Dimensionality-Inhibited Chemical Doping in Two-Dimensional Semiconductors: The Phosphorene and MoS2 from Charge-Correction Method.

Despite the great appeal of two-dimensional semiconductors for electronics and optoelectronics, to achieve the required charge carrier concentrations by means of chemical doping remains a challenge due to large defect ionization energies (IEs). Here, by decomposing the defect IEs into three parts based on ionization process, we propose a conceptual picture that the large defect IEs are caused by two effects of reduced dimensionality. While the quantum confinement effect makes the neutral single-electron point defect levels deep, the reduced screening effect leads to high energy cost for the electronic relaxation. The first-principles calculations for black phosphorus and MoS2 do demonstrate the general trend. Using BP monolayer either embedded into dielectric continuum or encapsulated between two hBN layers, we demonstrate the feasibility of increasing the screening to reduce the defect IEs. Our analysis is expected to help achieve effective carrier doping and open ways toward more extensive applications of 2D semiconductors.

[Effect of Chinese Herbs Used in Treating Multiple Sclerosis on T Subsets Using Association Rules].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of Chinese herbs used by Prof. LI Tao on peripheral blood T subsets in treating multiple sclerosis (MS) by using association rules and statistical methods, thereby providing evidence for optimizing prescriptions. METHODS: Data of MS inpatients and outpatients recorded by data collecting system, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences were resorted. The relationship between Chinese herbs and T cell subsets were analyzed using SPSS17.0 and Aprior module in SPSS Clementine 12.0. RESULTS: Radix bupleuri, Radix Paeoniae alba, Fructus Aurantii, Atractylodes, and Radix Glycyrrhizae were most commonly used herbal combinations.Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata and Rhizoma Smilacis glabrae were often added. Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata was associated with decreased Th1 cells (confidence level 83.78%, supportive level 36.26%). Decreased Th1 cell was associated with Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata (confidence level 71.26%, supportive level 36.26%).Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata was obviously associated with decreased Th1 cells. Radix Bupleuri, Radix Paeoniae alba, bitter orange, Atractylodes , Radix glycyrrhizae, and Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata could reduce peripheral blood Th1 subsets of MS patients and elevate Th2 subsets (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The herbal combination of Radix Bupleuri, Radix Paeoniae alba, Fructus Aurantii, Atractylodes, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Rhizoma Smilacis glabrae, and Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata could lower peripheral blood Th1 cells and elevate Th2 cells, and prevent the relapse of MS possibly by reducing Th1 cells and elevating Th2 cells. Especially Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata played important roles in aforesaid changes of Th1 and Th2.

[Chinese Herbal Compounds for Supplementing Qi and Activating Blood Circulation Combined with Dual Antiplatelet Drugs Alleviated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Injury and Platelet Adhe- sion via Up-regulation of P13K/Akt Pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect and underlying mechanism of Chinese herbal com- pound (CHC) for supplementing qi and activating blood circulation (SQABC) combined with dual antiplatelet drugs (DA) on oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury and platelet adhesion evoked by injured endothelial cells (ECs) based on P13K/Akt signaling pathway. METHODS: HUVECs were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the blank control group, the model group (80 mg/L ox-LDL) , the DA group (15 µg/mL aspirin +10 µg/ mL clopidogrel +80 mg/L ox-LDL) , the Panax Quinquefolium saponins ( PQS, 160 µLg/mL) + Panax Notoginseng saponins (PNS, 160 µg/mL) +DA group, the LY294002 (30 µg/mL) + PQS + PNS + DA group. HUVEC apoptosis rate and platelet adhesion to HUVECs were detected by flow cytometry. Concentration of lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH) in HUVEC supernatant was detected by biochemical assay. Concentration of intercellular adhesion molecular ([CAM) was detected by radioimmunoassay. Protein expressions of p-P13K and p-Akt in HU- VECs were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the apoptosis rate of HUVECs, mean fluorescence indicator ( MFI) , concentrations of both LDH and ICAM increased (P <0. 05) , and p-Akt protein expression decreased (P <0. 05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the apoptosis rate of HUVECs and LDH concentration increased (P <0. 05), concentrations of MFI and ICAM obviously decreased (P <0. 05) in the DA group. The apoptosis rate, MFI, concentrations of both LDH and ICAM all decreased in the PQS + PNS + DA group (P <0. 05). p-Akt protein. expres- sion in HUVECs obviously increased in the PQS + PNS + DA group (P <0. 05). Compared with the DA group, HUVEC apoptosis rate, MFI, concentrations of both LDH and ICAM in supernatant obviously decreased, p-Akt expression in HUVECs increased in the PQS + PNS + DA group (all P <0. 05). p-Akt protein expression in HUVECs was inhibited after adding specific P13K inhibitor LY294002. Protection men- tioned above all disappeared in the PQS + PNS + DA group (P <0. 05). CONCLUSION: CHC for SQABC combined with DA could alleviate ox-LDL induced apoptosis of endothelial cells and reduce injured ECs e- voked platelet adhesion via up-regulation of P13K/Akt pathway in ECs.

[Study on Contents and Budgets of Cu, Zn and Cd in an Arable Soil Using AAS].

Based on a long-term experiment in Shenyang Experimental Station, the effect of manure application on the contents and budgets of Cu, Zn and Cd in the arable soil was studied. The experiment included four treatments: no mature addition (CK), mature addition 10 t · ha⁻¹ year⁻¹(M1), 25 t · ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (M2), and 50 t · ha⁻¹ year⁻¹(M3). The result showed that Cu, Zn and Cd in soil were accumulated with manure application and prolongation of experiment, and the accumulative magnitude increased with increasing of manure application. The average annual growth rates of the heavy metals in the four treatments (CK, M1, M2, M3) were 2.83%, 6.56%, 7.54%, 8.96%; 0.03%, 3.44%, 4.53%, 6.64% and 1.51%, 8.01%, 10. 27%, 16. 08% for Cu, Zn and Cd, respectively. After six years of the experiment, the content of Cd in the M3 treatment was quite close to the threshold of Chinese Soil Quality Standard Grade III (1 mg · kg⁻¹, GB15618-1995). After 12 years of the experiment, the contents of Cu in the mature-amended treatments fell in the Chinese Soil Quality Standard Grade III, which should be paid more attention. Although the heavy metals in soil were gradually accumulated, the Cu, Zn and Cd levels in crop grain were still below the National Food Contamination Standards (GB2762-2005; GB13106-91; GB15199-94), indicating the contents of heavy metals in crop produced from contaminated soil might not exceed the corresponding standards. The contents of Cu, Zn and Cd in the straw were much greater than those in the grain. The removal of heavy metal by crop was in the order of M3 > M2 > M1 > CK. The average amounts of Cu, Zn and Cd annually removed from the soil in the four treatments (CK, M1, M2 and M3) were 35.68, 47.80, 63.65, 69.64; 249.14, 375.22, 375.16, 444.44, and 0.83, 1.39, 1.64, 1.66 g · ha⁻¹, respectively. The contents of heavy metals in organic manure varied in different years: the contents of Cu and Zn increased year by year, while Cd presented a decreasing trend. The average amounts of Cu, Zn and Cd annually remained in the soil in the treatments M1, M2 and M3 were 2 283.0, 5 763.7, 11585.4; 2 483.3, 6 771.4, 13 849.2 and 4.8, 13.9, 29.5 g · ha⁻¹, respectively. Since the heavy metals in organic manure markedly fluctuated in different years, the average residuals can only reflect the changing trend. Therefore, the residuals of heavy metals in the soil could be accurately predicted only according to status of manure in a given year.

[Study on Leaching Characteristic of Heavy Metal in the Manure-Amended Soil Using ICP-MASS].

Based on an 11-year fertilizer field trial (located at the lower liaohe river plain), the effects of different organic manure application rates on the accumulations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Cr) in surface soil (0-20 cm), and the leaching characteristic and vertical migration pattern of heavy metal have been investigated in this rainfed agro-ecosystem using undisturbed soil columns. The result showed that the content of heavy metal in surface soil was elevated with the increase of manure application. The increasing magnitude was in the order of Cd>Cu>Zn>Cr. According to the Chinese soil quality standard (GB15618-1995), the application of manure (not exceeding 50 t · ha⁻¹) did not result in serious heavy metal pollution in the surface soil. Chromium met the Grade I , and Cu and Zn met the Grade II; whereas, Cd was almost exceeded the threshold of Grade III. The potential risk of Cd in soil should be paid more attentions in future research. According to the National water quality standard (GB/T14848-93), the Cu and Cd concentrations in leachate samples were up to the Grade II except only a few samples that fell in Grade III. Furthermore, Cr in the leachate all matched Grade I water quality standard. These results indicated long-term application of manure (not exceeding 50 t · ha⁻¹) in our site had not induced contaminant risks of heavy metals in underground water. In addition, the Cu, Zn and Cd (except Cr) in leachate all declined with the increase of soil depth, indicating the low capacity of vertical migration of heavy metal. Among the four heavy metals, Zn and Cr tended to be leached into deep soil, whereas Cu and Cd were more prone to be accumulated in surface soil.

[Effect of Qinghuang Powder combined Chinese herbs for Pi-strengthening and Shen-reinforcing on HIF-1alpha in bone marrow mononuclear cells of myelodysplastic syndrome patients: an experimental research].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Qinghuang Powder (QHP) combined Chinese herbs for Pi-strengthening and Shen-reinforcing (CHPSSR) on hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in bone marrow mononuclear cells of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. METHODS: Changes of HIF-1alpha in bone marrow mononuclear cells of MDS patients were detected in 25 MDS patients treated by QHP combined CHPSSR using flow cytometry. Meanwhile, 13 healthy subjects were recruited as the control group. Changes HIF-1alpha levels in various serial bone marrow mononuclear cells were detected. RESULTS: (1) Among the 25 patients in the treatment group, there were 19 patients effective and 6 patients ineffective, with the total effective rate being 76%. (2) Compared with before treatment, levels of peripheral blood WBC, Hb, PLT, and ANC significantly increased in the treatment group after treatment, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) Compared with before treatment, the HIF-1alpha mean fluorescence intensity was enhanced in bone marrow lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, and nucleated red blood cells of the treatment group after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the HIF-1alpha mean fluorescence intensity was weakened in bone marrow lymphocytes, monocytes, and nucleated red blood cells of the treatment group before treatment; while it was obviously enhanced in granulocytes (P < 0.01). But after treatment the HIF-1alpha mean fluorescence intensity increased more in the granulocytes of the treatment group than in those of the control group (P < 0.01), but there was no statistical difference in bone marrow lymphocytes, monocytes, or nucleated red blood cells. CONCLUSION: QHP combined CHPSSR could improve HIF-1alpha levels in bone marrow lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, and nucleated red blood cells of MDS patients, thus improving Hb levels of MDS patients, and improving their anemia and correlated symptoms.

[Effect of Chinese herbal therapy on T-lymphocytes of IgA nephropathy patients: a clinical observation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Chinese herbal therapy on T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). METHODS: Totally 36 inpatients and outpatients at Department of Nephropathy, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, from June 2011 to June 2013 were recruited in the treatment group, while 20 volunteers were recruited as the healthy control group. Patients in the IgAN group only took Chinese herbal decoctions by syndrome typing for 3 months (except those accompanied with hypertension additionally took antihypertensive agents such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and/or dihydropyridines calcium antagonist). No intervention was performed in the healthy control group. The values of Th1, Th2, and CD4+ CD25+ Treg, and red blood cell number in urine were detected using flow cytometry before and after treatment. 24 h urine protein was detected using inmmunoturbidimetry. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, the CD4+ CD25+ Treg level obviously decreased in the IgAN group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). In the IgAN group, Th1, 24 h urine protein, and urine red blood cell counts were obviously lower after treatment, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal therapy could reduce urine erythrocyte number and 24 h urine protein of IgAN patients, and down-regulating Th1 expression might be its mechanism.

[Effect of treatment for hypocellular myelodysplastic syndromes by a low dose qinghuang powder combined with Chinese drugs for Shen supplementing and Pi invigorating: a clinical observation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of a low dose Qinghuang Powder (QP) combined with Chinese drugs for Shen supplementing and Pi invigorating (CDSSPI) in treatment of hypocellular myelodysplastic syndromes (hypo-MDS). METHODS: Totally 33 hypo-MDS patients enrolled in this study came from outpatient clinics between November 2011 and December 2012. A self-control method was used in this study. Patients took QP (0.4 g per day) combined with CDSSPI (one dose per day), and Stanozolol Tablet (2 mg each time, three times per day), 3 months as one therapeutic course, a total of 2 courses. The clinical efficacy was evaluated timely at the end of each therapeutic course. The venous blood was withdrawn before treatment, at month 3 and 6 after treatment. Changes of neutrophils (ANC), hemoglobin (Hb), and platelet (PLT) were mainly observed. RESULTS: Totally 31 patients in this study finished the treatment. Three months after treatment ANC, Hb, and PLT increased more than before treatment (P < 0.05). Six months after treatment Hb and PLT increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but with no statistical difference in ANC (P > 0.05). Hb increased higher at month 6 after treatment than at month 3 after treatment (P < 0.01), but with no statistical difference in ANC or PLT (P > 0.05). After 3-month treatment the number of hematologic progress, stability, disease progression were: 13 cases (41.9%), 15 cases (48.4%), and 3 cases (9.7%), respectively; after 6-month treatment the number of hematologic improvement, stability, and disease progression were: 18 cases (58.1%), 7 cases (22.6%), 6 cases (19.3%), respectively. There was no significant difference between 3-month efficacy and 6-month efficacy (P > 0.05). There was no correlation between the efficacy and ages of hypo-MDS patients or the efficacy and courses of hypo-MDS patients (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A low dose QP combined with CDSSPI showed confirmative efficacy in treatment of hypo-MDS. But the efficacy had little correlation with ages and courses of hypo-MDS patients.

[Effects of qinghuang power combined Chinese herbs for shen reinforcing and Pi strengthening on activated T cells of myelodysplastic syndrome patients].

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Qinghuang Power (QHP) combined Chinese herbs for Shen reinforcing and Pi strengthening (CHSRPS) on activated T cells of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. METHODS: The percentage and the absolute value of CD3+ CD28+, CD3+ CD28+ CD4+ CD8-, CD3+ CD28+ CD8+ CD4-, CD3+ CD25+, CD3+ CD25+ CD4+ CD8-, CD3+ CD25+ CD8+ CD4-, CD3+ DR+, CD3+ DR+ CD4+ CD8-, and CD3+ DR+ CD8+ CD4- in the peripheral blood of 24 MDS patients were detected by flow cytometry before and after treatment by QHP combined CHSRPS for 9 months. The changes of the differences in the aforesaid indices were analyzed between the effective group and the in-, and CD3 + effective group. RESULTS: The absolute values of CD3+ CD28+, CD3+ CD28+ CD4+ CD8-, and CD3+ CD28+ CD8+ CD4- obviously decreased in the effective group(13 cases)after treatment (P <0.05). The percentages of the three indices also obviously decreased in the ineffective group (11 cases, P <0.05). After treatment, both the percentage and the absolute value of CD3+ CD25+ and CD3+ CD25+ CD4+ CD8- obviously decreased in the effective group (P <0.05). There was no statistical difference in the two indices of the ineffective group between before and after treatment (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: QHP combined CHSRPS could induce second signal loss by decreasing the expressions of in vitro costimulatory molecules, resulting in deactivation of T cells. It also could suppress the hyperfunction of the immune state in MDS patients, thus preventing normal hematopoietic cells from immune attack induced apoptosis.

[Analysis on concentration, distribution and budgets of Mn and Zn in soybean by using ICP-AES].

The concentration and distribution of Mn and Zn in soil and soybean in lower reach of Liaohe River Plain were investigated with ICP-AES analysis. The results showed that the available Zn in soils was close to the critical value and the monitoring should be strengthened. Zn concentration in seed and stalk, coupled with Mn in stalk, was not affected by fertilization types, while Mn concentration in seed under NPK and NPKO treatments was significantly higher than that with O and CK treatments. Application of organic and inorganic fertilizer increased crop biomass, and consequently increased Mn and Zn storage in soybean. In soil-crop system, Mn and Zn under different fertilization regimes showed budget deficit, with the deficit order of NPKO < O < CK < NPK, indicating that nutrient cycling could decrease the deficit significantly and keep the ecological systems more sustainable.

