Exosomes Derived from Hydroquinone-transformed Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Inhibited Recipient Cell Apoptosis by transferring miR-221 / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#Although benzene is a confirmed environmental carcinogen, the mechanism of its carcinogenicity remains largely unclear. The suggested oncogene, miR-221, is elevated and plays important roles in various tumors, but its role in benzene-induced carcinogenesis remains unknown.@*Methods@#In the present study, we constructed hydroquinone (HQ, a representative metabolite of benzene with biological activity)-transformed malignant cell line (16HBE-t) and analyzed the level of miR-221 in it with qRT-PCR. Exosomes from 16HBE-t cells incubated with or without an miR-221 inhibitor were isolated by ultracentrifugation, characterized by transmission electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscope, and then transfected into 16HBE cells. The effects of exosomal miR-221 on apoptosis induced by HQ in recipient cells were determined using flow cytometry.@*Results@#The amount of miR-221 in 16HBE-t was significantly increased compared with controls. When recipient cells ingested exosomes derived from 16HBE-t, miR-221 was increased, and apoptosis induced by HQ was inhibited. Blocking miR-221 in 16HBE-t using an inhibitor did not significantly alter miR-221 or apoptosis in recipient cells.@*Conclusion@#Exosomal miR-221 secreted by 16HBE-t inhibits apoptosis induced by HQ in normal recipient cells.

Analysis of the Types of Thalassemia Gene Mutations in Nanping Area of Fujian, China / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigation the types and frequencies of thalassemia gene mutations in pregnant population in Nanping area of Fujian Province, so as to provide a basis for prevention and control of birth children with moderate and severe thalassaemia in this area.@*METHODS@#The genotyping of α and β thalassemia was performed using the gap-PCR (gap-PCR) technique combined with reverse dot blot (RDB). The genotyping test was performed by Gap-PCR for three rare deficient thalassemia. The cases with negative detection were further detected by Sanger sequencing method, so as to identify rare α or β thalassemia mutation.@*RESULTS@#1120 specimens were genotyped for thalassemia, out of them 547 thalassemia genes were determined. The detection rate was 48.8% (547/1120). 340 specimens were diagnosed as α thalassemia, and the detection rate was 30.6%, including 266 cases of --/αα, 44 cases of -α/αα, 12 cases of -α/αα, 8 cases of αα/αα,. 3 cases of Hb H disease ( 2 cases of --/-α, 1 case of --/-α), 2 cases of αα/αα, 2 cases of αα/αα, 1 case of -α/-α, and 1 case of -α/αα. Also, they contain 11 cases of rare α thalassemia, 8 kinds of rare types of α thalassemia mutations in combination, such as 4 cases of αα/αα, 1 case of αα/αα, 1 case of αα/αα, 1 case of αα/αα, 1 case of αα/αα, 1 case of αα/αα, 1 case of αα/αα, and 1 case of --/αα. Among them, 5 α mutation sites were first reported, namely αα, αα, αα, αα and αα; 2 α thalassemia mutation sites: αα and -- were detected again in the Chinese population, respectively. 188 specimens were diagnosed as β thalassemia with a detection rate of 16.8%. Among them, 68 cases of β/βN, 47 cases of β/βN, 20 cases of β/βN, 17 cases of β/βN, 7 cases of β/βN, 7 cases of βE/βN, 3 cases of β/βN and 2 cases of β/βN. And 17 cases were diagnosed as rare β thalassemia, 8 kinds of rare types were β thalassemia mutations in combination. There were 4 cases of β/βN, 3 cases of β/βN, 3 cases of β/βN, 2 cases of β/βN, 2 cases of β/βN, 1 case of β/βN, 1 case of β/βN, 1 case of β/βN. Among them, 3 β thalassemia mutation sites were reported for the first time, namely β, β and β; it was found that in the Chinese population as β, β, β, β, and β, respectively. 19 cases were diagnosed as αβ-complex thalassemia, out of which 15 types of thalassemia mutation combinations were detected. They contain 2 cases of rare αβ-complex thalassemia, which are αα/αα complex β/βN, αα in α1/αα complex β/βN.@*CONCLUSION@#The types of thalassemia gene mutations in Nanping area of Fujian province are genetically heterogeneous. The prevention and control strategies of thalassaemia in this area should be based on the prevention and treatment of common α thalassemia and β thalassaemia. And the attention should be paid to the types of rare and unknown gene mutations using screening and testing method.

Research Advances in CIMAvax-EGF for Non-small-cell Lung Cancer / 中国医学科学院学报

The past few years have witnessed rapid advances in the immunotherapies for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). CIMAvax-EGF is a therapeutic vaccine against lung cancer independently developed by Cuba. It can exert its anti-tumor effect by forming epidermal growth factor (EGF) antibodies to block the binding of EGF to EGF receptor. So far stage both phases Ⅱ and Ⅲ trials have proved its effectiveness and long-term safety,and phases Ⅲ and Ⅳ trials are underway. A deeper understanding of the role of CIMAvax-EGF in NSCLC will accelerate the application of immunotherapy. This article summarizes the recent advances of CIMAvax-EGF R&D and its application in treating NSCLC.

Clinical and pathological features of acute optic neuritis in Chinese patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The incentives and the factors that affect the onset and outcome of optic neuritis (ON) are not very clear. The aim of this study is to define and get a comprehensive understanding of the clinical profile of ON, and to identify the factors that were related to the prognosis of the patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Medical records of patients with diagnosis of ON at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University between March 2008 and June 2011 were reviewed. Clinical features, ophthalmologic and neurologic assessments, neuroimaging studies, laboratory examinations, visual recovery, and final outcome of the patients were evaluated by the authors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Records of 50 patients (32 females and 18 males), aged 15 - 56 years, were reviewed, in which 22% patients had a previous onset of ON. Maximal visual deficit was severe in 72.5% (< 20/200). Abnormal rates of hormone levels and rheumatoid indicators were found in 54.2% and 25.0%. ANA test returned positive in 40%, oligoclonal banding (OCB) was identified in 31.3%, and Serum neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-IgG studies were abnormal in 25% of the patients. Neuroimaging abnormalities associated with ON were documented in six patients. Three of the 50 patients have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and two with NMO. Visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 26.1% and 20/100 or worse in 39.1% affected eyes at the last visit. Poor visual acuity at onset is the main factor that would affect the final outcome of vision (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Vision defects of this group of patients were severe. Females had a higher incidence of ON than males. Hormone levels, rheumatoid indicators and immune parameters may be related to the onset of ON. The severe reduction of visual acuity at onset may be related to the poor outcome of vision in ON patients.</p>

Effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with advanced congestive heart failure evaluated by real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To quantitatively assess the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with advanced congestive heart failure by real-time 3-dimensional(3D) echocardiography (RT-3DE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen patients with advanced congestive heart failure underwent CRT with New York Heart association(NYHA) class III and IV and wide QRS complex (>120 ms) were included (17 dilated cardiomyopathy and 1 ischemic cardiomyopathy). Before CRT and 8 months after CRT, the clinical and RT-3DE parameters and outcome were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The biventricular pacemaker was successfully implanted in 17 patients (94.4%). Compared with before CRT, NYHA class of patients decreased by 1.5 class (P < 0.01), left ventricular ejection fraction increased by 25% (P < 0.01), left ventricular end systolic volume decreased by 38% (P < 0.01), left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI) improved significantly (14.2% before CRT vs. 9.8% after CRT, P < 0.01 ) post CRT. Change in SDI and change in LVEF was positively correlated (r = 0.62, P < 0.01) . The procedure complications and outcome during and after CRT included coronary sinus dissection (n = 1), left ventricular lead dislodgement (n = 1), phrenic nerve stimulation (n = 1), sudden cardiac death (n = 1). Three non-response patients were complicated with atrial fibrillation, nonspecific intraventricular block and dilated cardiomyopathy with postero-lateral scar tissue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CRT could improve the cardiac function, correct the mechanical desynchronization and reverse left ventricular remodeling in patients with congestive heart failure, and SDI quantification by RT-3DE could predict increase of LVEF after CRT, however, there were complications related to the implantation procedure and possibilities of non-response.</p>

Effects of heroin and purine nucleotide compensation on neutral alpha-glucosidase in rat epididymides / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes of neutral alpha-glucoside activity in the epididymis of heroin-dependent and heroin-withdrawal rats, and to investigate the effects of intervention with purine nucleotide (AMP and GMP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups of equal number, control, nucleotide, heroin, heroin + nucleotide, 3 d withdrawal, 9 d withdrawal, 3 d nucleotide (nucleotide administrated for 3 days after heroin withdrawal) and 9 d nucleotide (nucleotide administrated for 9 days after heroin withdrawal). Neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in the epididymis was detected in each group of rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, neutral alpha-glucoside activity was markedly decreased in the heroin group (P < 0.05), and also in the 3 d and 9 d withdrawal groups, although with no significant differences (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Heroin reduces neutral alpha-glucoside activity in the epididymis of rats, and this effect may continue for some time after drug withdrawal, while purine nucleotide can keep neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in a relatively stable state.</p>

