Objective To study the radiological features of dynamic enhanced multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) and CTA in pure hepatic arterio-venous fistula (AVF).Methods The radiological features of MSCT imaging and CTA of 100 patients with pure hepatic AVF were retrospectively analyzed.Results Positive signs on the arterial phase were detected in 100 patients with pure hepatic AVF.In 89 patients,they were the peripheral type and in 11 patients they were the central type.There were 128 lesions in the 100 patients.In the peripheral type,the features were (1) in the arterial phase,the lesions appeared as a wedged or a patchy enhancement area at the edge of the liver,showing a halo sign in 68 patients.In 56 patients,the PV was shown also in the early arterial phase;(2) in the arterial phase,arailway track sign was shown in 21 patients as a result of a portal vein branch showing right next to a hepatic arterial branch.In the central type and in the arterial phase,the main portal vein (or the hepatic vein) and the left/right branches of the PV (or the HV) were shown.Conclusion MSCT and CTA were useful in the diagnosis of pure hepatic AVF.

Objective To investigate the characteristics and diagnostic value of multislice spiral CT (MSCT) of intestinal lipomas causing intussusception.Methods The MSCT findings of 25 cases with intestinal lipomas causing intussusception were retrospectively analyzed,the tumor location,size,shape,density,enhancement patterns and shape and length of intussusception were also observed retrospectively.Results Tumors were 1.2-6.5 cm in diameter,round or oval in shape (n =18),irregular shape (n =4),tubular shape (n =3) with uniform density (n =19),or uneven density (n =6).Under CT enhancement tumor capsule was moderately intensified.Intussusception included ileum-ileum type (n =7),jejunum-jejunum type (n =5),jejunum-ileum type (n =2),ileum-colon type (n =4),and colon-colon type (n =7).Intussusception was 5.0-5l.0 cm in length;presenting as concentric circles (n =12),round target sign (n =7),orbanana (n =6).Conclusion Intestinal liporna complicating secondary intussusception has definite MSCT characteristics which can help establish diagnosis.

Objective To study the effect of chitosan-pCrmA nanoparticles on the apoptosis of chondrocytes induced by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β).Methods Chitosan-pDNA nanoparticles were prepared and characterized.The transfection efficiency of chitosan-mediated pIRES2-EGFP was evaluated using fluorescence microscope.The cytotoxicity of chitosan-pIRES2-EGFP nanoparticles in primary rabbit chondrocytes was analyzed by MTT assay.The expression of chitosan-mediated pCrmA in primary rabbit chondrocytes was verified by Western blotting.The effect of chitosan-mediated CrmA on chondrocytes apoptosis induced by IL-1β were analyzed by TUNEL assay.One-way ANOVA was used to analysis.Results The size of chitosan-pDNA nanoparticles was 50 nm.The pDNA release of chitosan-pDNA nanoparticles appeared as biphasic release at pH 2.0 and pH 7.4 buffer.The expression of CrmA in rabbit primary chondrocytes mediated by chitosan could be detected.The chitosan-pIRES2-EGFP nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity.The apoptosis rate of chondrocytes in the chitosan-pCrmA nanoparticles treated group was significantly lower than that of the chitosan treated group (P＜0.05) and PBS group (P＜0.01).Conclsion Chitosan is an effective non-viral gene transfer vector.The CrmA mediated by chitosan can significantly inhibit chondrocytes apoptosis induced by IL-1β,suggesting that chitosan-pCrmA nanoparticles may be the treatment of osteoarthrifis.

Objective To compare the effect of allograft and autograft of bone-patellar tendon- bone (B-PT-B) under arthroscopy in reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).Methods The injured ACL was reconstructed under arthroscopy by using autograft of B-PT-B in 30 cases and al- lograft of B-PT-B in 28 cases from January 2000 to August 2003.After over twelve months follow up,a comparison was done on rehabilitation of quadriceps femoris,knee stability,the Lysholm's score of knee and the enlargement of tunnel in both groups.Results Both groups obtained marked improvement of knee stability and symptoms after operation.But in the early time,the rehabilitation of quadriceps femoris in the ailograft group is faster than that in the autograft group.The rehabilitation of quadriceps femoris, knee stability and the Lysholm's score of knee were similar at 12th month (P＞0.05).There could be seen enlargement of tunnel in both groups,with more in the allograft group (P＞0.05).Conclusion For arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior crucial ligament (ACL),allograft of B-PT-B is good substitute, for it is characterized by effectiveness,convenience and minor side effect.

Objective To investigate indications,pacing modes,pacing parameters and postoperative complications of pacemaker implantation for patients aged 80 years or over.Methods Patients were recruited on a continuous basis and were assigned into two groups,with 112 patients in the very elderly (80-90 years old) group and 484 patients in the elderly (60-79 years old) group,which served as the control.Follow-up observations with the two groups were conducted concerning indications,mode selection,pacing parameters and postoperative complications.Results Compared with the control group,the very elderly group showed:1) a higher rate of coronary heart disease (58cases vs.163 cases or 51.8％ vs.33.7％ ; x2 =12.78,P＜0.01) ; 2) more single-chamber pacemaker implantations (63 cases vs.217 cases or 56.3％ vs.44.8％; x2=4.76,P＜0.05) and fewer dual-or multi-chamber pacemaker implantations (49 cases vs.267 cases or 43.8％ vs.55.2％ ; x2 =4.76,P＜0.05) ; 3) a higher rate of double bundles branch block (19 cases vs.31 cases or 17.0％ vs.6.4％ ; x2=13.20,P＜0.01); 4) a higher rate of postoperative acute cerebral infarction (x2 =8.34,P＜0.01) ; and 5) increased ventricular [(0.78±0.24)V vs.(0.55±0.16)V,P＜0.05]and atrial [(1.07±0.22)V vs.(0.84±0.28)V,P＜0.05]pacing thresholds.Conclusions Special considerations should be made when pacemaker implantation is planned for patients aged 80 or over.Pacemaker selection decisions ought to be based on a comprehensive evaluation of relevant clinical situations so that clinical benefits can be maximized.

Objective To explore the role of body fat distribution in the pathogenesis of obesity-related asthma.Methods Totally 125 patients with stable asthma were recruited and were divided into non-obese group (n =51),peripheral obesity group (n =34) and central obesity group (n =40) according to body mass index and waist circumference.The FEV1％,FVC,FEV1/FVC ratio,IL-6,and hs-CRP levels in peripheral blood,eosinophil and neutrophil percentage in induced sputum,as well as exhaled NO levels were determined,and asthma control test (ACT) scores were calculated.Both one-way analysis of variance and analysis of covariance were used for statistical analysis.Results The values of FVC in the central obesity group and the non-obese group were [3.98 (3.99) ±0.99] L and [4.51 (4.51) ±1.00] L,while the levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP in peripheral circulation and the percentage of neutrophils in induced sputum were [33.63 (33.28) ± 14.04] ng/L and [21.22 (21.33)±11.23] ng/L,[2.12 (2.15) ±0.73] mg/L and [0.92 (0.91) ±0.61] mg/L,52.58 (52.81) ± 14.14 and 45.41 (45.34) ± 12.84,respectively (all P ＜ 0.05).After adjusting for inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) doses,the ACT scores were also significantly higher in central obesity group (22.10 ± 1.68 vs.23.01 ± 1.62) (P ＜ 0.05).Only the hs-CRP level was found significantly higher in peripheral obesity group than in non-obese group [(1.54±0.68) mg/Lvs.(0.91 ±0.61) mg/L] (P＜0.05).Conclusion Central obesity may play the leading role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related asthma.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of lamivudine( LAM) combined with thymosin ?1 (T?1) on young patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods Sixty six chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients aged from 12 to 16 years and weight greater than 33 kg were divided into the LAM + T?1 group and the LAM group; in LAM + T?1 group,T?1 was administered 1.6 mg hypodermic once daily and after 5 days it was changed to 1 6 mg hypodermic, twice in two weeks, and the drug was stopped after 26 weeks, while LAM had been administered 100 mg each time once daily for 52 weeks. In LAM group, only LAM had been administered 100 mg once daily for 52 weeks. The serum level of HBV DNA, HBV markers and the ALT were measured before and after treatment Results After the treatment, the rate of serum HBV UNA turned to negative in LAM + T?1 group was 100 % , and that in LAM group was 93.7 % ; recovery ratios at 52 weeks of LAM+ T?1 group was 87.1% ,and that of LAM group was 78. 1% .After 52 weeks, the HBeAg serum conversion rate of LAM + T?1 group was 58. 1 % , and that of the LAM group was 21.9%. Comparing the results of the two groups, the difference was remarkable. Conclusion The efficacy of T?1 combined with LAM on young patients with chronic hepatitis B is superior to that use of single LAM

Objective To explore the effect of diammonium glycyrrhizinate(DG) and astragalus membranaceus (AM) injection on the clinical comprehensive score in patients with acute lung injury (ALI). Methods According to the random number table method,a prospective random controlled study was conducted in which 60 cases of patients with ALI were divided into a study group and a control group(each,30 cases). Both groups received a comprehensive treatment based on the new guidelines,and the study group was additionally given DG and AM injection(DG 150 mg+AM 20 ml)one time per day for 7 days. The scores of lung injury,acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ)and systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS)were measured at baseline,3rd and 7th day after treatment,and ventilation support time and final disease mortality rate were also calculated in all the patients. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the scores of lung injury,APACHEⅡand SIRS before treatment and after treatment for 3 days(all P>0.05),with prolonged treatment,the above indexes were significantly reduced compared with those before treatment in the two groups,and the decreases in scores of indexes in study group was more significant than those in control group after treatment(lung injury score:1.31±0.99 vs. 2.29±1.08,APACHEⅡscore:18.43±8.17 vs. 24.23±6.98,SIRS score:1.69±0.89 vs. 2.60±1.04,all P<0.01). The time(hour)for ventilator support in study group was shorter than that in the control group(176.10±57.81 vs. 286.07 ± 156.27,P<0.01),but there was no statistically significant difference in mortality rate between the two groups(13.33%vs.16.67%,P>0.05). Conclusion The results suggest that DG and AM injection improve the scores of lung injury,APACHEⅡand SIRS,and alleviate the lung injury,so that the injection is beneficial to the early weaning from the ventilator to support treatment in patients with acute lung injury,and has certain therapeutic effect on ALI.

BACKGROUND:Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) may be mutated duringin vitro culture based on the spontaneous malignant transformation of adult stem cells and tumor stem cell theory, and there may be a risk of tumorigenesis after in vivo transplantation. Therefore, to establish and perfect the in vitro safety testing procedures will actively promote the clinical application of stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the tumorigenic mechanism of hUC-MSCs and the expression level of DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs) in hUC-MSCs. METHODS:Primary hUC-MSCs were isolated and expanded by tissue adherent culture. 3-Methycholanthrene was used to cause the malignant transformation in hUC-MSCs (experimental group), followed by morphological observation and tumorigenesis experiment in nude mice. Then, the tumor tissues were obtained and identified by pathological examination and primary cell culture, and the levels of DNMTs mRNA in hUC-MSCs treated with 3-methycholanthrene and dimethyl sulfoxide (control group) were detected by real-time RT-PCR and compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:hUC-MSCs treated with 3-methycholanthrene led to malignant transformation, which showed malignant growth and non-integer ploidy changes in the cell nuclei, and formed a malignant tumor in immune-deficient mice after injection. Compared with the control group, the cells in the experimental group showed higher expression of DNMTs mRNA as detected by real-time RT-PCR. To conclude, hUC-MSCs can trigger malignant transformation in the morphology and the epigenetics under certain conditions. DNMTs can be a candidate for prevention against malignant transformation of transplanted stem cells.