Objective To assess the role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods Peripheral blood from 45 RA patients and 28 healthy individuals (HV)were collected to detect RF and hs-CRP by immuno-turbidimetry,ESR by westergren method and MMP-9 by ELISA.The correlation was analysed between MMP-9 and RF, ESR or hs-CRP,respectively,by pearson correlation analysis.Results Levels of RF,ESR,hs-CRP and MMP-9 were signifi-cantly higher in RA patients than HV group (t=3.93~5.96,P<0.001),respectively.RF high titer patients or patients with a high inflammation response showed a higher MMP-9 levels than the RF low titer or slight inflammation patients (P<0.05).MMP-9 was positively correlated to RF,ESR and hs-CRP in RA patients(P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion MMP-9 maybe a sensitive tool in the diagnosis and management of RA patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical significance of miRNA-216a expression in pancreatic cancer.

METHODSFourteen patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy and 6 patients with benign pancreas lesions were examined for miR-216a expressions in the tumor or lesion tissues using Agilent Human miRNA Microarray (V12.0). The relationship between miR-216a expressions and the clinicopathological features of the patients was analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression of miRNA-216a was significantly lower in pancreatic cancer than in benign pancreas lesions (P=0.000). The expression of miRNA-216a was significantly correlated with the T stage of the tumor (P=0.002), but not with the patients' age, gender, smoking status, tumor stage, lymph node metastases, distant metastasis, tumor differentiation, nerve invasion, vessel invasion or serum CA19-9 level (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe down-regulated expression of miR-216a in pancreatic cancer suggests the involvement of miR-216a in the tumorigenesis and development of pancreatic cancer. miR-216a may potentially serve as a novel tumor marker and also a prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the application of three-dimensional visualization technology for laparoscopic resection of cystic carcinoma in the pancreatic body and tail.

METHODSSix cases of cystic carcinoma in the pancreatic body and tail treated between Nov, 2009 and Mar, 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The original image data of 64-slice spiral CT were collected and using adaptive region growing algorithm, the serial CT images were segmented and automatically extracted to obtain the 3-dimensional reconstruction images with customized image manipulation software. The specific surgical approach (the trocar position) and surgical procedure were planned based on the reconstructed mode.

RESULTSThe reconstructed 3-dimensional model clearly displayed cystic carcinoma in the pancreatic body and tail and the adjacent organs, showing distinct relationship between the cystoma and the splenic artery and vein. All the patients successfully underwent laparoscopic resection of the pancreatic body and tail without perioperative death. The spleen was preserved in 5 cases and removed in 1 case due to mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. The overall rate of pancreatic fistulae was 33.3% without incidences of postoperative hemorrhage. The average hospital stay of the patients was 12 days.

CONCLUSIONThree-dimensional reconstruction based on pancreatic CT data provides valuable assistance for laparoscopic resection of cystic carcinoma in the pancreatic body and tail.

Adult ; Aged ; Computer Simulation ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Cystadenoma, Serous ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Pancreatectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Pancreatic Fistula ; etiology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Spleen ; surgery ; Tomography, Spiral Computed