Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation combined with sorafenib for treating liver cancer complicated with portal hypertension and prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND: Patients with liver cancer complicated by portal hypertension present complex challenges in treatment. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in combination with sorafenib for improving liver function and its impact on the prognosis of patients with this condition. METHODS: Data from 100 patients with liver cancer complicated with portal hypertension from May 2014 to March 2019 were analyzed and divided into a study group (n = 50) and a control group (n = 50) according to the treatment regimen. The research group received radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in combination with sorafenib, and the control group only received RFA. The short-term efficacy of both the research and control groups was observed. Liver function and portal hypertension were compared before and after treatment. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), glypican-3 (GPC-3), and AFP-L3 levels were compared between the two groups prior to and after treatment. The occurrence of adverse reactions in both groups was observed. The 3-year survival rate was compared between the two groups. Basic data were compared between the survival and non-surviving groups. To identify the independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with liver cancer complicated by portal hypertension, multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed. RESULTS: When comparing the two groups, the research group's total effective rate (82.00%) was significantly greater than that of the control group (56.00%; P < 0.05). Following treatment, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels increased, and portal vein pressure decreased in both groups. The degree of improvement for every index was substantially greater in the research group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Following treatment, the AFP, GPC-3, and AFP-L3 levels in both groups decreased, with the research group having significantly lower levels than the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of diarrhea, rash, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue in the research group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates of the research group (94.00%, 84.00%, and 72.00%, respectively) were significantly greater than those of the control group (80.00%, 64.00%, and 40.00%, respectively; P < 0.05). Significant differences were observed between the survival group and the non-surviving group in terms of Child-Pugh grade, history of hepatitis, number of tumors, tumor size, use of sorafenib, stage of liver cancer, histological differentiation, history of splenectomy and other basic data (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that high Child-Pugh grade, tumor size (6-10 cm), history of hepatitis, no use of sorafenib, liver cancer stage IIIC, and previous splenectomy were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with liver cancer complicated with portal hypertension (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients suffering from liver cancer complicated by portal hypertension benefit from the combination of RFA and sorafenib therapy because it effectively restores liver function and increases survival rates. The prognosis of patients suffering from liver cancer complicated by portal hypertension is strongly associated with factors such as high Child-Pugh grade, tumor size (6-10 cm), history of hepatitis, lack of sorafenib use, liver cancer at stage IIIC, and prior splenectomy.

Cited2 inhibited hypoxia-induced proliferation and migration of PASMCs via the TGF-ß1/Cited2/PPARγ pathway.

Objectives: Proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) contribute to hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH). The transcription factor Cbp/p300-interacting transactivator with Glu/Asp-rich carboxy-terminal domain 2 (Cited2) has been implicated in the control of tumor cells and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and cardiomyocyte growth or migration. Whether Cited2 is involved in the proliferation and migration of PASMCs and the underlying mechanisms deserve to be explored. Materials and Methods: Cited2 expression was detected in rat PASMCs under hypoxia conditions and HPH rat models. The effect of Cited2 on the proliferation and migration of PASMC was detected by overexpression or knockdown of the Cited2 gene. After PAMSCs were treated with recombinant TGF-ß1 and the lentivirus vector overexpressing Cited2, expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) was examined by western blotting. Results: We revealed that hypoxia down-regulated the expression of Cited2 in PASMCs and rat pulmonary arteries. Cited2 overexpression inhibited the proliferation and migration of PASMCs under hypoxia, while Cited2 knockdown induced the proliferation and migration of PASMCs. Cited2 inhibits the negative regulation of the TGF-ß1 pathway on PPARγ to inhibit the proliferation and migration of PASMCs. Conclusion: These findings suggest that increased Cited2 expression contributes to the inhibition of PASMCs proliferation and migration by regulating TGF-ß1-mediated target gene expression in HPH and provides a new target for molecular therapy of HPH.

