Objective To screen RNA interference（RNAi）targets on connective tissue growth factor（CTGF） and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1（TIMP-1）in vitro. Methods Three candidates RNAi targets for rat's CTGF and TIMP-1 gene were designed and the double-stranded RNA（dsRNA）were synthesized. Then，single or different combined dsRNAs were transfected into rat hepatic stellate cells（HSCs）activated by TGF-β1.The procol-α1，CTGF and TIMP-1 mRNA were detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR，and hepatic fibrosis indexes in HSC supernatant were detected by radioimmunoassay. Results The CTGF mRNA and procol-α1 mRNA were inhibited at 68.09% and 65.03%，respectively in CTGF-3 group when single RNAi targeted on CTGF gene was used，and the TIMP-1 mRNA and procol-α1 mRNA were inhibited at 68.55% and 62.84%，respectively in TIMP-1-3 group when single RNAi targeted on TIMP-1 gene was used；When double RNAi targeted on CTGF gene and TIMP-1 gene were used，the CTGF mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA were inhibited at 76.60% and 79.03%，respectively in CTGF-3/TIMP-1-3 group，while CTGF-2/TIMP-1-3 group had the most effective effect on inhibiting procol-α1 mRNA with inhibition rate of 85.79%. Conclusion The most effective RNAi targets on CTGF and TIMP-1 were selected successfully and the double RNAi targeting on CTGF and TIMP-1 were stronger than any single RNAi.

Objective To investigate the effects of acetoacetate extractive of celastrus orbiculatus thunb on HepG2 cells. Methods The proliferation of cells were tested with CCK-8；The cell cycles and the apoptosis of HepG2 cells intervened by acetoacetate extractive of celastrus orbiculatus thunb were detected by flow cytometry； The change of caspase-3 activity in HepG2 cells were detected by spectrophotometer. Results Acetoacetate extractive of celastrus orbiculatus thunb induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells in an obvious dose-and time-dependent manner，and the IC50 at 24h，48h，72h was 111.8μg/ml，99.7μg/ml and 43.0μg/ml；The cell cycle stopped at G0-G1 phase after 24 hours of action at 240μg/ml of acetoacetate extractive of celastrus orbiculatus thunb treatment （P=0.01）；Compared with control，the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells obviously increased by intervention of acetoacetate extractive of celastrus orbiculatus thunb（F=5.449，P<0．05）；the caspase-3 activity increased when HepG2 cells were treated at 30μg/ ml，60μg/ml and 120 μg/ml of the extracts of celastrus for 24h and 48h，respectively. Conclusions The acetoacetate extractive of celastrus orbiculatus thunb could inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of HepG2 cells，which might be related to the increased caspase 3 activity.

Objective To study the effect of Ganfukang compound，a Chinese traditional herb medicine，on the expression of some regulatory factors of Wnt signaling pathway in hepatic stellate（HSC）-T6 cells. Methods HSC-T6 was dealt with middle concentration of Ganfukang compound. The expression changes of Wnt1，Gsk-3β，β-catenin，cyclinD1 and α-SMA were analysed by RT-PCR and Western-blot. Results Except Gsk-3β，the expression of Wnt1，β-catenin，cyclinD1 and α-SMA were downregulated after treated with Ganfukang compound. Conclusion The anti-fibrosis roles of Ganfukang compound are related to several key regulatory factors in Wnt/β-catenin pathway，which might inhibit the transcription of α-SMA and decrease the production of extracellular matrix.

Objective To predict the hepatic pathological gradings and stagings by serum cholinesterase （Che）activity in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods 419 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B were enrolled in the present study，and their hepatic pathological diagnosis were made and serum Che activity were determined. Results There were significant differences of serum Che activity between G1 and G2，G2 and G3，G3 and G4（P＝0.000，0.000，0.014）；There were significant differences of serum Che activity between S2 and S3，and S3 and S4（P＝0.000，0.000）；The accurate rates by Che were 55.65% for G1，28.25% for G2，27.83% for G3，and 66.67% for G4；and 43.33% for S0，6.49% for S1，19.01% for S2，31.11% for S3，and 71.29% for S4；The areas under ROC curve of serum Che activity for diagnosing G4 and S4 were 0.868 and 0.831（P＝0.000 and0.000）；The optimal cutoff value of serum Che activity for prodicting G4 and S4 were no more than 5.235×103u/L and 5.535×103u/L，respectively，and the sensitivity，specificity，and accuracy were 1.000 and 0.822，0.678 and 0.758，and 0.687 and 0.771，respectively. Conclusion Serum Che activity is an index for prodicting G4 and S4 in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of telbivudine in blocking intrauterine HBV transmission. Methods 28 pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B were treated by telbivudine（600mg/d）since 28 weeks of gestation to 4 weeks after delivery，and 30 pregnant women with HBV infection were without antiviral teatment.The newborn were given active/passive immunization. Results The HBV DNA levels in treatment group before delivery were significantly declined[7.5±0.6 lg copies/ml to 3.3±1.6lg copies/ml（t=9.59，P<0.001）]，while the serum HBV DNA levels in control group didn't change；the incidence of intrauterine HBV infection in control was 13.3%（4/30，x2=4.15，P<0.05），much higher than that in the treatment group（0%）；the untoward effect of telbivudine was mild and not different between the two group. Conclusion Telbivudine can reduce the incidence of intrauterine HBV infection in the late pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B viral infection.

