BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence identifies the immune system not as an isolated system with automodulations, but one that interacts with the central nervous system.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of c-fos expression in the lung and brain tissues of asthmatic rats and explore is significance.DESIGN: Randomized controlled study.SETTING: Department of Oncology, Southern Hospital, and Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted Department of Oncology,Southern Hospital, and Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital,Southern Medical University, between January and August 2004. Fourteen healthy male rats were randomized into experimental group (n=10) and control group (n=4).METHODS: On the first day of experiment, the rats in experimental group received intraperitoneal injection of 2 mL of the suspension containing 10 mg albumen, 200 mg aluminum hydroxide powder and inactivated pertussis vaccine (5×109), and subjected to inhalation of ultrasonically atomized 10 g/L albumen from on the 15th day, 2 times per hour for totally 3 days, to induce asthma in the rats. The rats in the control group received intraperitoneal injection of 2 mL normal saline on the 1st day and inhalation of ultrasonically normal saline on the 15th day, 30 mL a day for totally 3 days. The lung and brain tissues of all the anesthetized rats were fixed by perfusion, and immunohistochemical method with ovin-biotin-peroxidase complex and imaging analysis system were used to observe the distribution of Fos protein in the lung and brain.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distribution of c-Fos protein in lung and cerebrum.c-Fos in the lung and brain tissues was obviously higher in asthmatic group than in the control group (P ＜ 0.05), located mainly in the parietal-fontal cortex, limbic forebrain (cingulum cortex, pyriform cortex and central amygdaloid nucleus and so on), thalamus paraventricular nucleus, hypothalamus paraventricular nucleus, supraoptic nucleus, lateral region of the hypothalamus, hypothalamus periventricular nucleus, nucleus of solitary tract,area postrema and ventrolateral medulla. No obvious Fos expression was observed in the cerebellum. A large number of c-Fos-positive cells were observed in the wall of the airway and lungs in asthmatic rats, mainly distributing in the mucous membrane and submucous layer and around the smooth muscles; in the control rats, no positive cells or only occasional cells with weak c-Fos positivity were found in the wall of the airway and lungs.CONCLUSION: c-Fos expression increases obviously not only in the lungs of asthmatic rats, but also in medullar and its ascending projecting nuclei (hypothalamus, amygdala and so on), suggesting that the expression of protooncogene c-fos might be closely related with neuroimmunomodulation in asthma.

Objective To explore the efficacy of liver retransplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with or without HCC recurrence.Method 131 cases of retransplantation performed between 2003 and 2012 were analyzed retrospectively.Their first and second liver transplantations were both performed in our hospital.Diagnoses of their primary diseases before transplantations were confirmed pathologically after the first transplantation.Patients were divided into two groups in terms of benign causes and HCC.Results Sixty cases were fallen into benign disease group and 65 cases into HCC group.The proportions of main causes of retransplantation were similar between two groups.The graft survival rate of early retransplantation (retransplantation performed within 30 days after the first transplantation) and late retransplantation (retransplantation performed beyond 30 days after the first transplantation) was calculated and compared respectively due a great difference in survival rate between the two phrases.The deaths of HCC patients with HCC recurrence before retransplantation were more than those without HCC recurrence (P＜0.01) and benign disease group.The 5-year cumulated survival rate was close between HCC patients without recurrence before retransplantation (51.0％) and benign disease group (51.8％).Conclusion The retransplantation after HCC recurrence has an unacceptable prognosis.The survival rate was similar between patients without HCC recurrence and patients with benign diseases.HCC patients without recurrence should not be restrained from retransplantation just for the HCC history.

Objective To explore liver protective effects of the stems and leaves and roots of Scutellariae Radix from different areas of Gansu Province;To discuss differences in liver protection of the stems and leaves and roots of Scutellariae Radix. Methods All Kunming mice were randomly divided into 11 groups:normal group, model group, positive control group, Scutellariae Radix root groups and Scutellariae Radix stem-leaf groups of Longxi, Minxian, Weiyuan, Zhangxian. The mice received gavage with relevant medicine once a day for 7 days. 2 hours after the last medication, the mice were given peritoneal injection with 0.1%CCl4 and olive oil to establish the models with liver injury. Hepatic index, the activity of serum ALT and AST, the levels of T-AOC in the liver tissue were calculated in 18 hours after establishing the models. Results Compared with the model group, hepatic index, the activity of serum ALT and AST in the mice of Scutellariae Radix root groups from difference producing areas decreased significantly (P<0.05);the levels of T-AOC in the liver tissue was raised notably (P<0.05). Compared with stem-leaf groups from the same producing area, hepatic index, the activity of ALT and AST in the mice of Scutellariae Radix root groups were remarkably lower than these of Scutellariae Radix stem-leaf groups (P<0.05);the levels of T-AOC in the liver tissue was evidently higher than that of Scutellariae Radix stem-leaf group (P<0.05). Conclusion Scutellariae Radix root water decoction can prevent and protect CCl4-induced acute liver injury to a certain degree, while Scutellariae Radix stem-leaf water decoction shows no significant protective effect on acute liver injury.

ObjectiveTo summarize 20 ABO-incompatible liver transplantation cases in our hospital and explore the treatment strategy. MethodsFrom January 2009 to July 2011,20 cases donorrecipient ABO blood type not-identical liver transplantation was performed at our hospital. 16 cases were ABO-incompatible(ABO-Ⅰ) and 4 were ABO-compatible(ABO-C ).The median follow-up was (13.3 ± 9.2) months.ResultsExcept preoperative MELD score,there were no significant difference in other perioperative data,the incidence of postoperative complications and the cumulative survival rate between ABO-C and ABO-Ⅰ group.There were 5 deaths in 20 cases,2 cases in ABO-C group and 3 cases in ABO-Ⅰ group,survival rate was 75％.The cause of death was perioperative multiple organ failure in 2 cases,liver cancer recurrence in 2 cases and cerebral hemorrhage in 1 case.There were 2 cases of acute rejection,3 cases of biliary complications and 3 cases of portal vein thrombosis developing postoperatively. Eleven patients had increased serum creatinine after operation,preoperative high creatinine existed in 6 cases and it maintained posttransplant high level for more than 7 days,the serum creatinine level in other 7 patients was back to normal level in 7 days.ConclusionsA combination splenectomy before the portal vein reperfusion,the protocol of basiliximab,tacrolimus (TAC)/mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)/steroids immunosuppression treatment,postoperative peripheral vascular dilatation treatment by Alprostadil,help achieve favorable outcome in selected patients who underwent ABO-incompatible liver transplant.

Objective To analyze the clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies of liver-localized posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease (LL-PTLD).Methods Six cases of LL-PTLD from more than 3000 cases of liver transplant recipients from July 2003 to July 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.Other six cases of LL-PTLD were retrieved through Pubmed and Wanfang.The diagnosis and treatment of 12 cases of LL-PTLD were summarized and analyzed.Results All patients with LL-PTLD were diagnosed pathologically.The incidence of LL-PTLD was 0.2％ (6/3000).Among 12 patients,immunosuppressant and anti-EB virus treatment was reduced or withdrawn in the vast majority of patients,and treatment response was satisfactory.Systemic chemotherapy was given in 6 cases,and three of them died.Local radiation therapy was given in 4 cases,the tumor was significantly controled,and patients survived.Secondary liver transplantation was performed on 3 cases: 1 case died of recurrent lymphoma,and one case received partial hepatectomy and no lymphoma recurred.Conclusion For cases with obstructive symptoms of fever and chills associated with jaundice without reasonable explanation,LL-PTLD is suspected and diagnosed by liver biopsy.Basic treatments such as adjustment of immunosuppressive agents and anti-viral therapy are recommended as early as possible.Local radiation therapy is a treatment method of LL-PTLD,which can obtain a satisfactory therapeutic effect.

Objective Small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) is a common and serious problem after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) of small grafts.To prevent SFSS by selecting large enough graft,enlarging outflow tract,and controlling the portal vein pressure and flow during LDLT.Methods 113 adult LDLT recipients were reviewed from Dec.1,2007 to Nov.30,2009.Enlarging the portal outflow tract by the incision of the anterior rim of the orifice of the right hepatic vein (RHV),modificating graft inflow,and selecting large enough graft were done to prevent SFSS.The relationship between the patients' GRWR,portal vein flow,portal vein pressure and the occurrence of SFSS was analyzed.Results All patients received the outflow orifice modification.The portal vein pressure and the portal vein flow were decreased after spleen artery ligation.No SFSS ocurred.Conclusion Selecting large enough liver graft,and enlarging portal vein inflow and outflow were safe for the LDLT recipients,and can effectively prevent SFSS.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of retransplantation for intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation (LT).Methods In a center hospital of organ transplantation setting,9 patients after primary liver transplantation had intrahepatic recurrence and received retransplantation,and 12 patients in control group were not subjected to LT over the same period.The follow-up period was 10 to 58 months.Results As compared the pathological characteristics of secondary transplanted liver with primary thansplanted liver,there was significant difference in tumor differentiation (grade Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ)between primary group (33％,67％ and 0) and secondary group (22％,22％ and 56％) (P＜0.01).After primary liver transplantation,median of tumor free survival was 15.0 months.After secondary liver transplantation,median of survival was 5.8 months,and median of tumor free survival was 2.5 months.In control group,median of tumor free survival was 13.0 months,and total survival survival was 17.6 months.In transplantation group and control group,1-,2-,and 3-year cumulative survival rate was 89％,44％,33％ and 91％,45％,9％ respectively,with the difference being not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion It is high risk of vascular invasion for tumor recurrence.The differentiation grade of recurrent tumor is lower.The sign of intrahepatic recurrence of HCC after liver transplantation may be early and local clinical characteristics of tumor cell disseminating and metastasis before and during operation,and it is not recommended to perform retransplantation.

