The Specifically Androgen-Regulated Gene (SARG) Promotes Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC) Lymphatic Metastasis Through Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (VEGF-C) and VEGF Receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) Axis.

The papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) metastasizes through lymphatic spread, but the follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) metastasis occurs by following hematogenous spread. To date, the molecular mechanism underlying different metastatic routes between PTC and FTC is still unclear. Here, we showed that specifically androgen-regulated gene (SARG) was significantly up-regulated in PTC, while obviously down-regulated in FTC through analyzing the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Immunohistochemistry assay verified that the PTC lymph node metastasis was associated with higher levels of SARG protein in clinical PTC patient samples. SARG-knockdown decreased TPC-1 and CGTH-W3 cells viability and migration significantly. On the contrary, SARG-overexpressed PTC cells possessed more aggressive migratory ability and viability. In vivo, SARG overexpression dramatically promoted popliteal lymph node metastasis of xenografts from TPC-1 cells mouse footpad transplanting. Mechanistically, SARG overexpression and knockdown significantly increased and decreased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and VEGF receptor 3 (VEGFR-3), respectively, thereby facilitating or inhibiting the tube formation in HUVECs. The tube formation experiment showed that SARG overexpression and knockdown promoted or inhibited the number of tube formations in HUVEC cells, respectively. Taken together, we showed for the first time the differential expression profile of SARG between PTC and FTC, and SARG promotes PTC lymphatic metastasis via VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signal. It indicates that SARG may represent a target for clinical intervention in lymphatic metastasis of PTC.

The Learning Curve and Importance of Collaboration in Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Via Breast Areola Approach: A Single Surgical Team's Experience of 100 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thyroidectomy is popular among young patients because of its excellent cosmetic outcomes. But it takes a long time to become proficient and competent for surgeons. In addition, collaboration plays a critical role in endoscopic thyroidectomy. Our research aims to evaluate the learning curve of endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast areola approach, provide details of this approach, and demonstrate the importance of collaboration. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 100 cases of benign and malignant thyroid disease who underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast areola approach between January 2015 and December 2020, which were performed by the same group of surgeons with little experience of endoscopic thyroidectomy. The learning curve was analyzed by moving average method. The mean operation time, blood loss, tumor size, postoperative complications were used to determine learning curve progression. RESULTS: The learning curve in the first 30 cases were uplifted, stable at 30 to 60 cases and declined in the following cases. The mean operation time and blood loss decreased significant after the first 30 cases and again after the first 60 cases. And there was no difference in postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: A well-trained surgeon with experience in conventional open thyroidectomy can significantly reduce the total operation time by studying the learning curve. The key steps including establishment of working space and reaching for recurrent laryngeal nerve. A stable level can be achieved after 30 cases. More than 60 cases are required to become proficient. A successful endoscopic thyroid surgery requires a stable team.

XMD-17-51 Inhibits DCLK1 Kinase and Prevents Lung Cancer Progression.

Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is a cancer stem cell marker that is highly expressed in various types of human cancer, and a protein kinase target for cancer therapy that is attracting increasing interest. However, no drug candidates targeting DCLK1 kinase have been developed in clinical trials to date. XMD-17-51 was found herein to possess DCLK1 kinase inhibitory activities by cell-free enzymatic assay. In non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells, XMD-17-51 inhibited DCLK1 and cell proliferation, while DCLK1 overexpression impaired the anti-proliferative activity of XMD-17-51 in A549 cell lines. Consequently, XMD-17-51 decreased Snail-1 and zinc-finger-enhancer binding protein 1 protein levels, but increased those of E-cadherin, indicating that XMD-17-51 reduces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, sphere formation efficiency was significantly decreased upon XMD-17-51 treatment, and XMD-17-51 reduced the expression of stemness markers such as ß-catenin, and pluripotency factors such as SOX2, NANOG and OCT4. However, the percentage of ALDH+ cells was increased significantly following treatment with XMD-17-51 in A549 cells, possibly due to EMT inhibition. In combination, the present data indicated that XMD-17-51 inhibited DCLK1 kinase activity in a cell-free assay with an IC50 of 14.64 nM, and decreased DCLK1 protein levels, cell proliferation, EMT and stemness in NSCLC cell lines. XMD-17-51 has the potential to be a candidate drug for lung cancer therapy.

