Effects of Zishen Yutai Pills on in vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer Outcomes in Patients with Diminished Ovarian Reserve: A Prospective, Open-Labeled, Randomized and Controlled Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effects of Zishen Yutai Pills (ZYPs) on the quality of oocytes and embryos, as well as pregnancy outcomes in patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) receiving in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). The possible mechanisms, involving the regulation of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), were also investigated.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 patients with DOR who underwent their IVF-ET cycle were randomly allocated to 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio. The patients in the treatment group (60 cases) received ZYPs from the mid-luteal phase of the former menstrual cycle by using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. The patients in the control group (60 cases) received the same protocol but without ZYPs. The primary outcomes were the number of oocytes retrieved and high-quality embryos. Secondary outcomes included other oocyte or embryo indices as well as pregnancy outcomes. Adverse events were assessed by comparison of the incidence of ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy complications, pregnancy loss, and preterm birth. Contents of BMP15 and GDF9 in the follicle fluids (FF) were also quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the numbers of oocytes retrieved and high-quality embryos were significantly increased in the ZYPs group (both P<0.05). After treatment with ZYPs, a significant regulation of serum sex hormones was observed, including progesterone and estradiol. Both hormones were up-regulated compared with the control group (P=0.014 and 0.008), respectively. No significant differences were observed with regard to pregnancy outcomes including implantation rates, biochemical pregnancy rates, clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, and pregnancy loss rates (all P>0.05). The administration of ZYPs did not increase the incidence of adverse events. The expressions of BMP15 and GDF9 in the ZYPs group were significantly up-regulated compared with the control group (both P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#ZYPs exhibited beneficial effects in DOR patients undergoing IVF-ET, resulting in increments of oocytes and embryos, and up-regulation of BMP15 and GDF9 expressions in the FF. However, the effects of ZYPs on pregnancy outcomes should be assessed in clinical trials with larger sample sizes (Trial reqistration No. ChiCTR2100048441).

Expression,purification and bioinformatics analysis of PE＿PGRS35 protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Abstract： Objective To clone PE_PGRS35 gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis（MTB），construct recombinant vector pET28a⁃PE_PGRS35，express and purify the PE_PGRS35 protein of MTB H37Rv heterologously，and explore a new target against MTB after bioinformatics analysis. Methods The PE_PGRS35 coding gene was amplified by PCR and used to construct the expression vector pET28a⁃PE_PGRS35 by recombinant cloning technology，which was transformed to E. coli BL21（DE3）after successful sequencing and induced by using IPTG. The obtained PE_PGRS35 protein was purified by Ni column affinity chromatography and analyzed by bioinformatics. Results The pET28a⁃PE_PGRS35 prokaryotic expression vector was constructed correctly as identified by sequencing. The PE_PGRS35 protein was mainly expressed in the form of inclusion bodies，with a relative molecular mass of about 53 000 and a purity of 90%. Bioinformatics analysis showed that PE_PGRS35 protein was an acid⁃labile protein，with main secondary structure of β⁃sheet and random coil，and no transme⁃ mbrane region，which was presumed to be an extramembrane protein with 39 phosphorylation sites and two conserved domains. Total 10 proteins，including Rv1769，PPE8，PPE64，PPE54，PPE24，PPE16，PPE35，PPE6，PPE28 and PE2， interacted with PE_PGRS35 protein. Conclusion PE_PGRS35 protein with high purity was successfully obtained，which provided a reference for the further development of new targets for drugs against MTB.

Diagnostic potential of circulating microRNA in vascular cognitive impairment / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: To date, vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) still lacks effective therapeutic strategy and objective diagnostic tool. Circulating microRNA is considered as a promising diagnostic biomarker due to its advantages of easy acquisition, non-invasive collection, easy detection, strong specificity, and stable expression. OBJECTIVE: To review domestic and foreign studies of microRNAs in VCI diagnosis. METHODS: Literatures published from January 2009 to January 2020 were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, OVID, CNKI and WanFang databases with keywords of “microRNA, vascular cognitive impairment, post-stroke cognitive impairment, diagnosis, biomarker ” in English and Chinese, respectively. Finally, 42 literatures were included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the normal cognitive population, differentially expressed microRNAs are found in the serum, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of VCI patients, and the expression levels of some microRNAs are correlated with the cognitive assessment score. Taking together, circulating microRNA is a new biomarker with potential diagnostic value for VCI. However, the clinical application of microRNAs in VCI still has a large room for development due to the small sample size and low specificity or sensitivity of candidate microRNAs.

Enriched environment alleviates post-stroke cognitive impairment through enhancing α7-nAChR expression in rats / Ambiente enriquecido alivia o comprometimento cognitivo pós-AVC em ratos por meio do aumento da expressão de α7-nAChR

ABSTRACT Background: Enriched environment (EE) is a simple and effective intervention to improve cognitive function in post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI), partly due to the rebalancing of the cholinergic signaling pathway in the hippocampus. α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) is a cholinergic receptor whose activation inhibits inflammation and promotes the recovery of neurological function in PSCI patients. However, it is still unclear whether EE can regulate α7-nAChR and activate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) in PSCI. Objective: To investigate the effects of EE on cognitive impairment, and the role of α7-nAChR in PSCI. Methods: A PSCI rat model was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) and were reared in standard environment (SE) or EE for 28d, control group with sham surgery. Cognitive function was determined by Morris water maze test. The long-term potentiation (LTP) was assessed by Electrophysiology. Histopathological methods were used to determine infarct volume, α7-nAChR expression and the cytokines and cholinergic proteins expression. Results: Compared with SE group, rats in EE group had better cognitive function, higher expression of α7-nAChR positive neurons in hippocampal CA1 region. In addition, EE attenuated unfavorable changes induced by MCAO/R in cytokines and cholinergic proteins, and also enhanced LTP promoted by nicotine and attenuated by α-BGT; but showed no significantly difference in infarct volume. Conclusions: EE markedly improves cognitive impairment and enhances neuroplasticity in PSCI rats, which may be closely related to enhancement of α7-nAChR expression.

RESUMO Introdução: O ambiente enriquecido (AE) é uma intervenção simples e eficaz para melhorar a função cognitiva no comprometimento cognitivo pós-AVC, em parte devido ao reequilíbrio da via de sinalização colinérgica no hipocampo. O receptor nicotínico α7 de acetilcolina (α7-nAChR) é um receptor colinérgico cuja ativação inibe inflamação e promove a recuperação da função neurológica em pacientes com comprometimento cognitivo pós-AVC. No entanto, ainda não está claro se o AE pode regular α7-nAChR e ativar a via anti-inflamatória colinérgica (VAC) em comprometimento cognitivo pós-AVC. Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos do AE no comprometimento cognitivo e o papel do α7-nAChR no comprometimento cognitivo pós-AVC. Métodos: Modelo de comprometimento cognitivo pós-AVC foi induzido em ratos por oclusão e reperfusão da artéria cerebral média (MCAO/R), que foram criados em ambiente padrão (AP) ou em AE por 28d; grupo controle com cirurgia simulada. A função cognitiva foi determinada pelo teste do labirinto aquático de Morris. A potenciação de longo prazo (PLP) foi avaliada por eletrofisiologia. Métodos histopatológicos foram usados para determinar o volume do infarto, a expressão de α7-nAChR e a expressão de citocinas e proteínas colinérgicas. Resultados: Em comparação com o grupo AP, os ratos do grupo AE tiveram melhor função cognitiva, com maior expressão de neurônios positivos para α7-nAChR na região CA1 do hipocampo. Além disso, o AE atenuou alterações desfavoráveis induzidas por MCAO/R em citocinas e proteínas colinérgicas, e também aumentou a PLP promovida pela nicotina e atenuada por α-BGT, mas não mostrou nenhuma diferença significativa no volume do infarto. Conclusão: O AE melhora acentuadamente o comprometimento cognitivo e aumenta a neuroplasticidade em ratos com comprometimento cognitivo pós-AVC, o que pode estar intimamente relacionado ao aumento da expressão de α7-nAChR.

Preoperative albumin-globulin ratio and prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between albumin/globulin ratio (AGR) and postoperative survival among patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) undergoing radical oesophagectomy, to establish an effective prognostic nomogram for ESCC and to provide a reference for prognosis prediction of ESCC. Methods From February 2014 to September 2017, 390 ESCC patients who underwent surgery were retrospectively enrolled from the tumor hospital in Fujian Province. The receiver operating characteristic curves(ROC) were applied to establish optimal cutoff points. Chi-square test was used to estimate the relationship between the AGR and the clinical features. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the HR and 95% CI for the associations between AGR and Prognosis of ESCC patients. A nomogram model was established to predict the outcome of ESCC patients. Results The ROC demonstrated the best cutoff value for AGR was 1.16. A total of 356 patients were recruited in the final analysis, who were divided into the high AGR group (≥1.16) and the low AGR group (<1.16) by the best cutoff value. Both 1-year and 3-year survival rates in the high AGR group were higher than those detected in the low AGR group(all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the T stage, N stage, and AGR were independent prognostic factors of overall survival(all P<0.05). The HR of T stage was 1.87 (T3-T4 vs T1-T2, 95% CI: 1.04-3.35); The HR of N stage was1.89 (N+ vs N0, 95% CI: 1.13-3.17); The HR of AGR was 0.57(the high AGR group vs the low AGR group, 95%CI: 0.36-0.90). The concordance index(C-index) of the nomogram to predict overall survival was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.62-0.73，P<0. 001)．Conclusions The AGR was an independent prognosis factor for operated ESCC patients. The prognosis of ESCC in the high AGR group was better than that in the low AGR group and the prognostic nomogram provides individualized risk estimate of survival in ESCC patients after surgery.

Prognostic values of preoperative serum CA199 and NSE on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To explore the effects of preoperative serum cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) on the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods This prospective study enrolled 176 patients with ESCC. 2 test was used to analyze the relationship between CA19-9, NSE and general clinical features. Survival curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method and comparisons were performed using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was performed for multivariate analyses of overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS). Results The patients with both high CA19-9 and NSE had the poor prognosis compared with those had both low CA19-9 and NSE (OS: HR=2.310, 95% CI: 1.208-4.418; DFS:HR=2.354, 95% CI：1.265-4.381). Compared to the separate detection of the two markers, the combined detection of CA19-9 and NSE was more accurate in the prognosis prediction of patients with ESCC (OS:C-index=0.686; DFS:C-index=0.684). Conclusions Preoperative serum CA19-9 and NSE were risk factors for the prognosis of patients with ESCC. Combined detection had higher accuracy of prediction of prognosis in patients with ESCC.

Effect of salvianolic acid B on high glucose-induced phenotypic transition and extracellular matrix secretion in human glomerular mesangial cells / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on high glucose-induced phenotypic transition and extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion in human glomerular mesangial cells (HGMCs) and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:HGMCs were randomly divided into control group, high glucose group and high glucose plus high dose, medium dose and low dose of Sal B groups.The HGMCs except those in control group were exposed to high glucose (33.3 mmol/L) for 72 h, while those in Sal B groups were co-incubated with indicated concentrations of Sal B.The protein levels ofα-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) , transforming growth () and phosphorylated Smad2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined by Western blot.The secretion levels of collagen type I (Col I) , collagen type III (Col III) , fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LN) were measured by ELISA.RESULTS:Exposure to high glucose markedly increased the protein expression ofI, Col III, FN and LN in the HG-MCs (P<0.01).The phosphorylation levels of Smad2 and p38 MAPK were also significantly increased (P<0.01).Coincubation with Sal B evidently decreased the protein expression ofI, Col III, FN and LN in the HGMCs induced by high glucose (P<0.05 or P<0.01).The phosphorylated levels of Smad2 and p38 MAPK were also reduced noticeably (P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Sal B significantly suppresses high glucose-induced phenotypic transition and ECM secretion in the HGMCs, which might be attributed, at least partly, to inhibition ofSmad signaling pathway and p38 MAPK activation.

Risk factors analysis for pleural invasion in small nodular typeⅠA lung adenocarcinoma / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To explore and analyze the risk factors of pleural invasion in patients with small nodular type stage ⅠA pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Methods    From June 2016 to December 2017, 168 patients with small nodular type stage ⅠA pulmonary adenocarcinoma underwent surgical resection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. There were 59 males and 109 females aged 58.7±11.5 years ranging from 28 to 83 years. The clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. Single factor Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the independent risk factors of pleural invasion. Results    Among 168 patients, 20 (11.9%) were pathologically confirmed with pleural invasion and 148 (88.1%) with no pleural invasion. Single factor analysis revealed significant differences (P<0.05) in nodule size, nodule status, pathological type, relation of lesion to pleura (RLP), distance of lesion to pleura (DLP), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation between patients with and without pleural invasion in stage ⅠA pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that significant differences of nodule size, nodule status, RLP, DLP and EGFR mutation existed between the two groups (P<0.05), which were independent risk factors for pleural invasion. Conclusion    Imageological-pathological-biological characteristics of patients with small nodular type stage ⅠA pulmonary adenocarcinoma are closely related to pleural invasion. The possibility of pleural invasion should be evaluated by combining these parameters in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Progress in diagnosis of pulmonary ground-glass opacity nodules by radiomic analysis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ground glass nodule (GGN) is of great significance to the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Increasing attention has been paid to radiomics technology application in early diagnosis of benign and malignant GGN, which can analyze the characteristic appearances of GGN in non-invasive manner. This article reviews the latest research progress of radiomics in the diagnosis of GGN.

Association of Dietary Carotenoids Intake with Skeletal Fluorosis in the Coal-burning Fluorosis Area of Guizhou Province / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore whether the intake of dietary carotenoids could protect against skeletal fluorosis in Guizhou province in which coal-burning fluorosis is endemic.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study of 196 patients with skeletal fluorosis and 196 age and gender-matched controls was conducted in Zhijin, Guizhou Province. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to assess habitual dietary intake using a 75-item food frequency questionnaire and various covariates with structured questionnaires. Urinary fluoride was measured using an ion-selective electrode method. The genotype of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) rs11968525 was detected by TaqMan method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We observed significant dose-dependent inverse associations of skeletal fluorosis with intake of β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, and total carotenoids (P-trend = 0.002 to 0.018), whereas α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin intakes were not found to be related to skeletal fluorosis, after adjustment for potential confounders. The adjusted ORs and 95% CI of skeletal fluorosis for the highest versus lowest quartile were 0.30 (0.10, 0.86) for β-carotene, 0.23 (0.08, 0.66) for lycopene, 0.26 (0.10, 0.75) for lutein/zeaxanthin and 0.34 (0.14, 0.74) for total carotenoids (all P-trend < 0.05). Stratified analyses showed that the protective effects of lutein/zeaxanthin and total carotenoids on skeletal fluorosis were more evident for individuals with the AG+AA genotypes of SOD2 (rs11968525).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increased intakes of β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, and total carotenoids are independently associated with a lower risk of coal-burning skeletal fluorosis. SOD2 (rs11968525) polymorphisms might modify the inverse associations between dietary carotenoids and skeletal fluorosis.</p>

Governor vessel moxibustion: Ancient Chinese medical technology with new vitality / 中国结合医学杂志

Moxibustion is an ancient therapeutic technique used in Chinese medicine. Governor Vessel moxibustion (GVM) was developed from long snake moxibustion, a popular technique used in China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, and is significantly more effective than general moxibustion. We aimed to review GVM, including its theoretical basis, choices of moxibustion points and materials, operation procedures, clinical applications, and contraindications. This information could increase the appropriate use of GVM and support further in-depth research.

Promoting effect of percutaneous electrical stimulation on nerve regeneration after end-to-side neurorrhaphy in rats / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To observe and explore the effect and clinical value of percutaneous electrical stimulation on nerve regeneration after end-to-side neurorrhaphy in rats. Methods Thirty-two SPF male S-D rats were randomly divided into four groups ( n = 8 ): group A, the normal control group; group B, with end to end neurorrhaphy of musculocutaneous nerve injury matched to the ulnar nerve; group C, with end to side neurorrhaphy of musculocutaneous nerve injury matched to the ulnar group; and group D, with end to side neurorrhaphy of musculocutaneous nerve injury matched to the ulnar nerve plus postoperative transcutaneous electrical stimulation ( 30 min per day for 6 weeks ) . Electromyography, postoperational nerve conduction velocity, the histological and ultrastructural changes of the nerve fibers were examined, and NF-200 expression in frozen sections was observed using imunohistological staining, to assess the recovery of muscle strength of the diseased side limb and the neuroregeneration in the rats after treatment. Results The amplitude and conduction velocity of the groups C and D were lower than that of the group A, the latency was higher than that of the group A, while the amplitude and conduction velocity of the group D were lower than that of the group C,and the latency was higher than that of the group C. The wet weight ratio of the biceps brachii muscle and the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers in the groups B, C and D were lower than those in the group A, and the recovery of muscle in the group C was the worst. The expression of NF-200 in the rats of groups B, C and D was significantly lower than that in the group A, and the expression of NF-200 in the group D was significantly higher than that in the group C, but still significantly less than that in the group B ( P < 0. 05 ) . Electron microscopy showed mature myelinated fibers in the group B, whereas unmyelinated fibers were the main component and the myelin sheath was poorly developed in the group C. The myelin regeneration in the group D was better than that in the group C, but still some unmyelinated nerve fibers were seen. Conclusions The percutaneous electrical stimulation can effectively promote nerve axonal regeneration and can delay the atrophy of the target muscle after end-to-side neurorrhaphy. Though there is difference compared with the end-to-end neurorrhaphy, the end-to-side neurorrhaphy is still an effective method in clinical repair of peripheral nerve injury.

Serum alkaline phosphatase predicts survival outcomes in patients with skeletal metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Bone metastasis is frequently associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The diagnosis and follow-up of bone metastatic patients usually relies on skeletal X-ray and bone scintigraphy, which are time-consuming and costly. This study aimed to evaluate whether serum alkaline phosphatase offers clinical value in predicting the clinical response and survival outcome for skeletal metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS: Serum alkaline phosphatase was measured at baseline and then before each cycle of treatment in 416 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with bone metastasis. The correlations between the pre-treatment and post-treatment alkaline phosphatase levels and the treatment efficacy were analyzed using the chi-square test. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and then compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Patients with elevated pre-treatment alkaline phosphatase (>110 IU/L) had significantly worse progression-free survival (P<0.001) and overall survival (P<0.001) than those with a normal level of this marker (≤110 IU/L). Patients with elevated post-treatment alkaline phosphatase had worse progression-free survival (P<0.001) and overall survival (P<0.001) compared with those with a normal level. Patients with normal pre-treatment and post-treatment alkaline phosphatase showed the most favorable prognosis. The Cox multivariate analysis revealed that only the pre-treatment and post-treatment alkaline phosphatase levels were independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival (HR ϝ 1.656, P<0.001; HR ϝ 2.226, P<0.001) and for overall survival (HR ϝ 1.794, P<0.001; HR ϝ 2.657, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum alkaline phosphatase appears to be a significant independent prognostic index in patients with skeletal metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which could reflect the short-term treatment response ...

Metformin Influences the Effect of Adipocytes on Leukemia Cell Chemoresistance through Regulation of Adipogenesis / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of metformin on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte's differentiation and consequently observe the anti-proliferative effects of metformin-treated adipocytes on leukemia cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Different concentrations of metformin were added in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to induce maturation, the matured adipocytes were detected by oil red O staining and quantified by absorbance value (OD). Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression level of the key adipogenic genes PPARγ, C/EBPα and FABP4(ap2). The adipocytes were co-cultured with GFP+-THP-1 cells, 1 µg/ml of cytarabine(Ara-C) was added and incubated for 48 hours, the flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate of GFP+-THP-1 cells. Adipocyte supernatant was collected and mixed with equal volume of tumor lysat medium (RPMI 1640) at 1:1 to culture tumor cells. The leukemia cell proliferation activity was detected by CCK-8; after 48 hours of adding 1 µg/ml Ara-C, the protective effect on chemotherapy was assayed by using cytometer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The metformin lowered the OD value, and the expression levels of both adipogenic genes C/EBPα and FABP4 were lower than those of controls, while the expression level of PPARγ mRNA was not significantly changed, the apoptosis rate of leukemia cells co-caltured with metformin-treated adipocytes was higher than that of co-cultured cells without metformin treatment. The adipocytes promoted the leukimia cell proliferation and protected leukemia cells from chemotherapy, which could be abrogated by metformin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The metformin can inhibit the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes, and can regulate the protective effect of adipocytes on the apoptosis, proliferation and chemotherapy of leukemia cells.</p>

Comparison of Adipogenesis and Adipocyte Functions of 3T3-L1 Cells and Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the adipogenesis and the adipocyte function between 3T3-L1 cells and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By density gradient centrifugation and adherent culture, the MSCs were isolated from human bone marrow and purified. The cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. After the induction of adipogenic differentiation, the differentiation level was detected by oil red O staining and OD values. The expression of PPARγ, FABP4 and C/EBPα mRNA was detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Adipocytes and THP-1 cells were co-cultured by adding 1 µg/ml cytarabine. The ability of chemotherapy resistance was measured after 48 h.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Oil Red O staining and measuring the absorbance showed that the lipid content in 3T3-L1 cells group was more than that in MSCs group, and the OD value was higher than that in MSCs group (P < 0.05). The results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression of PPARγ, FABP4 and C/EBPα mRNA of 3T3-L1-derived adipocytes was higher than that of human bone marrow MSCs-derived adipocytes (P < 0.05). Coculture experiments showed that the number of viable THP-1 cells in the group containing adipocytes was more than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The difference between 3T3-L1 cell group and MSC group was statistically significant (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The ability of adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells is higher than that of human bone marrow MSCs in vitro. Adipocytes can protect THP-1 cell line against cytarabine, and the effect of adipocytes from 3T3-L1 cell group is greater than that from the human bone marrow MSC group.</p>

Research advances on abnormal marrow fibre in leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

The genesis and development of leukemia not only associate to intrinsic factors, but also relate with the fibrous hyperplasia in the bone marrow. This review mainly focuses on the interaction between fiber-producing cells and leukemia cells, the relationship between fibrous hyperplasia and prognosis of leukemia, the regulation of TGF-beta, PDGF and other cytokines, the underlying mechanism of fibrous hyperplasia so as to explore the potential therapeutic targets for improving the prognosis of leukemia.

Correlation between ALIP-like cluster and fibrous proliferation in bone marrow of patients with acute myeloid leukemia in CR phase / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to elucidate the prognostic values of ALIP (abnormal location of immature precursors)-like clusters and fibrous proliferation in bone marrow of AML patients in CR phase and the correlation between them. The bone marrow biopsy sections from 47 AML patients during admitting to relapse or till lost follow-up were examined retrospectively. The 47 patients were divided into pre-relapsed group and non-relapsed group according to relapse or not at end of follow-up. The concentration of ALIP-like cluster and reticulin fiber density (RFD) in sections were compared between the two groups respectively, the prognostic value of these two factors and the underlying relationship between them were estimated by statistical analysis. The results showed that ALIP-like cluster was (3.46 ± 2.71)/mm(2) during CR and RFD was (2.76% ± 1.50%) in pre-relapsed cases, which both were higher than those in non-relapsed cases (P < 0.05). Cases with ALIP-like cluster over 4/mm(2) or with RFD>1.68% showed high relapse rates of 89.5% or 95.2% respectively. RFD were (2.47% ± 2.48%) and (2.44% ± 2.23%) in cases with >4/mm(2) or ≤ 4/mm(2) respectively, there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05) . Meanwhile, the amount of ALIP-like cluster in CR not related with the paired RFD (r = 0.057, P > 0.05). It is concluded that both ALIP-like cluster in CR and RFD are poor prognostic factors for heralding early relapse. However, ALIP-like cluster and RFD show no correlation, and suggest that forming of ALIP not depends on fibrogenesis.

