*The traditional Chinese medicine processing change chemical composition and pharmacological effectiveness: Taking Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. and honey bran-fried Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. as examples.

BACKGROUND: Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (Baizhu in Chinese, BZ) is a typical traditional edible-medicinal herb used for thousands of years. Known as "the spleen-reinforcing medicine", it is often used clinically to treat reduced digestive function, abdominal distension, and diarrhoea, which are all caused by spleen deficiency. Among BZ's processing products, honey bran-fried BZ (HBBZ) is the only processed product recorded in BZ in the 2020 Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP). There are differences in effectiveness, traditional application, and clinical indications between them. PURPOSE: This review reviewed BZ and its main product HBBZ from botany, ethnopharmacology, chemical composition, pharmacological effectiveness, and safety. The changes in chemical composition and pharmacological effectiveness of BZ induced by the processing of traditional Chinese medicine were emphatically described. METHODS: Keywords related to Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz., honey bran frying, essential oil, lactones, polysaccharide and combinations to include published studies of BZ and HBBZ from 2004-2023 were searched in the following databases: Pubmed, Chengdu University of TCM Library, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang database. All studies, published in English or Chinese, were included. However, in the process of chemical composition collection, we reviewed all available literature on the chemical composition of BZ and HBBZ. CONCLUSION: Honey bran frying processing methods will affect BZ's chemical composition and pharmacological effectiveness. The types and contents of chemical components in the HBBZ showed some changes compared with those in BZ. For example, the content of volatile oil decreased and the content of lactones increased after stir-fried bran. In addition, new ingredients such as phenylacetaldehyde, 2-acetyl pyrrole, 6- (1,1-dimethylethyl) -3,4-dihydro-1 (2H) -naphthalone and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural appeared. Both BZ and HBBZ have a variety of pharmacological effectiveness. After stir-fried with honey bran, the "Zao Xing" is reduced, and the efficacy of tonify spleen is strengthened, which is more suitable for patients with weak spleen and stomach.

Dose Correlation of Panax ginseng and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. Drug Pairs in the Chinese Medicine Prescription Based on the Copula Function.

OBJECTIVE: Panax ginseng and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (AMK) are widely used in treating various diseases; however, research is insufficient on measuring the relationship that exists by combining this drug pair using the copula function. METHODS: In this study, 279 traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions containing the Panax ginseng and AMK drug pair were extracted from the prescription database for three types of screened indications, namely, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, and insomnia. Following the principle of dose conversion, each dynasty unit was uniformly converted into a modern unit. Then, the kernel density distribution of Panax ginseng and AMK was fitted with their empirical distribution functions. Finally, the optimal copula function was selected from the copula function family as a t-copula function. RESULTS: The empirical distribution and probability density functions of Panax ginseng and AMK were obtained. From the results, their Kendall rank correlation coefficients with indications of diabetes mellitus, insomnia, and diarrhea were 0.8689, 0.7858, and 0.7403, whereas their Spearman rank correlation coefficients were 0.9563, 0.9276, and 0.8958. Results also indicated that the use of the t-copula function can better reflect the correlation between Panax ginseng and AMK doses. CONCLUSION: From the three indications, the dose between Panax ginseng and AMK was positively correlated. This study, therefore, confirms the medicinal principle of Chinese medicine "combining" from the perspective of mathematical statistics. Results from this study are practical to evaluate the correlation between the drug pair doses, Panax ginseng and AMK, using the copula function model, which provides a new model for the scientific explanation of compatibility for Chinese medicines. This study also provides a methodological basis for more drug measurement studies and clinical medications.

Dose Correlation of Danggui and Chuanxiong Drug Pairs in the Chinese Medicine Prescription Based on the Copula Function.

Dosage is essential for studying the compatibility and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. Danggui and Chuanxiong are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for ailments and treatment of various disorders. 628 traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions containing Danggui and Chuanxiong were extracted from the self-built prescription database and screened for the three groups of prescriptions, i.e., irregular menstruation, sores, and stroke. We processed and tested the dosage of Danggui and Chuanxiong and selected the optimal copula function, Gumbel copula function, from the Archimedes function family and elliptical copula function family to establish the data model. To establish the presence of a correlation between the dose of Danggui and Chuanxiong, a graph of the joint distribution function of rank correlation coefficients, Kendall's rank correlation coefficient and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, was used. Our results suggest that the model using the Gumbel copula function better reflects the correlation between the dose of Danggui and Chuanxiong. For irregular menstruation, sores, and strokes, Kendall's rank correlation coefficients were 0.6724, 0.5930, and 0.7757, respectively, and Spearman's correlation coefficients were 0.8536, 0.7812, and 0.9285, respectively. In all three prescription groups, the dose of Danggui and Chuanxiong was positively correlated, implying that, as the dosage of one drug increases, the dosage of the other increases as well. From the perspective of data mining and mathematical statistics, the use of the copula function model to evaluate the correlation between the prescribed dosage of the two drugs was innovative and provided a new model for the scientific interpretation of the compatibility of traditional drugs. This might also serve to guide the clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine.

[Expression of Clec2 in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Its Correlation with TPO].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of clec2 in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and to analyze its correlation with TPO. METHODS: The expression of plasma clec2 in 47 patients with MDS and 20 normal controls was detected by ELISA, and the correlation between the clinical characteristics of MDS patients and clec2 expression was analyzed. Meanwhile, the expression level of plasma TPO in 42 patients with MDS was detected, and its correlation with clec2 was analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of clec2 was 171.5.2±57.6 ng/ml in normal controls and 347.9±121.5 ng/ml in patients with MDS (P＜0.01). The expression level was 375.4±124.3 ng/ml in the initial treatment patients and 288.6±98.7 ng/ml in the re-treatment patients (P＜0.05). There was no relationship between clec2 and sex, age, number of peripheral blood cells, bone marrow blast cells. However, further analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between clec2 and TPO (r=0.419, P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: Clec2 is highly expresses in MDS patients and positively correlates with TPO. The interaction between clec2 and TPO may play an important role in the occurrence and development of MDS, which may be the new molecular mechanism and mechanism of targeted therapy.

Net platelet clot strength of thromboelastography platelet mapping assay for the identification of high on-treatment platelet reactivity in post-PCI patients.

High-on treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) leads to more prevalence of thrombotic event in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin in addition to one P2Y12 inhibitor is commonly administrated to reduce HTPR. However, 'one size fits all' antiplatelet strategy is widely implemented due to lacking benefits with tailored strategy. One reason for the failure of tailored treatment might be less specificity of the current indicators for HTPR. Therefore, searching for specific indicators for HTPR is critical. Thromboelastograph with platelet mapping (TEGpm) assay has been explored for identifying HTRP. Variables of TEGpm assay, including maximum amplitude (MA) induced by thrombin (MAthrombin), R time, platelet aggregation rate induced by ADP (TEGaradp) and MA induced by ADP (MAadp) have been demonstrated to be able to identify HTPR in post-PCI patients. However, these variables for HTPR might be less specific. Thus, in the present study, a novel variable nMAadp was derived by removing fibrin contribution from MAadp and analyzed for its usefulness in determining HTPR. In addition, MAthrombin, R time, MAadp and TEGaradp were also examined for determining HTPR. In conclusion, nMAadp and TEGaradp were demonstrated to be independent indicators for HTPR; nMAadp had the strongest power to identify HTPR with cutoff value of 26.3 mm; MAthrombin and R time were not significantly different between patients with and without HTPR; combination of TEGaradp and nMAadp further improved the ability to identify HTPR with an AUC of 0.893.

Establishment of thromboelastography reference intervals by indirect method and relevant factor analyses.

Thromboelastography (TEG) as a global coagulation test has been continuously developed for many decades in either research or clinical practice. The versatility of TEG test leads to difficulty in standardization and result interpretation. Reference intervals (RIs) of TEG may be one of the most controversial factors that influence its wide applications. RIs establishment with the traditional method is time-consuming and laborious as well as beyond general laboratory capability. Indirect method using stored data and with statistical calculation and small cost is emerging as an alternative approach for RIs determination. Gender, age, or both affect RIs and must be taken into account before RIs estimation. The present study retrospectively collected a total of 930 TEG results as subjects and established RIs with indirect method for Kaolin-activated TEG, including the parameters of R, K, αAngle, MA, and CI. Furthermore, gender, age, and gender-dependent age subsets analyses were performed to determine their effects on RIs of TEG. In this study, we found that TEG parameters showed more hypercoagulability in female than male, most of the measured TEG variables were significantly associated with aging, but only in male statistical significance was found among different age stratification and 60-year-old could be considered as cutting point to differentiate coagulation ability in male. In addition, RIs of TEG were estimated by indirect method suitably and verified to be valid in our study. Finally, the RIs of TEG by indirect method were basically significantly different to the RIs recommended by manufacturer, but the consistent percentage is relatively high in the most of measured parameters. In conclusion, it is suggestive that the indirect method for RIs establishment is feasible, but relevant factors, such as gender and age, specifically gender-dependent age effect, should be considered before RIs determinations.

Plasma soluble C-type lectin-like receptor-2 is associated with the risk of coronary artery disease.

Accumulating evidence suggests that C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) plays an important role in atherothrombosis. In this case-control study, we investigated the association between CLEC-2 and incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 216 patients, including 14 cases of stable angina pectoris (SAP, non-ACS) and 202 cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and 89 non-CAD control subjects were enrolled. Plasma levels of soluble CLEC-2 (sCLEC-2) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with the control group (65.69 (55.36-143.22) pg/mL), the plasma levels of sCLEC-2 were significantly increased in patients with CAD (133.67 (88.76-220.09) pg/mL) and ACS (134.16 (88.88-225.81) pg/mL). The multivariate adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of CAD reached 2.01 (1.52-2.66) (Ptrend < 0.001) for each 1-quartile increase in sCLEC-2. Restricted cubic splines showed a positive dose-response association between sCLEC2 and CAD incidence (Plinearity < 0.001). The addition of sCLEC-2 to conventional risk factors improved the C statistic (0.821 vs. 0.761, P = 0.004) and reclassification ability (net reclassification improvement: 57.45%, P < 0.001; integrated discrimination improvement: 8.27%, P < 0.001) for CAD. In conclusion, high plasma sCLEC-2 is independently associated with CAD risk, and the prognostic value of sCLEC-2 may be evaluated in future prospective studies.

Plasma Transfusion in Patients With Cirrhosis in China: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Patients with cirrhosis used to be associated with frequent use of blood components because of their complex disorder of hemostasis and bleeding complications. Recent findings have indicated that patients with cirrhosis have a state of "rebalanced" or even procoagulant hemostasis and have questioned the prophylactic use of plasma. To evaluate the current status of plasma use in patients with cirrhosis, we conducted a retrospective survey in 11 tertiary-care hospitals in China from September 1 to October 31, 2013. All patients admitted with cirrhosis during the study period were included in the study. The survey collected information including patients' diagnostic and demographic data, clinical course including bleeding complications and invasive procedures, laboratory results, and plasma transfusion data. Among 1595 patients with cirrhosis admitted to the 11 hospitals, 236 (14.8%) patients received 1 or more plasma transfusions during the study period. The number of plasma transfusions is defined as the number of transfusion orders. A total of 1037 plasma transfusions were administered to these patients, with a mean of 4.4 transfusions per transfused patient, ranging from 1 to 22 transfusions per transfused patient. Most plasma transfusions (760/1037; 73.3%) were given to patients without bleeding, for treatment of coagulopathy either without planned invasive procedures (70.4%) or before invasive procedures (2.9%). The median dose of plasma transfusion was 3.8 mL/kg. The rate of plasma transfusion of participating hospitals varied from 5.3% to 31.8%. It is encouraging to see that in one teaching hospital, 85.7% plasma transfusions were given to patients with bleeding indication, showing a promising sign in appropriate transfusion. Prophylaxis or empirical plasma transfusion is still a common problem in managing patients with liver cirrhosis. Wide variations are found in plasma transfusion practice among hospitals. Effective measures to control and reduce empirical correction of abnormal coagulation tests through transfusing plasma should be strengthened urgently.

A multicenter study of blood component transfusion in patients with liver cirrhosis in China: Patient characteristics, transfusion practice, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Cirrhosis is a complex acquired disorder of hemostasis and patients frequently receive blood transfusions. But there is very limited data on patterns of blood use at a patient level. AIMS: To characterize blood use in cirrhotic patients in China and compare with recommendations to help identify areas where quality improvement strategies can be targeted. We also compared findings to a similar study undertaken in UK. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 hospitals over a 2-month period. Data were collected prospectively on each hospitalized cirrhotic patient to day 28. RESULTS: 1595 cirrhotic patients were included and 20.6% were transfused. 48.2% of transfused patients received transfusion for bleeding, most commonly gastrointestinal bleeding (65.8%). The remaining 51.8% were transfused for non-bleeding indications. 32.5% of patients transfused for gastrointestinal bleeding with red blood cells had a pre-transfusion haemoglobin >7g/dL. 89.1% of patients transfused frozen plasma for non-bleeding indications received them in the absence of a planned procedure. The patterns of blood transfusion in cirrhosis were different between China and UK. Of note, empirical prophylactic use of frozen plasma was more common in the Chinese study (89%) than in the UK (24%). CONCLUSION: Education and research should be implemented to improve patient blood management, especially in prophylactic frozen plasma use area.

[Analysis of the Physiological Activities and Functions in Vitro of Apheresis Platelets during Storage].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of physiological activities and functions in vitro of apheresis platelets during storage. METHOD: 17 units of apheresis platelets were randomly chosen and stored at 20 °C to 24 °C with agitation. Platelet counting (Plt), mean platelet volume (MPV), blood gases, pH value, glucose (Glu) concentration, lactate (LA) concentration, LDH concentration, thromboelastogram (TEG), hypotonic shock response (HSR), CD62p expression rate and anew expression rate were measured on days 0, 1, 3, 5 after platelet storage. Changes of physiological activities and functions in vitro were systematically evaluated by above-mentioned indexes. RESULTS: During storage, Plt, MPV and HSR were not significantly changed; but pH value, blood gases, Glu, LA, LDH, HSR, expression rate of CD62p and anew expression rate were significant differenty. Among thromboelastogram indexes, R value increased obviously with prolongation of storage time; K value and αAngle were not significantly changed; MA was not significantly changed on day 1 and 3, but was slightly increase on day 5. CONCLUSION: The physiological activities and functions in vitro of apheresis platelets are kept well during storage. For clinical transfusion of apheresis platelet during storage, clinical effect of transfusione is not influenced.

IL-1α -889 C/T polymorphism and cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

The -889 C/T polymorphism in the interleukin-1α (IL-1α) gene has been implicated in the risk of cancer, but the results are inconclusive. The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between the -889 C/T polymorphism and cancer risk. A literature search in PubMed, Embase™, Web of Science™, Science Direct(®), SpringerLink, EBSCO, Wanfang, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases was carried out to identify studies investigating the association between IL-1α -889 C/T polymorphism and cancer risk. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of association. A total of 20 publications, involving 6,782 cases and 7,767 controls, were included in this meta-analysis. Combined analysis revealed a significant association between -889 C/T polymorphism and cancer risk under an allele model (OR =1.12, 95% CI =1.02-1.24, P=0.02), recessive model (OR =1.34, 95% CI =1.06-1.68, P=0.01), and homozygous comparison (OR =1.38, 95% CI =1.10-1.74, P<0.01). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity showed there was significant association between cancer risk and IL-1α -889C/T polymorphism in Asian populations under a recessive model (OR =2.57, 95% CI =1.11-5.98, P=0.03) and homozygous comparison (OR =2.60, 95% CI =1.12-6.04, P=0.03). Moreover, a subgroup analysis was conducted by source of control, and a statistically increased cancer risk was found in the hospital-based group, under a recessive model (OR =1.62, 95% CI =1.03-2.56, P=0.04) and homozygous comparison (OR =1.67, 95% CI =1.04-2.68, P=0.03). This meta-analysis suggests that IL-1α -889 C/T polymorphism contributes to cancer susceptibility. Further large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm this association.

[Comparative analysis of collecting mononuclear cells from peripheral blood by using Fenwal CS-3000 plus, haemonetics MCS plus and COBE spectra separators].

This study was aimed to compare the collection efficiency of mononuclear cells (MNC) from peripheral blood as well as the changes of blood-related indices in patient by using 3 cell separators. MNC were collected from 94 tumor patients by using Fenwal CS-3000plus, Haemonetics MCSplus and COBE spectra separators. Routine blood test was performed before and after MNC collection to detect the potential effects of cell separators on blood-related indices in the patients. MNC count was performed. The percentages of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) in peripheral blood cells were determined. The results showed that the MNC counts were (3.08 ± 0.79)×10(9), (3.21 ± 1.12)×10(9), and (3.22 ± 1.84)×10(9) per bag by CS-3000plus, MCSplus and COBE spectra, respectively. And the corresponding decrease of platelet percentage was (6.86 ± 5.70)%, (8.05 ± 5.14)% and (5.89 ± 4.48)%, respectively. The CD3, CD4 and CD8 ratios in peripheral blood of patients before and after treatment were significantly statistical different (P < 0.001). It is concluded that the MNC collection can be performed successfully with CS-3000plus, MCSplus and COBE spectra, and their collections can meet the needs in clinic.

The relationship between interleukin-18 polymorphisms and allergic disease: a meta-analysis.

Recent studies have suggested that IL-18 -607C/A and -137G/C polymorphisms may be associated with the risk of allergic disease; however, individually published results are inconclusive. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify whether IL-18 -607C/A and -137G/C polymorphisms were associated with the risk of allergic disease. A total of 21 studies including 5,331 cases and 9,658 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. In the overall analysis and the subgroup analysis according to ethnicity, we did not find significant association between IL-18 -607C/A or -137G/C polymorphism and the risk of allergic disease (all P > 0.05). However, in a stratified analysis by type of allergic disease, our results indicated that IL-18 -607C/A polymorphism was associated with a significantly decreased risk of allergic asthma in heterozygous comparison and IL-18 -137G/C was associated with a significantly decreased risk of allergic dermatitis in recessive model and homozygous comparison. In the stratified analysis by source of control, IL-18-607C/A showed significantly reduced risk in population-based subgroup, and for IL-18 -137G/C only significantly decreased risk was found in the hospital-based subgroup. Our meta-analysis suggests that IL-18 -607C/A and -137G/C polymorphisms may be protective factors for the risk of allergic asthma and allergic dermatitis, respectively.

Estrogen receptor α gene polymorphisms and risk of Alzheimer's disease: evidence from a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Human estrogen receptor α (ESR1), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors, is one of the key mediators of hormonal response in estrogen-sensitive tissues. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that two of the most widely studied single-nucleotide polymorphisms in ESR1 - PvuII (T/C, rs223493) and Xbal (A/G, rs9340799) - are possibly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, individual study results are still controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Science Direct, SpringerLink, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for eligible studies assessing the association of ESR1 polymorphisms and AD risk (last search performed in November 2013). Thereafter, a meta-analysis of 13,192 subjects from 18 individual studies was conducted to evaluate the association between ESR1 polymorphisms and susceptibility to AD. RESULTS: The results indicated that a significant association was found between the ESR1 PvuII polymorphism and AD risk in Caucasian populations (CC + CT versus TT, odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.28, P=0.03; CT versus TT, OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.31, P=0.02), whereas no evidence of association was found in Asian populations. Nevertheless, we did not find any significant association between the ESR1 XbaI polymorphism and AD risk for any model in Caucasian and Asian populations (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on this meta-analysis, we conclude that the ESR1 PvuII polymorphism might be a risk factor in AD development in Caucasian populations, not in Asian populations. Further confirmation is needed from better-designed and larger studies.

E-selectin S128R polymorphism is associated with cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors have been shown to play an important role in the development of cancers. However, individual studies may fail to completely demonstrate complicated genetic relationships because of small sample size. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the association of E-selectin Ser128Arg (S128R) with cancer risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Science Direct, SpringerLink, EBSCO, Wanfang, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was carried out to identify studies of the association between E-selectin S128R polymorphism and cancer risk. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were used to assess the strength of association. RESULTS: A total of eight studies involving 1,675 cancer cases and 2,285 controls were included in the meta-analysis. In overall populations, S128R polymorphism seemed to be associated with cancer risk (Arg allele vs Ser allele: OR=1.65, 95%CI =1.33-2.04, p<0.01; Arg/Arg+Arg/Ser vs Ser/Ser: OR=1.87, 95%CI =1.48-2.36, p<0.01; Arg/Ser vs Ser/Ser: OR=1.80, 95%CI =1.51-2.14, p<0.01). Similarly, subgroup analysis by ethnicity and source of control also revealed that this polymorphism was related to cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis revealed that there was association between the E-selectin S128R polymorphism and the risk of cancer. Further large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm this association.

Association between Toll-like receptor 3 polymorphisms and cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are well known as molecular sensors of pathogen-associated molecular patterns. They control activation of the innate immune response and subsequently shape the adaptive immune response. Polymorphisms in TLR3 gene associated with cancer have been studied extensively. However, the results remain controversial. A literature search was performed among PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Science Direct, Wanfang, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases to identify eligible studies on the association between TLR3 polymorphisms and cancer risk. A total of 12 studies in 11 articles were included in the meta-analysis including 5,861 cases and 6,339 controls. Significant associations with cancer risk were observed for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs3775291 (allele model: odds ratio (OR) = 1.12, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) = 1.00-1.25, P = 0.04), rs3775290 (allele model: OR = 1.12, 95 % CI = 1.00-1.25, P = 0.04; dominant model: OR = 1.30, 95 % CI = 1.05-1.60, P = 0.01; homozygous comparison: OR = 1.68, 95 % CI = 1.06-2.68, P = 0.03; heterozygous comparison: OR = 1.25, 95 % CI = 1.01-1.55, P = 0.04), rs5743305 (allele model: OR = 1.07, 95 % CI = 1.01-1.15, P = 0.03; dominant model: OR = 1.11, 95 % CI = 1.01-1.22, P = 0.03), and rs5743312 (allele model: OR = 1.13, 95 % CI = 1.01-1.27, P = 0.03; recessive model: OR = 1.86, 95 % CI = 1.31-2.63, P < 0.01; homozygous comparison: OR = 1.88, 95 % CI = 1.33-2.67, P < 0.01), respectively. Meanwhile, we did not find any significant association with cancer risk for rs7657186 and rs7668666. In conclusion, this meta-analysis indicates a significant association of four TLR3 gene polymorphisms with cancer risk. However, because the study size was limited, further studies are essential to confirm our results.

[MIP-1α promotes the migration ability of Jurkat cell through human brain microvascular endothelial cell monolayer].

This study was purposed to explore the mechanism of central nervous system (CNS) leukemia resulting from brain metastasis of human acute T-cell leukemia (T-ALL) cells and the role of MIP-1α in migration of Jurkat cells through human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC). The real-time PCR, siRNA test, transendothelial migration test, endothelial permeability assay and cell adhesion assay were used to detect MIP-1α expression, penetration and migration ability as well as adhesion capability respectively. The results showed that the MIP-1α expression in Jurkat cells was higher than that in normal T cells and CCRF-HSB2, CCRF-CEM , SUP-T1 cells. The MIP-1α secreted from Jurkat cells enhanced the ability of Jurkat cells to penetrate through HBMEC, the ability of Jurkat cells treated by MIP-1α siRNA to adhere to HBMEC and to migrate trans endothelial cells decreased. It is concluded that the MIP-1α secreted from Jurkat cells participates in process of penetrating the Jurkat cells through HBMEC monolayer.

[Role of antioxidant in protecting the biological function of hematopoietic stem cells].

In peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (PBHSCT) , the mobilization and circulating of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells in blood with higher oxygen concentration all increase reactive oxygen species(ROS) production, which has negative effect on the biological function of BMHSC. In order to investigate the protective effect of antioxidant on hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), the ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P), an ascorbic acid derivative of vitamin C, was added in HSC culturing by imitating oxygen conditions which BMHSC experienced in peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. The protective effect of above-mentioned culture methods on the biologic functions of BMHSC was evaluated by vitro amplification assay, committed division assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement, CD34(+) HSC engraftment. The results showed that the ROS level in HSC from in vitro cultures was much higher than that freshly separated BMHSC, and the amplified AC133(+)CD34(+) HSC, BFU-E, CFU-GM, CFU-GEMM colonies, migration rate and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)-repopulating cells (SRC) were all much more than HSC cultured without AA2P. It is concluded that antioxidant intervention may be an effective methods for protecting the biological function of PBHSC and improving the therapeutic effect of PBHSCT.

Vascular endothelial growth factor +936C/T, -634G/C, -2578C/A, and -1154G/A polymorphisms with risk of preeclampsia: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence showed that VEGF gene polymorphisms are involved in the regulation of VEGF protein expression, thus increasing an individual's susceptibility to preeclampsia (PE); but individually published results are inconclusive. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the associations between VEGF gene polymorphisms and PE risk. METHODS: A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure) databases was conducted. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA 12.0 software and Review manager 5.1. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of associations. RESULTS: According to the inclusion criteria, 11 case-control studies were finally included in this meta-analysis. A total of 1,069 PE cases and 1,315 controls were included in this study. Our meta-analysis indicated that VEGF +936C/T (T vs. C, OR = 1.52, 95%CI = 1.08-2.12) or -634G/C polymorphism (C vs. G, OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.03-1.50) was associated with the risk of PE, whereas there was no association between -2578C/A (A vs. C, OR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.82-1.16) or -1154G/A (A vs. G, OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 0.94-1.78) polymorphism and PE risk in our study. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis suggested that VEGF -2578C/A or -1154G/A polymorphism had no association with PE risk in all examined patients, whereas there was an association between VEGF +936C/T or -634G/C polymorphism and risk of PE.

[Influence of reactive oxygen species on mouse bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell apoptosis].

Objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the biological function damage resulting from increased ROS in peripheral blood stem cells during peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (BMHSC) were cultured at the oxygen concentration imitated according to the bone marrow oxygen concentration (5% O2) including mean venous oxygen concentration (12% O2), mean arterial oxygen concentration (20% O2). The ROS level in BMHSC was detected by using fluorescent probe, the percentage of BM-HSC in cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry, the apoptosis rate was assayed by Annexin V/PI double staining, the expression levels of ATM gene and P21 protein were measured by PCR and Western respectively. The results showed that as compared with control group (5% O2), the ROS levels were lower, the percentage of cells in G1, S,G2/M phase increased (P < 0.01), the apoptosis rate of cells obviously increased (P < 0.01), the expression level of ATM gene obviously decreased (P < 0.01), while the expression level of P21 protein significantly was enhanced (P < 0.01) in 12% O2, 20% O2 and 5%-12%-20% O2 groups. It is concluded that ROS results in the apoptosis of BMHSC through inhibiting the expression of ATM gene and activating P21 protein.