Background and purpose:Micro-environmental hypoxia is a common phenomenon in most human solid tumors,and this investigation is done to observe the expression of HIF-1? and chemo-resistance-associated genes in human colon cancer cell line under hypoxic micro-environment in vitro,and study the influence of micro-environmental hypoxia on chemo-resistance and the possible mechanisms in human colon cancer.Methods:Human colon cancer cell line SW620 was cultured under hypoxia for 12,24,48 hr,with normoxia as control.Then the expression of HIF-1? and chemo-resistance-associated genes mdr1/P-Gp、LRP were investigated by RT-PCR and western-blot.Results:With prolongation of the hypoxic time,the mRNA expressions of HIF-1? and LRP remained at the same level,but the mRNA expressions of mdr1 showed a time-dependent increase(P

Objective To evaluate the role of heparanase in endotoxemia-induced destruction of vascular endothelial glycocalyx in rats.Methods Forty-eight pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 200-250 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=16 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (group L) and LPS+ heparin group (group LH).Endotoxemia was induced by intravenous LPS 15 mg/kg in L and LH groups, and heparin sodium 100 U · kg-1 · h-1 was infused simultaneously in group LH.At 3 and 6 h after LPS injection, blood samples were collected from the femoral vein for determination of the serum concentrations of serum heparin sulfate (HS), syndecan-1, E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) concentrations.The rats were then sacrificed, and lungs were removed for microscopic examination and for determination of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio).Results Compared with group C, the serum HS, syndecan-1, E-selectin and ICAM-1 concentrations and W/D ratio were significantly increased in group L, and the serum HS and ICAM-1 concentrations were increased in group LH (P＜0.05).Compared with group L, the serum HS, syndecan-1, E-selectin and ICAM-1 concentrations and W/D ratio were significantly decreased in group LH (P＜0.05).The pathological changes of lungs were obvious in group L, and were significantly mitigated in group LH.Conclusion Heparanase is involved in endotoxemiainduced destruction of vascular endothelial glycocalyx in rats.

Background and purpose:Tetrandrine is a natural compound whose role in retinoblastoma remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of tetrandrine (Tet) on human retinoblastoma cells.Methods:CCK-8 assays were performed to analyze the effects of Tet on viability of retinoblastoma cells. The apoptosis rate was determined by Annexin V/PI assays. After staining with 2′,7′-dichlorolfuorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA), cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by lfow cytometry. Akt and p-Akt were detected by Western blot.Results:Tet inhibited cell viability of retinoblastoma cells. After treatment with Tet (4, 8, 10 and 20μmol/L) for 24h, cell viability inhibition rates of WERI-Rb-I were 5.7%, 25.0%, 55.1% and 84.9%, whereas inhibition rates of Y79 cells were 2.4%,2.9%, 23.8% and 54.2% (P<0.01). In cells treated with 10μmol/L of Tet for 12, 24 and 48 h, cell viability inhibition rates of WERI-Rb-I were 6.0%, 45.5% and 74.7%, whereas inhibition rates of Y79 cells were 2.9%, 19.4% and 43.3% (P<0.01). Tet induced retinoblastoma cell apoptosis. After treatment with Tet (10 μmol/L) for 24 and 48 h, apoptosis rates of WERI-Rb-I were (23.70±1.75)% and (34.83±3.15)%, respectively, whereas apoptosis rates of Y79 cells were (9.62±2.69)% and (14.97±1.50)%, respectively (P<0.01). Apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK attenuated Tet-induced cell death (P<0.05). ROS levels were indeed increased in cells treated with Tet (10 μmol/L) for 6 and 12 h (P<0.01), while N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) decreased Tet-induced ROS (P<0.01). After ROS was inhibited by NAC, apoptosis rate was decreased compared with the control (P<0.01). Further study indicated that Tet inhibited PI3K/Akt pathway in retinoblastoma cells.Conclusion:Tet induces cell apoptosis via increasing ROS synthesis and inhibiting PI3K/Akt pathway.

Objective To investigate the expression of HIF-1α and P-gp protein in pancreatic carcinoma and determine their clinicopathological significance and the correlation between the expression of HIF-1α, P-gp and the clinical prognosis. Method In samples from 74 cases of pancreatic carcinoma and 10 healthy individuals, the expression of HIF-1α and P-gp were detected by immunohistochemical method. Results The positive expression rate of HIF-1α and P-gp was 75.7% and 86.5%,respectively, which were remarkably higher than that in normal pancreatic tissue (P＜0.05). There was a positive correlation between the expression of HIF-1α and that of P-gp. The aberrant expression of HIF-1α and P-gp was associated with lymph node metastasis but not the location, size, clinical stages and nerve invasion of the tumor. Patients with high intensity of HIF-1α and P-gp expression showed a significantly lower median survival time than those with low intensity expression.Conclusions The expression of HIF-1α and P-gp is up-regulated in pancreatic carcinoma and there is a positive correlation between them. The expression of HIF-1α and P-gp might be related to the lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis.

Objective To learn the condom-use and it's associated factors among men who have sex with men(MSM)in Shenzhen,so as to provide scientific basis for the development of prevention and control program.Methods Cross-sectional survey was conducted with standardized questionnaire used on individual case.Associated factors with behavior of not persistent condom use were analyzed,using logistic regression method as dependent variable and associated factors with behaviors as independent variables.Results Most of the MSM were young,with average age as 27.9.coming from 26 provinces of China.Only 20.5 percent of the participants were persistently using condoms every time with their sex partners in the past year. The main reasons of not constantly using condom with their male sex partners were having fixed partners,being young,healthy and being faithful.Conclusion High risk sexual behaviors and the low rate of condom-use among MSM might serve as potential risks for HIV epidemics.Data on the rate of condom use and the influencing factors among MSM varied for different sexual partners,suggested that targeted prevention measures should be conducted.

Objective To observe the sub-chronic effects of low doses of arsenic poisoning in rabbits exposed to different periods on some of the serum enzymes and biochemical indicators, and to provide the basis for screening of meaningful hematologic indicators for early diagnosis of arsenic poisoning. Methods Twelve adult rabbits,weighing 2.0 - 3.5 kg, were randomly divided into four groups, 3 in each group, and they were fed with drinking water containing sodium arsenite 0(control),0.01,0.05,0.25 mg/L, respectively. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transacylase (y-GT), total protein(TP), albumin(ALB), globulin(GLP), and ALB/GLP of rabbit were measured by SYSMEX-180 automated biochemistry analyzer after 8 weeks and 12 weeks exposure. Results The results showed that ALT in 0.05 mg/Lgroup of 12 week[(60.00 ± 4.14)U/L]increased significantly compared with the control[(41.50 ± 2.12)U/L, P ＜0.05];AST in 0.25 mg/L group of 8 week and 12 week[(46.50 ± 3.21 ), (52.33 ± 3.81 )U/L]increased significantly compared with the control[(21.33 ± 3.53), (29.50 ± 3.23 )U/L, all P ＜ 0.05];ALP in 0.05 mg/L and 0.25 mg/L group of 12 week [(78.68 ± 4.85 ), ( 103.00 ± 7.83 ) U / L]increased significantly compared with the control [(45.50 ± 5.50)U/L, all P ＜ 0.05];γ-GT in 0.05 mg/L group of 12 week[(19.33 ± 7.50)U/L]increased significantly compared with the contro1[(8.50 ± 3.53)U/L, P＜ 0.05]. TP, ALB, GLP, ALB/GLP of different groups of 8 week and 12 week were not significantly different statistically(F= 0.77,0.02,0.16,3.14 and 0.51,0.29,0.41,0.52, all P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions Zero point zero five mg/L and higher doses of sub-chronic arsenic exposure has some major damage to the liver. Compared with other serum enzymes and the biochemical indexes, serum AST is a early sensitive indicator of liver injury of the arsenic poisoning.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of serum soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) combined with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in short-term prognosis assessment of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:From January 2018 to May 2020, 66 patients with CHB related ACLF from Fuzhou First People′s Hospital were enrolled. After 90 days of follow-up, the patients with CHB related ACLF were divided into death group and survival group according to the outcome. Meanwhile, 30 patients with CHB were enrolled by simple random sampling method. The differences of serum suPAR in patients with CHB related ACLF and patients with CHB were analyzed. The values of suPAR, AFP and MELD score were compared between death group and survival group in patients with CHB related ACLF. The predictive value of suPAR, AFP, MELD score, Child-Turcotte Pugh score (CTP score) and suPAR combined with AFP and MELD score in the short-term prognosis of patients with CHB related ACLF were analyzed by area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC). Data were analyzed by two independent sample t test or non-parametric test. Results:The serum suPAR level of patients with CHB related ACLF was (9.6±0.8) ln ng/L, which was higher than that of patients with CHB ((8.0±0.3) ln ng/L). The difference was statistically significant ( t=14.533, P<0.01). The suPAR and MELD score of patients with CHB related ACLF in the death group were (9.9±0.7) ln ng/L and 29.6 (7.1) points, respectively, which were higher than those in the survival group ((9.4±0.7) ln ng/L and 21.0 (5.0) points, respectively). The AFP level in the death group was 45.9 (108.1) μg/L, which was lower than that in the survival group (209.3 (187.1) μg/L). There were significant differences in suPAR ( t=2.895, P=0.005), MELD score ( Z=4.708, P<0.01) and AFP ( Z=3.051, P<0.01) between the death group and the survival group. AUROC of suPAR (0.741, P=0.001), AFP (0.724, P=0.002) and MELD score (0.885, P<0.01) had predictive value for death in patients with CHB related ACLF. The sensitivities of suPAR, AFP, MELD score, CTP score and suPAR combined with AFP and MELD score were 84.6%, 73.1%, 88.5%, 96.2% and 84.6%, respectively, and the specificities were 75.0%, 72.5%, 70.0%, 52.5% and 92.5%, respectively. The AUROC of suPAR combined with AFP and MELD score was 0.871 ( P<0.01), which was higher than that of CTP score (0.793, P<0.01). Conclusions:Serum suPAR is increased in patients with CHB related ACLF. SuPAR combined with AFP and MELD score could apply in the prognostic value for patients with CHB related ACLF.

