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To compare the effects of selective hepatic vascular exclusion (SHVE) and Pringle maneuver in resecting the liver tumors involving the second porta hepatis.From January 2000 to October 2005, 2100 liver tumors were resected, among which 235 tumors adhered to or were very close to one or more hepatic veins. Both SHVE and Pringle maneuver were used to control the blood loss during the hepatectomy. They were divided into two groups: SHVE group (125 cases) and Pringle group (110 cases). Data regarding the intra-operative and postoperative courses of the patients were analyzed. SHVE group included total SHVE (clamping of the porta hepatis and all major hepatic veins) in 25 cases and partial SHVE (clamping of the porta hepatic and one or two hepatic veins) in 100 cases. Three methods were used to occlude hepatic veins: be ligated with suture, be encircled and occluded with tourniquets and be clamped with Shatinsky clamps directly.There was no difference between the 2 groups regarding the age, sex, tumor size, cirrhosis and HBsAg positive rate, ischemia time and operating time (P0.05). Intra-operative blood loss and transfusion requirements were decreased significantly in the SHVE group. Hepatic veins ruptured with massive blood loss in 14 and air embolism in 3 in Pringle group, but there was no massive blood loss and air embolism in SHVE group. Postoperative bleeding, reoperation, liver function failure and mortality rate were higher in Pringle group (P0.05), ICU stay and hospital stay were longer in Pringle group (P0.05).SHVE is much more effective than Pringle maneuver for controlling intraoperative bleeding. It can prevent massive blood loss and air embolism resulting from hepatic veins ruptured and can reduce the postoperative complications rate and mortality rate. Clamping the hepatic veins with Shatinsky clamp is safer and easier than encircled and occluded with tourniquets.

Formular description of the magnetic field dependence of resistivity is of interest not only because of its theoretical importance, but also because it allows us to design magnetic-field-controlled devices. Using micromagnetic theory combined with charge carrier hopping and spin-polarized tunneling models, the magnetic field dependence of resistivity in half-metallic ferromagnet La 2/3 Sr 1/3 MnO 3 has been studied systematically. It has been shown that the resistivity is linearly dependent on magnetic field in a single grain. As for the resistivity of grain boundary (GB), namely the resistivity of spin transport across the boundary, it has an exponential relationship with magnetic field in the low-field region. Finally we give the analytical magnetoresistance formulas of polycrystalline, which agree well with the experimental results.

To explore the surgical manipulation off the inferior vena cava (IVC) in the hepatic cancer invading IVC in order to increase the resection rate and operative safety.The clinical data of 29 cases of hepatic cancer invading IVC, 25 males and 4 females, aged 42.45 (4 - 60) who underwent resection of the tumor January 1996 - September 2005 were analyzed retrospectively.The operation patterns related to the IVC included partial excision and repair of the IVC (in 25 cases) and resection of the tumor and withdrawal of the tumor thrombus (in 4 cases with tumor thrombus in IVC). All the operations were successful without operative death and major complications.Radical resection can be used in selected patients with hepatic cancer invading IVC. Safe, effective, and practical, resection and reconstruction of IVC increases the excision rate of hepatic cancer remarkably.

To explore the diagnosis and treatment of the hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH).The clinical data of 114 patients with FNH proved by the pathology were analyzed retrospectively.FNH occurs as a single node in 98.1%, ranging from 0.9 cm to 15.0 cm in diameter [average, (4.2 +/- 2.2) cm], only 2 patients had more than one FNH nodules. 86.0% of patients with FNH were below 50 years old. 89.5% of patients were asymptomatic. AFP was negative in all patients. Hepatitis B was negative in 4.4% (5/114) of patients. Of these patients, 50 lesions were in the left lobe, 50 in the right lobe, 6 in the mid lobe, and 8 in the caudate lobe. A big central artery was found in 3.5% (4/113) of the lesion in patients by color Doppler ultrasound. CT scan showed transient immediate enhancement in 94.3% (66/70) of patients, with central scar in 10 cases. The demonstration of a central scar in the lesion was very helpful for the diagnosis of FNH. MRI demonstrated early vigorous enhancement in 91.8% (56/61) of patients. It is strong enhancement on arterial phase and slight or obvious enhancement on portal venous phase and slightly delayed enhancement of the central scars in FNH. Eleven cases showed central scar. MRI was more helpful for the diagnosis of FNH using liver specific contrast agents: superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO). All patients underwent focus resection, and there was no mortality and severe complication.FNH shows some typical clinical and imaging features. We could improve the correct diagnosis rate by comprehensively analyzing the clinical and imaging materials.

Background: Human gankyrin gene product (p28GANK) is a novel oncogenic protein ubiquitously overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and also plays a role in cell cycle progression in normal hepatocytes and liver regeneration. However, little is known about the physiological role of p28GANK in the liver oval cell activation and proliferation. We investigated the possible involvement of p28GANK in oval cell-mediated liver regeneration and cell cycle progression. Methods: We examined the different p28GANK expression in 2-acetylaminofuorene/partial heptectomy (2-AAF/PH) rats, as a model of oval cell activation, and PH rats by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Oval cells isolated from 2-AAF/PH rat model were cultured in our study. p28GANK expression was examined in the oval cells after mitogenic stimulation. Results: In 2-AAF/PH rats, p28GANK was expressed in the activated oval cells and located in the nucleus. p28GANK protein expression was increased in 2-AFF/PH rats after hepatectomy lasting for 96 h when retinoblastoma maintained hyperphosphorylation status at Ser-795. The isolated oval cells express AFP, OV6, CK19, CD34, CD45, c-kit and albumin. After epidermal growth factor stimulation, p28GANK protein was up-regulated in oval cells from 24 to 72 h, which coincided with increased expression of CyclinD1, CDK4 and decreased of Rb protein. Conclusions: p28GANK expression was increased in oval cell-mediated liver regeneration and oval cells after mitogenic stimulation. Thus, p28GANK may play a role in oval cell-mediated liver regeneration and liver oval cell cycle progression.

To explore the expression and replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in primary duck hepatocytes (PDHs).Complete HBV genome was transfected into PDHs by electroporation (transfected group, 1.19 x 10(12) copies of linear HBV DNA/1 x 10(7) PDHs). After 1-5 d of transfection, HBsAg and HBeAg in the supernatant and lysate of PDHs were measured with the IMX System. Meanwhile, replicative intermediates of HBV DNA were analyzed by Southern blotting and Dot blotting. PDHs electroporated were used as control group.HBsAg in the hepatocyte lysates of transfected group was 15.24 (1 d), 14.55 (3 d) and 5.13 (5 d; P/N values, positiveor =2.1) respectively. HBeAg was negative (2.1). Both HBsAg and HBeAg were negative in the supernatant of transfected group. Dot blotting revealed that HBV DNA was strongly positive in the transfected group and negative in the control group. Southern blot analysis of intracellular total DNA indicated that there were relaxed circular (rc DNA), covalently closed circular (ccc DNA), and single-stranded (ss DNA) HBV DNA replicative intermediates in the transfected group, there was no integrated HBV DNA in the cellular genome. These parameters were negative in control group.Expression and replication of HBV genes can occur in hepatocytes from non-mammalian species. HBV replication has no critical species-specificity, and yet hepatic-specific regulating factors in hepatocytes may be essential for viral replication.

To study the correlation of polymorphisms of CYP1A1 MSPI and glutathiones S-transferase (GST-M1) independently and in combination with the risk of lung cancer.A case control study which included 91 cases of lung cancer and 138 controls collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Tumor Hospital and The Red Cross Hospital of Guangzhou or conmunity area. All subjects were investigated with a uniform questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from all cases and controls for detecting CYP1A1 MSPI and GST-M1 polymorphisms which were analyzed by PCR and RFLP.It showed that there was no significant difference in frequencies of this genotypes of CYP1A1 MSPI between the two groups. The frequency of GST-M1 null (0/0) genotype was higher in the case group than in the control group, with an OR of 1.38 (95% CI 0.81 - 2.38), but there was no statistical significance. However, combination of several genotypes was strongly associated with lung cancer. There was a synergistic interaction between the m2m2 genotype of CYP1A1 MSPI and GST-M1 (0/0) genotype, with an OR of 2.47 (95% CI 1.03 - 5.90).The combination of two genetic polymorphisms significantly increases the risk of lung cancer.

By studying the possibility and degree of the replication and expression of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) genes in normal liver cells from heterogenous species, such as primary duck hepatocytes (PDH) and primary rat hepatocytes (PRH), to investigate the species-specificity of HBV infection and replication.PDH and PRH isolated by in situ perfusion with low concentration collagenase were transfected with complete HBV genome by electroporation (transfection group, about 1.19 10(12) copies of linear HBV DNA/1 10(7) PRH/PDH). From 1 day to 15 days after transfection, HBsAg and HBeAg in the supernatants and lysates of PRH/PDH were measured with IMX System, HBcAg was assayed with western blotting, Immunol dot blotting and Immunocytochemistry. Moreover, HBV S-mRNA and X-mRNA were tested with RT-PCR. Meanwhile, replicative intermediates of HBV DNA were analyzed by Southern blotting and Dot blotting. PRH/PDH electroporated only was used as control group.HBsAg in the lysates of transfected PDH group were 15.24 (1day), 14.55 (3 days) and 5.13 ( 5 days; P/N values, positiveor=2.1), HBeAg all was negative (2.1), and both were negative in the supernatants of transfected group. Viral antigen production in transfected rat hepatocytes: HBsAg in the lysates of transfected hepatocytes was positive, P/N values ranging from 2.17 to 93.41, The average P/N values was 14.74+/-31.82, and could be maintained for 15 days after transfection. Whereas, HBsAg in the supernatants of transfected group was only found positive on 1 day after transfection, which P/N value was 6.66. HBeAg and HBcAg in the lysates of PRH of transfection group were positive during the first 3 days following transfection, P/N values was around 2.8. The total amount of HBV DNA in the transfected PDH and PRH groups was strongly positive by dot blotting, whereas that of the control group was negative. Southern blot analysis of intracellular total HBV DNA indicated that there were relaxed circular (RC), covalently closed circular (ccc) and single-stranded (SS) HBV DNA replicative intermediates in the transfected PDH and PRH groups, there was no integrated HBV DNA in the cellular genome. Control groups were negative at all.Expression of HBV genes and production can occur in hepatocytes from nonmammalian species or mammalian species, which strongly supports the idea that replication of HBV has no critical species-specificity, and yet it depends on the endoenvironment of hepatocyte.

