Serum interleukin-2 receptor α as a clinical biomarker in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical relevance of serum interleukin-2 receptor α (IL-2Rα) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).@*METHODS@#One hundred and seven SLE patients and 39 healthy controls with comparable age and gender were recruited at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020. Complete clinical data in 107 SLE patients at baseline and follow-up were collected. SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) was used to assess the disease activity of the SLE patients. The serum level of IL-2Rα in the SLE patients and healthy controls was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The association between serum IL-2Rα and clinical and laboratory parameters was investigated. Mann-Whitney U test or t test, Chi-square test and Spearman correlation were used for statistical analysis.@*RESULTS@#The serum IL-2Rα levels were significantly higher in the SLE patients [830.82 (104.2-8 940.48) ng/L], compared with those in the healthy controls [505.1 (78.65-1 711.52) ng/L] (P < 0.001). Association analysis showed that the increased serum IL-2Rα was positively associated with SLEDAI-2K scores and anti-nucleosome antibody (r=0.357, P < 0.001; r=0.25, P=0.027, respectively). Thirty-six of 107 (33.6%) SLE patients had lupus nephritis. Serum IL-2Rα levels were significantly higher in the patients accompanied with lupus nephritis [1 102.14 (126.52-8 940.48) ng/L] than in the patients without lupus nephritis [743.89 (104.19-4 872.06) ng/L] (P=0.032). The patients in the high IL-2Rα group had more lupus nephritis compared with those in the low IL-2Rα group (40.8% vs. 19.4%, P=0.031). Meanwhile, SLEDAI-2K scores were found significantly higher in the high IL-2Rα group than in the low IL-2Rα group [10 (3-21) vs. 7 (3-16), P=0.001]. With the improvement of disease activity in the SLE patients after conventional treatments, serum levels of IL-2Rα [1 119.1 (372.25-2 608.86) ng/L] in the week 12 decreased significantly compared with the baseline [1 556.73 (373.08-8 940.48) ng/L] (P=0.042).@*CONCLUSION@#Serum IL-2Rα may be used as a biomarker of disease activity in patients with SLE. There is certain correlation between serum IL-2Rα and renal involvement in SLE.

Pathological features and ultrastructure of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced thymic lymphomas in mice / 中国实验血液学杂志

The objective of study was to investigate the origin and to classify the subtype of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced thymic lymphomas in mice. Histopathologic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies were performed to analyze the pathological features of the neoplasms. The results showed that the thymus in all cases became totally replaced by sheets of cells of the lymphoid series. All the tumors coexpressed CD3 and TdT. Transmission electron microscopic study showed the plasma membranes of malignant lymphoma cells were smooth. The nuclear profiles were usually regular, with varying percentage of convoluted nuclei. Few cell organoids were observed in cytoplasm. In conclusion, all the MNU-induced tumor classified by histopathologic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies as precursor lymphoblastic lymphoma that were unquestionably related to the thymus origin and T-cell lineage.

Breast reconstruction using free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap after resection of breast cancer / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the early outcomes of breast reconstruction with free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps after resection of breast cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 12 free TRAM flaps were performed after breast cancer surgery in The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio from July 2003 to November 2003. Average patient age was 43.5 years, and average weight was 68.6 kg. Reconstruction was undertaken as an immediate procedure after mastectomy in two patients (16.7%) and as a delayed procedure in 10 patients (83.3%). The flap was harvested based on the deep inferior epigastric vessel on the opposite side to the affected breast. Of the 12 patients, 2 patients underwent reconstruction using the thoracodorsal vessels and 10 patients underwent reconstruction using the internal mammary vessels as the receipt vessels. Mean follow-up time was 2.8 months. The surgical technique, complications and the early results of breast reconstruction are reported.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The free TRAM flap Reconstruction was successfully performed in all patients at a success rate of 100% . Average operating time was 495 minutes, and average hospital stay was 9.4 days. The contralateral breast reduction was performed in 5 (41.7%) of the patients. Six complications occurred in 3 of 12 reconstructions (25%). Complications included three haematoma or seroma formation, two delayed wound healing and one partial fat necrosis. There were no major postoperative complications such as partial flap loss, total flap loss, wound infection or abdominal wall hernia. RESULTS were considered extremely satisfactory or satisfactory in 11 cases (91.7%), less satisfactory in one case (8.3%). No case was dissatisfied with her reconstruction. Conclusions This study suggests that the free TRAM flap for breast reconstruction is a safe and reliable technique which provides an excellent cosmetic outcome with a high degree of patient satisfaction.</p>

Effect of Shark Chondroitin on T Lymphocyte Subsets of Cancer Patients / 中国实验血液学杂志

The objective of the study is to find out the effect of shark chondroitin on T lymphocyte subsets in cancer patients. Patients were divided into two groups. One group was treated with chemotherapy alone, and the other group was treated with chemotherapy plus shark chondroitin. Using immunofluorescence technique, T lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood were determined in two groups before and after chemotherapy. The results showed that CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio increased in the patients received shark chondroitin. In the chemotherapy group, CD3(+) had no change, but CD4(+) decreased while CD8(+) increased significantly. The results suggest that shark chondroitin could enhance immune function in cancer patients, especially during chemotherapy.

Relapse or disease-free survival rate prediction value of TIP30 protein expression in NSCLC / 中国癌症杂志

Background and Purpose:TIP30 is a newly found tumor suppressing protein that has low level expression in many kinds of tumor cell lines,and it inhibits the growth of tumor cells of different origin.In this article,we want to probe into the value of a newly found tumor suppressor gene TIP30 as a molecular marker for the prediction of relapse or metastasis of lung cancer patients.Methods:In our present study,immunohistochemical analyses of a retrospective database of pathologic specimens were used to demonstrate the expression of TIP30 protein in NSCLC.Results:The low expression of TIP30 protein in NSCLC tumor tissue was statistically significant in the clinical stage,relapse or metastasis or 5 year disease-free survival rate,whereas low levels of TIP30 expression did not relate to histologic type and histologic differentiation.Conclusions:TIP30 protein may be used as a molecular marker to identify and predict the relapse or metastasis of NSCLC,and may provide a new clue for the clinical doctor to evaluate the prognosis of patients with NSCLC.