Objective To investigate the expression of uPAR and VEGF-C in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its effect on the biological behavior of HCC. Methods The expression of uPAR and VEGF-C in liver tissue specimen of 33 patients with HCC was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results The positive expression of uPAR and VEGF-C in HCC tissues was located in cytoplasma of cancer cells. The positive rates of uPAR and VEGF-C were 69.7 %(23/33) and 78.8 %(26/33) respectively in 33 cases of HCC. The expression rates of uPAR and VEGF-C were significantly higher in HCC with metastasis than in HCC without metastasis(P<0.05). But there were not significant correlation between the expression of uPAR or VEGF-C and tumor size, tumor grade, AFP level, hepatic cirrhosis. There was a close correlation between uPAR and VEGF-C in HCC(r=0.676, P<0.01). Conclusion The expression of uPAR and VEGF-C is correlated with metastasis, uPAR and VEGF-C may be signs of aggressive phenotype for evaluating treatment and prognosis of HCC. Examination of these two proteins may be helpful to .judge biological behavior of HCC.

Objective To study whether clinical variables could be used to predict the presence of esophageal varices(EV). Methods One hundred and twenty-six patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were enrolled. Upper endoscopy was performed to identify the EV. The spleen vein (SV), portal vein(PV), spleen index(SI), ascites was determined by ultrasenography. Platelct count(Pt), prothrombin time(PT) and liver function was determined. Results Ninety-five patients with EV, and 42 patients with severe EV. Patients with EV had significant larger SI and lower Pt. Pt and SI were predictive factors for the presence of EV. When SI≥66.9 cm2 and Pt≤89.0×109/L, they had a positive predictive value of 97.4% and 96.5%, and a negative predictive value of 55.4% and 59.8%, respectively. SI was the only predictive factor for the presence of severe EV. When SI≥82.6 cm2, it had a positive and negative predictive value of 89.2% and 75.4%. Conclusions Pt and SI are predictive factors for the presence of EV. SI is the only predictive factor for the presence of severe EV. Non-invasive factors SI and Pt can be used to predict the EV in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Risk Assessment

ObJective To explore the value of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅲ(APACHE Ⅲ ) score and the concentration of serum cholinesterase (ChE) in predicting the condition and prognosis of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) within 24 hours afar hospitalization.Methods Sixty-two SAP patients were enrolled and APACHE Ⅲ score was assessed and the concentration of serum ChE was detected within 24 hours after hospitalization.The correlation between the concentration of serum ChE,APACHE Ⅲ score and the condition and prognosis was analyzed.Results There were 44 survivalcases and 18 dead cases.The APACHE Ⅲ score of the surval patients was significantly lower than that of the dead patients [(52.16 ± 13.76) scores vs.(97.10 ± 15.85) scores] (P＜0.01).The concentration of serum ChE of survival patients was significantly higher than that of the dead patients [ (3685 ± 466) U/L vs.(2109 ± 345) U/L] (P＜ 0.01 ).The higher APACHE Ⅲ score was,the lower the serum ChE concentration was,and the higher the mortality rate was.APACHE Ⅲ score and the concontration of serum ChE both had statistical significances compared with the prognosis in the Logistic regression analysis (P =0.0043,0.0075);APACHE Ⅲ score (95％ CI 1.0306-1.1507),the concentration of serum ChE (95％ CI0.9986-1.0125 ).ROC areas under curve (AUC) of APACHE Ⅲ score,serum ChE concentration with the prognosis were 0.936 and 0.882,respectively.There was no significant difference (P=0.0820).In combined prediction of APACHE Ⅲ score and serum ChE concentration,AUC was 0.952,and its predicting accuracy was higher than either APACHE Ⅲ score or serum ChE concentration (P=0.0016,0.0027).Conclusions APACHE Ⅲ score and the concentration of serum ChE both are significantly correlated with the condition and prognosis of SAP patients.Their combined detection can significantly improve the accuracy of prognosis judgement and provide some clinical guidances for treatment.

Autoimmune encephalitis is a group of inflammatory diseases related to autoantibodies that affect the central nervous system. Early diagnosis of patients with autoimmune encephalitis has certain difficulties, because the clinical manifestations caused by different types of autoantibodies can be non-specific, and the presence of multiple autoantibodies can cause variation and superposition of clinical manifestations. The article reported a case of autoimmune encephalitis patients with double positive anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and dipeptidyl-peptidase-like protein-6 antibodies, and reviewed relevant literature for clinical reference.

AIM: To test the effects of FTY720 on mouse intestinal allografts.METHODS: C_3H mice(H-2~k)were used as donor and C57BL/6 mice(H-2~b) as recipients.FTY720 group,allogeneic control group and isogeneic control group were set up.6 and 14 days after transplantation,murine intestinal grafts were harvested for histologic assessment.Lymphocytes were collected from mesenteric lymph nodes(MLN),Peyer's patch(PP),lamina propria lymphocytes(LPL) and intraepithelial lymphocytes(IEL) in the graft,then were analyzed by cytometry.RESULTS: Rejection was inhibited in FTY720 group at the 6th post-transplant day,although not at the 14th day.Recipient CD4~+ and CD8~+ T cells,CD19~+ B cells,as well as ?? TCR lymphocytes,were greatly reduced by FTY720 therapy.The similar action of FTY720 was also revealed in Gr1~+CD11b~+ monocytes.CONCLUSION: FTY720 is efficient on alleviating allo-immune response by reducing the infiltration of both lymphocytes and monocytes into the graft in a mouse intestinal transplantation model.

AIM: To evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of thickness profile measurement of intra-retinal layers determined by an automated algorithm applied to OCT images from Cirrus optical coherence tomography (OCT) instrument.METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study,retinal thickness images at 6mm×6mm around fovea were obtained from 86 eyes of 43 normal subjects with Cirrus HD-OCT instrument.The retinal images from patients were analysis by Cirrus automated algorithm GCA software,including ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer(GCIPL).During this study,operator A would make 2 times measurements to all patients,after that operator B would make another 2 times measurements by Repeat scan model.All the data,including GCL average thickness,min thickness,12 clock average thickness,2 clock average thickness,4 clock average thickness,6 clock average thickness,8 clock average thickness and 10 clock average thickness were measured by SPSS 15.0 software.Standard deviation (SD),coefficient of variation (CV) and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated from the results of three-times tests by different examiner to evaluate the repeatability and from the results of two different examiners to assess the reproducibility.Written informed consent was obtained from each subject prior to any medical procedure.RESULTS: The average GCIPL thickness of OD was 85.12±3.95μm;the minimum average GCIPL thickness was 83.21±4.41μm;the standard deviation of OD in clock map was from 3.79μm to 4.84μm;CV(95%CI) was between 0.26 and 0.93;ICC was from 0.939 to 0.989.The average GCL+IPL thickness of OS was 84.65±8.73μm;the minimum average GCPL thickness was 81±13.08μm;the standard deviation of OS in clock map was from 8.24μm to 10.56μm;CV(95%CI) was between 0.92 and 4.94;ICC was from 0.264 to 0.968.CONCLUSION: Cirrus HD-OCT GCA software with automated algorithm can offer accurate and repeatable thickness profile of OCT retinal image.GCA is a useful and reliable approach to the measurement of intra-retinal layer thickness,which may improve the diagnosis and monitoring of retinal diseases.

A new production method of fracture fixation splint is introduced in the paper. The basic raw materials are multi-isocyanic acid, mixed with surfactants, catalysts, fillers, and so on. The splint, with light weight, high strength, and good injured anastomosis site, could be able to shape easily. It is dry and comfortable, avoiding a gas-tight uncomfortable feeling, easy to remove, remodel, nurse, clean and disinfect after fixed. Patients also could film review directly with fixed splint.
Equipment Design ; External Fixators ; Fracture Fixation

Objective To study the treatment of a or toiliac occlusive disease and prevention and management of early complications. Methods From Mar 1998 to Mar 2005, 83 aortoiliac arterial occlusion patients were treated with embolectom y by Forgaty catheter as the main therapy for acute occlusion. In cases of chron ic occlusion percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting, prosthesis graf t bypass surgery as well as proximal endovascular procedure combining with dista l arterial reconstructions were adopted on case to case basis. Results There was acute aortoiliac occlus ion in 14 cases, 6 cases (42.9%) suffered from early complications after embole ctomy, with mortality of 7.1%. In chronic aortoiliac occlusion of 69 cases,va rious complications developed in 16 cases(23.2%),of which aortoiliac arteri al stent placement in 17 cases with complications of 23.5%;prosthesis bypass in 23 cases, with complications of 30.4%, and mortality of 4.3%;aortoili ac stenting combining with femoral-popliteal bypass in 29 cases(58 legs)with complications in 5 cases(17.2%). Conclusion The expansion and development of minimally invasive tech niques along with minimal invasive surgery may reduce surgical risks,decrease m obidity and mortality rate.

Objective To clone and express the polymorphic membrane protein I(PmpI)gene of Chlamydia trachomatis(Ct), and to assess the immunogenicity and biological characteristics of PmpI. Methods A bioinformatic software was used to analyze the sequence of the PmpI gene of Ct, and to predict B cell epitopes in PmpI. With Ct serovar D DNA as the template, PCR was performed to amplify the N?terminal region(from position 90 to 1464)of the PmpI gene, which was cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector pET28a to express the recombinant protein PmpI. A Ni?ion affinity chromatography column was used to purify the recombinant protein, which was used to immunize New Zealand rabbits for preparation of polyclonal antibodies. Western blot analysis was conducted to evaluate the immunogenicity of this protein. Results A comprehensive analysis was carried out on the secondary structure, flexible regions, hydrophilicity plot, antigenic index and surface probability plot of the protein, which suggested that PmpI had 8 dominant B?cell epitopes. The product of PCR targeting the PmpI gene of Ct serovar D showed a total length of 1 375 bp. The recombinant prokaryotic expression vector pET28a?PmpI was successfully constructed. A recombi?nant protein with a relative molecular mass of approximately 50 000 was successfully expressed after isopropylβ?d?1?thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction, and purified by affinity chromatography. Polyclonal antibodies against the recombinant protein were successfully prepared. Conclusion The N?PmpI protein of Ct serovar D is cloned and expressed successfully, laying a foundation for further studies on its biological functions.