Effects of intravitreous injection of different drugs combined with laser photocoagulation for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To evaluate the effects and safety of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide ( TA ) or conbercept combined with macular laser grid photocoagulation in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion( RVO) . ·METHODS: Fifty cases ( 50 eyes ) with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion were selected and assigned to 2 groups: intravitreal injection of TA or conbercept, and laser photocoagulation after 7d. Best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) , fundus examination, optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) and intraocular pressure ( IOP ) were examined before intravitreous injection and 14d, 1 and 3mo after laser, fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA) were examined 3mo after treatment. The postoperative results at each time point were compared with preoperative values. · RESULTS: Two kinds of treatment compared with preoperative, the BCVA all increased in various degrees. At 14d after intravitreous injection, 1 and 3mo after laser, the ratio of vision improved in TA group was 76%, 80%, 68%, conbercept group was 88%, 92%, 88%, BCVA of two groups in each period all had varying degrees of increase than preoperative. The best BCVA acquired at 1mo after treatment. The macular thickness after treatment was significantly lower than preoperative in two groups. At preoperative, 14d, 1 and 3mo after treatment, the macular thickness in TA group was 557. 5 ± 150. 9,301. 7±120. 1, 262. 7 ± 131. 2, 338. 1 ± 146. 5μm; the macular thickness in conbercept group was 569. 4 ± 135. 9, 282. 3 ± 133. 5, 259. 5 ± 116. 4, 307. 8 ± 122. 6μm. The macular thickness of the two groups were significantly different between preoperative and postoperative. · CONCLUSION: The combination of intravitreous injection of TA or conbercept with macular laser grid photocoagulation can be an effective method in the treatment of macular edema secondary to RVO, conbercept treatment is more effective and security.

Splenic autotransplantation combined with lower esophagus transaction in the treatment of hepatic cirrhosis induced portal hypertension / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the therapeutic effect of splenic autotransplantation combined with lower esophagus transaction anastomosis in the treatment of liver cirrhosis induced portal hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six patients admitted from January 2003 to December 2006 were randomly divided into splenic autotransplantation group undergoing splenic autotransplantation after splenectomy combined with lower esophagus transaction anastomosis, and splenectomy group only undergoing splenectomy combined with lower esophagus transaction anastomosis. The general conduction, splenic scanning, liver function, and the level of serum Tuftsin and IgM of each patient were observed before and after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of Tuftsin and IgM in splenic autotransplantation group were significant higher than that of splenectomy group 2 months after the operation, and the liver function showed no significant difference between these two groups. Splenic tissue was detected in the retroperitoneal space by 99mTc-DRBC 2 months after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Splenic autotransplantation combined with lower esophagus transaction anastomosis is a safe and effective treatment strategy for patients with liver cirrhosis induced portal hypertension, and the spleen tissue transplanted into the retroperitoneal space can partially preserve the immune function.</p>

MicroRNA differential expression profile during differentiation of embryonic stem cells towards hepatocytes induced by sodium butyrate / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expression profile of microRNAs during the course of embryonic stem cells differentiation towards hepatocytes induced by sodium butyrate.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total RNA was extracted from embryonic stem cells on day 0, 6, and 9 during cell differentiation, and microRNA was isolated from the total RNA. Microarray analysis of microRNA expression was performed to detect the different expression levels of microRNA among the indicated time points (day 0, 6, and 9).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the microRNA expression level on day 0 of cell differentiation, 17 different microRNAs exhibited higher expressions both on day 6 and day 9. Twenty-two and 27 microRNA demonstrated lower expressions on day 6 and day 9, respectively. Further analysis revealed that 15 microRNA among the above microRNAs with significant differential expression may keep close interation with histone deacetylase.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>During the course of embryonic stem cells differentiation towards hepatocytes induced by sodium butyrate, histone deacetylase and its relevant microRNAs may play important roles in cell differentiation.</p>

A 26-year clinical observation of splenic auto-transplantation and oesophageal transection anastomosis: a new treatment strategy in patients with portal hypertension / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Surgical treatment options for patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension are complicated. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a new treatment strategy, splenic auto-transplantation and oesophageal transection anastomosis. We report results from clinical observations, splenic immune function and portal dynamics in 274 patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 1979 to 2005, 274 cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension underwent the new treatment strategy, and were followed up to compare results with those patients who underwent traditional surgical treatment. From 1999 to 2002, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed on 40 patients to compare their post-operative immune function. From 1994 to 2006, another RCT enrolled 28 patients to compare portal dynamics using three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D DEC MRA) investigation post operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 274 patients (mean age 41.8 years), the emergency operative mortality (4.4%), selective operative mortality (2.2%), complication rate (17.9%), prevalence of hepatic encephalopathy (< 1%), rate of portal hypertension gastritis (PHG) bleeding (9.1%), and morbidity of hepatic carcinoma (8%) were similar to those patients undergoing traditional operation; the spleen immunology function (Tuftsin, IgM) decreased in both groups 2 months post operation, but this decrease did not reach statistical significance. Through 3D DCE MRA, the cross sectional area and the velocity and volume of blood flow of the main portal vein decreased significantly after operation in both groups. The velocity and volume of blood flow in the auto-transplantation group was significantly lower than that in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Splenic auto-transplantation and esophageal transection anastomosis is a safe, effective, and reasonable treatment strategy for patients with portal hypertension with varicial bleeding. It not only can correct hypersplenism, but may also achieve complete hemostasis. Spleens auto-transplanted into the retroperitoneal space can preserve immune function and establish broad collateral circulation.</p>

Alternatively activated macrophages/mononuclear phagocytes promote growth and invasion of breast cancer cell line SKBR3 / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of alternatively activated macrophages /mononuclear phagocytes(MNP) on breast cancer cells and explore the mechanisms for the action of tumor-associated macrophages in breast cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human peripheral blood monocytes were isolated and cultured in vitro and divided into 3 groups, namely classically activated monocytes (CAM) which were induced by lipopolysaccharide, alternatively activated monocytes (AAM) induce by IL-4, and control cells treated with the culture medium only. After cell culture for 48-72 h, the mRNA of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), alternative monocytes activation- associated CC-chemokine 1 (AMAC-1), and beta-actin of the 3 groups were extracted for RT-PCR, or the cells were cocultured with breast cancer cell line SKBR3, or seeded in chicken chorioallantoic membrane along with SKBR3.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TNF-alpha mRNA was significantly increased in CAM, and AMAC-1 was highly expressed in AAM. The coculture experiments showed that CAM exhibited obvious inhibitory effect on SKBR3 cells after a 3-day culture whereas AAM significantly promoted the growth of SKBR3 cells after a 5-day culture. In chicken on chorioallantoic membrane experiment, the macrophages promoted tumor angiogenesis and AAM showed the most obvious effect.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-4 induces high expression of AMAC-1, a molecular marker of AAM, in the macrophages, and AAM can promote the growth of SKBR3 cells and tumor angiogenesis.</p>

Diagnosis and treatment of primary tumor of small intestine: a report of 58 cases / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the pathological classification, clinical symptom and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of primary tumor of small intestine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data of 58 patients with primary tumor of small intestine pathologically confirmed from Oct. 1996 to Oct. 2006 were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirteen patient (22.4%) had primary benign tumors of small intestine and 45 patient (77.6%) had primary malignant tumors of small intestine. The major clinical signs of primary tumor of small intestine included hemorrhage(85%), abdomen pain(19%), abdomen mass and intestine obstruction(16%). Forty- eight patients (82.8%) were diagnosed by laparotomy of abdominal cavity and misdiagnosed preoperatively as other diseases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Primary tumors of small intestine are difficult to be diagnosed preoperatively. CT scan, digital subtraction angiography and radionuclide imaging are helpful for the diagnosis. Laparotomy of abdominal cavity is the main choice for those patients with suspicious tumor of small intestine.</p>

Vector-mediated HER-2 RNA interference against HER-2-positive breast cancer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the feasibility of vector-mediated RNA interference for HER-2-positive breast cancer therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A plasmid vector capable of mediating HER-2 RNA interference was constructed, and HER-2-positive breast cancer cell line SKBR-3 was transfected with this constructed vector. The expression of HER-2 mRNA and protein was analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting, and the growth and apoptosis of SKBR-3 cells was analyzed after transfection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressions of HER-2 mRNA and HER-2 protein was downregulated in response to vector-mediated HER-2 RNA interference, which also resulted in tumor cell growth inhibition and increased number apoptotic cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HER-2 is a good target for RNA interference and RNA interference targeting HER-2 can lead to HER-2 breast cancer cell apoptosis and growth inhibition.</p>

Human normal biliary epithelial cells transformation and tumor development induced by hepatitis C virus core protein / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of hepatitis C virus core protein (HCV-C) on human normal biliary epithelial cells (BEC) transformation and tumor development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>BEC cells were transfected with plasmid pcDNA HCV-C (expressing HCV-C) by lipofectamine and selected in G418. The expression of HCV-C gene and protein was determined by PCR and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Biological effect of transfected cells was observed through cell proliferation assay, anchor independent growth, and tumor development in nude mice. The expression of HCV-C protein in the induced tumor was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HCV-C was strongly expressed in BEC cells transfected with plasmid pcDNA HCV-C and the positive signal was located in cytoplasm. The HCV-C expression protein in the induced cytoplasm. Cell proliferation assay showed that the population doubling time in the pcDNA HCV-C transfected cells was much shorter than that in the pcDNA3 and non-transfected cells (14 h, 28 h, 30 h respectively). The cloning efficiencies of transfected cells with pcDNA HCV-C, pcDNA3 and non-transfected cells were 36%, 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively (P < 0.01). Tumor developed in nude mice inoculated with pcDNA HCV-C transfected cells after the inoculation. HE staining showed bile duct carcinoma character and immunohistochemistry confirmed HCV-C expression in the tumor tissue. The positive control group also showed tumor development, while no tumor mass obtained in the nude mice inoculated with pcDNA3 and non-transfected cells even 36 days after the injection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HCV-C protein showed human normal biliary epithelial cells transformation and tumorigenic features.</p>

New 3D amino acid structure descriptors and its application to the polypeptide QSAR / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To establish a new amino acid structure descriptor that can be applied to polypeptide QSAR studies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The new amino acid structure descriptor c-scales were derived from a principal components analysis of 167 amino acid structure descriptor indexes by theoretic calculation. The c1,c2,c3-scales were related to 3D structural features of amino acid such as steric, electronic and conformation properties etc. G/PLS regression method was used to find out the relationship between the c-scales and the biological activity and developed QSAR models of the polypeptides.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Using the established method, we developed accordingly QSAR models of Bitter tasting dipeptide, ACE inhibitors and bradykinin-potentiating pentapeptides and their r2 and XV-r2 were more than 0.70.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The c-scales can quantitatively describe the 3D structural features of any coded and non-coded amino acid and can be used to establish a QSAR model of good predictability.</p>

Study of embryonic stem cells induced to express hepatic cell functions in vitro in a pathologic niche containing cholestatic serum / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the role of a pathologic niche inducing mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC) to express hepatic cell functions in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Embryoid bodies were developed from 5 to 7 day hanging-drop culture of mouse ESC, and their dissociated cells were planted in three differential systems: nothing added; with 20 ng/ml hepatocyte growth factor (HGF); and 5% rat cholestatic serum plus 20 ng/ml HGF added. Their differentiation was observed with inverted microscopes daily, and their hepatic functions were analyzed against their synthesis of glycogen, triglycerides, albumin, and urea nitrogen, and by their staining of indocyanine green (ICG) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ESC spontaneous differentiation was hardly being controlled to form three germ layers. HGF prompted the ESC to develop further into visceral endoderm and mesoderm (myocardium), but both of them only expressed a low level of hepatocyte-specific metabolic functions. With cholestatic serum added into the HGF-induced system, differentiated cells grew into similar angular cells, and had a higher level synthesis of glycogen, triglycerides, albumin and urea nitrogen with positive ICG and FDA staining.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Spontaneous or HGF-induced ESC differentiation has only limited hepatic functions expressed. A pathologic niche in vitro induces ESC to develop into hepatic lineages, with a higher level of hepatic metabolic functions.</p>

