AIM: To establish the Wistar rat model of furazolidone-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (Fz-DCM). METHODS: The Wistar rat model of Fz-DCM was established by feeding the animals with furazolidone. The left ventricular dimension and cardiac function were detected by echocardiogram. Aortic and right atrial pressure were measured by invasive catheter. Left ventricular interior diameter and the thickness of left ventricular free wall were measured after the rats were killed. Myocardial collagen network remodeling was observed and collagen volume fraction (CVF) was calculated by Van Gieson stain. RESULTS: ①The total incidence rate of DCM was 66.6% (20/30) in DCM group. ②Compared the corresponding subgroups to control group, the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVED), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVES), the right atrial pressure, the left ventricular interior diameter and the ratio of left ventricle weight and body weight were increased significantly. The fraction shortening (FS), the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the thickness of left ventricular free wall were decreased significantly. ③In FZ-DCM rat, the myocyte hypertrophy and degeneration, interistial fibrous tissue hyperplasia, the quantity of typeⅠand type Ⅲ collagen fibers and the collagen volume fraction (CVF%) were increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The rat model of DCM can be induced successfully by feeding the animals with furazolidone. In the rats with Fz-DCM, there are left ventricular dilation, the thinness of ventricular wall, the interistial fibrous tissue hyperplasia, and the decrease in left ventricular contractic function, indicating that the Fz-DCM rat model represents the pathophysiological characters of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Professor Deng's Jinfu An Decoction(JAD)on intermediate and advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods Ninety patients with intermediate and advanced NSCLC were equally randomized into 3 groups.GroupⅠreceived routine chemical therapy(CT), groupⅡreceived oral use of JAD,which is mainly composed of raw Arisaema cum Bile,raw Rhizoma Pinelliae, Radix Pseudostellariae,Culmus Phragmitis,Poria,Semen Persicae,Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii,Gekko Chinensis,Pseudobulbus Cremastrae seu Pleiones,Radix Salviae Mihiorrhizae,and groupⅢreceived JAD + CT. Three weeks constituted one phase,two phases constituted one treatment courses,and the treatment lasted 2 courses.The changes of clinical symptom and signs scoring,tumor mass,immune function,hemorrheological indexes,and quality of life(QOL)as well as body weight and toxic and side reactions were observed in the three groups.Results The symptom scores decreased in the 3 groups obviously(P0.05).Between the 3 groups,the improvement of QOL in groupsⅡandⅢdiffered from that in groupⅠ(P

Objective To observe the clinical effects of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with internal limiting membrane peeling (ILMP) for macular hole (MH) and macular retinoschisis in high myopic eyes,and to analyze factors affecting the MH closure rate.Methods This is a retrospective case study.21 high myopic patients (22 eyes) with MH and macular retinoschisis were enrolled in this study.All eyes were examined for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),intraocular pressure,slit lamp microscope,indirect ophthalmoscope,A and/or B-scan ultrasound,optical coherence tomography and visual electrophysiological examination.The BCVA was ranged from finger counting to 0.2.The axial length (AL) was ranged from 26.00 to 31.00 mm,with an average of 27.47 mm.Among 22 eyes,AL was between 26.00 mm to 27.00 mm in 9 eyes,27.10 mm to 28.00 mm in 5 eyes,28.10 mm to 29.00 mm in 3 eyes,29.10 mm to 30.00 mm in 3 eyes,and longer than 30.00 mm in 2 eyes.The diameter of MH was ranged from 227 μm to 597 μm and with an average of 432 μm.Among them,the minimum diameter was between 200 μm to 400 μm in 4 eyes,401 μm to 450 μm in 13 eyes,451 μm to 500 μm in 3 eyes,501 μm to 600 μm in 2 eyes.All the eyes were treated with PPV combined with ILMP surgery.The average follow-up time was 17 months after surgery.The efficacy was determined at the final follow up,including the MH closure,the state of macular retinoschisis and the BCVA.MH closure rate with different MH diameters and different AL were compared and analyzed.Results During the final followup,MH were fully closed in 17 eyes (77.3％),bridge-closed in 4 eyes (18.2％) and not closed in 1 eye (4.5％).Retinoschisis was resolved in 19 eyes (86.4％),partially resolved in 2 eyes (9.1％) and not changed in 1 eye (4.4％).MH with smaller diameter had higher MH closure rate (x2=12.036,P=0.032).MH with longer AL had lower MH closure rate (x2=16.095,P=0.003).The final BCVA was ranged from finger counting to 0.25.Among 22 eyes,BCVA or metamorphopsia were improved in 9 eyes (40.9％),stable in 8 eyes (36.4％).BCVA was reduced and metamorphopsia was more severe in 5 eyes (22.7％).Conclusions PPV combined with ILMP is a safe and effective surgical treatment for MH (with minimum diameter ≤600 μm) and macular retinoschisis in high myopic eyes.After surgery,MH was closed and retinoschisis was resolved in most patients.The major factors affect the MH closure were the minimum diameter of MH and AL.

