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.

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 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 To investigate the technique of transarterial embolization of dural carotidcavernous fistulas(DCCFs)with low concentration(14%-25%)of n-butyl-cyanoacrylate(NBCA)and determine its value.Methods Eight patients with DCCFs were treated by transarterial embolization with low concentration of NBCA using a wedged microcatheter.Of the 8 patients,5 had unsuccessful transvenous embolization and 3 could not be treated with transvenous embolization.Results Transarterial embolization with low concentration of NBCA using a wedged microcatheter resulted in complete obliteration of the affected cavernous sinus and related shunts in 5 patients,no residual arteriovenous shunt was demonstrated on postembolization angiography.On clinical and angiographic follow-up 6-12 months later,complete resolution of clinical symptoms was observed in all 5 patients and there were no recurrent or residual DCCFs found.Partial obliteration of the involved cavernous sinus and the related shunt was achieved in the remaining 3 patients on immediate post-procedure angiography,but the volume of shunt diminished significantly.On clinical and angiographic follow-up 3 months later,in 2 patients,clinical symptoms were improved and the arteriovenous shunts were diminished;in the third patient,clinical symptom resolved and the shunt was obliterated.There were no major complications except for the transient worsening of ocular symptoms due to Ⅵ cranial nerve palsy in 1 patient.Conclusions Transarterial embolization of DCCFs with low concentration of NBCA using a wedged microcatheter was a safe and effective treatment method.It is an optimal alternative for the patients with DCCFs in which transvenous route was unsuccessful,or impossible.

Objective Complicated aneurysms located in the cisternal segment of the internal carotid artery(ICA-CSA)present unique therapeutic difficulties.This study is to discuss the feasibility of the Willis stent-graft in treating complicated ICA-CSA by comparing its effect with that of coiling therapy.Methods Willis covered stents were employed in 19 complicated ICA-CSAs(group A),while coils were used in 17 complicated ICA-CSAs(group B).Follow-up angiography was performed to investigate aneurysm recurrence,endoleak and parent artery(PA)stenosis.Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare the recurrencefree and PA stenosis-free rate in both groups.Results Total exclusion was immediately achieved in 13 ICACSAs and minor endoleaks presented in 5 cases in group A.Total or near-total occlusion was achieved in 7 ICA-CSAs.subtotal occlusion in 8 and partial occlusion in 2 cases in group B after coiling.Acute thrombosis occurred in 1 patient in either group and re-hemorrhage happened in 1 patient after coiling.Follow-up angiography in group A revealed that 16 ICA-CSAs were completely isolated,with two parent arteries showing mild in-stent stenosis.Eighteen months after the procedure,Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the recurrence-free rate was 93.3%and 50%,while the stenosis-free rate of parent artery was 87.5%and 100% in group A and in Group B,respectively.In group A and group B the clinical neurological symptoms were fully recovered in 9 and 9,obviously improved in 3 and 5,unchanged in 2 and 2,and aggravated in one and 0 patients,respectively.Conclusion The implantation of Willis stent-graft is a feasible endovascular therapy for complicated ICA-CSAs.When the parent artery is very tortuous or when the risk that a main collateral branch may be wrongly covered and occluded is present,the implantation of Willis covered stent can not be taken as the treatment of first choice.