AIM　To study the chemical constituents of Eclipta prostrata (L). METHODS　The constituents of E.prostrata were systematically separated with the Bohlmann method and percolation and hot extraction methods, and various chromatographies. The structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic means. RESULTS　Ten compounds were isolated from the Eclipta prostrata. Their structures were determined as wedelolactone (1), demethylwedelolactone (2), isodemethylwedelolactone (3), α-formylterthienyl (4), strychnolactone (5), β-sitosterol (6), nonacosanol (7), stearic acid (8), lacceroic acid (9), 3,4-dihydoxy benzoic acid (10). Fourteen ocmpounds, including hydrocarbons and its esters were identified by GC-MS from the least polar fractions. CONCLUSION　Compound 3 is a new coumestan named isodemethylwedelolactone. Compounds 2-10 and compounds characterized by GC-MS analysis were obtained for the first time from Eclipta prostrata.

Objective To observe the effects of recombinant plasmid of rat's interstitial collagenase on experimental liver fibrosis. Methods We constructed the recombinant plasmid of rat's interstitial collagenase fused Flag peptide which can be expressed in eucaryotic cells. After bound to galactose terminal glyco poly L lysine(G PLL), we transferred the recombinant plasmid to the rat's fibrotic liver in vivo by intravenous injection, then observed the effects of the plasmid on the fibrotic liver by RT PCR, immunohistochemistry and the observation of pathology. Results The recombinant plasmid of interstitial collagenase could be expressed in rat liver, the expression of the plasmid could increase the degradation of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen in the rat's fibrotic liver compared with fibrotic modal group ( P 0.05). Conclusion The recombinant plasmid of interstitial collagenase have some effects on liver fibrosis, but this effects is limited.

Objective To investigate the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in sinusoidal capillarization in liver cirrhotic rats. Methods The SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) twice a week for 8 weeks to induce liver cirrhosis. The rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (n= 10), model control group (n= 15) and rofecoxib treated group (received 10 mg/kg of rofecoxib daily, n = 15). Liver histopathology was examined by light microscopy, and sinusoidal ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the level of basement membrane proteins (collagen type Ⅳ, laminin) and their localizations in liver were determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively, and the microvessel density was detected following vWF (yon Willebrand factor) immunolabeling on liver tissue sections. Results Fibrotic areas were reduced in rofecoxib treated group compared with that in model group (30.7±8.9 vs 23.5±6.5,P<0. 05). The light and electron microscopy showed that the pathologic changes including loss or reduction in number of sinusoidal endothelial fenestrate, the accumulation of extracellular matrix in the Disse's space and development of subendothelial basal lamina (basement membrane formation) were more severe in model group than those in rofecoxib treated group. Compared with model group, administration of rofecoxib resulted in significant decrease in microvessel density (11.3 ± 1.6 vs. 6.4 ±0. 7, P<0. 01). Rofecoxib could significantly decrease the expression of type Ⅳ collagen and laminin at protein levels (3.0±0.5 and 3.0±0.5, respectively) when compared with model group (3.8±0.4 and 3.7±0. 5, respectively). Conclusion The results indicate that early administration of rofecoxib may reduce sinusoidal capillarization.

Objective To investigate the role of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2) in the forming of portal hypertension and whether a selective COX 2 inhibitor can reduce the portal hypertension or not. Methods Cirrhotic Sprague Dawley rat was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) intraperitoneally for 8 weeks. The animals were divided into three groups: 10 normal rats served as control group; the other 15 rats, which received CCl 4 intraperitoneally twice a week and rofecoxib (10 mg/kg) by gavages daily, served as treatment group; another 15 rats, which were induced cirrhosis by CCl 4 but given placebo (saline solution ) instead of rofecoxib, served as placebo group. After 8 weeks of CCl 4 induction, portal pressure was measured, and the levels of thromboxane B 2 (TXB 2), and prostaglandin (PG)E 2 in the liver tissues were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Furthermore, liver histopathological analysis was performed in H E and Masson's trichrome staining sections. Results Portal pressure in the rats of rofecoxib group was significantly decreased compared to that in the placebo group [(11.95?1.05) mm Hg vs. (13.45?1.15) mm Hg; P

Objective To establish a new method to analyze the position accuracy of multileaf collimator (MLC) in the dynamic mode.Methods The MLC test sequence was created in a field,where intentional leaf positional errors ranging from 0.1 to 1 mm per centimeter were introduced.In order to establish the relationship between the ion chamber readings and leaf position,whose slope indicated the leaf position error per centimeter,a two-dimensional ion chamber array was used to measure absorbed dose while leaves were moving at dose rates of 100,300 and 600 MU/min,respectively.For routine test,leaf position error was easily found via dose profile in y direction of the field created by dynamic leaves,where the position error could be quantitatively calculated as the slope of absorbed dose line of x direction of the same field.Results The error of 0.2 mm or more per centimeter was obviously shown through y dose profile.The calibration curve was linear at different dose rates.At 600 MU/min,a 0.1 mm leaf position error corresponded to a slope variation of 0.74％,and the differences between the tested errors and the introduced errors were within 0.1 mm.Conclusions The simple and reliable method is helpful to establish the intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality control (QC) system.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancer worldwide. Most of the HCC occur in developing countries. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important risk factor for HCC development. HBV induces immune-mediated chronic hepatitis, liver injury, regeneration and scar forming responses, leading to an inflammatory, fibrotic and immune deficient microenvironment. HBV may integrate into host genome, inducing genetic abnormality and altering the expression of HCC-related genes. HBV also expresses active proteins such as X (HBx) and S proteins, which may trans-activate HCC-related proteins expression, interact with intracellular specific proteins, activate a variety of signaling pathways, and induce aberrant epigenetic modifications. HBV mutation also has impact on HBV related HCC development.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; virology ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; virology ; Mutation ; Signal Transduction ; Trans-Activators

Objective To explore the effect of different pH values on calcification of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 signaling pathway. Methods Healthy male SD rats aged 5-8 weeks were selected in the study. VSMCs from rat thoracic aorta were cultured in vitro, and then identified by immunocytochemistry. The VSMCs were randomly divided into 4 groups by random sampling method:normal group (pH 7.4), pH7.4+high phosphorus group, pH 7.1+high phosphorus group, and pH 7.7+high phosphorus group. Calcium deposition and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity were measured by alizarin red staining and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of BMP-2, Smad1 and Runx2 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. Results Compared with the control group, the calcification staining was increased in pH 7.4+high phosphorus group, calcium content was increased and expressions of BMP-2, Smad1, Runx2 mRNA and AKP activity were also increased (P<0.05). While compared with the pH 7.4+high phosphorus group, calcification staining, calcium content, expressions of BMP-2, Smad1, Runx2 mRNA and AKP activity were decreased in pH 7.1+high phosphorus group (P<0.05). The calcification staining, calcium content, expressions of BMP-2, Smad1, Runx2 mRNA and AKP activity were increased in pH 7.7+high phosphorus group (P<0.05). Conclusion The extracellular acidic environment (pH 7.1) can inhibit high-phosphotus-induced VSMCs calcification, whereas extracellular alkaline environment (pH 7.7) induce high-phosphotus-induced VSMCs calcification. The mechanism is presumably that VSMCs calcification is induced by influencing BMP-2 pathway, which may be mediated by VSMCs phenotype transdifferentiation of BMP-2 signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the regular variation pattern of tumor volumes of the patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) before and after targeting treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI),and to clarify its clinical value.Methods:The materials of 39 NSCLC patients with EGFR-TKI targeting treatment were retrospectively analyzed. The tumor volumes were detected by volume measurement software of TPS and Image J image processing software,then the absolute and relative tumor volume changes of the NSCLC patients before and after targeting treatment were analyzed by paired sample comparison symbol Wilcoxon rank test. Results:The absolute tumor volumes (mm3 )of the patients with NSCLC before and 1 month after targeting treatment were 14 822.11 (7 524.73,54 999.41)and 7 954.42 (3 499.73,29 396.83),respectively, and there was statistically significant difference (Z=-3.257,P=0.001);the absolute tumor volumes of the patients with NSCLC 1 and 2 months after targeting treatment were 8 358.47 (4 394.36,24 430.05)and 7 028.76 (3 634.98,21 056.71),respectively,and there also was statisticaliy significant difference (Z=-2.213,P=0.027).When the original tumor volume before targeting treatment was regarded as 1,the relative tumor volume of 1 month after targeting theatment was 0.612 6 (0.313 8,0.853 7),and there was significant difference (Z=-3.855,P<0.001);the relative tumor volumes of 1 month and 2 months after targeting treatment were 0.608 4 (0.364 3,1.044 3)and 0.423 0 (0.248 8,0.877 7),respectively,and there also was statistically significant differernce (Z=-2.173,P=0.030);but the differences between other consecutive months (from 3 months to 6 months)had no statistically significant differences (P>0.05);the changes of tumor relative volume presented platform stage after 3 months.The tumor relative volumes of 7-9 months after EGFR-TKI treatment reached the bottom.Conclusion:The average primary tumor volume of the NSCLC patients is obviously reduced 1 and 2 months after TKI targeting treatment. It may be optimal to carry out radiotherapy in 3-9 months after EGFR-TKI targeting treatment.

