AIM:To investigate the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),and to analyze their correlations to clinicopathologic features of HCC.METHODS:The protein and mRNA levels of TLR2 and TLR4 in HCC and para-tumor tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RFQ-PCR).RESULTS:The protein and mRNA levels of TLR2 and TLR4 in HCC were lower than those in para-tumor tissue(P

Objective To measure stress distribution of the main bone architecture of the normal adult cadaveric foot and discuss the effect of plantar ligament injury on stress distribution. Methods Seven fresh adult cadaveric feet were used and 10 strain gauges attached to the bones of the longitudinal foot arch,including the calcaneus,navicular,medial cuneiform,1-5 metatarsal trunk,the distal part of the tibia and fibular,respectively.After the loading Was added to 700 N by almighty test machine,resistance strainmeter was used to measure surface strain of these bones.The results were processed statistically. Results The strain was varied based on different bone segments attached and increased with loading.Tensile force was always found at the medial part of the navicular,the distal part of the tibia and fibular,while the others showed compression all the time.Peak strain was found at calcaneus.followed by the second and third metatarsal.Strain on the surface of the bone segments changed greatly with different ligament injury(P＜0.05).Conclusion The bone surface stress of the longitudinal foot arch changes significantly when the plantar ligament is injured.

Objective To explore the feasibility,safety and efficacy of laparoscopy assisted ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beneath the diaphragm.Methods Twentythree consecutive patients with solitary HCC beneath the diaphragm were treated by laparoscopy assisted ultrasound guided RFA in the Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to March 2016.We observed the p erioperative complications and followedup long-term effect.Results All the 23 patients successfully underwent laparoscopy assisted ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation.No serious complications such as massive hemorrhage,biliary fistula and severe pleural effusion,hemopneumothorax occurred in the patients during perioperative period.CT examination 2-3 days after the operation revealed that the tumor was completely covered by the ablation area.Besides,the survival condition was satisfactory during follow-up period of 9-38 months.Conclusion Laparoscopy-assisted ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation is effective and safe for HCC beneath the diaphragm.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were induced into a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype utilizing simulated microgravity in vitro in order to establish a new cell-based tissue engineering treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration. For induction of a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype, MSCs were cultured in simulated microgravity in a chemically defined medium supplemented with 0 (experimental group) and 10 ng/mL (positive control group) of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). MSCs cultured under conventional condition without TGF-β1 served as blank control group. On the day 3 of culture, cellular proliferation was determined by WST-8 assay. Differentiation markers were evaluated by histology and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TGF-β1 slightly promoted the proliferation of MSCs. The collagen and proteoglycans were detected in both groups after culture for 7 days. The accumulation of proteoglycans was markedly increased. The RT-PCR revealed that the gene expression of Sox-9, aggrecan and type II collagen, which were chondrocyte specific, was increased in MSCs cultured under simulated microgravity for 3 days. The ratio of proteoglycans/collagen in blank control group was 3.4-fold higher than positive control group, which denoted a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype differentiation. Independent, spontaneous differentiation of MSCs towards a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype in simulated microgravity occurred without addition of any external bioactive stimulators, namely factors from TGF-β family, which were previously considered necessary.

OBJECTIVETo observe the law of the meridian abnormal changes and the correlation with acupuncture efficacy based on the effectiveness study of electroacupuncture (EA) in treatment of severe functional constipation.

METHODSSeventy patients of severe functional constipation were randomized into an EA group and a sham-EA group, 35 cases in each one. In the EA group, Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) were punctured deeply and stimulated with EA (dense-disperse wave, 2Hz/15 Hz, 0. 1 to 1. 0 mA), and Shangjuxu (ST 37) was needled. In the sham-EA group, the sites lateral to Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) were punctured shallowly and stimulated with electricity. The site lateral to Shangjuxu (ST 37) was punctured shallowly. The treatment was given continuously for 8 weeks in the two groups, 5 times weekly in the first 2 weeks and 3 times weekly in the rest 6 weeks. WANG Juyi's meridian examination method was applied to detect the abnormalities of the spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians before treatment, and in 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks among 70 patients separately. The frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) every two weeks, meridian abnormal value and the relativity with CSBM change rate were compared in the patients between two groups.

