The term vasculogenic mimicry describes the formation of fluid-conducting channels by highly invasive and genetically dysregulated tumor cells. The molecular mechanisms of vasculogenic mimicry may be associated with phenotypically interconversion, tumor-extracellular matrix interactions and abnormality in signal pathway of tumor cells. It is recently discovered that in hepatocellular carcinoma vasculogenic mimicry may be associated with the invasive and metastatic potential of tumor cells, as well as poor clinical outcome. This article reviews the present research progression of vasculogenic mimicry in hepatocellular carcinoma.

0.05 ). But CD8 +CD28 -T suppressor cells from colitis rats was significantly higher than that from controls (spleen: 11.3% ? 2.3% vs. 5.6% ? 1.0% ; colon: 6.5% ?5.4% vs. 1.1 %? 0.6% , P 0.05 ; colon: 7.5% ? 4.2% vs. 16.9% ? 4.1% , P

Objective To study the function of ginsenoside Rg3 on proliferation in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on Cx26 gene expression and gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in MCF-7, cultured in vitro. MethodsHuman breast cancer cells MCF-7 was exposed to ginsenoside Rg3 at differential concentrations for 24 h, respectively. The cell proliferation inhibition was measured by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazo-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The expression of Cx26 mRNA was measured by RT-PCR in experimental groups and control goup. The GJIC function of MCF-7 cell was examined with scrape-loading dye transfer assay.ResultsHuman breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was exposed to ginsenoside Rg3 at a concentration of 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 μg/ml, respectively.The inhibition ratio was 3.1%, 5.2 %, 16.0 %, 26.3 %, 29.1% respectively after 24 h. Compared with control group, the concentration of 40 μg/ml above could significantly inhibit MCF-7 cell proliferation (P ＜0.05), so the experimental groups were exposed to ginsenoside Rg3 at a concentration of 40, 80, 160 μg/ml,respectively. The expression of Cx26 mRNA in every experimental group compared with control group was enhanced when MCF-7 cell was exposed to ginsenoside Rg3 at a higher concentration. It was observed that Lucifer yellow fluorescent staining was limited to a single cell in control group through fluorescent microscope,but Lucifer yellow fluorescent transfered through gap junction cells to neighboring cells, then came into being flake fluorescent staining in experiment groups. ConclusionGinsenoside Rg3 can enhance the expression of Cx26 mRNA in MCF-7 cell and restore the gap junctional intercellular communication, which may be one of important mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3 in antitumor.

Objective To measure the macular function of the fellow eye in patients with unilateral retinal vein occlusion (RVO).Methods A total of 24 cases of unilateral RVO were diagnosed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA),and multifocal ERG (mfERG) was recorded by RETI scan.The mfERG data of 24 fellow eyes of those RVO patients,and 18 normal control eyes were analyzed and compared.The parameters included the amplitude density,latency of the P1 and N1 wave in 6 concentric circles and 4quadrants of the mfERG graphics.Results The amplitude densities of P1 and N1 wave in first and second concentric circles of RVO fellow eyes were significantly lower than normal eyes (t=4.520,2.147;P＜0.05).There was no significant difference (P＞0.05) of P1/N1 latency in any concentric circles or quadrants between RVO fellow eyes and normal eyes.Conclusion The central fovea of the RVO fellow eyes was functionally impaired.

Purpose:To investigate the effects of octreotide on TGF-? autocrine in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721 and TGF-?-induced cells proliferation. Methods:The expression of TGF-?in SMMC-7721 was determined by radioimmunoassay and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the cells was determined by immunohistochemistry method and RT-PCR. The proliferative activity of the cells was evaluated by flow cytometry and colony-forming assay. Results:The content of TGF-?was significantly attenuated by octreotide and the inhibitor rate was 15.0%~26.7%. TGF-?mRNA index was decreased by octreotide.TGF-?increased the expression of EGFR both in mRNA and protein level,while octreotide inhibited the expression induced by TGF-?. Proliferative index (PI) and colony-forming rates were obviously lower in octreotide and TGF-?-treated cells than those in TGF-?-treated cells. Conclusions:There exists a TGF-? autocrine loop in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721. octreotide could inhibit TGF-? autocrine in the cells, and consequently exerts an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation.

Objective To investigate the role of CD80/CD86 and CTLA-4 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) and its clinical significance. Methods Applying RT-PCR technique to semiquantitatively analyze CD80/CD86 and CTLA-4 mRNA expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 32 active SLE patients. Results Compared with normal controls, the percentage of positive CD86 expression in active SLE, accounted for 90.63% (29/32), was significantly increased (P 0.05, both). Conclusion The abnormal expression of CD86 and CTLA-4 might play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Objective To evaluate and compare two definitions for metabolic syndrome(MS)issued by International Diabetes Federation(IDF)and by Chinese Medical Association Diabetes Branch(CDS).Methods An epidemic survey and physical examination were conducted among 481 subjects randomly selected from 3 354 subjects(above 40 years old)by cluster sampling.Results The prevalence rate of MS by IDF or by CDS definition were 40.96% and 38.05%,respectively.Kappa value was 0.51,P0.01).Metabolic disorder ratio for above 3 items by IDF was higher than that of CDS criterion.Conclusion The IDF diagnostic criterion for MS and CDS are in good accordance and applicability.The MS diagnostic criterion of IDF is better at diagnosing centricity obesity than that of CDS.

Objective To study the persistence and replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in Epstein Barr virus (EBV) transforming peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) from patients with he patitis C as well as variation of hypervariable regions (HVR) of the HCV genome. Methods PBMC from one patient with hepatitis C was infected by EBV and then transformed into lymphoblasts capable of being propagated indefinitely. Then, HCV RNA of the cultured cells and supernatants was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) every month and in situ PCR to identify the location of HCV RNA in the cells. The HVR genome sequences of HCV in the first and the ninth month subculture cells were identified by sequence analysis. Results HCV plus strand RNA could be detected in the cultured cells for as long as 1 year. The HCV plus strand RNA could be identified in supernatants and the minus strand RNA were also observed in the cultured cells intermittently. In situ PCR showed that the blue black positive signals of HCV RNA located mainly in cytoplasmas of EBV transforming B cell but negative in nucleous. The positive signal was not found in negative control cells by in situ RT PCR. HCV HVR genome sequence after half year was found to have two regions of a high degree of variability in 1491 to 1583 nucleotide (384 to 414 amino acid) and 1761～1781 nucleotide (473 to 479 amino acid). But, compared the HCV HVR genome sequence in first month subcultured cells with that in ninth month, there was not significant difference. Conclusion HCV may exist in the cultured cell line for a prolonged period wihtout HVR genome sequence changed.

Objective To investigate retrospectively the clinical characteristics of hospitalized ulcerative colitis(UC)patients of our department,and evaluate the diagnosis and treatment.Methods The cases of UC patients from 1989 to Jun 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed the patients' symptoms,diagnosis,and treatment.Results There were 155 cases reviewed. The sex ratio(M/F)was 1.54∶ 1. The average age of patients was 41.8. The peak age of onset was 20~30. 32.3% of our cases were mild type,and 41.3% were moderate type,severe type were 26.5%. Of these pateints,52.9% were pancolitis,and 39.4% were chronic recurrent type,which was very common. Most cases(72.9%)were diagnosed by clinic combined with endoscope and pathology. Most of the severe UC responded well to the drug therapy. Very less(4.5%)had to underwent surgery. No patient died.Conclusion Most of our patients are mild or moderate type,and they respond well to drug some severe and moderate types need steroids and immuno suppressor. The extracolonic manifestation rate(12.9%)and operation rate(4.5%)are low.

Objective To evaluate the clincopathological presentation of eosinophilic gastroenteritis(EG). Methods Seven patients with EG were studied. their clinical manifestation, laboratory tests, endoscopy, treatment and prognosis were analyzed from the hospital records. Results (1) The patients of predominant mucosal type were presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea, and those of serosal type with abdominal pain and bloating.Some accompanied with nausea, vomiting and low fever.(2) Peripheral and bone marrow eosinophilia were presented in all seven patients. Eosinophil counts waxed and waned with symptoms and dramatically responsed to steroid therapy.(3) ESR, C-reactive protein and fibrinogen were in normal range, and the level of IgG was decreased.(4) The ascites were exudative with eosinophilia.(5) Some patchy lesions such as erosion and edema in antrum, duodenum and cecum were presented in endoscopy.Biopsy showed predominant eosinophil infiltration in mucosa.(6) It responsed to steroid therapy, and all symptoms and eosinophilia would be relieved within one week.(7) Symptoms may relapse but with good prognosis.Conclusion Eosinophilic gastroenteritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms especially in the presence of peripheral eosinophilia. Mucosal biopsy would be helpful to establish the diagnosis.