Objective To investigate the accuracy of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in diagnosing acute severe panereatitis.Methods Thirty three patients with acute severe pancreatitis were enrolled in the study and all of them underwent CEUS and spiral computed tomography(CT) scan.CT was taken as gold standard in acute severe pancreatitis diagnosis.CEUS were done within 72 hours after CT scan.Results Compared with CT, the sensitivity, specificity,accuracy, positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of CEUS for detecting the necrosis of pancreas were 90%, 95%, 94%, 90% and 95%respectively.The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of CEUS in diagnosing severe acute pancreatitis were 85%, 92%, 88%, 94% and 80% respectively, while 37% ,86% ,58%, 78%, 50% for conventional ultrasound respectively.Conclusions CEUS is accurate in detection of pancreatic necrosis and diagnosis of acute severe pancreatitis.

Cells, Cultured ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Dimethylformamide ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of DMF on the human liver cells (HL-7702) in vitro.

METHODSLiver cells were exposed to different concentrations of DMF (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mmol/L) for 12 hours. Apoptotic rate, the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in liver cells were measured by FCM and western blotting respectively.

RESULTSThe increase in apoptotic rate of hepatocytes in concentration-manner was shown after DMF treatment for 12 h. After treatment the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased steadily and lower than the control group (P < 0.01), the expression of Bax showed no significant difference among the groups of different dosage by one-factor analysis of variance (P > 0.05), as the increase of the dosage of DMF. The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax dropped with the dosage of DMF increasing, and the ratio in 200 mmol/L of DMF was significantly lower than that of the control (P < 0.01). The new lands of procaspase-3 in 150, 200 mmol/L were observed, which demonstrated that there was active caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONDMF can induce apoptosis of cultured adult normal hepatocytes in vitro, and the mechanism might be related to the decrease of Bcl-2/Bax and the cleavage of Caspase-3.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Dimethylformamide ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Background Previous study on critical period plasticity in local cortical circuits primarily was only to test the role of some proteins in visual cortex on visual development based on the existed neural signals expression system,but whole containing proteins analysis in cortical circuits is lack.To perform a whole containing proteins analysis has an important significance for critical period plasticity study.Objective This study was to investigate the influence of dark rearing on visual sense and proteomics in visual cortex for growing rat.Methods Two SD female rats were fed in two cages together with 12 newborn rats on the same day respectively,and half number of newborn rats were exchanged each other from first day after delivering and marked by eartipping.The newborn rats in a cage were bred in the dark environment for 40 days,and newborn rats in other cage were bred in the nature environment as controls.The blink response of rats to nearby object was examined and compared between the two groups of rats.Then three rats from two cages were sacrificed respectively and bilateral primary visual cortex tissue was isolated.Proteomics in rat primary visual cortex was detected by two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry and the result was checked from database.Then the survival rats in the dark environment returned to the nature environment for 10 days,and the blink response of rats to nearby object were compared with that of agematched rats in the natural environment.The use and care of experimental rats followed the instruction of Ethic Committee of Nankai University.Results The blink response of rats was (0.33 ± 0.35) times in the dark environment for 40-day group,and that in the natural environment for 40-day group was (6.42±0.68) times,with a significant difference between them (t =24.38,P＜0.01).After returned to natural environment for 10 days,the blink response times of rats were less than those of the natural environment group ([5.00±1.22] times vs.[6.11±0.59]times),but this change was not statistically significant (t =2.09,P＞0.05).Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry assay revealed that 36 different proteins in visual cortex were found in the dark-feed rats compared with the natural environment rats,including 26 loss proteins and 10 extra proteins.Among the different proteins,Eps 15 homology domain-containing protein-3 (EHD3),tubulin alpha-1A chain and 2 ',3 '-cyclic-nucleotide 3 ' phosphordiesterase were the known proteins.Conclusions Dark rearing cause reversible visual loss in critical period plasticity newborn rat,and the change of proteomics in visual cortex is probably an affecting factor.

Objective To observe the effect of bilateral movement training on upper extremities dysfunction in stroke patients in convalescent phase. Methods 52 patients with hemiplegia were randomly divided into treatment group (n=26) and control group (n=26). The treatment group accepted bilateral upper extremities movement training, and the control group accepted routine neurodevelopment training mainly with affected upper extremities, for 6 weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment upper-extremity section (FMA-UE) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after treatment. Results The FMA-UE and MBI scores improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.01), and improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion Bilateral movement training may improve upper extremity function and activities of daily living more effectively for stroke patients in convalescent phase.

Objective To evaluate the assessment of tumor's size with ultrasound in research of prognosis of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Clinical data of 148 patients with HCC who underwent liver transplantation were analyzed retrospectively. Results One-, 2-,3-,and 5-year overall actuarial survival were 73.3% ,45.6% ,35.4% ,and 32.1%,respectively. One-,2-,3-,and 5-year overall recurrence-free survival were 70.7 %, 44.3 %, 38. 5%, and 34. 5%, respectively. The overall tumor recurrence rate was 43.2%. Univariate analysis indicates that (the Kaplan-Meier method with the Log-Rank test) the total tumor burden (TTB) (χ2=15.098,P=0.001) was found to be significantly affecting the actuarial survival. While TTB (χ2=29. 038, P<0.001) was for recurrence-free survival. In multivariate analysis (with the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model), TTB (R2=1.610, P =0. 008) was found to be an independent predictor of actuarial survival. On the other hand, TTB (R2 =2. 206, P<0.001) was identified as the prognostic factor independently related to recurrence-free survival. Conclusions TTB is an independent prognostic factor for patients with liver transplantation for HCC. Assessment of tumor size with ultrasound is beneficial to the evaluation of indication for liver transplantation when patients with HCC were concerned.

To prepare thymosin alpha-1 (Talpha) loaded injectable sustained release microspheres and to evaluate its release behavior, bioactivities in vitro as well as its pharmacodynamics in vivo, Talpha1 loaded microspheres was prepared with poly ( lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as carrier material by double emulsion (W/O/W) method. Physical and chemical properties of microspheres, such as mean diameter, The release behavior and its influencing factors were morphology and drug loading were evaluated. evaluated by HPLC determination. The bioactivity of Talpha1 in the course of encapsulation process and in vitro release ware evaluated by CCK-8 method. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in blood was determined with flow cytometry and the pharmacodynamics of Ta, loaded microspheres was evaluated by the change of CD4+/ CD8+. Microspheres with good shape and dispersive quality were prepared. The drug entrapment efficiency of two optimizing prescriptions containing 5% NaCl and 10% glucose as outer water phase were 87. 8% and 90. 2% , respectively. The cumulated release in one month is up to 90%. The bioactivity of Talpha was conserved with glucose as outer water phase, but in the course of in vitro release, the specific activity of Talpha in the microspheres decreased a little. Talpha microspheres can increase significantly the immunity of immuno-suppressed rats. Talpha can be encapsulated in injectable microspheres to yield one-month continuous release when using biodegradable polymers PLGA as carrier material, and this technique will have a favorable perspective in the near future.
Animals ; Biological Availability ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Injections ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Microspheres ; Particle Size ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thymosin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To investigate the effect of chymase on the proliferation of rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and the role of transforming growth factor-?1 (TGF-?_1).Methods Cultured CFs of neonatal SD rats were isolated by trypsinization.Cell number and DNA synthesis were evaluated by MTT assay (A_(490) value) and [~3H]-deoxythy- midine [~3H]-TdR incorporation.The mRNA expression of TGF-?_1 in CFs was determined by RT-PCR.Results Chymase increased CFs numbers and [~3H]-TdR incorporation in a dose-dependent manner.The A_(490) value of CFs stimulated by 15,30 and 60 ng/mL chymase was 0.263?0.033,0.348?0.031 and 0.387?0.026,respectively, which were all significantly higher than that of control (0.201?0.019,P

Objective:To explore clinical and histopathological characteristics of primary biliary cirrho-sis-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome.Methods:Clinical data and pathological findings of 10 pa-tients were reviewed.Results:Serum glutamine transpeptidase,alkaline phosphatase levels,alaninetransaminase,aspartate transaminase,serum IgG and IgM were elevated in all the patients.They were allpositive for anti-mitochondrial antibody and AMA-M2.Nine patients were positive for anti-nuclear anti-body and one patient was positive for anti liver-kidney microsome antibody.Liver biopsies in these pa-tients revealed:ten patients had bile duct lesion,hepatitis activities ranged from moderate to severe,andfibrosis ranged from S1 to S3.Conclusion:PBC-AIH overlap syndrome is mostly found in middle-agedwomen.It has the clinical and histopathological characteristics of both PBC and AIH.Accurate andprompt diagnosis of overlap syndrome patients should be based on the clinical presentation,biochemicaland immune indexes,and hepalic pathological changes.

Objective To investigate technique of reservation and reconstruction of the extensor mechanism in extraarticular total knee resection.Methods There were 6 cases of fresh total knee joint specimen for anatomical observation.After meglumine diatrizoate was injected into the joint capsule and the deep infrapatellar bursa,the CT examination of the knee specimen was performed.The specimens were detached according to the requirement of extraarticular knee resection,after methylene blue was injected into the joints capsule.The relationships between articular capsule,infrapatellar fat pad and deep infrapatellar bursa were observed,as well as feasibility of extraarticular total knee resection.Four patients with malignant bone tumor around the knee were performed extraarticalar total knee resection.The patellar ligament was reserved completely in 2 patients whose infrapatellar fat pads were not be involved by tumor confirmed by deep infrapatellar bursa radiography.However,the patellar ligament was split along the coronal plane in 2patients who had not undergone deep infrapatellar bursa radiography.The patients were followed up to observe results of tumor control and function of the affected knees.Results Through anatomical observation,some bursas around the knee joints,such as the suprapatellar bursa and popliteal bursa,communicated with the joint cavity,while the deep infrapatellar bursa did not.Furthermore,the infrapatellar fat pad located between the patellar tendon and joint cavity to form a good barrier to tumor invasion.So the patellar tendon could be reserved completely if the infrapatellar fat pad was not involved.Four patients were followed up for 10 to 28 months (average,19 months).At final follow-up,there was no local recurrence and metastasis in all 4 patients.The range of flexion of the affected knees ranged from 95° to 118 ° (average,105 °),and the average extension lag was 22 ° (range,10° to 40 °).The MSTS score was 72.5％.Conclusion For patients with malignant bone tumor involving the knee,the deep infrapatellar bursa radiography should be performed routinely.The patellar ligament could be reserved completely in the extraarticular total knee resection when the deep infrapatellar bursa doesn't communicate with the joint cavity combined with presence of the infrapatellar fat pad.Sometimes,only reserving the superficial half of the patellar ligament also could meet the need of extension.The short-term result of tumor control and function of the affected knee are satisfactory.