In-situ label-free temperature-compensated DNA hybridization detection with a fiber-optic interferometer and a fiber Bragg grating for microfluidic chip

We demonstrated a temperature-compensated optofluidic DNA biosensor available for microfluidic chip. The optofluidic sensor was composed of an interferometer and a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) by femtosecond laser direct writing micro/nano processing technology. The sensing arm of the interferometer was suspended on the inner wall of the microchannel and could directly interact with the microfluid. With the immobilization of the single stranded probe DNA (pDNA), this optofluidic biosensor could achieve specific detection of single stranded complementary DNA (scDNA). The experimental results indicated that a linear response within 50 nM and the detection limit of 1.87 nM were achieved. In addition, the optofluidic biosensor could simultaneously monitor temperature to avoid temperature fluctuations interfering with the DNA hybridization detection process. And, the optofluidic detection channel could achieve fast sample replacement within 10 s at a flow rate of 2 μL/min and sample consumption only required nanoliters. This optofluidic DNA biosensor had the advantages of label-free, good specificity, dual parameter detection, low sample consumption, fast response, and easy repeatable preparation, which was of great significance for the field of DNA hybridization research and solving the temperature sensitivity problem of biosensors and had good prospects in biological analysis.

Enrichment and Selection of Particles through Parallel Induced-Charge Electro-osmotic Streaming for Detection of Low-Abundance Nanoparticles and Targeted Microalgae

Manipulation of micro- and nanoscale objects is an essential procedure in many detection and sensing applications, including disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring. Induced-charge electro-osmotic (ICEO) vortices present excellent advantages in the enrichment and selection of micro/nanoscale particles for downstream detection due to gentle conditions and contactless operation, but the application of this method is currently constrained by the throughput. Double-layer charging at the ends of bipolar electrodes can maintain a continuous flow of electric current in the fluidically isolated channels, which provides a feasible method to manipulate particles using parallel ICEO vortices, promoting throughput of particle manipulation without compromising efficiency and overcoming the complicated ohmic contact of electrodes. Encouraged by these, we put forward a novel method with parallel ICEO vortices to manipulate micro/nanoscale samples for downstream detection. First, we study the extension regulation of the low-frequency electric field and mediating effect of the open BPEs on the extended electric field and characterize electric equilibrium states of microparticles and their voltage dependence. Afterward, we leverage this method to enrich nanoparticles for detection of low-abundance nanoparticles with about 20- and 40-fold fluorescence intensities by integrating with a simple fiber-optic sensor. Furthermore, this technique is engineered for the selection of targeted microalgae to continuously detect their proliferation behaviors by combining with a homemade electrical impedance spectroscopy device. This method can reinforce the throughput of ICEO vortices and enables it to integrate with simple and economical sensors to accomplish disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring.

Transcriptomic and metabolomic studies on the protective effect of molecular hydrogen against nuclear electromagnetic pulse-induced brain damage

Background

Excessive doses of electromagnetic radiation pose a negative impact on the central nervous system and lead to mental disorders. Molecular hydrogen can scavenge intracellular hydroxyl radicals, acting as an antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory agent. We seek to assess the capability of molecular hydrogen to ameliorate brain damage induced by electromagnetic radiation.

Methods

NEMP (nuclear electromagnetic pulse), a subset of electromagnetic pulse with high voltage value that could cause severe brain injury, was applied to this study. Male wild-type rats were divided into four groups: the control group, the H₂ (Molecular hydrogen) group, the NEMP group and the NEMP+H₂ group. Rats in the H₂ group and the NEMP+H₂ group were fed with saturated hydrogen-rich water from 3 days before NEMP exposure (electromagnetic field intensity 400 kV/m, rising edge 20 ns and pulse width 200 ns) to the day of sacrifice. One day after exposure, animal behavior experiments were performed, and samples for transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis were collected. Seven days after exposure, histopathological experiments were conducted.

Results

The data from the elevated plus maze and the open field test showed that NEMP exposure elicited anxiety-like behavior in rats, which could be alleviated by H₂ treatment. Histopathological results manifested that NEMP exposure-induced injuries of the neurons in the hippocampus and amygdala could be attenuated by H₂ treatment. Transcriptomic results revealed that NEMP exposure had a profound effect on microtubule structure in the brain. And the combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics showed that H₂ has a significant impact on the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, synaptic vesicle cycle and synapse etc. Moreover, it was indicated that the glutathione metabolic pathway played a vital role in the NEMP exposure-induced damage and the protective activity of H₂.

Conclusions

H₂ is identified as a potent agent against NEMP exposure-induced brain damage and has the potential to be a promising electromagnetic radiation protectant.

Fufang Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsule ameliorates hyperuricemic nephropathy by inhibition of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Excessive serum uric acid (SUA) causes hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN), characterized by inflammatory infiltration and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Most recently, we demonstrated that Fufang Zhenzhu Tiaozhi (FTZ) capsule attenuated diabetic nephropathy through inhibition of renal inflammation and fibrosis. However, whether FTZ ameliorates HN is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine the protective roles and mechanism of FTZ in mouse renal injury and fibrosis under hyperuricemic condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HN mice, induced by potassium oxonate and hypoxanthine, were administrated with 600 and 1200 mg/kg FTZ (intragastrically) daily for three weeks. SUA levels, renal functions and histological changes were analyzed. Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR) and RNA sequencing were used to identify the roles and underlying mechanism of FTZ in HN mice.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that FTZ treatment mitigated renal injury in mice, as evidenced by the decrease in SUA, serum creatinine (SCr) and cystatin C (Cys C) levels, as well as improved renal histology. FTZ markedly attenuates inflammasome activation, collagen deposition and the imbalance of uric acid transporters. RNA-sequencing revealed a key mechanism involved in the protective effects on HN mice was related to PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway. Western blot also confirmed that FTZ diminished the phosphorylation of AKT and p65 in HN mice.

CONCLUSIONS

FTZ prevents renal injury, inflammation and fibrosis in HN mice via promoting uric acid excretion and inhibiting PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.

[Status of HVPG clinical application in China in 2021]

Objective: The investigation and research on the application status of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient (HVPG) is very important to understand the real situation and future development of this technology in China. Methods: This study comprehensively investigated the basic situation of HVPG technology in China, including hospital distribution, hospital level, annual number of cases, catheters used, average cost, indications and existing problems. Results: According to the survey, there were 70 hospitals in China carrying out HVPG technology in 2021, distributed in 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central Government). A total of 4 398 cases of HVPG were performed in all the surveyed hospitals in 2021, of which 2 291 cases (52.1%) were tested by HVPG alone. The average cost of HVPG detection was (5 617.2±2 079.4) yuan. 96.3% of the teams completed HVPG detection with balloon method, and most of the teams used thrombectomy balloon catheter (80.3%). Conclusion: Through this investigation, the status of domestic clinical application of HVPG has been clarified, and it has been confirmed that many domestic medical institutions have mastered this technology, but it still needs to continue to promote and popularize HVPG technology in the future.

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT as an independent predictor for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma combined with major portal vein tumor thrombus

PURPOSE

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with major portal vein tumor thrombosis (mPVTT) complications were generally characterized by extremely poor prognoses. The aim of this study was to explore the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT imaging in predicting HCC complicated by mPVTT.

METHODS

Five hundred one HCC patients received surgery in our hospital during November 2008 to December 2014, among which 32 patients (6.4%) were diagnosed as HCC complicated by mPVTT. Six cases were excluded for reasons of complex medical conditions, including 2 cases of salvage liver transplantation, 2 cases of re-resection, 1 case of mPVTT combined with inferior vina cava tumor thrombosis, and 1 case of residual portal vein tumor thrombosis. Ultimately, 26 cases were enrolled in this study. The maximal tumor standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was identified as a predictive factor and detected. The univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of HCC patients complicated by mPVTT.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the median OS was 16 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative OS was 55.6%, 31.7%, and 31.7%, respectively. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that SUVmax ≥ 4.65 was the only independent risk factor for RFS and OS.

CONCLUSION

SUVmax was an independent predictor for RFS and OS of patients suffering from both HCC and mPVTT. L ow SUVmax could serve as an effective factor for selecting candidates with low recurrence risks and for helping with improving patient survival after surgical resection.

Astragaloside IV reverses simvastatin-induced skeletal muscle injury by activating the AMPK-PGC-1α signalling pathway

In this study, we investigated the effect of astragaloside IV on skeletal muscle energy metabolism disorder caused by statins and explored the possible mechanisms. High-fat diet-fed apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/- ) mice performed aerobic exercise and were administered simvastatin, simvastatin + trimetazidine, or simvastatin + astragaloside IV by gavage. At the end of treatment, exercise performance was assessed by the hanging grid test, forelimb grip test, and running tolerance test. Moreover, plasma lipid and creatine kinase concentrations were measured. After sacrifice, the gastrocnemius muscle was used to assess muscle morphology, and energy metabolism was evaluated by determining the concentration of lactic acid and the storage capacity of adenosine triphosphate and glycogen. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring mitochondrial complex III and citrate synthase activity and membrane potential. In addition, oxidative stress was assessed by determining the level of hydrogen peroxide. Finally, using western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, we explored the mechanism of astragaloside IV in alleviating simvastatin-induced muscle injury. Our results demonstrated that astragaloside IV reversed simvastatin-induced muscle injury without affecting the lipid-lowering effect of simvastatin. Moreover, astragaloside IV promoted the phosphorylation of AMPK and activated PGC-1α, which upregulated the expression of NRF1 to enhance energy metabolism and inhibit skeletal muscle cell apoptosis.

Can we delineate preoperatively the right and ventral margins of caudate lobe of the liver?

Purpose

Complete removal of the caudate lobe, which is sometimes necessary, is accomplished via isolated caudate lobectomy or hepatectomy that includes the caudate lobe. It is impossible, however, to confirm the right and ventral margins of the caudate lobe by preoperative imaging. This study was undertaken to determine whether we could identify the right and ventral margins of the caudate lobe preoperatively using Synapse 3D visualization software.

Methods

Ninety-four preoperative 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomographic images (1-mm slices) of the liver from candidate donors were examined. The images of the caudate lobe were subjected to a counter-staining method according to Synapse 3D to delineate their dimensions. We first examined whether the right margin of the caudate lobe exceeded the plane formed by the root of the right hepatic vein (RHV) and the right side of the inferior vena cava (IVC). Second, we determined whether the ventral margin of the caudate lobe exceeded the plane formed by the root of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) and the root of the RHV.

Results

For the right margin, 17 cases (18%) exceeded the RHV-IVC plane by a mean of 10.2 mm (range, 2.4–27.2 mm). For the ventral margin, 28 cases (30%) exceeded the MHV-RHV plane by a mean of 17.4 mm (range, 1.2–49.1 mm).

Conclusion

Evaluating the anatomy of caudate lobe using Synapse 3D preoperatively could be helpful for more precise anatomical resection of the caudate lobe.

[Analysis of prognostic factors for hyperamylasemia following pancreaticoduodenectomy]

Objective: To investigate the prognostic factors of hyperamylasemia following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) . Methods: Clinical data of 359 patients were collected prospectively who underwent PD by the same group at Changhai Hospital of Navy Medical University from January 2017 to June 2018.There were 212 males and 147 females.The median age was 63 years old (range: 23 to 82 years old) .According to whether the patient's serum amylase was greater than 120 U/L at 0 or 1 day after surgery,the patients were divided into hyperamylasemia group and non-hyperamylasemia group. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to find out the prognostic factors of hyperamylasemia after PD. Results: Of the 359 patients, 238 cases (66.3%) developed hyperamylasemia.The incidence rate of clinically related pancreatic fistula (15.1% vs.2.5%, P<0.01) , grade B/C post pancreatectomy hemorrhage (8.8% vs. 2.5%, P<0.01) , and surgical site infection (9.2% vs. 3.3%, P=0.04) was significantly higher in the hyperamylasemia group.The severity of complications (CD grade≥Ⅲ: 11.3% vs.4.1%, P=0.023) and postoperative hospital stay (11 days vs. 9 days, P=0.001) were higher in the hyperamylasemia group.In the multivariate analysis, the main pancreatic duct diameter (MPD) ≤3 mm (OR=4.469, 95% CI: 2.563-7.793, P<0.01) , pathological type of disease (pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis) (OR=0.230, 95% CI: 0.122-0.436, P<0.01) and soft texture of pancreas (OR=3.297, 95%CI: 1.930-5.635, P<0.01) were independent prognostic factors for hyperamylasemia. Conclusions: Post-PD hyperamylasemia increased the incidence and severity of postoperative complications after PD.MPD≤3 mm, soft texture of pancreas and pathological type of disease were independent prognostic factors of hyperamylasemia.

Molecular classification of hepatocellular adenoma: A single-center experience

Backgrounds/Aims

Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) is a rare benign tumor that has a risk of malignant transformation into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and bleeding. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of HCA by performing molecular classification.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data from nine patients who were diagnosed with HCA from 1995 to 2016. The patients underwent liver surgery due to the existence of clinical symptoms. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to classify the subgroups of HCA.

Results

Four patients with both β-catenin and inflammation were classified as β-IHCA. Two patients were defined as β-HCA. Two patients were classified as HHCA. Only one patient was defined as IHCA. None of the patients had unclassified HCA. Seven of nine patients had a malignant transformation. By comparing the characteristics of HCA between two groups, we found the mean tumor size in the malignant transformation group was greater than the non-malignant transformation group.

Conclusions

Taken together, the mean tumor size and activation of catenin β1 mutation status might be the risk factors for the malignant transformation of HCA into HCC. Moreover, IHCA without the catenin β1 mutation could also have a possibility of malignant transformation into HCC.

Longterm Analysis of Biliary Complications After Duct-to-Duct Biliary Reconstruction in Living Donor Liver Transplantations

Biliary complication (BC) is still regarded as the Achilles' heel of a living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). This study aims to evaluate the longterm outcomes of the duct-to-duct (DD) biliary reconstruction using 7-0 suture and to identify the risk factors of BCs after LDLTs. Data of 140 LDLTs between 2006 and 2015 were analyzed. All biliary reconstructions were performed as DD anastomoses using 7-0 suture: 102 for the right lobe, 20 for the left lobe, and 18 for right posterior sector grafts. BC was defined as a bile leakage (BL) or a biliary stricture (BS), and the median follow-up time after LDLT was 65 months. A total of 19 recipients (13.5%) developed BCs (8 BLs and 16 BSs) after LDLT. The survival rates between recipients with and without BCs were 83% and 86.7%, respectively (P = 0.88). In univariate analyses, the risk factors for BC were small diameter of the graft's bile duct, long warm ischemic time, small graft-to-recipient weight ratio, and no use of external biliary stent (EBS). The graft's bile duct diameter ≤ 3 mm and no use of EBS were determined as independent risk factors (hazard ratios of 9.74 and 7.68, respectively) in multivariate analyses. The 116 recipients with EBS had no BL, 11 had BSs (9%), while 24 without EBS had 8 BLs (33%) and 5 BSs (21%). After a propensity score match between the recipients with and without EBS, the EBS group (24) developed only 1 BS (4%). In conclusion, DD anastomosis using 7-0 suture combined with EBS could provide favorable longterm outcomes after LDLT, which should thus be considered the surgical technique of choice for LDLTs.

[Analysis on the clinical therapeutic effects of arterial first approach pancreatoduodenectomy in the treatment of borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma]

Objective: To compare the clinical therapeutic effects of arterial first approach pancreaticoduodenectomy(AFA-PD) with standard approach pancreaticoduodenectomy(SPD) in the treatment of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 113 cases of pancreatic cancer patients from January 2014 to August 2015 at Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, the Second Military Medical University, including 43 cases in AFA-PD group and 70 cases in SPD group.Every patient had gone high-resolusion computed tomography before the surgery, when BRPC was definitely diagnosed by both experienced radiologist and pancreatic surgeon.There were 24 males and 19 females in the AFA-PD group, with average age of (61.6±10.2)years.And in the SPD group, there were 47 males and 23 females, with average age of (62.7±9.4)years. Results: The operation time was (210.7±31.5)minutes in AFA-PD group, (187.9±27.4)minutes in SPD group, and peroperative bleeding volume was (1 007.1±566.3)ml in AFA-PD group, (700.0±390.0)ml in the other group.Those two indicators of AFA-PD group, compared with SPD group, were relatively higher, the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.01). And with regard to postoperative diarrhea(9.3% vs.5.7%), postoperative 1, 3 days of white blood cells(postoperative 1 day: (13.3±1.1)×10(9)/L vs.(12.4±2.4)×10(9)/L; postoperative 3 days: (12.7±1.6)×10(9)/L vs.(11.7±2.5)×10(9)/L), postoperative 1, 3, 5 days of peritoneal drainage fluid volume(postoperative 1 day: (184±42)ml vs.(156±54)ml; postoperative 3 days: (155±48)ml vs.(133±35)ml; postoperative 5 days: (66±20)ml vs.(47±31)ml), the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). One patient in the SPD group was treated with unplanned secondary surgery for postoperative intraperitoneal hemorrhage, and the patient was cured and discharged.There was no death in the two groups within 30 days after surgical operation and no patient with positive gastric margin, duodenal margin, or anterior margin.The resection rate of superiormesenteric artery(SMA) margin R0 in AFA-PD group was higher than that in SPD group (P=0.019). The two groups were followed up for 14 to 30 months.As for AFA-PD group, the average survival time, progression free survival time and median survival time was respectively (20.4±1.2)months, (21.5±1.4)months and 20 months.There were 3 cases(7.0%) with local recurrence and 8 cases(18.6%) with liver metastasis or distant metastasis.In the SPD group, the average survival time, progression free survival time and median survival time was (17.1±1.1)months, (16.4±1.3)months and 16 months, respectively.There were 13 cases(18.6%) with local recurrence and 25 cases(35.7%) with liver metastasis or distant metastasis.As a result, the AFA-PD group had longer survival time(P=0.001)and progression free survival time(P=0.002). However, the lower local recurrence and distant metastasis rate in AFA-PD group did not reach statistical standard (P>0.05). Conclusion: The arterial first approach pancreaticoduodenectomy is safe and effective in the treatment of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, which can improve the resection rate of SMA margin R0, and prolong patient survival time.

Effect of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati and Ramulus Cinnamomi compatibility on uric acid metabolism and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and kidney injury molecule-1 in rats with hyperuricemia

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati and Ramulus Cinnamomi compatibility (PR) on uric acid metabolism and the expression of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in rats with hyperuricemia.

METHODS

Seventy male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 7 groups with 10 rats per group, including the normal group, model group, allopurinol group, benzbromarone group and PR groups at 3 doses (3.5, 7, 14 g/kg). Except the normal group, rats of the other groups were intragastrically administered 100 mg/kg hypoxanthine and 250 mg/kg ethambutol, and subcutaneously injected with 200 mg/kg potassium oxonate. All rats were continuously modeled for 17 days, and gavaged with corresponding drugs. The rats of the normal and model groups were gavaged with saline, once a day, for 2 weeks. The levels of serum uric acid (SUA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were determined. In addition, the contents of NGAL and KIM-1 in urine and the mRNA and protein expressions of xanthine oxidase (XOD) in liver of hyperuricemia rats were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Moreover, the pathological changes of kidney were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain method.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal group, the levels of SUA, BUN, NGAL and KIM-1 and the expressions of hepatic XOD mRNA and protein in the hyperuricemia rats were increased signifificantly (P<0.01). PR signifificantly decreased the levels of SUA, BUN, NGAL and KIM-1 and down-regulated the mRNA and protein expressions of hepatic XOD (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, the pathological changes of kidney were signifificantly suppressed by oral administration of PR.

CONCLUSIONS

PR ameliorated uric acid metabolism and protected renal function, the underlying mechanism was mediated by decreasing the levels of SUA, BUN, NGAL and KIM-1, inhibiting the expression of hepatic XOD and ameliorating the pathological change of kidney.

Risk factor for ischemic-type biliary lesion after ABO-incompatible living donor liver transplantation

AIM: To evaluate the risk factors for ischemic-type biliary lesion (ITBL) after ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT).

METHODS: Among 141 ALDLTs performed in our hospital between 2008 and 2014, 27 (19%) were ABO-I ALDLT and 114 were ABO-identical/compatible ALDLT. In this study, we extensively analyzed the clinico-pathological data of the 27 ABO-I recipients to determine the risk factors for ITBL after ABO-I ALDLT. All ABO-I ALDLT recipients underwent an identical B-cell depletion protocol with preoperative rituximab, plasma exchange (PE), and operative splenectomy. The median follow-up period after transplantation was 26 mo. The clinical outcomes of the 27 ABO-I ALDLT recipients were compared with those of 114 ABO-identical/compatible ALDLT recipients.

RESULTS: ITBL occurred in four recipients (14.8%) between 45 and 112 d after ABO-I ALDLT. The overall survival rates were not different between ABO-I ALDLT and ABO-identical/compatible ALDLT (P = 0.303). Among the ABO-I ALDLT recipients, there was no difference between patients with ITBL and those without ITBL in terms of B-cell and T-cell count, serum isoagglutinin titers, number of PEs, operative time and transfusion, use of graft infusion therapy, or number of remnant B-cell follicles and plasma cells in the spleen. However, the perioperative NK cell counts in the blood of patients with ITBL were significantly higher than those in the patients without ITBL (P < 0.05). Preoperative NK cell count > 150/μL and postoperative NK cell count > 120/μL were associated with greater relative risks (RR) for development of ITBL (RR = 20 and 14.3, respectively, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: High NK cell counts in a transplant recipient’s blood are associated with ITBL after ABO-I ALDLT. Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of NK cell involvement in the development of ITBL.

Surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct invasion

Purpose

There is still some debate on surgical procedures for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with bile duct tumor thrombi (BDTT, Ueda type 3 or 4). What is adequate extent of liver resection for curative treatment? Is extrahepatic bile duct resection mandatory for cure? The aim of this study is to answer these questions.

Methods

Between February 1994 and December 2012, 877 consecutive HCC patients underwent hepatic resection at Ajou University Hospital. Thirty HCC patients (3.4%) with BDTT (Ueda type 3 or 4) were retrospective reviewed in this study.

Results

In total, 20 patients enrolled in this study were divided into 2 groups: patients who underwent hemihepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection (group 1, n = 10) and with only removal of BDTT (group 2, n = 10). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 75.0%, 50.0%, and 27.8%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of group 1 were 100.0%, 80.0%, and 45.7%, and those of group 2 were 50.0%, 20.0%, and 10.0%, respectively (P = 0.014). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrences free survival rates of group 1 were 90.0%, 70.0%, and 42.0%, and those of group 2 were 36.0%, 36.0%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.014). Thrombectomy and infiltrative growth type (Ig) were found as independent prognostic factors for recurrence free survival by multivariate analysis. Thrombectomy, Ig, and high indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes were found as independent prognostic factors for overall survival by multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

We suggest that the appropriate surgical procedure for icteric HCC patients should be comprised of ipsilateral hemihepatectomy with caudate lobectomy and extrahepatic bile duct resection.

The alleviating pain effect of aqueous extract from tong-xie-yao-fang, on experimental visceral hypersensitivity and its mechanism

Tong-Xie-Yao-Fang (TXYF) is a prescription in traditional chinese medicine (TCM), used for relieving abdominal pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects and mechanism of TXYF on experimental visceral hypersensitivity (VH) models. TXYF affected the abdominal withdrawal reflex produced by colonic distention in maternal separation-induced visceral hypersensitivity rats, in a dosage-dependent manner. TXYF significantly decreased serotonin (5-HT) levels in serum and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) concentrations in the brain. Moreover, it was found that VH alleviation by TXYF was dependent on the substance P (SP) expression in the colon mucosa. These results suggest that TXYF attenuates behavioral hyperalgesia by regulating substance associated with the brain-gut axis, including decreasing the expression of 5-HT and SP in the periphery and that of CRF in the center.

[Diagnosis and treatment of postoperative complications after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of the complications in patients after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedure.

METHODS

Retrospectively analyze the data of the 23 patients who received the LAGB procedure from June 2003 to November 2004.

RESULTS

Of the 23 LAGB operations, 3 (13%) cases of vomiting and nausea, 1 (4.3%) case of access-port infection and 5 (21.4%) cases of food intolerance occurred. One band (4.3%) and one injection reservoir (4.3%) displaced and were removed by laparoscopy. No death and thrombo-embolism occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis and treatment of complications after LAGB in morbid obesity was special, if managed properly, the result would be satisfactory.

[Study on anti-tumor effect of medicinal fungi Phellinus igniarius extracts]

OBJECTIVE

To study the inhibiting effect of medicinal fungi Phellinus igniarius extracts on S180 tumor and the immunoregulation effect on the S180-induced tumor mice.

METHOD

S180 mice were orally given 100, 200, 400 mg x kg(-1) dosage of P. igniarius extracts, then the inhibition grow effect, spleen index, and thyme index were measured.

RESULT

Medicinal fungi P. igniarius extracts can increase the spleen index and thyme index and the inhibiting tumor rate was 31.88%, 46.25%, 53.13%, respectively. Also, medicinal fungi P. igniarius extracts can prolong life in mice.

CONCLUSION

The medicinal fungi P. igniarius extracts show obviously anti-tumor effect and immunoregulation effect.

Rational approximation with multidimensional scattered data

Accurate and efficient rational approximation schemes are presented for interpolating multidimensional scattered data with a novel weighted least-squares procedure including domain decomposition. Two particular representations of the method are formulated and the corresponding algorithms are implemented. Numerical tests on three- and six-dimensional model systems are carried out, demonstrating high efficiency and accuracy. This work was motivated by the need for multidimensional function approximation using irregular grids when solving quantum fluid dynamics equations, and the method should have broader physical applications.

Solution of the quantum fluid dynamical equations with radial basis function interpolation

The paper proposes a numerical technique within the Lagrangian description for propagating the quantum fluid dynamical (QFD) equations in terms of the Madelung field variables R and S, which are connected to the wave function via the transformation psi = exp(R + iS)/[symbol: see text]. The technique rests on the QFD equations depending only on the form, not the magnitude, of the probability density rho = magnitude of psi 2 and on the structure of R = [symbol: see text]/2 ln rho generally being simpler and smoother than rho. The spatially smooth functions R and S are especially suitable for multivariate radial basis function interpolation to enable the implementation of a robust numerical scheme. Examples of two-dimensional model systems show that the method rivals, in both efficiency and accuracy, the split-operator and Chebychev expansion methods. The results on a three-dimensional model system indicates that the present method is superior to the existing ones, especially, for its low storage requirement and its uniform accuracy. The advantage of the new algorithm is expected to increase for higher dimensional systems to provide a practical computational tool.

Solving the bound-state Schrodinger equation by reproducing kernel interpolation

Based on reproducing kernel Hilbert space theory and radial basis approximation theory, a grid method is developed for numerically solving the N-dimensional bound-state Schrodinger equation. Central to the method is the construction of an appropriate bounded reproducing kernel (RK) Lambda(alpha)( ||r ||) from the linear operator -nabla(2)(r)+lambda(2) where nabla(2)(r) is the N-dimensional Laplacian, lambda>0 is a parameter related to the binding energy of the system under study, and the real number alpha>N. The proposed (Sobolev) RK Lambda(alpha)(r,r(')) is shown to be a positive-definite radial basis function, and it matches the asymptotic solutions of the bound-state Schrodinger equation. Numerical tests for the one-dimensional (1D) Morse potential and 2D Henon-Heiles potential reveal that the method can accurately and efficiently yield all the energy levels up to the dissociation limit. Comparisons are also made with the results based on the distributed Gaussian basis method in the 1D case as well as the distributed approximating functional method in both 1D and 2D cases.

The human FGF-5 oncogene encodes a novel protein related to fibroblast growth factors

We previously described the isolation of a human oncogene which had acquired transforming potential by a DNA rearrangement accompanying transfection of NIH 3T3 cells with human tumor DNA (X. Zhan, A. Culpepper, M. Reddy, J. Loveless, and M. Goldfarb, Oncogene 1:369-376, 1987). We now term this oncogene the FGF-5 gene, since it specifies the fifth documented protein related to fibroblast growth factors (FGFs. Two regions of the FGF-5 sequence, containing 122 of its 267 amino acid residues, were 40 to 50% homologous to the sequences of acidic and basic FGFs as well as to the sequences of the FGF-related oncoproteins int-2 and hst/KS3. The FGF-5 gene bears the three exon structures typical for members of this family. FGF-5 was found to be expressed in the neonatal brain and in 3 of the 13 human tumor cell lines examined. Several experiments strongly suggested that FGF-5 is a growth factor with properties common to those of acidic and basic FGFs. The rearrangement which activated the FGF-5 gene during DNA transfection had juxtaposed a retrovirus transcriptional enhancer just upstream from the native promoter of the gene.