Triple the steady-state reaction rate by decorating the In_(2)O_(3)surface with SiO_(x)for CO_(2)hydrogenation

Indium oxide(In_(2)O_(3)),as a promising candidate for CO_(2)hydrogenation to C_(1) products,often suffers from sintering and activity decline,closely related to the undesirable structural evolution under reaction conditions.Based on the comprehension of the dynamic evolution,this study presents an efficient strategy to alleviate the agglomeration of In_(2)O_(3)nanoparticles by the surface decoration with highly dispersed silica species(SiO_(x)).Various structural characterizations combined with density functional theory calculations demonstrated that the sintering resulted from the over-reduction,while the enhanced stability originated from the anchoring effect of highly stable In-OSi bonds,which hinders the substantial formation of metallic In(In^(0))and the subsequent agglomeration.0.6Si/In_(2)O_(3)exhibited CO_(2)conversion rate of10.0 mmol g^(-1)h^(-1)at steady state vs.3.5 mmol g^(-1)h^(-1)on In_(2)O_(3)in CO_(2)hydrogenation.Enhanced steady-state activity was also achieved on Pd-modified catalysts.Compared to the traditional Pd/In_(2)O_(3)catalyst,the methanol production rate of Pd catalyst supported on 0.6Si/In_(2)O_(3)was enhanced by 23%,showing the potential of In_(2)O_(3)modified by SiO_(x)in serving as a platform material.This work provides a promising method to design new In_(2)O_(3)-based catalysts with improved activity and stability in CO_(2)hydrogenation.

Mathematical Named Entity Recognition Based on Adversarial Training and Self-Attention

Mathematical named entity recognition(MNER)is one of the fundamental tasks in the analysis of mathematical texts.To solve the existing problems of the current neural network that has local instability,fuzzy entity boundary,and long-distance dependence between entities in Chinese mathematical entity recognition task,we propose a series of optimization processing methods and constructed an Adversarial Training and Bidirectional long shortterm memory-Selfattention Conditional random field(AT-BSAC)model.In our model,the mathematical text was vectorized by the word embedding technique,and small perturbations were added to the word vector to generate adversarial samples,while local features were extracted by Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory(BiLSTM).The self-attentive mechanism was incorporated to extract more dependent features between entities.The experimental results demonstrated that the AT-BSAC model achieved a precision(P)of 93.88%,a recall(R)of 93.84%,and an F1-score of 93.74%,respectively,which is 8.73%higher than the F1-score of the previous Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory Conditional Random Field(BiLSTM-CRF)model.The effectiveness of the proposed model in mathematical named entity recognition.

基于基尼系数的四川省城乡建设用地优化配置

从城镇化内涵出发,在人口-经济-社会-空间视角下选取相关指标构建基于基尼系数的城乡建设用地总量优化配置模型,得到四川省2020年城乡建设用地总量优化配置方案。研究表明,优化方案与现行规划方案相比基尼系数由0. 311下降到0. 295,公平性显著提升。根据城乡建设用地面积增减幅度将21个地市(州)划分为4种类型,并针对不同类型区域提出优化建议。

Research on Sales Strategy Based on Supermarket Pipeline Data

“Low profit and high sales” is a strategy to increase sales volume by reducing the profit of unit goods, so that businesses can gain more profits. For flexible goods, price reduction can increase the total revenue, but when the goods are lack of flexibility, price reduction will reduce the total revenue. In this paper, according to the sales data provided by a supermarket, we preprocess the data, establish appropriate indicators to measure the daily discount strength of the mall, and establish a mathematical model between the discount strength, sales and profit margin. Through these models, we found that meager profits do bring up sales, but too low discounts can also hurt total profits. In addition, when shopping malls implement discount promotions, they will also bring some negative effects, and we give some suggestions for this.

Do Antineoplastic Drugs Play an Additional Role in the Progression of Non-Compaction Cardiomyopathy? A Case Report

Non-compaction cardiomyopathy is a rare form of cardiomyopathy;its most common clinical manifestations are heart failure (HF), ventricular arrhythmia, thromboembolism, and sudden cardiac death. We report a rare case of a 63-year-old man with chest tightness, worsening lower leg edema, dyspnea, and decreased exercise tolerance. He had a medical history of gastric cancer treated with subtotal gastrectomy and post-operative chemotherapy with paclitaxel and fluorouracil three years ago. At that time, he was diagnosed with non-compaction cardiomyopathy, and the thickened and reticulated trabecular muscle was exclusively confined to left ventricular apex. Five months ago, he was admitted to our hospital with heart failure and treated for dilated cardiomyopathy, echocardiography revealed severe trabecular noncompact myocardium in both ventricles, which was confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). It is generally accepted that non-compacted myocardium forms in the early embryonic stage, which raises a question in our case whether acquired factors, such as antineoplastic drugs, potentially accelerate the pathological progression of non-compaction cardiomyopathy. Considering there are disparities between current screening tools such as echocardiography and CMR regarding diagnostic criteria, multi-detector CT may be an alternative examination method that could provide a new perspective for diagnosis.

红安县七里坪革命法庭的法制实践研究

设立于红安的七里坪革命法庭一般被视为中国共产党历史上的第一个革命法庭。七里坪革命法庭的设立与审判实践活动几经波折,是特殊历史时期的产物。革命法庭成立初期,以中国共产党开展土地革命的政治任务为目标,惩处了一批剥削乡邻的贪官污吏、土豪劣绅,有力地震慑了地方上的反革命势力。七里坪革命法庭的司法审判活动,是革命根据地的中国共产党人以法律为手段同压迫人民的剥削势力做斗争、宣传马列主义先进思想的重要实践,为鄂豫皖苏区的法制实践及新中国的法制建设提供了重要借鉴。

Alteration of p53 and p21 during hepatocarcinogenesis in tree shrews

AIM: To investigate p53 mutation and p21 expression in hepatocarcinogenesis induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in tree shrews, and to reveal the role of these genes in hepatocarcinogenesis.METHODS: Tree shrews were divided into four groups:group A, those infected with HBV and fed with AFB1 (n = 39);group B, those infected with HBV alone (n = 28); group C,those fed with AFB1 alone (n = 29); and group D, normal controls (n = 20). The tree shrews underwent liver biopsies once every 15 wk. Expression of p53 and p21 proteins and genes in the biopsies and tumor tissues of the experimental tree shrews was detected, respectively, by immunohistochemistry,and by Southem blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and sequencing.RESULTS: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) was higher in group A (66.7%) than that in group B (3.57%) and C (30%). The time of HCC occurrence was also earlier in group A than that in group C (120.0±16.6 wk vs 153.3±5.8 wk, respectively, P<0.01). p53 protein was not detected by immunohistochemistry in all groups before the 75^th wk of the experiment. At the 105^th wk, the positive rates fo p53 were 78.6%, 60% and 71.4% in groups A, B and C, respectively, which were significantly higher than that in group D (10%) (all P<0.05). An abnormal band of p53 gene was observed in groups A and C. The mutation points of p53gene in tree shrews with HCC were at codons 275, 78 and 13. The nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence of tree shrew's wild-type p53 showed 91.7% and 93.4% homologies with those of human p53,respectively. The immunopositivity for p21 was found before HCC development. The incidence of HCC was significantly higher in tree shrews that were positive for p21 than those negative for p21 (80.0% vs 11.0%, P<0.001).The incidence of HCC in p21 positive animals in group A was significantly higher than those positive for p21 in group C (P<O.05).CONCLUSION: A remarkable synergistic effect on HCC development exists between HBV and AFB1. p53 mutation promotes the development of HCC. HBV and AFB1 may synergistically induce p53 gene mutation, and stimulate ras gene expression, ras gene is activated at the earlier stage during hepatocarcinogenesis, p21 protein may be an early marker, and the alterations of p53 may be a late event in the development of HCC.

Controlled-Release Oxycodone Alone or Combined with Gabapentin for Management of Malignant Neuropathic Pain

Objective： To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of controlled-release （CR） oxycodone and gabapentin in malignant neuropathic pain （NP）. Methods： Patients with malignant NP were enrolled and baseline pain intensity （PI） was recorded. They initially took one week CR oxycodone and were allocated to two different groups at day 8 by reevaluated PI. Patients with mild pain went to CR oxycodone mono-therapy group （OO group） and took another two weeks CR oxycodone. Others went to （CR oxycodone combined gabapentin group （OG group） and received additional gabapentin. Daily doses and side effects were recorded. Results： Fifty-eight （92.06%） of the 63 enrolled patients completed the initial week＇s therapy. Twenty-two （37.93%） went to OO group and PI significantly reduced at day 15 （2.00 vs. 2.62, P=0.004）, but not improved at day 22 （1.90 vs. 2.00, P=0.54）. Thirty-six （62.07%） patients went to OG group and PI was significantly reduced at day 15 （4,47 vs. 2.94, P〈0.001）, but not improved at day 22 （2.94 vs. 2.75, P=0.136）. Mean daily dose （MDD） of CR oxycodone at day 8 was 62.64 mg. It was significantly increased at days 15 and 22 （71.43 mg vs. 62.64 rag, P=0.021; 81.90 mg vs. 71.43 mg, P=0.004） in OO group. MDD of gabapentin was significantly increased at day 22 compared to day 15 （862.50 mg vs. 993.75 mg, P〈0.001）. Constipation was occurred in 13.64% of the patients in OO group and 14.26 % in OG group. Conclusion： Malignant NP may be well controlled by oxycodone mono-therapy. Early combination with gabapentin is sensible when pain is not satisfactory relieved by oxycodone alone. The side effects of them are manageable.

Sporamin suppresses growth of xenografted colorectal carcinoma in athymic BALB/c mice by inhibiting liver β-catenin and vascular endothelial growth factor expression

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the third most common malignancy of the digestive tract and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality in China.Sporamin,a Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor isolated from sweet potato,is a potential anti-cancer agent with activities against a number of malignant tumor cells in vitro.The liver secretes a myriad of endocrine factors that may facilitate the growth and transformation of tumors in the development of CRC.AIM To investigate the effects of sporamin on liver morphology and biomarkers of xenografted CRC in the liver of athymic BALB/c mice.METHODS Twenty-seven male BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into control,vehicle,and sporamin groups.Mice in the latter two groups were intraperitoneally xenografted with LoVo colorectal carcinoma cells and intragastrically infused with saline or sporamin(0.5 g/kg body weight/d),respectively,for 3 wk.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining of the sections was performed to observe morphological changes in hepatic tissue and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(qPCR)and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)were used to measure the expression ofβ-catenin and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the liver.RESULTS Sporamin significantly reduced the number and weight of tumor nodules formed in the abdominal cavity.Compared with the vehicle group,the mean tumor weight(±SD)in the sporamin group was significantly reduced(0.44±0.10 g vs 0.26±0.15 g)and the total number of tumors decreased from 93 to 55.HE staining showed that enlargement of the nucleus and synthesis of proteins within hepatocytes,as well as infiltration of inflammatory cells into the liver,were attenuated by sporamin.Immunohistochemical staining and ELISA showed that the concentrations ofβ-catenin and VEGF in the liver were significantly reduced by sporamin.Compared with the vehicle group,the expression ofβ-catenin measured in integrated optical density units per area was reduced in the sporamin group(47.29±9.10 vs 26.14±1.72;P=0.003).Expression of VEGF was also reduced after sporamin intervention from 20.78±2.06 in the vehicle group to 15.80±1.09 in the sporamin group(P=0.021).Compared with the vehicle group,the concentration ofβ-catenin decreased from 134.42±22.04 pg/mL to 109.07±9.65 pg/mL after sporamin intervention(P=0.00002).qPCR indicated that compared to the vehicle group,relative mRNA expression ofβ-catenin and VEGF in the liver of mice in the sporamin-treated group was significantly reduced to 71%±1%(P=0.000001)and 23%±7%(P=0.00002),respectively,of the vehicle group levels.CONCLUSION Sporamin down-regulates the expression and secretion ofβ-catenin and VEGF in the liver,which subsequently inhibits the transcription of downstream genes involved in cancer progression and angiogenesis.

Lipid rafts participate in aberrant degradative autophagic-lysosomal pathway of amyloid-beta peptide in Alzheimer's disease

Amyloid-beta peptide is the main component of amyloid plaques, which are found in Alzhei- mer＇s disease. The generation and deposition of amyloid-beta is one of the crucial factors for the onset and progression of Alzheimer＇s disease. Lipid rafts are glycolipid-rich liquid domains of the plasma membrane, where certain types of protein tend to aggregate and intercalate. Lipid rafts are involved in the generation of amyloid-beta oligomers and the formation of amyloid-beta peptides. In this paper, we review the mechanism by which lipid rafts disturb the aberrant deg- radative autophagic-lysosomal pathway of amyloid-beta, which plays an important role in the pathological process of Alzheimer＇s disease. Moreover, we describe this mechanism from the view of the Two-system Theory of fasciology and thus, suggest that lipid rafts may be a new target of Alzheimer＇s disease treatment.

Recombinant adenovirus containing hyper-interleukin-6 and hepatocyte growth factor ameliorates acute-on-chronic liver failure in rats

AIM: To investigate the protective efficacy of recombinant adenovirus containing hyper-interleukin-6 (Hyper-IL-6, HIL-6) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) (Ad-HGF-HIL-6) compared to that of recombinant adenovirus containing either HIL-6 or HGF (Ad-HIL-6 or Ad-HGF) in rats with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).METHODS: The recombinant adenoviruses containing HIL-6 and/or HGF were constructed. We established an ACLF model, and rats were randomly assigned to control, model, Ad-GFP, Ad-HIL-6, Ad-HGF or Ad-HGF-HIL-6 group. We collected serum and liver tissue samples to test pathological changes, biochemical indexes and molecular biological indexes.RESULTS: Attenuated alanine aminotransferase, prothrombin time, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), endotoxin, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-&#x003b1; and interferon-&#x003b3; were observed in the Ad-HGF-, Ad-HIL-6- and Ad-HGF-HIL-6-treated rats with ACLF. Likewise, reduced hepatic damage and apoptotic activity, as well as reduced HMGB1 and Bax proteins, but raised expression of Ki67 and Bcl-2 proteins and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were also observed in the Ad-HGF-, Ad-HIL-6- and Ad-HGF-HIL-6-treated rats with ACLF. More significant changes were observed in the Ad-HGF-HIL-6 treatment group without obvious side effects. Furthermore, caspase-3 at the protein level decreased in the Ad-HIL-6 and Ad-HGF-HIL-6 treatment groups, more predominantly in the latter group.CONCLUSION: This study identifies that the protective efficacy of Ad-HGF-HIL-6 is more potent than that of Ad-HGF or Ad-HIL-6 in ACLF rats, with no significant side effects.

Aerosol Data Assimilation Using Data from Fengyun-3A and MODIS:Application to a Dust Storm over East Asia in 2011

Aerosol optical depth （AOD） is the most basic paxalneter that describes the optical properties of atmospheric aerosols, and it can be used to indicate aerosol content. In this study, we assimilated AOD data from the Fengyun-3A （FY-3A） and MODIS meteorological satellite using the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation three-dimensional variational data assimilation system. Experiments were conducted for a dust storm over East Asia in April 2011. Each 0600 UTC analysis initialized a 24-h Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry model forecast. The results generally showed that the assimilation of satellite AOD observational data can significantly improve model aerosol mass prediction skills. The AOD distribution of the analysis field was closer to the observations of the satellite after assimilation of satellite AOD data. In addition, the analysis resulting from the experiment assimilating both FY-3A/MERSI （Medium-resolution Spectral Imager） AOD data and MODIS AOD data had closer agreement with the ground-based values than the individual assimilation of the two datasets for the dust storm over East Asia. These results suggest that the Chinese FY-3A satellite aerosol products can be effectively applied to numerical models and dust weather analysis.

Relationship between Volatile Anesthetics and Tumor Progression: Unveiling the Mystery

A series of factors can be involved in the perioperative period to cause an increase in cancer-related mortality.Unfortunately,volatile anesthesia might aggravate the deleterious effects. In this article,we review the association of diverse volatile anesthetic agents with immune system and cancer cell biology,and examine the effects on angeogenesis and postoperative metastasis or recurrence.Isoflurane,haloflurane and enflurane enhance immunosuppression and upregulate hypoxia-inducible-factor 1and matrix metalloproteinases,leading to the cancer malignant progression,whereas roles of desflurane and sevoflurane are still unclear.As the effects of volatile anesthetics on tumor immunity have been known,it will be beneficial for using selective drugs into anesthesia and operation in cancer patients.

Patient-Specific Echo-Based Fluid-Structure Interaction Modeling Study of Blood Flow in the Left Ventricle with Infarction and Hypertension

Understanding cardiac blood flow behaviors is of importance for cardiovascular research and clinical assessment of ventricle functions.Patient-specific Echo-based left ventricle(LV)fluid-structure interaction(FSI)models were introduced to perform ventricle mechanical analysis,investigate flow behaviors,and evaluate the impact of myocardial infarction(MI)and hypertension on blood flow in the LV.Echo image data were acquired from 3 patients with consent obtained:one healthy volunteer(P1),one hypertension patient(P2),and one patient who had an inferior and posterior myocardial infarction(P3).The nonlinear Mooney-Rivlin model was used for ventricle tissue with material parameter values chosen to match echo-measure LV volume data.Using the healthy case as baseline,LV with MI had lower peak flow velocity(30%lower at beginejection)and hypertension LV had higher peak flow velocity(16%higher at begin-filling).The vortex area(defined as the area with vorticity>0)for P3 was 19%smaller than that of P1.The vortex area for P2 was 12%smaller than that of P1.At peak of filling,the maximum flow shear stress(FSS)for P2 and P3 were 390%higher and 63%lower than that of P1,respectively.Meanwhile,LV stress and strain of P2 were 41%and 15%higher than those of P1,respectively.LV stress and strain of P3 were 36%and 42%lower than those of P1,respectively.In conclusion,FSI models could provide both flow and structural stress/strain information which would serve as the base for further cardiovascular investigations related to disease initiation,progression,and treatment strategy selections.Large-scale studies are needed to validate our findings.

Bioprosthetic Valve Size Selection to Optimize Aortic Valve ReplacementSurgical Outcome: A Fluid-Structure Interaction Modeling Study

Aortic valve replacement(AVR)remains a major treatment option for patients with severe aortic valve disease.Clinical outcome of AVR is strongly dependent on implanted prosthetic valve size.Fluid-structure interaction(FSI)aortic root models were constructed to investigate the effect of valve size on hemodynamics of the implanted bioprosthetic valve and optimize the outcome of AVR surgery.FSI models with 4 sizes of bioprosthetic valves(19(No.19),21(No.21),23(No.23)and 25 mm(No.25))were constructed.Left ventricle outflow track flow data from one patient was collected and used as model flow conditions.Anisotropic Mooney–Rivlin models were used to describe mechanical properties of aortic valve leaflets.Blood flow pressure,velocity,systolic valve orifice pressure gradient(SVOPG),systolic cross-valve pressure difference(SCVPD),geometric orifice area,and flow shear stresses from the four valve models were compared.Our results indicated that larger valves led to lower transvalvular pressure gradient,which is linked to better post AVR outcome.Peak SVOPG,mean SCVPD and maximum velocity for Valve No.25 were 48.17%,49.3%,and 44.60%lower than that from Valve No.19,respectively.Geometric orifice area from Valve No.25 was 52.03%higher than that from Valve No.19(1.87 cm2 vs.1.23 cm2).Implantation of larger valves can significantly reduce mean flow shear stress on valve leaflets.Our initial results suggested that larger valve size may lead to improved hemodynamic performance and valve cardiac function post AVR.More patient studies are needed to validate our findings.

Erosion-Induced Inflammation on Coronary Plaque Stress/Strain and Flow Shear Stress Calculations Using OCT-Based FSI Computational Model

Plaque erosion,together with plaque rupture,is a common cause for acute coronary syndrome(ACS).Plaque erosion alone is responsible for about one third of the patients with ACS.Eroded plaque is defined as thrombosed,endothelium-absent and non-ruptured but often-inflamed plaques based on histological findings.Even though there is efficient imaging technologies to detect the eroded plaque in vivo and tailored treatment strategy has also been developed for ACScaused by erosion in clinics,the pathogenesis mechanisms that cause plaque erosion are not fully understood.It is widely postulated that thrombus formation and endothelial apoptosis(the precursors of plaque erosion)have closed association with biomechanical conditions in the coronary vessel.Revealing of the mechanical conditions in the eroded plaque could advance our knowledge in understanding the formation of plaque erosion.To this end,patient-specific OCT-based fluid-structure interaction(FSI)models were developed to investigate the plaque biomechanical conditions and investigate the impact of erosioninduced inflammation on biomechanical conditions.In vivo OCTand Biplane X-ray angiographic data of eroded coronary plaque were acquired from one male patient(age:64). OCT images were segmented manually with external elastic membrane contour and the trailing edge of the lipid-rich necrotic core(lipid)assumed to have positive remodeling ratio 1.1.Locations with luminal surface having direct contact with intraluminal thrombus on OCT images were identified erosion sites.Fusion of OCT and biplane X-ray angiographic data were performed to obtain the 3D coronary geometry.OCT-based FSI models with pre-shrink-stretch process and anisotropic material properties were constructed following previously established procedures.To reflect tissue weakening caused by erosion-induced inflammation,the material stiffness of plaque intima at the erosion site was adjust to one tenth of un-eroded fibrous plaque tissue.Three FSI models were constructed to investigate the impacts of inflammation and lipid component on plaque biomechanics:M1,without erosion(this means plaque intima at the erosion sites were not softened)and without inclusion of lipid component;M2,with erosion but no lipid;M3,with erosion and inclusion of lipid.FSI models were solved by ADINA to obtain the biomechanical conditions at peak blood pressure including plaque wall stress/strain(PWS/PWSn)and flow wall shear stress(WSS).The average values of three biomechanical conditions at the erosion sites and at the fibrous cap overlaying lipid component were calculated from three models for analysis.The results of M1 and M2 were compared to investigate the impact of erosion-induced inflammation on plaque biomechanics.Mean PWS value decreases from 49.98 kPa to 18.83 kPa(62.32%decrease)while Mean PWSn value increases from 0.123 1 to 0.138 4(12%increase)as the material stiffness becomes 10times soft.Comparing M2 and M3 at the cap sites,M3(with inclusion of lipid)will elevates mean PWS and PWSn values by48.59%and 16.09%,respectively.The impacts of erosion and lipid on flow shear stress were limited(<2%).To conclude,erosion-induced inflammation would lead to lower stress distribution but larger strain distribution,while lipid would elevate both stress and strain conditions.This shows the influence of erosion and lipid component has impacts on stress/strain cal-culations which are closely related to plaque assessment.

Transplanted adipose-derived stem cells delay D-galactose-induced aging in rats

To investigate the effects of allogeneically transplanted, adipose-derived stem cells in aging rats, in the present study, we established a rat model of subacute aging using continuous subcutaneous injections of D-galactose. Two weeks after the adipose-derived stem cells transplantations, serum superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased, malondialdehyde content was significantly reduced, hJppocampal neuronal degeneration was ameliorated, the apoptotic index of hippocampal neurons was decreased, and leaming and memory function was significantly improved in the aging rats. These results indicate that allogeneic transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells may effectively delay D-galactose-induced aging.

Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and MS/MS Spectroscopy for the Identification of Brodimoprim Metabolites in Rat Urine

Eight metabolites of brodimoprim (BDP) in rat urine were detected by NMR and ESIMS/MS. They were demethyl-BDP glucuronide, demethyl-BDP sulfurate, demethyl-BDP glucuronide sulfurate, alpha -hydroxyl-BDP, alpha -hydroxyl-BDP glucuronide, BDP sulfurate, N-oxide-BDP sulfurate, and alpha -hydroxyl-N-oxide-BDP sulfurate. All the sulfurates are reported for the first time.

Clinical Application of Primary Suture Following Three-Port Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration: A Report of 176 Cases

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, safety and the clinical value of primary suture following 3-port laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). Methods: From January 2012 to September 2014, 176 patients suffered from choledocholithiasis were treated with primary suture following 3-port LCBDE and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Results: All cases were operated successfully and none was converted to open surgery. The duration of operation was 92.2 ± 18.8 min and the length of postoperative hospital stay was 4.4 ± 3.7 d. Postoperative bile leakage occurred in 2 cases and these patients recovered by simple drainage for 3 to 7 days without re-operation. All patients recovered smoothly without any serious complications. Conclusions: Primary suture following 3-port LCBDE is safe, effective and mini-invasive, which is worthy of further clinical application.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on expression of biomarkers during aflatoxin B_1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats

Objective： The aim of this study was to study the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract （EGb761） on metabolism of afiatoxin B1 （AFB1） in Wistar rats. Methods： Seventy one Wistar rats were assigned at random to groups A, B and C. Rats in groups A, B were injected with AFB1 （intraperitoneal, 100-200 ug/kg body weight, 1-3 times/week）. Group C was normal control. Rats in group B were fed in food with EGb761, while rats in groups A, C were given normal food. Blood samples were collected and liver biopsies were performed on the 14th, 28th and 42nd week. All the rats were sacrificed on the 64th week. The incidence of hepatocarcinoma was investigated. The hepatic phase I drug-metabolizing enzyme Cytochrome-P450 （CYP450） and phase II metabolizing enzyme glutathione S-transferase （GST） were analyzed with spectrometry. Serum AFB1- lysine adduct levels were assessed with high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. The expression of 8-hydroxydeoxy- guanosine （8-OHdG） was measured with immunohistochemistry. Results： The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） in group B was significantly lower than that in group A （26.92% vs 76.00%, P 〈 0.001）. No HCC developed in group C. EGb761 showed no effects on the activities of CYP450 and GST in rat liver tissues. The level of AFB1-lysine adduct reached the peak （4356.01 pg/mg albumin） at the 14th week in group A. EGb761 significantly inhibited the formation of AFB1-lysine adduct in serum by 13.07% at the 14th week （P = 0.033）, and 73.63% at the 42nd week （P = 0.002）. The expression of 8-OHdG protein in rat liver tissues in group B was significantly lower than that in group A at the 28th, 42nd, and 64th week （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： The main mechanism underlying the effect of EGb761 in blocking hepatocarcinogenesis induced by AFB1 may not be fully attributable to its influence on the activity of liver phase I and phase II metabolizing enzymes. EGb761 inhibits the production of AFB1-lysine adducts, decreases the expression of 8-OHdG protein, and finally alleviates the DNA oxidative injury, which may be one of the mechanisms for the effects of EGb761 in inhibiting or delaying AFB1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.