Progress of nanoparticle drug delivery system for the treatment of glioma.

Gliomas are typical malignant brain tumours affecting a wide population worldwide. Operation, as the common treatment for gliomas, is always accompanied by postoperative drug chemotherapy, but cannot cure patients. The main challenges are chemotherapeutic drugs have low blood-brain barrier passage rate and a lot of serious adverse effects, meanwhile, they have difficulty targeting glioma issues. Nowadays, the emergence of nanoparticles (NPs) drug delivery systems (NDDS) has provided a new promising approach for the treatment of gliomas owing to their excellent biodegradability, high stability, good biocompatibility, low toxicity, and minimal adverse effects. Herein, we reviewed the types and delivery mechanisms of NPs currently used in gliomas, including passive and active brain targeting drug delivery. In particular, we primarily focused on various hopeful types of NPs (such as liposome, chitosan, ferritin, graphene oxide, silica nanoparticle, nanogel, neutrophil, and adeno-associated virus), and discussed their advantages, disadvantages, and progress in preclinical trials. Moreover, we outlined the clinical trials of NPs applied in gliomas. According to this review, we provide an outlook of the prospects of NDDS for treating gliomas and summarise some methods that can enhance the targeting specificity and safety of NPs, like surface modification and conjugating ligands and peptides. Although there are still some limitations of these NPs, NDDS will offer the potential for curing glioma patients.

Improved Carrier Management via a Multifunctional Modifier for High-Quality Low-Bandgap Sn-Pb Perovskites and Efficient All-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells.

All-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs) hold great promise in terms of ultrahigh efficiency, low manufacturing cost, and flexibility, stepping forward to the next-generation photovoltaics. However, their further development is hampered by the relatively low performance of low-bandgap (LBG) tin (Sn)-lead (Pb) perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Improving the carrier management, including suppressing trap-assisted non-radiative recombination and promoting carrier transfer, is of great significance to enhance the performance of Sn-Pb PSCs. Herein, a carrier management strategy is reported for using cysteine hydrochloride (CysHCl) simultaneously as a bulky passivator and a surface anchoring agent for Sn-Pb perovskite. CysHCl processing effectively reduces trap density and suppresses non-radiative recombination, enabling the growth of high-quality Sn-Pb perovskite with greatly improved carrier diffusion length of >8 µm. Furthermore, the electron transfer at the perovskite/C60 interface is accelerated due to the formation of surface dipoles and favorable energy band bending. As a result, these advances enable the demonstration of champion efficiency of 22.15% for CysHCl-processed LBG Sn-Pb PSCs with remarkable enhancement in both open-circuit voltage and fill factor. When paired with a wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite subcell, a certified 25.7%-efficient all-perovskite monolithic tandem device is further demonstrated.

Optimizing Comprehensive Performance of Aggregation-Induced Emission Nanoparticles through Molecular Packing Modulation for Multimodal Image-Guided Synergistic Phototherapy.

Fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics hold remarkable potential for image-guided phototherapy. The molecular packing is the key point for optimizing the performance of AIE luminogens (AIEgens) in the aggregated or solid state. However, so far, the packing mode of AIEgens in NPs is still vague, causing some challenges for understanding the relationship between the photophysical property and packing mode, as well as further optimizing the performance of NPs for biomedical applications. In this contribution, by simply controlling the length of alkoxy chains in the donor-acceptor conjugated OPTPA, a packing balance between the twisted molecular structure and effective π-conjugation is actualized. Subsequently, the possibility of amorphous-crystalline transition of AIEgens in the polymer-encapsulated NPs is presented for the first time, and the comprehensive performance of NPs is further optimized. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that crystalline AIEgen-based NPs are remarkably effective in trimodal imaging-guided synergistic phototherapy.

One-for-All Phototheranostic Agent Based on Aggregation-Induced Emission Characteristics for Multimodal Imaging-Guided Synergistic Photodynamic/Photothermal Cancer Therapy.

Phototheranostics represents a promising direction for modern precision medicine, which has recently received considerable attention for cancer research. The ingenious integration of all phototheranostic modalities in a single molecule with precise spatial colocalization is a tremendously challenging task, which mainly arises from the complexity of molecular design and energy dissipation. Reports on a single molecular one-for-all theranostic agent are still very rare. Herein, we designed two novel aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active fluorogens (AIEgens, named DPMD and TPMD) with a cross-shaped donor-acceptor structure via a facile synthetic method and constructed versatile nanoparticles (NPs) by encapsulating AIEgen with an amphiphilic polymer. The AIEgen TPMD with a twisted structure, high donor-acceptor (D-A) strength, small singlet-triplet energy gap, and abundant intramolecular rotators and vibrators was selected as an ideal candidate for balancing and utilizing the radiative and nonradiative energy dissipations. Notably, TPMD NPs simultaneously possess adequate near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence emission at 821 nm for fluorescence imaging, effective reactive oxygen species generation for photodynamic therapy (PDT), and outstanding photothermal effect for photoacoustic imaging, photothermal imaging, and photothermal therapy (PTT), which demonstrates the superior potential of AIE NPs in multimodal imaging-guided synergistic PDT/PTT therapy.

WeChat-based education and rehabilitation program in unprotected left main coronary artery disease patients after coronary artery bypass grafting: an effective approach in reducing anxiety, depression, loss to follow-up, and improving quality of life.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of WeChat-based education and rehabilitation program (WERP) on anxiety, depression, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events (MACCE)-free survival, and loss to follow-up rate in unprotected left main coronary artery disease (ULMCAD) patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In this randomized controlled study, 140 ULMCAD patients who underwent CABG were randomly assigned to WERP group (n=70) or control care (CC) group (n=70). During the 12-month intervention period, anxiety and depression (using hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS)) and HRQoL (using 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12)) were assessed longitudinally. During the total 36-month follow-up period (12-month intervention and 24-month non-intervention periods), MACCE and loss to follow-up were recorded. During the intervention period, HADS-anxiety score at month 9 (M9) (P=0.047) and month 12 (M12) (P=0.034), anxiety rate at M12 (P=0.028), and HADS-D score at M12 (P=0.048) were all reduced in WERP group compared with CC group. As for HRQoL, SF-12 physical component summary score at M9 (P=0.020) and M12 (P=0.010) and SF-12 mental component summary score at M9 (P=0.040) and M12 (P=0.028) were all increased in WERP group compared with CC group. During the total follow-up period, WERP group displayed a trend of longer MACCE-free survival than that in CC group but without statistical significance (P=0.195). Additionally, loss to follow-up rate was attenuated in WERP group compared with CC group (P=0.033). WERP serves as an effective approach in optimizing mental health care and promoting life quality in ULMCAD patients after CABG.

Effects of IL-18 on the proliferation and steroidogenesis of bovine theca cells: Possible roles in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine and is associated with arrested follicle development and anovulation which are the typical pathological changes of PCOS. Theca cells (TCs) have a key role in follicular growth and atresia. But whether IL-18 can directly affect ovarian TCs function is unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of IL-18 on proliferation and steroidogenesis of bovine TCs and to explore the biological effect of IL-18 on folliculogenesis. This work revealed that at 300-1000 pg/mL, IL-18 led to a time- and dose-dependently increase in cell proliferation (P < .05). IL-18 increased 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP4) and androstenedione (A2) secretion with up-regulation of key steroidogenesis-related genes CYP11A1 and CYP17A1 (P < .05). Furthermore, our data demonstrated that the IL-18R protein is predominantly expressed in small-follicle (3-6 mm) TCs than large follicles (8-22 mm) by immunohistochemistry. We also found that the stimulation effects of IL-18 on TCs can be reversed with the addition of IL-18BP as early as at 4 hours of culture and reached the peak at 16 hours. We conclude that IL-18 appears to target TCs in bovine, and suggest an important role for this cytokine in ovarian function. Present findings further validate potential effects of IL-18 in the conditions associated with follicular dysplasia and excessive growth of ovarian TCs (such as PCOS). But additional research is needed to further understand the mechanism of action of IL-18 in theca cells as well as its precise role in folliculogenesis.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers predict chemotherapeutic responses and survival in primary central-nervous-system lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the utility of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in predicting the response of chemotherapy and clinical outcomes in primary central-nervous-system lymphoma (PCNSL) patients. METHODS: DCE-MRI in 56 patients enrolled in a prospective study was performed at baseline and 30 days after treatment from 2016 to 2019. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors for tumor responses. The predictive values of related parameters derived from DCE were analyzed via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. To evaluate prognostic factors, the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank tests and Cox regression tests were analyzed. RESULTS: Ktrans and Ve were higher in the non-response group than in the response group (p < 0.05). The Ktrans and the percentage of Ktrans decreased after 30 days of treatment were independent predictors of chemotherapy responses (p = 0.034 and p = 0.019). ROC analysis indicated that the cut-off point of Ktrans for predicting chemotherapeutic responses was 0.353 min-1 (AUC, 0.941; 95% CI, 0.87-1; p < 0.001) and percentage of Ktrans decreased after 30 days of treatment was 15.2% (AUC, 0.858; 95% CI, 0.742-0.970; p < 0.001). The greater decrease in Ktrans correlated with a longer progression-free survival (PFS) (χ2 = 13.203, p < 0.001). The higher Ktrans was an independent predictor for shorter PFS (hazard ratio, 10.182; 95% CI, 2.510-41.300; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ktrans and Ktrans change measured by DCE-MRI were reliable biomarkers for predicting chemotherapy responses in PCNSL patients. KEY POINTS: • Baseline Ktrans and greater decrease in Ktrans can predict chemotherapeutic efficacy. • DCE-MRI provides quantitative parameters reflecting the tumor microenvironment. • Targeted treatment therapy can be given with more evidence in the future.

