Objective To explore the cell frequency , phenotypes and in vitro cytotoxic effects of circulating CD56+T cells in the patients with chronic HCV infection .Methods Peripheral blood mononu-clear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 33 patients with HCV chronic infection and 21 healthy subjects. Multi-color flow cytometry was used to analyze cell frequency , expressions of activating receptors ( NKG2C, CD16 and NKp46) and inhibitory receptors (NKG2A and CD158a) on CD56+T cells.The functional mark-er for cytotoxic effects (CD107a) on circulating CD56+T cells and their cytokines expression (IFN-γand TNF-α) with or without stimulation of K 562 human Leukemia cell line were also analyzed .Then the correla-tions among the expressing levels of CD 107 a, IFN-γand TNF-αwere investigated .Results The frequency of CD56+T cells in periphery lymphocytes were significantly decreased in the patients with chronic HCV in -fection as compared with that in healthy controls ( P=0.018 ).The expressions of activating receptors (NKG2C, CD16 and NKp46) on CD56+T cells from HCV infected patients were decreased (P=0.015 for NKG2C, P=0.036 for CD16 and P=0.001 for NKp46), while there was no significant change in the ex-pressions of inhibitory receptors (P>0.05 for both CD158a and NKG2A).The concentrations of IFN-γand TNF-αsecreted by CD56+T cells in the patients with chronic HCV infection were significantly decreased with or without K562 stimulation (P<0.0001).However, in the presence of K562 cells CD107a expression on CD56+T cells were sharply decreased in the patients (P<0.0001).In absence of K562 cells, there was no significant change in CD107a expression on CD56+T cells from patients and healthy controls (P>0.05). The expressions of CD107a, IFN-γand TNF-αwere closely related under the stimulation of K562(r>0.80, P<0.0001).Conclusion The frequency of CD56+T cells was reduced in patients with chronic HCV infec-tion.Moreover, cytotoxic effects and cytokines production mediated by CD 56+T cells were also significantly impaired, indicating that the dysfunction of circulating CD 56+T cells might be associated with the persist-ence of chronic HCV infection .

Objective To describe the manifestations of the inferior phrenic arteries(IPA)supply to the pulmonary hemorrhagic lesions and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE)of the IPA.Methods The clinical data and imaging findings of eighteen patients with the additional blood supply to the pulmonary hemorrhagic lesions from the IPA were evaluated retrospectively.The causes of the bleeding were lung malignancies in 9,bronchiectasis in 7,and chronic inflammation in 2 patients.TAE supplementally was performed in patients with IPA supply to the pulmonary lesions,using polyvinyl alcohol particles,gelatin sponge particles,and microcoils.Results Selective arteriogram demonstrates an enlarged IPA,with numerous branches and hypervascularity in all 18 cases, with tumor staining in 9,the contrast material extravasation in 6,and non-specific staining in 2 cases.In addition,IPA-to-pulmonary shunting was found in 9 cases.All the lesions supplying by IPA were adjacent to the pleurae,including adjacent to the diaphragmatic pleura in 11,the mediastinal pleura in 5,and the lateral pleura of the lower lobe in 2 cases.Technical success of IPA embolization was achieved in the 18 cases.Embolization of other nonbronchial systemic arteries(the internal thoracic artery in 7 and intercostal artery in 3)was performed at the same session.All bleeding ceased immediately after supplemental IPA embolization.Follow-up time ranged from 8 months to 4 years.Mild recurrent hemoptysis occurred in 3 patients at 1,2,6 months respectively,after the embolization.These patients were responsive to conservative management.Recurrent bleeding did not occur in 15 patients during the follow-up. Conclusion The pulmonary hemorrhagic lesions,especially adjacent to the diaphragmatic and mediastinal pleurae,can be supplied by IPA,and may result in clinical failure following BAE.Supplemental TAE of IPA is a safe and effective adjunct to BAE in the management of bronchial bleeding supplied by IPA.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the interventional techniques for emergent treatment of iatrogenic renal injuries.Methods Nine patients with iatrogenic renal vascular injuries were treated with superselective renal arterial embolization.The causes of renal injury included post-renal biopsy in 5 patients,endovascular interventional procedure-related in 2,post-renal surgery in 1,and post-percutaneous nephrostomy in 1 patient.The patients presented clinically with hemodynamical unstability with blood loss shock in 7 patienrs,severe flank pain in 7,and hematuria in 8 patients.Perirenal hematoma was confirmed in 8 patients by CT and ultrasonography.The embolization materials used were microcoils in 7 and standard stainless steel coils in 2 patients,associated with polyvinyl alcohol particles(PVA)in 5,and gelfoam panicles in 2 cases.Results Renal angiogram revealed intra-renal arteriovenous fistula in 6 cases,intrarenal pseudoaneurysm in 2 cases,and the contrast media extravasation in 1 patient.The technical success of the arterial embolization was achieved in all 9 cases within a single session.All angiographies documented complete obliteration of the abnormal vessels together with all major intrarenal arterial branches maintaining patent.Seven patients with hemodynamically compromise experienced immediate relief of their blood loss related symptoms,and another 7 with severe flank pain got relief progressively.Hematuria ceased in 8 patients within 2-14 days after the embolization and impairment of renal function occurred after the procedure in 5 cases,including transient aggrevation(n=3)and developed new renal dysfunction(n=2).Two of these patients required hemodialysis.Perirenal hematoma were gradually absorbed on ultrasonography during 2-4 months after the procedures.Follow-up time ranged from 6-78 months(mean,38 months),4 patients died of other primary diseases of renal and multi-organ failures.Five patients are still alive without further intervention,and suffering no more of rebleeding and deterioration of renal function.Conclusions Transcatheter selective renal arterial embolization is safe and effective in the treatment of iatrogenic renal vascular injuries,resulting in permanent cessation of bleeding.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:807-810)

