A Case of Pseudothrombocytopenia due to Pre-Analytical Issues Revealed by the Presence of Fibrin in a Blood Film.

BACKGROUND: Pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP) can be caused by anticoagulants or pre-analytical issues. The authors present a case of PTCP attributed to pre-analytical issues in a 68-year-old male patient. METHODS: The platelet count results were obtained using both the impedance and fluorescence channels of Sysmex XN-10. The blood film was scanned using both Cellavision DM96 and a microscope. RESULTS: The flag for PLT-Clumps and the scattergram from the PLT-F channel indicated the presence of platelet aggregation. Fibrin could be observed at the feathered end of the blood film. A diagnosis of PTCP resulting from pre-analytical issues was made. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of fibrin in a blood film is a critical indicator for diagnosing PTCP due to pre-analytical issues.

Clinical manifestations, immunological features and prognosis of Chinese pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus: A single-center study.

AIM: Since there are only a few reports on pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) in Chinese populations, therefore we retrospectively report the clinical and immunological features as well as renal outcome in Chinese pSLE. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with pSLE at Shanghai Children's Medical Center between 2001 and 2016 were evaluated and clinical data were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: A total of 102 pSLE patients were analyzed. Renal disorder including proteinuria (81.37%) and hematuria (65.69%) were most commonly identified. Class IV was the most common finding on renal biopsy. In lupus nephritis (LN), 67.21%, 78.0%, 86.0% and 94.55% achieved complete remission within 6, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively. Furthermore, 16.67% of LN patients suffered at least one renal flare. Antinuclear antibodies were detected in nearly all patients (97.62%), followed by anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies (70.0%) and anti-Sjögren's syndrome A (anti-SSA) antibodies (60.64%). Oral corticosteroid (93.14%) and mycophenolate mofetil (64.71%) was used in the majority of patients. Infection (32.35%) was the main side effect caused by the medications. CONCLUSIONS: Our population-based pSLE cohort indicated that compared to other international cohorts, there was a higher prevalence of LN in Chinese pSLE. Proteinuria was the most frequent manifestation both at disease onset and during the entire clinical course. Class IV LN was the dominant renal pathological type. Nevertheless, there was a favorable renal remission rate and relatively low incidence of renal flare in our cohort. Apart from antinuclear antibodies and anti-dsDNA antibodies, anti-SSA antibodies were most frequently detected. Infection was the leading complication caused by the medications.

miRNA-192-5p impacts the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin via targeting peptidylprolyl isomerase A.

The administration of doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the first-line treatments of breast cancer. However, acquisition of resistance remains the major obstacle restricting the clinical application of DOX. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs which play crucial role in epigenetic regulation. Recent studies have shown that miRNAs are associated with tumor chemoresistance. Here we aim to explore the role of miRNA-192-5p in resistance to DOX in breast cancer cells. Normal human breast epithelial cell line MCF-10A, breast cancer cell line Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7), and DOX-resistant breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADR were used here. The expression of miR-192-5p was examined by qPCR, and the expression of peptidylprolyl isomerase A (PPIA) was examined by qPCR and Western blot. The effects of miR-192-5p overexpression on the sensitivity to DOX were confirmed by Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Annexin-V/PI assay. Downstream molecular mechanisms, including PPIA, BAD, CASP9, Bcl-2, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, were detected by Western blot and qPCR. Luciferase reporter assay was used to validate the association between miR-192-5p and PPIA. miR-192-5p was downregulated while PPIA was upregulated in MCF-7/ADR cells. Functionally, miR-192-5p overexpression increased sensitivity to DOX by promoting cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, miR-192-5p overexpression performed its function by activating JNK, augmenting BAD and caspase9 expression, and suppressing Bcl-2 and PPIA expression. Luciferase assay validated that PPIA was a direct target of miR-192-5p. miR-192-5p sensitizes breast cancer cells to DOX by targeting PPIA, suggesting that miR-192-5p might serve as a novel target for reversing DOX resistance and controlling breast tumor growth.

[Raman Spectra and Microstructure Characteristics of Dendrite in Xingjiang Nephrite Gravel].

Dendrite shaping as micro fractures is commonly found in surface of nephrite gravel and it reveals its weathering process. However, study on the petrological and mineralogical characteristics of dendrite in nephrite gravel is so far limited. Therefore, Xingjiang nephrite gravel was selected as researching sample, while electron microprobe(EPMA), Raman spectroscopy (Raman)and scanning electron microscope(SEM)were used to study the sample in terms of the chemical composition, Raman spectra and microstructure characteristics. The results are shown as follows, EPMA analysis indicates that MnO and BaO are the major chemical compositions for dendrite. The contents of MnO and BaO are 49.045%~54.012% and 9.012%~10.961% respectively. Raman spectra analysis shows that matrix of nephrite gravel mainly consists of tremolite, while dendrite mainly consists of supergene manganese minerals and organic matter. Raman peaks relating to Mn­O stretching vibration mode of MnO6 octahedra in supergene manganese minerals appear at nearly 475, 498, 510, 575 and 617 cm(-1). In addition, intensity and sharpness of the Raman peaks mentioned above being different indicates that supergene manganese minerals are with different crystallinity in each test location. Raman peak relating to C­C stretching vibration mode in organic matter appears at 1 590 cm(-1); while Raman peak appearing at 1 370 cm(-1) is related to structure defect and disordered arrangement. SEM result reveals that the dendrite thin film covers on and contacts abruptly with the tremolite fibers which are arranged in pilotaxitic texture. Chemical composition, Raman spectra and microstructure characteristics comprehensively indicate that the formation of dendrite in nephrite gravel is related to multi-stage deposition of manganese compounds and organic matter in the river.

