Objective:To study the CT manifestations of malignant hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell carcinoma (PEComa).Methods:Clinical data of nine patients undergoing surgery with histologically confirmed malignant hepatic PEComa in Yueqing People's Hospital, Wenzhou People's Hospital, and Yongjia County People's Hospital from January, 2010 to June, 2022 were retrospectively collected, including two males and seven females with a median age of 47 (43, 56) years old. The CT findings, including tumor size, shape, boundary, density, and enhancement patterns, were analyzed.Results:CT scans showed that all nine tumors were single lesions. Five tumors were located in right liver lobe, three in left lobe, and one in caudate lobe. The median tumor diameter was 5.7 (range, 3.3-16.0 ) cm. In terms of tumor shape, three were round, four were quasi-circular, and two were irregular. Eight tumors had well-defined boundaries, while one was ill-defined. Nine tumors showed uneven densities and were lower than the adjacent liver parenchyma. Four tumors had a false capsule, one contained fatty tissue, and six had necrotic and cystic changes. In the arterial phase of contrast-enhanced CT scanning, two tumors showed moderate enhancement and seven showed significant enhancement. In the portal venous and delayed phases, enhancement decreased significantly in four cases, showing a " fast-in and fast-out" pattern. In four cases, the enhancement persisted, showing a " fast-in and slow-out" pattern. One case showed no enhancement in any phase but had a strip-like enhanced vessel inside the tumor. Five cases had significantly thickened vessels around the tumor.Conclusion:The CT manifestations of PEComa are as follows: round or quasi-circular lesions with well-defined boundaries, uneven low densities, significant enhancement in the arterial phase and rapid washout or persistent enhancement in the portal venous and delayed phases.

Objective To prepare a kind of Gelsolin-targeted ultrasound contrast agent (GSN-PLGA) and to explore its targeting and imaging effection in vitro.Methods The high molecular PLGA-COOH ultrasound contrast agents were prepared by a modified double emulsion technique and then conjugated with Gelsolin monoclonal antibody by carbodiimide technique.The physical property of contrast agent was determined.And the connectivity condition of ultrasound contrast agent with Gelsolin monoclonal antibody was estimated.The targeting ability and the effect of enhancing ultrasound imaging in vitro were explored.Results The average diameter of GSN-PLGA was (575.67 ± 4.71) nm.The potential was (-11.46±1.19) mV.And the binding rate of Gelsolin monoclonal antibody was 96.93％.In vitro experimentshowed more GSN-PLGA could be intaked by Hca-F cells and the ultrasound imaging cloud be enhanced greatly.Conclusion The GSN-PLGA nanoparticle can bind to Hca-F cells specifically and can enhance the ultrasound imaging greatly.

Objective To analyze and evaluate the effects of the tissue engineering bladder reconstruction on the upper urinary tract structure and function.Methods The 8 male beagles were randomly divided into the two groups:sham-operation group (group A,n=4)and the collagen scaffold repair group (group B,n=4).The bladder defect animal model was established in the group B by using the collagen scaffold materials to repair the bladder.The renal function related biochemical indicators were detec-ted and the renal Doppler ultrasonic examination was performed in each group before repair and in 23 weeks after repair.The speci-mens from the two groups were performed the gross morphology observation and the histology examination on postoperative 24 weeks.Results The renal Doppler ultrasound examination showed the normal kidney morphology and normal blood flow signal.In the general observation,no calculi and neoplasm were found in the kidney and ureter of the experimental dogs.The renal function related biochemical indicators had no statistically significant differences between the two groups(P>0.05).The histological exami-nation indicated that the organization structure was integrity,the nephrons in each group had no obvious pathological changes.Con-clusion Using the collagen scaffold materials to reconstruct the canine bladder has no adverse influence on the upper urinary tract structure and function,this tissue engineering approach has good feasibility.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication on expression of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and glucose metabolism of hepatocytes using Huh 7.5 cells harboring HCV replicon.Methods The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS),value of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)/reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) was detected by flow cytometry and chromatometry.The activity,mRNA expression,and protein level of SIRT1 were detected by a scintillation counter,real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),and Western blot,respectively.Glucose uptake by hepatocytes and gluconeogenesis were detected using radioactive isotope method and glucose oxidase method.The mRNA levels of SIRT1 downstream glucose-metabolism genes were measured by RT-PCR.Measurement date were compared by t test.Results In replicon cells,the level of ROS (3.8±0.5 vs 1.0±0.2; t=12.736,P＜0.01) was increased and the value of NAD+/NADH (0.03±0.01 vs 0.12±0.03; t=6.971,P＜0.01) decreased compared with Huh 7.5 cells.The activity (0.3±0.1 vs 1.0±0.2; t=7.668,P＜0.01),mRNA expression(0.4±0.1 vs 1.0± 0.3; t=4.648,P＜0.01) and protein level(0.3±0.1 vs 0.8±0.2; t=5.941,P＜0.01) of SIRT1 were reduced.Inhibition of SIRT1 not only increased insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) phosphorylation (0.7±0.2 vs 0.4±0.1; t=3.286,P＜0.01),decreased protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation (0.3 ± 0.1 vs 0.6 ± 0.2; t=3.286,P＜0.01),down regulated cell surface expression of glucose transporler 2 (GLUT2,0.4±0.1 vs 1.0 ± 0.2; t =6.573,P＜0.01) and suppressed cellular glucose uptake (count per minute:4600±500 vs 21 000±4600; t=8.682,P＜0.01); but also decreased phosphorylation of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1,0.2＝0.1 vs 0.5±0.1; t=5.196,P＜ 0.01),up-regulated phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK,2.8±0.6 vs 1.0±0.3; t=6.573,P＜0.01) and glucose 6-phosphatase (2.6±0.5 vs 1.0±0.2; t=7.278,P＜0.01) genes,and promoted glucose production (2.5±0.5 vs 1.0±0.2; t=5.543,P＜0.01).Conclusions HCV replication decreases NAD+/NADH ratio,which might down-regulate the activity and the expression of SIRT1,leading to changes in the expression profile of glucose metabolism related genes and causing glucose metabolism disorders of hepatocytes by a decrease in glucose uptake and an increase in glucose production,and promotes HCV replication.

Objective To study the role of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog1 (SIRT1)-adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in hepatitis C virus core protein (HCV-core) induced energy metabolism disorders of hepatocytes.Methods HepG2 cells were transfected with recombined expressed plasmid pcDNA3.1-core.The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS),value of ATP/ADP and activity of AMPK α-2,and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)+/NADH in HepG2 cells expressing HCV-core were detected by flow cytometry,liquid scintillation counter and chromatometry,respectively.The activity of SIRT1 was detected with a fluorometric assay kit.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot assay were performed to examine the expression of SIRT1 and AMPK α-2.Quantitative data were analyzed by t-test.Results It was confirmed by Western blot assay that HepG2 cells expressed HCV-core with relative molecular weight of 22 000.Compared to HepG2 cells,the level of ROS in HepG2 cells expressing HCV-core was significantly increased (1.0 ±0.1 vs 4.0±0.5,t=14.411,P＜0.01),the values of ATP/ADP were similar (8.2±2.2 vs 9.3±2.8,t=0.757,P＞0.05),AMPK α-2 (0.8±0.2 vs 0.2±0,t=7.345,P＜0.01),the values of NAD+/NADH (0.08±0.02 vs 0.02±0,t=7.348,P＜0.01),the activity of SIRT1 [(0.30±0.05) pmol· μg-1 · min-1 vs (0.15±0.04) pmol · μg 1 · min 1,t=5.738,P＜0.01] and the mRNA levels of SIRT1 (0.8±0.2 vs 0.4±0.1,t=4.382,P＜0.01) and AMPK α-2 mRNA (0.9±0.3 vs 0.2±0,t=5.715,P＜0.01),and the expression of SIRT1 (0.8±0.2 vs 0.3±0,t=5.941,P＜0.01) and phosphorylated AMPK protein (0.5±0.1 vs 0.1±0,t=9.608,P＜0.01) were all significantly decreased.Conclusion HCV core protein induces energy metabolism disorders of hepatocytes by down-regulation of SIRT1-AMPK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of recombinant adenovirus-mediated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 and -3 over expressions on chondrogenesis and osteogenesis of prenatal mouse intervertebral disc cells and provide experimental evidences for the application of BMPs in the therapy of disc diseases.

METHODSThe prenatal mouse intervertebral disc cells were infected with a recombinant adenovirus expressing BMP-2 and BMP-3 for 5-7 days, and the expressions of collagen type I (Col I), collagen type II (Col II), aggrecan, osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin and osteopontin mRNAs were detected with RT-PCR. The expression of cartilage matrix was evaluated with toluidine blue staining, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected with ALP reading and ALP staining.

RESULTSBMP-2 and -3 overexpression did not enhance chondrogenesis and osteogenesis of annulus fibrosus (AF) cells or cause significant increases in the expressions of Col I, Col II or aggrecan mRNA in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of BMP-2 and BMP-3, however, promoted osteogenesis of NP cells and significantly increased the expression of osteocalcin mRNA; the overexpression of BMP-2, but not BMP-3, enhanced the mRNA expressions of osteoprotegerin and osteopontin. Toluidine blue staining demonstrated that BMP-2 and BMP-3 overexpression did not obviously affect the secretion of cartilage matrix. In NP cells, BMP-2 and -3 overexpression significantly enhanced ALP activity, which was not observed in AF cells.

CONCLUSIONAdenovirus-mediated BMP-2 and -3 overexpression can promote the osteogenic differentiation of NP cells but can not affect osteogenesis of AF cells or chondrogenesis of NP cells.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; pharmacology ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 3 ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrogenesis ; Intervertebral Disc ; cytology ; drug effects ; Mice ; Osteogenesis

Objective To investigate the corelation between neutropenia (ANC) incidence and infection during treatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C.Methods A retrospective cohort study of 399 patients treated with peginterferon and ribavirin derived from database of Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University was conducted.The incidence of infections and their relation with ANC were investigated.Potential risk factors for infection were identified by multivariate analysis.Results During treatment,neutropenia (ANC ＜ 1.50 ×109/L) occurred in 251 patients.Among which,mild neutropenia [ANC: ( ＞ 0.75-＜ 1.50) x 109/L],moderate neutropenia [ANC: ( 0.50-0.75 ) × 109/L]and severe neutropenia ( ANC ＜ 0.50 × 109/L)occurred in 132 patients,103 patients and 16 patients,respectively.A total of 80 infections (20.1％ )occurred,among which,14 infections were defined as severe.There was no significant difference in infection rate between patients with and without neutropenia ( 19.9％,50/251 vs 20.3％,50/251 ; x2 =0.007,P =0.933).There was no significant difference in infection rate between patients with and without peginterferon dose reduction ( 21.5％,31/144 vs 19.2％,49/255 ; x2 =0.307,P =0.580 ).In multivariate logistic regression analysis,the independent factors associated with infection were age (P =0.021),diabetes (P =0.004) and cirrhosis (P =0.012).Conclusions Infections during treatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C are irrelevant to neutropenia.The independent factors associated with infection are age,diabetes and cirrhosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of adding metformin to peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin on the efficacy in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C and insulin resistance.Methods Ninety-eight patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C and insulin resistance were randomized into the treatment group (n=49) and the control group (n=49).The patients in the control group were treated with peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin,and those in the treatment group were treated with metformin in addition to peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin. The virologic response rate,the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistence index (HOMA-IR) and incidence of side effects were compared between two groups.The related factors of sustained virological response (SVR) were studied by multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe SVR rate of the patients in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (59.2％ vs 38.8％; x2 =4.083,P=0.043).The HOMA-IR of patients in the treatment group at week 12,24,48 of treatment and week 24 of follow-up were 3.00±0.65,1.90±0.45,1.75±0.40 and 1.60±0.35,respectively,which were all lower than those in the control group (3.50±0.72,2.90±0.64,2.74± 0.48 and 2.60±0.55,respectively) (t=3.610,8.947,11.091 and 10.738,respectively; all P＜ 0.01).The incidence of diarrhea in the treatment group was higher than the control group (28.6％ vs 10.2％ ; x2 =5.288,P=0.021).In multivariate logistic regression analysis,the independent factors associated with SVR were metformin treatment (P =0.009) and HOMA-IR＜ 2 at week 24 of treatment (P=0.011 ). Conclusion The combination of metformin,peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin improves insulin sensitivity and increases SVR rate of patients with hepatitis C genotype 1 and insulin resistance with good safety profile.

Objective To study the impact of ribavirin cumulative dose on virological response rates in genotype 1 hepatitis C virus(HCV)infected patients.Methods The medical records of 225 genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C(CHC)patients treated with peginterferon α-2a plus ribavirin were retrospectively analyzed.These patients were divided into four groups according to ribavirin cumulative dose:>97%,80%-97%,60%-79%and<60%of standard cumulative dose.The relationship between ribavirin cumulative dose and virological response rates was studied.Data as analyzed by chisquare test or F test.Results The incidence of ribavirin cumulative dose<97%was 43.1%(97/225),which was higher than peginterferon alfa-2a(27.1%,61/225)(x2=12.641,P=0.001).The sustained virological response rate(SVR)was 27.8%(5/18)in group of ribavirin cumulative dose <60%,which was much lower than those in groups of ribavirin cumulative dose>97%(65.6%,84/128),80%-97%(60.5%,26/43),60%-79%(58.3%,21/36)(x2=9.538,P=0.023).The relapse rate was 61.5%(8/13)in group of ribavirin cumulative dose<60%,which was significantly higher than those in groups of ribavirin cumulative dose>97%(20.0%,21/105),80%-97%(23.5% ,8/34),60%-79%(27.6%,8/29)(x2=10.837,P-0.013).Among patients achieved rapid virological response(RVR),SVR in groups of ribavirin cumulative dose>97%,80%-97%,60%-79%and<60 % of standard dose were 92.0%(23/25),88.9%(8/9),85.7%(6/7)and 75.0%(3/4),respectively(x2=1.098,P=0.778).Conclusiom Mlid reduction of ribavirin dose not affect SVR of genotype 1 HCV infected patients.However,the relapse rate is high and SVR is low in patients treated with ribavirin cumulative dose<60% of standard dose.

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of age and sex on virologic responses rates to peginterferon alfα-2a and ribavirin treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C.MethodsThe medical records of 449 chronic hepatitis C patients,treated with peginterferon and ribavirin in Department of Infectious Diseases,the Second Affiliated Hospital,Harbin Medical University,were retrospectively analyzed.These patients were divided into three groups according to age:patients ＜40 years (n =131 ),patients 40-50 years ( n =131 ) and patients ＞ 50 years ( n =187 ).The virologic response rates,the incidences of side events,and the rates of patients receiving ≥ 80％ of planned peginterferon alfα-2a or ribavirin dose were compared between male and female patients in the three groups.The influential factors on sustained virologic response (SVR) of patients were studied by multivariate analysis.Results For genotype 1,in patients ＜ 40 years group,the SVR rate of female was significantly higher than that of male (75.0％,30/40 vs 54.0％,27/50; P ＜0.05 ) ; in patients 40-50 years group,there was no significant difference in the SVR rate between male and female (51.0％,25/49 vs 53.7％,22/41 ; P ＞ 0.05 ) ; in patients ＞50 years group,the SVR rate of female was significantly lower than that of male (31.1％,19/61 vs 50.7％,34/67; P ＜0.05).For genotype 2,there were no significant differences in virologic response rates between male and female in the three groups.The incidence of adverse events of patients aged ＜ 40 years group,40-50 years group,＞ 50 years group,were 51.1％ (67/131),51.1％ (67/131),and 70.6％ (132/187),respectively,and the incidence of adverse events of patients aged ＞ 50 years was significantly higher than those of other groups ( P ＜ 0.001 ).For genotype 1,in patients ＞ 50 years group,the rate of patients receiving ≥80％ of planned ribavirin dose of female was significantly lower than that of male (42.6％,26/61 vs 62.7％,42/67; P ＜ 0.05).In multivariate analysis,the independent factors associated with SVR of patients aged ＞ 50 years were sex ( P =0.013 ),genotypes ( P =0.002 ),cirrhosis ( P =0.004 ),≥ 80％ of planned ribavirin dose ( P =0.008 ) and presence of rapid virologic response (RVR) ( P =0.001 ).ConclusionsFor genotype 1 patients,in patients ＜ 40 years group the SVR rate of female is higher than that of male; in patients 40-50 years group,male and female share similar SVR rates;in patients ＞ 50 years group the SVR rate of female is lower than that of male.Age and sex has no impact on virologic responses rates for genotype 2 patients.