INTRODUCTIONGastrin is a trophic gastrointestinal hormone which is secreted by G cell. Gastrin has long been considered a growth stimulatory hormone for mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract[1]. The growth responses of certain colorectal cancer cells, and xenografts, can be stimulated by endogenous gastrin[2]. Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of isozymes that plays a crucial role in transducing signals of many hormones, growth peptides,neurotransmitters, and its activation is crucial in tumor promotion[3]. PKC is also involved in regulating cellular proliferation[4].

INTRODUCTIONIn order to study the therapeutic mechanisms of emodin, an extract of Rhubarb (Rhizoma et Radix Rhei, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine), and sandostatin in the treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), we used the two drugs in rat models of the disease and observed the changes of plasma thromboxane-2 (TXB2),6-ketoprostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) and prostaglandin E2 (PEG2).

INTRODUCTIONEndothelins (ETs) has a potent and sustained vasoconstrictive effect on a variety of blood vessels.The vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) is the target for ETs. VSMC of the whole body contains endothelin receptor (ETR)[1]. A great number of experiments have shown that three distinct complementary DNAs of ETR have been identified i. e., endothelin A receptor (ETA receptor),endothelin B receptor ( ETB receptor ) and endothelin C receptor (ETc receptor). ETA receptor was expressed in VSMC responsible for the contraction[2]. The aim of this study is to confirm the effects of endotoxin on the activity of ETR, and the transcription and expression of ETA receptor mRNA in hepatic and intestinal tissues.

INTRODUCTIONVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which is also known as vascular permeability factor (VPF) is a heparin-binding, dimeric polypeptide growth factor and a potent mitogen for endothelial cells.VEGF can stimulate the endothelial cell growth and enhance the motility through its two known receptors flt-1 and KDR[1]. Acting through these receptors, VEGF may stimulate angiogenesis and promote tumor progression. VEGF12l, as one of the four VEGF protein isoforms containing the least number of amino acids, has all the biological function of VEGF and is the ideal isoforms for further studying VEGF at molecular levels[2]. In this study, we cloned

INTRODUCTION The esophageal carcinoma is a common malignant tumor in Linzhou City (Linxian) of Henan Province in northern China. Although the etiology and natural history of esophageal carcinoma are not clear, a substantial amount of evidence has been provided to suggest that the development of human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) is a multistage progressive process[1-4] An early indicator of abnormality in persons predisposed to esophageal SCC is an increased proliferation of esophageal epithelial cells,morphologically manifested as basal cell hyperplasia (BCH), and dysplasia (DYS), and carcinoma in situ, which could be considered precancerous lesions of esophageal SCC[1-4].

INTRODUCTIONThe treatment of human epithelial malignancies is limited by drug resistance and toxic and side effects,which results in the failure in the treatment of majority of advanced cancer victims. To seek for a new, and specific antineoplastic therapy will provide hope for tumor treatment. Although disordered intermediary metabolism in cancer cells has been known for many years, much of the work focused on abnormal glucose catabolism. At the same time, little attention has been paid to fatty acid synthasis in tumor tissues, dispite of the significance of fatty acid synthase (FAS) in some clinical human ovarian[1], breast[2], colorectal[3],and prostatic cancers[4,5]. Tumor cells which express high levels of fatty acid synthesizing enzymes use endogeneously synthesized fatty acids for membrance biosynthesis and appear to export large amounts of lipid. In contrast, normal cells preferentially utilize diary lipid.

INTRODUCTION According to the therapeutic effect and strategy of antisense RNA for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we have specifically synthesized partial cDNA of human insulin-like growth factor Ⅱ (IGFⅡ ) and constructed IGF-Ⅱ cDNA antisense eukaryotic expression vector. The constructed vector was introduced into hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721 to block the intrinsic IGF- Ⅱexpression. The biological behavior changes of hepatoma cells were observed. All these would provide scientific basis for IGF- Ⅱ antisense RNA in the treatment of HCC.

