Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics and to explore the clinical management of pancreatic duct stones. Methods The imaging characteristics and outcomes of different clinical management of 43 cases of pancreatic duct stones were retrospectively analyzed. Results In this group of patients with pancreatic duct stones, 42 cases were diagnosed by imaging examination, and 1 case was diagnosed during surgery. Among the 42 cases diagnosed by imaging, 20 cases were identified by B mode ultrasonography (BUS), 10 cases by CT, and 10 cases by ERCP. The pancreatic duct stones were located at the head of pancreas in 10 cases, at the body and tail of pancreas in 29 cases, and from the head to the tail of pancreas in 4 cases. Twenty patients with single pancreatic duct stones received conservative medical therapy, 6 patients with pancreatic duct stones located at the head of pancreas received endoscopic intervention therapy and 17 patients with multi pancreatic duct stones were successfully treated by surgery. Conclusions BUS, CT and ERCP are efficient means for diagnosing pancreatic duct stones. Choosing an appropriate management strategy based on the number, location and size of the stones is important for the successful treatment of pancreatic duct stones.

Objective To investigate the correlation between intra-operative estimated blood loss (EBL) and bone mineral density (BMD) during minimally invasive posterior lumbar interbody fusio,n (PLIF).Methods In this retrospective case control study,61 consecutive patients suffering from mono-segment low back disorders were treated by minimally invasive PLIF from 2005 to 2010.The patients' parameters including age,gender,operation time (OT),BMD,EBL,prothrombin time were collected.According to BMD of the lumbar spine,all the patients were divided into two groups: the normal group and the osteopenia group.The differences of the EBL and other parameters between the two groups were analyzed by student's t test and Pearson's Chi-square test.Besides,the correlation between intra-operative EBL and each of the other parameters except for gender were analyzed among all the patients.To detect the relationship between intra-operative EBL and gender,patients were divided by gender and the intra-operative EBL of two groups were examined by student's t test.Finally,a probable model about intra-operative EBL and the other parameters was proposed using stepwise linear regression analysis.Results The average intra-operative EBL of the normal group and the osteopenia group were (346.41±199.53) ml and (552.62±300.21) ml,respectively.The difference was significant.However,the other parameters including post-operative EBL had no significant differences between two groups.A negative correlation between intra-operative EBL and BMD (r=-0.37,P=0.035)and a positive correlation between intra-operative EBL and OT (r=0.34,P=0.008) were found.But none of the other parameters was correlated with intra-operative EBL.The similar result was observed by the stepwise linear regression analysis.Intra-operative EBL was influenced by BMD and OT under the control of this research,and the relationship might be formulated with the equation,EBL=-0.63×BMD+1.46×OT.Conclusion BMD should be considered an important predictor of intra-operative EBL in PLIF.

Objective To investigate the expression of haptoglobin(Hp)mRNA and protein in nor-mal human epidermal cells and human keratinocyte cell line-HaCaT cells.Methods In situ hybridization and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of Hp mRNA in normal human epidermal cells and HaCaT cells.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Hp on normal human epidermal cells.Im-munohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect Hp expression on HaCaT cells.Results There was Hp mRNA expression in normal human keratinocytes and HaCaT cells.There was no Hp mRNA expres-sion in normal human epidermal Langerhans cells.There were some Hp positive dendritic cells in normal human epidermis.There was no obvious Hp protein staining in the HaCaT cells by immunohistochemistry.There was Hp protein band from HaCaT cells by Western blot.Conclusions There is Hp mRNA expression in normal human keratinocytes and HaCaT cells which suggests that normal human keratinocytes and HaCaT cells have the ability to synthesize Hp protein.Normal human epidermal Langerhans cells have no ability to synthesize Hp protein.There is small amount of Hp protein in HaCaT cells.

This study examined effect of a new intervertebral cervical disc prosthesis in relieving the neurological symptoms and signs, improving the patients' ability to perform daily activities, reducing pain, and maintaining the stability and segmental motion. From December 2003 to October 2004, 12 patients, who had received 14 replacements of cervical artificial discs, were followed-up for 2 to 8 months (with a mean of 5.2 months). Of them 5 had cervical spondylotic myelopathy and 7 had cervical disc herniation. The patients included 7 males and 5 females, with their age ranging from 35 to 62 y and a mean of 50.3 y. Single-level replacements were performed in 10 cases and 2 cases received two-level replacement. Operation time of the single-level surgery averaged 130+/-50 min and the time of two-level surgery was 165+/-53 min on average (from skin incision to skin suturing). Neurological or vascular complications during or after surgery was not observed. Japanese Orthopedic Association scores (JOA scores) increased from 8.6 to 15.8 on average. There was no prothesis subsidence or excursion. Replaced segments were stable and the range of motion was partially restored, being 4.68 degrees (3.6 degrees -6.1 degrees ) in flexion and extension position and 3.51 degrees (2.5 degrees -4.6 degrees ), 3.42 degrees (2.6 degrees -4.3 degrees ) in left and right bending position. No obvious loss of physiological curvature was noted. CT or MRI follow-up showed that excursion was less than 1.5 mm) in 2 of 14 levels and between 1.5 mm and 3 mm) in 1 of 14 levels. No ossification in the replaced levels was observed. It is concluded that satisfactory short-term results were achieved in the 12 cases of artificial disc replacements. Different from anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, the replacement could achieve quick functional recovery and did not lead to the movement limitation of cervical vertebrae. At least a 5-years follow-up was needed to assess the long-term effect of the prosthesis on its neighboring segments.

Objects To study the protective effects of cimetidine against oxidative stress in rats induced by cumulative low-dose irradiation.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (10 each):normal control group,model control group,lentinan group [89mg/(kg.d)] and 3 dose groups of cimetidine.After oral administration,all the rats were exposed to γ-ray irradiation 8 hours/day for 12 days,and sacrificed on the 13th day.The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GPx),catalase (CAT) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum,liver,thymus and spleen were determined.By using the superoxide anion radical system,hydroxyl radical system,H2O2 radical system,oxidation system of linoleic acid induced by alkane radical system and diphenyl picryl hydrazinyl radical (DPPH) radical system,the antioxidation activities of cimetidine were detected.Results The activities of SOD in liver and thymus decreased significantly,the GPx activity in serum,liver and spleen decreased significantly and MDA level in serum,liver and spleen increased significantly after 0.3Gy cumulative ionizing radiation.Cimetidine enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes in serum and organs,and reduced the MDA level.In a certain concentration range,cimetidine had different scavenging effects onto these radical systems,and showed good performance in hydroxyl radical.Conclusion Cimetidine can effectively ameliorate the oxidative stress from low-dose cumulative irradiation by scavenging free radicals,increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduce the content of lipid peroxidation products,thus presents a potential radio protective effect.

Objective To establish serological detection methods of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8).Methnds Three potent antigenic fusion proteins.K8.1,ORF65 and ORF73 C of HHV- 8 were synthesized using E.coli system.The sera were detected using lhese antigenic proteins.The positive sera were from 12 patients with Kaposi's sarcoma and 32 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Kaposi's sarcoma.The negative sera were from 20 patients with cutaneous tumors and children under 15 years old.Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EI.ISA)were employed to determine the immunogenicity of each recombinant protein and the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA using the complex antigens.Results Three types highly purified HHV 8 specific recombinant pro teins with potent antigenicity were successfully synthesized.The sensitivity of ELISA using the above complex antigens was significantly higher than traditional immuno-flurescent assay (IFA)detecting the positive and negative sera,whieh were 81.8%,34.4%,respectively.And the specificity of ELISA was 97.9%.Conclusion K8.1,ORF65 and ORE73 C are good candidate antigens for establishing HHV-8 serological detection methods,which have better sensitivity and specificity.

Objective To study the damage of liver function after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with low-dose versus conventional-dose anticancer drugs in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods One hundred and twelve patients with unresectable HCC were randomly divided into two groups (A and B) to receive superselective TACE. Low-dose anticancer drugs including mitomycin C (MMC) 2 ～ 8 mg, epirubicin (EPI) 5 ～ 10 mg and carboplatin (CBP) 100 mg were used in group A (n= 52), and conventional-dose of anticancer drugs (MMC 10 mg, EPI 40 mg and CBP 300 mg)for patients in group B(n= 60). Lipiodol-anticancer drugs emulsion was injected into the feeding arteries of tumor and then followed by embolization of gelatin sponge (GS) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles.Laboratory examination of the liver function including Child-Pugh scores, total bilirubin (TBIL), albumin (ALB) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were evaluated respectively before TACE and at third day, one week and four weeks after this procedure. Results In both groups, TBIL, ALT, and Child-Pugh scores increased (P ＜ 0.001 or P ＜ 0.05) and ALB decreased (P ＜ 0.001 or P ＜ 0.01) at three days and one week after TACE. Four weeks after-procedure, all the parameters described above showed no significant difference than those before the procedure in group A (P ＞ 0.05 ). On the contrary in group B, a significant difference (P ＜ 0.05) was found in the comparison of these parameters (except ALT). Conclusion Superselective TACE with low-dose anticancer drugs may induce transient impairment of liver function in the patients with HCC, but those patients used conventional-dose of anticancer drugs frequently cause lasting and more serious worsening of liver function.

Objective To explore the relationship between echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) and fetal heart defects.Methods Retrospective study of fetuses with EIF were performed at our fetal cardiac service centers from August 2010 to October 2015.Fetuses were grouped by EIF locations (left ventricle,right ventricle and biventricle).The risk of heart defect in different groups were analyzed.Results A total of 2 204 fetuses were enrolled in our study.Of them,2 083 EIF were located in the left ventricle,while 83 were bilateral and 38 were right-sided.There were 98 of 2 083 fetuses(4.7％) with heart defects in left-sided group,1 of 83 fetuses (1.2％) in bilateral group,and 5 of 38 fetuses(13.2％) in right-sided group.Fetuses with right-sided EIF had significantly more heart defects compared with the other two groups(P ＜0.05).Conclusions A right-sided EIF may carry a higher risk of cardiac anomalies than a left-sided or bilateral EIF.Women carrying fetuses with right-sided EIF should be offered fetal echocardiography in the second trimester.

