S-propargyl-cysteine delays the progression of atherosclerosis and increases eNOS phosphorylation in endothelial cells / 生理学报

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC) on atherosclerosis progression in mice. A mouse model of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque was created in ApoE-/- mice by carotid artery tandem stenosis (TS) combined with a Western diet. Macrophotography, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers were measured to evaluate the antiatherosclerotic effects of SPRC compared to atorvastatin as a control. Histopathological analysis was performed to assess the plaque stability. To explore the protective mechanism of SPRC, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro and challenged with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Cell viability was determined with a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and mRNA expression were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR respectively. The results showed that the lesion area quantified by en face photographs of the aortic arch and carotid artery was significantly less, plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were reduced, plaque collagen content was increased and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was decreased in 80 mg/kg per day SPRC-treated mice compared with model mice. These findings support the role of SPRC in plaque stabilization. In vitro studies revealed that 100 μmol/L SPRC increased the cell viability and the phosphorylation level of eNOS after ox-LDL challenge. These results suggest that SPRC delays the progression of atherosclerosis and enhances plaque stability. The protective effect may be at least partially related to the increased phosphorylation of eNOS in endothelial cells.

Multi-component comprehensive quality evaluation of Tongjing ointment / 中国药师

Objective To establish a method for comprehensive quality evaluation of Tongjing ointment by multi-component quantification combined with chemometrics and grey correlation analysis(GRA).Methods With curcumin as the internal reference substance,HPLC-QAMS method was used to simultaneously determine the contents of limonin,evodiamine,rutaecarpine,bisdemethoxycurcumin,demethoxycurcumin,curcumin,6-gingerol,8-gingerol,10-gingerol,tetrahydropalmatine,dehydrocorydalin,dorydaline in Tongjing ointment.The quality of Tongjing ointment was evaluated by cluster analysis,principal component analysis,orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis and GRA.Results The determination of 12 components manifested a good linear relationship in the range of mass concentration(r≥0.999 1).The average recovery was between 96.58％and 100.19％(RSD＜2.0％,n=9).There were no significant difference between the measured value of external standard method and the calculated value of HPLC-QAMS(P＞0.05).Tongjing ointment samples were classified into three eategories by chemometrics and it showed that curcumin,6-gingerol,bisdemethoxycurcumin,demethoxycurcumin,limonin and tetrahydropalmatine were the main potential markers affecting the quality of Tongjing ointment.GRA showed that the relative correlation degree was in the range of 0.317 3-0.624 8,and there were some differences in the quality of Tongjing ointment.Conclusion The established method can comprehensively evaluate the quality of Tongjing ointment.

Comprehensive quality evaluation of Patrina scabiosaefolia Fisch based on HPLC multi-component quantitative control and PCA,OPLS-DA combined with gray correlation analysis / 中国药师

Objective To establish a HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of hederagenin,oleanolic acid,ursolic acid,scabioside C,protocatechuic acid,chlorogenic acid,caffeic acid,aesculetin,scopoletin,rutoside,quercetin,kaempferol in Patrina scabiosaefolia Fisch,and to explore the application of principal component analysis(PCA),orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)and grey relational analysis(GRA)in the quality evaluation of Patrina scabiosaefolia Fisch.Methods The HPLC method was used with the Waters Atlantis T3 C18 column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm).The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.1% phosphate acid solution with gradient elution.The detection wavelengths were 210,260 and 360 nm.The overall quality of Patrina scabiosaefolia Fisch was comprehensively evaluated by PCA,OPLS-DA and GRA analysis of the results of multi-component content.Results The results of methodological verification of external standard method met the requirements.The 12 components had good linear relationships within their respective ranges(r>0.999 0),and the average recovery rate were 96.82% -100.16% (RSD<2.0% ,n=9).PCA and OPLS-DA results showed that oleanolic acid,ursolic acid,chlorogenic acid and quercetin were the main potential markers affecting the quality of Patrina scabiosaefolia Fisch.The relative correlation degree of GRA were 0.380 6-0.571 4,and there was a certain difference between batches of Patrina scabiosaefolia Fisch.Conclusion The HPLC method can simultaneously determine the 12 components in Patrina scabiosaefolia Fisch,which is simple and practical,and PCA,OPLS-DA and GRA can be used to evaluate the quality of Patrina scabiosaefolia Fisch.

Histone deacetylase 6 promotes skin wound healing by regulating fibroblast migration and differentiation in aged mice / 生理学报

Skin wound healing tends to slow down with aging, which is detrimental to both minor wound recovery in daily life and the recovery after surgery. The aim of current study was to explore the effect of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) on wound healing during aging. Cultured human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and mouse full-thickness skin wound model were used to explore the functional changes of replicative senescent dermal fibroblasts and the effect of aging on skin wound healing. Scratch wound healing assay revealed significantly decreased migration speed of senescent HDFs, and BrdU incorporation assay indicated their considerably retardant proliferation. The protein expression levels of collagen and HDAC6 were significantly decreased in both senescent HDFs and skin tissues from aged mice. HDAC6 activity inhibition with highly selective inhibitor tubastatin A (TsA) or HDAC6 knockdown with siRNA decreased the migration speed of HDFs and considerably suppressed fibroblast differentiation induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which suggests the involvement of HDAC6 in regulating fundamental physiological activities of dermal fibroblasts. In vivo full-thickness skin wound healing was significantly delayed in young HDAC6 knockout mice when compared with young wild type mice. In addition, the wound healing was significantly slower in aged wild type mice than that in young wild type mice, and became even worse in aged HDAC6 knockout aged mice. Compared to the aged wild type mice, aged HDAC6 knockout mice exhibited delayed angiogenesis, reduced collagen synthesis, and decreased collagen deposition in skin wounds. Together, these results suggest that delayed skin wound healing in aged mice is associated with impaired fibroblast function. Adequate expression and activity of HDAC6 are required for fibroblasts migration and differentiation.

Current studies of cytokines in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and its therapeutic measures / 生理学报

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Cytokine-related research provides an important direction for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. Cytokines, produced by different types of cells and acting on a range of targets, play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis. This review summarizes the main pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines related to atherosclerosis and their underlying mechanism. We also outline current anti-atherosclerosis treatments targeting cytokines. The research and treatment prospects of cytokines in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis are discussed briefly as well.

Clinical features of 109 cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia / 中华传染病杂志

Objective@#To observe theepidemiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging findings, treatment and prognosis of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia.@*Methods@#Clinical data of 109 patients with suspected and definite novel coronavirus pneumonia admitted to Wuhan Sixth Hospital from December 24, 2019 to January 28, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analysiswas performed by using t test or chi-square test.@*Results@#Among the 109 patients, 48 (44%) were male and 61 (56%) were female, with the average age of (52.5±10.8) years. Fifty-four patients (49.5%) had definite contact history. Among the 109 patients, 104 (95.5%) presentedwith fever, 37(33.7%) with headache, 78 (71.9%) with general pain, 88 (80.8%) with fatigue and poor appetite, 23 (21.3%) with diarrhea, 94 (86.5%) withcoughing, 23 (21.3%) with shortness of breath, 57 (52.8%) withpalpitation, 45 (41.5%) with chest distress, 4 (3.3%) with chest pain, 40 (37.0%) with lung rales. Forty-two cases (38.5%) had leukocyte count <4×109/L, 58 cases (53.2%) had lymphocyte count <1.5×109/L, 7 cases (24.8%) had hemoglobin <120g/L, 37 cases(33.9%) had LDH >230 mmol/L, 29 cases (26.6%) had brain natriuretic peptide precursor>300 ng/mL, 87 cases (79.8%) had hypersensitive C-reactive protein >10mg/L, 26 cases (23.9%) had D-dimer >0.5 mg/L, 35 cases (32.1%) had coagulation disorder. The leukocyte counts, LDH, brain natriuretic peptide precursor and D-dimer of severe/critical cases[(11.33±4.87)×109/L, (527.51±260.87) mmol/L, (722.88±189.56) ng/mL, (1.89±4.24) mg/L, respectively] were all significantly higher than those of common cases [(4.02±1.49)×109/L, (159.75±30.31)mmol/L, (428.22±124.76)ng/mLand (0.41±0.22)mg/L, respectively], while the lymphocyte count of severe/critical cases [(0.60±0.17)×109/L] was significantly lower than common cases [(1.13±0.43)×109/L] (t=11.36, 11.33,9.81,2.81 and 7.77,all P<0.05). On admission, chest CT showed that 27 cases (24.8%) of pneumonia were unilateral, 82 cases (75.2%) werebilateral, and most of them were ground glass. The pneumonia progressed in a short time and reached the peak within 10 days. The comprehensive treatment included antiviral drugs, prevention ofbacterialinfection and supportive treatment, and glucocorticoid and respiratory support treatment wereadministrated when necessary.@*Conclusions@#The novel coronavirus pneumonia is characterized by highly infectious, rapid progress, and diverse clinical and imaging features. Early diagnosis and active comprehensive treatment could improve theprognosis and reduce themortality.

Prognostic values of interim and post-therapy 18F-FDG PET/CT scanning in adult patients with Burkitt's lymphoma / 癌症

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The prognostic values of interim and post-therapy fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/computed tomography (CT) scanning have been confirmed in several subtypes of lymphoma. However, its prognostic value in Burkitt's lymphoma has not been clearly defined. The aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic value of PET/CT scanning during different treatment processes of Burkitt's lymphoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 29 adult patients with newly diagnosed Burkitt's lymphoma were retrospectively involved in this study; of them, 23 patients underwent baseline PET/CT, 15 patients underwent mid-therapy PET/CT after 1-4 cycles of chemotherapy, and 17 patients underwent post-therapy PET/CT after all planned first-line chemotherapy cycles. Mid-therapy and post-therapy PET/CT results (positive vs. negative) were visually interpreted according to the criteria of the International Harmonization Project. The reduction in the maximum standardizes uptake values (∆SUVmax) of 25%, 50%, and 75% were regarded as cutoff points. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were regarded as the major endpoints.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median OS and PFS were 27.6 months (range 6.5-78.3 months) and 27.2 months (range 3.0-78.3 months), respectively. The median SUVmax of the baseline PET/CT was 18.3 (range 1.6-35.9), whereas the median SUVmax of the mid-therapy and post-therapy PET/CT decreased to 4.0 (range 0-17.6) and 3.0 (range 0-14.5), respectively. The patients' Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores (<2 vs. ≥2) were significantly associated with the baseline PET/CT SUVmax. The mid-therapy and post-therapy PET/CT results (positive vs. negative) showed no significant association with OS or PFS. The optimal cutoff ∆SUVmax from the baseline to the post-therapy PET/CT that could predict a change in OS in patients with Burkitt's lymphoma was 50% (P = 0.019).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>(18)F-FDG uptake was intense in Burkitt's lymphoma, and there was a significant reduction in SUVmax during the interim and post-therapy PET/CT procedures. A ∆SUVmax of greater than 50% was a favorable cutoff point to predict the OS of Burkitt's lymphoma patients.</p>

Qualitative visual trichotomous assessment improves the value of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in predicting the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma / 癌症

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a powerful tool for monitoring the response of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) to therapy, but the criteria to interpret PET/CT results remain under debate. We investigated the value of post-treatment PET/CT in predicting the prognosis of DLBCL patients when interpreted according to qualitative visual trichotomous assessment (QVTA) criteria compared with the Deauville criteria.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this retrospective study, final PET/CT scans of DLBCL patients treated with rituximab-based regimens between October 2005 and November 2010 were interpreted using the Deauville and QVTA criteria. Survival curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using the log-rank test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 253 patients were enrolled. The interpretation according to the Deauville criteria revealed that 181 patients had negative PET/CT scan results and 72 had positive results. The 3 year overall survival (OS) rate was significantly higher in patients with negative scan results than in those with positive results (91.6% vs. 57.5%, P<0.001). The 72 patients with positive scan results according to the Deauville criteria were divided into two groups by the interpretation according to the QVTA criteria: 29 had indeterminate results, and 43 had positive results. The 3 year OS rate was significantly higher in patients with indeterminate scan results than in those with positive results (91.2% vs. 33.5%, P<0.001) but was similar between patients with negative and indeterminate scan results (91.6% vs. 91.2%, P=0.921).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with the Deauville criteria, using the QVTA criteria for interpreting post-treatment PET/CT scans of DLBCL patients is likely to reduce the number of false positive results. The QVTA criteria are feasible for therapeutic outcome evaluation and can be used to guide risk-adapted therapy.</p>

Use of subsequent PET/CT in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients in complete remission following primary therapy / 癌症

Interim 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (I-PET/CT) is a powerful tool for monitoring the response to therapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This retrospective study aimed to determine when and how to use I-PET/CT in DLBCL. A total of 197 patients treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) were enrolled between October 2005 and July 2011; PET/CT was performed at the time of diagnosis (PET/CT0), after 2 and 4 cycles of chemotherapy (PET/CT2 and PET/CT4, respectively), and at the end of treatment (F-PET/CT). According to the International Harmonization Project for Response Criteria in Lymphoma, 110 patients had negative PET/CT2 scans, and 87 had positive PET/CT2 scans. The PET/CT2-negative patients had significantly higher 3-year progression-free survival rate (75.8% vs. 38.2%) and 3-year overall survival rate (93.5% vs. 55.6%) than PET/CT2-positive patients. All PET/CT2-negative patients remained negative at PET/CT4, but 3 were positive at F-PET/CT. Among the 87 PET/CT2-positive patients, 57 remained positive at F-PET/CT, and 32 progressed during chemotherapy (15 at PET/CT4 and 17 at F-PET/CT). Comparing PET/CT4 with PET/CT0, 7 patients exhibited progression, and 8 achieved partial remission. Comparing F-PET/CT with PET/CT0, 10 patients exhibited progression, and 7 achieved partial remission. In conclusion, our results indicate that I-PET/CT should be performed after 2 rather than 4 cycles of immunochemotherapy in DLBCL patients. There is a limited role for subsequent PET/CT in the detection of relapse in PET/CT2-negative patients, but repeat PET/CT is required if the PET/CT2 findings are positive.

Clinical characteristics of the patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma involving extranodal sites / 癌症

Differences between Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients in China and Western countries are known to exist, but data on Chinese patients with HL are limited. It is not clear whether there are clinical and histological differences in patients with HL involving different extranodal sites. This is the first study to analyze Chinese patients with HL involving different extranodal sites. We selected 22 HL patients with extranodal involvement from more than 250 previously untreated HL patients. Most patients were young males, and 20 of the 22 patients had stage IV disease. The major pathologic types were nodular sclerosis classical HL (NSCHL) and mixed cellularity classical HL(MCCHL). At diagnosis, the most commonly involved extranodal sites were the liver and lung, followed by the bones. There was no significant association between the international prognostic score(IPS) and survival in patients with different extranodal sites. Our data showed the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates of low-risk group (IPS = 0-2) were relatively higher than those of high-risk group (IPS ≥ 3), but the IPS did not show predictive power for survival. Although HL with extranodal involvement is rare, it should be considered as a unique form of HL.

MR diffusion tensor imaging and MRI diffusion-tensor tracking of medial structures of the temporal lobe in the diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To investigate the parameter values and changes of local fiber bundles of the medial structures of the temporal lobe in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE) with MR diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and MRI diffusion-tensor tracking(DTT),and evaluate the diagnostic value of DTI in the localization of seizure focus in patients with TLE:Methods Sixteen patients with TLE,admitted to our hospital from December 2010 to February 2011,and 20 healthy volunteers received conventional MRI and DTI.The values of apparent diffusion coefient(ADC),fractional anisotropy(FA)and relative anisotropy(RA) of the bilateral medial structures of the temporal lobe (including the amygdala,hippocampus and cortex)were measured,respectively.The differences of the fiber bundles between the epilepsy patients and the controls were observed with DTT.Results No significant differences in measured values of ADC,FA and RA were noted between the left and right medial structures of temporal lobe in the controls(P＞0.05).The values of ADC,FA and RA in the left/right medial structures of temporal lobe in TLE patients had significant differences as compred with those in controls(P＜ 0.05); the values of ADC showed gradual reduction in the ipsilateral side,contralateral side and controls,successively; and the changes in the hippocampus tail was the most obvious.The values of FA and RA showed gradual increment in the ipsilateral side,contralateral side and controls successively;the changes of parameters values in the amygdala and the hippocampus body were more remarkable than those in the hippocampus tail.Conclusion The DTI can show the micromechanics′ characteristics of the medial structures of the temporal lobe in patients with TLE,which can help the location of seizure focus in patients with TLE.Increasing the understanding of the medial structures of the temporal lobe will help the preoperative integral assessment and improve the surgical effect.

Expression and clinical significance of androgen receptor in triple negative breast cancer / 癌症

<p><b>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE</b>Androgen receptor (AR) is involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, but its role is not clearly defined. This study was to explore the expression of AR and its relationship with clinicopathologic parameters in triple negative breast cancer (negative estrogen receptor, negative progesterone receptor, and negative Her-2).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical assays were performed to determine the expression of AR in 137 cases of triple negative breast cancer and 132 cases of non-triple negative breast cancer. The relationships between AR expression and clinicopathologic data and prognosis were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rate of AR was significantly lower in triple negative breast cancer than in non-triple negative breast (27.7% vs. 83.3%, Chi2=83.963, P<0.001). AR expression was correlated with menorrheal status (Chi2=6.803, P=0.009), tumor grade (Chi2=5.173, P=0.023), node status (Chi2=7.787, P=0.005), 5-year disease-free survival (Chi2=5.012, P=0.025) and 5-year overall survival (Chi2=5.552, P=0.018) in triple negative breast cancer, but was not correlated with clinicopathologic parameters and survival in non-triple negative breast cancer. The 5-year overall survival rate was 78.8% in triple negative breast cancer and 83.3% in non-triple negative breast cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of AR is related to biological behaviors of triple negative breast cancer, and plays a role in endocrinotherapy and prognostic prediction.</p>

The anatomic features of supratrochlear artery / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the anatomical features of supratrochlear artery which is related to the blood supply of paramedian frontal flap in nasal reconstruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>10 adult head specimens (20 sides) were used for observation of the course, layer and anastomosis of the supratrochlear artery. The horizontal line of supraorbital rim and the frontal middle line were used as X and Y axis to locate the position of supratrochlear artery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Supratrochlear artery is directed medially and upward after it gets out from orbit. Some arteries (9/20) have one sharp bend at the beginning. The frontal muscle penetration point of the artery is (15.2 +/- 2.6) mm above the X axis and (12. 1 +/- 1 .4) nun lateral to the Y axis. The artery goes subcutaneously after muscle penetration point. It goes more superficially and is anastomosed to the supraorbital artery and frontal branches of the superficial temporal artery at the same side, and also the contra-lateral supratrochlear artery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pedicle of the paramedian frontal flap should not be too narrow. The dissection of the pedicle should not be too near to the artery, so as to protect the bend at the beginning. The flap elevation must be performed beneath the frontal muscle, when it is 2-3 cm above the supraorbital rim.</p>

Human umbilical cord-derived endothelial progenitor cells promote growth cytokines-mediated neorevascularization in rat myocardial infarction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Cell-based vascular therapies of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) mediated neovascularization is still a novel but promising approach for the treatment of ischemic disease. The present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic potentials of human umbilical cord blood-derived EPCs (hUCB-EPCs) in rat with acute myocardial infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) mononuclear cells were isolated using density gradient centrifugation from the fresh human umbilical cord in healthy delivery woman, and cultured in M199 medium for 7 days. The EPCs were identified by double-positive staining with 1, 1'-dioctadecyl-3, 3, 3', 3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine percholorate-labeled acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Ulex europaeus lectin (FITC-UEA-l). The rat acute myocardial infarction model was established by the ligation of the left anterior descending artery. The hUCB-EPCs were intramyocardially injected into the peri-infarct area. Four weeks later, left ventricular function was assessed by a pressure-volume catheter. The average capillary density (CAD) was evaluated by anti-VIII immunohistochemistry staining to reflect the development of neovascularization at the peri-infarct area. The graft cells were identified by double immunofluorescence staining with human nuclear antigen (HNA) and CD31 antibody, representing human origin of EPCs and vascular endothelium, respectively. Expressions of cytokines, proliferating cell nuclear angigen (PCNA), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected to investigate the underlying mechanisms of cell differentiation and revascularization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The donor EPCs were detectable and integrated into the host myocardium as confirmed by double-positive immunofluorescence staining with HNA and CD31. And the anti-VIII staining demonstrated a higher degree of microvessel formation in EPCs transplanted rats, associated with a significant improvement of global heart function in terms of the increase of left ventricular end-systolic pressure (LVESP), +dp/dtmax and -dp/dtmax as well as the decrease of LVEDP in rats with EPCs therapy comparing to the control rats (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of the rat PCNA mRNA and PECAM were both enhanced in the EPCs group compared with that of the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The human umbilical cord blood-derived EPCs could incorporate into new-born capillaries in rat myocardium, induce revascularization and improve the proliferation activity in the peri-infarct area, resulting in the improvement of global heart function. This may indicate a promising stem cell resource in cell-based therapy for ischaemic diseases.</p>

A clinical study on global TCM therapy in treating senile advanced non-small cell lung cancer / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the clinical efficacy of global traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy in treating senile advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with the aim of seeking a standardized, rational and economical way to treat advanced NSCLC in old patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis and comparison was carried out in 86 patients with senile advanced NSCLC, 44 treated by global TCM (TCM group) and 42 by chemotherapy (control group) through dynamical observation on related indexes including tumor size, quality of life and the survival time, as well as on the fee for medical service at various time points in the course of the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The changes of tumor size, score of clinical main symptoms and behavior condition (by ZPS scoring), as well as survival rates in the two groups at corresponding time points, were not different significantly (P>0.05). The mean survival time in the TCM group was 13.20+/-1.52 months and that in the chemotherapy group was 13.45+/-1.94 months, showing insignificant difference between them. However, the median survival time in the TCM group (12 months) was actually longer than that in the chemotherapy group (9 months, P<0.05). The mean daily expense and the mean expense (RMB yuan) for each patient in the TCM group were significantly lower than that in the control group, which was 180.73+/-93.21 vs 825.84+/-329.63 for the mean daily expense and 34077.21+/-14638.04 vs 58516.59+/-45429.76 for the mean expense for each patient (both P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Treatment of senile advanced NSCLC with TCM alone has its apparent superiority in stabilizing tumor focus, improving clinical symptoms, elevating quality of life and prolonging the survival time. TCM is also less expensive, making it a good alternative therapeutic approach for this specific group of people.</p>

Identity recognition based on local registration of chest radiography / 中国医疗器械杂志

In a PACS system, doctors can avoid the mistakes in filing chest radiographs by comparing the new image with the old ones from the same patient. An automatic method with digital image processing technology is introduced in the paper, which is realized by general location of anatomical structures, local image registration and BP artificial neural network, so as to achieve good results for identity recognition.

Apoptosis induced by DNA primase inhibitor 3,3'-diethyl-9-methylthia-carbocyanine iodide in human leukemia HL-60 cells / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate apoptosis induced by 3,3'-diethyl-9-methylthia-carbocyanine iodide (DMTCCI), an inhibitor of DNA primase found in our previous study, and the mechanism of DMTCCI in human myelogenous leukemia HL-60 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HL-60 cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium and treated with different concentrations of DMTCCI. MTT assay was used to detect growth inhibition. Flow cytometry and DNA ladders were used to detect apoptosis. Western blotting was used to observe the expression of survivin, Bcl-xL, Bad, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-9, caspase-3, caspase-6, PARP, DFF45 and lamin B protein. Caspase-3 activity was measured by ApoAlert Caspase-3 Assay Kit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DMTCCI inhibited proliferation of human leukemia HL-60 cells with IC50 value of 0.24 micromol x L(-1). The results of flow cytometry and DNA ladders showed that DMTCCI could induce apoptosis of HL-60 cells. The expression levels of protein survivin and Bcl-xL were down-regulated, Bad and Bax were up-regulated, while Bcl-2 protein had no change in response to DMTCCI treatment in HL-60 cells. Treatment of HL-60 cells with DMTCCI induced the proteolytic cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3, caspase-6, PARP, DFF45 and lamin B protein. Caspase-3 activity apparently increased at 3 h and reached a peak at 12 h after exposure to 1 micromol x L(-1) of DMTCCI in HL-60 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DMTCCI inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of human leukemia HL-60 cells. Bcl-2 family proteins, survivin and caspases family proteins might play a role in the apoptosis process induced by DMTCCI.</p>

