Objective To analyze the clinicopathologic factors related to the prognosis of gallbladder carcinoma.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 61 cases of advanced gallbladder carcinoma who were operated on from 2001 to 2006 in Nanjing First Hospital.Results According to the 6th UICC/AJCC TNM classification and staging of gallbladder carcinoma,of the 61 patients,8 patients were stage IB,22 were IIA,11 were IIB,14 were III and 6 were IV.Palliative cholecystectomy and/or bile duct drainage procedures were performed in 24 patients;removal of gallbladder plus regional lymph nodes and fatty tissue dissections were performed in 14 cases;radical resection was performed in 7 patients;removal of gallbladder and part of liver in combination with resection of bile duct(radical operatian) was performed in 13 patients;1 patient had extensive radical operation including pancreaticoduodenectomy.In 37 patients,18 had positive lymph node metastasis.Fifty-two patients were followed up,41(67.2%) patients were alive at 6 months after operation,26(42.6%)were alive at 12 months,10(16.4%) were alive at 24 months,and 7 cases were alive at 36 months,1 patient is still alive 5 years after operation;51 patients died within 2 years after operation.The symptoms of recurrence in 31 patients included progressing jaundice(21 cases),metastasis in liver(14 cases),and refractory ascites(12 cases).Five patients died of non-bile duct disease.Conclusions The prognosis of gallbladder cancer has a close relationship with the clinical stage and method of resection.

Objective To observe the effects of hepatocyte-like cells differentiated from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HuMSCs) on the liver function of the rats with liver cirrhosis.Methods Carbon tetrachloride was used to prepare rat model of liver cirrhosis.Then the rats in the experimental group received portal vein injection of 1 ml differentiated hepatocyte-like cells (1 × 107) ; the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) group was injected with the same volume and number of MSCs; the model group was injected with the same volume of saline (NS) ; the normal rats were treated as control group.After transplantation,the rat angular vein blood and liver tissue were obtained for testing.Results One week after transplantation,compared with the model group,levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBil) in the experimental group significantly decreased (P ＜0.05),while the albumin (Alb) level increased significantly (P ＜0.05).Compared with the MSC group,the level of Alb in the experimental group also significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05),but there were no differences between the two groups of ALT,AST and TBil.4 weeks after transplantation,compared with the model group,levels of serum ALT,AST and TBil in the experimental group also significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05),while Alb level increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the MSC group,the differences of the levels of Alb,ALT,AST and TBil were all statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Real-time PCR test results showed that the expressions of four liver-related genes of the MSC group and experimental group significantly increased comparing with the model group (P ＜ 0.05).And the experimental group showed higher expression level comparing with the MSC group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The differentiated hepatocyte-like cells could improve hepatic function of patients with liver cirrhosis to a certain degree and showed greater advantage than MSC.

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma progresses from liver fibrosis and cirrhosis to eventually result in liver failure and distant metastasis.Surgical resection is the preferred method of treatment for liver cancer while interventional treatment and liver transplantation are the choices to treat end-stage liver cancer.Unfortunately,partial hepatectomy and interventional treatment are not ideal due to the resulting consequence of hepatocyte dysfunction.Extensive clinical application of liver transplants is limited by the lack of available donors and high costs.Over the past decade,researches on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)have made remarkable achievements in the medical field.In this review,we summarize the recent progress of BMSCs in the treatment of liver diseases.

Objective To investigate the effects of soluble components derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and liver regeneration caused by 70％ portal branch ligation (PBL) in rats.Methods Isolated and cultured BMSCs were lysed by sonication.PBL was performed in male SD rats followed by splenic injection of BMSCs or PBS as control.Animals were analyzed for liver regeneration index,hepatocytes proliferation,hepatic function,histopathological changes,and hepatic genes expression.Expression of VEGF was assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.Results The liver regeneration index increased in the BMSCs group especially 2 and 5 days after PBL compared with the control group (P＜0.05) and reached (51.71±1.62)％ and (76.82±0.81)％ respectively.A 2-fold increase was showed in the PCNA labeling index of hepatocytes in rats treated with BMSCs compared with the control group (P＜0.05).Histopathological findings showed that vacuolar change and sinusoidal congestion were lower in the BMSCs group.Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transferase (AST) showed no significant difference between the two groups (P＞0.05).On post operation day 2,hepatic interleukin-6 (IL6),tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα),hepatocyte growth factor (HGF),vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA),and vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2) mRNAs tended to increase in the BMSCs group (P＜0.05) while transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) mRNA decreased (P＜0.05).Western blot showed that the expression level of VEGF in the two groups were equal 2 and 5 days after surgery (P＞0.05).On day 2 post operation,positive VEGF immunoreactivity was present in both pericentral and periportal hepatocytes in the BMSCs group,while only in periportal hepatocytes in the control group.Conclusion These results demonstrate that BMSCs accelerated liver regeneration caused by PBL,which may result from hepatoprotection,enhanced hepatocyte proliferation,and VEGF-mediated angiogenesis early after the operation,potentially creating a new avenue for the study of hepatic regeneration.

Stem cells refer to undifferentiated or inad equately differentiated cells that have the ability to become a variety of tissues,regenerate organs,and self expand.There is strong evidence that stem cells have abilities of self renewal differentiation,immune regulation,and a potential for targeted therapy,which all together support development of stem cell transplantation.Stem cell transplantation thera py has become a hot topic in recent years,and the basic theory and clinical application have made great progress.The a bilities of stem cells make their transplantation ideal to pro mote liver regeneration,inhibit liver fibrosis,and provide treatment for many diseases.This article will review the cur rent status and outlook of stem cell transplantation.

Remarkable progress has been achieved in the transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)for the treatment of liver injury and hepatic failure.However,there are obstacles such as low engraftment capacity,tumorigenesis,and a fibrogenic potential that all hamper the use of MSCs in clinical trials.Therefore,it is worthwhile to talk about the alternatives that will increase the safety and efficacy of MSCs therapy.To date,applications of MSCs-derived hepatocytes,genetically modified MSCs,or MSC-conditioned medium for promoting liver regeneration have shown encouraging results.This review summarizes the current applications of MSCs in the study of hepatic regeneration.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which epidermal growth factor (EGF) accelerates the growth of estrogen-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435S. Methods Under the effect of EGF cyclin D_1 was measured by Western blot and cell-cycle was assayed by FCM. Results EGF enhanced cyclin D_1 expression. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Go6976 blocked cyclin D_1 over-expression caused by EGF. In EGF group G_0/G_1 was 69.36%, phase S was 22.77% and PI was 0.31. Differences were all significant compared with control (P

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of nephrogenic adenoma. Methods Eleven patients were diagnosed as nephrogenic adenoma including 5 men and 6 women, aged 37-78 years (56 on average). The pathological findings in all cases of nephrogenic adenoma were presented with a review of the literature. Results Eleven cases of nephrogenic adenomas were evaluated, 2 cases were in ureter and 9 cases were in the bladder. Eight of the 9 bladder cases underwent TUR-BT surgery in continuous epidural anesthesia, 1 case underwent partial cystectomy with general anesthesia. A right ureteroscopy and left ureterolithotomy were performed respectively in continuous epidural anesthesia for the 2 cases in ureter. The final diagnosis was based on histopathological findings. For all of cases, 8 cases were diagnosed as nephrogenic adenomas, 2 cases as atypical nephrogenic adenoma and 1 case as nephrogenic adenoma with malignant transformation. The microscopic appearance of nephrogenic adenoma demonstrated that morphology closely resembled aberrant tubules of the kidney. In addition, atypical nephrogenic adenomas appeared as the presence of cytologic atypia, including nuclear enlargement, nuclear hyperchromasia and prominent nucleoli. The morphologic changes of nephrogenic adenomas with malignant transformation were that tumor cells retained the basic structural characteristics of typical nephrogenic adenomas, and the similar morphological cells lost adhesion ability among cells and presented diffuse solid growth in the surrounding area.Intravesical perfusion was further performed for treating the patients with atypical nephrogenic adenomas or nephrogenic adenomas with malignant transformation. The mean patient follow up was 46 months (range, 24- 104 months), and there was only 1 case of recurrence. Conclusions Nephrogenic adenoma is an uncommon benign lesion of the urinary tract. The symptoms and cystoscopic manifestations are not unique. We reported one patient of nephrogenic adenomas with malignant transformation and provided some evidence for malignant alteration in morphology and invasive behavior. All patients underwent local excision of the lesions. Intravesical perfusion was further performed for treating the patients of atypical nephrogenic adenomas or nephrogenic adenomas with malignant transformation. Whether it is nephrogenic adenoma or atypical nephrogenic adenoma, long-term follow-up after treatment is necessary.

al from abroad, which have no reports in China. METHODS: The dissection of flexor policis longus tendon and flexor policis brevis muscle and the medial and extensor halucis longus, flexor policis longus, adductor muscle and abductor halucis muscle cross head and oblique head, medial and lateral head of flexor policis brevis muscle and flexor halucis longus tendon and the extensor halucis longus tendon. These parameters included length, width, thickness, cross-sectional area, lateral heads, extensor halucis longus muscle and tendon and the transverse head of adductor policis muscle and the oblique head, abductor policis brevis from the left leg and foot of fresh female specimens was performed. The cross-sectional area and length located in a fixture were measured and calculated for each sample. Sample loading was done, and one sample was measured four times to gather strength limit, maximum load data, and the load displacement curve. According to Hooke’s law, the elastic modulus of each specimen was calculated. al from abroad, which have no reports in China. METHODS: The dissection of flexor policis longus tendon and flexor policis brevis muscle and the medial and extensor halucis longus, flexor policis longus, adductor muscle and abductor halucis muscle cross head and oblique head, medial and lateral head of flexor policis brevis muscle and flexor halucis longus tendon and the extensor halucis longus tendon. These parameters included length, width, thickness, cross-sectional area, lateral heads, extensor halucis longus muscle and tendon and the transverse head of adductor policis muscle and the oblique head, abductor policis brevis from the left leg and foot of fresh female specimens was performed. The cross-sectional area and length located in a fixture were measured and calculated for each sample. Sample loading was done, and one sample was measured four times to gather strength limit, maximum load data, and the load displacement curve. According to Hooke’s law, the elastic modulus of each specimen was calculated. Abstract BACKGROUND:Currently, the material parameters of foot three-dimensional finite element models are almost OBJECTIVE:To preliminarily measure the parameters of foot muscle and tendon materials in Chinese people. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Relevant measurement data were harvested from nine samples, including the maximum loading, ultimate strength and elastic modulus test.

Background: Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) plays an important role in the development of liver,and studies demonstrate that it is correlated with the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).However,the regulatory effect of HNF4α on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human HCC cell lines and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) is not yet clear.Aims: To investigate the effect of HNF4α on expression of VEGF in human HCC cell lines and tube formation of HUVEC.Methods: Lentiviral vector overexpressed HNF4α was constructed,and then transfected into HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells (experimental group),cells transfected with lentiviral blank vector and cells without transfection were served as negative control group and blank control group,respectively.The mRNA and protein expressions of HNF4α,VEGF were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.The conditioned media of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells were co-cultured with HUVEC,and number of HUVEC tube formation was measured.Results: HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells with stable overexpression of HNF4α were successfully established.Compared with negative control group and blank control group,mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF in experimental group were significantly decreased (P＜0.05),and number of HUVEC tube formation was significantly decreased (P＜0.05).Conclusions: HNF4α can significantly inhibit the expression of VEGF in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells and tube formation of HUVEC.