Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Valproic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

BACKGROUND: Previous experiments demonstrated that low-temperature isotropic pyrolytic carbon has excellent biological features. However, the research regarding low-temperature isotropic pyrolytic carbon prosthesis in hip joints, especially the biological features following hemiarthroplasty are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: Utilizing implantation experiment, the aim of this study was to investigate the biocompatibility, as well as the interface wear properties of carbon femoral head prosthesis, coated with low-temperature isotropic pyrolytic carbon (silicon). DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: In vivo hemiarthroplasty, randomized controlled animal experiment. The experiment was performed at the Experimental Animal Center, the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA, from October 2008 to April 2009. MATERIALS: Carbon femoral head prostheses.were supplied by Jilin Central Hospital. The carbon femoral head prosthesis was coated with low-temperature isotropic pyrolytic carbon. METHODS: Carbon femoral head prostheses were implanted in 16 adult New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were sacrificed at weeks 6 (n=4), 11 (n=6), 21 (n=6), respectively. Rabbits in the 21-week group were induced to move from 18 weeks with 2 hours per day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The biocompatibility and the interface wear phenomena of the prostheses were investigated by general observation, X-ray observation and tissue slice observation. RESULTS: The carbon femoral head prostheses implanted in animals produced non-toxic side effects, without significant inflammatory response or foreign body reaction. Furthermore, new cartilage tissue around carbon prosthesis was found, while there was no obvious wear debris after sports experiments. CONCLUSION: The film coating carbon materials have excellent biocompatibility and good wear resistance as femoral head prosthesis. Thus, it is a kind of promising biomaterials in prosthesis manufacturing.

Sphingolipids, especially ceramide and S1P, are structural components of biological membranes and bioactive molecules which participate in diverse cellular activities such as cell division, differentiation, gene expression and apoptosis. Emerging evidence demonstrates the role of sphingolipids in hepatocellular death, which contributes to the progression of several liver diseases including ischaemia-reperfusion liver injury, steatohepatitis or hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, some data indicate that the accumulation of some sphingolipids contributes to the hepatic dysfunctions. Hence, understanding of sphingolipid may open up a novel therapeutic avenue to liver diseases. This review focuses on the progress in the sphingolipid metabolic pathway with a focus on hepatic diseases and drugs targeting the sphingolipid pathway.
Apoptosis ; Ceramides ; metabolism ; Fatty Liver ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Lysophospholipids ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Sphingolipids ; metabolism ; Sphingosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE To investigate the HIV infections states in tumor patients for clinical diagnosis,treatment and to prevent HIV infection in the tumor hospital.METHODS The result of HIV detection in tumor patients from Dec 2000 to Aug 2006 was analyzed by the review statistics analysis.RESULTS Totally 48 101 tumor paients were detected,and the number of tumor patients with positive HIV antibody result was 51(0.106%).Among the positive patients there were 21 cases with blood transfusion history,14 cases with blood donating experience,2 cases with both these two kinds of experiences and 14 cases without the two kinds of experiences.Their rate was separately 41.0%,27.5%,4.0% and 27.5%.Most of the HIV positive patients had no clinical synptoms.CONCLUSIONS The HIV positive rate of patients with blood transfusion or blood donating is significantly higher than the patients without these experiences.The routine detection for the HIV before the operation,blood transfusion or other traumatic detection is very necessary.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between collgen (Col) IV, VEGF secreted by the tumor cells and vasculogenic mimicry (VM).

METHODS158 bi-phase differential malignant tumor specimens were alloted and made into tissue microarray. These tissue microarray sections were stained with CD31, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Col IV. Subsequently, distributive trait of Col IV and the difference of VEGF expression were analyzed.

RESULTSThe basement membrane of VM was PAS and Col IV positive. The expression of VEGF in bi-phase differential malignant tumor with VM was less than that in those without VM. The difference of VEGF expression in malignant melanoma and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCollgen IV and periodic acid-Schiff positive material take part in constructing the basement membrane of vasculogenic mimicry. The difference of the VEGF expression proves that vasculogenic mimicry can sustain the tumor blood supply.

Collagen Type IV ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neoplasms ; blood supply ; chemistry ; pathology ; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

The cyanuric chloride linkers have been used for cyclizing polypeptide, but not used for α-conotoxin, the peptides with rich disulfide bonds and more amino acid residues. In this study, cyclic peptides c[A10L]PnIA-1-4 were synthesized efficiently by lysine assisted cyanuric chloride linkers with 28.92%-52.00% yields. The activity evaluation showed that the IC₅₀ values of c[A10L]PnIA-1 against α7 and α3β2 nAChR subtypes were 5 and 7 times higher than [A10L]PnIA respectively, and the subtype selectivity was maintained. The results of circular dichroism show that this cyclization method had no significant effect on its secondary structure. Compared with the commonly used head-to-tail cyclization in conotoxin cyclization, this method has the advantages of rapid reaction and high yield, which is expected to be further applied to the cyclization study of various α-conotoxins.

OBJECTIVEBone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) have the potential to differentiate into endothelial cells. The aim of the study was to investigate the induction process of BMSC by B16 melanoma cells in vitro and to analyze the role of VEGF-a in the process.

METHODSA co-culture system containing BMSC and B16 melanoma cells based on transwell indirect model was established, and the induction process of BMSC by B16 melanoma cells was studied in vitro.

RESULTSBMSC were isolated from the bone marrow of C57 mice. BMSC expressed CD105, CD90, CD73, CD44 and CD166, and acquired expressin of endothelial phenotype markers including VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and Factor VIII after co-culture with B16 melanoma cells for 48 hours. The expression level of VEGFR-2 would be double and Factor VIII threefold more by extending the co-culture time to 72 hours. In the co-culture system, B16 melanoma cells also up-regulated the expression of VEGF-a.

CONCLUSIONSVEGF-a plays a significant role in the differentiation of BMSC into cells of endothelial phenotype, therefore, is important to tumor angiogenesis.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Coculture Techniques ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Factor VIII ; metabolism ; Male ; Melanoma, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Pilot Projects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 in tumor cells of synovial sarcoma and its clinical significance.

METHODSExpression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in tumor cells of 72 cases of synovial sarcoma was studied by immunohistochemistry. The profile was correlated with clinicopathologic parameters, microvessel density (MVD) (analyzed by CD31 immunostaining) and survival rate.

RESULTS(1) There was a statistically significant negative correlation between expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 (r = -0.290 and P = 0.013). (2) The proportion of high MMP-2 expression to low TIMP-2 expression in patients with tumor metastasis was significantly higher than that in patients without metastasis (P = 0.010 and 0.002 respectively). (3) MVD of patients with high MMP-2 expression was higher than that in the low MMP-2 expression group (P = 0.005). MVD of patients with high TIMP-2 expression was lower than that in the low TIMP-2 expression group (P = 0.048). (4) Low TIMP-2 expression significantly correlated with poor prognosis of patients with synovial sarcoma, by univariate and multivariate survival analysis (P = 0.002 and 0.016 respectively).

CONCLUSIONSExpression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 correlates with metastatic potential and tumor angiogenesis in synovial sarcoma. Low TIMP-2 expression often indicates poor prognosis and unfavorable clinical outcomes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; statistics & numerical data ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Microcirculation ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; enzymology ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; blood supply ; enzymology ; pathology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish a method of SYT-SSX fusion gene detection by FISH and to explore its diagnostic value for synovial sarcoma.

METHODSThe presence of SYT-SSX fusion gene was determined by FISH using a tissue microarray containing 62 known synovial sarcomas, 60 non-synovial sarcomas and 133 equivocal synovial sarcomas. FISH results were compared with those of RT-PCR published previously.

RESULTSOverall, 96.9% (247/255) of the cases were successfully analyzed by FISH. The sensitivity of FISH for known synovial sarcomas was 96.7% (58/60), and the specificity for the non-synovial sarcoma was 100% (59/59). Moreover, SYT-SSX gene fusion was detected in 78.1% (100/128) of the equivocal synovial sarcomas. The concordance rate between FISH and RT-PCR was 83.6% (102/122) in those equivocal synovial sarcomas, and overall 79.7% (106/133) of these cases were confirmed as synovial sarcomas either by RT-PCR or by FISH.

CONCLUSIONSThe sensitivity and specificity of FISH detection of SYT-SSX fusion gene are high. FISH and RT-PCR are complementary to each other in the confirmation of synovial sarcomas, particularly those questionable cases.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; genetics ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Pathology, Molecular ; methods ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics

A digital tongue image analysis instrument (TIAI) based on computer for Traditional Chinese Medicine is introduced. Some of the key techniques, including the image acquiring condition and method, the evaluation of tongue characters, and the management of tongue image data, are discussed as well. TIAI can provide a non-invasive, quantitative, and objective analysis approach and enhance the theory level and practical ability of the Traditional Chinese tongue diagnosis.
Algorithms ; Color ; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Tongue