Objective To observe the morphology, cell viability and secretion function of catecholamine of the alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) microencapsulated bovine chromaffin cells (BCCs) before and after cryopreserving with liquid nitrogen. Methods The APA microencapsulated BCCs were cryopreserved with dimethyl sulfoxide as cryopreservative agent by slow cooling and rapid rewarming for revivification. The change of cell function was observed by detecting the cell viability and secretion of catecholamine. Results As compared with the precryopreseving cells, the morphology and cell viability of the resuscitated APA microencapsulated BCCs showed no significant change. The catecholamine secretion volume of BCCs remained 80% of that by the precryopreserving cells. Conclusion It demonstrates that the resuscitated cryopreserved APA microencapsulated BCCs still remained good morphology, cell viability and secretion function of catecholamine.

Objective: To clarify Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Senticosi decoction (DAS) via Chitosan Flocculation. Methods: The operating conditions were optimized and the results were compared with that of ethanol subsiding. Economic budget was carried out. Results: The optimized conditions were: 28.6mL/L Chitosan flocculating agent was added at 30 ?C and pH 5.36. Conclusion: Chitosan coagulating method was economic and efficient on the clarification of DAS and can replace ethanol subsiding method.

Objective:To evaluate the role of miR-124 in breast cancer and its underlying mechanism. Methods:Quantitative re-verse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to quantify the expression level of miR-124 in the breast can-cer cell lines and matched tissues of 52 patients. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration of MDA-MB-231 and T-47D were deter-mined by miR-124 overexpression in vitro. Luciferase vectors (pMIR-SP1 3'UTR) were also constructed. The predicted target gene of miR-124 was identified via luciferase activation assay. The mRNA and protein expression of SP1 was detected via qRT-PCR and West-ern blot, respectively. Results:MiR-124 was decreased in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. This result is correlated with metastatic capacity, TMN stages, and prognosis in breast cancer tissues. In breast cancer cell lines, ectopic overexpression of miR-124 inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in vitro. MiR-124 mimics significantly inhibited luciferase activation (P<0.05) in HEK293 cells and could significantly decrease the mRNA (P<0.05) and protein expression levels of SP1 in MDA-MB-231 and T-47D cells. Con-clusion:MiR-124 could be inhibited in breast cancer. The low miR-124 expression is associated with poor prognosis. In addition, miR-124 could inhibit cell proliferation, invasion, and migration by targeting SP1. These findings confirm that miR-124 downregulation may be a key mechanism for breast cancer carcinogenesis.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and value of mediastinoscopy in the diagnosis of superior vena cava obstruction syndrome (SVCOS). Methods 12 patients with SVCOS underwent mediastinoscopy. This group consists of 9 males and 3 females aged 16 to 71 years. 7 cervical mediastinoscopies and 5 parasternal mediastinoscopies were performed. Results In eleven patients, definite pathological diagnosis was obtained, included: primary lung cancer in 8, lymphoma in 3 and invasive thymoma in 1. There were no operative morbidity and mortality. Only in 1 patient with lymphoma the symptom got worse after cervical mediastinoscopy and soon released by chemotherapy. Conclusion Mediastinoscopy is an effective method in the diagnosis of SVCOS.It can be considered as a routine procedure if other methods failed.

Objective:To research and compare the therapeutic effect of oxycodone hydrochloride controlled—release tablets and morphine sulfate controlled—release tablets on the visceral cancer pain.Methods:Total of 72 patients with visceral cancer pain were randomly assigned into two groups:OO group was treaded by oxycodone hydrochloride controlled—release tablets,MO Group was given morphine sulfate controlled—release tablets.According to the principle of NCCN(2008),the two groups were titrated by morphine,and then diverted to controlled-release agent.The visual analogue scale(VAS)was kept smaller than 4.The side effects of two groups'and the rescue analgesic doses were recorded after the application of the controlled-release agent for 15 days,and the cost-effectiveness was analysed.Results:The rescue analgesic doses of the OO group were smaller than that of the MO group (P0.05).Conclusion:The two drugs have notable analgesic effect in the visceral cancer pain.Considered gastrointestinal tract side effects and the rescue analgesic dose,Oxycodone hydrochloride controlled—release tablets surpass the Morphine sulfate controlled-release tablets.Oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release tablets may be a potential regimen for visceral cancer pain.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the interventional treatment for portal vein stenosis in patients who had undergone liver transplantation.MethodsFromApr.2004 to Oct.2011,30 patients with portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation were referred for angiographic analysis and interventional treatment. All patients had typical clinical signs and symptoms or surveillance by imaging.After percutaneous transhepatic portography and balloon angioplasty,stents were deployed.Embolization was performed on patients with varices or portal vein flow changes.The therapeutic results were monitored by the follow-up on clinical symptoms,laboratory tests and imaging examinations.ResultsAngiography was performed successfully on all patients.Twenty-four patients received balloon dilation and 26 stents were deployed subsequently.The guide-wire cannot pass through the lesion of portal trunk in 1patient.Four patients received balloon angioplasty only.The technical success rate was 96.7％ (29/30).Stainless steel coils were applied in 7 patients for varices embolization.The complication related to interventional treatment was bleeding in thoracic cavity which happened in 2 patients.Portal vein patency was maintained in all the patients who received interventional treatment for 1-72 months (mean 21.5 months).No re-stenosis was identified.ConclusionInterventional therapy is an effective method for the treatment of portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation and excellent patency can be achieved by this method.

In order to explore whether gene CHFR was inactivated by methylation in leukemia cells, the expression of CHFR was examined before and after treatment with demethylation agent in Molt-4, Jurkat and U937 leukemia cell lines by means of RT-PCR. The methylation of promoter in Molt-4, Jurkat and U937 cells as well as 41 acute leukemia patients was analyzed by MS-PCR. The results showed that methylation of CHFR promoter was inactivated and could be reversed by treatment with a demethylating agent in Molt-4, Jurkat and U937. CHFR promoter methylation was detected in 39% of acute leukemia patients. There was no difference in incidence of CHFR promoter methylation between acute myelocytic leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia. In conclusion, CHFR is frequently inactivated in acute leukemia and is a good candidate for the leukemia supper gene. By affecting mitotic checkpoint function, CHFR inactivation likely plays a key role in tumorigenesis in acute leukemia. Moreover, the methylation of gene CHFR appears to be a good index with which to predict the sensitivity of acute leukemia to microtubule inhibitors.
Cell Cycle Proteins/*genetics ; DNA Methylation ; DNA, Neoplasm ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/*genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins/*genetics ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/*genetics ; Promoter Regions (Genetics)/*genetics ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis secondary to ischemia and hypoxia is the main cause of spinal cord dysfunction. Because of the decrease in atmospheric pressure, patients living on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are in a hypoxic environment, which is very unfavorable for the recovery of spinal cord injury. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve the postoperative function of patients with incomplete spinal cord injury, and its effect is better on the plateau than at normal altitudes.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on traumatic spinal cord injury in patients living on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.METHODS: This prospective, open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial was performed at the Department of Spine Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, China. In total, 164 patients with incomplete traumatic spinal cord injury were equally and randomly assigned to a control group and a hyperbaric oxygen therapy group. Patients in the control group were treated with pedicle screw fixation and decompressive laminectomy. In addition to the surgical treatment performed in the control group, patients in the hyperbaric oxygen group underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 0.2 MPa once a day for four treatment courses. Ten treatment sessions constituted one course, and each course was separated by a 5- to 7-day rest interval. The primary outcome was the modified Barthel index to assess activities of daily living. The secondary outcomes were the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale grade, sensory score, and motor score. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, China (Approval number: QHC011K). Written informed consent was provided by a relative or legal representative of each patient after they had indicated that they fully understood the treatment plan. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The partial results demonstrated that after four treatment courses (55-61 days), the modified Barthel index and ASIA tactile, pain, and motor scores were higher in the hyperbaric oxygen group than in the control group. The ASIA grades were significantly different between the hyperbaric oxygen group and control group. The proportion of patients with ASIA grades D and E was higher in the hyperbaric oxygen group than in the control group. In this trial, we aim to determine the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the treatment of incomplete traumatic spinal cord injury in patients living on the plateau and to provide clinical evidence for treating incomplete traumatic spinal cord injury in these patients.