Objective: To observe the effects of knocking down the expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) with RNA interference techniques on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma HCCLM3 cells. Methods: A short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) eukaryotic expression vector against PPARγ was constructed and transfected into HCCLM3 cells. The changes of PPARγ expression were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis. The proliferation of HCCLM3 cells was tested by MTT assay. Apoptosis ratio of HCCLM3 cells was detected by TUNEL method and flow cytometry (FCM). Expressions of PCNA and wide-type p53 protein were analyzed by immunocytochemistry (ICC) methods. Results: The sequence-specific shRNA (pshPPARγ) efficiently blocked the expression of PPARγ mRNA by 80.5%. At 48 h after transfection of pshPPARγ, proliferation of HCCLM3 cells was significantly suppressed by 71.5%. The positive rate of PCNA expression was (23.8 ± 7.2)% at 40 h transfection. The apoptotic rates were (24.2 ± 4.7)% as detected by TUNEL assay and (23.2 ± 4.2)% of cells as measured by FCM test, respectively. The detection results of the two methods were consistent. In pshPPARγ transfection group, cell cycle of HCCLM3 cells was arrested in G0/G1 phase and the proportion of cells in G2/M phase decreased. Moreover, expression of wide-type p53 protein increased significantly. Conclusion: Knockdown PPARγ expression with RNA interference technology can significantly suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of HCCLM3 cells. It is related with up-regulation of wide-type p53 protein expression.

Objective: To observe the association of the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) with microvessel density (MVD) and vascularization mimicry (VM) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and explore their clinical significance. Methods: Thirty-four cases of HCC confirmed by pathological examination between 2003 and 2006 in Nantong Tumor Hospital were recruited in this study. The expressions of PPARγ, MVD and VM were tested by CD34 immunohistochernical (IHC) staining and seriodic acid-schiff (PAS) reaction in 34 cases of HCC tissues and its paired non-cancerous tissues. Their biological behaviors were analyzed and associated with the clinicopathological features. Results: PPARγ was over-expressed (24/34) in HCC tissue. It was associated with tumor size (>5 cm, P =0.027), broken capsule (P =0.014),tendency to metastasis and recurrence (P =0.001). The MVD was higher (23/24) in HCC tissue than that in corresponding para-cancerous tissues (P < 0.05). High MVD was related with tumor size (>5 cm, P =0.010), broken capsule (P =0.001), tendency to metastasis and recurrence (P=0.004), with or without metastasis during follow- up period (P =0.008), and differentiation degree (P =0. 001). The positive expression of VM was detected in 7 out of 34 HCC tissues. The MVD was higher in VM-positive group (P < 0.05). The positive expressions of VM were associated with TNM stage (P =0.001), tendency to recurrence (P =0.029), and differentiation degree (P =0.004). There was a significantly positive correlation between the over-expression of PPARγ and high MVD (r = 0.519). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that positive expression of PPARγ and VM as well as high MVD could be used for predicting the survival rate of HCC patients (P =0.013, 0.036 and 0.022, log-rank test). Cox hazard model analysis showed that positive PPARγ expression and high MVD were the independent prognostic factors for HCC. Conclusion: The PPARγ correlates with the development of microcirculation in HCC. PPARγ is a novel prognostic indicator for evaluating the prognosis of HCC.

Vascular calcification (VC) is a chronic systemic vascular disease characterized by abnormal deposition of hydroxyapatite minerals in the vascular system and is closely associated with aging, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and chronic kidney disease. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), a special type of adipose tissue that surrounds blood vessels, is thought to be a supportive component of the vascular structure and is capable of playing a role in homeostatic regulation during vasodilatation and contraction. Currently, there is growing evidence that perivascular adipose tissue acts as an endocrine and paracrine organ and interacts closely with cellular components of the vascular wall, which may be involved in the development of vascular calcification. This article reviews the role of perivascular adipose tissue in the pathophysiological process of vascular calcification and its potential as a target for therapeutic intervention, with the aim of providing new ideas for the prevention and treatment of vascular calcification.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between transplantation of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cells (allo-PBSCs) and low incidence of leukemic relapse. Methods Thirty-seven adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first remission ( n =16) and chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase ( n =21) underwent allo-PBSCT from June 1997 to December 1999. A median number of CD34 + cells, CD3 + cells, CD4 + cells and CD8 + cells infused was 7.3 ?10 6/kg, 364?10 6/kg, 210?10 6/kg and 137?10 6/kg, respectively. Busulfan and cyclophosphamide were used as conditioning regimen (BU-CY2). All patients received cyclosporine and methotrexate for GVHD prophylaxis. Results Engraftment of neutrophil and platelet was achieved at a median of day +13(9～28) and day +12(7～19) respectively. Acute GVHD (aGVHD) occurred in 18 of 37 patients ( 48.6% ) with grade II～IV aGVHD ( 24.3% ). Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) developed in 22 (extensive 8, limited 14) out of 32 evaluable patients ( 68.8% ). 28 patients were still alive in complete remission at a median follow-up of 950 days (range 600～ 1 500 days). The main causes of death were aGVHD in two patients, CMV-IP in four patients, cGVHD in two patients, and relapse only in one patient. The probability of disease free survival at 3 years was 75.7% . Conclusion In our series, leukemia recurrence was seen only in one patient ( 2.7% ), suggesting that a high incidence of cGVHD may have an enhanced graft-versus-leukemia effect and hence reduce the incidence of relapse after transplantation.

To explore the clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating benign and malignant focal liver lesions (FLLs) with SonoVue, CEUS was used to examine 113 patients with focal liver lesions (FLLs) in our hospital during July 2005 to December 2006. All the patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) or contrast-enhanced MRI (CEMRI). Except for patients with focal fatty sparings (n=18) and with hemangiomas (n=8), all the patients were confirmed by operation or ultrasonic-guided liver puncture biopsy. A sulfur hexafluoride gas-based contrast agent was used with a MI of 0.15 to 0.17. Forty-eight cases of malignant FLLs, including 30 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), 2 cholangiocarcinomas and 16 metastatic tumors, were detected. Seventy-eight cases of benign FLLs, including 33 hemangiomas, 9 focal nodular hyperplasias (FNHs), 19 focal fatty sparings, 5 abscesses, 7 regenerative nodules and 2 inflammatory pseudo-tumor, were involved. The contrast pattern of benign and malignant FLLs was quite different. CEUS has higher specificity and sensitivity than conventional ultrasound in differentiating benign and malignant FLLs.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*ultrasonography ; Contrast Media/*diagnostic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hemangioma/ultrastructure ; Image Enhancement/*methods ; Liver Diseases/*ultrasonography ; Liver Neoplasms/*ultrastructure ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

Objective To discuss the perioperative nursing for patients with Laparoscopic resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Methods A retrospective study was carried out in 18 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors on the effect of perioperative nursing and surgery. Results The gastrointestinal stromal tumors were resected under Laparoscopy with average operation time of 70 minutes. Blood loss volume during the operation was 20 to 50 ml. All patients recovered well with hospitalization days of 4 to 9 days. No relapse or metastasis was seen after 6 to 22 months of follow-up visit. Conclusions Laparoscopic resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors was safe and effective. Perioperative nursing had significant effect on the recovery of patients.

Objective To investigate the clinical skill and experience of laparoscopic herniorrhaphy in the treatment of abdominal hernia. Methods Clinical data of 30 cases of abdominal hernia undergoing laparoscopic her-niorrhaphy in Shengjing Hospital from May 2004 to December 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 23 in-guinal hernia,4 incision hernia and 3 hiatal hernia. TEP in 20 cases,TAPP in 3 cases,lPOM in 4 cases and Nissen hiatal hernia repair in 3 cases were performed. Results The mean operating duration was 72 min for TEP, 127 for TAPP,150 min for IPOM,and ]60 min for hiatal hernia repair and the mean time for hospitalization was 4.6,5.8, 7.5, and 5.3 days. No conversion to open surgery happened among these cases. No recurrence was found. Conclu-sions Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy appears to be an effective and convenient technique for the treatment of abdomi-nal hernia and has many advantages of minimally invasive surgery.

