Analysis of intestinal microbial diversity in Leopoldamys edwardsi based on illumina sequencing technique / 中华预防医学杂志

To explore the composition and diversity of the intestinal microflora of Leopoldamys edwardsi in Hainan Island. In November 2019, DNA was extracted from fecal samples of 25 adult Leopoldamys edwardsi (14 males and 11 females) in Hainan Island at the Joint Laboratory of tropical infectious diseases of Hainan Medical College and Hong Kong University. Based on the IonS5TMXL sequencing platform, single-end sequencing (Single-End) was used to construct a small fragment library for single-end sequencing. Based on Reads shear filtration and OTUs clustering. The species annotation and abundance analysis of OTUs were carried out by using mothur method and SSUrRNA database, and further conducted α diversity and β diversity analysis. A total of 1481842 high quality sequences, belonging to 14 Phyla, 85 families and 186 Genera, were obtained from 25 intestinal excrement samples of Leopoldamys edwardsi. At the level of phyla classification, the main core biota of the Leopoldamys edwardsi contained Firmicutes (46.04%),Bacteroidetes (25.34%), Proteobacteria (17.09%), Tenericutes (7.38%) and Actinobacteria (1.67%), these five phyla account for 97.52% of all phyla. The ratio of Helicobacter which occupied the largest proportion at the genus level was 12.44%, followed by Lactobacillus (11.39%), Clostridium (6.19%),Mycoplasma (4.23%) and Flavonifractor (3.52%). High throughput sequencing analysis showed that the intestinal flora of Leopoldamys edwardsi in Hainan Island was complex and diverse, which had the significance of further research.

Application of liquid biopsies in diagnosis and treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Liquid biopsies have made a great progress in malignant tumors research.Circulating tumor cells,circulating tumor DNA and exosomes can be regarded as biomarkers to be applied in diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer,monitoring progress dynamically,estimating prognosis and drug resistance in chemotherapy,which can help doctors provide patients with individual treatment to realize precision medicine in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Preparation,characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of hydroxycamptothecin-phospholipid complex / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To prepare hydroxycamptothecin-phospholipid complex(HCPT-PC),characterize its physicochemi-cal properties,and evaluate the cytotoxicity. Methods The particle size and morphology of HCPT-PC were characterized by malvern particle size potentiometer,scanning electron microscopy(TEM)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Its composite mecha-nism was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The solubility and antitumor activity were also investigat-ed. Results The particle size of HCPT-PC was(145.08±18.37)nm. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron micros-copy revealed that HCPT-PC was uniformly distributed with a spherical shape. X-ray powder diffraction indicated that HCPT changed from crystalline to amorphous state in HCPT-PC. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that there was a weak interaction be-tween HCPT and PC. The solubility of HCPT-PC in water,PBS,ethanol and n-octanol was about 21.91,20.36,1.42 and 6.32 times than that of HCPT,respectively. After treated with HepG2,SMMC-7721 and H22 cells for 48 and 72 hours,IC50 of HCPT-PC was higher than that of HCPT by 3.57,11.14,2.79,37.26,21.23 and 24.49 times,respectively. Conclusion HCPT is compounded into an amorphous-state HCPT-PC by a weak interaction with the polar end of PC. Its solubility and anti-hepatocarcinoma activity are signif-icantly higher than HCPT.

Comparative research of setup error and registration for image-guided radiotherapy of lung cancer / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore the setup error and area registration error during lung cancer radiotherapy by using the on board imager (OBI) of the linear accelerator. Methods Totally 50 lung cancer patients underwent image-guided radiation therapy. Then OBI system was used for the scan validation by electronic portal imaging device (EPID) and cone beam CT (CBCT), and comparative analysis was executed on the setup errors of EPID and CBCT. Results The translation errors of EPID were (-1.62 ±1.58), (2.12 ±1.49) and (4.52 ±2.42)mm respectively at Lat, Vrt and Lng directions, while those of CBCT were (-1.27±1.25), (1.43±1.57) and (3.12±2.62) mm respectively. The registration errors at Lat, Vrt and Lng directions and rotation angle of lung tissue were (-1.27±1.25), (1.43±1.57), (3.12±2.62)mm and (0.5±1.6)° respectively, and those of target area were (-1.56±1.78), (1.68±2.39), (3.42±2.73)mm and (0.8±1.9)° respectively. CBCT and EPID had statistical differences (P<0.05) in setup error validation as well as setup errors at Vrt and Lng directions. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) when CBCT self-registration was involved in selecting different areas. Conclusion CBCT and EPID can both used for the setup validation of lung cancer, while the former behaved better than the latter.

Research progress in co-delivery of gene and chemotherapy drugs with cationic liposome carrier for cancer therapy / 药学学报

Despite recent advances in conventional therapeutic approaches for cancer, the efficacy of chemotherapy for cancer is limited due to the drug resistance and toxic side effects during treatment. To overcome drug resistance, higher doses of the toxic chemotherapy drugs are frequently administered, thus leading to even severe adverse side effects, which have limited their clinical application. Cationic liposome as a novel non-viral carrier for co-delivery of gene and chemotherapy drugs in cancer gene therapy has already attracted more and more attention in recent years. Most importantly, this combined strategy can generate a significant synergistic effect, which can silence the related gene expression and increase the concentration of the intracellular chemotherapy drugs. This approach allows the use of a much lower dose of the chemotherapy drugs to achieve same therapeutic effect, which may have the potential for overcoming some major limitations of the conventional chemotherapy. In conclusion, co-delivery of gene and chemotherapy drugs with cationic liposome delivery system will play a vital role in the future and especially could be a promising clinical treatment for drug-resistant tumors.

Activin A and BMP-4 induce cardiomyocyte-like cells differentiation of human amniotic epithelial cells / 生物医学工程学杂志

Amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) have been expected to be a good cell source for stem cell-based cardiac repair. Activin A signaling is required for cardiac differentiation in human embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) is an important regulator that controls stem cell fates. Previous study has established an efficient protocol to generate cardiomyocytes from human ESCs via induction with Activin A and BMP-4. The aim of present study was to test the hypothesis that Activin A and BMP-4 could also induce AECs to differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vitro. Human AECs (hAECs) were isolated from human term placenta by trypsin digestion according to the previous reports. Freshly isolated hAECs were examined to detect the expression of cytokeratin 19 by immunocytochemistry. High-density undifferentiated hAECs at passage 1 were sequential treated with 100 ng/ ml human recombinant Actvin A and 10 ng/ml BMP-4. The expression of cardiac-specific genes was examined before and after in vitro induction of cellular differentiation. Freshly isolated hAEC could express cytokeratin 19, the specific marker of epithelial cells. The data showed that hAECs treated with Activin A and BMP-4 were able to express cardiac-specific genes, including Nkx2.5 and alpha-actinin. Our results demonstrated that Activin A and BMP-4 could induce cardiomyocyte differentiation of hAECs, which might be a novel approach to induce differentiation of AECs into cardiomyocytes-like cells.

The effect of basic fibroblast growth factor in ovarian cancer growth and angiogenesis / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) can induce the proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis of ovarian cancer or not.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV(3) 1 x 10(4)/ml were plated in 24-well dishes, bFGF at 5, 10,15 and 20 ng/ml was added and crystal violet staining was given daily for 8 days, cell numbers were counted by determining OD490. SKOV(3) cells were plated in the center of 50% extra cellular matrix gel, bFGF at 5 and 10 ng/ml was added and the migration distance of cells was measured daily. SKOV(3) 5 x 10(7)/ml were transplanted to BALB/c nude mice subcutaneous. One week later, bFGF, bFGF-MAb or 0.9% nature sodium was injected subcutaneously surrounding the tumor twice a week. Eight weeks later, the experiment ended and the volume of the tumors were measured. Intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) was measured by immunohistochemistry staining for factor VIII.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>bFGF at 0-10 ng/ml could stimulate the proliferation of SKOV(3) concentration dependently (P<0.05). On the fifth day, the cell proliferation in 10 ng/ml group was 121% above control. bFGF could stimulate the invasion of SKOV(3) concentration dependently (P<0.05). On the seventh day, the migration distance in 5 ng/ml group was 1.16 cm and 153% above control, and that in 10 ng/ml group was 1.86 cm and 245% above control. The average volume of transplanted tumors and MVD in bFGF group were 180% and 146% above control respectively those in bFGF-MAb group were 63.7% and 62.8% above control respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>bFGF can stimulate proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis of ovarian cancer markedly; bFGF-MAb can inhibit the angiogenesis and growth of ovarian cancer.</p>

Effects of zinc on bone development in mouse embryo in vitro / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was designed to explore the effects of zinc on bone development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forelimbs of mice with 16 d gestation were cultured by a rotating device.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Contents of OC and (45)Ca and activities of AKP in the bone tissues cultured at zinc-deficiency media and at media with 120 micro mol/L of Zn(2+) decreased significantly. Synthesis of OC, absorption of calcium and activities of AKP in the bone tissues cultures at media with 45 and 70 micro mol/L of Zn(2+) increased significantly. Radiograph of bone tissues showed that length of long bone cultured at zinc-deficiency media and at media with 120 micro mol/L of Zn(2+) shortened and their density reduced, and those cultured at media with 45 and 70 micro mol/L of zinc increased, as compared with self-control bone. Histological analysis showed the death of bone cells and loss of stroma in the bone tissues cultured at media with 120 micro mol/L of Zn(2+), and active proliferation and differentiation of bone cells, and secretion and synthesis of osteoid increased in the bone tissues cultured at media with 45 and 70 micro mol/L of zinc.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Adequate supplementation of zinc could promote formation and development of bone tissues and deficiency or excess of zinc could alter their growth and development and normal metabolism.</p>

CT manifestations of pancreatic tuberculosis / 中华放射学杂志

Objective　To assess the CT manifestations and diagnostic value in the pancreatic tuberculosis(PTB)with review of the literatures. Methods　All cases of PTB proved by surgery or biopsy were examined with plain and enhanced CT scans. Results　The CT findings in one case with multiple-nodular type of PTB were diffuse enlargement of the pancreas with multiple, nodular, and low-density lesions; The nodular lesions had peripheral enhancement. 7 cases of local type of PTB encroached on pancreatic head. 4 cases showed local soft tissue masses with multiple flecked calcifications in 2 cases and mild enhancement in one case; Cystic masses was found in 2 cases, with mural calcification in 1 case and multiloculated cystic mass in 1 case, respectively; Massive pancreatic head calcification was demonstrated in one case. In these 8 cases of PTB, the lesion extended out of pancreas in 4 cases, including abdominal tuberculous lymph nodes, tuberculous peritonitis, and hepatosplenic tuberculosis. Conclusion　CT findings of PTB were various but had some characteristics. Pancreatic masses with multiple flecked calcification or mild enhancement could suggest the diagnosis. Abdominal tuberculosis accompanied with the pancreatic lesion, especially tuberculous lymph nodes, was highly suggestive of the diagnosis of PTB.