LPAR5 promotes thyroid carcinoma cell proliferation and migration by activating class IA PI3K catalytic subunit p110ß.

Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 (LPAR5) is involved in mediating thyroid cancer progression, but the underlying mechanism needs to be further revealed. In this study, we confirmed that LPAR5 is upregulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), especially in BRAF-like PTC, by analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and performing immunohistochemistry assay in human thyroid cancer tissues. LPAR5-specific antagonist TC LPA5 4 treatment inhibited CGTH-W3, TPC-1, B-CPAP, and BHT-101 cell proliferation, CGTH-W3 and TPC-1 cell migration significantly. In vivo, TC LPA5 4 treatment could delay CGTH-W3 xenograft growth in nude mice. We also found that LPAR5-specific antagonist TC LPA5 4, PI3K inhibitor wortmannin, or mTOR inhibitor rapamycin pretreatment abrogated phosphorylation of Akt and p70S6K1 stimulated by LPA in CGTH-W3 and TPC-1 cells. Stimulating CGTH-W3 cells transfected with pEGFPC1-Grp1-PH fusion protein with LPA resulted in the generation of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate, which indicates that PI3K was activated by LPA directly. The p110ß-siRNA instead of p110α-siRNA transfection abrogated the increase of levels of phosphorylated Akt and S6K1 stimulated by LPA. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation assay confirmed an interaction between LPAR5 and p110ß. Overall, we provide new insights that the downregulation of LPAR5 decreased the proliferation and migration phenotype via the PI3K/Akt pathway. Inhibition of LPAR5 or the PI3K/Akt signal may be a novel therapeutic strategy for treating thyroid cancer.

Enhancement of gibberellic acid production from Fusarium fujikuroi by mutation breeding and glycerol addition.

Gibberellic acid (GA3) is a natural plant growth hormone that has been widely used in agriculture and horticulture. To obtain higher GA3 producing strains, the method of screening the strains for resistance to simvastatin was used after treatment with nitrosoguanidine (NTG) and gamma rays. The rationale for the strategy was that mutants showing simvastatin resistance were likely to be high GA3 producers, as their activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase is relatively more effective. GA3 yield of mutant S109 increased by 14.2% than that of the original strain. The GA3 production ability in mutant S109 remained relatively stable after ten generations. With the addition of 0.4 g glycerol on the 5th day during the fermentation process in Erlenmeyer flask, maximum GA3 production of 2.7 g/L was achieved by this mutant, exhibiting 28.6% increase compared with original strain. Furthermore, we also achieved 2.8 g/L GA3 and had a 33.3% increase with addition 20 g glycerol on the 5th day during the fermentation process in a 5-L bioreactor. Our results indicated efficient GA3 production could be achieved on the condition that the supply of glycerol at the suitable conditions. This study would lay a foundation for industrial production of GA3.

MiR-185 inhibits tumor growth and enhances chemo-resistance via targeting SRY-related high mobility group box transcription factor 13 in non-small-cell carcinoma.

MicroRNA-185 (miR-185) is down-regulated in various tumor types. However, the cytological mechanism for inhibiting and restraining tumor growth of non-small-cell carcinoma (NSCLC) remains to be elucidated. In this study, it was revealed that miR-185 is significantly down-regulated in both NSCLC tumor tissues and cell lines, and over-expression of miR-185 inhibited cell growth, migration and invasion. To investigate the cellular machinery involved in miR-185's regulation of tumor growth, it was found that miR-185 directly targets SRY-Box 13 (SOX13). In addition, miR-185 regulated cell proliferation, migration, invasion and increased chemo-sensitivity in H1975 cells by inhibiting SOX13. MiR-185 also inhibited tumor growth and suppressed SOX13 in nude mouse xenograft tumors. To investigate the clinical relevance of these consequences, 24 pairs of NSCLC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected to determine expression of miR-185 and SOX13. It was demonstrated that miR-185 levels are significantly and inversely correlated with SOX13 levels in these NSCLC tissues, suggesting that these findings have implications for translational application with respect to NSCLC diagnostics and therapy.