Objective To investigate the expression of cytokines in the tissues of livers in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving interferon-α therapy. Methods 50 patients with hepatitis B were treated with interferon-α for six months. The serum hepatic fibrosis index were assayed，and some cytokines were detected by immunohistochemistry in hepatic tissues before and after the treatment. Results After six month treatment，the HBV DNA loss was found in 37（74%），and HbeAg seroconversion was found in 27（54%）patients；the serum fibrosis index decreased，and the histological activity index and hepatic fibrosis improved；the hepatic expression of transforming growth factor-β1，tumor necrosis factor α，Fas，tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and collogen I decreased（P<0.01），and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 increased（P<0.05）. Conclusion Interferon-α probably weakens the immunological injury of hepatocytes by decreasing hepatitis B virus load，alleviate inflammatory reaction and hepatic fibrosis.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of telbivudine and entecavir in the treatments of patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B（CHB）. Methods Sixty HBeAg -positive CHB patients were divided into telbivudine-and entecavir-treated group. The efficacy and safety of the two groups were assessed at 12 and 24 weeks. Results There were no significant differences in the rates of normalization of ALT and of HBV DNA undetectable between the two groups at week 12 and 24（P>0.05）；the loss and seroconversion rate of HBeAg at week 12 were significantly higher in the telbivudine group than in the entecavir group（36.7%vs. 14.3% and 26.7%vs. 6.7%，P<0.05）；there was no significant difference in the seroconversion rate of HBeAg between the two groups at week 24，but there was significant difference in the clearance rate of HBeAg between the two groups（46.7%vs.20.0%，P<0.05）；The high baseline ALT levels was the independent factor related to HBeAg seroconversion at week 24 in both groups. Conclusion Telbivudine and entecavir are both effective for treatment of patients with CHB，and serum HBeAg seroconversion rate in telbivudine group is higher than in entecavir group.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the factors influencing the short-term prognosis of patients with chronic severe hepatitis B（CSH）. Methods Clinical data of 155 patients with CSH were retrospectively analyzed. Results 60（38.7%）survived and 95（61.3%）died in this series；PTA（31.26±6.8%）and globulin（32.28±9.13g/l）in survivals were obviously higher than those in dead（26.11±9.76% and 29.32±7.14g/l，P<0.01，P<0.05）；the TBIL（335.74±123.27μmol/L），WBC（6.5±3.0×109/L）and neutrophil ratio（64.42±14.59%）in survivals were obviously lower than in dead（382.78±141.15μmol/L，8.8±5.4×109/L and 71.63±11.37%，P<0.05，P<0.05，P<0.01）；neutrophil ratio，globulin and PTA were strongly related to patients'prognosis. Conclusion It is important to predict the short-term prognosis of patients with CSH.

Objective To establish a prospective symptomatic survey database for patients with hepatitis B-induced hepatic failure. Method Nationwide inpatients with hepatitis B-induced hepatic failure coming from eighteen hospitals were surveyed and a database was established. Results A set of standardized information forms including inclusion and exclusion criteria were successfully established. A given patient's information could be entered and retrieved easily. A comprehensive analysis of the data could be conducted online. Conclusions The database is based on the clinical data especially on the traditional Chinese medicine involving four diagnostic information.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of thymosin α1 and plasma exchange in patients with chronic severe hepatitis B. Methods Conventional treatments combined with thymosin α1 and plasma exchange in 48 patients with chronic severe hepatitis B were observed. Results After treatment，the symptoms of the patients improved significantly；The TBIL，ALT and HBV DNA were reduced obviously（P＜0.01，P＜0.01，P＜0.01），while ALB and PTA increased（P＜0.05，P＜0.01）. 34（70.8％）survived. Conciusion Thymosin α1 and plasma exchange in treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B are safe and effective.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of plasma exchange in the treatment of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure（ACLF）. Methods 50 patients with ACLF were treated with plasma exchange on the basis of routine treatment. The hepatic function，coagulation tests and improvements of clinical symptoms were compared. Results After treatment，the patients' total bilirubin，alanine aminotransferase，aspartate aminotransferase，prothrombin time decreased（P<0.01），prothrombin time activity（PTA）increased（P<0.01），and clinical symptoms improved. 32 cases（64.0%）out of the 50 patients survived. The effective rates of early，middle and late stage of ACLF patients were 95.8％，43.8％ and 20.0％，respectively. Conclusions Plasma exchange is safe and effective in treatment of patients with ACLF.

Objective To investigate TANK binding kinase-1s in PBMC of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods The Tbk1s，Tbk1 and IFN-β genes in PBMCs from 21 patients with chronic hepatitis C were examined by using real-time PCR. Results The results showed that significant elevation of TBK 1s levels in hepatitis C patients as compared to that in normal control，while the treatment of hepatitis C patients with IFN-α/ribavirin resulted in the downregulation of TBK1s as compared to that in normal persons. Conclusions The study strongly supports the idea that TBK1s is correlated with HCV infection，and TBK1s may play an important role in the regulation of HCV infection.

Objective To develop a noninvasive dignositic model comprising of transabdominal ultrasonography and serum markers for assessing portal vein thrombosis（PVT）in liver cirrhosis patients. Methods During Jan，2007 to Jan，2010，280 cirrhotic patients were randomly allocated to either an estimation group or a validation group. Abdominal spiral CT was performed and whether portal vein thrombosis existed or not was assessed in every patient. Seventeen common ultrasonographic and serum markers were analyzed initially in the estimation group to derive a predictive model. The model created was then assessed with ROC analysis. It was also applied to the validation group to derive its accuracy. Results Among severteen variables associated with portal vein thrombosis selected by univariate analysis，the D-dimer，main portal vein width and platelet were indentified by multivariate Logistic regression analysis as independent risk factors of portal vein thrombosis. A portal vein thrombosis index constructed from the above three markers was established. In ROC analysis，the AUC was 0.864（0.753，0.946）for predicting existence of portal vein thrombosis using the optimal cutoff score. The diagonstic sensitivity，specificity， positive predictive value，negative predictive value and accuracy were 82.1%，86.7%，93.53%，64.58%，81.77% respectively. For the validation group，the AUC and diagnostic accuracy were 0.886（0.785，0.962）and 82.16% respectively. Conclusion A noninvasive model consisting of the D-dimer，main portal vein width and platelet is helpful in predicting existence of portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis.

Objective To study the treatment plan for huge and small primary liver cancer treated by stereotactic radiotherapy. Methods The patients with primary liver cancer were treated with γ-ray stereotatic radiotherapy（SRT）. 43 patients in group A，their planning target volume was no less than 300cm3（vptv≥300cm3）； 28 patients with 31 targets in group B，their planning target volume was no more than 100 cm3（vptv≤100cm3）； Results In group A，PTVs were surrounded by 50％～55％ isodose curve，the minimum dose of 3200～3900cGy were delivered to PTVs with the fraction dose of 300～350cGy，14～22 fields were needed in each treatment plan，and the index of dose homogeneity of target was 1.60～1.72；In group B，PTVs were surrounded by 70％～90％ isodose curve，the minimum dose of 4000～5400cGy were delivered to PTVs with the fraction dose of 400～600cGy，3 fields were needed at most in each treatment plan，and the index of dose homogeneity of target was 1.06～1.43；There was no normal tissue that couldn't tolerate the irradiation in the two groups. Conclusions Qualified treatment plan for both huge and small primary liver cancer treated by γ-ray stereotactic radiotherapy could be designed，but much more fields are needed in huge liver cancer than in small liver cancer. Dose in small liver cancer is more homogeneous than in huge liver cancer.

Objective To investigate the value of 64-slice spiral computed tomography in the diagnosis of cavemous transformation of portal vein（CTPV）. Methods A 64-slices spiral CT scanner was used to perform plain and three-phase contrast enhanced abdominal scanning in 22 patients with CTPV. Image post-processing techniques，including MPR，MIP and VR，were applied to depict the abnormal portal vein and its collateral vessels. Results The portal vein was not clearly seen on plain in 22 cases，while multiple soft tissue nodules and strips were found in the porta hepatis region. On dynamic enhanced scans，abnormal hepatic perfusion during arterial phase in 6 cases was demonstrated. On portal vein phase images the main trunk of portal vein and/or its left and right branches were dilated with filling defects in 11 cases. Inconspicuous portal veins were demonstrated. The main trunk of portal vein looked thin in 4 cases. The main trunk of portal vein was lumen stenosis as a result of tumor-infiltrating in 1 case. Pericholedochal venous plexus（86.36％），cystic vein（77.27％）and esophageal gastric veins（77.27％）were dilated and varicose， looking like clusters of spots and reticule. The courses and extents of the varicose vessels were directly demonstrated with MPR，MIP and VR techniques. Conclusion 64-slice spiral computed tomography can accurately show the location and the extent of CTPV. It can also optimize the collateral vessels of CTPV，so it is an effective examination method to diagnose CTPV.