ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of Biejiajian Pills （BJJW） on the growth of liver cancer， as well as its potential mechanism in mediating the AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） pathway through mitochondrial energy metabolism. MethodsHuman hepatoma Huh7 cells were used to establish a nude mouse model of subcutaneous xenograft tumor. A total of 18 tumor-bearing nude mice were randomly divided into model group， BJJW group （2.2 g/kg）， and metformin group （250 mg/kg）， and the corresponding drug was given by gavage for 14 consecutive days. Tumor volume and weight were monitored during the experiment； HE staining was used to observe histopathological changes； the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in tumor tissue were measured； immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to measure the expression levels of proteins associated with the AMPK/mTOR pathway. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the Tukey’s test was used for further comparison between two groups； the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the Dunn’s test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group， the BJJW group had a tumor inhibition rate of 45.73%， with significant reductions in both tumor volume and weight （P<0.01）. Pathological examination showed that compared with the model group， the BJJW group had a significant reduction in the number of tumor cells and the presence of extensive necrosis. Mechanistic studies showed that compared with the model group， the BJJW group had a significant increase in ROS level （P<0.001） and a significant reduction in ATP level （P<0.001）， as well as significant increases in p-AMPK/AMPK ratio （0.81±0.20 vs 0.13±0.04， P<0.01） and p-ULK1/ULK1 ratio （0.69±0.17 vs 0.18±0.13， P<0.01） and a significant reduction in p-mTOR/mTOR ratio （1.34±0.16 vs 3.20±0.62， P<0.01）. ConclusionBJJW may inhibit the growth of liver cancer by inducing mitochondrial energy metabolism dysfunction， increasing the level of ROS， reducing the level of ATP， and activating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the fatal neurodegenerative diseases. Muscle ultrasound can be used in ALS to make early diagnosis, strengthen disease management and differentiate other neuromuscular diseases from it. In ALS patients, morphological changes such as muscle atrophy, increased echo intensity and fasciculation can be detected by muscle ultrasound which is helpful in assessing respiratory and swallowing functions as well. High frequency ultrasound has the clinical value in the diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis evaluation of ALS patients.

Objective:To explore effects of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the 5-year prognosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary heart disease.Methods:A total of 165 patients receiving PCI from December 2011 to September 2013 were selected by the convenient sampling method. According to the results of oral glucose tolerance test, they were divided into T2DM group (54 cases) , IGT group (52 cases) , and non-diabetes mellitus (NDM) group (59 cases) . The patients were followed up in the outpatient clinic after discharge and recorded the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) of patients within 5 years after PCI, including cardiogenic death, non-fatal reinfarction, non-fatal stroke and re-hospitalization for heart failure.Results:The 5-year follow-up results showed that 72 patients had MACE, of which 15 died of cardiogenic death, 11 were admitted to the hospital due to heart failure, 5 had non-fatal stroke and 41 had non-fatal reinfarction. Among the 72 patients with MACE, there were 17 cases in the NDM group, 30 cases in the IGT group and 25 cases in the T2DM group. The IGT group was higher than the NDM group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) , but there was no statistically significant difference between the IGT group and the T2DM group ( P>0.05) . Among the 41 non-fatal reinfarction patients, there were 10 cases in the NDM group, 19 cases in the IGT group and 12 cases in the T2DM group. The IGT group was higher than the NDM group and the T2DM group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:IGT increases the risk of myocardial infarction in patients after PCI, which is a risk factor for MACE events.

Objective To assess the clinical value of percutaneous bone cement fusion in treating stress fracture of vertebral body that is adjacent to pseudoarthrosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Methods The clinical data of 4 ankylosing spondylitis patients with stress fracture of vertebral body adjacent to pseudoarthrosis,which was treated with percutaneous bone cement fusion,were retrospectively analyzed.Bone cement fusion through injection of bone cement was performed for 4 vertebral segments.Visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain and Oswesty disability index (ODI) were determined before and after operation,the results were compared,and the improvements of pain and daily activity were evaluated.Results The operation was successfully accomplished in all the 4 patients.The mean used amount of bone cement for each vertebral segment was 14.5 ml.Small amount of bone cement extravasation was observed in one patient,but no severe clinical complication occurred.The mean VAS score decreased from preoperative 9 points to postoperative 3.5 points;ODI score decreased from preoperative 43.8 points to postoperative 14.5 points.After the treatment,the pain was obviously relieved and the daily activity was markedly improved.Conclusion For the treatment of stress fracture of vertebral body that is adjacent to pseudoarthrosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis,percutaneous bone cement fusion is minimally-invasive,safe and effective.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of chylous leakage after pancreatioduodenectomy so as to find effective measures to prevent this complication.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 230 patients who underwent pancreatioduodenectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University from Jun.2012 to Jun.2014.Patients with chylous leakage were identified and a 1 ∶ 2 patients in the study and the control groups were selected.The parameters for matching included tumor volume,vascular invasion,and extent of lymph node dissection.A logistic analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors of chylous leakage.Results 15 (6.5％) patients developed chylous leakage after pancreatioduodenectomy.The average hospital stay after surgery of the study group was 20.8 days,compared to 13.5 days in the control-group (P =0.004).In the study group,chylous leakage rate increased in patients with 14th and 16th group of lymph nodes dissection (80％ vs 36.7％,P =0.006).Logistic analysis showed that 14th and 16th lymph nodes dissection was an independent risk factor of chylous leakage after pancreatioduodenectomy (P ＜ 0.05,OR =6.909,95％ CI 1.593 ～ 29.958).Conclusions Chylous leakage prolonged hospitalization after pancreatioduodenectomy.Dissection of the 14th and 16th lymph node groups was an independent risk factor of chylous leakage after pancreatioduodenectomy.Careful ligation of the gastrocolic vein near the lymphatic trunk and dissection of 14th and 16th group of lymph nodes were effective interventions to reduce postoperative chylous leakage.

Objective Complicated aneurysms located in the cisternal segment of the internal carotid artery(ICA-CSA)present unique therapeutic difficulties.This study is to discuss the feasibility of the Willis stent-graft in treating complicated ICA-CSA by comparing its effect with that of coiling therapy.Methods Willis covered stents were employed in 19 complicated ICA-CSAs(group A),while coils were used in 17 complicated ICA-CSAs(group B).Follow-up angiography was performed to investigate aneurysm recurrence,endoleak and parent artery(PA)stenosis.Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare the recurrencefree and PA stenosis-free rate in both groups.Results Total exclusion was immediately achieved in 13 ICACSAs and minor endoleaks presented in 5 cases in group A.Total or near-total occlusion was achieved in 7 ICA-CSAs.subtotal occlusion in 8 and partial occlusion in 2 cases in group B after coiling.Acute thrombosis occurred in 1 patient in either group and re-hemorrhage happened in 1 patient after coiling.Follow-up angiography in group A revealed that 16 ICA-CSAs were completely isolated,with two parent arteries showing mild in-stent stenosis.Eighteen months after the procedure,Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the recurrence-free rate was 93.3%and 50%,while the stenosis-free rate of parent artery was 87.5%and 100% in group A and in Group B,respectively.In group A and group B the clinical neurological symptoms were fully recovered in 9 and 9,obviously improved in 3 and 5,unchanged in 2 and 2,and aggravated in one and 0 patients,respectively.Conclusion The implantation of Willis stent-graft is a feasible endovascular therapy for complicated ICA-CSAs.When the parent artery is very tortuous or when the risk that a main collateral branch may be wrongly covered and occluded is present,the implantation of Willis covered stent can not be taken as the treatment of first choice.

Objective To report our experiences in the treatment of recurrent intracranial aneurysms with re-coiling or covered stents.Methods A total of 291 patients with 305 intracranial aneurysms were treated with detachable coils.and 41(28.9%)of 142 patients with aneurysms in the intemal carotid artery had a recurrent aneurysm during the follow-up period.For this study,31 recurrent aneurysms in 31 patients who had angiograms within 6 months following retreatment with detachable coils(group A,n=20)or covered stents(group B.n=11)were analysed.Aneurysms were categorised as complete or incomplete occlusion via angiographic assessment and graded as full recovery,improvement,no change or deterioration via clinical assessment.Data regarding technical success,initial and final angiographic results,final clinical outcome were collected and analysed postoperatively.Results Coil embolisation and covered stent placement.were technically successful in all recurrent aneurysms.The initial angiographic results showed complete occlusion in 11 patients(55%)in group A and in eight(72.7%)in group B(P=0.452),and the final angiographic results exhibited complete occlusion in 10 patients(50%)in group A and in 11(100%)in group B(P=0.005).There were no significant differences in technique success or final clinical outcome between the two groups.Conclusions Recurrent aneurysms after coiling can be successfully treated and occluded with re-coiling or covered stent placement.However,covered stents seem to be more effective than re-coiling with regard to complete occlusion of recurrent aneurysms.

Objective To evaluate the flexibility and efficacy of the Willis covered stent in the treatment of distal internal carotid artery(DICA)aneurysms.Methods The study was approved by the anthors' institutional review board,and the research was conducted by the authors' institution and the MicroPort Medical Company(Shanghai,China).Thirty-one patients with 33 DICA aneurysms were considered for treatment with a Willis covered stent.The angiographic assessments were categorized as complete or incomplete occlusion.The data on technical Success,initial and final angiographic results,mortality,morbidity,and final clinical outcome were collected,and follow-up was performed at 1,3,6,and 12 months and yearly after the procedures.Results Navigation and deployment of the covered stents were succssfnl in 97.6%(41 of 42;95%confidence interval[CI]:93%,102%)of the attempted stent placement procedures.The initial angiographic results showed a complete occlusion in 23 patients with 25 aneurysms(of 32 aneurysms,78.1%[95%CI:63%,93%])and an incomplete occlusion in seven patients with seven aneurysms(21.9%).The angiographic follow-up(mean,14 months[95% CI:12,15 months])findings exhibited a complete occlusion in 27 patients with 29 aneurysms(of 31 aneurysms,93.5%[95%CI:84%,103%])and an incomplete occlusion in two aneurysms(6.5%),with a mild in-stent stenosis in two patients.The clinical follow-up(mean,27 months[95% CI:23,30 months])demonstrated that 15 patients experienced a full recovery and 14 patients improved.Conclusion The preliminary results demonstrate good flexibility and efficacy of the Willis covered stent in the treatment of DICA aneurysms in selected patients:longer follow-up and expanded clinical trials are needed.

Objective To investigate the technique of transarterial embolization of dural carotidcavernous fistulas(DCCFs)with low concentration(14%-25%)of n-butyl-cyanoacrylate(NBCA)and determine its value.Methods Eight patients with DCCFs were treated by transarterial embolization with low concentration of NBCA using a wedged microcatheter.Of the 8 patients,5 had unsuccessful transvenous embolization and 3 could not be treated with transvenous embolization.Results Transarterial embolization with low concentration of NBCA using a wedged microcatheter resulted in complete obliteration of the affected cavernous sinus and related shunts in 5 patients,no residual arteriovenous shunt was demonstrated on postembolization angiography.On clinical and angiographic follow-up 6-12 months later,complete resolution of clinical symptoms was observed in all 5 patients and there were no recurrent or residual DCCFs found.Partial obliteration of the involved cavernous sinus and the related shunt was achieved in the remaining 3 patients on immediate post-procedure angiography,but the volume of shunt diminished significantly.On clinical and angiographic follow-up 3 months later,in 2 patients,clinical symptoms were improved and the arteriovenous shunts were diminished;in the third patient,clinical symptom resolved and the shunt was obliterated.There were no major complications except for the transient worsening of ocular symptoms due to Ⅵ cranial nerve palsy in 1 patient.Conclusions Transarterial embolization of DCCFs with low concentration of NBCA using a wedged microcatheter was a safe and effective treatment method.It is an optimal alternative for the patients with DCCFs in which transvenous route was unsuccessful,or impossible.

Objective To evaluate the toxic effects and efficacy of the intra-arterial chrono-chemotherapy on patients with liver metastasis arised from colorectal cancer. Methods Chemotherapy of 42 patients were randomly divided into group A (n = 20) with continuously constant arterial infusion, and group B (n = 22) with arterial chrono-modulated infusion. And the toxic effects and efficacy of two groups were compared. Results A significant difference was found in the toxic effects of digestive system between the two groups. The treatment response was similar in the two groups. Conclusions Intra-arterial chrono-chemotherapy may decrease the toxic effects and improve the life quality of these patients.