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Concentrating solar power is the ideal way to solve the conflicts between energy and environment. Heat transfer and heat storage are the key links in solar thermal power generation, while molten salt is an excellent heat transfer and heat storage medium. Most of the solar thermal power stations operating at home and abroad use binary nitrates (solar salt) and ternary nitrates (Hitec). However, their low heat transfer and heat storage performance will affect the efficiency of solar energy utilization. The unique spatial structure of nanomaterials enables it to have excellent thermal conductivity and good stability. Introducing nanomaterials as additives into the nitrate molten salt system is expected to improve the thermal properties of the material such as heat transfer and heat storage, thereby improving the efficiency of solar thermal utilization and reducing the cost of power generation. In this paper, the related studies of nano metal particles, nano metal oxides, carbon nanomaterials, and other inorganic nanomaterials as doping additives in nitrate molten salt systems were reviewed. The changes in the thermal properties of molten salts after modification were discussed and the mechanism of action was explored, which can provide references for preparation of energy storage molten salt with excellent thermal properties. In the future research, the measurement of thermophysical properties, mechanism of heat transfer, quantitative structure-activity relationship and industrial pilot will be focused on, so that nitrate molten salt with excellent heat transfer and heat storage performance can be applied in the field of solar thermal power generation, which will play a more important role in the development and utilization of clean energy.

Objective: To compare the structural changes along the longitudinal axis of hippocampus subfields between schizophrenia (SCZ) patients and major depressive disorder (MDD) patients in the early stage of their SCZ and MDD., Methods: Seventy-nine first-episode drug-naïve patients with SCZ, 48 first-episode drug-naïve patients with MDD, and 79 healthy controls (HC) were recruited and underwent assessment of clinical symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head. Following the calculation of hippocampal and subfield volumes with FreeSurfer, the volume of longitudinal subfields were summed up. Inter-group comparison of these indicators was made with the data of different groups and the correlation between clinical symptoms and the volumes of longitudinal subfields was analyzed., Results: Compared with HC, SCZ patients had smaller bilateral posterior hippocampus (left: t =－2.69, P =0.01; right: t =－2.90, P =0.004), while MDD patients exhibited no changes along the longitudinal axis of hippocampal subfields. In SCZ patients, the volume of bilateral posterior hippocampus was negatively correlated with the negative symptom scores of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (left: r =－0.29, P =0.01; right: r =－0.23, P =0.04)., Conclusion: The smaller posterior hippocampus may be an imaging feature for distinguishing SCZ from MDD and may have contributed to the neuropathophysiological mechanism of SCZ in the early stage of the onset of the disease., (Copyright© by Editorial Board of Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences).)

Objective: To investigate the effects of palliative liver resection on metastatic potential and its gene function net of residual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nude mice model., Methods: Orthotopic HCC model was established by implantation of human HCC cell line MHCC97H xenografts with a high metastatic potential. Thirty-six HCC-bearing nude mice were randomized into 3 groups at 14 days post-operation, including palliative resection group (HCC samples A, B), control group 1 (sham operation, HCC sample C1) and control group 2 (without intervention, HCC sample C2). Six mice in each group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation at 14 days after palliative resection. Oligo tumor metastasis microarray and GEArray expression analysis suite software were employed for gene analysis. The methods of support vector machine (SVM), gene significance analysis and gene correlation degree analysis were used to search the markers capable of differentiating the metastatic potential of HCC. Gene function net was constructed based on special gene clustering analysis and multi-dimensional scale. Real-time PCR was applied to detect the mRNA expression. The remaining mice were sacrificed at 35 days after palliative resection for the examination of pulmonary metastasis. SAS 8.2 software was used for statistical analysis., Results: Gene analysis showed that for different gene expression among groups, the density of gene net in palliative group (B, 0.0670) were higher than those in control groups (A, 0.0145; C1, 0.0210; C2, 0.0146), the condensation degree of gene net in residual HCC (B, 0.1940) was higher than that in its own control group (A, 0.0098). Human gene metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1) that encodes a protein of missing in metastasis B (MIM-B) was situated in the central position of gene function net of residual HCC. The relative MIM-B mRNA expression examined by Real-time PCR was significantly up-regulated in residual HCC (B, 0.283 +/- 0.023) as comparison was made among groups (A, 0.142 +/- 0.018; C1, 0.177 +/- 0.054; C2, 0.156 +/- 0.017, all P < 0.05). The number of lung metastatic nodules in the palliative group (14.3 +/- 4.7) was more than that in the sham group (8.7 +/- 3.6) at 35 days post-resection (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Palliative liver resection enhances the pulmonary metastatic potential of residual HCC in nude mice model. MIM-B may be one of the key therapeutic targets for HCC patients.

Objective: To investigate whether vasculogenic mimicry (VM) exists in the bi-directional differentiation malignant tumors of digestive tract., Methods: 111 specimens of bi-directional differentiation malignant tumors of digestive tract. including malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST, n = 80), malignant melanoma (n = 18), and carcinosarcoma (n = 13), underwent periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining and microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and CD31. Microvascular density (MVD) and vasculogenic mimicry density (VMD) were calculated., Results: PAS-positive patterned matrix-associated vascular channels with red blood cells therein were detected in 39.1% (31.5/111) of the tumor samples. (89 +/- 20) and MVD (47 +/- 12) both lower than without VM (76, 126 +/- 18, 78 +/- 13, all P < 0.05) the expression levels of VEGF and MVD in the tumors containing patterned channels were (89 +/- 20) and MVD (47 +/- 12) respectively, both significantly lower than those in the tumors without VM [(126 +/- 18) and (78 +/- 13) respectively, both P < 0. 05]. The higher the malignant degree of tumor, the higher the proportion of the tumor with VM. The levels of MVD and VMD of the GIST, malignant melanoma, and carcinosarcoma with low malignancy were 45 +/- 19, 15 +/- 8, and 38 +/- 25 respectively, all significantly lower than those of the GIST, malignant melanoma, and carcinosarcoma with high malignancy (128 +/- 42, 81 +/- 17, 122 +/- 39, all P < 0.05)., Conclusion: VM exists in the bi-directional differentiation malignant tumors of digestive tract. The tumor cells obtain blood supply and become metastatic via the mechanism of VM.

Objective: To observe changes of sensitivity to 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-dFUrd), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in SMMC-7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cells by interferon alpha (IFN-alpha), and its relationship with the expression of thymidine phosphorylase (TP)., Methods: TP mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR. Cytotoxicity of 5'-dFUrd, and 5-FU against SMMC-7721 cells was evaluated by MTT assay., Results: Expression levels of TP mRNA was elevated in SMMC-7721 cells after cultured with IFN-alpha, which was a concentration- and time-dependent increase. After SMMC-7721 cells was treated in the concentration of 5000 U/ml, and 10 000 U/ml IFN-alpha, the level of TP mRNA was significantly higher than that in untreated control (P < 0.05). When SMMC-7721 cells was cultured with the concentration 10 000 U/ml IFN-alpha, the level of TP mRNA rose at 8hr, reached the peak value at 12hr, and remained high level up to 72hr. IFN-alpha enhanced the sensitivity of SMMC-7721 cells to 5'-dFUrd with dose-dependent increase. IFN-alpha (10 000 U/ml) reduced IC(50) of 5'-dFUrd from (102.1 +/- 18.4) micromol/L to (34.2 +/- 4.1) micromol/L (P < 0.05). There was no obvious relation between use of IFN-alpha and 5-FU sensitivity. IC(50) of 5-FU was (5.8 +/- 2.0) micromol/L and (6.3 +/- 1.4) micromol/L in with IFN-alpha (10 000 U/ml) and control group, respectively. Under the use of interferon, sensitivity to 5'-dFUrd increased positively related to up-regulation of TP mRNA expression., Conclusion: IFN-alpha enhanced cytotoxicity of 5'-dFUrd against SMMC-7721 cells positively related to its induction of TP mRNA.

Objective: To identify the influence of tumor characteristics on the outcome of liver transplantation (LT) among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 251 consecutive patients with HCC who underwent LT between April 2001 and February 2006 at our institution. We compared the outcome of the patients classified by different tumor related factors. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression methods., Results: Macroscopic vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, Edmondson pathologic classification, microscopic tumor thrombosis, tumor location, satellite nodules and alpha-fetal protein (AFP) all significantly affected the overall survival and/or recurrence-free survival post-LT (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Pre-operative treatment and hepatitis background had no effect to the prognosis (P > 0.05). At multivariate Cox regression analysis, the factors associated with mortality or recurrence were macroscopic vascular invasion, microscopic tumor thrombosis and satellite nodules (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Edmondson grade III - IV, microscopic tumor thrombosis, left lobar or bilobar tumor, satellite nodules and AFP > or = 300 microg/L were predictive factors of poor prognosis. Presence of macroscopic vascular invasion or lymph node metastasis should be contraindicated.

Objective: To investigate the relation between the changes of dendritic cell (DC) function and down-regulation of beta-centractin in hepatocellular carcinoma., Methods: DC derived from peripheral blood were cultured and then pulsed by lysates from hepatocarcinoma cells (HCC) with high, low, or none metastatic potential of the lines HCCLM6, MHCC97L, and Hep3B, and from normal human liver cell of the line Chang liver. DC not pulsed were used as control group. Three days later scanning electron microscopy and inverted microscopy were used to observe the morphology of the DC. Flow cytometry was used to observe the phenotype. The protein expression of beta-centractin was detected by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry., Results: Scanning electron microscopy and inverted microscopy showed no change in the morphology of the DC pulsed by different antigens. The expression levels of HLA-DR, CD80, CD83, and CD86 of the 4 pulsed groups were all significantly higher than that of the un-pulsed group (all P < 0.05). The expression of CD86 of the DC + LM6 group was significantly lower than those of the DC + Chang, DC + Hep3B, and DC + 97L groups (all P < 0.05). The mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) levels of the 4 pulsed groups were all significantly higher than that of the control group (all P < 0.05). The MLR level of the DC + LM6 group was significantly lower than those of the DC + Chang, DC + Hep3B, and DC + 97L groups (all P < 0.05). Western blotting showed that beta-centractin was not expressed in the control DC and was expressed in the 3 pulsed DC groups, and the beta-centractin expression levels of the DC + Chang, DC + Hep3B, and DC + 97L groups were all higher than that of the DC + LM6 group. The results of immunocytochemistry were similar to that of Western blotting., Conclusion: The down-regulation of beta-centractin in the DC pulsed with high metastatic potential HVV cell lysates is associated DC dysfunction and may be one of the mechanisms of HCC immune escape.

Objective: To investigate the surgical outcome of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) after surgery and the time-dependency of the factors influencing survival., Methods: The clinicopathological data of 382 HCC patients with macroscopic PVTT who had undergone resection of HCC were analyzed. The survival rte was calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Stratified Cox model was used to identify the factors independently influencing the short- and long-term survival rates., Results: The 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates of the 382 patients were 47%, 23%, 16%, 12%, and 6% respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates re-calculated from the time of re-resection because of recurrence within 2 years after the first operation were 36%, 14%, and 0% 1 respectively. However, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates re-calculated from the time of re-resection because of recurrence 2 years after the first operation were 85%, 53%, and 32%, all significantly higher than those re-calculated from the time of re-resection within 2 years after the first operation (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that portal infusion chemotherapy, serum alpha-fetoprotein < 20 microg/L and negative surgical margin were significant favorable prognostic factors within 2 years after operation. Alanine aminotransferase > 80 U/L was the only significant unfavorable factor beyond 2 years after operation., Conclusion: The prognosis of the patients with macroscopic PVTT who suffer from liver tumor recurrence occurring more than 2 years after the first operation is much better than those with the recurrence occurring within 2 years. Evaluation of the time-dependency of risk factors may have important clinical implication in determining the therapeutic strategy.

Objective: To investigate the effects of rapamycin (RPM) in inhibiting the growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Methods: Human HCC cells of the line MHCC97H with a high potential of metastasis were divided into 3 groups to be cultured with cyclosporine A (CsA) 100 ng/ml, RPM 10 ng/ml, or CsA + RPM for 48 hours. Flow cytometry was used to examine the apoptosis and cell cycle MTT method was used to examine the effect of RMP on the proliferation of the MHCC97H cells. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), and transforming growth factor b (TGFb). Another MHCC97H cells were cultured in complete medium without RPM for 48 hours, then the protein expression of VEGF in the supernatant was detected by ELISA. Twenty-eight nude LCI-D20 mice were inoculated with human HCC cells and then divided into 4 groups to be fed with CsA (25 mg/kg), RPM (2 mg/kg), CsA + RPM, and normal saline (0.2 ml, as control group) for 35 days. Then the mice were killed to take the weight of inoculated tumor, measure the blood drug concentration, calculate the lung metastasis rate and number of metastatic foci, and observe pathology of the lung., Results: CsA showed no effect on the cycle of the MHCC97H cells. The MHCC97H cells of the RPM and CsA + RPM groups arrested at the stage G(0)/G(1) (both P = 0.000). MMT method also showed that the proliferation of the MHCC97H cells in the RPM and CsA + RPM groups were blocked (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002). However, CsA did not influence the proliferation of the MHCC97H cells. Flow cytometry showed that RPM did not promote the apoptosis of the MHCC97H cells. RT-PCR showed that RPM down-regulated the mRNA expression of VEGF and HIF-1alpha (both P < 0.05), however, did not influence the mRNA expression of bFGF, TGFb, and TGFb. The VEGF protein level in the supernatant of the culture fluid of MHCC97H cells of the RPM group was (890.3 +/- 25.1) pg/ml, significantly lower than that of the control group, (1583.7 +/- 17.3) pg/ml (P = 0.000). The tumor inhibiting rate of the RPM group was 63.7%, not significantly different from that of the RPM + CsA group (80.9%, P = 1.000). The metastatic rate of the CsA and control groups were both 100% with a higher number of metastatic tumors in the CsA group (P = 0.046)., Conclusion: RPM significantly inhibits the growth and metastasis of HCC. RPM-based immunosuppressive regimen may be of value in HCC patients receiving liver transplantation.

Objective: To explore the features of microsatellite alterations of circulating DNA in the plasma of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and whether they are in concordance with those in the carcinoma tissues., Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 62 HCC patients and the corresponding tumor tissues were obtained during operation. Three high-polymorphic microsatellite markers located at chromosome 8p, D8S277, D8S298, and D8S1771, were selected to be used to detect the loss heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI) by PCR and sequencing., Results: Joint detection showed that 39 out of the 62 tissue samples showed LOH at all the 3 loci, and the same alterations at the same loci were seen in 33 matched plasma samples with a concordance rate of 84.6%. Nineteen tissue samples showed MSI at all 3 loci, and the same alterations were shown in 14 matched plasma samples with a concordance rate of 73.3%. The rate of LOH for at least one locus in the plasma DNA was 58.1% (36/62), significantly higher than the rate of MSI at at least one locus in the plasma samples (29.0%, 18/62, P < 0.01). The MSI positive rate in the loci D8S277 of the plasma DNA was 22.6%, significantly higher than those of the other 2 loci (4.8% and 4.8% respectively, both P < 0.05). The MSI positive rate at the loci D8S277 of the cancer tissue was 46.8%, significantly higher than those of the other 2 loci (38.7% for D8S298 and 37.1% for D8S1771, both P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Microsatellite alterations show a high concordant pattern between the tissue and plasma DNA in HCC, which indicates that the microsatellite alterations of tumor tissue are reflected by plasma DNA, LOH may play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis whereas MSI may also contribute to this progress in a less significant way, and D8S277 is a sensitive locus to MSI in HCC.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of different selection criteria on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) and to explore the new criteria adapted for Chinese National Situation., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 251 consecutive patients with HCC who underwent LT between April 2001 and January 2006 at our institution. We compared the outcome of the patients meeting different criteria such as milan, UCSF and the Pittsburgh modified TNM criteria. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between the curves were assessed by log-rank test., Results: There was no significant difference in 1, 2, 3-year survival rates and recurrence-free survival rates between milan criteria (n = 93; 86%, 77%, 77% and 91%, 86%, 86%) and UCSF criteria (n = 131; 90%, 83%, 83% and 92%, 89%, 89%). According to Pittsburgh criteria (n = 207), the 1, 2, 3-year survival rates and recurrence-free survival rates were 84%, 74%, 67% and 85%, 83%, 73%, respectively. For advanced tumors (over all the criteria), the survival rates and recurrence-free survival rates decreased significantly (n = 44; 65%, 43%, 43% and 47%, 43%, 43% respectively). When criteria (named as Shanghai Fudan Criteria) were expanded to HCC patients with solitary lesions < or = 9 cm in diameter, or no more than 3 lesions, the largest < or = 5 cm, with a total tumor diameter < or = 9 cm, there was no significant difference in 1, 2, 3-year survival rates and recurrence-free survival rates (n = 151; 88%, 80%, 80% and 90%, 88%, 88%, respectively) as compared with milan criteria, but more patients using Shanghai Fudan Criteria could undergo liver transplantation., Conclusion: Shanghai Fudan Criteria, which expanded the tumor size limits, does not adversely impact survival of HCC patients after LT.

