Objective To investigate the cytolytic activity of extracellular cytolytic toxin rVVC of Vibrio vulnificus on the apoptosis of human ECV304 cells, and to analyze the activities of Caspase-3,-8 and -9. Methods The cytotoxic effect of refolded rVVC on the growth and apoptosis of ECV304 cells was identified by MTT, Hochest33342/PI fluorescent staining, flow cytometry and DNA agarose electrophoresis analysis, respectively. The activities of Caspase-3, -8 and -9 was measured using a colorimetric method. Results The viability of human ECV304 cells exposed to rVVC was inhibited by rVVC after 24 h. 2.0 HU/ml rVVC groups had a better cytotoxic effect to human ECV304 than that of 0.5 HU /ml rVVC groups. The apoptosis of human ECV304 cells in 2.0 HU/ml rVVC+40 μmol/L Z-VAD-FMK groups was relative reduced than that of 2.0 HU/ml of rVVC groups. After 0.5 h treatment with 2.0 HU/ml of rVVC, the Caspase-3 activity in human ECV304 cells increased gradually and reached the peak at 3 h (versus control groups, P<0.01). The activity of Caspase-8 and -9 remained unchanging. Conclusion The rVVC has cytotoxic effect on human ECV304 and the cytolysin is probably correlated with Caspase-3.

Objective To select the optimal acupoints formula by evaluating the efficacy of different groups of acupoints in the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD) with acupuncture. Method Totally 108 PSD patients were randomized into 3 groups, i.e. Neiguan (PC6) group, Taichong (LR3) group, and Baihui (GV20) group, 36 cases each. The acupuncture treatment was given once a day, 5 sessions a week, 3 weeks as a treatment course. The clinical efficacies were compared among the 3 groups after the intervention. The 3 groups were evaluated by the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Quality of Life Scale (QOL) before and after the treatment, and the results were statistically analyzed. Result The effective rates were respectively 72.2%, 75.0%, and 86.1%in Neiguan group, Taichong group, and Baihui group, and the inter-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); the HAMD, NIHSS, and QOL scores were significantly changed after the intervention in the 3 groups (P<0.01);the inter-group differences in the NIHSS and QOL scores were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). Conclusion The three groups of acupoints are effective in improving the depression symptoms, neural defect and QOL, while Baihui group can produce a more significant efficacy in improving the depression symptoms compared to Neiguan and Taichong groups;the effects in improving neural defect and QOL are equivalent among the 3 groups of acupoints.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells that can regulate the immune response. They play an important role in the formation and progression of tumors and can suppress immune response in infections and inflammatory diseases. In recent years, MDSC have attracted a lot of attention in the field of tumor immunology, especially in solid tumors, but little is known about the role in hematological tumors. In this paper, the characteristics, functions and related clinical researches of MDSC in hematological tumors including multiple myeloma (MM), lymphoma, leukemia, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) will be summarized to provide new ideas for the treatment of hematologic system tumors.

Objective:To explore the in vitro antiviral activity of Mizoribine (Miz) against BK polyomavirus (BKV) and analyze preliminarily the replication stage during inhibition.Methods:The solvent of Miz, was employed as a negative control, while Sirolimus (Sir) with in vitro anti-BKV activity was applied as a positive control. Firstly, the half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of Miz and Sir were analyzed in different cell lines. Then, prior to BKV infection, cells were treated with a gradient of drug concentrations according to the IC50 results. At different timepoints post-infection, BKV replication curves were measured by quantitative detection of its DNA in supernatant while the cells were subjected to immunofluorescence for detecting the infection rate. Finally 293FT cells treated with drugs was infected by BKV single-round pseudovirus for determining the effects of Miz on the early stage of BKV infection.Results:As compared with control group, immunofluorescence showed a lowered infection rate of BKV in a Miz dose-dependent manner, viral replication curve was significantly inhibited according to the quantitative detection of viral DNA in cell supernatant. The inhibitory effect of Sir on the level of BKV infection and replication was similar to that of Miz. However, neither Miz nor Sir exhibited a significant effect on the early stage of BKV infection.Conclusions:Miz has anti-BKV activity at cellular level and the inhibitory effect does not appear in the early stage of viral infection.