Objective To summrize the effects of various treatment methods,including operation,transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE),and percutaneous ethanol injection(PEI) on hepatic cavernous hemangioma(HCH),in order to select an optimal therapy strategy for HCH.MethodsClinic data of 47 patients with 58 hepatic hemangiomas treated in our hospital in recent 10 years were analyzed retrospectively.Results There were 26 males and 21 females with mean age 42?2 5 years(10～72 years old)in this series.The diameters of these lesions were 3～21 5cm(mean diameter 8 5?1 8cm).Of them,obvious symptoms appeared in 39 patients,malignancy could not excluded in 6,and the size of HCH increased rapidly in 2.Operations were performed in 40 patients,including 2 patients failed to PEI;TAE was conducted in 7cases.There was no mortality or major morbidity occurred in the operative patients,except right pleual effusion in one case and subdiaphragmatic fluid collections in another case(2/40).Neither is mortality nor morbidity seen in the TAE treated case.Conclusions Operation is an effective procedure for HCH.But for more diffuse lesions or lesions located in special region,TAE is a more favorable alterative selection.Because PEI has risk of hemorrhage and hardener injection under ultrasonography guide has uncertain outcome,so it should be chosen cautiously.

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at the primary points of the three yin meridians of the foot on blood pressure in an animal model of high/low blood pressure and explore the specific effect of the meridian points-the primary points of the three yin meridians of the foot.Methods The study included the parts of hypertension and hypotenstion. Both parts were allocated to the primary points of the three yin meridians of the foot, non-acupoint, model and blank groups, six rats each. Except the model and blank groups, all the groups were given acupuncture treatment for seven consecutive days. Blood pressure was measured after the completion of treatment. Five consecutive measurements were made in each rat. Mean values of blood pressure were taken.Results For the part of hypertension, blood pressure at each time point was higher in the acupuncture groups than in the blank control group and lower than in the model group, and there were statistically significant differences (P<0.05), indicating that acupuncture at the primary points of the three yin meridians of the foot has a hypotensive effect. The hypotensive effects of Taichong and Taixi were better than those of Taibai and the non-acupoint (P<0.05). The hypotensive effects of Taichong and Taixi were equal (P>0.05). The hypotensive effect of Taibai was equal to that of the non-acupoint (P>0.05). For the part of hypotension, blood pressure at each time point was lower in the acupuncture groups than in the blank control group and higher than in the model group, and there were statistically significant differences (P<0.05), indicating that acupuncture at the primary points of the three yin meridians of the foot has a pressor effect. The pressor effect was worse in the the non-acupoint group than in the primary points of the three yin meridians of the foot group (P<0.05). The pressor effects of Taibai and Taixi were equal but worse than that of Taichong (P<0.05).Conclusions Acupuncture at the primary points of the three yin meridians of the foot has a specific bidirectional regulating effect on blood pressure. Of them, point Taichong produces a best bidirectional regulating effect on blood pressure.

Objective To explore the clinical and pathological features of carcinoma in bladder diverticulum,and its diagnosis and treatment. Methods This series included 5 cases of carcinomas in bladder diverticula (male,4 and female 1;mean age,73 years).Three cases were pre-operatively confirmed by biopsy with cystoscopy,and 2 were intra-operatively confirmed by frozen section of samples.Of the 5 cases,2 of transitional cell carcinoma underwent partial cystectomy;the remaining 3,each of whom had squamous cell carcinoma,adenocarcinoma and mixed carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma),underwent radical cystectomy and ileal neobladder.After operation 3 cases received chemotherapy,1 case received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Results The 5 cases were followed up for an average of 23 months (6～72 months).Two cases of transitional cell carcinoma had relapse,and then underwent radical cystectomy and ileal neobladder.Of them 1 died of distant metastasis soon after operation,the other had survived free of tumor for 6 years since operation.The case of squamous cell carcinoma died of multiorgan metastasis 14 months after operation.The case of adenocarcinoma died of myocardial infarction 11 months after operation.The case of mixed carcinoma had survived free of tumor for 6 months since operation. Conclusions Cystoscopy and imaging play an important role in detecting tumors originating from the bladder diverticulum.Surgical operation,especially radical cystectomy,should be performed.Adjunctive therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be conducted if necessary.

Objective To determine the effect of caspase 9 in the apoptosis of hepatoma cells induced by flurouracil , and to investigate the activity alteration and proteolytic cleavage of caspase 9. Methods The human hepatoma HepG2 cells were treated with flurouracil for 2,4,8,16,24h respectively. The caspase 9 activity was detected using caspase 9 Fluorescent Assay Kit.Proteolytic cleavage of caspase 9 was analyzed by Western blot.The apoptotic rates of HepG2 cells induced by flurouracil with or without caspase 9 inhibitor treatment were measured by flow cytometry. Results Four hours after being treated with flurouracil, the caspase 9 activity in HepG2 cells increased gradually and reached the peak at 16h.Compared with the control group, the difference was significant (P

Objective To investigate the effect of iuvenile rheumatoid arthritis(JRA) serum (leukotriene B4,LTB4) LTB4-BLT2 on mice DCs.Methods Bone marrow(BM)-derived DCs from healthy mouse were purified.and induced by cytokine IL-4 and GM-CSF to immature DCs and then differentiated to mature DCs under the stimulation of LPS in vitro.DCs were evaluated by light microscope and flow cvtometry.The concentrations of LTB4 in DCs supernatant,normal serum,active JRA,and that of the co-cuItured with BLT2 antagonist LY255283 were detected by ELISA.The expression of BLT2 protein and mRNA in DCs was examined by immunocytochemistry,immunofluorescence and RT-PCR.Meanwhile,the expression of BLT2 in DCs after 18 h co-cultured with normal serum,in serum of active JRA and that of BLT2 antagonist (LY255283)group was assayed by flow cytometry respectively.Results LTB4-BLT2 was expressed by DCs.Not only BLT2 mRNA but also its protein was expressed in DCs.The concentration of LTB4 Was(17±3)pg/ml,(82±20)pg/ml,(82±20)pg/ml and(24±6)pg/ml,(115±20)pg/ml,(91±11)pg/ml in normal serum group,active JRA group and LY255283 group before and after 1 8 h,respectively.The expression Was higher in serum of active JRA group than that of normal sertlm group(P<0.01)and there was a tendency to be higher when compared with LY255283 group(P<0.05).The DC BLT2 expression was 27.7±2.9,46.3±8.7 and 30.3±5.5 in normal serum group,serum of active JRA group and LY255283 grbup after 1 8h respectively.The expression was stronger in active JRA group than other groups(P<0.05).Conclusion DC can develop a LTB4-BLT2 signal pathway by BLT2 with autocrine and/or extrinsic LTB4.The overexpression of this pathway may be involved in the initiating and activation of JRA.

BACKGROUND: Under specially physical environment, for example weightlessness, metabolism of bone tissue may have remarkable changes; however, osteoblast is a core of bone metabolism and bone formation, so it is very sensitive to changes of gravity environment.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of simulated weightlessness on bone marrow stromal cell count and osteogentic capacity of weight bearing bone in rats so as to reveal the mechanism of bone loss.DESIGN : Randomized pairing and controlled study.SETTING: College of Aerospace Medicine and Department of Pathology of Stomatology College, the Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: A total of 20 adult healthy male SD rats were selected in this study. At the beginning of experiment, rats based on their body mass were randomly divided into control group and suspension group with 10 in each group. Alkaline phosphatase kit was provided by Beijing Zhongsheng Bioengineering High-technological Company.METHODS: The experiment was carried out in the Department of Pathology, Collage of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from November 1999 to July 2000. Rats were randomly divided into tail suspension group and control group with 10 in each group. Rats in the tail suspension group were given tail suspension for 28 days. Their heads maintained 30° low position, and their hindlimbs freely suspended and were not given weight loading. While, rats in the control group were fed normally. At the end of experiment, bone marrow stromal cells were obtained from femur for primary and transferring cultures.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cell counting and methylthianolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay were used to draw growth curve of cells in primary and transferring cultures and to measure activity of alkaline phosphatase and forming quantity of mineralized nodules in vitro.RESULTS : ① Activity of alkaline phosphatase: Activity of alkaline phosphatase of cells in the primary and transferring cultures in the suspension group was lower than that in the control group, and there was significant difference between them (P＜0.05). ② Forming quantity of mineralized nodules: Forming quantity of mineralized nodules in the suspension group was less than that in the control group, and there was significant difference between them (P＜0.05). ③ Cell growth: Growth curve of femoral stromal cells in primary and transferring culture manifested as S. Doubling time of cells in the suspension group was similar to that in the control group. ④ Amount of bone marrow stromal cells in femur: Amount of bone marrow stromal cells in primary culture in the suspension group was decreased as 50% as that in the control group (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION: Under simulated weightlessness, amount of bone marrow stromal cells decreases obviously; in addition, amount of osteoblast also decreases in weight bearing bone of hindlimbs and osteogentic capacity in vitro decreases simultaneously.

Objective To explore the clinical therapeutic effects in arterial interventional therapy in early osteosarcoma patients.Methods Thirty-eight early osteosarcoma patients received arterial chemoembolization therapies and performed operations.94.7% patients received limb salvage surgeries.Levels of alkaline phosphatase were tested in preoperative and postoperative phases.Results Levels of postoperativealkaline phosphatase[average(191.7±107.0)U/L]were significantly decreased compared with that before interventional therapy[average(1129.1±572.3)U/J.The survival rate in follow-up at 1,3 and 5 years Was97%,79%,50% respectively.The rate of recurrence and metastasis WAg 24%.Conclusions Arterialchemoembolization therapies in patients with early osteosarcoma could improve clinical symptoms effectively,enhance survival rate,relieve recurrence and metastasis,remain affected extremity.The clinical thempeutic effects of iodinated oil were the best among the three embolism materials.

BACKGROUND: It is thought in traditional Chinese medicine that dogday moxibustion (DDM) has good clinical effect in treating bronchial asthma. Study of its influence on soluble cellular adhesion molecules in patients with bronchial asthma can help to well understand its mechanism.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of dog-day on soluble cellular adhesion molecules in patients with bronchial asthmaDESIGN: Self-control, case-control observationSETTING: College of Acupuncture and Manipulation and Clinic of the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion of the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 28 patients with bronchial asthma receiving dog-day moxibustion in the Clinic of the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July to August 2004 were set as dog-day moxibustion group, and 10 concurrent health volunteers were set as normal control group.METHODS: According to the principle of "treating winter diseases in summer", the Chinese medicine which consists of such herbs as Baijiezi(Semen Sinapis Albae ), Mahuang(Herba Ephedrae ), Xixin (Herba Asari ),Gans ui (Radix Kansui ), Yanhu (Rhizoma Corydalis ) was stuck on the points such as Feishu, Dingchuan, Fengnen, Bailao, Shenshu. Point selection was at the two sides, and a lumpy salve was stuck on the point with adhesive tape. Three to six hours for adult and one to two hours for children in each sticking duration; and the operation was respectively done on the first (July20), second (July 30) and third (August 9) dog-day.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Short-term effect 3 months later was observed, the levels of soluble cellular adhesion molecules and IgE were assayed before and 10 days after treatment, and comparison with normal control group was performed. The indexes of the patients before treatment were performed Pearson correlation analysis.RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients and 10 healthy persons all entered result analysis. [1] Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 level was significantly higher before treatment in dog-day moxibustion group than that after treatment in the dog-day moxibustion group and that in the normal control group [(281.39±64.58 ), (256.95±44.22), ( 194.30±39.05 ) μg/L,P ＜ 0.01].[2]Vaso-cellular adhesion molecule-1 level was significantly higher before treatment in the dog-day moxibustion group than that after treatment in the dog-day moxibustion group and that in the normal control group [(234.79±89.75), (185.80±84.41), (128.85±51.28)μg/L,P ＜ 0.01]. [3]IgE level was significantly higher before treatment than that after treatment in the dog-day moxibustion group and that in the normal control group [(482.61±123.43), (418.96±134.18), (161.53±43.64)μg/L,P＜ 0.01]. [4]Pearson correlation analysis result: Intercellular adhasion molecule-1 level is significantly positively correlated with IgE and vascular intercellular adhesion molecule-1 level (r =0.641,0.449 ,P ＜ 0.01,0.05). [5]Effect: Total effective rate was 93% (26/28)in the treatment of bronchial asthma with dogday moxibustion . The type of the symptoms, with blister or not, course of disease and condition of disease had no significant influence on effect (P＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Dog-day moxibustion may effect through inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecule or inhibiting leukocyte to adhere endothelial cell directly so as to reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells.

Objective To understand the clinical value on the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA (CEA mRNA), cytokeratin 19 mRNA (CK19 mRNA) and telomerase in blood for the monitoring of blood metastasis of lung cancer. Methods CEA mRNA and CK19 mRNA were detected by reverse transcriptase-nested primers-polymerase chain reaction, telomerase was detected by telomeric repeat amplification protocol-hybridism-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in peripheral blood. Results The positive rates of the three tumor markers in lung cancer group were much higher than the non-tumor group and the health group (P<0.001). The sensibility of CEA mRNA and telomerase were much higher than CK19 mRNA (P<0.01). The positive rates of the markers in TNM stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ were much higher than in stages Ⅰ (P<0.05 to P<0.01). Conclusion It had high value that detecting CEA mRNA, CK19 mRNA and telomerase in peripheral blood on the discovery of blood metastasis of lung cancer. Among them, the clinical value of CEA mRNA and telomerase are higher than CK19 mRNA, and combined assay of the markers can improve the sensibility.

Objective To compare the clinical results of two different anterior cervical surgical treatment for multi-segmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy (≥3 segments).Methods Twenty-three patients with segmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy,10 cases were treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) as ACDF group,13 cases were treated with anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) as ACCF group.The operation time,operative blood loss,JOA scores,neurological improvement rate and the variable of the D value were compared.Results The operation time and operative blood loss in ACDF group was significantly lower than that in ACCF group [(130.0 ±31.5) min vs.(150.0 ±42.5) min,(150.0 ± 120.8) ml vs.(310.0 ± 320.8) ml,P ＜ 0.05].The variable of the D value in ACDF group was significantly higher than that in ACCF group [(3.1 ± 1.4) mm vs.(2.3 ± 0.9) mm,P ＜ 0.05].There was no statistically significant difference in JOA scores,neurological improvement rate between ACDF group and ACCF group.Two cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in ACDF group,the oppression and drainage recovery after treatment.One case of 14 d after fistula complications in ACCF group,after patching were cured; 2 cases of titanium mesh shift,follow the fusion.Conclusions Both methods attain good clinical results.ACDF combined with ACCF treatment of multi-segmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy,with shorter operation time,relatively less blood loss,and better restoration of cervical sagittal alignment.