Advances on experimental models of rheumatoid arthritis / 中国药理学通报

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immune-me- diated synovial disease with unknown aetiology, therefore, it is considered a chronic disease that cannot be cured. RA is caused by a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. As such long-standing efforts have been made for better understanding of disease pathogenesis and the development of new classes of therapeutics, the continuing elucidation of pathogenic events underlying RA mostly relies on animal model studies. Individually animal models allow molecular and spatiotemporal dissection of various pathological processes of RA development. We have herein comprehensively discussed different animal models in induction methods, pathogenesis, pathological events and disease characteristics, hoping to provide the basis and reference for the rational selection of experimental animal models for the basic research and drug screening of RA.

Exercise-induced changes of T lymphocytes subgroups and immune factors / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in white blood cell populations, lymphocyte subsets and stress-related cytokines after long-term exercise training and address the association between blood cell changes and stress-related cytokines in relation to exercise.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1038 professional athletes were examined for CBC with Sysmex XE2100, and the T, B, and NK lymphocyte subsets were analyzed with flow cytometry. The testees' RNA were extracted from 1 ml whole blood, and the stress-related cytokines such as CRP, SELL,TNF-α, IL8, IL4, ICAM1, PECAM1, IL6, and NOS were tested by multi-RT-PCR and fragments separated by capillary electrophoresis using Beckman Coulter GeXP system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No obvious difference was found in WBC count between the athletes, all within normal range. The proportion of lymphocytes was increased in the athletes by 20%-40% in comparison with the normal level, and the CD3+, CD3+CD4+, and CD3+CD8+ T, B, and NK lymphocyte subsets were all lower in the athletes than the normal range. The cytokine expressions exhibited no significant gender-related difference. IL-8, TNF-α and SELL expressions increased while IL-4 decreased in the athletes. Correlations were noted between the changes of the cells and the cytokine expressions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Long-term exercise training affects the immune system and cause stress, which may potentially increase the risks of some chronic diseases.</p>

Clinical trial on ibandronate in patients with tumor-associated hypercalcemia / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Ibandronate, a third generation bisphosphonate, inhibits bone resorption in human and animal studies. This study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ibandronate as a single agent in patients with tumor-associated hypercalcemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An open, multicenter, non-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 22 patients. The patients received 2 mg ibandronate intravenously if the corrected calcium was less than 3.0 mmol/L but more than 2.7 mmol/L; they received 4 mg ibandronate iv if corrected calcium was more than 3.0 mmol/L.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was 100% efficacy in these two dose groups but the calcium correcting effect was more pronounced in the 4-mg dose group than the 2-mg dose group. The most common adverse reactions were fever and skin itching with an incidence of 4.5%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ibandronate is active in patients with tumor-associated hypercalcemia and the adverse effects are well tolerated.</p>

Multi-center prospective randomized trial on paclitaxel liposome and traditional taxol in the treatment of breast cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the effects and side effects of paclitaxel liposome formula on breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, compared with traditional taxol.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>129 patients from multicenters were prospectively randomized into a test group, given paclitaxel liposome at 135 mg/m(2) each session, and a control group, given traditional taxol at 135 mg/m(2) each session. Both groups received these regimens combined with ADM or DDP for two cycles (3 weeks per cycle).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 129 cases, 128 were eligible for the analysis of side effects and 126 for the overall response rate. The complete remission rate, partial remission rate and overall response rate were 1.6%, 33.3%, 34.9% in the test group and 6.3%, 22.2%, 28.6% in the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Though there was no significant difference in hematological toxicity between the two groups, the toxicity from the mixed solvent of polyethoxylated castor oil and ethanol was significantly lower in the test group than that in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Paclitaxel liposome combined with ADM or DDP in the treatment of advanced breast cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer, being similarly effective as taxol, can significantly lower the incidence of serious hypersensitive reactions.</p>

Result of phase II clinical trial of herceptin in advanced Chinese breast cancer patients / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of herceptin for advanced Chinese breast cancer patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-one pathologically proved advanced breast cancer women were treated by herceptin. In the first week, a loading dose 4 mg/kg was administered by intravenous infusion and from the second week, a routine dose of 2 mg/kg was given every week for at least 3 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 2 CR, 6 PR, 7 SD, and 16 PD among 31 patients after treatment by herceptin, the response rate being 25.8%. In factors influencing the prognosis, age and general condition were factors favoring the results, and pathological type, site of metastasis, grade of her-2 over expression and prior treatment were irrelevant to the results. The adverse effects were mild but different from those of the common anticancer drugs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Herceptin is effective and well tolerated by the Chinese breast cancer patients.</p>

Determination of Resorcinol in Waste Water by Flow Injection Analysis With Chemiluminescence Detection / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To establish a new method for determination of resorcinol in waste water. Methods The chemical luminescent reaction of KMnO4 and resorcinol in acid solution was studied by flow injection analysis. The related factors affecting chemical luminescent intensity were explored. The method for determination of resorcinol was established by flow injection analysis with chemical luminescence detection. Results The detection limit and linear range were 0.06?g/ml and 0.2-80 ?g/ml respectively. The relative standard deviation of 1.3% was obtained by 11 parallel determinations of 4.0?g/ml resorcinol. Conclusion This method was satisfactorily applied to determination of resorcinol in waste water.