ObjectiveTo explore the optimal method of protecting bone marrow in postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy of stage Ⅱ - Ⅲ rectal cancer by comparing two techniques of intensitymodulated radiotherapy (IMRT). MethodsFifteen patients with stage Ⅱ - Ⅲ rectal cancer after surgery had CT simulation. Clinical target volume, small bowel, bladder and bone marrow were contoured. Two IMRT treatment plannings with and without bone marrow-sparing (BMS-IMRT and IMRT) were separately designed. The dose distribution was compared based on that 95％ of the planning target volume received the prescribed dose. ResultsBMS-IMRT had an advantage over IMRT in terms of conformity indices ( 1. 06∶1. 04, t =- 2. 61, P =0. 023 ), but inferior to I M RT for homogeneity indices ( 0. 81 : 0. 75, t =- 2. 34, P =0.037)).Compared with IMRT, BMS-IMRT reduced the V5, V10, V20, V30, V40 of bone marrow (97.09％∶98.72％, t=-2.34, P=0.037;92.38％∶96.46％, t=-2.41, P=0.033;83.36％∶91.70％, t=-3. 18, P=0.008;51.47％∶69.65％, t=-4.92, P=0.000;36.34％∶49.57％, t=-2.66, P =0. 021 ). The doses received by small bowel and bladder were similar between BMS-IMRT and IMRT, except that the V20 of bladder was lower in BMS-IMRT (77. 32％∶92. 39％, t =-3.52, P=0. 004). Conclusions BMS-IMRT reduces low dose volume of bone marrow without increasing dose to other risk organs.BMS-IMRT might reduce acute hematologic toxicity and increase the feasibility of postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy in stage Ⅱ -Ⅲ rectal cancer.

Objective To investigate the relationship of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway with the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and its role in radiation-induced hepatic fibrosis.Methods HSC was treated with 6 MV X-ray irradiation (IR) together with the inhibitor of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.The cells were divided into inhibitor group,10 Gy IR group,10 Gy + inhibitor group,20 Gy IR group,an 20 Gy + inhibitor group and blank control group.Then cell apoptosis rate was detected,the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in cell supernatant and the mRNA expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and phosphorylation protein kinase B (p-Akt) were measured.Results Compared with the control group,the apoptosis rate of 10 and 20 Gy IR group increased with irradiation dose (t =8.43,11.63,P ＜0.05) but they were reduced by the inhibitor of PI3K/Akt (t =8.09,4.88,P ＜0.05).The expressions of TGF-β1,α-SMA,and p-Akt also increased with irradiation dose (t =6.91,7.80,9.28,P＜0.05) but they were declined by this inhibitor for both 10 Gy IR (t =6.17,15.11,10.34,P＜0.05) and 20 Gy IR (t =10.04,6.85,23.84,P＜0.05).Conclusions X-ray irradiation could activate HSC through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,which may further result in hepatic fibrosis.

Objective To evaluate the necessity and feasibility by using two different PCR-based techniques for prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia. Methods 509 specimens for prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia were detected respectively by single tube multiplex PCR(STMP),reverse dot blot(RDB)or probe melting curve assay(PMCA)for commonα-thalassemia orβ-thalassemia mutations in double-blind tests. Samples with different detection results were confirmed with DNA sequencing analysis. Prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia results were verified or followed up after birth. Results In detectingα-thalassemia andβ-thalassemia,there was one case in STMP + RDB and another case PMCA indicating differentiating results. The detection sensitivity of STMP + RDB was higher than that of PMCA,and its difference can be used as an indication for maternal blood contamination. Conclusion The two PCR methods with different principles were necessary and feasible for the prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia. The two methods were complementary to each other ,which can ensure the reliability of the prenatal diagnosis results and reduce the defects of single technique. It is worthy to be popularized in clinical application.

Suspension cultures cell of Sorbus aucuparia (SASC) was used as materials, the changes of physiological and biochemical indexes of SASC after treatment with yeast extract (YE) were detected, and the synthetic mechanism of secondary metabolites in SASC treated with YE was preliminarily explored. The results were as follows: under the assay conditions, SASC was induced to synthesize five biphenyl compounds, and these compounds content changed differently with induction time prolonging; YE treatment inhibited cell growth, the culture medium pH was gradually reduced after treatment; water-soluble protein content showed a trend of slow decline, which was significantly increased in YE treatment group (YE group) compared with the control group (CK group), the maximum relative content was 147.76% in contrast with CK group; both YE group and CK group were extracellular Ca2+ flow influx, but the YE group flow was significantly slow than CK group. The results indicate that YE induced the cells in a stress state, which was not conducive to the growth of cells and forced the cells to synthesize biphenyl compounds against external stress; water-soluble protein may serve as intracellular enzymes involved in the synthesis of compounds regulation; Ca2+ may as signal molecule mediate cell signal transduction respond to YE stress.
Cell Culture Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; chemistry ; Secondary Metabolism ; Sorbus ; growth & development ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and disease outcome of intravascular natural killer-cell lymphoma (IVNKL).

METHODSThe histologic features, immunohistochemical findings and results of in-situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER) were analyzed in 2 novel cases of IVNKL. Seven cases of IVNKL previously reported in the literature were reviewed.

RESULTSThe patients were a 68-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man. They both presented with erythematous patches and nodules on their trunk and extremities. Skin biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of IVNKL. The tumor cells were positive for CD3, CD56, granzyme B and EBER. Both patients died 2 months after the diagnosis. Amongst the 9 reported cases, including those from the literature, the male was 4 cases, the female was 5 cases. The mean age of the patients was 45.7 years and the median age was 47 years. Skin lesions represented the commonest clinical manifestations. Multiple organ involvement was found in 7 cases and central nervous system was involved in 3 cases. Six patients died during 2 to 17 months of follow-up. The median survival was 9 months and the one-year survival rate was (35.6±18.6)%. The clinical outcome of the patients with multiple organ involvement was worse than that with skin manifestations only. The difference however was not statistically significant (P=0.083).

CONCLUSIONSIVNKL is a rare disease. Diagnosis should be made according to typical histologic findings, immunophenotype and EBER in-situ hybridization results. The overall prognosis of IVNKL is poor. Early diagnosis and treatment before multiorgan involvement may be helpful in improving the clinical outcome.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; CD3 Complex ; metabolism ; CD56 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granzymes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; RNA, Viral ; metabolism ; Vascular Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the correlation between serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) X antigen/antibody (HBxAg-wild/HBxAb-wild,and HBxAg-mutant/HBxAb-mutant) and the disease progression in patients with chronic HBV infection.Methods A direct enzyme immunosorbent asssay (ELISA) was performed to detect HBxAb using recombinant antigen,and a double antibody sandwich ELISA assay to detect HBxAg using monoclonal antibody and specific rabbit polyclonal antibody.HBxAg-wild/HBxAb-wild and HBxAg-mutant/HBxAb-mutant were tested in sera from cases at different stages of chronic HBV infection.A chi-square test was employed to examine statistical significance.Results The positive rates of HBxAg-wild and HBxAg-mutant in the chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers,chronic hepatitis,hepatitis B-related cirrhosis and liver cancer were 6.2％ (2/32),10.7％ (3/28),28.6％ (6/21),43.6％ (17/39) and 3.1％ (1/32),10.7％ (3/28),33.3％ (7/21),48.7％ (19/39),respectively.The positive rates of HBxAb-wild and HBxAb-mutant in the above mentioned groups were 6.2％ (2/32),21.4％ (6/28),38.1％ (8/21),53.8％ (21/39)and 6.2％ (2/32),25.0％ (7/28),42.9％ (9/21),61.5％ (24/39) respectively.The positive rates of HBxAg-wild and HBxAg-mutant were not significantly different among the above groups (x2 =0.871,0.780,0.565 and 0.317,respectively; all P＞0.05) ; The positive rates of HBxAb-wild and HBxAb-mutant were also similar among all the groups (x2 =0.780,0.709,0.580 and 0.210,respectively; all P＞0.05).The positive rates of HBxAg-wild,HBxAb-wild,HBxAg-mutant,HBxAb-mutant in patients with low viral loads (HBV DNA＜1 × 104 copy/mL) were 36.5％ (23/63),44.4％ (28/63),42.9％ (27/63) and 54.0％ (34/63),respectively,those in patients with high viral loads (HBVDNA≥1×104 copy/mL) were 8.8％ (5/57),15.8％ (9/57),5.3％ (3/57) and 14.0％ (8/57),respectively.The positive rates of HBxAg and HBxAb were significantly higher in cases with low viral loads than those with high viral loads (x2 =12.869,11.522,22.556 and 20.976,respectively; all P＜0.05).The positive rates of HBxAg-wild,HBxAb-wild,HBxAg-mutant,HBxAb-mutant in the HBeAg positive group were 21.7％ (18/83),30.1％ (25/83),22.9％ (19/83) and 32.5％ (27/83),respectively,while those in the HBeAg negative group were 27.0％ (10/37),32.4％ (12/37),29.7％ (11/37) and 40.5％ (15/37),respectively.No significant difference of HBxAg/HBxAb positive rates between HBeAg positive group and HBeAg negative group was noticed (x2 =0.408,0.064,0.638 and 0.722,respectively; all P＞0.05).Conclusions The antigenicity and specificity of HBV X protein remains similar after the occurrence of A1762T/G1764A double mutant in X gene.It is also found that the positive rates of HBxAg and HBxAb increase with disease progression.HBxAg/HBxAb might be promoting factors for tumorigenesis in chronic HBV infection.HBxAg and HBxAb might have negative influence on HBV replication.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of 20( R)-ginsenoside Rg3 on the expressions of angiogenesis factors proteins (VEGF,bFGF, MMP-2) in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and HUVEC304 cell.

METHODThe cell lines of A549 and HUVEC304 were cultured with 20(R)- Rg3. The gray scale and positive rate of VEGF, bFGF, MMP-2 were detected by immunohistochemistry. The differential expressions of genes were studied by DNA microarray.

RESULTThe positive rate of VEGF protein in A549 cell decreased significantly as compared with the control group ( P = 0.03). The gray scales of VEGF, Flt, KDT proteins in both A549 cell lines and HUVEC 304 cell lines decreased ( P = 0.05). Gray scale of MMP-2 also decreased in A549 cell lines. The result of differential expressions of genes of A549 cell lines showed that 14 genes were down-regulated and 10 genes were up-regulated.

CONCLUSIONThe Chinese materia medica of 20( R)-Rg3 can inhibit the expression of angiogenesis factors proteins via several target genes in both tumour cell and vascular endothelial cell.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Ginsenosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Panax ; chemistry ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term results and safety of propranolol for the treatment of infantile parotid hemangioma.

METHODSOral propranolol was administered to 17 infants with parotid hemangioma at a dose of 1.0-1.5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The patients were revisited once a week. The changes of the tumor size, texture and colour were monitored and recorded at a regular interval. The adverse effects after medication were observed and managed accordingly. The short-term results were evaluated using a 4 scales system.

RESULTSAmong the 17 patients treated, the follow-up time was 5 to 10 months. The overall response was scale I in 0 patient, scale II in 0 patients, scale III in 5 patients, and scale IV in 12 patients. No serious adverse effects were encountered.

CONCLUSIONSOral propranolol at a lower dose is a safe and effective method for the treatment of infantile parotid hemangioma. The short-term results were excellent and the side effects minimal.

Administration, Oral ; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Parotid Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Propranolol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the role of fibrinogen molecule in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.

METHODSAn in vitro cell culture model was used. Methyl-(3)H Thymidine radiolabeled Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) ATCC 33277 were examined for their ability to adhere to and invade the confluent monolayers of human oral epithelial KB cells with or without exogenous human fibrinogens by scintillation spectrometry.

RESULTSThe addition of exogenous fibrinogens made more amount of and higher ratios of adhesive and invasive Pg, in contrast to the group without exogenous fibrinogen (P < 0.001). At different concentrations of exogenous fibrinogen, the amount and ratios of adhesive and invasive Pg varied significantly (P < or = 0.007). The higher concentrations of exogenous fibrinogen was added, the greater amount and ratios of adhesive and invasive Pg were found.

CONCLUSIONSFibrinogen promotes the adherence of Pg to human oral epithelial cells and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.

Bacterial Adhesion ; drug effects ; Fibrinogen ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; KB Cells ; Mouth Mucosa ; drug effects ; microbiology ; Periodontitis ; etiology ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; pathogenicity

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between morphological characteristics of growth cycle for Epimedium acuminatium and accumulation level of secondary metabolites.

METHODAfter making habitat clear, methods of morphology observation, specimen preparation, organism charting were applied to record morphological characteristics of E. acuminatium at different stages. HPLC was employed to detect icariin content of different parts of the plant at the stage of vegetative growth and sexual reproduction.

RESULTThe growth cycle of E. acuminatium was divided into vegetative growth stage and sexual and asexual reproduction coexistence stage. Seven to eight years were needed for the plants flowering and seeding of E. acuminatimcan in open land of forest edge, but within good nutrition conditions, growth cycle is shortened into three to four years. The difference of icariin content in two growth stages was not significant.

CONCLUSIONMorphological change of lower and foliar organ can be utilized to estimate growth age. But after applying sexual propagation for both root and stem of grown plants, it's been difficult to determine their growth year. If individual biomass or yield is economical, plants can be harvested in both vegetative growth and sexual reproduction stages.

Biomass ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Epimedium ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Reproduction ; Seedlings ; metabolism