Objective: To examine the expression of Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) protein in patients with NSCLC (advanced non-small cell lung cancer), and to elucidate the correlation of the expression level of Nrf2 with response to platinum-based first-line chemotherapy and the prognosis of NSCLC patients. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 50 patients with chemotherapynaïve advanced NSCLC. All patients received platinum-based regimens as first-line chemotherapy. The expression level of Nrf2 protein in tumor specimens was detected by immunohistochemical analysis. The associations between Nrf2 expression with response to chemotherapy and the prognosis were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 statistical software. Results: The Nrf2 protein expression level in NSCLC patients exhibited interindividual differences and the positive rate was 34% (17/50). The positive-expression rate of Nrf2 was higher in patients with age ≥ 70 years (58.3%, 7/12) than that in patients with age < 70 years (26.3%, 10/38) (P = 0.041), which was also higher in patients with distant metastasis (46.7%, 14/30) than that in patients without metastasis (15.0%, 3/20) (P = 0.021). The expression of Nrf2 was correlated with age (r = 0.370, P = 0.020), distant metastasis (r = 0.289, P = 0.042), response to platinum-based chemotherapy (r = 0.315 P = 0.026), progression-free survival (r = -0.393, P = 0.006) and overall survival (r = -0.309, P = 0.029). Furthermore, the expression of Nrf2 was an independent predictive factor for response to platinum-based first-line chemotherapy and progression-free survival (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Nrf2 expression is an independent predictor of response to platinum-based first-line chemotherapy and the prognosis of patients with advanced NSCLC, and it may be helpful to select the appropriate chemotherapy regimen for advanced NSCLC. Copyright © 2012 by TUMOR.

Objective: To investigate the interindividual variation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA expression level in the peripheral blood nucleated cells and its correlation with the severity of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. Methods: The expression level of Nrf2 mRNA in the peripheral blood nucleated cells from 30 cases of cancer was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR before chemotherapy, and the association between the Nrf2 mRNA expression and the chemotherapyinduced myelosuppression was analyzed. Results: The Nrf2 mRNA expression level in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells exhibited significant interindividual differences. The Nrf2 mRNA expression level was significantly higher in the patients with grades 0-1 leukopenia or neutropenia than that in the patients with grades 2-4 (P <0.05), but it was not associated with the age, gender, chemotherapeutic regimen and the type of tumor. The association analysis showed that the Nrf2 mRNA expression level in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was negatively associated with leukopenia and neutropenia (r = -0.448, P = 0.013; r = -0.493, P = 0.006). Conclusion: The expression level of Nrf2 mRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells is significantly correlated with chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. It may be employed as an ideal marker to predict the severity of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression and helpful for clinical decision-making and early prevention and treatment of myelosuppression. Copyright © 2012 by TUMOR.

After the structural reform in the food and drug supervision system, the knowledge structure and the professional re-quirements of the supervisors is unmatched, which hinder the fulfillment of regulatory responsibilities and the performance of adminis-trative efficacy. Effective ways for team building are actively explored throughout the country. The paper introduced the adult corre-spondence education of the supervisors in Zhejiang Ningbo food and drug supervision system to provide a good example for training work throughout the country and some useful suggestions for the quality improvement of the supervision team.

Objective To introduce the clinical experience and investigate venous drainage of distal- ly-based dorsal digital neurocutaneous flap for finger-pulp reconstruction.Methods From Mar.2004 to Oct.2005,18 patients with traumatic finger-pulp defect (＞2cm) were treated by distally based dorsal ho- modigital neurocutaneous flaps.The flap measured 2 cm?2cm～3cm?4cm with the neuro-veno-adipal ped- icle 1cm wide and 2～3cm long.The pivot points were proximal to the PIP joints.The dorsal digital nerve was neurorrhaphied with the proper digital nerve of the recipient site.The dorsal digital vein was ligated at 1cm distal to the pivot point to prevent venous ingress.No venous anastomosis was performed.Results All the flaps survived but had some degrees of venous congestion and swelling,and 8 flaps developed tension blisters. In 13 flaps with follow-up more than 6 months,protective sensation was restored.Conclusion Dorsal digit- al neurocutaneous flap is simple and effective for finger-pulp reconstruction.Ligating the big superficial vein at the distal base to interrupt venous ingress,and allowing the proximal vein open and venous egress,can reduce flap congestion and swelling.

Aim To investigate the effect of dihydromyricetin on canine carotid artery and the underlying mechanism.Methods The in vitro isometric tension measurement technique was employed to investigate the effect of dihydromyricetin on canine carotid artery rings.Laser scanning confocal microscope technique was used to measure the dynamic change of intracellular calcium concentration in single VSMC.Results Dihydromyricetin(1～300 ?mol?L-1)caused a concentration-dependent contraction of both endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded rings.This constrictive effect was attenuated in Ca2+-free solution(P

Objective To investigate the effect of single dose intraosseous injection of simvastatin on tumor vascular structure and function in murine breast cancer. Methods BALB/c mice and 4T1 murine breast cancer cells were used to establish a subcutaneous xenograft model. The mouse model of orthotopic breast cancer received intraosseous injection of a single dose of simvastatin (50 μg) or vehicle only. Frozen tumor tissue sections were prepared for co-immunostained with CD31 andα-SMA. Evans blue dye was injected into the tail vein to observe the vascular permeability. The expression level of HIF-1αwas detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Immunofluorescence dual staining showed that intraosseous injection of simvastatin increased the number of perivascular pericytes in the tumor vessel(P < 0. 05), Evans blue dye content showed that in vivo vessel permeability in the tumor tissue was significantly decreased(P < 0. 05), and the immunohistochemistry results showed that local hypoxic area was significantly improved. Conclusions Single dose intraosseous injection of simvastatin can promote the normalization of tumor vasculature by improving the coverage of pericytes.

A sensitive antibody-based lateral flow dipstick was developed for ginsenoside Re (GRe) detection. The stick consisted of a sample pad, a conjugate pad, membrane and an absorbent pad. The membrane was coated with two capture reagents, GRe-BSA conjugate and goat anti-mouse antibodies, forming a test line and a control line, respectively. The conjugate pad was saturated with colloidal gold particles coated with affinity purified monoclonal anti-GRe antibody. The visual detection limit was 200 microg x L(-1) of GRe and the reaction time was 10 min. The Panax ginseng roots were identified after these samples (10 mg) were extracted with 5 mL tap water for 30 min at room temperature, and the extracts were tested by the dipsticks and ELISA kit. The true and false P. ginseng could be distinguished with dipsticks. The dipstick could be used to detect the quality of the P. ginseng samples when the extract was diluted 100-folds. The results were compared with those obtained using an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA). The dipstick assay proved to be a sensitive and rapid tool for quality control of P. ginseng.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Counterfeit Drugs ; analysis ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; Immunoassay ; instrumentation ; methods ; Mice ; Panax ; chemistry ; Reagent Strips ; Time Factors

In order to find a method suitable for purifying large amount of CD34(+) cells, from 5 cases who accepted autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, CD34(+) cells were collected and enriched by using Isolex 300i (Nexell). Phenotypes were detected by flow cytometry and the biological viability were assayed by the colony-forming experiments and cell expansion experiment in vitro. The results showed that the number of mononuclear cells first collected was about (3.5 - 6.0) x 10(10) and (0.55 - 1.2)% of cells were CD34 positive. The number of positive production was about (2.0 - 3.0) x 10(8); the CD34(+) cells purity was (75 - 85)% and the yield was (40 - 65)%. The CD34(+) cells of positive production could expand up to 2 - 3 times when cultured with SCF + IL3 + FL + TPO + EPO in vitro. The results of colony-forming experiments demonstrated that the CD34(+) cells collected has enough colony-forming ability. All results showed the enriched CD34(+) cells with biological viability. In conclusion, the CD34(+) immunomagnetic isolation apparatus Isolex300i is suitable to clinical application for a large amount of CD34(+) cell enrichment.
Antigens, CD34 ; immunology ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunomagnetic Separation ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Neoplasms ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of the aluminum hydroxide (Al-OH) adjuvant on the 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 (pH1N1) vaccine.

METHODSIn a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, participants received two doses of split-virion formulation containing 15 μg hemagglutinin antigen, with or without aluminum hydroxide (Al-OH). We classified the participants into six age categories (>61 years, 41-60 years, 19-40 years, 13-18 years, 8-12 years, and 3-7 years) and obtained four blood samples from each participant on days 0, 21, 35, and 42 following the first dose of immunization. We assessed vaccine immunogenicity by measuring the geometric mean titer (GMT) of hemagglutination inhibiting antibody. We used a two-level model to evaluate the fixed effect of aluminum Al-OH and other factors, accounting for repeated measures.

RESULTSThe predictions of repeated measurement on GMTs of formulations with or without Al-OH, were 80.35 and 112.72, respectively. Al-OH significantly reduced immunogenicity after controlling for time post immunization, age-group and gender.

CONCLUSIONThe Al-OH adjuvant does not increase but actually reduces the immunogenicity of the split-virion pH1N1 vaccine.

Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic ; chemistry ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aluminum Hydroxide ; chemistry ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; immunology ; Influenza Vaccines ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Statistical ; Pandemics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for selective devascularization in patients with portal hypertension.

METHODSThe clinical data of 160 patients with portal hypertension underwent selective devascularization were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were divided into high-risk group and low-risk group according to the postoperative complications. Thirty-two clinical factors were analyzed using logistic regression.

RESULTSSingle-factor analysis showed that history of jaundice, Child-Turcotte-Pugh classification, total bilirubin (before the operation), prolongation of prothrombin time, pre-operative free portal pressure, ascites, leukocyte count (1 week after the operation) and hemoglobin (1 week after the operation) were significantly different between the high-risk group and low-risk group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that decrease of free portal pressure, total bilirubin (before the operation), prolongation of prothrombin time, ascites, leukocyte count (1 week after the operation) and hemoglobin (1 week after the operation) were still significantly different between the two groups (chi2 = 53.337, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe risk factors of selective devascularization in patients with portal hypertension are decrease of free portal pressure, pre-operative total bilirubin, prolongation of prothrombin time, ascites, post-operative leukocyte count and hemoglobin.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; surgery ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; adverse effects ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult