Research progress in role and mechanism of ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国药理学通报

Hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) is the most com-mon primary liver cancer resulted from various etiological fac-tors, among which HBV infection is the most important reason in China. The development and progression of HCC are regulated by a variety of cytokines and intracellular signaling pathways. In recent years, both clinical and basic studies have shown that fer-roptosis plays an important role in the occurrence of HCC. Fer-roptosis can affect the development of liver diseases by regulating the level of intracellular iron and lipid peroxidation. Many schol-ars believe that ferroptosis can be used as a target for the diagno-sis, prevention and treatment of HCC. In this review, the role of ferroptosis in HCC and its research progress has been summa-rized, including ferroptosis summary, the relationship between ferroptosis and HCC, and the molecular mechanisms of ferropto-sis in HCC.

Circulating Neutrophil Counts Decrease in Response to Mitigated Air Quality in Stable COPD Patients / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

This three-year study, based on the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease (GRID), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Biobank, was conducted in 36 COPD patients to estimate whether changes in levels of leukocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and platelets were related to changes in air pollutant concentration. Daily NO2 levels exhibited significant differences between baseline years and the 2010 Asian Game period. We observed significant reductions in leukocyte and neutrophils counts levels, by 15.51% and 23.01%, from pre-Asian Games to during-Asian Games, respectively. In the post-Asian Game period, most pollutants approximated pre-Asian Game period levels, and similar effects were demonstrated in leukocyte and neutrophil counts. For both items, we identified significant increases resulting from elevated NO2 at lag days 0-2/5-6. We concluded that reductions in pollutants during the intervention period were associated with inactivation of hematological events in COPD.

Effect of acupuncture on the activity of the peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets and NK cells in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of acupuncture on the immune function of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases with colorectal cancer liver metastasis confirmed by pathology and mageology diagnosis were treated with acupuncture. Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Neiguan (PC 6), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Hegu (LI 4), Taixi (KI 3), Taichong (LR 3) ,Yinlingquan (SP 9), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. were selected for acupuncture, and Shenque (CV 8), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zusanli (ST 36) were selected for moxibustion. The changes of CD(3) , CD(4) , CD(8) T cells and NK cells in value were examined with flow cytometry before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The value of T lymphocyte subsets such as CD(3) , CD(4), and CD(8) , as well as NK cells were obviously increased after treatment, and there were significant differences between them before and after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can improve the immune function of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis.</p>

Inhibition of retrovirus-mediated gene transfer of inducible nitric oxide synthase on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the effect of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene mediated by retroviral vector on the proliferation of cultured aortic vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) of rat and the possibility of iNOS gene therapy for vessel graft restenosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ex vitro VSMC were transfected by different viral titer of viral supernatant. The expression of the retroviral iNOS transgene was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Nitric oxide (NO) release from infected cells was determined by Griess reaction. The inhibition of iNOS transgenosis on the proliferation of VSMC was detected by modified MTT assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>mRNA and protein of transferred iNOS gene were detected 48 hours post-gene transfer within the transfected cells. Levels of iNOSmRNA and protein in PLXSN-iNOS infected cells were positively correlated with viral titer of viral supernatant. PLXSN-treated VSMC showed no evidence of iNOS mRNA and protein. Transfection of PLXSN-iNOS into cultured VSMC resulted in a dose-dependent increase in NO production. And iNOS transgenosis significantly inhibited proliferation of VSMC. The inhibition effect was positively correlated with viral titer of viral supernatant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>iNOS gene could be quickly and effectively transferred into cultured VSMC by retroviral vector and its expression could significantly inhibit the proliferation of cultured VSMC. Retrovirus-mediated gene transfer of iNOS might play an important role in prevention of restenosis.</p>

Investigation of Paeonia sinjiangensis resources using remote sensing and expert knowledge / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effectiveness and feasibility of remote sensing technology in the rare species of wild plant resources.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The mechanism and characteristics of Paeonia sinjiangensis were analyzed to find the possibility of extracting from TM imagery. An expert system has been used with Landsat Thematic Mapper data to derive P. sinjiangensis. Then logical decision rules were used with the various datasets to assign values.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The land for P. sinjiangensis possible growth were mapped and accuracy tested was approving.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggest that the remote sensing expert interpretation system using satellite imagery and ancillary data will be feasible for research of rare wild medicinal plants distribution.</p>

Effect of Astragalus injection in promoting IEC-6 cell differentiation through activating ornithine decarboxylase / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of Astragalus injection (AI) in repairing mucous membrane by observing its effects on the proliferation, differentiation, migration as well as on intracellular content of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and polyamine in rat's small intestinal crypt-like cell line (IEC-6) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>AI was added in the IEC-6 cells after they had been cultured for 24 hours. Twelve hours after adding AI, the cells were collected to test the ODC mRNA level, ODC protein, ODC activity and the intracellular content of putrescine. Twenty-four hours after adding AI, the condition of cell proliferation and differentiation was observed. Another group of IEC-6 cells were injured after being cultured for 72 hours, and AI was added, the cell migration was observed at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after medication.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>AI could inhibit IEC-6 cell proliferation, promote the cell differentiation, but with no apparent effect on injured IEC-6 cell migratin. AI of 62.5-250 micrograms/ml concentration could increase the ODC mRNA level, as compared with control, the difference was significant (P < 0.05-0.01). ODC activity and intracellular content of putrescine could be gradually increased by AI in a dose-dependant manner. No effect of AI was shown on ODC protein in various dosage of AI groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AI could promote IEC-6 cell differentiation by means of inducing the ODC activity and biosynthesis of polyamine, but without significant effect on cell migration.</p>