Epidemiologic characteristics and influencing factors of influenza outbreaks in Guangdong Province, 2015-2022 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To grasp the epidemiological characteristics of influenza outbreaks in Guangdong Province by analyzing the outbreaks of influenza-like cases reported in Guangdong Province from January 2015 to the end of August 2022. Methods: In response to the outbreak of epidemics in Guangdong Province from 2015 to 2022, information on on-site epidemic control was collected, and epidemiological analysis was conducted to describe the characteristics of the epidemics. The factors that influence the intensity and duration of the outbreak were determined through a logistic regression model. Results: A total of 1 901 influenza outbreaks were reported in Guangdong Province, with an overall incidence of 2.05%. Most outbreak reports occurred from November to January of the following year (50.24%, 955/1 901) and from April to June (29.88%, 568/1 901). A total of 59.23% (1 126/1 901) of the outbreaks were reported in the Pearl River Delta region, and primary and secondary schools were the main places where outbreaks occurred (88.01%, 1 673/1 901). Outbreaks with 10-29 cases were the most common (66.18%, 1 258/1 901), and most outbreaks lasted less than seven days (50.93%,906/1 779). The size of the outbreak was related to the nursery school (aOR=0.38, 95%CI:0.15-0.93), the Pearl River Delta region (aOR=0.60, 95%CI:0.44-0.83), the time interval between the onset of the first case and the time of report (>7 days compared with ≤3 days: aOR=3.01, 95%CI:1.84-4.90), the influenza A(H1N1) (aOR=2.02, 95%CI:1.15-3.55) and the influenza B (Yamagata) (aOR=2.94, 95%CI: 1.50-5.76). The duration of outbreaks was related to school closures (aOR=0.65, 95%CI: 0.47-0.89), the Pearl River Delta region (aOR=0.65, 95%CI: 0.50-0.83) and the time interval between the onset of the first case and the time of report (>7 days compared with ≤3 days: aOR=13.33, 95%CI: 8.80-20.19; 4-7 days compared with ≤3 days: aOR=2.56, 95%CI: 1.81-3.61). Conclusions: An influenza outbreak in Guangdong Province exhibits two peaks, one in the winter and spring seasons and the other in the summer. Primary and secondary schools are high-risk areas, and early reporting of outbreaks is critical for controlling influenza outbreaks in schools. Furthermore, comprehensive measures should be taken to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

Effects of Decitabine Combined with Bortezomib on the Proliferation of Mantle Cell Lymphoma Cell Lines and Its Underling Mechanisms / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of decitabine combined with bortezomib on the proliferation of mantle cell lymphoma cell lines (Jeko-1 and Grante519) in vitro and explore the underlying mechanisms.@*METHODS@#Jeko-1 and Grante519 cells were treated with different concentrations of decitabine and/or bortezomib alone and their combination.The cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay. the cell apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, the mRNA and protein expression levels of genes related with the cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot respactively.@*RESULTS@#Low dose DAC could significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of Jeko-1 and Grante519 cells which shows a dose-and time-dependent manner. After DAC treatment, caspase 3, BAX and PCDH8 expression levels increased, while BCL-2 and CCND1 expression levels decreased in Jeko-1 and Grante519 cells, but there was no significant difference in NF-κB expression. High dose BTZ could significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of Jeko-1 and Grante519 cells which shows a dose-and time-dependent manner; single drug BTZ could increase the expression level of Caspase 3 and BAX, and decrease the expression level of NF-κB, BCL-2 and CCDN1 in Jeko-1 and Grante519 cells, but there was significant difference in PCDH8 expression level. Compared with single-drug treatment group, DAC combined with BTZ significantly increased the inhibitory rate and apoptotic rate of Jeko-1 and Grante519 cells; PCDH8, Caspase 3 and BAX expression levels significantly increased, and the expression levels of NF-κB, BCL-2 and CCND1 significantly decreased in Jeko-1 and Grante519 cells.@*CONCLUSION@#The combination of DAC and BTZ has obviously synergistic effects on the growth inhibition of Jeko-1 and Grante519 cells which maybe relates with enhancing inbibitory effect on NF-κB signal pathway, down-regulating BAX expression, up-regulating BAX expression as well as increasing cospase 3 expression. This study provides a novel therapeutic approach for mantle cell lymphoma.

NLRP3 inflammasome signaling as an early molecular response is negatively controlled by miR-186 in CFA-induced prosopalgia mice

The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is the most frequently studied in the central nervous system and has been linked to neuropathic pain. In this study, a post-translational mechanism of microRNA (miR)-186 via regulating the expression of NLRP3 in the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-treated mice was investigated. The injection of CFA was used to induce trigeminal neuropathic pain in mice. miRs microarray chip assay was performed in trigeminal ganglions (TGs). CFA treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression of NLRP3, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18 in TGs compared to the control group. Moreover, 26 miRs were differentially expressed in TGs from trigeminal neuropathic pain mice, and the expression of miR-186 showed the lowest level of all the miRs. Further examination revealed that NLRP3 was a candidate target gene of miR-186. We delivered miR-186 mimics to CFA-treated mice. The head withdrawal thresholds of the CFA-treated mice were significantly increased by miR-186 mimics injection compared with CFA single treatment. The mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18 in TGs from trigeminal neuropathic pain mice were significantly inhibited by miR-186 mimics treatment compared to the CFA group. miR-186 was able to suppress the neuropathic pain via regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling.

Effect of Artesunate on Proliferation, Cell Cycle and Apoptosis of SKM-1 Cells and Its Underlying Mechanisms / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of artesunate (ART) on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of SKM-1 cells in vitro and to explore the underlying mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After SKM-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of ART, the cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 method. Apoptosis and distribution of cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Both DCFH-DA fluorescent probe and Fluo-3-Am fluorescent probe were used to detect the changes of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium ion concentration. Western blot was used to measure the protein levels of BCL-2, BAX, BAD, P-BAD, survivin and XIAP.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ART obviously inhibited the growth of SKM-1 cells in time and dose-dependent manners (r = -0.841; r = 0.-786). The antioxidant trolox-pretreatment significantly decreased the growth inhibition effect of ART on SKM-1 cells. Caspase inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO partially reduced the growth inhibition effect of ART on SKM-1 cells. After treatment with ART for 24 hours, the apoptosis of SKM-1 cells was found, the cell cycle of SKM-1 was arrested in G0/G1 phase, ART could elevate the levels of calciumion and reactive orygen. ART could significantly down-regulate the protein expression levels of P-BAD and survivin in SKM-1 cells, and showed a highly negative correlation with ART dose (r = -0.909; r = -0.849). On the contrary, ART had no significant effect on expression levels of BAD and XIAP in SKM-1 cells, and after ART treatment, although BCL-2 protein expression was not significantly different when compared with control group, but the BCL-2/BAX ratio significantly decreased and highly negatively correlated with ART dose (r = -0.866).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The ART significantly suppresses the cell proliferation, induces the apoptosis and promoted cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in SKM-1 cells. The mechanisms of ART anti-MDS is associated with the increase of intracellular calciumion concentration and ROS levels. In addition, the pro-apoptotic activity of ART may be involved in the regulation of BCL-2 /BAX ratio and the expressions of P-bad and survivin.</p>

Magnetic Nanoparticles of Fe3O4 Enhance Artesunate-inducing Apoptosis of SKM-1 Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inhibitory effect of the copolymer of magnetic nanoparticles of Fe(3)O(4) (MNPs-Fe(3)O(4)) and artesunate (ART) on myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) cell line SKM-1 cells and the potential mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The protein expression levels of BCL-2, BAX, Caspase-3, and Survivin in SKM-1 cells treated with or without the co-polymer were measured by Western blot. The co-polymer-induced apoptosis rate of SKM-1 cells was measured by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The apoptosis rate of SKM-1 cells in the copolymer groups was higher than that in both MNPs-Fe(3)O(4) and artesunate groups alone. The MNPs-Fe(3)O(4) may enhance ART-induced cell apoptosis. Western blot assay showed that the expression of survivin and BCL-2 protein were down-regulated in the ART group, and this down-regulation was even more significant in the group of copolymer of ART with MNPs-Fe(3)O(4). The levels of BAX were increased both in ART group and the copolymer of ART with MNPs-Fe(3)O(4) group, as compared with control group and MNPs-Fe(3)O(4) group. The levels of active-caspase-3 were obviously up-regulated when the ART was combined with the MNPs-Fe(3)O(4). The copolymer of ART with MNPs-Fe(3)O(4) could trigger changes in the expression levels of apoptosis-related genes in SKM-1 cells, among which up-regulation of BAX and down-regulation of survivin and BCL-2 are the 2 major alterations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Artesunate can induce the apoptosis of SKM-1 cells, and MNPs-Fe(3)O(4) may enhance the cell apoptosis induced by ART.</p>

Efficacy and Safety of Lenalidomide in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Lenalidomide has emerged as an important treatment for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, its role in the management of MM is still controversial and requires further clarification. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of lenalidomide for MM using a meta-analysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We searched the electronic databases including: PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials. Seven randomized clinical trials were identified, which included a total of 2357 patients with MM who received lenalidomide-containing, noncontaining lenalidomide regimens or placebo as induction therapy or maintenance therapy. The outcomes included overall response (OR) rate, complete response (CR) rate, 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate, 3-year overall survival (OS) rate, and different types of treatment-related adverse events. We calculated the risk ratios (RRs) as well as their 95% confidence intervals of these outcomes and pooled the results using RevMan 5.2 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For patients with previously untreated MM, OR rate and CR rate was significantly higher in lenalidomide-containing group than the control group. For relapsed or refractory MM patients, lenalidomide-containing regimens significantly improved the OR rate, CR rate, 3-year PFS rate and 3-year OS rate. With regard to MM patients after autologous stem cell transplantation, lenalidomide maintenance therapy significantly improved 3-year PFS rate but did not result in improved 3-year OS rate. In terms of toxicities, lenalidomide therapy has a higher rate of Grade 3-4 grade cytopenias, infection, deep-vein thrombosis, and diarrhea. Furthermore, the incidence of second primary malignancies was significantly higher in the lenalidomide group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The lenalidomide-containing regimens as induction therapy clearly increased response rates and improved intervals of survival with acceptable toxicity rates for patients with MM. However, when physicians choose to use the lenalidomide as maintenance therapy, whether the benefits outweigh the risks should be taken into account.</p>

Preferential conduction to right ventricular outflow track leads to left bundle-branch block morphology in patient with premature ventricular contraction originating from the aortic sinus cusp / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between originate and breakout and radiofrequency catheter ablation strategy in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for premature ventricular contractions originating from the aortic sinus cusp (ASC) using 3-dimensional electro anatomic mapping.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 21 consecutive patients (10 male) underwent ablation for frequent PVCs originating from ASC in our hospital between May 2009 and February 2012. Electro anatomic mapping and ablation of right ventricular outflow track (RVOT) and left ventricular outflow track (LVOT) were performed with the 7F 4-mm-tip ablation catheter from right femoral vein and artery. Activation mapping and pacing mapping were performed in all patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ablation was successful in all 21 patients successful ablation target in left coronary sinus cusp (LCC, n = 17), in right coronary sinus cusp (RCC, n = 2) and in noncoronary sinus cusp (NCC, n = 2). Seven patients showed a RBBB morphology (group A) and 14 patients showed a LBBB morphology (group B). In group A, earliest ventricular activation (EVA) was recorded 22 - 34 (27.4 ± 4.6) ms earlier before QRS at the site of catheter ablation in ASC. In group B, EVA was later in RVOT than that in ASC in 5 patients and EVA at the site of catheter ablation in RVOT and ASC was 22 - 28 (25.2 ± 2.7) ms and 26 - 40 (32.8 ± 5.2) ms, respectively (t = -3.6, P = 0.024) while EVA was earlier in the remaining 9 patients and EVA recorded in RVOT and ASC was 22 - 38 (28.7 ± 5.9) ms and 18 - 28 (22.7 ± 3.6) ms, respectively (t = 3.8, P = 0.005).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients with premature ventricular contractions originating from the ASC often show preferential conduction to the RVOT, which may explain the LBBB morphology of ECG in these patients.</p>