Objective: To analyze the risk factors influencing the prognosis of orthotopic liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and sum up the relevant clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment of HCC., Methods: The clinical data of 198 HCC patients, 177 males and 21 females, aged 49 (24-83), were analyzed., Results: The 0.5-, 1-, and 2-year survival rates were 89%, 78%, and 65 respectively. The rates of disease-free survival (DFS) were 85%, 73, and 67% respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that tumor size, presence of vascular invasion, Edmondson grade, TNM classification, and preoperative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were significantly related to DFS, and the 4 foregoing factors were also related to the survival rate. Cox regression analysis suggested that presence of vascular invasion was an independent prognostic factor of survival rate and DFS., Conclusion: Vascular invasion plays a leading role in evaluating the prognosis of orthotopic liver transplantation for HCC. It is important to discover the micro-metastasis and explore more effective approaches to prevent recurrence after transplantation.

Objective: To further study the impact of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on thymidine phosphorylase (TP) expression and angiogenesis., Methods: Human hepatocellular carcinoma cells of the line SMMC-7721 were cultured and added with IFN-alpha of different doses: 0 (as control group), 1000, 5000 and 10,000 U/ml. Twenty-four hours later RT-PCR was used to detect the TP mRNA expression. Boyden chamber method was used to examine the endothelial cells migration. Suspension of SMMC-7721 cells was inoculated subcutaneously into 30 male BALB/c-nu/nu mice, the mice were randomly divided into 5 equal groups to be subcutaneously injected with IFN-alpha of different doses: 0 (as control group), 1.0 x 10(6), 3.0 x 10(6), 9.0 x 10(6), and 1.5 x 10(7) U.kg(-1).d(-1) for 3 weeks. The eating behavior, activity, body weight, and tumor size were observed. The rats were killed 2 days after the drug injection was stopped. The subcutaneous tumors were taken out to undergo histological examination and TP protein expression by ELISA. The microvessel density (MVD) was detected using anti-CD34 monoclonal antibody., Results: The TP mRNA expression of the SMMC-7721 cells induced by IFN-alpha of the doses of 5000 U/ml and 10,000 U/ml significantly increased in comparison with the un-treated SMMC-7721 cells (0 U/ml, P < 0.05). The endothelial cell migration significantly increased in the IFN-alpha 1000 U/ml group compared with the control group (P < 0.001), and then decreased along with the increase of IFN-alpha dose; there were no significant differences in the epithelial migration among the groups of 0, 5000, and 10,000 U/ml IFN-alpha doses (all P > 0.05). The TP protein expression levels of the tumor in the rats treated with IFN-alpha of the doses of 9.0 x 10(6), and 1.5 x 10(7) U.kg(-1).d(-1) were 48 ng/mg +/- 24 ng/mg and 60 ng/mg +/- 6 ng/mg respectively, 1.9 and 2.4 times that of the control group (both P < 0.01). The MVD of the tumors was 6.0 +/- 1.8 in the 9.0 x 10(6) U.kg(-1).d(-1) IFN-alpha group, significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01); and was 4.0 +/- 1.5 in the 1.5 x 10(7) U.kg(-1).d(-1) group, significantly lower than that of the 9.0 x 10(6) U.kg(-1).d(-1) group (P < 0.05) and not significantly different from that of the control group. The tumor inhibiting rate of the 1.5 x 10(7) U.kg(-1).d(-1) IFN-alpha group was 68%, significantly higher than that of the untreated group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: IFN-alpha of certain doses up-regulate the TP expression, and inhibit the angiogenesis induced by TP as well.

Objective: To investigate the measures to further improve the therapeutic efficacy of liver transplantation., Methods: The clinical data of 203 consecutive cases of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) performed in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University April 2001 to October 2004, with the indications for considering OLT of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (142 cases), liver cirrhosis (36 cases), fulminant hepatic failure (7 cases), Wilson's disease (6 cases), and other end-stage liver diseases (12 cases), including 199 cases of cadaveric OLT, inclusive of 2 cases of reduced-size and 1 case of splitting liver transplantation, and 4 cases of living-donor liver transplantation, were retrospectively analyzed. Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied to determine the risk factors predicting liver transplantation prognosis for HCC., Results: For the whole group of the 201 patients, the 1-year and 2-year cumulative survival rates were 85.0% and 82.4% respectively and the rejection rate was 12.3%. In the HCC group the 1- and 2-year cumulative survival rates were 80.2% and 78.4%, and the 1- and 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 85.3% and 80.3% respectively. HCC recurrence was observed in 20 patients after OLT with a recurrence rate of 14.1%. Multivariate analysis revealed that the tumor size and portal vein tumor thrombus were the most independent and statistically significant factors affecting the DFS., Conclusion: OLT may be the most effective treatment option for patients with end-stage liver diseases and may also provide the opportunity of curative treatment or survival improvement for selected patients with hepatic malignancies.

Objective: To explore the diagnosis and management of early hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after liver transplantation., Methods: Routine examination of Color Doppler Imagine (CDI) was used to detect hepatic artery flow after liver transplantation in 220 cases from April 2001 to November 2004. Suspected patients were further confirmed by immediate hepatic artery angiography, and continuous infusion of urokinase through hepatic artery with catheter was performed to the patients with HAT., Results: HAT was identified in 6 patients (2.7%), occurring 5.5 days (2 - 19 days) after liver transplantation. Hepatic artery recanalization was obtained in 6 cases. One patient died from lung infection 2 months after liver transplantation. One patient underwent the second liver transplantation because of the recurrence of HAT 6 months after the first transplantation, but died from multiple system organ failure 2 months after the operation. The other 4 cases have been surviving well disease-freely., Conclusions: CDI is useful for the diagnosis of early HAT after liver transplantation. Contributes to recovery of the hepatic artery flow, continuous infusion of urokinase through hepatic artery with catheter may be the first choice of the therapy for early HAT.