Objective To summary therapeutic method for delayed portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation. Methods In 3100 cases undergoing cadaveric whole liver transplantation in a single center, there were 12 cases of delayed portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation.Average occurring time was 29. 8 months after liver transplantation. Among these 12 patients, 2 cases were complicated with severe biliary complication (intrahepatic stricture) , 2 cases presented with liver failure of transplanted liver, and one case had portal vein compression by hepatic hilum tumor under the image examination, who received liver re-transplantation; two patients presented upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and they experienced endoscopic ligation and sclerotherapy respectively; the rest five patients without any clinical presentation were subjected to anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy. Results Among 12 cases, 8 patients survived by the time of follow-up, including two patients undergoing re-transplantation; one patient lost follow-up. The liver function tests of the patients who survived were all normal. Conclusion The individualized therapeutic methods should be adopted for the patients with delayed portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of living donor right liver graft transplantation (LDLT) with middle hepatic vein (MHV) on the early congestion and regeneration of the donor remnant liver.MethodsBetween August 2008 and August 2009,28 LDLT were performed with 11 LDLT without MHV (group A) and 17 LDLT with MHV (group B).The donor operative time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative hospital stay,bilirubin,INR,and ALT level were recorded in detail.We measured the volume of remnant liver by means of CT scan 2 weeks after operation and compare the degree of congestion and regeneration of the remnant liver between the two groups.ResultsThere were 10 cases in group B and 0 cases in group A suffering from congestion at segment Ⅳ,and the difference was significant(P =0.006).In group B,6 cases in type Ⅰ and 4 cases in type Ⅱ developed congestion at segment Ⅳ,and the difference was significant(P=0.035).Two weeks post operation,the volume of segment Ⅳ in group B was smaller than in group A(P=0.005).The regeneration rate of segment Ⅳ in group B was smaller than in group A (P =0.007),on the contrary,the regeneration rate of segment Ⅰ - Ⅲ in group B was larger than in group A( P =0.008 ).But the regeneration rate of remnant liver was the same in both groups (P =0.63 ).ConclusionsThe right lobe hemihepatectomy with MHV does not damage the early liver function of the donor significantly.The segment Ⅳ of the remnant liver suffered from congestion and impeded the regeneration,but was compensated by the regeneration of segments Ⅰ - Ⅲ.

Objective To evaluate biliary digital imaging technology in determining the type of the intrahepatic bile duct anatomy and the transection plane of the duct in right lobe living donor liver transplantation(LDLT). Methods Mobile digital subtraction angiography was performed to show the intrahepatic bile duct anatomy of 66 liver transplant donor candidates. Combined with metal markers, the bile duct transection plane was defined. Comparing with the actual results, the effect of digital imaging technology in determining the intrahepatic anatomical variations and transection plane of the duct in LDLT was evaluated. Results Intrahepatic bile duct anatomical variations were showed in all donors by using digital imaging technology. type Ⅰ (classical type) was identified in45 cases (68.2%), type Ⅱ (with triple confluence, the simultaneous emptying of the right anterior segmental duct, right posterior segmental duct and left hepatic duct into the common hepatic duct) in 7 cases ( 10.6% ), type Ⅲ (no right hepatic duct stem, right posterior segmental duct draining into common hepatic duct) in 13 cases ( 19. 7% ), type Ⅳ (no right hepatic duct stem, right posterior segmental duct draining into left hepatic duct) in 1 case (1.5%), and type Ⅴ (complex variation ) in no case (0%). As a result, cases of type Ⅰ form a single anastomosis. In type Ⅱ, four cases formed double anastomoses, three cases formed single anastomosis with or without ductoplasty. In type Ⅲ, two anastomoses were formed in 9 cases, single anastomosis in 4 cases with ductoplasty. The case of type Ⅳ had double anastomoses. In all cases right lobe liver were harvested.Conclusions Biliary digital subtraction image combined with metal markers accurately defines intrahepatic bile duct anatomy and the transection plane, helping to reduce number of bile duct anastomosis, and contributes to safe graft harvesting.