Heterozygous mutation in KCNQ1 cause Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) is a severe cardioauditory syndrome manifested as QT interval prolongation, abnormal T waves, and relative bradycardia ventricular tachyarrhythmias. In this report, we screened a nonconsanguineous families with JLNS for mutations in KCNQ1.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mutation analysis was performed by using purified PCR products to direct sequence analysis on an ABI-3730XL automated DNA sequencer. The whole sequence of proband' KCNQ1 was screened firstly, then screened the mutation exon sequences of others of the family and 50 unrelated normal persons.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A heterogeneous mutation was identified in the patients of the JLNS family, a missense mutation (G-->T) at nucleotide 917 encoded in exon 6 of KCNQ1. This substitution leads to a change from glycine to Valine at codon 306(G306V) corresponding to the S5 transmembrane segment of KCNQ1. The other normal members of the family and 50 unrelated normal persons were not identified this mutation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The result suggested that not only homozygous mutations or compound heterozygous mutations in KCNQ1 could cause Jervell-Lange-Nielsen syndrome, the single heterozygous mutation may also cause Jervell-Lange-Nielsen syndrome.</p>

The value of three-phase pulmonary helical CT in diagnosing peripheral pulmonary cancer (diameter

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the value of three-phase pulmonary helical CT in diagnosing peripheral pulmonary cancer (diameter </= 3 cm).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serial single-slice dynamic scans were obtained with helical CT before and after injection of 100 ml contrast material in 60 patients with solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs, diameter <or= 3 cm). The three-phase pulmonary helical CT was established by analyzing enhancement feature of thoracic aorta and pulmonary artery, and then the enhancement feature of three-phase pulmonary helical CT was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The delayed times of three-phase pulmonary helical CT were pulmonary artery phase (15 second), bronchial artery phase (36 second), equilibrium phase (90 second) respectively. The prevalence model of density change for three-phase pulmonary helical CT: no enhancement, marked enhancement, moderate-enhancement in pulmonary cancer; slight or moderate-enhancement, marked-enhancement, marked-enhancement in inflammatory nodules; no enhancement or light-enhancement in tuberculoma and metastatic nodules. The enhanced branch and small spot vessels were demonstrated by bronchial artery phase in 82.9% of pulmonary cancer nodules.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The three-phase pulmonary helical CT could reflect the enhancement feature, blood supply of bronchial artery in peripheral pulmonary cancer (diameter </= 3 cm), it is helpful in early diagnosis and differentiation.</p>

The mutation scanning of KCNQ1 gene for 31 long QT syndrome families / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for the mutations of potassium voltage-gated channel, KQT-like subfamily member 1(KCNQ1) gene in 31 Chinese long QT syndrome(LQTS) families.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Due to the genetic heterogeneity, the genotype of patients was first predicted based on the spectrum of ST-T-wave patterns on ECG. Ten of 31 probands were considered as LQT1. Then the mutation of KCNQ1 gene was screened by the polymerase chain reaction and single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique combined with DNA sequencing in all members of these 10 families. To avoid omitting some LQT1 patients without typical characteristics and also to do methodological comparison, the mutations of KCNQ1 gene on 16 exons were screened by PCR and direct DNA sequencing in the rest 21 non-LQT1 probands only. Co-segregation analysis was carried out after the finding of an abnormal sequence. In case that the abnormality existed in patients only, the test of such exon was performed in 50 irrelevant normal individuals.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two missense mutations and three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in the LQT1 predicted families. The two mutations were S277L (1 family) and G306V (1 family) in exon 5 and were not reported previously. Three polymorphisms were 435C-->T (7 families), 1632C-->A (1 family), and IVS1+9 C-->G (3 families). Only a splice mutation IVS1+5G-->A (2 families) and a polymorphism IVS10+18C-->T (1 family) were found in the non-LQT1 predicted probands. All three mutations were localized within the functional domain of KCNQ1 and were co-segregated with the disease, and were not found in 50 normal individuals.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Two novel missense mutations, 1 splice mutation and four SNPs on KCNQ1 gene were found in the 31 LQTS families. Combined with ECG-based genotype prediction, PCR-SSCP could find most mutations on KCNQ1 and be a simple and economic method for screening LQTS.</p>