OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on macrophages expressing TNF-alpha related apoptosis induced-ligand (TRAIL) and its relation to apoptosis of HepG2 cell line.

METHODSMembrane-bound TRAIL (mTRAIL) was measured by flow cytometry; soluble TRAIL in supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent sandwich assay (ELISA); cytotoxicity of TRAIL to HepG2 cell line was measured by chromium release assay, and apoptosis of HepG2 cell was confirmed by Annexin V staining.

RESULTSLPS only slightly increased membrane-bound TRAIL expression of macrophages. On the other hand, soluble TRAIL in the supernatant was increased with LPS stimulation, and the optimal concentration of LPS was 100 ng/ml (sTRAIL value 67.40 ng/ml+/-5.08 ng/ml). The soluble TRAIL in the supernatant was cytotoxic to HepG2 cells, and this activity can be blocked by TRAIL neutralizing antibodies.

CONCLUSIONLPS increases the expression of soluble TRAIL in macrophages, and soluble TRAIL is toxic to HepG2 cells. All of our results indicate that TRAIL may play an important role in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo study the expressions of VEGF/VEGFRs and activation of STATs in ovarian epithelial carcinoma, and to elucidate direct effect of VEGF on ovarian carcinoma cells.

METHODSTissue samples from 42 women with primary ovarian epithelial carcinoma (OVCA), 29 with begnin ovarian tumor (OVBT) and 11 with normal ovarian tissue (NOV) were collected. LSAB immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the expression of VEGF, VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and activated STATS (P-STAT1, P-STAT3, P-STAT5, P-STAT6) proteins.

RESULTS(1) Semi-quantitative scoring showed that VEGF expression in OVCA was significantly higher than that in OVBT and NOV (P < 0.01). Expressions of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were significantly elevated in OVCA, including tumor cells and stromal vascular endothelial cells (P < 0.01, compared with OVBT and NOV). There was no difference in VEGFRs expressions between OVBT and NOV. (2) In OVCA, tumor cells and endothelial cells expressed P-STAT3 and P-STAT5 at significantly higher levels than those in OVBT and NOV (P = 0.000). The staining of P-STAT1 and P-STAT6 was weak with no significant differences among OVCA, OVBT and NOV. (3) Expressions of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 in endothelial cells were significantly correlated with P-STAT5 and P-STAT3, respectively (P = 0.006 and 0.001). In cancer cells, VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were all significantly correlated with P-STAT3 and P-STAT5 (P = 0.000), but not with P-STAT1 or P-STAT6.

CONCLUSIONVEGF affects ovarian carcinoma cells via VEGFRs, and STATs probably participate in intracellular signaling of VEGF.

Adult ; Aged ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Milk Proteins ; metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovary ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; STAT5 Transcription Factor ; Signal Transduction ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between hepatic histopathological changes and clinical characteristics in chronic HBV carriers.

METHODA retrospective analysis was performed based on the hepatic biopsy findings, clinical laboratory results, and ultrasound examinations in 142 chronic HBV carriers. The patients were divided into two groups according to their serum HBV DNA replication and the pathological alterations in their livers.

RESULTSThe average age of the 142 patients was (24.8+/-8.7) years old. Among them, 129 were diagnosed as chronic HBV carriers based on their positive HBV DNA results. Thirteen were diagnosed as non-active HBsAg carriers. Hepatitis B family history was found in 31.0% of the cases. Normal liver tissues (G0S0) were found in the specimens of 33 cases (G > or = 1 and/or S > or = 1) chronic hepatitis B was diagnosed based on the biopsies in 106 cases, including an early stage of hepatic cirrhosis in 1 case (G4S4). There were no obvious differences between HBV DNA positive and negative group cases. The levels of HBV DNA in all the 129 cases of chronic HBV carriers were more than 1.0 x 10(4) copy/ml and the average value was (7.58+/-0.99) log10 copy/ml. Of the 129 cases, 123 were HBeAg positive (95.3%). Increased levels of gamma-globulin were detected in 45.8% of the cases and fibrosis index increased in 37.1%; 40.1% of the cases showed abnormalities in their ultrasound examinations. The average PCIII value of the chronic HBV carrier group (G > or = 1 and/or S > or = 1) was higher than that of the non-active HBsAg carrier group (P = 0.016). Spearman's analysis indicated that the inflammation grade (G) was correlated with the hepatic fibrosis index PCIII, and the correlation coefficient was 0.391 (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONThe patients in our study have a higher HBV DNA replication in their sera and have mild inflammation in their livers. Inflammation grade (G) and fibrosis stage (S) have no correlation with the level of HBV DNA or the state of HBeAg positivity. The increased level of PCIII might be related to their hepatic inflammation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carrier State ; pathology ; Child ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of extensive Whipple's resection to the adenocarcinoma of head of pancreas on the survival, complications, and surgical mortality.

METHODNinety three patients who received Whipple's surgery between January 1995 and March 2003 were divided into classical group (n = 51) and extensive group (n = 42). Their short-term outcome and survival rate were compared retrospectively.

RESULTSThe postoperative complication rate and mortality in classical group and extensive group were 19.61%/3.92% and 16.67%/2.38%, respectively. And 1- and 2- year survival rates in classical group and extensive group were 58.82%/20.59% and 63.33%/23.33%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPostoperative complications and mortality will not increase in extensive Whipple's resection for adenocarcinoma of head of pancreas. However, whether extensive Whipple's resection will improve long-term survival still requires further investigation.

Adenocarcinoma ; mortality ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo understand the infectious status of infection sources in some epidemic regions of Schistosomiasis japonica, and provide a scientific basis for further controlling infection sources in a comprehensive way.

METHODSLongshang village which lies in the area of hills and mountains and Yuye village which lies in the area of lakes and marshlands were chosen for field investigation. The study was targeted at snails and 1512 residents, while 197 samples of livestock were randomized (80 cattle, 46 pigs, 45 dogs, 18 cats, 8 sheep) and 32 wild animals (field rats) were screened in Anhui province between October to November in 2007. The infection rate and intensity of infection were calculated after pathogenic examination on the populations, livestock and wild animals (field rats).

RESULTS(1) The infection rate of snails in Longshang and Yuye village were 2.26%, 1.06% in 2007, and 0.55%, 0.72% in 2006 respectively. (2) Of the infection rate and geometric mean of egg per gram (EPG) of population, 3.8% and 0.14 (EPG) were in Longshang village and 3.4% and 0.13 (EPG) were in Yuye village. The positive rate of blood examination of the different sex in Longshang village was 17.5% (44/252) of the males, higher than that of the females 11.0% (25/227) (chi(2) = 4.026, P = 0.045), whereas, in Yuye village was 21.4% (66/309) of males and 19.4% (25/129) for the females, without significant differences (chi(2) = 0.217, P > 0.05). The positive rate of fecal examination of the different sex in Longshang village was 5.2% (14/268) of the men and 2.1% (5/236) of the women showing no statistical significance (chi(2) = 3.336, P > 0.05); whereas, in Yuye village was 5.7% (14/245) of the men and 1.2% (3/250) of the women (chi(2) = 7.603, P = 0.006). (3) The infection rate and the arithmetic mean of EPG of the cattle, 10.8% (8/74) and 135.00 (EPG) were in Longshang village, meanwhile, the infection rate of the bull was 9.1% (6/66) and 25.0% (2/8) for cow without statistical significance (chi(2) = 0.586, P = 0.444), whereas, the total number of cattle was 6 that had been examined and there was no positive case in Yuye village. Of 8 sheep examined in Yuye village, 6 was positive, with arithmetic mean of 254.82 (EPG), while there was no sheep in Longshang village. (4) Of the positive rate of the incubation for dog's feces and intensity of infection, 55.6% (24/36) and 20.00 (EPG) were in Yuye village whereas 23.81% (5/21) and 1.21 (EPG) were in Longshang village. (5) Of the infection rate of the field rats, 13.64% (3/22) in Longshang village whereas a total number of mouse was 10 that had been examined and there was no positive case in Yuye village.

CONCLUSIONThe farm cattle should be still the chief sources of infection in the regions of lakes and marshlands for schistosomiasis. Whereas, with the implementing in-depth of the strategy on controlling source of infection in a integrated way, high priorities should be given to the epidemiological factors of the animals such as sheep, dogs, field mouse and so on which are spreading schistosomiasis.

Animals ; Animals, Wild ; parasitology ; Cats ; Cattle ; China ; epidemiology ; Dogs ; Feces ; parasitology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Parasite Egg Count ; Rats ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; epidemiology ; parasitology ; Sheep ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the economic burden of patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis and liver cancer caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV).

METHODSCluster sampling was used on cases consecutively collected during the study period. Questionnaire survey was conducted and information on the expenses during hospitalization was collected from the hospital records and through interviewing those patients.

RESULTSYearly costs related to patients with acute hepatitis B, severe hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma were 66.7, 138.1, 127.4, 151.7 and 377.2 thousand Yuan, respectively.

RESULTSfrom multiple linear regression model showed that the type of medical insurance scheme, annual days of hospitalization, classifications of HBV-related diseases and personal income were major influencing factors on the cost.

CONCLUSIONHBV infection caused considerable burden to families and the society, indicating that HBV infection control programs would bring huge potential benefits. The reform of insurance scheme should be administrated to promote social fairness.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; economics ; China ; Cost of Illness ; Female ; Health Care Costs ; statistics & numerical data ; Hepatitis B ; economics ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; economics ; Hospitalization ; economics ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; economics ; Liver Neoplasms ; economics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult