Objective To study the effect of STAT3 signaling pathways on p44/42MAPK and cell growth in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods The siRNA directed against STAT3 was transfected into HepG2 cells. Cell growth was measured by MTT assay and STAT3 and p44/42MAPK protein expression were measured by Western blot. Results A significant decrease in the number of viable cells（q=9.36，P<0.05）was found in the siRNA transfection group as compared to that in the control or the LipofectamineTM2000 transfected groups；SiRNA inhibited cell growth with the inhibition rates of 33.2% at 24h，39.6% at 48h，43.1% at 72h，and 33.9% at 96h；At 72h and 96h after the transfection，STAT3 protein expression was inhibited and P44/42MAPK protein expression was not influenced and p-p44/42MAPK protein expression was increased.Conclusion siRNA against STAT3 may affect cell growth in vitro.

Objective To investigate the changes of plasma neurotensin（NT）and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP）in rats with acute liver failure（ALF）. Methods Thioacetamide was used to induce ALF models in rats. The plasma NT and CGRP levels in rats with ALF were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results The plasma levels of NT and CGRP in rats with ALF were significantly higher than those in the normal control rats；the plasma NT and CGRP levels increased progressively consistent to the degree of hepatic encephalopathy at 12h，24h，36h and 48h.Conclusion The plasma levels of NT and CGRP may be the useful markers for early diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy in rats with ALF.

Objective To explore HBV and HCV prevalence in patients with persistent blood dialysis. Methods There were 435 patients with persistent blood dialysis for renal diseases in this study，including 16 patients in group 1 having persistent blood dialysis longer than 10 years，47 patients between 5 to 10 years in group 2，184 patients between 1 to 5 years in group 3，and 188 patients less than 1 year in group 4. HBsAg and anti-HCV were determined by ELISA. Results The prevalence of HBV and HCV were 18.4%（80/435）and 7.6%（33/435），respectively in this series；the prevalence of HCV in group 1 was significantly higher than that in other 3 groups（P<0.01）；unexpectedly，HBV prevalence in group 4 was significantly higher than that in other 3 groups（P<0.01）. Conclusions Patients under persistent blood dialysis are at high risk of HBV and HCV infection.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of peg-IFN α-2a in treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Method 34 patient with chronic hepatitis B received PEG-IFN α-2a treatment for more than 1 year，and their alanine aminotransferase，HBV DNA and HBV markers were detected before and after the treatment. Result After treatment of 48 weeks，the alanine aminotransferase normalization rate occurred in 24（70.6%）out of 34 patients；HBV DNA negative rate occurred in 29（76.5%）of the patients；HBeAg negative rate occurred in 6（20.7%）of the patients. For 3 patients who received treatment for 72 weeks，HBeAg seroconversion was detected in 2 patients and HBsAg seroconversion was detected in 1 patient.Conclusion The results suggest that peg-IFN α-2a therapy is effective in patient with chronic hepatitis B.

Objective We conducted a pilot clinical trial to observe the efficacy of lamivudine in the treatment of hepatitis B patients with liver failure. Methods A total of one hundred and eighty-two patients with liver failure caused by hepatitis B were divided into group A（acute-or subacute-on chronic，n=90）and group B（chronic，n=92）. Lamivudine were given for patients in subgroup A2（n=50）and B2（n=51），while patients in subgroup A1（n=40）and B1（n=41）didn’t received lamivudine. Patients in every groups were treated with supporting and matrine therapy. Results After a mean period of 1.5 month treatment，23 patients（57.5%）in subgroup A1 and 16 patients （32.0%，P<0.05）in subgroup A2 died，whereas after a mean period of 2.5 month treatment，22 patients（53.7%）in subgroup B1 and 24（47.1%，P>0.05）in subgroup B2 died；lamivudine therapy improved ALT normalization both in group A and group B；at the end of 6-mon follow up，80% of patients in subgroup A2 and subgroup B2 were with serum HBV DNA negative，while all patients in subgroup A1 and subgroup B1 were with serum HBV DNA positive.Conclusion Lamivudine can improve the survival of patients with acute- or subacute-on chronic hepatitis b-induced liver failure.

Objective To study the clinical features and antibiotic resistance in liver cirrhosis patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis（SBP）. Methods 135 cirrhotic patients with SBP were studied and their body temperature，abdominal symptoms and signs，leucocyte and polymorphonuclear cells in blood and ascites before and after therapy were observed. Results 111 patients（82.2%）had varying degrees of fever. Abdominal symptoms existed in 122 cases（90.4%）. Patients with ascites and refractory ascites were 120 cases（88.9%）and 95 cases（70.4%）. Peripheral WBC>10.0×109/L in 29 cases（21.5%），neutrophil>70% in 86 cases（63.0%）． Ascites WBC>0.5×109/L in 61 cases（45.2%），and PMN>50% in 78 cases（57.8%）． Of 118 cases with ascites cultured，30 （25.4%）were positive. Gram-negative bacteria in 25 cases（83.3%），and Gram-positive bacteria in 5 cases（16.7%）. The detected Gram-negative bacteria resisted to the majority of commonly used antimicrobial drugs. After therapy，the patients’body temperature，abdominal symptoms and signs improved（P<0.01）. 40 cases（29.63%）recovered，48 cases（35.56%）improved，47 cases（34.81%）were deteriorated and 15 cases died.Conclusion Clinical symptoms in patients with SBP are atypical and the diagnosis of SBP mainly depends on clinical and ascites examination.

Objective To identify the relationship between hepatitis B viral（HBV）DNA levels and hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC）recurrence in patients undergoing transcatherter arterial chemoembolization（TACE）. Methods 193 patients with HBV-related HCC were treated with TACE. Then，the risk factors for posttreatment recurrence of HCC were analyzed. Results 169 cases（87.6%）developed tumor recurrence two years after TACE；Multivariate analysis showed that Child-Pugh class B or C，multiple tumors，larger tumors and high HBV viral DNA levels were the independent risk factors for recurrence of HCC.Conclusion High serum HBV DNA level before TACE is one of the most important risk factors for posttreatment recurrence.

Objective To investigate the expressions of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1（SOCS1），vascular endothelial growth factor receptor（VEGFR2）and epidermal growth factor receptor（EGFR）in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. Methods The expression of SOCS1 were examined with immunohistochemical technique in the specimens from 63 HCC tissues，51 paracarcinoma tissues，11 LC tissues，and 11 normal liver tissues，and the expressions of VEGFR2 and EGFR in 27 and in 41 HCC tissues，respectively. Results The positive rate of SOCS1 expression was significantly higher in paracarcinoma tissues than that in the HCC tissues（P<0.001），and it was not positive in LC and normal liver tissues；The expression of SOCS1 was significantly correlated with the size of tumor（P<0.001）；There was no significant correlation between the expression of SOCS1 and the expression of VEGFR2 or EGFR in HCC tissues. Conclusions The expression of SOCS1 is closely correlated with the occurrence and development of HCC.

Objective To investigate the serum levels of extracellular matrix protein 1（ECM1），matrix metalloproteinase-9（MMP-9）and vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF）in patients with HCC. Methods Serum levels of ECM1，MMP-9 and VEGF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 40 patients with HCC. Results The serum ECM1，MMP-9 and VEGF levels were 150.01±5.85pg/ml，467±30.81μg/l and 751.29±51.08pg/ml；The serum levels of them were significantly associated with tumor capsula，TNM stage，lymph metastasis and Edmondson grade；ECM1 levels was positively correlated with MMP-9 and VEGF levels（r=0.438，P=0.005；r=0.427，P=0.006）.Conclusion ECM1 may stimulate angiogenesis，metastasis and invasion of HCC via interaction with MMP-9 and VEGF.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of alcoholic liver disease（ALD）in residents of Liaoning Province. Methods The survey included 18020 persons，and physical examination，hepatic ultrasonic scan and the detection of ALT，GGT，HBsAg，HCV were carried out in 6598 persons out of them. Results One thousand seven hundred and eight people（26.98%）had long-term alcohol habits；The rate of drinking alcohol in males was higher than in females（54.55% vs. 5.46%），and their average weekly alcohol consumption was higher（223.27±258.88g/Wvs.114.12±199.85g/w，P=0.042）；the average age of men was older than women（41.14±9.56 vs.36.48±10.21 yr，P=0.002）；We found 450 cases with ALD in this series. Conclusions More than 1/4 persons have drinking alcohol habits in Liaoning Province. The incidence of ALD is 6.1%，and the incidence of AFL or mild liver damage，AH，and ALC are 4.29%，2.18% and 0.35%.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of Dangfei Liganning capsule combined with essentiale N in the treatment of patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Methods Eighty patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. Patients in treatment group were treated with Dangfei Liganning capsule and essentiale N，while patients in control group were treated only with essentiale N. Before and after eight weeks treatment，the changes in symptoms，liver function tests，blood lipid，FBG and liver ultrasound were analyzed. Results The rates of symptoms alleviation such as pain in the hepatic region，fatigue，anorexia and abdominal distension in the treatment group were higher than in the control group（P<0.01 or P<0.05）；the concentrations of ALT，AST and TC were reduced，and the liver ultrasound appearance of all the patients was improved；the remission of TG，LDL-C，liver function，FBG and the liver steatosis in ultrasound examination were better in the treatment group than in the controls（P<0.01，P<0.001 or P<0.05）.Conclusion Dangfei Liganning capsule combined with essentiale N can effectively ameliorate symptoms，improve liver function tests and liver steatosis，and lower FBG and blood lipid in the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients.

Objective To explore the relationship between cardiac diastolic function and liver function in patients with nonalcoholic steatosis hepatitis（NASH）. Methods 64 patients with simple fatty liver（SFL），56 patients with NASH and 120 matched healthy controls were examined by color Doppler echocardiography in this study. Diastolic cardiac dysfunction（DCD）was defined when the patient had an E/A ratio less than 1. Results The incidence of diastolic cardiac dysfunction in patients with NASH was significantly higher than that in patients with SFL and normal controls（44.6% vs. 10.9% and 5.0%，P<0.01）；NASH patients had an lower E/A ratio than normal controls and SFL patients（1.0±0.3 vs. 1.3±0.20 and 1.3±0.20，P<0.01）；and the patients with NASH had a significantly higher level of serum ALT，AST and GGT than in patients with SFL.Conclusion DCD is commonly seen in patients with NASH.

Objective To evaluate clinical therapeutic effecttiveness of stereotactic conformal radiotherapy（body gamma knife）for patients with pancreatic carcinoma. Methods 58 patients with pancreatic carcinoma were treated with stereotactic conformal radiotherapy. Planning target volume received 50%～90% of the prescribed dose for 3～6Gy per fraction. The total doses in tumor margins were 30～48Gy. The therapy was repeated one time each day for 10～15times. Results In the 58 patients，CR was 8.6%，PR 37.9%，NC 43.1% and PD 10.3%，with a total response rate of 46.6% at three months after treatment. The 1- yr survival rates of patients were 62.2%. Conclusion The stereotactic conformal radiotherapy technique is a safe and effective treatment for patients with pancreatic carcino

Objective To observe incidence and management of liver injuries in patients with tuberculosis complicated with hepatitis B viral infection during antituberculosis therapy. Methods 823 patients with tuberculosis were divited into group A without HBV infection,group B with HBsAg positive and HBV DNA negative，and group C and D with HBsAg and HBV DNA positive. All patients received anti-tuberculosis therapy，except patients in group D who were treated with nucleoside analogue one week before anti-tuberculosis treatment. Results The incidence of liver injuries in four groups were 28.1%，32.1%，65.4% and 29.2%（P<0.001 as group C was compared with other three groups）；The incidence of liver injuries in four groups at an half month of treatment were 5.7%，22.2%，70.6% and 14.3%（P<0.001）.Conclusion The patients with tuberculosis and HBV infection have high incidence of liver damage during antituberculosis therapy. The administration of nucleoside analogue in time might decrease the incidence of liver injuries.