Objective:To study preoperative MRI imaging and its enhanced mode on tumor features in predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The clinical data of patients with a solitary HCC who underwent MRI examination followed by surgical resection at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2017 to June 2019 were studied. The patients were divided into the MVI (+ ) and MVI (-) groups according to the findings on postoperative pathological diagnosis. The relationship between the rates of MVI and MRI tumor features including diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) signal, enhancement mode, enhancement type and other imaging characteristics were analysed.Results:Of 84 patients with HCC enrolled into this study, there were 65 males and 19 females. Their age (Mean±SD) was (54.94±11.51) years. MVI (+ ) was found in 46 patients and MVI (-) in 38 patients. The maximum tumor diameters (Mean±SD) of the two groups were (7.08±3.45) cm and (4.28±2.47) cm ( P<0.01). Single-factor analysis and comparison of imaging characteristics of the two groups of patients showed tumor DWI signal, tumor encapsulation, enhancement mode, tumor edge smoothness, abnormal enhancement around tumors, and intratumoral arteries were significantly different ( P<0.05); There were no significant differences in T 1WI signals, T 2WI signals, tumor periphery, and enhancement types between groups. After inputting MVI(+ ) as a risk factor into the logistic regression model, tumor maximum diameters >6.33 cm, type 3/4 enhancement mode, and unsmoothness of tumor edge were independent risk factors (all P<0.05). Through combined diagnosis using ROC curve analysis with a cut-off value of 0.53, the area under the curve was 0.881, the sensitivity 0.870, specificity 0.789, and the Youden index 0.659. Conclusion:The multivariate logistic regression model and combined diagnosis using ROC curve analysis improved the diagnostic efficacy of MVI in its prediction of HCC on imaging studies. The risk predictors were easy to use and to promote in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the expression of Akt and phosphoryled Akt (p-Akt1) protein in pancreatic carcinoma and to determine the clinical significance. Methods In 74 cases of pancreatic carcinoma and 10 cases of normal pancreatic tissue samples, the expression of Akt and p-Akt1 were detected by immunohistochemical method, and the its relationship with clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. Results The positive expression rate of Akt and p-Akt1 in pancreatic carcinoma were 87.8% and 83.8% respectively, while there was no expression of Akt and p-Akt1 in normal pancreatic tissue, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the expression of Akt and p-Akt1 in pancreatic carcinoma (r =0.274, P =0. 018). The expression of Akt and p-Akt1 was not significantly associated with the age, sex, location, size, pathology stages, lymph nodes metastasis, clinical stages and nerve invasion of the tumor (P >0.05). But the higher expression of p-Akt1 was associated with T stages and TNM staging (p =0. 002). Patients with high intensity of Akt and p-Akt1 expression showed a significantly longer median survival time [(16.0 ± 5.7) month and (23.0 ± 5.5) month, respectively]than those with low intensity expression [(9.3 ± 0.2) month and (11.1 ± 1.8) month (P = 0. 007 and P = 0.004) respectively]. Conclusions p-Akt1 expression is a significant positive prognostic factor for pancreaticcarcinoma and detection of p-Akt1 expression may be of clinical value.

This study was purposed to investigate the inhibitory effect of bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated activation of platelets. Venous blood samples were obtained from 10 healthy volunteers and were prepared into platelet-rich plasma (PRP, 1 × 10(8)/ml). Experiments were divided into four groups: normal platelet group (untreated group); LPS group, BPI group and BPI+LPS group. PRP were stimulated by LPS (10 µg/ml) in the presence and absence of BPI (100 µg/ml) or BPI alone. Then platelets were harvested and determined for Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) with flow cytometry (FCM), the supernatant was used for detection of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that as compared with normal platelet group, TLR-4 expression on platelets was significantly increased under LPS stimulation (P < 0.001); the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the supernatant were also remarkably elevated (P < 0.001). However, either TLR-4 expression or the cytokine levels significantly decreased in the presence of BPI when platelets underwent LPS-challenge (P < 0.05), but still were higher than that in normal platelet group. Stimulating the platelets with BPI alone could not enhance the TLR-4 expression and cytokine levels. It is concluded that BPI has the ability to inhibit the LPS-induced platelet activation.
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; pharmacology ; Blood Proteins ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Platelet Activation ; drug effects ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism