Preparation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles with different sizes and study on the correlation between size and toxicity / 药学学报

To investigate the crucial role of particle size in the biological effects of nanoparticles, a series of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared with particle size gradients (50, 100, 150, 200 nm) with the traditional Stober method and adjusting the type and ratio of the silica source. The correlation between toxicity and size-caused biological effects were then further examined both in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that the prepared MSNs had a uniform size, good dispersal, and ordered mesoporous structure. Hemolytic toxicity was found to be independent of particle size. At the cellular level, MSNs with smaller particle sizes were more readily internalized by cells, which initiated to more intense oxidative stress, therefor inducing higher cytotoxicity, and apoptosis rate. In vivo studies demonstrated that MSNs primarily accumulated in the liver and kidneys of mice. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that larger MSNs were eliminated more efficiently by the urinary system than smaller MSNs. The mice's body weight monitoring, blood tests, and pathological sections of major organs indicated good biocompatibility for MSNs of different sizes. Animal welfare and the animal experimental protocols were strictly consistent with related ethics regulations of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University. Overall, this study prepared MSNs with a particle size gradient to investigate the correlation between toxicity and particle size using macrophages and endothelial cells. The study also examined the biosafety of MSNs with different particle sizes in vivo and in vitro, which could help to improve the safety design strategy of MSNs for drug delivery systems.

Application progress of black phosphorus nanomaterials in biomedicine / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Black phosphorus, as a novel two-dimensional nanomaterial, has received a lot of attention from researchers for its unique structure and properties. In recent years, with the increasing cross-sectional research related to black phosphorus 2D nanomaterials in various fields such as materials science, physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine, it has shown great potential for development and application in biomedicine. The excellent photoacoustic properties and good biocompatibility of black phosphorus 2D nanomaterials make them outstanding in tumor diagnosis and treatment. In this paper, the structure and properties, preparation, and functional modification of black phosphorus two-dimensional nanomaterials and their potential applications in the bio-detection and treatment of tumors, as well as the application progress of antibacterial were reviewed.

Genetic Subtypes and Pretreatment Drug Resistance in the Newly Reported Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Men Aged≥50 Years Old in Guangxi / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To analyze the genetic subtypes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the prevalence of pretreatment drug resistance in the newly reported HIV-infected men in Guangxi. Methods The stratified random sampling method was employed to select the newly reported HIV-infected men aged≥50 years old in 14 cities of Guangxi from January to June in 2020.The pol gene of HIV-1 was amplified by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and then sequenced.The mutation sites associated with drug resistance and the degree of drug resistance were then analyzed. Results A total of 615 HIV-infected men were included in the study.The genetic subtypes of CRF01_AE,CRF07_BC,and CRF08_BC accounted for 57.4% (353/615),17.1% (105/615),and 22.4% (138/615),respectively.The mutations associated with the resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI),non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI),and protease inhibitors occurred in 8 (1.3%),18 (2.9%),and 0 patients,respectively.M184V (0.7%) and K103N (1.8%) were the mutations with the highest occurrence rates for the resistance to NRTIs and NNRTIs,respectively.Twenty-two (3.6%) patients were resistant to at least one type of inhibitors.Specifically,4 (0.7%),14 (2.3%),4 (0.7%),and 0 patients were resistant to NRTIs,NNRTIs,both NRTIs and NNRTIs,and protease inhibitors,respectively.The pretreatment resistance to NNRTIs had much higher frequency than that to NRTIs (2.9% vs.1.3%;χ2=3.929,P=0.047).The prevalence of pretreatment resistance to lamivudine,zidovudine,tenofovir,abacavir,rilpivirine,efavirenz,nevirapine,and lopinavir/ritonavir was 0.8%, 0.3%, 0.7%, 1.0%, 1.3%, 2.8%, 2.9%, and 0, respectively. Conclusions CRF01_AE,CRF07_BC,and CRF08_BC are the three major strains of HIV-infected men≥50 years old newly reported in Guangxi,2020,and the pretreatment drug resistance demonstrates low prevalence.

Study on the chemical constituents of the fruits of Psidium guajava / 药学学报

italic>Psidium guajava Linn. is an evergreen shrub or small tree of Psidium Linnaeus in the Myrtaceae family. One new glycoside (1) together with 3 known meroterpenoids (2-4) and 9 known glycosides (5-13) were isolated from the fruits of Psidium guajava Linn.. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by the spectroscopic data analysis of HR-ESIMS, 1D- and 2D-NMR, and it was named psiguaoside A (1). The known compounds were identified as guajadial (2), 4,5-diepipsidial A (3), psidial A (4), chrysin-8-C-β-D-glucoside (5), 2,6-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethyl-4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-benzophenone (6), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), quercetin-3-O-xyloside (8), guaijaverin (9), avicularin (10), guavinoside E (11), guavinoside B (12), guajaphenone A (13). In the bioactivity assay, compound 3 exhibited significant inhibitory activitiy of U87 with IC50 values of 8.379 μmol·L-1.

RvD1 regulates microglial polarization through FPR2 to improve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate whether RvDl regulates microglial polarization through FPR2 and alleviates the inflammatory damage after cerebral ischemiareperfusion. Methods The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established by Longa method. The rats after MCAO were randomly divided into; model group, RvD1 group and RvD1 + Boc-2 group, and a sham-operated group was set up as control as well. Cerebral infarct volume was measured, MPO activities in rat brain were measured by immunofluorescence. The expression and localization of FPR2/Iba-1, CD16/Iba-1 and CD206/Iba-1 were detected by immunofluorescence double labeling method. The expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β and iNOS in M1 and TGF-β, IL-10, Arg-1 in M2 were detected by RT-qPCR. Results RvDl significantly reduced cerebral infarction volume and the expression of MPO, and its receptor FPR2 was expressed in microglia. RvD1 down-regulated M1 markers CD16

Pharmacokinetic properties and in vitro enzyme activities of TPGS-modified arginine deiminase cyclodextrin lipid nanoparticles / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the pharmacokinetic properties and in vitro enzyme activities of D-a-to- copherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate-modified arginine deiminase cyclodextrin lipid nanoparticles (ACLN). Methods The diacetylmonooxime-thiosem- icarbazide colorimetric method was used to determine the ADI enzyme activity, and the double reciprocal plot method was used to determine the enzyme Michae- lis constants. After the rats were given intravenously free ADI and ACLN, rat plasma samples were taken at different time points to determine the activity of ADI, and the time-enzyme activity curve would be drawn and the pharmacokinetic data analyzed by DAS 2. 1. 1. Re¬sults The optimum temperature for ADI and ACLN was 37 °C and the optimum pH was 6. 5. The Km val¬ ues of free ADI and ACLN were 0. 87 and 0. 74 mmol • L"1, respectively. The Vmai values of free ADI and ACLN were 53.28, 62.50 fjimol • L"' • min"1, re-spectively. The V

Buyang Huanwutang Alleviated Oxidative Stress Following Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rats by Formyl Peptide Receptor 2 / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the role of formyl peptide receptor 2 （FPR2） in the inhibitory effects of Buyang Huanwutang （BYHWT） on the oxidative stress and its protective effects on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Method:Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into sham group， model group， BYHWT group and BYHWT combined with FPR2 inhibitor （Boc-2） group. In the sham group， only the vessels were isolated. In other groups， the middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） model was constructed using the modified Longa method and reperfused after 2 h of ischemia. BYHWT （16 g·kg^-1） was given by gavaged twice daily after reperfusion in BYHWT group and BYHWT+Boc-2 group. Boc-2 （0.4 mg·kg^-1） was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before surgery. Equal volume of saline were given instead in sham and model group. After 24 h of reperfusion， Fluoro-Jade C （FJC） staining was performed to observe the changes in the number of FJC-positive cells. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of apoptosis-related B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)， Bcl-2 associated X (Bax)， and cleaved aspartic acid cysteine proteolytic enzyme-3（Caspase-3）. Besides， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， and nitric oxide （NO） was measured. The mean fluorescence intensity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate Ⅱ（NADPH） oxidase 2 （NOX2） was examined by immunofluorescence. Result:Compared with sham group， the model group showed increased number of FJC-positive cells （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， decreased Bcl-2 expression （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， increased Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 expression （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， increased NO and MDA content （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， decreased GSH and SOD activities （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and increased NOX2 expression （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with model group， there were decreased FJC-positive cells （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， up-regulated Bcl-2 expression （<italic>P</italic><0.01） with down-regulated cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， decreased NO and MDA （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01） with increased GSH and SOD （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and decreased NOX2 expression （<italic>P</italic><0.01） in the BYHWT group. All the above effects were partially blocked by Boc-2. Conclusion:BYHWT can reduce oxidative stress injury and inhibit apoptosis in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats， which may be related with the down-regulation of NOX2 expression by FPR2.

Design and development of analysis software for acid-base balance disorder based on Visual Basic.NET / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To develop a diagnostic analysis software for determining the type of acid-base balance disorder.Methods:Mathematical models were built based on Henderson-Hasselbalch equations and compensation formulas, to determine the important parameters of acid-base balance disorder, and to develope acid-base balance disorder analysis process. The software was compiled using the Visual Basic.NET programming language, and the installation package was generated after debugging. Acid-base balance disorder cases were searched by PubMed, Wanfang and CNKI databases from 1980 to 2015, and the blood gas parameters [pH, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), HCO 3- and anion gap (AG)] and the types of acid-base imbalance (literature results) were recorded. All cases were reanalyzed by software and the type of acid-base balance disorder was determined (software diagnostic type). Kappa-test and McNemar-test were performed for the two diagnostic results. Results:The "four parameters-four steps" analysis method was used as the analysis process to judge the types of acid-base balance disorder. "Four parameters" included pH, PaCO 2, HCO 3- and AG. "Four steps" were outlined by following aspects:①according to the pH, combined with PaCO 2 and HCO 3-, the primary types of acid-base balance disorder was determined; ② according to the compensation situation, double mixed acid-base balance disorder (DABD) was determined; ③according to AG value, three mixed acid-base disorders (TABD) were determined; ④ the ratio of ΔAG↑/ΔHCO 3-↓ was also calculated to determine whether there was normal AG metabolic acidosis or metabolic alkalosis. The software had the characteristics of simple interface, convenient operation, rapid judgment, and comprehensive analysis. It could judge all acid-base balance disorder types excepted "AG normal metabolic acidosis combined metabolic alkalosis". The software was used to reanalyze 112 cases of acid-base balance disorder reported in the literature, with a consistent rate of 87.50% and better consistency of the diagnostic results (Kappa test: κ = 0.84, P < 0.01; McNemar test: χ2 = 0.87, P = 0.65). Conclusion:The software can be used as an important tool to judge the type of acid-base balance disorder, and provide clinicians with diagnostic reference, which have practical value and application prospect.

De Novo Extra-Thyroidal Manifestations of Graves’ Disease presenting 16 years after Total Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Cancer / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

@#We present a 61-year-old Chinese female who had a history of angioinvasive follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) treated with total thyroidectomy 16 years ago, without radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment who now presents with de novo pretibial myxedema (PTM) followed by active severe Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) requiring pulse steroids and radiotherapy.

Chemical constituents of steroidal saponins in rhizome of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis cultured in vitro / 中国中药杂志

In this study, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) were employed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the steroidal saponins in rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis from three different habitats cultured in vitro, in an attempt to explore whether the rhizomes of the medicinal herb cultured in vitro can synthesize the steroidal saponins, including polyphyllinsⅠ, Ⅱ, and Ⅶ, the quality markers specified in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). A total of 20 steroidal saponins were identified in the rhizomes from Changxin, Yunlong(S1), Fengyi, Dali(S2), and Niujie, Eryuan(S3): parisyunnanoside A and parisyunnanoside D or E, proto-polyphyllin Ⅱ, polyphyllins G and H, polyphyllinsⅠ, Ⅱ, Ⅴ, Ⅵ, and Ⅶ, dioscin, gracillin, prosapogenin A, Tg, isomer of Th, saponin Th, reclinatoside, proto-pairs D, pseudoproto-dioscin, and 23-O-glc-(23S,25R)-spirost-5-en-3β,23α,27-triol-3-O-rha-(1→2)-[ara(1→4)]-glc or 27-O-glc-(23S,25R)-spirost-5-en-3β,27α-diol-3-O-rha-(1→2)-[ara(1→4)]-glc. Among them, polyphyllinsⅠ, Ⅱ, and Ⅶ were detected in the rhizomes from S1, with the mass fraction of 0.109 1%, 0.165 2%, and 0.051 03%, respectively(total 0.325 3%). Polyphyllins Ⅱ and Ⅶ were identified in the rhizomes from S2 with the respective mass fraction of 0.192 2% and 0.074 23% and total content of 0.266 5%. Moreover, polyphyllins Ⅱ and Ⅶ were also found in the rhizomes from S3, which had the mass fraction of 0.207 7% and 0.186 9%, separately, with the total content of 0.394 6%. Thus, steroidal saponins, including the quality makers polyphyllins Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅶ recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition) can be synthesized in rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis cultured in vitro, but their total content fails to meet the standard(0.60% in Chinese Pharmacopoeia). Therefore, in vitro culture of the Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis is feasible, but the culture conditions need to be further improved.

Effect of Buyang Huanwu Tang on Synaptic Structural Plasticity After Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion in Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

<b>Objective::To investigate the mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tang (BYHWT) in improving synaptic structural plasticity after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. <b>Method::Middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion model was established. SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, BYHWT group, BYHWT+ Gap26(connexin43 inhibitor)groups. BYHWT was given twice a day(16 g·kg^-1), Gap26 was intraperitoneally injected once a day since the third day after surgery (25 g·kg^-1). Brain was taken out at the 7^th day. The changes of neuronal synaptic and gap junction ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Synaptophysin (SYN) and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) protein expression were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence. <b>Result::The structure of synapses was integrated, and the gap junctions were clear in sham-operated group. In the hippocampus of model group, the structure was destroyed, and the gap junctions disappeared. Compared with the sham-operated group, model group up-regulated the expressions of SYN and GAP-43 (<italic>P</italic><0.05, <italic>P</italic><0.01). In the hippocampus of BYHWT group, the structure was close to the normal. Furthermore, BYHWT up-regulated the expressions of SYN and GAP-43 (<italic>P</italic><0.05, <italic>P</italic><0.01). However, after the combined administration with Cx43 inhibitor (Gap26), the damage of synaptic structural decreased, only a small number of gap junctions with the structural integrity can be seen, and the effect of BYHWT on SYN and GAP-43 was inhibited (<italic>P</italic><0.05, <italic>P</italic><0.01). <b>Conclusion::BYHWT could improve the hippocampal synaptic structural plasticity obviously after the CIRI. The mechanism may be related to the increase of the expression of Cx43 and the promotion of the intervention of SYN and GAP-43.

Release Characteristics and Pharmacokinetic Properties of Chitosan Coated Curcumin Ethosomes / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the release characteristics in vitro of chitosan coated curcumin ethosomes (CMETS-CS) and its pharmacokinetics in rats. METHODS: The in vitro cumulative release rate of CMETS-CS in two different media (pH 1.2 HCl and pH 6.8 PBS solution) was investigated by dynamic dialysis. The release behavior was evaluated by similar factor method. After gastrointestinal administration, the plasma drug concentration at different time point was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the average plasma concentration-time curve was drawn. The pharmacokinetic parameters, bioequivalence between CMETS-CS and CM were analyzed by DAS software. RESULTS: The cumulative release rates of CMETS-CS in pH 1.2 HCl and pH 6.8 PBS solution were (70.49±0.75)%, (73.90±0.52)%, respectively. Compared with CM, the CMETS-CS significantly increase the drug release.The release behavior of CMETS-CS in the two different release media was similar. After calculation, the area under the 0-72 h curve (AUC0-72 h), mean residence time (MRT0-72 h), peak concentration (ρmax) of CMETS-CS were 11.84, 5.45, 1.55 times than those of free curcumin (CM), respectively and its relative bioavailability of CMETS-CS was 1 111.32%. The bioequivalence of AUC0-72 hAUC0-∞ and tmax and in CMETS-CS and CM were not eligible, but bioequivalence of ρmax was eligible. CONCLUSION: Compared with free curcumin, CMETS-CS can improve the release behavior in vitro, significantly improve the oral bioavailability in rats, and there is not bioequivalence between CMETS-CS and CM.

Screening and Verification of Long Non-coding MAPT-AS1 and Their Co-expressed Genes in Breast Cancer Survival / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#【Objective】To screen survival-related differential expression of long non-coding RNA（lncRNA）and its co-expressed genes in breast cancer patients and to verify their expression in breast cancer cells.【Methods】RNA-seq data of 943 cases（837 breast cancer + 106 normal controls）by the TCGA database were screened，and found that long non-coding MAPT-AS1 highly expressed，and breast cancer patients had longer survival. The long non-coding MAPT- AS1 overexpression and interference plasmid was constructed，and the constructed plasmid was transfected into breast cancer cell line T47D，and the stably expressed T47D cell line was screened by puromycin. The expression of long non-coding MAPT-AS1 and its co-expressed genes was verified by the methods of RT-qPCR.【Results】Fluorescence microscopy and RT-qPCR confirmed that the long non-coding MAPT-AS1 overexpression and interference-transfected breast cancer cell line T47D were successfully constructed，and the long non-coding MATS-AS1 interference fragment shRNA3 with the highest interference efficiency was screened. The expression of MAPT ，MAPT- IT1 and NXNL2 in the co-expressed gene was decreased after transfection of the shRNA3 interference fragment ，which was consistent with the expression trend of the long non-coding MAPT-AS1.【Conclusion】The long non-coding MAPT-AS1 overexpression and interference plasmid transfected breast cancer cell line T47D were successfully constructed，and the expression of the co- expressed gene was consistent with the database. The study laid the foundation for further study of the mechanism of action of long non-coding MAPT-AS1 gene in breast cancer.

A new dammarane-tye triterpenoid saponin from roots of Panax notoginseng / 中草药

Objective: To study the minor triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Panax notoginseng, which provided basis for the systematic research, quality control and safety evaluation of P. notoginseng. Methods The compounds were isolated and purified by MCI resin, ODS, along with Preparative-HPLC, and the structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis, and comparing with the pubished literature values. Results: Twelve monomeric compounds isolated from the roots of P. notoginseng, were identified as notoginsenoside P1 (1), notoginsenoside T5 (2), ginsenoside Rk3 (3), ginsenoside Rh4 (4), notoginsenoside T3 (5), 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (6), dammar 20 (21),24-diene-3β,6α,12β-triol (7), ginsenoside Rg3 (8), gypenoside XIII (9), ginsenoside Rk1 (10), ginsenoside Rg5 (11), and 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rh2 (12). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin

Forecasting incidence of extended spectrum β-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli by multiple seasonal ARIMA model / 预防医学

Objective To predict monthly incidents of extended spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Escherichia coli in Zhejiang Hospital by establishing multiple seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, so as to provide scientific evidence for reducing the incidents of nosocomial infection of ESBLs producing Escherichia coli. Methods Multiple seasonal ARIMA model was established by monthly records of ESBLs producing Escherichia coli from 2010 to 2016 in Zhejiang hospital. Monthly incidents of ESBLs producing Escherichia coli from 2017 to February 2018 were used to verify the predicted result. The predictions were evaluated by models of mean absolute percent error (MAPE) and bayesian information criterion (BIC) . Results The optional model for the monthly incidence from 2010 to 2016 was ARIMA (0, 1, 1) (0, 1, 1)12. The MAPE was 14.76, BIC was 2.01, and the Ljung-Box statistics value Q was 16.79 (P=0.40) . These parameters suggested a good model fitting. The average relative error between the predictive value and the actual value of the monthly incidents ESBLs producing Escherichia coli from 2017 to February 2018 was 14.08%.The actual values were within the 95% confidence interval. Conclusion The multiple seasonal ARIMA model of ARIMA (0, 1, 1) (0, 1, 1 )12 fits and can be used for short-term prediction and dynamic analysis of the incidents of ESBLs producing Escherichia coli in Zhejiang Hospital.

Association of Cobb angle progression and neuraxial abnormality on MRI in asymptomatic Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Background: Detection of neuraxial abnormality in neurologically asymptomatic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is crucial prior to surgery. It can only be detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which was not routinely done in this group of patient. On the other hand, whole spine radiographs for measurement of Cobb angle have been routinely included during clinic follow-up. This study aimed to determine the correlation between Cobb angle progression and neuraxial abnormality finding on MRI in asymptomatic AIS. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Orthopaedic department of a tertiary hospital. Patients with asymptomatic AIS aged 10-20 years who attended scoliosis clinic from year 2007 to 2010 was reviewed. Patients who had whole spine MRI and two vertebral radiographs at least one year apart were further selected. Statistical analysis was done to see the association between Cobb angle progression and neuraxial abnormality on MRI. Results: The mean age at first presentation was 14.4 years old. Female (n=249) to male (n=50) ratio was 5:1. Only 19 patients fulfilled the selection criteria. There were 5 patients (26.3%) who had neuraxial abnormalities. The mean curve progression was 7.05° (range from -5° to 28°). Patients with and without neuroaxial abnormality showed mean curve progression of 0.6º and 9.36° respectively. There was no significant association between Cobb angle progression and neuroaxial abnormality (p=1.000). Conclusion: Cobb angle progression is not a reliable indicator for predicting neuroaxial abnormality in patients with asymptomatic AIS. However, this study stressed the need to perform MRI prior to operation to document any associated neuraxial abnormality in clinically asymptomatic AIS patients.

Clinical significance of CASP8AP2 gene methylation in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the methylation level in the promoter of caspase 8 associated protein 2 (CASP8AP2) gene between samples at diagnosis and in complete remission, and to investigate its relationship with clinical features and prognosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diagnostic DNA samples from 109 newly diagnosed children with ALL admitted from August 2007 to March 2010, and 94 ALL children in CR (complete remission) among them were collected. Bisulfite modification and MethyLight method established by our research team were used to determine the methylation level of the two key CpG sites (at -1189 and -1176) of the promoter of CASP8AP2 gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average methylation level of the two CpG sites in newly diagnosted samples was higher than that in CR samples (71.1% ± 1.7% vs 64.2% ± 21.2%) (P = 0.008). Analysis with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the area under curve was 0.687 (P = 0.024), indicating that the methylation level of the two CpG sites was able to predict relapse efficiently to some extent, 76.9% was chosed as a cutoff value to divide the patients into high methylation group (49 patients) and low methylation group (60 patients). The incidence of relapse in high methylation group was higher than that in low methylation group (20.4% vs 6.7%) (P = 0.044), five year relapse free survival in high methylation group was also lower than that in low methylation group (Log rank, P = 0.033). Furthermore, high methylation at new diagnosis were correlated with high level of minimal residual disease (MRD) before consolidation therapy (P = 0.011). In the 34 children with MRD ≥ 10(-4) at the end of induction remission, the relapse rate of high methylation patients was significantly higher than that of low methylation patients (8/16 vs 3/18)(P = 0.038).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The abnormal hypermethylation of the two CpG sites (at -1189 and -1176) of the promoter of the CASP8AP2 gene is possibly associated with leukemogenesis in childhood ALL. The treatment outcome is more poor in patients with hypermethylation than that in patients with low methylation. The combination of the methylation level of the two CpG sites and MRD level at the end induction remission is able to predict relapse more effectively.</p>

A preliminary clinical study on endoscopic measurement of lesion area with the method of digital image processing technology / 生物医学工程学杂志

It is of great importance to measure the lesion area in scientific research and clinical practice. The present study aims to solve barrel distortion and measure lesion area with the technology of computer visualization. With the ultimate purpose to obtain the precise lesion area, the study, based on the original endoscopy system and digital image processing technology, dealt with the correction of barrel distortion by lens adjustment, calculated the gastric ulcer area with the aid of Qt database and finally developed an image processing software--Endoscope Assistant (EAS). The results showed that the EAS was accurate in vitro. It was employed to measure the gastric ulcer area of 45 patients and the results were compared with the traditional formula method. It could be well concluded that this technology is safe, accurate and economical for measuring gastric ulcer area.

Evaluation of the efficacy of two successive protocols on pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia with E2A-PBX1 fusion gene / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of BCH-03 and CCLG-08 protocols in treating E2A-PBX1 pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>From January 2003 to January 2011, 59 ALL patients identified as E2A-PBX1 were analyzed in a retrospective study. There were 37 and 22 patients treated with Protocol BCH-03 and CCLG-08, respectively. The clinical characteristics at diagnosis, response to early treatment, the time of relapse, relapse-free survival (RFS) and event-free survival (EFS) in the two groups were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>There were no significant differences in gender, age, initial white blood cell count, the central nervous system involvement, immunophenotype, prednisone response, the rate of complete remission, and the time of relapse between the two groups (P > 0.05). The only difference in induction therapy of the two protocols existed in the glucocorticoids used, that is, BCH-03 used 60 mg/m(2) prednisolone and CCLG-08 used 6 mg/m(2) dexamethasone. The doses of vincristine, daunorubicin and L-asparaginase were the same in the two groups. At the end of induction therapy, the MRD negativity rate in BCH-03 group was significantly higher than that in CCLG-08 group (84.2% vs. 47.1%, P = 0.018). The incidences of severe infection of the two groups during induction of remission were similar (P = 0.135). The EFS of BCH-03 group was significantly superior to that of CCLG-08 group (94.5% vs. 71.5%, P = 0.010), and the RFS of BCH-03 group tended to be better than that of CCLG-08 group (94.5% vs. 78.6%, P = 0.059).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared to Protocol CCLG-08, Protocol BCH-03 was more effective for pediatric E2A-PBX1 ALL, and 60 mg/m(2) prednisolone was more suitable for the induction therapy of this subtype of pediatric ALL.</p>

Suppression of NAMPT expression enhances the sensitivity of K562 cells to imatinib and its relative mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of suppression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) expression on imatinib-sensitivity in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cell line K562 and its mechanisms, NAMPT siRNA was synthesized and transfected into K562 cells. PI/Calcein staining technique was used to determine survival rate of transfected K562 cells at 48th hour after exposure to 1 µmol/L imatinib. MTS method was used to determine the proliferation changes of transfected K562 cell at 48th hour after exposure to different doses of imatinib, then half inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) was calculated. Expression of NAMPT at 3rd-48th hour after exposure to 1 µmol/L imatinib was determined by Western blot. To explore the effect of NAMPT-siRNA and imatinib on the expression of apoptosis-related genes, the microarray data from NCBI GEO Data-Sets was analyzed, then the results were confirmed by Western blot. The luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the effect of NAMPT and imatinib on transcriptional activity of NF-κB transcription factors. The results showed that after exposure to 1 µmol/L imatinib for 3 - 48 h, there was no significant change of NAMPT expression in K562 cells. The expression of NAMPT could be effectively inhibited by the NAMPT-siRNA. After exposure to 1 µmol/L of imatinib for 48 h, the survival rate of NAMPT-siRNA interference group was lower than that of negative control group (P < 0.05), indicating that suppression of NAMPT expression can increase the sensitivity of K562 cells to imatinib and enhance the killing effect of imatinib on K562 cells. The IC(50) of imatinib in NAMPT-siRNA interference group was the lowest compared with that of control group (P < 0.05) after exposure to different concentrations of imatinib for 48 h, the fitted survival curves showed that the slope of NAMPT-siRNA interference group was the largest ranging between 0.01 - 0.1 µmol/L of imatinib. Data mining of expression profiling indicated that the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 decreased in K562 cells treated with either NAMPT-siRNA or imatinib, which was confirmed by Western blot. The inhibitory effect was much more significant when both NAMPT-siRNA and imatinib were used. The results of luciferase reporter assay showed that either NAMPT-siRNA or imatinib decreased transcriptional activity of NF-κB. The decreased effect was much more significant when both NAMPT-siRNA and imatinib were used. It is concluded that survival of K562 cells affected by imatinib may not be due to regulation of expression of NAMPT. When expression of NAMPT decreases, the K562 cells are more sensitive to imatinib, this may be related with the decreased transcriptional activity of NF-κB and its downstream effector Bcl-2.