Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids prevent progression of liver fibrosis and promote liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in cirrhotic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on liver regeneration of rats with liver cirrhosis after hepatectomy and antifibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were intravenously injected in n-3 PUFA group 3 days before the operation to 1 day after partial hepatectomy. 70% hepatectomy was performed in rats, which were subsequently divided into 4 groups, namely normal and hepatectomy group (PH); liver cirrhosis and hepatectomy group (LC+PH); liver cirrhosis, n-3 PUFA (1 mL/kg), and hepatectomy group (LC+n-3 PUFA+PH); liver cirrhosis, n-3 PUFA (2 mL/kg) and hepatectomy group (LC+n-3PUFA*+PH). Body/liver weight ratios, serum parameters, histopathological examination, immunostaining, inflammatory cytokine and quantification of mRNA expression were also investigated. RESULTS: Liver regeneration was significantly delayed compared with PH group 7 days after hepatectomy (PH) in LC+PH group. Besides, liver regeneration of LC+n-3 PUFA*+PH group increased significantly compared with LC+PH group 7 days after PH. In LC+PH group, liver cirrhotic was significantly higher compared with LC+n-3 PUFA+PH group 7 days after PH. In the meantime, liver cirrhosis of LC+n-3 PUFA*+PH group was significantly reduced compared with LC+n-3 PUFA+PH group 7 days after PH. Anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was decreased in LC+n-3 PUFA*+PH group compared with LC+PH group. N-3 PUFA also suppressed increments in mRNA expression for transforming growth factor-ß and up-regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and matrix metalloproteinase-1 in the liver. CONCLUSIONS: The mentioned results clearly show that n-3 PUFA reduces liver fibrosis and promotes liver regeneration, even under cirrhotic conditions. This could be a potentially useful treatment for liver cirrhosis.

Knee effusion-synovitis volume measurement and effects of vitamin D supplementation in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a measure of knee joint effusion-synovitis volume and to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on effusion-synovitis in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and low vitamin D levels over 24 months. METHOD: Symptomatic knee OA patients with low 25-(OH)D levels (12.5-60 nmol/l) were recruited for a multi-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled and double-blind trial. Participants (age 63 ± 7 years, 208 females) were allocated to either 50,000 IU monthly vitamin D3 (n = 209) or placebo (n = 204) for 24 months. Knee effusion-synovitis volume in suprapatellar and other regions was measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using OsiriX software. The intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to test inter- and intra-rater reliabilities. The least significant change criterion was used to define the increase/decrease in effusion-synovitis volume. RESULT: The reproducibilities of effusion-synovitis volume measurement were high with ICCs ranging from 0.93 to 0.99. Over 24 months, effusion-synovitis volume remained stable in the vitamin D group but increased in placebos with a significant between-group difference (-1.94 ml, 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.54, -0.33). This effect was evident in those with baseline effusion-synovitis and with suprapatellar effusion-synovitis. The proportion with an increase in effusion-synovitis volume was lower in the vitamin D group than placebo (risk ratio (RR): 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.97). CONCLUSION: This highly reproducible effusion-synovitis volume measurement could be a promising outcome measure in OA trials. Vitamin D supplementation could retard the progression of effusion-synovitis which can potentially benefit people with an inflammatory OA phenotype.

Extraction of proteins and preliminary characterization of physicochemical properties in Toona sinensis fruit.

We investigated the extraction of Toona sinensis fruit proteins and preliminarily characterized their physicochemical properties. The results showed that optimal extraction occurred under conditions of pH 10.5, a duration of 40 min, a liquid-to-solid ratio of 25:1, and a temperature of 40°C by an orthogonal design using T. sinensis fruit protein as the index and single factor. The total nitrogen content was 13.8 g/100 g and included 17 different amino acids. The glutamate level was highest at 35.37%, followed by arginine at 15.31%. The isoelectric point of T. sinensis fruit protein was between 6.8 and 10.0 with a typical absorption peak by infrared chromatography. Three protein bands were analyzed using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with relative molecular weights of 55, 51, and 22 kDa. This study provides a theoretical basis for the comprehensive utilization of T. sinensis fruit by further investigating the biological activity of its proteins.

Associations between endogenous sex hormones and MRI structural changes in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the longitudinal association between endogenous sex hormones and knee osteoarthritis (OA) structures and pain. METHOD: We examined 200 participants (mean age 63.0 ± 7.3 years) from a clinical trial of vitamin D supplement for symptomatic knee OA. Serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were analyzed at baseline and 24 months later. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of selected knee were obtained at both baseline and follow-up for the measurement of cartilage volume, cartilage defects, bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and effusion-synovitis volume. Knee pain was assessed using a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Longitudinal data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS: One hundred and seven males and 93 females were included in this study. For females, after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), and vitamin D level, progesterone was positively associated with cartilage volume (ß = 0.12 mm3 per quartile, P < 0.01). Estradiol levels were associated with lower grades of BMLs (ß = -0.46 per quartile, P = 0.03), while estradiol (ß = -1.28 per quartile, P = 0.04), progesterone (ß = -1.56 per quartile, P < 0.01) and testosterone (ß = -1.51 per quartile, P = 0.01) were inversely associated with effusion-synovitis volume. Testosterone was inversely associated with knee pain. No consistent associations were observed for males. CONCLUSION: In women but not men, low serum levels of endogenous estradiol, progesterone and testosterone are associated with increased knee effusion-synovitis and possibly other OA-related structural changes. This may contribute to observed sex differences in knee OA.

Long-term effect of aromatase inhibitors on bone microarchitecture and macroarchitecture in non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

In non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women with breast cancer, aromatase inhibitors (AIs) negatively affected bone mineral density (BMD), lumbar spine trabecular bone score (TBS) as a bone microarchitecture index, and hip geometry as a bone macroarchitecture index. INTRODUCTION: AIs increase the risk of fracture in patients with breast cancer. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the long-term skeletal effects of AIs in postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective longitudinal observational study in non-osteoporotic patients with breast cancer who were treated with AIs for ≥3 years (T-score >-2.5). Patients with previous anti-osteoporosis treatment or those who were given bisphosphonate during AI treatment were excluded from the analysis. We serially assessed BMD, lumbar spine TBS, and hip geometry using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: BMD significantly decreased from baseline to 5 years at the lumbar spine (-6.15%), femur neck (-7.12%), and total hip (-6.35%). Lumbar spine TBS also significantly decreased from baseline to 5 years (-2.12%); this change remained significant after adjusting for lumbar spine BMD. The annual loss of lumbar spine BMD and TBS slowed after 3 and 1 year of treatment, respectively, although there was a relatively constant loss of BMD at the femur neck and total hip for up to 4 years. The cross-sectional area, cross-sectional moment of inertia, minimal neck width, femur strength index, and section modulus significantly decreased, although the buckling ratio increased over the treatment period (all P < 0.001); these changes were independent of total hip BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term adjuvant AI treatment negatively influenced bone quality in addition to BMD in patients with breast cancer. This study suggests that early monitoring and management are needed in non-osteoporotic patients with breast cancer who are starting AIs.

[Diagnosis and treatment of T1a-T1b prostate cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical pathological characteristics and improve the recognition in the diagnosis and treatment of incidental (stage T1a-T1b) prostate cancer. METHODS: Seven hundred and seventy-one patients who underwent TURP from May 2004 to September 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. In our institution, TURP specimens should be totally submitted in an extensive sampling method. The tumor area was outlined by estimation of an experienced genitourinary pathologist and calculated by the image analysis system software (Image J 1.47 h). The tumor area was then multiplied by the thickness of tissue. The total sum of all tumor volume was the estimated tumor volume. The clinical and pathological factors, follow-up results were obtained and we aimed to collect information about the period of watchful waiting (WW), PSA progression status, intervention status during the follow-up, the reason for intervention on WW and the type of intervention. RESULTS: The average age of 771 patients was (71.3±5.9) years old, and the average BMI was (23.9±3.1) kg/m2, preoperative average tPSA was (4.4±2.8) µg/L. Eighty-six (11.2%) cases of incidental prostate cancer were detected. The patients in T1a group (77 cases, 89.5%) had tumor volumes of (12.3±12.6) mm3, and the patients in T1b group had tumor volumes of (105.1±41.8) mm3.The range of tumor volume was 0.4-180.2 mm3. The volume of all the 86 cases was less than 500 mm3 as the threshold of insignificant cancer. All the patients were managed by WW. The mean follow-up time was 88.9 (27.9-150.1) months.The Gleason score was <7 in 79 patients, and ≥7 in 7 patients. There was no significant difference in age, preoperative tPSA, preoperative PSAD, postoperative tPSA, prostate volume and TURP resection between T1a group and T1b group (P>0.05). Among 84 patients without follow-up losts, PSA progression occurred in 5 patients. One T1a patient underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) as an intervention, and 3 patients underwent hormone therapy. One patient in T1b group underwent radiotherapy for PSA progression and one was treated because of patient preference without evidence of disease progression. There were no patients who died due to prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: Eighty-six (11.2%) cases of incidental prostate cancer were detected. The tumor volume of all the cases was insignificant cancer.The clinical outcomes of IPCa were satisfactory with the initial treatment of WW in the Chinese population.

In vitro innate immune cell based models to assess whole cell Bordetella pertussis vaccine quality: a proof of principle.

Lot release testing of vaccines is primarily based on animal models that are costly, time-consuming and sometimes of questionable relevance. In order to reduce animal use, functional in vitro assays are being explored as an alternative approach for the current lot release testing paradigm. In this study, we present an evaluation of APC platforms assessing innate immune activation by whole cell Bordetella pertussis (wP) vaccines. Primary monocytes, monocyte-derived DC (moDC) and human monocyte/DC cell lines (MonoMac6 and MUTZ-3) were compared for their capacity to respond to wP vaccines of varying quality. To produce such vaccines, the production process of wP was manipulated, resulting in wP vaccines covering a range of in vivo potencies. The responses of MUTZ-3 cells and primary monocytes to these vaccines were marginal and these models were therefore considered inappropriate. Importantly, moDC and MonoMac6 cells responded to the wP vaccines and discriminated between vaccines of varying quality, although slight variations in the responses to wP vaccines of similar quality were also observed. This study provides a proof of principle for the use of in vitro APC platforms as part of a new strategy to assess wP vaccine lot consistency, though careful standardisation of assay conditions is necessary.

Physical activity as determinant of femoral neck strength relative to load in adult women: findings from the hip strength across the menopause transition study.

UNLABELLED: Our objective was to examine associations of physical activity in different life domains with peak femoral neck strength relative to load in adult women. Greater physical activity in each of the domains of sport, active living, home, and work was associated with higher peak femoral neck strength relative to load. INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to examine the associations of physical activity in different life domains with peak femoral neck strength relative to load in adult women. Composite indices of femoral neck strength integrate body size with femoral neck size and bone mineral density to gauge bone strength relative to load during a fall, and are inversely associated with incident fracture risk. METHODS: Participants were 1,919 pre- and early perimenopausal women from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Composite indices of femoral neck strength relative to load in three failure modes (compression, bending, and impact) were created from hip dual-energy X-ray absorption scans and body size. Usual physical activity within the past year was assessed with the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey in four domains: sport, home, active living, and work. We used multiple linear regression to examine the associations. RESULTS: Greater physical activity in each of the four domains was independently associated with higher composite indices, adjusted for age, menopausal transition stage, race/ethnicity, Study of Women's Health Across the Nation study site, smoking status, smoking pack-years, alcohol consumption level, current use of supplementary calcium, current use of supplementary vitamin D, current use of bone-adverse medications, prior use of any sex steroid hormone pills or patch, prior use of depo-provera injections, history of hyperthyroidism, history of previous adult fracture, and employment status: standardized effect sizes ranged from 0.04 (p < 0.05) to 0.20 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity in each domain examined was associated with higher peak femoral neck strength relative to load in pre- and early perimenopausal women.

Pomalidomide shows significant therapeutic activity against CNS lymphoma with a major impact on the tumor microenvironment in murine models.

Primary CNS lymphoma carries a poor prognosis. Novel therapeutic agents are urgently needed. Pomalidomide (POM) is a novel immunomodulatory drug with anti-lymphoma activity. CNS pharmacokinetic analysis was performed in rats to assess the CNS penetration of POM. Preclinical evaluation of POM was performed in two murine models to assess its therapeutic activity against CNS lymphoma. The impact of POM on the CNS lymphoma immune microenvironment was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. In vitro cell culture experiments were carried out to further investigate the impact of POM on the biology of macrophages. POM crosses the blood brain barrier with CNS penetration of ~ 39%. Preclinical evaluations showed that it had significant therapeutic activity against CNS lymphoma with significant reduction in tumor growth rate and prolongation of survival, that it had a major impact on the tumor microenvironment with an increase in macrophages and natural killer cells, and that it decreased M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophages and increased M1-polarized macrophages when macrophages were evaluated based on polarization status. In vitro studies using various macrophage models showed that POM converted the polarization status of IL4-stimulated macrophages from M2 to M1, that M2 to M1 conversion by POM in the polarization status of lymphoma-associated macrophages is dependent on the presence of NK cells, that POM induced M2 to M1 conversion in the polarization of macrophages by inactivating STAT6 signaling and activating STAT1 signaling, and that POM functionally increased the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Based on our findings, POM is a promising therapeutic agent for CNS lymphoma with excellent CNS penetration, significant preclinical therapeutic activity, and a major impact on the tumor microenvironment. It can induce significant biological changes in tumor-associated macrophages, which likely play a major role in its therapeutic activity against CNS lymphoma. POM should be further evaluated in clinical trials.

Effects of microencapsulated Enterococcus fecalis CG1.0007 on growth performance, antioxidation activity, and intestinal microbiota in broiler chickens.

We performed a series of trials to assess the effect of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated Enterococcus fecalis CG1.0007 on growth performance, antioxidation activity, and intestinal microbiota in Arbor Acres broiler chickens ("broilers"). A total of 150 1-d-old broilers were assigned randomly to 5 feeding treatments (a control group fed the basal diet, 3 groups fed the basal diet plus various concentrations of microencapsulated CG1.0007, and 1 group fed the basal diet plus an antibiotic). Changes in important genera of intestinal bacteria were studied using 16S rRNA gene-based PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiling and real-time quantitative PCR analysis of fecal samples. During the course of the 42-d experimental period, ADG of the birds fed the high and intermediate concentrations of microcapsules were significantly greater (9.90 and 9.50%, respectively) and the ratios of feed to gain fed were significantly lower (4.40 and 4.00%, respectively) compared with the control group. The total antioxidant capacity and the content of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in the microcapsule-treated groups showed significant changes in terms of antioxidation. The numbers of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were significantly greater in the microcapsule-treated groups than in the control group. Cluster analysis indicated that the DGGE bacterial profiles were related to the feeding treatments and revealing the diversity and richness of the intestinal microbiota associated with supplementation of microcapsules. In summary, our results indicate that dietary addition of microencapsulated E. fecalis CG1.0007 enhanced the growth performance of the broilers and improved their health.

Biogeography and variability of eleven mineral elements in plant leaves across gradients of climate, soil and plant functional type in China.

Understanding variation of plant nutrients is largely limited to nitrogen and to a lesser extent phosphorus. Here we analyse patterns of variation in 11 elements (nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium/calcium/magnesium/sulphur/silicon/iron/sodium/manganese/aluminium) in leaves of 1900 plant species across China. The concentrations of these elements show significant latitudinal and longitudinal trends, driven by significant influences of climate, soil and plant functional type. Precipitation explains more variation than temperature for all elements except phosphorus and aluminium, and the 11 elements differentiate in relation to climate, soil and functional type. Variability (assessed as the coefficient of variation) and environmental sensitivity (slope of responses to environmental gradients) are lowest for elements that are required in the highest concentrations, most abundant and most often limiting in nature (the Stability of Limiting Elements Hypothesis). Our findings can help initiate a more holistic approach to ecological plant nutrition and lay the groundwork for the eventual development of multiple element biogeochemical models.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of radiation-induced injury in the head and neck region: a review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy is generally used in the treatment of malignant tumors in the head and neck region. It causes a hypoxic, hypocellular, and hypovascular environment that leads to injury to surrounding normal tissue, both acute and chronic, ranging from xerostomia to osteoradionecrosis. These side effects are debilitating and greatly influence quality of life in these patients. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is clinically used to prevent or treat these side effects by enhancing oxygen pressure and thereby regeneration. Although this therapy is widely applied, its mechanism of action is still poorly understood, and controversy exists in the literature about its clinical use. This review therefore aims to analyze the existing experimental and clinical research on this topic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was performed in PubMed for experimental and clinical studies conducted regarding the use of HBO therapy in previously irradiated tissue, in the period from January 1990 to June 2009. RESULTS: Experimental research is scarce, and clinical studies are especially lacking in terms of randomized controlled studies. Although discussions on the subject are ongoing, most studies suggest a beneficial role for HBO in previously irradiated tissue. CONCLUSION: Further research, both experimental and clinical, is necessary to unravel the working mechanism of HBO therapy and validate its clinical use.

Use of rituximab for periocular and intraocular mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

The clinical efficacy of rituximab therapy in systemic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma with both periocular and intraocular involvement is described. Ophthalmic examination and radiologic imaging demonstrated tumor with bilateral periorbital, lacrimal, and subconjunctival infiltration, a pseudohypopyon in one eye, and extensive systemic lymph node involvement. Lymph node biopsy confirmed the pathologic findings of a low-grade MALT lymphoma. The patient had a complete remission within 3 months of starting rituximab therapy. A recurrence 6 months later remitted with a second round of rituximab therapy and the patient remained tumor-free at 1 year.

The alkaloid Berberine inhibits the growth of Anoikis-resistant MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines by inducing cell cycle arrest.

Berberine is a pure phenanthren alkaloid isolated from the roots and bark of herbal plants such as Berberis, Hydrastis canadensis and Coptis chinensis. Berberine has been established to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, but its effects on the drug resistance and anoikis-resistance of breast cancer cells have yet to be elucidated. Anoikis, or detachment-induced apoptosis, may prevent cancer progression and metastasis by blocking signals necessary for survival of localized cancer cells. Resistance to anoikis is regarded as a prerequisite for metastasis; however, little is known about the role of berberine in anoikis-resistance. We established anoikis-resistant cells from the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 by culturing them on a Poly-Hema substratum. We then investigated the effects of berberine on the growth of these cells. The anoikis-resistant cells had a reduced growth rate and were more invasive than their respective adherent cell lines. The effect of berberine on growth was compared to that of doxorubicine, which is a drug commonly used to treat breast cancer, in both the adherent and anoikis-resistant cell lines. Berberine promoted the growth inhibition of anoikis-resistant cells to a greater extent than doxorubicine treatment. Treatment with berberine-induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 in the anoikis-resistant MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells as compared to untreated control cells. In summary, these results revealed that berberine can efficiently inhibit growth by inducing cell cycle arrest in anoikis-resistant MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Further analysis of these phenotypes is essential for understanding the effect of berberine on anoikis-resistant breast cancer cells, which would be relevant for the therapeutic targeting of breast cancer metastasis.

Blockade of the CD28 and CD40 pathways result in the acceptance of pig and rat islet xenografts but not rat cardiac grafts in mice.

Previously, we demonstrated that combination CTLA4-Fc and anti-CD40L mAb treatment results in tolerance to concordant, cellular islet xenografts. The aim of this study was to determine its effectiveness in a model of fetal pig pancreas (FPP) xenotransplantation. Survival of FPP fragment grafts were compared to the survival of rat islet or cardiac xenografts following short term CTLA4-Fc and anti-CD40L mAb treatment. Rat islet and FPP fragment grafts survived long-term. However, rat cardiac grafts were rejected by 52-91 days. Both rat islet and FPP grafts showed similar histology with intact islet structures and adjacent 'nests' of lymphocytes. Concordant vascularised rat hearts showed extensive polymorphonuclear infiltrate, concentric vasculitis and a perivascular infiltrate predominantly of CD8+ T cells. This suggests that this therapy is effective for prolonging islet xenografts and demonstrates that the cellular mechanism of rejection for vascularised and non-vascularised xenografts are different.

Synaptotagmin VII as a plasma membrane Ca(2+) sensor in exocytosis.

Synaptotagmins I and II are Ca(2+) binding proteins of synaptic vesicles essential for fast Ca(2+)-triggered neurotransmitter release. However, central synapses and neuroendocrine cells lacking these synaptotagmins still exhibit Ca(2+)-evoked exocytosis. We now propose that synaptotagmin VII functions as a plasma membrane Ca(2+) sensor in synaptic exocytosis complementary to vesicular synaptotagmins. We show that alternatively spliced forms of synaptotagmin VII are expressed in a developmentally regulated pattern in brain and are concentrated in presynaptic active zones of central synapses. In neuroendocrine PC12 cells, the C(2)A and C(2)B domains of synaptotagmin VII are potent inhibitors of Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis, but only when they bind Ca(2+). Our data suggest that in synaptic vesicle exocytosis, distinct synaptotagmins function as independent Ca(2+) sensors on the two fusion partners, the plasma membrane (synaptotagmin VII) versus synaptic vesicles (synaptotagmins I and II).

Pathological findings in cumulative irritation induced by SLS and croton oil in hairless mice.

It is known that the pathological features of acute irritant contact dermatitis are specific according to the irritant. However, in chronic irritant contact dermatitis, it is not clear whether specific patterns exist. To investigate whether the specific pathology of acute irritant contact dermatitis is sustained in chronic irritant contact dermatitis, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and croton oil were applied 3x a week for 2 weeks on the dorsal skin of hairless mice using Finn Chambers. The pathologic changes induced by irritants at various concentrations were evaluated using H&E and Luna's staining, as well as immunohistochemistry for 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), keratin 6 and loricrin. Our results showed that epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration were relatively marked in the groups treated with higher concentrations of irritants. These features were more prominent in the 1% croton oil treated group than in the 0.25% SLS treated group. However, lower concentrations of irritants resulted in very similar histological changes, characterized by epidermal hyperplasia with minimal inflammatory infiltration, irrespective of the chemical. Our results suggest that the histological responses to irritants vary with concentration in cumulative irritation, as in acute irritation, but repetitive mild irritation may evoke common histological changes, characterized by epidermal hyperplasia with minimal inflammatory infiltration, irrespective of the chemical used.

[Prevention of postoperative recurrence of bladder cancer: a clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To lower postoperative recurrence rate of bladder cancer, the prophylactic effects of five kinds of method on bladder cancer were evaluated. METHODS: Between 1982 and 1997, 313 patients after TURBT or partial cystectomy were followed up for 2 to 15 years (average 7.6 years). These patients were divided into six groups: BCG, mitomycin C (MMC), thiotepa, Chinese herb medicine Zhuling (Grifola umbellata pilat), afterloading brachytherapy and control group. The prophylactic effects of them on postoperative recurrence of bladder cancer was evaluated. RESULTS: During the follow-up, the recurrence rates were 35.1% in BCG group, 34.9% in Zhuling group, 41.7% in MMC group, 52.6% in thiotepa group, 64.7% in control group, respectively. 25 high-risk patients with invading or multiple bladder cancer were treated by afterloading brachytherapy. They were followed up from 12 to 42 months, with a recurrence rate being 24.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic effect of Zhuling and BCG on bladder cancer recurrence was better than MMC. The vale of thiotepa was not significant. The afterloading brachytherapy was of great vale to invading or recurrent, multiple bladder cancer.

Clonal diversity of IL-4 and IL-13 expression in human allergen-specific T lymphocytes.

The expression of IL-4 and IL-13 was analyzed in a panel of short ragweed allergen (Amb a 1)-specific T-cell clones from an allergic subject and a nonallergic individual. The T cells from the allergic subject showed a predominantly TH0 phenotype. The T cells from the nonallergic individual produced undetectable levels of IL-4 and high level of interferon-gamma, suggesting a TH1 cytokine profile. However, all T-cell clones showed significantly higher levels of IL-13 secretion than IL-4 secretion, and no quantitative correlation could be found between the levels of IL-4 and IL-13 in the clones tested. Furthermore, both cytokines showed similar kinetics of expression in antigen-induced steady-state messenger RNA. Finally, both cytokines were induced by stimulation of the cells with either ionomycin alone or with a combination of ionomycin and phorbol myristate acetate. These results demonstrate that there is a significant clonal diversity and quantitative difference in the levels of IL-4 and IL-13 expression in allergen-specific human T cells.