Clinical Study of Jiawei Xiaochaihutang Combined with Microwave Ablation in Treatment of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Jiawei Xiaochaihutang combined with microwave ablation （MWA） in the treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） and its influence on tumor microenvironment. MethodA total of 128 patients were randomly divided into control group （64 cases： 2 cases of dropout，2 cases of elimination，and 60 cases of completion） and observation group （64 cases： 3 cases of dropout，2 cases of elimination，and 59 cases of completion）. Both groups were given comprehensive treatment after MWA surgery. Patients in control group took Biejiajian Wan orally （3 g/time，3 times/d）， and those in observation group took Jiawei Xiaochaihutang （1 dose/d）. The treatment lasted for 3 consecutive months. The size of solid tumor before and after treatment was evaluated to record the progression-free survival （PFS）. The alpha-fetoprotein-L13 （AFP-L3），des-γ-carboxy prothrombin （DCP），Golgi protein 73 （GP73），tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α），transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β），vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2） levels，as well as performance status （PS），liver function and syndrome of liver depression and Qi stagnation scores were also detected before and after treatment. In addition， the incidence of side effects of grade Ⅲ and above was compared. ResultThe total effective rate of solid tumor in observation group was 91.53% （54/59），higher than that （76.67%， 46/60） in control group（χ2=4.895，P<0.05）. The PFS in observation group was （7.16±0.95） months， longer than that （6.24±0.89 months） in control group （P<0.01）. The effective rate of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome in observation and control groups were 88.14% （52/59）and 70.00% （42/60）， respectively （χ2=5.897，P<0.05）. The observation group （57.63%，34/59） had higher marked effective rate of TCM syndrome than control group （31.67%，19/60） （χ2=8.116，P<0.01）. The AFP-13，DCP，GP73，TNF-α，TGF-β，VEGF and MMP-2 levels and the PS，liver function and syndrome of liver depression and Qi stagnation scores in observation group were lower than those in control group （both P<0.01）. The cumulative incidence of side effects of grade Ⅲ and above in observation and control groups was 16.95% and 33.33%， respectively（χ2=4.261，P<0.05）. ConclusionConsolidation treatment of HCC after MWA surgery with Jiawei Xiaochaihutang relieved symptoms and side effects，improved PS and liver function，regulated tumor microenvironment，inhibited tumor markers and prolonged survival time. The clinical effect was better than that of Biejia decoction pill， and thus it was worthy of clinical use.

Effect of probucol on autophagy and apoptosis in the penile tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Autophagy and apoptosis have been regarded as important processes in the development of diabetic erectile dysfunction (DMED). Probucol is considered to have anti-apoptotic effects, but its relationship with autophagy has not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of probucol on erectile function. Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats (12 weeks old) were fasted for 12 h. Twenty SD rats were injected with a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg kg-1 streptozotocin (STZ). Ten rats were given vehicle only and used as a sham group. After 72 h, 20 STZ-treated rats with random blood glucose concentrations consistently greater than 16.7 mmol l-1 were used as successfully established diabetic rats. The diabetic rats were divided randomly into two groups and treated with a daily gavage of probucol at a dose of 0 or 500 mg kg-1 for 12 weeks. After treatment, the intracavernous pressure (ICP) was used to measure erectile function upon electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. After euthanasia, penile tissue was examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blot to assess the protein levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), BCL2-associated X (Bax), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3-II), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and sequestosome 1 (P62). Caspase-3 activity was measured to determine apoptosis using a caspase-3 assay kit. After 12 weeks of treatment, the erectile function of the probucol group was significantly better than that of the DM group (P < 0.05). Bax and LC3-II protein expression and caspase-3 activity were significantly lower in the probucol group than those in the DM group (all P < 0.05), while Bcl-2, mTOR, and P62 protein expression levels were significantly higher than those in the DM group (all P < 0.05). We demonstrated that probucol inhibited apoptosis and autophagy in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

A novel missense mutation, GGC(Arg454) --> TGC(Cys), of CYP11B1 gene identified in a Chinese family with steroid 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Steroid 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency (11beta-OHD), an autosomal recessive inherited disease, accounts for 5% - 8% of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. It was scarcely reported in China. This article reports two Chinese girls with 11beta-OHD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The two patients were sisters and presented with hypertrichosis, skin pigmentation, laryngeal prominence and virilization of external genitalia. The patients were followed up for their clinical symptoms and signs, hormone profile, and adrenal image. The genomic deoxyribonucleic acids of the patients and their parents were isolated. 11beta-hydroxylase gene (CYP11B1) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and directly sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hormone tests showed that serum cortisol was in the low limit of normal range, whereas the concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone, testosterone and progesterone were much higher than those of normal adult females. There were obvious adrenal hyperplasia and advance of bone age. After 11 months of treatment with dexamethasone, the skin pigment became regressed; the breast, uterus and ovary gradually developed and normal menstrual cycle started while the manifestations of virilization did not change. A single point mutation of CYP11B1 (R454C, GGC --> TGC) in all the members of this family was detected. The sisters were homozygous and their parents were heterozygous.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The clinical manifestation of 11beta-OHD is complicated. The manifestation of virilization could not regress after treatment with dexamethasone. The novel missense mutation of CYP11B1 (R454C, GGC --> TGC) is the pathogenesis of 11beta-OHD at least in some Chinese patients.</p>

One-hole high ligation of internal spermatic vein by embryonic natural orifice transumbilical laparoscopy: a recommendable treatment of varicocele / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the one-hole method for high ligation of the internal spermatic vein by embryonic natural orifice transumbilical laparoscopy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We used the one-hole method for high ligation of the internal spermatic vein by embryonic natural orifice transumbilical laparoscopy in the treatment of 15 cases of varicocele, 13 in the left and 2 in the right side, and appraised the treatment results by follow-up 1 month after the surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the operations succeeded and no complications developed. The average operation time was 28 minutes and the mean hospital stay was 4 days. Symptoms were significantly relieved in all the patients and the scars were inconspicuous at follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The one-hole method is a novel option for high ligation of the internal spermatic vein by embryonic natural orifice transumbilical laparoscopy in the treatment of varicocele. It is recommendable for its advantages of simple procedure, less pain, few complications, quick recovery, mini-invasiveness and cosmetic acceptability.</p>

Distribution and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in tumor tissue / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Tumor has an ability to become enriched in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and of guiding MSCs to migrate to tumor tissue. But there are lack of relevant reports on the distribution and differentiation of MSCs in tumor tissue and the effect on tumor growth after MSCs engrafted in tumor tissue. In this study, we observed the distribution of bone marrow MSCs in tumor tissue and the possibility of MSCs differentiating into myofibroblast under the induction of local tumor microenvironment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly classified into the control group and the test group. MSCs were isolated and cultured for each animal. vx-2 tumor tissue was transplanted under the bladder mucosa of each animal. One week after the transplantation, the self F2 passage MSCs marked by 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole were transplanted into tumor tissue in the test group while only Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium-low glucose was infused into the control group. Ultrasonography was performed for each animal 1, 2, 3 and 4 week (s) after the vx-2 tumor mass was transplanted. The maximum bladder tumor diameter of each animal was recorded and the mean value of each group was calculated. One animal from each group was sacrificed in the third week and the remaining animals in the fourth week to observe the tumor development. Another animal treated the same as the test group was sacrificed to observe the distribution of MSCs in tumor tissue one week after self MSCs transplantation. Immunofluorescence was used to trace MSCs in tumor tissue. The double labeling immunofluorescence for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and vimentin was performed to identify whether the MSCs can differentiate into myofibroblast.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ultrasonography showed no tumor mass one week after the vx-2 tumor mass transplantation. The mean maximum tumor diameter of the control group and test group was (0.70 +/- 0.14) cm and (0.78 +/- 0.14) cm, respectively, and there was no significant difference (t = 1.308, P = 0.204). The tumor growth rate of the test group increased gradually in the third and fourth weeks, and the difference of the mean maximum tumor diameter between the two groups also increased gradually and was statistically significant (P < 0.05). MSCs distributed uniformly in tumor tissue one week after transplantation while most were distributed in the tumor stroma three weeks after transplantation. The double labeling immunofluorescence showed that the expression of alpha-SMA as well as Vimentin increased significantly three weeks after mesenchymal stem cells engrafted into tumor, indicating that MSCs had differentiated into myofibroblasts under the induction of the tumor microenvironment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MSCs can accelerate the tumor development and can differentiate into myofibroblast under the induction of tumor microenvironment.</p>

Testis homotransplantation: a report of 12 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of testis homotransplantation in the treatment of androgen deficiency and infertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 12 cases of testis homotransplantation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Surgical success was achieved in 11 cases, all with a significantly increased level of serum testosterone, and markedly improved secondary sex characteristics and sexual function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Testis homotransplantation is highly effective for the treatment of androgen deficiency in males, but has little effect on spermatogenesis.</p>

Therapeutic effects of cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, and microwave coagulation against VX2 liver cancer: a comparative study in rabbits / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To Compare the therapeutic effects of cryocareTM cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation(RFA), and and microwave coagulation (MCT) in rabbits with VX(2) liver cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five rabbits with VX(2) liver cancer were randomly and equally allocated into 5 groups to receive treatment with cryocare cryoablation (group A), radiofrequency ablation (group B), microwave coagulation (group C), surgical resection (group D) and control group (group E), respectively. The residual tumor tissues and metastasis (intrahepatic, lung, abdominal lymphoid node, and abdominal implantation) were observed after the treatments, with also detection of soluble interleukin-2 receptor ( sIL-2R) and recording of the survival time of the rabbits.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant differences were found in the occurrence of tumor residue (chi(2)=20.700, P=0.0000), intrahepatic metastasis (chi(2)=15.652, P=0.0004), and abdominal implantation tumor (chi(2)=13.894, P=0.0008) between the 5 groups, but not in lung and abdominal lymph node metastasis. sIL-2R levels differed significantly only after but not before the treatments (F=31.58, P=0.000) between groups A to D and group E (t=10.119, P=0.000). The treatments in groups A to D all resulted in prolonged survival of the rabbits as compared with the control (F=73.084, P=0.000), and cryocareTM cryoablation and surgical resection showed similarly better effect than RFA and MCT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cryocare cryoablation can be more effective than RFA and MCT in reducing tumor residue and metastasis and prolonging the survival time of rabbits with VX(2) liver cancer, and RFA and MCT are comparable for their therapeutic effects.</p>

Preliminary screening of specific surface markers of human spermatogonial stem cells / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the specific surface markers for the isolation and purification of human spermatogonial stem cells (SSC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Specific markers of human SSC were screened and identified in fetal and adult testes by immunohistochemical assay, using HSC markers c-kit, Thy-1 and human ES integrins.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In human adult testes, the alpha6 integrin extensively and significantly expressed on the surface of most of the germ cells in the seminiferous tubule, and beta1 integrin mainly expressed on the surface of the germ cells residing on or near the basal membrane in the seminiferous tubule. Thy-1 scattering expressed on the surface of some cells of the basal membrane, and on some Leydig cells as well. The three antigen markers expressed on the SSC of human adult testes specifically to some extent. SSEA-1 specifically expressed on the surface of the gonocytes in the fetal testes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The alpha6 and beta1 integrins and Thy-1 may be used for the SSC isolation as positive markers. SSEA-1 can be used as an identification marker for the fetus SSC.</p>

Identification of Volatile Fungistatic Compounds by Spme-GC/MX / 微生物学通报

The composition of volatile compounds of soils and that of soil bacterial metabolites were identified by using the SPME-GC/MS method. Results showed that some compounds, trimethylamine, 3-methyl-2-pentanoe, dimethyl disulfide, methyl pyrazine, 2,5-dimethyl-pyrazine, benzaldehyde, N,N-dimethyloctylamine and nonadecane, subsisted commonly in soils and soil bacterial metabolites with strong fungistatic activity. These compounds may be the key antifungal factors in soil fungistasis, especially soil volatile fungistasis. Otherwise, the method used in this study was a good tool for further study of soil volatle fungistasis.

SLIDE MAKING METHODS FOR PREDACIOUS NEMATODE FUNGI / 微生物学通报

Some problems were settled in making permanent slide for predacious nematode fungi by slide cultivation and cotton blue stain. Method of small-hole culture covered with slides could obtain high quality images, which solved the problem that trapping device couldn't be observed with high-power microscopes and oil-immersion microscopes. Scraping slide technique improved the method of making temporary slides.

EVALUATION OF THE FEASIBILITY OF USING LACTOSE AS THE INDUCER IN PRODUCING THE VIRAL ENHANCING FACTOR FROM HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA GRANULOSIS VIRUS IN ESCHERICHIA COLI BL21DE3 / 微生物学通报

Lactose was shown to no less competent than Isopropyl-?-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) in inducing the expression of the ENHANCIN coding gene from Helicoverpa armigera granulosis virus in Eswcherichia coli BL21 (DE3) regulated by a T7 promoter, since the lactose induction could lead to an ENHANCIN band no smaller than the one in IPTG induction on the SDS-PAGE gel. This would decrease the cost of the large-scale ENHANCIN production. The lactose concentration was optimized at 2.2% - 2.5% (w/v) . Different treatments on the lactose sterilization showed that lactose steam- sterilized in 116. 5℃ for 15min could lead to the ENHANCIN production. The convenience and the relatively low cost in its" operation could further decrease the cost of the ENHANCIN production.

SEVERAL QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR THE SCREENING OF FUNGI TO DECOMPOSE LIGNIN / 微生物学通报

Several methods for the qualitative screening of fungi to degrade lignin were introduced in this paper, with detailed protocols and discussing for each assay.

Bioactive Metobolites from Gliocladium / 微生物学通报

From the perspective of compound type,the bioactive metobolites from Gliocladium are reviewed,and the research advancement in future are proposed.