人卵巢癌裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型的建立

利用人卵巢癌Ｃｏｃｌ细胞株制备裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型。将两种不同浓度Ｃｏｃｌ细胞悬液（５×１０７／１００μＬ及５×１０９／１００μＬ）接种于裸鼠背部皮下，观察３个月后计算各组移植瘤形成率，病理切片及电镜下观察Ｃｏｃｌ细胞及移植瘤细胞。两组移植瘤形成率分别为９３．７５％及１００％。通过病理切片及电镜下观察，细胞株与移植瘤细胞形态无明显差异。Ｃｏｃｌ每注射点细胞浓度为５×１０７／１００μＬ及５×１０９／１００μＬ时成瘤率高，为卵巢癌的进一步研究提供了理想材料和模型。

温郁金对人胃癌裸鼠原位移植瘤中MVD表达的影响

目的:通过建立人胃癌裸鼠原位称植瘤模型,研究温郁金对人胃癌裸鼠原位移植瘤生长转移的抑制作用及对MVD表达的影响。方法:BALB/c裸小鼠12只,以荷SGC-7901人胃癌细胞株裸鼠皮下移植瘤为材料,通过手术将癌组织转移到裸小鼠胃壁建立胃癌原位称植模型;原位移植24h后开始灌胃。当动物出现明显消瘦、弓背、神萎等衰竭征象(约9周)时处死动物,观察和比较两组肿瘤抑制率和肿瘤转移情况。用免疫组织化法检测两组移植瘤瘤体中MVD的表达。结果:所有荷瘤鼠胃壁均有肿瘤生长,治疗组瘤重明显低于对照组,P<0.01,抑瘤率为42%;模型组腹膜转移6/6、肝脏转移5/6、腹水1/6,治疗组腹膜转移2/6、肝脏转移1/6、腹水0/6,其中腹膜及肝脏转移情况差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。温郁金治疗组瘤体中MVD的表达明显下调。结论:温郁金可能通过减少瘤体内MVD抑制人胃癌裸鼠原位移植瘤生长和转移。

硫代反义寡核苷酸对裸鼠异植瘤HCV 5′NCR基因表达的抑制作用

目的 在HCV 5′NCR转基因细胞模型HepG2.9706细胞建立成功的基础上，采用裸鼠异植瘤模型进行HCV特异性硫代反义寡核苷酸(HCV363、HCV279及HCV349)的体内活性评价。 方法 将HepG2.9706细胞接种于4～6周龄的雌性BALB/C裸鼠的侧腹皮下，动物随机分组，约1周后，采用腹腔注射途径，开始给药。 结果 针对HCV 5′NCR的硫代反义寡核苷酸HCV363、HCV279及HCV349对异植瘤细胞内HCV 5′NCR调控荧光素酶表达具有明显的序列特异性抑制作用，抑制率分别为80.4%、78.6%及47.9%。三个不同浓度的HCV363作用结果表明随着药物浓度的增加，HCV363对荧光素酶基因的表达抑制活性明显增强，最大抑制率可达82.7%。 结论 该研究提示反义寡核苷酸有可能成为HCV感染治疗的新途径。

PD-L1联合高脂饮食对肺癌细胞的影响

肺癌是全球死亡率最高的恶性肿瘤之一,其发病率和死亡率不断攀升。PD-L1(程序性死亡配体1)在许多恶性肿瘤中的表达与肿瘤细胞逃避免疫监视和治疗抵抗相关。近年来,高脂饮食与多种癌症的发生发展有着不可忽视的联系。本研究旨在探讨PD-L1抑制剂联合高脂饮食对肺癌细胞生长的影响。方法 通过Lewis肺癌细胞构建C57小鼠肿瘤模型,观察PD-L1抑制剂对瘤体的抑制效果。采用ELISA技术手段,评估高脂环境下PD-L1抑制剂的抗肿瘤活性。结果 在高脂饮食条件下,肺癌细胞表现出更强的增殖能力。PD-L1抑制剂可以显著抑制肺癌瘤体的生长。此外,实验还发现PD-L1抑制剂在高脂环境中的抗肿瘤效果比在正常饮食条件下更为显著。本研究表明,PD-L1抑制剂可有效抑制在高脂饮食条件下的肺癌细胞增殖。结论 这一发现提示,PD-L1抑制剂可能在高脂饮食相关的肺癌治疗中发挥重要作用。未来研究需要进一步探讨PD-L1抑制剂与高脂饮食相结合的具体机制,以及在临床治疗中的应用潜力。

Obtaining High Pest_resistant Transgenic Upland Cotton Cultivars Carrying cry1Ac3 Gene Driven by Chimeric OM Promoter

Hypocotyl segments from aseptic seedlings of two important cultivars of upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) in Northwest China, 'Xinluzao_1', 'Jinmian_7', 'Jinmian_12' and 'Jihe_321' were transformed respectively by two efficient plant expression plasmids pBinMoBc and pBinoBc via Agrobacterium tumefaciens . In pBinMoBc, cry 1Ac3 gene, which encodes the Bt toxin, is under the control of chimeric OM promoter. In pBinoBc, it is under control of CaMV 35S promoter. After co_cultivation with Agrobacterium tumefimpfaciens LBA4404 (containing pBinMoBc or pBinoBc), kanamycin_resistant selection, somatic embryos were induced and regenerated plants were obtained. Then the regenerated plantlets were grafted to untransformed stocks in greenhouse to produce descendants. The integration of cry 1Ac3 gene and its expression in T 2 generation of transgenic cotton plants were confirmed by Southern hybridization and Western blotting. The analyses of insect bioassay indicated that the transgenic plants of both constructions have significant resistance to the larvae of cotton bollworm ( Heliothis armigera ) and that cry 1Ac3 gene driven by chimeric OM promoter could endue T 2 generation cotton with high pest_resistant ability, implicating that it has a profound application in genetic engineering to breed new pest_resistant cotton varieties.

Inactivated Bone Replantation with Preservation of the Epiphysis in Children with Osteosarcoma:Clinical Report of Two Cases

Objective: To evaluate the value of inactivated bone replantation with preservation of the epiphysis following the effective chemotherapy in avoiding postoperative discrepancy of the affected limb in children with osteosarcoma. Methods: Two children (aged 5 and 10 years, 1 male and 1 female) with osteosarcoma underwent inactivated bone replantation with preserving epiphysis following chemotherapy (MMIA protocol, including high-dose methotrexate, adriamycin and ifosfamide). After two cycles of preop-erative chemotherapy, pain vanished, the local mass shrank and there was no pain on pressing the affected parts. Sera AKP and LDH were reduced to normal levels; marked shrinkage and sclerotic changes and good margin of lesions were seen on plain radiographs and MR images. Two courses of the same protocol as preoperative chemotherapy were administered postoperatively. Results: Postoperative histological examination of the specimens demonstrated absence of vital tumor cells. Incisions healed well and no complications occurred. The replanted inactivated bone healed with host at 6 months after operation. In the two patients, no evidence was seen of metastasis and recurrence and discrepancy of the affected limbs in postoperative 36 and 48 months. Functions of the affected limbs were satisfactory. Conclusion: Inactivated bone replantation with preserving epiphysis was a viable option for osteosarcoma in children. The long-term outcomes remain to be further proven.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on the growth of human gastric cancer cell and the implanted tumor of nude mice

AIM: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal tissue growth and development, and it can stimulate epithelial proliferation, cell differentiation and growth. It has been established that the EGF can promote gastric cytoprotection and ulcer healing. But the potential ability of EGF to regulate the gastric cancer growth is unknown. This study is to investigate the influence of EGF on human gastric cancer cell and the implanted tumor growth of nude mice. METHODS: The cell growth rates of human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines MKN-28, MKN-45, SGC-7901 and normal human gastric epithelial cells 3T3 were assessed when incubated with recombinant human EGF (rhEGF, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 10, 50, 100 mg.L(-1)) using MTT method. The cells of MKN-28, MKN-45, SGC-7901 (gastric cancer tissue 1.5mm(3)) were implanted in the BALB/cA nude mice for 10 days.The EGF was given intraperitoneally (15, 30, 60 microg.kg(-1)) for 3 weeks. The body weights of the tumor-bearing animals and their tumor mass were measured afterwards to assess the mitogenic effect of rhEGF in the nude mice. RESULTS: Within the concentration range of 0.05-100mg.L(-1), rhEGF could increase the cell growth of normal 3T3 cells (cell growth rate 100% vs 102.8%, P【0.05), but partially restrain the gastric cancer cell growth. The latter effect was related to cell differentiation. In 15-60 microg/kg rhEGF groups, the mean implanted tumor mass of MKN-28 cell were 1.75 g, 1.91 g, 2.08 g/NS group 1.97 g (P】0.05), the mean tumor mass of SGC-7901 cell were 1.53 g, 1.07 g, 1.20 g/NS group 1.07 g (P】0.05), and for MKN-45 cell, the tumor mass were respectively 1.92 g, 1.29 g, 1.77 /NS group 1.82 g (P】0.05). So rhEGF had no obvious effect on implanted MKN-28, SGC-7901 and MKN-45 tumor growth. CONCLUSION: EGF has no stimulating effect on the human gastric cancer cell growth neither in vitro nor in vivo.

Effects and mechanisms of silibinin on human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts in nude mice

AIM:To investigate the in vivo effects and mechanisms of silibinin on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenografts in nude mice.METHODS: Nude mice bearing HuH7 xenografts were used to assess the anti-HCC effects and mechanisms of silibinin.RESULTS: Silibinin resulted in a potent dosedependent reduction of HuH7 xenografts in association with a significant decrease in Ki-67 and α-fetoprotein production, nuclear NF-κB content, polo-like kinase 1, Rb phosphorylation, and E2F1/DP1 complex, but increased p27/CDK4 complex and checkpoint kinase 1 expression, suggesting that the in vivo effects of silibinin are mediated by inhibiting G1-S transition of the cell cycle. Silibinin-induced apoptosis of HuH7 xenografts was associated with inhibited survivin phosphorylation. Silibinin-reduced growth of HuH7 xenografts was associated with decreased p-ERK, increased PTEN expression and the activity of silibinin was correlated with decreased p-Akt production, indicating involvement of PTEN/PI3K/Akt and ERK pathways in its in vivo anti-HCC effects. Silibinin-reduced growth of HuH7 xenografts was also associated with a significant increase in AC-H3 and AC-H4 expression and the production of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1.CONCLUSION: Silibinin reduces HCC xenograft growth through the inhibition of cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and PTEN/P-Akt and ERK signaling, inducing cell apoptosis, and increasing histone acetylation and SOD-1 expression.

Needle track seeding:A real hazard after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for colorectal liver metastasis

Neoplastic needle track seeding following percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(RFA)of secondary liver tumors is exceedingly rare.Reports on cutaneous tumor seeding after percutaneous RFA for colorectal liver metastasis are even rarer in the literature.Here we report a case of a 46-year-old female who developed an ulcerating skin lesion along the needle track of a previous percutaneous RFA site around 6 mo after the procedure.The previous RFA was performed by the LeVeen needle for a secondary liver tumor from a primary rectal cancer.The diagnosis of secondary skin metastasis was confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology.The lesion was successfully treated with wide local excision.We believe that tumor seeding after percutaneous RFA in our patient was possibly related to its unfavorable subcapsular location and the use of an expansion-type needle.Hence,prophylactic ablation of the needle track should be performed whenever possible.Otherwise,alternative routes of tumor ablation such as laparoscopic or open RFA should be considered.

Primary research on neoplasm needle track implantation metastasis after radioactive seeds implantation and preventive measures

Objective:To observe the possibility of neoplasm needle track implantation after radioactive seeds implantation and seek preventive measures to avoid it.Methods:Superficial tissue of 250 seeding needle cores and 250 stylophores employed in neoplasm radioactive seeds implantation was smeared on slides to search for tumor cells.All patients received chemotherapy or endocrine therapy after operations.Ultrasound B-mode or computer tomography(CT)was performed at 10th day,30th day,60th day,and 180th day post operation to detect neoplasm implantation metastasis through needle tracks. Results:Positive cells were found on 13 of 250(5.20%)cores,and 7 of 250(2.80%)stylophores.The difference was not sta- tistically significant(P>0.05).The positive cells frequency of needles those traversed distance less than 3 cm in normal tissue was 6.19%(13/210),while the frequency of the others those traversed longer distance in normal tissue was 2.41%(7/290). The positive cells frequency of needles traversing different distances in normal tissues is significantly different(P<0.05).No neoplasm was detected through needle tracks by ultrasound B-mode or CT in 180 days after operation.Conclusion:Tumor cells could ablate into the needle track during radioactive seed implantation.Some preventive measures,such as optimization of pre-operation and intra-operation treatment plan,chemotherapy or endocrine therapy after operation,may be beneficial to avoid the implantation metastasis of neoplasm in seeding needle tracks.

Anticancer effect of Jinlongshe granules on in situ-transplanted human MKN-45 gastric cancer in nude mice and xenografted sarcoma 180 in Kunming mice and its mechanism

AIM： To study the antitumor effect of Chinese compound Jinlongshe （JLS） granules on sarcoma 180 and MKN-45 human gastric cancer cell lines in vivo and its mechanism. METHODS： After establishment of S180 sarcoma （S180） and MKN-45 gastric cancer model of nude mice, the tumor-bearing mice were divided into 5 groups at random. Three experimental groups were respectively given the aqueous extract of JLS granules at doses of 120 g, 60 g and 20 g/（kg per 6/wk,i.g） for 3 wk in S180 and 6 wk in nude mice model. Positive control was given cyclophosphamide （Cy） at a dose of 50 mg/（kg per 3/wk, i.g） for 3 wk in S180 models and 5-Fluorouracil （5-FU） 20 mg/（kg per 3/wk, i.g） for 3 wk in nude mice model. Negative control was given normal saline （NS） at a dose of 0.18 g/（kg per 6/wk, i.g） respectively. After 3 wk in mice bearing S180 tumor and 6 wk in nude mice model, the experimental animals were sacrificed and the masses of tumor were weighed, and the rates of tumor inhibition of each treated group were calculated respectively. To determine the antitumor mechanisms, the morphological changes, cell cycle and apoptosis were observed in MKN-45 nude mice model. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining FCM assay was used to further determine the live cells, apoptotic cells, necrotic cells and debris. RESULTS： The inhibitory rates of JLS granules at the doses of 20 g/kg, 60 g/kg and 120 g/kg were 50.31%, 55.94% and 68.13% （P 〈 0.01） in nude mice models and 40.90%, 50.32% and 58.46% （P 〈 0.01） in S180 model. The inhibitory rate of Cy was 85.22% in S180 models and the inhibitory rate of 5-FU was 53.43% in nude mice model （P 〈 0.01）. Nuclear chromatin and margination were observed under a transmission electron microscope （TEM）. The G0/G1 phase was arrested, typical apoptotic peak appeared, the apoptotic rate was 22.81%-38.54% in three JLS granule-treated groups. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining FCM assay showed that the apoptotic cells were 4.36%, 3.08% and 7.08% in three dosages, most cells were localized in the low right quadrant. CONCLUSION：Jinlongshe granules possess anti-tumor effects on experimental tumor models in vivo, and apoptosis induction is one of its anti-tumor mechanisms.

