Guidelines for Regulated Cell Death Assays: A Systematic Summary, A Categorical Comparison, A Prospective.

Over the past few years, the field of regulated cell death continues to expand and novel mechanisms that orchestrate multiple regulated cell death pathways are being unveiled. Meanwhile, researchers are focused on targeting these regulated pathways which are closely associated with various diseases for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. However, the complexity of the mechanisms and the difficulties of distinguishing among various regulated types of cell death make it harder to carry out the work and delay its progression. Here, we provide a systematic guideline for the fundamental detection and distinction of the major regulated cell death pathways following morphological, biochemical, and functional perspectives. Moreover, a comprehensive evaluation of different assay methods is critically reviewed, helping researchers to make a reliable selection from among the cell death assays. Also, we highlight the recent events that have demonstrated some novel regulated cell death processes, including newly reported biomarkers (e.g., non-coding RNA, exosomes, and proteins) and detection techniques.

Molecular diagnostics of lung cancer and its research progress / 中国实用内科杂志

Molecular markers are research hotspot in the field of malignant tumor research, and have important clinical significance for early diagnosis, prognosis monitoring and treatment of tumors. The precise treatment of individualized patients through molecular diagnosis has gradually become the consensus of clinical treatment of tumors. This article introduces the research progress of molecular diagnostic techniques in lung cancer.

Seasonal and geographical dispersal regularity of airborne pollens in China / 解放军医学杂志

Allergic diseases can be induced by abundant airborne allergenic pollens with symptoms such as allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma,which can seriously threaten human health.The species and distribution of airborne pollens differed in different regions,based on the difference of geographical environment and climate conditions.Therefore,the occurrence of pollinosis was of obviously regional and seasonal divergence.Inappropriate urban greening,tree species selection and environmental pollution have contributed to a dramatic increase in the number of pollen sensitizing plants and hay fever.The species and dispersal regularity of allergenic pollen plants in different administrative areas in China in recent 10 years are reviewed in present paper for providing scientific basis on controlling pollinosis and reasonable greening of urban environment.

Effect of the combination of bushen xuguan recipe and ruanjian huayu recipe on the MMP-2 expression in endometriosis rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of the combination of Bushen Xuguan Recipe (BXR) and Ruan-jian Huayu Recipe (RHR) on the matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) expression of rats with endometriosis (EMS), and to study the pathogenesis and mechanism of EMS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The EMS rat model was established. Successfully modeled female SD rats were randomly divided into the combination group (BXR+RHR), the RHR group, and the model group. And a normal control group was set up. After 4 weeks of medicinal treatment, rats were sacrificed in the oestrus cycle. MMP-2 distribution and the staining density in ectopic and eutopic endometrium of the rats were observed under microscope. The MMP-2 expression was determined by immunohistochemical assay (SP method).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The MMP-2 expression in the ectopic endometrial tissues of rats in the model group were significantly higher than that of the normal control group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the MMP-2 expression decreased in the combination group and the RHR group (P<0.05). The therapeutic effect of the combination group was most obvious by observing the distribution of MMP-2 and changes of positive staining.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The occurrence of EMS was correlated with increased activities of MMP-2. The combination method could inhibit the activities of MMP-2 in the ectopic endometrial tissues of EMS rats more effectively than RHR alone, which might be achieved through improving the endocrine environment, and reducing the "invasion" capability of the ectopic endometrium.</p>

[Combined usage of taxotere in induction chemotherapy of head and neck neoplasms].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: There were few reports about combined usage of taxotere in induction chemotherapy of head and neck cancer. It was reported previously that the total response rate in advanced head and neck cancer using TPF regimen [taxotere+cisplatin(DDP)+5-fluorouracil (5-FU)] was 93%. In this article, the authors preliminarily reported the response rate and side effects of TPF regimen in head and neck cancers. METHODS: Twenty-five cases with head and neck cancers in Guangzhou Tumor Hospital from January 1999 to June 2002 were reviewed. All cases underwent induction chemotherapy using TPF regimen (taxotere 75 mg/m(2), i.v. drip, d1; DDP 20 mg/m(2), i.v. drip, d1-3; 5-FU 300 mg/m(2), i.v. drip, d1-3; repeat per 3 weeks). All cases were followed up during chemotherapy and their response was evaluated after induction chemotherapy. The side effects were recorded. RESULTS: Six cases (24.0%) and 12 cases(48.0%) presented complete remission (CR) and partial remission (PR) after induction chemotherapy using TPF regimen, respectively. There were 7 cases with minimal or none response. The total response rate (CR+PR) after TPF induction chemotherapy was 72.0%. The response rates in oral cancers and the cancers in other primary sites including the base of tongue, larynx, hypopharynx, and nasopharynx were compared. It demonstrated that the response rates were 63.6%(7/11) and 71.4%(10/14), respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.504). In this study, there were 9 cases that relapsed after first treatment. Their response rate after TPF induction chemotherapy was 44.4% (4/9), which had 1 case of CR and 3 cases of PR. In this study, 36.0% (9/25) patients had leucopoenia including 16.0% (4/25) of degree I, 16.0% (4/25) of degree II, 4.0%(1/25) of degree III according to WHO standard;64%(16/25) of patients presented side effects in alimentary system, but the level was all under II according to WHO standard. The side effects in kidney in all patients were degree 0. Other side effects included hair loss but their degrees were all under II according to WHO standard. CONCLUSION: Induction chemotherapy using TPF regimen in local advanced head and neck cancers could have good chemotherapy response. It is effective for local relapse cases after first treatment and its side effects are tolerable.

~1H-MR spectroscopy of dog's brain contusion and laceration / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy(~1H-MRS)findings and value on dog's brain contusion and laceration.Methods Models of focal brain contusion and laceration in 10 dogs were established through hitting on the right frontal-parietal lobe with a freely drop of 200g weight at 1.3 m height.Serial examinations(1 h,24 h,72 h,5 day,8 day and 14 day after trauma)were performed with conventional MRI and ~1H-MRS.NAA/Cr,Cho/Cr and NAA/Cho rates were analyzed with GE system 1.5 T scanner and relative software.After examination,all dogs were executed to death. Pathological study was performed at local brain contusion.Results 1 h and 24 h-post trauma,NAA/Cr、Cho/Cr、NAA/Cho were significantly reduced(NAA/Cr 0.843?0.214,0.862?0.204,contralateral ones 1.069?0.284,1.048?0.232,t=-7.227,-6.718,Cho/Cr 1.181?0.224,1.243?0.134,contralateral 1.415?0.305,1.455?0.159,t=-4.332,-4.489,NAA/Cho 0.701?0.147,0.536?0.136, contralateral 0.832?0.245,0.613?0.165,t=-2.652,-2.665.P＜0.05).Microscopy showed focal petechial hemorrhage and necrosis,neuron loss,neuraxonal swelling and small glial cell slightly hyperplasia.Five day post trauma,Cho/Cr was significantly elevated in comparison with contralateral ones (1.517?0.197,contralateral 1.387?0.214,t=3.758.P＜0.05).Pathologically,inflammatory was obvious,peri-angiitis,granula tissue and fibrosis were seen.8—14 day later,NAA/Cr was not significantly reduced(0.895?0.105,0.875?0.153,contralateral 0.989?0.169,0.990?0.173,t=-2.909, -2.471.P＞0.05),Cho/Cr was significantly increased(1.457?0.168,1.572?0.374,contralaterl 1.334?0.174,1.366?0.352,t=7.312,3.201.P＜0.05)Inflammatory and gila1 hyperplasia was more significant,granuloma were seen.Lipid and Lac peak were not seen at all stages.Conclusion MRS could be a methods to monitor neuron injury and repair,and dynamically to detect the metabolic changes of brain contusion and laceration,reflecting injury severity and provide theory data for early treatment and predicting long-term outcome after trauma.