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Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with macroscopic vascular invasion and distant metastasis is an advanced-stage disease with an extremely poor prognosis and low survival rate. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic strategies to extend the lives of patients with advanced HCC. Case presentation We represent a case of HCC with macroscopic vascular invasion and pulmonary metastasis responding dramatically to the combination treatment with drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and Huaier granule. A 64-year-old man with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced liver cirrhosis was diagnosed with advanced HCC involved renal vein and inferior vena cava accompanied by pulmonary metastasis. The patient received three cycles of on-demand DEB-TACE from 9th September 2016 to 22nd August 2017 and combined with Huaier granule 20 g three times a day orally. Eight months following the treatment, complete response occurred with regression of HCC and vascular thrombus and disappearance of pulmonary metastasis. The levels of AFP had decreased from 8165.8ng/mL to within the normal range (1.7 ng/mL). This is the first case report of complete response of HCC to the combination treatment with DEB-TACE and Huaier granule. At the most recent follow-up, he remained in remission 36 months after cessation of treatment without clinical or imaging evidence of disease recurrence. The current overall survival is 54 months since the initial treatment. Conclusion Data from this clinical case report suggest that the combination treatment with DEB-TACE and Huaier granule is a promising therapeutic option for advanced HCC with macroscopic vascular invasion and distant metastasis.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the safety and therapeutic effectiveness of drug-eluting beads transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) with CalliSpheres® microsphere (CSM) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), and to analyze the prognostic factors. Method: Between November 2015 and November 2017, consecutive 58 HCC patients with PVTT who received DEB-TACE with CSM treatment were prospectively enrolled in this study. The demographic characteristics, adverse events (AEs) and treatment response were collected. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the independent factors correlated with OS. Results: The objective response rate (ORR) was 79.3% in terms of tumors and 44.8% in thrombi. The median PFS and OS of patients were 5.0 months and 9.0 months respectively. The cumulative survival rate at 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 18- and 24-month were 94.8%, 72.4%, 53.4%, 41.4%, 22.4% and 19.0%, respectively. In a stepwise multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, the higher Child-Pugh classification (HR=2.279; 95%CI, 1.042-4.985, p = 0.039) and tumor burden (p = 0.008) were the significant predictors of poorer OS after adjustment for known risk factors. The most common clinical AEs were postembolization syndrome (PES) and the most prevalent laboratory toxicity was transient liver function damage. Conclusion: DEB-TACE with CSM is safe and well-tolerated in HCC patients with PVTT, and reveals a favorable preliminary clinical outcome. The higher Child-Pugh classification and liver tumor burden are independent prognostic factors associated with poor survival for HCC patients with PVTT treated by DEB-TACE with CSM.

Purpose Gene-targeting therapy provides a novel therapeutic approach for tumor treatment using genetically modified endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) as cellular carriers. This study applied EPCs armed with cytosine deaminase (CD) and endostatin (ES) fusion gene in liver cancer to explore its therapeutic effect. Materials and methods EPCs from heart blood of male BALB/c nude mice were cultured and transfected with CD and ES fusion gene. Subsequently, these genetically modified cells were injected into mice bearing hepatoma through their tail veins. The tumor volumes and cell apoptosis were followed up. Results Tumor volume in the group injected CD/ES-EPCs greatly decreased. The positive rate of VEGF and CD31 in the tumor tissue was lowest in the CD/ES-EPC group. Furthermore, the number of apoptotic cells was highest in the CD/ES-EPC group. Conclusion The EPCs transfected with CD/ES inhibited tumor growth and preferentially induced tumor cell apoptosis, providing a novel methodology for cancer-targeting therapy.

Long non-coding RNA termed GAS6 antisense RNA 1 (GAS6-AS1) plays an essential role in gastric and non-small cell lung cancers. Nonetheless, the function of GAS6-AS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC...

