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Objective:To explore the link between the differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) by detecting the lncRNAs expression profiles in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), then analyze the correlation between Tregs and lncRNAs and the clinical features of SLE patients. We also predict the mechanism by which lncRNAs regulate the differentiation and development of Tregs, and provid new approach for the treatment of SLE.Methods:Peripheral blood of 9 active SLE patients was collected and mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were extracted. The lncRNAs expression profiles of PBMCs was analyzed by whole transcriptome sequencing. Nine healthy people served as controls to screen the differentially expressed lncRNAs, and to analyze the correlation between lncRNAs and Tregs number. Pearson test was used to analyze the correlation between lncRNA and the number of Tregs, and the correlation between Treg-associated lncRNAs and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index(SLEDAI) score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C3, C4 in SLE patients. The targeted genes of Treg asso-ciated lncRNAs were predicted with miRcode and Targetscan databases and co-expression network.Results:There were 240 differentially expressed lncRNAs in SLE patients compared with healthy controls, including 134 highly expressed lncRNAs ( P<0.05) and 106 low expressed lncRNAs ( P<0.05). The expression of ANKRD44-AS1 ( r=0.74, P=0.022), LINC00200 ( r=0.70, P=0.037), AP001363.2 ( r=0.78, P=0.014) and LINC02824 (r=0.79, P=0.011) were positively correlated with the number of Tregs, and the expression of AP000640.1 ( r=-0.72, P=0.028), AC124248.1 ( r=-0.77, P=0.016), LINC00482 ( r=-0.83, P=0.005) and MIR503HG ( r=-0.96, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with the number of Tregs. Among these eight Tregs associated lncRNAs, the expression of LINC00482 ( r=-0.73, P<0.001) and MIR503HG ( r=-0.76, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with C3. LINC00200, ANKRD44-AS1 and AP000640.1 related to Tregs regulated the expression of STAT5, PLD1, HOPX and RUNX3 through competitively binding of miRNA or transregulatory mechanism, thereby regulating the differentiation and development of Tregs. Conclusion:The lncRNAs expression profiles are changed in SLE patients, the differentially expressed lncRNAs are associated with abnormal number and function of Tregs in SLE patients, and Treg associated lncRNAs are associated with SLE disease activity, which may affect the expression of STAT5, PLD1, HOPX, RUNX3 and regulate Tregs function and participate in the pathogenesis and progression of SLE by competitively binding to miRNAs or trans-regulatory mechanism.
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Objective:To investigate the safety and effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and sorafenib on large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treatment.Methods:From Jan 2012 to Dec 2017, 36 patients (Male: 33, Female: 3, average age: 51.8) with large HCC lesions(5-7 cm) received TACE plus with RFA and sorafenib in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Efficacy was evaluated after TACE. Each patient was received follow-up after RFA procedure. The occurrence rate of complications and overall survival (OS) were recorded. Log-rank univariate analysis was used to analyze the OS data.Results:The median TACE time was 4, and the RFA time was (1.7±0.7) . Mean duration time of sorafenib administration was (37.7±28.8) months. Adverse events of sorafenib: 26(72.2%) hand-foot skin reaction, 6(16.7%) hypertension, 22(61.1%) diarrhea, 17(47.2%) alopecia, 3(8.3%) oral ulcer and 1(2.8%) gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Median OS was 63.0 months, and 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate was 100%, 72.7% and 52.6%. The cumulative survival rate of patients taking whole course of sorafenib ( n=21) was better than that of patients taking remedial ( n=15); the cumulative survival rate of patients with alpha fetal protein (AFP) <200 μg/L ( n=26) before treatment was better than ≥200 μg/L ( n=10); the cumulative survival rate of patients with good TACE response ( n=19) was better than that of patients with no response ( n=17), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions:TACE plus with RFA and sorafenib are safe and effective for large HCC patients with 5-7 cm lesions and this treatment might improve OS. The whole-course sorafenib, lower base AFP value (<200 μg/L) and good TACE response were considered as the good factors for the combination therapy in large HCC patients.
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Objective:To analyze the clinical efficacy of prednisone, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) combined with plasmapheresis (PE) or not for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during pregnancy.Methods:Fourteen patients with SLE during pregnancy were analyzed. Totally 7 patients in the non-PE group were given prednisone and HCQ only while 7 patients in PE group were given prednisone and HCQ combined with PE. The fetus outcomes and clinical data, such as erythrocyte sedimentation tate (ESR), urine protein level, blood cell count and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score before and after treatment at 3, 6, 12 months were used to evaluate the efficacy between the two groups. The comparison between groups was performed by repeated measures analysis of varianc (ANOVA).Results:Totally 11 patients delivered successfully in both groups while three of the 7 patients in the non-PE group had stillbirth. The 11 fetuses developed well and were born with an Apgar score of 8 or more at birth in both groups. There was a significant difference in ESR and platelet counts between the two groups ( F=7.838, P<0.05 ; F=32.269 , P<0.05). The ESR of the PE group was lower than that in the non-PE group at 3, 6 and 12 months after delivery, while the platelet count was higher than that in the non-PE group. Although there was no significant difference in the SLEDAI scores between the two groups ( F=2.816, P=0.119), the average of SLEDAI scores in the PE group was lower than that in the non-PE group at 3, 6 and 12 months after delivery. In addition, the urine protein of 7 patients in the PE group turned negative at 6, 12 months after delivery. In the non-PE group, urinary protein-positive patients were present in 3, 6, 12 months after delivery. Conclusion:PE in combination with oral prednisone and HCQ is a more effective than oral prednisone and HCQ alone for patients with active SLE during pregnancy, which reduces pregnancy loss and promote the patient's outcome.
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OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy of methycobal iontophoresis combined with balance acupuncture in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis.@*METHODS@#A total of 108 patients with peripheral facial paralysis were randomly divided into a methycobal iontophoresis combined with balance acupuncture group (a combined group), a methycobal iontophoresis group and a simple balance acupuncture group, 36 cases in each one. Basic medical treatment were given in the three groups. The simple balance acupuncture was applied at contralateral lumbago acupoint, rhinitis acupoint, stomachache acupoint in the simple balance acupuncture group. Methycobal through iontophoresis anodic introduction therapy was given in the methycobal iontophoresis group. On the basic treatment of methycobal iontophoresis, in the combined group, acupuncture was supplied at contralateral lumbago acupoint, rhinitis acupoint and stomachache acupoint. The treatment in all groups was given once a day, for 2 weeks. The House-Brackmann grading scale and the modified portmann score (RPA) method were used to observe the degree of nerve function and facial paralysis before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of each group was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate of the combined group was 97.2% (35/36), which was higher than 83.3% (30/36) in the methycobal iontophoresis group and 88.9% (32/36) in the simple balance acupuncture group (all 0.05). The RPA score of the combined group was higher than those in the methycobal iontophoresis group and simple balance acupuncture group (both 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with methycobal iontophoresis and simple balance acupuncture therapy, methycobal iontophoresis combined with balance acupuncture therapy can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and signs of peripheral facial paralysis.
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Humans , Acupuncture Therapy , Facial Paralysis , Iontophoresis , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Multimodality optical imaging probes have emerged as powerful tools that improve detection sensitivity and accuracy, important in disease diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we focus on recent developments of optical fluorescence imaging (OFI) probe integration with other imaging modalities such as X-ray computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and photoacoustic imaging (PAI). The imaging technologies are briefly described in order to introduce the strengths and limitations of each techniques and the need for further multimodality optical imaging probe development. The emphasis of this account is placed on how design strategies are currently implemented to afford physicochemically and biologically compatible multimodality optical fluorescence imaging probes. We also present studies that overcame intrinsic disadvantages of each imaging technique by multimodality approach with improved detection sensitivity and accuracy.
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Objective To study the treatment outcomes using transcatheter arterial chemoemboliza tion (TACE) followed by hepatic resection (HR) in patients with BCLC stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods The clinical data of 46 patients with intermediate stage HCC in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from Jan.2004 to Jul.2013 were analyzed retrospectively.The baseline characteristics of these 46 patients were recorded.The levels of serum aspartate transaminase (AST),ala nine aminotransferase (ALT),total bilirubin (TBil),and albumin (Alb),and the prothrombin time (PT) at 1 week and 1 month after HR were compared with those at the baseline.The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method.The effect on PFS by the changes in the alpha-fetal protein level and the modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (mRECIST) after TACE were analyzed using the log-rank test.Results The number of cycles of TACE given before HR was 1.7 ± 1.1.The mean time interval between TACE and HR was 3.0 ± 3.2 months.The levels of serum AST,ALT,TBil,Alb and PT at 1 week after HR were significantly different from the baseline levels (P ＜ 0.05),while those levels at 1 months after HR showed no significant difference from the baseline levels (P＞0.05).The mean OS was 72.1 ±6.0 (95％ CI 60.36 ～83.86) months.The median PFS was 46.0 (95％ CI:42.60～49.40) months.Using the log-rank test,the decrease in AFP (P ＜ 0.001) and the improvement in mRECIST (CR + PR) (P ＜ 0.001) after TACE were significantly associated with better PFS.Conclusions HR after TACE was safe for patients with BCLC stage B HCC and might prolong the PFS and OS.Decreases in AFP level and improvement in mRECIST (CR + PR) after TACE were factors they could be used to predict the survival outcomes of HR.
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Objective To study the serum level of 25 (OH)D in children aged 0-12 years in Quanzhou,Fujian Province.Methods The clinical data at serum levels of 25(OH) D in children aged 0-12 years old in Quanzhou Women and Children's Hospital were analyzed retrospectively from January 1,2016 to May 31,2017.The nutritional status of vitamin D in children at different genders,age and seasons were analyzed.All the subjects were divided into ＜1 year old group,1-3 years old group,＞ 3-6 years old group,and ＞ 6 years old group.Results A total of 5 830 children aged 0-12 years were included in this study.The serum 25 (OH) D level was (68.85 ± 22.53) nmol/L,and among them there were 4 682 cases (80.31％) of vitamin D abundant,723 cases (12.40％) of vitamin D insufficient,425 cases (7.29％) of vitamin D deficiency,and 0 case of both vitamin D overdose and poisoning.The levels of vitamin D in children in different seasons were different,and the levels of serum 25 (OH) D in summer[(76.20 ± 22.25)nmol/L] were significantly higher than those in other 3 seasons [vitamin D in spring,autumn and winter was (68.35 ±22.08) nmol/L,(62.35 ± 21.88) nmol/L,(66.13 ± 21.78) nmol/L,respectively],and the differences were all statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.01).There was no significant difference in the serum levels of 25 (OH)D in children of different genders in both ＜ 1 year old group and 1-3 year old group [(88.45 ± 28.20) nmol/L vs.(82.60 ± 20.33)nmol/L,(79.28 ± 18.98) nmol/L vs.(78.68 ± 21.80) umol/L] (all P ＞ 0.05),while the levels of which were higher in boys in both ＞ 3-6 years old group and ＞ 6 years old group than those in girls [(64.63 ± 19.53) nmol/L vs.(59.78 ± 17.88) nmol/L,(57.63 ± 16.65) nmol/L vs.(51.00 ± 15.58) nmol/L],and the differences were all statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.01).The levels of serum 25 (OH) D decreased gradually with age [vitamin D in ＜ 1 year old group,1-3 year old group,＞ 3-6 years old group,＞ 6-years old group were (84.08 ± 26.93) nmol/L,(78.43 ± 22.50) nmol/L,(64.43 ± 19.55) nmol/L,(59.20 ± 19.00) nmol/L],and the differences were all statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The serum levels of 25 (OH) D in children aged 0-12 years in Quanzhou area are comparatively fine.Vitamin D supplementation in children over 3 years old should not be ignored.
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Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutanous transhepatic intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(PTIPS)for chronic portal vein occlusion and cavernous transformation with symptomatic portal hypertension.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 38 patients with chronic portal vein occlusion and cavernous transformation with symptomatic portal hypertension, who received PTIPS in our hospital from November 2009 to June 2016,were analyzed retrospectively.The differences of the portosystemic pressure gradient(PPG)measured before and after PTIPS procedure was analyzed by a paired samples t-test. All the patients were followed up and the curative effect and operation-correlated complications were observed.Results The PTIPS procedure was technically successful in 36 patients.The other two patients with unsuccessful PTIPS underwent medical treatment,and one of them died of recurrent variceal bleeding 25 months later. Effective portal decompression and free antegrade shunt flow were achieved in 36 patients with successful PTIPS.And the mean PPG was decreased from(25.2±2.9)to(13.2± 1.3) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) before and after PTIPS respectively and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).During the procedure,arterial hemorrhage occurred in two patients who subsequently underwent embolization. Biliary injury occurred in one case and percutanous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD)was then performed.The mean follow-up period of the 36 patients was(26.7±10.4)months(range from 3.0 to 74.0 months).Hepatic encephalopathy appeared in 4 cases,among which,3 patients recovered after receiving medical treatment, while 1 patient experienced Grade 3 hepatic encephalopathy and recovered after implanting a smaller cover-stent.Shunt dysfunction occurred in 10 cases,of which 8 cases recovered after shunt revision with stent implantation or ballon angioplasty, while 2 cases underwent anticoagulation by warfarin only. During follow-up period, 7 patients died of liver failure(n=4), hepatic cellular carcinoma(n=1), recurrent varicose vein bleeding(n=1), and renal failure(n=1). The other patients remained asymptomatic and shunt patency. Conclusions PTIPS is both safe and effective for the treatment of symptomatic portal hypertension caused by chronic portal vein occlusion and cavernous transformation.The technical success rate is high,and the short-term curative effect is satisfied.
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Objective To measure the number of lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, CD5+B lymphocytes and level of IL-10 in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and analyze their effects in the disease. Methods In this study, 84 cases of patients with SLE were randomly selected and evaluated according to the activity index (SLEDAI). These cases were divided into low activity group (SLEDAI0.05). In addition, the level of serum IL-10 in whether the low activity group (t=1.935, P=0.031) or the high activity group (t=3.048, P=0.012) was all higher than the normal control group. The level of serum IL-10 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus was positively associated with SLEDAI score (r=0.425, P=0.024) and ESR (r=0.479, P=0.008), but was negatively correlated with complement 4 (r=-0.359, P=0.031). Conclusion The total number of lymphocytes in patients with SLE decreases significantly, while B lymphocytes increases significantly. The number of CD5+ B lymphocytes and the serum IL-10 level are also changed. It maybe related to the patient's inflammatory environment, and the number of CD5+B lymphocytes and the serum IL-10 level may be associated with disease activity.
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Objective To access the expression and clinical significance of CD19+CD5+B cells and interleukin (IL)-10 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Forty-six SLE patients and ten healthy controls were recruited in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University. CD19+CD5+B cells subsets were detected with flow cytometry. IL-10 level in serum were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between the expression of CD19+CD5+B cells and serum level of IL-10 with ESR, systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score and complement was analyzed. Pair-wise comparison of means of groups was conducted with one-way ANOVA. Comparison between the two groups was conducted by LSD-t test. Correlations between variables were carried out using Spearman's rank correlation test. Results The percentage of CD19+CD5+B cells in peripheral blood of SLE patients [(5.7±2.1)%] was significantly lower than those in healthy control group [(19.1±2.9)%](t=2.431, P=0.005), and it had a negative correlation with SLEDAI score (r=-0.292, P=0.049). The IL-10 serum level of SLE patients [(18.8±13.5) pg/ml] was significantly higher than the healthy control group [(8.3±2.9) pg/ml] (t=3.021, P=0.003), and it had a positive correlation with SLEDAI score (r=0.322, P=0.029). Conclusion CD19+CD5+B cells and IL-10 may participate in the occurrence and development of SLE. The changes of CD19+CD5+B cells and IL-10 in the peripheral blood might contribute to the pathogenesis and correlate with the disease activity of SLE.
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Objective To explore the key points of diagnosis and treatment of Behcet's disease with venous sinus thrombosis.Methods The diagnosis and treatment of a 25 year-old female patient with recurrent headaches was analyzed and discussed.Results Her headache was due to Behcet's disease with venous sinus thrombosis and her symptoms were gradually relieved.Conclusion Physician should be asked about the history in patients with persistent headache and the correct diagnosis can be made by MRI.
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Objective To explore the correlation between Th1,Th2,Th17,and Treg cells differentiation and related cytokines in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods Seventy-one patients with active RA were enrolled in this study.They were divided into low,moderate and high disease activity groups according to disease activity score (DAS28).The frequencies of Th1,Th2,Th17,and Treg cells in the peripheral blood of RA patients group (n=71) and healthy conlrol group (n=18) were determined by flow cytometry.T test was used for statistical analysis.Results Significant difference could be detected between the proportions of Th1 [ (6.2±4.5)％],Th17 [ (1.1±0.9)％] and Treg [(1.8±1.2)％] cells in the peripheral blood of RA patients and the control group (P＜0.05),and there was correlation between proportions of these three kinds of cell and the DAS28.Conclusion Th1 and Th 17 cells may promote the development of RA disease,but Th2 and Treg cells could prevent further development of RA disease.
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Objective To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of isolated celiac artery (CA) dissection and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) dissection.MethodsIntegrating clinical data of 119 cases with isolated dissection of the visceral arteries ( IDVA ) reported in literature and 2 patients with spontaneous isolated dissections of both CA and SMA treated in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University,the diagnosis and treatment of IDVA were analyzed retrospectively.Results Among 119 cases reported in the literature,69 cases were symptomatic.All of the cases were diagnosed by contrast-enhanced abdominal CT or MRI.After IDVA was discovered,surgical treatment and endovascular stent placement was performed in 8 and 5 patients respectively,although the remaining 106 patients were managed conservatively with good results.In our 2 cases,the diagnosis of CA and SMA dissection was established by contrastenhanced CT and confirmed by conventional angiograghy.One patient was treated with anticoagulation and antihypertension,and the other patient was treated with endovascular stenting.Both of the patients didn't have discomfort during the follow-up period of 12 and 3 months respectively.ConclusionsContrastenhanced abdominal CT is the main tool for detection of IDVA.Most of the patients with IDVA can be managed conservatively,but close surveillance with imaging studies is necessary for early recognition of dissection progression.Patients with persistent or relapsed symptoms,and dissection progression,should undergo surgical or endovascular treatment.
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Objective To investigate the clinical outcome and treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) following partial splenic embolization (PSE).Methods From April 2006 to April 2010,105patients with hypersplenism caused by cirrhotic portal hypertension were treated with PSE.Contrastenhanced abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was performed routinely in 60patients before PSE and 1 -3 months after PSE.PVT was detected in 10 patients on images after the procedures.After PVT was diagnosed,4 patients received anticoagulant therapy immediately,and the other 6 patients did not receive therapy.Clinical data of these 10 PVT patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results 3 of 4 patients who received anticoagulant therapy had complete or partial resolution of the thrombus,and one developed mild ascites without thrombosis progression.Of the 6 patients who did not receive anticoagulant therapy,follow-up studies (6- 48 months,mean 16.9 months) demonstrated partial clot calcification in one,thrombosis progression in 5.Among those 5 patients with thrombosis progression,two experienced hematemesis due to variceal rupture and underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt,2 developed cavernous transformation,extensive collateral circulation,ascites and variceal progression,and one had variceal progression with melena during the follow-up period.Conclusions PVT is a severe complication of PSE.Early diagnosis and prompt anticoagulant therapy is effective in preventing PVT.
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Objective To assess the clinical value of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles as embolic material in patients with primary hepatic cancer (PHC). Methods Twenty patients with PHC underwent TACE. The mixed emulsion of chemotherapy agents and lipiodol was given to embolize the tumor vssTranscatheter arterial chemoembolization using polyvinyl alcohol feeding artery of tumors. The tumors size, response rate and Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) value were monitored respectively at the end of the first month, the third month, the sixth month and the first year after TACE. The changes of liver function, including serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TBILI), were recorded within 1 week and 1 month after TACE. The time to progression and the overall survival were recorded. Results Compared with pre-TACE, the tumor size decreased obviously at the end of the first month, the third month, the sixth month and the first year after TACE (P<0.05), the response rate reached 80.00%, 90.00%, 95.00% and 95.00%, respectively. The AFP value decreased obviously. Serum AST, ALT and TBILI significantly increased in the first week after TACE (P<0.05), but returned to preoperative level within 1 month. The average follow-up time was (19.8±7.0) months (range 12-32 months), the time to progression was (17.0±6.8) months, and the overall survival was (19.3±7.0) months. Conclusion PVA particles are optimal embolic material for TACE of PHC. Superselective embolization is necessary in TACE to achieve effective tumor devascularization and reduce liver damage.
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Objective To assess the value of multi-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of hepatic venous outflow obstruction (HVO) after liver transplantation. Methods Five patients with HVO were confirmed with digital subtraction angiography and epigastric tri-phase contrast-enhanced CT scans within 4-102 days after liver transplantation, and the CT dynamic enhancement features were retrospectively evaluated. Results Among 5 patients, 2 had middle hepatic vein obstruction, 1 had left hepatic vein obstruction, 1 had right hepatic vein obstruction, and 1 had middle hepatic vein and inferior caval vein obstruction. Contrast-enhanced CT showed typical liver congestion in all 5 patients. The liver parenchyma drained by obstructed hepatic vein was low-density on CT plain scans (1 patient showed mix-density caused by liver parenchyma hemorrhage), while no enhancement on artery phase, moderate enhancement on venous phase and high enhancement on delay phase were observed. During the venous phase, peripheral portal branches were invariably enhanced in the congested area of liver parenchyma. During the delay phase, opacification of the obstructed hepatic vein could be seen. After all patients had treated with interventional therapy, their clinical symptoms were improved, and 2 patients received contrast-enhanced CT scans after interventional therapy, which showed liver congestion relieved and obstructed hepatic vein opacificated well in venous phase. Conclusion Multi-slice spiral dynamic enhancement CT scans can accurately display the location of HVO and the extent of liver congestion.
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Objective To improve the rheumatologists' understanding of noncirrhotic portal hypertension.MethodsA case of systemic sclerosis complicated by noncirrhotic portal hypertension was reported and the related literatures were reviewed.Results A 51-year-old female who had been diagnosed as systemic sclerosis presented clinically with an chronic onset of portal hypertension.She also had pancytopenia,splenomegaly,and significant esophageal varices.Liver function tests were normal.Hepatitis viral serology was negative.Ultrasound scan of liver revealed no focal lesion.ACT scan confirmed the absence of portal vein thrombosis.Taking into account the above evaluation we concluded that the patient had systemic sclerosis and noncirrhotic portal hypertension.The patient was on prednisolone and immunosuppressant and the condition was well.Conclusion Noncirrhotic portal hypertension complicated by autoimmune disease,especially SSC,is very poor,characteriged by significant portal hypertension as well as histological evidence that cirrhosis is absent.Rheumatilogist should pay attention to it.
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Objective To analyze the role of multislice spiral CT in the diagnosis of biliary com-plications following liver transplantation. Methods Forty-four patients with biliary complications re-ceived tri-phase contrast-enhancement CT examination and cholangiography (CP) within one week af-ter the CT scanning. Using the results of CP as the standard, we investigated the efficacy of multislice spiral CT for each kind of biliary complication. All the analyses for bile duct were based on the images on the late portal venous phase and the reconstruction of images performed with multiplan reformat,Results CP depicted biliary strictures involved in extrahepatic bile duct in 23 cases (including the common bile duct and common hepatic duct), left or right hepatic duct in 24 and intrahepatic bile duct in 27. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the CT examination were 91.3%, 83. 3% , 87. 8%, 87. 5% and 88. 2% for biliary stricture in extrahe-patic bile duct, 83. 3% , 88. 2%, 85. 4%, 90. 9% and 78. 9% for biliary stricture in left or right he-patic duct, 74.1%, 92.7%, 80.5%, 95.2% and 65.0%, for biliary stricture in intrahepatic bile duct, respectively. CT detected intrahepatic biloma in 4 cases and abscess in 2 but CP only detected biloma in 2 cases. The other 4 cases did not detected by CP because of severe biliary strictures which filled with biliary sludge. CP confirmed anastomotic bile leak in 3 cases. In these cases, CT only de-picted the fluid collection in hepatic hilum and abdominal cavity, none of the exact leak site could be detected. CP detected biliary sludge or stones in 33 cases. However, the sensitivity, specificity, accu-racy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the CT examination for biliary sludge or stones were 72.7%,100.0%,78.1%,100.0%and 47.6%,respectively.Meanwhile,in 1 patient with diffuse intrahepatic biliary strictures,active biliary bleeding was correctly detected by CT exami-nation and confirmed by hepatic arteriography.Conclusion Tri-phase contrast-enhancement CT exam-ination can be used as a general method for biliary complications after liver transplantation.Besides its benefits in biliary complications,it is of great value for depicting complications involved in hepatic pa-renchyma and acute biliary bleeding in the same examination.
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Objective To evaluate the safety and tolerance of tumor necrosis factor-or (TNF-α)antagonists in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Methods The incidence of adverse events and their ultimate outcomes based on the clinical symptoms, signs and laboratory parameters of patients treated with etanereept or infliximab during January 2007 to October 2008 were analyzed. Results Severty eight patients were included. Most were rheumatoid arthritis (35%) and ankylosing spondylitis (41%) patients. Few of them were psoriasis arthritis (17%) patients and undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (6%) patients. Among those patients, 59 patients were treated with etanercept, 7 patients (12%) had adverse events in which the majority were injection reactions, upper respiratory tract infection and tuberculosis. Nineteen patients were treated with infliximab, in which 3 patients (16%) had adverse events. One patient (AS) had upper respiratory tract infection. One case (AS) had red papules all over the body and palpitations in the first 24 hours after two infusions. One patient (RA) had fever without identifiable causes after the 4th infusion. Some of the adverse reactions might subside without intervention, while others were controlled after proper treatment. Conclusion Both etanercept and infliximab have good safety and tolerance in treating rheumatic diseases, the adverse reactions are generally mild and can be controlled by appropriate treatment.
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Objective To study the efficiency and safety of short-term combination therapy with e-tanercept, methotrexate and eyclophosphamide in the patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Eighty-four patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included into this study. However, only fifty-six patients were treated with either twice-weekly subcutaneous etanercept, weekly oral MTX and CTX injection every three weeks or twice-weekly subcutaneous etanercept only. The American College of Rheumamatology (ACR) criteria for improvement was used for clinical efficacy assessment and the following laboratory papameters were analyzed:blood routine test, ESR, liver enzymes and renal function parameters, RF and anti-CCP antibody at baseline and the 2,4,8,12,24,36,52 weeks .At the same time ,all the adverse events were monitored throughout the study. Results The improvement of patients who received etanercept shortly, MTX and CTX periodically was as rapid as that of the patients who only received etanercept in ACR20, ACRYO, ESR and CRP (P>0.05). At the end of 36 weeks treatment, the level of anti-CCP antibody in the control group was higher than that of the test group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in adverse events (P<0.05). Conclusion The efficacy and safety of treatment with etanercept, methotrexate and cyclophosphamide in the patients with active rheumatoid arthritis is good.