Blocking TGF-ß1 by P17 peptides attenuates gastric cancer cell induced peritoneal fibrosis and prevents peritoneal dissemination in vitro and in vivo.

Our previous study demonstrated that the peritoneal stroma environment favors proliferation of tumor cells by serving as a rich source of growth factors and chemokines known to be involved in tumor metastasis. In this study, we investigated the interaction between gastric cancer cells and peritoneal mesothelial cells, and determined the effects of TGF-ß1 in this processing. Human peritoneal tissues and peritoneal wash fluid were obtained, which examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining or ELISA for measurements of TGF-ß1 levels. The peritoneal mesothelial cells were co-incubated with the supernatants of gastric cancer, the expression of TGF-ß1, collagen and fibronectin was observed by ELISA and western blot. We then investigated the effects of serum-free conditioned media from HSC-39 gastric cancer cells on the peritoneum of nude mice, and the effects of peritoneal fibrosis on the development of peritoneal metastasis in vivo. The peritoneum from gastric patients were thickened and contained extensive fibrosis. After co-culture both gastric tumor cells and mesothelial cells, we found that TGF-ß1 expression was greatly increased in the co-culture system compared to individual culture condition. Serum-free Conditioned Media from HSC-39 was able to induce extracellular matrix expression in vitro and in vivo, and tumorigenicity in mice with peritoneal fibrosis was greater than in mice with normal peritoneum, while blocking TGF-ß1 by peptide P17 can partially inhibit these effects. In conclusion, these results indicated that the interaction of gastric cancer with peritoneal fibrosis and determined that TGF-ß1 plays a key role in induction of peritoneal fibrosis, which in turn affected dissemination of gastric cancer.

Determination of melamine in milk and dairy products by microchip-based high-field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry combined with solid-phase extraction.

This article presents a method for sensitive, fast and quantitative determination of melamine in milk and dairy products using high-field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS). The solid-phase extraction (SPE) technology was used for purification after the sample was extracted by organic solvents, and followed by the analysis of FAIMS. The measurement parameters and variables that affect the FAIMS detection have been investigated, and optimum conditions have been obtained as follows: the carrier gas flow rate is 1.6 L min(-1), the headspace sampler temperature is 150 °C, the pressure is 1 atm, and the humidity is 2.0 g m(-3). The results showed that the SPE-FAIMS method can detect melamine in samples with a concentration down to 0.1 mg kg(-1). The ion intensity has a linear relationship with melamine concentration in the range from 0.3 mg L(-1) to 25 mg L(-1), with a good linearity of 0.9975. The limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) are 0.1 mg kg(-1) and 0.3 mg kg(-1) in milk and dairy products, respectively, and the relative standard deviation is less than 8.0%. The results demonstrated that FAIMS has great potential as a powerful tool for food analysis and safety inspection.

[Spatial heterogeneity of community structure of Picea crassifolia forest in Qilian Mountains, China].

We selected the grid of 5 m x 5 m in a dynamic monitoring plot (340 m x 300 m) as the sampling unites and chose 5 structural characteristics (density, average crown breadth, coverage, conspicuousness and average height) to study the spatial heterogeneity of community structure of Picea crassifolia forest in Dayekou Basin of Qilian Mountains by the fractal geometry and geostatistics methods. The results showed that the order of spatial variation in these characteristics was: density > average crown breadth > conspicuousness > coverage > average height, with the variation coefficient ranging from 43.7% to 79.6%. Moran's I index indicated that the structural variables had different degrees of spatial autocorrelation, and the order of autocorrelation was density > average height> coverage > average crown breadth > conspicuousness, with the range of -0.047-0.382. The exponential semivariation model well fitted the spatial variability in different structural features, and the range was 24.6-68.1 m. The variables displayed moderate spatial autocorrelation except for coverage, while the other variables had strong spatial autocorrelation, and the fractal dimension of the variables was close to 2, indicating a low spatial dependence among variables. The variables presented a superposing characteristic of zonal and patchy structures except for density and coverage, while the other variables presented strong patchiness property. Density and coverage had a certain spatial dependence on average crown breadth, conspicuousness and average height. Density and coverage for the spatial heterogeneity of community structural of P. crassifolia forests were 10 m and 0.5 hm2, respectively.

Curcumin induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells and inhibits tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.

Curcumin has shown therapeutic and/or adjuvant therapeutic effects on the treatment of some patients with breast cancer. However, its mechanisms of action are largely unknown. This study was designed to investigate its antitumor effect and underlying mechanisms in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability, and flow cytometry, acridine orange staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect apoptosis for cultured cells. The protein expression in cells was evaluated by western blot analysis. Breast tumors were established by subcutaneous injection of MDA-MB-231 cells in nude BALB/c mice, and curcumin was administered to the mice. The size of tumors was monitored and the weight of tumors was examined. The exposure of breast cancer cells to curcumin resulted in growth inhibition and the induction of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. We also found that the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased and the expression of Bax protein increased which lead to an increase of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. In mice bearing MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumors, administration of curcumin showed a significant decrease of tumor volumes and tumor weight compared with the control. Our results showed that curcumin exhibited antitumor effects in breast cancer cells with an induction of apoptosis.

[A A311 blood group gene subtype caused by a-1-3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase gene exon 7 mutations].

This study was purposed to analyses the serological and molecular basis of one sample of A blood group which has anti-A. The tube method was used to detect the blood group phenotype, the genotype was amplified by PCR-SSP. The sequence of a-1-3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase gene of blood group was determined by Sanger method. The results showed that serological results of blood group were discrepant. It was determined as A subtype firstly. The result of PCR-SSP showed the existence of O and A blood group gene. The sequencing result of the 6th exon of ABO gene showed the existence of c.261delG, which refers to the O gene. The specific amplification sequencing analysis was carried out on the 7th exon of the O and A blood group gene. Two mutations in the 7th exon of the A gene haplotype, c.467 C > T and c.626 G > A, four mutations in the 7th exon of the O gene haplotype, c.646T > A, 681G > A, 771C > T, 829G > A had been detected. It is concluded that a novel allelic mutation c.626 G > A in the 7th exon of A gene is explored. The Genbank access number of this novel mutation is KC690281. c.467 C > T is SNP. The combination of two allele mutation of A gene is named as a new allelic subtype A311.

[Study on KIR gene polymorphisms in 416 renal transplantation recipients from southern Zhejiang].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate polymorphisms of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor gene (KIR) in renal transplant recipients from southern Zhejiang. METHODS: KIR genotypes were analyzed by PCR-SSP in 416 renal transplant recipients, and the genotype frequencies were compared with populations from Eastern China and worldwide. RESULTS: All 16 known KIR genes were detected in the renal transplant recipients, and KIR2DL4, 3DL2-3, 3PD1 were found in all. As a pseudogene, 2DP1 has a high genotype frequency (99%). The frequencies of KIR2DL1, 2DL3, 3DL1, 2DS4 have ranged from 92.1% to 98.8%. Compared with 11 groups in Eastern China and other countries, the KIR2DL2 phenotype frequency was higher (34.6%) than those of Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu populations (P<0.05). Among 41 genotypes, three have not been reported previously. The most common genotype was AA1, with a frequency of 43.51%, which was significantly lower than those of Jiangsu and Northern Zhejiang. CONCLUSION: Renal transplant recipients from southern Zhejiang share similar features with Eastern China Han population with regard to KIR polymorphisms, but also have unique frequencies for KIR genotypes.

Determination of light-medium-heavy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vegetable oils by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and fluorescence detection.

