Objective To investigate the existence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and its relation to the expression of HBx protein in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The expression of HBx protein,E-cadherin,β-catenin,N-cadherin and fibronectin were detected by immumnohistochemistry technique in 76 cases of HCC.Results Among 76 HCC samples,the loss of expressions of E-cadherin and β-catenin were 34%(26/76)and 20%(15/76),respectively.The positive expressions of HBx protein,N-cadherin and frbronectin were observed in 68%(52/76),55%(42/76),46%(35/76)of HCC samples,respectively.The loss of expression of E-cadherin significantly correlated with the positive expression of N-cadherin and HBx protein (P＜0.01).The positive expression of N-cadherin and fibronectin significantly correlated with the loss of expression of β-catenin and the positive expression of HBx protein(P＜0.05).Conclusions EMT exists in hepatocellular carcinoma,and the expression of HBx is significantly associated with EMT.

BACKGROUND: As a kind of polypeptide, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide can lower the blood pressure of human body through restraining the formation of angiotensin Ⅱ.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of AGE inhibitory peptide on endothelial cell proliferation and endothelin expression in cultured human umbilical vein cells based on cellular and molecular levels in order to provide the experimental evidences for ACE inhibitory peptide to be the potential blood pressure-lowering health food.DESIGN: Repeated measures design.SETTING: School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology; School of Applied Chemistry and Biological Technology,Shenzhen Polytechnic.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Institute of Applied Chemistry and Biological Technology, Shenzhen Polytechnic from September 2004 to March 2005. The AGE inhibitory peptide was provided by the Institute of Applied Chemistry and Biological Technology, Shenzhen Polytechnic. Under certain circumstance, 15 μ mol/L of the inhibitor was needed to decrease half of the AGE activity. The human umbilical vein endothelial cells of the 4th generation were cultured randomly in 7 groups with different concentrations: medium group, 150, 300 and 600 mg/L ACE inhibitory peptide groups, captopril group, norepinephrine(NE) group, and ACE inhibitory peptide+NE group.METHODS: ①The endothelial cells were cultured as recommended. The medium was M199+FBS(0.15, v/v)+penicillin(10 000 U/mL)+streptomycin (100 mg/L). After cellular fusion, the cells were carried on the passage with the ratio of 1:2. The 4th generation cells were used for experiment. ②M199(0.15, v/v) was contained in each group. ACE inhibitory peptides were added to make the final concentration 150, 300 and 600 mg/L in the 150, 300 and 600 mg/L ACE inhibitory peptide groups respectively. Captopril was added to make the final concentration 10-5 mol/L in the captopril group. NE was added to make the final concentration 100 μg/L in the NE group. ACE inhibitory peptide and NE were added to make the final concentration 300 mg/L and 100 μg/L in the ACE inhibitory peptide+NE group respectively. ③The state of cell growth was determined with cytometry. The contents of endothelial cells in the medium with different culture times were determined with radioimmunoassay. The expression of endothe lin mRNA was determined with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of cellular endothelin protein was determined with immunohistochemical method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①The influence of ACE inhibitory peptide on endothelial cell proliferation. ②The influence of ACE inhibitory peptide on the endothelin mRNA and endothelin protein.RESULTS: ①The influence of ACE inhibitory peptide on endothelial cell proliferation and endothelin secretion: Compared with the medium group,in the captopril and 150, 300, 600 mg/L ACE inhibitory peptide groups,the growth of endothelial cells was restrained and the endothelin content in the medium was lowered(P ＜ 0.01 or 0.05). NE could promote the growth of endothelial cells and the secretion of endothelin, but the cell density and endothelin content after treatment with ACE inhibitory peptide were similar to those in the medium group (P ＞ 0.05). ②The influence of ACE inhibitory peptide on the expressions of endothelin mRNA and protein in endothelial cells: Compared with the medium group, the expressions of endothelin mRNA and protein might be lowered in the captopril and 150,300, 600 mg/L ACE inhibitory peptide groups(P ＜ 0.01 or 0.05). The expressions of endothelin mRNA and protein could be up-regulated by NE.The gene expression after treatment with ACE inhibitory peptide was similar to that in the medium group(P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The ACE inhibitory peptides of different dosages can all restrain the growth of endothelial cells, lower the endothelin content, decrease the expression of endothelin gene and resist NE improved growth and secretion of endothelial cells in umbilical vein cell effectively.

For unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),besides sorafenib,alternative drugs and treatment modalities are required.Clinical studies of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC),transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE),and system chemotherapy have shown favorable efficacy and tolerance in advanced HCC patients.In addition,the potential efficacy of sorafenib combined with focal treatment is also an interesting issue.As more therapies become available,decision-making for treating advanced HCC becomes increasingly complex.In our opinion,diverse treatment modalities should be utilized for the best interest of patients.Based on predictive biomarkers,we should develop a precise patient stratification system to select suitable candidates for each treatment modality in future studies,as is useful for improving prognosis of patients with advanced HCC.

AIM:To investigate the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone ( GnRH) analogue on the growth of breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 in vitro and to explore the related mechanisms with PI 3K/Akt or ERK/MAPK pathways .METHODS: The proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 treatment with triptorelin was detected by MTT assay and the distribution of the cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry .The phosphorylation of the ERK 1/2 and Akt was evaluated by Western blotting .RESULTS:Triptorelin inhibited the prolifera-tion of MCF-7 cells at concentration of 10-5 mol/L after treated for 192 h or at concentration of 10 -4 mol/L after treated for 168 h and 192 h.Triptorelin inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells at concentration of 10 -4 mol/L after treated for 192 h (P<0.05).Treatment with triptorelin for 192 h at concentration of 10 -4 mol/L had no statistical significance effect on phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Inhibitory effect of GnRH analogue triptorelin on human breast cancer cells is not just the connection with the down-regulation of pituitary hormone , but also a direct in-hibitory effect.The role may not be involved in the activation of ERK /MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways .

Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of preoperative inflammatory indicators for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 73 patients with primary HCC who underwent radical partial hepatectomy in the Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital of Tsinghua University from December 2014 to July 2019 were collected. There were 57 males and 16 females, aged from 33 to 81 years, with a median age of 58 years. Results of blood examination indicators at the first time in hospital were determined for patients. Observation indicators: (1) the best cut-off values of?? preoperative inflammatory indicators calculated by the maximally selected rank statistics; (2) follow-up; (3) influencing factors for prognosis of HCC patients; (4) comparison of clinicopathological parameters of HCC patients; (5) comparison of predictive value for overall survival. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination and telephone interview to determine postoperative survival of patients up to September 2019. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range). The best cut-off values ??for continuous variables were obtained using the maximally selected rank statistics based on survival at endpoint of follow-up. Count data were represented as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates, and Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Univariate analysis was performed using the Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using the COX proportional hazard model. The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to compare the predictive value of independent prognostic factors. Results:(1) The best cut-off values of?? preoperative inflammatory indicators calculated by the maximally selected rank statistics: the best cut-off values of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and prognostic nutrition index (PNI) were 3.46, 131.05, and 45.65. (2) Follow-up: 73 patients were followed up for 31 months (range, 2-57 months). Twenty patients died during the follow-up. (3) Influencing factors for prognosis of HCC patients: results of univariate analysis showed that NLR, PNI, tumor diameter, and tumor differentiation degree were related factors affecting prognosis of patients ( χ2=10.213, 4.434, 5.174, 4.306, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that NLR and tumor differentiation degree were independent factors affecting prognosis of patients ( hazzard ratio=4.429, 13.278, 95% confidence interval as 1.662-11.779, 1.056-10.169, P<0.05). (4) Comparison of clinicopathological parameters of HCC patients: of 73 patients, 64 cases had NLR<3.46 and 9 cases had NLR≥3.46. Cases with tumor length >5 cm or ≤5 cm, neutrophils, lymphocytes were 23, 41, (2.9±1.2)×10 9/L, (1.7±0.6)×10 9/L for 64 patients with NLR<3.46, versus 8, 1, (5.8±2.9)×10 9/L, (1.0±0.3)×10 9/L for 9 patients with NLR≥3.46; there were significant differences in above indicators between the two groups ( χ2=7.017, t=2.982, -3.168, P<0.05). (5) Comparison of predictive value for overall survival: time-dependent ROC curves of NLR and tumor differentiation degree for 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-year survival rates had the area under curve of 0.735,0.611, 0.596, 0.574 and 0.554, 0.583, 0.572, 0.556, respectively. NLR had better predictive value for overall survival of patients than tumor differentiation degree. Conclusion:Preoperative NLR is an independent factor affecting prognosis patients, and its predictive efficacy is better than tumor differentiation degree.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of lasting methylene blue staining in precise hepatectomy.Methods The clinical data of 21 patients with liver cancer who received precise hepatectomy after methylene blue staining at General Hospital of PLA from February to August in 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.After the hepatic pedicle Was dissected,methylene blue WaS injected into the portal vein,and then the hepatic pedicle was ligated.Parenchymal division is initiated along the line of devascularization demarcated on Glisson capsule.Results The success rate of methylene blue staining Was 100%.Methylene blue retained in the parenchyma for(80±23)minutes.Right hepatectomy was performed on 2 patients,left hepatectomy on 1,right posterior lobectomy on 2,right anterior lobectomy on 3,left lateral lobectomy on 1,segmentectomy of segment Ⅷon 2,segmentectomy of segment Ⅶ on 3,segmentectomy of segment Ⅵ on 1,segmentectomy of segment Ⅳ on 2 and combined segmentectomy on 4.The mean volume of blood loss,incidence of postoperative complications and postoperative hospital stay were(236±6)ml,14%(3/21)and(12±3)days.Conclusions Ligation of hepatic pedicle after methylene blue injection has the advantages of high success rate and lasting staining of parenchyma of liver.Especially,this staining method contributes to improve the precision of hepatectomy by guiding the segment selection during parenchyma transection.

