OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness, safety as well as the immunological change (peripheral T cell subpopulation) in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) treated with lower dose rituximab.

METHODSTwenty-six patients with refractory ITP which were unresponsive to or relapse after steriod and IVIG treatment were treated with rituximab (100 mg per week for four weeks) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Whole blood cell count, serum concentrations of IgG, IgM and IgA, platelet associated (PA)-IgG, PAIgA and PAIgM, peripheral T cell subpopulations, and B cells of CD19(+)/CD20(+) were detected before and after rituximab therapy.

RESULTSComplete response (CR) was achieved in 6 patients (23.1%), response (R) in 10 (38.5%), and non-response (NR) in 10 (38.5%). One patient relapsed after R. The median follow-up time was 5.5 (0.8 - 8) months. The median response and CR time were 27 (1 - 104) and 41 (4 - 109) days, respectively. After the therapy, the serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM, T cells of CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(+)CD8(+), CD3(-)CD56(+), CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) were not changed, the number of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(-) T cells decreased (P < 0.05) and CD19(+)CD20(+) B cells significantly decreased (P < 0.01). PAIgG was lower after treatment compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). There were no severe adverse effects during rituximab therapy.

CONCLUSIONLower dose rituximab may be an effective and safe modality for patients with ITP.

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; therapeutic use ; B-Lymphocytes ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; immunology ; Rituximab

BACKGROUNDCockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare human genetic disorder characterized by increased UV sensitivity, developmental abnormalities and premature aging. Cells isolated from individuals with CS have a defect in transcription-coupled DNA repair. Despite the repair defect, there is no any increased risk of spontaneous or UV-induced cancer for CS individuals. The strategy of RNA interfering was used here to explore the potential radiosensitizing and anticancer activity of targeting CS group B (CSB) gene.

METHODSThe vectors encoding CSB-specific siRNAs were constructed by inserting duplex siRNA encoding oligonucleotides into the plasmid P(silencer TM 3.1). The cell lines expressing the CSB-siRNA were generated from HeLa cells transfected with the above vectors. Colony-forming ability was used to assay cell survival. Cell cycle was analyzed by FACScan flow cytometry. The apoptosis was measured by detecting the accumulation of sub-G(1) population as well as by fluorescence staining assay. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to semi-quantify mRNA expression. Protein level was detected by Western blotting analysis.

RESULTSTwo constructs encoding CSB-specific siRNA were generated, both of them resulted in remarkable suppression on CSB expression in HeLa cells, and led to an increased sensitivity to (gamma-ray and UV light. siRNA-mediated silencing of CSB decreased cell proliferation rate, increased spontaneous apoptosis as well as the occurrence of UV- or cisplatin-induced apoptosis by 2 to 3.5 fold. A significant S phase blockage and a remarkable reduction of G(1) population were induced in control HeLa cells at 18 hours after being exposed to 10 J/m(2) of UV light. The S phase blockage was also observed in UV-irradiated CSB-siRNA transfected HeLa cells, but the extent of increased S phase population was lower than that in the UV-irradiated control cells. No or a relative weak reduction on G(1) phase population was observed in UV-irradiated CSB-siRNA transfected HeLa cells. In addition, siRNA-mediated silencing of CSB promoted the elimination of G(2)/M phase cells after UV light radiation.

CONCLUSIONSsiRNA-mediated silencing of CSB causes cells to proliferate more slowly, sensitize cells to genotoxicants, and modify UV radiation-induced cell cycle changes. siRNA-mediated inactivation of CSB could be an attractive strategy for ameliorating cancer therapy, which can be fulfilled via the combination of gene therapy and sensitization of radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Cell Cycle ; radiation effects ; Cell Proliferation ; radiation effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Cockayne Syndrome ; genetics ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Therapy ; HeLa Cells ; radiation effects ; Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Radiation Tolerance ; Ultraviolet Rays

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) transport and transmit intercellular information and play an essential role in physiological and pathological processes. MSC-EVs, MSC-EVs-microRNA, and genetically modified MSC-EVs are involved in the onset and progression of different liver diseases and play a role in reducing liver cell damage, promoting liver cell regeneration, inhibiting liver fibrosis, regulating liver immunity, alleviating liver oxidative stress, inhibiting liver cancer occurrence, and others. Hence, it will replace MSCs as a research hotspot for cell-free therapy. This article reviews the research progress of MSC-EVs in liver diseases and provides a new basis for cell-free therapy of clinical liver diseases.
Humans ; Extracellular Vesicles ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Liver Neoplasms ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the most important methyl donor in human body, is generally used to treat cholestasis in clinic. In recent years, SAM has been found to have inhibitory effects on breast cancer, liver cancer and colon carcinoma. This study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of SAM on human gastric cancer cells in vivo and in vitro, and the antitumor mechanisms.

METHODSThe effects of SAM on the proliferation of gastric cancer SGC-7901 and MKN-45 cells were determined by MTT assay. After SGC-7901 and MKN-45 cells were treated with 0, 2, and 4 mmol/L SAM for 72 h, the expression and methylation of c-myc and urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and methylation-specific PCR (MSP). Tumor xenografts were established by injecting SGC-7901 cells subcutaneously in BALB/c nude mice. The mice were randomized into low concentration group [192 µmol/(kg · day)], high concentration group [768 µmol/(kg · day)], and control group [normal saline (NS)], and received peritoneal injection of relative reagents for 15 days. The tumor size was measured, the protein and mRNA expression of c-myc and uPA were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, and the methylation of c-myc and uPA genes was detected by MSP.

RESULTSSAM inhibited the growth of SGC-7901 and MKN-45 cells obviously and the effects were enhanced with the increase of SAM concentration and treatment time. The mRNA expression of c-myc and uPA in SGC-7901 cells and that of uPA in MKN-45 cells significantly decreased. The c-myc and uPA genes in SGC-7901 cells and uPA gene in MKN-45 cells were partly or completely methylated after SAM treatment. The tumor volume was significantly lower in low concentration group [(618.51 ± 149.27) mm³] and high concentration group [(444.32 ± 118.51) mm³] than in control group [(1018.22 ± 223.07) mm³] (both P < 0.01). The inhibitory rates of tumor growth were 39.26% in low concentration group and 56.36% in high concentration group. The protein and mRNA expressions of c-myc and uPA were remarkably reduced (all P < 0.01), and the hypomethylation of c-myc and uPA genes were reversed after SAM treatment.

CONCLUSIONSSAM can inhibit the growth of human gastric cancer cells both in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism may be that SAM can reverse the hypomethylation of c-myc and uPA genes, reduce their expression, and then inhibit tumor growth.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; DNA Methylation ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; S-Adenosylmethionine ; pharmacology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; genetics ; metabolism

AIM:To investigate the protective effect of mucin 2(MUC2)on intestinal mucosa of colitis model mice,and to explore the correlation between the expression of anti-CBir1 flagellin antibody and MUC2.METHODS:The mice were randomly divided into normal control group,2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid(TNBS)group,lipopolysaccha-ride(LPS)+ovalalbumin(OVA)+TNBS group and ketotifen+TNBS group.The expression of MUC2 in colon tissue was determined by PAS staining and immunohistochemistry, and the anti-CBir1 antibody level in the serum of mice in each group was measured by ELISA.RESULTS:The scores of disease activity index and histological index in TNBS group were higher than those in normal control group(P<0.05).The scores in LPS +OVA+TNBS group were much higher than those in TNBS group(P<0.05).However, the values in ketotifen +TNBS group were lower than those in TNBS group (P<0.05).PAS staining showed a decrease in goblet cells in TNBS group.Compared with TNBS group,the colonic mu-cosa integrity in LPS+OVA+TNBS group was destroyed, and the number of goblet cells in ketotifen +TNBS group in-creased significantly.Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of MUC 2 in the intestinal tract of each mo-del group was basically consistent with the results of PAS staining.The serum anti-CBir1 antibody level in TNBS group was higher than that in normal control group(P<0.05), and that in LPS+OVA+TNBS group was significantly higher than that in TNBS group(P<0.05),whereas that in ketotifen +TNBS group was decreased slightly(P<0.05).CONCLU-SION:MUC2 plays a protective role in the pathogenesis of colitis in mice,and there is a negative correlation between the expression of MUC2 and the bacterial flagellin in the intestinal mucosa of mice with colitis.

AIM:To detect the expression of CBir1 in the serum and colon tissue and mast cell degranulation in the tissue of 2,4,6-trinito-benzene-sulfonic acid ( TNBS)-induced colitis in mice with different interventions. ME-THODS:SPF male BALB/c mice were randomized into 6 groups (12 mice in each group):normal control group, normal saline group, 50% alcohol group, 50% alcohol+TNBS group, 50% alcohol+TNBS+lipopolysaccharide (LPS) +ovalbu-min (OVA) group and 50% alcohol+TNBS+ketotifen group. Corresponding treatment was given to each group, and the disease activity index (DAI) of the mice was evaluated. The mice were sacrificed on day 22 after treatment. The colon tis-sues were evaluated by histological index (HI) scoring. Serum concentrations of anti-CBir1, mast cell tryptase (MCT) and histamine were measured by ELISA. The expression of CBir1, toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) and MCT in the colon tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:Compared with the normal control group, the DAI score, HI score and CBir1, anti-CBir1, MCT, TLR5, histamine concentrations in colon tissues and serum were all significantly higher in 50% alcohol+TNBS group, 50% alcohol+TNBS+ketotifen group and 50% alcohol+TNBS+LPS+OVA group (P<0.05). The DAI score, HI score and anti-CBir1, CBir1, MCT, histamine levels in 50% alcohol+TNBS group were lower than those in 50% alcohol+TNBS+LPS+OVA group (P<0.05). The DAI score, HI score and anti-CBir1, TLR5, hista-mine, CBir1 Levels in 50% alcohol+TNBS group were higher than those in 50% alcohol+TNBS+ketotifen group ( P<0.05). Normal saline group and 50% alcohol group had no statistically significant difference in comparison with normal control group. In TNBS model group, serum concentration of anti-CBir1 was positively correlated with MCT concentration (r=0.648, P<0.01) and histamine concentration (r=0.751, P<0.01). CONCLUSION:The heavier degree of in-flammation in TNBS-induced colitis, the higher levels of the CBir1 and the degranulation of mast cells. There is a positive correlation between the expression of CBir1 and the degranulation of mast cells in TNBS-induced colitic mice.

AIM:To observe the effect of interleukin-27 (IL-27) on the pathological changes and the expres-sion and activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the colonic tissues of the mice with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced experimental colitis. METHODS:Male C57BL/6 mice (n=48) were randomly divided into control group (given unrestricted diet), DSS group (drinking 3% DSS solution), IL-27 (500 ng) group and IL-27 (1 μg) group (intraperitoneal injection of 500 ng and 1 μg IL-27 on the basis of drinking DSS solution, respectively). After treatment for 12 d, intestinal inflammation in the mice was evaluated, the pathological changes of the colonic tissues were observed by HE staining, and the disease activity index ( DAI) score and histological index ( HI) score were calculated. The colonic tissues were collected for immunohistochemistry, qPCR and Western blot detections. The serum was prepared for ELISA. RESULTS:Compared with control group, the DAI score and HI score in model group indicated that the colo-nic inflammation was more obvious (P<0.05), the mRNA expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β was increased, the protein levels of NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 were elevated, and the releases of IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum were also increased (P<0.05). Compared with DSS group, the DAI score and HI score in IL-27 (1 μg) group indicated that the colonic in-flammation was obviously attenuated, the mRNA expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β was decreased, the protein levels of NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 were suppressed, and the releases of IL-1β 和 IL-18 in the serum were also decreased (P<0.05). No difference of the above indexes between DSS group and IL-27 (500 ng) group was observed except the de-creases in the releases of IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum in IL-27 (500 ng) group. CONCLUSION:IL-27 alleviates the inflammation in DSS-induced colitis mice and inhibits the expression and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between blood pressure control status and patients' knowledge on hypertension prevention and control among hypertensive patients.

METHODSA total of 726 hypertensives were selected from four community health service centers (2 urban and 2 rural) in Beijing. All subjects were investigated by questionnaires and their blood pressures were measured at the same time.

RESULTSThe rate for blood pressure under control (< 140/90 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) in the rural and urban patients were 46.4% and 23.9% respectively. The control rate increased with the increase of patients' knowledge on prevention and control of hypertension in both urban and rural patients. The cumulative effect of knowledge on hypertension control status could contribute 30.0% to the difference in hypertension control rate between rural and urban patients.

CONCLUSIONPatients' knowledge on hypertension control was significantly related to the rate on hypertension control. Health education should be helpful to improve the rate on hypertension control.

Aged ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; China ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outpatients ; education ; Patient Education as Topic ; organization & administration ; Rural Population ; Social Class ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome ; Urban Population

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a type of multi-etiology-induced, abnormal immune-mediated chronic recurrent inflammation of the intestine, which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease,(CD). IL-22 is a cytokine with unique biological properties. In the intestine, IL-22 has the ability to promote the expression of antimicrobial peptides and mucins that promote mucosal barrier integrity by activating the STAT3 pathway, and may promote intestinal epithelial cell regeneration and enhance intestinal epithelial cell barrier function. IL-22 is significantly increased in the intestinal mucosa of IBD patients. IL-22 can promote the repair of intestinal inflammatory damage, but with environmental changes, such as the level of expression of IL-23, T-bet, IL-22 binding protein, IL-22displayed dural characteristic, on the one hand, it can promote the repair of inflammatory injury, on the other hand it will increase the inflammatory injury response. This article mainly explains the origin of IL-22, its mode of action, and its application prospects in clinical treatment.

To analyze the genetic characterization of epidemic rubella virus strains isolated in Liaoning from 2007-2012, a total of 145 rubella virus strains were isolated using Vero/Slam cell line from the patients' throat swabs during rubella outbreaks and sporadics cases in Liaoning Province from 2007 to 2012. Fragments of 945 nucleotides containing 1E gene from 145 rubella virus isolates were amplified by RT-PCR, the PCR products were sequenced and analyzed. Based on the 739 nucleotides of 1E gene, the phylogenetic trees were constructed with 32 WHO rubella reference strains of 13 genotypes downloaded from GenBank and 145 rubella virus strains. The results showed that the 145 rubella virus strains in 2007 -2012 belonged to genotype 1E, nucleotide acids and amino acids similarities were 97.2%-100.0% and 97.6%-100.0%, respectively. Compared to the 1E reference strains(Rvi/ Dezhou.CHN/02, RVi/MYS/01), the nucleotide acids and amino acids similarities were 96.6%-99.2% and 98.2%-100.0%, respectively except for one amino acid change (Val246-Ala246) of RVi/Shenyang. Liaoning. CHN/13.11/13, and Asp262-Asn262 of RVi/Shenyang. Liaoning. CHN/13.11/4 and RVi/Liaoyang. Liaoning. CHN/26. 11/2. there had no change found in the important antigenic epitope sites, the hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization epitopes of the other rubella viruses. All the 145 strains isolated had the same amino acid change (Leu338--Phe338) in E1 protein. These findings suggested that genotype 1E of rubella virus was the predominant genotype in Liaoning province. the rubella prevailed in recent six years was mainly caused by rubella viruses genotype 1E with multi-transmission routes.
Amino Acid Sequence ; China ; epidemiology ; Epidemics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Rubella ; epidemiology ; virology ; Rubella virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Sequence Alignment ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics