The signs and results of 14 patients with small hepatocelular carcinoma HCC of a diameter less than 3 cm (in 10 of them the daignosis was proven by pathology after surgery) obtained by CT,angiography and CT angiography were described in this article. The value of the above imaging modalities in the detection and diagnosis of small HCC was discussed with emphasis on the significance of the sequential staining sign from interior to exterior in CT and angiography.

BACKGROUND: In vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells into hepatocytes has been successfully reported to a certain degree; however, whether embryonic stem cells are able to effectively enter hepatic plate of host after intrahepatic transplantation, whether embryonic stem cells can further differentiate into hepatocytes and express hepatocyte function, and risk factors for neoplastic formation are still unclear at present. OBJECTIVE: To study the intrahepatic transplantation of embryonic stem cells-derived hepatic stem cells in therapeutic liver repopulation models, and to investigate the liver tissue replacement, growth and differentiation in vivo, and neoplastic formation.DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal study.SETTING: Department of Pediatric Surgery, the Second Hospital affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University. MATERIALS: Twenty-four BALB/c mice, 6-8 weeks old, weighing 20-35 g, irrespective of gender, were provided by Guangzhou Experimental Animal Center. Embryonic stem cells-derived hepatic stem cells were differentiated from embryonic stem cells. E14 was provided by Stem cell Center of our hospital. METHODS: This study was performed at the Stem Cell Center, the Second Hospital affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University from July 2006 to June 2007. Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into a liver repopulation model + stem cell transplantation group (group A) and a liver resection + stem cell transplantation group (group B), with 12 mice in each group. Mice in the group A were intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg retrorsine once every two weeks for totally twice. Four weeks after the second injection, about 70% liver was resected. And then, the embryonic stem cells-derived hepatic stem cells, labeled by 1×105 carboxy fluoresce in diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA-SE), were transplanted into mouse liver through portal vein. On the other hand, 70% liver of mice in the group B was resected and embryonic stem cells-derived hepatic stem cells were transplanted into mouse liver. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The distribution, incorporation, and proliferation of transplanted cells were observed under fluorescent microscopy. Two weeks later, hepatic function was stained with albumin fluorescence immunoassay (double fluorescence staining) and assayed by level of serum albumin. Embryonic stem cells-derived hepatic stem cells were poured into liver of remedial liver regeneration mice, and undifferentiated embryonic stem cells were transplanted into subcutaneous tissue in axillary region as the controls to observe neoplastic formation in embryonic stem cells-derived hepatic stem cells. RESULTS: ① Growth of hepatic stem cells in recipient mice: One week after transplantation of CFDA-SE-labeled embryonic stem cells-derived hepatic stem cells, some scattered region was green under fluorescent microscopy. The area of green region increased apparently in 2 weeks, and cord-like structure could be observed. ② Liver function: Immunofluorescent staining of albumin (double fluorescence staining) demonstrated that labeled cells expressed positive albumin (yellow fluorescence) in liver tissue of recipient mice, but there was not significant difference in serum albumin level between group A and group B (P > 0.05). ③ Reliability of hepatic stem cell transplantation: Teratoma did not form over 6 months; however, transplantation of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells in the axillary region could cause formation of teratoma after 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: The transplantation of embryonic stem cells-derived hepatic stem cells in therapeutic liver repopulation model mice can effectively and further grow and differentiate, or even partially express hepatocyte function; in particular, the transplantation is safe.

0.05).No teratoma was formed in the experimental group,while a large teratoma was observed in control group in 6 weeks post-transplantation.CONCLUSION:The ESC-derived hepatic stem cells are normally incorporated into mouse liver parenchymal structure,proliferate and differentiate further in vivo and possess some hepatic functions without forming teratomas.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common clinical type of epilepsy,which is generally available for drug therapy.Surgical operation will be considered when patients developing into refractory epilepsy.Currently,treatment response evaluation is based on the observation of seizure remission in a certain period,and the real-time and objective evaluation is unavailable.With the improvement of MRI technology and image analysis methods,the multimodal MRI has been widely used to assess the effectiveness of TLE treatment.The progresses of multi-modal MRI and its new technique in assessment of epilepsy remission and cognitive function in TLE patients were reviewed in this article.

Objective To explore the reaction pattern rules of mouse retinal ganglion cells potential under different wavelengths of light stimulation. Methods Thirty SPF grade 3.week.old C57BL/6 mice were used for ex vivo whole mount retina preparation. The cells firing activities were recorded on patch clamp system with on cell touch mode under stimulation of 400 nm,580 nm and white light,respectively. According to different reactions to different light stimulation, the cells were classified into 400 nm sensitive RGC, 580 nm sensitive RGC and color vision insensitive RGC. Then the cells were further classified according to light ON type,light ON/OFF type or light OFF type. The RGC's baseline firing pattern ( baseline firing frequency,burst firing frequency) and light activation firing pattern (response pattern,light response firing frequency,light response firing amplification) were compared among different RGC classifications. Results Eighty.two RGCs were recorded in total. The frequency of spontaneous firing activity ranged from 0. 00 Hz to 32. 33 Hz among different RGCs. 400 nm sensitive RGCs were 52(63. 41％),580 nm sensitive RGCs were 29(35. 37％) and color vision insensitive RGC was 1(1. 22％). OFF type RGC was the main cell type in 400 nm sensitive group (36. 29％),and ON/OFF type RGC was the main cell type in 580 nm sensitive group (34. 48％). The firing amplification in 580 nm sensitive RGC was (22. 93±10. 23)Hz,which was significantly higher than (14. 44±10. 11)Hz in 400 nm sensitive RGC (t=4. 060,P=0. 044). The firing amplification in 580 nm sensitive ON type RGC was (24. 17±8. 98)Hz,which was significantly higher than (11. 12±10. 35)Hz in 400 nm sensitive ON type RGC (t=5. 373,P=0. 021). Conclusions There is no specific firing pattern rules among different light sensitive RGCs. In the future, artificial color vision may be achieved through personalized electric stimulation and learning feedback strategy.

Objective To explore the reaction pattern rules of mouse retinal ganglion cells potential under different wavelengths of light stimulation.Methods Thirty SPF grade 3-week-old C57BL/6 mice were used for ex vivo whole mount retina preparation.The cells firing activities were recorded on patch clamp system with on cell touch mode under stimulation of 400 nm,580 nm and white light,respectively.According to different reactions to different light stimulation,the cells were classified into 400 nm sensitive RGC,580 nm sensitive RGC and color vision insensitive RGC.Then the cells were further classified according to light ON type,light ON/OFF type or light OFF type.The RGC's baseline firing pattern (baseline firing frequency,burst firing frequency) and light activation firing pattern (response pattern,light response firing frequency,light response firing amplification) were compared among different RGC classifications.Results Eighty-two RGCs were recorded in total.The frequency of spontaneous firing activity ranged from 0.00 Hz to 32.33 Hz among different RGCs.400 nm sensitive RGCs were 52 (63.41％),580 nm sensitive RGCs were 29(35.37％) and color vision insensitive RGC was 1 (1.22％).OFF type RGC was the main cell type in 400 nm sensitive group (36.29％),and ON/OFF type RGC was the main cell type in 580 nm sensitive group (34.48％).The firing amplification in 580 nm sensitive RGC was (22.93±10.23) Hz,which was significantly higher than (14.44± 10.11) Hz in 400 nm sensitive RGC (t =4.060,P =0.044).The firing amplification in 580 nm sensitive ON type RGC was (24.17±8.98)Hz,which was significantly higher than (11.12±10.35)Hz in 400 nm sensitive ON type RGC (t =5.373,P =0.021).Conclusions There is no specific firing pattern rules among different light sensitive RGCs.In the future,artificial color vision may be achieved through personalized electric stimulation and learning feedback strategy.

Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of a simplified protocol combining with mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) in ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) liver transplant patients. Methods Twelve ABO-I liver transplant patient who received the therapy of a simplified protocol combining with MSC in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2014 and September 2015 were recruited in this prospective study. Ten cases were male and 2 were female, with a mean age of (39±13) years old. The informed consents of all patients or their families were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. A immunologic tolerance induction protocol, plasma exchange + rituximab + intravenous immunoglobin + MSC (simplified protocol combining with MSC and without splenectomy and graft local infusion), was used to prevent the antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after liver transplantation (LT). The perioperative condition and postoperative outcome of the patients were observed. Results Three death cases were observed after LT including 2 cases died of multiple organ failure and 1 of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The other cases survived. Two cases developed acute cellular rejection and no AMR case was observed. Biliary complication was observed in 3 cases, hepatic artery stenosis in 1 case and infection in 6 cases. Conclusion The simplified protocol combining with MSC is safe and effective in preventing the AMR after ABO-I LT.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is the most bothersome symptom in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Current pharmacologic treatment aims to inhibit detrusor contraction; however, shows unsatisfied efficacy and high discontinuation rate. LIM kinases (LIMKs) promote smooth muscle contraction in the prostate; however, their function in the bladder smooth muscle remains unclear. Here, we studied effects of the LIMK inhibitors on bladder smooth muscle contraction and proliferation both

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the chemoprotectant tempol on the anti-tumor activity of cisplatin (DDP). METHODS: The cellular toxicity of tempol in human colon cancer SW480 cells and mouse colon cancer CT26 cells were evaluated using MTT and cell counting kit-8 assays. CalcuSyn software analysis was used to determine the interaction between tempol and DDP in inhibition of the cell viability. A subcutaneous homograft mouse model of colon cancer was established. The mice were randomly divided into control group, tempol group, cisplatin group and tempol + DDP treatment group with intraperitoneal injections of the indicated agents. The tumor size, body weight and lifespan of the mice were measured, and HE staining was used to analyze the cytotoxic effect of the agents on the kidney and liver. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of Bax and Bcl2 in the tumor tissue, and TUNEL staining was used to analyze the tumor cell apoptosis. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the tumor tissue was determined using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Tempol showed inhibitory effects on the viability of SW480 and CT26 cells. CalcuSyn software analysis showed that tempol had a synergistic anti-tumor effect with DDP (CI < 1). In the homograft mouse model, tempol treatment alone did not produce obvious anti-tumor effect. HE staining showed that the combined use of tempol and DDP alleviated DDP-induced fibrogenesis in the kidneys, but tempol also reduced the anti-tumor activity of DDP. Compared with the mice treated with DDP alone, the mice treated with both tempol and DDP had a significantly larger tumor size ( < 0.01) and a shorter lifespan ( < 0.05). Tempol significantly reversed DDP-induced expression of Bax and Bcl2 in the tumor tissue and tumor cell apoptosis ( < 0.001), and obviously reduced the elevation of ROS level in the tumor tissue induced by DDP treatment ( < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Tempol can attenuate the anti-tumor effect of DDP while reducing the side effects of DDP. Caution must be taken and the risks and benefits should be carefully weighed when considering the use of tempol as an anti-oxidant to reduce the toxicities of DDP.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; Antioxidants ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cisplatin ; Cyclic N-Oxides ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Mice ; Spin Labels