BACKGROUND: Is the inhibition of the hematopoietic stem progenitor cell (HSPC) proliferation and differentiation after human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection associated with abnormal expression of infected cell proliferated gene?OBJECTIVE: To observe the HOXB6-mRNA expression in the process of proliferation and differentiation of HCMV-infected HSPC into colony-forming unit granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) and colony-forming unit erythroid (CFU-E).DESIGN: A controlled observation.SETTING: Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China.MATERIALS: All cord blood (CB) specimens were provided by the Obstetrics Department of Affiliated Hospital of Luzhon Medical College. They were collected from the umbilical vein of normal term neonates delivered spontaneously. All neonate mothers were healthy and HBS-Ag-negative. HCMV-IgM antibody revealed by routine ELUSA and HCMV-DNA checked by PCR were undetectable. Written informed consent for the laboratory measurements was obtained from each neonate mother, and the protocol was approved by the hospital's Ethics Committee. HCMV-AD169 strains were obtained from the Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA, lot No. 20010126) was provided by Chongqing Huapont Pharm. Co., Ltd., China.METHODS: This study was performed at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (state-level), Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College of Luzhou Medical College from April 2006 to April 2007. Cord blood mononuclear cells were separated for HSPC culture. According to different interventions, the study consisted of 4 groups. Control group: no HCMV virus solution was added and equal volume of culture medium was added instead. HCMV group: 105 PFU/mL HCMV-AD169 virus solution was added to the culture system. ATRA group: ATRA was added into the cultivation system at the final concentration of 60 μ mol/L. HCMV+ATRA group: ATRA was added into the HCMV group, and its final concentration was also 60 μ mol/L.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In each group, cells were harvested on days 3,7 and 12. HOXB6 mRNA expression levels in CFU-GM and CFU-E were detected by real-time fluorescent-based quantification PCR.RESULTS: In the control group, both CFU-E and CFU-GM expressed HOXB6-mRNA. The HOXB6 mRNA expression was increased as a function of time. The HOXB6-mRNA expressed by CFU-E reached its peak level on day 12, while that expressed by CFU-GM reached its peak level on day 7. Compared to control group, the expression levels of CFU-E and CFU-GM HOXB6-mRNA genes in normal cord blood were significantly lower in the HCMV group (P＜0.05)and significantly higher in the ATRA group (P＜0.05) at each time point after HCMV infection. Furthermore, the expression levels were significantly higher in the ATRA+HCMV group than in the HCMV group at each time point(P＜0.05-0.01).CONCLUSION: HOXB6-mRNA expression is stable and lasting in the proliferation and differentiation of HSPC into CFU-GM and CFU-E. HCMV could down regulate HOXB6 gene expression, and ATRA could up regulate HOXB6 gene expression.

Objective To analyze the distribution of B-cell subtypes and IgG subclasses in pa-tients with non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) and to investigate their potential functions in the progress of NSCLC.Methods Flow cytometry analysis was used to detect the distribution of immature B cells, memory B cells and mature B cells in 25 healthy subjects and 55 patients who were at different clinical stages of NSCLC.Enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay ( ELASA) was performed to measure the concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 and total IgG, as well as the ratio of each IgG subclass in total IgG.Results The percentages of immature and memory B cells in CD19+B cells were positively correlated with the progress of NSCLC.The ratio of IgG4/IgG gradually increased along with the development of NSCLC, while that of the other three IgG subclasses showed no significant changes as compared with that of the control group.Conclu-sion The imbalanced distribution of B-cell subtypes and the up-regulated ratio of IgG4/IgG were closely as-sociated with the development of NSCLC.This study paved the way for further investigation on more effective immune therapy strategies targeting NSCLC.

