PEG-modified magnetic Fe3O4 (Fe3O4-PEG) nanoparticles were sythesized using a solvothermal reaction and characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The photothermal effect and photothermal destruction of cancer cells were evaluated. Then the doxorubicin loaded Fe3O4-PEG (DOX-Fe3O4-PEG) nanoparticles were prepared. The cytotoxicity and combined chemotherapy/photothermal therapy (PTT) effect were investigated. Uniform PEG coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles with particle size of 155 nm were obtained in the experiment. The loading and release of doxorubicin on Fe3O4-PEG were pH-dependent. The drug loading capacity in water was 21%. The results of MTT indicated a good biocompatiblity of Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles and high cytotoxicity of DOX-Fe3O4-PEG. In combined therapy experiment, photothermal therapy demonstrated unambiguously enhanced chemotherapy efficacy. In conclusion, the obtained Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles which exhibit good photothermal effect and drug loading capacity can be used for chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. The synergetic anti-tumor activity indicates the potential for the combined application of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy in cancer treatment.
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; Ferrosoferric Oxide ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; MCF-7 Cells ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the effect of pulmonary function test on infants with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods Forty-eight patients were divided into two groups based on physical examination. Pulmonary function were measured in 48 patients. Age-matched healthy infants were enrolled as controls. The parameters included ratio of volume to PEF to total expiratory volume(VPTEF/VE,tPTEF/tE),inspiratory time/expiratory time(TI/tE),inspiratory time/total respiratory time(TI/Ttot),ratio of 50% of the tital inspiratory flow to tital volume(TIF_ 50 /V_T),mean inspiratory flow(V_T/TI),function capacity(FRCp),resistance effective(Reff).Results TI/Ttot,ratio of 50% of the tital expiratory flow to 50% of the tital inspiratory flow(TEF_ 50 /TIF_ 50 ),FRCp,Reff were significantly higher in patients compared with controls(P

Objective:To investigate whether radiotherapy should be delivered before the application of immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluate the effect of previous radiotherapy on the efficacy and pulmonary toxicity of PD-1 inhibitor.Methods:Clinical data of patients with stage Ⅳ NSCLC who received immunotherapy in Henan Cancer Hospital from March 2015 to September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The baseline data of patients, the status of radiotherapy and immunotherapy and the pulmonary toxicity were collected. According to whether radiotherapy was given before PD-1 inhibitor application, all patients were divided into the previous radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy groups. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan- Meier method. Results:A total of 90 patients were enrolled including 39 cases in the previous radiotherapy group and 51 cases in the non-radiotherapy group. The median follow-up time was 22.9 months. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) in the previous radiotherapy group was 7.5 months (95% CI 5.4-9.5 months), significantly longer compared with 4.1 months (95% CI 3.1-5.1 months) in the non-radiotherapy group ( P=0.003). The median overall survival (mOS) significantly differed between two groups[15.2 months (95% CI 12.3-18.1 months) vs. 9.3 months (95% CI 6.1-12.5 months)]( P=0.040). The incidence of pulmonary toxicity showed no significant difference between two groups ( P=0.154). Conclusions:Patients with stage Ⅳ NSCLC patients in the previous radiotherapy group obtain significantly better mPFS and mOS and similar pulmonary toxicity compared with their counterparts in the non-radiotherapy group. Nevertheless, the findings remain to be validated by subsequent investigations with larger sample size.

OBJECTIVETo study serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and their association with growth and development in infants aged 1-24 mouths.

METHODSA total of 525 healthy infants (125 preterm, 400 term) were enrolled. Serum IGF-1 levels were measured using ELISA 1.5, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 24 months after birth. The body weight and body length were simultaneously measured.

RESULTSSerum IGF-1 levels were the lowest in preterm infants 1.5 months after birth (86+/-60 ng/mL). Thereafter, serum IGF-1 levels increased, and were significantly higher than those in term infants between 4 and 12 months after birth. Serum IGF-1 levels in term infants were the highest (116+/-52 ng/mL) 1.5 months after birth during their life of 12 months old. Thereafter, serum IGF-1 levels decreased and reached to a nadir (69+/-58 ng/mL) 8 months after birth. IGF-I levels were positively correlated with the weight and the height (SDS) in both preterm and term infants.

CONCLUSIONSSerum IGF-1 levels are closely associated with growth and development in infants.

Body Height ; Body Weight ; Child Development ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; analysis ; Male

Objective:To evaluate the value and identify the prognosic factors of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in completely resected stage Ⅲ(pN 2) lung adenocarcinoma patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild-type who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods:Clinical data of 172 patients with stage Ⅲ(pN 2) EGFR wild-type lung adenocarcinoma who underwent radical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy from 2009 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy combining two drugs for>4 cycles, and divided into the PORT group and the non-PORT group. The survival rate was calculated by Kaplan- Meier method and log-rank test, and multivariate prognostic analysis was performed by Cox’s regression model. Results:Among 172 patients, the median overall survival (OS), 3-year and 5-year OS rates were 40 months, 55.9% and 28.3%, respectively. The median disease-free survival (DFS), 3-year and 5-year DFS rates were 17 months, 24.5% and 13.0%, respectively. DFS was significantly improved in the PORT group (29 months vs. 13 months, P=0.001), whereas OS did not significantly differ between two groups (51 months vs. 38 months, P=0.151). In subgroup analysis, DFS of patients with multistation N 2 or the number of N 2 metastases of&ge;3 or skip N 2 in the PORT group was significantly longer ( P<0.05), whereas PORT exerted no significant effect on OS ( P>0.05). Conclusions:For patients with completely resected stage Ⅲ(N 2) EGFR wild-type lung adenocarcinoma receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, PORT might increase DFS and have a trend toward longer OS. However, these findings remain to be validated by large sample size investigations.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of carbon monoxide (CO) on hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis (AR) through intervention treatment.

METHODSAR model in guinea pigs was established by using ovalbumin. The animals were divided into three groups. Group one was sensitized continuously by ovalbumin, group two was treated with Hemin as induction group, and group three was treated with zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) as suppression group. The guinea pigs treated with saline were used as control. The behavior science scores, eotaxin concentration of nasal lavage, IgE in blood serum were recorded, and the plasma concentrations of CO and H2S were determined, then the expression of hemeoxygenase (HO)-1, cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) were measured in nasal mucosa by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe behavior science scores, concentration of eotaxin in nasal lavage, IgE in blood serum and concentration of CO in plasma of sensitized group were higher than those of control (P<0.01), and the expression of HO-1 in nasal mucosa was also higher than control [(7.61+/-2.80)x10(-3) vs (2.32+/-1.14)x10(-3), P<0.05]. All these items were higher when treated with Hemin and lower when treated with ZnPP (P<0.05). The concentration of H2S in plasma was lower than control with significant differences [(14.80+/-1.60) micromol/L vs (18.90+/-1.00) micromol/L, P<0.01], the expression of CSE was also lower than control (P<0.05), and both of them were lower with Hemin induced and higher with ZnPP (P<0.05). The expression of CBS was very low and had no significant differences between groups (P>0.05), so it indicated that the CSE was the key enzyme for endogenous H2S product in nasal mucosa. Moreover the concentration of H2S was negatively correlated with CO (r=-0.702, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSEndogenous CO and H2S play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AR, and HO-1 and CSE are the main speed-relate enzymes respectively. The H2S is also influenced by CO.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Guinea Pigs ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; blood ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; blood ; immunology

A number of mechanical cell stimulators have been used to study the effect of mechanical stimulation on cells in vitro. But the efficiency of these devices is not fully desirable. We recently developed a new device for mechanical cell stimulation, the centrifugal force stretcher, and compared its efficacy with that of the traditional Flexercell Strain Unit. When the mechanical stretcher circumrotates with certain speed, cardiac myocytes attached on the plate are stretched and elongated by centrifugal force. Neonatal rat cardiac myocytes were isolated by enzymatic dissociation from the hearts of 3~5 d old Sprague Dawley rats, and were mechanically stimulated by traditional 20% stretch and 180 r/min centrifugal force for 12 and 24 h. The effects of mechanical stimulation on the hypertrophic response of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes and production of angiotensin II (Ang II) were examined. Compared with the non-stretch group, the radioactivity of (3)H-leucine incorporated into the stretch-stimulated cardiac myocytes in the centrifugal force stretch group was significantly higher [(1295.17+/-51.19) vs (1122.67+/-51.63) in 12 h; (1447.5+/-35.96) vs (1210.67+/-90.92) in 24 h, P<0.05]. Ang II was also dramatically increased by 128% in 12 h (P<0.05) and 139% in 24 h (P<0.01). After the myocytes was stretched for 24 h, the LDH level in the medium in the Flexercell Strain Unit group was significantly higher than that in the centrifugal force group [(14.5+/-8.7) U/L vs (7.8+/-4.3) U/L, P<0.05]. The centrifugal force stretcher is a new and improved mechanical cell stimulator with the same effects on the protein synthesis and Ang II secretion of the cardiac myocytes, and the damage to the cells bronght by this stimulator is relatively slighter in comparison with the Flexercell Strain Unit.
Angiotensin II ; secretion ; Animals ; Cell Biology ; instrumentation ; Cells, Cultured ; Centrifugation ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Protein Biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tensile Strength

OBJECTIVETo investigate the brain oxidative stress injury induced by nano-alumina particles in ICR mice.

METHODSSixty male ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group, solvent control group, 100 mg/kg micro-alumina particles group, 3 groups exposed to nano-alumina particles at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. The mice were exposed by nasal drip for 30 days. Then levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in brain tissues of mice were detected.

RESULTSThere was no difference of SOD activity in mouse brain between control group [(17.32 +/- 6.23)U/gHb] and 50 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group [(17.89 +/- 1.82) U/gHb]. The SOD activity [(4.93 +/- 2.30)U/gHb] in 200 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). The MDA levels in 3 nano-alumina particles groups were (0.76 +/- 0.13), (1.00 +/- 0.30) and (1.16 +/- 0.39)nmol/ml, respectively, which were significantly higher than that [( 0.24 +/- 0.09)nmol/ml] in control group (P < 0.05). The GSH levels in 3 nano-alumina particles groups were (0.72 +/- 0.08), (0.55 +/- 0.19) and (0.61 +/- 0.20)mg/gpro, respectively, which were significantly lower than that [(1.55 +/- 0.34)mg/gpro]] in control group (P < 0.05). The CAT activity in 50 and 100 mg/kg nano-alumina particles groups were (10.40 +/- 3.84) and (10.40 +/- 2.00)U/mgpro, respectively, which were significantly higher than that [(5.79 +/- 0.96) U/mgpro] in control group (P < 0.05). The CAT activity [(3.25 +/- 1.04)U/mgpro] in 200 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05 ).

CONCLUSIONNano-alumina particles can induce the oxidative stress damage in brain tissues of mice.

Aluminum Oxide ; toxicity ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nanoparticles ; toxicity ; Oxidative Stress ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of carbon monoxide (CO) on expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODSTwenty four guinea pigs were divided randomly into four study groups with 6 guinea pigs in each. The guinea pigs in the first group were treated with saline only (Group 1, the healthy controls). The remaing guinea pigs were sensitized by ovalbumin and thus establishing the AR models. After sensitization, the animals in the second group remained untreated (Group 2, AR control group). The third group was treated with Hemin as the induction group, and the fourth group was treated with Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) as the suppression group. The plasma concentration of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) was measured, which represents the concentration of CO. The expression levels of Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NOS mRNAs in nasal mucosa were determined by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSAR models were established successfully in all study guinea pigs. The concentrations of COHb (x(-) +/- s) in plasma of the second group (2.27% +/- 1.13%) were significantly (q = 4.10, P < 0.01) higher than those of healthy controls (1.08% +/- 0.24%). The plasma concentration of COHb in the third group (3.17% +/- 0.68%) were also significantly higher (q = 3.12, P < 0.05) than those in the second group. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in nasal mucosa of the second group [(7.80 +/- 1.60) x 10(-3) and (5.81 +/- 0.05) x 10(-3), respectively] were also significantly (q equals 5.52 and 7.21, respectively, P < 0.01) higher than those of controls [(1.96 +/- 0.71) x 10(-3) and (0.97 +/- 0.05) x 10(-3), respectively]. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in the nasal mucosa of the third group [(11.89 +/- 4.78) x 10(-3) and (7.42 +/- 0.70) x 10(-3), respectively] were significantly (q equals 3.86 and 2.22, P < 0.05) higher than those of the second group. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in nasal mucosa of the fourth group [(3.82 +/- 0.98) x 10(-3) and (2.34 +/- 0.04) x 10(-3), respectively] were significantly (q equals 3.76 and 5.18, P < 0.05) lower than those in the second group.

CONCLUSIONSEndogenous carbon monoxide influenced the expression levels of iNOS in nasal mocusa in guinea pigs with AR.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; blood ; Guinea Pigs ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; RNA, Messenger ; Rhinitis, Allergic

To investigate the influence of As2O3, dexamethasone (Dex) and thalidomide (Thal) on apoptosis-induced myeloma cell line U266 cytoplasmic calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i), U266 cells were incubated in the culture of RPMI 1640 with 15% FBS in 24-well plate and exposed to different concentrations of As2O3, Dex and Thal for 8 hours, respectively, then cell apoptosis was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry (FCM) with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, and cytoplasmic free calcium were detected on FCM through Fluo-3/AM loading. The results indicated that (1) apoptotic cells were gradually increased with enhancement of As2O3, Dex and Thal concentrations; (2) apoptotic cell rates increased from 0.56% in control to 31.54%, 28.35% and 21.97% respectively after treatment with As2O3, Dex and Thal; (3) As2O3, Dex induced U266 cell apoptosis accompanied with raise of [Ca2+]i; (4) [Ca2+]i had no statistically significant changes in Thal-induced apoptotic U266 cells. It is concluded that the raise of [Ca2+]i is one of the mechanisms for As2O3 and Dex-induced U266 cells apoptosis, whereas Thal-induced U266 apoptosis has no significant relation to [Ca2+]i changes.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; pathology ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Thalidomide ; pharmacology