Effects of different extraction parts of Tibetan medicine Pulicaria insignis Drumm ex Dunn on CIA rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To clarify the anti-rheumatoid arthritis effect of Tibetan medicine Pulicaria insignis (P. insignis),sift out the active parts against rheumatoid arthritis,and investigate the mechanism. Methods Rat rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) model was established with bovine type II collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant. The effects of the total extract of P. insignis, macroporous resin eluted parts with different concentrations of ethanol and Tripterygium Glycosides (GTW) on the degree of foot swelling in CIA rats were observed,the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), intd rheumaerleukin-1β (IL-1β) antoid factor (RF) in serum of rats were detected, the pathological changes of synovial tissues were investigated, and the effects on MAPK/p38/NF-κB, TLR4/NF-κB protein expressions were explored by Western blot. Results Compared with the model group, the total extract of P. insignis and the eluted part of macroporous resin 60% ethanol could significantly reduce the degree of joint swelling in CIA rats, effectively improve the pathological changes of rats synovium tissues, and significantly reduce the levels of rat tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in serum inflammatory factors, and markedly decrease the expression of related inflammatory proteins (TLR4, NF-κB, Myd88, p-p38, p-IκBα, iNOS, etc) in synovial tissue. Conclusions (1) P. insignis can relieve the symptoms of joint inflammation in rats with rheumatoid arthritis, and the eluted part of macroporous resin 60% ethanol of P. insignis is the effective active part for anti-rheumatoid arthritis. (2) The total and partial extracts of P. insignis can relieve arthritis symptoms in CIA rats through inhibiting the MAPK/ p38/NF-κB and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Depressive symptoms are not associated with risks of rapid renal function decline or chronic kidney disease in middle-aged and elderly with normal kidney function: a longitudinal investigation / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the association between depressive symptoms and the risks of rapid decline in renal function and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in middle-aged and elderly with normal kidney function.@*METHODS@#The residents aged 40- 75 years with eGFR≥60 mL·min-1·1.73 m-2 without proteinuria in Lanzhou region, who participated in the "REACTION" study carried out in 2011, were selected and followed up in 2014. A total of 4961 individuals with complete and qualified data from the two surveys were included in the subsequent analysis. Based on PHQ-9 questionnaire scores, the baseline population was divided into two groups with and without depressive symptoms. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to compare the incidences of rapid renal function decline and CKD between the two groups and study the association of depressive symptoms with the risk of these renal conditions.@*RESULTS@#PHQ-9 questionnaire scores were not found to correlate with baseline SCr, ALB, UACR or eGFR levels among the participarts (P>0.05). After a mean follow-up time of 3.4±0.6 years, 33.9% of the participants with depressive symptoms at baseline experienced a rapid decline in renal function and 3.6% progressed to CKD. During the follow-up, the incidence of rapid decline in renal function and the risk of developing CKD were not found to correlate with depressive symptoms in these participants (P>0.05) regardless of the type of the depressive syndromes.@*CONCLUSION@#Depressive symptoms are not associated with the risks of rapid renal function decline or progression to CKD in middle-aged and elderly with normal kidney function.

Structural characterization, in vivo toxicity and biological activity of two new pyro-type diterpenoid alkaloids derived from 3-acetylaconitine / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#The transformations that occur in diterpenoid alkaloids during the process of sand frying for Chinese herbal medicine preparation have yet to be clarified. This study investigated the structural changes that take place in 3-acetylaconitine during a simulation of heat-processing and evaluated the toxicity and biological activity of the pyrolysis products.@*METHODS@#The diterpenoid alkaloid 3-acetylaconitine was heated at 180 °C for 15 min to simulate the process of sand frying. The pyrolysis products were separated using column chromatography, and their structures were investigated using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Further, in vivo cardiotoxicity and acute toxicity of 3-acetylaconitine and its pyrolysis products were compared, and the aconitine-induced arrhythmia model was employed to evaluate the antiarrhythmic effect of the pyrolysis products.@*RESULTS@#Two new diterpenoid alkaloids, pyroacetylaconitine and 16-epi-pyroacetylaconitine, a pair of epimers at C-16, were isolated. After comparing the structures of these compounds, possible transformation pathways were proposed. Compared with the prototype compound, 3-acetylaconitine, the cardiotoxicity and acute toxicity of the heat-transformed products were significantly decreased. In the biological activity assay, the two pyrolysis products exhibited an effective increase in ventricular premature beat latency, a reduction in the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia, as well as an increase in the rate of arrhythmia inhibition, implying strong antiarrhythmic activity.@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with 3-acetylaconitine, its pyrolysis products displayed lower toxicity and good antiarrhythmic effects; thus, they have potential for being developed into antiarrhythmic medicines. Please cite this article as: Wang YJ, Wang Y, Tao P. Structural characterization, in vivo toxicity and biological activity of two new pyro-type diterpenoid alkaloids derived from 3-acetylaconitine. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(3): 302-314.

Determination of six compounds in Berberidis Cortex and comparative study of its different species / 中国中药杂志

In order to clarify the characteristic components of Berberidis Cortex,the preparative liquid chromatography and spectral analysis methods were used to separate and identify the unknown components in the water extract of Berberidis Cortex. Two compounds were isolated and identified as bufotenidine and ferulic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. They were both isolated for the first time from Berberidis Cortex and Berberis. In addition,an HPLC method was successfully established for simultaneously determination of six compounds in Berberidis Cortex,and chemometric methods were used to study the chemical differences among three main species of Berberidis Cortex. The results suggested that jatrorrhizine and bufotenidine are the main difference compounds among the three species.Compared with B. kansuensis and B. diaphana,B. vernae contains significantly more jatrorrhizine(P<0. 01),and the content of bufotenidine in B. vernae was significantly higher than that in B. kansuensis(P<0. 05). Considering these results,further research is necessary to reveal the pharmacological activities of bufotenidine and the pharmacodynamic differences between the three species. The results could provide a reference for quality control,the basic research on effective substances,and development of Berberidis Cortex.

Research on control effect of sulfoxaflor and flonicamid on Lonicera japonica / 中国中药杂志

The study was aimed to determine the efficacy of two pesticides in the control of aphids in Lonicera japonica, and study the applicability of pesticides in L. japonica. The number of insects was counted before and 2, 3, 7 and 10 days after the application of pesticide in the test area within different dosage groups. The method was 5-point sampling method. Five aphids on the L. japonica branches were selected, then the number of insects was recorded. The effect of the two pesticides on the control rate of aphid was more than 80% at 1 d after application. The results showed that the two pesticides had good efficacy. After 7 days and 10 days, the control effect was 100%. After 1 day of spraying, the effect of the two pesticides on the control of L. japonica aphids was more than 80%, which was higher than that of the control agent. The results showed that the two pesticides had good and fast effect. After 7 days and 10 days of spraying, the control effect was 100%. The control effect of two kinds pesticides for aphid sprayed in recommended dose on the L. japonica is good and showed no hytotoxicity.

Antibody-drug conjugates:design and clinical progress / 药学学报

Antibody-drug conjugates, constructed with monoclonal antibodies, linker and cytotoxins, have distinctive advantages over chemotherapy drugs and antibody drugs in cancer therapy. In this review, the strategy of developing ADCs, and the important progress in past decade are well summarized. The representative ADCs in the pipeline are introduced and characterized with their new features. While, perspective for future directions of ADCs is proposed.

Mechanism of geniposide in improving free fatty acid metabolism in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 中国中药杂志

To observe the effect of geniposide on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and discuss the mechanism of geniposide for NAFLD from the aspect of free fatty acid, forty healthy Wistar male rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, geniposide and Xuezhikang group. The rats in normal group were fed with normal diets, and the rats in other 3 groups were given with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to induce the NAFLD models. From the week 5 to end of week 8, the rats in geniposide and Xuezhikang group were intervened with corresponding medicines. The body weight, liver wet weight, and fat weight of the rats were recorded. Visual and pathological changes in hepatic tissues were observed with HE staining. The contents of TG, FFA, FAS, AMPK, ACCase and Malonyl-CoA in hepatic tissue, contents of CHO and LDL-C in serum and activities of AST and ALT in serum were detected by using corresponding methods. The results showed that the body weight, liver wet weight, and fat weight of the rats, CHO, LDL-C, ALT and AST levels in serum, TG, FFA, FAS, ACCase and Malonyl-CoA levels in hepatic tissues of the rats in model group were significantly higher than those in normal group (P<0.01), while AMPK activity was significantly lower than that of the normal group (P<0.01), with obvious visual and pathological steatosis in hepatic tissues, and inflammatory injury occurred in model group. Compared with the model group, body weight of the rat, fat weight, levels of FFA in hepatic tissues, ALT and AST activities in serum, liver wet weight, TG, FAS, ACCase and Malonyl-CoA levels were significantly decreased in geniposide group (P<0.01), while the AMPK activity in hepatic tissues was significantly increased (P<0.05),with improvement in visual and pathological performance. Compared with the model group, liver wet weight, fat weight, TG and FFA levels in hepatic tissues, and LDL-C level in serum were significantly decreased in Xuezhikang group (P<0.05). Compared with Xuezhikang group, the body weight of rat, fat weight and FFA level in hepatic tissues were significantly lower in geniposide group (P<0.01), but with no significant difference in other aspects. These findings indicated that geniposide was highly effective in improving the pharmacological effect of NAFLD induced by high-fat diet, and the mechanism was achieved through AMPK-ACCase-Malonyl-CoA-FFA axis.

Studies on dosage-efficacy/toxicity relationship of anti-hypoxia effects and quality standard of Tibetan medicine Brassicea Radix extract / 中国中药杂志

To evaluate the efficacy and safety associated with anti-hypoxia effect and establish the quality standard for Brassicea Radix extract, the investigations of acute toxicity and subacute toxicity were carried out to preliminarily appraise the toxicity, and the models of normal pressure hypoxia, acute cerebral ischemia and sodium nitrite poisoning in mice were used to evaluate the effect of enhancing anoxia endurance. Then according to the methods described in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition), the sulfuric acid-phenol method was applied to determine the content of polysaccharide, and the water, ash and insoluble matter in water inspections were carried out and the control medicinal herb was identified with the samples by qualitative TLC. The results indicated that ① the toxic effects (LD₅₀) of mice was 56.73 g•kg⁻¹ by oral administration of Brassicea Radix extract, while Dm and Dn were respective 86.80 g•kg•d⁻¹ and 35.55 g•kg•d⁻¹;②the determined effective dosage of Brassicea Radix extract which could enhance anoxia endurance was 0.388 g•kg⁻¹•d⁻¹; ③ the methods of TLC and the content of polysaccharide were established. The method of quality control has been recorded in Sichuan Province Standard for Tibetan Medicine, which is reliable, accurate and simple, with good reproducibility. Meanwhile, given the prominent effect on anti-hypoxia and good safety, it provided important basis for clinic safe and effective usage and the development of health products.

Study of deltamethrin detection method and its residual dynamics in Loincerae Japonicae Flos / 中国中药杂志

This paper reports the residual dynamics of deltamethrin and detection method in Loincerae Japonicae Flos to provide scientific basis for safe and appropriate use of deltamethrin. A field experiment was conducted in Fengqiu, Henan Province China. The field plots were sprayed with deltamethrin at the recommended dose and a high dose, respectively, and a control was set up, totally being 3 treatments with 3 replications. The flowers were picked at 2 hours, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 days after pesticide application and then dried. The residue of deltamethrin was determined by gas chromatography method with electron capture detector for the above samples. Results showed that recoveries of deltamethrin ranged from 76.4% to 86.9%,and the relative standard deviation was below 11%,Linearity was observed over a range of 5-500 μg•L ⁻¹ with correlation coefficient was 0. 999 2. The established method meets the requirements of pesticide residue analytical methods. The degradation of deltamethrin followed the first order dynamics. The residue dynamic equation of the high dose and recommended dose deltamethrin were C=5.992 2e-0.338t and C=1.536 9e-0.31t respectively, and the half-life of deltamethrin in Loincerae Japonicae Flos was 2.09-2.24 days, which indicates that deltamethrin is an easily degradable pesticide. It is concluded that deltamethrin should be used in aphids occurring period and the safety interval was more than 7 days to ensure the safety of Loincerae Japonicae Flos consuming.

Research Progress in Detection of Malignant Hematologic Diseases by Bio-electrochemistry -Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Hematologic disease has become a common disease that produces harm and burdens to human individuals today, seriously threatening public health care. Particularly, the damage caused by malignant hematologic disease has been recognized by doctors and patients. However, low cure rate and high recurrence rate are the main issues when treating malignant hematologic disease by current methods. The survival rate could be significantly improved if the early metaphase diagnosis rate could be improved. Therefore, early diagnosis is important for malignant hematologic disease at molecular level. In recent years, the bio-electrochemical method for tumor cells and blood detection has attracted more and more attention. Because many cancer cell surface proteins are important biomarkers, changing in the surface proteins'quantity and condition as well as a variety of electrophysiological activity often show some potential diseases. Each cancer cell has a specific biomarker to distinguish it from the normal cell line. As a result, their biomarkers can be detected by bioelectrochemical techniques. Therefore, it provides theoretical and experimental support for detecting the cancer cell activity, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and screening the drugs. In recent years, the development of biosensor, nanotechnology, probe and electrode, as well as Lab-on-a-chip has contributed a lot to the development of bioelectrochemistry, especially the development of the inspection and drug resistance in hematological and oncological diseases. This review lists the different composition of bio-electrochemical technology, focusing on the progress in hematologic field so as to put forward the research.

HPLC fingerprint of Tibetan medicine Shaji Gao / 中国中药杂志

This study established an HPLC fingerprint of Tibetan medicine Shaji Gao from different habitats and lay a foundation for Shaji Gao varieties identification and preparation process. The chromatographic condition was as follow: Agilent zorbax SB-C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) eluted with the mobile phases of acetonitrile and 0.4% phosphoric acid water in gradient mode. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the detection wavelength was set at 360 nm. The fingerprints of 15 batches Shaji Gao were carried out by similarity comparation, 7 chromatographic peaks were extracted as the common peaks of fingerprint, 3 peaks were identified, which were quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin. The similarity degrees of 14 batches of samples were above 0.9 and 1 batch of samples was below 0.9. This is the first established fingerprint of Shaji Gao by using HPLC. This method has good precision, stability and repeatability that it could provide basis for quality control and evaluation of Shaji Gao.

Efficacy of mild hypothermia for the treatment of patients with cardiac arrest / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Therapeutic hypothermia has been recommended for the treatment of cardiac arrest patients who remain comatose after the return of spontaneous circulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of mild hypothermia on patients with cardiac arrest by conducting a meta-analysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The relevant trials were searched in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI and Wan Fang Data from the date of their establishment to October 2014. Thereafter, the studies retrieved were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted, and the quality of the included studies was evaluated. A meta-analysis was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager 5.2 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six randomized controlled trials involving 531 cases were included, among which 273 cases were assigned to the treatment group and the other 258 cases to the control group. The meta-analysis indicated that mild hypothermia therapy after cardiac arrest produced significant differences in survival rate (relative risk [RR] =1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.48, P = 0.03) and neurological function (RR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.08-1.65, P = 0.007) after 6 months compared with normothermia therapy. However, no significant differences were observed in the survival to the hospital discharge (RR = 1.35, 95% CI: 0.87-2.10, P = 0.18), favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge (RR = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.95-2.45, P = 0.08) and adverse events.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The meta-analysis demonstrated that mild hypothermia can improve the survival rate and neurological function of patients with cardiac arrest after 6 months. On the other hand, regarding the survival to hospital discharge, favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge, and adverse events, our meta-analysis produced nonsignificant results.</p>

Huikangling Tablet Intervened Peripheral Blood Micrometastasis of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of Huikangling Tablet (HT, extracted from Scabrous Patrinia root) on peripheral blood micrometastasis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 87 DTC patients with positive micrometastasis were randomly assigned to the treatment group (45 cases) and the control group (42 cases). DTC endocrine inhibition treatment standards were executed in all patients. They all took levothyroxine sodium (50 microg/tablet, from low dose, 25 microg each time, once per day, 0.5 h before breakfast), and its dosage was gradually added one week later. The dosage was adjusted according to tested results of TSH combined recurrence risk stratification and endocrine suppression induced adverse reactions risk stratification. Patients in the treatment group took HT (0.4 g per tablet, 3 tablets each time, three times per day for a total of 12 weeks) combined TSH suppression therapy, while those in the control group only received TSH suppression therapy. Peripheral micrometastatic cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and polymorphic epithelial mucin1 (MUC1) were detected by FCM at week 4 and 12. Meanwhile, distant metastasis and adverse reactions were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 4-week treatment positive micrometastasis was shown in 18 cases (40%) of the treatment group and 29 cases (69%) in the control group with statistical difference (chi2 = 5.68, P < 0.05). After 12-week treatment positive micrometastasis was shown in 7 cases (15.6%) of the treatment group and 17 cases (44.7%) in the control group with statistical difference (chi2 = 8.49, P < 0.01). Pulmonary metastasis occurred in 2 cases and bone metastasis in 1 case of the control group at follow-ups. Cervical lymph node metastasis without accompanied recurrence of thyroid cancer occurred in one case of the treatment group. No obvious liver or renal abnormalities occurred.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HT inhibited peripheral blood micrometastasis of DTC patients and its mechanism needed to be further studied.</p>

Extraction of phenylethanoid glycoside from Cistanche tubulosa and purification technology by macroporous resin / 中草药

Objective: To optimize the extraction and purification technology of phenylethanoid glycoside from Cistanche tubulosa. Methods: Orthogonal design L9(34) was employed to optimize the extraction conditions by taking the extraction yield of echinacoside and acteoside as indexes. The absorption-desorption characteristics of seven macroporous resins were evaluated, then the best purification conditions were optimized. Results: The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: The air-dried stems of C. tubulosa were powdered and extracted twice with 12-fold 50% ethanol for 1 h each time, temperature was 70℃; The supernatant was concentrated to 5-fold weight of the stems of C. tubulosa. The concentrated liquid was subjected to macroporous resin (HPD750) column and then eluted with deionezed water (3 BV) and 30% ethanol (4 BV), respectively. The 30% ethanol fraction was evaporated under vacuum to give the phenylethanoid glycoside-rich C. tubulosa stem extract. The purity of phenylethanoid glycoside was above 75%. Conclusion: The optimized extraction and purification process is stable, efficient, and suitable for industrial production.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency-induced schizophrenia in a school-age boy / 中国当代儿科杂志

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. It is known that MTHFR deficiency may result in hyperhomocysteinemia, but MTHFR deficiency-induced schizophrenia has been rarely reported. Here we present the clinical course, biochemical and genetic characteristics of schizophrenia resulted from MTHFR deficiency in a school-age boy. He was 13 years old. He was admitted with a two-year history of fear, auditory hallucination, learning difficulty, sleeping problems, irascibility, drowsing and giggling. At admission, he had significantly elevated plasma and urine levels of total homocysteine, significantly decreased levels of folate in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and a normal blood concentration of methionine. Further DNA sequencing analysis showed 665C>T homozygous mutations in the MTHFR gene. The patient was diagnosed with MTHFR deficiency-associated schizophrenia and treatment with calcium folinate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and betaine was initiated. After the treatment for 1 week, his plasma and urine levels of homocysteine were decreased to a normal range and the clinical symptoms were significantly improved. After 3 months of treatment, the patient returned to school. He is now living with normal school life. In summary, children with late-onset MTHFR deficiency and secondary cerebral folate deficiency may lead to schizophrenia. This rare condition can be early diagnosed through analyses of blood and urine total homocysteine, amino acids in blood and folate in blood and cerebral fluid and successfully treated with folinic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and betaine.

Determination of skimmin, scopolin and umbelliferone in Tibetan medicine Saussurea hieracioides by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

This study is aimed to establish a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of skimmin, scopolin and umbelliferone in Saussurea hieracioides. Samples were analyzed on a Wondasil C18-WR column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with methanol (A) and water containing 0.1% phosphate (B) as mobile phases for gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength and column temperature were set at 325 nm and 35 degrees C, respectively, and the sample size was 10 microL. The results showed that skimmin, scopolin and umbelliferone were simultaneously achieved within 40 min under the above conditions. A good linearity was observed in the range of 0.18-5.6 microg (r = 1.000 0), 0.060-1.8 microg (r = 0.999 9), 0.032-0.97 microg (r = 0.999 8) for skimmin, scopolin and umbelliferone, respectively, with the average recoveries of 99.16% (RSD = 0.41%), 100.3% (RSD = 0.79%), 102.2% (RSD = 0.87%). The method is simple, accurate and reproducible and can be used for the quality control of S. hieracioides.

Clinical and ATP7A gene analysis of three infants with Menkes disease and prenatal diagnosis for a fetus at risk / 中国当代儿科杂志

Menkes disease is a rare X-linked recessive disorder characterized by multi-systemic disorder of copper deficiency caused by ATP7A gene mutation. In this study, the clinical and laboratory features of three patients with Menkes disease were analyzed. Prenatal diagnosis had been performed for a fetus of a family. Three patients were admitted at the age of 8-9 months due to severe epilepsies and marked delayed psychomotor development. Significantly light complexion, pudgy cheeks and sparse fuzzy wooly hair were observed. On their cranial MR imaging, cortical atrophy, leukoencephalopathy, basal ganglia damage and tormesity of the intracranial vessels were found. Their plasma ceruloplasmin decreased to 70.2, 73.5 and 81 mg/L, significantly lower than normal range (210-530 mg/L). c.3914A>G (p. D1305G) was detected on ATP7A gene of case 1 and 2. A novel mutation, c.3265G>T (p.G1089X) was found in case 3. Both of them were firstly found in Chinese patients of Menkes disease. The mother of case 1 was tested at 20 weeks of pregnancy. Karyotype and ATP7A gene studies of the amniocytes were performed for the prenatal diagnosis of her fetus. Normal male karyotypes without c.3914A>G mutation on ATP7A gene was showed. Postnatal genetic analysis and normal development confirmed the prenatal diagnosis.

Clinical efficacy and relative factors of dendritic cell-based tumor vaccination for prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines in the treatment of prostate cancer, and investigate the factors that influence the clinical benefit rate (CBR) of the vaccines.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on pre-determined search criteria, we searched the Medline database for randomized controlled trials on DC-based vaccines immunotherapy of prostate cancer. We systematically analyzed the identified studies using RevMan 5.0 and SPSS 17.0 softwares.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ten randomized controlled trials involving 179 prostate cancer patients were identified and subjected to meta-analysis. The CBR of the DC vaccines for prostate cancer was 54.2% , and the objective response rate was 7.7%. Most adverse effects were local reactions at the injection site, fever and flu-like symptoms. The prostate cancer patients achieved cellular immune response (OR = 31.12, 95% CI = 5.52-175.6, P < 0.01) and reduction of log PSA slope (OR = 4.38, 95% CI = 1.17-16.35, P = 0.03) after administration of DC vaccines, which was positively correlated with CBR. The dose of DC vaccines had a significant correlation with CBR (OR = 5.98, 95% CI = 1.45-24.62, P = 0.01), but not the age of the patients (P = 0.53). Besides, density-enriched DCs achieved a higher CBR, while the route of administration had no effect on CBR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DC-based vaccines are effective, safe and well-tolerated in the treatment of prostate cancer. DC-mediated cellular immune response has a significant effect on CBR and can be used as an important index for the assessment of vaccines. More multi-centered randomized controlled trials of higher quality and larger sample size are needed to provide more valid evidence.</p>

Alveolar echinococcosis of the adrenal gland: brief review of two cases / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Alveolar echinococcosis located in the adrenal gland can be considered a rare and aggressive infestation that radiologically and macroscopically mimics a malignant neoplasm. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood. This paper describes its clinical and radiological aspects and discusses its proper management.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The records of two patients with adrenal gland alveolar echinococcosis who were diagnosed and treated in our center in 2009 were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Neither patient showed any signs of recurrence following radical surgical treatment and postoperative oral anthelmintic therapy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Radical surgery can be a feasible, effective management option that results in a good prospective outcome.</p>

Onset age and pathology of prostate cancer in Uygurs and Hans in Xinjiang / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the differences in the onset age and pathology of prostate cancer between Uygurs and Hans in Xinjiang.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We enrolled in this study 518 patients (138 Uygurs and 380 Hans) with prostate cancer confirmed between January 2002 and December 2011. We conducted comparative analyses on their ages, years of diagnosis and Gleason scores.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of prostate cancer increased year by year in both Uygur and Han people, but no statistically significant differences were found in the years of diagnosis between the two groups (chi2 = 1.063, P = 0.900). The median and mode ages of the Uygur patients were 70 and 63 years, and those of the Hans 73 and 71 years. The predilection age of prostate cancer was 70 -79 years in both the two groups. The Uygurs showed a significantly higher incidence of prostate cancer in the 50-59 yr and 60-69 yr groups than the Hans, but the results were just the opposite in the 80-89 yr group (chi2 = 40.375, P = 0.01). The median and mode of Gleason scores were 7 and 6 in the Uygurs, and 8 and 8 in the Hans, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (chi2 = 0.991, P = 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Uygurs differed from the Hans in the age of prostate cancer onset, but there were no significant differences in the annually increased incidence and pathological stage of prostate cancer between the Uygurs and Hans in Xinjiang.</p>