A novel defined pyroptosis-related genes prognostic risk model for predicting the prognosis of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma / 解剖学报

Objective To establish a novel defined pyroptosis-related genes risk model of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. Methods Data of 522 patients with KIRC and 72 normal tissue samples were respectively downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas ( TCGA) database and Genotype-Tissue Expression ( GTEx) database. Differential analysis was performed between data of TCGA and GTEx. Univariate Cox regression analysis, multivariate Cox regression analyses and LASSO Cox regression analysis were used to establish a prognostic risk model. Data from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) database was used as an external validation cohort. Gene ontology ( GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encylopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were used to explore the differences of gene functions and pathways between high-risk and low-risk groups. The CIBERSORT database was used to explore the immune infiltration of high-risk and low-risk groups. Results Through differential analysis, we obtained 13 differentially expressed pyroptosis-related genes. Univariate Cox regression analysis, multivariable Cox regression analyses and LASSO Cox regression analysis were used to establish a 6-gene risk model. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that survival time in high-risk group was shorter than low-risk group in both cohorts. The area under the curve ( AUC) was 0. 710 for 1-year, 0. 683 for 2-year, and 0. 727 for 3-year survival in the TCGA_KIRC cohort. The AUC was 0. 592 for 1-year, 0. 531 for 2-year, and 0. 545 for 3-year survival in the ICGC_RECA cohort. Independent prognostic analysis indicated that risk score was an independent prognostic factor. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis showed that it was mainly associated with immune and inflammatory responses. The result of tumor immune infiltration showed that the high-risk group had low infiltration levels of regulatory T cells , natural killer cells, monocytes, M2 macrophages and eosinophils and high infiltration level of B cells, CD8+T cells and follicular helper T cells. Conclusion Pyrolysis-related genes may play an important role in KIRC tumor immunity, and the 6-gene risk model can provide a forecast basis for personalized treatment of patients with KIRC.

Holistic Pelvic Ring Concept in Treatment of Postpartum Pubic Symphysis Diastasis / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To observe the effect of pelvic band fixation with three-dimensional adjustment of suspended pelvis on patients with pubic symphysis diastasis under the holistic pelvic ring concept. Methods:From February, 2018 to February, 2020, 30 parturients with pubic symphysis diastasis were evaluated pelvic ring. They accepted three-dimensional adjustment of pelvis with suspension to restore the anatomical reduction of sacroiliac joint and the symphysis pubis according to the evaluation, and were fixed with pelvic band for six to eight weeks. The pubic symphysis union was monitored with color ultrasonography. They were reviewed with pelvic X-ray two weeks after removal of pelvic band, and assessed with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before treatment, immediately after removal of the pelvic band and two weeks after removal of the pelvic band, while the pelvic ring structure was measured. Results:The scores of VAS and MBI improved two weeks after pelvic band removal compared with those before treatment, as well as distance of pubic symphysis separation, upper margin difference of pubic symphysis, width difference of iliac wings, transverse and longitudinal diameter difference of obturator foramens (t > 2.509, P < 0.05). However, the scores of VAS and MBI improved two weeks after pelvic band removal compared with those immediately after removal of the pelvic band (|t| > 2.854, P < 0.05), while the distance of pubic symphysis separation increased (t = 2.319, P < 0.05), still in the normal reference value. Conclusion:Correcting the post-partum pubic symphysis diastasis under the holistic pelvic ring concept can restore the anatomical structure of the pelvis, avoid the compensatory movement pattern, and improve the daily living in the later time.

Urinary Extracellular Vesicle: A Potential Source of Early Diagnostic and Therapeutic Biomarker in Diabetic Kidney Disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Objective</b>Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become one of the major causes of end-stage renal disease. Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) contain rich biological information which could be the ideal source for noninvasive biomarkers of DKD. This review discussed the potential early diagnostic and therapeutic values of proteins and microRNAs in uEVs in DKD.</p><p><b>Data Sources</b>This review was based articles published in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases up to November 20, 2017, with the following keywords: "Diabetic kidney disease", "Extracellular vesicle", and "Urine".</p><p><b>Study Selection</b>Relevant articles were carefully reviewed, with no exclusions applied to the study design and publication type.</p><p><b>Results</b>There is no "gold standard" technology to separate and/or purify uEVs. The uEVs contain a variety of proteins and RNAs and participate in the physiological and pathological processes of the kidney. UEVs, especially urinary exosomes, may be useful biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment to DKD. Furthermore, the uEVs has been used as a therapeutic target for DKD.</p><p><b>Conclusion</b>Proteins and nucleic acids in uEVs represent promising biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of DKD.</p>