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of 3-(4-~(18)F-fluorobenzyl)-8,9-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochromeno [3,4-c]pyridin-5-one ( is F-FDTP) as a potential dopamine D4 receptor PET imaging agent.Methods ~(18)F-FDTP solution in ethanol-physiological saline was incubated with calf serum to test its in vitro stability through the determination of radiochemical purity.Normal rats were injected intravenously with ~(18)F-FDTP and then sacrificed at 2,5,10,15,30,60 and 120 min after anesthesia.Blood,organs and brain tissue samples were collected.All samples were weighed and measured for radioactivity.The uptake of samples was expressed as percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue ( % ID/g).Results The stability of ~(18)F-FDTP was satisfactory and its radiochemical purity was above 95% after incubation 120 min at 37℃ in calf serum.The biodistribution showed that ~(18)F-FDTP could penetrate through the blood-brain barrier and selectively accumulate in striatum,hypothalamus,frontal certex,hippocampus,cerebellum,where the D_4 receptor was reportedly located.The radioactivities in hippocampus,hypothalamus,striatum,frontal cortex,cerebellum,pons were (0.42±0.03),(0.46±0.05),(0.54±0.04),(0.39±0.04),(0.45±0.06),(0.35±0.04) %ID/g,respectively,2 min post injection.And there was difference between the normal biodistribution results and the blocking experimental results:(0.36 ±0.05),( 0.33±0.05 ),(0.55±0.05 ),(0.30±0.07 ),(0.34±0.07 ) and (0.32±0.04) % ID/g in hippocampus,hypothalamus,striatum,frontal cortex,cerebellum and pons,respectively.Conclusions ~(18)F-FDTP can penetrate through the blood-brain barrier and selectively accumulate in striatum,hypothalamus,frontal cortex,hippocampus,cerebellum,where the D_4 receptor was known to concentrate.These preliminary results suggest that ~(18)F-FDTP is a potential dopamine D_4 receptor imaging agent and further studies are needed.

Background A fatal complication after liver transplantation is anastomotic embolization of the hepatic artery. In order to solve this problem, the portal venous arterialization (PVA) is used to reconstruct the hepatic arterial blood flow. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of PVA on rats with acute occlusion of hepatic artery.Methods Rat PVA models were established and then randomly divided into Group 1 (control group), Group 2 (jaundice group), Group 3 (bile duct recanalization group), and Group 4 (portal vein arterilization group). Recanalization of the common bile duct and PVA were performed 5 days after bile duct ligation in the rats. The influence of the PVA on general conditions, hepatic changes of structure and function, portal vein pressure and hepatic micrangium were observed for one month.Results Five days after common bile duct ligation the serum bilirubin, transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased. Compared with group 1, there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). These rats then underwent bile duct recanalization and PVA. After a month, the liver functions and microscopic structures completely returned to normal and, compared with group 1, there was no statistically significant difference in portal vein pressure (P >0.05). Vascular casting samples showed that hepatic sinusoids were slightly thicker and more filled than normal ones and although they had some deformations, the hepatic sinusoids were still distributed around the central vein in radial form.Conclusion Within a month after operation, bile duct recanaiization and PVA do not show obvious adverse effects on liver hemodynamics and hepatic micrangium, and the liver function and microscopic structure can return to normal.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the methods, safety and efficiency of surgical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODSThe clinical and follow-up data of 48 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent surgical resection from January 2003 to December 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 26 male and 22 female, aged from 38 to 72 years old with a mean of 63.6 years old.

RESULTSPerioperative management including percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage applied in 19 cases and portal vein embolization applied in 2 cases. Eight patients were treated with extrahepatic bile duct resection with or without parital hepatic segment II resection, 10 cases with perihilar hepatic resection (segment IVB, partial V, partial VIII, I), 28 cases with extended hemihepatectomy and 2 cases with central hepatic resection (segment IVB, V, VIII, I). R0 resection rate was 89.5% and the operative mortality was 2.1%. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate were 93.5%, 51.8% and 36.5%, respectively. Patients undergoing extended hepatic resection survived significantly longer than those undergoing partial hepatic resection (P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONSExtended hepatic resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma offers good outcomes with an acceptable mortality rate.

Adult ; Aged ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics of primary gallbladder carcinoma.

METHODSThe data of clinical manifestations, image characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of 110 patients with primary gallbladder carcinoma were analyzed.

RESULTSThe rate of diagnosis as early primary gallbladder carcinoma was only 8.2% (9/110) in this series. The majority of the patients were females (63/110) with an age ranging from 31 to 80 years. Clinical manifestations were not specific, and diagnosis was made mainly on image examination. Radical resection was performed for 57 patients, palliative resection for 41, the rest 12 patients failed to receive operation on reasons of distant metastasis, age or other reasons. Only 88 patients were followed with a mean survival time of 196 days ranging from 15 days to 5 years and 11 months.

CONCLUSIONThe primary gallbladder carcinoma is quite difficult to diagnose at the early stage, and its prognosis is usually poor. The diagnosis is made mainly depending on the medical history and image examinations.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholecystectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Survival Rate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUNDThe resection and reconstruction of the hepatic artery is often required in radical surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. In this study, we report our experience in performing arterioportal shunting as an alternative for the arterial reconstruction.

METHODSFour patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent extended left hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy combined with en bloc resection of the hepatic artery and arterioportal shunting with restriction of the arterial caliber. The efficacy of arterioportal shunting was assessed by computed tomography angiography (CTA).

RESULTSAll the four patients recovered uneventfully without any complications. CTA showed a patent shunt and normal liver regeneration. No signs of portal hypertension were found at one year of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSArterioportal shunting with restriction of the arterial caliber appears to be a feasible and safe alternative for the microvascular reconstruction after hepatic artery resection in radical surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical ; methods ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; surgery ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDTranscatheter bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is widely used for the treatment of hemoptysis and the immediate success rate is high, but there are still some hemorrhage recurrences. One of the common reasons for failure of BAE is collateral branches as blood supply. The inferior phrenic artery (IPA) is one of the most common collateral branches that is scarcely reported. Our purpose was to observe manifestations of IPA supplying to hemoptysis and evaluate the efficacy and safety of IPA embolization.

METHODSAngiography during interventional treatment of 178 hemoptysis patients in the past 7 years confirmed that IPA hemorrhage resulted in hemoptysis in 25 patients (26 - 67 years old) who had: lung cancer (11 patients), bronchiectasis (11 patients), chronic lung inflammation (2 patients), and pulmonary tuberculosis (1 patient). Among the 25 patients, 7 patients had twice interventional operations within one week and 6 patients still experienced intraoperative hemoptysis after conventional embolization of the bronchial artery, the internal thoracic artery, and the intercostal artery, then had the second interventional operation immediately. The total number of cases were 191. Selective embolization of the IPA was performed using polyvinyl alcohol microspheres, gelatin sponge particles, and microcoil. The safety and clinical significance of IPA embolization were evaluated. The Pearson chi(2) test and Fisher's exact probability test were used in this study.

RESULTSSelective IPA angiography showed increased diameter of the IPA, disorganization of the branches, and varying degrees of angiogenesis. In 11 cases, contrast material was seen in vessels supplying the tumor and in the tumor. In 9 cases, contrast material had leaked into the area supplied by the IPA; in 8 cases, non-specific flake-like deposits of contrast material were seen; and in 14 cases, abnormal communication or shunt was visualized. Lesions were closely related to the pleura in 25 patients. Fifteen lesions were close to the diaphragmatic pleura, seven close to the mediastinal pleura, and three close to the lateral pleura of the lower lung. Eleven cases had inferior thoracic pleural thickening and adhesions. The IPA was embolized in 25 cases, and the success rate of hemostasis was 100%. The IPA was not embolized in the other 166 cases, and the success rate of hemostasis was 92.17 %. In the 25 cases with IPA embolization, the involvement of the IPA in the blood supply of the hemoptysis was correlated with the duration of the disease (P = 0.0344). The involvement of IPA in the blood supply of the hemoptysis was not correlated with the characteristic of the lung lesions (benign or malignant) (P = 1.0000). Duration of follow-up was 8 months to 5 years. Hemoptysis recurred in four patients 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after interventional operation, respectively, and was controlled by conservative treatment. Twenty-one patients had no recurrence of hemoptysis.

CONCLUSIONSBleeding from the IPA can result in hemoptysis and failure of BAE in the treatment of hemoptysis. If IPA hemorrhage contributes to hemoptysis, supplementary IPA embolization may be a safe and effective treatment.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiography ; Bronchiectasis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Collateral Circulation ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Hemoptysis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Lung Injury ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; complications ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of the three-dimensional (3D) CT module of the flat-panel digital subtraction angiography (DSA) system.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted among 278 patients receiving examination with rotational 3D-CT of INNOVA 3100 flat-panel DSA system. AW4.3-04 workstation was used to perform the 3D reconstruction and INNOVA CT reconstruction, and the imaging data were analyzed in comparison with the clinical results.

RESULTSThe 3D-CT of the flat panel DSA system displayed the conditions of cerebral aneurysms in 54 cases, cerebral arteriovenous malformation in 25 cases, and the intracranial conditions in 24 cases. The blood supply and tumor vessels were clearly displayed in 57 cases, and the effects of embolization and endovascular stenting were evaluated in 27 and 21 cases, respectively. The rotational 3D-CT was used to evaluate complete embolization in 24 cases, and failed to display the feeding arteries of small tumors in 11 cases. The vascular lesions, biliary tract lesions, and the occurrence of hemorrhage during interventional therapy were observed in 58, 5 and 25 cases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe 3D-CT module of the flat-panel DSA system can easily display abnormal vascular lesions and provide comprehensive anatomical information to facilitate interventional therapies and complication monitoring.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; instrumentation ; methods ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Cerebral Angiography ; methods ; Cerebral Arterial Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult