Early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is still a great challenge in clinical practice.Tumor markers such as alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),liver enzymes,cytokines,and some special glycoproteins,though helpful,are not sensitive and specific enough for early diagnosis of HCC.The establishment of several interesting predictive diagnostic models on liver fi- brosis/cirrhosis suggests that mathematic predictive model,which is developed based on large sample size and follow-up study, might be of higher sensitivity,specificity and feasibility in clinical application.Here we suggest that more attention should be paid to this kind of multi-parameter predictive diagnostic models clinically,so as to improve the early diagnosis of HCC in a more economical and feasible way.

Objective To examine the relationship between plasma homocysteine level and status of congestive heart failure. Methods Plasma homocysteine level was determined in 106 patients with congestive heart failure(CHF).Among them,40 patients were diagnosed as having recent onset of CHF(group 1) and the remaining 66 were receiving conventional treatment(group 2).Thirty healthy subjects were served as a control group. Results(The plasma) homocysteine levels in group 1,group 2 and the control group were(14.87?5.22),(13.25?5.45) and((7.52)?1.73) ?mol/L,respectively.The plasma homocysteine level was significantly higher in group 1 and group 2 than in the control group(P

Objective To explore the influence of homocysteine(Hcy)on liver cystathionine-?-synthase(CBS)and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR)system in apoE-/- mice,and determine the effects of atorvastatin and/or folate/vitamin B12 on liver CBS and MTHFR system.Methods Eighty male 6-week-old apoE-/- mice were randomly divided into two groups:65 mice were fed with a chow diet containing 2%(wt/vol)L-methionine(homomethionine group)and 15 mice were fed with normal saline(control group).Two months later,the 60 mice survived in homomethionine group were subdivided into four groups:group Ⅰ(untreated),Ⅱ(3 mg/kg atorvastatin),Ⅲ(3 mg/kg atorvastatin+2 mg/kg folate+30 ?g/kg vitamin B12)and Ⅳ(2 mg/kg folate+30 ?g/kg vitamin B12).After one month,Western blotting was performed to detect the liver CBS and MTHFR system protein expression in each group.Results The relative expression of liver CBS and MTHFR was significantly lower in group Ⅰ than in control group(P

AIM:To investigate the inhibitory effects of triptolide on cell proliferation and metastasis in Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Raji cells.METHODS: The effects of triptolide on the growth of Raji cells were studied by 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium(MTT) assay.The effects of triptolide on the cell apoptosis of Raji cells were detected by using Annexin Ⅴ/PI double-labled cytometry.The effects of triptolide on CXCR4 expression on Raji cells were studied by flow cytometric analysis.Chemotaxis assays were performed to observe the effects of triptolide on migration of Raji cells towards recombinant human SDF-1?(rhSDF-1?)in vitro.RESULTS: Triptolide inhibited the proliferation of Raji cells in a dose-and time-dependent way with a 24 h IC50 value of 43.06 nmol/L and a 36 h IC50 value of 25.08 nmol/L.Following the treatment of triptolide,the cell apoptosis rate was increased as the treatment concentration increased and the culture time extended.The effects were dose-and time-dependent.Triptolide could downregulate the expression of CXCR4 on Raji cells in a dose-dependent manner.Moreover,chemotaxis assay suggested that triptolide could block the migration of Raji cells to rhSDF-1? in vitro,and the inhibition was dose-dependent.CONCLUSION: Triptolide could inhibit the cell proliferation and induce the cell apoptosis of Raji cells.Furthermore,it could block the cell metastasis of Raji cells in vitro and the underlying mechanism might be related to the inhibition of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.

Objective To study and assess clinical application of two Nickel-Titanium(NiTi)rotary instru- ments,namely ProTaper and Hero 642,in preparation of root canals.Methods 125 teeth were divided into three groups and respectively instrumented by stainless K-files,ProTaper or Hero 642 rotary instruments.All teeth were obturated with lateral condensation method.The efficiency of preparation and obturation was analyzed with radio- graphs.Results NiTi rotary instruments were better in keeping the curvature and flow of curved canals than stain- less K files.There was no transportation,apical blockage and ledge in NiTi groups.The operative time was shorter and endodontic flare-up seldom occurred in NiTi groups.Conclusion The NiTi rotary instrumentation technique could be used to prepare curved root canals effectively and quickly.The future use of NiTi engine-driven rotary in- strument appeared to be promising.

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chick Embryo ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; blood supply ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology

Objective To explore the changes of CD40 and CD40 ligand(CD40L) levels and investigate their significances in children with graft-versus-host disease(GVHD)after related-donor human leukocyte antigen(HLA) matching allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT).Methods Nineteen patients with ?-thalassemia major and 1 patient with congenital inherent hemolytic anemia accepted umbilical cord blood transplantation(UCBT) and allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation(allo-PBSCT),respectively,and all cases were received successfully related-donor human leukocyte antigen matching allogeneic HSCT.Peripheral blood samples were obtained before and after transplantation,the time when GVHD happened,the expressions of CD40 and CD40L were measured by using immunofluresence asssy.Results Four UCBT children and 3 allo-PBSCT children had no acute GVHD.Thirteen children had acute GVHD(degreeⅠ-Ⅳ),the expressions of CD40L on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the patients with acute GVHD increased,especially in allo-PBSCT.Five cases of UCBT and 12 cases of allo-PBSCT patients had chronic GVHD,the expressions of CD40L+,CD25+ and CD69+ on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in patients with chronic GVHD increased obviously.The expression of CD19+CD40+ was lower than normal within 3 months after transplantation.Conclusions The high expression of CD40L+T cells in periferal blood after HSCT was related to the activation and proliferation of T cells in the development of GVHD in HSCT.

Objective We examined the in vivo effect of the antisense or/and decoy oligonucleotide of nuclear factor-?appa B (NF-?B) on balloon-injured smooth muscle cell proliferation and MMP-9 in the carotid artery of rats. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats underwent balloon-dilation injury of the left carotid artery. Rats were divided into 7 groups(n=18) and each group included 6 time points (6 h and 1,3,5,7,14 d)(n=3). Results The mean intima/media ratio increased significantly in sense group、scramble group and model group and reached the maximum at 7 d after rat injured carotid artery, compared with normal group, antisense group, decoy group and decoy plus antisense group(P

Objective To investigate whether homocysteine(Hcy) induces apoptosis of endothelial cells via a pathway involving caspases3 and whether simvastatin antagonizes the proapoptotic effects of Hcy by regulating c-IAP. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC) were treated with Hcy,with or without simvastatin,for 24 h.Cell apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V staining and flow cytometery,as well as TUNEL.The mRNA and protein levels of caspase3,c-IAP-1 and c-IAP-2 were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot,respectively. Results Treatment with both low(0.5 mmol/L) and high(3.0 mmol/L) concentrations of Hcy-induced HUVEC apoptosis was accompanied by an increased level of caspase3 expression and activation,together with decreased c-IAP-1 and c-IAP-2 level.Simvastatin upregulated c-IAP-1 and c-IAP-2 expression while attenuated Hcy-induced apoptosis and caspase3 activation. Conclusion Hcy may induce HUVEC apoptosis via a pathway involving caspase3,which can be partially antagonized by simvastatin,possibly through upregulated c-IAP-1 and c-IAP-2 expression.

Objective To evaluate the mid- and long-term radiological outcomes of cerebral aneurysms with GDCs embolization.Methods One hundred and sixty-two patients with 173 aneurysms embolized with GDCs underwent angiographic follow-up from 1 to 54 months post-operatively and were retrospectively reviewed. Three neuro-radiologists reviewed each angiogram and made a comparison between initial and follow-up angiograms. Morphological outcomes were evaluated as follows: unchanged; progressive thrombosis; and re-opening or re-growth. Results Of 173 aneurysms with GDC embolization, 142 aneutysms had total or nearly total occlusion, 23 subtotal occlusion and 8 partial occlusion shown on initial angiograms. The incidence of re-opening was 17.1% (13/76) in less than 3 months, and 6.2% (6/97) between 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Four aneurysms showed recurrency(2.3%) on second follow-up angiography in one year after procedure and one-year cumulative recurrent rate was 13.3% of 56 aneurysms with the third follow-up angiography in the post-operation period of 12 to 54 months, four showed a little enlargement and the cmnulative recurrent rate so far was 20.2% (35/173). Conclusions The direct and main causes for aneurysmal recurrence are incomplete and loosening packing. The first angiographic follow-up is recommended to be performed at 3 months or earlier after the procedure, especially in aneurysms with initial incomplete occlusion. Re-treatment with balloon- or stent-assisted coil embolization is recommended in re-opening aneurysms. (J Intervent Radiol,2005,14:472-479)