Serial observations on an orthotopic gastric cancer model constructed using improved implantation technique

AIM:To establish a gastric cancer nude-mouse model with improved orthotopic implantation and investigate its biological characteristics at different time points.METHODS:Human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell suspensions were injected subcutaneously into a nude mouse to develop solid tumors,and the tumor tissue pieces were implanted under the serous coat.The nude mice were then euthanized in group every two weeks to observe the primary tumor growth and metastases.RESULTS:Within 2-4 wk,there were no obvious chang-es about the primary tumor in stomach.At the sixth week,the primary tumor began to grow fast,resulting in incrassation of the gastric wall and stenosis of the gastric cavity,and metastases into the liver and lymph nodes were detected.The tumor,which compressed the adjacent organs,gradually became bigger and bigger followed by stenosis or vanishment of the gastric cavity from 8 to 12 wk.There were massive metastases,and the rate of metastasis was 58%in lymph nodes,78%in liver,39%in kidney,and 81%in peritoneum or septum.CONCLUSION:A gastric cancer model is established,which can simulate the clinical tumor behavior and provide experimental carrier for clinical trials of gastric cancer treatment.

Effects of lipid shell microbubble on ultrasound mediated EGFP gene delivery to transplanted tumors:initial experience

Objective： To investigate the feasibility of ultrasound （US） mediated enhanced green fluorescent protein （EGFP） gene delivery in subcutaneous transplanted tumors of human cervical carcinoma （He/a） and the contribution of lipid shell microbubble （LSMB） on gene transfection. Methods： LSMB and plasmid were injected into nude mice by tail vein followed local US irradiation （P ＋ LSMB ＋ US group）. US exposure parameter was set at 2.0 W/cm2, 2 rain, duty cycle 20%. EGFP expression was evaluated by imaging for 7 days. Nude mice undergoing plasmid injection alone （P group）, plasmid injection and US exposure （P ＋ US group）, plasmid and LSMB injection （P ＋ LSMB group） were used as controls. Frozen section and histological examinations were conducted. Expression of EGFP was scored. Kinetics of protein expression post transfection and localization in vivo were evaluated. Results： Plasmid injection with LSMB plus US exposure strongly increased gene transfer efficiency. Strong EGFP expression was mainly seen in LSMB ＋ P ＋ US group. It was significantly higher than any of the following groups, P group, US ＋ P group, or LSMB ＋ P group （P 〈 0.01）./n vivo expression level of post-US 3 days was significantly higher than any other time points （P 〈 0.01）. There was not significant expression level of EGFP in other organs or tissues regardless of US exposure. No tissue damage was seen histologically. Conclusion： The combination of LSMB and US exposure could effectively transfer plasmid DNA to transplanted tumors without causing any apparently adverse effect. LSMB could be effective as a non-viral vector system in in vivo gene delivery. It would be a safe gene delivery method and provide an alternative to current clinical gene therapy.

Early steroid withdrawal after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the impact of early steroid withdrawal on the incidence of rejection, tumor recurrence and complications after liver transplantation for advanced- stage hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Fifty-four patients underwent liver transplantation for advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma from April 2003 to June 2005. These cases were divided into a steroid-withdrawal group (group A, n = 28) and a steroid-maintenance group (group B, n = 26). In group A, steroid was withdrawn 3 mo after transplantation. In group B, steroid was continuously used postoperatively. The incidence of rejection, 6-mo and 1-year recurrence rate of carcinoma, 1-year survival rate, mean serum tacrolimus trough level, and liver and kidney function were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In the two groups, no statistical difference was observed in the incidence of rejection (14.3 vs 11.5%, P > 0.05), mean serum tacrolimus trough levels (6.9 ± 1.4 vs 7.1 ± 1.1 μg/L, P > 0.05), liver and kidney function after 6 mo [alanine aminotransferase (ALT): 533 ± 183 vs 617 ± 217 nka/L, P > 0.05; creatinine: 66 ± 18 vs 71 ± 19 μmol/L, P > 0.05], 6-mo recurrence rate of carcinoma (25.0 vs 42.3%, P > 0.05), and 1-year survival rate (64.2 vs 46.1%, P > 0.05). The 1-year tumor recurrence rate (39.2 vs 69.2%, P < 0.05), serum cholesterol level (3.9 ± 1.8 vs 5.9 ± 2.6 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and fasting blood sugar (5.1 ± 2.1 vs 8.9 ± 3.6 mmol/L, P < 0.01) were signifi cantly different. These were lower in the steroid-withdrawal group than in the steroid- maintenance group. CONCLUSION: Early steroid withdrawal was safe after liver transplantation in patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. When steroids were withdrawn 3 mo post-operation, the incidence of rejection didnot increase, and there was no demand to maintain tacrolimus at a high level. In contrast, the tumor recurrence rate and the potential of adverse effects decreased signifi cantly. This may have led to an increase in long-term survival rate.

Hepatocytes isolated from neoplastic liver-immunomagnetic purging as a new source for transplantation

AIM： To investigate whether hepatocytes isolated from macroscopically normal liver during hepatic resection for neoplasia could provide a novel source of healthy hepatocytes, including the development of reliable protocols for malignant cells removal from the hepatocyte preparation. METHODS： Hepatocytes were procured from resected liver of 18 patients with liver tumors using optimised digestion and cell-enrichment protocols. Suspensions of various known quantities of the HT-29 tumor cell line and patient hepatocytes were treated or not with Ep-CAM-antibody-coated immunomagnetic beads in order to investigate the efficacy of tumor-purging by immunomagnetic depletion, using a semi-quantitative RT-PCR method developed to detect tumor cells. Immunomagnetic bead-treated or bead-untreated tumor cell-hepatocyte suspensions were transplanted intra-peritoneally in Balb/C nude mice to assess the rates of tumor development. RESULTS： Mean viable hepatocyte yield was 9.3×10^6 cells per gram of digested liver with mean viability of 70.5%. Immunomagnetic depletion removed tumor cells to below the RT-PCR detection-threshold of 1 tumor cell in 10^6 hepatocytes, representing a maximum tumor purging efficacy of greater than 400000-fold. Transplanted, immunomagnetic bead-purged tumor cell-hepatocyte suspensions did not form peritoneal tumors in Balb/C nude mice. Co-transplantation of hepatocytes with tumor cells did not increase tumorigenesis of the tumor cells. CONCLUSION： Immunomagnetic depletion appears to be an effective method of purging contaminating tumor cells to below threshold for likely tumorigenesis. Along with improved techniques for isolation of large numbers of viable hepatocytes, normal liver resected for neoplasia has potential as another clinically useful source of hepatocytes for transplantation.

Liver transplantation for acute hepatic failure due to chemotherapy-induced HBV reactivation in lymphoma patients

Hepatitis B （HBV） reactivation induced by chemotherapy is problem encountered recently in the management of malignant diseases. Chemotherapy-induced HBV reacti- vation may ultimately lead to terminal acute liver failure. Liver transplantation （LT） currently remains the only definitive treatment option for such cases, but is generally denied to patients suffering from malignancy. Here, the authors describe 2 cases of cancer-free and HBV graft renfection-free survival after LT performed for terminal liver failure arising from HBV reactivation induced by chemotherapy for advanced stage lymphoma. These 2 cases, and some other reports in the literature, may suggest that patients suffering from hematologic malignan- cies and terminal liver disease can be considered for LT if the prognosis of their hematologic malignancy is good.