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the premature ventricular contractions originating from His bundle region / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the electrocardiogram and 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping features and radiofrequency catheter ablation efficacy of patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs ) originating from His bundle region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between February 2009 and February 2011, 10 consecutive patients ( 4 male, aged from 19 to 59 years) who underwent ablation for frequent PVCs originating close to His bundle region in our department were included. Electroanatomic mapping of RVOT and ASC, ablation was performed with the 7F 4-mm-tip ablation catheter.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among these 10 patients with PVCs originating from His bundle region, 6 originated from the RVOT, 1 from NCC and 3 from RCC. Eight patients showed LBBB morphology,1 patient with PVCs originated from RCC and 1 patient with PVCs originated from NCC showed RBBB morphology. At the successful ablation sites, local ventricular activation v wave was detected 22-52 (32.6 ± 10.2) ms earlier than the QRS wave in the surface electrocardiogram. The distance between target and His bundle was 5.0-8.4(7.0 ± 1.1)mm. Ablation was successful in all 10 patients without complications (PVCs < 500 beats/24 h post ablation).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PVCs originating near the His bundle have similar electrocardiographic and electrophysiological characteristics for PVSc originated from the RVOT or ASC. Because of the close anatomical relationship between RVOT and ASC, it is necessary to mapping both RVOT and ASC to accurately identify the site of PVCs origin and to guild successful ablation.</p>

Research on health cost of pesticide application and influence factors / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To measure quantitatively the health costs of 380 farmer families using the pesticides and influence factors, and to provide the base for establishing the protective measures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on the surveyed data of rice producers in Anhui province, a quantitative analysis of health cost of pesticide application was conducted with COI, the influence factors on farmers' pesticide application have been examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results shown that the health cost of pesticide application was as RMB 54.44 yuans per farmer a year. The influence factors of health cost were the amount and time of pesticide application, protective facilities, pesticide label illiteracy, age, gender and education level of farmers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The measures of reducing the health cost for pesticide application were to train the farmers for knowledge of pesticide application and occupational safety, to provide convenient and cheap protective equipment and instructions of pesticide application and to standardize pesticide labels.</p>

Effect of Adenosine A2A Receptor Antagonist ZM241385 on Amygdala-kindled Seizures and Progression of Amygdala Kindling / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of adenosine A2A receptor antagonist ZM241385 on amygdala-kindled seizures and its roles in epileptogenesis.Electrodes were implanted into the right amygdala of male adult Wistar rats.Kindling was accomplished by using stimulus strength of 500 μA applied daily to the amygdala until 10 consecutive stage 5 seizues were induced.Then effect of ZM241385 was studied in fully kindled rats after intracerebroventricular administration of the drug.In addition,the effect on kindling progression was evaluated through ZM241385 injection before daily stimulation.In all experiments,behavioral changes in the rats in response to ZM241385 were monitored closely.The results showed that,in fully amygdala-kindled rats,ZM241385 (0.001-.1 nmol/L) decreased afterdischage duration (ADD),motor seizure duration (MSD),stage 5 duration (S5D) and seizure duration (SD),but only the effect on ADD was dose-dependent.The doses of 0.001-0.1 nmol/L had no influence on stage 4 latency (S4L) and seizure stage (SS).The dosages of 0.0001 and 1 nmol/L of ZM241385 did not exert any effect on all seizure parameters.In contrast to the results in fully amygdala-kindled rats,ZM241385 (0.001-0.1 nmol/L) had minimal or no effects on the progression of amygdala-kindled seizures.We are led to the conclusion that although ZM241385 had no influence on the progression of amygdala-kindled seizures,it had potent anti-convulsant profile and little adverse effects at the dosage of 0.001-0.1 nmol/L,suggesting that the agent is effective against the amygdala-kindled seizures.

Characteristics of acupuncture in Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Febrile Diseases) / 中国针灸

Through summarization and analysis on etiology, pathology and acupoint selection in chapters about acupuncture in Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Febrile Diseases), written by ZHANG Zhong-jing, famous physician of the Eastern Han Dynasty, five features of acupuncture in the book are concluded: to cut off the pathway of pathogenic factors to prevent progress of diseases; to adopt both acupuncture and herbal medicine to give full play to their respective advantages in treatment; to distinguish pathogenesis carefully and select the proper acupoints; to observe the progressing tendency of diseases to give treatment accordingly; and to understand that yang channels are appropriate for acupuncture, while yin channels can also be selected in treatment. In this way, the law of acupuncture of ZHANG Zhong-jing is expected to be better understood.

Expression of c-fes gene in leukemia cells and its clinical significance / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to investigate the expression of c-fes gene in leukemia patients and its clinical significance. The expression of c-fes mRNA in bone marrow cells from 121 cases of acute and chronic leukemia patients, and the expression of c-fes mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 20 normal persons were detected by real time-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR). The results showed that the level of c-fes mRNA in AML patients was higher than that in normal controls [(48.017 +/- 57.170) x 10(-3) vs (0.152 +/- 0.398) x 10(-3)] (p < 0.0001); but there was no significant differences of level of c-fes mRNA between samples of ALL and normal controls(0.047 +/- 0.068) x 10(-3) vs(0.152 +/- 0.398) x 10(-3) (p>0.05); the level of c-fes mRNA in CML patients was higher than that in normal persons (21.605 +/- 24.818) x 10(-3) vs (0.152 +/- 0.398) x 10(-3) (p < 0.0001). The positive expression rate of c-fes gene in CML-CP patients (80%) was higher than that in CML-AP patients (66.7%) and CML-BP (28.6%) patients. In AML patients, c-fes gene was expressed higher in M(2) (80.77%) and M(3) (92.86%) patients. The remission rate of AML (except M(3))patients who had expression of c-fes gene was 81.08%, which was higher than that of patients with no expression of c-fes gene (40.00%). It is concluded that c-fes gene expression was found in myeloid leukemias, whereas low or no expression in lymphocytic leukemias. The differentiation of myelocytic cells may be related to c-fes gene. All AML (except M(3))patients with high level of c-fes mRNA may get good prognosis.

The Expression of Integrinβ1 and FAK in Pituitary Adenomas and Their Correlation with Invasiveness / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Summary: The expression and possible role of integrin-focal adhesion kinase signal pathway in invasive pituitary adenomas were explored. Forty-nine human pituitary adenomas were detected for the expression of integrinβ1 (INTβ1) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) by immunohistochemistry, and their correlation with the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas as well as between themselves was analyzed. The results showed that INTβ1 was expressed in 46 cases (93.9%) and FAK in 36 cases (73.5%), respectively, and their expression levels were highly correlated with tumor invasiveness, but not with the tumor types. It was suggested that the integrin-focal adhesion kinase signal pathway plays a role in the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas.

Immunoglobulin D lambda multiple myeloma: a case report / 中国实验血液学杂志

To improve the recognition of immunoglobulin D multiple myeloma and explore its clinical feature and laboratory examination characteristics, so as to reduce the the missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, a case of IgD multiple myeloma (MM) with myelofibrosis and bone marrow necrosis is reported. The clinical feature, treatment and prognosis of IgDlambda MM were discussed. Immunoglobulin D multiple myeloma is a rare disease and predominantly occurs in young male patients, which shows an aggressive clinical course with poor response to conventional treatment and unfavorable prognosis. Immunoglobulin D multiple myeloma was usually misdiagnosed as a light chain type multiple myeloma by using routine laboratory examination. Immunoglobulin D monoclonal protein is not easy to be detected owing to its low protein level, resulting in missed diagnosis. Immunofixation electrophoresis is highly sensitive and specific for diagnosis of IgD MM, can enhance accuracy of diagnosis for this rare disease.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and pure red cell aplasia / 中国实验血液学杂志

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AILT) is a peripheral T-cell lymphoma often complicated autoimmune phenomena such as autoimmune cytopenia, and is a truly rare type of NHL. In order to investigate the clinical features, pathological manifestation of this lymphoma, and to explore its therapy protocol, a 37-years old patient with AILT was investigated. The routine blood examination, bone marrow smear, lymphonodus biopsy, Coombs test, flow cytometry for bone marrow mononuclear cells, serological test, immunochemistry method etc were performed for this patient. The results showed that the systemic lymphadenectasis and hepatosplenomegaly were seen in patient, the cervical lymphonode biopsy revealed AITL. The hematoglobin level and number of reticulocytes were very low. Coombs test was positive. Simultaneously, the bone marrow aspirate revealed erythroid aplasia. The warm type autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) were co-existed. After one course of chemotherapy with CHOP-E, infiltration sign of AITL patient with AIHA and PRCA disappeared. In conclusion, the AITL patient complicated with AIHA and PRCA was successfully diagnosed, the lymphonode biopsy and bone marrow smear showed more significant, the chemotherapy protocol of CHOP-E can give some effect to cure such angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma.

WT1 gene expression lowered by IL-12 In vitro in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes / 中国实验血液学杂志

Previous studies demonstrated that interleukin-12 (IL-12) enhances the non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic activity of NK cells and facilitate specific allogeneic human cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses against fresh leukemia cells and cell lines. The Wilms' tumor gene, WT1 mRNA, has been used as a marker of minimal residual disease (MRD) for evaluating therapeutic efficacy of patients with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This study was aimed to investigate whether in vitro IL-12 can lower WT1 gene expression in peripheral blood monuclear cells (PBMNC) from patients with leukemia or MDS. PBMNC from these 30 patients and 5 healthy volunteers were cultured at 5 x 10(5) cells/ml alone with or without 100 units/ml of IL-12 for 3 days. WT1 mRNA was measured by competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) since WT1 mRNA is considered as a marker of minimal residual disease (MRD) in leukemia and MDS. The results demonstrated that WT1 mRNA in PBMNC of 5 healthy volunteers was less than 10(3) copies/microg of total RNA. Following the 3-day IL-12 treatment, mean WT1 mRNA of PBMNC was reduced from 10(4.8) to 10(4.2) copies/microg of total RNA in 6 CML patients, from 10(5.4) to 10(4.8) copies/microg in 12 MDS patients and from 10(5.0) to 10(4.2) copies/microg in 5 AML patients in CR, but not reduced in 5 of 7 AML in non-CR. It is concluded that IL-12 significantly decrease the quantity of leukemia cells in PBMNC of most patients with MDS, CML and AML in CR. IL-12 may be of considerable benefit in the elimination of MRD in patients with hematological malignancies.

Expressions of cyclin B1 and p21cipl in adult acute leukemia and their correlation / 中国实验血液学杂志

Cyclin B1, a positive regulator, controls mitosis occurrence, plays an important role in cell proliferation. To investigate the clinical significance of cyclin B1, the expression of cyclin B1 in acute leukemia (AL) patients was measured; the expression of cyclin B1 and p21(cipl), and their cell cycle distribution were assayed by flow cytometry in 136 adult patients with newly diagnosed AL, 10 continuous complete remission (CCR) AL and 17 normal controls; the mRNA of cyclin B1 and p21(cipl), and the proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in patients and normal controls were detected with semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that the expression of cyclin B1 in newly diagnosed AL patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls. For the relapsed AL patients, the cyclin B1 expression was also higher than that in normal controls, but lower than that in newly diagnosed cases, there was no significant difference between the remission cases and normal controls, nor difference between CCR AL patients and normal controls. All patients with high cyclin B1 expression had an unscheduled expression manner, that cyclin B1 protein appeared in G(1) phase, and in some case it even higher than that of G(2) phase. The response rate (partial remission + complete remission) and survival rate in the cyclin B1 high expressed patients were higher than that of cyclin B1 low expressed patients. The relapse rate in cyclin B1 high expressed patients was higher than that in cyclin B1 normally expressed patients. The survival rate in cyclin B1 high expressed patients was higher than that in cyclin B1 low expression patients. A negative correlation between the expression of cyclin B1 and p21(cipl) was observed. Additionally, cyclin B1 protein expression was generally correlated with proliferation index (PI) and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). It is concluded that this study demonstrates for the first time cyclin B1 overexpression and abnormally distribution in cell cyclin of newly diagnosed AL patients. It was considered that cyclin B1 may play an important role in leukemic pathogeneses and can be one of the factors influencing the prognosis of AL patients.

Clinical significance of the expression of DNA methyltransferase genes (DNMT) in acute leukemia patients / 中国实验血液学杂志

To investigate the relationship between the expression of DNMT and clinical prognosis in adult patients with acute leukemia (AL), the mRNA expressions of DNMT, p15(INK4B), mdr1 were measured in 72 AL patients and 20 normal controls by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); the ratio of p15 CpG land methylation was measured in 56 AL patients and 14 normal controls by methylation-specific PCR (MSP-PCR). The results showed that all three DNMT mRNA expressions in AL patients were significantly higher than that in normal controls (P < 0.01). When the internal control was changed into PCNA, a kind of cell proliferation marker gene, the difference still showed a statistic significance. All three DNMT genes were significantly expressed and positively correlated with AL patients, showing high synergistic expression, and there was a negative correlation between the levels of p15, mdr1 gene expression and DNMT. The complete remission (CR) rate in AL patients with the positive expression of all DNMT genes was significantly higher than that of AL patients with partially positive or negative expression (P < 0.01) of DNMT genes. In 56 AL patients, the P15I(NK4B) was completely methylated in 55.4% (31 of 56), partly methylated in 21.4% (12 of 56) and all 14 cases of normal controls were not methylated. It is concluded that DNMT genes are abnormally high expressed in adult AL patients, which lead to methylation-silence of tumor suppressor genes by CpG land hypermethylation, the AL patients with high expression of DNMT are more sensitive to chemotherapy, which may be a good prognostic factor for AL patients.

Freeze-dried allograft of posterior spinal fusion in patients with scoliosis / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effectiveness and safety of allograft in posterior spinal fusion in patients with scoliosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>41 cases of 54 scoliosis patients with allograft for spinal fusion were followed up. The mean follow-up time is 16 months. Foreign body reaction was studied clinically and fusion status was assessed radiographically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no foreign body reaction significantly in all patients. Acute deep wound infection happened in one patient and no chronic deep wound infection occurred. There was no disease transferred by allograft in followed patients. New bone formation appeared after 4 months postoperatively in radiogram. At final follow-up, the mean angle of 3.4 degrees lost and minimal -1 degrees and maximal 6 degrees . Implants were fastened and did not loosen and fracture.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Allograft for posterior spinal fusion in scoliosis patients was useful and safe.</p>

Growth and gene expression of leukemia cell after treated with methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of demethylation therapy of leukemia by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using MTT test, NBT reduction reaction and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, changes in proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis were observed in K562, HL-60 and fresh leukemia cells after treated with 5-aza-CdR. The mRNA expressions of DNMTs, p15, p53 and bcl-2 were measured by RT-PCR. The status of p15(INK4B) gene methylation was examined by methylation-specific PCR (MSP-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The growth inhibition of K562, HL-60 and fresh leukemia cells displayed a dose and time-dependent manner after treated by 5-aza-CdR. The differentiation-inducing ability on HL-60 cells was obvious at 0.5 micromol/L of 5-aza-CdR. The up-regulation of p15 mRNA and p53 mRNA expression and down-regulation of bcl-2 mRNA expression were obvious as compared with the control, but the DNMTs expression was not significantly different from the control. The methylation status of p15 gene in fresh leukemia cells decreased gradually with increasing concentration of 5-aza-CdR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The proliferation of leukemia cells was obviously inhibited by 5-aza-CdR, its mechanism maybe related to the up-regulation of p15 and p53 genes and down-regulation of bcl-2 gene. The decrease of p15 gene methylation was associated with the competitive inhibition of 5-aza-CdR.</p>