Comparison of clinical features of pneumocystis pneumonia complicated with acute respiratory failure between human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients and non-human immunodeficiency virus-infected immunocompromised patients / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To compare the clinical characteristics and analyze the prognostic factors between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and non-HIV-infected immunocompromised patients with pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) complicated with acute respiratory failure (ARF) in intensive care unit (ICU).Methods:The clinical data of patients with PCP complicated with ARF admitted in ICU of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and The Sixth People′s Hospital of Zhengzhou City between May 2018 and October 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. All subjects were divided into HIV-infected group and non-HIV-infected immunocompromised group. General characteristics and underlying diseases of patients in the two groups were analyzed. Laboratory parameters, treatment and outcomes between two groups were compared. Independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify the risk factors for the clinical outcome. Results:A total of 129 PCP complicated with ARF patients were enrolled, including 75 HIV-infected patients and 54 non-HIV-infected immunocompromised patients. Only 10.7%(8/75) patients of HIV-infected group received anti-retroviral therapy (ART), but none of the patients in either groups had previously received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) for PCP prophylaxis. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) Ⅱ score of HIV-infected group was 18.7±6.0, which was higher than that in non-HIV-infected immunocompromised group (13.1±4.4) when admitted in ICU ( t=-5.45, P<0.001). Hypoproteinemia was common in both groups. Ninety-six percent (72/75) of HIV-infected patients had CD4 + T lymphocyte counts lower than 200/μL and 84.0%(63/75) of patients had CD4 + T lymphocyte counts even lower than 50/μL, while 5.74%(31/54) of patients in non-HIV-infected immunocompromised group had CD4 + T lymphocyte counts lower than 200/μL. The CD4 + /CD8 + T lymphocyte counts ratio was 0.05(0.02, 0.12) in HIV-infected group, which was lower than that in non-HIV-infected immunocompromised group (0.96(0.64, 1.44)), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-9.16, P<0.001). The length of ICU stay and hospital stay of non-HIV-infected immunocompromised patients were 10.0(7.0, 14.0) days and 18.0(11.8, 32.5) days, respectively, which were both longer than those in HIV-infected patients (7.0(4.0, 9.0) days and 13.0(7.0, 23.0) days, respectively), and the differences were both statistically significant ( Z=-3.58 and -2.73, respectively, both P<0.050). The hospital mortality of HIV-infected patients was 57.3%(43/75), which was significantly higher than that in non-HIV-infected immunocompromised patients (38.9%, 21/54) ( χ2=4.27, P=0.039). Multivariable logistic regression identified that lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP) and APACHE Ⅱ score were the risk factors for the clinical outcome of HIV-infected patients (odds ratio ( OR)= 1.006, 1.015 and 1.736, respectively, all P<0.050). The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood/fractional concentration of inspiratory oxygen (PaO 2/FiO 2), LDH and CD4 + T lymphocyte counts were the risk factors for the clinical outcome of non-HIV infected immunocompromised patients ( OR=0.970, 1.008 and 0.989, respectively, all P<0.050). Conclusions:PCP patients with ARF are critically ill with high mortality rate. LDH, CRP and APACHEⅡscore are predictors for prognosis of HIV-infected patients with PCP, while PaO 2/FiO 2, LDH and CD4 + T lymphocyte counts are predictors for prognosis of non-HIV infected immunocompromised patients with PCP.

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung: a case report and literature review / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To analyze and summarize the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of primary malignant melanoma of the lung (PMML).Methods:To report a confirmed case. And searched the keywords " malignant melanoma, primary, lung" from the databases of CNKI, Weipu, Wanfang and PubMed, then reviewed the relevant literature.Results:A 65-year-old male admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University with the complaint of frequent coughs with bloody sputum for 2 months. Computed tomography (CT) showed a large space-occupying lesion in the upper lobe of the right lung and to be a hyper metabolic tumor by positron emission tomography-CT. The pathological biopsy of the mass confirmed a malignant tumor cell, immunohistochemical results showed S-100(+ ), SOX-10(+ ), HMB45(+ ), MelanA(-), AE1/AE3(-), CK5/6(-), Ki-67(40%). The patient died after 3 months of diagnosis because of refusing any further therapy. There were 36 papers searched from mentioned databases reported 41 Chinese patients with PMML. And we analyzed the clinical data of 42 cases (include the present case) and discussed the diagnosis and treatment while referring to the existing literatures.Conclusions:PMML is extremely rare, and difficult to differentiate from lung cancer, A diagnosis of PMML is based on the combination of clinical, imaging characteristics and pathological outcomes. The choice of treatment is an aggressive surgical approach, combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Because of high degree of malignancy, powerful capacity for invasiveness and recurrence, the overall prognosis is poor.

