Prognostic Value of Immune Status Changes after Chemotherapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the prognostic significance of immune changes in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma(MM) after chemothrapy.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 99 patients with multiple myeloma received treatment in Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital from April 2011 to December 2017 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The change of immune status was defined by changes of lymphocyte/monocyte ratio(LMR) level. The prognosis value of age, sex, typing, hemoglobin (Hb), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin (albumin, ALB) and LMR changes were investigated in patients with newly diagnosed MM, and the relationship between above inentioned factors and changes of LMR was also explored. Overall survival rate between different subgroups was compared by using Kaplan-Meier curves and detected by Log-rank tests. Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognosis was performed by using the COX proportional hazards regression model. Paired samples Wilcoxon test were used to compare changes in ALC, AMC and LMR before and after chemotherapy, and logistic regression was used to investigate the clinical factors that affect the changes of LMR.@*RESULTS@#The median value of ALC increased from 1.25 (0.84-1.81)×10/L to 1.39 (1.02-1.9)×10/L (P=0.029) after treated for 1 month; the median value of AMC decreased from 0.37 (0.23-0.47) ×10/L to 0.29 (0.2-0.44)×10/L (P=0.026), and the median value of LMR increased from 3.552 (2.405-5.208) to 5.138 (3.22-6.471) (P=0.002). Multivariate survival analysis showed that increasing of LMR (HR 0.459, 95% CI 0.241-0.875, P=0.018) and LDH (HR 2.368, 95% CI 1.123-4.995, P=0.024) were considered to be the independent factors affecting the prognosis of MM patients.@*CONCLUSION@#The increasing of LMR level after treatment indicates a longer survival time of newly prognostic MM patients. Combination with LMR can not only reflect the effect of treatment on the immune status, but also predict the prognosis of MM patients much better.

Effect of plasmacytoid dendritic cells activited by bacteria on spontaneous remission of leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

Spontaneous remission (SR) of leukemia is a rare event in clinic, which possibly correlated with severe infection and sepsis, but its exact mechanism has not been confirmed. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) play a key role in innate and adaptive immunity respectively. A patient with severe infection of staphylococcus aureus acquired completely spontaneous remission (SR), moreover a increased number of pDC were observed, suggesting that bacteria-activated pDC may play an important role in SR. This study was purposed to explore if the bacteria can stimulate pDC successfully and get a functional pDC. Both pDC and mDC were isolated from freshly collected, leukocyte-rich buffy coats from healthy blood donor and leukemic patient with SR by using MACS and FACS. The pDC were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium and were stimulated with different kinds of bacteria and the expression of CD40, CD86 and HLA-DR on the cell surface was analyzed by flow cytometry. The cytokine (IFN-α, IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10) production was measured by using ELISA kits. The results showed that the stimulation with staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa resulted in the maturation of pDC, which secrete a large number of IFN-α and promote the differentiation of naive CD4⁺ T cells to Th1 cells. The activated pDC expressed high level of CD40 and CD86 and showed higher T cell stimulatory capacities. It is concluded that staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa can activate pDC, the activated pDC secrete high quantity of IFN-α. This result suggests that bacteria stimulated pDC may play a key role in SR of leukemia following severe infections.

Inhibition of Jumi extraction on growth of human cervical cancer cell line HeLa / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the inhibition of Jumi (traditional Chinese medicine) extraction on the growth of human cervical cancer cell line HeLa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nude mouse model of human cervical cancer HeLa cell transplantation was established. The nude mice bearing cancer were randomly divided into control group and Jumi treated groups with different concentration (0.001, 0.002, 0.005, 0.01 mg/ml). The growth of cervical cancer cell in experimental mice were measured. Cultured HeLa cells were incubated in culture media with or without Jumi extract for 48 hours. Cell proliferation rate, cell apoptosis, caspase-3/7 and caspase-6 activity were determined by MTT colorimetric assay, flow cytometry analysis and spectrophotometric detection, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With the increase of the concentration of Jumi extract, tumor-bearing mice tumor inhibition rate gradually increased. The proliferation of cultured HeLa cells were significantly inhibited by Jumi extract in a dose-dependent manner. IC50 was 0.004 mg/ml. Apoptosis rates in the cells treated with Jumi extract were higher than those of the control group. Compared with the control group, except for lower Jumi treated group (0.001 mg/ml), caspase-3/7 and caspase-6 activity were significantly increased in the all Jumi treated groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Jumi extract can inhibit the proliferation of human cervical cancer cell line HeLa in vitro in a dose-dependent manner and promote cell apoptosis through caspase-3, caspase-7 and caspase-6 pathway.</p>

Simultaneous determination of paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and 4'-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol in zhengtian pills by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

To simultaneously determine paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and 4'-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol in Zhengtian pills. In the test, Insertil ODS-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was adopted, with acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), the column temperature was 30 degrees C and the detection wavelength was 230 nm. According to the results of the test, paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and 4'-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol showed good linear relations between peak areas and sample sizes in 11.37-170.5, 2.188-32.82, 2.896-43.44, and 3.000-45.00 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 9, 0.999 9, 1.000 0, 1.000 0), respectively. The average recoveries (n = 6) were 102.3% (RSD 1.2%), 99.71% (RSD 1.9%), 101.2% (RSD 1.2%), and 99.40% (RSD 2.4%), respectively. The above four components were determined in five batches of samples by using the established method, with satisfactory results. The method was so simple, accurate and highly reproducible that it could be used for quality control of the four components in Zhengtian pills.

Effect of exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on liver function of workers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the effect of exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs) on the liver function of workers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The workers in a factory were selected as subjects, and the recent physical examination data of these workers were collected. The workers aged 20∼40 years and with more than 2 years' working experience were included for analysis; considering the intensity of electromagnetic field, the workers exposed to less electromagnetic radiation were assigned to exposure I group (n = 123), those exposed to more electromagnetic radiation to exposure II group (n = 229), and those not exposed to electromagnetic radiation to control group (n = 212). There were no significant differences in sex, age, height, and body weight between the three groups (P > 0.05). Physical examination, including measurements of direct bilirubin (DBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and albumin, was performed in a health examination center. The intensity of electromagnetic field was measured by EFA-300 power frequency electromagnetic field analyzer, and the intensity of noise by AWA5610D integrating sound level meter.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The intensities of electric field and the magnetic field in exposure II group were significantly higher than those in the exposure I group. The levels of ALT, ALP, AST, GGT and albumin in exposure II group were significantly higher than those in exposure I group and control group. However, the level of direct bilirubin in exposure II group was significantly lower than that in exposure I group and control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Occupational exposure to ELF EMFs may affect human liver function.</p>

Expression of imprinted genes during the course of differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells to islet-like cells in vitro / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of in vitro inducement on the expression of SF1-G imprinted genes, Kcnq1 and Cdkn1c during the course of differentiation from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells to islet-like cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mouse ES cells were induced to differentiate into islet-like cells in vitro. The expression of islet specific markers was tested by RT-PCR or immunofluorescence. RT-PCR/RFLP was used to test the imprinted genes parental expression in cells at different stages.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Islet specific genes, such as Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin, IAPP and Glut2, were expressed in differentiated cells. The proteins of insulin, C-peptide and Somastatin were expressed in the final stage cells. Imprinted gene Kcnq1 and Cdkn1c were biallelicly expressed in islet-like cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Mouse ES cells can be successfully induced into islet-like cells in vitro. Gene imprinting status of Kcnq1 and Cdkn1c may be changed in differentiated cells (causing loss of imprinting) during the in vitro inducement.</p>

Differentiation potential of EGFP gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells transfected by lentiviral vector / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the differentiation potential after EGFP gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transfected by lentiviral vector (LV). After isolated, cultured and identified, MSCs were transfected with the lentiviral vector carrying EGFP gene in vitro. The transfection efficiency was measured by observing the expression of green fluorescence protein. At last, the transfected MSCs were induced into adipocytes in adipogenesis supplement medium, the induction level was detected by Sudan fat stain. The results indicated that after transfection for 72 hours, weak fluorescence in MSCs was observed under fluorescence microscope. After 21 days, many lipid droplets with high refractivity occurred in cytoplasm of transfected MSCs, and showed orange in Sudan black stain. There were no significantly differences between transfected and non-transfected cells (p > 0.05). It is concluded that MSCs were successfully transfected by LV carrying EGFP gene. The transfected MSCs maintain multiple differentiation and proliferation potential. In the adipogenesis supplement medium, transfected MSCs also can be induced to differentiate into adipocytes. MSCs can act as target cells for gene therapy.

Effect of Shuanghuanglian injection on cerebral nuclear factor-kappaB expression in mice with viral encephalitis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Shuanghuanglian injection on cerebral expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in mice with viral encephalitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mice with experimental viral encephalitis received treatment with Shuanghuanglian injection at the dose of 0.2, 1.5, and 5 for 5, 10 or 20 consecutive days. The total RNA of the brain tissue was extracted to analyze the protein and mRNA expression of NF-kappaB using Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the mice with experimental viral encephalitis showed significantly increased protein and mRNA expressions of NF-kappaB (P<0.01). Treatment with Shuanghuanglian injection at the doses of 0.2 and 1.5 mg/kg significantly lowered NF-kappaB protein and mRNA expressions in the brain of mice with viral encephalitis (P<0.05), and the effect was even more obvious at the dose of 5 mg/kg (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Shuanghuanglian injection can reduce the expression of NF-kappaB in the brain of mice with viral encephalitis in a dose- and time-dependent manner.</p>

Transfection of gene mdr1 into human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by lentiviral vector / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the feasibility and security of mdr1 gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) so as to establish the experimental foundation for gene therapy. Lentiviral system was utilized to introduce the mdr1 gene into MSCs which were isolated from human bone marrow and cultured in vitro; RT-PCR and GFP marker were used to determine the expression of mdr1; MTT and trypan blue staining were used to detect the proliferative capacity of the MSCs. The results indicated that MSCs were infected with lentivirus at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10 with optimal expression efficiency of 80%; the expressions of CD34, HLA-DR, CD31 and CD45 on surface of MSCs were found at low levels, however, the expressions of CD44, CD105, CD90 and CD13 on surface of MSCs were observed at high levels; GFP marker was observed on 72 hours after gene transfection and then gradually was enhanced; the expression of mdr1 mRNA appeared in transfected cells; Mdr1 transfection did not show a significantly inhibitory effect on MSCs. It is concluded that the expression of mdr1 is up-regulated in MSCs transfected successfully by lentiviral vector, and the transfection has no significantly effects on survival and proliferation of MSCs.

Variations of beta-cell early-phase insulin secretion in type 2 diabetic patients in different stages / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the variations of early-phase insulin secretion in Type 2 diabetic patients in different stages.@*METHODS@#L-arginine stimulative test, fast blood glucose and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated in 40 nomal controls (NC) and 101 Type 2 diabetic patients. The diabetic patients were divided into three groups: newly diagnosed group (n = 35), effectively treated by sulfonylureas group (n = 32) , and secondary failure of sulfonylureas group (n = 34). The indexs of insulin resistance of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), beta-cell insulin secretion of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IS), and the acute insulin response (AIRARG) index were calculated. Some statistical comparisons were done among the 4 groups.@*RESULTS@#The indexs of HOMA-IR in each group of Type 2 diabetic patients were all higher than those in NC group (P < 0.01). The AIRARG indexs were obviously lower in Type 2 diabetic patients in different stages than those in NC group (P < 0.01), and the subsequence from the highest to the lowest among the groups of diabetic patients was: the newly diagnosed group, the effectively treated by sulfonylureas group, and the secondary failure of sulfonylureas group (P < 0.01). But there was no significant difference in indexs of HOMA-IS between the newly diagnosed group and the effectively treated by sulfonylureas group.@*CONCLUSION@#There is severe insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetic patients in each stage. The variations of early-phase insulin secretion manifest a vary procedure of obvious deterioration by degrees from the newly diagnosed group to the secondary failure of sulfonylureas group in Type 2 diabetic patients.

A survey of the level of AIDS knowledge among people concerned in Nanjing City / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the level of AIDS knowledge among people concerned in Nanjing city in order to provide scientific evidence and constructive suggestions for the government to formulate relevant policies for AIDS control.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three sets of questionnaires on AIDS knowledge were designed, the scores calculated, and the results evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 2,500 questionnaires issued to 4 different groups of people, 2,436 were collected back with effective answers, 991 from medical and health-related workers with the mean score of 58, 473 from college students with the mean score of 39.9, 524 from common city residents with the mean score of 42.3, and 448 from those working in high risk environment with the mean score of 47.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The level of AIDS knowledge among people concerned in Nanjing city was far below the requirement of the nation, especially among medical and health-related workers. Efforts must be made to raise the level of AIDS knowledge of people concerned so as to enhance the prevention and treatment of the disease.</p>