RESULTSRegarding the increase of CSBM frequency, the effect started since the 2nd week in the EA group, with the treatment going on, CSBM frequency was increased apparently (all P<0. 05). In the sham-EA group, after 6 and 8-weeks of treatment, CSBM frequency was increased apparently as compared with that before treatment (all P<0. 05). The increase of CSBM frequency in the EA group was remarkably as compared with the sham-EA group at every time point (all P<0. 05). The abnormal value of the large intestine meridian in 2 weeks of treatment and the values of the stomach and spleen meridians and the relevant meridians in 4 weeks of treatment were all reduced apparently as compared with those in the baseline in the EA group (all P<0. 05). With the treatment time going on, the abnormal reflections on the large intestine and stomach meridians were reduced gradually (all P<0. 05), and the total change rate of abnormalities on the large intestine, stomach and spleen meridians presented the negative correlation with the total change rate of CSBM frequency (P<0. 01, P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONIn the EA group, the efficacy on CSBM frequency in severe functional constipation is advantageous and stable as compared with the sham-EA group. Acupuncture at the relevant acupoints of the spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians achieves the definite regulation to the meridian abnormalities. It is discovered that the abnormal changes in the spleen, stomach

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of short-segment transpedicular fixation combined with augmentation vertebroplasty in treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. MethodsFrom November 2006 to September 2009, 37 patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture were admitted and received transpedicular fixation combined with calcium sulfate cement augmentation vertebroplasty, and the clinical data including fracture types, complications and following-up results were collected for analysis. The multimethod evaluation strategies involved the anterior vertebral body height, the sagittal Cobb's angle, the restoration of nervous function, internal fixation failure, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were retrospective analyzed. Results All patients were followed up for average 19 months (range, 14-37). There were no internal fixation failure, loss of reduction, neurological complications in all the patients. In 16 patients with partial neurologic deficits, 14 initially improved at the final follow-up, with no deterioration of neurologic functions. The mean time of calcium sulfate cement obvious absorption and union was 3 months and 5 months postoperatively, respectively. The anterior vertebral body height was 55.40％before surgery and 85.46％ after surgery on average, ended up with 82.35％. The sagittai Cobb's angle was improved from 22.45° to 6.86°, ended up with 9.66° on average. The mean VAS and ODI at the final followup were respectively 1.2 and 20.4 on average. ConclusionShort-segment transpedicular fixation combined with augmentation vertebroplasty appears to be effective in achieving stable biomechanics with high security,which seems to be a feasible option in the management of thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Mesenchymal stern cells (MSCs) were induced into a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype utilizing simulated microgravity in vitro in order to establish a new cell-based tissue engineering treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration.For induction of a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype,MSCs were cultured in simulated microgravity in a chemically defined medium supplemented with 0 (experimental group) and 10 ng/mL (positive control group) of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1).MSCs cultured under conventional condition without TGF-β1 served as blank control group.On the day 3 of culture,cellular proliferation was determined by WST-8 assay.Differentiation markers were evaluated by histology and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).TGF-β1 slightly promoted the proliferation of MSCs.The collagen and proteoglycans were detected in both groups after culture for 7 days.The accumulation of proteoglycans was markedly increased.The RT-PCR revealed that the gene expression of Sox-9,aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen,which were chondrocyte specific,was increased in MSCs cultured under simulated microgravity for 3 days.The ratio of proteoglycans/collagen in blank control group was 3.4-fold higher than positive control group,which denoted a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype differentiation.Independent,spontaneous differentiation of MSCs towards a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype in simulated microgravity occurred without addition of any external bioactive stimulators,namely factors from TGF-β family,which were previously considered necessary.

Objective To study the surgical treatment of hepatic hemangiomas and the timing of surgery.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 908 patients with giant hemangiomas who underwent surgery between December 1997 and December 2017.The clinical data,surgical indications,surgical outcomes,lesion size,and the effect of TAE were compared.Results The diameter (mean + /-S.D.)of the resected hepatic cavernous hemangiomas was (11.1 ± 6.2) cm (the longest diameter was 60 cm).585 patients (64.4％) underwent enucleation of hepatic hemangiomas and 323 patients (35.6％) underwent anatomical hepatectomy.Six patients died perioperatively (mortality rate 0.7％).The incidence of severe complication (Clavien-Dindo grade 3 ～ 5) was 3.8％.The incidence of severe postoperative complication for enucleation (2.7％) was significantly less than anatomic liver resection (5.6％,P ＜0.05).When the lesion was more than 20 cm,the complication and mortality rates were significantly higher than those less than 20 cm (P ＜ 0.05).The complication and mortality rates in patients who underwent TAE before surgery were significantly higher than those without TAE (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Surgical enucleation of hemangiomas was superior to anatomical hepatectomy.With increase in tumor size,the risk of surgery increased.Surgical treatment was safe and effective for giant hepatic hemangiomas.For giant hepatic hemangiomas with significant increase in size,prompt surgical treatment is recommended.

Gut microbiota is involved in the physiological,biochemical and pathological processes of the body.It could participate in the immunoregulation and the development of enteric nervous system,prevent the invasion of pathogens,maintain normal bowel movement and inhibit the occurrence of tumor.Gut microbiota dysbiosis may also cause many diseases,such as inflammatory bowel disease,obesity and diabetes.A variety of diseases can affect gut microbiota with different ways.In addition,remote organs play a counteractive rule to gut microbiota.Maintaining the balance of the bacteria sets different requirements in different disease processes.This paper reviewed the advanced progression of gut microbiota dysbiosis after cholecystectomy and provided a new therapeutic target for gallbladder diseases.

Objective:To observe and analyze the risk factors related to vitreous re-hemorrhage (PVH) after anti-VEGF drugs combined with vitrectomy (PPV) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).Methods:Retrospective analysis study. From April 2017 to July 2018, 100 eyes of 87 PDR patients who were diagnosed in Jiaxing Eye Hospital and received anti-VEGF drugs combined with 25G PPV were included in the study. Among them, there were 44 eyes in 38 males and 56 eyes in 49 females. The age ranged from 26 to 83 years, with an average age of 57.72±8.82 years. All patients were type 2 diabetes, with an average duration of diabetes 10.84±6.03 years. All affected eyes were assisted by the same doctor with a non-contact wide-angle lens under the standard three-channel 25G PPV of the flat part of the ciliary body. Five to 7 days before the operation, intravitreal injection of ranibizumab or conbercept 0.05 ml (10 mg/ml) was performed. The incidence of PVH was observed. The age of PVH patients, duration of diabetes, vision before operation, average fasting blood glucose and average postprandial blood glucose before operation, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure before surgery, laser treatment before surgery, lens removal during operation, intraocular filling during operation, retinal laser points during operation, and fundus lesions during operation (hyperplasia film, Retinal hemorrhage, vascular occlusion, proliferative retinal traction, retinal hiatus, retinal detachment, exudation, neovascularization) were analyzed to find out the cause of PVH. Spearman bivariate correlation analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were performed on the data.Results:Of the 100 eyes of 87 patients, PVH occurred in 17 eyes (17%). There were statistically significant differences in the number of eyes with vascular occlusion and proliferative traction during surgery in patients with and without PVH ( χ2=5.741, 8.103; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in age ( t=-1.364), duration of diabetes ( t=0.538), preoperative vision ( t=1.897), preoperative fasting blood glucose level ( t=1.938), preoperative postprandial blood glucose level ( t=1.508), preoperative systolic blood pressure ( t=-0.571), preoperative diastolic blood pressure ( t=0.275), whether received laser treatment ( χ2=2.678), the number of laser points during operation ( t=0.565), whether received lens removal during operation ( χ2=0.331), whether found new blood vessels during operation ( χ2=2.741) and whether received intraocular filling during operation ( χ2=0.060) between the patients with and without PVH ( P>0.05). Spearman's bivariate correlation analysis showed that patients with low vision, poor control of fasting blood glucose levels, vascular occlusion and proliferative retinal traction during the operation were related risk factors for PVH ( rs=0.208, 0.229, 0.240, 0.285; P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that fundus vascular occlusion and hyperplastic retinal traction may be independent risk factors for PVH during surgery ( OR=5.175, 13.915; P<0.05). Conclusion:Fundus vascular occlusion and retinal traction caused by fibrovascular membrane hyperplasia in PPV may be independent risk factors for PVH in patients with PDR after anti-VEGF drugs combined with PPV.