WeChat-based education and rehabilitation program in unprotected left main coronary artery disease patients after coronary artery bypass grafting: an effective approach in reducing anxiety, depression, loss to follow-up, and improving quality of life

This study aimed to investigate the effect of WeChat-based education and rehabilitation program (WERP) on anxiety, depression, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events (MACCE)-free survival, and loss to follow-up rate in unprotected left main coronary artery disease (ULMCAD) patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In this randomized controlled study, 140 ULMCAD patients who underwent CABG were randomly assigned to WERP group (n=70) or control care (CC) group (n=70). During the 12-month intervention period, anxiety and depression (using hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS)) and HRQoL (using 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12)) were assessed longitudinally. During the total 36-month follow-up period (12-month intervention and 24-month non-intervention periods), MACCE and loss to follow-up were recorded. During the intervention period, HADS-anxiety score at month 9 (M9) (P=0.047) and month 12 (M12) (P=0.034), anxiety rate at M12 (P=0.028), and HADS-D score at M12 (P=0.048) were all reduced in WERP group compared with CC group. As for HRQoL, SF-12 physical component summary score at M9 (P=0.020) and M12 (P=0.010) and SF-12 mental component summary score at M9 (P=0.040) and M12 (P=0.028) were all increased in WERP group compared with CC group. During the total follow-up period, WERP group displayed a trend of longer MACCE-free survival than that in CC group but without statistical significance (P=0.195). Additionally, loss to follow-up rate was attenuated in WERP group compared with CC group (P=0.033). WERP serves as an effective approach in optimizing mental health care and promoting life quality in ULMCAD patients after CABG.

Current Treatment Modalities for Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head in Mainland China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of treatment modalities for patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in mainland China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on the online application of China Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head Database (CONFHD). Between July 2016 to December 2018, the CONFHD program planned to recruit ONFH patients from 12 administrative areas across mainland China. Real-world medical records of treatment regimens for these patients, including surgeries and prescriptions, were approved to upload to the CONFHD application for further analysis. The surgeries performed on these patients were classified into total hip arthroplasty and hip-preserving procedures, and the latter was further classified into core decompression, bone grafting, and tantalum rod implantation. Prescription medications were classified into chemical medicine and Chinese herbal medicine (CHM); chemical medicine was further classified according to their chemical compounds, and CHM was classified according to therapeutic functions based on traditional Chinese medicine theory. Descriptive analysis was performed to summarize the application of different treatment regimens on the overall sample. RESULTS: A total of 1491 patients (2381 hips) who fulfilled the protocol criteria were included. There were 1039 males and 452 females with a mean age of 47.29 ± 12.69 years. The causes of ONFH were alcoholism in 642 patients (43%), corticosteroid in 439 patients (29%), trauma in 239 patients (16%), and idiopathic ONFH in 171 patients (11%). Operative treatments (including total hip arthroplasty and hip-preserving procedures) were performed on 49% of patients (43% of hips), chemical medicine therapy (including bisphosphonate, statins, and prostacyclin) was given to 37% of patients (37% of hips), and CHM was administrated to 72% of patients (75% of hips). The aforementioned interventions were not always used alone, since 47% of patients (52% of hips) received combined regimens with multiple interventions. Among hips treated by surgery, all hips with ARCO stage IV ONFH received THA (305 hips), and THA was also performed on 63 hips with stage II ONFH. Over half of hips with stage I (81%), II (91%), and III (92%) ONFH had received pharmacological treatments. Prostacyclin and bisphosphonate were the top two most prescribed medicines used alone. CHM therapies with multiple CHM functions were more commonly prescribed. CONCLUSION: Current treatment modalities for ONFH patients in mainland China include operative treatment, chemical medicine, and CHM. Combined regimens with different treatment modalities are common in real-world clinical practices.

Mature cardiac myocytohamartoma: a case report and review of literature.

Mature cardiac myocyte hamartoma is a kind of cardiac benign tumor which is extremely rare. Here, we reported the case of a 41-year-old male with cough and shortness of breath. The positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) showed one tumor in the right atrium, and then the patient had an operation to remove the tumor. Finally, we diagnosed this case as hamartoma of mature cardiac myocytes by histopathology and immunophenotype and also review the tumor which has been published in the literature.

Identification of Potential Biomarkers for Urine Metabolomics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Based on Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder, and it's diagnosis is difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic profiles of PCOS patients by analyzing urine samples and identify useful biomarkers for diagnosis of PCOS. METHODS: This study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hunan Province from December 2014 to July 2016. In this study, the urine samples of 21 women with PCOS and 16 healthy controls were assessed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate the urine metabolite characteristics of PCOS and identify useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of this disorder. The Student's t-test and rank sum test were applied to validate the statistical significance of the between the two groups. RESULTS: In total, 35 urine metabolites were found to be significantly different between the PCOS patients and the controls. In particular, a significant increase in the levels of lactose (10.01 [0,13.99] mmol/mol creatinine vs. 2.35 [0.16, 3.26] mmol/mol creatinine, P = 0.042), stearic acid (2.35 [1.47, 3.14] mmol/mol creatinine vs. 0.05 [0, 0.14] mmol/mol creatinine, P < 0.001), and palmitic acid (2.13 [1.07, 2.79] mmol/mol creatinine vs. 0 [0, 0] mmol/mol creatinine, P < 0.001) and a decrease in the levels of succinic acid (0 [0, 0] mmol/mol creatinine vs. 38.94 [4.16, 51.30] mmol/mol creatinine, P < 0.001) were found in the PCOS patients compared with the controls. It was possible to cluster the PCOS patients and the healthy controls into two distinct regions based on a principal component analysis model. Of the differentially expressed metabolites, four compounds, including stearic acid, palmitic acid, benzoylglycine, and threonine, were selected as potential biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers new insight into the pathogenesis of PCOS, and the discriminating urine metabolites may provide a prospect for the diagnosis of PCOS.

Effects of TIN2 on telomeres and chromosomes in the human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1.

TERF1-interacting nuclear factor 2 (TIN2) is a key member of the protein complexes that protect telomeres. TIN2 contributes an important role in biological processes. In a previous study by the present authors, an association was reported between high TIN2 protein expression and gastric cancer. Therefore, it was hypothesized that abnormal TIN2 expression may cause the development of malignancies, including, gastric carcinomas. To investigate this hypothesis, the present study employed peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization technology to analyze the human gastric epithelial GES-1 cells with high TIN2 expression or inhibited TIN2 expression. The results indicated that GES-1 cell lines with high TIN2 expression exhibited greater telomere dysfunction-induced damage compared with GES-1 cell lines with inhibited TIN2 expression. Chromosome analysis indicated that GES-1 cells with high TIN2 expression exhibited 2.48±1.30 aberrant chromosomal changes per 100 cells, that may contribute to telomere DNA damage. Therefore, aberrant chromosomal alterations may provide a novel perspective for the pathogenesis of gastric cancer.

γδ T cells in cancer immunotherapy.

γδ T cells are one of the three immune cell types that express antigen receptors. They contribute to lymphoid antitumor surveillance and bridge the gap between innate and adaptive immunity. γδ T cells have the capacity of secreting abundant cytokines and exerting potent cytotoxicity against a wide range of cancer cells. γδ T cells exhibit important roles in immune-surveillance and immune defense against tumors and have become attractive effector cells for cancer immunotherapy. γδ T cells mediate anti-tumor therapy mainly by secreting pro-apoptotic molecules and inflammatory cytokines, or through a TCR-dependent pathway. Recently, γδ T cells are making their way into clinical trials. Some clinical trials demonstrated that γδ T cell-based immunotherapy is well tolerated and efficient. Despite the advantages that could be exploited, there are obstacles have to be addressed for the development of γδ T cell immunotherapies. Future direction for immunotherapy using γδ T cells should focus on overcoming the side effects of γδ T cells and exploring better antigens that help stimulating γδ T cell expansion in vitro.

Characterization of the microRNA expression profile of cervical squamous cell carcinoma metastases.

OBJECTIVES: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of many physiological and pathological processes, including tumorigenesis and metastasis. In this study, we sought to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms of metastatic cervical carcinoma by performing miRNA profiling. METHODS: Tissue samples were collected from ten cervical squamous cancer patients who underwent hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node (PLN) dissection in our hospital, including four PLN-positive (metastatic) cases and six PLN-negative (non-metastatic) cases. A miRNA microarray platform with 1223 probes was used to determine the miRNA expression profiles of these two tissue types and case groups. MiRNAs having at least 4-fold differential expression between PLN-positive and PLN-negative cervical cancer tissues were bioinformatically analyzed for target gene prediction. MiRNAs with tumor-associated target genes were validated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Thirty-nine miRNAs were differentially expressed (>4-fold) between the PLN-positive and PLN-negative groups, of which, 22 were up-regulated and 17 were down-regulated. Sixty-nine percent of the miRNAs (27/39) had tumor-associated target genes, and the expression levels of six of those (miR-126, miR-96, miR-144, miR-657, miR-490-5p, and miR-323-3p) were confirmed by quantitative (q)RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Six MiRNAs with predicted tumor-associated target genes encoding proteins that are known to be involved in cell adhesion, cytoskeletal remodeling, cell proliferation, cell migration, and apoptosis were identified. These findings suggest that a panel of miRNAs may regulate multiple and various steps of the metastasis cascade by targeting metastasis-associated genes. Since these six miRNAs are predicted to target tumor-associated genes, it is likely that they contribute to the metastatic potential of cervical cancer and may aid in prognosis or molecular therapy.

Low expression of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein is associated with poor prognosis in ovarian cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) was initially identified as a key receptor interacting protein 3 downstream component of tumor-necrosis-factor-induced necrosis. In this study, we characterized the expression of MLKL in ovarian carcinomas and evaluated the prognostic value of MLKL in patients with ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ovarian cancer tissue specimens were collected from 153 patients diagnosed as primary ovarian cancer after operation at The Second Xiangya Hospital from January 2005 to December 2008. Immunohistochemistry was performed for MLKL and the protein expression score was quantified using an established scoring system. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients. MLKL expression levels were correlated with DFS and OS using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (49%) were defined as having high MLKL expression and 67 patients (43.7%) had >80% of cells staining for MLKL. Remarkably, low MLKL expression was significantly associated with decreased DFS (median 40 months versus 25 months, P=0.0282) and OS (median 43 months versus 28 months, P=0.0032). In multivariate analysis, retained significance was also observed. CONCLUSION: Low MLKL expression was significantly associated with both decreased DFS and OS in patients with primary ovarian cancer. MLKL expression may serve as a potential prognostic marker in patients with ovarian cancer.

Clinical characteristics, metabolic features, and phenotype of Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a large-scale case-control study.

AIM: The Rotterdam criteria extend the phenotypic spectrum of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study was to investigate the clinical and biochemical features of a large-scale clinic based on the samples of Chinese women and to evaluate the value of Rotterdam criteria on Chinese PCOS women. METHODS: One thousand four hundred and four Chinese women were involved in our study, among whom, 719 cases were diagnosed as PCOS based on 2003 Rotterdam criteria, and 685 women without history of hyperandrogenism and with regular menstrual cycles were recruited as control. Clinical features, ultrasonographic (ovarian follicle number and volume), hormonal and metabolic parameters were commenced as outcome measures. RESULTS: Among 719 PCOS women, 6.1 % had hirsutism, 13.3 % had acne, 21.1 % had hyperandrogenism, 94.2 % had polycystic ovaries on ultrasonographic examination, and 88.6 % had menstrual abnormality. About one-third of the total PCOS patients were insulin resistant. The most frequent PCOS phenotype is the non-hyperandrogenic phenotype (O + P). Total testosterone, LH/FSH ratio, body mass index (BMI), and Ferriman and Gallwey scores (F-G) were all significantly higher in PCOS groups compared with non-PCOS group. Women with PCOS and obesity had higher serum testosterone, fasting insulin, longer menstrual cycle and larger ovarian follicle number, and LH/FSH ratio, estradiol or ovarian volume were similar between obese and normal BMI women. The LH level was statistically lower in the obese PCOS group. CONCLUSIONS: Rotterdam criteria are generally applicable to Chinese population. Chinese women with PCOS showed lower rates of hyperandrogenemia, hirsutism, obesity, and insulin resistance. Obesity aggravates menstrual irregularity and increases the follicle number and serum total testosterone level.