[Over-expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in LNCaP cells in vitro and in vivo].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the over-expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasive potency of LNCaP cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: We cultured LNCaP cells stably expressing HIF-1alpha (LNCaP/HIF-1alpha) and LNCaP cells, identified the over-expression of HIF-1alpha, determined the proliferation of the two cell lines by MTT assay and the level of PSA in the supernatant of culture medium, and detected the anchorage independent growth by soft-agar colony formation assay. A subcutaneous tumor model was established in nude mice by injecting LNCaP/HIF-1alpha and LNCaP cells followed by observation of the tumor growth. Tumor specimens were obtained for immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The over-expression of HIF-1alpha was confirmed in the LNCaP/HIF-1alpha cells by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. The level of PSA was obviously decreased in LNCaP/HIF-1alpha as compared with that in LNCaP cells. MTT assay identified the increased proliferation of LNCaP/HIF-1alpha cells. The cell colony forming ability of the LNCaP cells was significantly lower than that of the LNCaP/HIF-1alpha cells. The rate of tumorigenesis was increased and its time shortened in the LNCaP/HIF-1alpha group. Immunohistochemistry revealed an up-regulated expression of vimentin and a down-regulated expression of E-cadherin in the tumor specimens. CONCLUSION: The overexpression of HIF-1alpha can up-regulate the expression of vimentin and down-regulate the expression of E-cadherin, which may enhance the invasive potency of LNCaP cells by inducing EMT.

Enhancing Hole Density and Suppressing Recombination Centers through Illumination in Kesterite Thin Film Solar Cells.

Enhancing carrier density and increasing carrier lifetime are critical for the good performance of thin film solar cells. We apply illumination during the growth of kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) to enhance hole density and suppress defects of nonradiative electron-hole recombination centers simultaneously. To examine the effect of the injected carriers generated by illumination, we first extend the scheme of detailed balance equations relating free carriers and defects beyond thermal equilibrium conditions by developing an extended Fermi level (EF') to characterize a homogeneous semiconductor with non-equilibrium carriers. On the basis of this scheme, we find that illumination can promote the formation of carrier-providing defects and suppress the formation of carrier-compensating defects. Then, we demonstrate that applying proper illumination during the growth of CZTS will help achieve a higher hole density and simultaneously suppress the formation of the SnZn antisite significantly, which are beneficial for the performance of CZTS solar cells.

Oral Arsenic-Containing Qinghuang Powder: A Potential Drug for Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

Qinghuang Powder (QHP), an oral arsenic, has become an effective drug in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences for many years, and the action mechanism of the compound or active ingredient As2S2 of QHP has been elucidated. Considering the relatively safety, chemotherapy-free and convenient oral profile, QHP is widely used in the clinical treatment for MDS patients, especially for elderly patients. In this review, the authors document the efficacy and safety of oral arsenic-containing compound QHP in the treatment of MDS, with a special focus on the association of efficacy of QHP with the cytogenetics, prognostic risk, DNA methylation, gene mutation, blood arsenic concentration, mechanism of action of As2S2 and the countermeasures against adverse reactions of gastrointestinal tract.

The Construction of ITP Diagnostic Modeling Based on the Expressions of Hub Genes Associated with M1 Polarization of Macrophages.

Purpose: Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an immune disease with a diagnosis of exclusion, since no validated biomarkers have been identified. In this study, we explored biomarkers associated with the development of ITP from an immune perspective to inform the clinical diagnosis. Patients and Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal and ITP samples were analyzed using limma package. Random forest algorithm and LASSO regression were further used to screen for DEGs associated with ITP. The expression of these hub genes was validated by PCR. The relationship between DEGs and immunity was explored by enrichment analysis. Immune cell infiltration in ITP was analyzed by CIBERSORT and ssGSEA, and the relationship between DEGs and infiltrating immune cells was analyzed by Spearman's rank correlation analysis. Finally, a diagnostic model related to DEGs was constructed by the neural network, and its efficiency was detected by the ROC curve. Results: After screening the GEO database and validation by PCR analysis, The expression of CTH and TAF8 were higher and while OSBP2 expression was lower in ITP patients compared to normal subjects (P<0.05). GO enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were associated with inflammatory immune-related diseases, and KEGG analysis showed that they mainly regulated signaling pathways such as JAK-STAT. CIBERSORT and ssGSEA analyses showed that these DEGs were mainly associated with macrophage M1 polarization. The expression of CTH and TAF8 were positively correlated with M1 expression, while OSBP2 was negatively correlated with M1 expression. The ROC curve showed high accuracy of the neural network model [AUC= 0.939, 95% CI (0.8-1)]. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CTH, TAF8, and OSBP2 can be used as effective diagnostic biomarkers of ITP.

[The recycling rate and budget of trace element Mn and Cu in agroecosystem using ICP-AES].

The recycling rate and budget of Mn and Cu under different fertilization regimes by using long-term field experiment and ICP-AES analysis were investigated in the present paper. The results showed that the recycling rates of Mn and Cu were greater than 80% because of sediment recycling type, and the values increased with the amount of feed stuffs increasing. Both the two elements under different fertilization regimes showed budget deficit, with the deficit order of M< (or < or =)NPK + M < CK < NPK, showing that chemical fertilizer application might induce severe deficit, while application of recycling organic matter might minimize the unbalance.

Clinical Response to Traditional Chinese Herbs Containing Realgar (As2S2) is Related to DNA Methylation Patterns in Bone Marrow DNA from Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Multilineage Dysplasia.

PURPOSE: DNA methylation is known to play an important role in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We previously showed that Chinese herbs (CHs) containing realgar (As2S2) were effective at treating MDS with multilineage dysplasia (MDS-MLD). We tested whether the response to CH treatment was related to changes in DNA methylation in MDS-MLD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: First, the Illumina methylation 850K array BeadChip assay was used to assess the pretreatment methylation status in bone marrow cells from eight MDS-MLD patients and 3 healthy donors. The eight MDS-MLD patients were then treated with CHs for six months, the arsenic concentration was measured following treatment. The patients were subsequently divided into "effective" and "ineffective" treatment response groups and the DNA methylation patterns of the two groups were compared. Finally, the BeadChip data were validated by pyrosequencing. RESULTS: Five of the eight MDS-MLD patients showed hematological improvement (effective-treatment group), while three showed disease progression (ineffective-treatment group) (positive response rate: 62.5%). The arsenic concentrations in the patients ranged from 26.60 to 64.16 µg/L (median 48.4 µg/L) and were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.27). Compared with the healthy controls, three genes were hypomethylated and 110 were hypermethylated in the ineffective-treatment group. However, in the group showing hematological improvement, 102 genes were markedly hypomethylated and 87 hypermethylated. The effective-treatment group had a higher proportion of hypomethylated sites than the ineffective-treatment group (53.9% vs 2.6%, respectively; chi-square test) (p < 0.0001). Two hypermethylated and two hypomethylated genes were selected for validation by pyrosequencing (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MDS-MLD patients may present different DNA methylation subtypes. CHs containing realgar may be effective for treating MDS-MLD patients with the hypomethylation subtype.

Hypofractionated versus conventionally fractionated image-guided volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: a phase II randomized trial from China.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety of hypofractionated imaging-guided (IG) volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy (IG-VMAT; 70 Gy/28 fractions over 5.5 weeks) versus conventionally fractionated regimen (IG-VMAT; 80 Gy/40 fractions over 8 weeks) in Chinese patients with localized prostate cancer. METHOD: In this randomized non-comparative phase II trial, 92 patients with localized prostate cancer were assigned to receive either hypofractionated IG-VMAT (HFRT; 70 Gy/2.5Gy/28f) or conventionally fractionated IG-VMAT (CFRT; 80 Gy/2Gy/40f). Primary endpoint was grade 2 or higher late gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity at 2 years. The GI/GU toxicity and biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS) were compared between the two treatment groups. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 26 months. The incidence of grade 2 or higher late GI/GU toxicity was low in both groups; the 5-year cumulative incidence of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade 2 or higher GI/GU toxicity at 2 years was 7.6% with HFRT versus 10.3% with CFRT (P = 0.707). Biochemical control was not significantly different between the two groups; the 2-year bRFS was 94.6% for HFRT versus 95.0% for CFRT (P = 0.704). CONCLUSION: Hypofractionated IG-VMAT appears to be equivalent to conventionally fractionated IG-VMAT in terms of toxicity in Chinese patients with localized prostate cancer.

[Expression of MicroRNAs in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia and Its Correlation with the Imbalance of Th1/Th2 Cell].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of microRNAs in peripheral blood of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia(ITP) and its correlation with the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cells. METHODS: Thirty patients with ITP (ITP group) and 15 healthy people (control group) were enrolled．Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of six miRNAs (miR-107,miR-205-5p,miR-138-5p,miR-326,miR-1827,miR-185-5p) and Th1-specific transcription factor T-bet mRNA and Th2-specific transcription factor GATA-3 mRNA in the peripheral blood of the two groups. Th1 and Th2 cells were detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of Th1-cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ and Th2-cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were detected by AimPlex multiple immunoassays for Flow. The expression difference of miRNAs, mRNA, Th1, Th2 cells and cytokines of the two groups were compared, and the correlations of miRNAs to mRNA, Th1, Th2 cells and cytokines were analyzed in ITP group. RESULTS: The expressions of miRNAs（miR-107, miR-205-5p, miR-138-5p, miR-326, miR-1827, miR-185-5p）and Th2-specific transcription factor GATA-3 mRNA of the patients in ITP group were significantly decreased (P<0.05) as compared with those in control, while the expressions of Th1 cells and Th1-specific transcription factor T-bet mRNA and Th1-cytokines TNF-α were significantly increased (P<0.05), also for the ratios of T-bet mRNA/GATA-3 mRNA and Th1/Th2 cells were significantly increased (P<0.05). The relative expressions of miR-107, miR-205-5p, miR-138-5p in ITP patients were negatively correlated with Th2 cells (r=-0.411, r=-0.593, r=-0.403,P<0.05) and the relative expression of miR-1827 was negatively correlated with TNF-α (r=-0.390). CONCLUSION: The relative expressions of the six miRNAs in peripheral blood of patients with ITP are significantly decreased, which result in the increasing ratio of T-bet mRNA/GATA-3 mRNA, then lead to the imbalance of Th1/Th2.

Arsenic concentration in peripheral blood is correlated with efficacy of a Traditional Chinese Medicine regimen containing realgar for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the efficacy of realgar for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes with multilineage dysplasia (MDS-MLD) and arsenic concentration in the peripheral blood of patients. METHODS: In this prospective study, a total of 50 MDS-MLD patients were treated with traditional Chinese drugs containing realgar for 3 months in Xiyuan Hospital from March 2018 to January 2019. Routine blood examination as well as liver and kidney function were monitored before and after treatment. The concentration of arsenic in the peripheral blood was measured using an atomic fluorescence spectrometer after treatment. The correlation between clinical effect and arsenic concentration was analyzed by Spearman's method. RESULTS: The treatment response rate was 54%. Two patients (4% ) achieved complete remission, 50% (25 of 50) showed hematologic improvement, and 23 patients had stable disease (23% ). No disease progression was observed. Arsenic concentration in the peripheral blood ranged from 14.60 to 85.96 µg/L. Clinical efficacy was positively correlated with arsenic concentration (P < 0.05). The incidence of mild adverse reactions was 16%. CONCLUSION: A relatively high concentration of arsenic in the peripheral blood may improve the clinical efficacy of realgar in MDS-MLD patients.

[Effect of yiqi bushen granule on the peripheral CD4+ CD8high T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell in patients with minimal residual leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Yiqi Bushen Granule (YBG) on CD4+ CD8high T lymphocyte in patients with minimal residual leukemia (MRL) and to probe its prognosis after treatment. METHODS: The changes of CD4+ CD8high T lymphocyte subgroup and natural killer (NK) cells in 36 patients (16 males and 20 females) received long-term (> 3 months) YBG therapy before and after treatment were analyzed using multi-parameter flow cytometry and controlled by those in 34 healthy persons (19 males and 15 females). RESULTS: The 3-year and 5-year complete remission rates in MRL patients were 75.0% and 63.9%; their 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 80.5% and 72.2%, respectively; as compared with the baseline, the absolute value and percentage of CD4+ CD8high T lymphocyte and NK cells were all significantly raised after treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: YBG could prolong the disease-free survival in MRL patients by way of regulating the immune function of organism, elevating the amount of CD4+ CD8high T lymphocyte and NK cells to kill or suppress the residual leukemic cell in body.