The value of Roferon-A combined with hepatic artery chemoembolization and portal vein chemotherapy after radical resection in hepatocellular carcinoma for preventing recurrence / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the change of T cell subsets in patients suffered from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before and after hepatectomy, and study the value of Roferon-A (interferon alpha-2a) combined with hepatic artery chemoembolization (HACE) and portal vein chemotherapy (PVC) after radical resection of HCC for preventing recurrence.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>On 75 HCC patients, PVC and HACE were respectively given at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after radical tumor resection. In 2nd week after surgery, 33 cases of them accepted Roferon-A treatment for 1 week. Seventy-two patients were followed up over 3 years. Effect of Roferon-A combined with HACE and PVC on postoperative recurrence rate was compared with that of HACE and PVC. Changes of T cell subsets in peripheral blood were examined with labeled monoclonal antibodies before and after hepatectomy or using interferon. Forty cholecystolithiasis patients received cholecystectomy were used as the controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CD(3)(+) and CD(4)(+) cells in peripheral blood were reduced in patients with HCC. After hepatectomy, they declined further with decrease in CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) ratio. The results returned to pre-operative level at the end of 4th week after surgery. The CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) cells and the CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) ratio increased remarkably following the use of Roferon-A. The 1-, 2- and 3-year recurrence rates of patients treated with HACE, PVC and Roferon-A in combination were 0%, 6.2% and 15.6%, respectively, while those treated with HACE and PVC were 5.0%, 12.5% and 27.5%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients with HCC suffer from marked immuno-suppression which became ever more severe after hepatectomy, combined use of HACE, PVC and Roferon-A is superior to only HACE and PVC by decreasing the recurrence rate.</p>

Inhibitory effects of antisense focal adhesion kinase oligodeoxynucleotides on the invasion of Bel 7402 hepatocellular carcinoma cells / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the inhibitory effects of antisense focal adhesion kinase (FAK) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) on the invasion of Bel 7402 cells, and investigate the mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>LipofecTAMINE-mediated antisense FAK ODN was transfected into Bel 7402 cells. Cell number and viability were evaluated every 24 hours by trypan blue dye exclusion. Cell attachment assay was carried out at intended time points in a microculture well pre-coated with fibronectin (FN). The invasive activity of tumor cells was assayed in a transwell cell culture chamber. Cell cycle and cell apoptosis analysis were performed with flow cytometry (FCM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of p125FAK in the group treated with antisense FAK ODN (6.49%+/-0.10%) significantly decreased, compared with those in the group treated with sense FAK ODN (14.33%+/-1.88%) and control group (16.68%+/-1.62%), F=7.66, P<0.01. Antisense FAK ODN significantly inhibited the growth of Bel 7402 cells by 30%-60%, the attachment by 25%-55%, and the invasion, 15%-25%. The decreased expression of FAK in Bel 7402 cells caused a G2/M cell cycle arrest, and the cells at S phase decreased significantly. The occurrence of apoptosis detected by FCM increased significantly in the group treated with antisense FAK ODN.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Inhibition of FAK expression significantly decreases the attachment between ECM and Bel 7402 cells, and the ability of Bel 7402 cells to invade the reconstituted basement membrane. In addition, FAK suppression significantly inhibits the proliferation of Bel 7402 cells in vitro, and increases their apoptosis.</p>