Objective:To explore the biological effects of amino acid transporter gene SLC7A5 (solute carrier family 7,member 5) on tumor cells and the regulatory mechanism at transcriptional level.Methods:The expression of SLC7A5 was examined in human normal tissues and corresponding tumor tissues by Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.The recombinant plasmid of SLC7A5 gene was constructed,and the effect of the SLC7A5 gene on tumor cell proliferation was investigated by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry.SLC7A5 gene promoter and transcription factor binding sites were predicted through bioinformatics analysis,and the gene promoter recombinant plasmid was constructed.Then the dual luciferase reporter gene assay and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to explore the regulation of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signal on SLC7A5 gene expression.Results:The GEO database analysis showed that the distribution of SLC7A5 was tissue specific,and its expression level was significantly higher in the tumor tissues than that in the corresponding normal tissues.The results of MTT and flow cytometry showed that SLC7A5 could promote cell proliferation.Results from the promoter analysis,reporter gene assay and RT-PCR confirmed that TGF-β1 could up-regulate the activity of SLC7A5 promoter and promote the expression of the SLC7A5 gene.Conclusion:SLC7A5 gene plays a role in promoting tumor development,which is regulated by the TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Objective To compare the curative results of three different therapies for earlyintermediate stage primary liver cancer. Methods The data of 428 patients with early-intermediate stage primary liver cancer treated with one of three curative therapies from April 2004 to July 2010 in our center were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided non-randomly into three groups: group A liver-cancer resection (n = 231), group B radio-frequency ablation (RFA) (n = 63), and group C liver transplantation (n=134). The 1-, 3-, 5-year accululative survival and recurrence rate in each group were compared. Results The accumulative 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 93.3%, 71.9%, 57.2% for group A; 86.7%, 46.5%, 38.8% for group B; 95.7%, 78.3%, 72.1% for group C,respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-year recurrence rates were 30. 3% , 49. 7%, 68. 6% for group A; 39. 3% , 58. 7% , 79. 3% for group B; 7. 0% , 12. 1% , 12. 1% for group C,respectively. There was a highly significant difference between groups A, B and C in the survival rates and the recurrence rates. The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher for group C than group A and group B (P<0. 01, P<0. 001), and the recurrence rate of 1, 3, 5-years were significantly lower for group C than for group A and B (P<0. 001). Conclusion Liver transplantation was the most effective therapy for the early-intermediate stage primary liver cancer.

Objective To evaluate the influence of hepatitis B surface antigen positive or antihepatitis B core positive donors on HBV allograft re-infection or de novo hepatitis B and recipients and grafts survival after liver transplantation.Methods Between June 2004 and December 2011,510 liver transplants were performed at our department while 387 patients were followed up.Among them,9 patients received hepatitis B surface antigen positive grafts,50 patients received anti-hepatitis B core positive grafts,and 328 patients received HBV marks negative grafts.The rate of HBV allograft reinfection or de novo hepatitis B and accumulative recipients as well as grafts survival were compared.Results All recipients with hepatitis B surface antigen positive donors remained hepatitis B surface antigen carriers after operation.HBV allograft re-infection occurred in one recipient of anti-hepatitis B core positive donor group. Five recipients with HBV marks negative donors appeared hepatitis B surface antigen positive,including two cases of Lamivudine resistance leading to HBV allograft reinfection and three cases of de novo hepatitis B from non-related diseases. The 1-,3-,5-year accumulative survival rate in anti-hepatitis B core positive grafts group,hepatitis B surface antigen positive grafts group and HBV marks negative grafts group was 100％,86％,43％; 87％,79％,57％; and 87％,80％,79％,respectively (Log-rank =1.287,P =0.525).And the 1-,3-,5-year accumulative grafts survival rate in these three groups was 100％,86％,43％; 85％,77％,56％;and 86％,79％,77％,respectively (Log rank=1.288,P =0.525).During the follow-up period,no graft loss or death was found to be related to the HBV allograft re-infection or de novo hepatitis B.Conclusion Liver grafts from anti-hepatitis B core positive donors do not increase the risk of graft loss or recipient death due to HBV allograft re-infection or de novo hepatitis B under effective antiviral therapy.Hepatitis B surface antigen positive donors are feasible to save lives or prolong life in emergency situation.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic and clinical significance of computerized tomography (CT) attenuation values (hounsfield unit,HU) in hydronephrosis with infection.Methods One hundred and eighty-five cases of upper urinary tract calculi with hydronephrosis from June 2014 to June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 82 males and 103 females with a mean age of (52.3 ± 13.1)years old,ranging 18-80 years old.58 cases suffered hydronephrosis without infection,55 cases suffered acute pyelonephritis and 72 cases suffered pyonephrosis.The CT attenuation values of the renal pelvis urine in three groups were measured.Results The CT attenuation value of hydronephrosis without infection group was (5.61 ± 3.67) HU,95 ％ CI(4.64-6.57) H U.In acute pyelonephritis group,CT attenuation value was (8.35 ± 5.63) HU,95％ CI(6.83-9.87) HU.In pyonephrosis group,the CT attenuation value was (13.92 ± 6.21) HU,95％ CI (12.46-5.38) HU.The CT attenuation value of pyelonephritis compared with that of hydronephrosis without infection was significant different.(P ＜ 0.01).The CT attenuation value of the patients with pyonephrosis was significantly higher than that of patients without infection and with pyelonephritis (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The CT attenuation value of renal pelvis urine can predict intrarenal infection.Furthermore,The measurement of CT attenuation value has some clinical significance in preoperative evaluation of hydronephrosis with infection.

