Gastrointestinal carcinomas are among the malignancies with highest morbidity and mortality. The survival rates of these tumors remain pretty low in spite of advancements of traditional treatments. As the fourth treatment method besides surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, biotherapy has shown promising prospect in improving the prognosis of gastrointestinal carcinomas. In this manuscript, we summarized the current progress of biotherapy in gastrointestinal tumors including gene therapy, immune therapy and molecular targeted therapy.
Biological Therapy ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Immunotherapy

To explore the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the mechanisms of CML pathogenesis, the effect of VEGF on K562 cell apoptosis induced by As(2)O(3) was analyzed through morphologic observation, DNA fragmentation agarose gel electrophoresis and DNA ploidy flow cytometry analysis, and the effect of VEGF on the expression of bcl-X(L), Bax and caspase-3 in K562 cells was determined by Western blot, meanwhile the expression difference between bcl-X(L) and Bax mRNA in above conditions was detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that after VEGF added, the apoptosis of K562 cells reduced, however, there was no significant changes in cell cycle distribution (P > 0.05). At the same time, following the increasing of the concentration of VEGF, expression of mRNA and protein of bcl-X(L) was up-regulated and the expression of Bax protein was down-regulated in K562 cells, and the activation of pro-caspase-3 into caspase-3 was inhibited or reduced. It is concluded that VEGF may suppress the apoptosis of K562 cells through its influence on the bcl-X(L)/Bax expression ratio in K562 cells.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Chlorides ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; bcl-X Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the growth and cell cycle changes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell 5-8F in response to silencing of the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with RNA interference (RNAi), and explore the possible relationships between EGFR and the occurrence, differentiation and progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

METHODThree EGFR-specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were obtained by in vitro transcription and synthesis and were transiently transfected into 5-8F cells. The EGFR expression levels in the transfected cells were detected by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. After EGFR expression silencing, the growth and cell cycle changes of the cells were observed.

RESULTSEGFR mRNA contents and protein levels decreased by approximately 67.5% and 77%, respectively, after RNAi of 5-8F cells, and the cell proliferation decreased and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase occurred in association with EGFR silencing.

CONCLUSIONEGFR silencing by RNAi can reduce the proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and induce cell cycle arrest at G1 phase, which sheds light on the possible use of RNAi for further investigation of the pathogenesis and gene therapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo define the clinicopathological features of primary cardiac large B-cell lymphoma.

METHODA case of primary cardiac large B-cell lymphoma was studied with conventional histopathological and immunohistochemical staining in combination with literature review.

RESULTSThe lesion appeared to originate in the right atrium and involved the venae cavae and the left atrium. Microscopic examination showed diffuse proliferation of large atypical lymphocytes with abundant cytoplasm, vestiealer nuelei, thick nuclear membrane and conspicuous nucleoli. Giant tumor cells scattered in the lesion. The neoplastic cells were positive for CD20 and CD79a.

CONCLUSIONPrimary cardiac lymphoma is extremely rare, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. With non-specific clinical manifestations, the majority of primary cardiac lymphomas are of B-cell lineage and a bad prognosis.

Aged ; Antigens, CD20 ; analysis ; CD79 Antigens ; analysis ; Female ; Heart Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hepatitis B virus(HBV) X gene on the expression of SPG21.

METHODSThe expressions of SPG21 mRNA and protein in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells were tested by RT-PCR and western blot. HepG2 cells were co-transfected with reporter plasmid pGL3-SPG21 and plasmids carrying individual genes of HBV, the luciferase activity was measured and the expressions of SPG21 were detected by RT-PCR and western blot.

RESULTSThe expressions of SPG21 mRNA and protein were higher in HepG2.2.15 cells than in HepG2 cells (0.36+/-0.06 vs 0.21+/-0.05, P value is less than 0.05). The activity of SPG21 in HepG2 cells transfected with pCMV-X was higher (875+/-27 vs 67+/-12, P value is less than 0.01) as compared to blank control group (transfected with pCMV-tag2B). HBV X gene enhanced SPG21 gene promoter activity, SPG21 mRNA expression and SPG21 protein production in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONHBV X gene can specially activate SPG21 expression.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDFunctional neuroimaging has been used in neurolinguistic research on normal subjects and on patients with brain damage. This study was designed to investigate the differences of the neural basis underlying language processing between normal subjects and aphasics.

METHODSFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to map the language network in 6 normal subjects and 3 patients with aphasia who were in the stage of recovery from acute stroke. The participants performed a word generation task during multi-slice functional scanning for the measurement of signal change associated with regional neural activity induced by the task.

RESULTSIn normal subjects, a distributed language network was activated. Activations were present in the frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital regions. In the patient group, however, no activation was detected in the left inferior frontal gyrus whether the patient had a lesion in the left frontal lobe or not. Two patients showed activations in some right hemisphere regions where no activation appeared in normal subjects.

CONCLUSIONSfMRI with word generation task is feasible for evaluating language function in aphasic patients. Remote effect of focal lesion and functional redistribution or reorganisation can be found in aphasic patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aphasia ; physiopathology ; Brain Mapping ; Cerebral Cortex ; physiology ; Humans ; Language ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

METHODSThree autopsy cases were studied retrospectively. Routine HE stain was used to study all the cases. Part of the lung tissue specimens were studied further with Macchiavello's stain, viral inclusion body stain, reticulin and PAS stains, immunohistochemistry, thin sections with staining, light microscopy and transmission electronic microscope investigation.

RESULTSThe earliest symptom of all 3 cases was hyperpyrexia and followed by progressive dyspnea and appearance of lung field shadows in X rays findings. Pulmonary lesions included: bilateral and extensive consolidation, localized hemorrhage and necrosis, desquamative alveolitis and bronchitis, alveolar proliferation and desquamation, accumulation of protein exudates, mononuclear cells, lymphocytes, and plasma cells as well as hyaline membrane formation in alveoli and viral inclusion bodies were seen in the alveolus epithelial cells. The exudated organization tended to become glomeruloid organizing pneumonitis in a few avaoli. Lesions of the immune organs included: large patchy necrosis in the spleens and localized necrosis in the lymph nodes were seen. Bone marrow became restrained. There were lesions of systemic small vasculitis including edema of the perivascular tissue and vascular wall of the small veins with localized fibrinoid necrosis distributing in the heart, lungs, kidneys, adrenal glands and the striated muscles accompanying with mononuclear cells and lymphocytes infiltration. Thrombosis was seen in part of the small veins. In addition, there were also the systemic poisonous changes including: degeneration and necrosis of the parenchyma cells in lungs, liver, kidneys, heart and adrenals. Electronic microscopy demonstrated clusters of virus particles seen in the lung tissue.

CONCLUSIONSARS is a systemic disease. Lungs, immune system and systemic small vessels are the main target organs attacked by the virus. Extensive consolidation of lungs, formation of hyaline membrane to a large extent, respiratory distress and decrease of immune function are the main causes of death.

Adult ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Middle Aged ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; etiology ; pathology

Chuankezhi (CKZ), a new Chinese medicine, plays an important role in immunoregulation. Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells have been commonly used for immunotherapy in recent years. In this study, we aimed to investigate the immunoregulatory effect of CKZ on CIK cells. Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from healthy donors, and CIK cells were generated by culturing monocytes with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 2. Different concentrations of CKZ were added on day 2. After incubation for 14 days in culture, the antitumor effects of CIK cells were measured by cytotoxicity assay. Flow cytometry was used to explore the effect of CKZ on CIK cell immunophenotype, intracellular cytokine production, and apoptosis. The effect of CKZ on the antitumor activity of CIK cells in nude mice was also investigated. CKZ increased the percentage of CD3+CD56+ CIK cells but did not significantly change the percentage of CD4+, CD8+, or CD4+CD25+ CIK cells. CKZ-conditioned CIK cells showed a greater ability to kill tumor cells, as well as a higher frequency of IFN-γ and TNF-α production, compared with the CIK cells in the control group. CKZ also suppressed the apoptosis of CIK cells in vitro. Furthermore, CKZ combined with CIK cells had a stronger suppressive effect on tumor growth in vivo than the CIK, CKZ, or normal saline control groups. Our results indicate that CKZ enhances the antitumor activity of CIK cells and is a potential medicine for tumor immunotherapy.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; CD3 Complex ; metabolism ; CD56 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Morinda ; chemistry ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Tumor Burden ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of standard rescue procedure (SRP) in improving severe trauma treatments in China.

METHODSThis study was conducted in 12 hospitals located in geographically and industrially different cities in China. A standard procedure on severe trauma rescue was established as a general rule for staff training and patient treatment. A regional network (system) efficiently integrating prehospital rescue, emergency room treatments, and hospital specialist treatments was built under the rule for information sharing and improving severe trauma treatments. Treatment outcomes were compared between before and 1 year after the implementation of the SRP.

RESULTSThe outcomes of a total of 74,615 and 12,051 trauma cases were collected from 12 hospitals before and after the implementation of the SRP. Implementation of the SRP led to efficient cooperation and information sharing of different treatment services. The emergency response time, prehospital transit time, emergency rescue time, consultation call time, and mortality rate of patients were 24.24 ± 4.32 min, 45.69 ± 3.89 min, 6.38 ± 1.05 min, 17.53 ± 0.72 min, and 33.82% ± 3.87% (n = 441), respectively, before the implementation of the standardization and significantly reduced to 10.11 ± 3.21 min, 22.39 ± 4.32 min, 3.26 ± 0.89 min, 3.45 ± 0.45 min, and 20.49% ± 3.11%, separately (n = 495, P < 0.05) after that.

CONCLUSIONSStaff training and SRP can significantly improve the efficiency of severe trauma treatments in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Emergency Medical Services ; standards ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Wounds and Injuries ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in China type 2 diabetic patients and to demonstrate the relationships between putative risk factors and PAD.

METHODSIn total 1,397 type 2 diabetic patients aged 50 years and older were enrolled and determined ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in 15 Class III Grade A hospitals in 7 major cities of China.

RESULTSMean patient age was 63.7 +/- 8.2 years and mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 9.39 +/- 7.4 years. Two hundreds and seventy-two (19.47%) patients were diagnosed as PAD by ABI < 0.9, 122 (18.37%) in male and 150 (20.46%) in female. PAD patients had a significantly longer duration of diabetes mellitus, higher hemoglobin A1c, and a significantly lower mean body mass index than non-PAD ones. Aging, smoking, and systolic blood pressure were found to be positively related with the prevalence of PAD. In terms of lipid profiles, no variable was found to relate with PAD. Notably, baPWV showed as the same significant guiding index for PAD, almost matched with ABI.

CONCLUSIONSPAD is a common complication in China type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore, PAD screening and treatment should be emphasized for diabetic patients with high risk factors.

Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Vascular Diseases ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Urban Population ; statistics & numerical data