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma on cirrhosis:Strategies to avoid tumor recurrence

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most frequent neoplasms worldwide and in most cases it is associated with chronic liver disease.Liver transplantation(LT) is potentially the optimal treatment for those patients with HCC who have a poor functional hepatic reserve due to their underlying chronic liver disease.However,due to the limited availability of donors,only those patients whose oncologic profile is favorable can be considered for LT.Despite the careful selection of candidates based on strict rules,10 to 20%of liver transplant recipients who have HCC in the native cirrhotic liver develop tumor recurrence after transplantation.The selection criteria presently employed to minimize the risk of recurrence are based on gross tumor characteristics defined by imaging techniques;unfortunately,the accuracy of imaging is far from being optimal.Furthermore,microscopic tumor features that are strictly linked with prognosis can not be assessed prior to transplantation.Pre-transplantation tumor downstaging may allow transplantation in patients initially outside the selection criteria and seems to improve the prognosis;it also provides information on tumor biology.Themain peculiarity of the transplantation setting,when this is compared with other modalities of treatment,is the need for pharmacological immunosuppression:this is based on drugs that have been demonstrated to increase the risk of tumor development.As HCC is an aggressive malignancy,immunosuppression has to be handled carefully in patients who have HCC at the time of transplantation and new categories of immunosuppressive agents should be considered.Adjuvant chemotherapy following transplantation has failed to show any significant advantage.The aim of the present study is to review the possible strategies to avoid recurrence of HCC after liver transplantation based on the current clinical evidence and the more recent developments and to discuss possible future directions.

Portal venous arterialization resulting in increased portal inflow and portal vein wall thickness in rats

AIM： To explore the influence of portal vein hemodynamic changes after portal venous arterialization （PVA） on peribiliary vascular plexus （PVP） morphological structure and hepatic pathology, and to establish a theoretical basis for the clinical application of PVA. METHODS： Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control and PVA groups. After PVA, hemodynamic changes of the portal vein and morphological structure of hepatohilar PVP were observed using Doppler ultrasound, liver function tests, ink perfusion transparency management and three-dimensional reconstruction of computer microvisualization, and pathological examination was performed on tissue from the bile duct wall and the liver. RESULTS： After PVA, the cross-sectional area and blood flow of the portal vein were increased, and the increase became more significant over time, in a certain range. If the measure to limit the flow in PVA was not adopted, the high blood flow would lead to dilatation of intrahepatic portal vein and its branches, increase in collagen and fiber degeneration in tunica intima. Except glutamic pyruvic transaminase （GPT）, other liver function tests were normal. CONCLUSION： Blood with a certain flow and oxygen content is important for filling the PVP and meeting the oxygen requirement of the bile duct wall. After PVA, It is the anatomic basis to maintain normal morphology of hepatohilar bile duct wall that the blood with high oxygen content and high flow in arterialized portal vein may fill PVP by collateral vessel reflux. A adequate measure to limit blood flow is necessary in PVA.

Macro-regenerative nodules in biliary atresia:CT/MRI findings and their pathological relations

AIM: To describe the radiological findings of a macro-regenerative nodule (MRN) in the liver of pre-transplantation biliary atresia (BA) patients and to correlate it with histological findings. METHODS: Between August 1990 and November 2007, 144 BA patients underwent liver transplantation (LT) at our institution. The pre-transplantation computer tomograghy (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were reviewed and correlated with the post-transplantation pathological findings. RESULTS: Nine tumor lesions in 7 patients were diagnosed in explanted livers. The post-transplantation pathological findings showed that all the lesions were MRNs without malignant features. No small nodule was detected by either MRI or CT. Of the 8 detectable lesions, 6 (75%) were in the central part of the liver, 5 (63%) were larger than 5 cm, 5 (63%) had intra- tumor tubular structures, 3 (38%) showed enhancing fibrous septa, 3 (38%) had arterial enhancement in CT, one (13%) showed enhancement in MRI, and one (13%) had internal calcifications. CONCLUSION: Although varied in radiological appearance, MRN can be differentiated from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in most of BA patients awaiting LT. The presence of an arterial-enhancingnodule does not imply that LT is withheld solely on the basis of presumed malignancy by imaging studies. Liver biopsy may be required in aid of diagnostic imaging to exclude malignancy.