INTRODUCTIONThe liver is one of the organs, which have potential regenerative capability in mammalian animal[1].The study of the canine model indicated that the liver could regenerate to original size after 70% hepatectomy in only two weeks[2]. So it is a hot research topic for the cellular and molecular mechanism of liver regeneration. Accumulated results demonstrated that the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)[3], insulin-like growth factor Ⅰ and Ⅱ (IGF-Ⅰ, Ⅱ )[4], epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha)[5] and insulin[6] are among the most important growth factors for liver regenerative regulation. In recent years, a heat-stable protein in the serum of the patients with various liver diseases has been noted for its potential stimulation effects on the liver regeneration, and this growth factor is called hepatocyte-stimulatory substance (HSS).

INTRODUCTIONA newly discovered DNA virus,transfusion transmitted virus (TTV), was reported as a cause of post-transfusion hepatitis of unknown etiology in Japan[1]. In order to investigate TTV prevalence in southern China, a study was carried out among blood donors, patients with liver diseases and hemodialysis to determine the epidemiological charateristics.

INTRODUCTIONThe recent studies have shown that rhubarb has not only the effect of removing stasis by purgation, but also intestinal barrier effects[1,2]. In order to further clarify the intestinal barrier mechanism of rhubarb, we studied the effects of rhubarb decoction and the active ingredients of rhubarb on the cytoplasmic free calcium in isolated intestinal mononuclear cells (INT-MNC)

INTRODUCTIONMacrophages play an important role in tumor lysis and growth inhibition. They can be activated to a tumoricidal state by a variety of agents such as IFNr, TNFa or IL2. The killing machanisms of activated macrophages have been extensively investigated[1,2]. Recently, it has been proved that antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is one of the potent arms to lyse tumor cells resistant to cytotoxic macrophages,and that the antitumorous effect of a macrophage activator is significantly augmented by the combined use of mAbs capable of inducing ADCC to tumor cells[3].

INTRODUCTION Although liver transplantation for irreversible liver diseases is increasingly prevalent worldwide, patient die while waiting for donors because of organ shortages. One important problem commonly encountered is that fatty livers often affect the outcome of liver transplantation. It is reported that the incidence of abnormal fatty livers in autopsies after accidental death ranged from 15% to 24%.Since fatty livers may result in a primary nonfunction (PNF) liver graft, which contributes to an increased risk of mortality[1], they are usually out of consideration in liver transplantation.However, some fatty livers can be successfully transplanted. Therefore, how to choose fatty livers as donor organs correctly is the crux of success in liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTIONAlthough the long-term postoperative survival rate of gastric cancer (GC) patients has been improved significantly since the local dissection of lymph node was widely used in China, yet the low curative resection rate and the high recurrence rate from peritoneal and hepatic metastases hinder it from further improvement. To alter the current unsatisfactory status of GC treatment, a sequential triple therapeutic scheme (STTS), consisting of preoperative regional intra-arterial chemotherapy,curative resection of GC, and intra-operative or early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, was designed and adopted in this department since 1989. The follow-up data demonstrated that the therapeutic response of STTS is rather satisfactory.The results are reported as follows.

INTRODUCTION The antitumor activity of norcantharidin (NCTD),the demethylated analogue of cantharidin, was studied in the early 1980s in China. NCTD has no side effects on urinary organs which cantharidin has shown and is easier to synthesize, and it can inhibit the proliferation of several tumor cell lines as well as transplanted tumors. Clinical trials with NCTD as a monotherapeutic agent indicated that NCTD had beneficial effects in patients with different kinds of digestive tract cancers, such as primary hepatoma,carcinomas of esophagus and gastric cancer, but no depressive effect on bone marrow cells. NCTD can increase the white blood cell count by stimulating the bone marrow and has some antagonistic effect against leukopenia caused by other agents. The exact cellular and molecular mechanisms of NCTD on tumor cells have not yet been elucidated to date[1-3].

INTRODUCTIONAmino acid consumption test (AACT) has a high sensitivity and specificity in evaluating exocrine pancreatic insufficiency[1,2], but its diagnostic value to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in Chinese has not been well understood. In this study, the oral reagent stimulating pancreatic secretion (O-AACT) was used instead of cerulein (I-AACT) for amido acid consumption test and the dignostic efficiency of O-AACT was evaluated and compared with I-AACT on the exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in Chinese.

AIM To investigate the effects of taxol on SMMC-7721 human hepatoma and its mechanisms. MLETHODS In vitro cell growth was assessed by trypan blue exclusion method. Experimental hepatoma model was established by seeding SMMC-7721 cells subcutaneously into Balb/c (nu/nu) nude mice. In vivo tumor growth was determined by measurement of tumor diameter with Vernier calipers. The syntheses of DNA,RNA and protein were analyzed by incorporation of 3H-thymidine, 3H-uridine and 3H-leucine respectively. Using light and electron microscopes to observe the morphological changes of cells including mitosis and apoptosis.RESULTS Taxol was effective against SMMC 7721 human hepetoma cell growth in the ranges of 2.5 nmol/L - 10 nmol/L with mitotic arrest and apoptosis in vitro. DNA, RNA and protein syntheses in cells were also obviously suppressed by in vitro treatment of taxol for 72 h. Taxol at 2.5 nmol/L reduced 3H-thymidine uptake to about 34% of the control value (P＜0.05). Increasing the dose of taxol to 20 nmol/L resulted in a greater decrease in 3Hthymidine incorporation to 60% of the control value (P＜0.01). At a concentration of 20 nmol/L, the 3H-uridine and 3H-leucine uptakes were reduced to 52% (P＜0.05) and 63%(P＜0.01), respectively. In vivo, taxol significantly inhibited SMMC-7721 tumor growth at 10 mg/kg, i.p., once daily for 10 d. A more than 90% decrease in tumor volume was observed by day 11 (P＜0.01) similarly with mitotic arrest and cell apoptosis.CONCLUSION Taxol has a marked anticancer activity in SMMC-7721 human hepatoma both in vitro and in nude mice. Its mechanisms might be associated with mitotic arrest, subsequently,apoptosis of the hepatoma cells. No obvious toxicity was observed with in vivo administration of taxol.

AIM To investigate the expression of integrins in rats liver during 3 '-Me-DAB induced hepatocarcinogenesis and to find out the relationship between integrins and liver cancer metastasis.METHODS The expressions of integrins α1, α2,α3 and α5 and epidermal keratin (EK) were observed by immunohistochemical PAP method.RESULTS In the normal liver tissues,hepatocytes express integrins α1 and α5 and in the bile duct epithlium, EK. In liver cirrhosis,hepatocytes highly express integrins α1, α2, α3 and α5 and in hyperplsstic bile duct epithelium,integrins α1, α5 and EK. Expression of integrins α1, α2, α3 and α5 were obviously decreased in the preneoplsstic nodules and primary carcinoma but expressions of integrins α1 and α5 in metastasis in the lung and diaphragme were higher than those in primary carcinoma.CONCLUSION Integrins α1 and α5 may play a major role in chemically induced hepatocarcinogenssis and metastasis in rats.

AIM To evaluate the possibility of using cultured human hepatocytes as a bridge between bioartificial liver and liver transplantation.METHODS In this experiment, the efficacy of extracorporeal bioartificial liver support system (EBLSS) consisting of spheriodal human liver cells and cultured hepatocytes supernatant was assessed in vivo using galactosamine induced rabbit model of fulminant hepatic failure.RiESULTS There was no difference of survival between the two groups of rabbits, but in the supported rabbits serum alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin and creatinine were significantly lower and hepatocyte necrosis was markedly milder than those in control animals. In addition, a good viability of human liver cells was noted after the experiment.CONCLUSION EBLSS plays a biologic role in maintaining and compensating the function of the liver.

AIM To further study the properties of bile liquid crystals, and probe into the relationship between bile liquid crystals and gallbladder stone formation, and provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of cholecystolithissis.METNODS The optic properties of bile liquid crystals in human body were determined by the method of crystal optics under polarizing microscope with plane polarized light and perpendicular polarized light.RESULTS Under a polarizing microscope with plane polarized light, bile liquid crystals scattered in bile appeared round, oval or irregularly round. The color of bile liquid crystals was a little lighter than that of the bile around. When the stage was turned round, the color of bile liquid crystals or the darkness and lightness of the color did not change obviously. On the border between bile liquid crystals and the bile around, brighter Becke-Line could be observed. When the microscope tube is lifted, Becke. Line moved inward, and when lowered,Becke-Line moved outward. Under a perpendicular polarized light, bile liquid crystals showd some special interference patterns, called Malta cross. When the stage was tuming round at an angle of 360°, the Malta cross showed four times of extinction. In the vibrating direction of 45° angle of relative to upper and lower polarizing plate, gypsum test-board with optical path difference of 530 nm was inserted, the first and the third quadrants of Malta cross appeared to be blue, and the second and the fourth quadrants appeared orange. When mica test-board with optical path difference of 147 nm was inserted, the first and the third quadrants of Malta cross appeared yellow, and the second and the fourth quadrants appeared dark grey.CONCLUSION The bile liquid crystals were distributed in bile in the form of global grains. Their polychroism and absorption were slight,but the edge and Becke-Line were very clear. Its refractive index was larger than that of the bile.These liquid crystals were uniaxial positive crystals. The interference colors were the first order grey-white. The double refractive index of the liquid crystals was Δn = 0.011-0.015.

AIM To study the agglutination pattern of Helicobacter pylori coccoid and spiral forms.METHODS Assays of agglutination and agglutination inhibition were applied using fifteen commercial lectins. RESULTS Strong agglutination was observed with mannose-specific Concanavalin A (Con A ),fucose-specific Tetragonolobus purpureas ( Lotus A ) and N-acetyl glucosamine-specific Triticum vulgaris (WGA) lectins. Mannose and fucose specific lectins were reactive with all strains of H. pylori coccoids as compared to the spirals. Specific carbohydrates, glycoproteins and mucin were shown to inhibit H. pylori lectin-agglutination reactions. Pre-treatment of the bacterial cells with formalin and sulphuric acid did not alter the agglutination patterns with lectins. However, sodium periodate treatment of bacterial cells were shown to inhibit agglutination reaction with Con A, Lotus A and WGA lectins. On the contrary, enzymatic treatment of coccoids and spirals did not show marked inhibition of H. pylori-lectin agglutination. Interestingly, heating of H.pylori cells at 60℃ for 1 hour was shown to augment the agglutination with all of the lectins tested. CONCLUSION The considerable differences in lectin agglutination patterns seen among the two differentiated forms of H. pylori might be attributable to the structural changes during theevents of morphological transformation,resulting in exposing or masking some of the sugar residues on the cell surface. Possibility of various sugar residues on the cell wall of the coccoids may allow them to bind to different carbohydrate receptors on gastric mucus and epithelial cells. The coccoids with adherence characteristics like the spirals could aid in the pathogenic process of Helicobacter infection.This may probably lead to different clinical outcome of H. pylori associated gastroduodenal disease.

AIM To examine whether age alone or comorbidity is a risk factor for death in older adults who developed Clostridium difficile (Cd)colitis during hospitalization.METHODS A retrospective, observational study design was performed in our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, a 650-bed, urban,community-based, university-affiliated teaching hospital. 121 patients with a positive diagnosis of Cd colitis (aged 23- 97 years) were studied, and data pertinent to demographic variables,medical history, co-morbidity, physical examination, and laboratory results were collected. Age was examined as a continuous variable and stratified into Age1 (＜80 vs 80 + );Age2 ( ＜ 60, 60 - 69, 70 - 79 and 80 + ); or Age3 (＜ 60, 60 - 69, 70 - 79, 80 - 89, 90 + ).RESULTS Cd colitis occurs more frequently with advancing age (55% of cases ＞80 years).However, age, per se, had no effect on mortality. A history of cardiac disease (P= 0.036), recurrent or refractory infection ＞4 weeks (P--0.007), Iow serum total protein (P=0.034), Iow serum albumin (P=0.001),antibiotic use ＞4 weeks (P＜0.010), use of over 4 antibiotics (P=0.026), and use of certain classes of antibiotics (P = 0.035 - 0.004) were predictive of death. Death was strongly predicted by the use of penicillin-like antibiotics plus clindamycin, in the presence of hypoalbuminemia, refractory sepsis, and cardiac disease ( P = 0.00005). CONCLUSION Cd colitis is common in the very old. However, unlike co-morbidity, age alone does not affect the clinical outcome (survival vs death).

AIM To clone core gene cDNA of Chinese hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) into eukaryotic expression vector cosmid pTM3 and to express HCV core antigen in HepG2 cells.METHODS Core gene cDNA of HCV was introduced into eukaryotic expression vector cosmid pTM3. Using vaccinia virus/bacteriophage T7 hybrid expression system,HepG2 cells were transfected with the recombinant plasmid pTM3-Q534 by lipofectin.RESULTS From the transfected bacteria Top10F′, 2 pTM3-Q534 clones containing the recombinant plasmid were identified from randomly selected 10 ampicillin-resistant colonies. By reverse transcription PCR and indirect immunofluorescence technique, HCV RNA and core protein was identified in HepG2 cells transfected with the recombinant plasmid.CONCLUSION The construction of a recombinant plasmid and the expression of core gene cDNA of HCV in HepG2 was successful.

ALM In order to study the association between the null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 and the genetic susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS The genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 of 63 cases of HCC and 88 controls were detected with the multiple PCR technique.RESULTS The frequency of GSTM1 null genotype was 57.1% among the cases, and 42.0% among the controls, the difference being statistically significant (x2 = 3.35, P = 0.067),but X2 value approaching the significance level.The odds ratio was 1.84 (95% Cl=0.91 - 3.37).The frequency of GSTT1 non-null genotype was 87.3% among the cases and 62.5% among the controls, the difference being statistically significant (X2=11.42, P=0.0007274). The odds ratio was 4.13 (95% Cl = 1.64 - 10.70).According to the cross analysis, the GSTT1 nonnull genotype was more closely associated with HCC than GSTM1 null genotype, and these two factors play an approximate addlitive interaction in the occurrence of HCC.CONCLUSION The persons with GSTM1 nullgenotype and GSTT1 non-null genotype have the increased risk to HCC.

AIM To develop a safe and effective DNA vaccine for inducing humoral and cellular immunological responses against hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg).METHODS BALB/c mice were inoculated with NV-HB/s, a recombinant plasmid that had been inserted S gene of hepatitis B virus genome and could express HBsAg in eukaryotes. HBsAg expression was measured by ABC immunohistochemical assay, generation of anti-HBs by ELISA and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), by MTT method, existence of vaccine DNA by Southern blot hybridization and activation of oncogene C-myc by in situ hybridization.RESULTS With NV-HB/s vaccination by intramuscular injection, anti-HBs was initially positive 2 weeks after inoculation while all mice tested were HBsAg positive in the muscles. The titers and seroconversion rate of anti-HBs were steadily increasing as time went on and were dose-dependent. All the mice inoculated with 100 μg NV-HB/ s were anti-HBs positive one month after inoculation, the titer was 1:1024 or more. The humoral immune response was similar induced by either intramuscular or intradermal injection. CTL activities were much stronger (45.26%) in NV-HB/s DNA immunized mice as compared with those (only 6%) in plasmaderived HBsAg vaccine immunized mice. Two months after inoculation, all muscle samples were positive by Southern-blot hybridization for NV-HB/s DNA detection, but decreased to 25%and all were undetectable by in situ hybridization after 6 months. No oncogene Cmyc activation was found in the muscle of inoculation site.CONCLUSION NV-HB/s could generate humoral and cellular immunological responses against HBsAg that had been safely expressed in situ by NV-HB/s vaccination.

AIM To establish a new improved vascular anastomotic technique to simplify the surgical technique and increase the survivsl rate of small intestinal transplantation in rats.METHODS The graft removed en bloc consisted of entire small intestine, portal vein and aortic segment with superior mesenteric artery. The graft was perfused in situ and the gut lumen was irrigated during the operation.Heterotopic small bowel transplantation was performed by microvascular end-to-side anastomosis between the donor aortic segment with superior mesenteric artery and the recipient abdominal aorta, and by the formation of a "Cuff" anastomosis between the donor portal vein and the recipient left renal vein. Both ends of the grafts were exteriorized as stomas. RESULTS A total of 189 intestinal transplantations were performed in rats, 33 of which were involved in the formal experimental group, with a survival rate of 84.8%. The average time for the donor surgery was 80min ±10min; for graft repair 10min ± 3min; and for recipient surgery 95min ± 15min. The average time for the arterial anastomosis and the vein anastomosis was 18min ± 5min and imin,respectively. The warm ischemic time and cold ischemic time were 22min ± 5min and less than 60min, respectively. The whole operation was completed by a single surgeon, the operative time being about 3 hours. CONCLUSION The vascular anastomosis used in this study could simplify surgical technique,reduce the operative time and elevate the survival rate of small intestinal transplantation in rats.

AIM To investigate the interference of methionine-free parenteral nutrition plus 5-Fu (-MetTPN + 5-Fu) in gastric cancer cell kinetics and the side effects of the regimen.METHODS Fifteen patients with advanced gastric cancer were randomly divided into two groups, 7 patients were given preoperatively a seven-day course of standard parenteral nutrition in combination with a five-day course of chemotherapy (sTPN + 5-Fu), while the other 8 patients were given methionine-deprived parenteral nutrition and 5-Fu (-MetTPN + 5-Fu).Cell cycles of gastric cancer and normal mucosa were studied by flow cytometry (FCM). Blood samples were taken to measure the serum protein, methionine (Met) and cysteine (Cys)levels, and liver and kidney functions.RESULTS As compared with the results obtained before the treatment, the percentage of Gn/G1 tumor cells increased and that of S phase decreased in the -MetTPN + 5-Fu group, while the contrary was observed in the sTPN + 5-Fu group.Except that the ALT, AST and AKP levels were slightly increased in a few cases receiving -MetTPN + 5-Fu, all the other biochemical parameters were within normal limits. Serum Cys level decreased slightly after the treatment in both groups. Serum Met level of patients receiving sTPN + 5-Fu was somewhat higher after treatment than that before treatment; however,no significant change occurred in the -MetTPN +5-Fu group, nor operative complications in both groups.CONCLUSION -MetTPN + 5-Fu exerted a suppressive effect on cancer cell proliferation,probably through a double mechanism of creating a state of "Met starvation" adverse to the tumor cell cycle, and by allowing 5-Fu to kill specifically cells in S phase. Preoperative shortterm administration of-MetTPN + 5-Fu had little undesirable effect on host metabolism.

AIM To evaluale the potential role of P-selectin and anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody (mAb) in apoptosis during hepatic/renal ischemiareperfusion injury.METHODS Plasma P-selectin level, hepatic/renal P-selectin expression and cell apoptosis were detected in rat model of hepatic/ renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. ELISA, immunohistochemistry and TUNEL were used. Some ischemia-reperfusion rats were treated with antiP-selectin mAb.RESULTS Hepatic/ renal function insufficiency, up-regulated expression of P-selectin in plasma and hepatic/renal tissue, hepatic/renal histopathological damages and cell apoptosis were found in rats with hepatic/renal ischemiareperfusion injury, while these changes became less conspicuous in animals treated with anti-Pselectin mAb.CONCLUSION P-selectin might mediate neutrophil infiltration and cell apoptosis and contribute to hepatic/renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, anti-P-selectin mAb might be an efficient approach for the prevention and treatment of hepatic/renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

