Objective To investigate the potential value of VEGF-C targeted ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO)molecular probe in specific detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)in a rat model using MRI.Methods The targeted probe was synthesized by conjugating VEGF-C antibody with amino modified USPIO.Cell counting kit-8 assay was conducted to as-certain the probe’s effect on the growth of HepG2 cells.Rat models with HCC were divided into two groups (targeted group with VEGF-C-USPlO and a contrast with USPIO)with 3 rats for each group at random.Pre-and post-contrast enhanced MR imaging with different time points of 0.5,1 and 1.5h was performed with an injection into caudal vein.The signal intensities of the tumor on T2 WI and T2 * WI were measured,and the differences of the signal intensities between pre-and post-enhancements or between both groups were analyzed.The iron particles within the tumors in two groups were confirmed by Prussian blue iron staining.The ex-pression of VEGF-C in HCC was proved by immunohistochemistry.Results The signal intensities of HCC on T2 WI and T2 * WI af-ter VEGF-C-USPI0 injection were decreased obviously with a minimum value at 1 h ,indicating a significant difference (P <0.05). However,those in USPIO group were decreased less without statistical differences (P >0.05).Statistical differences in signal inten-sity on T2 * WI after enhancement between both groups were also showed (P <0.05).Prussian blue staining results showed more iron particles within the tumor tissues in VEGF-C-USPI0 group,whereas less ones in USPIO group.Immunohistochemical results showed that VEGF-C was over expressed in cytoplasm and membrane.Conclusion VEGF-C-USPI0 molecular probes can initiatively target to the liver cancer in rat models with expressed VEGF-C,which may help to achieve the specific MR imaging of HCC,indica-ting a potential of the metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the rules of therapeutic methods, formulas and medicines of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for primary liver cancer (PLC). METHODS: The frequencies of treatments and medicines of TCM in 978 pieces of documents concerning PLC were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 165 therapeutic methods, 277 formulas and 459 kinds of herbs, the methods for activating blood circulation, the formulas for regulating qi-flowing and the herbs for invigorating qi are the most commonly used. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic methods such as invigorating qi, regulating qi-flowing and activating blood circulation are the main choices for PLC, and the methods such as clearing heat, removing dampness and nourishing yin are used as supplements.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of the sublingual venae in patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). METHODS: The shape, color and the red, green and blue values of the sublingual venae were analyzed quantitatively for PLC patients in different clinical stages by analysis system for comprehensive information of tongue diagnosis. RESULTS: With the aggravating of the disease, the patients' sublingual venae became wide and tortuous, and their color became blue and purple. The abnormality of the sublingual venae was more serious in clinical stage III than in stages I and II (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The shape, color and abnormality degree of the sublingual venae in patients with PLC in different clinical stages are distinct.