The pretherapeutic systemic inflammation score is a prognostic predictor for elderly patients with oesophageal cancer: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: The systemic inflammation score (SIS), based on serum albumin (Alb) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), is a novel prognostic tool for some tumours. Studies indicate that the SIS can be used as a postoperative prognostic marker. However, its predictive value in elderly oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients treated with radiotherapy is unclear. METHODS: In total, 166 elderly ESCC patients who received radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy were included. Based on different combinations of Alb and LMR levels, the SIS was divided into 3 groups, SIS = 0 (n = 79), SIS = 1 (n = 71) and SIS = 2 (n = 16). The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess prognosis. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (t-ROC) curves were used to compare the prognostic accuracy of the SIS with that of Alb, LMR, neutrophil-to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII). RESULTS: Decreased Alb and LMR were both associated with shorter OS, whereas a lower SIS was significantly associated with better outcomes. The OS of SIS = 0, SIS = 1 and SIS = 2 was 28.0 ± 2.9, 16.0 ± 2.8 and 10.0 ± 7.0 months, respectively (p = 0.000). Similar results were also observed for PFS. Multivariate analysis of the model with SIS revealed that the SIS was a significant independent biomarker for predicting OS and PFS. The nomogram showed that the C-index was improved to 0.677 when the SIS factor was incorporated. Furthermore, the 3-year OS rates for patients in the SIS-high group (SIS = 1 and SIS = 2) undergoing concurrent radiotherapy with a single agent (CCRT-1) and concurrent radiotherapy with two agents (CCRT-2) were 42% and 15%, respectively (p = 0.039). The t-ROC curve showed that the SIS was more sensitive than other prognostic factors for predicting overall survival. CONCLUSION: The SIS may be a useful prognostic marker in elderly patients with ESCC receiving radiotherapy alone or chemoradiotherapy. The SIS showed a better predictive ability for OS than the continuous variable Alb and could stratify patient prognosis in different therapeutic regimens. CCRT-1 may be the best treatment for SIS-high patients.

GSK3ß/ITCH/c-FLIP Axis Counteracts TRAIL-induced Apoptosis in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells.

AIMS: Further investigation on the mechanism of action of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in NSCLC would shed light on the understanding of TRAIL resistance and provide new clues for the counter-strategy. BACKGROUND: Cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) is a critical inhibitor of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Our previous study suggested that glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß) positively regulated c-FLIP expression in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Meanwhile, other studies reported that c-FLIP was degraded by HECT-type E3 ligase ITCH (Itchy E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase) via the proteasome pathway. OBJECTIVE: We will explore whether ITCH is involved in the expression regulation of c-FLIP positively controlled by GSK3ß during the treatment of TRAIL. METHODS: Human lung adenocarcinoma cells were used to stably overexpress and knockdown GSK3ß. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was used to test the expressional level of mRNA of genes. Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of proteins at the protein level. siRNA of ITCH was used to knock down its expression. TRAIL treatment was used to cause apoptosis. RESULTS: In the present study, we have confirmed the degradation of c-FLIP by ITCH protein and the downregulation of ITCH expression by GSK3ß in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Moreover, ITCH silencing reversed the downregulation of c-FLIP protein caused by GSK3ß-knockdown in the cells. Accordingly, TRAIL-induced apoptosis facilitated by GSK3ß knockdown was blocked by the combined interference of ITCH. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that GSK3ß/ITCH axis regulated the stability of c-FLIP and influenced TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Taken together, our study revealed a GSK3ß/ITCH/c-FLIP axis, which counteracts TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Long noncoding RNA SGO1-AS1 inactivates TGFß signaling by facilitating TGFB1/2 mRNA decay and inhibits gastric carcinoma metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Although thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been annotated, only a few lncRNAs have been characterized functionally. In this study, we aimed to identify novel lncRNAs involved in the progression of gastric carcinoma (GC) and explore their regulatory mechanisms and clinical significance in GC. METHODS: A lncRNA expression microarray was used to identify differential lncRNA expression profiles between paired GCs and adjacent normal mucosal tissues. Using the above method, the lncRNA SGO1-AS1 was selected for further study. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) were performed to detect SGO1-AS1 expression in GC tissues. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function analyses were performed to investigate the functions of SGO1-AS1 and its upstream and downstream regulatory mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: SGO1-AS1 was downregulated in gastric carcinoma tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, and its downregulation was positively correlated with advanced clinical stage, metastasis status and poor patient prognosis. The functional experiments revealed that SGO1-AS1 inhibited GC cell invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SGO1-AS1 facilitated TGFB1/2 mRNA decay by competitively binding the PTBP1 protein, resulting in reduced TGFß production and, thus, preventing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. In addition, in turn, TGFß inhibited SGO1-AS1 transcription by inducing ZEB1. Thus, SGO1-AS1 and TGFß form a double-negative feedback loop via ZEB1 to regulate the EMT and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: SGO1-AS1 functions as an endogenous inhibitor of the TGFß pathway and suppresses gastric carcinoma metastasis, indicating a novel potential target for GC treatment.

Secondary Nasopharyngeal Mixed Adenoneuroendocrine Carcinoma After Radical Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Rare Case and Literature Review.

The incidence of primary mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is rapidly increasing. MANEC mainly arises from the gastrointestinal tract, but occasionally it occurs as a pathological type of second primary malignancy (SPM). These SPMs can occur in the nasopharynx. Herein we describe the case of a first secondary nasopharyngeal MANEC that was detected 20 years after radical radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The patient was a 50-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital after experiencing 1 month of left nasal congestion and ipsilateral tinnitus caused by a nasopharyngeal mass that was detected via physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging. A biopsy specimen from this nasopharyngeal lesion led to a histopathological diagnosis of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. He underwent high-dose palliative radiotherapy, followed by a course of gemcitabine-cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. These treatments failed to achieve local control of the tumor, and progressive left earache emerged. Another two forceps biopsies of the external auditory canal mass were conducted, and immunohistochemical testing for adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma markers including CK7, CK8, CK18, carcinoembryonic antigen, synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and CD56 was conducted. The diagnosis of MANEC was ultimately confirmed 5 months after the first visit, and one additional cycle of chemotherapy was subsequently performed. The patient died of hepatic metastases 8 months after the final diagnosis. Knowledge of this rare case will raise awareness of MANEC as a new pathological type of SPM originating in the nasopharynx, which will reduce delays and promote early diagnosis.

Hypoxia downregulated miR-4521 suppresses gastric carcinoma progression through regulation of IGF2 and FOXM1.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show considerable promise as therapeutic agents to improve tumor treatment, as they have been revealed as crucial modulators in tumor progression. However, our understanding of their roles in gastric carcinoma (GC) metastasis is limited. Here, we aimed to identify novel miRNAs involved in GC metastasis and explored their regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic significance in GC. METHODS: The microRNA expression profiles of GC tumors at different stages and at different metastasis statuses were compared respectively using the stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) miRNASeq dataset in TCGA. Using the above method, miR-4521 was picked out for further study. miR-4521 expression in GC tissues was examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH). Highly and lowly invasive cell sublines were established using a repetitive transwell assay. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function analyses were performed to investigate the functions of miR-4521 and its upstream and downstream regulatory mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we investigated the therapeutic role of miR-4521 in a mouse xenograft model. RESULTS: In this study, we found that miR-4521 expression was downregulated in GC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues and that its downregulation was positively correlated with advanced clinical stage, metastasis status and poor patient prognosis. Functional experiments revealed that miR-4521 inhibited GC cell invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Further studies showed that hypoxia repressed miR-4521 expression via inducing ETS1 and miR-4521 mitigated hypoxia-mediated metastasis, while miR-4521 inactivated the AKT/GSK3ß/Snai1 pathway by targeting IGF2 and FOXM1, thereby inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and metastasis. In addition, we demonstrated that therapeutic delivery of synthetic miR-4521 suppressed gastric carcinoma progression in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an important role for miR-4521 in regulating GC metastasis and hypoxic response of tumor cells as well as the therapeutic significance of this miRNA in GC.

Identified IGSF9 association with prognosis and hypoxia in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by bioinformatics analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment, patients with recurrence and metastasis still have a poor prognosis. Thus, the identification of novel biomarkers is urgently needed to predict outcomes and tailor treatment for NPC. METHODS: Four data sets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus, and one data set GSE68799 of which was applied to filtrate key modules and hub genes by construction of a co-expression network. Other data sets (GSE12452 and GSE53819) were used to verify hub genes. The data set GSE102349 was devoted to identify prognostic hub genes by survival analysis. To explored whether prognostic hub genes are related to hypoxia signatures in NPC, correlation analysis was carried out, and followed by functional verification experiments of those genes in vitro. RESULTS: By co-expression network analysis, blue module was regarded as a key module in the benign and malignant group, and IGSF9 of the blue module was identified as a prognostic hub gene. Moreover, IGSF9 is expected to be a innovative hypoxia-related gene in NPC based on the strong associativity between expression of IGSF9 and hypoxia scores of three signatures (99-gene, 26-gene and 15-gene). Further functional studies verified that down-regulated expression of IGSF9 could reduce the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of NPC cells, and hypoxia could induce the expression of IGSF9. CONCLUSION: IGSF9 was identified to be relevant to prognosis and involved in hypoxia in NPC. IGSF9 might serve as one novel prognostic indicator of NPC in the future.

Comparison of a Concurrent Fluorouracil-Based Regimen and a Taxane-Based Regimen Combined with Radiotherapy in Elderly Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Elderly patients with esophageal carcinoma may benefit from concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). However, the optimal concurrent chemotherapy regimen has not been determined. The aim of our study was to assess the efficiency and tolerance of treatment with a concurrent 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu)-based regimen and a taxane-based regimen combined with radiotherapy in elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). A total of 46 patients with ESCC aged older than 65 years were included in this study. The patient population was divided into two treatment groups: 24 patients who received CCRT with a 5-Fu-based regimen were allocated to the PF group, and 22 patients who received CCRT with a taxane-based regimen were allocated to the DP group. The median overall survival (OS), median progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate, and treatment-related toxicity were assessed. For patients in the PF group, the median OS time was 27.8 ± 9.1 months, and the median PFS time was 12.5 ± 2.7 months. Patients in the DP group had comparable survival outcomes, with a median OS time of 34.4 ± 6.4 months and a median PFS time of 21.1 ± 6.4 months (P = .296 and P = .115, respectively). Grade ≥3 leukocytopenia and grade ≥2 anemia occurred in 63.6% and 59.1% of patients in the DP group, respectively, and in 25.0% and 16.7% of patients in the PF group, respectively. Our results suggest that CCRT with a taxane-based regimen results in a higher incidence of treatment-related toxicity than CCRT with a 5-Fu-based regimen but comparable survival outcomes.

Hyaluronic acid-modified selenium nanoparticles for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel in lung cancer therapy.

Targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics by functionalized nanoparticles exhibits a wonderful prospect for cancer treatment. In this paper, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) was linked with hyaluronic acid (HA) to prepare tumor-targeted delivery vehicle HA-SeNPs, and HA-SeNPs was loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) to fabricate functionalized selenium nanoparticles HA-Se@PTX. HA-Se@PTX showed greater uptake in A549 cells in comparison with that in HUVEC, verifying HA-mediated specific uptake of HA-Se@PTX. HA-Se@PTX was capable of entering A549 cells via clathrin-associated endocytosis and showed faster drug release in cancer cell microenvironment in comparison with normal physiological environment. HA-Se@PTX could obviously inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 cells and trigger A549 cells apoptosis. Moreover, active targeting functionalized selenium nanoparticles HA-Se@PTX showed greater in vivo antitumor activity compared with free PTX or passive targeting delivery system Se@PTX. In addition, HA-Se@PTX exhibited negligible toxicity on the major organs of mice. In a word, HA-Se@PTX may develop into a valuable nanoscale antitumor drug agent for lung cancer treatment.

Correction to: Synergistic effect of a cobalt fluoroporphyrin and graphene oxide on the simultaneous voltammetric determination of catechol and hydroquinone.

The published version of this article, unfortunately, contains error. The author found out that Chart 1 image was wrongly incorporated in the online paper.

Synergistic effect of a cobalt fluoroporphyrin and graphene oxide on the simultaneous voltammetric determination of catechol and hydroquinone.

Graphene oxide (GO) was modified with the cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes (CoTFPP and ZnTFPP) of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin in order to improve the electrocatalytic activity of GO towards catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ). It is found that the CoTFPP-modified GO on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) displays the highest electrocatalytic activity. The response to CC (at 0.14 V vs. SCE) is linear in the 1-220 µM concentration range. The response to HQ (at 0.04 V vs. SCE) extends from 1 µM to 200 µM. The sensitivity and detection limits are 10.40 µA∙µM-1∙cm-2 and 0.17 µM for CC, and 8.40 µA∙µM-1∙cm-2 and 0.21 µM for HQ. Experimental results indicate that the Co(II) and Zn(II) ions in the porphyrins positively affect the electron transfer rate in the hybrid materials. The GCE modified with CoTFPP/GO was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of CC and HQ in spiked samples of tap and lake water. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of a voltammetric method for simultaneous determination of catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ). It is based on the use of a cobalt (II) fluoroporphyrin (CoTFPP) functionalized graphene oxide (GO) hybrid.

miR156a Mimic Represses the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Human Nasopharyngeal Cancer Cells by Targeting Junctional Adhesion Molecule A.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been documented as having an important role in the development of cancer. Broccoli is very popular in large groups of the population and has anticancer properties. Junctional adhesion molecule A (JAMA) is preferentially concentrated at tight junctions and influences cell morphology and migration. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmental program associated with cancer progression and metastasis. In this study we aimed to investigate the role of miRNAs from broccoli in human nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). We demonstrated that a total of 84 conserved miRNAs and 184 putative novel miRNAs were found in broccoli by sequencing technology. Among these, miR156a was expressed the most. In addition, synthetic miR156a mimic inhibited the EMT of NPC cells in vitro. Furthermore, it was confirmed that JAMA was the target of miR156a mimic as validated by 3' UTR luciferase reporter assays and western blotting. Knockdown of JAMA was consistent with the effects of miR156a mimic on the EMT of NPC, and the up-regulation of JAMA could partially restore EMT repressed by miR156a mimic. In conclusion, these results indicate that the miR156a mimic inhibits the EMT of NPC cells by targeting the 3' UTR of JAMA. These miRNA profiles of broccoli provide a fundamental basis for further research. Moreover, the discovery of miR156a may have clinical implications for the treatment of patients with NPC.

[Study on Panax notoginseng and its processed products by FTIR spectroscopy].

The chemical differences of panax notoginseng before and after processing were analyzed by Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with two-dimensionalcorrelation spectroscopy (2D-IR). Compared with conventional IR spectra of the samples, the FTIR spectra of panax notoginseng and its processed products were similar in the range of 1 200-400 cm(-1). The difference was that prepared panax notoginseng had strong and characteristic peaks at 2 925, 2 855, 1 746, 1 460, 1 376 and 1 158 cm(-1), which all arose from the characteristic vibration of peanut oil. This was because there was some peanut oil left in the panax notoginseng, when panax notoginseng after processing. Obvious differences were observed between 2D-IR spectra of them, in the range of 1 400-1 700 cm(-1), there was only one auto peaks at 1 650 cm(-1) in the spectra of panax notoginseng, but there were auto peaks at 1 469 and 1 640 cm(-1) in the spectra of prepared panax notoginseng. In the range of 1 400-1 700 cm(-1), the 2D-IR spectra of panax notoginseng and its processed product present characterstic peaks at 1 139 (1 137), 1 194 (1 196), 1 121 (1 221)cm(-1) respectively, but the relative intensities of auto peaks were changed. For example, auto peak around 1 139 cm(-1) was enhanced, but auto peak around 1 194 cm(-1) was weakened. The results of 2D-IR correlation spectroscopy indicated the decomposition of flavonoids, saccharides and saponins. This method can track dynamically the processing procedure of panax notoginseng and reveal the main tansformations, so it can explain the pharmacology of panax notoginseng and its processed product by FTIR and 2D-IR.

Detection and analysis of 12 heavy metals in blood and hair sample from a general population of Pearl River Delta area.

To detect the content of 12 heavy metals in blood and hair sample from a general population of Pearl River Delta area, and to analyze the influence of duration of residence, gender, age, smoking and drinking on the heavy metal content. Use inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to detect the content of 12 heavy metals lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), chrome (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn) and antimony (Sb) in blood and hair samples of a total of 50 subjects from a general population, collected by multistage stratified cluster random sampling method. The geometric mean of heavy metal content in blood samples of general population (µg/L): blood aluminum 214.00; blood chrome 92.82; blood manganese 21.43; blood nickel 20.59; blood copper 0.67; blood zinc 11.50; blood arsenic 0.55; blood cadmium 2.45; blood tin 0.00; blood antimony 1.92; blood lead 158.84; and blood mercury 1.19. The geometric mean of heavy metal content in hair samples of general population (µg/g): hair aluminum is 84.65; hair chrome 0.00; hair manganese 2.44; hair nickel 0.61; hair copper 28.49; hair zinc 136.65; hair arsenic 0.75; hair cadmium 0.46; hair tin 1.04; hair antimony 0.05; hair lead 8.97; and hair mercury 0.69. Some heavy metals were correlated with duration of residence, gender, age, smoking and drinking. This was the first time that simultaneously detecting heavy metal content in blood and hair was used to analyze the internal heavy metal burden in resident population of Pearl River Delta area. These data can serve as reference for further research.

[Study on infrared spectrum change of Ganoderma lucidum and its extracts].

From the determination of the infrared spectra of four substances (original ganoderma lucidum and ganoderma lucidum water extract, 95% ethanol extract and petroleum ether extract), it was found that the infrared spectrum can carry systematic chemical information and basically reflects the distribution of each component of the analyte. Ganoderma lucidum and its extracts can be distinguished according to the absorption peak area ratio of 3 416-3 279, 1 541 and 723 cm(-1) to 2 935-2 852 cm(-1). A method of calculating the information entropy of the sample set with Euclidean distance was proposed, the relationship between the information entropy and the amount of chemical information carried by the sample set was discussed, and the authors come to a conclusion that sample set of original ganoderma lucidum carry the most abundant chemical information. The infrared spectrum set of original ganoderma lucidum has better clustering effect on ganoderma atrum, Cyan ganoderma, ganoderma multiplicatum and ganoderma lucidum when making hierarchical cluster analysis of 4 sample set. The results show that infrared spectrum carries the chemical information of the material structure and closely relates to the chemical composition of the system. The higher the value of information entropy, the much richer the chemical information and the more the benefit for pattern recognition. This study has a guidance function to the construction of the sample set in pattern recognition.

[Infrared spectroscopic analysis of Guilin watermelon frost products].

The objective of the present study is to analyze different products of Guilin watermelon frost by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), second derivative infrared spectroscopy and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-IR) under thermal perturbation. The structural information of the samples indicates that samples from the same factory but of different brands had some dissimilarities in the IR spectra, and the type and content of accessories of them were different compared with conventional IR spectra of samples, peaks at 638 and 616 cm(-1) all arise from anhydrous sodium sulfate in watermelon frost spray and watermelon frost capsule; the characteristic absorption peaks of the sucrose, dextrin or other accessories can be seen clearly in the spectra of watermelon frost throat-clearing buccal tablets, watermelon frost throat tablets and watermelon frost lozenge. And the IR spectra of watermelon frost lozenge is very similar to the IR spectra of sucrose, so it can be easily proved that the content of sucrose in watermelon frost lozenge is high. In the 2D-IR correlation spectra, the samples presented the differences in the position, number and relative intensity of autopeaks and correlation peak clusters. Consequently, the macroscopical fingerprint characters of FTIR, second derivative infrared spectra and 2D-IR spectra can not only provide the information about main chemical constituents in medical materials, but also analyze and identify the type and content of accessories in Guilin watermelon frost. In conclusion, the multi-steps IR macro-fingerprint method is rapid, effective, visual and accurate for pharmaceutical research.

[Similar spectrum of infrared spectrum and its application in identification of Chinese herbs].

In the present paper, the similar spectra of 18 samples, which include Astragalus, red-blue Astragalus and Codonopsis, were obtained in the range of 1600-700 cm(-1). The result showed that all kinds of herbs have their own characteristic similar spectra, and 18 samples can be identified according to the characteristic similar spectra. Furthermore, three correlation coefficients of 93 ganoderma samples were calculated which is in the range of 1560-1502, 1460-1421 and 1319-1260 cm(-1) according to the information of similar spectrum of infrared spectrum of ganoderma. Without priori knowledge of the classification of these samples, the K-means cluster analysis can successfully divide them into four classes, i.e., Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma sinensis, Ganoderma atrum, Ganoderma aoshiba, Ganoderma multiplicatum. This result is consistent with the result of morphological classification.

[Study on the identification of ganoderma by multi-steps infrared macro-fingerprint method].

Ganoderma lucidum, ganoderma atrum, ganderma tsugae Murr. and ganoderma lipsiense can be discriminated and identified by using multi-steps infrared macro-fingerprint method. The 1D-1R spectra, based on the peaks intensity at 1153 and 1078 cm(-1), which are the fingerprint characteristic peaks of glucoside compounds, show that the content of glucoside compounds of them was in the order of: ganoderma lucidum>ganoderma atrum>ganderma tsugae Murr. >ganoderma lipsiense. Generally, the second derivative IR spectra can clearly enhance the spectra resolution. In the range of 1600-1720 cm(-1), the position and sharpness of characteristics peaks were very different, and it's proved that amino acid peptide compounds of them were different. In the 2D-IR spectra, four of them have the same autopeak at 1100 cm(-1), which is the autopeaks of glucoside, but the number of autopeaks of ganoderma lucidum was 4 and its strongest autopeak was 1040 cm(-1), while 5 autopeaks, 4 autopeaks and 5 autopeaks were for ganoderma atrum, ganderma tsugae Murr. and ganoderma lipsiense respectively, and their strongest autopeaks were 1040, 1139, 1140 and 1134 cm(-1) respectively. The multi-steps infrared maro-fingerprint identification testified that the contents of glucoside compounds and amino acid peptide compounds in these four kinds of ganoderma are different. It's proved that multi-steps infrared maro-fingerprint method can be used to analyze and distinguish ganoderma lucidum, ganoderma atrum, ganderma tsugae Murr. and ganoderma lipsiense.

[Analysis and identification of Huangqi and its counterfeit ciguogancao by two dimensional corrlation infrared spectroscopy].

Standard Huangqi (Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge. Var. monghlicus (Bge.) Hsiao) and its counterfeit Ciguogancao (Glychrrhiza pallidiflora Maxim.) can be discriminated and identified by using multi-steps infrared maro--fingerprint method. In the 1D-IR spectra, the peak intensity at 1 737 cm(-1) for Ciguogancao, which is the stretching vibration peak of C==O, is much stronger than that of Huangqi. It's proved that the organic ester compounds in Ciguogancao are much more than Huangqi. In the secondary derivative spectra, it's easy to find the fingerprint characteristic peaks of CaC2O4 in the infrared spectra of Ciguogancao, but not in that of Huangqi. Besides, both secondary derivative spectra also have main characteristic peaks, which are the skeletal stretching of aromatic, round 1463, 1511 and 1596 cm(-1), but Ciguogancao aslo has one shoulder peak at 1 453 cm(-1). In the 2D-IR spectra, both have three auto-peaks at 1070, 1095 and 1140 cm(-1), which are the autopeaks of glucoside, but the strongest auto-peak of Huangqi is at 1140 cm(-1) and that of Ciguogancao's is at 1 090 cm(-1). The spectra testified that the organic ester compounds, aromatic compounds and glucoside compounds in Huangqi and its counterfeit Ciguogancao were different. The method not only can identify standard Huangqi and its counterfeit Ciguogancao rapidly, but also provides useful information about the differences in organic ester compounds, aromatic compounds and glucoside between Huangqi and its counterfeit Ciguogancao. It's proved that multi-steps infrared maro-fingerprint method can be used to analyze and distinguish Huangqi and its counterfeit Ciguogancao.

[Transgenic 4-1-BB ligand therapy induces tumor specific immune response in oral squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the activation and cytotoxicity of human peripheral blood T lymphocyte induced in vitro by human 4-1-BB ligand (4-1-BBL) gene transfected into tumor Tca8113 cells. METHODS: The eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-h4-1-BBL was transfected into human oral carcinoma cell line Tca8113 by Lipofectamine 2000. The transfected cells were then selected in medium containing G-418, cloned by limited dilution and named as Tca8113-4-1-BBL. Human 4-1-BBL mRNA and protein expression of transfected cells was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting respectively. The tumor cell vaccines (TCV) were obtained by treatment with mitomycin (MMC). Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were prepared from lymphoprep, and then stimulated with anti-CD-3 mAb and incubated with non-transfected or transfected TCV-Tca8113 cells, respectively. The proliferation of T cells was evaluated by trypan blue exclusion; the CCK-8 was used to detect the cytotoxic effect of T lymphocytes. Meanwhile, the secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin (IL)-2 in culture supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The Tca8113 cells transfected by pEGFP-h4-1-BBL could express human 4-1-BBL efficiently. As compared with wild type Tca8113 cells, the transfected Tca8113 cells could markedly promote proliferation, IL-2 and IFN-gamma production and cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The transfection of human 4-1-BBL gene in Tca8113 cells is effective in enhancing its immunogenicity and inducing antitumor immune response in vitro.