Autophagy and Inflammation in Fish / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Autophagy and inflammation are the important physiological reactions, especially in innate immunity. Autophagy, as a conservative metabolic process, can degrade its own disorder components through lysosomes to maintain cell homeostasis. Autophagy plays a pivotal role in degrading damaged organelles, resisting pathogenic infection and regulating inflammatory response. In the past decades, the study of autophagy in yeast and mammals has greatly increased our understanding for autophagy and its relationship with the diseases. In human, the regulation on autophagy levels can be used to prevent or treat neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory diseases, tumors and various pathogenic microbial infections. However, in fish, the researches on autophagy and application are limited. Inflammation is a highly complex biological process, which is a natural defense response under the stimulation of ultraviolet, pathogen infection, oxidative stress and mechanical damage. Fish, as a lower vertebrate, has an incomplete acquired immune system. Innate immunity plays an important role in defensing against pathogen infection. Compared with higher vertebrate animals, although the researches on autophagy in fish cells were carried out lately, the great progress has been made in recent years on autophagy phenomenon, expression regulation of autophagy-related genes, and mechanism caused by pathogenic infection. As an important part of innate immunity, autophagy is involved in a variety of fish pathogenic infections, and fish diseases are usually accompanied by inflammatory reaction. In this review, we summarized the update findings in recent references on the autophagy and inflammatory response caused by pathogenic infection in fish, and the correlation between them, in order to deeply understand the correlation relationship between autophagy and inflammatory response in fish. This review could provide the guidance for understanding the immune mechanism of fish, and supply the foundation for developing new strategy to prevent and control fish disease.

Theory Analysis on Absorption of Exogenous Substances in Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The safety of traditional Chinese medicine is affected by many factors, and the influence of exogenous harmful substances has been concerned and become a hot spot in recent years, especially heavy metals, pesticide residues and some other harmful substances. In order to explore the effects of non-soil and non-pesticide treatment on residues of these two harmful substances, the heavy metals and agricultural residues of Lilii Bulbus were detected, and the correlation of the data was analyzed. In this experiment, heavy metals and pesticide residues of Scrophulariae Radix were detected, and correlation analysis was conducted for their data. The mechanism of transport phase was interpreted with statistical moment similarity tool of total fingerprint by supramolecular chemistry theory. A large number of experimental data in this paper showed that heavy metals and pesticide contents in Lilii Bulbus basaltifolia had a positive correlation, which was closely related to supramolecular phenomena. Moreover, the similarity of fingerprints between Lilii Bulbus and Scrophulariae Radix suggested that Lilii Bulbus and Scrophulariae Radixa had a high selectivity in absorption of agricultural residues, which proved that the absorption of pesticides in Lilii Bulbus and Scrophulariae Radix from different habitats had the function of supramolecular imprinting template. It was considered that medicinal plant was a giant complex supramolecule with various levels of " imprinted template" . Heavy metals and agricultural residues were also involved in plant growth, forming an " imprinted template" for the formation of supramolecules between agricultural residues and heavy metals. After heavy metals and agricultural residues formed supramolecules, their liposolubility and permeability changed in varying degrees, and their transport in medicinal plants was promoted. Finally, the heavy metal supramolecules of pesticides were absorbed, distributed, aggregated and accumulated in plants. The purpose of the study was to reveal the mechanism of heavy metal and pesticide supramolecule transport, provide a new direction for the treatment of heavy metals and pesticide residues, and ensure the safety of traditional Chinese medicine.

Relationships of glucose transporter 4 with cognitive changes induced by high fat diet and glucose metabolism in hippocampus / 生理学报

The hippocampus not only plays a role in appetite and energy balance, but also is particularly important in learning and memory. Figuring out the relationships of hippocampal glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) with hippocampal glucose metabolism and hippocampus-dependent cognitive function is very important to clearly understand the pathophysiological basis of nutritional obesity and diabetes-related diseases, and treat obesity and cognitive dysfunction. Therefore, this study reviewed recent researches conducted on hippocampal GLUT4, hippocampal glucose metabolism, and hippocampus-dependent cognitive function. In this review, we mainly discussed: (1) The structure of GLUT4 and the distribution and function of GLUT4 in the hippocampus; (2) The translocation of GLUT4 in the hippocampus; (3) The relationships of the PI3K-Akt-GLUT4 signaling pathway with the high fat diet-induced changes of cognitive function and the glucose metabolism in the hippocampus; (4) The associations of the PI3K-Akt-GLUT4 signaling pathway with the diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction in the hippocampus; (5) The potential mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction induced by glucose metabolic disorder.

Risk factors and prognosis for patients with residual tumor after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the risk factors and prognosis of patients with residual tumor after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinicopathological data of 114 patients with HCC undergoing RFA in our hospital from May 2000 to March 2007 were retrospectively studied, and the prognostic factors of residual tumor were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After one session of RFA, 90 patients had complete ablation and 24 had residual tumor. The median overall survivals in the complete ablation group and residual tumor group were 40 and 29 months, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between those two groups (P = 0.242). 24 patients with residual tumor were re-treated by RFA or hepatectomy or TACE. Among them 11 patients achieved complete response and 13 incomplete response, their median overall survival were 53 and 28 months, respectively. There was no significant difference between first complete ablation group and second complete response group (P = 0.658). However, compared with the first complete ablation group, the incomplete response group had poor prognosis (P = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size > 3 cm (P = 0.007) and proximity to a large vessel (P = 0.042) were independent risk factors for residual tumor after RFA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tumor size > 3 cm and proximity to a large vessel are independent risk factors for residual tumor after RFA. Further treatment of residual tumor is necessary to eliminate the tumor and improve prognosis.</p>

