Carboplatin-loaded surface modified-PLGA nanoparticles confer sustained inhibitory effect against retinoblastoma cell in vitro / Nanopartículas de PLGA com superfície modificada carregada com carboplatina conferem efeito inibitório sustentado contra células de retinoblastoma in vitro

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the antiproliferative effect of carboplatin-loaded surface-modified poly(lactide-co-glycolide) on retinoblastoma cells. Methods: Carboplatin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) with or without sodium alginate surface modification was prepared using sodium alginate-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide). The zeta potential and carboplatin release behavior were investigated. The cellular uptake of the released drug was observed in the retinoblastoma cell line Y79. The inhibitory effect of carboplatin-loaded nanoparticles against the Y79 cell line was evaluated using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay and western blot. Native carboplatin and void nanoparticles without carboplatin loading were used as controls. Results: The zeta potential was -(26.1 ± 3.1) mV for carboplatin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and-(43.1 ± 8.1) mV for carboplatin-loaded sodium alginate-poly(lactide-co-glycolide). The burst release percentages of carboplatin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and sodium alginate-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) were (40.0% ± 8.2%) and (18.9% ± 4.3%) at 24 hours, respectively. A significant difference was identified regarding drug release between carboplatin-loaded sodium alginate-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and carboplatin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide). Fluorescence detection revealed that intense uptake of carboplatin into the cytoplasm of the Y79 cell line that was exposed to carboplatin-loaded sodium alginate-poly(lactide-co-glycolide). Carboplatin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) or sodium alginate-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) exposure inhibited proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in Y79 cells on day 3. Extension of exposure to day 5 revealed that the sodium alginate-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) surface modification was superior to that of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) in terms of proliferating cell nuclear antigen inhibition. The cell viability test using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium revealed a similar inhibitory effect. Furthermore, the carboplatin-loaded nanoparticles of lower concentration inhibited cell viability more strongly than native carboplatin of higher concentration in methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. Conclusions: Carboplatin-loaded sodium alginate-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) inhibited retinoblastoma cell proliferation with superior effect as compared with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and native carboplatin. Sodium alginate surface modification offers a potential strategy for the sustained carboplatin release system.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar o efeito antiproliferativo de poli (lactídeo-coglicolídeo) com superfície modificada carregada com carboplatina contra células de retinoblastoma. Métodos: Preparou-se poli (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) carregado com carboplatina com ou sem alginato de sódio para modifição da superfície, poli com alginato de sódio (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) e poli (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo). O potencial zeta e o comportamento de liberação de carboplatina foram investigados. A captação celular do fármaco liberado foi observada na linha celular de retinoblastoma Y79. O efeito inibitório das nanopartículas carregadas com carboplatina contra a linha celular Y79 foi avaliado através do ensaio de metiltiazol tetrazólio e Western-blot. Carboplatina nativa e nanopartículas vazias sem carga de carboplatina serviram como controles. Resultados: O potencial zeta de poli carregado com carboplatina (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) foi - (26,1 ± 3,1) mV versus - (43,1 ± 8,1) mV em poli com alginato de sódio carregado com carboplatina (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo). A percentagem de libertação de explosão de poli carregado com carboplatina (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) e poli com alginato de sódio (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) foram (40,0 ± 8,2)% e (18,9 ± 4,3)% às 24 horas, respectivamente. Uma diferença significativa foi identificada em relação à liberação de fármaco entre poli com alginato de sódio carregado com carboplatina (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) e poli carregado com carboplatina (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo). A detecção de fluorescência revelou que a carboplatina foi assimilada intensamente no citoplasma da linha celular Y79 que foi exposta ao poli com alginato de sódio carregado com carboplatina (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo). A exposição de poli carregada com carboplatina (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) ou poli com alginato de sódio (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) inibiu a expressão de antígeno nuclear de proliferação celular em células Y79 no 3º dia. A extensão da exposição no 5º dia revelou que poli com alginato de sódio (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) para modificação da superfície foi superior a poli (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) em termos de inibição do antígeno nuclear de proliferação celular. O teste de viabilidade celular via metiltiazol tetrazólio mostrou um efeito inibitório semelhante. Além disso, as nanopartículas carregadas com carboplatina de concentração mais baixa inibiram a viabilidade celular mais fortemente em comparação com a carboplatina nativa de concentração mais alta no ensaio de metiltiazol tetrazólio. Conclusões: Poli com alginato de sódio carregado com carboplatina (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) inibiu a proliferação de células de retinoblastoma com efeito superior em contraste com poli (lactídeo-co-glicolídeo) e carboplatina nativa. O alginato de sódio para modificação da superfície oferece uma estratégia potencial para o sistema de liberação de carboplatina sustentada.

m7G-lncRNAs are potential biomarkers for prognosis and tumor microenvironment in patients with colon cancer / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the value of m7G-lncRNAs in predicting the prognosis and microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC).@*METHODS@#We screened m7G-lncRNAs from TCGA to construct an m7G-lncRNAs risk model using multivariate Cox analysis, which was validated using ROC and C-index curves. Calibration and nomogram were used to predict the prognosis of CRC patients. Point-bar charts and K-M survival curves were used to assess the correlation of risk scores with the patients' clinical staging and prognosis. CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE were used to explore the association between the tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration in patients in high and low risk groups and the correlation of risk scores with microsatellite instability, stem cell index and immune checkpoint expression. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and the key targets regulated by m7G-lncRNAs were identified and validated in paired samples of CRC and adjacent tissues by immunoblotting.@*RESULTS@#We identified a total of 1722 m7G-lncRNAs from TCGA database, from which 12 lncRNAs were screened to construct the risk model. The AUCs of the risk model for predicting survival outcomes at 1, 3 and 5 years were 0.727, 0.747 and 0.794, respectively. The AUC of the nomogram for predicting prognosis was 0.794, and the predicted results were consistent with actual survival outcomes of the patients. The patients in the high-risk group showed more advanced tumor stages and a greater likelihood of high microsatellite instability than those in the low-risk group (P < 0.05). The tumor stemness index was negatively correlated with the risk score (r=-0.19; P=7.3e-05). Patients in the high-risk group had higher stromal cell scores (P=0.0028) and higher total scores (P=0.007) with lowered expressions of activated mast cells (r=-0.11; P=0.045) and resting CD4+ T cells (r=-0.14; P=0.01) and increased expressions of most immune checkpoints (P < 0.05). ATXN2 (P= 0.006) and G3BP1 (P=0.007) were identified as the key targets regulated by m7G-lncRNAs, and their expressions were both higher in CRC than in adjacent tissues.@*CONCLUSION@#The risk model based on 12 m7G-lncRNAs has important prognostic value for CRC and can reflect the microenvironment and the efficacy of immunotherapy in the patients.

Research progress of antioxidant drugs in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury / 药学学报

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is one of the most difficulties in the studies of cardiovascular diseases, and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in cells is the main cause of it. Reducing ROS level by antioxidant drugs to protect cardiomyocytes is being the spotlight on MIRI treatment. In this review, the research progress of antioxidant drugs in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in recent years was summarized.

Genetic Prion Disease: Insight from the Features and Experience of China National Surveillance for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease / 神经科学通报·英文版

Human genetic prion diseases (gPrDs) are directly associated with mutations and insertions in the PRNP (Prion Protein) gene. We collected and analyzed the data of 218 Chinese gPrD patients identified between Jan 2006 and June 2020. Nineteen different subtypes were identified and gPrDs accounted for 10.9% of all diagnosed PrDs within the same period. Some subtypes of gPrDs showed a degree of geographic association. The age at onset of Chinese gPrDs peaked in the 50-59 year group. Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS) and fatal familial insomnia (FFI) cases usually displayed clinical symptoms earlier than genetic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (gCJD) patients with point mutations. A family history was more frequently recalled in P105L GSS and D178N FFI patients than T188K and E200K patients. None of the E196A gCJD patients reported a family history. The gCJD cases with point mutations always developed clinical manifestations typical of sporadic CJD (sCJD). EEG examination was not sensitive for gPrDs. sCJD-associated abnormalities on MRI were found in high proportions of GSS and gCJD patients. CSF 14-3-3 positivity was frequently detected in gCJD patients. Increased CSF tau was found in more than half of FFI and T188K gCJD cases, and an even higher proportion of E196A and E200K gCJD patients. 63.6% of P105L GSS cases showed a positive reaction in cerebrospinal fluid RT-QuIC. GSS and FFI cases had longer durations than most subtypes of gCJD. This is one of the largest studies of gPrDs in East Asians, and the illness profile of Chinese gPrDs is clearly distinct. Extremely high proportions of T188K and E196A occur among Chinese gPrDs; these mutations are rarely reported in Caucasians and Japanese.

Analysis of the Electrophoretic Profiles of Prion Protein in Carcinous and Pericarcinous Lysates of Six Different Types of Cancers / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#To find the different electrophoretic profiles of prion protein in carcinous and individual pericarcinous tissues in lysates of gastric, colon, liver, lung, thyroid, and laryngeal cancers.@*Methods@#Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot were used to test the amounts and electrophoretic patterns of total PrP and the tolerance of PK (protease K) digestion among six various cancer tissue types.@*Results@#A mass of PrP signals with a large molecular weight were identified in the homogenates of peripheral tissues. The amounts and electrophoretic patterns of total PrP did not differ significantly between carcinous and pericarcinous tissues. PrPs in all types of the tested cancer samples were PK sensitive but showed diversity in the tolerance of PK digestion among various tissue types.@*Conclusions@#The study revealed that the included electrophoretic patterns of carcinous and pericarcinous tissues were almost similar. Unlike PrP-specific immunohistochemical assay, evaluation of PrP electrophoretic patterns in the peripheral organs and tissues by Western blot does not reflect tumor malignancy.

Efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines: a systematic review / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate systematically the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines.@*METHODS@#PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrial.gov, CNKI, Wanfang Data, China Biomedical Literature Service System, and China Clinical Trial Registry were searched for randomized controlled trials of COVID-19 vaccines published up to December 31, 2020. The Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was used to assess the quality of studies. A qualitative analysis was performed on the results of clinical trials.@*RESULTS@#Thirteen randomized, blinded, controlled trials, which involved the safety and efficacy of 11 COVID-19 vaccines, were included. In 10 studies, the 28-day seroconversion rate of subjects exceeded 80%. In two 10 000-scale clinical trials, the vaccines were effective in 95% and 70.4% of the subjects, respectively. The seroconversion rate was lower than 60% in only one study. In six studies, the proportion of subjects who had an adverse reaction within 28 days after vaccination was lower than 30%. This proportion was 30%-50% in two studies and > 50% in the other two studies. Most of the adverse reactions were mild to moderate and resolved within 24 hours after vaccination. The most common local adverse reaction was pain or tenderness at the injection site, and the most common systemic adverse reaction was fatigue, fever, or bodily pain. The immune response and incidence of adverse reactions to the vaccines were positively correlated with the dose given to the subjects. The immune response to the vaccines was worse in the elderly than in the younger population. In 6 studies that compared single-dose and double-dose vaccination, 4 studies showed that double-dose vaccination produced a stronger immune response than single-dose vaccination.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Most of the COVID-19 vaccines appear to be effective and safe. Double-dose vaccination is recommended. However, more research is needed to investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of the vaccines and the influence of dose, age, and production process on the protective efficacy.

Genetic Prion Disease: Insight from the Features and Experience of China National Surveillance for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease / 神经科学通报·英文版

Human genetic prion diseases (gPrDs) are directly associated with mutations and insertions in the PRNP (Prion Protein) gene. We collected and analyzed the data of 218 Chinese gPrD patients identified between Jan 2006 and June 2020. Nineteen different subtypes were identified and gPrDs accounted for 10.9% of all diagnosed PrDs within the same period. Some subtypes of gPrDs showed a degree of geographic association. The age at onset of Chinese gPrDs peaked in the 50–59 year group. Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker syndrome (GSS) and fatal familial insomnia (FFI) cases usually displayed clinical symptoms earlier than genetic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (gCJD) patients with point mutations. A family history was more frequently recalled in P105L GSS and D178N FFI patients than T188K and E200K patients. None of the E196A gCJD patients reported a family history. The gCJD cases with point mutations always developed clinical manifestations typical of sporadic CJD (sCJD). EEG examination was not sensitive for gPrDs. sCJD-associated abnormalities on MRI were found in high proportions of GSS and gCJD patients. CSF 14-3-3 positivity was frequently detected in gCJD patients. Increased CSF tau was found in more than half of FFI and T188K gCJD cases, and an even higher proportion of E196A and E200K gCJD patients. 63.6% of P105L GSS cases showed a positive reaction in cerebrospinal fluid RT-QuIC. GSS and FFI cases had longer durations than most subtypes of gCJD. This is one of the largest studies of gPrDs in East Asians, and the illness profile of Chinese gPrDs is clearly distinct. Extremely high proportions of T188K and E196A occur among Chinese gPrDs; these mutations are rarely reported in Caucasians and Japanese.

Preparation of PrP-specific Polyclonal Antibody Immunization of -knockout Mice with Recombinant Human PrP Protein / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#The definite diagnosis of human and animal prion diseases depends on the examination of special pathological changes and/or detection of PrP in the brain tissues of suspected cases. Thus, developing methods to obtain PrP antibody with good specificity and sensitivity is fundamental for prion identification.@*Methods@#We prepared a PrP-specific polyclonal antibody (pAb P54) in a -knockout mouse model immunization with recombinant full-length human PrP protein residues 23-231. Thereafter, we verified that pAb in Western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescent (IFA) assays.@*Results@#Western blot illustrated that the newly prepared pAb P54 could react with recombinant PrP protein, normal brain PrP from healthy rodents and humans, and pathological PrP in the brains of experimental rodents infected with scrapie and humans infected with different types of prion diseases. The electrophoretic patterns of brain PrP and PrP observed after their reaction with pAb P54 were nearly identical to those produced by commercial PrP monoclonal antibodies. Three glycosylated PrP molecules in the brain homogenates were clearly demonstrated in the reactions of these molecules with pAb P54. IHC assay revealed apparent PrP deposits in the GdnCl-treated brain slices of 139A-infected mice and 263K-infected hamsters. IFA tests with pAb P54 also showed clear green signals surrounding blue-stained cell nuclei.@*Conclusion@#The newly prepared pAb P54 demonstrated reliable specificity and sensitivity and, thus, may have potential applications not only in studies of prion biology but also in the diagnosis of human and experimental rodent prion diseases.

Development and validation of radiomics model built by incorporating machine learning for identifying liver fibrosis and early-stage cirrhosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Liver fibrosis (LF) continues to develop and eventually progresses to cirrhosis. However, LF and early-stage cirrhosis (ESC) can be reversed in some cases, while advanced cirrhosis is almost impossible to cure. Advances in quantitative imaging techniques have made it possible to replace the gold standard biopsy method with non-invasive imaging, such as radiomics. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a radiomics model to identify LF and ESC.@*METHODS@#Patients with LF (n = 108) and ESC (n = 116) were enrolled in this study. As a control, patients with healthy livers were involved in the study (n = 145). Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data sets with three b-values (0, 400, and 800 s/mm) of enrolled cases were collected in this study. Then, radiomics features were extracted from manually delineated volumes of interest. Two modeling strategies were performed after univariate analysis and feature selection. Finally, an optimal model was determined by the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC).@*RESULTS@#The optimal models were built in plan 1. For model 1 in plan 1, the AUCs of the training and validation cohorts were 0.973 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.946-1.000) and 0.948 (95% CI 0.903-0.993), respectively. For model 2 in plan 1, the AUCs of the training and validation cohorts were 0.944, 95% CI 0.905 to 0.983, and 0.968, 95% CI 0.940 to 0.996, respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Radiomics analysis of DWI images allows for accurate identification of LF and ESC, and the non-invasive biomarkers extracted from the functional DWI images can serve as a better alternative to biopsy.

Metformin protects paraquat-poisoned rats against acute lung injury / 医学研究生学报

Objective Metformin (MET) can reduce blood glucose, act against inflammation, lessen oxidative stress and prevent fibrosis. This study was to investigate the protective effect of MET against acute lung injury (ALI) induced by paraquat poisoning (PQP) in rats. Methods Totally 78 healthy adult SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, normal control, PQP model control, and low-, medium- and high-dose MET. The PQP model was established in the latter four groups of rats by intraperitoneal injection of paraquat solution at 30 mg/kg and, at 2 hours after modeling, the rats in the three MET intervention groups were treated intragastrically with MET at 100, 400 and 800 mg/kg/d respectively, while those in the normal and PQP model control groups with the same amount of normal saline, all for 7 successive days. Six of the animals from each group were sacrificed at 1, 3 and 7 days and their lung tissues harvested for measurement of the wet/dry weight ratio of the pulmonary tissue and contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the plasma, determination of the levels of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by ELISA, and observation of the pathological changes in the pulmonary tissue by HE staining. Results In the normal control, PQP model control and low-, medium- and high-dose MET groups, the contents of MDA were (2.53±0.36), (3.68±0.26), (3.57±0.52), (3.56±0.83) and (3.68±0.60) nmol/mL respectively on the 1st day of intervention and (2.53±0.36), (5.18±0.56), (5.09±0.88), (3.80±0.91) and (3.96±0.78) nmol/mL at 7 days; those of SOD were (256.18±18.18), (229.24±18.26), (224.65±19.27), (223.20±19.37) and (226.45±11.62) U/mL on the 1st day and (256.18±18.18), (152.06±17.03), (150.76±18.18), (205.95±13.16) and (208.37±12.23) U/mL at 7 days; those of IL-1β were (10.57±2.24), (21.97±5.03), (22.33±4.88), (21.78±5.21) and (22.11±4.19) pg/mL on the 1st day and (10.57±2.24), (91.86±8.40), (91.36±10.65), (63.52±7.06) and (60.35±6.70) pg/mL at 7 days; those of IL-6 were (21.35±2.62), (45.61±3.71), (44.83±5.97), (46.17±7.33) and (45.78±6.55) pg/mL on the 1st day and (21.35±2.62), (84.38±10.21), (85.88±6.70), (49.08±7.70) and (50.26±7.65) pg/mL at 7 days; and those of TNF-α were (32.37±3.74), (71.89±6.98), (72.52±8.23), (71.13±4.50) and (70.15±6.47) pg/mL on the 1st day and (32.37±3.74), (197.04±14.80), (201.59±13.61), (140.17±14.84) and (139.86±11.12) pg/mL at 7 days. Compared with the normal controls, the rats in the PQP model control and the MET intervention groups showed significant increases in the wet/dry weight ratio of the pulmonary tissue and contents of MDA, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α (all P < 0.05), but a decrease in the SOD level in the plasma at 1, 3 and 7 days (P < 0.05). In comparison with the PQP model controls, the animals in the medium- and high-dose MET groups exhibited remarkable decreases in the wet/dry weight ratio of the lungs and contents of MDA, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α (all P < 0.05), but an increase in the SOD level at 7 days (P < 0.05). Massive inflammatory cell infiltration, diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage, alveolar collapse and extensive alveolar septal thickening were observed in the PQP model control and low-dose MET groups but significantly alleviated in the medium- and high-dose MET groups at 7 days. Conclusion Metformin can protect paraquat-poisoned rats against acute lung injury by reducing pulmonary edema and the expressions of inflammation- and oxidation-related factors in the pulmonary tissue.

The Research on Orientation Mechanisms of Public Hospitals / 中国卫生经济

The reform of public hospital was the focus and difficulty in the new round of health care system reform.More complex situations and more arduous challenges,which occurred in deepening the reform,were gradually leading the solution retransfer to the analysis of fundamental orientation mechanisms of public hospitals in theoretical and practical dimension.The co-existence of policy orientation,social orientation and self-orientation,relying on their own way or combined effect,made a significant impact on the further development of public hospitals.

Analyses on relevant factors of the prognosis of elderly patients with acute poisoning / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To explore the risk factors influencing the prognosis of elderly patients with acute poisoning.@*Methods@#We retrospected 177 elderly patients with Acute Poisoning who were treated in the emergency department of the first affiliated hospital of wenzhou medical university from July 2009 to May 2015. According to the outcome of patients, we distributed the patients to death group (31 cases) and survival group (146 cases) , compared the clinic data and using multivariate analysis with Logistic regression to prognosis factors.@*Results@#There were 177 cases in total, with 146 survivors (82.5%) and 31 deaths (17.5%) . In which 102 cases (57.6%) had chronic underlying diseases. There were 28 cases of pesticide poisoning in the death group, and the fatality rate of pesticide poisoning was 23.5%. The mortality rate was 12.8% in the 60-69 years-old group (11/86) , 20% (13/65) in the 70-79 years-old group, 26.9% (7/26) in the 80-89 years-old group. The most common reason of poisoning was intentional ingestion, with 100 cases (56.5%) . The tract of the poisoning was mainly in digestive system, including 148 cases (83.6%) . The PSS score and APACHE-II score were 2.97±0.18 and 19.8±2.8 in the death group, 2.27±0.81 and 12.8±5.3 in the survival group. Compared with the survival group, poison (pesticides or non) 、poisoning route、cause of poisoning、PSS score、APACHEⅡ score have significant difference in death group (P<0.05) . Poison (pesticides or non) 、PSS score、APACHEⅡ, were the independent risk factors of poor prognosis.@*Conclusion@#Most of the elderly patients with acute poisoning have one or more chronic underlying diseases, the digestive tract ingestion and pesticide poisoning are more common. The fatality rate of the old patients is significantly higher than that of non elderly poisoning. Type of toxications, PSS score and APACHE-II score are the prognostic factors in elderly patients.

Cartilage repair using induced pluripotent stem cell derived chondrocytes in osteoarthritis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Stem cell-based therapy has been proposed for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are becoming a promising stem cell source as they have strong proliferation and differentiation potentials and no ethics problem. OBJECTIVE: To explore an effective method of iPSCs differentiating into chondrocytes and to study the therapeutic effect of iPSCs derived chondrocytes on osteoarthritis. METHODS: In this study, three steps were developed to induce human iPSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes which were then transplanted into rat OA models induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). There were four groups in the experiment: control group with normal saline injection, model group with MIA injection, iPSCs group with iPSCs transplantation following MIA injection, and differentiated iPSCs group with transplantation of iPSCs derived chondrocytes following MIA injection. At 15 weeks after transplantation, micro-CT was used and histological analysis of the knee joint was performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the iPS group, the expression of chondrocyte specific genes and proteins (Col2A1, GAG and Sox9) were significantly increased in the differentiated iPSCs group after 6 days of embryoid formation and after 2 weeks of cell differentiation. At 15 weeks after cell transplantation, no immune responses were observed, micro-CT showed an improvement in subchondral bone integrity, and histological examinations demonstrated the production of articular cartilage matrix. iPSCs derived chondrocytes showed better effects on articular cartilage repair than the iPSCs. To conclude, iPSCs derived chondrocytes can be effective via transplantation approach for cartilage tissue regeneration in OA rats.

application of gamma stereotactic body radiation therapy in stage I/II non-small-cell lung cancer. Promising and encouraging outcome

To further evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the gamma-ray stereotactic body radiation therapy [gamma-SBRT] in patients with stage I/II non-small-cell lung cancer [NSCLC]. Twenty-nine newly diagnosed patients with stage I/II NSCLC who had no previous treatments, underwent OUR-QGD type of the gamma-SBRT at the Radiation Oncology Department, People's Liberation Army Airforce General Hospital, Beijing, China from January 2007 to July 2010. All patients were immobilized by vacuum bag, and then a slow CT scan was performed without any respiration gating. The total radiation dose of 50%, 60%, and 70% isodose line were prescribed in 50, 60, and 70 Grey [Gy] correspondingly, covering 100% of the planning target volume [PTV], 90% of the clinical target volume [CTV], and 80% of the gross target volume [GTV] in 10 fractions. The CT scans of the chest were required at one, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. The median follow-up duration was 24 months, and the final follow-up rate is 96.6%. Local control rates of one and 2 years were all 93.1%. The progression-free survival rates versus overall survival rate of one year was 89.7% versus 96.6%, and 2 years was 86.1% versus 89.4%. Acute radiation reactions was diagnosed in 34.5%, and late radiation reactions in 37.9% of patients. The gamma-SBRT results in a good curative effects, and minimal toxicity in the treatment of stage I/II NSCLC

Analysis of the changes in bacterial types and drug sensitivity profiles of mycobacterial strains in Guangzhou over the last twelve years / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To improve evidence-based care in the management of tuberculosis, we retrospectively analyzed the bacterial types and drug sensitivity test results of mycobacteria in Guangzhou over the past twelve years (from July 1998 to March 2010).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Over these twelve years, a total of 14 095 mycobacterial strains isolated from different samples were subjected to type identification and drug sensitivity tests according to the Standard Protocols of Laboratory Diagnostics for Tuberculosis by the Chinese Antituberculosis Association. Chi-square test was performed for statistical analyses for comparisons between groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 14 095 strains of mycobacteria isolated, 10 844 strains (76.84%) were MTB, and 3251 strains (23.16%) were non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM). Compared with the result of the fourth national survey of tuberculosis epidemiology, which showed 11.1% of NTM, the one of our study was significantly different (χ(2) = 69.79, P < 0.001). Drug sensitivity tests of MTB showed tolerance rates of 28.99% (2729/9413), 21.75% (2047/9413), 17.45% (1643/9413) and 11.53% (1085/9413) against isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin and ethambutol, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>An increasing trend was observed in MTB drug tolerance against streptomycin, rifampin and isoniazid, whereas more and more NTM strains were isolated in recent years. These findings are worthy of note for clinicians.</p>

Fluvastatin, a lipophilic statin, induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells through mitochondria-operated pathway.

Fluvastatin, a lipophilic statin, was known to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in many cancer cells. Its potential anticancer was evaluated in three hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (HepG2, SMMC-7721 and MHCC-97H). Cells were treated with fluvastatin in vitro and its effect on cell proliferation, cell cycle, invasion and apoptosis was determined. Mechanism of apoptosis induced by fluvastatin on HCC cell lines was also investigated through western blotting and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) analysis. It was observed that fluvastatin inhibited proliferation of HCC cells by inducing apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest in a dose-dependent manner. The results of cell invasion assay revealed that fluvastatin significantly decreased the invasion potency of HCC cells. A mitochondria-operated mechanism for fluvastatin induced apoptosis might be involved and was supported by Western blotting and MMP analysis. After fluvastatin treatment, expression of Bcl-2 and procaspase-9 were downregulated, cytochrome c (cytosolic extract), Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 protein expression were increased. Furthermore, a breakdown of MMP in HCC cells was observed. To conclude, these results have provided a rationale for clinical investigations of fluvastatin in future as a potential anticancer reagent for growth control of HCC.

Simultaneous determination of clozapine, olanzapine and mirtazapine in human plasma by LC-MS/MS / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To develop a method for determination of clozapine, olanzapine and mirtazapine in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS).@*METHODS@#Clozapine, olanzapine and mirtazapine were extracted from plasma samples by using diethyl ether and separated by Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 column(2.1 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm). Electrospray ionization source was applied, positive ion mode was used to detect and multiple reaction monitoring mode was used to quantify clozapine, olanzapine and mirtazapine. Carbamazepine was the internal standard.@*RESULTS@#The detection limits of clozapine, olanzapine and mirtazapine were within 0.41-0.92 ng/mL. The calibration curve in the concentration range of 10.0-2000.0 ng/mL showed a good linear distribution (r > or = 0.992 4). The average extraction recoveries were within 65.7%-94.2%. Intra-day RSD and inter-day RSD were less than 6% (n = 5).@*CONCLUSION@#This method seems to be quite specific, sensitive and accurate, and can be used to detect clozapine, olanzapine and mirtazapine in forensic and clinical analytic toxicology.

Influence of ambient light and adjacent tooth in anterior tooth color measurement / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of different intensity and directions of ambient light and adjacent tooth in anterior tooth color measurement by using colorimeter.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fiber lite MI-150 was used as ambient illuminant and it irradiated from three or twelve o'clock direction through 45 degrees angle above. The light magnitude 0, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 W were applied in this experiment. The values of CIE L* a* b* were measured by Minolta Chroma meter CR-321 colorimeter on the center labial surface of ten extracted human maxillary central incisors with or without adjacent teeth, then those data were analyzed statistically by using SPSS 11.5.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Neither different intensities nor different directions of ambient light could influence the results of color measurement by using Minolta Chroma meter CR-321 colorimeter, so did the adjacent teeth whether those were exist or not.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is no influence of ambient light and adjacent teeth in the color measurement of anterior teeth under this experiment condition, and Minolta Chroma meter CR-321 colorimeter can be used to measure the color directly aside the chair with light.</p>

Effect of nordy on biological behaviors of malignant glioma cell line U87MG and the analysis of differential expression proteome / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore effects of nordy on biological behaviors of human malignant glioblastoma cell line U87MG in vitro and transplanted tumor in vivo, and to identify the differential proteome upon Nordy induced differentiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Glioblastoma U87MG cells were induced to differentiate by synthetic lipoxygenase inhibitor, Nordy. The drug was also given via peritoneal injection to nude mice (27 mg/kg body weight) bearing orthotopic transplanted tumors of U87MG cells in the brain. The tumor volumes and GFAP expression were measured. Total proteins of U87MG cells after Nordy treatment were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. PDQuest 7.1 computer software was used to compare protein profiles of the treated cells with that of untreated control. Differentially expressed proteins were then selected and characterized by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry. The functional aspects of these proteins were analyzed by bioinformatics.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nordy suppressed both the proliferation of U87MG cells in vitro and the tumor growth of orthotopic transplanted tumors in vivo (P < 0.01). The differentially expressed proteins induced by Nordy included proliferation-associated gene A, alternative splicing factor ASF-3, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A, coffilin 1 (non-muscle), beta galactoside binding lectin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, enolase 1 and an unknown protein.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Nordy promotes the differentiation of glioblastoma cells, by which it may serve as a therapeutic agent. Various proteins identified during Nordy-induced differentiation are involved in the cell proliferation, metabolism, differentiation, apoptosis and gene transcription.</p>

Expression of B7-H1 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from chronic hepatitis B patients / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of B7-H1 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic HBV infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry assay were used to measure the expression of B7-H1 on peripheral blood CD3high T cells, CD19high B cells and CD14high monocytes from chronic HBV infected patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference was observed in B7-H1 expression on T cells and B cells between chronic HBV infected patients (CHB) and health controls (HC). B7-H1-expressing CD14high cells were significantly increased in chronic HBV-infected patients (19.17-/+11.64)% as compared with healthy controls [(7.30-/+5.49)%, P<0.01]. A significant positive correlation was found between B7-H1 expression on CD14high monocytes and serum ALT levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is no significant difference in B7-H1 expression on T cells and B cells between CHB patients and healthy subjects. B7-H1, which is up-regulated on monocytes from chronic HBV-infected patients, in positively correlated to serum ALT levels, and may play a role in the persistence of HBV infection.</p>