Objective To investigate the expression of uPAR and VEGF-C in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its effect on the biological behavior of HCC. Methods The expression of uPAR and VEGF-C in liver tissue specimen of 33 patients with HCC was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results The positive expression of uPAR and VEGF-C in HCC tissues was located in cytoplasma of cancer cells. The positive rates of uPAR and VEGF-C were 69.7 %(23/33) and 78.8 %(26/33) respectively in 33 cases of HCC. The expression rates of uPAR and VEGF-C were significantly higher in HCC with metastasis than in HCC without metastasis(P<0.05). But there were not significant correlation between the expression of uPAR or VEGF-C and tumor size, tumor grade, AFP level, hepatic cirrhosis. There was a close correlation between uPAR and VEGF-C in HCC(r=0.676, P<0.01). Conclusion The expression of uPAR and VEGF-C is correlated with metastasis, uPAR and VEGF-C may be signs of aggressive phenotype for evaluating treatment and prognosis of HCC. Examination of these two proteins may be helpful to .judge biological behavior of HCC.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a group of stem cells derived from mesodermal mesenchyme.They can be recovered from a variety of tissues,including bone marrow,umbilical cord tissue,umbilical cord blood,peripheral blood,and adipose tissue.Under given conditions,MSCs can differentiate into bone,fat,nerve cells,bepatocytes,and many other cells.Thus,MSCs can be used as a new treatment to substitute for organ transplantation.In recent years,the incidence of end-stage liver disease has been increasing and liver disease has become one of the major diseases affecting human health.Donor scarcity and immunological rejection limit the clinical application of liver transplantation.Numerous studies have confirmed the therapeutic effects of MSCs on hepatic fibrosis,cirrhosis,and other liver diseases,which may be related to the differentiation of MSCs into functional hepatocytes.This paper reviews the capacity,regulation,and molecular mechanism of MSC differentiation,and it discusses the therapeutic effects of different sources of stem cells for liver fibrosis.

Objective To study the effects of electromyography-triggered neuromuscular stimulation on upper extremity functional recovery of acute stroke patients. Methods 60 stroke patients who lost wrist extension even in the electromyography (EMG) within 4 weeks were randomly assigned to experimental group and control group. The experimental group received electromyography-triggered neuromuscular stimulation, and the control group received neuromuscular stimulation. They were assessed with EMG, Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), Barthel index (BI) before and 4 weeks after treatment. Results The EMG, scores of FMA and BI improved in all the patients after treatment (P=0.000), and improved more in the experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electromyography-triggered neuromuscular stimulation can improve the motor function of hemiplegia, even in the patients without change of EMG.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MS ) among adults in Wanzhou District of Chongqing City in order to provide reference for carrying out the prevention and treatment of MS in this re‐gion .Methods The multi‐stage random sampling method was adopted to perform the questionnaire survey ,body measurements and laboratory detection in the adult residents aged 18 years old and over extracted from 26 villages ,towns and urban streets .The MS prevalence rate was calculated and MS component distribution situation was analyzed .Results A total of 2 587 people were effec‐tively surveyed .The MS total prevalence rate was 13 .8% ,which was risen along with the age increase .The prevalence rates of ab‐dominal obesity ,hypertriglyceridemia ,low HDL‐C level ,hypertension and hyperglycemia were 16 .5% ,23 .5% ,23 .3% ,35 .5% and 27 .2% respectively .The proportions of people possessing at least 1 ,2 ,3 ,4 components and 5 components of MS were 71 .6% , 36 .2% ,13 .8% ,3 .9% and 0 .5% respectively .Conclusion The prevalence rate of MS reaches a certain level in this region ,it is necessary to carry out the health education of MS ,change the adverse lifestyle ,control the corresponding factors ,which could reduce the MS risk and promotes its reversion .

Objective To study the effect of Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) infection on islet cells in vitro, and to explore the mechanism of islet cells caused by CVB3. Methods Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells( BMSCs) were separated from the bone marrow and cultured. Then they were induced to differentiate into islet-like cells using nicotinamide and mercaptoethanol. Differentiated cells were detected by morphology , special staining and RT-PCR. Observe CVB3 infection on islet cells under inverse microscope and detect the specific gene fragment by RT-PCR. Results BMSCs showed half suspended shape and gathered to form a cluster after induction. Cells became red brown by dithizone specific staining. RT-PCR also proved the existence of mRNA expressing insulin. Infected islet cells appeared typical pathological changes like shrinks, refraction decreases. RT-PCR detected the desired specific gene fragment of 299 bp in infected islet cells. Conclusion CVB3 can directly injury islet cells, and damage the function of islet cells of secreting insulin.

Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Risk Assessment

Diabetes Mellitus ; surgery ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; trends ; Organ Preservation ; methods ; trends ; Pancreas Transplantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; trends ; Renal Insufficiency ; surgery

Objective To study whether clinical variables could be used to predict the presence of esophageal varices(EV). Methods One hundred and twenty-six patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were enrolled. Upper endoscopy was performed to identify the EV. The spleen vein (SV), portal vein(PV), spleen index(SI), ascites was determined by ultrasenography. Platelct count(Pt), prothrombin time(PT) and liver function was determined. Results Ninety-five patients with EV, and 42 patients with severe EV. Patients with EV had significant larger SI and lower Pt. Pt and SI were predictive factors for the presence of EV. When SI≥66.9 cm2 and Pt≤89.0×109/L, they had a positive predictive value of 97.4% and 96.5%, and a negative predictive value of 55.4% and 59.8%, respectively. SI was the only predictive factor for the presence of severe EV. When SI≥82.6 cm2, it had a positive and negative predictive value of 89.2% and 75.4%. Conclusions Pt and SI are predictive factors for the presence of EV. SI is the only predictive factor for the presence of severe EV. Non-invasive factors SI and Pt can be used to predict the EV in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Evidence-Based Medicine ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; prevention & control ; Occupational Medicine ; methods

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy differences between medicinal vesiculation combined with quick cupping at Shenque (CV 8) and regular medication for allergic rhinitis with syndrome of yang deficiency.

METHODSEighty-two cases were randomly divided into an observation group (42 cases) and a control group (40 cases). The observation group was treated with medicinal vesiculation combined with quick cupping at Shenque (CV 8). The medicinal vesiculation was applied at Feishu (BL 13), Gaohuang (BL 43), Fengmen (BL 12), Mingmen (GV 4) on the dog days in the summer, one treatment on the 1st dog-day, 2nd dog-day and last dog-day respectively with an interval of 10 days between two treatments. Three treatments were taken as one course, and totally one course was given. The quick cupping was applied at Shenque (CV 8), once a day, ten treatments were taken as one course, and totally three courses was given. The control group was treated with oral administration of loratadine and nasal spray of budesonide. The loratadine was given 10 mg per time, once a day for continuous 14 days; budesonide was given once a day, ten treatments were taken as one course, and totally three courses was given. The clinical efficacy in two groups after treatment was observed, and the contents of immune globulin E (IgE), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in peripheral serum were measured before and after the treatments.

RESULTSOf all the 82 patients, 79 cases completed the treatment, and 1 patient in the observation group and 2 patients in the control group dropped out. The effective rate was 87.8% (36/41) in the observation group, which was superior to 78.9% (30/38) in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, both groups effectively reduced the contents of IgE, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α, and the observation group had superior effect on reducing IgE and IL-4 to the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe medicinal vesiculation combined with quick cupping at Shenque (CV 8) have better effect for allergic rhinitis with syndrome of yang deficiency than oral administration of loratadine and nasal spray of budesonide.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Budesonide ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Young Adult