Autosomal DAZL single nucleotide polymorphisms not associated with male infertility in northeast China / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of male infertility with single nucleotide polymorphisms of the autosomal DAZL gene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Semen samples were collected from infertile men (infertility group, n=144) and healthy fathers (fertility group, n=53) in the northeast of China, and the former was further divided into 5 subgroups according to the WHO diagnostic criteria for oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (1999) i.e., oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia, asthenozoospermia and non-oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. PCR-RFLP analysis was used to detect the polymorphism of SNP260. The SNP386 polymorphism of the DAZL gene was analysed with a PCR-SSCP based method. Sequencing and statistical analyses were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The SNP260 polymorphism of the DAZL gene was found in both the infertility and the control groups, with no significant difference in between (P > 0.05). There was a larger percentage of SNP260AG in the subgroup of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia than in others, and the SNP386 polymorphism of the DAZL gene was not found in any of the subgroups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The SNP260 and SNP386 polymorphisms of the DAZL gene are not associated with male infertility in the northeast of China. Further research needs to be done to clarify the association between SNP260AG and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. SNP386 polymorphism may be restricted in some small area in Taiwan only. Therefore neither of them can be used as a molecular marker for the genetic diagnosis of male infertility in the northeast of China.</p>

Study on linkage between polymorphism of interleukin 6 gene -572C/G and susceptibility to myocardial infarction / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the polymorphism and gene frequency of interleukin 6 (IL6) gene -572C/G in Chinese Han nationality population, that associating with susceptibility to myocardial infarction(MI) and impacting on the extent of coronary artery lesions; to analyze the function of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With PCR-RFLP method, IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was genotyped to 232 MI patients and 260 healthy adults. The effect of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was observed to the extent of coronary artery lesions and the ability of IL6 production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism in Chinese Hans. -572CG+GG genotype and G allele were more frequent in patients than in controls (P< 0.01). The relative risk for G allele carrier to suffer from MI was 1.68 times of CC genotype individual (95%CI 1.17-2.41, P< 0.01). However, the distribution of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was no significant difference among patients with single-vessel, two-vessel and three-vessel lesions (P> 0.05). After PBMC cultured for 24 hours, the IL6 concentration in supernatant was significantly higher in subjects with CG genotype than those with CC genotype (P< 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL6 gene -572G allele may be a genetic susceptibility factor to MI attack of Chinese Hans population, and related to the high expression of IL6.</p>

Interleukin-6-597G/A and -572C/G polymorphisms and risk of coronary heart disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene polymorphisms and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>IL-6/-597G/A and -572C/G polymorphisms were genotyped in 245 CHD patients and 260 healthy adults by PCR-RFLP. Serum IL-6 level was examined by ELISA. Logistic regression was performed to observe the relationship between IL-6/-572C/G polymorphism and other risk factors of CHD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IL-6/-597G/A genotype was similar between the two groups. The frequencies of IL-6/-572C/G genotype and G allele were more frequent in patients with CHD than that in controls (P < 0.01). Compared with CC genotype, the relative risk for CHD in people with CG and GG genotypes was 1.46 (95% CI: 1.01 - 2.10, P < 0.05) and 5.19 (95% CI: 1.69 - 15.89, P < 0.01), respectively. The serum levels of IL-6 were similar between carriers of the IL-6/-572G allele and patients with CC genotype (P > 0.05). IL-6/-572 C/G is related to total cholesterol (OR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.05 - 3.16, P < 0.05) and triglyceride (OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.04 - 6.45, P < 0.05), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-6/-597G/A polymorphism was not associated with susceptibility to CHD, but IL-6-572C/G polymorphism may be a possible genetic susceptibility factor for CHD in Chinese Hans population.</p>

Changes of 5 alpha-reductase type II activity in sexual gland of diabetic male rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the changes of sexual gland 5 alpha-reductase type II activity in pubertal and adult rats with diabetes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We selected 40 and 90 days old male Wistar rats as pubertal and adult animal model respectively, 30 rats in each group. The rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (C), diabetic group (D) and diabetes with insulin replacement group (ID). The activity of 5 alpha-reductase type II was measured with thin layer chromatography in the epididymis, prostate and testis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1. In all sexual glands of pubertal rats, the activity of 5 alpha-reductase type II in D group is significantly lower than that in C and ID groups. 2. In all sexual glands of adult rats. there is no difference in the activity of 5 alpha-reductase type II among these groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The activity of 5 alpha-reductase type II is likely to be influenced by metabolic environment, hormonal levels and local specific factors in pubertal rats, but it is relatively stable in adult rats.</p>