Current progress in functions of axon guidance molecule Robo and underlying molecular mechanism / 生理学报

The axon guidance molecule Robo is a transmembrane protein which is conserved during evolution. Robo and its ligand, Slit, have been implicated in regulating many developmental processes, such as axon guidance, neuronal migration, tumor metastasis, angiogenesis, lung morphogenesis, kidney morphogenesis, heart morphogenesis, ovary development and gonad development. Robo function mainly depends on the binding of its Ig1 domain to the LRR-2 domain of Slit ligand. Meanwhile, Robo function is also mediated by binding to some signaling molecules, including the heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) and tyrosine kinase Abelson. Several transcription factors, including Hox, Midline and Nkx2.9, were shown to regulate robo expression. In addition, alternative splicing and transport regulation also affect Robo function. In this review, we summarized the studies on the molecular structure, functions and molecular mechanism of Robo, which would propose a novel strategy for the research of neural development, as well as prevention and treatment of nervous system diseases and cancers.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs and cats in Zhenjiang City, Eastern China

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in dogs and cats in Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, Eastern China, and to evaluate the main associated risk factors relating to exposure to T. gondii in this region. Methods: Sera from 160 dogs and 116 cats from Zhenjiang City were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies using ELISA. The seropositivity by area of activity, sex and age was analyzed. Results: Overall, 21 dogs (13.1%) and 24 cats (20.7%) had antibodies to T. gondii. The infection rate in stray dogs (38.7%) and cats (28.6%) was significantly higher (P0.05). A high proportion of dogs at 3 to 6 years of age were positive to T. gondii (20.0%) while cats with relatively high seropositivity rates were at 0 to 1 year of age (33.3%). Conclusions: The prevalence of T. gondii infection in dogs and cats in Zhenjiang City was high, which is probably the main source of T. gondii infection in this area.

Intrahepatic portosystemic shunt assisted by percutaneous transhepatic approach for treatment of portal vein thrombosis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To retrospectively analyze the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy combined with pharmacologic thrombolysis to treat non-acute and symptomatic portal vein thrombosis (PVT) using an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (IPS) assisted by percutaneous transhepatic approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From April 2006 to May 2012, 18 patients with non-acute and symptomatic PVT were treated with balloon dilation, sheath-directed thrombus aspiration and continuous infusion of urokinase using the IPS assisted by percutaneous transhepatic approach. The significance of differences in the portosystemic gradient measured before and after therapy was assessed by paired samples t-test, and survival analysis was made by the Kaplan-Meier method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IPS was successfully created in all patients. The mean duration of the thrombolytic therapy was 65.3 +/- 29.5 h, and the mean concentration of urokinase used for the thrombolysis was 2324000 +/- 945000 U. Comparison of the mean portosystemic gradients showed a significant improvement in response to the therapy (before: 33.8 +/- 4.9 mm Hg vs. after: 15.4 +/- 2.1 mm Hg; P less than 0.001). The overall rate of clinical improvement was 94.4%. One patient died on day 2 post-therapy and another two patients experienced mild hepatic encephalopathy or right hemothorax, respectively, on day 5 post-therapy, with conservative medical management achieving complete recovery for both. The mean follow-up time was 18.6 +/- 17.5 months, during which only one patient died and five others experienced shunt dysfunction; all remaining patients showed maintenance of shunt patency without symptoms of recurrence.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mechanical thrombectomy combined with pharmacologic thrombolysis via the IPS assisted by percutaneous transhepatic approach is a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with non-acute and symptomatic PVT.</p>

Current progress in functions of axon guidance molecule Slit and underlying molecular mechanism / 生理学报

The axon guidance molecule Slit is a secreted glucoprotein which is conserved during evolution. Slit has been implicated in regulating a variety of life activities, such as axon guidance, neuronal migration, neuronal morphological differentiation, tumor metastasis, angiogenesis and heart morphogenesis. Slit function mainly depends on the binding of its LRR-2 domain to the Ig1 domain of Roundabout (Robo) receptor, meanwhile Slit function is also mediated by a range of signaling molecules, including the heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), tyrosine kinase Abelson, calcium ions, MicroRNA-218 and other axon guidance molecules. Several transcription factors, including Single-minded, Irx and Midline, were shown to regulate slit expression. In addition, multiple Slit isoforms exist as a consequence of alternative spliced transcripts. The research on guidance mechanism of Slit will facilitate the understanding of molecular mechanism underlying neural networks formation in the process of neural development and regeneration. Meanwhile, the studying of Slit guidance mechanism could promote the prevention and treatment of human neurological diseases and cancer metastasis.

Endovascular placement of iodine-125 seed strand and self-expandable stent combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the main portal vein / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effect of endovascular placement of iodine-125 seed strand and stent combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus in the main portal vein (MPVTT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty patients with HCC complicated by MPVTT were enrolled into this study. There were 46 men and 4 women with a mean age of 53.9 years. TACE was performed after the iodine-125 seed strand and self-expandable stent placement in the obstructed segment of the main portal vein (MPV).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Technical success rate was 100% for placement of iodine-125 seed strand and stent in the target segment of MPV. No serious procedure-related complications occurred. The mean follow-up duration was 208.5 d. The mean and median survival time was 370.1 d and 223.0 d, respectively. The 90-, 180-, 360-day cumulative survival rates were 97.5%, 59.3%, and 38.4%, respectively. The mean and median patent time of stent was 524.2 d and 407.4 d, respectively. The 90-, 180-, 360-day cumulative patency rates of stent were 94.9%, 75.2%, and 64.5%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Endovascular placement of iodine-125 seed strand and stent combined with TACE is an effective therapy for HCC with tumor thrombus in the main portal vein.</p>

Features of blood supply and results of transarterial infusion and embolization in spinal metastases / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the features of blood supply and results of transarterial infusion and embolization in spinal metastases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-one patients with spinal metastasis received transarterial infusion and embolization between March 2001 and June 2008. The inclusion criteria were: The metastatic lesion caused back pain; The metastatic lesion involved vertebra at or below T3 level. There were 29 males and 12 females with a mean age of 56.0 (33 - 71) years. Epirubicin was used as the chemotherapeutic agent. Lipoid Ultra-Fluid, Contour SE or gelfoam particles were used as embolitic material.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The technical success of therapy was achieved in 52 vertebrae (100%) including 14 thoracic, 35 lumbar and 3 sacral vertebrae. 105 arteries were used for infusion and embolization (16 intercostal arteries, 78 lumbar arteries, 4 iliolumbar arteries, 4 branches of iliac arteries, and 3 median sacral arteries). Lipoid Ultra-Fluid (2 - 8 ml) was used in 15, Contour SE (300 approximately 500 microm, 20 - 100 mg) in 20, and gelfoam particles in 33 arteries. Three days after treatment, complete pain relief (CR) was achieved in 17 patients, partial pain relief (PR) in 20, and moderate pain relief (MR) in 4, with an effective rate of 90.2%. Two weeks after treatment, CR was achieved in 17 patients, PR in 21, and MR in 3, with an effective rate of 92.7%. No adverse nervous system effect occurred. 16 patients developed swelling and pain of normal tissues which were alleviated after symptomatic treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transarterial infusion and embolization is an effective therapy in relieving pain resulting from spinal metastases.</p>

Transhepatic arterial chemoembolization by epirubicin mixed with microspheres for hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the safety and efficacy of transhepatic arterial infusion of the mixture of epirubicin and microspheres as the embolization materials for treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mixture was made of 10-60 mg epirubicin (Pfizer) mixed with 300-500 microm microspheres in 0.5-2 ml (Contour SE Boston Scientific), which was used for embolizating the artery supplying HCC. Changes of leucocyte counts, liver function, serum AFP level, response of tumor to TACE and complications related to embolization were analyzed before and after TACE.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>136 HCC patients (male/female: 91/45, mean age: 54.8 +/- 13.3 years) were studied. After TACE, the liver function was damaged and tumor size shrunken significantly (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transhepatic arterial chemoembolization using the mixture of epirubicin and microspheres for embolizating is safe and effective for the treatment of HCC, but the amount of embolization material should be chosen carefully in order to avoid liver function failure.</p>

Correlation between the expression of HIF-1a in perihematomal brain tissue and formation of brain edema in patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression of HIF-1a (hypoxia inducible factor 1,HIF-1a) in perihematomal brain issue and formation of brain edema in patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage.Method Perihematomal brain issue was collected in the course of hematoma elimination in 32 patients with hypertemive intraeerebral hemorrhage.Expressions of HIF-1a and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were observed by immunohistochemistry.The volume of perihematomal brain edema on computed tomographie scan was determined by computed tomographic scan before surgery.The results of staining and the volume of perihematomal brain edema were analyzed in double blind fashion.Results HIF-1a protein immunohistochemical staining positive cells (2.8?0.8/HP) were identified dispersedly from 4 hours after acute hemorrhagic stroke in perihematomal brain issue,and reached the peak at 24～48 hours (12.5?3.9/HP).High expression of HIF-1a progressed at 48～72 hours (12.2?1.8/HP) after acute hemorrhagic stroke.There was a positive correlation between the expression of HIF-1a and VEGF (r=0.76,t=6.37,P

Epirubicin in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety and efficiency of epirubicin in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-nine patients with diagnosis of MOJ, whose serum total bilirubin (TB) had not dropped to normal level after stent placement or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, received trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE). During TACE, epirubicin emulsion containing pharmorubicin at dose of 30 mg/m(2) was used. The toxicity and hepatic injury was observed according to WHO anticancer drug toxicity criterion and Child-Pugh classification criterion, respectively. The time of jaundice recurrence and survival were also observed during follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Median total serum bilirubin in 39 patients was 72.7 micromol/L (range: 52.1 - 91.4 micromol/L) before TACE. The dose of pharmorubicin was 40 - 60 mg with a median of 55.0 mg and the amount of lipiodol was 2 - 25 ml. Decrease in white blood cell count was observed: grade I in 41.0% of patients, grade II in 35.9% and grade III - IV in 15.4%. Grade III - IV nausea and vomiting developed in 100% of the patients. Hepatic injury became aggravated in 8 from A to B class patients, in one from A to C class, and in 3 from B to C class according to Child-Pugh classification criterion. No cardiac toxicity was observed in this series. The median survival time was 6.0 months with a range of 2 to 72 months. Jaundice recurred in 19 patients (48.7%) with a medium jaundice recurrence time of 9.0 months (range: 2 - 20 months).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Epirubicin-lipiodol emulsion at a dose of 30 mg/m(2) is safe and efficient in the management of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice with total serum bilirubin between 51 and 100 micromol/L after biliary drainage.</p>

Clinical analysis of 56 cases of primary liver cancer of over 5 years survival after comprehensive interventional therapy / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To analyze the key factors on long-term effect for comprehensive interventional therapy of primary liver cancer.Methods The clinical data,therapeutic protocols and follow-up of 56 patients with primary liver cancer survived for more than 5 years after comprehensive interventional therapy were analyzed retrospectively.Results Before TACE,20 patients were in clinical stageⅠ,35 were in stageⅡand one was in stageⅢ,including hepatic function of grade A(36 cases),grade B(20 cases),and grade C (0 case).The tumor patterns were consisted of mononodular type(32 cases),multinodular type(24 cases),and diffuse type(0 cases).The diameter of tumor demonstrated less than 3 cm(10 cases),3-5 cm(20 cases), 5-10 cm(19 cases)and more than 10 cm(7 cases).Thirty-three cases(58.9%)were treated by only TACE for the original lesions,while 23 cases(41.1%)were treated by TACE combined other treatment including TACE combined PEt(11 cases),TACE combined RFA(4 eases),TACE combined radiotherapy(one case),and TACE combinedⅡ-staged resection(7 cases).During follow-up,24 patients with hepatic recurrence and 17 cases of distal metastasis were treated by TACE and other anti-tumor treatment.Complications after interventional therapy in 20 cases were also treated.All cases survived for more than 5 years after interventional therapy including 3 more than 10 years.Conclusions Tumor factors,liver function, standardized TACE,combination of TACE with other anti-tumor therapy,treatment of hepatic recurrence and distal metastasis and complications are the key points to improve the long-term survival rate for primary liver cancer treated by comprehensive interventional therapy.

Preliminary experience of HCC treated by embolization of microspheres combined with lipiodol / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To study the safety and efficacy of transhepatic arterial infusion embolization using microspheres combined with lipiodol for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods Transhepatic arterial chemoembolization(TACE)was performed with 1-2 ml 300-500?m mierospheres and 10-20 ml lipiodol for treatment of HCC.Changes of liver function,AFP,responses of tumor and complications related to embolization were analyzed before and after TACE.Results Thirty six patients with HCC were enrolled into this study.After TACE,patients' liver function got worsen and tumor size decreased significantly(P＜0.05).Conclusion TACE with use of microspheres combined with lipiodol is an effective treatment for HCC,but should be taken carefully to avoid hepatic failure.

Stenting in malignant obstruction of inferior vena cava caused by hepatic carcinoma / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of endovascular deployment of metallic Z-type self- expandable stents in treating the patients with inferior vena eava(IVC)obstruction caused by hepatic malignant tumour.Methods One hundred and fifty six patients with IVC obstruction due to malignant compression were enrolled.Venography was performed via femoral vein before and after metallic Z-type self-expandable stent deployment across the stenotic segment of IVC.The diameter of stenotic segment,collateral vessels,venous pressures and the scores of patients IVC syndrome were compared before and after stent placement.Results One hundred and seventy nine stents were implanted in 156 patients successfully.The average obstructive length of IVC was(6.1?2.2)cm.The pressure gradient of stenotie segments of IVC declined from(2.1?0.5)kPa to (0.5?0.11)kPa.The diameters of stenotic segment of IVC increased from(0.33?0.11 )cm to(1.6?0.4) cm.After operations,the main clinical symptoms and physical signs relieved quickly.During 2～24 month follow-up,the pateney of IVC stents reached 86.7%.Conclusion Endovascular deployment of metallic Z-type self-expandable stent is an effective palliative treatment for patients with malignant obstruction of IVC.