Objective To Observe the effects of combination regimen of gemcitabine and cisplatin in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods 30 patients with advanced NSCLC were treated with GP(GEMZAR 1000mg/m2 d1,8;CDDP 25mg/m2 d1～3 ).The course was repeated every 3 weeks for at least 2 cycles.Results The overall response rate was 36.7%(11/30),whereas 13 patients had stable disease and 6 patients showed progressive disease.The response rate was 46% in untreated patients and 29% was obtained in treated ones.Significant difference was observed between the two groups (P

To observe the effect of Astragali Radix polysaccharides (APS) on the learning and memory functions of aged rats, in order to explore its mechanism for improving the learning and memory functions. Natural aging female SD rats were selected in the animal model and randomly divided into the control group, the APS low-dose group (50 mg x kg(-1)), the APS high-dose group (150 mg x kg(-1)) and the piracetam-treated group (560 mg x kg(-1)). They were orally administered with the corresponding drugs for consecutively 60 days. Besides, a young control group was set. The learning and memory functions of the rats were tested by the open-field test and the Morris water maze task. The Western-blot method was used to observe the levels of relevant neural plasticity protein N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA receptor) in hippocampus, calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), protein kinase (PKA), the phosphorylation level of CAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and the protein expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). In this study, the authors found that the learning and memory functions and the hippocampus neural plasticity protein expression of the aged rat group were much lower than that of the young control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the aged rat group, the APS group showed the significant improvement in the impaired learning and memory functions of aged rats and the up-regulation in the hippocampus neural plasticity protein expression. The results showed that APS may improve the learning and memory functions of aged rats by increasing the expressions of relevant neural plasticity proteins.
Aging ; drug effects ; metabolism ; psychology ; Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism

Tumor cells leads to enhanced glucose uptake and the conversion of a larger fraction of pyruvate into lactate even under the circumstance of abundant oxygen. This phenomenon of aerobic glycolysis is known as the Warburg effect. Lactic acid, as an important tool for tumor cells to modify the tumor microenvironment, promotes the process of tumor invasion and metastasis, and contributes to tumor development by inducing and recruiting immunosuppression-related cells and molecules. Lactic acid could efflux out of the cancer cells via the monocarboxylate transporters to prevent intracellular acidification. Lactate can inhibit the cytolytic activity of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, promoting the differentiation of tolerogenic interleukin 10 (IL-10)-producing dendritic cells. Moreover, the lactate-derived lactylation of histone lysine residues can promote macrophage polarization toward the M2-like phenotype, suppressing the immune response within the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the role of lactate as an immunosuppressor molecule that contributes to tumor evasion from the aspects of lactic acid metabolism and its effect on immune cells. And we explore the possibility of targeting potential targets in lactate metabolism for tumor treatment. At last, we proposed a tumor immunotherapy strategy by inhibiting the pathway of aerobic glycolysis and proteins associated with the production and transport of lactic acid.

As an essential amino acid, tryptophan (Trp) has various physiological functions and is of great significance in the metabolic process of tumors. In the human body, tryptophan is mainly transformed through kynurenine metabolic pathway, which not only promotes the inherent malignant properties of tumor cells, but also leads to immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Changes in tryptophan metabolism often occur in tumors, accompanied by abnormal gene expression of tryptophan-related enzymes, among which indoleamine 2,3-bioxygenase (IDO)-related gene expression and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO)-related gene changes are the most significant. A large number of clinical trials on IDO inhibitors, TDO inhibitors and combination therapy have been carried out. This paper reviewed the tryptophan metabolic pathway, regulation of IDO (TDO), kynurenine (KYN) and other related genes in tumor cells, and outlined the development of therapeutic schedule targeting tryptophan-related genes. The new progress provides new ideas for the further exploration of tumor treatment options.

italic>γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a crucial inhibitory neurotransmitter found in various cells in the human body. While the GABAergic system is typically associated with the nervous system, recent research has revealed that immune cells and tumor cells also express components of this system. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), GABA is secreted to act extracellularly on other cells. GABA is metabolized via the GABA shunt and is involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle by generating succinate, which can provide energy for tumor cells. Activation of GABA receptors (GABARs) is a major pathway through which GABA participates in the regulation of antitumor immune responses. The activation of GABA type A receptors (GABA_ARs) can inhibit the activation and proliferation of T cells, elicit anti-inflammatory macrophages, and promote tumor cell growth and migration, while activation of GABA type B receptors (GABA_BRs) is generally considered to inhibit cancer cell migration and induce cancer cell apoptosis. In general, receptor activation inhibits immune cells, but the effect on tumor cells varies. Additionally, the downregulation of the expression levels of GABA transporters (GATs) is involved in tumor progression. Although antagonists of GABA metabolism and drugs that act on GABA receptors are considered therapeutic drugs for tumors, there have been few clinical studies conducted on them.

The numerous noxious reactions caused by misusing medicinal plant ingredients have been widely concerned at home and abroad. The problems of safe drug use needed to be solved. DNA barcode is a powerful molecular identification method, which can cover the shortage of tradditional morphological and chemical identification. In recent years, DNA barcode provided new aspects for the identification of Chinese herbal medicines and have obtained outstanding achievement. Several popular DNA regions ( ITS, ITS2, ps-bA-trnH, rbcL and matK) have been used for the identification of Chinese herbs.

In order to study the spectral reflectance differences of Glycyrrhizae Radix under different growth conditions and lay the foundation for quantitative monitoring of Glycyrrhizae Radix remote sensing images, spectra of Glycyrrhiza species under different growth period and different varieties and different regions were measured by a portable spectrometer. The results showed that the reflectivity of annual G. uralensis was obviously higher than that of the two years plant in the visible light band own to the contents of crown layer chlorophyll. The reflectivity of two years G. pallidiflora was higher than that of G. uralensis in the near infrared band own to the leaf area index and the content of leaf water. The red edge spectrum of annual plant fluctuated largely than that of two years plant due to vegetation coverage and leaf area index. G. pallidiflora grew well than G. uralensis. Under different regions of the Glycyrrhiza species, spectral data analysis showed that within a certain range, the average annual precipitation and average annual evaporation were the major factors to affect the differences of Glycyrrhiza species spectral data under different regions owe to the leaf water content, the higher leaf water content, the lower spectral reflectance. The principal component analysis and continuum-removed method of the spectral data under different regions found that, within a certain range, the average annual precipitation and average annual evaporation were the major factors caused by the differences of Glycyrrhiza species spectral data under the different regions, Glycyrrhiza species spectral similarity related to the spatial distance.
Geography ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis ; Spectrum Analysis

Objective To observe the outcomes of intranasal endoscopic holmium laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy in the treatment of chronic dacryocystitis. Methods Forty-seven patients(47 eyes) with chronic dacryocystitis underwent intranasal endoscopic holmium laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy.The postoperative follow-up included lacrimal irrigation and intranasal endoscopic examination. Results The patients were followed up for 3 to 6 months.The cure rate was 87.2%,the improvement rate was 6.4%,and the total effective rate(cure rate+improvement rate) was 93.6%.Conclusion Intranasal endoscopic holmium laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy causes no scar in the face,less nasal tissue damage,shorter operation time and less hemorrhage,and does not affect the lacrimal irrigation system,which allows correction of intranasal causes of failure in traditional dacryocystorhinostomy.

Objective To obtain acquired immunity evidence in hamsters elicited by third stage hookworm larvae of Necator americanas(NaL3).morphology changes of NaL3 and inflammatory responses in the skin and undedying subcutaneous tissue and muscles of hamsters were observed.Methods Hamsters were immunized subcutaneously with one dose of 150 NaL3 at 2 weeks earlier,and then challenged pereutaneously with 900 NaL3.Skins were excised from post-challenge hamsters at 6,24,72 hours and 1,2 weeks,and then examined under light microscopy.Non-immunized hamsters served as negative controls.Results In non-immunized hamsters the number of NaL3 were 15,33,11.0 and 0 at 6,24,72 hours and 1,2 weeks post-infection.No damaged or dead NaL3 section was observed.All NaL3 exhibited no structural damage and infihrating inflammatory cells were absent from the sunDunding tissues.There were no cutaneous changes.In contrast.the total number of Nak sections in the skin of immunized hamsters were 25,53,15,5 and 4 at 6,24,72 hours and 1,2 weeks post-challenge.Among these NaL3 sections,damaged and dead section number were 0,24,6,0,0 and 0,0,7,5,4.At 24 hours post-challenge the Nak exhibited cutieular swelling and damage.By 72 hours post-challenge pyknosis of the somatic cells nuclei and sparseness or loss of definition in the internal structures of NaL3 were seen.One or two weeks after chanenge,the NaL3 showed severe damage or even dead with remnants.Inflammatory responses including macrophages,epithelioid cells and eosinophils infiltrating and granulomata forming were mainly seen around the NaL3 sections in the skin of immunized hamsters.Conclusions Hamsters initially immunized with NaL3 exhibited obvious acquired immunity protection against percutaneously challenged infection as evidenced by vigorous inflammatory responses in the skin and underlying subcutaneous tissue and muscle.

Background Light-induced retinal damage models vary as many influence factors,herein the modeling method is difficult to copy.It is necessary to establish the grading standardization of retinal damage after retinal light exposure.Objective This study was to improve the modeling method and establish a grading standardization for light-induced retinal damage in rat.Methods Twenty-four SPF 8-10 week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and 6 eyes for each group.The rats were exposed to light intense of 5000 lx for 1,2,3 hours respectively in 3 groups,and other 6 rats served as the normal group.Full-field light exposure experiment was performed for each individual rat separately,and an annular illumination box was used tO ensure the experimental rat moving in a single direction and exposing the right eye in 5000 lx light surrounding during experimental duration.Ganzfeid electroretinogram(ERG)was recorded from the experimental rats at the fifth day after light exposure,and the animals were then sacrificed for histopathology observation to evaluate the retinal thickness change.All procedures which involved animals adhered to the ARVO Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research.Results After exposing to intensity light for 1,2,3 hours,the b-wave amplitudes of rod response,maximal mixed response,oscillatory potential in scotopic ERG as well as cone response,20 Hz flicker response of photopic ERG were significant declined as lapse of light exposure time(F=71.690,P=0.000；F=56.250,P=0.000；F=23.610,P=0.000：F=27.130,P=0.000；F=27.030,P=0.000)and lowed by 26.2％,52.5％,70.7％,24.4％,39.3％,58.1％respectively at the end of experiment.Meanwhile,the b-wave latencies of rod response,maximal mixed response in scotopic ERG as well as cone response of photopic ERG were evidently different among different groups (F=1.370,P=0.282；F：0.800,P=0.508；F=11.840,P=0.000；F=2.080,P=0.136).Light induced retinal damage located mainly at the temporal retina area.After intensity light exposure for 1,2,3 hours,the thickness of outer nuclear layer at the superior temporal retina attenuated by 11.3％,25.6％and 72.5％,respectively(P<0.05).A significant difference was seen in mean thickness of outer nuclear layer at superior temporal retina among different groups(F=410.27,P=0.000). Conclusion A standardized grading method for light-induced retinal damage is recommended.The continuous illumination in a intensity of 5000 Ix for 1,2,3 hours can induce the mild,moderate or severe retinal damage respectively at temporal retina.