The association of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 response with radiologic response and survival in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The role of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in response assessment among patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) remains unknown. The authors studied the association of the CA 19-9 response (defined as a reduction >50% from baseline) with the radiologic response and the outcome in patients with unresectable iCCA. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 422 patients who were initially diagnosed with unresectable iCCA, had baseline CA 19-9 levels ≥100 U/mL, and received treatment with systemic therapies at the authors' institution between January 2017 and December 2021 were enrolled in this study. The radiologic response was assessed using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. A landmark assessment of the CA 19-9 response and the radiologic response was performed. The associations between CA 19-9 response and imaging response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-seven patients (63.3%) had a CA 19-9 response. A CA 19-9 response was observed in 123 of 132 (93.2%) radiologic responders and in 144 of 290 (49.7%) radiologic nonresponders (p < .001). CA 19-9 responders outperformed nonresponders in median PFS (10.6 vs. 3.6 months; hazard ratio [HR], 4.8 months; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.8-6.0 months; p < .001) and OS (21.4 vs. 6.3 months; HR, 5.3 months; 95% CI, 4.2-6.7 months; p < .001). The common independent predictors of both OS and PFS included metastasis, CA 19-9 nonresponder status, and radiologic nonresponder status in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: CA 19-9 response is a valuable addition to assess tumor response and is associated with improved outcomes in patients with iCCA. Achieving a CA 19-9 response should be one of the therapeutic objectives of patients with iCCA after systemic therapies. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: A decline in carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels from elevated baseline levels should be one of the therapeutic aims of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who are managed with systemic therapies.

Impact of chemoradiotherapy on the survival of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer: a retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: The role of chemoradiotherapy in unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer is still unclear. METHODS: Data from patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to identify the independent prognostic factors of survival. Propensity score matching was carried out to minimize the interference of confounding factors. Subgroup analysis was performed to screen the characteristics of patients who would benefit from chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 5002 patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer were included. Among them, 2423 (48.4%) received chemotherapy, and 2579 (51.6%) received chemoradiotherapy. The median overall survival of all patients was 11 months. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age (p < 0.001), marital status (p < 0.001), tumor size (p = 0.001), N stage (p = 0.015) and radiotherapy (p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors of survival. Both before (HR, 0.817; 95% CI, 0.769-0.868; p < 0.001) and after (HR, 0.904; 95% CI, 0.876-0.933; p < 0.001) propensity score matching, chemoradiotherapy significantly improved the median overall survival of patients from 10 to 12 months. Subgroup analysis showed that chemoradiotherapy was significantly associated with improved survival regardless of sex, primary site or N stage. In addition, the following subgroups all significantly benefited from chemoradiotherapy: age ≥ 50 years, not divorced, grade 2-4, tumor size > 2 cm, adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma and white race. CONCLUSIONS: Chemoradiotherapy is highly recommended for patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Actual over 3-year survival after stereotactic body radiation therapy in patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Purpose As a non-invasive treatment, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has been an emerging and effective option for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The Cyber Knife has an SBRT system, which can realize real-time tracking of tumors during treatment. It can protect the surrounding normal liver tissue while the tumor gets the therapeutic dose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the local control rate for patients after SBRT treatment, and to predict the factors affecting survival rates, then to report the 3-year actual survival rates after treatment and identify the influencing factors of 3-year survival rate. Materials and Methods We conducted a long-term follow-up of 43 patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who underwent Cyber Knife in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2018. Regular medical check-ups were performed every 2–3 months after SBRT to evaluated the effect of treatment. Results The median follow-up time was 15 months (4-78 months), and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6 months (95% CI, 2.788–9.212) and the median overall survival (OS) was 12 months (95% CI, 3.434–20.566), respectively. Based on modified Response Evaluation and Criteria in Solid Tumor (mRECIST), response rate (RR) and disease control rate (DCR) of SBRT in unresectable ICC were 55.2% and 86%. The 1-, 2- and 3-years OS rate were 51.2%, 32.6% and 23.3%. Multivariate analysis based on competing risk survival analysis identified that patients with multiple nodules, large diameter, high level of CA199 and CEA, poor ECOG performance status had worse overall survival (p < 0.05). Patients who survived ≥3 years had significantly lower levels of CEA, CA199, smaller tumor diameters and lower number of lesions (p < 0.05) (AU)

Regio- and chemoselective hydroamination of unactivated alkenes with anthranils via NiH-catalysis.