To explore the role of fibroblasts derived from tumor in the tumor angiogenesis.Two-well co-culture system were used to detect the expression of MMP-9, TGF-beta1, TN and bcl-2 in L929-H22 cells, and their ability of promoting angiogenesis of ECV304 cells and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells respectively, which were established in our laboratory before. Then their adhesion and the effect of their supernatant on H22 cells proliferation were analysed.Compared with L929 cells, the adhesion potential of L929-H22 cells increased (For=104.32, P0.001), with the higher level of expression of MMP-9, bcl-2, TN, and TGF-beta1 in L929-H22 cells in creased (tor=3.3055, P0.01). L929-H22 and L929 cells enhanced the invasiveness of human mammary cancer MDA-MB-231 cells through artificial basement membrane (Matrigel) 1.21 and 0.48 times respectively (F=266.3, P0.001). L929-H22 cells induced morphogenesis of ECV304 cells. L929-H22 stimulated endothelial cells to form more and longer tubes than L929 did (For=23.75, P0.01). 25% CM of L929-H22 cells stimulated the growth of H22 cells (F=266.30, P0.05).The results suggested that fibroblasts in tumors secrete more growth factors and angiogenic factors to promote the angiogenesis and invasion of solid tumors.

To evaluate their long-term outcome and the efficacy and economic significance of antiviral drugs by investigating the long-term health-related quality of life (HQL) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.The HQL of 101 CHB patients with biopsy-proven 6 to 18 years ago and 105 persons of general population as control was studied with revised SF-36 questionnaire.The HQL in CHB patients was lower than that in general population in physical functioning, role physical, general health, mental health, and specific symptoms (muor = 2.10, P0.05).The long-term HQL in chronic hepatitis B patients is poor.

To establish an in vitro model of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and expression in primary rat hepatocytes (PRH) transfected with circular viral DNA for further study on the interaction of HBV with hepatocytes.Circular viral DNA containing complete HBV genome were transfected into PRH by electroporation (transfected group, about 4mug of circular viral DNA/1 10(7)cells). From day 1 to day 10 after transfection, HBsAg and HBeAg in the supernatants and lysates of PRH were measured with IMX system. HBcAg was assayed with western blotting, immunol dot blotting and immunocytochemistry. Meanwhile, HBV S-mRNA and X-mRNA were tested with RT-PCR, and replicative intermediates of HBV DNA were analyzed by southern blotting and dot blotting. Moreover, Transmission electron microscopy was used if viral particles were produced in transfected rat hepatocytes. PRH electroporated only was used as control group.(1) Viral antigen production in transfected rat hepatocytes: HBsAg in cell lysates was positive. P/N values ranged from 4.83 to 85.69, and could be maintained for 10 days after transfection. The average P/N values was 18.239 27.459. Whereas, HBsAg was negative in the supernatants of transfected group (P/N values, negative2.1). HBeAg in the supernatants and lysates of transfected hepatocytes all was negative (P/N values2.1) during 10 days following transfection. HBcAg was only found positive in transfected hepatocytes by immunol dot blotting. (2) Detection of viral transcripts: transcription of HBV DNA was investigated by preparing total RNA from rat hepatocytes 2 days after transfection and looking for S-mRNA and X-mRNA by RT-PCR. Results showed S-mRNA positive, X-mRNA negative. (3) HBV DNA replication analysis: intracellular total DNA was extracted 2 days after transfection and analysed by southern blotting. All replicative DNA intermediates, including relaxed circular (rcDNA), covalently closed circular (cccDNA), and single-stranded (ssDNA) linear HBV DNA forms, were indicated. Dot blotting showed intracellular HBV DNA positive in transfected group during 10 days after transfection. However, viral particles were not found in transfected hepatocytes during 3 days after transfection.Circular HBV DNA transfected into primary adult rat hepatocytes could obtain continuous replication and stable expression of HBV surface antigen. This in vitro model has high reproducibility and stability, and is useful for directly studying the interaction of HBV with hepatocytes.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2010 in Portland, Oregon, USA, August 1 – August 5, 2010.

