Reproductive toxicity of brazilein in ICR mice / 中国天然药物

Brazilein is an active small molecular compound extracted from Caesalpinia sappan L. with favorable pharmacological properties on immune system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system. C. sappan has been used as a traditional medicine in China for hundreds of years for various diseases. However, the general reproductive toxicity of brazilein is still unknown. The purpose of the present study was to thoroughly evaluate the general reproductive toxicity of brazilein in ICR mice to support the future drug development and modernization of this potent traditional Chinese medicine. The results showed that, although no apparent toxicity on the reproducibility of the male was observed, brazilein might cause considerable risks to the fetuses and females as indicated by the ratios of dead fetuses and reabsorptions. In conclusion, our results from the present study provided some useful insights about the safety profile of brazilein, suggesting that brazilein should be used with caution in pregnant women.

Detection of microvesicle miRNA expression in ALL subtypes and analysis of their functional roles / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Microvesicles (MVs) are the heterogeneous mixtures of vesicles. MVs released by leukemia cells constitute an important part of the leukemia microenvironment. MVs might act as important reservoirs of microRNAs (miRNAs). It is worth evaluating whether MVs possess some unique miRNA contents that are valuable in understanding the pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the miRNA expression patterns of Nalm-6-derived MVs, Jurkat-derived MVs and normal cell-derived MVs using miRNA microarrays. The potential target genes regulated by differentially expressed miRNAs were also predicted and analyzed. Results demonstrated that 182 miRNAs and 166 miRNAs were differentially expressed in Nalm-6-MVs and Jurkat-MVs, respectively. Many oncogenes, tumor suppressors and signal pathway genes were targeted by these aberrantly expressed miRNAs, which might contribute to the development of B-ALL or T-ALL. Our findings expanded the potential diagnostic markers of ALL and provided useful information for ALL pathogenesis.

Detection of microvesicle miRNA expression in ALL subtypes and analysis of their functional roles / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Microvesicles (MVs) are the heterogeneous mixtures of vesicles. MVs released by leukemia cells constitute an important part of the leukemia microenvironment. MVs might act as important reservoirs of microRNAs (miRNAs). It is worth evaluating whether MVs possess some unique miRNA contents that are valuable in understanding the pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the miRNA expression patterns of Nalm-6-derived MVs, Jurkat-derived MVs and normal cell-derived MVs using miRNA microarrays. The potential target genes regulated by differentially expressed miRNAs were also predicted and analyzed. Results demonstrated that 182 miRNAs and 166 miRNAs were differentially expressed in Nalm-6-MVs and Jurkat-MVs, respectively. Many oncogenes, tumor suppressors and signal pathway genes were targeted by these aberrantly expressed miRNAs, which might contribute to the development of B-ALL or T-ALL. Our findings expanded the potential diagnostic markers of ALL and provided useful information for ALL pathogenesis.

Comparison of microRNA expression profiles in HCC-derived microvesicles and the parental cells and evaluation of their roles in HCC / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To determine whether the microRNAs (miRNAs) contained in cancer-derived microvesicles (MVs) mirror those of the parental tumor cells, we compared the miRNA expression profiles of MVs derived from their parental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The presence and levels of 888 miRNAs from SMMC-7721 cells and MVs were detected by Agilent miRNA microarray analysis. Four selected miRNAs were verified by real time qRT-PCR. Furthermore, the genes of the miRNAs were bioinformatically identified to explore potential roles of the miRNAs in HCC microenvironment. Our results showed that miRNAs expression profiles of MVs derived from HCC were significantly changed. Of all the miRNAs tested, 148 miRNAs were co-expressed in MVs and SMMC-7721 cells, only 121 and 15 miRNAs were detected in MVs and SMMC-7721 cells, respectively. Among the 148 co-expressing miRNAs, 48 miRNAs had the similar expression level and 6 of them were supposed to be oncogenic or suppressive miRNAs. According to the target prediction by Quantile Algorithm method, these miRNAs may regulate 3831 genes which were closely related to cell cycle, apoptosis and oncogenesis, and 78 were known tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that 3831 genes were mainly associated with nucleic acid binding, cell death, cell adhesion. MVs containing miRNAs, released into the HCC microenvironment, bear the characteristic miRNAs of the original cells and might participate in cancer progression.

Close correlation between development of MODS during the initial 72 h of hospitalization and hospital mortality in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

An emerging infectious disease was identified as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in central China since late March 2009. We found the patients with SFTS had severe clinical symptoms, and progressed rapidly to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) with high fatality rate of 25%-30%. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of risk factors predicting the development of MODS and death in SFTS patients. Consecutive SFTS admissions between May 2009 and September 2011 were analyzed for parameters of organ function during hospitalization using Marshall scoring system for MODS, and platelet counts were recorded on admission and at 24, 48, 72 h and one week after admission. We investigated the kinetics of organ failures and analyzed the association between age, platelet count and development of MODS or death. A total of 92 SFTS patients were enrolled in this study. Among them, 32 patients with dysfunction of over 4 organs were identified, 45% of them died within 72 h, 72% died within 5 days, and 76% died within 7 days after admission. We also found cumulative Marshall score was significantly higher in death patients (11.76±2.05) than in survival patients (4.22±1.98) (P<0.001). In addition, SFTS patients had older age and lower platelet counts in MODS and death groups. Furthermore, we also observed that there was a close correlation between platelet count on admission and Marshall score (P<0.001). High Marshall score, advanced age and lower platelet counts were the main risk factors for the development of MODS, and those factors could predict mortality in SFTS patients, suggesting prompt treatment and close monitoring of severe complications, especially MODS, are of great importance in saving patients' lives.

Close correlation between development of MODS during the initial 72 h of hospitalization and hospital mortality in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

An emerging infectious disease was identified as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in central China since late March 2009. We found the patients with SFTS had severe clinical symptoms, and progressed rapidly to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) with high fatality rate of 25%-30%. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of risk factors predicting the development of MODS and death in SFTS patients. Consecutive SFTS admissions between May 2009 and September 2011 were analyzed for parameters of organ function during hospitalization using Marshall scoring system for MODS, and platelet counts were recorded on admission and at 24, 48, 72 h and one week after admission. We investigated the kinetics of organ failures and analyzed the association between age, platelet count and development of MODS or death. A total of 92 SFTS patients were enrolled in this study. Among them, 32 patients with dysfunction of over 4 organs were identified, 45% of them died within 72 h, 72% died within 5 days, and 76% died within 7 days after admission. We also found cumulative Marshall score was significantly higher in death patients (11.76±2.05) than in survival patients (4.22±1.98) (P<0.001). In addition, SFTS patients had older age and lower platelet counts in MODS and death groups. Furthermore, we also observed that there was a close correlation between platelet count on admission and Marshall score (P<0.001). High Marshall score, advanced age and lower platelet counts were the main risk factors for the development of MODS, and those factors could predict mortality in SFTS patients, suggesting prompt treatment and close monitoring of severe complications, especially MODS, are of great importance in saving patients' lives.

Comparison of microRNA expression profiles in HCC-derived microvesicles and the parental cells and evaluation of their roles in HCC / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To determine whether the microRNAs (miRNAs) contained in cancer-derived microvesicles (MVs) mirror those of the parental tumor cells, we compared the miRNA expression profiles of MVs derived from their parental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The presence and levels of 888 miRNAs from SMMC-7721 cells and MVs were detected by Agilent miRNA microarray analysis. Four selected miRNAs were verified by real time qRT-PCR. Furthermore, the genes of the miRNAs were bioinformatically identified to explore potential roles of the miRNAs in HCC microenvironment. Our results showed that miRNAs expression profiles of MVs derived from HCC were significantly changed. Of all the miRNAs tested, 148 miRNAs were co-expressed in MVs and SMMC-7721 cells, only 121 and 15 miRNAs were detected in MVs and SMMC-7721 cells, respectively. Among the 148 co-expressing miRNAs, 48 miRNAs had the similar expression level and 6 of them were supposed to be oncogenic or suppressive miRNAs. According to the target prediction by Quantile Algorithm method, these miRNAs may regulate 3831 genes which were closely related to cell cycle, apoptosis and oncogenesis, and 78 were known tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that 3831 genes were mainly associated with nucleic acid binding, cell death, cell adhesion. MVs containing miRNAs, released into the HCC microenvironment, bear the characteristic miRNAs of the original cells and might participate in cancer progression.

Inhibitory effect of NSC348884, a small molecular inhibitor of nucleophosmin, on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line hepG2 / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of NSC348884, a nucleophosmin small molecular inhibitor, on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 and its underlying mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After HepG2 cells were treated by NSC348884 for 4 days, the effect of HepG2 cells on proliferation was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, the expression variation of nucleophosmin oligomer and monomer was measured using Western blotting, and cell apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proliferation of HepG2 cells was remarkably inhibited by NSC348884 treatment when the drug concentration ranged from 1 micromol/L to 10 micromol/L (P < 0.05), with a 50% inhibiting concentration of 1.4 micromol/L. After treatment for 24 hours, the expression level of nucleophosmin oligomer decreased obviously while that of nucleophosmin monomer increased (both P < 0.05). After treatment by 1 micromol/L and 2 micromol/L NSC348884, the 24-hour apoptotic rates of HepG2 cells were (13.770 +/- 0.335)% and (19.021 +/- 0.237)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than in the control group (6.950 +/- 0.207)% (P < 0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NSC348884 can promote the transformation of nucleophosmin oligomer to monomer and thus inhibit the growth of hepatic carcinoma cell line HepG2 in vitro.</p>

Study on serological blood group conversion rule and clinical blood transfusion in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the conversion rule of serological blood group and blood group substance after successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and to provide theory for clinical special blood type identification and blood transfusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The growth cycle of recipient WBC and RBC, RBC chimera, blood group antibody production and remaining in full transition were observed. Conversion rule of blood group substance, contradiction between cells typing and sera typing were detected by saline medium tube method and microcolumn gel method after stem cells transplantation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average time of engraftment in 21 recipients was about 18.6 days, RBC growth cycle in 8 major blood type incompatibility was 56.6 days, 25.9 days in 9 minor blood type incompatibility, 67 days in 4 bidirectional blood type incompatibility (P < 0.01). The ratio of RBC chimeric growth was 1:9, gradually converse to donor's blood group. Residue of recipient anti-A(B) was left after conditioning regimen, disappeared after full transformation, and recipient anti-A(B) was converse to donor's blood type in major blood type incompatibility. 5 A blood type recipient donated by O blood type blood generated anti-B instead of anti-A, 3 B blood type recipient generated only anti-A instead of B in minor blood type incompatibility, and 1 AB blood type recipient donated by A did not generate anti-B. Among 4 bidirectional blood type incompatibility, 2 B blood type recipient donated by A blood type blood did not generate anti-B, 2 A recipient by B could not produce anti-A. Recipient blood group substance helped original ABO blood type substance remain unchanged.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Among patient with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, recipient's ABO and RBC blood type can be converse to donor's, but there is significant difference between patients of serological blood group and of normal people (P < 0.01). Recipient blood group substance helps original ABO blood type substance remain unchanged (P > 0.01).</p>