Objective To study the impact of splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization on the nutritional status of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.Methods Sixty consecutive patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension who underwent splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization at the Beijing YouAn Hospital from April 5,2015 to January 23,2017 were included in this study.The body mass index (BMI),albumin (Alb),prealbumin (PA) and lymphocyte counts were prospectively collected at the end of 1-week,1-month,3-month,6-month and 1-year after surgery.The postoperative results were compared with the preoperative results in these patients.Results The BMI results obtained at 1-week and 1-month after surgery were significantly lower than the preoperative level [(22.14 ± 3.08)kg/m2 vs.(22.85 ± 3.14) kg/m2,(21.72 ± 3.05) kg/m2 vs.(22.86 ± 3.16) kg/m2,P ＜ 0.05].The BMI result at the end of 1-year after surgery was significantly elevated when compared with the preoperative level [(23.24 ± 3.64) kg/m2 vs.(22.68 ± 3.47) kg/m2,P ＜ 0.05].The ALB levels at 1-month and 3-month after surgery were significantly higher than the preoperative level [(39.87 ± 4.22)g/L vs.(35.35 ±5.15) g/L,(39.35 ± 4.75) g/L vs.(34.82 ± 5.50) g/L,P ＜ 0.05].The PA obtained at 1-week after surgery was significantly lower than the preoperative levels [(79.59 26.52)mg/L vs.(121.77 ±39.96)mg/L,P ＜ 0.05].The lymphocyte counts at all the points after surgery were significantly higher than the preoperative level (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Short term and long term nutritional status improved in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension after splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization.

Objective:To study the impact and the mechanism of splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization on cirrhotic livers.Methods:Serum samples and clinical data were collected preoperatively and postoperatively from 54 patients with cirrhosis who underwent splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization from May 2013 to Oct 2014 at Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University. Changes in hepatic arterial and portal venous blood flow, liver function and fibroscan results were analyzed. The levels of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) were measured.Results:There were 31 males and 23 females, aged(45.48±10.21)years. Free portal vein pressure decreased significantly from (37.0±7.1) cmH 2O (1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa) to (26.1±5.7) cmH 2O after surgery ( P<0.05). Significant increases in postoperative lumen diameter (4.0±1.0) mm vs (3.1±0.7) mm were observed, accompanied by increase in peak flow velocity and blood flow of the hepatic artery. Significant deductions in lumen diameter (11.9±2.0) mm vs (13.1±1.9) mm, accompanied by reduction of peak flow velocity and blood flow of the portal vein were observed following surgery (all P<0.05). The NO level was significantly elevated immediately after splenectomy and was subsequently remained at high levels. The ET-1 level decreased 2 days after surgery and became fluctuated at low levels. The IL-6 and HGF levels increased significantly 2 days after surgery and decreased gradually after 7 days and 1 month, respectively. The TGF-β1 and the MMP1 levels increased after surgery. The endotoxin level decreased significantly after surgery (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization induced hepatic blood flow restoration, hepatocyte regeneration and reversal of fibrosis in cirrhotic livers. Splenectomy has a protective effect on cirrhotic liver when combined with pericardial devascularization.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of sirolimus on the long-term survival of patients after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSClinic data of 165 consecutive patients who underwent OLT for HCC from February 2005 to March 2012 was analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 94 patients were treated with a sirolimus-based immunosuppressive protocol after OLT, while the other 71 patients with a FK506-based protocol. Postoperative survival time, survival, disease-free survival (DFS) and tumor recurrence rates between the two groups were compared.

RESULTSThe 2 groups were comparable in all clinicopathologic parameters. The sirolimus-based group had higher patient survival rates than the control group at 1-year (87% vs. 97%, P = 0.03), 2-year (80% vs. 88%), 3-year (76% vs. 85%) and 5-year (63% vs. 75%). The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year recurrence rates were 12% vs. 3%, 17% vs. 9%, 21% vs. 9% (P = 0.04) and 31% vs. 16% (P = 0.03). Early and mid-HCC (I - II stage) of 131 cases (control group 61 cases, sirolimus-based group of 70 patients). The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 90% vs. 97% , 80% vs. 90%, 78% vs. 86% and 65% vs. 82% (P = 0.04) and recurrence rates were 10% vs. 3%, 16% vs. 8%, 18% vs. 8% and 29% vs. 11% (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe sirolimus-based immunosuppressive protocol reduce long-term postoperative recurrence rate and improve the survival rate of patients after OLT for HCC significantly (especially early-mid HCC).

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; mortality ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use ; Survival Rate ; Tacrolimus ; therapeutic use