BACKGROUND: The tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation may have a positive effect, but most patients may develop drug resistance, therefore, the detection of the developing time in drug resistance and the research of the mechanism of drug resistance are need to be solved. While the emerge of next generation sequencing (NGS) have make it possible. The aim of this study is to monitor the efficacy of targeted therapy by studying the variation of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) mutation frequency and gene mutation spectrum through the targeted therapy. METHODS: Our center enrolled 22 patients with EGFR mutation detected by tissue or peripheral blood, and collect 8 mL of peripheral blood of the patients for ctDNA sequencing in different phases, before systematic prior treatment, followed-up by 2 months and disease progression after TKI administration. RESULTS: Patients with EGFR gene mutation may acquire a longer median survival time after receiving targeted drug therapy, due to the drop of mutation abundances, while the therapy may have a minor effect in patients which their mutation abundances have slightly decreased compared to the statistics before the cession (P=0.015,3). The significantly reduced group median progression was associated with a longer survival [progression free survival (PFS)=390 d]. At the same time, we found out that when related to TP-53 gene mutation, the effect of targeted drug therapy for EGFR-sensitive mutation was unsatisfactory (the median PFS was 120 d compared with 630 d, P=0.000,2). CONCLUSIONS Patients who has lower mutation abundance with EGFR sensitive mutations after TKI treatment may have a longer survival period (P<0.05), and the mutation abundance were not significantly dropping or accompanied by other mutations may indicating TKI resistance.

Objective To investigate the expression level and clinical significance of long non-coding RNA(LncRNA) growth arrest specific gene-antisense 1(GAS8-AS1) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC) patients. Methods We investigated the expression profile of GAS8-AS1 in tissue samples of patients with PTMC as well as nodular goiter(NG) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR). Results GAS8-AS1 in cancer tissue was down-regulated in PTMC patients compared with adjacent thyroid tissue and NG samples(P<0.05). Lower level of GAS8-AS1 was also correlated with central cervical lymph node metastasis(CLNM, P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve for GAS8-AS1 was up to 0.717 3 in CLNM prediction(P<0.05). Conclusion GAS8-AS1 may act as a potential biomarker for PTC diagnosis and CLNM prediction.

Objective To study the protective effect of Rhein on the kidney of type 2 diabetic rats induced by high fat diet.Methods A rat model of type 2 diabetes was induced by high fat diet combined with low dose streptozotocin 35 mg/kg.The diabetic rats were randomly divided into diabetes group, Low, middle and high rhein dose groups (50,100,150 mg/kg), metformin group (300 mg/kg) and normal control group.Blood glucose and urine micro albumin were measured at 0, 2, 4 and 8 weeks respectively.Serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, total cholesterol and triglyceride were measured at 8 weeks.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of renal tissue.Effects of rhein on the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and Smad3 protein in renal tissue of diabetic rats were detected with Western Blot.Results The blood glucose and urine micro albumin in model group were significantly higher than those in normal control group.Each rhein dose group exhibited reduced blood glucose and urinary micro albumin in diabetic rats.The high rhein dose group showed significant reduction of blood glucose and urine micro albumin in diabetic rats (P<0.05).Compared with model group, rhein reduced the serum Cr, BUN, TC and TG values in each dose group, most significantly in the high rhein dose group (P<0.05).The obvious pathological changes of renal tissue in model group were observed with most improved changes in the high rhein dose group.The expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 protein in renal tissue of diabetic rats decreased significantly (P<0.05).Conclusion Rhein has preventive effect on diabetic nephropathy.The mechanism may relate to the improvement of renal function, regulation of blood lipid and down regulation of TGF-β1 and Smad3 protein expression in renal tissue.

Aim To discuss the effects and mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides and metformin on myocardial structure and hemodynamics in type 2 diabetic rats.Methods High fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of low dose streptozotocin 30 mg· kg -1 was applied to establish rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus .The diabetic rats were randomly into normal control group ,diabetes group , ganoderma lucid-um polysaccharides group (600 mg· kg -1 ) , metformin group ( 600 mg · kg -1 ) , combination group ( ganoder-ma lucidum polysaccharides 300 mg · kg -1 +metform-in 300 mg· kg -1 ) .After 12 weeks′treatment,the lev-els of fasting serum glucose were determined and the hemodynamic parameters (LVSP,LVEDP,dp/dtmax,-dp/dtmax ) were determined.Collagen volume fraction ( CVF ) was detected by Van Gieson . Immunohisto-chemical method and Western blot were used to detect myocardial tissue MMP-2 protein expression .Results The fasting blood glucose was significantly decreased in the combined treatment group .Combined medication could significantly improve hemodynamic parameters in diabetic rats: reduced LVEP and raised LVEDP , dp/dtmax and -dp/dtmax .CVF was significantly decreased in combination group .The expression of MMP-2 in my-ocardial tissue was significantly inhibited .Conclusions The combination of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccha-ride and metformin can significantly improve the hemo-dynamic parameters in type 2 diabetic rats, and have a preventive effect on diabetic cardiomyopathy . The mechanism may be related to the down regulation of the expression of MMP-2.

Objective To study the effect of ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides combined with metformin on oxidative stress of type 2 diabetic rats. Methods SD rats were fed with high fat diet for 4 weeks and injected with streptozotocin (30 mg·kg-1 ) to produce type 2 diabetic model. The diabetic rats were randomly divided into diabetes model group, ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides group (600 mg·kg-1 ), metformin group (600 mg·kg-1 ), combination group (ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides 300 mg·kg-1+ metformin 300 mg·kg-1 ), After 12 weeks of treatment, the level of fasting blood glucose was determined, and the activity of superoxide dismutase ( SOD), malondialdehyde ( MDA), catalase ( CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were detected. Results The levels of fasting blood glucose in the treatment groups were significantly lower than that in the diabetes model group (P<0. 01). Furthermore, fasting blood glucose in the combination group was significantly lower than that in ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides group and metformin group (P<0. 01). Compared with diabetes model group, serum TC and TG in the treatment groups were significantly lower (P<0. 05, P<0. 01). Serum TC and TG were significantly lower in the combination group than in ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides group and metformin group (P<0. 05, P<0. 01). Compared with diabetes model group, serum SOD levels in the treatment groups were significantly higher (P<0. 01). Compared with ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides group and metformin group, serum SOD levels in the combination group was significantly higher (P<0. 05). Compared with diabetes group, serum MDA levels in the treatment groups were significantly lower (P<0. 01). Serum MDA in the combination group was significantly lower than that in ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides group and metformin group ( P<0. 05). Compared with diabetes model group, serum CAT and GSH-Px in the treatment groups were significantly higher (P<0. 05, P<0. 01). Serum CAT and GSH-Px in the combination group were significantly higher than those in ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides group and metformin group (P<0. 05). Conclusion Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides combined with metformin could effectively inhibit oxidantion stress in type 2 diabetic rats. The effect was better than ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides or metformin used alone. The possible mechanism may be related to increased activity of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px in vivo and regulation of dyslipidemia.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of spontaneous rupture of BCLC stage A and stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),and to review the surgical outcomes.Methods From April 2002 to November 2006,89 patients who suffered from spontaneous rupture of HCC of BCLC stage A and stage B were included into this study.A control group of 171 patients was selected by matching the sex,age and BCLC stage.Clinical data and survivals were collected and analysed.Results On multivariate analysis,hypertension (HR 7.38,95％CI:1.91 ～28.58,P＜0.05),cirrhosis (HR6.04,95％ CI:2.83 ～12.88,P ＜ 0.05) and tumor location in segments Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅵ (HR 5.03,95％ CI:2.70 ～ 6.37,P ＜ 0.05) were predictive factors of spontaneous rupture of HCC.In the study group,the median survival and median disease-free survival were 12 months (range,1 ～ 78 months) and 4 months (range,0 ～ 78 months) respectively.The overall survival rates and disease-free survival rates at 1-,3-and 5-year were 66.3％,23.4％,10.1％ and 57.0％,16.8％,4.5％,respectively.Only radical resection remained predictive of overall survival (HR 0.32,95％ CI:0.08 ～ 0.61,P ＜ 0.05) and disease-free survival (HR 0.12,95％ CI:0.01 ～ 0.73,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Tumor location,as well as hypertension and cirrhosis were associated with spontaneous rupture of HCC.One-stage hepatic resection should be recommended to patients with ruptured HCC of BCLC stage A and stage B.

Objective To investigate the natural history and growth pattern of hepatic hemangioma in adults.Methods From April 2010 to March 2013, adult patients with hepatic hemangioma who had no prior treatment were enrolled.A routine follow-up was performed to observe the natural history and complications of these lesions.Results 236 patients were enrolled in the study.The median size of the hemangiomas was 4.5 cm (range 0.6 ～ 19.2 cm).During a median follow-up of 48 months (range 3 ～ 266 months), the hemangiomas increased in size in 61.0％ of patients, remained stable in size in 23.7％, decreased in size in 8.5％.The peak growth period was in patients ＜ 30 years age (0.46 ± 0.41 cm/year) and the growth rate decreased significantly after 50 years of age (0.21 ±0.40 cm/year).Hemangiomas with a size ＜2.0 cm had the lowest growth rate (0.16 ± 0.42 cm/year).The peak growth rate was in hemangiomas 8.0 ～ 10.0 cm (0.80 ± 0.62 cm/year) , but for hemangiomas ＞ 10.0 cm, the growth rate was only (0.47 ±0.91)cm per year.Only 9 patients had severe symptoms caused by the hemangioma.No patients presented with hemangioma-related complications.Conclusions The majority of hepatic hemangiomas have the tendency to increase in size but they rarely caused complications.All the hemangiomas could be safely managed by observation, and surgery should only be considered in patients with complications.

Aim To study the effects of ganoderma lu-cidum polysaccharides and metformin on myocardial fi-brosis of type 2 diabetic rats and its mechanism. Methods SD rats were fed with high fat diet for 4 weeks, and then were injected with streptozotocin (30mg·kg-1 ) to replicate type 2 diabetic model. The diabetic rats were randomized into normal control group,diabetes group, ganoderma lucidum polysaccha-rides group ( 600 mg · kg-1 ) , metformin group ( 600 mg·kg-1 ) , and combination group( ganoderma lucid-um polysaccharides 300 mg·kg-1 +metformin 300 mg ·kg-1 ) . After 12 weeks’ treatment,the levels of fast-ing serum glucose were determined and the extent of myocardial fibrosis was observed by Picro-sirius red staining. The contents of AGEs in serum were deter-mined by fluorescence spectrophotometer. The activities of CAT and GSH-Px in myocardium were detected. Im-munohistochemical method and Western blot were used to detect myocardial tissue AGEs and CTGF protein ex-pression. Results Combination group could repress patho-proceeding of myocardial fibrosis efficiently, im-prove the activity of CAT and GSH-Px in myocardium and lower the concentration of AGEs in serum, as well as reduce the expression of AGEs and CTGF in myo-cardium. Conclusions Ganoderma lucidum polysac-charides and metformin could prevent myocardial fibro-sis. The possible mechanism may be related to repress-ing oxidative stress of myocardium, lowering serum AGEs and down regulating AGEs and CTGF of myocar-dium.

Objective To identify clinicopathologic factors which predict survival following hepatectomy in HBV-related cirrhotic patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods A database was used to identify patients with histologically confirmed early HCC (≤5 cm,no nodal involvement,metastases,or major vascular invasion) who underwent surgical resection (excluding ablation or transplantation).Among 20 700 patients with HCC who were diagnosed at the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital from April 2005 to November 2010,537 (2.6％) patients with early HCC were studied retrospectively.Prognostic factors were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier curves,Cox proportional hazards models and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results The study included 537 patients.The median tumor size was 2.9 cm,and 33％ of patients had tumors ≤2 cm.Most HCC lesions were solitary (63％) and had no evidence of vascular invasion (64％).Following surgery,the overall median and 5-year survival were 45 months and 33％ respectively.After adjusting for demographic factors and histological grade,tumor size ＞2 cm (hazard ratio [HR]:1.56),multifocal tumors (HR:1.34),and vascular invasion (HR:2.03) remained independent predictors of poor survival (all P ＜ 0.05).Based on these findings,a prognostic scoring system was developed that allotted 1 point each for these factors.Patients with early HCC could be stratified into 4 distinct prognostic groups (median and 5-year survival,respectively):0 points (97 months,96％),1 point (85 months,76％),2 points (76 months,54％),3 points (56 months,39％) (P ＜0.01).Conclusions The present study emphasized the importance of pathologic staging even in patients with small HCC.Anatomical resection of HCC should be the preferred surgical procedure in cirrhotic patients.

Objective To establish a new rat model of biliary atresia by pure ethanol injection into the common bile duct.Methods A catheter was inserted and fixed in the common bile duct in male SD rats .Saline (8 rats) or pure ethanol (16 rats) was injected through the catheter ,respectively, and the biochemical and pathological changes in the rats were examined .Results SD rats in the experimental group were divided into a persistent injury and a restoration of liver dysfunction groups according to pathological and biochemical detection .In the persistent injury group , biochemical impair-ments were significantly higher at 8 weeks after ethanol injection than those in the control group and restoration group .Dis-tinct pathological changes in the liver were observed using HE , SMA, and Masson staining .Conclusions It is a reliable animal model of biliary atresia induced by injection of pure ethanol into the common bile duct in the rat .It will provide a useful tool in future studies of biliary atresia .