Antibodies, Antiphospholipid ; blood ; immunology ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome ; diagnosis ; etiology ; immunology ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Partial Thromboplastin Time

Objective To study B lymphocyte subsets(na(?)ve B cells,memory B cells and plas- mablasts)of peripheral blood in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and its relationship with autoantibod- ies and clinical manifestation.Methods Blood samples and clinical data of 60 patients with RA were enrolled into this study.They were divided into three groups:active,inactive and refractory RA based on clinical mani- festations and 24 healthy controls were included.CD19 and CD27 of B cells in peripheral blood of RA patients and healthy controls were detected using flow cytometry at single-cell level.Frequence of na(?)ve B cells (CD19~+CD27~-),memory B cells(CD19~+CD27~(dim)),plasmablasts(CD19~+CD27~(high))and average fluorescence in- tensity of CD19 were analyzed,and their relationship with clinical manifestations and rheumatoid factor(RF), anti-typeⅡcollagen(anti-CⅡ),anti-cyclic citrullianted peptide(CCP)antibodies were investigatied.Results Frequence of na(?)ve B cells and plasmablasts in peripheral blood of patients with RA was increased compared with normal control.In contrast,memory B cells in patients with RA were decreased.The na(?)ve B cells subset in inactive and refractory RA was higher than that of healthy controls(P＜0.05),and the memory B cells subset in those groups was lower than that of healthy controls(P＜0.05).The plasmablasts in active and refractory groups of RA were higher than those of healthy controls(P＜0.05).The average fluorescence intensity of CD19 in peripheral blood in patients with RA was positively correlated with ESR,C-reactive protein(CRP),healthy assessment questionaire(HAQ),and plasmablasts was positively correlated with arthrocele index.Na(?)ve B cells,memory B cells and plasmablasts subsets had no relation with RF,anti-CⅡand anti-CCP antibodies. Conclusion B cell subsets in peripheral blood of patients with RA are significantly abnormal,characterized by expanded naive B cells and plasmablasts but diminished memory B cells.Plasmablasts are increasesd in active and refractory groups of RA,and have positive correlation with swollen joint index.B cells may play an important rote in the pathogenesis of RA.

Traditionally it is believed that stress-induced senescence of tumor cells induced by chemotherapy is beneficial to inhibit tumor growth and progression, and has a positive effect on anti-tumor. However, with the longtime observation and clinical study on the anti-tumor effect of chemotherapy in the real world, it is found that tumor cells often show stronger proliferation and invasiveness after chemotherapy or relapse, tumor recurrence and refractoriness become very hot and tricky issues. So, it is necessary to rethink and explore the real process and potential effect of stress-induced senescence by chemotherapy. Here from the perspective of stress-induced senescence of tumor cells by chemotherapy, this study mainly analyzes and discusses the potential negative effects and clinical significance, so as to fully understand its pros and cons in the anti-tumor effect, hoping to provide some new ideas and rationale for improving traditional tumor chemotherapy, developing new anti-tumor drugs and coming out of the current dilemma of chemotherapy.

BACKGROUNDPlatelet P-selectin plays an important role in inflammation and contributes to thrombosis and hemostasis. Fibrinogen may take part in inflammation, thrombosis, and hemostasis via enhancement of platelet P-selectin expression. This study aimed to discover the correlation between them in atherosclerosis model of Sprague Dawley (SD) rat.

METHODSDiet-induced atherosclerosis SD rats were adopted as experimental models. The blood from the common abdominal aorta of the rats was obtained to measure the biochemical characteristics and for the check of flow cytometry. Then the aortas were separated carefully, taken out, put into 10% (w/v) neutral formalin for later use. Then fibrinogen and P-selectin expression were detected by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSSD rats were induced to atherosclerosis model by high fat diet and vitamin D2 injected. It was discovered that the binding of fibrinogen and the expression of P-selectin on the platelet increase in atherosclerosis model (Group H) than in that in the control group (Group Z), there were closely interrelated. High levels of fibrinogen and P-selectin express on the artery of atherosclerosis rat model.

CONCLUSIONSFibrinogen and P-selectin are concerned with atherosclerosis. Fibrinogen can interact with P-selectin in order to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, high levels of fibrinogen and P-selectin can be regarded as risk factors for markers of atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Arteries ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; metabolism ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; P-Selectin ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Epigenetics is aimed to study the heritable changes in gene expression patterns independent of alterations in genomic DNA sequence structure, and the mechanisms of translation from genotype to phenotype. In recent years, compelling evidence gathered supports a role of epigenetic alterations in the pathogenesis of lymphatic system tumors. For example, recent data from multiple laboratories indicate that several hundred genes, involving dozens of critical molecular pathways, are epigenetically suppressed in acute lymphocytic leukemia; a panel of methylation markers can be used for additional risk stratification of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients; based on the epigenetic profiles, the class prediction models in gray zone lymphoma can be established; the epigenetic silencing of microRNAs in multiple myeloma generally appears to have intact P53 function; epigenetic therapies have broader implication and high potential for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies and so on. In this review, the latest advances of epigenetic study and the prospect of epigenetic therapy for tumors in lymphatic system are summarized.
Amino Acid Motifs ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Histones ; genetics ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; genetics ; Lymphatic System ; Neoplasms ; genetics

Objective To explore the association of chemokines and their receptors with immunologi- cal abnormality in newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients.Methods The serum con- centration of MIP-1?,MIP-1?,RANTES,IFN-?IL-4 were measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) in 37 newly diagnosed.SLE patients and 20 normal controls.The expression rate of CCR1, CCR3,CCR5 on CD4~+T cells were detected by flow cytometry in 18 SLE patients and 10 normal controls.Re- suits Serum MIP-1?,MIP-1?concentrations were significantly higher in SLE patients than in normal control group (P＜0.01),the concentration of MIP-1?positively correlated with MIP-1?(r=0.609,P＜0.01);the per- centage of CD4~+CCR1~+ and CD4~+CCR5~+ cell were significantly lower in newly diagnosed SLE patients than in normal control group (both P＜0.01),the percentage of CD4~+CCRI~+ cells correlated negatively with the level of serum MIP-1?and IFN-?r=-0.525,P=-0.017;r=-0.442,P=0.045);the percentage of CD4~+CCR5~+ cell corre- lated negatively with the level of serum IFN-?(r=-0.645,P=0.001);the ratios of CD4~+CCR3~+/CD4~+CCR5~+ was significantly higher in newly diagnosed SLE patients than in the normal control group (P＜0.01).Conclusion Abnormal change and interaction of chemokines and their receptors with cytokines lead to immunologic dys- function and may participate in the initiation of SLE.

Objective To investigate the proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ regulatory T cells (CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr)in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(URSA).Methods(1)Proportion measurement:the proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells in peripheral blood was measured by double-label flow cytometric analysis.The samples were taken from 15 URSA women,15 normal non-pregnancy women and 13 normal pregnancy women.(2)Function measurement:CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr ceils and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T ce]ls were extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes by the microbeads separation.The purity of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry.The growth inhibitory effect of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells on CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was assessed in vitro.Results The proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells was decreased significantly in URSA women(6.9?1.8)% than that in normal non-pregnancy women[(10.8?1.1)%] (P0.05).Conclusion The results suggest that decrease in proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells may be associated with URSA.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tanshinone II A on the expression of epidermal growth facter (EGF) and epidermal growth facter recepter (EGFR) in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721.

METHODSThe human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells cultured in vitro was treated with different concentrations of Tanshinone II A. The proliferation of the cells was measured by MTT assay, and the apoptosis of the cells was investigated by flow cytometry and cytochemical staining with Hoechst 33342. The expression of EGF and EGFR was detected by immunocytochemistry method. The levels of EGF in medium were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTTanshinone II A inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cells remarkably in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory rate reached the peak (72.5%) after 0.5 microg/ml Tanshinone II A was used for 48 h, which was significantly higher than that in the controls (P<0.05). FCM analysis showed that when SMMC-7721 cells were treated with 0.5 microg/ml Tanshinone II A, the apoptosis rates for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h were (4.06+/-0.27)%, (7.58+/-0.56)% and (5.23+/-0.13)%, respectively which were markedly higher than those in the controls (all P<0.01). SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis with cell shrinkage, nuclear chromatin concentration and fragmentation as well as the formation of apoptotic bodies were observed by cytochemical staining when treated with Tanshinone II A. The immunocytochemistry showed that the expressions of EGF and EGFR were down regulated while the concentration of Tanshinone II A was increasing. The high expression rates for EGF and EGFR were 10%, 20%, respectively, and the gray scale was 181.52+/-1.63, 179.37+/-1.59, which were markedly higher than those in the controls (all P<0.05). The levels of EGF in medium measured by radioimmunoassay were decreased significantly after Tanshinone II A treatment.

CONCLUSIONTanshinone II A can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721, which may be related to the down-regulation of EGF and EGFR protein expression.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo identify the fibrinogen (Fg) gene mutations in a Chinese pedigree of congenital afibrinogenemia.

METHODSThe plasma Fg activity and protein of the proband and his family members were detected. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. All the exons and exon-intron boundaries of fibrinogen gene were amplified by PCR and sequenced thereafter.

RESULTSTwo mutations, 7972 del G in FGB and T2543A in FGG, were found in the proband.

CONCLUSIONSFGG2543 is a polymorphism site, which lead to the polymorphism of gamma144 I/K. The G deletion at base 7972 of FGB contributes to the frameshift mutation after amino acid 419, resulting in the truncated beta chain without the terminal 27 amino acids. The latter may contributes to the pathogenetic mechanisms in Chinese congenital afibrinogenemia patients. The G deletion at base 7972 of FGB is identified for the first time.

Adult ; Afibrinogenemia ; congenital ; genetics ; metabolism ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Western ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Humans ; Introns ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUNDBipolar electro-coagulation has a reported efficacy in treating epilepsy involving functional cortex by pure electro-coagulation or combination with resection. However, the mechanisms of bipolar electro-coagulation are not completely known. We studied the acute cortical blood flow and histological changes after bipolar electro-coagulation in 24 patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy.

METHODSTwenty-four patients were consecutively enrolled, and divided into three groups according to the date of admission. The regional cortical blood flow (rCBF), electrocorticography, the depth of cortex damage, and acute histological changes (H and E staining, neuronal staining and neurofilament (NF) staining) were analyzed before and after the operation. The t-test analysis was used to compare the rCBF before and after the operation.

RESULTSThe rCBF after coagulation was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The spikes were significantly reduced after electro-coagulation. For the temporal cortex, the depth of cortical damage with output power of 2-9 W after electro-coagulation was 0.34 ± 0.03, 0.48 ± 0.06, 0.69 ± 0.06, 0.84 ± 0.09, 0.98 ± 0.08, 1.10 ± 0.11, 1.11 ± 0.09, and 1.22 ± 0.11 mm, respectively. Coagulation with output power of 4-5 W completely damaged the neurons and NF protein in the molecular layer, external granular layer, and external pyramidal layer.

CONCLUSIONSThe electro-coagulation not only destroyed the neurons and NF protein, but also reduced the rCBF. We concluded that the injuries caused by electro-coagulation would prevent horizontal synchronization and spread of epileptic discharges, and partially destroy the epileptic focus.

Adult ; Electrocoagulation ; methods ; Epilepsy ; surgery ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Temporal Lobe ; surgery ; Young Adult