Relationship between Aneurysm Volumetric Changes and Endoleaks after Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair / 中国医学科学院学报

To evaluate the relationship of volumetric changes and endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair(EVAR)for abdominal aortic aneurysms(AAAs). We retrospectively evaluated the clinical and imaging data of 54 patients who had underwent EVAR within 1 month after their aneurysms were detected.All patients received abdominal and pelvic enhanced computed tomography(CTA)for two follow-up visits in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2014 to February 2019.Three-dimensional volumes and maximum diameters on axial CT of the aortic aneurysms were calculated by dedicated semi-automated 3D segmentation software before surgery(V and D),in the 4 postoperative month(Vand D),and in the 12 postoperative month(Vand D),respectively.The presence or absence of endoleak for each patient with the V/V,V/V,and V/V were calculated to assess the significance of volume changes with respect to endoleaks and the correlation between volume changes and maximum diameter changes on axial CT images. Of the 54 patients,endoleaks were found in 11 patients at the first follow-up visit(4 months after surgery),among whom 8 patients were arranged a second follow-up visit(12 months after surgery),during which endoleaks were found in 5 patients.Fifteen of 43 non-leaked patients underwent a second CTA examination,which revealed endoleak in one case.Patients who did exhibit endoleaks[ =11,V/V=1.086(1.033,1.116)]showed significant increases in aneurysm volume when compared with those who did not exhbit endoleaks[ =43,V/V=1.019(0.970,1.065)]at the first follow-up visit(=-2.695,=0.007),although no significant difference was found with regard to volume changes between endoleaks(=6,V/V=1.1±0.2,V/V=1.0±0.1)and non-endoleaks(=17,V/V=1.0±0.1,V/V=1.0±0.1)at the second follow-up visit(=0.725,=0.476)as well as between these two follow-up visits(=-0.021,=0.984).V and D were moderately correlated with V and D,respectively(=0.5,<0.001)and strongly correlated with V and D,respectively(=0.8,<0.001).V and D were strongly correlated with V and D,respectively(=0.8,<0.001). The changes of aneurysm volume cannot reliably reflect the occurrence of endoleaks.The change of maximum axial diameter of aneurysm has certain correlation with the changes of aneurysm volume.

CT Texture Analysis: A Potential Biomarker for Evaluating KRAS Mutational Status in Colorectal Cancer / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective Texture analysis is deemed to reflect intratumor heterogeneity invisible to the naked eyes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of assessing the KRAS mutational status in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients using CT texture analysis. Methods This retrospective study included 92 patients who had histopathologically confirmed CRC and underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced CT examinations. The patients were assigned into a training cohort (

Correlation between CT Texture Analysis and Synchronous Distant Metastasis in Patients with Lymph Node-negative Colorectal Cancer / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the correlation between CT texture analysis and synchronous distant metastasis in patients with lymph node-negative colorectal cancer. Methods The preoperative CT images of 82 patients with lymph node-negative colorectal cancer were analyzed retrospectively.There were 12 patients with simultaneous distant metastasis and 70 patients without simultaneous distant metastasis.The maximum plane of the lesion on plain scan and portal CT images was analyzed by TexRAD software.When the spatial scaling factor(SSF)was 0 and 2-6,six texture parameters were obtained,and the differences of texture parameters between the two groups were compared.The counting data were analyzed by chi-square test and the measurement data by Mann-Whitney test. Results There was a significant difference in the skewness of SSF=3 between the simultaneous distant metastasis group and the non-synchronous metastasis group on plain CT scan(

Application and Progress of Texture Analysis in the Therapeutic Effect Prediction and Prognosis of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Colorectal Cancer / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, and the morbidity and mortality are increasing gradually over the last years in China. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is currently applied to the treatment of colorectal cancer patients, and it is helpful to improve the prognosis. The sensitivity of patients to nCRT is different due to individual differences. Predicting the therapeutic effect of nCRT is of great importance for the further treatment methods. Texture analysis, as an image post-processing technique, has been more and more utilized in the field of oncologic imaging. This article reviews the application and progress of texture analysis in the therapeutic effect prediction and prognosis of nCRT for colorectal cancer.

Value of the CT Angiography in Displaying the Anatomical Variations of the Origin of Uterus Artery / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To study the anatomical variations of the origin of uterine artery(UA)by three-dimensional(3D)reconstructed computed tomography angiography(CTA)and facilitate the preoperative evaluation for gynecological surgeries or interventional therapies. Method The CTA findings of 112 patients with an average age of(31.4±6.6)years old who had received a pelvic CTA and undergone 3D reconstruction of the uterine artery were retrospectively analyzed. Results The average uterine volume was(95.6±26.8)cm .Of the UA 224 sides,144 sides(64.3%)arose from the interior gluteal artery and 51(22.8%)from internal iliac artery;in 29 sides(12.9%),the uterine artery,the inferior gluteal and the superior gluteal arteries arising as a trifurcation.The origin of UA was consistent between left and right sides in 68 patients(60.7%)and not in 44 patients(39.3%). Conclusion As a rapid,noninvasive,and economic technique,CTA can effectively display the anatomical variations of the origin of UA and thus can be used to guide interventional therapies and gynaecological surgeries.

NSAIDs combined with radiotherapy to prevent heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the preventive effects and differences of NSAIDs combined with radiotherapy, NSAIDs and radiotherapy for heterotopic ossification(HO) after total hip arthroplasty(THA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From February 2015 to July 2016, 168 hips undergoing primary THA were divided into group A, B and C, and 163 patients were followed up (54 cases and 54 hips in group A, 55 cases and 55 hips in group B, 54 cases and 54 hips in group C). Among group A, 5 hips were primary osteoarthritis, 37 hips were secondary osteoarthritis due to avascular necrosis of the femoral head, 12 hips were secondary osteoarthritis due to acetabular dysplasia. Patients in group A received oral celecoxib (0.2 g, 2 times a day) for 2 weeks after operation. Among group B, 6 hips were primary osteoarthritis, 32 hips were secondary osteoarthritis due to avascular necrosis of the femoral head, 17 hips were secondary osteoarthritis due to acetabular dysplasia, all of which in group B were treated with preoperative single 7 Gy radiotherapy. Among group C, 5 hips were primary osteoarthritis, 35 hips were secondary osteoarthritis due to avascular necrosis of the femoral head, 14 hips were secondary osteoarthritis due to acetabular dysplasia. Patients in group C were treated with preoperative radiotherapy and celecoxib after operation. The side effects of gastrointestinal reactions were observed after operation, and the heterotopic ossification was evaluated by pelvic anterior and posterior X-ray (Brooker grading).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean clinical and radiological follow-up was 21 months(12 to 30 months). In group A, 54 hips were followed up with 7 hips with heterotopic ossification, including 5 hips of Brooker I and 2 hips of Brooker II. In group B, 55 hips were successfully followed up, with 8 hips of heterotopic ossification occurred, including 6 hips of Brooker I, 2 hips of Brooker II. In group C, 54 hips were successfully followed up, with 5 hips of heterotopic ossification occurred , including 4 hips of Brooker I, 1 hip of Brooker II. There was no significant difference in efficacy among 3 groups (²=0.743, 0.690) by chi-square test. The prevalence of side effects were as following: in group A, there were 6 hips with side effects;in group B, there were 6 hips with side effects;in group C, there were 7 hips with side effects. There was also no significant difference in side effects among 3 groups (²=0.135, 0.935).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The combined-therapy group has lower prevalence of HO than the NSAIDs group or radiotherapy group, but the statistical difference between them is not significant. NSAIDs is still the first choice to prevent HO after THA.</p>

Application of the Dual-layer Spectral Detector CT in the CT Angiography of Superior Vena Cava / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To evaluate the application of the dual-layer spectral detector CT in the CT angiography of superior vena cava (SVC). Methods Totally 30 consecutive patients who underwent chest enhanced CT in our center were enrolled in this study. Eight series of images were reconstructed,including the conventional images at 120 kVp and seven series of virtual monoenergetic spectral images at 40,50,60,70,80,90,and 100 keV. The regions of interest (ROIs) were placed at the level of the proximal end,middle part,and distal end in the SVC vessel. The CT values and standard deviations of these three ROIs and the lipid on prothroax wall were measured. The signal to noise ratio (SNR),contrast to noise ratio (CNR),and effective dose (ED) were calculated. In addition,the quality of images was evaluated by two blinded readers using a grading scheme. The differences in CT values,SNR,and CNR among groups were analyzed using the independent t-test. The quality of all images was compared using non-parametric test between two readers,and the consistency between two radiologists were evaluated by using Kappa (κ) value. Results There was no significantly different attenuation value among three ROIs of the SVC for each monoenergetic images (all P>0.05). The SVC showed significantly higher attenuation value (223.51±40.35)HU,SNR 13.56±4.18 and CNR 24.15±6.58 in the 40 keV group than in other keV groups and the conventional group [attenuation value:(97.70±13.85)HU;SNR:4.59±1.41;CNR:9.69±2.81] (P<0.005). The mean ED was(2.04±0.63) mSv. The subjective diagnostic scores accessed from two radiologists were 1 (1,2) and 1 (1,2) (Z=-0.358,P=0.720). The subjective diagnostic quality values evaluated by two observers showed excellent consistency (κ=0.863,P=0.000). Conclusion An optimal imaging of the SVC can be achieved on monoenergetic reconstructions at 40 keV by using the dual-layer spectral detector CT.

Expressions of oncogenes c-fos and c-myc in skin lesion of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the expressions of c-fos and c-myc in skin lesion of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).@*METHODS@#Using retrospective analysis, 73 cases of CSCC were selected from Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, which were removed between January 2000 and January 2012. It was considered as experimental group. Meanwhile, 11 cases of normal skin specimens of non tumor patients were selected as control group. The expression level of c-fos and c-myc was compared in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The expressions of c-fos [72.60% (53/73)] and c-myc [83.56% (61/73)] in experimental group were statistically significant (P≤0.05) compared with control group (0%). Expression of c-myc protein was negatively related to differentiation of CSCC. The difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=7.26, P=0.001<0.05). While expression of c-fos protein was positively related to differentiation of CSCC, which was statistically significant (χ(2)=7.47, P=0.001 2<0.025).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The expression level of c-fos and c-myc can be used as an important indicator of CSCC differentiation, and it has closely connection with the differentiated degree, which can guide clinical prognosis.

Influence of siRNA interfering β-catenin on tumorigenicity in vivo of K562 cell line / 中国实验血液学杂志

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of β-catenin on the tumorigenicity of K562 cells in vivo. The β-catenin expression in K562 cells was down-regulated through sequence-specific siRNA, and the treated K562 cells were implanted into BALB/c nude mouse subcutaneously. And the tumor-forming rate and tumor-forming curve (interference group) were observed. Experiments were divided into 3 group: interference group (implanted K562 cells transfected with β-catenin interfering plasmid DNA), control group (implanted K562 cells transfected with unrelated sequence plasmid DNA) and untreated group (implanted K562 cells transfected without plasmid DNA). The results indicated that the tumor-forming rates of untreated group (n = 9), control group (n = 8) and interference group (n = 9) were 100%, 87.5% and 0% respectively. The tumor-forming rate of interference group was significantly lower than those of the other 2 groups (p < 0.001). Comparison of the tumor-forming curve between 3 groups, showed that in first 2 groups existed tumor-forming and their final tumor volumes were almost the same, but the tumor growth of untreated group was faster than that in control group; while in the interference group there was not tumor-forming. It is concluded that the β-catenin expression level in K562 cells is down-regulated through the interference of sequence-specific siRNA, thus affecting their tumor-forming potential in vivo.

Analysis of efficacy and related factors in 85 chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with imatinib mesylate / 中国实验血液学杂志

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Imatinib on patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase and to analyze its influencing factors. 85 patients received Imatinib mesylate at a dose of 300-600 mg orally per day, and were evaluated for hematologic, cytogenetic, and molecular responses. The results showed that the median follow-up was 21 (range 9 - 78) months. Cumulative complete hematological remission (CHR) rate was 100%, major cytogenetic remission (MCyR) rate was 80%, complete cytogenetic remission (CCyR) rate was 67.1% and complete molecular remission (CMoR) rate was 36.4%. The median time to complete hematological remission (CHR) was 1 (range 1 - 3) month, to complete cytogenetic remission (CCyR) was 6 (range 1 - 24) months. The estimated overall survival rates for patients who received Imatinib for 1, 2, 3 years were (98.7 +/- 1.3)%, (96.5 +/- 2.5)% and (90.1 +/- 6.6)% respectively. The estimated progression-free survival rates at 1, 2, 3 years were (97.6 +/- 1.6)%, (96.1 +/- 2.2)% and (90.0 +/- 1.4)% respectively. The CHR, MCyR and CCyR between low risk, intermediate risk and high risk groups according to the Sokal scoring system and between primarily treated and retreated groups all had no difference. The overall survival of patients who achieved MCyR or CCyR was better than that in patients only achieved hematologic remission (p = 0.026), but there was no significant difference in progression-free survival between them. Univariate analysis for efficacy of Imatinib mesylate revealed that WBC count < 100 x 10(9)/L (p = 0.024), Hb level > or = 130 g/L (p = 0.036), and peripheral basophil count < or = 0.05 (p = 0.024) before therapy were independent favourable factors for achieving MCyR or CCyR. It is concluded that the patients with CML in chronic phase treated with Imatinib can achieve the best hematologic remission and higher cytogenetic remission, it should be considered that the imatinib is a drug of the first-line therapy for untreated and treated patients with CML.

Expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor in patients with gastric carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in patients with gastric carcinoma in different stages.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of HB-EGF protein and mRNA in normal gastric tissues, metaplasic intestinal mucosa, early-stage gastric cancer and advanced-stage gastric cancer tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HB-EGF expression was only detected in the parietal cells of the gastric fundic glands and in gastrin cells of the pyloric glands in normal gastric tissues. Weak HB-EGF expression was detected in the epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa in intestinal metaplasic mucosa, and the expression increased in all layers of the gastric mucosa in early-stage gastric cancer. Intense HB-EGF expression was observed in advanced gastric cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increased HB-EGF expression may be implicated in the pathogenesis and development of gastric carcinoma.</p>

Analysis of relationship between bcr-abl transcription level detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and clinical status of CML patients / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the bcr-abl transcription level and its relationship with the clinical status of patients so as to provide some bases for predicting patient status according to absolute value of bcr-abl transcript. The bcr-abl/abl values (%) of bone marrow samples from 30 newly diagnosed CML patients at the baseline bcr-abl/abl value obtained in CML patients with bcr-abl positive were defined, then 161 bone marrow samples from 82 patients were detected at virions time points, and the bcr-abl/abl value of each sample was compared with baseline value and its relationship with clinical status of patient at same time point was investigated. The results showed that bcr-abl/abl values (%) of 30 patients showed positive skew distribution and a large variation with mean 13.5631 (1.0206 - 98.3159) and mathematical mean of 21.1491 (95% CI: 12.3532 - 29.9450). For strict standard, the baseline value of bcr-abl/abl (%) was set as 1, the lower limit of these values. In the detected results of 161 samples, there were 33 samples' values above the baseline value, in which resistance/relapse/progression (R/R/P) 13 (39.4%, 13/33), no remission (NR) 17 (51.5%, 17/33) and complete hematologic remission (CHR) 3 (9.1%, 3/33) were observed. the values of 26 samples decreased by 0 - 1 order of magnitude (0.1 < or = bcr-abl/abl % < 1), in which R/R/P 6 (23.1%, 6/26), NR 7 (26.9%, 7/26), CHR 7 (26.9%, 7/26) and cytogenetic remission (CyR) 6 (23.1%, 6/26) were observed, the values of 19 samples decreased by 1 - 2 order of magnitude (0.01 < or = bcr-abl/abl % < 0.1), in which NR 2 (10.5%, 2/19), CHR 3 (15.8%, 3/19) and CyR 14 (73.7%, 14/19) were determined. 7 samples decreased by 2 - 3 order of magnitude (0.001 < or = bcr-abl/abl % < 0.01) in which major CyR (MCyR) 2 (28.6%, 2/7) and complete CyR (CCyR) 5 (71.4%, 5/7) were determined, the values of 76 samples decreased by 3 or more order of magnitude (bcr-abl/abl % < 0.001), and all these were CCyR. In conclusion, the using decrease degree of one time point-detected value compared to the baseline could well assess the patient clinical status. The bcr-abl/abl % < 0.01 can reliably reflect CyR obtained by patients at the time point, and bcr-abl/abl % < 0.001 can reflect CCyR obtained by patients. However, exact judgments of patient status relies on dynamic and serial monitoring.

Analysis of long-term treatment outcome and related factors in 95 chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with imatinib / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of imatinib in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and analyse the treatment outcome and related factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety five CML patients were treated with imatinib in our hospital from May 2002 to May 2006. The outcomes and related factors were analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) One year after therapy, there were 95.5% of chronic phase (CP) patients achieved complete hematologic response (CHR). Fifty-two patients with complete cytogenetic dates were divided into primary-therapy group (n = 19) and secondary-therapy group (n = 33). The major cytogenetic responses (MCyR) at 6-, 12-, 18-, 24- and 30-months after therapy for the former group were 84.2%, 84.2%, 89.5%, 89.5% and 94.7%, and for the latter group were 36.4%, 39.4%, 39.4%, 39.4% and 39.4%, respectively (P < 0.01). The expected survival at 12-, 24-, 36- and 50-month after imatinib treatment for CP group was (98.1 +/-1.9)%, (87.8 +/- 7.1)%, (81.9 +/- 8.7)% and (81.9 +/- 8.7)%, respectively. (2) Twelve month after therapy, there are 70% of accelerated phase (AP) patients achieve CHR and 10% get MCyR. The expected survival at 12-, 24- and 36-month after imatinib treatment for AP group was (63.0 +/- 17.7)%, (15.8 +/- 14.3)% and (15.8 +/- 14.3)%, respectively. (3) Six month after therapy, 57.9% of blast crisis (BC) patients achieve CHR, with the expected survival at 12- and 24-month of (40.6 +/- 12.3)% and 0, respectively. (4) COX analysis CP group indicated that imatinib therapy administered for previously untreated was an independent favorable prognostic factor. Conclusion (1) Imatinib as a primary treatment for CP CML can significantly improve the survival time as compared with that AP or BC patients or with that used in previously treated patients. (2) Imatinib could induce hematologic, even cytogenetic response to a certain extent, in CP or BC patients and prolong the survival time.</p>

Chemical constituents of Sparganium stoleniferum / 药学学报

To study the chemical constituents of Sparganium stoleniferum Buch. -Ham, various chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify the chemical constituents. Their physicochemical properties and spectral data were used to elucidate the structures. Five compounds have been isolated by using silica gel column chromatography. They are beta-sitosterol plamitate (I), SanLeng diphenyllactone (II), SanLeng diphenylacetypene (III), 6,7,10-trihydroxy-8-octadecenoic acid (IV) and daucosterol plamitate (V). Compound II, III are two new compounds.

Effect of shRNA targeted to beta-catenin on K562 cell growth / 中国实验血液学杂志

In order to investigate the effect of shRNA targeted to beta-catenin on the growth of K562 cells, plasmid containing beta-catenin specific shRNA sequence was transfected into K562 cells by lipofectamine 2000, and G418 was added to screen the positive cells. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of beta-catenin. Cell growth curve, MTT and colony forming cell assays were used to evaluate the proliferation potential of cells. The results showed that the mRNA level of beta-catenin was reduced significantly in K562 cells transfected into interfering plasmid as compared with control plasmid, while the protein level failed to demonstrate difference by the time of 72 hours after transfection. After long-term culture with G418, the count of positive cells enhanced in control group while no positive cells survived in the interfering group. Colony-forming cell assays revealed that the K562 cells in interfering group formed colonies with very small size and low forming rate, compared with the control group, though the growth curve and MTT failed to illustrate differences. It is concluded that the beta-catenin-specific shRNA mediated by plasmid can effectively knockdown the expression of beta-catenin gene and inhibit the colony-forming ability in K562 cells, it is a potential target for the therapy of CML, even in blast crisis.

Synergistic effects of acitretin and narrow-band ultraviolet-B in inducing retinoic acid receptor gamma mRNA expression in normal human keratinocytes / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in cell proliferation and retinoic acid receptor gamma (RARgamma) mRNA expression in normal human keratinocytes after acitretin treatment and/or narrow-band ultraviolet-B irradiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Normal human keratinocytes were exposed to irradiation with 100 mJ/cm square NB-UVB and/or subsequent 12-hour incubation with 1x10(-6) mol/L acitretin, and the expression of RARgamma mRNA in the cells was examined using RT-PCR and real-time quantitative RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A 0.9- and a 2.3-fold increase in RARgamma mRNA expression was induced in the cells by exposure to 100 mJ/cm square NB-UVB and 10(-6) mol/L acitretin, respectively, and the expression was synergistically enhanced by 2.8-fold after their combined treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Upregulated expression of RARgamma mRNA can be associated with keratinocyte growth inhibition after treatment with acitretin and NB-UVB irradiation.</p>

Expression of beta-Catenin in Leukemic Cell Lines / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of beta-catenin in leukemic cell lines and its relationship with pathogenesis of leukemia, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of beta-catenin in a panel of 15 human hematopoietic cell lines (U937, KG1a, Jurkat, K562, Namalwa, HEL, HUT78, Raji, Daudi, CEM, LCL-H, HL-60, NB4, J6-1, Ramos). Immunocytochemistry was performed in some of these cell lines to detect the location of beta-catenin. The results showed that the beta-catenin gene was widely expressed in most leukemic cell lines in various degree, the high expression of beta-catenin was found is U937, KG1a, Jurkat, K562 and Namalwa cells, middle expression of beta-catenin was observed in HEL, HUT78, Raji, Daudi and CEM cells, lower expression of beta-catenin was observed in LCL-H, HL-60, NB4, J6-1 and Ramos cells. The expression level of beta-catenin protein was identical to the expression level of beta-catenin mRNA. The expression of beta-catenin could be found in nuclei of all cells mentioned above, but their levels were different between them. Abundant beta-catenin also could be observed in nuclei of some leukemic cells by immunocytochemistry. It is concluded that overexpression of beta-catenin in leukemia cells, as a key mediator of Wnt signaling transduction pathway, indicates that the Wnt signaling transduction pathway may be aberrantly activated in leukemia.

Expression of beta-Catenin Gene in CML and its relationship with bcr/abl / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to quantitatively detect the expression level of beta-catenin and bcr/abl in different phases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and to analyze their potential relationship and significance in the progression of CML. First, the total RNA isolated from BMMNC of patients with CML and donors was reversely transcribed into cDNA. The real-time quantitative PCR method was used to analyze the expression level of beta-catenin and bcr/abl. The expression level of beta-catenin and bcr/abl in different phases of CML was compared and the correlation was analyzed between the two genes. The results showed that the beta-catenin gene in BMMNC of blast crisis of CML patients was expressed significantly higher than that in chronic phase (p < 0.001) and accelerated phase (p = 0.016) of CML patients and in normal donors (p = 0.004). The expression of bcr/abl in blast crisis of CML was statistically higher than that in chronic phase of CML (p = 0.001). The expression levels of beta-catenin and bcr/abl were correlated with each other in CML patients (r = 0.620, p < 0.001). It is concluded that the beta-catenin gene in blast crisis of CML patients express higher than that in chronic phase and accelerated phase of CML, and its expression level is correlated with the level of bcr/abl expression. The increased expression of beta-catenin may be account partly for the blast crisis of CML.

The expression of beta-catenin and its significance in leukemia cells / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of beta-catenin in patients with leukemia and explore its significance in leukemias.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of beta-catenin in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) from patients with leukemia. Immunocytochemistry was in some of patients to detect the distribution of beta-catenin at the same time. The clinical significance of beta-catenin was analyzed in combination with patients' clinical information.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Expression of beta-catenin was statistically higher in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) samples than in normal donors (P = 0.001 and 0.016 respectively) and chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients (P = 0.001 and P = 0.008 respectively), while there was no statistic difference between AML and ALL patients (P = 0.58). In addition, beta-catenin expression in chronic phase CML patients was like that in normal donors (P = 0.49), but increased significantly in blast crisis and accelerated phase. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that BMMNCs from normal donors expressed beta-catenin on the plasma membrane and cytoplasma, while those from acute leukemia expressed beta-catenin to varying degrees in the nucleus as well. The expression of beta-catenin gene statistically showed the highest level in M5 (n = 15) and the lowest level in M3 (n = 18). No clinical features, such as, age, initial WBC count, therapy response rate, blast cell numbers or cytogenetic risk was found to be correlated with the expression of beta-catenin excepting for CD34+ positive rate (P = 0.004) in AML.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As a key mediator of Wnt signal transduction way, overexpression of beta-catenin in leukemia cells indicates that it might be aberrantly activated in acute leukemia, accelerated or blastic phase of CML.</p>

Comparison of expanding dendritic cells derived from cord blood and mobilized peripheral blood by two-step culture method / 中国实验血液学杂志

To compare the expansion efficiency and function of dendritic cells derived from CB-CD34+ cells and MPB-CD34+ cells by using two-step culture method, enriched CB-CD34+ cells or MPB-CD34+ cells with immunoadsorption were primarily cultured in the presence of FL, SCF, TPO, GM-CSF for 10 days, and then further cultured with a combination of GM-CSF, IL-4, TNF-alpha, CD40Ab and PGE2 to induce DC. The DC phenotypes were detected by flow cytometry, the expansion efficiency and cell function were evaluated by mix-lymphocyte reaction (MLR), IL-12 level was detected by using ELISA and the chemotactic function mediated by secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC) was determined with Transwell plate. The results indicated that after 10 days of expansion, there were no significant difference in the percentage of CD14+CD1a- cells between CB and MPB [(40.48 +/- 16.85)% vs (28.07 +/- 23.19)%, P > 0.05], but the expansion of total cells in CB was higher than that in MPB (388.88 +/- 84.63-fold vs 79.67 +/- 10.32-fold, P < 0.01), so the yield of CD14+CD1a- cells from CB was significantly higher than that from MPB too (189.42 +/- 25.02-fold vs 28.74 +/- 23.27-fold, P < 0.01). The percentage of CD83+ DCs cultured with CD40Ab/PGE2 derived from CB were higher than those cultured with TNF-alpha derived from MPB respectively [(34.52 +/- 11.22)% vs (3.70 +/- 2.27)% and (36.69 +/- 13.36)% vs (7.34 +/- 3.364)% respectively, P < 0.01]. In the same circumstance, the yield of CD83+ DCs derived from CB was much more than that from MPB (198.72 +/- 117.53 times vs 33.95 +/- 6.19 times, P < 0.01). There were no difference in stimulating capacity, IL-12 secretion and migration capacity between DCs derived from CB and MPB. It is concluded that DCs induced from CB-CD34+ cells by two-step culture possess similar functions with that from MPB-CD34+ cells, but the yield of DCs from CB CD34+ cells is much more than that from MPB CD34+ cells.