Objective To investigate the features of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNENs).Methods The retrospective and descriptive study was adopted.The clinicopathological data of 33 patients with pNENs who were admitted to the Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical School of Huazhong University of Science and Technology between May 2012 and February 2016 were collected.All the patients underwent plain and enhanced scans of CT and MRI.Observation indicators:(1) overall imaging findings and pathological results of pNENs,(2) imaging findings of functional pNENs,(3) imaging findings of non-functional pNENs.Main analysis indicators included tumor diameter,location,boundary,density,cystic degeneration,enhancement,signal,calcification,with or without pancreaticobiliary duct dilation,with or without surrounding tissues invasion,lymph node and distant organ metastases.Results (1) Overall imaging findings and pathological results of pNENs:of 33 patinets with pNENs,24 underwent CT examination,3 underwent MRI examination and 6 underwent CT and MRI examinations.Tumors of 33 patients were solitary with a diameter of 0.6-16.0 cm.Ten,1,13 and 9 tumors were respectively located at the head of pancreas,uncinate process of pancreas,body of pancreas and tail of pancreas.Thirty-three patients were diagnosed as pNENs by pathological examination,including 20 with functional pNENs (insulinoma) and 13 with non-functional pNENs,and G1,G2 and G3 were respectively detected in 24,7 and 2 patients.The coincidence rate between preoperative CT or MRI examination and pathological examination was 90.9％ (30/33).One,1 and 1 patients were misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer,enlargement of peripancreatic lymph nodes and duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor,respectively.(2) Imaging findings of functional pNENs:tumor diameter of 20 patients with functional pNENs was 0.6-3.0 cm with an average diameter of 1.5 cm.Fòur,10 and 6 tumors were respectively located at the head of pancreas,body of pancreas and tail of pancreas.Of 20 patients with functional pNENs,tumors of 19 patients showed clear boundary and 1 showed unclear boundary,and tumors of 18 patients had uniform density and 2 had uneven density with cystic degeneration,without the occurrence of calcification.Of 20 patients undergoing dynamic enhanced scans,tumors of 19 patients demonstrated obvious enhancement in arterial phase and slightly obvious enhancement or were equal to normal pancreatic tissues in portal vein phase and lag phase,and tumor of 1 patient demonstrated slight enhancement in arterial phase and was equal to or less than normal pancreatic tissues in portal vein phase and lag phase.Tumors in 3 patients undergoing MRI scans were manifested as hypointensity on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI),hyperintensity on T2WI and hyperintensity on DWI (b =1 000 s/m2),with clear imaging.Of 20 patients,1 was accompanied with atrophy of pancreatic tissues at distal tumor,pancreatic duct dilatation,multiple retention cyst and enlargement of lymph nodes around the hepatic artery.(3) Imaging findings of non-functional pNENs:tumor diameter of 13 patients with non-functional pNENs was 1.5-16.0 cm with an average diameter of 5.0 cm.Six,1,3 and 3 tumors were respectively located at the head of pancreas,uncinate process of pancreas,body of pancreas and tail of pancreas.Of 13 patients with non-functional pNENs,tumors of 11 patients showed clear boundary and 2 showed unclear boundary,tumors of 3 patients had uniform density and 10 had uneven density with cystic degeneration,and tumors of 2 patients had calcification.Of 13 patients undergoing dynamic enhanced scans,tumors of 12 patients demonstrated obvious enhancement in arterial phase,continuous enhancement in portal vein phase and lag phase and less obvious enhancement at cystic degeneration area,with marked enlargement of supplying arteries and draining veins in partial tumors.Tumor of 1 patient demonstrated slight enhancement,and its enhancement was slightly less than normal pancreatic tissues in arterial phase,portal vein phase and lag phase,with unclear boundary.Results of MRI scans in 6 patients showed that tumors of 4 patients were manifested as hypointensity on T1WI,slight hyperintensity or mixed signal on T2WI and hyperintensity on DWI (b =1 000 s/m2),and tumors of 2 patients were manifested as hypointensity on T1WI,hypointensity on T2WI and hyperintensity on DWI (b =800 s/m2).Of 13 patients with non-functional pNENs,4 had pancreaticobiliary duct dilation and 7 had local tissues invasion or distant organ metastasis (4 with liver metastasis,1 with peripanereatic lymph node metastasis,1 with liver and peripancreatic lymph node metastases and 1 with liver metastasis combined with splenic venous and arterial invasion),including 1 in G1,4 in G2 and 2 in G3.Of 5 patients with tumor diameter ＞ 5.0 cm,4 were complicated with liver or lymph node metastases.Conclusions CT and MRI features of pNENs have a certain characteristics.For functional pNENs,benign and solid tumor is common,with clear boundary and smaller diameter.For non-functional pNENs,tumor size is bigger and cystic necrosis occurs within the tumor,with various enhancements.

Objective To investigate if basic fibroblast Growth factor (bFGF) can penetrate placental barrier, alleviate rat brain damage and stimulate fetal rat neurons proliferation. Methods BFGF labeled with 125 I was injected peritoneally to pregnant rats, and tissue distribution of radioactivity of 125 I in different organs was detected. Thirty two of pregnant Waister rats were randomly divided at 15 d of gestational age into four groups: normal control, uteri distressed control, bFGF treatment, and bFGF prevention. Fetal rats in the latter three groups suffered from distress in uteri in an animal model of perinatal asphyxia. Proliferated neurons in fetal rat brains were counted in each group. Results 125 I bFGF has been found in fetal brain, heart, lung and spleen, etc. Under high power microscope, proliferated neurons in fetal rat brains were counted in each group, they are: (4.5 ?2.4), (5.8?3.1), (17.2?5.4); (18.1?5.8), ( F=128,P

Objective To validate the feasibility and accuracy of iterative decomposition of water and fat with asymmetry and least squares estimation-quantitative fat imaging (IDEAL-IQ) in fat quantification using fat-water model. Methods A homogeneous fat-water mixture model consisting of various known fat-fractions were described, and the fat fraction was 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, 0.14, 0.18, 0.22, 0.26, 0.30 g/ml respectively. A water-vaseline separated model was also described. IDEAL-IQ was performed. Thin slices were acquired for fat-water mixture model and repeated 3 days later. Nineteen slices of 14 mm-thick parallel to the water-vaseline boundary in 1 mm steps from vaseline to water
were acquired. The fat-fractions in 11 slices of fat-water mixture model were measured on FatFrac images. Accuracy was assessed through single sample t test or Kolmogorov-Sirmov test. Measured fat-fractions of the same known fat-fraction were assessed through independent samples t test between two scan times. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between known fat-fractions and measured fat-fractions. Slices containing the water-vaseline boundary were measured with ROI in the middle of the FatFrac images. The relationship between measured fat-fractions and locations of scanning was exploded using curve fitting. Results (1) Fat-water mixture model: no significant difference(P>0.05) was found between measured fat-fractions and known fat-fractions when it was 0.00, 0.02, 0.06 and 0.08 g/ml with the measured fat-fractions 0.60%, (2.30 ± 0.60)%, (5.76 ± 1.40)%, (7.62 ± 1.40)% respectively for the first time. No significant difference(P>0.05) was found between measured fat-fractions and known fat-fractions when it was 0.00, 0.02, 0.10 g/ml with the measured fat-fractions 0.04%, (2.32 ± 0.60)%, (9.41 ± 1.00)%respectively for the second time. Measured fat-fraction was inlinear relation with known fat-fraction:Y=0.898X+0.224, r2=0.993, P<0.01, F=36 129.548.(2) Water-vaseline separated model: measured fat-fraction increased as scanning location changed, Y=0.045X2-0.499X-4.474, r2=0.978, P<0.05, F=350.623.Conclusions IDEAL-IQ can be used to quantify fat content with good repeatability and can accurately assess the actual fat content from the linearrelationship.

Objective To construct a eukaryotic expression system of IFN-λ,examine the expression of IFN-λand evaluate its bio-functions including anti-proliferation and anti-viral activity.Methods The genes of human IFN-λ1 /2 (hIFN-λ1 /2)were cloned from the mRNA of poly I∶C treated HuH-7 cells.The PCR product was examined with DNA sequencing.The genes of IFN-λ1 /2 were sub-cloned into pcDNA3 vector.The correct insertion of the gene IFN-λ1 /2 was identified with enzyme digestion.The constructed pcDNA3-IFN-λ1 /2 plasmids were transfected into COS-7 cells and IFN-λ1 /2 protein was checked in the supernatant and lysis of transfected cells using Western blotting analysis.The human esophageal carcinoma YES5 and T.Tn cells were treated with the IFN-λ1 /2 from the transfected cells and the proliferation of carcinoma cells were measured with CCK-8 kit.In the treated carcinoma cells,the apoptosis and antivirus related molecules such as caspase-3,ISG15 and MxA was analyzed with Western blotting or Quantitative real time PCR.Results The sequence of hIFN-λ1 /2 fragment matched that of the gene bank and the gene of the cytokines was inserted into pcDNA3 vector correctly.With Western blotting analysis,IFN-λ1 /2 protein was detected in the pcDNA3-IFN-λ1 /2 transfected COS-7 cells.The IFN-λ1 /2 from the transfected COS-7 cells inhibited the growth of YES5 and T.Tn cells, activated apoptosis related caspase-3,and up-regulated the anti-virus gene expression of ISG15 and MxA.Conclusion COS-7 cells can express IFN-λ1 /2 after transfection with pcDNA3-IFN-λ1 /2,suggesting that eukaryotic expression system of IFN-λis established.IFN-λ1 /2 from the system can perform bio-functions,such as proliferation inhibition,apoptosis induction and anti-viral gene up-regulation,which indicates that the system can contribute to further investigations of IFN-λbio-activity and its clinical application.

In this study, the time-dependent changes on dynamic computed tomograph (CT) of radiation-induced liver injury in gastric cancer patients was examined. The CT images of 52 gastric cancer patients who had received chemoradiotherapies were reviewed on the PACS system. Dynamic CT scan was performed in all the subjects. Our results showed that 18 patients were found to have radiation-induced liver injury. The CT findings of radiation-induced liver injury in gastric cancer patients tend to show up one month after radiation treatment. The damaged area was of low density on all three phases, and then it was enhanced on portal vein phase or delay phase. The focal radiation reaction of liver without basic disease vanished 9-11 months later after treatment. We are led to conclude that dynamic CT is of help in the diagnosis of CRT-induced liver injury, and it may be the method of choice for following up the whole course of the CRT-induced liver injury, i.e., form hepatic damage to healing. The classification of CT findings we recommend can avoid the influence of technological factors, and thereby serve as a better guide for treatment of CRT-induced liver injury.

Objective To evaluate the effects of age factors on hypothermia-induced reduction of ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury in isolated rat hearts.Methods Pathogen-free healthy aged male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 18-20 months,weighing 400-600 g,and young rats,aged 4-6 months,weighing 280-350 g,were used in the study.After the animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate and heparinized,their hearts were excised and perfused with K-H solution in a Langendorff apparatus.Twenty-four isolated hearts of aged rats were assigned into 2 groups(n=12 each)using a random number table:I/R group(group AI/R)and hypothermia group(group AH).Twenty-four isolated hearts of young rats were assigned into 2 groups(n=12 each)using a random number table:I/R group(group YI/R)and hypothermia group(group YH).Perfusion was suspended for 30 min followed by 120 min reperfusion to establish the model of I/R.The temperature was maintained at 37 ℃ during the whole process in AI/R and YI/R groups.The hearts were perfused with 34 ℃ K-H solution until 120 min of reperfusion starting from onset of reperfusion in AH and YH groups.At 30 min of equilibration(T0)and 15,30,60 and 120 min of reperfusion(T1-4),heart rate(HR),left ventricular developed pressure(LVDP),the maximum rate of increase in left ventricular pressure(+dp/dtmax),and the minimum rate of increase in left ventricular pressure(+dp/dtmin)were recorded.Six hearts from each group were randomly selected at T4,and myocardial specimens were obtained for determination of ATP,superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels and myocardial infarct size(IS).Results Compared with group YI/R,HR was significantly decreased at T1-4,ATP and SOD levels were increased,and the MDA content and myocardial IS were decreased in group YH,and the HR,LVDP,+dp/dtmax and +dp/dtmin at T0 and ATP and SOD levels at T4 were significantly decreased,and the MDA content and myocardial IS were increased in group AI/R(P<0.05).Compared with group YH,HR,LVDP,+dp/dtmax and +dp/dtmin at T0 and ATP and SOD levels at T4 were significantly decreased,and the MDA content and myocardial IS were increased in group AH(P<0.05).Compared with group AH,the levels of ATP and SOD were significantly decreased,and the MDA content and myocardial IS were increased in group AI/R(P<0.05).Conclusion Age factors affect the efficacy of hypothermia in reducing I/R injury in isolated rat hearts,and hypothermia provides better cardioprotection for young rats than for aged rats.

AIM To speculate the hypoglycemic mechanism for rats with type 2 diabetes by exploring the therapeutic effects of leaf aqueous extract from Cyclocarya paliurus on liver insulin receptor (InsR) and insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2).METHODS The diabetic rat model was established through intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and fed with high-fat diet.The moleled rats were equally assigned into the control group and leaf aqueous extract from Cyclocarya paliurus group (extract group).After the test extract was orally administrated for four weeks,body weight,urine output,food intake,water intake and fasting blood-glucose (FBG) were measured,and the levels of serum insulin,InsR and IRS-2 mRNA in liver tissue were investigated in rats.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the extract group showed a reduction in urine output,food intake,water intake,FBG and insulin levels.Meanwhile,the rats' body weights in extract group were presented a trend to increase.The gene expressions of InsR and IRS-2 in liver tissue were up-regulated.Moreover,the insulin sensitivity was improved.CONCLUSION The leaf aqueous extract from Cyclocarya paliurus can reduce FBS,improve insulin sensitivity,which may be associated with the increase of InsR and IRS-2 gene expression in liver tissue.

Due to its high incidence and mortality rate， acute myocardial infarction poses a serious threat to public health. Reperfusion therapy is the preferred treatment strategy for acute myocardial infarction， which can quickly restore blood circulation to the ischemic myocardium， rescue dying myocardial cells， reduce infarct size， and lower the mortality rate. However， reperfusion may lead to additional heart damage， known as myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury （MIRI）. Therefore， how to alleviate MIRI has become one of the urgent issues in cardiovascular therapy. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has the advantage of multiple components， multiple pathways， and multiple targets in the treatment of MIRI， providing new ideas for reducing MIRI. Adenosine 5'-monophosphate （AMP）-activated protein kinase （AMPK） is closely related to MIRI， and it plays an important role in alleviating MIRI by regulating inflammation， oxidative stress， autophagy， apoptosis， and ferroptosis. This article reviewed the basic structure of the AMPK signaling pathway and its role in MIRI， as well as the research progress of TCM in the treatment of MIRI by regulating the AMPK pathway， aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of MIRI.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the application of right-inferior-posterior "artery first" approach in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy.

METHODSClinical data of 17 patients who underwent laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy through right-inferior-posterior "artery first" approach in our department from February 2014 to April 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The operation began at the inferior flexure of duodenum. After entering the Toldt's space, the left renal vein (LRV) was revealed and the root of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was exposed just above the LRV. SMA was dissected along its trunk till the horizontal part of duodenum.

RESULTSOf these 17 cases, adenocarcinoma of pancreatic head was observed in 5 cases, adenosquamous carcinoma in 2 cases, mucinous cycstic neoplasm in 1 case, adenocarcinoma of lower common bile duct in 4 cases, and duodenal papilla cancer in 5 cases. Fifteen cases were accomplished successfully with laparoscopy and 2 cases were converted to open approach. The average operating time was (320 ± 85) min and mean intraoperative blood loss was (305 ± 175) ml. The cutting margins were tumor negative in all the patients. The average number of harvested lymph node was 15.4 ± 6.5. Postoperative complication occurred in 5 cases. Two cases of bile leakage and 2 cases of pancreatic fistula were cured with conservative treatment. One case of delayed abdominal hemorrhage was resolved with reoperation.

CONCLUSIONRight-inferior-posterior "artery first" approach is safe and feasible in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Adenocarcinoma ; Duodenal Neoplasms ; Duodenum ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; Operative Time ; Pancreas ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies