Effect of Recombinant Human Thrombopoietin (rhTPO) on Long-term Hematopoietic Recovery in Mice with Acute Radiation Sickness and Relative Mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect and relative mechanism of Recombinant Human Thrombopoietin (rhTPO) on long-term hematopoietic recovery in mice with acute radiation sickness.@*METHODS@#Mice were intramuscularly injected with rhTPO (100 μg/kg) 2 hours after total body irradiation with 60Co γ-rays (6.5 Gy). Moreover, six months after irradiation, peripheral blood, hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) ratio, competitive transplantation survival rate and chimerization rate, senescence rate of c-kit+ HSC, and p16 and p38 mRNA expression of c-kit+ HSC were detected.@*RESULTS@#Six months after 6.5 Gy γ-ray irradiation, there were no differences in peripheral blood white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, neutrophils and bone marrow nucleated cells in normal group, irradiated group and rhTPO group (P>0.05). The proportion of hematopoietic stem cells and multipotent progenitor cells in mice of irradiated group was significantly decreased after irradiation (P<0.05), but there was no significant changes in rhTPO group (P>0.05). The counts of CFU-MK and BFU-E in irradiated group were significantly lower than that in normal group, and rhTPO group was higher than that of the irradiated group(P<0.05). The 70 day survival rate of recipient mice in normal group and rhTPO group was 100%, and all mice died in irradiation group. The senescence positive rates of c-kit+ HSC in normal group, irradiation group and rhTPO group were 6.11%, 9.54% and 6.01%, respectively (P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the p16 and p38 mRNA expression of c-kit+ HSC in the irradiated mice were significantly increased (P<0.01), and it was markedly decreased after rhTPO administration (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The hematopoietic function of mice is still decreased 6 months after 6.5 Gy γ-ray irradiation, suggesting that there may be long-term damage. High-dose administration of rhTPO in the treatment of acute radiation sickness can reduce the senescence of HSC through p38-p16 pathway and improve the long-term damage of hematopoietic function in mice with acute radiation sickness.

Characteristics, Prognostic Factors, and Survival of Patients with NK/T-Cell Lymphoma of Non-upper Aerodigestive Tract: A 17-Year Single-Center Experience / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) of non-upper aerodigestive tract (NUAT) was found to have clinical heterogeneity compared with NKTCL of the upper aerodigestive tract (UAT) in small scale studies. We conducted this study in a much larger cohort to analyze the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, treatment modality, and clinical outcomes of patients with NUAT-NKTCL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to December 2017, a total of 757 NKTCL patients were identified and included in this study, including 92 NUAT-NKTCL patients (12.2%) and 665 UAT-NKTCLpatients (87.8%). RESULTS: NUAT-NKTCL patients had relatively poorer performance status, more unfavorable prognostic factors, and more advanced stage, compared with UAT-NKTCL patients. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 34.7% for NUAT-NKTCL, which was significantly worse than UAT-NKTCL (64.2%, p<0.001). The median OS duration was 30.9 months for NUAT-NKTCL. Multivariate analysis showed that presence with B symptoms and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase independently predicted worse OS. International prognostic index score and prognostic index of natural killer lymphoma score still had prognostic values in NUAT-NKTCL, while the Ann Arbor system could not accurately predict the OS. CONCLUSION: NUAT-NKTCL is a distinctive subtype of NKTCL in many aspects. Patients with NUAT-NKTCL have relatively poorer performance status, more unfavorable prognostic factors, more advanced stage, and poorer prognosis.

Study on geographical variation of medicinal ingredients contents in Scutellaria baicalensis from different provenances / 中国中药杂志

In order to investigate the genetic difference on medicinal components of Scutellaria baicalensis from different provenances on the genetic difference, the S. baicalensis provenance tests were arranged by randomized block design.Excavating the crude drugs that have been growing for three years, with the same drying process, the content of baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, wogonin and laminarin A in S. baicalensis were detected by HPLC, and then the data were analyzed. The results indicated that the content of baicalin in different provenances of S. baicalensis was significantly different (<0.05), while the variation of baicalein reached extremely significant level (<0.01). Cluster analysis showed that if the distance was divided by 5.0, the provenances in Chengde, Hebei province were divided into two independent populations, while the other two populations had large geographic spans. The results show that the significant geographical variations exist in the content of medicinal components in S. baicalensis. The study laid a theoretical foundation of provenance selection of S. baicalensis.

Distribution patterns of the contents of five biologically activate ingredients in the root of Scutellaria baicalensis / 中国天然药物

As an important herbaceous plant, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Chinese skullcap) is geographically widespread and commonly used throughout the world. In the Chinese medicine market, S. baicalensis has been divided into two primary types, "Ku Qin" (WXR) and "Tiao Qin" (TST). Moreover, TST is also divided into different grades according to the diameter of roots. To explore the distribution patterns of the contents of five biologically activate ingredients (FBAI), we used six-year-old cultivated S. baicalensis and analyzed its growth characteristics as well as the quality difference among different types and diameters in roots. Throughout the entire root, we discovered that contents of the FBAI all initially increased and subsequently decreased from the top to the bottom of the roots. The baicalin content of WXR was less than that of TST. On the contrary, the contents of baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A in WXR were up to about two times higher than that in TST. We also found that the 0 to 40 cm part of the S. baicalensis root possessed about 87% of the root biomass and about 92% of the contents of the active ingredients.

MiR-27a promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation through suppression of its target gene peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function as essential posttranscriptional modulators of gene expression, and are involved in a wide range of physiologic and pathologic states, including cancer. Numerous miRNAs are deregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-27a in the development of HCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of MiR-27a was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide was used to examine changes in the viability of HepG2, Bel-7402, Bel-7404 hepatoma cell lines associated with up-regulation or down-regulation of miR-27a. A dual-luciferase activity assay was used to verify a target gene of miR-27a. Immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, Western blotting analysis, and cell cycle and apoptosis flow cytometric assays were used to elucidate the mechanism by which miR-27a modulates liver cancer cell proliferation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of miR-27a was significantly increased in HCC tissues and HepG2, Bel-7402, Bel-7404 hepatoma cell lines (P < 0.05). We also found that the down-regulation of miR-27a in HepG2 cells dramatically inhibited proliferation, blocked the G1 to S cell cycle transition and induced apoptosis (P < 0.05). In addition, miR-27a directly targeted the 3'- untranslated region of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), and ectopic miR-27a expression suppressed PPAR-γ expression on the mRNA and protein levels. The rosiglitazone-induced overexpression of PPAR-γ attenuated the effect of miR-27a in HCC cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our findings suggested that miRNA-27a promoted HCC cell proliferation by regulating PPAR-γ expression. MiR-27a may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment.</p>

High plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count unfavorably impact survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases / 癌症

High expression of fibrinogen and platelets are often observed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with local regional or distant metastasis. However, the role of these factors remains unclear. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prognostic significance of plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count, as well as to determine the overall survival of NSCLC patients with brain metastases. A total of 275 NSCLC patients with brain metastasis were enrolled into this study. Univariate analysis showed that high plasma fibrinogen concentration was associated with age≥65 years (P = 0.011), smoking status (P = 0.009), intracranial symptoms (P = 0.022), clinical T category (P = 0.010), clinical N category (P = 0.003), increased partial thromboplastin time (P < 0.001), and platelet count (P < 0.001). Patients with low plasma fibrinogen concentration demonstrated longer overall survival compared with those with high plasma fibrinogen concentration (median, 17.3 months versus 11.1 months; P≤0.001). A similar result was observed for platelet counts (median, 16.3 months versus 11.4 months; P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis showed that both plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count were independent prognostic factors for NSCLC with brain metastases (R2 = 1.698, P < 0.001 and R2 = 1.699, P < 0.001, respectively). Our results suggest that high plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count indicate poor prognosis for NSCLC patients with brain metastases. Thus, these two biomarkers might be independent prognostic predictors for this subgroup of NSCLC patients.

Effects of plant growth regulator mepiquat chloride on content of active compounds in Scutellaria baicalensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of plant growth regulator mepiquat chloride (DPC) on the growing development of plant and the content of active compounds in Scutellaria baicalensis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>After spraying DPC during the seedling period, the length of taproot, fresh weight of root, diameter of taproot and the length of stem were measured. The contents of baicalin, baicalein and wogonin were determined by HPLC, respectively. Total flavonoids and scavenging DPPH were determined with ultraviolet spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After spraying DPC, fresh weight of S. baicalensis root was significant increased, and root diameter was also increased. The contents of baicalin and total flavonoids were significantly increased and baicalein and wogonin were decreased remarkably. Compared with controls, scavenging activity of ethanol extracts on DPPH free radical was no significant changed after spraying DPC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Plant growth regulator DPC could regulate the growth on the ground and underground effectively, and could enhance the content of flavonoids compounds of S. baicalensis.</p>

Middle segment pancreatectomy for the benign tumors of the neck and body of the pancreas (report of 15 cases) / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical application value of middle segment pancreatectomy in the treatment of benign tumors of the amphi-neck of the pancreas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen cases were retrospectively analyzed treated from November 2005 to June 2009. There were 3 male and 12 female aging from 30 to 50 years. They all received middle segment pancreatectomy for benign tumors of the amphi-neck of the pancreas.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no death during perioperative period. All the 15 patients received middle segment pancreatectomy. Fourteen of them received the closure of broken ends of pancreatic head, pancreaticojejunostomy (mono-anastomosis) and the rest one received dipl-anastomosis. Postoperative pathology showed that in the 15 patients, 1 got solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas, 3 got non-functional islet cell tumor, 11 got cystadenoma of pancreas. Three of them got pancreatic fistula and were self cured in 3 months. Follow-up visits to all the patients kept in the following 2 to 45 months. There was no death. No patients got new-onset diabetes and pancreatic pseudocyst. And their tumors were not relapsed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is an exact therapeutic effect of middle segment pancreatectomy for benign tumors of the amphi-neck of the pancreas. The treatment has little function damage to patients' endocrine and external secretion. The incidence rate of pancreatic fistula in middle segment pancreatectomy is higher than that in pancreaticoduodenectomy. As long as the drainage is kept unobstructed, most of the pancreatic fistula can be self cured.</p>

Effects of copper-phenanthroline on pentachlorophenol-induced adaptation and cell death of Escherichia coli / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of copper-phenanthroline (CuOP) on pentachlorophenol (PCP)-induced adaptation and cell death of Escherichia coli.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bacterial growth and adaptation to PCP were monitored spectrophotometrically at 600 nm. Inactivation of bacterial cells was determined from colony count on agar dishes. Cellular ATP content and accumulation of PCP were assessed by chemiluminescence and HPLC analysis respectively. The formation of PCP-Cu-OP complex was shown by UV-visible spectra.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Escherichia coli (E. coli) could adapt to PCP, a wood preservative and insecticide used in agriculture. The adaptation of E. coli to PCP prevented its death to the synergistic cytotoxicity of CuOP plus PCP and declined cellular accumulation and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation of PCP. Furthermore, CuOP and PCP neither produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) nor had a synergistic effect on uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation in E. coli. The synergistic cytotoxicity of CuOP and PCP in E. coli might be due to the formation of lipophilic PCP-Cu-OP complex.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our data suggested that adaptation of E. coli to PCP decreased the synergistic effects of CuOP and PCP on prokaryotic cell death due to the formation of lipophilic PCP-Cu-OP complex, but it had no effect on the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and production of reactive oxygen species in E. coli.</p>

Gene therapy targeting for carcinoma regulated by E2F-1 promoter / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the selective effect to tumor cells mediated by a recombinant adenoviral vector carrying E2F-1 promoter.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The AdEasy-1 adenoviral vector system was used in this experiment. Several recombinant adenovirus with tumor-targeting E2F-1 promoter were constructed and then the E2F-1 promoter gene was checked by PCR and sequencing. The two adenovirus expressing GFP gene which is regulated by E2F-1 promoter or CMV promoter were used to respectively transfect tumor cells and non-proliferating normal cells, then observed and analyzed the different results caused by different promoters. Vpr gene was cloned into the targeting recombinant adenovirus. The new adenovirus named rvAdE2F-1/vpr was used to transfect tumor cells SMMC-7721, LS174T and non-proliferating normal cells H292, L-02. The surviving rate of each group was registered; the level of E2F-1 protein expressed in normal and tumor cell lines were checked by Western Blot.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>E2F-1 promoter can regulate the downstream gene GFP selectively expressed in LS174T and its activity in LS174T was similar with CMV promoter's; Vpr gene regulated by E2F-1 promoter can suppress the proliferation of tumor cells and no toxicity to normal cells; In all of the tumor cells, a much higher level of E2F-1 was expressed compared with normal cell lines. E2F-1 promoter's activity correlated well with E2F-1 protein levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>E2F-1 promoter can control a selective cell killing to cancer cells, with no effect to normal cells. The system of E2F-1 promoter is a useful method for tumor-targeting gene therapy.</p>

Clinical significance of expression of VEGF and bFGF in thyroid carcinoma / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical significance of expression of VEGF and bFGF in thyroid carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical SP technic was used to investigate the expression of VEGF and bFGF in 90 cases of papillary carcinoma, 14 cases of undifferentiated carcinoma, 10 cases of normal thyroid tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rate of VEGF and bFGF in thyroid carcinoma was 63.5% and 59.6% respectively, Which was significantly higher than that in normal thyroid tissue (P < 0.01); The positive rate of VEGF and bFGF in undifferentiated carcinoma was 92.9% and 85.7% respectively, which was significantly higher than that in papillary carcinoma (P < 0.05); The positive rate of expression of VEGF and bFGF was correlated with lymph gland metastasis (P < 0.05); A positive correlation between these two expresses existed in thyroid carcinoma (gamma = 0.596, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VEGF and bFGF can be regarded as a parameter to evaluate the biological behavior and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma.</p>