Statistical characteristics and the classification of the topside ionospheric mid-latitude trough are systemically analyzed,using observations from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F18(DMSP-F18)satellite.T...Statistical characteristics and the classification of the topside ionospheric mid-latitude trough are systemically analyzed,using observations from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F18(DMSP-F18)satellite.The data was obtained at an altitude of around 860 km in near polar orbit,throughout 2013.Our study identified the auroral boundary based on the in-situ electron density and electron spectrum,allowing us to precisely determine the location of the mid-latitude trough.This differs from most previous works,which only use Total Electron Content(TEC)or in-situ electron density.In our study,the troughs exhibited a higher occurrence rate in local winter than in summer,and extended to lower latitudes with increasing geomagnetic activity.It was found that the ionospheric mid-latitude trough,which is associated with temperature changes or enhanced ion drift,exhibited distinct characteristics.Specifically,the ionospheric mid-latitude troughs related to electron temperature(Te)peak were located more equatorward of auroral oval boundary in winter than in summer.The ionospheric mid-latitude troughs related to Te-maximum were less frequently observed at 60−70°S magnetic latitude and 90−240°E longitude.Furthermore,the troughs related to ion temperature(Ti)maximums were observed at relatively higher latitudes,occurring more frequently in winter.In addition,the troughs related to ion velocity(Vi)maximums could be observed in all seasons.The troughs with the maximum-Ti and maximum-Vi were located closer to the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval at the nightside,and in both hemispheres.This implies that enhanced ion drift velocity contributes to increased collisional frictional heating and enhanced ion temperatures,resulting in a density depletion within the trough region.展开更多
BACKGROUND The Food and Drug Administration has approved percutaneous atrial septal defect(ASD)and patent foramen ovale(PFO)closure devices for hemodynamically significant interatrial shunts,paradoxical emboli includi...BACKGROUND The Food and Drug Administration has approved percutaneous atrial septal defect(ASD)and patent foramen ovale(PFO)closure devices for hemodynamically significant interatrial shunts,paradoxical emboli including stroke,and decompression sickness.We aimed to study the trends in utilization and reimbursements of transcatheter ASD/PFO closure devices.AIM To analyze trends in utilization and Medicare reimbursements for transcatheter ASD/PFO closure procedures from 2013 to 2022.METHODS A query of administrative data on United States Medicare beneficiaries undergoing transcatheter ASD/PFO was conducted from 2013 to 2022 using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Part B National Summary Data File.Inflation adjustments were made using the 2023 Consumer Price Index.Trend analysis was quantified using growth rate and simple linear regression calculations.All analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel 16.77.1(2023).RESULTS The annual number of transcatheter ASD/PFO closure procedures increased by 81%since 2013,with an average yearly growth rate of 44%cases per year(P<0.001).Annual Medicare reimbursements for transcatheter ASD/PFO therapies mirrored the annual procedure trends.The per-case reimbursements decreased by 18%,i.e.,$1128.80 in 2013 and$770.21 in 2022(P<0.001).There was a significant drop in the number of procedures in the year 2020,which correlates to the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,followed by a sharp uptick in the number of cases in 2021 and 2022.CONCLUSION Medicare utilization of transcatheter ASD/PFO closure therapies has grown significantly in procedural volume from 2013 to 2022.However,this has been accompanied by a decrease in per-case reimbursements.展开更多
Patent foramen ovale(PFO)is a common congenital heart disorder associated with stroke,decompression sickness and migraine.Combining synchronized contrast transcranial Doppler with contrast transthoracic echocardiograp...Patent foramen ovale(PFO)is a common congenital heart disorder associated with stroke,decompression sickness and migraine.Combining synchronized contrast transcranial Doppler with contrast transthoracic echocardiography has important clinical significance and can improve the accuracy of detecting right-left shunts(RLSs)in patients with PFO.In this letter,regarding an original study presented by Yao et al,we present our insights and discuss how to better help clinicians evaluate changes in PFO-related RLS.展开更多
Compared with traditional nickel-titanium alloy patent foramen ovale occluders,which are widely used in clinical practice,biodegradable patent foramen ovale occluders have obvious differences in material characteristi...Compared with traditional nickel-titanium alloy patent foramen ovale occluders,which are widely used in clinical practice,biodegradable patent foramen ovale occluders have obvious differences in material characteristics,interventional operation mode and postoperative management strategy.This article gives expert consensus on the selection of clinical indications and standardized operating procedures,so as to standardize the clinical application of biodegradable patent foramen ovale occluders.展开更多
This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility,safety,and efficacy of a noveltranscatheter suture closure system(HaloStitch^(®))for patent foramen ovale(PFO)closure in a swine model.Methods:Thirteen swine underwent...This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility,safety,and efficacy of a noveltranscatheter suture closure system(HaloStitch^(®))for patent foramen ovale(PFO)closure in a swine model.Methods:Thirteen swine underwentexperimental PF0 model creation.All animals received implantationof the transcatheter suture closure system to evaluate procedural success.Comprehensive follow-up over sixmonths included serial ultrasound imaging,histopathological analysis,and gross anatomical exaninationof cardiac specimens.Results:Successful HaloStitch^(®)device implantation was adhieved in 11 of 13 swine.Gross anatomical examination confirrned secure positioning of all sutures in the atrial septum,with noredundancy or thrombus formation.Postoperative ultrasound demonstrated stable suture and staplepositions throughout follow-up,with no evidence of suture breakage,displacement,or thrombus.Stapleswere clearly visualized under ultrasound imaging,Both the atrial septal defect orifice diameter and residualseptal shunt flow velocity decreased significantly during the observation period.Histopathological analysisrevealed partially organized thrombi at the implant head and fibrous connective tissue encapsulation withlocalized inflammatory cell infiltration surrounding the polymer material.Conclsions:The transcathetersuture closure system(HaloStitch^(®))demonstrated feasibility,safety,and biocompatib ility for PFO closure ina swine model,supporting its potential for clinical translation.展开更多
网络安全漏洞扫描应充分考虑执行的效率和信息的共享。本文通过对OVAL和Nessus的介绍,分析O- VAL Definition与Nessus plugin之间的异同,提出并实现了一种将OVAL公布的漏洞信息转换成Nessus扫描插件的方法,共享了漏洞信息,并提升了漏洞...网络安全漏洞扫描应充分考虑执行的效率和信息的共享。本文通过对OVAL和Nessus的介绍,分析O- VAL Definition与Nessus plugin之间的异同,提出并实现了一种将OVAL公布的漏洞信息转换成Nessus扫描插件的方法,共享了漏洞信息,并提升了漏洞检测的品质。最后经过实验说明该方法的可行性。展开更多
In order to improve the efficiency of the Ocean Variational Assimilation System （OVALS）, which has been widely used in various applications, an improved OVALS （OVALS2） is developed based on the recursive filter ...In order to improve the efficiency of the Ocean Variational Assimilation System （OVALS）, which has been widely used in various applications, an improved OVALS （OVALS2） is developed based on the recursive filter （RF） algorithm. The first advantage of OVALS2 is that memory storage can be substantially reduced in practice because it implicitly computes the background error covariance matrix; the second advantage is that there is no inversion of the background error covariance by preconditioning the control variable. For comparing the effectiveness between OVALS2 and OVALS, a set of experiments was implemented by assimilating expendable bathythermograph （XBT） and ARGO data into the Tropical Pacific circulation model. The results show that the efficiency of OVALS2 is much higher than that of OVALS. The computational time and the computer storage in the assimilation process were reduced by 83% and 77%, respectively. Additionally, the corresponding results produced by the RF are almost as good as those obtained by OVALS. These results prove that OVALS2 is suitable for operational numerical oceanic forecasting.展开更多
The paper deduced a calculation formula by the classic control theory on the Reproducibility Error of parts processing in the technology system,the flexible clamp system, with the clamping device on the gas power,and ...The paper deduced a calculation formula by the classic control theory on the Reproducibility Error of parts processing in the technology system,the flexible clamp system, with the clamping device on the gas power,and analyzed its influencing factor with examples,the Reproducibility Error law:\ The larger the diameter of the cylinder,the smaller the error; the slower the tool speed,(k values smaller),the smaller the error.展开更多
The goal of this study is to propose a method of estimation of bounds for roots of polynomials with complex coefficients. A well-known and easy tool to obtain such information is to use the standard Gershgorin’s theo...The goal of this study is to propose a method of estimation of bounds for roots of polynomials with complex coefficients. A well-known and easy tool to obtain such information is to use the standard Gershgorin’s theorem, however, it doesn’t take into account the structure of the matrix. The modified disks of Gershgorin give the opportunity through some geometrical figures called Ovals of Cassini, to consider the form of the matrix in order to determine appropriated bounds for roots. Furthermore, we have seen that, the Hessenbeg matrices are indicated to estimate good bounds for roots of polynomials as far as we become improved bounds for high values of polynomial’s coefficients. But the bounds are better for small values. The aim of the work was to take advantages of this, after introducing the Dehmer’s bound, to find an appropriated property of the Hessenberg form. To illustrate our results, illustrative examples are given to compare the obtained bounds to those obtained through classical methods like Cauchy’s bounds, Montel’s bounds and Carmichel-Mason’s bounds.展开更多
Three dimensional thermal-mechanical coupled elasto-plastic FEM has been used for simulation of round to oval single pass rolling. The analysis was conducted using MARC/AUTOFORCE1. 2 code. The material is assumed to b...Three dimensional thermal-mechanical coupled elasto-plastic FEM has been used for simulation of round to oval single pass rolling. The analysis was conducted using MARC/AUTOFORCE1. 2 code. The material is assumed to be elasto-plastic and it obey the Von Mises yield criterion and Prandtl- Reuss rule. Deformation of the workpiece is simulated in a step-by-step manner,updating the coordinates of material points and the property after each step, so that both nonsteady-state and stendy-state deformation can be simulated. The heat transfter between the workpiece, the rolls, and enviroment and the heat generation due to plastic work and friction force, are considered in the analys- is.Predicted the deformation shape of the workpiece, distributions of strains, stresses, strain rates and temperatures, roll-separating force and roll torque are presented.展开更多
AIM： To elucidate the interaction between non- parenchymal cells, extracellular matrix and oval cells during the restituting process of liver injury induced by partial hepatectomy （PH）. METHODS： We examined the lo...AIM： To elucidate the interaction between non- parenchymal cells, extracellular matrix and oval cells during the restituting process of liver injury induced by partial hepatectomy （PH）. METHODS： We examined the localization of oval cells, non-parenchymal cells, and the extracellular matrix components using immunohistochemical and double immunofluorescent analysis during the proliferation and differentiation of oval cells in N-2- acetylaminofluorene （2-AAF）/PH rat model. RESULTS： By day 2 after PH, small oval cells began to proliferate around the portal area. Most of stellate cells and laminin were present along the hepatic sinusoids in the periportal area. Kupffer cells and fibronectin markedly increased in the whole hepatic Iobule. From day 4 to 9, oval cells spread further into hepatic parenchyma, closely associated with stellate cells, fibronectin and laminin. Kupffer cells admixed with oval cells by day 6 and then decreased in the periportal zone. From day 12 to 15, most of hepatic stellate cells （HSCs）, laminin and fibronectin located around the small hepatocyte nodus, and minority of them appeared in the nodus. Kupffer cells were mainly limited in the pericentral sinusoids. After day 18, the normal liver Iobule structures began to recover.CONCLUSION： Local hepatic microenvironment may participate in the oval cell-mediated liver regeneration through the cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the effect of activation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway on the proliferation and differentiation of hepatic oval cells in vitro. METHODS： WB-F344 cells were treated with recombinant Wnt3a （2...AIM： To investigate the effect of activation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway on the proliferation and differentiation of hepatic oval cells in vitro. METHODS： WB-F344 cells were treated with recombinant Wnt3a （20, 40, 80, 160, 200 ng/mL） in serum-free medium for 24 h. Cell proliferation was measured by Brdu incorporation analysis; untreated WB-F344 cells were taken as controls. After treatment with Wnt3a （160 ng/mL） for 24 h, subcellular localization and protein expression of p-catenin in WB-F344 cells treated and untreated with Wnt3a were examined by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis. CyclinD1 mRNA expression was determined by semi-quantitative reverse-transcript polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The mRNA levels of some phenotypic markers （AFP, CK-19, ALB） and two hepatic nuclear factors （HNF-4, HIVF-6） were measured by RT-PCR. Expressions of CK-19 and AFP protein were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS： Wnt3a promoted proliferation of WB-F344 cells. Stimulation of WB-F344 cells with recombinant Wnt3a resulte^l in accumulation of the transcriptional activator β-catenin, together with its translocation into the nuclei, and up-regulated typical Wnt target gene CyclinD1. After 3 d of Wnt3a treatment in the absence of serum, WB-F344 cells retained their bipotential to express several specific phenotypic markers of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, such as AFP and CK-19, following activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. CONCLUSION： The canonical Wnt signaling pathway promotes proliferation and self-renewal of rat hepatic oval cells.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFF0504400)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42188101,42274195,42174193)+2 种基金the International Partnership Program Of Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.183311KYSB20200003)the USTC Research Funds of the Double First-Class Initiative(YD2080002013)the Joint Open Fund of Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory(MENGO-202408).
文摘Statistical characteristics and the classification of the topside ionospheric mid-latitude trough are systemically analyzed,using observations from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F18(DMSP-F18)satellite.The data was obtained at an altitude of around 860 km in near polar orbit,throughout 2013.Our study identified the auroral boundary based on the in-situ electron density and electron spectrum,allowing us to precisely determine the location of the mid-latitude trough.This differs from most previous works,which only use Total Electron Content(TEC)or in-situ electron density.In our study,the troughs exhibited a higher occurrence rate in local winter than in summer,and extended to lower latitudes with increasing geomagnetic activity.It was found that the ionospheric mid-latitude trough,which is associated with temperature changes or enhanced ion drift,exhibited distinct characteristics.Specifically,the ionospheric mid-latitude troughs related to electron temperature(Te)peak were located more equatorward of auroral oval boundary in winter than in summer.The ionospheric mid-latitude troughs related to Te-maximum were less frequently observed at 60−70°S magnetic latitude and 90−240°E longitude.Furthermore,the troughs related to ion temperature(Ti)maximums were observed at relatively higher latitudes,occurring more frequently in winter.In addition,the troughs related to ion velocity(Vi)maximums could be observed in all seasons.The troughs with the maximum-Ti and maximum-Vi were located closer to the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval at the nightside,and in both hemispheres.This implies that enhanced ion drift velocity contributes to increased collisional frictional heating and enhanced ion temperatures,resulting in a density depletion within the trough region.
文摘BACKGROUND The Food and Drug Administration has approved percutaneous atrial septal defect(ASD)and patent foramen ovale(PFO)closure devices for hemodynamically significant interatrial shunts,paradoxical emboli including stroke,and decompression sickness.We aimed to study the trends in utilization and reimbursements of transcatheter ASD/PFO closure devices.AIM To analyze trends in utilization and Medicare reimbursements for transcatheter ASD/PFO closure procedures from 2013 to 2022.METHODS A query of administrative data on United States Medicare beneficiaries undergoing transcatheter ASD/PFO was conducted from 2013 to 2022 using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Part B National Summary Data File.Inflation adjustments were made using the 2023 Consumer Price Index.Trend analysis was quantified using growth rate and simple linear regression calculations.All analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel 16.77.1(2023).RESULTS The annual number of transcatheter ASD/PFO closure procedures increased by 81%since 2013,with an average yearly growth rate of 44%cases per year(P<0.001).Annual Medicare reimbursements for transcatheter ASD/PFO therapies mirrored the annual procedure trends.The per-case reimbursements decreased by 18%,i.e.,$1128.80 in 2013 and$770.21 in 2022(P<0.001).There was a significant drop in the number of procedures in the year 2020,which correlates to the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,followed by a sharp uptick in the number of cases in 2021 and 2022.CONCLUSION Medicare utilization of transcatheter ASD/PFO closure therapies has grown significantly in procedural volume from 2013 to 2022.However,this has been accompanied by a decrease in per-case reimbursements.
文摘( )1.Can you look___this report today?A.out B.towards C.over D.together( )2.The egg isn't round.It's an___.A.fact B.oval C.part D.reason( )3.Only a___apple remained in the basket.A.single B.surprised C.scared D.strong( )4.Carrots are my favorite___.
文摘Patent foramen ovale(PFO)is a common congenital heart disorder associated with stroke,decompression sickness and migraine.Combining synchronized contrast transcranial Doppler with contrast transthoracic echocardiography has important clinical significance and can improve the accuracy of detecting right-left shunts(RLSs)in patients with PFO.In this letter,regarding an original study presented by Yao et al,we present our insights and discuss how to better help clinicians evaluate changes in PFO-related RLS.
基金Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Fuwai Hospital High Level Hospital clinical research fund(2022-GSPGG-18).
文摘Compared with traditional nickel-titanium alloy patent foramen ovale occluders,which are widely used in clinical practice,biodegradable patent foramen ovale occluders have obvious differences in material characteristics,interventional operation mode and postoperative management strategy.This article gives expert consensus on the selection of clinical indications and standardized operating procedures,so as to standardize the clinical application of biodegradable patent foramen ovale occluders.
基金supported by grants from National High-Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding(2023-GSP-RC-04).
文摘This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility,safety,and efficacy of a noveltranscatheter suture closure system(HaloStitch^(®))for patent foramen ovale(PFO)closure in a swine model.Methods:Thirteen swine underwentexperimental PF0 model creation.All animals received implantationof the transcatheter suture closure system to evaluate procedural success.Comprehensive follow-up over sixmonths included serial ultrasound imaging,histopathological analysis,and gross anatomical exaninationof cardiac specimens.Results:Successful HaloStitch^(®)device implantation was adhieved in 11 of 13 swine.Gross anatomical examination confirrned secure positioning of all sutures in the atrial septum,with noredundancy or thrombus formation.Postoperative ultrasound demonstrated stable suture and staplepositions throughout follow-up,with no evidence of suture breakage,displacement,or thrombus.Stapleswere clearly visualized under ultrasound imaging,Both the atrial septal defect orifice diameter and residualseptal shunt flow velocity decreased significantly during the observation period.Histopathological analysisrevealed partially organized thrombi at the implant head and fibrous connective tissue encapsulation withlocalized inflammatory cell infiltration surrounding the polymer material.Conclsions:The transcathetersuture closure system(HaloStitch^(®))demonstrated feasibility,safety,and biocompatib ility for PFO closure ina swine model,supporting its potential for clinical translation.
文摘网络安全漏洞扫描应充分考虑执行的效率和信息的共享。本文通过对OVAL和Nessus的介绍,分析O- VAL Definition与Nessus plugin之间的异同,提出并实现了一种将OVAL公布的漏洞信息转换成Nessus扫描插件的方法,共享了漏洞信息,并提升了漏洞检测的品质。最后经过实验说明该方法的可行性。
基金supported by the Chinese Academy of Science(Contract No. KZCX2-YW-202)the 973 Pro-gram (Grant No. 2006CB403606)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40606008,40776011)
文摘In order to improve the efficiency of the Ocean Variational Assimilation System （OVALS）, which has been widely used in various applications, an improved OVALS （OVALS2） is developed based on the recursive filter （RF） algorithm. The first advantage of OVALS2 is that memory storage can be substantially reduced in practice because it implicitly computes the background error covariance matrix; the second advantage is that there is no inversion of the background error covariance by preconditioning the control variable. For comparing the effectiveness between OVALS2 and OVALS, a set of experiments was implemented by assimilating expendable bathythermograph （XBT） and ARGO data into the Tropical Pacific circulation model. The results show that the efficiency of OVALS2 is much higher than that of OVALS. The computational time and the computer storage in the assimilation process were reduced by 83% and 77%, respectively. Additionally, the corresponding results produced by the RF are almost as good as those obtained by OVALS. These results prove that OVALS2 is suitable for operational numerical oceanic forecasting.
基金Tianjin Nature Science Date(08JCYBJC 11700) "CAD System of Fixture on New Fixture Design Theory of Accuracy Design"
文摘The paper deduced a calculation formula by the classic control theory on the Reproducibility Error of parts processing in the technology system,the flexible clamp system, with the clamping device on the gas power,and analyzed its influencing factor with examples,the Reproducibility Error law:\ The larger the diameter of the cylinder,the smaller the error; the slower the tool speed,(k values smaller),the smaller the error.
文摘The goal of this study is to propose a method of estimation of bounds for roots of polynomials with complex coefficients. A well-known and easy tool to obtain such information is to use the standard Gershgorin’s theorem, however, it doesn’t take into account the structure of the matrix. The modified disks of Gershgorin give the opportunity through some geometrical figures called Ovals of Cassini, to consider the form of the matrix in order to determine appropriated bounds for roots. Furthermore, we have seen that, the Hessenbeg matrices are indicated to estimate good bounds for roots of polynomials as far as we become improved bounds for high values of polynomial’s coefficients. But the bounds are better for small values. The aim of the work was to take advantages of this, after introducing the Dehmer’s bound, to find an appropriated property of the Hessenberg form. To illustrate our results, illustrative examples are given to compare the obtained bounds to those obtained through classical methods like Cauchy’s bounds, Montel’s bounds and Carmichel-Mason’s bounds.
文摘Three dimensional thermal-mechanical coupled elasto-plastic FEM has been used for simulation of round to oval single pass rolling. The analysis was conducted using MARC/AUTOFORCE1. 2 code. The material is assumed to be elasto-plastic and it obey the Von Mises yield criterion and Prandtl- Reuss rule. Deformation of the workpiece is simulated in a step-by-step manner,updating the coordinates of material points and the property after each step, so that both nonsteady-state and stendy-state deformation can be simulated. The heat transfter between the workpiece, the rolls, and enviroment and the heat generation due to plastic work and friction force, are considered in the analys- is.Predicted the deformation shape of the workpiece, distributions of strains, stresses, strain rates and temperatures, roll-separating force and roll torque are presented.
基金Supported by A grant from National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘AIM： To elucidate the interaction between non- parenchymal cells, extracellular matrix and oval cells during the restituting process of liver injury induced by partial hepatectomy （PH）. METHODS： We examined the localization of oval cells, non-parenchymal cells, and the extracellular matrix components using immunohistochemical and double immunofluorescent analysis during the proliferation and differentiation of oval cells in N-2- acetylaminofluorene （2-AAF）/PH rat model. RESULTS： By day 2 after PH, small oval cells began to proliferate around the portal area. Most of stellate cells and laminin were present along the hepatic sinusoids in the periportal area. Kupffer cells and fibronectin markedly increased in the whole hepatic Iobule. From day 4 to 9, oval cells spread further into hepatic parenchyma, closely associated with stellate cells, fibronectin and laminin. Kupffer cells admixed with oval cells by day 6 and then decreased in the periportal zone. From day 12 to 15, most of hepatic stellate cells （HSCs）, laminin and fibronectin located around the small hepatocyte nodus, and minority of them appeared in the nodus. Kupffer cells were mainly limited in the pericentral sinusoids. After day 18, the normal liver Iobule structures began to recover.CONCLUSION： Local hepatic microenvironment may participate in the oval cell-mediated liver regeneration through the cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.
文摘AIM： To investigate the effect of activation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway on the proliferation and differentiation of hepatic oval cells in vitro. METHODS： WB-F344 cells were treated with recombinant Wnt3a （20, 40, 80, 160, 200 ng/mL） in serum-free medium for 24 h. Cell proliferation was measured by Brdu incorporation analysis; untreated WB-F344 cells were taken as controls. After treatment with Wnt3a （160 ng/mL） for 24 h, subcellular localization and protein expression of p-catenin in WB-F344 cells treated and untreated with Wnt3a were examined by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis. CyclinD1 mRNA expression was determined by semi-quantitative reverse-transcript polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The mRNA levels of some phenotypic markers （AFP, CK-19, ALB） and two hepatic nuclear factors （HNF-4, HIVF-6） were measured by RT-PCR. Expressions of CK-19 and AFP protein were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS： Wnt3a promoted proliferation of WB-F344 cells. Stimulation of WB-F344 cells with recombinant Wnt3a resulte^l in accumulation of the transcriptional activator β-catenin, together with its translocation into the nuclei, and up-regulated typical Wnt target gene CyclinD1. After 3 d of Wnt3a treatment in the absence of serum, WB-F344 cells retained their bipotential to express several specific phenotypic markers of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, such as AFP and CK-19, following activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. CONCLUSION： The canonical Wnt signaling pathway promotes proliferation and self-renewal of rat hepatic oval cells.