Cytoprotective effect of p62/Nrf2 signaling pathway / 药学学报

The Nrf2-Keap1-ARE pathway is an important signaling axis that functions to protect cells against oxidative stress and harmful chemicals through the induction of cytoprotective genes. The maintenance and protective role of Nrf2 pathway has been recognized as a means for chemoprevention. On the other hand, constitutive activation of Nrf2, due to somatic mutations of genes that control Nrf2 degradation, promotes carcinogenesis and imparts chemoresistance to cancer cells. Autophagy is another tightly regulated complex cellular process that functions as a cellular quality control system to remove damaged proteins or organelles. Recently, these two cellular pathways were shown to intersect through the direct interaction between p62 (an autophagy adaptor protein) and Keap1. Dysregulation of autophagy was shown to result in prolonged activation of Nrf2 in a p62-dependent manner, which is associated with the pathogenesis and therapies of several human diseases including cancer. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of p62-mediated Nrf2 signaling pathway, with a special emphasis on their impact on nervous system disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer: Are All Pulse Sequences Helpful?

OBJECTIVE: To perform a meta-analysis to quantitatively assess functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of locally recurrent prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was conducted from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2016. Diagnostic accuracy was quantitatively pooled for all studies by using hierarchical logistic regression modeling, including bivariate modeling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curves (AUCs). The Z test was used to determine whether adding functional MRI to T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) results in significantly increased diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Meta-analysis of 13 studies involving 826 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 91%, and the AUC was 0.96. Meta-analysis of 7 studies involving 329 patients who underwent radiotherapy showed a pooled sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 81%, and the AUC was 0.88. Meta-analysis of 11 studies reporting 1669 sextant biopsies from patients who underwent radiotherapy showed a pooled sensitivity of 54% and specificity of 91%, and the AUC was 0.85. Sensitivity after radiotherapy was significantly higher when diffusion-weighted MRI data were combined with T2WI than when only T2WI results were used. This was true when meta-analysis was performed on a per-patient basis (p = 0.027) or per sextant biopsy (p = 0.046). A similar result was found when ¹H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) data were combined with T2WI and sextant biopsy was the unit of analysis (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Functional MRI data may not strengthen the ability of T2WI to detect locally recurrent prostate cancer in patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy. By contrast, diffusion-weight MRI and ¹H-MRS data may improve the sensitivity of T2WI for patients who have undergone radiotherapy.

Autophagy and hypoxic ischemic brain injuries / 生理学报

Autophagy is a highly evolutionarily conserved physiological mechanism of organism, including several stages such as autophagosomes formation, the fusion of lysosomes and autophagosomes, and autophagosomes degradation. In physiological conditions, autophagy is responsible for clearing the spoiled organelles and long-lived proteins to maintain the homeostasis of cells and organism. Meanwhile, autophagy is also involved in the formation and development of diseases, but the mechanism has not been confirmed yet. The relationship between autophagy and hypoxic ischemic brain injuries represented by stroke is a research hotpot in recent years, but there is no clear conclusion about autophagy's role and mechanism in hypoxic ischemic brain injuries. We reviewed the activation, function and mechanism of autophagy in hypoxic ischemic brain injuries, in order to provide some perspectives on these researches.

Clinical and pathological features in IgA nephropathy with IgG deposition in the glomerular mesangial area / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between the clinical and pathological findings in IgA nephropathy with or without IgG deposition in the glomerular mesangial area.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data were collected from 122 patients with a diagnosis of IgA nephropathy by renal biopsy in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University between November, 2009 and February, 2016. All the samples were examined by light microscopy, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. According to the results of immunofluorescence assay, the patients were divided into IgA group (n=63) and IgA-IgG group (n=59). The pathological classification of IgA nephropathy was analyzed according to Oxford classification and Lee's classification. The clinical and pathological findings were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the patients with IgA nephropathy but without IgG deposition, patients with IgA nephropathy with IgG deposition had higher serum creatinine, higher 24-h urine protein, higher blood uric acid, higher triglyceride levels (P<0.05) and lower eGFR (P<0.05); more of these patients were in Lee's grade IV-V, had renal tubular atrophy and/or interstitial fibrosis, and had MEST scores more than 3 (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients with IgA nephropathy with IgG deposition in the glomerular mesangial have severer clinical symptoms and more serious pathological changes. Measures should be taken to control IgG deposition in patients with IgA nephropathy to delay the progress of the disease.</p>

Association between hypertriglyceridemic waist?to?height ratio phenotype and chronic kidney disease in a community population in South China: a cross-sectional study / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between hypertriglyceridemic waist to height ratio phenotype (HWHtR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a community population in South China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross sectional study was conducted among 2142 residents in Zhuhai (Guangdong Province, China) from June to October of 2012. The HWHtR phenotype was defined as a waist to height ratio(WHtR) ≥0.55 and triglyceride level ≥2.0 mmol/L, based on which the participants were divided into HWHtR group and nonHWHtR group. CKD was defined as an eGFR<60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 or an ACR ≥30 mg/g. A logistic regression model was established to investigate the relationship between chronic kidney disease and HWHtR phenotype.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the nonHWHtR group, the HWHtR group had a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease (11.1% vs 33%, P<0.001). Analysis using the logistic regression model showed that HWHtR was significantly associated with CKD in the unadjusted analyses (OR=3.23, 95% CI: 2.32-4.48, P<0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, drinking, physical exercise, education and current smoking, HWHtR was significantly associated with CKD (OR=2.36, 95% CI: 1.52-3.67, P<0.001); the association of HWHtR and CKD was still significant after further adjustment for BMI (OR=2.12, 95%CI: 1.34-3.35, P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our finding suggests that HWHtR is associated with CKD in this community population.</p>

Association of waist-to-hip ratio with chronic kidney disease in non-diabetic subjects / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in non-diabetic subjects and compare the difference between male and female subjects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed a cross-sectional survey among 2142 community-based southern Chinese participants without diabetes from June to October 2012. We divided all the participants into 4 groups according to the gender-specific quartiles of WHR. Logistic regression models were used to explore the associations of WHR with CKD in these subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the unadjusted model, WHR was significantly associated with CKD in women (OR=7.29, 95% CI: 3.56-16.32, P<0.001), and the association was still significant (OR=6.13, 95% CI: 2.56-15.20, P=0.003 ) after adjustment for the potential confounders (including age, history of hypertension, coronary heart disease, current smoker, physical inactivity, education level, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride, serum high density lipoprotein, blood glucose, and BMI). The odds ratio (OR) for having CKD in the highest versus lowest quartile of WHR levels was 2.44 (95% CI: 0.98-4.97, P=0.103) in men in the unadjusted model.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WHR levels are associated with CKD in non-diabetic women but not in non-diabetic male subjects.</p>

Detection of PLA2R1 in renal biopsy specimens of patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence of PLA2R1 in renal biopsy specimens of patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) and explore the relationship between PLA2R1 and IMN.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 108 adult patients with biopsy-proved glomerular diseases were enrolled in this study, including 41 with IMN, 2 with hepatitis B-associated membranous nephropathy, 8 with V lupus nephritis, 27 with IgA nephropathy, 19 with minimal change nephropathy, 5 with mild mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, and 6 with focal segmental glomeruloselerosis (FSGS). Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to detect PLA2R1 in the biopsy specimens and the clinical variables of the IMN patients were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 35 of the 41 (85.37%) patients with IMN, PLA2R1 was detected with a fine granular pattern in the subepithelial deposits along the glomerular capillary loops. PLA2R1 antigen was not detected in patients with other glomerulopathies. No significant differences were found in age, serum creatinine, serum albumin, or 24-h urinary protein level between PLA2R1-positive and negative patients with IMN (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>According to our results, 85.37% of adult patients with biopsy-proven IMN are positive for PLA2R1 antigen, which, however, does not contribute to variations of the patients' clinical manifestations.</p>

Prognostic factors and associated models for metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with targeted therapy / 中国医学科学院学报

Since 2006, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and anti-angiogenic drugs have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma by improving progression-free survival and overall survival. The prognostic factors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated by targeted therapy include anatomical, histological, clinical, biological, and molecular parameters. The accuracy of these prognostic factors are not high when applied alone. A renal cancer prognostic system that combines all these prognostic factors can improve the risk assessment of renal cancer and prognosis prediction, and thus guide clinical decision-making.

Prevalence and distribution of metabolic syndrome in a southern Chinese population Relation to exercise, smoking, and educational level

To investigate the prevalence and distribution of metabolic syndrome [MetS] and the impact of exercise, smoking, and educational level on the risk of MetS in a southern Chinese population. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Zhuhai City, China from June to August 2012. Data on exercise, smoking, and educational level, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, lipid, and glucose levels were collected. The prevalence of MetS [as defined by the International Diabetes Federation] was determined. Data necessary to evaluate MetS, the socio-economic characteristics, and lifestyle were obtained for 4645 subjects aged 18-75 years old. A total of 19.8% of the participants had MetS. The adjusted odds of having MetS were lower among males [adjusted odds: 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-1.01] compared with females. Those participants who currently smoked had a higher risk of developing MetS compared with non-smokers [adjusted odds: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.13-2.50]. Those who had no physical exercise had a higher risk of developing MetS compared with those who physically exercised more than 60 minutes/day [adjusted odds: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.12-2.23;]. Compared with those with no education, every category of attained educational level had a lower risk of developing MetS [P<0.001]. The findings in this study revealed that current smokers had a greater risk of developing MetS compared with non-smokers. Increased physical activity and higher levels of education attained served as protective factors for the population

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and prediabetes and associated risk factors: a community-based screening in Zhuhai, Southern China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and prediabetes has increased in China, and at different rates in different locations. Therefore a community-based screening research was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of CKD and prediabetes, and to analyze associated risk factors of CKD and prediabetes in a city of Southern China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 7801 community residents aged 18 year and older from 6 communities were screened by a stratified random cluster sampling method. An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured. Age-standardized prevalence was calculated by the direct method with the use of data on the population distribution in China in 2006. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of CKD and prediabetes, and association of insulin resistance (IR) with CKD and prediabetes was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The age-standardized prevalence of CKD was 12.5%, eGFR < 60 ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2) was 2.7% and ACR (albumin to creatinine ratio) > 30 mg/g was 10.3%. The age-standardized prevalence of prediabetes was 12.1%. Logistic regression suggests that IR was a common independent risk factor of CKD and prediabetes. Further analysis show that HOMA-IR was increased with the aggravation of kidney injury and FPG.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CKD and prediabetes have become a major public health problem in Zhuhai, Southern China; insulin resistance may be an important risk factor.</p>

Safety of in vitro amplified HLA-haploidentical donor immune cell infusions for childhood malignancies / 癌症

In vitro amplified human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haploidentical donor immune cell infusion (HDICI) is not commonly used in children. Therefore, our study sought to evaluate its safety for treating childhood malignancies. Between September 2011 and September 2012, 12 patients with childhood malignancies underwent HDICI in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. The median patient age was 5.1 years (range, 1.7-8.4 years). Of the 12 patients, 9 had high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) [7 showed complete response (CR), 1 showed partial response (PR), and 1 had progressive disease (PD) after multi-modal therapies], and 3 had Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive lymphoproliferative disease (EBV-LPD). The 12 patients underwent a total of 92 HDICIs at a mean dose of 1.6×10(8) immune cells/kg body weight: 71 infusions with natural killer (NK) cells, 8 with cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, and 13 with cascade primed immune cells (CAPRIs); 83 infusions with immune cells from the mothers, whereas 9 with cells from the fathers. Twenty cases (21.7%) of fever, including 6 cases (6.5%) accompanied with chills and 1 (1.1%) with febrile convulsion, occurred during infusions and were alleviated after symptomatic treatments. Five cases (5.4%) of mild emotion changes were reported. No other adverse events occurred during and after the completion of HDIDIs. Neither acute nor chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) was observed following HDICIs. After a median of 5.0 months (range, 1.0-11.5 months) of follow-up, the 2 NB patients with PR and PD developed PD during HDICIs. Of the other 7 NB patients in CR, 2 relapsed in the sixth month of HDICIs, and 5 maintained CR with disease-free survival (DFS) ranging from 4.5 to 11.5 months (median, 7.2 months). One EBV-LPD patient achieved PR, whereas 2 had stable disease (SD). Our results show that HDICI is a safe immunotherapy for childhood malignancies, thus warranting further studies.

Effect of anti-asthma Chinese medicine Chuankezhi on the anti-tumor activity of cytokine-induced killer cells / 癌症

Chuankezhi (CKZ), a new Chinese medicine, plays an important role in immunoregulation. Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells have been commonly used for immunotherapy in recent years. In this study, we aimed to investigate the immunoregulatory effect of CKZ on CIK cells. Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from healthy donors, and CIK cells were generated by culturing monocytes with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 2. Different concentrations of CKZ were added on day 2. After incubation for 14 days in culture, the antitumor effects of CIK cells were measured by cytotoxicity assay. Flow cytometry was used to explore the effect of CKZ on CIK cell immunophenotype, intracellular cytokine production, and apoptosis. The effect of CKZ on the antitumor activity of CIK cells in nude mice was also investigated. CKZ increased the percentage of CD3+CD56+ CIK cells but did not significantly change the percentage of CD4+, CD8+, or CD4+CD25+ CIK cells. CKZ-conditioned CIK cells showed a greater ability to kill tumor cells, as well as a higher frequency of IFN-γ and TNF-α production, compared with the CIK cells in the control group. CKZ also suppressed the apoptosis of CIK cells in vitro. Furthermore, CKZ combined with CIK cells had a stronger suppressive effect on tumor growth in vivo than the CIK, CKZ, or normal saline control groups. Our results indicate that CKZ enhances the antitumor activity of CIK cells and is a potential medicine for tumor immunotherapy.

Clinical manifestation of HIV infection and AIDS in otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To improve the recognition of clinical manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery, and to emphasize the early diagnosis, correct treatment and effective protection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-five patients with HIV infection and AIDS encountered in the department of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery in Tanzania were included in this study. There were 23 males and 32 female with age ranged from 3 - 67 years, medium 31 year. The clinical manifestation and prognosis of the patients were analyzed and summed up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Parotid glands swelling was the most commonly seen clinical manifestation in the 55 cases. Among the cases reported here, 17 (30.9%) showed parotid glands swelling, 19 (34.5%) had Kaposi's sarcoma in nasal cavity or oral cavity or pharynx, 12(21.8%) were accompanied with chronic suppurative otitis media, 11 (20.0%) had masses in the neck, 7 (12.7%) had masses in the pharynx, 6 (10.9%) were seen to have ulcer in oral and pharyngeal mucosa, 2 (3.6%) showed infection due to candidaalbicans. The infection in most cases could be controlled and symptoms relieved, but recurrence could occur over time and got worse gradually.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Many patients with HIV infection and AIDS first see a doctor in otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery. Patients who had the above clinical manifestations in repeated poor results should be observed carefully, early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent transmission, prolong life and maximize the quality of life of the patients.</p>

Comparative study on anti-tumor immune response of autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, dendritic cells-CIK (DC-CIK), and semi-allogeneic DC-CIK / 癌症

<p><b>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE</b>Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells and autologous dendritic cells-CIK (DC-CIK) cells co-cultured with autologous dendritic cells (DCs) and CIK cells are commonly used for immunotherapy recently. We compared the anti-tumor immune response of CIK cells, autologous DC-CIK cells, and semi-allogeneic DC-CIK cells to explore a more effective anti-tumor adoptive immunotherapy approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Peripheral monocytes were isolated from patients with renal carcinoma, lung cancer, or maxillary squamous cell carcinoma and their healthy adult children. Isolated cells were cultured and induced as DCs and CIK cells in vitro. CIK cells from patients were co-cultured with autologous DCs and DCs from their children respectively, generating DC-CIK cells and semi-allogeneic DC-CIK cells. The anti-tumor activities of autologous CIK cells, autologous DC-CIK cells, and semi-allogeneic DC-CIK cells were measured by LDH assay. Intracellular staining was used to test the secretion of cytokines. Flow cytometry was applied for detecting the phonotype changes of these three types of cells. Cell proliferation and cell apoptosis were detected by 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and Annexin V/PI respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with autologous CIK cells and DC-CIK cells, semi-allogeneic DC-CIK cells significantly enhanced the anti-tumor activity and IFN-gamma secretion, reduced IL-4 secretion, increased the ratio of CD3(+)CD56(+) cells and CD3(+)CD8(+) cells, decreased the number of CD4(+)CD25(+) cells, promoted cell proliferation, and lessened cell apoptosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Semi-allogeneic DC-CIK cells had a stronger anti-tumor effect than did autologous CIK cells and DC-CIK cells. Our results provided experimental evidence for clinical application of DC-CIK cells.</p>

Association of XPC and XPG polymorphisms with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether the polymorphism of DNA repair genes XPC (Ala499Val and Lys939Gln) and XPG (His1104Asp) is associated with the susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 500 cases with HCC and 507 controls. Genotypes of XPC and XPG were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction with the TaqMan MGB probe.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the CC genotype, the CT genotype and the TT genotype of XPC Ala499Val were not associated with the susceptibility to HCC (adjusted OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.85-2.12; adjusted OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 0.68-2.51, respectively). Compared to the AA genotype, the AC genotype and the CC genotype of Lys939Gln were not associated with the susceptibility to HCC (adjusted OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.78-1.85; adjusted OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.88-3.73, respectively). Compared to the CC genotype, the CG genotype and the GG genotype of XPG His1104Asp were not associated with the susceptibility to HCC (adjusted OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.56-1.27; adjusted OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.67-1.87, respectively) However, the stratified analysis revealed that the females with the AC+CC genotype of XPC Lys939Gln had increased risk of HCC compared to those with AA genotype (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.01-4.64).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results suggest that XPC and XPG polymorphisms do not independently affect on the susceptibility to HCC, but the joint effect of C allele of XPC Lys939Gln and female may modify the risk of HCC.</p>

Clinical effectiveness and safety of combined therapy with an alpha-blocker and an anticholinergic drug for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combined therapy of doxazosin and tolterodine for BPH patients with dominant storage symptoms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From May 2009 to April 2010, 76 patients diagnosed as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), flowmetry, ultrasound for prostate volume, residual urine and other methods were included in the study, all of them fulfilled the study's inclusive/exclusive criteria. The principal exclusive criteria were prostate volume > 50 ml, maximum flow rate (Qmax) < 10 ml/s and residual urine > 100 ml. All 76 patients had bothering storage symptoms and divided randomly into two groups:doxazosin group (n = 36) in which patients were treated with doxazosin 2 mg once daily for 8 weeks, and combination group (n = 40) in which patients were treated with doxazosin 2 mg once daily and tolterodine 2 mg twice daily for 8 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At baseline, there was no significant differences. The IPSS was significantly improved in the two groups after treatment, but the reduction of IPSS in combination group was significantly greater (18.7 ± 2.2 vs 12.7 ± 3.9) than that in doxazosin group (18.6 ± 3.0 vs 15.2 ± 3.8) (P < 0.05), and the decreased storage IPSS was the main contribution to the reduction of IPSS in combination group. There was no difference between the groups for Qmax and residual urine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Combined therapy with doxazosin plus tolterodine for BPH patients with dominant storage symptoms can improve the IPSS, especially the storage IPSS, without any negative effects on uroflow rate and residual urine.</p>

Utility of waist-to-height ratio in detecting central obesity and related adverse cardiovascular risk among normal weight adults / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect central obesity and related adverse cardiovascular disease risk factors by waist-to-height ratio (WHR) among normal weight adults in Chongqing area.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 20 000 participants aged 18 - 59 from one hour economic cycle of Chongqing area were selected by group sampling method. We measured the height, waist circumference (WC), body weight, blood pressure, blood lipid and blood sugar. Body Mass Index (BMI) and WHR were computed. We analyzed the differences of the correlated indexes between non-central obesity group (WHR < 0.5) and central obesity group (WHR ≥ 0.5) of those had normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI (kg/m(2)) < 24). And we used logistic regression method to analyze the relation between central obesity and related adverse cardiovascular risk factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 11 612 normal weight subjects, 1801 (15.51%) participants were normal weight central obesity. Of non-central obesity group and central obesity group, the levels of waist WC were (73.71 ± 5.91) and (84.47 ± 4.58) cm (F = 328.74, P < 0.01); diastolic blood pressure levels were (72.85 ± 10.30) and (78.22 ± 11.90) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa, F = 23.62, P < 0.01); triglyceride levels were (1.22 ± 0.95), (1.97 ± 1.91) mmol/L (F = 114.70, P < 0.01); total cholesterol levels were (4.66 ± 0.84) and (5.04 ± 0.92) mmol/L (F = 13.10, P < 0.01); high density lipoprotein levels were (1.41 ± 0.31), (1.25 ± 0.29) mmol/L (F = 29.44, P < 0.01); low density lipoprotein levels were (2.65 ± 0.74) and (3.03 ± 0.77) mmol/L (F = 9.98, P < 0.01); glycemia levels were (4.94 ± 0.82) and (5.25 ± 1.37) mmol/L (F = 47.21, P < 0.01). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed the central obesity normal weight group was 1.28 (1.02 - 1.60), 1.49 (1.20 - 1.84), 2.24 (1.92 - 2.60), 1.77 (1.53 - 2.05), 1.58 (1.15 - 2.16) and 1.31 (1.06 - 1.63) times more likely than the normal group to have significantly elevated levels of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and blood glucose.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WHR can effectively reflect the normal weight central obesity and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease;the adverse cardiovascular disease risk was high among normal weight central obesity adults.</p>