Survivin is the most recent member of the IAP family, which shows a higher expression in almost all tumor cells, but not detected in most normal cells. Our attention is drawn by survivin due to its selective expression, which was taken as one molecule sign of tumor cells. Accordingly, survivin is examined in most leukemia cell line and leukemia specimen, whose expression also showed the association with leukemia. As in other tumor cells, survivin also plays an important role in the leukemogenesis. Meanwhile the detection of survivin can provide an useful prognosis information. This article is a brief overview of the development of survivin and its relationship with leukemia.

BACKGROUND:The form and structure of antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancel ous bone through series of physical and chemical treatment are similar to human tissue. OBJECTIVE:To detect the biocompatibility of antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancel ous bone matrix prepared by three different ways. METHODS:The antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancel ous bone scaffold materials which were prepared through physical, chemical and physical-chemical combined methods and hydroxy apatite biological ceramic materials were implanted into the dorsum subcutaneous tissue. Histological observation was done at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. The antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancel ous bone scaffold materials which were prepared through physical, chemical and physical-chemical combined methods respectively was used to culture sheep bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for 7 days. Cel adhesion, growth, proliferation and stroma secretion were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 4 weeks after surgery, a strong inflammatory reaction was detected around materials in four groups. At 12 weeks, the xenogeneic bone materials prepared through physical and physical-chemical combined methods and hydroxy apatite biological ceramic materials internal pore and surrounding tissue inflammation disappeared basical y, with the presence of thimbleful inflammation cells. The material degradation was more than at 8 weeks. The xenogeneic bone materials prepared through chemical methods material internal pore and surrounding tissue inflammation stil existed, suggesting that the xenogeneic bone materials prepared through physical and physical-chemical combined methods exhibited good histocompatibility. A smal amount of orderly osteoblasts existed around hydroxy apatite biological ceramic materials and physical-chemical prepared materials, with a smal amount of bone. These suggested that there was a tendency for ectopic bone formation. The xenogeneic cancel ous bone materials prepared through physical or physical-chemical combined methods have better cytocompatibility. However, scaffold materials prepared through chemical method have poor cytocompatibility and they are not qualified for the safety standards of biological materials.

Objective Role of melanocortin receptor 4 (MCAR) in excitatory amino acid release from rat astrocytes in spinal cord. Methods Astrocytes were isolated from the spinal cord of newborn pathogen-free Wistar rats ( 1-3 days after birth) and cultured in serum-free Neurobasal/B27 liquid culture medium. After 4 passages the primary cultured astrocytes were randomly divided into 3 groups (6 wells each): group Ⅰ control (group C); group Ⅱ the astrocytes were exposed to TNF-α 10 μg/L (group T) and group Ⅲ the astrocytes were exposed to TNF-α 10 μg/L and HS014 (selective MC4R antagonist) 1 μmol/L (group TH). The astrocytes were incubated at 37 ℃ for 3 h. The supernatant was collected for determination of glutamic acid (Glu) and aspartic acid (Asp)concentrations by HPLC-MS/MS. Results TNF-α significantly increased Glu and Asp release from astrocytes in group T as compared with group C. The Glu and Asp concentrations were significantly lower in group TH than in group T. Conclusion MG4R is involved in the excitatory amino acid release from astrocytes in the spinal cord.

To explore and discuss the application of case teaching method for pharmaceutical administration science according to the actual teaching situation and the teaching experience of the authors. The teaching effects can be improved by the method, which is worthy of promotion and popularization.

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to investigate the expression levels of serum and urinary vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) in proliferating infantile hemangioma patients under propranolol treatment.

METHODSPropranolol (0.5-2 mg x kg(-1)) was orally administered to 30 infants every day for 4-8 months. The Achauer method was used to measure the tumor radius and thus evaluate the clinical curative effects of the treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum and urinary concentrations of VEGF-A and EGFL7 at 0, 4, and 12 weeks after the treatment.

RESULTSThe treatment response was excellent in 2 patients, good in 11, moderate in 14, and poor in 3. Serum VEGF-A (335.692 pg x mL(-1) ± 136.146 pg x mL(-1)) was high before the treatment and then significantly decreased after 4 weeks (264.853 pg x mL(-1) ± 122.120 pg x mL(-1)) and 12 weeks (211.345 pg x mL(-1) ± 104.035 pg x mL(-1)) of treatment (P < 0.05). Urinary VEGF-A (76.234 pg x mL(-1) ± 24.169 pg x mL(-1)) was high before the treatment and then significantly decreased after four weeks (56.454 pg x mL(-1) ± l6.111 pg x mL(-1)) and twelve weeks (34.728 pg x mL(-1)) ± 12.656 pg x mL(-1)) of treatment (P < 0.05). Serum and urinary EGFL7 also decreased after the treatment, showing a positive relationship with VEGF-A.

CONCLUSIONPropranolol can be safely and effectively used to treat proliferating infantile hemangiomas. This treatment can reduce the peripheral serum and urinary concentrations of VEGF-A and EGFL7 in affected children.

ObjectiveTo investigate DNA loads and risk factors of BK virus infection in renal transplant recipients.MethodsWe developed a real-time PCR assay to quantitate BK virus loads in 80 patients receiving renal transplantation in our center,and correlation between the BK virus load and clinical course was analyzed.BK virus loads were measured in urine and plasma. Epidemiological features and risk factors of BK virus infection were analyzed.ResultsThe positive rate of BKV viruria and viremia in 80 renal recipients was 37.5％ (30/80) and 8.75％ (7/80),respectively.BKV loads were higher in renal allograft recipients whose age was more than 50 years old.BKV loads were observed in urine and plasma (compared with group whose age was less than 50 years,P=0.017 and 0.05,respectively).BKV DNA copies were higher in group Tac than that in group CSA (P＜0.05),and the peak of BKV load in serum appeared at14th and10th month after transplantation,respectively,but the peak in urine was ahead of that in serum,appeared at 2nd and 8th month,respectively.ConclusionSerial measurement of BKV viral loads by quantitative PCR is a useful tool in monitoring the course of BK virus infection.The ages of recipients (＞50 years) and using Tac + MPA can reactivate BK virus and then result in BKVAN in renal transplant recipients. Intensive BKV monitoring is necessary for these recipients.

Objective To investigate the effect of cyclosporine on matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3)’ s genetic expression on bladder cancer in rats induced with BBN and its clinical significance.Methods Twenty SD rats were divide into experimental group or control group randomly.Ten samples of SD rats bladder cancer induced with BBN and cyclosporine simultaneously and 10 samples of SD rats bladder cancer induced with BBN only as control were used to observe the effect of cyclosporine on MMP-3’ s genetic expression.Real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry stain were used to analyze MMP-3 mRNA and protein levels of bladder cancer in rats respectively.Results The MMP-3 mRNA median expression were 7.6 (4.2-9.1) in experimental group and 4.7 (2.8-7.7) in control group.The MMP-3 protein expression were 1 case with (-),4 cases (+),5 cases (++) in experimental group and 3 cases (-),4 cases (+),3 cases (++) in control group.The differences of MMP-3 mRNA and protein levels of bladder cancer between experimental group and control group were both significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Cyclosporine may stimulate the growth and development of bladder cancer through changing expression of some genes like MMP-3,and MMP-3 maybe become one of the targets of chemoprevention for post-transplantation bladder cancer.

Objective To investigate the effect of cyclosporine on signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) genetic expression on bladder cancer in rats induced by BBN and its clinical significance.Methods Twenty SD rats were divide into experimental group or control group randomly.Ten samples of SD rats bladder cancer induced with BBN and cyclosporine simultaneously as experimental group,and 10 samples of SD rats bladder cancer induced with BBN only as control.Real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry stain were used to detect STAT1 mRNA and protein level expressions of bladder cancer in rats respectively.Results The STAT1 mRNA median expression fold was 4.5 (2.1-6.6) in experimental group and 5.6 (3.4-8.5) in control group.The STAT1 protein expression were 5 cases with (-),3 cases (+),2 cases (++) in experimental group and 0 case (-),5 cascs (+),5 cases (++) in control group.The expression of STAT1 mRNA and protein level of bladder cancer between experimental group and control group were both significant different (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Cyclosporine may stimulate the growth and development of bladder cancer through changing expression of some genes like STATI,and STAT1 maybe become one of the targets of chemoprevention for post-transplantation bladder cancer.

Objective To study the clinicopathologic features of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) following renal transplantation.Methods Four cases of PTLD following renal transplantation were studied and relevant literatures were reviewed.Results All the 4 cases had received 3-drug-immunosuppression after transplantation.The duration between renal transplantation and diagnosis of PTLD was 5-112 months,averagely 34 months.The patients were suffered from infective monocytic hyperplasialike PTLD,plasmacytic hyperplasialike PTLD,polymorphic PTLD and monomorphic PTLD respectively in morphology and had no specific symptoms.All the patients received therapy with dosage reduction of immunosuppressants and some received rituximab or chemotherapy.The case of monomorphic PTLD died in a short time after diagnosis.Conclusion PTLD is a lymphoproliferative disease with distinctive morphologic and clinical characteristics.The main treatments include the dosage reduction of immunosuppressive agents,biotherapy and chemotherapy.The prognosis of monomorphic PTLD is poor.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of propranolol in treating proliferating infantile haemangiomas,and to measure the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and hypoxiainducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in sera and urine of patients during the treatment.Methods Thirty infants with proliferating haemangiomas were treated with propranolol at doses of 0.5-2 mg/kg per day.The radius of haemangiomas was measured,and blood and urine samples were obtained from these patients before,and at 4 and 12 weeks after the beginning of treatment.Clinical efficacy was estimated according to a four-graded scale as well as the feedback from parents of these patients.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the serum and urine concentrations of VEGF-A and HIF-1α.Thirty check-up infants collected from the Department of Child Health Care served as the healthy controls.Statistical analysis was done by two-way analysis of variance followed by the least significant difference (LSD) test.Results After 12 weeks of treatment,clinical response was excellent in 2 patients,good in 11,moderate in 14,and poor in 3.The serum levels of VEGF-A and HIF-1α were (268.174 ± 95.056) μg/L and (10.809 ± 1.686) mg/L respectively in the control group,sequentially decreased in the patients from baseline to 4 and 12 weeks after the beginning of treatment (VEGF-A:(385.692 ± 136.146) vs.(264.853 ± 122.12) vs.(211.345 ± 104.035) μg/L; HIF-1α:(31.462 ± 7.458) vs.(21.454 ± 5.489) vs.(12.052 ± 3.623) mg/L).The trend in expression changes of VEGF-A and HIF-1α in urine samples was similar to that in blood samples in these patients.Positive correlation was observed between the expression level of VEGF-A and HIF-1α in sera (r=0.730,P＜ 0.05) and urine (r=0.667,P＜ 0.05) of these patients.Moreover,the levels of serum VEGF-A,urine VEGF-A,serum HIF-1α and urine HIF-1α were all negatively correlated with the time course following propranolol administration (r =-0.390,-0.689,-0.806,-0.683,P ＜ 0.05,0.01,0.05,0.01 respectively).Conclusion Propranolol is effective for the treatment of proliferating infantile haemangiomas,likely by reducing serum and urinary concentrations of VEGF-A and HIF-lα in children.