A NiH-catalyzed polarity-reversed hydroamination of ß,γ-, γ,δ- and δ,ε-unsaturated alkenes with electrophilic anthranils was developed. This reaction proceeds in a highly regio- and chemoselective manner to afford γ, δ and ε-arylamines bearing a carbonyl or alcohol functionality with 100% atom efficiency. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the chemoselectivity is controlled by the base and the alcohol product is derived from the base-catalyzed hydrosilylation of the CO bond.

Actual over 3-year survival after stereotactic body radiation therapy in patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: As a non-invasive treatment, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has been an emerging and effective option for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The Cyber Knife has an SBRT system, which can realize real-time tracking of tumors during treatment. It can protect the surrounding normal liver tissue while the tumor gets the therapeutic dose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the local control rate for patients after SBRT treatment, and to predict the factors affecting survival rates, then to report the 3-year actual survival rates after treatment and identify the influencing factors of 3-year survival rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a long-term follow-up of 43 patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who underwent Cyber Knife in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2018. Regular medical check-ups were performed every 2-3 months after SBRT to evaluated the effect of treatment. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 15 months (4-78 months), and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6 months (95% CI, 2.788-9.212) and the median overall survival (OS) was 12 months (95% CI, 3.434-20.566), respectively. Based on modified Response Evaluation and Criteria in Solid Tumor (mRECIST), response rate (RR) and disease control rate (DCR) of SBRT in unresectable ICC were 55.2% and 86%. The 1-, 2- and 3-years OS rate were 51.2%, 32.6% and 23.3%. Multivariate analysis based on competing risk survival analysis identified that patients with multiple nodules, large diameter, high level of CA199 and CEA, poor ECOG performance status had worse overall survival (p < 0.05). Patients who survived ≥3 years had significantly lower levels of CEA, CA199, smaller tumor diameters and lower number of lesions (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The SBRT might be a candidate option for patients who unable to perform surgery. The rate of 3-year survival after SBRT for unresectable ICC can be expected with 23.3%.

[Temporal and spatial variation of vegetation net primary productivity and its driving factors in Ningxia, China from 2000 to 2019]. / 2000­2019å¹´å®å¤æ¤è¢«å‡€åˆçº§ç”Ÿäº§åŠ›æ—¶ç©ºå˜åŒ–åŠå ¶é©±åŠ¨å› ç´ .

Ningxia is an important agriculture-pastoral area in China. Research on the temporal and spatial variations of net primary productivity (NPP) in this area and its driving factors would help understand the trends and leading factors of NPP variations, and reveal vegetation restoration status and causes. Based on the NPP data of MODIS, we used Theil-Sen Median trend analysis, correlation analysis, overlay analysis and other methods to analyze the spatiotemporal variations and driving factors of NPP in Ningxia. The results showed that NPP of Ningxia vegetation showed a fluctuating upward trend during 2000-2019, with a linear growth rate of 5.46 g C·m-2·a-1. The NPP presented a spatial characteristics of "two high and two low", with the highest in the southern mountain area, followed by the Yellow River irrigation area, and the lowest in the hilly area of the central arid zone and Helan Mountain. 84.2% of the NPP in the study area was under significant restoration, mainly distributed in the central and southern mountainous and hilly areas. The NPP varied significantly with altitude and was significantly affected by the terrain. NPP center of gravity had generally moved to the south, with the increase and growth rate of NPP of vegetation in the south being greater than that in the north. The annual precipitation in Ningxia had shown an increasing trend, while the average annual temperature had slightly decreased. The NPP was significantly affec-ted by precipitation (R2=0.291), whereas the correlation between mean annual temperature and NPP was weak. 96.9% of the study area was at a state of vegetation restoration, which was promoted by both climate change and human activities.

[Effects of deficit irrigation on seed production performance and water use efficiency of two native plant species in arid areas]. / äºç¼ºçŒæº‰å¯¹å¹²æ—±åŒºä¸¤ç§ä¹¡åœŸæ¤ç‰©ç§å­ç”Ÿäº§æ€§èƒ½åŠå ¶æ°´åˆ†åˆ©ç”¨æ•ˆçŽ‡çš„å½±å“.

Scientific irrigation is of great significance to plant seed production. With two excellent native plant species in desert steppe, Agropyron mongolicum and Lespedeza potaninii, as the objects, and full irrigation as the control, we explored the effects of deficit irrigation in different growth stages on the seed production and water use efficiency (WUE) of those two species. The results showed that, compared with the control, soil water content of both species decreased under deficit irrigation. The decrease of soil water content of A. mongolicum mainly occurred in the 0-60 cm soil layer, while there was no obvious stratification for the reduction of soil water content of L. potaninii. There were significant differences in the yield components of A. mongolica under deficit irrigation. The seed yield of deficit irrigation at the flowering stage was the highest. There were significant differences in the numbers of fertile tillers, florets and pods of L. potaninii among treatments, but no significant difference in seed yield. There were positive correlations between seed yield of A. mongolicum and the numbers of fertile tillers (r=0.776) and spikelets (r=0.717). The racemes of L. potaninii was significantly negatively correlated with the number of fertile tillers (r=-0.685), and positively correlated with the number of florets (r=0.412). Compared with full irrigation, water consumption of seed production of the two native plant species was reduced under deficit irrigation, but water use efficiency was improved, with the strongest improvement at the flowering stage of A. mongolicum (32.9%) and at the branching stage of L. potaninii (27.4%). Therefore, proper deficit irrigation could improve water use efficiency of both plant species. From the perspective of water use efficiency and seed yield, deficit irrigation could be used for artificial breeding of A. mongolicum and L. potaninii seeds in arid area, with the suitable growth stage for deficit being the flowering and the branching stages, respectively.

[Research advances on the effects of grazing on plant functional traits in grassland]. / æ”¾ç‰§å¯¹è‰åŽŸæ¤ç‰©åŠŸèƒ½æ€§çŠ¶å½±å“ç ”ç©¶è¿›å±•.

Plant functional traits is connected with vegetation adaptability to the environment. The trade-off between plant functional traits reflects resource reintegration and acquisition under grazing pressures. We summarized the differences of plant functional traits under grazing disturbance, focused on the linkages between grazing disturbance and plant functional traits. We introduced that the variation of plant functional traits resulted from the coordination between plant genetic characteristics and environmental filtration, summarized the effects of grazing on nutritional and reproductive traits, and noted that plants could use survival and reproductive strategies to adapt to the grazing disturbance. We mainly focused on the effects of grazing on plant population, community and ecosystem. The expression of plant functional traits was different under grazing disturbance. Therefore, plant functional traits could be used as indicators to explain population growth and reproduction, community assembly, and ecosystem function. In order to better serve the ecological environment of grassland with plant functional traits, reasonable grazing resis-tant species could be screened according to plant functional traits. Based on life history characteristics of grassland plant population, the scientific grazing mechanism should be formulated, and the responses of plant functional traits and resource allocation to grazing disturbance should be conducted from the perspective of individual-based level in the future.

Effects of rotation grazing time on the characteristics of soil seed bank in desert steppe.

Exploring the characteristics of soil seed bank under seasonal grazing plays an important role in the reasonable use of desert steppe. We examined seed bank species composition, density, vertical distribution, diversity in the soil of 0-5, 5-10, 10-15 cm soil layers and the relationship with vegetation and soil environmental factors in Ningxia desert steppe. The treatments included enclosure (FY), traditional time rotation grazing (FG), delayed to start rotation grazing (YG), early to end rotation grazing (TG), delayed to start and early to end rotation grazing (YT) and free grazing (ZY). The results showed that there were nine families and 21 species in the soil seed bank in the study area. The species composition of soil seed bank in TG seed bank with 13 species was the largest, while FY and ZY soil seed banks had the least, with 8 species, respectively. The den-sity of ZY soil seed bank was significantly higher than that of FY, YG, TG and YT. The number of perennial species seeds in the soil seed bank of FY was the largest, reaching 32.0%, while that in the ZY was the least, only 12.4%, mainly with sexually reproduced annual weeds. Soil seed bank was mainly concentrated in the 0-5 cm surface layer. With increasing soil depth, the size of soil seed bank decreased. The dominance and diversity of soil seed bank were the highest in FY, while the dominance, diversity and uniformity were the lowest in ZY. The similarity between soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation was generally low. In contrast, the FG and ZY seed banks had higher similarity with vegetation, and the FY was the lowest. Soil moisture, organic matter, total nitrogen concentration, total phosphorus concentration, and soil bulk density were the main soil factors affecting soil seed bank. Compared with traditional whole year free grazing, seasonal four-zone rotation grazing could increase species richness and abundance of perennial plants in soil seed bank of desert steppe, as well as the total species richness, diversity and uniformity of the seed bank. Although the effect sof seasonal four-zone rotation grazing on seed bank was not as good as the long-term enclosure grassland, it was of great significance to the utilization and protection of desert steppe.

Microcatheter infusion of bolus-dose tirofiban for acute ischemic stroke due to distal intracranial artery occlusion.

The utility of endovascular thrombectomy for acute occlusion of the distal intracranial artery (A2/A3/M2/M3/P2/P3) is unclear, and aspiration and stent thrombectomy are associated with risk of bleeding. We analyzed patients with acute occlusion of the distal intracranial artery to assess the safety and efficacy of microcatheter-based tirofiban infusion.We retrospectively reviewed data of the endovascular thrombectomy registry of our center between January 2018 and June 2019. Patients with distal intracranial artery occlusion who underwent endovascular thrombectomy with microcatheter-based infusion of tirofiban were recruited.Of 13 patients included, 1 presented with anterior cerebral artery occlusion, 2 with posterior cerebral artery occlusion, 2 with posterior inferior cerebellar artery occlusion, and 7 with middle cerebral artery M2 occlusion. The mean National Institute of Health Stroke scale score was 10.1 (3-19). Three patients (23.1%) underwent bridging treatment of intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant plasminogen activator and endovascular thrombectomy. The arithmetic mean onset-to-recanalization time was 696.3 minutes (140-1440) and average operating time was 47.1 minutes (30-80). After treatment, 10 patients (76.9%) underwent revascularization. No operative complications were observed in any case. All patients underwent angiography and were reviewed 7 to 14 days after surgery. Imaging revealed significant improvements in recanalization compared with the immediate postoperative period, with no reoccurrence of occlusion. The mean modified Rankin scale score at the 3-month follow-up was 0.54 (0-2).Microcatheter-based infusion of bolus-dose tirofiban can result in safe and effective recanalization of acute occlusion of the distal artery in the case of a relatively light thrombotic load.

Deep soil C and N pools in long-term fenced and overgrazed temperate grasslands in northwest China.

Fencing for grazing exclusion has been widely found to have an impact on grassland soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN), but little is known about the impact of fenced grassland on the changes in deep soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks in temperate grasslands. We studied the influence of 30 years fencing on vegetation and deep soil characteristics (0-500 cm) in the semi-arid grasslands of northern China. The results showed that fencing significantly increased the aboveground biomass (AGB), litter biomass (LB), total biomass, vegetation coverage and height, and soil water content and the SOC and TN in the deep soil. The belowground biomass (BGB) did not significantly differ between the fenced and grazed grassland. However, fencing significantly decreased the root/shoot ratio, forbs biomass, pH, and soil bulk density. Meanwhile, fencing has significantly increased the C and N stocks in the AGB and LB but not in the BGB. After 30 years of fencing, the C and N stocks significantly increased in the 0-500 cm soil layer. The accumulation of SOC mainly occurred in the deep layers (30-180 cm), and the accumulation of TN occurred in the soil layers of 0 to 60 cm and 160 to 500 cm. Our results indicate that fencing is an effective way to improve deep soil C and N stocks in temperate grassland of northwest China. There were large C and N stocks in the soil layers of 100 to 500 cm in the fenced grasslands, and their dynamics should not be ignored.

[Effects of rotational grazing methods on soil aggregates and organic carbon characteristics in desert steppe.] / è½®ç‰§æ–¹å¼å¯¹è’æ¼ è‰åŽŸåœŸå£¤å›¢èšä½“åŠæœ‰æœºç¢³ç‰¹å¾çš„å½±å“.

Reasonable rotation is of great significance to grassland management. We examined the distribution characteristics, stability, organic carbon content and contribution rate of 0-30 cm soil aggregates in the forbidding grazing, continuous grazing, and rotation in the two-paddock, four-paddock and six-paddock rotational districts in a desert steppe in Ningxia. The results showed that except for the forbidding grazing grassland that was dominated by mechanically stable large aggrega-tes, other water-stable aggregates were mainly composed of microaggregates. Increasing the rotational grazing zoning was conducive to maintain the content of water-stable aggregates in the surface soil and increase the content of large aggregates. The mechanical stability aggregate fractal dimension was the largest in continuous grazing, increased the fractal dimension of the rotation and shepherd partition to reduce the trend, but the fractal dimension of water-stable aggregates did not change. The average weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) of the aggregates were the largest in the pastoral grassland and increased with the increases of the rotational grassland partition. MWD and GMD were negatively correlated with the microaggregate content. The organic carbon content in water-stable large aggregate was higher in the six-paddock rotational district and forbidding grazing, and the two-paddock rotational grazing and continuous grazing were lower. The contribution rate of micro-aggregates organic carbon to soil organic carbon content was higher in this region. In the 0-20 cm soil layer, the contribution rate of organic carbon in large aggregates increased with the increases of rotation. Considering the characteristics of soil aggregates and their organic carbon, the rotation of six-paddock was the most suitable method for rotational grazing in the desert steppe of the study area.

[Anti-prostate cancer effect of roemerine: An experimental study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-prostate cancer (PCa) effect of roemerine in vitro and in vivo in the mouse model of PCa. METHODS: We detected the effects of roemerine on the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of PCa cells DU145, LNCaP, PC-3 and 22RV1, screened out the sensitive cell line and constructed a tumor-bearing model in mice for verification of the antitumor efficacy of roemerine in vivo. RESULTS: Roemerine inhibited the proliferation and migration of the DU145, LNCaP, PC-3 and 22RV1 cells and induced their apoptosis in different degrees, particularly those of the LNCaP cells. The average tumor weight was less in the roemerine intervention group (ï¼»1.99±0.95ï¼½ g) than in the control (ï¼»2.95±1.04ï¼½ g), the least in the high-dose roemerine (30 mg/kg) plus paclitaxel intervention group (ï¼»0.90±0.16ï¼½ g). The mean heart, liver, and kidney indexes were markedly lower in the roemerine (0.58±0.06, 6.20±0.42 and 1.49±0.33) than in the paclitaxel group (0.66±0.04, 6.99±0.72 and 1.95±0.34), while the mean spleen and thymus indexes were remarkably higher in the former (0.54±0.11 and 0.06±0.01) than in the latter (0.41±0.09 and 0.05±0.01). Pathological staining showed a lower degree of malignancy and metastasis in both the roemerine and the roemerine + paclitaxel intervention group than in the control, as well as a lower degree of visceral injury in the roemerine and roemerine + paclitaxel groups than in the paclitaxel group. CONCLUSIONS: Roemerine has some anti-PCa effect and alleviates adverse reactions in paclitaxel combination administration.

Radiosensitivity in HeLa cervical cancer cells overexpressing glutathione S-transferase π 1.

The aims of the present study were to investigate the effect of overexpressed exogenous glutathione S-transferase π 1 (GSTP1) gene on the radiosensitivity of the HeLa human cervical cancer cell line and conduct a preliminarily investigation into the underlying mechanisms of the effect. The full-length sequence of human GSTP1 was obtained by performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers based on the GenBank sequence of GSTP1. Subsequently, the gene was cloned into a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid, and the resulting construct was confirmed by restriction analysis and DNA sequencing. A HeLa cell line that was stably expressing high levels of GSTP1 was obtained through stable transfection of the constructed plasmids using lipofectamine and screening for G418 resistance, as demonstrated by reverse transcription-PCR. Using the transfected HeLa cells, a colony formation assay was conducted to detect the influence of GSTP1 overexpression on the cell radiosensitivity. Furthermore, flow cytometry was used to investigate the effect of GSTP1 overexpression on cell cycle progression, with the protein expression levels of the cell cycle regulating factor cyclin B1 detected using western blot analysis. Colony formation and G2/M phase arrest in the GSTP1-expressing cells were significantly increased compared with the control group (P<0.01). In addition, the expression of cyclin B1 was significantly reduced in the GSTP1-expressing cells. These results demonstrated that increased expression of GSTP1 inhibits radiosensitivity in HeLa cells. The mechanism underlying this effect may be associated with the ability of the GSTP1 protein to reduce cyclin B1 expression, resulting in significant G2/M phase arrest.

[Establishment of a detection method for hepatitis B virus large surface protein (HBV-lP)].

OBJECTIVE: To establish enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of hepatitis B virus large surface protein(HBV-LP) in serum. METHODS: A sandwich reaction was preformed with horseradish peroxidase labeled monoclonal antibody of HBV-LP as the catalytic enzyme. Several reactions liquid's concentration and reaction conditions were optimized. The method was evaluated in all aspects such as sensitivity, specificity, stability and so on. RESULTS: The detection limit was 5 ng/ml. Interassay and intra-assay RSD were both less than 10%. After stored at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C for 3, 5, 7 days, the analysis showed correlation coefficient higher than 0.98 and RSD lower than 10%. CONCLUSION: Established ELISA for determination of serum HBV-LP has high sensitivity and repeatability. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;

[Correlation of homocysteine in plasma with NOS and endogenous CO in the penile corpus cavernosum of type 2 diabetic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation of homocysteine (Hcy) in plasma with nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) and endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) in the penile corpus cavernosum of type 2 diabetic rats. METHODS: This study included 40 male Wistar rats, 10 as controls (Group A) and the other 30 as diabetes mellitus (DM) models. Four weeks after the model establishment, the model rats were divided into a DM group (Group B, n = 10), an insulin treated group (Group C, n = 10), and a folic acid and vitamin B12 treated group (Group D, n = 10). All the rats were injected with apomorphine and observed for penile erection at 8 and 12 weeks, and the levels of total plasma Hcy (tHcy), NOS and CO in the penile corpus cavernosum were measured at 12 weeks. RESULTS: Compared with Group A, the level of tHcy was significantly increased, while NOS and CO activities in the penile cavernous tis-sue and erectile function remarkably decreased in Group B (P < 0.01). The incidence rate of high Hcy was 55% in the DM rats. In comparison, the level of tHcy was obviously decreased, and the NOS activity and erectile function markedly increased in Groups C and D (P < 0.01). The Hcy level showed a significant negative correlation with NOS activity (rA = -0.89, rB = -0.76, rc = -0.91, rD = -0.91) and CO content (TA = -0.82, r, = -0.77, rc = -0.93, rD = -0.81). CONCLUSION: High plasma Hcy can decrease NOS and CO activities in the penile corpus cavernosum, and consequently induce erectile dysfunction in DM rats, while insulin, folic acid and vitamin B12 can improve their penile erectile function by increasing NOS and CO activities.