AIM To find out the difference of human primary liver carcinogenesis between Han and minority ethnic patients in Xinjiang.METHODS Expression of p53, c-erbB-2, Hrssp21 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in tumor tissues of 50 patients (Han 38, minority 12 ) with primary hepatic carcinoma was detected by immunohistochemistry (LSAB).RESULTS The positive frequency of p53, cerbB-2, H-rasp21 and PCNA expression was 46.0% (23/50), 70.0% (35/50), 68.0% (34/50)and 82.0% (41/50) in tumor tissues; 4.0% (2/50), 22.0% (11/50), 64.0% (32/50) and 52.0%(26/ 50 ) in peritumors respectively and a significant difference, except for H-rasp21, of oncogene alteration was found (P＜0.05)between tumor and non- tumorous tissues.Combined the three oncogenes alteration, 26%(13/50)tumor tissues had positive immunoreactivity, but in peritumor and normal livers it was negative. The positive rate of p53,c-erbB-2 and H-rasp21 protein expression was 39.5% (15/38), 60.5% (23/38) and 39.5% (15/38) in tumors of Han patients; 66.7% (8/12),100% (12/12) and 75.0% (9/12) in minorities respectively, with statistical difference (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Overexpression of p53, c-erbB-2 and H-rasp21 in human primary liver carcinoma is an important biomarker of genetic alteration.The different frequency of these oncogenetic changes may reflect some environmental or/and ethnic hereditary factors affecting the liver carcinogenesis. The special life style of Han,Uygur, Kazak and Mongolia nationalities in Xinjiang may also be related to the etiopathogenesis of this disease.

AIM To reveal the inhibitory effects of Curcuma aromatica oil ( CAO ) on cell proliferation of hepatoma in mice.METHODS Two tumor inhibitory experiments of CAO on hepatoma in mice were conducted.The inhibitory effects of CAO on proliferation of hepatoma in mice were evaluated by DNA image cytometry and immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).RESULTS The tumor inhibitory rates of CAO were 52% and 51% in two experiments,respectively. Compared with those of the salinetreated control groups, both differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.01). In the group of mice treated with CAO, the cellular nuclear DNA OD value (249 ± 70), areas (623μnm2 ±228 μm2) and DNA (2.38 ± 0.67) index of hepatic carcinomas were significantly lower than those of the control group (430 ± 160, 1073μm2 ± 101 um2 and 4.48 ± 0.71 ). CAO also could increase diploidy cell rates (29.00% ± 9.34% vs 2.97% ± 5.69%, P＜0.01 ) and decrease pentaploidy cell exceeding rate (30.04% ± 15.10% vs 70.89%±14.94%, P＜0.01). In the group of mice treated with CAO, the labeling indexes of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA-LI) were 30% ± 4%, which were significantly lower than 40% ± 6% of the control group (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION The inhibition of CAO on the growth of hepatoma in mice might be associated with its depression on cellular proliferative activity.

AIM To investigate the clinical features of FADD and TRADD expressions in primary hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) and to determine their relationship with hepatic apoptosis.METHODS FADD and TRADD expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry and hepatic apoptosis were determined by in situ endlabeling ( ISEL).RESULTS Ten (25.6%) cases of HCC were detected to express FADD protein. The positive rate in HCC is lower than that in non-cancerous adjacent liver tissues (62.5%) (P＜0.05). In those of grade Ⅰ - Ⅱ, 8 (38.1%) cases were FADD positive, while only 2/18 (11. 1%) cases of grade Ⅲ - Ⅳ had detectable FADD protein (P＜0.05). No relationship was found between FADD expression and other clinical features,such as gender, age, tumor size, differentiation or metastasis. ISEL positive cells can be seen in all cases of HCC. The hepatic apoptosis was associated with FADD expression as more apoptotic cells were detected in those cases which had moderately to strongly positive FADD, as compared with negative or weak positive FADD cases (P＜ 0.05). No relationship was found between FADD expression and hepatic apoptosis in non-cancerous adjacent liver tissues. Fifteen of 39 (38.5%) cases of HCC were found positive for TRADD protein, and similar positive rate (37.5%) in non-cancerous adjacent liver tissues (P ＞0.05). The expression of TRADD is correlated with HCC differentiation,as only 22.2% of moderately to highly differentiated HCC showed positive TRADD protein, while as high as 52.4% of poorly differentiated HCC had TRADD (P＜0.05). No relationship was found between TRADD expression and gender, age, tumor size or grade or metastasis, although 42.9% of HCC of grade Ⅰ/Ⅱ showed positive TRADD which was slightly higher than that of grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ (33.3%,P ＞ 0.05). Hepatic apoptosis was not related to TRADD expression in HCC or non-cancerous adjacent liver tissues.CONCLUSION Loss of FADD expression plays an important role in HCC carcinogenesis, and expression of TRADD also contributes to HCC development. The cell apoptosis in HCC is associated with FADD expression. However, the expression of TRADD does not correlate well with hepatic apoptosis in HCC.

INTRODUCTION It is axiomatic that the most effective and soundly based plan of treatment of any disorder is one aimed at the mechanism or mechanisms responsible for its development[1]. This basic notion, coupled with recent reports[2- 11] in which, surprisingly there is a total lack of reference to the probable involvement of autonomic-arc-reflexes in the physiopathogenesis of biliary acute pancreatitis have prompted this presentation. Undoubtedly, this disease entity has numerous causes, an obscure physiopathology, few effective remedies, and, often, an unpredictable outcome. At the turn of the century, Opie[12,13] brought to light the association between gallstone migration and acute pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION It has now been almost 20 years since the initial descriptions of a heretofore unrecognized disorder afflicting homosexual men and manifesting as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Kaposi′s sarcoma. With the identification of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the etiology of this syndrome, there has been exponential growth in our understanding of this devastating immune disorder. During the first decade of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), there was an explosion of cases in the United States and Africa.

INTRODUCTIONThe word omentum derives from the ancient Egyptians who, when embalming human bodies,used to assess their "omens" by looking at the variations in what we recognise today as the omentum[1] Galen(128 - 199 AD)thought that the role of the omentum was to warm the intestines.This was on the basis of a gladiator who had an omental resection after a stab injury and suffered greatly from cold for the rest of his life[2] A more conventional view of the omentum is that it plays a central role in peritoneal defence by adhering to sites of inflammation, absorbing bacteria and other contaminants, and providing leukocytes for a local immune response[3]. This review details current knowledge on the origins, structure, and function of the omentum, and discusses its role in the peritoneal cavity during various disease states.

INTRODUCTIONRadiology has been greatly advanced in China since its founding in 1949 and has been developed faster and further more since China adopted the policy of socioeconomic reform in 1978. It plays an increasingly important role in the medical health care and treatment in the country and has reached the world′s advanced level in certain fields. We now briefly review the history of China′s radiology so as to give a clear picture of its development.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BILIARY CALCULOUS DISEASES IN CHINA: THE CHANGING SCOPE Diseases of the biliary tract in China is complicated with the prevalence of primary infection of the bile duct system. In the middle of the 20th century, biliary infection, biliary parasitic infestation, and biliary stones made up the three chief components of biliary diseases in China. As to the calculous diseases of the biliary tract, the relative incidence of primary bile duct stones accounted for 50% of the total cases. Therefore, calculous disease accounted for 60.1% among 228 surgical cases in the Chongqing Southwest Hospital, and 60 of the 80 common bile duct stones were primary bile duct origin ( including primary intrahepatic duct stones)[1,2].

INTRODUCTIONEsophageal hematomas develop from the dissection of the mucosa from the muscular layers of the esophageal wall and represent an uncommon condition affecting all ages[t-3]. Although the most common cause of esophageal hematomas is iatrogenic mechanical injury-induced by prolonged nasogastric intubation, difficult or forceful endoscopic intubation, or the result of variceal injection sclerotherapy- some may be spontaneous,particularly in patients receiving anticoagulants[3-6]. Presenting symptoms most commonly include dysphagia, hematemesis, and sub-sternal or epigastric pain[5,9].