CMTM6 recruits T cells within the endocervical adenocarcinoma microenvironment and suppresses cell proliferation via the p53 pathway.

Endocervical adenocarcinoma (ECA), harboring poor prognosis, is divided into human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated adenocarcinoma (HPVA) and non-HPVA (NHPVA), each consisting of a heterogeneous immune microenvironment. We aim to examine the effect of CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain 6 (CMTM6), a key regulator of PD-L1, on ECA. Immunohistochemistry and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) were used to detect CMTM6, Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and immune cells biomarkers levels in tumors. RT-qPCR and Western Blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein level changed in cells. The expression of CMTM6 in ECA is upregulated compared to cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues. More infiltrating T cells were observed in CMTM6high ECA tissues, especially in CMTM6high HPVA. Higher expression of CMTM6 is associated with a higher rate of infiltrating CD8+ T cells in HPVA, but not in NHPVA. ECA patients were divided into three groups according to the co-expression status of CMTM6 and PD-L1(CPS) . Patients with CMTM6high /PD-L1(CPS+) had the longest OS and DFS, especially in NHPVA patients. Moreover, knock down of CMTM6 promotes ECA cell proliferation via the p53 pathway. CMTM6 recruits T cells, suppresses ECA cell proliferation via the p53 pathway and can be used as a novel prognostic indicator for ECA patients.

[A case-control study of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with mobile and fixed platform for the treatment of single compartment osteoarthritis of knee].

OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the early clinical outcomes of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with mobile and fixed platform for the treatment of single compartment osteoarthritis of knee. METHODS: From January 2013 to December 2014, 86 cases (92 knees) of knee osteoarthritis with single compartment (medial) were randomly divided into two groups. One group consisted of 42 patients, including 18 males and 24 females, underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with fixed platform prosthesis; the other group consisted of 44 patients, including 20 males and 24 females, underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with mobile platform prosthesis. The surgery was performed by the same group of doctors. The operation time, blood loss, ROM, KSS and HSS scores of knee joint before and after surgery were recorded and the clinical follow up was completed. RESULTS: The follow-up duration of the two groups ranged from 8 to 26 months, with an average of (18.20± 4.23) months. During the follow-up period, the periprosthetic fracture was found in 1 patient in the fixed platform group 1 year after operation, and polyethylene liner dislocation was found in 1 patient in the mobile platform group. No complications such as poor wound healing, periprosthetic infection or sterile prothesis loosening were found in all cases. In the fixed platform group, the operation time was (90.05±6.59) minutes and the blood loss was (53.76±6.04) ml. In the mobile platform group, the operation time was (90.73±6.74) minutes and the blood loss was (54.34±6.27) ml. In the fixed platform group, the ROM of knee increased from preoperative (94.52±4.54) degree to postoperative (104.64±4.42) degree. In the mobile platform group, the ROM of knee increased from preoperative (95.05±4.87) degree to postoperative (105.07±4.33) degree. In the fixed platform group, the KSS score increased from preoperative 48.69±5.68 to postoperative 83.55±5.37. In the mobile platform group, the KSS score increased from preoperative 49.39±5.68 to postoperative 84.11±6.14. In the fixed platform group, the HSS score increased from preoperative 45.45±3.62 to postoperative 84.55±6.08. In the mobile platform group, the HSS score increased from preoperative 45.93±4.01 to postoperative 85.16±6.30. There was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference in the early outcome of unicondylar prosthesis with fixed and mobile platforms in the treatment of single compartmental osteoarthritis of knee. The long-term complications and revision rates of the two prostheses need further multi center and large-sample clinical study.

Promoter hypermethylation correlates with the Hsulf-1 silencing in human breast and gastric cancer.

The HSulf-1 gene is an important factor that modulates the sulfation status of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in the extracellular matrix, resulting in disturbance of HSPG-related signal transduction pathways. Recently, HSulf-1 has been reported to be down-regulated in several human cancers. In this study, we first cloned and characterized the 5' promoter region of the HSulf-1 gene (around 400 bp) that contained high basal promoter activity. We also found that this functional promoter region was hypermethylated in a number of human cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we found that hypermethylation in this promoter region correlated with the down-regulation of the HSulf-1 expression in human breast and gastric cancer cell lines and tissue samples. These results suggest that the promoter hypermethylation may be one of the mechanisms of the HSulf-1 gene silencing in human breast and gastric cancers. Finally, we demonstrated that the HSulf-1 promoter was more frequently (p<0.05) methylated in cell-free DNA extracted from serum samples of human breast and gastric cancer patients than that of healthy people (76.2%, 55.0% and 19.0%, respectively), indicating that detection of the HSulf-1 promoter methylation in serum samples may have clinical implications in early detection and diagnosis of human breast and gastric cancers.

ACTX-8, a cytotoxic L-amino acid oxidase isolated from Agkistrodon acutus snake venom, induces apoptosis in Hela cervical cancer cells.

ACTX-8 is a protein isolated from Agkistrodon acutus snake venom in our laboratory. It demonstrates cytotoxic activity on various carcinoma cell lines in vitro. However, the mechanism by which ACTX-8 inhibits cell proliferation remains poorly understood. In this study the influence of ACTX-8 on the activation of apoptotic pathway in Hela cells was investigated. We demonstrated that cell death induced by ACTX-8 was concentration- and time-dependent. Apoptotic changes such as phosphatidyl serine externalization and DNA fragmentation were detected in ACTX-8-treated cells. Caspase activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were involved in ACTX-8-induced apoptosis, but pan caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, could not inhibit cell death induced by ACTX-8 completely, which proved the existence of another pathway for ACTX-8-induced cell death. We found cytochrome c release into cytosol and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) dissipation in ACTX-8-treated cells, which indicated that mitochondrial pathway played a role in ACTX-8-induced cell apoptosis. The ratio of expression levels of pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members was not changed by ACTX-8 treatment. However Bad and Bax were translocated from cytosol into mitochondria, and the coimmunoprecipitation result indicated that in mitochondria Bak and Bcl-xL dissociation was followed by the binding of Bad and Bcl-xL. Taken together, the study indicated mitochondrial pathway played an important role in the ACTX-8-induced apoptosis, which was regulated by Bcl-2 family members.

[Primary study on rapid propagation of Curcuma xanthorrhiza].

Using the rhizome of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. as explant to induce the adventitious bud, multiplication and radication. The results showed that the inducing and differentiating of bud was better on MS + 6-BA 1.0 mg/L + NAA 0.5 mg/L, the multiplication of bud was on MS+6-BA 1.2 mg/L + NAA 0.l mg/L and the redication was on 1/2 MS + NAA 0.5 mg/L.

Analysis of cytogenetic damage in rice seeds induced by energetic heavy ions on-ground and after spaceflight.

To analyze the biological effects of the space environment, we flew nine lines of rice seeds on the Chinese 20(th) recoverable satellite for a duration of 18 days. The same lines of seeds were also irradiated to low doses (2.0 mGy) of Carbon, or Neon or Iron ions (with different LET value of 13.3 keV/microm, 31 keV/microm and 500 keV/microm respectively) at National Institute of Radiological Sciences in Chiba, Japan. The total number of mitotic cells and chromosomal aberrations were analyzed. The mitotic index (MI) and the frequency of chromosomal aberration were evaluated in order to compare the cytogenetic damages from spaceflight and from exposure to similar doses of charged particle on the ground. The results of the present study show that the space environment and heavy energy ion can alter cell growth, and induce various chromosome aberrations including micronuclei, chromosomal bridges, fragments and laggards. With all the lines combined, the frequency of chromosome aberrations and MI in seeds flown in space are the highest. The effectiveness of cytogenetic damage from spaceflight (SP) and the heavy ion irradiations is SP > Fe > Ne > C.

Study on hepatoprotective effect of peptide S-8300 from shark liver.

AIM: To explore the effects of peptide S-8300 from shark liver (S-8300) on liver function as well as in regulating immune functions in experimental injury models. METHODS: Mice were administered with different doses of S-8300 for four consecutive days, followed by mice injected with tetrachloromethane (CCl(4)) on d 3. The activity of ALT, AST, LDH, SOD and contents of MDA and GSH in the mice liver were tested. And mice were treated with Cy (100 mg/kg) at the beginning of the experiment to induce immunosuppression model. The S-8300 groups were treated with S-8300 seven days after the beginning of Cy administration. The effects of S-8300 on the formulation of serum hemolysin and the content of IL-2 in serum in the immunosuppression mice were observed. RESULTS: S-8300 obviously decreased the level of ALT (52.2+/-11.0 U/dL vs 135.9+/-6.5 U/dL, P<0.01), AST (67.5+/-6.9 U/dL vs 238.8+/-8.7 U/dL, P<0.01), LDH (155.1+/-46.8 U/dL vs 240.4+/-6.0 U/dL, P<0.01) and MDA (0.64+/-0.027 nmol/mg vs 1.06+/-0.040 nmol/mg, P<0.01) and increased SOD (24.51+/-1.01 U/mg vs 19.05+/-0.73 U/mg, P<0.01) and GSH (24.17+/-0.91 microg/mg vs 14.93+/-0.45 microg/mg, P<0.01) in mice liver damaged by CCl(4). S-8300 also markedly improved the formulation of serum hemolysin (0.094+/-0.005 A(540) vs 0.063+/-0.006 A(540), P<0.01) and increased the level of IL-2 (9.74+/-1.16 pg/mL vs 5.81+/-0.87 pg/mL, P<0.01) in serum of the immunosuppression mice. CONCLUSION: The results suggested S-8300 has significant hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory and inhibiting of lipid peroxidation activity.

[Application of laminar air flow techniques in burn treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of laminar flow in the treatment of burns. METHODS: The air in the laminar flow chamber and the wound tissues of the patients were sampled for bacterial detection. The number and stains of bacterial colony from different classes of laminar air flow chambers at different time points were inspected and compared. RESULTS: The bacterial number was 0 in the laminar flow chamber of 1000 grade, which was obviously different from that in the public area. The mortality was obviously decreased in the laminar air flow chamber with shorter treatment time and hospitalization. No wound infection occurred and the wounds healed smoothly in all these patients. CONCLUSION: The application of laminar air flow can be helpful for the treatment of severe burns.

[Clinical application of low-molecular-weight heparin (Fraxiparine) in rescuing venous crisis of island skin flap].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiparine) in rescuing venous crisis of island skin flap. METHODS: Of the 73 patients with venous crisis of island skin flap, 47 received subcutaneous injection of low-molecular-weight heparin (group I) and 26 were treated with phlebotomy, local compression and topical application of unfractionated heparin solution gauze (group II). RESULTS: The flap survival ratio was (88.46∓8.64)% in group I and (38.37∓6.53)% in group II (P<0.001). At 0, 2, and 4 h after injection of low-molecular-weight heparin, the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was obviously delayed (24.28∓6.71, 41.35∓7.64 and 32.34∓6.35, respectively, P<0.01), FXa:C level was significantly decreased (152.4∓30.7, 65.8∓24.4 and 83.4∓18.4, respectively, P<0.01), while FIIa:C level underwent no obvious alterations (155.70∓31.61, 143.20∓24.75, and 143.4∓23.35, respectively, P=NS). CONCLUSION: Fraxiparine has good antithrombotic efficacy in rescuing venous crisis of island skin flap without adverse effect on systemic coagulation.

[Establishment of a rat model of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for repairing full-thickness skin defect].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rat model of full-thickness skin defect to receive bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for wound repair. METHODS: A full-thickness skin defect measuring 4 cmx4 cm in 36 F344 rats, which were divided into 3 groups with the wound covered with alloskin graft, acellular dermal matrix, or petrolatum gauze. In vitro cultured BMSCs in the 5th passage were transplanted into the skin defect, and the time of wound dressing dissociation and number of transplanted Brdu-positive cells in the wound were observed 14 days later. RESULTS: The alloskin graft resulted in significantly longer time before dressing dissociation, with greater number of Brdu-positive cells in the wound than the other two wound dressings (P<0.001). The acellular dermal matrix showed better effect than petrolatum gauze in terms of the dressing dissociation time and the viable transplanted cell number in the wound. CONCLUSION: Alloskin graft can be ideal for covering the wound surface to protect the transplanted BMSCs in rats.

Molecular authentication and quality control using a high performance liquid chromatography technique of Fructus Evodiae.

In present paper, the properties of molecular authentication combined with the fingerprints of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were validated by analyzing ten batches of Fructus Evodiae samples (the dried nearly ripe fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa (JUSS.) BENTH., Evodia rutaecarpa (JUSS.) BENTH. var. officinalis (DODE) HUANG or Evodia rutaecarpa (JUSS.) BENTH. var. bodinieri (DODE) HUANG). The results of this investigation show that the similarities of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were almost 100% in Evodia rutaecarpa (JUSS.) BENTH. var. bodinieri (DODE) HUANG, 97% in Evodia rutaecarpa (JUSS.) BENTH., and 96% in Evodia rutaecarpa (JUSS.) BENTH. var. officinalis (DODE) HUANG. The percentage of identity between the two groups of Evodia rutaecarpa (JUSS.) BENTH. var. bodinieri (DODE) HUANG and Evodia rutaecarpa (JUSS.) BENTH. var. officinalis (DODE) HUANG is almost 96%, but the identity among the group of these three species is only 73%. The results show that Fructus Evodiae comes from three species respectively. The fingerprints of HPLC show that Fructus Evodiae revealed 20 major common peaks. And the three species have almost the same chemical constituents. ITS sequence fingerprint combining the fingerprint of HPLC can not only be developed to identify and distinguish the three species in detail, but also can be used for optimizing location where Fructus Evodiae has much higher bioactive constituents and yield.

Heavy genetic load associated with the subspecific differentiation of japonica rice (Oryza sativa ssp. japonica L.).

Genetic load in the genome of the model species, rice, was genetically dissected by mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the radiosensitivity of 226 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) to gamma-ray- and spaceflight-induced radiation. The parents and RILs varied considerably in their radiosensitivity to gamma-ray irradiation. A total of 28 QTLs affecting the two index traits, seedling height (SH) and seed fertility (SF), of radiosensitivity were identified. The japonica parent, Lemont, was much more sensitive to gamma-ray irradiation than the indica parent, Teqing, and its alleles at almost all QTLs were associated with increased radiosensitivity, suggesting a much higher genetic load in the japonica genome of rice. Six QTLs (QSh2a, QSh2b, QSh5a, QSh7, QSf3b, and QSf10b) were located in the genomic regions particularly sensitive to radiation and thus might represent possible 'mutation hot spots' in the japonica genome. Detailed characterization of these genomic regions may shed light on the evolution and subspecific differentiation of rice.

[Specific anti-tumor effect of immune competent cell induced by HSP-70 of HeLa cells in vitro].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Recent studies indicated that heat shock proteins (HSPs) are associated with antigenic peptides and participate in the antitumor T cell response in animals. This study was designed to investigate the mechanism of anti-tumor effect of immune competent cells (ICC) induced by HSP-70 of HeLa (cervical carcinoma) cells in vitro. METHODS: The normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) stimulated with HSP-70 of HeLa cells in vitro. T cell phenotypes were analyzed before and after stimulated by PBMCs. HSP-70 primed the immune competent cells (ICCs) from PBMCs were tested for cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell. RESULTS: CD3+ cell was 85.73 +/- 1.44%, up from 57.68 +/- 1.46% before the amplification(P < 0.002). CD8+ cell was 48.06 +/- 1.66%, up from 23.56 +/- 1.86% before the amplification(P < 0.002). The ICCs induced by HSP-70 were shown significant cytotoxic activity (82.69 +/- 1.97%, 62.11 +/- 1.61%) against HeLa cells and cervical carcinoma cells, and the cytotoxic activity (31.05 +/- 2.09%) of the ICC against HeLa cells could be blocked by anti-HSP-70 antibody. CONCLUSION: The ICC can be induced selectively by PBMCs with HSP-70 of HeLa cells, and has specific cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell.