Objective To analyze the chemokine receptor CXCR4 expression in acute leukemic cells of children and its relationship with extramedullary infiltration.Methods The immunotypes of cases of acute leukemia in children and the expression of CXCR4 in marrow leukemic cells were studied by flow cytometry respectively. The relationship between CXCR4 expression and extramedullary infiltration of leukemic cells were analyzed by statistical method.Results The expression rates of CXCR4 in ALL children were higher than those in NALL children(P

[Abstract] Objective To analyze the independent risk factors for castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after conservative endocrine therapy in elderly prostate cancer patients. Methods Totally 90 elderly prostate cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy from July 2013 to July 2015 were included into this study as research objects. The basic data and pathological, and laboratory indexes were collected from them. The incidence of CRPC in 2 years after discharge was recorded by follow-up, the Cox risk regression model was used to analyze the high-risk factors of CRPC. The application value of the risk factors to predict CRPC were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve and the exponential equation was established to predict the occurrence of CRPC in elderly patients with prostate cancer for 2 years. Results Totally 90 patients were followed up for 24 months in average, of whom 2 cases were lost to follow-up, 26 developed CRPC, the incidence of CRPC was 29.55%. The Cox risk regression model showed that T stage (OR=3.823, 95%CI 2.137-6.839, P<0.001), Gleason score (OR=8.045, 95%CI 3.501-18.487, P<0.001), prostatic specific antigen (PSA) (OR=2.983, 95%CI 1.407-6.324, P=0.004) and prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) (OR=1.998, 95%CI 1.263-3.161, P=0.003) were the independent risk factors for prostate cancer progressing to early CRPC in elderly prostate cancer patients. The exponential equation for predicting CRPC model was 0.367X1+0.642X2+0.409X3 +0.815X4 according to the results of multivariate analysis (X1: T stage, X2: Gleason score, X3: PSA value, X4: PCA3 value), the AUC was 0.855 (β=0.056, 95%CI 0.745-0.965, P<0.001). The sensitivity was 0.919, the specificity 0.857, the Youden index 0.776, and the corresponding index of prognosis 1.325. Conclusion The T stage, Gleason score, PSA and PCA3 are independent risk factors for prostate cancer progressing to CRPC after endocrine therapy in elderly prostate cancer patients, can be used comprehensively to establish a model of predicting CRPC for improving the accuracy of judgments.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the IFN-gamma producing cell specific for recipient (IFN-gamma-PCSR) in allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD).

METHODSIn 37 consecutive HLA-identical sibling allo-HSCT pairs, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from donors before allo-HSCT and recipients after allo-HSCT were taken as responder cells (RC), and PBMNC from recipients before allo-HSCT as allogeneic stimulator cells (allo-SC) in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). IFN-gamma-PCSR in PBMNC were assayed using enzyme linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT).

RESULTSPretransplantation frequencies of IFN-gamma-PCSR in donor PBMNC were significantly higher in aGVHD group than in non-aGVHD group (P < 0.01) and IFN-gamma PCSRs (>or= 20/2 x 10(5)RC) were significantly associated with the occurrence of grade II-IV GVHD (P < 0.05). Compared with that before allo-HSCT, IFN-gamma PCSR in PBMNC of aGVHD patients was significantly increased (P < 0.05). When PBMNC from aGVHD patients reacted with donor PBMNC, the IFN-gamma PC was significantly lower than that with recipient PBMNC before allo-HSCT. Longitudinal analysis of IFN-gamma PCSR following allo-HSCT showed that compared with that in patients without aGVHD, the IFN-gamma PCSR were significantly higher in patients with that in aGVHD on day +14 (P < 0.01) and day +28 (P < 0.01), respectively. After immunosuppressive therapy for 7 days, IFN-gamma PC declined significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe recipient-specific IFN-gamma PC is closely correlated with the allo-response during allo-HSCT and may be helpful for the prediction, diagnosis and monitoring of aGVHD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; immunology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Transplantation, Homologous ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibition effect of arsenic trioxide (AS(2)O(3)) on the growth of human MDS-RAEB cell line MUTZ-1 cells and to explore the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms.

METHODSThe apoptosis and differentiation of MUTZ-1 cells induced by AS(2)O(3) solution of different concentrations were studied with cell morphology, MTT, DNA fragmentation assay, RT-PCR, Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction method and flow cytometry.

RESULT(1) Low concentration ofAS(2)O(3) (0.05 - 0.25 micromol/L) had no marked growth inhibition effect on MUTZ-1 cells; after 14 d treatment, it down-regulated the expression of positive cell differentiation antigens CD38, CD7, CD10, HLA-DR (P<0.05), but did not up-regulate the expression of CD11b (P>0.05). (2) After treatment with 1.0 - 20.0 micromol/L of AS(2)O(3), MUTZ-1 cells presented typical features of apoptosis with a dose dependent manner (r=-0.999, P<0.05). The expression of bcl-2 mRNA and the ration of bcl-2/bax were decreased after AS(2)O(3) treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow concentration of (2)O(3) may have partial differentiation inducement on MUTZ-1 cells. With a certain range of dose (1.0 - 20.0 micromol/L), (2)O(3) can induce apoptosis of MUTZ-1 cells. (2)O(3) can significantly down-regulate bcl-2 and it might be one of the mechanisms of (2)O(3) treatment.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; DNA ; analysis ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein

OBJECTIVETo detect, enrich and expand the cytokine secreting T lymphocytes after allogeneic PBMNCs stimulation.

METHODSThe novel cytokine secretion assay (CKSA) was applied to detect T lymphocytes secreting IFN-gamma at single cell level in human mixed lymphocytes reaction. IFN-gamma secreting T cells were enriched by means of magnetic sorting system and expanded with OKT(3), anti-CD(3)mAb and IL-2 combination. Antigen specificity of the expanded cells was confirmed using enzyme linked immunospot assay.

RESULTSA sizable proportion of IFN-gamma secreting T lymphocytes could be detected [(1.12 +/-0.13)% compared with (0.23 +/-0.07)%] and be further enriched to (67.3 +/-10.5)%, or (93.8 +/-22.1) fold. T lymphocytes could be expanded up to 600-fold within 21-28 days and the specific IFN-gamma response of expanded cells was confirmed with stimulation of the relevant allogeneic PBMNC, which was significantly higher than the irrelevant PBMNC control.

CONCLUSIONIt is feasible to detect significantly increased IFN-gamma secreting T lymphocytes after allogeneic PBMNCs stimulation based on the CKSA technique at single cell level and these cells can be efficiently enriched and expanded for further research.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; CD28 Antigens ; immunology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; secretion ; Graft vs Host Disease ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; secretion ; Interleukin-2 ; secretion ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Muromonab-CD3 ; pharmacology ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Bai Xiao moxibustion plus electroacupuncture in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH). Method Ninety-six LIDH patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 48 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by Bai Xiao moxibustion plus electroacupuncture, while the control group was intervened by electroacupuncture alone. Before and after the treatment, the lower back pain scores of Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were evaluated, and the clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared. Result The JOA and VAS lower back pain scores were changed significantly after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05). After the treatment, the JOA and VAS lower back pain scores of the treatment group were significantly different from those of the control group (P<0.05). The pain release time was (2.95±0.59)d after the intervention in the treatment group versus (4.26±0.68)d in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 95.7％ in the treatment group versus 91.7％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Bai Xiao moxibustion plus electroacupuncture is an effective method in treating LIDH and it can reduce the lower back pain.

Medical imaging is an interdisciplinary subject closely related to clinical and pathological subject. Its clinical reading skills' training has become the focus of postgraduate teaching. In the process of clinical teaching, the interactive reading mode of problem-based learning (PBL) combined with multi-disci-plinary team (MDT) was introduced into clinical reading meeting. The tutors chose the reading cases proved by pathology; designed in-depth issues step by step for execution of PBL teaching; guided postgraduates to delineate imaging signs and propose the diagnostic results, evidences and differential diagnoses according to the step from localizing to qualitative and then to pathological diagnosis;then guided postgraduates to attend in-depth case analysis of MDT and analyze the correlation or inconsistency between the imaging diagnosis and clinical and pathological diagnosis; exercise document retrieval and verbalization, multimedia design, and writing level of the records of the reading cases and papers. The interactive reading mode of PBL com-bined with MDT has achieved significant effects, which is worthy of further exploration and promotion.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in alcoholic liver disease (ALD)-related hepatocyte apoptosis.

METHODSA rat model of ALD was established by continuous intragastric administration of ethanol. At 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks later, randomly selected rats were sacrificed for serum and liver sample collection. Serum levels of total homocysteine (tHcy) were examined by chemiluminescence analysis. Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) activity in liver tissue was measured by chromatometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of ERS-related factors, glucose-regulated protein (GRP)-78, calpain 2 and caspase-12, were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Hepatocyte apoptosis was detected by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay.

RESULTSAt 16 weeks, the ALD rats' livers exhibited diffuse microvesicular adipose degeneration and fibrosis in the liver sinus and portal septa. As the duration of ethanol administration extended, the tHcy levels gradually increased (P less than 0.01), CBS activity decreased (P less than 0.01), gene expression levels of GRP-78, calpain 2, and caspase-12 were up-regulated (P less than 0.01), and protein expression levels of GRP-78 and calpain 2 were gradually increased. However, the protein level of procaspase-12 was found to decrease with increased duration of ethanol administration. Finally, the hepatocyte apoptosis index showed an increasing trend over time (P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn our experimental ALD rat model, hepatic apoptosis was detected with increasing frequency over the duration of ALD. Increased apoptosis was likely due to decreased CBS activity causing hyperhomocysteinemia, which further induced ERS and activated the calpain 2 and caspase-12 signaling pathway. These ethanol-induced molecular changes may provoke hepatic apoptosis and subsequently promote the pathogenic processes of alcoholic liver disease.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Calpain ; metabolism ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic changes that occur in T cell subsets, particularly involving the surface expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1), in response to pegylated (Peg)-interferon (IFN) a-2a therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

METHODSTwenty-five patients with HCV genotype 1b chronic infection and 10 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All the HCV patients received combination antiviral therapy of Peg-IFNa-2a (180 mug/week) plus ribavirin. At treatment weeks 0 (baseline), 4, 12, 24 and 48, the level of PD-1 protein expression on the surface of total peripheral CD8+ and CD4+ T cells was determined by flow cytometry and the level of PD-1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Independent student's t-test were used to compare mean values between the two groups, repeat measure variance analysis was used to compare mean values among multiple groups, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess correlation significance.

RESULTSOver the course of antiviral therapy, the proportions of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells, as well as the CD4+/CD8+ ratio, increased (F = 81.23, 39.28, and 7.01 respectively; all P less than 0.01). In contrast, the PD-1 protein expression frequency on CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells significantly declined (F = 100.11 and 158.40 respectively; all P less than 0.01). The PD-1-mRNA expression level in PBMCs was: 1.40+/-0.26 at baseline, 1.30+/-0.27 at week-4, 1.14+/-0.18 at week-12, 1.06+/-0.26 at week-24, and 0.83+/-0.25 at week-48 (F = 20.09; P less than 0.01). A positive correlation existed between the PD-1 protein expression frequencies on CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells and the HCV RNA load detected at baseline (r = 0.82 and 0.75 respectively; all P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe ability of Peg-IFN-a-2a-based antiviral therapy to suppress HCV replication may involve reduction of PD-1 protein expression on the surface of CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the virological response in prolonged therapy of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with low-dose peginterferon alpha-2a.

METHODSThe 92 cases of in-patients with chronic hepatitis C in September 2004 to September 2006 were divided to three groups according the endurance of interferon. The dose of peginterferon alpha-2a was 67.5 microg, 90 microg and 180 microg per week in group A, B and C respectively. The treatment duration of peginterferon alpha-2a was 96 or 48 weeks in HCV genotype 1b and 2a in group A and B, and in the group C the duration was 48 or 24 weeks in genotype 1b and 2a patients respectively. Meanwhile, ribavirin for 900-1200 mg per day combined treated with all patients. The quantitation of serum HCV RNA were conducted to determine the rapid virological response (RVR), early virological response (EVR) and sustained virological response (SVR) respectively.

RESULTSThere were no significant difference between the three groups in the rate of RVR, EVR and SVR (P > 0.05). There was a higer rate of RVR, EVR and SVR in the genotype 2a group than the genotype 1b group (P < 0.05). HCV genotype was the independent predictor (OR = 12.78, 95%, CI = 11.97-82.89, P = 0.0075) of SVR.

CONCLUSIONThere was a similar virological response between prolonged therapy of chronic hepatitis C with low-dose peginterferon alpha-2a and the standard dose and duration. The genotype was the independent predictors of SVR in peginterferon alpha-2a antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; Ribavirin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult