Alterations of resting-state functional network connectivity in patients with noise-induced hearing loss: A study based on independent component analysis.

Functional reorganization is a response to auditory deficits or deprivation, and less is known about the overall brain network alterations involving resting-state networks (RSNs) and multiple functional networks in patients with occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). So this study evaluated resting-state functional network connectivity (FNC) alterations in occupational NIHL using an independent component analysis (ICA). In total, 79 mild NIHL patients (MP), 32 relatively severe NIHL patients (RSP), and 84 age- and education- matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited. All subjects were tested using the Mini-mental State Examination scale, the tinnitus Handicap Inventory scale, the Hamilton Anxiety scale (HAMA) and scanned by T1-3DFSPGR, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging sequence in 3.0 T and analysed by the ICA. Seven RSNs were identified, compared with the HC, the MP showed increased FNC within the executive control network (ECN) and enhanced FNC within the default mode network (DMN) and the visual network (VN); compared with the HC, the RSP showed decreased FNC within the ECN and auditory network (AUN), DMN and VN; no significant changes in FNC were found in the MP compared with the RSP. Furthermore, the correlation analysis between the noise exposure time and hearing loss level, HAMA were both negative, and there were no significant correlations between the abnormal RSNs and the hearing level, noise exposure time and HAMA. These findings indicate that different degrees of NIHL involve different alterations in RSNs connectivity and may reveal the neural mechanisms related to emotion-related features and functional abnormalities following long-term NIHL.

Correlation of endoscopic evaluation with laboratory indices and clinical disease activity in Crohn disease patients with different intestinal involvement / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlations of endoscopic evaluation results with laboratory indices and clinical disease activity in Crohn disease (CD) patients with different intestinal involvement.Methods:Data of 147 patients diagnosed as having CD who visited the Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022 were collected retrospectively. According to the involvement of intestinal segment, patients were divided into three groups: the group with isolated small intestinal involvement ( n=55), the group with both small intestinal and large intestinal involvement ( n=48), and the group with isolated large intestinal involvement ( n=44). Correlations of endoscopic evaluation (based on CDEIS) with laboratory indices and clinical disease activity (based on Harvey-Bradshaw index) were analyzed. Results:C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) could be used for the prediction of endoscopic disease activity. The areas under curve (AUC) of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) were 0.677 (0.506-0.849) and 0.744 (0.597-0.890), respectively. In terms of determing clinical disease activity, clinical Harvey-Bradshaw index was consistent with endoscopic CDEIS score in 65.3% (96/147) patients, showing a low positive correlation ( r=0.260, P<0.05). In subgroup analysis for patients with isolated small intestinal involvement, CRP showed no predictive value for clinical disease activity [AUC (95% CI): 0.617 (0.461-0.773), P=0.148], while for endoscopic activity neither CRP nor ESR showed predictive value [AUC (95% CI): 0.537 (0.146-0.929), P=0.829; AUC (95% CI): 0.571 (0.153-0.990), P=0.680]. Furthermore, for patients with isolated small intestinal involvement and both small intestinal and large intestinal involvement, no correlation was found between clinical Harvey-Bradshaw index and endoscopic CDEIS score ( r=0.222, P=0.092; r=0.142, P=0.322). Conclusion:For CD patients with small intestinal involvement, especially isolated small intestinal involvement, laboratory indices and clinical disease activity cannot accurately reflect endoscopic disease activity. Great importance should be attached to evaluation of the extent and activity of intestinal lesions by endoscopy, especially enteroscopy.

Risk factors for complications after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in super-aged patients / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To study the risk factors for complications after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in super-aged patients (≥80 years).Methods:Clinical data of 512 super-aged patients with pancreaticobiliary diseases who underwent 638 ERCP procedures at the Digestive Endoscopy Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, from July 2011 to June 2021, were studied retrospectively. Indications and results of the ERCP operations were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for ERCP-related complications.Results:The total success rate of ERCP cannulation in super-aged patients was 94.0% (600/638), which showed no difference compared with that of patients of <60 years old (2 433/2 557, 95.2%) or patients of 60~<80 years old (2 815/3 004, 93.7%) ( χ2=5.49, P=0.064). The overall incidence of post-ERCP complications was 15.2% (97/638), and the in-hospital mortality was 2.1% (11/512), which showed significant difference compared with patients of <60 years old (8/1 809, 0.4%) and patients of 60-<80 years old (21/2 127, 1.0%) ( χ2=13.39, P=0.002). Multivariate regression analysis showed that hypertension ( HR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.237-3.041, P=0.004), history of upper gastrointestinal reconstruction ( HR=2.28, 95% CI: 1.064-4.891, P=0.034), endoscopic sphincterectomy ( HR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.012-2.679, P=0.045), early procedure period ( HR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.352-0.923, P=0.022), operation time >30 minutes ( HR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.094-2.759, P=0.019), preoperative white blood cell count >9.5×10 9/L ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.661-4.257, P<0.001) and procalcitonin ≥0.05 ng/L ( HR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.172-5.513, P=0.018) were independent risk factors for post-ERCP complications. Conclusion:ERCP is safe and effective for super-aged patients. However, much attention should be paid to post-ERCP complications of patients with hypertension, history of upper gastrointestinal reconstruction, endoscopic sphincterectomy, operation time >30 minutes, preoperative white blood cell count >9.5×10 9/L and procalcitonin ≥0.05 ng/L to avoid serious adverse events such as mortality.

Application of upper sternal mini-incision with debranching technique in Stanford B aortic dissection involving the arch / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the safety and early and mid-term efficacy of upper sternal mini-incision with debranching technique in B aortic dissection involving the arch.Methods:18 patients with B aortic dissection involving the arch who were admitted into our center from November 2017 to January 2019 were enrolled, to evaluate the intraoperative and postoperative conditions, including special intraoperative treatment, time of operation、poseoperative drainage、time of use ventilators, time of staying in ICU, complications etc, 12-24 months follow-up were performed after operation.Results:No death occurred, 1 case with acute renal failure, 1 case with type I endoleak, 1 case with paraplegia occurred during hospitalization, 1 patient with sudden vomiting of blood 30 days after discharge from hospital who was found aortoesophageal fistula, underwent emergency surgery to replace thoracic aortic and repair esophageal fistula, all of them were cured and discharged, the rate of complication was 22.2%(4/18). none of the other patients had any phenomena such as agnail、distal rupture、twisted or displaced of the stents、ischemic of coronary artery、cerebrovascular accident, etc.Conclusion:The result of upper sternal mini-incision with debranching technique in B aortic dissection involving the arch is satisfied, the early and mid-term survival rate is significantly improved, the patient's prognosis are improved.

Application of ascending aorta cannulation and brachiocephalic trunk cannulation in acute type A aortic dissection: A propensity-score matching study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the application of ascending aorta cannulation and brachiocephalic trunk cannulation in acute type A aortic dissection. Methods    We screened 183 patients with acute type A aortic dissection from January 2017 to January 2020 in our hospital. They were divided into 2 groups according to the cannulation strategy: ascending aorta cannulation and brachiocephalic trunk cannulation (a DAC group, n=42, 33 males and 9 females with a median age of 50 years) and the single axillary artery cannulation (an AAC group, n=141, 116 males and 25 females with a median age of 51 years). The general clinical data, intraoperative data and early postoperative results of the two groups before and after matching with propensity scores were compared. Results    Before propensity-score matching, the operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic occlusion time and ICU stay in the DAC group were all shorter than those in the AAC group (P<0.05). The early postoperative mortality, and rates of brain complications, renal failure and pulmonary complications in the DAC group were significantly lower than those in the AAC group. After propensity-score matching, the operation time in the DAC group was significantly shorter than that in the AAC group (P<0.05). The early postoperative mortality, and rates of brain complications and pulmonary complications in the DAC group were significantly lower than those in the AAC group. Conclusion    Ascending aorta cannulation and brachiocephalic trunk cannulation can provide a safe, fast and effective method of establishing cardiopulmonary bypass for some acute type A aortic dissection patients, and significantly shorten the operation time without increasing surgical complications.

Prognostic value of pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT SUVmax on stage I-Ⅱ extranodal nasal type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of pretreatment 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging on extranodal nasal type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL).Methods Thirtyfive patients (20 males,15 females,average age 45 years) diagnosed as Ann Arbor stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ ENKTL from February 2013 to February 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were pathologically confirmed and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT before treatment.The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax),international prognostic index score (IPI),serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),and immunohistochemical results were recorded.Patients were followed up for 2 years.The relationships between SUVmax,progression-free survival (PFS),pathological features and IPI were assessed using Fisher exact test.Results There were 18 ENKTL patients with progression,and 17 had no progression.Patients with SUVmax ≥ 12.2 had worse prognosis than those with SUVmax＜ 12.2 (P =0.001).There were correlations between SUVmax and Ki-67 (r=0.701,P=0.001),SUVmax and CD56 (r=0.393,P=0.032),SUVmax and IPI (r=0.787,P＜0.01),respectively.It was also found that SUVmax,Ki-67,CD56 and IPI were related to PFS (all P＜0.05).Conclusion SUVmax of 18F-FDG could be used as an important prognostic indicator for early ENKTL.

Mutations of the STK11 and FHIT genes among patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To correlate the clinical characteristics with mutations of the STK11 and FHIT genes in 16 patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Potential mutations in the coding regions and flanking sequences of the STK11 and FHIT genes were detected with PCR and Sanger sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 16 patients with PJS, 8 had novel mutations in the coding region of the STK11 gene, 1 had a previously reported mutation. 1 carried a mutation in the exon 10 of the FHIT gene, which is a non-coding region. None of the mutations was detected in the immediate family members. None of the patients with STK11 gene mutations had mutation in the FHIT gene. The mutation rate of the STK11 gene among patients with PJS was 56.25%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mutations of the STK11 gene are the major cause of PJS. Few such patients had mutations of the FHIT gene. Mutations of the FHIT gene may play a part in the pathogenesis of PJS.</p>

Clinical research of microwave ablation plus sorafenib in the treatment of advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective To compare the clinical effects and adverse effects of microwave ablation (MWA) with sorafenib and sorafenib monotherapy in the treatment of advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Medical records and follow-up information of 57 patients with advanced-stage HCC were retrospectively reviewed.25 patients were treated with MWA combined with sorafenib (combined group),and 32 patients were treated with sorafenib monotherapy (monotherapy group).The end points were therapeutic effect,progression-free survival (PFS),overall survival (OS) and adverse reactions.Results The objective response rate in the combined group was similar to the monotherapy group (16.0％ vs.3.1％,x2 =1.521,P =0.217).The disease control rate in the combined group was significantly higher than that in the monotherapy group (80.0％ vs.50.0％,χ2 =5.429,P =0.020).The median PFS in the combined group was longer than that in the monotherapy group (6.0 months vs.3.2 months,x2 =7.675,P =0.006),but the median OS was similar (11.5 months vs.8.5 months,x2 =2.480,P =0.115).The serious adverse reactions were similar between the two treatment groups (44.0％ vs.34.4％,x2 =0.549,P =0.459).Conclusion MWA plus sorafenib is superior to sorafenib alone with respect to PFS in patients with advanced-stage HCC,although it may not improve OS,with no increased risk of serious adverse reactions.

Prognostic factors of relapse and metastasis after radical resection of lung adenocarcinoma / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective To explore the risk factors of local relapse and distant metastasis after radical resection of lung adenocarcinoma.Methods A total of 102 patients with lung adenocarcinoma operated in First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2005 to January 2010 were collected.The correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis was evaluated by single-factor and multi-factor analyses.The survival curves were plotted using Kaplan-Meier.Single-factor analysis of statistical difference was tested using Log-rank test.Multi-factor analysis of prognostic factors were produced by COX regression proportional hazards model.Results In the whole group,1,2,3 and 5 year disease-free survival rates were 74.30％,58.00％,51.50％ and 44.90％ respectively,and the median disease-free survival was 30 months.Single-factor analysis showed that tumor size (x2 =9.951,P =0.002),clinical type (x2 =8.460,P =0.004),differentiated degree (x2 =4.807,P =0.028),lymph node metastasis (x2 =40.516,P =0.000),pathological stage (x2 =38.769,P =0.000) were prognostic factors for local relapse and distant metastasis in postoperative patients with lung adenocarcinoma.Muti-factor analysis showed that tumor size (OR =1.943,95 ％ CI:1.091-3.463,x2 =5.082,P =0.024),differentiated degree (OR =2.570,95 ％ CI:1.451-4.552,x2 =10.467,P =0.001),lymph node metastasis (OR =3.196,95％ CI:1.037-9.849,x2 =4.096,P =0.043) were independent prognostic factors for local relapse and distant metastasis in postoperative patients with lung adenocarcinoma.Conclusion Tumor size,differentiated degree and lymph node metastasis are independent prognostic factors for local relapse and distant metastasis in postoperative patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Intrahepatic hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA correlation with serum HBV DNA, serum HBsAg, alanine aminotransferase and age / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation between intrahepatic eovalently closed circular (ccc)DNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and pathogen-and patient-related parameters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ultrasound-guided liver biopsies were obtained from 60 patients with chronic HBV infection. Levels of intrahepatic HBV cccDNA and serum HBV DNA were measured by quantitative fluorescence PCR. Level of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Clinical parameters, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), albumin, globulin (GLO), white blood cell, platelet, prothrombin-international normalized ratio, were measured by standard assay. Demographic information was recorded.The correlation between intrahepatic HBV cccDNA and pathogen-and patient-related parameters was assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Intrahepatic HBV cccDNA level was negatively correlated with age, GLO, ALT and grade of necroinflammation. Patients with age of 30 years or more showed significantly higher level of HBV cccDNA level than patients under 30 years-old (7.44±0.58 and 5.66±1.35; t=7.157, P less than 0.001). Intrahepatic HBV cccDNA level was positively correlated with serum HBV DNA level (r=0.916, P less than 0.001) and serum HBsAg level (r=0.727, P less than 0.001). The median ratio of HBV cccDNA to HBV DNA was 1.18, and of HBV cccDNA to HBsAg was 1.67.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intrahepatic HBV cccDNA levels decrease with age, level of ALT, level of GLO and grade of liver necroinflammation, but increase with level of serum HBV DNA and level of serum HBsAg. To a certain extent, serum HBV DNA and serum HBsAg levels may be a sufficient marker of intrahepatic HBV cccDNA levels.</p>

A systematic review on food lead concentration and dietary lead exposure in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>By synthesizing results from primary studies, systematic review can provide empirical information of concerned problems. This study aimed to review the available surveillance data from studies reporting the contamination surveillance of food lead in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Relevant studies were identified by systematically searching Chinese Biological Medicine Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure using the key term of "lead" for surveillance data published in Chinese between 2006 and 2012. To avoid potential selection bias, all articles were evaluated by two independent reviewers, and the disagreements were resolved by discussion or the third author was asked to arbitrate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 269 identified publications on surveillance data of lead in food, 43 articles met the defined inclusion criteria. The food samples were divided into 11 groups (cereal grains and pulses, fish, eggs, vegetables, meat, edible fungi, milk and dairy products, fruits, offal, tea and preserved egg). Surveillance data of publications were reviewed to calculate the weighted mean and rate exceeding maximum levels. Our results indicated that the highest lead concentration was 1.937 mg/kg in tea. The total percentage of samples exceeding the maximum levels was 5.57%. Dietary exposure to lead was assessed by combining the weighted mean concentration of surveillance data with national consumption data in 2002. In this review, dietary intake of lead was 1.232 µg/kg b.w./day.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Further control measures should be taken to reduce exposure to lead, from both dietary and non-dietary sources.</p>

Biodistribution and imaging of 131I labeled anti-neuropilin-1 monoclonal antibody in malignant gliomas xenografts / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To synthesize 131I labeled anti-neuropilin-1 monoclonal antibody A6 (131IA6) and evaluate its biodistribution and imaging in malignant glioma xenografts.Methods (1) A6 was labeled with 131I by Iodogen method under the optimum labeling conditions,then the labeling efficiency,radiochemical purity and stability were measured in vitro.(2) In vitro bioactivity,cellular uptake and receptor affinity of 131I-A6 with U87MG cells were measured.(3) The nude mice bearing human U87MG cells were randomly divided into 5 groups with 5 in each group.The nude mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and dissected at 24,48,72,96,and 120 h,respectively,after intravenous injection of 1.2 MBq 131I-A6.The biodistribution of the agent was measured as ％ID/g,and the ratios of tumor/blood (T/B) and tumor/muscle (T/M) were calculated.(4) SPECT/CT imaging was performed in 6 mice including 3 in the competitive inhibition control group at 24,48,72,96,and 120 h post injection.Two-sample t test was used for data analysis.Results (1) The labeling yield of 131I-A6 was (95.46±3.34)％,and the radiochemical purity was more than 95％.At 96 h of incubation in PBS,the radiochemical purity was more than 85％.(2)131I-A6 had rapid accumulation in U87MG cells and reached the peak of (15.80±1.30)％ at 1 h.When the probe was incubated with large excesses of non-radioactive A6,the uptake level of 131I-A6 in U87MG cells was significantly inhibited (t=2.862,P＜0.05).Kd of 131I-A6 binding to NRP-1 was (1.67±0.14) nmol/L in U87MG cells.(3) Biodistribution study showed that the uptake in blood,liver and tumor was (8.00±1.42),(7.68±1.56) and (6.00±1.24) ％ID/g at 24 h,respectively.The uptake in muscle,brain and bone was lower.The T/B and T/M were 0.78±0.10 and 3.20±0.30 at 24 h,and they reached the highest level of 1.87±0.50 and 7.13±0.24 at 120 h.(4) The SPECT imaging showed that the tumors could be visualized at 24 h and delineated more clearly at 120 h post injection of 131I-A6.Conclusions 131I-A6 can be easily synthesized by Iodogen method with high radiochemical purity.The specific tumor uptake of 131I-A6,which correlates with NRP-1 expression in gliomas,suggests that it may be a new promising tumor targeting radiotracer.

Detection of the covalently closed circular DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of hepatitis B patients and its clinical significance / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To analyze the correlation between covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients and serum HBV DNA,hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg),hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and liver histology of hepatitis B patients,and to explore the clinical significance of HBV cccDNA detection in PBMC.Methods One hundred and eight patients with chronic HBV infection were involved in this study.PBMC were extracted using density gradient centrifugation.HBV cccDNA in PBMC and serum HBV DNA were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.HBsAg and HBeAg were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay.Liver biopsy was conducted in 59 out of the 108 patients.Chi-square test was used to compare the categorical variables.Correlation analysis was used to compare quantitative variables.Nonparametric test was used to compare the non-normal distribution parameters.Results In the overall population,HBV cccDNA in PBMC was positive in 59 patients (54.6％).Eleven of the 15 patients with liver failure were found to be HBV cccDNA positive,which was significantly higher than that in the acute hepatitis B group (only 2 of the 8 patients were HBV cccDNA positive; x2 =4.960,P＜0.05).One hundred and eight patients were categorized into three groups according to their serum HBV DNA levels,with group A:＞5 lg copy/mL,group B:3-5 lg copy/mL and group C:＜3 lg copy/mL.The proportions of HBV cccDNA positivity in PBMC in three groups were 76.1％ (51/67),5/18 and 13.0％ (3/23),respectively.Comparing with patients with lower HBV DNA (group B and C),the proportion of HBV cccDNA positivity was higher in patients with higher HBV DNA (group A; x2=14.751,P＜0.05 and x2 =28.384,P＜0.05,resepectively).The HBV cccDNA quantitation in PBMC was positively correlated with the serum HBV DNA level and HBsAg quantification (r=0.554,P＜0.05 and r=0.497,P＜0.05,respectively).The proportion of HBV cccDNA positivity in PBMC of patients with liver histology ≥G2 and/or ≥S2 was significantly higher than that in patients with liver histology ＜ G2/S2 (x2 =9.159,P＜0.05).Conclusions HBV cccDNA exists in PBMC of hepatitis B patients.The HBV cccDNA quantitation in PBMC is positively correlated with the serum level of HBV DNA and HBsAg quantification,and is also associated with liver histology injury.

Inhibitory effect of colchicine on transforming growth factor β1/Smads pathway in rat models of chronic pancreatitis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Pancreatic stelate cels transforming growth factor β1/Smads signaling pathway activation is probably a main molecular mechanism of pancreatic fibrosis. If this pathway can be blocked, the progression of fibrosis of tissues with chronic pancreatitis wil be inhibited. OBJECTIVE:To study the inhibitory effect of colchicine on transforming growth factor β1/Smads pathway in chronic pancreatitis rat models. METHODS:Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into colchicines-treated group and chronic pancreatitis group. After successful establishment of rat models of chronic pancreatitis, the rats in the colchicines-treated group were intraperitonealy injected with colchicine 150 μg/kg daily. The rats in the chronic pancreatitis group were intraperitonealy injected with equal volume of physiological saline daily. Pancreatic tissues were colected after 3 months. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe histopathological changes of pancreatic tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of transforming growth factor β1 in pancreatic tissue. Western blot assay was utilized to detect the expressions of P-Smad2, P-Smad3 and α-SMA protein in pancreatic stelate cels. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hematoxylin-eosin staining results revealed that compared with the colchicines-treated group, glandular tissue had reduced, while fibrous connective tissue and inflammatory cels had increased obviously and replaced the pancreatic gland tissue in the chronic pancreatitis group. Immunohistochemical staining results demonstrated that the expression levels of transforming growth factor β1 and the index of positive cels were significantly lower in the colchicines-treated group than those in the chronic pancreatitis group (P < 0.05). Western blot assay results revealed that the results of P-Smad2/β-actin, P-Smad3/β-actin andα-SMA/β-actin in pancreatic stelate cels were significantly lower in the chronic pancreatitis group than those in the colchicines-treated group (P < 0.05). Results suggested that colchicine could inhibit the activity of transforming growth factor β1/Smads pathway and pancreatic tissue fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis rats. Therefore, colchicine can be used as a new candidate therapeutic scheme for chronic pancreatitis fibrosis.

Transplantation of pedicled autologous sinoatrial node tissue for treatment of complete atrioventricular block in dogs / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the changes of surface ECG and cell couplings between sinoatrial node cells and myocardial cells following transplantion of pedicled autologous sinoatrial node tissue graft into the right ventricle of a canine model of complete atrioventricular block.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten healthy dogs were randomized into transplantation group and control group. Pedicled autologous sinoatrial node tissue grafts were transplanted into the right ventricle in the transplantation group, while the sinoatrial nodes were only excised in the control group after placement of temporary myocardial pacing wires. The changes of surface ECG were observed at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks postoperatively. At 4 weeks, complete atrioventricular block was induced in the dogs by radiofrequency ablation of the His bundle. The heart rate of the dogs in both groups were recorded after the injection of isoproternol (ISO) from the femoral vein, and the transplanted tissue graft was observed under optical and transmission electron microscopes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant changes occurred in the surface ECG. All the dogs showed ECG waveforms specific of complete heart block after the ablation, and the ventricular heart rates were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). The ventricular heart rate did not undergo obvious changes after ISO injection (P>0.05). The transplanted pedicled autologous sinoatrial node survived in the dogs and the sinoatrial node cells established desmosome junctions with the myocardial cells, but the number of junctions was not sufficient to support heart pacing.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Desmosome junction can occur between ventricular myocardial cells and sinoatrial node cells at the edge of transplanted pedicled autologous sinoatrial node tissue.</p>

Advance of Motor Imagery for Hand Function of Patients with Stroke (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

Motor imagery can improve upper limb and hand function of stroke patients. This review focused on the research progress of motor imagery about the way of treatment, the clinical effect, and the mechanism.

Study on the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphism of programmed cell death-1 gene and early virologic response of interferon-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) gene and early virologic response of interferon-α (IFN-α) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods A total of 135 CHB patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. SNP of PD-1.1 and PD-1.2 genes were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in these patients.Then its relationship with early virologic response to IFN-α treatment was analyzed. The data were analyzed by x2 test. Results Among the 135 patients, 33 (24.4%) achieved early virologic response to IFN-α. There were 35, 77, and 23 patients with AA, AG, GG genotgpe of PD-1.1. The early virologic response was achived in 5(14.3%), 25(32.5%) and 3(13.0%) among patients with AA,AG, GG genotypes of PD-1.1, respectively. There were statistically different (x2 = 6. 258, P =0. 044). The subjects with AG genotype showed higher response rate than those with AA or GG genotypes (x2 = 6. 246, P= 0. 012). However, the early virologic response rates were not significant different among subjects with AA, AG or GG genotype of PD-1. 2 ( x2= 3.957, P= 0. 138).Conclusion SNP of PD-1.1 gene may be used as a marker to predict the early virologic response to IFN-α treatment in Chinese CHB patients.

Operative treatment of talar body fractures / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the results and related key points in operative treatment of talar body fractures. Methods From April 2002 to July 2008, 44 patients with talar body fractures underwent the operation. There were 3 females and 41 males. The mean age of the patients was 31.7 years. The fractures occurred on the left side in 26 patients and on the right side in 18 patients. According to Sneppen classification, 24 type Ⅱ, 20 type V. Eleave cases were open fractures, according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification, there were 3 cases in type Ⅰ , 7 in type Ⅱ, 1 type in Ⅲ A. The mean interval between injury and surgical treatment for open fractures and close fractures was 5.3 hours and 8.9 days. The mechanism of injury was a fall from the height in 18 patients, a traffic accident in 13 patients, a crush injury in 8 patients, a sprain injury in 4 patients and a cut injury in 1 patient. Anteromedial approach was used for 15 close fractures, anterolateral approach for 3 and combined anteromedial-anterolateral approach for 15. K-wires fixation were utilized for 3 fractures, screws and temporary K-wires fixation for 5 cases, bioabsorbable screws for 2fractures, cannulated screws for 30 fractures and cannulated screws and threaded cancellous screws for 4cases. Results Thirty-five patients were followed up 21 to 89 months (average, 44.5 months). Necrosis of incision was found in 4 cases, wound infection occurred in 1 case. All fractures had achieved bone union;the average healing time was 22 weeks. Functional results were assessed according to AOFAS score, the average score was 77.3, There were 11 patients in excellent results, 13 in good, 10 in fair and 1 in poor. The overall excellent and good rate was 68.6%. Avascular necrosis occurred in 5 cases. Traumatic arthritis occurred in 19 cases. Arthrodesis was needed in 5 cases. Conclusion The timing and approach of surgery is determined by the condition of the talar fractures and soft tissue. Anatomical reduction, preservation of the blood supply and early active pain-free mobilization are key points in the treatment of the talar body fractures.

EpCAM is overexpressed in gastric cancer and its downregulation suppresses proliferation of gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: To identify the role of epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in gastric cancer growth and explore the potential value of EpCAM monoclonal antibody as new therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer. METHODS: The expression of EpCAM was determined by immunohistochemistry staining in gastric cancer tissues, RT-PCR and Western blot in cell lines. EpCAM expression in cell lines was downregulated by small interfering RNA. Then the effects of EpCAM on gastric cancer cell growth in vivo and in vitro were determined by MTT, FCM analysis, clone formation assay and tumor formation assay. Additionally, western blot was used to detect the effect of EpCAM on cell cycle-relevant factor cyclin D1. RESULTS: EpCAM was found to be overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Downregulation of EpCAM resulted in a decrease of cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest in AGS and SGC7901 cells, which had high endogenous EpCAM expression. EpCAM downregulation also suppressed tumor formation in nude mice. Moreover, EpCAM repression in gastric cancer cells could downregulate cyclin D1. CONCLUSIONS: EpCAM was a potential oncogene and contributed to the growth of gastric cancer. Our data first provided compelling evidence of potential value of EpCAM in the therapy of gastric cancer in clinic.

Analysis of the methylation status of secreted frizzled-related protein genes in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To study the methylation status of secreted frizzled-related protein (SFRP) 1 and SFRP2 genes in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the relationship between the methylation status of the two genes and the development of HCC.Methods Using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) to detect methylation status of SFRP1 and SFRP2 genes of 45 specimens of HCC tissue and adjacent non-tumorous liver tissue from HCC patients during operations,and 6 normal liver tissues from patients with cholecystolithiasis or hepatic hemangiomas. The data were analyzed by chi-square test and Fisher exact test. Results SFRP1 gene methylation was detected in 28 HCC tissues and 16 adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues,accounted for 62.2% and 35.6%,respectively;and SFRP2 gene methylation was detected in 23 HCC tissues and 13 adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues,accounted for 51.1% and 28.9%,respectively;while no methylation was detected in 6 samples of normal liver tissues. There was no significant difference between the methylation of SFRP1 and SFRP2 genes in HCC tissues and gender,age,HBV serum markers,types of adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues,metastasis and pathological stage (P＞0.05).The abnormal methylation status between SFRP1 and SFRP2 genes was linear correlated in HCC tissues (r=0.381,P=0.01).Conclusion Hypermethylation of SFRP1 and SFRP2 genes frequently occurs in HBV-related HCC,which may be an important molecular biomarker for prediction of hepatocarcinogenesis in the future.