Currently the most effective treatment strategy for breast cancer is standardized multi-discipline comprehensive treatment. However, there are no effective models that can accurately predict prognosis, so that no guidance of individualized treatment has yet been set up, resulting in a proportion of patients with low risk who received chemotherapy with little benefit. With the development of genomics, several gene sets have been demonstrated to be helpful in predicting of breast cancer prognosis and grading the patients' benefit from chemotherapy, thus avoid overtreatment. 21-gene Oncotype Dx was reported as one of them and has been demonstrated to be effective and accurate in various clinical studies. This paper summarizes researches on 21-gene Oncotype Dx in breast cancer.

Objective To study the expression level and clinical significance of Galectin-3 and miRNA-21 in non-small-cell lung carcinoma(NSCLC).Methods One hundred and fifty patients with NSCLC were chosen as cancer group,and 1 50 patients with benign pulmonary diseases were chosen as control group.The expression level of Galectin-3 and that of miRNA-21 between two groups were compared,and the relevance between expression level of Galectin-3 and that of miRNA-21 and clinical feature were analysed.Results In cancer group,the expression level of Galectin-3 was 6.75±2.38,and that of control group was 1.12 ±0.29;the expression level of miRNA-21 was 5.91 ± 1.59,and that of control group was 0.97 ± 0.1 7,and the difference between two groups had statistical significance(P <0.05 ).The relevance between expression level of Galectin-3 and stage,differentiation,lym-phatic metastasis,diameter of carcinoma and PFS,OS of patients had statistical significance(P <0.05).The relevance between ex-pression level of miRNA-21 and stage,differentiation,diameter of carcinoma and PFS,OS of patients had statistical significance(P <0.05).In the diagnosis of NSCLC,the sensitivity of the expression level of Galectin-3 was 90.20%,and its specificity was 70.69%, while the sensitivity of expression level of miRNA-21 was 88.24% and its specificity was 69.97%.The difference between the di-agnostic value of Galectin-3 and that of miRNA-21 had no statistical significance(P >0.05 ).Conclusion The expression level of Galectin-3 and that of miRNA-21 can be applied in the diagnosis and prognosis of non-small-cell lung carcinoma.

AIM:To direct embryonic stem cells(ESCs)into hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs)in vitro by simulating the hematogenic microenvironment in human early embryonic aorta-gonad-mesonephero(AGM)region.METHODS:Murine E14 embronic stem cell line was used for two-step differentiation.In the first step of primary differentiation,E14 ESCs were seeded into semisolid methylcellulose-based medium containing bone morphogenesis protein 4(BMP4)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)for embryoid body(EB)formation.On days 3,6,9,12 and 15,single EB cells were analyzed for Flk-1+ cells amount through flow cytometry.In the second step,single cell from EB containing most Flk-1+ cells was further co-cultured with human AGM stromal cells in non-contact system.On co-culture days of 3,6,9 and 12 days,cells were collected for cell count,flow cytometry for Sca-1+c-kit+ cells analysis,and colony forming cell assay.RESULTS:During the EB formation,BMP4+VEGF promoted Flk-1+ cell genesis on day 9 at peak pencentage value of 27.53%?2.84%,which was statistically higher than that in control group as 8.77?1.10(P

Objective To identify one umbilical blood sample with abnonnal gap-PCR products of three bands of α2,-α3.7 and-SEA.further family pedigree were analyzed for the source of genetic variations,Methods One fetal umbilical blood sample was drawn from a woman of 24-weeks pregnancy.Gap-PCR for α-thalassemia was routinely conducted and abnornlal three bands of α2.-α3.7 and-SEA were observed.which could not be interpreted according to the kit manual and suspected as rare variation.With informed consen,DNA samples from the parents and grandparents were obtained for further study.Singleplex andnested PCR techniques were utilized to analyze the molecular characteristics of DNA samples from this fetus and its parents and grand-parents.Results Hematological phenotype study showed that fetal Hb Ban's was 7.6%,and its mother and maternal grandfather were both with typical α-thalassemia.while its father,grandfather and grandmother and maternal grandmother are without abnormal hematological change.Molecular study showed that fetal blood DNA was a heterozygosity for HKaa and-SEA.its father and grandfather are both HKαα/αα,its mother and maternal grandfather are both-SEA/aa,its grandmother and maternal grandmother are with both normal alleles of αα/αα.Then after genetic counseling the fetas was saved and iS a she baby now.Conclusion ThroUgh careful molecular tests one case of prenatal heterozygosity of HKαα/-SEA was identified,and the fetus is kept successfully through careful clinical counseling.

Objective To analyze the clinic pathologic factors and survival rate by performing a retro-spective study on the early gastric carcinoma (EGC)with signet ring cell underwent curative gastrostomy (SRC) percentage less than 50%after operation .Methods A total of 424 patients was diagnosed as EGC from January 2008 to January 2010 in Changhai Hospital .The patients were divided into three groups according to the different percentage of SRC within tumor cells , SRC group ( with percentage of SCR more than 50%) , Mixed SRC group (with percentage of SRC less than 50%),and Non-SRC group(Classic adenocarcinoma without SRC ).Then we evaluated the clinic pathologic indicators and prognoses , and study on the relationship with histologic types . Results In ECG,the mixed-SRC group was similar to the SRC group on the phases of onset age and sex .On the other phases,the mixed-SRC group was more associated with mucosa -confined,lower lymph node metasta-sis(LNM),and 5-year survival rate was better than adenocarcinoma group (P<0.05).However,the mixed-SRC group showed more submucosal invasion ,and higher LNM than other groups ( P<0 .05 ) .The mixed-SRC component was one of the independent risk factors of LNM .Conclusion In EGC,mixed-SRC had a more favor-able risk factor of LNM ,showed more aggressive behavior than other groups and displayed poor prognosis .

Objective:To establish a method based on the iPLEX analysis of MassARRAY mass spectrometry platform to detect multiplex genetic mutations among Chinese lung cancer patients. Methods:We reviewed the related literature and data of lung cancer treatments. We also determined 99 mutation hot spots in 13 target genes, namely, EGFR, KRAS, ALK, FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, PIK3CA, BRAF, PTEN, MET, ERBB2, AKT1, and STK11, which are closely related to the pathogenesis, drug resistance, and metastasis of lung cancer and are associated with relevant transduction pathways. A total of 297 primers comprising 99 paired forward and reverse amplification primers and 99 matched extension primers were designed by using Assay Design in accordance with the mutation label and format requirements of the MassARRAY platform. The detection method was established by analyzing eight cell lines and six lung cancer specimens;the proposed method was then validated through comparisons with a LungCarta kit. The sensitivity and specificity of the proposed method were evaluated by directly sequencing EGFR and KRAS genes in 100 lung cancer cases. Results:The proposed method could detect multiplex genetic mutations in the lung cancer cell lines, and this finding is consistent with that observed using previously reported methods. The proposed method could also detect such mutations in clinical lung cancer specimens;this result is also consistent with that observed by using the LungCarta kit. However, an FGFR2 mutation was detected only by using the proposed method. The measured sensitivity and specificity were 100%and 96.3%, respectively. Conclusion:The proposed MassARRAY technology-based method could detect multiplex genetic mutations among Chinese lung cancer patients. Indeed, the proposed method can be potentially applied to detect mutations in cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Embryonic stem cells fESCs) develop from early blastular inner cell mass.Under proper condition,ESCs can maintain undifferentiated state in vitro,normal diploid nuclear type,and proliferative potential.In addition,ESCs possess multi-directional differentiation capacity and can differentiate into all sorts of cells of three germ layers. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of directed differentiation of ESCs towards thyroid cells in vitro as well as related molecular expression. DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING: A cell-based observational experiment was performed at the Bank of Cord Blood,Second Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University between January 2004 and December 2006.MATERIALS: Balb/c pregnant mice at pregnancy 12.5-14.5 days were used for preparation of embryonic fibroblast feeder layer.E14 mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) strains were gifted by professor Xu from Harvard University.METHODS: Murine El4 ESCs were cultured in methylcellulose semisolid medium to form embryoid bodies (Ebs).These Ebs were transferred for further inductive culture with the stepwise addition of growth factors- thyrotropin (TSH),insulin and kalium iodidum (KI).The cultured thyroid cells of adult Kunming mice were taken as positive control.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Cellular morphological change in the process of differentiation.② Detection of expression levels of TSHR,PAX8,TTF-2,and TIF-1 by immunofluorescence assay.③ Detection of expression levels of TSHR,PAX8,NIS,TPO,and Tg by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).RESULTS: The differentiated cells had clear boundary,exhibiting round,oval,shuttle-shaped,or polygon adhesive growth.On day 6 of inductive ifferentiation,the differentiated cells showed the expression of PAX8,NIS,TPO,Tg,and TSHR,the specific gene of thyroid ceils.On day 8 of inductive differentiation,the expression of TSHR,TIF-1,PAX8,and TIF-2 was detectable in the differentiated cells with morphous similar to thyroid cells.CONCLUSION: ESCs can differentiate towards thyroid cells under given inductive conditions.

OBJECTIVETo explore the differences of the silica-induced inhibition on cellular proliferation and hprt gene mutagenesis between lung fibroblasts and alveolar type II cells.

METHODSThe proliferation inhibitive cytotoxicity was detected by MTT (3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazolzyl]-2,5-Diphenyl Tetrazolium Bromide) colorimetric method. Mutation in the hprt gene was screened by culture in the presence of the toxic purine analog, 6-thioguanine (6-TG).

RESULTSUnder the same circumstances of silica exposure, alveolar type II cells was more sensitive than lung fibroblasts for proliferation inhibition. The median proliferation inhibition concentration (IC50) of silica on epithelial was 140 micrograms/cm2, whereas IC50 of silica on fibroblasts was 282 micrograms/cm2. At the same doses of silica, the hprt gene mutation frequency in type II cells (84.2 x 10(-6))-156.6 x 10(-6) was statistically higher than that in fibroblasts (67.6 x 10(-6)-114.3 x 10(-6), P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were significant differences of both silica-induced cell proliferation inhibition and hprt gene mutation between rat lung fibroblasts and type II epithelial cells. In vitro, cultured rat alveolar type II cells were more sensitive in cytotoxicity and hprt gene mutagenesis to silica dust than lung fibroblasts were.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase ; genetics ; Lung ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mutation ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; cytology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity

ObjectiveTo investigate the fusion sequence complexity of EML4-ALK in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients,and the potential mutation in tyrosine kinase ( TK ) domain of ALK gene.MethodsIn routine practice,a novel echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like4 and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK) V3c variant was detected by rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction ( RACE-PCR )-sequencing technology in a patient with NSCLC.The further consecutive 39 cases( total of 40 cases)were screened by use of reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for EML4-ALK fusion.Positive PCR products were purified and cloned into T vectors,transformed into DH5a germ cells and colony picked up and sequenced for sequence complexity analysis.Tyrosine kinase domain of ALK was amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced.ResultsThree out of 40 cases had EML4-ALK fusion.One case had six novel variants of EML4-ALK co-existing,termed as V3c ( 64.6％ ),V3d ( 25.0％ ),V3e ( 2.1％ ),V3f (4.2％ ),V3g(2.1％ )and V3h(2.1％ ) variants,whereas without common V3a and V3b variants.In other two positive cases,one was V1 variant,another was concurrent V2,V3a and V3b variants.No mutations were detected in the TK domain of EML4-ALK in any case.ConclusionsSeveral EML-ALK variants could co-exist in a given lung cancer tissue,which suggest that the diversity and sequence complexity of EML4-ALK fusion are exist.Attentions should be paid to screen all the variants in clinic to improve the pick-up rate.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; classification ; therapy ; China ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; classification ; therapy ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism