Dihydroartemisinin Induces Apoptosis of Human Acute T Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells by Activating Oxidative Stress / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) Jurkat cell.@*METHODS@#The effects of DHA on the proliferation of Jurkat cells and the recovery of DHA-inhibited cell viability by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) were examined by CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell apoptosis and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Western-blot was used to detected protein expression of DNA damage-related genes, as well as apoptosis-associated genes, respectively.@*RESULTS@#DHA inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells, and shows a concentration-dependent manner(r =0.936), and NAC could partially restore the activity of DHA on cell proliferation inhibition. With the increase of drug concentration, the apoptosis rate (r =0.946) and ROS accumulation was increased (r =0.965). Western blot showed that the protein expressions of DNA damage-related gene γ-H2AX and apoptosis-related genes p53, c-Caspase3, BAX and cPARP were significantly increased, and BCL-2 protein expression was decreased.@*CONCLUSION@#DHA can induce ROS production in Jurkat cells, which can cause DNA damage, activate the P53 apoptotic pathway, and promote apoptosis of cells.

Dihydroartemisinin Induces AML cell Apoptosis by Inhibition of PTEN/AKT pathway / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells.@*METHODS@#The effects of DHA on the proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia cells and the inhibitory effect of Z-VAD-FMK on the DHA-induced cell apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 assay. The expression level of cleaved-caspased 3 was detected by indirect immunofluorescence. Western blot was used to quantify the protein expression of PTEN, p-Akt, AKT, β-actin, and the apoptosis-associated proteins, such as C-PARP, Cleaved-caspase3 and Caspase3 respectively.@*RESULTS@#DHA induced the AML cell apoptosis with concentration-dependent manner (r=-0.959, r=-0.956). The DHA could induce the accumulation of cleaved-caspase 3 and C-PARP in AML cells, activate PTEN gene and inhibited Akt phosphorylation. Apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK could partially restored the activity of DHA-inhibited cell proliferation.@*CONCLUSION@#Dihydroartemisinin induces AML cell apoptosis by inhibition of PTEN/AKT pathway. Dihydroartemisinin is expected to be a safe and effective drug for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Mechanism of Sorafenib and Decitabine Inducing Apoptosis of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of sorafenib combined with decitabine on the viability and apoptosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell line OCI-LY1 and its mechanism.@*METHODS@#Sorafenib at 1.5μmol/L or decitabine at 25μmol/L was used to treat the cells alone or in combination. The viability of OCI-LY1 cells was detected by CCK8 assay; the PI positive cells were observed by fluorescence microscopy; the cell proliferation and ROS levels were measured by flow cytometry; The expression levels of proteins related to apoptosis were detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, treatment with sorafenib and decitabine alone or in combination inhibited the cell proliferation, activated ROS formation and induced apoptosis finally. Sorafenib in combination with decitabine produced a synergistic effect. Western blot analysis showed that sorafenib combined with decitabine significantly up-regulated the levels of Bax/Bcl-2, P53, C-Caspase3 and C-PARP and activated apoptosis by inhibiting PI3K-AKT pathway.@*CONCLUSION@#Sorafenib combined with decitabine induces the apoptosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell line OCI-LY1 by inhibiting PI3K-AKT pathway and activating P53.

Paratricipital Approach for AO/OTA Type C2 Intra-Articular Fracture of Distal Humerus

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of fixation of AO/OTA type C2 fractures among intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus using the paratricipital approach (side to side retraction of the triceps). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2008 to January 2018, 12 patients underwent an open reduction and internal fixation with the paratricipital approach and were followed-up for more than 10 months after surgery. According to the AO/OTA classification, type C2 fractures were chosen among the intraarticular distal humerus fractures. An extended posterior incision was used over the olecranon in the prone position, preserving the insertion site of the triceps brachii muscle. The fracture site was exposed by retracting the muscle side-to side through a dissection of the medial and lateral intermuscular septum of the triceps brachii muscle. The therapeutic results were assessed by the anatomical reduction of the articular surface and integrity of the metaphyseal contour in postoperative simple radiographs, complications, such as neuropathy or non-union, and the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) were checked to estimate the functional outcome. RESULTS: In the postoperative simple radiographs, no case showed more than 1 mm step-off and the disrupted contour of the distal humerus was recovered to normal alignment in most cases. The range of elbow joint motion in the last follow-up was 133.8° on average with a mean flexion contracture of 5.0°. The clinical results depending on the MEPS were excellent, except for two cases, which were good. Neuropathy of the ulnar nerve was observed in one patient, which was resolved after metal removal. CONCLUSION: The paratricipital approach is useful technique in AO/OTA type C2 intra-articular distal humerus fractures that provides sufficient exposure of the surgical field, without injury to the triceps brachii muscle and postoperative complications associated with the trans-olecranon approach.

Influence of Patellar Tilt Angle in Merchant View on Postoperative Range of Motion in Posterior Cruciate Ligament-Substituting Fixed-Bearing Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether the patellar tilt angle influences the maximum knee flexion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed by using a posterior cruciate ligament-substituting (PS) fixed-bearing prosthesis in patients with relatively loose or tight flexion gap. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we followed up 169 patients for at least 2 years after TKA using PS fixed-bearing prosthesis. The patients were divided into two groups according to the flexion gap value—calculated by subtracting the thickness of the final bearing from the flexion gap measured intraoperatively under 200-cN·m force after patellar reduction and insertion of the final femoral and tibial components—into a relatively tight group (group T; 3–6.5 mm) and a relatively loose group (group L; 7–11 mm). Patellar tilt angles and maximum non–weight-bearing active knee flexion angles were assessed postoperatively. Group T was further divided into subgroup Tn if the patellar tilt angle was < 5° and subgroup Tw if the angle was ≥ 5°. Pearson correlation test was used for the correlation analysis of the flexion gap, patellar tilt angle, and postoperative flexion range. RESULTS: The mean postoperative flexion was 137.3° in group T and 137.5° in group L. The mean patellar tilt angle was 6.5° in group T and 6.9° in group L. In group T, a strong negative correlation (r = −0.78, p < 0.05) was observed between the patellar tilt and postoperative flexion range. However, further analysis revealed that only the subgroup Tw showed a strong negative correlation (r = −0.76, p < 0.05). Significant correlations were not found in the subgroup Tn and group L. CONCLUSIONS: In TKA where a relatively tight flexion gap (≤ 6.5 mm) is created because of concerns about postoperative flexion instability due to a loose flexion gap, the patellar tilt angle should be < 5° for maximal postoperative knee flexion.

Conversion of Failed Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty to Hemiarthroplasty: Three Cases of Instability and Three Cases of Glenoid Loosening

BACKGROUND: Glenoid loosening and postoperative instability are common causes of failed reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). When soft-tissue problems or large glenoid bone defect interferes with reimplantation in revision RTSA, conversion to hemiarthroplasty can be considered. We present a case series of patients who underwent conversion to hemiarthroplasty due to glenoid loosening and early instability after RTSAs, along with clinical results. METHODS: A total of 72 primary RTSAs using the Aequalis prosthesis were performed at our institution from May 2009 to December 2016. Of these, five patients, including one with humeral neck fracture and absent rotator cuff and four with cuff tear arthropathy, underwent conversion to hemiarthroplasty. Another patient who had RTSA at a local clinic underwent hemiarthroplasty at our institution for unresolved postoperative anterior dislocation. The mean age of the six patients was 71.7 years (range, 62 to 76 years), and the mean follow-up period was 24.4 months (range, 18 to 30 months). Clinical assessments were conducted by using the visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ASES) score, and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The conversion to hemiarthroplasty in the six patients dramatically improved the mean VAS score (preoperative, 8.1; postoperative, 2.5), ASES score (preoperative, 22.1; postoperative, 56.5), and UCLA score (preoperative, 12; postoperative, 18.1). However, the range of motion was almost unchanged after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion to hemiarthroplasty can be a good alternative to revision RTSA in patients with serious complications (such as unresolved instability and glenoid loosening) difficult to treat with revision RTSA.

An outbreak of beta-hemolytic streptococcal caused tonsillitis in a hospital of Chengdu city / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate an outbreak of beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillitis in a hospital.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study was conducted with a self-made questionnaire to collect the risk factors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression model were used to explore the relationship between risk factors and morbidity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>74 cases were occurred during the outbreak with patients aged mainly between 20-30 and more females than males. Most cases appeared abrupt onset between Aug., 20-22. All the patients were hospital workers, with majority as nurses and doctors from the operating room, department of anesthesiology and surgical related departments (71.62%). All patients shared the same experience-eating lunch in the dining room on Aug 19(odds ratio 6.67, 95% confidence interval 1.92-23.23). Beta-hemolytic streptococci was observed from cultures of the throats from the patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The outbreak was an explosive epidemic of tonsillitis in a hospital, caused by beta-hemolytic streptococci. Food provided from the dining room attached to the operating theater on August, 19 seemed to be the risk factor.</p>

Effects of mTOR-STAT3 on the migration and invasion abilities of hepatoma cell and mTOR-STAT3 expression in liver cancer

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of mTOR-STAT3 pathway on the invasion and migration of hepatoma cell.@*METHODS@#mTOR and STAT3 expression in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 and normal liver cell line L02 were detected by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and western blotting. The migration and invasion abilities of cells and expression of STAT3 were detected by scratch adhesion test and transwell migration assays, after siRNA transfection blocking mTOR expression of HepG2 cells.@*RESULTS@#The HepG2 cells expression is higher compared with normal cells L02 expression. Western blotting assay showed the mTOR expression was blocked, while STAT3 expression was also decreased, after the siRNA transfection of HepG2 cells. The migration (scratch adhesion test) and invasion (transwell assays) abilities of HepG2 cells which the mTOR expression was blocked by siRNA interference were significantly decreased (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#mTORSTAT3 expression in hepatoma cells HepG2 was significantly higher than that in normal liver cells. mTOR blocking can reduce the expression of STAT3, which is also closely related to the invasion and metastasis of liver cancer cells.

Complications of Hook-Plate Fixation for Distal Clavicle Fractures

PURPOSE: To report on the complications of hook-plate fixation for distal clavicle fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients who underwent surgery for distal clavicle fracture with a hook-plate from April 2008 to April 2011 were enrolled with a minimum of 4 months follow-up. The reduction was qualified and evaluated according to the radiologic findings. We analyzed the results by UCLA score, Kona's functional evaluation, and VAS pain score. RESULTS: By radiologic evaluation, 17 of 18 cases showed anatomical reduction and solid unions. Although satisfactory results were found in the clinical study as shown by the UCLA score, Kona's functional evaluation, and VAS pain score, complications arose in 7 cases, including osteolysis of the acromion in 2 cases, nonunion in 1 case, periprosthetic fracture in 2 cases, subacromial pain in 1 case, and skin irritation in 1 case. 2 cases of all required reoperation. CONCLUSION: To reduce the complications of the hook-plate, a precise surgical technique and the choice of an appropriate size for the hook-plate are needed. We suggest that early removal of the plate is necessary to decrease the risk of subacromial impingement and erosion in hook-plate fixation.

Role of serum from asphyxiated neonates in the inducement of human renal tubular cell adhesion to neutrophils / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the role of serum from asphyxiated neonates in the inducement of human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) adhesion to neutrophils and possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HK-2 cells were cultured randomly with 20% serum from neonates (1, 3, and 7 days after asphyxia), pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) or placebo. The activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), an indicator of adhesion ability of HK-2 cells to neutrophils in suspensions, was detected by the biochemistry assay. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) of HK-2 cells were examined with the immunohistochemical staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of MPO in the post-asphyxial 1-day serum treatment group were significantly higher than that in the PDTC treatment and the control groups as well as the post-asphyxial 3 and 7-day serum treatment groups (P<0.01). The expression of ICAM-1 and NF-kappaB in the post-asphyxial 1-day serum treatment group was also significantly higher than that in the other groups (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Serum from asphyxiated neonates can induce HK-2 cell adhesion to neutrophils, possibly through activating NF-kappaB and increasing the synthesis and expression of ICAM-1 on the surface of renal tubular epithelial cells.</p>