Objective To evaluate the clinical and biochemical characteristics of pregnant women with different glucose tolerance status,and their secretion characteristics of insulin,glucagon and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) after oral glucose challenge.Methods We analyzed 74 cases pregnant women with positive results of 50 g glucose challenge test in 24-28 gestational weeks,who received regular obstetrical follow-up in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to June 2012.A further 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed,based on which the included women were divided into three groups,namely gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) group (n =25),impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) group (n =25) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group (n =24).The general clinical data and biochemical indexes of the three groups were compared,and the indexes about insulin resistance and the function of pancreatic islet beta cells were calculated.Glucose,insulin,glucagon and GLP-1 were measured in OGTT.The secretion characteristics of each of these hormones and their correlation with other indicators were evaluated.Results Compared with the NGT group,the GCT [(9.21 ±0.75) mmol/L vs.(8.52 ±0.50) mmol/L,P ＜0.05] and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c [(5.39±0.34)％ vs.(5.18 ±0.20)％,P＜0.05] were significantly higher in the GDM group.In OGTT,the area under curve (AUC) of glucose in the GDM group was significantly higher than that inthe IGT group and NGT group [(26.58 ±2.02) mmol/(L · h) vs.(23.20 ± 1.51) mmoL/(L · h),(26.58 ± 2.02) mmol/(L · h) vs.(19.84 ± 1.95) mmol/(L · h),both P ＜ 0.05].The peak values of insulin secretion in the GDM group and IGT group were delayed to 2 hours after OGTT.The 3-hour insulin level in the GDM group was significantly higher than that in the NGT group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the NGT group,the glucagon levels in each time point after OGTT and the AUC of glucagon levels were reduced in the GDM group and the IGT group,but with no significant differences.The peak glucagon levels in the 3 groups all appeared at 3 hours after OGTT.The GLP-1 levels in each time point of OGTT were gradually increased from the NGT group to the IGT group to the GDM group,but no significant differences were found.The peak value of GLP-1 level was presented at 1 hour after OGTT in the NGT group and the IGT group and at 2 hours after OGTT in the GDM group.The valley values of GLP-1 level in the 3 groups all appeared at 3 hours after OGTT.In comparison with the NGT group,the ratios of GLP-1 to blood glucose levels (GLP/BG) at 1-hour and 2-hour were significantly decreased in the GDM group (P ＜ 0.05).The AUC of glucagon levels in OGTT were negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose (r =-0.287,P =0.013) and 1-hour glucose levels (r =-0.266,P =0.022) in OGTT and positively correlated with insulin secretion sensitivity index (ISSI) (r =0.297,P =0.010) and HOMA-β (r =0.236,P =0.043).Moreover,the AUC of GLP-1 levels in OGTT was negatively correlated with the levels of C-reactive protein (r =-0.264,P =0.035).The AUC of GLP/BG in OGTT was positively correlated with ISSI (r=0.406,P＜0.001).Conclusions Pregnant women with GDM and IGT in the second trimester have insulin resistance and dysfunction of pancreatic islet β cells.Potential GLP-1 resistance and inadequate secretion may exist in GDM patients.GLP/BG may be a better parameter to evaluate the secretion function of L cells in pregnancy and an effective parameter to estimate the compensatory function of pancreatic β cells indirectly.Glucagon levels may not start to change obviously before 28 gestational weeks.

Objective To compare the curative effect of thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) plus medication with that of pure medication in treating uncomplicated type B aortic dissection,and to discuss the treatment strategy for uncomplicated type B aortic dissection.Methods The clinical data of 118 patients with definitely confirmed uncomplicated type B aortic dissection,who were admitted to authors' hospital during the period from 2004 to 2015,were retrospectively analyzed.Among the 118 patients,57 patients received TEVAR plus medication (TEVAR group) and 61 patients were treated with pure medication (drug group).The complications and mortality within one month and during follow-up period in both groups were calculated respectively,and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare the survival rate between the two groups.Results The incidences of complications and morbidity during hospitalization and within one month after treatment in TEVAR group were 5.2％ and 0％ respectively,which in the drug group were 0％ and 0％ respectively.The patients were followed up for 1-110 months,with a mean of (43.3±36.7) months.The incidence of main complications and the mortality in TEVAR group were 7.0％ and 5.3％ respectively,which in the drug group were 6.6％ and 8.1％ respectively.The one-,2-,4-and 7-year cumulative survival rates in TEVAR group were 100％,97.1％,93.5％ and 78.0％ respectively,which in the drug group were 98.4％,96.4％,90.8％ and 72.7％ respectively,the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (~=0.019,P=0.890).Conclusion For the treatment of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection,TEVAR plus medication is superior to pure drug therapy in reducing expansion rate of false cavity,but TEVAR carries some procedure-related complications,besides,TEVAR can not improve the survival rate.(J Intervent Radiol,2017,26:266-269)