AIM: To explore the mechanism of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on vascular endothelial cell(VEC) damage. METHODS: By using cytometry techniques, we studied the effects of LPS on apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro . RESULTS: LPS was able to induce apoptosis of HUVECs in a time-dose-dependent fashion.CONCLUSION:Apoptosis might play a role in LPS-induced damage of vascular endothelial cells.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical (PADUA) scores in determining the surgical approach for T1 stage renal masses.Methods From Jan 2010 to Dec 2012,clinical data of 122 cases (76 males and 46 females),who underwent surgery for T1 stage renal masses,were collected retrospectively.The mean age was 51 years(range 21-81) and mean body mass index was (22.8±3.9) kg/m2.Sixty-three tumors were found in left kidney and 59 in right kidney.Among them,78 patients were diagnosed as T1a stage and 44 patients were T1b stage.In patients with T1a stage,56 received nephron sparing surgery (NSS) and 22 received radical nephrectomy (RN).In patients with T1b stage,21 received NSS and 23 received RN.The PADUA nephrometry score was analyzed to evaluate their relationships to surgical type and the approach of NSS.Results According to the PADUA nephrometry score,the number of low risk,middle risk and high risk patients were 24,62,26,respectively.Inlow risk group,middle risk group and high risk group,the proportion of RN and NSS was 8.3％/ 91.7％,30.6％/69.4％,66.7％/33.3％.In 77 patients received NSS,the unmber of laparoscopic NSS and open NSS was 18 ∶ 4,25 ∶ 18,2 ∶ 10,respectively.The PADUA nephrometry score was significantly associated with the type of surgery (x2 =23.16,P＜0.01),and the NSS approach (x2 =13.57,P＜0.01).Tumor size (HR =2.79 ; 95％ CI,1.29-6.02 ; P＜ 0.01),percentage of tumor deepening into the kidney (HR =3.82; 95％CI,1.77-8.09; P＜0.01),longitudinal (HR=4.00;95％CI,1.83-8.72; P＜0.01),tumor relationships with renal sinus(HR=103.13; 95％CI,21.85-486.81 ; P＜0.01),tumor relationships with urinary collecting system (HR =15.11 ; 95％ CI,5.95-38.35 ; P＜ 0.01),rim tumor location (HR =3.50 ; 95％ CI,1.61-7.59; P＜0.01) were closely related with surgery approach.The correlation coefficients of relationship with renal sinus was highest (r=0.70).Conclusions The PADUA nephrometry score provides a simple,useful and stable system to character the salient renal anatomy and guide the surgery.Low risk group should consider the NSS as the first line therapy.NSS could also be chosen in the middle risk group.However,the renal anatomy in those patients should be referred.RN should be chosen in high risk group.

Objective To describe the manifestations of the inferior phrenic arteries(IPA)supply to the pulmonary hemorrhagic lesions and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE)of the IPA.Methods The clinical data and imaging findings of eighteen patients with the additional blood supply to the pulmonary hemorrhagic lesions from the IPA were evaluated retrospectively.The causes of the bleeding were lung malignancies in 9,bronchiectasis in 7,and chronic inflammation in 2 patients.TAE supplementally was performed in patients with IPA supply to the pulmonary lesions,using polyvinyl alcohol particles,gelatin sponge particles,and microcoils.Results Selective arteriogram demonstrates an enlarged IPA,with numerous branches and hypervascularity in all 18 cases, with tumor staining in 9,the contrast material extravasation in 6,and non-specific staining in 2 cases.In addition,IPA-to-pulmonary shunting was found in 9 cases.All the lesions supplying by IPA were adjacent to the pleurae,including adjacent to the diaphragmatic pleura in 11,the mediastinal pleura in 5,and the lateral pleura of the lower lobe in 2 cases.Technical success of IPA embolization was achieved in the 18 cases.Embolization of other nonbronchial systemic arteries(the internal thoracic artery in 7 and intercostal artery in 3)was performed at the same session.All bleeding ceased immediately after supplemental IPA embolization.Follow-up time ranged from 8 months to 4 years.Mild recurrent hemoptysis occurred in 3 patients at 1,2,6 months respectively,after the embolization.These patients were responsive to conservative management.Recurrent bleeding did not occur in 15 patients during the follow-up. Conclusion The pulmonary hemorrhagic lesions,especially adjacent to the diaphragmatic and mediastinal pleurae,can be supplied by IPA,and may result in clinical failure following BAE.Supplemental TAE of IPA is a safe and effective adjunct to BAE in the management of bronchial bleeding supplied by IPA.

Objective To study blood supply by the internal mammary artery(IMA)for hepatic carcinoma and evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)via IMA. Methods 86 cases of hepatic cancer(HCC)fed by the IMA underwent TACE of the IMA.All of the patients had previously undergone several TACE for HCC.16 patients had undertaken percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy in addition to TAE.4 patients had a history of surgery for upper abdomen.Plain and enhanced CT and MRI scannings were performed before operation.Internal mammary arteriography was carried out during the interventional procedure to clarify the feeding range and then the superselected catheterization of the feeding branch was done with TACE.The IMA angiographic features,tumor location,clinical observation, laboratory tests,imageology were evaluated,and finally were correlated with the angiographic findings of the IMA.Results All lesions were massive type and located at the ventral aspect and subcapsular region of the liver:57 cases in segment 4,5,8,and 29 cases in segment 5,7,8.Recurrent HCCs were supplied by the right IMA in 80 cases,from the left IMA in 5 cases and with the bilateral IMA in 1 case.Lipiodol-TACE of the IMA for HCC can be performed without skin complications in cases of subselective catheterization.Conclusion Tumors located ventrally and superficially in the liver may recruit blood supply through IMA collaterals,often occurring in massive type of HCC after several times of TACE.TACE of IMA is safe and has become technically feasible in almost all patients,although cutaneous damage should be cautious during the interventional procedure.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:816-819)

Objective:To investigate the expression and correlation of Bcl-2 and Bax in the parotid gland after leading duct ligation in rats. Methods:Atrophy of the right parotid was induced by ligating the right main duct of 72 rats. Immunohistochemical labelling was performed to study the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, 90, 150 and 180 days after duct ligation. Results:7 d after duct ligation most acinar cells disappeared. The distribution of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in normal parotid was in cytoplasm with unifo-maity. Bcl-2 and bax higher expression was identified in the gland at all time points. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly in-creased and reached the peak at 21 d after duct ligation. More Bax-positive acinar cells on day 3 were observed, then the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein was descended. Higher Bcl-2/Bax ratio was identified at 1-21 d, then descended. Conclusion:The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax is associated with the atophy of the parotid glad after rat parotid duct ligation.

OBJECTIVETo identify CpG island hypermethylation of 5'region of hMLH1 promotor and to explore its relationship to microsatellite instability(MSI)in sporadic colorectal carcinoma.

METHODSForty-one pairs of tissue specimens (normal and cancer) were collected from 41 patients with colorectal cancer. Hypermethylation of hMLH1 promoter was detected by methylation specific PCR; the relationship between methylation and clinicopathological features was analyzed. Combined with BAT25 and BAT26, the MSI status was detected using an automated fluorescent DNA sequencer.

RESULTSHypermethylation of hMLH1 promoter was detected in 75.6 % (31/41) of samples. Mean age of unmethylation cases (49.2 y) was significantly younger than that of methylation cases (63.6 y) (P<0.05), but there were no differences between two groups in other clinicopathological features. MSI was detected in 43.9 % samples (18/41); hypermethylation of hMLH1 promoter was detected in 94.4 % (17/18) of MSI(+) samples, which was higher than that in MSI(-) samples (60.9 %,14/23, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAge-related hypermethylation is generally found in patients with sporadic colorectal cancers, which may cause MSI and might be the mechanism in the development of colorectal cancer of elderly people.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carrier Proteins ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; DNA Repair ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; MutL Protein Homolog 1 ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nuclear Proteins ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of virtual reality technique in preoperative planning of neurosurgery.Methods Multiple medical imaging data including magnetic resonance imaging,magntic rsonanc angiograph,magnetic resonance venography and computed tomography collected from 26 patients who suffered craniocerebral diseases,were transfered to Dextroscope system.A stereoscopic 3-D object displayed after merging,extracting,dissecting the data with the Radiodexter software in virtual reality environment.A suite of 3-D tools accessible inside the Dextroscope workspace enabled users to obtain measurement and simu- lated intraoperative viewpoint about the lesion and adjacent anatomic structure.A preoperative plan was de- fined and compared with real operation.Results 3-D stereoscopic virtual reality images of 26 cases were re- constructed successfully,and of coincidence with real situation in operations.Conclusion VR technique in Dextroscope system can integrat multiple medical imaging data quickly,intuitively and overall,offer a compre- hensive information about the lesions and related local anatomy,give a hand to optimizing the operative project and might be possible potentially to increase the safety of operation and the resecting rate of the lesion.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and safety of unilateral incision hybrid fixation using pedicle screws and a translaminar screw in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).

METHODSFrom January to June 2010, 18 patients with single-level lumbar disc disease were treated with MIS-TLIF under METRx(TM) X-tube. After decompression and fixation using unilateral pedicle screws, a translaminar screw was inserted from the same incision to the other side. The results of perioperative parameters, radiographic images and clinical outcomes were assessed.

RESULTSAll patients underwent MIS-TLIF were accomplished unilateral hybrid fixation without any neural complication. The average operative time was (107 ± 19) min, the average operative blood loss was (62 ± 21) ml, and the average postoperative ambulation time was (21 ± 5) h. The average length of translaminar facets screw was (52 ± 2) mm, and the postoperative images showed all screws penetrate through facets joint. During the follow-up the visual analogue scale and Oswestry disability index scores were significant improved compared with preoperative (F = 42.221 - 259.833, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBilateral hybrid fixation could be completed through unilateral incision by pedicle screws and a translaminar screw in MIS-TLIF, and the advantage including less invasion, quickly recovery, short operative time, and saving fixation cost.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Analog Scale ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using hybrid internal fixation of pedicle screws and a translaminar facet screw for recurrent lumbar disc herniation.

METHODSFrom January 2010 to December 2011, 16 recurrent lumbar disc herniation patients, 10 male and 6 female patients with an average age of 45 years (35-68 years) were treated with unilateral incision MIS-TLIF through working channel. After decompression, interbody fusion and fixation using unilateral pedicle screws, a translaminar facet screw was inserted from the same incision through spinous process and laminar to the other side facet joint. The results of perioperative parameters, radiographic images and clinical outcomes were assessed. The repeated measure analysis of variance was applied in the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disablity index (ODI).

RESULTSAll patients MIS-TLIF were accomplished under working channel including decompression, interbody fusion and hybrid fixation without any neural complication. The average operative time was (148 ± 75) minutes, the average operative blood loss was (186 ± 226) ml, the average postoperative ambulation time was (32 ± 15) hours, and the average hospitalization time was (6 ± 4) days. The average length of incision was (29 ± 4) mm, and the average length of translaminar facets screw was (52 ± 6) mm. The mean follow-up was 16.5 months with a range of 12-24 months. The postoperative X-ray and CT images showed good position of the hybrid internal fixation, and all facets screws penetrate through facets joint. The significant improvement could be found in back pain VAS, leg pain VAS and ODI scores between preoperative 1 day and postoperative follow-up at all time-points (back pain VAS:F = 52.845, P = 0.000;leg pain VAS:F = 113.480, P = 0.000;ODI:F = 36.665, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONRecurrent lumbar disc herniation could be treated with MIS-TLIF using hybrid fixation through unilateral incision, and the advantage including less invasion and quickly recovery.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Spinal Fusion

OBJECTIVETo prepare the monoclonal antibody (mAb) against tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases I (TIMP-I) fusion protein.

METHODSTIMP-I gene was amplified from fibrotic human liver tissue by RT-PCR, then ligated with pQE31 to form recombinant plasmid pQE-TIMP-I and transformed into E. coli BL21. The protein induced by IPTG was purified by 6 x His-tag and used to immunize the BALB/c mice. The specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were prepared by the cell fusion technique. Western Blot were used to detect specificity of mAbs.

RESULTSThe prokaryotic plasmid expressing the recombinant protein was constructed, and the TIMP-I recombinant protein was expressed and purified. Four hybridoma cell lines that secreted anti-TIMP-I mAbs were obtained. 3 of 4 mAbs were the IgG1 subtype. Western Blot indicated the mAbs showed specific combination with TIMP-I protein.

CONCLUSIONThe TIMP-I recombinant protein is highly purified and has strong antigenicity. The anti- TIMP-I mAbs were prepared successfully.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; immunology