[Changes and analysis of peripheral white blood cells and lymphocyte subsets for patients with pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1) infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characters and changes of peripheral white blood cells and lymphocyte subsets of patients with pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1) infection and to provide evidences for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of influenza A (H1N1) infection. METHODS: Peripheral white blood cell parameters and the percentages of lymphocyte subsets in acute and recovery phases of 59 cases of influenza A virus (H1N1) infectious patients (42 mild cases and 17 severe cases) were investigated and analyzed, and compared respectively with those of 43 cases of healthy adults as control (HC) and 24 cases of general influenza A virus (no-H1N1) infectious using whole blood cell analysis and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Peripheral white blood cell counts of mild cases decreased greatly but those of severe cases did not decrease significantly; the neutrophils of severe cases increased significantly in acute phase; similar to general influenza A virus (no-H1N1) infectious, the peripheral lymphocytes, CD3, CD4, CD8 and B cells of all patients with influenza A virus (H1N1) infection decreased greatly in acute phase and quickly recovered in recovery phase; NK and NKT cells absolute counts of severe cases decreased significantly in acute phase, and the decreasing extent of which were more than 20%. CONCLUSION: There were similar characteristics of change in peripheral white blood cells and lymphocyte subsets between patients with pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1) infection and general pandemic A virus (No-H1N1); the great decrease of NK and NKT cells absolute counts may suggest the severe tendency of diseases.

[Evaluation on clinical value of serum CA-125 level in hepatitis cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between elevated levels of serum cancer antigen (CA) 125 and hepatitis cirrhosis in different stage, and also to explore the clinical application value of serum CA-125. METHODS: During June to December in 2008, 200 cases with hepatitis cirrhosis were random selected in our hospital. CA-125 levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunization assay in sera collected from these cases which were termed with Child-Paugh classification and analyzed by SAS. RESULTS: Serum CA-125 levels were correlated closely with ascites, primary peritonitis and liver function Child-Paugh classification, but no associated with primary carcinoma of liver and other liver function index,such as ALT, AST, ALB, TBIL and PT. CONCLUSION: The levels of serum CA-125 in hepatitis cirrhosis patients were osculating correlating with lesion of liver and ascite degree, could serve as a sensitive and conventional laboratory index for liver lesion degree and monitoring ascite generation. It was necessary to further study on the association with serum CA-125 level with primary hepatic carcinoma.

[Evaluation of the ELISA and the enhanced chemiluminescence immunoassay in use to determine the serum markers for liver fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the detection method of ELISA and Enhanced Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) in use to determine serum hyaluronate acid (HA), laminin (LN), type IV collagen (IV-C) and type III procollagen (PC III). METHODS: 253 patients with chronic hepatitis B were determined the four liver fibrosis serum markers with both the ECLIA and ELISA, and then compared with pathology results separately. RESULTS: Both the detection results of ELISA and ECLIA can reflect that the patient's liver fibrosis from hepatitis to liver cirrhosis aggravated gradually. Compared with ELISA, the results of ECLIA and pathology have a better correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of four liver fibrosis serum markers by ECLIA could indicate the better the response of the state of live fibrosis.

[ZnPP IX and L-NAME reduce the cGMP content in the penile tissue of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of CO release inhibitor zinc protoporphyria IX (ZnPP IX) and NO release inhibitor L-NAME on the content of cGMP in the penile tissue of rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control, a ZnPP IX, and an L-NAME group, given saline (1 ml/kg/d), ZnPP IX (45 micromol/kg/d) and L-NAME (50 mg/kg/d), respectively, for 7 days. Then all the rats were killed, homogenate made from their penile tissues and detected for the contents of NOS, NO, CO and cGMP. RESULTS: The contents of CO, NOS, NO and cGMP were all reduced in both the ZnPP IX and L-NAME groups as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ZnPP IX and L-NAME can reduce the concentrations of CO and NO in the penile tissues of rats, and consequently the content of cGMP.