Objective Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) is used more widely in recent years in China. However, there is an argument on benefits and risks of off-pump surgery. Many studies shown that OPCAB had more benefits in short-term outcomes than conventional coronary artery bypass grafting(CCABG). But evidences from other studies suggested that OPCAB resulted in less long-term graft patency as compared with on-pump surgery. This study examined the longterm graft patency of OPCAB and CCABG performed by one surgeon. Methods 50 patients who had received surgical revascularization by a surgeon for more than 5 years were reviewed, 25 patients received conventional coronary artery bypass grafting ( group 1 ) and 25 patients received OPCAB ( group 2). All patients had angiograms for compareing the graft patency between the two groups. Results Among 25 patients in group 1,21 were male and 4 were female. The mean age of patients at surgery was (55.4 ±8.9) years. 15 cases had unstable angina, 16 patients had old myocardial infarction and 6 cases had diabetes.The ejection fraction (EF) was 0.58 ±0.14. The mean number of bypasses per patient was 3.32 ±0.63. Mean duration of operation was (3.58 ± 0. 82) hours. Mean follow-up duration was ( 86.52 ± 12.48) months. 83 grafts were evaluated for patency ( open vs. closed) and were graded by Fitzgibbon as grade A ( excellent graft), B ( impaired graft, with a stenosis of ≥50%, or a diameter less than 50% of the grafted artery), or O ( completely occluded). The graft patency was 73.49%, 61grafts were graded as Fitzgibbon A, 6 grafts as Fitzgibbon B and 16 grafts as Fitzgibbon 0. 25 patients were in group 2, 21males and 4 females. The mean age of patients at procedure was (58.2 ± 9.09) years, 11 patients had unstable angina, 13 patients had old myocardial infarction and 6 cases had diabetes. The ejection fraction (EF) was 0.59 ± 0. 14. Conclusion No 2011.03.013 difference in long-term graft patency was identified between on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Off-pump oronary artery bypass grafting preformed by an experienced surgeon may gain similar long-term graft patency to that of conventional bypass.

AIM: To explore the effect of berbamine(BER) on apoptosis in K562 cells and its possible molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry while electron microscopy and DNA electrophoresis were used to evaluate the characteristic changes of apoptosis, RT-PCR and Western blot were used to examine the expression levels of apoptosis related gene bcr/abl and BCR/ABL protein. RESULTS: By FCM, the apoptosis rate of K562 cells treated with 8.0 mg/L BER for 24 h and 72 h increased from (29.20?3.82)% to (61.77?4.35)% (P

Objective To study changes of serum IL-17 and IL-35 levels in patients with heart failure. Methods 60 patients with heart failure (observation group)were selected as research subjects.60 patients accord-ing to different severity were divided into acute period heart failure (34 cases)and stable stage heart failure (26 ca-ses);60 patients graded according to the NYHA standards were divided into 24 cases of heart failure with grade Ⅱ, 20 cases of grade Ⅲ ,16 cases of grade Ⅳ.According to the different primary diseases :expansion cardiomyopathy group (20 cases in group A),the coronary heart disease group (group B,24 cases),hypertensive heart disease group (group C,16 cases).During the same period,42 healthy elderly people in our hospital were selected as control group. The serum IL-17,IL-35 levels were tested,and the serum IL-17,IL-35 levels in patients with heart failure were ana-lyzed.Results Serum level of IL-17 in the observation group was higher than the control group,and the difference was significant [(15.61 ±4.02)pg/mL vs (9.49 ±3.96)pg/mL,t =9.018,P <0.01].Serum level of IL-35 in the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group,and the difference was significant[(52.78 ± 4.29)pg/mL vs (61.49 ±4.81)pg/mL,t =11.963,P <0.01].The level of serum IL-17 in acute stage of patients with heart failure was higher than that of stable heart failure,and the difference was significant (t =6.278,P <0.01);IL-35 level in serum of patients with heart failure in acute phase was lower than that of stable heart failure,the difference was significant (t =9.529,P <0.01).With the increase in heart failure grade,serum IL-17 level showed a rising trend,and the differences among three groups had statistical differences (F =6.098,P <0.01);serum IL-35 level decreased,and the differences among three groups had statistical differences(F =8.978,P <0.01).The serum IL-17 level of A group was higher than that in B group and C group,there were significant differences (F =6.096, P <0.01),the serum IL-17 level between B group and C group had no statistical difference (t =0.172,P >0.05). The serum IL-35 level of A group was lower than that of B group and C group,there were significant differences (F =8.978,P <0.01),the serum IL-35 level between B group and C group had no statistical difference (t =0.208,P >0.05).Serum IL-17 and serum IL-35 level was negatively correlated (r =-0.429,P =0.009).Conclusion High expression of IL-17 in elderly patients with heart failure,while IL-35 decreased in elderly patients with heart failure, IL-17,IL-35 are closely related to the senile congestive heart failure and the severity of illness.Serum IL-17 is nega-tively correlated with the level of serum IL-35.