Neutrophil elastase inhibitor on proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study and compare the effect of neutrophil elastase inhibitors (GW311616A and sivelestat) on the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Inhibitory effects of GW311616A and sivelestat on the proliferation of U937 cells were assayed by MTT assay. The morphologic changes of U937 cells were detected by transmission electron microscope, and apoptosis was observed by AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining. The changes of cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of NE in U937 cells was observed by indirect immunofluorescence, the variations of content and activity of NE in U937 cells were measured through ELISA assay and colorimetric method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MTT showed that both NE inhibitors could inhibit the proliferation of U937 cells in a dose dependent manner. The IC50 of GW311616A and sivelestat were 150 and 214 μmol/L respectively. The inhibition effect of GW311616A was significantly higher than of sivelestat (P<0.01). Typical apoptosis morphological changes of U937 cells was observed through electron microscope. AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining showed that U937 cells could be induced to undergo apoptosis by the two inhibitors, the apoptosis ratio of 150μmol/L GW311616A group (13.60%) was significantly higher than that of 150μmol/L sivelestat group (3.69%)(P<0.01). The result of flow cytometry indicated that the apoptosis ratio of 150 μmol/L GW311616A group was 14.61%, U937 cell cycle was mainly blocked in G2/M phase; meanwhile 150 μmol/L sivelestat group as 4.25% with cell cycle in S phase. The fluorescence intensity of GW311616A group obviously decreased than of sivelestat group. And the two inhibitors could reduce the content and activity of NE in U937 cells, but the effect of GW311616A was significantly higher than of sivelestat (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GW311616A and sivelestat could inhibit the proliferation and cause apoptosis of U937 cells. Furthermore, GW311616A was more effective and harmful to cells than sivelestat.</p>

Cloning and expression analysis of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. ) CHI gene

Chalcone isomerase (CHI) is the key enzyme that catalyzes chalcone into (2S)-flavanol or (2S)-5-desoxidation flavanol. The full length cDNA (1050 bp) of AhCHI (Arachis hypogaea CHI gene) was cloned by large scale EST sequencing using a peanut immature seed cDNA library. Sequence analysis results indicated that it was a type I CHI gene (with the accession number JN660794). The ORF of AhCHI was 768 bp, encoding a peptide of 255 amino acids with a pI of 5.189. Sequence alignment showed that the coding region of AhCHI gene is highly conserved to compare with CHI genes from other plant species. Peanut cDNA microarray and semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that AhCHI was highly expressed in pegs. The expression level in flower and root was higher than the expression level in stem and leaf. AhCHI was expressed in a high level in seeds with a purple seed coat, while its expression was low in seed with white seed coat.

Influence of pre-ALIP number and its distance from trabeculae on AML relapse / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to detect the abnormal quantity and localization of pre-ALIP in bone marrow of acute myelocytic leukemia patients (AML) during the complete remission (CR) and investigate their correlation with AML relapse. The bone marrow biopsy and prognosis of 62 patients with CR were retrospectively analyzed. The bone marrow was divided into the pre-relapse group and the no-relapse group according to prognosis of patients. In order to clarify the correlation of abnormal quantity and localization of pre-ALIP with AML relapse, the number of single and double-cluster precursor cells and the sum of both were calculated, and their distance from bone trabeculae was surveyed with the computer image segment method. The results showed that the number of pre-ALIP in pre-relapse group (11 ± 11.71/mm(2)) and no-relapse group (8.33 ± 9.17/mm(2)) were more than that in normal control group (5.29 ± 4.00) (P < 0.01). The number of pre-ALIP more than 11/mm(2) was observed in 17 among all AML patients, and out of them 12 patients with pre-ALIP number >11/mm(2) (70.6) were found in the pre-relapse group, which was higher than that in no-relapse group (P < 0.05). While the distance between pre-ALIP and trabeculae [(341.31 ± 266.16) µm] in pre-relapse group showed the tendency of migrating to the intermediate zone of bone trabeculae, compared with that in no-relapse group [(242.41 ± 174.65) µm, P < 0.01]. Moreover, about 77.8 of 18 patients showed the distance of pre-ALIP from trabeculae was more than 341 µm in the pre-relapse group, and significantly higher than that in no-relapse group (P < 0.01). It is concluded that the average number of "pre-ALIP" more than 11/mm(2) or the average distance from trabeculae longer than 341 µm in bone marrow sections during CR may be the indicators for early relapse of AML.