AIM: To investigate the regulatory effects of nuclear factor-κB ( NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) on the expression of ectopic trypsin and proinflammatory cytokines in influenza A virus (IAV)-induced myocardi-tis.METHODS:Male BALB/c mice of 8 weeks old ( n=40) were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group ( NC) , infection control group ( IC) , NF-κB inhibitor group ( NI) and AP-1 inhibitor group ( AI) .The mice in NC group and IC group were instilled intranasally with 15μL saline and 40 plaque forming units ( PFU) IAV, respectively.The mice in NI group and AI group were infected intranasally with 40 PFU IAV and injected intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate ( PDTC) or 2.5 mg/kg AP-1 inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid ( NDGA) once daily. The mice were euthanized at day 9 after instillation, and the hearts were removed for pathological and biochemical analysis. RESULTS:IAV infection induced significant up-regulation of ectopic trypsin, and proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1βand tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in the myocardium, and triggered acute myocarditis.PDTC signifi-cantly inhibited NF-κB activation and up-regulation of ectopic trypsin and proinflammatory cytokines, and effectively sup-pressed IAV replication and myocardial inflammatory response (P<0.01).NDGA effectively inhibited AP-1 activity (P<0.01) and mildly suppressed up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines ( P<0.05) , but had no effects on the expression of ectopic trypsin, IAV replication and the extent of myocarditis ( P>0.05) .CONCLUSION:IAV infection induces up-regulation of ectopic trypsin and proinflammatory cytokines in myocardium predominantly by the activation of NF-κB.AP-1 signaling pathway might be only partially involved in the regulation of proinflammatory cytokines.

Objective To explore the technique of implantation of double-J stent via the guide-wire track, which was established through percutaneous renal puncturing, for the treatment of ureteral stricture and obstruction, and to evaluate its therapeutic effect. Methods A total of 75 patients with ureteral stricture or obstruction, who failed to respond to cystoscopic catheterization, were enrolled in this study. The lesions included benign stricture(n=60) and malignant stricture(n=15). Ureteral guide-wire track was established through percutaneous renal puncturing, which was followed by the dilatation of the stricture with balloon catheter and subsequent implantation of double-J stent via the guide-wire track. After the double-J stent was removed, the patients were followed up for 3 months to five years. Results The success rate of the procedure was 98.7%(74/75). Technical failure occurred in one patient with benign ureteral stricture. The cure rate was 70.7%(53/75), the improvement rate was 26.7%(20/75), and no improvement was seen in one case (1.35%). The total effective rate was 97.3%(73/75). Conclusion For the treatment of ureteral stricture and obstruction, the implantation of double-J stent via the guide-wire track, which is established through percutaneous renal puncturing, is a safe and effective method.

Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic lung disease.Methods Patients who were diagnosed with eosinophilic lung disease and hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed from January 2004 to August 2012.Data of etiology,clinical manifestation,imaging and pathological features,diagnosis and treatment were recorded.Results A total of 25 patients were diagnosed with eosinophilic lung disease including 9 chronic eosinophilic pneumonia,6 churg-strauss syndrome,and 10 cases of parasitic infection of which two patients were the simple pulmonary eosinophilia (L(o)ffler syndrome).Eosinophil counts in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were increased.Arterial gas analysis showed varying degree of hypoxemia,which pulmonary function tests showed restrictive,obstructive,mixed ventilatory dysfunction.Chest CT showed bilateral flaky,streak or flake diffuse ground-glass infiltrates and reticular opacities.Results of pulmonary biopsy or skin biopsy identified diffuse eosinophil infiltration.Corticoidsteroid therapy alone or combined with immunosuppressive agents were both effective.Conclusion (1) Liver fluke and other food-borne parasites are the most common causes in eosinophilic lung disease; followed by unexplained chronic acidophilic granulocyte pneumonia; (2) In addition to histopathological evidence,the diagnosis of eosinophilic lung disease was made comprehensively based on clinical features,laboratory test,the BALF analysis,and imaging data.

Objective To compare the clinical effect of manual aspiration thrombectomy versus systemic thrombolysis for acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis of mixed type.Methods The clinical data of 380 patients with acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis of nixed type was analyzed retrospectively,who were classified into two groups according to treatment methods.Group A (229 cases):the ipsilateral femoral vein was accessed under local anesthesia,a 12-14 F sheath was introduced via a guide wire to aspirate iliofenoral thrombus.As for the femoropopliteal thrombus,a Fogarty balloon catheter was introduced to pull thrombus to iliac vein,then mechanical aspiration thrombectomy was performed.One hundred and thirteen patients with stenosis or occlusion of comnon iliac vein were treated with adjunctive PTA and stenting.As for the residual thrombus bclow popliteal vein,a small dose urokinase vas given to thrombolysis and heparin anticoagulation after procedure.Group B(151 cases) were treated by systemic thrombolysis and anticoagulation with heparin.Results The swelling and pain of affected limbs of group A began to relief after operation immediately,but these times of group B was 3-7 days after operation.The thrombus was eliminated completely(Grade Ⅰ):goup A was better than group B (63.32％ vs 37.09％) (x2 =20.53,P =0.002).Conclusions The manual aspiration thrombectomy was superior to simple systemic thrombolysis in treating acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis of mixed type,especially in protecting the normal valve function that was better than thrombolysis,aspiration thrombectomy with adjunctive iliac vein angioplasty was a more reasonable method to treat acute LEDVT.

Objective To evaluate the short-and long-term outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) for gastric cancer.Methods After studying the patients' demographic data,extent of gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy,as well as differentiation and tumor TNM stage,85 patients who underwent LAG were individually matched to 85 patients who underwent open surgery (OG) between October 2004 and March 2008.The operative time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative recovery,complications,pathological findings,and follow-up data were compared between the two groups.Results The mean operative time was significantly longer in the LAG group than in the OG group (277 ± 62) min vs.(211 ±46) min,t =7.882,P ＜0.05,whereas intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower (161 ±90) ml vs.(267 ± 141) ml,t =-5.854,P ＜0.05.In addition,there was a significant reduction in the time to first flatus and postoperative hospital stay (3.7 ± 1.3) days vs.(4.2 ± 1.1) days and (10 ± 3) days vs.(12 ± 6) days,respectively t =-2.318,-2.325,P ＜ 0.05.There was no significant difference between the LAG group and OG group with regard to the number of harvested lymph nodes and overall postoperative complications.The 5-year disease-free survival rates and overall survival rates were 76％,78％,respectively,in LAG group and 75％,73％,respectively in OG group (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions LAG is suitable and minimally invasive for treating gastric cancer.Compared to OG,the LAG will not increase the risk of recurrence and mortality after surgery.

Objective To evaluate the mid-term and long-term result of mechanical aspiration thrombectomy or combined with balloon thrombectomy,venoplasty and catheter-directed thrombolysis therapy for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis.Methods Clinical data of 1 068 admitted patients were analysed retrospectively from January 2000 to June 2010.Among these patients,271 cases were treated by thrombectomy only,537 cases received thrombectomy with arterial catheter-directed thrombolysis,260 cases were treated by thrombectomy with dorsalis pedis vein thrombolysis,492 patients with stenosis or obstruction of iliac vein underwent venoplasty treatment.Results After 36 month follow-up edema,pigmentation and chronic ulcers were 10.26％,7.28％,1.55％ respectively.The patency without reflux,patency with reflux,residual thrombus,occlusion rate of the iliofemoral vein were 84.25％,8.95％,4.3％,2.5％ respectively; The patency,residual thrombus and occlusion rate of popliteal vein were 93.32％,5.49％,1.19％.Iliac vein stent patency rate was 92.28％.Conclusions Endovascular treatment for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis was a reasonable therapy with a satisfactory mid-term and long-term result,protecting venous valve function and reducing the morbidity of post-thrombotic syndrome.

Background and purpose: 18F-FDG has been considered to be of limited value for the detection of bladder lesions because of interference by the 18F-FDG excreted in urine. Delayed pelvic images with“diluted and iflled bladder”use a method of 18F-FDG PET/CT with delayed images after oral hydration so as to increase the detection rate of 18F-lfuorodeoxyglucose(FDG) PET/CT imaging for the lesions of bladder. Methods:48 patients with bladder lesions(35 patients with bladder primary tumor and 13 patients with metastatic tumor) underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT detection and were required oral hydration of 1200-1800 mL water, urination frequently, holding urine when the more scan began. Lesions conifrmed by histopathology, MRI, CT or clinical follow-up at least 1 year. Results:89%(43/48) of patients were obtained good clearance and the urine SUVmax declined from 33.14(9-66.80)to 3.23(1.35-5.65) signiifcantly and the statistical difference was signiifcant (t=8.703, P<0.01). The interval time between two scan was 2 h approximately. At the same time, the SUVmax of bladder lesion was 2.8-25.0. Detection sensitivity, speciifcity and accuracy were 90.47%(19/21), 81.48%(22/27)and 85.41%(41/48), respectively. Conclusion: 18F-FDG activity in the bladder signiifcantly decreased in most patients with“diluted and iflled bladder”. The PET/CT scan can highly detect lesions of bladder tissues. Our method with high accuracy and better endurance could be applied to detect the lesions in bladder.

Objective To investigate the significantly elevated incidence of hepatitis C and mortality of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Jianping county, and to explore the epidemiological features. Methods The data from database of death registry and infectious disease surveillance in Jianping county, Liaoning Province were analyzed. The distributions of incidence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, mortality of cirrhosis and HCC in 23 villages and towns were investigated.Spearman's correlation was used to explore the correlations between hepatitis, cirrhosis and HCC.Results The standardized mortality of HCC in males and females in Jianping county were 77. 6/10~5and 22. 0/10~5, respectively, which were 2. 0 and 1. 7 times, respectively of the average levels of Liaoning rural areas. The incidence of hepatitis C was 58. 0/10~5 , which was 9. 5 times of the averagelevel of Liaoning Province. There were positive correlations between incidence of hepatitis C and mortality of cirrhosis (r=0. 495, P = 0. 008), and mortality of cirrhosis and HCC (r=0. 646, P<0.01). Conclusions The incidence of hepatitis C and mortality of cirrhosis and HCC in Jianping county are significantly higher than the average levels of Liaoning Province. Further investigations of the suspected causes are needed.

Objective To study the influence of mild hypothermia on pulmonary vascular permeability in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by infection.Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted.Patients with ARDS induced by infection satisfied criteria including age 18-70 years,endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation (MV),and without severe coagulation disorder admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from May 2012 to November 2015 were enrolled,excluding tumor,burn,cardiac disease,vascular disease,and endovascular surgery within 3 months.The patients enrolled were randomly divided into non-temperature controlled group and mild hypothermia group.The primary diseases in all patients were treated according to the treating principles,including respiratory support,integrated treatment of organ support and symptomatic treatment.Besides,the patients in the mild hypothermia group were administered with systemic hypothermia,and the patients' core body temperature (nasopharyngeal temperature) was rapidly decreased to 34-35 ℃ within 1 hour.Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score,oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2),extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) in two groups at 1,24,48,and 72 hours after treatment or core temperature up to standards were monitored respectively.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in venous blood as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and surfactant apoprotein A (SP-A) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF),and circulating endothelial cell (CEC) was counted.The duration of mechanical ventilation and 7-day survival rate were recorded.Results Fifty-six patients were enrolled,with 32 in non-temperature controlled group and 24 in mild hypothermia group.There was no difference in baseline variables including gender,age,APACHE Ⅱ score,PaO2/FiO2 between two groups.APACHE Ⅱ score,EVLWI,PVPI,VEGF,CEC,and TNF-α in both groups were gradually increased with treatment time prolongation,and PaO2/FiO2 and SP-A were gradually decreased.Compared with non-temperature controlled group,APACHE Ⅱ score (16.34±4.27 vs.19.24 ± 5.95),EVLWI (mL/kg:12.17 ± 2.26 vs.12.39 ± 4.71),PVPI (15.40 ± 10.95 vs.16.08 ± 10.24),VEGF (ng/L:127.92 ± 31.49 vs.159.12 ± 40.67),CEC (cells/μL:4.15 ± 1.79 vs.5.70 ± 2.38),and TNF-α (ng/L:147.18 ± 48.85 vs.257.17 ±40.84) in mild hypothermia group were significantly decreased from 24 hours (all P ＜ 0.05),and PaO2/FiO2 [mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa):175.03± 12.64 vs.162.53 ± 14.15] and SP-A (μg/L:80.85 ± 16.18 vs.62.06 ± 17.28) were significantly increased (both P ＜ 0.05),the duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly shortened (days:10.38 ± 1.50 vs.15.74 ± 3.06,P ＜ 0.01),and 7-day survival rate was significantly increased (75.0％ vs.46.9％,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Mild hypothermia can reduce the pulmonary vascular permeability,and improve pulmonary function in early phase in patients with ARDS,as well as shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation,and decrease short-term mortality.

[ABSTRACT]OBJECTIVETo study the expressions of 34βE12, Galectin-3 and HBME-1 in thyroid nodules, and to explore its diagnostic value for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).METHODSEn VisionTM immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of 34βE12, Galectin-3 and HBME-1 in 352 thyroid lesions. The correlation between the expressions of the 3 protein markers and clinicopathological characteristics was evaluated. The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) and their index for diagnosis evaluation were also calculated.RESULTSThe positive rates of 34βE12, Galectin-3 and HBME-1 in 246 PTC lesions were significantly higher than those in benign nodules (P<0.001). There was no relationship between the expression of the 3 protein markers and clinicopathological characteristics (eg. gender, age, numbers of lesions, tumor size, capsular invasion, lymph node metastasis, TNM staging). The ROC-AUC of 34βE12, Galectin-3 and HBME-1 for diagnosis of PTC was 0.936, 0.915 and 0.898 respectively. The sensitivity of 34βE12, Galectin-3 and HBME-1 for diagnosis of PTC was 94.3%, 95.5% and 91.1% respectively, while the specificity was 81.1%, 71.7% and 83.0% respectively, and the diagnostic accuracy rate was 90.3%, 88.4% and 88.6% respectively.CONCLUSION The expressions of 34βE12, Galectin-3 and HBME-1 are statistically different between PTC and benign lesions, but no associations are found with clinicopathological characteristics, indicating the three protein markers have important diagnostic value for PTC.