Applying FAIR4RS principles to develop an integrated modeling environment for the magnetic confinement fusion.

Over the decades, the integrated modeling (IM) environment for magnetically confined fusion has evolved from a single, isolated, proprietary numerical computing software to an open, flexible platform emphasizing sharing, communication, and workflow. This development direction is consistent with the FAIR4RS principles put forward by the scientific community in recent years. In this article, we describe how the FAIR4RS principles were put into practice during the development of the IM management tool FyDev for the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). FyDev integrates the process of building, deploying, and invoking research software, automating the entire process. FyDev can also assign a unique ID for each software, convert the software ID to a Python module, and encapsulate a package management tool to enhance the software building process, ensuring consistency throughout the entire phase of the research software find, access, use, and invocation in a uniform contextual environment.

Realization of thousand-second improved confinement plasma with Super I-mode in Tokamak EAST.

Mastering nuclear fusion, which is an abundant, safe, and environmentally competitive energy, is a great challenge for humanity. Tokamak represents one of the most promising paths toward controlled fusion. Obtaining a high-performance, steady-state, and long-pulse plasma regime remains a critical issue. Recently, a big breakthrough in steady-state operation was made on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). A steady-state plasma with a world-record pulse length of 1056 s was obtained, where the density and the divertor peak heat flux were well controlled, with no core impurity accumulation, and a new high-confinement and self-organizing regime (Super I-mode = I-mode + e-ITB) was discovered and demonstrated. These achievements contribute to the integration of fusion plasma technology and physics, which is essential to operate next-step devices.

Correlation between food-specific IgG antibodies and phenotypes of chronic spontaneous urticaria / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between food-specific IgG (sIgG) antibodies and phenotypes of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) .Methods:Serum samples were collected from outpatients with active CSU, symptomatic dermographism (SD) , or acute urticaria (AU) , and healthy controls from 5 third-grade class-A hospitals such as the First Hospital of China Medical University between April 2014 and March 2015. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to detect serum levels of 90 food-sIgG antibodies and total IgE, Western blot analysis to detect levels of 20 allergen-specific IgE antibodies, and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay to detect levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase IgG antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin IgG antibodies. Comparisons of normally distributed quantitative data between two groups and among several groups were performed by t test and one-way analysis of variance, respectively; comparisons of non-normally distributed quantitative data between two groups were performed by Mann-Whitney U test; for comparisons of proportions, chi-square test and Fisher′s exact test were used. Results:A total of 248 patients with CSU, 22 with SD, 15 with AU and 13 healthy controls were recruited. The cut-off level for sIgG positivity was 100 U/ml (at least 2+) , and the positive rate of food-sIgG antibodies was slightly higher in the patients with CSU (176/248, 70.97%) , SD (15/22, 68.18%) and AU (11/15) than in the healthy controls (7/13; χ2 = 1.80, P = 0.615) . Among the 248 CSU patients, the proportion of patients with family history of allergic diseases was significantly higher in the sIgG-positive group (71/176, 40.34%) than in the sIgG-negative group (19/72, 26.39%; χ2 = 4.30, P = 0.042) , while no significant difference was observed in the 1-day urticaria activity score (UASday) between the two groups ( Z = 0.18, P = 0.859) . Totally, 177 CSU patients completed 12- to 40-week treatment; their condition could be completely controlled by second-generation H1-antihistamines, and there was no significant difference in the required dosage of second-generation H1-antihistamines between the sIgG-positive group (128 cases) and sIgG-negative group (49 cases; Z = -1.06, P = 0.298) . Conclusions:The prevalence of family history of allergic diseases was relatively high in food-sIgG-positive patients with CSU. However, food-sIgG could not be used as an indicator to reflect the disease activity of CSU and treatment response.

A Case of Chromoblastomycosis Caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi Successfully Treated by Oral Itraconazole Together with Terbinafine.

Patients with chromoblastomycosis (CBM) usually have a history of local skin damage related to outdoor activities, mainly manifested as chronic refractory proliferative pathologic changes. We report a case of a 56-year-old man with CBM, identified as Fonsecaea pedrosoi infection by fungal culture and gene sequencing. This patient was successfully treated with a regimen of oral itraconazole (ITZ) and terbinafine lasting 7 months. Through in vitro drug sensitivity tests, minimum inhibitory concentrations of amphotericin, ITZ, and terbinafine were 1 µg/ml, 0.25 µg/ml, and 1 µg/ml, respectively. In this case, terbinafine was found to be more effective than ITZ.

[Clinical efficacy of biofeedback and electrical stimulation combined with prostate massage in the treatment of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of biofeedback and electrical stimulation combined with prostate massage on chronic prostatitis /chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). METHODS: A total of 76 cases of diagnosed CP/CPPS were randomly divided into groups A (n = 20), treated by prostatic massage twice a week, B (n = 20), treated by biofeedback and electrical stimulation 5 times a week, and C (n = 20) treated by biofeedback and electrical stimulation 5 times a week combined with prostatic massage twice a week, all for 14 days. Another 16 cases were included in group D as controls left untreated. NIH-CPSI scores were obtained before and at 30 days after treatment and compared among different groups of the patients. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the patients in groups A, B and C showed significant decreases after treatment in the NIH-CPSI scores for pain (ï¼»13.55 ± 2.37ï¼½ vs ï¼»10.85 ± 2.28ï¼½, ï¼»13.40 ± 2.28ï¼½ vs ï¼»10.60 ± 2.23ï¼½, and ï¼»13.70 ± 3.42ï¼½ vs ï¼»8.65 ± 1.69ï¼½), urinary symptoms (ï¼»5.50 ± 1.43ï¼½ vs ï¼»3.65 ± 1.27ï¼½, ï¼»5.65 ± 1.31ï¼½ vs ï¼»3.95 ± 1.28ï¼½, and ï¼»5.40 ± 1.35ï¼½ vs ï¼»2.95 ± 1.28ï¼½), quality of life (ï¼»8.70 ± 1.81ï¼½ vs ï¼»6.90 ± 1.71ï¼½, ï¼»8.90 ± 1.12ï¼½ vs ï¼»5.80 ± 1.85ï¼½, and ï¼»8.95 ± 1.47ï¼½ vs ï¼»4.35 ± 1.53ï¼½) and the total NIH-CPSI scores (ï¼»27.75 ± 2.65ï¼½ vs ï¼»21.40 ± 3.03ï¼½, ï¼»27.95 ± 3.24ï¼½ vs ï¼»20.35 ± 3.95ï¼½, and ï¼»28.05 ± 3.78ï¼½ vs ï¼»15.95 ± 2.41ï¼½) (P < 0.05). Even more remarkable reduction was observed in the total NIH-CPSI scores in group C than in A and B (P < 0.05), but with no statistically significant difference between groups A and B (P > 0.05) or in the control group before and after the treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Biofeedback and electrical stimulation combined with prostate massage has a synergistic effect on CP/CPPS by alleviating pain and urinary symptoms and improving the quality of life.