Objective　To observe some biological features of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and explore the best conditions for isolatin g and culturing in vitro. Methods　Common cell culture techn ique, light and electron microscopy were used to study the effects of the growth , proliferation, morphology of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in differe nt adherent time, concentration of serum and cell density. Results　The best culture condition in vitro for growth was 4-24 hours adherent time, 5%-10% fetal bovine serum, (4-8)×104/ml cell density. The cells were sp indle in shape and had a strong ability of proliferation. The time for cell duplication was 3 to 4 days. The cells showed the characteristics of stem cell s in electron microscope. Conclusion　The best condition for iso lation and culture of bone marrow mesemchymal stem cells was successfully establ ished and some biological features were obserred. It found a base for further in vestigation and using of mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVETo probe the effects of long-term oral administration of lanthanum nitrate [La(NO(3))(3)] on morphological change in the liver, aftereffect of deposited La in the liver and their mechanism in rats.

METHODSYoung Wistar rats were divided into two groups, one fed with 0.1, 0.2, 2.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/kg of La(NO(3))(3) for six months and the other for the control. Changes in ratio of liver to body weight were observed after exposure to La(NO(3))(3) at varied doses for six months and one month after six-month exposure, as well as morphology of the liver in the rats with routine histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique. Content of La in the liver was measured with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

RESULTSRatio of liver to body weight was significantly higher in the male rats exposed to 20.0 mg/kg of lanthanum for six months than that in the control group. Ratio of liver to body weight restored to normal in the rats exposed to 20.0 mg/kg of La one month after six-month exposure. Infiltration of inflammatory cells in the portal region of the liver, small amount of fat drops in hepatocytic cytoplasm, increased density of mitochondria stroma, lysosome containing highly-electronic-density bodies and dense granules, normal nucleus and slightly deformed nucleus of hepatocytes could be found in the rats exposed to 20.0 mg/kg. Areas of the liver deposited with glycogen after six-month exposure to 20.0 mg/kg of La accounted for (26.1 +/- 1.5)% and (4.1 +/- 1.4)%, respectively for male and female rats, significantly lower than those in the control group [(31.3 +/- 1.4)% and (39.4 +/- 0.9)%, respectively], with a statistical significance and very statistical significance, respectively. There was a little infiltration of inflammatory cells in the portal region of the liver one month after six-month exposure to 20.0 mg/kg of La, and amount of the dense bodies was lower in the rats exposed to La for six months. Liver contents of La in the rats of all experimental groups were lower one month after six-month exposure than those in the rats exposed for six months.

CONCLUSIONSExposure to a dose of 20.0 mg/kg La(NO(3))(3) for a long term could damage the liver structure to certain extent, but lanthanum deposited in the liver could be eliminated from the body gradually.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Female ; Lanthanum ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Organ Size ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective　To observe some biological features of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and explore the best conditions for isolatin g and culturing in vitro. Methods　Common cell culture techn ique, light and electron microscopy were used to study the effects of the growth , proliferation, morphology of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in differe nt adherent time, concentration of serum and cell density. Results　The best culture condition in vitro for growth was 4-24 hours adherent time, 5%-10% fetal bovine serum, (4-8)×104/ml cell density. The cells were sp indle in shape and had a strong ability of proliferation. The time for cell duplication was 3 to 4 days. The cells showed the characteristics of stem cell s in electron microscope. Conclusion　The best condition for iso lation and culture of bone marrow mesemchymal stem cells was successfully establ ished and some biological features were obserred. It found a base for further in vestigation and using of mesenchymal stem cells.

Objective:To evaluate macular microvessel changes in familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) by optical coherence tomography angiography.Methods:Cross-sectional clinical case-control study. From November 2019 to November 2020, 21 FEVR patients (41 eyes) from Weifang Eye Hospital were selected; 17 healthy volunteers (28 eyes) with the same age and gender as FEVR group were selected as normal control group. According to the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 1.0 and <1.0, FEVR group was divided into normal visual acuity group (27 eyes) and visual acuity decreased group (14 eyes). All enrollees received BCVA and OCTA. BCVA was performed with an international standard visual acuity chart, which was converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) vision. The OCTA instrument was used to scan the macular area of all the examined eyes in the range of 3 mm×3 mm, 6 mm×6 mm, and the blood vessel density (VD) and blood perfusion density (PD) within the range of 3 mm×3 mm, 6 mm×6 mm were measured and the area, circumference, and morphological index of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) within the range of 6 mm×6 mm. Quantitative data were compared between groups by independent sample t test. Statistical data were compared by χ 2 test. The area under curve (AUC) of each index was determined according to receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve), and the predictive value of each index was evaluated. Results:In the macular area of 6 mm×6 mm, VD, PD, FAZ area and FAZ perimeter of FEVR group were all lower than those of normal control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-3.350, -2.387, -3.519, -3.029; P<0.05). In macular area of 3 mm×3 mm and 6 mm×6 mm, compared with normal vision group and vision loss group, both VD and PD decreased. The differences were statistically significant ( t=2.088, 2.114, 2.160, 2.545; P<0.05). In the macular area of 6 mm×6 mm , the FAZ morphological index of the two groups was significantly different ( t=2.409, P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that all the indicators had low diagnostic value for FEVR (AUC<0.5). Conclusion:There are microvascular abnormalities in macular area in FEVR patients, and the decrease of blood vessels and the change of FAZ shape may be related to the loss of visual acuity.

OBJECTIVETo develop a new high-performance liquid chromatographic (HLPC) method for determination of propofol in human serum.

METHODSHuman serum samples were precipitated with 20% perchloric acid and centrifuged to obtain 50 microl of the supernatant for analysis by HPLC coupled with fluorescence detection. The analysis was performed with a C(18) reversed-phase column using a acetonitrile-water (90:10) phase delivered at 1.0 ml/min, with the excitation wavelength of 276 nm and emission wavelength of 310 nm.

RESULTSThe calibration curves were linear (r=0.997 5) within the concentration range of 0.05-10 microg/ml, the limit of propofol quantification was 50 ng/ml and the intra- and inter-day precisions were between -/+15%.

CONCLUSIONSThe method is accurate, sensitive and simple for propofol determination in clinical anesthesia.

Anesthetics, Intravenous ; blood ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Propofol ; blood ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cytochrome P450 isozymes on aristolochic acid induced cytotoxicity on renal proximal tubular epithelial cell (cell line HK-2).

METHODHuman renal tubular cells (cell line HK-2), were treated with aristolochic acid (AA) alone or in combination with cytochrome P450 isozymes inhibitors, including alpha-naphthoflavone (CYP450 1A1 and 1 A2 inhibitors), ketoconazole (CYP450 3A4 inhibitor), sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (CYP450 2A6 and 2E1 inhibitors), quinidine (CYP450 2D inhibitor), alpha-lipoic acid (NADPH: P450 reductase inhibitor), sulfaphenazole (CYP450 2C inhibitor) in the presence or absence of liver microsome(S9). The inhibition of cell proliferation rate was studied by MTT assay and the lactate dehydrogenase release rate was determined with continuous monitoring method.

RESULTAA inhibits cell proliferation and promotes the release of LDH over the range of 12.5-100 mg x L(-1), in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of S9 into the culture system reduced AA cytotoxicity, with the cell proliferation inhibition reducing and the release of LDH decreasing (AA + S9 group vs the same concentration of AA alone group, P < 0.05). In the absence of S9, ketoconazole or alpha-naphthoflavone has no obvious effect on AA cytotoxicity, however,under the conditions of adding S9, ketoconazole or alpha-naphthoflavone enhances AA cytotoxicity. Other inhibitors of CYP450 isozymes has no distinct effect on AA cytotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONThe microsomal enzyme of Liver can reduce the AA cytotoxicity, and CYP450 3A, CYP450 1A may be the major cytochrome P450 isozymes which impact AA cytotoxicity.