Prognostic factors and outcome in patients with intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prognostic factors and treatment choice for intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinicopathological data of 184 HCC patients with intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy were collected. The influences of twenty one clinicopathological factors and treatment modalities on the survival after recurrence were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Univariate analysis showed that preoperative serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) >100 ng/ml, microscopic venous invasion, patients classified as Child-Pugh class B or C at diagnosis of recurrence, multiple recurrence foci and early recurrence (< or =12 months) were poor prognostic factors. Cox multivariate analysis showed that Child-Pugh class at diagnosis of recurrence, number of recurrent foci and time to recurrence were independent risk factors for survival in patients with recurrence. Median survival after recurrence was 34 months, 23 months, 15 months and 9 months, respectively, in patients treated by repeated hepatectomy, local ablation therapy, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or non-treatment in 69 patients with solitary recurrence. There were statistically significant differences among these four groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>classification of Child-Pugh class A at the first time of diagnosis, solitary recurrence, late recurrence (> 12 months), and intrahepatic recurrence occurred after repeated hepatectomy or local ablation therapy are better prognostic factors in patients with HCC recurrence.</p>

Comparison of endoscopic ultrasonography with computer-assisted tomography in the determination of preoperative stage and resectability of pancreatic and ampullary cancers / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study and compare the accuracy and sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and CT scaning in determination of preoperative stage and vascular invasion by pancreatic and ampullary cancers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fourty-two pancreatic cancer patients and 18 ampullary cancer patients were studied. With patients prepared according to conventional endoscopy, Olympus EUM-30 scope 1 set with a side view and 360 degrees rotate and switchable scanning probe [ultrasound frequency (7.5/12 MHz)], was introduced to the descending duodenum through the esophagus. Gas within the duodenum and stomach was aspirated. Then, in order to to facilitate ultrasound transmission, 200 ml deaerated water was injected into the duodenum and 500 ml into the stomach to distend it. The structures of each part of pancreatic head and ampullary together with surrounding vessels were scanned. Then, the scope was withdrawn to the gastric antrum, body and fundus gradually, while the pancreatic body and tail were scanned.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Between Apr. 1996 to May 2004, a total of 42 pancreatic cancer patients and 18 ampullary cancer patients were examined by EUS. Meanwhile, all these 58 patients received preoperative CT scaning. The results of stage and vascular invasion determined by EUS in this series were as following; pancreatic cancer group (n = 42): accuracy in T2-4 stage was 100.0% (5/5), 75.0% (9/12) and 48.0% (12/25), respectively; ampullary cancer group (n = 18): T1-4 stage was 75.0% (3/4), 66.7% (2/3), 75.0% (6/8) and 33.3% (1/3), respectively; the accuracy in N stage: P-group: 80.0% in N1 (4/5), 90.0% in N0 (9/10); A-group: 50.0% in N1 (3/6), 91.0% in N0 (10/11). The sensitivity, specificity of vascular invasion, resectability and unresectablilty determined by EUS and CT as compared with surgical findings during operation was 52.9% (9/17), 93.1% (27/29), 77.1% (27/35) and 81.8% (9/11) for EUS (n = 60), respectively; and 11.8% (2/17), 92.6% (25/27), 62.5% (25/40) and 50.0% (2/4) for CT (n = 58), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Endoscopic ultrosonography being one of the best image examinations to determine the stage and vascular invasion for pancreatic and ampullary cancer paitients is able to detect small pancreatic or ampullary cancer less than 2.0 cm in diameter due to its high resolution; but can not detect the secondary multiple distal metastases such as spread into the liver, peritonium or hepatoduodenal ligament, etc. due to its ultrasound depth limitation.</p>

Surgical treatment and survival analysis of recurrent carcinoma within gastric remnant:a report of 60 cases / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the surgical treatment effect and factors influencing prognosis of recurrent carcinoma within gastric remnant.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 1990 to 2003, clinical data of 60 patients underwent surgical operation again because of recurrence carcinoma within gastric remnant after radical resection were reviewed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean survival time was 32.6 months and the median survival time was 27.0 months. Thirty-seven patients (61.7%) received radical resection with the mean survival time of 45.0 months. Twenty-three patients received palliative treatment with the mean survival time of 12.7 months (P< 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that the clinical stages, pathologic classification, radical resection, peritoneal seeding, liver metastasis, the expression of CD44v6, PCNA and MVD were significantly correlated with survival time (P< 0.01), but were not correlated with sex,age,recurrence time after the first operation (P> 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the clinical stages, peritoneal seeding and radical resection were independent prognostic factors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The clinical stages, peritoneal seeding and radical resection are independent prognostic factors of recurrent carcinoma within gastric remnant. The radical resection maybe the most effective way to treat the recurrent carcinoma within gastric remnant.</p>

Preventive effect of hepatic arterial infusion (DDS) against post-operative recurrence of hepato-cellular carcinoma / 中国癌症杂志

Purpose:To explore the preventive effect of hepatic arterial infusion (DDS) against recurrence of hepato- cellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical resection.Methods:From Jan,1996 to May,1998,287 patients of HCC after radical resection were randomly divided into four groups:intra-hepatic arterial infusion(97),intra-portal vein(80),intra-hepatic artery and portal vein (60),control (50).All patients received chemotherapy for two years and observed for postoperative recurrence of HCC.Results:The postoperative recurrence rate of HCC with intra-hepatic arterial infusion was significantly lower than that of intra-portal vein (P0.05).The 1～、2～ and 3～year survival rate of intra-hepatic arterial infusion was significantly higher than any of the other groups.Conclusions:Intra-hepatic arterial infusion (DDS) through gastro-duodenal artery can effectively pro- long the postoperative survival and decrease the post-operative recurrence rate of HCC.The preventive method of DDS through gastro-duodenal artery was safer and effective.