[Effect of secretin on the expression of cPLA2 and mPGEs-1 in mouse endometrial stromal cell during early pregnancy].

Secretin, a gastrointestinal peptide, has been found to be expressed in mouse endometrial stromal cells (mESCs) during early pregnancy. In order to further investigate the function of secretin during embryo implantation, the expression levels of secretin, secretin receptor, cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and membrane prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGEs-1) were detected in the mice uterus from day 4 to 8 of pregnancy by real-time PCR, ELISA and in situ hybridization. mESCs isolated and cultured from day 4 of pregnancy were transfected with secretin expression vectors or treated with H89, a PKA inhibitor. Then the expression levels of cPLA2, mPGEs-1 and cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. The concentration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the supernatant was determined by ELISA. The result showed that secretin, cPLA2 and mPGEs-1 mRNA expression increased gradually in implantation sites from day 5 to day 7 of pregnancy with the same tendency. The secretin levels in serum were significantly higher on days 6, 7 and 8 of pregnancy than that on day 5 of pregnancy. The concentration of secretin was significantly higher in implantation sites on days 6, 7 than that in non-implantation site on day 5. Transfection of secretin expression vector promoted cPLA2, p-cPLA2 and mPGEs-1 expressions in mESCs, but not PGE2 level in the supernatant. H89 could effectively inhibit the expression of CREB, p-CREB, p-cPLA2 and cPLA2 induced by secretin. The results showed that the increased secretin expression in mESCs during embryo implantation may promote p-cPLA2, cPLA2 and mPGEs-1 expression, and the promotion may be through PKA signaling pathway.

π-Hole interaction: a theoretical insight into the mechanism of SO2 captured by [Et 2NEMim][Tetz] ionic liquids.

The mechanism of SO2 capture by 1-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrazolate ([Et2NEMim][Tetz]) was investigated using B3LYP hybrid density functional methods at 6-31 + G(d,p) level. In order to find the origin of the high capacity of the subjected ionic liquids (IL) for SO2 capture, the 1: n (n = 1-5) complexes formed between [Et2NEMim][Tetz] and 1-5 SO2 molecules were optimized. Two interaction modes (π-hole interaction and hydrogen bond) were found in each 1: n (n = 1-5) complex; the second order perturbation stabilization energies, E(2)s, confirmed that the main interaction mode was a π-hole interaction. The calculated interaction energies indicated that the first SO2 absorption should be chemical absorption. The capture of the second and third SO2 should fall between chemical and physical interaction, and the fourth and fifth SO2 are incorporated by physical absorption. Thermodynamic analyses indicated that SO2 capture favors lower temperature and higher pressure. Owing to the interactions between SO2 and the [Tetz] anion or the [Et2NEMim] cation, the SOO asymmetric stretching frequency exhibits an obviously red shift in the complex. The strong absorptions of SOO asymmetric stretching in complex (1:5) appear at 1295 cm(-1) (interaction between SO2 and the [Tetz](-) anion) and 1247 cm(-1) (interaction between SO2 and the tertiary nitrogen on the cation). Graphical Abstract Geometric structures of the most stable [ET 2 NEMim][Tetz]ionic liquid (IL; left), and most stable SO2 complex (n = 1-5; right) optimized at the B3LYP/6-31+G (d,p) level (distances in angstroms).

Structure and vibrational spectroscopy investigation of 2-(4-chlorophenyliminomethyl)-8-hydroxyquinoline.

2-(4-Chlorophenyliminomethyl)-8-hydroxyquinoline was synthesized and crystal data was obtained in the orthorhombic space group P-1, with Z=4. Unit cell parameters a=4.744(7) Å, b=9.981(15) Å, c=27.27(4) Å and V=12915(3) Å(3). In this paper the structural properties and vibrational frequencies of 8-hydroxyquinoline derivative, 2CP8HQ, are studied with the B3LYP and HF methods. Two stable conformers are obtained. The calculated frequencies are in good agreement with the experiment results. It is indicated that both of theoretical calculations were suitable for molecular vibrational frequencies study and the scaled B3LYP method was superior to the scaled HF methods.

[Inhibitory effects of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib on growth and angiogenesis of human liver cancer HepG2 cell xenografts in small nude mice].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is closely correlated to genesis of tumors, particularly digestive tract tumors, and its inhibitor has antitumor effect. This study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib on growth and angiogenesis of human liver cancer HepG2 cell xenografts in small nude mice. METHODS: HepG2 cells were transplanted into the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of athymic nude mice. The mice were treated with celecoxib 4 days after transplantation, and were killed 58 days later. Tumor volume and weight were measured. The expression of COX-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) were detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and microvessel density (MVD) was observed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The average tumor volume was significantly smaller and the average tumor weight was significantly lighter in celecoxib group than in control group [(709.11+/-108.53) mm3 vs. (1,417.55+/-69.50) mm3, and (2.63+/-0.34) g vs. (5.32+/-0.98) g, P<0.01]. The inhibitory rate of tumor growth was 55.21%. The expression levels of COX-2, VEGF, bFGF and Ang-2, and MVD were significantly lower in celecoxib group than in control group (2.43+/-0.29 vs. 4.50+/-0.25, 2.80+/-0.30 vs. 5.49+/-0.58, 2.23+/-0.41 vs. 4.03+/-0.47, 2.88+/-0.25 vs. 5.53+/-0.54, and 29.27+/-1.52 vs. 128.24+/-9.82, P<0.01, respectively). COX-2 expression was positively correlated to VEGF, bFGF and Ang-2 expression and MVD (r=0.862, r=0.882, r=0.857, r=0.837,P<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Celecoxib inhibits the growth and angiogenesis of HepG2 cell xenografts in nude mice effectively via suppressing the expression of COX-2.