthesia, time for gastroscopy, emergence time and discharge time were recorded.The number of intraoperative assisted respiration cases, body movement and occurrence of adverse reactions at the time of discharge were observed. Results:Compared with group PS, the consumption of propofol was significantly decreased, and the time of anesthesia, emergence time and discharge time were shortened in group RPS ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the time for gastroscopy, the number of intraoperative assisted respiration cases, body movement and the occurrence of adverse reactions at discharge time between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Remimazolam-propofol-sufentanil produces better efficacy for anesthesia than propofol-sufentanil in patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.

Objective To investigate the effect of cytokines on pancreatic function in patients after acute pancreatitis(AP) and its mechanisms. Methods Fifty-nine patients (mild in 25 and severe in 34) after AP and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum levels of cytokines including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor(EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), regeneration protein(Reg)-1 and Reg-4 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fasting blood-glucose, insulin, C-peptide and fecal elastase 1 (FE1) were detected for evluation of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function. The association of pancreatic function with clinical parameters and serum cytokines was analyzed. Results The expression of FE1 was lower in patients [(205.9±18.3) μg/g] after AP in comparison with the controls [(333.9±19.7) μg/g, P<0. 01], but levels of fasting blood-glucose, C-peptide and insulin were higher in patients group (P<0.01). Serum level of HGF was higher in patients with insufficient pancreatic exoerine [(983.76±372.65) pg/ml] than those with normal exocrine function [(263.44±110. 35) pg/ml]. Meanwhile,EGF level was higher in patients with DM after AP [(704.41±190. 37) pg/ml] than those without DM [(360. 03±48.39) pg/mh P<0.05]. There was a negatively correlation between FE1 and HGF (P ＜0. 01). The abnormal fasting blood glucose was correlated with CT grading (P<0. 05).Conclusions The patients after AP develope insufficient exocrine and endocrine function. Serum EGF and HGF may be associated with restoration of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function.

The frequency domain of single channel currents is analyzed by the power distribution function (PDF) constructed by the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and power spectral density (PSD). The result shows that the power distribution function based on DWT is an effective frequency-domain analysis method for single channel currents.
Fourier Analysis ; Ganglia, Spinal ; physiology ; Humans ; Ion Channels ; physiology ; Mathematics ; Membrane Potentials ; Models, Biological ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

Objective To compare the value of bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP),Ranson score and Balthazar computed tomography severity index (CTSI) in predicting the severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods From 2005 to 2011 in Shanghai,the clinical data of 1004 AP cases from seven hospitals was collected and retrospectively analyzed.The value of BISAP score,Ranson score and Balthazar CTSI in predicting the severity and prognosis of AP were assessed with receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve.Results Among 1004 patients,the main cause of AP was biliary disease (580 cases),about 57.77％.The incidence of pancreatic necrosis,mortality and SAP increased along with BISAP score.The risk of pancreatic necrosis in patients with CTSI ≥ three was significantly higher than that of ＜ three.The risk of pancreatic necrosis and SAP in patients with BISAP score ≥ two was significantly higher than that of ＜ two (OR:4.93,95％CI 3.62-6.70; OR 2.62,95％CI 1.59-4.31,respectively).There was no significant difference in the accuracy of predicting the progression and mortality of AP among these three score systems.However the sensitivity of BISAP score (OR:61.54,95％CI 35.09-87.99) in predicting the progression and mortality of AP was better than that of Ranson (OR:46.15,95 ％ CI 19.05-73.25) and CTSI (OR:46.15,95％CI 19.05-73.25).Conclusions BISAP score is easy to perform and when combined with CTSI,it helps to make the diagnosis and classification of AP in time,predict the prognosis accurately.Compared with Ranson score,BISAP score has higher clinical value.