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We have investigated surface CO oxidation on "inverse catalysts" composed of SnO(x) nanostructures supported on Pt(111) using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEISS) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). Nanostructures of SnO(x) were prepared by depositing Sn on Pt(111) pre-covered by NO(2) layers at low temperatures. XPS data show that the SnO(x) nanoparticles are highly reduced with Sn(II)O being the dominant oxide species, but the relative concentration of Sn(II) in the SnO(x) nanoparticles decreases with increasing Sn coverage. We find that the most active SnO(x)/Pt(111) surface for CO oxidation has smallest SnO(x) coverage. Increasing the surface coverage of SnO(x) reduces CO oxidation activity and eventually suppresses it altogether. The study suggests that reduced Sn(II)O, rather than Sn(IV)O(2), is responsible for surface CO oxidation. The occurrence of a non-CO oxidation reaction path involving reduced Sn(II)O species at higher SnO(x) coverages accounts for the decreased CO oxidation activity. From these results, we conclude that the efficacy of CO oxidation is strongly dependent on the availability of reduced tin oxide sites at the Pt-SnO(x) interface, as well as unique chemical properties of the SnO(x) nanoparticles.

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We report on an alkaline microfluidic fuel cell for catalyst and electrode characterization. Its constantly refreshing alkaline electrolyte stream enables autonomous control over the flow rate and electrolyte composition, as well as independent analysis of the individual electrodes, rendering this platform a powerful analytical tool. Here, polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE-bonded Ag/C and Pt/C cathodes are investigated and optimized using several characterization techniques, including chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A loading of 40 wt % PTFE and hot pressing of the electrodes were found to lead to the best performance. Moreover, improvements in cell performance as a function of increasing KOH were investigated and the dual effects of enhanced oxygen reduction reaction activity and improved ionic conductivity were decoupled. Peak power densities as high as 110 mW/cm 2 were obtained, suggesting that the current alkaline fuel cell configuration may also hold promise as a

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To investigate the effects of electroporation on primary rat hepatocyte and to optimize the electroporation conditions introducing foreign genes into primary hepatocytes.A single-pulse procedure was performed at low voltage (220-400 V) but with high capacitance (500-950 microF). Hepatocytes were divided into 4 groups according to the electroporation conditions: group I, 220 V and 500 microF; group II, 220 V and 950 microF; group III, 400 V and 950 microF,and group IV. The control group was freshly isolated hepatocytes and directly cultured under the same conditions as those of electroporation groups. The effects of electroporation on primary rat hepatocytes were detected by trypan blue exclusion (TBE) and MTT analysis. Besides, albumin (Alb), alanine transaminase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the supernatants of cultured hepatocytes were measured by biochemical assay.Between day 1 and day 15 after incubation, primary rat hepatocytes of each electroporation group appeared normal, being the same with those of control group. TBE staining showed that slight hepatocyte damage and high survival rate were found in the electroporation groups and the control group. Cultured for 3, 7, 11 and 15 days, hepatocyte viability was approximately 92.6+/-2.5 %, 89.5+/-3.3 %, 82.0+/-3.5 % and 74.3+/-1.2 %, respectively. MTT analysis indicated that the viabilities of hepatocytes had no significant difference between each electroporation group, and those were similar to that of control group. At the 36th hour after electroporation, Alb, ALT and LDH in the supernatants of control group were 5.3+/-0.1 g x L(-1), 183.7+/-8.4 nkat x L(-1) and 896.8+/-58.5 nkat x L(-1); those of group II were 5.7+/-0.1 g x L(-1), 215.4+/-16.7 nkat x L(-1) and 1063.8+/-51.8 nkat x L(-1); and those of group III were 5.8+/-0.2 g x L(-1), 217.1+/-8.4 nkat x L(-1) and 1063.8+/-10.0 nkat x L(-1). Statistically, the proteins of group II and group III were significantly higher than those of control group (P0.05), whereas the protein production of group I, Alb, ALT and LDH were 5.3+/-0.2 g x L(-1), 205.4+/-3.3 nkat x L(-1) and 1035.4+/-116.9 nkat x L(-1), were similar to those of control group. At the same time, TBE and MTT analysis indicated that there was no significant cell viability difference between electroporation groups and control group.This single-pulse electroporation procedure performed at low voltage (220-400 V) but with high capacitance (950 microF) is one of the optimal choices to introduce foreign genes into primary rat hepatocyte.