A new method for determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene-in vegetable oils was developed. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) prior to high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection could be used for all those PAHs except acenaphthylene. Acenaphthylene could be detected using a diode array detector at 228 nm. The parameters and variables that affect the extraction were investigated. Under optimum conditions: the extract reagent was centrifuged at 4 °C and evaporated. After that a SPE procedure was used for further cleanup. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were in the range of 0.01-2.35 and 0.04-7.00 µg kg(-1) in vegetable oil, respectively. The relative standard deviations were under 5%.

[Research advances of genomic GYP coding MNS blood group antigens].

The MNS blood group system includes more than 40 antigens, and the M, N, S and s antigens are the most significant ones in the system. The antigenic determinants of M and N antigens lie on the top of GPA on the surface of red blood cells, while the antigenic determinants of S and s antigens lie on the top of GPB on the surface of red blood cells. The GYPA gene coding GPA and the GYPB gene coding GPB locate at the longarm of chromosome 4 and display 95% homologus sequence, meanwhile both genes locate closely to GYPE gene that did not express product. These three genes formed "GYPA-GYPB-GYPE" structure called GYP genome. This review focuses on the molecular basis of genomic GYP and the variety of GYP genome in the expression of diversity MNS blood group antigens. The molecular basis of Miltenberger hybrid glycophorin polymorphism is specifically expounded.

[Mutational analysis for FUT1 gene in two cases with para-Bombay blood type].

OBJECTIVE: To study two cases of rare para-Bombay blood types Bmh and Amh in order to determine clinical strategies of blood transfusion. METHODS: ABO blood type was determined with serological assays. The samples were also genotyped with polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) for potential mutations in α-1,2-fucosyltransferase gene (FUT1). The results were verified with direct sequencing. RESULTS: Two rare para-Bombay blood types, namely Bmh and Amh, were identified by serological method, with one being BO1 which contained a FUT1 allele 547-548delAG deletion (h1h1), and another being A205O2 which contained FUT1 allele a 547-548delAG deletion and a FUT1 allele 658C/T missense mutation (h1h3). CONCLUSION: FUT1 allele 547-548delAG deletion and 658C>T missense mutation in part form the molecular basis of para-Bombay blood types. As Bmh and Amh contain anti-HI in sera, great attention should be paid to avoid adverse reaction of blood transfusion in clinics.

Use of cloud point extraction with derivatizing reagent for the extraction and determination of isoniazid.

A simple and sensitive cloud point extraction high-performance liquid chromatography method is proposed for the determination of isoniazid in blood. The procedure is based on the product of the reaction of isoniazid with benzaldehyde. It can be validated that there is a linear relationship between the signal of isonicotinyl hydrazone and the concentration of isoniazid. A cloud point extraction system of nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 is applied for preconcentration of isonicotinyl hydrazone. Then the analytes in surfactant-rich phase are detected with HPLC-UV system. calibration graph was obtained in the range of 2.0 × 10(-3)-0.5 mg/L, the detection limit was 5.0 × 10(-4) mg/L. Method validation is performed on serum samples spiked at two levels, the recoveries ranging from 82.17-83.81%, with relative standard deviations from 2.45% to 3.89%.

Cloud point extraction coupled with ultrasonic-assisted back-extraction for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides in concentrated fruit juice by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection.

A new method for the determination of nine organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs): Dichlorvos, methamidophos, acephate, diazinon, dimethoate, chlorpyrifos, parathion-methyl, malathion and parathion-ethyl in concentrated fruit juice was developed using the cloud point extraction coupled with ultrasonic-assisted back-extraction prior to gas chromatography with flame photometric detection (GC-FPD) analysis. The parameters and variables that affect the extraction were investigated. Under optimum conditions: a solution containing 6% (W/V) polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) and 20% (W/V) Na(2)SO(4) for the extraction of the OPPs. The coacervation phase obtained was back extracted with ethyl acetate. The upper ethyl acetate solution was centrifugated simply for further cleanup for the sake of automatic injection. A preconcentration factor of 50 was obtained for these nine pesticides. Using this method, the limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) were in the range of 0.5-3.0 and 1.5-9.0µgkg(-1) in concentrated fruit juice, respectively; the relative standard deviations (RSD) were <9%.

Human peritoneal mesothelial cell transformation into myofibroblasts in response to TGF-ß1 in vitro.

Peritoneal dissemination is one of the leading causes of death in gastric cancer patients. The interaction between carcinoma cells and the peritoneal lining may play a key role in tumor peritoneal dissemination. Human peritoneal mesothelial cells are a monolayer of squamous epithelial cells covering the peritoneal cavity and forming serosal membranes. The precise role of mesothelial cells in the peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer remains to be identified. Expression of TGF-ß1, a cytokine known for its capacity to induce proliferative and transformative changes in cells, has been correlated with peritoneal metastasis and TNM stages of gastric cancer. High levels of TGF-ß1 in the subperitoneal milieu may play a key role in the transition of normal mesothelial cells to myofibroblasts. Here, we demonstrate that mesothelial cells activated by TGF-ß1 undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and that the transition of mesothelial cells to myofibroblasts is dependent on Smad2 signaling. EMT of mesothelial cells was marked by up-regulation of α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin expression. Cytokeratin and E-cadherin expression decreased over time in transformed mesothelial cells. Knockdown of Smad2 gene by siRNA silencing significantly suppressed the transition of mesothelial cells to myofibroblasts. We conclude that when exposed to TGF-ß1 mesothelial cells undergo EMT which involves Smad2 signaling. Furthermore, mesothelial cells may be the possible source of myofibroblasts in peritoneal fibrosis and provide a favorable environment for the dissemination of gastric cancer.

[Clinical study on acupuncture for leukopenia induced by chemotherapy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the adjunctive therapeutic effects of acupuncture for leukopenia induced by chemotherapy. METHODS Eighty six cases with leukopenia after chemotherapy treatment were randomly divided into a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) plus acupuncture (A) group and a G-CSF group, 43 cases in each group. After chemotherapy treatments, the patients of both groups were treated with G-CSF for 4 times, with acupuncture at Zhigou (TE 6), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), etc. added in the G-CSF plus A group, for an observaion cycle of 45 days. Their therapeutic effects on the 10th and 31st day and peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts and neutrophilic granulocyte classification on the 10th, 17th, 24th, 45th day after treatment were compared. RESULTS: After they were treated on the 10th day, the effective rates were both 100.0% (both 43/43), and on the 31st day, the effective rate of 98.9% (42/43) in the G-CSF plus A group was higher than 91.1% (35/43) in the G-CSF group (P < 0.05). The WBC counts in the G-CSF plus acupuncture group were both higher than those in the G-CSF group on the 10th, 17th and 24th day after treatment (all P < 0.05). The ratios of mature neutrophilic granulocyte in the G-CSF plus A group were all higher than those in the G-CSF group at the same time (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can increase the therapeutic effect of G-CSF, delay the decrease of WBC after discontinuing G-CSF, promote the neutrophilic granulocyte differentiating forward to mature and it is better for improving leukopenia induced by chemotherapy.

Study of cloud point extraction and high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of isoniazid based on the formation of isonicotinylhydrazone.

Isoniazid (INH) reacted with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DABD) in the presence of trichloroacetic acid to give isonicotinylhydrazone (INZ) having lambda(max) 365nm. Cloud point extraction (CPE) is carried out to extract INH and IHZ in aqueous solutions using surfactant poly(ethylene glycol) 4000 (PEG4000), respectively. Langmuir model is used to study the adsorption behaviors of the two solutes on micelles of PEG4000. A linear correlation is found between variation of PEG4000 concentration required for feed concentration of the two solutes and used to predict PEG4000 concentration required for extracting INH and IHZ in CPE procedure. The results calculated show that, for a desired recovery level of 90%, only can IHZ be sufficiently extracted by PEG4000. In this experiment, the feed concentration of PEG4000 is defined by above-mentioned correlation, and the effects of other operating parameters, e.g., concentration of salt, pH and centrifugation time on extraction of PEG4000-IHZ system have also been studied in detail. The proposed CPE method coupled with HPLC-UV system is successfully used for the determination of INH in urine sample.