Research Progress on Estimation of Postmortem Interval Based on Ocular Tissues Structure / 法医学杂志

Estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) is one of the important research contents in forensic pathology, and it has always been the focus and hot spot of research work. In recent years, scholars at home and abroad have made some research progress in estimating PMI by using ocular tissue. After death, the changes of cornea, aqueous humor, iris, lens, vitreous humor and retina all show time sequence change rule highly related to PMI. This paper reviews the research progress of PMI estimation based on the morphological, biochemical, molecular and genetic material changes of different ocular tissue structures after death, and discusses the existing problems and development trends.

Changes of 1, 5-AG in Vitreous Humor of Rabbit Cadavers with Hyperglycemic Metabolism / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the concentration and change characteristics of 1, 5-anhydroglucitol (1, 5-AG) in the vitreous humor of rabbit cadavers with hyperglycemic metabolism, and to explore the value of 1, 5-AG in forensic pathology identification of death caused by hyperglycemic metabolism disorders.@*METHODS@#A diabetic hyperglycemic rabbit model was established by using alloxan. Eighteen rabbits with fasting glucose concentration ≥13.80 mmol/L (experimental group) and 18 healthy rabbits with fasting glucose concentration ≤6.10 mmol/L (control group) were selected. After death from air embolism. The blood samples were collected immediately, and vitreous humor samples were collected at 0 h, 12 h, 24 h and 36 h after death. The concentration of 1, 5-AG in the blood and vitreous humor of rabbits was determined.@*RESULTS@#The blood glucose concentration in the experimental group was (25.10±3.14) mmol/L. At the time of death, there was no significant difference in the concentration of 1, 5-AG in the blood [(0.94±0.20) μg/mL] and in the vitreous humor (0.99±0.05 μg/mL, P>0.05). The concentration of 1, 5-AG in the vitreous humor of the experimental group was lower than that of the corresponding control group at all time points (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference betwwen 1, 5-AG concentration in vitreous humor between earch time point in the experimental group and the control group (P>0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the concentration of 1,5-AG in blood was negatively correlated with blood glucose in both control group and experimental group (control group: r=-0.79, P<0.05; experimental group: r=-0.97, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Vitreous humor can replace blood as an effective test sample for 1,5-AG detection. The concentration of 1, 5-AG in rabbit vitreous humor remains stable within 36 hours after death and is not affected by the change of postmortem interval. If the concentration of 1, 5-AG decreases significantly, it indicates the existence of hyperglycemia in rabbits before death.

Research Progress on Pathological Fibrosis of Sinoatrial Node / 法医学杂志

Human heart rhythm is mainly regulated and controlled by the sinoatrial node. Fibrosis plays an important regulating role in adjusting the structural and functional integrity of the sinoatrial node pacemaker complex. In physiological state, the fibrosis degree of sinoatrial node is negatively correlated with heart rate, positively correlated with age and heart size, and can maintain a relatively stable heart rate. Pathological fibrosis of sinoatrial node can induce various types of arrhythmias which can result in sudden death. Determination of the mechanisms related to sinoatrial node pathological fibrosis could provide a target for clinical treatment of sinoatrial node fibrosis and diagnosis basis for forensic pathologists. This paper reviews the main mechanism of sinoatrial node pathological fibrosis, including abnormal activation of cardiac fibroblast cells in sinoatrial node, hyperplasia of epicardial adipose tissue, calcium clock disorder, artery stenosis, etc., introduces the test methods, diagnostic criteria as well as its role in sudden cardiac death and discusses the potential application, to provide reference for relevant research and application.

Family history of esophageal cancer modifies the association of serum lipids and malignant esophageal lesions: a nested case-control study from the "Endoscopic Screening for Esophageal Cancer in China" trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The association of lipids and cancer has varied greatly among different cancer types, lipid components and study populations. This study is aimed to investigate the association of serum lipids and the risk of malignant lesions in esophageal squamous epithelium.@*METHODS@#In the "Endoscopic Screening for Esophageal Cancer in China" (ESECC) trial, serum samples were collected and tested for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol at the time of subject enrollment. Cases were defined as malignant esophageal lesions identified by baseline endoscopic examination or by follow-up to May 31, 2018. Controls were randomly selected using incidence density sampling in the same cohort. Conditional logistic models were applied to identify the association of serum lipids and the risk of malignant esophageal lesions. Effect modification was evaluated by testing interaction terms of the factor under assessment and these serum lipid indicators.@*RESULTS@#No consistent association between serum lipid levels and esophageal malignant lesions were found in a pooled analysis of 211 cases and 2101 controls. For individuals with a family history of esophageal cancer (EC), high TC, and LDL-C were associated with a significantly increased risk of having malignant lesions (odds ratio [OR]High vs. Low TC = 2.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-4.35; ORHigh vs. Low LDL-C = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.01-3.65). However, a negative association was observed in participants without an EC family history (ORHigh vs. Low TC = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.48-0.98, Pinteraction = 0.002; ORHigh vs. Low LDL-C = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.34-0.76, Pinteraction < 0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In this study, we found that the association of serum lipids and malignant esophageal lesions might be modified by EC family history. The stratified analysis would be crucial for population-based studies investigating the association of serum lipids and cancer. The mechanism by which a family history of EC modifies this association warrants further investigation.

MicroRNA-29a-3p regulates osteoblast differentiation and peri-implant osseointegration in a rat model of hyperlipidemia by modulating Frizzled 4 expression / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#This work aimed to study and identify the influence and target gene of microRNA-29a-3p (miR-29a-3p) in the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in a high-fat environment in vitro and in vivo.@*METHODS@#1) In vitro: BMSCs were randomly allocated into two groups and were then induced to undergo osteogenic differentiation in a normal or high-fat environment. Next, a miR-29a-3p mimic/inhibitor was transfected into the two groups of cells. The mRNA expression levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runt related gene 2 (Runx2), and miR-29a-3p and the protein expression levels of ALP and Runx2 were detected before and after transfection through reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analyses. Moreover, Frizzled (Fzd) 4 was predicted as the target gene of miR-29a-3p by using an online database (Target Scan, MiRNA.org). The interactive relationship between miR-29a-3p and Fzd4 was confirmed through dual-luciferase assays. 2) In vivo: Rats were randomly divided into two groups and fed with a standard or high-fat diet. Titanium implants were grown in rats. Then, the expression levels of miR-29a-3p, ALP, and Runx2 were detected in bone tissues surrounding implants. Moreover, hard tissue sections were subjected to methylene blue-acid magenta staining and observed under microscopy to study bone formation around implants. In addition, miR-29a-3p-overexpressing lentiviral vectors were transfected into rats, and the expression levels of ALP, Runx2, and miR-29a-3p in bone tissues surrounding implants were detected at 3 and 10 days after transfection.@*RESULTS@#The expression levels of ALP, Runx2, and miR-29a-3p and the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs were suppressed in high-fat groups in vitro and in vivo.@*CONCLUSIONS@#MiR-29a-3p plays a positive role in the regulation of BMSCs in a high-fat environment. It can increase ALP and Runx2 expression levels in bone tissues surrounding implants in hyperlipidemia models. This result implies that miR-29a-3p can promote implant osseointergration in a rat model of hyperlipidemia.

Anticancer Effect and Mechanism of Plumbagin on Lewis Lung Carcinoma in Vitro and in Vivo / 中国药学杂志

OBJECITVE: To study the inhibitive effect of plumbagin on Lewis lung cancer. METHODS: Cell proliferation was determined by CCK8 assay. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of Bcl-2 and VEGF protein was studied by Western blot assay. The model of C57BL/6 mice bearing Lewis lung cancer was established by subcutaneous seeding of Lewis lung cancer cells, and randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6). Tumor-bearing mice were injected with normal saline, plumbagin(low, medium, high dose) or cyclophosphamide (CTX) in each group. The tumor volume was measured. All mice were sacrificed on Day 22nd under aseptic condition for the tumor collection. The transplanted tumors were weighed for calculation of the tumor inhibition rate; Immunohistochemical method was applied to assessing the VEGF expression in tumor tissue. RESULTS CCK-8 assay showed that plumbagin had an obvious inhibition on Lewis lung carcinoma cells line in a dose-dependent manner(r = 0.953, P < 0.05). Plumbagin significantly increased cell apoptosis rate(P<0.05). The protein levels of Bcl-2 and VEGF were significantly reduced by plumbagin (0, 2.5, 5, 10 μmol·L-1) treatment(P < 0.05). In plumbagin(low, medium, high dose) groups and CTX group, the tumour volume, tumour weight and the expression of VEGF were significantly less than those in the control group (P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The plumbagin effectively inhibits Lewis lung carcinoma cells proliferation and tumor growth of Lewis lung carcinoma cells in mice. The mechanism involved is down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2, VEGF and inducing cell apoptosis.

Cytoplasmic expression of aquaporin-1 in breast cancer cells and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in breast cancer tissues, and to analyze its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of breast cancer patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Histochemical SP staining was used to assess the AQP1 expression in 30 cases of lobular hyperplasia of mammary gland, 16 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and 78 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma-not otherwise specified (IDC-NOS), and to analyze the relationship between cytoplasmic expression of AQP1 in IDC-NOS and clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis of the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Positive AQP1 immunolabelling appeared as brown deposit over the membrane of myoepithelial cells in all cases of lobular hyperplasia of mammary gland, but only 10.0% of cases showed cytoplasmic staining in glandular epithelial cells. In the ductal carcinoma in situ, brown deposit of AQP1 immunolabelling appeared over the myoepithelial cell membrane in all cases, but only 12.5% of cases were accompanied with cytoplasmic staining in glandular epithelial cells. In the invasive ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified, 35.9% of the cases showed cytoplasmic AQP1 immunoreactivity, but only 3.8% of cases showed positive membrane staining of the tumor cells. There were highly positive AQP1 expression in 14 cases, weakly positive in 14 cases, and negative in 50 cases. Cytoplasmic AQP1 expression in the IDC-NOS cases was significantly correlated with pathologic stage, PR, HER-2, lymph node status, Nottingham prognostic index (NPI) and metastasis or recurrence (all P < 0.05). The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 16.8% in the patients with strong positive AQP1 expression, 90.9% in the cases with weakly positive AQP1 expression and 94.9% in the AQP1-negative cases, showing a significant difference (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that the lymph node status and cytoplasmic expression of AQP1 were independent factors for PFS (both P < 0.05). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 45.6% in the AQP1- strong positive cases, 90.0% in the AQP1-weakly positive cases and 97.7% in the AQP1-negative cases, showing a significant difference (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that the lymph node status and cytoplasmic expression of AQP1 were independent factors affecting the overall survival and progression-free survival (both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AQP1 is mainly expressed on the membrane of myoepithelial cells in the benign breast lesions, but in the cytoplasm of breast cancer cells, and its expression is an independent factor affecting prognosis of breast cancer patients.</p>

Relation between serum levels of high mobility group box 1 and hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the levels of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) in serum of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and investigate its potential relation to the clinical features of these patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients with HBV-related ACLF, 30 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and 24 healthy individuals (controls) were enrolled in the study. Markers of liver function, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were measured by routine biochemical methods. Imaging studies, such as abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, were used for disease staging. Serum levels of HMGB1 were measured by ELISA. Deaths within the 2-month follow-up after serum collection were used for the survival analysis. Patients who developed peritonitis, pneumonia, or other bacterial and fungal infections during the 2-month follow-up after serum collection were classified as the infected group. Pairwise comparisons were carried out by t-test, and multiple comparisons were carried out by analysis of variance.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients with HBV-related ACLF had significantly higher serum levels of HMGB1 than CHB patients or controls (P = 0.003). Among the patients with HBV-related ACLF, those in the late stage (n = 20) had significantly higher levels of HMGB1 than those in the early stage (n = 20) (P = 0.005). The serum levels of HMGB1 correlated well with AST level in patients with HBV-related ACLF (P = 0.006). In addition, patients with HBV-related ACLF who developed infection or died during follow-up also had significantly higher levels of HMGB1 (P = 0.028 or P = 0.017, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Enhanced serum level of HMGB1 is associated with development of HBV-related ACLF in CHB patients. The strong correlation between HMGB1 and AST levels suggest that HMGB1 may be useful as a prognostic marker for development of ACLF.</p>

Robo1 expression in breast cancer and its relationship to brain metastasis / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the expression of Robo1 in different breast tumors and its association with the breast cancer brain metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Labelled streptavidin-biotin (LSAB) staining was used to examine the Robo1 expression in specimens from 24 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) with brain metastasis, 71 cases of IDC without brain metastasis, 22 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 23 cases of fibroadenoma.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression pattern of Robo1 in DCIS (59.1%) and IDC (45.3%) was significantly lower than that in adenofibroma (87.0%, P < 0.05). The expression of Robo1 in IDC with brain metastasis (12.5%) was significantly lower than that in IDC without brain metastasis (56.3%, P < 0.05). The expression of Robo1 was much higher in more than 50 year-old-group (57.8%) than that in less than 50 year-old-group (34.0%) of IDC patients. The overall survival time in patients with the Robo1 negative expression was significantly shorter than those with positive expression (P < 0.05). No correlation was found between the Robo1 expression and the tumor size, lymph node metastasis, pathologic stage, histological grade and clinical stage (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The Robo1 expression correlates negatively with IDC brain metastasis, and correlates positively with the age and prognosis of IDC patients. Robo1 may be applied as a marker in evaluation of the IDC prognosis and brain metastasis.</p>

PSCA expression in invasive micropapillary carcinoma of breast / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) at protein and mRNA levels in invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast (IMPC) and to analyze the relationship between PSCA expression and clinicopathologic features.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of PSCA protein was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (LSAB) in 66 cases of IMPC and 67 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified (IDC-NOS). The association between PSCA expression and clinicopathologic features was also analyzed in IMPC. Furthermore, RT-PCR was used to detect PSCA mRNA in 10 cases of primary IMPC and 10 cases of primary IDC-NOS with paired normal breast tissues, each from the same subject.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the overexpression of PSCA in 47 of 66 (71.2%) cases of IMPC and 35 of 67 (52.2%) IDC-NOS. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference of PSCA expression between IMPC and IDC-NOS (P = 0.024). In IMPC, the expression of PSCA was correlated with lymph nodes metastasis (P = 0.039). RT-PCR showed the mRNA level of PSCA was significantly higher in primary IMPC and IDC-NOS tissue than that in paired normal breast tissue (7/10 and 5/10, respectively), and it was also significantly higher in primary IMPC tissue than that in IDC-NOS tissue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PSCA might play an important role in lymph node metastasis in IMPC.</p>

Primary lymphoma of breast: a clinicopathologic and prognostic study of 40 cases / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of primary lymphoma of breast.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty cases of primary breast lymphoma, diagnosed according to the 2008 World Health Organization classification of hematopoietic and lymphoid tumors, were retrospectively studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed by SP method. The follow-up data were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) All the patients were females and the median age was 47 years. Unilateral and bilateral breast involvement were noted in 36 and 4 patients, respectively. The number of tumor were 31 cases (77.5%, 31/40) less than 3, and 9 cases (22.5%, 9/40) were 3 and more than 3. According to Ann Arbor staging system, 33 cases (82.5%) were in stage I to II and 7 cases (17.5%) in stage III to IV. The level of LDH in 9 cases (24.3%, 9/37) went up. For ECOG scores, 34 cases (85.0%) were 0 to 1 score and 6 cases (15.0%) were more than 2 scores. With respect to international prognostic index, 83.8% (31/37) were of score 0 to 2 and 16.2% (6/37) were of score 3 and more than 3. The axillary lymph nodes of 21 patients (53.8%, 21/39) were involved by the malignancy. (2) Histologically, 38 cases (95.0%, 38/40) were classified as B-cell lymphoma [including 27 cases (67.5%) of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 8 cases (20.0%) of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, 2 cases of follicular lymphoma and 1 case of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma]. The remaining cases included one case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma and one case of lymphoblastic lymphoma. Immunohistochemically, expression of CD20+/- CD79a were demonstrated in the 38 cases (95.0%) of B-cell lymphoma. The staining for CK was negative in all cases. In 33 cases, the positive rates of MUM-1, bcl-6 and bcl-2 were 57.6% (19/33), 30.3% (10/33) and 72.7% (24/33), respectively. Three cases were germinal center B cell phenotype and 21 cases were non-germinal center B cell phenotype. (3) Follow-up information was available in 37 patients (92.5%, 37/40). Twenty-three patients (62.2%, 23/37) were still alive and fourteen ones (37.8%, 14/37) died. For the 27 cases with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the five-year and disease-free survival rates were 48.0% and 36.0%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Primary breast lymphoma is a rare disease entity. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the commonest histologic type and the majority show a non-germinal center B cell phenotype. The level of LDH, number of tumor and international prognostic index are of prognostic significance.</p>

Analysis of color doppler ultrasonography of chronic Keshan disease / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective Color doppler ultrasonography of chronic Keshan disease (CKD) was evaluated to provide evidences for clinic diagnosis of the disease. Methods From September to Novermber 2009, according to "Diagnostic criteria of Keshan disease" (GB 17021-1997), 64 cases of CKD were randomly sampled from five Keshan diseased districts in Shandong province, Zoucheng, Sishui, Yishui, Wulian, Jvxian, and Pingyi as patient group. Thirty four healthy volunteers being checked up by Shandong Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Research were put in control group. All the subjects were examined with Color doppler ultrasonography. The indexes of cardiac structure, left ventricular (LV) systolic function and LV diastolic function were measured.Results Left atrial internal diameter, LV end-diastolic internal diameter, LV end-systolic internal diameter, right ventricular diameter, aorta diameter, right atrial transverse diameter, right atrial long diameter and left ventricle mass of the patient group[(35.38 ± 6.89), (61.57 ± 8.61), (45.39 ± 10.29), (17.22 ± 3.79), (28.69 ± 2.81),(38.00 ± 6.05), (42.68 ± 8.65)mm, (283.22 ± 103.12)g] were higher than that of control group[(26.70 ± 3.27),(45.41 ± 4.93), (26.91 ± 4.35), (13.76 ± 2.27), (24.09 ± 2.89), (31.50 ± 3.32), (35.82 ± 3.14) mm, (156.03 ±39.86)g, t = 6.93, 10.09, 9.98, 4.87, 7.64, 5.81, 4.46, 6.90, all P＜ 0.05]. The LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening of the left ventricular of the patient group[(49.25 ± 14.33)%, (26.11 ± 9.17)%] were lower than that of control group[(73.88 ± 4.04)%, (42.88 ± 3.62)%, t = - 9.79, - 10.22, all P＜ 0.05]. Diffuse hypokinetic motion of the left ventricle reduced in 95% (61/64) of CKD patients, and 5% (3/64) of CKD patients had segmental LV dyskinesia. Seventy five per sent(48/64) of the patients accompanied with mitral regurgitation, and 39% (26/64) of these cases accompanied with tricuspid regurgitation. Meaningful Mitral or tricuspid regurgitation was not found out in control group. Conclusions The CKD patients' bore of atrio-ventricular cavity and LV mass are enlarged, and their motion of ventricle is reduced or partly reduced. They have poor heart function. Mitral regurgitation are more than tricuspid regurgitation. Color doppler Ultrasonography is important in diagnosis of chronic Keshan discase.

Expression of PLAC1/CP1 genes in primary colorectal carcinoma and its clinical significance / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression and significance of PLAC1/CP1 genes in patients with primary colorectal carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of PLAC1/CP1 genes in 97 cases of colorectal carcinoma was studied using tissue chip technology and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of PLAC1/CP1 proteins expression in the cases studied was 56.7% (55/97), with 27.8% (27/97) being nuclear staining and 43.3% (42/97) being cytoplasmic staining. The percentage of expression was higher in women than in men (χ(2) = 6.567, P = 0.010). The expression in poorly differentiated colorectal carcinoma was significantly higher than that in the well or moderately differentiated carcinoma (χ(2) = 8.321, P = 0.016). The expression was also significantly higher in stage TNM III or IV tumors than in stage TNM I or II tumors (χ(2) = 18.726, P = 0.000). The rate was higher in cases with lymph node metastasis than in those with negative lymph nodes (χ(2) = 17.407, P = 0.000), and was higher as the number of metastasis increasing (χ(2) = 22.632, P = 0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of PLAC1/CP1 genes correlates with various clinical and pathologic parameters. It carries prognostic significance and may represent a potential target for immunotherapy.</p>

Significance of expression of stromal cell derived factor 1 and CXCR4 in invasive breast cancer / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of stromal cell derived factor 1(SDF-1)/CXCR4 and their association with clinicopathologic features and lymph node metastasis in invasive breast carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of SDF-1 was studied by immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization. Immunohistochemical study for CXCR4 was also performed. The correlation with various clinicopathologic parameters was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) SDF-1 was mainly expressed in tumor cells and the level of its expression (both membranous and cytoplasmic) in lymph node-positive group was higher than that in lymph node-negative group (P = 0.033). Only cytoplasmic expression correlated with the number of positive lymph node involved by metastasis, TNM tumor stage, histologic grade, tumor dimension and estrogen receptor status (P < 0.05). (2) SDF-1 protein was also detected in the endothelial cells, although its mRNA was rarely detected. SDF-1 staining in lymphatics was associated with positive lymph node (P = 0.005) and SDF-1 staining in blood vessels correlated with stromal lymphocytic reaction (P = 0.001). The extent of nodal involvement was higher in the group with positive SDF-1 staining in blood vessels and with prominent lymphocytic reaction than that in other groups with one or neither of the two features (P < 0.05). (3) On the other hand, CXCR4 was mainly expressed in tumor cells (both nuclear and cytoplasmic); and the level of its expression in lymph node-positive group was higher than that in lymph node-negative group (P = 0.005). Only cytoplasmic expression correlated with the number of positive lymph node involved by metastasis, TNM tumor stage, histologic grade, tumor dimension and HER2 status (P < 0.05). The nuclear expression of CXCR4 was only correlated with progesterone receptor status (P < 0.01). The cytoplasmic expression CXCR4 also positively correlated with SDF-1 expression (P = 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SDF-1 and CXCR4 can serve as biomarkers for diagnosis and prediction of lymph node metastasis, as well as potential therapeutic targets in invasive breast carcinoma. The difference in localization and staining patterns may also carry different significance.</p>

Significance of interleukin-1beta expression and microvascular density in invasive micropapillary carcinoma of breast / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the significance of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) expression and microvascular density (MVD) in invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of breast.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical study for IL-1beta and CD34 was performed on 100 cases of IMPC and 97 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). The relationship between IL-1beta expression, MVD and various pathologic parameters (estrogen and progesterone receptor status, Ki-67 proliferative index, histologic grade and lymph node metastasis) in IMPC was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference in expression of IL-1beta between IMPC and IDC (P = 0.924). The expression of IL-1beta positively correlated with proliferative index (P = 0.023), histologic grade (P = 0.038) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.008), and negatively correlated with estrogen receptor expression (P = 0.035). The MVD in IMPC was significantly higher than that in IDC (66.4 versus 60.0, P = 0.003). The mean MVD in node-positive IMPC was higher than that in node-negative IMPC (68.8 versus 54.4, P = 0.001). In IMPC, the MVD in histologic grade II and III tumors was much higher than that in histologic grade I tumors (68.3 versus 59.9, P = 0.025). It had no relationship with hormonal receptor status and proliferative index.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Overexpression of IL-1beta and high microvessel density may have important roles in tumor cell proliferation and lymph node metastasis in IMPC.</p>

Effect of Rhizoma coptidis and Radix rehmanniae with different ratio on pharmacokinetics of berberine in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Rhizoma Coptidis and Radix Rehmanniae with the different ratio on the pharmacokinetics of berberine in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>24 rats were grouped to 4 groups randomly. Decoction, in which the proportion of Rhizoma Coptidis to Radix Rehmanniae is 1:0, 1:1, 1:4, 1:8 differently, was intragastrically given to the 4 groups. HPLC was used to determine concentration of berberine in serum. We adopted DAS 2.0 to analysis pharmacokinetic parameters of berberine.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The concentration-time curves was all fitted to two-compartment model with a weight of 1/C2. Difference of 4groups in C(max), AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), is significant (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Radix Rehmanniae of large dose can effectively enhance berberine's bioavailability in rats.</p>