Postsynaptic Targeting and Mobility of Membrane Surface-Localized hASIC1a / 神经科学通报·英文版

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), the main H

Methods used for evaluation of volume retention rate in autologous fat grafting for breast augmentation: a systematic review / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Autologous fat grafting has gained popularity in breast augmentation. Various methods can be used to estimate the volume retention rate. This systematic review aimed to establish whether the type of method used for measuring breast volume is a factor that influences the reported volume retention rate.@*METHODS@#Studies were identified using the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science from inception of the database up to February 2019. Articles describing autologous fat grafting for breast augmentation were selected based on pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The characteristics of the included studies were summarized, and the reported volume retention rate from the studies was compared. A quality assessment of all included articles was performed using the methodological index for non-randomized studies criteria.@*RESULTS@#A total of 618 articles were identified, of which 12 studies, with a total of 1337 cases, were eligible. The retention rate of injected adipose tissue varied when the method of fat grafting and volume analysis used were both the same, as well as when the method of fat grafting was the same but the method of volumetric evaluation used was different.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Currently, the tools available for estimating the volume retention rate come with limitations. In order to objectively evaluate the percentage of graft retention, a standard protocol that applies to the different methods should be established in the future.

Methods used for evaluation of volume retention rate in autologous fat grafting for breast augmentation: a systematic review / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Autologous fat grafting has gained popularity in breast augmentation. Various methods can be used to estimate the volume retention rate. This systematic review aimed to establish whether the type of method used for measuring breast volume is a factor that influences the reported volume retention rate.@*Methods@#Studies were identified using the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science from inception of the database up to February 2019. Articles describing autologous fat grafting for breast augmentation were selected based on pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The characteristics of the included studies were summarized, and the reported volume retention rate from the studies was compared. A quality assessment of all included articles was performed using the methodological index for non-randomized studies criteria.@*Results@#A total of 618 articles were identified, of which 12 studies, with a total of 1337 cases, were eligible. The retention rate of injected adipose tissue varied when the method of fat grafting and volume analysis used were both the same, as well as when the method of fat grafting was the same but the method of volumetric evaluation used was different.@*Conclusions@#Currently, the tools available for estimating the volume retention rate come with limitations. In order to objectively evaluate the percentage of graft retention, a standard protocol that applies to the different methods should be established in the future.

Ethanol extract of Ilex hainanensis Merr. exhibits anti-melanoma activity by induction of G/S cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate anti-melanoma effect of ethanol extract of Ilex hainanensis Merr. (IME) and elucidate its underlying mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six tumor-bearing mice were randomized into 6 groups (n=6) as follows: model group, IME 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg groups and dacarbazine (DTIC) 70 mg/kg group. The mice in the IME treatment groups were intragastrically administered with IME 25, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg per day, respectively. The mice in the DTIC group were intraperitoneally injected with DTIC 70 mg/kg every 2 days. The drug administration was lasting for 14 days. The cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dime-thylthylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell cycle and apoptosis. The gene and protein expressions of nuclear factor κB-p65 (NF-κB-p65), Bcl-2, B-cell lymphomaextra large (Bcl-xL) and Bax were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. Caspases-3, -8, and -9 activities were detected using the colorimetric method. In addition, a B16-F10 melanoma xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of IME in vivo. Furthermore, a survival experiment of tumor-bearing mice was also performed to evaluate the possible toxicity of IME.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IME significantly inhibited the proliferation of B16-F10 cells (P<0.01). Flow cytometric analysis showed that IME induced G/S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (both P<0.01). IME inhibited activation of NF-κB, decreased the gene and protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and increased the gene and protein expressions of Bax (all P<0.01). In addition, IME induced the activation of Caspases-3, -8, and -9 in B16-F10 cells. The study in vivo showed that IME significantly reduced tumor volume (P<0.01), and the inhibitory rate came up to 68.62%. IME also induced large areas of necrosis and intra-tumoral apoptosis that correlated with a reduction in tumor volume. Survival experiment showed that treatment with IME for 14 days significantly prolonged survival time and 20% of mice in the IME 200 mg/kg group were still alive until the 50th day. Notably, IME showed no apparent side-effects during the treatment period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IME exhibited significant anti-melanoma activity in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that IME might be a promising effective candidate with lower toxic for malignant melanoma therapy.</p>

Shp2 regulates cigarette smoke extract-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effects of Shp2 on cig-arette smoke extract (CSE)-induced epithelial-mesen-chymal transition (EMT). Methods The effects of CSE on TGF-β1 levels in epithelial cells were meas-ured by Q-PCR and ELISA. Immunofluorescent stai-ning was used to assess the expressions of CSE-induced EMT-related markers. The activation of CSE-induced Shp2,Smad2 was investigated by Western blot. Re-sults CSE induced Shp2 phosphorylation in a concen-tration-dependent manner in A549 cells. PHPS1 inhib-ited the increase in mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 induced by CSE. PHPS1 regulated the expres-sions of CSE-induced EMT markers (down-regulation of E-cadherin,up-regulation expression of Vimentin and α-SMA). The inhibition of either Shp2 inhibitor or Shp2 siRNA decreased Smad2 phosphorylation induced by CSE. Conclusions CSE initiates EMT through the Shp2 / Smad2 signaling pathway,which is activated by CSE through TGF-β1 generation. It is suggested that Shp2 might be a possible new target for COPD and lung cancer therapy.

Icariin protects SH-SY5Y cells from formaldehyde-induced injury through suppression of Tau phosphorylation / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the neuroprotective effects of icariin on formaldehyde (FA)-treated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and the possible mechanisms involved.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SH-SY5Y cells were divided into FA treatment group, FA treatment group with icariin, and the control group. Cell viability, apoptosis, and morphological changes were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK 8), flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy, respectively. The phosphorylation of Tau protein was examined by western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>FA showed a half lethal dose (LD50) of 0.3 mmol/L in SH-SY5Y cells under the experimental conditions. Icariin (1-10 µmol/L) prevented FA-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells in a dose-dependent manner, with the optimal effect observed at 5 µmol/L. After FA treatment, the absorbance in FA group was 1.31±0.05, while in the group of icariin (5 µmol/L) was 1.63±0.05. Examination of cell morphology by confocal microscopy demonstrated that 5 µmol/L icariin significantly attenuated FA-induced cell injury (P <0.05). Additionally, Icariin inhibited FA-induced cell apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Results from western blotting showed that icariin suppressed FA-induced phosphorylation at Thr 181 and Ser 396 of Tau protein, while having no effect on the expression of the total Tau protein level. Furthermore, FA activated Tau kinase glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) by enhancement of Y216 phosphorylation, but icariin reduced Y216 phosphorylation and increased Ser 9 phosphorylation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Icariin protects SH-SY5Y cells from FA-induced injury poßsibly through the inhibition of GSK-3β-mediated Tau phosphorylation.</p>

Digital evaluation of breast symmetry with 3D scanning technique / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a standard method for digital evaluation of breast symmetry with 3D scanning technique.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2009 to July 2010, 167 patients received 3D scanning before breast augmentation. The coordinate system was established and the 3D reconstructed breast models were analyzed by software. The discrepancy of nipple level, the distance between nipple to midline, inferior mammary fold location, breast width, breast projection, breast volume and anterior chest wall projection were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean discrepancy of nipple level, the distance between nipple to midline, IMF level, breast width, breast projection and anterior chest wall projection were (4. 8 +/- 3.9) mm, (4.5 +/- 3.4) mm, (4.6 +/- 3.7) mm, (4.8 +/- 2.9) mm, (5.4 +/- 3.9) mm and (4.8 +/- 3.3) mm, respectively. The mean difference of breast volume was (51 +/- 44) ml. The incidence of significant asymmetry was 73% (122/167)in nipple position, 95% (159/167)in breast shape, 38% (63/167)in anterior chest wall projection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>3D scanning technique can provide an accurate 3D measurement of breast. A thorough and objective evaluation of breast symmetry can be achieved.</p>

Functional annotation of the microRNA-mediated network in gigantomastia by integrating microRNA and mRNA expression profiling / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Gigantomastia is the overdevelopment of the female mammary gland, and it causes great physiological and psychological burdens to patients. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in gigantomastia is needed to develop less invasive and more effective medical treatments. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a class of small noncoding RNAs that play an important regulatory role at the post-transcriptional level. These miRNAs are known to be involved in many diseases, including breast cancer; however, the relationship between miRNA and gigantomastia is largely unknown.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Whole genome-wide expression of miRNA and mRNA in gigantomastia was detected using microarray and functional annotation was performed based on the altered expression of miRNAs and mRNAs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We found many miRNAs and mRNAs to be significantly differentially expressed in gigantomastia compared with normal breast tissues. Functional annotation analysis indicated that APK, Wnt, and Neurotrophin signaling pathways may participate in gigantomastia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study addresses the need for better diagnosis and treatment of gigantomastia by providing new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease.</p>

Reactive carbonyl compounds (RCCs) cause aggregation and dysfunction of fibrinogen

Fibrinogen is a key protein involved in coagulation and its deposition on blood vessel walls plays an important role in the pathology of atherosclerosis. Although the causes of fibrinogen (fibrin) deposition have been studied in depth, little is known about the relationship between fibrinogen deposition and reactive carbonyl compounds (RCCs), compounds which are produced and released into the blood and react with plasma protein especially under conditions of oxidative stress and inflammation. Here, we investigated the effect of glycolaldehyde on the activity and deposition of fibrinogen compared with the common RCCs acrolein, methylglyoxal, glyoxal and malondialdehyde. At the same concentration (1 mmol/L), glycolaldehyde and acrolein had a stronger suppressive effect on fibrinogen activation than the other three RCCs. Fibrinogen aggregated when it was respectively incubated with glycolaldehyde and the other RCCs, as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE, electron microscopy and intrinsic fluorescence intensity measurements. Staining with Congo Red showed that glycolaldehyde- and acrolein-fibrinogen distinctly formed amyloid-like aggregations. Furthermore, the five RCCs, particularly glycolaldehyde and acrolein, delayed human plasma coagulation. Only glycolaldehyde showed a markedly suppressive effect on fibrinogenesis, none did the other four RCCs when their physiological blood concentrations were employyed, respectively. Taken together, it is glycolaldehyde that suppresses fibrinogenesis and induces protein aggregation most effectively, suggesting a putative pathological process for fibrinogen (fibrin) deposition in the blood.

Development of a hydrophilic anti-fogging agent for nasal endoscopy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a transparent, non-toxic, non-irritating anti-fogging agent with long-lasting effect for nasal endoscopy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The anti-fogging agent was prepared by mixing ethanol, propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, sodium dodecyl sulfate, polyethylene glycol 400 and deionized water at different proportions based on an orthogonal test design. Twenty-seven test samples of the anti-fogging agents were obtained, which were colorless, transparent, and non-irritating, with a pH value of 7-8. Storz00 nasal endoscopy and its imaging system were used to test the anti-fogging time of the 27 samples, and each agent was tested for 3 times with medical Seoul iodine and 95% ethanol as control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The optimal composition of the anti-fogging agent was 20% ethanol, 10% propylene glycol, 20% polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, 4% sodium dodecyl sulfate, 4% polyethylene glycol, 42% deionized water. The anti-fogging time of this agent reached 15 min, significantly longer than that of medical Seoul iodine (4 min) and 95% ethanol (18 s).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This anti-fogging agent for nasal endoscopes is colorless and safe and has a long anti-fogging time by forming a homogenous transparent membrane over the endoscopic lens.</p>

Prognostic factors for late mortality after liver transplantation for benign end-stage liver disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>There are increasing numbers of patients who survive more than one year after liver transplantation. Many studies have focused on the early mortality of these patients. However, the factors affecting long-term survival are not fully understood. This study aims to evaluate prognostic factors predicting long-term survival and to explore measures for improving the survival outcomes of patients who underwent liver transplantation for benign end-stage liver diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The causes of late death after liver transplantation and potential prognostic factors were retrospectively analyzed for 221 consecutive patients who underwent liver transplantation from October 2003 to June 2008. Twenty-seven variables were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and those variables found to be univariately significant at P < 0.10 were entered into a backward step-down Cox proportional hazard regression analysis to identify the independent prognostic factors influencing the recipients' long-term survival.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-eight recipients died one year after liver transplantation. The major causes of late mortality were infectious complications, biliary complications, and Hepatitis B virus recurrence/reinfection. After Cox analysis, the five remaining co-variables were: age, ABO blood group, cold ischemia time, post-infection region, and biliary complications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The major causes of late mortality were infection, biliary complications and Hepatitis B virus recurrence/reinfection. Five variables (Age, ABO blood group, cold ischemia time, infection, and biliary complications) had significant impacts on patient survival.</p>

Clinical analysis between "early" versus "late" liver retransplantation / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare early and late orthotopic liver retransplantation (re-OLT) for patients with poor graft function after primary transplantation at our center and sum up our clinical experience in re-OLT.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 36 re-OLTs from January 2004 to July 2009 were analyzed retrospectively, consisting of the first group with 17 cases of early re-OLT and the second group with 19 cases of late re-OLT. The average ages were (45 ± 13) years and (48 ± 10) years, and the time intervals were (49 ± 54) days and (514 ± 342) days in early re-OLT group and late re-OLT group, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Biliary tract complications were the main indications for early re-OLT and late re-OLT. Other common indications were vascular complications in early re-OLT and recurrence of primary diseases in late re-OLT. No significant differences were found between the groups with regard to the volume of bleeding during operation, cold ischemia time, operative duration and perioperative mortality except the MELD score. Outcome was fatal for 8 patients in early re-OLT and 10 patients in late re-OLT. Three deaths were due to severe sepsis-related disease, 3 deaths due to multiple organ failure in early re-OLT and 4 deaths due to severe sepsis-related disease, 3 deaths due to recurrence of HCC in late re-OLT. One and 2-year actuarial survival rates after re-OLT were 52.9% and 41.2%, respectively, for patients in early re-OLT, and 63.2% and 52.6%, respectively, for patients in late re-OLT. No significant differences were found regarding survival rates between the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The similar clinical results can be achieved in early and late re-OLT. Proper indications and optimal operation timing, experienced surgical procedures and effective perioperative anti-infection strategy contribute to the improvement of the overall survival rate of the patients after re-OLT.</p>

Risk factors predicting late mortality after liver transplantation for benign end-stage liver disease / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To find out the risk factors predicting long-term survival, and to explore the measures for further improving the survival outcome of whom underwent liver transplantation (LT) for benign end-stage liver disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The common causes of late death after LT and risk factors were retrospectively analyzed in 221 consecutive patients, who underwent LT from October 2003 to June 2007 and survived more than one year. Twenty-six potential risk factors were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method, and those variables found to be univariately significant at P < 0.10 were entered into a backward step down Cox proportional hazard regression analysis to screen the independent risk factors influencing the recipient's long-term survival.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 28 recipients died one year later after LT during the follow-up period. The major causes of late mortality were related to infectious complications 5.0% (11/221), biliary complications 3.6% (8/221) and HBV recurrence/reinfection 1.4% (3/221). After Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, 5 covariables finally retained in the formula were: age (RR = 2.325, P = 0.009), ABO blood group (RR = 2.206, P = 0.015), cold ischemia time (RR = 3.001, P = 0.000), post-infection region (RR = 1.665, P = 0.007) and biliary complications (RR = 2.655, P = 0.004).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Age (≥ 60 years), ABO blood group (incompatible), cold ischemia time (> 12 h), infectious complications (lung infection) and biliary complications (diffuse biliary stricture) significantly impact patient's survival time.</p>

Application of MDCT angiography for breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the significance of preoperative MDCT angiography for breast reconstruction with abdominal flap.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Preoperative MDCT angiography scans were performed on 34 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with abdominal flaps during December 2006 to June 2009. The operation was designed based on the MDCT results. Then the MDCT results were proved intraoperatively. Another 22 cases who underwent breast reconstruction with abdominal flap without preoperative MDCT were selected as controls. The rate of operative method change, the operation time and the flap necrosis were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The preoperative design changed in 23.53% of the patients, based on the MDCT results. No one had any method change intraoperatively in the group with MDCT. The operative method was changed intraoperatively in 13.64% of the patients in the control group. The mean time spending on flap harvesting was (2.51 +/- 0.64) h in the experimental group and (4.42 +/- 0.21) h in the controlled group (P < 0.05). The rate of complication was 6.12% in the experimental group and 12.5% in the control group (P = 0.017).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Preoperative MDCT angiography is an easy and reliable method for breast reconstruction with abdominal flap. The preoperative design can be more reasonable. It helps to save the operation time and reduce the risk.</p>

Timing of operation and therapeutic effect of endoscopic optic nerve decompression for traumatic optic neuropathy / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the optimal timing of operation and the therapeutic effect of endoscopic optic nerve decompression for traumatic optic neuropathy (TON).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical records of 90 consecutive patients with TON (93 eyes) after head and/or maxillofacial trauma from April 1998 to March 2007 were reviewed and analyzed. All patients were either unresponsive or intolerant to medication before they underwent intranasal endoscopic optic nerve decompression. The time interval between the injury and operation ranged from one day to 97 days (median 5.5 days). Among the 93 eyes, there were 71 eyes with no visual acuity before operation and 22 eyes with residue visual acuity, including light perception in 1 eye, hand movement in 5 eyes, counting fingers in 13 eyes, 0.04 in 1 eye, and 0.1 in 2 eyes. Duration of follow-up ranged from 6 days to two years (median 8 days).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After decompression, 35 patients (36/93 eyes, 38.7%) showed improvement of visual acuity, 53 patients (55 eyes, 59.1%) remained the same as before operation, while 2 patients (2 eyes, 2.2%) showed decreased visual acuity. Among patients with visual acuity beyond light perception before decompression, 68.2% of them (15/22 eyes) experienced visual improvement, whereas only 22.9% (8/35 eyes, 0.02 in two eyes) among patients who lost visual acuity immediately after injury, and 36.1% (13/36 eyes, 0.02 in five eyes) among those who lost visual acuity gradually after injury. There was a significant difference in visual improvement between group with visual acuity and group with no visual acuity (chi(2) = 11.864, P < 0.01). Among patients with no visual acuity, 41.2% of those (7/17 eyes) who underwent operation within 3 days of injury, experienced improvement in visual acuity, compared with 25.9% (14/54 eyes) for those who underwent the operation more than 3 days after injury. It was indicated that no significant difference in visual improvement between these two groups (chi(2) = 1.46, P > 0.05). When comparing different sites of fracture, the effect of surgery was the most desirable (55.6%, 10/18 eyes improved) if the fracture occurred simultaneously in both exterior and interior walls of optic canal, followed by the interior wall fracture (45.7%, 21/46 eyes). The operation was less effective if there was no fraction (20%, 4/20 eyes) or if the fracture occurred in exterior wall alone (11.1%, 1/9 eyes).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endoscopic optic nerve decompression is a minimally invasive procedure with no adverse cosmetic effects. Early operation is recommended for saving vision, even though visual acuity is lost immediately after injury. However, the satisfactory clinical effects of endoscopic optic nerve decompression require further study.</p>

Risk factors predicting the prognosis of orthotopic liver transplantation in hepatopulmonary syndrome / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) on hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and investigate risk factors predicting the prognosis of OLT.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-six cases of HPS and 30 cases of non-HPS were analyzed treated from April 2004 to January 2006. Survival rates after OLT were compared and risk factors predicting the prognosis of OLT in HPS were researched by univariant and COX analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 28 days survival rate in HPS after OLT was 76.9% (20/26), half a year survival rate and one year survival rate were both 61.5% (16/26). Whereas the one year survival rate of patients without HPS was 100%(P < 0.05). By univariant analysis, shunt of (99)Tc(m)-labeled macro-aggregated albumin in lungs, PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 in room air before operation were relative to the prognosis of peri-operative period and half a year outcome after OLT in HPS (P < 0.05). Shunt of (99)Tc(m)-labeled macro-aggregated albumin in lungs (OR = 1.182, P = 0.001), and mechanical ventilation time (OR = 1.003, P = 0.053) after OLT were independent risk factors predicting the prognosis of OLT in HPS by COX analysis. Shunt of (99)Tc(m)-labeled macro-aggregated albumin in lungs > or = 28.4%, or PaO2 < or = 56 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) before OLT predicted the poor outcome of OLT in HPS. The sensitivity were 83.3% and 85.0% respectively, and the specificity were 95.0% and 83.3% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>OLT is an effective treatment for HPS.Shunt of (99)Tc(m)-labeled macro-aggregated albumin in lungs before OLT and mechanical ventilation time after OLT were independent risk factors for the prognosis of OLT in HPS.</p>

Model for end-stage liver disease-sodium predicts prognosis in patients with chronic severe hepatitis B / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the practical use of the serum sodium incorporated model for end-stage liver disease (MELD-Na) on clinic and to assess its validity by the concordance-statistic in predicting the prognosis of the patients with chronic severe hepatitis B.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adult patients with a diagnosis of chronic severe hepatitis B between January 2007 and December 2007 in a single center were analyzed. The serum sodium, MELD, MELD-Na, and Delta MELD-Na (Delta MELD=MELD score at 14 days after medical treatment-MELD score at admission) scores of 426 patients with chronic severe hepatitis B were calculated. The 3-month mortality in patients was measured, and the validity of the models was determined by means of the concordance-statistic.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves of Na, MELD and MELD-Na for the occurrence of death in 3 month were 0.718, 0.875 and 0.922. The 3-month mortality of the MELD-Na scores group <25, 25-30, >30-35, >35- <40 and > or = 40 were 2.0%, 5.4%, 35.4%, 53.8% and 86.9% respectively. There was a significant difference of 3-month mortality between the five groups (P<0.05). The 3-month mortality of Delta MELD-Na> 0 group was 65.9%, and the Delta MELD-Na < or = 0 group was 15.8%. There was a significant difference of 3-month mortality between the two groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MELD-Na score is a valid model to predict 3-month mortality in patients with chronic severe hepatitis B. Delta MELD-Na is clinically useful parameters for predicting the therapeutic effect of chronic severe hepatitis B.</p>

Immunization with dendritic cells infected with mTERT adenovirus vector effectively elicits immunity against mouse H22 hepatoma in vivo / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of dendritic cells (DCs) infected with adenovirus vector encoding mTERT on induction of mTERT antigen specific immunity against H22 hepatoma in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty Bal B/c mice were subcutaneously immunized with Ad-mTERT infected DC. Cytotoxicity of mTERT specific CTL was determined by 51Cr release assay. IL-2 and IFN-gamma were tested by ELISA. IFN-gamma ELISPOT assays were performed for measuring antigen specific IFN-gamma production by T cells. Tumor size and survival of the immunized mice were recorded and evaluated whether preexisting hepatoma metastases could be supressed after immunization with mTERT-expressing DCs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The lytic activity of CTL, IL-2 (871.25 pg/ml), IFN-gamma (169.15 ng/ml) and IFN-gamma secreting cells (378/10(6) spleen cells) elicited by the Ad-mTERT infected DCs were much stronger and higher than that by Ad-GFP group (131.6 pg/ml, 15.4 ng/ml, 36/10(6) spleen cells, P<0.05), DC group (71.3 pg/ml, 10.5 ng/ml, 21/10(6) spleen cells, P<0.05), PBS group (65.8 pg/ml, 7.4 ng/ml, 18/10(6) spleen cells, P<0.05). In prophylaxis and treatment experiment the Ad-mTERT/DCs immunized mice lived significantly longer than other groups, demonstrating that primary DCs were genetically modified to express the mTERT antigen and could suppress the tumor growth.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Adenovirus vector mediated mTERT infected DCs can effectively induce mTERT antigen specific antitumor activity, and can induce protective and therapeutic antitumor immunity.</p>

Retransplantation for hepatic artery complications after orthotopic liver transplantation / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and timing of re-transplantation for hepatic artery complications after orthotopic liver transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between December 2003 and December 2006, the clinical data of 13 patients diagnosed as hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant difference in duration of operation and anhepatic phase between the initial transplantation and the second transplantation (P = 0.291, P = 0.312). However, intra-operative blood loss [(3.1 +/- 1.1) L vs. (1.5 +/- 0.9) L, P = 0.005] and intensive care unit stays [(4.3 +/- 1.8) d vs. (3.2 +/- 2.5) d, P = 0.015] were significantly increased in the re-transplant patients. No perioperative mortality occurred. The postoperative mortality of liver re-transplantation was 38.5% (5/13) including acute renal failure in two patients, severe infection in two and heart infarction in one. The other 8 patients were followed from 6 months to 51 months, with a median survival time of 22.5 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Liver re-transplantation is the only viable option for patients with irreversible graft dysfunction secondary to hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation. Proper indication and optimum time of re-transplantation, reasonable individual immunosuppression regime and effective perioperative care program contribute to the increase of the survival rate of the patients performed liver re-transplantation.</p>

Nipple-areolar reconstruction with the modified arrow flap / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To introduce the clinical experience of nipple-areolar reconstruction with the modified arrow flap.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The arrow flaps were modified for nipple-areolar reconstruction in 12 cases. Among them, 2 cases were treated with combined thin split-thickness skin graft; 4 cases with autologous rib implant and tattoo; 6 cases with tattoo.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the reconstructed nipples were survived. The reconstructed nipples lost projection 1 month after operation in 2 cases. The other 10 cases retained 50% of the nipple projection 3 months after operation. The results were maintained with satisfactory symmetry during the follow-up period of 6 months to one year.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The modified flap is easily performed with reasonable design and no need of donor site. The nipple projection can be maintained with good long-term effect.</p>