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.

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 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

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】To observe the efficacy and side effects of hematopietic stem cell transplantation with combination of umbilical cord blood(UCB) and neonatal peripheral blood(NPB) in the treatment of β-thalassemia major.【Methods】28 mL NPB was drawn from a HLA identical neonate within 5 hours after his birth to complement stem cell of the UCB he donated for transplantation to his sibling with β-thalassemia major.Various items of hematopoiesis reconstruction were detected in UCB and NPB respectively.After conditioning with chemotherapy by using busulfan 20 mg/kg,cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg,melphalan 90 mg/m2 and antithymocyte globulin(ATG) 90 mg/kg,the patient received the 53 mL UCB and 28 mL NPB,achieving 5.7×107/kg nucleated cells(NC),93×105/kg CFU-GM and 3.1×105/kg CD34+CD38- cells from his HLA-identical sibling.【Results】Absolute nucleated cell(ANC) reached 0.5×109/L on 14th day post transplant,and platelets reached 20×109/L on 34th day after transplant.The heterozygosity of β-654 mutation point was detected by the PCR-RDB.The sexual chromosome changed from XX pretransplant to XY posttransplant.The patient was free red blood cell transfusion from 14th day post transplant.Her hemoglobin rose progressively from 86 g/L to 110 g/L.The patient survived for 197 days free from disease after transplantation.Following up for 9 months, the donor grew and developed normally.【Conclusion】The NPB contains a lot of stem cells.The transplantation with combination of suitable NPB and UCB is an effective tactics when the UCB cells are deficient.

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.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dc), a methylation inhibitor, on cisplatin-resistance in non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549/DDP and to explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSMTT assay was used to test the cytotoxicity of 5-Aza-dc on A549/DDP cells, and the IC(50) and cisplatin resistance index of A540/DDP cells at 48 hours after 5-Aza-dc (0 µmol/L, 20 µmol/L, 40 µmol/L) treatment at different concentrations. MSP, fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR (real-time RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the hMLH1 methylation status, mRNA and protein expressions, respectively.

RESULTSThe IC(50) value of cisplatin in A549/DDP cells was 30.15 ± 0.76 µmol/L. The MTT assay results demonstrated that during the 5-Aza-dc treatment for 48 hours, the dose of 20 µmol/L was non-toxic and 40 µmol/L was low-toxic. 5-Aza-dc at those two doses reduced IC(50) value of cisplatin to 16.54 ± 0.35 µmol/L (RI = 1.82) and 6.82 ± 0.16 µmol/L (RI = 4.42), respectively. MSP, real-time RT-PCR and Western blot showed that 5-Aza-dc at non-toxic and low-toxic doses removed the partial hMLH1-hypermethylation, and up-regulated hMLH1 mRNA and protein expressions.

CONCLUSIONSLow dose 5-Aza-dc can partially reverse the cisplatin-resistance in A549/DDP cells, which may be achieved through removal of hMLH1 hypermethylation and increased expression of hMLH1 gene. 5-Aza-dc may have a role in increasing the efficacy of chemotherapy for patients whose tumors are lack of hMLH1 expression because of hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Azacitidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; DNA Methylation ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; MutL Protein Homolog 1 ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

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 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)