Genome-wide analysis of long noncoding RNA expression profiles in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disorder poising burgeoning health problem to humans. Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays critical roles in a myriad of biological processes and human diseases. Since the roles of lncRNA in NAFLD remain unknown, they were investigated in the study.

A study on new method of noninvasive esophageal venous pressure measurement based on the airflow and laser detection technology.

Using optics combined with automatic control and computer real-time image detection technology, a novel noninvasive method of noncontact pressure manometry was developed based on the airflow and laser detection technology in this study. The new esophageal venous pressure measurement system was tested in-vitro experiments. A stable and adjustable pulse stream was produced from a self-developed pump and a laser emitting apparatus could generate optical signals which can be captured by image acquisition and analysis system program.

miR-21 regulates triglyceride and cholesterol metabolism in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by targeting HMGCR.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a public health issue with a prevalence of 15-30% in Western populations and 6-25% in Asian populations. Certain studies have revealed the alteration of microRNA (miRNA or miR) profiles in NAFLD and it has been suggested that miR-21 is associated with NAFLD. In the present study, we measured the serum levels of miR-21 in patients with NAFLD and also performed in vitro experiments using a cellular model of NAFLD to further investigate the effects of miR-21 on triglyceride and cholesterol metabolism.

[A new system for noninvasive esophageal varices pressure measurement based on airflow and laser technology].

Objective: Combined the optical principle with automatic control technology and computer real-time image detection technology to develop a non-contact system for noninvasive esophageal varices pressure measurement.

Methods: The system included the adjustable air pump, laser device, image collection and analysis program. The feasibility and accuracy of the system were verified by in vitro experiments.

Amelioration of carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis and portal hypertension in rat using adenoviral gene transfer of Akt.

Aim: To investigate whether a virus constitutively expressing active Akt is useful to prevent cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).

Methods: Using cre-loxp technique, we created an Ad-myr-HA-Akt virus, in which Akt is labeled by a HA tag and its expression is driven by myr promoter. Further, through measuring enzyme levels and histological structure, we determined the efficacy of this Ad-myr-HA-Akt virus in inhibiting the development of cirrhosis induced by CCl4 in rats.

Association between reversal of multidrug resistance by methyl jasmonate and P-glycoprotein ATPase activity in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: To study the effects of methyl jasmonate on multidrug resistance in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: Multidrug resistant H22 (H22/FAP) hepatocellular carcinoma cells were produced in vitro by continuous exposure to increasing doses of doxorubicin, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (FAP regimen). Cell toxicity was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolum bromide (MTT) assay.

[Comparison of endoscopic band ligation and propranolol for the primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in cirrhosis].

Objective: To compare endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) with propranolol for prophylaxis of first variceal bleeding.

Methods: We chose 168 patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices in our hospital and allocated them to EVL and propranolol groups. Treatment effectiveness and safety in the 2 groups were observed.

High level of PTEN expression is associated with low-grade liver metastasis and satisfactory patient survival in pancreatic cancer.

Background And Aims: We investigated PTEN expression in primary pancreatic cancer and pancreatic cancer liver metastasis in order to evaluate the interrelationship between PTEN expression and clinicopathological characteristics of pancreatic cancer patients with and without liver metastasis.

Methods: Eighty five primary pancreatic cancer specimens without liver metastasis were analyzed as controls. Eighty seven pancreatic cancer specimens and homologous liver metastasis specimens were investigated immunohistochemically, and the correlation between immunohistochemical findings and clinicopathological factors was investigated.

[Laparoscope and endoscope for portal hypertension].

Objective: To determine the therapeutic effect of laparoscopic splenectomy, perisoph-agogastric devascularization, and endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) on patients with portal hypertension.

Methods: We randomly divided 105 patients into 3 groups: 40 had endoscopic band ligation (the ligation group), 35 had splenectomy and perisoph-agogastric devascularization (the laparotomy group), and the other 30 had laparoscopic splenectomy, perisoph-agogastric devascularization and endoscopic variceal ligation (the combination group). Blood samples were analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively on day 1,3,and 7,including alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),and directed bilirubin(DBIL).

Transversal inducing differentiation of human amniotic epithelial cells into hepatocyte-like cells.

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro differentiation of human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs ) into hepatocyte-like cells.

Methods: Combined approach of dexamethasone, HGF, IGF and other cytokines were used to induce the differentiation of hAECs into hepatocyte-like cells. The induction lasted 2 weeks.

[Risk factors for anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for rectal cancer].

Objective: To identify the risk factors associated with anastomotic leakage following an anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Methods: Between June, 1999 and June, 2009, 628 patients underwent anterior resection for rectal cancer. A retrospective study of the cases was performed to identify the risk factors for anastomotic leakage following the resection.

[Preliminary study on transdifferentiation of human amniotic epithelial cells and its intrasplenic transplantation].

Objective: The human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) are a recently identified new type of stem cells. It has previously been shown that hAECs express hepatocyte-related gene and possess intracellular features and functional properties of hepatocytes. The hAECs may be a candidate seed cell for liver regeneration.

[Therapeutic effect of subtotal gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy on type 2 diabetes mellitus in non-obese patients].

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Roux-en-Y anastomosis following subtotal gastrectomy on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in non-obese patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 16 non-obese patients with T2DM undergoing Roux-en-Y anastomosis following subtotal gastrectomy for stomach cancer and upper gastrointestinal tract ulcer.

Results: All the patients were followed up for 6 months after the surgery.

Survey of tyrosine kinase signaling reveals ROS kinase fusions in human cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer, is the second most common primary hepatic carcinoma with a median survival of less than 2 years. The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of this disease are not clear. To survey activated tyrosine kinases signaling in cholangiocarcinoma, we employed immunoaffinity profiling coupled to mass spectrometry and identified DDR1, EPHA2, EGFR, and ROS tyrosine kinases, along with over 1,000 tyrosine phosphorylation sites from about 750 different proteins in primary cholangiocarcinoma patients.

[Treatment for chronic venous ulceration of the leg by subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery].

Objective: To observe the effect of subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS) in the treatment of chronic venous ulceration of the legs.

Methods: Chronic venous ulceration for 91 patients with 102 limbs was treated by SEPS from January 2005 to July 2008. The effect of SEPS on chronic venous ulceration of the leg, the symptoms during and after the operation, and the durations of hospital treatment were analyzed.

[Akt gene therapy for cirrhotic rats with portal hypertension].

Objective: To determine whether there is an impaired Akt and eNOS activation in cirrhotic livers, and to investigate the feasibility of transferring adenovirus-mediated Akt gene to the liver for portal hypertension.

Methods: Recombinant adenovirus Ad-myr-HA-Akt and Ad-EGFP were produced by homologoas recombination in 293 cells . The Methods of compound factor, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), corn flour, and cholesterol plus alcohol were used to construct the hepatic cirrhosis rat models.

[Comparison of treatment response in primary hepatocellular carcinomas with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced helical CT].

Objective: To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultra sonography for non-surgical treatment response in hepatocellular carcinomas.

Methods: Non-surgical therapies were performed on 56 patients (64 liver neoplasms) who were diagnosed by ultrasonography-guided biopsy before the therapy. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) and contrast-enhanced helical CT were performed to assess the treatment response.

[Effect of losartan on portal hypertensive gastropathy in rats].

Objective: To determine the effect of angiotensin II receptor 1 antagonist losartan on portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) in rats and its mechanism.

Methods: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: a sham-operated group, a model group, a treatment group, and a prevention group. The partial portal vein and left suprarenal vein of rats were ligated to develop PHG.

Endoscopic variceal ligation combined with Hassab's procedure in preventing the recurrence of esophageal varices.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) combined with Hassab's procedure in the prevention of variceal recurrence.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-five patients with esophageal varices were randomized to receive EVL alone, Hassab's procedure alone or a combination of EVL and Hassab's procedure for variceal eradication. Ultrasonographic venous network images were recorded by an esophageal microprobe before and after the EVL or Hassab's procedure.

[Effects of different treatment complex on esophageal vascular structures in patients with portal hypertension].

Objective: To assess the effects of different treatment complex on esophageal vascular structures in patients with portal hypertension.

Methods: Patients (142 cases) with esophageal varices received either endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) alone (54 cases), pericardial devascularization procedure (PDP) alone (23 cases), a combination of EVL and partial splenic embolization (PSE) (34 cases), or a combination of EVL and PDP (31 cases) for variceal eradication. Esophageal vascular structures were examined with miniature ultrasonic probe.

[The expression of HIF-1alpha in scars and its relationship to apoptosis].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of hypoxic environment lessening in the course of scar maturation.

Methods: The expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and p53 in granulation of burn wound, burn scars of different stages, and normal skin was detected with immunohistochemical staining. The expressions were quantified by the weight method.

[Dynamic variation of endothelin in portal hypertensive patients with hemorrhage and its clinical significance].

Objective: To investigate variations of plasma endothelin (ET) and its clinical significance in portal hypertensive patients with esophageal variceal hemorrhage.

Methods: Sixty-six patients with portal hypertension were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group I (32 patients) received general therapy and Group II (34 patients) received general therapy and UTI after hemorrhage.

Expression of TNF-alpha and VEGF in the esophagus of portal hypertensive rats.

Aim: To investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the development of esophageal varices in portal hypertensive rats.

Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats in the model group in which a two-stage ligation of portal vein plus ligation of the left adrenal vein was performed, were divided into three subgroups (M(7), M(14), and M(21)) in which the rats were kiued on the seventh day, the 14(th) d and the 21 d after the complete portal ligation. Thirty male SD rats, which underwent the sham operation in the control group, were also separated into three subgroups (C(7), C(14) and C(21)) corresponding to the models.