Delta-like ligand 4(Dll4), one ligand of Notch receptors, is highly expressed in tumour vessels and is negative regulator in tumour angiogenesis. Blocking Dll4/Notch sinaling could promote tumour angiogenesis, whereas due to poor perrusion of newly forming vessels, tumour growth is inhibited, which is effective even to the tumour patients unresponsive to blocking vascular endothelial growth factor pathway. So, Dll4 is becoming a new promising target in anti-tumour theraties.

Delta-like ligand 4 (D114), one ligand of Notch receptors, was highly expressed in turnout vessels and was a negative regulator in tumour angiogenesis. Blocking D114/Notch signaling could promote tnmour angiogen-esis, whereas due to poor peffnsion of newly forming vessels, tumour growth was inhibited, which was effective even to the tumour patients unresponsive to blocking VEGF pathway. So, D114 is becoming a new promising target in anti-tumour therapies.

A better understanding of the function of spleen has been gained recently,owing to the in-depth studies on the structure,cellular function,secretion and innervation of spleen.It is generally accepted that the spleen is the important part of the regulation network between immune,nerve and endocrine system.The spleen has much more functions besides blood filtering and storing,haematogenesis,and immunization,and its immune function has characteristics of two-way and phase.But further study is still needed for the precise evaluation of function of the spleen,especially the spleen on the pathologic state,clarification of the pathogenesis of hypersplenism,and the relationship between spleen and other organs.Here we introduced the progress of fundamental research of the spleen from multiple perspectives.

Objective　To investigate the role of splenomegaly and splenic macrophage(MΦ)in the occurrence of the hypersplenism of portal hypertension(PHT).Methods　The changes of the quantity of ACP in MΦ,the ulstrastructure of MΦ and the quantity of the blood cells phagocytized and destructed by MΦ in the spleen of PHT by the methods of immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscope were observed and compared with the normal spleen.The correlation of spleen index,the quantity of ACP in MΦ and the peripheral blood cells counts were also studied.Results　Comparing with the normal spleen,the quantity of ACP in MΦ was increased,the surface folopodia of MΦ was increased and lengthened and the quantity of lysosome in MΦ and the quantity of erythrocytes and platelets phagocytized by MΦ were increased.Spleen index and the quantity of ACP in MΦ were negatively correlated with the peripheral blood cells counts,spleen index was positively correlated with the quantity of ACP in MΦ.Conclusion　The splenomegaly and splenic MΦ could play a vital role on the occurrence of the hypersplenism of PHT.

The exon 1 of the human androgen receptor gene contains CAG(polyglutamine) repeat length polymorphism. The CAG repeat sequence is closely relevant to many diseases. In this article, we reviewed the relationship between androgen receptor gene(CAG)n polymorphism anti primary liver cancer.

Objective To investigate the role of splenic macrophage(M) in the occurrence of hypersplenism in patients with portal hypertension(PHT). Methods The changes in the quantity, distribution, ultrastructure of M, the quantity acid phophatase in M ,and the quantity of M phagocytizing blood cells were determined by immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy in the normal and PHT spleen. Results Compared with normal spleen, the cell density of the M in PHT spleen decreased;and the quantity of acid phophatase in M increased; the surface folopodia of M increased and lengthened;and the quantity of lysosome in M and the quantity of M phagocytizing blood cells increased. Conclusions The splenic M may play an important role in the occurrence of hypersplenism in PHT.

Baicalein is an important component of traditional Chinese herb, Scutellariae Radix(Huang Qin), and has various efficacies, including anti bacterial, antivirus, anti inflammation, protecting the liver function, diuresis, anti tumor, and shows good values in clinical application. It was majorly applied to acute or chronic inflammation. This article reviews developments in its pharmacological action and mechanism and provides theoretical evidences for exploiting of baicalein.

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction(SOD) is grouped under the functional gastrointestinal diseases.Due to lack of typical symptoms and signs,the diagnosis of SOD is difficult.The proposal to classify SOD significantly improves diagnosis and has important clinical significance in selecting treatment.This paper reviews the researches on classification,recent progress in diagnosis and treatment of SOD.

The genesis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma(PHC)is a complicated biology process involve in multiple factors.It has been paid more attention to the genetic susceptibility in the pathogenesis and development of PHC.As the third generation of molecular genetic marker,single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)becomes a hot topic in the research field of PHC.This article summarized the research evolution of the relationship between the susceptible gene SNP of PHC and PHC susceptibility.

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted echo-planar MR Imaging (DWI) in ring-enhancing intracerebral lesions. Methods Magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted images of ninty-three patients presenting with ring-ehancing intracerebral lesions diagnosed by clinical or histopathologic findings were studied retrospectively, including 21 gliomas, 26 metastases, 13 pyogenic abscesses, 18 neurocysticercoses and 15 subacute intracerebral hematomas. The signal intensity ratio on diffusion-weighted images and exponential diffusion coefficient images was calculated respectively in ring walls, central contents, and perilesional edemas of ring-enhancing lesions, and normal contralateral cerebral parenchyma was used for comparison. ADC values of interest of lesions, contralateral cerebral parenchyma and CFS were calculated as well. Results In pyogenic abscesses and subacute intracerebral hematomas, the central content was always extremely hyperintense on diffusion-weighted images, and showed low ADCs[(0.56?0.20)?10~ -3 mm~2/s, (0.69?0.16)?10~ -3 mm~2/s, respectively]. On the other hand the central content of gliomas, metastases and neurocysticercoses was hypointense, and showed high ADCs [ (2.76?0.41)?10~ -3 mm~2/s, (2.31?0.39)?10~ -3 mm~2/s, (2.10?0.32)?10~ -3 mm~2/s, respectively]. The ADCs of the first two lesions were significantly lower than of the last three lesions (P