Allele loss and down-regulation of heparanase gene are associated with the progression and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: The role of heparanase (HPSE) gene in cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently controversial. This study was aimed at investigating the impact of genetic alteration and expression change of HPSE on the progression and prognosis of HCC.

Methods: The HPSE gene was studied in three different aspects: (1) loss of heterozygosity (LOH) by a custom SNP microarray and DNA copy number by real-time PCR; (2) mRNA level by qRT-PCR; and (3) protein expression by immunohistochemistry.

[Inhibitory effects of recombinant adenovirus carrying human endostatin gene on the growth of human pancreatic carcinoma xenograft in nude mice].

Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of recombinant adenovirus carrying human endostatin gene (Ad-endo) on the growth of human pancreatic carcinoma xenograft in nude mice.

Methods: The expression of endostatin in human pancreatic carcinoma Capan-2 cells was examined by RT-PCR after infection with Ad-endo. The supernatants of Capan-2 cells were collected after 48 h of infection with Ad-endo as the conditioned medium for human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), whose proliferation in vitro was assayed.

[Effect of adjusting the immunosuppressants on the prognosis of the infection in the patients with liver transplantation].

Objective: To explore the method of adjusting the immunosuppressants in serious infection after liver transplantation.

Methods: With reference to sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA), 2005.1-2007.

[Impact of adaptive positive end expiratory pressure and mechanical ventilation on hemodynamics and oxygen kinetics in post-liver transplantation patients].

Objective: To determine the impact of adaptive positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) and mechanical ventilation on hemodynamics and oxygen kinetics in post-liver transplantation patients.

Methods: The study included 11 patients who accepted mechanical ventilation after piggyback liver transplantation. Swan-Ganz catheter and radial artery catheter were used to monitor the cardiac output (CO), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and central venous pressure (CVP) and airway pressure.

[Retrospective analysis on clinical features of 35 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Methods: The clinical features of 35 patients with SARS in the past five months were retrospectively studied, and compared with 35 patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Consecutive blood samples from 13 patients with SARS and 10 healthy volunteers were collected.

[Changes in interleukin-1beta in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome].

Objective: To study the role of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum in 13 patients with ARDS and 9 healthy controls were collected. The contents of IL-1beta were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay(ELISA).