铝蜂窝异面压缩的扩胞等效方法

基于铝蜂窝表观密度、质量、平台强度、异面弹性模量、压缩率、吸能量6个基本力学量,建立了正六边形铝蜂窝等效前后胞元厚跨比(胞壁厚度与跨度的比)间的映射关系,得到相同厚跨比蜂窝结构具有相同的力学属性与吸能特性。采用以大换小的扩胞途径,保持胞元厚跨比不变,通过改变蜂窝胞元结构几何参数,提出了将致密孔格稀疏化的蜂窝扩胞等效分析流程,实现了致密蜂窝数值模拟时单元规模与计算时间的有效减缩。基于显式有限元方法,建立了8种等间距扩胞铝蜂窝求解模型,结果验证了扩胞等效方法的可行性。等效前后计算效率的对比分析显示了扩胞方法的高效性。但在异面方向尺度与胞元跨度相近时,扩胞等效方法受到一定的局限。

Studies on Contamination of Cytoplasm DNA and Its Control in Plant Chromosone Microdissection

染色体微切割和微克隆已成为复杂基因组研究的有效途径 ,但是操作过程中的核外DNA的污染一直是令人担心的问题。通过研究植物染色体微切割 (微分离 )和微切割的染色体DNA扩增过程中细胞质DNA的污染问题 ,表明目前常用的植物染色体微切割过程中 ,细胞质DNA的污染几乎难以避免 ,并提出了一个改进的降低细胞质DNA污染的方法 ,对如何控制细胞质DNA的污染进行了详细的讨论。

Validity and Systematic Position of Rana altaica(Rana:Ranidae):Results of a Phylogenetic Analysis

In order to evaluate the phylogenetic position and validity of Rana altaica,we investigated the phylogeny of brown frogs in Eurasia by Bayesian Inference and Maximum Parsimony analyses of a fragment from the mitochondrial DNA gene Cytochrome b.Both analyses resolved R.altaica as nesting deeply within R.arvalis.Most samples of the nominal R.altaica from the Altai region and specimens from Central Siberia shared a haplotype with R.arvalis based on the network analysis.The matrilineal relationships suggested that R.altaica should be considered as a junior synonym of R.arvalis.Furthermore,our study suggested that the species group division of Chinese brown frogs should be re-evaluated within a phylogenetic context.

Expression and clinical significance of TAp73α, p53, PCNA and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To study the prognostic role of TAp73α, p53, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and apoptosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgical tumor ablation. METHODS: Forty-seven human resected HCC tissues and 42 adjacent non-cancerous tissues were studied with 10 normal liver tissues as control group. TAp73α, p53, and PCNA were detected with Elivision immunohistochemistry. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated d-UTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to detect the apoptosis cells. All clinical and pathological materials were analyzed by SPSS10.0 statistical package. RESULTS: TAp73α overexpressed in HCC tissues (36.2%) when compared with adjacent non-cancerous tissues (2.38%, P<0.005) and normal liver tissues (0, P<0.01). Mutant type p53 (mt-p53) overexpressed in HCC tissues (38.3%) when contracted with adjacent non-cancerous tissues (16.7%, P<0.05) and normal liver tissues (0, P<0.01). Proliferation index (PI) level in HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues (30.34%±4.46% vs 27.88%±5.89%, t, P=0.028). Apoptosis index (AI) level in HCC tissues was higher than that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues (8.62%±2.28% vs 7.38%±2.61%, t, P=0.019). Expression of TAp73a was associated with lymph node metastasis and mt-p53, with r=0.407 and 0.265, respectively. Expression of mt-p53 was associated with Edmondson's stage and AFP, with r=0.295 and-0.357, respectively. In Kaplan-Meier univariant analysis, TAp73α, AFP, TNM stage, portal vein invasion, liver membrane invasion and HBsAg correlated with prognosis (log rank, P=0.039, 0.012, 0.002, 0.000, 0.014, 0.007, respectively). Multivariant Cox regression analysis showed that TAp73α, AFP, TNM stage, portal vein invasion, liver membrane invasion and age were independent factors of prognosis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that TAp73α can be used as a prognostic indicator of patients with HCC undergoing surgical tumor ablation. AFP, TNM, portal vein invasion, liver membrane invasion and age also have a potency of predicting the prognosis of HCC.

Cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis from pseudomixoma peritonei

AIM： To investigate the most important aspects of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy （HIPEC） that has been accepted as the standard treatment for pseudomyxoma peritonei （PMP）, with special regard to morbidity, overall survival （OS） and disease free survival （DFS） over 10 years. METHODS： Fifty-three patients affected by PMP underwent cytoreduction （CCR） and HIPEC with a ＂semi-closed＂ abdomen technique in our institution. The peritonectomy procedure and completeness of CCR were classified according to Sugarbaker criteria. Preoperative evaluation always included thoracic and abdominal CT scan to stage peritoneal disease and exclude distant metastases. Fifty-one patients in our series were treated with a protocol based on administration of cisplatinum 100 mg/m^2 plus mitomycin C 16 mg/m^2, at a temperature of 41.5℃ for 60 min. Anastomoses were always performed at the end of HIPEC. The mean duration of surgery was 12 h including HIPEC. Continuous monitoring of hepatic and renal functions and hydroelectrolytic balance was performed in the postoperative period. RESULTS： Twenty-four patients presented with postoperative complications： surgical morbidity was observed in 16 patients and 6 patients were reoperated. All complications were successfully treated and no postoperative deaths were observed. Risk factors for postoperative morbidity were considered to be gender, age, body surface, duration of surgery,Peritoneal Cancer Index （PCI） and tumor residual value （CC score）. No statistically significant correlation was found during the multivariate analysis： only the CC score was statistically significant. The OS in our experience was 81.8%, with a DFS of 80% at 5 years and of 70% at 10 years. CONCLUSION： In our experience, even if HIPEC combined with cytoreductive surgery involves a high risk of morbidity, postoperative complications can be resolved favorably in most cases with correct patient selection and adequate postoperative care, thus minimizing mortality. The association of CCR and HIPEC can be considered as the standard treatment for PNP. The OS and DFS results confirm the validity of this combined approach for the treatment of this rare neoplasm. The impact of preoperative chemotherapy on OS, in our opinion, is due to a major aggressiveness of tumors in treated patients.

Effect of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

AIM： To evaluate the effect of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） cells. METHODS： A total of 136 patients with HCC underwent liver resection. Of 136 patients, 79 patients received 1 to 5 courses of TACE prior to liver resection （TACE group）, who were further subdivided into four groups： Group A （n = 11） who received i to 4 courses of chemotherapy alone; Group B （n = 33） who received i to 5 courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil; Group C （n = 23） who received i to 3 courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil and gelatin sponge; and Group D （n = 12） who received 1 to 3 courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil, ethanol and gelatin sponge. The other 57 patients only received liver resection （non- TACE group）. The expressions of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） protein were detected in the liver cancer tissues by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS： The Ki-67 protein expression was significantly lower in Groups C and D as compared with non-TACE group （31.35% ± 10.85% vs 44.43% ± 20.70%, 30.93% ± 18.10% vs 44.43% ± 20.70%, respectively, P 〈 0.05）. The PCNA protein expression was significantly lower in Groups C and D as compared with non-TACE group （49.61% ± 15.11% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, 41.16% ± 11.83% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, respectively, P 〈 0.05）. The Ki-67 protein expression was significantly higher in Group A as compared with non-TACE group （55.44% ± 13.72% vs 44.43% ± 20.70%, P 〈 0.05）. The PCNA protein expression was significantly higher in Groups A and B as compared with non-TACE group （72.22% ± 8.71% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, 69.91% ± 13.38% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, respectively, P 〈0.05）. CONCLUSION： Preoperative multi-material TACE suppresses the proliferation of HCC cells, while a single material embolization and chemotherapy alone enhance the proliferation of HCC cells.

Expressions and their significance of PTTG and PC proteins in glioma

Objective： To investigate the expressions and their relationship of pituitary tumor transforming gene （PTTG） and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） in glioma. Methods： The protein expressions of PTTG and PCNA were detected by immunostaining assay using streptavidin-peroxidase （SP） method in 80 cases of glioma. Results： The positive rates of PTTG in grades Ⅰ-Ⅳ gliomas were 56.3%, 68.2%, 80.8%, and 100.0% respectively, and the protein expression of PTTG increased with the increasing of the pathological grade （X^2= 9.602, P 〈 0.05）; The positive rates of PCNA protein were 37.5%, 54.5%, 69.2%, and 93.8% respectively, and the protein expression of PCNA increased with the increasing of the pathological grade （X2 = 12.147, P 〈 0.01）. The expression of PTTG had positive correlation with the expression of PCNA protein （~s = 0.557, P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： The expressions of PTTG and PCNA proteins were related to malignant degree of glioma, and may cooperate with each other in the tumorigenesis and progression and can be considered as the indicators of the biological behaviors in glioma.

Laser Capture Microdissection Combined with RNA in vitro Linear Amplification Detecting the Relevant Genes of Bladder Cancer

Objective： Laser capture microdisection has become indispensable to the analysis of the difference of gene expression between human bladder transitional cell and bladder transitional cell carcinoma （BTCC）. However, to obtain sufficient RNA from laser-capture microdissected cells is quite difficult. The study was designed to determinc a feasible technical routine to isolate transitional cells from bladder membrane, separate carcinoma cclls from stromal cells and to amplify the RNA isolated from laser-capture microdissected cells. Methods： Bladder transitional cell were obtained from frozen sections of bladder membrane applying LCM, by the same token, BTCC cells from frozen sections of BTCC tissue. Then RNA was extracted and linearly amplified in vitro. The expression levels of β-actin in primary total RNA and amplified RNA were detected using RT-PCR. Results： That RNA integrity was good after LCM was confirmed by control experiment Ⅰ; By control experiment Ⅱ, the correlation between the number of LCM-shooting and RNA quantity undcr arranged conditions was preliminarily confirmed. About 0.5-2.5kb RNA fragments were obtained after RNA amplification and β-actin levels were integral. Conclusion： Laser capture microdissection combined with RNA linear amplification in vitro can be successfully applied to obtain pure objective cells for research. The integrity of the amplified RNA is good and can be employed in further research.

A special growth manner of intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma

We report a case of a 56-year-old woman with intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma(IBC)accompanying a tumor embolus in the extrahepatic bile duct,who was admitted to our department on October 13,2008.Imaging showed an asymmetry dilation of the biliary tree,different bile signals in the biliary tree,a multiloculated lesion and an extrahepatic bile duct lesion with internal septation.A regular left hemihepatectomy en bloc was performed with resection of the entire tumor,during which a tumor embolus protruding into the extrahepatic bile duct and originating from biliary duct of segment 4 was revealed.Microscopically,the multiloculated tumor was confirmed to be a biliary cystadenoma with an epithelial lining composed of biliary-type cuboidal cells and surrounded by an ovarian-like stroma.An aggressive en bloc resection was recommended for the multiloculated lesion.Imaging workup,clinicians and surgeons need to be aware of this different presentation.

Evaluation of diffusion in gel entrapment cell culture within hollow fibers

AIM: To investigate diffusion in mammalian cell culture by gel entrapment within hollow fibers. METHODS: Freshly isolated rat hepatocytes or human oral epidermoid carcinoma (KB) cells were entrapped in type I collagen solutions and statically cultured inside microporous and ultrafiltration hollow fibers. During the culture time collagen gel contraction, cell viability and specific function were assessed. Effective diffusion coefficients of glucose in cell-matrix gels were determined by lag time analysis in a diffusion cell. RESULTS: Significant gel contractions occurred in the collagen gels by entrapment of either viable hepatocytes or KB cells. And the gel contraction caused a significant reduction on effective diffusion coefficient of glucose. The cell viability assay of both hepatocytes and KB cells statically cultured in hollow fibers by collagen entrapment further confirmed the existence of the inhibited mass transfer by diffusion. Urea was secreted about 50% more by hepatocytes entrapped in hollow fibers with pore size of 0.1 μm than that in hollow fibers with MWCO of 100 ku. CONCLUSION: Cell-matrix gel and membrane pore size are the two factors relevant to the limited mass transfer by diffusion in such gel entrapment of mammalian cell culture.

BCL2 inhibits cell adhesion, spreading, and motility by enhancing actin polymerization

BCL2 is best known as a multifnnctional anti-apoptotic protein. However, little is known about its role in cell- adhesive and motility events. Here, we show that BCL2 may play a role in the regulation of cell adhesion, spreading, and motility. When BCL2 was overexpressed in cultured murine and human cell lines, cell spreading, adhesion, and motility were impaired. Consistent with these results, the loss of Bcl2 resulted in higher motility observed in Bcl2- null mouse embryonic fibroblast （MEF） cells compared to wild type. The mechanism of BCL2 regulation of cell adhesion and motility may involve formation of a complex containing BCL2, actin, and gelsolin, which appears to functionally decrease the severing activity of gelsolin. We have observed that the lysate from MCF-7 and NIH3T3 cells that overexpressed BCL2 enhanced actin polymerization in cell-free in vitro assays. Confocal immunofluorescent localization of BCL2 and F-actin during spreading consistently showed that increased expression of BCL2 resulted in increased F-actin polymerization. Thus, the formation of BCL2 and gelsolin complexes （which possibly contain other proteins） appears to play a critical role in the regulation of cell adhesion and migration. Given the established correlation of cell motility with cancer metastasis, this result may explain why the expression Of BCL2 in some tumor cell types reduces the potential for metastasis and is associated with improved patient prognosis.

Effect of Fufang Danshen Pill on Bone Marrow Stem Mobilization when Myocardial Scathe

Objective：To investigate the effect of Fufang Danshen pill on bone marrow stem mobilization during myocardial scathe. Methods：Rat models with expansionary myocardial disease were established by Pituitrin and Furazolidone. Experimental rats were divided into the contrast group, the myocardial scathe group （MS group）, the myocardial scathe and Fufang Dansben pill group （ MS ＋ FD group） and the myocardial scathe and fluvastatin group （ MS ＋ FT group）. The ratio of CD34^＋ cells was examined at the 1^st, 3^nl and 6^th weekend. Index of heart structure and function including LVESD, LVEDD. LYEF, LVEDP and dp/dtmax were evaluated at the 6^th weekend. The HW/BW index was calculated. Results：In the MS group, the index of HW/BW, LVESD, LVEDD and LVEDP were obviously increased （P 〈 0.01 ） and index of dp/ dtmax and LVEF were obviously decreased （P 〈 0.05 ）. The ratio of CD34^＋ cells was significantly improved at the 1^at weekend and then reduced slowly with no difference from that of the contrast group at the 6th weekend. Compared the MS ＋ FD group and the MS ＋ FT group with the MS group, the index of HW/BW, LYESD, LYEDD and LYEDP of were signifi cantly decreased （ P 〈 0.05 ） and index of dp/dtmax and LVEF were increased （P 〈 0.01 ）. The ratio of CD34^＋ cells was significantly higher at the 1^st, 3^nl and 6^th weekend, but had no statistic meaning at 3^nl and 6^th weekend （P 〉 0.05 ）. Conclusion：Pituitrin and Furazolidone can be used to establish rat models with expansionary myocardial disease. There has bone marrow stem mobilization during the early period of myocardial scathe. Fufang Danshen pill has effect on improving bone marrow stem mobilization, lightening the expansionary degree of heart and protecting the heart function. The effect of Fufang Danshen pill is as same as that of fluvastatin.

Adenosine 5'triphosphate transport and accumulation during the cold preservation of rat hepatocytes in University of Wisconsin solution

AIM: We used isolated hepatocytes to investigate how different concentrations of ATP in the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution affected both cellular ATP content and cell viability during the cold storage and the rewarming step. The mechanism involved in ATP transport and accumulation in hypothermia was also determined. METHODS: The cells were preserved up to 72 h in different conditions: UW solution without ATP (a-group), UW+5 mmol/L ATP (b-group), and UW+10 mmol/L ATP (c-group). The ATP content and the cell viability (LDH release) were determined during the cold storage and the rewarming step. In the groups a and c, the respiratory function of the cells at rewarming was studied. In addition, the cell volume of hepatocytes and the mechanism involved in ATP transport and accumulation were assessed. The extracellular degradation of exogenous nucleotides during transport experiments was investigated by a HPLC technique. RESULTS: After three days of cold storage a loss of cellular ATP content was observed in hepatocytes preserved either without nucleotides (a-group) or with 5 mmol/L ATP (b-group). In contrast, 10 mmol/L ATP (c-group) was able to maintain a normal ATP cellular content, with only a 6% diminution after 72 h of cold storage. The respiratory function was significantly different in hepatocytes preserved with 10 mmol/L ATP than without ATP. No significant change was detected For the three groups in cellular volume during the cold storage. We also report that the time course accumulation of [3H]-ATP by cold stored hepatocytes is a rapid process that is completed after 180 s with linear dependence on the extracellular ATP concentration (linear fitting results in a slope of 0.5624±0.1179 mmol/L ATP intracell/mmcl/L ATP extracell). CONCLUSION: Our results show that, during hypothermic storage in UW solution, hepatocytes are permeable to ATP by a diffusive mechanism. Also, we found that it is ATP the main extracellular nucleotide available for transport and it is not the breakdown products.

Host Cell Protein C9orf9 Promotes Viral Proliferation via Interaction with HSV-1 UL25 Protein

In light of the scarcity of reports on the interaction between HSV-1 nucleocapsid protein UL25 and its host cell proteins,the purpose of this study is to use yeast two-hybrid screening to search for cellular proteins that can interact with the UL25 protein.C9orf69,a protein of unknown function was identified.The interaction between the two proteins under physiological conditions was also confirmed by biological experiments including co-localization by fluorescence and immunoprecipitation.A preliminary study of the function of C9orf69 showed that it promotes viral proliferation.Further studies showed that C9orf69 did not influence viral multiplication efficiency by transcriptional regulation of viral genes,but indirectly promoted proliferation via interaction with UL25.

Rituximab in Combination with CHOP, an Effective and Well-tolerated Salvage Regimen for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical effect of the R-CHOP regimen (rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine and prednisone) in treating refractory or relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), as a salvage therapy for DLBCL. METHODS Eighteen patients with refractory or relapsed DLBCL who were treated with the R-CHOP regimen from 2001 to 2006 in hospitals in Jilin Province were analyzed retrospectively. The response rate, change of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), time to progression (TTP) and toxicity were observed. RESULTS The R-CHOP regimen can achieve a higher response rate, decrease serum LDH to a larger extent and obtain longer TTP than a con- ventional secondary regimen. The main adverse effects were similar to con- ventional chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The R-CHOP regimen is one of the most effective sec- ondary therapies for DLBCL.

Demethylation of FANCF gene may be a potential treatment through inhibiting the proliferation of cervical cancer

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the effect of demethylating agent 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-ADC) on expression of Fanconi anemia complementation group F (FANCF) gene and the proliferation of cervical cancer cells, to observe cell's sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drug taxol, and to explore the antitumor effect of 5-ADC as well as the new treatment of cervical cancer. Methods: Cervical cancer cell lines SiHa (FANCF gene full-methylated) and Hela (unmethylated) were treated with 5-ADC. We used the methylation-specific PCR (MSP), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot to detect the FANCF methylation, mRNA and protein respectively. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to detect the proliferation of cells. The cytotoxicity of taxol was measured by flow cytometer. The nude mice bearing SiHa was used to observe the effect of 5-ADC in vivo. Results: Inhibition of DNA promoter methylation by 5-ADC reactivated the expression of FANCF mRNA and protein in SiHa cells, consistent with decreased growth speed and increased taxol resistance. These results were proven in experiments in vivo. Conclusion: The 5-ADC probably become a potential treatment drug through inhibiting the proliferation of cervical cancer cells in taxol-resistant patients.

Genotypic Assessment by RAPD Markers and Ultrastructural Characteristics of a NaCI-Tolerant Potato Cell Line

Salinity is a serious threat to agricultural production. Potato （Solanum tuberosum） is an important food crop characterised for having low to moderate salinity tolerance. Tissue cultures may be relevant to improve salt tolerance in potato through selection of salt-tolerant cell lines and subsequent regeneration of plants. In this work, the authors used the random amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD） markers to investigate the occurrence of genetic polymorphism in a potato calli line tolerant to 150 mM NaCI. Out of 40 primers screened, eight generated polymorphic patterns that distinguished salt-tolerant line from the control. Although the macroscopic appearance was similar in both lines, ultrastructural study revealed alterations in salt-grown cells. These showed that plastids less differentiated with a lower number of grana had more and larger starch grains than control cells. In conclusion, RAPD analysis revealed that NaCl-adapted line is a somaclonal variant and the ultrastructural study showed changes essentially at the plastids.

Cloning, characterization, and expression of Cytochrome b (Cytb)——a key mitochondrial gene from Prorocentrum donghaiense

Mitochondrial cytochrome b （Cytb）, one of the few proteins encoded by the mitochondrial DNA, plays an important role in transferring electrons. As a mitochondrial gene, it has been widely used for phylogenetic analysis. Previously, a 949-bp fragment of the coding gene and mRNA editing were characterized from Prorocentrum donghaiense, which might prove useful for resolving P. donghaiense from closely related species. However, the full-length coding region has not been characterized. Ih this study, we used rapid amplification of cDNA ends （RACE） to obtain full-length, 1 124 bp cDNA. Cytb transcript contained a standard initiation codon ATG, but did not have a recognizable stop codon. Homology comparison showed that the P. donghaiense Cytb had a high sequence identity to Cytb sequences from other dinoflagellate species. Phylogenetic analysis placed Cytb from P. donghaiense in the clade of dinoflagellates and it clustered together strongly with that from P. minimum. Based on the full-length sequence, we inferred 32 editing events at different positions, accounting for 2.93% of the Cytb gene. 34.4% （11） of the changes were A to G, 25% （8） were T to C, and 25% （8） were C to U, with smaller proportions of G to C and G to A edits （9.4% （3） and 6.2% （2）, respectively）. The expression level of the Cytb transcript was quantified by real-time PCR with a TaqMan probe at different times during the whole growth phase. The average Cytb transcript was present at 39.277.46 copies of cDNA per cell during the whole growth cycle, and the expression of Cytb was relatively stable over the different phases. These results deepen our understanding of the structure and characteristics of Cytb in P. donghaiense, and confirmed that Cytb in P. donghaiense is a candidate reference gene for studying the expression of other genes.

RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION USING HYPERTONIC SALINE SOLUTION INSTILLATION: AN EX VIVO STUDY

Objective To determine whether radiofrequency ablation using hypertonic saline solution instillation can increase the extent of thermally mediated coagulation in ex vivo pig liver tissue. Methods Fifty-six radiofrequency ablation lesions were produced in fresh ex vivo pig’s liver. According to different saline solutions, the lesions were divided into six groups: 25% acetic acid, 18% NaCl, 10% NaCl, 5% NaCl, 0.9% NaCl, and distilled water. After radiofrequency ablation, the lesions size and morphology were measured and compared.Results Using different instillation, the volume of coagulation necrosis was different: 25% acetic acid >18% NaCl >10% NaCl >5% NaCl >0.9% NaCl>distilled water. Conclusion Radiofrequency ablation using hypertonic saline solution instillation can increase the volume of radiofrequency ablation induced necrosis.

Adrenomedullin in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension

AIM:Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a potent vasodilator peptide. ADM and nitric oxide (NO) are produced in vascular endothelial cells.Increased ADM level has been linked to hyperdynamic circulation and arterial vasodilatation in cirrhotic portal hypertension (CPH).The role of ADM in non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is unknown,plasma ADM levels were studied in patients with NCPH,compensated and decompensated cirrhosis in order to determine its contribution to portal hypertension (PH) in these groups. METHODS:There were 4 groups of subjects.Group 1 consisted of 27 patients (F/M:12/15) with NCPH due to portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis (mean age:41±12 years),group 2 consisted of 14 patients (F/M:6/8) with compensated (Child-Pugh A) cirrhosis (mean age:46±4), group 3 consisted of 16 patients (F/M:6/10) with decompensated (Child-Pugh C) cirrhosis (mean age:47±12). Fourteen healthy subjects (F/M:6/8) (mean age:44±8) were used as controls in Group 4.ADM level was measured by ELISA.NO was determined as nitrite/nitrate level by chemoluminescence. RESULTS:ADM level in Group 1 (236±61.4 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that in group 2 (108.4±28.3 pg/mL) and group 4 (84.1±31.5 pg/mL) (both P<0.0001) but was lower than that in Group3 (324±93.7 pg/mL) (P=0.002).NO level in group 1 (27±1.4 μmol/L) was significantly higher than that in group 2 (19.8±2.8 μmol/L) and group 4 (16.9±1.6 μmol/L) but was lower than that in Group 3 (39±3.6 μmol/L) (for all three P<0.0001).A strong correlation was observed between ADM and NO levels (r=0.827,P<0.0001). CONCLUSION:Adrenomedullin and NO levels were high in both non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic portal hypertension and were closely correlated,Adrenomedullin and NO levels increased proportionally with the severity of cirrhosis,and were significantly higher than those in patients with NCPH. Portal hypertension plays an important role in the increase of ADM and NO.Parenchymal damage in cirrhosis may contribute to the increase in these parameters.