The serum level of CXCL10 was determined in both patients with Graves' disease (GD) and normal control subjects.Serum CXCL10 levels in untreated and relapsed GD groups were higher compared with the remission group and control group( P＜0.01 ).A significant difference was observed between the former two GD groups (P＜0.01 ),but no difference was found between latter two groups( P＞0.05 ).Serum CXCL10 levels were positively correlated with FT3 and FT4,and negatively correlated with TSH by multiple linear regression analysis( P＜0.01 ).

Objective:To summarize our experience in 13 cases of intestinal autotransplantation (IATx) after resection of lesions involving the roots of mesenteric vessels.Methods:The clinical data of 13 patients undergoing IATx in Xijing hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The etiology, surgical procedure and complications were analyzed. The patients were followed up by telephone and regular evaluations.Results:All 13 cases of IATx were successfully completed. For 12 patients who were diagnosed with tumors involving the mesenteric roots, the tumors were removed for cure intent avoiding massive intestinal resection. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was carried out simultaneously in 11 cases. The postoperative complication rate was 85% (11/13). The autograft was resected in 1 patient on the 1st postoperative day due to necrosis from mesenteric thrombosis, leading to short bowel syndrome. One-year survival was 69% (9/13). Among 4 deaths, 1 patient died of liver metastasis, and another died of liver and lung metastases. Five patients were alive 2 years postoperatively.Conclusion:IATx while-technically challenging, avoiding short small bowel syndrome in properly selected patients after resection of lesions especially benign ones involving the roots of mesenteric vessels that were traditionally considered to be "unresectable".

Seventy-three patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into atheroselerosis(AS) group and non-AS group according to the intima-media thickness(IMT)of the carotid artery.The plasma visfatin level in AS group was higher than that in non-As group[(44.95±10.14 vs 34.52±9.08)μg/L,P<0.05],and both of them were higher than that of the control [(24.46±7.18)μg/L,both P<0.05 ].The visfatin level Was positively correlated with IMT,waist-to-hip ratio,visceral fat thickness,fasting insulin,and HOMA insulin resistance index.Age,duration of diabetes,HbA_(1C),and visfatin level were the major risk factors for IMT of the carotid artery.

This study is to investigate the effect and mechanism of puerarin on DNA damage of HaCaT cells induced by UVB. Puerarin pre-treated cells were irradiated with UVB at 30 mJ x cm(-2). Twenty four hours after irradiation, DNA damage was detected by comet assay, ceramide was measured by thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography, intracellular free calcium ion was analyzed by flow cytometry, the phosphorylation level of p38 protein was examined by Western blotting method. Levels of DNA damage, ceramide, free calcium ion and p-p38 protein were elevated in UVB model cells. Contrary to the model group, all indicators above were reduced in all groups pre-treated by puerarin. Puerarin restrains the ceramide accumulation to block downstream p38 MAPK pathway and calcium ion rising, therefore reduces DNA damage in HaCaT cells induced by UVB.
Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Ceramides ; metabolism ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Ultraviolet Rays ; adverse effects ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of different concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) on glucose metabolism and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) expression in rat Sertoli cells in vitro and investigate the mechanisms of BPA inducing male infertility.

METHODSUsing two-step enzyme digestion, we isolated Sertoli cells from male Wistar rats and constructed a primary Sertoli cell system, followed by immunohistochemical FasL staining. We randomly divided the Sertoli cells into a control group to be cultured in the serum-free minimal essential medium (MEM) plus dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and three experimental groups to be treated with 100 nmol/L, 10 μmol/L, and 1 mmol/L BPA, respectively, in the MEM plus DMSO. After 48 hours of treatment, we measured the proliferation of the cells by CCK-8 assay, determined the concentrations of metabolites by NMR spectroscopy, and detected the expression of LDH in the Sertoli cells by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThe purity of the isolated Sertoli cells was (96.05 ± 1.28)% (n = 10). Compared with the control group, the 100 nmol/L, 10 μmol/L, and 1 mmol/L BPA groups showed no remarkable changes in the proliferation of Sertoli cells ([98 ± 8]%, [96 ± 3]%, and [95 ± 3]%, P >0.05), but the 10 μmol/L and 1 mmol/L of BPA groups exhibited significantly decreased concentrations of intracellular glucose ([3.89 ± 0.07] vs [3.36 ± 0.24] and [3.04 ± 0.21] pmol/cell, P <0.05) and lactate ([0.43 ± 0.06] vs [0.29 ± 0.05] and [0.20 ± 0.03] pmol/cell, P <0.05). The expression of LDH mRNA was decreased with the increased concentration of BPA, while that of LDH protein reduced only in the 1 mmol/L BPA group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigh-concentration BPA decreases the expression of LDH and alters glucose metabolism in Sertoli cells, and therefore may reduce the provision of lactate for germ cells and impair spermatogenesis.

Animals ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; metabolism ; In Vitro Techniques ; Infertility, Male ; chemically induced ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Male ; Phenols ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of DDP-resistance in gastric cancer cell line SGC7901/DDP mediated by phosphate(p)-JNK.

METHODSThe p-JNK expression was blocked by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. The drug sensitivity was detected by MTT. Cell apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of p-JNK and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) was examined by Western blot. The expression of both proteins were detected in a tissue microarray containing 168 spots of cancer tissue and 27 spots of normal gastric tissue by SP immunohistochemistry. Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between p-JNK and P-gp.

RESULTSThe drug sensitivity and cell apoptosis rate significantly increased (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-JNK and P-glycoprotein were down-regulated after the inhibition of p-JNK by SP600125 in both SGC7901(p-JNK: 1.17+/-0.03 vs 0.38+/-0.071, P-gp: 0.21+/-0.01 vs 0.06+/-0.01) and SGC7901/DDP (p-JNK: 2.56+/-0.14 vs 1.02+/-0.12, P-gp: 0.77+/-0.05 vs 0.52+/-0.06 )cells(all P<0.01). The protein expression rates of p-JNK and P-glycoprotein were 45.8% and 51.8% respectively in gastric cancer tissue, which were significantly higher than those in normal gastric tissue 7.4% and 18.5% (P<0.01). The correlation of protein expression of p-JNK and P-gp was positive (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONJNK anti-apoptosis pathway with the regulation of P-gp expression plays an important role in the DDP-resistance of gastric cancer, which may be a novel target for reversing multidrug resistance.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the technical feasibility of QAMS to determine different structural types of ingredients in Zhizi Jinhua pill, a Chinese patent medicine.

METHODEmodin was chosen as the internal reference substance. The relative correction factors (RCF) of berberine, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, aloe-emodin, wogonin, rhein, chrysophanol and physcion to emodin were calculated with the peak areas determined at 254 nm. The ruggedness of these RCFs was validated. The contents of emodin in the samples of Zhizi Jinhua pill were determined by using the external standard method, and the contents of the other nine ingredients were calculated by their RCFs. The contents of these ten ingredients in all samples were also determined by the external standard method.

RESULTNo significant differences were observed between the quantitative results of the two methods. The obtained RCFs were credible.

CONCLUSIONThe established QAMS method can be used for quantitative determination of different structural types of multi-compounds in Zhizi Jinhua pill. It can provide reference for the quality control of Chinese patent medicine.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Dosage Forms ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Quality Control

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a nomogram for predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by integrating hematological biomarkers and clinicopathological characteristics. Materials and Methods: Between 2003 and 2017, 306 ESCC patients who underwent neoadjuvant CRT followed by esophagectomy were analyzed. Besides clinicopathological factors, hematological parameters before, during, and after CRT were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for pCR. A nomogram model was built and internally validated. Results: Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio, albumin, hemoglobin, white blood cell, neutrophil, and platelet count generally declined, whereas neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) increased significantly following neoadjuvant CRT. After surgery, 124 patients (40.5%) achieved a pCR. The pCR group demonstrated significantly more favorable survival than the non-pCR group. On multivariate analysis, significant factors associated with pCR included sex, chemotherapy regimen, post-CRT endoscopic finding, pre-CRT NLR, ALC nadir during CRT, and post-CRT PLR, which were incorporated into the prediction model. The nomogram indicated good accuracy in predicting pCR, with a C-index of 0.75 (95% confidence interval, 0.71 to 0.78). Conclusion Female, chemotherapy regimen of cisplatin/vinorelbine, negative post-CRT endoscopic finding, pre-CRT NLR (≤ 2.1), ALC nadir during CRT (> 0.35 ×109/L), and post-CRT PLR (≤ 83.0) were significantly associated with pCR in ESCC patients treated with neoadjuvant CRT. A nomogram incorporating hematological biomarkers to predict pCR was developed and internally validated, showing good predictive performance.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the outcomes of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with antiviral regimens of interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) using individualized doses and durations.

METHODSThis study was designed as an open-label, prospective clinical trial to analyze the virological responses of 169 CHC patients who received individualized dosages of IFNa-2b or pegylated (Peg)IFNa-2a combined with RBV based on their weight ( less than 60 kg or more than or equal to 60 kg), age (less than 65 years or 65-75 years), morbid state (liver cirrhosis or not), and complications (such as heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorder). Treatment duration was calculated using the time required to induce HCV RNA negativity. The rates of virological response and adverse effects among the different groups were compared.

RESULTSThe IFNa-2b treatment was given to 116 patients, and PegIFNa-2a was given to 53 patients. Compared to the IFNa-2b group, the PegIFNa-2a group showed significantly higher rates of complete early virological response (cEVR; 76.7% vs. 92.5%, P less than 0.05) and sustained virological response (SVR; 53.6% vs. 92.3%, P less than 0.05) among the patients who had completed their course of treatment; the rapid virological response (RVR) rate was also higher for the PegIFNa-2a group but the difference did not reach statistical significance (48.7% vs. 60.4%, P more than 0.05). Seventy-eight patients received the routine dose, and 91 patients received the low dose; there were no significant differences between these two groups for RVR (53.8% vs. 58.9%, P more than 0.05), cEVR (78.0% vs. 80.8%, P more than 0.05), or SVR (65.5% vs. 58.3%, P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUse of an individualized antiviral treatment strategy designed according to the patient's baseline condition, early viral kinetics, and tolerability to adverse reactions can achieve a high rate of SVR, as well as improve the safety, prognosis, and cost-effectiveness associated with treating CHC patients.

Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of hypoxia on the cell proliferation and expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) of human leukemia K562 cells.

METHODSThe leukemia cells were divided into 2 groups: hypoxia-treated group and conventional oxygen group as control. The K562 cells in hypoxia-treated group were treated with 50, 200, 400 and 800 µmol/L of CoCl, while the K562 cells in control group were cultured in conventional oxygen condition, then the K562 cells in 2 groups were colleted after treatment for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The morphological changes of cells were observed by the inverted phase-contrast microscopy, the proliferation-inhibitory rates of cells was detected by MTT method, the expression of HIF-1α at transcription level was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

RESULTSThe cell morphology was changed with increase of CoClconcentration and prolonging of treatment time of CoCl. The MTT assay showed that the inhibitory rate of cell proliferation was enhanced also with increase of CoClconcentration and prolonging of treatment time of CoCl(r=0.435, r=0.389, P<0.05). The real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR showed that the mRNA expression of HIF-1α in K562 cells of hypoxia group was up-regulated in concentration- and time- dependant manners. and displayed the positive correlation with concentration of CoCland treatment time (r=0.954, r=0895).

CONCLUSIONThe hypoxia can inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells and up-requlate the expression of HIF-1α in cells, but does not induce cell differentiation.