Schistosoma japonicum: proteomics analysis of differentially expressed proteins from ultraviolet-attenuated cercariae compared to normal cercariae.

Schistosomiasis is considered the most important human helminthiasis in terms of morbidity and mortality. In this study, comparative soluble proteomic analysis of normal cercariae and ultraviolet-irradiated attenuated cercariae (UVAC) from Schistosoma japonicum were carried out in view of the high efficiency of irradiation-attenuated cercariae vaccine. The results revealed that some proteins showed significant differential expression in the parasite after treatment with ultraviolet light. Total 20 protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry, corresponded to five groups according to their functions in the main that were structural and motor proteins (actin, et al.), energy metabolism associated enzymes (glyceraldehydes-3-phosphage dehydrogenase, et al.), signaling transduction pathway-associated molecules (14-3-3 protein, et al.), heat shock protein families (HSP 70 family, et al.), and other functional proteins (20S proteasome). Furthermore, our results indicated that the differential expression of the proteins by ultraviolet irradiation may be, at least partially, acquired by regulating the mRNA levels of corresponding proteins. These results may provide new clues for further exploring the mechanism of protective immunity induced by UVAC and may shed some light on the development of vaccines against schistosomiasis.

[Case-control study of risk factors in cholangiocarcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC). METHODS: The clinicopathological data of 190 patients with cholangiocarcinomas (61 ICC and 129 ECC) diagnosed and treated in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 1998 and 2008 were collected. The clinicopathological data of 380 matched healthy controls were also collected. The information about liver diseases, family history, diabetes, smoking and drinking were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The positive rate of HBsAg(+) and anti-HBc(+), HBsAg(-) and anti-HBc(+) and the incidence of choledocholithiasis or hepatolithiasis in ICC patients were 27.9%, 50.8% and 14.8%, respectively. The incidence of diabetes mellitus, cholecystolithiasis, choledocholithiasis or hepatolithiasis and previous cholecystectomy in ECC patients were 18.6%, 15.5%, 18.6% and 13.2%, respectively. The incidences of all above mentioned factors in the ICC or ECC patients were significantly higher than that in the controls (P < 0.05). Compared with the patients with ECC, the ICC patients had a significantly higher cirrhosis rate (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study results show that choledocholithiasis or hepatolithiasis, liver cirrhosis and chronic HBV infection are possible risk factors for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, while choledocholithiasis or hepatolithiasis, diabetes mellitus, cholecystolithiasis, history of cholecystectomy are risk factors for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

[Clinical value of "Kou mode of hepatic hilar anastomosis" in resection of type III or IV hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the surgical technique of "Kou mode of hepatic hilar anastomosis" in the treatment for type III or IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: The clinical data of 89 patients with type III or IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma surgically treated in our department between Jan. 1990 and Jan. 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Since January 2000, "Kou mode of hepatic hilar anastomosis" was performed for some patients with advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The patients were divided into two groups: group A treated between 1990 and 1999, group B between 2000 and 2008. The rate of resection, therapeutic efficacy and complications in these two groups were compared, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 37 cases with hilar cholangiocarcinoma in group A, 4 were surgically treated (10.8%), with 1 (2.7%) radical resection and 3 (8.1%) palliative resection. Among the 52 cases with hilar cholangiocarcinoma in the group B, 35 (67.3%) received surgical resection, of them 15 (28.8%) underwent radical resection and 20 (38.5%) had palliative resection. Twenty-eight of these 35 cases underwent the "Kou mode of hepatic hilar anastomosis". The resection rate of advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma in the group B was significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.05). The complications in the 89 cases included ascites (3 cases), hemobilia (1 case), heart failure (1 case), and wound infection (2 cases). All the patients who were treated with the "Kou mode of hepatic hilar anastomosis" developed bile leakage to a varying degree and recovered after drainage and symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSION: The resection rate of type III or IV advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma can be remarkably improved by using a novel alternative surgical technique called "Kou mode of hepatic hilar anastomosis". However, the long-term outcome still needs to be determined by close follow-up and further observation.

[Studies on immunomodulation effect of recombinant Sj16 from Schistosoma japonicum on inflammation response of host].

OBJECTIVE: To study the immunomodulation effect of the recombination Sj16 from Schistosoma japonicum (reSj16) on inflammation response of host. METHODS: reSj16 expressed in pGEX-4T-1 was purified by GST purification kit and detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and mass spectra (MS). The immunomodulation effect of reSj16 was observed by means of dimethylbenzene inducing mouse ear edema model, carrageenan inducing rat voix pedis swell model and acetic acid inducing mouse experiment peritonitis model. RESULTS: The soluble protein of reSjl6 was obtained and identified by SDS-PAGE and MS. reSjl6 1.0, 5.0, 10.0 microg/kg evidently suppressed the mouse ear edema induced by dimethyl-benzene, significantly mitigated the rat voix pedis swelling induced by carrageenan, and remarkably suppressed the increase of the capillary permeability of abdominal cavity in experiment peritonitis mouse model. CONCLUSION: The results further prove that Sj16 may be a potential immunosuppressive molecule and may have a notable effect on immunomodulation.

[Results of multimodality therapy for unresectable primary liver cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic measures for unresectable primary liver cancer (PLC). METHODS: The date of 312 unresectable primary liver cancer patients treated from January 1991 to March 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of these 312 patients, 73 were treated by cryosurgery-based combined modality therapy, 239 were treated by a TACE-oriented combined modality therapy. 289 patients except 23 were followed for a period of 2 to 156 months. The overall 1-,3- and 5-year survival rate in this series was 74. 0% , 34. 0% and 16. 7% , respectively. The 1-,3-and 5-year survival rate in the cryosurgery group was 64. 4% , 38. 4% and 27. 4% , respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate in the TACE group was 75. 1% , 29. 0% and 10. 0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Treatment for the unresectable primary liver cancer should be individualized and combined with suitable therapeutic modalities.

[Treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids with circular stapler].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of circumferential mucosectomy procedure for treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids (PPH). METHODS: From June 2001 to June 2003, 74 patients (27 men and 47 women) with an average age of 57 years (ranging from 31 to 80 years), with prolapsed hemorrhoids III - IV degree underwent PPH using a circular stapler. RESULTS: 69 (93.2%) patients were fully satisfied with results. Two patients underwent simultaneous rectal polypectomy along with PPH hence required analgesic treatment for 5 days. Three patients experienced bleeding during or after operation, 1 case bleeding was due to ulcerative hemorrhoid, while the bleeding the remaining 2 cases was (bleeding about 300 ml) caused by insufficient anastomosis, thus extending operating time to 1 hour. The average operation time (70 patients) was 13 minutes (range 10 - 15 minutes). The mean hospitalization was 3.5 days (2 - 4 days), with exception of 2 patients lasting 1 week. CONCLUSION: PPH is a safe, effective and rapid method for treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids, The procedure causes minimal pain with decreased complications.

Characterization of a profilin-like protein from Schistosoma japonicum, a potential new vaccine candidate.

The tegumental membrane of platyhelminth parasites is of crucial importance for modulation of the host response and parasite survival. A complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) containing an open reading frame of 390 bp, which encodes a profilin-like tegumental protein with a theoretical isoelectric point of 6.02 and a molecular weight of 14.42 kDa, had been identified by bioinformatic analysis. The coding region of the cDNA was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1 and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant protein named rSj15 was immunogenic and could elicit a high titer of antibody in mice. Western blot analysis revealed that the protein was differentially expressed during the different growth stages of Schistosoma japonicum. Immunohistochemical analysis localized the protein to the tegument and underlying tissue of the S. japonicum adult worm. The rSj15 could induce the expressions of IL-12 in the cultured mouse dendritic cell.