Volume 120  ·   Issue 02  ·  2007

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is symptomatic obstruction or occlusion of the hepatic vein (HV) and/or upper inferior vena cava (IVC)。

Abstract：Background Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare disease with portal hypertension caused by the blockage of the hepatic vein and/or the inferior vena cava (IVC). Angiography is the "golden standard" for diagnosis, but it is an invasive examination. To assess the diagnostic value of a fresh blood imaging (FBI) relative to BCS, we used a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with an FBI sequence for a preoperative evaluation of the BCS patients in this study. Methods Fifty patients who were suspected of having BCS after they had been checked by a B-ultrasound were studied. 2D and 3D FBI were performed on a 1.5T superconductive MR scanner. Original images were rebuilt using a maximal intensity projection (MIP) method on the console. Two doctors reviewed all images before they learned of the angiography results. We then compared the diagnoses obtained from the FBI and angiography results to evaluate the diagnostic value of the FBI.Results Forty-one patients were diagnosed as BCS and 9 as non-BCS based on an angiography. The FBI correctly diagnosed 38 patients, incorrectly diagnosed 1 patient, and missed diagnosis in 3 patients. Thus, the diagnostic sensitivity of the FBI is 93% (38/41), the specificity is 89% (8/9) and the accuracy is 92% (46/50). The FBI images of the 13 membranous stenoses of the IVC showed a sudden stenosis of the post-liver segment of the IVC. The Images of the 5 patients with a membranous obstruction of the IVC showed IVC thickening and an absence of blood signals in the post-hepatic segment of the IVC. The images of the 4 patients with the segmental thrombosis of the IVC showed abnormal and intermittent signals in the IVC. The images of the 6 patients with a simple hepatic vein obstruction showed obstructive hepatic veins. The images of the 6 patients with the stenosis of both the IVC and the hepatic veins showed the stenosis of the IVC, the thickening of the hepatic veins and the formation of a compensatory circulation within the liver. Lastly, the images of the 7 patients showed a combination of the IVC thrombosis with stenosis or with the obstruction of one or two hepatic veins.Conclusions An FBI can show a membranous stenosis, and an obstruction and thrombosis of the IVC. In addition, it can also demonstrate the thickening of the flexural hepatic vein and the development of intra-hepatic compensatory branches with slow blood flow. Thus, it can guide the puncturing and opening of the hepatic vein involved in an interventional therapy for BCS patients。

Abstract：Background The fat derived protein adiponectin plays an important role in the regulation of glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to provide the experimental basis for further investigating on adiponectin (ADPN) function. Its eukaryotic recombinant was constructed and expressed in precursor cells of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The effects of dexamethasone on peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 cells with human recombinant adiponectin were assessed. Methods The recombinant plasmid pMD18-T-hADPN and eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 + were digested by two restrictive endonucleases and adiponectin and linear pcDNA3.1+ were obtained. Then, they were ligated and translated into JM109. The recombinant pcDNA3.1+-hADPN so obtained was identified by digestion by restrictive endonuclease and nucleotide sequencing. The 3T3-L1 precursor cells were transfected using SuperFect Transfection Reagent (Qiagen). Furthermore, 3T3-L1 cells with human recombinant adiponectin incubated with dexamethasone (0.5 mmol/L) for 24 hours, cells were collected and total RNA was extracted. The PPAR-γ mRNA expression was quantified by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results After eukaryotic recombinant was digested by Hind Ⅲ and EcoR Ⅰ, fragments of 800 bp and 5.4 kb were identified by nucleotide sequence scanning and consistent with theoretical values. Electrophoretogram of RT-PCR in 3T3-L1 precursors showed only one band in front of 250 bp, which was consistent with theoretical value 234 bp. In the 3T3-L1 cells, 3T3-L1 cells with plasmid and 3T3-L1 cells human recombinant adiponectin, treatment with dexamethasone (0.5 mmol/L) decreased PPAR-γ mRNA expression compared to untreated controls (P＜0.01). Effect of dexamethasone on PPAR-γ mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 cells was reversed by stably transfected human recombinant adiponectin.Conclusion The 3T3-L1 cells stably transfected human recombinant adiponectin had increased PPAR-γ mRNA expression. Dexamethasone suppressed PPAR-γ mRNA expression in the 3T3-L1 cells. Effect of dexamethasone on PPAR-γ mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 cells was reversed by stably transfected human recombinant adiponectin。

Abstract：Background Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia with multi-factorial pathogenesis. Recently, a single nucleotide polymorphism (G/T) at position 1057 in the KCNE4 gene, resulting in a glutamic acid (Glu, E)/aspartic acid (Asp, D) substitution at position 145 of the KCNE4 peptide, was found in our laboratory to be associated with idiopathic atrial fibrillation (atrial fibrillation more frequent with KCNE4 145D). However, the functional effect of the KCNE4 145E/Dpolymorphism is still unknown.Methods We constructed KCNE4 (145E/D) expression plasmids and transiently co-transfected them with the KCNQ1 gene into Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells and performed whole-cell patch-clamping recording to identify the possible functional consequences of the single nucleotide polymorphism. Quantitative data were analyzed by Student's t test. Probability values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results A slowly activating, non-inactivating voltage-dependent current ((24.0±2.9) pA/pF, at +60 mV)) could be recorded in the cells transfected with KCNQ1 alone. Co-expression of wild type KCNE4 inhibited the KCNQ1 current ((7.3±1.1) pA/pF)). By contrast, co-expression of KCNE4 (145D) augment the KCNQ1 current ((42.9±3.7) pA/pF)). The V1/2 of activation for the KCNQ1/KCNE4 (145D) current was shifted significantly towards the depolarizing potential compared to that for the KCNQ1 current ((-2.3±0.2) mv vs (-13.0±1.5) mv, P ＜ 0.01)) without changing the slope factorK. Furthermore, KCNE4 (145D) also affected the activation and deactivation kinetics of KCNQ1 channels. Conclusion We provide experimental evidence that the KCNE4 (145E/D) polymorphism exerts the effect of "gain of function" on the KCNQ1 channel. It may underlie the genetic mechanism of atrial fibrillation. Further studies on the functional association between Iks and KCNE4 (145D) polymorphism in cardiac myocytes are suggested。

Abstract：Background The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 in a concordant hamster-to-rat cardiac xenotransplantation model. Methods A hamster-to-rat cardiac transplantation was performed using SD rats as recipients of Golden Syrian hamster hearts. A total of 60 SD rats were divided into four groups and treated as follows: control group (n=15); splenectomy group (n=15); CsA group (n=15); CsA + splenectomy group (n=15). Levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera were harvested at different time points in each group: day 1, and 3 as well as the day the xenograft stopped beating in the control group and CsA group; day 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 in the splenectomy group and CsA+splenectomy group. The expression of P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was examined by immunohistochemical analysis of the xenograft after cardiac xenotransplantation. Results Serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ were upregulated in untreated (day 3) and splenectomy-treated animals (day 7) compared to CsA + splenectomy treated animals (day 7). IL-10 was upregulated in long-term survival recipients following splenectomy + CsA. Neither P-selectin nor ICAM-1 expression was detected in long-term survival xenografts. Conclusions Serum IL-2 and IFN-γ were elevated following acute vascular rejection. Serum IL-10 was correlated to immunosuppression and protective effects in long-term survival rats following concordant cardiac xenotransplantation。

Abstract：Background Glutamine, proposed to be conditionally essential for critically ill patients, is not added routinely to parenteral amino acid formulations for premature infants and is provided in only small quantities by the enteral route when enteral feeding is Iow. Parenteral feeding is the basic way of nutrition in the first days of life of premature infants. In this study, we evaluated the effects of glutamine supplemented parenteral nutrition for premature infants on growth and development, feeding toleration, and infective episodes.Methods From December 2002 to July 2006, 53 premature infants were given either standard or glutamine supplemented parenteral nutrition for more than 2 weeks. Twenty-eight infants were in glutamine supplemented group, whose gestational age (31.4±2.0) weeks, birth weight range (1386±251) g; twenty-five infants were in control group, gestational age (31.1 ± 1.7) weeks, with birth weight range (1346± 199) g. There were no differences between the two groups. Various growth and biochemical indices were monitored throughout the duration of hospital stay. Data between groups were analyzed with Student's t test. Nonparametric data were analyzed using a Chi-square test. A two-tailed P value ＜ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results The level of serum albumin was lower in the glutamine groups on the second week (3.0 vs 3.2 g/dl, P=0.028), and blood urea nitrogen was higher in glutamine groups on the fourth week (8.1 vs 4.9 mg/dl, P=0.014), but normal. Glutamine group infants took fewer days to regain birth weight (8.1 vs 10.4 days, P=0.017), required fewer days on parenteral nutrition (24.8 vs 30.8 days, P=0.035), with shorter stays in hospital (32.1 vs 38.6 days, P=0.047). Episodes of hospital acquired infection in glutamine supplemented infants were lower than that in control group (0.96 vs 1.84 times, P=0.000).Conclusion Parenteral glutamine supplementation in premature infants can shorten days on parenteral nutrition and length of stay in hospital, and decrease hospital acquired infection episodes。

Abstract：Background The increased incidence of pyogenic liver abscess caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) was reported in the recent literature. This study was conducted retrospectively to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of these patients. Methods Microbiological and medical databases of a medical center were searched from January 2000 to June 2003. Eighty-four patients with liver abscess caused by K. pneumoniae were analyzed. Results In the 84 patients, 52 men and 32 women aged (58.2±13.3) years on average, 64.4% had concomitant diabetes mellitus and 23.8% had biliary disease. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (98.8%), chills (69.0%) and abdominal pain (58.3%). 85.7% of the 84 patients received catheter drainage for the abscess. The length of hospital stay was (17.4±8.7) days. The mortality rate was 7.1%. Older age and presence of biliary disease were associated with mortality.Conclusions The Iow mortality of our patients was probably related to the high proportion of patients who received catheter drainage. Older age and presence of biliary disease were associated with the mortality。

Abstract：Background We presented the technique and outcomes of laparoscopic radical cystectomy performed in 28 patients with bladder cancer to evaluate its clinical efficacy and feasibility.Methods Among the 28 patients, aged from 58 to 73 years (mean 68.5 years), 26 were transitional cell carcinoma grads Ⅱ-Ⅲ and 2 squamous carcinoma. Laparoscopic radical cystectomy plus bladder reconstruction was performed in all cases, among them 15 with ileum, 10 with rectum pouch, and 3 with ureterostomy. The operating time, the blood loss, the intestine function and the complications were observed.Results All procedures were successful. The operating times were 7-10 hours, the blood loss was 400-1500 ml (mean 850 ml), the intestine function recovered at 72 hours after operation, and all ureteral catheters were removed at 2 weeks after surgery. The results of intravenous urography were normonal at 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up aftersurgery.Conclusions Laparoscopic radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer is safe and efficient, with good operating field, reliable hemostasis, mini-invasion, less celiac complications, and rapid recovery. This surgery is worth being extended。

Abstract：Background The outcome of surgical treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains poor. In many patients the biological behavior of NSCLC does not follow a definite pattern, and can not be accurately predicted before treatment. 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose (18F-FDG) uptake on positron-emission tomography (PET) is associated with the aggressiveness of NSCLC. The present study focused on the role of 18F-FDG uptake in predicting the outcome of surgically treated patients with NSCLC.Methods A retrospective analysis was made of 82 patients who underwent complete resection and preoperative FDG PET. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), in addition to five clinicopathological factors and three biomolecular factors, which could possibly influence survival, was compared for possible association with patients' recurrence and survival, by the Log-rank test in univariate analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model in multivariate analysis. The association between SUVmax and other factors was also analyzed. Results Patients with SUVmax more than 11 had a disease-free survival and overall survival shorter than patients with SUVmax less than 11 in univariate analyses (P＜0.001, P=0.002). In the multivariate analysis, SUVmax (dichotomized by 11) was the only significant predictor for tumor recurrence. TNM stage and SUVmax (dichotomized by 11) were independent predictors for the overall survival. Associations of SUVmax with p53 overexpression, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index and microvascular density of the tumor were significant in the entire group. Conclusions 18F-FDG uptake on PET may be used to noninvasively assess biological aggressiveness of NSCLC in vivo, identifying the surgically-treated patients with poor prognosis who could benefit from additional therapy。

Abstract：Background Anatomic and electrophysiological studies have revealed that the neurons located in the media vestibular nuclei (MVN) receive most of the sensory vestibular input coming from the ipsilateral labyrinth and the responses of MVN neurons to caloric stimulation directly reflect changes in primary vestibular afferent activity. The aim of this study was to clarify the intrinsic characteristics of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) release in the MVN during the period of vertigo induced by caloric stimulation.Methods We used an in vivo microdialysis technique to examine the effects of caloric stimulation on the serotoninergic system in MVN. Twenty four guinea pigs were randomly divided into the groups of irrigation of the ear canal with hot water (n=6), ice water (n=6) and 37℃ water (n=4), and the groups of irrigation of the auricle with hot water (n=4) and ice water (n=4), according to different caloric vestibular stimulation. We examined the animal's caloric nystagmus with a two-channel electronystagmographic recorder (ENG), and meanwhile examine serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) level in the MVN with microdialysis technique after caloric stimulation. Results In the caloric test the hot water (44℃) irrigation of the right external auditory canal induced horizontal nystagmus towards the right side lasting about 60 seconds and the ice water irrigation of the right external auditory canal induced it towards the left side lasting for about 90 seconds. No nystagmus was induced by 37℃ water irrigation of the external ear canal. Therefore, it was used as a negative control stimulation to the middle ear. The MVN 5-HT levels significantly increased in the first 5-minute collecting interval and increased to 254% and 189% of the control group in the second collecting interval in response to caloric vestibular stimulation with ice water and hot water respectively. The serotonin release was not distinctly changed by the irrigation of the auricle with ice water or hot water. Conclusions Neither somato-sensory stimulation of the middle ear nor nonspecific cold or hot stress affects the serotonin release. The rise of 5-HT in MVN may be involved in the mechanism of vertigo induced by caloric stimulation。

Abstract：Background Primary intraspinal hemangiopericytoma is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor with high rates of recurrence and metastasis. Surgery is the main therapeutic procedure for this lesion. This clinical research was undertaken to analyze the pathological characteristics, clinical course, and the choice of treatment for this lesion. Methods Twenty-three patients with primary intraspinal hemangiopericytomas were treated from 1987 to 2004. The clinical and imaging features, pathological findings, therapeutic procedures, and prognosis were analyzed retrospectively. Results Primary intraspinal hemangiopericytoma is more likely to attack middle-aged persons. The tumor mainly manifests as muscle weakness and sensor abnormalities. Microscopic examination showed slit-like vascular spaces and oral- or spindle-shaped cells with slightly acidic cytoplasm and oral nuclei. Tumors were subtotally resected in 11 patients, subtotally resected with postoperative radiotherapy in 4, totally resected in 5, and totally resected with postoperative radiotherapy in 3. Two patients were given spinal stabilization after total resection. Recurrence and metastatic rates were 50% and 0 in intradural patients. They were 73% and 27% in extradural patients, respectively. Conclusions The tumor should be resected en bloc with the neighboring dural mater to reduce recurrence and metastasis. Patients with subtotal resection need adjuvant radiotherapy. Patients with evident spinal involvement may benefit from spinal stabilization. The prognosis of the lesion arising from the dural mater is better。

Since Professor WANG Zhong-gao's creative work on the systemic treatment of the Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS),1 this debilitating disease has been more and more widely recognized in China. Several large-scale studies of surgery or intervention strategies for treating BCS have been reported.1-4 However, much controversy still remains regarding many aspects of this disease, including its etiology, treatment, and classification. This review explores these controversies with emphasis on areas that merit further study。

Alcohol-induced liver disease is one of the main epidemic problems nowadays. Metadoxine is a pyridoxine-pyrrolidone carboxylate with significant scavenging property. Metadoxine is able to accelerate the elimination of alcohol from the blood and tissues, help restore the functional structure of the liver and relieve neuro-psychological disorders associated with alcohol intoxication.1-3 The purpose of the study was to assay the pharmacokinetics of domestic metadoxine after repeated doses.…… Biography：Correspondence to: Dr. L(U) Yuan, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, First Hospital, Peking University. No38, Xue Yuan Lu, Hai Dian district, Beijing 100083, China (Tel: 86-10-82802374. Fax: 86-10-62072817. Email:ly5275@sohu.com)

Acute myocardial ischaemia is a common acute disease and a common cause of sudden death. However, it is difficult to diagnose in patients who died within 6 hours after the onset of myocardial ischaemia。

Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium is a rare form of congenital cardiomyopathy with a high incidence of cardiovascular complications. It frequently manifests in an isolated form, namely isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium. Not only does noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium associate with other congenital cardiac malformations, but also with other neuromuscular disorders. The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation of hypogenetic lung with myocardial noncompaction in terms of the clinical course of one of our patients。

Variant angina, first described by Prinzmetal et al1 in 1959, is hypothesized to be caused by transient coronary vasospasm at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque and leading to repetitive episodes of transmural myocardial ischemia。

Aortic dissection occurs when layers of the aortic walls are separated by the blood flow through an intimal tear. Dissection of the aorta most frequently originates in the ascending aorta (70%), followed by the descending aorta (22%), the aortic arch (7%) and the abdominal aorta (1/%).1 The dissection limited to the abdominal aorta is rare.2 An isolated abdominal aortic dissection (IAAD) concomitant with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is uncommon. We present here one patient with IAAD and AAA treated by endovascular therapy。