0.05).Conclusion The significantly reduced serum IGFBP-3 level is helpful for the diagnosis of HCC,especially in patients without chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Objective To quantitatively analyze myocardial function and the degree of myocardial ischemia with strain rate imaging (SRI). Methods SRI was performed in 34 patients with left anterior descending coronary artery disease diagnosed with coronary angiography and compared with 35 healthy volunteers. Isovolumic relaxation strain rates (SRivr) of anterior wall and anterior septal were measured. Results There was no significant cut-off value for LAD＜50%. A cut-off value of SRivr=-0.42 s~(-1) (sensitivity 84.85%, specificity 80.36%) for LAD 50%-74% stenosis. A cut-off value of SRivr=-0.91 s-1 (sensitivity 91.07%, specificity 89.91%) for LAD＞75% stenosis. Conclusion SRivr can quantitatively differentiate LAD 50%-74% or LAD＞75% stenosis. SRI can evaluate the coronary stenosis extent quantitatively.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of downregulation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core gene (HBcAg) expression by RNA interference and magnetic nanoparticles on both HBV DNA replication and expression in vitro. Methods HepG2 2.2.15 cells were transfected with U6 promoter plasmids coding for small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HBV core gene using magnetic nanoparticles. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to assess the mRNA and protein expression HBV core antigen. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the suppression efficiency of HBV-DNA replication and expression; and radioimmunoassay was used for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), core antigen (HBcAg), and e antigen (HBeAg) detection. Results We successfully constructed nanoparticles with siRNA plasmid targeting HBV core antigen; HBcAg mRNA and HBV core antigen protein levels were significantly reduced in the transfected cells. HBV-DNA downregulation was estimated at 4-5 logs and the HBsAg and HBeAg levels were also reduced compared with the controls. Conclusion Downregulation of HBV core gene using RNAi technology and magnetic nanoparticles can potentially be used as a therapeutic strategy for Hepatitis B.

Objective To investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in induction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion by isoflurane in primary cultured rat cardiomyocytes. Methods Primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into 6 groups ( n = 6 each): control group (group C), 3 different concentration isoflurane groups (group Ⅰ1-3 ), PKC inhibitor calphostin C group (group P), and PKC inhibitor + isoflurane group (group PI). The cells were exposed to 0.7%, 1.4% and 2.1% isoflurane for6 h in group Ⅰ1-3 respectivly. Calphostin C was added to the culture medium with a final concentration of 50 nmol/L in group P. Calphostin C was added to the culture medium with a final concentration of 50 nmol/L, then the cells were exposed to 1.4% isoflurane for 6 h in group PI. VEGF concentrations and expression of PKC isoforms were determined by ELISA and Western blot respectively. Results Compared with group C, the VEGF concentration was significantly increased in group Ⅰ2 and Ⅰ3, and PKCε expression was down-regulated in the cytoplasm while upregulated in the cytomembrane in group Ⅰ2 ( P ＜ 0.01 ), but no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group Ⅰ2 ( P ＞ 0.05). PKCα, PKCδ and PKCζ expression was significantly higher in the cytoplasm than in the cytomembrane in group C and Ⅰ2. VEGF concentrations were gradually increased with the increase in isoflurane concentrations ( P ＜ 0.05). VEGF concentrations were significantly lower in group PI than in Ⅰ2 ( P ＜0.05) .Conclusion Isoflurane induces VEGF secretion in primary cultured rat cardiomyocytes through translocation of PKCε from the cytoplasm to the cytomembrane, suggesting that it is a mechanism of the cardioprotective effects of isoflurane.

Objective To evaluate the role of intercellular gap junction in the propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia in rats. Methods Eighty male Wistar rats weighing 210-260 g were randomly divided into 8 groups (n = 10 each): control group (group C), carbenoxolone group (group CA), propofol group (group P), different doses of carbenoxolone + propofol groups (groups CA1 + P, CA2 + P, CA3 + P), sevoflurane group (group S) and carbenoxolone + sevoflurane group (group CA + S). The animals ware anesthetized with intraperitoneal 10% chloraldurate 4 mg/kg and placed in a stereotactic apparatus to locate the lateral ventricle. In group C, after normal saline (NS) 2 μl was injected into the latersl ventricle, intraperitoneal NS 2 ml was injected. In group CA, after carbenoxolone 200 μg was injected into the lateral ventricle, intraperitoneal NS 2 ml was injected. In groups P,CA1 + P, CA2 + P and CA3 + P, NS 2 μl, and carbenoxolone 200, 300 and 400 μg were injected into the lateral ventricle respectively and then propofol 5 mg/100 g was injected intraperitoneally. Group S inhaled 1% sevoflurane (in increments of 0. 1% ) until the righting reflex was lost. Group CA + S inhaled 1% sevoflurane (in increments of 0.1% ) until the righting reflex was lost after carbenoxolono 200 μg was injected into the lateral ventricle. The time of loss of righting reflex, duration of loss of righting reflex and the sevoflurane concentration when the righting reflex disappeared were recorded. Results The loss of righting reflex did not appear in groups C and CA. Compared with group P, the time of loss of righting reflex was significantly shortened and duration of loss of righting reflex prolonged in groups CA1 + P, CA2 + P, CA3 + P ( P ＜ 0.01 ). The time of loss of righting reflex was significandy shorter in groups CA2 + P, CA3 + P than in group CA1 + P (P ＜ 0.05). The sevoflurane concentration when the righting reflex disappeared was significantly lower in group CA + S than in group S ( P ＜ 0.05 ). There was no significant difference in the time of loss of righting reflex and duration of loss of righting reflex between CA + S and S groups ( P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion Although inhibition of the function of gap junction can strengthen the anesthetic effects of propofol and sevoflurane, it is not the major mechanism.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and side effects of patient-controlled intravenous morphine with epidural single bolus morphine in postoperative pain relief. Method: Sixty patients undergoing gynecological procedures under epidural anesthesia were randomly assigned to epidural morphine(EPI)group or patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) group. In the EPI group,2 mg of morphine was injected into epidural space at the end of operation. In PCIA group, 1 mg of morphine as a demand dose would be injected intravenously by the patient through a patientcontrolled analgesic delivery system until the pain relieved. The patients were followed up at 4, 8, 12, 24 h after operation,and the degree of pain,sedation, nausea and vomiting were assessed. Result: The total dosage of morphine was higher in the PCIA group(19.08?5.0 mg)than that in the EPI group(2mg,P

Objective To discuss the diagnostic accuracy of 2B-mode feature model in grading the degree of hepatic fibrosis compared to acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) and liver biopsy.Methods A total of 140 patients was enrolled in the study and divided into four groups (F1-F4) according to pathological grading using METAVIR scores system,and 47 healthy volunteers were enrolled as the control group (F0) at random.All of subjects underwent standard ultrasound examination and acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI).Ultrasound raw images were obtained and analyzed with 2B-mode feature intelligent model and then compared to the value of liver stiffness (ARFI).Results The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of grading of liver fibrosis (F2) using 2B-mode feature intelligent model was training =0.973 2,and testing =0.751 1,which was superior to the area under the ROC curve (F2) using ARFI with training =0.840 1,and testing =0.656 4.Conclusions 2B-mode feature intelligent model could be used for grading of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).There is great potential in the quantitative diagnosis of liver fibrosis stage using 2B-mode ultrasound.

Objective:To investigate the effects of drinking water-borne arsenic exposure on mammary gland development of female mice in early life.Methods:Healthy and sexually mature C57BL/6J mice were paired according to the female to male ratio of 2∶1. After confirmation of pregnancy, female mice were randomly divided into control (drinking double distilled water), low- (0.5 mg/L) and high- (5.0 mg/L) dose arsenic exposure groups, 10 mice in each group. The exposure time of arsenic in drinking water ranged from day 0 of pregnancy to day 28 after birth. At the end of arsenic exposure, female offspring (10 mice in each group) were sacrificed and mammary glands were dissected for whole tissue staining to evaluate the development of mammary glands and quantitative analysis of mammary gland development indexes. The expression of proliferating cell associated antigen Ki67 was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:There were no significant differences in body weight and organ coefficients of liver, kidney and mammary glands between female offspring in low- and high-dose arsenic exposure groups and control group ( F=1.018, 1.033, 1.764, 0.199, P > 0.05). Compared with control group, low- and high- dose arsenic exposure groups showed more terminal end buds (TEB) and ductal branches as well as stronger longitudinal growth ability in mammary gland morphological analysis. Quantitative analysis results showed that the numbers of TEB in the low- and high-dose arsenic exposure groups (11.83 ± 4.40, 11.00 ± 3.74) were significantly higher than that in the control group (4.00 ± 1.83, P < 0.05). The ductal lengths in the low- and high-dose arsenic exposure groups [(6.43 ± 1.08), (6.08 ± 1.74) mm] were also significantly longer than that in the control group [(3.71 ± 0.61) mm, P < 0.05]. The distance of leading edge of ducts to the midpoint of lymph nodes in the low- and high-dose arsenic exposure groups [(0.58 ± 1.12), (- 0.02 ± 1.57) mm] was significantly shorter than that in the control group [(- 2.67 ± 0.87) mm, P < 0.05]. The mean maximum area of TEB in the low-dose arsenic exposure group [(0.04 ± 0.01) mm 2] was significantly larger than that in the control group [(0.02 ± 0.01) mm 2, P < 0.05]. Immunohistochemistry staining indicated strong staining of Ki67 within TEB in the low- and high-dose arsenic exposure groups. Conclusion:Early life inorganic arsenic exposure promotes the development of TEB, ductal extension and cell proliferation within TEB in female mice, indicating that early life arsenic exposure alters mammary gland development.