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of doxorubicin-loaded drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) with CalliSpheres microspheres (CSM) in treating unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Methods: 88 unresectable ICC patients who received DEB-TACE treatment with CSM were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Information about treatment response, survival and adverse events were collected. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and factors affecting OS were determined by Cox's proportional hazards regression model. Results: Tumor response of the whole sample of 88 patients was partial response (PR) in 58 (65.9%) patients, stable disease (SD) in 19 (21.6%) and progressive disease (PD) in 11 (12.5%) at one month after therapy, with no complete responses (CR). The median PFS and OS were 3.0 months and 9.0 months respectively. Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis disclosed that subsequent treatment was an independent favorable prognostic factor, while cholangiectasis, extensive intrahepatic tumor burden and extrahepatic metastasis were the three prognostic factors associated with poor survival in ICC patients. Besides, common adverse events included nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain and transient elevation of liver transaminase in patients treated by DEB-TACE with CSM. Conclusion: DEB-TACE with CSM is safe and well-tolerated for unresectable ICC patients, with a low complication rate and a relative benefit in terms of survival. Subsequent treatments including systemic/loco-regional treatments is an independent favorable prognostic factor, but cholangiectasis, extensive intrahepatic tumor burden and extrahepatic metastases are the three prognostic factors associated with poor survival.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of infusion of gemcitabine (GEM) and fluorouracil (5-FU)through the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery in the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma (PC). Methods We analyzed 20 patients diagnosed clinically or pathologically with PC, without metastases, who had an estimated survival duration of >3 months in our department from May 2009 to December 2014. Nine patients were treated directly without surgical resection of the tumor, while the other 11 patients were treated after surgery. In all patients, the femoral artery was punctured using the Seldinger technique, and a catheter was placed in the opening of the celiac artery or the superior mesenteric artery. We administered 500 ​mg/m2 GEM and 500 ​mg/m2 5-FU. Observational data included data on clinical efficacy and survival rates during the follow-up period of 3–72 months. Results Twenty patients were treated 85 times with transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy (TAI). The survival rates were 80%, 40%, 35%, 20%, 10%, and 5% at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 72 months, respectively. Conclusion TAI chemotherapy with GEM and 5-FU may be a therapeutic option for the treatment of PC.

Systemic amyloidosis is a rare disease and patients with hepatic amyloidosis often present with hepatomegaly. Hepatomegaly can also be a feature of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD). We report here a case of systemic amyloidosis in a patient who was suspected of having HVOD. On the basis of computed tomography findings in the abdomen, HVOD was initially suspected in a 63-year-old man with the chief complaint of upper abdominal pain, ascites, and weight loss. Multiple patchy purpura and nerve symptoms were identified and these were due to amyloidosis. An increase in proteinuria and immunoglobulin κ light-chain levels, and thickening of the ventricular wall supported the diagnosis of systemic light-chain amyloidosis involving the liver, heart, kidney, skin, and nerves. This diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination of a bone marrow core biopsy with Congo red dye. Sequential treatment of bortezomib and dexamethasone led to good results in the patient. Findings of this rare case indicate that HVOD can be diagnosed without a definite history of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or pyrrolizidine alkaloid ingestion, but more evidence is required to make an accurate diagnosis. Importantly, we speculate that HVOD is a rare characteristic of liver involvement in systemic amyloidosis.

// Tan-Yang Zhou 1, 2 , Jun-Hui Sun 1, 2 , Yue-Lin Zhang 1, 2 , Guan-Hui Zhou 1, 2 , Chun-Hui Nie 1, 2 , Tong-Yin Zhu 1, 2 , Sheng-Qun Chen 1, 2 , Bao-Quan Wang 1, 2 , Wei-Lin Wang 1, 2 and Shu-Sen Zheng 1, 2 1 Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Interventional Treatment Center, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China 2 Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China Correspondence to: Jun-Hui Sun, email: sunjh121@163.com Keywords: pancreatoduodenectomy, postoperative hemorrhage, selective angiography, arterial embolism, treatment Received: October 02, 2016 Accepted: April 14, 2017 Published: April 27, 2017 ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and the effectiveness of endovascular treatment for a post-pancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage (PPH). Results: During the DSA examination, positive results were found in 29 patients, yielding a positive rate of 69.0%. The manifestations of the DSA examination included contrast medium extravasation, pseudoaneurysm, and artery walls coarse. All 29 patients with positive results underwent endovascular treatment, including transartery embolization (TAE) in 28 patients and covered stents placement in one patient. The technical success and clinical success rates were 100% and 72.4%, respectively. Re-bleeding occurred in 8 of the 29 patients after the first treatment (27.6%). The mortality of PPH was 17.2% (5 of 29). Two of the five PPH patients died following severe infections, and three died from multiple organ failure. Materials and Methods: A DSA examination was conducted using clinical and imaging data of 42 patients, and endovascular treatment for delayed PPH was retrospectively analyzed. Conclusions: DSA examination is a minimally invasive and rapid method for the diagnosis of delayed PPH. For patients with positive DSA results, endovascular treatment can be performed rapidly, safely, and effectively. Therefore, the DSA examination and endovascular treatment could be considered a preferred treatment approach for delayed PPH.