ObjectiveTo evaluate a computer-assisted operation planning system in curative hepatectomy for complex hilar cholangiocarcinoma.MethodsThe clinical data of 15 patients with complex hilar cholangiocarcinoma who were admitted to the Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2008 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.Based on triple-phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography inages,a computer-assisted operative planning system was used to evaluate the anatomic relationship between the tumor and its adjacent vessels,liver volume,operative feasibility,and the potential surgical approaches.The accuracy of three-dimensional reconstruction was tested by comparison to actual intraoperative findings.The correlation between actual liver resection volumes and predicted liver resection volumes was analyzed by calculating a Pearson correlation coefficient.Differences in liver volumes calculated by two-dimensional techniques versus three-dimensional reconstruction were analyzed using the paired t test,and the error rate was compared using the chi-squarc test. Results Fifteen patients received curative hepatectomy,including extended hemihepatectomy in 8 patients and trisectionectony in 7 patients.Preoperative evaluation of the hepatic anatomy based on three-dimensional reconstruction imaging was confirmed with operative findings.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy rates were 100.0％,72.7％ and 72.7％ for patients with portal invasion and 100.0％,78.6％ and 78.6％ for patients with hepatic arterial invasion,respectively.The actual liver resection volume was positively correlated with the predicted liver resection volume ( r =0.974,P ＜ 0.05 ).The mean liver volumes calculated by the three-dimensional reconstruction and the two-dimen-sional techniques were (458 ±86)ml and (491 ± 103 )ml,respectively,with no significant difference (t =-1.911,P ＞0.05 ).The error rates of the three-dimensional reconstruction and the two-dimensional techniques were 4.7％ and 7.2％,respectively,with no significant differnece ( x2 =2.381,P ＞ 0.05 ).Five patients had postoperative complications,and each was cured with conservative or interventional management. Conclusion The application of a computer-assisted operation planning system may improve the safety and accuracy of curative resection for complex hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness and the best assessment time of the short-latency somatosensory evoked potential (SLSEP) and brainstem auditory-evoked potential (BAEP) in the prognosis prediction of patients with severe cerebrovascular disease. Methods A prospective trial was conducted. The patients with severe cerebrovascular disease and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) ≤ 8 and admitted to the neurological intensive care unit (NICU) of Armed Police Logistics College Affiliated Brain Hospital from December 2014 to May 2015 were enrolled. The patients received SLSEP and BAEP nerve electrophysiological examinations within 24 hours and on 3, 7, 15 days after admission respectively and were graded according to Cant method. GCS was evaluated within 24 hours and on 15 days after admission. The prognosis was evaluated by Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) at six months after the onset of the disease. At different time windows after the onset of the disease, the correlations between different predictive indexes (GCS, SLSEP and BAEP) and outcome (GOS) were analyzed using spearman rank correlation; in the mean time, the efficacy for predicting the prognosis by single index or combined indexes was compared by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Results Seventy-eight patients were enrolled [men 46, women 32, age range (60.79±12.50) years old]. There were 78, 64, 44 and 19 patients observed at 24 hours and on 3, 7, 15 days after admission because the short-term death of some patients. The graded abnormal rate of SLSEP was 75.64%, 82.81%, 79.55% and 73.98% respectively; and the graded abnormal rate of BAEP was 82.05%, 84.38%, 85.94% and 73.68% respectively. ① Correlation analysis: all the predictors were correlated with GOS within 24 hours and on 3, 7, 15 days after admission, and SLSEP and BAEP grading were moderately correlated with GOS (0.4≤|R| < 0.7). ② The accuracy of the predicting prognosis: the area under the curve (AUC) of GCS on 15 days after admission [AUC = 0.772, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.561-0.984, P = 0.045] was the maximum when predicting survival. AUC of SLSEP (AUC = 0.825, 95%CI = 0.695-0.955, P = 0.000) and BAEP (AUC = 0.786, 95%CI = 0.646-0.927, P = 0.002) were the maximum on 7 days after admission when predicting death. ③ The effectiveness of the prognosis prediction: the sensitivity of SLSEP grading and BAEP grading were 92.6% and 96.3% respectively, while the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of SLSEP and BAEP combined prediction were 100% on 7 days after admission. The specificity of GCS was 100% on 15 days after admission. Conclusions SLSEP and BAEP have more close correlation with prognosis compared with the GCS; Continuous dynamic combined evaluation of SLSEP and BAEP has important clinical value for patients with severe cerebrovascular disease possess in the prognosis assessment, the accuracy and the effectiveness of SLSEP and BAEP combined prediction were higher on 7 days especially.

Objective To evaluate three-dimentional (3D) reconstruction technique and methylene blue staining in precise anatomic hepatectomy.Methods The clinical data of 12 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were admitted to the Chinese PLA General Hospital from February 2009 to August 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.The 3D reconstruction of the liver tumor and intrahepatic vessels were done based on the computed tomography data and magnetic resonance imaging data.The portal vein supplying the tumor and its anatomic relationship with adjacent vessels were evaluated.Precise anatomic hepatectomy was performed guided by sustained methylene blue staining.Results The accurate rate of 3D model of the portal triad was 12/12.The shape of target segments observed after methylene blue staining was consistent with the results of 3D evaluation.Two patients received hemihepatectomy,3 received lobectomy,5 received monosegmentectomy or subsegmentectomy,2 received multisegmentectomy.The mean tumor diameter,operation time,blood loss,postoperative hospital stay and complication rate were 5.6cm (2.5-16.0 cm),(150±24)minutes,(236±25)ml,(10±3)days and 2/12,respectively.After a median follow-up of 14 months,tumor recurrence was found in 2 patients,and 1 of them died of tumor progression.Conclusions The 3D reconstruction may contribute to precise evaluation of the anatomic relationship between the tumor and its adjacent vessels.The 3D technique combined with sustained methylene blue staining may significantly improve the accuracy of anatomic hepatectomy.

Objective To investigate the value and efficacy of continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT) for treatment of heat stroke patients complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS). Methods The clinical data of 19 heat stroke patients complicated by MODS admitted into the hospital in a period from July 15,2010 to August 30,2010 and treated by CRRT were analyzed retrospectively. Continuous venovenous hemofiltation(CVVH) mode was used in all patients and the initial temperature of replacement fluid range was 28℃to 32℃persisting in 2.0 to 2.5 hours and afterward it maintained at 36℃. Prognosis and adverse effect were observed,the patients' body temperature,heart rate(HR),mean arterial pressure(MAP),acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ)scores,oxygenation index(PaO2/FiO2),the levels of serum urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr), myoglobin(Mb),creatine kinase(CK),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and arterial lactate(Lac)were monitored before and after CRRT treatment. Results Fifteen patients were cured or improved,and 4 died. Compared with those before CRRT treatment,body temperature(℃),HR(bmp),MAP(mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),APACHEⅡevaluation(score),PaO2/FiO2(mm Hg)were significantly improved(body temperature:36.8±0.2 vs. 41.6±0.3,HR:93.6±10.3 vs. 132.5±11.4,MAP:69.8±9.9 vs. 45.2±7.7,APACHEⅡ:12.3±3.9 vs. 29.6±4.6,PaO2/FiO2:213.6±95.4 vs. 126.5±87.4,all P<0.05);the levels of BUN(mmol/L),SCr(μmol/L), Mb(μg/L),CK(U/L),ALT(U/L),AST(U/L),Lac(mmol/L)were significantly reduced after the treatment(BUN:23.9±5.3 vs. 42.6±5.4,SCr:123±47 vs. 356±51,Mb:201±45 vs. 468±39,CK:217±32 vs. 843±41,ALT:79±36 vs. 894±88,AST:57±28 vs. 867±92,Lac:3.5±2.4 vs. 16.6±3.9,all P<0.05). In the process of the treatment,hemodynamics was stable,and no obvious side effects occurred. Conclusion CRRT treatment can exactly and safely reduce the core body temperature of patients with heat stroke,and it can also effectively eliminate metabolites of BUN,Cr,Mb,etc,ameliorate the inflammatory reaction and supporting the functions of liver,kidneys and other vital organs,thus the treatment is also safe and effective for such patients complicated by MODS.