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.

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.

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.

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 explore the activity and its possible neural mechanism of brain default mode network by using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods The 20 amnestic MCI patients and 25 healthy controls were included in this study, and all subjects underwent mini-mental state examination (MMSE), auditory verbal learning test (AVLT) and fMRI. The data were analyzed by amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF), and the enhanced and weakened regions of ALFF were observed and compared in both MCI patients and healthy controls. Results MMSE and AVLT tests showed that the memory function was seriously impaired in MCI patients compared with healthy controls, which is based on the short and long delayed episodic memory impairment (2.4±1.7 vs. 6.6±1.4, t=3.70, P＜0.01; 2.1±1.6 vs. 6.7±1.5, t=4.16, P＜0.01). The resting state fMRI showed that MCI patients had significant decreases of ALFF in hippocampal formation, parahippocampal cortex and lateral temporal cortex as compared with health controls (t=2.58, 2.43 and 1.75, all P＜0.01), which were closely relevant to the episodic memory. And they had significant increases in temporal-parietal joint and inferior parietal lobule (t=3.14 and 2.77, both P＜0.01). Conclusions MCI patients show significant decreased active intensity of some DMN nodes that is related to episodic memory in resting state. Increased active intensity in MCI patients would be some type of compensation.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; Exons ; genetics ; Genes, erbB-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of quercetin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC-803.METHODS:MTT assay was adopted to measure the effect of quercetin at different concentrations on the proliferation of MGC-803 cells.Cell apoptosis index(AI)induced by quercetin was measured by TUNEL assay.RESULTS: Quercetin at a certain concentration from 40?mol/L to 100?mol/L could successfully inhibit the proliferation of MGC-803 cells in a dose-dependent manner.TUNEL assay indicated that apoptosis cells induced by quercetin in treatment group were much more than that in control group after 48 hours(P

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.