Purpose Gene-targeting therapy provides a novel therapeutic approach for tumor treatment using genetically modified endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) as cellular carriers. This study applied EPCs armed with cytosine deaminase (CD) and endostatin (ES) fusion gene in liver cancer to explore its therapeutic effect. Materials and Methods EPCs from heart blood of male BALB/c nude mice were cultured and transfected with CD and ES fusion gene. Subsequently, these genetically modified cells were injected into mice bearing hepatoma through their tail veins. The tumor volumes and cell apoptosis were followed up. Results Tumor volume in the group injected CD/ES-EPCs greatly decreased. The positive rate of VEGF and CD31 in the tumor tissue was lowest in the CD/ES-EPC group. Furthermore, the number of apoptotic cells was highest in the CD/ES-EPC group. Conclusion The EPCs transfected with CD/ES inhibited tumor growth and preferentially induced tumor cell apoptosis, providing a novel methodology for cancer-targeting therapy.

// Jun-Hui Sun 1,2,3,4 , Tan-Yang Zhou 1,2,3,4 , Yue-Lin Zhang 1,2,3,4 , Guan-Hui Zhou 1,2,3,4 , Chun-Hui Nie 1,2,3,4 , Tong-Yin Zhu 1,2,3,4 , Sheng-Qun Chen 1,2,3,4 , Bao-Quan Wang 1,2,3,4 , Song Ye 1,2,3,4 , Yan Shen 1,2,3,4 , Hua Guo 1,2,3,4 , Wei-Lin Wang 1,2,3,4 and Shu-Sen Zheng 1,2,3,4 1 Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Interventional Treatment Center, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, China 2 Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, China 3 Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China 4 Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Correspondence to: Jun-Hui Sun, email: // Wei-Lin Wang, email: // Shu-Sen Zheng, email: // Keywords : pancreatic tumor, hepatic metastasis, TACE, intervention, efficacy Received : August 21, 2016 Accepted : December 27, 2016 Published : January 13, 2017 Abstract Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating patients with liver metastases from pancreatic cancer, and explore the prognostic risk factors. Results: Three of the 27 patients were totally recovered, and 12 were partially alleviated. The total efficacy rate was 55.6% (15/27). The median survival time was 13.6 months, and the 0.5-, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 70.4% (19/27), 48.1% (13/27), 22.2% (6/27), 14.8 (4/27), 11.1% (3/27), respectively. None of the groups showed any severe complications. Univariate analysis showed that pathological type, concomitant therapies for liver metastasis, vascular supply, CA199 levels and extrahepatic metastasis were related to prognosis (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that pancreatic cancer pathology and extrahepatic metastasis were independent risk factors influencing patients’ prognosis (χ2 = 13.182, 17.989, P < 0.05). Methods: The clinical records of 27 patients with lliver metastases from pancreatic cancer diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University between May 2009 and May 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The short-term and long-term efficacy and toxic side effects of TACE were observed. The prognostic risk factors were analyzed using Cox (proportional hazards) regression model. Conclusion: TACE is an effective therapy for treating liver metastases from pancreatic malignancy. Pathological type and extrahepatic metastasis of pancreatic tumor are independent risk factors for patients’ prognosis. The prognosis of patients with liver metastasis from pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm is superior to that of extrahepatic metastasis.

Background: Gene-targeting therapy provides a novel therapeutic approach for tumor treatment using genetically-modified endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) as cellular carriers. To study the therapeutic effect of EPCs armed with cytosine deaminase (CD) and endostatin (ES) fusion gene in liver cancer. Methods: EPCs derived from heart blood of mice were cultured and transfected with CD and ES fusion gene. EPCs, CD/ES, and CD/ES-EPCs were injected through their tail veins into mice with hepatoma, respectively. Subsequently, the in vivo tumor volumes were observed by MRI. Findings: Tumor volumes in the group injected CD/ES-EPCs were found to be smaller than other groups receiving other treatments. Also, VEGF and apoptotic tumor cells in the tumor tissues were detected after infusion of the cells into the mice. The results showed that the VEGF-positive rate was lowest and the number of apoptotic cells was highest in the CD/ES-EPCs group. Interpretation: The EPCs transfected with CD/ES inhibited tumor growth and preferentially induced tumor cell apoptosis. Thus, this treatment strategy might open a novel avenue for cancer-targeting therapy. Funding Statement: The present work was funded by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.LZ18H180001), National S&T Major Project of China (NO.2018ZX10301201)，National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.81371658), The Key Research Development Program of Zhejiang province (Grant No.2018C03018) and Key Science and Technology Program of Zhejiang province(No.WKJ-ZJ-1923). Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no potential conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: All experimental procedures of the study were approved by our Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee. Mouse hepatocarcinoma model, aged 6 weeks, was provided by the Experimental Animal Center, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University. All experiments in this study were performed in agreement with the Guidelines for the Welfare of Animals in Experimental Neoplasia and approved our Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee.

This study aimed to investigate the difference of common adverse events (AEs) between patients experienced first drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE; FD) and second or higher DEB-TACE (SHD), and the factors influencing AEs. Five hundred twenty DEB-TACE records were retrospectively reviewed in this cohort study, among which 284 and 236 records were in FD and SHD groups, respectively. The incidence and/or severity of pain, fever, vomiting, and increased blood pressure (BP) were collected. Pain numerical rating scale (NRS) score, pain severity, body temperature, fever severity, and fever lasting days were higher in FD group than in SHD group, while no difference of vomiting and increased BP between 2 groups were disclosed. Age ≥65 years was associated with decreased high fever and less possibility of vomiting in FD group, and lower pain and fever severity in SHD group; Male decreased the possibility of vomiting in both the groups, and reduced increased BP incidence in SHD group; diabetes history correlated with decreased pain degree and less fever in FD group. In conclusion, SHD was better tolerated compared with FD in liver cancer patients, and older age as well as male were correlated with less occurrence or severity of common AEs in DEB-TACE operation.

The Sb-doped Mg2Ge compounds were successfully synthesized by tantalum-tube weld melting method followed by hot pressing and the thermoelectric properties were examined. The effects of Sb doping on the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity have been investigated in the temperature range of 300–740 K. It was found that the Sb doping with sufficient Mg excess increased the electrical conductivity dramatically, leading to enhancement of the power factors. The thermal conductivity was also reduced upon Sb doping, mainly due to mass fluctuation scattering and strain field effects. Mg2.2Ge0.095Sb0.005 showed a maximum thermoelectric figure of merit of ≈0.2 at 740 K.

Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) induces compensatory hyperplasia of the future liver remnants (FLR), thus increasing resectability in the non-cirrhotic patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). However, it is unclear if it is similar in patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, the present study investigated the PVE value prior to liver resection in patients with PLC, and the liver cirrhotic effects on the compensatory hypertrophy of FLRs following PVE. In the present study, 21 patients with PLC who successfully underwent hepatic resection subsequent to PVE, were retrospectively examined. The patients were divided into a non-cirrhosis group and a cirrhosis group according to the absence or presence of cirrhosis, respectively. The FLR volume between the two groups of patients was compared. There was a significant difference in the FLR volume for all patients prior to, and 4–6 weeks following, PVE (P

Hexagonal nanosheet of Bi2Te3 single crystals with uniform morphology were facilely synthesized through a high yield solvothermal route at low temperature (180 °C). X-ray diffraction, scanning elec...

// Jun-Hui Sun 1 , Guan-Hui Zhou 1 , Yue-Lin Zhang 1 , Chun-Hui Nie 1 , Tan-Yang Zhou 1 , Jing Ai 2 , Tong-Yin Zhu 1 , Wei-Lin Wang 1 , Shu-Sen Zheng 1 1 Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Interventional Center, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, P.R. China 2 Department of Ophthalmology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China Correspondence to: Shu-Sen Zheng, email: shusenzheng@zju.edu.cn Keywords: chemoembolization, TACE, liver cancer, hepasphere microsphere, drug eluting microsphere Received: August 08, 2016 Accepted: December 07, 2016 Published: December 27, 2016 ABSTRACT Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the mainstay of treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The efficacy of conventional TACE (cTACE) in liver metastases is not satisfactory, which might be due to the fact of embolic material used. Recently, as a new type of drug-loading microsphere, HepaSphere has been introduced in China. In this study, there were total 30 patients (18 males and 12 females) with liver cancer underwent embolization with Hepasphere microsphere. And a total of 44 TACE procedures were performed using 50-100μm HepaSphere. There were 16 patients diagnosed as HCC and 14 patients as liver metastases. The follow up period ranged from 3 to 15 months (median 10 months). Response rates were calculated on intention-to-treat basis. One month after TACE, total objective response was 63.3% and disease control rate was 86.7%. No severe complication (such as infection, liver abscess, abdominal bleeding, tumor rupture) was observed. In conclusion, chemoembolization with Hepasphere microsphere may be a safe and possibly effective palliative treatment for patients with liver cancer.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating patients with liver metastases from pancreatic cancer, and explore the prognostic risk factors.Three of the 27 patients were totally recovered, and 12 were partially alleviated. The total efficacy rate was 55.6% (15/27). The median survival time was 13.6 months, and the 0.5-, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 70.4% (19/27), 48.1% (13/27), 22.2% (6/27), 14.8 (4/27), 11.1% (3/27), respectively. None of the groups showed any severe complications. Univariate analysis showed that pathological type, concomitant therapies for liver metastasis, vascular supply, CA199 levels and extrahepatic metastasis were related to prognosis (P0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that pancreatic cancer pathology and extrahepatic metastasis were independent risk factors influencing patients' prognosis (χ2 = 13.182, 17.989, P0.05).The clinical records of 27 patients with lliver metastases from pancreatic cancer diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University between May 2009 and May 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The short-term and long-term efficacy and toxic side effects of TACE were observed. The prognostic risk factors were analyzed using Cox (proportional hazards) regression model.TACE is an effective therapy for treating liver metastases from pancreatic malignancy. Pathological type and extrahepatic metastasis of pancreatic tumor are independent risk factors for patients' prognosis. The prognosis of patients with liver metastasis from pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm is superior to that of extrahepatic metastasis.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and the effectiveness of endovascular treatment for a post-pancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage (PPH). Results During the DSA examination, positive results were found in 29 patients, yielding a positive rate of 69.0%. The manifestations of the DSA examination included contrast medium extravasation, pseudoaneurysm, and artery walls coarse. All 29 patients with positive results underwent endovascular treatment, including transartery embolization (TAE) in 28 patients and covered stents placement in one patient. The technical success and clinical success rates were 100% and 72.4%, respectively. Re-bleeding occurred in 8 of the 29 patients after the first treatment (27.6%). The mortality of PPH was 17.2% (5 of 29). Two of the five PPH patients died following severe infections, and three died from multiple organ failure. Materials and Methods A DSA examination was conducted using clinical and imaging data of 42 patients, and endovascular treatment for delayed PPH was retrospectively analyzed. Conclusions DSA examination is a minimally invasive and rapid method for the diagnosis of delayed PPH. For patients with positive DSA results, endovascular treatment can be performed rapidly, safely, and effectively. Therefore, the DSA examination and endovascular treatment could be considered a preferred treatment approach for delayed PPH.

Aim was to assess the therapeutic value of portal vein stenting (PVS) combined with iodine-125 seed (125I seed) strand endovascular implantation followed by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). This was a retrospective study of 34 patients aged 29–81 years, diagnosed HCC with PVTT, and treated with PVS combined with125I seed strand endovascular implantation followed by TACE between January 2012 and August 2014. Survival, stent patency, technical success rate, complications related to the procedure, and adverse events were recorded. The technical success rate was 100%. No serious procedure-related adverse event was recorded. The median survival was 147 days. The cumulative survival rates and stent patency rates at 90, 180, and 360 days were 94.1%, 61.8%, and 32.4% and 97.1% (33/34), 76.9% (24/34), and 29.4% (10/34), respectively. PVS combined with125I seed strand endovascular implantation followed by TACE is feasible for patients with HCC and PVTT. It resulted in appropriate survival and stent patency, with no procedure-related adverse effects.

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) with microsecond-pulsed electric fields (μsPEFs) can effectively ablate hepatocellular carcinomas in animal models. This preclinical study evaluates the feasibility and safety of IRE on porcine livers. Altogether, 10 pigs were included. Computed tomography (CT) was used to guide two-needle electrodes that were inserted near the hilus hepatis and gall bladder. Animals were followed-up at 2 hours and at 2, 7 and 14 days post-treatment. During and after μsPEF ablation, electrocardiographs found no cardiovascular events and contrast CT found no portal vein thrombosis. There was necrosis in the ablation zone. Mild cystic oedema around the gall bladder was found 2 hours post-treatment. Pathological studies showed extensive cell death. There was no large vessel damage, but there was mild endothelial damage in some small vessels. Follow-up liver function tests and routine blood tests showed immediate liver function damage and recovery from the damage, which correlated to the pathological changes. These results indicate that μsPEF ablation affects liver tissue and is less effective in vessels, which enable μsPEFs to ablate central tumour lesions close to the hilus hepatis and near large vessels and bile ducts, removing some of the limitations and contraindications of conventional thermal ablation.

Giant hepatic hemangioma is a benign liver condition that may be treated using surgery. We studied the digital subtraction angiographic (DSA) characteristics of giant hepatic hemangioma, and the effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) alone for its treatment. This was a retrospective study of 27 patients diagnosed with giant hepatic hemangioma and treated with TAE alone (using lipiodol mixed with pingyangmycin) at the Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, between January 2010 and March 2013. The feeding arteries were identified using DSA. All patients were followed up for between three weeks and 12 months. Changes in tumor diameter and symptoms were observed. The 27 patients included had giant hepatic hemangiomas ranging from 5.3 to 24.5 cm (mean, 11.24±5.08 cm) in the right (n = 13), left (n = 1) or both (n = 13) lobes. Preoperative hepatic angiography showed multiple abnormal vascular lakes in the early phase, known as the “early leaving but late returning, hanging nut on a twig” sign. On the day after TAE, hepatic transaminase levels were increased (ALT: 22.69±17.95 to 94.88±210.32 U/L; ALT: 24.00±12.37 to 99.70±211.54 U/L; both P

The effect of Pb in La3Te4−x Pb x on the thermoelectric properties in the temperature range 300–1100 K was studied on samples synthesized by the melting, ball milling and hot-pressing method. The samples crystallize in the Th3P4structure. A small amount of Pb substitution for Te in La3Te4 reduced the electrical conductivity, but the impurity phase introduced by more Pb significantly enhanced the electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity of the La3Te3.6Pb0.4 sample reached 2.06 × 105 S m−1 at room temperature. The expansion of crystal lattice confirmed from x-ray diffraction patterns and the slight reduction in electrical conductivity all verify the fact that Pb substitutes a Te site when x is small. The Seebeck coefficient increases linearly with temperature for all samples. While the thermal conductivity varies slightly with temperature, the lattice thermal conductivity approaches the minimum value at high temperatures. For La3Te3.7Pb0.3, a power factor of 1.4 × 10−3 W m−1 K−2 at 1100 K was achieved with a thermal conductivity of 1.86 W m−1 K−1, giving a maximum figure-of-merit ZT ≈ 0.8 at 1100 K.