Hepatoid carcinoma of the ovary: A case report and review of the literature.

Hepatoid carcinoma of the ovary is a type of tumor resembling hepatocellular carcinoma that arises from the ovary. Hepatoid carcinoma patients are predominantly elderly females ranging between 35 and 78 years of age, with an average age of 56 years. It was suggested that, microscopically, bile canalicular structures are rare, but among nine cases examined for bile canalicular structures, four demonstrated a positive result. Here, we report a case of a 55-year-old female who presented to the Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China, with lower abdominal pain, abdominal distention and increasing abdominal girth. The patient underwent total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, tumor debulking and postoperative chemotherapy. A mass in the left ovary measuring approximately 11 cm in diameter was identified. Microscopic and immunohistochemical results suggested that it was a hepatoid carcinoma of the left ovary.

Quantitative proteome analysis of multidrug resistance in human ovarian cancer cell line.

In order to understand the molecular mechanisms of multidrug resistance (MDR) in ovarian cancer, we employed the proteomic approach of isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ), followed by LC-MS/MS, using the cisplatin-resistant COC1/DDP cell line and its parental COC1 cell line as a model. A total number of 28 proteins differentially expressed were identified, and then the differential expression levels of partially identified proteins were confirmed by Western blot analysis and/or real-time RT-PCR. Furthermore, the association of PKM2 and HSPD1, two differentially expressed proteins, with MDR were analyzed, and the results showed that they could contribute considerably to the cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cell. The differential expression proteins could be classified into eight categories based on their functions, that is, calcium binding proteins, chaperones, extracellular matrix, proteins involved in drug detoxification or repair of DNA damage, metabolic enzymes, transcription factor, proteins related to cellular structure and proteins relative to signal transduction. These data will be valuable for further study of the mechanisms of MDR in the ovarian cancer.

[Role of platelet-derived growth factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PRE). METHODS: Thirteen normal and 20 PRE late-pregnancy women were enrolled in this study. The serum PDGF-BB levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression of PDGF-B mRNA in the decidual blood vessel was determined using in situ hybridization. RESULTS: PDGF-BB levels in PRE group was significantly higher than that in normal pregnant women (83.54 -/+34.52 vs 39.61-/+18.20, P<0.001), and the expression of PDGF-B mRNA in decidual blood vessel was also significantly higher in PRE group (P<0.001), showing a positive correlation between serum PDGF and PDGF-B mRNA expression (r=0.603, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: PDGF is associated with the pathology of decidual blood vessel. Elevated serum PDGF levels and PDGF-B mRNA expression in the decidual blood vessel may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PRE.

[Management of heart failure and timing of delivery in pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the management of heart failure, the timing of delivery in pregnancy, and the influence on pregnant prognosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of heart failure, treatment results, pattern of termination, and time of termination in 356 cases of pregnancy with heart disease. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-six (38.20%) cases were diagnosed as heart failure and 76 (55.88%) were moderate or severe heart failure. Heart failure tends to occur more easily in rheumatic heart diseases than in congenital heart diseases. Heart failure occurred more frequently in pregnancy with rheumatic heart diseases without the heart operation before pregnancy than that of pregnancy with congenital heart diseases. The occurence of the moderate and severe heart failure in pregnancy decreased in rheumatic heart diseases with surgical therapies compared with those without surgical therapies (P <0.05). Compared with pregnancy with heart failure controlled inadequately, pregnancy with effectively controlled heart failure had better tolerance during delivery and through the pregnancy, and puerperium. CONCLUSION: Congenital heart diseases and rheumatic heart diseases are the chief causes of heart failure during the gestation. Therapy before pregnancy, especially surgery to the rheumatic heart diseases, may improve the cardiac function during pregnancy. Monitoring heart function and selecting the proper timing to terminate pregnancy after controlling the heart failure in late pregnant period will be helpful to improve the prognosis of pregnant and perineonate.