Objective:To investigate the effect and the mechanism of Apigenin on lipopolysaccharides ( LPS )-induced inflammatory mediators production in murine macrophages. Methods:The murine macrophage cell line RAW 264. 7 cells were cultured in vitro,and were treated with different concentration of Apigenin followed by LPS administration. Expression of heme oxygenase-1 ( HO-1),cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS),phosphorylation of p38 and IκB,nuclear translocation of Nrf2 were detected by Western blot. Production of Nitrite and nitrate ( NOx) was analyzed by colorimetric technique. Secretion of prosta-glandin E2 (PGE2) was detected by ELISA. Activation of NF-κB was measured by luciferase assay. Results: Western blot indicated that apigenin could induce RAW 264. 7 cells expression of HO-1, and pretreatment of SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 significantly inhibited apigenin induced HO-1 expression. In addition,Apigenin could also decrease the content of nuclear transcription factor Nrf2 in cytoplasm and increase its level in the nucleus. Silencing of Nrf2 by specific siRNA could inhibit apigenin-induced HO-1 expression. Furthermore,apigenin administration significantly inhibited LPS-induced NOx production and PGE2 secretion, COX-2 and iNOS expression,IκB phosphorylation and NF-κB activation,and transfection of HO-1 siRNA could reverse these actions. Conclusion:Apigenin inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response through induction of HO-1 and inhibition of NF-κB in macrophages.

Objective To investigate the sonographic features of follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FV-PTC) and to decrease misdiagnosis rate. Methods Thirty-one patients with 35 FV-PTCs and 66 patients with 75 conventional PTCs (C-PTCs) were enrolled in this study. The sonographic features were reviewed retrospectively between the two groups with universally accepted standards. Results The sonographic features of 35 FV-PTCs included irregular shapes (6/35), anteroposterior to transverse diameter ratio A/T > 1 (7/35), spiculated margins (25/35), marked hypoechogenicity (0/35), hypoechogenicity (18/35), isoechogenicity (16/35), no calcification (15/35), microcalcifications (11/35), macrocalcification (9/35), color Doppler lfow patternⅠ(20/35), color Doppler lfow patternⅡ(10/35), color Doppler lfow patternⅢ(5/35). Irregular shapes, A/T>1, spiculated margins, marked hypoechogenicity, microcalciifcations, and color type Ⅱ were rarer in FV-PTCs than in C-PTCs, while isoechogenicity, no calciifcation, macrocalciifcation, and color type Ⅲwere more frequent in FV-PTCs than in C-PTCs. The differences of the above features were statistically significant [χ2=4.276, P=0.039; χ2=8.125, P=0.004; P=0.009 (Fisher′ s exact test); χ2=8.548, P=0.003;χ2=4.898, P=0.027,χ2=7.796, P=0.005;χ2=5.462, P=0.019;P=0.001 (Fisher′s exact test)] . During the preoperative ultrasonography, 20 of 35 FV-PTCs were diagnosed as malignancy, and others were misdiagnosed as benign nodules (misdiagnosis rate was 43%). The lymphatic metastasis rate of FV-PTCs was 29%(9/31), significantly lower than C-PTCs [62%(41/66),χ2=9.246, P=0.002]. In terms of the sonographic features of metastatic lymph nodes, there was no marked difference between FV-PTCs and C-PTCs. Conclusions Some FV-PTCs are lack of malignant features, and tend to be misdiagnosed frequently when coexisting with benign thyroid nodules. Observing the echogenicity, color lfow characteristics and other features of each thyroid nodule and cervical lymph node with multiple views may decrease the misdiagnosis rate.

Objective: To determine the molecular weight and p urity of porcine platelet-derived growth factor (pPDGF) and to investigate its effect on DNA synthesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Metho ds: In the present experiment, the high performance liquid chromatograph y was used and the molecular weight and purity of pPDGF were studied. Human umbi lical vein endothelial cells was cultured and effects of pPDGF on DNA synthesis of endothelial cells was observed by 3H-TdR incorporation in vitro. Results: The findings of high performance liquid chromatography showed that the molecular weight of pPDGF was 29 120 and the purity was 89.46%, a nd pPDGF significantly promoted DNA synthesis of quiescent endothelial cells wit h a maximal response at a concentration of 40 ng/ml at 48 h. Conclusion: The molecular weight of pPDGF is 29 120, and it can promote DNA synthes is of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Objective:To study the combined use of endoscopic balloon dilation with endoscopic biliary brushings in diagnosis of bile duct strictures.Methods:A prospective single center study was conducted at the Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. All patients with suspected malignant bile duct strictures shown on CT or MRI imaging from January 2018 to January 2020 were reviewed. All patients gave informed consent to the endascopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures. Their clinical and follow-up data were analyzed. All patients underwent endoscopic balloon dilation of bile duct strictures. Before and after balloon dilation, biliary brush cytology was performed, and the results were used to classify the patients into the control group and the experimental group. Pathological examination of the brush cytology samples was carried out by a single chief pathologist. Presence of cancer cells or significant heterogeneous cells indicated a positive brush cytology test. Negative patients who still highly consider cholangiocarcinoma and agree to surgery and whose gross specimen is confirmed to be malignant after surgery should be considered as false negative by brush examination; it is difficult to judge that patients with cholangiocarcinoma have progress after 2 months of follow-up should be considered as false negative by brush examination. Any progression of disease indicated that the brush test was wrong and the test was again classified as false negative. Only when there was no progression of strictures was the possibility of a benign biliary stricture being considered. The advantage test (McNemar test) was used to analyze the difference between the two diagnostic methods.Results:Of 39 patients who were included in this study, there were 26 males and 13 females, with an age of (68.0 ± 5.2) years. Cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed by histopathology, surgery or at 2 months follow-up in 35 patients. In the control group, 17 patients had a positive brush test (sensitivity rate was 48.6%, 17/35). In the experimental group, 26 patients had a positive brush test (sensitivity rate was 74.2%, 26/35). In addition, 2 patients in the control group had a positive brush test, while in the experimental group, a negative brush test. A total of 28 patients were positive in the two groups. The sensitivity rate of the brush test was 80.0% (28/35). There were significant differences between the two groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Endoscopic balloon dilation combined with endoscopic biliary brushings improved the sensitivity of pathological diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma, and endoscopic biliary brushings before and after balloon dilation improved the sensitivity of diagnosis.

Objective:To observe the effect of ketogenic diet on the growth of human colon cancer cells in nude mice and to de-termine its possible mechanisms. Methods:A total of 24 male BALB/C nude mice were injected subcutaneously with the tumor cells of the colon cancer cell line HCT116. These animals were randomized into two feeding groups. One group was fed with a ketogenic diet (KD group;n=12), and the other group was given a standard diet (SD group;n=12) ad libitum. Experiments were completed upon at-taining a target tumor volume of 600 mm3 to 700 mm3. The two diets were compared based on body weight, serum glucose, ketone body, insulin, tumor growth, and survival time, which is the interval between tumor cell injection and attainment of target tumor vol-ume. Results:The tumor growth was significantly more delayed in the KD group than in the SD group. Tumors in the KD and SD groups reached the target tumor volume at 33.8 ± 6.7 days and 24.8 ± 3.1 days, respectively. The ketone body in the KD group was ele-vated with a slight reduction in serum insulin, and the difference in serum glucose in the two groups was insignificant. Importantly, the KD group had significantly larger necrotic areas and less vessel density than the SD group. Conclusion:The application of an unre-stricted ketogenic diet delayed tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. Further studies are needed to address the mechanism of this diet intervention and its effect on other tumor-relevant functions, such as invasive growth and metastasis.

Objective To investigate the effect of Octreotide on pancreatic head carcinoma patients with obstructive jaundice who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with pancreatic stent placement.Methods Niney-nine patients hospitalized in Department of Gastroenterology of Wuhan Central Hospital from Jan 2006 to Dec 2011 were included in this study.All the patients were diagnosed as pancreatic head carcinoma with obstructive jaundice.The patients were randomly divided into the Octreotide treatment group and the control group.Both groups underwent ERCP with pancreatic duct stent placement for malignant biliary obstruction.The patients in Octreotide treatment group were injected with subcutaneous Octreotide at a dose of 0.1 mg twice per day for more than 90 day till death.The changes of serum total bilirubin before and after treatment were compared.The improvement of symptoms of nausea,vomiting,abdominal pain,diarrhea and anorexia was compared.The complication rates and survival were also determined.Results Postoperative recurrence of jaundice was observed in six patients in control group,and the cause may be stent occlusion,and 3 of the 6 patients underwent a second ERCP and stent placement,then jaundice was relieved,the other 3 patients did not receive a second ERCP.The serum bilirubin level in the remaining 45 patients returned to basically normal value (below 2 times of the normal value).The prevalence of nausea,vomiting,abdominal pain,diarrhea and anorexia in the 2 groups was not statistically different before treatment,and after treatment the prevalence of symptoms in the 2 groups was significantly decreased except for diarrhea.The decrease in Octreotide treatment group was more obvious than that in control group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.01).In the control group,post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in three patients,and all were cured after treatment.There was no post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in the Octreotide treatment group.Minor pain at the injection site was noted in three patients in the Octreotide treatment group.Pain was relieved after changing the injection site.The survival was significantly longer in the Octreotide group than that in control group [(14.4 ± 8.7) months vs (7.3 ± 5.3) months,P ＜ 0.05),and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Octreotide can improve the quality of life and increase the survival of patients with pancreatic head carcinoma who undergo ERCP with pancreatic duct stent placement.

Objective To evaluated the application value of mean corpuscular volume(MCV) and red blood cell volume distribu-tion width(RDW) in predicting early treatment responses of non-severe aplastic anemia(NSAA) .Methods 101 cases of patients who were newly diagnosed with non-severe aplastic anemia and were treated with Cyclosporine (CsA)combined androgen therapy . Treatment before baseline MCV ,RDW value were measured ,treatment for 3 months ,6 months test routine blood ,reticulocyte indi-cators and treatment results were statistically analyzed and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of MCV ,RDW in predicting early treatment results .Results The level of MCV and RDW in non-severe aplastic anemia were significantly higher than normal reference .the responded patients had significantly higher pretreatment base-line MCV value than those non-responded .especially at 6 month ,baseline MCV were 105 .10 fl and 98 .30 fl respectively (P=0 .025) .the responded patients had significantly lower pretreatment baseline RDW value than those non-responded .especially at 3 month .baseline RDW were 14 .60% and 16 .60% respectively(P=0 .001) .The cutoff level of MCV (100 fL) and RDW (15 .55% ) for the predicting 3 and 6 month treatment responses were established based on the ROC curve ,with degree of accurancy of MCV was 62 .4% ,61 .4% and RDW 70 .3% ,63 .4% respectively .compared the treatment efficacy acuity MCV ≥100 fL/RDW <15 .55%group was significantly better than MCV < 100 fL/RDW≥15 .55% group .Multivariate analysis showed that pretreatment RDW and absolute reticulocyte value was the early prognostic factor of NSAA treatment effect .84 patients with ARC ≥ 20 × 109/L , through RDW cutoff Layered compare treatment response :RDW<15 .55% group was significantly better than the RDW≥15 .55%group(P=0 .000) .Conclusion MCV can not serve as of a significant predictor of early treatment response in non-severe aplastic a-nemia .RDW can serve as of the bone marrow failure severity indicators and a significant predictor of early treatment response in non-severe aplastic anemia .The joint reticulocyte absolute value parameters ,which can more accurately predict treatment efficacy .