Objective: To screen serum proteome biomarkers and establish predictive model with relation to the formation of portal vein tumor thrombi (PVTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients., Methods: Serum samples were collected from 135 HCC patients, which were divided, into training set (including 33 HCC patients with PVTT and 62 HCC patients without PVTT) and blind testing set (including 18 HCC patients with PVTT and 22 HCC patients without PVTT). Special serum protein or peptide pattern was determined by SELDI-TOF-MS measurement after treating the sample onto WCX2 protein chip for each case. The obtained data were analyzed by BioMarker Wizard software to screen serum proteome biomarkers with relation to the formation of PVTT, while decision tree classification algorithm and blind validation were determined by Biomarker Patterns Software., Results: Ranging from 1100 to 30 000 at the m/z value, 100 protein features were detected in the serum protein pattern stably. Among them, 6 protein peaks with the m/z value of 3478, 1314, 1744, 1725, 2022 and 3380 were upregulated, 10 proteins peaks with the m/z value of 8901, 9353, 9415, 8773, 2766, 2745, 8697, 7773, 8569 and 1373 were downregulated respectively in the group of HCC with PVTT. The 7 candidate protein peaks with the m/z value of 3478, 2022, 8901, 9415, 8773, 2766 and 2745 were selected to establish predictive model by BPS with a sensitivity of 75.8% (25/33) and specificity of 82.3% (51/62). An accuracy of 87.5% (35/40), sensitivity of 100% (18/18), specificity of 77.3% (17/22), positive predictive value of 78.3% (18/23), and negative predictive value of 100% (17/17) were validated in blind testing set., Conclusion: Sixteen candidate proteome biomarkers may be related with the formation of PVTT in HCC patients. Decision tree classification algorithm may have great clinical significance in predicting the formation of PVTT.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the distribution and quantity of dendritic cells (DCs) and memory T lymphocytes in the tumor site and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Methods: Hematoxilin and eosin staining was done on 123 specimens of pathologically proven HCC to observe the infiltration of lymphocytes. Immunohistochemistry was used to count the S-100 protein positive DCs and CD45RO antigen positive memory T cells in ten high power fields within a specimen. Double immunohistochemical staining with double enzyme renovated by microwave for S-100 protein and CD45RO antigens was used to observe relationship between the positivity of S-100 protein and positivity of CD45RO antigen. The specimens were divided into 4 groups according to the averaged numbers of DCs and memory T cells: group I with the DCs and T cells both >/= average numbers, group II with the DCs >/= T cells and T cells < average number, group III with the DCs < average number and memory T cells >/= average, and group IV with both DCs and T cells < average numbers., Results: HE staining showed that the grade of intratumoral or peritumoral lymphocytes was not correlated with the tumor-free survival rate (P = 0.054, 0.071, both P > 0.05), the number of DCs in the cancerous node (DC >/= 25/10 high power field) was positively correlated with the tumor-free survival rate (P = 0.005) and the number of T cells in the cancerous node was positively correlated with the tumor-free survival rate (P = 0.003). Double staining method of immunohistochemistry showed that in the cancerous nodes the number of CD-100 positive DCs and the number of CD45RO positive memory T cells was significantly correlated (r = 0.531, P = 0.000). A greater number of DCs in the cancerous nodes showed a longer tumor-free survival rate of the patients (P = 0.000 between group I and group IV, P = 0.009 between group II and group IV, and P = 0.545 between group I and group II)., Conclusion: The tumor-free survival rate of the patients who had more intratumoral DCs is higher, which indicates that DCs play an important role in activation of T lymphocytes and immune response and can be used as an independent prognostic factor.

Objective: This experiment was designed to study the effect of small molecule tripeptide CMS024 on tumor growth and metastasis in a nude mice model of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis., Methods: Highly metastatic human HCC cell strain HCCLM6 was injected into subcutaneous region of nude mice. When the subcutaneous tumor reached 0.8 cm in diameter, the tumor was removed and cut into small pieces about 1 mm in diameter and implanted orthotopically into the liver of 20 BALB/c nude mice, which were randomized into treatment group and control group each with 10 mice. The treatment group received daily CMS024 intraperitoneal injection at the dose of 300 microg/kg beginning from the second postoperative day. The control group received intraperitoneal injection of equal amount of 0.85% sodium chloride solution. The mice were observed for signs of disease development. Thirty-five days later, the mice were sacrificed and abdominal and pulmonary metastases were recorded and peripheral blood hematological and biochemical parameters were determined., Results: After 35 days of intervention, all the 10 mice in the treatment group were alive and well, but there were only 9 living mice in the control group. The mean tumor weights were 1.9 g +/- 0.5 g in the treatment group and 2.3 g +/- 0.8 g in the control group (P > 0.05). The abdominal wall metastases and intraperitoneal metastases were 100% for the control group and only 60% and 50%, respectively, for the treatment group (P < 0.05). Bloody ascites and gross intrahepatic metastatic nodules were found in 70% and 90% of nude mice, respectively, for the control group, and 20% and 40%, respectively, for the treatment group (P > 0.05). The median number of grades I, II, III and IV pulmonary metastases were 92, 24, 15 and 16, respectively, for the control group, and 24, 20, 10 and 8, respectively, for the treatment group. There were statistically significant differences in the number of grade I pulmonary metastases between the treatment group and the control group (24 vs 92, P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences in the body weight, peripheral blood hematological and biochemical parameters were observed between the two groups. No toxic effects were observed during the observation period., Conclusions: Small molecule tripeptide CMS024 demonstrated positive effects to retard tumor growth and inhibit loco-regional and long distance metastases in a nude mice model of human HCC metastasis, and no obvious toxic or side effects on the tumor bearing nude mice.

Objective: To study the changes of the clinical aspects of primary liver cancer (PLC) during the past 30 years., Methods: The clinical data of 3,250 patients with PLC, from 10 regions of China were collected, analyzed, and compared with the clinical data of 3254 PLC cases 30 years before., Results: The 3,250 patients were aged 1- 80, with an average age of 49.1 years, younger than those 30 years before (43.7 years). The male to female ratio was 2.3:1, lower than that 30 years before (7.7:1). 73.5% of them sought medical advice within 3 months after the onset in comparison of 63.8% 30 years before. Compared with those 30 years before the symptoms and signs were alleviated in general. The HBsAg positive rate was 81.0%, the HCV-Ag positive rate was 13.2%, and the alpha-fetoprotein positive rate was 75%. 1912 cases underwent pathological examination of which 91.8% were diagnosed as with hepatocellular carcinoma. The overall resection rate was 46,3%. Those of early, median, and late stages accounted for 29.9%, 51.5%, and 18.6% respectively in comparison with the rates of 0.4%, 47.0%, and 52.6% 30 years before. The one-year survival rate, three-year survival rate, and five-year survival rate were 66.1%, 39.7%, and 32.5% respectively for the whole group, 93.5%, 70.1%, and 59.1% for the early stage patients, and 65.3%, 30.5%, and 23.5% respectively for the median stage patients. The half-year survival rate and one-year survival rate of the late stage patients were 52.5% and 14.7% respectively. Compared with the data 30 years before a lower percentages of the patients died of hepatic coma, hemorrhage of upper digestive tract and hemorrhage due to rupture of tumor, and a higher percentage of then died of asthenia universalis and other causes., Conclusion: In comparison with the situation 30 years ago, PLC can be diagnosed earlier. More patients undergo resection. The prognosis of PLC has been improved greatly.

Objective: This was an open, random, control and multicenter clinical trial. In the study, the anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of rhIFN-gamma and its side reactions were evaluated., Methods: A total of 289 patients enrolled in clinical trial, 153 patients in trial group and 136 patients in control group. The routine strategy is given in all patients. In addition, every patient in trial group received rhIFN-gamma at a dose of 1 MU intramuscularly daily for the first three months and 1 MU every other day for the following six months. Patients of two groups were followed up for another three months after the treatment. Histological indices, serum hepatic fibrosis indices, ultrasound B and symptoms and signs evaluated the effect. For patients who accepted two liver biopsies before and after treatment, the effect was determined by semiquantitative score system while for patients who did not accepted liver biopsy, serum hepatic fibrosis indices and ultrasound B were major criteria., Results: The efficient of treatment were 66% in trial group vs. 16.2% in control group and the obviously efficient of treatment was 27.8% in trial group vs. 7.4% in control group (P < 0.001). For patients who accepted two liver biopsies before and after treatment, the efficient of treatment was 63% in trial group vs. 24.1% in control group and the obviously efficient of treatment was 27.8% in trial group vs. 13.8%. For patients who did not accepted liver biopsy, the efficient of treatment was 67.7% in trial group vs. 14.0% in control group and the obviously efficient of treatment was 22.2% in trial group vs. 5.6%. None of patients emerged serious side reactions during clinical trial., Conclusion: The results confirmed that rhIFN-gamma have a better anti-hepatic fibrosis effect to patients with chronic hepatitis B.