Objective To investigate the clinical manifesfations and diagnostic and therapeutic features of cholangiocarcinoma associated with hepatolithiasis.Methods The clinical data, the diagnotic and therapeutic featares of 54 cases of cholangiocacinoma associated with hepatolithiasis were retrospectively analyzed.Results The occurrence rate of hepatolithiasis concomitant with hepatocholangiocarcinoma was 11.8%.Due to a lack of specific clinical manifestations, the preoperative diagnosis of this condition was difficult. In this series, the (correct) diagnotic rate of hepatocholangiocarcinoma before operation was only 11.1%. The radical resection rate was 51.8%. Radical resection of the tumor had a better prognosis than that of non-resection of tumor.(Conclusions) Patients with long-term recurrent hepatolithiasis tended to have associated cholangiocarcinoma. Early diagnosis of the disease was difficult, and the treatment results and prognosis were poor. Therefore, (patients) with hepatolithiasis, espesially those with recurrent attacks, should undergo operation early. In cases diagnosed as hepatic cholangioearcinoma at operation, a radical resection should be performed, if possible, and a favorable outcome may be attained.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of talc poudrage pleurodesis via semi-rigid medical thoracoscopy in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions,as well as the factors that may influence the outcomes.Methods:A series of 27 patients with malignant pleural effusion underwent medical thoracoscopic talc poudrage pleurodesis between July 2005 and September 2007 in Peking University First Hospital.Results:There were 16 male and 11 female patients in the series,the average age being 65.2 years.All the patients had documented malignant pleural effusions,including 16 cases of adenocarcinoma,6 of malignant mesothelioma,2 of squamous cell carcinoma,1 of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma,1of small cell carcinoma and 1 of undifferentiated lung cancer.Thirty days after the procedures,complete successful pleurodesis was achieved in 22 cases,and partial successful in 4 cases.Pleurodesis was not successful in one case.Overall successful rate was 96.3%(26/27).The average duration of thoracic tubing was 6.85 days.Chest pain,fever and an increase in peripheral WBC after the procedure occurred in 19(70.4%,19/27),21(77.8%,21/27),and 12(44.4%,12/27)cases respectively.No respiratory failure occurred.Conclusion:Medical thoracoscopic talc poudrage pleurodesis is a safe and effective method for the treatment of malignant pleural effusion.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect and its mechanism of carvedilol on leptin-induced activation and proliferation of LX2 human hepatic stellate cells(HSC-LX2). METHODS:HSC-LX2 with logarithmic growth periods were divided into blank con-trol group,leptin-stimulated group and carvedilol low-concentration,medium-concentration,high-concentration groups(5,10,20μmol/L). Except for the blank control group,other groups were added 0.1 g/L leptin and corresponding concentration of carvedilol. After 24 h,MTT method was used to detect the optical density(OD)value of cells and calculate the proliferation rate. Flow cytom-etry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect the α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),matrix metalloproteinase inhibition factor 1 (TIMP-1),leptin,leptin receptor mRNA expressions. Western blot method was used to detect phosphorylated Janus kinase 2(p-JAK2),phosphorylated signal trans-duction and transcriptional activator 3 (p-STAT3) protein expressions. RESULTS:Compared with blank control group,OD value of cell was increased in leptin-stimulated group;apoptotic rate was decreased;cells of G0/G1 were decreased;α-SMA,TIMP-1, leptin,leptin receptor mRNA expressions and p-JAK2,p-STAT3 protein expressions were increased (P<0.05). Compared with leptin-stimulated group,OD values of cells were decreased in carvedilol concentration groups;apoptotic rate was increased,and the cells were mainly blocked in G0/G1 phase;α-SMA,TIMP-1,leptin,leptin receptor mRNA expressions and p-JAK2,p-STAT3 protein expressions were decreased(P<0.05)and was concentration-depended(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Carvedilol can inhibit the activation and proliferation of leptin-induced HSC-LX2,promote its apoptosis. The mechanism may associate with down-regulat-ing leptin,leptin receptor gene expression and blocking JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway activation by leptin in cells.

Objective To determine the role of human serum albumin therapy in the post-operative management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with cirrhosis.Methods Between January 2011 and December 2012,we treated 171 consecutive cirrhotic patients with HCC.88 patients were treated with 5％ human serum albumin for 48 hours followed by 20％ human serum albumin in the post-operative period (the observer group) ; 81 patients were only treated with 20％ human serum albumin during the same time duration (the control group).The prognosis,complications,average amount of human serum albumin and plasma used as well as the in-hospital stay were observed.Results There were no deaths or major complications in either of these 2 groups.After treatment,the observer group was lower than the control group in the amount of intravenous fluid infused,the volume of peritoneal drainage,the amount of human serum albumin and plasma used as well as the mean post-operative hospitalization days (P ＜ 0.05).At the same time,the daily urine output,the central venous pressure and the mean arterial pressure within 48 hours after surgery were higher in the observer group than the control group.Furthermore the observer group had a smoother post-operative recovery in liver function,and the difference was significant between the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Not only did treatment with 5 ％ and 20％ human serum albumin gave the advantages of a more stable blood circulation,better organ perfusion and improved liver function recovery but it also reduced the amount of consumption of human serum albumin and plasma and shortened the hospital stay.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the possible effects of meteorological and environmental factors on IL-4 gene specific DNA methylation levels in CD4+T cells of children with AR.METHODS Thirty five pediatric AR patients(6-12 years) followed up for one year from the Department of Otolaryngology, Shanghai Children Medical Center from Jan, 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012 were included in this study. Data on daily particulate matter of diameter smaller than 10 micrometer(PM10) and particulate matter of diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometer(PM2.5) was available as average values derived from the data of 6 state-controlled monitoring stations distributed across Pudong District, Shanghai. We quantified IL-4(interleukin-4) gene specific DNA methylation levels in CD4+T cells from 35 patients with AR and 30 healthy controls. mRNA levels of IL-4 gene were measured by real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. Methods of personal exposure assessment of PM2.5 and PM10 were measured.RESULTS Compared with controls, IL-4 promoter region was hypomethylated in AR CD4+T cells(P=0.038). Of all observed CpG sites in IL-4 promoter region, there was significant differences in CpG-48, CpG+54(P=0.041, 0.032). IL-4 mRNA expression was significantly increased in CD4+T cells(P=0.039). The level of IL-4 mRNA expression was negatively correlated to the mean level of methylation in IL-4 promoter region. After adjusting, level of PM10 exposure was negatively correlated with level of methylation in IL-4 promoter region(r2=0.419,β=-0.470,SD=0.781,P=0.045). CONCLUSION Level of methylation in IL-4 promoter region may be affected by PM10 exposure.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the methods and experiences in surgical treatment of hemifacial microsomia.

METHODSFifty-eight cases of hemifacial microsomia that have been treated by plastic and reconstructive surgery and followed-up in our department during last 20 years have been reviewed. Every patient's characteristic was assessed by physical examination, photography, craniofacial cephalometry before planned the method of surgery. Different surgical treatments were chosen according to the side and the structures involved in the abnormalities and the severity of hemifacial microsomia, and the cases were followed up since 3 months after the treatments. The follow-up lean of midline of the lower 1/3 face with that before treatment is compared. The degrees of patients' and surgeons' satisfactions with the treatments were evaluated respectively.

RESULTSThe average angle of lean of midline of skeletal and soft tissue of the lower 1/3 face decreased 4.2 degrees and 2.9 degrees respectively after treatment. Fifty (82.6%) cases satisfied with the outcome of the surgical treatment and surgeons satisfied with 84.5% of the outcome of all the cases.

CONCLUSIONSIndividual surgical treatment based on the side and the structures involved in the abnormalities can effectively correct facial asymmetry of hemifacial microsomia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Facial Asymmetry ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo establish the quantitative diagnostic criteria for cranio-orbito-zygomatic deformity (COZD).

METHODSComputer-assisted three-dimensional (3-D) CT measurement was performed in 30 cases with unilateral COZD. The differences of the measurement data between the affected and unaffected sides were analyzed. Then the patients were diagnosed and classified according to the affected bone, soft tissue and conjunctival sac. Based on the quantitative diagnosis, 8 patients underwent surgery to test the clinical practicability of the diagnostic criteria.

RESULTSThe quantitative diagnostic criteria for COZD could reflect the affected area and the corresponding severity of deformity. It helped to preoperative design and to predict movement of osteotomy segment and. the soft tissue volume needed for augmentation. Good postoperative results were achieved.

CONCLUSIONSThe quantitative diagnostic criteria for COZD can describe the affect area and severity of deformity in detail. It is very practical in the guidance of clinical treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Diseases, Developmental ; diagnostic imaging ; Child ; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ; standards ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Orbit ; abnormalities ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult ; Zygoma ; abnormalities

Dingzhi Xiaowan is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine in treating depression, which is a similar formula of Kaixinsan. In this research, a rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS(E)) method was established to analyze the metabolites of Dingzhi Xiaowan in depressive model rat plasma, bile, urine and feces. After we established Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model rats and orally administrated Dingzhi Xiaowan, rat plasma, bile, urine and feces samples were collected and prepared. Using Waters Cortects UPLC C18 column (2.1 mm x 50 mm, 1.6 &mu;m), acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid mobile phase gradient, these samples were analyzed and 33 metabolites of nine bioactive compounds were detected and tentatively identified by Metabolynx. Among the 33 metabolites, three metabolites were identified from plasma sample, three came from bile sample, and 27 metabolites were identified from urine and feces samples. This approach provided a rapid method for characterizing the metabolites of Dingzhi Xiaowan and gave the truly active structures and the action mechanism of their antidepressant effects.
Animals ; Bile ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Depression ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; metabolism ; Feces ; chemistry ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Extracts ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Zhitiaokang capsule (ZTK) on serum insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) in patients with hyperlipidemia (HLP).

METHODSPatients with HLP were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 124) and the control group (n = 62), they were treated by ZTK and Zhibituo tablet respectively for 8 weeks as one therapeutic course. The changes of blood lipids and serum IGF-2 before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSZTK could significantly reduce blood lipids and increase serum content of IGF-2.

CONCLUSIONZTK could improve the insulin resistant status and inhibit the development of hyperlipidemia in patients by means of raising serum content of IGF-2 and suppressing vascular endothelial cell apoptosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Zhongfengkang on the content of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in brain of focal cerebral ischemia rats.

METHODThe model of focal cerebral ischemia was made by thread-blocking method. In comparison with the curative effect of buchangnaoxintong, the action of Zhongfengkang on infarct volume and the content of IGF-1 in brain of focal cerebral ischemia rats were observed in 6, 12, 24 h and 48 h after cerebral ischemia.

RESULTAs compared with sham operation group, the content of IGF-1 in brain of model group was gradually increased from 6th hour after cerebral ischemia, reaching to the maximal level at 24th hour after the onset of cerebral ischemia (P < 0.01). In comparison with the values in model group at the corresponding time points, the content of IGF-1 in brain of each treatment groups was increased in different extent with a maximal enhancement in the group treated by the high dose of Zhongfengkang (P < 0. 05 or P < 0.01); while the infarct volume of each treatment groups were decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONZhongfengkang could effectively protect the cerebral tissue from injury of focal cerebral ischemia in the rats through increasing the cerebral content of IGF-1 and reducing infarct volume.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley