Effects of Modified Sanhuang Powder （加味三黄散） Combined with Cold Compression on Swelling and Pain after Knee Arthroscopy： A Retrospective Cohort Study / 中医杂志

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of topical application of Modified Sanhuang Powder （加味三黄散， MSP） combined with cold compression versus cold compression alone on swelling and pain after knee arthroscopy through a retrospective cohort study. MethodsMedical records of 134 patients with knee arthroscopy-induced knee swelling and pain were divided into non-exposure group （51 cases） and exposure group （83 cases） based on whether they used MSP for external application after surgery. The non-exposure group received simple cold compression therapy in addition to functional exercise and routine treatment after surgery， while the exposure group received topical MSP on the basis of what were given in the non-exposure group. The Visual Analog Scale （VAS） scores were compared between the two groups before and 7 days after treatment， and knee swelling measurements were taken before and 3， 5， and 7 days after treatment. The clinical effective rate was compared between the two groups. ResultsThe VAS scores in both groups were lower after treatment （P＜0.05）， and the exposure group had lower scores than the non-exposure group （P＜0.05）. On the 3rd， 5th， and 7th days of treatment， the scores on swelling at 2 cm above the superior pole of the patella， at the midline of the patella， and 5 cm below the inferior pole of the patella significantly decreased after treatment in both groups （P＜0.05）， and the exposure group had lower scores than the non-exposure group （P＜0.05）. The total clinical effective rate in the exposure group was 91.56% （76/83）， which was higher than 78.43% （40/51） in the non-exposure group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionTopical application of MSP combined with cold compression is effective in relieving postoperative swelling and pain after knee arthroscopy and is superior to cold compress alone.

A Multi-hospital Study in Wuhan, China：Protective Effects of Non-menopause and Female Hormones on SARS-CoV-2 infection

ImportanceHow to explain the better prognosis of female coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients than that of males? ObjectiveTo determine the correlation between menstruation status/sex hormones and prognosis of COVID-19, and to identify potential protective factors for female patients. Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA cross-sectional study of COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized at Tongji and Mobile Cabin Hospitals from Jan 28, 2020 to March 8, 2020. ExposuresConfirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main Outcomes and MeasuresSex differences in severity and composite endpoints (admission to intensive care unit (ICU), use of mechanical ventilation, or death) of COVID-19 patients were compared. The correlation analysis and cox/logistic regression modeling of menstruation status/sex hormones and prognosis were conducted. Correlation between cytokines related to immunity and inflammation and disease severity or estradiol (E2) was revealed. ResultsChi square test indicated significant differences in distribution of composite endpoints (p<0.01) and disease severity (p=0.05) between male and female patients (n=1902). 435 female COVID-19 patients with menstruation records were recruited. By the end of Mar 8, 111 patients recovered and discharged (25.3%). Multivariate Cox regression model adjusted for age and severity indicated that post-menopausal patients show the greater risk of hospitalization time than non-menopausal patients (relative hazard [RH], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-3.46) Logistic regression model showed that higher anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) as a control for age increases the risk of severity of COVID-19 (HR=0.146,95%CI = (0.026-0.824) p=0.029). E2 showed protective effect against disease severity (HR= 0.335, 95%CI = (0.105-1.070), p= 0.046). In the Mann-Whitney U test, the higher levels of IL6 and IL8 were found in severe group (p= 0.040, 0.033). The higher levels of IL2R, IL6, IL8 and IL10 were also observed in patients with composite end points (p<0.001, <0.001, 0.009, 0.040). E2 levels were negatively correlated with IL2R, IL6, IL8 and TNF in luteal phase (Pearson Correlation=-0.592, -0.558, -0.545, -0.623; p=0.033, 0.048, 0.054, 0.023) and with C3 in follicular phase (Pearson Correlation=-0.651; p=0.030). Conclusions and RelevanceMenopause is an independent risk factor for COVID-19. E2 and AMH are negatively correlated with COVID-19s severity probably due to their regulation of cytokines related to immunity and inflammation. Key PointsO_ST_ABSQuestionC_ST_ABSAny differences in the outcomes between hospitalized female and male COVID-19 patients? If so, why? FindingsFemale patients display better prognosis than male patients. Non-menopausal women have shorter length of hospital stays, and AMH and E2 are negatively correlated with COVID-19s severity. There is a negative correlation between E2 and the levels of IL6, IL8, IL2R and TNF-, which are significantly correlated with disease severity or composite endpoint. MeaningNon-menopause and female sex hormones, especially E2 and AMH, are potential protective factors for females COVID-19 patients. E2 supplements could be potentially used for COVID-19 patients.

Clinical features and sexual transmission potential of SARS-CoV-2 infected female patients: a descriptive study in Wuhan, China

BackgroundAs of March 2, 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has infected more than 80174 people and caused 2915 deaths in China. This virus rapidly spreads to 56 countries worldwide. Thus, in order to effectively block its transmission, it is urgent to uncover all the possible transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2. MethodsFrom January 28 to February 18, 2020, 35 female patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Tongji Hospital were included in this descriptive study. The gynecologic history, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings and chest computed tomography (CT) of all patients were recorded in detail. To examine whether there is sexual transmission through vaginal from female to her partner, we employed real-time polymerase chain reaction testing (RT-PCR) to detect SARS-CoV-2 in vaginal environment (including vaginal discharge, cervical or vaginal residual exfoliated cells) and anal swab samples, and inquired recent sexual behaviors from the patients. FindingsThe age range of the 35 patients with COVID-19 was 37-88 years. Over 50% patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 had chronic diseases. We tested the vaginal environment and anal swabs from the 35 female patients with COVID-19 and found that only an anal swab sample from one patient was positive for SARS-CoV-2. All the samples from vaginal environment were negative for SARS-CoV-2. The infection rate of the patients sexual partner was 42{middle dot}9%. Additionally, two female patients admitted having sex with their partners during a possible infection incubation period, while one patients partner was uninfected and the other patients partner was diagnosed with COVID-19 (after the diagnosis of the female patient). ConclusionNo positive RT-PCR result was found in the vaginal environment perhaps due to the lack of ACE2 expression, which is the receptor of SARS-CoV-2, in the vagina and cervix tissues (human protein atlas). The results from this study show no evidence of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through vaginal sex from female to her partner. However, the risk of infection of non vaginal sex and other intimate contacts during vaginal sex should not be ignored. FundingThis work was financially supported by the Clinical Research Pilot Project of Tongji hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (No. 2019CR205).

Recommendations on management of gynecological malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives from Chinese gynecological oncologists / 부인종양

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has rapidly spread globally. Cancer patients are at a higher risk of being infected with the coronavirus and are more likely to develop severe complications, as compared to the general population. The increasing spread of COVID-19 presents challenges for the clinical care of patients with gynecological malignancies. Concerted efforts should be put into managing gynecological malignancies in an orderly manner by strictly implementing the measures that are specifically developed for controlling the spread of COVID-19. We have drafted Recommendations on Management of Gynecological Malignancies during the COVID-19 Pandemic based on our experience on controlling COVID-19 pandemic in China. We recommend that patients with gynecological malignancies should be managed in hierarchical and individualized manners in combination with local conditions related to COVID-19. Medical care decision should be balanced between controlling COVID-19 pandemic spread and timely diagnosis and treatment for gynecologic oncology patients.

Recommendations on management of gynecological malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives from Chinese gynecological oncologists / 부인종양

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has rapidly spread globally. Cancer patients are at a higher risk of being infected with the coronavirus and are more likely to develop severe complications, as compared to the general population. The increasing spread of COVID-19 presents challenges for the clinical care of patients with gynecological malignancies. Concerted efforts should be put into managing gynecological malignancies in an orderly manner by strictly implementing the measures that are specifically developed for controlling the spread of COVID-19. We have drafted Recommendations on Management of Gynecological Malignancies during the COVID-19 Pandemic based on our experience on controlling COVID-19 pandemic in China. We recommend that patients with gynecological malignancies should be managed in hierarchical and individualized manners in combination with local conditions related to COVID-19. Medical care decision should be balanced between controlling COVID-19 pandemic spread and timely diagnosis and treatment for gynecologic oncology patients.

Sema4C mediates EMT inducing chemotherapeutic resistance of miR-31-3p in cervical cancer cells.

Sema4C, the target of many miRNAs, is involved in EMT-mediated chemotherapeutic resistance of many malignant tumors. However, the underlying upstream regulatory mechanisms of Sema4C-induced EMT and Sema4C-mediated drug resistance are still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the potential role of miR-31-3p/Sema4C in regulating EMT in cisplatin-resistant (CR) cervical cancer cells. High expression levels of Sema4C were more frequently found in cervical cancer tissues and were associated with poor prognosis, whereas miR-31-3p was significantly downregulated in cervical cancer tissues, which was associated with shorter disease-free and overall survival. Overexpression of miR-31-3p inhibited malignant behaviors and EMT of cervical cancer cells in vitro. Furthermore, miR-31-3p was identified to directly target Sema4C, and upregulation of miR-31-3p reversed EMT-mediated biological functions, including cisplatin resistance of Sema4C in cervical cancer cells. These results suggest that Sema4C promoted EMT-mediated cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer cells and that this effect was inhibited by overexpression of miR-31-3p. Thus, silencing Sema4C or overexpression of miR-31-3p could be a novel approach to treat drug resistance to chemotherapy in cervical cancers.

The value of platelet count in predicting the efficacy of rituximab treatment in adult patients with chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the value of platelet count in predicting the efficacy of rituximab treatment in chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).@*Methods@#A retrospective study was conducted in 103 chronic ITP patients hospitalized in our medical center between January 2011 and December 2014. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) of platelet count in different time points were analyzed for the predictor of treatment response. Optimal cutoff values were established using ROC analysis.@*Results@#A total of 103 patients were included in the study. There were 46 males and 57 females, with a median age of 30 (18-67) years. At day 1, 3 and 7 after the first dose of rituximab, there was no significant difference in platelet counts between the success group (PLT≥50×109/L after treatment) and the failure group (PLT≤50×109/L after treatment) (P>0.05). At day 14 after rituximab treatment (PTD 14), platelet counts became significantly different in the success and failure groups[41(8-384)×109/L vs 23(0-106)×109/L, P=0.003], and remained different thereafter, with increasing significance in the subsequent follow-ups. Patients were divided further using an optimal cut-off platelet count of 50×109/L on PTD 14, PTD 30, and PTD 60, and PPV and NPV values were calculated for predicting eventual success and failure.@*Conclusion@#Response can be predicted by obtaining platelet counts at 14, 30 and 60 days after rituximab treatment. The study proposed a protocol that guides patient monitoring and management planning.

Fusion proteins of DT390 linking TMTP1 for targeted therapy of ovarian cancer / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To investigate targeted therapy of ovarian cancer with new fusion proteins that were produced by fusing the first 390 amino acids of diphtheria toxin(DT390)to the TMTP1 peptide.Methods:The cisplatin-resistant cell line,C13*,and cisplatin-sensi-tive cell line,OV2008,were selected as models and divided into control,TMTP1,DT390-TMTP1,DT390-biTMTP1,and DT390-triTMTP1 groups.Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to observe nuclear morphology.3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetra-zolium bromide(MTT)and flow cytometry assays were used to detect cell survival and apoptosis,respectively.The formation of subcu-taneous tumors in nude mice following injection of C13*cells was used to observe the formation and growth of ovarian cancer.Apop-tosis of cells in the subcutaneous tumor tissue was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling(TU-NEL)assay.Results:Laser scanning confocal microscopy showed that DT390-biTMTP1 and DT390-triTMTP1 induced nuclear shrinkage and fragmentation.The MTT assay showed that cell survival was obviously reduced with increasing concentrations of DT390-biTMTP1 and DT390-triTMTP1. Flow cytometry revealed that DT390-biTMTP1 and DT390-triTMTP1 significantly increased cell apoptosis (P<0.05).The apoptosis rates of the DT390-biTMTP1 and DT390-triTMTP1 groups were 66.0%±12.0% and 72.9%±4.6%,respectively.These were higher than the 55.5%±8.9% and 65.1%±9.8% obvserved in OV2008 cells.DT390-biTMTP1 and DT390-triTMTP1 significantly in-hibited the tumor formation (P<0.01) and growth (P<0.05), and increased apoptosis (P<0.05) of subcutaneous tumors. However, DT390-TMTP1 had insignificant effects on C13*and OV2008 cells.Conclusions:DT390-biTMTP1 and DT390-triTMTP1 preferentially tar-geted and inhibited ovarian cancer cells.These fusion proteins may be a promising strategy for clinical therapy of ovarian cancer.

Effect of THA on knee function and quality of life in RA patients / 中国综合临床

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of total hip arthroplasty ( THA) in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis ( HOA) and its effect on the quality of life of the patients. Methods Thirty?seven patients ( 42 hips) who underwent THA surgery in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2011 to December 2015 were enrolled in this study. The function of hip joint, hip joint activity and the quality of life of the patients and other indicators were observed before operation,at 3 months,6 months after operation. Results The Harris scores of 37 patients before operation, at 3 months, 6 months after operation were (72.0±7.4) points,(86.1±8.3) points,(45.8±9.5)points respectively,the difference was statistically significant among the three groups ( F=71. 302,P<0. 05) . At 3 months and 6 months after operation,the score significantly improved compared to that before operation ( P<0. 05);At 3 months and 6 months after operation,the angles of the hips in 37 patients were significantly improved ( F=144. 921,41. 195, 351. 648,372. 766, 317. 518, 226. 381, P<0. 05 ) . The hip function was evaluated at 6 months after the operation,and 37 patients (42 hips) were evaluated,26 hips (61. 90％) were excellent. 12 hips (28. 57％) were good,4 hips ( 9. 52％) were fine,and 0 poor hips. At 6 months after operation,the SF?36 scale evaluation of quality of life, body pain, emotional restrictions, mental health, physical limitations, activities, social activities, vitality,general health, physical health, mental health scores were significantly improved compared with the preoperative ones ( F=19. 731, 19. 142, 11. 303, 22. 63821. 563, 20. 936, 13. 372, 14. 985, 6. 773, 13. 028, P<0. 05) . Conclusion THA treatment for patients with HOA can significantly improve the function of the hip joint and improve the quality of life of the patients.

Retrospectively analysis of the difference of bleeding frequency and hemophilic arthropathy between hemophilia A and hemophilia B patients / 中华血液学杂志

Objective@#To analyze the difference of bleeding frequency, plain radiographic (X-ray) , risk factors in hemophilic arthropathy progression and the Arnold-Hilgartner classification.@*Methods@#A retrospective study was conducted in 211 hemophilia patients hospitalized in our medical center between January 2007 and December 2010, some patients with hemarthrosis were followed up for 5 years.@*Results@#All patients were male, including 150 hemophilia A (HA) and 61 hemophilia B (HB) . The HA patients bled more frequently than HB patients with annualized total bleeding rate 20.5 (0-48) vs 13 (1-40) ; annualized joint bleeding rate 13.5 (0-38) vs 8 (0-33) , especially in moderate hemophilia [26 (1-48) vs 12 (1-36) , P<0.001; 18 (0-36) vs 7.5 (0-26) , P=0.001], but severe hemophilia had no difference in bleeding frequency [33 (1-41) vs 26 (1-40) , P=0.702; 22 (0-36) vs 18 (0-33) , P=0.429]. The condition of the affected joints of 108 HA and 54 HB was evaluated on roentgenography. In HA patients, the Arnold-Hilgartner classification increased with the severity ratings (r=0.063, P=0.004) . However, similar associations were not found in HB patients (r=0.045, P=0.082) . Five years later, 36 HA and 19 HB patients received the same joint X-ray, there were no significant differences in joints radiographic progression between the total HA and HB groups (z=1.941, P=0.052) . However, significant difference between moderate HA and HB was observed (z=0.076, P=0.002) . Multivariate unconditioned Logistic analysis showed that annualized joint bleeding rate [P<0.001, OR=1.166 (95%CI 1.097-1.239) ] and articular structural injuries [P=0.018, OR=2.842 (95% CI 1.196-6.755) ] were independent risk factors for the joints radiographic progression.@*Conclusion@#The study suggests that there was a difference in bleeding phenotype between HA and HB, especially in moderate hemophilia. HB patients showed mild but progressive development over time, compared with HA patients. Annualized joint bleeding rate and articular structural injuries were independent risk factors for the joints radiographic progression.

Relative analysis of platelet activation with bleeding risk in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective@#To study the relationship between platelet activation and the degree of bleeding in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) .@*Methods@#43 patients with ITP were assessed based on ITP-BAT bleeding grading system. Platelet membrane glycoproteins (GP) Ⅰb, GPⅡb/Ⅲa and P-selectin expression were detected by flow cytometry analysis with and without adenosine diphosphate (ADP) stimulation. Association of platelet activation with platelet count, immature platelet fraction (IPF) , bleeding severity were evaluated.@*Results@#GPⅡb/Ⅲa and P-selection expressions on unstimulated platelet in ITP patients were higher than those in healthy controls (65.69±10.73 vs 7.16±0.99, t=4.130, P<0.001; 15.43±1.41 vs 12.55±1.03, t=2.070, P=0.043, respectively) , and GPⅠb expression was lower than that in healthy controls (240.11±24.93 vs 295.11±22.15, t=2.417, P=0.020) . Comparatively to healthy individuals, following ADP stimulation, GPⅡb/Ⅲa expression in ITP patients increased (133.96±12.17 vs 39.67±4.99, t=5.256, P<0.001) , whereas GPⅠb and P-selection expressions decreased (37.09±3.94 vs 109.77±23.66, t=3.901, P<0.001; 149.06±19.14 vs 205.73±21.00, t=2.070, P=0.043, respectively) . ADP-stimulated GPⅠb, ADP-stimulated and unstimulated P-selection, proportion of GPⅠb, P-selection levels with/without ADP stimulation were significantly associated with platelet counts (P<0.05) . ADP-stimulated P-selection and proportion of P-selection levels with/without ADP stimulation were significantly associated with IPF (P<0.05) . There were significant differences in the expressions of unstimulated P-selection, ADP-stimulated P-selection, ADP-stimulated GPⅠb stratified by bleeding grades (P<0.05) . The ratios of P-selection, GPⅡb/Ⅲa and GPⅠb with/without ADP stimulation in ITP patients were significantly different among various bleeding grades (P<0.05) . Higher proportion of GPⅠb with/without ADP stimulation was associated with higher risk of bleeding (OR=3.05, P=0.011) . Lower proportion of GPⅡb/Ⅲa and P-selection with/without ADP was associated with higher risk of bleeding (OR=0.32, P=0.023; OR=0.04, P=0.006, respectively) .@*Conclusion@#Platelet activation index could accurately assess the degree of bleeding in patients with ITP, and also be used as the observation index and reference index for treatment.

Clinical significance of Her2 pathological expression in breast and gastric cancer patients / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of Her2 pathological expression in the breast and gastric cancer patients for providing a reference for cancer prevention. Methods: Selected surgical resection specimens of 60 diagnosed in advanced gastric cancer and 60 diagnosed with advanced breast cancer from March 2009 to May 2014 in our hospital,all specimens were given the Her2 pathological expression of immunohistochemical analysis and investigation the clinical and pathological data. Results: The Her2 positive expression rates in the breast cancer and gastric cancer specimens were 40. 0% and 36. 7%,respectively that compared to no significant difference (P>0. 05). The Her2 expression was not related to the cancer patient’s age,histological type,and there were sig-nificantly correlated to the TNM stage and lymph node metastasis ( P<0. 05 ) . Spearman correlation analysis showed that Her2 expression in the breast cancer and gastric cancer were significant positive correlation to the Survivin, Bcl-2 expression ( P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion:Breast cancer and gastric cancer patients have shown high pathological expression of Her2,and are related to the TNM stage and lymph node metastasis, it may be through inhibited the apoptosis regulating proteins involved in the pathogenesis and metastasis of tumors.

Protective effects of caloric restriction on ovarian function / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To study the protective effects on ovarian function by caloric restriction (CR) and its mechanism.Methods Thirty female C57BL/6 mice of 8 weeks old were randomly divided into two groups,including ad libitum (AL) group and caloric restriction (CR) group.The general situation and ovarian function of those mice were compared and evaluated.Ovarian follicles were counted by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Anti-Miillerian Hormone(AMH) mRNA expression of the ovary were detected by using real-time PCR.The concentrations of serum estradiol,progesterone of the mice were measured by ELISA.And the fertility of mice by mating trials were evaluated,SIRT3,Hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and catalase (CAT) mRNA expression of the mice ovaries were detected by Real-Time PCR.Results The total follicles were 546 in CR mice and 286 in AL mice.The proportion of primordial follicles were 38.6％ (211/546)in ovaries of CR mice and 29.4％ (84/286)in ovaries of AL mice,which reached statistical difference.The proportion of atretic follicles 5.3％ (29/546) in ovaries of CR mice,compared with 16.8％ (48/286) in AL mice,was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05).The AMH mRNA expression in CR mice ovaries was 3.37 times of that of AL mice (P ＜ 0.05).The serum concentration of estradiol in CR mice was up to (5.3 ± 1.6) pmol/L,which was much higher than (3.6 ± 1.6) pmol/L in AL mice.While,the progesterone concentration of (0.4 ±0.3) nmol/L in CR mice was lower than (1.4 ± 0.8) nmol/L in AL mice (P ＜ 0.05).Fertility and survival of offsprings were both improved in CR mice.The expression level of SIRT3 mRNA in CR mice ovary was 1.39 times,CAT was 1.55 times and HIF-1 α was 0.31 times of those in AL mice (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Caloric restriction can delay the ovary aging process through reduce follicle depletion by suppressing follicle recruitment and ovulation.The function of ovarian reserve and reproductive endocrine was effectively protected.Caloric restriction can reduce the incidence of follicular atresia,its mechanism might be associated with anti-oxidative stress.

Suppression of EphB4 improves the inhibitory effect of mTOR shRNA on the biological behaviors of ovarian cancer cells by down-regulating Akt phosphorylation / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of suppression of EphB4 and/or mTOR on the biological behaviors of ovarian cancer cells, and the potential regulatory pathways. Antisense EphB4 vectors and shRNA vectors targeting mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were constructed and transfected into A2780 and SKOV3 cells (two ovarian cancer cell lines). The effects of the antisense EphB4 vectors and the shRNA vectors on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of ovarian cancer cells were measured, and the expression of EphB4, mTOR and Akt detected. The results showed that transfection with mTOR shRNA could inhibit growth, induce apoptosis, and reduce invasive ability of ovarian cancer cells, which was accompanied by downregulation of EphB4, mTOR and Akt. The inhibitory effects on cell growth caused by mTOR shRNA alone were weaker than those by antisense pEGFP-C1-EphB4. In the antisense pEGFP-C1-EphB4-transfected cells, it was found that EphB4 knockdown could decrease the mTOR expression and slightly reduce the Akt phosphorylation. Significant suppressive effects on cell growth were observed in cells co-transfected with antisense pEGFP-C1-EphB4 and mTOR shRNA. In co-transfection group, the expression levels of EphB4, mTOR and Akt were distinctly lower than those in other groups. It was concluded that suppression of EphB4 may inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer cells by downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and reverse Akt phosphorylation induced by mTOR shRNA. Inhibition of EphB4 and mTOR combined may cooperatively suppress the biological behaviors of ovarian cancer cells.

Suppression of EphB4 improves the inhibitory effect of mTOR shRNA on the biological behaviors of ovarian cancer cells by down-regulating Akt phosphorylation / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of suppression of EphB4 and/or mTOR on the biological behaviors of ovarian cancer cells, and the potential regulatory pathways. Antisense EphB4 vectors and shRNA vectors targeting mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were constructed and transfected into A2780 and SKOV3 cells (two ovarian cancer cell lines). The effects of the antisense EphB4 vectors and the shRNA vectors on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of ovarian cancer cells were measured, and the expression of EphB4, mTOR and Akt detected. The results showed that transfection with mTOR shRNA could inhibit growth, induce apoptosis, and reduce invasive ability of ovarian cancer cells, which was accompanied by downregulation of EphB4, mTOR and Akt. The inhibitory effects on cell growth caused by mTOR shRNA alone were weaker than those by antisense pEGFP-C1-EphB4. In the antisense pEGFP-C1-EphB4-transfected cells, it was found that EphB4 knockdown could decrease the mTOR expression and slightly reduce the Akt phosphorylation. Significant suppressive effects on cell growth were observed in cells co-transfected with antisense pEGFP-C1-EphB4 and mTOR shRNA. In co-transfection group, the expression levels of EphB4, mTOR and Akt were distinctly lower than those in other groups. It was concluded that suppression of EphB4 may inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer cells by downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and reverse Akt phosphorylation induced by mTOR shRNA. Inhibition of EphB4 and mTOR combined may cooperatively suppress the biological behaviors of ovarian cancer cells.

New way for medical graduate students to collect and manage academic literature in the web 2.0 era / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Most academic information appears in the database and academic websites;in rencent years the blog and podcast also transmit academic information.Medical graduates need to check new information regularly after busy routine work,but how to effectively collect and manage academic information is a problem.This paper describes the new strategies and methods for them to use.

Proteasome inhibitors sensitize ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To explore the sensitivity and the molecular mechanism of cisplatinresistance ovarian cancer cell line C13 to proteasome inhibitors and the combination with cisplatin. Methods After different treatments, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was applied to examine the cell viability, annexin-V/propidium iodide(PI) apoptosis detection kit was used to determine the apoptosis rate of different groups, western blot assay was introduced to evaluate the expression levels of Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme inhibitory protein (cFLIPs), and the activity of caspase-8 was examined. Results MTT assay shown that the cell viability ratios of combination group at serial time points from 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 hours were ( 56.0 ± 8.4 ) %, (44.7 ± 7.3 ) %, ( 33.7 ±11.2) %, (27.6 ± 8.0) %, (27. 6 ± 7.6) % and (28.1 ± 2.4) %, which were much lower than those of cisplatin group (P <0.05). After treated for 24 hours, apoptosis rates of cisplatin group, bortezomib group and combination group were ( 16.7 ± 1.7) %, (23.4 ± 2.1 ) % and (26.9 ± 1.6) %, respectively. The rate of combination group was much higher than that of non-treated group and that of cisplatin group or bortezomib group ( P < 0.05 ). Western blot assay showed the changes of expression levels of cFLIPs, which were downregulated seriously after cisplatin, bortezomib or combination treatment [ (43.2 ± 2.3 )% vs( 75.7 ± 3.0)%vs (67.9 ± 2.1 ) %, P < 0.05 ]. The caspase-8 activity of combination group was (5.6 ± 1.6) folds than that of non-treated group, which was higher than those of other two groups [ ( 2.3 ± 1.0) and (4.2 ± 0.9 ) folds,P < 0.05 ]. Conclusions The tumor cell lethal effect of cisplatin could be increase significantly by the combination application of proteasome inhibitors, bortezomib. And the cFLIPs/caspase-8 signaling pathway may be play an important role in the molecular mechanism of the combination treatment.

Effect of Mad2 on paclitaxel-induced cell death in ovarian cancer cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In this article, the status of spindle assembly checkpoint and the alteration of its major component, Mad2 protein level were examined in A2780 and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell lines. Recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pEGFP-Mad2 was transfected into paclitaxel-resistant SKOV3 cells and Mad2 protein was knocked down by Mad2-specific siRNA in paclitaxel-sensitive A2780 cells. Then the expression level of Mad2 gene was detected by Western blotting. Flow cytometry revealed that SKOV3 cells were not fully arrested in G(2)/M phase in contrast to A2780 cells in the presence of paclitaxel. However, paclitaxel sensitivity assay showed that sensitivity to paclitaxel was reversed after the transfection in both cell lines in terms of number of cells arrested at G(2)/M phase and the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly changed. These results suggest that weakened spindle checkpoint with reduced expression of Mad2 is associated with resistance to paclitaxel in ovarian cells and Bcl-2 may be involved in this process.

Effect of spindle checkpoint on Akt2-mediated paclitaxel-resistance in A2780 ovarian cancer cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Recent evidence has suggested that Akt2 plays an important role in the protection of cells from paclitaxel (PTX)-induced apoptosis and control of the cell cycle. In addition, some scholars suggested that the PTX sensitivity depends on a functional spindle assembly checkpoint. In the present study, we investigated the role of the Akt2/Bub1 cross-talking in apoptosis and cell cycle after exposure of the A2780 ovarian cancer cells to paclitaxel (PTX). Recombinant expression plasmid WT-Akt2 was transfected into A2780 cells by lipofectamine2000, and then the expression level of Akt2 gene was detected by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining after treatment with PTX. Moreover, we compared the expression level of Bub1 in different groups by Western blotting. Our study showed that up-regulation of Akt2 contributed to A2780 ovarian cancer cells overriding PTX-induced G(2)/M arrest, and inhibited Bub1 expression. Our findings might shed light on the molecular mechanism of PTX-induced resistance in ovarian cancer and help develop novel anti-neoplastic strategies.

Construction and identification of a yeast two-hybrid bait vector and its effect on the growth of yeast cells and the self-activating function of reporter genes for screening of HPV18 E6-interacting protein / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

By using a yeast two-hybrid system, a yeast two-hybrid bait vector was constructed and identified for screening of the HPV18 E6-interacting proteins, and its effects on the growth of yeast cells and the activation of reporter genes were investigated. Total mRNA extracted from Hela cells was reversely transcribed into cDNA. Fragment of HPV18 E6 cDNA was amplified using RT-PCR and directly ligated to the pGBKT7 vector. The recombinant plasmid was confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA sequencing. The recombinant pGBKT7-HPV18 E6 plasmid and empty pGBKT7 vector were transformed into the yeast cell AH109, respectively. After they were cultured respectively in YPDA liquid medium and nutrition-deficient culture medium, their toxicity and transcriptional activation were tested by both the phenotype assay and the color assay. The bait plasmid HPV18 E6 was successfully obtained. After being cultured in YPDA liquid medium for 16h, the A (600 nm) values of two yeast fluids were 0.98+/-0.03 and 0.99+/-0.02, respectively. The recombinant pGBKT7-HPV18 E6 plasmid and empty pGBKT7 vector could grow to white colonies on SD/-Trp/X-alpha-gal plates, while no colony could survive on SD/-His/-Trp/X-alpha-gal, SD/-Ade/-Trp/X-alpha-gal plates, indicating that the bait plasmid pGBKT7-HPV18 E6 was constructed successfully and expressed correctly, and could not activate the transcription of reporter gene alone. The yeast two-hybrid GAL4 system 3 can be utilized to find HPV18 E6 interacting proteins.