Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in CHOP regimen for un-treated elderly patients with advanced diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods:In a prospective phase II study, we analyzed the feasibility of PLD-modified CHOP regimen in elderly patients with advanced stages of DLBCL. PLD was administered at 30 mg/m2 in combination with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone at standard doses every 21 d for six cycles. CD20 positive patients were given option for rituximab treatment. Results:From November 2011 to March 2014, 30 patients with a median age of 70 years (range:63 to 80) were enrolled in this study. Up to 24 cases (80.0%) obtained an International Prognostic Index of≥3. The overall re-sponse rate was 86.7%, and the complete remission rate was 66.7%. With a median follow-up of 20.1 months, the 18-month overall and progression-free survival rates were 82.4%and 70.1%, respectively. The main toxicity was neutropenia, reaching grades 3 to 4 in the 24 cases (80.0%). No significant changes existed in patients' left ventricular ejection fraction and serum troponin-T during the study. Four patients (13.3%) showed asymptomatic abnormal changes in electrocardiogram after PLD infusion. Conclusion:CHOP regimen with PLD is an effective alternative for the treatment of DLBCL in elderly patients, exhibiting an acceptable toxicity.

Adult ; Aircraft ; Angiotensinogen ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Hot Temperature ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Neuropeptides ; blood ; Noise ; adverse effects ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Stress, Psychological ; blood ; etiology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of CO release inhibitor zinc protoporphyria IX (ZnPP IX) and NO release inhibitor L-NAME on the content of cGMP in the penile tissue of rats.

METHODSThirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control, a ZnPP IX, and an L-NAME group, given saline (1 ml/kg/d), ZnPP IX (45 micromol/kg/d) and L-NAME (50 mg/kg/d), respectively, for 7 days. Then all the rats were killed, homogenate made from their penile tissues and detected for the contents of NOS, NO, CO and cGMP.

RESULTSThe contents of CO, NOS, NO and cGMP were all reduced in both the ZnPP IX and L-NAME groups as compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONZnPP IX and L-NAME can reduce the concentrations of CO and NO in the penile tissues of rats, and consequently the content of cGMP.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Cyclic GMP ; metabolism ; Male ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Penis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Protoporphyrins ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective:Primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PGLBCL) is a highly common subtype of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We analyzed the disease's clinical features and prognosis to guide better treatment. Methods:We retrospectively collect-ed data from PGLBCL cases seen from January 1999 to March 2012 in one cancer center. We then analyzed the demographic character-istics, clinical stage, histological diagnosis, complications, treatment, and prognostic characteristics of such patients. Results:A total of 126 patients with median age of 49 years old (range:16-81 years) were included in the study. The male-to-female ratio was 68:58. A to-tal of 96 patients were pathologically diagnosed with pure diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 27 with mucosa-assouated lymphoid (MALT) component, and 3 with plasmacytoid differentiation. Meanwhile, 90%of the patients were in the early stage of the disease. For the early-stage patients, treatment strategy included surgery+chemotherapy ± radiotherapy for 38 cases, chemoradiotherapy for 39 cases, chemotherapy alone for 37 cases, and surgery alone for 1 case. Under a median follow up of 48 months, the 4-year progres-sion free survival (PFS) and overall ourvival (OS) rate of the whole group were 75.6%and 82.7%, respectively. PFS rates for early and advanced stage patients were 77%and 41.7%(P=0.005), respectively. For the early-stage patients treated with chemotherapy alone, chemoradiotherapy, and surgery with therapy, the PFS rates were 67.3%, 77.8%, and 77.8%(P=0.588), respectively. The patients with international prognostic index (IPI) score of 0, 1, and>1 achieved PFS of 85.4%, 74.4%, and 55.6%(P=0.011), respectively. The PFS rates were 81.2%and 66.1%(P=0.018) for stagesⅠandⅡ, respectively, and 86.6%and 63.3%(P=0.006) for the normal and elevated LDH levels, respectively. The pathological type of pure DLBCL or a MALT component, GCB or non-GCB origin, and age more than 60 years old were not associated with prognosis. Conclusion:The majority of the PGLBCL patients were in the early stage of disease, but the outcome of early-stage disease was favorable. Surgery did not improve outcomes. Univariate analysis demonstrated that IPI score>1, stageⅡdisease, and elevated LDH levels were associated with poor prognosis in the early-stage patient.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of retrovirus mediated heme oxygenase (HO)-1 gene on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) resistance cell apoptosis induced by nilotinib (AMN107).

METHODSHigh titer viral particles of pQCXIP-EGFP-HO-1 were prepared, and K562/A02 cells stably transfected with HO-1 gene was established. The expression of HO-1 in K562/A02 cells was detected by RT-PCR. After treated with AMN107 for 24 h, HO-1 mRNA and protein expression by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively; Cell proliferation by MTT assay; bcr-abl fusion gene by RQ-PCR, and the apoptosis and cell cycle by flow cytometry.

RESULTSRecombinant retrovirus vector was constructed successfully and K562/A02/HO-1 cells were successfully set up. The expression of HO-1 in K562/A02 cells was expressed clearly. After three groups cells treated with AMN107 for 24 h, the expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein was significantly higher in gene-transfected group than in either empty vector or no-transfected group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The cell proliferation ofs was inhibited, but the cell viability was significantly higher in gene-transfected group than in other two groups. The difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05); After treated with 10 µmol/L AMN107 for 24 h, the CT values of bcr-abl fusion gene were (18.15 ± 0.18) in K562/A02/HO-1 group, being significantly higher than that in K562/A02/LXSN (20.32 ± 0.20) and K562/A02 (20.51 ± 0.21) group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); the apoptosis rate were (17.26 ± 0.23)%, (39.47 ± 0.17)%, and (41.84 ± 0.09)%, respectively in three groups, and were (3.74 ± 0.03)%, (5.91 ± 0.08)% in K563/A02/HO-1 untreated with drug and K562/A02 untreated with drug group. The number of G(0)/G(1) phase and S phase cells markedly decreased. The cells were arrested in G(2)/M phase. But cell cycle in gene-transfected group did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONAMN107 inhibits proliferation of CML resistance cells and induces cell apoptosis. HO-1 gene can protect CML resistance cells to apoptosis. There was a relationship between HO-1 gene and the growth of CML resistance cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of X-rays on expression of caspase-3 and p53 protein in EL-4 cells and its implications in induction of apoptosis and polyploid cells.

METHODSMouse lymphoma cell line (EL-4 cells) was used. Fluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis were employed for measurement of protein expression, apoptosis, cell cycle, and polyploid cells.

RESULTSThe expression of caspase-3 protein increased significantly at 8 h and 12 h, compared with that of sham-irradiated control (P<0.05, respectively) and the expression of p53 protein increased significantly at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h, compared with that of sham-irradiated control (P<0.05-P<0.01) in EL-4 cells after 4.0 Gy X-irradiation. Apoptosis of EL-4 cells was increased significantly at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after 4.0 Gy exposure, compared with that of sham-irradiated control (P<0.05-P<0.001). G2 phase cells were increased significantly at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h (P<0.05-P<0.001). However, no marked change in the number of 8 C polyploid cells was found from 2 to 48 h after 4.0 Gy exposure.

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of caspase-3 and p53 protein in EL-4 cells are induced by X-rays, which might play an important role in the induction of apoptosis, and the molecular pathway for polyploid formation might be p53-independent.

Animals ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Caspases ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; X-Rays

In this paper, we studied the relationship between the prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha))-induced cardiac hypertrophy and calcineurin (CaN) signal transduction pathway in vivo and in vitro. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given a single i.p. injection with monocrotaline (MCT) (60 mg/kg) and then given orally with celecoxib (20 mg/kg) or vehicle once a day for 14 d before (from d 1 to d 14) or after (from d 15 to d 28) right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) was formed. Body weight (BW), right ventricular weight (RV), left ventricular with septum weight (LV), as well as lung weight were determined. RVH index (RVHI=RV/LV), RV/BW, and lung weight/BW were calculated and histological changes were observed with transmission electron microscope. PGF(2alpha) level, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and CaN mRNA expressions, expression of CaN and its downstream effectors, NFAT(3) and GATA(4) protein were assayed by EIA kit, RT-PCR, and Western blotting, respectively. The cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in primary culture induced by PGF(2alpha) (0.1 micromol/L) was evaluated by measuring the cell diameter, protein content, and ANP mRNA as well as CaN mRNA expressions. It was found that 14 d or 28 d after MCT was given, the RVHI, RV/BW, and lung weight/BW were significantly increased by 47%, 53% and 118%, and by 64%, 94% and 156%, respectively; at the same time PGF(2alpha) levels in RV tissue were increased by 44% and by 51% with increasing RVHI, and elevated expressions of ANP and CaN mRNA, as well as CaN, NFAT(3) and GATA(4) proteins in a positive correlation manner. Furthermore, some histological injuries were found in RV tissue. Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, obviously blunted the elevation of RVHI, RV/BW, and lung weight/BW no matter it was given before or after RVH. In vitro experiments showed that 0.1 micromol/L PGF(2alpha) significantly increased the cardiomyocyte diameter and protein content, and promoted ANP and CaN mRNA expressions, which was blocked by cyclosporin A, a CaN inhibitor. Our results indicate that PGF(2alpha) may be involved in cardiac hypertrophy induced by MCT in rats through CaN signal transduction pathway.
Animals ; Calcineurin ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dinoprost ; metabolism ; physiology ; Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Monocrotaline ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic association between the polymorphism of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) family genes and schizophrenia in the North Han Chinese.

METHODSMethod of polymerase chain reaction-based ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR) was applied to genotype 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cPLA2 family genes among 201 pedigrees consisting of fathers, mothers and affected offsprings with schizophrenia. Haplotype relative risk (HRR) test, transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), haplotype transmission analysis and multiple locus analysis were conducted to analyze the genotyping data.

RESULTSThe genotypic frequency of cPLA2 gene did not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both case and control groups. HRR and TDT showed that the 10 SNPs were not associated with schizophrenia (P > 0.05). Analysis for haplotype transmission showed that no haplotype systems was associated with schizophrenia (P > 0.05). Results from COA and COG tests showed a disease association for the rs2162886-rs1668589, rs891014-rs1668589 and rs2307279-rs7542180 combinations (chi2 = 6.913, P = 0.032; chi2 = 8.393, P = 0.015; chi2 = 8.447, P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONMany loci in the cPLA2 family genes were associated with schizophrenic.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Phospholipases A2, Cytosolic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship of aging with the changes of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO), cGMP and cAMP contents in the penile tissues of rats.

METHODSTwenty-four male rats were equally divided into an 8-month, a 16-month and a 24-month group, and their penile erection was detected by injecting apomorphine, their penile cavernous body harvested, and the contents of CO, cAPM and cGMP detected by improved dual wavelength spectrophotometry.

RESULTSThe contents of CO, cAPM and cGMP were reduced with the increase of age, with statistically significant differences between the three age groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAging significantly decreased the contents of CO, cAMP and cGMP in the penile tissues of the rats, which suggests that aging might play an important role in erectile dysfunction.

Aging ; physiology ; Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Cyclic GMP ; metabolism ; Male ; Penis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo explore bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) mediated gene directed enzyme prodrug targeting anti-tumor therapy (GDEPT).

METHODSCYP1A2 gene was cloned from human hepatocytes by RT-PCR, and the eukaryote expression vector was constructed and transferred into Raji cells and human BMSCs via liposome. The targeted anti-tumor effect of BMSC-CYP1A2 cooperated with dacarbazine (DTIC) was measured. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of CYP1A2. Migration assay was detected with Transwell Plates. MTT was used to evaluate the growth inhibitory effect. Cell apoptosis was determined with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining by flow cytometry(FCM).

RESULTSThe results of FCM and differentiation induction were in line with the characteristics of BMSC. The expression of CYP1A2 was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Growth inhibition of Raji-CYP1A2 cells was increased with DTIC concentration in a dose-dependent manner (IC(50) was 1.67 mmol/L). However, BMSC was less sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of DTIC (IC(50) of 9.26 mmol/L and 7.53 mmol/L for BMSC-pcDNA3.1 and BMSC-CYP1A2 cells, respectively) than Raji cells did (IC(50) of 5.62 mmol/L and 1.67 mmol/L for Raji-pcDNA3.1 and Raji-CYP1A2 cells, respectively). BMSC migrated toward Raji cells in Transwell plate. BMSC-CYP1A2 cells mediated a bystander killing effect for CYP1A2-negative Raji cells when they were co-cultured with BMSC-CYP1A2 cells.

CONCLUSIONDTIC can be catalyzed by CYP1A2 in vitro. BMSC-based enzyme prodrug system of CYP1A2 and DTIC can induce lymphoma cell apoptosis targetedly via bystander killing effect.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 ; genetics ; Dacarbazine ; pharmacology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; pathology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Transfection