[Effect of 5-aminoimidazole-4-formamide Ribonucleotide Combined with Interferon on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia K562 Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of 5-aminoimidazole-4-formamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) combined with interferon (IFN-α-2b) on the proliferation and apoptosis of chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells, and explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: CCK-8 method was used to detect the inhibition of cell proliferation. Wright Giemsa method was used to stain and cell morphology was observed by light microscopy. FITC Annexin V/PI double staining method was used to analyze the change of apoptosis rate. Immunocytochemistry method was used to detect the expression of wild-type P53 protein. RESULTS: Different concentration of AICAR was inhibitory effect on K562 cells at different time point of action for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, and the inhibition was time and dose-dependent (r=0.71, r=0.84). The combination of AICAR and IFN-α-2b could effectively inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of K562 cells. The inhibition rate of K562 cells was (45.26±2.54)%, and the early apoptosis rate was (33.72±0.23)%, which was statistically significantly different from the control group, AICAR or IFN-ɑ-2b alone (P<0.05). The combination of two drugs promoted the expression of wild-type p53 protein. CONCLUSION: AICAR and/or IFN-ɑ-2b can inhibit the cell proliferation and promote the apoptosis of K562 cells. The combination of two drugs shows synergistic antitumor effect, and its mechanism may be related to the promotion of high expression of wild-type p53 protein.

Rare imaging findings of hypersensitivity pneumonitis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immune-mediated syndrome caused by allergen inhalation. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of HP may show diffuse ground-glass opacity, centrilobular ground-glass nodules, areas of air-trapping, thin-walled cysts, or fibrotic changes. CASE SUMMARY: A 47-year-old male patient went to the hospital complaining of cough and gradual aggravation of shortness of breath. HRCT of the lung showed that multiple nodules and ground-glass high-density shadows were present in both lungs. In addition, circular high-density shadows of various sizes were widely distributed in both lungs with relatively normal lung markings inside them. But other tests did not have a positive finding that can clarify the cause. Therefore, the patient underwent a lung biopsy. The pathological results showed that the lesions tended to be HP. After 4 mo of follow-up, the lesions in the patient's lungs were absorbed spontaneously, and the symptoms of cough and shortness of breath have disappeared. The review results suggested that the patient's disease was self-healing, which was consistent with the characteristics of HP. CONCLUSION: For some patients with HP, abnormal HRCT findings, such as the lesions in the lungs, can be absorbed on their own, which is an important clue in the diagnosis of the disease. Early diagnosis by lung biopsy is necessary when antigen exposure is unknown.

[Identification and differential expression of miRNA related to seed dormancy of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis].

The purpose of this study was to explore the expression pattern of miRNA in the process of embryo dormancy and provide a reference for the mechanism of regulating seed dormancy and germination by miRNA. We used high-throughput sequencing technology, bioinformatics analysis and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(qPCR) technology to sequence, screen and identify miRNAs of dormant and dormant embryos. The results showed that there were 23 811 977, 24 276 695, 20 611 876 and 20 601 811 unique sequences in the four sample libraries during the period of dormancy and dormancy release. MiRNAs are mainly distributed between 21 and 24 nt, among which the length of 24 nt occurred most frequently. A total of 31 known miRNAs were identified, belonging to 13 different families. 93 new miRNAs were predicted by bioinformatics software. Ten miRNAs(mir156 a-5 p, mir160 a-5 p, mir160 h-1, mir169 a-5 p, mir157 d, mir159 a-1, mir395-3, mir156 f-5 p, mir156-2 and mir171 a-3 p) were screened out. In this study, 10 miRNAs related to seed dormancy release were identified. The target genes mainly involved carbohydrate metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, cell division and growth. The results of qRT-PCR showed that the sequencing results were consistent with the actual results.

Superficial punctate keratopathy in a pediatric patient was related to adenoid hypertrophy and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Known causes of superficial punctuate keratopathy (SPK) in children include entropion, viral infection, blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (BKC), and toxicity of eye drops. However, there are some SPK patients whose causes could not be identified well. Herein, we describe the history, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of a rare case. CASE PRESENTATION: To report a case of superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK) which coexisted with floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) and presented as intermittent red eye and blurred vision in an 11-year-old boy who slept in the prone position. His condition did not improve despite treatment with topical antibiotics (levofloxacin, tobramycin), steroid eye drops (prednisolone), and artificial tears. The patient was diagnosed with tonsil hypertrophy and nasopharyngeal adenoid hypertrophy and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). He underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Then he started sleeping in the supine position postoperatively. The SPK, red eye and blurred vision completely resolved after surgery without additional treatment. The corneal sensation also recovered gradually during the next 7 years. However, the floppy eyelid did not resolve. CONCLUSION: Recurrent SPK of childhood might be related to tonsil hypertrophy, adenoid hypertrophy and OSAS, which can be rehabilitated by a surgical approach.

[Comparison of postoperative drainage and systemic trauma response after endoscopic and traditional near total thyroidectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference of postoperative drainage and systemic trauma response between endoscopic and traditional near total thyroidectomy to provide the basis for selecting appropriate operative methods. METHODS: In this prospective clinical controlled study, 80 patientsscheduled for near total bilateral thyroidectomy for the first time were divided equally into endoscopic surgery group (group A) and open surgery group (group B). The total drainage volume after operation, postoperative extubation time, and postoperative daily drainage volume were recorded after the operation. The contents of triglyceride (TG) and total protein (TP) were determined in the postoperative drainage fluid onthe first day. The levels of interleukin 6 (IL6), high sensitive C reactive protein (HSCRP), alpha 1 acid glycoprotein (AAG), ceruloplasmin (CER) and haptoglobin (HPT) in venous blood were tested before the operation and on the first day after surgery. RESULTS: Compared with those in group B, the postoperative drainage volumein group Aincreased significantly (P=0.000) and the postoperative extubation time was significantly prolonged (P=0.000); the mean postoperative daily drainage volume was significantly larger ingroup A than in group B (P=0.000) and tended to decrease with time in both groups. There was no significant difference in the content of triglycerideortotal protein in the drainage fluid between the two groups on the first day after operation (P=0.429 and 0.324, respectively). In both groups, the contents of AAG, ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin on the first postoperative day were all similar with those measurement before operation (P>0.05), but significant variations occurred in the levels of IL6 and HSCRP on the first postoperative day (P=0.000). The serum levels of IL?6 or HS?CRP did not differ significantly between the two groups on the first day after operation (P=0.054 and 0.066, respectively). CONCLUSION: Compared with open surgery, endoscopic near total bilateral thyroidectomyis associated with an increased the volume of postoperative drainage and a prolonged time of extubationbut not an increased systemic trauma response. Therefore, endoscopic surgery can serve as one of the routine options for patients who are concerned with neckscars resulting from open surgeries.

Different phenotypes of monocytes in patients with new-onset mild acute pancreatitis.

AIM: To evaluate the numbers of different subsets of monocytes and their associations with the values of clinical measures in mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) patients. METHODS: The study included one group of 13 healthy controls and another group of 24 patients with new-onset MAP. The numbers of different subsets of monocytes were examined in these two groups of subjects by flow cytometry. The concentrations of plasma interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 were determined by cytometric bead array. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II scores of individual patients were evaluated, and the levels of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as the activities of amylase and lipase were measured. RESULTS: In comparison with that in the controls, significantly increased numbers of CD14+CD163-, CD14+CD163-MAC387+ M1 monocytes, but significantly reduced numbers of CD14+CD163+IL-10+ M2 monocytes were detected in the MAP patients (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Furthermore, significantly higher levels of plasma IL-10 and IL-12 were observed in the MAP patients (P < 0.01 for all). More importantly, the levels of plasma CRP were positively correlated with the numbers of CD14+CD163- (R = 0.5009, P = 0.0127) and CD14+CD163-MAC387+ (R = 0.5079, P = 0.0113) M1 monocytes and CD14+CD163+CD115+ M2 monocytes (R = 0.4565, P = 0.0249) in the patients. The APACHE II scores correlated with the numbers of CD14+CD163+CD115+ (R = 0.4581, P = 0.0244) monocytes and the levels of plasma IL-10 (R = 0.4178, P = 0.0422) in the MAP patients. However, there was no significant association among other measures tested in this population. CONCLUSION: Increased numbers of CD14+CD163- and CD14+ CD163-MAC387+ monocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of MAP, and increased numbers of CD14+CD163+CD115+ monocytes may be a biomarker for evaluating the severity of MAP.

MicroRNA-126-3p suppresses cell proliferation by targeting PIK3R2 in Kaposi's sarcoma cells.

Kaposi's sarcoma is a highly vascular tumor of lymphatic endothelial origin. Many deregulated miRNAs, including miR-126-3p, have been identified in Kaposi's sarcoma tissues. miR-126-3p is the most highly endothelial-specific miRNA that regulates vascular integrity and angiogenesis. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of miR-126-3p on Kaposi's sarcoma cells through transfection of a miRNA mimic and inhibitor. Moreover, we searched the target gene (PIK3R2) of miR-126-3p using bioinformatics software and further verified PIK3R2 using luciferase reporter assays, Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The results demonstrated that miR-126-3p inhibited cell proliferation, arrested cell cycle progression, induced cell apoptosis, and inhibited cell invasion of SLK cells. The bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed that PIK3R2 mRNA is a direct target of miR-126-3p. Moreover, the level of expression of the PIK3R2 gene was downregulated in SLK cells transfected with miR-126-3p siRNAs. Therefore, our data demonstrated that miR-126-3p is a tumor suppressor miRNA that acts by targeting PIK3R2 in Kaposi's sarcoma cells. These findings contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Kaposi's sarcoma.

[In vitro autotetraploid induction and analysis on DNA methylation diversity of Platycodon grandiflorum].

In order to investigate the epigenetic variations between diploid and autotetraploid of Platycodon grandiflorus. The diploid buds of P. grandiflorus were soaked in the mixture of different concentration colchicines and 0.002 g•mL ⁻¹ dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO)．The identification of autotetraploid plants were based on morphological characteristics, chromosome number and flow cytometry. And then the level and pattern of DNA methylation explored by using the technology of methylation sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP)．The result demonstrated that the buds soaked in 0.2% colchicines and 0.002 g•mL ⁻¹ DMSO solution for 12 h was ideal conditions to induce autotetraploid of P. grandiflorus, with induction rate of 32.0%.The diploid and tetraploid plants existed distinctly differences in morphological indexes.Totally,1 586 bands were amplified by 20 pairs of selective primers, of which 764 and 822 bands were detected in diploid and autotetraploid respectively. The total methylation ratio,full methylation ratio and hemimethylated ratio were 91.25%,61.25% and 30.65% in diploid of P. grandiflorus,respectively.However,the total methylation ratio,full methylation ratio and hemimethylated ratio of autotetraploid of P. grandiflorus were 86.13%,54.38% and 31.75%, respectively. Compared with diploid, the genomic DNA total methylate ratio and full methylation ratio of autotetration plants decreased by 6.02% and 7.14%.But the hemimethylated ratio of autotetraploid was higher than that of diploid, which more than 1.6%. All this results indicated that DNA methylation patterns have adjusted during the polyploidy process．.

Effects of analog P165 of amyloid precursor protein 5-mer peptide on learning, memory and brain insulin receptors in the rat model of cognitive decline.

We aim to study the therapeutic efficacy of analog P165 of amyloid precursor protein 5-mer peptide in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced cognitive decline model. Rats were divided into four groups: control, STZ, STZ+P165, and STZ+rosiglitazone (RSG). STZ model was established by intracerebroventricular injection of STZ. Three weeks following surgery, rats received daily gavage administration of distilled water (control and STZ groups), P165 (STZ+P165), or RSG (STZ+RSG) for four consecutive weeks. Learning and memory abilities were assessed with the Morris water maze test. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was detected by ELISA. Expressions of insulin receptor-ß (IR-ß), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), serine/threonine kinase (Akt), and phosphorylation of CREB (p-CREB) were observed by immunohistochemistry. Both P165 and RSG significantly reduced the escape latency relative to the STZ group (P165, P < 0.05; RSG, P < 0.01). STZ model rats had reduced levels of IGF-1 relative to control, and this deficit was attenuated in the STZ+P165 group (P < 0.01). IR and IRS-1 were elevated in STZ rats, and these levels were restored to near control in the STZ+P165 and STZ+RSG groups (P < 0.01). Our findings demonstrate that P165 and RSG improved hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory in STZ rats by regulating the insulin signaling pathway.

Different expression patterns of CEACAM1 and its impacts on angiogenesis in gastric nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the expression patterns of CEACAM1 and its relationship with angiogenesis in nonneoplastic and neoplastic gastric lesions. METHODS: CEACAM1 and TGF-ß expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining and dual-labeling immunohistochemical staining in neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions. MVD-CD31 and MVD-CD105 were counted in CEACAM1-positive areas by dual-labeling immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: There was no expression of CEACAM1 in normal gastric mucosa. In IM and GIN, CEACAM1 was mainly expressed with membranous pattern. CEACAM1 was expressed with membranous pattern in well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, with cytoplasmic pattern in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, and with cytoplasmic and membranous pattern mixed together in intermediately adenocarcinoma. The expression patterns of CEACAM1 showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Coexpression of CEACAM1 and TGF-ß was elevated and significantly different from nonneoplastic to neoplastic lesions (P < 0.05). Moreover, CEACAM1 and TGF-ß coexpression were related to carcinoma progression (r = 0.35; P < 0.05). MVD-CD31 and MVD-CD105 showed significant differences from nonneoplastic to neoplastic lesions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CEACAM1 has different expression patterns in nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. The coexpression of CEACAM1 and TGF-ß increased from nonneoplastic to neoplastic lesions and may be related with tumor progression via promoting tumorous angiogenesis.

Evaluation of Nrf2 and IGF-1 expression in benign, premalignant and malignant gastric lesions.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Nrf2 and IGF-1 in benign, premalignant, and malignant gastric lesions, and to explore the role of Nrf2 and IGF-1 in gastric carcinoma carcinogenesis. Nrf2 and IGF-1 expression was detected in normal gastric mucosa, hyperplastic polyp, intraepithelial neoplasia, and adenocarcinoma by immunohistochemistry. There was no expression of Nrf2 and IGF-1 in normal gastric mucous membrane. With the elevation of Nrf2, IGF-1 expression, their co-expressions were highly elevated from benign proliferative lesions to malignant lesions. There were significant differences between hyperplastic polyps, intraepithelial neoplasias, and adenocarcinoma (hyperplastic polys vs. intraepithelial neoplasia: P=0.012; hyperplastic polyps vs. adenocarcinoma: P=0.023; and intraepithelial neoplasia vs. adenocarcinoma: P=0.027; hyperplastic polyps vs. adenocarcinoma: P=0.0000, respectively). Nrf2 expression and IGF-1 expression were correlated positively (r=0.337, P=0.037). The increased expression of Nrf2 and IGF-1 may be related to gastric carcinogenesis. Elevated Nrf2 and IGF-1 may play important roles in promoting tumor progression.

Toxic effects caused by rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.) are reversed on immature and aged rats.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Rhubarb is generally used to people of broad age, but diverse responses of people at different age to rhubarb have been little clarified. In this study, an attempt was made to access the safety of rhubarb to both immature and aged rats to provide some references for its clinical usage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total extract of rhubarb was administered intragastricly to both immature and aged rats once a day and lasted for 5 weeks. Then histopathologic and biochemical examinations were performed. RESULTS: No death was observed in immature rat groups, while 23.3% (21/90) subjects in aged rat groups died and most of the death cases were observed in the high-dosage (40 gkg(-1) of body weight per day od, counted on the quantity of crude material) group. The death rate between aged and immature rats was found of significantly statistical difference. Dosage-dependent histopathologic changes in kidney were observed in all the rhubarb-treated rats, principally involving the proximal tubules. Kidney changes in aged rats were severer than those observed in immature ones. Hepatic cells necrosis was occasionally observed in the middle- and high-dosage aged rat groups and minimal biliary hyperplasia was found in all the rhubarb-treated aged rats. Increased incidences of activated Kupffer cells and lymphocytic infiltration were found in all the rhubarb-treated rats. And dosage-dependent increase of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and notable increase of IL-8 was found in aged rat groups. CONCLUSIONS: The immature and aged rats showed reversed responses to the toxic potential of rhubarb extract. Elderly subjects were susceptible to the toxicity of high-dosage rhubarb, which drove rigorous consideration on rational use of rhubarb to aged people.

Elevated expression of SOX9 is related with the progression of gastric carcinoma.

To investigate the SOX9 expression and its effects on promoting invasion and metastasis in the primary gastric adenocarcinomas. One hundred and eighty six patients with primary gastric adenocarcinomas who underwent surgery between 2002 and 2006 were classified as low, intermediate, and high SOX9 expression groups by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Our IHC performance showed that SOX9 was lowly expressed in lower crypt of the normal epithelium adjacent to the tumor, and SOX9 expression was also observed in the intestinal metaplastic epithelium, but no SOX9 expression was detected in the surface epithelium. The stronger SOX9 expression was observed in the T3-T4 group than in the T1-T2 group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.0005). The SOX9 expression was correlated with the lymph node metastasis, and it showed significant between N0, N1, N2, and N3 groups (P < 0.0005). Similar to the lymph node metastasis classification, the SOX9 expression was also related to the tumor staging. From the stage Ia-Ib to stage II-IIIa and stage IIIb-IV, the SOX9 expression was elevated and the difference was significant (P < 0.0005). On the contrary, the SOX9 expression was not related to the histological classification (P > 0.05). Also the SOX9 expression showed no significance in patient age (P > 0.05). The SOX9 is overexpressed in the advanced stage of gastric carcinoma. SOX9 is related to the tumor progression though promoting invasion and metastasis, probably via enhancing the adhesion between the tumor cells and matrix or vessels which facilitates the tumor cells metastasis.

[Construction of pSG5/TRIF and its expression in Huh7 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the plasmid pSG5/TRIF and investigate its expression in Huh7 cells. METHODS: The plasmid pCX4pur/Myc-TRIF was digested with Not I and the digestion product was blunted followed by further digestion with EcoR I to obtain the insert Myc-TRIF. pSG5 was digested sequentially with Sma I and EcoR I. All the digested products were analyzed with agarose gel electrophoresis. The products with the expected size were extracted and ligated, and the positive clones were screened by ampicillin and amplified. The recombinant pSG5/TRIF was extracted, purified, and identified by restriction endonuclease BamH I and agarose gel electrophoresis. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into Huh7 cells with FuGene 6 reagents and into Huh7 cells previously infected with recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) via Lipofectin. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of the recombinant plasmids, and the transfection efficiency with different transfection reagents was compared. RESULTS: BamH I digestion resulted in a fragment with the expected size. Immunofluorescence staining showed successful expression of Myc-TRIF protein in Huh7 cells, and the transfection efficiency was enhanced in Huh7 cells previously infected with rVV. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the relative molecular mass of the expressed product by pSG5/Myc-TRIF was about 100 ku, and prior infection of the cells with rVV obviously increased transfection efficiency, as was consistent with the results of immunofluorescence. CONCLUSION: pSG5/Myc-TRIF is successfully constructed and expressed in Huh7 cells. The expression efficiency can be increased by prior infection of the cells with rVV.

The different expression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) and possible roles in gastric carcinomas.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) and its effects on promoting angiogenesis in gastric adenocarcinomas. Paraffin wax sections of 222 patients with gastric adenocarcinomas having undergone surgery between 2001 and 2006 were classified into three histotypes: intestinal, diffuse, and mixed carcinomas following the Laurén classification. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to study the distribution of CEACAM1, and double-labeling immunohistochemistry was used to observe the relationship between CEACAM1 expression and neovascularization in carcinoma areas. No CEACAM1 expression was found in normal non-metaplastic mucosa adjacent to the tumors; but in metaplastic mucosa, CEACAM1 was expressed on the apical surface. However, all of the collected gastric carcinomas expressed CEACAM1 with cytoplasmic or membranous staining. CEACAM1 was expressed mainly with a membranous pattern in the intestinal carcinomas, and with a cytoplasmic pattern in the diffuse carcinomas. There was a significant difference between the expression patterns and the histotypes (P<0.0001). CEACAM1 expression was classified as high (> or =66% positive cells) and low (<66% positive cells), and high CEACAM1 expression was associated with lymph nodes metastasis (P<0.05). High microvessel density (MVD) was observed more frequently in the tumors with membranous expression, and low MVD in the tumors with cytoplasmic staining (P<0.0001). The transformation of CEACAM1 distribution from membrane to cytoplasm is an important incident for the reverse effects on the tumorous angiogenesis, and high expression of CEACAM1 facilitates the metastasis of carcinoma cells to lymph nodes. Moreover, the different distribution of CEACAM1 in the intestinal and diffuse carcinomas indicates a different tumorigenic pathway.

Biodegradable foam plastics based on castor oil.

In this work, a simple but effective approach was proposed for preparing biodegradable plastic foams with a high content of castor oil. First of all, castor oil reacted with maleic anhydride to produce maleated castor oil (MACO) without the aid of any catalyst. Then plastic foams were synthesized through free radical initiated copolymerization between MACO and diluent monomer styrene. With changes in MACO/St ratio and species of curing initiator, mechanical properties of MACO foams can be easily adjusted. In this way, biofoams with comparable compressive stress at 25% strain as commercial polyurethane (PU) foams were prepared, while the content of castor oil can be as high as 61 wt %. The soil burial tests further proved that the castor oil based foams kept the biodegradability of renewable resources despite the fact that some petrol-based components were introduced.

[Gastric epithelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and P53 protein expression in children with Helicobacter pylori associated chronic gastritis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Helicobacter pylori infection has any effects on the epithelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and P53 gene expression as well as its role in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis. METHODS: Sixty children with chronic gastritis were studied. All the children underwent upper digestive tract endoscopy and biopsy specimens were taken. Helicobacter pylori infection was determined with microscopic examination after Gimsa staining and the rapid urease test and 30 of the children were Helicobacter pylori positive and the other 30 were negative. The relation between the findings and cell proliferation was studied by immunostaining; the status of gastric apoptosis was tested by DNA fragmentation in situ using TdT-mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of P53 protein; CagA antibody was tested by Western blotting. RESULTS: (1) The proliferative index and apoptosis index in children with Helicobacter pylori infection with CagA positive gastritis were much higher than those of Helicobacter pylori negative gastritis patients [(11.56 +/- 4.21)% vs. (5.85 +/- 2.21)%, (10.58 +/- 5.31)% vs. (2.86 +/- 0.64)%, P < 0.01]. (2) The proliferative index and apoptosis index in 30 cases with Helicobacter pylori infection with CagA positive gastribis were much higher than 21 cases who were cured by effective drugs [(11.50 +/- 4.11)% vs. (3.74 +/- 2.30)%; (10.58 +/- 4.02)% vs. (3.74 +/- 2.30)%, P < 0.01]. (3) The expression of P53 protein in Helicobacter pylori with CagA positive gastritis children was much higher than that of Helicobacter pylori negative cases [(63% vs 16%), P < 0.1]. CONCLUSION: CagA positive Helicobacter pylori infection with gastritis improved gastric epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis. The abnormal expression of P53 protein in gastric epithelium may play an important role in regulation of the processes.