Objective To investigate the combination application of the intracranial buried electrode and electrical stimulation techniques in excising the epileptogenic zone in the central zone.Methods Seven patients with epileptogenic zone located close to or in the central zone of brain were recruited in the present study.The lone term ECoG monitoring and electrical stimulation of the codex were performed to identify the epileptogenic zone and the central zone of the brain after patients received intracranial electrode implants.The epileptogenic zone was excised with maximum preservation of the cen-tral zone.The patients were follow-up for 6 to 12 months,the outcomes were evaluated based on the Engel's scale and the Karnofsky(KPS)score.Results Seven patients did not experience any seizures and their Engei's and KPS scores were markedly improve after operation.Conclusions Intracranial buried electrodes and cortical electrical stimulation can guide the resection of epileptogenic zone in the central zone.Patients have no seizure and no serious dysfunction after operation and their quality of life was improved markedly.

Objective To study the setup errors in three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for thoracic esophageal carcinoma using electronic portal imaging device(EPID) and calculate the margins from CTV to PTV. Methods Forty-one patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma who received 3DCRT were continuously enrolled into this study. The anterior and lateral electronic portal images (EPI) were aquired by EPID once a week. The setup errors were obtained through comparing the difference between EPI and digitally reconstructed radiographs(DRR). Then the setup margins from CTV to PTV were calculat-ed. By using self paired design,22 patients received definitive radiotherapy with different margins. Group A: the margins were 10 mm in all the three axes;Group B: the margins were aquired in this study. The differ-ence were compared by Paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results The margins from CTV to PTV in x,y and z axes were 8.72 mm, 10.50 mm and 5.62 mm, respectively. Between the group A and group B, the difference of the maximum dose of the spinal cord was significant(4638.7 cGy±1449.6 cGy vs. 4310.2 cGy±1528.7 cGy; t=5.48, P=0.000), and the difference of NTCP for the spinal cord was also significant (4.82%±5.99% vs. 3.64%±4.70%;Z=-2.70,P=0.007). Conclusions For patients with tho-racic esophageal carcinoma who receive 3DCRT in author's department,the margins from CTV to PTV in x, y and z axes were 8.72 mm, 10.50 mm and 5.62 mm, respectively. The spinal cord could be better protected by using these setup margins than using 10 mm in each axis.