Animals ; Aristolochic Acids ; toxicity ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; drug effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; enzymology ; immunology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of dosages of total body irradiation on the healing process of cutaneous wounds and to observe the changes of wound area at different periods after injury.

METHODSThe entire body irradiation from a (60)Co gamma-ray source was performed on Wistar rats. The single dosage varied from 1 to 8 Gy. Within 1 h after irradiation, two whole thickness circular cutaneous wounds corresponding to 2.5% of total body surface area (Phi = 22 mm) were produced on the back of the animals (combined injury groups). Same wounds were produced on rats with no irradiation (single wound group). Wound healing was observed at different points after injury.

RESULTSAfter total body irradiation with the dose of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 Gy, the wound healing was obviously retarded as the dosages increased. The wound area remained was larger in the large dosage groups than in the small dosage groups. Seven days after injury, there was 33.5% wound surface left unhealed in the single wound group, whereas in the combined injury groups, 35.4%, 38.1%, 41.6%, 48.8%, 53.9%, 63.7%, 69.2% and 73.9% of the wound surfaces remained unhealed, respectively. Statistical analysis showed marked correlations between the various times after total body irradiation and various dosages to the percentage of unhealed wound surface. Nine dose-effect relation formulae were deduced according to the statistical results.

CONCLUSIONSIn soft tissue trauma combined with radiation injury, the delay of wound healing is related to the dose of radiation inflicted. It is also related to the time between injury and time of observation.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Time Factors ; Whole-Body Irradiation ; Wound Healing ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the quantitative and qualitative changes of TCRVα24(+)Vβ11(+) natural killer T (NKT) cells from bone marrow (BM) of aplastic anemia (AA) after in vitro stimulation of α-galactosylceramide (α-Galcer).

METHODSNKT cells in the bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) from either AA patients or healthy controls were enumerated with flow cytometry. BMMNCs were cultured in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with either α-Galcer and rhIL-2 or α-Galcer, rhIL-2 and rhG-CSF. The proliferative capacity of NKT cells was determined by NKT cell numbers before and after in vitro culture. Expression of intracellular IFNγ and IL-4 in activated NKT cells was analyzed with flow cytometry.

RESULTSIn AA group, the percentage of NKT cells in BMMNCs was (0.19 ± 0.09)%. Addition of rhG-CSF into the α-Galcer/rhIL-2 culture medium resulted in significantly reduced expansion of NKT cells (67.45 ± 29.42-fold vs 79.91 ± 40.56 fold, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, addition of rhG-CSF reduced IFNγ positive NKT cells \[(37.45 ± 7.89)% vs (62.31 ± 14.67)%, P < 0.01\] and increased IL-4 positive NKT cells \[(55.11 ± 12.13)% vs (27.03 ± 9.88)%, P < 0.01\]. In healthy control group, the percentage of NKT cells in BMMNCs was (0.25 ± 0.12)%. Addition of rhG-CSF into the α-Galcer/rhIL-2 culture medium also significantly reduced expansion of NKT cells (97.91 ± 53.22-fold vs 119.58 ± 60.49-fold, P < 0.05), reduced IFNγ positive NKT cells \[(28.65 ± 10.63)% vs (50.87 ± 12.66)%, P < 0.01\], and increased IL-4 positive NKT cells \[(66.53 ± 14.96)% vs (31.11 ± 10.07)%, P < 0.01\].

CONCLUSIONCompared to those from healthy controls, BMMNCs from AA patiants have a reduced fraction of NKT cells, which possesses a decreased potential to expand in vitro in response to α-Galcer stimulation, and produce more IFNγ(+) NKT1 cells. rhG-CSF, in combination with α-Galcer, confers polarization of NKT cells towards IL-4(+) NKT2 subpopulation.

Anemia, Aplastic ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Killer Cells, Natural ; cytology ; Natural Killer T-Cells