Clinical treatment of chronic actinic dermatitis with the drugs combined Prinsepia utilis oil and purslane moisturizer and sunscreen cream / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of drug combined moisturizerand sunscreen with Prinsepia utilis oil and purslane in the treatment of chronic actinic dermatitis.Methods:From May 2017 to August 2018, 216 cases of chronic actinic dermatitis admitted to the Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University were divided into 4 groups. The 54 cases of control group was treated by oral administration of ebaxtin discontinued and hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets for 4 weeks. The external use of desonide cream for 2 weeks. On this basis, the 56 cases of first treatment group used topical moisturizer twice a day, and topical sunscreen once a day; only topical moisturizer was used in 54 cases of second treatment group, twice a day; the 52 cases of third treatment group only used topical sunscreen once a day. Patients were followed up at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after treatment, respectively. The eczema area and severity index were detected to evaluate curative effect, and skin lesions water, trans epidermal water loss and content of lipid in the four groups of patients; reflective confocal microscope was used to observe the inflammatory reaction, blood vessels in skin lesions and so on.Results:After 6 weeks treatment, the efficacy rate of 54 cases in the first treatment group (85.2%) was significantly higher than that of 56 cases in the second treatment group (62.5%), 54 cases in the third treatment group (64.8%), 52 cases in the control group (50.0%), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Non-invasive skin test results showed that the transepidermal water loss of the three groups was 16.42±8.64, 21.59±12.34 and 19.79±11.79, respectively, which was significantly lower than that before treatment (38.76±12.59, 38.37±14.48, 39.2±13.93). and the skin water content (42.15±10.25, 35.5±12.91, 33.42±12.83) and lipid content (37.96±11.16, 31.5±8.31, 34.09±12.51), compared with the pre-treatment skin water content (21.30±11.04, 16.86±10.88, 14.73±12.00) and lipid content (13.64±10.10, 15.67±12.60, 9.42±7.75) significantly increased, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The improvement of spongiosis (0.97±0.68), disruption of honycomb pattern and (0.82±0.77) and vascular dilatation (1.03±0.73) under reflective confocal microscope was better in first treatment than that in the second treatment (1.51±0.56, 1.0±0.77, 1.31±0.68). and the third treatment (1.35±0.85, 1.35±0.85, 0.97±0.80), and the control group (1.85±0.74, 1.85±0.74, 1.53±0.61). The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Compared with the second treatment, the third treatment and control group, transepidermal water loss in the first treatment was significantly decreased, and epidermal water content and lipid content were significantly increased, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The efficacy of drugs combined with moisturizer and sunscreen in the treatment of chronic actinic dermatitis is significantly better than that of simple drug therapy and drugs with topical moisturizer or sunscreen. It suggests that in the treatment of chronic actinic dermatitis, it is not only necessary to be anti-inflammatory, anti-photosensitive treatment, but also need to pay attention to moisturize and sun protection.

[Transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate combined with Jisheng Shenqi Decoction for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical effects of transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) combined with Jisheng Shenqi Decoction (HoLEP + JSSD) on BPH. METHODS: This study included 110 BPH patients treated in our hospital from August 2017 to April 2018, who were randomly assigned to receive HoLEP (n = 55) or HoLEP + JSSD (n = 55). We compared the pre- and post-operative IPSS, quality of life (QOL) score, prostate volume, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), average urinary flow rate (Qavg) and levels of serum T, E2 and T/E2 as well as postoperative complications between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: After treatment, both IPSS and QOL score were significantly lower in the HoLEP + JSSD than in the HoLEP group (P < 0.05), and so were the prostate volume and PVR (P < 0.05). The Qmax, Qavg and serum T level were significantly higher (P < 0.05) while T/E2 markedly lower in the former than in the latter group (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the HoLEP + JSSD and HoLEP groups in the E2 level (P > 0.05) or the total incidence rate of complications postoperatively (21.82% vs 29.09%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HoLEP + JSSD can significantly alleviate the lower urinary tract symptoms as well as improve the QOL and bladder and urinary tract functions of BPH patients.

Transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate combined with Jisheng Shenqi Decoction for benign prostatic hyperplasia / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To assess the clinical effects of transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) combined with Jisheng Shenqi Decoction (HoLEP + JSSD) on BPH.@*METHODS@#This study included 110 BPH patients treated in our hospital from August 2017 to April 2018, who were randomly assigned to receive HoLEP (n = 55) or HoLEP + JSSD (n = 55). We compared the pre- and post-operative IPSS, quality of life (QOL) score, prostate volume, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), average urinary flow rate (Qavg) and levels of serum T, E2 and T/E2 as well as postoperative complications between the two groups of patients.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, both IPSS and QOL score were significantly lower in the HoLEP + JSSD than in the HoLEP group (P 0.05) or the total incidence rate of complications postoperatively (21.82% vs 29.09%, P > 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#HoLEP + JSSD can significantly alleviate the lower urinary tract symptoms as well as improve the QOL and bladder and urinary tract functions of BPH patients.

[Clinical observation on treatment of type 2 cardiac and kidney syndrome by combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicines].

Clinical observation on treatment of type 2 cardiac and kidney syndrome by combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The patients were divided into two groups： the simple Western medicine treatment group (control group) and the traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine treatment group (treatment group). The patients in the two groups were treated with conventional western medicine.The treatment group was given based on Buxin Yishen decoction, a total of three courses of treatment to observe the two groups of patients before and after treatment of total efficacy, cardiac function indicators, changes in renal function indicators. The total efficacy of the treatment group and the control group were 91.80% and 72.41%, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (P<0.01). The cardiac function indexes and renal function indexes of the treatment group and the control group before and after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the two groups, the left ventricular function, Hematuria natriuretic peptide, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, cystatin-C were improved, and the treatment group (P<0.05~0.01). The results showed that the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment can improve the clinical efficacy of type 2 heart and kidney syndrome, significantly improve heart and kidney function, better than conventional Western medicine treatment, and has good safety.

Clinical observation on treatment of type 2 cardiac and kidney syndrome by combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicines / 中国中药杂志

Clinical observation on treatment of type 2 cardiac and kidney syndrome by combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The patients were divided into two groups： the simple Western medicine treatment group (control group) and the traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine treatment group (treatment group). The patients in the two groups were treated with conventional western medicine.The treatment group was given based on Buxin Yishen decoction, a total of three courses of treatment to observe the two groups of patients before and after treatment of total efficacy, cardiac function indicators, changes in renal function indicators. The total efficacy of the treatment group and the control group were 91.80% and 72.41%, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (P<0.01). The cardiac function indexes and renal function indexes of the treatment group and the control group before and after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the two groups, the left ventricular function, Hematuria natriuretic peptide, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, cystatin-C were improved, and the treatment group (P<0.05~0.01). The results showed that the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment can improve the clinical efficacy of type 2 heart and kidney syndrome, significantly improve heart and kidney function, better than conventional Western medicine treatment, and has good safety.

Clinical Retrospective Dermatology Study on 169 Cases of Chronic Actinic Dermatitis / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective To investigate clinical features of chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) in Kunming of Yunnan Province.Methods From October 2008 to October 2013,CAD in-patients in our hospital were selected and their general conditions,outcomes of photo-sensitive test and photo-patch test were analyzed in details.Results (1) Among 169 CAD patients,gender ratio (male:female) was 8.9:1.The lesions were mainly distributed on the exposed areas.(2) Photo-sensitive tests of 93 patients showed that the average value of UVA-MPPDwas 7.39 JPcm2 and that of UVB-MED was 20.91 mJPcm2.(3) The results of photo-patch test in 83 patients showed that 48 patients (67.8％) had positive reactions in patch test,and the most common contactant was balsam peru.Fifty-eight patients (69.9％) had positive reactions in photo-patch test indicating that the most common contactant in photo-patch test was balsam peru.Conclusions CAD appears mostly in the middle aged and the aged males and the lesions are mainly distributed on exposed areas.The most common contactants in photo-patch test are balsam peru and perfumed compounds.

Clinical Features of Adult/Adolescent Atopic Dermatitis and Chinese Criteria for Atopic Dermatitis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by chronic recurrent dermatitis with profound itching. Most patients have personal and/or family history of atopic diseases. Several criteria have been proposed for the diagnosis of AD. Although the clinical features of childhood AD have been widely studied, there has been less large-scale study on adult/adolescent AD. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of adult/adolescent patients with chronic symmetrical eczema/AD and to propose Chinese diagnostic criteria for adult/adolescent AD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A hospital-based study was performed. Forty-two dermatological centers participated in this study. Adult and adolescent patients (12 years and over) with chronic symmetrical eczema or AD were included in this study. Questionnaires were completed by both patients and investigators. The valid questionnaires were analyzed using EpiData 3.1 and SPSS 17.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 2662 valid questionnaires were collected (1369 male and 1293 female). Of all 2662 patients, 2062 (77.5%) patients had the disease after 12 years old, while only 600 (22.5%) patients had the disease before 12 years old, suggesting late-onset eczema/AD is common. Two thousand one hundred and thirty-nine (80.4%) patients had the disease for more than 6 months. One thousand one hundred and forty-four (43.0%) patients had a personal and/or family history of atopic diseases. One thousand five hundred and forty-eight (58.2%) patients had an elevated total serum IgE and/or eosinophilia and/or positive allergen-specific IgE. Based on these clinical and laboratory features, we proposed Chinese criteria for adult/adolescent AD. Of all 2662 patients, 60.3% were satisfied with our criteria, while only 48.2% satisfied with Hanifin Rajka criteria and 32.7% satisfied with Williams criteria, suggesting a good sensitivity of our criteria in adult/adolescent AD patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Late-onset of eczema or AD is common. The clinical manifestations of AD are heterogeneous. We have proposed Chinese diagnostic criteria for adolescent and adult AD, which are simple and sensitive for diagnosis of adult/adolescent AD.</p>

Therapeutic effects of hydroxychloroquine combined with butyli flufenamatum ointment and other drugs for the treatment of polymorphous light eruption: a comparison study / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine combined with butyli flufenamatum ointment and other drugs for the treatment of polymorphous light eruption (PLE).Methods A total of 48 patients with PLE were randomly and equally classified into group 1 and group 2.Both groups took hydroxychloroquine 200 mg twice a day and loratadine 10 mg per day for the initial 4 weeks,then took hydroxychloroquine 100 mg twice a day alone for another 4 weeks.Group 1 also topically applied butyli flufenamatum ointment twice a day during the 8 weeks,while group 2 applied mometasone furoate cream twice a day for the first 2 weeks followed by butyli flufenamatum ointment twice a day for another 6 weeks.Each treatment cycle lasted 2 weeks,and both groups received 4 cycles of treatment.Patients were evaluated for the response rate at the end of each cycle,and for the total symptom score and erythema score before and after the 8-week treatment.Statistical analysis was carried out using t test,chi-square test,Fisher's exact test and repeated-measures analysis of variance with the SPSS17.0 software.Results On day 14,28,42 and 56,the total score improved in 0,3,12 and 19 patients in group 1 respectively,and in 1,4,12 and 20 patients in group 2 respectively;the erythema score improved in 1,5,13 and 18 patients in group 1 respectively,and in 0,5,11 and 17 patients in group 2 respectively.No significant difference was observed between the two groups in response rates at any of the above four time points (P ＞ 0.05).Both the total score and erythema score significantly decreased after the 8-week treatment in both groups compared with the pretreatment scores (both P ＜ 0.05).No serious adverse reaction was observed in either of the two groups.Conclusions Hydroxychloroquine combined with loratadine and butyli flufenamatum ointment shows high efficacy and safety for the treatment of PLE.Topical butyli flufenamatum ointment is highly effective for the treatment of PLE,especially for PLE cases mainly presenting with erythema.

Genetic Variation of Taenia Pisiformis Collected from Sichuan, China, Based on the Mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene

Taenia pisiformis is one of the most important parasites of canines and rabbits. T. pisiformis cysticercus (the larval stage) causes severe damage to rabbit breeding, which results in huge economic losses. In this study, the genetic variation of T. pisiformis was determined in Sichuan Province, China. Fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) (922 bp) gene were amplified in 53 isolates from 8 regions of T. pisiformis. Overall, 12 haplotypes were found in these 53 cytb sequences. Molecular genetic variations showed 98.4% genetic variation derived from intra-region. F(ST) and Nm values suggested that 53 isolates were not genetically differentiated and had low levels of genetic diversity. Neutrality indices of the cytb sequences showed the evolution of T. pisiformis followed a neutral mode. Phylogenetic analysis revealed no correlation between phylogeny and geographic distribution. These findings indicate that 53 isolates of T. pisiformis keep a low genetic variation, which provide useful knowledge for monitoring changes in parasite populations for future control strategies.

Contribution of HOGG1 Ser³²6Cys polymorphism to the development of prostate cancer in smokers: meta-analysis of 2779 cases and 3484 controls.

The HOGG1 gene catalyzes the excision of modified bases and removal of DNA damage adducts. It may play an important role in the prevention of carcinogenesis. Ser³²6Cys polymorphism localizes in exon 7 of the hOGG1 gene. It takes the form of an amino acid substitution, from serine to cysteine, in codon 326. Several epidemiological association studies have been conducted on this polymorphism and its relationship with the risk of prostate cancer. However, results have been conflicting. To resolve this conflict, we conducted a meta-analysis on the association between this polymorphism and prostate cancer, taking into account race, country, sources of controls, and smoking status. A total of nine studies covering 2779 cases and 3484 controls were included in the current meta-analysis. Although no significant association was found between hOGG1 Ser³²6Cys polymorphism and prostate cancer susceptibility in the pooled analysis, individuals with Ser/Cys+Cys/Cys genotypes were found to have greater risk of prostate cancer if they were also smokers (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.58-4.47) rather than non-smokers (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.13-4.19), compared with those with Ser/Ser genotype. In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrates that hOGG1 Ser³²6Cys polymorphism is a risk factor for prostate cancer in smokers. Further studies are needed to confirm this relationship.

[The study of anti-tumor activities of DC vaccine loaded with multi-epotipes of survivin].

AIM: To observe the anti-tumor activity of dendritic cell (DC)vaccine loaded with multi-epitopes of survivin. METHODS: The recombinant plasmid pPIRESneo3.0-survivin (4)/Th which include four survivin HLA-A2-restricted CD8(+); CTL epitopes and a CD4(+);Th epitope, pPIRESneo3.0-survivin (4) which include four survivin CD8(+); CTL epitopes, were transfected into human dendritic cells respectively. There were five groups, which included survivin(4)/Th group, survivin(4)group, empty plasmid group, untransfected group and T lymphocytes group The expression of CD83 and CD86 on the surface of DCs, the expression of CD4 and CD8a on the surface of T lymphocytes, the apoptotic rates of MCF-7 cells after treated by DC vaccine were measured by flow cytometry; IFN-γ levels of all groups were detected by ELISA and the growth inhibition of MCF-7 cells after being treated with DC vaccine was tested by MTT colorimetry. RESULTS: The results of flow cytometry revealed that high levels CD83 and CD86 were expressed on the surface of DCs; high levels CD4 and CD8a were expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes; the IFN-γ levels in survivin(4)/Th group [(66.50±3.34)ng/L]were significantly higher than that in survivin(4)group[(46.10±1.35)ng/L], empty plasmid group[(25.17±0.32)ng/L], untransfected group [(25.47±0.95)ng/L] or T lymphocytes group[(23.73±0.50)ng/L](P<0.05). The inhibition rate of MCF-7 cells in survivin(4)/Th group was significantly higher than that in survivin(4)group, empty plasmid group, untransfected group or T lymphocytes group(P<0.05). The apoptotic rate of MCF-7 cells in survivin(4)/Th group was (10.63±0.29)% after treated by DC vaccine, which was significantly higher than that in in survivin(4)group, empty plasmid group, untransfected group or T lymphocytes group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The DCs vaccine loaded with multi- CD8(+); CTL epitopes of survivin has strong anti-tumor effects. CD4(+); Th cells can promote the anti-tumor activity of CD8(+);CTL.

[Construction of the eukaryotic expression vector encoding multi-epitope fusion protein of human survivin and its expression in dendritic cells].

AIM: To construct a eukaryotic expression vector encoding the multi-epitope fusion protein of human survivin, and express it in human dendritic cells. METHODS: Recombinant cDNA sequence encoding four HLA-A2-restricted CD8+ CTL epitopes and a CD4+ Th epitope was synthesized and cloned into pBluescript II SK (+) vector. After confirmed by sequencing, the cDNA fragment was inserted to eukaryotic expression vector pIRESneo3.0 to generate the recombinant plasmid pPIRESneo3.0-survivin (4)/Th. The pPIRESneo3.0-survivin (4)/Th was then transfected into human dendritic cells and the transfectants were selected for stable expression. RESULTS: The eukaryotic expression vector encoding the multi-epitope fusion protein of survivin was constructed, and successfully transfected into human dendritic cells. CONCLUSION: The eukaryotic expression vector encoding the multi-epitope fusion protein of survivin has been constructed successfully, and stably expressed in human dendritic cells, which provides clues for further research on multi-epitope cancer vaccine.

Comparative evaluation of two laparoscopic procedures for treating common bile duct stones.

Cholesystolithiasis is often associated with common bile duct stones (CBDS). In order to assess the choice of surgery in terms of effectiveness and complications in the treatment of CBDS, we have compared three surgical procedures, viz., laparoscopic choledocholithotomy T-tube drainage (LCH-TD), laparoscopic cholecystectomy with endoscopic sphincterotomy (LC-EST), and the traditional open choledocholithotomy with T-tube drainage (OCHTD). This study is a retrospective comparative analysis of LCH-TD (77 patients), LC-EST (43 patients), and OCHTD (60 patients) for CBDS. The success of the surgical procedures was assessed in terms of recovery duration, hospitalization, and post-operative complications. Both the micro-invasive procedures, LCH-TD and LC-EST, with a success rate of 92.5%, are found to be superior to the traditional OCHTD. Between the two micro-invasive procedures, patients in LCH-TD group had shorter operation time and hospital stay, and fewer post-operative complications. Although the size of the stones is comparable between these two groups, the CBD diameter was significantly larger in patients who underwent LCH-TD. In comparison to OCHTD, both LCH-TD and LC-EST are micro-invasive, safe, and suitable for routine use in patients with CBDS. Moreover, when the CBD diameter is wider than 1 cm, LCH-TD is strongly advocated.

[Modulation of histone acetylation and induction of apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells by phenylhexyl isothiocyanate].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of phenylhexyl isothiocyanate (PHI) on histone acetylation and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (SMMC-7721) in vitro. METHODS: The viability of SMMC-7721 cells was determined by trypan blue exclusion. Apoptotic cells were assessed by TUNEL assay. The proteins of Bcl-2, Procaspase-9, Procaspase-8, Procaspase-3, caspase-9, caspase-3, histone acetylated H3 and H4 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the vehicle control, PHI at 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 µmol/L reduced the cell viability of SMMC-7721 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. PHI induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells. An increased amount of apoptotic cells was detected after 7 hours exposure to PHI at 10, 20, and 40 µmol/L, 6.9% ± 2.4%, 17.5% ± 4.2% and 54.5% ± 5.4%, respectively, while that of the vehicle control was 4.5% ± 2.3% (P < 0.05). Along with the prolongation of time and increase of dose, the expressions of bcl-2, procaspase-9, procaspase-3 were decreased, that of caspase-9 and caspase-3 was increased. In contrast, alteration of procaspase-8 was not significant at those concentrations. PHI accumulated acetylated histone H3 and H4. After 3 hours exposure to PHI at 10, 20 and 40 µmol/L, the level of histone acetylated H3 was 1.87-, 2.43-, 3.67-fold increased and histone acetylated H4 was 1.29-, 1.45-, and 2.25-fold increased, compared with that of the vehicle control. The protein of histone acetylated H3 and H4 was significantly accumulated after 7 hours exposure. CONCLUSION: PHI is a new histone deacetylation inhibitor. It may induce accumulation of histone acetylation H3 and H4, inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells via the mitochondrial pathway.

Modulation of histone acetylation and induction of apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells by phenylhexyl isothiocyanate / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of phenylhexyl isothiocyanate (PHI) on histone acetylation and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (SMMC-7721) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The viability of SMMC-7721 cells was determined by trypan blue exclusion. Apoptotic cells were assessed by TUNEL assay. The proteins of Bcl-2, Procaspase-9, Procaspase-8, Procaspase-3, caspase-9, caspase-3, histone acetylated H3 and H4 were detected by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the vehicle control, PHI at 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 µmol/L reduced the cell viability of SMMC-7721 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. PHI induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells. An increased amount of apoptotic cells was detected after 7 hours exposure to PHI at 10, 20, and 40 µmol/L, 6.9% ± 2.4%, 17.5% ± 4.2% and 54.5% ± 5.4%, respectively, while that of the vehicle control was 4.5% ± 2.3% (P < 0.05). Along with the prolongation of time and increase of dose, the expressions of bcl-2, procaspase-9, procaspase-3 were decreased, that of caspase-9 and caspase-3 was increased. In contrast, alteration of procaspase-8 was not significant at those concentrations. PHI accumulated acetylated histone H3 and H4. After 3 hours exposure to PHI at 10, 20 and 40 µmol/L, the level of histone acetylated H3 was 1.87-, 2.43-, 3.67-fold increased and histone acetylated H4 was 1.29-, 1.45-, and 2.25-fold increased, compared with that of the vehicle control. The protein of histone acetylated H3 and H4 was significantly accumulated after 7 hours exposure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PHI is a new histone deacetylation inhibitor. It may induce accumulation of histone acetylation H3 and H4, inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells via the mitochondrial pathway.</p>