Diagnosis and treatment of novelcoronavirus pneumonia after kidney transplant: a report of 2 cases / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical features and managements of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection after kidney transplantation.Methods:The authors reviewed medical history, laboratory values, imaging studies, treatment options and clinical outcomes of two confirmed hospitalized cases of COVID-19 after kidney transplant in February 2020. Both cases were middle-aged males and confirmed as COVID-19 at 11 or 12 months after transplantation. They both presented initially with moderate-to-low fever, cough and fatigue. Chest computed tomography (CT) hinted at multiple peripheral patchy ground glass opacities or patchy exudation and in bilateral multiple lobular and subsegmental with obscure boundary. Both had varying degrees of renal function and cardiac insufficiency.Results:In case 1, the dose of immunosuppressants was tapered while a higher dose of glucocorticoids was prescribed during treatment. In case 2, the dose of immunosuppressants was not tapered and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) performed thrice in the early disease course due to renal insufficiency and hyperkalemia. Both cases received oxygen inhalation, lopinavir/ritonavir, oral abidor and interferonα-2b antiviral therapy, antibiotics treatment. Both cases were cured.Conclusions:The clinical manifestations and diagnosis of COVID-19 patients after kidney transplantation are not significantly different from those of other people. However, early renal function and heart function abnormalities occur. How to adjust the immunosuppressant in the treatment course of severe COVID-19 after renal transplantation should be further explored.

The predictive value of sFlt-1 combined with extravascular lung water index in severe pneumonia patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome complicated with septic shock / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the prognosis value of plasma soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sFlt-1) combined with extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) complicated with septic shock caused by severe pneumonia. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in Respiratory Intensive Care Unit of the Affiliated Zhengzhou Central Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2015 to July 2017. The study included 52 severe pneumonia patients with ARDS complicated with septic shock, who was performed by measurement of pulse index continuous cardiac output (PICCO) and survived more than 3 days after admission. According to the 28-day mortality, these patients were divided into the survival group (31 cases) and the death group (21 cases). PICCO was used to record the EVLWI level. The plasma level of sFlt-1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were calculated. Independent risk factors were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. Correlation analysis between plasma sFlt-1 and EVLWI and APACHE II values was performed on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after admission. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was calculated, and the prognostic value of each parameter was assessed. Results The blood lactate, APACHE II score and SOFA score in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group at RICU admission (P<0.05), and the length of RICU stay was significantly shorter than that in the survival group (P<0.05), while differences in other clinical characteristics between the two groups were not statistically significant. The levels of EVLWI, sFlt-1 and blood lactate, APACHE II score and SOFA score in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day (all P<0.05), whereas the PaO2/FiO2 was significantly lower than that of the survival group on the 2nd and 3rd day (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that sflt-1 level and EVLWI were significantly related with the patient mortality. The levels of sFlt-1 on day 1, 2 and 3 after RICU admission were positively related to EVLWI and APACHE II score (all P<0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of sFlt-1 combined with EVLWI in prognosis evaluation were 89.7％, 78.2％ and 86.3％, 75.7％, respectively. The AUC of sFlt-1 combined with EVLWI was 0.875 and 0.856 on the 1st and 3rd day, respectively (all P<0.01), which had a better prognostic value than each of them. Conclusions SFlt-1 could be used as a biomarker of mortality for severe pneumonia patients with ARDS complicated with septic shock. The combination of sFlt-1 and EVLWI might be important in early prediction of the prognosis of the 28-day mortality in patients with ARDS complicated with septic shock caused by severe pneumonia.

Clinical characteristics of 92 misdiagnosis cases of tracheobronchial tuberculosis and the clinic value of endoscope / 天津医药

Objective To investigate the reasons of tracheobronchial tuberculosis misdiagnosis and its clinical charac?teristics as well as the diagnostic value of bronchoscope. Methods Clinical data of 92 cases of misdiagnosis of tracheobron?chial tuberculosis by electronic bronchoscopy in our department from January 2006 to January 2012 were analyzed retrospec?tively. Bronchoscopy, endoscopic biopsy, brushing, lavage and radiological images were all compared. Results Clinical symptoms and laboratory tests showed no specificity in diagnostic value;Chest X-ray was not typical. Bronchial stenosis was seen in 45 cases(48.9%)and bronchial obstruction was seen in 6 cases(6.5%)as shown in chest CT while no abnormality in the bronchus was seen in 41 cases(44.6%). Bronchoscopy revealed 28 cases (30.4%) of inflammatory infiltration, 14 cas?es (15.2%) of necrotizing ulceration, 35 cases (38.0%) of granulation hyperplasia and 15 cases (16.3%) of Scar stricture. En?doscopic biopsy confirmed 56 cases (60.9%), while bronchoscopic brushing and examination of acid-fast bacillus approved 32 cases (34.8%). Then, bronchoscopic lavage of acid-fast bacillus verified 39 cases (42.4%). Lastly, tuberculosis bacterium culture ascertained 75 cases (81.5%). Conclusion Bronchoscopy of local lesion with brush, lavage and biopsy is the most sensitive and specific diagnostic method to diagnose tracheobronchial tuberculosis. It has great clinical value in preventing tracheobronchial tuberculosis misdiagnosis.

Clinical feature analysis of 15 cases with secondary hemophagocytic syndrome / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objecfive To investigate the clinical characteristics,treatment and prognosis of autoimmune diseases associated and non-autoimmune diseases associated hemophagocytic syndrome.Methotis Clinical records of 15 cases witll secondary hemophagocytic syndrome'were collected and the relations with treatment and prognosis was analyze.The similarities and differences between autoimmune disease associated bemophagocytic syndrome (group A)and non-autoimmune disease associated hemophagocytic syndrome (group B)were compared.Fisher exact test,t test and Willcoxen test were used for statistical analysis.Results Both groups had fever,bleeding,jaundice,hepatosplenomegaly,and arthralgia,skin rash and positive of autoantibodies in group A were discovered specifically.But in group B,the patients with icterus were mo common(38% vs 100%,p=0.018).There was no significant difference in their laboratory data and prognosis when compared between the two groups(P>0.05).The patients who received corticosteroids and IVIG and/or immunosuppressive agents had better prognosis(P<0.05).Conclusion Except for icterus there is no significant difference in clinical features and laboratory data among autoimmune disease associated hemophagocytic syndrome and other secondary hemophagocytic syndrome.And the therapy with corticosteroids combined with IVIG and/or immunosupprcssive agents is effective.

The Effect of Interleukin-18 on Airway Inflammation in Asthmatic Murine Models and Its Mechanisms / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to investigate the effect of interleukin-18 (IL-18) on airway inflammation in asthmatic murine models and its mechanisms, BALB/C mice were randomly divided into three groups (n=10 in each group): group A (control group); group B (asthmatic model group); group C (IL-18-treated group). The asthmatic model was established in groups B and C by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) killed by ultraviolet. Saline solution (0.1 mL) and IL-18 (0.1 mL, 1 μg) were intraperitoneally injected respectively in groups B and C at 7 time points (day 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22). The number of eosinophils (EOS) and plasmacytes in the airway was observed. The levels of inter-feron gamma (IFN-γ) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by ELISA. The results showed that symptoms of asthma in group C were more severe than in groups A and B. In group A,there were no EOS and plasmacytes in the airway submucosa. The number of EOS [15±3 (average cell counts per microscopic visual field, the same below)] and plasmacytes (10±2) in group B were increased significantly. However, the number of EOS and plasmacytes in group C (6±2 and 2±1, re- spectively) was decreased significantly as compared with group B (both P<0.05). The levels of IFN-γ in groups A, B and C were 31±3, 40±5 and 63±5 pg/mL respectively, and those in group C were sig- nificantly higher than in groups A and B (both P<0.05). It was suggested that the mechanism by which IL-18 inhibited the airway inflammation in asthmatic mice might be contributed to the fact that IL-18 could induce the induction of IFN-γ.

Antisense Oligonucleotide of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1alpha Suppresses Growth and Tumorigenicity of Lung Cancer Cells A549 / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To study the role and mechanisms of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) on the growth and tumorigenicity of lung cancer cells A549, the antisense oligonucleotide of HIF-1α was transfected to A549 cells. The effect of the antisense oligonucleotide on tumor growth in vitro and in vivo was evaluated by the growth rate suppression of A549 cells and subcutaneous implanted tumor in nude mice, and the effect on tumorigenicity was evaluated by the expression inhibition of angiogenic factors, the microvessel density (MVD)and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression which were detected by immohistochemistry and western blot respectively. This study revealed that in vitro the growth rate of antisense oligonucleotide group was significantly decreased as compared with that of control group, sense oligonucleotide group and false-sense oligonucleotide group; in vivo the weight of implanted tumors in nude mice of antisense oligonucleotide group was 1.51±0.40 g, which was significantly lower than that of control group (2.79±0.33 g), sense oligonucleotide group (2.81±0.45g) and false-sense oligonucleotide group (2.89±0.39 g) and the inhibitory rate was 47 %. Both MVD and VEGF protein expression were significantly inhibited in antisense oligonucleotide group compared with those in other groups. These results indicated that antisense oligonucleotide of HIF-1α could inhibit lung cancer cells A549 growth in vitro and in vivo, and the mechanism may be due to the inhibition of vascular growth and VEGF protein expression.

Antisense oligonucleotide of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha suppresses growth and tumorigenicity of lung cancer cells A549 / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To study the role and mechanisms of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) on the growth and tumorigenicity of lung cancer cells A549, the antisense oligonucleotide of HIF-1alpha was transfected to A549 cells. The effect of the antisense oligonucleotide on tumor growth in vitro and in vivo was evaluated by the growth rate suppression of A549 cells and subcutaneous implanted tumor in nude mice, and the effect on tumorigenicity was evaluated by the expression inhibition of angiogenic factors, the microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression which were detected by immohistochemistry and western blot respectively. This study revealed that in vitro the growth rate of antisense oligonucleotide group was significantly decreased as compared with that of control group, sense oligonucleotide group and false-sense oligonucleotide group; in vivo the weight of implanted tumors in nude mice of antisense oligonucleotide group was 1.51 +/- 0.40 g, which was significantly lower than that of control group (2.79 +/- 0.33 g), sense oligonucleotide group (2.81 +/- 0.45 g) and false-sense oligonucleotide group (2.89 +/- 0.39 g) and the inhibitory rate was 47%. Both MVD and VEGF protein expression were significantly inhibited in antisense oligonucleotide group compared with those in other groups. These results indicated that antisense oligonucleotide of HIF-1alpha could inhibit lung cancer cells A549 growth in vitro and in vivo, and the mechanism may be due to the inhibition of vascular growth and VEGF protein expression.

Influence of Ciglitazone on A549 Cells Growth in vitro and in vivo and Mechanism / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The effect and mechanism of the ciglitazone on lung cancer cells A549 growth in vitro and in vivo were studied. Various concentrations of ciglitazone were added to the cultured A549 line, and the proliferation and differentiation of A549 cells were examined by MTT and cytometry analysis. A549 cells (1 × 106/mouse) were inoculated subcutaneously into 20 nude mice, which were randomly divided into two groups: the control group, the ciglitazone treated group. The weights of subcutaneous tumors were measured. The expression of cyclin D1 and P21 in the lung was detected by immohistochemistry and Western blot respectively. The results showed that the proliferation of A549 was inhibited significantly by ciglitazone in a dose- and time-dependent manner. There were more cells arrested in G1/G0 phase and the expression of PPARγ was markedly upregulated in ciglitazone-treated group. Direct injection of ciglitazone into A549-induced tumors could suppress tumor growth in nude mice and the growth inhibitory rate was 36 %. The expression of cyclin D1 was decreased and P21 increased significantly in ciglitazone-treated group as compared with control group. It was concluded that ciglitazone could inhibit A549 proliferation dose-dependently and time-dependently and induce differentiation, which might be related to the modulation of cell cycle interfered by PPARγ.

Effect of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, nimesulide, combined with cisplatin on lung cancer / 中国肺癌杂志

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To study the effect and possible mechanism of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, nimesulide (NIM), combined with cisplatin (DDP) on human lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The proliferation and apoptosis of human lung cancer cell line A549 were evaluated by MTT reduction assay and flow cytometry respectively. The inhibitory effects of NIM and DDP to neoplasia were verified on subcutaneous implanted tumor of nude mice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both NIM and DDP could inhibit A549 cell proliferation in a concentration dependent pattern. When NIM (25 μmol/L) and DDP (≥1 mg/L) were combined, the inhibitory effect was enhanced in a synergistic or additive pattern. Both NIM (25 μmol/L) and DDP (3 mg/L) could significantly increase the apoptosis of A549 cells ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and this action was remarkably increased when DDP was combined with NIM ( P < 0.01, P < 0.01). NIM and DDP could inhibit the growth of subcutaneous implanted tumor on nude mice and the inhibitory rate of NIM combined with DDP was significantly higher than that of NIM or DDP alone ( P < 0.01, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NIM combined with DDP shows significantly synergistic anti-tumor effects on lung cancer cell line A549 and subcutaneous implanted tumor on nude mice, which may be achieved by enhancement of growth inhibition and apoptosis induction to tumor cells.</p>

Effects of glucocorticoid on IL-13-induced Muc5ac expression in airways of mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To study the effects of glucocorticoid on the IL-13-induced Muc5ac expression in airways of mice, and investigate its role in mucus secretion of airways, 24 pathogen-free BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups. IL-13 group received an nasal instillation of 100 microg of recombinant murine IL-13 solution on days 1, 3 and 5. In dexamethasone group, dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 24 h before and 1 h before the first instillation of IL-13 and on 4 consecutive days (day 0 to day 5, 6 consecutive days in total), while control group was not treated with IL-13 or dexamethasone. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and eosinophils were counted, and expression of Muc5ac mRNA and protein in lungs were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology and immunohistochemical assay respectively. Our results showed that the number of mice, with positve Muc5ac protein expression, expression of Muc5ac mRNA and eosinophils in BALF after IL-13 treatment were all significantly higher than that of control group (all P<0.01). Despite eosinophils reduced (P<0.01), the number of mice with positive Muc5ac protein expression, expression of Muc5ac mRNA afterdexamethasone treatment didn't decreas significantly as compared with that of IL-13 group. It is concluded that IL-13 can up-regulate the expression of Muc5ac mRNA and protein, which may play a pivotal role in the mucus overproduction of airways. Dexamethasone can suppress IL-13-induced eosinophilic infiltration in lung but can't inhibit the mucus overproduction.

Effects of glucocorticoid on IL-13-induced Muc5ac expression in airways of mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To study the effects of glucocorticoid on the IL-13-induced Muc5ac expression in airways of mice, and investigate its role in mucus secretion of airways, 24 pathogen-free BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups. IL-13 group received an nasal instillation of 100 microg of recombinant murine IL-13 solution on days 1, 3 and 5. In dexamethasone group, dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 24 h before and 1 h before the first instillation of IL-13 and on 4 consecutive days (day 0 to day 5, 6 consecutive days in total), while control group was not treated with IL-13 or dexamethasone. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and eosinophils were counted, and expression of Muc5ac mRNA and protein in lungs were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology and immunohistochemical assay respectively. Our results showed that the number of mice, with positve Muc5ac protein expression, expression of Muc5ac mRNA and eosinophils in BALF after IL-13 treatment were all significantly higher than that of control group (all P<0.01). Despite eosinophils reduced (P<0.01), the number of mice with positive Muc5ac protein expression, expression of Muc5ac mRNA afterdexamethasone treatment didn't decreas significantly as compared with that of IL-13 group. It is concluded that IL-13 can up-regulate the expression of Muc5ac mRNA and protein, which may play a pivotal role in the mucus overproduction of airways. Dexamethasone can suppress IL-13-induced eosinophilic infiltration in lung but can't inhibit the mucus overproduction.

Expression and significance of cyclooxygenase 2 gene in lung cancer / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To study the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) gene and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics of lung cancer, expression of the COX-2 mRNA was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in cancerous tissues and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues from 56 patients and benign lesions from 12 patients. Our results showed that expression of COX-2 gene was detected in a significantly greater proportion of cancerous tissues (60.7%) than adjacent noncancerous tissues (10.7%, P0.05). The up-regulation of COX-2 gene in lung cancer tissues especially in adenocarcinoma suggested that COX-2 may play a role in the lung carcinogenesis and COX-2 gene may serve as a potential therapeutic target in lung cancer.

The effects of nimesulide combined with cisplatin on lung cancer / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To study the effects of cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitor Nimesulide (NIM) combined with Cisplatin (DDP) on human lung cancer and the possible mechanisms, the proliferation and apoptosis of human lung cancer cell line A549 were evaluated by MTT reduction assay and flow cytometry respectively. The inhibitory effect on neoplasia in vivo was tested on nude mice subcutaneously implanted tumor. Our results showed that NIM and DDP could inhibit A549 cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent pattern; this action was enhanced when NIM (25 micromol/L) was given in combination with DDP and they worked in a synergistic or additive pattern as DDP concentration > or = 1 microg/ml. NIM and DDP could induce A549 cells apoptosis and the action was augmented when used in combination (P<0.01). NIM and DDP could inhibit the growth of subcutaneously implanted tumors on nude mice (P<0.05, P<0.01) and the inhibitory rate of NIM combined with DDP was significantly higher than that of NIM or DDP group (P<0.01, P<0.01). It is concluded that combined use of NIM and DDP has significant synergistic antitumor effects on lung cancer cell line A549 and in animals in vivo. The synergy may be achieved by growth inhibition and apoptosis induction.

The expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha in lung cancer and its correlation with P53 and VEGF / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To investigate the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1alpha) and its correlation with P53 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), immunohistochemical technique was employed to detect the protein expressions of HIF-1alpha, P53 and VEGF in specimens from 57 patients with lung cancer. The results indicated that the total positive proportion of HIF-1alpha expression was 63% and the HIF-1alpha expression was more frequent in bronchiole-alveolar carcinoma (86%) than in other lung cancer. There was a strong association of HIF-1alpha with VEGF and P53 protein expressions. It is concluded that HIF-1alpha overexpression is a common event in lung cancer, which may be related to the up-regulation of the angiogenic factor VEGF and oncogene mutant P53 protein.

Expression and significance of cyclooxygenase 2 gene in lung cancer / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To study the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) gene and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics of lung cancer, expression of the COX-2 mRNA was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in cancerous tissues and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues from 56 patients and benign lesions from 12 patients. Our results showed that expression of COX-2 gene was detected in a significantly greater proportion of cancerous tissues (60.7%) than adjacent noncancerous tissues (10.7%, P<0.01) and benign lesions (3/12, P<0.05). Expression of COX-2 gene was higher in adenocarcinoma than in squamous carcinoma (P<0.01). There was no significant relationship between COX-2 gene expression and patients' age, sex, histological type of tumors, differentiation degree and TNM stages (P>0.05). The up-regulation of COX-2 gene in lung cancer tissues especially in adenocarcinoma suggested that COX-2 may play a role in the lung carcinogenesis and COX-2 gene may serve as a potential therapeutic target in lung cancer.

Expression of angiopoietin-2 gene in non-small cell lung cancer / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To study the expression of Angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2) gene and its relationship with clinical pathological characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), expression of the Ang-2 mRNA was evaluated by employing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in cancerous tissues and paired adjacent noncancerous tissues from 52 patients. The expression of Ang-2 gene was detected in a significantly greater proportion of cancerous tissues (80.8%) than paired adjacent noncancerous tissues (53.8%, P<0.01). No significant relationship was found between Ang-2 gene expression and patients' age, sex, histology of tumors, differentiation and TNM stages (P>0.05). It is concluded that the up-regulation of Ang-2 gene may play a role in the pathway of NSCLC carcinogenesis and Ang-2 may be used as a potential therapeutic agent for lung cancer.

Influence of COX-2 inhibitor on angiopoietin expression of human lung cancer xenografts in nude mice / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the influence and significance of nimesulide (NIM), a selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor, on angiopoietin expression of human lung cancer xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: Human A549 lung cancer cells were inoculated subcutaneously in athymic nude mice to establish xenograft models. The mice were divided into NIM group and control group randomly. Mice in NIM group and control group were administered with NIM (6 mg/kg) and saline into stomachs respectively once a day for 35 days. The inhibitory rate was calculated and expressions of angiopoietin-1, -2 (Ang-1, Ang-2) mRNA in xenografts were measured by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Microvessel density (MVD) in xenografts was assessed immunohistochemically using antibody against FⅧ.RESULTS: NIM inhibited the xenografts growth significantly and the inhibitory rate was 43.02%. Expression of Ang-2 mRNA but not Ang-1 mRNA was significantly reduced (P

Expression of Ca~(2+)-activated Cl~- channel gob-5 and mucin gene Muc5ac in lungs of asthmatic mice / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To study the changes of a member of Ca~ 2+ -activated Cl~- channel, gob-5 and mucin gene Muc5ac expression in lungs of asthmatic mice. METHODS: Twenty-two pathogen-free BALB/c mice were randomly divided into asthma group and control group. Expression of gob-5 mRNA and Muc5ac protein in lungs were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical assay, respectively. RESULTS: The expression of gob-5 mRNA in asthma group was positive (0.2297?0.0186,A), whereas in control group was absent (P