Balloon Occlusion ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Humans ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Sclerotherapy

Objective To investigate the mouse liver blood vessel images using phase contrast X-ray imaging with synchrotron radiation. Methods 6 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups, 3 mice in each group. In one group, livers excised after hgated arteries, veins and common bile duct. In another group, iodine infused via the portal vein and drained from inferior vena cave until all the blood in the portal veins and hepatic veins was displaced. After infusion, arteries, veins and common bile duct were ligated and livers were excised. Results Blood vessel images were clearly produced by diffraction enhanced imaging. This method can discriminate vessels down to about 40 μm in diameter without contrast agent. Using a contrasting agent more details could be produced. In one liver lobe, the entire branch of the portal vein could be clearly produced by one by one phase contrast image from the main axial blood vessels of liver lobe to the nine generation of branching. Conclusions Phase contrast imaging has the advantage of good contrast and high spatial resolution. [Key wnrds] Synchrotron radiation; Phase contrast imaging; Diffraction enhanced imaging; Blood vessel; X-rays

Objective: To explore the effects of noscapine (Nos) on the expression of cadherin 17 (CDH17) in colon cancer SW480 cells and the mechanism of Nos on cell migration. Methods: SW480 cells were divided into the control group, empty vector (si-EV) group, CDH17 interference (si-CDH17) group, Nos treatment group, and CDH17 interference+Nos treatment (si-CDH17+Nos) group. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knockdown CDH17, and the selected concentration of Nos was (55.30±2.21) µg/ml (IC50). The mRNA expression of CDH17 was detected by qPCR; the apoptosis and migration abilities of SW480 cells were observed by Hoechst33258 staining and Transwell assay; the contents of VEGF, MMP2 and MMP9 in SW480 cells were measured by ELISA, and the protein expressions of CDH17, Wnt3a and β-catenin were determined by WB. Results: Compared with the control group, mRNA and protein expressions of CDH17 obviously decreased, cell apoptosis and migration significantly reduced, while the contents of VEGF, MMP2 and MMP9 as well as the protein expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin significantly decreased in Nos treatment group, siCDH17 group and si-CDH17+Nos treatment group (all P<0.01).The effect of si-CDH17+Nos treatment was more significant than that of si-CDH17 (P<0.01). Conclusion: Nos induces apoptosis and inhibits the migration of human colon cancer SW480 cells, which may be related to the down-regulation of CDH17 expression and inhibition of the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway.